Incest Baadshah ~ The Tales of Debauchery

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Latest Update - Update 201 ​

 

[ABHISHEK TRIPATHI]

Update - 197 ~ Despondency ​

Ab tak...

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.

Ab aage...

Mukhya hall safed chaadron se dhaka hua tha. Pooja ki samagri aur phoolo ki mehek ek mishran me hawa me ghuli hui thi.

Beech me Manorath ji ka shav aise pada hua tha jaise maano wo bas kisi gehri neend me so rahe ho. Koi shikan nahi. Bas bejaan.

"Papaaaaaaa jiiiii!"

Brijesh rota hua unki chhaati se lipatne ki koshish kiya, magar Arun aur Shyaam ne use pakad kar peechhe kheench liya.

Karunesh, Pranjal aur Vivek bhi wahi the. Teeno ke sirr neeche jhuke hue the. Hairani ki baat yeh thi ki Karunesh ki aankhon me bhi aasu the.

Aur, kone me khadi Bhavna ki aankhein bhi namm thi. Manorath ji jaise bhi the, unhone kabhi bhi uska bura nahi chaaha tha. Isliye, humesha se hi uske mann me unke liye aadar aur sammaan hi tha. Unhe iss tarah se jaata dekh, aaj uska dil bhi chotil tha.

“Mummaaa-!”

Kavya sisakte hue apni maa, Sumitra se lipat gayi jiski khud ki aankhein aasuon se bheegi hui thi. Sumitra ne bhi kass ke use apne aalingan me bhar liya.

Shweta khud kuchh kehne laayak nahi thi. Bhale hi Manorath se uska rishta behad mazboot nahi tha par itne saal se ek chhat ke neeche hi wo sab ke saath rehti aayi thi. Kahi na kahi Manorath ji ki mrityu ka asar uss par bhi pada tha. Bhumika ki bhi haalat yahi thi — niraasha se paripoorn.

Purvi wahi thoda door baithi sab kuchh dekh rahi thi. Bauhe sikudi hui thi aur mann vichlit.

Shyaam, Gauri, aur Parijaat ki aurtein, ye sabhi gaanv ki aatma the. Uski reedh. Ve ekjut, maun khade the, toofan ke khilaf puraane pedo ki tarah dard ko sehte hue. Aane waali zimmedariyon ke liye poori tarah se taiyaar.

Suhana apni behan Sonia ke saath thi, dono ke ird-gird suit pehne unke bodyguards khade hue the. Apne haath baandhe, sunglasses pehne, Sonia ek kursi par wahi baahar baithi hui thi. Itna gamgeen mahaul dekh wo sehem si gayi thi.

Toh wahi, Suhana thoda kaanp rahi thi. Raat bhar ke jaagne se uski aankhein laal ho rakhi thi. Apne phone par nazre gadaaye wo sandesho ko padhti jaa rahi thi.

Usne andar hall me baithe Veer ko dekha. Uske honth khule, par fir thar-thara ke band ho gaye.

Kya use haq tha uske paas jaane ka? Aise waqt par? Wo wahi khadi yeh sochti rahi.

Idhar Kaera kuchh feet door khadi thi, uska bhai Karan kuchh logo se baat-cheet kar raha tha. Shuru se ant tak, Kaera ki nazrein ek hi shaks par tiki hui thi — Veer.

Woh uske paas jaana chaahti thi. Use galey se lagaana chaahti thi. Use samjhaana chaahti thi. Lekin, uske perr hilne me asamarth reh gaye.

Uski bhavnaaye jo haal hi me jaagrit hui thi — aaj ek aur nayi anubhooti se guzar rahi thi. Aaj wo wahi mehsoos kar paa rahi thi jo usne tab mehsoos kiya tha jab usne apni maa, Archana ko khoya tha.

Dukh. Peeda. Udaasi.

Wo saare bhoole gaye emotions waapas sateh par aa rahe the.

Aabha bhi ek jagah apna ghoonghat odhe dheere-dheere ro rahi thi. Manorath se uska lagaav nahi tha. Ye aansu kal raat jo bhayanak drishya hue aur jis tarah se sab kuchh ujda, uske liye the. Apne maalik ko iss tarah dekh uska dil andar hi andar dehel raha tha.

Sonali use apne se laga ke sambhaalne ki koshish kar rahi thi, kintu woh swayam hi bheetar se ghabrayi hui thi.

Magar, Veer ka kya-!?

Tej ne use dekha. Wo chup-chaap Manorath ke saamne baitha hua tha. Jaise maano uss se abhi bhi ye khabar nahi pachaayi jaa rahi thi. Par, wo uss se kuchh na boli. Balki, wo to nazrein hi nahi mila paa rahi thi.

Ek chhota sa kaam tha. Apne bhai ki gerr-maujoodgi me Yarnia ka udhghatan karna. Bas! Iss ek chhote se kaam ko karne me wo naqamyab thi. Na sirf hotel ko nuksaan pahucha, balki Yarnia ka sampoorn karyakram bhi barbaad ho gaya. Logo ki jaane chali gayi aur upar se humle me gharwalo ne bhi apni jaan gawa di.

Aur, ye sab kuchh hua — Naye saal ki lagne waali raat me. Naya saal unke liye khushiyaan nahi, balki barbaadiyaan leke aaya. To aise me Tej akhir kaise apne bhai se nazrein mila sakti thi?

Veer ke bagal se hi Arohi bhi thi. Honth thar-thara rahe the aur bechaari ka poora chehra aansuon se bheega hua tha.

Wo uski orr jhuki. Usne Veer ke kandhe par haath rakha-

Arohi : V-Veer!

Par, koi jawab nahi.

Bas — khamoshi.

Arohi ne uske haath ko apne haath me lete hue baandha aur ek baar fir se use jhunjhlaaya.

Arohi : V-Veeeer! *sniff*

Kintu, punah koi jawab nahi. Wo hila hi nahi. Ekdum sthir — bina koi palke jhapkaaye. Jaise samay sirf uske liye ruk gaya ho. Arohi ne ek baar aur koshish ki.

Arohi : Veeeeer! M-Mujhe aise darao mat, please. *sniff* Kuchh bolo. Veeeer?

Magar, abhi bhi koi pratikriya nahi.

---

Kuchh der pehle...

Yeh woh waqt tha jab Veer Juhi aur Pihu ko apne badan par laade Disembowler ki lair se baahar nikla tha.

Uski har saans fool rahi thi, drishti dhundhli pad rahi thi, lekin woh rukne ko taiyaar nahi tha.

Juhi uski chhaati se bandhi hui thi, uska kamzor shareer thakaan ke chalte neend me upar-neeche ho raha tha. To, wahi Pihu peechhe uski peeth par behosh thi.

Baah me bhayanak tez dard uthne ke bawajood Veer use thaam ke rakha hua tha — ekdum adig.

Pari ki awaaz tabhi uske dimaag me goonji.

[Master! Aapka haath. You need to rest right now. 'Limb Substitution' ki madad se kaafi hadd tak uss waqt haath position me aa gaya tha, lekin aapne-]

Pari shikayat kar rahi thi. Veer ka haath 'Limb Substitution' ke equip karte hi sahi dhang se position me aa chuka tha. Zaroorat thi toh bas kuchh dino ke araam ki, jiske chalte uska haath wapas se pehle ki tarah ho jaane waala tha.

Magar, usne kya kiya-!?

Disembowler se bhidte waqt, usne jhatke se liquid nitrogen ke cylinder ko kheencha tha, jiske parinam swaroop uska haath wapas se lachakte hue ukhad chuka tha.

Na keval dobara use jodne ke liye shareer ki urja ka istemal hua, balki haath ke ukhadte hi ek baar fir use bloodloss se guzarna pada.

Ab agar samay rehte haath ko araam nahi diya gaya, to ye samasya aur bhi gambheer mod le sakti thi. Aur, isliye Pari chintit thi. Kyunki, iss waqt bhi — Veer ka haath Pihu ko peechhe se thaame hue tha. Haath par zor pad raha tha.

Veer ne bamushqil hi koi pratikriya di. Uska dimag ek hi cheez par kendrit tha — kaise bhi karke dono bacchiyo ko surakshit unke apno tak pahuchaaya jaaye.

Woh waha se bhaaga. Pari ki baat par usne kuchh derr baad jawab diya.

'Yeah! I- I know, Pari. Lekin, mere paas rukne ka koi option nahi hai. I must move on.'

Sadke street lights aur aasmaan aatishbaziyo se jagmaga raha tha. Police ki jeeps sadko par daud rahi thi, adhikaari hatyaare aur laapata ladkiyon ki talaash me har kone, har gali ko chhaan rahe the.

Aur, unhi jeep me se ek jeep me — Trisha thi.

Uski aankhein sooji hui thi, dashboard ko pakde hue uske haath kaanp rahe the.

"Tez chalo!!!"

Usne driver ko aadesh diya, ghanto chillaane se uski ab awaaz bhi fatt rahi thi. Bahut lamba samay ho gaya tha. Bahut saare ghante guzar chuke the — koi suraag nahi, koi sanket nahi, koi ummeed nahi. Bebasi ka bojh ab use ghutan de raha tha, magar usne tootne se inkaar kar diya.

Woh iss tarah, iss samay nahi toot sakti thi. Apni beti ko dhundhne se pehle to hargiz nahi.

Rohan, uska pati bhi wahi kahi sadko par tha. Beti ki khoj me paagalo ki tarah sheher me bhaag raha tha. Parantu, ye sab vyarth jaane waala tha agar unhe unki beti na mili toh.

Fir, jeep ne ek mod liya.

Aur, koi waha par tha.

Sadak ke beech me ek akela shaks, khoon se lathpath. Uski shirt fati hui thi, chehra ghaavo aur khoon ke kaaran bamushqil se pehchaana jaa sakta tha.

Woh waha khada tha, haanf raha tha, kaanp raha tha — lekin, sirf wahi nahi tha.

Uske seene se kuchh bandha hua tha. Koi tha. Nahi! Sirf seene se hi nahi, peeth par bhi koi tha.

Trisha ke dil ki dhadkane maano wahi tham gayi.

"Rukooooo!" Veh chillaayi.

Jeep ghisatate hue achanak ruk gayi. Jaise hi usne darwaza khola, kaanpte haatho se usne turant bandook nikaali aur seedhe saamne khade shaks par nishaana saadh diya.

"Theher jao!"

Woh chillaayi. Uski awaaz teekhi thi, ghabrahat ke bawajood usne apne aap ko sthir rakha hua tha. Jeep ki headlights jaise hi uss shaks ke peechhe ladi nanhi si bacchi ke chehre par padi, to Trisha ki aankhein bhay ke maare fel gayi.

Pihu!

Uski aankhein khoon se saney uss shaks ke chehre par ghoomi aur fir apni bacchi par.

Kaun tha ye vyakti?

Aur, uski beti uski peeth par?

Upar se wo kahi se bhi dara hua nahi prateet ho raha tha.

Idhar, Veer ne Trisha ko dekh apni gati dheemi nahi ki, balki woh chalta raha — seedhe uski orr.

Trisha ki pakad trigger par mazboot ho gayi.

"Maine kaha ruk jao!"

Woh darr rahi thi. Kya yahi wo serial killer tha? Kya isi ne uski bacchi aur Juhi ko agwa kiya tha?

Kya kare woh? Kahi woh vyakti uski chetavni ka bura maan bacchiyo ko kuchh kar diya to? Kya use bandook neeche kar leni chahiye? Kya kare? Use kuchh nahi soojh raha tha.

Lekin, tabhi veh bola.

"Tumhari beti... Surakshit hai!"

'Huh?'

Uski awaaz halanki karkash thi, lekin usme koi darr nahi tha. Koi hich-kichaahat nahi. Keval nishchitata.

Trisha ki saansein atakne lagi. Uska dimaag kaam karna band kar raha tha.

Jaise hi Veer ne uske aur apne beech doori kam ki, jeep me baithe baaki police karmiyo ne turant hi qadam uthaaya, apne-apne hathyaar liye unn sabhi ne Veer par bandooke taan di. Unki ungliyaan bhi trigger par mandra rahi thi, thodi si bhi galat harqat par goliyaan chalaane ke liye ekdum taiyaar.

Lekin, Trisha abhi bhi Veer ko ghoor rahi thi. Usne apna haath ghabraate hue uthaaya.

"Nahiiiiii!"

Woh chillaayi aur usne sabhi police karmiyo ko goli chalaane se rok diya.

Woh nahi jaanti thi ki usne aisa kyu kiya. Kya ye darr tha? Ya fir kuchh aur? Lekin, use itna zaroor samajh aaya ki bandook ko iss shaks par taanana iss sthiti ka hal nahi tha.

Veer ahista-ahista uske paas aaya. Aur, fir apne badan par gathaan bandhi, khoon se sani chaadar ko usne dheere se khola.

Pihu.

Uske nanhe se chehre par shaanti ke bhaav the. Na koi chot, na koi ghaav. Ekdum achhoot.

Trisha ki bandook uske kaanpte haatho se chhoot kar fisal gayi. Woh dhadalle se bina koi parvah kiye aage badhi-

"Madam!!!"

Police karmiyo ne use savdhan karne ki koshish ki, parantu Trisha ko apni bacchi ke siwa aur koi nazar na aaya.

Usne Pihu ko apne dono haatho me lete hue sambhaala aur apne seene se lagaaya aur apni beti ko galey se lagaate hi uski rulaayi chhoot gayi.

"Woh sirf behosh hai. Thaki hui hai. Aur, kuchh nahi. Use kuchh derr me hosh aa jaayega." Veer ne samjhaate hue kaha.

Trisha bilakhte hue apni beti ke chehre ko bas choomti chali gayi. Use saans bhi badi mushqil se aa rahi thi. Uski ungliyaan Pihu ke komal chehre par daud gayi.

Veer, jiska kaam abhi bhi aadha-adhoora tha, thoda sa Trisha se alag hua. Woh waha se nikalne ke liye hua.

"Ab mujhe Juhi ko ma'am ke paas le jaana hoga. Aur, tum..."

"Huh?" Trisha use hairat me dekhi.

"Jaldi! Shamshaan ke neeche. Akele nahi. Poori force leke jao. Jaldi! Warna woh- *huff*"

"K-Kya?" Trisha ne sarr uthaate hue use aashcharya me ghoora.

"Samay kam hai. J-Jaldi- *huff* Iske pehle ki derr ho jaaye."

Uske perr mushqil se seedhe khade ho paa rahe the. Woh jaanta tha ki Disembowler buri tarah ghaayal tha. Police ki full force use takedown kar sakti thi. SHB ka raaz khul paana bhi lagbhag namumkin tha kyunki, woh hawa ke sampark me aate hi oxidise ho jaata tha.

Aur to aur, police ko Disembowler jaise serial killer aur uske kaale karnaamo se avgat karaana bhi zaroori tha. Yahi soch ke usne ye nirnay liya.

Trisha kuchh soch-samajh nahi paa rahi thi. Lekin, uski sahej pravatti Veer ki baat maanane ke liye chillaa rahi thi.

Wahi iss orr, Veer ne apna muh fera. Usne Juhi ko kass kar pakda aur ek qadam aage badha jab-

"R-Ruko! K-Kaun ho tum? Kaha jaa rahe ho? Mein tumhe yaha se kahi nahi jaane dungi."

Veer ne koi jawab nahi diya.

Trisha ne dekha ki Veer ke harr qadam me thakavat thi, blood loss use har pal kamzor kar raha tha. Magar, iske bawajood — woh aage badhne ke liye tatpar tha.

"Nidhi ma'am... Juhi ko unke paas pahuchaana hoga."

'Nidhi' ka naam uske muh se sunte hi Trisha chaunk uthi. Aur, kuchh ghante pehle ki kuchh baatein use yaad aa gayi. Gift shop par Nidhi ke sang uski pehli mulaqat aur wo baatein—

'Meri beti ki dost ka janmdin hai. Aur, aapka-!?'

'Mere bhi... Mere student ne naya business shuru kiya hai. Uske launch ke liye event rakha hai.'

"T-Tum..." Trisha bhauchakki apna muh khole avaak Veer ko ghoori.

Yeh ladka.

Veer ke ek aur qadam aage lete hi police karmiyo ne uska raasta rok liya.

"Wahi ruk jao!" Unme se ek ne aadesh diya.

Veer ne mushqil se unn par koi nazar daali. Uska shareer bhalayi iss samay kamzor tha, lekin uska sankalp atal tha. Wo ab kisi bhi haalat me nahi ruk sakta tha.

Iske pehle ki police waale kuchh kar paate, Trisha ki awaaz ne unhe hairangi me daal diya.

"Jaane do use!" Woh ahista se boli.

Ve sab chaunkte hue uski orr mude.

"M-Madam?" Unme se ek hich-kichaaya. "M-Madam, aap ye kya keh rahi hai? Hum iss anjaan ko aise kaise jaane de sakte hai? Hum ise bilkul bhi-"

"Maine kaha na use jaane do!!!" Usne iss baar aur bhi dridhta se dohraaya.

Police karmiyo me sankoch bana raha, lekin Trisha apne nirnay par dagmagayi nahi.

Dheere-dheere wo sabhi ek taraf hatt gaye.

Agar, koi Nidhi ko jaanta tha, bacchiyo ko apne shareer par laad kar unhe bina chotil hue wapas leke aaya tha, to isme koi shaq nahi tha ki woh insaan koi serial killer nahi, balki ek shubhchintak tha.

Veer Trisha ke bagal se nikalte hue aage badha. Trisha ne ek akhiri sawaal uss se poochha—

"Kaun ho tum?"

Veer iss baar ruka. Woh peechhe muda. Uski nazar Trisha par tiki.

Ek pal ki khamoshi.

Aur, fir usne jawaab diya-

"Veer Singh!!!"

Trisha ke badan me sihran daud gayi. Veer bas itna bol, waha se chal diya.

Yeh naam. Inn beetein dino me woh iss naam se bhali bhaanti parichit thi. Yahi toh woh naam tha. Yahi wo insaan tha jiski use talaash thi. Wo aadmi jiske peechhe wo na jaane kab se padi hui thi.

Lekin, kabhi uss tak thos saboot ke saath pahuch na saki.

Aur, aaj wahi insaan-

Uski beti ko bacha ke uske paas laaya tha. Dimaag sawaalo ke bawandar me fassta jaa raha tha. Lekin, usne khud ko iss bawandar se baahar nikaala.

Abhi jo maayne rakhta tha — wo tha uski beti ka surakshit hona.

Usne apne mann me chal rahe toofan ko door karte hue, apna radio uthaaya.

"Rohan!!!"

Aur, bas... Wo punah toot ke reh gayi. Uss orr se Rohan ki bhi raahat ki saans lene ki awaaz use sunaayi di. Upar waale ko dhanyavad dete hue usne gaadi Trisha ke ilaake ki orr ghuma di.

Aur, aise hi Veer Pihu ko surakshit haatho me pahuchaate hue Nidhi ke paas pahucha tha.

Yahi woh waqt bhi tha jab Renshu aur Erica Disembowler ki lair me jaa kar, chhaan-been kar ke waha se nikal chuke the. Aur, unke nikalte hi police force ne poore shamshan ko under surveillance rakh liya tha.

Yahi woh waqt tha jab Renshu ne Erica ko ishaara kiya, Erica Veer ko Nidhi ke kamre se apne kandho par utha kar leke aayi. Wahi thi, jisne Nidhi aur Shreya dono ko neutralise kiya tha.

Renshu ne fir behosh Veer ko apne kandhe par uthaaya aur seedha Garofano ke paas le gaya.

Use car me hi Ava ke bagal se litaate hue usne Garofano ki orr dekha.

Behosh Veer aur Ava dono ek dusre ke bagal se laite hue the. Behoshi me bhi dono ke haath ek dusre se lage hue the.

Ek pal ke liye Garofano ki bauhe sikudi. Usne kuchh sochte hue Veer ka haath Ava ke haath se dur kar diya aur uske ghaavo ka ilaaj karne me jutt gayi.

Na sirf usne Veer ko apna ek vitality serum aur antiserum diya, balki uske ghaavo ka ilaaj kar uske haatho ko chains se azaad bhi kar diya.

Renshu, Erica aur Garofano, fir Veer ko leke hospital pahuche jaha parivar jann Veer ko iss awastha me dekh hakke-bakke reh gaye the.

Aur, fir Veer ka hosh aana aur use Manorath ki mrityu ki khabar ka praapt hona. Yahi sab toh hua tha.

Uske baad Garofano hospital se seedhe wapas car par pahuchi jaha Ava pehle se hi hosh me baithi hui thi.

Garofano : You are awake!

Ava : ...

Garofano : !!? Kuchh nahi kehna?

Ava : V-Veer! K-Kaha hai woh?

Garofano (smiles) : Kuchh derr pehle tumhare bagal se hi tha.

Ava : K-Kyaaaaa??

Wo hadbadaate hue idhar-udhar dekhi.

Ava : K-Kaha? Kaha hai woh? No! Wait!

Agle hi pal jaise use khud hi Veer ki location 'Death Flag' ke zariye maalum pad gayi.

Ava (mutters) : H-Hospital!

Garofano : Hmm! Uske dada ji nahi rahe. The other lady... What was her name again? Ragini! Hmm! Wo out of danger hai, lekin ab chal nahi sakti.

Ava ka sarr ye sunte hi neeche jhuk gaya. Usne apne dono perr mod apna chehra ghutno ke peechhe chhupa liya. Woh apne aap ko dosh de rahi thi. Use ek zimmedari di gayi thi. Aur, woh bhi wo theek se nahi nibha paayi.

Garofano (glances) : You don't have to feel bad about it. Although, mein waha nahi thi, aur mujhe nahi pata exactly kya hua tha lekin-

Ava : ???

Garofano : Erica ne sab kuchh bata diya hai. You took a bullet for someone else. Aur, agar tum nahi hoti- there was no way that girl would have survived that shot.

Ava : M-Mein- *sniff*

Garofano ne aage kuchh na kaha. Kuchh derr baad Ava ne uss se sawaal kiya.

Ava : Tumne aisa kyu kaha tha?

Garofano : Hmm? Kya?

Ava : Yahi ki... You are hiding your cards. Just like him.

Garofano : Woh? *smiles* Well, kya ye sach nahi? Tum apne cards chhipaaye hue ho. Just like him. Usne bhi mujhe apne saare cards ke baare me nahi bataaya. Hey! Now, I feel really bad you know.

Ava : ??

Garofano : Mein akeli hi hu jisne apne saare cards ke baare me tum sabko bataya hua hai. Aur, tum sab ho ki-

Ava : I don't feel the need to tell you.

Garofano : Wow! So, much for the help, right?

Ava : Kisi na kisi din mein ye favor chuka dungi. Cards ki details share karne ki koi zaroorat nahi mujhe.

Garofano : Chill, pretty girl. So cold, damn! *sighs* To kya mein wo favor abhi maang sakti hu?

Ava : Huh?

Garofano : Bolo?

Ava (nods) : Ask!

Garofano (grins) : Apne aap ko Veer se door kar do!

Ava (yells) : KABHI BHI NAHIIIIII-!!!

Wo itni zorr se chillaayi ki Garofano khud aashcharya me reh gayi. Ava ke gaal agle hi pal fir gulaabi ho chale. Aur, Garofano ke hontho par ek muskaan bikhar gayi. Woh bina kuchh kahe, waha se nikal gayi par jaate-jaate uske shabd Ava ke kaano tak pahuchne se na choonke.

"Tumhare favor chukaane ka intezar rahega, mujhe."

Kehte hue wo waha se chali gayi aur Ava pichhli ghatit vardaato ke baare me soch-vichaar kar leen ho gayi.

---

Veer's old house...

Antim sanskar ki taiyaari shuru ho chuki thi. Ghar ki mahilaaye, bagal se khadi ho kar sab dekh rahi thi. Aankhein laal thi aur sarr dhake hue.

Purush shaiyaa ki samagri ka prabandhan karne me lage hue the. Bhaar sirf Manorath ji ke shareer ka nahi uthaana tha, uske saath unki yaadon ka bhi bhaar juda hua tha.

Shaiyaa ko taiyaar karne ke liye baans ki lakdiyaan, rassiyaan aur safed kapda aa chuka tha.

Karunesh, Vivek aur Brijesh mil kar lakdiyaan baandhne ka kaam kar rahe the.

Ghar ke ird-gird aas-pados ki bheed-bhaad bhi jama ho chuki thi. Log aapas me charcha kar rahe the.

"Kaise? Ghatna kaise hui ye?"

"News me aaya to raha. Humla ho gaya na."

"Haan? Kaha?"

"Wai apna... Prestige hotel. Bahut bada humla tha."

"To humle me maare gaye?"

"Haan! Abhi poora clear nahi pata chala hai, par baaki log to yahi bata rahe ki humle me jaan chali gayi."

"Accha! Tch! Tch! Tch! Bechaare buzurg hoke aisi ghatna ka shikaar ho gaye."

"Kya kar sakte hai ab."

Veer Manorath ji ke perr ke paas hi baitha hua tha. Peeth jhuki, haath ghutno par tike hue, aur aankhein khaali.

Kavya aur Arohi use awaaz deti rahi, magar usne ek baar bhi nahi suna. Shyaam ne jab use paani ka glass diya tab bhi usne apni palkein tak nahi jhapkayi.

Uski nazrein sirf apne dada ji ke chehre par tiki hui thi. Aur, jaise hi Manorath ji ke shareer ko farsh se uthaaya gaya, Veer ki tandra bhang ho gayi.

'Huh?'

Usne mud ke dekha. Ek baar palak jhapki. Fir, dobaara.

Qadmo ki chehel-pehel, shorgul, sab kuchh ek saath uss par toot pada. Wo bina kuchh samjhe khada hua, dheere-dheere uske perr dada ji ke shav ki disha ki orr badhne lage.

Manorath ji ke shav ko baahar laa kar rakh diya gaya tha.

Rassi baandhte hue Brijesh ne sarr upar kar Veer ko dekha. Uske haath me bhi rassi thi.

Wo baans ke dhaanche ko aise dekh raha tha jaise maano wo koi suljhaane waali paheli ho. Kabhi uski nazrein apne haath me li hui rassi par tikti to kabhi baans ke dhaanche par.

Jeevan me pehli baar wo apne kisi qareebi ki maut me iss tarah se shaamil ho raha tha. Inn reeti-rivaaz me itna sammilit hone ka avsar use pehle kabhi praapt nahi hua tha.

Ek khamoshi kuchh derr chhaayi rahi.

Fir, aaj saalo me pehli baar-

"Ise iss tarah se baandho, Veer. Meri tarah...!"

Brijesh ne Veer se kaha. Awaaz naram thi. Na hi aagya se bhari hui aur na hi katu. Ekdum — vinamra.

Veer ne use dekha. Wo chup-chaap neeche baitha, apne pita ko dekhte hue usne rassi ko baandhna seekha, aur baans ki lakdiyo me wo rassi ki gathaane lagaane laga.

Ek pal ke liye — saara gussa, saare gile-shikve, sab kuchh ek taraf ho gaya. Dono baap-bete ke haath shaiyaa banaane me chal rahe the. Karunesh aur Vivek ne jab ye dekha to dono hi ahista se unn dono ke beech se alag ho gaye.

Ek ke baad ek gaanth.
Ek ke baad ek saans.
Saath-saath.

Kuchh door khadi, Bhavna ne jab yeh dekha to usne apne haath se apne muh ko dhak liya. Bagal se khadi, Purvi ne uske kandhe ko thaama.

Brijesh ko tabhi, apne pita ji ke akhir bol yaad aa gaye.

Wo Yarnia ke udhghatan me nahi gaya tha. Parantu, jab TV par samachar se use khabar lagi. Uske perr apne aap chal pade.

Use wo drishya yaad aaya. Wo pal jab uske pita ji use Hotel Prestige me chalne ke liye anurodh kar rahe the. Use nahi pata tha ki wo uska apne pita ke saath akhiri sanvaad hone waala tha —

---

"Toh tum nahi chaloge??"

"Jab mujhe bulaya hi nahi gaya toh bhala mein kaise jaa sakta hu, papa ji?"

"Murkh ho kya tum? Veer ne ek nyota bheja hai. Kya itni bhi samajh nahi tumhe ki ye sabke liye hai?"

"Aapko Veer ka phone aaya tha?"

"Haan!"

"Sumitra ko bhi aaya tha. Usne bataya mujhe. Lekin, mujhe nahi! Iska kya matlab hua? Kya aap samjhe nahi? Ya aap samajhna nahi chaahte?"

"Tum paagal ho sach me, Brijesh! Tumne jo kuchh bhi kiya hai uske baad bhala woh kaise tumse aake upat ke baat kar sakta hai? Jaise tum hich-kicha rahe ho waise hi toh woh bhi hich-kicha raha hoga na?"

"Kya waqai, papa ji? Mujhe nahi lagta! Balki, mujhe waha na paa kar use khushi hi hogi."

"Tum bawle ho gaye ho, Brijesh! Beta hai tumhara! Aur, tum baap ho uske. Ek baap apne bete ke sukh me uske nyota dene ka intezar nahi karta."

"Ye uss baap ke liye hai jo dukh me bhi apne bete ke saath khada rahe, jo mein nibha na saka. Mujhe waha paa ke sab uncomfortable ho jayenge. Rehne dijiye! Aap bhuliye mat ki Shweta aur... Bhavna bhi waha hongi. Aapke liye kehna asaan hai. Par, mere liye waha jaana itna asaan nahi."

"Tumhari dikkat kya hai tumhe pata hai Brijesh? Tum log kya sochenge iss baare me zyada sochte ho aur iss baare me kam ki kya karna chahiye. Arey bhai ye toh zahir si baat hai ki tumhare waha hone se baatein pehle ki tarah nahi hongi. Par, kya Veer ko iss se farq padega?"

"???"

"Nahi! Maayne ye rakhega ki uska baap jisne use ghar se baahar nikaal diya tha, aaj woh waha uske saamne uske liye khada hai."

"Nahi! Nahi papa ji! Ye toh wahi baat ho gayi ki sukh me sab kaam aate hai par dukh me-? Koi nahi! Mein ab maafi ke laayak nahi papa ji! Ab bahut bigaad liya maine apna aur baakiyo ka jeevan. Ab aur nahi-!"

"Tumne sahi kaha. Tum maafi ke laayak nahi! Lekin, maafi ke laayak koi bhi nahi hota, Brijesh!"

"???"

"Maafi ke laayak koi nahi hota. Use ye kamaana padta hai. Uss laayak banana padta hai ki vyakti aap ko maaf kar sake. Aur, tumhara waha pahuchna maafi maangne ka pehla qadam hoga."

"N-Nahi, papa ji! M-Mein-"

"Tum iss liye nahi jaana chaahte kyunki tumhe lagta hai ki woh log kya sochenge? Tum unse aankh se aankh milaane par ghabra rahe ho. Par, yahi toh pehla padaav hai, Brijesh. Chalo! Ghabrao nahi! Ek baar samay haath se nikal gaya toh dobaara nahi aata."

"Papa ji, samajhiye baat ko-"

"Tumhe pata hai? Kabhi-kabhi ek baap apne bacche ko jo sabse bada tohfa de sakta hai woh kya hai? Woh hai uski - maujoodgi! Agar, Veer ka phone nahi aaya toh kya hua? Woh toh chhota hai, par tum toh bade ho na? Pehel toh tumhe hi karni hogi na? Bhale hi tumhe kaisa bhi mehsoos ho par chalo, kyunki iss sthiti me andar se har baccha yahi chaahega ki uske pita saamne aaye. Veer bhi-!"

"M-Mein... Mein sochunga, Papa ji! Par, aaj mujhe apni mann-maani kar lene dijiye! Jaiye aap! Samay ho raha hai!"

Manorath ke lakh manaane par bhi jab Brijesh na maana toh woh narazgi me waha se jaane lage. Unke qadam darwaze ki dehleez par aake ruke.

"Meri seekh yaad rakhna Brijesh! Samay ek baar haath se nikal gaya, toh dobaara nahi aata."

Aur, woh waha se nikal gaye.

---

Akhiri lapte ek ajeeb si shaanti ke saath naach rahi thi — dheemi, aur bhasm karne waali.

Veer jalti hui chita se kuchh hi feet door khada hua tha. Manorath ji ka shav agni me sama chuka tha. Hawa ne rukh badla aur dhue ko ek taraf uda diya, apne saath na keval raakh, balki unki kahaniyaan, gyaan, aur uss vyakti ki antim garmjoshi bhi le gaya jisne kabhi Veer ko uska ekmaatra surakshit aashray diya tha.

Uski mutthiyaan bandhi rahi. Saansein kamzor. Aur, aankhein — bina moonde ek jagah sthir.

Mann shaant tha. Bahut derr tak. Jab tak ki-

[Master...]

Pari ki awaaz na goonj gayi.

Kintu, koi pratikriya nahi.

Uski aankhein abhi bhi aag ki lapto par tiki hui thi, maano jaise uske sawaalo ka jawaab ye laptein hi dene waali thi.

Lekin, Pari kahi nahi gayi.

[Master... I'm here.]

Veh jhijhki. Fir, aage boli. Uski awaaz dheemi thi, ek asamaanya komalta se bhari hui. Aur, fir kuchh sochte hue usne-

*Ding*

['Mission : A Knight's Stand' failed.]

System ki window ne Veer ki chetna me roop liya. Usme se aani waali neeli raushni tim-tima rahi thi. Iss baar, Veer ne dhyaan diya.

*Ding*

[The host was not able to get rid of the Disembowler.]

[The host did succeed in rescuing Juhi and Pihu.]

[The host also succeeded in keeping the experiment’s secret a secret from the general public.]

[The host will not be penalized for the secret being publicized.]

[The host will not be placed under police surveillance.]

[The mission failed because not all the conditions were fulfilled.]

[Mission failure penalty applied.]

[Penalty : Loss of loved ones.]

[Rewards have been granted.]

*Ding*

[You have been rewarded 20,000 Points.]

[You have been rewarded 5000 Fame Points.]

[Since the mission wasn’t completed, Perk Hunt will not be activated. Hence, no perks can be selected.]

Khamoshi.

Veer ne unn notifications ko suna. Magar, uska dhyaan abhi bhi kahi aur hi tha.

Usne ek gehri saans li. Aur, fir-

'M-Maine unhe kho diya, Pari. Mein unhe bacha nahi saka. Mere karan wo-'

Wo ek qadam aage badha. Aankhein ekdum laal.

'Maine maut ko dekha hai. Mere inn haatho ne logo ko maut bhi di hai. P-Par, kabhi bhi... kabhi bhi maine iss tarah mehsoos nahi kiya. Ye mujhe andar se jala raha hai, Pari.'

[...]

'Wo sirf mere dada ji nahi the. Wo mera ghar the. Uss puraane ghar se agar koi mujhe jod ke rakhe hue tha to woh wahi the... W-Wahi...!'

Uski mutthiyaan dheeli pad gayi.

'I was too late, Pari. Too weak. Too distracted. Aur, ab mere paas kuchh bacha hai toh woh hai — ye dhua, ye raakh, aur ye... glaani. Asahaneeya glaani.'

'Agar, mein aur taqatvar hota, hoshiyar hota, toh shayad mein-'

[Maaasterrrr, Nooooo-!]

'???'

[Master! Aapne wo kiya jo aur koi nahi kar sakta tha. Aapne uss Disembowler se do bacchiyon ki jaan bachaayi. Aapne SHB ke rehesya ko duniyaa ke saamne aane se roka.]

'M-Mein-'

[Aap unprepared the. Aap uski territory me the. Aur, fir bhi aapne haar nahi maani. Kya aapko lagta hai aap kamzor ho???]

Uski awaaz kaanp uthi. Aur, fir-

Dusri baar. Veer ko apne mann me wahi anubhooti mehsoos hui.

Aansu. Lekin, uske nahi. Pari ke.

'Pari, tum-'

Pari ki chetna se uski chetna me ek udaasi ki jhalak.

[Aap bhool kyu jaate ho ki mein wo sab kuchh mehsoos kar sakti hu jo aap karte ho. *sniff* Aapki har dhadkan... Mujhe goonjti hui sunaayi deti hai. Har aansu jo aap girne nahi dete... Unhe mein andar se mehsoos karti hu.]

'!!?'

[You didn't fail him, Master. You carried his name through fire. Through war. Through hell.]

'Pari!'

[Aur, ab bhi aap mazbooti se khade hue ho. Tab bhi jab aap andar se toot rahe ho. They can't see it. But I can. I can feel it.]

Veer wahi chita ke paas dhool bhari zameen par apne ghutno ke bal gir pada.

*Sniff*

Usne apni chhaati ko kass ke jakda. Dard se nahi, balki apne andar bachi hui cheezon ko sambhaalne ki ek betaab koshish me.

Usne ghutate hue kaha,

'P-Par, unhone mujhpe vishvas kiya tha, Pari. Kitne bharose se wo aaye honge aur unke saath- Ek akhiri baar mein unhe dekh tak na saka. I-'

[Aap humesha unke pasandeeda rahoge, Master. Humesha.]

Ek lambi khamoshi chhaa gayi. Veer ke aansu akhirkar gir pade.

'Itna dard kyu ho raha hai, Pari? *sniff*'

[Kyunki, aap unse itna pyaar karte the jitna aap khud nahi jaante the, Master.]

'!!!'

[And love, Master… is the only thing in this world more powerful than death.]

Woh muda. Uske peechhe ki aag ek antim baar bhadak uthi aur fir dheere-dheere feeki padne lagi.

Aur, aaj mann ki gehraayi me, jaha aam taur par notifications aur pari ke bol goonjte rehte the, ek durlabh tarah ki khamoshi chhaa gayi — khaalipann se nahi, balki do chetnao se, jo ek saath shok mana rahi thi.

***

Antim sanskar samapt hua hi tha, aag abhi bujh hi rahi thi, jab-

Baahar ek alag tarah ki aag ne apna janm le liya.

Veer, apne parivar sang jaise hi mukti dham se baahar nikla, toh uska swagat khamoshi se nahi, balki shor se hua.

Ek toofan.

Cameras chamak uthe. Microphones kinhi bhaale ki tarah aage badhe. Awaazein — unme se hazaaron — jwaar ki leher ki tarah aake uske kaano me takraayi.

"Mister, Veer Singh! Kya Hotel Prestige ki tragedy aapki zimmedari thi?"

"Humle ke dauran aap kaha the? Aapko kahi dekha hi nahi gaya."

"Aapki nigraani me bekasoor security guards maare gaye. Iska dosh kis par hai?"

"Kya aap ye soch rahe hai kya ki fame hone se aap inn sab se bach sakte hai?"

"Kya aap aaj raat so bhi paayenge? Ye jaante hue ki aapki sampatti ki suraksha karte hue nirdosh log maare gaye?"

"Jawab dijiye, Mister Veer!"

"Tune mere bhai ko maar daala, haram khor!! Mein tujhe chhorunga nahi!"

"Khooni!! Khooni ho tum!"

"Tumhare hotel ne mere pita ji ko zinda kha liya."

"Kya hoga humaara?"

Mratak security guards ke parivar ke kuchh sadasya bhi journalists ki bheed me ghus gaye. Wo barricades ko dukh, gusse aur aakrosh me paar kar gaye.

Unme se ek Veer par lagbhag jhapatne hi waala tha, lekin kuchh dayaalu ajnabiyon ne use rok liya.

Veer wahi khada raha. Uska shareer jamm sa gaya. Isliye, nahi ki woh darr gaya tha, balki isliye kyunki Hotel Prestige ka samachar ab vistaar se use sunane mil raha tha.

Wo jaanta tha humla hua tha. Hospital me hosh aane ke baad, Arohi ne use zaroori khabar de di thi. Yahi ki Hotel Prestige me humla hua tha. Golibaari. Jisme uske dada ji chal base.

Manorath ji ki maut bloodloss aur pain se hi hui thi. Sniper ki bullet koi aam bullet nahi hoti thi. Aur, na hi sniper koi aam bandook thi.

Manorath ji ke kandhe par bullet lagi thi. Jab tak ve hospital pahuche, unka ilaaj shuru hua, tab tak unhone dum tod diya tha.

Veer yeh jaanta tha. Magar, ye sab kya tha? Security guards ki jaan jaana? Arohi ne uske bhale ke liye poori sachaayi nahi bataayi thi.

Uski aankhein chaudi ho gayi. Glaani, sadma, aur kuchh agyaat anubhutiyaan uske andar toofan ki tarah ghoomne lagi.

Aur, fir-

Bheed ke beech se.

"VEEEEEEER!!!"

Ek awaaz. Ek cheenkh. Ek pukaar — iss araajakta ko cheerti hui.

Tej. Wo aayi.

Uske baal bikhre hue the. Chehra aasuon se bheega hua tha. Bheed uske liye alag nahi hui — lekin, usne sangharsh kar ke apna raasta banaaya.

Logo ki kohniyaan use lagi, dhakke lage, cameras use lage, woh lagbhag girte-girte bachi, lekin ruki nahi.

Wo bhaagi. Tezi se. Jaise uska dil fatne ko aa gaya ho-

Aur, tamaam bheed ko alag karte hue wo uske paas pahuchi. Waha khadi ho gayi — Veer aur saari duniyaa ke madhya.

Wo haanf rahi thi. Uske baal, paseene se geele ho chuke uske gaalo se chipke hue the.

Tej (screams) : BAS KAROOOOO!!!!

Shor kam ho gaya. Awaazein shaant pad gayi.

Tej ne mud kar media ka saamne kiya, uske kandhe kaanp rahe the, lekin uski awaaz bheed ke shor se bhi zyada tez thi.

Tej : Aap logo ko jawaab chaahiye na??? Mein dungi jawaab! Kyunki, hotel prestige ko sambhaalne waale Mister Veer nahi. Mein thi.

Ek virham. Ek sannaata sa chhaa gaya.

Tej (shaking but firm) : Mein Tejal Singh. Mister Veer Singh ki badi behan. Mein hi in charge thi. Mein hi thi jo new year eve ko sambhaal rahi thi.

Journalists : !!?

Tej : Aur, mein... Mein hu doshi. Haan, mein galat hu. Maine khatre par dhyaan nahi diya. Mein galat hu jo guests par dhyaan de rahi thi aur hazar saalo me kabhi ye khayal mujhe nahi aane waala tha ki koi sarfira uss waqt humari hotel ke andar bomb fek sakta hai.

Journalists : *mutters*

Tej (eyes flaring) : Haan, mein galat hu. Par, kya aap me se kisi ko aisi ummeed ho sakti thi? Kya aapko ummeed thi ki celebration ki raat me bandook liye naqab-posh gunde logo par goliyaan barsaane lagenge?

Kisi ne jawaab nahi diya. Microphones dheere-dheere neeche ho gaye. Kuchh cameras bhi neeche jhuk gaye.

Tej : Mein ise rok nahi saki. Mein iska anumaan bhi nahi laga saki...! Lekin, mein ise jitna ho sakta hai, utna theek karne ki koshish karungi. Har parivar jisne kisi ko khoya hai, mein unse milungi. Jo kuchh bhi bann padega, wo mein karungi. Wo sab humari hotel ke sadasya the.

Door khadi, Bhumika ki aankhon me ye sab dekh aansu umad aaye. Hotel uski thi. Magar, kavach bann ke Tej unhe inn sab se bacha rahi thi.

'T-Tejal, tum-!!'

Ho na ho, aaj Bhumika ke mann se Tejal ko leke saare berr samapt ho chuke the.

Tej : Madad, chaahe aarthik ho, ya kaisi bhi. Mein sab karungi. Guzre hue logo ko waapas nahi laaya jaa sakta. M-Mein jaanti hu ki ye sab ek jaan ke badle kisi kaam ke nahi-! M-Magar, fir bhi-! Mein har wo koshish karungi, jo cheezein theek kar sakti hai.

Journalists : *nods*

Tej : But don't you dare... DON'T YOU DARE come after him.

Wo ek pal ke liye mudi. Veer ko dekhi, jo aashcharya me use hi ghoor raha tha. Aur, fir waapas bheed ka saamna karne me lag gayi.

Tej : Usne bhi aaj kisi ko khoya hai. Maine bhi. Humaare poore parivar ne. Aap sab akele nahi ho. Humaare parivaar ka kya? H-Humaare nuksaan ki bharpaayi kaun karega? *sniff* Huh? Jawaab do!!!

*Silence*

Tej : Sirf, isliye ki mera bhai chup hai, use kamzor samajhna aur kisi dushman ki tarah treat karna band karo! *sniff* Sirf, isliye ki wo famous hai. Sirf isliye ki wo umr me adhiktar logo se chhota hai. Aur, sirf isliye kyunki aap sab mann marzi muh chala sakte ho...! BAND KAR DO!!

*Silence*

Veer ka haath utha. Aur, dheere se usne apna haath — kaanpte hue — Tej ke kandhe par rakh diya.

Woh chaunki. Fir, palti.

Unki aankhein mili.

Koi shabd nahi.

Sirf wo bandhan. Unke beech ka — ankaha aur achal.

Veer (mutters) : Thank you! Teju di!

Aur, wo bechaari toot gayi. Uske gaalo se aasu behte hue girne lage, magar honth muskura uthe.

Uss ek pal, Veer ko ehsaas ho gaya ki-

Yeh... Yeh ek badi behan thi.

Sansaar agar talwaar liye tha to woh kavach thi.

Khud ki awaaz na ho to woh uski awaaz thi.

Doobta hua toofan me ho to woh uska kinaara thi.

Aur, girte hue ko ek haath ka sahaara.

Veer ne apni ungliyaan Tej ki ungliyon ke ird-gird lapeti. Use kass kar pakda. Aur, fir use door le jaane laga. Bheed, shor aur sawaalo se door.

Ek bhai. Ek behan. Ek dard. Ek vaada.

Tej ne na sirf fir saari vardaat ka vishleshan diya, balki apni chintaaye aur aane waale jokhim ke baare me bhi vyakt kiya.

Jiski wajah se, Veer ko ek aur shaks ka dhyaan aaya. Akhir, wo use akela chhor ke kaise aa sakta tha?

***

Baahar sheher abhi bhi araajakta me tha. Lekin, Veer ki manzil filhal ek hi thi — hospital.

Tej ke bataane par wo ek shabd bhi nahi bola. Bas, mukti dham se car uthaata hua seedhe yaha chala aaya.

Kaise naye saal ka jashn narsanhaar me badal gaya.

Kaise naqab-posh bandook-dhaariyo ne Hotel Prestige me pravesh kiya.

Kaise ek sniper ki goli, jo darasal Kavya ke liye thi — Ragini ko jaa kar lagi.

Veer ki saans ukhdi-ukhdi aa rahi thi. Woh bas bhaagta raha. Bheed ke beech se. Dukh ke beech se. Pagalpann ke beech se.

Uske joote farsh par shor macha rahe the, pattiyaan uski pasliyon par dabi hui thi, jo abhi bhi khoon se sani hui thi.

"Ragini...!"

Wo ICU me daakhil hua. Nurses ko dhakka dete hue aage badha — jab tak ki ek doctor ne use rok na diya.

Doctor : Sir! Rukiye, ek minute. Ragini ji abhi-abhi surgery se baahar aayi hai. Aur, hum unhe jald hi shift bhi kar denge. Tab tak ke liye please aap baahar hi rahiye.

Veer : R-Ragini...!

Veer ki haalat dekh, doctor haami bhar aage aaya.

Doctor : Dekhiye! Woh theek hai. Gambheer khatre se woh baahar hai, lekin-

Veer : !!?

Lekin, kya? Veer jaanta tha. Magar, dobara sunana nahi chaahta tha.

Usne Ragini ko dekha. Wo wahi laiti hui thi. Haatho me alag-alag naliyaan lagi hui thi. Ek perr thoda upar utha hua tha aur jatil surgical braces se bandha hua tha.

Uski saansein kamzor thi, lekin wo jeevit thi. Yahi! Uske paas.

Veer uske nazdeek aaya. Har qadam pehle se adhik bhaari. Uska haath bistar ki steel ki railing ko chhua aur Ragini ke chehre ko dekha.

Uske honth sookhe hue the. Maathe par halki si jhurriyaan jo shikan ko darsha rahi thi.

Doctor chalte hue Veer ke paas aaya.

Doctor : Mujhe sab pata chala. Dekhiye, mein jaanta hu ye kaafi mushqil hai. Par, aap sabko ye hazam karna padega.

Veer ne doctor ko na dekha. Wo bas Ragini ko dekhta raha.

Doctor : Ragini ji ko sniper round se nikli high velocity bullet ne chotil kiya tha. Goli ne femur ko chaknachoor kar diya aur tibial nerve bhi damage ho chuki hai. Aap samajh rahe hai na?

Veer : ???

Doctor : Humne femur ko reconstruct karne ke liye rods aur bone grafts ka istemal kiya hai. Lekin, nerve damage irreversible hai.

Veer : M-Matlab...

Doctor : Matlab, ye ki- unka perr to theek hai, lekin wo firse nahi chal payengi. Kam se kam, pehle ki tarah to nahi.

*Silence*

Doctor (continuing) : Intensive rehab ke chalte unhe thodi mobility mil sakti hai. Lekin, neuromuscular ka jo ek coordination hota hai, woh jaa chuka hai. Brain se signals nichle ang tak pehle ki tarah nahi pahuchenge.

Veer : ...

Doctor : Dekhiye, humne wo sab kiya jo hum kar sakte the. Fracture ko stabilise kiya, nerve pressure ko decompress kiya, haemorrhage ko roka. Par, aghaat bahut gehra tha, Mister Veer. Bahut sateek. Isliye- *sighs* Anyways, this is the best outcome.

Shabd Veer ke dimaag me mandraane lage. Laga jaise woh abhi yahi ladkhada ke gir jayega.

Ragini pehle jaise nahi chal paayegi. Kabhi bhi nahi.

Doctor to chala gaya, magar Veer wahi ghutno ke bal Ragini ke bagal se baith gaya. Uska haath ahista se aage badha.

Komalta se usne Ragini ke baalon ka ek dheela latka hua latt kaan ke peechhe kiya. Ungliyaan Ragini ki twacha se sparsh hote hi kaanp rahi thi.

Aur, fir uske jaane bina-

Uske aansu punah binn marzi beh chale.

'Kyu???'

'Mein tumhe kabhi sahi jawab na de saka.'

Ragini ne use panaah di thi jab uske paas koi thikaana nahi tha. Jab woh khud ke liye muskura nahi sakta tha tab woh uske liye muskuraati thi. Usne uski raksha ki, uss se pyaar kiya. Apne poore astitva ke saath.

Usne kabhi kuchh nahi maanga — siwae uske dil ke.

Par, Veer humesha use intezar karwaata raha. Aur, aaj woh yaha iss haal me laiti thi. Chotil. Tooti hui. Apahij. Uski wajah se.

Veer ne uska haath thaama.

'Tumne mujhe kya kuchh nahi diya, Ragini. Pyaar, Panaah, Khushiyaan. Tumne mujhe apna tann, mann, dhan sab kuchh luta diya. Aur, badle me maine tumhe kya diya? Sirf, mera maun jawaab.'

Usne apna haath, uske maathe par rakha.

'Mein... tumhe deserve nahi karta, Ragini.'

Woh jhuka. Aur, uske maathe ko usne dheere se choom liya.

'But, I'll earn you now.'

'Mein yahi rahunga. Ab kahi nahi bhaagunga. Ab aur koi chuppi nahi.'

'I'll be your legs... Your strength... Your everything.'

'Bas jaag jao. Please... Ragini! Jaag jao.'

Akhiri guhaar par uski awaaz andar hi andar toot gayi. Aaj pehli baar, use andar se mazbooti mehsoos nahi hui. Ek system holder jaisa mehsoos nahi hua. Bas, ek sadharan aadmi. Jo duniyaa se pareshan ho chuka tha.

Woh khada hua. Usne apne aansu pochhe. Ragini ke sote chehre par ek akhiri nazar daali. Fir, muda...

Aur, darwaaze ki orr chal diya.

Jaane se pehle — usne peechhe mud kar dekha.

'I promise, Ragini. When you wake up... You won't find me missing again.'

Aur, wo chala gaya.

ICU se baahar aate hi uski nazar ek aur ward me padi, jaha Suman laiti hui so rahi thi. Uske haath me bandage lagi hui thi. Veer ko samajhne me derr na lagi ki Suman hi thi — jisne Ragini ko khoon diya tha.

***

Aspataal se neeche aate waqt, Veer ke mann me Tej ke bol goonj rahe the.

"Mein shayad nahi bachti, Veer- A-Agar woh na hoti. Wo lady. Mask pehni hui. Pata nahi kaun thi. Usne mujhe dhakela aur fir- wo apna pait pakad ke dard se karaah rahi thi. Lekin, iss se pehle ki mein use pakad paati wo hotel ke baahar bhaag gayi. Kasam se...! Agar, wo na hoti to shayad aaj mein yaha tumhare saamne nahi hoti, Veeru."

A masked woman?

Veer samajh chuka tha.

Ava.

Uske dimag ke chalne se pehle hi uske perr chal diye. Hospital ki parking ke paas — mukhya dwaar ke theek baahar.

Do jaani pehchaani aakritiya ek kaali badi si SUV ke paas khadi thi.

Renshu aur Erica.

Erica ne use sabse pehle dekha.

'V-Veer!'

Woh ladka jisne Jaw Long ke maidaan me ghus ke poore yuddh ko apne paksh me kar liya tha.

Wahi Veer jis se dobaara milne ke liye wo itna lalcha rahi thi. Woh uske saamne tha.

Par, Veer kuchh bhi kehne ke liye nahi ruka. Renshu ne use dekh saath chalne ka ishaara kiya. Woh aage badha.

Ava car me peechhe ki foldable seat par baithi hui thi. Wo baahar hi dekh rahi thi jab kisi ke aane ka use ehsaas hua. Uska sarr uss disha ki orr muda aur-

Woh waha tha.

Veer.

Ava ki saans atak gayi. Uska badan kaanp gaya.

Veer ne hi use zimmedari saunpi thi. Hotel Prestige aur parivar ko surakshit rakhne ki.

Aur, wo vifal rahi.

Veer ke dada ji jaa chuke the. Hotel par humla hua. Ragini ghaayal hui. Sab kuchh bikhar gaya.

Ava ka dil baith gaya.

Glaani ka bhaar itna badh gaya ki veh khud ko rok na paayi. Aasu behne lage. Pehle to chupke se... Fir lagatar.

Ava : M-Mein... V-Veer...

Usne uthne ki koshish ki-

Ava : I-I'm... I'm sorry, Veer. I-

Parantu, iske pehle ki woh aur kuchh bolti, Veer aage ki aur dauda. Aur, usne Ava ko apni baahon me bhar liya.

Kass kar. Poori tarah se.

Uski mazboot pakad se Ava ke ghaav dabb gaye, woh halka sa karaah uthi.

Lekin, ye dard kuchh bhi nahi tha. Tab nahi jab woh uski baahon me thi.

Tab nahi, jab woh apne aap se use apne aalingan me bhar raha tha. Fir, bhale hi uski chot kyu na dukhe, aise hazaro dard uthaane ke liye khushi-khushi raazi thi woh.

Ava ne apna chehra uske seene me daba liya. Uske haath dheere-dheere Veer ki shirt ke peechhe kass gaye. Uski awaaz siskiyon me badal gayi.

Ava (barely breathing) : V-Veer, mein-

Veer (softly) : I know...

Ava : ??

Veer : Tumne Teju di ko bachaaya. Tumne wo bullet apne upar li. Mujhe sab pata hai.

Ava jamm ke reh gayi. Uske aasu behna dheeme ho gaye.

Ava (confused) : B-But, I failed... Tumhare dada ji...

Veer : Nahi!

Ava : Huh!!?

Veer : You fulfilled your duty, Ava. Bhale hi tum na maano. Par, mein maan gaya hu.

Woh stabdh thi.

Veer (smiles) : Thank you, Ava!

Ava : Ahh!!!?

Aur, Veer ne use apne gale se laga liya. Ava ke aasu jhar-jhar kar behne lage.

Kuchh qadam door, ye drishya dekh kar Garofano ka haath mutthi me simat gaya. Uske honth ek patli rekha samaan dabb gaye. Woh aalingan... Jis tarah se Veer ne Ava ko pakad rakha tha.

Usne Garofano ke andar kuchh jala kar rakh diya.

Woh mudi aur bina kuchh kahe waha se door chali gayi.

Renshu : Huh? Kya hua tumhe?

Erica ka haal bhi kuchh aisa hi tha. Use ehsaas hua ki sirf wahi nahi thi. Ek ajeeb sa dard uske seene me utha aur woh bhi Garofano ki taraf chal di.

Renshu : Huh? Erica???

***

SUV ke baahar Veer dheere se aaya.

Ava andar hi thi. Laal aankhein liye use dekh rahi thi. Woh hug abhi bhi uske mann me ghoom rahi thi, saath hi Veer ke seene ki garmahat.

Veer ka sarr jhuka hua tha, aankhein uske kaale baalon ke parde ke peechhe chhipi hui thi.

Woh aage badha — Erica ya Garofano ki orr nahi, balki Renshu ki orr.

Koi greetings nahi. Koi emotions nahi.

Bas... Sannaata.

Uske ird-gird ka aura badla hua tha. Thanda. Mapa hua. Ab dard nahi jhalak raha tha. Ek toofan ke pehle ki shaanti.

Garofano ne sabse pehle notice kiya. Veer ki ungliyon ki halki si thar-tharahat. Erica ne uske baad dekha — Veer ke chalne ka ek alag dhang.

Veer ruka. Renshu se bas ek qadam ki doori par.

Veer (without raising head) : Renshu! Tumhare paas kitni aur kaun-kaun si skills hai?

'Huh?'

Prashn aise aaya jaise maano shaant jheel me kisi ne bahut bada patthar fek diya ho. Renshu ki bauhe sikud gayi.

Hawa ke chalte Veer ke kapde aise fadfada rahe the jaise maano koi khamosh toofan paida hone ka intezar kar raha tha.

'Ye Veer... Iss tarah ka sawaal kyu kar raha hai achanak se?'

[Apni skills, kisi aur ko bataana. Ye khatarnak hai, Renshu.]

'Lloyd!'

[Kya hoga agar wo hume dhoka dede?]

'Mujhe nahi lagta.'

Veer ne dheere se apna sarr uthaaya. Ab uski aankhon me dard nahi jhalak raha tha. Kuchh aur hi tha. Koi uddeshya.

Veer : Aura Vision, Hawkeye, advanced martial arts, limbo, basic enemy tracker, detoxification, copycat, radio protective, aquatic breathing, tracer. Ye meri kuchh important skills hai. The rest are pretty much useless.

'Huh?'

Renshu ne apni aankhein sikodi. Skills kaafi thi. Sab ki sab ek se badh ke ek. Aur, Veer ne use iske baare me aise bata diya jaise maano woh mausam ka haal-chaal bata raha ho.

Kuchh badla hua tha. Ye Veer ko kya ho gaya tha achanak se?

Renshu ne ek aah bhari.

Renshu (nods) : Theek hai. To suno. Lance of Blaze, Prime Venture Specialist, Rapid Reaction, Commando, Strong Core, Chi Perception, Wushu, Toxin Sleuth, Pigeon Whisperer. Ye hai meri kuchh important skills.

Veer : Are you sure?

Renshu : Kya matlab?

Veer : Kya bas itni hi hai?

Renshu (nods) : Haan! Zaroori waali yahi hai.

Veer : Koi legendary skill nahi?

Renshu : Nahi!

Ek sannaata chhaa gaya.

Aur, fir bina kisi chetaavni ke-

*Whoooooooooooshhh*

'???'

Bijli ki raftaar se ek tez roundhouse kick, Renshu ke chehre ki orr aayi.

Agle hi pal, Renshu ki Rapid Reaction activate hui aur uska shareer sahaj roop se peechhe ki orr jhuk gaya. Veer ki laat ki hawa uski naak pe paas se guzri.

Peechhe khadi Erica ye dekh dang reh gayi. Uske muh se ek ghuti hui cheenkh nikli. Kya tha ye? Kya hua?

Wo dono abhi toh baatein kar rahe the. Fir achanak se ye kya?

Garofano ki aankhon me hari chamak bikhri. Usne ek qadam aage badhaaya.

Idhar, Veer ka perr wapas se zameen par land hua aur land hote hi-

*Ding*

HAWKEYE

Usne apni aedi ke jhatke se ek patthar ko seedha Renshu ki aankh ki orr uchhaal diya.

Renshu ne ek jhatke me apna haath aage kar uss patthar ko pakda. Magar, aankh ki orr aa rahe uss patthar ne ek blind spot bana diya.

Baayi orr se, Veer ka ek mukka tezi se aaya. Lagbhag adrishya.

Renshu ne use pakadne ke liye haath badhaaya.

Lekin,

'Huh?'

Wo nahi aaya.

'Nahi!'

Renshu ki aankhein chaudi ho gayi. Wo ek feint attack tha. Asli humla-

Daayi orr se aa raha mukka. Par, derr ho chuki thi.

Lekin, iske pehle ki Veer apna blow land kar paata, uski kalaayi kisi ne kass kar thaam li.

Garofano.

Garofano (yells) : VEER!!! KYA HO GAYA HAI, TUMHE?

Veer ne dheere se apna sarr ghumaya. Pehli baar usne use dekha. Garofano ne dekha ki uski aankhon me krodh tha.

Veer (yells) : Puchho Renshu se Violet. Isne mujhe bataaya tha. Kitne system holders zinda bache hue hai. Aur, sansaar me total kitne the. Isne mujhe bataaya tha...! Total 30 the. Aur, uss waqt 18! Jaw Long aur Crimson ke jaane ke baad ab shayad 16.

Garofano : ???

Veer : Par, mujhe ye batao...! Kaun si skills system holders ki ginti kar ke deti hai? Iske paas aisi koi si bhi skill nahi hai, Violet.

Garofano ka chehra peela pad gaya. Use bhi iska ehsaas hua. Woh tezi se Renshu ki orr mudi.

Erica vichlit unke paas bhaagte hue aayi.

Erica (panicked) : Rukoooo! Bas, ruk jaaaoo!! Pleeaasee!! Aap dono kyu ladd rahe ho? K-Kya hua??? Dad-!!!

Bechaari ki awaaz fatt rahi thi. Lekin, unme se koi bhi nahi hila. Garofano ne abhi bhi Veer ke haath ko jakda hua tha. Toh wahi, Renshu sthir khada hua tha.

Veer ke haath ne dheere dheere apni mazbooti dheeli ki.

Veer (yells) : JAWAAB DO, RENSHU!

Ek bhaari virham.

Renshu ne ek gehri saans li.

Renshu : Mere paas aisi koi skill nahi hai jo ye kar sakti hai.

Sab wahi jamm ke reh gaye. Siwae, Erica ke. Jisne nazrein glaani ke chalte ferr li.

Garofano : T-To, fir... kaise?

Renshu ke honth sikude. Usne ek pal ke liye apni aankhein band kar li. Fir, unhe firse khol kuchh soch vichaar kar bas ek hi shabd bola.

Ek aisa shabd jisne unke aas-paas ki duniyaa ko thaam kar rakh diya.

Garofano : Bolo bhi!!!

Renshu : ...

Garofano : ???

Renshu : X!

Hawa jaise rukne ko ho gayi. Garofano ka jabda sakht ho gaya. Veer... bas ghoorta raha.

Ab gusse se nahi. Balki, sandeh se.
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Aaj ke liye itna hi guys.
This update consists of 9.2k words. Jo kuchh bikhra hua tha, use sameta jayega. Ek ek karke saare puzzles ke pieces ko lagaya jayega. Kuchh leftovers rahenge jinhe aage ke arcs me lagaya jayega. Lekin, kaafi hadd tak clarity mil jayegi iss arc me. Post Disembowler shuru ho chuka hai. Next update bhi isi month ke end me aa jayega. Target mein ab halka sa ghata raha hu, because I know inme zyada kuchh action nahi hai aur na hi ye peak updates hai. So, target is 280 for now. Baaki, keep supporting.
Dhanyavad.

Jabardast update bhai..

 

[Janu002]

Superb update

 

[dhalchandarun]

Update - 185 ~ Unethical Games (2)​

Ab tak...

Magar, idhar Thane ke police station me iss derr raat khabar kuch achhi praapt nahi hui.

*Ring* *Ring*

Telephone baja. Trisha duty chhor ghar hi jaa rahi thi ki usne iss akhiri call ko utha liya.

Trisha : Thaane police station, Inspector Trisha-

Sub inspector : Madam, murder hua hai! External bypass road!

Sunte hi Trisha ke maathe par silvatein chhaa gayi.

Ab aage...

Veer apni neend se baahar aaya. Jaise hi uski aankhein khuli, parde ke madhyam se use subah ki koi bhi kiran chhan kar andar aati hui dikhayi na di. Usne deewar par lagi ghadi par samay dekha. Subah ke 5:30 baj rahe the. Dhoop ka na aane ka matlab tha baahar baadal chhaaye hue the.

Use tabhi apne bagal se ek garm sa ehsaas mehsoos hua. Ragini apna nanga jism liye gehri neend me uske bagal se so rahi thi. Uske gehre kaale baal takiye par bikhre hue the, chehra shaant, aur lagbhag pari sa prateet ho raha tha jo kal raat unke beech umde bhavnao ke toofan se bilkul hi vipreet tha.

Veer ne neeche farsh par nazar daali. Kahi par uski shirt toh kahi par Ragini ki gulaabi rang ki bra daali hui thi. Sab kuch ast-vyast tha, ek pramaan ki kal raat kya kuch hua tha. Veer ki nazar punah Ragini par gayi aur kal raat ki ghatnaaye uske saamne tezi se ghoom gayi.

Shuruat ek garma-garam behes se hui thi, kayi dino ki nirasha ke baad dono ke beech tanaav badh gaya tha. Jaha pehle Ragini uss se pyaar ka saboot maangti thi ab veh uss se sacchayi ki maang kar rahi thi.

"Tumne mujhse itna bada sach chhupaya, Veer?? Tum- Tum Suman ji ke saath humbistar hote ho???"

"Ragini-!"

"Woh tumhari daasi hai? Parijaat ghar? Ye aurtein-!? Sonali? Aabha?? Tum inke saath physical relationships rakhte ho?? Tumne itna bada sach mujhse chhipaya??"

"I see! Toh, Suman ne tumhe bataya?"

"How dare you, Veer? How dare you??? Itni badi baat-!!! Itni badi baat tumne mujhse chhipayi? Why did you lie to me?? *screams* Bolo-!!!"

"Ragini, meri baat suno-!"

"Nahi sunana mujhe tumhare bahaane, Veer. Nahi sunana!!! Tumko pata bhi hai ki mere upar kya beeti thi jab mujhe ye pata chala? Aur, woh bhi kisi aur ke muh se? Tumhe andaza bhi hai ki mujhe kitni taqleef hui thi??"

"Mein jaanta hu, Ragini. Aur-"

"Shut up, Veer!! Just shut up!!! Maine tumse pyaar kiya. Apna dil tumhare saamne khol ke rakh diya. Aur, tumne uska ye sila diya? Tum mere peeth peechhe ye sab kar rahe the? Mujhe andhere me rakhte hue???"

"Mera aisa koi bhi iraada nahi tha, Ragini. Please! Baat suno! Mein tumhe bataane hi waala tha-"

"Lekin, bataya toh nahi na! Mujhe Suman ke muh se sunana pada. Aur, agar woh mujhe batati hi nahi toh-!!! Tum aisa kar bhi kaise sakte ho, Veer?? Itni aurton ke saath-!! Chhee!! Mujhe toh... Mujhe toh sochte hue bhi ghin aa rahi hai. Unn aurton ke saath tumne...! Hmph! Khair, mein kaun hoti hu kisi ke taste ko judge karne waali? If that's what you prefer? Lekin, nahi! Inn sab ke baad bhi tumhari himmat kaise hui mere saath aage badhne ki? Tum kya mujhe bewakoof samajhte ho, Veer?"

"Ragini-! *frowns*"

"Ragini nahi, Veer. Tum ab woh haq kho chuke ho. Alag-alag aurton ke saath sex karte ho, aur uske baad bhi mujhe andhere me rakh ke mujhe gumraah karte ho? Sapne dikhaate ho ki hum ek dusre ke nazdeek aa rahe hai? Humare beech sab possible hai? Kya soch ke tum mere saath physical hue, Veer? Why??? *yells* Answer me!!!"

"Kyunki, mein tumhe pasand karta hu!!!"

"Huh??"

"Aur, ye baat sach hai. Agar, mein tumhe pasand nahi karta toh kabhi bhi mein tumhare saath itna aage nahi badhta."

"Kya waqai? Kahi tumne sirf mere shareer ke liye toh-"

"Ragini-!!!!"

Veer ki awaaz kamre me goonj gayi. Raat ke 2 baj rahe the. Iss tarah ke shor se ab koi bhi uth sakta tha.

"Hmph! *smiles* Shayad maine tumhari dukhti rag par haath rakh diya!?"

"Hargiz nahi! Mein kabhi bhi kisi se sirf shareerik sukh ke liye jhoote vaade nahi karta. Aur, na hi unki feelings ke saath khelta hu. Ye baat tumhe pata honi chahiye, Ragini."

"Toh fir kyu??? Kyu, Veer? Kyu??? Kyu tumne mujhse sach chhipaaya? Aur, chhipaaya toh chhipaaya. Lekin, uske baad fir mere saath aage kyu badhe tum? Kya tumne ek pal ke liye bhi nahi socha ki ye tumhari zimmedari banti thi itni badi baat mujhe bataana???"

"Mein tumhe bataana chaahta tha, Ragini. Lekin-"

"Lekin, kya Veer? Bolo-!! Lekin, kya???"

"..."

"Bolo, Veer-!! Bolooooo-!!!!"

" *yells* Kyuki, mujhe darr tha-!!"

"Huh??"

"Mujhe darr tha. Meri himmat nahi hui. Tumhe kuch bhi bataane ki. Mein... mein darrta tha ki tum kaise react karogi? Kahi tum mujhse dur chali gayi toh? Tum mujhe alag nazro se dekhne lagi toh? Mein... darrta tha-!"

Veer ka sarr apne aap neeche jhuk gaya. Pal bhar ke liye Ragini ke honth kuch kehne ke liye khule. Magar, sakthi wapas se uss par haawi ho gayi.

"Aur, kya mil gaya tumhe mujhse ye sach chhipa ke, Veer? Ab toh aur bhi chot pahuchi hai, mujhe. Tumhe pata hai mujhe kitna gussa aa raha hai abhi?"

"Ragini! Kya maine tumhe kabhi kuch kaha? Kabhi na kabhi tumne bhi Vivek bhaiya ke saath physical relationships rakhe the. Kya maine kabhi kuch uss baare me-"

[Oh no!]

Veer ki baat khatam hoti, ki uss se pehle hi Ragini ki bauhe achambhav me upar ko uthati chali gayi. Uska krodh charam par pahuch gaya.

"Kya kaha tumne, Veer? Ek second! Kya kaha tumne? Tum ye kehna chaah rahe ho ki maine Vivek ke saath physical relationship rakha isliye tumhe bhi haq hai kisi ke saath physically active hone ka? For fuck sake, Veer. Vivek mera husband tha. It's a given ki woh aur mein relationship me hi rehne waale the. Lekin, tum? Tumhara kya? Kya tum married ho? Kya tumhari koi wife hai? Ya sirf mujhe jalaane ke liye tumne auro ke saath sex kiya? Kya tum mujhe ye bataana chaah rahe ho ki agar mein sex kar sakti hu toh tum bhi kisi ke saath sex kar sakte ho? Haan???"

"Ragini! Tum meri baato ka galat matlab nikaal rahi ho."

"Bahut hua, Veer!! *sniff* I just... I just hate you! I loved you so much and this is what you gave me?? I hate you-!!! *sniff* I hate you so much-!!"

"Ragini! Ruko!!"

Woh bhaagi par Veer ne peechhe se uski kalaayi pakad li.

"Chhoro mujhe, Veer! Fucking leave me! *sniff* Do you have any idea? Tumhe pata hai jab mein apne future ke baare me sochti hu toh mujhe kya nazar aata hai?"

"...!?"

"Dhundhla-pann Veer! Dhundhla-pann! Aur, iss se pehle ki ye poori tarah se andhere me doob jaaye, mujhe jaane do. Jaane do mujhe! *hic* Leave me now, Veer!!! Chhoro mujhe!!!"

Uski awaaz me krodh aur hatasha dono thi. Akhir, kab tak woh intezar karti? Uske nazariye se dekhe toh yeh sahi bhi tha. 29 varsh ki ho chuki thi woh. Bhavishya ki chinta hona laazmi tha.

"Ragini, meri baat suno-"

Veer uske qareeb aaya. Par, Ragini uski pakad se chhoot kar jaane ki koshish karne lagi. Veer ne iss baar uski kalaayi ko zorr se kheencha toh woh seedhe jaake uske seene se bhid gayi. Dono ki aankhein ek dusre se takrayi aur-

*Ding*

[Mystic Touch has been activated.]

"Ahhh-!!!"

Apni nangi kamar par Veer ka sparsh paate hi Ragini ke muh se siski nikal gayi. Woh kasmasa ke reh gayi. Aur, fir Veer ne Ragini ke muh ko apne muh me bhar liya.

"Nnn~"

Ragini uski chhaati peetati rahi, use dhakelti rahi magar, Veer uske hontho ko choome jaa raha tha. Aur, Mystic Touch har guzarte pal use madhosh kar raha tha. Woh rone lagi. Iss mard ke ek sparsh se hi uska saara virodh khatam ho gaya. Khud pe use gussa bhi aa raha tha. Kyu thi woh itni kamzor iss naujavan ke saamne? Veer ka mukh jaise use choom nahi raha tha, uske andar se uska saara virodh, aur urja choos raha tha.

Veer ko yaad aaya ki kaise usne Ragini ko zorr se chooma tha, uske haatho ne uske kandho ko pakad rakha tha jaise ki woh use jaane hi nahi dena chaahta tha. Ragini uske seene ko dhakelne ka vyarth prayaas karti rahi lekin, antatah uska sankalp akhir toot hi gaya. Veer ke aakramak hamle ke chalte Ragini ke honth alag ho gaye aur woh Veer ki teevrata ke aage jhukti chali gayi. Ye aisa tha jaise maano baandh ke dwaar khul gaye ho.

"Veeeeerrrr- ch-chhoro!!!! Aaahhh~"

Thand ki kal ki yeh raat garmi aur josh se bhari thi. Veer ke haath Ragini ke jism par bhookh ke saath ghoom rahe the. Uske honth uski twacha ke har inch ko choom rahe the, jaise maano woh uske badan ke swaad ko yaad rakhna chaahta ho. Ragini bhi ab peechhe nahi thi, usne bhi utne hi josh ke saath jawab diya, uske naakhoon Veer ki peeth me gad gaye, uski saansein karaaho me badal gayi. Woh Veer ke mukh ko apne mukh me aise le rahi thi jaise wahi saans ka strotra the.

Dono apni-apni garmi me ek dusre me pighalne lage. Baahar ki duniya unke liye jaise samapt ho chuki thi. Bekhabar! Aur, be-haya! Aur, jo kuch ab maayne rakhta tha, veh the woh dono!

"Veeeer-!! Nnnghh-! Veeeer-!!!"

Veer ko yaad aaya ki kaise Ragini uske badan se chipki hui thi, kaise baar-baar aahein bhar uska naam fusfusa rahi thi. Jaha ye garm ehsaas ek taraf tha toh wahi dusri taraf kuch komalta se bhare shan bhi dono ke beech aaye the, jaha unki aankhein ek dusre se milti, apni baatein kehti aur ek dusre ki zaroorat ko samajh wapas se woh garmi unn par haawi ho jaati.

Aur, ab subah ke ujaale me, Veer unn nishaano ko dekh paa raha tha jo unhone ek dusre par chhore the. Ragini ki gardan, uske galey, uske thano par Veer ne gehri hickeys chhori thi. Aur, Ragini ne bhi kal raat uske seene par baar-baar kaatate hue kayi love bites use di thi. Ye pyaar ki nishani thi.

Veer jaanta tha ki use glaani mehsoos honi chahiye. Jis tarah se woh Ragini ko latkaaye hue tha, ye bilkul bhi sahi nahi tha. Vivek ki bediyo se nikalne ke baad Ragini ek ujjwal bhavishya ki haqdar thi. Aur, isliye Veer ko khud se sawal karna chahiye tha. Ye kya ho raha tha unke beech? Magar, uske saare vichaar thapp reh gaye jab usne dekha ki Ragini ne kis tarah se use kal dekha, jis tarah se woh uski taaqat ke saamne khud ko samarpit karti chali gayi. Unke beech ek connection zaroor tha.

Uska haath sehsa Ragini ke gaal se uske baalo ko hataane ke liye aage aaya.

"Mein majboor hu, Ragini-! Mein tumhe chaahta hu. Lekin, mera dil... Mere dil me koi aur bhi hai. Aur, woh jo hai-! Mein unki bahut respect karta hu. Aur, unhe pasand bhi. Lekin, mein tumhe kisi aur ka hote bhi nahi dekhna chaahta."

"Tum mujhe selfish bula sakti ho. Par, mein aisa hi hu. Mujhe nahi pata mujhe kya karna chahiye. Mujhe bas itna pata hai ki mein tumhe kisi aur ka hone nahi de sakta. Jaanta hu ki mein khudgarz hu. Swaarthi bhi. Lekin, mein tumhe kaise jaane de sakta hu?"

"Tumne tab mujhe sahara diya tha jab mujhe zaroorat thi. Aur, unhone bhi yahi kiya tha. Isliye, tum dono mere dil ke qareeb ho. Mein jaanta hu ki tum kabhi mere khilaaf thi. Lekin, tum apni marzi se usme nahi thi. Ye baat bhi mein jaanta hu. Uske baad jis tarah tumne meri dekh-bhaal ki, shayad hi meri parvah kisi ne aise ki hogi."

Magar, jitna Veer iss tarah rehna chaahta tha, kahi na kahi woh jaanta tha ki aise humesha nahi chal sakta. Uske lagataar sparsh se Ragini ki bauhe kass uthi.

Subah 6 baje Bhavna apni neend se jaag jaati thi. 5:45 ho chuke the. Ragini ko uske kamre me bhi bhejna tha. Yahi soch Veer ne dheere se uske kandhe ko hilaaya.

Veer : Ragini...

Ragini (sluggishly) : Mm~ Veer??

Veer : Uth jao ab. Iss se pehle ki kisi ko pata lage. Tumhe yaha se jaana hoga!

Usne Ragini ke baalo ko apne haath me lete hue kaha. Aur, ye sunte hi Ragini ke chehre se uska rang udd gaya. Use bodh hua ki kya kuch hua tha.

Ragini : Kya bas itna hi kehna hai tumhe?

Uski awaaz me kadvahat thi.

Ragini : Kal raat jo kuch bhi hua uske baad, tum mujhe mere kamre me aise wapas bhej rahe ho jaise kuch hua hi nahi??

Veer : Tum jaanti ho na ki ye sab itna asaan nahi-

Usne kehna shuru kiya magar, Ragini ne uski baat kaat di aur uth kar baithate hue kambal ko apne jism ke chaaro orr lapet liya.

Ragini : Itna asaan nahi? Maine tumhe sab kuch diya, Veer. Maine tumhare saamne apna sab kuch khol ke rakh diya. Aur, badle me maine tumse bas ek clear answer maanga tha. Sirf ek answer, Veer! Tum mujhe wo bhi nahi de sake. Mujhse jhooth bolte rahe aur mere saath-

Veer : Ragini!

Ragini : Kya mein tumhari life me sirf ek aur aurat hu, Veer? Ya kya mein tumhare liye uss se badhkar hu??

Veer ka dil Ragini ke shabdo se, uski awaaz me dard se paseej gaya. Woh use batana chaahta tha ki woh uske liye kitna mehatv rakhti thi lekin, shabd uske gale me atak gaye. Jab uski zindagi pehle se hi itni uljhi hui thi, toh bhala woh koi spasht vaada use kaise de sakta tha? Woh jaanta tha ki uski feelings kayi logo me vibhajit thi. Toh fir sirf Ragini ko woh kaise-!?

Veer : Ragini, please-

Usne Ragini ke gaal ko apne haath me liya.

Veer : Tum jitna jaanti ho, uss se kahi zyada mujhe tumhari parvah hai. Lekin, aise aage nahi badha jaa sakta. Bahut kuch daav pe laga hua hai. Mein-

Ragini ne uske haath ko apne gaal se hataaya aur apni aankhon me aasu liye boli.

Ragini : Aur, mein inn sab se ab thak chuki hu, Veer. Mein ye mehsoos karte-karte thak gayi hu ki mein utni acchi nahi! Jaise ki mein tumhare liye sirf ek convenient distraction bann ke reh gayi hu.

Veer (yells) : Aisa nahi hai!!!

Ragini : Toh jawab do-!!! Batao mujhe! Kya tum iske baad ab Suman aur baakiyo se apne physical relationships tod sakte ho? Humesha humesha ke liye?

Veer : ...

Veer ki chuppi ne jaise seedha ek khanjar Ragini ke dil pe ghop diya. Suman aur baaki sabhi, uski zimmedariyaan thi. Woh sirf apne shareerik sukh ke liye unke saath sambhog nahi karta tha. Sambhog unn aurton ke liye bhi hota tha. Jaise unki zimmedari apne maalik ko santusht rakhna thi, waise hi Veer ki zimmedari unhe santusht rakhna thi.

Ragini : Mein jaanti thi! Tumhari khamoshi ne sab jawab de diya. Mein toh hamare liye ladne ko bhi taiyaar thi, Veer. Par, mein ye akele nahi kar sakti thi. Mujhe tumhara saath chahiye tha. Unfortunately, tumne apne qadam peechhe kar liye. Aur, mein samajh gayi hu ki tum kaha khade rehna chaahte ho. Aur, mein tumhare liye kya hu. Sab jaan gayi hu.

Veer ki chhaati andar hi andar kass gayi. Ragini jo har kuch seh chuki thi jo har cheez ke bawajood uske saath khadi thi. Veer jo use de raha tha, uss se kahi adhik ki veh haqdar thi.

Veer : I don't want to hurt you!

Ragini ne ek thar-tharati hui saans chhori aur apne aasuon ko pochh boli.

Ragini : You are already hurting me, Veer!!! Every time you hold back, everytime you hesitate, it's like a knife to my heart. Mujhe ye jaanane ki zaroorat thi ki kya hamara milan ek sach hai? Ya mein apne aap ko bewakoof bana rahi hu? Aur, iska jawab mujhe aaj mil hi gaya.

Veer ne use sparsh karne ke liye wapas se aage haath badhaya lekin, Ragini uske haath ko dhakelte hue uthi aur peechhe mud ek baar use gaur se dekhi. Jis mard ke liye kabhi uske andar itna prem jaaga tha. Iss waqt use hi dekh use ghin aa rahi thi. Aur, baar-baar use apne mastishq me Sonali, Suman aur anya aurto ki Veer ke sang ki chhavi nazar aa rahi thi.

Ragini : Goodbye, Veer. Shayad... Tumhara aur mera milna humare jeevan me nahi likha tha. Shayad, meri life me... Koi aur hi hai jo mujhe ab ek naya jeevan de sakta hai.

Veer (frowns) : Kya matlab?

Ragini : Ye mard jaat ek jaisi hi hoti hai. Tum sab ek jaise ho. Aur, mein paagal ye soch baithi thi ki- *sniff*

Veer : Wait!!

Ragini : Enjoy your damn debauchery, Veer. *sniff* Tumhari ayyaashi... Tumhe mubarak ho!

Kehte hue woh waha se daud nikli.

Veer : Raginiiiiii-!!! Ragini, rukooo-!!!

*Thud*

Darwaza band hua aur Ragini waha se nikal gayi. Veer ne kheejte hue apne baalo ko kass ke pakad bed par haath de maara.

'Pari-!! Pari, ye kya hua?'

[Ye toh hona hi tha, Master.]

'Huh?'

[Jis tarah aap Ragini ko kisi aur ka hote dekhna nahi chaahte. Waise hi Ragini bhi toh aapko kisi aur ka hote hue dekhna nahi chaahegi na? Koi bhi aurat ye nahi chaahegi ki uska pyaar kisi aur aurat ke saath physical relationship rakhe. If I had been in her shoes then, I would have too-]

'Huh???'

[Nothing, Master.]

'B-But, I really love her, Pari. Aur, mujhe abhi ye realise hua ki mein waqai uss se kitna pyaar karta hu. Mujhe bilkul accha nahi lag raha. Andar se ajeeb sa lag raha hai, Pari.'

[I know, Master. Mein aapke pyaar aur dard dono ko mehsoos kar sakti hu. Lekin, Ragini toh ye meri tarah mehsoos nahi kar sakti na?]

'Mujhe kuch samajh nahi aa raha mein kya karu. Pari! Meri madad karo, please.'

[Jo ho raha hai hone dijiye, Master!]

'Kya??'

[Haan! Jo ho raha hai use hone dijiye. Aap bas jaise ho waise hi raho. Jinhe aapse saccha lagaav hoga. Woh aapke saath ant tak bane rahenge. Aur, jinhe ye sweekar nahi hoga woh aapse duri bana lenge. Aap har kisi ko apne saath leke nahi chal sakte, Master.]

'Nahi Pari! Nahi! Mein... Mein Ragini ko apne se dur nahi jaane dena chaahta.'

[Agar mein aapko ek advice du toh aap maanoge?]

'Kaho Pari!'

[Kuch din tak Ragini se dur rahiye.]

'Huh?'

[Ragini ko ye feel hona chahiye ki aapke bina uska jeevan kaisa hai. Agar, woh cope up kar leti hai toh woh aapse dur chali jayegi.]

'Kya? Par-'

[Maine abhi aapse kaha. Aap har kisi ko apne saath nahi rakh sakte, Master. Learn to let go.]

'Par-'

[Master!!!]

'Umm *nods* Samajh gaya, Pari!'

[Good! Uss se duri bana ke rakhiye. Aap baat kar sakte ho. Lekin, physical relationship bilkul bhi nahi. Yaha tak ki use touch bhi mat kariye. Mystic Touch ka koi bharosa nahi. Use ye mehsoos hona chahiye ki kya woh aapke bagair reh sakti hai?]

'Aur, agar-'

[Agar, reh sakti hai toh aap Ragini ko bhool jaana, Master.]

'Pari-!!!'

[Aapke liye yahi sahi hoga.]

Veer ne aage kuch na kaha. Lekin, Pari ki baat se use kam se kam ek raah mil chuki thi ki use kya karna tha. Yaha uske liye uska saath dene ke liye toh Pari thi. Magar, Ragini ke liye kaun tha?

Ragini ne bhaag ke aane ke baad apne kamre ka darwaza kass ke band kiya, uske zor se uske kamre ki deeware hil gayi. Har saans ke saath uska seena zoro se upar neeche ho raha tha. Har saans vishvasghaat ke bojh se bhaari ho rahi thi.

Ghuti hui saanson ke saath usne bistar ke paas ke stool se ek fooldaan uthaaya aur use zameen par fek diya. Usne chaadar ko ast-vyast kar bikher diya, dressing par jami cosmetics ki saamagri udel di.

"I hate you, Veer-!!! *sniff* I hate you!!!"

Woh tooti hui awaaz me chillaayi. Shabd kamre me goonj gaye, lekin wo khokhle aur khaali mehsoos ho rahe the. Uske perr dheele pade aur woh farsh par gir gayi, uska shareer siskiyo ke chalte kaapne laga. Sacchaayi ne jaise uski duniya ujaad di thi, aur ab siwae tukdo me doobne ke alawa kuchh na tha.

"Kyuuu!!!? Kyu kiya tumne aisa mere saath?? *sniff* Maine tumhare liye kitna kuch kiya, Veer-!! *sniff* Aur, tum... Mujhse jhooth bol ke unn aurton ke saath-"

Aasu aankhon se rukne ka naam nahi le rahe the. Woh jaanti thi ki inn sawaalo ka koi uttar nahi tha. Kyunki, agar uttar mil bhi jaata. Toh kya veh iss dhoke ko bhula sakta tha?

"I fucking hate you...! *sniff* I hate you!!! I hate you soooo much-!! *sniff* Apni chaahat ki latt laga ke tumne mere saath accha nahi kiya, Veer. Tumne accha nahi kiya. *hic* I hate you-!!!"

Usne apna maatha bistar ke kinaare par dabaaya, dukh se uska shareer aith raha tha.

"I hate you!!!" Woh fus-fusayi, jaise-jaise gussa dukh me badal raha tha, shabd apni dhaar khote jaa rahe the. "I hate you... Veer!"

Thar-tharate hontho se nikalta raha, "I hate you... I hate you..." Jab tak ki, uske honth kaapte hue punah khule aur nichle honth ko daato taley dabaaye woh bud-budayi.

"I hate....! *sobs* I... love you-!! *hic* I love you...!! I love you soooo muchhh-!! "

"I love you!!! *sniff* Even when it hurts, even when it destroys me...! I love you!!! I love you~!! I'm so pathetic. *sniff* *hic* I-Itna sab kuchh hone ke baad bhi- I still love you. *hic*"

"I'm so weak!! *sniff* I love you, Veer!!"

Aur, woh yuhi farsh par simti bilakhti rahi jab tak ki uska rona band na ho gaya. Veer ke woh bol punah uske kaano me goonj gaye.

"Koi hai jinse mein utna hi pyaar karta hu jitna ki tumse. Wo bhi tumhari tarah talaq-shuda hai."

'K-Kaun?? Kaun ho sakti hai woh aurat? Mere alawa?' Usne apne aasuon ko fatafat se pochh aaklan kiya.

Use laga tha ki woh aurat Suman hogi. Magar, woh galat thi. Poore parivar me uske aur Suman ke alawa talaq-shuda aurat aur kaun thi bhala? Koi bhi nahi! Shweta aur Bhavna Brijesh se dur thi magar woh dono toh Veer ki maa thi. Sawal hi paida nahi hota. Toh, parivar ke baahar bhala kaun ho sakta tha?

Aur, tabhi Ragini ke mann me Nidhi aur Juhi ki chhavi saamne bann kar akasmat prakat hui. Uske shareer par raungte khade ho gaye.

'N-Nahi-!!!' Woh kaanp uthi.

Veer aur Nidhi! Iss ghar me aane se pehle Veer toh- Nidhi ke ghar me hi raha karta tha. Iska matlab-?

'Nidhi ma'am???'

Uski aankhein aashcharya me felti chali gayi. Woh galat bhi ho sakti thi. Kintu, iska pata lagaane ka ek hi tareeqa tha.

***

Outskirts of Mumbai,
Afternoon - 2:10 PM ~

Mumbai ke ekaant baahri ilaaqe me, pedo ki ghani chhaav ke neeche, do shareer aapas me takra rahe the. Unke bhidne ki awaaz hawa me goonj rahi thi. Koi dhoop nahi, vatavaran me sirf oas thi.

Veer aur Ava ek dusre par jhapatate hue ek dusre par hamla kar rahe the. Yeh unka chuna hua ilaaqa tha. City se kuch kilometres dur sunsaan sadak se lage hue ghane ped paudho ke beech ki yeh jagah. Ek aisi jagah jo logo ki nazro se dur thi. Ek aisi jagah jaha woh dono khul ke train kar sakte the. Kyunki, ek aam insaan ki nazro me ye sab nahi laaya jaa sakta tha.

Veer ki car wahi khadi hui thi aur dono ne apni-apni jackets utaar rakhi thi. Kyunki, jald hi woh dono paseene se lathpath hone waale the.

Veer apni aankhein band kiye khada hua tha. Aura Vision!!! Jaw Long se praapt hui skill. Active hote hi uske chaaro orr ki duniya ek monochrome grey color me vileen ho gayi.

Ava ka aura uske shareer ke andar neele rang ki lapto se chamak raha tha. Hara rang ped paudhe ke aura ko darshaata tha. Toh wahi, peela rang janwaro ke liye tha. Aur, nakaraatmak urja ke liye kaale rang ki lapte darshaayi jaati thi. Tamaam living beings ke auras ko alag-alag rango se prastut karti thi yeh skill.

Veer ne Aura Vision ko upgrade nahi kiya tha. Aur, isliye use non-living things dikhayi nahi de sakti thi. Points toh uske paas bhaari maatra me the. Magar, woh abhi apne points yuhi nahi gawaana chaahta tha. Behtar tha ki Aura Vision ke saath-saath woh apni martial arts ki bhi practise karta chale. Na sirf ye uske prediction senses ko badhane me madad karne waali thi balki use advance me hi moves ko anticipate karne ki ek shiksha bhi dene waali thi.

Toh wahi dusri orr, Ava apni mastery me thi. Usne apne haath me li hui ped ki ek daal ghumayi, uska wazan aur santulan uske haath me aate hi jaise apne aap dhal gaya.

Weapon Master!!! Ped ki daal bhi ek prakar ka hathiyar hi thi. Chaahe koi bhi hathiyar ho, uske haath me aate hi Ava uske baare me sab kuch jaan jaati thi. Hathiyar ki poori mastery sirf use pakadne se hi uske andar aa jaati thi.

Ava lakdi ki daal ke har reshe, uski satah ke har kann ko mehsoos kar paa rahi thi. Lekin, iss baar woh hathiyaro ke bharose nahi rehna chaahti thi.

China me jo kuch bhi hua, ye uska pramaan tha ki woh close combat me peechhe thi. Renshu aur Veer ke alawa aur koi bhi close combat system holder nahi tha unke paas. Ava ek ranged system holder thi. Aur, woh ise apni kamzori maanti thi.

Isliye, woh khud ko close combat me behtar banaana chaahti thi. Taaki, Jaw Long jaisa dushman fir se Veer ko khatam karne ke liye agar daude toh woh waha uski hifazat kar sake.

Ava : Come, Veer!!! I'm ready!!

Usne ek stance lete hue kaha. Veer ne apni aankhein kholi. Aura Vision ab bhi active thi. Aankhein ho ya chaahe na ho, yeh skill use vision pradaan karti hi thi.

Veer : Here I come-!!!

Kehte hue usne pehla hamla kiya.

*Whoooooooooooosh*

Aur, uski aakriti ek blur me badal gayi. Woh apni jagah se itni tezi se gaayab hua ki Ava ki aankhein uski raftaar dekhte hi phati ki phati reh gayi. Samay din ka tha toh kam se kam woh uski dhundhli aakriti ko dekh paayi. Agar, raat hoti toh-!?

'Shit!!! He's too fast!'

[That speed-!!! It's amazing.]

Veer ne unn dono ke beech ki doori ek jhatke me khatam ki, uska aim Ava ke midsection ki orr tha. Kintu, Ava ne turant hi react kiya, uski lakdi ki daal turant block me aayi, lekin Veer ke punch se woh chithhdo me bikhar gayi aur iss prabhav se Ava ki baahein jhatka kha kar reh gayi.

Woh fauran hi peechhe koodi. Woh jaanti thi ki uska hathyar Veer ke saamne zyada derr nahi tikne waala tha, magar pehle hi vaar me uske parchhattey udd jayenge, ye usne bilkul nahi socha tha.

Ava : T-Tumne waqai 'Aura Vision' upgrade nahi ki hai na?

Veer (smiles) : Agar mein use upgrade kar leta toh kya mein use yaha train kar raha hota? I wanted to train for some blind and surprise attacks.

Ava : ...

Woh stabdh thi. Aura Vision agar upgraded nahi thi toh iska matlab saaf tha ki Veer ko lakdi ki woh daal dikhayi nahi di thi.

Jab tak woh daal ped se judi hui thi, tab tak woh ek living thing ka hissa tha. Woh jeevit thi. Uska apna ek aura tha. Kintu, ped se alag hote hi woh ek non living thing me badal chuki thi. Nateeja? Aura gaayab. Yaani ki Veer ko woh daal dikhayi hi nahi di. Usne sirf anumaan laga ke hi apna hamla kiya tha.

Ava : Agar, uss daal ki jagah meri sword hoti toh? You could have hurt yourself.

Veer : Indeed! Lekin, kya tumhari sword tumhare paas hai? *smiles* Woh toh China me hi reh gayi, Renshu ke paas. India aate waqt tum apne saath koi bhi weapons nahi laayi thi. Kyunki, desh ke andar weapons laane ke liye tumhe alag se kayi saari formalities se guzarna padta. Am I right?

Ava : Hmm! I see! Toh iska matlab tumne assumption se attack kiya!?

Veer : That's right! Now, get ready. Mein firse attack karne jaa raha hu.

Ava (exhales) : Fine then! Come!

Ek baar fir Veer tezi se uski orr aaya. Ava jaise iss baar jaanti thi ki Veer ka hamla uske midsection ke upar ka hoga. Aur, woh sahi thi. Veer ka punch uske chehre ki taraf hi aaya aur Ava ne anumaan lagaate hue apna shareer daayi taraf mod liya, fir Veer ke perro ki orr nishaana saadhate hue ek zabardast kick maari.

Kintu, Veer bhi jaise Ava ki iss kick ka pehle se anumaan lagaaye baitha tha. Jaise hi Ava ki kick uske perr par padne ko aayi, woh hawa me uchka, aur hawa me hi ghoomte hue usne ek kick maari. Ava hadbadaate hue akasmat jhuki, Veer ki laat uske upar se tezi se nikli toh uski raftaar se uske baal hawa me udd gaye.

Woh palak jhapakte ghoomi, zameen par padi tooti hui daal ka ek tukda uthaate hue usne Veer ke sarr par vaar karna chaaha.

*Clasp*

Lekin, Veer ne apne dono haatho se uss tooti hui daal ko pakad liya. Ava ne use ek qadam peechhe lene par majboor kar diya.

Veer (smiles) : Good!

Ava (grins) : Ye kuchh bhi nahi! I'm just warming up.

Veer : Then, you better get serious.

Ava : Hmm?

*Ding*

LIMBO!!!

*Crack*

"Aaaaaahhhhhhh-!!!!!"

Ava dard se cheenkhi par uski cheenkh beech me hi ruk gayi jab Veer ki laat seedhe aake uski kamar par lagi, woh dur jaate hue ek ped se jaa bhidi.

*Baaaammmm*

"Urgh!"

Iss se pehle ki woh khud ko sambhaalti Veer theek uske saamne khada tha. Usne Ava ka haath punah liya aur-

*Ding*

LIMBO!!!!

Ava : Huh???

Veer (smiles) : Dard hua tha?

Ava (nods) : Haan! Par ab-

Veer : Limbo! Meri skills me se ek. Maine tumhara haath mod diya tha. Don't worry. I fixed it now. Tum theek ho?

Ava ke mann me Lily ne Limbo se judi saari information prastut kar di. Woh haami bharte hue uthi. Thodi sharminda bhi thi ki itni asaani se woh Veer se haar gayi. Magar, woh apni full power ka istemal nahi kar rahi thi. Aur, na hi Veer. Usne toh abhi kuch istemal kiya hi nahi tha. Berserk, Beowulf's Blessings, Probability Manipulation jaise cards ke baare me toh abhi usne socha bhi nahi tha.

Ava ne gehri saans li. Aur, Veer ko dekh boli.

Ava : Iss baar mein serious hu, Veer. Please, apni full power ke saath mujhe face karna. Warna, iss training ka koi matlab nahi. Tumhe chot pahuch sakti hai aur mujhe bhi. Lekin, hum dono rukenge nahi.

Veer : Kya tum yahi chaahti ho?

Ava (nods) : Haan! Dard se mujhe nahi darrna hai. So, this time... I'll attack you with my full power. Take your stance!!!

Agle hi pal Ava ke ird-gird ki hawa bhaari ho chali. Uska ravaiyya badal gaya. Aankhon me gambheerta jhalakne lagi.

*Swoooooooossshhh*

Woh bhaagi. Veer ki taraf lapki. Usne apne haath se zor se kuch feka.

'Huh???'

Veer ko kuch dikhayi nahi diya. Iska matlab saaf tha. Woh koi non-living cheez thi. Shayad wahi ped ki daal??

Turant hi usne apne dono haatho ko cross kar block kiya magar-

'Huhh!?'

Kuchh bhi aake uske haath se nahi takraya. Aur, fir uske badan me ek sihran daud gayi.

'Shit-!!! Feint attack???'

Jaise hi usne apne haath block se hataaye, ek zabardast punch aake seedhe uske pait par pada.

*Baaaaaammmmmmm*

"Argh-!!!!"

Veer uchhalte hue peechhe gulaati maarte hue zameen par land kiya aur ghisatate hue peechhe chala gaya.

Ava ne jaan boojh ke fekne ka ishaara kiya tha. Sach toh ye tha ki usne kuchh bhi nahi feka tha. Usne bas Veer ki 'Aura Vision' ke loophole ka faayda uthaaya tha. Uske battle IQ par Veer muskuraya.

Veer (smiles) : Nice one, Ava! Tumhara battle IQ badh raha-

Lekin, uske shabd adhoore hi reh gaye jab usne dekha ki Ava theek uske saamne khadi apna agla attack launch kar chuki thi.

'Huh?'

Usne jhatse apne aap ko side kiya.

*Baaaaaammmmmmm*

Ava ki laat seedhe aake zameen par padi aur uss hisse ke parchhattey udd gaye. Mauqa dekhte hi Veer ke hontho par muskaan fel gayi. Ek powerful palm strike se usne Ava ko maarna chaaha parantu-

Ava : Rekkaken-!!!

Veer : !!???

*Boooooooooommmmmm*

Ek tez awaaz waha goonj gayi. Aur, Veer hawa me upar uchhalte hue dur jaa gira. Force itna tha ki uska shareer araam se hawa me udd gaya. Uska haath jo usne palm strike ke liye badhaya tha, woh ajeeb disha me mud chuka tha.

"Tch-!!!"

*Ding*

LIMBO!!!

Apne khud ke haath ko usne Limbo ki sahayta se sahi kiya. Aur, taajub me usne Ava ko dekha jo one punch ka stance liye khadi thi. Veer ki palm strike Ava ke uss punch se hi takrayi thi aur uska haath mud gaya tha. Force field itni zyada thi ki uska shareer tak dur fik gaya.

'Rekkaken-!? Iska matlab Ava ke paas bhi kuch anokhi skills hai?'

['Rekkaken' ek defensive skill hai, Master.]

'Defensive skill, my ass. She blew me up in the sky. Ise tum defensive skill kahogi?'

[Yes, Master. 'Rekkaken' ek fist punch defensive skill hai jo dangerous situation ke waqt enemy ko khud se dur fekne ke liye kaam aati hai. Aap khud dekhiye. Kya aapko kahi par dard ho raha hai?]

Pari ke sawaal par Veer aascharya me reh gaya. Use waqai koi dard nahi ho raha tha.

[See? Isliye, maine kaha ki ye defensive skill hai. Agar, attacking skill hoti toh aap abhi dard me hote. Yeh skill bas enemy ko dur bhejne ke liye hai. Ava jaanti thi ki aapki palm strike uske liye dangerous thi. Isliye, usne turant hi 'Rekkaken' ka istemal kar aapko apne se dur kar diya.]

'Wait! Agar, ye defensive skill hai toh fir mera haath kaise mud gaya?'

[Aapke apne force se.]

'Huh??'

[Ava toh bas aapko dur fekna chaah rahi thi. Jabki aap use attack karna chaah rahe the. Aapka khud ka force 'Rekkaken' ki force field se takraaya aur-]

'Reflect ho gaya?'

[Exactly!]

'Toh tum kehna chaah rahi ho ki uss ek second ke liye Ava ka 'Rekkaken' punch kisi repelling barrier field ki tarah tha? Jis se mera haath lagte hi mera khud ka force reflect ho gaya? Aur, mera haath mud gaya?'

[Yes, Master.]

'Fucking hell-!! Ye toh kamaal ki skill hai. Aise me toh Ava invincible hai. Woh har baar ye skill spam kar ke-'

[Nahi kar sakti.]

'Huh???'

[Read it for yourself.]

*Ding*

[Skill : Rekkaken
Description : Rekkaken also known as 'blazing fist' is a defensive one punch skill. It allows the user to generate a force repelling field. Any attack landed on the user while 'Rekkaken' is triggered will result in the reflection of the attack along with its equal intensity.

Note : 'Rekkaken' will only be triggered if executed at the right moment. If the execution is even a fraction of second early/late then, it won't be triggered. Use it wisely.]

Description me note padhte hi Veer ko sab samajh aa gaya. Toh, ye dikkat thi iss skill ke saath. Ye tabhi trigger ho sakti thi jab exactly sahi samay par ise execute kiya jaaye. Agar, halka sa bhi pehle ya baad me ise execute kiya toh ye trigger nahi hone waali thi.

Nateeja? User ek bahut bade attack ka shikaar ho sakta tha. Veer ko samajh aa gaya ki bhala kyu, Ava ab tak iss skill ka istemal nahi kar rahi thi. Kyunki, ye ek risky skill thi. Kismat se abhi woh trigger ho gayi. Lekin, zaroori nahi ki har baar wo trigger ho. Ise master karne ka ek hi tareeka tha. Aur, woh tha iski exact timing ka pata lagaana.

Jab Ava ne Veer ko khamosh khada dekha toh woh chinta me aa gayi. Woh apna stance break kar use awaaz lagaate hue puchi.

Ava : V-Veeer-!! Tum theek toh ho na?

Veer apne vichaaro se baahar aaya aur muskurate hue use dekha.

Veer : Mein theek hu. But, you surprised me.

Ava : Woh defensive skill hai, meri. Maine kabhi iska istemal nahi kiya. Jaw Long ke against bhi nahi. Kyunki, maine ise seekha nahi hai. Aaj luckily ye trigger ho gayi. But, mein ise seekhna chaahti hu.

Veer : Uske liye hume iski timing ko pin point karna hoga. Mujhe umeed hai ki hum training ke zariye woh bhi dhoondh hi lenge.

Ava (smiles) : Hmm! Waise... Tum bhi toh ek skill chhipaaye hue ho. Hai na?

Veer : Hmm? Mein?

Ava : Haan! Maine dekha tha. Jaw Long se ladte waqt... Woh fighting style...! It was...

Kehte-kehte Ava uss manzar me pahuch gayi jab Veer ne apna raudra roop dikhaya tha. Jab Pari uss par haawi ho chuki thi. Jis tarah se usne Jaw Long ko hawa me uchhaal-uchhaal kar raunda tha. Woh ek fighting style hi thi. Lekin, Veer ki nahi...! Uss Pari ki...!

Ava : It... It was phenomenal!

Uske gaal halke laal rang se laal pad gaye. Veer ne jo taaqat uss waqt dikhayi thi, uski woh chhavi humesha humesha ke liye Ava ke dil dimaag me chhap chuki thi.

Lekin, idhar Veer confusion me use dekh raha tha. Skill? Kaun si skill? Use toh kuchh yaad bhi nahi tha theek se ki usne kya kiya tha.

[Pichhli Pari ne ek fighting style ka istemal kiya tha, Master. Ava usi fighting style ke baare me baat kar rahi hai.]

'Fighting style? Kaun si?'

[It's the deadliest fighting style. Aap Jaw Long ko hawa me uchhaalte hue dho rahe the. You didn't stop even for a second. You made a mess out of him.]

'W-Wait-! Mein? Mein Jaw Long ko hawa me-!?'

[Haan! Lekin, woh pichhli Pari ki fighting style thi. Only she can execute it. Lekin, woh nahi jaanti ki-]

'Hmm?'

[I know that fighting style too.]

'Huh???'

[Agar use pata chala toh uska reaction dekhne layak hoga.]

'Pari ki fighting style.'

[Nope! Originally, ye uski fighting style bhi nahi hai. Aur, na hi meri. Usne illegal tareeko se woh khoji thi. Magar, woh nahi jaanti ki mein bhi uss fighting style ko kuchh hadd tak jaanti hu. Poori toh na hi uss se aati hai aur na hi mujhse. Lekin, mujhe jitni pata hai. Mein aapko sikha zaroor sakti hu.]

'Akhir, tumhe ye sab kaha se-!?'

[Sawal baad me, Master. Maine pehle hi aap ko bataya hua hai. Mein aapke planet se nahi. Toh jaha se bhi hum the, yahi consider kar lijiye ki ye fighting style wahi ki hai. Okay?]

'Hmm!'

[It's the forbidden fighting style - 'Ryotsken']

'Ryotsken?'

[Hmm! Par, ye bahut deadly hai, Master. Iska istemal zyada der tak ke liye nahi kiya jaa sakta.]

'Kyu?'

[Samjhaati hu. 'Ryotsken' rapid quick movements aur deadly combos ka ek mishran hai. Ye technique dikhne me bahut hi chaotic lage par rehti bahut hi sateek hai.]

'Toh isme deadly kya?'

[Rapid quick aur strong movements ke liye shareer apni bloodstream se energy ko leta hai, jis process me dherr saare red blood cells tabaah ho jaate hai. Aur, zyada red blood cells ka tabaah hona matlab kamzori, saans foolna, yaha tak ki heart attack ka aana. Isliye, iss fighting style ko zyada samay ke liye istemal nahi kiya jaa sakta.]

Isliye, Pari ne uss waqt kaha tha.

'This body is weak...!'

Kyunki, Veer ka maanvi shareer 'Ryotsken' ke liye taiyaar na tha.

'Toh ye baat hai. Samajh gaya. Aur, tumse ye aati hai?'

[Poori nahi. Lekin, kuchh move sets mein jaanti hu. Especially, woh jo aapne Jaw Long par feke the. Mein woh aapko sikha sakti hu.]

'Alright! Lekin, abhi nahi. Aane waale kuchh dino me hum iski shuruat karenge.'

[As you wish, Master.]

Ava : Veer-!!? Veer kaha kho gaye?

Veer : Huh? Oh! Kuchh nahi!

Ava : System se baat kar rahe the kya?

Veer : Hmm! Tum jis fighting style ki baat kar rahi thi woh darasal 'Ryotsken' hai.

Ava : 'Ryotsken'???

[Aisi koi bhi skill shop me nahi hai, Miss. In fact, mein khud ye naam pehli baar sunn rahi hu. Just what in the hell that skill is-!?]

Ava (frowns) : Ye skill toh shop me nahi hai, Veer. Fir tumne kaise-?

Veer : Ye koi skill nahi, Ava. Ye fighting style hai jo Pari ne mujhe sikhaayi hai.

Ava : Huh!!?

[He's hiding something.]

Ava : Tum mujhse kuchh chhipa rahe ho kya, Veer?

Veer : Hmm? Umm... Well-

Ava ka sarr nirasha me jhuk gaya.

Ava : It's okay. Agar, tumhe nahi bataana toh koi baat nahi. I won't ask further.

Veer : Nahi, aisa nahi hai. I'll tell you later, Ava. Abhi mein khud hi samajhne ki koshish kar raha hu.

Ava (nods) : Koi baat nahi!

Veer : Tumhe close combat me maahir hone ki zaroorat hai.

Ava : Jaanti hu!

Veer : Renshu aur mein hi woh do system holders hai jo close combat kar sakte hai.

Ava : Kyu? Erica aur uss Violet ka kya?

Veer : Erica ek supportive system holder hai. She can be very useful. Use thode experience ki zaroorat hai. Violet...! *frowns* I still don't know about her true powers.

Ava : Tum uss se familiar nahi? China me toh mujhe kuch aur hi nazar aaya tha.

Kehte hue Ava ne ek halka sa teekha vaar kiya. Jise shayad Veer samajh na paaya.

Veer : Mein uss se familiar hu. Lekin, uske system se nahi. I just don't know what else she's hiding in her arsenal.

Ava (glances) : Aur, uske baad bhi tum uspe trust karte ho?

Ek aur sawaal. Pata nahi kyu, par Garofano se sambandhit saari jankaari woh Veer ke muh se jaanana chaahti thi.

Veer : Poora nahi!

Ava : Hmm?

Veer : Woh kehti hai ki woh mujhe kabhi harm nahi karegi. Lekin, uska ye mysterious rehna. Kahi na kahi mujhe abhi uss se sachet rehne ko keh raha hai. Mujhe yaad hai jab woh hotel Casa Belle me mujhse mili thi. Usne mere attack ko easily dodge kiya tha. Not once! But twice!!!

Ava : Is that so?

Veer : Yeah! By the way, tumhara system level kya tha?

Ava : Nine!

Veer : Hmm! Jaw Long ko maarne ke baad, tumhe skills mili thi na?

Ava : Hmm! Maine bataya tha tumhe. Bhool gaye? Tribal survival aur Explo Artisan. Aur, ek perk bhi mila tha. 'Shrapnel!'

Veer : Perk hunt toh tumhara lock hoga. Hume tumhare system ko level 10 pe laana hoga.

Ava : I know. Missions milenge toh hi ye possible hai.

Veer : Milenge woh bhi, eventually. Par, tab tak training hi hamara best option hai.

Ava : I agree!

Veer : Agar, tumhe tribal survival mili hai toh ye bahut hi useful saabit hogi. Explo Artisan! Ye kya thi?

Ava : Explosives!!!

Veer : Ahh! Right! Yaad aaya.

Veer ko turant hi Jaw Long ke bichhaaye gaye explosives ka dhyaan aaya jiske upar qadam rakh woh visfot ka shikaar ho gaya tha.

Veer : Hmm! Ye bhi bahut kaam aa sakti hai. Agar, hum ambush prepare kare toh. Kyunki, rush karne ke liye iss skill ka koi matlab nahi.

Ava : Exactly!

Veer : Let's continue!

Ava (nods) : Mm!

Aur, isi tarah kuchh aur derr tak woh dono apni practise me uljhe rahe, dono ek dusre ko apni seema tak dhakel rahe the. Thand thi, par unke badan par paseena chamak raha tha, jo ek ke baad ek vaar karte samay zameen par tapak raha tha.

Ava ki saansein tez thi, lekin veh ruki nahi. Woh khud ko saabit karne ke liye aatmvishvas se bhari hui thi, Veer ko ye dikhaane ke liye ki woh sirf ek ranged fighter bann ke nahi rehna chaahti thi. Aur, close combat me woh uske kandhe se kandha mila ke khadi ho sakti thi.

Jaise-jaise ladaayi aage badhti gayi, Veer ne Ava ki lay me thoda badlaav dekha. Woh thakne lagi thi, uski harqate dheemi pad rahi thi, uska defence kamzor pad raha tha. Veer ne iska faayda uthaate hue use peechhe dhakela jab tak ki woh ped se tikne par majboor na ho gayi.

Desperate hote hue Ava ne apne haath me pakdi daali zameen par giraayi aur woh Veer ko pakadne ke liye uss par jhapti. Lekin, Veer taiyaar tha. Woh kinaare hua aur Ava ko ek mazboot lekin komal pakad me thaam liya.

Magar, gati ke bal ne unn dono ko zameen par gira diya. Ava theek Veer ke upar jaa giri, unke chehro ke beech ka faasla sirf ek inch ka hi tha.

Ek pal ke liye aisa laga jaise samay ruk gaya. Nazre ek dusre se bhidi hui thi. Ava Veer ki aankhon me uss conflict ko dekh sakti thi. Saath hi jhijhak aur kuchh ansuljhi bhavnaaye bhi. Woh Veer ke dil ko apni chhaati par dhadakte hue aur uski saanson ki garmahat ko apne chehre par mehsoos kar paa rahi thi.

Uska apna dil chotil tha. Glaani ka bhaar ab tak bana hua tha. Lekin, woh hili nahi, hati nahi. Aur, Veer ko dhoke dene ke baad se... Shayad ye pal... Ye pal hi aisa tha jab woh uske sabse qareeb thi. Uske itna qareeb. Woh chaahti thi ki ye lamha yahi tham jaaye. Lekin, waqt pe kiska zor?

Veer ki pakad uss par thodi dheeli ho gayi. Usne Ava ko gaur se dekha. Ye khubsoorti...! Par, kabhi isi khubsoorti ke chalte woh marte-marte bacha tha. Kya dobaara se iss sundarta par bharosa karna sahi tha?

Veer Ava ki aankhon me dard aur afsos dono ko dekh paa raha tha. Lekin, unke hi beech kuch aur bhi tha. Ek prabal dradh sankalp aur ek maun vaada...! Ki chaahe ab kuchh bhi ho jaaye, woh use dhoka nahi degi.

Ava (murmurs) : I'm not going to lose to you.

Usne haule se fusfusaate hue kaha. Veer ki bauhe ye sunn narm pad gayi. Uske hontho ke kono par ek chhoti, lagbhag adrishya muskaan khich gayi.

Veer : You'll have to try harder than that.

Ava (shivers) : I will...! And, one day... One day, I'll become as powerful as you. To stand side by side with you... To face whoever tries to harm you... I'll never fall back. Never-!!!

Khud se hi ye sankalp lete hue woh apne perro par uth khadi hui aur Veer ko upar uthne ke liye madad karte hue usne apna haath aage badhaya. Veer ne uska haath thaama, aur uss ek sparsh ki garmahat unn dono ne hi mehsoos ki.

Woh khade hoke jaise-jaise gehri saansein le rahe the, unhe pata lag chuka tha ki unn dono ke beech kuchh badal chuka hai. Vishvasghaat toh abhi bhi waha tha, ek aisa ghaav jise theek hone me samay lagna tha. Lekin, iss shann me, paseene aur sangharsh ke beech, unhe ek baat samajh aa gayi. Woh thi ~ Unka ye naya bond!!!

Aaj ke liye itna kaafi tha. Shaam ke 4 baj chuke the aur Veer ko tamaam aur kaam bhi the. Woh dono hi waha se car me wapas baith nikal gaye. Raaste bhar unke beech baatein hoti rahi. Ava uske kuchh mazaako par hasti toh Veer bhi muskura deta.

Ek pal aisa aaya jab Veer ka haath apne aap aage badh Ava ke chehre ki orr badha. Usne Ava ki hawa se bikharti zulfo ko gaalo se hata ke peechhe kiya. Aur, Ava uske sparsh maatra se andar hi andar kaanp ke reh gayi. Khush bhi thi lekin, ghabrayi hui bhi. Kyunki, use ye sparsh aur chahiye tha. Aur, woh jaanti thi ki-




Jaisa usne socha tha wahi hua. Veer ko jaise hi bodh hua ki usne eka-ek ye kya kar diya? Toh turant hi usne apna haath peechhe kheech liya.

Veer : S-Sorry-!!!

Ava : You don't have to. *mutters* Mein yahi chaahti thi...

Veer : Huh!?

Ava : N-Nothing!

Aur, dono aaj ke iss session se fursat ho gaye. Unke beech ek naya bond bann chuka tha. Lekin, keval wahi nahi the.

***

College, Mumbai,
Evening - 4:15 PM ~

College chhoot chuka tha. Aur, do aur bhi log the jinke beech aaj ek naya bond bana tha.

"Kritika...! Kritika, meri baat suno please-!!"

Kritika apna bag taange jaldbazi me seedhiya utar rahi thi toh peechhe se Kavya use pukaarti hui aayi. Inn beetein dino se woh Kritika se maafi maangne ki koshish kar rahi thi magar, Kritika uss se baat bhi nahi kar rahi thi. Yaha tak ki woh uske saath bhi nahi baith rahi thi college me.

Uss din ki vardaat ke baad Kritika ko Karan ki baat ka itna bura nahi laga tha jitna Kavya ke shabdo se use laga tha.

Kavya : Kritika...! Please, mujhe maaf kar do. Please! Mujhse galti ho gayi. Meri mistake thi. Please!

Kritika : Mujhe abhi koi baat nahi karni, Kavya.

Kavya : T-Tum mujhe lene bhi nahi aayi itne din. Di ne mujhe drop kiya. T-Tum itna gussa ho mujhse?

Kritika : Nahi toh-!? Gussa toh tum thi. Tumne mujhe kutti kaha tha. Sabke saamne.

Kavya : Kritika sorry na...! Sorry!!!

Kritika : Sorry bolne se meri izzat toh wapas nahi aane waali na, Kavya? Sabne dekha tha. Sabne suna tha. Aisa pehli baar kisi ne mujhse kaha tha. Mera dil iss se pehle kabhi itna nahi dukha.

Woh na ruki. Woh seedhiyo se utri aur campus me neeche aate hue parking ki orr badh gayi.

Kavya : Kritikaaaaaaa-!! Kritika ruko. Please! I'm sorry na-

Kritika: Chali jao, Kavya! Mujhe akela chhor do.

Kavya : Nahi! Jab tak tum mujhe maaf nahi karogi, mein kahi nahi jaungi.

Kritika : Haan toh tum yahi khadi raho, lekin mujhe jaane do.

Kavya : Nahi! Tum aise nahi jaa sakti.

Par, Kritika bilkul bhi na ruki. Woh aage badhti gayi. Kavya ne jab dekha ki woh nahi ruk rahi hai toh uske qadam wahi tham gaye.

Kritika ko apni izzat kharab hone ka darr tha na? Woh isliye dukhi thi kyuki sabke saamne usne Kritika ki buraayi ki thi? Use jaise samajh aa gaya ki use kya karna tha.

"I'm sorry, Kritika...!"

Peechhe se uski awaaz aayi. Lekin, Kritika ab bhi nahi ruki. Woh chalti gayi jab tak ki uske agal-bagal ke log ruk ke Kavya ki orr na dekhne lage.

Woh ruki. Usne dekha ki sabhi uske peechhe taajub me dekh rahe the. Majbooran woh palti aur jo usne dekha use dekh uska khud ka muh khula ka khula reh gaya.

Kavya apne kaan pakde wahi campus me uthak-baithak kar rahi thi.

Kavya : I'm sorry... Kritika...! I'm sorry!!!

Ab uski aankhon se aasu beh rahe the. Aur, sabhi students use ghoor ke dekh rahe the. Kuchh uska uphaas uda rahe the, toh kuchh confusion me the.

Jaise hi Kritika ne ye dekha toh woh ghabraate hue uski orr daudi.

"Oye-!! Paagal ladki-!!!"

Woh bhaag ke aayi, Kavya ka haath usne pakda aur use uthaate hue daud ke waha se bhaag nikli. Bhaagte-bhaagte hi Kavya roti rahi aur poochhti rahi.

Kavya : T-Tumne mujhe maaf kar diya na? *sniff* Tumne mujhe maaf kar diya?

Jaise hi woh apni gaadi ke paas pahuchi, Kritika ne use haath pakad ke ghumaate hue apne saamne kar diya.

Kritika : Tum bewakoof ho kya? Tumhara dimaag toh thikaane par hai na? Ek number ki paagal ladki ho tum... Waha sab ke saamne aisa koi karta hai kya? Sab dekh rahe the. Kya sochenge ab tumhare baare me? Kasam se chutiya ladki ho tum poori. College me aa gayi ho par dhela bhar ki aqal nahi hai. Khud aisi harqate karti ho aur fir baad me expect karti ho ki log gussa na kare? Dimaag ghar pe rakh ke aati ho kya tum? Haan!? Ab daant kya nipor rahi ho???

Kavya waqai hass rahi thi. Kyunki, woh jaan gayi thi ki uski dost ne use maaf kar diya.

Kavya : Mm-!! K-Kuch bhi nahi. Tum kaho. Tumne mujhe maaf kar diya?

Kritika (sighs) : Haan kar diya maaf, maharani ji! Mujhse galti ho gayi jo maine aapko maaf nahi kiya. Ab khush?

Kavya : Hehe-! *nods* Haan!

Kritika : Ab jaa kaha rahi ho? Ye lo, pakdo ye.

Kavya : Huh? Gaadi ki chaavi mujhe kyu de rahi ho?

Kritika : Arey madam!!! Tumhari Arohi di tumhe kahi nazar aa rahi hai?

Kavya : Huh? Arey haan! Di abhi tak nahi aayi? Mujhe call karna padega.

Kritika : Arey buddhu!! Woh nahi aayengi.

Kavya : Ehh??

Kritika : Unhone hi mujhe lunch me call kar ke bataaya tha. Unhone bhi mujhse sorry kaha tha. Aur, kaha tha ki... ki Kavya ko maaf kar dena aur use ghar chhor jaana.

Kavya : O-Ohhh!

Kritika : Haan, toh lo fir. Pakdo ye chaavi aur chalao.

Kavya : E-Eh???

Kritika : Ye ehh ehhh karna band karo. Gaadi chalao. Mein thak gayi hu. Araam se peechhe baithungi, aaj. Waise bhi mein hi humesha gaadi chalaati hu.

Kavya : Umm... T-Tumhara matlab hai mein gaadi chalau?

Kritika (glares) : Nahi! Tum neeche rahogi aur mein aur gaadi tum par baith ke jayenge. Pagal ho kya? Tum se keh rahi hu toh tum hi gaadi chalaogi na.

Kavya : O-Oh! Umm... Wo...

Kritika : Kya???

Kavya : Umm... Wo na... Wo...

Kritika : Arey bolo-!!!

Kavya (tapaak se) : Mujhe gaadi chalaana nahi aata.

Kritika : Whaaaaattttt????

*Silence*

Kritika : E-Ek... Ek minute! Kya kaha? Tumhe gaadi chalaana nahi aata?

Kavya : Nahi! Aisa nahi hai. A-Aata hai... *blushes* Lekin, bheed zyada ho toh... toh mujhe dikkat jaati hai. Khaali sadak pe mein bahut achhe se chala leti hu.

Kritika : Khaali sadak pe? You-!!!

Kavya : Ahh! Ab gussa mat karna. Tum chalao na. Agar, tum ko meri driving pe itna bharosa hai toh lao mein chala leti hu. Mujhe koi dikkat nahi. Lao, do chaavi-!!!

Kritika : N-Nahi nahi! Rehne do! Baitho peechhe! Tumhara koi bharosa nahi. Jitne ka petrol me na lage pata chala uss se zyada hospital me lag gaye.

Kavya : Hmm??

Kritika : Baitho!!!

Kavya (grins) : Okiieee-!!!

Woh dono hi waha se nikal gayi. Kavya uske peechhe baithi hui thi. Aur, dono me sulaah ho chuki thi. Ladayi bhi akhir wahi hoti thi jaha prem hota tha. Gaadi chalaate-chalaate hi Kritika ne fir bolna shuru kiya.

Kritika : Oye-! Sunn!

Kavya : Mm??

Kritika : Ahinda se waisa mat karna.

Kavya : H-Haan! Sorry! Ab se mujhe jab bhi 'kutti' bolna rahega, mein tumhe akele me bolungi. Sabke saamne nahi-!!!

Kritika : Whaaaaatttt-!????

Kritika ki gaadi lagbhag kisi ko bhedte bhedte bachi. Aur, Kavya uska reaction dekh hass padi.

Kavya : Ahahahaha-!!! Kidding-!!

Kritika : Kidding ki bacchi! Mein uski baat nahi kar rahi thi.

Kavya : Huh? Toh?

Kritika : W-Woh... Woh jo tumne waha campus me kiya. W-Woh mat karna dobaara.

Kavya : Huh? Par, kyu?

Kritika : Kyunki, mujhe achha nahi laga.

*Silence*

Kuch derr tak Kavya shaant rahi. Uske baad peechhe se hi zor se Kritika se chipak gayi. Bechari Kritika achanak hue iss hamle se darr gayi. Par, iske pehle ki woh firse Kavya ko fatkaar laga paati use apni peeth par Kavya ke geele aasu mehsoos ho gaye. Aur, woh chup ho reh gayi.

Kavya (mutters) : Kritu-!!!

Kritika : H-Haan!?

Unki gaadi traffic signal par khadi hui thi. Aur, aas-paas khade kuchh log bhi unhe hi dekh rahe the. Kritika ko ajeeb toh lag raha tha lekin, usne Kavya ko kuchh na kaha. Kyunki, uske liye iss waqt Kavya zyada important thi.

Kavya : I'm sorry!!!

Kritika : Hmm!

Kavya (nudges) : Kritu-!!!

Kritika : H-Haan???

Kavya : I'm sorry-!!!

Kritika : Haan, suna maine. Theek hai!

Kavya : Kritu-!!!

Kritika : Ab kya hai?

Kavya : Tumhe bura laga tha na???

Kritika : Haan toh? Bura nahi lagega kya? Obviously mujhe bura laga tha. Kyunki, tumne mujhe wo sab kaha tha. Koi aur hota toh mein ghaas bhi nahi daalti. Par... Par tumne mujhe kaha tha.

Kavya : I'm sorry!!!

Kritika : Hmm! It's okay!

Kavya : Maine tumhara surprise bigaada tha na?

Kritika : Koi baat nahi. Mein kuchh aur sochungi agli baar. Leave it.

Kavya ko tabhi ek baat yaad aayi.

'Promise kariye ki jab-jab mein aapko bulaungi, aapko mere saath time spend karne ke liye aana hoga.'

Ye vaada usne Veer se maanga tha.

Kavya : Kritu-!! Ehehe!

Kritika : Huh? Kya hua? Ye tum itne creepy way me hass kyu rahi ho.

Kavya : Tumhara surprise maine kharab kiya tha na? Toh use fix karna bhi toh meri responsibility hai na? Ab tum dekhna. Kaise mein bas kuchh dino me gaadi seekti hu. Aur, tum bhi-!!!

Kritika : Huh? What?

Kavya : Bas dekhti jao tum! Hehe-!!!

***

FBCC headquarters,New York,
Afternoon - 1:30 PM ~

Ghane baadal toh New York me bhi chhaaye hue the. Rebecca apne haath me report liye headquarters ke terrace par akeli khadi hui thi.




Ye wahi report thi jo usne uss aadmi se li thi. Lekin, ye sirf ek hi report thi. Usne uss report ko wapas se dekha. Use do tukdo me faada aur hawa me uda diya.

'7 more-!!! 7 more to go.'

Usne ek gehri saans li. Aur, tabhi uska phone baj utha. Screen par number dekhte hi uski bauhe chinta me kass gayi. Majbooran, use call ko uthaana pada.

Jaise hi usne phone apne kaan se lagaya, dusri orr se bas ek hi awaaz aayi. Ek aadesh dene waali awaaz.

"Get rid of that Australian woman-!!!"

Rebecca : Huh???

?? : Suna nahi tumne?

Rebecca : A-Abhi??

?? : Haan abhi!

Rebecca : P-Par, mein abhi waha kaise jaa sakti hu? Don't you want me to deal with the European Union? Agar, mein Australian lass se deal karungi toh Galileo se kaun deal karega? Tum??

?? : Jaanta hu-!!! Aur, isliye mein tumhe jaane ke liye nahi keh raha.

Rebecca : Huh???

?? (grins) : Send your lapdog there!

Rebecca (grits) : HE IS NOT MY LAPDOG!!!

?? : Oh!! Kya waqai? Kya mein tumhara itihaas tumhe dohrau, Miss Rebecca Elsher-!!!?

Rebecca : Tch-!!!

?? : Send him to Australia.

Rebecca : Aur, India ka kya??? He's keeping them in surveillance. Agar, mein use waha se bulaati hu toh-

?? : Use your other pawn, Rebecca-!! Use your other pawn!! Jab tumhara ek pyaada fasa hua hai, toh dusre pyaade ka istemal karo. You're good in chess, right? You should know these basic tactics at least.

Rebecca : Tsk!! Got it!!!

?? : Mujhe raat tak news mil jaani chahiye.

*Call ends*

Phone rakhte hi woh anjaan aadmi office ke andar dakhil hua. Uske saamne Morocco ka King aur baaki bade log virajman the.

?? : Your majesty! Kya nirnay liya fir aapne?

King (frowns) : Nirnay toh le liya hai. Lekin, kahi na kahi tum par yakeen karna mushqil ho raha hai.

?? : Mere paas aapko vishvaas dilaane ke liye filhaal kuchh bhi nahi. Lekin, mere results hi aapko yakeen dila payenge.

King : Ye itna asaan nahi. Poori duniya hum par nazar rakhegi. Aur, waise bhi woh-

?? : Mein jaanta hu aap kis cheez ko lekar pareshan hai, your majesty.

King : Huh???!

?? (grins) : NPT!!!

Sunte hi Morocco ke Raja ke badan me ek sihran fel gayi. Usne haami bhari.

?? : Use mujh par chhor dijiye. Aap bas apna faisla sunaiye.

King aur kuchh aadmi kaafi der tak apni maatra bhaasha me baatein karte rahe aur fir baad me bole.

King (nods) : Affirmed!!!

Sunte hi uss anjaan aadmi ke chehre par ek qaitlaana muskaan bikhar gayi. Par choonki, uska chehra hat se dhaka hua tha. Waha ke logo ko uski muskaan na dikhayi di.

?? : Morocco's glory has just begun, your majesty. I will make sure... that the entire world comes to realise it.

Toh wahi idhar New York me phone katne ke baad, Rebecca ne zor se phone ko fekna chaaha. Magar, kheejte hue usne apne gusse ko pee liya. Woh thoda kaanp bhi rahi thi.

'I can't mess with this now. Everything is going... according to my plan-!! I did the right thing to send her there. Now...! I should do what must be done.'

Usne ek number ko dial kiya aur call seedha Mumbai connect ho gaya.

***

Somewhere in Mumbai,
Night - 11 PM ~

*Ring* *Ring*

Muh par kapda baandhe uss ladke ka phone baj utha. Raat me woh ek bar ke theek baahar baitha hua tha, jab use ye call aaya. Phone utha ke usne apne kaan se lagaaya.

"Tumhe waha se nikalna hoga. Abhi!!"

?? : Mera kaam yaha par poora nahi hua hai abhi aur-

Rebecca (yells) : Tumhe waha se nikalna hoga, Damian!!! Abhi ke abhi. Tumhe sunayi nahi diya?

Damian : ...

Rebecca : Australia!!! Right now!!! Pehle yaha aao. Tumhare passport, aur baaki credentials ka bandobast mein karti hu. Come! Asap!!

Damian : Hmm! Ek akhiri kaam. Aata hu!

*Call ends*

Damian waha se aage badha. Sharab ki dukaan ke thoda hi dur waha ek chhoti si basti me ek chhote se ghar ke baahar ek aadmi baitha hua tha, jo sharab pee raha tha.

Apne upar saaya mehsoos karte hue usne sarr upar kar dekha.

Aadmi : Oye... Kaun hai be tu? *hic* Saamne se hatt madarchod. *hic*

Damian uske saamne jhuka aur uske haath se daaru ki bottle leke fek di.

Aadmi : Bhosdike-!!! *hic* Tune... Tune meri bottle feki? Saale tu jaanta hai mein kaun hu?

Damian uske kaano ki orr jhuka aur ahista se bola...!

Damian : Rajat Rao-!!!!

Naam sunte hi Rajat ka jaise saara nasha utar gaya. Uske chehre se uska rang udd gaya. Usne apne saamne baithe aadmi ko thoda ghabrahat me dekha.

Rajat : K-Kaun ho tum?

Damian : Tch tch tch!!! Ek qaabil vakeel, fir ek divorcee, fir ek aaropi, fir ek bhikaari aur ab ek chhoti si basti me rehne waala sharab-khor aadmi.

Rajat : K-Kaun ho tum??? Tum... Tum mujhe kaise jaante ho???

Damian : Veer-!!! Yahi naam tha na???

Rajat : Huh-!!!

Damian : Isi ladke ne tumhe tabaah kiya. Hai na?

Rajat : T-Tum-!!!

Damian : Mein tumhe ek mauka deta hu. 31st December!!! Yaad rakhna tareekh.

Woh firse Rajat ke kaan ki orr jhuka aur usne kuch baatein kahi, jise sunn Rajat ke hosh udte chale gaye.

'My job is done. Next... Australia.'

Damian waha se utha aur aage bina kuchh bataaye Rajat ko yu akela chhor chala gaya. Rajat hakka-bakka, uske kaano me wahi shabd goonjte rahe jo uss Damian ne use bole the.

***

Andheri Police station, Mumbai,
Night - 11:15 PM ~

4 se 6 open jeep aake thaane ke saamne ruki aur andar se dher saare aadmi utarte hue thaane ke andar ghuse. Unme se ek apne galey me gamchha baandhe hue the, aur unka sardar prateet ho raha tha.

Police officers ki duty samapt ho chuki thi isliye, bas chuninda hi police karmchaari station me uplabdh the. Aur, woh bhi jaa hi rahe the jab ye sabhi waha aa dhamke.

Unka sardar safed kurta payjama, kaala chashma khose aur laal gamchha baandhe dher saare aadmiyon ke saath andar thaane me ghusa.

Police officers ne jab itne aadmiyon ko dekha toh woh hairat me reh gaye.

Inspector : Arey!!! Ruko ruko! Ye itne saare log kyu chale aa rahe ho?

Unka sardaar aake seedhe ek inspector ki table ke saamne baitha aur, haath jod bola.

Sardaar : Ram ram, inspector saahab!

Inspector : Ram ram! Aur, aapki tareef?

Sardaar : Hum hai Dhananjay!

Inspector : Dhananjay???

Dhananjay : Uu ka hai na, hum yaha report likhwaane aaye the.

Inspector : Accha? Kahiye! Kya hua hai?

Dhananjay : Murder!!!!

Sunte hi inspector khamosh reh gaya. Usne sarr utha ke sabhi aadmiyon ko dekha, jo kisi gundey se kam nahi lag rahe the.

Inspector : Ye sab aapke saath hai?

Dhananjay : Arey ee toh hamaar chela log hai, inspector. Huwa hi gaav me rehte hai ee log. Inke baare me konu soch vichaar karne ki jaroorat naa hai aapko. Ee apne hi aadmi hai!! Hahahaha!!!

Inspector : Kiska murder hua hai?

Dhananjay : Arey pehle ee toh poochh lijiye ki kitne murder hue hai. Aye? Hahahahaha! Sasuri inspector saahab pehle hi soch liye ek hayi thaiyaa murder bhao hai. Hahahaha-!!!

"Hahahahahahahaha!"

Uske sabhi aadmi uski baat par hassne lage.

Inspector : Ek se zyada murder hue hai? Kaha pe? Kitne??

Agle hi pal Dhananjay ke chehre se hassi gaayab hui aur gambheerta chhaa gayi. Woh aage badh paini nazar liye Inspector ko dekha.

Dhananjay : Dui murder huwe hai-!!! Hamre gaav me.

Inspector : Toh... Yaha kyu aaye hai aap? Gaav me udhar ke hi thaane me...

Dhananjay : Gaav me thaana nahi hai, inspector saahab. Huwa hamaar raaj chalta hai. Panchayat hai bas. Ab sasuri uu ka kar legi murder me, batao?

Inspector : Fir bhi, yaha-

Dhananjay : Hamaar baap dada ka murder bhao hai.

Inspector : Huh???

Dhananjay : Aur, hume khabar mili hai ki murderer yahi Mumbai nagariya ka rehne waala hai. Aur, jankaari bhi hume pata lag jayegi jald hi. Lekin, tab tak ke liye humne socha ki report likhwa de. Kaa hai na? Hum procedure poora phollow karte hai. Hahahaha!!!!

"Hahahahhahaah!!!"

Inspector : Toh aap chaahte hai ki hum-

Dhananjay : Haan! Hum chaahte hai ki aap uska pata lagaaye. Saboot, gawaah hum sab pesh kar denge. Lekin, hum sirf uske liye hiya nahi aaye.

Inspector : ???

Dhananjay : Ae, gullu-!!!

Gullu : Ji sarkar!!!

Gullu agle hi pal ek badi si attache leke aaya aur Dhananjay ko thama diya. Dhananjay ne woh attache khol seedhe police officer ke saamne khiskayi. Andar noto ki dher saari gaddi rakhi hui thi.

Dhananjay : Poore dui lakh rupaya hai-!!

Inspector : Ek on duty inspector ko rishwat de rahe ho???

Dhananjay : Nahi! Uu ka hai na ... Pata lagte hi hum ee matter ko khud handle karenge. Sasura kachhu mahine ghar se gaayab ka hue hamaar baap dada hi uda diye hahahahaha!

Inspector : !!?

Dhananjay : Ab ee ladko logo ko ikhatta karne me, gaav ke logo ki jubaan se sacchayi nikalwane me, aur phir khabar milne me samay toh lagta hai na? Toh hum ee keh rahe hai ki... Matter hum khud handle kar lenge. Aur, hamaar tareeka na aapke tareeka se thoda alag hovat hai. Hahahaha! Humaar haath sasuri kanoon ki tarah lambey toh naahi... Lekin, kaa hai na... Ee burchodi ke... Maante nahi hai. Hatyaara ek baar mil gaya na... Udhri apan kaam rafa dafa kar denge... Toh baad me aapko hi toh saara raayta saaf karna padega na? Toh ee paise usi ke liye hai.

Inspector : ...

Dhananjay : Hum hiya dui aadmi chhore jaa rahe hai. Ee aapko sab bata denge. Theek? Ab aap report likhiye. Chalte hai hum... Hahahaha! Ram ram ji!!!

Kehte hue jaise hi woh darwaze ke paas tak pahucha peechhe se inspector ke sawaal ne use rok diya.

Inspector : Baap dada ka kya naam hai???

Dhananjay : Bhanu pratap aur Harikiran Singh!!!

Kehte hue woh waha se nikal gaya. Aur, idhar do hatte katte aadmi inspector ke saamne baith gaye.
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Aaj ke liye itna hi guys.
This update consists of 11.2k words. Umeed hai achha laga hoga. Mujhe bahut si cheezein cross check karne ke liye back to back updates me jaana padta hai. So, it takes time. So, this is called stacking. Readers poochh rahe the ki Kavya ne Kritika se maafi kyu nahi maangi, aur kab maangi toh maine kaha tha ki woh scene bhi aayega hi. I blended Ava and Veer's new bond with Kritika and Kavya's new bond. Ab samajh aaya hoga at least thoda ju log ko ki ye approach kaise work karti hai. Also, let me know Kritika aur Kavya ka ye scene kaisa laga. Ek scene hi bas missing tha isme aur woh tha Tej aur Suhana ki meeting. Jise maine next update ke liye rakha hai. Because, udhar mujhe sahi laga woh dikhaana. Isme bhi dikha sakta tha but it will be better to show you guys in the next update. Ab zyada nahi samjhaunga. Target apna wahi hai. 200. Toh, likes thokne ka aur revos rakhna ka.
Dhanyavad.

Nice! Nice!! Very nice!!!

Interesting Ragini aur Nidhi mam ab hamesha Veer ke paas rehne wale hain ye confirm ho gaya hai. Ragini ko toh abhi aur bhi bahut kuchh pata chalna hai.

Kavya aur Tejal ye dono bhi toh Arjun se chipka chipki kar rahe hain. Yadi wo bahar Wale ko accept nahi kar pa rahi hai phir apni Veer ka khud ke sisters ke sath relations ko kaise accept karega, halanki wo khud bhi ghar ki hai.

Mujhe aisa kyun lag raha hai jaise ye Damian wahi hai jisse Renshu ki fight hui thi.

Damian ne yadi Rajat se kuchh kaha hai toh definitely kuchh Nidhi aur Veer ke bare mein plan chal raha hoga.

Ava ka mind clear hai wo Veer ke liye kuchh bhi k
ar jayegi.

Wonderful update

 

[Yamraaj]

Nice! Nice!! Very nice!!!

Interesting Ragini aur Nidhi mam ab hamesha Veer ke paas rehne wale hain ye confirm ho gaya hai. Ragini ko toh abhi aur bhi bahut kuchh pata chalna hai.

Kavya aur Tejal ye dono bhi toh Arjun se chipka chipki kar rahe hain. Yadi wo bahar Wale ko accept nahi kar pa rahi hai phir apni Veer ka khud ke sisters ke sath relations ko kaise accept karega, halanki wo khud bhi ghar ki hai.

Mujhe aisa kyun lag raha hai jaise ye Damian wahi hai jisse Renshu ki fight hui thi.

Damian ne yadi Rajat se kuchh kaha hai toh definitely kuchh Nidhi aur Veer ke bare mein plan chal raha hoga.

Ava ka mind clear hai wo Veer ke liye kuchh bhi k
ar jayegi.

Wonderful update

Bhai kitna pichhe h tu story me ....

 

[dhalchandarun]

Bhai kitna pichhe h tu story me ....

Jaldi hi parallel mein aata hoon.

 

[Gmlove]

Waiting

 

[Sailyloves]

 

[Kirtiii]

Iss month aa jaayega. USC ke liye ek story bhi likh raha hu so... Abhi itna jaldi nahi aayega. But month end ke pehle aa jaayega.

Agar nhi aaya to ?
Paper me likh ke do

 

[dhalchandarun]

Mega Update

Update - 186 ~ Decisions and Trails​

Ab tak...

Dhananjay : Hum hiya dui aadmi chhore jaa rahe hai. Ee aapko sab bata denge. Theek? Ab aap report likhiye. Chalte hai hum... Hahahaha! Ram ram ji!!!

Kehte hue jaise hi woh darwaze ke paas tak pahucha peechhe se inspector ke sawaal ne use rok diya.

Inspector : Baap dada ka kya naam hai???

Dhananjay : Bhanu pratap aur Harikiran Singh!!!

Kehte hue woh waha se nikal gaya. Aur, idhar do hatte katte aadmi inspector ke saamne baith gaye.

Ab aage...

Veer's house,
Morning - 8:10 AM ~

Ravivar ka din tha aur subah-subah Veer kitchen me khada hua tha, ghar ke logo ke liye naashta taiyaar karte samay uske haath badi hi sateekta se chal rahe the.

Masaale, taazi kati hui sabziyaan aur pan me pighalte butter ki mehek hawa me bhar rakhi thi. Veer ki 'Absolute Chef' aaj apna kamaal dikhaane ke liye taiyaar thi. Sab ke sab 10 seater dining table par virajman the aur jaante the ki Veer khaana banaane me kitna maahir tha.

Tej : Oh god! Kitni achhi khushbu aa rahi hai. Veeru?? Kya bann raha hai?

Tej ne bade hi pyaar se awaaz lagaate hue poochha. Kitchen ek open kitchen tha toh use dikhayi toh sab de raha tha magar, fir bhi woh apne bhai se baat karne ke mauke ko yuhi nahi gawana chaahti thi.

Bhavna : Veeru???

Bhavna ne apni bauhe upar chadhaate hue dekha. Kal raat ke baad se dono hi Tej aur Veer kuchh zyada hi qareeb nazar aa rahe the. Woh ye dekh taajub me thi ki ek raat me hi uske baccho ke beech bhala itna lagaav kaise aa gaya? Dil khush toh tha magar jigyasu bhi.

Tej : Mein use ab pyaar se Veeru keh ke bulaungi. Kyu? Achha nahi hai?

Bhavna (smiles) : Maine toh koi virodh nahi jataaya.

Tej (smiles back) : Toh, khushi bhi toh nahi jataayi? Veeru-!! Batao na, kya bana rahe ho?

Veer (kitchen se) : Patience rakhiye, Teju di! Patience! Jald hi naashta aapki table par hoga. Tab dekh lena!?

Tej : Urgh!!! You are such a mood killer. I know tum pasta bana rahe ho, mein khushbu se hi bata sakti hu.

Uski baat par Veer bas muskuraya. Toh wahi Ragini head chair par baithi hui thi aur uski teevra aankhein Veer par hi tiki thi. Woh coffee ke mug par apni ungli ferte hue kinhi khayalo me ghum thi. Pichhli raat ke drishya uske mann me umad aaye. Woh khud se niraash thi. Akhir, woh har baar ki tarah firse Veer ke sparsh se haar jo gayi thi.

Tej uske bagal se aage ki orr jhuki aur apne bhai ko khaana banaate dekh muskurayi. Kuchh toh aisa tha Veer me jo use uski orr aakarshit karta tha. Dono ka rishta hamesha se hi ek naazuk rekha par chalta aaya tha, lekin kal raat ke baad se hi sab kuchh ab badal chuka tha. Tej ne apni maa ki orr ek nazar daali aur pal bhar ke liye sochi ki kahi unki maa ne unn dono ke beech badh rahi shareerik nazdeeki ko pakad toh nahi liya?

'Mere aur Veeru ke beech ye nazdeekiya. Kahi Mom ko shaq toh nahi hua na? Nahi! Chaahe kuchh bhi ho jaaye, humaare beech kya hai, ye kisi ko bhi pata nahi chalna chahiye. Mom ko toh hargiz nahi. Tabhi, mein aur Veeru humesha-humesha ke liye...! Yes! I'll never let you go! Never!!!'

Woh jaanti thi ki kal raat jis tarah se usne Veer ko chooma tha, woh kahi se bhi ek bhai-behan waala chumban nahi tha. Use iss baat ka ab bodh ho chuka tha ki woh dono ek sadharan bhai-behan ke rishte se kahi zyada aage badh chuke the. Aur, bhalaayi filhal isi me thi ki iss baat ka pata kisi ko na lagne paaye.

Saath hi Shweta bhi baithi hui thi, jiska dhyaan Veer par kam aur Bhavna par adhik tha. Har baar ki tarah vichaar yahi ki akhir Veer use Bhavna ki tarah kyu nahi dekhta? Bhale hi woh uski sagi maa nahi thi lekin, Veer par prem aur mamta lutaane ki uski bhavna ko koi bhi nazar-andaaz nahi kar sakta tha.

Toh wahi yaha Suman ahista-ahista sabhi ke liye plates laga rahi thi. Aur, uski beti Sonali naashta ke liye table par apni ungliyaan zoro se chalaate hue intezar kar rahi thi. Veer ke haath ka swaad usne chakh rakha tha. Aur, uss se behtar ye koi nahi jaanta tha ki Veer khaana banaane me kitna aage tha. Kintu, jo duwidha me thi woh thi ~ Bhumika!

'Y-Ye... Ye kya ho raha hai mujhe? Jab se Veer China se laut ke aaya hai tab se hi-!'

Uski nazar Veer ki peeth par gayi. Fir, uski mazboot baaho par jaha uski shirt ki sleeves mud ke bandhi hui thi. Fir, uske chehre par jaha woh uske hontho par halki si muskaan dekh paa rahi thi. Aur, ye dekh uske dil ki dhadkane tez ho gayi.

'Ye kyu ho raha hai mere saath-!!?'

Usne apne haath me liye bread toast ki taraf dhyaan lagaya jaise maano uss se hi jawab maang rahi ho. Khud par gussa bhi aa raha tha aur chidhan bhi ho rahi thi.

Magar, uska dhyaan hall ka darwaza khulne se bhang ho gaya. Ek ladki phudakti hui andar aayi aur iske pehle ki use dekh koi kuchh bol paata usne sabhi ko apne hontho par ungli rakh shaant rehne ka ishaara kiya.

Woh dabe paav Veer ko dhundhte hue apni nazre daudate hue andar gayi. Usne dekha ki Veer apni peeth kiye kitchen me naashta banaane me laga hua tha. Woh shaitaani muskaan liye Veer ke peechhe-peechhe aayi aur usne apne haatho se achanak hi Veer ki aankhein dhak li.

'Hmm!?'

Peechhe se Tej ne bhi jaise uss ladki ka saath diya aur boli.

Tej : Veeru! Koi aaya hai. Batao toh zara kaun hai?

Veer ko system ka istemal kar haath ko check karne ki zaroorat nahi thi. Woh jaanta tha ye ladki kaun thi.

Veer (smiles) : Aisa karne se kuchh nahi hone waala, meri chhoti behan. Mein jaanta hu ye tum ho ~ Kavya!

Kavya (pouts) : Ahh~ mou~ Aapko kaise pata chala?

Veer (turns around) : Mujhe tumhara touch pata hai, my dear sister.

Kavya (blushes) : Hmph! Jhooth bol rahe ho aap.

Veer : Accha? Mein jhooth bol raha hu?

Kavya : Haan!!!

Veer : Well, toh agar mein ye kahu ki tumne wahi Garofano ka perfume lagaya hai jo maine tumhe gift me diya tha toh? Kya ab tum maanogi?

Kavya : Ahhh-!!! Bhaiya, aap bahut gande ho. Aapko pata tha?

Veer (smiles) : You'll have to try next time.

Kavya (pouts) : Mou~

Aur, baari-baari hall me fir Arohi, Sumitra aur yaha tak ki Manorath bhi andar aa gaye.

Ragini (stands up) : Arey aap sab-!?

Bhavna : A-Aap?

Bhavna kuchh pal tak toh apni jagah par hi khadi rahi. Fir, woh Manorath ki taraf aage badhi aur apne sarr par pallu daal jhuk ke aashirvaad lene ke liye hui toh Manorath ne muskurate hue use aashirvaad diya. Ye pal jaise unke liye sabse bada pal tha.

Bhale hi Bhavna Brijesh se dur ho chuki thi. Lekin, Manorath ko aaj bhi woh utna hi sammaan deti thi jitna ki pehle. Haan, kahi na kahi woh Manorath se nirash zaroor thi kyunki jab use ghar se nikaala jaa raha tha tab Manorath apne bal-boote par kuchh nahi kar paaye the. Lekin, unka dosh behad kam tha. Pati aur patni ki beech ki ladaayi me unki bhoomika bahut hi kam thi.

Manorath (narm aankhon se) : Bitiya tum aaj bhi waisi hi ho. Kaash, Brijesh ye samajh paata.

Bhavna ne jab unke perr chhue toh Manorath ka dil jaise gadgad ho gaya.

Bhavna : ...

Manorath : Khair! Jo hota hai achhe ke liye hi hota hai. Mein dekh paa raha hu ki tum yaha khush ho.

Bhavna (smiles) : Apne baccho ka saath ho toh ek maa ko aur kuchh nahi chahiye.

Manorath : Hmm! Oh? Toh ye hai Tejal bitiya.

Tej uthati hui qareeb aayi aur jhukte hue usne bhi apni maa ki dekha dekhi kar unke paav chhue.

Tej : Ji! Namaste!

Manorath : Namaste! Namaste! Jeeti raho, beta! Ye bilkul tum pe gayi hai, Bhavna bitiya haha.

Bhavna (smiles) : Aaj aap yaha?

Manorath : Hoo~ Meri poti Kavya mujhe kheench ke le aayi. Aaj ravivar hai toh boli hum sab ko saath me samay bitana chahiye.

Kavya : Huh? Dada ji! Aap jhooth mat boliye. Kal aapne hi mujhse kaha tha ki aapko Veer bhaiya aur baaki sab se milne ka bahut mann kar raha hai.

Manorath : Ahem! Hahahaha!

Bhavna (smiles) : Aaiye, baithiye na.

Manorath : Hmm! Shweta bhi yahi hai.

Shweta : J-Ji!

Shweta uthi aur ahista se unke perr chhoote hue wapas se dur khadi ho gayi. Bhumika ne bhi yahi kiya.

Manorath : Jidhar bhi raho, khush rehna bahut aavashyak hai. Aur, agar tum sab yahi par khush ho toh wahi sahi. Mein tum me se kisi ko baandh ke waha ghar pe nahi rakhna chaahta. Hmph! Jab unn nalaayako ko tum sabki qadr nahi toh mein kaun hota hu tumhe rokne waala?

Shweta aur Bhavna dono hi muskurayi.

Manorath : Ragini bitiya! Theek ho?

Ragini : J-Ji dada ji! Pranaam!

Manorath : Jeeti raho aur khush raho! Vivek bhi apne pita jaisa hi nikla. Mera pota Veer hi hai jiske andar humaare kul ke sahi gunn shaamil hai.

Uski baat par Ragini khamosh rahi aur Manorath ka haath pakad unhe sofe par baithaayi. Bhavna ki nazre jab Sumitra par padi, toh woh uske paas aate hue uske haatho ko thaam li.

Bhavna : K-Kaisi ho?

Sumitra (smiles) : Theek hu, didi! Aap kaisi hai?

Bhavna (smiles back) : Bahut acchi hu! Tum... Tum yahi kyu nahi aa jaati? Kavya aur Arohi ke saath.

Sumitra : Didi, papa ji ki dekh-bhaal kaun karega? Aur, fir Vivek bhi toh hai. Uska dhyaan kaun rakhega? Fir... Jeth ji bhi hai. Sabka khaana peena, ghar dekhna. Ye toh mera kartavya hai.

Bhavna : Tum mahaan ho, Sumitra.

Sumitra : Nahi didi! Mahaan toh aap hai. Jo itna sab kuchh ho jaane ke baad bhi-

Bhavna : Nahi, Sumitra. Kya mein nahi jaanti tumhari vyatha ko? Tumhare chehre par muskaan hai. Lekin, mein jaanti hu ki andar kya chhipa hua hai.

Sumitra bas muskurayi lekin, woh theek nahi thi. Bhavna ki ye baat satya thi. Karunesh aur Pranjal ko laat maar ke Manorath ne ghar se baahar nikaala tha. Apne bete aur pati ke ghar se jaane ke baad bhala woh theek kaise reh sakti thi?

Bhavna andar hi andar dukhad bhaav liye shaant rahi. Kuchh na boli. Aur, itne me hi Veer apne haatho me plates liye kitchen se baahar nikal aaya.

Veer (smiles) : Dada ji! Sahi samay par aaye hai aap. Aaiye! Naashta kariye!

Usne Arohi ko dekha jo uski laayi hui gift ke roop me black sweater pehni hui thi.

Veer : Ahh-! Aap pe... bahut achhi lag rahi hai.

Arohi (blushes) : Thank you!

Plates rakh usne bhi fir Manorath aur Sumitra dono ke perr chhue aur fir sabhi baari-baari dining table par virajman ho gaye. Veer ke haatho ka naashta sabne khaaya aur jam kar uski tareef bhi ki. Sumitra toh kuchh zyada hi hairaan thi.

Tej : Y-Ye tumne? Ye tumne kab seekha Bhai?

Kavya : Haan bhaiya! Aap itne acche kab se ho gaye cooking me? Ghar par toh aapne kabhi hume kuchh bana ke nahi khilaya tha pehle.

Veer : Zindagi sikha deti hai, meri behan!

Uski iss baat par Ragini samet Bhumika, Arohi, Shweta, Sumitra aur swayam Kavya ke sarr neeche jhuk gaye. Woh sabhi bhali bhaanti parichit thi ki Veer ka ateet kaisa tha.

Lekin, Tej ki bauhe prashno ko lekar sikud gayi. Bhavna ki aankhein apne bete ke upar narm pad gayi. Jee kar raha tha ki abhi use apne seene se laga le. Toh wahi Tej confused thi. Use ye pata tha ki Veer ke sang pehle sahi dhang se bartaav nahi kiya jaata tha uske ghar par. Parantu, use sankshipt me kuchh bhi gyaat nahi tha. Woh ye toh jaanti thi ki Shweta aur Bhumika, Ragini aur Pranjal kaise Veer ke khilaaf the. Magar, ye nahi jaanti thi ki khud Arohi aur Kavya bhi kabhi use nazar-andaaz kiya karti thi.

Veer ne use kabhi itne vistaar se nahi bataya tha aur na hi Kavya ya Arohi ne uss baare me Tej se kabhi charcha ki thi. Tej ke inhi bhaawo ko jaise Arohi ne dekh padh liya. Agle hi shan andar se use glaani ka bojh apne upar mehsoos hua aur woh sarr jhukaaye khud se nafrat kar muh me kaur chabaate-chabaate ruk gayi.

'Mujhe unhe sab bata dena chahiye. Even if she comes to hate me. I must...!'

Bhavna : Tej!!!

Tej : Huh?

Bhavna ne fir kehna shuru kiya, uski nazre apni beti par sthir thi.

Bhavna : Tum aakhir mujhe ye kab bataogi ki tumne apni job chhor di hai?

Uske itna kehte hi Veer ko chhor sabhi aashcharya me use dekhne lage. Tej iss achanak hamle ke liye taiyaar nahi thi. Woh apni jagah par thitak ke reh gayi. Uska haath uske cup par tik gaya. Akhir, uski maa ko pata kaise chala? Usne fir apne bagal se baithe Veer ko dekha jo ishaaro hi ishaaro me uss se maafi maang raha tha.

Bhavna : Agar, tum ye soch rahi ho ki mujhe kaise pata chala? Toh, Veer ne mujhe sab bata diya hai.

Tej ek gehri saans lete hue apni kursi par seedhi hui aur apni maa ko dekh fir boli.

Tej : Mein… Mein aapko bataane hi waali thi. Wo bas… Mere liye ab meri priorities badal chuki hai. Mein life me jo chaahti thi woh ab badal chuka hai, mom.

Bhavna ne apni bauhe upar uthayi lekin chup rahi aur keval sunti rahi.

Tej (breathes) : Mein yaha apne parivar ke saath rehna chaahti hu. Mein Veer ki uske business me har possible way me help karna chaahti hu. Yahi decision mujhe sahi laga.

Bhavna : Aur, kis se poochh ke tumne ye decision liya?

Tej : Mein-

Uske bol wahi atak gaye jab Bhavna ne Veer ko dekha aur prashn kiya.

Bhavna : Kya ye tumne kiya?

Uske bol Veer par aarop nahi laga rahe the. Lekin, awaaz me wazan zaroor tha. Veer ne fauran hi apna sarr naa me hilaya.

Veer : Nahi maa! Mein kabhi bhi Teju di se unke career ke liye kisi bhi golden opportunity ko nahi chheenunga. Ye baat sach hai ki maine hi unse apne business ke liye help maangi thi. Aur, mein chaahta hu ki woh meri help kare. Lekin, woh apni job quit kar dengi iska mujhe andaaza nahi tha.

Tej ki chinta badhi aur woh turant hi apne haath se Veer ko chhekte hue boli.

Tej : Nahi, mom! Veer ne mujhe force nahi kiya. Ye mein hi chaahti thi. Mein jaisi pehle thi ab waisi nahi hu. Jaisa ki maine kaha, meri priorities badal chuki hai. Ab ye sirf mere career ke baare me nahi hai… Yaha rehne ke baare me hai… *glances* Mere bhai ke liye… Hum sab ke liye.

Bhavna : Tej! Maine tumhe apni tarah ek archaeologist banaya kyunki yahi tumhara junoon tha. Mujhe laga tha ki tum bhi meri tarah ek din ek renowned archaeologist banana chaahti thi. Bachpan me toh yahi tumhari khwahish thi.

Tej : Ye sach tha, mom! Lekin ab… ab cheezein alag hai. Aapne jo mujhe sikhaya mein uska tyaag nahi kar rahi. Baat bas itni hai ki… Veer ko ab meri zaroorat hai. Aur… Mujhe bhi… Mujhe bhi uski zaroorat hai. Mujhe uske saath rehne ki zaroorat hai. Hum… Hum ek parivar hai!

Veer ne dekha ki Tej ka haath dining table par rakha kaanp raha tha. Usne apna haath aage badhaate hue Tej ke haath ke upar rakh use thaam liya. Aur, Tej ki nigaahein apne bhai ke chehre par tik gayi.

Bhavna ne bhi unke beech ki iss harqat ko gaur se dekha — Jis tarah se Veer ne apne haath ko Tej ke haath ke upar dhak rakha tha, jis tarah se Tej uske sparsh se raahat mehsoos kar rahi thi, Bhavna ke chehre ke bhaav ye dekh badal gaye.

Veer : Teju di!!

Tej : Mm~ Mein tumhare saath rehna chaahti hu, Veeru! Mein tumhe successful hote dekhna chaahti hu. Aur, iske liye mujhse jo bann padega mein woh karungi. Ye koi mera sacrifice nahi hai, bhai. Yeh wahi hai jo mein khud chaahti hu.

Veer ke dil ne jaise ye sunte hi ek dhadkan phaand li.

Veer : Teju di aap-!!!

[Oh??? Your heart rate has increased.]

Manorath (nods) : Bahut khoob bitiya!

Bhavna ne unhe qareeb se dekha. Uska seena garv se chauda ho rakha tha. Halanki, usne ye khushi turant hi zaahir nahi ki, usne pehle ki tarah gambheerta banaaye rakhi.

Bhavna (sighs) : Agar, tumne yahi nirnay le liya hai *smiles* Toh, mein iska sammaan karti hu.

Tej : Huhhh!!?

Veer : Matlab aap-!!?

Bhavna (smiles) : Government ke dwara di gayi woh archaeological kit courier kar dena aaj hi. Choonki, ab tum ek archaeologist nahi rahi toh ye tumhari zimmedari hai ki tum woh kit aur uske saath mile saare tools wapas karo.

Tej : Ahhh~ Thank you! Thank you, Mom!!!

Bhavna : Lekin-

Tej : Lekin??

Bhavna : Parivar zaroori hai, iss baat se mein sehmat hu. Lekin, iss bhaag daud me ye mat bhool jaana ki ek insaan ka khud ka dhyaan rakhna bhi utna hi zaroori hai.

Kehte hue woh apni chai peene lagi. Uska ishaara saaf tha jo Tej samajh chuki thi. Uski maa use apne upar bhi dhyaan dene ko keh rahi thi. Woh muskurayi aur utsukta ke saath haami bhar dhanyavad di.

Arohi : Darasal, mujhe bhi kuchh kehna tha. Veer se…

Veer : Huh???

Arohi : Veer ne mujhse bhi business ko lekar help maangi thi. Aur, mein raazi bhi hu. Lekin-

Tej : Arohi! Tum bhi-??

Veer : Lekin???

Arohi : Veer! Shayad mein abhi taiyaar nahi! I mean… Maine bas abhi graduation hi kiya hai. Maan lo mein humare business ki ek important profile hold karti hu aur kal ko koi normal sa employee mere academics par ungli utha ke question karne lage ki mein kinn reasons ke chalte iss post par hu? Toh? Mein kya jawab dungi? Kya ye kahungi ki business mere bhai ka hai aur isliye mein jo chaahe uss post par reh sakti hu?

Veer : That’s-

Arohi : Nahi na? Mein ise justify kaise karungi? Tabhi kar paungi na jab mere paas woh qualifications honge? Aur isliye…

Veer : ???

Arohi : Isliye maine MBA karne ka faisla liya hai, Veer! I'll study hard. Aur, sorry maine tumse ye chhipaaya. Maine already CAT exam de diya hai. Result jald hi aa jayega. I’m aiming for IIM Ahmedabad or IIM Bengaluru.

Veer (surprised) : O-Ohh!

Arohi : I-I’m sorry-!!!

Veer : Kis field ke baare me socha hai aapne? Marketing? Finance? Ya-

Arohi : IT!!

Veer : Oh! Good!

Aisa nahi tha ki Arohi Tej ki tarah uske paas nahi rehna chaahti thi. Woh simply apni worth badhaana chaahti thi. Taaki, woh Veer ke liye jitna adhik ho sake utna adhik kaam aa sake. Veer ne sarr ahista se hilaaya.

Veer (smiles) : Aap jo bhi decision lengi, mujhe uss se koi aapatti nahi hai, di!

Arohi (smiles) : Thank you! It makes my heart at ease.

Badle me Veer bhi muskuraya. Lekin, ye muskaan kahi na kahi aatmvishvas se bhari thi.

'Balki, mein yahi chaahta tha...!'

[Oh???]

'Di ko MBA karne me 2 saal lagenge. Tab tak mein Yarnia ko establish kar chuka hounga. Aur, mera aim IT industry pe bhi hai. Maidaan me utarte hi competition har chhoti badi companies se hoga. Lekin, jo biggest competition hoga woh hoga-'

[Globerays se.]

'Exactly! Miss Suhana ke husband ki company.'

[He's just a CEO. Not the owner, master.]

'CEO apne aap me ek zimmedari waali post hai, Pari. Globerays India ki top IT company hai. Aur, isme koi shaq nahi ki uski success ke peechhe uske staff ka haath hai.'

[Oh? Are you playing dirty this time? Niharika ki madad se aap waha ke employees ko exploit kar ke apni future IT company me shaamil karna chaahte ho?]

'Nahi! Kyunki, ye mere liye faaydemand nahi.'

[Woh kaise?]

'Jo insaan kuchh paiso ke liye ek achhi bhali company ko chhor dusri company me shaamil ho sakta hai. Kya guarantee hai iski ki kal ko wahi insaan kisi teesri company ke liye meri company na chhore?'

[That's true. Lekin, ye toh hona hi hai.]

'Mere kehne ka matlab ye hai ki aise employees vulnerable bahut hote hai. Aur, volatile bhi. Ye kabhi bhi kisi bhi waqt apni choice badal sakte hai. And, that's why I don't need such employees.'

[Toh fir?]

'Mujhe unn employees ki zaroorat hai jo qaabil bhi hai aur waha ke work environment se fed-up ho chuke hai. Jo ek stable naya aur achha environment chaahte hai. Yahi pe Niharika ka mein istemal karunga. Use maine kaam par laga hi diya hai. Mein unhe woh environment bana ke dunga. Aur, dusra... I have a plan for the recruitment and how to select the candidates.'

[Mujhe intezar rahega ye dekhne ka, Master. For now, I can only give you my best wishes.]

'Pari! Show me the profit path.'

*Ding*




'Yes!!! Arohi di aur Ragini dono ka naam hai upar. They both will be my future assets.'

Veer apne vichaaro me leen tha jab Kavya ki chehekti hui awaaz ne sab ka dhyaan kheench liya.

Kavya : Arey bas bas! Ye aap sab ne kya senti sa mahaul bana rakha hai? Aaj hum sab party karenge. Yayyy~

Aur, jald hi sabhi hall me do-chaar group me batt gaye. Veer ki sabhi behne ek saath baithi aapas me baat kar rahi thi. Toh wahi Manorath Shweta aur Ragini ke sang baato me lage hue the jaha woh apni patni Brinda ke dwara diye gaye kuchh gehne dono Ragini aur Shweta ko de rahe the. Bhavna ke liye bhi woh kuchh laaye the.

Bhavna, Suman aur Sumitra apne ateet ki baato ko yaad kar rahi thi. Toh wahi Veer apne laptop par 'Stock Master' ki madad se stocks me investment kar raha tha, jiska gyaan woh apne bagal se baithi Sonali ko bhi deta jaa raha tha.

Aur, isi dauran Bhumika thi jo Veer par sarsari nigaahein daalne par majboor hoti jaa rahi thi. Jitna woh use dekhti utna hi uska dil tezi se dhadakne lagta.

Woh dekh rahi thi ki kaise Veer Sonali ko sab kuchh apne laptop par sikha raha tha. Woh dekh paa rahi thi ki kaise Kavya se baatein karte waqt woh sofe par peechhe hote hue hass raha tha.

'His smile... is so... charismatic...!'

Woh dekh paa rahi thi ki kaise woh Manorath ke saath baith ke alag-alag vishayo par baat kar raha tha. Haami bharte waqt kaise uske baalo ki latt humesha uski baayi aankh ke upar aake gir rahi thi. Woh dekh paa rahi thi ki apni aur uski dono hi maa ki taraf woh kitna prem rakhta tha.

Kaise woh Arohi ke kaan ki baali ko haath me leke uss se kuchh keh raha tha. Use kuchh sunayi nahi de raha tha. Woh toh bas Veer ke chehre me khoyi hui thi. Kaise woh Tej ka haath thaame ye dekh raha tha ki use kaha kaha par til tha. Aur, fir kaise apne shareer ke til ke baare me bata raha tha.

*Badump*

'Huh??? Y-Ye kya ho raha hai mujhe?'

Lekin, dil majboor tha. Use yaad aaya, kaise ek subah Veer ke haath se chai lete waat uske haath ki ungliyaan jab Veer ke haath se sparsh ho gayi thi aur woh kaise sharma ke bhaag gayi thi.

Jab jab woh subah jaane ke liye hoti toh uski nazre Veer ko dhundhti. Use dhyaan aaya ki kaise dinner ke waqt aaj kal woh kuchh zyada hi derr tak Veer par apni nazre gada rahi thi.

'No no no no!!!! What's wrong with me???'

Kintu, woh jitna use dekhti utna hi uska dil zoro se dhadakta. Idhar, Pari ne bhi akhir khulasa karne ke baare me nirnay le hi liya.

[Master!]

'Hmm?'

[China se lautne ke baad ek baat maine aapse abhi tak share nahi ki hai.]

'Hmm? Kaun si?'

[Updated list of favorabilities.]

'Hmm? Toh usme kya?'

[Check for yourself.]

*Ding*




Agle hi pal Veer ke samaksh saari updated favorabilities ki list saamne aa gayi aur use jhatke par jhatke lagte chale gaye.

'Huh? What the hell? Nidhi ma'am ke saamne question mark kyu hai? Yaha tak ki Ragini, Teju di aur Miss Suhana ke saamne bhi. Aur... Aur, ek second... Ragini ki favourability 150? Miss Suhana 148?? Teju di bhi 148?? What the fuck!!!? Sonali ko slave ka status kab se mil gaya? Wait a minute. Miss Sonia ki favorability drop hui hai mere khayaal se.'

[Calm down Master. Question mark isliye show ho raha hai kyunki haal hi me inke saath aapka relationship uncertainty me jaa chuka hai.]

'K-Kya matlab?'

[Matlab ye ki system abhi certain nahi hai ki inhe kaun sa title diya jaaye. Kyunki, abhi defined emotions established nahi hue hai. Agar, for example : Inme se koi bhi aapki future wife ya girlfriend banti hai toh system ise recognise kar lega aur ek title unhe allot kar dega. Lekin, abhi ke liye system inn relationships ko leke uncertain hai.]

'Samjha!'

[Yes! Rahi baat Sonali ko slave ka status kyu allot hua? Toh, system ne use ek slave ke roop me hi accept kiya hai. Aap bhale hi use dost maano lekin, jis tarah se relationship jaa raha hai woh system ke liye slave ki category me hi aata hai.]

'Ah!!'

[Aur, Miss Sonia ki favorability indeed drop hui hai. Ye lack of communication ka nateeja hai.]

'Unke baare me mujhe kuchh nahi sochna. Lekin, Bhumika di? Huh? Unki favorability 120 achanak se?'

Usne turant hi sarr utha ke Bhumika ko dekha jo uski taraf hi dekh rahi thi. Maano jaise uss bechaari ki chori pakdi gayi. Nazre milte hi woh iss qadar sharmayi ki fauran hi usne apni nigaahein fer li.

'Strange-!!!'

Tej : Hey!! Aapko pata tha ki Veer 31st December ko Yarnia ki launch karne jaa raha hai???

Bhumika : Ahhh?? K-Kya???

Tej : Arey maine kaha ki aapko pata tha ki Veer 31st December ko Yarnia ki launch karne jaa raha hai?

Bhumika : Ohh! H-Haan! W-Woh usne bataya tha.

Tej (smiles) : I'm excited.

Veer ke mukhde se pareshaan hoke antatah Bhumika apni jagah se uthi aur hotel ke kaam se baahar jaane ka bahaana banaate hue woh ghar se nikal gayi.

Lekin, isi ki aadh me Ragini ko uska bahaana mil chuka tha. Woh bhi taiyaar hoke ghar se nikal rahi thi, jab Veer ne use tok diya.

Veer : Aap kaha jaa rahi hai?

Ragini : Woh... Mujhe apne ghar jaana tha. Mummy papa se milne. Thoda kaam hai.

Veer : Iss waqt?

Ragini (nods) : Hmm!

Veer : Sab aaye hue hai ghar pe abhi.

Ragini : Mil toh liya sab se. Udhar jaana bhi zaroori hai.

Iske aage Veer ne kuchh na kaha. Jaise hi woh hall se nikalne ke liye hui toh-

'Pari!!!'

[Yes?]

'Mark the tracer on her saree.'

[Okay!]

*Ding*

[Do you want to remove the tracer from your food truck?]

'Huh? Wait-!!!'

Use yaad aaya ki usne akhiri baar tracer apne food truck pe lagaya tha jab woh Sonali ko Kaushik naam ke jaanvar se bachaane ke liye use dhundh raha tha.

'What the-!? Iska matlab tracer ek baar me ek hi cheez par apply ho sakta hai?'

[Toh aapko kya laga? Agar, multiple cheezon pe apply ho sakta toh ye skill legendary skill na bann jaati? Iske zariye aap har uss vyakti ko trace kar paate jinpe ye laga hota.]

'Hmm! Tracer ko food truck se remove kar do Pari aur Ragini ki saree par laga do.'

Pari ne aadesh anusaar wahi kiya. Veer dekhna chaahta tha ki kya Ragini waqai ghar jaa rahi thi ya kahi orr. Lekin, use uska jawab jald hi mil gaya jab usne dekha ki Ragini waqai apne ghar hi gayi hui thi.

Ek raahat ki saans lete hue usne tracer ka map band kar diya. Magar, woh nahi jaanta tha ki Ragini apne ghar jaan boojh ke chakma dene ke liye hi gayi thi. Uski asli destination toh kuchh aur thi, jaha woh shaam me dastak dene waali thi.

***

Carewell hospital, Mumbai,
Afternoon - 2:30 PM ~

DSP Trisha aur head constable Jeetu kaaka, hospital ke corridor me tez qadmo ke saath chalte hue ek room ki orr badh rahe the. Woh dono operation theatres se hoke guzre jaha par operations aur post mortems kiye jaa rahe the. Chalte-chalte hi Trisha ne sawaal uthaaya.

Trisha : Report jab taiyaar ho gayi thi toh fir unhe seedhe police station me kyu nahi bhijwaya gaya?

Jeetu kaaka : Ab, bola toh tha madam ji… heyhey… Par, lagta hai hospital waalo ke paas aadmi nahi raha hoga uss waqt.

Trisha ne ek nazar Jeetu kaaka par maari aur fir sarr hilaate hue saamne ke kamre me chali gayi jaha ek doctor, ek surgeon aur kuchh nurses pehle se maujood thi.

Doctor (glances) : Ahh! Trisha madam! Aaiye!

Trisha : Report!

Doctor : Ji! Mein aapka hi intezar kar raha tha. Baithiye!

Kehte hue usne kuchh files me se ek file nikaali aur Trisha ko thama di. Trisha ne file me se report nikaal jaise hi use dekha toh paaya ki usme sab kuchh maujood tha.

Shav kiska tha, use kaun laaya, use identify kisne kiya, kitne samay paaya gaya, kis dinaank ko mila, uss par kaun-kaun se diagnostic tests kiye gaye, external examination me kya kuchh paaya gaya, kapdo me se kya kuchh baramad hua, galey ki jaanch karne par kya pata chala jaisi tamaam cheezein uss report me mentioned thi.

Lekin, writing aisi ki medical waala banda hi use padh sake. Trisha ke maathe par surgeon ne jab rekhaaye dekhi toh woh khud hi saral bhaasha me samjhaane ke liye aage aa gaya.

Surgeon : Madam, ye ek murder hi tha. Aur, kisi bhi hathyaar se ye murder nahi kiya gaya hai.

Trisha : Huh?

Surgeon : Cause of death - Extreme pain, breakage of tissues and internal organs, aur bloodloss hai.

Trisha : ???

Surgeon : Humne humaari orr se poori achhe tareeke se jaanch ki hai madam. Dekhiye! Victim ke left lumbar region par attack kiya gaya tha. Humare umbilical region ka left portion. Aur, hum ye daave ke saath keh sakte hai ki ye assault kisi bhi tarah ke metallic weapon se nahi kiya gaya hai.

Trisha (stupefied) : Whatttt? A-Aap kehna kya chaah rahe hai?

Doctor : Kehna ye chaah rahe hai madam ki jis se bhi attack kiya gaya woh kisi bhi haal me kisi metal se bana weapon nahi tha. Yaani ki sharp objects jaise chaaku, talvaar, chhuri, rod, wagarah-wagarah. Aise kisi bhi metallic objects ke kann hume khoon, tissues, outer skin ya kapdo par kahi par bhi nahi mile hai. Aur toh aur hum cuts ko dekh ke hi anumaan laga lete hai ki kis tarah ke weapon ka istemal kiya gaya hoga. Lekin, yaha hume kuchh bhi samajh nahi aaya.

Surgeon : Ji haan! Aur, pareshani ki baat ye hai ki body me se aisa koi bhi clue nahi mila hai jis se ye pata lag sake ki ye attack hua kis cheez se.

Trisha : Y-Ye impossible hai. Bina kisi sharp object ke itna bada ghaav karna impossible hai. Aur, aapne hi toh bataya tha na phone par ki bullet ya kisi janglee jaanvar ka kaam bhi nahi hai ye? Fir kaise? Ye toh mumkin hi nahi hai!!

Doctor haami bhar aage badh apne haath mod table par baitha.

Doctor : Bilkul! Hum bhi yahi maante hai. Lekin, yahi par humaara kaam khatam hota madam. Aur… aapka shuru-!

Trisha : A-Aap ek baar aur jaanch kariye. Dekhiye, ye possible hi nahi hai. Ho sakta hai kahi kuchh-

Doctor (frowns) : Madam ji!!!

Trisha : ???

Doctor : Jankaari ke liye bata du ki aap sheher ke sabse bade aur prakhyaat private hospital me baithi hai. Jitni jaldi aur bareeki se har cheez ki pushti yaha hoti hai woh sheher ke kisi bhi aspataal me nahi hoti. Ye baat toh aap khud bhi jaanti hi hongi. Humne apna kaam kar diya hai. Agar, aapko fir bhi lagta hai ki humse koi bhool-choonk hui hai toh aap kahi aur se autopsy karwaane ke liye swatantra hai. Neeche hi mortuary me freezer me body padi hai. Agar, aap kehti hai toh mein ambulance ke zariye aapke preferred hospital me bhijwaaye deta hu.

Kehte hue doctor ne table par se landline phone uthaaya aur Trisha ko ghoor uske jawab ka intezar karne laga.

Trisha (frowns) : N-Nahi! Rehne dijiye! Woh ek body hai…! Koi khilauna nahi. M-Mujhe aap pe bharosa hai. Maafi chaahti hu!

Doctor (smiles) : Dhanyavad! Ab aapse ek akhiri nivedan yahi hai ki jitna jaldi ho sake formalities poori kar dijiyega. Taaki, body ko uske parivar me lautaya jaa sake. Kuchh ab bhi aas liye sirf body ka hi wait kar rahe hai, taaki unke qareebi ka deh sanskar ho sake.

Trisha (nods) : J-Ji! Chaliye Jeetu kaaka!

*Thud*

Darwaza band hua aur woh dono kamre se baahar nikal gaye.

Jeetu kaaka : Madam, ye gutthi toh ulajhti hi jaa rahi hai. Agar, hamla nukeele auzaar se nahi hua toh pait se itna bada maans nikla kaise?

Trisha (frowns) : Yahi toh samajh nahi aa raha hai, kaaka! *sighs* Suniye! Thaane se inspector ko bulaaiye aur yaha ki saari formalities karwaiye. Mujhe ek zaroori kaam hai. Mein shaam tak thaane par milti hu.

Jeetu kaaka : Ji madam!!!

Trisha nirdesh dete hue Carewell hospital se baahar nikli aur seedhe police jeep me sawaar waha se ravaana ho gayi. Raaste me hi woh aneko files me se kuchh khangaalne me lagi hui thi.

Driver : Madam, aap ab bhi usi case ke peechhe padi hai?

Trisha : Haan! Toh?

Driver : Udhar se kuchh nahi milne waala madam!! Chhota muh badi baat kar raha hu. Par, meri maaniye — Aap abhi ke case par zyada dhyaan dijiye. Agar, ye serial killer ka case hal ho gaya toh aapka promotion pakka hai. Kya pata, isi lapete me hume bhi thodi bahut mithaayi khaane mil jaaye. *smiles*

Trisha : Beta mithaayi toh tujhe tab bhi khaane mil jayegi agar maine ye purana case hal kar liya toh. Ab baatein mat kar. Gaadi chala!

Driver (sighs) : Ji madam!

Jald hi woh apne ghar ke saamne thi. Jeep se utar woh files ke saath ghar me pravesh ki aur jeep wapas station ki orr nikal gayi.

Ghar me aate hi uski saasu maa aur uski nanhi si bacchi ~ Pihu baahar nikal kar aayi. Unse kuchh der baat kar woh firse unhi reports ko padhte hue uska aaklan karne lagi.

‘Slogan! Maut ke pehle iski car, highway ke paas se iss sunsaan sadak se baramad hui thi. Aur, iske pehle ye car — Theek iss hotel se baahar nikli thi jaha par ek aur shav paaya gaya tha. Body ka head kisi sniper bullet se explode hua tha aisa forensics se pata laga hai.'

'Strangely, iss hotel ke paas se koi bhi security footage baramad nahi hui. Iska matlab saaf hai ki ye zaroor ek setup tha. Lekin, witnesses se bhi kuchh clear haath nahi laga hai. Hotel waali iss dead body ki identity bhi clear nahi hai. Chal kya raha tha uss din waha?’

‘Zaahir hai ki iss slogan ki car hotel se nikalne ke baad uss sunsaan sadak tak pahuchi. Aur, isliye maine iss route me har kisi se poochh-taachh kar li hai. Kuchh toh kuchh nahi jaante toh wahi kuchh aise hai jo daawa toh karte hai dekhne ka. Lekin, kuchh khaas details saamne nahi rakh paa rahe…! It’s getting really complicated. Kya karu mein?’

‘Ab siwaaye uss ladke se milne ke alawa mere paas aur koi chaara nahi. Wardi pehen ke jaungi toh aisa na ho ki woh kahi darr ke maare data delete kar de. Hmm! Normal getup me hi jaana padega.'

Upar ek top aur neeche jeans daal Trisha apne ghar se nikal car me baith uss highway ki orr nikli.

'Kya naam tha uss ladke ka? Haan! Jai!!! Information exchanger. Achha hua gun mere saath hai. Agar, kuchh hua toh-!!'

Sochte hue woh ek dukaan ke saamne ruki. Highway par hi ek badi si dukaan thi jiske bagal se dhaaba khula hua tha. Ye wahi route tha jaha se Slogan ki gaadi nikli thi. Aur, Trisha jaanti thi ki use jo kuchh bhi ab pata lag sakta tha woh cctv footage se hi lag sakta hai.

Khambe par, dhaaba ke baahar, dukaan ke baahar kayi cctv cameras lage hue the. Jab pichhli baar woh yaha se jaanch ke liye guzri thi toh samajh gayi thi ki yahi se use kuchh mil sakta hai. Lekin, poochh-taachh karne par use pata laga tha ki Jai dukaan aur dhaabe ki aadh me darasal information bechta tha. Aisi kayi highway ki sadko par uske cameras kisi dukaan, ya kisi dhaabe par lage rehte the.

Ye route aisa tha jaha se sandigdh trucks, tractors, trolleys, aur tamaam bade-bade vehicles guzra karte the. Unme kya hota tha? Woh kaha jaate the? Unki gaadi ka number, ye sab Jai becha karta tha taaki baad me unki loot-paat ho sake. Aur, isliye woh yaha wardi ke bina aayi hui thi.

Andar aate hi sabhi ki nazre uss par tik gayi. Khaas kar uske khubsoorat chehre aur kaseele badan par. Bhala ek sundar ladki akeli yaha highway par dhaabe par kya kar rahi thi?

Trisha dabang style me andar aayi aur apna kaala chashma hataate hue usne dukaan par baithe aadmi ko dekh ishaare se poochha.

Trisha : Jai kidhar hai?

Dukaan wala : Hmm? Kaun Jai?

Trisha (aage jhukte hue) : Abey wahi Jai jo jankaari bechta hai. Customer ko bhagaana chaahta hai tu?

Dukaan wala : Oh! Hahaha! A-Abhi bulaata hu. Ruko yahi!

Kehte hue woh andar chala gaya aur Trisha tab tak aas-paas baithe logo ka jaayza lene lagi. Har taraf aadmi hi aadmi baitha hua tha. Ek bhi mahila maujood nahi thi.

Kuchh hi der me Jai baahar aaya aur usne Trisha ko apni bauhe chadhaate hue upar se neeche tak parkha.

Jai : Kya re item? Kya chaahiye?

Ek pal ko Trisha ke maathe ki nass phatne ko hui. Lekin, usne apna gussa nigla aur chalaaki se apni chaal chali.

Trisha : Graahak hu! Samaan chaahiye!

Jai : Toh ye sab latke toh hai samaan! Jo lena ho lo, paisa chukao aur aage badho.

Trisha : Ye samaan lene ke liye mein highway aaungi? Jankaari chaahiye thi.

Jai firse khamosh raha. Aur, aage aate hue dukaan ki seat par baith gaya.

Jai : Kaun hai tu?

Trisha : Iss se matlab? Tum apna kaam karo. Mein apna kaam karungi. Aur, fir hume ek dusre se kya lena dena?

Kehte hue usne apni jeb me se rupaye ki kuchh gaddiyaan nikaali aur Jai ke saamne hawa me lehraate hue use dikhaayi.

Jai (frowns) : Tujhe pehle toh nahi dekha kabhi yaha. Tujhe kaise pata chala iss jagah ka?

Trisha : Suni sunaayi baato se.

Jai : Huh?

Trisha : Iss se kya lena dena tumhe? Mujhe jankaari chahiye hai aur tumhe paise. Deal karo. Aur, baat khatam. Agar, tumhare paas woh jankari hogi toh mein use khareedungi aur agar nahi toh nahi. Itni si hi toh baat hai.

Jai : Theek hai! Theek hai! Andar chal!

Jai uthate hue andar jaane laga aur Trisha mahaul ko padhte hue savdhani ke saath aage badhi. Andar aate hi usne dekha ki 4 se 5 computers ek saath lage hue the.

Jai : System chaalu kar re gaandu. Saare karna.

Chela : J-Ji!

Computers on hote hi Jai seat par baitha aur Trisha ko dekh bola.

Jai : Chal bata! Kya chahiye tujhe?

Trisha : Ek se dedh saal pehle yaha se ek car guzri thi. Kisi prakar ki chase ho rahi thi. Uski footage hai tumhare paas?

Jai uske sawaal par thoda sachet ho gaya. Aur, peeth seedhi kar ke baith gaya.

Jai : Kya re item? Tujhe pata nahi kya? Ye highway hai! Yaha se daily hazaro gaadiya guzarti hai. Mujhe kaise pata chalega ki tu kis gaadi ki baat kar rahi hai? Aur, woh bhi kaun se din ki baat kar rahi hai? Tareekh bata! Agar data me saved file koi padi hogi toh mil jayegi.

Trisha ne use fir wahi tareekh batayi jis din Slogan ki car hotel se bhaagi thi.

Trisha : Tum itna puraana data bhi rakhte ho?

Jai (while typing) : Do-do teen-teen saal pehle ka data bhi rehta hai apne paas. Apna kaam hi yahi hai. Ye lo! Mil gayi tumhari file.

Trisha (leans in) : Hmm?

Jai ne uss tareekh ka bana hua ek folder khola aur dekha ki usme do recordings padi hui thi. Usne be-jhijak pehli recording play kar di.

Jai : Ye waali hai kya? Haan! Subah ye accident ho gaya tha ek car ka. Yaad hai apne ko. Ye hai kya?

Trisha : Nahi! Der raat ki baat hai. Dusri footage dekho.

Jai ne jaise hi dusri footage play ki toh usme dikha ki ek car tez raftaar ke saath aage badhte hue nikli aur uss ke peechhe dher saari gaadiyaan lagi hui thi. Jaise hi footage ko Jai ne dekha toh uske maathe par paseene ki boondein umad aayi. Aur, Trisha ki aankhein chaudi ho gayi.

Aur, agle hi pal — usne video clip band kar di.

Trisha : Y-Ye kya kiya?

Jai : Ab mujhe dhandha nahi karna. Mujhe koi information nahi bechna.

Trisha : Kya? Kya matlab? Tumne chalaayi hi kaha abhi video theek se!?

Jai : Tumhare iraade mujhe kuchh theek nahi lag rahe. Aur, mujhe tum par doubt hai. Toh ab chup-chaap yaha se nikal lo.

Trisha : Dekho! Mein sirf information hi chaahti hu. Mein tumhe yaha fasaane nahi aayi hu.

Jai : Oh achha? Toh kya mein jaan sakta hu ki tum ye clip kyu dhundh rahi ho? Kya hua tha uss raat aisa jo tum mere adde tak aa gayi? Koi bewakoof hi hoga jo tumse bina sawaal kiye aise hi tumhe ye jankaari de dega. Aur, mein bewakoof nahi.

Trisha : Dekho! Uss raat ki mujhe footage chahiye hai. Kyunki, mujhe sach jaanana hai.

Jai : Kaisa sach?

'Ye aise nahi maanega-! Mujhe isko baato me ghumaana padega.'

Trisha : Uss raat — mere ek qareebi family member ka murder hua tha. Mein jaanti hu ki unki car yahi se nikli thi. Mujhe ye jaanana hai ki unke peechhe akhir kaun tha? Gaadi number, uska color, agar kuchh bhi mujhe milta hai toh meri madad hogi.

Jai : Oh? Toh tum yaha kyu aayi ho? Police me complain karo. Mujhe chutiya samjha hai kya? Ab iske pehle ki mein kuchh karu, tum yaha se nikal lo, warna-

Trisha samajh gayi ki ye aise nahi maanega. Aur, majbooran use sakht hona hi padega. Usne fir kiya bhi wahi, apni jeans ke peechhe khusi hui handgun usne ekdum se nikaali aur seedhe Jai ke upar taan di.

Trisha : Hands up!!! Inspector Trisha!!! Thaane police station!!!

Gun dekhte hi Jai ne apne haath khade kar liye. Aur, Trisha uske qareeb aake jhuki.

Trisha : Dekh! Mein agar chaahti toh tera ye sab kuchh zabt kar sakti thi. Mujhe khaali ek raid maarni thi. Aur, tu abhi salaakho ke peechhe hota. Samjha?

Jai : P-Par- maine tab tak data uda diya hota. Ya drive leke mein use tabaah bhi kar sakta tha.

Trisha : Smart! Aur, isliye mein wardi me nahi aayi. Ab chup chaap se ye harddrive mere hawaale karo iske pehle ki mein yaha pe raid karwau. Hmm?

Majbooran Jai ko wahi karna pada jo Trisha ne kaha. Woh jaanta tha uska bhaanda foot chuka tha. Lekin, woh ye bhi jaanta tha ki woh itni asaani se nahi pakde jaane waala tha.

Kyunki, Trisha ne harddrive li aur woh bina Jai ko kuchh bhi kahe waha se nikal gayi. Woh jaanti thi ki uss clip me wahi tha jo use dekhna tha. Aur, Jai jaiso ko toh woh iss case ke baad bhi pakad ke jail me daal sakti thi.

Halaki, jab woh waha se nikli, toh woh bas ek baat se aparichit thi. Aur, woh ye thi ki — Jai darasal Balhaar ka aadmi thi. Wahi aadmi jisme Balhaar ko haal hi me dhoka diya tha. Aur, wahi aadmi jisne Damian ke behkaawe me aake ye sab kiya tha.

Trisha fauran hi thaane lauti aur turant hi control room ke paas pahuchi.

Trisha : Shekhar-!!!

Shekhar : Ji madam?

Trisha : Iss harddrive ko jaldi se connect karo aur folder me se mujhe woh video clip play kar ke do.

Usne Shekhar ko wahi date bataayi aur apni nazre gadaaye woh wahi jhuk ke khadi ho gayi.

Shekhar ne jaise hi clip play ki, har guzarte pal Trisha ki dhadkane badhti chali gayi. Ye wahi tha.

'I got it!!! This is it...!!'

Woh screen me jaise ghusne ko ho gayi. Clip maatra 1 minute ki jitni hi lambi thi lekin usme sab kuchh tha. Slogan ki wahi gaadi jo bhaag rahi thi. Peechhe lagi kuchh aur gaadiyaan. Aur, tabhi use sabse peechhe ek badi hi luxury gaadi nazar aayi aur khush-kismati se uska number bhi.

Trisha : Sh-Shekhar-!!! Pause karo!! Haan! Ye-!!! Ye number...! This is it!!! Isi pal ka toh intezar tha mujhe. I can't believe I got my hands on this. Yahi... Yahi hume iss gutthi ko suljhaane me madad karegi. Mujhe abhi ke abhi jitna jaldi ho sake iss number se saari information nikaal ke do. Ye kiski hai, kaha se li gayi, sab kuchh.

Shekhar : Ji madam! Bas thoda time dijiye.

Woh haami bharte hue apni tez dhadkano ko qaabu me karne ki koshish karne lagi ki tabhi uska phone baj utha. Dekha toh paaya ki uske pati Rohan, yaani ki sheher ke DGP ka phone tha.

Trisha : Hello?

Rohan : Kaha tak aage badha case?

Trisha : Report mili aaj hi. Case ulajhta jaa raha hai. Kis hathyaar se vaar kiya gaya ye abhi bhi ek rehesya hi hai.

Rohan : Dekho, Trisha! Ye ab heinous crime me aa chuka hai. Poori police force ko ab satark aur sakht hone ki zaroorat hai. Agar, tumne jald hi iske baar me kuchh nahi kiya toh thaane hi nahi, poori state level police ko alert bhejna padega. Aur, fir tum jaanti ho na?

Trisha : Rohan!!! Mein-! Mein kar rahi hu. Dekho, mein jaanti hu ki tum kyu abhi tak state level police ko isme shaamil nahi kar rahe. Taaki, mein ise jitna jaldi ho sake utna jaldi solve karu aur promotion mere liye aur bhi asaan ho jaaye. Magar-

Rohan : ???

Trisha : Tum promotion ki chinta mat karo. Aur, tum jaante ho na-! Mein crimes ke khilaaf kitni sakht rehti hu? Mein...! Har case ka parda faash karungi. Don't worry! Hum logo ki jaan ko aise khatre me nahi daal sakte, Rohan. Isliye, tum wahi karo jo sahi hai. Sabhi ko alert kar do. Sab ek saath iss case me lag jayenge toh hum criminal ko jaldi pakad payenge.

Rohan : Tumne theek kaha. Lekin, mein chaahta tha ki ye bada case tum solve karo.

Trisha : Rohan! Promotion se laakh guna zyada zaroori hai uss mujrim ka pakde jaana. So, do what is right.

Rohan : Hmm! Mein kal hi iss par charcha karta hu aur saari police force ko shaamil karta hu.

Trisha (smiles) : Good-!!!

Trisha ne jaise hi phone rakha toh udhar se Shekhar ne use bula liya. Usne saari information gaadi ke baare me khoj nikaali thi.

Trisha (walks in) : Shekhar? Mil gayi?

Shekhar : Ji madam! Gaadi blue color ki ek Bentley Mulsanne hai. Aur, owner hai 'Karan Adarsh.' Ye Karan Nexacom ke owner 'Kishore Adarsh' ke sage bete hai. Gaadi import karwayi gayi thi Dubai se.

Jaise hi Trisha ne jankaari suni uski aankhein aashcharya me fel gayi.

'Nexacom-!?? Karan Adarsh-!!! Itne bade raees vyakti ki gaadi bhala iss chase me? Ye aur ulajhta jaa raha hai. Par, ab mere paas ek — clue hai. Tum kitne hi raaes kyu na ho Mister Karan Adarsh! Agar, tumhara iss murder me haath hua toh mein khud tumhe salaakho ke peechhe daalungi.'

Trisha : Shekhar!!! Clip se aur jitni gaadiyo ke number bina blur hue saaf-saaf nazar aa rahe hai. Unn sab ki information nikaalo.

Shekhar : Ji madam!

Trisha : Kal subah, Nexacom ke owner Kishore Adarsh aur uske bete ke liye bahut hi yaadgaar saabit ho sakti hai.

***

Nidhi's apartment,
Night - 8:15 PM ~

Ragini Nidhi ke apartment ke theek baahar khadi hui thi. Aur, yahi thi uski asli destination. Uska dil uske seene me zoro se dhadak raha tha. Woh yaha pehle kabhi nahi aayi thi, halaaki woh aur Nidhi ek dusre se parichit thi. Gatherings, festivals aur functions me unka aamna-saamna kayi dafa ho chuka tha. Lekin, aaj ki raat alag thi. Sandeh ka bojh use yaha tak le aaya tha.

Darwaze ko khat-khataane se veh jhijhki. Kintu, fir usne dheere se khat-khataaya. Kuchh shan baad darwaza khula, aur Nidhi use dekh hairat me reh gayi.

Nidhi : Arey—A-Aap?

Uski awaaz komal lekin utsukta se bhari hui thi.

Nidhi : Maine nahi socha tha iss waqt aap hongi.

Ragini : Kyu? Kya aapko laga tha Veer hoga?

Nidhi (jhepte hue) : Huh???

Ragini (smiles) : Arey wahi toh aksar aata hai. Mein pehli baar aayi hu. Obviously, aap mujhe expect nahi kar rahi thi. Haha!

Nidhi : W-Wahi! Please! Aao na!

Jabran muskuraate hue Ragini andar qadam rakhi. Woh ek-ek gesture ko notice kar rahi thi. Nidhi ka achanak se jhepna aur uske chehre ke bhaav se leke sab kuchh.

Ragini : Mein toh bas — aapse milna chaahti thi. Aapse baat kare kaafi samay ho gaya tha. Socha, mil hi leti hu. Isi bahaane ghar bhi dekh lungi. I hope I'm not intruding, right?

Nidhi : Arey, nahi nahi! Isme kaisa intrusion? Aap aayi toh mujhe achha laga. Baitho na!

Ragini (nods) : Hmm!

Nidhi : Batao! Kya logi? Chai ya coffee?

Ragini : Arey, mein chai coffee ke liye thodi aayi hu. Aapse baat karne aayi hu. Aap baitho yahi.

Nidhi : Arey, aise kaise bhala? Pehli baar aayi ho aur mein itna bhi na karu? Aap bhi toh apne ghar me aisa hi karti ho na. Batao! Chai karu ya coffee?

Ragini : Arey aap bhi na-!!! *sighs* Theek hai! Coffee, then!

Nidhi haami bharte hue kitchen me chali gayi. Pehle woh uske liye paani laayi aur fir coffee banaane ke liye andar vyast ho gayi.

Isi beech Ragini ki nazar iss sadharan se apartment par padi. Aur, woh sochne par majboor ho gayi ki kabhi uske saath rehne se pehle Veer yahi par kayi mahino tak raha tha, jaha usne ek jeevan aisa bhi jiya tha jise usne kabhi theek se saajha nahi kiya, jiske baare me usne kabhi bhi theek se use nahi bataaya.

Uski ungliyaan sofe ke hatthe par firi, ek kalpana hui ki Veer yahi par baitha hai, shayad raat ke sannaate me Nidhi se baat kar raha hai.

Aur, irshya janm le uthi. Yahi sab woh jagah-jagah dekh soch rahi thi jab Nidhi do cup coffee ke lekar lauti aur ek cup Ragini ke saamne table par rakh kar baith gayi.

Nidhi : Toh? Aaj aapko meri yaad kaise aa gayi?

Ragini ne casual dikhne ki koshish karte hue apni coffee ka cup uthaaya aur boli.

Ragini : Ab kya batau. Jab se Veer China se laut ke aaya hai, tab se hi sab titar-bitar ho rakha hai. Ghar me afra-tafri machi hai, haha. Business ko lekar sab focused hai. Aur, mujhe thoda break chahiye tha. Fir aapka khayaal aa gaya. *smiles*

Ragini ne apni chaal chal di. Safed jhooth bolte hue usne badi hi chalaaki se topic of discussion ko Veer ki taraf mod diya tha.

Nidhi : O-Ohh! Bilkul! Thoda mind ko break dena bhi zaroori hota hai.

Ragini : Ji! Waise ek baat toh hai-!

Nidhi : ??

Ragini : Veer aksar aapke baare me baat karta rehta hai.

Nidhi : H-Huh!!!?

Ragini : -ki kaise aapne uske kathin waqt me itna saath diya. Tough times me kaise aap uske saath thi.

Nidhi ki aankhon me halki si kuchh chamak si aayi—shayad hairaangi, shayad puraani yaadein.

Nidhi (nods) : H-Haan! Woh tha — Jab woh yaha aaya tha toh bahut hi buri sthiti me tha. Maine dekha hai use-! Aur, maine wahi kiya jo meri jagah agar koi aur bhi hota toh yahi karta.

Ragini : Ji nahi! Mujhe toh nahi lagta. *sips* Shadi-shuda, do baccho ki maa, ghar par kisi mard ka na hona, inn sab ke baad bhi aapne ek jawaan ladke ko apni chhat ke neeche panaah di. Mujhe nahi lagta ki itni asaani se koi bhi aise madad ka haath badhaata. *sips* By the way, coffee bahut achhi bani hai.

Nidhi (smiles) : Thank you! Lekin, sach yahi hai, maine wahi kiya jo mujhe sahi laga. Aur, aap bhi agar meri jagah hoti toh shayad yahi karti.

Ragini (shrugs) : Shayad! Toh? Itne mahino tak aap dono saath rahe. Qareebi toh badhi hi hogi. Uska yaha hona aapko kaisa lagta tha? I mean to say—aapko dikkat nahi gayi kabhi? Baccho ke saath-saath ek aur sadasya ka ghar me achanak se aa jaana?

Nidhi iss prashn par thoda jhijhki, saaf taur par apni bhavnao par qaabu rakhne ki koshish kar rahi thi.

Nidhi : Sach kahu toh- Woh samajhdar hai! Thoda nadaan zaroor hai lekin, samajhdar hai. Jab woh kathin samay se guzar raha tha tab bhi woh andar se humesha se mazboot rehta tha. Usne meri itni madad ki, jitni maine kabhi umeed bhi nahi ki thi. Toh, mujhe kabhi aisa laga hi nahi ki woh mere liye kabhi koi bojh tha. Aisa lagta tha jaise woh isi parivar ka hissa tha.

Ragini ka dil andar hi andar marud ke reh gaya. Woh Nidhi ki awaaz me uska sneh sunn paa rahi thi, aur ye uske andar bhadki jalan ki lapto ko aur bhi zyada badha raha tha.

Ragini : Ji! Veer aksar mujhe bataya karta tha. Toh, ye din-ba-din kaisa tha? Aap baccho ke saath-saath itna sab manage kaise kar leti thi?

Nidhi ki aankhein narm pad gayi aur pehli baar ek halki si muskaan ubhri.

Nidhi : Maine use parivar ke sadasya ki tarah hi maana humesha. Woh Juhi ki madad karta tha, kabhi-kabhi use school le jaata tha, yaha tak ki use nehlaana aur toilet tak leke jaana. Hum saath-saath shopping bhi karne jaate the, saath hi dinner ki taiyaari karna, chhote-chhote kaamo me haath bataana. Sab easily manage ho jaata tha. Aur, uske jaane ke baad hi mujhe ehsaas hua ki mein uspe kitna depend ho chuki thi.

Ragini ki pakad uske cup par mazboot ho gayi. Woh jaan rahi thi sab. 80 pratishat woh samajh chuki thi ki Nidhi hi veh mahila thi jis se Veer pyaar karta hai. Uske bheetar gusse aur jalan ki lehre uthi. Saath-saath dinner karna? Saath-saath shopping pe jaana? Mil ke baccho ka dhyaan rakhna? Agar, ye sab ek pati patni ke kaam nahi the toh aur kya the? Aur, ye sab Veer Nidhi ke saath kar chuka tha? Woh bhi uske pehle?

Ragini : Woh aapke liye bahut maayne rakhta hai, hai na?

Nidhi, bechaari chhal-kapat ki duniya se pare, ye samajh hi na paayi ki Ragini ke yaha aane ka uddeshya kya tha. Shayad, yahi ek kaaran bhi tha ki kyu veh Rajat ke jaal me itni asaani se fass gayi thi. Aur, shayad yahi ek kaaran aur bhi tha ki kaise Ragini kabhi Veer ke khilaaf shadiyantro me shaamil raha karti thi.

Ek taraf ek ignorant woman! Aur, dusri taraf ek crafty lady.

Nidhi : Veer-!! Woh alag hi hai ekdum. Niswaarth. Maine use kabhi khud ke liye selfish hote nahi dekha.

Ragini : Hmm! Aapki family ne kabhi object nahi kiya? Uska aapke saath rukne ko leke?

Nidhi : Hmm? Nahi! Hargiz nahi! Siwae, Shreya ko chhor ke. Lekin, baad me woh bhi uske saath ghul-mil gayi thi. Aap bhi ek mahila hai. Hum toh aankhon ko dekh ke hi pehchaan lete hai ki mardo ke andar humaare liye kya hai, hai na?

Ragini (nods) : Ji!

Nidhi : Maine kabhi Veer ki aankhon me woh sab nahi dekha. Hawas! Galat iraade!

Ragini : Ji!

'Agar, mein inhe bata du ki Veer ne kya kuchh kar rakha hai toh? Kya inhe bata du? Should I really-!? Inhe lagta hai iss baare me kuchh bhi nahi pata hai.'

Ragini : Waise-! Veer aapko kaisa lagta hai?

Nidhi : Huhhh??

Ragini : Mera matlab, ek insaan ke roop me aap use kaise dekhti hai?

Nidhi (smiles) : Selfless, caring, protective aur thoda sa nadaan. Lekin, ye nadaani samay ke saath chali jayegi. Abhi young hai na. Ye hota hai. Par, age ke hisaab se woh bahut mature hai.

Ragini : R-Right!

'B-Bahut mature? Bahut mature??? Agar, inhe pata chala ki usne mere saath hum-bistar hone ke baad bhi mujhe jawaab nahi diya hai toh kya sochengi ye? Kya inke vichaar tab badlenge?'

Nidhi : Aapko yakeen nahi hoga, par mein use pehle bahut kosa karti thi. Daanta bhi karti thi.

Ragini : Hmm? Kis liye?

Nidhi (smiles) : Usne aapko aur aapke parivaar ko gundo se bachaya tha na?

Ragini : Huh? A-Aapko kaise pata chala?

Nidhi : Usne hi mujhe bataya tha. Aapko pata hai? Jis raat usne aapko bachaaya tha, usi raat maine uske liye special dinner banaaya tha. Aur, woh dinner chhor ke bhaaga tha. Jab ghar aaya tha toh poore chot ke nishaan the uske shareer par. Fir, maine hi uski first aid ki thi aur fir usne bataya tha ki woh kaha par tha aur kya kuchh hua tha.

Ragini : Th-That's-

Nidhi (smiles) : Aur, mein isliye use kabhi chillaaya karti thi ki jab uska parivar uski parvah nahi karta toh woh kyu har baar khud ko unke liye jokhim me daalta hai? Can you believe it? Haha! U-Use itna chotil dekhti thi toh bas nikal jaata tha mere muh se.

Ragini ka sarr sharm se neeche jhuk gaya. The fact that he came for her when he was being served here with a special dinner comfortably. Ye apne aap me bahut kuchh bayaa karta tha.

Nidhi : Woh aapke baare me bhi bahut baatein karta tha.

Ragini : M-Matlab?

Ragini chaunkte hue apni palke jhapkaate hue use dekhi. Nidhi ne apna cup neeche rakha aur fir jaari rakha.

Nidhi : Jab woh aapke saath rehne laga tha toh yaha jab bhi aata tha toh aapki baat karta tha. Mujhe bataata tha ki ab uske parivar me uski ek bhabhi hai jo uski sach-much me parvah karti hai. Woh mujhe sab bataata tha ki aap uska kitna khayaal rakhti thi. Aapko shayad pata nahi par—woh aapki kalpana se bhi zyada parvah karta hai aapki.

Ragini : !!???

Nidhi ke shabd Ragini par haawi ho gaye aur uske andar jal rahi aag ko jaise thand kar gaye. Veer uske baare me aisa kehta tha? Beshaq, Nidhi uske liye koi anya mahila nahi thi—veh zaroorat ke samay me ek aashray thi. Lekin, ye baat ki woh Ragini ko nahi bhoola tha. Usne kabhi use peechhe nahi chhora tha.

Uski aankhon se apne aap aasu behne lage. Ye sab kya ho raha tha. Woh yaha rone nahi aayi thi. Fir kyu?

Usne apne aasu pochh dheere se saans chhori, use laga jaise ab uske andar ki gaanth thodi dheeli pad chuki thi. Lekin, jalan abhi bhi kahi na kahi maujood thi.

'Kya karu? Kya inhe bata du? Parijaat ghar ki aurto ke baare me? Kya hoga fir? Kya hoga, Veer? I have the opportunity. Mujhe bas sach ugalna hai. I can make you lose her, Veer.'

Nidhi uthate hue tabhi andar kun-munate Dhruv ki orr gayi aur uske sarr ko sehlaate hue aur soti hui Juhi ko blanket udhaane lagi.

'I can't-!!!'

Ragini ne apni saree zorr se bheench li. Uska nichla honth daanto tale kass ke dabb gaya.

'I fucking can't-!!!'

Usne Nidhi ko dekha. Juhi aur Dhurv ko dekha. Woh kitna khush thi. Aise, me bhala woh kaise sach bata sakti thi?

'Mein bas ek qadam dur hu iss aurat ko tumhari zindagi se dur karne me, Veer! And, yet I- *sniff* Yet I— I can't!!! *sniff* I fucking hate you, Veer!!! Ye kaha laa ke khada kar diya hai tumne mujhe? *sniff* It hurts so fucking much lekin, uske baad bhi mein ye nahi kar paa rahi. Is this—? This is what it means to be in love??? Is this love? I hate you, Veer-!!! *sniff* I hate you... Because... I love you~ *sniff*'

Nidhi wapas aayi aur apna pallu theek kar boli.

Nidhi (smiles) : Veer ka aisa hi hai. Woh apni family ke prati bahut protective hai. Maine shuru se dekha hai. Itna sab kuchh ho jaane ke baad bhi usne sab accept kar liya aur sab ke liye itna kuchh karta hai toh aap andaza laga hi sakti ho ki woh kaisa vyakti hai.

Ragini ne sarr hilaaya. Uski bhavnaaye uthal-puthal me thi. Woh apne sandeh ki pushti karne yaha aayi thi aur usne aisa hi kiya. Lekin, Nidhi ke shabdo ne use kuchh apratyaashit bhi pradaan kar diya — shaanti ki bhavna. Veer ne kisi ek ko dusre ke upar nahi chuna tha. Woh unn dono ki dekh-bhaal apne dhang se kar raha tha.

Jaise hi baat-cheet khatam hone ko aayi toh Ragini uth khadi hui.

Ragini : Thank you~ Aayi toh waise kuchh aur iraade se thi aur baatein kuchh aur hi ho gayi.

Nidhi (smiles) : Toh kya hua? Ab jab chaahe aap aa jaaya karo. Mein ghar par hi rehti hu.

Ragini muskurate hue ghar ke baahar nikli.

Ragini : You know what? Aap sahi hai. Nahi! Hum-! Hum sahi hai.

Nidhi : Hmm?

Ragini : Bas, ek akhiri sawaal. Veer ne aapko propose kiya toh uss baare me kya socha aapne?

Nidhi (astounded) : Huhhhh!!!?? M-Mein-!? Huh???

Nidhi jaise hi sakpakayi, Ragini ko shat-pratishat vishvas ho gayi ki Nidhi hi veh aurat thi. Isme koi shaq nahi tha. Woh punah muskurayi.

Ragini (smiles) : Veer keh raha tha ki woh aise pranks karta rehta hai, haha! Toh, maine socha kahi aapko bura toh nahi lag gaya? Isliye, poochha ki aap kya sochti hai iss baare me?

Nidhi (panics) : N-Nahi-! W-Woh-

Ragini (smiles) : It's okay. Don't mind him. Chalti aayi. Aaiyega!

Nidhi : Huh?? *nods* H-Haan!

Aur, Nidhi ko sawaalo ke bavandar me gumraah kar ke, Ragini waha se ravana ho gayi.

***

Starbucks, Mumbai,
Night - 8:30 PM ~

Starbucks ka shaant ambience kursi par baithi do mahilao ke beech ghanghor tanaav ke bilkul vipreet tha. Tej ki ungliyaan uske espresso ke cup par bechaini se thap-thapa rahi thi, uski teekhi nigaahein Suhana par tiki thi, jo humesha ki tarah shaant aur polished uske saamne baithi thi. Coffee shop ki roasted beans ki khushboo hawa me feli hui thi, lekin Tej ke dimag me ek hi cheez thi — Veer.

Suhana apni seat par thoda sa shift hui, uska almond latte jyo ka tyo rakha hua tha. Woh Tej ki ghoorti nigaaho me wazan ko mehsoos kar paa rahi thi. Kuchh gadbad thi.




Tej : Thanks for coming! And, apologies for rescheduling...! Mein busy thi lately, you know—personal matters.

Suhana (nods) : No problem!

Uske business instincts pehle se hi ye bata rahe the ki ye koi casual coffee chat nahi thi.

Suhana : I can understand. Kabhi-kabhi cheezein bahut overwhelming ho jaati hai.

Tez zabardasti muskurayi, uski aankhein narm nahi padi. Woh thoda aage ki orr jhuki aur, uski ungliyaan uske cup ke chaaro orr ghumne lagi.

Tej : Mein kuchh khaas baat karna chaahti thi. Actually — Veer ko leke.

Akhirkar, asal mudda saamne tha. Suhana ka shaant swabhav bana raha lekin uski ungliyaan uske cup par adrishya roop se kass gayi.

Suhana : Veer?? What about him?

Tej ne turant koi jawab na diya, usne apni coffee pi, nigaahein Suhana par hi tiki rahi.

Tej : Aapne use woh car gift ki thi? Roll Royce Ghost? That white car?

Suhana (nods) : I did!

Tej : Quite a gift, you know. Not something you see exchanged between casual acquaintances.

Suhana ne seedhe uski orr dekha, ye samajhte hue ki baat-cheeet ka saar kya tha.

Suhana : Yes, the car! Ye har din nahi hota ki aap kisi aise vyakti se milo jo aapki madad ke liye be-jhijhak aage aa jaaye. Veer ne mere liye bahut kuchh kiya hai. I was shot in Las Vegas. Back me-! I was about to die.

Tej : Huh?

Suhana : Aur, Veer ne hi mujhe bachaaya tha. Usne bataya tha ki use ye car pasand thi. So, it was a token of my appreciation. Aur, mujhe nahi lagta ki iss car ki keemat meri jaan ki keemat se zyada hai.

Tej ka muh andar se sikud gaya. 'A token of appreciation?' Woh andar hi andar hasi, lekin usme koi haasya nahi tha.

Tej : It's an awfully grand gesture for a token, don't you think? I mean— itna mehnga gift. Just like that-!

Suhana : Gift toh gift hota hai. Badle me kuchh maangungi thodi. Ye car mere liye 'thank you' kehne ka tareeka tha jo mujhe appropriate laga.

Tej ki ungliyaan cup ko kass ke pakadne ke chalte safed ho chali, uska dimag tezi se daudne laga. Appropriate? Rolls Royce Ghost kahi se bhi appropriate nahi thi. It was intimate — iska matlab kuchh aur tha. Aabhaar se pare.

Tej : Aap dono kaafi samay se ek dusre ko jaante honge, hai na?

Suhana ne napi-tuli saans li.

Suhana : Yes! Quite a while indeed. Shayad 2 saal se? Delhi tour, Las Vegas tour. We went together to a few places. Zaroorat ke samay woh har waqt meri madad ke liye aage aaya hai. I can't deny that-! Kuchh din pehle hi usne mujhse 'Yarnia' ke showroom ke liye madad maangi thi. So, I have arranged something for him.

Tej : What???

Tej ka gussa ubaal maarne laga. Lekin, usne chhipaane ki poori koshish ki. I have arranged something for him? Ye kisi dhamki jaisa lag raha tha use.

Tej : So, you arranged for him huh? Aur, yaha mein kayi dino se sheher me ghoom rahi thi, uske liye sahi jagah dhoondhne ki koshish kar rahi thi. Iss poore samay mein ye soch rahi thi ki woh mein hi hu jis par woh depend ho sakta hai. Lekin, aaj pata chala ki peeth peechhe woh aapse madad maang raha tha.

Akhir me uski awaaz toot gayi, jiske chalte uss chot ka pata chal gaya jise woh apne gusse ke neeche dabaane ki koshish kar rahi thi.

Suhana Tej ke swar me aaye badlaav se na chooki aur pehli baar use tanaav ka asli kaaran pata chala. Ye car ya showroom ke baare me nahi tha — Yeh Veer ke baare me tha. Aur, Tej ki apne bhai ke prati loyalty, uski possessiveness.

'Looks like she dislikes me.' Suhana ne bhaanp liya ki akhir Tej use yaha par kyu bulaayi thi. 'She wants to know the relationship I share with Veer.'

Suhana : You know what? You are lucky.

Tej : Huh?

Suhana : Veer tumhari bahut parvaah karta hai. Tumhe koi idea nahi hai ki woh tumhare baare me kitna sochta hai.

Tej akad ke reh gayi, lekin uski aankhein kisi cheez se chamak uthi.

Tej : Woh mere baare me sochta hai?

Suhana : Haan! Use tum par garv hai. Tumko pata hai woh mere paas madad ke liye kyu aaya?

Tej : !!??

Suhana : -Kyunki, woh apni behan par aur burden nahi daalna chaahta tha. Tumne uski absence me jo kuchh bhi kiya, woh unn results se bahut khush tha. But, he didn't want to overburden you. That's why he decided to ask for my help. He looks up to you.

Tej ki saansein uske gale me atak gayi. Usne bahut lamba samay woh behan banane ke liye bitaaya tha jis par Veer nirbhar ho sake, jis se ki woh har cheez ke liye uski orr dekh sake. Aur, ab Suhana se ye sunn kar uski bhavnaaye bhadak uthi — krodh, raahat, irshya.

Tej : Par, fir bhi- aaya toh woh aapke paas hi na. He came to you!!! And, not me!

Suhana : Woh tumpe bojh nahi daalna chaahta tha. Isliye, woh mere paas aaya tha. Isliye, nahi ki use tum par bharosa nahi tha, balki isliye ki woh tumhe itna importance deta hai ki tumse aur zyada maang nahi rakh sakta. You already did more than enough for him.

Tej ye sweekar nahi karna chaahti thi. Woh iss par vishvas nahi karna chaahti thi. Lekin, inn bol ne jaise uske gusse ko shaant kar diya.

Tej : You care for him, right?

Ye ek sawal ki bajaaye ek bayaan tha. Aur, iss baar Suhana hichak ke reh gayi. Woh apni nazre churaate hue idhar-udhar dekhne lagi.

Suhana : I... He's just an acquaintance.

Tej : Just an acquaintance. Right!

Kehte hue woh uth gayi. Aur, waha se jaane lagi. Lekin, jaate-jaate usne Suhana ko yaha aane ke liye dhanyavad kaha. Jaise hi cafe ka darwaza uske peechhe band hua, Suhana ne ek saans chhori.

Iss exchange ke baad dono ek dusre ke prati kuchh na kuchh bhaanp chuki thi. Tej jaan chuki thi ki Suhana bas ek acquaintance nahi thi. Aur, Suhana ye jaan gayi thi ki Tej uske aur Veer ke rishte ko lekar sandeh me thi. Saath hi ye — ki woh apne bhai ko leke kitni possessive thi.

***

FBCC headquarters, New York,
Night - 9:00 PM ~

"You showed up!!!"

Rebecca ne mudte hue apne peechhe se aa rahe shaks ko dekha.

"Aapne hi mujhe bulaaya tha."

Kehte hue woh ladka uske nazdeek aaya. Ye koi aur nahi — Damian hi tha.

Rebecca : Prepare for your next mission. Tumhe Australia jaana hoga.

Damian : Fight?

Rebecca : Up to you! Jitna ho sake uss ladki ko busy rakhna. You did well in Mumbai.

Damian (nods) : Hmm! Woh Mumbai me hi hai. Aisa mujhe lagta hai.

Rebecca : Who?

Damian : That weird one!

Rebecca : Ohh!

Damian haami bhar waha se chala gaya. Aur, idhar Rebecca ke dimaag me X ki baatein goonj gayi.

'Use your other pawn, Rebecca!'

Usne fauran hi Mumbai me maujood apne special agent ko call lagaaya — Divya!

Divya : Hello? Y-Yes Director!?

Rebecca : You have a mission, Mrs. Divya.

Divya : Huh?

Rebecca : Maharashtra me murders ho rahe hai. It appears to be a murder chain.

Divya : M-Murders?

Rebecca : I hereby assign you as a special agent to unravel the mystery behind these murders. FBCC jald hi Maharashtra govt. se contact me aa jayegi. So, be prepared.

Divya : Ahhh-!!?

Idhar Divya ko uska naya mission mila aur udhar Veer ko uske mann me-

*Ding*

[Mission : Assist Divya and unveil the murderer.
Time limit : 14 days.
Rewards :
1) ??? Points.
2) ??? Fame Points.
3) Divya's favourability increment.

Mission failure penalty : Loss of loved ones.]
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Aaj ke liye itna hi guys.
This update consists of 12k words. Cheezein bahut jaldi ab escalate hongi, ek idea lag gaya hoga ise padhne ke baad. So, be prepared. Sorry for the late update. Festivals ka time hai toh thodi vyastata rahegi, I had to go back to my hometown too. Toh adjust karne ka. Also, let me know Tej and Suhana ki meet aur Nidhi aur Ragini ki meet kaisi lagi. I spent a lot of time to write those two meetings. Baaki, target apna wahi hai. 200. Like thokne ka aur revos rakhna ka.
Dhanyavad.

Huh! Ragini jhuth bol kar Nidhi se milne chali gayi, unfortunately I skipped this part because maine ye part pahle padh liya tha jis din update ko like kiya tha.

Jaise abhi Ragini, Nidhi ko lekar pareshan hai waise hi Tej abhi Suhana ko lekar pareshan hai phir abhi use aur bhi bahut kuchh pata chalna hai Soniya aur Kaera ke bare mein.

Previous episode mein Nidhi mam ki tarah Ragini ne mere dil mein apne liye ek new place bana liya,

So ab mere paas Nidhi, Ragini aur Suhana teen favourite characters hain aur future mein badh sakte hain.

Interesting, let's see Trisha ko Veer ke bare mein pata chalta hai ya nahi yadi wo Karan ke bare mein jaan chuki ha
i toh???

 

[Sidd19]

Waiting for the next update