180. Paigaam

pichli raat bhi
main aasmaan se guzar raha tha;
wahi - har shab ki tarah!
thode taare jode ungliyon se;
thode taare pheeke pad rahe the to
tod bhi diye

kisi kahkashaan se guzar raha tha
to dekha ke
khalbali si machi hui thi!

kisi ne payaam choda tha mere liye
wahaan par;
shaayad pata hoga ki
main wahaan se aksar guzarta hoon...

maine taaron ko tatola
to lifaafa mila
us shaqs ne
kuch noorani khayaal
aur kuch sunahre alfaaz
pahnaake
mere naam
ik ummeed rakh di thi
kisi taare ki hatheli me!

lifafe me
thodi si khushfahami bhi thi
thodi si badgumaani bhi
aur ek tasveer thi
jispe muskaan ki aamad se
un rukhsaaron me yun bhanvar pad rahe the
jinme saare taare doob-ke bujhne lage the

aise me khalbali kyun nahin machti?!

main
us payaam-o-tasveer ko
apni neeli kameez me baandhke
waapis to laut aaya hoon

par sochta hoon
is dafa jo jaaoon
aasmaan pe
to wahaan se na lautoon...

kya pata
wahaan pe mere liye
us shaqs ne aur bhi
payaam chode ho?!
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Could I live in the stars?
Could I be your neighbour?!