[3 months later ]
Last Day of summer vacations
"Ek to mujhe samajh nai aati jb Ru sath chaltey hain aap itni dair lgaati ho tyaar honay mein aur jb sirf hum teen ghoomnay jaatey hain to aap ka bss chaley toh sleeping suit mein hi chal paro!"
Zaira deewaar par lagi ghari ko daikhtey thak kar boli thi.
"Ziada baatein na kar! Aisa kuch nai hai. Ussey public mein meri buht casual dressing pasand nai hai. Isi lye!"
"Wese hayrrat hai dono America ki paidaish hain lekin inki pasand Pakistani hai. "
"Nahi. Woho dono kisi mulk ki nai apna Daada aur Daadi ki parvarish hain. Rivayatein to na poori humarey mulk ki achi hain aur na America ki!"
"Yeh daikho? " Zaira hath jorr kay boli thi.
"Aarish buht comfortable hai. Ruhaan bhaai ko to bs aap hi smbhaal skti hain!"
"Acha? Yeh Aarish kay sath ap itni comfortable kb hui?" Safoorah baal brush krti murri thi.
"Pata nai!" Zaira sanjeeda hui thi.
"Zarri! Mere bachey! Tu ussey pasand krti hai. Shayad muhabat bhi krti hai. Hai na?" Safoorah paas a baithi thi.
"Pata nai !" Zaira Safoorah ko nai daikh rahi thi.
"Insaan ko sb kuch pata hota hai woh maaney na to alag baat hai. Aarish buht acha larka hai Zaira. Han pehle mein uski flirting se thori insecure thi tere lye lekin uss din kay baad se nai hun!" Safoorah ne muskura kar kaha.
"Kis din?" Zaira jaanti thi.
"Tha ek din! Khair mein abba se baat karun gi!" Safoorah ne uth kay bag aur chaabi thaami.
"Nai nai nai Fia Khuda ka waasta hai nai. Humari zindagi ka ek saal mazeed idhr guzarna azaab kar de ga faheem!" Zaira pareshaan si foran uthi thi.
"To kb tak darna hai zaira!"
"Filhaal haal ko jeena chahti hun Fia. Ap bhi to yahi kehti hain. Ek saal baad daikhain gai kia karna hai!"
Safoorah baibass sa sar hila kar baahir jaaney lgi thi kay Zaira ne raasta roka.
"Aur Maa Shaa Allah se Ruhaan bhai kay baarey mein khyaal hai?" Uskay chehrey par shraart thi.
"Kia karna hai?" Safoorah ko samjh nai ayi thi.
"Kb kar rahi hai unse apna izhaar e muhabat?" Zaira ne hath baandhey thai.
"Paagal hai tu?" Safoorah ne ussey samney se hattaney ki koshish ki thi.
"Fiaa? Zindagi sb ko bar bar mauka nai daiti. Aap khushkismat hain kyoun kay jiss se apko muhabat hui hai, aap uski biwi hain. Apko duniya se nai bss khud se aur unse sach bolna hai!"
Zaira puraitmaad si uskay baazu thaamey ussey samjha rahi thi. Safoorah pheeka sa muskurayi thi.
"Duniya se sach bolna asaan hai Zaira par khud se nai. Aur agr ek lamhey kay lye Mein khud se sach bol bhi lun toh uss sey sach kese bolun?" Safoorah pursukoon thi.
"Jis Safoorah Aurangzeb ko mein jaanti hun woh zindagi kay har masley se aankh mila kar uska saamna karti hai. Woh tootney nai torrney walo mein se hai. Ruhaan bhai pathar hain to kia hua. Mein jaanti meri behn iss chattan mein draar daal chuki hai !" Zaira muskura rahi thi.
"Konsa novel parha hai Zaira?" Safoorah usko saamney se htaati darwazay se baahir nikal gyi thi. Woh bhi baahir a chuki thi.
"Ek din aap khud samjh jaayein gi kay yeh novel nai apki apni real love story hai!"
Zaira aankhai matkaati seeriyaan uttar gyi thi aur Safoorah lock lock krtey krtey hans di thi.
______________
"Hum kahan ja rahey hain?" Safoorah ne bazaahir Aarish se pucha tha lekin nazrein Ruhaan par thei. Woh driving seat par apni maharat se Audi bhaga raha tha.
"Mujhe kia pata? Aaj janaab ka mood hai race karne ka. Bas humey kisi jungle mein na chorr ana Ru!"
Aarish saath baitha chips ka dusra packet khol raha tha.
Ruhaan ne back mirror se Safoorah par ek nazar daali thi jo ussey mehsoos hui thi lekin woh saamney daikhna nai chahti thi. Woh sheeshay se bahir daikhti muskura rahi thi.
"Fia? Ru humey lake le ja rahey hain. Wahan ek buht khoobsurat open restaurant bhi hai. Unho ne kal mujhe btaya tha!"
Zaira ne sargoshi ki aur Safoorah ki aankhain baahir agyi thi.
"Yeh usney tujhe btaya?" Safoorah ka mun khula tha.
"Haan! Woh kal aap opr Melissa kay sath khail rahi thi jb mein neechey ground mein walk kar rahi thi to Ru ne pucha kay hum ne ek jgah dikha kar pucha kay yeh daikh li. Me ne kaha nai to phir unho ne decide kia kay kal woh humey yhaan le jayein gai!" Zaira excited si bta rahi thi.
"Nai matlb mein kia uss waqt baihosh tha?" Aarish kay mun se chips girra tha.
"Mujhe kia pata?" Zaira hansi thi aur Safoorah hairat se Ruhaan ko daikh rahi thi.
Ruhaan kay chehrey par aaj phir halki muskurahat thi.
"Mujh se to aap ajkal baat nai kartey aur Zaira se kal kitni dair baat ki aapne?" Aarish mun phula raha tha.
"Poora aadha ghnta!" Zaira hansi thi.
"Woh islye kyoun kay woh tujh se ziada samjhdaar hai!" Ruhaan ne Aarish ko daikha tha.
"Han bhai! Koi nai. Mere lye meri Farri! Meri crime partner buht hai. Aap dono bna lo apni party. We've no issue!" Aarish Chips khaata maghroor sa bola tha.
Ruhaan muskura raha tha aur Zaira Aarish kay chirney par hans rahi thi.
"Zarri kia kehti ho phir?"
Ruhaan ne back mirror se peechey daikha tha aur Zaira hairaan to hui thi par muskura ziada rahi thi.
"Done Ru!" Zaira ne hawa mein high five kia tha.
"Issey kese pata mein tujhe Zarri kehti hun?" Safoorah ne halki sargoshi ki thi.
"Mein ne guess kia!" Ruhaan ne back mirror se ussey daikh kay jawaab dia aur pehli baar dono ki nazrein mili thi.
Safoorah ne nazrein hata lein.
________________________________
Gaari park kar kay woh chaaro walk kar rahey thai. Lake, yahan se kuch meter kay faasley par thi aur aagey sath hi restaurant. Subah kay 11 baj rahey thai. Yeh mausam halki garmi aur phoolo ka mausam maloom hota tha. Hawa se ird gird kay darakht jhool rahey thai aur un kay beech se aati dhoop buht khoobsurat lg rahi thi.
"Tum chup ho!" Ruhaan jaibo mein hath daaley ahista ahista uskay sath chal raha tha.
"Nahi to!" Safoorah ne yakdm ussey daikha.
"Puch nai raha bta raha hun. Tum chup ho! Ab puchne laga hun kyoun ho?"
Ruhaan saamney daikh raha tha.
"Sb kuch pehle se pata hota hai apko to yeh bhi aap hi bta dein vakeel sahab!"
Safoorah ne ussey chirraya tha.
"Tum pareshaan nai khush aur khamosh lg rahi ho. Aur aisey tassurrat amomn aashiqo kay hotay hain!" Ruhaan kay chehrey par muskurahat ek baar phir numaaya hui thi.
"Tumhey kaafi experience lgta hai?" Safoorah ne nazrein teekhi ki thi.
"Yeh faaltu kaamo mein mera experience nai hai albata ek baar tum ne hi apni artistic philosophy mein btaya tha!" Ruhaan ne ussey daikha tha.
"Tumhey meri baatein yaad rehti hain?" Safoorah ki awaaz mein badlaao tha.
"Bilkul nahi!"
Woh ussey daikh kar na chahtey huey bhi muskura di thi. Yeh shakhs paagal hai aur apney se jurrey har insaan ko paagal kr deta hai.
"Aaj last adventure hai!" Aarish kuch udaas tha.
"Allah na karey! " Zaira Pareshaan hui thi.
"Iska mtlb nai hai?" Aarish ki aankhain chamki thi.
"Mera mtlb hai. Agli summer vacations mein hum to yahi hon gai na. I know tumhari aur Ru ki degree hum se pehle khatam ho gi. Lekin raho gai to idhr hi na!"
Zaira ne hichkichatey muskuratey kaha tha.
"Haan Lekin waqt ajeeb hai. Kbhi itna khush kr deta hai aur kbhi itna udaas!" Aarish ussey musalsal daikh raha tha.
"Yeh ajkal tum pe kuch ajeeb phases nai arhey?" Zaira ne mood badalney ki koshish ki thi.
"Woh islye kyoun kay humari jgah shayd exchange ho gyi hain. Tum ne mujh jese talented insaan se khush rehna seekha hai lekin me ne tum se udaas rehna seekh lia hai!" Aarish draamayi andaaz mein aansu saaf krney ki acting kr raha tha.
"Ab to udaas nai rehti mein!" Zaira hansi thi.
"Jaanta hun!" Aarish ussey daikh kar mashoor sa muskuraya tha.
________________________
Woh jgah kisi tasavur se kam nai thi. Aisa neela rang tha jo abhi kisi darya ka nahi daikha tha. September ki halki thandi hawa aur shaakho se girtey phool. Ajeeb sehar tha iss jgah ka. Yeh buht pursukoon aur khoobsurat thi. Poorey shehr se alag. Maano poori duniya se alag. Aarish aur Zaira, Ruhaan kay peechey andr restaurant chaley gye thai.
Safoorah safaid phoolon kay darakht kay neechey khari, chann kay aati dhoop ko daikh rahi thi. Usne ne aankhain bnd kar li aur halka sa muskura di.
"Amma? Aap mujhe sun rahi hain na?"
Woh apni marhoom maa se mukhatib thi.
"Mujhe... Mujhe uss se muhabat ho gyi hai Amma!"
Woh bnd aankho mein bhi muskura rahi thi. Hawa se girtey phool uskay chehrey ko narmi se chooo kar girr rahey thai.
"Yeh jgah mujhe humarey baagh aur safaid phoolo ki yaad dila rahi hai amma! Aap hamesha mere lye bahaar ki dua karti thie, to btaaye kia Safoorah ki zindagi mein bahaar agyi? Kia Safoorah ki zindagi ka sb se khoobsurat safaid phool yahi hai?"
"Safoorah?" Wohi awaaz jo ussey har gehraayi se magnet ki trhan kheench laati thi. Woh mazboot pukaar jis mein zor tha, haq tha, har sehar ko torrney ka hunar tha.
Safoorah ne jhatak kar aankhain kholi aur ghayab dimaaghi se palkey jhapakti ussey daikhney lgi.
Wohi makhsoos halki muskurahat. Wohi tassurrat jo woh aqsar Safoorah kay reactionary honay par deta tha. Safoorah kay lye har cheez kisi ahista film reel ki trha chal rahi thi.
"Yeh counter per parrey thai. Socha ek tumhey pehle hi laa dun iss se pehle kay tum excitement mein poora ka poora vase utha kay bhaag jao!"
Woh Safaid Gulaab tha. Mukammal khila hua, mehakta safaid Gulaab !
Safoorah hakka bakka si ussey daikh rahi thi.
"Tumhey phir kharey kharey kahi aur puhnch gyi ho?" Woh hansa tha.
Safoorah ka chehra hayrrat se ab halki muskurahat mein badla tha. Usne ahista se hath barha kar phool thaam lia aur nafi mein sar hilaya. Woh shayad waqqi kahi aur thi.
"Chalo ajao! Zaira aur Aarish wait kr rahey hain udhr!" Ruhaan ne lake bridge ki taraf ishara kia aur Safoorah uskay sath chal di.
__________________________________
"Yeh kia kar rahey ho tum dono?" Safoorah kay chehrey par khushi roshan thi aaj.
"Fishing!" Zaira aur Aarish ne ek sath kaha tha.
"Yahan par machliyaan hain?" Safoorah ne Hairat se darya kay andr jhankney ki koshish ki thi.
"Bilkul!" Aarish 32 daant nikaal kay bola tha.
"Yeh lein ab apki turn!" Aarish ne apna rod Safoorah ko dia aur Zaira kay hath mein pakrey rod se ussey sikhaney laga tha!
"yeh wapis le lo Aarish!"
Safoorah ne harbara kar Aarish ko dia tha.
"Koshish karo! Pehle hi haar maan rahi ho!" Ruhaan jaibo mein hath daaley khara tha.
Aarish muskura kar zaira ki trf mutawajo hua.
"Yeh kia ajeeb tareeka hai Aarish?" Zaira darr rahi thi.
"Tumhey aata nai hai islye ajeeb hai!" Aarish hansa tha.
Safoorah ne ek dafa rod ko daikha aur phir ussey neechey darya kay qareeb kr dia. Ab Safoorah to Safoorah thi. Har cheez bindaas karti thi. Woh apni science laraatey uss rod ko aagey peechey kr rahi thi aur Ruhaan yeh poora scene ghor se daikh raha tha. Safoorah ko khichaao mehsoos hua to woh hansi aur ussi purjosh awaaz mein kaha.
"Tum dono kartey raho koshish! Meri fish kay sath sath shrimps aur prawns bhi aagye!" Safoorah excited si fish rod ki chaabi ghumaa rahi thi. Hook abhi adha opr aya tha jb sb ki nazar parri. Woh ek sookhi shaakh thi jo phns gyi thi.
Abhi ek lamha hi guzra tha jb ussey peechey se ek ghair shaanasa hansi sunayi di thi.
Woh kitna bhi hans le aisey bacho ki trhan kbhi nai hansta tha. Safoorah ne murr kay Daikha to Ruhaan hans hans kay bridge rod ka sahaara le raha tha. Aarish ka apna qehqa laga tha albata sirf Zaira khamoshi se muskura rahi thi.
"Farri!!! Chaa gyi ho !" Aarish hans hans kay gir raha tha.
"Yeh kia tha?" Ruhaan ko pehli dafa itna hanstey daikh kar Safoorah na chahtey huey bhi hans di thi.
Woh uskay paas a khara hua. Uski aankho mein hans hans kay paani a chuka tha.
"Urra lo mera mazak tum!" Safoorah chirri thi.
"Idhr do mein sikhaata hun!" Ruhaan hansi rokney ki koshish kar raha tha.
"Fia ko fishing aati hai!" Zaira ne muskurahat bhari sargoshi ki thi.
Aarish ki hansi foran rukki thi.
"Hain?" Aarish ki hayrrat awaaz mein thi.
"Ahista bolo!" Zaira ne foran roka tha.
"Bchpn mein barrey abba humey saal mein jb bhi ghumaaney le jatey thai to Fia kay saath woh fishing krtey thai. Mein darti thi par Fia to Fia hain. Har cheez krne kay baad sochti hain!"
Zaira Safoorah ko muhabat se daikh rahi thi.
"Toh Farri ne hum se jhoot kyoun bola?"
"Kb bola?" Zaira ne mayyni khaiz muskurahat uchaali thi.
Aarish waqqi soch mein gya tha.
"Han yar! Unho ne to .... To phir yeh kia tha!" Aarish ko samjh nai aayi thi.
"Muhabat!"
Zaira Safoorah ko daikh rahi thi jo Ruhaan se larney aur chirrney mein masroof thi. Woh abhi tk uss ki shaakh pe waqfey waqfey se hans raha tha.
"Nai, shaakh nikalney mein konsi muhabat hai?"
Aarish sar khujaata puch raha tha. Zaira ne jhunjula kar ussey daikha.
"Tum waaqi Yale se MBA kar rahey ho na?"
Zaira ne nazrein teekhi ki thi.
"Ms! Don't underestimate my philosophy skills! Lekin yeh kuch ziada hi high figh literature wali muhabbat hai !"
Woh un dono ko daikhta bola tha.
"Tum ne Ruhaan bhai ki yeh hansi akhri dafa kb sunni thi?" Zaira kay chehrey par ek baar phir muskurahat ayi thi.
Aur Aarish kay chehrey pr soch ayi , phir hairat, Phir khushi.
"Pehli dafa sunni hai..." Aarish hansa tha.
"Yeh dono ek dusrey se itni muhabat kr chukey hain kay inhey khud bhi andaza nai hai! "
Zaira ne jumla mukammal kia tha.
"Itni kay woh yeh tak jaantey hain kay kon kb kis baat pe hansta aur rota hai!"
Woh dono mashoor se saamney unn dono ko daikh rahey thai. Ruhaan ab hansi rokta Safoorah ka haath pakrey ussey fish rod daalna sikha raha tha.
"Zaira, Muhabat takleef to nai de gi?"
Pata nai yeh sawaal saamney kharrey dono kay lye tha ya khud apne liye. Aaj chaaro mein phir ek alag bdlaou tha. Sb ki shakhsiyat ne apne apne safar pr ek qadam aagey barhaya tha.
Woh zaira ko daikh raha tha. Zaira uskay iss sawaal aur sanjeedgi ko daikh kar reh gyi.
Kuch sawaalo kay jawaab insaan nahi waqt deta hai.
_____________________________________________________________
[ 7 months later ]
Aarish, Ruhaan's convocation ceremony.
Safoorah, Zaira enters in last semester.
April ki bahaar ki mehak har jgah thi. Fizaa mein phoolon ki bheeni khushboo aur halki halki hawa jo parindo ki oonchi parwaaz ka sabab thi. Aj Dhoop ne sardiyoo ko akhri khair abaad keh dia tha aur din roshan aur khul kay phoota tha.
"Daadi janam! Agr aap yhaan hoti to buht enjoy krti trust me!"
Taqreebn 2 saalo ne aaj Safoorah aur Daadi jaan ko ek dusrey se baitakulluf aur buht qareeb kr dia tha. Woh unse video call par thi.
"O tey theik ay par tu ainna (itna) khoom (ghoom) kun rahi ay?" Daadi ashqem aaj buht khush aur jawaan lg rahi thi.
"Apkay 2 firangi shehzaadey dikhaaney ja rahi hun apko. Abhi ceremony start nai hui. Woh dono back stage hain!"
Safoorah ne ivory safaid aur siyah ki saari pehn rakhi thi aur baal khuley chorrey thai. saammey ki lattey uskay chehrey par hawa se jhool jaati thi. Woh aaj baitahaasha khush thi.
Woh hath mein ipad liye taiz taiz chal rahi thi jb ek dm kisi se takra gyi.
"Ohooo Fia daikh kay to chalein!"
Woh Zaira thi par lag nai rahi thi. Gehrey neeley rang ka ghair wala frock aur baal joorey mein baandhey thai. Woh dono aaj munfarid lg rahi thi aur itni khush jese un dono se ziada inn dono ki convocation ho.
"Kahan ja rahi hai?" Safoorah ne aankhain poori khol kay pucha tha.
"Arhi hun. Unn dono ko daikh kay arhi hun. Aarish apni convocation kit gaari mein bhool gye thai janaab!"
Zaira Aarish ko bolti arhi thi.
"Chal mere saath!" Safoorah ne uska haath thaama.
"Areey! O Daadi ashqem aap bhi hain. Assalam'uAlaikum!" Zaira ka chehra khila tha.
"Aarish black gown pehn bhi le yar !"
Safoorah aur Daadi Ashqem ek dusrey ko ipad kay zariye daikh kar muskurayi thi. Yeh Ruhaan ki awaaz thi.
"Ek minute, ek minute!" Woh dono bhaai, Yale ki shaan, Ru-Rish apne special side room mein thai. Dono bhaai gold medalist thai aur shayad iss se ziada fakhar ki baat whaan mujood paancho kay lye aur kuch nai thi.
Zindagi unn parr kitney saalo ki trhan inn 2 saal bhi meharbaan rahi thi.
Baishak Safoorah aur Zaira ka chapter unki zindagi kay rishto aur adaat mein buht bdlaou le kar aya tha. Kuch ikhtalafaat aur inkaar bhi rahey. Aghaaz namumkin tha lekin aaj woh chaar aisey thai jese koi mazboot chaar deewaarein. Kahi na kahi chaaro jaantey thai kay ek girra to chaaro girrey gai lekin apne jazbaat ko jataaney ya bataaney mein aj bhi utney se kamzor thai jitney 2 saal pehle.
Aarish aur Ruhaan kay buht se tuhfu mein se yeh ek sunehri kamyaabi bhi thi. Yale kay gold medalist ko poora Connecticut hi nai duniya yaad rakhti hai. Woh dono bhai sports se le kar extra points tak sb se exceptional rahey thai. Aur aaj bilaakhir unka amli maidaan ki trf pehla qadam tha.
Ruhaan to pehle bhi firm se jurra tha albata ab Senior Advocate ki kursi sambhaalney wala tha.
"Yeh rahey apkay dono shehzaadey!" Safoorah ne Ipad unki taraf ghumma dia aur woh dono hairaan huey thai.
"Daadi Ashqem!" Dono muskuraye thai.
"Jeetey raho! Khush raho!" Daadi jaan ki awaaz bharrayi thi.
"Ek minute ruko Aarish. Yeh convocation kit mujhe do!" Safoorah ne Ipad ko console par tikaya jahan Daadi ashqem chaaro ko daikh sakti thi aur Aarish ki kit thaami thi.
"Aaj tum dono ka buht eham din hai! Daadi ashqem nai aski to kia hua. Hum bhi family hain!"
Safoorah muskurayi thi aur Zaira ko ishara kia tha. Zaira ne muskura kar Ruhaan ki convocation kit utha li.
"Aj Mein apne crime partner ko yeh kit pehnaoun gi! Behen mana hai ab farz to nibhaana parey ga!"
Safoorah Aarish ko saamney khara krti muskurayi thi aur Aarish jazbaat bharri muskurahat se ussey daikh raha tha.
"Mujhe Zarri meri behn kehti ya aap! Aur Ru apko sirf mein kehti hun ya apka Bhaai! To aaj mein apne barrey bhaai ko yeh kit pehnaoun gi?"
Zaira ne gown uthaya aur Ruhaan ki trf barhi. Agr yahi koi qareebn 2 saal pehle ka Ruhaan khara hota to iss sb ko ek bakwaas emotional family drama keh kar ukta jata lekin aaj woh khamoshi se khara muskura raha tha.
"Ya Mere Khudaya! Nazar na laagey! Mujhe yaqeen nai arha yeh wohi chaar hain jo ek dusrey se milna tak pasand nai kar rahey thai!"
Daadi ashqem keh nahi paayi thi lekin woh hairat se inn chaaro ko daikh rahi thi.
Khaas torr se Ruhaan ko. Woh muskurahat sajaye Zaira se gown bandhwa chuka tha. Aur Aarish jo zindagi mein kisi ek cheez ko le kar sanjeeda nai tha aj izzat aur jazbaat se bharpoor Safoorah se gown bandhwa raha tha.
"Maa Shaa Allah! Tum chaaro ko kisi ki nazar na lagey!" Daadi ashqem nam aankho se muskurayi thie.
Woh dono haath baandhey gown pehn chukey thai. Ab Safoorah aur Zaira ne ek sath apne apne saamney kharey shehzaadey ko siyah convocation ki topi pehnaayi thi. Unn dono ne sar jhuka kar woh siyah topi pehni aur ab sar fakhar se buland kiye thai. Aaj inn chaaro mein woh jazbaat numaaya thai jo pehle din nahi tha.
Ek dusrey ki nazar mein agley kay lye izzat. Rishto ka ehtaraaam. Woh dono waqqi shehzaadey lg rahey thai aur woh dono Shehzaadiyaan.
Unn dono ne abhi tak khud ko nahi daikha tha aur alne qadam console ki trf barha diye thai.
Woh dono Daadi ashqem kay ayn saamney kharey thai.
"Aj sarr pe pyaar nai dein gi?" Ruhaan ki aankhain chamak rahi thi.
Woh aur Aarish seeney pe hath rakhey unn kay saamney muhabat se jhukey thai. Aur Daadi ashqem kay noorani chehrey pr girtey moti waaziya thai.
"Mera pyaar aur meri dua hamesha tum dono kay saath hai!" Unho ne dono hatho se ishara kia tha.
Woh dono seedhey ho kar muskura diye aur chaaro baahir ki trf chal parrey. Daadi ashqem saari ceremony online daikhai gi aur Safoorah ne yeh zimaidaari apne sarr li thi. Ruhaan aur Aarish front row mein baith chukey thai.
Safoorah aur Zaira back tables par thi. Ceremony ko behtareen sajaya gya tha. Aaj har junior apne senior ko tribute de raha tha aur seniors apni achi yaadein bta rahe thai.
"Ladies and gentlemen we're gathered today....." Director of Yale speech ka aghaaz kar chukey thai aur ab khaamoshi ho chuki thi.
"Sb se pehle we would love to announce the most talented and shining department of Yale, Yale Law Schoo!"
Sb ne taaliyaan bajayi thi.
"Beginning with the most exceptional student of our history that had not only won the hearts of his professors but the university as well. A man who never failed to amaze us all whether it would be sports ground, culture aesthetics, lawyer aura, academic grades and ofcourse his outstanding personality, well people are waiting for your handsome tips..."
Sb hansey thai. Safoorah ka chehra laal ho raha tha. Woh front row par apni wohi makhsoos muskurahat liye apni tareef sun raha tha. Ek aur maidaan zair kar chuka tha.
"PRESENTING the GOLD MEDALIST OF YALE LAW SCHOOL!
RUHAAN ZAFAR KHAN!"
Aur taaliyoon ki goonj se poora Connecticut uth khara hua tha.
Wohi puraitmaad kadam aur uthi hui maghroor naak. Ruhaan stage par Dean kay sath khara tha.
Sb kharrey thai aur talliyon ka shor har awaaz ko maat de raha tha.
Safoorah ne ipad saamney kar rakha tha. Daadi ashqem sb daikh rahi thi.
Ruhaan Zafar khan ko uska aizaaz pehnaya ja chuka tha. Ussey red ribbon se sajji degree bataur tuhfa di ja chuki thi. Ab woh professors se hath mila raha tha.
Sb baith chukey thai siwaye Law department kay kuch makhsoos logo kay, Arsh aur Aarish ek sath kharey thai.
Safoorah aur Zaira bhi peechey kharri muskura rahi thi. Ruhaan neechey a kar sb se pehle Aarish kay galey lga tha. Arsh ne bhi ussey galey lg kar mubarak di thi.
"Coming towards our second Gold medalist from the best existing departments of Yale in worldwide, School of Management! .... The guy who is famous for his basketball record as well. Live wire and prankster of our university, Professors most favourite yet mischievous heart throb of Yale, AARISH SOHAIB KHAN!" Sb ek baar phir kharrey huey thai aur taliyoon kay goonj phir se poorey Connecticut mein sunai de rahi thi.
Wohi puraitmaad chaal aur sharaart se bharpoor muskurahat liye woh apna azaaz pehn raha tha. Red ribbon se sajji degree kay baad woh foran neechey aya tha aur Ruhaan ko purrey josh se galley lg gya.
Taqreeban adhey ghntey tk medasls mil chukey thai aur ab degree se nawaaza ja raha tha.
Ruhaan aur Aarish bchtey bchaatey logo se jaan churaatey Safoorah aur Zaira kay paas puhnch skey thai. Woh dono Daadi Ashqem se alvidayi ijazat le rahi thi.
"Ladies?" Aarish ne mun phulaaya tha.
Dono un dono ki trf murri thi.
"Poora yale humarey peechey bhaag raha hai aur hum aap kay peechey bhaag rahey. Koi lift hi nai humey! Kam az kam mubarak baad hi dein dey!" Aarish se bara draameybaaz koi hoskta tha kia.
Safoorah uthi aur Aarish kay medal ko chuu kar khushi se boli thi.
"Buht buht Mubarak ho!" Woh khush ho gya tha. Woh hamesha aisey lamhaat mein Ruhaan ko jaan boojh kay nazarandaaz krti thi. Woh jaanti thi us par sirf ek nazar hi kaafi hai aur woh sb jaan leta hai.
"Thank you Farri!" Aarish ne attention wala pose maara tha.
"Yar yeh tum logo ne apni topiyaan kyoun nai uchaali abi tak!" Safoorah ko yaad aya tha.
"3 2 1!" Aarish ne count kia tha aur poorey hall ne Aarish aur Ruhaan samait topiyaan asmaan mein uchaali thi. Degrees ka silsila abhi khatam hua tha aur Aarish jaanta tha kay ab kia ho ga.
Safoorah aur Zaira hansti, mashoor si asmaan mein uchaltey siyaah tukrey daikh rahi thi.
Sb ne apni apni topi dobara wapis pakri aur iss bar Safoorah aur Ruhaan ki nazrein mili thi.
"Congratulations!" Safoorah muskurayi thi. Jawabn woh bhi muskuraya tha.
"Ru? Jaldi le kar chalo jahan bhi jana hai wrna mein cafe ja raha hun!" Aarish medal aur degree Zaira ko pakraata Ruhaan ki trf murra tha.
"Chal!" Ruhaan ne Safoorah ko jawaab dia tha.
"Kahan?" Safoorah ko samjh nai ayi thi.
"Inhi ko pata ho!" Aarish Zaira kay sath gaari ki trf barh gya tha. Woh dono apni hi baato mein gum hotey thai.
"Achi lg rahi ho!" Ruhaan ussey daikhta muskura raha tha.
"Mein?" Safoorah saamney daikh rahi thi. Woh mayinikhaiz muskurahat uchaal rahi thi.
"Tumharey ilawa koi hai idhr?" Iss baar Ruhaan ruka tha.
"Hujoom hai!" Safoorah uskay ayn saamney kharey ho kar, aankho me annkhai daal kar jb uskay jawaab uspar hi palta deti thi toh woh Khud hairat se hans parta tha. Woh bhi jawabn muskura deti thi.
Yeh waahid larki hai jo Ruhaan Zafar Khan ko bhi lajawaab kr deti hai.
Safoorah Aurangzeb!
______________________
"Aaj Chaand zameen par pehle hi nahi a gya?" Aarish jaanta tha woh hansey gi.
"Shaam hui ni chaand pehle hi daikh lia?" Zaira hansi thi.
"Han na! Tum bhi sheesha daikh lo!" Aarish sar khujaata muskurata keh raha tha aur Zaira kbhi kbhi uskay itney ziada muhabat bharrey alfaaz par qehqa laga kay hans parti thi.
___________________________________
Woh jgah shayad zameen par jannat thi. Connecticut mein to kia duniya mein japan kay ilawa aisa jgah shayd sirf yhaan thi. Cherry blossom tree walk.
Halkey gulaabi rango se laddey phool jo har aaney waley ki raah mein khud ko bichaaye baithey hain. Yhaan hawa ki alag hi Khusboo aur ehsaas tha. Yeh jgah sirf bahar mein aisi hoti hai. Na sardiyioon mein aisi hoti hai na darmiyaaney mausam mein. Yeh sirf March April ki naimat hai.
Woh ek lamba sa seedha rasta tha jispar cherry blossom kay darakht jhuk kar chatt bna rahey thai. Wahan mujood aur bhi buht se log thai lekin nisbatan rash km tha.
"Yeh jgah buht khoobsurat hai!" Safoorah ko iss jgah ne hairat angaiz torr par mashoor kia tha. .
Woh waqqi jannat lgti thi.
Ruhaan khamosh sa gulaabi phoolo ko girtey daikh raha tha.
"Ruhaan?" Safoorah ne ussey daikha tha.
"Hm?"
"Shukriya!" Chamakta sooraj Safoorah ki bhoori aankho ko mazeed nikhaar raha tha.
"Kis lye?" Ruhaan ne nasmjhi se daikha.
"Har cheez kay lye!" Safoorah muskurayi thi. Ruhaan hil nai saka. Ussey yeh larki apni apnayat aur muskurahat tak se lajawaab kar deti thi.
Woh sar hila kar seedha daikhney laga.
"Yeh jgah mujhe.... connecticut mein sb se ziada pasand hai !" Safoorah ko yaqeen nai aya tha par woh waqqi Ruhaan ki awaaz thi.
Safoorah muskurayi thi.
"Yeh jgah kis ko pasand nai aye gi?"
2 saal pehle ki Safoorah hotey to yaqeenan kehti maujza hai kay Ruhaan ko koi jgah achi lgti hai aur 2 saal pehle ka Ruhaan hota to woh sirrey se btata hi nai kay ussey kuch pasand bhi hai.
"Mein ne socha tumhey bhi.. shayad achi lagey!"
Ruhaan hichkicha raha tha. Itna mushkil zindagi mein aj tak kuch nai laga jitna narmi se baat karna lg raha tha. Uskay tassurrat kamzor aur bachey ki trha thai. Safoorah sirf ussey mehsoos kr rahi thi. Woh beghair saans liye ussey daikh rahi thi.
"Mera mtlb hai tum teeno ko. Yeh jgah Aarish ne bhi kbhi nai daikhi. Yaani. Buht... Mtlb .... Khoobsurat hai."
Ruhaan iss se zada purkhaloos kabhi nai laga tha.
"Yeh buht khoobsurat hai Ruhaan! Aur mujhe khushi hai tum mujhe yhaan le kay aye!"
Safoorah ne uska hath thaama tha. Ruhaan gulabi phoolo kay beech khari roshan muskurati Safoorah ko bss daikh kar reh gya. Ussey samajh hi nahi aya woh kia karey. Haath churwa le ya thaamey rehne de. Zehn bnd hota mehsoos ho raha tha.
yakdam Safoorah kay peechey darakht se kuch zor se neechey gira tha.
Safoorah darr kay murri aur peechey hotey Ruhaan kay andr jaa lgi thi.
Saamney gulehri thi.
Safoorah ussy daikh kar apne iss trha darr janey pe hans pari thi par iss sb mein woh peechey murr kay daikhna bhool gyi thi. Woh bhool gyi thi kay Ruhaan kay dono baazo uskay gird hayal hain aur woh ghayab zehan se ussey hansta daikh raha tha. Woh uskay itni qareeb thi kay woh uski khushboo mehsoos kr skta tha. Safoorah ki lattein hawa kay baiss Ruhaan kay chehre se takra rahi thi.
Safoorah ki hansi ka sehar thama to ussy samjh aya woh kahan khari hai. Ruhaan kay baazo ko pkrey uskey kandhey se sar tikaa kar hanstey woh itni baikhabar thi. Ussey mehsoos nai hua kay ussey Ruhaan ne pakr rakha hai.
Woh itna khamosh tha shayad islye.
Safoorah ne muhtaat si gardan peechey ghumaayi to woh ussey hi daikh raha tha.
Safoorah do kadam seedha barhti uss se alag hui thi.
Ruhaan ka sehar toota tha. Lamha khatam hua tha.
____________________________________
A/N
Salaam! First of all
I'm really sorry for the delayed update. Your writer was suffering from some health issues previously and then sudden lost of motivation. But no worries as everything is already sorted and decided in the story just need to write and shape up the scenes.
Next chapter will be the last chapter of their journey in Connecticut. INN SHAA ALLAH.
But not reaching present now. As the two chapters before reaching present is the major climax or I should se turning point Baazi. They would be 21 and 22. Most probably.
Already reached 5000+ words need to shut down.
Happy reading
Love
Nawaal.