Parchhayi

"Kya soch rahe the? ankhein moond ke."
"Kuchh nahi, zara si ankh lagg gayi thi. Tum yaha kaise?" Sudipto hadbada ke aramkursi se khada ho gaya.
"To fir ye ansoo? Baba se milne ayi thi, Bade Babuji se ijazat mile to kuchh din Baba ko apne sath le jaungi. Hisaab kitaab lagate lagate ankhein kamzor ho gayi hain, ilaaj karwana hai." Lekha ne chintit svar mein kaha.
"Baba ijazat dedenge, apne purane munim ko ankhein khone na denge. Pakke vyapari hain mere Baba." Sudipto dilasa dete huye bola.
"Madhu kaha hai? Dikh nahi rahi." Lekha idhar udhar dekhte huye boli.
"Maayke gayi hai. Dus mahine hone aaye. Usey yaha ke taur tareeke raas nahi aa rahe the." Sudipto udaas ho gaya.
"Isiliye ankhein band karke ro rahe the?"
"Nahi, wo to ek sapna dekha, ek purani yaad dimag ke kahi kisi kone mein baithi huyi thi, wahi nikal ayi."
"Kya dekha?"
Sudipto ek nazar Lekha ko dekha, fir munh fer liya. Ek aansoo ab kayi ban chuke the.
"Bolo na, aisa kya dekha jisne dara diya?"
Lekha uske samne jaa khadi huyi.
"Ro kyu rahe ho? Sab thik ho jayega. Pareshan na ho, Madhu zyada din door thodi rah payegi apne asli ghar se."
"Yaad hai jab hum sab school jaate the bachpan mein? Main, tum, Madhu aur muhalle ke baki sab?"
"Haan yaad hai, bade babuji to Alakh kaka ko bhi bhejte the tumhare sath, tum hi unhe wapis bhej dete the."
Fir Lekha hans padi. Shikayat ke lahje mein bol padi fir, "Kaka to chinta lagi rahti ki unke chhote Babuji ko dhoop na lag jaaye,

The Last Stroke

"What is it?? What is it he holding in his hand?"
"Uh-oh, nothing, do you really think he is holding something?"
"Yes, definitely, look at his expression, his eyes! He is holding something. Curious!"
"Well, didn't think of it, only if you say so."
"Stop playing now, tell me, what is he going to hold?"
"I didn't meant him to hold anything, trust me."
"Liar, how can you make him pose so if he was not supposed to hold anything. Clearly, you had something in your mind. What is it? Vomit it out without delay."
Silence
"Say! what is he holding?"
"Why are you so curious to know that?" His eyes were watery. He tried his best to hide from her.
"You know me." She frowned. She was constantly gazing the painting without missing any tiniest detail.
"Ok, fine. Let's have a little game then." He smiled.
"What game?" She sounded more curious.
"Three guesses. So, what's the first one?"
"Wait, let me think. Is it a cut onion? See, he has a tint of tear in his eyes and there is a knife behind him."