Aakhri Khhat

Khhat likha tha. Lifaafa band kiya. Pata likha. Phir mahsuus kiya — yeh bhejne ki zaroorat hi nahin. Tariq ne kaafi saalon se yeh khhat likhna chahaa tha. Maan ko. Us maan ko jo abhi bhi wahan thi — ghar mein, dhobi ke paise ginty, chai banati. Jo beta door chala gaya tha, wo use yaad karta to tha magar bolta nahin tha. Khhat mein sab likha tha. Bacchpan ki ek galti ka maafi. Ek qissah jo maan ko malum nahin tha. Kuch alfaaz jo kabhi bolne ki himmat nahin hui. Phir socha — yeh sab kehne ki zaroorat kya hai? Maan jaanti hai. Bina bole bhi jaanti hai. Khhat jalaya. Aur maan ko phone kiya. "Ammi... sab theek hai?" "Haan beta. Aur tum?" "Haan, ammi. Sab theek hai." Bas itna kaafi tha.