Ruko, Mat Jao… Usne Suna Ruko Mat, Jao

Kabhi kabhi zindagi mein lafz wahi hote hain, magar samajh alag hoti hai. Shayad isiliye, har ek “main theek hoon” dard chhupa leta hai, aur har ek “main busy hoon” ek doori ban jaata hai.

Galat faimiyan is kadar barh gayi thi, jaise beech raaste mein aaya ek dhundh ka jhoka. Main samjhta raha ke sab theek ho jaayega… vo samajhti rahi ke main hi sab kuch bigaad raha hoon.

Ek din sab kuch thoda zyada hi chupp ho gaya. Na usne kuch kaha, na maine. Magar andar hi andar kuch toot raha tha dono ke.

Phir woh pal aaya… jab sab kuch kehna tha, bas ek baar. Sirf ek baar mujhe usse kehna tha,

“Ruko… mat jao.”

Maine kaha. Saaf kaha. Saamne dekh ke, aankhon mein aankhon daal ke. Lekin shayad hum dono ke beech itni galat faimiyan pal chuki thi ke usne suna,

“Ruko mat… jao.”

Aur woh chali gayi.

Kya main galat tha? Shayad.

Kya usne galat samjha? Shayad.

Par haqiqat ye thi ke hum dono thak gaye the—ek doosre ko samjhaane se, samajhne se, aur har baat ko sahi karne ki koshish se.

Us din ke baad main aksar sochta hoon,

Kaash maine thoda pehle samjha hota,

Kaash usne thoda ruk kar poocha hota,

Kaash lafzon ke beech ka dard pad liya hota…

Par ab kya bacha hai? Ek khamoshi… jo har raat sone nahi deti.

Ek last sentence… jo ab bhi mere dimaag mein goonjta hai:

“Ruko… mat jao.”

Aur ek yaad… jo hamesha kehti hai:

Usne suna tha – “Ruko mat, jao.”