Incest Baadshah ~ The Tales of Debauchery

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Latest Update - Update 202 ​

 

[Surya_021]

Update - 196 ~ The Fulfilled Promise​

Ab tak...

Ye Veer ki qismat thi, ya kuchh aur-

Jo woh raasta dhundhne me saksham tha. Lair se baahar woh kooda. Mission complete ho chuka tha.

Parantu, Pari ne use iski soochna nahi di. Kyunk, notification tha-

[Mission Failed.]

[Due to the host's partial completion of the mission, all the three penalties of the mission won't be applied.]

[Due to the failure of not killing the Disembowler, one penalty will be applied to the host.]

[Mission penalty : Loss of loved ones.]

Ab aage...

Raat ke 12:05 baj rahe the. Aatishbaziyo ne Mumbai ke aasmaan ko jagmaga kar rakha hua tha, naye saal ke aagman ka har aadmi ullaas mana raha tha. Hawa me khushiyaan chhayi thi, log jashn mana rahe the, galey mil rahe the, iss nav varsh ka swagat karne ke liye khushi se chillaa rahe the. Lekin, isi sheher me iss shor ke beech kahi par maatam chhaaya hua tha.

News channels me prasaaran jaari the — Hotel Prestige ko lekar ek gambheer report. Kuchh bhayanak hua tha. Visfot. Khoon-kharaba. Jaano ka lutna.

Isliye, sheher ke kuchh hisso me jashn ka mahaul feeka pad chuka tha.

"Hotel Prestige par jaanlewa humla!"

"Kayi logo ke maare jaane ki khabar!"

"Suraksha guards maare gaye! Adhikariyo ko lakshit humle ka sandeh!"

Bars aur luxury clubs me TV screen par tabahi ke drishya dikhayi de rahe the — toote hue sheeshein, palte hue furniture, stretchers par le jaaye jaa rahe shav. Ek electronics showroom ke baahar ek chhoti bheed jama ho gayi thi, unki nazar andar rakhe display TV par tiki hui thi.

"Aaj ke din batao kya ho gaya. Tch tch!" Ek aadmi ne badbadate hue kaha.

"Hotel Prestige toh achha hotel tha. Hum toh gaye hai. Badhiya tha. Pata nahi kaise ho gaya ye sab. Mujhe lagta hai humla karwaya gaya hai." Ek mahila ne haami bharte hue kaha.

"Mumbai me crime badhta jaa raha hai. Tch! Tyohaaron me bhi ab-" ek raahgeer ne waha se nikalte hue fusfusaya.

Lekin, har koi shok nahi mana raha tha. Mumbai ke elite varg ke gharo me, oonchi-oonchi imaarato me glass takra rahe the aur dheemi baat-cheet me chhipi hui khushi thi.

Iss beech, Mumbai ki sabse shandar 7 star hotel — Casa Belle me patrakaro aur reporters ki bheed umdi hui thi. Cameramen apna camera liye hotel ke maalik — Aadesh Jaisinghani ke bayaan ka intezar kar rahe the.

Woh baahar aaya. Sleek hairstyle me geele baalo ko poori tarah peechhe kiye, Armani ki dress pehne, aisa lag raha tha maano woh abhi-abhi koi jashn mana ke aaya ho.

Aur, jaise hi woh saamne aaya, reporters uss par toot pade.

Reporter #1 : Mister Aadesh, Hotel Prestige par hue humle par aapke vichaar?

Reporter #2 : Hospitality industry me ek leading figure hone ke naate, aap uss suraksha chook ke baare me kya kehna chaahenge jiske chalte ye haadsa hua?

Reporter #3 : Casa Belle aur Hotel Prestige ke madhya shuru se hi oonch-neech hoti aayi hai. Kya aapko lagta hai ki ye humla kisi business conflict se juda hai?

Media ko chahiye tha masala. Kahani. Khabrein. Jo unhe police se utni maatra me nahi mil paayi thi. Aur, isliye khud Aadesh ne hi ye khabar media ke beech felwayi ki woh iss vishay ko lekar raat me apne vichaar rakhega. Media yaha aayi nahi thi. Unhe chalaaki se yaha laaya gaya tha.

Usne dheere se, kaafi baar abhyaas ki hui ek aah chhori, uski bauhe thodi si sikud gayi. Usne ek napa-tula qadam aage badhaya, yeh sunishchit karte hue ki camera uski aankhon me gehri suhanubhuti ko qaid kar raha hai ya nahi.

Aadesh (lagbhag shok me) : Dekhiye! Sabse pehle, mein peedito, unke parivaro aur iss bhayanak ghatna se prabhavit sabhi logo ke prati sanvedna vyakt karta hu. Aaj nav varsh ke shuru hote hi- yeh humla... Ye humla sirf Hotel Prestige par nahi hai. Ye humla saari hospitality industry par hai. Jab kisi hotel ko iss tarah se nishana banaaya jaata hai, toh ye harr atithi ke uss bharose ki neev ko hila deta hai jo woh hum par rakhte hai.

Reporters uske shabdo par sirr hilaate hue budbudaaye. Woh bilkul sahi baatein keh raha tha.

Aadesh ne aage bolne se pehle ek dramatic effect ke liye kuchh der viraam liya.

Aadesh : Dekhe... Maine humesha... Maine humesha se hi Hotel Prestige ko sammaan diya hai. Haan, mein sweekar karta hu ki humare beech competition chalta rehta hai. Lekin, ye ek healthy competition hota hai. Aur, competition ka matlab dushmani nahi hai. Business me ye sab aam baat hoti hai. Haal hi me, humaare Unicard ki launch ke dauran humne Hotel Prestige ko bhi aamantrit kiya tha. Mister Veer Singh, Miss Bhumika Singh, dono hi parivar jann ke saath padhaare the yaha. Aur, humaare mann me ek-dusre ke liye paraspar sammaan ke alawa kuchh nahi.

Uske hontho par ek dhoort muskaan ubhri, lekin usne badi hi chalaaki se ek aah bharte hue use chhipa liya.

Reporter #4 : Toh aap ko iss baare me koi idea nahi ki humle ke peechhe kaun ho sakta hai?

Aadesh ne asahaay bhaav se apna sarr hilaaya.

Aadesh (dheere se) : Ji, mein bhi Mumbai ke baaki logo ki tarah hairaan hu. Aisa kisne kiya hoga? Unka kya maqsad ho sakta hai? Ye aise sawal hai jinka jawab sirf police hi de sakti hai. Lekin, mein itna zaroor kehna chahunga ki — iss sankat ki ghadi me Casa Belle Hotel Prestige ke saath hai. Agar, hum unki madad ke liye kuchh bhi kar sakte hai, toh hum zaroor karenge.

Casa Belle aur Hotel Prestige ka samarthan? Sawal hi paida nahi hota. Yeh toh bas uski chaal thi.

Andar hi andar woh toh balki iss aapda ka aanand le raha tha.

Yarnia — Veer ka bhavya naya clothing brand, din ki raushni dekhne se pehle hi malbe me tabdeel ho chuka tha. Hotel Prestige, wahi hotel jisne uski Casa Belle ke saath bhidne ki koshish ki thi, ab ek crime scene ka sthal bann chuki thi.

Aisa lag raha tha jaise brahmaand ne swayam uski jholi me ye uphaar de diya tha.

Camera ke saamne usne fir se apna murjhaya hua chehra prastut kiya aur bola-

Aadesh : Kumar! Ye sab humare mehman hai. Inki khatirdari me kami nahi rehni chahiye.

Kumar (nods) : Ji, Sir!

Kehte hue woh wahi murjhayi awastha liye andar chala gaya. Aur, idhar news me uske charche hone lage. Jo uske kapti-pann se parichit nahi the, woh use saccha insaan maanane lage.

Iss traasdi ke bawajood, Mumbai ne rukne se inkaar kar diya tha.

Vyast sadko par, kuchh log shok mana rahe the, lekin kayi log bas aage badh gaye — kyunki, yahi Mumbai ka tareeka tha.

Kisi aspatal ke pareeksha kaksh me ek yuvti dheere-dheere ro rahi thi. Uska bhai, jo Hotel Prestige me security guard tha, mehmano ki suraksha karte hue maara jaa chuka tha. Duniya aage badh gayi, par uske liye uski duniya wahi khatm ho chuki thi.

***

Isi beech ghani raat me Disembowler ki lair ke theek upar sthit shamsan ke paas hi Erica aur Renshu khade hue the.

Renshu : Yahi jagah hai na?

Erica : Haan, dad! Usne toh yahi batayi thi. Kya mein-?

Renshu (nods) : Hmm! Shuru karo!

Erica (nods) : Okay!

Woh jhuki. Usne apna ek haath neeche shamshaan ki bhoomi par rakha aur fir-

'Basic Seer Vision!'

*Ding*

Agle hi pal alag-alag drishya uske mastishq me ghoomne lage. Woh bechari apni bauhe zorr se sikodi, kayi baar uska badan kaanp utha, magar woh waha se uthi nahi.

Renshu agal-bagal apni nazrein ghumaaye hue tha. Woh sunishchit kar raha tha ki kahi koi unhe dekh na le.

Yaha se woh khaali haath nahi laut sakte the.

Kuchh der pehle...

Ek mand raushni waali jagah. Medical equipment ki awaaz.

Ava ka shareer ek andheri sunsaan gali me khadi ek shandar kaali SUV ke andar ek asthayi operating table par laita hua tha. Uski saansein ab niyantran me aa rahi thi. Chehre ka rang wapas aa raha tha.

Uske pait par lagi goli ke ghaav ko pehle hi saaf kiya jaa chuka tha aur surgical precision ke saath sil diya gaya tha.

Garofano uske bagal se khadi thi. Usne zehreeli bullet ko badi hi kushalta se Ava ke shareer se nikaal diya tha. Uske haath sthir the, aur dimag gadna karne me laga hua tha.

Wahi thi jo Ava ko apne kandho par utha ke leke aayi thi. Uske theek peechhe Renshu, Erica ke saath khada hua tha.

Erica ki nigaahein Ava ke achetan roop ka adhyayan kar rahi thi. Uske dad ne humesha hi use iss aurat se satark rehne ko kaha tha. Magar, akhir kaun thi Natalia Martin? Ek bemisal worldwide famous singer aur celebrity. Kya waqai woh Veer ko dhoka deke use maarna chaahti thi? Woh dhyaan se Ava ko ghoorti rahi.

Aur, phir-

Renshu ne chuppi todi.

Renshu : Use hosh me aane me kitna samay lagega?

Garofano ne bina peechhe mude apne khoon se sane dastaane haath se nikaale aur apne haath me pehni ghadi dekhi.

Garofano : Bullet nikaale abhi mushqil se 15 minute hi hue hai. Zeher ki potency aur blood loss ko dhyaan me rakhte hue, ise kam se kam abhi 4 se 5 ghante toh-

"Ngh-!"

Uske shabd adhoore reh gaye jab ek dard bhari karaah ne use beech me hi rok diya.

Ava ka shareer jhatka khaaya, uski ungliyaan neeche seat ke leather par kassne lagi aur fir ek tez gati se, woh bhaari saans lete hue uth baithi.

Garofano ki aankhein avishvas me chaudi ho gayi.

Namumkin!

Ava ka ghaav gehra tha, zeher ke chalte use toh abhi ghanto tak behosh rehna chahiye tha. Magar, fir bhi woh kuchh hi minto me jaag chuki thi!?

[This girl... She has some sort of healing skill.]

Freya ki awaaz Garofano ke mann me goonj gayi.

Erica : Ah? Itni jaldi hosh bhi aa gaya?

Woh halka sa cheekhte hue boli. Yaha tak ki humesha shaant rehne waale Renshu ne bhi aankhein sikod li.

Ava (yells) : V-Veer!

Woh chillaate hue uthne ke liye aage badhi, lekin Garofano ne uske kandho par haath rakh use neeche baitha diya.

Garofano : Calm down!

Ava : Veer-!

Garofano : Sniper marr chuka hai. I have dealt with him. Ab koi khatra nahi hai. Don't worry! Take it easy!

Garofano ne fir apni jeb se ek kaagaz nikaalte hue Renshu ki orr kiya. Renshu ne use thaamte hue khola aur jab use dekha toh uski bauhe chinta me sikud gayi.

Garofano : Ye uss Dexter ke paas se mila. Kisi syndicate alliance ka member tha woh shayad. Check karne par toh yahi nazar aaya.

Ye wahi kaagaz tha jo Dexter ke paas tha. Veer ke parivar jann ke naam aur unki tasveerein iss kaagaz me maujood thi.

Veer ke parivar ka zikr aate hi Ava ki chhaati zoro se upar-neeche hone lagi. Aankhon me chinta abhi bhi barkarar thi.

Ava : Veer... *huff* Veer ki family! Mujhe- *cough* *cough*

Garofano (sternly) : Tumhe shaant rehne ki zaroorat hai!

Usne Ava ko beech me tokte hue kaha. Awaaz teekhi thi lekin nirdayi nahi. Aur, kahi na kahi woh Ava ka adhyayan bhi kar rahi thi. Bhala kis tarah ka system holder aisi chot ke baad itni jaldi hosh me aa sakta tha?

Garofano ki nazro me ek maun manzoori thi. Ava, sirf ek system holder nahi thi. Uske paas bhi uske trump cards the jinhe woh ujagar nahi kar rahi thi.

Erica aashcharya me uske qareeb aayi.

Erica : Itni jaldi kaise hosh aa gaya? Poison ki wajah se itni jaldi hosh nahi aana chahiye tha.

Ava : *huff* T-Tum... Tum sab... *huff*

Garofano : Calm down! Hum sab yaha Veer ke liye hi aaye hai. Aur, tumhe itni jaldi hosh aa gaya? Mein ye expect nahi kar rahi thi.

Ava maun rahi. Woh apne baare me kuchh bhi zaroori baatein nahi bataana chaahti thi.

Renshu : Humare paas samay barbaad karne ke liye nahi hai. Agar, hosh aa hi gaya hai toh kya tum Veer ki location ke baare me kuchh bata sakti ho? Kya tum jaanti ho woh kaha par hai iss waqt?

Ava wahi jamm ke reh gayi. Use yaad aaya. Woh ye kaise bhool sakti thi?

Usne Veer ko Death Flag se mark kar ke rakha hua tha. Bina kisi hich-kichahat ke usne apni aankhein band ki, Veer ki location par dhyaan kendrit kiya. Aur, kuchh hi palo me Veer ki asli location uske mastishq me aa gayi.

Usne apni aankhein kholi. Uska chehra peela pad gaya.

Ava (frowns) : W-Woh-! Woh shamshaan me hai! Uske neeche...! Underground...!

Renshu (frowns) : Shamshaan? Kaha par?

Ava ne use exact location batayi. Chaahe uska shareer kitna hi thaka hua kyu na ho, uske dimag me ek hi baat thi — Veer.

Garofano ne Renshu ko dekha. Dono ek baat jaan gaye the ki Ava ke paas Veer ko track karne ki koi na koi skill zaroor maujood thi. Dono ne hi mann me iss baat ki gaanth baandh li.

Garofano (turns) : Toh kya karna hai? Veer ke paas kaun jaa raha hai?

Renshu : Mumbai me tumhari maujoodgi ab koi rehesya nahi hai. Tum pehle bhi yaha sabke saamne aa chuki ho. Aur, haan- tum ek celebrity se kam bhi nahi. Poora Korea tumhare peechhe paagal hai. Isliye, tumhara Veer ke nazdeek jaana abhi faydemand nahi. Ye unwanted attention ko bulawa dega.

Garofano muskurayi. Apni ungliyon ko apne kaale reshmi baalo me firaayi.

Garofano (smirks) : Hmph! Thanks for the recognition- lekin, shayad tum bhool rahe ho ki mein stealth me maahir hu. Mujhe bas apne chehre par mask pehen'ne ki derr hai. That's it. But, haan! Abhi mein Natalia ko chhor ke yaha se nahi jaa sakti. Woh heal zaroor ho rahi hai but if trouble comes knocking, she won't be able to fight.

Renshu ne uski baat ko sweekar karte hue haami bhari.

Ava ne khud ko upar uthaaya, aur karkash awaaz me boli.

Ava : V-Veer ki family safe toh hai na? I... Usne mujhe- Usne mujhe zimmedari saunpi thi. *huff* M-Mein- Mein yaha aise nahi- *huff*

Renshu : Maine hotel me se ambulances ko nikalte hue dekha tha. Veer ki family ke kuchh logo ko check kiya tha maine. Hotel me ab koi nahi hai andar.

Ava (frowns) : K-Kya woh... Kya woh safe hai?

Renshu : Lagta toh hai. Police ne area ko takeover kar liya hai. Veer ki family shayad hospital gayi hai. Toh, uss hisaab se woh safe hone chahiye. Khatra hotel ke ird-gird hi tha.

Ava ne ek shaant saans chhori. Lekin, chinta zara bhi kam nahi hui.

Renshu (sighs) : Aur, agar mein chaahu bhi toh bhi hospital nahi jaa sakta.

Erica aur Ava dono ne hi use sawaaliya nazro se dekha.

Erica : Eh? Kyu dad?

Iske pehle ki Renshu jawab de paata, Garofano hasste hue jawab di.

Garofano (laughs) : Hahahaha! Because your dad is too damn big. Hospital me logo ko samajhne me hi ghante lag jayenge ki ye aadmi hai kaun? Itni badi qad-kaathi kaise hai? Kaha se aaya hai? Aur, Veer se uska kya sambandh hai? Hahaha! Samjhi?

Renshu : ...

Renshu ne uske chidhaane par koi pratikriya nahi di. Lekin, Erica kaha chup rehne waali thi?

Erica : Wh-What do you mean? Hmph! Mere dad ka matlab simple tha. Unka matlab hai ki Veer ko jald se jald dhundhna hai taaki problem ki asli jadd ka pata lag sake.

Garofano : Oh! Wow! Dekho toh humari Miss Erica ko. Smart banane ki kitni koshish kar rahi hai? But, you're still dumb. Fufu~

Erica : Who-? Who the hell are you calling dumb?

Garofano : Of course, you! Fufu~ Yaha par sirf tum hi dumb ho!

Erica : Y-You-!!

Usne apni mutthi bheenchi. Lekin, iske pehle ki woh jawab de paati, Renshu ki awaaz hawa me goonj uthi.

Renshu : ENOUGH!!!

Dono yuvtiyaan chup ho gayi. Par, Erica ka ghoorna khatam nahi hua.

Erica : Hmph!

Garofano : Fufu~

Renshu : Mein aur Erica Veer ki location par jayenge. Aur, tum yahi rahogi jab tak ki Natalia chalne ki condition me nahi aa jaati.

Garofano (nods) : Theek hai! Par, zyada derr mat lagaana. I don't like sitting on the sidelines.

Renshu ne koi jawab nahi diya. Woh bas apni car ki orr muda. Erica ne uska peechha kiya, aage badhne se pehle Garofano ko ek akhiri nazar se dekha.

Garofano muskurate hue unhe jaata dekhi. Fir, Ava ki orr ghoomi jo abhi bhi seat par laiti hui thi.

Garofano : Maine jitna socha tha, tum uss se kahi zyada mazboot nikli. You're hiding your cards too. Just like him. *smiles*

Ava ne koi jawab nahi diya, lekin uski aankhon ki chamak se Garofano ko pata chal gaya ki usne uski baatein sunn li thi.

Aur, isi tarah Renshu aur Erica Veer ki location par pahuch paaye the. Magar, jab tak ve yaha par pahuche, Veer underground lair se nikal chuka tha.

Kintu, Erica ki basic seer vision ye pata laga sakti thi ki yaha kuchh derr pehle kya kuchh hua tha.

Renshu : Erica!?

Erica apni palke khol uthi. Uske badan me rue khade hue the.

Erica : D-Dad!

Renshu : ??

Erica : V-Veer-!

Erica ne poore drishya toh nahi, lekin kaafi hadd tak kuchh derr pehle ki ghatna ko dekh liya tha. Veer ka ajeebo-gareeb system holder se bhidna, neeche ka bhayanak vatavaran, thandi sadti laashein, maans ke tukde, experiments, SHB, Veer ka haath katna aur uska Juhi aur Pihu ko bachaana.

Erica ne jaise hi Renshu ko sab batlaaya toh Renshu ke khud ke badan me ek sihran daud gayi.

Woh bina koi deri kiye, Erica se lair ka entry point poonchh seedhe neeche ki orr kood gaya.

Erica : D-Daaad???

Majbooran, Erica ko bhi neeche koodna hi pada. Na jaane neeche kaun se rehesya khulne ke liye unka intezar kar rahe the.

***

Carewell Hospital,
Morning - 12:10 AM ~

Hospital ke automatic doors achanak se khule, lekin kisi ka dhyaan uss orr nahi gaya.

Duty par maujood kuchh karmchari apne phone me vyast the, toh kuchh counter par sirr tikaaye hue the aur kuchh the jo aadhi neend me dol rahe the ki ve sab corridor me hui tez raftaar se halchal ko dekh paane me vifal reh gaye.

Veer kisi hawa ke jhonke ki tarah waha daakhil hua. Uska shareer dagmaga raha tha, har qadam par perr felne ke liye aatur ho rahe the. Uski baayi aasteen gehre laal khoon se sani hui thi, jisme se aadhi se zyada aasteen toh poori gaayab ho chuki thi.

Baah me abhi bhi woh janzeerein bandhi hui thi. Uski chhaati ukhadi hui saanson ke saath upar-neeche ho rahi thi.

Aur, uske seene se usi surgeon sheet ke sang bandhi hui thi — Juhi. Uska chhota sa shareer uske seene se chipka hua tha, chehra blazer ke andar chhipa hua tha. Veer uski garm saansein apne seene par mehsoos kar paa raha tha. Woh so rahi thi. Shaant. Aur, surakshit.

Pihu ko woh pehle hi surakshit haatho me de aaya tha. Bachi thi toh sirf uski apni Juhi.

Woh Nidhi ke kamre number 31 me pahucha aur darwaza khola. Waqt hi aisa tha ki duty par mushqil se kuchh hi nurses aur safayi karmchari the jo apne-apne kaamo me lage hue the. Nateeja? Veer ke tez raftar se andar aane par kisi ko bhanak tak nahi lagi.

Woh aage badha. Uski drishti ab dhundhli pad rahi thi. Uski nazar saamne bistar par laiti ek aurat par gayi — Nidhi. Woh so rahi thi. Chehre par abhi bhi shikan ke bhaav the.

Veer uske nazdeek aaya. Kamra hil raha tha kya? Nahi! Woh khud ladkhada raha tha. Iske pehle ki woh zameen par girta, usne wahi lagi bench dekh khud ko dheela chhor diya aur seat par gir pada. Shareer ne akhir haar maan hi li. Uski aankhein band ho gayi.

Akhiri cheez jo usne mehsoos ki — woh tha Juhi ka harqat karta hua haath jo uske blazer ko kass ke jakadne ka prayatn kar raha tha aur fir — andhera.

Kuchh kshan baad...

Ek halki si harqat.

Nidhi ki palke jhapki aur woh jaag uthi. Uska sarr dard se tadak raha tha, ghatna ki yaadein tatt par aati samudra ki lehro ki tarah wapas aane lagi.

"J-Juhi...!"

Woh ghabrayi. Uski bacchi. Uski bacchi ko aghwa kar liya gaya tha. Woh chhatpataate hue uthi aur jaise hi uth ke uski nazar saamne padi. Woh wahi jamm ke reh gayi.

Uski beti, uski duniya — wahi thi. Surakshit. Uske saamne. Uska haath apne khule muh par gaya aur woh ro padi. Aansu beqaabu ho kar behne lage.

Woh kaanpte hue dhadalle se uthi aur aage badhi. Uske haath me lagi IV needle aur uske sang laga drip stand bhi uske saath khichta chala gaya.

Woh Veer ke bagal me ghutno ke bal baithi, uska chehra peela pada hua tha. Usne pehle apni bitiya ko dekha. Chhaati upar-neeche ho rahi thi. Bina kisi chot ke. Surakshit.

Lekin, fir... Uski nazar Veer par gayi.

Uska chehra — sookhe khoon se sana hua — bejaan lag raha tha. Sarr kuchh geela sa tha. Baalo me halki barf jami thi jaise. Blazer ke sang shirt kayi jagaho se fati hui thi. Baah, chhaati aur kamar me gehre ghaav dikhayi pad rahe the. Uske kapde khoon se sane hue the. Par, Nidhi ko sabse zyada dang kiya unn janzeeron ne.

Jinhe dekh uska poora badan kaanp utha. Aankhein bhay ke maare chaudi ho uthi. Badi-badi janzeerein uski baaho me kass kar lipti hui thi.

Uska haath zor se thar-thara utha. Kuchh beeti yaadein wapas saamne aane lagi.

---

Lagbhag do saal pehle ka samay tha. Aaj Nidhi ko ek nayi class niyukt ki gayi thi. Yeh pehli baar nahi tha. Use students ko kis tarah se handle karna hai, ye achhi tarah se aata tha.

Iske pehle woh school me bhi ek shikshak reh chuki thi. Shiksha dena use bakhoobi aata tha. Magar, college aur school me kuchh farq toh hota tha.

College me bachhe ab bacche nahi the. Woh baalig the, sayaane the aur javani ke josh me udd rahe naye khiladi the.

Jaise hi Nidhi classroom me pravesh ki, pal bhar ke liye ek sannaata sa chhaa gaya. Students fir ikhatte khade hue-

"Good morning ma'am!"

"Settle down!"

Uski awaaz dridh lekin garmjoshi se bhari thi. Uske bolte hi sabhi chhaatra wapas se apni seats par baith gaye.

Woh bina students ki taraf dekhe blackboard ko rub karne lagi aur ek safed chalk uthaate hue apna naam likhne lagi.

Nidhi Mishra

Khubsoorat si likhawat me likhte hue usne apna parichay diya.

Aur, jaisa ki hona chahiye tha, waisa hi hua. Nayi-nayi 18 baras ki aayu poorn karne waale javan laundo ke mann me laddu phootne lage. Aur, charcha ka vishay tha — ?

"Behanchod kya maal hai bhai."

"Bhai bol de ki ab yahi apni class teacher hai."

"Bhai hai toh karraa yaar. Sahi me!"

"Iska matlab woh madarchod takla gaya? Kya naam tha bey uska?"

"Bhupinder Daruwala!"

"Bhupinder nahi. Guu pait ke andar! Hahahahaha!"

"Hahahahaha! Abey haan bey! Lawda saala dimaag kha jaata tha betichod."

"Daruwala ki bahut daru pee li... Ab Nidhi se Vidhi seekhenge hahahaha!"

"Kaaye ki bhosdiwaale? Hahahaha!"

"Ah! Madam! Ah! Wo waali vidhi! Aah! Uuh!"

"Hahahahahahaha! Madarchod!"

"Hahahahahahaha!"

Yahi baatein ladko ke alag-alag jhund me hone lagi. Par, kya Nidhi ko ye sab sunayi nahi de raha tha? De raha tha. Bilkul, de raha tha. Kintu, woh khamosh thi. Nirash bhi. Aur, chotil bhi.

"Abey pait kuchh fela-fela sa hai iska magar. Hai na?"

"Pregnant hai kya?"

"Nahi bey! Baccha ho chuka hai shayad. Dhyaan se dekh!"

"Abey toh shuru ka mahina bhi toh ho sakta hai?"

"Chutiye toh woh yaha thodi aati padhaane."

"Haan ye bhi hai!"

"Koi nahi-! Mein wazan kam karwa dunga iska hahahaha!"

"Mujhse toh sirf wazan badhaate aata hai hehehe!"

"Hahahahahaha!"

"Pregnancy ke baad bhi pait foola rehta hai kya?"

"Waisa nahi bey chutiye! Bas thode time tak rehta hai. Abhi madam ko apne asli figure me aane me time lagega."

"Waise... Aise bhi koi kam maal nahi hai."

"Hahahahaha!"

Eka-ek Nidhi ka haath na chaahte hue bhi apne pait par chala gaya. Ladke bhale hi dheere-dheere ye sab khuspusaaye, magar aksar unki baatein sabhi teachers ko sunayi de jaaya karti thi.

Jab Nidhi ko apne pait par haath rakhte unn students ne dekha toh iss baar thoda satark hote hue unn logo ne apni baat-cheet ko virham de diya.

Parantu, unki ek baat sahi thi. Nidhi ko bamushqil abhi dedh se do mahina hi hua tha jab uska apna navjaat uss se chheen liya gaya tha. Dhruv — uski apni amaanat.

Yahi woh samay tha jab Nidhi ke jeevan ka sabse kharab daur shuru hua tha. Ek prataadit karta pati, daayan samaan saas ki gaaliyaan, apne hi bacche ko kho dena, unse bhaag ke apne ek kiraaye ke flat me rehna, aas-pados me uth rahe charche, samaaj ka nazariya, aur jo rahi-sahi kasar baaki reh gayi thi woh inn besharam ladko ne uss par behuda tippani kar ke poori kar di thi.

Lekin, woh jaanti thi ki har ladke ek jaise nahi hote the. Uske apne pita. Uska ek bhai. Woh bhi toh mard the na? Woh jaanti thi ki iss classroom me abhi bhi woh ladke the jo waqai uss se padhna chaahte the — jinke mann me koi galat bhavnaaye nahi thi.

Yahi vishvas liye usne bolna shuru kiya.

"Students! Aaj se... Aaj se mein aapki class teacher rahungi. I will be teaching you Mathematics."

"Ye hui na baat behanchod! Ab maza aayega hahahaha"

"Badhayi ho bhai! Takla gaya hahahaha! Nayi phuljhadi aa gayi."

Unki baatein dobaara se shuru ho gayi. Nidhi ke pehle Bhupinder ji the jo iss kaksha ke class teacher the. Kareeban 7-8 maah tak unhone iss kaksha ko sambhala tha. First year ke bache hue 3-4 mahino ke liye Nidhi ab unki class teacher bann ke aayi thi. Aur, uska swagat kaise hua? Inn bhaddi tippaniyo se.

Himmat rakhte hue usne attendance sheet uthayi aur sabhi ke naam pukaarte hue pehle attendance lene lagi. Ek-ek kar ke jab woh akhiri bache kuchh baccho ke naam pukaarne ko aayi toh-

"Vamika Chauhan!"

"Present ma'am!"

"Vasu Mehta!"

"Present ma'am!"

"Veer Singh!"

*Silence*

'Hmm?'

Ek khamoshi si chhaa gayi. Koi jawab hi nahi aaya. Nidhi ne apna sarr uthaate hue sabhi ko dekha aur usne punah awaaz lagaayi.

"Veer Singh???"

Tabhi, uski nazar sabse side waali row par padi jaha aakhiri bench par ek ladka akele baitha hua tha. Bagal waali row se 2-4 ladke hasste hue use bula rahe the.

"Bhai tere ko bula rahi madam!"

"Chutiye haath utha ke present toh bol de hahahahaha!"

Woh ladka hadbadata hua apna kaam beech me rok upar dekha. Uski nazar Nidhi se jaa takrayi. Ek pal ke liye woh dara par fir ahista se haath uthaate hue bola-

"P-Present ma'am!"

Nidhi kuchh kshan ke liye avaak reh gayi. Woh nahi jaanti thi aisa kyu tha par kuchh pal woh bas Veer ko dekhti rahi. Usne fir aaj ka samay jaise-taise nikaala. Baccho ko padhaaya aur waha se nikal gayi.

Agla din. Wahi kaksha, wahi bacche, wahi harqate. Ladkiyaan hi thi jo kam se kam uss se achhe se pesh aati thi. Adhiktar ladke sirf use hawas ki nazro se hi ghoorte the.

Magar, aaj Nidhi ki nazre class me ghoom rahi thi. Maano jaise chehro se bhara ek samundar tha kamre ke andar — kuchh muskura rahe the, kuchh fusfusa rahe the, kuchh uub ke jhuke hue the. Fir bhi, ek student alag dikh raha tha.

Veer Singh.

Kal ki hi tarah aaj bhi woh sab se dur kone me akela baitha hua tha, uski desk hi baakiyo se dur thi. Uski aankhein apni notebook par tiki hui thi, maano likhte rehne se woh duniya se bach jayega. Uski patli si kaaya uski badi uniform ke andar alag hi maalum pad rahi thi.

Pata nahi kyu par use iss qadar dekh Nidhi ko ek samaanta si mehsoos hui. Attendance lene se pehle woh ruk gayi, uski nazre Veer par tiki rahi.

'Woh akela kyu baitha hai?'

Yeh vichaar kal se uske dimaag me atka hua tha. Jab usne attendance ke liye naam pukaarna shuru kiye, toh sabhi chhaatra baari-baari ek swar me 'present ma'am' chillaate chale gaye. Kaksha me hasi ki ek leher daud gayi, dost ek dusre ko dhakka deke hasi mazaak karne lage, aur unki khusur-pusur jaari ho gayi.

"Veer Singh?"

*Silence*

Aaj bhi wahi hua. Nidhi use hi dekh rahi thi. Veer ne apna haath dheere se upar uthaaya.

"Present ma'am!"

Maujood hoke bhi aisa lag raha tha jaise woh adrishya tha baaki logo ke liye. Shaant aur darpok.

Veer ka akelapann sirf samajik nahi tha — ye uske jeevan me samaya hua tha.

Ek baar project ke dauran, Nidhi ne class me baccho se ek-dusre se partners banaane ke liye kaha.

"Apna ek partner banaiye aur saath mil kar project complete karna hai. Theek hai? Class dismissed."

Chhaatra turant apne dosto ke paas bhaage — dekhte hi dekhte alag-alag pairs bann gaye.

Veer ko chhor kar.

Woh baitha raha, apni notebook ko ghoorta raha. Departure ho chuka tha aur sabhi project ke baare me baatein karte hue chale gaye.

Veer ne chup-chap apna bag uthaaya aur uski orr aaya.

"Ma'am!? Kya mein akele project bana sakta hu?"

"Kyu?"

"Mujhse kisi ne poochha hi nahi. Sabke pehle hi pairs bann gaye."

Usne itni saralta se kaha, maano jaise use aadat ho gayi ho bhulaaye jaane ki. Nidhi ka gala andar hi andar roondh gaya. Uski chhaati me jaise ek dard utha. Woh kuchh na bol saki.

Ek shaam woh class ke baad derr tak ruki hui thi. Usne dekha ki Veer parking area ke paas baitha hua farsh ko ghoor raha tha. Uski aankhein laal thi.

"Veer?"

Usne jawab nahi diya.

"Kya hua?"

Firse koi jawab nahi. Magar, jab usne Veer ke saamne dustbin me dekha toh uski aankhein chaudi hokar reh gayi. Dustbin me Veer ka bag dala hua tha.

Woh akasmat uske bagal se aake khadi hui.

"Kisne kiya ye?"

"Nahi pata. *sniff* Farq nahi padta. Koi nayi baat nahi."

"Tum ruko abhi- mein abhi jaa ke-"

"Nahi! Koi zaroorat nahi hai. Aapke jaane se... Woh baad me aur tang karenge. *sniff* Rehne dijiye."

"Par-"

"Maine kaha na, ma'am! Rehne dijiye!"

Nidhi ne aage kuchh nahi kaha. Usne use rona band karne ke liye bhi nahi kaha. Iski bajaaye, woh bas uske bagal se baith gayi.

Varsho me pehli baar, Veer ko laga ki koi tha... Jo uski parvah kar raha tha.

Din beetate gaye aur Nidhi 'Veer' naam ke iss ladke ko observe karti gayi. Usne jaana ki Veer kabhi kisi se baat nahi karta tha.

Recess ke dauran koi bhi uske saath nahi baithata tha, ladko ka koi bhi group use invite nahi karta tha. Lunch ke samay jab chhaatra apni-apni mandliyo me ikhatta hote, Veer chup-chap waha se gaayab ho jaata. Lunch laata bhi tha ya nahi? Iska bhi pata nahi tha.

Aur, isliye ek dopahar Nidhi recess ke theek baad yuhi uske peechhe-peechhe gayi. Veer library me jaa raha tha.

Nidhi ne dekha ki woh library me khidki ke paas baithe, sirr jhukaaye, notebook me kuchh bana raha tha.

'Hmm?'

Woh aage badhi.

"Iss waqt lunch kiya jaata hai, Veer. Koi aur kaam nahi."

Veer uski awaaz sunn jhep gaya. Woh chaunk gaya, use samajh nahi aa raha tha ki jawaab de ya andekha kar de?

"M-Maine lunch kar liya hai, ma'am." Uski awaaz mushqil se Nidhi ke kaano me pahuchi.

"Achha? 5 minute hue hai abhi recess hue aur tumne lunch bhi kar liya? Jhooth bolte ho?"

"M-Maine subah zyada khaaya tha. Isliye, abhi bhookh nahi hai. M-Mein theek hu, ma'am."

"Kya waqai?"

Veer ne hichkichaate hue apni pen aur kass ke pakad li. "H-Haan! M-Mujhe yaha achha lagta hai. Yaha shaanti rehti hai."

Nidhi ne ek pal ke liye use dekha, fir chali gayi. Veer ko laga ki uska peechha chhoot gaya lekin kuchh der baad hi woh waapas laut aayi — sandwich ki ek plate ke saath.

"Agar, tumhe yahi baithna hai toh yahi baitho. Par, kam se kam kuchh khaa toh liya karo."

Veer plate ko ghoorta raha. Dang reh gaya tha. Aisa pehle kabhi kisi ne uske liye nahi kiya tha.

"M-Mujhe bhookh nahi hai, ma'am."

"Of course, tumhe hai. Tum bas maanane ke liye ziddi ho. Tum lunch nahi laate kya? Mummy nahi deti ghar pe?"

Maa ka zikr aate hi Veer maun reh gaya aur Nidhi jaise samajh gayi ki kuchh baat hai. Usne iss vishay ko aage nahi badhaaya. Veer fir apne aap se hi kuchh kshan baad bola.

"M-Mein-! Mein aaj lunch box bhool gaya. Chachi ne bana ke rakha tha. Lekin- mein bhool gaya."

"Oh! Toh ab kha lo. Theek hai?"

"Nahi! Maine kaha na ma'am. Mujhe bhook nahi hai."

Veer ne mana toh kar diya. Lekin, jab Nidhi plate neeche rakh ke waha se chali gayi, toh Veer ne kuchh hi kshano baad khud ko plate ki taraf aage badhte hue paaya.

Ek din, jab Veer apni baahon aur chehre par chot ke saath class me aaya — ragging aur bullying ke kuchh saboot.

Nidhi ne dekha. Usne kuchh poochha nahi.

Lekin, agli hi subah, Veer ko apni desk ke neeche ek bandage kit rakhi mili — ek chhote se note ke saath.

'Take care of yourself. Some people care about you — even if you don't believe it yet.'

Uss din ke baad se Veer Nidhi ki upasthiti ko aur adhik mehsoos karne laga.

Class me, woh aksar uski desk ke aas-paas hi khadi rehti, aur uss se sawaal bhi poochha karti.

"Veer! Tum batao? Kya ye answer sahi hai?"

"Veer! Tumhari kya raay hai isme?"

Pehle toh woh jawab nahi de paata tha. Uski awaaz mushqil se uske muh se nikalti thi. Lekin, Nidhi ne apna prayas nahi chhora. Nidhi uske astitva ko poora karti thi. Lagne laga tha jaise ab woh adrishya nahi tha.

Ek din woh deri se aaya. Woh ghabrahat me darwaze ki dehleez par khada ho gaya.

"S-Sorry! Ma'am- mein..."

"Koi baat nahi!" Nidhi ne beech me hi tokte hue kaha, uski awaaz naram thi. "Ab aa gaye ho na? Baith jao!"

Zyadatar teachers use khari-kothi suna dete lekin, Nidhi... Woh muskurayi. Woh muskaan use shabdo se kahi zyada shaant kar deti.

Ek din Nidhi ne use apni notebook me kuchh banaate hue pakad liya.

"Tum drawing bhi karte ho??"

Veer ne jhepte hue jaldi se apni notebook band kar li. Uski drawing achhi nahi thi. Lekin, use banaane ka shauk tha.

"K-Kuchh nahi-! A-Aise hi bas..."

"Uff-Oh! Ab chalo bhi mujhe dekhne do."

Hichkichaate hue lekin bharosa kar, Veer ne dheere se notebook kholi. Andar alag-alag sketches the. Kuchh landscapes ke, kuchh chehro ke, aur ek kone me — Nidhi ka khud ka ek chhota sa chitr.

Nidhi ne aashcharya me palke jhapkayi. Fir, haule se hasi.

"Arey waah! Bahut khoob. Par, Veer-!? Mujhe nahi lagta ki meri naak itni badi hai. Hai na?"

Veer ka chehra sharm se laal pad gaya.

"Ye... Ye abhi poora nahi hua hai, ma'am." Usne haklaate hue kaha.

"Koi baat nahi... *smiles* Mein mazaak kar rahi thi. Tum talented ho. Ise chhipaane ki koi zaroorat nahi. Confidence rakha karo, Veer. Okay?"

"J-Ji!"

Jaise-jaise unka rishta aur mazboot hota gaya, unki baatein aur bhi sehej hoti chali gayi. Thodi chanchal bhi.

"Tum humesha ye notebook saath leke ghoomte ho." Woh ek baar use chidhaate hue boli. "Kya hai isme aisa? Hmm? Duniya par qabza karne ka master plan?"

"Haan!" Usne bebaaki se jawab diya. "Sabse pehla qadam — Ek aisa teacher dhundhna jo meri notebook ko lekar baar-baar na poochhe."

"Hahahahaha!" Aur, woh khil-khila ke hass padi.

Veer bhi badle me muskura diya. Shayad ye pehli baar tha jab Nidhi ne use muskurate hue dekha tha.

Class me ek baar questions ke dauran, Veer ne pehli baar koi galti pakdi thi.

"Ma'am, waha par... Waha par sin ki jagah cos aayega."

"Oh??" Nidhi ne bauhe chadhayi. "Mujhse galti ho gayi?"

"Haan!"

"Theek hai toh... Class! Agla question Veer solve karega blackboard pe. Chalo, Veer. Utho apni seat se!"

"Eh??? N-Nahi! Ma'am... Ek minute!"

"Hahahaha! Good luck!" Nidhi uski haalat par hasi.

Veer dara. Nidhi mazak nahi kar rahi thi. Woh blackboard ke saamne khada tha aur chalk se likhte samay uske perr kaanp rahe the. Lekin, fir Nidhi ne podium se fusfusate hue uss se kaha-

"Tum sahi kar rahe ho. Solve karte jao. Daro nahi!"

Jab ek baar Veer ko pehli baar assignment test me Maths me thode achhe marks mile toh usne dekha ki Nidhi ne uske test paper par kuchh likha hua tha — Told you you'd do great. ^⁠_⁠^ But you need to do even better.

Ek baar career ke lakshyo ke baare me charcha ke dauran, Nidhi ne Veer se akele me baat karte hue sehejta se tippani ki-

"Veer! Tumhe ek high goal rakhna chahiye. Tumhare jaise log... Tum apna potential barbaad kar rahe ho."

Magar, Veer ko — ek ladka jise uske parivar waale aksar ye keh dete ki woh apni zindagi me kuchh bhi nahi kar payega — uske shabd bahut chubh gaye.

"Aapko lagta hai ki mein apna samay barbaad kar raha hu???" Usne oonchi awaaz me poonchha. "Mein har din apni poori koshish karta hu, theek hai na? Aap jaanti bhi kya ho mere baare me?? *sniff* Koi nahi jaanta."

Nidhi ne palke jhapkayi. Woh achambhit thi. Veer pehli baar iss tarah se gusse me kuchh uss se bola tha.

"Mera matlab ye nahi tha, Veer. Mein-" Usne Veer ka kandha thaama.

"Rehne dijiye! *sniff* Aadat hai mujhe." Usne jhapatta maarte hue khud ko chhuraaya aur baahar nikal gaya.

Teen dino tak, Veer uss se bachta raha. Nazrein churaata raha. Lekin, chauthe din woh use library me mil hi gaya.

"Mera... Mera tumhara dil dukhane ka irada nahi tha, Veer." Usne dheere se kaha. "Mein bas... Mujhe tum pe vishvas hai. Bas itna hi."

"Hmm... Theek hai... Mujh par apna vishvas barbad mat kariye, ma'am." Woh badbadate hue bola.

"Uske liye ab bahut derr ho chuki hai. Mera paala ab tumse jo pad chuka hai." Woh muskurate hue boli.

Aur, iss baar-

Veer naraaz na reh saka. Woh sharmaate hue muskuraya aur apna muh ferr liya. Nidhi uske sharmaane par bas hasti reh gayi. Woh sahi thi. Aaj bhi kuchh ladke the jo uske prati galat bhavnaaye nahi rakhte the. Veer unme se ek tha. Ya yu kahe, unn sab me se sabse alag.

Aur, aise hi woh teen mahine kab guzar gaye, dono ko hi pata nahi chala. Veer vartalap me apna confidence dheere-dheere gain kar raha tha. Chhutiyaan padi aur uske baad shuru hua second year.

Pehla din tha. Naye juniors ko hall me baitha ke unka swagat kiya jaa raha tha. Classes lagni shuru ho chuki thi. Veer ki class ki teacher punah badal chuki thi lekin, Nidhi ko sabhi chaahne lage the aur isliye use wapas se class teacher banaane ki maang bhi rakhne lage.

Aur, fir aaya woh waqt-

Departure ke dauran. Veer ne jab Nidhi ko jaldbazi me jaate dekha toh usne use pukaara-

"Ma'am??"

Magar, Nidhi na ruki. Usne Veer ki awaaz hi nahi suni. Woh bahut hi jaldbazi me thi. Chehre par chinta bhi jhalak rahi thi.

Veer ne mann hi mann khud ko samjhaya ki har waqt koi uske liye haazir nahi reh sakta tha. Aur, fir woh pal aaya-

Jab uski nazar uss par padi. Pragya! Ek behad khubsoorat chehra. College ki jaani-maani sundar ladkiyo me se ek.

Aur, fir Ajay ka use dekhna, apne pantaro ko ishaara karna, Veer ka scooty uthaate hue ghar ki orr nikalna, Ajay aur uske saathiyo ka bikes se use gherna, use college ki peechhe waale raaste par le jaana, use buri tarah peetna, ghaayal karna, aur baarish hoti sooraj dhalti shaam me use sadak par chhor dena.

Yahi sab toh hua tha. Nahi! Yahi nahi! Uske baad use ghar se nikaal diya jaana, Uska aspataal me hona, marrne ki kagaar par hona, aur Nidhi ka waha par aana.

---

-Aur, aaj woh uske saamne tha.

'Aap chinta mat kariye!! Mein Juhi ko leke aaunga. Mein aapse vaada karta hu!'

Uske bol Nidhi ke kaano me goonj gaye. Usne apna vaada nibha diya tha.

Nidhi ka haath kaanp raha tha, woh uske bagal me ghutno par gir padi. Uski ungliyaan jhijhakte hue aage badhi aur fir usne Veer ki fati hui aasteen ko kass kar pakad liya.

Uski rone ki siskiyaan chhootne lagi. Ghutan bhari awaaz. Uske mote-mote aansu Veer ke khoon se sane haath par girne lage.

"*hic* Aaaaaaaaaa-!!! *hic*"

Woh royi. Kuchh bol nahi paa rahi thi. Iss sab ka bhaar use kuchal raha tha. Agar, Juhi ko kuchh ho jaata toh-

Iss vichaar ne uske shareer ko aur bhi zyada kaanpne par majboor kar diya. Usne apna chehra Veer ke perr se sataaya, uske perr kass ke pakde — maano use chhorne se Juhi fir se uss se dur chali jayegi. Aur, Veer bhi.

Mann hi mann woh Veer ko lagatar dhanyavad deti rahi. Kuchh pal beet gaye, fir usne apna sarr uthaaya.

Veer behosh tha. Usne apni ungliyon se Veer ke khoon se sane chehre ko chhiya, uske angoothe ne Veer ke maathe par fir ek ghaav ko chhiya.

"V-Veer-!" Uski awaaz toot gayi. Honth thar-thara uthe.

Aur, fir usne apni baahein uske kandho par rakhi, uske sirr ko dheere se uthaaya aur agle hi pal-

Use apni chhaati se laga liya. Veer ki garm saansein uske seene par padi. Magar, uska chehra poori tarah se thanda mehsoos ho raha tha.

Nidhi ke aansu ab khul kar gir rahe the. Woh bilakh-bilakh kar ro rahi thi. Veer ko apne aalingan me liye, use kass ke pakde woh khadi-khadi dahaad maar ke roti rahi. Jaise varsho se usne khud ko roke rakha tha aur ab uski bhavnaaye khul kar baahar nikal rahi thi.

"M-Maine tumhe apne se dur dhakela..." Woh fusfusayi. "Har baar... *hic* Har baar maine tumhe dur kiya."

Use yaad aaya jab usne Veer ko 1 lakh rupaye ki payment kar di thi. Kaise woh uss par bhadka tha.

Use ye bhi yaad aaya ki uski padosan Mrs. Tiwari kis tarah use Veer jaise ladko se dur rehne ki hidayat de rahi thi.

Ye sab yaad karte hi, usne Veer ko aur kass ke laga liya.

"Mujhe maaf kar do-!! *hic*" usne roondhi hui awaaz me budbudaya. "Mujhe maaf kardo, Veer!! Aaaaaaaa-!! Aaaaaaaaaa!! *hic* *sniff*"

Aur, firse usne uska sirr apni chhaati me aur bhi gehraayi me daba liya. Aur, inn teen saalo me aaj pehli baar — usne apni bhavnao se bhaagna band kar diya.

"Maine tumhe chaahna kabhi nahi chhora tha... Trust me... Mein bas... *hic* Mein bas darti thi."

"L-Lekin, *sniff* ab aur nahi bhaagungi."

Veer ke sang bitaaye use saare puraane pal yaad aane lage.

Har muskaan jo woh chhipaata tha.
Har aansu jo woh dabaata tha.

"Tum... *sniff* Tum akele the... M-Mujhe aur bhi bahut kuchh karna chahiye tha... *hic* Mujhe tumhare paas aur rehna chahiye tha."

"Par ab... *hic* Ab mein hu yaha. Aur, mein ab kahi nahi jaungi. *sniff* Kabhi bhi nahi."

Usne na jaane kab se inn bhavnao ko dabaaye rakha tha. Lekin, ab aur nahi.

Aasmaan me aatishbaziyo se fel rahe rang bikhre hue the, aur hospital ke iss kamre me ek mahila ne khoon se sane ek naujavan ko apni baaho me bhar rakha tha.

Aur, hospital ke saamne ki building ki terrace par khade do log ye sab kuchh dekh paa rahe the.

Erica : See, dad? Yahi woh Nidhi hai jinki beti ko Veer bacha ke laaya. But... I have never seen him so low.

Renshu : Low? He's the one who's the tallest among us. Na sirf usne unki jaan par khatra nahi aane diya, balki woh unhe chhuraane me bhi qamyab tha. Par, ab time nahi hai. Erica-!

Erica samajh gayi ki use kya karna tha. Garofano ko call connect kar ke Ava se poochhne ke baad dobara se Veer ki nayi location le li thi unhone.

Erica bina kuchh kahe waha se ek kshan me gaayab ho gayi.

Andar derr raat me hospital ka corridor shaant tha. Shreya ki bauhe sikudi aur palke jhapkaate hue woh kursi par se uthi. Sabhi resting area me so chuke the aur woh aur uske Ishaan bhaiya hi yaha kursi par baithe the.

Usne dekha ki uske bhaiya bhi baitha-baithe hi so rahe the. Apne phone ko dheele haath se pakdi woh Nidhi ko dekhne ke liye uske kamre ki orr badhi.

Lekin, Nidhi ke kamre ke paas pahuchte hi uske qadam wahi tham gaye.

Darwaaze ke sheeshein se... Usne dekha.

Veer.
Nidhi.
Juhi.

Nidhi ne Veer ke chehre ko apni chhaati se laga rakha tha — khoon se lathpath aur ghaayal.

Shreya bhauchakki reh gayi.

Drishya use umeed se zyada prabhavit kar gaya. Uski ungliyaan phone par kass gayi. Aur, vibhinn anubhutiyaan ek pal me mehsoos ho gayi.

Raahat — kyunki, Veer sahi salamat tha.

Khushi — kyunki, Juhi surakshit thi.

Irshya — kyunki, Veer kisi aur ki baaho me tha.

Glaani — kyunki, jiski baaho me tha woh uski apni badi behan hi thi. Ye sab uske mann me nahi aana chahiye tha.

Aur, dard — na jaane kyu.

*Click*

Darwaaze ki awaaz aate hi Nidhi chaunk kar tezi se mudi.

'Huh?'

Saamne koi ladki thi. Iske pehle ki woh kuchh keh paati-

"Shh! It won't hurt! Please! Sleep!"

Nidhi ko kuchh pata nahi chala. Uski aankhon ke saamne achanak se andhera chhaa gaya.

***

Ek ukhdi hui saans.

Veer ki aankhein fad-fada kar khuli. Chhat alag thi. Hawa me gandh toh wahi thi — antiseptic ki. Magar, uski chhaati par se woh bhaar gaayab tha.

Juhi.

Uski saans atakne ko hui, ghabrahat ne uske shareer ko jhakjhor diya. Uski baahein Juhi ko paane ke liye fadki. Kaha gayi woh?

Par, agle hi pal use mehsoos hua — uske dono taraf, daaye aur baaye koi uski baaho ko jakde hue tha.

'Huh?'

Uska sirr daayi orr muda.

Tej.

Uski Teju di ne use pakde rakha tha. Magar, nigaahein saamne ki orr ek band darwaaze par tiki thi.

Woh baayi orr muda.

Kavya.

Woh uss se chipki hui thi. Tej ki hi tarah, woh bhi saamne hi nazre gadaayi thi.

Uske haatho se bediyaan gaayab thi. Ye kaise hua? Janzeerein uski kalaayi par locked thi. Kaha chali gayi wo?

Kuchh gadbad thi. Tabhi-

“Veer!”

Ghane vatavaran me ek awaaz goonj gayi. Shweta! Use jaagta hua dekh uski aankhein chaudi ho gayi. Woh chillaati hui uske nazdeek aayi. Aur, kamre me maujood sabhi ki nigaahein Veer par pad gayi.

Badhi toh Bhavna bhi thi lekin, Shweta ne aate hi Veer ke chehre ko thaam liya aur use betaab apne seene se laga liya.

"Hosh aa gaya mere bete ko... Hey bhagwan!"

Veer akad ke reh gaya. Uske shareer ka har ang dard se tadak raha tha, lekin uljhan ka bojh dard se kahi zyada bhaari tha.

Ye sab yaha kyu the? Ye woh aspataal toh nahi tha jaha par Nidhi bharti thi.

Tej aur Kavya uss se lipti hui thi. Uski Shweta maa, aur uski maa — Bhavna. Sab ro rahi thi.

Usne dekha ki uske pita-

Brijesh!

'???'

Uske pita bhi kone me haath mode chintan me khade hue the. Uski behan Aarohi apni laal aankhein liye rote hue use hi dekh rahi thi.

Aabha aur Sonali bhi ek jagah par baithi use rote hue dekh rahi thi. Aur, na jaane kitne log the.

Uska sirr ghoom raha tha. Dhadkane tez ho rahi thi. Kuchh nahi, bahut kuchh galat lag raha tha.

'P-Pari? What the hell happened?'

Magar-

Sannaata. Koi jawab nahi.

'P-Pari? Juhi kaha hai? Ye sab kya chal raha hai?'

Fir bhi koi jawab nahi. Usne apne daant peese.

'Pariiii-!!'

Magar, kuchh nahi. Pari sleep mode me jaa chuki thi.

Uski saansein tez hui. Use Nidhi ke kamre me jaana yaad tha. Use yaad tha ki Juhi uske seene se hi lipti hui thi. Use ye bhi yaad tha ki woh seat par gira tha. Lekin, uske baad-!?

Use kuchh bhi yaad nahi tha. Kya hua tha? Veer ki nazar achanak baayi orr dur ek corridor me padi. Aur, usne dekha-

Kone ke paas, uske parivar se alag. Teen log khade hue the.

Renshu. Erica. Aur, Garofano.

Jo use hi dekh rahi thi.




System holders. Yaha par? Woh sab yaha kyu the? Use tabhi yaad aaya-

Yarnia's launch.

Woh toh aaj thi na? Toh kya hua? Sab yaha kyu the? Aur, ro kyu rahe the? Yarnia ka kya hua?

Aur, use yaad aa gaya.

Mission ki penalty. Ek sihran uske badan me daud gayi. Kahi isliye toh sab-?

Nahi! Aisa nahi ho sakta. Usne Juhi, Pihu ko bacha liya tha. Fir, akhir aur koi kaise khatre me ho sakta tha? Woh koi sawal kar paata ki itne me saamne ka darwaza khul gaya.

Ek doctor baahar nikal ke aaya. Sab achanak se khade ho gaye. Jis baat ko Veer ka darr tha, woh darr aur gehra ho gaya.

Doctor ne sabhi ko dekha aur fir Veer ko dekh ek haami bhar uski orr chalte hue nazdeek aaya jaise woh jaanta tha ki use kis se baat karni thi.

Veer Singh.

Yahi wo vyakti thi jise usko jawab dena chahiye. Doctor ne ek gehri saans li. Fir, ek asthir awaaz me bola-

"I'm very sorry, sir. Hum unhe bacha nahi sake. Mr. Manorath is no more."

*Badump*

Dhadalle se darwaza punah khula, stretcher par Manorath ji ka shav tha, upar se safed kapda dhaka hua tha.

Cheekhein goonj uthi. Parivar jano ke rone ki awaaz aspataal me goonjne lagi.

Veer ko kuchh samajh aata ki tabhi-

"Although, Miss Ragini ki situation kaafi critical thi. But, doctor ne mujhe khabar de di hai."

'Ragini' naam sunn woh wapas se hosh me aaya.

"She's out of danger now."

Raahat bamushqil ek kshan ke liye hi thi.

"But there's only one problem. I'm sorry to say but — woh ab pehle ki tarah kabhi nahi chal payengi."

Aur, aspatal ko ek gehre sannaate ne dhak liya.
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Aaj ke liya itna hi guys.
This update consists of 8.3k words. Jaan boojh ke around itni length ka rakha hai warna ye update 10k ke upar jaa raha tha. Too much info dump iss update me mujhe sahi nahi lagi because Nidhi ka aham hissa tha iss update me. So, I decided to post those sections in the later updates. This update also justifies why Nidhi took Veer to her house and sheltered him. Unke beech ka rishta ekdum naya nahi tha. They knew each other. Mehez 3 mahino ka hi rishta tha lekin, unn teen mahino ne bahut kuchh badal diya tha. Samay-samay par aise hi flashbacks ke zariye hum Nidhi aur Veer ke madhya aur bhi moments dekhenge. Yaha par past kaisa laga woh zaroor bataane ka. Baaki, target apna wahi hai. 300. Pahucha dene ka. Agle update se Post Disembowler arc shuru ho jayega.
Milte hai agle bhaag me.
Dhanyavad.

Superb Fantastic Update Bhai

 

[Rihanna]

As I was reading Nidhi's past... My reaction...

 

[jone964]

Update - 194 ~ The Disembowler​

Ab tak...

Neeche paani aedi tak bhara hua tha. Chhapaak ki awaaz ke saath Veer ki aankhein laal rang se chamak uthi.

Aur, udhar hi andar kahi... Uss paagal insaan ko Veer ke aane ka ehsaas ho gaya.

Woh haivani muskaan liye muskuraaya.

?? : Well... My food got delivered already. Ahahahahahaha!!! The main dish has come-!!! You will have to wait for a while, young ones. *Slurp* Ohhh!!! I'll come back soon. Don't worry!!! Ehehehehehehe!!! Yahahahahaha! Now... Shall we get started????

Ab aage...

Dhua... Aag... Khoon...

Barood ki gandh hawa me mandra rahi thi. Kabhi Hotel Prestige ki bhavya lobby — sunehre foolo ki sajavat se saji — ab ek yuddh kshetra me badal chuki thi. Toote hue kaanch, ukhda hua 'Yarnia' ka logo aur kuchh shav waha dale hue the.

Security guards farsh par pade the, unki uniforms gehre laal rang se ott-prot ho rakhi thi. VIPs apni security dwara waha se sahi salamat bach nikalne ke liye bhaag rahe the. Sabhi social media influencers, fashion enthusiasts, models waha se apni jaan bachaane ke liye faraar ho chuke the. Jitne mehmaan aaye the, unme se adhiktar peechhe ke darwaaze se bhaag chuke the. Arajakta badhti jaa rahi thi.

Aur, inn sab ke beecho-beech, Tej waha khadi hui thi — ekdum sthir.

Uska seena tezi se haafte hue upar-neeche ho raha tha. Woh abhi bhi Veer ke bol apne dimaag me sunn paa rahi thi — shaant, bharosemand, 'Yarnia' ki zimmedari use saunpte hue.

'Mein ye zimmedari aapko saunp raha hu, Teju di. Mujhe aap pe poora bharosa hai.'

Kintu, woh nakaam thi.

Yahi uska pal tha — yahi woh waqt tha. Woh kshan jab woh ek aisi behan bann ke dikha sakti thi jis par uska chhota bhai, Veer nirbhar ho sake. Woh behan jo uske saath kandhe se kandha mila ke khadi ho sake, mazboot aur atoot. Kamzor nahi. Asahaay nahi.

Fir bhi, akhir kya hua? Woh keval waha khadi bas sab kuchh ghatit hota dekhti reh gayi.

Woh ghumi, uski nazar neeche pade khoon se lathpath vyaktiyo par padi aur woh wahi jamm ke reh gayi.

Uske bagal se khadi Bhumika ka chehra bhi peela pad gaya, uske honth thar-tharaye par koi shabd baahar na aaye.

Iss taraf, Shweta ne kass ke Bhavna ki baah pakad li, uska samaanya ghamand kahi gaayab ho gaya — uski jagah sarasar, bhay aur aatank ne le li. Bhavna swayam, humesha ki tarah shaant, humesha ki tarah niyantran me, iss waqt jami khadi hui thi — uski aankhein kamre me neeche pade ek shareer par tiki hui thi.

Iss orr Arohi akad ke reh gayi thi, usne Kavya ki kalaayi ko itni kass kar pakda ki uski kalaayi safed ho kar reh gayi. Bechari Kavya ka muh sadme ke chalte khula reh gaya, uski humesha ki tarah chulbuli masoomiyat uske aas-paas ke narsanhaar se khatm ho gayi.

Arohi (shivers) : N-Nahi-!!! Nahi!!

Kavya (sobs) : D-Di!!? Didiiii-!!! Mummyyyyy-!!!!

Woh dono aage bhaagi. Magar, woh akeli nahi thi.

Parijaat ki aurtein.

Woh sab ek pal me aage aayi — ek saath, atoot nishtha aur maun krodh liye.

Suman (yells) : Saili... Aabha... Sonali...!!! Didi log ko baahar leke jao!! Abhi!!!!

Woh zor se chillaayi. Uska aadesh sunn teeno hi javaan ladkiyaan haami bhar baari-baari Tej, Arohi, Bhumika, sabhi ko ekatra kar woh unhe peechhe ke darwaze ki orr le jaane lagi.

Ishaara samajhte hi Varsha, Sudha, aur Mukta daudate hue Suman ke nazdeek aayi aur saath milke woh neeche pade vyakti ko uthaane lagi.

Suman (frowns) : Sudha!! Perr pakdo!! Araam se...!!! Mukta chalo!!! Udhar bhi-!!! Jaldi!!! Fatafat uthao.

Mukta ne wahi bichhe table clothes utha ke khoon behte hue ang par lapetna shuru kar diye.

Sudha : Didi, kh-khoon bahut...

Suman : Shhh!!!

Sudha ghabra rahi thi. Poori kamaan ab Suman sambhaal rahi thi. Dono vyaktiyo ko zameen par se uthaaya gaya.

Udhar bheetar pichhle darwaaze par Suhana poori tarah se bechain idhar se udhar tehel rahi thi.

Uske movements tez aur calculative the. Baahar lobby me golibaari ka ek aur daur chala jiske chalte wahi paas ki ek murti chaknachoor ho gayi.

Suhana : Exit secure rehni chahiye. VIPs jitne nikal rahe hai nikalne do, lekin mujhe Veer ki family jald se jald baahar sahi salamat chahiye.

Uncle Prakash (rushes) : Madam, situation abhi unstable hai aur-

Suhana (yells) : Mujhe pata hai...!!! Jitna kaha gaya hai utna kariye Uncle!!!

Uski oonchi awaaz sunn Uncle Prakash thoda jhep ke reh gaye. Woh tezi se mudi, usne hall me se Tej, Arohi, Kavya aur baakiyo ko aate dekha.

Suhana (nods) : Quick!! Jaldi!!

Tej ne use kuchh pal ghoora. Par, boli kuchh nahi. Unn sabki aankhon me aasu the. Sab barbaad ho chuka tha.

Tej (sobs) : V-Veer-!! *sniff*

'Kaha ho tum???'

Uske kandho ko thaamte hue Suhana ne use hosh me laaya.

Suhana : Snap out of it!!! Time nahi hai bilkul!!! Jaldi! Ambulance me jitne jann aa rahe hai utne baitho. Baaki log car me!! Uncle Prakash!! Car me sabhi ko bithwaiye.

Uncle Prakash : J-Ji madam!! Maine kuchh security guards andar bhej diye hai.

Suhana (nods) : Good!!

Uncle Prakash : P-Par, mein ek baar fir keh raha hu, madam. Aapko yaha rehne ki koi zaroorat nahi hai. Mein yaha hu aur sabhi ko sahi salamat pahucha dunga. Aap aur Sonia madam jaldi ghar jaiye. Agar, aap dono ko kuchh hua toh Sir pata nahi mera kya haal karenge. Isliye, jaiye-

Suhana : Kya kaha aapne??

Uncle Prakash thoda seham gaye. Yeh woh Suhana nahi thi jise woh jaante the — ek poori tarah professional businesswoman jisne kabhi kisi ladke ke liye iss qadar apni bhavnaaye vyakt nahi ki thi.

Lekin, Veer ne use badal diya tha.

Suhana : Aap chaahte hai ki mein yaha se bhaag jau? Aise time pe jab Veer ki family yaha khatre me hai??? Kya aapne dekha nahi ki abhi kya hua?

Uski awaaz waha goonj uthi. Uncle Prakash stabdh the. Unhone Suhana ko kabhi iss tarah se nahi dekha tha. Kabhi nahi.

Suhana : Jab tak mein unhe sahi salamat nahi pahucha deti, tab tak mein ghar nahi jaane waali.

Wahi kuchh dur khadi Sonia bhi uske nazdeek aayi.

Sonia : D-Di?? Y-Ye sab kya tha?? What just happened?? Gunshots... Bombing... Veer kaha hai?? What is going on??

Suhana : Sonu!!! Uncle aap Sonu ko leke jaiye yaha se.

Uncle Prakash : P-Par-

Suhana : Maine kaha na!!!

Sonia : What??? No way!!! Mein aapko akela chhor ke kahi nahi jaane waali.

Suhana : Sonu tum-

Sonia : Aapke orders Uncle par kaam kar sakte hai, di. Mujh par nahi. Aur, mein aapko bina yaha se liye kahi nahi jaane waali.

Suhana : Theek hai!! Toh, yahi peechhe hi rehna. Kisi ne planned attack karwaya hai. Koi 'Yarnia' ki launch ko target kar raha hai shayad? Ya fir koi kisi VIP ko maarne aaya tha??

Usne dekha ki andar se Suman kuchh aur aadmiyo ki madad dwara zakhmi parivar jann ko laa rahi thi. Ambulance se utre ladke bhi turant hi stretcher ki sahayata se unhe ambulance ke andar litaaye. Saath me parivar ke kuchh jann uss ambulance me sawaar ho gaye toh kuchh Suhana ki car me baith gaye. Aur, palak jhapakte hi woh sabhi waha se hospital ki orr ravana ho gaye.

Iss bhayanak drishya ka sadma agar kisi ko sabse gehra pada tha toh woh thi — Kaera, jo achanak hui iss ghatna se poori tarah se hil chuki thi. Uska badan kaanp raha tha. Kintu, uske bhay ka kaaran humla nahi tha.

Kaera (shivers) : B-Blood...!!!

Gaadha gehra laal khoon. Ye pehli baar nahi tha. Nidar, bejhijhak Kaera bhi akhir kisi cheez se darti thi aur woh tha — khoon. Uski sabse badi kamzori.

PTSD — ek mental health condition jo kisi atyant tanavpoorna ya bhayanak ghatna ke kaaran hoti thi — ya toh uska hissa hona, ya use spasht dekhna.

Woh pal...! Kaera ke puraane ghar par... Uss maali ki laash...!

Khoon... Slogan... Sab kuchh jaise use yaad aane laga. Puraani yaadein mastishk me mandraane lagi.

Uski saansein ukhadne lagi. Dil ki dhadkane achanak badh gayi.

*huff* *huff*

Mirror gallery... Uska agwa hona... Veer ka use bachaana... Uska ghaayal hona...

*huff* *huff* *huff*

Aur, achanak hi-

*Grasp*

Kaera : H-Huh!!?

Ek haath uske kandhe par aake use thaam liya. Woh mudi.

Kaera : K-Karan???

Karan, Kritika aur uske mata-pita ko baahar chhor ke aaya tha. Apni badi behan ki kamzori woh bhali bhaanti jaanta tha. Itne saalo baad use apni didi wapas mili thi. Woh dobara kaise use kho sakta tha?

Karan : Di!! Chaliye, mere saath. Yaha khatra hai.

Kaera : K-Karan!

Karan : Mein Raghu ke saath hospital jaa raha hu di. Veer ki family ke saath rahenge hum udhar. Aap Jassi ke saath ghar jaaiye. Ye jagah safe nahi.

Kaera : P-Par-

Ruchika : Karan Sir theek keh rahe hai, Miss. H-Hume jald se jald yaha se nikalna chahiye. Aap aisi condition me koi bhi rational decision nahi le payengi. It's better we let the men handle all of this.

Kaera : Par, V-Veer-!?

Karan (frowns) : Jab tak woh nahi aa jaata, yaha ki zimmedari meri bhi hai. Di! Aap ghar ki orr nikaliye.

Akhir kaar, Kaera ne haami bhari aur Jassi use waha se leke ravana ho gaya. Idhar Karan Raghu ke saath hospital ki orr ravana ho gaya.

Siren baje aur police ki kayi gaadiya waha ikhatta ho gayi. Ek ke baad ek police karmi apni-apni gun taane Hotel Prestige ko baahar se gher liye.

"Apne-apne hathiyaar fek do. Tum sab ko police ne chaaro orr se gher liya hai. Surrender kar do!!!"

Ek police officer ne announce karte hue kaha. Aur, golibaari waqai me tham gayi. Ahista-ahista police waale andar ki orr badhe. Balhaar ke aadmi bhi isme fas chuke the. Magar, woh jaante the ki jald hi unki bail karwaane ke liye madad aa hi jayegi.

Kuchh aur gaadiya aake dur ko ruki aur dhadalle se news reporters apne-apne cameraman ke saath waha coverage lene ke liye aa dhamke.

Jo jagah kuchh der pehle bade-bade VIPs se bhari hui thi, ab woh police aur media reporters se bhar chuki thi.

"Jaisa ki aap dekh sakte hai, hum iss waqt Hotel Prestige ke theek baahar se live hai. Khabar ke anusaar abhi yahi kaha jaa raha hai ki koi terrorist attack hua hai. Iss baat me kitni sacchaayi hai ye abhi dekhna baaki hai."

Ek mahila reporter ne Hotel se duri banaaye rakhte hue apna microphone pakad kar haafte hue sab varnan kiya.

"Goli-baari, bhayanak visfot, aur poori tarah se tabahi mach rakhi hai yaha. Yaha par 'Yarnia' ek clothing brand ka launch hone waala tha magar palak jhapakte hi sab kuchh tehes-nehes ho gaya."

Usne aage badhne ki koshish ki magar police ne use turant hi andar jaane se mana kar diya.

"Aap dekh sakte hai ki mujhe abhi bhi andar jaane nahi diya jaa raha hai. Aur... Aur, police ne shayad shooters ko daboch liya hai. Shooters ne surrender kar diya hai. Unhe police jeep me bitha ke le jaaya jaa raha hai."

Cameraman ne camera focus karte hue drishyo ko dikhaane ki koshish ki, lekin punah officers ne unhe andar ke drishyo ko dikhaane se mana kar diya.

Andar se shavo ko ambulance ke andar karwaya jaa raha tha. Aur, jaise hi ye sab hua, reporters microphone hathiyaar ki tarah liye police karmiyo ke paas pahuch gaye.

Reporter : Sir! Sir!! Humne abhi abhi dekha ki ambulance me kinhi logo ko le jaaya gaya. Kya hatya hui hai yaha?? Kitni sankhya hai?

Officer jo apni rifle liye wahi khada hua tha, usne jawab dene se pehle ek gehri saans li.

Officer : Dekhiye, iss samay hum koi bhi spasht sankhya jaari nahi kar sakte. Lekin, haan casualty hui hai. Situation ab control me hai aur jald hi official statement jaari kar diya jayega.

Reporter 2 : VIPs bhi yaha aaye the. Kya unme se kisi ko koi chot pahuchi hai??? Kya unhe koi muskan pahuchaya gaya hai??

Officer : Dekhiye, hum abhi bhi ghayal logo ka aaklan kar rahe hai. Jaha tak meri jankaari hai, sabhi VIPs sahi salamat aur surakshit evacuate karwa diye gaye hai. Lekin, hum abhi spasht roop se har kisi ka khulasa nahi kar sakte.

Lekin, media sirf police ke bayaano se santusht nahi thi. Asli sona toh gawaho ke paas tha.

Aur, tabhi peechhe ke gate se ek VIP nikal ke aaya. Uska pehnava poora ast-vyast ho rakha tha. Sadme ke chalte bechaare ka chehra peela pada hua tha. Patrakaro ki ek leher uski orr aise jhapti jaise maano shikaari khoon ki gandh soongh ke uss orr daud rahe ho.

Reporter : Sir!!! Sir!! Kya aap bata sakte hai ki andar kya hua???

Uss aadmi ne apna maatha pochha, uski saansein abhi bhi ukhdi hui thi. Jab usne apne vichaaro ko ikhatta karne ki koshish ki toh uske haath kaanpne lage.

VIP : Tabaahi...!!! Poora pagalpann!! Ek pal, hum sab celebrate kar rahe the. Agle hi pal... Ek zordar blast hua aur fir goliyaan chalne lagi. Har jagah!!! Ek do logo ko maine girte hue bhi dekha. *huff* *huff* Khoon hi khoon...!!!

Reporters aur jhuke, uske har shabd ko camera me qaid karne ki koshish kar rahe the.

Reporter 2 : Kya kya dekha aapne waha? Thoda aur vistaar se bata sakte hai??

VIP : L-Log chilla rahe the, har disha me bhaag rahe the. Maine dekha ki... Kayi saare aadmi guns liye lobby me achanak se ghuse aur goliyaan chalaane lage. Kuchh ko maine goliyaan lagte hue dekha. *huff* M-Mein apni jaan bachaane ke liye peechhe bhaag gaya fir.

Reporter 3 : Aapko kya lagta hai? Kaun ho sakta hai iss humle ke peechhe?

VIP : M-Mujhe kuchh nahi pata. Sab kuchh tezi se hua. Aur, hum bas bhaag rahe the.

Reporter 1 : Kya koi suraksha chook hui thi? Ye humlavar andar kaise aaye?

VIP (shivers) : M-Mujhe nahi pata. Mein toh bas ek guest tha, theek hai? Mujhe koi jankaari nahi hai ki woh log andar kaise aaye, kisne unhe andar kiya. Lekin, itna zaroor hai ki woh sab poore prepared the. Ye koi random hamla nahi tha.

Reporters ki bheed me ek sannaata chhha gaya.

Yeh koi random hamla nahi tha.

Patrakaro ne ek-dusre ko dekha. Woh jaanta the iss bayaan ka kitna wazan tha.

Reporter 1 : Aur, koi jankaari???

VIP : Ab sab police karegi. CCTV me zaroor unhe mil jayega. *huff* Mein ab aur jawab nahi de sakta. H-Hatiye!! M-Mujhe jaana hai.

Media ko ek kahani mil chuki thi. Palak jhapakte hi uss VIP ka bayaan poore news channels me prasarit ho gaya. Dekhte hi dekhte ye breaking news ab ek national news bann chuki thi.

Udhar ghar par Brijesh ne jaise hi samachar dekhe toh uska sarr chakra gaya. Woh bhay ke maare utha, aur bina koi pal gawaaye hotel ki orr bhaaga.

***

Hotel Prestige ke theek saamne uss khandahar waali imaarat ki chhat par Dexter ki laash dali hui thi.

Kuchh derr pehle woh bhaagne ki koshish kar raha tha jab achanak hi-

*Splurt*

"Urgh!!!"

Ek nukeeli blade aake uske seene ko cheer gayi.

Ek rear surprise attack.

Blade seedhe uske dil ko cheer ke baahar nikli thi. Use kuchh samajhne ka samay hi na mila. Na hi woh kuchh bol paaya aur na hi apne humlavar ko dekh paaya.

Aankhon ke saamne andhera chhaaya aur uska shareer zameen par girte hi thandi laash me badal gaya.

*Schling*

Blade ko nikaalte hue ek yuvti ne neeche padi Dexter ki laash ko ghoora. Uske mann me kya tha koi nahi jaanta tha.

Tabhi-

*Thud*

Neeche se aayi Ava ne dhadalle se darwaza khola. Saamne khadi yuvti ko dekh woh chaunki. Magar, bullet apna kaam kar rahi thi.

Ava sirf blood loss ki wajah se kamzor nahi hui thi. Uska kaaran tha — Poison.

Ek poison pallet jo bullet ki core me thi. Shareer ke andar jaate hi zeher ne apna kaam karna shuru kar diya tha. Yeh koi aisa-waisa zeher nahi tha.

Sarin (military designation GB) ek aisa nerve agent tha jo chemical warfare agents me sabse zehreela maana jaata tha. Na hi iska koi swaad hota tha aur na hi koi gandh. Sarin ke sampark me aate hi kuchh hi minto me ek insaan ki maut ho sakti thi.

Aur, isliye Ava itni zyada kamzor pad chuki thi. Uske andar Lily apni poori koshish kar ke zeher ko felne se rok rahi thi. Toh wahi, Healing Factor ki madad se Ava ka shareer naya khoon poori raftaar se banaata jaa raha tha taaki Red blood cells blood loss ki kami ko poora kar sake, white blood cells Sarin se ladte rehne ke baad immunity bana le. Aur, platelets ghaav ko bhar sake.

Ye ekmaatra poison bullet thi Dexter ke paas jo usne Tej ke upar chalaayi thi. Agar, aaj Ava waha na hoti toh Tej ki mrityu sunishchit thi.

Uske qadam ladkhadaye aur woh sarr ke bal peechhe girne hi waali thi jab uske saamne khadi yuvti palak jhapakte uski orr aayi aur use girne se bacha li.

Ava behoshi me chali gayi. Aur, tabhi-

"Shebaaaaaaa!!!!!"

*Keaaaaaarrrrrrrr*

Ek badi si aakriti upar aasmaan se neeche aayi. Dhamm se chhat par uske qadam padte hi poora chhat kampan kha ke reh gaya.

Upar hawa me ek baaj udta hua neeche aaya aur Dexter ke mrat shareer par jaa baitha. Apni nukeeli chonch se woh uske murda shareer ko noch ke ukhaadne laga aur use wahi kachha chabaane laga.

Uss yuvti ne Ava ko pakde hue bagal waali imaarat se chhalang laga kar aaye uss shaks ko dekha. Aur, fir bauhe kasste hue boli.

"It's a poison. Mujhe jald se jald treatment karna hoga."

Aur, ye koi aur nahi, Garofano hi thi. Aur, uske saamne khada woh shaks — Renshu.

'Yarnia' ka bhavya launch ho aur Veer unhe aamantran na de? Aisa kahi ho sakta tha? Woh sabhi abhi kuchh derr pehle hi India aaye the. Neeche se car se jab unhone Ava ko road cross kar bhaagte dekha toh unhe samajhne me derr na lagi ki kuchh gadbad thi.

Agle hi pal ek aur aakriti bagal waali imaarat se kood ke unki chhat par land ki.

Erica!!!

Erica : K-Kya hua? Urgh!! Sheba!!! Don't you dare eat human meat!!!

Woh uss par zorr se barsi. Magar, Sheba apni mundi hilaaye wapas se Dexter ke maans ko nochne me lag gaya. Renshu chhat ki edge tak gaya. Use neeche se saara manzar nazar aa raha tha.

Renshu : Police aa chuki hai. Yaha se nikalna padega.

Garofano : Laash ka kya??

Renshu : Rehne do. Waise bhi tumhe koi trace nahi kar payega. Tumne Erica ko chakma diya tha. Toh, ye police tumhare liye kya cheez hai?

Garofano : Hmph! Mujhe jagah chahiye. Treatment ke liye. Bullet nikaalni hogi. I think iske paas koi poison resistant skill ya card nahi hai. Aur, isliye... Ye behosh ho chuki hai. Andar system poison ko felne se rok raha hoga. I can give her an antiserum. That will make things better.

Uska aagman ekdum sahi samay par hua tha. Yohana's Scalpel, uska card — jiski madad se woh Ava ki surgery asaani se kar sakti thi.

'Freya!!! Full Status!!!'

*Ding*







Mastishq me turant hi full status ki do window uske saamne khul gayi.

Scroll me uske paas Antiserum tha. Fame points bhi uske paas kaafi maatra me the. Ava par antiserum ka istemal karne ke baad use jald se jald kuchh aur antiserum bana ke rakhne honge. Woh jaanti thi ki aane waale samay me kuchh bhi ho sakta hai. Taiyaari jitni zyada ho, utna behtar tha.

Renshu : Humari priority hai Veer se milna. Par, dekh ke lag nahi raha ki woh yaha par hai. Tumhare paas koi skill hai? Jis se Veer ka pata lagaya jaa sake?

Garofano : Nahi!!

Garofano ke paas aisi koi skill nahi thi. Renshu ne use kuchh pal ghoor ke dekha.

Garofano : What?? Iss tarah se dekhne ki zaroorat nahi hai. Mein sach keh rahi hu. Agar, hoti toh mein kab ka istemal kar chuki hoti.

Renshu (sighs) : Mere paas bhi nahi hai.

Iss baar Garofano ne use ghoor ke dekha. Renshu ne badle me koi jawab na diya.

Woh sab nahi jaante the ki Ava hi ekmaatra thi jiske paas Veer ko track karne ki koi skill thi — Death Flag!!!

Ava ne saari skills unhe nahi bataayi thi. Ye baat sirf aur sirf Veer jaanta tha ki agar koi use trace kar sakta tha, toh woh sirf Ava thi. Lekin, filhal woh behosh thi.

Erica chup-chaap chalte hue Ava ke nazdeek aayi. Jhukte hue usne Ava ko gaur se dekha. Ek pal ke liye use wo drishya yaad aa gaye jab Ava uske theek saamne ek deewar bann ke khadi hui thi, Jaw Long se bachaane ke liye.

Veer uski goad me ghayal pada hua tha aur Ava unn dono ko protect kar rahi thi.

Erica : Dad!!?

Woh achanak boli.

Renshu (glances) : Hmm?

Erica : Can we trust her???

Use apne pita ke bol yaad the. Ava ne hi Veer ko dhoka diya tha.

'Erica!!! Agar, kabhi tumhara saamna iss Natalia Martin se ho. Toh uss par bharosa mat karna. Celebrity hone ka matlab ye nahi ki kisi ka dil saaf ho.'

Parantu, Jaw Long se bhidant ke baad Erica ke mann me Ava ki chhavi me parivartan aa chuka tha. Kya yeh waqai wahi ladki thi jisne Veer ko dhoka diya tha? Kya uss par bharosa kiya jaa sakta tha??

Renshu : Agar, abhi ki situation ke hisaab se dekhe. Toh, mujhe nahi lagta ki woh humare khilaaf hai. Woh bullet zaroor use kisi ko protect karte waqt lagi hogi. Toh hum ye anuman laga sakte hai ki woh humaare side hai. Filhal!!!

Erica : Par, aap hi ne kaha tha na ki kabhi Natalia Martin par bharosa mat karna!?

Renshu (nods) : Hmm! Kaha tha. Aur, uss baat ko abhi bhi mat bhoolna. Lekin, filhaal ke liye. Jaise halaat hai... Mujhe nahi lagta ki woh koi shadyantra rach rahi hai.

Erica : Mm! Okay!

[Oh, are you getting jealous my girl?]

'What?? Shut up, Genie!!! Mein kyu jealous houngi bhala?'

[Ye jaante hue ki yeh Ava Veer ke dil me apni jagah bana rahi hogi??? Hmm??]

'Shut up! Hmph! Aisa kuchh bhi nahi hai. Mujhe kya lena-dena unki love story se?'

[Fufu~ Well, I'll believe you. For now at least.]

Renshu (looks down) : Police yaha aa rahi hai. Erica!!!

Erica (nods) : Samajh gayi, dad!! Kaha par milna hai?

Renshu : Parking me...!

Aur, agle hi kshan-

*Whoosh*

Erica waha se gaayab ho gayi. Woh jaanti thi use kya karna tha.

'Veer!!! Kaha ho tum?'

[See? Mein sahi thi.]

'Ahhh!!! Genie!!! *blushes* Stop reading my mind.'

[Hehe!]

Nazro se bachte hue Erica andhere me Hotel Prestige ke nazdeek pahuchi. Uska yaha aane ka ek hi uddeshya tha-

'Basic Seer Vision!!!'

*Ding*

Skill activate hui aur chand pal pehle ki yaha hui sabhi ghatnaaye uske dimaag me drishya bann ke aane lagi.

Uske maathe par silvatein chhaa gayi. Dimag par zorr pad raha tha. Yeh pehli baar tha jab usne iss skill ka istemal kiya tha. Jaw Long se ladayi ke dauran Veer ko safeguard karne ka mission poora karne par use ye skill reward ke roop me praapt hui thi. Aur, aaj uska sahi upyog karne ka samay aa chuka tha.

***

Mumbai Police Headquarters,
Night - 9:30 PM ~

Trisha kaanp rahi thi. Kuchh hi palo me kya se kya ho gaya tha. Use apne andar ghutan si mehsoos ho rahi thi.

Uski beti, Pihu jaa chuki thi.

Apharan. Lekin, koi aam apharan nahi. Ye woh tha. Wahi killer jiska khauf poore raajya me fela hua tha.

Iss vichaar maatra se hi ki uski beti uss hatyaare dwara utha li gayi hai, Trisha ka badan jhatka kha kar reh gaya.

“Trisha!”

Ek dridh awaaz uske bhay ko cheerte hue kamre me aayi. Uska pati, Rohan andar ghusa aur uski aankhein apni patni par tik gayi. Trisha uski orr mudi. Uske honth thar-thara rahe the.

Trisha : R-Rohan!!! *sniff* M-Mujhe maaf kar do...!!! *sniff* Sab meri galti hai. Na mein apna dhyaan Pihu par se hataati, na woh baahar jaati aur- *sniff* Aur, na ye sab hota. *sniff* Sab meri galti hai. *hic*

Rohan ko sab kuchh gyaat tha. Aur, isliye usne poori police force uss serial killer ko pakadne me laga di thi. Udhar Hotel Prestige me alag humla ho chuka tha. Ek force waha bhi bhej di gayi thi.

Woh apni jagah par ruka. Uske haath ki mutthi kass gayi. Jis se poore raajya ke apradhi darte the, aaj woh khud hi apne aap ko kamzor mehsoos kar raha tha.

Kintu, woh apni kamzori nahi dikha sakta tha. Abhi toh hargiz nahi.

Police karmi uske aas-paas hi maujood the. Kuchh radio par baat kar rahe the, toh kuchh nigraani ki footage check kar rahe the. Phone baj rahe the, keyboards khad-bada rahe the, aur Rohan andar se poori tarah se toot ke apne aap ko mazboot dikhaane ki koshish kar raha tha.

Usne ek gehri saans chhori.

Rohan : Pihu ko kuchh nahi hoga. Mein use kuchh nahi hone dunga. Hum use waapas laa ke rahenge.

Uski awaaz dheemi thi. Kuchh zyada hi dheemi. Trisha ne zor se apna sarr hilaaya.

Trisha : *sniff* R-Rohan!! Woh koi aam kidnapper nahi tha. *sniff* Woh serial killer tha...!!! *sniff*

Woh uth ke uske paas aayi aur uski baah ko kass ke thaam li. Uske nakhoon Rohan ki baah me gadd gaye.

Trisha : Kahi woh... Kahi woh... *sniff*

Woh apna vaakya bhi poora na kar saki. Rohan ne use thaama. Uski pakad mazboot thi lekin kathor nahi.

Rohan : Meri taraf dekho, Trisha!!!

Trisha ne apni aasuo se bheegi palke uthaayi.

Rohan : Hum use dhoondh lenge.

Trisha ne apna nichla honth itni zorr se kaata ki lagbhag woh ghayal hone ko ho gaya.

Trisha : A-Aur, agar hum nahi dhoondh paaye toh? *sniff* Agar kahi derr ho gayi toh?? *sniff* Mein jeete jee marr jaungi, Rohan!!! *hic* Mein marr jaungi Pihu ke bina...

Humesha nidar aur shaant rehne waali Trisha aaj itni dari hui thi. Ye woh dar tha jab ek maa se uski aulaad bichhad jaati hai.

Iss raat pehli baar, aaj Rohan ke paas bhi koi jawaab nahi tha. Unke beech ek khamoshi chhaa gayi. Sirf Trisha ki subakne ki awaaz hi waha kamre me goonj rahi thi jo aas-paas ke shor se bhi chhup na saki.

Police station toh unke chaaro orr ki gatividhiyo se gulzar tha. Ye ek prakar se yuddh ki ghoshna thi. DGP ki beti ka apharan hua tha. Kisme itni aukaat thi ki raajya ke DGP ki beti ko hi agwa kar le?

Tabhi, ek junior police officer unki orr daudate hue aaya.

Policeman : Sir, sabhi units ko tainaat kar diya gaya hai. Humne bhaagne ke sabhi mumkin maarg — airports, railway stations, bus terminals ko band kar diya hai. Duty par maujood har officer high alert par hai.

Rohan (nods) : Mujhe har 5 minute ke andar update chahiye. Koi galti nahi, koi deri nahi!

Policeman : Ji sir!

Usne salaam kiya aur tezi se baahar nikal gaya.

Magar, Trisha ke mann me kuchh aur hi chal raha tha.

Trisha : Hum inn sab me time kyu barbaad kar rahe hai, Rohan??? Mujhe baahar hona chahiye... Mujhe humari Pihu ko dhoondhna chaahiye udhar jaa ke aur hum idhar-

Rohan : Aur, kaha dhoondogi tum use? Kya tumhare paas koi lead hai???

Trisha (yells) : Kahi bhi dhoondungi. Par, mein haath par haath dhare yaha kaise baith sakti hu. *sniff* W-Woh humari bacchi ko le gaya, Rohan!! Humari apni bacchi. Eklauti bacchi!!! *sniff* Mein marr jaungi-!!! *sniff* Mein nahi jee paungi agar use kuchh-

"TRISHAAAA!!!!"

Rohan ki awaaz poore station me goonj uthi. Ek pal ke liye sab kuchh ruk gaya.

Aas-paas ke police karmi unhe dekhe, lekin kisi ne hastakshep karne ki himmat nahi ki.

Rohan : I need you to think.

Trisha ka gussa fir ubaal maara.

Trisha (yells) : MEIN SOCH RAHI HU, THEEK HAI??? Aur, sochne ke baad bhi mere andar sirf aur sirf meri bacchi ki tasveer mujhe nazar aa rahi hai. Use kaisa mehsoos hua hoga uss waqt... Mujhse bichhadte waqt... Wo kitna darr rahi hogi... Kaha hogi... Wo humara intezar kar rahi hogi... Aur, mein yaha haath par haath dhare bas khadi hu...!!! *sniff*

Rohan : Tum ek maa ke saath-saath ek police officer bhi ho, Trisha. Agar, tumne apna niyantran khoya, agar tumne koi galat qadam uthaaya, toh ek baat yaad rakhna... Uski keemat humari Pihu ko chukaani padegi.

Aur, ye shabd kisi tamaache ki tarah uss par aake lage.

Trisha ladkhadayi, aur Rohan ne use dheere se thaam liya. Ek maun vaada. Woh ek maa thi. Haan. Lekin, saath hi ek police officer bhi. Woh kamzor nahi pad sakti thi.

Trisha : Tumne theek kaha, Rohan!! I'm sorry!! I'm so sorry!!

Usne Rohan ka haath kass ke thaam liya. Aur, fir officers ki orr mud ke woh boli.

Trisha : Mujhe ghatna ke dauran maujood har ek shaks thaane me chahiye. Uss Madhuri aur Pranjal ko bhi poochh-taachh ke liye yaha leke aao. Uss poore area ke escape routes block karwa do. Har mod, har gali par pehra hona chahiye. Gharo me ghuso aur poochh-taachh karo. Talashi lo. Jo bann sakta hai karo.

Rohan ne uska ye roop dekh, sehmati me sarr hilaaya. Aur, woh khud yaha ki kamaan Trisha ke haatho me saunp, Pihu ko dhoondhne ke liye waha se nikal gaya.

Magar, andar hi andar woh khud ghabraya hua tha.

Kyunki, iss se koi farq nahi padta ki unke haath me kitni power thi — abhi toh woh dono sirf ek mata-pita the jo praarthna kar rahe the ki unki bitiya sahi salamat aur jeevit ho.

***

Carewell Hospital...

Nidhi, aspatal me ek bistar par laiti hui thi. Uske sarr par pattiyaan bandhi hui thi. Chehre ka rang peela tha aur honth sookhe. Uske haath se ek IV line judi hui thi jo ek taral padaarth uske shareer me pahucha rahi thi.

Nidhi ke parivar-jann doctor ke ird-gird hi khade the.

Doctor : Dekhiye! Humne ek mild sedative unhe diya hai taaki unki sthiti aur na bigad jaaye. Sarr par chot lagte waqt ek mild concussion hua hai unhe. Neurological assessment ho gaya hai aur abhi tak internal bleeding ke aise koi bhi sanket nazar nahi aaye hai. Ye achhi baat hai. Lekin... Dehydration bahut zyada hua hai. Shareer me jo essential electrolytes hote hai woh kaafi kam ho chuke hai. Yahi kaaran hai ki woh itni kamzor hai.

Doctor ki baatein Nidhi ke mata-pita ko samajh aayi ho ya na aayi ho, magar Shreya poori tarah se sab samajh chuki thi.

Ramandeep : T-Toh humari bitiya theek toh hai na???

Doctor (nods) : Haan! Abhi toh theek hai. Dekhiye, woh kaafi stress me thi. Physically bhi aur mentally bhi. Uske baad dehydration, exhaustion aur fir sarr par chot aur concussion. Isliye, hydration level restore karne ke liye humne unhe ek intravenous saline solution diya hai. Dard ke liye ek analgesic aur woh abhi rest kar sake uske liye ek mild sedative. Abhi unhe agar kisi cheez ki sabse zyada zaroorat hai toh woh hai araam.

Shreya kone me chup-chaap baithi thi, uske ghutne uski chhaati tak khiche hue the. Uske chehre se lagatar aansu beh rahe the. Unn sab ki nanhi Juhi laapata thi aur ab uski badi behan aspatal me behosh padi hui thi.

Uski bhabhi, Dipti ne uske kandhe par apne kaanpte hue haath ko rakha. Lekin, saantvna dene ke liye use koi shabd nahi mile. Akhir, kya keh sakti thi woh?

Nidhi ki maa, Hema chhote se Dhruv ko liye apni goad me jhula rahi thi, magar aankhein apni bitiya Nidhi par tiki hui thi. Juhi ka gham sabko bahut chot pahucha raha tha.

Hema : Doctor sahab! *sniff* Hosh me aate hi woh firse bhaagne ki koshish karegi.

Doctor : Isliye toh sedative diya gaya hai na.

Nidhi ka bada bhai, Ishaan bhi wahi tha.

Ishaan : J-Juhi!! Mein Juhi ko dhoondhne jaa raha hu. Police apna kaam karegi, lekin hume unke bharose bas nahi rehna chahiye.

Ramandeep : Haan beta! Sambhal ke!! Ya mein bhi chalta hu.

Ishaan : Nahi papa! Kisi gents ka yaha rehna zaroori hai. Mein jaata hu.

Shreya : Bh-Bhaiya mein bhi chalungi aapke saath. *sniff*

Ishaan : Nahi, Shreya!!! Dipti-

Usne apni patni ki orr dekha. Dipti uska ishaara samajh gayi.

Dipti : Shreya! Inhe jaane do. Humara yaha rehna zyada zaroori hai.

Kehte hue usne Shreya ko apne gale se laga liya. Aur, Shreya bilakh-bilakh ke rone lagi.

Hema ki pakad Dhruv par kisi kaaran mazboot ho gayi. Jaise ab use surakshit rakhne ki koshish kar rahi ho ki kahi Dhruv bhi unke paas se-

Juhi ki anupasthiti unke liye ghaav samaan thi. Kuchh bhi ab pehle jaisa nahi tha.

***

The Underground Lair…

Chhapaak ki awaaz ke saath Veer underground lair me kooda. Gehre dum ghotne waale andhere ne use poori tarah nigal liya. Neeche aedi tak paani bhara hua tha. Lekin, ye baat uski hairat ka kaaran nahi thi. Hairat ka kaaran thi yeh jagah.

Tracer ki madad se woh yaha tak pahucha tha aur ab use sab samajh aa chuka tha ki Police ab tak iss hatyaare tak kyu nahi pahuch paa rahi thi.

Ye underground lair… darasal… ek shamshan ke neeche thi.

Raat ke andhere me achhe se achha aadmi shamshan ke andar pravesh karne se kaanp uthata hai. Isme koi shaq nahi tha ki iss hatyaare ne yeh jagah kyu chuni thi.

Par, Veer ko abhi aur bade-bade jhatke lagne baaki the.

Idhar uska aagman hote hi, lair ke kendra me maujood uss paagal hatyaare ko iska pata lag gaya. Uske muh se jeebh laar tapkaate hue baahar nikli.

“The time has come… Ehe… Ehehe!!!”

Aur, Veer ke idhar ek qadam aage lete hi-

*Ding*

[‘Tracer’ has been nullified.]

[Juhi’s location is no longer available.]

‘What???’

Uske badan me ek sihran daud gayi. Tracer me dikh rahi Juhi ki location aur map dono hi achanak se gaayab ho chuke the. Uska poora shareer tanavgrast ho gaya. Andar ki hawa ghani, namm aur gandh se bhari hui thi.

'W-What's going on???'

[Master! Tracer ko nullify kar diya gaya hai.]

Pari ki ghabrati hui awaaz uske andar goonji.

‘Pari!! Y-Ye kaise-!?’

[I don’t know, Master! Sambhal ke please! It’s now clear! Ye ek system holder hai. Usne kuchh use kiya hoga jiski wajah se Tracer nullify ho gaya. Shayad use pata tha ki aapne Juhi pe tracer lagaya hai.]

‘What??? Ye kaise ho sakta hai? Tracer ke baare me use kaise-?’

[Hum ek system holder se bhid rahe hai. Anything is possible, Master! Please, be careful!]

‘Hmm!!!’

Veer ne qadam aage badhaaye. Paani uske perro se bhid ke idhar-udhar chhalak raha tha jo underground lair ke sannaate me bhaari shor paida kar raha tha. Jaise-jaise woh aage jaa raha tha, andhera aur badhta jaa raha tha. Dekhna uske liye mushqil hota jaa raha tha.

Aur, use Jaw Long se bhidant ke waqt praapt hui uss skill ka dhyaan aaya.

Aura Vision.

Veer jaanta tha ki usne Aura Vision ko upgrade nahi kiya tha. Woh jeevit cheezon ka aura toh dekh sakta tha magar jin cheezo me jaan nahi thi unhe woh nahi dekh sakta tha.

‘Pari! Kitne points available hai??’

[15000!]

‘Aura Vision ko upgrade karne ke liye kitne chahiye???’

[5000]

‘Upgrade kar do!’

[Are you sure?]

‘Yeah! Mein risk nahi le sakta. Aur, deri bhi nahi kar sakta. Juhi andar hi hai. Mujhe jald se jald waha pahuchna hoga iske pehle ki-’

*Ding*

[Aura Vision has been upgraded to Max.]

[Aura Vision is now activated.]

Skill ke activate hote hi poora vatavaran uski nazar me ek grayscale me dhal gaya. Humans ke liye aura ka rang blue tha. Plants ko darshaane ke liye green. Animals, birds, insects aur organisms ke liye ye yellow tha. Negative energy ko bhaapne ke liye black aur nonliving things ke liye brown.

Par, itna hi nahi… Ye sabhi color alag-alag shades me the jiske chalte Veer cheezon me bareeki se antar dekh paane me saksham tha.

Vision ke badhne se Veer ne ek pal bhi zaaya nahi kiya.

‘Let’s go!!!’

*Whooooossshhhh*

Chhap-chhap kar paani uske daudne se chhalakta gaya. Lair kisi underground tunnel ki bhaanti prateet ho rahi thi. Usne apni raftaar thodi dheemi ki. Dheere-dheere jhijhakte hue woh aage badha, uske joote keechad jaisi dharti me dhans rahe the. Magar, thoda andar aate hi uske qadam wahi tham gaye.

‘What the-!!??’

Saamne ka nazara itna khaufnak tha ki Veer ke badan ke rue khade ho gaye.

‘Urgh-!’

Usne apni aasteen upar kar apni naak ko apni baah se dhak liya. Lekin, badbu uski twacha, uske kapdo, uske fefdo me ghus rahi thi. Aankhein bhay ke maare feli aur dil ki dhadkane tez ho gayi. Deewaro par laasho ki kataare lagi hui thi, kuchh fati hui boriyo me lipti neeche dali thi, kuchh ke chithde ho rakhe the, kuchh ke ang ajeebo-gareeb dhang se mude hue the.

Vibhinn jaanvaro ke kate hue dhad, maans ke tukde, haddiya, andhruni ango ke chithde aur na jaane kya kya. Khoon aur gande paani ki gandh poori hawa me fel rakhi thi — sadte maans, mal-mootra, aur mrityu ka ek mishran.

Keede unn sadte maans par mandra rahe the, makkhiyaan ka bada sa jhund bhook se bhin-bhina raha tha. Aur, unke pankh dum ghotne waali shaanti me goonj rahe the.

Veer ko akbakayi si mehsoos hui aur Juhi ke baare me sochte hi uska shareer thanda pad gaya. Kis tarah ka khooni tha ye? Kahi Juhi bhi-?

‘Nahi!!’

Usne apne perro ko hilne ke liye majboor kiya. Uska ek perr fati hui boriyo me se nikal rahi kisi laash ki atadiyo par pada.

'Fuck!!!'

Usne uss bhayankar drishya ko paar kiya. Ek kata hua haath uske jooto se takraaya, jo paani ke upar hi terr raha tha.

Gati badhaate gye woh udhar se nikalte hi punah dang reh gaya. Alag-alag dishao me alag-alag maarg jaa rahe the. Kaun sa raasta sahi tha?

‘This is bad…! Mere paas inn sab ka samay nahi hai!!’

Use yakeen nahi ho raha tha ki underground lair itni badi hogi. Akhir, iska nirmaan kisne kiya? Ye kisi bhool-bhulaiyaan se kam nahi thi.

Pari ne bina uske poochhe hi 'Path Tracker' on kar diya. Kam se kam woh apna raasta toh nahi bhoolega jaha se woh aaya tha.

Woh aage badh hi raha tha jab uski perro ki neeche kuchh daba-

*Click*

Khatra mehsoos karte hi Veer ki aankhein darr ke maare chaudi ho gayi. Iske pehle ki uska dimag kuchh samajh paata ki kya ho raha hai, uska shareer apne aap pratikriya kar diya.

[Master-!!!]

Woh akasmat peechhe ko kooda aur uske koodate hi-

*Schling* *Schling* *Schling*

Paani ke andar neeche se nukeele lohe ke spikes tezi se upar aaye. Unme zung lagi hui thi, sookha khoon unn par chipak ke jamm chuka tha. Ek saboot ki pehle bhi iss se kisi insaan ki maut hui hai.

Agar, woh sahi samay par na hatata, toh woh spikes uske shareer me dhans chuke hote. Usne apne aap ko uss jagah par imagine kiya. Paseene ki ek boond uske maathe par se fisal gayi.

Aur, jaise hi woh khada hua-

*Swoosh* *Swoosh* *Swoosh*

Bayi orr se ghoomne waali blades ki ek kataar udti hui uska sarr dhad se alag karne ke liye tezi se aayi.

'Shit!!!'

Samay rehte hi usne bamushqil apne shareer ko moda, tez dhaar uske blazer ke kapde ko chhu kar nikli aur uska kuchh bhaag fatt kar alag ho gaya.

'Fucking hell...!'

[Master, there are traps. Hume savdhaan rehna hoga.]

Veer ki saansein tez hui. Kahi koi floor plate, kahi koi trip wire, kahi koi chhipa hua trigger. Har qadam par koi na koi khatra tha. Jisne bhi iss jagah ko banaya tha, usne logo ko maarne ke liye hi ye design ki thi.

Yeh sirf ek underground lair nahi thi.

Yeh ek slaughter house tha.

Aura Vision se use non living things dikh toh rahi thi, par inn traps ko trigger karne waale upkaran saare paani ke neeche maujood the. Unhe dekhne ke liye, paani ke andar muh dubona padta, jo Veer hargiz nahi karne waala tha.

Pari ki chetavni par woh iss baar savdhani se aage badha.

'J-Juhi!! Be safe!!!'

Uski aankhein aur jaal talaash rahi thi. Lekin, jaise-jaise woh aage badhta gaya, zameen par gandagi ghani hoti chali gayi aur hawa bhaari hone lagi.

Aur, fir... Use sunayi diya.

*Splish*

Ek qadam.

Paani ka chhapakna.

Koi tha.

Veer wahi jamm gaya. Magar, uska poora shareer high alert par tha. Usne suna.

*Splish*

Ek aur qadam.

Daayi orr se.

Uska sarr dhwani ki disha ki orr muda, lekin — kuchh nahi. Dur-dur tak kuchh nahi tha.

'Huh???'

Tabhi-

*Splish*

Iss baar baayi orr se.

Woh fir ghooma, magar — koi bhi nahi.

Uski saansein aur tez ho gayi. Achanak, uski line of sight ke baahar kuchh harqat hui. Use apni hi dhadkano ki awaaz sunayi de rahi thi.

Usne apni mutthi kasi, knuckles poore safed pad gaye.

Aur, tabhi-

Ek fusfusahat.

Aur, fir ek dheemi pagalpan waali hasi use sunaayi di.

"Ehe...!!!"

Woh yaha aa chuka tha.

Sannaata ghutan bhara tha. Veer shaant tha, aisa lag raha tha maano underground lair uske chaaro orr saans le rahi thi. Chhayaaye idhar se udhar ho rahi thi, maano use dekh rahi ho, intezar kar rahi ho. Tabhi-

*Swish*

Ek blade hawa ko cheerte hue aayi. Sahi samay par Veer ne apna sarr jhukaaya. Hathiyar uske chehre se ek inch ki duri se hoke guzra. Uske paas maatra ek second hi tha khud ko hataane ke liye jab-

*Whoosh*

Ek aur humla.

Woh bacha. Usne apne aap ko moda, uski pasliyaan marud ke reh gayi. Ek ke baad ek humla uski orr aaya, magar koi bhi nazar nahi aaya.

'Tch! Where the hell is he-!??'

"Ehehehehe~"

Wahi hasi ek baar fir hawa me goonj gayi.

'Enough of this...!'

Uski aankhein saamne ke raaste par tik gayi. Aur, fir use ek aakriti nazar aayi.




Andhere se woh aakriti baahar nikal kar aayi. Veer ne use dekha.

Lamba, patla shaks. Safed lambe baal, baahar ko aati aankhon ki putliyaan. Uska dhasa hua chehra ek bhayanak muskurahat me badal gaya. Uski jeebh ajeeb tarah se baahar nikli aur usne apne fatey hue hontho ko chaata.

'Check!!!'

*Ding*

[No information available.]

Woh sahi tha.

'System holder...!!!'

Ye wahi tha. Jiska sketch police dwara banwaya gaya tha.

Veer : Tum-!!! Tum hi ho woh serial killer. *frowns* Juhi kidhar hai???

Uski awaaz dheemi magar khatarnak thi.

Uss aadmi ne apna sarr jhukaya. Aur, fir woh hasa... Itni zor se hasa ki uski haivani hasi waha goonjne lagi.

"Ahahahahahahaha!!!"

?? : Tum... Tum akhir aa gaye... Ehe!!! Mein tumhara hi intezar kar raha tha...!!!




Veer thitak ke reh gaya.

Veer (frowns) : Kya matlab-!?

Woh aadmi muskuraya, aur kareeb aane laga. Uski ungliyaan utsaah me hil rahi thi. Uski jeebh baahar nikli maano jaise ki saanp ki tarah hawa ka swaad le rahi ho.

?? : Tum yaha... meri wajah se aaye ho... Ehehehehe...

[He might be playing mind games, Master. Uski baaton me mat aaiye.]

?? : Ehe... M-Mein hi tumhe yaha leke aaya... Ye sab... Plan tha... Ehehehe...

Veer ki reedh me sihran daud gayi.

'N-No! What the fuck is he talking about?'

?? : Murders to hone hi the... Ehehe... Mere experiments ka hissa... hehe... Magar, sirf wahi nahi... Tumhe yaha laane ke liye... Ahahahaha...

Veer ki kuchh samajh nahi aa raha tha. Ye paagal aadmi kya bole jaa raha tha?? Nahi! Ye sach nahi tha. Uski mulaqat toh iss psycho se pehle kabhi hui hi nahi thi. Fir, bhala woh kyu use-!?

?? : Eh... Tum confused ho... Hai na?? Don't worry... Mein tumhe bata deta hu... Hehe...

Veer : ???

?? (mutters) : Lure Path!!!! Hehehehe-!!!




Sunte hi Veer ke andar maujood Pari kaanp ke reh gayi.

[N-No-!!!]

'Huh?? Pari? Kya hua? Lure Path? Kya hai ye???'

Pari ne uske sawaal par seedhe hi jankari prastut kar di.

*Ding*

[Legendary Scroll : Lure Path
Description : A scroll that allows the user to lure a specific person. The scroll will generate a path which must be followed in order to lure a person. User must imagine the person he/she wants to lure in and scroll will then act upon itself.
Note : Can even lure a system holder.]

Padhte hi Veer ke raungte khade ho gaye. Ek aisa scroll jiski sahayta se kisi bhi vyakti ko apni territory me laaya jaa sakta tha.

Pehle Madhuri ke pita, Prabhakar ki hatya... Aur, fir use mission milna... Pune se hoke Lonavla tak aana... Aur, fir Juhi... Iska matlab... Ye sab kuchh ek plan ka hissa tha!?

Veer ke bhaav dekh uss paagal insaan ki muskaan aur badh gayi. Insaan toh uska target the hi... Parantu, sabse bada target uska tha — Veer!!!

Lure Path.




Isi ki kaaran Veer ko woh mission mila.

Veer : N-Noo-!! M-Magar, tumne mujhe kyu...

?? (screams) : Kyunki tumhari wajah se... maine apna target khoya tha... *growls* Tumhari wajah se...

Veer : Wh-What!?

Woh gurraaya. Uski aankhon me bhayanak gussa nazar aa raha tha.

?? : Tumhari wajah se... Sab tumhari wajah se... I was so close to my experiment... Eh... B-But... You... You took my target away from me...

Veer : !!??

?? : You took him away from me...!!!

One year ago,
Clark County Prison,
Las Vegas...



Laalach aur paap ke iss sheher me dhero shaitaan baahar ghoom rahe the. Magar, asli raakshas toh yaha Vegas ki jail me band baithe the.

Aur, ek aadmi holding block ke sabse andhere kone me baitha tha. Safed baal, dhansi hui aankhein, haivani muskaan.

Uski ungliyaan jail ke bars par bandhi hui thi. Woh kisi bhooke jaanvar ki tarah kisi ka intezar kar raha tha.

Aur, tabhi-

Deeware kaanp gayi. Ek visfot ne sannaate ko cheer diya, jis se poori imaarat hil ke reh gayi. Sirens ki awaazein goonjne lagi.

Woh aa chuka tha.



Crimson!!!

Yahi woh waqt tha jab Crimson ne jail se Jim the Slippery ko chhudhwaya tha.

Usne baaki bhaag rahe apraadhiyo ki orr dekha tak nahi. Dhua chhat raha tha aur uski nazar kisi orr cheez par thi.

Aur, fir usne dekha.

Ek paagal insaan. Crimson ke ghoorte hi uss paagal insaan ke badan me ek utsaah ki leher daud gayi. Jaise maano ek shikaari dusre shikaari ko pehchaan raha ho. Woh sahi tha.

?? : Ehe... Tum bhi... Tum bhi hum me se ek ho??? Ehehehehe... Mere patients... Ehe... Mein aaya...!!!

Kehte hue woh waha se bhaag nikla. Magar, jaise jaise woh bhaag raha tha. Woh apne peechhe Crimson ke aane ka intezar kar raha tha.

Akhir, sab kuchh usi ne toh racha tha.

Lure Path...!!!!




Jim the Slippery ka jail me jaana koi ittefaaq nahi tha. Uss paagal ne Lure Path ka istemal kiya tha.

Crimson ki jankari use Vegas me reh kar lag chuki thi. Aur, uska target wahi tha.

Jim the slippery ko jail pahuchana, Pitcher aur Nightwalker jaise apraadhiyo ko sakreeya karna — Ye sab uss paagal ka hi toh kiya dhara tha.

Idhar, usne Lure Path chalaaya aur udhar Crimson ko-

*Ding*

[Mission : Assemble the criminals — Jim, the slippery, The Nightwalker, The Pitcher.]

Bechare Crimson ko ye pata tak nahi tha ki use mission uss paagal ke Lure Path istemal karne ki wajah se mila tha.

Use lag raha tha ki woh Mr. X ke khilaaf ladne ke liye ek criminal squad bana ke underworld me apni taaqat badhayega magar, use iss baat ki bilkul bhanak nahi thi ki woh khud ko uss paagal system holder ki thaali me paros ke de raha tha.

Sab kuchh uss paagal system holder ke shadiyantra ki mutabik jaa raha tha jab achanak beech me ek naya variable kood ke aa gaya-

Veer...!!!

Uss paagal ko laga tha ki ab Crimson uska peechha karega. Aur, fir woh Crimson ko apna bandhi bana lega. Yahi toh kaaran tha jo usne khud ko bhi salaakho ke peechhe rakha tha. Woh jaanta tha ki Crimson Jim the slippery ko chhuraane aayega hi aayega.

Parantu, aisa na hua...

Veer ke aa jaane se, Crimson ka dhyaan Mr. X ki orr jaa chuka tha. Aur, jaha Crimson ko uss paagal ka peechha karna chahiye tha, usne aisa kuchh bhi nahi kiya.

Balki, woh Jim the slippery ke peechhe bhaaga. Antatah!? Uss paagal system holder ki tarqeeb naqamyab ho gayi.

Aur, uske baad-?

Crimson ki maut — Veer ke haatho.

Aur, ab yahi Lure Path Veer ke liye istemal ho chuka tha. Jaha Veer samajh raha tha ki woh killer ke nazdeek pahuch raha hai, magar asliyat me toh killer hi use apne paas bula raha tha. Yahi tha legendary scroll — Lure Path.

Iska bodh Veer ko apne upar kisi bhaari patthar ki tarah mehsoos hua.

Ye haal hi me mare log... Ye pattern... Hatyaare ko dhundhne ka mission...

Ek trap.

Veer ladkhadaya. Uski saansein ukhdi.

Jis qadar se woh Veer ko qadam dar qadam aage badha raha tha, ye koi sanyog nahi tha. Ye ek luring path tha.

Aur, ab use ehsaas hua. Itne log jo maare gaye the. Woh kahi na kahi uski hi wajah se maare gaye the. Woh nirdosh log... Madhuri ke pita... Yaha tak ki nanhi Juhi ka apharan.

Veer : Y-You-!!!

Uski awaaz kaanp uthi. Iss baar dar se nahi, balki gusse se.

Veer : Y-You killed them. Unn nirdosho ko tumne... Tumne maar daala!? Mujhe yaha laane ke liye...!?

?? : Ehehehehe!!! They didn't die... They became immortal after being a part of my experiment... hehehe... Their names will go down in history... Hihi...

Veer ka shareer akad gaya.

'M-Meri wajah se... Woh log... Juhi... Meri wajah se...!'

[Master!!!]

Use ab tak samajh nahi aa raha tha ki ye paagal akhir uske peechhe kyu pada tha. Bhala kis target ki baat kar raha tha woh?

Veer : You said I took your target... Who was it???

?? : Oh!! You don't remember??? Ehehehe... Yaad karo... Yaad karo...

Veer : *frowns*

?? (growls) : CRIMSON!!!

Naam sunte hi Veer ki aankhein fati ki fati reh gayi. Isme koi shaq nahi tha ki usi ne Crimson ko maut ke ghaat utaara tha.

Veer (shivers) : H-How? T-Tum kyu-!?

?? : Enough talk! My patience is running out... Time to kill... Ehehehehe...!!!

[Master, be ready.]

?? : Here I come!!!

*Whoooooooooooshhh*

Kehte hue woh ek jhatke me gaayab hua.

Aur, tabhi underground lair ke kendra me ek laboratory ke andar bandhi jaddo-jehed ke baad akhir kar apne muh se kapda hataane me saksham thi.

Kapda hatata hi uski zor se cheenkh nikli-

"Mummmaaaaaaa-!!!!!"

Jo poori underground lair me goonj uthi.

'Juhi!!!'

Juhi ki awaaz sunte hi Veer ke badan me raungte khade ho gaye. Parantu-

*Ding*

['Beowulf's Blessings' has been activated.]

Uski aankhein laal rang me dhal gayi. Woh paagal uski orr lapka.

*Swoooooooossshhhhhh*

Pehla vaar.

*Dodge*

Dusra vaar.

*Dodge*

Teesra vaar.

*Dodge*

Chautha vaar. Seedhe uske pait ki orr-

*Dodge*

Magar,

'Huh???'

*Craaaaackkkkkk*

'What???'

Uss paagal aadmi ka lohe ka staff Veer ke dono haatho se banaye defence ko chakna choor kar diya.

Aur, vaar aake seedhe uske pait me pada.

"Blurgh!!!"

Iske pehle ki woh sambhal paata-

*Ding*

[A curse has been applied on the host.]

[Master!!! Run-!!!]

'Wh-What????'

Kintu, Veer ko bhaagne ka mauka hi na mila jab-

Wahi staff aake seedhe uske daaye gaal par pada. Veer ka shareer hawa me uchhla aur jaise hi woh land karne waale tha-

*Whoosh* *Whoosh* *Whoosh*

Paagal system holder ne apna staff zorr se uski orr fek diya.

'Sh-Shit!!!'

Hawa ko cheerte hue staff gol-gol ghoomte hue uske sarr ki orr aa raha tha. Samay nahi tha. Veer ne majbooran hawa me rehte hue apne dono haath se block kar apne sarr ko bachaaya aur-

*Thud*

"Urgh!!!"

Staff itni zorr se uske haatho me aake laga ki use dard kass ke mehsoos hua. Lekin, jaise woh paagal pehle se hi jaanta tha ki Veer haatho se hi staff ko block karega.

Veer jaise hi land kiya, utni derr me woh paagal Veer ke theek muh ke saamne tha-

?? : Surprise... Ehehehe...

'Fuck!!!'

*Baaaammmmmmm*

Ek aur vaar. Seedhe Veer ki kanpati ki orr... Jise Veer ne punah apne haatho se block kiya.

Woh peechhe ki orr kooda.

Kintu, tabhi-

*DONG*

Ek alag si dhwani use apne andar sunayi di. Nahi! Ye notification ki awaaz nahi thi.

Awaaz itni zorr se aayi thi ki Veer ka poora badan hil ke reh gaya tha.

Aur, agle hi pal-

[N-No!! Master!!!]

Use apne mann me saamne nazar aaya-





*Ding*

['Beowulf's Blessings' is broken.]

Veer ki aankhein bhay ke maare fel gayi. Woh ghabraate hue uss paagal ko dekh raha tha. Uske honth apne aap khule-

"Wh-Who are you-!!?"

Aur, dusri orr se dheere se ek jawaab aaya-

"They call me... THE DISEMBOWLER!!!"


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Aaj ke liye itna hi guys.
This update consists of 8.8k words.
Target apna wahi hai. 250+
Pahucha diyo araam se. Agle update me mein sab finish kar dunga. Ye fight agle update me samapt ho jayegi. Jaisa ki maine kaha tha do updates lagenge hi lagenge. Mera aadhe se zyada time Disembowler ki skills aur cards banaane me gaya hai. So, you can see it already. Upar se Garofano ka full system alag. That's why it takes so much time. Anyways, ab milte hai agle bhaag me.
Dhanyavad.

Bhtreen update

 

[Sushil@10]

S

Update - 196 ~ The Fulfilled Promise​

Ab tak...

Ye Veer ki qismat thi, ya kuchh aur-

Jo woh raasta dhundhne me saksham tha. Lair se baahar woh kooda. Mission complete ho chuka tha.

Parantu, Pari ne use iski soochna nahi di. Kyunk, notification tha-

[Mission Failed.]

[Due to the host's partial completion of the mission, all the three penalties of the mission won't be applied.]

[Due to the failure of not killing the Disembowler, one penalty will be applied to the host.]

[Mission penalty : Loss of loved ones.]

Ab aage...

Raat ke 12:05 baj rahe the. Aatishbaziyo ne Mumbai ke aasmaan ko jagmaga kar rakha hua tha, naye saal ke aagman ka har aadmi ullaas mana raha tha. Hawa me khushiyaan chhayi thi, log jashn mana rahe the, galey mil rahe the, iss nav varsh ka swagat karne ke liye khushi se chillaa rahe the. Lekin, isi sheher me iss shor ke beech kahi par maatam chhaaya hua tha.

News channels me prasaaran jaari the — Hotel Prestige ko lekar ek gambheer report. Kuchh bhayanak hua tha. Visfot. Khoon-kharaba. Jaano ka lutna.

Isliye, sheher ke kuchh hisso me jashn ka mahaul feeka pad chuka tha.

"Hotel Prestige par jaanlewa humla!"

"Kayi logo ke maare jaane ki khabar!"

"Suraksha guards maare gaye! Adhikariyo ko lakshit humle ka sandeh!"

Bars aur luxury clubs me TV screen par tabahi ke drishya dikhayi de rahe the — toote hue sheeshein, palte hue furniture, stretchers par le jaaye jaa rahe shav. Ek electronics showroom ke baahar ek chhoti bheed jama ho gayi thi, unki nazar andar rakhe display TV par tiki hui thi.

"Aaj ke din batao kya ho gaya. Tch tch!" Ek aadmi ne badbadate hue kaha.

"Hotel Prestige toh achha hotel tha. Hum toh gaye hai. Badhiya tha. Pata nahi kaise ho gaya ye sab. Mujhe lagta hai humla karwaya gaya hai." Ek mahila ne haami bharte hue kaha.

"Mumbai me crime badhta jaa raha hai. Tch! Tyohaaron me bhi ab-" ek raahgeer ne waha se nikalte hue fusfusaya.

Lekin, har koi shok nahi mana raha tha. Mumbai ke elite varg ke gharo me, oonchi-oonchi imaarato me glass takra rahe the aur dheemi baat-cheet me chhipi hui khushi thi.

Iss beech, Mumbai ki sabse shandar 7 star hotel — Casa Belle me patrakaro aur reporters ki bheed umdi hui thi. Cameramen apna camera liye hotel ke maalik — Aadesh Jaisinghani ke bayaan ka intezar kar rahe the.

Woh baahar aaya. Sleek hairstyle me geele baalo ko poori tarah peechhe kiye, Armani ki dress pehne, aisa lag raha tha maano woh abhi-abhi koi jashn mana ke aaya ho.

Aur, jaise hi woh saamne aaya, reporters uss par toot pade.

Reporter #1 : Mister Aadesh, Hotel Prestige par hue humle par aapke vichaar?

Reporter #2 : Hospitality industry me ek leading figure hone ke naate, aap uss suraksha chook ke baare me kya kehna chaahenge jiske chalte ye haadsa hua?

Reporter #3 : Casa Belle aur Hotel Prestige ke madhya shuru se hi oonch-neech hoti aayi hai. Kya aapko lagta hai ki ye humla kisi business conflict se juda hai?

Media ko chahiye tha masala. Kahani. Khabrein. Jo unhe police se utni maatra me nahi mil paayi thi. Aur, isliye khud Aadesh ne hi ye khabar media ke beech felwayi ki woh iss vishay ko lekar raat me apne vichaar rakhega. Media yaha aayi nahi thi. Unhe chalaaki se yaha laaya gaya tha.

Usne dheere se, kaafi baar abhyaas ki hui ek aah chhori, uski bauhe thodi si sikud gayi. Usne ek napa-tula qadam aage badhaya, yeh sunishchit karte hue ki camera uski aankhon me gehri suhanubhuti ko qaid kar raha hai ya nahi.

Aadesh (lagbhag shok me) : Dekhiye! Sabse pehle, mein peedito, unke parivaro aur iss bhayanak ghatna se prabhavit sabhi logo ke prati sanvedna vyakt karta hu. Aaj nav varsh ke shuru hote hi- yeh humla... Ye humla sirf Hotel Prestige par nahi hai. Ye humla saari hospitality industry par hai. Jab kisi hotel ko iss tarah se nishana banaaya jaata hai, toh ye harr atithi ke uss bharose ki neev ko hila deta hai jo woh hum par rakhte hai.

Reporters uske shabdo par sirr hilaate hue budbudaaye. Woh bilkul sahi baatein keh raha tha.

Aadesh ne aage bolne se pehle ek dramatic effect ke liye kuchh der viraam liya.

Aadesh : Dekhe... Maine humesha... Maine humesha se hi Hotel Prestige ko sammaan diya hai. Haan, mein sweekar karta hu ki humare beech competition chalta rehta hai. Lekin, ye ek healthy competition hota hai. Aur, competition ka matlab dushmani nahi hai. Business me ye sab aam baat hoti hai. Haal hi me, humaare Unicard ki launch ke dauran humne Hotel Prestige ko bhi aamantrit kiya tha. Mister Veer Singh, Miss Bhumika Singh, dono hi parivar jann ke saath padhaare the yaha. Aur, humaare mann me ek-dusre ke liye paraspar sammaan ke alawa kuchh nahi.

Uske hontho par ek dhoort muskaan ubhri, lekin usne badi hi chalaaki se ek aah bharte hue use chhipa liya.

Reporter #4 : Toh aap ko iss baare me koi idea nahi ki humle ke peechhe kaun ho sakta hai?

Aadesh ne asahaay bhaav se apna sarr hilaaya.

Aadesh (dheere se) : Ji, mein bhi Mumbai ke baaki logo ki tarah hairaan hu. Aisa kisne kiya hoga? Unka kya maqsad ho sakta hai? Ye aise sawal hai jinka jawab sirf police hi de sakti hai. Lekin, mein itna zaroor kehna chahunga ki — iss sankat ki ghadi me Casa Belle Hotel Prestige ke saath hai. Agar, hum unki madad ke liye kuchh bhi kar sakte hai, toh hum zaroor karenge.

Casa Belle aur Hotel Prestige ka samarthan? Sawal hi paida nahi hota. Yeh toh bas uski chaal thi.

Andar hi andar woh toh balki iss aapda ka aanand le raha tha.

Yarnia — Veer ka bhavya naya clothing brand, din ki raushni dekhne se pehle hi malbe me tabdeel ho chuka tha. Hotel Prestige, wahi hotel jisne uski Casa Belle ke saath bhidne ki koshish ki thi, ab ek crime scene ka sthal bann chuki thi.

Aisa lag raha tha jaise brahmaand ne swayam uski jholi me ye uphaar de diya tha.

Camera ke saamne usne fir se apna murjhaya hua chehra prastut kiya aur bola-

Aadesh : Kumar! Ye sab humare mehman hai. Inki khatirdari me kami nahi rehni chahiye.

Kumar (nods) : Ji, Sir!

Kehte hue woh wahi murjhayi awastha liye andar chala gaya. Aur, idhar news me uske charche hone lage. Jo uske kapti-pann se parichit nahi the, woh use saccha insaan maanane lage.

Iss traasdi ke bawajood, Mumbai ne rukne se inkaar kar diya tha.

Vyast sadko par, kuchh log shok mana rahe the, lekin kayi log bas aage badh gaye — kyunki, yahi Mumbai ka tareeka tha.

Kisi aspatal ke pareeksha kaksh me ek yuvti dheere-dheere ro rahi thi. Uska bhai, jo Hotel Prestige me security guard tha, mehmano ki suraksha karte hue maara jaa chuka tha. Duniya aage badh gayi, par uske liye uski duniya wahi khatm ho chuki thi.

***

Isi beech ghani raat me Disembowler ki lair ke theek upar sthit shamsan ke paas hi Erica aur Renshu khade hue the.

Renshu : Yahi jagah hai na?

Erica : Haan, dad! Usne toh yahi batayi thi. Kya mein-?

Renshu (nods) : Hmm! Shuru karo!

Erica (nods) : Okay!

Woh jhuki. Usne apna ek haath neeche shamshaan ki bhoomi par rakha aur fir-

'Basic Seer Vision!'

*Ding*

Agle hi pal alag-alag drishya uske mastishq me ghoomne lage. Woh bechari apni bauhe zorr se sikodi, kayi baar uska badan kaanp utha, magar woh waha se uthi nahi.

Renshu agal-bagal apni nazrein ghumaaye hue tha. Woh sunishchit kar raha tha ki kahi koi unhe dekh na le.

Yaha se woh khaali haath nahi laut sakte the.

Kuchh der pehle...

Ek mand raushni waali jagah. Medical equipment ki awaaz.

Ava ka shareer ek andheri sunsaan gali me khadi ek shandar kaali SUV ke andar ek asthayi operating table par laita hua tha. Uski saansein ab niyantran me aa rahi thi. Chehre ka rang wapas aa raha tha.

Uske pait par lagi goli ke ghaav ko pehle hi saaf kiya jaa chuka tha aur surgical precision ke saath sil diya gaya tha.

Garofano uske bagal se khadi thi. Usne zehreeli bullet ko badi hi kushalta se Ava ke shareer se nikaal diya tha. Uske haath sthir the, aur dimag gadna karne me laga hua tha.

Wahi thi jo Ava ko apne kandho par utha ke leke aayi thi. Uske theek peechhe Renshu, Erica ke saath khada hua tha.

Erica ki nigaahein Ava ke achetan roop ka adhyayan kar rahi thi. Uske dad ne humesha hi use iss aurat se satark rehne ko kaha tha. Magar, akhir kaun thi Natalia Martin? Ek bemisal worldwide famous singer aur celebrity. Kya waqai woh Veer ko dhoka deke use maarna chaahti thi? Woh dhyaan se Ava ko ghoorti rahi.

Aur, phir-

Renshu ne chuppi todi.

Renshu : Use hosh me aane me kitna samay lagega?

Garofano ne bina peechhe mude apne khoon se sane dastaane haath se nikaale aur apne haath me pehni ghadi dekhi.

Garofano : Bullet nikaale abhi mushqil se 15 minute hi hue hai. Zeher ki potency aur blood loss ko dhyaan me rakhte hue, ise kam se kam abhi 4 se 5 ghante toh-

"Ngh-!"

Uske shabd adhoore reh gaye jab ek dard bhari karaah ne use beech me hi rok diya.

Ava ka shareer jhatka khaaya, uski ungliyaan neeche seat ke leather par kassne lagi aur fir ek tez gati se, woh bhaari saans lete hue uth baithi.

Garofano ki aankhein avishvas me chaudi ho gayi.

Namumkin!

Ava ka ghaav gehra tha, zeher ke chalte use toh abhi ghanto tak behosh rehna chahiye tha. Magar, fir bhi woh kuchh hi minto me jaag chuki thi!?

[This girl... She has some sort of healing skill.]

Freya ki awaaz Garofano ke mann me goonj gayi.

Erica : Ah? Itni jaldi hosh bhi aa gaya?

Woh halka sa cheekhte hue boli. Yaha tak ki humesha shaant rehne waale Renshu ne bhi aankhein sikod li.

Ava (yells) : V-Veer!

Woh chillaate hue uthne ke liye aage badhi, lekin Garofano ne uske kandho par haath rakh use neeche baitha diya.

Garofano : Calm down!

Ava : Veer-!

Garofano : Sniper marr chuka hai. I have dealt with him. Ab koi khatra nahi hai. Don't worry! Take it easy!

Garofano ne fir apni jeb se ek kaagaz nikaalte hue Renshu ki orr kiya. Renshu ne use thaamte hue khola aur jab use dekha toh uski bauhe chinta me sikud gayi.

Garofano : Ye uss Dexter ke paas se mila. Kisi syndicate alliance ka member tha woh shayad. Check karne par toh yahi nazar aaya.

Ye wahi kaagaz tha jo Dexter ke paas tha. Veer ke parivar jann ke naam aur unki tasveerein iss kaagaz me maujood thi.

Veer ke parivar ka zikr aate hi Ava ki chhaati zoro se upar-neeche hone lagi. Aankhon me chinta abhi bhi barkarar thi.

Ava : Veer... *huff* Veer ki family! Mujhe- *cough* *cough*

Garofano (sternly) : Tumhe shaant rehne ki zaroorat hai!

Usne Ava ko beech me tokte hue kaha. Awaaz teekhi thi lekin nirdayi nahi. Aur, kahi na kahi woh Ava ka adhyayan bhi kar rahi thi. Bhala kis tarah ka system holder aisi chot ke baad itni jaldi hosh me aa sakta tha?

Garofano ki nazro me ek maun manzoori thi. Ava, sirf ek system holder nahi thi. Uske paas bhi uske trump cards the jinhe woh ujagar nahi kar rahi thi.

Erica aashcharya me uske qareeb aayi.

Erica : Itni jaldi kaise hosh aa gaya? Poison ki wajah se itni jaldi hosh nahi aana chahiye tha.

Ava : *huff* T-Tum... Tum sab... *huff*

Garofano : Calm down! Hum sab yaha Veer ke liye hi aaye hai. Aur, tumhe itni jaldi hosh aa gaya? Mein ye expect nahi kar rahi thi.

Ava maun rahi. Woh apne baare me kuchh bhi zaroori baatein nahi bataana chaahti thi.

Renshu : Humare paas samay barbaad karne ke liye nahi hai. Agar, hosh aa hi gaya hai toh kya tum Veer ki location ke baare me kuchh bata sakti ho? Kya tum jaanti ho woh kaha par hai iss waqt?

Ava wahi jamm ke reh gayi. Use yaad aaya. Woh ye kaise bhool sakti thi?

Usne Veer ko Death Flag se mark kar ke rakha hua tha. Bina kisi hich-kichahat ke usne apni aankhein band ki, Veer ki location par dhyaan kendrit kiya. Aur, kuchh hi palo me Veer ki asli location uske mastishq me aa gayi.

Usne apni aankhein kholi. Uska chehra peela pad gaya.

Ava (frowns) : W-Woh-! Woh shamshaan me hai! Uske neeche...! Underground...!

Renshu (frowns) : Shamshaan? Kaha par?

Ava ne use exact location batayi. Chaahe uska shareer kitna hi thaka hua kyu na ho, uske dimag me ek hi baat thi — Veer.

Garofano ne Renshu ko dekha. Dono ek baat jaan gaye the ki Ava ke paas Veer ko track karne ki koi na koi skill zaroor maujood thi. Dono ne hi mann me iss baat ki gaanth baandh li.

Garofano (turns) : Toh kya karna hai? Veer ke paas kaun jaa raha hai?

Renshu : Mumbai me tumhari maujoodgi ab koi rehesya nahi hai. Tum pehle bhi yaha sabke saamne aa chuki ho. Aur, haan- tum ek celebrity se kam bhi nahi. Poora Korea tumhare peechhe paagal hai. Isliye, tumhara Veer ke nazdeek jaana abhi faydemand nahi. Ye unwanted attention ko bulawa dega.

Garofano muskurayi. Apni ungliyon ko apne kaale reshmi baalo me firaayi.

Garofano (smirks) : Hmph! Thanks for the recognition- lekin, shayad tum bhool rahe ho ki mein stealth me maahir hu. Mujhe bas apne chehre par mask pehen'ne ki derr hai. That's it. But, haan! Abhi mein Natalia ko chhor ke yaha se nahi jaa sakti. Woh heal zaroor ho rahi hai but if trouble comes knocking, she won't be able to fight.

Renshu ne uski baat ko sweekar karte hue haami bhari.

Ava ne khud ko upar uthaaya, aur karkash awaaz me boli.

Ava : V-Veer ki family safe toh hai na? I... Usne mujhe- Usne mujhe zimmedari saunpi thi. *huff* M-Mein- Mein yaha aise nahi- *huff*

Renshu : Maine hotel me se ambulances ko nikalte hue dekha tha. Veer ki family ke kuchh logo ko check kiya tha maine. Hotel me ab koi nahi hai andar.

Ava (frowns) : K-Kya woh... Kya woh safe hai?

Renshu : Lagta toh hai. Police ne area ko takeover kar liya hai. Veer ki family shayad hospital gayi hai. Toh, uss hisaab se woh safe hone chahiye. Khatra hotel ke ird-gird hi tha.

Ava ne ek shaant saans chhori. Lekin, chinta zara bhi kam nahi hui.

Renshu (sighs) : Aur, agar mein chaahu bhi toh bhi hospital nahi jaa sakta.

Erica aur Ava dono ne hi use sawaaliya nazro se dekha.

Erica : Eh? Kyu dad?

Iske pehle ki Renshu jawab de paata, Garofano hasste hue jawab di.

Garofano (laughs) : Hahahaha! Because your dad is too damn big. Hospital me logo ko samajhne me hi ghante lag jayenge ki ye aadmi hai kaun? Itni badi qad-kaathi kaise hai? Kaha se aaya hai? Aur, Veer se uska kya sambandh hai? Hahaha! Samjhi?

Renshu : ...

Renshu ne uske chidhaane par koi pratikriya nahi di. Lekin, Erica kaha chup rehne waali thi?

Erica : Wh-What do you mean? Hmph! Mere dad ka matlab simple tha. Unka matlab hai ki Veer ko jald se jald dhundhna hai taaki problem ki asli jadd ka pata lag sake.

Garofano : Oh! Wow! Dekho toh humari Miss Erica ko. Smart banane ki kitni koshish kar rahi hai? But, you're still dumb. Fufu~

Erica : Who-? Who the hell are you calling dumb?

Garofano : Of course, you! Fufu~ Yaha par sirf tum hi dumb ho!

Erica : Y-You-!!

Usne apni mutthi bheenchi. Lekin, iske pehle ki woh jawab de paati, Renshu ki awaaz hawa me goonj uthi.

Renshu : ENOUGH!!!

Dono yuvtiyaan chup ho gayi. Par, Erica ka ghoorna khatam nahi hua.

Erica : Hmph!

Garofano : Fufu~

Renshu : Mein aur Erica Veer ki location par jayenge. Aur, tum yahi rahogi jab tak ki Natalia chalne ki condition me nahi aa jaati.

Garofano (nods) : Theek hai! Par, zyada derr mat lagaana. I don't like sitting on the sidelines.

Renshu ne koi jawab nahi diya. Woh bas apni car ki orr muda. Erica ne uska peechha kiya, aage badhne se pehle Garofano ko ek akhiri nazar se dekha.

Garofano muskurate hue unhe jaata dekhi. Fir, Ava ki orr ghoomi jo abhi bhi seat par laiti hui thi.

Garofano : Maine jitna socha tha, tum uss se kahi zyada mazboot nikli. You're hiding your cards too. Just like him. *smiles*

Ava ne koi jawab nahi diya, lekin uski aankhon ki chamak se Garofano ko pata chal gaya ki usne uski baatein sunn li thi.

Aur, isi tarah Renshu aur Erica Veer ki location par pahuch paaye the. Magar, jab tak ve yaha par pahuche, Veer underground lair se nikal chuka tha.

Kintu, Erica ki basic seer vision ye pata laga sakti thi ki yaha kuchh derr pehle kya kuchh hua tha.

Renshu : Erica!?

Erica apni palke khol uthi. Uske badan me rue khade hue the.

Erica : D-Dad!

Renshu : ??

Erica : V-Veer-!

Erica ne poore drishya toh nahi, lekin kaafi hadd tak kuchh derr pehle ki ghatna ko dekh liya tha. Veer ka ajeebo-gareeb system holder se bhidna, neeche ka bhayanak vatavaran, thandi sadti laashein, maans ke tukde, experiments, SHB, Veer ka haath katna aur uska Juhi aur Pihu ko bachaana.

Erica ne jaise hi Renshu ko sab batlaaya toh Renshu ke khud ke badan me ek sihran daud gayi.

Woh bina koi deri kiye, Erica se lair ka entry point poonchh seedhe neeche ki orr kood gaya.

Erica : D-Daaad???

Majbooran, Erica ko bhi neeche koodna hi pada. Na jaane neeche kaun se rehesya khulne ke liye unka intezar kar rahe the.

***

Carewell Hospital,
Morning - 12:10 AM ~

Hospital ke automatic doors achanak se khule, lekin kisi ka dhyaan uss orr nahi gaya.

Duty par maujood kuchh karmchari apne phone me vyast the, toh kuchh counter par sirr tikaaye hue the aur kuchh the jo aadhi neend me dol rahe the ki ve sab corridor me hui tez raftaar se halchal ko dekh paane me vifal reh gaye.

Veer kisi hawa ke jhonke ki tarah waha daakhil hua. Uska shareer dagmaga raha tha, har qadam par perr felne ke liye aatur ho rahe the. Uski baayi aasteen gehre laal khoon se sani hui thi, jisme se aadhi se zyada aasteen toh poori gaayab ho chuki thi.

Baah me abhi bhi woh janzeerein bandhi hui thi. Uski chhaati ukhadi hui saanson ke saath upar-neeche ho rahi thi.

Aur, uske seene se usi surgeon sheet ke sang bandhi hui thi — Juhi. Uska chhota sa shareer uske seene se chipka hua tha, chehra blazer ke andar chhipa hua tha. Veer uski garm saansein apne seene par mehsoos kar paa raha tha. Woh so rahi thi. Shaant. Aur, surakshit.

Pihu ko woh pehle hi surakshit haatho me de aaya tha. Bachi thi toh sirf uski apni Juhi.

Woh Nidhi ke kamre number 31 me pahucha aur darwaza khola. Waqt hi aisa tha ki duty par mushqil se kuchh hi nurses aur safayi karmchari the jo apne-apne kaamo me lage hue the. Nateeja? Veer ke tez raftar se andar aane par kisi ko bhanak tak nahi lagi.

Woh aage badha. Uski drishti ab dhundhli pad rahi thi. Uski nazar saamne bistar par laiti ek aurat par gayi — Nidhi. Woh so rahi thi. Chehre par abhi bhi shikan ke bhaav the.

Veer uske nazdeek aaya. Kamra hil raha tha kya? Nahi! Woh khud ladkhada raha tha. Iske pehle ki woh zameen par girta, usne wahi lagi bench dekh khud ko dheela chhor diya aur seat par gir pada. Shareer ne akhir haar maan hi li. Uski aankhein band ho gayi.

Akhiri cheez jo usne mehsoos ki — woh tha Juhi ka harqat karta hua haath jo uske blazer ko kass ke jakadne ka prayatn kar raha tha aur fir — andhera.

Kuchh kshan baad...

Ek halki si harqat.

Nidhi ki palke jhapki aur woh jaag uthi. Uska sarr dard se tadak raha tha, ghatna ki yaadein tatt par aati samudra ki lehro ki tarah wapas aane lagi.

"J-Juhi...!"

Woh ghabrayi. Uski bacchi. Uski bacchi ko aghwa kar liya gaya tha. Woh chhatpataate hue uthi aur jaise hi uth ke uski nazar saamne padi. Woh wahi jamm ke reh gayi.

Uski beti, uski duniya — wahi thi. Surakshit. Uske saamne. Uska haath apne khule muh par gaya aur woh ro padi. Aansu beqaabu ho kar behne lage.

Woh kaanpte hue dhadalle se uthi aur aage badhi. Uske haath me lagi IV needle aur uske sang laga drip stand bhi uske saath khichta chala gaya.

Woh Veer ke bagal me ghutno ke bal baithi, uska chehra peela pada hua tha. Usne pehle apni bitiya ko dekha. Chhaati upar-neeche ho rahi thi. Bina kisi chot ke. Surakshit.

Lekin, fir... Uski nazar Veer par gayi.

Uska chehra — sookhe khoon se sana hua — bejaan lag raha tha. Sarr kuchh geela sa tha. Baalo me halki barf jami thi jaise. Blazer ke sang shirt kayi jagaho se fati hui thi. Baah, chhaati aur kamar me gehre ghaav dikhayi pad rahe the. Uske kapde khoon se sane hue the. Par, Nidhi ko sabse zyada dang kiya unn janzeeron ne.

Jinhe dekh uska poora badan kaanp utha. Aankhein bhay ke maare chaudi ho uthi. Badi-badi janzeerein uski baaho me kass kar lipti hui thi.

Uska haath zor se thar-thara utha. Kuchh beeti yaadein wapas saamne aane lagi.

---

Lagbhag do saal pehle ka samay tha. Aaj Nidhi ko ek nayi class niyukt ki gayi thi. Yeh pehli baar nahi tha. Use students ko kis tarah se handle karna hai, ye achhi tarah se aata tha.

Iske pehle woh school me bhi ek shikshak reh chuki thi. Shiksha dena use bakhoobi aata tha. Magar, college aur school me kuchh farq toh hota tha.

College me bachhe ab bacche nahi the. Woh baalig the, sayaane the aur javani ke josh me udd rahe naye khiladi the.

Jaise hi Nidhi classroom me pravesh ki, pal bhar ke liye ek sannaata sa chhaa gaya. Students fir ikhatte khade hue-

"Good morning ma'am!"

"Settle down!"

Uski awaaz dridh lekin garmjoshi se bhari thi. Uske bolte hi sabhi chhaatra wapas se apni seats par baith gaye.

Woh bina students ki taraf dekhe blackboard ko rub karne lagi aur ek safed chalk uthaate hue apna naam likhne lagi.

Nidhi Mishra

Khubsoorat si likhawat me likhte hue usne apna parichay diya.

Aur, jaisa ki hona chahiye tha, waisa hi hua. Nayi-nayi 18 baras ki aayu poorn karne waale javan laundo ke mann me laddu phootne lage. Aur, charcha ka vishay tha — ?

"Behanchod kya maal hai bhai."

"Bhai bol de ki ab yahi apni class teacher hai."

"Bhai hai toh karraa yaar. Sahi me!"

"Iska matlab woh madarchod takla gaya? Kya naam tha bey uska?"

"Bhupinder Daruwala!"

"Bhupinder nahi. Guu pait ke andar! Hahahahaha!"

"Hahahahaha! Abey haan bey! Lawda saala dimaag kha jaata tha betichod."

"Daruwala ki bahut daru pee li... Ab Nidhi se Vidhi seekhenge hahahaha!"

"Kaaye ki bhosdiwaale? Hahahaha!"

"Ah! Madam! Ah! Wo waali vidhi! Aah! Uuh!"

"Hahahahahahaha! Madarchod!"

"Hahahahahahaha!"

Yahi baatein ladko ke alag-alag jhund me hone lagi. Par, kya Nidhi ko ye sab sunayi nahi de raha tha? De raha tha. Bilkul, de raha tha. Kintu, woh khamosh thi. Nirash bhi. Aur, chotil bhi.

"Abey pait kuchh fela-fela sa hai iska magar. Hai na?"

"Pregnant hai kya?"

"Nahi bey! Baccha ho chuka hai shayad. Dhyaan se dekh!"

"Abey toh shuru ka mahina bhi toh ho sakta hai?"

"Chutiye toh woh yaha thodi aati padhaane."

"Haan ye bhi hai!"

"Koi nahi-! Mein wazan kam karwa dunga iska hahahaha!"

"Mujhse toh sirf wazan badhaate aata hai hehehe!"

"Hahahahahaha!"

"Pregnancy ke baad bhi pait foola rehta hai kya?"

"Waisa nahi bey chutiye! Bas thode time tak rehta hai. Abhi madam ko apne asli figure me aane me time lagega."

"Waise... Aise bhi koi kam maal nahi hai."

"Hahahahaha!"

Eka-ek Nidhi ka haath na chaahte hue bhi apne pait par chala gaya. Ladke bhale hi dheere-dheere ye sab khuspusaaye, magar aksar unki baatein sabhi teachers ko sunayi de jaaya karti thi.

Jab Nidhi ko apne pait par haath rakhte unn students ne dekha toh iss baar thoda satark hote hue unn logo ne apni baat-cheet ko virham de diya.

Parantu, unki ek baat sahi thi. Nidhi ko bamushqil abhi dedh se do mahina hi hua tha jab uska apna navjaat uss se chheen liya gaya tha. Dhruv — uski apni amaanat.

Yahi woh samay tha jab Nidhi ke jeevan ka sabse kharab daur shuru hua tha. Ek prataadit karta pati, daayan samaan saas ki gaaliyaan, apne hi bacche ko kho dena, unse bhaag ke apne ek kiraaye ke flat me rehna, aas-pados me uth rahe charche, samaaj ka nazariya, aur jo rahi-sahi kasar baaki reh gayi thi woh inn besharam ladko ne uss par behuda tippani kar ke poori kar di thi.

Lekin, woh jaanti thi ki har ladke ek jaise nahi hote the. Uske apne pita. Uska ek bhai. Woh bhi toh mard the na? Woh jaanti thi ki iss classroom me abhi bhi woh ladke the jo waqai uss se padhna chaahte the — jinke mann me koi galat bhavnaaye nahi thi.

Yahi vishvas liye usne bolna shuru kiya.

"Students! Aaj se... Aaj se mein aapki class teacher rahungi. I will be teaching you Mathematics."

"Ye hui na baat behanchod! Ab maza aayega hahahaha"

"Badhayi ho bhai! Takla gaya hahahaha! Nayi phuljhadi aa gayi."

Unki baatein dobaara se shuru ho gayi. Nidhi ke pehle Bhupinder ji the jo iss kaksha ke class teacher the. Kareeban 7-8 maah tak unhone iss kaksha ko sambhala tha. First year ke bache hue 3-4 mahino ke liye Nidhi ab unki class teacher bann ke aayi thi. Aur, uska swagat kaise hua? Inn bhaddi tippaniyo se.

Himmat rakhte hue usne attendance sheet uthayi aur sabhi ke naam pukaarte hue pehle attendance lene lagi. Ek-ek kar ke jab woh akhiri bache kuchh baccho ke naam pukaarne ko aayi toh-

"Vamika Chauhan!"

"Present ma'am!"

"Vasu Mehta!"

"Present ma'am!"

"Veer Singh!"

*Silence*

'Hmm?'

Ek khamoshi si chhaa gayi. Koi jawab hi nahi aaya. Nidhi ne apna sarr uthaate hue sabhi ko dekha aur usne punah awaaz lagaayi.

"Veer Singh???"

Tabhi, uski nazar sabse side waali row par padi jaha aakhiri bench par ek ladka akele baitha hua tha. Bagal waali row se 2-4 ladke hasste hue use bula rahe the.

"Bhai tere ko bula rahi madam!"

"Chutiye haath utha ke present toh bol de hahahahaha!"

Woh ladka hadbadata hua apna kaam beech me rok upar dekha. Uski nazar Nidhi se jaa takrayi. Ek pal ke liye woh dara par fir ahista se haath uthaate hue bola-

"P-Present ma'am!"

Nidhi kuchh kshan ke liye avaak reh gayi. Woh nahi jaanti thi aisa kyu tha par kuchh pal woh bas Veer ko dekhti rahi. Usne fir aaj ka samay jaise-taise nikaala. Baccho ko padhaaya aur waha se nikal gayi.

Agla din. Wahi kaksha, wahi bacche, wahi harqate. Ladkiyaan hi thi jo kam se kam uss se achhe se pesh aati thi. Adhiktar ladke sirf use hawas ki nazro se hi ghoorte the.

Magar, aaj Nidhi ki nazre class me ghoom rahi thi. Maano jaise chehro se bhara ek samundar tha kamre ke andar — kuchh muskura rahe the, kuchh fusfusa rahe the, kuchh uub ke jhuke hue the. Fir bhi, ek student alag dikh raha tha.

Veer Singh.

Kal ki hi tarah aaj bhi woh sab se dur kone me akela baitha hua tha, uski desk hi baakiyo se dur thi. Uski aankhein apni notebook par tiki hui thi, maano likhte rehne se woh duniya se bach jayega. Uski patli si kaaya uski badi uniform ke andar alag hi maalum pad rahi thi.

Pata nahi kyu par use iss qadar dekh Nidhi ko ek samaanta si mehsoos hui. Attendance lene se pehle woh ruk gayi, uski nazre Veer par tiki rahi.

'Woh akela kyu baitha hai?'

Yeh vichaar kal se uske dimaag me atka hua tha. Jab usne attendance ke liye naam pukaarna shuru kiye, toh sabhi chhaatra baari-baari ek swar me 'present ma'am' chillaate chale gaye. Kaksha me hasi ki ek leher daud gayi, dost ek dusre ko dhakka deke hasi mazaak karne lage, aur unki khusur-pusur jaari ho gayi.

"Veer Singh?"

*Silence*

Aaj bhi wahi hua. Nidhi use hi dekh rahi thi. Veer ne apna haath dheere se upar uthaaya.

"Present ma'am!"

Maujood hoke bhi aisa lag raha tha jaise woh adrishya tha baaki logo ke liye. Shaant aur darpok.

Veer ka akelapann sirf samajik nahi tha — ye uske jeevan me samaya hua tha.

Ek baar project ke dauran, Nidhi ne class me baccho se ek-dusre se partners banaane ke liye kaha.

"Apna ek partner banaiye aur saath mil kar project complete karna hai. Theek hai? Class dismissed."

Chhaatra turant apne dosto ke paas bhaage — dekhte hi dekhte alag-alag pairs bann gaye.

Veer ko chhor kar.

Woh baitha raha, apni notebook ko ghoorta raha. Departure ho chuka tha aur sabhi project ke baare me baatein karte hue chale gaye.

Veer ne chup-chap apna bag uthaaya aur uski orr aaya.

"Ma'am!? Kya mein akele project bana sakta hu?"

"Kyu?"

"Mujhse kisi ne poochha hi nahi. Sabke pehle hi pairs bann gaye."

Usne itni saralta se kaha, maano jaise use aadat ho gayi ho bhulaaye jaane ki. Nidhi ka gala andar hi andar roondh gaya. Uski chhaati me jaise ek dard utha. Woh kuchh na bol saki.

Ek shaam woh class ke baad derr tak ruki hui thi. Usne dekha ki Veer parking area ke paas baitha hua farsh ko ghoor raha tha. Uski aankhein laal thi.

"Veer?"

Usne jawab nahi diya.

"Kya hua?"

Firse koi jawab nahi. Magar, jab usne Veer ke saamne dustbin me dekha toh uski aankhein chaudi hokar reh gayi. Dustbin me Veer ka bag dala hua tha.

Woh akasmat uske bagal se aake khadi hui.

"Kisne kiya ye?"

"Nahi pata. *sniff* Farq nahi padta. Koi nayi baat nahi."

"Tum ruko abhi- mein abhi jaa ke-"

"Nahi! Koi zaroorat nahi hai. Aapke jaane se... Woh baad me aur tang karenge. *sniff* Rehne dijiye."

"Par-"

"Maine kaha na, ma'am! Rehne dijiye!"

Nidhi ne aage kuchh nahi kaha. Usne use rona band karne ke liye bhi nahi kaha. Iski bajaaye, woh bas uske bagal se baith gayi.

Varsho me pehli baar, Veer ko laga ki koi tha... Jo uski parvah kar raha tha.

Din beetate gaye aur Nidhi 'Veer' naam ke iss ladke ko observe karti gayi. Usne jaana ki Veer kabhi kisi se baat nahi karta tha.

Recess ke dauran koi bhi uske saath nahi baithata tha, ladko ka koi bhi group use invite nahi karta tha. Lunch ke samay jab chhaatra apni-apni mandliyo me ikhatta hote, Veer chup-chap waha se gaayab ho jaata. Lunch laata bhi tha ya nahi? Iska bhi pata nahi tha.

Aur, isliye ek dopahar Nidhi recess ke theek baad yuhi uske peechhe-peechhe gayi. Veer library me jaa raha tha.

Nidhi ne dekha ki woh library me khidki ke paas baithe, sirr jhukaaye, notebook me kuchh bana raha tha.

'Hmm?'

Woh aage badhi.

"Iss waqt lunch kiya jaata hai, Veer. Koi aur kaam nahi."

Veer uski awaaz sunn jhep gaya. Woh chaunk gaya, use samajh nahi aa raha tha ki jawaab de ya andekha kar de?

"M-Maine lunch kar liya hai, ma'am." Uski awaaz mushqil se Nidhi ke kaano me pahuchi.

"Achha? 5 minute hue hai abhi recess hue aur tumne lunch bhi kar liya? Jhooth bolte ho?"

"M-Maine subah zyada khaaya tha. Isliye, abhi bhookh nahi hai. M-Mein theek hu, ma'am."

"Kya waqai?"

Veer ne hichkichaate hue apni pen aur kass ke pakad li. "H-Haan! M-Mujhe yaha achha lagta hai. Yaha shaanti rehti hai."

Nidhi ne ek pal ke liye use dekha, fir chali gayi. Veer ko laga ki uska peechha chhoot gaya lekin kuchh der baad hi woh waapas laut aayi — sandwich ki ek plate ke saath.

"Agar, tumhe yahi baithna hai toh yahi baitho. Par, kam se kam kuchh khaa toh liya karo."

Veer plate ko ghoorta raha. Dang reh gaya tha. Aisa pehle kabhi kisi ne uske liye nahi kiya tha.

"M-Mujhe bhookh nahi hai, ma'am."

"Of course, tumhe hai. Tum bas maanane ke liye ziddi ho. Tum lunch nahi laate kya? Mummy nahi deti ghar pe?"

Maa ka zikr aate hi Veer maun reh gaya aur Nidhi jaise samajh gayi ki kuchh baat hai. Usne iss vishay ko aage nahi badhaaya. Veer fir apne aap se hi kuchh kshan baad bola.

"M-Mein-! Mein aaj lunch box bhool gaya. Chachi ne bana ke rakha tha. Lekin- mein bhool gaya."

"Oh! Toh ab kha lo. Theek hai?"

"Nahi! Maine kaha na ma'am. Mujhe bhook nahi hai."

Veer ne mana toh kar diya. Lekin, jab Nidhi plate neeche rakh ke waha se chali gayi, toh Veer ne kuchh hi kshano baad khud ko plate ki taraf aage badhte hue paaya.

Ek din, jab Veer apni baahon aur chehre par chot ke saath class me aaya — ragging aur bullying ke kuchh saboot.

Nidhi ne dekha. Usne kuchh poochha nahi.

Lekin, agli hi subah, Veer ko apni desk ke neeche ek bandage kit rakhi mili — ek chhote se note ke saath.

'Take care of yourself. Some people care about you — even if you don't believe it yet.'

Uss din ke baad se Veer Nidhi ki upasthiti ko aur adhik mehsoos karne laga.

Class me, woh aksar uski desk ke aas-paas hi khadi rehti, aur uss se sawaal bhi poochha karti.

"Veer! Tum batao? Kya ye answer sahi hai?"

"Veer! Tumhari kya raay hai isme?"

Pehle toh woh jawab nahi de paata tha. Uski awaaz mushqil se uske muh se nikalti thi. Lekin, Nidhi ne apna prayas nahi chhora. Nidhi uske astitva ko poora karti thi. Lagne laga tha jaise ab woh adrishya nahi tha.

Ek din woh deri se aaya. Woh ghabrahat me darwaze ki dehleez par khada ho gaya.

"S-Sorry! Ma'am- mein..."

"Koi baat nahi!" Nidhi ne beech me hi tokte hue kaha, uski awaaz naram thi. "Ab aa gaye ho na? Baith jao!"

Zyadatar teachers use khari-kothi suna dete lekin, Nidhi... Woh muskurayi. Woh muskaan use shabdo se kahi zyada shaant kar deti.

Ek din Nidhi ne use apni notebook me kuchh banaate hue pakad liya.

"Tum drawing bhi karte ho??"

Veer ne jhepte hue jaldi se apni notebook band kar li. Uski drawing achhi nahi thi. Lekin, use banaane ka shauk tha.

"K-Kuchh nahi-! A-Aise hi bas..."

"Uff-Oh! Ab chalo bhi mujhe dekhne do."

Hichkichaate hue lekin bharosa kar, Veer ne dheere se notebook kholi. Andar alag-alag sketches the. Kuchh landscapes ke, kuchh chehro ke, aur ek kone me — Nidhi ka khud ka ek chhota sa chitr.

Nidhi ne aashcharya me palke jhapkayi. Fir, haule se hasi.

"Arey waah! Bahut khoob. Par, Veer-!? Mujhe nahi lagta ki meri naak itni badi hai. Hai na?"

Veer ka chehra sharm se laal pad gaya.

"Ye... Ye abhi poora nahi hua hai, ma'am." Usne haklaate hue kaha.

"Koi baat nahi... *smiles* Mein mazaak kar rahi thi. Tum talented ho. Ise chhipaane ki koi zaroorat nahi. Confidence rakha karo, Veer. Okay?"

"J-Ji!"

Jaise-jaise unka rishta aur mazboot hota gaya, unki baatein aur bhi sehej hoti chali gayi. Thodi chanchal bhi.

"Tum humesha ye notebook saath leke ghoomte ho." Woh ek baar use chidhaate hue boli. "Kya hai isme aisa? Hmm? Duniya par qabza karne ka master plan?"

"Haan!" Usne bebaaki se jawab diya. "Sabse pehla qadam — Ek aisa teacher dhundhna jo meri notebook ko lekar baar-baar na poochhe."

"Hahahahaha!" Aur, woh khil-khila ke hass padi.

Veer bhi badle me muskura diya. Shayad ye pehli baar tha jab Nidhi ne use muskurate hue dekha tha.

Class me ek baar questions ke dauran, Veer ne pehli baar koi galti pakdi thi.

"Ma'am, waha par... Waha par sin ki jagah cos aayega."

"Oh??" Nidhi ne bauhe chadhayi. "Mujhse galti ho gayi?"

"Haan!"

"Theek hai toh... Class! Agla question Veer solve karega blackboard pe. Chalo, Veer. Utho apni seat se!"

"Eh??? N-Nahi! Ma'am... Ek minute!"

"Hahahaha! Good luck!" Nidhi uski haalat par hasi.

Veer dara. Nidhi mazak nahi kar rahi thi. Woh blackboard ke saamne khada tha aur chalk se likhte samay uske perr kaanp rahe the. Lekin, fir Nidhi ne podium se fusfusate hue uss se kaha-

"Tum sahi kar rahe ho. Solve karte jao. Daro nahi!"

Jab ek baar Veer ko pehli baar assignment test me Maths me thode achhe marks mile toh usne dekha ki Nidhi ne uske test paper par kuchh likha hua tha — Told you you'd do great. ^⁠_⁠^ But you need to do even better.

Ek baar career ke lakshyo ke baare me charcha ke dauran, Nidhi ne Veer se akele me baat karte hue sehejta se tippani ki-

"Veer! Tumhe ek high goal rakhna chahiye. Tumhare jaise log... Tum apna potential barbaad kar rahe ho."

Magar, Veer ko — ek ladka jise uske parivar waale aksar ye keh dete ki woh apni zindagi me kuchh bhi nahi kar payega — uske shabd bahut chubh gaye.

"Aapko lagta hai ki mein apna samay barbaad kar raha hu???" Usne oonchi awaaz me poonchha. "Mein har din apni poori koshish karta hu, theek hai na? Aap jaanti bhi kya ho mere baare me?? *sniff* Koi nahi jaanta."

Nidhi ne palke jhapkayi. Woh achambhit thi. Veer pehli baar iss tarah se gusse me kuchh uss se bola tha.

"Mera matlab ye nahi tha, Veer. Mein-" Usne Veer ka kandha thaama.

"Rehne dijiye! *sniff* Aadat hai mujhe." Usne jhapatta maarte hue khud ko chhuraaya aur baahar nikal gaya.

Teen dino tak, Veer uss se bachta raha. Nazrein churaata raha. Lekin, chauthe din woh use library me mil hi gaya.

"Mera... Mera tumhara dil dukhane ka irada nahi tha, Veer." Usne dheere se kaha. "Mein bas... Mujhe tum pe vishvas hai. Bas itna hi."

"Hmm... Theek hai... Mujh par apna vishvas barbad mat kariye, ma'am." Woh badbadate hue bola.

"Uske liye ab bahut derr ho chuki hai. Mera paala ab tumse jo pad chuka hai." Woh muskurate hue boli.

Aur, iss baar-

Veer naraaz na reh saka. Woh sharmaate hue muskuraya aur apna muh ferr liya. Nidhi uske sharmaane par bas hasti reh gayi. Woh sahi thi. Aaj bhi kuchh ladke the jo uske prati galat bhavnaaye nahi rakhte the. Veer unme se ek tha. Ya yu kahe, unn sab me se sabse alag.

Aur, aise hi woh teen mahine kab guzar gaye, dono ko hi pata nahi chala. Veer vartalap me apna confidence dheere-dheere gain kar raha tha. Chhutiyaan padi aur uske baad shuru hua second year.

Pehla din tha. Naye juniors ko hall me baitha ke unka swagat kiya jaa raha tha. Classes lagni shuru ho chuki thi. Veer ki class ki teacher punah badal chuki thi lekin, Nidhi ko sabhi chaahne lage the aur isliye use wapas se class teacher banaane ki maang bhi rakhne lage.

Aur, fir aaya woh waqt-

Departure ke dauran. Veer ne jab Nidhi ko jaldbazi me jaate dekha toh usne use pukaara-

"Ma'am??"

Magar, Nidhi na ruki. Usne Veer ki awaaz hi nahi suni. Woh bahut hi jaldbazi me thi. Chehre par chinta bhi jhalak rahi thi.

Veer ne mann hi mann khud ko samjhaya ki har waqt koi uske liye haazir nahi reh sakta tha. Aur, fir woh pal aaya-

Jab uski nazar uss par padi. Pragya! Ek behad khubsoorat chehra. College ki jaani-maani sundar ladkiyo me se ek.

Aur, fir Ajay ka use dekhna, apne pantaro ko ishaara karna, Veer ka scooty uthaate hue ghar ki orr nikalna, Ajay aur uske saathiyo ka bikes se use gherna, use college ki peechhe waale raaste par le jaana, use buri tarah peetna, ghaayal karna, aur baarish hoti sooraj dhalti shaam me use sadak par chhor dena.

Yahi sab toh hua tha. Nahi! Yahi nahi! Uske baad use ghar se nikaal diya jaana, Uska aspataal me hona, marrne ki kagaar par hona, aur Nidhi ka waha par aana.

---

-Aur, aaj woh uske saamne tha.

'Aap chinta mat kariye!! Mein Juhi ko leke aaunga. Mein aapse vaada karta hu!'

Uske bol Nidhi ke kaano me goonj gaye. Usne apna vaada nibha diya tha.

Nidhi ka haath kaanp raha tha, woh uske bagal me ghutno par gir padi. Uski ungliyaan jhijhakte hue aage badhi aur fir usne Veer ki fati hui aasteen ko kass kar pakad liya.

Uski rone ki siskiyaan chhootne lagi. Ghutan bhari awaaz. Uske mote-mote aansu Veer ke khoon se sane haath par girne lage.

"*hic* Aaaaaaaaaa-!!! *hic*"

Woh royi. Kuchh bol nahi paa rahi thi. Iss sab ka bhaar use kuchal raha tha. Agar, Juhi ko kuchh ho jaata toh-

Iss vichaar ne uske shareer ko aur bhi zyada kaanpne par majboor kar diya. Usne apna chehra Veer ke perr se sataaya, uske perr kass ke pakde — maano use chhorne se Juhi fir se uss se dur chali jayegi. Aur, Veer bhi.

Mann hi mann woh Veer ko lagatar dhanyavad deti rahi. Kuchh pal beet gaye, fir usne apna sarr uthaaya.

Veer behosh tha. Usne apni ungliyon se Veer ke khoon se sane chehre ko chhiya, uske angoothe ne Veer ke maathe par fir ek ghaav ko chhiya.

"V-Veer-!" Uski awaaz toot gayi. Honth thar-thara uthe.

Aur, fir usne apni baahein uske kandho par rakhi, uske sirr ko dheere se uthaaya aur agle hi pal-

Use apni chhaati se laga liya. Veer ki garm saansein uske seene par padi. Magar, uska chehra poori tarah se thanda mehsoos ho raha tha.

Nidhi ke aansu ab khul kar gir rahe the. Woh bilakh-bilakh kar ro rahi thi. Veer ko apne aalingan me liye, use kass ke pakde woh khadi-khadi dahaad maar ke roti rahi. Jaise varsho se usne khud ko roke rakha tha aur ab uski bhavnaaye khul kar baahar nikal rahi thi.

"M-Maine tumhe apne se dur dhakela..." Woh fusfusayi. "Har baar... *hic* Har baar maine tumhe dur kiya."

Use yaad aaya jab usne Veer ko 1 lakh rupaye ki payment kar di thi. Kaise woh uss par bhadka tha.

Use ye bhi yaad aaya ki uski padosan Mrs. Tiwari kis tarah use Veer jaise ladko se dur rehne ki hidayat de rahi thi.

Ye sab yaad karte hi, usne Veer ko aur kass ke laga liya.

"Mujhe maaf kar do-!! *hic*" usne roondhi hui awaaz me budbudaya. "Mujhe maaf kardo, Veer!! Aaaaaaaa-!! Aaaaaaaaaa!! *hic* *sniff*"

Aur, firse usne uska sirr apni chhaati me aur bhi gehraayi me daba liya. Aur, inn teen saalo me aaj pehli baar — usne apni bhavnao se bhaagna band kar diya.

"Maine tumhe chaahna kabhi nahi chhora tha... Trust me... Mein bas... *hic* Mein bas darti thi."

"L-Lekin, *sniff* ab aur nahi bhaagungi."

Veer ke sang bitaaye use saare puraane pal yaad aane lage.

Har muskaan jo woh chhipaata tha.
Har aansu jo woh dabaata tha.

"Tum... *sniff* Tum akele the... M-Mujhe aur bhi bahut kuchh karna chahiye tha... *hic* Mujhe tumhare paas aur rehna chahiye tha."

"Par ab... *hic* Ab mein hu yaha. Aur, mein ab kahi nahi jaungi. *sniff* Kabhi bhi nahi."

Usne na jaane kab se inn bhavnao ko dabaaye rakha tha. Lekin, ab aur nahi.

Aasmaan me aatishbaziyo se fel rahe rang bikhre hue the, aur hospital ke iss kamre me ek mahila ne khoon se sane ek naujavan ko apni baaho me bhar rakha tha.

Aur, hospital ke saamne ki building ki terrace par khade do log ye sab kuchh dekh paa rahe the.

Erica : See, dad? Yahi woh Nidhi hai jinki beti ko Veer bacha ke laaya. But... I have never seen him so low.

Renshu : Low? He's the one who's the tallest among us. Na sirf usne unki jaan par khatra nahi aane diya, balki woh unhe chhuraane me bhi qamyab tha. Par, ab time nahi hai. Erica-!

Erica samajh gayi ki use kya karna tha. Garofano ko call connect kar ke Ava se poochhne ke baad dobara se Veer ki nayi location le li thi unhone.

Erica bina kuchh kahe waha se ek kshan me gaayab ho gayi.

Andar derr raat me hospital ka corridor shaant tha. Shreya ki bauhe sikudi aur palke jhapkaate hue woh kursi par se uthi. Sabhi resting area me so chuke the aur woh aur uske Ishaan bhaiya hi yaha kursi par baithe the.

Usne dekha ki uske bhaiya bhi baitha-baithe hi so rahe the. Apne phone ko dheele haath se pakdi woh Nidhi ko dekhne ke liye uske kamre ki orr badhi.

Lekin, Nidhi ke kamre ke paas pahuchte hi uske qadam wahi tham gaye.

Darwaaze ke sheeshein se... Usne dekha.

Veer.
Nidhi.
Juhi.

Nidhi ne Veer ke chehre ko apni chhaati se laga rakha tha — khoon se lathpath aur ghaayal.

Shreya bhauchakki reh gayi.

Drishya use umeed se zyada prabhavit kar gaya. Uski ungliyaan phone par kass gayi. Aur, vibhinn anubhutiyaan ek pal me mehsoos ho gayi.

Raahat — kyunki, Veer sahi salamat tha.

Khushi — kyunki, Juhi surakshit thi.

Irshya — kyunki, Veer kisi aur ki baaho me tha.

Glaani — kyunki, jiski baaho me tha woh uski apni badi behan hi thi. Ye sab uske mann me nahi aana chahiye tha.

Aur, dard — na jaane kyu.

*Click*

Darwaaze ki awaaz aate hi Nidhi chaunk kar tezi se mudi.

'Huh?'

Saamne koi ladki thi. Iske pehle ki woh kuchh keh paati-

"Shh! It won't hurt! Please! Sleep!"

Nidhi ko kuchh pata nahi chala. Uski aankhon ke saamne achanak se andhera chhaa gaya.

***

Ek ukhdi hui saans.

Veer ki aankhein fad-fada kar khuli. Chhat alag thi. Hawa me gandh toh wahi thi — antiseptic ki. Magar, uski chhaati par se woh bhaar gaayab tha.

Juhi.

Uski saans atakne ko hui, ghabrahat ne uske shareer ko jhakjhor diya. Uski baahein Juhi ko paane ke liye fadki. Kaha gayi woh?

Par, agle hi pal use mehsoos hua — uske dono taraf, daaye aur baaye koi uski baaho ko jakde hue tha.

'Huh?'

Uska sirr daayi orr muda.

Tej.

Uski Teju di ne use pakde rakha tha. Magar, nigaahein saamne ki orr ek band darwaaze par tiki thi.

Woh baayi orr muda.

Kavya.

Woh uss se chipki hui thi. Tej ki hi tarah, woh bhi saamne hi nazre gadaayi thi.

Uske haatho se bediyaan gaayab thi. Ye kaise hua? Janzeerein uski kalaayi par locked thi. Kaha chali gayi wo?

Kuchh gadbad thi. Tabhi-

“Veer!”

Ghane vatavaran me ek awaaz goonj gayi. Shweta! Use jaagta hua dekh uski aankhein chaudi ho gayi. Woh chillaati hui uske nazdeek aayi. Aur, kamre me maujood sabhi ki nigaahein Veer par pad gayi.

Badhi toh Bhavna bhi thi lekin, Shweta ne aate hi Veer ke chehre ko thaam liya aur use betaab apne seene se laga liya.

"Hosh aa gaya mere bete ko... Hey bhagwan!"

Veer akad ke reh gaya. Uske shareer ka har ang dard se tadak raha tha, lekin uljhan ka bojh dard se kahi zyada bhaari tha.

Ye sab yaha kyu the? Ye woh aspataal toh nahi tha jaha par Nidhi bharti thi.

Tej aur Kavya uss se lipti hui thi. Uski Shweta maa, aur uski maa — Bhavna. Sab ro rahi thi.

Usne dekha ki uske pita-

Brijesh!

'???'

Uske pita bhi kone me haath mode chintan me khade hue the. Uski behan Aarohi apni laal aankhein liye rote hue use hi dekh rahi thi.

Aabha aur Sonali bhi ek jagah par baithi use rote hue dekh rahi thi. Aur, na jaane kitne log the.

Uska sirr ghoom raha tha. Dhadkane tez ho rahi thi. Kuchh nahi, bahut kuchh galat lag raha tha.

'P-Pari? What the hell happened?'

Magar-

Sannaata. Koi jawab nahi.

'P-Pari? Juhi kaha hai? Ye sab kya chal raha hai?'

Fir bhi koi jawab nahi. Usne apne daant peese.

'Pariiii-!!'

Magar, kuchh nahi. Pari sleep mode me jaa chuki thi.

Uski saansein tez hui. Use Nidhi ke kamre me jaana yaad tha. Use yaad tha ki Juhi uske seene se hi lipti hui thi. Use ye bhi yaad tha ki woh seat par gira tha. Lekin, uske baad-!?

Use kuchh bhi yaad nahi tha. Kya hua tha? Veer ki nazar achanak baayi orr dur ek corridor me padi. Aur, usne dekha-

Kone ke paas, uske parivar se alag. Teen log khade hue the.

Renshu. Erica. Aur, Garofano.

Jo use hi dekh rahi thi.




System holders. Yaha par? Woh sab yaha kyu the? Use tabhi yaad aaya-

Yarnia's launch.

Woh toh aaj thi na? Toh kya hua? Sab yaha kyu the? Aur, ro kyu rahe the? Yarnia ka kya hua?

Aur, use yaad aa gaya.

Mission ki penalty. Ek sihran uske badan me daud gayi. Kahi isliye toh sab-?

Nahi! Aisa nahi ho sakta. Usne Juhi, Pihu ko bacha liya tha. Fir, akhir aur koi kaise khatre me ho sakta tha? Woh koi sawal kar paata ki itne me saamne ka darwaza khul gaya.

Ek doctor baahar nikal ke aaya. Sab achanak se khade ho gaye. Jis baat ko Veer ka darr tha, woh darr aur gehra ho gaya.

Doctor ne sabhi ko dekha aur fir Veer ko dekh ek haami bhar uski orr chalte hue nazdeek aaya jaise woh jaanta tha ki use kis se baat karni thi.

Veer Singh.

Yahi wo vyakti thi jise usko jawab dena chahiye. Doctor ne ek gehri saans li. Fir, ek asthir awaaz me bola-

"I'm very sorry, sir. Hum unhe bacha nahi sake. Mr. Manorath is no more."

*Badump*

Dhadalle se darwaza punah khula, stretcher par Manorath ji ka shav tha, upar se safed kapda dhaka hua tha.

Cheekhein goonj uthi. Parivar jano ke rone ki awaaz aspataal me goonjne lagi.

Veer ko kuchh samajh aata ki tabhi-

"Although, Miss Ragini ki situation kaafi critical thi. But, doctor ne mujhe khabar de di hai."

'Ragini' naam sunn woh wapas se hosh me aaya.

"She's out of danger now."

Raahat bamushqil ek kshan ke liye hi thi.

"But there's only one problem. I'm sorry to say but — woh ab pehle ki tarah kabhi nahi chal payengi."

Aur, aspatal ko ek gehre sannaate ne dhak liya.
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Aaj ke liya itna hi guys.
This update consists of 8.3k words. Jaan boojh ke around itni length ka rakha hai warna ye update 10k ke upar jaa raha tha. Too much info dump iss update me mujhe sahi nahi lagi because Nidhi ka aham hissa tha iss update me. So, I decided to post those sections in the later updates. This update also justifies why Nidhi took Veer to her house and sheltered him. Unke beech ka rishta ekdum naya nahi tha. They knew each other. Mehez 3 mahino ka hi rishta tha lekin, unn teen mahino ne bahut kuchh badal diya tha. Samay-samay par aise hi flashbacks ke zariye hum Nidhi aur Veer ke madhya aur bhi moments dekhenge. Yaha par past kaisa laga woh zaroor bataane ka. Baaki, target apna wahi hai. 300. Pahucha dene ka. Agle update se Post Disembowler arc shuru ho jayega.
Milte hai agle bhaag me.
Dhanyavad.

Superb update and awesome story

 

[jone964]

Bhtree

Mega Update

Update - 195 ~ The Hidden Truth — SHB​

Ab tak...

[N-No!! Master!!!]

Use apne mann me saamne nazar aaya-

Veer ki aankhein bhay ke maare fel gayi. Woh ghabraate hue uss paagal ko dekh raha tha. Uske honth apne aap khule-

"Wh-Who are you-!!?"

Aur, dusri orr se dheere se ek jawaab aaya-

"They call me... THE DISEMBOWLER!!!"

Ab aage...

Underground lair badbu se grasit thi. Upar timtimaate light bulbs chuninda jagah par chipke hue the jiske chalte aadhi se zyada lair andhere me doobi hui thi, aur prakash bas kuchh jagaho par hi maujood tha.

Veer ki saansein dheemi thi lekin uska dil yuddh me baj rahe kinhi nagaado ki tarah dhadak raha tha.

“D-Disembowler!? Wh-What?”

Woh stabdh uss paagal vyakti ke saamne khada hua tha. Disembowler ne apna naam ujaagar kar diya tha. Kintu, Veer ko hairat me daalne ka kaaran sirf uska naam nahi tha. Woh tha — uske saamne pradarshit ho raha woh notification.

*Ding*

[‘Beowulf’s Blessings’ is broken.]

‘What? What is going on? Pari, iska kya matlab hai?’

Uska ekmaatra trademark card jaa chuka tha.

Notification ko padhte hi uske hosh udd chuke the. Aisa aaj se pehle kabhi nahi hua tha. Akhir, iska kya arth tha? Uske chehre par darr saaf-saaf jhalak raha tha. Kahi uska card humesha-humesha ke liye-?

[Damn it!]

‘Don’t leave me hanging, Pari! Jawaab do!’

[Master! This is bad! ‘Beowulf’s Blessings’ break ho chuka hai.]

‘Kya matlab?’

[I don’t know exactly, master ye kaise ho gaya. It shouldn’t have… Ah!]

‘K-Kya hua?’

[I see! Master, remember the curse? Usne definitely kisi skill ye card ka istemal kiya hai.]

Veer ko kuchh der pehle lagaye gaye curse ke baare me yaad aaya. Beshaq! Uske upar kisi tarah ka curse lagaya gaya tha jis par dhyaan dene ka samay use mil hi nahi paaya tha.

Use woh pal zehen me aaya jab Disembowler ne uss par lagatar vaar kiye the. Teen vaar toh usne defense kar ke jaise-taise rok liye the magar woh chautha vaar — woh chautha vaar hi tha, jo uske defense ko tod ke use laga tha. Aur, uske agle hi pal — woh curse.

Curse ke lagte hi teen vaar aur kiye the Disembowler ne. Aur, teesra vaar padte hi 'Beowulf's Blessings' toot chuka tha.

Woh ab samajh paa raha tha.

‘Was that it?’

[Yes, master! Hum careless the. Mujhe thoda waqt dijiye. Mujhe dekhna hoga woh kya istemal kar raha hai. Aisi bahut si skills aur cards hai jo alag-alag tarah ke curses lagaate hai toh mujhe har ek ko identify karna hoga ki ye paagal kaun sa use kar raha hai. Tab tak aapko Juhi ko-]

Iske pehle ki woh apni baat poori tarah se rakh paati, mann me aati ek aur ghanti ne unn dono ka dhyaan kheench liya.

*Ding*

[Mission updated.]

[Mission : A Knight's Stand.
Description : Get rid of the Disembowler, rescue Juhi and secure the experiment’s secret.
Time Limit : 1 hour.
Rewards :
1) ??? Points
2) ??? Fame Points
3) 1 Random Legendary Skill

Mission failure penalty :
1) Loss of loved ones.
2) Secret getting publicized.
3) Under surveillance.]

Mission padhte hi Veer ki aankhein chaudi ho gayi. Purana mission - ‘Assist Divya and unveil the murderer' ab update ho chuka tha. Abki baar mission seedha Disembowler ka khaatma karne ka praapt hua tha. Saath hi Juhi ko bachana bhi tha. Magar, kuchh shabd the jinse woh confusion me tha.

Rewards ke saath-saath ye pehli baar tha jab itni saari penalties ek hi mission ke andar nazar aayi thi.

Veer (mutters) : Experiment’s secret?

Mission padhte hue woh apne aap me budbudaya.

Disembowler : That's right!!!

Uske sawaal par saamne se dabi hui Disembowler ki awaaz aayi.



Disembowler : …Aur tumne… tumne use mujhse chheen liya. Pachhtaoge! Tum pachhtaoge…

Veer (frowns) : Use? Kisey? Kiski baat kar rahe ho tum?

Disembowler (murmurs) : CRIMSON!

Naam sunn Veer ke badan ke rue khade ho gaye. Woh akela nahi tha, Pari ka bhi yahi haal tha. Iss naam se toh woh bhali-bhaanti waqif thi. Khaas kar, uski yeh personality.

Lekin, bhala Disembowler Crimson ke baare me kaise jaanta tha? Veer toh kabhi iss Disembowler se mila bhi nahi tha. Fir kaise? Aur, tabhi-

“Mammaaaaaaaa!”

Ek zordaar cheenkh lair me goonj uthi. Veer ka badan cheenkh sunte hi thanda pad gaya. Saansein atakne lagi, ungliyaan kaapne lagi.

Juhi.

Woh yahi thi. Gandagi, sadti laasho aur maili gandh se bhari iss lair me kahi.

Veer ka sarr awaaz ki disha ki orr muda. Awaaz lair me surango ki bhool-bhulaiyaan me se kahi se aayi thi. Samay zaaya karne ka waqt nahi tha. Usne socha nahi — woh bas bhaaga. Awaaz ke strot ki orr.

*Whoosh*

Magar, Disembowler kaha peechhe rehne waala tha? Veer ke waha se bhaagte hi woh apni chaudi, mudi hui muskaan liye uske peechhe utsaah me bhaaga.

"You're not getting away from me-! Ehehe-!"

Dono bhayanak raftaar se bhaag rahe the, unke qadam zorr se zameen par pade, aur paani ke chheete uchhalte chale gaye.

“Mammmaaaaaaaaa-!”

Achanak, Juhi ki ek aur cheenkh lair ke sannaate ko cheer gayi.

Lekin, Veer ke qadam fislan kha kar wahi ruk gaye. Neeche ka paani ek leher bann ke uthal gaya. Uski aankhein bhay ke maare chaudi ho gayi. Iss baar awaaz… kahi aur se aayi thi. Waha se nahi jaha se pehle aayi thi.

‘What is going on?’

*Badump* *Badump*

Uske dil ki dhadkane uske kaano me goonj rahi thi. Pichhli baar awaaz iss raaste se hi aayi thi. Magar, iss baar kisi aur raaste se. Kuchh gadbad thi.

Pari ne bina Veer ke bole hi 'Path Tracker' on kar diya. Taaki, jis-jis raaste me Veer daakhil hoye, kam se kam use pata rahe ki woh waha ek baar jaa chuka hai.

‘J-Juhi!! Woh... Woh chal rahi hai kya? Dusri orr?’

Ek vichaar uske mann me aaya. Kahi Juhi idhar se udhar bhaag toh nahi rahi thi?? Agar, aisa tha tab toh-

Veer ka badan kuchh soch kaanp utha. Lair me itne bhayanak qism ke traps maujood the. Agar, galti se bhi Juhi unn traps me se kisi ek ka bhi shikaar hui toh-

'N-Nahi! Juhi! Mein aa raha hu!' Woh ghabraya.

Aur, uska yahi par jhijhakna aur waqt lena uss par bhaari pad gaya.

*SHNK*

Usne bamushqil samay rehte apne shareer ko moda, aur agle hi kshan ek chamakti hui blade ki dhaar uski pasliyo se hokar guzri, uske blazer ke kapde ko cheerte hue nikal gayi.

Use apne khoon ki garmahat apni bagal me behti hui mehsoos hui.

‘Shit! This bastard-!’

“Ehe… ehe… ehehehe…!”

Disembowler hasa. Veer ke khoon se sani blade ko woh apne muh ke paas leke aaya. Uski lambi lacheeli zubaan baahar aayi aur blade par lage khoon ko chaati.

Khoon ka swaad lete hi Disembowler ki aankhein band ho gayi. Ek zordaar jhurjhuri uske poore badan me fel gayi. Uska poora shareer jhunjhla gaya. Aankhon ki putliyaan ulti hone ko ho gayi. Aur, uski haivani muskaan ajeebo-gareeb dhang se aur adhik fel gayi. Woh pagalo ki tarah hasa.

“Oooohhhh... It's better! Eiyahahahaha! *licks* This will be my ultimate weapon... hehe... Tum tez ho… lekin, utne bhi nahi… soon... I'll enjoy you cutting down into pieces hehehehe...”

Veer bhauchakka uski harqato ko dekhta reh gaya. Kya abhi-abhi usne uska khoon chaata tha? Y-Ye kis tarah ka aadmi tha?

Usne apne daant bheenche. Ye sanki aadmi… Woh sirf andha-dhundh humla nahi kar raha tha. Woh dekhna chaah raha tha ki Veer kya kar sakta hai. Woh jaanch kar raha tha, Veer ko apne system ke cards istemal karne ke liye majboor kar raha tha.

‘In your dreams, bastard!’

Kintu, Veer ne uski tarqeeb ko pakad liya. Woh uske jaal me nahi phassne waala tha. Disembowler uske cards tod sakta tha, skills nahi.

Disembowler fir uchhla. Woh andhere me se baahar nikal ke aaya, uske lambe safed baal hawa me lehraaye.



Aura vision ne andhere me bhi Disembowler ko dekh liya. Humle se bachne ke liye Veer ne ek jhatke me neeche zameen par ek zung lage pipe ko perr se tatolte hue uchkaya aur sahi samay par-

*CLANG*

Lohe se lohe ka takraav hua, chingariyaan bikhar gayi. Veer gati ke saath ghooma aur usne apna ghutna Disembowler ke pait me zorr se de maara.

*POW*

Disembowler ki aankhein baahar ko aa gayi. Veer ka ghutna uski atadiyo me jaise ghusne ko aa gaya.

Woh do qadam peechhe hata, lekin dard ki bajaaye — woh hasa. Ek bhayanak, karkash, haivani hasi jise sunn Veer ke badan me sihran daud gayi. Aisa laga maano jaise koi aam insaan ret se bhari bori par vaar kar raha ho.

'What the hell?'

Use vishvas tha usne ye vaar achhi khaasi taaqat laga ke kiya tha. Magar, uske baad bhi-! Woh poochhna chaahta tha Pari se, lekin woh pehle se hi Disembowler ke patte kholne ki apni poori koshish me lagi hui thi. Isliye, use disturb karna Veer ko sahi nahi laga.

Aur, tabhi-

"Mammmmaaaaaaaaaa-!"

Ek baar phir.

Par, iss baar awaaz vipreet disha se aayi thi.

'W-What!?'

Veer ki nigaahein ghumavdar surango ke beech tik gayi. Uska dimag tezi se daudne laga. Woh fir se uss disha ki orr bhaaga. Disembowler peechhe se lapka.

Kya Juhi bhaag rahi thi? Lair ka structural pattern bahut hi soch samajh kar banaya gaya tha. Bahut sateek.

Raasta khojna itna pechida kaam tha ki system hone ke bawajood bina kisi aham skill ke Juhi tak pahuchna namumkin sa lag raha tha.

Parantu, jaise hi Veer uss maarg par pahucha, jis baat ka use darr tha akhir wahi hua-

"Mummaaaaaaa!"

Juhi ki guhaar. Punaah ek cheenkh. Aur, fir se ek alag disha se. Veer iss baar uss disha me aage nahi badha. Kyunki-

Woh pehle hi uss disha me jaa chuka tha. 'Path Tracker' me woh dekh paa raha tha ki kuchh der pehle hi woh uss surang ke mod me gaya tha. Aur, ab awaaz fir se wahi se aa rahi thi. Akhir, chal kya raha tha?

Disembowler akasmat prakat hua. Uski laat Veer ke seene par padne ko aayi. Veer ne apne dono haatho se block kiya, magar force itna zyada tha ki laat padte hi uska shareer peechhe hawa me uchhal gaya.

*Baaaammmmmmm*

Woh ek deewar se takraya. Takraav ke chalte dehti deewar ke do chaar eent ke patthar neeche gir gaye. Aur, fir-

"Mammmmaaaaaaaaaa-!"

Usne suna. Awaaz theek uske peechhe se aayi thi. Usne palat ke dekha.

Dehti deewar me ek chhota sa gap. Usne sarr ghuma ke baaki deewaro ko dekha. Fir, ek aur... aur fir ek aur. Jaha-jaha uska sarr ghooma, waha-waha alag-alag deewaro ke kono me kayi vibhinn chhed bane hue the.

Aur, tab use ehsaas hua.

'N-No! It can't be...!'

Juhi kahi chal nahi rahi thi. Jo chal rahi thi woh thi uski — awaaz.

Cheenkhein deewaro ke andar chhipe hue pipes ke network ke madhyam se yaatra kar rahi thi, alag-alag deewaro ke gaps se utpann ho rahi thi, use bhatkaane ke liye vibhinn chhedo se baahar aa rahi thi.

Juhi jitni taaqat se chillaati, awaaz utni hi zyada derr ke liye unn pipes me travel karti aur aneko chhedo se baahar aati. Har baar Juhi ke chillaane ki intensity aur frequency alag hoti, jiske chalte uski awaaz alag-alag chhedo se baahar nikalti.

Yeh... ek jaal tha.

Juhi kahi bhi nahi chal rahi thi. Uski awaaz ka upyog kiya jaa raha tha jiske chalte woh bhatakta rahe.

"Smart...!" Disembowler muskuraya. "But it took you long enough ehehe... And now you will become my test subject.."



Woh fir se lapka. Ek qadam uchhalte hue baayi orr, fir dusra daayi orr, aur fir achanak se woh Veer ki taraf seedhe se aaya.

'Huh?'

"YOU ARE MINE!" Woh cheenkha!!

Usne apne lohe ke staff se Veer ke dil ki orr vaar kiya. Apne reflexes ka fayda uthaate hue Veer ne turant hi apne shareer ko baayi orr moda.

*SWOOSH*

Staff uske bagal se nikal gaya, Veer bach gaya, magar Disembowler ke hontho par ek muskaan fel gayi.

Ek sihran Veer ki reedh ki haddi me daud gayi.

A trap! He was late.

Ek jhatke me Disembowler ne staff ke hatthe se ek chaaku kheench ke nikaali aur seedhe hamla kiya.

"I won... Ehe..."

Chaaku Veer ke bheje me ghusne ke liye palak jhapakte aayi aur-

*Ding*



PROBABILITY MANIPULATION!

"???"

Waqt jaise tham gaya.

Achanak, Disembowler ke perro ke neeche aaye patthar ne uska balance bigaad diya, woh dagmagaya-

Aur, uske haath ki chaaku Veer ke dimag ki orr naa aake, uske kuchh baalo ko kaatate hue sarr ke upar se nikal gayi.

[On time...! Phew!]

Pari ne aenn waqt par apna daav khel diya. Sahi samay par 'Probability Manipulation' jo equip kar diya. Aur, Veer Disembowler ke fatal blow se bach gaya.

Agar, woh ise pehle hi equip kar deti toh ho sakta tha ki Disembowler iss card ko bhi break kar deta. Isliye, chalaaki dikhaate hue Pari ne slot me koi bhi card equipped nahi rakha tha. Kintu, ye sab kuchh Veer ka hi socha hua tha. Pari sirf uss par amal kar rahi thi.

Veer ki mutthi gusse me kasi. Thanks to Pari, woh lagbhag marrte-marrte jo bacha tha. Sahi samay par usne Probability Manipulation ke baare me socha aur udhar Pari ne microseconds ke andar woh equip kar diya.

Mauke ka faayda uthaate hue Veer ne ek jhatke me Disembowler ke jabde par ek zordaar mukka maara.

*Bammmmmmm*

“Ugh-!”

Disembowler peechhe hawa me uda, par iss se pehle ki woh dur jaake girta, Veer ne uski aedi kass kar pakdi aur fir-

“I will turn your own lair into your graveyard!”

Woh dheere se bola aur fir dahaada.

“Haaaaaarrrrrgghhhh!!”

Aur, Disembowler ko ek haath se uska perr pakad ke thaame woh zorr se apni jagah par ghooma.

*BAM* BAM* BAM*

Disembowler ka sarr baari-baari alag-alag deewaro ke kono se bhidta chala gaya. Eent ke patthar uske sarr bhidne se deewar ke kono se toot-toot kar bikhar kar neeche gir gaye. Dhool uth gayi aur Veer ne ek antim baar zorr se use ghumaate hue dur fek diya.

*SPLASHHHH*

Disembowler ka shareer paani me chhapak ki awaaz ke saath neeche jaa gira. Veer ne haafte hue apni saansein durust ki.

‘Thanks, Pari!’

[Don’t mention it, Master. It’s my job to protect you. Rahi baat iss paagal ki- I have found it.]

Agle hi pal Pari ne Veer ke saamne Disembowler ka parcha-chittha khol diya.

*Ding*



‘R-Rakia’s Blow?’

[I’m pretty sure usne yahi istemal kiya hai, Master!]

Veer ne jaise hi card ke baare me padha uski hairani ka koi thikana nahi tha. Ab uski samajh me aa raha tha ki akhir kaise uska 'Beowulf's Blessings’ broken state me gaya tha. Woh card ka description padh ke hi stabdh tha. Usne uss line ko dobaara padha.



Aur, padhte hi uska badan kaanp utha. Ek aisa card jo baaki kisi bhi card ko break kar sakta tha? Use ab jaa ke samajh aaya ki kyu uska defense toota tha. 25% chance for an unblockable attack.

Woh curse ka lagna. Sasha’s curse! Toh, yahi woh curse tha jo Disembowler ne uske defense ko tod kar uss par lagaya tha.

Sasha’s curse vyakti ko 10 minute ke liye ‘vulnerable’ state me daal deta tha. Agar, iss dauran koi bhi 3 vaar lagatar kiye gaye, toh teesra humla — Rakia’s Blow hota tha. Aur, uske padte hi — card break.

Uski nazar fir time limit par padi. Ek ghanta. Ek ghante tak uska card broken state me rehne waala tha. Veer ne ek raahat ki saans li. Iska matlab, card humesha ke liye break nahi hua tha.

Usne mission ki time limit par nazar daali.

[Time limit : 50 minutes.]

'Shit!'

Pipes ke zariye Juhi ki awaaz se gumraah hone ki wajah se usne kaafi samay kho diya tha.

'This is bad. Mujhe Juhi ko jald se jald dhoondhna hoga.'

Woh waha se nikalne ke liye hua par jaise hi usne apna dhyaan notification screen se hataya... saamne se Disembowler gaayab tha.

'!?'

"Mission mil gaya hehe?"



Ek awaaz theek uske kaan ke bagal se aayi. Veer ka badan wahi jamm ke reh gaya.

"Ehehehehe..."

[Maaassttterrr!]

*Whoosh*

Woh jhatse muda. Disembowler ne usko jakda.

Nahi! Iss baar firse woh 'Rakia's Blow' ka shikaar nahi ho sakta tha. Pari ne Veer ke bhaav padh tapaak se 'Probability Manipulation' ko slot se hataaya.

*Baaaammmmmmm*

*Bammmmmmmmm*

Magar, uska defense pichhli baar ki tarah iss baar bhi toot gaya.

'This fuckin' card-!'

Aur, iss baar Disembowler ne zorr se Veer ke chehre par ek ghoosa jada. Veer dhadaam se neeche gira. Disembowler theek uske upar tha.

*Bammmmmmmmm*

*Bammmmmmmmm*

*Bammmmmmmmm*

Teen se chaar vaar karne ke baad Disembowler ne Veer ki chaathi par uske blazer se pakad use uthaaya aur zorr se use feka.

Veer ka shareer kisi khilaune ki tarah hawa me udte hue jaa ke deewar se bhida.

Par, ye hua hi tha, Disembowler ne use feka hi tha jab usne apna neeche pada staff perr patakte hue uchhaala, use haath me thaama aur use zorr se udte hue Veer ki orr fek diya.

Lohe ke staff se judi ghaatak blade Veer ke saath-saath hawa me udti hui uski orr hawa ko cheerte hue aayi.

'Fuck-!'

Veer deewar se bhida, magar use samay na mila aur staff ki blade jaa ke seedhe uske dil ko cheer gayi.

*Thud*

Uska shareer kisi bejaan ki tarah dhadaam se wahi gir pada. Ek fatal blow. Veer ke bagal se hi ek gehra gaddha tha, jisme laasho ka dher pada hua tha. Woh usme girte-girte bach gaya.

Disembowler muskuraya. Akhir kaar, woh qamyab ho chuka tha. Ab woh Veer ko apna test subject bana sakta tha. Ek system holder uski giraft me aa chuka tha. Woh paagalo ki tarah hassne laga.

"Mil gaya.. Ahahahaha! Mil gaya... My test subject... A System holder Eehehehe... You will change the world my dear... Ehehehe! Now... It's time!"

Kehte hue woh ahista-ahista aage badha. Mission sirf Veer ko hi nahi mila tha. Use bhi praapt hua tha. Aur, uska mission tha Veer ko apna test subject banaana.

Woh dheere-dheere Veer ke nazdeek pahucha.

"Now... Let's take you to the lab my dear... Hehe..."

Bolte hue woh jhuka.

"???"

Magar, achanak-

Ek haath ne uski aedi pakad li.

Disembowler ki aankhein pehli baar bhay ke maare feli. Veer akasmat dahaadte hue utha aur Disembowler ko kheechte hue usne apne bagal se maujood uss gehre gaddhe me fek diya.

*huff* *huff*

Pari ne uski jaan ek baar fir bachayi thi.

Jaise hi woh deewar se bhidne waala tha, usi waqt-

*Ding*



PROBABILITY MANIPULATION

*Ding*

BONE REAPER

Bhidte hi uska shareer jaha seedhe girna chaahiye tha, Probability manipulation ne saara khel badal diya.

Uska shareer seedhe neeche girne ki bajaaye, halka sa baayi orr girne laga, jiske chalte Disembowler ka feka gaya woh staff Veer ke dil ko na cheerte hue uske bagal se beech me jaa ghusa.

*Splurt*

Blade badan ko cheerte hue andar ghusi magar Bone Reaper ke chalte haddi se takrati hue woh wahi ruk gayi.

Ye sab kuchh palak jhapakte hue tha. Fraction of seconds me Pari ne cards equip kiye the aur fraction of seconds me hi woh activate bhi ho gaye the.

Disembowler ko laga tha usne ek fatal blow land kar diya, magar ye sab Veer ka bas ek dikhawa tha. Kintu, iss baat ko bhi jhutlaya nahi jaa sakta tha ki woh staff ki blade uske shareer me zaroor dhansi thi.

*SHNK*

"Argh! Fuck! *huff* *huff* This one hurts...! Urghh!"

Veer ne uss blade ko nikaalte hue zameen par feka. Probability Manipulation ka upyog ek jhatke me do baar ho chuka tha. Ek antim avsar aur baaki tha uske liye. Agar, usne ek baar aur Probability Manipulation ka upyog kiya toh aaj woh uske baad use istemal nahi kar payega.

Veer ne bagal se dekha. Disembowler wahi neeche gehre gaddhe me dala hua tha. Koi harqat nahi-!

[Master! Juhi-!]

'Yeah!'

Pari ke bolte hi woh seedhe uth Juhi ko dhoondhne ke liye bhaaga. Badi mushqil se Disembowler se thodi der ke liye peechha chhoota tha. Yahi woh waqt tha — yahi samay tha Juhi ko chhuraane ka aur use sahi salamat baahar pahuchaane ka. Uske baad hi woh Disembowler se bhid sakta tha.

Veer ko bas ek baat nahi samajh aa rahi thi. Jitni taaqat se usne Disembowler par humle kiye the woh utne force ke saath use lage kyu nahi? Use poora vishvas tha ki woh apna poora zor laga raha tha. Kintu, uss zor ka parinaam use sahi nahi lag raha tha.

Uske sawaal ka uttar bhi Pari ne akhir de hi diya-

*Ding*



[He might be using this, Master.]

Card ko dekhte hi Veer ki bauhe kass gayi. Uske badan me raungte khade ho gaye. Woh samajh chuka tha ki iss Disembowler se yuhi nahi bhida jaa sakta tha. Jald se jald Juhi ko pehle yaha se baahar nikaalne ki zaroorat thi.

***

Underground lair kisi bhool-bhulaiyaa ki tarah felti hi jaa rahi thi. Woh jitna andar jaa raha tha, hawa utni bhaari hoti jaa rahi thi — ghani, dum ghotne waali, maano woh sab mrat log uske kaano me fusfusa rahe ho.

Har qadam bhayaveh roop se goonj rahe the, use chaaro orr fele andhere ne nigal rakha tha. Upar jal rahe light bulbs bamushqil hi koi raushni pradaan kar rahe the. Unki chamak khoon se sani deewaro par vichitr chhayaaye daal rahi thi.

Aur, sadan ki yeh gandh toh bilkul hi asahaneeya hoti jaa rahi thi.

Veer ki maanspeshiya tanavgrast thi, uska har ek ang satark tha. Usne Disembowler ko ek gaddhe me dhakela tha — ek gehra khula hua gaddha jaha kuchh laasho ka dher pehle se pada hua tha. Uss paagal ko wapas upar rengne me samay lagne waala tha. Lekin, Veer jaanta tha ki yeh ant nahi tha.

Ye toh bas udhaar ka samay tha.

Use Juhi ko dhoondhna tha. Abhi.

Woh vibhinn traps se bachte hue aage badha, Disembowler ke jaal har jagah the. Ye sirf ek lair nahi thi — ye woh bhul-bhulaiyaan thi jise ghuspaithiyo ko nigalne ke liye banaaya gaya tha.

Fir, akhir kar use woh mila...

Central chamber.

Veer fisalte hue ruka. Jaise hi woh Central chamber me pravesh kiya, saamne ka drishya dekh uski saansein atak ke reh gayi.

Surgical tables, khoon se lathpath chaadrein, mand raushni me chamakte hue flasks, taral padaarth aur vichitr upkarno ka ek avyavasthit dher. Deewaro par bade-bade kaanch ke cylinders lage hue the, jinme se pratyek me jeevit, hilti hui cheezein bhari hui thi.

Unke roop pehchaan me nahi aa rahe the — ang bahut lambe the, maans apraakartik tareeke se ek saath sile gaye the, unki aankhein adh-khuli hui thi.

'Wh-What!?'

Ek laboratory.

Ya ek kasai ki workshop!?

Aur, kendra me—

Juhi.

Woh chhoti si bacchi ek surgical bed par bandhi hui thi. Uska chhota sa shareer kaanp raha tha, uski kalaayi aur aediyaan straps se bandhi hui thi. Uski gehri aankhein chaudi ho rakhi thi, honth thar-thara rahe the aur gaalo se fisal kar aansu beh rahe the.

Uski dono chhoti-chhoti baalo ki chotiyaan ast-vyast ho rakhi thi, pyaari si safed frock jo usne pehen rakhi thi woh bhi gandagi se sani hui thi.

Aur, uske bagal me-

Ek aur ladki.

'Huh?'

Veer ki nazar uss par tiki. Wahi khauf uss ladki ki aankhon me bhi tha.

System apne kaam par lag gaya.

*Ding*

[Name : Pihu Bakshi
Age : 6
Bio : Trisha and Rohan's only daughter.]

Veer ki bauhe kass gayi. Trisha. Wahi DSP officer jisne Divya aur usko iss case ki investigation ke liye bheja tha.

Uski beti yaha thi?

Ek sihran uske badan me fel gayi. Ab yeh sirf Juhi ke baare me nahi tha. Ab, do zindigiyaan uske haath me thi. Aur, beshaq, system ne bhi yahi maanana sahi samjha-

*Ding*

[Mission updated.]

[Mission : A Knight's Stand.
Description : Get rid of the Disembowler, rescue Juhi, Puhi and secure the experiment’s secret.
Time Limit : 40 minutes.
Rewards :
1) ??? Points
2) ??? Fame Points
3) 1 Random Legendary Skill

Mission failure penalty :
1) Loss of loved ones.
2) Secret getting publicized.
3) Under surveillance.]

Mission me 'Pihu' ka naam jud chuka tha. Ab, sirf Juhi hi nahi, use Pihu ko bhi yaha se baahar nikaalna tha.

Idhar, Juhi ki nazar achanak uss par padi.

Ek pal ke liye woh stabdh reh gayi. Uske honth kaanpe, maano use yakeen nahi ho raha tha ki woh jo dekh rahi thi woh sach tha ya nahi? Aur, phir-

"Maamuuuuu!"

'Mamma' ki pukaar 'maamu' me badal gayi. Uski cheenkh tez aur karkash awaaz se bhari hui thi.

Woh chhatpatane lagi, apni poori taaqat se bandhano se nikalne ki koshish karne lagi. Veer jhatse aage badha, Juhi ki karkash guhaar sunn uska dil dehel gaya.

"Shhhh!" Veer ne tezi se aate hue Juhi ke sarr par haath rakh use chup karaane ki koshish ki.

Veer : Shor nahi, Juhi! Ab darne ki zaroorat nahi. Theek hai? Mein aa gaya hu. Hum yaha se nikal rahe hai.

Nanhi Juhi naak sudakte hue kaanpi, uski aankhon me itna darr bhara tha ki woh lagbhag behosh hone ki kagaar par thi.

Juhi : M-Maamu... *sniff* Gh-Ghal jaana hai. *sniff*

[Ah! Poor child... Juhi!]

Uski awaaz fatt rahi thi. Uske chhote-chhote haath Veer ko pakadne ki koshish kar rahe the.

Veer : Haan! Hum ghar hi chal rahe hai. Don't worry! Okay? Bas... Bas do minute.

Juhi (sobs) : Y-Yaha se le chalo, maamu... *sniff* M-Mujhe darr lag raha hai. *hic* Y-Yaha.. yaha daravni cheeje hai... *hic* muje mumma ke paas jaana hai...

Veer : Haan! Mujhe pata hai.

Usne dheere se kaha. Uske haath tezi se straps ko kholne ke liye chal rahe the.

Veer : Mein tumhe abhi ghar leke chal raha hu, theek hai?

Juhi (nods) : H-Haan! P-Pihu bhi maamu... *sniff*

Juhi ke aansu girte rahe, lekin usne apne maamu par bharosa rakhte hue haami bhari. Apni maa ke baad agar uski zindagi me uska koi hero tha, toh woh uske maamu hi toh the.

Veer : Pihu?

Juhi (nods) : Mmm!

Magar, Pihu ke sang aisa kuchh nahi tha. Uske mata-pita dono hi police me the. Uske liye uske pita uske hero the. Rohan Trisha se upar post par jo tha, toh woh Trisha se zyada authority rakhta tha. Yeh baat nanhi Pihu bhi kahi na kahi samajh jaati thi jab uski maa uske pita ki kahi gayi har baat ka paalan karti thi. Isliye, Pihu ko uske pita zyada bhaate the.

Wahi Juhi, jise bachpan se hi ek baap ka pyaar nahi mil saka, uske liye ya toh uski maa ya phir uske maamu hi chamakte hue sitaare the.

Veer ne Pihu ki taraf dekha, jiska chhota sa shareer darr ke chalte akda hua tha. Uske muh par patti bandhi hui thi. Bandhi toh Juhi ke muh par bhi thi par shayad woh patti hataane me qamyab thi.

Pihu koi awaaz nahi kar rahi thi, uski aankhon se bas aansu beh rahe the, uski chhoti-chhoti mutthiyaan bhinchi hui thi.

Juhi ne apna sirr Pihu ki orr ghumaya aur boli.

Juhi : Daro mat... *sniff* Ab maamu aa gaye hai na? Ab maamu usko ni chhorenge... *sniff* Maamu bahut taqatvar hai... Wo uss ajeeb se aadmi ko hara denge, tum dekhna... *sniff*

Pihu ne apni siskiyaan rokne ki koshish karte hue naak sikodi aur Juhi ki baat sunn apna sirr hilaayi.

Veer ki ungliyaan tezi se aage badhi aur Juhi ka akhiri strap khol di.

Veer : Ye kaun hai, Juhi?

Usne dono bacchiyo ka dhyaan bhatkaane ke liye sawaal chheda. Juhi ne chhootate hue apne nanhe haatho se uski baah kass kar thaami.

Juhi : P-Pihu, meri new friend hai, maamu. *sniff* Juhi aul mumma... Aapki party me aa rahe the... Tab... Shop pe... Shop pe Pihu mili thi.

Veer ko dhyaan aaya. Yarnia. Uska naya clothing brand. Aaj hi toh launch tha. Na jaane kya chal raha hoga udhar? Uski Teju di, Ragini... Sab uska intezar kar rahi hongi.

Veer : Aur, phir?

Juhi : Ph-Phir... *sniff* Phir wo ajeeb se uncle ne humko magic dikhaya aul phir... *sniff* *sniff*

Veer ne apne daant meese.

Lure Path.

Woh kameena. Usne Lure Path ka istemal kar ke Juhi aur Pihu ko apni qaid me kara tha. Aur, ab Veer khud yaha tha — jaisi ki Disembowler ne yojna banayi thi.

Ab Veer ko unn dono ki raksha karni thi. Pihu ke muh se patti hataane ke baad, jaise hi usne pehla strap khola, bagal me baithi Juhi ka chehra achanak peela pad gaya.

Woh zorr se chillaayi,

"M-Maamuuuu! Peeechheeee!"

Maano jaise Veer ka khoon jamm gaya. Bhay ke chalte woh palta aur-

*Click*

[Master!]

Ek thandi dhaatu uski kalaaiyo ke ird-gird jakadti hui mehsoos hui. Derr ho chuki thi.

Nigaah jaise hi kalaaiyo par padi... Usne dekha... ki deewaro se lagi bhaari lohe ke zanzeerein uske dono haatho ko kheench rahi thi.

'When..?'

Hathkadiyaan! Aur, woh bhi sadharan nahi... Badi, moti, lohe ki asaani se na tootne waali hathkadiyaan.

Kintu, sirf wahi nahi... Zanzeer deewaro ke andar dhansi hui thi aur ek self retracting mechanism ke chalte waapas andar ko jaa rahi thi. Yaani ki Veer ki dono baah vipreet disha me khich rahi thi.

"Urgh!"

Usne apna bal lagaate hue apne haath kheeche aur apni position barkarar rakhi. Magar, akhir kab tak? Force itna zyada tha ki agar usne zara sa bhi khud ko halka chhora, toh uski dono baahein shareer se ukhad jaati.

Ek dheemi hasi hawa me goonji. Disembowler. Woh aa chuka tha.

"M-Maaaamuuuu!"

Juhi cheenkhi. Woh nanhe qadam lete hue bhaagi lekin-

"Aaaaaaaa!"

Disembowler ne ek jhatke me use pakad ke peechhe kheench liya.

"Juhiiiiiiiiiiii!"

Veer gurraaya. Disembowler ki paagal muskaan chaudi hui, uski aankhon me ek ajeeb si chamak thi.

"Kya tumne sach me socha tha? Ehe..." Usne fusfusaate hue kaha. "...ki mein samay par wapas nahi aa paunga?"




'Shit! Akhir usne kab-!?'

[Mein bhi wahi soch rahi hu, Master. Koi awaaz nahi, koi harqat nahi. Mujhe bhi sunayi nahi diya. I'm sorry.]

'Nahi, Pari! *frowns* Galti tumhari nahi hai.'

[It... It was my fault as well. I should have-]

'Stay alert, Pari!'

[Y-Yes, master!]

Veer Disembowler ki muskaan dekh ke samajh gaya tha. Kuchh gadbad thi.

Veer (frowns) : You... You did something. Didn't you?

Disembowler : Oh... You figured it out? Hehe! Yessss! After all... It's my chamber...

Ye Disembowler ka chamber tha. Zaahir hai usne kuchh kar rakha tha. Pari eka-ek apne kaam me lag chuki thi.

Veer (yells) : Kyu? Kyu kar rahe ho tum ye sab? Tumhara target toh mein tha na?

Disembowler : Hmm? Kisne kaha mera target sirf tum the... Hehehe... Mein toh shuru se hi inn bacchiyo ke peechhe tha. They would be my test subjects as well...!

Veer : Wh-What? Sh-Shuru se... peechhe?

Disembowler : Yesss! *grins* This time... My goal was to experiment with the young blood.

Veer : Y-Young blood? J-Juhi?!

Disembowler (smirks) : Yesss! Tumhe kya laga? Kya maine ye sab sirf tumhe yaha laane ke liye kiya tha?

Veer : !?

Disembowler : Ohh you are wrong, my boy... Ehehe... I... I did all of that to achieve something greater... Something which this world will come to acknowledge later.

Veer : ??

Disembowler : I'll create a magnificent masterpiece. A masterpiece that'll shake the whole world... Hahahaha...

Veer : What? Akhir chaahte kya ho tum? What are you trying to achieve? Y-You killed so many people...

Disembowler : I didn't kill them... Nooo!!! They died by their own...

Veer : !!?

Disembowler : Mein toh... Mein toh unhe masterpiece banaana chaahta tha... I... I tried so hard... I gave them so much love... But they failed... They failed miserably.

Veer (growls) : Madhuri ke pita... Prabhakar Uncle... Unse kya dushmani thi tumhari? Why did you pick him?

Disembowler : Huh? Ohh! That man... Yessss! I remember... Ehe... He didn't co-operate.

Veer : What?

Disembowler : Maine toh... Maine toh use offer diya tha. To become my test subject... But what did he do??? He rejected me!! He rejected my greatest offer. A golden opportunity... And, so... I killed him... Just one person... Ehe... I only killed one. I swear. Rest died because of their incapability.

Veer (frowns) : The experiment... Kis tarah ke experiment ki baat kar rahe ho tum??

Disembowler : Hmm? I guess it won't hurt telling my soon-to-become test subject... hehe... right?




Veer : !!??

Disembowler (grins) : Blood Transfusion.

Sunte hi Veer ka shareer thanda pad gaya. Ek tez sihran uske badan me daudi.

Saari kadiyaan ab aapas me judti jaa rahi thi. Aur, jaise-jaise Veer ko iska bodh ho raha tha, waise-waise uski aankhein hairat me felti jaa rahi thi.

Veer ke haav-bhaav dekh ke Disembowler jaise samajh gaya ki Veer bhi jaan gaya hai woh kya kehna chaah raha tha.

Blood transfusion. Iska matlab...

Veer ki nigaahein unn peechhe sheeshein ke bane cylinders par gayi jaha ajeebo gareeb aakritiya andar maujood thi.

The experiment!

Akhir kar, use ek maqsad samajh aaya. Uske badan me raungte khade ho gaye. Ye paagal insaan... Insaan ke khoon ko badalne ki koshish kar raha tha.

Magar, kis se?

Veer (gasps) : Y-You...!? H-How?

Aur, agle hi pal Disembowler ne kuchh aisa kaha jise sunn, pehle toh Veer aur Pari dono hi chakit hue par fir jaise hi Veer ne uske shabdo ko decode kiya... Uske perro taley zameen khisak gayi.

Disembowler (mutters) : SHB!! *grins*

[What?! SHB? What is that...? Master?]

Veer ki bauhe kasi. SHB? Y-Ye kya tha bhala? Lekin, fir jaise uska dimaag dauda. Aur, samajh aate hi uska badan wahi jamm gaya.

Pari ne Veer ke vichaar shoonya hote hi chinta me use awaaz lagayi.

[Maaasterrr? What is it? Kya hai ye SHB?]

Aur, fir Veer ki mann me aati awaaz ne Pari ko maun kar ke rakh diya. Kyunki, Pari jis SHB ke baare me poonchh rahi thi, uska matlab tha-

'SYSTEM HOLDER'S BLOOD!!!'

Sunte hi Pari ki rooh kaanp gayi. Woh akeli nahi thi. Veer ka bhi yahi haal tha.

Asambhav.

Akhir kaise?

Jaise Disembowler ne Veer ke sawaal ko pehle hi padh liya. Apni coat ki jeb se usne ek test tube nikaala jisme khoon ke rang ka ek taral padaarth bhara hua tha.

Disembowler (grins) : This is my first creation... Ehe... SHB... Diluted version... Do you know what wonders it can do?

Veer ka dimaag phatne ko aa chuka tha. Usne apne sapne me bhi ye kalpana nahi ki thi ki aisa kuchh bhi ghatit ho sakta tha. Iss tarah ki cheezein bhi astitva me thi.

Aur, agle hi pal use baat ko samajh aate hi ek aur jhatka laga.

Yeh paagal insaan... Ye paagal insaan ek saamanya aadmi ke khoon ko replace kar use ek system holder ke blood se bharna chaah raha tha — Blood transfusion.

This was his second experiment...!!!

Ek system holder ka khoon aam aadmi ke khoon se kayi guna taqatvar hota tha. Ye swabhavik tha. Tabhi toh system holders ke zakhm jaldi bharte the, shareer me chusti rehti thi. Taaqat ka strot agar system tha toh khoon uss taaqat ka woh driving factor tha.

Toh kya hoga jab kisi aise taqatvar system holder ke khoon ko ek aam aadmi ke shareer me pravesh karwa diya jaaye?

SHB ke molecules aam insaan ke khoon ke molecules ko takeover karne lagenge. Dekhte hi dekhte samay ke saath SHB ke molecules apni sankhya badha kar poori tarah se uss insaan ke shareer me take over kar lenge.

Dusre shabdo me... Ek aam insaan pehle se kayi zyada shaktishali aur kayi zyada buddhimaan bann jayega.

Aur, aisa agar har-ek insaan ke saath hua toh? Veer ki reedh me ek sihran daud gayi.

SHB. Matlab system holder's blood — ye ek diluted version tha. Zaahir hai koi bhi aam insaan itna saksham nahi tha jo bina kisi pareshani ke SHB ko apne andar le sake.

'W-Wait-!'

Tabhi, Veer ko dhyaan aaya ki kyu Disembowler tab se yeh keh raha tha ki usne logo ko nahi maara. Woh khud apni naqamyabi ki wajah se mare hai.

Iska matlab... Disembowler ne unn par experiment karna chaaha tha. Lekin, unke shareer itne saksham nahi the jo SHB ko apne andar sama sake.

Zaahir tha, unki maut nishchit thi. Par, agar aisa tha toh murders me victims ki blood reports se toh iska khulaasa ho jaana chaahiye tha ki shareer me kisi aur ka khoon bhi paaya gaya hai. Lekin, aisa toh hargiz nahi hua.

Veer ke chehre ke bhaav padh Disembowler jaise samajh gaya ki woh kya soch raha tha. Uttar usne khud ne hi prastut kar diya.

Disembowler : Didn't I tell you...? Ehe... It's the diluted version... If failed... It... oxidises... into the thin air... Ehehehe...




Veer poori tarah se shoonya ho gaya. Toh, isliye har victim ke shareer par ghaav the. Taaki, khule ghaav ke chalte khoon ka sampark hawa se ho sake aur SHB ke molecules oxidise ho sake.

[I-Impossible! It...]

Ab saari baatein sense bana rahi thi. Ye itna bada game tha Veer ko iska andaza nahi tha. Woh blood lancet jo use Divya ke sang investigation ke dauran mili thi... Koi shaq nahi tha ki woh Disembowler ki hi thi. Akhir, woh ek paagal doctor jo tha.

Use iss baat se bhi ab hairani nahi hone waali thi ki Disembowler ne woh jaan boojh ke giraayi thi, taaki Lure Path ke zariye usko apne tak laaya jaa sake.

Poore samay... Veer ek kathputli ki tarah uske niyantran me tha.

'It... It can't be...!'

Use abhi bhi yakeen nahi ho raha tha. Iss angle se bhi cheezein ghatit ho rahi thi!? Uske peeth peechhe!?

Magar, sawaal tha ki akhir ye blood kiska tha? Disembowler ke kuchh der pehle kahe gaye bol fir uske mann me goonj gaye. Woh kaanp utha.

Veer (mutters) : C-Crimson!?

Aur, Disembowler ki muskaan ajeeb dhang se fel gayi.

Disembowler (grins) : Hehe... Yes...

Parantu, kaise?

Veer : Y-You... You were there!?

Disembowler : Yesss.... Yes, I was... *grins* I was there the whole time... Watching you two fight to death.

Disembowler shuruwat se Las Vegas me hi nahi, France me bhi unke saath tha. Iska matlab, Crimson ke marte hi-

Disembowler (nods) : I took his leftover body parts... Because of you... I failed to take him as my test subject...

Naya khoon utpann karne ke liye shareer ka zinda rehna aavashyak tha. Agar, Disembowler ko SHB chaahiye tha toh system holder ka jeevit rehna zaroori tha. Tabhi, toh woh use apna test subject bana ke uske shareer se lagatar SHB nikaal sakta tha.

Magar, Veer ne uski ye tarqeeb chaupat kar di thi jab usne Crimson ko jaan se maara tha. Aur, isliye, woh Veer ke peechhe tha. Kyunki, Veer ne hi uska mission fail karwaya tha. Jis wajah se use ek naya mission praapt hua. Aur, woh mission tha — Veer ko apna naya test subject banaana.

Disembowler ne Crimson ke bache hue ango se khoon ko nikaala aur uss se hi usne apne pehle creation ko anjaam diya tha — SHB.

Use ye bhi samajh aa gaya ki kyu iss paagal vyakti ka naam tha — Disembowler.

Disembowel ka arth hi tha — shareer ke andhruni ango ki cheer-faad karna. Aur, cheer-faad karna waale vyakti ka naam pada — Disembowler.

Lekin, Disembowler ne abhi tak... Naye khoon waale shareer me apna prayog nahi kiya tha. Naya khoon maane nanhe bacche, jinki rago me javaan khoon beh raha tha. Aur, isliye-

Veer : J-Juhi-! Nahi-!

Ek adult ki tulna me ek chhote bacche ki immunity aksar kam hi hoti thi. Aise me agar unke shareer me SHB ko daala jaaye toh ye toh sarasar maut thi. Magar, Disembowler ko ye baatein bhala kaha samajh me aane waali thi? Uske liye toh experiment pehle tha. Logic baad me. Yuhi nahi woh sarfira kehlata tha.

[Found it...!]

Pari ki awaaz achanak Veer ke mann me aayi.

*Ding*

[Skill : Oblivion Mark.
Description : Can be used in a particular room. Mark the four walls of the room with the oblivion mark in which the user wants to take control. Once marked, the room will negate the alertness of the intruder. And, keep him/her in the 'unawareness' state. It also, enhances the user's stealth.

Note : If the intruder is out from the marked region, he/she will be free from the effects.]

Yahi wajah thi. Jo Veer aur Pari dono hi uske andar aane ki awaaz ko sunn na paaye. Uski har harqat se vanchit reh gaye.

"Maaaaamuuuuuu-!"

Mauka paate hi apne muh se Disembowler ka haath hataate hue Juhi chillaayi.

Disembowler : Enough...! I'll first deal with you little sweetie~ Hehe...

Usne Juhi ko surgical bed par litaaya aur ek strap lagaate hue use pakde rakha. Apni coat se usne ek syringe nikaali jo usi padaarth se bhari hui thi — SHB.

'N-No-!' Veer ghabraya.

Disembowler (grins) : Ehe... Time for the experiment little girl...

Juhi (shrieks) : Ungh... Maaaamuuuuuu-!

Syringe ki needle Juhi ke haath ki orr badhi...

Veer (screams) : Juhiiiiiii-!

Veer chillaaya.

"Urrrghhh!"

Zanzeero ki khanak kamre me goonj rahi thi. Veer ne apne daant peese, apni mazboot bhujao ko usne unki seema tak felaaya.

Khichaav lagataar jaari tha — jaise maano do ugra bael uski bhujao ko kheench unhe cheerne ki koshish kar rahe ho. Uska poora shareer uss taaqat ke chalte kaanp raha tha, nasey ubhar rahi thi, maanspeshiyaan uske vidroh se fool rahi thi.

*Rip*

Blazer ke andar uski shirt uski shakti ko rok paane me asamarth reh gayi aur dhadalle se fatati chali gayi.

"Haaaaaaaaaaaarrrghhhhh!"

Uske galey se ek karkash dahaad nikli, uski aankhein krodh me jalne lagi — kyunki, uske saamne Disembowler ke gande haath Juhi ko jakde hue the.

Woh rakshasi doctor apne dastaane waale haatho me syringe liye Juhi ke haath ki orr badha. Syringe ki nok Juhi ke haath ko lagne jaa rahi thi.

Juhi uski pakad se baahar nikalne ke liye koshish karti rahi, uska chehra aansuon se lathpath tha. Uski nanhi bhujaaye sangharsh kar rahi thi, woh chhatpata rahi thi.

"Nnnngghhh-! Nnnnn-!"

Kintu, Disembowler ka haath uske muh ko jakde hua tha, jis se bechaari ki cheenkhein dabb ke reh gayi. Syringe ki sui halke ujaale me chamak uthi.

Sui aake seedhe Juhi ke badan par lagi... Woh ghusne hi waali thi jab-

Veer dahaad pada.

"Haaaaaaaaaaaarrrghhhhh!"

*Rumble* *Rumble*

Uski dahaad poore kaksh me ek shockwave ki tarah fel gayi. Deewarein kaanp uthi.

Disembowler : Huh!?




Disembowler ki aankhein chaudi ho gayi, uske perro ke neeche ki zameen kaanp uthi. Poora central chamber kampan me doob gaya. Disembowler ka haath wahi ruk gaya, aur agle hi pal-

*CRACK*

Chains toot gayi.

Jo tanaav Veer aur zanzeero ke madhya itni derr se bana hua tha woh achanak se toot gaya. Aur, uss tension break ke chalte tooti hui zanzeerein kisi sarp ki tarah Veer ki orr humla karne ko aayi, magar Veer tez tha.

Usne apne haath aenn waqt par upar kiye, aur ek pal me, bhaari kadiyaan uski dono bhujao ke ird-gird lipat'ti chali gayi.

Uski aankhein gusse se jal rahi thi. Nazrein Disembowler par tiki.

Aur, woh badha.

*Whoosh*

Apni kalai ke ek jhatke se, zanzeer uske haath se sulajhte hue khuli aur hawa me bhayanak seeti bajaate hue, Disembowler ke muh ki orr aayi.




Disembowler ke paas pratikriya karne ka koi samay hi na bacha, lekin ghaatak prahaar se bachne ke liye usne Juhi ko chhora aur jaise hi woh bagal me hata, uski taraf aati zanzeer seedhe uske peechhe bani concrete ki deewar par jaa kar bhidi.

Aur, woh bhidant hi deewar ke chithde udaane ke liye kaafi thi.

Veer abhi uss sher samaan tha jo pinjre se chhoot chuka tha. Woh aage ki orr jhapta, uska shareer visfotak gati ke chalte dhundhla ho gaya.

Disembowler ne Juhi ko firse chheen'ne ki koshish ki, kintu Veer pehle hi hawa me kood chuka tha.

"Haaaaarrghhh!"

Bhaiyankar yuddh ki dahaad ke saath usne apni baazuo me lipti dono zanzeero ko neeche ki orr ghumaya. Zanzeerein haath se khuli aur zameen par do bhaari bharkam hathodo ki tarah aa kar giri.

*BOOM*

Iss zordaar bal se neeche ka farsh fatt kar reh gaya, tiles toot ke ukhadte hue baahar ko aa gayi, daraarein bijli ki tarah unn par fel gayi.

Poore chamber me ek shockwave fel gayi, jis se Disembowler ko peechhe hatna pada. Hawa me dhool aur malba udd gaya.

Magar, fir-

Afra-tafri ke beech, Disembowler ajeeb dhang se muskuraya. Ek jaankaar lagbhag manoranjak bhaav uske chehre par aaya jab usne ek qadam peechhe liya. Usne ek shabd bhi nahi kaha. Use kuchh gyaat ho chuka tha.

Kyunki, zanzeer ke uss self-retracting mechanism, jo usne khud ne banaaya tha, ne apna uddeshya poora kar chuka tha.

Uska khud ka strength stat 160 tha. Dynamometer ki sahayata se use apni taaqat ke force ka pata tha. Aur, isliye usne mechanism iss qadar banaaya taaki woh Veer ki shakti ka aaklan kar sake.

Agar, Veer ki strength 160 ke zara si bhi neeche hoti, toh sirf khichaav se uski baahein uske shareer se alag ho jaati. Kintu, aisa nahi hua.

Iska matlab sirf ek hi tha.

Veer ki strength — 160 ke upar thi.




Disembowler ki muskurahat aur gehri ho gayi. Uska dimaag tezi se chal raha tha, gadna kar raha tha. Ab uske paas paryaapt data tha.

Aur, ab woh jaanta tha — ki Veer se kaise bhidna hai.

Veer ne ek second bhi barbaad nahi kiya. Uske haath tezi se aage badhe aur usne Juhi ko baandhne waale straps khol diye. Jaise hi woh azaad hui, woh Veer ki baaho me simat gayi. Uska chhota sa shareer Veer ki chhaati me aake kaanp utha.

Woh uss se aise lipti jaise kisi khoye hue bacche ko apna ghar mil gaya ho. Koi zordaar siskiyaan nahi, koi rona-dhona nahi — bas khamosh kaanpti saansein. Uski ungliyaan Veer ke blazer me dhans gayi, maano ek darr ho ki agar use chhora toh woh use humesha ke liye kho degi.

Veer ne uske sarr par pyaar se haath fera.

Veer : Sab theek hai, Juhi! Hum ghar chal rahe hai, okay?

Juhi ne haami bhar apna chehra uske seene me chhipa liya, uske aasu uski shirt ko bhigo rahe the.

Parantu, Veer ka kaam abhi khatam nahi hua tha.

Usne usi surgical bed se ek chaadar uthaayi, ek tez jhatke se usne use do hisso me faada aur uski sahayta se Juhi ko apni kamar se baandh liya. Ab use Juhi ko pakadne ki zaroorat nahi thi.

"M-Maamu?"

Achanak aayi ek aur awaaz ne uska dhyaan kheencha.

Pihu.

Woh use kaise bhool sakta tha? Juhi ki dekha-dekhi kar Pihu ne bhi use 'maamu' kehte hue pukaara.

Woh ab tak apne aasu roke hue thi, lekin ab ve lehro ki tarah beh rahe the, uske bandhe haath Veer ki taraf baahein felaane ki koshish me lage the.

Veer : Pihu!

Woh bina samay barbaad kiye turant aage badha aur saare straps khol daale.

Jaise hi woh azaad hui, woh lagbhag uss par kood padi.

Pihu (sobs) : M-Mummy... Papa...!

Veer ne use uthaate hue apni peeth par laada. Aur, Pihu ne bhi rote hue apne chhote-chhote haath uske galey me lapet liye.

Woh apna ek haath peechhe le gaya, aur neeche se sahaara dete hue usne Pihu ke wazan ko sambhaala. Do nanhi bacchiyaan, apni jaan ke liye uss se lipti hui thi.

Aur, tabhi-

*POP*

Ek teekhi awaaz ne uska dhyaan kheencha.

Veer ki aankhein Disembowler par tiki. Disembowler ke haath me wahi test tube tha. Usne apne anguthe se test tube par lagi cork ko khol diya tha.

SHB.

Paagal ke hontho par ek daravni muskaan fel gayi. Aur, fir-

*GULP*

[HE DRANK IT!?]

Pari cheenkhi. Disembowler ke muh se halki si dhue ki dhundh nikli. Usne chatkaarte hue apne muh ko aasteen se poochha.

SHB ko piya bhi jaa sakta tha? Veer ke kaano me punah uske bol goonj gaye.

'Do you know what wonders it can do?'

Use uske sawaal ka uttar mil gaya, aur use ye bhi samajh aa gaya ki-

Kyu Disembowler ne uske khoon ko chaata tha. Aur, kyu usne aisa kaha tha—

'Oooohhhh... It's better!!!'

"The real fight will begin now Veeeeer! Ehehehe..."

Aur, woh bhaaga. Bhayanak gati se. Uske haatho me uska lohe ke staff tha.

*CLANG* *CLANG*

Veer ne turant apne chains se bandhe haatho ka istemal kar attacks block kiye.

Chingaariyaan fel uthi. Achanak se Disembowler ki taaqat badh chuki thi.

[Ye zaroor uss SHB ki wajah se hoga.]

Disembowler kisi paagal aadmi ki tarah humla kar raha tha, uske vaar bina ruke baras rahe the, jaise koi paagal jaanvar apni zanzeero se chhoot gaya ho.

*CLANG* *CLANG*

Veer ne apne daant meese.

[Master! Rakia's blow...]

Veer jaanta tha kya hone waala tha.

*CRACK*

Aur, wahi hua-

Disembowler ke hontho par muskaan saji, block toot chuka tha, usne staff se vaar kiya-

Magar, Veer taiyaar tha.

Apna dusra haath turant aage kar usne punah block kar liya. Aur-

*CLANG*

Zordaar bhidant ke chalte unke beech ek shockwave uth gayi. Veer ki baazu kampan kha ke reh gayi.

Par, Disembowler ke mann me kuchh aur tarqeeb thi. Woh lagatar Veer par humle kar dabaav banaata jaa raha tha.

Qadam-dar-qadam, Disembowler Veer ko peechhe dhakel raha tha. Veer ka perr achanak jab kisi cheez se takraaya toh uska dil ek second ke liye ruk gaya.

Peechhe halki si nazar maarte hue use nazar aaya-

SPIKES!

Lohe ke spikes neeche zameen par aur peechhe ki deewar se lage hue the. Aur, Pihu — woh toh uski peeth par hi thi.

'Shit!'

Uski nazar akasmat upar ki orr gayi. Pankha. Woh band pada tha. Ek ceiling fan jiski blades moti aur mazboot thi.

Ek tez jhatke ke saath usne apni ek zanzeer pankhe ki orr feki aur zanzeer blade ke upar se hoke neeche aake dobaara latak gayi.

Disembowler ka ek aur vaar-

*Dodge*

Veer ne chakma diya. Usi harqat me usne apna dahina haath peechhe kiya, Pihu peechhe lage spikes se bhid jaaye uss se pehle woh usko pakad aage ki orr laaya aur use pankhe ki blade se latakti hui chain ki orr dhakela.

Pihu ne subconsciously woh chain pakdi aur agle hi kshan-

*Swoosh*

Veer ne Pihu ko dhakel diya. Pihu chain par latki toh pankhe ke circular motion ki wajah se woh dhakke ke chalte Veer se door ho gayi.

Mauka dekhte hi Veer ne ek laat seedhe Disembowler ke pait par maari, aur jaise hi Disembowler peechhe hawa me uda-

Utne me Pihu pankhe ke rotational motion ka paalan karte hue waapas se Veer ke paas aa gayi.

Pihu ki aankhein bhay se chaudi ho gayi, lekin Veer ki orr waapas aate hi usne apne haath khole-

Aur, Veer ne use dobaara thaam liya.

Uss ek rotational motion ki wajah se chain pankhe ki blades me ulajh gayi aur unke ulajhte hi-

Veer ne bhar taaqat se zanzeer ko neeche kheench diya. Disembowler, jo abhi bhi hawa me tha-

Upar laga pankha, achanak se uski orr neeche aaya aur...

*CRASH*

Bhidant se sab kuchh ast-vyast ho gaya. Sab kuchh palak jhapakte hue tha. Veer ne zorr se saansein chhori.

[M-Marvelous... Y-You... Master... You are incredible.]

Veer ne jawaab nahi diya. Woh bhaaga. Baahar ki orr. Path Tracker me raasta bana hua tha use kaha se baahar nikalna tha.

Magar, jaise hi woh baahar jaane ke liye hua. Usne dekha ki jis raaste se woh aaya tha woh raasta band kar diya gaya tha. Raaste par bade bade patthar dale hue the.

Iska matlab, central chamber me aate waqt Disembowler ne ye raasta band kar diya tha.

'That bastard-!'

Veer ko dusra raasta dhoondhne ki avashyakta thi. Uska dil zoro se dhadak raha tha. Juhi ka wazan uske seene se chipke hue tha aur Pihu uski peeth par thi.

Tabhi-

*BOOM*

Zameen kaanp uthi. Ek gehri, haddiyaan hila dene waale kampan ne poori lair me halchal macha di, jis se ceiling se dhool aur dheeli bajri girne lagi. Dur se aaye jhatke ne poori sanrachna ko hila kar rakh diya.

Aur, tabhi ek awaaz goonji.

"Where are you??? Hehe!"

Juhi aur Pihu ke badan thar-thara uthe. Juhi ne apni pakad mazboot kar li. Veer ne use kaanpta hua mehsoos kiya. Peechhe tangi Pihu bhi chup na reh saki.

"M-Mummy... Uhuuu... P-Papa..."

Aur, uski dekha-dekhi me, Juhi ne — haule se apna sarr upar kiya. Usne Veer ki orr apni masoom aankhon se dekha. Uske honth khule, kaanpe, aur akhir uske muh se nikal hi gaya-

Juhi : P-Papa!?

*Badump*

Veer ki saans atak ke reh gayi. Juhi humesha use 'maamu' keh ke bulaati thi. Lekin, iss pal... Iss pal me, iss uthal-puthal me jahaan har taraf maut ka saaya mandra raha tha, usne use 'papa' keh ke pukaara.

Veer ko andar hi andar kuchh mehsoos hua. Unke beech ka bandhan ab sirf sneh ka nahi reh gaya tha — yeh kuchh aur gehra, kuchh atoot bann chuka tha.

Uski badi-badi khubsoorat aankhein Veer ko ghoor rahi thi — anishchit. Ek darr, kahi usne kuchh galat toh nahi keh diya?

Veer ne dheere se saans chhori, uska haath Juhi ke sarr par gaya. Usne dheere se uske sarr ko sehlaaya aur apni chhaati ke qareeb kheench liya.

Ek aansu ki boond uski aankhon se behte hue fisli.

Veer : Mm! Papa yahi hai. Aur, hum aapki mummy ke paas chal rahe hai. Okay?

Juhi (nods) : Mmm!

Veer ne tabhi apni jeb se kuchh nikaala. Ye wahi tohfa tha jo Pranjal ne use hospital me thamaya tha. Juhi ka tohfa.

Juhi : Ahn! Ye... Ye toh mela gift hai... Mein aapko dene waali thi.

Veer ne muskuraate hue use khola. Andar ek plastic ki khilaune ki ring thi.

Veer : Y-Ye?

Juhi : Mumma aur papa ki finger pe humesha ring hoti thi... Baad me mumma ne utaal di... Mumma bolti thi ki jo ek dusre se pyaal karte hai na... Unki finger pe rings hoti hai... Papa mumma se pyaal nahi karte the. P-Par... Aap karte ho na? Mumma bhi aapko karti hai... To... To ye ring aapke liye.

Veer : Huh?

[Ahn! My little cutie. Master!]

Veer ki aankhein narm pad gayi. Usne Juhi ko apne galey se laga liya. Plastic ki hi sahi, Veer ne woh ring apni ungli me pehen li.

*BOOM*

Parantu, komalta ka veh kshan toot gaya.

"Where are you??? Ehe... Ohh! I found you... Hehehe..."

Disembowler ki awaaz lair me goonji. Aur, saath hi Pari ki awaaz Veer ke mann me-

[Master!]

*Ding*

[Skill: Vibrato.
Description: Allows the user to send vibrations through the ground up to 100 meters. If these waves hit a living person, the user will be able to locate them instantly.]

'Shit!'

Woh zameen par tha. Disembowler nazdeek aa raha tha. Uski location leak ho chuki thi.

Veer ki aankhein ek sakre raaste ki orr gayi, jahaan deewarein sati hui thi. Bina kisi hich-kichahat ke woh uss orr bhaaga. Aur, uchakte hue uske perr split karte hue fel gaye. Vibrations agar ground se travel kar rahi thi toh kya hoga agar woh ground pe maujood hi na rahe?

*BOOM*

"Where are you??? Huh?? Oh! Are you trying to hide?"

Achanak, Disembowler ki awaaz band ho gayi. Vibrations bhi band ho gaye.

'Huh? Did we make it?'

"Hum bach gaye. Hai na?? Hehe!!!"

Veer ke kaan ke theek bagal se ek awaaz aayi.

'Shit!'

Lekin, derr ho chuki thi. Disembowler ki blade peechhe ladi Pihu ki peeth par lagne ko aayi aur tabhi-

*Ding*




PROBABILITY MANIPULATION

Pihu ki pakad achanak se Veer ke kandhe se chhooti, woh neeche giri, Veer ka ek haath peechhe ki orr use pakadne ke liye gaya, usne use pakad bhi liya, magar tabhi-

*SHNK*

Pihu jise Veer ne apne haath se thaam liya tha, woh achanak hi neeche girne lagi.

Nahi! Sirf, wahi nahi thi. Uske saath-saath Veer ka haath bhi tha.

Khoon hawa me fel gaya. Kata hua haath hawa me ghoom gaya, Pihu haath se alag hui aur neeche gir padi.

[Maaassttterrr!!]

Disembowler jaanta tha ki Veer ne Probability manipulation ka istemal kiya tha aur ye bhi ki yeh uska akhiri avsar tha. Isliye, usne Pihu ko target kiya tha.

Disembowler ne koi bhi waqt nahi gawaya. Iss baar usne Pihu ko uthaaya aur woh bhaaga.

Veer (screams) : Noooooooooo!!!

Veer ne kapde ko kheench ke gaath kholi, Juhi uss se alag hui. Dard itna ho raha tha ki sehna bahut mushqil hota jaa raha tha.

Veer : J-Juhi-!!

Juhi : Ahn!! P-Papa?? *sniff* Papa?

Veer (breathes heavily) : Ghabrana nahi hai, theek hai na? *huff* Jaldi, Juhi... *huff* Wo dikh raha hai na??

Usne ishara kiya — apne haath ki orr.

Veer : Juhi! Jaldi! *huff*

Aur, nanhi Juhi apne maamu ya yu kahe iss baar apne papa ke liye bhaagi. Uske chehre par dar saaf saaf jhalak raha tha. Aasuo se chehra bheeg chuka tha. Wo gayi, usne Veer ke ukhde hue haath ko apne dono haatho se uthaaya aur daudate hue woh uske paas laane lagi.

Laate hi Veer ne uski aankhein haath se dhak ke band karwa di.

Juhi (sobs) : P-Papa... *sniff* Papa...

Veer : Shhh!!!

Veer ne apna haath kati hui jagah par wapas lagaya.

*Ding*

['Limb Substitution' has been equipped.]

*Ding*

['Intimidating Presence' has been equipped.]

*Whoosh*

Veer ne Juhi ko thaama aur woh bhaaga.

*Ding*

[Time Limit : 5 minutes.]

Disembowler wahi ek mortuary room me ghus chuka tha. Sabse pehle Pihu ko apna test subject banaana hi usne sahi samjha.

Veer andar daakhil hua. Oxygen cylindere, liquid nitrogen cylinders aur na jaane kya kya flammable padaartho se mortuary room bhara hua tha.

Disembowler ne idhar Pihu ko litaaya. Coat se uski syringe nikli-

Veer bhaaga.

Uske dimag ne sab kuchh soch liya tha.

*SHNK*

Zanzeerein hawa ko cheerte hue aayi. Disembowler palta. Chain Pihu ke badan par bandhi-

HAWKEYE

Aur, dusri chain liquid nitrogen ke cylinder par jaa kar bandh gayi.

*SHNK*

Aur, Veer ne apni bhujaaye kheench li.

Pihu chain ke zariye uski orr udte hue aayi. Dusri orr se liquid nitrogen ka cylinder hawa me udte hue aaya.

Aur, aenn waqt pe-

Veer Pihu ko thaamte hi apni jagah se mud gaya. Disembowler ko laga ki Veer ne sirf Pihu ko hi kheencha tha. Veer ke peechhe se aa rahe cylinder ko woh nahi dekh paaya tha kyunki, Veer waha khade hoke apne shareer se uss udte hue cylinder ko dhak ke rakha hua tha.

Magar, jaise hi Veer hata.

Disembowler ko woh dikhayi diya. Aur, pehli baar, uske chehre par darr nazar aaya.

Woh jaise hi virodh me chillaaya-

*CRASH*

Cylinder se liquid nitrogen leak hui aur Disembowler ki cheenkh dabb ke reh gayi.

Liquid nitrogen. Ek aisa cryogenic liquid form jo darasal ek liquefied gas thi, jiska taapmaan tha : -196°C

Poore kamre me woh fluid iss tarah fela ki Disembowler ka shareer wahi barf ki silli ki tarah jamm gaya.

Liquid gas Veer ki orr aayi. Woh bhaaga. Magar, uske sarr ke kuchh hisse par frostbite aakhir lag hi gayi.



Woh dauda.

Bhaagte waqt usne oxygen cylinder ko giraaya.

*TSSSSSSS*

Oxygen leak hone lagi. Aur, apni jeb se lighter nikaalte hue Veer ne woh peechhe uchhaal diya.

*BLAST*

Jwalansheel padaarth aag pakde, woh jalne lage. Aur, lair ke andar hi andar ek dhamaake ne janm liya.

Ye Veer ki qismat thi, ya kuchh aur-

Jo woh raasta dhundhne me saksham tha. Lair se baahar woh kooda. Mission complete ho chuka tha.

Parantu, Pari ne use iski soochna nahi di. Kyunk, notification tha-

[Mission Failed.]

[Due to the host's partial completion of the mission, all the three penalties of the mission won't be applied.]

[Due to the failure of not killing the Disembowler, one penalty will be applied to the host.]

[Mission penalty : Loss of loved ones.]
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Aaj ke liye itna hi guys.
The update consists of 10k words. Although 10k words ka hai but it'll feel like a 15k words update because poora update ek hi jagah par focused tha. I gave my everything for this update. I have tried really hard to let you guys imagine the fight as vividly as you can through my words. Umeed hai fight ke saath saath woh reveal bhi pasand aaya hoga. This was the real game which was going on behind everyone's back. Baaki, target 300 hai iss baar. I know ju log pahucha doge. Revos bhi aate rehne chahiye. And, of course one sketch is made by me. Milte hai agle update me.
Dhanyavad.

Bhtreen update

 

[jone964]

Update - 196 ~ The Fulfilled Promise​

Ab tak...

Ye Veer ki qismat thi, ya kuchh aur-

Jo woh raasta dhundhne me saksham tha. Lair se baahar woh kooda. Mission complete ho chuka tha.

Parantu, Pari ne use iski soochna nahi di. Kyunk, notification tha-

[Mission Failed.]

[Due to the host's partial completion of the mission, all the three penalties of the mission won't be applied.]

[Due to the failure of not killing the Disembowler, one penalty will be applied to the host.]

[Mission penalty : Loss of loved ones.]

Ab aage...

Raat ke 12:05 baj rahe the. Aatishbaziyo ne Mumbai ke aasmaan ko jagmaga kar rakha hua tha, naye saal ke aagman ka har aadmi ullaas mana raha tha. Hawa me khushiyaan chhayi thi, log jashn mana rahe the, galey mil rahe the, iss nav varsh ka swagat karne ke liye khushi se chillaa rahe the. Lekin, isi sheher me iss shor ke beech kahi par maatam chhaaya hua tha.

News channels me prasaaran jaari the — Hotel Prestige ko lekar ek gambheer report. Kuchh bhayanak hua tha. Visfot. Khoon-kharaba. Jaano ka lutna.

Isliye, sheher ke kuchh hisso me jashn ka mahaul feeka pad chuka tha.

"Hotel Prestige par jaanlewa humla!"

"Kayi logo ke maare jaane ki khabar!"

"Suraksha guards maare gaye! Adhikariyo ko lakshit humle ka sandeh!"

Bars aur luxury clubs me TV screen par tabahi ke drishya dikhayi de rahe the — toote hue sheeshein, palte hue furniture, stretchers par le jaaye jaa rahe shav. Ek electronics showroom ke baahar ek chhoti bheed jama ho gayi thi, unki nazar andar rakhe display TV par tiki hui thi.

"Aaj ke din batao kya ho gaya. Tch tch!" Ek aadmi ne badbadate hue kaha.

"Hotel Prestige toh achha hotel tha. Hum toh gaye hai. Badhiya tha. Pata nahi kaise ho gaya ye sab. Mujhe lagta hai humla karwaya gaya hai." Ek mahila ne haami bharte hue kaha.

"Mumbai me crime badhta jaa raha hai. Tch! Tyohaaron me bhi ab-" ek raahgeer ne waha se nikalte hue fusfusaya.

Lekin, har koi shok nahi mana raha tha. Mumbai ke elite varg ke gharo me, oonchi-oonchi imaarato me glass takra rahe the aur dheemi baat-cheet me chhipi hui khushi thi.

Iss beech, Mumbai ki sabse shandar 7 star hotel — Casa Belle me patrakaro aur reporters ki bheed umdi hui thi. Cameramen apna camera liye hotel ke maalik — Aadesh Jaisinghani ke bayaan ka intezar kar rahe the.

Woh baahar aaya. Sleek hairstyle me geele baalo ko poori tarah peechhe kiye, Armani ki dress pehne, aisa lag raha tha maano woh abhi-abhi koi jashn mana ke aaya ho.

Aur, jaise hi woh saamne aaya, reporters uss par toot pade.

Reporter #1 : Mister Aadesh, Hotel Prestige par hue humle par aapke vichaar?

Reporter #2 : Hospitality industry me ek leading figure hone ke naate, aap uss suraksha chook ke baare me kya kehna chaahenge jiske chalte ye haadsa hua?

Reporter #3 : Casa Belle aur Hotel Prestige ke madhya shuru se hi oonch-neech hoti aayi hai. Kya aapko lagta hai ki ye humla kisi business conflict se juda hai?

Media ko chahiye tha masala. Kahani. Khabrein. Jo unhe police se utni maatra me nahi mil paayi thi. Aur, isliye khud Aadesh ne hi ye khabar media ke beech felwayi ki woh iss vishay ko lekar raat me apne vichaar rakhega. Media yaha aayi nahi thi. Unhe chalaaki se yaha laaya gaya tha.

Usne dheere se, kaafi baar abhyaas ki hui ek aah chhori, uski bauhe thodi si sikud gayi. Usne ek napa-tula qadam aage badhaya, yeh sunishchit karte hue ki camera uski aankhon me gehri suhanubhuti ko qaid kar raha hai ya nahi.

Aadesh (lagbhag shok me) : Dekhiye! Sabse pehle, mein peedito, unke parivaro aur iss bhayanak ghatna se prabhavit sabhi logo ke prati sanvedna vyakt karta hu. Aaj nav varsh ke shuru hote hi- yeh humla... Ye humla sirf Hotel Prestige par nahi hai. Ye humla saari hospitality industry par hai. Jab kisi hotel ko iss tarah se nishana banaaya jaata hai, toh ye harr atithi ke uss bharose ki neev ko hila deta hai jo woh hum par rakhte hai.

Reporters uske shabdo par sirr hilaate hue budbudaaye. Woh bilkul sahi baatein keh raha tha.

Aadesh ne aage bolne se pehle ek dramatic effect ke liye kuchh der viraam liya.

Aadesh : Dekhe... Maine humesha... Maine humesha se hi Hotel Prestige ko sammaan diya hai. Haan, mein sweekar karta hu ki humare beech competition chalta rehta hai. Lekin, ye ek healthy competition hota hai. Aur, competition ka matlab dushmani nahi hai. Business me ye sab aam baat hoti hai. Haal hi me, humaare Unicard ki launch ke dauran humne Hotel Prestige ko bhi aamantrit kiya tha. Mister Veer Singh, Miss Bhumika Singh, dono hi parivar jann ke saath padhaare the yaha. Aur, humaare mann me ek-dusre ke liye paraspar sammaan ke alawa kuchh nahi.

Uske hontho par ek dhoort muskaan ubhri, lekin usne badi hi chalaaki se ek aah bharte hue use chhipa liya.

Reporter #4 : Toh aap ko iss baare me koi idea nahi ki humle ke peechhe kaun ho sakta hai?

Aadesh ne asahaay bhaav se apna sarr hilaaya.

Aadesh (dheere se) : Ji, mein bhi Mumbai ke baaki logo ki tarah hairaan hu. Aisa kisne kiya hoga? Unka kya maqsad ho sakta hai? Ye aise sawal hai jinka jawab sirf police hi de sakti hai. Lekin, mein itna zaroor kehna chahunga ki — iss sankat ki ghadi me Casa Belle Hotel Prestige ke saath hai. Agar, hum unki madad ke liye kuchh bhi kar sakte hai, toh hum zaroor karenge.

Casa Belle aur Hotel Prestige ka samarthan? Sawal hi paida nahi hota. Yeh toh bas uski chaal thi.

Andar hi andar woh toh balki iss aapda ka aanand le raha tha.

Yarnia — Veer ka bhavya naya clothing brand, din ki raushni dekhne se pehle hi malbe me tabdeel ho chuka tha. Hotel Prestige, wahi hotel jisne uski Casa Belle ke saath bhidne ki koshish ki thi, ab ek crime scene ka sthal bann chuki thi.

Aisa lag raha tha jaise brahmaand ne swayam uski jholi me ye uphaar de diya tha.

Camera ke saamne usne fir se apna murjhaya hua chehra prastut kiya aur bola-

Aadesh : Kumar! Ye sab humare mehman hai. Inki khatirdari me kami nahi rehni chahiye.

Kumar (nods) : Ji, Sir!

Kehte hue woh wahi murjhayi awastha liye andar chala gaya. Aur, idhar news me uske charche hone lage. Jo uske kapti-pann se parichit nahi the, woh use saccha insaan maanane lage.

Iss traasdi ke bawajood, Mumbai ne rukne se inkaar kar diya tha.

Vyast sadko par, kuchh log shok mana rahe the, lekin kayi log bas aage badh gaye — kyunki, yahi Mumbai ka tareeka tha.

Kisi aspatal ke pareeksha kaksh me ek yuvti dheere-dheere ro rahi thi. Uska bhai, jo Hotel Prestige me security guard tha, mehmano ki suraksha karte hue maara jaa chuka tha. Duniya aage badh gayi, par uske liye uski duniya wahi khatm ho chuki thi.

***

Isi beech ghani raat me Disembowler ki lair ke theek upar sthit shamsan ke paas hi Erica aur Renshu khade hue the.

Renshu : Yahi jagah hai na?

Erica : Haan, dad! Usne toh yahi batayi thi. Kya mein-?

Renshu (nods) : Hmm! Shuru karo!

Erica (nods) : Okay!

Woh jhuki. Usne apna ek haath neeche shamshaan ki bhoomi par rakha aur fir-

'Basic Seer Vision!'

*Ding*

Agle hi pal alag-alag drishya uske mastishq me ghoomne lage. Woh bechari apni bauhe zorr se sikodi, kayi baar uska badan kaanp utha, magar woh waha se uthi nahi.

Renshu agal-bagal apni nazrein ghumaaye hue tha. Woh sunishchit kar raha tha ki kahi koi unhe dekh na le.

Yaha se woh khaali haath nahi laut sakte the.

Kuchh der pehle...

Ek mand raushni waali jagah. Medical equipment ki awaaz.

Ava ka shareer ek andheri sunsaan gali me khadi ek shandar kaali SUV ke andar ek asthayi operating table par laita hua tha. Uski saansein ab niyantran me aa rahi thi. Chehre ka rang wapas aa raha tha.

Uske pait par lagi goli ke ghaav ko pehle hi saaf kiya jaa chuka tha aur surgical precision ke saath sil diya gaya tha.

Garofano uske bagal se khadi thi. Usne zehreeli bullet ko badi hi kushalta se Ava ke shareer se nikaal diya tha. Uske haath sthir the, aur dimag gadna karne me laga hua tha.

Wahi thi jo Ava ko apne kandho par utha ke leke aayi thi. Uske theek peechhe Renshu, Erica ke saath khada hua tha.

Erica ki nigaahein Ava ke achetan roop ka adhyayan kar rahi thi. Uske dad ne humesha hi use iss aurat se satark rehne ko kaha tha. Magar, akhir kaun thi Natalia Martin? Ek bemisal worldwide famous singer aur celebrity. Kya waqai woh Veer ko dhoka deke use maarna chaahti thi? Woh dhyaan se Ava ko ghoorti rahi.

Aur, phir-

Renshu ne chuppi todi.

Renshu : Use hosh me aane me kitna samay lagega?

Garofano ne bina peechhe mude apne khoon se sane dastaane haath se nikaale aur apne haath me pehni ghadi dekhi.

Garofano : Bullet nikaale abhi mushqil se 15 minute hi hue hai. Zeher ki potency aur blood loss ko dhyaan me rakhte hue, ise kam se kam abhi 4 se 5 ghante toh-

"Ngh-!"

Uske shabd adhoore reh gaye jab ek dard bhari karaah ne use beech me hi rok diya.

Ava ka shareer jhatka khaaya, uski ungliyaan neeche seat ke leather par kassne lagi aur fir ek tez gati se, woh bhaari saans lete hue uth baithi.

Garofano ki aankhein avishvas me chaudi ho gayi.

Namumkin!

Ava ka ghaav gehra tha, zeher ke chalte use toh abhi ghanto tak behosh rehna chahiye tha. Magar, fir bhi woh kuchh hi minto me jaag chuki thi!?

[This girl... She has some sort of healing skill.]

Freya ki awaaz Garofano ke mann me goonj gayi.

Erica : Ah? Itni jaldi hosh bhi aa gaya?

Woh halka sa cheekhte hue boli. Yaha tak ki humesha shaant rehne waale Renshu ne bhi aankhein sikod li.

Ava (yells) : V-Veer!

Woh chillaate hue uthne ke liye aage badhi, lekin Garofano ne uske kandho par haath rakh use neeche baitha diya.

Garofano : Calm down!

Ava : Veer-!

Garofano : Sniper marr chuka hai. I have dealt with him. Ab koi khatra nahi hai. Don't worry! Take it easy!

Garofano ne fir apni jeb se ek kaagaz nikaalte hue Renshu ki orr kiya. Renshu ne use thaamte hue khola aur jab use dekha toh uski bauhe chinta me sikud gayi.

Garofano : Ye uss Dexter ke paas se mila. Kisi syndicate alliance ka member tha woh shayad. Check karne par toh yahi nazar aaya.

Ye wahi kaagaz tha jo Dexter ke paas tha. Veer ke parivar jann ke naam aur unki tasveerein iss kaagaz me maujood thi.

Veer ke parivar ka zikr aate hi Ava ki chhaati zoro se upar-neeche hone lagi. Aankhon me chinta abhi bhi barkarar thi.

Ava : Veer... *huff* Veer ki family! Mujhe- *cough* *cough*

Garofano (sternly) : Tumhe shaant rehne ki zaroorat hai!

Usne Ava ko beech me tokte hue kaha. Awaaz teekhi thi lekin nirdayi nahi. Aur, kahi na kahi woh Ava ka adhyayan bhi kar rahi thi. Bhala kis tarah ka system holder aisi chot ke baad itni jaldi hosh me aa sakta tha?

Garofano ki nazro me ek maun manzoori thi. Ava, sirf ek system holder nahi thi. Uske paas bhi uske trump cards the jinhe woh ujagar nahi kar rahi thi.

Erica aashcharya me uske qareeb aayi.

Erica : Itni jaldi kaise hosh aa gaya? Poison ki wajah se itni jaldi hosh nahi aana chahiye tha.

Ava : *huff* T-Tum... Tum sab... *huff*

Garofano : Calm down! Hum sab yaha Veer ke liye hi aaye hai. Aur, tumhe itni jaldi hosh aa gaya? Mein ye expect nahi kar rahi thi.

Ava maun rahi. Woh apne baare me kuchh bhi zaroori baatein nahi bataana chaahti thi.

Renshu : Humare paas samay barbaad karne ke liye nahi hai. Agar, hosh aa hi gaya hai toh kya tum Veer ki location ke baare me kuchh bata sakti ho? Kya tum jaanti ho woh kaha par hai iss waqt?

Ava wahi jamm ke reh gayi. Use yaad aaya. Woh ye kaise bhool sakti thi?

Usne Veer ko Death Flag se mark kar ke rakha hua tha. Bina kisi hich-kichahat ke usne apni aankhein band ki, Veer ki location par dhyaan kendrit kiya. Aur, kuchh hi palo me Veer ki asli location uske mastishq me aa gayi.

Usne apni aankhein kholi. Uska chehra peela pad gaya.

Ava (frowns) : W-Woh-! Woh shamshaan me hai! Uske neeche...! Underground...!

Renshu (frowns) : Shamshaan? Kaha par?

Ava ne use exact location batayi. Chaahe uska shareer kitna hi thaka hua kyu na ho, uske dimag me ek hi baat thi — Veer.

Garofano ne Renshu ko dekha. Dono ek baat jaan gaye the ki Ava ke paas Veer ko track karne ki koi na koi skill zaroor maujood thi. Dono ne hi mann me iss baat ki gaanth baandh li.

Garofano (turns) : Toh kya karna hai? Veer ke paas kaun jaa raha hai?

Renshu : Mumbai me tumhari maujoodgi ab koi rehesya nahi hai. Tum pehle bhi yaha sabke saamne aa chuki ho. Aur, haan- tum ek celebrity se kam bhi nahi. Poora Korea tumhare peechhe paagal hai. Isliye, tumhara Veer ke nazdeek jaana abhi faydemand nahi. Ye unwanted attention ko bulawa dega.

Garofano muskurayi. Apni ungliyon ko apne kaale reshmi baalo me firaayi.

Garofano (smirks) : Hmph! Thanks for the recognition- lekin, shayad tum bhool rahe ho ki mein stealth me maahir hu. Mujhe bas apne chehre par mask pehen'ne ki derr hai. That's it. But, haan! Abhi mein Natalia ko chhor ke yaha se nahi jaa sakti. Woh heal zaroor ho rahi hai but if trouble comes knocking, she won't be able to fight.

Renshu ne uski baat ko sweekar karte hue haami bhari.

Ava ne khud ko upar uthaaya, aur karkash awaaz me boli.

Ava : V-Veer ki family safe toh hai na? I... Usne mujhe- Usne mujhe zimmedari saunpi thi. *huff* M-Mein- Mein yaha aise nahi- *huff*

Renshu : Maine hotel me se ambulances ko nikalte hue dekha tha. Veer ki family ke kuchh logo ko check kiya tha maine. Hotel me ab koi nahi hai andar.

Ava (frowns) : K-Kya woh... Kya woh safe hai?

Renshu : Lagta toh hai. Police ne area ko takeover kar liya hai. Veer ki family shayad hospital gayi hai. Toh, uss hisaab se woh safe hone chahiye. Khatra hotel ke ird-gird hi tha.

Ava ne ek shaant saans chhori. Lekin, chinta zara bhi kam nahi hui.

Renshu (sighs) : Aur, agar mein chaahu bhi toh bhi hospital nahi jaa sakta.

Erica aur Ava dono ne hi use sawaaliya nazro se dekha.

Erica : Eh? Kyu dad?

Iske pehle ki Renshu jawab de paata, Garofano hasste hue jawab di.

Garofano (laughs) : Hahahaha! Because your dad is too damn big. Hospital me logo ko samajhne me hi ghante lag jayenge ki ye aadmi hai kaun? Itni badi qad-kaathi kaise hai? Kaha se aaya hai? Aur, Veer se uska kya sambandh hai? Hahaha! Samjhi?

Renshu : ...

Renshu ne uske chidhaane par koi pratikriya nahi di. Lekin, Erica kaha chup rehne waali thi?

Erica : Wh-What do you mean? Hmph! Mere dad ka matlab simple tha. Unka matlab hai ki Veer ko jald se jald dhundhna hai taaki problem ki asli jadd ka pata lag sake.

Garofano : Oh! Wow! Dekho toh humari Miss Erica ko. Smart banane ki kitni koshish kar rahi hai? But, you're still dumb. Fufu~

Erica : Who-? Who the hell are you calling dumb?

Garofano : Of course, you! Fufu~ Yaha par sirf tum hi dumb ho!

Erica : Y-You-!!

Usne apni mutthi bheenchi. Lekin, iske pehle ki woh jawab de paati, Renshu ki awaaz hawa me goonj uthi.

Renshu : ENOUGH!!!

Dono yuvtiyaan chup ho gayi. Par, Erica ka ghoorna khatam nahi hua.

Erica : Hmph!

Garofano : Fufu~

Renshu : Mein aur Erica Veer ki location par jayenge. Aur, tum yahi rahogi jab tak ki Natalia chalne ki condition me nahi aa jaati.

Garofano (nods) : Theek hai! Par, zyada derr mat lagaana. I don't like sitting on the sidelines.

Renshu ne koi jawab nahi diya. Woh bas apni car ki orr muda. Erica ne uska peechha kiya, aage badhne se pehle Garofano ko ek akhiri nazar se dekha.

Garofano muskurate hue unhe jaata dekhi. Fir, Ava ki orr ghoomi jo abhi bhi seat par laiti hui thi.

Garofano : Maine jitna socha tha, tum uss se kahi zyada mazboot nikli. You're hiding your cards too. Just like him. *smiles*

Ava ne koi jawab nahi diya, lekin uski aankhon ki chamak se Garofano ko pata chal gaya ki usne uski baatein sunn li thi.

Aur, isi tarah Renshu aur Erica Veer ki location par pahuch paaye the. Magar, jab tak ve yaha par pahuche, Veer underground lair se nikal chuka tha.

Kintu, Erica ki basic seer vision ye pata laga sakti thi ki yaha kuchh derr pehle kya kuchh hua tha.

Renshu : Erica!?

Erica apni palke khol uthi. Uske badan me rue khade hue the.

Erica : D-Dad!

Renshu : ??

Erica : V-Veer-!

Erica ne poore drishya toh nahi, lekin kaafi hadd tak kuchh derr pehle ki ghatna ko dekh liya tha. Veer ka ajeebo-gareeb system holder se bhidna, neeche ka bhayanak vatavaran, thandi sadti laashein, maans ke tukde, experiments, SHB, Veer ka haath katna aur uska Juhi aur Pihu ko bachaana.

Erica ne jaise hi Renshu ko sab batlaaya toh Renshu ke khud ke badan me ek sihran daud gayi.

Woh bina koi deri kiye, Erica se lair ka entry point poonchh seedhe neeche ki orr kood gaya.

Erica : D-Daaad???

Majbooran, Erica ko bhi neeche koodna hi pada. Na jaane neeche kaun se rehesya khulne ke liye unka intezar kar rahe the.

***

Carewell Hospital,
Morning - 12:10 AM ~

Hospital ke automatic doors achanak se khule, lekin kisi ka dhyaan uss orr nahi gaya.

Duty par maujood kuchh karmchari apne phone me vyast the, toh kuchh counter par sirr tikaaye hue the aur kuchh the jo aadhi neend me dol rahe the ki ve sab corridor me hui tez raftaar se halchal ko dekh paane me vifal reh gaye.

Veer kisi hawa ke jhonke ki tarah waha daakhil hua. Uska shareer dagmaga raha tha, har qadam par perr felne ke liye aatur ho rahe the. Uski baayi aasteen gehre laal khoon se sani hui thi, jisme se aadhi se zyada aasteen toh poori gaayab ho chuki thi.

Baah me abhi bhi woh janzeerein bandhi hui thi. Uski chhaati ukhadi hui saanson ke saath upar-neeche ho rahi thi.

Aur, uske seene se usi surgeon sheet ke sang bandhi hui thi — Juhi. Uska chhota sa shareer uske seene se chipka hua tha, chehra blazer ke andar chhipa hua tha. Veer uski garm saansein apne seene par mehsoos kar paa raha tha. Woh so rahi thi. Shaant. Aur, surakshit.

Pihu ko woh pehle hi surakshit haatho me de aaya tha. Bachi thi toh sirf uski apni Juhi.

Woh Nidhi ke kamre number 31 me pahucha aur darwaza khola. Waqt hi aisa tha ki duty par mushqil se kuchh hi nurses aur safayi karmchari the jo apne-apne kaamo me lage hue the. Nateeja? Veer ke tez raftar se andar aane par kisi ko bhanak tak nahi lagi.

Woh aage badha. Uski drishti ab dhundhli pad rahi thi. Uski nazar saamne bistar par laiti ek aurat par gayi — Nidhi. Woh so rahi thi. Chehre par abhi bhi shikan ke bhaav the.

Veer uske nazdeek aaya. Kamra hil raha tha kya? Nahi! Woh khud ladkhada raha tha. Iske pehle ki woh zameen par girta, usne wahi lagi bench dekh khud ko dheela chhor diya aur seat par gir pada. Shareer ne akhir haar maan hi li. Uski aankhein band ho gayi.

Akhiri cheez jo usne mehsoos ki — woh tha Juhi ka harqat karta hua haath jo uske blazer ko kass ke jakadne ka prayatn kar raha tha aur fir — andhera.

Kuchh kshan baad...

Ek halki si harqat.

Nidhi ki palke jhapki aur woh jaag uthi. Uska sarr dard se tadak raha tha, ghatna ki yaadein tatt par aati samudra ki lehro ki tarah wapas aane lagi.

"J-Juhi...!"

Woh ghabrayi. Uski bacchi. Uski bacchi ko aghwa kar liya gaya tha. Woh chhatpataate hue uthi aur jaise hi uth ke uski nazar saamne padi. Woh wahi jamm ke reh gayi.

Uski beti, uski duniya — wahi thi. Surakshit. Uske saamne. Uska haath apne khule muh par gaya aur woh ro padi. Aansu beqaabu ho kar behne lage.

Woh kaanpte hue dhadalle se uthi aur aage badhi. Uske haath me lagi IV needle aur uske sang laga drip stand bhi uske saath khichta chala gaya.

Woh Veer ke bagal me ghutno ke bal baithi, uska chehra peela pada hua tha. Usne pehle apni bitiya ko dekha. Chhaati upar-neeche ho rahi thi. Bina kisi chot ke. Surakshit.

Lekin, fir... Uski nazar Veer par gayi.

Uska chehra — sookhe khoon se sana hua — bejaan lag raha tha. Sarr kuchh geela sa tha. Baalo me halki barf jami thi jaise. Blazer ke sang shirt kayi jagaho se fati hui thi. Baah, chhaati aur kamar me gehre ghaav dikhayi pad rahe the. Uske kapde khoon se sane hue the. Par, Nidhi ko sabse zyada dang kiya unn janzeeron ne.

Jinhe dekh uska poora badan kaanp utha. Aankhein bhay ke maare chaudi ho uthi. Badi-badi janzeerein uski baaho me kass kar lipti hui thi.

Uska haath zor se thar-thara utha. Kuchh beeti yaadein wapas saamne aane lagi.

---

Lagbhag do saal pehle ka samay tha. Aaj Nidhi ko ek nayi class niyukt ki gayi thi. Yeh pehli baar nahi tha. Use students ko kis tarah se handle karna hai, ye achhi tarah se aata tha.

Iske pehle woh school me bhi ek shikshak reh chuki thi. Shiksha dena use bakhoobi aata tha. Magar, college aur school me kuchh farq toh hota tha.

College me bachhe ab bacche nahi the. Woh baalig the, sayaane the aur javani ke josh me udd rahe naye khiladi the.

Jaise hi Nidhi classroom me pravesh ki, pal bhar ke liye ek sannaata sa chhaa gaya. Students fir ikhatte khade hue-

"Good morning ma'am!"

"Settle down!"

Uski awaaz dridh lekin garmjoshi se bhari thi. Uske bolte hi sabhi chhaatra wapas se apni seats par baith gaye.

Woh bina students ki taraf dekhe blackboard ko rub karne lagi aur ek safed chalk uthaate hue apna naam likhne lagi.

Nidhi Mishra

Khubsoorat si likhawat me likhte hue usne apna parichay diya.

Aur, jaisa ki hona chahiye tha, waisa hi hua. Nayi-nayi 18 baras ki aayu poorn karne waale javan laundo ke mann me laddu phootne lage. Aur, charcha ka vishay tha — ?

"Behanchod kya maal hai bhai."

"Bhai bol de ki ab yahi apni class teacher hai."

"Bhai hai toh karraa yaar. Sahi me!"

"Iska matlab woh madarchod takla gaya? Kya naam tha bey uska?"

"Bhupinder Daruwala!"

"Bhupinder nahi. Guu pait ke andar! Hahahahaha!"

"Hahahahaha! Abey haan bey! Lawda saala dimaag kha jaata tha betichod."

"Daruwala ki bahut daru pee li... Ab Nidhi se Vidhi seekhenge hahahaha!"

"Kaaye ki bhosdiwaale? Hahahaha!"

"Ah! Madam! Ah! Wo waali vidhi! Aah! Uuh!"

"Hahahahahahaha! Madarchod!"

"Hahahahahahaha!"

Yahi baatein ladko ke alag-alag jhund me hone lagi. Par, kya Nidhi ko ye sab sunayi nahi de raha tha? De raha tha. Bilkul, de raha tha. Kintu, woh khamosh thi. Nirash bhi. Aur, chotil bhi.

"Abey pait kuchh fela-fela sa hai iska magar. Hai na?"

"Pregnant hai kya?"

"Nahi bey! Baccha ho chuka hai shayad. Dhyaan se dekh!"

"Abey toh shuru ka mahina bhi toh ho sakta hai?"

"Chutiye toh woh yaha thodi aati padhaane."

"Haan ye bhi hai!"

"Koi nahi-! Mein wazan kam karwa dunga iska hahahaha!"

"Mujhse toh sirf wazan badhaate aata hai hehehe!"

"Hahahahahaha!"

"Pregnancy ke baad bhi pait foola rehta hai kya?"

"Waisa nahi bey chutiye! Bas thode time tak rehta hai. Abhi madam ko apne asli figure me aane me time lagega."

"Waise... Aise bhi koi kam maal nahi hai."

"Hahahahaha!"

Eka-ek Nidhi ka haath na chaahte hue bhi apne pait par chala gaya. Ladke bhale hi dheere-dheere ye sab khuspusaaye, magar aksar unki baatein sabhi teachers ko sunayi de jaaya karti thi.

Jab Nidhi ko apne pait par haath rakhte unn students ne dekha toh iss baar thoda satark hote hue unn logo ne apni baat-cheet ko virham de diya.

Parantu, unki ek baat sahi thi. Nidhi ko bamushqil abhi dedh se do mahina hi hua tha jab uska apna navjaat uss se chheen liya gaya tha. Dhruv — uski apni amaanat.

Yahi woh samay tha jab Nidhi ke jeevan ka sabse kharab daur shuru hua tha. Ek prataadit karta pati, daayan samaan saas ki gaaliyaan, apne hi bacche ko kho dena, unse bhaag ke apne ek kiraaye ke flat me rehna, aas-pados me uth rahe charche, samaaj ka nazariya, aur jo rahi-sahi kasar baaki reh gayi thi woh inn besharam ladko ne uss par behuda tippani kar ke poori kar di thi.

Lekin, woh jaanti thi ki har ladke ek jaise nahi hote the. Uske apne pita. Uska ek bhai. Woh bhi toh mard the na? Woh jaanti thi ki iss classroom me abhi bhi woh ladke the jo waqai uss se padhna chaahte the — jinke mann me koi galat bhavnaaye nahi thi.

Yahi vishvas liye usne bolna shuru kiya.

"Students! Aaj se... Aaj se mein aapki class teacher rahungi. I will be teaching you Mathematics."

"Ye hui na baat behanchod! Ab maza aayega hahahaha"

"Badhayi ho bhai! Takla gaya hahahaha! Nayi phuljhadi aa gayi."

Unki baatein dobaara se shuru ho gayi. Nidhi ke pehle Bhupinder ji the jo iss kaksha ke class teacher the. Kareeban 7-8 maah tak unhone iss kaksha ko sambhala tha. First year ke bache hue 3-4 mahino ke liye Nidhi ab unki class teacher bann ke aayi thi. Aur, uska swagat kaise hua? Inn bhaddi tippaniyo se.

Himmat rakhte hue usne attendance sheet uthayi aur sabhi ke naam pukaarte hue pehle attendance lene lagi. Ek-ek kar ke jab woh akhiri bache kuchh baccho ke naam pukaarne ko aayi toh-

"Vamika Chauhan!"

"Present ma'am!"

"Vasu Mehta!"

"Present ma'am!"

"Veer Singh!"

*Silence*

'Hmm?'

Ek khamoshi si chhaa gayi. Koi jawab hi nahi aaya. Nidhi ne apna sarr uthaate hue sabhi ko dekha aur usne punah awaaz lagaayi.

"Veer Singh???"

Tabhi, uski nazar sabse side waali row par padi jaha aakhiri bench par ek ladka akele baitha hua tha. Bagal waali row se 2-4 ladke hasste hue use bula rahe the.

"Bhai tere ko bula rahi madam!"

"Chutiye haath utha ke present toh bol de hahahahaha!"

Woh ladka hadbadata hua apna kaam beech me rok upar dekha. Uski nazar Nidhi se jaa takrayi. Ek pal ke liye woh dara par fir ahista se haath uthaate hue bola-

"P-Present ma'am!"

Nidhi kuchh kshan ke liye avaak reh gayi. Woh nahi jaanti thi aisa kyu tha par kuchh pal woh bas Veer ko dekhti rahi. Usne fir aaj ka samay jaise-taise nikaala. Baccho ko padhaaya aur waha se nikal gayi.

Agla din. Wahi kaksha, wahi bacche, wahi harqate. Ladkiyaan hi thi jo kam se kam uss se achhe se pesh aati thi. Adhiktar ladke sirf use hawas ki nazro se hi ghoorte the.

Magar, aaj Nidhi ki nazre class me ghoom rahi thi. Maano jaise chehro se bhara ek samundar tha kamre ke andar — kuchh muskura rahe the, kuchh fusfusa rahe the, kuchh uub ke jhuke hue the. Fir bhi, ek student alag dikh raha tha.

Veer Singh.

Kal ki hi tarah aaj bhi woh sab se dur kone me akela baitha hua tha, uski desk hi baakiyo se dur thi. Uski aankhein apni notebook par tiki hui thi, maano likhte rehne se woh duniya se bach jayega. Uski patli si kaaya uski badi uniform ke andar alag hi maalum pad rahi thi.

Pata nahi kyu par use iss qadar dekh Nidhi ko ek samaanta si mehsoos hui. Attendance lene se pehle woh ruk gayi, uski nazre Veer par tiki rahi.

'Woh akela kyu baitha hai?'

Yeh vichaar kal se uske dimaag me atka hua tha. Jab usne attendance ke liye naam pukaarna shuru kiye, toh sabhi chhaatra baari-baari ek swar me 'present ma'am' chillaate chale gaye. Kaksha me hasi ki ek leher daud gayi, dost ek dusre ko dhakka deke hasi mazaak karne lage, aur unki khusur-pusur jaari ho gayi.

"Veer Singh?"

*Silence*

Aaj bhi wahi hua. Nidhi use hi dekh rahi thi. Veer ne apna haath dheere se upar uthaaya.

"Present ma'am!"

Maujood hoke bhi aisa lag raha tha jaise woh adrishya tha baaki logo ke liye. Shaant aur darpok.

Veer ka akelapann sirf samajik nahi tha — ye uske jeevan me samaya hua tha.

Ek baar project ke dauran, Nidhi ne class me baccho se ek-dusre se partners banaane ke liye kaha.

"Apna ek partner banaiye aur saath mil kar project complete karna hai. Theek hai? Class dismissed."

Chhaatra turant apne dosto ke paas bhaage — dekhte hi dekhte alag-alag pairs bann gaye.

Veer ko chhor kar.

Woh baitha raha, apni notebook ko ghoorta raha. Departure ho chuka tha aur sabhi project ke baare me baatein karte hue chale gaye.

Veer ne chup-chap apna bag uthaaya aur uski orr aaya.

"Ma'am!? Kya mein akele project bana sakta hu?"

"Kyu?"

"Mujhse kisi ne poochha hi nahi. Sabke pehle hi pairs bann gaye."

Usne itni saralta se kaha, maano jaise use aadat ho gayi ho bhulaaye jaane ki. Nidhi ka gala andar hi andar roondh gaya. Uski chhaati me jaise ek dard utha. Woh kuchh na bol saki.

Ek shaam woh class ke baad derr tak ruki hui thi. Usne dekha ki Veer parking area ke paas baitha hua farsh ko ghoor raha tha. Uski aankhein laal thi.

"Veer?"

Usne jawab nahi diya.

"Kya hua?"

Firse koi jawab nahi. Magar, jab usne Veer ke saamne dustbin me dekha toh uski aankhein chaudi hokar reh gayi. Dustbin me Veer ka bag dala hua tha.

Woh akasmat uske bagal se aake khadi hui.

"Kisne kiya ye?"

"Nahi pata. *sniff* Farq nahi padta. Koi nayi baat nahi."

"Tum ruko abhi- mein abhi jaa ke-"

"Nahi! Koi zaroorat nahi hai. Aapke jaane se... Woh baad me aur tang karenge. *sniff* Rehne dijiye."

"Par-"

"Maine kaha na, ma'am! Rehne dijiye!"

Nidhi ne aage kuchh nahi kaha. Usne use rona band karne ke liye bhi nahi kaha. Iski bajaaye, woh bas uske bagal se baith gayi.

Varsho me pehli baar, Veer ko laga ki koi tha... Jo uski parvah kar raha tha.

Din beetate gaye aur Nidhi 'Veer' naam ke iss ladke ko observe karti gayi. Usne jaana ki Veer kabhi kisi se baat nahi karta tha.

Recess ke dauran koi bhi uske saath nahi baithata tha, ladko ka koi bhi group use invite nahi karta tha. Lunch ke samay jab chhaatra apni-apni mandliyo me ikhatta hote, Veer chup-chap waha se gaayab ho jaata. Lunch laata bhi tha ya nahi? Iska bhi pata nahi tha.

Aur, isliye ek dopahar Nidhi recess ke theek baad yuhi uske peechhe-peechhe gayi. Veer library me jaa raha tha.

Nidhi ne dekha ki woh library me khidki ke paas baithe, sirr jhukaaye, notebook me kuchh bana raha tha.

'Hmm?'

Woh aage badhi.

"Iss waqt lunch kiya jaata hai, Veer. Koi aur kaam nahi."

Veer uski awaaz sunn jhep gaya. Woh chaunk gaya, use samajh nahi aa raha tha ki jawaab de ya andekha kar de?

"M-Maine lunch kar liya hai, ma'am." Uski awaaz mushqil se Nidhi ke kaano me pahuchi.

"Achha? 5 minute hue hai abhi recess hue aur tumne lunch bhi kar liya? Jhooth bolte ho?"

"M-Maine subah zyada khaaya tha. Isliye, abhi bhookh nahi hai. M-Mein theek hu, ma'am."

"Kya waqai?"

Veer ne hichkichaate hue apni pen aur kass ke pakad li. "H-Haan! M-Mujhe yaha achha lagta hai. Yaha shaanti rehti hai."

Nidhi ne ek pal ke liye use dekha, fir chali gayi. Veer ko laga ki uska peechha chhoot gaya lekin kuchh der baad hi woh waapas laut aayi — sandwich ki ek plate ke saath.

"Agar, tumhe yahi baithna hai toh yahi baitho. Par, kam se kam kuchh khaa toh liya karo."

Veer plate ko ghoorta raha. Dang reh gaya tha. Aisa pehle kabhi kisi ne uske liye nahi kiya tha.

"M-Mujhe bhookh nahi hai, ma'am."

"Of course, tumhe hai. Tum bas maanane ke liye ziddi ho. Tum lunch nahi laate kya? Mummy nahi deti ghar pe?"

Maa ka zikr aate hi Veer maun reh gaya aur Nidhi jaise samajh gayi ki kuchh baat hai. Usne iss vishay ko aage nahi badhaaya. Veer fir apne aap se hi kuchh kshan baad bola.

"M-Mein-! Mein aaj lunch box bhool gaya. Chachi ne bana ke rakha tha. Lekin- mein bhool gaya."

"Oh! Toh ab kha lo. Theek hai?"

"Nahi! Maine kaha na ma'am. Mujhe bhook nahi hai."

Veer ne mana toh kar diya. Lekin, jab Nidhi plate neeche rakh ke waha se chali gayi, toh Veer ne kuchh hi kshano baad khud ko plate ki taraf aage badhte hue paaya.

Ek din, jab Veer apni baahon aur chehre par chot ke saath class me aaya — ragging aur bullying ke kuchh saboot.

Nidhi ne dekha. Usne kuchh poochha nahi.

Lekin, agli hi subah, Veer ko apni desk ke neeche ek bandage kit rakhi mili — ek chhote se note ke saath.

'Take care of yourself. Some people care about you — even if you don't believe it yet.'

Uss din ke baad se Veer Nidhi ki upasthiti ko aur adhik mehsoos karne laga.

Class me, woh aksar uski desk ke aas-paas hi khadi rehti, aur uss se sawaal bhi poochha karti.

"Veer! Tum batao? Kya ye answer sahi hai?"

"Veer! Tumhari kya raay hai isme?"

Pehle toh woh jawab nahi de paata tha. Uski awaaz mushqil se uske muh se nikalti thi. Lekin, Nidhi ne apna prayas nahi chhora. Nidhi uske astitva ko poora karti thi. Lagne laga tha jaise ab woh adrishya nahi tha.

Ek din woh deri se aaya. Woh ghabrahat me darwaze ki dehleez par khada ho gaya.

"S-Sorry! Ma'am- mein..."

"Koi baat nahi!" Nidhi ne beech me hi tokte hue kaha, uski awaaz naram thi. "Ab aa gaye ho na? Baith jao!"

Zyadatar teachers use khari-kothi suna dete lekin, Nidhi... Woh muskurayi. Woh muskaan use shabdo se kahi zyada shaant kar deti.

Ek din Nidhi ne use apni notebook me kuchh banaate hue pakad liya.

"Tum drawing bhi karte ho??"

Veer ne jhepte hue jaldi se apni notebook band kar li. Uski drawing achhi nahi thi. Lekin, use banaane ka shauk tha.

"K-Kuchh nahi-! A-Aise hi bas..."

"Uff-Oh! Ab chalo bhi mujhe dekhne do."

Hichkichaate hue lekin bharosa kar, Veer ne dheere se notebook kholi. Andar alag-alag sketches the. Kuchh landscapes ke, kuchh chehro ke, aur ek kone me — Nidhi ka khud ka ek chhota sa chitr.

Nidhi ne aashcharya me palke jhapkayi. Fir, haule se hasi.

"Arey waah! Bahut khoob. Par, Veer-!? Mujhe nahi lagta ki meri naak itni badi hai. Hai na?"

Veer ka chehra sharm se laal pad gaya.

"Ye... Ye abhi poora nahi hua hai, ma'am." Usne haklaate hue kaha.

"Koi baat nahi... *smiles* Mein mazaak kar rahi thi. Tum talented ho. Ise chhipaane ki koi zaroorat nahi. Confidence rakha karo, Veer. Okay?"

"J-Ji!"

Jaise-jaise unka rishta aur mazboot hota gaya, unki baatein aur bhi sehej hoti chali gayi. Thodi chanchal bhi.

"Tum humesha ye notebook saath leke ghoomte ho." Woh ek baar use chidhaate hue boli. "Kya hai isme aisa? Hmm? Duniya par qabza karne ka master plan?"

"Haan!" Usne bebaaki se jawab diya. "Sabse pehla qadam — Ek aisa teacher dhundhna jo meri notebook ko lekar baar-baar na poochhe."

"Hahahahaha!" Aur, woh khil-khila ke hass padi.

Veer bhi badle me muskura diya. Shayad ye pehli baar tha jab Nidhi ne use muskurate hue dekha tha.

Class me ek baar questions ke dauran, Veer ne pehli baar koi galti pakdi thi.

"Ma'am, waha par... Waha par sin ki jagah cos aayega."

"Oh??" Nidhi ne bauhe chadhayi. "Mujhse galti ho gayi?"

"Haan!"

"Theek hai toh... Class! Agla question Veer solve karega blackboard pe. Chalo, Veer. Utho apni seat se!"

"Eh??? N-Nahi! Ma'am... Ek minute!"

"Hahahaha! Good luck!" Nidhi uski haalat par hasi.

Veer dara. Nidhi mazak nahi kar rahi thi. Woh blackboard ke saamne khada tha aur chalk se likhte samay uske perr kaanp rahe the. Lekin, fir Nidhi ne podium se fusfusate hue uss se kaha-

"Tum sahi kar rahe ho. Solve karte jao. Daro nahi!"

Jab ek baar Veer ko pehli baar assignment test me Maths me thode achhe marks mile toh usne dekha ki Nidhi ne uske test paper par kuchh likha hua tha — Told you you'd do great. ^⁠_⁠^ But you need to do even better.

Ek baar career ke lakshyo ke baare me charcha ke dauran, Nidhi ne Veer se akele me baat karte hue sehejta se tippani ki-

"Veer! Tumhe ek high goal rakhna chahiye. Tumhare jaise log... Tum apna potential barbaad kar rahe ho."

Magar, Veer ko — ek ladka jise uske parivar waale aksar ye keh dete ki woh apni zindagi me kuchh bhi nahi kar payega — uske shabd bahut chubh gaye.

"Aapko lagta hai ki mein apna samay barbaad kar raha hu???" Usne oonchi awaaz me poonchha. "Mein har din apni poori koshish karta hu, theek hai na? Aap jaanti bhi kya ho mere baare me?? *sniff* Koi nahi jaanta."

Nidhi ne palke jhapkayi. Woh achambhit thi. Veer pehli baar iss tarah se gusse me kuchh uss se bola tha.

"Mera matlab ye nahi tha, Veer. Mein-" Usne Veer ka kandha thaama.

"Rehne dijiye! *sniff* Aadat hai mujhe." Usne jhapatta maarte hue khud ko chhuraaya aur baahar nikal gaya.

Teen dino tak, Veer uss se bachta raha. Nazrein churaata raha. Lekin, chauthe din woh use library me mil hi gaya.

"Mera... Mera tumhara dil dukhane ka irada nahi tha, Veer." Usne dheere se kaha. "Mein bas... Mujhe tum pe vishvas hai. Bas itna hi."

"Hmm... Theek hai... Mujh par apna vishvas barbad mat kariye, ma'am." Woh badbadate hue bola.

"Uske liye ab bahut derr ho chuki hai. Mera paala ab tumse jo pad chuka hai." Woh muskurate hue boli.

Aur, iss baar-

Veer naraaz na reh saka. Woh sharmaate hue muskuraya aur apna muh ferr liya. Nidhi uske sharmaane par bas hasti reh gayi. Woh sahi thi. Aaj bhi kuchh ladke the jo uske prati galat bhavnaaye nahi rakhte the. Veer unme se ek tha. Ya yu kahe, unn sab me se sabse alag.

Aur, aise hi woh teen mahine kab guzar gaye, dono ko hi pata nahi chala. Veer vartalap me apna confidence dheere-dheere gain kar raha tha. Chhutiyaan padi aur uske baad shuru hua second year.

Pehla din tha. Naye juniors ko hall me baitha ke unka swagat kiya jaa raha tha. Classes lagni shuru ho chuki thi. Veer ki class ki teacher punah badal chuki thi lekin, Nidhi ko sabhi chaahne lage the aur isliye use wapas se class teacher banaane ki maang bhi rakhne lage.

Aur, fir aaya woh waqt-

Departure ke dauran. Veer ne jab Nidhi ko jaldbazi me jaate dekha toh usne use pukaara-

"Ma'am??"

Magar, Nidhi na ruki. Usne Veer ki awaaz hi nahi suni. Woh bahut hi jaldbazi me thi. Chehre par chinta bhi jhalak rahi thi.

Veer ne mann hi mann khud ko samjhaya ki har waqt koi uske liye haazir nahi reh sakta tha. Aur, fir woh pal aaya-

Jab uski nazar uss par padi. Pragya! Ek behad khubsoorat chehra. College ki jaani-maani sundar ladkiyo me se ek.

Aur, fir Ajay ka use dekhna, apne pantaro ko ishaara karna, Veer ka scooty uthaate hue ghar ki orr nikalna, Ajay aur uske saathiyo ka bikes se use gherna, use college ki peechhe waale raaste par le jaana, use buri tarah peetna, ghaayal karna, aur baarish hoti sooraj dhalti shaam me use sadak par chhor dena.

Yahi sab toh hua tha. Nahi! Yahi nahi! Uske baad use ghar se nikaal diya jaana, Uska aspataal me hona, marrne ki kagaar par hona, aur Nidhi ka waha par aana.

---

-Aur, aaj woh uske saamne tha.

'Aap chinta mat kariye!! Mein Juhi ko leke aaunga. Mein aapse vaada karta hu!'

Uske bol Nidhi ke kaano me goonj gaye. Usne apna vaada nibha diya tha.

Nidhi ka haath kaanp raha tha, woh uske bagal me ghutno par gir padi. Uski ungliyaan jhijhakte hue aage badhi aur fir usne Veer ki fati hui aasteen ko kass kar pakad liya.

Uski rone ki siskiyaan chhootne lagi. Ghutan bhari awaaz. Uske mote-mote aansu Veer ke khoon se sane haath par girne lage.

"*hic* Aaaaaaaaaa-!!! *hic*"

Woh royi. Kuchh bol nahi paa rahi thi. Iss sab ka bhaar use kuchal raha tha. Agar, Juhi ko kuchh ho jaata toh-

Iss vichaar ne uske shareer ko aur bhi zyada kaanpne par majboor kar diya. Usne apna chehra Veer ke perr se sataaya, uske perr kass ke pakde — maano use chhorne se Juhi fir se uss se dur chali jayegi. Aur, Veer bhi.

Mann hi mann woh Veer ko lagatar dhanyavad deti rahi. Kuchh pal beet gaye, fir usne apna sarr uthaaya.

Veer behosh tha. Usne apni ungliyon se Veer ke khoon se sane chehre ko chhiya, uske angoothe ne Veer ke maathe par fir ek ghaav ko chhiya.

"V-Veer-!" Uski awaaz toot gayi. Honth thar-thara uthe.

Aur, fir usne apni baahein uske kandho par rakhi, uske sirr ko dheere se uthaaya aur agle hi pal-

Use apni chhaati se laga liya. Veer ki garm saansein uske seene par padi. Magar, uska chehra poori tarah se thanda mehsoos ho raha tha.

Nidhi ke aansu ab khul kar gir rahe the. Woh bilakh-bilakh kar ro rahi thi. Veer ko apne aalingan me liye, use kass ke pakde woh khadi-khadi dahaad maar ke roti rahi. Jaise varsho se usne khud ko roke rakha tha aur ab uski bhavnaaye khul kar baahar nikal rahi thi.

"M-Maine tumhe apne se dur dhakela..." Woh fusfusayi. "Har baar... *hic* Har baar maine tumhe dur kiya."

Use yaad aaya jab usne Veer ko 1 lakh rupaye ki payment kar di thi. Kaise woh uss par bhadka tha.

Use ye bhi yaad aaya ki uski padosan Mrs. Tiwari kis tarah use Veer jaise ladko se dur rehne ki hidayat de rahi thi.

Ye sab yaad karte hi, usne Veer ko aur kass ke laga liya.

"Mujhe maaf kar do-!! *hic*" usne roondhi hui awaaz me budbudaya. "Mujhe maaf kardo, Veer!! Aaaaaaaa-!! Aaaaaaaaaa!! *hic* *sniff*"

Aur, firse usne uska sirr apni chhaati me aur bhi gehraayi me daba liya. Aur, inn teen saalo me aaj pehli baar — usne apni bhavnao se bhaagna band kar diya.

"Maine tumhe chaahna kabhi nahi chhora tha... Trust me... Mein bas... *hic* Mein bas darti thi."

"L-Lekin, *sniff* ab aur nahi bhaagungi."

Veer ke sang bitaaye use saare puraane pal yaad aane lage.

Har muskaan jo woh chhipaata tha.
Har aansu jo woh dabaata tha.

"Tum... *sniff* Tum akele the... M-Mujhe aur bhi bahut kuchh karna chahiye tha... *hic* Mujhe tumhare paas aur rehna chahiye tha."

"Par ab... *hic* Ab mein hu yaha. Aur, mein ab kahi nahi jaungi. *sniff* Kabhi bhi nahi."

Usne na jaane kab se inn bhavnao ko dabaaye rakha tha. Lekin, ab aur nahi.

Aasmaan me aatishbaziyo se fel rahe rang bikhre hue the, aur hospital ke iss kamre me ek mahila ne khoon se sane ek naujavan ko apni baaho me bhar rakha tha.

Aur, hospital ke saamne ki building ki terrace par khade do log ye sab kuchh dekh paa rahe the.

Erica : See, dad? Yahi woh Nidhi hai jinki beti ko Veer bacha ke laaya. But... I have never seen him so low.

Renshu : Low? He's the one who's the tallest among us. Na sirf usne unki jaan par khatra nahi aane diya, balki woh unhe chhuraane me bhi qamyab tha. Par, ab time nahi hai. Erica-!

Erica samajh gayi ki use kya karna tha. Garofano ko call connect kar ke Ava se poochhne ke baad dobara se Veer ki nayi location le li thi unhone.

Erica bina kuchh kahe waha se ek kshan me gaayab ho gayi.

Andar derr raat me hospital ka corridor shaant tha. Shreya ki bauhe sikudi aur palke jhapkaate hue woh kursi par se uthi. Sabhi resting area me so chuke the aur woh aur uske Ishaan bhaiya hi yaha kursi par baithe the.

Usne dekha ki uske bhaiya bhi baitha-baithe hi so rahe the. Apne phone ko dheele haath se pakdi woh Nidhi ko dekhne ke liye uske kamre ki orr badhi.

Lekin, Nidhi ke kamre ke paas pahuchte hi uske qadam wahi tham gaye.

Darwaaze ke sheeshein se... Usne dekha.

Veer.
Nidhi.
Juhi.

Nidhi ne Veer ke chehre ko apni chhaati se laga rakha tha — khoon se lathpath aur ghaayal.

Shreya bhauchakki reh gayi.

Drishya use umeed se zyada prabhavit kar gaya. Uski ungliyaan phone par kass gayi. Aur, vibhinn anubhutiyaan ek pal me mehsoos ho gayi.

Raahat — kyunki, Veer sahi salamat tha.

Khushi — kyunki, Juhi surakshit thi.

Irshya — kyunki, Veer kisi aur ki baaho me tha.

Glaani — kyunki, jiski baaho me tha woh uski apni badi behan hi thi. Ye sab uske mann me nahi aana chahiye tha.

Aur, dard — na jaane kyu.

*Click*

Darwaaze ki awaaz aate hi Nidhi chaunk kar tezi se mudi.

'Huh?'

Saamne koi ladki thi. Iske pehle ki woh kuchh keh paati-

"Shh! It won't hurt! Please! Sleep!"

Nidhi ko kuchh pata nahi chala. Uski aankhon ke saamne achanak se andhera chhaa gaya.

***

Ek ukhdi hui saans.

Veer ki aankhein fad-fada kar khuli. Chhat alag thi. Hawa me gandh toh wahi thi — antiseptic ki. Magar, uski chhaati par se woh bhaar gaayab tha.

Juhi.

Uski saans atakne ko hui, ghabrahat ne uske shareer ko jhakjhor diya. Uski baahein Juhi ko paane ke liye fadki. Kaha gayi woh?

Par, agle hi pal use mehsoos hua — uske dono taraf, daaye aur baaye koi uski baaho ko jakde hue tha.

'Huh?'

Uska sirr daayi orr muda.

Tej.

Uski Teju di ne use pakde rakha tha. Magar, nigaahein saamne ki orr ek band darwaaze par tiki thi.

Woh baayi orr muda.

Kavya.

Woh uss se chipki hui thi. Tej ki hi tarah, woh bhi saamne hi nazre gadaayi thi.

Uske haatho se bediyaan gaayab thi. Ye kaise hua? Janzeerein uski kalaayi par locked thi. Kaha chali gayi wo?

Kuchh gadbad thi. Tabhi-

“Veer!”

Ghane vatavaran me ek awaaz goonj gayi. Shweta! Use jaagta hua dekh uski aankhein chaudi ho gayi. Woh chillaati hui uske nazdeek aayi. Aur, kamre me maujood sabhi ki nigaahein Veer par pad gayi.

Badhi toh Bhavna bhi thi lekin, Shweta ne aate hi Veer ke chehre ko thaam liya aur use betaab apne seene se laga liya.

"Hosh aa gaya mere bete ko... Hey bhagwan!"

Veer akad ke reh gaya. Uske shareer ka har ang dard se tadak raha tha, lekin uljhan ka bojh dard se kahi zyada bhaari tha.

Ye sab yaha kyu the? Ye woh aspataal toh nahi tha jaha par Nidhi bharti thi.

Tej aur Kavya uss se lipti hui thi. Uski Shweta maa, aur uski maa — Bhavna. Sab ro rahi thi.

Usne dekha ki uske pita-

Brijesh!

'???'

Uske pita bhi kone me haath mode chintan me khade hue the. Uski behan Aarohi apni laal aankhein liye rote hue use hi dekh rahi thi.

Aabha aur Sonali bhi ek jagah par baithi use rote hue dekh rahi thi. Aur, na jaane kitne log the.

Uska sirr ghoom raha tha. Dhadkane tez ho rahi thi. Kuchh nahi, bahut kuchh galat lag raha tha.

'P-Pari? What the hell happened?'

Magar-

Sannaata. Koi jawab nahi.

'P-Pari? Juhi kaha hai? Ye sab kya chal raha hai?'

Fir bhi koi jawab nahi. Usne apne daant peese.

'Pariiii-!!'

Magar, kuchh nahi. Pari sleep mode me jaa chuki thi.

Uski saansein tez hui. Use Nidhi ke kamre me jaana yaad tha. Use yaad tha ki Juhi uske seene se hi lipti hui thi. Use ye bhi yaad tha ki woh seat par gira tha. Lekin, uske baad-!?

Use kuchh bhi yaad nahi tha. Kya hua tha? Veer ki nazar achanak baayi orr dur ek corridor me padi. Aur, usne dekha-

Kone ke paas, uske parivar se alag. Teen log khade hue the.

Renshu. Erica. Aur, Garofano.

Jo use hi dekh rahi thi.




System holders. Yaha par? Woh sab yaha kyu the? Use tabhi yaad aaya-

Yarnia's launch.

Woh toh aaj thi na? Toh kya hua? Sab yaha kyu the? Aur, ro kyu rahe the? Yarnia ka kya hua?

Aur, use yaad aa gaya.

Mission ki penalty. Ek sihran uske badan me daud gayi. Kahi isliye toh sab-?

Nahi! Aisa nahi ho sakta. Usne Juhi, Pihu ko bacha liya tha. Fir, akhir aur koi kaise khatre me ho sakta tha? Woh koi sawal kar paata ki itne me saamne ka darwaza khul gaya.

Ek doctor baahar nikal ke aaya. Sab achanak se khade ho gaye. Jis baat ko Veer ka darr tha, woh darr aur gehra ho gaya.

Doctor ne sabhi ko dekha aur fir Veer ko dekh ek haami bhar uski orr chalte hue nazdeek aaya jaise woh jaanta tha ki use kis se baat karni thi.

Veer Singh.

Yahi wo vyakti thi jise usko jawab dena chahiye. Doctor ne ek gehri saans li. Fir, ek asthir awaaz me bola-

"I'm very sorry, sir. Hum unhe bacha nahi sake. Mr. Manorath is no more."

*Badump*

Dhadalle se darwaza punah khula, stretcher par Manorath ji ka shav tha, upar se safed kapda dhaka hua tha.

Cheekhein goonj uthi. Parivar jano ke rone ki awaaz aspataal me goonjne lagi.

Veer ko kuchh samajh aata ki tabhi-

"Although, Miss Ragini ki situation kaafi critical thi. But, doctor ne mujhe khabar de di hai."

'Ragini' naam sunn woh wapas se hosh me aaya.

"She's out of danger now."

Raahat bamushqil ek kshan ke liye hi thi.

"But there's only one problem. I'm sorry to say but — woh ab pehle ki tarah kabhi nahi chal payengi."

Aur, aspatal ko ek gehre sannaate ne dhak liya.
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Aaj ke liya itna hi guys.
This update consists of 8.3k words. Jaan boojh ke around itni length ka rakha hai warna ye update 10k ke upar jaa raha tha. Too much info dump iss update me mujhe sahi nahi lagi because Nidhi ka aham hissa tha iss update me. So, I decided to post those sections in the later updates. This update also justifies why Nidhi took Veer to her house and sheltered him. Unke beech ka rishta ekdum naya nahi tha. They knew each other. Mehez 3 mahino ka hi rishta tha lekin, unn teen mahino ne bahut kuchh badal diya tha. Samay-samay par aise hi flashbacks ke zariye hum Nidhi aur Veer ke madhya aur bhi moments dekhenge. Yaha par past kaisa laga woh zaroor bataane ka. Baaki, target apna wahi hai. 300. Pahucha dene ka. Agle update se Post Disembowler arc shuru ho jayega.
Milte hai agle bhaag me.
Dhanyavad.

Perfect update

 

[jone964]

Update - 196 ~ The Fulfilled Promise​

Ab tak...

Ye Veer ki qismat thi, ya kuchh aur-

Jo woh raasta dhundhne me saksham tha. Lair se baahar woh kooda. Mission complete ho chuka tha.

Parantu, Pari ne use iski soochna nahi di. Kyunk, notification tha-

[Mission Failed.]

[Due to the host's partial completion of the mission, all the three penalties of the mission won't be applied.]

[Due to the failure of not killing the Disembowler, one penalty will be applied to the host.]

[Mission penalty : Loss of loved ones.]

Ab aage...

Raat ke 12:05 baj rahe the. Aatishbaziyo ne Mumbai ke aasmaan ko jagmaga kar rakha hua tha, naye saal ke aagman ka har aadmi ullaas mana raha tha. Hawa me khushiyaan chhayi thi, log jashn mana rahe the, galey mil rahe the, iss nav varsh ka swagat karne ke liye khushi se chillaa rahe the. Lekin, isi sheher me iss shor ke beech kahi par maatam chhaaya hua tha.

News channels me prasaaran jaari the — Hotel Prestige ko lekar ek gambheer report. Kuchh bhayanak hua tha. Visfot. Khoon-kharaba. Jaano ka lutna.

Isliye, sheher ke kuchh hisso me jashn ka mahaul feeka pad chuka tha.

"Hotel Prestige par jaanlewa humla!"

"Kayi logo ke maare jaane ki khabar!"

"Suraksha guards maare gaye! Adhikariyo ko lakshit humle ka sandeh!"

Bars aur luxury clubs me TV screen par tabahi ke drishya dikhayi de rahe the — toote hue sheeshein, palte hue furniture, stretchers par le jaaye jaa rahe shav. Ek electronics showroom ke baahar ek chhoti bheed jama ho gayi thi, unki nazar andar rakhe display TV par tiki hui thi.

"Aaj ke din batao kya ho gaya. Tch tch!" Ek aadmi ne badbadate hue kaha.

"Hotel Prestige toh achha hotel tha. Hum toh gaye hai. Badhiya tha. Pata nahi kaise ho gaya ye sab. Mujhe lagta hai humla karwaya gaya hai." Ek mahila ne haami bharte hue kaha.

"Mumbai me crime badhta jaa raha hai. Tch! Tyohaaron me bhi ab-" ek raahgeer ne waha se nikalte hue fusfusaya.

Lekin, har koi shok nahi mana raha tha. Mumbai ke elite varg ke gharo me, oonchi-oonchi imaarato me glass takra rahe the aur dheemi baat-cheet me chhipi hui khushi thi.

Iss beech, Mumbai ki sabse shandar 7 star hotel — Casa Belle me patrakaro aur reporters ki bheed umdi hui thi. Cameramen apna camera liye hotel ke maalik — Aadesh Jaisinghani ke bayaan ka intezar kar rahe the.

Woh baahar aaya. Sleek hairstyle me geele baalo ko poori tarah peechhe kiye, Armani ki dress pehne, aisa lag raha tha maano woh abhi-abhi koi jashn mana ke aaya ho.

Aur, jaise hi woh saamne aaya, reporters uss par toot pade.

Reporter #1 : Mister Aadesh, Hotel Prestige par hue humle par aapke vichaar?

Reporter #2 : Hospitality industry me ek leading figure hone ke naate, aap uss suraksha chook ke baare me kya kehna chaahenge jiske chalte ye haadsa hua?

Reporter #3 : Casa Belle aur Hotel Prestige ke madhya shuru se hi oonch-neech hoti aayi hai. Kya aapko lagta hai ki ye humla kisi business conflict se juda hai?

Media ko chahiye tha masala. Kahani. Khabrein. Jo unhe police se utni maatra me nahi mil paayi thi. Aur, isliye khud Aadesh ne hi ye khabar media ke beech felwayi ki woh iss vishay ko lekar raat me apne vichaar rakhega. Media yaha aayi nahi thi. Unhe chalaaki se yaha laaya gaya tha.

Usne dheere se, kaafi baar abhyaas ki hui ek aah chhori, uski bauhe thodi si sikud gayi. Usne ek napa-tula qadam aage badhaya, yeh sunishchit karte hue ki camera uski aankhon me gehri suhanubhuti ko qaid kar raha hai ya nahi.

Aadesh (lagbhag shok me) : Dekhiye! Sabse pehle, mein peedito, unke parivaro aur iss bhayanak ghatna se prabhavit sabhi logo ke prati sanvedna vyakt karta hu. Aaj nav varsh ke shuru hote hi- yeh humla... Ye humla sirf Hotel Prestige par nahi hai. Ye humla saari hospitality industry par hai. Jab kisi hotel ko iss tarah se nishana banaaya jaata hai, toh ye harr atithi ke uss bharose ki neev ko hila deta hai jo woh hum par rakhte hai.

Reporters uske shabdo par sirr hilaate hue budbudaaye. Woh bilkul sahi baatein keh raha tha.

Aadesh ne aage bolne se pehle ek dramatic effect ke liye kuchh der viraam liya.

Aadesh : Dekhe... Maine humesha... Maine humesha se hi Hotel Prestige ko sammaan diya hai. Haan, mein sweekar karta hu ki humare beech competition chalta rehta hai. Lekin, ye ek healthy competition hota hai. Aur, competition ka matlab dushmani nahi hai. Business me ye sab aam baat hoti hai. Haal hi me, humaare Unicard ki launch ke dauran humne Hotel Prestige ko bhi aamantrit kiya tha. Mister Veer Singh, Miss Bhumika Singh, dono hi parivar jann ke saath padhaare the yaha. Aur, humaare mann me ek-dusre ke liye paraspar sammaan ke alawa kuchh nahi.

Uske hontho par ek dhoort muskaan ubhri, lekin usne badi hi chalaaki se ek aah bharte hue use chhipa liya.

Reporter #4 : Toh aap ko iss baare me koi idea nahi ki humle ke peechhe kaun ho sakta hai?

Aadesh ne asahaay bhaav se apna sarr hilaaya.

Aadesh (dheere se) : Ji, mein bhi Mumbai ke baaki logo ki tarah hairaan hu. Aisa kisne kiya hoga? Unka kya maqsad ho sakta hai? Ye aise sawal hai jinka jawab sirf police hi de sakti hai. Lekin, mein itna zaroor kehna chahunga ki — iss sankat ki ghadi me Casa Belle Hotel Prestige ke saath hai. Agar, hum unki madad ke liye kuchh bhi kar sakte hai, toh hum zaroor karenge.

Casa Belle aur Hotel Prestige ka samarthan? Sawal hi paida nahi hota. Yeh toh bas uski chaal thi.

Andar hi andar woh toh balki iss aapda ka aanand le raha tha.

Yarnia — Veer ka bhavya naya clothing brand, din ki raushni dekhne se pehle hi malbe me tabdeel ho chuka tha. Hotel Prestige, wahi hotel jisne uski Casa Belle ke saath bhidne ki koshish ki thi, ab ek crime scene ka sthal bann chuki thi.

Aisa lag raha tha jaise brahmaand ne swayam uski jholi me ye uphaar de diya tha.

Camera ke saamne usne fir se apna murjhaya hua chehra prastut kiya aur bola-

Aadesh : Kumar! Ye sab humare mehman hai. Inki khatirdari me kami nahi rehni chahiye.

Kumar (nods) : Ji, Sir!

Kehte hue woh wahi murjhayi awastha liye andar chala gaya. Aur, idhar news me uske charche hone lage. Jo uske kapti-pann se parichit nahi the, woh use saccha insaan maanane lage.

Iss traasdi ke bawajood, Mumbai ne rukne se inkaar kar diya tha.

Vyast sadko par, kuchh log shok mana rahe the, lekin kayi log bas aage badh gaye — kyunki, yahi Mumbai ka tareeka tha.

Kisi aspatal ke pareeksha kaksh me ek yuvti dheere-dheere ro rahi thi. Uska bhai, jo Hotel Prestige me security guard tha, mehmano ki suraksha karte hue maara jaa chuka tha. Duniya aage badh gayi, par uske liye uski duniya wahi khatm ho chuki thi.

***

Isi beech ghani raat me Disembowler ki lair ke theek upar sthit shamsan ke paas hi Erica aur Renshu khade hue the.

Renshu : Yahi jagah hai na?

Erica : Haan, dad! Usne toh yahi batayi thi. Kya mein-?

Renshu (nods) : Hmm! Shuru karo!

Erica (nods) : Okay!

Woh jhuki. Usne apna ek haath neeche shamshaan ki bhoomi par rakha aur fir-

'Basic Seer Vision!'

*Ding*

Agle hi pal alag-alag drishya uske mastishq me ghoomne lage. Woh bechari apni bauhe zorr se sikodi, kayi baar uska badan kaanp utha, magar woh waha se uthi nahi.

Renshu agal-bagal apni nazrein ghumaaye hue tha. Woh sunishchit kar raha tha ki kahi koi unhe dekh na le.

Yaha se woh khaali haath nahi laut sakte the.

Kuchh der pehle...

Ek mand raushni waali jagah. Medical equipment ki awaaz.

Ava ka shareer ek andheri sunsaan gali me khadi ek shandar kaali SUV ke andar ek asthayi operating table par laita hua tha. Uski saansein ab niyantran me aa rahi thi. Chehre ka rang wapas aa raha tha.

Uske pait par lagi goli ke ghaav ko pehle hi saaf kiya jaa chuka tha aur surgical precision ke saath sil diya gaya tha.

Garofano uske bagal se khadi thi. Usne zehreeli bullet ko badi hi kushalta se Ava ke shareer se nikaal diya tha. Uske haath sthir the, aur dimag gadna karne me laga hua tha.

Wahi thi jo Ava ko apne kandho par utha ke leke aayi thi. Uske theek peechhe Renshu, Erica ke saath khada hua tha.

Erica ki nigaahein Ava ke achetan roop ka adhyayan kar rahi thi. Uske dad ne humesha hi use iss aurat se satark rehne ko kaha tha. Magar, akhir kaun thi Natalia Martin? Ek bemisal worldwide famous singer aur celebrity. Kya waqai woh Veer ko dhoka deke use maarna chaahti thi? Woh dhyaan se Ava ko ghoorti rahi.

Aur, phir-

Renshu ne chuppi todi.

Renshu : Use hosh me aane me kitna samay lagega?

Garofano ne bina peechhe mude apne khoon se sane dastaane haath se nikaale aur apne haath me pehni ghadi dekhi.

Garofano : Bullet nikaale abhi mushqil se 15 minute hi hue hai. Zeher ki potency aur blood loss ko dhyaan me rakhte hue, ise kam se kam abhi 4 se 5 ghante toh-

"Ngh-!"

Uske shabd adhoore reh gaye jab ek dard bhari karaah ne use beech me hi rok diya.

Ava ka shareer jhatka khaaya, uski ungliyaan neeche seat ke leather par kassne lagi aur fir ek tez gati se, woh bhaari saans lete hue uth baithi.

Garofano ki aankhein avishvas me chaudi ho gayi.

Namumkin!

Ava ka ghaav gehra tha, zeher ke chalte use toh abhi ghanto tak behosh rehna chahiye tha. Magar, fir bhi woh kuchh hi minto me jaag chuki thi!?

[This girl... She has some sort of healing skill.]

Freya ki awaaz Garofano ke mann me goonj gayi.

Erica : Ah? Itni jaldi hosh bhi aa gaya?

Woh halka sa cheekhte hue boli. Yaha tak ki humesha shaant rehne waale Renshu ne bhi aankhein sikod li.

Ava (yells) : V-Veer!

Woh chillaate hue uthne ke liye aage badhi, lekin Garofano ne uske kandho par haath rakh use neeche baitha diya.

Garofano : Calm down!

Ava : Veer-!

Garofano : Sniper marr chuka hai. I have dealt with him. Ab koi khatra nahi hai. Don't worry! Take it easy!

Garofano ne fir apni jeb se ek kaagaz nikaalte hue Renshu ki orr kiya. Renshu ne use thaamte hue khola aur jab use dekha toh uski bauhe chinta me sikud gayi.

Garofano : Ye uss Dexter ke paas se mila. Kisi syndicate alliance ka member tha woh shayad. Check karne par toh yahi nazar aaya.

Ye wahi kaagaz tha jo Dexter ke paas tha. Veer ke parivar jann ke naam aur unki tasveerein iss kaagaz me maujood thi.

Veer ke parivar ka zikr aate hi Ava ki chhaati zoro se upar-neeche hone lagi. Aankhon me chinta abhi bhi barkarar thi.

Ava : Veer... *huff* Veer ki family! Mujhe- *cough* *cough*

Garofano (sternly) : Tumhe shaant rehne ki zaroorat hai!

Usne Ava ko beech me tokte hue kaha. Awaaz teekhi thi lekin nirdayi nahi. Aur, kahi na kahi woh Ava ka adhyayan bhi kar rahi thi. Bhala kis tarah ka system holder aisi chot ke baad itni jaldi hosh me aa sakta tha?

Garofano ki nazro me ek maun manzoori thi. Ava, sirf ek system holder nahi thi. Uske paas bhi uske trump cards the jinhe woh ujagar nahi kar rahi thi.

Erica aashcharya me uske qareeb aayi.

Erica : Itni jaldi kaise hosh aa gaya? Poison ki wajah se itni jaldi hosh nahi aana chahiye tha.

Ava : *huff* T-Tum... Tum sab... *huff*

Garofano : Calm down! Hum sab yaha Veer ke liye hi aaye hai. Aur, tumhe itni jaldi hosh aa gaya? Mein ye expect nahi kar rahi thi.

Ava maun rahi. Woh apne baare me kuchh bhi zaroori baatein nahi bataana chaahti thi.

Renshu : Humare paas samay barbaad karne ke liye nahi hai. Agar, hosh aa hi gaya hai toh kya tum Veer ki location ke baare me kuchh bata sakti ho? Kya tum jaanti ho woh kaha par hai iss waqt?

Ava wahi jamm ke reh gayi. Use yaad aaya. Woh ye kaise bhool sakti thi?

Usne Veer ko Death Flag se mark kar ke rakha hua tha. Bina kisi hich-kichahat ke usne apni aankhein band ki, Veer ki location par dhyaan kendrit kiya. Aur, kuchh hi palo me Veer ki asli location uske mastishq me aa gayi.

Usne apni aankhein kholi. Uska chehra peela pad gaya.

Ava (frowns) : W-Woh-! Woh shamshaan me hai! Uske neeche...! Underground...!

Renshu (frowns) : Shamshaan? Kaha par?

Ava ne use exact location batayi. Chaahe uska shareer kitna hi thaka hua kyu na ho, uske dimag me ek hi baat thi — Veer.

Garofano ne Renshu ko dekha. Dono ek baat jaan gaye the ki Ava ke paas Veer ko track karne ki koi na koi skill zaroor maujood thi. Dono ne hi mann me iss baat ki gaanth baandh li.

Garofano (turns) : Toh kya karna hai? Veer ke paas kaun jaa raha hai?

Renshu : Mumbai me tumhari maujoodgi ab koi rehesya nahi hai. Tum pehle bhi yaha sabke saamne aa chuki ho. Aur, haan- tum ek celebrity se kam bhi nahi. Poora Korea tumhare peechhe paagal hai. Isliye, tumhara Veer ke nazdeek jaana abhi faydemand nahi. Ye unwanted attention ko bulawa dega.

Garofano muskurayi. Apni ungliyon ko apne kaale reshmi baalo me firaayi.

Garofano (smirks) : Hmph! Thanks for the recognition- lekin, shayad tum bhool rahe ho ki mein stealth me maahir hu. Mujhe bas apne chehre par mask pehen'ne ki derr hai. That's it. But, haan! Abhi mein Natalia ko chhor ke yaha se nahi jaa sakti. Woh heal zaroor ho rahi hai but if trouble comes knocking, she won't be able to fight.

Renshu ne uski baat ko sweekar karte hue haami bhari.

Ava ne khud ko upar uthaaya, aur karkash awaaz me boli.

Ava : V-Veer ki family safe toh hai na? I... Usne mujhe- Usne mujhe zimmedari saunpi thi. *huff* M-Mein- Mein yaha aise nahi- *huff*

Renshu : Maine hotel me se ambulances ko nikalte hue dekha tha. Veer ki family ke kuchh logo ko check kiya tha maine. Hotel me ab koi nahi hai andar.

Ava (frowns) : K-Kya woh... Kya woh safe hai?

Renshu : Lagta toh hai. Police ne area ko takeover kar liya hai. Veer ki family shayad hospital gayi hai. Toh, uss hisaab se woh safe hone chahiye. Khatra hotel ke ird-gird hi tha.

Ava ne ek shaant saans chhori. Lekin, chinta zara bhi kam nahi hui.

Renshu (sighs) : Aur, agar mein chaahu bhi toh bhi hospital nahi jaa sakta.

Erica aur Ava dono ne hi use sawaaliya nazro se dekha.

Erica : Eh? Kyu dad?

Iske pehle ki Renshu jawab de paata, Garofano hasste hue jawab di.

Garofano (laughs) : Hahahaha! Because your dad is too damn big. Hospital me logo ko samajhne me hi ghante lag jayenge ki ye aadmi hai kaun? Itni badi qad-kaathi kaise hai? Kaha se aaya hai? Aur, Veer se uska kya sambandh hai? Hahaha! Samjhi?

Renshu : ...

Renshu ne uske chidhaane par koi pratikriya nahi di. Lekin, Erica kaha chup rehne waali thi?

Erica : Wh-What do you mean? Hmph! Mere dad ka matlab simple tha. Unka matlab hai ki Veer ko jald se jald dhundhna hai taaki problem ki asli jadd ka pata lag sake.

Garofano : Oh! Wow! Dekho toh humari Miss Erica ko. Smart banane ki kitni koshish kar rahi hai? But, you're still dumb. Fufu~

Erica : Who-? Who the hell are you calling dumb?

Garofano : Of course, you! Fufu~ Yaha par sirf tum hi dumb ho!

Erica : Y-You-!!

Usne apni mutthi bheenchi. Lekin, iske pehle ki woh jawab de paati, Renshu ki awaaz hawa me goonj uthi.

Renshu : ENOUGH!!!

Dono yuvtiyaan chup ho gayi. Par, Erica ka ghoorna khatam nahi hua.

Erica : Hmph!

Garofano : Fufu~

Renshu : Mein aur Erica Veer ki location par jayenge. Aur, tum yahi rahogi jab tak ki Natalia chalne ki condition me nahi aa jaati.

Garofano (nods) : Theek hai! Par, zyada derr mat lagaana. I don't like sitting on the sidelines.

Renshu ne koi jawab nahi diya. Woh bas apni car ki orr muda. Erica ne uska peechha kiya, aage badhne se pehle Garofano ko ek akhiri nazar se dekha.

Garofano muskurate hue unhe jaata dekhi. Fir, Ava ki orr ghoomi jo abhi bhi seat par laiti hui thi.

Garofano : Maine jitna socha tha, tum uss se kahi zyada mazboot nikli. You're hiding your cards too. Just like him. *smiles*

Ava ne koi jawab nahi diya, lekin uski aankhon ki chamak se Garofano ko pata chal gaya ki usne uski baatein sunn li thi.

Aur, isi tarah Renshu aur Erica Veer ki location par pahuch paaye the. Magar, jab tak ve yaha par pahuche, Veer underground lair se nikal chuka tha.

Kintu, Erica ki basic seer vision ye pata laga sakti thi ki yaha kuchh derr pehle kya kuchh hua tha.

Renshu : Erica!?

Erica apni palke khol uthi. Uske badan me rue khade hue the.

Erica : D-Dad!

Renshu : ??

Erica : V-Veer-!

Erica ne poore drishya toh nahi, lekin kaafi hadd tak kuchh derr pehle ki ghatna ko dekh liya tha. Veer ka ajeebo-gareeb system holder se bhidna, neeche ka bhayanak vatavaran, thandi sadti laashein, maans ke tukde, experiments, SHB, Veer ka haath katna aur uska Juhi aur Pihu ko bachaana.

Erica ne jaise hi Renshu ko sab batlaaya toh Renshu ke khud ke badan me ek sihran daud gayi.

Woh bina koi deri kiye, Erica se lair ka entry point poonchh seedhe neeche ki orr kood gaya.

Erica : D-Daaad???

Majbooran, Erica ko bhi neeche koodna hi pada. Na jaane neeche kaun se rehesya khulne ke liye unka intezar kar rahe the.

***

Carewell Hospital,
Morning - 12:10 AM ~

Hospital ke automatic doors achanak se khule, lekin kisi ka dhyaan uss orr nahi gaya.

Duty par maujood kuchh karmchari apne phone me vyast the, toh kuchh counter par sirr tikaaye hue the aur kuchh the jo aadhi neend me dol rahe the ki ve sab corridor me hui tez raftaar se halchal ko dekh paane me vifal reh gaye.

Veer kisi hawa ke jhonke ki tarah waha daakhil hua. Uska shareer dagmaga raha tha, har qadam par perr felne ke liye aatur ho rahe the. Uski baayi aasteen gehre laal khoon se sani hui thi, jisme se aadhi se zyada aasteen toh poori gaayab ho chuki thi.

Baah me abhi bhi woh janzeerein bandhi hui thi. Uski chhaati ukhadi hui saanson ke saath upar-neeche ho rahi thi.

Aur, uske seene se usi surgeon sheet ke sang bandhi hui thi — Juhi. Uska chhota sa shareer uske seene se chipka hua tha, chehra blazer ke andar chhipa hua tha. Veer uski garm saansein apne seene par mehsoos kar paa raha tha. Woh so rahi thi. Shaant. Aur, surakshit.

Pihu ko woh pehle hi surakshit haatho me de aaya tha. Bachi thi toh sirf uski apni Juhi.

Woh Nidhi ke kamre number 31 me pahucha aur darwaza khola. Waqt hi aisa tha ki duty par mushqil se kuchh hi nurses aur safayi karmchari the jo apne-apne kaamo me lage hue the. Nateeja? Veer ke tez raftar se andar aane par kisi ko bhanak tak nahi lagi.

Woh aage badha. Uski drishti ab dhundhli pad rahi thi. Uski nazar saamne bistar par laiti ek aurat par gayi — Nidhi. Woh so rahi thi. Chehre par abhi bhi shikan ke bhaav the.

Veer uske nazdeek aaya. Kamra hil raha tha kya? Nahi! Woh khud ladkhada raha tha. Iske pehle ki woh zameen par girta, usne wahi lagi bench dekh khud ko dheela chhor diya aur seat par gir pada. Shareer ne akhir haar maan hi li. Uski aankhein band ho gayi.

Akhiri cheez jo usne mehsoos ki — woh tha Juhi ka harqat karta hua haath jo uske blazer ko kass ke jakadne ka prayatn kar raha tha aur fir — andhera.

Kuchh kshan baad...

Ek halki si harqat.

Nidhi ki palke jhapki aur woh jaag uthi. Uska sarr dard se tadak raha tha, ghatna ki yaadein tatt par aati samudra ki lehro ki tarah wapas aane lagi.

"J-Juhi...!"

Woh ghabrayi. Uski bacchi. Uski bacchi ko aghwa kar liya gaya tha. Woh chhatpataate hue uthi aur jaise hi uth ke uski nazar saamne padi. Woh wahi jamm ke reh gayi.

Uski beti, uski duniya — wahi thi. Surakshit. Uske saamne. Uska haath apne khule muh par gaya aur woh ro padi. Aansu beqaabu ho kar behne lage.

Woh kaanpte hue dhadalle se uthi aur aage badhi. Uske haath me lagi IV needle aur uske sang laga drip stand bhi uske saath khichta chala gaya.

Woh Veer ke bagal me ghutno ke bal baithi, uska chehra peela pada hua tha. Usne pehle apni bitiya ko dekha. Chhaati upar-neeche ho rahi thi. Bina kisi chot ke. Surakshit.

Lekin, fir... Uski nazar Veer par gayi.

Uska chehra — sookhe khoon se sana hua — bejaan lag raha tha. Sarr kuchh geela sa tha. Baalo me halki barf jami thi jaise. Blazer ke sang shirt kayi jagaho se fati hui thi. Baah, chhaati aur kamar me gehre ghaav dikhayi pad rahe the. Uske kapde khoon se sane hue the. Par, Nidhi ko sabse zyada dang kiya unn janzeeron ne.

Jinhe dekh uska poora badan kaanp utha. Aankhein bhay ke maare chaudi ho uthi. Badi-badi janzeerein uski baaho me kass kar lipti hui thi.

Uska haath zor se thar-thara utha. Kuchh beeti yaadein wapas saamne aane lagi.

---

Lagbhag do saal pehle ka samay tha. Aaj Nidhi ko ek nayi class niyukt ki gayi thi. Yeh pehli baar nahi tha. Use students ko kis tarah se handle karna hai, ye achhi tarah se aata tha.

Iske pehle woh school me bhi ek shikshak reh chuki thi. Shiksha dena use bakhoobi aata tha. Magar, college aur school me kuchh farq toh hota tha.

College me bachhe ab bacche nahi the. Woh baalig the, sayaane the aur javani ke josh me udd rahe naye khiladi the.

Jaise hi Nidhi classroom me pravesh ki, pal bhar ke liye ek sannaata sa chhaa gaya. Students fir ikhatte khade hue-

"Good morning ma'am!"

"Settle down!"

Uski awaaz dridh lekin garmjoshi se bhari thi. Uske bolte hi sabhi chhaatra wapas se apni seats par baith gaye.

Woh bina students ki taraf dekhe blackboard ko rub karne lagi aur ek safed chalk uthaate hue apna naam likhne lagi.

Nidhi Mishra

Khubsoorat si likhawat me likhte hue usne apna parichay diya.

Aur, jaisa ki hona chahiye tha, waisa hi hua. Nayi-nayi 18 baras ki aayu poorn karne waale javan laundo ke mann me laddu phootne lage. Aur, charcha ka vishay tha — ?

"Behanchod kya maal hai bhai."

"Bhai bol de ki ab yahi apni class teacher hai."

"Bhai hai toh karraa yaar. Sahi me!"

"Iska matlab woh madarchod takla gaya? Kya naam tha bey uska?"

"Bhupinder Daruwala!"

"Bhupinder nahi. Guu pait ke andar! Hahahahaha!"

"Hahahahaha! Abey haan bey! Lawda saala dimaag kha jaata tha betichod."

"Daruwala ki bahut daru pee li... Ab Nidhi se Vidhi seekhenge hahahaha!"

"Kaaye ki bhosdiwaale? Hahahaha!"

"Ah! Madam! Ah! Wo waali vidhi! Aah! Uuh!"

"Hahahahahahaha! Madarchod!"

"Hahahahahahaha!"

Yahi baatein ladko ke alag-alag jhund me hone lagi. Par, kya Nidhi ko ye sab sunayi nahi de raha tha? De raha tha. Bilkul, de raha tha. Kintu, woh khamosh thi. Nirash bhi. Aur, chotil bhi.

"Abey pait kuchh fela-fela sa hai iska magar. Hai na?"

"Pregnant hai kya?"

"Nahi bey! Baccha ho chuka hai shayad. Dhyaan se dekh!"

"Abey toh shuru ka mahina bhi toh ho sakta hai?"

"Chutiye toh woh yaha thodi aati padhaane."

"Haan ye bhi hai!"

"Koi nahi-! Mein wazan kam karwa dunga iska hahahaha!"

"Mujhse toh sirf wazan badhaate aata hai hehehe!"

"Hahahahahaha!"

"Pregnancy ke baad bhi pait foola rehta hai kya?"

"Waisa nahi bey chutiye! Bas thode time tak rehta hai. Abhi madam ko apne asli figure me aane me time lagega."

"Waise... Aise bhi koi kam maal nahi hai."

"Hahahahaha!"

Eka-ek Nidhi ka haath na chaahte hue bhi apne pait par chala gaya. Ladke bhale hi dheere-dheere ye sab khuspusaaye, magar aksar unki baatein sabhi teachers ko sunayi de jaaya karti thi.

Jab Nidhi ko apne pait par haath rakhte unn students ne dekha toh iss baar thoda satark hote hue unn logo ne apni baat-cheet ko virham de diya.

Parantu, unki ek baat sahi thi. Nidhi ko bamushqil abhi dedh se do mahina hi hua tha jab uska apna navjaat uss se chheen liya gaya tha. Dhruv — uski apni amaanat.

Yahi woh samay tha jab Nidhi ke jeevan ka sabse kharab daur shuru hua tha. Ek prataadit karta pati, daayan samaan saas ki gaaliyaan, apne hi bacche ko kho dena, unse bhaag ke apne ek kiraaye ke flat me rehna, aas-pados me uth rahe charche, samaaj ka nazariya, aur jo rahi-sahi kasar baaki reh gayi thi woh inn besharam ladko ne uss par behuda tippani kar ke poori kar di thi.

Lekin, woh jaanti thi ki har ladke ek jaise nahi hote the. Uske apne pita. Uska ek bhai. Woh bhi toh mard the na? Woh jaanti thi ki iss classroom me abhi bhi woh ladke the jo waqai uss se padhna chaahte the — jinke mann me koi galat bhavnaaye nahi thi.

Yahi vishvas liye usne bolna shuru kiya.

"Students! Aaj se... Aaj se mein aapki class teacher rahungi. I will be teaching you Mathematics."

"Ye hui na baat behanchod! Ab maza aayega hahahaha"

"Badhayi ho bhai! Takla gaya hahahaha! Nayi phuljhadi aa gayi."

Unki baatein dobaara se shuru ho gayi. Nidhi ke pehle Bhupinder ji the jo iss kaksha ke class teacher the. Kareeban 7-8 maah tak unhone iss kaksha ko sambhala tha. First year ke bache hue 3-4 mahino ke liye Nidhi ab unki class teacher bann ke aayi thi. Aur, uska swagat kaise hua? Inn bhaddi tippaniyo se.

Himmat rakhte hue usne attendance sheet uthayi aur sabhi ke naam pukaarte hue pehle attendance lene lagi. Ek-ek kar ke jab woh akhiri bache kuchh baccho ke naam pukaarne ko aayi toh-

"Vamika Chauhan!"

"Present ma'am!"

"Vasu Mehta!"

"Present ma'am!"

"Veer Singh!"

*Silence*

'Hmm?'

Ek khamoshi si chhaa gayi. Koi jawab hi nahi aaya. Nidhi ne apna sarr uthaate hue sabhi ko dekha aur usne punah awaaz lagaayi.

"Veer Singh???"

Tabhi, uski nazar sabse side waali row par padi jaha aakhiri bench par ek ladka akele baitha hua tha. Bagal waali row se 2-4 ladke hasste hue use bula rahe the.

"Bhai tere ko bula rahi madam!"

"Chutiye haath utha ke present toh bol de hahahahaha!"

Woh ladka hadbadata hua apna kaam beech me rok upar dekha. Uski nazar Nidhi se jaa takrayi. Ek pal ke liye woh dara par fir ahista se haath uthaate hue bola-

"P-Present ma'am!"

Nidhi kuchh kshan ke liye avaak reh gayi. Woh nahi jaanti thi aisa kyu tha par kuchh pal woh bas Veer ko dekhti rahi. Usne fir aaj ka samay jaise-taise nikaala. Baccho ko padhaaya aur waha se nikal gayi.

Agla din. Wahi kaksha, wahi bacche, wahi harqate. Ladkiyaan hi thi jo kam se kam uss se achhe se pesh aati thi. Adhiktar ladke sirf use hawas ki nazro se hi ghoorte the.

Magar, aaj Nidhi ki nazre class me ghoom rahi thi. Maano jaise chehro se bhara ek samundar tha kamre ke andar — kuchh muskura rahe the, kuchh fusfusa rahe the, kuchh uub ke jhuke hue the. Fir bhi, ek student alag dikh raha tha.

Veer Singh.

Kal ki hi tarah aaj bhi woh sab se dur kone me akela baitha hua tha, uski desk hi baakiyo se dur thi. Uski aankhein apni notebook par tiki hui thi, maano likhte rehne se woh duniya se bach jayega. Uski patli si kaaya uski badi uniform ke andar alag hi maalum pad rahi thi.

Pata nahi kyu par use iss qadar dekh Nidhi ko ek samaanta si mehsoos hui. Attendance lene se pehle woh ruk gayi, uski nazre Veer par tiki rahi.

'Woh akela kyu baitha hai?'

Yeh vichaar kal se uske dimaag me atka hua tha. Jab usne attendance ke liye naam pukaarna shuru kiye, toh sabhi chhaatra baari-baari ek swar me 'present ma'am' chillaate chale gaye. Kaksha me hasi ki ek leher daud gayi, dost ek dusre ko dhakka deke hasi mazaak karne lage, aur unki khusur-pusur jaari ho gayi.

"Veer Singh?"

*Silence*

Aaj bhi wahi hua. Nidhi use hi dekh rahi thi. Veer ne apna haath dheere se upar uthaaya.

"Present ma'am!"

Maujood hoke bhi aisa lag raha tha jaise woh adrishya tha baaki logo ke liye. Shaant aur darpok.

Veer ka akelapann sirf samajik nahi tha — ye uske jeevan me samaya hua tha.

Ek baar project ke dauran, Nidhi ne class me baccho se ek-dusre se partners banaane ke liye kaha.

"Apna ek partner banaiye aur saath mil kar project complete karna hai. Theek hai? Class dismissed."

Chhaatra turant apne dosto ke paas bhaage — dekhte hi dekhte alag-alag pairs bann gaye.

Veer ko chhor kar.

Woh baitha raha, apni notebook ko ghoorta raha. Departure ho chuka tha aur sabhi project ke baare me baatein karte hue chale gaye.

Veer ne chup-chap apna bag uthaaya aur uski orr aaya.

"Ma'am!? Kya mein akele project bana sakta hu?"

"Kyu?"

"Mujhse kisi ne poochha hi nahi. Sabke pehle hi pairs bann gaye."

Usne itni saralta se kaha, maano jaise use aadat ho gayi ho bhulaaye jaane ki. Nidhi ka gala andar hi andar roondh gaya. Uski chhaati me jaise ek dard utha. Woh kuchh na bol saki.

Ek shaam woh class ke baad derr tak ruki hui thi. Usne dekha ki Veer parking area ke paas baitha hua farsh ko ghoor raha tha. Uski aankhein laal thi.

"Veer?"

Usne jawab nahi diya.

"Kya hua?"

Firse koi jawab nahi. Magar, jab usne Veer ke saamne dustbin me dekha toh uski aankhein chaudi hokar reh gayi. Dustbin me Veer ka bag dala hua tha.

Woh akasmat uske bagal se aake khadi hui.

"Kisne kiya ye?"

"Nahi pata. *sniff* Farq nahi padta. Koi nayi baat nahi."

"Tum ruko abhi- mein abhi jaa ke-"

"Nahi! Koi zaroorat nahi hai. Aapke jaane se... Woh baad me aur tang karenge. *sniff* Rehne dijiye."

"Par-"

"Maine kaha na, ma'am! Rehne dijiye!"

Nidhi ne aage kuchh nahi kaha. Usne use rona band karne ke liye bhi nahi kaha. Iski bajaaye, woh bas uske bagal se baith gayi.

Varsho me pehli baar, Veer ko laga ki koi tha... Jo uski parvah kar raha tha.

Din beetate gaye aur Nidhi 'Veer' naam ke iss ladke ko observe karti gayi. Usne jaana ki Veer kabhi kisi se baat nahi karta tha.

Recess ke dauran koi bhi uske saath nahi baithata tha, ladko ka koi bhi group use invite nahi karta tha. Lunch ke samay jab chhaatra apni-apni mandliyo me ikhatta hote, Veer chup-chap waha se gaayab ho jaata. Lunch laata bhi tha ya nahi? Iska bhi pata nahi tha.

Aur, isliye ek dopahar Nidhi recess ke theek baad yuhi uske peechhe-peechhe gayi. Veer library me jaa raha tha.

Nidhi ne dekha ki woh library me khidki ke paas baithe, sirr jhukaaye, notebook me kuchh bana raha tha.

'Hmm?'

Woh aage badhi.

"Iss waqt lunch kiya jaata hai, Veer. Koi aur kaam nahi."

Veer uski awaaz sunn jhep gaya. Woh chaunk gaya, use samajh nahi aa raha tha ki jawaab de ya andekha kar de?

"M-Maine lunch kar liya hai, ma'am." Uski awaaz mushqil se Nidhi ke kaano me pahuchi.

"Achha? 5 minute hue hai abhi recess hue aur tumne lunch bhi kar liya? Jhooth bolte ho?"

"M-Maine subah zyada khaaya tha. Isliye, abhi bhookh nahi hai. M-Mein theek hu, ma'am."

"Kya waqai?"

Veer ne hichkichaate hue apni pen aur kass ke pakad li. "H-Haan! M-Mujhe yaha achha lagta hai. Yaha shaanti rehti hai."

Nidhi ne ek pal ke liye use dekha, fir chali gayi. Veer ko laga ki uska peechha chhoot gaya lekin kuchh der baad hi woh waapas laut aayi — sandwich ki ek plate ke saath.

"Agar, tumhe yahi baithna hai toh yahi baitho. Par, kam se kam kuchh khaa toh liya karo."

Veer plate ko ghoorta raha. Dang reh gaya tha. Aisa pehle kabhi kisi ne uske liye nahi kiya tha.

"M-Mujhe bhookh nahi hai, ma'am."

"Of course, tumhe hai. Tum bas maanane ke liye ziddi ho. Tum lunch nahi laate kya? Mummy nahi deti ghar pe?"

Maa ka zikr aate hi Veer maun reh gaya aur Nidhi jaise samajh gayi ki kuchh baat hai. Usne iss vishay ko aage nahi badhaaya. Veer fir apne aap se hi kuchh kshan baad bola.

"M-Mein-! Mein aaj lunch box bhool gaya. Chachi ne bana ke rakha tha. Lekin- mein bhool gaya."

"Oh! Toh ab kha lo. Theek hai?"

"Nahi! Maine kaha na ma'am. Mujhe bhook nahi hai."

Veer ne mana toh kar diya. Lekin, jab Nidhi plate neeche rakh ke waha se chali gayi, toh Veer ne kuchh hi kshano baad khud ko plate ki taraf aage badhte hue paaya.

Ek din, jab Veer apni baahon aur chehre par chot ke saath class me aaya — ragging aur bullying ke kuchh saboot.

Nidhi ne dekha. Usne kuchh poochha nahi.

Lekin, agli hi subah, Veer ko apni desk ke neeche ek bandage kit rakhi mili — ek chhote se note ke saath.

'Take care of yourself. Some people care about you — even if you don't believe it yet.'

Uss din ke baad se Veer Nidhi ki upasthiti ko aur adhik mehsoos karne laga.

Class me, woh aksar uski desk ke aas-paas hi khadi rehti, aur uss se sawaal bhi poochha karti.

"Veer! Tum batao? Kya ye answer sahi hai?"

"Veer! Tumhari kya raay hai isme?"

Pehle toh woh jawab nahi de paata tha. Uski awaaz mushqil se uske muh se nikalti thi. Lekin, Nidhi ne apna prayas nahi chhora. Nidhi uske astitva ko poora karti thi. Lagne laga tha jaise ab woh adrishya nahi tha.

Ek din woh deri se aaya. Woh ghabrahat me darwaze ki dehleez par khada ho gaya.

"S-Sorry! Ma'am- mein..."

"Koi baat nahi!" Nidhi ne beech me hi tokte hue kaha, uski awaaz naram thi. "Ab aa gaye ho na? Baith jao!"

Zyadatar teachers use khari-kothi suna dete lekin, Nidhi... Woh muskurayi. Woh muskaan use shabdo se kahi zyada shaant kar deti.

Ek din Nidhi ne use apni notebook me kuchh banaate hue pakad liya.

"Tum drawing bhi karte ho??"

Veer ne jhepte hue jaldi se apni notebook band kar li. Uski drawing achhi nahi thi. Lekin, use banaane ka shauk tha.

"K-Kuchh nahi-! A-Aise hi bas..."

"Uff-Oh! Ab chalo bhi mujhe dekhne do."

Hichkichaate hue lekin bharosa kar, Veer ne dheere se notebook kholi. Andar alag-alag sketches the. Kuchh landscapes ke, kuchh chehro ke, aur ek kone me — Nidhi ka khud ka ek chhota sa chitr.

Nidhi ne aashcharya me palke jhapkayi. Fir, haule se hasi.

"Arey waah! Bahut khoob. Par, Veer-!? Mujhe nahi lagta ki meri naak itni badi hai. Hai na?"

Veer ka chehra sharm se laal pad gaya.

"Ye... Ye abhi poora nahi hua hai, ma'am." Usne haklaate hue kaha.

"Koi baat nahi... *smiles* Mein mazaak kar rahi thi. Tum talented ho. Ise chhipaane ki koi zaroorat nahi. Confidence rakha karo, Veer. Okay?"

"J-Ji!"

Jaise-jaise unka rishta aur mazboot hota gaya, unki baatein aur bhi sehej hoti chali gayi. Thodi chanchal bhi.

"Tum humesha ye notebook saath leke ghoomte ho." Woh ek baar use chidhaate hue boli. "Kya hai isme aisa? Hmm? Duniya par qabza karne ka master plan?"

"Haan!" Usne bebaaki se jawab diya. "Sabse pehla qadam — Ek aisa teacher dhundhna jo meri notebook ko lekar baar-baar na poochhe."

"Hahahahaha!" Aur, woh khil-khila ke hass padi.

Veer bhi badle me muskura diya. Shayad ye pehli baar tha jab Nidhi ne use muskurate hue dekha tha.

Class me ek baar questions ke dauran, Veer ne pehli baar koi galti pakdi thi.

"Ma'am, waha par... Waha par sin ki jagah cos aayega."

"Oh??" Nidhi ne bauhe chadhayi. "Mujhse galti ho gayi?"

"Haan!"

"Theek hai toh... Class! Agla question Veer solve karega blackboard pe. Chalo, Veer. Utho apni seat se!"

"Eh??? N-Nahi! Ma'am... Ek minute!"

"Hahahaha! Good luck!" Nidhi uski haalat par hasi.

Veer dara. Nidhi mazak nahi kar rahi thi. Woh blackboard ke saamne khada tha aur chalk se likhte samay uske perr kaanp rahe the. Lekin, fir Nidhi ne podium se fusfusate hue uss se kaha-

"Tum sahi kar rahe ho. Solve karte jao. Daro nahi!"

Jab ek baar Veer ko pehli baar assignment test me Maths me thode achhe marks mile toh usne dekha ki Nidhi ne uske test paper par kuchh likha hua tha — Told you you'd do great. ^⁠_⁠^ But you need to do even better.

Ek baar career ke lakshyo ke baare me charcha ke dauran, Nidhi ne Veer se akele me baat karte hue sehejta se tippani ki-

"Veer! Tumhe ek high goal rakhna chahiye. Tumhare jaise log... Tum apna potential barbaad kar rahe ho."

Magar, Veer ko — ek ladka jise uske parivar waale aksar ye keh dete ki woh apni zindagi me kuchh bhi nahi kar payega — uske shabd bahut chubh gaye.

"Aapko lagta hai ki mein apna samay barbaad kar raha hu???" Usne oonchi awaaz me poonchha. "Mein har din apni poori koshish karta hu, theek hai na? Aap jaanti bhi kya ho mere baare me?? *sniff* Koi nahi jaanta."

Nidhi ne palke jhapkayi. Woh achambhit thi. Veer pehli baar iss tarah se gusse me kuchh uss se bola tha.

"Mera matlab ye nahi tha, Veer. Mein-" Usne Veer ka kandha thaama.

"Rehne dijiye! *sniff* Aadat hai mujhe." Usne jhapatta maarte hue khud ko chhuraaya aur baahar nikal gaya.

Teen dino tak, Veer uss se bachta raha. Nazrein churaata raha. Lekin, chauthe din woh use library me mil hi gaya.

"Mera... Mera tumhara dil dukhane ka irada nahi tha, Veer." Usne dheere se kaha. "Mein bas... Mujhe tum pe vishvas hai. Bas itna hi."

"Hmm... Theek hai... Mujh par apna vishvas barbad mat kariye, ma'am." Woh badbadate hue bola.

"Uske liye ab bahut derr ho chuki hai. Mera paala ab tumse jo pad chuka hai." Woh muskurate hue boli.

Aur, iss baar-

Veer naraaz na reh saka. Woh sharmaate hue muskuraya aur apna muh ferr liya. Nidhi uske sharmaane par bas hasti reh gayi. Woh sahi thi. Aaj bhi kuchh ladke the jo uske prati galat bhavnaaye nahi rakhte the. Veer unme se ek tha. Ya yu kahe, unn sab me se sabse alag.

Aur, aise hi woh teen mahine kab guzar gaye, dono ko hi pata nahi chala. Veer vartalap me apna confidence dheere-dheere gain kar raha tha. Chhutiyaan padi aur uske baad shuru hua second year.

Pehla din tha. Naye juniors ko hall me baitha ke unka swagat kiya jaa raha tha. Classes lagni shuru ho chuki thi. Veer ki class ki teacher punah badal chuki thi lekin, Nidhi ko sabhi chaahne lage the aur isliye use wapas se class teacher banaane ki maang bhi rakhne lage.

Aur, fir aaya woh waqt-

Departure ke dauran. Veer ne jab Nidhi ko jaldbazi me jaate dekha toh usne use pukaara-

"Ma'am??"

Magar, Nidhi na ruki. Usne Veer ki awaaz hi nahi suni. Woh bahut hi jaldbazi me thi. Chehre par chinta bhi jhalak rahi thi.

Veer ne mann hi mann khud ko samjhaya ki har waqt koi uske liye haazir nahi reh sakta tha. Aur, fir woh pal aaya-

Jab uski nazar uss par padi. Pragya! Ek behad khubsoorat chehra. College ki jaani-maani sundar ladkiyo me se ek.

Aur, fir Ajay ka use dekhna, apne pantaro ko ishaara karna, Veer ka scooty uthaate hue ghar ki orr nikalna, Ajay aur uske saathiyo ka bikes se use gherna, use college ki peechhe waale raaste par le jaana, use buri tarah peetna, ghaayal karna, aur baarish hoti sooraj dhalti shaam me use sadak par chhor dena.

Yahi sab toh hua tha. Nahi! Yahi nahi! Uske baad use ghar se nikaal diya jaana, Uska aspataal me hona, marrne ki kagaar par hona, aur Nidhi ka waha par aana.

---

-Aur, aaj woh uske saamne tha.

'Aap chinta mat kariye!! Mein Juhi ko leke aaunga. Mein aapse vaada karta hu!'

Uske bol Nidhi ke kaano me goonj gaye. Usne apna vaada nibha diya tha.

Nidhi ka haath kaanp raha tha, woh uske bagal me ghutno par gir padi. Uski ungliyaan jhijhakte hue aage badhi aur fir usne Veer ki fati hui aasteen ko kass kar pakad liya.

Uski rone ki siskiyaan chhootne lagi. Ghutan bhari awaaz. Uske mote-mote aansu Veer ke khoon se sane haath par girne lage.

"*hic* Aaaaaaaaaa-!!! *hic*"

Woh royi. Kuchh bol nahi paa rahi thi. Iss sab ka bhaar use kuchal raha tha. Agar, Juhi ko kuchh ho jaata toh-

Iss vichaar ne uske shareer ko aur bhi zyada kaanpne par majboor kar diya. Usne apna chehra Veer ke perr se sataaya, uske perr kass ke pakde — maano use chhorne se Juhi fir se uss se dur chali jayegi. Aur, Veer bhi.

Mann hi mann woh Veer ko lagatar dhanyavad deti rahi. Kuchh pal beet gaye, fir usne apna sarr uthaaya.

Veer behosh tha. Usne apni ungliyon se Veer ke khoon se sane chehre ko chhiya, uske angoothe ne Veer ke maathe par fir ek ghaav ko chhiya.

"V-Veer-!" Uski awaaz toot gayi. Honth thar-thara uthe.

Aur, fir usne apni baahein uske kandho par rakhi, uske sirr ko dheere se uthaaya aur agle hi pal-

Use apni chhaati se laga liya. Veer ki garm saansein uske seene par padi. Magar, uska chehra poori tarah se thanda mehsoos ho raha tha.

Nidhi ke aansu ab khul kar gir rahe the. Woh bilakh-bilakh kar ro rahi thi. Veer ko apne aalingan me liye, use kass ke pakde woh khadi-khadi dahaad maar ke roti rahi. Jaise varsho se usne khud ko roke rakha tha aur ab uski bhavnaaye khul kar baahar nikal rahi thi.

"M-Maine tumhe apne se dur dhakela..." Woh fusfusayi. "Har baar... *hic* Har baar maine tumhe dur kiya."

Use yaad aaya jab usne Veer ko 1 lakh rupaye ki payment kar di thi. Kaise woh uss par bhadka tha.

Use ye bhi yaad aaya ki uski padosan Mrs. Tiwari kis tarah use Veer jaise ladko se dur rehne ki hidayat de rahi thi.

Ye sab yaad karte hi, usne Veer ko aur kass ke laga liya.

"Mujhe maaf kar do-!! *hic*" usne roondhi hui awaaz me budbudaya. "Mujhe maaf kardo, Veer!! Aaaaaaaa-!! Aaaaaaaaaa!! *hic* *sniff*"

Aur, firse usne uska sirr apni chhaati me aur bhi gehraayi me daba liya. Aur, inn teen saalo me aaj pehli baar — usne apni bhavnao se bhaagna band kar diya.

"Maine tumhe chaahna kabhi nahi chhora tha... Trust me... Mein bas... *hic* Mein bas darti thi."

"L-Lekin, *sniff* ab aur nahi bhaagungi."

Veer ke sang bitaaye use saare puraane pal yaad aane lage.

Har muskaan jo woh chhipaata tha.
Har aansu jo woh dabaata tha.

"Tum... *sniff* Tum akele the... M-Mujhe aur bhi bahut kuchh karna chahiye tha... *hic* Mujhe tumhare paas aur rehna chahiye tha."

"Par ab... *hic* Ab mein hu yaha. Aur, mein ab kahi nahi jaungi. *sniff* Kabhi bhi nahi."

Usne na jaane kab se inn bhavnao ko dabaaye rakha tha. Lekin, ab aur nahi.

Aasmaan me aatishbaziyo se fel rahe rang bikhre hue the, aur hospital ke iss kamre me ek mahila ne khoon se sane ek naujavan ko apni baaho me bhar rakha tha.

Aur, hospital ke saamne ki building ki terrace par khade do log ye sab kuchh dekh paa rahe the.

Erica : See, dad? Yahi woh Nidhi hai jinki beti ko Veer bacha ke laaya. But... I have never seen him so low.

Renshu : Low? He's the one who's the tallest among us. Na sirf usne unki jaan par khatra nahi aane diya, balki woh unhe chhuraane me bhi qamyab tha. Par, ab time nahi hai. Erica-!

Erica samajh gayi ki use kya karna tha. Garofano ko call connect kar ke Ava se poochhne ke baad dobara se Veer ki nayi location le li thi unhone.

Erica bina kuchh kahe waha se ek kshan me gaayab ho gayi.

Andar derr raat me hospital ka corridor shaant tha. Shreya ki bauhe sikudi aur palke jhapkaate hue woh kursi par se uthi. Sabhi resting area me so chuke the aur woh aur uske Ishaan bhaiya hi yaha kursi par baithe the.

Usne dekha ki uske bhaiya bhi baitha-baithe hi so rahe the. Apne phone ko dheele haath se pakdi woh Nidhi ko dekhne ke liye uske kamre ki orr badhi.

Lekin, Nidhi ke kamre ke paas pahuchte hi uske qadam wahi tham gaye.

Darwaaze ke sheeshein se... Usne dekha.

Veer.
Nidhi.
Juhi.

Nidhi ne Veer ke chehre ko apni chhaati se laga rakha tha — khoon se lathpath aur ghaayal.

Shreya bhauchakki reh gayi.

Drishya use umeed se zyada prabhavit kar gaya. Uski ungliyaan phone par kass gayi. Aur, vibhinn anubhutiyaan ek pal me mehsoos ho gayi.

Raahat — kyunki, Veer sahi salamat tha.

Khushi — kyunki, Juhi surakshit thi.

Irshya — kyunki, Veer kisi aur ki baaho me tha.

Glaani — kyunki, jiski baaho me tha woh uski apni badi behan hi thi. Ye sab uske mann me nahi aana chahiye tha.

Aur, dard — na jaane kyu.

*Click*

Darwaaze ki awaaz aate hi Nidhi chaunk kar tezi se mudi.

'Huh?'

Saamne koi ladki thi. Iske pehle ki woh kuchh keh paati-

"Shh! It won't hurt! Please! Sleep!"

Nidhi ko kuchh pata nahi chala. Uski aankhon ke saamne achanak se andhera chhaa gaya.

***

Ek ukhdi hui saans.

Veer ki aankhein fad-fada kar khuli. Chhat alag thi. Hawa me gandh toh wahi thi — antiseptic ki. Magar, uski chhaati par se woh bhaar gaayab tha.

Juhi.

Uski saans atakne ko hui, ghabrahat ne uske shareer ko jhakjhor diya. Uski baahein Juhi ko paane ke liye fadki. Kaha gayi woh?

Par, agle hi pal use mehsoos hua — uske dono taraf, daaye aur baaye koi uski baaho ko jakde hue tha.

'Huh?'

Uska sirr daayi orr muda.

Tej.

Uski Teju di ne use pakde rakha tha. Magar, nigaahein saamne ki orr ek band darwaaze par tiki thi.

Woh baayi orr muda.

Kavya.

Woh uss se chipki hui thi. Tej ki hi tarah, woh bhi saamne hi nazre gadaayi thi.

Uske haatho se bediyaan gaayab thi. Ye kaise hua? Janzeerein uski kalaayi par locked thi. Kaha chali gayi wo?

Kuchh gadbad thi. Tabhi-

“Veer!”

Ghane vatavaran me ek awaaz goonj gayi. Shweta! Use jaagta hua dekh uski aankhein chaudi ho gayi. Woh chillaati hui uske nazdeek aayi. Aur, kamre me maujood sabhi ki nigaahein Veer par pad gayi.

Badhi toh Bhavna bhi thi lekin, Shweta ne aate hi Veer ke chehre ko thaam liya aur use betaab apne seene se laga liya.

"Hosh aa gaya mere bete ko... Hey bhagwan!"

Veer akad ke reh gaya. Uske shareer ka har ang dard se tadak raha tha, lekin uljhan ka bojh dard se kahi zyada bhaari tha.

Ye sab yaha kyu the? Ye woh aspataal toh nahi tha jaha par Nidhi bharti thi.

Tej aur Kavya uss se lipti hui thi. Uski Shweta maa, aur uski maa — Bhavna. Sab ro rahi thi.

Usne dekha ki uske pita-

Brijesh!

'???'

Uske pita bhi kone me haath mode chintan me khade hue the. Uski behan Aarohi apni laal aankhein liye rote hue use hi dekh rahi thi.

Aabha aur Sonali bhi ek jagah par baithi use rote hue dekh rahi thi. Aur, na jaane kitne log the.

Uska sirr ghoom raha tha. Dhadkane tez ho rahi thi. Kuchh nahi, bahut kuchh galat lag raha tha.

'P-Pari? What the hell happened?'

Magar-

Sannaata. Koi jawab nahi.

'P-Pari? Juhi kaha hai? Ye sab kya chal raha hai?'

Fir bhi koi jawab nahi. Usne apne daant peese.

'Pariiii-!!'

Magar, kuchh nahi. Pari sleep mode me jaa chuki thi.

Uski saansein tez hui. Use Nidhi ke kamre me jaana yaad tha. Use yaad tha ki Juhi uske seene se hi lipti hui thi. Use ye bhi yaad tha ki woh seat par gira tha. Lekin, uske baad-!?

Use kuchh bhi yaad nahi tha. Kya hua tha? Veer ki nazar achanak baayi orr dur ek corridor me padi. Aur, usne dekha-

Kone ke paas, uske parivar se alag. Teen log khade hue the.

Renshu. Erica. Aur, Garofano.

Jo use hi dekh rahi thi.




System holders. Yaha par? Woh sab yaha kyu the? Use tabhi yaad aaya-

Yarnia's launch.

Woh toh aaj thi na? Toh kya hua? Sab yaha kyu the? Aur, ro kyu rahe the? Yarnia ka kya hua?

Aur, use yaad aa gaya.

Mission ki penalty. Ek sihran uske badan me daud gayi. Kahi isliye toh sab-?

Nahi! Aisa nahi ho sakta. Usne Juhi, Pihu ko bacha liya tha. Fir, akhir aur koi kaise khatre me ho sakta tha? Woh koi sawal kar paata ki itne me saamne ka darwaza khul gaya.

Ek doctor baahar nikal ke aaya. Sab achanak se khade ho gaye. Jis baat ko Veer ka darr tha, woh darr aur gehra ho gaya.

Doctor ne sabhi ko dekha aur fir Veer ko dekh ek haami bhar uski orr chalte hue nazdeek aaya jaise woh jaanta tha ki use kis se baat karni thi.

Veer Singh.

Yahi wo vyakti thi jise usko jawab dena chahiye. Doctor ne ek gehri saans li. Fir, ek asthir awaaz me bola-

"I'm very sorry, sir. Hum unhe bacha nahi sake. Mr. Manorath is no more."

*Badump*

Dhadalle se darwaza punah khula, stretcher par Manorath ji ka shav tha, upar se safed kapda dhaka hua tha.

Cheekhein goonj uthi. Parivar jano ke rone ki awaaz aspataal me goonjne lagi.

Veer ko kuchh samajh aata ki tabhi-

"Although, Miss Ragini ki situation kaafi critical thi. But, doctor ne mujhe khabar de di hai."

'Ragini' naam sunn woh wapas se hosh me aaya.

"She's out of danger now."

Raahat bamushqil ek kshan ke liye hi thi.

"But there's only one problem. I'm sorry to say but — woh ab pehle ki tarah kabhi nahi chal payengi."

Aur, aspatal ko ek gehre sannaate ne dhak liya.
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Aaj ke liya itna hi guys.
This update consists of 8.3k words. Jaan boojh ke around itni length ka rakha hai warna ye update 10k ke upar jaa raha tha. Too much info dump iss update me mujhe sahi nahi lagi because Nidhi ka aham hissa tha iss update me. So, I decided to post those sections in the later updates. This update also justifies why Nidhi took Veer to her house and sheltered him. Unke beech ka rishta ekdum naya nahi tha. They knew each other. Mehez 3 mahino ka hi rishta tha lekin, unn teen mahino ne bahut kuchh badal diya tha. Samay-samay par aise hi flashbacks ke zariye hum Nidhi aur Veer ke madhya aur bhi moments dekhenge. Yaha par past kaisa laga woh zaroor bataane ka. Baaki, target apna wahi hai. 300. Pahucha dene ka. Agle update se Post Disembowler arc shuru ho jayega.
Milte hai agle bhaag me.
Dhanyavad.

Perfect update

 

[jone964]

Mega Update

Update - 195 ~ The Hidden Truth — SHB​

Ab tak...

[N-No!! Master!!!]

Use apne mann me saamne nazar aaya-

Veer ki aankhein bhay ke maare fel gayi. Woh ghabraate hue uss paagal ko dekh raha tha. Uske honth apne aap khule-

"Wh-Who are you-!!?"

Aur, dusri orr se dheere se ek jawaab aaya-

"They call me... THE DISEMBOWLER!!!"

Ab aage...

Underground lair badbu se grasit thi. Upar timtimaate light bulbs chuninda jagah par chipke hue the jiske chalte aadhi se zyada lair andhere me doobi hui thi, aur prakash bas kuchh jagaho par hi maujood tha.

Veer ki saansein dheemi thi lekin uska dil yuddh me baj rahe kinhi nagaado ki tarah dhadak raha tha.

“D-Disembowler!? Wh-What?”

Woh stabdh uss paagal vyakti ke saamne khada hua tha. Disembowler ne apna naam ujaagar kar diya tha. Kintu, Veer ko hairat me daalne ka kaaran sirf uska naam nahi tha. Woh tha — uske saamne pradarshit ho raha woh notification.

*Ding*

[‘Beowulf’s Blessings’ is broken.]

‘What? What is going on? Pari, iska kya matlab hai?’

Uska ekmaatra trademark card jaa chuka tha.

Notification ko padhte hi uske hosh udd chuke the. Aisa aaj se pehle kabhi nahi hua tha. Akhir, iska kya arth tha? Uske chehre par darr saaf-saaf jhalak raha tha. Kahi uska card humesha-humesha ke liye-?

[Damn it!]

‘Don’t leave me hanging, Pari! Jawaab do!’

[Master! This is bad! ‘Beowulf’s Blessings’ break ho chuka hai.]

‘Kya matlab?’

[I don’t know exactly, master ye kaise ho gaya. It shouldn’t have… Ah!]

‘K-Kya hua?’

[I see! Master, remember the curse? Usne definitely kisi skill ye card ka istemal kiya hai.]

Veer ko kuchh der pehle lagaye gaye curse ke baare me yaad aaya. Beshaq! Uske upar kisi tarah ka curse lagaya gaya tha jis par dhyaan dene ka samay use mil hi nahi paaya tha.

Use woh pal zehen me aaya jab Disembowler ne uss par lagatar vaar kiye the. Teen vaar toh usne defense kar ke jaise-taise rok liye the magar woh chautha vaar — woh chautha vaar hi tha, jo uske defense ko tod ke use laga tha. Aur, uske agle hi pal — woh curse.

Curse ke lagte hi teen vaar aur kiye the Disembowler ne. Aur, teesra vaar padte hi 'Beowulf's Blessings' toot chuka tha.

Woh ab samajh paa raha tha.

‘Was that it?’

[Yes, master! Hum careless the. Mujhe thoda waqt dijiye. Mujhe dekhna hoga woh kya istemal kar raha hai. Aisi bahut si skills aur cards hai jo alag-alag tarah ke curses lagaate hai toh mujhe har ek ko identify karna hoga ki ye paagal kaun sa use kar raha hai. Tab tak aapko Juhi ko-]

Iske pehle ki woh apni baat poori tarah se rakh paati, mann me aati ek aur ghanti ne unn dono ka dhyaan kheench liya.

*Ding*

[Mission updated.]

[Mission : A Knight's Stand.
Description : Get rid of the Disembowler, rescue Juhi and secure the experiment’s secret.
Time Limit : 1 hour.
Rewards :
1) ??? Points
2) ??? Fame Points
3) 1 Random Legendary Skill

Mission failure penalty :
1) Loss of loved ones.
2) Secret getting publicized.
3) Under surveillance.]

Mission padhte hi Veer ki aankhein chaudi ho gayi. Purana mission - ‘Assist Divya and unveil the murderer' ab update ho chuka tha. Abki baar mission seedha Disembowler ka khaatma karne ka praapt hua tha. Saath hi Juhi ko bachana bhi tha. Magar, kuchh shabd the jinse woh confusion me tha.

Rewards ke saath-saath ye pehli baar tha jab itni saari penalties ek hi mission ke andar nazar aayi thi.

Veer (mutters) : Experiment’s secret?

Mission padhte hue woh apne aap me budbudaya.

Disembowler : That's right!!!

Uske sawaal par saamne se dabi hui Disembowler ki awaaz aayi.



Disembowler : …Aur tumne… tumne use mujhse chheen liya. Pachhtaoge! Tum pachhtaoge…

Veer (frowns) : Use? Kisey? Kiski baat kar rahe ho tum?

Disembowler (murmurs) : CRIMSON!

Naam sunn Veer ke badan ke rue khade ho gaye. Woh akela nahi tha, Pari ka bhi yahi haal tha. Iss naam se toh woh bhali-bhaanti waqif thi. Khaas kar, uski yeh personality.

Lekin, bhala Disembowler Crimson ke baare me kaise jaanta tha? Veer toh kabhi iss Disembowler se mila bhi nahi tha. Fir kaise? Aur, tabhi-

“Mammaaaaaaaa!”

Ek zordaar cheenkh lair me goonj uthi. Veer ka badan cheenkh sunte hi thanda pad gaya. Saansein atakne lagi, ungliyaan kaapne lagi.

Juhi.

Woh yahi thi. Gandagi, sadti laasho aur maili gandh se bhari iss lair me kahi.

Veer ka sarr awaaz ki disha ki orr muda. Awaaz lair me surango ki bhool-bhulaiyaan me se kahi se aayi thi. Samay zaaya karne ka waqt nahi tha. Usne socha nahi — woh bas bhaaga. Awaaz ke strot ki orr.

*Whoosh*

Magar, Disembowler kaha peechhe rehne waala tha? Veer ke waha se bhaagte hi woh apni chaudi, mudi hui muskaan liye uske peechhe utsaah me bhaaga.

"You're not getting away from me-! Ehehe-!"

Dono bhayanak raftaar se bhaag rahe the, unke qadam zorr se zameen par pade, aur paani ke chheete uchhalte chale gaye.

“Mammmaaaaaaaaa-!”

Achanak, Juhi ki ek aur cheenkh lair ke sannaate ko cheer gayi.

Lekin, Veer ke qadam fislan kha kar wahi ruk gaye. Neeche ka paani ek leher bann ke uthal gaya. Uski aankhein bhay ke maare chaudi ho gayi. Iss baar awaaz… kahi aur se aayi thi. Waha se nahi jaha se pehle aayi thi.

‘What is going on?’

*Badump* *Badump*

Uske dil ki dhadkane uske kaano me goonj rahi thi. Pichhli baar awaaz iss raaste se hi aayi thi. Magar, iss baar kisi aur raaste se. Kuchh gadbad thi.

Pari ne bina Veer ke bole hi 'Path Tracker' on kar diya. Taaki, jis-jis raaste me Veer daakhil hoye, kam se kam use pata rahe ki woh waha ek baar jaa chuka hai.

‘J-Juhi!! Woh... Woh chal rahi hai kya? Dusri orr?’

Ek vichaar uske mann me aaya. Kahi Juhi idhar se udhar bhaag toh nahi rahi thi?? Agar, aisa tha tab toh-

Veer ka badan kuchh soch kaanp utha. Lair me itne bhayanak qism ke traps maujood the. Agar, galti se bhi Juhi unn traps me se kisi ek ka bhi shikaar hui toh-

'N-Nahi! Juhi! Mein aa raha hu!' Woh ghabraya.

Aur, uska yahi par jhijhakna aur waqt lena uss par bhaari pad gaya.

*SHNK*

Usne bamushqil samay rehte apne shareer ko moda, aur agle hi kshan ek chamakti hui blade ki dhaar uski pasliyo se hokar guzri, uske blazer ke kapde ko cheerte hue nikal gayi.

Use apne khoon ki garmahat apni bagal me behti hui mehsoos hui.

‘Shit! This bastard-!’

“Ehe… ehe… ehehehe…!”

Disembowler hasa. Veer ke khoon se sani blade ko woh apne muh ke paas leke aaya. Uski lambi lacheeli zubaan baahar aayi aur blade par lage khoon ko chaati.

Khoon ka swaad lete hi Disembowler ki aankhein band ho gayi. Ek zordaar jhurjhuri uske poore badan me fel gayi. Uska poora shareer jhunjhla gaya. Aankhon ki putliyaan ulti hone ko ho gayi. Aur, uski haivani muskaan ajeebo-gareeb dhang se aur adhik fel gayi. Woh pagalo ki tarah hasa.

“Oooohhhh... It's better! Eiyahahahaha! *licks* This will be my ultimate weapon... hehe... Tum tez ho… lekin, utne bhi nahi… soon... I'll enjoy you cutting down into pieces hehehehe...”

Veer bhauchakka uski harqato ko dekhta reh gaya. Kya abhi-abhi usne uska khoon chaata tha? Y-Ye kis tarah ka aadmi tha?

Usne apne daant bheenche. Ye sanki aadmi… Woh sirf andha-dhundh humla nahi kar raha tha. Woh dekhna chaah raha tha ki Veer kya kar sakta hai. Woh jaanch kar raha tha, Veer ko apne system ke cards istemal karne ke liye majboor kar raha tha.

‘In your dreams, bastard!’

Kintu, Veer ne uski tarqeeb ko pakad liya. Woh uske jaal me nahi phassne waala tha. Disembowler uske cards tod sakta tha, skills nahi.

Disembowler fir uchhla. Woh andhere me se baahar nikal ke aaya, uske lambe safed baal hawa me lehraaye.



Aura vision ne andhere me bhi Disembowler ko dekh liya. Humle se bachne ke liye Veer ne ek jhatke me neeche zameen par ek zung lage pipe ko perr se tatolte hue uchkaya aur sahi samay par-

*CLANG*

Lohe se lohe ka takraav hua, chingariyaan bikhar gayi. Veer gati ke saath ghooma aur usne apna ghutna Disembowler ke pait me zorr se de maara.

*POW*

Disembowler ki aankhein baahar ko aa gayi. Veer ka ghutna uski atadiyo me jaise ghusne ko aa gaya.

Woh do qadam peechhe hata, lekin dard ki bajaaye — woh hasa. Ek bhayanak, karkash, haivani hasi jise sunn Veer ke badan me sihran daud gayi. Aisa laga maano jaise koi aam insaan ret se bhari bori par vaar kar raha ho.

'What the hell?'

Use vishvas tha usne ye vaar achhi khaasi taaqat laga ke kiya tha. Magar, uske baad bhi-! Woh poochhna chaahta tha Pari se, lekin woh pehle se hi Disembowler ke patte kholne ki apni poori koshish me lagi hui thi. Isliye, use disturb karna Veer ko sahi nahi laga.

Aur, tabhi-

"Mammmmaaaaaaaaaa-!"

Ek baar phir.

Par, iss baar awaaz vipreet disha se aayi thi.

'W-What!?'

Veer ki nigaahein ghumavdar surango ke beech tik gayi. Uska dimag tezi se daudne laga. Woh fir se uss disha ki orr bhaaga. Disembowler peechhe se lapka.

Kya Juhi bhaag rahi thi? Lair ka structural pattern bahut hi soch samajh kar banaya gaya tha. Bahut sateek.

Raasta khojna itna pechida kaam tha ki system hone ke bawajood bina kisi aham skill ke Juhi tak pahuchna namumkin sa lag raha tha.

Parantu, jaise hi Veer uss maarg par pahucha, jis baat ka use darr tha akhir wahi hua-

"Mummaaaaaaa!"

Juhi ki guhaar. Punaah ek cheenkh. Aur, fir se ek alag disha se. Veer iss baar uss disha me aage nahi badha. Kyunki-

Woh pehle hi uss disha me jaa chuka tha. 'Path Tracker' me woh dekh paa raha tha ki kuchh der pehle hi woh uss surang ke mod me gaya tha. Aur, ab awaaz fir se wahi se aa rahi thi. Akhir, chal kya raha tha?

Disembowler akasmat prakat hua. Uski laat Veer ke seene par padne ko aayi. Veer ne apne dono haatho se block kiya, magar force itna zyada tha ki laat padte hi uska shareer peechhe hawa me uchhal gaya.

*Baaaammmmmmm*

Woh ek deewar se takraya. Takraav ke chalte dehti deewar ke do chaar eent ke patthar neeche gir gaye. Aur, fir-

"Mammmmaaaaaaaaaa-!"

Usne suna. Awaaz theek uske peechhe se aayi thi. Usne palat ke dekha.

Dehti deewar me ek chhota sa gap. Usne sarr ghuma ke baaki deewaro ko dekha. Fir, ek aur... aur fir ek aur. Jaha-jaha uska sarr ghooma, waha-waha alag-alag deewaro ke kono me kayi vibhinn chhed bane hue the.

Aur, tab use ehsaas hua.

'N-No! It can't be...!'

Juhi kahi chal nahi rahi thi. Jo chal rahi thi woh thi uski — awaaz.

Cheenkhein deewaro ke andar chhipe hue pipes ke network ke madhyam se yaatra kar rahi thi, alag-alag deewaro ke gaps se utpann ho rahi thi, use bhatkaane ke liye vibhinn chhedo se baahar aa rahi thi.

Juhi jitni taaqat se chillaati, awaaz utni hi zyada derr ke liye unn pipes me travel karti aur aneko chhedo se baahar aati. Har baar Juhi ke chillaane ki intensity aur frequency alag hoti, jiske chalte uski awaaz alag-alag chhedo se baahar nikalti.

Yeh... ek jaal tha.

Juhi kahi bhi nahi chal rahi thi. Uski awaaz ka upyog kiya jaa raha tha jiske chalte woh bhatakta rahe.

"Smart...!" Disembowler muskuraya. "But it took you long enough ehehe... And now you will become my test subject.."



Woh fir se lapka. Ek qadam uchhalte hue baayi orr, fir dusra daayi orr, aur fir achanak se woh Veer ki taraf seedhe se aaya.

'Huh?'

"YOU ARE MINE!" Woh cheenkha!!

Usne apne lohe ke staff se Veer ke dil ki orr vaar kiya. Apne reflexes ka fayda uthaate hue Veer ne turant hi apne shareer ko baayi orr moda.

*SWOOSH*

Staff uske bagal se nikal gaya, Veer bach gaya, magar Disembowler ke hontho par ek muskaan fel gayi.

Ek sihran Veer ki reedh ki haddi me daud gayi.

A trap! He was late.

Ek jhatke me Disembowler ne staff ke hatthe se ek chaaku kheench ke nikaali aur seedhe hamla kiya.

"I won... Ehe..."

Chaaku Veer ke bheje me ghusne ke liye palak jhapakte aayi aur-

*Ding*



PROBABILITY MANIPULATION!

"???"

Waqt jaise tham gaya.

Achanak, Disembowler ke perro ke neeche aaye patthar ne uska balance bigaad diya, woh dagmagaya-

Aur, uske haath ki chaaku Veer ke dimag ki orr naa aake, uske kuchh baalo ko kaatate hue sarr ke upar se nikal gayi.

[On time...! Phew!]

Pari ne aenn waqt par apna daav khel diya. Sahi samay par 'Probability Manipulation' jo equip kar diya. Aur, Veer Disembowler ke fatal blow se bach gaya.

Agar, woh ise pehle hi equip kar deti toh ho sakta tha ki Disembowler iss card ko bhi break kar deta. Isliye, chalaaki dikhaate hue Pari ne slot me koi bhi card equipped nahi rakha tha. Kintu, ye sab kuchh Veer ka hi socha hua tha. Pari sirf uss par amal kar rahi thi.

Veer ki mutthi gusse me kasi. Thanks to Pari, woh lagbhag marrte-marrte jo bacha tha. Sahi samay par usne Probability Manipulation ke baare me socha aur udhar Pari ne microseconds ke andar woh equip kar diya.

Mauke ka faayda uthaate hue Veer ne ek jhatke me Disembowler ke jabde par ek zordaar mukka maara.

*Bammmmmmm*

“Ugh-!”

Disembowler peechhe hawa me uda, par iss se pehle ki woh dur jaake girta, Veer ne uski aedi kass kar pakdi aur fir-

“I will turn your own lair into your graveyard!”

Woh dheere se bola aur fir dahaada.

“Haaaaaarrrrrgghhhh!!”

Aur, Disembowler ko ek haath se uska perr pakad ke thaame woh zorr se apni jagah par ghooma.

*BAM* BAM* BAM*

Disembowler ka sarr baari-baari alag-alag deewaro ke kono se bhidta chala gaya. Eent ke patthar uske sarr bhidne se deewar ke kono se toot-toot kar bikhar kar neeche gir gaye. Dhool uth gayi aur Veer ne ek antim baar zorr se use ghumaate hue dur fek diya.

*SPLASHHHH*

Disembowler ka shareer paani me chhapak ki awaaz ke saath neeche jaa gira. Veer ne haafte hue apni saansein durust ki.

‘Thanks, Pari!’

[Don’t mention it, Master. It’s my job to protect you. Rahi baat iss paagal ki- I have found it.]

Agle hi pal Pari ne Veer ke saamne Disembowler ka parcha-chittha khol diya.

*Ding*



‘R-Rakia’s Blow?’

[I’m pretty sure usne yahi istemal kiya hai, Master!]

Veer ne jaise hi card ke baare me padha uski hairani ka koi thikana nahi tha. Ab uski samajh me aa raha tha ki akhir kaise uska 'Beowulf's Blessings’ broken state me gaya tha. Woh card ka description padh ke hi stabdh tha. Usne uss line ko dobaara padha.



Aur, padhte hi uska badan kaanp utha. Ek aisa card jo baaki kisi bhi card ko break kar sakta tha? Use ab jaa ke samajh aaya ki kyu uska defense toota tha. 25% chance for an unblockable attack.

Woh curse ka lagna. Sasha’s curse! Toh, yahi woh curse tha jo Disembowler ne uske defense ko tod kar uss par lagaya tha.

Sasha’s curse vyakti ko 10 minute ke liye ‘vulnerable’ state me daal deta tha. Agar, iss dauran koi bhi 3 vaar lagatar kiye gaye, toh teesra humla — Rakia’s Blow hota tha. Aur, uske padte hi — card break.

Uski nazar fir time limit par padi. Ek ghanta. Ek ghante tak uska card broken state me rehne waala tha. Veer ne ek raahat ki saans li. Iska matlab, card humesha ke liye break nahi hua tha.

Usne mission ki time limit par nazar daali.

[Time limit : 50 minutes.]

'Shit!'

Pipes ke zariye Juhi ki awaaz se gumraah hone ki wajah se usne kaafi samay kho diya tha.

'This is bad. Mujhe Juhi ko jald se jald dhoondhna hoga.'

Woh waha se nikalne ke liye hua par jaise hi usne apna dhyaan notification screen se hataya... saamne se Disembowler gaayab tha.

'!?'

"Mission mil gaya hehe?"



Ek awaaz theek uske kaan ke bagal se aayi. Veer ka badan wahi jamm ke reh gaya.

"Ehehehehe..."

[Maaassttterrr!]

*Whoosh*

Woh jhatse muda. Disembowler ne usko jakda.

Nahi! Iss baar firse woh 'Rakia's Blow' ka shikaar nahi ho sakta tha. Pari ne Veer ke bhaav padh tapaak se 'Probability Manipulation' ko slot se hataaya.

*Baaaammmmmmm*

*Bammmmmmmmm*

Magar, uska defense pichhli baar ki tarah iss baar bhi toot gaya.

'This fuckin' card-!'

Aur, iss baar Disembowler ne zorr se Veer ke chehre par ek ghoosa jada. Veer dhadaam se neeche gira. Disembowler theek uske upar tha.

*Bammmmmmmmm*

*Bammmmmmmmm*

*Bammmmmmmmm*

Teen se chaar vaar karne ke baad Disembowler ne Veer ki chaathi par uske blazer se pakad use uthaaya aur zorr se use feka.

Veer ka shareer kisi khilaune ki tarah hawa me udte hue jaa ke deewar se bhida.

Par, ye hua hi tha, Disembowler ne use feka hi tha jab usne apna neeche pada staff perr patakte hue uchhaala, use haath me thaama aur use zorr se udte hue Veer ki orr fek diya.

Lohe ke staff se judi ghaatak blade Veer ke saath-saath hawa me udti hui uski orr hawa ko cheerte hue aayi.

'Fuck-!'

Veer deewar se bhida, magar use samay na mila aur staff ki blade jaa ke seedhe uske dil ko cheer gayi.

*Thud*

Uska shareer kisi bejaan ki tarah dhadaam se wahi gir pada. Ek fatal blow. Veer ke bagal se hi ek gehra gaddha tha, jisme laasho ka dher pada hua tha. Woh usme girte-girte bach gaya.

Disembowler muskuraya. Akhir kaar, woh qamyab ho chuka tha. Ab woh Veer ko apna test subject bana sakta tha. Ek system holder uski giraft me aa chuka tha. Woh paagalo ki tarah hassne laga.

"Mil gaya.. Ahahahaha! Mil gaya... My test subject... A System holder Eehehehe... You will change the world my dear... Ehehehe! Now... It's time!"

Kehte hue woh ahista-ahista aage badha. Mission sirf Veer ko hi nahi mila tha. Use bhi praapt hua tha. Aur, uska mission tha Veer ko apna test subject banaana.

Woh dheere-dheere Veer ke nazdeek pahucha.

"Now... Let's take you to the lab my dear... Hehe..."

Bolte hue woh jhuka.

"???"

Magar, achanak-

Ek haath ne uski aedi pakad li.

Disembowler ki aankhein pehli baar bhay ke maare feli. Veer akasmat dahaadte hue utha aur Disembowler ko kheechte hue usne apne bagal se maujood uss gehre gaddhe me fek diya.

*huff* *huff*

Pari ne uski jaan ek baar fir bachayi thi.

Jaise hi woh deewar se bhidne waala tha, usi waqt-

*Ding*



PROBABILITY MANIPULATION

*Ding*

BONE REAPER

Bhidte hi uska shareer jaha seedhe girna chaahiye tha, Probability manipulation ne saara khel badal diya.

Uska shareer seedhe neeche girne ki bajaaye, halka sa baayi orr girne laga, jiske chalte Disembowler ka feka gaya woh staff Veer ke dil ko na cheerte hue uske bagal se beech me jaa ghusa.

*Splurt*

Blade badan ko cheerte hue andar ghusi magar Bone Reaper ke chalte haddi se takrati hue woh wahi ruk gayi.

Ye sab kuchh palak jhapakte hue tha. Fraction of seconds me Pari ne cards equip kiye the aur fraction of seconds me hi woh activate bhi ho gaye the.

Disembowler ko laga tha usne ek fatal blow land kar diya, magar ye sab Veer ka bas ek dikhawa tha. Kintu, iss baat ko bhi jhutlaya nahi jaa sakta tha ki woh staff ki blade uske shareer me zaroor dhansi thi.

*SHNK*

"Argh! Fuck! *huff* *huff* This one hurts...! Urghh!"

Veer ne uss blade ko nikaalte hue zameen par feka. Probability Manipulation ka upyog ek jhatke me do baar ho chuka tha. Ek antim avsar aur baaki tha uske liye. Agar, usne ek baar aur Probability Manipulation ka upyog kiya toh aaj woh uske baad use istemal nahi kar payega.

Veer ne bagal se dekha. Disembowler wahi neeche gehre gaddhe me dala hua tha. Koi harqat nahi-!

[Master! Juhi-!]

'Yeah!'

Pari ke bolte hi woh seedhe uth Juhi ko dhoondhne ke liye bhaaga. Badi mushqil se Disembowler se thodi der ke liye peechha chhoota tha. Yahi woh waqt tha — yahi samay tha Juhi ko chhuraane ka aur use sahi salamat baahar pahuchaane ka. Uske baad hi woh Disembowler se bhid sakta tha.

Veer ko bas ek baat nahi samajh aa rahi thi. Jitni taaqat se usne Disembowler par humle kiye the woh utne force ke saath use lage kyu nahi? Use poora vishvas tha ki woh apna poora zor laga raha tha. Kintu, uss zor ka parinaam use sahi nahi lag raha tha.

Uske sawaal ka uttar bhi Pari ne akhir de hi diya-

*Ding*



[He might be using this, Master.]

Card ko dekhte hi Veer ki bauhe kass gayi. Uske badan me raungte khade ho gaye. Woh samajh chuka tha ki iss Disembowler se yuhi nahi bhida jaa sakta tha. Jald se jald Juhi ko pehle yaha se baahar nikaalne ki zaroorat thi.

***

Underground lair kisi bhool-bhulaiyaa ki tarah felti hi jaa rahi thi. Woh jitna andar jaa raha tha, hawa utni bhaari hoti jaa rahi thi — ghani, dum ghotne waali, maano woh sab mrat log uske kaano me fusfusa rahe ho.

Har qadam bhayaveh roop se goonj rahe the, use chaaro orr fele andhere ne nigal rakha tha. Upar jal rahe light bulbs bamushqil hi koi raushni pradaan kar rahe the. Unki chamak khoon se sani deewaro par vichitr chhayaaye daal rahi thi.

Aur, sadan ki yeh gandh toh bilkul hi asahaneeya hoti jaa rahi thi.

Veer ki maanspeshiya tanavgrast thi, uska har ek ang satark tha. Usne Disembowler ko ek gaddhe me dhakela tha — ek gehra khula hua gaddha jaha kuchh laasho ka dher pehle se pada hua tha. Uss paagal ko wapas upar rengne me samay lagne waala tha. Lekin, Veer jaanta tha ki yeh ant nahi tha.

Ye toh bas udhaar ka samay tha.

Use Juhi ko dhoondhna tha. Abhi.

Woh vibhinn traps se bachte hue aage badha, Disembowler ke jaal har jagah the. Ye sirf ek lair nahi thi — ye woh bhul-bhulaiyaan thi jise ghuspaithiyo ko nigalne ke liye banaaya gaya tha.

Fir, akhir kar use woh mila...

Central chamber.

Veer fisalte hue ruka. Jaise hi woh Central chamber me pravesh kiya, saamne ka drishya dekh uski saansein atak ke reh gayi.

Surgical tables, khoon se lathpath chaadrein, mand raushni me chamakte hue flasks, taral padaarth aur vichitr upkarno ka ek avyavasthit dher. Deewaro par bade-bade kaanch ke cylinders lage hue the, jinme se pratyek me jeevit, hilti hui cheezein bhari hui thi.

Unke roop pehchaan me nahi aa rahe the — ang bahut lambe the, maans apraakartik tareeke se ek saath sile gaye the, unki aankhein adh-khuli hui thi.

'Wh-What!?'

Ek laboratory.

Ya ek kasai ki workshop!?

Aur, kendra me—

Juhi.

Woh chhoti si bacchi ek surgical bed par bandhi hui thi. Uska chhota sa shareer kaanp raha tha, uski kalaayi aur aediyaan straps se bandhi hui thi. Uski gehri aankhein chaudi ho rakhi thi, honth thar-thara rahe the aur gaalo se fisal kar aansu beh rahe the.

Uski dono chhoti-chhoti baalo ki chotiyaan ast-vyast ho rakhi thi, pyaari si safed frock jo usne pehen rakhi thi woh bhi gandagi se sani hui thi.

Aur, uske bagal me-

Ek aur ladki.

'Huh?'

Veer ki nazar uss par tiki. Wahi khauf uss ladki ki aankhon me bhi tha.

System apne kaam par lag gaya.

*Ding*

[Name : Pihu Bakshi
Age : 6
Bio : Trisha and Rohan's only daughter.]

Veer ki bauhe kass gayi. Trisha. Wahi DSP officer jisne Divya aur usko iss case ki investigation ke liye bheja tha.

Uski beti yaha thi?

Ek sihran uske badan me fel gayi. Ab yeh sirf Juhi ke baare me nahi tha. Ab, do zindigiyaan uske haath me thi. Aur, beshaq, system ne bhi yahi maanana sahi samjha-

*Ding*

[Mission updated.]

[Mission : A Knight's Stand.
Description : Get rid of the Disembowler, rescue Juhi, Puhi and secure the experiment’s secret.
Time Limit : 40 minutes.
Rewards :
1) ??? Points
2) ??? Fame Points
3) 1 Random Legendary Skill

Mission failure penalty :
1) Loss of loved ones.
2) Secret getting publicized.
3) Under surveillance.]

Mission me 'Pihu' ka naam jud chuka tha. Ab, sirf Juhi hi nahi, use Pihu ko bhi yaha se baahar nikaalna tha.

Idhar, Juhi ki nazar achanak uss par padi.

Ek pal ke liye woh stabdh reh gayi. Uske honth kaanpe, maano use yakeen nahi ho raha tha ki woh jo dekh rahi thi woh sach tha ya nahi? Aur, phir-

"Maamuuuuu!"

'Mamma' ki pukaar 'maamu' me badal gayi. Uski cheenkh tez aur karkash awaaz se bhari hui thi.

Woh chhatpatane lagi, apni poori taaqat se bandhano se nikalne ki koshish karne lagi. Veer jhatse aage badha, Juhi ki karkash guhaar sunn uska dil dehel gaya.

"Shhhh!" Veer ne tezi se aate hue Juhi ke sarr par haath rakh use chup karaane ki koshish ki.

Veer : Shor nahi, Juhi! Ab darne ki zaroorat nahi. Theek hai? Mein aa gaya hu. Hum yaha se nikal rahe hai.

Nanhi Juhi naak sudakte hue kaanpi, uski aankhon me itna darr bhara tha ki woh lagbhag behosh hone ki kagaar par thi.

Juhi : M-Maamu... *sniff* Gh-Ghal jaana hai. *sniff*

[Ah! Poor child... Juhi!]

Uski awaaz fatt rahi thi. Uske chhote-chhote haath Veer ko pakadne ki koshish kar rahe the.

Veer : Haan! Hum ghar hi chal rahe hai. Don't worry! Okay? Bas... Bas do minute.

Juhi (sobs) : Y-Yaha se le chalo, maamu... *sniff* M-Mujhe darr lag raha hai. *hic* Y-Yaha.. yaha daravni cheeje hai... *hic* muje mumma ke paas jaana hai...

Veer : Haan! Mujhe pata hai.

Usne dheere se kaha. Uske haath tezi se straps ko kholne ke liye chal rahe the.

Veer : Mein tumhe abhi ghar leke chal raha hu, theek hai?

Juhi (nods) : H-Haan! P-Pihu bhi maamu... *sniff*

Juhi ke aansu girte rahe, lekin usne apne maamu par bharosa rakhte hue haami bhari. Apni maa ke baad agar uski zindagi me uska koi hero tha, toh woh uske maamu hi toh the.

Veer : Pihu?

Juhi (nods) : Mmm!

Magar, Pihu ke sang aisa kuchh nahi tha. Uske mata-pita dono hi police me the. Uske liye uske pita uske hero the. Rohan Trisha se upar post par jo tha, toh woh Trisha se zyada authority rakhta tha. Yeh baat nanhi Pihu bhi kahi na kahi samajh jaati thi jab uski maa uske pita ki kahi gayi har baat ka paalan karti thi. Isliye, Pihu ko uske pita zyada bhaate the.

Wahi Juhi, jise bachpan se hi ek baap ka pyaar nahi mil saka, uske liye ya toh uski maa ya phir uske maamu hi chamakte hue sitaare the.

Veer ne Pihu ki taraf dekha, jiska chhota sa shareer darr ke chalte akda hua tha. Uske muh par patti bandhi hui thi. Bandhi toh Juhi ke muh par bhi thi par shayad woh patti hataane me qamyab thi.

Pihu koi awaaz nahi kar rahi thi, uski aankhon se bas aansu beh rahe the, uski chhoti-chhoti mutthiyaan bhinchi hui thi.

Juhi ne apna sirr Pihu ki orr ghumaya aur boli.

Juhi : Daro mat... *sniff* Ab maamu aa gaye hai na? Ab maamu usko ni chhorenge... *sniff* Maamu bahut taqatvar hai... Wo uss ajeeb se aadmi ko hara denge, tum dekhna... *sniff*

Pihu ne apni siskiyaan rokne ki koshish karte hue naak sikodi aur Juhi ki baat sunn apna sirr hilaayi.

Veer ki ungliyaan tezi se aage badhi aur Juhi ka akhiri strap khol di.

Veer : Ye kaun hai, Juhi?

Usne dono bacchiyo ka dhyaan bhatkaane ke liye sawaal chheda. Juhi ne chhootate hue apne nanhe haatho se uski baah kass kar thaami.

Juhi : P-Pihu, meri new friend hai, maamu. *sniff* Juhi aul mumma... Aapki party me aa rahe the... Tab... Shop pe... Shop pe Pihu mili thi.

Veer ko dhyaan aaya. Yarnia. Uska naya clothing brand. Aaj hi toh launch tha. Na jaane kya chal raha hoga udhar? Uski Teju di, Ragini... Sab uska intezar kar rahi hongi.

Veer : Aur, phir?

Juhi : Ph-Phir... *sniff* Phir wo ajeeb se uncle ne humko magic dikhaya aul phir... *sniff* *sniff*

Veer ne apne daant meese.

Lure Path.

Woh kameena. Usne Lure Path ka istemal kar ke Juhi aur Pihu ko apni qaid me kara tha. Aur, ab Veer khud yaha tha — jaisi ki Disembowler ne yojna banayi thi.

Ab Veer ko unn dono ki raksha karni thi. Pihu ke muh se patti hataane ke baad, jaise hi usne pehla strap khola, bagal me baithi Juhi ka chehra achanak peela pad gaya.

Woh zorr se chillaayi,

"M-Maamuuuu! Peeechheeee!"

Maano jaise Veer ka khoon jamm gaya. Bhay ke chalte woh palta aur-

*Click*

[Master!]

Ek thandi dhaatu uski kalaaiyo ke ird-gird jakadti hui mehsoos hui. Derr ho chuki thi.

Nigaah jaise hi kalaaiyo par padi... Usne dekha... ki deewaro se lagi bhaari lohe ke zanzeerein uske dono haatho ko kheench rahi thi.

'When..?'

Hathkadiyaan! Aur, woh bhi sadharan nahi... Badi, moti, lohe ki asaani se na tootne waali hathkadiyaan.

Kintu, sirf wahi nahi... Zanzeer deewaro ke andar dhansi hui thi aur ek self retracting mechanism ke chalte waapas andar ko jaa rahi thi. Yaani ki Veer ki dono baah vipreet disha me khich rahi thi.

"Urgh!"

Usne apna bal lagaate hue apne haath kheeche aur apni position barkarar rakhi. Magar, akhir kab tak? Force itna zyada tha ki agar usne zara sa bhi khud ko halka chhora, toh uski dono baahein shareer se ukhad jaati.

Ek dheemi hasi hawa me goonji. Disembowler. Woh aa chuka tha.

"M-Maaaamuuuu!"

Juhi cheenkhi. Woh nanhe qadam lete hue bhaagi lekin-

"Aaaaaaaa!"

Disembowler ne ek jhatke me use pakad ke peechhe kheench liya.

"Juhiiiiiiiiiiii!"

Veer gurraaya. Disembowler ki paagal muskaan chaudi hui, uski aankhon me ek ajeeb si chamak thi.

"Kya tumne sach me socha tha? Ehe..." Usne fusfusaate hue kaha. "...ki mein samay par wapas nahi aa paunga?"




'Shit! Akhir usne kab-!?'

[Mein bhi wahi soch rahi hu, Master. Koi awaaz nahi, koi harqat nahi. Mujhe bhi sunayi nahi diya. I'm sorry.]

'Nahi, Pari! *frowns* Galti tumhari nahi hai.'

[It... It was my fault as well. I should have-]

'Stay alert, Pari!'

[Y-Yes, master!]

Veer Disembowler ki muskaan dekh ke samajh gaya tha. Kuchh gadbad thi.

Veer (frowns) : You... You did something. Didn't you?

Disembowler : Oh... You figured it out? Hehe! Yessss! After all... It's my chamber...

Ye Disembowler ka chamber tha. Zaahir hai usne kuchh kar rakha tha. Pari eka-ek apne kaam me lag chuki thi.

Veer (yells) : Kyu? Kyu kar rahe ho tum ye sab? Tumhara target toh mein tha na?

Disembowler : Hmm? Kisne kaha mera target sirf tum the... Hehehe... Mein toh shuru se hi inn bacchiyo ke peechhe tha. They would be my test subjects as well...!

Veer : Wh-What? Sh-Shuru se... peechhe?

Disembowler : Yesss! *grins* This time... My goal was to experiment with the young blood.

Veer : Y-Young blood? J-Juhi?!

Disembowler (smirks) : Yesss! Tumhe kya laga? Kya maine ye sab sirf tumhe yaha laane ke liye kiya tha?

Veer : !?

Disembowler : Ohh you are wrong, my boy... Ehehe... I... I did all of that to achieve something greater... Something which this world will come to acknowledge later.

Veer : ??

Disembowler : I'll create a magnificent masterpiece. A masterpiece that'll shake the whole world... Hahahaha...

Veer : What? Akhir chaahte kya ho tum? What are you trying to achieve? Y-You killed so many people...

Disembowler : I didn't kill them... Nooo!!! They died by their own...

Veer : !!?

Disembowler : Mein toh... Mein toh unhe masterpiece banaana chaahta tha... I... I tried so hard... I gave them so much love... But they failed... They failed miserably.

Veer (growls) : Madhuri ke pita... Prabhakar Uncle... Unse kya dushmani thi tumhari? Why did you pick him?

Disembowler : Huh? Ohh! That man... Yessss! I remember... Ehe... He didn't co-operate.

Veer : What?

Disembowler : Maine toh... Maine toh use offer diya tha. To become my test subject... But what did he do??? He rejected me!! He rejected my greatest offer. A golden opportunity... And, so... I killed him... Just one person... Ehe... I only killed one. I swear. Rest died because of their incapability.

Veer (frowns) : The experiment... Kis tarah ke experiment ki baat kar rahe ho tum??

Disembowler : Hmm? I guess it won't hurt telling my soon-to-become test subject... hehe... right?




Veer : !!??

Disembowler (grins) : Blood Transfusion.

Sunte hi Veer ka shareer thanda pad gaya. Ek tez sihran uske badan me daudi.

Saari kadiyaan ab aapas me judti jaa rahi thi. Aur, jaise-jaise Veer ko iska bodh ho raha tha, waise-waise uski aankhein hairat me felti jaa rahi thi.

Veer ke haav-bhaav dekh ke Disembowler jaise samajh gaya ki Veer bhi jaan gaya hai woh kya kehna chaah raha tha.

Blood transfusion. Iska matlab...

Veer ki nigaahein unn peechhe sheeshein ke bane cylinders par gayi jaha ajeebo gareeb aakritiya andar maujood thi.

The experiment!

Akhir kar, use ek maqsad samajh aaya. Uske badan me raungte khade ho gaye. Ye paagal insaan... Insaan ke khoon ko badalne ki koshish kar raha tha.

Magar, kis se?

Veer (gasps) : Y-You...!? H-How?

Aur, agle hi pal Disembowler ne kuchh aisa kaha jise sunn, pehle toh Veer aur Pari dono hi chakit hue par fir jaise hi Veer ne uske shabdo ko decode kiya... Uske perro taley zameen khisak gayi.

Disembowler (mutters) : SHB!! *grins*

[What?! SHB? What is that...? Master?]

Veer ki bauhe kasi. SHB? Y-Ye kya tha bhala? Lekin, fir jaise uska dimaag dauda. Aur, samajh aate hi uska badan wahi jamm gaya.

Pari ne Veer ke vichaar shoonya hote hi chinta me use awaaz lagayi.

[Maaasterrr? What is it? Kya hai ye SHB?]

Aur, fir Veer ki mann me aati awaaz ne Pari ko maun kar ke rakh diya. Kyunki, Pari jis SHB ke baare me poonchh rahi thi, uska matlab tha-

'SYSTEM HOLDER'S BLOOD!!!'

Sunte hi Pari ki rooh kaanp gayi. Woh akeli nahi thi. Veer ka bhi yahi haal tha.

Asambhav.

Akhir kaise?

Jaise Disembowler ne Veer ke sawaal ko pehle hi padh liya. Apni coat ki jeb se usne ek test tube nikaala jisme khoon ke rang ka ek taral padaarth bhara hua tha.

Disembowler (grins) : This is my first creation... Ehe... SHB... Diluted version... Do you know what wonders it can do?

Veer ka dimaag phatne ko aa chuka tha. Usne apne sapne me bhi ye kalpana nahi ki thi ki aisa kuchh bhi ghatit ho sakta tha. Iss tarah ki cheezein bhi astitva me thi.

Aur, agle hi pal use baat ko samajh aate hi ek aur jhatka laga.

Yeh paagal insaan... Ye paagal insaan ek saamanya aadmi ke khoon ko replace kar use ek system holder ke blood se bharna chaah raha tha — Blood transfusion.

This was his second experiment...!!!

Ek system holder ka khoon aam aadmi ke khoon se kayi guna taqatvar hota tha. Ye swabhavik tha. Tabhi toh system holders ke zakhm jaldi bharte the, shareer me chusti rehti thi. Taaqat ka strot agar system tha toh khoon uss taaqat ka woh driving factor tha.

Toh kya hoga jab kisi aise taqatvar system holder ke khoon ko ek aam aadmi ke shareer me pravesh karwa diya jaaye?

SHB ke molecules aam insaan ke khoon ke molecules ko takeover karne lagenge. Dekhte hi dekhte samay ke saath SHB ke molecules apni sankhya badha kar poori tarah se uss insaan ke shareer me take over kar lenge.

Dusre shabdo me... Ek aam insaan pehle se kayi zyada shaktishali aur kayi zyada buddhimaan bann jayega.

Aur, aisa agar har-ek insaan ke saath hua toh? Veer ki reedh me ek sihran daud gayi.

SHB. Matlab system holder's blood — ye ek diluted version tha. Zaahir hai koi bhi aam insaan itna saksham nahi tha jo bina kisi pareshani ke SHB ko apne andar le sake.

'W-Wait-!'

Tabhi, Veer ko dhyaan aaya ki kyu Disembowler tab se yeh keh raha tha ki usne logo ko nahi maara. Woh khud apni naqamyabi ki wajah se mare hai.

Iska matlab... Disembowler ne unn par experiment karna chaaha tha. Lekin, unke shareer itne saksham nahi the jo SHB ko apne andar sama sake.

Zaahir tha, unki maut nishchit thi. Par, agar aisa tha toh murders me victims ki blood reports se toh iska khulaasa ho jaana chaahiye tha ki shareer me kisi aur ka khoon bhi paaya gaya hai. Lekin, aisa toh hargiz nahi hua.

Veer ke chehre ke bhaav padh Disembowler jaise samajh gaya ki woh kya soch raha tha. Uttar usne khud ne hi prastut kar diya.

Disembowler : Didn't I tell you...? Ehe... It's the diluted version... If failed... It... oxidises... into the thin air... Ehehehe...




Veer poori tarah se shoonya ho gaya. Toh, isliye har victim ke shareer par ghaav the. Taaki, khule ghaav ke chalte khoon ka sampark hawa se ho sake aur SHB ke molecules oxidise ho sake.

[I-Impossible! It...]

Ab saari baatein sense bana rahi thi. Ye itna bada game tha Veer ko iska andaza nahi tha. Woh blood lancet jo use Divya ke sang investigation ke dauran mili thi... Koi shaq nahi tha ki woh Disembowler ki hi thi. Akhir, woh ek paagal doctor jo tha.

Use iss baat se bhi ab hairani nahi hone waali thi ki Disembowler ne woh jaan boojh ke giraayi thi, taaki Lure Path ke zariye usko apne tak laaya jaa sake.

Poore samay... Veer ek kathputli ki tarah uske niyantran me tha.

'It... It can't be...!'

Use abhi bhi yakeen nahi ho raha tha. Iss angle se bhi cheezein ghatit ho rahi thi!? Uske peeth peechhe!?

Magar, sawaal tha ki akhir ye blood kiska tha? Disembowler ke kuchh der pehle kahe gaye bol fir uske mann me goonj gaye. Woh kaanp utha.

Veer (mutters) : C-Crimson!?

Aur, Disembowler ki muskaan ajeeb dhang se fel gayi.

Disembowler (grins) : Hehe... Yes...

Parantu, kaise?

Veer : Y-You... You were there!?

Disembowler : Yesss.... Yes, I was... *grins* I was there the whole time... Watching you two fight to death.

Disembowler shuruwat se Las Vegas me hi nahi, France me bhi unke saath tha. Iska matlab, Crimson ke marte hi-

Disembowler (nods) : I took his leftover body parts... Because of you... I failed to take him as my test subject...

Naya khoon utpann karne ke liye shareer ka zinda rehna aavashyak tha. Agar, Disembowler ko SHB chaahiye tha toh system holder ka jeevit rehna zaroori tha. Tabhi, toh woh use apna test subject bana ke uske shareer se lagatar SHB nikaal sakta tha.

Magar, Veer ne uski ye tarqeeb chaupat kar di thi jab usne Crimson ko jaan se maara tha. Aur, isliye, woh Veer ke peechhe tha. Kyunki, Veer ne hi uska mission fail karwaya tha. Jis wajah se use ek naya mission praapt hua. Aur, woh mission tha — Veer ko apna naya test subject banaana.

Disembowler ne Crimson ke bache hue ango se khoon ko nikaala aur uss se hi usne apne pehle creation ko anjaam diya tha — SHB.

Use ye bhi samajh aa gaya ki kyu iss paagal vyakti ka naam tha — Disembowler.

Disembowel ka arth hi tha — shareer ke andhruni ango ki cheer-faad karna. Aur, cheer-faad karna waale vyakti ka naam pada — Disembowler.

Lekin, Disembowler ne abhi tak... Naye khoon waale shareer me apna prayog nahi kiya tha. Naya khoon maane nanhe bacche, jinki rago me javaan khoon beh raha tha. Aur, isliye-

Veer : J-Juhi-! Nahi-!

Ek adult ki tulna me ek chhote bacche ki immunity aksar kam hi hoti thi. Aise me agar unke shareer me SHB ko daala jaaye toh ye toh sarasar maut thi. Magar, Disembowler ko ye baatein bhala kaha samajh me aane waali thi? Uske liye toh experiment pehle tha. Logic baad me. Yuhi nahi woh sarfira kehlata tha.

[Found it...!]

Pari ki awaaz achanak Veer ke mann me aayi.

*Ding*

[Skill : Oblivion Mark.
Description : Can be used in a particular room. Mark the four walls of the room with the oblivion mark in which the user wants to take control. Once marked, the room will negate the alertness of the intruder. And, keep him/her in the 'unawareness' state. It also, enhances the user's stealth.

Note : If the intruder is out from the marked region, he/she will be free from the effects.]

Yahi wajah thi. Jo Veer aur Pari dono hi uske andar aane ki awaaz ko sunn na paaye. Uski har harqat se vanchit reh gaye.

"Maaaaamuuuuuu-!"

Mauka paate hi apne muh se Disembowler ka haath hataate hue Juhi chillaayi.

Disembowler : Enough...! I'll first deal with you little sweetie~ Hehe...

Usne Juhi ko surgical bed par litaaya aur ek strap lagaate hue use pakde rakha. Apni coat se usne ek syringe nikaali jo usi padaarth se bhari hui thi — SHB.

'N-No-!' Veer ghabraya.

Disembowler (grins) : Ehe... Time for the experiment little girl...

Juhi (shrieks) : Ungh... Maaaamuuuuuu-!

Syringe ki needle Juhi ke haath ki orr badhi...

Veer (screams) : Juhiiiiiii-!

Veer chillaaya.

"Urrrghhh!"

Zanzeero ki khanak kamre me goonj rahi thi. Veer ne apne daant peese, apni mazboot bhujao ko usne unki seema tak felaaya.

Khichaav lagataar jaari tha — jaise maano do ugra bael uski bhujao ko kheench unhe cheerne ki koshish kar rahe ho. Uska poora shareer uss taaqat ke chalte kaanp raha tha, nasey ubhar rahi thi, maanspeshiyaan uske vidroh se fool rahi thi.

*Rip*

Blazer ke andar uski shirt uski shakti ko rok paane me asamarth reh gayi aur dhadalle se fatati chali gayi.

"Haaaaaaaaaaaarrrghhhhh!"

Uske galey se ek karkash dahaad nikli, uski aankhein krodh me jalne lagi — kyunki, uske saamne Disembowler ke gande haath Juhi ko jakde hue the.

Woh rakshasi doctor apne dastaane waale haatho me syringe liye Juhi ke haath ki orr badha. Syringe ki nok Juhi ke haath ko lagne jaa rahi thi.

Juhi uski pakad se baahar nikalne ke liye koshish karti rahi, uska chehra aansuon se lathpath tha. Uski nanhi bhujaaye sangharsh kar rahi thi, woh chhatpata rahi thi.

"Nnnngghhh-! Nnnnn-!"

Kintu, Disembowler ka haath uske muh ko jakde hua tha, jis se bechaari ki cheenkhein dabb ke reh gayi. Syringe ki sui halke ujaale me chamak uthi.

Sui aake seedhe Juhi ke badan par lagi... Woh ghusne hi waali thi jab-

Veer dahaad pada.

"Haaaaaaaaaaaarrrghhhhh!"

*Rumble* *Rumble*

Uski dahaad poore kaksh me ek shockwave ki tarah fel gayi. Deewarein kaanp uthi.

Disembowler : Huh!?




Disembowler ki aankhein chaudi ho gayi, uske perro ke neeche ki zameen kaanp uthi. Poora central chamber kampan me doob gaya. Disembowler ka haath wahi ruk gaya, aur agle hi pal-

*CRACK*

Chains toot gayi.

Jo tanaav Veer aur zanzeero ke madhya itni derr se bana hua tha woh achanak se toot gaya. Aur, uss tension break ke chalte tooti hui zanzeerein kisi sarp ki tarah Veer ki orr humla karne ko aayi, magar Veer tez tha.

Usne apne haath aenn waqt par upar kiye, aur ek pal me, bhaari kadiyaan uski dono bhujao ke ird-gird lipat'ti chali gayi.

Uski aankhein gusse se jal rahi thi. Nazrein Disembowler par tiki.

Aur, woh badha.

*Whoosh*

Apni kalai ke ek jhatke se, zanzeer uske haath se sulajhte hue khuli aur hawa me bhayanak seeti bajaate hue, Disembowler ke muh ki orr aayi.




Disembowler ke paas pratikriya karne ka koi samay hi na bacha, lekin ghaatak prahaar se bachne ke liye usne Juhi ko chhora aur jaise hi woh bagal me hata, uski taraf aati zanzeer seedhe uske peechhe bani concrete ki deewar par jaa kar bhidi.

Aur, woh bhidant hi deewar ke chithde udaane ke liye kaafi thi.

Veer abhi uss sher samaan tha jo pinjre se chhoot chuka tha. Woh aage ki orr jhapta, uska shareer visfotak gati ke chalte dhundhla ho gaya.

Disembowler ne Juhi ko firse chheen'ne ki koshish ki, kintu Veer pehle hi hawa me kood chuka tha.

"Haaaaarrghhh!"

Bhaiyankar yuddh ki dahaad ke saath usne apni baazuo me lipti dono zanzeero ko neeche ki orr ghumaya. Zanzeerein haath se khuli aur zameen par do bhaari bharkam hathodo ki tarah aa kar giri.

*BOOM*

Iss zordaar bal se neeche ka farsh fatt kar reh gaya, tiles toot ke ukhadte hue baahar ko aa gayi, daraarein bijli ki tarah unn par fel gayi.

Poore chamber me ek shockwave fel gayi, jis se Disembowler ko peechhe hatna pada. Hawa me dhool aur malba udd gaya.

Magar, fir-

Afra-tafri ke beech, Disembowler ajeeb dhang se muskuraya. Ek jaankaar lagbhag manoranjak bhaav uske chehre par aaya jab usne ek qadam peechhe liya. Usne ek shabd bhi nahi kaha. Use kuchh gyaat ho chuka tha.

Kyunki, zanzeer ke uss self-retracting mechanism, jo usne khud ne banaaya tha, ne apna uddeshya poora kar chuka tha.

Uska khud ka strength stat 160 tha. Dynamometer ki sahayata se use apni taaqat ke force ka pata tha. Aur, isliye usne mechanism iss qadar banaaya taaki woh Veer ki shakti ka aaklan kar sake.

Agar, Veer ki strength 160 ke zara si bhi neeche hoti, toh sirf khichaav se uski baahein uske shareer se alag ho jaati. Kintu, aisa nahi hua.

Iska matlab sirf ek hi tha.

Veer ki strength — 160 ke upar thi.




Disembowler ki muskurahat aur gehri ho gayi. Uska dimaag tezi se chal raha tha, gadna kar raha tha. Ab uske paas paryaapt data tha.

Aur, ab woh jaanta tha — ki Veer se kaise bhidna hai.

Veer ne ek second bhi barbaad nahi kiya. Uske haath tezi se aage badhe aur usne Juhi ko baandhne waale straps khol diye. Jaise hi woh azaad hui, woh Veer ki baaho me simat gayi. Uska chhota sa shareer Veer ki chhaati me aake kaanp utha.

Woh uss se aise lipti jaise kisi khoye hue bacche ko apna ghar mil gaya ho. Koi zordaar siskiyaan nahi, koi rona-dhona nahi — bas khamosh kaanpti saansein. Uski ungliyaan Veer ke blazer me dhans gayi, maano ek darr ho ki agar use chhora toh woh use humesha ke liye kho degi.

Veer ne uske sarr par pyaar se haath fera.

Veer : Sab theek hai, Juhi! Hum ghar chal rahe hai, okay?

Juhi ne haami bhar apna chehra uske seene me chhipa liya, uske aasu uski shirt ko bhigo rahe the.

Parantu, Veer ka kaam abhi khatam nahi hua tha.

Usne usi surgical bed se ek chaadar uthaayi, ek tez jhatke se usne use do hisso me faada aur uski sahayta se Juhi ko apni kamar se baandh liya. Ab use Juhi ko pakadne ki zaroorat nahi thi.

"M-Maamu?"

Achanak aayi ek aur awaaz ne uska dhyaan kheencha.

Pihu.

Woh use kaise bhool sakta tha? Juhi ki dekha-dekhi kar Pihu ne bhi use 'maamu' kehte hue pukaara.

Woh ab tak apne aasu roke hue thi, lekin ab ve lehro ki tarah beh rahe the, uske bandhe haath Veer ki taraf baahein felaane ki koshish me lage the.

Veer : Pihu!

Woh bina samay barbaad kiye turant aage badha aur saare straps khol daale.

Jaise hi woh azaad hui, woh lagbhag uss par kood padi.

Pihu (sobs) : M-Mummy... Papa...!

Veer ne use uthaate hue apni peeth par laada. Aur, Pihu ne bhi rote hue apne chhote-chhote haath uske galey me lapet liye.

Woh apna ek haath peechhe le gaya, aur neeche se sahaara dete hue usne Pihu ke wazan ko sambhaala. Do nanhi bacchiyaan, apni jaan ke liye uss se lipti hui thi.

Aur, tabhi-

*POP*

Ek teekhi awaaz ne uska dhyaan kheencha.

Veer ki aankhein Disembowler par tiki. Disembowler ke haath me wahi test tube tha. Usne apne anguthe se test tube par lagi cork ko khol diya tha.

SHB.

Paagal ke hontho par ek daravni muskaan fel gayi. Aur, fir-

*GULP*

[HE DRANK IT!?]

Pari cheenkhi. Disembowler ke muh se halki si dhue ki dhundh nikli. Usne chatkaarte hue apne muh ko aasteen se poochha.

SHB ko piya bhi jaa sakta tha? Veer ke kaano me punah uske bol goonj gaye.

'Do you know what wonders it can do?'

Use uske sawaal ka uttar mil gaya, aur use ye bhi samajh aa gaya ki-

Kyu Disembowler ne uske khoon ko chaata tha. Aur, kyu usne aisa kaha tha—

'Oooohhhh... It's better!!!'

"The real fight will begin now Veeeeer! Ehehehe..."

Aur, woh bhaaga. Bhayanak gati se. Uske haatho me uska lohe ke staff tha.

*CLANG* *CLANG*

Veer ne turant apne chains se bandhe haatho ka istemal kar attacks block kiye.

Chingaariyaan fel uthi. Achanak se Disembowler ki taaqat badh chuki thi.

[Ye zaroor uss SHB ki wajah se hoga.]

Disembowler kisi paagal aadmi ki tarah humla kar raha tha, uske vaar bina ruke baras rahe the, jaise koi paagal jaanvar apni zanzeero se chhoot gaya ho.

*CLANG* *CLANG*

Veer ne apne daant meese.

[Master! Rakia's blow...]

Veer jaanta tha kya hone waala tha.

*CRACK*

Aur, wahi hua-

Disembowler ke hontho par muskaan saji, block toot chuka tha, usne staff se vaar kiya-

Magar, Veer taiyaar tha.

Apna dusra haath turant aage kar usne punah block kar liya. Aur-

*CLANG*

Zordaar bhidant ke chalte unke beech ek shockwave uth gayi. Veer ki baazu kampan kha ke reh gayi.

Par, Disembowler ke mann me kuchh aur tarqeeb thi. Woh lagatar Veer par humle kar dabaav banaata jaa raha tha.

Qadam-dar-qadam, Disembowler Veer ko peechhe dhakel raha tha. Veer ka perr achanak jab kisi cheez se takraaya toh uska dil ek second ke liye ruk gaya.

Peechhe halki si nazar maarte hue use nazar aaya-

SPIKES!

Lohe ke spikes neeche zameen par aur peechhe ki deewar se lage hue the. Aur, Pihu — woh toh uski peeth par hi thi.

'Shit!'

Uski nazar akasmat upar ki orr gayi. Pankha. Woh band pada tha. Ek ceiling fan jiski blades moti aur mazboot thi.

Ek tez jhatke ke saath usne apni ek zanzeer pankhe ki orr feki aur zanzeer blade ke upar se hoke neeche aake dobaara latak gayi.

Disembowler ka ek aur vaar-

*Dodge*

Veer ne chakma diya. Usi harqat me usne apna dahina haath peechhe kiya, Pihu peechhe lage spikes se bhid jaaye uss se pehle woh usko pakad aage ki orr laaya aur use pankhe ki blade se latakti hui chain ki orr dhakela.

Pihu ne subconsciously woh chain pakdi aur agle hi kshan-

*Swoosh*

Veer ne Pihu ko dhakel diya. Pihu chain par latki toh pankhe ke circular motion ki wajah se woh dhakke ke chalte Veer se door ho gayi.

Mauka dekhte hi Veer ne ek laat seedhe Disembowler ke pait par maari, aur jaise hi Disembowler peechhe hawa me uda-

Utne me Pihu pankhe ke rotational motion ka paalan karte hue waapas se Veer ke paas aa gayi.

Pihu ki aankhein bhay se chaudi ho gayi, lekin Veer ki orr waapas aate hi usne apne haath khole-

Aur, Veer ne use dobaara thaam liya.

Uss ek rotational motion ki wajah se chain pankhe ki blades me ulajh gayi aur unke ulajhte hi-

Veer ne bhar taaqat se zanzeer ko neeche kheench diya. Disembowler, jo abhi bhi hawa me tha-

Upar laga pankha, achanak se uski orr neeche aaya aur...

*CRASH*

Bhidant se sab kuchh ast-vyast ho gaya. Sab kuchh palak jhapakte hue tha. Veer ne zorr se saansein chhori.

[M-Marvelous... Y-You... Master... You are incredible.]

Veer ne jawaab nahi diya. Woh bhaaga. Baahar ki orr. Path Tracker me raasta bana hua tha use kaha se baahar nikalna tha.

Magar, jaise hi woh baahar jaane ke liye hua. Usne dekha ki jis raaste se woh aaya tha woh raasta band kar diya gaya tha. Raaste par bade bade patthar dale hue the.

Iska matlab, central chamber me aate waqt Disembowler ne ye raasta band kar diya tha.

'That bastard-!'

Veer ko dusra raasta dhoondhne ki avashyakta thi. Uska dil zoro se dhadak raha tha. Juhi ka wazan uske seene se chipke hue tha aur Pihu uski peeth par thi.

Tabhi-

*BOOM*

Zameen kaanp uthi. Ek gehri, haddiyaan hila dene waale kampan ne poori lair me halchal macha di, jis se ceiling se dhool aur dheeli bajri girne lagi. Dur se aaye jhatke ne poori sanrachna ko hila kar rakh diya.

Aur, tabhi ek awaaz goonji.

"Where are you??? Hehe!"

Juhi aur Pihu ke badan thar-thara uthe. Juhi ne apni pakad mazboot kar li. Veer ne use kaanpta hua mehsoos kiya. Peechhe tangi Pihu bhi chup na reh saki.

"M-Mummy... Uhuuu... P-Papa..."

Aur, uski dekha-dekhi me, Juhi ne — haule se apna sarr upar kiya. Usne Veer ki orr apni masoom aankhon se dekha. Uske honth khule, kaanpe, aur akhir uske muh se nikal hi gaya-

Juhi : P-Papa!?

*Badump*

Veer ki saans atak ke reh gayi. Juhi humesha use 'maamu' keh ke bulaati thi. Lekin, iss pal... Iss pal me, iss uthal-puthal me jahaan har taraf maut ka saaya mandra raha tha, usne use 'papa' keh ke pukaara.

Veer ko andar hi andar kuchh mehsoos hua. Unke beech ka bandhan ab sirf sneh ka nahi reh gaya tha — yeh kuchh aur gehra, kuchh atoot bann chuka tha.

Uski badi-badi khubsoorat aankhein Veer ko ghoor rahi thi — anishchit. Ek darr, kahi usne kuchh galat toh nahi keh diya?

Veer ne dheere se saans chhori, uska haath Juhi ke sarr par gaya. Usne dheere se uske sarr ko sehlaaya aur apni chhaati ke qareeb kheench liya.

Ek aansu ki boond uski aankhon se behte hue fisli.

Veer : Mm! Papa yahi hai. Aur, hum aapki mummy ke paas chal rahe hai. Okay?

Juhi (nods) : Mmm!

Veer ne tabhi apni jeb se kuchh nikaala. Ye wahi tohfa tha jo Pranjal ne use hospital me thamaya tha. Juhi ka tohfa.

Juhi : Ahn! Ye... Ye toh mela gift hai... Mein aapko dene waali thi.

Veer ne muskuraate hue use khola. Andar ek plastic ki khilaune ki ring thi.

Veer : Y-Ye?

Juhi : Mumma aur papa ki finger pe humesha ring hoti thi... Baad me mumma ne utaal di... Mumma bolti thi ki jo ek dusre se pyaal karte hai na... Unki finger pe rings hoti hai... Papa mumma se pyaal nahi karte the. P-Par... Aap karte ho na? Mumma bhi aapko karti hai... To... To ye ring aapke liye.

Veer : Huh?

[Ahn! My little cutie. Master!]

Veer ki aankhein narm pad gayi. Usne Juhi ko apne galey se laga liya. Plastic ki hi sahi, Veer ne woh ring apni ungli me pehen li.

*BOOM*

Parantu, komalta ka veh kshan toot gaya.

"Where are you??? Ehe... Ohh! I found you... Hehehe..."

Disembowler ki awaaz lair me goonji. Aur, saath hi Pari ki awaaz Veer ke mann me-

[Master!]

*Ding*

[Skill: Vibrato.
Description: Allows the user to send vibrations through the ground up to 100 meters. If these waves hit a living person, the user will be able to locate them instantly.]

'Shit!'

Woh zameen par tha. Disembowler nazdeek aa raha tha. Uski location leak ho chuki thi.

Veer ki aankhein ek sakre raaste ki orr gayi, jahaan deewarein sati hui thi. Bina kisi hich-kichahat ke woh uss orr bhaaga. Aur, uchakte hue uske perr split karte hue fel gaye. Vibrations agar ground se travel kar rahi thi toh kya hoga agar woh ground pe maujood hi na rahe?

*BOOM*

"Where are you??? Huh?? Oh! Are you trying to hide?"

Achanak, Disembowler ki awaaz band ho gayi. Vibrations bhi band ho gaye.

'Huh? Did we make it?'

"Hum bach gaye. Hai na?? Hehe!!!"

Veer ke kaan ke theek bagal se ek awaaz aayi.

'Shit!'

Lekin, derr ho chuki thi. Disembowler ki blade peechhe ladi Pihu ki peeth par lagne ko aayi aur tabhi-

*Ding*




PROBABILITY MANIPULATION

Pihu ki pakad achanak se Veer ke kandhe se chhooti, woh neeche giri, Veer ka ek haath peechhe ki orr use pakadne ke liye gaya, usne use pakad bhi liya, magar tabhi-

*SHNK*

Pihu jise Veer ne apne haath se thaam liya tha, woh achanak hi neeche girne lagi.

Nahi! Sirf, wahi nahi thi. Uske saath-saath Veer ka haath bhi tha.

Khoon hawa me fel gaya. Kata hua haath hawa me ghoom gaya, Pihu haath se alag hui aur neeche gir padi.

[Maaassttterrr!!]

Disembowler jaanta tha ki Veer ne Probability manipulation ka istemal kiya tha aur ye bhi ki yeh uska akhiri avsar tha. Isliye, usne Pihu ko target kiya tha.

Disembowler ne koi bhi waqt nahi gawaya. Iss baar usne Pihu ko uthaaya aur woh bhaaga.

Veer (screams) : Noooooooooo!!!

Veer ne kapde ko kheench ke gaath kholi, Juhi uss se alag hui. Dard itna ho raha tha ki sehna bahut mushqil hota jaa raha tha.

Veer : J-Juhi-!!

Juhi : Ahn!! P-Papa?? *sniff* Papa?

Veer (breathes heavily) : Ghabrana nahi hai, theek hai na? *huff* Jaldi, Juhi... *huff* Wo dikh raha hai na??

Usne ishara kiya — apne haath ki orr.

Veer : Juhi! Jaldi! *huff*

Aur, nanhi Juhi apne maamu ya yu kahe iss baar apne papa ke liye bhaagi. Uske chehre par dar saaf saaf jhalak raha tha. Aasuo se chehra bheeg chuka tha. Wo gayi, usne Veer ke ukhde hue haath ko apne dono haatho se uthaaya aur daudate hue woh uske paas laane lagi.

Laate hi Veer ne uski aankhein haath se dhak ke band karwa di.

Juhi (sobs) : P-Papa... *sniff* Papa...

Veer : Shhh!!!

Veer ne apna haath kati hui jagah par wapas lagaya.

*Ding*

['Limb Substitution' has been equipped.]

*Ding*

['Intimidating Presence' has been equipped.]

*Whoosh*

Veer ne Juhi ko thaama aur woh bhaaga.

*Ding*

[Time Limit : 5 minutes.]

Disembowler wahi ek mortuary room me ghus chuka tha. Sabse pehle Pihu ko apna test subject banaana hi usne sahi samjha.

Veer andar daakhil hua. Oxygen cylindere, liquid nitrogen cylinders aur na jaane kya kya flammable padaartho se mortuary room bhara hua tha.

Disembowler ne idhar Pihu ko litaaya. Coat se uski syringe nikli-

Veer bhaaga.

Uske dimag ne sab kuchh soch liya tha.

*SHNK*

Zanzeerein hawa ko cheerte hue aayi. Disembowler palta. Chain Pihu ke badan par bandhi-

HAWKEYE

Aur, dusri chain liquid nitrogen ke cylinder par jaa kar bandh gayi.

*SHNK*

Aur, Veer ne apni bhujaaye kheench li.

Pihu chain ke zariye uski orr udte hue aayi. Dusri orr se liquid nitrogen ka cylinder hawa me udte hue aaya.

Aur, aenn waqt pe-

Veer Pihu ko thaamte hi apni jagah se mud gaya. Disembowler ko laga ki Veer ne sirf Pihu ko hi kheencha tha. Veer ke peechhe se aa rahe cylinder ko woh nahi dekh paaya tha kyunki, Veer waha khade hoke apne shareer se uss udte hue cylinder ko dhak ke rakha hua tha.

Magar, jaise hi Veer hata.

Disembowler ko woh dikhayi diya. Aur, pehli baar, uske chehre par darr nazar aaya.

Woh jaise hi virodh me chillaaya-

*CRASH*

Cylinder se liquid nitrogen leak hui aur Disembowler ki cheenkh dabb ke reh gayi.

Liquid nitrogen. Ek aisa cryogenic liquid form jo darasal ek liquefied gas thi, jiska taapmaan tha : -196°C

Poore kamre me woh fluid iss tarah fela ki Disembowler ka shareer wahi barf ki silli ki tarah jamm gaya.

Liquid gas Veer ki orr aayi. Woh bhaaga. Magar, uske sarr ke kuchh hisse par frostbite aakhir lag hi gayi.



Woh dauda.

Bhaagte waqt usne oxygen cylinder ko giraaya.

*TSSSSSSS*

Oxygen leak hone lagi. Aur, apni jeb se lighter nikaalte hue Veer ne woh peechhe uchhaal diya.

*BLAST*

Jwalansheel padaarth aag pakde, woh jalne lage. Aur, lair ke andar hi andar ek dhamaake ne janm liya.

Ye Veer ki qismat thi, ya kuchh aur-

Jo woh raasta dhundhne me saksham tha. Lair se baahar woh kooda. Mission complete ho chuka tha.

Parantu, Pari ne use iski soochna nahi di. Kyunk, notification tha-

[Mission Failed.]

[Due to the host's partial completion of the mission, all the three penalties of the mission won't be applied.]

[Due to the failure of not killing the Disembowler, one penalty will be applied to the host.]

[Mission penalty : Loss of loved ones.]
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Aaj ke liye itna hi guys.
The update consists of 10k words. Although 10k words ka hai but it'll feel like a 15k words update because poora update ek hi jagah par focused tha. I gave my everything for this update. I have tried really hard to let you guys imagine the fight as vividly as you can through my words. Umeed hai fight ke saath saath woh reveal bhi pasand aaya hoga. This was the real game which was going on behind everyone's back. Baaki, target 300 hai iss baar. I know ju log pahucha doge. Revos bhi aate rehne chahiye. And, of course one sketch is made by me. Milte hai agle update me.
Dhanyavad.

Lajwab update bro

 

[Rathod Vipul]

Shandar update

 

[dev61901]

Bahut badhiya or emotional update sirji

1. Samay ka sadupayog kaise karna ha ye adesh bakhubi janta ha sahi me kitna shatir khopdi ka ha ye prestige ke tabah hone se man me laddu jarur foot rahe han iske iske liye to new year badiya hi aya ha pehli baar isko khopchhe me leke pitne ka dil kar raha tha

Lekin adesh babu ko ye baat nahi bhulni chahiye ki vo bhi veer ha aaj nahi to kal iska or iske case bella ka safaya karke hi rahega or ab to lagta ha jo pehle nahi karne wala tha usse bhi buri tarah karega tab dekhenge ki akhri hasi kon hasta ha abhi to ise jashn mana lene do

2. Chalo Ava ko akhir hosh to aya warna to socha tha ki Ava ko hosh nahi aya to in teenon ko veer ki location kaise pata padegi Ava ne Groffano ko bhi hairan kar diya ki itni jaldi kaise thik ho gayi offcourse wo healing factor wale card karan hi aisa hua hoga isliye wo itni jaldi hosh me aa gayi

Kher Ava bhi abhi to khush ha ki usne veer ke pariwar ko bachha liya lekin age ka jankar shayd wo jyada dukhi ho sakti ha kyonki veer ne use kaam sonpa tha uske pariwar ki raksha ka lekin wo sabko to na bachha saki bhale hi uski galti naa ho lekin wo khud ko blame to kar sakti ha ki veer ne pehli martaba use kaam sonpa or wo usme safal nahi hui

3. Idhar hospital wala scene bahut hi emotional raha veer ki halat jankar to me to ek baar imagination me pahunch gaya tha uska description sunkar to me sochta hun ki nidhi ki kya halat rahi hogi use aise dekhkar ki veer apni jaan par khel kar juhi ko bacha laya or usne apna promise pura kiya

4. Idhar veer or nidhi ki back story ne to ek alag hi sama bandh diya tha ab jakar pata pada ki nidhi ne shuru me veer ki itni madad kyon ki thi wo dono ek tarah se achhe dost ban chuke the lekin thi to dono ki hi story sad khaskar nidhi ki wo kin halaton se ladkar yahan pahunchi ye kabile tarif ha warna to log tutkar bikhar jate han lekin nidhi ne na balki khud ko sambhala balki ek tarah se veer ke bhi jivan ko nayi disha di uske sooni jivan me kuchh apnapan lakar

5. Or aya nidhi ka confession chalo finally nidhi ne swikar kar liya ha ki vo veer se oyar karti ha han pehle bhi sweekar kar kiya tha lekin usne apni ichhaon ko daba liya tha lekin ab to pure man se dil jajbat kholkar swikar kiya ha ab to wo bhi aa gayi line me or wo to ha bhi waise top par

Wahin shreya bhi chahti ha veer ko isliye to use nidhi ka yun veer ko gale lagane se jalan hui lekin kya karen ab har ladki veer ko akele pana chahti ha lekin veer babu kisi ek ka to hone se raha veer ki kismat hi jane use na jane kahan tak leke jayegi

Kahan past me veer ko koi bhav nahi deta tha or aaj dekho nation se lekar international sab deewani hui bethi ha wo kehte han na samay sabka ata ha dene wala jab bhi deta ha chhppar phaad kar deta ha lekin kabhi kabhi chhinnbhi leta ha

6. Idhar hospital wala scene akhir kar pehla jhatka lag chuka ha veer ko dadaji nahi rahe mission ki penalty lag gayi or veer ki jindagi ko bhi shayd jhatka to laga ha kyonki system ke karan dusri bar kisi apne ko khoya ha usne pehle ek baar golu ko or is baar dadaji ko

7. Ragini ki halat bhi buri nahi ha mout se ladkar jindagi mili ha lekin halat uski hi kharab ha wo kabhi chal nahi sakti iska matlab wahi janta ha jis per bitti ha or Ragini ab tutne wali ha kyonki ab wo Veer ko uske kabil nahi samjhegi shayd kyonki ek apang mahila ko kon apnana chahega wo ye sochegi bhale hi apna veer aisa nahi soche lekin jaisi uski halat ha ye usse depression me bhi dal sakti ha kyonki aapne apna sab kuchh us insan per nyochhavar kar diya ho jise aap dilo jan se chahte ho or kismat aapke sath aisa khel khel jaye fir dukh to hota ha

Waise Sumitra chachi ka jikra nahi hua wo thik to ha naa kyonki kavyaa ne Maa chillaya tha to us hisab se unhe bhi chot lagni chahiye thi shayd wo agle update me dikhe

But yeah Ragini ka naam liya tha ki shayd wo ja sakti ha lekin uski halat bhi buri nahi ha bas jinda bach gayi wo me bhai apni favourite ka naam hi nahi lunga kya pata uska hi agla number lag jaye na baba na


8. Lekin ye baat nahi bhulni chahiye kisi ko veer ko itna bada jhatka laga ha to wo wapsi to jarur karega or is bar to shayd ek alag hi roop me aye kyonki sher ghayal ha khatm nahi hua ha ye baat adesh ko or uske dushmano ko bhali bhanti samajhni chahiye kyonki ghayal sher jinda sher se jyada khatarnak hota ha