Dharavi ki tang galiyan hamesha ki tarah zinda thi. Beech sadak par ek cycle wala apni dukaan band kar raha tha, chai ki tapri par kuch log ab bhi guftagu mein lage the. Halke peele bulb ki roshni in galiyon ko ek ajeeb si shakal de rahi thi.
Beech gali ek aadmi tezi se bhaag raha tha. Pasine se tar, saans phuli hui. Uske kapde gande ho chuke the, jaise kahin girne ke baad uthne ka bhi waqt na mila ho. Har kadam ke saath uska dar badhta ja raha tha.
"Ruk ja!"
Peechhe se ek dum bhari, karrakti awaaz aayi. Inspector Vikram Rathod—full uniform mein, raftaar ka istemal kar rahe the. Samne bhaagta hua aadmi ek bade drug smuggling racket se juda tha. Aaj ki raid me bach kar bhaag gaya, par Inspector usse yun hi jaane nahi de sakta tha.
Smuggler ek patli si gali me ghus gaya, jaha do house ke beech sirf ek aadmi jitni jagah thi. Wo apni patli kamar ka faayda uthate hue aage nikal gaya. Vikram ek second ko ruka bhi nahi. Seedha ek dukaan ke counter par pair rakha, ek jhatke me upar chadh gaya aur chhajje se latak ke usne shortcut le liya.
Samne ek chauraha aaya.
Smuggler ek second ke liye ruka. Left ya right? Kaun si side surakshit hai? Uske paas bas ek pal ka waqt tha. Usne bina soche left wali gali le li.
Vikram bhi bina rukhe uske peeche bhaaga. Saans tez ho chuki thi. Chauraha pass aaya, aur jaise hi usne turn liya, samne busy road chamak uthi.
Ek pal… bas ek pal ke liye Vikram ki aankhon ke saamne sab kuch dheere ho gaya. Smuggler road par pahucha hi tha ki ek tez raftaar se aati gaadi ne use zordaar takkar maari. Ek tez chhataak ki aawaz, hawa me uchalta hua sharir, aur fir ek bhayanak sannata.
Vikram ke saamne drug syndicate ka ek mahatvapurn suraag hawa me udd gaya. Haath aate hi fisal gaya..
Vikram ki saanse tez ho rahi thi, Uske samne sab kuch dhundhla hone laga, jaise dimag aur shareer dono ek saath jhatka kha rahe ho.
Aankhein ek jhatke me khul gayi, saara badan pasine se bheega hua tha. Ek pal ke liye sab kuch dhundhla sa laga.
Usne haath badhakar side table se apna phone uthaya, subah ke 6:45 ho rahe the. Usne ek gehri saans bhari aur bistar se uth gaya.
Bina waqt gawaye, wo seedha bathroom me ghusa. Thande paani ki dhaar uske chehre se takrai, Kuch hi der me wo office ke liye tayyar ho chuka tha.
Vikram ek IT company me senior developer tha. Saal ka aakhri mahina chal raha tha. Sabhi employees apni yearly reports submit karne me lage the, kisi ko appraisal ki chinta thi, toh koi bas workload khatam karke naya saal shanti se start karna chahta tha.
Vikram ke record ache rahe the. performance, teamwork sab kuch top notch. Uska promotion lagbhag pakka tha, bas ek official announcement ka intezaar tha.
Wo apni desk par baitha code me dooba hua tha ki tabhi Ajay, uska colleague uske paas aaya.
Vikram, yaar ek issue me phas gaya hoon. Teri help chahiye? Ajay ne thodi bechaini se kaha.
Vikram uski taraf dekha. Workload zyada tha, par help karna uski fitrat me tha.
Vikram: Bol, kya dikkat hai?
Ajay: Yaar, ye code me issue aa raha hai. Payment process hi nahi ho raha. Bahot try kiya, ek baar tu nazar daal de. Shayad tujhe kuch samajh aa jaye toh mera beda paar ho jaye.
Vikram: Ok, baith. Saath me dekhte hain
Ajay ne ek pal socha, fir bola, Yaar, tu dekhna start kar. Main zara bathroom se ho aata hoon.
Vikram code review karne laga.
Is taraf Ajay cafeteria ki taraf gaya, jahan unki HR, Mitali, apni coffee le rahi thi.
Hey, happy birthday! Ajay ne muskurate hue kaha.
Thank you so much, AJ! Mitali ne coffee sip karte hue reply diya. Kaisa chal raha hai?
Badhiya, apna kya tension hai? Aapki dua jo hamare saath hai, Ajay ne aankh maarte hue kaha.
Hamesha! Mitali hansi.
Waise, meeting ke baad tumhare liye ek surprise hai. Jaana Mat!" Ajay ne teasing karte huve kaha.
Mitali: Oh really? Interesting!
Is taraf Vikram ab bhi code me laga hua tha. Kuch hi der me usko bug mil gaya, aur usne uska solution bhi nikal diya. Code test bhi ho chuka tha.
Tabhi Ajay wapas aaya.
Sorry, yaar! Thoda pressure zyada ho gaya tha, Ajay ne haath jodte hue kaha. Mila kuch?
Vikram: Haan, mil gaya. Aur solve bhi ho gaya. Mene test kar liya hai, tu bhi ek baar check kar le.
Ajay: Arre, tune test kiya matlab paka kaam karega. Chal, meeting hai 30 minutes me..
Vikram: Haan, main bhi apna kaam complete karta hoon.
Vikram apne task mein poori tarah dooba hua tha. Server ka load achanak se spike kar jaata. Kuch toh gadbad thi.
Usne turant server ke terminal mein login kiya aur logs check karne laga. Jitna wo dekh raha tha, utna hi confusion badhta ja raha tha. Tabhi uski nazar ek specific path par padhi,ek aise folder mein kuch ajeeb si files thi jo waha honi nahi chahiye thi.
Vikram ke dimag mein turant khayal aaya, kahi server pe malware toh nahi? Wo aur deeply investigate karne hi ja raha tha ki tabhi Riya aur Sashank uske paas aa gaye. Sashank uska bachpan ka dost tha, aur Riya ko wo issi company me mila tha aur tino me gehari bonding ho gayi thi.
Riya: Chal Vikram, meeting ka time ho gaya hai.
Sashank: Haan yaar, baad mein dekh lena, abhi chal.
Vikram: Haan, wo server load issue dekh raha hu…
Riya: But, meeting ka time ho gaya hai. Chalna padega...
Sashank: Chhod na yaar, hacker tu baad mein pakad lena... pehle apna increment to discuss kar le.
Teeon jaise hi meeting room ke darwaze se andar ghuste hain, Table ke us paar Mitali baithi hoti hai, arms folded, aankhon mein wohi purani expectation ke sath. Unhe dekhte hi uska chehra aur thoda sakht ho jaata hai.
Usne sir dheere se is andaaz mein hilaaya jaise keh rahi ho "Of course… tum log hi bache the late aane ke liye."
Fir bina kuch bole, usne apne notes palatne shuru kar diye, jaise unka aana uski expectation ke bilkul mutabiq tha.
Meeting room ka mahaul thoda tense hai. Projector on hai, aur screen par Annual Review, Performance & Appraisal Meet ka slide dikh raha hai.
Mitali ne ek baar sab par nazar daali.
Mitali: Hello, everyone. I hope you’re all aware why we’re here today.
Ek chhoti si rukavat hoti hai, jaise wo sabke expressions padh rahi ho.
Mitali: This is the final performance review meet before year-end appraisals. Jo bhi discussions aaj honge, wo aapke promotions, hikes, aur upcoming responsibilities ko directly impact karenge.
She clicks to the next slide: "Employee", "Rating", "Remarks".
Mitali: I’m expecting transparency, accountability, and maturity during this meeting. And I do hope… sabne apne respective team reports time pe submit kiye honge.
Mitali: let’s begin with the reviews.
Mitali: Priya — kaafi consistent thi tumhari performance. Team ke saath coordination bhi achha tha. Good work.
Priya: Thank you, ma’am.
Mitali: Rakesh — quality sahi thi, but deadlines baar-baar miss hui hain. Time management pe kaam karo.
Rakesh: Yes ma’am.
Mitali dheere-dheere baki employees ki bhi report deti hai aur unke performance ke hisab se discussed increament/promotion ki details bhi deti rehti hai. Tabhi wo Vikram ka naam leti hai, Vikram ka naam aate hi sabko laga tha ki aaj Vikram bada promotion pane wala hai. Kyoki uske helping nature and clean work ki vajah se uske most of client khus the.
Mitali: Vikram, Late submissions, missed deadlines, aur incomplete reports... yeh sab acceptable nahi hai, Vikram.
Vikram: Ma’am, main actually... Logo ke bug fix karne me help krta hu, critical issues toh
Mitali: Main justification nahi sunna chahti. Tumhare tasks tumhari zimmedaari hain. Dusron ki madad karna tabhi theek hai jab tum apna kaam time pe complete kar rahe ho.
Room ekdum silent. Sab shock mein. Vikram chup-chaap baith jaata hai. Aankhon mein narazgi aur confusion dono. Log ek dusre ko dekhte hain, yeh feedback Vikram ke liye? Really?
Fir Mitali Ajay ke naam pe slide stop karti hai, aur uski taraf dekhti hai
Mitali: Ajay, Throughout the year tumhari performance kaafi strong rahi. Har project mein timely delivery, debugging mein sharp observation, aur proactive behavior... I’m impressed.
Ajay: Thank you, ma’am.
Mitali: Leadership qualities dikhayi tumne. Isliye, next month se tum backend team ke team lead ban rahe ho. Congratulations.
Ajay ka naam sunke sab shock ho gaye the, aur usse bhi zyada uski promotion news se.
Jo insaan aksar Vikram se help le le kar apna kaam complete karta tha, aaj woh team lead ban gaya tha.
Mitali: So this is end, now let's back to work
Mitali (Vikram ki aur dekte huve tont marti hai):
Agar sirf helping hand banna hai toh theek hai...
Lekin agar sach mein aage badhna hai, toh pehle apna kaam time pe khatam karna seekho.
Room me sannata chhaa jaata hai. Vikram uski aankhon mein dekhta hai, lekin kuch nahi kehta.
Ajay (room ke mood ko thoda light krte huve):
Waise aaj ek aur special cheez hai... Happy Birthday, ma’am!
Sab thoda cheer up karte hain, Rakesh cake le aata hai, aur sab "Happy Birthday to you..." gaane lagte hain. Lekin Vikram chup-chaap uth jaata hai.
Uska chehra utara huva hai. Wo ek baar meeting room ke darwaze ki taraf dekhta hai, fir bina kuch bole nikal jaata hai.
Riya: Vikram...
Sashank: Abe ruk na...!
Woh dono bhi uske peeche nikal jaate hain.
Sashank: Ye to galat hua, bhai. Tujhe aise sabke saamne ignore kar diya... complaint karte hain!
Riya: Sahi mein, ye bilkul unfair tha Vikram.
Vikram (thandi awaaz mein, aankhon mein dard chhupa ke): Chhodo yaar… bad luck tha mera. Tum dono jao, wish kar do warna Mitali tumpe bhi target rakhegi.
Main ghar jaa raha hoon… thoda tabiyat bhi theek nahi lag rahi.
Woh un dono ko dekhe bina seedha chala jaata hai, apne desk ki taraf. Riya aur Sashank peeche se usse dekhte hain, lekin kuch keh nahi paate.
Ek baar screen ki taraf dekhta hai, jaise uss din ke har moment ko yaad rakhna chahta ho.
Vikram apne system me ek chhoti si mail likhta hai: "Subject: Sick Leave - Feeling unwell, heading home early today."
Phir ek baar screen ki taraf dekhta hai — jaise uss pal ko dimaag me hamesha ke liye record kar raha ho.
Uske baad laptop band karta hai, bag me daalta hai, aur bina kisi se kuch kahe, office ke darwaze ki taraf badh jaata hai.
Dusri taraf, meeting room me cake cutting shuru ho chuka hai. Mitali muskurati hai, cake kaat ke sabko khilati hai. Thodi der masti aur casual jokes ke baad sab log apne-apne desks ki taraf wapas chale jaate hain.
Mitali apne desk par aati hai. Laptop unlock karke email client open karti hai. Mails scroll karte karte uski nazar Vikram ke sick leave mail par padti hai. Subject padte hi uska chehra thoda tight ho jaata hai.
Mitali (sarcastic tone mein): Aaj bhi… sick leave ka excuse deke chala gaya. How convenient.
Mitali ne mouse uthaya aur woh tab khola jahan usne kaam chhoda tha — Quarterly Financials Review.
Screen par ek spreadsheet khuli thi, jisme columns mein Client Name, Billing Amount, aur Invoice Date likhe the.
Usne casually coffee ka ek sip liya, par tabhi uski nazar ek naam par jaake ruk gayi —
“Alentra Holdings – ₹12,60,000 – December 4”
Uske chehre pe halki si confusion dikhayi dene lagi.
"Wait... yeh client toh September mein offboard ho chuka tha..." usne dheere se kaha.
Turant usne internal tracker khola — wo file jisme HR aur client offboarding ke timelines store the.
Scroll karte hue confirmation mil gaya, Alentra Holdings: Offboarded - 17 September.
Mitali ne aankhon ko thoda sikoda. Kuch toh gadbad thi.
Back button press karte hue woh slowly Shared Finance Folder ke andar gayi.
Wahan ek aur file thi, unusual naming thi, jise dekhte hi usne double click kiya.
Par screen pe ek pop-up flash hua: Access Denied!!.
Mitali thoda puzzled si ho gayi. Cursor ek jagah ruk gaya. Uske mann mein sawal uthne lage the, par tabhi…
Uska phone ring karne laga. Woh halki si hansi ke saath call uthati hai.
Mitali: Hello? Hahaha… Thank you so much!
Mitali: Haan, bas office se nikal hi rahi hoon. Thoda kaam complete kar ke aa rahi hoon… Tum sab club pahucho, main bas nikalti hoon.
Mitali ne apna laptop bag mein rakha, cabin ki lights band ki aur elevator ki taraf chal padhi. Parking me usne apni white Hyundai i20 ka remote dabaya. Beech wali line mein khadi car ki lights blink hui aur lock khulne ki awaaz aayi. Car ke paas jaake Mitali baithi, ignition on kiya, aur headlights jalte hi saamne ki diwar roshan ho gayi.
Uske thoda peeche, ek black Skoda Octavia khadi thi. Number plate clear nahi thi, jaise kisi ne jaan bujh kar chhupa rakha ho. Windshield ke through ek aadmi dikh raha tha, black cap pehni thi aur dark sunglasses. Bas chupchaap baitha tha.
Mitali ne gear change kiya aur exit gate ki taraf gaadi badhai. Black car bhi dheere se piche chali, na zyada paas, na zyada door. Bilkul aise jaise koi chupke-chupke peecha kar rahi ho.
Idhar Vikram, apne kamre me halke andhere mein sirf laptop ki screen ke light mein baitha tha. Uski aankhen thak gayi thi, par uski nazar server logs pe tiki hui thi. Wahi old secure folder jisme kuch unknown files thi wo unko ek ek karke check kar raha tha.
Log me bar bar ek hi coordinate dikh raha tha… par woh samajh nahi paa raha tha ki ye coordinate kis file ya kis code se log me print ho rahi hai.
Tabhi Vikram ke kaan me ek awaaz goonj rahi thi… Usi waqt ki yaad… jab Mitali ne usse meeting ke waqt kaha tha:
"Agar sirf helping hand banna hai toh theek hai...”
Thak kar, haar kar… Vikram ne laptop ka lid band kiya aur chair se dheere se uth gaya. Kadam kheenchte hue kitchen tak gaya, jaise uske pure sarir ka weight uske pairon tak aa gaya ho.
Fridge khola, ek purani whiskey ki botal nikali.
Hathon mein thodi kampan thi, lekin usne bina soch samjhe ek bada peg banaya.
Glass uthaya… ek pal ke liye aankhen band ki… aur pura ghoot ek saans me gale se utar gaya.
Uske kaanon me ab bhi Mitali ki awaaz goonj rahi thi..
Vikram ne aankhon ke kone se paani pochha, Phir bina rukhe dusra peg banaya,Is baar aur tez, aur usi tezi se andar utar gaya. Khaali glass table pe rakha… Aur usne khud se ek shabd bhi nahi kaha, Sirf us khamoshi mein Mitali ki awaaz ab aur tez lag rahi thi… Vikram kuch der wahi chupchaap khada raha, Jaise andar andar hi lad raha ho, Phir dheere-dheere bedroom ki taraf badha. Aur bina kapde badle, Sidha bed par gir pada. Uske saans thodi bhaari thi, Aankhen band ho rahi thi… Par Mitali ki wo line, Ab bhi uske zehan mein chal rahi thi, baar baar. Tabhi uske ghar ki doorbell baj uthati hai, koy bar bar uske door bell baja raha tha. Par vikram hai ki uthne ka naam hi nahi le raha tha.
DARK ANGEL CLUB se Mitali raat ke 12 baje nikalti hai, nashe ki halki si halat mein. Uski chal thodi dheemi thi, lekin usne apne aap ko sambhal liya. Parking lot mein apni car ko dhundhti hai, car ko unlock kar beth jati hai aur dheere dheere apne ghar ki taraf nikal gayi.
Club se ghar tak ka safar 20-30 minutes ka tha, lekin iss raat usse kuch zyada hi lamba lag raha tha. Parking mein car park karke, wo Sky Hills Apartment ki lift ki taraf badhi. Apna house ke door tak pahuchati hai aur unlock karti hai, door ko khola aur andar chali gayi.
Ghar ki lights off thi, andar ka mahaul khamoshi aur andhere se bhara hua tha. Haath ke zariye wo switchboard dhoondh hai. Switch on karte hi, ek bright light se room roshan ho gaya, lekin tabhi usne feel huva ke peeche koi khada hai.
Mitali ne piche mud kar dekha, aur jaise hi uski nazar uss aadmi par padi, uske lips se bas ek lafz nikla: "Tum... yahan?!"
Woh bas itna hi keh paayi thi ki achanak us aadmi ne uska gala zor se pakad liya, aur ek jhatke mein use andar dhakel diya.
Mitali ka chehra laal padne laga. Usne apne haathon se us aadmi ko dhakka dene ki koshish ki, mukke maare, par woh jaise pathar ho, bilkul bhi nahi hila.
Uski saanse ab tutne lagi thi. Har pal uske liye ek intezaar ban gaya. ya toh koi bacha le... ya sab khatam ho jaye.
Lekin tabhi... us aadmi ne gala chhod diya. Mitali ne jhat se lambi saans li, jese zindagi ek pal ke liye laut aayi ho. Par agla pal usse bhi zyada bhayanak tha.
Us aadmi ne ek bada chaku nikala, aur bina kuch kahe... sidha Mitali ke pait me ghusa diya.
Mitali ki aankhen fati ki fati reh gayi. Dard ne uske jism ko jhanjhor diya. Chaku waise hi uske andar chhoda diya, aur wo aadmi chup-chaap paas wale sofe par jaake baith gaya, jaise koi thak gaya ho.
Mitali, dard se karahate hue, sofe ke sahare piche jhuk gayi. Uski saanse abhi chal rahi thi, par kamzor ho gayi thi. Us aadmi ne chaku ka handle pakda, aur dheere se ghumaya.
Mitali ke jism mein ek tez bijli jaise dard ki lehar daudi. Uske lips se cheekh nikalne hi wali thi, par us aadmi ne uska muh apne haath se kas ke band kar diya.
Cheekh dab gayi. Aankhon se aansu ki dhaar behne lagi. Aur sirf kuch pal baad, un aankhon ki roshni dheere dheere bujh gayi.
Subah ke 7 baje the. Vinod Bakshi apne flat se nikal kar daily walk ke liye jaise hi seedhiyon ki taraf bade, unki nazar Mitali ke flat ke khule darwaze par padi.
Ek pal ke liye wo ruke.
Darwaza aadha khula tha.
Yeh unke liye ajeeb tha, Mitali ko wo achhi tarah jaante the. Unki beti ki college friend thi, shareef aur sambhal ke rehne wali ladki.
Unhone socha shayad bhool se reh gaya ho, isliye darwaze tak jaake awaaz lagayi:
"Beta Mitali...? Sab theek hai?"
Koi jawab nahi. Andar andhera tha… lekin sofe ke pass kuch dikh raha tha.
Unhone darwaza halka aur khola… Aur jo nazara saamne tha, unki saanson ko jakad gaya.
Khoon... chaku... aur Mitali...
Wo bas ek tasveer ki tarah jam gaye. Unki aankhon ne woh kabhi socha bhi nahi tha.
Pair kaapne lage, saanseh phul gayi. Wo hichkichate hue piche hate, fir lapak kar apne flat me daud gaye.
Kapte haathon se unhone landline ka receiver uthaya, aur 100 dial kiya. Phone milte hi dusri taraf se awaz aayi:
"Hello, Police Control Room. How can I help you?"
Vinod ki awaaz kaanp rahi thi, lekin wo jitna sambhal sake utna bolne ki koshish ki:
"H..Hello… main Vinod Bakshi bol raha hoon… Sky Hills Apartments, Tower B… flat number 402 ke saamne... ek… ladki… uska naam Mitali hai… woh…"
"Uska darwaza khula tha… maine dekha... woh... khoon mein lipti hui thi… chaku... uske..."
Dusri taraf se turant professional awaz mein jawab aaya:
"Sir, please calm down. We’re dispatching a team right away. Don’t touch anything, don’t enter the flat again. Stay where you are."
Vinod ne receiver rakh diya.
Kuch hi der mein, Sky Hills apartment ke neeche ek police jeep rukti hai.
Jeep ka darwaza khulta hai, aur Vikram neeche utarta hai. Uske peechhe do constables bhi nikalte hain.
Vikram: Forensic team ko inform kiya?
Ramesh: Ji sir, bas 5-10 minute mein pahuch jaayegi.
Vikram: Thik hai, tab tak chalo—dekhte hain andar kya hai.
Teeno lift ki taraf badhte hain. Elevator ke andar ek pal ke liye khamoshi chhayi rehti hai, sirf lift ke numbers ki beep sunai deti hai.
Jaise hi woh floor par pahuchte hain, corridor mein logon ki bheed lagi hoti hai.
Vikram ek nazar mein sab kuch assess karta hai, fir zor se kehta hai: Constable, sabko thoda piche karo!
Log halki si ghabrahat mein ek taraf hatt jaate hain.
Vikram: Vinodji kaun hain yahan?
Vinod: Jee... main hoon.
Vikram: Hello, my name is Vikram.
Vinodji, ab bhi halke shock mein the, Vikram ke saath chalte hain. Dono Mitali ke flat ke khule darwaze ki taraf badhte hain..
Vikram ne darwaze ke paas kadam rok liya. Usne haath se Vinod ko ek taraf rok diya. “Yahin rukhiye.”
Vikram ne ek nazar flat ke entrance pe daali. Door ka lock pe koi visible damage nahi tha. “Ya toh darwaza kisi apne ne khola, ya bina jaddo-jehad ke andar ghusa gaya,” usne mann hi mann socha..
Usne apne gloves pehne, Vikram ne andar kadam rakha. Lights on thi. Room mein ek ajeeb si sannata tha. Sofa ke pass zameen par khoon ke laal dhabbe the, Fir uska nazar gayi uss side mein jahan Mitali ki body sofa se lag kar niche pada hua tha. Ek pal ke liye sab kuch slow ho gaya. Uske pair khud-ba-khud ruk gaye.
Ramesh! Usne peechhe se constable ko bulaya. Body untouched rahe jab tak forensic na aaye. Flat ko seal karo. Aur Vinod ji ka statement lo, woh sabse pehle yahan aaye the.
Mitali ke body ke paas jakar ek baar fir observe karne laga, Chaku ab bhi body mein tha. Position unusual thi. Blood ka flow ek taraf concentrate tha. Struggle marks clear the, mostly sofa ke paas. Vikram niche jhuka, aankhon se har angle ko absorb karta jaa raha. Har chhoti detail ek puzzle ka tukda ban rahi thi.
Tabhi Vikram ek jhatke se hafta hua nind se jaag gaya. Saans phooli hui thi, pasine se bheeg gaya tha. Dil zor zor se dhadak raha tha.
Phone ka ringtone lagataar baj raha tha.
"Hell… kya khaufnaak sapna tha," usne apne aap se kaha.
Phone firse ring hua. Screen par naam flash ho raha tha—Sashank.
Usne phone uthaya, thoda chidhte hue bola,
Vikram: "Ha bhai! Kya hai? Subah subah neend kyun bigad raha hai?"
Doosri taraf se kuch pal ke liye sirf khamoshi thi. Fir Sashank ki awaaz aayi—halki kaanpti hui, ghabrahat se bhari.
Sashank: "Bhai… woh… Mitali ka murder ho gaya hai."
Vikram ki aankhen ekdam fail gayi. Ek pal ke liye to usse laga kuch galat sun liya hai. Saans andar atak gayi thi.
Vikram: "Kya?! Kya bola tune? Murder?! Kab? Kaise?!"
Vikram: "Tujhe kisne bola ki woh Mitali hi thi?!"
Sashank: "Woh... Ajay ka call aaya tha..."
Ek pal ke liye dono taraf sannata chhaya raha.
Vikram: "Theek hai... main rakhta hoon."
Sashank: "Okay..."
Vikram ne phone neeche rakha, Wo seedha bed par jaake, Peeth deewar se laga di, aur aankhen chhat ki taraf. Dimagi halat usse sambhali nahi ja rahi thi.
Uss sapne ka scene, Mitali ki laash... sab kuch ek ek frame jaise uske dimaag mein repeat ho raha tha. Karib 20 minute tak woh wahi ka wahi baitha raha... ekdum chup... aankhon mein ajeeb si uljhan, aur dil mein ek anjaana sa bhaar. Jaise uske dimaag ne sochna samajhna hi chod diya ho.
Wo ek gehri saans leta hai, apne aap ko sambhalne ki koshish karta hai. Dheere se uthta hai, aur bina kuch soche bathroom ki taraf badh jata hai.
Pani ke neeche khada rehta hai kuch der tak... thande pani ki boonde uske chehre par girti hain. Kapdon ka dhyan diye bina jaldi se ready hota hai
Aaj office pahuchne mein use takriban ek ghanta lag gaya tha, jabki aam taur par wo 30-40 minute mein pahunch jata tha. Gaadi chalate waqt bhi uska dhyaan kabhi sapne ki tasveeron mein chala jata tha.
Traffic ke horn, logon ki cheekh-pukar-sab kuch background noise jaisa lag raha tha. Jaise duniya chal rahi ho, par Vikram uss flow ka hissa nahi tha.
Jese hi Vikram office pahucha, uske samne police dikhe. Kuch policewale logon se poochtaach kar rahe the, aur kuch logon ko alag se ek-ek karke Chembur ne bulaya ja raha tha.
Vikram ka mann aur zyada bechain ho gaya. Kuch hi der me ek constable ne uska naam pukara.
“Vikram?”
"Yes," Vikram ne halki awaz me jawab diya.
Usse ek room me le jaya gaya, jahan ek police officer pehle se maujood tha. Officer ne ek file band karte hue sir uthaya.
Police Officer: "Hello, my name is Shrinivas, Crime Branch se."
Vikram: "Hello, my name is Vikram..."
Shrinivas ne seedhe point par aate hue pucha,
Shrinivas: "Tumhe shayad pata chal gaya hoga... tumhari HR Mitali ka murder hua hai. Kya mujhe bata sakte ho, kal raat tum kahan the?"
Vikram: Main apne ghar par tha. Kal meri tabiyat kuch theek nahi thi, to main office se jaldi chala gaya tha.
Shrinivas: Koi gawah? Jo is baat ko confirm kar sake?
Vikram: Nahi... main akela rehta hoon.
Shrinivas kuch seconds ke liye Vikram ki aankhon me dekhta raha, jaise kuch samajhne ki koshish kar raha ho.
Shrinivas: Kya kabhi tumhara Mitali ke saath jhagda hua tha?
Vikram: Nahi... kabhi nahi.
Shrinivas kuch likhta hai apni notebook me.
Shrinivas: Theek hai, tum ja sakte ho.
Vikram chup-chap uth kar room se nikal jata hai. Uske kadam bhaari ho gaye the, Shrinivas usse door jaate dekhte hue kuch sochta hai.
Vikram ke baad, Ajay ko andar bulaya jaata hai.
Ajay kaafi confident tha.
Shrinivas: Kal raat tum kahan the?
Ajay: Main apni girlfriend ke saath tha sir.
Shrinivas: Tum mujhe unka contact de sakte ho?
Ajay turant apni girlfriend ka number deta hai. Shrinivas usse call karta hai, aur kuch basic sawalon ke baad confirm ho jaata hai ki Ajay sach bol raha tha.
Shrinivas: Kya tum kuch bata sakte ho? Kya kisi ka Mitali ke saath jagda hua tha?
Ajay thoda sa hichkichata hai, fir kehta hai:
Ajay: Haan sir... kal ek meeting ke dauraan, Mitali ne Vikram ko sabke samne daanta tha. Thoda zyada harsh tha. Vikram uske baad bahut gusse me tha... aur bina kuch bole ghar chala gaya tha.
Shrinivas likhta hai notes me.
Shrinivas: Hmm. Theek hai, tum ja sakte ho.
Ajay nikal jaata hai.
Kuch hi der me Sashank ko bulaya jata hai.
Shrinivas: Tumhara naam?
Sashank: Sashank.
Shrinivas: Kal raat kahan the?
Sashank: Main apne room par tha, sir.
Shrinivas: Koi gawah?
Sashank: Nahi…
Shrinivas note kar leta hai.
Shrinivas: Kya tumne kuch dekha ya suna? Mitali ke kisi ke saath tension?
Sashank: Nahi…
Shrinivas: Par Ajay kal ke bare me to kuch aur hi bata raha tha, Mitali aur Vikram..
Sashank: Sir, Vikram sant aur helping nature ka insaan hai, wo kisi se kya hi jagada kar sakta hai.
Sashank: Aur, wo kal ki koi baat nahi hai sir, performance ke liye use thoda danta gaya tha, usme koy thodi na...
Shrinivas: Theek hai. Tum ja sakte ho.
Sashank nikal jata hai.
Room me ab sirf Shrinivas aur ek constable bacha tha. Shrinivas apni diary band karta hai, aur ek gehri soch me doob jaata hai.
Shrinivas: Ek kaam karo... Sashank aur Vikram dono ke fingerprints le lo. Mera in dono par shak hai.
Constable: "Ji sir."
Constable turant salute karke room se nikal gaya, wo ek chhota digital fingerprint scanner lekar wapas aaya. Pehle Sashank ko bulaya gaya. Sashank ne kuch na bolte hue apne haath scanner par rakhe. Scanner ne ek halki si beep di aur data record ho gaya.
Phir Vikram ko bulaya gaya. Vikram thoda hesitant tha, lekin bina kuch kahe scanner par apni ungliyan rakhi.
Constable fir Shrinivas ke paas jaakar bola: Sir, dono ke fingerprints record ho gaye hain.
Shrinivas ne ek gehri saans li aur diary band karte hue kaha:
Shrinivas: Chalo ab forensic lab chalte hai, ab taq sayad report ban chuki hogi.
Police team office se nikal rahi thi. Shrinivas ke kadam bade the Chalte-chalte, uski nazar baar-baar Vikram aur Sashank par tik rahi thi, na aankhon mein gussa tha, na daya sirf ek thandi, shaqq bhari nazar.
Employees apne monitors ke piche se jhaank rahe the, kuch group me dheere se kuch phusphusa rahe the. Sabke chehre par wahi sawaal likha tha: "Sirf Vikram aur Sashank ke fingerprints kyun liye gaye? Kya Vikram...?"
Vikram ne mahsoos kiya jaise poora office ab uske khilaf gawahi de raha ho. Har aankh usse doshi ke nazar se dekh rahi thi.
Par wo kuch nahi bolta. Sirf apni kursi ke pass khada rehta hai, jaise kisi tufaan ke beech ek akela ped.
Shrinivas sidha forensic lab ki taraf nikal gaya.
Office mein puchtaach aur statements lene mein already 2-3 ghante nikal chuke the.
Waqt barbad karne ka sawal hi nahi tha.
Shrinivas seedha postmortem room ke paas pahucha. Wahan Dr. Anil pehle se hi apne clipboard ke saath busy the. woh hamesha ki tarah..
Shrinivas: Hello, Dr. Saab.
Dr. Anil: Aaye? Itne important case mein bhi late ho rahe ho?
Shrinivas: Arre kya karein, office mein logon ki kahaniyan sunte sunte hi ghante nikal gaye.
Shrinivas: Kuch mila? Kya kahte hain findings?
Dr. Anil (clipboard se notes dekhte hue): Initial findings clear hain, stabbing is the primary cause of death. Murder weapon bhi recover ho gaya hai, ek heavy knife.
Shrinivas: "Fingerprints?"
Dr. Anil: Partial prints mile hain, blood aur sweat ke wajah se smeared hain, lekin usable hain.
Shrinivas: Achha... To ek kaam karo, in dono suspects ke fingerprints se compare kar do.
Dr. Anil: Ok... Lekin poora accurate match aur admissible report banane mein time lagega.
Shrinivas: Preliminary match abhi karo. Full forensic report baad mein complete kar lena. Mujhe jaldi result chahiye, suspects fix karne hain. Upar se drug smuggling racket ka pressure bhi hai.
Dr. Anil: Samajh gaya. Main pehle preliminary comparison kara deta hoon. Report jaisi ready hoti hai, aapko update kar dunga.
Shaam ke 6 baje Shrinivas apne office mein betha tha, kuch purane drug case files dekhte hue. Table ke paas pada hua telephone achanak se baj utha.
Shrinivas ne receiver uthaya: Hello?
Dr. Anil, Hello, fingerprints ka match mil gaya hai. Preliminary report ready hai.
Shrinivas: That's great, usne turant kaha. Which one?
Vikram ka, Dr. Anil ne confirm kiya.
Shrinivas ke honton par ek halki si muskurahat aayi.
That's it. Let's grab him, usne shaant awaaz mein kaha, aur phone rakh diya.
Saat baje ka time tha.
Vikram apni desk pe baitha tha jab usne entrance ke paas kuch movement notice ki. Pura office udhar dekhne laga. Halki halki fufusiyaan hone lagi.
Do uniform pehne police constable andar aaye. Unke saath Shrinivas khud civil dress mein tha.
“Vikram Rathod?" Shrinivas ne thodi tez awaaz mein, jaise pura floor sun sake.
Vikram dheere se khada hua
Shrinivas: Aapko Mitali Sen ke murder ke suspicion mein arrest kiya ja raha hai
Vikram: Mujhe? Par main... main kyun? Main kuch nahi kiya!
Shrinivas: Sab kuch investigation ke baad clear hoga, Abhi ke liye, please cooperate kariye.
Lekin aapko koi galat fehmi hui hai… Vikram ne haath jodte hue kaha, lekin officers aage badh chuke the.
Office mein halki halki chugliyon aur shocked whispers ki lehar daud gayi.
Vikram ka gala sukh gaya. Usne bina resistance ke apne haath aage badhaye. Thandi hathkadio ki click awaz karte hi uski kalaiyon mein band gayi.
Wo log jo kuch din pehle tak Vikram ke saath lunch aur chai pe jokes crack karte the, ab aankh milane se bach rahe the.
Vikram ka gala sukh gaya tha.
Cuffs ki thandi lohe ki chaabi click ki awaaz hui, aur Vikram ke haath aage band gaye.
Jab officers use le ja rahe the, Vikram ne dekha
Uska manager cabin ke glass ke peeche khada tha, arms folded, face bilkul emotionless.
Vikram ko Dharavi police station le jaakar ek lock-up mein band kar diya gaya tha.
Interrogation room mein Inspector Vijay uska intezaar kar raha tha, Jab Vikram ko andar laya gaya, Vijay ne turant interrogation shuru kar diya.
"Vikram, sach batao. Us raat tum Mitali ke ghar kyun gaye the?"
Vikram ki aankhon mein thakan thi: Main kuch nahi jaanta
Vijay ne table par thapp se file patki. "To fir tumhare fingerprints wahan kaise mile?"
Vikram ne aankhon mein aankhon daali, "Mujhe nahi pata... main wahan gaya bhi nahi."
Par Vijay baar baar wahi sawal ghooma raha tha, jaise wo Vikram ke har jawab mein jhooth dhoondh raha ho. Vikram har baar wahi ek hi line dohra raha tha
Raat ke 11 baj chuke the. SubInspector Vijay lagataar Vikram se sawal pe sawal karta raha, lekin Vikram apne ek hi jawab par adamant tha.
Uske alawa usne ek shabd bhi nahi bola. Na kisi sawal ka extra jawab diya, na koi justification. Uska chehra thaka hua tha, aankhon mein neend nahi, bas uljhan thi.
Aakhirkaar, interrogation band kiya gaya aur use wapas lock-up mein le jaakar band kar diya gaya.
Vikram ne kuch khaya tak nahi. Na police ke diye khane ko haath lagaya, na kisi se kuch kaha.
Bas ek glass paani piya aur chhup chaap zameen par jaakar let gaya.
Thandi zameen, suni cell aur andhera, sab kuch uske andar ke haal jaise tha.
Thodi hi der mein uski aankhon mein nami si chhane lagi. Kab uski palkein bhari aur wo neend ke hawaale ho gaya, use khud bhi pata nahi chala.
Inspector Vikram apne cabin mein files dekh raha tha. Tabhi SubInspector Vijay ne knock kiya aur andar aaya.
Vijay (saluting): Sir.
Vikram (bina nazar uthaye): Haan, Vijay. Aao, baitho.
Vijay saamne wali kursi par baith gaya, thoda hesitant sa tha.
Vijay: Sir, ye Vishal kuch bol hi nahi raha. Bas ek hi baat baar-baar keh raha hai – "Main wahan gaya hi nahi... ghar par so raha tha."
Vikram: Hmm... Tumhe kya lagta hai? Kya usne hi murder kiya hai?
Vijay: Sir, lagta to wahi hai. Uske hi fingerprints mile hain murder weapon par. Killer wahi ho sakta hai.
Vikram (ghurte hue): Vijay... kya tumhe sach mein lagta hai ki Vishal itna bewakoof hoga ki apne fingerprints mitana bhool jaaye?
Woh ek software developer hai, logic aur planning uski aadat hai.
(thoda ruk kar)
Vikram: Tumhe nahi lagta hume aur gehra investigation karna chahiye?
Vijay (confused): Sir, par parso to hume use court mein pesh karna hai. Agar aur waqt liya to...?
Vikram: Wahi to... ye sab kuch kuch zyada hi fast-forward nahi ho raha?
Next day, Vikram:Vikram ne reception se poochh kar Suraj ke cabin ka rukh kiya. Darwaza knock karke andar gaya.
Vikram: Hello, Mr. Suraj.
Suraj: Hello sir, how can I help you?
Vikram: "Main Mitali ke baare mein poochhne aaya hoon. Us din jab woh Vishal ke office mein thi, kya woh thodi disturbed lag rahi thi? Vishal ne kuch kaha ya kiya kya?"
Suraj: "Nahi sir, us din to Mitali full happy mood mein thi. Uska birthday bhi tha — humne cake cut kiya tha sabke saath."
Vikram: Hmm... fir?
Suraj: Firr... haan, woh office se thoda early nikal gayi thi — lagbhag aadha ghanta pehle. Keh rahi thi ki apne friends ke saath party karne ja rahi hai."
Vikram: "Kahaan?"
Suraj: Aa... ek minute... haan! Dark Angel Club, naam kuch aisa hi bola tha.
Vikram: Thanks.
Vikram ne bina kuch aur kahe kursi se uth kar cabin chhod diya, jaise uske dimaag mein ab next piece fit ho gaya ho.
Vikram office nikal ta hai, aur bike leke sidha club ki aur chal padta hai, thodi der bad, club ke bahar bike roki. Vikram ne seedha gate ki taraf kadam badhaye.
Gate halka sa khula tha, andar andhera, chairs tables stack mein, ek do cleaner floor mop kar rahe the.
Vikram bina rukhe andar chala gaya. Manager ne use dekh kar approach kiya.
Manager: "Ji sir, club abhi band hai..."
Vikram (photo dikhate huye): "Kya yeh ladki 2 din pehle yahan aayi thi?"
Manager: "Ji sir."
Vikram: "Tumhari yaadashth kaafi tez hai?"
Manager: "Nahi sir, bas us din yahaan thoda hungama ho gaya tha, isliye yaad reh gaya."
Vikram: "Kaisa hungama?"
Manager: "Ek ladka uske sath dance floor pe zyada close ho raha tha."
Vikram: "Tum jaante ho wo ladka kaun tha?"
Manager: "Nahi sir, lekin CCTV footage dikhate hain."
Vikram: "Chalo, dikhao."
Manager use security room le gaya.
Manager: "Raghu, 2 din pehle raat 10:30 ka footage dikhao."
Raghu ne footage play kiya. Footage dekhte dekhte Vikram hi aankhe chamak uthi.
Vikram tez saanse le raha tha, neend se jhatke mein utha. Hawaldar jail ke salli par lathi maar ke bula raha tha.
Do din baad, Vikram ko court mein pesh kiya gaya.
Aaj uske case ki pehli hearing thi. Sabse badi baat yeh thi… Vikram ka case koi vakil lena hi nahi chah raha tha.
Har kisi ko lag raha tha yeh ek "clear cut murder" case hai. Sabke nazar mein Vikram already doshi tha.
Vikram, court ke ek kone mein chup-chaap baitha tha, haathon mein handcuff, aankhon mein thakan, aur mann mein bas ek sawaal Kyu?????
11 baje, Vikram ke case ki sunvai ka waqt ho gaya. Police ne use court ke andar le jaakar kathghare mein khada kar diya.
Vikram ki nazar jaise hi samne padi. Vaha pe samne table par ek vakil baitha tha, aankhen seedha Vikram par tiki hui thi. Woh ghur ghur ke dekh raha tha: VK Sibbal. Mumbai ke mashhoor criminal lawyer. Jinka naam hi aksar case jeetne ki guarantee maana jata tha..
Courtroom mein sabko lag raha tha ki Sibbal is case ko kuch hi time mein nipta dega. Thodi hi der mein judge courtroom mein aaye. Unhone apne chair ki taraf badhte hue nazar sab par daali. Poore hall mein ek ghanaghora sannata chhane laga.
Judge: Court ki proceedings shuru ki jaaye.
Judge: Accused Vikram Rathod ke taraf se koi vakil maujood hai?
Sabki nazar Vikram par jaati hai..
Vikram: Sir… koi bhi mera case lena nahi chahta tha. Agar aap allow kro to me apna paksh me khud rakhna chahunga
Judge: Aapko representation ka pura adhikar hai. Fir Sibbal ki taraf dekhte huve, aap shuruaat kijiye.
Sibbal: Thank you, My Lord. My Lord, hum aaj ek aise case ke liye yahaan ikattha hue hain, jiska sach sabooton ke saath bilkul saaf hai.
Aapke samne khada ye insaan, Vikram Rathod! ek aisa qaatil hai, jiske hathon ne ek nirdosh mahila, Mitali Sen, ki jaan le li. Aur is baat ka sirf andesha nahi... saaf aur spasht saboot bhi hamare paas hai.
(wo case file se ek page nikalte hain)
My Lord, Murder weapon par is vyakti ke fingerprints mile hain. Crime scene par koi tod-phod nahi thi, darwaza bina zabardasti ke khula, iska matlab, victim apne qaatil ko jaanti thi.
Aur sabse badi baat, Murder se sirf kuch ghante pehle, office ki meeting mein, publicly ye vyakti us mahila se jhagad chuka tha.
Aur usi raat, us mahila ka qatl ho gaya.
My Lord, Yeh sirf ek emotional outburst nahi tha, yeh ek planned murder tha. Gussa, ego aur insult ka badla lene ke liye kiya gaya qatl.
Main court se nivedan karta hoon ki is qatil ko judicial custody mein bheja jaye aur trial ke dauraan use bail na di jaaye.
Justice ke liye zaroori hai ki hum in jaise logon ko sabak sikhaye, jo apni har failure ka ilzaam duniya par daalte hain… aur fir ek nirdosh zindagi cheen lete hain.
(Sibbal files band karta hai, aur confident nazar Vikram ki taraf daalta hai.)
Vikram: Sir, pehle toh main aapka dhanyawaad karta hoon ki aapne mujhe apni baat rakhne ka mauka diya.
(Tabhi Vikram ke friends Sashank and Riya aur unhi ke sath Ajay court me aate hai. Aur chup chap baith jate hai. Vikram ek second unki aur dekhta hai.)
Main apne upar lage sabhi aaropon ko nakarta hoon. Haan, yeh baat sach hai ki meri Mitali se thodi bahes hui thi, lekin sir, woh sirf performance review ke dauran ki ek normal disagreement thi. Aisi har jagah hoti hai. Har office mein. Har team mein.
Woh baat kisi bhi angle se ek qatl ki wajah nahi ho sakti. Aur sabse zaroori baat, main us raat ghar par tha. Main kisi ke ghar nahi gaya. Kisi ko haath tak nahi lagaya.
Sibbal: My Lord, jo aap abhi sun rahe hain, woh ek shatir dimag ka rehearsed dialogue hai. Ek manasik roop se taiyaar ki gayi speech, jiska sach se koi lena dena nahi.
My Lord, agar performance review har jagah hoti hai… to kya har jagah murder bhi hota hai? Aur yeh kehna ki woh ghar par tha? Kya koi gawah hai? Koi proof hai? Koi nahi. Sirf ek line, "Main ghar par tha." My Lord, fingerprints, motive aur mauka yeh tino cheezen prosecution ke paksh mein hain. Defence ke paas bas ek denial hai, ek khokhla bayan.
Vikram (gusse mein): Kisne kaha yeh ek khokhla bayan hai? Sir, meri baat ko poora hone dijiye…
Sir, jo main kehne ja raha hoon, uske liye main chahta hoon ki sab log dhyan se sunen. Aur khas kar... Mr. Sibbal.
Sir, aaj se theek 4 din pehle, Mitali ka birthday tha. Main office se jaldi nikal gaya tha, jaisa ki sabko maloom hai. Uske baad Mitali ne apne kuch friends ke saath Dark Angel Club mein birthday celebration kiya.
Usi club mein ek ladka bhi tha. Peeya hua tha... aur Mitali ke paas dance floor par gaya. Pehle toh bas dance kar raha tha... lekin dheere dheere uska behaviour badalne laga. Wo touchy hone laga... intimate hone ki koshish.
Par Mitali ne... usi waqt... sabke saamne usse do zor ke thappad maare. Wo ladka gusse mein aaya, Mitali par wapas attack karne gaya, lekin logon ne rok liya... use peet diya... aur bahar nikal diya gaya.
Us humiliation ka badla lene ke liye... usne Mitali ka qatl kiya.
Vikram rukh kar peeche mudta hai... uski aankhen seedha ek insaan par tik jaati hain
Vikram: Sir, wo ladka... koi aur nahi... mera dost Sashank hai.
Courtroom mein halki fufusiyaan shuru ho jaati hain. Judge aankhon ki taraf chashma adjust karte hain.
Judge: Mr. Sashank...? Aap kuch kehna chahenge?
Sashank turant gusse mein khada hota hai
Sashank: Ye kya bakwas hai?! Vikram, tum apne aap ko bachane ke liye mujhe fasa rahe ho?
Sibbal: My Lord, main yaad dila doon ki Sashank ke fingerprints bhi liye gaye the — aur unka match nahi aaya tha. Sirf Vikram ke fingerprints match hue hain murder weapon par.
Sashank: Sir, ye to khula saazish lagti hai. Mujhe fasaya ja raha hai!
Judge: Order! Mr. Sashank, agar aapke paas apna paksha rakhna hai, toh kadhghare mein aaiye.
Sashank katghare tak aata hai.
Sashank (gusse mein): "Tum kitne beghairat ho... khud ko bachane ke liye apne hi dost ko fasa rahe ho?"
Vikram: Dhoka toh tune diya hai mujhe! Main tujhe bachpan se apna sabse kareeb dost maanta raha... aur tu? Apna crime mere sir par thop raha hai?"
Sashank: Kisne kaha maine kiya hai murder?!
Vikram: "Achha? Toh fir... murder ki raat tum mere ghar pe kyun aaye the?"
Sashank: "Tum jhooth bol rahe ho!"
Vikram: "Sir, main apni baat ko sabit karne ke liye ek saboot pesh karna chahta hoon.
Mere ghar ke CCTV ki recording. Agar ijazat ho toh court ke saamne uski footage dikhana chahta hoon."
Judge: "Aapko ijazat hai."
Sibbal (turant khada hota hai): My Lord! Ye to court procedure ke bahar hai...
Judge: "Sibbal ji, main allow kar raha hoon na?"
Sibbal: "But... My Lord"
Judge: "Sit down, Mr. Sibbal. Let him proceed."
(Sibbal apni jagah baith jata hai. Courtroom mein sabki nazar screen par.)
Vikram: "Sir, ye mere ghar ki entrance ki CCTV feed hai."
(Feed chalu hoti hai, ek grainy video jisme main door dikh raha hota hai.)
Vikram: Main aapko 4 din pehle ki raat, 1:00 AM ki footage dikhata hoon.
(Video mein ek aadmi, door ke saamne aata hai. Baar-baar bell bajata hai. Koi jawab nahi milta. Phir wo jeb se ek chhabi nikalta hai… aur darwaza khol kar andar chala jaata hai.)
Vikram: Ab main bedroom ki feed dikhata hoon usi waqt ki.
(Screen pe Sashank ko bedroom me enter karte dikhata hai. Vikram nashe ki haalat mein bistar par leta hota hai. Sashank usse check karta hai, hilata hai. Fir gloves pehne haathon se Vikram ke haath mein ek bada knife pakdaata hai.)
(Sashank screen ki taraf dekhta reh jaata hai, aankhen phat jaati hain, Sibbal bhi apna sir pakad ke baitha hota hai..)
Vikram: Sir! Ye mera pehla saboot hai. Agar court chahe toh Dark Angel Club ka CCTV bhi manga sakti hai. Wahan sab kuch record hai, Mitali ke saath hua harassment aur Sashank ki beizzati.
Vikram: Sashank!! Main tujhe apna bhai maanta tha...
Sashank khamosh… aankhon mein sharm aur dar ka milajula rang. Haath se maatha pakad kar khada hota hai, aur sirf chhat ki taraf dekhta rehta hai…
Vikram: Sibbal sir, ab samajh aaya… kaise mere fingerprints murder weapon par aaye?
Sibbal ne kuch bolne ki koshish ki… lekin alfaaz uske gale mein hi atak gaye..
Judge (ghambeer swar mein): Hmm… mere pure career ka pehla case hai jo pehle din hi close ho raha hai. Court, Mr. Vikram Rathod ko, Mitali Sen ke murder ke sabhi aaropon se riha karta hai. Aur Mr. Sashank ko primary accused declare karta hai. Police ko adesh diya jata hai ki wo Dark Angel Club ka CCTV footage turant prapt karein, aur Mr. Sashank ke khilaf ek naya case file karein.
(Gavel ki awaz courtroom mein gunjti hai. Case officially closed.)
Vikram (thakhe huye kadamon se court se bahar nikalta hai, ek last nazar Sashank par daalta hai, jiska chehra safed pad chuka tha).
Bahar Riya khadi thi. Vikram uske paas aata hai. Dono ke beech koi bat nahi hota, sirf aankhon mein ek samajh hoti hai. Vikram uske saath nikal jaata hai.
Vikram ghar aake seedha bathroom jaata hai. Thande paani se nahaata hai… Phir woh bistar par gir padta hai. Aankhein band karte hi neend kab chali aayi, pata hi nahi chala.
8:00 PM, Phone ka loud ring Vikram ki neend todta hai.
Usne aankhen kholi, screen pe "Unknown Number" flash ho raha tha.
Caller: Agar zinda rehna chahta hai… to turant bhaag. Tumhari jaan ko khatra hai.
(Call Cut)
Vikram (panic mein idhar-udhar dekhte hue): Kya… kya ho raha hai?
Wo bina kuch samjhe, ghar se nikal padta hai.
[Dharavi – Night Streets]
Raat ke sannate mein Vikram galliyon mein daud raha tha. Har kadam par darr, har kone se maut ka ehsaas.
Peeche se ek awaz: Ruk jao!
Wo nahi rukta..
Fir se — "Ruk jao!!"
Tang gali aayi. Fir Chauraha.
Ek pal ke liye rukta hai. Left le leta hai.
Aur left lete, Ek tez aati car ki light uski aankho me chamak jati hai.....
Vikram hafte hue bistar par beth jata hai. Saans tez, chehra pasine se bhara hua.
Uske seene pe pada mobile gir kar mattress par jata hai. Screen pe ek video chal rahi hoti hai:
“A parallel world… is a universe coexisting with our own… Often with different outcomes. Sometimes, it’s not a dream. It’s a memory… from the other side.”
