Radio Madhoshi

24/07/2025

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19/05/2025

Kabhi kabhi… ek gaana hi kaafi hota hai…
woh sab kehne ke liye…
jo hum kabhi keh nahi paaye...

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sabse romantic Bollywood playlist—
jahaan har gaana ek ehsaas hai,
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Yahaan milega woh gaana…
jo pehli baar uski aankhon mein jhaankte waqt baj raha tha…
aur woh dhun…
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toh uski frequency hoti— Radio Madhoshi.

24 ghante, sirf mohabbat…
Bollywood ke sabse dil-chhoo jaane waale gaane…
non-stop.

Radio Madhoshi —
jab bhi dil chahe pyaar mein doob jaana,
bas humse mil jaana...

Radio Madhoshi, The most romantic Bollywood playlist... ever existed on earth.

Presenting the most romantic Bollywood playlist that ever existed. Enjoy 24/7 romantic Bollywood songs and feel the love with Radio Madhoshi.

19/05/2025

𝗥𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗼 𝗠𝗮𝗱𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗵𝗶 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲
Episode: 004
Story: 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐯𝐚𝐬 𝐊𝐞 𝐔𝐬𝐬 𝐏𝐚𝐚𝐫

Pehla Parv: Rango Ka Shahar, Rupahla Aasman

Kolkata ke dakshin mein, Lake Gardens ke ek puraane do-manzila makaan ke ground floor par Barnali Basak ka studio-cum-ghar tha. Kamre ki deewaron par adhoore canvas, rangon ke chheenton se sane eazel, idhar-udhar bikhre brush, aur hawa mein turpentine aur alsi ke tel ki ek ajeeb si madhosh karne waali gandh phaili hui thi. Barnali, umr sattais ke aas-paas, samkaaleen Bangali chitrakala mein ek ummeed bhari pehchaan. Uski tasveeron mein jahaan gehre rangon ka himmat bhara istemaal hota, wahin insaani mann ke andar ki kashmakash aur kudrat ke rahasyamay roop ka ek kavitamaya aks bhi dikhta. Patli-si kaathi, kandhon tak kate baal, aankhon mein tez samajhdaari ki chamak aur aksar rang lage jeans-kurti – yeh thi Barnali. Woh azaad khayal, thodi manmauji, aur apni kala ke prati bina samjhauta kiye jeene waali ladki thi. Shohrat ya paise ka moh usse kam tha, woh tasveerein apni rooh ki awaaz par banati, apne andar ki aag ko canvas par utaarne ke liye. Lekin, is shahar mein sirf kala ke sahaare jeena kitna mushkil hai, yeh woh har pal mehsoos karti thi. Kabhi-kabhi uski tasveerein bik jaati, kuch pradarshaniyon mein bhi bulawa aata, lekin niyamit aamdani ka na hona usse aksar soch mein daal deta.
Aaj subah se hi Barnali ka mann theek nahin tha. Ek zaroori pradarshani ke liye woh jo tasveer bana rahi thi, woh kisi bhi tarah se uske mann mutaabik nahin ban paa rahi thi. Canvas ke saamne khade woh ghanton tak brush haath mein liye sthir rehti, lekin rangon ka sparsh nahin ho paata. Baahar ka badal bhara aasman jaise uske mann ka hi aaina tha.
Shahar ke doosre chhor par, New Town ke chamchamaate ek corporate tower ki painteesvi manzil par, 'Sengupta Industries' ke Managing Director ke aalishan chamber mein baitha tha Arindam Sengupta. Umr paintees saal. Teekhi naak, saleeke se sanware baal, Armani ka suit pehne, aur chehre par aatmavishvaas aur rob ka bhaav. Arindam, ek shabd mein, kaamyaab tha. Uski leadership mein Sengupta Industries ne pichhle paanch saalon mein kamaal ki tarakki ki thi. Woh tark aur haqeeqat par chalne wala insaan tha, aur uske liye waqt ki keemat sabse zyada thi. Art, sangeet ya saahitya – in sabse upar woh data, analytics aur profit margin ko jagah deta tha. Kala uske liye ya toh deewar sajaane ki cheez thi, ya phir ek faydemand nivesh. Uske apne rooftop apartment mein naamcheen kalakaron ki banayi tasveerein saji hui thi, lekin unki taraf dekhkar usne shayad aakhiri baar kab kuch mehsoos kiya tha, yeh usse khud bhi yaad nahin tha.
Arindam ki zindagi ek bandhe-bandhaye dhaanche mein chalti thi – subah se raat tak meetings, conference calls, business trips. Is machine-jaise jeevan ke baahar uski niji zindagi lagbhag sooni thi. Ek rishta tha, koi teen saal pehle, lekin woh ladki Arindam ke kaam ke dabaav aur bhavishya ki oonchi khwahishon se taalmel nahin bitha paayi thi. Uske baad se Arindam ne khud ko aur bhi zyada kaam mein dubo diya tha. Kabhi-kabhi, gehri raat mein, apne kaanch ki deewaron waale vishaal office se jab woh raat ki Kolkata ko dekhta, toh seene mein ek ajeeb sa akelapan mehsoos karta. Lekin agle hi pal woh khud ko sambhaal leta. Uski dictionary mein kamzori ke liye koi jagah nahin thi.
Aaj bhi ismein koi fark nahin tha. Subah se lagaataar meetings. Saamne hi company ka naya flagship product launch tha, isliye kaam ka dabaav charam par tha.
Kismat se, in do alag-alag dhruvon ke logon ki raahein kuch hafton baad aa milin. Sengupta Industries ne apne Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) kaam ke hisse ke taur par Kolkata ke naujawan pratibhashaali kalakaron ke liye ek art competition aur pradarshani ka aayojan kiya tha. Arindam khud is tarah ke kaaryakramon mein koi khaas dilchaspi nahin rakhta tha, lekin company ki chhavi ka khayal rakhte hue usse puraskaar vitaran samaroh mein maujood rehna pada. Naamcheen mehmaan, media ki chakachaundh, aur vijeta kalakaron ka utsaah – sab kuch usse thoda banavati sa lag raha tha.
Samaroh ke beech mein, Arindam ki nazar pradarshani ke ek kone mein rakhi ek khaas canvas par padi. Tasveer pratiyogita ka hissa nahin thi, balki ek aamantrit kalakaar ka kaam tha. Gehre neele aur hare rangon ke beech bana ek rahasyamay jangal ka drishya, jahaan roshni aur andhere ke khel mein ek ajeeb si udaasi aur taaqat jhalak rahi thi. Tasveer ke khichaav mein woh aage badha. Neeche kalakaar ka naam likha tha – 'Barnali Basak'.
Theek usi waqt, ek aayojak ne Barnali ka parichay Arindam se karwaya. Barnali tab kisi aur mehmaan se baat kar rahi thi. Usne ek saadharan khaddar ki saree pehni hui thi, maathe par ek chhoti si kaali bindi, aur haathon mein chaandi ke kangan. Arindam uski taraf dekhkar thoda hairaan hua. Kya yeh shaant, komal chehre waali ladki hi uss gehri, shaktishaali tasveer ki kalakaar thi?
"Mr. Sengupta, yeh hain Barnali Basak. Is p*edhi ki behtareen kalakaron mein se ek," aayojak mahashay ne kaha.
Barnali ne namaste kiya. Arindam ne bhi namaste ka jawaab dete hue kaha, "Aapki banayi tasveer dekhi. Kaafi interesting hai."
'Interesting' shabd Barnali ke kaano mein kuch ajeeb tarah se chubha. Usne Arindam ki aankhon mein jhaanka – unn aankhon mein shishtachaar tha, lekin kala ke prati koi gehri samajh ya jazbaat usse nazar nahin aaye.
"Dhanyawaad," Barnali ne chhota sa jawaab diya.
Kuch der baad, jab samaroh lagbhag khatam hone ko tha, Arindam ke personal assistant ne uske haath mein ek file dete hue kaha, "Sir, hamare naye headquarter ke interior designer ne reception aur boardroom ke liye kuch artworks ka prastaav diya hai. Unmein Barnali Basak ka naam bhi hai."
Arindam ne file kholkar dekhi. Barnali ki do aur tasveeron ki copies. Usse kyun jaane aisa laga ki is ladki ke kaam mein kuch aisa hai, jo bilkul alag hai.
Usne apne assistant se kaha, "Barnali Basak ke saath ek appointment fix karo. Main unke studio mein jaakar khud unka kaam dekhna chahta hoon."
Kuch din baad, ek baarish bhari dopehar mein, Arindam ki chamchamaati Mercedes Lake Gardens ke uss puraane makaan ke saamne aa ruki. Sankri gali, seelan bhari deewaren aur aas-paas ka saadharan sa mahaul dekhkar Arindam ke maathe par chinta ki lakeerein ubhar aayin. Is mahaul mein koi pratibhashaali kalakaar ho sakta hai, uska corporate mann yeh baat sweekaar nahin kar paa raha tha.
Barnali ke studio mein ghuskar Arindam aur bhi hairaan hua. Kamre ki bikhri hui khoobsurti, rangon ki gandh, aur canvas par ubharte adhoore sapne – sab kuch uski jaani-pehchaani aalishan duniya se bilkul alag tha. Barnali tab ek canvas par kaam kar rahi thi. Arindam ko dekhkar woh uthkar khadi hui aur namaste kiya.
"Aaiye, Mr. Sengupta," Barnali ne sahajta se kaha.
Arindam ne kamre mein chaaron taraf nazar daudaate hue kaha, "Badi alag si jagah hai aapki." Uske lehje mein tareef se zyada hairaani thi.
Barnali muskuraayi. "Kalakaaron ki duniya aisi hi hoti hai, Mr. Sengupta. Yahaan rangon ki khushboo hi asli perfume hoti hai."
Arindam ne apne aane ka maksad bataya. Woh apni company ke naye office ke liye kuch bade size ki tasveerein banwana chahta tha. Barnali ka kaam usse pasand aaya tha, lekin woh chahta tha ki tasveerein company ki 'brand value' aur 'corporate identity' se mel khaati hon.
Yeh baatein sunkar Barnali ki bhaunhein halki si sikud gayin. "Mr. Sengupta, main tasveerein apne mann ki khushi ke liye, apne vicharon se banati hoon. Kisi company ki brand value dikhana mera kaam nahin hai. Agar aap kisi khaas theme ya rangon ki baat karte hain, toh woh alag baat hai. Lekin main apni kala ko farmayishi nahin bana sakti."
Arindam is seedhe jawaab se thoda aahat hua, lekin zaahir nahin kiya. Usne socha, is ladki mein aatmavishvaas se zyada ghamand hai.
"Dekhiye, Miss Basak, main aapki kala ka prashansak hoon. Lekin professional duniya mein kuch haqeeqaton ka bhi khayal rakhna padta hai. Main jo rakam pesh kar raha hoon, woh bhi kam nahin hai."
Barnali ke chehre par ek vyangya bhari muskaan aa gayi. "Paison ki keemat mere liye zyada maayne nahin rakhti, Mr. Sengupta. Kala ke saath rooh ka rishta hi asli hai. Aap shayad galat jagah aa gaye hain."
Pehli hi mulaqaat mein unke beech ek nazuk sa tanav ka mahaul ban gaya. Arindam samajh gaya ki is ladki se kaam karwana aasaan nahin hoga. Aur Barnali ko laga ki yeh corporate insaan kala ka 'K' bhi nahin samajhta, sirf business ka hisaab-kitaab samajhta hai.
Phir bhi, Arindam ne haar nahin maani. Uske mann ke andar kahin ek zidd kaam kar rahi thi. Usne Barnali ki kuch aur tasveerein dekhin, uske kaam ki gehraai usse kheench rahi thi. Kaafi behes ke baad, ek shart par Barnali raazi hui – woh apne andaaz mein kuch shuruaati sketch taiyaar karegi. Agar Arindam ko pasand aaye, tabhi woh asal tasveer banayegi. Aur uske kaam mein kisi bhi tarah ki business se judi dakhal-andaazi nahin ki jaayegi.
Arindam kuch na chahte hue bhi shart maan gaya. Woh nahin jaanta tha ki yeh dikhne mein saadharan sa business samjhauta, asal mein un dono ki zindagi ke canvas par ek naye rang ka chheenta lagane waala hai.
Arindam ke jaane ke baad kuch din Barnali ek ajeeb si uljhan mein rahi. Ek taraf uske kalakaar hone ka abhimaan, doosri taraf is corporate duniya se mile kaam ka mauka – dono mein woh kisi tarah se taalmel nahin bitha paa rahi thi. Arindam Sengupta naam ke is aadmi ki shakhsiyat mein kuch aisa tha jo usse ek hi saath pareshaan aur utsuk kar raha tha. Woh aadmi kala ke baare mein kuch nahin jaanta tha, phir bhi uski aankhon mein ek ajeeb si khoj usne mehsoos ki thi.
Barnali apne chhat ke neeche bane studio mein baithkar shuruaati sketch taiyaar karne lagi. Usne tay kiya ki Arindam ki company ke liye woh koi aam sa landscape ya abstract art nahin banayegi. Uske khayalon mein kuch aisa tha, jo ek hi saath aadhunik, shaktishaali aur gehre arth waala ho. Usne Kolkata ki apni pehchaan – uska itihaas, uski sanskriti, uska banna-bigadna, uske andar ki kabhi na khatm hone waali zindagi ki taaqat – in sab ko apne sketch mein utaarna chaha. Dinon tak woh sirf sochti aur aankti rahi – kabhi Ganga ke ghat ki shaanti, kabhi uttar Kolkata ke puraane gharon ki tooti-phooti deewaron par dikhti kala ki chhaap, toh kabhi shahar ke seene par sar uthaye khade naye flyover ki raftaar ka ehsaas.
Doosri taraf, Arindam bhi Barnali ko mann se poori tarah nikaal nahin paa raha tha. Uss ladki ki himmat, apni kala ke prati uska samjhauta na karne ka rawaiya aur uss bikhre hue studio ka ajeeb sa khichaav usse baar-baar sochne par majboor kar raha tha. Usne apne interior designer se baat karke Barnali ke pehle kuch kaamon ka catalogue dekha. Har tasveer mein ek alag pehchaan, ek gehraai. Arindam ko laga, yeh ladki sirf rangon ka kaam nahin karti, woh asal mein kahaani kehti hai – canvas par rang aur brush ki zubaani.
Tay din par Barnali apna sketchbook lekar Arindam ke office pahunchi. Reception se lekar Arindam ke chamber tak har kone mein aadhunikta aur corporate shaan ki chhaap thi. Barnali ko khud wahaan bahut bemel sa mehsoos ho raha tha.
Arindam ne Barnali ke sketch bahut dhyaan se dekhe. Pehle toh uske chehre par koi bhaav nahin aaya. Barnali ka dil andar hi andar thoda kaanp utha – kya yeh aadmi kuch bhi nahin samajh raha?
Kaafi der baad Arindam ne kaha, "Aapke khayal kaafi alag hain, Miss Basak. Maine bilkul aisa socha nahin tha."
Barnali ne shaant awaaz mein kaha, "Maine toh pehle hi kaha tha, Mr. Sengupta, main apne hi tarike se sochungi."
Arindam ne ek khaas sketch ki taraf ishaara karte hue kaha, "Yeh jo Kolkata ke puraane aur naye ka mel hai... ismein ek ajeeb si taaqat hai. Lekin kya yeh hamare office ki branding ke saath jaayega?"
Barnali ne mazbooti se jawaab diya, "Ek company ki branding sirf uske logo ya vigyapan tak seemit nahin rehti, Mr. Sengupta. Uski jadein, apne shahar ke prati uski zimmedaari bhi uski pehchaan ka hissa hai. Yeh tasveer wahi baat kahegi."
Unke beech kuch der aur tak bahas chalti rahi. Arindam apne corporate nazariye se sawaal utha raha tha, aur Barnali apni kalatmak soch se uska jawaab de rahi thi. Yeh pehli baar Arindam ko laga ki yeh ladki sirf ziddi nahin hai, uske tark ke p*eche ek gehra darshan bhi hai.
Aakhirkaar, Arindam ne do sketch chun liye – ek mein Kolkata ki itihaasik imaartein aur aadhunik jeevan ki raftaar ka mel tha, doosre mein Bengal ki lok kala ke motifs ko lekar banaya gaya ek jeevan-vriksh tha. Usne Barnali ko kaam shuru karne ke liye kaha, lekin yeh bhi bata diya ki kaam ki pragati par woh nazar rakhega. Barnali mann hi mann muskuraayi – yeh aadmi shayad kabhi bhi kalakaar par poora bharosa karna nahin seekhega!
Barnali apne studio mein lautkar naye josh ke saath kaam mein lag gayi. Do bade canvas par woh apne khayalon ko utaarne lagi. Din ka zyadaatar waqt woh rangon ki khushboo mein lipti rehti, brush ke har stroke mein woh jaise apni rooh ko undel rahi thi. Uske studio ka darwaza lagbhag band hi rehta, baahari duniya se usne khud ko poori tarah alag kar liya tha. Beech-beech mein sirf uski assistant ladki aakar chai aur khaana de jaati thi.
Samjhaute ke mutaabik, lagbhag ek hafte baad Arindam ek baar Barnali ke studio aaya kaam ki pragati dekhne. Uss din Barnali ek maroon rang ki kurti aur jeans pehne apne kaam mein magan thi. Uske baalon aur gaalon par rangon ke chheente the. Arindam ko dekhkar woh thodi jhijhki, lekin kaam nahin roka.
Arindam kuch der chupchaap khada Barnali ka kaam dekhta raha. Canvas par tab dheere-dheere ek nayi duniya ubhar rahi thi. Usne dekha, Barnali sirf rang nahin laga rahi thi, woh jaise apne canvas se baatein kar rahi thi. Uss ladki ki lagan, uski nishtha ne Arindam ko prabhavit kiya. Woh samajh paa raha tha ki yeh kaam Barnali ke liye sirf ek assignment nahin hai, usse kahin zyada kuch hai.
Uss din Arindam ne koi khaas baat nahin ki, sirf shaanti se dekhta raha. Jaane se pehle sirf itna kaha, "Kaam waqai bahut alag ho raha hai, Miss Basak." Uske lehje mein ab pehle jaisa shak nahin tha, balki ek dabi hui tareef thi.
Kuch din baad, Barnali ko ek baar Arindam ke office jaana pada. Kuch formalities baaki thin, aur Arindam chahta tha ki woh ek baar apni aankhon se dekh le ki uski tasveerein kin deewaron par sajengi. Barnali ne isse pehle itna bada corporate office nahin dekha tha. Kaanch ki deewaren, chamchamaata interior, aur sabki vyast, machine jaisi chal-phir – sab kuch usse kuch bejaan sa laga. Arindam ke vishaal chamber mein ghuskar woh aur bhi zyada sehm gayi. Itni shaan, itni taaqat ka pradarshan – in sabke beech kya uski kala sach mein koi jagah bana paayegi?
Arindam ne usse poora office ghumaakar dikhaya, boardroom, conference hall – jahaan-jahaan tasveerein lagni thin. Barnali ne shaanti se sab dekha, lekin uske mann ki duvidha door nahin hui. Is chamchamaate, machine jaise mahaul mein uske jazbaaton se bani tasveerein kya sach mein sahi lagengi?
Office se lautkar Barnali phir apne canvas ke saamne aa khadi hui. Arindam ke office ka woh thanda, bejaan sa mahaul uske mann par ek asar chhod gaya tha. Woh samajh rahi thi ki uski tasveeron ko ek hi saath kalatmak aur is corporate duniya ke laayak banana hoga – ek mushkil santulan banane ki chunauti.
Arindam bhi apne rozmarra ke kaamkaaj ke beech aksar Barnali ke baare mein sochta. Uss ladki ki saadgi, apni kala ke prati uska tez jazba, aur uss bikhre hue studio ka bohemian khichaav – sab milakar ek ajeeb sa mila-jula ehsaas uske mann mein paida ho raha tha. Usne internet par Barnali ki pehli kuch pradarshaniyon ke review padhe, uske baare mein aur jaanne ki koshish ki. Usse pata chala ki Barnali sirf ek pratibhashaali kalakaar hi nahin, balki ek sochne waali insaan bhi hai, jiske kaam mein samaaj ka aks dikhta hai.
Kaam ke silsile mein unke beech phone ya email par baat-cheet hoti rehti. Kabhi rangon ke shade ko lekar charcha, kabhi tasveer ke size ko lekar halka sa matbhed. Yeh chhoti-chhoti baatein unke jaane-anjaane unke beech ki barf ki deewar ko thoda-thoda pighlaane lagi thin. Barnali ko ehsaas ho raha tha ki Arindam ke uss sakht khol ke p*eche bhi ek samvedansheel pehlu hai, jo acchi cheezon ki qadr karna jaanta hai, bhale hi uska izhaar karne ka tareeka thoda alag ho. Aur Arindam bhi samajh raha tha ki Barnali ki uss dikhne waali zidd ke p*eche uski kala ke prati gehra pyaar aur imaandaari chhipi hai.
Ek din, Barnali ko ek khaas rang ki zaroorat padi, jo Kolkata ke bazaar mein aasaani se nahin mil raha tha. Usne thodi jhijhak ke saath Arindam ko yeh baat bataayi. Arindam ne bina koi sawaal kiye, agle hi din apne ek jaankaar ke zariye woh rang mangwaakar Barnali ke studio bhijwa diya. Barnali hairaan reh gayi. Is chhoti si ghatna ne uske mann mein Arindam ke prati ek naya sammaan paida kar diya. Woh samajh gayi ki yeh corporate insaan shayad utna bhi bedil nahin hai, jitna usne shuru mein socha tha.
Un dono ke jaane-anjaane, canvas ke rangon ki tarah unke rishte mein bhi naye-naye rang ghulne lage the. Unn rangon mein hairaani thi, utsukta thi, ek-doosre ke prati ek ankahee si kashish thi. Shahar ke do alag-alag kinaron par, do alag duniyaon ke rehne waale hone ke bawajood, kala ka ek na dikhne waala dhaaga jaise unhein dheere-dheere kareeb kheench raha tha.
Kuch hafte guzar gaye. Barnali ke canvas par tab rangon ki partein jamte-jamte tasveerein saaf hone lagi thin. Kolkata ki woh jaani-pehchaani itihaasik imaaraton ke saath aadhunik zindagi ki tezi, ya phir jeevan-vriksh ki daaliyon aur patton mein lok kala ki naqqashi – sab kuch jaise dheere-dheere zinda ho utha tha. Barnali ne apna poora dhyaan aur jazbaat in do tasveeron mein undel diye the.
Uss din subah se hi aasman udaas tha. Rimjhim baarish ho rahi thi. Aise mausam mein Barnali ka kaam mein aur bhi zyada mann lagta tha. Studio ki khidki poori khuli hui thi, baarish ki boondein farsh par aa rahi thin, bheegi mitti ki sondhi khushboo aa rahi thi. Theek usi waqt darwaaze par dastak hui. Barnali thodi hairaan hokar darwaaza kholti hai toh dekhti hai, Arindam Sengupta khada hai. Usne formal shirt aur trouser pehne the, lekin baarish mein baal thode bheege hue maathe par aa gaye the.
"Aap! Is waqt?" Barnali bina pooche reh na saki.
Arindam thoda muskuraaya. "Asal mein is taraf se guzar raha tha. Socha, aapke kaam ki pragati ek baar dekh loon. Bina ijaazat andar aane ke liye maafi chahta hoon."
"Nahin nahin, theek hai. Aaiye," Barnali ne usse andar aane ka raasta diya.
Studio ke andar tab ek ajeeb sa jaadui mahaul tha. Canvas par adhoori tasveerein, rangon ki gandh, aur khidki ke baahar baarish ki lagaataar awaaz. Arindam kuch der chupchaap khada Barnali ka kaam dekhta raha. Aaj uski aankhon mein pehle jaisa business wala kautoohal nahin tha, balki ek shaant si mugdhta thi.
"Behtareen ban rahi hain," Arindam ne dheere se kaha. "Aisa lag raha hai, jaise tasveerein bol rahi hon."
Barnali halka sa muskuraayi. Yeh pehli baar Arindam ke munh se usne apne kaam ki aisi dil kholkar tareef suni thi.
"Thodi coffee piyenge?" Barnali ne achaanak hi pooch liya. Aise din mein, aise mahaul mein coffee p*ene ka prastaav jaise apne aap hi uske munh se nikal gaya.
Arindam bhi hairaan hua. Usne kalpana bhi nahin ki thi ki Barnali Basak ke bikhre hue studio mein baithkar woh kabhi coffee piyega. "Agar aapko koi pareshaani na ho," woh raazi ho gaya.
Barnali ne apni chhoti si electric kettle mein paani garam karke do mug mein coffee banaayi. Studio ke ek kone mein rakhi ek puraani si baithak par Arindam baith gaya, aur Barnali uske saamne ek stool par. Coffee ke dhuein uthte mug haath mein liye woh dono kuch der chupchaap rahe. Baahar baarish ki awaaz ke siwa aur koi shor nahin tha.
Chuppi todi Arindam ne. "Achha, Miss Basak, yeh jo aap ghanton tak tasveerein banati rehti hain, aapko ubaaoo nahin lagta?"
Barnali ne coffee ke mug se ek ghoont lete hue kaha, "Ubaaoo! Tasveer banana toh mere liye saans lene jaisa hai, Mr. Sengupta. Jab main canvas ke saamne khadi hoti hoon, tab main is duniya mein nahin rehti. Ek alag hi jahaan mein kho jaati hoon, jahaan sirf main, mere rang, aur mere khayal hote hain."
Arindam dhyaan se sun raha tha. "Lekin yeh anishchit'ta, yeh sangharsh bhari zindagi... yeh kya aapko kabhi niraash nahin karti?"
Barnali kuch der chup rehkar boli, "Niraasha toh zindagi ka hi hissa hai. Lekin jab mera brush canvas ko chhoota hai, tab saari niraasha, saare dukh kahin gayab ho jaate hain. Tab sirf ek hi khushi rehti hai – kuch naya banane ki khushi." Uski aankhon mein ek ajeeb si chamak thi.
Arindam ne uss din pehli baar Barnali ke kalakaar roop ki gehraai mehsoos ki. Yeh ladki sirf rang-brush ki karigar nahin, woh ek saadhika hai. Apne kaam ke prati yeh lagan, yeh pyaar Arindam ke corporate mann ko bhi jhinjhod gaya. Woh apne jaane-anjaane Barnali ke prati ek tarah ka sammaan mehsoos karne laga tha.
Coffee khatam karke Arindam jab utha, tab baarish bhi tham chuki thi. "Aaj chalta hoon, Miss Basak. Aapki dono tasveeron ke poora hone ka intezaar rahega."
Barnali darwaaze tak usse chhodne aayi. Arindam ke jaane ke baad bhi kaafi der tak coffee ki khushboo aur uski kahi baatein jaise studio ki hawa mein tairti rahin.
Kuch din baad, Arindam ka ek anapeksh*t phone aaya Barnali ke paas.
"Miss Basak, ummeed hai main aapko pareshan nahin kar raha," Arindam ki awaaz pehle se kahin narm thi. "Asal mein, aaj shaam hamari company ek charity gala dinner ka aayojan kar rahi hai. Wahaan shahar ke kaafi khaas log aayenge. Hamare kuch social welfare projects ki funding ka bhi maamla hai. Main soch raha tha, agar aap..."
Barnali hairaan. "Main! Uss tarah ke samaroh mein jaakar main kya karungi, Mr. Sengupta?"
Arindam bola, "Asal mein, wahaan kuch art collectors aur gallery ke maalik bhi honge. Aapke kaam ki pehchaan ke liye bhi yeh ek accha mauka ho sakta hai. Aur iske alawa... matlab, mujhe laga, aapko bhi kabhi-kabhi in chaar deewaron ke baahar thoda alag mahaul mein jaana chahiye."
Aakhri baat Arindam ne thoda jhijhakte hue kahi. Barnali samajh gayi, woh aadmi shayad uski madad hi karna chah raha hai, bhale hi uska izhaar karne ka tareeka abhi bhi thoda jhijhak bhara ho. Usne kuch der sochkar haan kar di. Apni kala ke prachar ka mauka woh haath se jaane nahin dena chahti thi, aur iske alawa Arindam Sengupta ko apne studio ke baahar kisi aur roop mein dekhne ki ek chhipi hui utsukta bhi uske mann mein kaam kar rahi thi.
Tay shaam ko, Barnali ek saadharan lekin saleekedaar silk ki saree pehenkar uss panch-sitara hotel ke banquet hall mein pahunchi. Chaaron taraf shaan-o-shaukat, roshni ki chamak, naamcheen chehron ki bheed. Barnali ko khud wahaan bahut anjaan sa mehsoos ho raha tha.
Arindam ne khud aakar uska swagat kiya. Aaj usne ekdum sahi kata hua ek kaala bandhgala suit pehna tha. Woh baaki dinon se bhi zyada aakarshak lag raha tha. Usne Barnali ko kuch logon se milwaya – unmein sach mein do-ek art collector the.
Samaroh ke beech mein, jab Barnali thoda akeli khadi chaaron taraf ki shaan dekh rahi thi, Arindam uske paas aakar bola, "Sab kuch theek-thaak lag raha hai na? Koi pareshaani toh nahin ho rahi?"
Barnali ne dheeme se muskuraakar kaha, "Thoda alag hai. Lekin adjust karne ki koshish kar rahi hoon."
Arindam bola, "Asal mein, is chamak-damak ke p*eche bhi bahut khaali pan hota hai, Miss Basak. Yahaan sab jo dikhaate hain, woh asal mein woh nahin hote." Uske lehje mein ek chhipi hui udaasi ka sur tha. Barnali hairaan hokar Arindam ki taraf dekhne lagi. Yeh pehli baar usse laga ki is safal, aatmavishvaasi aadmi ke andar bhi kahin ek akelapan chhupa hua hai.
Uss raat, dinner table par baithe, Arindam ne Barnali ko hairaan karte hue kala ke itihaas par do-chaar gehri baatein kahin. Usne bataya ki uske niji sangrah mein bhi kaafi acchi tasveerein hain, halanki woh unke baare mein zyada baat karna pasand nahin karta. Barnali samajh gayi ki Arindam ki kala ke prati dilchaspi shayad utni bhi upari nahin hai, jitni woh ab tak sochti aayi thi.
Samaroh khatam hone par Arindam ne khud Barnali ko uske ghar tak pahunchaane ka prastaav diya. Gaadi mein saath baithe aate waqt, woh dono zyadaatar waqt chupchaap rahe. Lekin uss chuppi ke beech bhi ek sahaj samajh unke darmiyaan ban rahi thi.
Barnali ki dono tasveerein tab lagbhag poori hone ko thin. Rang, texture, composition – sab kuch Barnali ke mann mutaabik ubhar aaya tha. Ab tasveeron ko Arindam ki company ke board members aur interior designer ke saamne pesh karne ki baari thi. Arindam chahta tha ki Barnali khud hi apne kaam ke p*eche ki soch ko sabke saamne rakhe.
Tay din par, Sengupta Industries ke chamchamaate boardroom mein Barnali apni do tasveerein lekar haazir hui. Kamre ke beech mein vishaal oval table, uske chaaron taraf company ke bade adhikaari baithe the. Har ek ke chehre par ek gambhir, aalochnatmak bhaav. Barnali ka dil andar hi andar thoda kaanpa, lekin usne khud ko shaant rakha.
Usne apni tasveeron ka concept, rangon ka istemaal, aur uske p*eche ki soch ko bahut sahajta se samjhaya. Shuru mein boardroom ke sadasyon ne koi khaas dilchaspi nahin dikhayi. Ek ne toh seedhe keh hi diya, "Is tarah ki tasveerein kya hamare office jaise serious jagah par sajengi? Yeh toh art gallery ke liye theek hain."
Barnali ka chehra thoda laal ho utha. Woh kuch kehne hi waali thi ki Arindam bol utha, "Mujhe lagta hai, office ke mahaul ko aur bhi zyada zinda-dil aur rachnatmak banane ke liye is tarah ki kalakritiyan bahut zaroori hain. Aur Barnali Basak ka kaam sirf sundarta mein hi accha nahin hai, usmein ek gehri soch ka khuraak bhi hai, jo hamare karmachariyon ko prerna de sakti hai."
Sab hairaan hokar Arindam ki taraf dekhne lage. Unka MD, jo hamesha sirf business ke fayde-nuksaan ki baat karta tha, woh aaj kala ke liye itni mazbooti se daleel de raha tha!
Arindam ke is anapeksh*t samarthan se Barnali ke mann ki duvidha kaafi had tak door ho gayi. Usne aur aatmavishvaas ke saath baaki logon ke sawaalon ka jawaab diya. Aakhir mein, lagbhag sabhi ne uske kaam ki tareef ki.
Meeting khatam hone par, jab sab log baahar ja rahe the, Arindam Barnali ke paas aakar dheeme se muskuraakar bola, "Bahut accha kiya, Miss Basak. Aapne aaj sirf ek kalakaar ke taur par nahin, balki ek behtareen communicator ke roop mein bhi khud ko saabit kiya hai."
Barnali ne shukriya bhari nazron se Arindam ki taraf dekha. "Dhanyawaad, Mr. Sengupta. Aapka saath na milta toh shayad..."
"Maine sirf sach kaha hai," Arindam ne usse rokte hue kaha. "Aapki kala sach mein bolti hai."
Uss pal, un dono ki aankhon mein ek-doosre ke liye ek nayi samajh aur sammaan ki chamak thi. Corporate duniya ki sakht deewaron ko cheerta hua kala ka prakaash jaise dheere-dheere andar aa raha tha.
Aakhirkaar woh din aa hi gaya. Barnali ki banayi do vishaal canvas sammaan ke saath Sengupta Industries ke headquarter ke mukhya reception lobby aur boardroom ki deewaron par lag gayin. Office ke karmachaari, jo ab tak sirf files ke pahaad aur computer screen ke hi aadi the, unhein achaanak jaise ek naye rang ka pata chala. Dono tasveeron ne office ke thande, machine jaise mahaul mein ek ajeeb si garmahat aur zindagi bhar di.
Barnali ne khud khade hokar tasveerein lagwaane ka kaam dekha tha. Aakhri baar jab usne polish kiye hue farsh par apni tasveer ka aks dekha, toh uska seena ek anokhi khushi se bhar gaya. Aisa laga, jaise uska bachcha aaj naye ghar mein daakhil hua ho.
Arindam uss din office aakar pehle reception lobby mein lagi tasveer ke saamne kuch der stabdh khada raha. Kolkata ka woh jaana-pehchaana roop, Barnali ke brush se jaise ek naya arth paa gaya tha. Usne mehsoos kiya, yeh tasveer sirf ek kalakriti nahin, yeh jaise shahar ki dil ki dhadkan hai. Phir woh boardroom gaya. Jeevan-vriksh ki woh tasveer kamre ke gambhir mahaul mein ek shaanti ka ehsaas phaila rahi thi. Arindam apni vishaal kursi par baithkar tasveer ki taraf dekhta raha. Usse laga, yeh tasveer usse sirf business ki uljhanon aur muqable ki hi yaad nahin dilayegi, balki zindagi ki gehraai, rishton ki jadon aur kudrat ki shaanti ki bhi yaad dilayegi.
Uss shaam, jab office lagbhag khaali tha, Arindam ne Barnali ko phone kiya. "Miss Basak, aapki tasveerein... kamaal ki hain! Office mein sab bahut tareef kar rahe hain. Aisa lag raha hai, jaise deewaron mein aaj jaan aa gayi ho."
Barnali ke chehre par santosh ki muskaan phail gayi. "Mera kaam jo aap sabko pasand aaya, yahi mere liye sabse badi baat hai, Mr. Sengupta."
"Aaj se aur 'Mr. Sengupta' ya 'Miss Basak' nahin," Arindam ne achaanak hi keh diya. "Hum ab se dost ban sakte hain na? Matlab... agar aapko koi aitraaz na ho."
Barnali kuch pal chup rahi. Uska dil tezi se dhadak raha tha. Phir woh dheeme se muskuraakar boli, "Mujhe koi aitraaz nahin hai... Arindam."
Phone ke doosre chhor par Arindam ke honthon par bhi ek khushi bhari muskaan phail gayi. "Dhanyawaad... Barnali."
Corporate samjhauta khatam ho chuka tha, lekin ek naye rishte ki shuruaat hui thi. Canvas ke rang aur dil ke ehsaas milkar ek nayi dhun bana rahe the, jis dhun ka naam tha dosti, ya shayad usse bhi kuch zyada.

(Pehla Parv Samaapt)

Doosra Parv: Rango Ki Gehraai Mein

Arindam ke munh se "Barnali" aur Barnali ke munh se "Arindam" – yeh sahaj se bol ek pal mein hi unke beech ki ab tak ki andekhi deewar ko jaise gira gaye. Phone ke dono taraf kuch palon ke liye ek sukoon bhari khamoshi chha gayi. Uss khamoshi mein rahat thi, thodi si hairaani thi, aur ek naye rishtey ki halki si dastak thi.
Uss raat Arindam apne aalishaan apartment ki balcony mein khada tha. Raat ki Kolkata uske kadmon ke neeche thi, lekin aaj uske mann mein koi akelapan nahin tha. Balki, Barnali se hui aakhri kuch baatein uske honthon par ek halki si muskaan le aayi thin. Woh samajh raha tha, is ladki mein kuch aisa hai, jo uski machine-jaise zindagi mein ek nayi dhun le aaya hai. Ab tak woh sirf business aur kaamyaabi ke p*eche bhaaga tha, lekin aaj Barnali ki sahaj, saadgi bhari zindagi aur kala ke prati uska gehra pyaar Arindam ko alag tarah se sochne par majboor kar raha tha.
Doosri taraf, Barnali bhi apne studio ki khidki ke paas baithi Arindam ke baare mein soch rahi thi. Woh aadmi shuru mein jitna sakht aur khud-garz laga tha, asal mein utna nahin tha. Uske kathor dikhne waale chehre ke p*eche ek nazuk dil chhipa tha, jo shayad bahut log nahin dekh paate. Corporate duniya ki bulandiyon par hokar bhi usne kala ki qadr karna seekha tha, Barnali ki banayi tasveeron ko dil se apnaya tha – yeh baat Barnali ke mann ko chhoo gayi thi. Dosti! Yeh shabd uske liye naye mayne lekar aa raha tha.
Agle din subah Arindam ka ek message aaya Barnali ke paas – "Suprabhat, Barnali. Ummeed hai aaj ka din tumhare canvas ki tarah hi rangeen hoga."
Barnali message padhkar muskuraayi. Itne formal insaan se aisi meethi si shubhkamna! Usne jawaab diya – "Suprabhat, Arindam. Tumhein bhi ek kaamyaab aur khoobsurat din ki shubhkamnayein."
Yeh chhote-chhote sandeshon ka silsila, yeh sahaj haal-chaal poochhna – isi tarah shuru hua unki dosti ka pehla pehar. Pehle jaisi kaam ki zimmedaari ya kalatmak bahas ka dabaav nahin tha, bas do insaano ke beech panapta ek nirmal sa khichaav tha.
Kuch din baad, ek shanivaar ki dopehar ko, Arindam ne Barnali ko phone kiya.
"Barnali, aaj shaam free ho?"
"Haan, koi khaas kaam nahin hai. Kyun, kya hua?"
"Soch raha tha, agar tumhein koi aitraaz na ho, toh hum kahin dinner par chal sakte hain. Matlab... dost ki haisiyat se," Arindam thoda jhijhakte hue bola.
Barnali muskuraayi. "Mujhe koi aitraaz nahin hai, Arindam. Kahaan chalein?"
Arindam bola, "Woh toh main tum par hi chhodta hoon. Tumhari pasand ki koi jagah?"
Barnali kuch der sochkar boli, "Achha, kya aap kabhi Kumortuli ki galiyon mein shaam ke baad ghume hain? Wahan ki zindagi, kalakaron ka kaam bahut kareeb se dekhne par ek alag hi ehsaas hota hai."
Arindam thoda hairaan hua. Usne Kumortuli ka naam suna tha, lekin kabhi gaya nahin tha. Uske liye woh sirf moortiyan banane ki ek jagah thi. "Nahin, gaya toh nahin. Lekin tumhare saath jaakar accha lagega."
Tay waqt par Arindam aakar Barnali ko le gaya. Barnali ne ek saadharan si taant ki kurti aur jeans pehni thi. Arindam ne casual shirt aur chinos pehne the. Kumortuli ki patli gali ke munh par gaadi rok kar woh paidal chalne lage. Chaaron taraf ghaas-phoos ke dhaanche, mitti ke dher, rang-birangi moortiyon ki qataarein. Kalakaar lagan se kaam kar rahe the. Hawa mein mitti ki sondhi khushboo, dhoop ka dhuaan aur kalakaron ke kaam karne ki awaazein – sab milakar ek ajeeb sa jaadui mahaul tha.
Barnali bade utsaah se Arindam ko sab kuch dikha rahi thi – kaise ghaas-phoos ke dhaanche par mitti ki parat chadhti hai, kaise kalakaar ke mahir haathon se devi-devtaon ke chehre ubharte hain. Arindam hairaani se sab dekh raha tha. Is duniya se uska kabhi koi parichay nahin tha. Usne dekha, ghareebi aur sangharsh ke beech bhi in logon ki aankhon mein kitni ajeeb si santushti hai, kitni gehri nishtha hai apne kaam ke prati!
Ek buzurg kalakaar apni chhoti si jhopdi ke baahar baithe Durga ki aankhein bana rahe the. Barnali Arindam ko lekar unke paas gayi. Kalakaar unhein dekhkar khushi se muskuraaye, unse do baatein bhi kin. Arindam uss kalakaar ke haathon ki taraf dekhta raha – kitni sahajta se woh brush ke ek stroke se Maa ki mamata bhari nigahein bana rahe the!
Kumortuli se nikal kar woh Bagbazar ki taraf gaye, Ganga ke kinaare. Ek puraani, mashhoor khaane ki dukaan mein baithkar unhone mitti ke kulhad mein chai aur garma-garam pakode khaaye. Arindam aam taur par is tarah ka street food nahin khata tha, lekin aaj Barnali ke saath usse kuch alag hi lag raha tha.
Ganga ki thandi hawa, steamer ki seeti, aur Barnali ki sahaj, zindaadil baatein – Arindam ko lag raha tha, jaise woh aaj ek nayi Kolkata ko khoj raha hai. Usne Barnali ko apne bachpan ki kahaniyan sunayin, apne parivaar ke baare mein, apni corporate zindagi ke kuch ankahe dabaav aur akelepan ke baare mein. Barnali ne bhi khulkar apni kalakaar ki zindagi ke sangharsh, apne sapne aur apni chhoti-chhoti khushiyon ke baare mein bataya.
Uss shaam, shahar ke shor-sharabe ke beech bhi woh dono jaise ek-doosre ke mann ke bahut kareeb aa gaye the.
Jab dosti thodi aur gehri hui, toh ek din Arindam ne Barnali ko apne ghar dinner ke liye bulaya.
"Mere ghar par khaas koi aata-jaata nahin," Arindam ne phone par kaha tha. "Lekin tumhare saath kuch der guftagoo karke accha lagega. Aur... mera ek chhota sa surprise bhi hai tumhare liye."
Barnali utsukta ke saath raazi ho gayi.
Arindam ka rooftop apartment aadhunik vastukala aur nafees interior ka ek shaandaar namoona tha. Badi-badi kaanch ki khidkiyon se raat ki Kolkata ka skyline dikh raha tha. Ghar ke har kone mein safai aur shaan ki chhaap thi. Lekin Barnali ki nazar deewaron par jaa tiki. Wahaan, uski banayi unn do tasveeron ke paas, kuch aur lajawaab chitrakala ke namoone saje the – koi videsh ke mashhoor kalakaar ka, toh koi Bharat ke hi kisi sthapit chitrakar ka.
"Yeh sab aapka collection hai?" Barnali ne hairaan hokar poocha.
Arindam dheeme se muskuraakar bola, "Haan. Kaha tha na, kala mein meri dilchaspi utni sathi nahin hai."
Uss din Arindam ne khud Barnali ke liye khaana banaya tha – Continental dish, saath mein wine. Barnali nahin jaanti thi, Arindam itna accha khaana bhi bana sakta hai. Khaane ki table par baithkar unhone bahut halke-phulke andaaz mein baatein kin. Arindam ne apne kaam ke alawa apne doosre shaukon ke baare mein bataya – woh accha piano baja sakta hai, kabhi-kabhi golf khelta hai. Barnali ne dekha, is corporate shakhsiyat ke p*eche ek alag insaan bhi rehta hai, jo zindagi ka lutf uthana jaanta hai.
Dinner ke baad Arindam Barnali ko apne study room mein le gaya. Wahaan ek digital piano rakha tha. Arindam piano ke saamne baithkar ek meethi si dhun bajakar sunayi. Dhun khatam hone ke baad Barnali mugdh hokar boli, "Aap toh kamaal ka bajaate hain! Pehle kabhi bataya nahin!"
Arindam muskuraaya. "Sab baatein kya pehle se bata di jaati hain?"
Uss raat Barnali jab Arindam ke ghar se lauti, toh uske mann mein Arindam ke prati ek nayi soch ban chuki thi. Woh samajh gayi, yeh insaan sirf ek kaamyaab businessman nahin, woh ek nafees, samvedansheel aur kayi hunaron ka maalik hai.
Kuch din baad, Barnali ne bhi Arindam ko apni duniya mein amantrit kiya. Academy of Fine Arts mein uske ek dost ki solo art exhibition thi. Barnali ne Arindam se uss pradarshani mein aane ka anurodh kiya.
"Mere doston se tumhari mulaqaat karwa dungi. Aur waise bhi, nayi p*edhi ke kalakaar aajkal kis tarah ka kaam kar rahe hain, woh bhi dekhne ko milega," Barnali ne kaha tha.
Arindam khushi-khushi raazi ho gaya. Woh bhi Barnali ki duniya ko aur kareeb se dekhna chahta tha.
Academy ka complex uss din kalakaron aur kala-premiyon ki bheed se bhara hua tha. Barnali ke dost Arindam ko dekhkar pehle thoda hairaan hue, lekin Barnali ke parichay par woh Arindam se sahajta se ghul-mil gaye. Unmein koi moortikaar tha, koi kavi, toh koi theatre kalakaar. Unke pehne hue kapde shayad mehnge na hon, lekin unki aankhon mein pratibha ki chamak aur baaton mein kala ke prati gehra lagaav tha. Arindam unse baat karke, unka kaam dekhkar prabhavit hua. Is bohemian, bandhan-mukt jeevan-shaili mein bhi itni rachnatmakta, itni zindagi ki taaqat ho sakti hai, yeh usne pehle kabhi socha bhi nahin tha.
Barnali ne usse poori pradarshani ghumaakar dikhayi, alag-alag tasveeron ke andar chhupe arth samjhaye. Arindam ne dekha, Barnali jab kala ki baat karti hai, toh uski aankhein khushi se naach uthti hain, uske chehre se jaise roshni phoot padti hai. Woh samajh gaya, kala hi Barnali ki jaan hai, uske jeene ka oxygen hai.
Pradarshani se nikal kar woh paas hi ek puraani chai ki dukaan par gaye, jahaan kalakaar aksar adda jamate hain. Wahaan baithkar unhone chai p*e aur kala, sahitya, zindagi par bahut der tak charcha ki. Arindam khud ko is duniya ka hissa samajhkar ek ajeeb si khushi mehsoos kar raha tha. Usne dekha, Barnali ke doston ke beech woh sirf ek corporate shakhsiyat nahin, balki ek hum-khayal dost ke roop mein bhi sweekaar kiya ja sakta hai.
Uss din, unmein se ek naujawan moortikaar apne ek chhote se kaam ke liye paise ki dikkat mein tha. Arindam ne bahut saleeke se usse madad ki peshkash ki, is tarah se ki uss ladke ke aatm-sammaan ko thes na lage. Barnali Arindam ki is samvedansheelta ko dekhkar mann hi mann bahut khush hui.
Waqt jaise-jaise guzarta gaya, Barnali aur Arindam ki dosti utni hi gehri hoti gayi. Woh ek-doosre par thoda-thoda nirbhar karne lage the. Unke beech ab koi jhijhak nahin thi, sirf gehra vishwas aur samajhdaari thi.
Ek din, Barnali ki maa achaanak bahut beemar ho gayin. Unhein fauran hospital mein bharti karna pada, ilaaj ke liye kaafi paison ki bhi zaroorat thi. Barnali tab pareshaan ho gayi. Uske paas utne paise nahin the, jaankaaron mein kisse madad maange, yeh bhi samajh nahin paa rahi thi. Bahut duvidha ke baad aakhirkaar usne Arindam ko phone karke sab bataya.
Arindam sab sunkar ek pal bhi der nahin ki. Woh khud hospital pahuncha, doctoron se baat ki, ilaaj ka saara kharcha pehle hi de diya. Usne sirf paise se madad nahin ki, balki Barnali ke saath khade hokar usse himmat bhi di. Barnali ki maa ke theek hone tak woh roz khabar rakhta raha, Barnali ko hausla deta raha.
Is ghatna se Barnali ki aankhon mein Arindam ka sammaan kayi guna badh gaya. Woh samajh gayi, Arindam sirf uska dost hi nahin, woh ek sachcha shubhchintak hai, jis par behad mushkil waqt mein bhi bharosa kiya ja sakta hai.
Doosri taraf, Arindam ne bhi apne ek corporate sankat ke samay Barnali se anmol mansik sahara paya tha. Uski company ki ek badi deal mein kuch kanooni pareshaniyan aa gayi thin, jiski wajah se Arindam zabardast mansik dabaav mein tha. Raaton tak usse neend nahin aa rahi thi. Is waqt usne Barnali ke saath hi apni pareshani baanti thi. Barnali shayad uske business ki uljhanein poori tarah na samajhti ho, lekin usne Arindam ki baat dhyaan se suni thi, usse himmat bandhayi thi, aur apni kalatmak soch se kuch alag tarah ke samadhan bhi bataye the. Barnali ki woh narm maujoodgi aur dil se nikli baatein Arindam ko uss kathin samay se nikalne mein bahut madadgar saabit hui thin.
Isi tarah, ek-doosre ki zindagi ke mushkil palon mein saath dekar, woh dono anjaane mein hi apni dosti ke rishte ko ek aur kadam aage le gaye the. Uss rishte mein tab sirf dosti nahin thi, gehra bharosa tha, ek-doosre ke prati ek tez, ankahee kashish thi. Canvas ke rang tab un dono ke dilon ki gehraiyon mein bhi utarne lage the.
Barnali aur Arindam ki dosti ab ek naya mod le chuki thi. Unka milna, phone par baat karna – har cheez mein sahaj sukoon ke saath ek na kahi ja sakne waali mithas ghuli rehti thi. Corporate duniya ka Arindam aur kala ki duniya ki Barnali, unki zindagi aur soch mein zameen-aasman ka fark hone ke bawajood, woh dono jaise ek-doosre ke poorak ban gaye the. Unke beech ab sirf kaam ya zaroorat ki wajah se baat nahin hoti thi, baat hoti thi mann ke khichaav se, aadat se.
Arindam ke office ki party ya corporate dinner mein Barnali ki maujoodgi ab kisi ko hairaan nahin karti thi. Barnali bhi apni sahaj saadgi aur tez samajhdaari se Arindam ke doston ke beech kaafi lokpriya ho gayi thi. Doosri taraf, Arindam bhi kabhi-kabhi Barnali ke studio ja pahunchta, sirf uske saath kuch der guftagoo karne ke liye. Barnali ke kalakaar dost bhi Arindam ko apni mehfil ka ek niyamit sadasya hi maan chuke the.
Lekin is sahaj dosti ke p*eche hi kab ek alag sa ehsaas aa basa tha, yeh woh khud bhi shayad poori tarah samajh nahin paaye the. Jab Arindam gehri lagan se Barnali ki kisi nayi tasveer ko dekhta, toh Barnali ka dil bewajah hi kaanp uthta. Phir, Barnali jab apni koi chhoti-moti kaamyaabi ya mazedaar ghatna Arindam se baant'ti, toh Arindam ki aankhon mein jo khushi jhalakti, woh Barnali ki nazar se chhupti nahin thi. Unke anjaane mein hi unki aankhon ki bhasha bahut si ankahee baatein keh jaati thi.
Ek din, Arindam ka ek puraana college ka dost, jo ab videsh mein rehta hai, Kolkata aaya hua tha. Arindam ne uske sammaan mein apne apartment mein ek chhoti si gharelu party rakhi thi. Barnali bhi wahaan amantrit thi. Party mein Arindam ka dost Barnali se milte hue mazak mein keh baitha, "Arindam toh aajkal sirf teri hi baatein karta hai yaar! College ke baad se maine usse itna zindaadil aur khush bahut kam dekha hai."
Barnali sharam se laal ho gayi, lekin yeh baat uske mann ki gehraiyon mein ek meethi si goonj chhod gayi. Usne tirchhi nazar se Arindam ki taraf dekha – Arindam tab doosre mehmaano se baat kar raha tha, lekin uske honthon par wohi jaani-pehchaani, garamjoshi bhari muskaan thi.
Barnali ke kalakaar dost bhi unke is badlaav ko mehsoos kar rahe the. Uska sabse kareebi dost, moortikaar Neelanjan, ek din Barnali se pooch hi baitha, "Kyun ri, Arindam babu ke saath tera maamla kya hai bata toh? Sirf dosti, ya usse bhi kuch zyada?"
Barnali jawaab taal gayi thi, lekin Neelanjan ka sawaal uske mann mein bhi wahi uljhan paida kar gaya tha – sach mein, Arindam ke liye uske mann ka yeh ajeeb sa ehsaas kya sirf dosti hai?
Un dono ke mann mein tab ek khamosh kashmakash chal rahi thi. Dosti ke is paak rishte ko woh khona nahin chahte the, lekin dil ki gehraiyon mein jo nayi dhun bajne lagi thi, usse inkaar karne ka bhi koi raasta nahin tha. Unki ankahee baatein honthon tak aakar ruk jaati thin, lekin himmat ki kami se woh baahar nahin aa paati thin. Sirf unki aankhein, unki muskaan, unke chhote-chhote bartav hi ek-doosre ke prati unke gehre anuraag ke gawah ban rahe the.
Ek dopehar, Arindam ne phone karke Barnali se kaha, "Aaj mera kaam jaldi khatam ho gaya hai. Soch raha hoon, thoda Ganga kinaare ghoom aaun. Tum aaogi mere saath?"
Barnali khushi se raazi ho gayi. Is shahar mein Ganga ka kinara hamesha se uska bahut pasandeeda raha hai.
Woh dono Prinsep Ghat par jaakar baithe. Dhalte hue din ki sunehri roshni mein Ganga ka paani chamak raha tha, door Vidyasagar Setu ka dhundhla sa aksh. Halki hawa mein Barnali ke baal ud rahe the. Arindam pyaar bhari nazron se uski taraf dekh raha tha.
"Kolkata shahar sach mein bahut ajeeb hai, na?" Barnali ne bekhayali mein kaha. "Iske har kone mein kitna itihaas, kitni kahaniyan chhipi hain."
Arindam ne Barnali ka haath apne haath mein lete hue kaha, "Tumse milne ke baad se is shahar ko maine naye sire se pehchaanna seekha hai, Barnali. Pehle mere liye Kolkata sirf business ka ek Kendra tha, lekin ab is shahar ka har zarra mujhe apna sa lagta hai."
Barnali ke poore j**m mein Arindam ke sparsh se ek bijli si daud gayi. Usne Arindam ke haath par narmi se dabaav daala.
Woh bahut der tak saath-saath baithe rahe, kabhi chupchaap, kabhi halke-phulke andaaz mein baatein karte hue. Sooraj dhalne ke baad jab Ganga par dheere-dheere andhera utar raha tha, tab Arindam ne achaanak Barnali ke chehre ki taraf jhukkar uske gaal par ek halka sa chumban kiya.
Barnali chaunk kar Arindam ki taraf dekhne lagi. Uske chehre par hairaani, sharm aur ek ankahee khushi ka mila-jula bhaav tha. Arindam ki aankhon mein tab gehre jazbaat the.
"Main maafi chahta hoon, Barnali," Arindam ne dheemi awaaz mein kaha. "Main khud ko rok nahin paaya."
Barnali kuch kahe bina Arindam ke kandhe par sar rakh diya. Uske dil ki dhadkan tez se tez hoti jaa rahi thi. Woh samajh rahi thi, is pal ke liye hi shayad woh itne dinon se intezaar kar rahi thi. Kolkata ka aasman, Ganga ki hawa aur un dono ke dilon ki dhadkan jaise ek ho gaye the uss narm shaam mein.
Kuch din baad ki baat hai. Barnali ki ek solo art exhibition shahar ki ek naamचीन art gallery mein thi. Yeh pradarshani uske kalakaar jeevan ka ek mahatvapurna meel ka patthar thi. Usne apne behtareen kaam yahaan pesh kiye the. Arindam pehle din se hi Barnali ke saath saaye ki tarah tha – pradarshani ke intezaam se lekar mehmaano ki khatirdaari tak har cheez mein usne Barnali ki madad ki thi.
Pradarshani ke udghaatan ke din shahar ke bahut se khaas log, kala samikshak aur patrakaar aaye the. Barnali ki tasveerein dekhkar sab মুগ্ধ (mugdh) the. Uske kaam ki maulिकता aur gehraai par chaaron taraf charcha shuru ho gayi. Ek buzurg kala samikshak ne toh Barnali ko samkaaleen Bangali chitrakala ki nayi disha dene waali tak keh diya.
Is kamaal ki kaamyaabi aur tareefon ki baarish mein Barnali lagbhag khud ko bhool si gayi. Jab woh patrakaaron ke sawaalon ka jawaab de rahi thi, tab uski aankhein baar-baar Arindam ko dhoondh rahi thin. Aakhirkaar, bheed mein usse Arindam dikha – Arindam ek kone mein khada dheemi muskaan ke saath uski hi taraf dekh raha tha. Uski aankhon mein kitni gehri santushti aur garv tha!
Samaroh khatam hone par, jab mehmaan ek-ek karke vida le rahe the, Barnali daudkar aayi aur Arindam ke dono haath thaam liye. "Arindam, main... main lafzon mein bayaan nahin kar sakti, aaj main kitni khush hoon! Aur is sab ke p*eche tumhara bahut bada haath hai." Uski aankhein tab aansuon se bhar aayi thin.
Arindam ne dono haathon se Barnali ka chehra upar uthate hue kaha, "Ismein mera koi kamaal nahin, Barnali. Yeh kaamyaabi poori tarah tumhari hai. Tumhari pratibha, tumhari lagan ko aaj pehchaan mili hai. Main sirf tumhare saath tha, bas itna hi."
Barnali aur khud ko rok nahin paayi. Woh Arindam ke seene se lagkar phoot-phoot kar rone lagi – woh aansu thay khushi ke, shukriya ke, aur gehre jazbaat ke. Arindam ne dono haathon se usse thaam liya, uske baalon mein ungliyaan pherne laga. Uss pal, gallery ki tez roshni aur anginat logon ki maujoodgi bhi unke liye bemaayne ho gayi thi. Woh dono jaise apni hi ek duniya mein kho gaye the, jahaan sirf bharosa, vishwas aur ek-doosre ke liye gehra pyaar tha. Dil ki saari duvidhayein, saare sandeh toofan ki tarah aakar unke jazbaaton ke kinaare se takraaye, aur unhein ek-doosre ke saath ki mehfooz panaah mil gayi.
Pradarshani ki kaamyaabi ke baad Barnali aur Arindam ka rishta jaise aur bhi sahaj, aur bhi gehra ho gaya. Unki dosti ka libaas kab anuraag ke rang mein rang gaya tha, yeh woh khud bhi theek se samajh nahin paaye the. Sirf mehsoos karte the ek-doosre ke liye ek tez, na roki ja sakne waali kashish.
Ek shaam, jab poornima ki roshni mein saara Kolkata naha raha tha, Arindam Barnali ko lekar Victoria Memorial ke p*eche uss bade se talaab ke paas gaya. Jagah kaafi sunsaan, shaant thi. Chaand ki roshni mein talaab ka paani chamak raha tha, hawa mein phoolon ki meethi khushboo thi.
Woh dono talaab ke kinaare ek bench par jaakar baith gaye. Kuch der dono chup rahe. Khamoshi todi Arindam ne.
"Barnali," Arindam ki awaaz aaj kuch alag lag rahi thi, thodi si kaanpti hui. "Main tumse kuch kehna chahta hoon. Bahut dinon se kehne ki soch raha hoon, lekin himmat nahin juta paaya."
Barnali ka dil zor se dhadka. Usne Arindam ke haath par apna haath rakha. "Kaho, Arindam. Main sun rahi hoon."
Arindam ne Barnali ki aankhon mein seedhe dekhte hue kaha, "Main nahin jaanta, kahaan se shuru karoon, ya kaise kahoon. Hum bahut acche dost hain, na? Tumhare jaisa dost milna kismat ki baat hai. Lekin... lekin main aajkal mehsoos kar raha hoon, mera yeh ehsaas sirf dosti tak seemit nahin hai. Main... main tumse pyaar karne laga hoon, Barnali."
Yeh kehte waqt Arindam ke maathe par paseene ki boondein aa gayi thin. Usne Barnali ka haath aur kas kar pakad liya.
Barnali kuch der Arindam ke chehre ko dekhti rahi. Uski aankhon mein aansoo chhalak rahe the. Woh dheeme se muskuraakar boli, "Yeh sunne ke liye main kitne dinon se intezaar kar rahi thi, yeh tum nahin jaante, Arindam."
Arindam ke chehre par rahat aur khushi ka ek anokha mila-jula bhaav aa gaya. "Iska matlab... iska matlab tum bhi..."
Barnali ne aur kuch kahe bina Arindam ke honthon par apne honth rakh diye. Woh chumban unke pehle zaahir pyaar ka ikraar tha. Chaand ki roshni mein, Victoria ki khamoshi mein, do dil ek ho gaye the. Uss chumban mein thi ab tak jama saari ankahee baatein, saare jazbaat, saara pyaar. Tha ek-doosre par gehra vishwas aur saath chalne ka waada.
Jab unke honth alag hue, toh dono haanf rahe the. Arindam ne Barnali ko dono haathon se thaam kar uske maathe, aankhon, gaalon par anginat chumban diye.
"Main tumhein kabhi khona nahin chahta, Barnali," Arindam ki awaaz jazbaat se bhari hui thi.
"Main bhi nahin, Arindam. Main bhi nahin," Barnali ne Arindam ke seene mein munh chhupaakar jawaab diya.
Nadi ke kinaare ki woh jaadui raat gawah bani do roohon ke milan ki, unke pyaar ke poora hone ki. Canvas ke rang aur dil ke ehsaas milkar uss din ek amar prem kahani likh rahe the.
Victoria ki uss jaadui raat ke ikraar ke baad Arindam aur Barnali ki zindagi jaise ek naye rang mein rang gayi. Unke dil ki gehraiyon mein jama pyaar uss din poornima ke chaand ki roshni mein raasta paa gaya tha. Dosti ki nirmal dhara kab anuraag ke behte samandar mein mil gayi thi, yeh woh khud bhi theek se samajh nahin paaye the. Ab unka har pal ek anokhi khushi mein, ek gehre pyaar ki garmahat mein guzarta tha.
Office ki vyastata ke beech bhi Arindam har roz niyam se Barnali ki khabar leta. Kabhi ek chhota sa message, kabhi achaanak phone karke Barnali ki awaaz sun lena – yeh chhoti-chhoti cheezein hi unke rishte ko aur bhi meetha bana rahi thin. Barnali bhi Arindam ka intezaar karti. Uski banayi nayi tasveer ka pehla darshak Arindam hota, uske kalakaar jeevan ki chhoti-chhoti kaamyaabi ya nakaami ka pehla sunne waala bhi wahi Arindam hota.
Unki mulaqaatein bhi ab alag theen. Pehle ki tarah ab sirf kaam ya samajikta ke liye nahin, woh ab milte the sirf apne liye. Kabhi woh saath baithkar Ganga kinaare ghanton baatein karte, kabhi uttar Kolkata ke kisi puraane restaurant mein baithkar ek-doosre ki pasand ka khaana khaate. Arindam ki aalishaan gaadi mein long drive par jaana ya Barnali ke bikhre hue studio mein baithkar aadhe raat tak coffee p*ena – har cheez mein pyaar ka ek gehra sparsh hota tha.
Arindam, jo ab tak sirf business ke fayde-nuksaan aur corporate strategy mein dooba rehta tha, woh ab Barnali se zindagi ka ek alag matlab samajh chuka tha. Usne seekha tha, kaamyaabi se bhi keemti hai mann ki shaanti, aur paise se bhi mehenga hai apno ke chehre ki muskaan. Barnali ke saath se Arindam ki sakht shakhsiyat ke p*eche chhipa samvedansheel, romantic insaan jaise dheere-dheere jaag raha tha. Woh aajkal aksar Barnali ke liye phool ya chhote-mote tohfe le jaata – kabhi uske pasandeeda lekhak ki kitaab, kabhi uska pasand ka koi durlabh rang.
Doosri taraf, Barnali ne bhi Arindam se paaya tha bharosa aur aatmavishvaas ka ek naya aasman. Arindam ka gehra pyaar aur samarthan uski kalakaar rooh ko aur bhi nikharta jaa raha tha. Usne Arindam ke liye ek chhota sa portrait banaya tha – j**mein Arindam ke chehre par wohi jaani-pehchaani aatmavishvaas ki chamak thi, lekin aankhon mein Barnali ke liye gehra pyaar tha. Woh tasveer Arindam ne apne office ke chamber mein, theek apne saamne ki deewar par laga rakhi thi.
Unki j**maani nazdeekiyaan bhi badh rahi thin dheere-dheere. Haath mein haath daalna, narmi se kandhe par sar rakhna, ya vida lete waqt maathe par diya gaya chhota sa chumban – in sab mein unke ehsaas ki gehraai aur sparsh ki anokhi garmahat hoti thi. Un dono ki aankhon mein tab sapne the – saath chalne ke, saath ghar basaane ke. Intezaar tha sirf uss khaas pal ka, jab do j**m bhi unke mann ki tarah ek ho jaayenge.
Kolkata mein tab barsaat shuru ho chuki thi. Lagbhag har din dopehar ya shaam ko zoron ki baarish hoti. Aisi hi ek baarish bhari shaam ko Arindam Barnali ke studio gaya tha. Baahar tab musladhaar baarish ho rahi thi, saath mein tez hawa aur bijli ki chamak. Barnali ne apne studio ki khidkiyan band kar di thin, sirf ek khidki thodi khuli thi, jahaan se baarish ki boondein andar aa rahi thin. Kamre mein ek halki p*eli roshni waala lampshade jal raha tha, aur Barnali ki pasand ki kuch khushboodaar mombattiyan. Sab milakar ek ajeeb sa jaadui, romantic mahaul tha.
Woh dono sofa par saath-saath baithe the. Barnali Arindam ke kandhe par sar rakhe baahar ki baarish ki awaaz sun rahi thi. Arindam ne dono haathon se usse narmi se thaam rakha tha.
"Aaj ka mausam bahut romantic hai, na?" Barnali ne dheemi awaaz mein kaha.
Arindam ne Barnali ke maathe par ek chumban karke kaha, "Tumhare saath rehne par mujhe har pal hi romantic lagta hai, Barnali."
Woh bahut der tak alag-alag kisse karte rahe – apne bachpan ki baatein, apne bhavishya ke sapne, apne pyaar ke chhote-chhote pal. Barnali ne Arindam ko sunaya, kaise woh shuru-shuru mein Arindam ko galat samjhi thi, aur phir dheere-dheere uski taraf khinchti chali gayi. Arindam ne bhi maana, Barnali ki saadgi aur kala ke prati uski gehri lagan ne hi usse pehle apni taraf kheencha tha.
Baarish ka zor tab aur badh gaya tha. Waqt guzarta jaa raha tha, lekin unmein se kisi ko bhi uthne ki koi jaldi nahin thi. Kamre ke andar mombatti ki narm roshni aur un dono ki garam saansein – sab milakar ek madhosh karne waala mahaul ban gaya tha. Barnali Arindam ke seene mein munh chhupaye uske dil ki dhadkan sun rahi thi. Arindam Barnali ke baalon mein ungliyaan pher raha tha.
Achaanak hi light chali gayi. Mombatti ki roshni ke siwa aur koi roshni nahin rahi kamre mein. Baahar baarish ki awaaz jaise aur tez ho gayi.
Barnali ne Arindam ka haath aur kas kar pakad liya. "Mujhe thoda darr lag raha hai," usne lagbhag na sunayi dene waali awaaz mein kaha.
Arindam hans pada. "Main hoon na tumhare saath. Darr kaisa?" Usne Barnali ka chehra dono haathon se upar uthaya aur uski aankhon mein dekha. Mombatti ki dhundhli roshni mein Barnali ka chehra adbhut sundar lag रहा था. Arindam ke seene mein ek tez, na roki ja sakne waali halchal mach gayi.
Woh dheere-dheere Barnali ke chehre ki taraf jhuka. Barnali ne bhi apni aankhein band kar lin aur Arindam ki garam saanson ka intezaar karne lagi. Unke honth mile ek gehre, jazbaati chumban mein. Uss chumban mein tha unka ab tak ka jama saara pyaar, saari khwahishein. Baahar toofan-baarish ki awaaz ko dabaakar un dono ke dilon ki mili-juli awaaz jaise ishq ki ek nayi dhun baja rahi thi.
Woh lamba chumban jab toota, tab dono jazbaat se behal the. Barnali ka haath pakadkar Arindam ne usse apni taraf kheencha. Mombatti ki kaanpti hui roshni mein Barnali ke studio ke adhoore canvas, rangon ki gandh, aur un dono ki garam saansein – sab kuch milkar ek ho raha tha. Arindam Barnali ki aankhon mein dekhta raha, unn aankhon mein gehra pyaar aur tez khwahish ka amantran tha. Barnali ke gaal se kuch boondein khushi ke aansu bankar beh rahi thin. Usne Arindam ka haath pakadkar usse apne chhote se sone ke kamre ki taraf kheencha.
Baarish ki awaaz aur unke dil ki dhadkan ke siwa uss pal aur koi awaaz nahin thi. Arindam ne badi mamta se Barnali ke maathe par se bikhre baalon ko hataya. Uski ungliyon ke sparsh se Barnali ka j**m kaanp utha. Usne dheere-dheere Barnali ki saree ka pallu hataya, phir uske kandhe par se blouse ka strap. Barnali ki chikni twacha par Arindam ke honthon ne pyaar ki pehli alpana banayi. Barnali aankhein band karke uss swarg jaisa anubhav mehsoos karne lagi. Uske haath kab Arindam ke baalon mein kho gaye, usse khud nahin pata chala.
Arindam ke har sparsh mein gehre jazbaat aur behad mamta thi. Woh jaise ek mahir kalakaar tha, jo apne pyaar ke brush se dheere-dheere apni mehbooba ke j**maani canvas ki har chhipi teh, har anchhue rang ko ujaagar kar raha tha. Barnali bhi uski har pukaar ka jawaab de rahi thi. Apni ab tak ki saari sharm, saari jhijhak ko bahaakar usne khud ko poori tarah Arindam ke pyaar ki dhara mein saump diya tha.
Unke j**m jab ek-doosre se mile, tab baahar ki kudrat ka toofan jaise unke andar ke jazbaaton ke toofan ke aage haar maan gaya. Woh milan sirf j**maani nahin tha, woh do roohon ki gehri se uthi mohabbat ka sabse bada izhaar tha. Barnali ko lag raha tha, jaise woh ek naye rangon ki duniya mein aa gayi hai, jahaan har sparsh, har saans ek nayi dhun bana rahi hai. Aur Arindam ko lag raha tha, jaise usne apni zindagi ki sabse keemti kalakriti ko dhoondh liya hai – woh kalakriti jiske har lakeer, har mod mein hamesha ka pyaar chhipa hai.
Unke pyaar ke uss canvas par ishq ki ek amar tasveer ban rahi thi. Uss tasveer ka rang unke jazbaat the, uski lakeerein unka vishwas, aur uski roshni unke do dilon ki mili-juli chamak thi. Raat ki khamoshi aur baarish ki awaaz unke uss paak milan ki gawah bani.
Raat ka toofan kab tham gaya tha, unhein pata hi nahin chala. Jab unki neend khuli, tab subah ki roshni Barnali ke studio ki khidki ke kaanch se andar aa rahi thi. Baahar chidiyon ki awaaz sunayi de rahi thi. Barnali ne aankhein kholkar dekha, woh Arindam ki mazboot baahon ki panaah mein sukoon se soyi hui hai. Arindam ke chehre par subah ki narm roshni pad rahi thi, woh hairaan karne waala narm lag raha tha. Barnali ne narmi se Arindam ke maathe par ek chumban kiya.
Arindam ki bhi neend khul gayi. Usne aankhein kholkar Barnali ko apne itne kareeb dekhkar dheeme se muskuraaya. "Suprabhat, mohabbat," usne gehre jazbaat se kaha.
"Suprabhat," Barnali bhi muskuraayi. Uske chehre par tab raat ki meethi yaadon ka nasha tha.
Woh bahut der tak bina kuch kahe sirf ek-doosre ko dekhte rahe. Uss khamosh nigaahon mein gehra sukoon tha, ek-doosre par poora vishwas aur pyaar tha. Guzri raat ke jazbaati palon ne unke rishte ko jaise ek nayi oonchai par pahuncha diya tha. Woh ab sirf premi-premika nahin, woh jaise ek-doosre ki rooh ke saathi ban gaye the.
Barnali bistar se uthkar khidki ka parda hata diya. Subah ki narm roshni se poora kamra bhar gaya. Woh coffee banane chali gayi. Arindam bistar par lete-lete Barnali ki sahaj, aam si harkatein dekh raha tha. Usse lag raha tha, yahi toh woh zindagi hai, jiska woh itne dinon se intezaar kar raha tha. Barnali jaisi jeevan-saathi paakar woh khud ko duniya ka sabse khushnaseeb insaan samajh raha tha.
Coffee p*ete-p*ete unhone bahut si baatein kin. Apne bhavishya ki, apne sapno ki. Arindam ne Barnali se kaha, "Main ab ek pal bhi tumhare bina rehne ka soch nahin sakta, Barnali. Kya tum meri jeevan-saathi banogi?"
Barnali ki aankhein khushi se chamak uthin. Usne Arindam ka haath pakadkar kaha, "Is sawaal ka jawaab toh maine uss din hi de diya tha, jis din pehli baar tumse pyaar hua tha, Arindam."
Arindam ne Barnali ko kheenchkar apne seene se laga liya. Unke saamne tab ek nayi subah ki roshni thi, jis roshni mein woh saath chalenge, ek-doosre ka haath thaame. Unka pyaar poora ho chuka tha, aur intezaar kar raha tha ek khoobsurat bhavishya ka.

(Doosra Parv Samaapt)

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