Blues in the Night (Jennifer Jenkinson)

[aries]

Ek chamakdaar dhoop wala dopahar tha jab uttar-purvi se ek taza hawa chal rahi thi. Chhoti si sloop bahut chhoti chhoti tacking maneuvers kar rahi thi jab yeh dhire dhire tangi nadi ke chhote se rasta par ja rahi thi.

Jangal gahrak se rocky pahadiyon se niche samundar tak aise aa raha tha jaise dono kinare par mil raha ho. Chhoti lekin majboot kashti leheron se ubhar rahi thi jo nazdeek ki nadi mein bani thi. Ek matra niwasi ne apne tiller par pakad ko dobara se set kiya aur sloop ko ek aur tack mein ghoomaya jo purvi shore par chhote se niche ki taraf tha. Woh kashti ke chhote cockpit mein baith kar samundar par nazar rakh rahi thi, kisi bhi khatarnak chattan ke sanket ki talash mein jo ki paani ke neeche chhupi hui thi. Usne ek starboard tack par apna rasta pakda rakha jab tak woh ek rocky spur ke paas nahi pahunch gayi jo jungle ki chadar ko todta tha aur vaastav mein samundar mein girta tha.

Jab woh kinare se kareeb asi yard dur thi, usne achanak se kashti ko hawa ki taraf ghooma diya, isse paani mein lagbhag bilkul rok diya. Apne jib aur mainsails ki sheets ko kholne ke baad, usne turant bow ki taraf chadh kar apne anchor line ko chhod diya jab tak usne mehsoos nahi kiya ki anchor neeche tak pahunch gaya hai. Phir usne maharat se line ko itna khinch diya ki anchor sahi se set ho jaye, isse hawa ke badalne par surakshit ghoomne ki jagah mile aur jald ki parivartan ke liye gahrayi ka bhi dhyan rakha.

Woh apne chhoti sloop ko sail karne mein itni vyast thi ki usne nahi dekha ki uska ek darshak hai. Ek lamba, patla naujawan jo neela jeans, T-shirt aur kaala leather bomber style jacket pehne hua tha, rocky spur par baitha hua tha, aur mahila skipper ki sailing kaushal par khuli prashansa ke sath muskurata hua dekh raha tha. Jab usne anchor ko secure karne ke baad uth kar apne sails ko neeche karna shuru kiya, to usne dekha ki woh utha aur jaldi se un pedon ke andar chale gaya jo uske peeche the. Isliye usne kabhi nahi jana ki uski aagaman ko dekha gaya tha.

Jab sloop uski santushti ke anusar secure ho gaya, Katherine ne neeche jaakar ek chhoti kettle ko ek hi burner par rakh diya jo chhoti si galley mein tha. Jab usne paani ke ubalne ka intezaar kiya, usne ek moti dog-eared ring binder ko companionway ke baaye taraf se ek shelf se nikaala aur ise aakhri entry par khola. Yeh kitaab ek ship's log aur vyaktigat journal dono ka kaam karti thi. Usne apne aagman ka samay aur chhoti sheltered anchorage ki location ko likha, mausam jo ek sailor ke liye lagbhag perfect tha aur ek vyaktigat note ki yeh sthal likhne aur rachne ke liye bahut accha lag raha tha.

Katherine apni teesri bees ki umar se kuch aage thi, chhoti kad ki thi aur jise wo khud hasi mazak mein "achhi golai" kehti thi. Uske chhote, ladkiyon jaise auburn baalon ka kaat tha aur uski aankhein neeli-safed thi. Jab wo Vancouver ke ek akhbar mein apne anusandhan kaam mein vyast nahi hoti, tab wo aksar apni chhoti nauka par ya to computer keyboard ke saamne baithe hue dekhi ja sakti thi, jahan wo apne behtareen kalpana se kavita ya chhote kahaniyan likhti thi. Ab uske paas dono shauk ka behtareen mel tha kyunki usne haal hi mein ek naya laptop kharida tha, jo usse dono sukhon ka maza lene ki suvidha deta tha.

Jab kettle ubal gayi, Katherine ne ek bada mug garam chai ka banaya aur laptop ko saath le kar dek par chali gayi. Usne foredeck par apne liye ek aaramdayak workspace tayar kiya, jahan uski peeth ek sail bag ke against thi, jo mast ke saath rakha gaya tha. Shuru karne se pehle, usne chai ka swad liya aur apne aasan pados ka survey kiya.

Samudra ke kinare bohot patli rait thi, jo paani aur jungle ke beech sirf ek patli si dhaga thi. Wahan kuch anya chattan ke spur bhi the jo channel mein ubharte hue the, lekin jahan wo khadi thi, wo sabse bada tha aur wahi ek matra tha jo us nauka ke liye paryapt shelter pradan karta tha. Pehli nazar mein, hillsides bilkul basahir se pare lagti thi. Lekin jab usne dhyan se dekha, to usne dekha ki chaar alag-alag dhanchay hara bhara jungle ke beech chhupte hue hill ke slopes par the.

Ek aisi dhanchay, jo saaf saaf ek private ghar tha, lekin kaafi bada, uske upar tha. Usne andar hi andar muskurate hue socha kitni baar usne ek lottery ticket kharidi hai is umeed mein ki wo samundar par aisa sapno ka ghar paayegi. Jab chai khatam hui, Katherine ne apne laptop ki taraf dekha aur apne kalpana ko udan bharne diya.

Matt ek achhe se kadam se hill par bada ghar ki taraf badh raha tha, jo usse upar tha. Usne apne haath jacket ki jebon mein daal diye aur dheere dheere chala. Uske chhote kale baal jacket se milte the aur uski goray rang ki twacha ka achha contrast dete the. Uski aankhein shayad uski sabse khaas visheshta thi, ye har bhavna ko vyakt karte hue aur ek behad akrshak hare rang ki thi. Jab wo hill par chadh raha tha, to usne socha us mahila nauka ki baare mein jo uske ghar ke saamne aakar khadi hui thi.

Ek aurat akeli nauka kyun chalana chahti hai aur wo yahan kyun hai? Nishchit roop se, usne socha, ye to beech mein nahi hai, asal mein, wo Vancouver se kisi bhi raahein ya samundar se door nahi hai. Lekin ye naujawan aurat yahan akeli kyun aayi? Usne ye vichar chhod diye jab wo ghar ki seediyon par chadha aur ghar mein ghus gaya. Shayad wo kabhi nahi jaan payega.

Usne pehle kitchen ki taraf gaya, kettle bharne aur chai banane. Jab paani garam ho raha tha, usne apne voice mail check kiye aur hairaani se sirf do messages mile. Ek uske road manager ka tha jo bas kuch jaldi milna chahta tha agle mahine ke tour dates ke details ke liye aur doosra ek musician ka tha jo usse haal hi mein mila Blues Award par badhai de raha tha. Dono messages itne urgent nahi the ki turant jawab diya jaye aur usne socha, in kuch dino mein akela rahna mera samay hai.

Jab chai ban gayi, usne apna mug neeche studio mein le jaaya jahan bade khidkiyon se paani ka nazara tha. Usne ek low overstuffed couch par baith gaya, ek chheh-string guitar uthaya aur bajana shuru kiya.

Pehle wo bas instrument ke saath khel raha tha, slide ko upar neeche chalate hue aur notes ke series ko chhante hue, bilkul scales ki tarah. Matt ke liye ye ek athlete ke warm-up stretches ki tarah tha jo khel se pehle kiya jaata hai. Ye uske liye relax aur therapeutic dono tha. Guitar uski nipun haathon ke neeche roothi si lag rahi thi aur dheere dheere ye khel serious hone laga aur asal roop le raha tha. Shabd baad mein aayenge, lekin wo ek aisi melody tayyar kar raha tha jo usse baar-baar bajane ki zarurat mehsoos karati thi.

Basic melody ko kai baar bajane ke baad, usne thoda rukkar chai pi jo kaafi thandi ho gayi thi. Phir wo consul ki taraf gaya jahan usne recorder chalu kiya taaki wo apne developing kaam ko record kar sake. Jab wo khada hua, to usne khidki se bahar dekha aur dekha ki anchor ki hui sloop ka mast sirf dikh raha tha. Uski pehli soch us mahila ke baare mein waapas aayi.

“Tumhe meri dwaar tak kya lekar aaya, hmm?” usne ghooshti se socha. Usne ek haath se apne chhote baalon ko chhuya, ek lok uski mathi par gir gaya. Usne bekar mein usse hata diya aur guitar ki taraf wapas gaya. Neeche anchored boat aur uski akeli aabadi uski soch mein thi aur usne paani aur sails ke alawa kuch nahi socha. Music ne samudr ke tarah fluid lekin powerful tones le liye jab melody asal mein ubharne lagi.

Do ghante baad, usne finally guitar rakh diya aur bina jute ke seediyon par wapas chala gaya dinner shuru karne. Usne do chhote boneless chicken breasts ko masale aur safed wine ke mix mein marinate karne rakha. Phir usne ek container se kuch brown rice uthaya aur pakane laga. Usne kuch sabziyan; snow peas, pyaaz, mirch aur broccoli bhi stir fry kiya taaki chicken ke liye ek badhiya side dish ban sake.

Jab rice pak raha tha, wo upar ki badi khidkiyon ki taraf gaya aur uski aankhein phir se neeche chhoti boat par aa gayi. Usne is nazar se poori boat dekh sakta tha, lekin deck par koi nahi tha. Katherine ne ab tak apna laptop bhi rakh diya tha aur ab wo neeche decks par apne liye dinner shuru kar rahi thi. Uska dinner ek clam chowder ki can aur thick home baked bread se bana sandwich tha, jo usne apni cruise adventure par nikalne se pehle banaya tha. Matt phir se soch raha tha ki wo kaun hai aur usne apne anchorage ke liye is jagah ko kyun chuna.

Katherine apne akeli dinner ke baad kuch bartan saaf kar rahi thi aur ab usse wo coffee ka mug dekhne ki aasha thi jo usne ab mehsoos kiya. Usne raat ke liye kaam karne ka iraada kiya tha aur isliye coffee percolator mein poora pot daala tha. Coffee ki khushboo ek aur atma ko is prarambhik garmiyon ki shaam mein akarshit kar rahi thi.

Matt apne dinner ke baad kaam se nikalne ki aadat ke mutabik samundar ke kinare par gaya aur uski aankhein chhoti sloop par aa gayi jo sheltered alcove mein thi. Nauka beach ke taraf lagbhag broadside mein thi aur usne dekha ki uski taraf ke taraf midnight black rang mein paint kiya gaya tha, jis par blue-white chand aur icy blue sitare nakshon ke roop mein the. Ab wo chhoti boat ka naam jaane aur uski malik ke baare mein jaankari lene ke liye kaafi curious tha.

Jab wo ret par chal raha tha, to usne paani ke par se ek samridh aur swadisht coffee ki khushboo mehsoos ki. Shayad usse ghar wapas jaana chahiye aur apni coffee banana chahiye, usne socha, jab khushboo uske taste buds ko chhed rahi thi. Iske bajay uska kadam aur purposeful ho gaya aur wo tezi se ret par chalte hue chattan ke edge tak pahuncha. Spur ke pichhe ek bohot chhoti wooden float thi jo sirf das feet tak paani mein gayi thi aur do bade chains ke through majbooti se bandhi hui thi jo do bahut mazboot posts se judi thi jo zameen mein dhans gayi thi. Us float se bandhi ek chhoti wooden row boat thi jo Matt kabhi kabhi thodi fishing ke liye istemal karta tha, ek shauk jo usse kaafi relax karata tha.

Matt jaldi se row boat mein chadha aur rowing karne laga anchored sloop ki taraf. Usne bar-bar apne kandhe pe dekha jab wo oars ko kheech raha tha taaki uska course sahi rahe. Garmiyon ka suraj abhi aur do ghante tak nahi doobega isliye wo andhere mein paani mein hone ko lekar chinta nahi kar raha tha. Usne apne aap se kehna shuru kiya ki wo sirf sloop ke aas-paas ghoomega, use dekhega aur phir shayad shore ki taraf agle rock spur tak chale jayega. Aakhirkar, usne socha, wo workout ka istemal kar sakta hai. Chhoti sloop ka deck khali tha, kyunki Katherine ab bhi apne bartan saaf kar rahi thi.

Jab Matt ne apne oars par aakhri baar kheench diya, to wo sloop ke pichle hissa ke saath aa gaya aur usne pehli baar uska naam dekha. Us hi kale rang ke kshetra par, icy blue paint mein, sitare sajaye hue the aur unke neeche 'BLUES IN THE NIGHT' aur Vancouver, Canada chhoti script mein likha hua tha. Matt khushi se hansi se buland ho gaya. Ye ek badhiya naam hai aise neat little cruiser ke liye, usne socha.

Katherine ne Matt ki achanak hansi se chauk gayi, jo uske itne kareeb aayi thi. Usne apne aap ko sambhala aur dheere se do kadam companionway par aayi, bas itna ki wo uske ird-gird dekh sake. Lekin Matt ka rowboat paani mein itna neeche tha ki is nazar se wo dikh nahi raha tha. Katherine ne dek par aakar Mat par nikal gayi jab Matt ne apne oars ko band kiya aur bulaya.

"Ahoy aboard Blues!" usne dheere se bulaya, phir muskuraya jab Katherine uski aawaaz ki taraf ghoom gayi aur usne pehli baar us mahila sailor ko kareeb se dekha. Katherine, apne hissaab se, uski achanak aagman se thodi chauk gayi thi, lekin jaldi se apne aap ko sambhal liya.

"Hi, tumne mujhe dara diya. Main neeche thi aur tumhara rowing sun nahi payi." Usne uske samne khade naujawan ka moolyaankan kiya. Wo bahut sundar tha aur uski thodi aur moochh ka halka sa bohot bada ladka sa look tha jo usse kuch kaafi akarshak lag raha tha. "Kya main tumhari madad kar sakti hoon?" Usne poocha, sochti ki wo yahan kya kar raha tha, kya wo us hill par wale ghar se aaya tha aur kya wo wahi tha jise wo soch rahi thi? Uske casual jeans aur turtle neck shirt ke bawajood wo uski pehchaan mein kaafi nishchit thi.

"Hi, main Matt hoon. Main bas wahan rehta hoon," usne unhe upar wale ghar ki taraf ishara karte hue kaha. "Yahan par bahut zyada visiting boats nahi aati. Sach mein yahan sirf ek bohot chhoti boat ke liye jagah hai, jaise tumhari, toh....

"Phir bhi, main tumhari coffee ki khushboo le raha tha aur tumhare paint job ko dekh raha tha. Ye naam to kamaal ka hai!"

Usne sochne mein samay liya ki agla kya kehna hai aur wo chup ho gaya.

"Shukriya," Katherine ne kaha, andar hi andar muskurate hue. Haan, usne socha, ye Matt Michaels hai, blues guitarist. Usne jaana tha ki wo Vancouver ke bahar kahin rehta hai lekin kabhi socha nahi tha ki wo is tarike se usse milega. Usne aage kaha, "Mujhe blues pasand hai aur ye naam to kuch achha lagta hai, samjhi?"

Matt ne uski baatein sunte hue uska achhe se moolyaankan kiya, aur usne jo dekha usse pasand kiya. Bhalai oversized sweatshirt aur canvas cargo pants mein honi ke bawajood, wo abhi bhi kaafi feminine lag rahi thi aur uski blue-grey aankhein us par ek gehri aur sapne si jhalak thi, jaise uski boat par sitare. Katherine ne uski nazron ki garmi mehsoos ki aur thoda self-conscious ho gayi.

"Toh kya tum coffee lene aaye ho?" usne poocha. Usne fir se hansi di, ek gehri aawaz jo usse aisa laga ki wo pehle se zyada bada lag raha tha. Usne yaad karne ki koshish ki ki kya akhbar ne uske baare mein koi haal ka article chhoda tha lekin usse sirf itna yaad aaya ki usne haal hi mein koi award jeeta tha.

"Waise nahi, lekin ab jab tumne kaha... mujhe ek cup zarur pasand aayega." Usne muskurate hue kaha, "Hum ye keh sakte hain ki ye ek neighbourhood welcome wagon ka visit hai, kya tumhe ye pasand hai? Hi!, main Matt hoon, neighbourhood mein tumhara swagat hai." Usne uski taraf aankh maarte hue kaha, "Kya main aboard aa sakta hoon Skipper, kyunki wo coffee to bahut achhi lag rahi hai."

Usne uski boldness par bade pyar se muskuraya. Uski hare aankhein is chhoti khel ki khushi se chamak rahi thi aur usne apne aap ko us par bharosa karte dekha, halankeh usne aksar anjaanon ke baare mein sun rakha tha. Aur iske alawa, usne socha, wo asal mein anjaan nahi hai kyunki wo jaanti thi wo kaun hai, chahe wo kabhi nahi mile.

"Achha Matt, main Katherine hoon." Usne usse bataya. "Aur, sukhad roop se, maine abhi poora pot banaya hai, toh kyun na hum tumhari dingy ko yahan baandh de aur tum mere saath ek cup share kar lo jab tum mujhe neighbourhood ke baare mein bataoge." Usne transom par jhukti aur chhoti rowboat ka painter pakda. Usne ise starboard corner par ek cleat se mazbooti se baandh diya. Phir usne chhoti do kadam ki seedhi neeche ki jo Matt ko asani se sloop ke deck par chadhne mein madad kar sakti thi.

Jab Matt aboard aaya aur uske saath samaan star par aaya, to Katherine ne mehsoos kiya ki wo pehle se sochne se kaafi lamba hai. Wo kaafi patla tha lekin uske sundar chehre ke neeche wo ek taqat aur mazbooti mehsoos kar rahi thi.

Matt ne apna haath badhaya aur unhone ek prayaasik handshake kiya. Katherine ne fir se uski taqat ko mehsoos kiya uske haath ke pakad mein. Usne pakad ko thoda lamba rakha aur uski aankhon mein chamakti hui hare aankhein dekhi.

"Toh ye rasmi hai, Katherine," usne ghambeerta se kaha, "Neighbourhood mein swagat hai." Usne ek bacche ki tarah muskurate hue kaha, "Ab wo coffee ka kya hua?"

Katherine neeche gayi coffee daalne ke liye. Matt ne uska peecha karne ki koshish nahi ki, lekin usne sloop ki rigging aur fittings ko dekhna shuru kiya. Usne chhoti boat ko dekhkar kaafi prabhavit hua. Ye bahut achhe se maintain ki gayi thi aur har ek line achhi tarah se coil ki gayi thi, jo yeh darshata tha ki uski maalik is craft ke liye kitna samman aur dekha dekhi rakhta tha.

"Kya tumhe ismein kya pasand hai?" usne neeche se bulaya.

"Sirf cream," usne jawab diya. "Kya wo cinnamon ki khushboo hai, kya?"

"Haan, ye hai. Mujhe dinner ke baad ki coffee mein thoda dalna pasand hai. Ye kaafi achhi flavor deti hai." Katherine dek par aayi, Matt ko ek bada steaming mug diya. "Oh, mujhe ummeed hai tumhe cinnamon pasand hai."

"Bahut pasand hai." usne muskurate hue kaha, "Vastav mein, mujhe to sabhi prakar ke spices ka shauk hai. Nutmeg aur allspice bhi coffee mein achhe hote hain." Matt ne Katherine ke peeche chale gaye aur chhoti sloop ke foredeck par chale gaye. Wahan ek mota wool ka blanket bichha tha jo unhein baatein karte hue aaram se baithne ka sthal banata tha. Usne apna mug mast ke paas surakshit lekin asaani se pakadne wale sthal par rakha aur usne bhi wahi kiya. Jab wo bethi, to wo cross-legged Indian style mein baithi. Matt uske bagal mein baitha, lekin apne pair aage ki taraf kheenchta raha, sneakers ko blanket se door rakha.

"Toh Mr. Welcome Wagon, mujhe neighbourhood ke baare mein batao." usne poocha.

"Yahan batane layak kya hai? Main wahan rehta hoon. Wahan par aur kuch ghar hain lekin maine kabhi unse nahi mila." Usne kanda jhukaate hue kaha. "Main waise ghar par nahi rehta aur jab bhi rehta hoon toh aksar kaam karta hoon. Lekin yahan ka nazara bahut khoobsurat hai aur yeh

bas accha hai, samjhi?"

"Main tumhare kehne se sahmat hoon, Matt." usne kaha, apne haath mein pakad kar rahi mug mein dekhte hue. "Mujhe bhi yahan bahut pasand hai. Jab bhi mujhe kuch din ke liye bhagkar jaane ka mauka milta hai, main boat par chali jaati hoon aur bas ek shant sthal dhoondti hoon."

"Toh yehi tumhe aaj yahan laaya." usne dheere se kaha. "Maine tumhe aaj dopahar aate dekha. Tum achi sailor ho, Kathie. Tum is chhoti boat ko ek pro ki tarah sambhal rahi ho." Uska prashansha sach mein sahi lag raha tha aur usne coffee se nazar utha kar uski taraf ek aabhari muskurahat di.

"Shukriya, ye ek bahut hi maaf karne wali chhoti boat hai." Katherine ne usse bataya. "Maine isse lagbhag chaar saal se akeli sambhala hai, toh hum ek dusre ke saath kaafi parichit ho gaye hain."

"Ye kahna kaafi interesting hai." usne socha, "Bilkul waise hi jaise main apni guitar ke saath mehsoos karta hoon. Kabhi kabhi mujhe aisa lagta hai ki ye bas mera ek hissa hai, jab aisa hota hai to music bahut accha hota hai."

"Music sabhi kalaon mein sabse akashik aur zinda hai," usne bharosa se kaha. "Maine hamesha apne aap ko har tarah ki music se ghira rakha hai. Lekin mujhe lagta hai ki main blues ke liye sabse adhik akarshit hoon kyunki ye aatma ke sabse kareeb se aate hain. Main Stevie Ray, Eric Clapton, John Lee Hooker aur... oh, itne saare hain ki ginna mushkil hai."

"Shayad kabhi-kabhi mujhe bhi?" usne puchha, un hare aankhon mein chingari ke saath. Uski baaton se uski galo mein thoda sa laal rang aa gaya. Usne socha ki wo blues ko is tarah se laana shayad kuch banawati lag raha hoga, kyunki Matt ek award jeetne wale artist hain.

Matt ne apne haath se uski ek ghutne par haath rakha. "Koi baat nahi, Kathie. Mujhe pata hai ki main akele blues musician nahi hoon. Bahut saare waise hi mahan musicians hain. Aur mujhe sach mein ummid nahi thi ki tum mujh par prashansha ki barsaat karogi. Main sirf ye keh raha hoon ki mujhe accha lagta hai kisi se milna jo music ko tumhare tarike se itna pasand karta hai." Usne uski ghutne par ek aakhri daab diya phir apne haath ko kheench liya.

"Mujhe tumhari music ko behtar se jaan lena chahiye," usne usse kaha, halankeh uska mann abhi bhi us haath par tha jo uski ghutne ko chhu gaya tha, na ki sirf ek samarthan ka pat.

Matt ne apni coffee ka aakhri sip liya aur mug ko mast ke saath rakha. "Toh is hisaab se, main dekhta hoon ki tumhe mere agle show ke liye tickets mil sakein. Wo coffee to kamaal ki thi." Usne apne haath ko sir ke upar kheenchte hue, dono haath mila liye, phir gehri saans le kar uthne laga. "Mujhe ghar wapas jaana chahiye. Main kaam karne ke liye adhik niyantrit hone ki koshish kar raha hoon. Coffee aur baat cheet ke liye shukriya. Ye ek anand tha."

Dono uth gaye aur Katherine ne dono mugs uthaye jab wo vessel ke pichle hissa ki taraf ja rahe the. Wahan pahunche, Matt ne mugs uske haath se le liye aur unhein cockpit ke seat par surakshit rakh diya. Usne ghooma aur dono uske haath pakad liye aur usne mehsoos kiya ki uske sparsh ki bijli uski palms par khel rahi thi.

[aries]

"Yeh tumse milna bahut accha tha, Katherine." usne naram swar mein kaha. Uski haree aankhein uski neela-grey aankhon se mili aur usne mehsoos kiya ki uske andar ek gahra jazba aur junoon hai. "Kya tum kal shaam ko bahar dinner karne par vichar karogi? Main "bahar" kehne ka matlab nahi kar raha. Lekin, agar tum mere saath ghar par dinner ke liye aao, toh mujhe bahut khushi hogi."

Katherine ka dil lagbhag ek beat chhoot gaya. Uske haath uske haathon par aur uski gahri, anant aankhon ke beech ka sammelan uspar ek nasha bhari asar daal raha tha. Usne apni shanti wapas paayi aur muskurahat ke saath uska jawab diya.

"Haan, mujhe yeh bahut pasand hai."

Katherine ne dekha jab usne chhoti si landing par wapas aane ka safar tay kiya. Jab usne chhoti dinghy ko wapas apne sthan par baandh diya, toh usne paani ki taraf dekha aur use ek chhoti si leher di, phir pedon mein gaayab ho gaya.

Usne neeche chali gayi aur koshish ki, lekin asafal rahi, ek kavita ke antim pad likhne ki jo usne din ke prarambh mein shuru ki thi, hawa aur samundar ke baare mein. Kisi tarah, Matt ne kuch hi palon mein use poori tarah se behka diya.

Katherine ne koshish chhod di aur raat ko sambhalne ka faisla kiya. Usne deck par jaakar foredeck se blanket uthaya aur anchor line ko dobara check kiya. Usne aasman ki taraf dekha, jo chhoti chhoti roshniyon se bhara hua tha jo sheher se nahi dikhta, aur hamesha ki tarah us vishalata ko dekhkar hairaan hui.

Jab woh phir se neeche gayi, usne apni journal ko shelf se nikala aur apne din ka saara likhne baith gayi. Lekin kahan se shuru kare, usne socha.

Yeh ek acchi chhoti anchorage hai. Sirf Blues ke liye kaafi badi aur kisi aur ke liye nahi! Lekin ab yahan koi aur hai!! Kisne socha tha ki main Matt Michaels ke ghar ke saamne anchored karungi!!? Meri maai, lekin woh kitne khoobsurat hain. Main vishwas nahi kar sakti ki woh yahaan hain....yeh toh sapna lagta hai. Thoda sambhal, ladki. Woh sirf ek aadmi hai...dinner...yeh kya hai? Shayad uske paas us bade ghar mein apna cook hai. Achha, shayad main uske liye nafrat nahi kar rahi. Main use achhe se nahi jaanti. Oooohhh, lekin jab usne mujhe chhua!!!

Uske upar, hill par ghar mein, Matt raat ke der tak bajata raha. Apne dimaag mein anant suron ko chalayate hue, apne tanav ko door karne ki koshish kar raha tha. Usne Katherine ke saath apne mulaqat ko baar-baar socha, yeh samajhne ki koshish karte hue ki yeh kab aur kaise bekar ki j curiosity se badal gayi... ab yeh kya hai? Mohabbat? Woh un aurton se bilkul alag thi jinke saath woh aam tor par milta tha. Acha bhagwan, usne socha, woh sach mein khoobsurat hai, ek bahut akarshak tom-boy tarike se. Kal kya hoga?

Usne apni acoustic guitar rakhi jo woh bajata raha tha. Uske badle, usne Fender Stratocaster uthai, amp ko chalu kiya aur ek dil ko choone wali, gut ko twist karne wali dheemi blues solo chalu kiya jo usse aakhirkar sharir aur manasik roop se thak gaya.

Matt apne bedroom se khidki tak gaya jo paani ki taraf dekhti thi. Wahan koi chand nahi tha, isliye raat yahan sheher ki roshniyon se door kaafi andheri thi. Lekin usne "Blues in the Night" ke mast ke upar se chamakti chhoti anchor light ko dekha. Yeh nazara use tasalli di aur woh bade bistar par lete gaya aur so gaya.

Katherine apne saath jyada kapde nahi laayi jab usne sailing ki, sirf woh practical aur serviceable shirts, sweat shirts aur canvas pants jo sailing ke liye achhe se chalte hain. Lekin woh is safar par seedha office se marina aayi thi isliye uske paas woh dressy blouse tha jo usne us din apne business suit ke saath pehna tha. Woh ek bahut garmiyon ka mint green tha aur casual dinner date ke liye uske blue jeans ke saath achha lagega.

Usne apni Zodiac inflatable boat mein chhoti si aur asan safar kiya. Matt wahan landing par uska intezaar kar raha tha; is baar usne chhoti si boat ko baandhne mein madad ki. Phir usne apna haath badhaya aur usse float par nikaal diya.

"Main bahut khush hoon ki tumne mere saath aane ka faisla kiya," usne kaha. "Mujhe har din ek khoobsurat ladki ke liye khana banane ka mauka nahi milta."

Katherine ne pichle raat apne khayalon ki yaad ki jab usne ek cook ke baare mein socha tha aur uske gaalon mein thodi si laalima mehsoos hui. Usne uski taraf muskurate hue dekha, "Main is ka intezaar kar rahi hoon. Mujhe bulane ke liye shukriya."

Unhone chhoti si landing se neeche nikalte hue uske saath uski agwai ki aur darwaze ki taraf darakhton ke beech se chalne lage. Rasta kuch jagah par kaafi tezi se chadha, aur kai baar usne uska haath pakda taaki wo mushkil raste par chal sake. Har baar jab usne uska haath pakda, uske dimaag mein un haathon ki tasveerain aayi jo usse bahut nazdeek se pakad rahe the, aur usne socha kya wo somehow uski soch ko mehsoos kar raha hai.

Unhone ghar ke ek taraf ek chhoti si chudi lakdi ki seedhi chadhai, jo unhe ek vishal deck tak le gayi. Matt ne do french darwaze khole aur usse ghar mein bulaya. Uski baayein ek bhojan kshetra tha jisme ek chhoti gol lakdi ki table aur char aaramdayak cushion wali captain style ki kursiyan thi. Usne table par ek fine white linen cloth bichaya tha aur beech mein ek lambi neeli taper candle rakhi thi. Usne sach mein prabhavit karne ki koshish ki, usne socha.

Baayein ek bada jeevan kshetra tha, jisme farsh se chhat tak ke khidkiyan thein jo kamre ke door tak jati thi aur paani ki taraf dekhti thi. Katherine turant unki taraf akarshit hui.

"Yahaan se nazara behad shandar hai," usne usse kaha. Usne rasoi ki taraf chala gaya aur ab do wine glasses lekar kamre mein wapas aaya.

"Yahi wajah hai ki maine ghar kharida," usne jawab diya, "Kuch wine?"

"Haan, zaroor," usne kaha, jo glass usne diya usse lete hue. Usne us naram safed wine ka thoda sa chakhkar uski samriddhi ka anand liya. "Mmm, yah bahut accha hai."

"Khushi hui ki tumhe pasand aaya. Umeed hai tumhe seafood bhi pasand hai," usne muskurate hue kaha, "Tum ek sailor ho, hai na? Tumhe samundar ka phal pasand hai?"

"Haan, mujhe seafood bahut pasand hai, Matt," usne muskurate hue jawab diya. "Aur, itna sundar aadmi jo tum ho, mere liye khana bana raha hai, ye toh aksar nahi hota. Mujhe shayad shukriya kehna chahiye."

"Oh, mujhe poora yakin hai ki aas-paas bahut saare sundar aadmi hain jo khushi se tumhe dinner banana denge, Katherine," usne kaha, usse chhoti si taang karte hue. "Woh toh shayad block ke chakkar mein lage hue hain!"

"Meray block mein nahi!" usne kaha, ek thodi si hansi ke saath. Usne khidki ki taraf wapas dekha taaki aur nazara dekh sake. Uske peeche wo itna kareeb aaya ki usne apne gardan ke peeche uski garam saans mehsoos ki. Uske spine par ek achha sa sukhad jhatka mehsoos hua. Usne ek haath uske kandhe par rakh diya, paani ki taraf dakshin aur paschim ki taraf ishara karte hue. Uski aankhen uss taraf dekhti rahi, par uska dhyan unke beech ke sampark par tha.

"Jab tum channel se utri, kya tumne wahaan doosri kinare par pathar dekhe the? Wahan hamesha seals ka bada group hota hai," usne poocha.

"Haan, mujhe unki achhi yaad hai. Woh toh bahut shor machate the," Katherine thodi nervously hasi. Matt ne haath khinch liya jo ishara kar raha tha, par unke beech ka sampark todne ka koi prayaas nahi kiya.

"Yahaan fishing bahut acchi hoti hai. Un seals ko pata hai ki unki baat kaise karni hai!" usne hansi se kaha. "Chalo, chalo. Khana khayein." Ek haath uske kandhe par rakha, usne usse kamre ke paar le chala aur phir uski kursi kheench kar usse bithaane mein madad ki. Suraj toh chala gaya tha, isliye mombatti ki roshni kamre ki deewaron par khoobsurat pattern bana rahi thi jab unhone khana shuru kiya.

Usne shuruat ke liye ek halka sa salad banaya tha romaine lettuce, almond slivers aur raisins ke saath, jo wine vinegar dressing mein tha. Katherine kaafi hairaan thi aur usne apne vichar ko uske baare mein bilkul naya sochna shuru kiya. Mukhya course ke liye, usne shrimp aur crabmeat nikala jo fettucine ke ek bistar par ek kaafi naram Alfredo sauce ke saath serve kiya gaya. Yeh meal bilkul tantalizing tha aur wine ne ise bilkul sahi se complement kiya. Jab wo khana kha rahe the, usne usse aaraam se rakha apne bina kisi pretension ke dilchaspi se jo wo thi aur kya karti thi. Usne apne kaam ke baare mein bataya jo ek newspaper mein tha, phir ye bhi kaha ki wo dusron ke liye research karne se zyada likhna pasand karti hai.

"Kya tum likhti ho?" usne poocha, jab usne uske liye thoda aur wine daala.

Usne apne aap se hi thodi hasi ki. "Haan, main likhti hoon. Lekin zyada tar ye shayad kabhi bhi mere computer ke hard drive se bahar nahi nikalne wala. Main thodi perfectionist hoon, isliye ye kabhi bhi dost ko dikhane layak nahi hota, chhodo publisher ko."

"Tumhe bahar nikalna hoga aur ye risk lena hoga," usne samjhaaya. "Ye meri music ki tarah hai. Tum ek aise mod par pahunch jaate ho jahan agar ye perfect nahi bhi hai toh tum isse commit karte ho, record karte ho aur aage badhte ho."

"Ye ek acchi philosophy hai, Matt," usne halki awaz mein kaha. "Shayad main ye karungi ..." Uski aankhein mombatti ki roshni mein chamak rahi thi aur Matt ko boat par sitaron ki yaad aayi.

"Tumhari aankhon mein sitare hain, Kathie," usne kaha.

"Mere paas table ke paar ek 'sitara' hai," usne mazak kiya, aur hansi. Uski hansi unki hansi ke saath mil gayi aur usne table ke paar se uska wine glass narm se le liya.

Usne phir dono haath se uska haath pakda, dheere se uski kalai se lekar ungliyon tak sehlate hue. Usne thoda sa kaanpna mehsoos kiya jab uski sparsh ki sensations tezi se uske core tak pahunch gayi.

"Tumhare haath kitne naram aur chhote hain," usne hairani se kaha, jab usne pehli baar dekha jab wo choti si sloop par itne expert tarike se akeli sail kar rahi thi. "Kya tum kabhi mujhe apne likhe hue kuch padhne dogi?" usne poocha. "Main publisher ki tarah daravana nahi hoon."

"Main soch sakti hoon," Katherine ne dhire se kaha. "Main is baare mein sochungi, Matt. Ye ek pyaara offer hai." Usne apna haath chhoda aur khud se unke khali plate ko saaf karne laga.

"Main bilkul bhi kathor critic nahi hoon," usne use tasalli di, "Main un logo se prabhavit hota hoon jo apne aapko likhne mein vyakt kar sakte hain."

Katherine ne gehri saans li aur apne wine ka ek aur chhota sip liya. Kya ye wine hai jo mere dimaag tak pahunch raha hai, usne socha. Usse sirf ye chaha ki Matt usse chhoone, uska haath phir se le. Iske bajay, usne sirf kitchen ke darwaze se apna sir bahar kiya.

"Umeed hai tumhe strawberries pasand hain," usne ghoshna ki.

"Dessert bhi!" uski awaz mein hairani thi. "Shukriya, mujhe strawberries bahut pasand hain. Ye mere favourites mein se hain!"

Usne strawberries lekar wapas aaya, katti hui aur ice cream aur whipped cream ke saath serve ki. Jab usne uske saamne bowl rakha, to usne uski nazar uski nazdeekiyon par khud ko mehsoos kiya aur usne uski taraf hath badhane ki ichha ka samna kiya. Matt phir se baith gaya, apni lambai se paon table ke neeche phailate hue aur apne haath apni pet par rakhte hue.

"Kya tum strawberries nahi le rahi ho?" usne poocha, ye dekhte hue ki usne sirf ek hi bowl laayi thi.

"Maine socha ki shayad tum apne kuch strawberries share karogi," usne kaha, uski hare aankhein mombatti ki roshni mein chamak rahi thi. Usne apni aankhen jaldi se uski aankhon se hataayi, apne gaalon mein ek garmi mehsoos karte hue.

[aries]

"Bilkul," usne fursat se kaha. Usne ek chamach mein phal aur cream ka ek mouthful bhara aur apna haath uski taraf badhaya. Matt ne diya gaya chamach le liya, thoda sa uski taraf jhukte hue lekin apni aaramdayak sthiti nahi badli. Katherine ko apni kursi ko uske kareeb khisakna pada taaki wo uske munh tak surakshit tareeke se pahunche.

"Ye accha hai," Matt ne khud se kaha, aur usse nahi pata tha ki kya wo strawberries ke baare mein keh raha hai. Usne khud bhi ek chamach phal ka liya aur uska swad anandit kiya.

"Haan, ye accha hai," usne sahmati di. Jab usne phir se apna haath badhakar usse ek aur chamach khilane ki koshish ki, to usne apne haath khole aur dheere se uski kalai pakdi. Usne ek ungli se uski kalai ke andar sehlate hue phal ko apne munh mein liya.

"Bahut accha hai," usne shant swar mein kaha. Usne uthkar bade khidkiyon ki taraf ghooma, apna peeth uski taraf kiya. Uske achanak chale jaane se Katherine hairaan hui, jo usse milti-julti bhavnaon mein chhod gaya.

Katherine ne bowl mein bache phal aur ice cream se khelte hue Matt ke peeth ko dekha jab wo andheray khidkiyon ki taraf dekh raha tha. Kuch aur mouthfuls ke baad, usne chamach alag rakha aur apne napkin se apne munh ke kone saaf kiye. Jab uski awaz aayi to usse thoda sa dar laga.

"Kaafi hai?" usne poocha, bina uski taraf dekhe. Usse samajhne mein ek second laga ki bahar ka andhera use bina ghoome dekhne ki ijaazat de raha tha.

"Haan, shukriya, Matt. Ye bahut swadisht tha," usne kaha. Usne uske paas jate hue kamre ko paar kiya lekin uske paas aate-aate ek kadam pehle hi ruk gayi. Usne apna haath badhakar uske kandhe ko chhua.

"Matt, tum kya soch rahe ho?"

Usne uski taraf muskurate hue dekha, lekin uski hare aankhon mein ek bhaari bhavna thi jo unki adhoori khidkiyon se chamakti thi. Usne mehsoos kiya ki wo un aankhon ki taraf kheench rahi hai, jaise ek patang aag ki taraf khinchti hai.

"Main soch raha tha kitna ajeeb hai ki tum yahaan aakar anchor kar rahi ho," usne kaha, usne dono uski kalaiyon ko pakad kar apne taraf kheench liya. Usne khud ko khinchne diya aur uski chhaati ke saath sajag ho gayi. "Tum bilkul un sab se alag ho jinhone maine pehle dekha hai," usne kaha. Usne apne haath uski kalaiyon par dheere se pakad rakha tha jab tak usne unhe aaraam se apne kamar ke ird-gird ghirne nahi diya. Jab usne chhoda, to phir se apne ungliyon se usse halke se sehlaya.

Katherine ne ek saans li aur socha kya ye uski aakhri saans hogi. Usne socha ki wo yahaan uski godh mein mar sakti hai, un haathon mein jo ab usse gher rahe the aur dheere se uski kamar aur gardan ko uski blouse ke through sehlate the.

"Matt ..." usne sanbhal kar shuru kiya, lekin shabd usse chhoot gaye.

"Kya pyar hai?" usne murmuraaya, uski aakhon ke beech, uski garmi bhari saans uske sir ko ghooma rahi thi.

"Matt, main chahati hoon ..." usne phir se shabd gholte hue kaha. Uski ungliyaan usse itni mazbooti se pakad rahi thi jaise wo doob rahi ho aur wo uska udhaar le raha ho. Matt ne uski maatha par kuch chhote chhote kisses diye, phir se bola.

"Tu kya chahati hai, meri jaan?" usne phir se kaha, usne socha. Usne andar se jhatka mehsoos kiya, uske har naram aur halke sparsh mein bhavnaatmak shakti mehsoos ki. Usne apne chehre ko thoda sa upar kiya, apne sir ko peechhe ki taraf jhuka kar apni gardan ko khula chhod diya. Uske ek haath ne uski gardan ke peechhe ko pakda aur doosra haath uski kamar ko pakad kar usse aur zyada apne kareeb kheench liya.

"Tu kya chahati hai ...?" usne phir poocha, phir jaise hi wo dheere se uski maatha, kaan aur gaal par kisses deta raha, usne uski skin par dheere se fuskaraaya. "Kya tum chahati ho ki main tumhe aur kisses doon? Aise, ya aise, ya shayad aise?" Usne hasi maari, lekin ye ek naram aur bahut pyaara awaz thi. Uski lips uski kaan ke paas nuzzled hue, usne phir se bola. "Kya main tumhe bata sakta hoon ki main kya chahata hoon?" usne poocha.

"Haaan," uski chhoti si aawaz aayi. Uska poora sharir ab un dono ke beech har sampark ki gahrayi se jhilmil kar raha tha. Usne chaha ki woh use bataye ki usse abhi kitni zaroorat hai, lekin bolna lagbhag asambhav tha.
Phir se uski aawaz uske indriyon ko halke se chhu gayi, "Main tumse pyaar karna chahta hoon. Main tumhare har hissa ko andar se aur bahar se jaan na chahta hoon. Main chahta hoon ki tumhe aisa mehsoos karwaoon ki tum kabhi kisi aur ki tamanna na karo. Main chahta hoon ki tum mera naam cheekho aur tumhe pata ho ki main tumhe bahut sambhalunga. Kya tum chahogi ki main ye sab tumhare liye karoon?" Uski honthon ka sparsh ab bhi uske gaal aur kaan par tha jab usne ye shabd kahe. Uski indriyaan ghoom rahi thi, woh mushkil se khadi reh pa rahi thi. Aankhon mein aansu the aur uske gaalon par uski ichha ki garmi se jalan thi.
"Matt, main ..." usne shabdon par phir se thoda jhijhak dikhaya, lekin phir uski aankhein uski aankhon se mili aur usne dekha ki woh apne ichha mein wahan prateet hoti hai. "Main tumhe chahati hoon," usne sirf fuskara, "Mujhse pyaar karo, Matt."
Uska munh tab uske munh ke paas gaya, aakhirkar. Aur usne apne honthon ko khola aur use swagat kiya. Unke neeche, khidkiyon ke bahar uska anchor light beacon ka naram chamak tha aur kamre ke paar diya jhalak gaya aur bujh gaya.