Eid ki subah Fajr ki azaan abhi Jamia Masjid ke minaron se utar kar purani gali mein phaili hi thi ke Bahawalpur ki us qadeem haveli ke sehan mein lagay neem ke darakht par bethay kabootar ek saath pharphara uthe, aur unke paron ki aahat se Kashif ki aankh khul gayi. Wo rickshaw mein aaya tha, subah ke dhundalkay mein, station se seedha, kandhay par bag aur haath mein Lahore ki mithai ka diba liye, aur jab us ne haveli ka wo neelay rang ka lakri ka bara darwaza khatkhataya tha to andar se uski Chachi Nasreen ki awaaz aayi thi, Eid Mubarak ke naray ke saath, aur darwaza khulne par doodh aur sheer khurme ki khushbu ne usay aise gale lagaya tha jaise wo kayee Eidon se ghar nahi aaya tha. Kashif, 26 saal ka, Lahore mein ek software company mein kaam karta tha, aur is baar us ne Eid ki chhuttiyan poori tarah apne abayi ghar mein guzarne ka faisla kiya tha, us haveli mein jahan uska bachpan guzra tha, jahan sehan ke beechon beech lage neem ke neeche garmiyon ki dopehron mein wo apne cousins ke saath kheelta tha, aur jahan ki har deewar, har jharoka, har lakri ki khirki usay uske naam se pukarti thi.
Sehan mein abhi se halchal thi. Dadi, safed baalon wali, apni chaarpayi par bethi tasbeeh pher rahi theen, aur unke paas hi chhoti phuppi ki betiyan sheer khurme ke bartan saja rahi theen. Aangan mein bara safed dastarkhwan bichhaya ja raha tha, us par khajur, mithai, aur phoolon ki thaaliyan rakhi ja rahi theen. Mardon ki Eid ki namaz ka waqt qareeb tha, aur Taya Abba apna safed kurta pehne, ittar lagaye, sehan mein khare sab ko Eid Mubarak keh rahe the. Kashif ne bag ek taraf rakha, mithai ka diba Chachi Nasreen ke hawale kiya, aur jab wo dastarkhwan ke paas se guzra to uski nazar chhat par pari, jahan koi larki rangeen jhandiyon ki lari laga rahi thi, aur subah ki halki dhoop uske chehre par par rahi thi. Kashif ke qadam ek lamhe ko ruk gaye. Wo Zara thi. Zara, 23 saal ki, uski Chachi Nasreen aur Chacha Saleem ki beti, jo apni taleem mukammal kar ke Multan se wapas aayi thi, aur jise Kashif ne aakhri baar dekha tha to wo abhi larki thi, ab aurat ban chuki thi. Uske baal khulay hue thay, hawa mein lehra rahe thay, aur us ne halke gulabi rang ka suit pehna tha jis par bareek kaam hua tha. Us ne neeche dekha, Kashif ko dekha, aur ek lamhe ke liye dono ki aankhen mileen. Zara ne jaldi se nazar hata li, jaise usay dekh kar koi purani baat yaad aa gayi ho, aur wo phir apne kaam mein lag gayi.
Kashif ke dil mein ek ajeeb si halchal hui. Bachpan mein wo dono sab se qareebi dost thay. Gali mein cycle chalana, chhat par patang urana, Eid par Eidi ki ginti — har khushi mein wo saath thay. Phir waqt ne unhen alag kar diya, Kashif Lahore chala gaya, Zara Multan parhne chali gayi, aur ab kayee Eid guzarne ke baad wo dono ek hi chhat ke neeche thay, lekin darmiyan mein ek ajeeb si deewar thi. Kashif ne muskurakar haath hilaya, Zara ne bhi halki si muskurahat ke saath jawab diya, lekin us muskurahat mein wo purani befikri nahi thi. Kuch badal gaya tha.
“Kashif bhai!” Ek zor daar awaaz ne usay chonka diya. Nadeem, 25 saal ka, uska dusra cousin, jo apne abba ke transport ke kaam mein haath batata tha, daurta hua aaya aur usay gale laga liya. Nadeem hamesha se shor sharabe wala tha, mehfil ki jaan, aur uski aamad par sehan mein hansi goonj uthi. “Eid Mubarak! Lahore se aate hi chhat par nazar jama li? Wah bhai, wah!” Nadeem ne aankh mari, aur Kashif ne usay halka sa dhakka diya. “Chup kar, namaz ka waqt ho raha hai,” Kashif ne kaha, lekin uska chehra surkh ho gaya tha. Nadeem hansta raha, aur dono Taya Abba ke saath masjid ki taraf chal diye.
Namaz ke baad jab sab wapas aaye to dastarkhwan saj chuka tha. Sheer khurma, sawaiyan, khajur, aur tarah tarah ki mithaiyan. Dadi ne sab se pehle Kashif ko sheer khurma diya, aur uske sar par haath pher kar dua di. “Allah tumhen khush rakhe, beta. Ab to tumhari shaadi ki umar ho gayi hai,” Dadi ne kaha, aur sehan mein halki si hansi goonj uthi. Kashif ne nazar utha kar dekha to Zara apni ami ke paas bethi sheer khurma pi rahi thi, aur usne bhi ye baat suni thi. Uske chehre par ek ajeeb sa rang aaya, aur us ne jaldi se apna pyala neeche rakh diya.
Nashtay ke dauran Chachi Nasreen ne ek baat chheri jis ne Kashif ke kaan khare kar diye. “Multan walon ka jawab aana baqi hai,” unhon ne Dadi se kaha, dheemi awaaz mein, lekin Kashif ne sun liya tha. “Larka acha hai, parha likha, apna karobar hai. Zara ki ami hone ke naate main chahti hun ke uska ghar bas jaye.” Dadi ne sar hilaya. “Allah behtar karega,” unhon ne kaha. Kashif ne dekha ke Zara ne ye baat suni thi, aur uske chehre par ek gehra sukoot chha gaya tha. Wo uth kar andar chali gayi, aur Kashif ka dil ek ajeeb se bojh se bhar gaya. To ye thi wo deewar. Zara ka rishta kahin aur tay hone ja raha tha.
Din bhar haveli mein mehmaanon ka aana jaana laga raha. Eid milne wale aate, Eidi batti, bachay shor machate. Kashif mehmaanon mein masroof raha, lekin uski nazar baar baar Zara ko dhoondti rahi. Wo apni ami ke saath kaam mein lagi thi, mehmaanon ko khana khila rahi thi, bachon ko Eidi de rahi thi, lekin jab bhi Kashif uski taraf dekhta, wo nazar chura leti. Shaam ko jab mehmaan kam hue to sehan mein khandani mehfil jami. Taya Abba ne purane qissay sunaye, Dadi ne duayen deen, aur Nadeem ne apne transport ke karobari qissay suna kar sab ko hansaya. Kashif, Zara ke samne wali chaarpayi par betha tha. Darmiyan mein aag ka alao jal raha tha, aur uski roshni mein Zara ka chehra chamak raha tha. Kashif ne dekha ke wo kitni khubsurat lag rahi thi, aur kitni door.
Shaam ko jab mehmaan kam hue to sehan mein dholak ki mehfil jami. Chachi Nasreen ne dholak nikali, aur phuppi ki betiyon ne geet shuru kiye. “Mehndi lagake rakhna, doli sajake rakhna,” ki dhun par sab taaliyan bajane lage. Dadi bhi apni chaarpayi par bethi muskurati rahi theen, aur bachay sehan mein naachne lage. Nadeem ne Kashif ko kheench kar darmiyan mein khara kar diya, aur sab ne us se kaha ke wo bhi kuch sunaye. Kashif ne pehle to inkar kiya, lekin phir us ne ek purana filmi geet chher diya, aur uski awaaz itni sureeli nikli ke sab hairan reh gaye. Geet gate hue uski nazar baar baar Zara par par rahi thi, jo ek taraf bethi taaliyan baja rahi thi, aur uski aankhon mein ek ajeeb si chamak thi. Geet khatam hua to sab ne taaliyan bajayeen, aur Nadeem ne chillakar kaha, “Wah bhai wah! Lahore ne tumhen gayak bana diya!”
Phir bari Zara ki aayi. Sab ne us se kaha ke wo bhi kuch sunaye. Zara ne pehle inkar kiya, lekin Dadi ne kaha, “Beta, suna do, tumhari awaaz to bachpan mein kitni meethi thi.” Zara ne sharma kar ek geet shuru kiya, dheemi awaaz mein, aur uski awaaz mein ek aisa dard tha ke mehfil khamosh ho gayi. Kashif usay dekhta raha, aur usay laga ke wo geet sirf uske liye gaa rahi thi — un kahay jazbaat, un kahay khwab, sab us geet mein thay. Geet khatam hua to Zara ne jaldi se apni aankhen ponchhen, aur uth kar andar chali gayi. Kashif ka dil chaaha ke wo uske peechay jaye, lekin mehmaanon ke darmiyan wo ruk gaya.
Raat ko jab sab apne kamron mein chale gaye to Kashif chhat par chala gaya. Bahawalpur ki raat thandi thi, aasman par taare chamak rahe thay, aur door kahin se dhol ki awaaz aa rahi thi. Wo munder par betha soch raha tha ke achanak usay qadamyon ki aahat sunayi di. Zara thi, haath mein chai ke do pyalay liye. “Tum yahan kya kar rahi ho?” Kashif ne pucha. “Tumhare liye chai layi hun,” Zara ne kaha, aur ek pyala usay thamaya. “Tum ne aaj mujh se baat kyun nahi ki?” Kashif ne seedha pucha. Zara chup rahi, taaron ko dekhti rahi. “Baat karne ko kuch hai nahi,” us ne aakhir kaha. “Zara, hum bachpan ke dost hain. Tum mujh se jhoot nahi bol sakti.” Zara ne uski taraf dekha, aur uski aankhon mein ek ajeeb si nami thi. “Kuch baaten kehne se behtar hai ke na kahi jayen, Kashif,” us ne kaha, aur uth kar chali gayi, chai ka pyala aadha piya hua chhor kar. Kashif usay jaata dekhta raha, aur uske dil mein ek faisla pakka hota gaya. Wo is khamoshi ki wajah jaan kar rahega.
Agli subah Eid ka dusra din tha, aur haveli mein pehle din jaisi halchal nahi thi, lekin phir bhi khushiyon ka mahaul tha. Nashtay ke baad Nadeem ne ek tajweez pesh ki jis ne sab ko chonka diya. “Meri ek tajweez hai,” us ne kaha, sehan mein sab ke samne khare ho kar, jaise koi ailaan kar raha ho. “Eid ki chhuttiyan hain, mausam acha hai. Kyun na hum teenon cousin Naran chalen, do teen din ke liye? Mere dost ka wahan ek cottage hai, bilkul khaali para hai. Hum jeep mein jayenge, wapas Eid ke baad.” Taya Abba ne pehle to inkar kiya, lekin Nadeem ne itni minnaten keen ke sab maan gaye. Chacha Saleem ne shart rakhi ke unka purana driver Rafiq saath jayega, aur Chachi Nasreen ne Zara ke liye khaas hidayaten deen. Zara ne pehle to inkar kiya, lekin Nadeem ne usay bhi mana liya. “Tumhare baghair maza nahi aayega,” us ne kaha. Kashif ne dekha ke Zara ne haan kehne se pehle ek nazar uski taraf dekhi thi, jaise wo uski raza pooch rahi ho. Kashif ne sar hila diya, aur Zara ne dheere se haan keh di.
Dopahar ko Kashif sehan mein betha Nadeem ke saath safar ki tayyariyon par baat kar raha tha ke usay Zara ki awaaz sunayi di. Wo apni ami se keh rahi thi, “Ami, Multan walon ko mana kar den. Mujhe abhi shaadi nahi karni.” Chachi Nasreen ki awaaz mein sakhti thi. “Ye kya bachgana baat hai, Zara? Larka acha hai, khandan acha hai. Tumhari umar ki larkiyan do bachon ki maayen ban chuki hain. Main tumhara bhala chahti hun.” Zara ne kuch nahi kaha, aur andar chali gayi. Kashif ne ye guftagu sun li thi, aur usay samajh aaya ke Zara kis dabao mein thi. Uske dil mein uske liye ek gehra dard utha. Wo jaanta tha ke Chachi Nasreen apni beti se bohat mohabbat karti theen, lekin unki mohabbat ab Zara ke liye ek qaid ban gayi thi.
Shaam ko Kashif ne Zara ko akele paaya, wo sehan ke konay mein lage anar ke darakht ke neeche bethi thi, haath mein koi kitaab liye, lekin parh nahi rahi thi, bas soch mein doobi thi. Kashif uske paas ja kar beth gaya. “Kya parh rahi ho?” us ne pucha. Zara ne kitaab band kar di. “Kuch nahi, bas waqt guzar rahi hun.” Kashif ne uski aankhon mein dekha. “Zara, main jaanta hun ke Multan wale rishtay ki baat chal rahi hai.” Zara ka chehra safed par gaya. “Tumhen kis ne bataya?” “Chachi ne Dadi se kaha tha, main ne sun liya tha.” Zara chup ho gayi. “Tum kya chahti ho, Zara?” Kashif ne narmi se pucha. “Meri chahat se kya hota hai?” Zara ne talkhi se kaha. “Meri ami ne faisla kar liya hai. Wo kehti hain ke larka acha hai. Aur shayad wo theek kehti hain. Mujhe kya pata ke main kya chahti hun?” Kashif ne uska haath pakarna chaha, lekin Zara ne haath kheench liya. “Kashif, tum samajhte kyun nahi? Tum mere cousin ho. Humare darmiyan jo bhi hai, wo sirf ek uljhan hai. Kal ko tum Lahore wapas chale jaoge, aur main yahan apni ami ka dil tor kar reh jaungi. Is se behtar hai ke hum is baat ko yaheen khatam kar den.” Kashif ne usay dekha, aur uski awaaz mein ek ajeeb sa dard tha. “Tumhen lagta hai ke main tumhen uljhan samajhta hun?” Zara ne jawab nahi diya, uth kar chali gayi. Kashif wahin betha raha, anar ke darakht ke neeche, aur sochta raha ke mohabbat kitni ajeeb cheez hai — jo dil mein utarti hai, wo kabhi pooch kar nahi utarti.
Raat ko khane ke baad Nadeem Kashif ke kamray mein aaya. “Bhai, tayyari kar lo, parson subah nikalna hai,” us ne kaha. “Rafiq jeep tayyar kar lega. Tum ne Zara se baat ki?” Kashif ne hairani se usay dekha. “Tumhen kya lagta hai?” Nadeem hansta hua bistar par beth gaya. “Bhai, main andha nahi hun. Tum dono ko dekh kar saaf pata chalta hai. Lekin suno, Zara ki ami ne Multan walon se baat bohat aagay barha di hai. Agar tumhen Zara se sach mein mohabbat hai to tumhen himmat karni hogi. Warna wo larki apni ami ki khushi ke liye apni zindagi qurban kar degi.” Kashif ne gehri saans li. “Main jaanta hun, Nadeem. Lekin wo mujh se door bhag rahi hai.” Nadeem ne uske kandhay par haath rakha. “Jo larki door bhagti hai, wo aksar qareeb aana chahti hai. Bas usay yakeen dilana parta hai ke tum usay sambhal loge.” Kashif ne sar hilaya, aur dono der tak safar ki mansoobabandi karte rahe.
Teesre din subah sawere jeep haveli ke bahar khari thi. Rafiq, pachaas saal ka tajurbakar driver, jeep saaf kar raha tha. Samaan rakha gaya, nashta kiya gaya, aur Dadi ne teenon ko duayen deen. Chachi Nasreen ne Zara ko gale lagaya aur dheemi awaaz mein kaha, “Apna khayal rakhna, beta. Aur wapas aakar Multan walon ke baare mein sochna.” Zara ne sar jhuka liya. Jeep jab haveli se nikli to Kashif ne peechay mur kar dekha. Haveli ka neela darwaza, neem ka darakht, aur chhat par khari Dadi ka haath hilata hua — ye manzar uske dil mein utar gaya. Uske paas agli seat par Nadeem betha tha, aur peechay Zara khirki se bahar dekh rahi thi. Safar shuru ho chuka tha, aur Kashif ko nahi pata tha ke ye safar uski zindagi ka sab se ahem safar sabit hoga.
Rasta lamba tha. Bahawalpur se nikal kar wo Multan se hotay hue aagay barhe. Dopher ko unhon ne ek dhabe par khana khaya, aur shaam tak wo Mansehra pahunch gaye. Wahan se Naran ka rasta pahari tha, aur andhera chhane laga tha. Rafiq ne headlights jalayen, aur jeep paharon ke darmiyan bal khati hui aagay barhne lagi. Khirki se bahar dekhne par unhen door barf se dhake pahar nazar aane lage, chaandni mein chamakte hue. Zara ne pehli baar khirki se nazar hata kar Kashif ki taraf dekha, aur uski aankhon mein ek bachgani khushi thi. “Kitna khubsurat hai,” us ne dheemi awaaz mein kaha. Kashif muskuraya. “Tum ne pehle kabhi barf nahi dekhi?” Zara ne sar hilaya. “Nahi, pehli baar dekh rahi hun.” Us lamhe mein Kashif ko laga ke wo purani Zara wapas aa gayi thi, wo larki jo har nayi cheez par khush hoti thi. Nadeem ne peechay mur kar dekha aur muskuraya, jaise wo samajh gaya ho ke kuch theek ho raha hai.
Raat ke das bajay wo cottage pahunche. Ye ek lakri ka bana hua chhota sa ghar tha, deodar ke darakhton ke darmiyan, aur uske samne ek khula maidan tha jahan halki barf giri hui thi. Cottage ka nigran, Baba Deen, ek burha aadmi, unka intezaar kar raha tha. Us ne aag jalayi, khana banaya, aur unhen kamray dikhaye. Cottage mein do kamray thay, ek bara aur ek chhota, aur ek mushtarka bethak jahan aatishdaan laga tha. Nadeem ne bara kamra le liya, aur Kashif aur Zara ne chhotay kamray aapas mein baantne ka faisla kiya — ek mein Kashif, dusre… lekin dusra kamra to tha hi nahi. “Koi baat nahi,” Nadeem ne kaha, “Zara bara kamra le legi, main aur Kashif bethak mein so jayenge.” Sab ne haan keh di. Khana kha kar sab thakawat se choor thay, aur jaldi so gaye. Kashif bethak mein leta taaron bhari khirki se bahar dekh raha tha, aur soch raha tha ke kal ka din kya layega.
Subah jab Kashif ki aankh khuli to khirki se bahar ka manzar dekh kar wo hairan reh gaya. Raat bhar halki barf parti rahi thi, aur ab poora maidan safed chadar orhe hue tha. Deodar ke darakht barf se dhake hue thay, aur hawa mein ek ajeeb si khamoshi thi. Wo bahar nikla to thandi hawa ne uske chehre ko chhua. Zara bhi apne kamray se nikli, shawl orhe hue, aur barf dekh kar uske chehre par wo bachgani khushi phir aa gayi. “Kashif, dekho! Kitni barf hai!” Wo maidan mein daur pari, barf mein apne qadamyon ke nishan banati hui. Kashif aur Nadeem bhi uske peechay gaye. Teenon ne barf ke golay banaye, ek dusre par phenke, aur khoob hanse. Kayee saalon baad Kashif ne Zara ko itna khush dekha tha. Us lamhe mein Multan ka rishta, Chachi Nasreen ki baaten, sab kuch door ki baat lag rahi thi. Sirf wo thay, barf thi, aur unke darmiyan ek purani dosti jo phir se jaag rahi thi.
Nashtay ke baad Baba Deen ne bataya ke mausam kharab hone wala hai. “Sahab, aasman dekh rahe hain? Ye barf ka toofan layega. Aap log aaj kahin door na jayen,” us ne kaha. Nadeem ne faisla kiya ke wo qareebi bazaar tak jayenge, kuch zaroori samaan lene. Jeep mein bethe hi thay ke Nadeem ka phone baja. Phone par uske chehre ka rang badal gaya. “Kya? Kab? … Main abhi nikalta hun.” Phone rakh kar us ne dono ko dekha. “Mere abba ki tabiyat kharab ho gayi hai. Unhe seenay mein dard hua tha, hospital le gaye hain Bahawalpur mein. Mujhe foran wapas jaana hoga.” Kashif foran bola, “Main bhi chalta hun tumhare saath.” Nadeem ne sar hilaya. “Nahi, tum dono ruko. Main Rafiq ke saath nikalta hun, tum dono kal ya parson wapas aa jana jab mausam theek ho. Abba ke paas ghar wale hain, lekin mujhe wahan hona chahiye.” Zara ne fikar se kaha, “Nadeem, khayal se jana. Aur khabar dena.” Nadeem ne dono ko gale lagaya, aur Kashif ke kaan mein dheemi awaaz mein kaha, “Bhai, ye mauqa hai. Zara ka dil jeet lo. Main dua karunga.” Phir wo Rafiq ke saath jeep mein beth kar nikal gaya, barf mein peeche nishan chhorta hua.
Ab cottage mein sirf Kashif aur Zara reh gaye thay. Pehle to dono ko ajeeb laga, lekin phir unhon ne din guzarna shuru kiya. Dopher ko unhon ne mil kar khana banaya — Kashif ne andaay tale, Zara ne chai banayi. Khana kha kar wo bethak mein aatishdaan ke paas bethe, aur bahar barf tez hoti gayi. Hawa ki awaaz tez hone lagi, aur khirkiyon ke sheeshay thartharane lage. Baba Deen aaya, haath mein lakriyon ka gathra liye. “Sahab, toofan aa raha hai. Ye lakriyan rakh lo, aur ye sookha ration. Bijli ja sakti hai, phone ke signal bhi kamzor honge. Main gaon ja raha hun, apne ghar. Aap log darwaza band rakhna, aag bujhne na dena.” Kashif ne usay shukriya kaha, aur Baba Deen barf mein apne gaon ki taraf chal diya. Ab wo dono bilkul akele thay, barf ke toofan mein ghirre hue, duniya se katay hue.
Shaam ko bijli chali gayi, jaise Baba Deen ne kaha tha. Cottage mein sirf aatishdaan ki roshni thi, aur mombattiyan jal rahi theen. Bahar toofan apne urooj par tha, hawa cheekh rahi thi, aur barf khirkiyon par thap thap kar rahi thi. Kashif ne aag mein lakriyan daaleen, aur Zara mombatti ki roshni mein bethi thi, shawl mein lipti hui. “Tumhen darr to nahi lag raha?” Kashif ne pucha. Zara ne sar hilaya. “Nahi, tum ho na.” Ye chhota sa jumla Kashif ke dil mein utar gaya. Wo uske paas beth gaya, aur dono der tak aag ko dekhte rahe. “Zara,” Kashif ne aakhir kaha, “main tum se ek baat kehna chahta hun.” Zara ne uski taraf dekha, aag ki roshni mein uski aankhen chamak rahi theen. “Kaho.” Kashif ne gehri saans li. “Main tum se mohabbat karta hun, Zara. Bachpan se nahi, lekin jab se tum wapas aayi ho, jab se main ne tumhen chhat par dekha tha, tab se. Aur main jaanta hun ke tum bhi mujh se door nahi ho. Tum jitna door bhago gi, utna hi tumhare dil ki awaaz tez hogi.”
Zara ki aankhon mein aansu aa gaye. “Kashif, tum nahi samajhte. Meri ami ne Multan walon ko zubaan de di hai. Wo kehti hain ke main unki izzat hun. Agar main ne inkar kiya to wo toot jayengi. Aur tum… tum Lahore mein rehte ho. Humara kya mustaqbil hai? Ye sirf ek khwab hai, jo barf pighalne ke saath pighal jayega.” Kashif ne uska haath pakra, is baar Zara ne haath nahi kheenchay. “Zara, main tum se wada karta hun. Main khud Chachi se baat karunga. Main khud tumhare abba se baat karunga. Tumhen akele kuch nahi karna parega. Aur Lahore… Lahore mein mera kaam hai, lekin mera ghar wahan hai jahan tum ho. Main tumhare liye Bahawalpur wapas aa sakta hun, ya tum mere saath Lahore aa sakti ho. Raste nikal aayenge, bas tum haan keh do.” Zara ro pari. “Itna aasaan nahi hai, Kashif. Tum nahi jaante ke meri ami ne mere liye kitne khwab dekhe hain.” Kashif ne uske aansu ponchhe. “Aur tum ne apne liye kya khwab dekha hai, Zara? Kabhi apne dil se pucha hai?” Zara ne jawab nahi diya, bas aag ko dekhti rahi, aansu uske gaalon par behte rahe.
Raat gehra gayi. Toofan bahar zoron par tha, lekin cottage ke andar aatishdaan ki garmi thi. Khana kha kar Zara apne kamray mein chali gayi, aur Kashif bethak mein leta raha. Lekin usay neend nahi aa rahi thi. Wo uth kar khirki ke paas khara ho gaya, bahar barf ko dekhta raha. Achanak usay Zara ke kamray se awaaz aayi. Wo gaya to dekha ke Zara bistar mein kaanp rahi thi. Uske kamray ki khirki theek se band nahi hui thi, aur thandi hawa andar aa rahi thi. “Zara, tum theek ho?” Kashif ne fikar se pucha. “Bohat thand hai,” Zara ne kaanpte hue kaha. Kashif ne foran khirki band ki, aur apni shawl usay orha di. “Tum bethak mein aa jao, aag ke paas. Wahan garm hai.” Zara ne sar hilaya, aur dono bethak mein aa gaye. Kashif ne aag tez ki, aur Zara aag ke paas beth gayi, shawl mein lipti hui. Kashif uske paas betha, aur dono ke darmiyan ek ajeeb si khamoshi thi, lekin ye khamoshi pehle jaisi deewar nahi thi, ye ek pul tha.
“Kashif,” Zara ne dheemi awaaz mein kaha, “tum ne kabhi socha hai ke agar hum saath ho gaye to log kya kahenge? Cousin hain hum.” Kashif muskuraya. “Log to har baat par kehte hain, Zara. Lekin zindagi hum ne guzarni hai, logon ne nahi. Aur waise bhi, humare khandan mein cousin ki shaadiyan koi nayi baat nahi.” Zara ne halki si hansi hansi, pehli baar us raat. “Tum hamesha har baat ka jawab rakhte ho.” Kashif ne uski aankhon mein dekha. “Sirf tumhare sawalon ka.” Dono ki nazren mileen, aur waqt jaise tham gaya. Bahar toofan cheekh raha tha, lekin andar sirf aag ki chatpatahat thi, aur do dilon ki dhar kanen jo ek dusre ko sunayi de rahi theen. Kashif ne dheere se apna haath barhaya, aur Zara ke gaal ko chhua. Zara ne aankhen band kar leen, lekin peeche nahi hati. Ye pehli baar tha ke us ne Kashif ke chhune par apne aap ko roka nahi tha.
Kashif ka haath Zara ke gaal par tha, narm, garam, aur Zara ki saansen tez ho gayi theen. Uske hont kaanp rahe thay, aur uski aankhen band theen. Kashif ne apna chehra uske chehre ke qareeb kiya, itna qareeb ke usay uski saanson ki garmi mehsoos ho rahi thi. Ek lamhe ke liye laga ke wo usay choom lega, lekin phir Kashif ne apna haath hata liya, aur peechay hat gaya. Zara ne aankhen kholeen, hairani se usay dekha. “Kyun ruke?” us ne pucha, uski awaaz mein ek ajeeb si bechaini thi. Kashif ne gehri saans li, aur khirki ki taraf dekhne laga, jahan barf ab bhi par rahi thi. “Kyunki main tumhen is haal mein nahi chahta, Zara,” us ne kaha, uski awaaz mein ek gehra dard tha. “Tum abhi ro rahi thi, tumhare dil mein uljhan hai, tumhari ami ka dabao hai. Agar main ne aaj tumhen chhua to tum kal apne aap ko maaf nahi kar paogi. Tum kahogi ke toofan ne, tanhayi ne, kamzori ke lamhe ne tum se ye karwaya. Main ye nahi chahta. Main chahta hun ke jab tum meri taraf aao to poori tarah apni marzi se aao, apne dil ke faislay se aao, kisi majboori se nahi.”
Zara usay dekhti reh gayi. Us ne socha tha ke Kashif is mauqay ka faida uthayega, lekin us ne to apne jazbaat ko qurban kar diya tha, uski izzat ke liye. Zara ke dil mein ek aisa ehsaas utha jo us ne pehle kabhi mehsoos nahi kiya tha. Ye sirf mohabbat nahi thi, ye aitbaar tha, ye izzat thi. Usay samajh aaya ke ye mard usay sirf hasil nahi karna chahta, ye usay sambhalna chahta hai. Zara uth khari hui, aur dheere dheere Kashif ke paas aayi. Us ne apne dono haath uske chehre par rakhe, aur uski aankhon mein dekha. “Kashif,” us ne kaha, uski awaaz ab mazboot thi, “main ne faisla kar liya hai. Na toofan ki wajah se, na tanhayi ki wajah se. Apne dil ki wajah se. Main tum se mohabbat karti hun, aur main tumhari hona chahti hun. Aaj, isi lamhe, apni marzi se.” Kashif ne usay dekha, aur uski aankhon mein aansu the. “Tum sure ho, Zara? Ek baar phir soch lo.” Zara muskurayi, aansuon ke saath. “Main ne kayee Eidon se socha hai, Kashif. Ab sochne ka waqt khatam. Ab jeene ka waqt hai.”
Kashif ne usay apni baahon mein bhar liya, aur is baar uske hont Zara ke honton par utar aaye. Ye unka pehla bosa tha, naram, gehra, aur barson ki pyaas bujhane wala. Zara ne apni baahen uski gardan mein daal deen, aur uske jism ka har zarra Kashif ki taraf khincha chala gaya. Kashif ne usay uthaya, aur aag ke paas bichhi hui narm dari par leta diya. Aatishdaan ki roshni un dono par par rahi thi, aur unke saaye deewar par ek ho rahe thay. Kashif ne dheere dheere Zara ki shawl hatayi, phir uske suit ke button kholne laga, ek ek kar ke, jaise wo koi ibadat kar raha ho. Zara ki saansen tez ho gayi theen, uska seena upar neeche ho raha tha. Jab Kashif ne uska suit utar diya to uske samne Zara ka gora badan tha, sirf ek bareek libas mein, jo aag ki roshni mein uske jism ke ubharon ko chhupa nahi pa raha tha.
Kashif ne apni ungliyon se uske chehre ko chhua, phir uski gardan ko, aur dheere dheere neeche ki taraf barha. Zara ka badan kaanp raha tha, lekin ye thand ka kaanpna nahi tha, ye jazbaat ka kaanpna tha. Kashif ne uske honton ko phir chooma, is baar zyada gehrai se, aur uski zabaan ne Zara ke munh ki garmi ko mehsoos kiya. Zara ne bhi uska saath diya, uski zabaan Kashif ki zabaan se mili, aur dono ek dusre ke zaiqay mein kho gaye. Kashif ka haath Zara ke seenay par aaya, aur us ne uske ubhre hue seenay ko narmi se dabaaya. Zara ke munh se ek halki si aah nikli, jo aag ki chatpatahat mein ghul gayi. Kashif ne uske libas ko bhi utar diya, aur ab Zara poori tarah uske samne thi, aag ki roshni mein uska badan sunehra chamak raha tha. Uske seenay ke ubhaar, uski patli kamar, uski gori raanen — sab kuch Kashif ko deewana bana raha tha.
Kashif ne apne kapre bhi utar diye, aur ab dono ek dusre ke samne thay, bina kisi parday ke, bina kisi deewar ke. Zara ne pehli baar Kashif ke mardana jism ko dekha, uske chaure kandhay, uska mazboot seena, aur uski mardangi jo jazbaat se tan gayi thi. Usay sharam aayi, lekin saath hi ek ajeeb si khushi bhi hui. Kashif ne usay phir apni baahon mein liya, aur uske jism ka har hissa chooma — uske maathe ko, uski aankhon ko, uske gaalon ko, uski gardan ko, aur phir uske seenay ko. Jab Kashif ke hont Zara ke seenay ke ubharon par aaye to Zara ka badan ek jhatkay se uchhal para. Us ne apne haathon se Kashif ke baal pakar liye, aur usay apne aur qareeb kheench liya. Kashif ne uske seenay ko chooma, chata, aur halke se kaata, aur Zara ki aahen tez hoti gayin. “Kashif… ah… mujhe… mujhe apna bana lo,” Zara ne bechaini se kaha.
Kashif ne uski raanon ko sehlaya, unki narmi ko mehsoos kiya, aur dheere dheere uske jism ke sab se narm hissay ki taraf barha. Jab uski ungliyon ne Zara ki gahrai ko chhua to Zara ka poora badan kaanp utha. Wo geeli ho chuki thi, jazbaat ki garmi se, aur Kashif ne samajh liya ke wo tayyar hai. Us ne apni mardangi ko uski gahrai ke dahane par rakha, aur dheere dheere andar dakhil hona shuru kiya. Zara ne ek tez saans li, dard aur maza ka mila jula ehsaas, lekin us ne Kashif ko roka nahi, balke apni baahen uski kamar mein daal kar usay aur andar kheench liya. Kashif dheere dheere aagay barhta gaya, aur jab wo poori tarah uske andar utar gaya to dono ek lamhe ke liye tham gaye, ek dusre ki aankhon mein dekhte hue, is ittehad ko mehsoos karte hue jo unhen hamesha ke liye ek kar raha tha.
Phir Kashif ne harkat shuru ki, dheere dheere, gehri, narm harkaten, aur Zara har harkat ke saath uska saath dene lagi. Unke jism ek taal par hilne lage, jaise do darya mil kar ek ho gaye hon. Aag ki roshni mein unke paseenay se bhige badan chamak rahe thay, aur unki aahen cottage mein goonj rahi theen, bahar ke toofan ki awaaz mein ghul kar. Kashif ne Zara ke honton ko chooma, uski gardan ko chooma, aur uske seenay ko apne haathon mein liye raha. Zara ne apni raanen uski kamar ke gird kass deen, aur usay apne aur gehra utarne par majboor kar diya. “Aur… aur gehra… Kashif…” us ne kaha, uski awaaz mein bechaini thi. Kashif ne apni raftaar barha di, aur uski mardangi Zara ki gahrai ke har konay ko chhune lagi. Zara ka badan ainthne laga, uski ungliyan Kashif ki peeth par nishan bana rahi theen, aur phir ek zabardast lehar uske jism mein daudi — wo apne urooj par pahunch gayi thi, uska poora badan kaanp raha tha, aur uske munh se ek lambi aah nikli jo toofan ki awaaz ko bhi maat de gayi.
Kashif ne usay apni baahon mein bhar liya, abhi bhi uske andar, aur uske maathe ko chooma. “Tum theek ho?” us ne narmi se pucha. Zara ne muskurakar uski aankhon mein dekha. “Main ne kabhi itna khubsurat mehsoos nahi kiya,” us ne kaha. Kashif ne phir harkat shuru ki, is baar apne liye, aur jald hi wo bhi apne urooj par pahunch gaya, uski mardangi ne Zara ki gahrai mein apna jawhar utar diya, aur dono ek dusre ki baahon mein nithal ho gaye. Wo der tak aise hi lete rahe, ek dusre ke jism ki garmi mein, aag ki roshni mein, bahar barf ke toofan se bekhabar. Zara ne apna sar Kashif ke seenay par rakha, uski dhar kan suni, aur usay laga ke wo duniya ki sab se mehfooz jagah par hai.
Kuch der baad jab aag halki hone lagi to Kashif utha, us ne lakriyan daaleen, aur phir Zara ko kambal mein lapet kar usay apne kamray mein le gaya, jahan bistar garam tha. Dono kambal mein ghus gaye, ek dusre se lipat kar, aur der tak baaten karte rahe. Zara ne apne dil ki har baat keh di — apni ami ka dabao, Multan walon ka rishta, apne khauf, aur apni mohabbat. Kashif ne sab suna, uske baalon mein ungliyan pherta raha, aur phir kaha, “Zara, main tum se ek wada karta hun. Wapas ja kar sab se pehle main Taya Abba se baat karunga, phir Chacha aur Chachi se. Main unhen bataunga ke hum ek dusre se mohabbat karte hain, aur hum shaadi karna chahte hain. Tumhen kisi se jhoot nahi bolna parega, kisi se larna nahi parega. Ye zimmedari meri hai.” Zara ki aankhon mein phir aansu aa gaye, lekin ye khushi ke aansu thay. “Tum sach mein ye karoge?” Kashif ne uske aansu ponchhe. “Tumhare liye duniya se lar jaunga, Zara. Tum bas mera saath dena.”
Raat gehra gayi, lekin dono ko neend nahi aa rahi thi. Unke jism ab bhi ek dusre ki garmi mehsoos kar rahe thay, aur jazbaat phir se jaag rahe thay. Is baar Zara ne pehal ki. Us ne kambal hata diya, aur Kashif ke upar aa gayi, uske seenay par apne hont rakh diye. Kashif ne uske baalon ko sehlaya, aur usay dekhta raha — aag ki halki roshni mein uska nanga badan, uske seenay ke ubhaar, uski kamar ka ghumao — sab kuch usay deewana bana raha tha. Zara ne uske honton ko chooma, phir uski gardan ko, phir uske seenay ko, dheere dheere neeche utarti gayi. Jab uske hont Kashif ki mardangi ke qareeb aaye to Kashif ka badan tan gaya. Zara ne use apne honton mein liya, narmi se, mohabbat se, aur Kashif ke munh se ek gehri aah nikli. Us ne Zara ke baalon mein haath phera, aur usay dekhta raha — ye larki jo kal tak us se door bhag rahi thi, aaj usay apne jism ka har raaz de rahi thi.
Phir Kashif ne Zara ko apne neeche liya, aur is baar uski harkaten pehle se zyada tez theen, zyada gehri theen. Us ne Zara ki raanen apne kandhon par rakheen, aur uski mardangi ko uski gahrai mein poori taqat se utar diya. Zara cheekh pari, maza aur bechaini se, aur us ne apne nakhun Kashif ki peeth mein gaar diye. “Haan… aise hi… mujhe… mujhe poora le lo…” us ne kaha, uski awaaz mein deewangi thi. Kashif ne apni raftaar aur barha di, uska jism paseenay se bhar gaya, aur uski har thokar Zara ki gahrai ke andar tak utar rahi thi. Zara ka badan uchhal raha tha, uske seenay ke ubhaar hawa mein lehra rahe thay, aur Kashif ne jhuk kar unhen apne munh mein le liya, chusta raha, kaat-ta raha. Dono ki aahen kamray mein goonj rahi theen, aur bahar toofan bhi jaise unki khushi mein shamil tha.
Phir Kashif ne Zara ko palta diya, usay ghutnon par kiya, aur peechay se uske andar dakhil hua. Zara ne bistar ki chadar ko kas kar pakar liya, aur uska sar takiye mein dhans gaya. Kashif ne uski kamar ko pakra, aur tez harkaten karne laga. Har thokar ke saath Zara ka jism aagay peechay hilta, aur uski aahen tez hoti gayin. Kashif ne uske baal pakre, narmi se, aur uska chehra apni taraf kiya, uske honton ko chooma, peechay se hi. “Tum meri ho, Zara,” us ne kaha, uski saans tez thi. “Hamesha ke liye meri.” Zara ne jawab diya, uski awaaz kaanp rahi thi, “Tumhari… sirf tumhari… hamesha…” Aur phir dono ek saath apne urooj par pahunche, ek zabardast toofan unke jismon mein utha, aur wo dono ek dusre ki baahon mein gir gaye, paseenay se sharabor, saansen tez, dil ek dusre se milay hue.
Us raat wo teen baar ek hue, har baar pehle se zyada gehra, pehle se zyada khula. Unhon ne ek dusre ke jism ka har hissa dekha, chooma, mehsoos kiya. Unhon ne baaten keen, hanse, roye, aur waaday kiye. Raat ke kisi pehar Zara ki aankh khuli. Kamray mein andhera tha, aag bujh chuki thi, lekin Kashif ke jism ki garmi usay lipti hui thi. Us ne apna chehra uske seenay par rakha, uski dhar kan suni, aur dheemi awaaz mein boli, “Kashif, so rahe ho?” Kashif ne apni baahen usay aur kas keen. “Nahi, jaag raha hun. Tum soyi nahi?” Zara ne sar hilaya. “Neend nahi aa rahi. Dil mein ek ajeeb si khushi hai, aur saath hi ek darr bhi.” Kashif ne uske maathe ko chooma. “Kaisa darr?” Zara ne gehri saans li. “Darr is baat ka ke kahin ye sab khwab na ho. Kahin subah uthun to pata chale ke toofan tham gaya, tum door ho, aur main phir usi qaid mein hun.” Kashif ne uska chehra apne haathon mein liya, andhere mein uski aankhon mein dekha. “Zara, ye khwab nahi hai. Main yahan hun, tum yahan ho, aur humara faisla ho chuka hai. Subah jo bhi laye, hum uska saamna saath karenge. Tum mujh par aitbaar karo.”
Zara ne usay dekha, aur phir dheere se uske upar aa gayi, uske seenay par apne dono haath rakhe. “Main tum par aitbaar karti hun, Kashif. Apne aap se zyada.” Us ne apne hont uske honton par rakhe, aur is baar uske bosay mein ek nayi himmat thi, ek nayi malkiyat thi. Wo usay choomti rahi, uski zabaan uske munh mein khelti rahi, aur uske haath uske jism par ghoomte rahe — uske kandhon par, uske seenay par, uski kamar par. Kashif ka jism phir se jaag utha, uski mardangi tan gayi, aur Zara ne usay mehsoos kiya, apni raanon ke darmiyan. Us ne muskurakar uski aankhon mein dekha. “Dekho, tumhara jism bhi meri baat maan raha hai,” us ne shokhi se kaha. Kashif hansta hua bola, “Mera jism to kab ka tumhara ghulam ho chuka hai, malika.”
Zara ne apni gahrai ko uski mardangi par rakha, aur dheere dheere neeche utri, usay apne andar utarti hui mehsoos karte hue. Dono ke munh se ek saath aah nikli. Zara ne apne haath Kashif ke seenay par rakhe, aur dheere dheere upar neeche hone lagi. Is andaz mein wo poori tarah us par havi thi, aur usay apni taqat ka ehsaas ho raha tha — wo de rahi thi, le rahi thi, aur apni marzi se sab kuch kar rahi thi. Kashif ne uske seenay ke ubharon ko apne haathon mein liya, unhen dabaata raha, sehlaata raha, aur Zara ki harkaten tez hoti gayin. Uske baal uske chehre par aa rahe thay, paseena uski gardan par chamak raha tha, aur uski aahen kamray mein goonj rahi theen.
“Zara… tum… tum kitni khubsurat lag rahi ho,” Kashif ne kaha, uski awaaz mein deewangi thi. Zara ne apni raftaar aur barha di, aur ab wo poori taqat se us par sawaar thi, uski mardangi uski gahrai ke andar tak utar rahi thi, har thokar usay ek nayi duniya dikha rahi thi. “Kashif… main… main tumhari hun… poori tarah… tumhara har hissa… meri har saans…” us ne kaha, uski awaaz toot rahi thi. Kashif ne uski kamar pakar li, aur neeche se thokaren lagane laga, uska saath dene laga. Dono ke jism ek dusre mein ghulay hue thay, paseenay se bhige hue, aur unki dhar kanen ek taal par dharak rahi theen. Zara ka urooj qareeb tha, uska jism ainth raha tha, aur phir ek zabardast dhamaka hua — wo cheekh pari, uska poora badan kaanp utha, aur wo Kashif ke seenay par gir pari, hanpti hui, kaanpti hui. Kashif ne usay kas kar pakra, abhi bhi uske andar, aur phir us ne bhi apna jawhar uski gahrai mein utar diya, ek gehri aah ke saath.
Dono der tak aise hi rahe, ek dusre se juday hue, ek dusre ki baahon mein. Phir Zara ne apna sar uthaya, aur Kashif ki aankhon mein dekha. “Kashif, aaj se main tumhari biwi hun,” us ne kaha, uski awaaz mein ek paakizgi thi. “Nikah to baad mein hoga, lekin mera dil aaj hi tumhare naam ho gaya.” Kashif ne uske honton ko chooma. “Aur mera dil to us din hi tumhare naam ho gaya tha jab main ne tumhen chhat par dekha tha.” Dono hanse, aur phir ek dusre ki baahon mein so gaye, is yaqeen ke saath ke subah unke liye nayi khushiyan layegi.
Subah jab Kashif ki aankh khuli to khirki se dhoop andar aa rahi thi. Toofan tham chuka tha, aur bahar har cheez safed chadar orhe chamak rahi thi. Zara uski baahon mein so rahi thi, uska chehra sukoon se bhara hua tha. Kashif ne usay dekha, aur uske dil mein ek ajeeb si khushi thi. Ye wo subah thi jis ka wo intezaar kar raha tha — dorahay ki subah. Wo subah jab Zara ne apne dil ka faisla kar liya tha, jab us ne Multan ke rishtay ko, apni ami ke dabao ko, duniya ki baaton ko peechay chhor kar apni mohabbat ko chun liya tha.
Zara ki aankh khuli to us ne Kashif ko apne upar dekhte hue paaya. Wo muskurayi, aur us ne apni baahen uski gardan mein daal deen. “Subah ho gayi,” us ne kaha. “Haan,” Kashif ne kaha, “aur ye humari nayi zindagi ki pehli subah hai.” Zara ne uske honton ko chooma, narmi se. “Kashif, main ne faisla kar liya hai. Wapas ja kar main khud ami se baat karungi. Main unhen bataungi ke main tum se mohabbat karti hun, aur main tum se hi shaadi karungi. Tum ne kaha tha ke ye zimmedari tumhari hai, lekin ye hum dono ki zimmedari hai. Hum saath larenge.” Kashif ne usay kas kar gale lagaya. “Tum ne mera dil jeet liya, Zara. Aaj se hum ek hain.”
Us din dono ne mil kar nashta banaya, aur bahar barf mein ghoome. Toofan ke baad ki khamoshi mein pahar aur bhi khubsurat lag rahe thay, aur dhoop mein barf ke zarraat heeray ki tarah chamak rahe thay. Zara ne barf ka ek golah banaya aur Kashif par phenka, aur dono bachon ki tarah hanste hue maidan mein daudne lage. Kashif ne usay pakar liya, barf mein gira diya, aur uske chehre par barf mal di. Zara hansti hui uski baahon mein lipti rahi, aur dono ne aasman ki taraf dekha, jahan neelay aasman mein safed baadal tair rahe thay. “Kashif,” Zara ne kaha, “ye do din meri zindagi ke sab se khubsurat din thay.” Kashif ne uske maathe ko chooma. “Aur aane wale har din is se zyada khubsurat hoga, ye mera wada hai.” Dopher ko Nadeem ka phone aaya — signal ab aa raha tha. “Bhai, kya haal hai? Toofan mein phanse hue ho?” Nadeem ne pucha. “Haan, lekin hum theek hain,” Kashif ne kaha, Zara ki taraf dekh kar muskurate hue. “Abba kaise hain?” “Abba theek hain, Allah ka shukar hai. Khatra tal gaya hai. Main kal subah nikalunga tum dono ko lene, rasta saaf ho raha hai.” Phone rakhne ke baad Kashif ne Zara ko bataya. “Nadeem kal aa raha hai.” Zara ne sar hilaya. “Acha hai. Ab humein wapas ja kar sab ko sach batana hai.” Dono ne ek dusre ka haath pakra, aur barf mein khare apne mustaqbil ke khwab dekhte rahe.
Agli subah Nadeem Rafiq ke saath jeep mein pahuncha. Rasta ab saaf ho chuka tha, lekin jagah jagah barf ke dher thay. Nadeem ne dono ko dekha, aur uski aankhon mein ek samajhdaar muskurahat aa gayi. “Lagta hai toofan ne apna kaam kar diya,” us ne Kashif ke kaan mein kaha, aur Kashif ne sharma kar sar jhuka liya. Zara ne Nadeem ko gale lagaya. “Tumhare abba kaise hain?” “Bilkul theek, tum fikar na karo.” Samaan bandha gaya, Baba Deen ko shukriya keh kar inaam diya gaya, aur teenon jeep mein beth kar wapas nikal pare. Raste mein Nadeem ne gaana lagaya, aur teenon ne mil kar gaya. Lekin Kashif aur Zara ke darmiyan ab ek nayi khamoshi thi — ye khamoshi uljhan ki nahi thi, ye ittefaq ki thi, ye do dilon ke ek ho jaane ki thi. Nadeem ne sheeshay mein dono ko dekha, aur muskuraya. Usay sab samajh aa gaya tha, aur wo khush tha.
Shaam tak wo Bahawalpur pahunch gaye. Haveli ka neela darwaza dekh kar dono ke dil mein ek ajeeb sa ehsaas hua — ye ghar ab unke liye naye maani rakhta tha. Andar sab ne unka isteqbal kiya. Dadi ne duayen deen, Chachi Nasreen ne khana lagaya. Khane ke baad Kashif ne Taya Abba ko alag le ja kar sab kuch bata diya. Taya Abba pehle to hairan hue, phir khamosh ho gaye, aur phir unhon ne Kashif ke kandhay par haath rakha. “Beta, tum ne himmat ki hai, ye achi baat hai. Lekin ab tumhen is himmat ka saboot dena hoga. Chacha aur Chachi se baat main karunga tumhare saath. Zara achi larki hai, aur tum acha larka ho. Allah tum dono ko khush rakhe.” Kashif ki aankhon mein aansu aa gaye. Usay apne abba par fakhar hua.
Us raat khane ke baad Taya Abba ne Chacha Saleem aur Chachi Nasreen ko bethak mein bulaya. Kashif aur Zara bhi thay. Taya Abba ne dheemi lekin mazboot awaaz mein sab kuch bata diya — dono ki mohabbat, Naran ka waqia, aur shaadi ki khwahish. Chachi Nasreen ka chehra pehle surkh hua, phir safed. “Ye kya keh rahe hain bhai sahab? Zara ka rishta to Multan walon se…” Chacha Saleem ne unhen roka. “Nasreen, pehle poori baat sun lo.” Zara uth khari hui, aur apni ami ke paas ja kar unke qadamyon mein beth gayi. “Ami, mujhe maaf kar den,” us ne kaha, uski aankhon mein aansu thay. “Main jaanti hun ke aap ne mere liye bohat khwab dekhe hain. Lekin ami, main Kashif se mohabbat karti hun. Main ne apne dil se pucha hai, aur mera dil sirf usi ka hai. Multan walon se shaadi kar ke main apni zindagi to guzar lungi, lekin khush nahi reh paungi. Kya aap chahti hain ke aapki beti zindagi bhar nakhush rahe?” Chachi Nasreen ro pari. Unhon ne Zara ko apne seenay se lagaya. “Meri bachi,” unhon ne kaha, “main to sirf tumhari khushi chahti thi. Agar tumhari khushi Kashif mein hai to mujhe kya aitraaz ho sakta hai? Multan walon ko main khud mana kar dungi, izzat se.”
Us raat haveli mein khushi ki lehar daur gayi. Dadi ne duayen deen, Chacha Saleem ne Kashif ko gale lagaya, aur Nadeem ne zor se naara lagaya, “Eid Mubarak ho!” Sab hanse. Multan walon ko izzat se jawab de diya gaya, unhon ne bhi khushi se qubool kar liya. Aur phir agle mahine, ek chhoti si taqreeb mein, Kashif aur Zara ki mangni ho gayi. Haveli ke sehan mein phir dastarkhwan saja, phir sheer khurma bana, aur phir khushiyan manayi gayin. Lekin is baar Zara ke chehre par wo sukoot nahi tha, is baar uski aankhon mein khushi thi, aur uska haath Kashif ke haath mein tha.
Shaadi ki tareekh aglay saal ki Eid ke baad rakhi gayi. Aur jab wo Eid aayi to haveli mein dohari khushi thi — Eid bhi, aur shaadi bhi. Nikah ke waqt jab Qazi ne pucha to Zara ne apni marzi se, apne dil ke faislay se, qubool kiya. Aur Kashif ne bhi. Dono ki aankhon mein aansu thay, khushi ke aansu. Raat ko jab sab mehmaan chale gaye to Kashif aur Zara chhat par gaye, wahin jahan unki kahani shuru hui thi. Aasman par taare chamak rahe thay, aur neeche sehan mein ab bhi roshniyan jagmagaa rahi theen. Zara ne apna sar Kashif ke kandhay par rakha. “Yaad hai, tum ne kaha tha ke dorahay ki subah aayegi?” us ne kaha. Kashif muskuraya. “Haan, aur wo subah aa gayi.” Zara ne uske honton ko chooma. “Nahi, Kashif. Wo subah abhi baqi hai. Har subah jo hum saath dekhenge, wo dorahay ki subah hogi — wo subah jab hum ne apni mohabbat ko chuna tha.” Kashif ne usay apni baahon mein bhar liya, aur dono taaron bhari raat mein ek dusre ke saath khare rahe, apne naye safar ke aaghaz par, jahan har subah unki mohabbat ki gawah thi.