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Horror Laash Ka Safar (Woh Zinda Hai... Lekin Kaise?)

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Ashish120

Arise...
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Ashish120

Arise...
Staff member
Sectional Moderator
23,436
20,177
229
Update 1

लाश का सफर (वो ज़िंदा है... लेकिन कैसे?)

Raat ke theek gyarah baj rahe the, jab Ajmer shahar se lagbhag 50 kilometers door, ek chote se, bhoole-bisre gaon, Rampur mein gehra sannata pasra hua tha. Yeh sannata itna gehra tha ki hawa mein patte tak nahi hil rahe the, aur door kisi kutte ke bhonkne ki awaaz bhi nahi aa rahi thi. Poora gaon gehri neend mein soya hua tha, jaise kisi adrishya jaadu ne sabko sula diya ho, aur unke sapnon mein bhi koi disturbance na ho. Aasmaan mein laakhon taare aise timtima rahe the, jaise woh bhi is bhayanak raat ke gawah banne aaye hon, par unki feeki roshni bhi us haddi jama dene waali sard hawa ko cheer nahi paa rahi thi. Yeh sirf sardiyon ki aam thand nahi thi; yeh ek aisi ajeebogareeb, chubhne waali thandak thi jo aapki khaal se hoti hui seedhe haddiyon ke andar tak ghus jaati, unhe andar tak jama deti aur saans lena mushkil kar deti, jaise har saans ke saath aapke fefde bhi jam rahe hon. Isi bhayanak sannate aur thandak ke beech, ek purani, jang khai hui Ambassador taxi—jiske darwaze aur khidkiyon par kai saalon ki dhool jami thi, uski paint jagah jagah se ukhad chuki thi aur uski headlights ki roshni bhi kaafi dheemi thi, bas road par ek halki si peeli lakeer bana rahi thi—dheere-dheere, ek atyant sunsaan, khandahar si haveli ke saamne aakar rukti hai. Uska driver, ek patla-dubla, dara hua sa aadmi jiski aankhein hamesha khauf se bhari rehti thin, usne peeche mudkar dekhne ki himmat tak nahi ki. Use shayad dar tha ki uski nazrein kuch aisa dekh lengi jo use taumar sone nahi dega. Usne jaldi se paise liye aur bina ek pal bhi ruke, wahan se faraar ho gaya, apni taxi ke tyres ki cheekhti awaaz ko us bhayaavah khamoshi mein gholte hue. Uske jaate hi, haveli ke chaaron taraf ek aur bhi gehri, sannati chup chha gayi.

Sameer Verma, ek 29 saal ka joshila aur nidar photojournalist, jiske ghungraale baal aksar uski maathe par bikhre rehte the aur uski aankhon mein hamesha ek sawaliya chamak rehti thi, jo uski jigyasa aur junoon ko darshati thi. Uski pehchan sirf uski purani, bharosemand Olympus DSLR camera aur uska adamya sahas hi nahi tha, balki woh hamesha sach ki talaash mein rehta tha, chahe woh kitna bhi kadwa ya khatarnak kyun na ho. Usne kai khatarnak assignments kiye the, par aaj ka mahaul kuch alag hi tha. Aaj uske chehre par woh jaani-pehchani patrakar waali jigyasa ya kisi naye adventure ki chamak nahi thi. Uski gehri bhoori aankhon mein sirf ek gehra, bhari dukh aur badle ki aag thi – apne sabse azeez dost, Kabir Awasthi, ki rahasyamayi maut ka sach jaan'ne ka jazba. Kabir, jo ek hafte pehle hi isi haveli mein ek documentary shoot karne aaya tha, uske baad se sirf ek hi cheez mili thi – haveli ki ek deewar par khoon ke chheente aur us khoon se sani deewar ki ek daanedaar, dhundhli si tasveer, jismein ek ajeeb se saaye ka aspasht khaaka dikh raha tha. Police ne toh bina kisi khaas jaanch-padtal ke hi case ko band kar diya tha, yeh kehte hue ki Kabir ki maut ek "Heart Attack" se hui thi. Par Sameer achhi tarah jaanta tha ki Kabir ek health freak tha, jo roz subah paanch baje uthkar daud lagata tha, sirf organic khaana khaata tha, aur yoga karta tha. Use dil ki beemari toh door-door tak bhi nahi thi. Sameer ke liye police ka yeh faisla poori tarah asweekarya tha. Uske andar ek sulagti hui aag thi jo use yahan tak kheench laayi thi, ek aisi aag jo use tab tak chain nahi lene degi jab tak woh sach na jaan le.

Sameer ne taxi ka darwaza khola, aur ek tez, barfeela jhonka uske chehre se aise takraya, jaise kisi adrishya haath ne use thappad maara ho, ya haveli use andar aane se rok rahi ho. Us hawa mein sookhi mitti ki mehak thi, jaisi barson se kisi jagah par baarish na hui ho, par uske andar ek ajeeb si, bechain karne waali khushboo bhi thi – jaise kisi ne lobaan, chandan, aur shayad kuch anjaani, purani jadi-bootiyon ko ek saath jalaya ho, jiski mehak aapke nathunon se hoti hui seedhe dimaag tak pahunchti thi aur ek aspasht bechaini paida karti thi, jaise koi purani yaadein taaza ho rahi hon. Usne ek pal ke liye apni aankhein band ki, us hawa ko mehsoos kiya, aur phir apne kadam haveli ki taraf badhaaye, uski har saans mein ek naya hausla bhar raha tha.

Haveli ke jang lage, charcharaate hue lohe ke gate par ek boodha aadmi khada tha – Daya Kaka, us haveli ka purana aur ab akela chowkidar. Uska badan jhuka hua tha, aur uske chehre par gehri jhurriyan thin, jo uski lambi umar aur shayad is jagah ke raazon ki gawahi de rahi thin, jaise har jhurri mein ek kahani chupi ho. Uski aankhein doodhiya safed thin, jaise unki dekhne ki shakti kab ki ja chuki ho, aur unhe ab sirf andhera hi dikhai deta ho, ya shayad woh is haveli ke andar ke andhere ko dekhne ki aadi ho chuki thin aur ab roshni unhe chubhti ho. Unke chehre par ek dhool bhari, thaki hui aur udaas abhivyakti thi, jaise woh khud bhi yahan se mukti chahte hon, par kisi anjaani taqat ne unhe yahan bandh rakha ho.

"Babu," Daya Kaka ki awaaz khurduri aur dheemi thi, jaise woh varshon se kisi se baat na kar paaye hon, ya unke gale mein dhool bhar gayi ho, "Yeh jagah zinda logon ke liye nahi hai. Jo koi bhi yahan gaya, woh ya toh kabhi lautkar nahi aaya ya phir zinda laash bankar reh gaya." Unki awaaz mein ek bhayanak sachhai thi jo Sameer ki reerh ki haddi mein ek sardi si daura gayi, par usne apne dar ko chehre par nahi aane diya. Uski mutthiyan kasker band thin, par chehre par usne nirbheekhta ka mask pehna tha, jaise woh andar se kaanp raha ho par bahar se loha bana ho.

Sameer ne ek halki si, zabardasti waali muskaan di, par andar hi andar uska gala poori tarah sookh gaya tha, jaise uske munh mein kisi ne rui ke gole bhar diye hon. Bina kuch bole, usne jang lage lohe ke gate ko zor se dhakka diya. Purane lohe ka gate ek lambi, dardnak cheekh ke saath khula – "Karkashshshshsh..." Aisa laga jaise woh darwaza nahi, balki khud haveli dard se karah rahi ho, ya koi purani, peedit aatma bhayanak dard se ro rahi ho, uski awaaz hawa mein kaanp rahi thi. Us awaaz ki goonj us thandi hawa mein kafi der tak goonjti rahi, aur phir poori haveli mein fail gayi, jaise woh Sameer ke aane ki ghoshna kar rahi ho, aur ek anchahe mehman ka swagat kar rahi ho, use andar bulati hui.

Haveli ke andar ka mahol bahar se bilkul alag tha, jaise hi aap andar kadam rakhte, aap kisi time warp mein pravesh kar jaate hon, jahan samay thehar gaya ho. Hawa mein ek baasi, ghutan bhari mehak thi, purani lakdi, dhool aur band kamron ki, jismein ek halki si sadan bhi thi, jaise kuch andar hi andar gal raha ho. Deewaron par barson se paint ukhad chuka tha, jiske peeche ki tooti-footi, feeki plaster dikhai de rahi thi. Jagah-jagah se plaster nikal chuka tha, jaise haveli ki skin utar gayi ho, aur uski haddiyan dikh rahi hon. Har kone mein mote, bhoore rang ke jaale latak rahe the, jinmein mari hui makkhiyon aur keede-makodon ke kankaal fanse hue the, jo samay ke saath aur bhi darawane lag rahe the, jaise woh kisi purane shikaar ki nishaani ho. Neeche purana, khurdura marble ka farsh tha, jis par barson ki dhool ki moti parat jami thi, aur us par Sameer ke kadmon ke nishan ban rahe the, jaise woh is bhoole hue itihaas par chal raha ho. Purane furniture par – jaise ek tooti hui kursi, ek bejaan almaari, aur ek purana jhoola – mitti ki ek moti, makhmali parat chadahi hui thi, jaise haveli ne saalon ki dhool ko apni chaadar bana liya ho, aur unhe chupa diya ho, apni raazon ke parde mein. Seedhiyon ke kinare par ek purani, feeki pad chuki painting lumbi thi – ek aurat ki tasveer, jiska aadha chehra buri tarah jala hua tha, vikrit aur muda-tuda, uski aankhon ki jagah sirf gehre, khokhale gaddhe the, jismein sirf andhera bhara tha, par uski aankhein ab bhi poori tarah zinda thin, unmein ek ajeeb si teevrata aur gehra dard tha jo aapko apni taraf khinchta tha, jaise woh kuch kehna chahti hon, ya apni kahani sunana chahti hon, unki nazar Sameer ka peecha kar rahi thi, uski har harkat ko ghoor rahi thi.

Sameer ne apna purana, vishwasniya Olympus DSLR camera nikala, uski lens cap hataai, aur uski mazboot torchlight function ko on kiya. Uski torch ki roshni ne andhere ko cheerte hue raaste ko roshan kiya, par roshni bhi haveli ke har kone ko Roshan nahi kar paa rahi thi, kayi jagah ab bhi gehra saaya tha, jo Sameer ko ghoor raha tha, jaise woh saaye bhi zinda hon. Haveli ke andar har kadam par lakdi ke purane farsh se ek ajeeb, oonchi awaaz waali 'cheek-cheek' ki awaaz aati thi, jaise har kadam ke neeche koi ankaha, bhayanak raaz daba ho aur woh use bahar nikalne ki koshish kar raha ho. Har awaaz ke saath, Sameer ka dil ek dhadkan chuk jaata tha, uski saansein tez ho rahi thin, uski mutthiyan kasne lagin. Haveli ka har darwaza apne aap mein ek gupchup raaz tha, band, khamosh, aur rahasyamayi, apni kahaniyan chhupaye hue, jaise har darwaze ke peeche ek naya khauf chupa ho, jo uske khulne ka intezaar kar raha ho.

Pehli manzil par ek kamra tha – uska darwaza aadha khula tha, jaise kisi ne jaldi mein use band karne ki koshish ki ho, par kisi adrishya shakti ne use rok diya ho. Darwaze ke andar se ek baasi, lohe jaisi mehak aa rahi thi, jaise wahan khoon sukha ho, aur uski hawa bhi bhari-bhari thi. Sameer ne dheere se darwaze ko dhakka diya. Andar ek dhool se sani mez thi, jis par kitabein bikhri padi thin aur un par bhi dhool ki parat jami thi, jaise unhe saalon se kisi ne chhua na ho, aur uske upar ek purani, chamde ki bandhi diary padi thi. Diary ka chamda jahan-jahan se phata hua tha, wahan se andar ke purane kagaz dikh rahe the, jo peele pad chuke the aur khasta ho rahe the.

Diary ke cover par gehre, sookh chuke khoon ke daag the, jo ab bhoore pad chuke the, jaise kisi ne apne khoon se hi us par dastakhat kiye hon, ya koi aakhri nishan chhoda ho. Usne jhijhakte hue use halka sa chhua – woh daag thanda tha, par poori tarah sookh gaya tha, jaise woh daag barson se wahan maujood ho, aur ab bhi apni kahani suna raha ho. Usne saans rok kar diary kholi, aur pehle page par tedhe-medhe, kaampte hue aksharon mein likha tha, jaise likhne wala kisi gehre dard mein ho, aur uske haath kaanp rahe hon, uski aakhri saanson mein:

"Main zinda hoon... lekin kaise? Jab saans rukti hai, dard nahi jaata. Jab shareer jalta hai, aatma aur bhi bhatak jaati hai. Main yahan hoon... aur hamesha yahan rahungi."

Usne apni saans ko rok liya, uske gale mein ek gola sa fans gaya, jaise koi use ghot raha ho. Just then, usne apne theek peeche ek halki-halki saans lene ki awaaz suni. Ek thandi, reerh ki haddi mein sihiran paida karne waali sansani uski gardan par mehsoos hui, jaise koi uske theek peeche khada ho aur uski saansein gin raha ho, uski har saans ko mehsoos kar raha ho. Sameer ne turant mudkar dekha, uski torch tezi se ghoomi, par koi nahi tha. Bas, us kamre ke kone mein ek purani, lakdi ki rocking chair dheere-dheere, apne aap hil rahi thi, ek charcharaati awaaz ke saath jo us khamoshi ko aur bhi bhayanak bana rahi thi, jaise chair par koi invisible presence baitha ho, aur woh use dekh raha ho, uski har harkat ko note kar raha ho.

Usne ghabrahat mein apne camera ka flash on kiya aur ek jhat se photo kheechi. Flash ki tez roshni ne kamre ko ek pal ke liye chakachaundh kar diya, har dhool ke kan ko roshan karte hue, aur har chupi hui cheez ko ujagar karte hue. Jab usne tasveer dekhi, uska kaleja munh ko aa gaya. Uske haathon se camera chhootne wala tha, uski pakad dheeli pad gayi thi, uski ungliyan kaanp rahi thin.

Photo mein ek aurat thi, jiska aadha chehra buri tarah jal chuka tha, uski tvacha jali hui aur chhili hui thi, uski aankhon ki jagah gehre, khokhale gaddhe the, jismein sirf andhera bhara tha, par uski aankhein seedhe camera lens mein dekh rahi thin, unmein ek ghoorne waali, bhayanak teevrata thi jo uski rooh tak ko cheer rahi thi, jaise woh uski aatma ko dekh rahi ho, uske darr ko mehsoos kar rahi ho. Aur uske theek peeche... Kabir ki nirjeev body thi, jo aadhi deewar mein dhansi hui lag rahi thi, jaise woh deewar use dheere-dheere nigal rahi ho, uske aakhri palon ko dikhati hui, uski body ka rang feeka pad chuka tha. Kabir ki aankhein ab bhi khuli thin, unmein ek khaalipan aur jama hua aatank tha, jo Sameer ko andar tak jhakjhor gaya. Uske munh se ek halki si siski nikal gayi, uske hoth kaanp rahe the, uski aankhein badi ho gayi thin.

Sameer ne cheekhne ki koshish ki, par uske gale se ek awaaz tak nahi nikli, jaise kisi adrishya, barfeele haath ne uska gala ghot diya ho, aur uski saansein atak gayi hon, uski poori body par paseena aa gaya tha. Uska poora shareer kaampne laga, uske ghutne jawab de rahe the, uski taangein ladkhada rahi thin. Usne apni torch uthai, jo ab uske kaampte haathon mein thi aur girne ko thi, aur dhadakte dil ke saath zor se neeche ki taraf bhaagne laga, uski saansein tez ho rahi thin, uske pair farsh par takra rahe the. Har kadam par, use laga jaise deewar se koi-na-koi haath bahar nikalne ki koshish kar raha ho, unki thandi, adrishya ungliyan uski taraf badh rahi ho, use pakadne ki koshish kar rahi hon, uski aatma ko kheench rahi hon, use is haveli ka hissa banane ke liye. Uske peeche se ek dheemi, ghinoni hansi ki awaaz aayi, jo uske kaanon mein goonj rahi thi, uski himmat tod rahi thi. Neeche basement ka darwaza khula tha, ek kaale, gehre chhed ki tarah, jo use apni taraf bula raha ho, ek anjaane khauf mein, jahan roshni nahi pahunch sakti thi. Darwaze ke andar se ek sadi hui, maas ki mehak aa rahi thi, jo uske naak ko chubhti thi, aur uske pet mein ghabrahat paida kar rahi thi.

Darwaze ke theek upar, gehre laal rang ke khoon se ya shayad kisi purane, kaale taral padarth se likha tha, jo ab sookh kar kala pad chuka tha aur deewar par ek bhayanak nishan bana raha tha, jaise kisi ne haathon se likha ho:

"Jo andar gaya, woh apne saath roshni wapas nahi le ja sakta."

Sameer ne apni torch kas kar pakdi, uski pakad itni mazboot thi ki uske por safed pad gaye the, jaise uski zindagi ki roshni us torch mein ho, aur woh use chhodna nahi chahta tha. Usne ghabrahat mein ek gehri saans li aur tezi se neeche utar gaya, uski aankhein har jagah ghoom rahi thin, har shadow mein kuch talaash rahi thin, par use sirf andhera dikh raha tha. Bas ek-ek kadam ke saath, hawa aur zyada thandi aur nami waali hoti gayi, uski saanson ko dhundla banaati hui, jisse uski har saans uske andar ke dar ko badha rahi thi, aur uske fefdon ko thanda kar rahi thi. Neeche ek bada sa tahkhana (cellar) tha, jismein gehra andhera aur bhayavah sannata chhaya hua tha, sirf uski torch ki roshni us andhere ko cheer rahi thi, par har shadow mein kuch chupa hua lag raha tha, jo Sameer ko ghoor raha ho, uske aane ka intezaar kar raha ho. Ek kone mein ek jali hui aurat ki murti thi, uski pathar ki aankhein Samir ko aise ghoor rahi thin, jaise woh use pehchanti hon aur uske aane ka intezaar kar rahi hon, unmein ek anjaani chamak thi, jo uski ruh ko kaanpa rahi thi. Uske theek saamne ek rocking chair ab bhi hil rahi thi, ek dheemi, lagaataar charcharaati awaaz ke saath, aur uske peeche ek dhundhla saaya tha, jo Samir ki taraf dheere-dheere badh raha tha, jaise woh shadow khud hi haveli ka hissa ho, aur ab Sameer ko nigalne aa raha ho, uski roshni ko bujhane ke liye.

Sameer ne jhat se ek photo kheechi – par is baar, uska camera ekdam se band ho gaya, jaise usmein battery hi na ho, ya koi adrishya shakti uski roshni ko rok rahi ho, uski koshish ko nakam kar rahi ho. Uski torch bhi tezi se flicker karne lagi, uski roshni mand aur asthir ho gayi, us bhayanak andhere ko aur bhi gehra kar rahi thi, jaise woh bhi dar gayi ho, aur apna saath chhod rahi ho. Uski heartbeat itni tez ho gayi thi ki use apne kaanon mein dhoom-dhoom ki awaaz sunai de rahi thi, uski body mein blood tezi se daud raha tha, uski nasen tan gayi thin.

Ek ajeeb si, phusphusati awaaz uske kaan ke bilkul paas goonji: "Tu aa gaya... main kab se tera intezaar kar rahi hoon..." Awaaz bhayanak, karkash thi, jaise kisi ne ret par kaanch ko ragda ho, aur usmein purani, dabi hui peeda thi, ek aisi peeda jo saalon se saans le rahi ho, aur ab Sameer se mukti chahti ho, uski rooh ko kha kar.

Usne dar ke maare peeche dekha – ek aurat, uske baal geele aur chipke hue the, jaise woh abhi-abhi kisi taral se nikli ho, ya uske baalon mein khoon laga ho. Uske pair ulte the, jaise woh saamaanya insaan na ho, balki kisi vikrit roop mein ho, jo insaaniyat se pare ho, aur uski har harkat unnatural thi. Uski aankhein poori tarah safed aur khokhli thin, unmein koi putli nahi thi, sirf safed rang tha, aur uske munh se taaza, laal khoon tapak raha tha, jo uski thodi par boond-boond gir raha tha aur zameen par ek chota sa pool bana raha tha, uski har boond mein ek kahani chupi thi, ek shraap. Sameer dar ke maare peeche gira, uski poori body jhatke se akad gayi, uski aankhon mein khauf tha, uski saansein ruk gayi thin, uski zubaan sookh gayi thi. Uska haath kisi ke thande, nirjeev chehre par pada – Kabir. Uski laash wahi thi, aankhein ab bhi khuli aur khali, unme koi bhaav nahi tha, bas ek darr ka jma hua expression tha, jaise woh Sameer ko kuch kehna chahta ho, uski madad maang raha ho. Uske naakhoon zameen par kuch likh rahe the, jaise woh apni aakhri saanson mein koi message de raha ho, ek aakhri chetawani, jo usne khoon se likhi thi:

"Woh andar hai... usse jagao mat..."

Rocking chair phir se tezi se hilne lagi, uski charcharaati awaaz ab aur bhi tez aur lagaataar thi, pure tahkhane mein goonj rahi thi, jaise woh kisi geet ki dhun ho, jo aatmaaon ko bulati ho. Ab wahan koi baitha tha, jiska saaya Sameer par pad raha tha, uski roshni ko dhak raha tha, aur use andhere mein duba raha tha. Murti gayab ho chuki thi, jaise woh kabhi wahan thi hi nahi, sirf ek khaali jagah thi, uski jagah chair par woh saaya baitha tha, jo ab dheere-dheere Sameer ki taraf badh raha tha, uski roshni ko bujhane ke liye, aur use apne shikaar ke roop mein dekh raha tha. Sameer ne dheere se, kaampte haathon se apni torch us taraf ki, uski roshni bhi kaanp rahi thi, uski himmat bhi.

Woh Raunak Bai thi.

Woh zinda nahi thi. Aur na hi poori tarah murda. Woh kuch aur thi – ek bhayanak, apraakritik astitva, jo insaani samajh se pare tha, aur jise dekh kar hi rooh kaanp uthe, uski nazar mein ek ajeeb chamak thi.

Uska chehra aadha pighla hua tha, jaise kisi tez tezaab se jala ho, uski tvacha ukhdi hui aur ghinoni, uski haddiyan bhi dikh rahi thin, uski aankhein us pighle hue chehre mein dhansi hui thin, unmein ek ghini si chamak thi. Uski aankhein safed, khokhli aankhon ke gaddhon jaisi thin, unmein koi putli nahi thi, sirf safed rang tha, aur uske munh se taaza, laal khoon tapak raha tha, jo uski thodi par boond-boond gir raha tha aur zameen par ek chota sa pool bana raha tha, uski har boond mein ek kahani chupi thi, ek shraap, ek dard. Uski awaaz, jo ab pehle se bhi zyada gehri aur darawani ho chuki thi, kamre mein goonj uthi, har shabd mein ek shraap bhara tha, jo Sameer ki rooh ko cheer raha tha, aur use andar tak dard de raha tha.

Raunak Bai:
"Arey! Tum bhi aa gaye? Lagta hai is purani haveli ko aaj bhi naye shikar mil hi jaate hain. Kya socha tha... yahan koi nahi milega? Naadaan! Maine toh kab se tumhara intezaar kiya hai. Tumne mujhe pareshan kiya hai, meri aaram mein khalal daala hai! Ab tum kabhi chain se nahi reh paaoge, meri baat gaanth baandh lo. Tumhari aatma tadpegi, theek waise hi jaise meri tadap rahi hai. Tumhare dard se hi meri mukti hai, babu! Haan... tumhare dard se hi! Tum bhaag nahi paaoge, kyunki mera saaya tumhara peecha karega... hamesha!"

Tabhi, ek zordaar, gaganbhedi cheekh ne haveli ki purani, mitti ki deewar ko sachmuch tod diya. Deewar se dhool aur malba Sameer par gira, uski aankhein band ho gayi, aur uske kaanon mein ek tez awaaz goonji, jaise koi bomb phata ho. Aur us cheekh ke saath hi ek tez, roshni ki kiran andar aayi, jo Raunak Bai ke saaye ko cheer rahi thi, aur us andhere ko roshan kar rahi thi, jisse Raunak Bai ki shakti kamzor pad rahi thi. Wahan Inspector Ritika Sharma thi – ek tez-tarrar, nidar police officer, jiski umar lagbhag 30 saal thi. Uske kale baal kas ke oonche jude mein bandhe the, aur uski gehri, teekhi aankhein har khatre ko bhaampne mein mahir thin, jismein ek strong will power dikh rahi thi, aur uske chehre par ek determination tha, jo uske shakti ko dikha raha tha. Uske haath mein ek chaandi ka chamakta hua yantra tha, jis par ajeebogareeb nakkaashi thi aur woh dheemi roshni de raha tha, aur woh tezi se Sanskrit ke mantra padh rahi thi, uski awaaz mein ek shakti thi, jo haveli mein goonj rahi thi, aur har cheez ko hilati hui lag rahi thi:

"Om Hreem Kali Karalavdane Namah!"

Ek tez, chamakdar roshni kamre mein chamki, pure basement ko ek pal ke liye chakachaundh kar diya, jisse Raunak Bai ka saaya bhi roshan ho gaya, aur uski shakti kamzor padne lagi, jaise woh pighal rahi ho. Raunak Bai ek bhayanak, aatma kampa dene waali cheekh maarti hai, uski awaaz poore haveli mein goonjti hui fail gayi, jisse haveli ki deewaren bhi kaampne lagin, aur uski shakti kamzor padne lagi, jaise woh tut rahi ho. Rocking chair zameen par dhadam se gir jaati hai, uski lakdi toot kar bikhar jaati hai, jaise woh bhi is shakti ko seh na payi ho, aur uska astitva khatam ho gaya ho. Sab kuch ek pal ke liye dhundhla ho jaata hai, jaise kisi ne saare rang kheench liye hon aur duniya black and white ho gayi ho, aur phir dheere-dheere sab normal hone laga, roshni wapas aane lagi.

Sameer poori tarah se behosh hokar zameen par gir jaata hai, uski body thandi aur bejaan pad jaati hai, uski saansein dheemi ho gayi thin, uske chehre par dard aur rahat dono ke bhaav the. Ritika tezi se uske paas aati hai, uski saansein tezi se chal rahi thin par uske chehre par ab rahat thi, usne jaldi se Sameer ko check kiya, uski nabz mehsoos ki. Woh haanfte hue kehti hai – "Woh ek shraapit aatma hai. Sirf dard mein jeeti hai." Usne Sameer ko uthaya, uski shoulder par haath rakha, aur use tezi se haveli se bahar le jaane lagi, jahan subah ki pehli kiran bas phootne hi wali thi, aur hawa mein ab thandak kam ho rahi thi, ek nayi subah ka ehsaas ho raha tha.

Jab dono haveli se nikalte hain, toh peeche se ek dheemi, kutil aur darawani awaaz aati hai, jo hawa mein dheere-dheere ghul jaati hai, jaise Raunak Bai ka saaya ab bhi haveli mein mojood ho, aur woh unhe dekh rahi ho, unka peecha kar rahi ho:

"Ek gaya... ek bacha hai..."
 

parkas

Well-Known Member
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Update 1

लाश का सफर (वो ज़िंदा है... लेकिन कैसे?)

Raat ke theek gyarah baj rahe the, jab Ajmer shahar se lagbhag 50 kilometers door, ek chote se, bhoole-bisre gaon, Rampur mein gehra sannata pasra hua tha. Yeh sannata itna gehra tha ki hawa mein patte tak nahi hil rahe the, aur door kisi kutte ke bhonkne ki awaaz bhi nahi aa rahi thi. Poora gaon gehri neend mein soya hua tha, jaise kisi adrishya jaadu ne sabko sula diya ho, aur unke sapnon mein bhi koi disturbance na ho. Aasmaan mein laakhon taare aise timtima rahe the, jaise woh bhi is bhayanak raat ke gawah banne aaye hon, par unki feeki roshni bhi us haddi jama dene waali sard hawa ko cheer nahi paa rahi thi. Yeh sirf sardiyon ki aam thand nahi thi; yeh ek aisi ajeebogareeb, chubhne waali thandak thi jo aapki khaal se hoti hui seedhe haddiyon ke andar tak ghus jaati, unhe andar tak jama deti aur saans lena mushkil kar deti, jaise har saans ke saath aapke fefde bhi jam rahe hon. Isi bhayanak sannate aur thandak ke beech, ek purani, jang khai hui Ambassador taxi—jiske darwaze aur khidkiyon par kai saalon ki dhool jami thi, uski paint jagah jagah se ukhad chuki thi aur uski headlights ki roshni bhi kaafi dheemi thi, bas road par ek halki si peeli lakeer bana rahi thi—dheere-dheere, ek atyant sunsaan, khandahar si haveli ke saamne aakar rukti hai. Uska driver, ek patla-dubla, dara hua sa aadmi jiski aankhein hamesha khauf se bhari rehti thin, usne peeche mudkar dekhne ki himmat tak nahi ki. Use shayad dar tha ki uski nazrein kuch aisa dekh lengi jo use taumar sone nahi dega. Usne jaldi se paise liye aur bina ek pal bhi ruke, wahan se faraar ho gaya, apni taxi ke tyres ki cheekhti awaaz ko us bhayaavah khamoshi mein gholte hue. Uske jaate hi, haveli ke chaaron taraf ek aur bhi gehri, sannati chup chha gayi.

Sameer Verma, ek 29 saal ka joshila aur nidar photojournalist, jiske ghungraale baal aksar uski maathe par bikhre rehte the aur uski aankhon mein hamesha ek sawaliya chamak rehti thi, jo uski jigyasa aur junoon ko darshati thi. Uski pehchan sirf uski purani, bharosemand Olympus DSLR camera aur uska adamya sahas hi nahi tha, balki woh hamesha sach ki talaash mein rehta tha, chahe woh kitna bhi kadwa ya khatarnak kyun na ho. Usne kai khatarnak assignments kiye the, par aaj ka mahaul kuch alag hi tha. Aaj uske chehre par woh jaani-pehchani patrakar waali jigyasa ya kisi naye adventure ki chamak nahi thi. Uski gehri bhoori aankhon mein sirf ek gehra, bhari dukh aur badle ki aag thi – apne sabse azeez dost, Kabir Awasthi, ki rahasyamayi maut ka sach jaan'ne ka jazba. Kabir, jo ek hafte pehle hi isi haveli mein ek documentary shoot karne aaya tha, uske baad se sirf ek hi cheez mili thi – haveli ki ek deewar par khoon ke chheente aur us khoon se sani deewar ki ek daanedaar, dhundhli si tasveer, jismein ek ajeeb se saaye ka aspasht khaaka dikh raha tha. Police ne toh bina kisi khaas jaanch-padtal ke hi case ko band kar diya tha, yeh kehte hue ki Kabir ki maut ek "Heart Attack" se hui thi. Par Sameer achhi tarah jaanta tha ki Kabir ek health freak tha, jo roz subah paanch baje uthkar daud lagata tha, sirf organic khaana khaata tha, aur yoga karta tha. Use dil ki beemari toh door-door tak bhi nahi thi. Sameer ke liye police ka yeh faisla poori tarah asweekarya tha. Uske andar ek sulagti hui aag thi jo use yahan tak kheench laayi thi, ek aisi aag jo use tab tak chain nahi lene degi jab tak woh sach na jaan le.

Sameer ne taxi ka darwaza khola, aur ek tez, barfeela jhonka uske chehre se aise takraya, jaise kisi adrishya haath ne use thappad maara ho, ya haveli use andar aane se rok rahi ho. Us hawa mein sookhi mitti ki mehak thi, jaisi barson se kisi jagah par baarish na hui ho, par uske andar ek ajeeb si, bechain karne waali khushboo bhi thi – jaise kisi ne lobaan, chandan, aur shayad kuch anjaani, purani jadi-bootiyon ko ek saath jalaya ho, jiski mehak aapke nathunon se hoti hui seedhe dimaag tak pahunchti thi aur ek aspasht bechaini paida karti thi, jaise koi purani yaadein taaza ho rahi hon. Usne ek pal ke liye apni aankhein band ki, us hawa ko mehsoos kiya, aur phir apne kadam haveli ki taraf badhaaye, uski har saans mein ek naya hausla bhar raha tha.

Haveli ke jang lage, charcharaate hue lohe ke gate par ek boodha aadmi khada tha – Daya Kaka, us haveli ka purana aur ab akela chowkidar. Uska badan jhuka hua tha, aur uske chehre par gehri jhurriyan thin, jo uski lambi umar aur shayad is jagah ke raazon ki gawahi de rahi thin, jaise har jhurri mein ek kahani chupi ho. Uski aankhein doodhiya safed thin, jaise unki dekhne ki shakti kab ki ja chuki ho, aur unhe ab sirf andhera hi dikhai deta ho, ya shayad woh is haveli ke andar ke andhere ko dekhne ki aadi ho chuki thin aur ab roshni unhe chubhti ho. Unke chehre par ek dhool bhari, thaki hui aur udaas abhivyakti thi, jaise woh khud bhi yahan se mukti chahte hon, par kisi anjaani taqat ne unhe yahan bandh rakha ho.

"Babu," Daya Kaka ki awaaz khurduri aur dheemi thi, jaise woh varshon se kisi se baat na kar paaye hon, ya unke gale mein dhool bhar gayi ho, "Yeh jagah zinda logon ke liye nahi hai. Jo koi bhi yahan gaya, woh ya toh kabhi lautkar nahi aaya ya phir zinda laash bankar reh gaya." Unki awaaz mein ek bhayanak sachhai thi jo Sameer ki reerh ki haddi mein ek sardi si daura gayi, par usne apne dar ko chehre par nahi aane diya. Uski mutthiyan kasker band thin, par chehre par usne nirbheekhta ka mask pehna tha, jaise woh andar se kaanp raha ho par bahar se loha bana ho.

Sameer ne ek halki si, zabardasti waali muskaan di, par andar hi andar uska gala poori tarah sookh gaya tha, jaise uske munh mein kisi ne rui ke gole bhar diye hon. Bina kuch bole, usne jang lage lohe ke gate ko zor se dhakka diya. Purane lohe ka gate ek lambi, dardnak cheekh ke saath khula – "Karkashshshshsh..." Aisa laga jaise woh darwaza nahi, balki khud haveli dard se karah rahi ho, ya koi purani, peedit aatma bhayanak dard se ro rahi ho, uski awaaz hawa mein kaanp rahi thi. Us awaaz ki goonj us thandi hawa mein kafi der tak goonjti rahi, aur phir poori haveli mein fail gayi, jaise woh Sameer ke aane ki ghoshna kar rahi ho, aur ek anchahe mehman ka swagat kar rahi ho, use andar bulati hui.

Haveli ke andar ka mahol bahar se bilkul alag tha, jaise hi aap andar kadam rakhte, aap kisi time warp mein pravesh kar jaate hon, jahan samay thehar gaya ho. Hawa mein ek baasi, ghutan bhari mehak thi, purani lakdi, dhool aur band kamron ki, jismein ek halki si sadan bhi thi, jaise kuch andar hi andar gal raha ho. Deewaron par barson se paint ukhad chuka tha, jiske peeche ki tooti-footi, feeki plaster dikhai de rahi thi. Jagah-jagah se plaster nikal chuka tha, jaise haveli ki skin utar gayi ho, aur uski haddiyan dikh rahi hon. Har kone mein mote, bhoore rang ke jaale latak rahe the, jinmein mari hui makkhiyon aur keede-makodon ke kankaal fanse hue the, jo samay ke saath aur bhi darawane lag rahe the, jaise woh kisi purane shikaar ki nishaani ho. Neeche purana, khurdura marble ka farsh tha, jis par barson ki dhool ki moti parat jami thi, aur us par Sameer ke kadmon ke nishan ban rahe the, jaise woh is bhoole hue itihaas par chal raha ho. Purane furniture par – jaise ek tooti hui kursi, ek bejaan almaari, aur ek purana jhoola – mitti ki ek moti, makhmali parat chadahi hui thi, jaise haveli ne saalon ki dhool ko apni chaadar bana liya ho, aur unhe chupa diya ho, apni raazon ke parde mein. Seedhiyon ke kinare par ek purani, feeki pad chuki painting lumbi thi – ek aurat ki tasveer, jiska aadha chehra buri tarah jala hua tha, vikrit aur muda-tuda, uski aankhon ki jagah sirf gehre, khokhale gaddhe the, jismein sirf andhera bhara tha, par uski aankhein ab bhi poori tarah zinda thin, unmein ek ajeeb si teevrata aur gehra dard tha jo aapko apni taraf khinchta tha, jaise woh kuch kehna chahti hon, ya apni kahani sunana chahti hon, unki nazar Sameer ka peecha kar rahi thi, uski har harkat ko ghoor rahi thi.

Sameer ne apna purana, vishwasniya Olympus DSLR camera nikala, uski lens cap hataai, aur uski mazboot torchlight function ko on kiya. Uski torch ki roshni ne andhere ko cheerte hue raaste ko roshan kiya, par roshni bhi haveli ke har kone ko Roshan nahi kar paa rahi thi, kayi jagah ab bhi gehra saaya tha, jo Sameer ko ghoor raha tha, jaise woh saaye bhi zinda hon. Haveli ke andar har kadam par lakdi ke purane farsh se ek ajeeb, oonchi awaaz waali 'cheek-cheek' ki awaaz aati thi, jaise har kadam ke neeche koi ankaha, bhayanak raaz daba ho aur woh use bahar nikalne ki koshish kar raha ho. Har awaaz ke saath, Sameer ka dil ek dhadkan chuk jaata tha, uski saansein tez ho rahi thin, uski mutthiyan kasne lagin. Haveli ka har darwaza apne aap mein ek gupchup raaz tha, band, khamosh, aur rahasyamayi, apni kahaniyan chhupaye hue, jaise har darwaze ke peeche ek naya khauf chupa ho, jo uske khulne ka intezaar kar raha ho.

Pehli manzil par ek kamra tha – uska darwaza aadha khula tha, jaise kisi ne jaldi mein use band karne ki koshish ki ho, par kisi adrishya shakti ne use rok diya ho. Darwaze ke andar se ek baasi, lohe jaisi mehak aa rahi thi, jaise wahan khoon sukha ho, aur uski hawa bhi bhari-bhari thi. Sameer ne dheere se darwaze ko dhakka diya. Andar ek dhool se sani mez thi, jis par kitabein bikhri padi thin aur un par bhi dhool ki parat jami thi, jaise unhe saalon se kisi ne chhua na ho, aur uske upar ek purani, chamde ki bandhi diary padi thi. Diary ka chamda jahan-jahan se phata hua tha, wahan se andar ke purane kagaz dikh rahe the, jo peele pad chuke the aur khasta ho rahe the.

Diary ke cover par gehre, sookh chuke khoon ke daag the, jo ab bhoore pad chuke the, jaise kisi ne apne khoon se hi us par dastakhat kiye hon, ya koi aakhri nishan chhoda ho. Usne jhijhakte hue use halka sa chhua – woh daag thanda tha, par poori tarah sookh gaya tha, jaise woh daag barson se wahan maujood ho, aur ab bhi apni kahani suna raha ho. Usne saans rok kar diary kholi, aur pehle page par tedhe-medhe, kaampte hue aksharon mein likha tha, jaise likhne wala kisi gehre dard mein ho, aur uske haath kaanp rahe hon, uski aakhri saanson mein:

"Main zinda hoon... lekin kaise? Jab saans rukti hai, dard nahi jaata. Jab shareer jalta hai, aatma aur bhi bhatak jaati hai. Main yahan hoon... aur hamesha yahan rahungi."

Usne apni saans ko rok liya, uske gale mein ek gola sa fans gaya, jaise koi use ghot raha ho. Just then, usne apne theek peeche ek halki-halki saans lene ki awaaz suni. Ek thandi, reerh ki haddi mein sihiran paida karne waali sansani uski gardan par mehsoos hui, jaise koi uske theek peeche khada ho aur uski saansein gin raha ho, uski har saans ko mehsoos kar raha ho. Sameer ne turant mudkar dekha, uski torch tezi se ghoomi, par koi nahi tha. Bas, us kamre ke kone mein ek purani, lakdi ki rocking chair dheere-dheere, apne aap hil rahi thi, ek charcharaati awaaz ke saath jo us khamoshi ko aur bhi bhayanak bana rahi thi, jaise chair par koi invisible presence baitha ho, aur woh use dekh raha ho, uski har harkat ko note kar raha ho.

Usne ghabrahat mein apne camera ka flash on kiya aur ek jhat se photo kheechi. Flash ki tez roshni ne kamre ko ek pal ke liye chakachaundh kar diya, har dhool ke kan ko roshan karte hue, aur har chupi hui cheez ko ujagar karte hue. Jab usne tasveer dekhi, uska kaleja munh ko aa gaya. Uske haathon se camera chhootne wala tha, uski pakad dheeli pad gayi thi, uski ungliyan kaanp rahi thin.

Photo mein ek aurat thi, jiska aadha chehra buri tarah jal chuka tha, uski tvacha jali hui aur chhili hui thi, uski aankhon ki jagah gehre, khokhale gaddhe the, jismein sirf andhera bhara tha, par uski aankhein seedhe camera lens mein dekh rahi thin, unmein ek ghoorne waali, bhayanak teevrata thi jo uski rooh tak ko cheer rahi thi, jaise woh uski aatma ko dekh rahi ho, uske darr ko mehsoos kar rahi ho. Aur uske theek peeche... Kabir ki nirjeev body thi, jo aadhi deewar mein dhansi hui lag rahi thi, jaise woh deewar use dheere-dheere nigal rahi ho, uske aakhri palon ko dikhati hui, uski body ka rang feeka pad chuka tha. Kabir ki aankhein ab bhi khuli thin, unmein ek khaalipan aur jama hua aatank tha, jo Sameer ko andar tak jhakjhor gaya. Uske munh se ek halki si siski nikal gayi, uske hoth kaanp rahe the, uski aankhein badi ho gayi thin.

Sameer ne cheekhne ki koshish ki, par uske gale se ek awaaz tak nahi nikli, jaise kisi adrishya, barfeele haath ne uska gala ghot diya ho, aur uski saansein atak gayi hon, uski poori body par paseena aa gaya tha. Uska poora shareer kaampne laga, uske ghutne jawab de rahe the, uski taangein ladkhada rahi thin. Usne apni torch uthai, jo ab uske kaampte haathon mein thi aur girne ko thi, aur dhadakte dil ke saath zor se neeche ki taraf bhaagne laga, uski saansein tez ho rahi thin, uske pair farsh par takra rahe the. Har kadam par, use laga jaise deewar se koi-na-koi haath bahar nikalne ki koshish kar raha ho, unki thandi, adrishya ungliyan uski taraf badh rahi ho, use pakadne ki koshish kar rahi hon, uski aatma ko kheench rahi hon, use is haveli ka hissa banane ke liye. Uske peeche se ek dheemi, ghinoni hansi ki awaaz aayi, jo uske kaanon mein goonj rahi thi, uski himmat tod rahi thi. Neeche basement ka darwaza khula tha, ek kaale, gehre chhed ki tarah, jo use apni taraf bula raha ho, ek anjaane khauf mein, jahan roshni nahi pahunch sakti thi. Darwaze ke andar se ek sadi hui, maas ki mehak aa rahi thi, jo uske naak ko chubhti thi, aur uske pet mein ghabrahat paida kar rahi thi.

Darwaze ke theek upar, gehre laal rang ke khoon se ya shayad kisi purane, kaale taral padarth se likha tha, jo ab sookh kar kala pad chuka tha aur deewar par ek bhayanak nishan bana raha tha, jaise kisi ne haathon se likha ho:

"Jo andar gaya, woh apne saath roshni wapas nahi le ja sakta."

Sameer ne apni torch kas kar pakdi, uski pakad itni mazboot thi ki uske por safed pad gaye the, jaise uski zindagi ki roshni us torch mein ho, aur woh use chhodna nahi chahta tha. Usne ghabrahat mein ek gehri saans li aur tezi se neeche utar gaya, uski aankhein har jagah ghoom rahi thin, har shadow mein kuch talaash rahi thin, par use sirf andhera dikh raha tha. Bas ek-ek kadam ke saath, hawa aur zyada thandi aur nami waali hoti gayi, uski saanson ko dhundla banaati hui, jisse uski har saans uske andar ke dar ko badha rahi thi, aur uske fefdon ko thanda kar rahi thi. Neeche ek bada sa tahkhana (cellar) tha, jismein gehra andhera aur bhayavah sannata chhaya hua tha, sirf uski torch ki roshni us andhere ko cheer rahi thi, par har shadow mein kuch chupa hua lag raha tha, jo Sameer ko ghoor raha ho, uske aane ka intezaar kar raha ho. Ek kone mein ek jali hui aurat ki murti thi, uski pathar ki aankhein Samir ko aise ghoor rahi thin, jaise woh use pehchanti hon aur uske aane ka intezaar kar rahi hon, unmein ek anjaani chamak thi, jo uski ruh ko kaanpa rahi thi. Uske theek saamne ek rocking chair ab bhi hil rahi thi, ek dheemi, lagaataar charcharaati awaaz ke saath, aur uske peeche ek dhundhla saaya tha, jo Samir ki taraf dheere-dheere badh raha tha, jaise woh shadow khud hi haveli ka hissa ho, aur ab Sameer ko nigalne aa raha ho, uski roshni ko bujhane ke liye.

Sameer ne jhat se ek photo kheechi – par is baar, uska camera ekdam se band ho gaya, jaise usmein battery hi na ho, ya koi adrishya shakti uski roshni ko rok rahi ho, uski koshish ko nakam kar rahi ho. Uski torch bhi tezi se flicker karne lagi, uski roshni mand aur asthir ho gayi, us bhayanak andhere ko aur bhi gehra kar rahi thi, jaise woh bhi dar gayi ho, aur apna saath chhod rahi ho. Uski heartbeat itni tez ho gayi thi ki use apne kaanon mein dhoom-dhoom ki awaaz sunai de rahi thi, uski body mein blood tezi se daud raha tha, uski nasen tan gayi thin.

Ek ajeeb si, phusphusati awaaz uske kaan ke bilkul paas goonji: "Tu aa gaya... main kab se tera intezaar kar rahi hoon..." Awaaz bhayanak, karkash thi, jaise kisi ne ret par kaanch ko ragda ho, aur usmein purani, dabi hui peeda thi, ek aisi peeda jo saalon se saans le rahi ho, aur ab Sameer se mukti chahti ho, uski rooh ko kha kar.

Usne dar ke maare peeche dekha – ek aurat, uske baal geele aur chipke hue the, jaise woh abhi-abhi kisi taral se nikli ho, ya uske baalon mein khoon laga ho. Uske pair ulte the, jaise woh saamaanya insaan na ho, balki kisi vikrit roop mein ho, jo insaaniyat se pare ho, aur uski har harkat unnatural thi. Uski aankhein poori tarah safed aur khokhli thin, unmein koi putli nahi thi, sirf safed rang tha, aur uske munh se taaza, laal khoon tapak raha tha, jo uski thodi par boond-boond gir raha tha aur zameen par ek chota sa pool bana raha tha, uski har boond mein ek kahani chupi thi, ek shraap. Sameer dar ke maare peeche gira, uski poori body jhatke se akad gayi, uski aankhon mein khauf tha, uski saansein ruk gayi thin, uski zubaan sookh gayi thi. Uska haath kisi ke thande, nirjeev chehre par pada – Kabir. Uski laash wahi thi, aankhein ab bhi khuli aur khali, unme koi bhaav nahi tha, bas ek darr ka jma hua expression tha, jaise woh Sameer ko kuch kehna chahta ho, uski madad maang raha ho. Uske naakhoon zameen par kuch likh rahe the, jaise woh apni aakhri saanson mein koi message de raha ho, ek aakhri chetawani, jo usne khoon se likhi thi:

"Woh andar hai... usse jagao mat..."

Rocking chair phir se tezi se hilne lagi, uski charcharaati awaaz ab aur bhi tez aur lagaataar thi, pure tahkhane mein goonj rahi thi, jaise woh kisi geet ki dhun ho, jo aatmaaon ko bulati ho. Ab wahan koi baitha tha, jiska saaya Sameer par pad raha tha, uski roshni ko dhak raha tha, aur use andhere mein duba raha tha. Murti gayab ho chuki thi, jaise woh kabhi wahan thi hi nahi, sirf ek khaali jagah thi, uski jagah chair par woh saaya baitha tha, jo ab dheere-dheere Sameer ki taraf badh raha tha, uski roshni ko bujhane ke liye, aur use apne shikaar ke roop mein dekh raha tha. Sameer ne dheere se, kaampte haathon se apni torch us taraf ki, uski roshni bhi kaanp rahi thi, uski himmat bhi.

Woh Raunak Bai thi.

Woh zinda nahi thi. Aur na hi poori tarah murda. Woh kuch aur thi – ek bhayanak, apraakritik astitva, jo insaani samajh se pare tha, aur jise dekh kar hi rooh kaanp uthe, uski nazar mein ek ajeeb chamak thi.

Uska chehra aadha pighla hua tha, jaise kisi tez tezaab se jala ho, uski tvacha ukhdi hui aur ghinoni, uski haddiyan bhi dikh rahi thin, uski aankhein us pighle hue chehre mein dhansi hui thin, unmein ek ghini si chamak thi. Uski aankhein safed, khokhli aankhon ke gaddhon jaisi thin, unmein koi putli nahi thi, sirf safed rang tha, aur uske munh se taaza, laal khoon tapak raha tha, jo uski thodi par boond-boond gir raha tha aur zameen par ek chota sa pool bana raha tha, uski har boond mein ek kahani chupi thi, ek shraap, ek dard. Uski awaaz, jo ab pehle se bhi zyada gehri aur darawani ho chuki thi, kamre mein goonj uthi, har shabd mein ek shraap bhara tha, jo Sameer ki rooh ko cheer raha tha, aur use andar tak dard de raha tha.

Raunak Bai:
"Arey! Tum bhi aa gaye? Lagta hai is purani haveli ko aaj bhi naye shikar mil hi jaate hain. Kya socha tha... yahan koi nahi milega? Naadaan! Maine toh kab se tumhara intezaar kiya hai. Tumne mujhe pareshan kiya hai, meri aaram mein khalal daala hai! Ab tum kabhi chain se nahi reh paaoge, meri baat gaanth baandh lo. Tumhari aatma tadpegi, theek waise hi jaise meri tadap rahi hai. Tumhare dard se hi meri mukti hai, babu! Haan... tumhare dard se hi! Tum bhaag nahi paaoge, kyunki mera saaya tumhara peecha karega... hamesha!"

Tabhi, ek zordaar, gaganbhedi cheekh ne haveli ki purani, mitti ki deewar ko sachmuch tod diya. Deewar se dhool aur malba Sameer par gira, uski aankhein band ho gayi, aur uske kaanon mein ek tez awaaz goonji, jaise koi bomb phata ho. Aur us cheekh ke saath hi ek tez, roshni ki kiran andar aayi, jo Raunak Bai ke saaye ko cheer rahi thi, aur us andhere ko roshan kar rahi thi, jisse Raunak Bai ki shakti kamzor pad rahi thi. Wahan Inspector Ritika Sharma thi – ek tez-tarrar, nidar police officer, jiski umar lagbhag 30 saal thi. Uske kale baal kas ke oonche jude mein bandhe the, aur uski gehri, teekhi aankhein har khatre ko bhaampne mein mahir thin, jismein ek strong will power dikh rahi thi, aur uske chehre par ek determination tha, jo uske shakti ko dikha raha tha. Uske haath mein ek chaandi ka chamakta hua yantra tha, jis par ajeebogareeb nakkaashi thi aur woh dheemi roshni de raha tha, aur woh tezi se Sanskrit ke mantra padh rahi thi, uski awaaz mein ek shakti thi, jo haveli mein goonj rahi thi, aur har cheez ko hilati hui lag rahi thi:

"Om Hreem Kali Karalavdane Namah!"

Ek tez, chamakdar roshni kamre mein chamki, pure basement ko ek pal ke liye chakachaundh kar diya, jisse Raunak Bai ka saaya bhi roshan ho gaya, aur uski shakti kamzor padne lagi, jaise woh pighal rahi ho. Raunak Bai ek bhayanak, aatma kampa dene waali cheekh maarti hai, uski awaaz poore haveli mein goonjti hui fail gayi, jisse haveli ki deewaren bhi kaampne lagin, aur uski shakti kamzor padne lagi, jaise woh tut rahi ho. Rocking chair zameen par dhadam se gir jaati hai, uski lakdi toot kar bikhar jaati hai, jaise woh bhi is shakti ko seh na payi ho, aur uska astitva khatam ho gaya ho. Sab kuch ek pal ke liye dhundhla ho jaata hai, jaise kisi ne saare rang kheench liye hon aur duniya black and white ho gayi ho, aur phir dheere-dheere sab normal hone laga, roshni wapas aane lagi.

Sameer poori tarah se behosh hokar zameen par gir jaata hai, uski body thandi aur bejaan pad jaati hai, uski saansein dheemi ho gayi thin, uske chehre par dard aur rahat dono ke bhaav the. Ritika tezi se uske paas aati hai, uski saansein tezi se chal rahi thin par uske chehre par ab rahat thi, usne jaldi se Sameer ko check kiya, uski nabz mehsoos ki. Woh haanfte hue kehti hai – "Woh ek shraapit aatma hai. Sirf dard mein jeeti hai." Usne Sameer ko uthaya, uski shoulder par haath rakha, aur use tezi se haveli se bahar le jaane lagi, jahan subah ki pehli kiran bas phootne hi wali thi, aur hawa mein ab thandak kam ho rahi thi, ek nayi subah ka ehsaas ho raha tha.

Jab dono haveli se nikalte hain, toh peeche se ek dheemi, kutil aur darawani awaaz aati hai, jo hawa mein dheere-dheere ghul jaati hai, jaise Raunak Bai ka saaya ab bhi haveli mein mojood ho, aur woh unhe dekh rahi ho, unka peecha kar rahi ho:

"Ek gaya... ek bacha hai..."
Bahut hi badhiya update diya hai Ashish120 bhai....
Nice and beautiful update....
 

Raj_sharma

यतो धर्मस्ततो जयः ||❣️
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Update 1

लाश का सफर (वो ज़िंदा है... लेकिन कैसे?)

Raat ke theek gyarah baj rahe the, jab Ajmer shahar se lagbhag 50 kilometers door, ek chote se, bhoole-bisre gaon, Rampur mein gehra sannata pasra hua tha. Yeh sannata itna gehra tha ki hawa mein patte tak nahi hil rahe the, aur door kisi kutte ke bhonkne ki awaaz bhi nahi aa rahi thi. Poora gaon gehri neend mein soya hua tha, jaise kisi adrishya jaadu ne sabko sula diya ho, aur unke sapnon mein bhi koi disturbance na ho. Aasmaan mein laakhon taare aise timtima rahe the, jaise woh bhi is bhayanak raat ke gawah banne aaye hon, par unki feeki roshni bhi us haddi jama dene waali sard hawa ko cheer nahi paa rahi thi. Yeh sirf sardiyon ki aam thand nahi thi; yeh ek aisi ajeebogareeb, chubhne waali thandak thi jo aapki khaal se hoti hui seedhe haddiyon ke andar tak ghus jaati, unhe andar tak jama deti aur saans lena mushkil kar deti, jaise har saans ke saath aapke fefde bhi jam rahe hon. Isi bhayanak sannate aur thandak ke beech, ek purani, jang khai hui Ambassador taxi—jiske darwaze aur khidkiyon par kai saalon ki dhool jami thi, uski paint jagah jagah se ukhad chuki thi aur uski headlights ki roshni bhi kaafi dheemi thi, bas road par ek halki si peeli lakeer bana rahi thi—dheere-dheere, ek atyant sunsaan, khandahar si haveli ke saamne aakar rukti hai. Uska driver, ek patla-dubla, dara hua sa aadmi jiski aankhein hamesha khauf se bhari rehti thin, usne peeche mudkar dekhne ki himmat tak nahi ki. Use shayad dar tha ki uski nazrein kuch aisa dekh lengi jo use taumar sone nahi dega. Usne jaldi se paise liye aur bina ek pal bhi ruke, wahan se faraar ho gaya, apni taxi ke tyres ki cheekhti awaaz ko us bhayaavah khamoshi mein gholte hue. Uske jaate hi, haveli ke chaaron taraf ek aur bhi gehri, sannati chup chha gayi.

Sameer Verma, ek 29 saal ka joshila aur nidar photojournalist, jiske ghungraale baal aksar uski maathe par bikhre rehte the aur uski aankhon mein hamesha ek sawaliya chamak rehti thi, jo uski jigyasa aur junoon ko darshati thi. Uski pehchan sirf uski purani, bharosemand Olympus DSLR camera aur uska adamya sahas hi nahi tha, balki woh hamesha sach ki talaash mein rehta tha, chahe woh kitna bhi kadwa ya khatarnak kyun na ho. Usne kai khatarnak assignments kiye the, par aaj ka mahaul kuch alag hi tha. Aaj uske chehre par woh jaani-pehchani patrakar waali jigyasa ya kisi naye adventure ki chamak nahi thi. Uski gehri bhoori aankhon mein sirf ek gehra, bhari dukh aur badle ki aag thi – apne sabse azeez dost, Kabir Awasthi, ki rahasyamayi maut ka sach jaan'ne ka jazba. Kabir, jo ek hafte pehle hi isi haveli mein ek documentary shoot karne aaya tha, uske baad se sirf ek hi cheez mili thi – haveli ki ek deewar par khoon ke chheente aur us khoon se sani deewar ki ek daanedaar, dhundhli si tasveer, jismein ek ajeeb se saaye ka aspasht khaaka dikh raha tha. Police ne toh bina kisi khaas jaanch-padtal ke hi case ko band kar diya tha, yeh kehte hue ki Kabir ki maut ek "Heart Attack" se hui thi. Par Sameer achhi tarah jaanta tha ki Kabir ek health freak tha, jo roz subah paanch baje uthkar daud lagata tha, sirf organic khaana khaata tha, aur yoga karta tha. Use dil ki beemari toh door-door tak bhi nahi thi. Sameer ke liye police ka yeh faisla poori tarah asweekarya tha. Uske andar ek sulagti hui aag thi jo use yahan tak kheench laayi thi, ek aisi aag jo use tab tak chain nahi lene degi jab tak woh sach na jaan le.

Sameer ne taxi ka darwaza khola, aur ek tez, barfeela jhonka uske chehre se aise takraya, jaise kisi adrishya haath ne use thappad maara ho, ya haveli use andar aane se rok rahi ho. Us hawa mein sookhi mitti ki mehak thi, jaisi barson se kisi jagah par baarish na hui ho, par uske andar ek ajeeb si, bechain karne waali khushboo bhi thi – jaise kisi ne lobaan, chandan, aur shayad kuch anjaani, purani jadi-bootiyon ko ek saath jalaya ho, jiski mehak aapke nathunon se hoti hui seedhe dimaag tak pahunchti thi aur ek aspasht bechaini paida karti thi, jaise koi purani yaadein taaza ho rahi hon. Usne ek pal ke liye apni aankhein band ki, us hawa ko mehsoos kiya, aur phir apne kadam haveli ki taraf badhaaye, uski har saans mein ek naya hausla bhar raha tha.

Haveli ke jang lage, charcharaate hue lohe ke gate par ek boodha aadmi khada tha – Daya Kaka, us haveli ka purana aur ab akela chowkidar. Uska badan jhuka hua tha, aur uske chehre par gehri jhurriyan thin, jo uski lambi umar aur shayad is jagah ke raazon ki gawahi de rahi thin, jaise har jhurri mein ek kahani chupi ho. Uski aankhein doodhiya safed thin, jaise unki dekhne ki shakti kab ki ja chuki ho, aur unhe ab sirf andhera hi dikhai deta ho, ya shayad woh is haveli ke andar ke andhere ko dekhne ki aadi ho chuki thin aur ab roshni unhe chubhti ho. Unke chehre par ek dhool bhari, thaki hui aur udaas abhivyakti thi, jaise woh khud bhi yahan se mukti chahte hon, par kisi anjaani taqat ne unhe yahan bandh rakha ho.

"Babu," Daya Kaka ki awaaz khurduri aur dheemi thi, jaise woh varshon se kisi se baat na kar paaye hon, ya unke gale mein dhool bhar gayi ho, "Yeh jagah zinda logon ke liye nahi hai. Jo koi bhi yahan gaya, woh ya toh kabhi lautkar nahi aaya ya phir zinda laash bankar reh gaya." Unki awaaz mein ek bhayanak sachhai thi jo Sameer ki reerh ki haddi mein ek sardi si daura gayi, par usne apne dar ko chehre par nahi aane diya. Uski mutthiyan kasker band thin, par chehre par usne nirbheekhta ka mask pehna tha, jaise woh andar se kaanp raha ho par bahar se loha bana ho.

Sameer ne ek halki si, zabardasti waali muskaan di, par andar hi andar uska gala poori tarah sookh gaya tha, jaise uske munh mein kisi ne rui ke gole bhar diye hon. Bina kuch bole, usne jang lage lohe ke gate ko zor se dhakka diya. Purane lohe ka gate ek lambi, dardnak cheekh ke saath khula – "Karkashshshshsh..." Aisa laga jaise woh darwaza nahi, balki khud haveli dard se karah rahi ho, ya koi purani, peedit aatma bhayanak dard se ro rahi ho, uski awaaz hawa mein kaanp rahi thi. Us awaaz ki goonj us thandi hawa mein kafi der tak goonjti rahi, aur phir poori haveli mein fail gayi, jaise woh Sameer ke aane ki ghoshna kar rahi ho, aur ek anchahe mehman ka swagat kar rahi ho, use andar bulati hui.

Haveli ke andar ka mahol bahar se bilkul alag tha, jaise hi aap andar kadam rakhte, aap kisi time warp mein pravesh kar jaate hon, jahan samay thehar gaya ho. Hawa mein ek baasi, ghutan bhari mehak thi, purani lakdi, dhool aur band kamron ki, jismein ek halki si sadan bhi thi, jaise kuch andar hi andar gal raha ho. Deewaron par barson se paint ukhad chuka tha, jiske peeche ki tooti-footi, feeki plaster dikhai de rahi thi. Jagah-jagah se plaster nikal chuka tha, jaise haveli ki skin utar gayi ho, aur uski haddiyan dikh rahi hon. Har kone mein mote, bhoore rang ke jaale latak rahe the, jinmein mari hui makkhiyon aur keede-makodon ke kankaal fanse hue the, jo samay ke saath aur bhi darawane lag rahe the, jaise woh kisi purane shikaar ki nishaani ho. Neeche purana, khurdura marble ka farsh tha, jis par barson ki dhool ki moti parat jami thi, aur us par Sameer ke kadmon ke nishan ban rahe the, jaise woh is bhoole hue itihaas par chal raha ho. Purane furniture par – jaise ek tooti hui kursi, ek bejaan almaari, aur ek purana jhoola – mitti ki ek moti, makhmali parat chadahi hui thi, jaise haveli ne saalon ki dhool ko apni chaadar bana liya ho, aur unhe chupa diya ho, apni raazon ke parde mein. Seedhiyon ke kinare par ek purani, feeki pad chuki painting lumbi thi – ek aurat ki tasveer, jiska aadha chehra buri tarah jala hua tha, vikrit aur muda-tuda, uski aankhon ki jagah sirf gehre, khokhale gaddhe the, jismein sirf andhera bhara tha, par uski aankhein ab bhi poori tarah zinda thin, unmein ek ajeeb si teevrata aur gehra dard tha jo aapko apni taraf khinchta tha, jaise woh kuch kehna chahti hon, ya apni kahani sunana chahti hon, unki nazar Sameer ka peecha kar rahi thi, uski har harkat ko ghoor rahi thi.

Sameer ne apna purana, vishwasniya Olympus DSLR camera nikala, uski lens cap hataai, aur uski mazboot torchlight function ko on kiya. Uski torch ki roshni ne andhere ko cheerte hue raaste ko roshan kiya, par roshni bhi haveli ke har kone ko Roshan nahi kar paa rahi thi, kayi jagah ab bhi gehra saaya tha, jo Sameer ko ghoor raha tha, jaise woh saaye bhi zinda hon. Haveli ke andar har kadam par lakdi ke purane farsh se ek ajeeb, oonchi awaaz waali 'cheek-cheek' ki awaaz aati thi, jaise har kadam ke neeche koi ankaha, bhayanak raaz daba ho aur woh use bahar nikalne ki koshish kar raha ho. Har awaaz ke saath, Sameer ka dil ek dhadkan chuk jaata tha, uski saansein tez ho rahi thin, uski mutthiyan kasne lagin. Haveli ka har darwaza apne aap mein ek gupchup raaz tha, band, khamosh, aur rahasyamayi, apni kahaniyan chhupaye hue, jaise har darwaze ke peeche ek naya khauf chupa ho, jo uske khulne ka intezaar kar raha ho.

Pehli manzil par ek kamra tha – uska darwaza aadha khula tha, jaise kisi ne jaldi mein use band karne ki koshish ki ho, par kisi adrishya shakti ne use rok diya ho. Darwaze ke andar se ek baasi, lohe jaisi mehak aa rahi thi, jaise wahan khoon sukha ho, aur uski hawa bhi bhari-bhari thi. Sameer ne dheere se darwaze ko dhakka diya. Andar ek dhool se sani mez thi, jis par kitabein bikhri padi thin aur un par bhi dhool ki parat jami thi, jaise unhe saalon se kisi ne chhua na ho, aur uske upar ek purani, chamde ki bandhi diary padi thi. Diary ka chamda jahan-jahan se phata hua tha, wahan se andar ke purane kagaz dikh rahe the, jo peele pad chuke the aur khasta ho rahe the.

Diary ke cover par gehre, sookh chuke khoon ke daag the, jo ab bhoore pad chuke the, jaise kisi ne apne khoon se hi us par dastakhat kiye hon, ya koi aakhri nishan chhoda ho. Usne jhijhakte hue use halka sa chhua – woh daag thanda tha, par poori tarah sookh gaya tha, jaise woh daag barson se wahan maujood ho, aur ab bhi apni kahani suna raha ho. Usne saans rok kar diary kholi, aur pehle page par tedhe-medhe, kaampte hue aksharon mein likha tha, jaise likhne wala kisi gehre dard mein ho, aur uske haath kaanp rahe hon, uski aakhri saanson mein:

"Main zinda hoon... lekin kaise? Jab saans rukti hai, dard nahi jaata. Jab shareer jalta hai, aatma aur bhi bhatak jaati hai. Main yahan hoon... aur hamesha yahan rahungi."

Usne apni saans ko rok liya, uske gale mein ek gola sa fans gaya, jaise koi use ghot raha ho. Just then, usne apne theek peeche ek halki-halki saans lene ki awaaz suni. Ek thandi, reerh ki haddi mein sihiran paida karne waali sansani uski gardan par mehsoos hui, jaise koi uske theek peeche khada ho aur uski saansein gin raha ho, uski har saans ko mehsoos kar raha ho. Sameer ne turant mudkar dekha, uski torch tezi se ghoomi, par koi nahi tha. Bas, us kamre ke kone mein ek purani, lakdi ki rocking chair dheere-dheere, apne aap hil rahi thi, ek charcharaati awaaz ke saath jo us khamoshi ko aur bhi bhayanak bana rahi thi, jaise chair par koi invisible presence baitha ho, aur woh use dekh raha ho, uski har harkat ko note kar raha ho.

Usne ghabrahat mein apne camera ka flash on kiya aur ek jhat se photo kheechi. Flash ki tez roshni ne kamre ko ek pal ke liye chakachaundh kar diya, har dhool ke kan ko roshan karte hue, aur har chupi hui cheez ko ujagar karte hue. Jab usne tasveer dekhi, uska kaleja munh ko aa gaya. Uske haathon se camera chhootne wala tha, uski pakad dheeli pad gayi thi, uski ungliyan kaanp rahi thin.

Photo mein ek aurat thi, jiska aadha chehra buri tarah jal chuka tha, uski tvacha jali hui aur chhili hui thi, uski aankhon ki jagah gehre, khokhale gaddhe the, jismein sirf andhera bhara tha, par uski aankhein seedhe camera lens mein dekh rahi thin, unmein ek ghoorne waali, bhayanak teevrata thi jo uski rooh tak ko cheer rahi thi, jaise woh uski aatma ko dekh rahi ho, uske darr ko mehsoos kar rahi ho. Aur uske theek peeche... Kabir ki nirjeev body thi, jo aadhi deewar mein dhansi hui lag rahi thi, jaise woh deewar use dheere-dheere nigal rahi ho, uske aakhri palon ko dikhati hui, uski body ka rang feeka pad chuka tha. Kabir ki aankhein ab bhi khuli thin, unmein ek khaalipan aur jama hua aatank tha, jo Sameer ko andar tak jhakjhor gaya. Uske munh se ek halki si siski nikal gayi, uske hoth kaanp rahe the, uski aankhein badi ho gayi thin.

Sameer ne cheekhne ki koshish ki, par uske gale se ek awaaz tak nahi nikli, jaise kisi adrishya, barfeele haath ne uska gala ghot diya ho, aur uski saansein atak gayi hon, uski poori body par paseena aa gaya tha. Uska poora shareer kaampne laga, uske ghutne jawab de rahe the, uski taangein ladkhada rahi thin. Usne apni torch uthai, jo ab uske kaampte haathon mein thi aur girne ko thi, aur dhadakte dil ke saath zor se neeche ki taraf bhaagne laga, uski saansein tez ho rahi thin, uske pair farsh par takra rahe the. Har kadam par, use laga jaise deewar se koi-na-koi haath bahar nikalne ki koshish kar raha ho, unki thandi, adrishya ungliyan uski taraf badh rahi ho, use pakadne ki koshish kar rahi hon, uski aatma ko kheench rahi hon, use is haveli ka hissa banane ke liye. Uske peeche se ek dheemi, ghinoni hansi ki awaaz aayi, jo uske kaanon mein goonj rahi thi, uski himmat tod rahi thi. Neeche basement ka darwaza khula tha, ek kaale, gehre chhed ki tarah, jo use apni taraf bula raha ho, ek anjaane khauf mein, jahan roshni nahi pahunch sakti thi. Darwaze ke andar se ek sadi hui, maas ki mehak aa rahi thi, jo uske naak ko chubhti thi, aur uske pet mein ghabrahat paida kar rahi thi.

Darwaze ke theek upar, gehre laal rang ke khoon se ya shayad kisi purane, kaale taral padarth se likha tha, jo ab sookh kar kala pad chuka tha aur deewar par ek bhayanak nishan bana raha tha, jaise kisi ne haathon se likha ho:

"Jo andar gaya, woh apne saath roshni wapas nahi le ja sakta."

Sameer ne apni torch kas kar pakdi, uski pakad itni mazboot thi ki uske por safed pad gaye the, jaise uski zindagi ki roshni us torch mein ho, aur woh use chhodna nahi chahta tha. Usne ghabrahat mein ek gehri saans li aur tezi se neeche utar gaya, uski aankhein har jagah ghoom rahi thin, har shadow mein kuch talaash rahi thin, par use sirf andhera dikh raha tha. Bas ek-ek kadam ke saath, hawa aur zyada thandi aur nami waali hoti gayi, uski saanson ko dhundla banaati hui, jisse uski har saans uske andar ke dar ko badha rahi thi, aur uske fefdon ko thanda kar rahi thi. Neeche ek bada sa tahkhana (cellar) tha, jismein gehra andhera aur bhayavah sannata chhaya hua tha, sirf uski torch ki roshni us andhere ko cheer rahi thi, par har shadow mein kuch chupa hua lag raha tha, jo Sameer ko ghoor raha ho, uske aane ka intezaar kar raha ho. Ek kone mein ek jali hui aurat ki murti thi, uski pathar ki aankhein Samir ko aise ghoor rahi thin, jaise woh use pehchanti hon aur uske aane ka intezaar kar rahi hon, unmein ek anjaani chamak thi, jo uski ruh ko kaanpa rahi thi. Uske theek saamne ek rocking chair ab bhi hil rahi thi, ek dheemi, lagaataar charcharaati awaaz ke saath, aur uske peeche ek dhundhla saaya tha, jo Samir ki taraf dheere-dheere badh raha tha, jaise woh shadow khud hi haveli ka hissa ho, aur ab Sameer ko nigalne aa raha ho, uski roshni ko bujhane ke liye.

Sameer ne jhat se ek photo kheechi – par is baar, uska camera ekdam se band ho gaya, jaise usmein battery hi na ho, ya koi adrishya shakti uski roshni ko rok rahi ho, uski koshish ko nakam kar rahi ho. Uski torch bhi tezi se flicker karne lagi, uski roshni mand aur asthir ho gayi, us bhayanak andhere ko aur bhi gehra kar rahi thi, jaise woh bhi dar gayi ho, aur apna saath chhod rahi ho. Uski heartbeat itni tez ho gayi thi ki use apne kaanon mein dhoom-dhoom ki awaaz sunai de rahi thi, uski body mein blood tezi se daud raha tha, uski nasen tan gayi thin.

Ek ajeeb si, phusphusati awaaz uske kaan ke bilkul paas goonji: "Tu aa gaya... main kab se tera intezaar kar rahi hoon..." Awaaz bhayanak, karkash thi, jaise kisi ne ret par kaanch ko ragda ho, aur usmein purani, dabi hui peeda thi, ek aisi peeda jo saalon se saans le rahi ho, aur ab Sameer se mukti chahti ho, uski rooh ko kha kar.

Usne dar ke maare peeche dekha – ek aurat, uske baal geele aur chipke hue the, jaise woh abhi-abhi kisi taral se nikli ho, ya uske baalon mein khoon laga ho. Uske pair ulte the, jaise woh saamaanya insaan na ho, balki kisi vikrit roop mein ho, jo insaaniyat se pare ho, aur uski har harkat unnatural thi. Uski aankhein poori tarah safed aur khokhli thin, unmein koi putli nahi thi, sirf safed rang tha, aur uske munh se taaza, laal khoon tapak raha tha, jo uski thodi par boond-boond gir raha tha aur zameen par ek chota sa pool bana raha tha, uski har boond mein ek kahani chupi thi, ek shraap. Sameer dar ke maare peeche gira, uski poori body jhatke se akad gayi, uski aankhon mein khauf tha, uski saansein ruk gayi thin, uski zubaan sookh gayi thi. Uska haath kisi ke thande, nirjeev chehre par pada – Kabir. Uski laash wahi thi, aankhein ab bhi khuli aur khali, unme koi bhaav nahi tha, bas ek darr ka jma hua expression tha, jaise woh Sameer ko kuch kehna chahta ho, uski madad maang raha ho. Uske naakhoon zameen par kuch likh rahe the, jaise woh apni aakhri saanson mein koi message de raha ho, ek aakhri chetawani, jo usne khoon se likhi thi:

"Woh andar hai... usse jagao mat..."

Rocking chair phir se tezi se hilne lagi, uski charcharaati awaaz ab aur bhi tez aur lagaataar thi, pure tahkhane mein goonj rahi thi, jaise woh kisi geet ki dhun ho, jo aatmaaon ko bulati ho. Ab wahan koi baitha tha, jiska saaya Sameer par pad raha tha, uski roshni ko dhak raha tha, aur use andhere mein duba raha tha. Murti gayab ho chuki thi, jaise woh kabhi wahan thi hi nahi, sirf ek khaali jagah thi, uski jagah chair par woh saaya baitha tha, jo ab dheere-dheere Sameer ki taraf badh raha tha, uski roshni ko bujhane ke liye, aur use apne shikaar ke roop mein dekh raha tha. Sameer ne dheere se, kaampte haathon se apni torch us taraf ki, uski roshni bhi kaanp rahi thi, uski himmat bhi.

Woh Raunak Bai thi.

Woh zinda nahi thi. Aur na hi poori tarah murda. Woh kuch aur thi – ek bhayanak, apraakritik astitva, jo insaani samajh se pare tha, aur jise dekh kar hi rooh kaanp uthe, uski nazar mein ek ajeeb chamak thi.

Uska chehra aadha pighla hua tha, jaise kisi tez tezaab se jala ho, uski tvacha ukhdi hui aur ghinoni, uski haddiyan bhi dikh rahi thin, uski aankhein us pighle hue chehre mein dhansi hui thin, unmein ek ghini si chamak thi. Uski aankhein safed, khokhli aankhon ke gaddhon jaisi thin, unmein koi putli nahi thi, sirf safed rang tha, aur uske munh se taaza, laal khoon tapak raha tha, jo uski thodi par boond-boond gir raha tha aur zameen par ek chota sa pool bana raha tha, uski har boond mein ek kahani chupi thi, ek shraap, ek dard. Uski awaaz, jo ab pehle se bhi zyada gehri aur darawani ho chuki thi, kamre mein goonj uthi, har shabd mein ek shraap bhara tha, jo Sameer ki rooh ko cheer raha tha, aur use andar tak dard de raha tha.

Raunak Bai:
"Arey! Tum bhi aa gaye? Lagta hai is purani haveli ko aaj bhi naye shikar mil hi jaate hain. Kya socha tha... yahan koi nahi milega? Naadaan! Maine toh kab se tumhara intezaar kiya hai. Tumne mujhe pareshan kiya hai, meri aaram mein khalal daala hai! Ab tum kabhi chain se nahi reh paaoge, meri baat gaanth baandh lo. Tumhari aatma tadpegi, theek waise hi jaise meri tadap rahi hai. Tumhare dard se hi meri mukti hai, babu! Haan... tumhare dard se hi! Tum bhaag nahi paaoge, kyunki mera saaya tumhara peecha karega... hamesha!"

Tabhi, ek zordaar, gaganbhedi cheekh ne haveli ki purani, mitti ki deewar ko sachmuch tod diya. Deewar se dhool aur malba Sameer par gira, uski aankhein band ho gayi, aur uske kaanon mein ek tez awaaz goonji, jaise koi bomb phata ho. Aur us cheekh ke saath hi ek tez, roshni ki kiran andar aayi, jo Raunak Bai ke saaye ko cheer rahi thi, aur us andhere ko roshan kar rahi thi, jisse Raunak Bai ki shakti kamzor pad rahi thi. Wahan Inspector Ritika Sharma thi – ek tez-tarrar, nidar police officer, jiski umar lagbhag 30 saal thi. Uske kale baal kas ke oonche jude mein bandhe the, aur uski gehri, teekhi aankhein har khatre ko bhaampne mein mahir thin, jismein ek strong will power dikh rahi thi, aur uske chehre par ek determination tha, jo uske shakti ko dikha raha tha. Uske haath mein ek chaandi ka chamakta hua yantra tha, jis par ajeebogareeb nakkaashi thi aur woh dheemi roshni de raha tha, aur woh tezi se Sanskrit ke mantra padh rahi thi, uski awaaz mein ek shakti thi, jo haveli mein goonj rahi thi, aur har cheez ko hilati hui lag rahi thi:

"Om Hreem Kali Karalavdane Namah!"

Ek tez, chamakdar roshni kamre mein chamki, pure basement ko ek pal ke liye chakachaundh kar diya, jisse Raunak Bai ka saaya bhi roshan ho gaya, aur uski shakti kamzor padne lagi, jaise woh pighal rahi ho. Raunak Bai ek bhayanak, aatma kampa dene waali cheekh maarti hai, uski awaaz poore haveli mein goonjti hui fail gayi, jisse haveli ki deewaren bhi kaampne lagin, aur uski shakti kamzor padne lagi, jaise woh tut rahi ho. Rocking chair zameen par dhadam se gir jaati hai, uski lakdi toot kar bikhar jaati hai, jaise woh bhi is shakti ko seh na payi ho, aur uska astitva khatam ho gaya ho. Sab kuch ek pal ke liye dhundhla ho jaata hai, jaise kisi ne saare rang kheench liye hon aur duniya black and white ho gayi ho, aur phir dheere-dheere sab normal hone laga, roshni wapas aane lagi.

Sameer poori tarah se behosh hokar zameen par gir jaata hai, uski body thandi aur bejaan pad jaati hai, uski saansein dheemi ho gayi thin, uske chehre par dard aur rahat dono ke bhaav the. Ritika tezi se uske paas aati hai, uski saansein tezi se chal rahi thin par uske chehre par ab rahat thi, usne jaldi se Sameer ko check kiya, uski nabz mehsoos ki. Woh haanfte hue kehti hai – "Woh ek shraapit aatma hai. Sirf dard mein jeeti hai." Usne Sameer ko uthaya, uski shoulder par haath rakha, aur use tezi se haveli se bahar le jaane lagi, jahan subah ki pehli kiran bas phootne hi wali thi, aur hawa mein ab thandak kam ho rahi thi, ek nayi subah ka ehsaas ho raha tha.

Jab dono haveli se nikalte hain, toh peeche se ek dheemi, kutil aur darawani awaaz aati hai, jo hawa mein dheere-dheere ghul jaati hai, jaise Raunak Bai ka saaya ab bhi haveli mein mojood ho, aur woh unhe dekh rahi ho, unka peecha kar rahi ho:

"Ek gaya... ek bacha hai..."
Congratulations :congrats: Aashis bruh.. for nawa story, and pahla update wakai badhiya tha:applause::applause:
 

Ashish120

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Update 2

Maut Ke Jabde Se Vaapsi aur Ujale Ka Dar

Ritika ne Sameer ko haveli ke bahar khadi apni jeep tak ghaseeta, uske har kadam mein ek alag hi taqat thi jo usne apni himmat se paayi thi. Jeep bhi purani thi, uske tyres dhool se sane the, un par purani mitti ki parat chadhi thi, par uski engine ki awaaz ab bhi mazboot thi, jaise woh bhi is mushkil samay mein Ritika ka saath de rahi ho, ek bharosemand saathi ki tarah. Usne Sameer ko pichli seat par dhyaan se litaaya, uske sir ke neeche ek purani shawl rakhi, uska chehra peela pad chuka tha aur us par paseene ki boondein thin jo thandak mein bhi chamak rahi thin. Sameer ke haath ab bhi thode kaanp rahe the, uski aankhein band thin, par uski saansein ab kuch had tak regular ho chuki thin, jaise uski rooh wapas aane ki koshish kar rahi ho, aur uske shareer mein jaise jaan wapas aa rahi ho. Ritika ne jaldi se driver seat par baithkar engine start kiya. Jeep ka engine ek jhatke ke saath chalu hua, aur woh tezi se haveli se door, us kachche raaste par nikal padi, tyres ke neeche kankad-patthar uchhal rahe the, aur dhool ka ek lamba baadal unka peecha kar raha tha. Aasmaan mein ab halki-halki laali chha rahi thi, jo raat ke kaale saaye ko dheere-dheere mita rahi thi, aur purab mein suraj ki pehli kiranen dikhai dene lagin thin. Suraj ki pehli kiranen pedon ki chhoniyon se chhan kar zameen par pad rahi thin, ek dhundhli roshni faila rahi thin, jaise raat ke darr ko saaf kar rahi hon, ek naye din ki shuruaat kar rahi hon, par us roshni mein bhi ek ajeeb sa dar chupa tha.

Rampur gaon ke theek bahar ek chota sa police chowki tha. Woh koi bada station nahi tha, bas ek do kamron ki purani building, jiski deewaron ka paint bhi ukhda hua tha, aur us par kai saalon ki dhool jami thi, jaise woh khud bhi haveli ka ek chota hissa ho. Ritika ne jeep ko wahan roka, engine band karte hi phir se sannata chha gaya, par ab woh sannata pehle se halka tha, din ki shuruaat ki wajah se. Andar, ek purana, mota wireless set tha jo hamesha 'krr... krr...' ki awaaz karta rehta tha, uski awaaz kamre mein goonjti rehti thi, jaise woh bhi kisi anjaani baat ka sanket de raha ho. Ritika ne jaldi se wireless uthaya aur HQ ko call karne lagi. Uski awaaz mein abhi bhi thakaan thi, par ek urgency saaf jhalak rahi thi, jaise woh ek-ek pal ki keemat samajh rahi ho, uski har saans tez ho rahi thi.

"Control, Control! Inspector Ritika Sharma speaking. Location, Rampur police chowki. Mission status: Incomplete. Photographer Sameer Verma has been rescued, but his condition is critical. We encountered a supernatural entity, a powerful spirit, likely Raunak Bai herself. The haveli… it's even worse than we thought. Kabir Awasthi's body was found... in a horrific state. This isn't just a missing persons case, sir. It's something far more sinister. We need immediate backup, a team with expertise in paranormal investigations. This is beyond our standard protocols. Over."

Wireless se kuch der tak sirf static ki awaaz aayi, aur phir ek thaki hui, bhari awaaz aayi, jo Ritika ko aur pareshan kar gayi, uski chinta aur badh gayi: "Ritika, yahan se koi backup nahi aa payega. Is case ko paranormal ghoshit karna mushkil hai. Local administration nahi manega. Tum jaanti ho, aise cases ko log sirf 'dimaag ka khel' maante hain. Lekin, tum chinta mat karo. Maine ek purane maulvi sahab se baat ki hai, woh iss tarah ke mamlon mein expert hain. Woh kal subah tak tumhare paas pahunch jayenge. Unke paas ek purani kitaab hai, jo aisi aatmaon se nipatne mein madad kar sakti hai. Unka naam hai Maulvi Irfan. Tab tak, Sameer ko kisi safe jagah le jao. Aur haan, haveli ke andar abhi mat jaana, Ritika. Uske andar ki shakti aur badh gayi hai. Over and out."

Ritika ne wireless set wapas rakha, uske chehre par chinta ki lakeeren aur gehri ho gayi thin, jaise usne koi gehra bojh uthaya ho. Maulvi Irfan? Supernatural cases? Yeh sab uski police training se bahar tha, uski poori zindagi mein usne aisa kuch nahi dekha tha. Usne kabhi socha bhi nahi tha ki use aise cases se deal karna padega. Par usne Raunak Bai ki aankhon mein jo khauf dekha tha, woh jhooth nahi ho sakta tha, woh ab bhi uski aankhon ke saamne naach raha tha. Usne Sameer ki taraf dekha, jo ab bhi behosh tha, uska chehra shant par us par ek gehri udasi chhayi hui thi, jaise uski rooh bhi thak chuki ho. Use laga jaise uski rooh bhi haveli se nikli ho, aur abhi tak Sameer ki body mein wapas na lauti ho, uski aatma kahin bhatak rahi ho, aur usse wapas bulane ki koshish kar rahi ho.

Usne socha, "Maulvi Irfan? Kya woh sach mein madad kar sakte hain? Ya yeh sab sirf ek dimaagi fareb hai?" Par uske paas aur koi option nahi tha. Usne jeep ko dobara start kiya aur Sameer ko lekar Ramnagar ki taraf chal di, jo Rampur se lagbhag 20 km door tha, aur jahan ek chota sa sarkari hospital tha. Uska dimag tezi se chal raha tha, agle kadam ke baare mein soch raha tha, har possibility ko dhoondh raha tha, uski nazrein road par thin par dimag haveli mein. Road par jeep ke tyres ki awaaz uske dimag mein chal rahe thoughts ko aur badha rahi thi, jaise har awaaz use Raunak Bai ki yaad dila rahi ho.

Ramnagar ke sarkari hospital mein Sameer ko emergency ward mein bharti kiya gaya. Hospital bhi purana tha, uski deewaren bhi peeling thin, aur usmein dawaon aur disinfectant ki tez mehak thi, jo har kone mein faili hui thi, aur kuch purane furniture ki mehak bhi thi. Doctors ne use stabilize karne ki koshish ki, uski nabz ab bhi dheemi thi aur uske shareer ka taapmaan normal se kam tha, jaise uske andar ki garmi chhin li gayi ho, aur uski zindagi ki roshni dheemi pad gayi ho. Ritika uske bed ke paas baithi, uska haath Sameer ke maathe par tha, jiska temperature abhi bhi thanda tha, aur uski ungliyon ko ek ajeeb si thandak mehsoos ho rahi thi, jaise woh kisi barf ke tukde ko chhu rahi ho. Uske dimaag mein haveli ke drishya baar-baar ghoom rahe the – Kabir ki jami hui aankhein jo usse kuch kehna chahti thin, Raunak Bai ka pighla hua chehra jo use ghoor raha tha, aur uski woh bhayanak, "Ek gaya... ek bacha hai..." waali awaaz. Us awaaz ki goonj uske kaanon mein ab bhi thi, jaise woh uske dimaag mein ghooma rahi ho, aur use sone nahi de rahi ho.

Subah poori tarah ho chuki thi. Suraj ki roshni khidki se andar aa rahi thi, uski peeli roshni kamre ko roshan kar rahi thi, par us roshni mein bhi Ritika ko woh raat ka andhera dikh raha tha, jaise uski aankhon par us khauf ka parda chadh gaya ho, aur woh kuch aur dekh hi nahi paa rahi ho. Hospital ke bahar, log apni rozmarra ki zindagi mein wapas laut chuke the. Chai ki dukaan par bheed thi, garam chai ki mehak hawa mein ghuli hui thi, uske saath samoson ki mehak bhi thi, bacche school ja rahe the, unki hansi-khushi ki awaazein sunai de rahi thin, par Ritika janti thi ki uski zindagi ab kabhi normal nahi ho payegi. Usne apne phone se ek local news channel ko call kiya, uski awaaz mein ab gussa aur frustration thi, jo uski majboori ko dikha rahi thi, aur uski aankhon mein niraasha thi.

"Hello, main Inspector Ritika Sharma bol rahi hoon. Haan, main wahi hoon jo Rampur haveli case par thi. Meri baat dhyaan se suniye. Yahan kuch aisa hua hai jise aap 'maamuli' nahi keh sakte. Kabir Awasthi ka murder hua hai, aur yeh kisi insaan ka kaam nahi hai. Media ko yeh sach jaan'ne ka haq hai. Main aaj sham tak press conference karungi. Poori details dungi, aur proof bhi. Mujhe nahi pata ki log kya kahenge, par yeh sach hai. Aur haan, iss haveli mein abhi bhi Raunak Bai ka saaya hai. Woh mar chuki hai, par zinda hai... aur woh shikaar kar rahi hai."

Usne phone rakha. Uske haath thode kaanp rahe the, par uske chehre par ab ek naya resolve tha, ek aisi dridhta jo use aage badhne ki himmat de rahi thi, aur uski aankhon mein ek chamak thi. Usne soch liya tha, chahe kuch bhi ho jaye, woh Raunak Bai ke raaz ko ujagar karegi, aur Kabir ko insaaf dilayegi. Uske liye chahe use apni job, ya apni jaan hi kyun na gawani pade. Use pata tha ki uski zindagi ab puri tarah se badal chuki thi, aur woh ek aisi ladai ladne ja rahi thi jismein uske paas koi blueprint nahi tha, sirf uska sahas aur sach janne ki ichha thi.

Shaam ho chuki thi. Suraj pashchim mein doob raha tha, aur uski laali poore Ajmer shahar par fail rahi thi, aasmaan mein orange aur purple rang ka mishran tha, jaise koi kalaakar rang bhar raha ho. Police chowki ke saamne media ka jamavda tha. Reporters, cameramen, aur mic ke saath log Ritika ka intezaar kar rahe the, unki aankhon mein bechaini aur utsukta thi, jaise woh koi badi khabar sunne aaye hon. Kuch log us par hans rahe the, unki hansi hawa mein goonj rahi thi, kuch use paagal samajh rahe the, unke chehron par mazak ka bhaav tha, par kuch ke chehron par darr bhi tha, unhone us raat ki khabar sun li thi aur unke chehre par chinta saaf dikh rahi thi. Ritika ek lambi saans lekar bahar aayi, uski uniform bilkul saaf thi, har crease perfect thi, par uski aankhon mein beeti raat ki thakaan aur aane waali ladai ki chinta saaf jhalak rahi thi, jaise uski rooh bhi thak chuki ho, aur uski aankhein laal thin.

Usne mic liya, uski awaaz mein stability thi, par usmein ek gehra dard chupa tha, jo uske shabdon se saaf jhalak raha tha.
"Namaste dosto. Main Inspector Ritika Sharma. Main jaanti hoon ki aap sab Kabir Awasthi ke case ke baare mein jan'na chahte hain. Police ne isse heart attack declare kiya tha, par yeh sach nahi hai. Kabir ka murder hua hai. Aur yeh murder kisi insaan ne nahi kiya."

Reporters mein ek buzz utha. Koi hansne laga, unki hansi hawa mein goonj rahi thi, aur kuch toh jor jor se hans rahe the, koi aapas mein fusfusane laga, unki awaazein tez ho rahi thin, jaise woh apni baaton se hi ek naya mahaul bana rahe hon. Ek tez-tarrar reporter ne sawaal kiya: "Inspector Sahiba, kya aap paagal ho gayi hain? Bhooton ki kahaniyan suna rahi hain?" Uski awaaz mein tez sarcasm tha, aur uske chehre par ek ajeeb si muskan thi.

Ritika ne us reporter ko ghoora, uski aankhon mein aag thi, uski nazaron mein gussa jhalak raha tha, aur uski aankhon mein ek tej chamak thi. "Mujhe pata hai aap log kya soch rahe hain. Par mainne apni aankhon se dekha hai. Is haveli mein ek aatma hai. Raunak Bai ki aatma. Woh zinda hai, aur woh har us insaan ko dard de rahi hai jo uske raaz jan'ne ki koshish karta hai. Kabir bhi usi ka shikar hua hai."

Sabko laga ki Ritika ko police department se hata diya jayega, uski career khatam ho jayegi, us par paagalon ka tag laga diya jayega, par usne jo tasveer apne phone se projection screen par dikhai, usne sabko hairaan kar diya. Woh Kabir ki wohi photo thi, jismein uska shareer deewar mein dhansa hua tha, uski aankhein khuli thin aur usme ek jamawat thi, aur uske peeche Raunak Bai ka jala hua chehra saaf dikh raha tha, uski khokhli aankhein ghoor rahi thin, jaise woh ab bhi tasveer mein zinda ho. Poore hall mein sannata chha gaya. Sabki aankhon mein hairani aur darr tha, unke chehre safed pad chuke the, aur kuch log toh kaanp rahe the.

Ritika ne apni baat jaari rakhi, uski awaaz aur tez ho gayi, ab usmein aur bhi confidence tha, uski awaaz pure hall mein goonj rahi thi: "Humne Maulvi Irfan sahab se contact kiya hai. Woh kal subah tak yahan pahunchenge. Hum is aatma ko shanti dilane ki koshish karenge. Aur main waada karti hoon, main Kabir ko insaaf dilakar rahungi, chahe Raunak Bai ki aatma kitni bhi takatwar kyun na ho."

Press conference khatam hui, par uske baad ki halchal shuru ho gayi thi. TV channels par yahi khabar chal rahi thi, breaking news ki pattiyaan chal rahi thin, aur har news channel par yahi khabar thi. Social media par log Raunak Bai aur haveli ke baare mein discuss kar rahe the. Hashtags ban rahe the, theories di ja rahi thin, har koi apni alag kahani bana raha tha. Kuch log darr rahe the, kuch mazak bana rahe the, par ek baat pakki thi – Rampur ki haveli ab sirf ek purani haveli nahi thi. Woh ek pretwaadhit jagah ban chuki thi, jahan Raunak Bai ka saaya ab bhi ghoom raha tha, ek naye shikaar ki talaash mein. Aur Ritika, ab us shraap ka agla nishan thi, bina yeh jane ki uski zindagi kitni badal chuki thi aur uske saamne kitni badi chunauti thi.

Agli subah, suraj nikalne se pehle hi, jab aasmaan mein bas halki si surkh laali phail rahi thi, ek purani, khaas taur par sajai hui ambassador car Ramnagar police chowki ke saamne aakar rukti hai. Uski body par ajeeb se naqsh-o-nigar bane the, jo purani arbi aur farsi lipiyon se milte-julte the, aur un par chandi ke tarah ke kaam the. Car ka driver ek lambe, duble-patle, aur gehri aankhon wala aadmi tha, jiski chhati tak lambi safed daadhi thi, uske chehre par shanti ka bhaav tha. Usne ek safed kurta-pyjama pehna tha aur uske sar par hara rang ka topi tha, jismein bhi kuch anokhe symbols bane the. Uski aankhon mein ek ajeeb si shanti aur gehrai thi, jaise usne zindagi ke kai raaz dekh liye hon, aur use har sawal ka jawab pata ho. Yeh the Maulvi Irfan. Unke aane se hawa mein ek ajeeb si, purani kitaabon aur lobaan ki mehak ghul gayi thi.

Ritika, jo raat bhar so nahi paayi thi aur uski aankhein laal thin, unka intezaar kar rahi thi. Usne uthkar Maulvi sahab ka swagat kiya, uske chehre par ab ek ummeed thi. Maulvi Irfan ne apni nazar Ritika ki aankhon mein daali, aur unhe dekhte hi samajh gaye ki Ritika ne kya dekha hai, unhone Ritika ke andar ka darr aur uski himmat dono ko pehchan liya. Unke chehre par halki si muskaan aayi, par usmein dard bhi tha, jaise woh Ritika ke dard ko mehsoos kar rahe hon.

"Assalamu Alaikum, Bitiya Ritika. Aapki takleef main samajh sakta hoon. Yeh koi aam rooh nahi hai, yeh ek dardnak aur shraapit aatma hai, jise sirf mukti chahiye, aur jo apne dard se doosron ko bhi peeda de rahi hai." Maulvi Irfan ki awaaz dheemi thi, par usmein ek gehra vishwas tha, jaise unke har shabd mein shakti ho.

Unke haath mein ek purani, moti, chamde se bandhi kitaab thi, jiske pages peele pad chuke the aur usmein se purani, sookhi jadi-bootiyon ki mehak aa rahi thi, jaise woh kitaab khud hi ek jadu se bhari ho. Kitaab par ajeeb symbols bane the, jo Ritika ne pehle kabhi nahi dekhe the, unko dekh kar hi ek anjaani si shanti mehsoos ho rahi thi. "Yeh kitaab," Maulvi Irfan ne kaha, "Mere buzurgon ki dharohar hai. Ismein har us taaqat ka zikr hai, jo humari duniya se pare hai, aur unse ladne ke tareeqe bhi. Ismein sirf likhe hue shabad nahi hain, yeh khud ek jeevit shakti hai."

Unhein andar le jaya gaya, jahan Sameer ab bhi behosh tha, uski saansein dheemi chal rahi thin. Maulvi Irfan ne Sameer ke maathe par apna haath rakha. Ritika ne dekha, Maulvi sahab ka haath rakhne hi Sameer ke chehre par ek ajeeb si shanti aayi, aur uski saansein aur regular ho gayi thin, jaise uske andar ki bechaini kam ho gayi ho. Unhone kuch dheeme-dheeme, adrishya alfazon mein padhna shuru kiya, unki awaaz mein ek gehra ehsaas tha, jo kamre mein goonj raha tha, aur ek ajeeb sa mahol bana raha tha.

"Is par us aatma ka saya hai, par abhi poori tarah se nahi. Humare paas waqt kam hai. Humein us haveli mein jaana hoga, aur us aatma ko shanti dilani hogi, uske pehle ki woh kisi aur ko apna shikaar banaye. Aur sabse pehle, humein uske dard ko samajhna hoga, uski kahani ko jaan'na hoga, tabhi hum use mukti dila payenge."

Ritika ne unki baat maan li, uske paas koi aur option nahi tha, uski nazaron mein ab ek naya vishwas tha. Usne police chowki ke kuch vishwasniya officers ko ikattha kiya, jinke chehron par ab bhi darr aur ashanka thi, par unhone Ritika ke bharose par saath dena chaha, unki aankhon mein bhi ek anjaani si himmat dikh rahi thi. Unhone apne hathiyaron ko check kiya, unki nazrein Maulvi Irfan par thin, jaise woh unse hi saara jawab chahte hon, aur unki har baat ko sunna chahte hon.

Raat phir se apni bahein faila rahi thi. Aasmaan mein ghane baadal chha gaye the, aur hawa mein ek naya darr ghul gaya tha, jaise woh Raunak Bai ki saans ho. Rampur ki haveli ek baar phir Ritika aur Maulvi Irfan ka intezaar kar rahi thi. Aur is baar, unke paas sirf himmat hi nahi thi, balki Maulvi Irfan ki purani kitaab aur unke mantra bhi the, jo unhe ek naya raasta dikha rahe the, aur ek nayi ladai ki taraf le ja rahe the.

Ghumti parchhaiyan, thandi saansein lein,
Kaanp uthegi rooh, jab raaz khulenge.
Woh baithegi takht par, khoon ki pyasi,
Raat ke sannate mein, suno, uski hansi.
 
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