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Incest Baadshah ~ The Tales of Debauchery
- Thread starter Werewolf
- Start date
- 19,565,536
parkas
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Bahut hi badhiya update diya hai Werewolf bhai...Update - 209 ~ The Corporate Gala — ICONGLOBE (2)
Ab tak...
‘Haan haan! Bolo!’
[Mein bas ye bataane ke liye aayi thi ki-]
‘??’
[Ava ne bhi Kaera aur Sonia ki tarah red dress pehni hai. Good luck.]
*Ding*
[The system has gone into sleep mode.]
‘Fuuuuuucccckkkkkkk!!’
Ab aage...
Kya kabhi socha hai ki agar kisi vyakti ko ek se adhik chaahne waali streeyaan ek hi jagah par ekatrit ho jaaye, toh kya hoga?
Shaanti ke alaawa sab kuchh.
Ava, Garofano aur Erica ka Hotel Casa Belle me chal rahe iss Corporate Gala me pravesh karna kisi yuddh ki ghoshna se kam nahi tha. Veer ki haalat kisi junglee sher ke pinjre me feke gaye lakadbaghhe ki tarah thi, jo bhaagna toh chaahta tha, magar bhaag nahi sakta tha.
Erica, Veer ko dekh aise muskura rahi thi jaise koi teenager school fest me apne crush ko dekh kar muskurati hai. Yeh toh Kaera ne bhi swayam dekha tha.
Kaera : Hey! Tumne bataya nahi? That girl… Woh tumhe aise kyu ghoor rahi hai? Tum dono ek dusre ko jaante ho?
Veer ne muh khola, lekin koi awaaz nahi nikli. Aur, bhala bolta bhi kya? Shukr ho, ICONGLOBE ka, jinke Mr. Ward turant hi bol pade.
Mr. Ward : Miss Kaera! Shall we proceed?
Kaera ne Veer ki taraf se muh fera, maano Erica se jude sawaal ko baad me poochhne ke liye rakh diya ho.
Kaera (nods) : Of course!
Mr. Ward : The commotion was… unexpected haha.
Kaera (smiles) : It’s India, Mr. Ward! Here, the unexpected is normal.
Mr. Ward : Sure thing hahaha!
Normal? Agar, Veer se iss paristhiti ke baare me poochha jaaye toh uske muh se shayad yahi niklega ki - lawde ka normal hai. Yaha normal jaisa kuchh bhi nahi tha. Woh toh bas apni kursi par dhasta jaa raha tha. Aur, Erica? Erica poora lutf utha rahi thi.
Woh aate-jaate starters ko khaati, agal-bagal baithe logo se baatein karti, har thodi derr me Veer ko dekh muskurati, haath hilaati aur logo ka dhyaan uss par kendrit kar deti.
‘Damn it!’
Veer mann hi mann kheej utha. Iss waali Pari ki speciality hi uski intelligence thi, magar Pari khud hi sleep mode me jaa chuki thi, jaise kehna chaah rahi ho ki iss musibat se tum khud hi nipto.
Mr. Ward : We have already discussed with Miss Sonia, let’s be very clear Miss Kaera, what are you offering? Because ICONGLOBE will only partner with those who give us not only the best deal but best results along with a secured innovative vision.
Kaera (leans in) : I agree, Mr. Ward. Nexacom doesn’t plan to enter the automotive sector as a follower. If we step in, we step in with technology that changes the manufacturing curve entirely.
Mr. Ward : Such as?
Ruchika, jo abhi bhi thoda ghabrayi hui thi, woh mauka dekh apna tab dikhaate hue aage aayi.
Ruchika : Nexacom has the best tech all over India, Sir. You can see the numbers here. With our collaboration, we can shake the whole automobile sector. ICONGLOBE will provide the internal parts, and we will assemble them with our tech. Imagine the vehicles we can design…! We are also very actively working on AI.
Mr. Ward : Oh? I mean, it’s for sure that Nexacom is better in tech when compared to ELITE Motors. But what about the functioning? Factories? Manufacturing? Staff? Workers? ELITE motors have all of that…! How will you tackle that?
Kaera : We will establish!
Mr. Ward (smiles) : And, it will take time.
Kaera : Yes!
Ek thehraav. Mr. Ward Kaera ko dekhte rahe aur Kaera bina jhijak ke aatmavishvas ke saath baithi uttar de rahi thi.
Mr. Ward : And, you are serious about this?
Kaera : I wouldn’t have been here otherwise, right Mr. Ward!? *smiles*
ICONGLOBE ko chahiye thi ek aisi company jo turant ke turant unhe market me utaar sake. Aur, yeh kaam ELITE Motors se behatreen aur koi nahi kar sakta tha, kyunki ve khud hi market me top position par the.
Wahi Nexacom iss industry me abhi qadam rakh rahi thi. Unke paas factories, employees, jaisi cheezein abhi nahi thi jo ek automobile sector me lagti thi. Inhe set karne me samay lagne waala tha.
Lekin, Kaera ki best bet yahi thi. Woh iss se adhik aur kuchh bhi offer nahi kar sakti thi. Bas, intezar hi kar sakti thi ki kaash ICONGLOBE uske vision aur uski legacy ko dekh yeh deal use dede.
Idhar Kaera aur Mr. Ward aapas me baat karne me lage hue the aur udhar se Erica Veer ke mazey le rahi thi. Garofano bhi kuchh guests ke sang vartalaap me lag gayi. Bhala use kaun nahi jaanta tha? Uski maujoodgi yaha baaki companies ke liye ek sunehre awsar me badal chuki thi.
Aur, Ava? Woh apna mask pehni, shaant, ek kone me murti ki tarah khadi hui thi. Uski nigaahein Sonia aur Kaera par fir rahi thi.
Kabhi inhi dono ke sang wo bachpan me khela karti thi, aaj wahi dono aapas me ek deal ko lekar ladd rahi thi. Kya hoga jab unhe pata chalega ki trinity ka ek hissa unke sang yahi maujood tha?
Uski nazrein fir Veer par tik gayi. Veer ne bhi jaise use abhaas hote hi dekha. Uske mann me bas yahi vichaar chal raha tha ki bhala ye sab yaha kyu aayi hui thi?
Ava ki nazrein narm pad gayi, uski aankhein thodi namm ho chali. Veer ko toh woh baad me samjha sakti hai, lekin Kaera aur Sonia ka kya? Kya ve dono use ab bhi apna dost maanti hai?
‘What are they planning?’
Veer ne mann hi mann socha.
‘Erica ko dekh ke lagta hai jaise use kisi ne behka ke yaha aane ke liye manaaya ho. She looks happy. She’s fucking enjoying it. Ava…! Kyu??’
Uski nigaahein Ava par tiki.
‘Kya tum yaha kahi… Sonia aur Kaera ke liye toh nahi-!?’
Usne ek-ek jhalak Kaera aur Sonia ki orr bhi dekha.
‘But then… Violet…!’
Aur, ant me usne Garofano ko dekha jo kuchh companies ke owners ke sang baat kar rahi thi.
‘No wonder…! Ye plan zaroor tumhara hi hoga. But why here? Looking for a collaboration with other companies?’
Veer haule se muskuraaya.
‘Right! Akhirkar, sabki sab businesswomen hai. Ye opportunity bhala kaise chhor sakti hai? *sighs*I hope ye bas koi problem na create kar de. Mein already koi achhi situation me nahi hu.’
Dur se Suhana bhi Veer ki table ki orr hi nazrein gadaaye baithi hui thi. Woh soch rahi thi ki akhir Veer bhala kya karega? Kaise ye deal Sonia ko dilwaane me madad karega? Agar, Veer naqamyab bhi hota hai toh bhi woh hairaan nahi hone waali thi. Kyunki, uski ye demand hi vichitr thi.
Idhar Kaera aur Mr. Ward aapas me baat kar rahe the ki tabhi, Mr. Ward ka secretary kisi parchhaayi ki tarah peechhe se aaya, thoda jhuka aur unke kaan me kuchh fusfusaana shuru kar diya.
Mr. Ward ne Kaera par se nazrein nahi hataayi. Unhone suna. Aur, jaise-jaise woh sab kuchh sunn rahe the, unki nazrein Veer par sthit hoti chali gayi. Veer ne ye turant hi bhaanp liya.
Uska posture akad kar seedha ho gaya. Na chaahte hue bhi uske senses apne kaam par lag gaye. Jo Mr. Ward ke alaawa kisi ko bhi nahi sunaayi de raha tha, woh Veer ne sunn liya. Aur, utna kaafi tha yeh jaanane ke liye ki aage kya hone waala tha.
“So, that’s it! I see!”
Mr. Ward haami bharte hue sirr hilaaye aur apni ungliyon ke halke ishaare se apne secretary ko jaane ka ishaara kiya. Woh akad kar seedhe baithe aur apne dono haath saamne table par rakhte hue Kaera ko dekhe. Kuchh derr pehle ka dostaana corporate andaaz ab unke andar se gaayab ho chuka tha.
Mr. Ward : Ms. Kaera! I’d like to ask a few questions. I expect honest answers.
Kaera ki bauhe pal bhar ke liye tann gayi.
Kaera : Proceed!
Mr. Ward ki nazrein phir se Veer par gayi, aur phir wapas se Kaera par.
Mr. Ward : Care to explain who this gentleman is, Ms. Kaera?
Unhone Veer ke baare me poochha. Veer ne ek gehri saans li. Sawaal aa chuka tha. Usne jawaab dene ke liye apna muh khola ki tabhi-
Kaera : He’s... Veer Singh! Mister Veer Singh!
Parantu, Kaera ne uss se pehle hi uttar de diya. Uski awaaz shaant thi.
Kaera : A young entrepreneur.
Mr. Ward (nods) : And, what business does Mr. Veer run?
Kaera ne ek jhalak Veer ki orr dekha. Veer se uski nazrein mili. Woh kuchh soch rahi thi. Phir, wapas se woh Mr. Ward ki orr mudi.
Kaera : I think this is disrespectful, Mr. Ward, you know… to ask about him from me when he’s sitting right here. Your questions should be directed to him. Am I right!?
Dekha jaaye toh Kaera ka virodh ekdum sahi tha. Jab Veer ke baare me hi poochhna hai, toh seedhe-seedhe uss se hi kyu nahi poochh lete jab woh yahi baitha hua hai? Ye toh beizzati karne waali baat ho gayi.
Lekin, Mr. Ward ne apna sarr naa me hila diya.
Mr. Ward : No! ICONGLOBE is here to negotiate with either Nexacom or Elite Motors, Ms. Kaera. You are Nexacom’s owner. And, I’m asking you. It’s your responsibility to answer. We are not here to deal with Mister, Veer. What business does Mister Veer run?
Mahaul tanavpoorn ho gaya.
Kaera ne phir se Veer ko dekha, woh kuchh nahi bola. Usne bas halka-sa sirr hilaaya, jaise kehna chaah raha ho ki wo jawab de dega, magar-
Kaera wapas se Mr. Ward ki orr mudi.
Kaera : He owns a luxury hotel. He also runs other food businesses. Several food trucks. Hospitality. Various investments. Operations are stable.
Kaera ne Veer ke businesses ke baare me batlaaya, siwaaye ek cheez ke : Yarnia! Usne Yarnia ka zikr nahi kiya. Koi bhi zikr nahi. Na Yarnia ke clothing brand ki charcha, na koi launch event, na Hotel Prestige ka zikr, aur na hi waha khoon se saney farsh ka koi ullekh.
Woh jaanti thi. Yarnia ke baare me bataana matlab khud ke perr par kulhadi maarna. Saath hi… woh Veer ki image bhi bachaana chaahti thi.
Mr. Ward kuchh na bole. Bas chupchap sab sunte rahe. Phir, unhone aage kehna jaari kiya.
Mr. Ward : -And, if it’s not too personal, may I know what your relationship with Mister Veer is?
Veer swabhavik roop se aage jhuka. Yahi woh pal tha, jo iske rukh ko dusri disha me mod sakta tha. Agar, woh bas ye keh de ki woh aur Kaera ek dusre ko nahi jaante toh-
Veer : Mr. Ward, I-
Iske pehle ki woh samjha paata-
‘???’
Kaera ka haath achanak hi uske haath ke upar aa gaya. Garm. Mazboot. Adhikaar jataane waala. Shabd Veer ke galey me hi atke reh gaye. Usne hairanagi me Kaera ko dekha.
Kaera : Veer is my close friend. A partner. Perhaps… what do people call it… *pauses* right… Buddies!?
Mr. Ward ki nazrein table ke upar tiki. Kaera ke haath par, jo Veer ke haath ke upar rakha hua tha. Phir, wapas se Kaera ke chehre par.
Hall ke uss orr, Sonia akad ke reh gayi. Yeh sab kya ho raha tha? Kaera bhala sabke saamne Veer ke haath ko iss tarah se-!? Kaera toh kisi bhi mard ko apne nazdeek bhi nahi bhatakne deti thi. Phir, bhala Veer ke saath woh aise kyu-?
Toh wahi, yeh nazaara dekh Suhana ki ungliyaan glass ke chaaro orr kass ke jakad gayi. Uski saansein atak gayi. Aankhein unn dono ke haatho par jami hui. Table par.
Kaera ke bagal se baitha Karan bhi ek pal ke liye jamm gaya. Usne unke haatho ko dekha. Phir, Kaera ko aur phir Veer ko. Phir, wapas haatho ko.
Uske chehre ke haav-bhaav bina kuchh kahe hi chillaa rahe the ki : Bhai, wtf??? Tum aur di…!? Kab se???
Uske honth fadfadaaye, jaise maano woh koi aisa vaakya na bolne ke liye khud ko rok raha ho, jisey bolne par uski behan pakka use jaan se maar sakti thi.
Uski aankhein keh rahi thi : Maine tumhe 10 minute ke liye akela kya chhora, tum meri behan, Nexacom ki owner ka hi haath le gaye?
‘Fuckin’ hell, Veer-!!! Tumhare aur dii ke beech..!? The fuck is going on?’
Lekin, ye saari baatein uske mann me hi chal rahi thi. Woh samajhdar tha jo chup raha.
Mr. Ward thoda peechhe jhuke.
Mr. Ward : I see! So, Mister Veer isn’t a part of Nexacom. Then, why is he seated here?
Kaera ne Veer ke haath ko zorr se dabaaya. Na gusse me aur na hi darr me. Ek pakke iraade se… woh Mr. Ward ki aankhon me dekhi.
Kaera : Because… he’s important to me. And, I feel… better… when he’s beside me. Does that answer your question?
Veer (mutters) : Kaera…
Kaera ne dheere se Mr. Ward se kaha. Koi leepa-poti waala jawaab nahi. Na hi pehle se socha gaya jawaab. Bas… dil ko jaisa mehsoos hua, woh usne keh diya.
Veer ki aankhein narm pad gayi. Kaha woh yaha Kaera se deal chhinwa ke Sonia ko deal dilwaane aaya tha aur yaha Kaera use apne paas bula kar tohfa dete hue sabke saamne uski izzat ka maan rakh rahi thi. Yeh jaante hue ki agar woh Veer ko iss waqt dur kar deti hai, toh yeh deal milne ke chances badh jayenge.
Lekin, usne aisa nahi kiya. Ek taraf Sonia thi, jo emotions hone ke bawajood Veer ko chhor deal ko chuni thi, aur ek taraf Kaera thi, jo theek se emotions na hone ke bawajood bhi itni badi deal ke saamne, Veer ko nahi chhorna chaahti thi.
Aur, uska yu Veer ka haath thaamna… Yeh ek statement tha. Statement of ownership.
Hall ke uss paar-
Ava ki chhaati kass ke reh gayi. Uski ungliyaan mutthi me bhinch ke reh gayi. Yeh nazara uski ummeed se bhi zyada use peeda de gaya. Thodi jalan, thodi niraasha aur thoda dard.
Erica ki muskaan pehli baar feeki pad gayi. Uski aankhein aashcharya me badi ho gayi. Woh toh samajh rahi thi ki keval Ava aur Garofano hi uska competition thi par yaha toh yeh Kaera-!? Veer aur uske beech kya chal raha tha?
Garofano ki bhi paini nazrein unn par tiki hui thi. Woh halka-sa muskuraayi. Lekin, uski muskaan ke peechhe kuchh soojh-boojh thi.
Toh, wahi Veer shaant baitha hua tha. Kaera ka haath abhi bhi uske haath me tha. Hall ka atmosphere bhi badal chuka tha. Lagbhag sabhi unki taraf dekh rahe the, lekin kisi ne bhi shor karne ki himmat nahi ki.
Mr. Ward ne kaafi derr tak Kaera ko dekha.
Mr. Ward : Well, that answers more than I asked.
Woh turant hi khade ho gaye. Farsh par unki kursi ke khisakne ki awaaz ne sabhi ka dhyaan uss orr kheench liya.
Mr. Ward : Alright then! It’s decided! ICONGLOBE will not be proceeding with any business with Nexacom.
Shabd bhaari the. Kaera ki aankhein hairat me fel gayi.
Veer bhi turant khada ho gaya. Kursiyaan khisakne lagi. Table ke aas-paas baithe sabhi log khade ho gaye. Mr. Ward ke shabd kisi bade se patthar ki tarah the jo seedha aa kar unn par gir pade.
Mr. Ward Kaera ki orr mudey, unka lehza professional tha, lekin ab kahi na kahi thodi sakhti jhalak rahi thi.
Mr. Ward : Miss Kaera, you deliberately omitted a crucial detail that Mister Veer… is the owner of Hotel Prestige!
Ek gehra sannaata chhaa gaya.
Mr. Ward : The same hotel that was destroyed a few weeks ago. A targeted attack. A shootout. Blood. Fire. Casualties. The launch of a new brand. Destroyed on day one.
Logo ke beech fusfusaahat shuru ho gayi, jo chingaari ki tarah felti chali gayi. Jo Veer ko nahi bhi jaante the, ab woh bhi jaanane waale the.
Mr. Ward : Associating with someone surrounded by this level of instability poses unacceptable risk. ICONGLOBE will not entangle itself with businesses that attract… trouble.
Unhone kaha, bina apni awaaz oonchi kiye, kyunki uski zaroorat hi nahi thi.
Nazrein ghoom gayi, sirr mudey, fusfusaahat jaari…
“Achha, ye toh wahi Veer hai… Wahi jo news me aaya tha!”
“Hotel Prestige? Wahi na jis par hamla hua tha??”
“No wonder… Kyu ICONGLOBE ab Nexacom ke saath deal nahi kar rahi.”
“Miss Kaera akhir soch kya rahi thi? Veer jaise failed small businessman ke saath uthna-baithna-!?"
"Businessman? Arey bhai businessman hai hi kaha woh!? Hotel khol lene se koi businessman thodi bann jaata hai."
“She’s far above someone like him. He doesn’t even deserve to even stand next to her!”
“Ye toh Miss Kaera ki modesty hai jo use friend ki tarah treat kar rahi hai. Warna koi aur hota toh-”
Logo ki baatein khus-pusaate hue aapas me hone lagi. Aur, Veer ne sab kuchh suna. Har shabd uske ek kaan se guzarta hua dusre kaan se nikal gaya. Kintu, uske chehre par koi bhaav nahi the, aankhein adh-khuli.
Aur, akhirkar Kaera ko ab jaake samajh aaya.
Mr. Ward ke secretary ka beech me aake unke kaan ke paas jhukna. Phir, Mr. Ward ka uss se ye saare sawaal karna.
Mr. Ward ka secretary figures bataane nahi aaya tha, woh Veer ki sacchaayi sunaane aaya tha. Ek secretary hone ke naate yeh uski zimmedari thi ki woh saari research karke baithe. Aur, shayad itni derr me usne Veer ke baare me kaafi kuchh dhoondh liya tha.
Koi bhi company bhala uss company ke saath kyu deal karegi jiske owner ka uthna-baithna ek aise shaks ke saath ho jiske business par kuchh din pehle hi ek targeted attack hua ho!? Aur, yaha toh Kaera Veer ko apna close friend ghoshit kar chuki thi. Upar se uska haath thaamna… ye bahut tha anumaan lagaane ke liye.
Yahi kaaran tha ki kyu Mr. Ward sawaal par sawaal kar rahe the. Aur, Kaera imaandari ke saath saare jawaab deti chali gayi. Kuchh zyaada hi imaandaari se.
Nateeja?
ICONGLOBE ka Nexacom se deal cancel karna.
Veer ko mehsoos hua, uske seene me ek ajeeb-sa bharipann aaya. Kuchh chubh raha tha. Usne toh thaan liya tha ki woh iss matter me apne qadam nahi rakhega, lekin phir bhi-
Sirf uski maujoodagi hi kahi na kahi Kaera ke loss ka kaaran bann gayi.
Woh Kaera ki orr muda.
Veer : I… I shouldn’t have been here, right? I’m sorry… Miss Kaera! Meri maujoodagi ki wajah se… ye sab hua.
Kehte hue woh peechhe hata, jaane ke liye muda ki tabhi-
Kaera ki ungliyaan uske haath par kass gayi.
Kaera : Kya kaha tha maine abhi-abhi?
Usne sthir dheemi awaaz me poochha. Veer wahi jamm ke reh gaya. Kuchh derr pehle Kaera ke shabd bina bulaaye hi uske mastishk me goonj gaye.
“Because… he’s important to me. And, I feel… better… when he’s beside me.”
Yahi toh shabd the Kaera ke, jo usne Mr. Ward se kahe the. Veer ki dhadkane tez ho gayi.
*Badump*
Kaera ne apna sarr uthaaya. Mr. Ward pehle hi mud chuke the, jaane ki taiyaari kar rahe the. Kaera ne unki peeth ki taraf dekhte hue hi kaha.
Kaera : I stand by my words! If ICONGLOBE refuses a partnership because my friend is seated beside me, then so be it!!! From today onward, there will be no future partnerships between Nexacom and ICONGLOBE . Ever.
Poora ka poora hall shaant pad gaya. Kaera ke bol udhar goonj ke reh gaye. Mr. Ward pal bhar ke liye ruke. Bas ek kshan ke liye, phir wo waha se guzre aur Sonia ki table ki orr chal diye.
Mr. Ward : My congratulations! *smiles* ICONGLOBE has decided to proceed with Elite Motors, Miss Sonia!
Aur, taaliyo ki gad-gadahat waha goonj uthi. Sab agle hi kshan Kaera ke diye hue statement ko bhool gaye kyunki, 10 billion dollar ki deal ka mehatva hi itna zyada tha.
Sonia apni seat se khadi ho gayi, uske chehre par pehle hairanagi nazar aayi, phir jeet ki bhavna umad aayi. Usne Mr. Ward se turant hi haath milaaya, use yakeen nahi ho raha tha ki woh Kaera ko hara kar ye deal jeet rahi thi.
Suchika mask ke peechhe muskura rahi thi, par uss muskaan ke peechhe kahi na kahi ek dard bhi chhipa tha. Uski nigaahein dur hataash khadi Ruchika par pal bhar ke liye tik gayi.
Peechhe baithi Suhana ka haath uski goad par tha, kaanp raha tha. Usne Veer ko dekha, jo abhi bhi Kaera ke bagal se khada hua tha, aur abhi bhi chup tha. Raahat, hairat aur dard sab saath me mil gaye. Jab tabhi uske bagal se baithe uske pati, Gaurav ne ek tippani ki-
Gaurav : Hmph! Ye jagah waise bhi pickpockets ke liye nahi hai. Akhir, soch kya rahi thi Kaera? Veer jaiso ke saath uthne-baithne ka nateeja yahi hota hai!
Uski aankhein Veer par tiki, gusse me uski mutthi kasi hui thi. Kaaran aur bhi kuchh tha. Prestige ke tabaah hone waali raat ko Veer ne Nik aur uske chamcho ki kutaayi jo ki thi. Aur, Nik thehra Gaurav ka param mitr. Bhala Gaurav iss baat ko kaise jaane de sakta tha. Usi ki security me Nik ab tak Mumbai me thehra hua tha.
‘Bas do-teen din aur mazey kar le bhosdike! Phir, mein tujhe bataunga ki Gaurav se panga lena kitna bhaari padta hai. Tu jaanta nahi mujhe, Veer!’
Apne pati ke ghatiya bol sunn, Suhana ne apni dress ke kapde ko itni zorr se bheencha ki usme silvatein pad gayi. Ek pal ke liye toh aisa laga jaise woh wahi use thappad maar degi.
Lekin, woh aisa nahi kar sakti thi. Chaah ke bhi nahi.
Gaurav : Dekh rahi ho na tum? Veer jaiso ke saath rehne ka kya anjaam hota hai? He’s fucking cursed. Khud ki hotel bhi dubwa liya aur dusro ki deals bhi bigadwa di. Aas-paas dikhna nahi chahiye woh mujhe tumhaare!
Suhana : Shut up, Gaurav! Veer ki isme koi galti na- ahh-!
Iske pehle ki woh poori tarah se keh paati, Gaurav ka haath uski kalaayi par kass ke jakad gaya, Suhana ke haath ka bangle use itni zorr se chubha ki uske muh se ek halki siski nikal gayi. Woh dehshat me agal-bagal dekhi, par sabhi ka dhyaan Sonia ki table ki orr kendrit tha.
Gaurav : Tumhari himmat kaise hui mere bolne ke baad bhi uska favor karne ki, huh? Tum kya mujhe bewakoof samajhti ho?
Woh achanak hi uske kaan ki orr jhuka.
Gaurav (mutters) : Agar, tum uski aur apni bhalaayi chaahti ho na? Toh, aaj se uss se dur rehna. Warna-
Suhana ghabraate hue Gaurav ko mud ke dekhi-
Gaurav (smiles) : Warna kahi aisa na ho ki Veer kisi din akhbhar me ek khabar bann kar reh jaaye.
Suhana (darrte hue) : Y-You won’t-!
Gaurav (smirks) : Of course, I won’t! But Nik can-!
Suhana : H-Huh-!??
Suhana ki samajh nahi aaya. Bhala Nik kaha se beech me aa gaya?
Gaurav : Oh? Tumhe nahi pata?
Wo dheere se naa me sarr hilaayi aur Gaurav ki muskaan chaudi ho gayi. Woh phir uske kaan ki orr jhuka aur ahista se bola.
Gaurav : Tumhari dear friend, Divya yaha kayi hafto pehle Mumbai aayi thi, apne husband, Nik se jhooth bol kar, bina bataaye. Veer ke sang rang reliya mana rahi thi. Aur, Nik ne unn dono ko raat me ek saath car me pakda. Kya lagta hai? Kya hua hoga unke beech?
Ek bada jhatka Suhana ko laga. Woh thitak ke reh gayi. Divya Mumbai aayi thi? Toh, bhala usne use bataaya kyu nahi? Aur, Veer ke saath-!? Uska dimaag kaam karna band ho chuka tha.
Gaurav : Aur, Veer mister ne kya kiya? Nik aur uske aadmiyo ko peeta. *smiles* Ab Nik gusse me hai. Maine use shaant kara rakha hai. Lekin, kab tak meri baat maanega, iski bhala kya guarantee, right?
Suhana ka sarr soch-vichaar aur darr me neeche jhuk gaya. Usne fatafat Divya ko messages daalne shuru kar diye. Toh, wahi Gaurav muskuraate hue uth kar Sonia ki table ki orr chal diya.
---
Taaliyo ki gadgadahat abhi bhi sunaayi de rahi thi, magar tabhi-
*Click* *Click* *Click*
Cameras ki shutters ki awaaz goonj uthi, hall me halchal ki ek aur leher fel gayi. Sabke sirr ghoom gaye. Hall ke darwaaze se ek aadmi andar aise aaya jaise maano yeh uski hi hotel ho.
Shailendra. Sonia aur Suhana ke pita. Aur, saath me unn dono ki maa — Namrita.
Bodyguards aur security ke kadey ghere ke beech, unka secretary unse do qadam peechhe chalte hue, sab ke sab andar aane lage.
*Clap* *Clap* *Clap*
Shailendra taali bajaate hue, khulkar hasste hue aage aaye, unki hassi dumdar aur befiqr thi. Veh aadmi jisne Elite Group ko asal taur par Elite banaaya tha.
“Adhbhut!” Shailendra zorr se bole, unki aankhein apni beti Sonia par tiki. “Bahut khoob meri bacchi!”
Sonia ka chehra turant hi khil utha. “Dad!?”
Woh sab kuchh bhulkar unki taraf badhi. Shailendra ne apni baahein kholi aur hall me maujood vyaktiyo ki parvah kiye bagerr apni beti ko galey se laga liya. Aur, agle hi kshan unke peechhe se Namrita saamne aayi.
Sonia murti ki tarah jamm gayi. “Mom aap-!?”
Namrita dheere-se muskuraayi aur apni beti ko kass kar galey se laga li. Sonia ki aankhein khushi ke maare namm ho gayi. Usne iski kabhi bhi ummeed nahi ki thi. Aaj nahi. Yaha toh bilkul hi nahi.
Prakash Uncle bhi uth khade hue, ve aage badhe aur Suhana ke paas pahuche.
Prakash Uncle : Miss Suhana? Aaiye! Chaliye!
Suhana (gazes) : U-Uncle-!?
Prakash Uncle : Yeh roz-roz nahi hota ki aapke mummy papa kisi corporate deal me hissa le. Aaiye!
Suhana khadi hui, aur Prakash Uncle ke sang woh bhi apne mata-pita se jaa kar mili, unke galey se lagi.
Sonia chupchap khadi rahi, sabko galey milte dekh rahi thi. Hall me abhi bhi taaliyo ki goonj thi. Cameras ke flashes abhi bhi chamak rahe the. Log abhi bhi tareef ke saath Elite group ki charcha kar rahe the. Lekin, ek pal ke liye yeh sab ek dheeme-se shor me badal gaya.
Uske pita ka haath uske kandhe par tha. Mazboot. Garv se bharpoor. Jaise kehna chaah rahe ho ki ‘tumne kar dikhaaya meri bacchi.’
Kaera. Humesha academics me first. Sports me first. Business me first. Lagbhag har cheez me woh humesha se hi uss se aage rehti thi. Aur, Sonia? Humesha uske peechhe. Saari zindagi woh bas Kaera ki ek parchhaayi bann kar reh gayi, jo hazaar koshisho ke baad bhi kabhi aage na nikal saki.
“Tum humesha second par hi kyu rehti ho, Sonia?”
“Tum kadi mehnat karti ho, uske bawajood woh tumse… aage hai.”
“Tumhe uss se seekhna chaahiye, beta!”
“Kaera ko dekho. Usne kaise kar liya? Jab woh kar sakti hai toh tum kyu nahi?”
“Kabhi toh apne maa-baap ka naam raushan karo beta! Kab tak Kaera se humesha maat khaati rahogi?”
Yahi sunn sunn ke woh pali badhi thi. Second. Humesha second number par. Comparison ka shikaar. Parantu, aaj raat-!?
Woh shabd jaise mit gaya. Aaj raat woh akeli nahi thi. Uske mata-pita uske saath the. Nuksaan ki bharpaayi karne ke liye nahi, saantvna dene ke liye nahi, formality ke liye nahi.
Ve muskuraate hue, taali bajaate hue, use galey lagaane aaye the, uski qamyabi par. Uski maa ki aankhein bhi namm thi. Aur, pita ki awaaz me toh bina kisi rok-tok ke garv jhalak raha tha.
Iss se pehle ki woh aasuon ko rok paati, wo aankhon ko bhigote hue umad aaye. Usne tezi se palkein jhapkaayi, hontho ko dabaaya aur khud ko sambhaalne ki koshish ki.
Phir, nigaahein kahi aur chali gayi. Hall ke uss paar. Kaera, jo apni table ke paas khadi hui thi, ungliyaan bagal me bhinchi hui. Dono ki nazrein aapas me takraayi. Bas khamoshi.
Aaj pehli baar Sonia ko Kaera… badi hi chhoti prateet ho rahi thi.
Tabhi, Kaera ke hontho par ek badi hi bareek-si muskaan ubhri, jisey dekh Sonia ki aankhein phelti chali gayi.
‘Huh???’
Lekin, wo muskaan ek kshan me hi kahi gaayab bhi ho gayi. Sonia ki chhaati zorr se garv me upar hui. Lagbhag ek taane ke samaan. Neecha dikhaane ke liye nahi. Bas… thoda raub zaahir karne ke liye.
Mann me ek vichaar ki…
Toh tum bhi aakhir haar sakti ho. Koi namumkin nahi ye. Tumhe giraana bhi sambhav hai.
Uski nazar phir Veer par gayi aur use kuchh samajh aaya. Kaera isliye nahi haari thi kyunki usme ya uski approach me koi kami thi. Woh isliye haari thi kyunki, Veer uske saath tha. Kyunki, woh uske bagal se khada hua tha.
Yeh ehsaas dheere-dheere uske andar badhne laga.
Use woh raat yaad thi. Woh nirnay jo usne liya tha. Veer ke badle woh deal jo usne Casa Belle me pichhli baar ki thi. Usne Veer ki dosti ki jagah deal ko ahamiyat di thi.
Uske baad se hi, Veer ka swabhav uske prati thanda ho chuka tha. Woh kayi raato ko yeh socha karti thi kya usne kuchh galat kiya tha?
Aaj raat use uska jawab mil chuka tha.
Nahi! Hargiz nahi!
Uske kandhe araam me dheele pad gaye, ek ajeeb azaadi dene waala sukoon uss par chhaa gaya. Yeh… Yeh hoti hai safalta. Aisi dikhaayi deti hai qamyaabi.
Uske mata-pita ko uss par garv tha. Uski apni company jeet chuki thi. Raat ki sabse badi deal par uska naam tha.
Use Veer ki zaroorat nahi thi.
Use uski manzoori ki zaroorat nahi thi.
Use aise kisi ke saath khade hone ki zaroorat nahi thi jo jaha bhi jaata tha waha musibatein khadi kar deta tha.
Uske hontho par ek chhoti par santushti bhari muskaan saj gayi.
Hall ke dusri taraf, Kaera shaant thi. Sonia use dekh mudi. Pehli baar, woh aaj second number par nahi thi. Aaj raat woh wahi khadi thi, jaha use lagta tha ki use hona chaahiye tha.
Idhar ICONGLOBE ka staff Shailendra ke aate hi apne aap seedha khada ho gaya. Bhala use kaun nahi jaanta tha. Yahi woh vyakti tha. The man behind the ELITE GROUP.
Haath milaaye gaye. Badhaayi baanti gayi. Jab Shailendra ne Mr. Ward ka haath thaama toh unki hasi phir goonj gayi.
“You chose well haha,” unhone Mr. Ward se kaha. “Elite Motors won’t disappoint you.”
Sonia ki table ke ird-gird ka mahaul behad joshila tha. Jeet ka mahaul tha. Jashn ka mahaul tha.
Aur, phir thi uss paar… Kaera ki table, jaha thi bas-
Khamoshi.
Kaera bina hiley khadi rahi. Nazrein neeche, chehre par koi bhaav nahi. Koi shabd nahi. Koi reaction nahi. Bagal se Veer tha, hall me ghat rahe poore scene ko dhyaan se dekh raha tha, uski aankhein kayi baar Kaera par phirti.
Udhar ki table ke mahaul me aur idhar ki table ke mahaul me… farq bahut zyada tha.
Phir, achanak hi-
“Let’s not get too excited, shall we!?”
Ek awaaz peechhe se aayi. Buland. Teekhi. Aur, tez.
Hall me sannaata chhaa gaya. Cameramen phirse apne cameras liye dhadadad photos click karne lage, iss baar aur bhi zyaada maatra me.
Kyunki, andar aane waala shaks tha — Kishore. Nexacom ko sahi taur se NEXACOM banaane waala aadmi. Bharat ka sabse bada business group.
Ek haath jeb me, aur dusra dheele tareeke se phone ko pakde hue. Koi faaltu ki dress nahi. Grey suit me woh iss umr me bhi proper gentleman lag raha tha.
Shailendra muda. Kishore kuchh qadam dur ruk gaya. Ek pal ke liye dono diggaj bas ek-dusre ko dekhte rahe. Phir, Kishore halke-se muskuraaya.
Kishore : Congrats! *smiles* Well played.
Shailendra hasa, halanki aankhon me kahi na kahi savdhani jhalak rahi thi.
Shailendra : Thank you! It’s been a good night!
Kishore : Indeed! Lekin, yeh mat bhool jaana Shailendra ki… maidaan me aur bhi khilaadi abhi bhi hai.
Woh muskuraate hue palta. Shailendra ko uska message saaf-saaf samajh aa chuka tha. Kishore ka dhyaan dusri taraf gaya. Uski nazrein Shailendra se hatkar seedhe Kaera par gayi. Woh uski table ki orr badha.
Karan akad ke reh gaya. “D-Dad-!?”
Woh apne aap hi ek taraf hatt gaya, aur apne pita ko jagah di. Kishore Kaera ke saamne ruka. Akhirkar, Kaera ne apna sirr upar kar use dekha.
Aankhon me hairaani thi. Kabhi bhi uske pita iss tarah se corporate meetings me beech me nahi aate the. Aur, aaj na sirf Sonia, balki uske khud ke pita bhi aaye hue the, jo iss deal ki mahatvata ko aur bhi badha chuke the.
Kaera : F-Father…!
Kishore ne bas ek shabd kaha. Bas ek sawaal poochha.
Kishore : Kaise?
Aur, poora hall dhyaan se sunane laga. Kaise? Uska prashn tha. Kaise ye deal haath se nikli?
Kaera : M-Mujhe… Mujhe nahi pata.
Kishore : Aisi koi situation aaj tak paida nahi hui jaha meri beti ko yeh na pata ho ki usne billion dollars ki deal kaise gawa di.
Woh ek qadam aur qareeb aaya.
Kishore : Jawab do!
Kaera ki ungliyaan bagal me mud gayi.
Kaera : Maine kaha na mujhe nahi pata. I need time. Then, I’ll analyse. Fir, samajh aayega ki kaha galti hui.
Kaera ne jhooth kaha. Woh Veer ko bachaana chaahti thi. Kishore ki bauhe ye sunn halki-si sikudi.
Kishore : Tumhari pareshani mein kam kar deta hu!
Woh achanak hi muda aur seedhe Veer ki taraf dekha. Uski ungli Veer par uthi.
Kishore : Ye hai woh galti… jo tumse hui.
Kaera (gasps) : Father-!!!
Kaera ki aankhein chaudi ho gayi. Bhala uske pita ko yeh sab kaise pata chala? Par, tabhi-
Uski nazar turant Ruchika par padi jo apne aap ko chhipaane ki koshish kar rahi thi.
‘Huh?’
Kaera se nazrein milaate hi Ruchika ka chehra peela pad gaya. Woh apni miss se aankhein na mila saki. Aur, yeh bodh Kaera ko kisi khanjar ki tarah laga.
Kaera : R-Ruchika… you-!??
Ruchika sharm aur glaani ke maare apna sirr jhuka li.
Ruchika : I’m so sorry! I’m so sorry, miss! L-Lekin… Jab sir ka message mujhe aaya aur unhone mujhse poochha, toh mujhe sab kuchh sach-sach bataana pada.
Aaj raat pehli baar Kaera ko laga ki kuchh uske andar toot gaya. Bharose ki neev!? Shayad!?
Kishore dheere-dheere, soch-samajhkar chalne laga, Veer ke chaaro orr aise chakkar laga raha tha jaise koi shikaari duri ka andaaza laga raha ho.
Kishore : Kaera! Tumne Nexacom ka naam ek aise insaan ke saath joda jiska khud ka hotel ek crime scene bann ke reh gaya. A total massacre. Ek nakaam brand launch. Ek failure.
Phir se logo me fusfusahat shuru ho gayi. Veer chupchap khada raha. Kishore ab bhi jaari tha.
Kishore : Mein tumhare deal haath se nikalne se naraaz nahi. 10 billion dollars koi badi baat nahi. Aisi deals aati rahengi. Par… tumne company ko khatre me daala, ek aise insaan ke saath associate hokar jo tumhare aas-paas bhatakna bhi deserve nahi karta.
Kaera : N-No! Father!
Hall ke dusri taraf, Suhana ki mutthiyaan kass gayi. Jab usne Veer ko waha khade bina kisi bachaav ke har taane ko sunte dekha, toh uska jabda kass gaya. Gusse me. Glaani me. Gaurav uska haath zorr se thaame hue tha.
‘Stop,’ woh mann hi mann guhaar lagaayi. ‘Just stop.’
Paas hi Ava ka naqabposh chehra jhuka hua tha. Uski aankhein krodh me jal rahi thi, mutthi itni zorr se bhichi ki table me crack pad gaya. Kishore ka har shabd aisa lag raha tha jaise uske apne seene par ukera jaa raha ho. Woh abhi jaa ke Veer ke saamne uska kavach bann kar khadi ho jaati lekin-
Use ek darr tha ki kahi woh Veer ke matter me koi khalal na daal de.
Kaera ka badan kaanpa.
Kaera : He’s not-! Father stop it! Mein-
Kishore : ENOUGH!!!
*Silence*
Shabd ki goonj abhi khatam bhi nahi hui thi ki ek dusri awaaz ne tanaav ko cheer ke rakh diya.
“That’s right! Enough of this bullshit!”
Halki, mazakiya awaaz.
“Is that all you can do??”
Koi chalte hue aaya. Sabke sirr punaah ghoom gaye.
Garofano!!!
Woh aage aayi, chehre par koi dushmani nahi, koi darr nahi. Sirf confidence.
Kishore ahista se muda. Baaki sab bhi wahi kiye. Erica apni kursi se itni tezi se uthi ki uske peechhe ki kursi hi neeche gir gayi. Uth ke toh woh usi waqt jaana chaahti thi jab Kishore Veer ko suna raha tha, magar woh kuchh bhi gadbad nahi khadi karna chaahti thi. Uski aankhein Garofano, Kishore aur Veer ke beech ghoomne lagi.
‘Eh? Ehh? Ehhhhhhhhh???’
Uska dimaag chakra gaya. Yeh sab kya chal raha tha? Yeh toh script me nahi tha. Script me toh yeh tha ki Casa Belle me jaa kar ghusenge jaha Veer gaya hua hai aur corporate gala enjoy karenge. Phir, ye sab kya ho raha tha?
Usne tirchhi nazar se Ava ko dekha, jo khud confused magar alert khadi hui thi. Tabhi, ek awaaz Erica ko mann me sunaayi di.
[Just observe, Erica. Don’t interfere.]
‘G-Genie!?’
Erica ne haami bhari aur khud ko shaant kiya.
Garofano aage badhi. Uski high heels marble ke farsh par tuck-tuck ki awaaz kar rahi thi, har qadam sateek aur bina jadbaazi ke. Aisi chaal jis se lag raha tha ki use pata tha ki woh kya kar rahi hai, aur iska kya asar hoga.
Woh Kishore ke paas se guzri. Usne Kishore ki taraf balki dekha bhi nahi. Aur, uski itni himmat se hi bheed me halchal mach gayi.
Jab woh Veer ke saamne ruki, toh sabki nazrein uss par thi. Kuchh kshan ke liye usne Veer ko dekha, halki muskaan ke saath, jaise aas-paas ke log uske liye astitva me hi na ho.
Phir, woh mudi. aur , Kishore ko dekhi.
Garofano : You know, for someone who runs the biggest conglomerate in the country, your decision making is… quite questionable. *smiles*
Kishore ki bauhe dheere-dheere upar uthi. Uske chehre ke bhaav aise the jaise keh rahe ho ki-
Tumhe andaaza bhi hai tum kis se baat kar rahi ho?
Magar, Garofano ko koi farq na pada. Iski bajaaye woh wapas Veer ki orr mudi, aur apne haath mod ke khadi ho gayi.
Garofano (smiles) : Mister Veer, I saw your Yarnia collection. Before everything went… you know… explosive.
Veer : !!?
Garofano : That French designer. What was his name? Louis, right? Brilliant man. Very creative. Sharp cuts. Great designs.
Veer ne use ghoora.
‘Ab ye kya tumhari nayi chaal hai, Violet?’
Garofano : I liked the collection. A lot. *grins* Enough to remember it weeks later.
Veer (dheere se) : Get to the point, Violet.
Garofano (smiles) : So… if you don’t mind, I’d like to collaborate.
Hall me sabhi ki saansein atak gayi.
Garofano ne ek haath aage badhaaya.
Garofano : Ten million dollars. How’s that for a starter deal? *smiles*
Khamoshi. Sonia ki muskaan poori tarah se gaayab ho gayi. Uski aankhein phel gayi, hairanagi saaf jhalak rahi thi. Suhana ka bhi yahi haal tha.
Kaera bhi dhadalle se mudi, aankhein Garofano par sthit. Uske aam taur par bina bhaav waale chehre par bhi aashcharya saaf dikhayi diya.
Kishore ki teekhi nazrein bhi Veer aur Garofano par tik gayi. Woh hisaab laga raha tha, akhir ye sab chal kya raha tha? Kya ye videshi Garofano apna sarr kahi khambe me de maari thi kya? Yeh jaante hue bhi ki abhi-abhi ICONGLOBE ne uss vyakti ki wajah se deal cancel kari hai aur yeh usi vyakti se deal karna chaahti hai?
Ava aur Erica ko ab jaake samajh aaya ki yaha aane ka maqsad kya tha.
Garofano : What do you say, Mister Veer? Shall we make something beautiful together? *winks*
Cameras ke flashes phir se tezi se chamakne lage. Aur, inn sab ke beech, Veer khada tha.
Garofano ne haath aage badhaaya, Veer use zaroorat se zyada derr tak dekhta raha. Phir, muskuraaya. Aur, use akhir kar sab samajh aa gaya.
Jis raat woh China se laut raha tha, tab Garofano se Veer ne kuchh maanga tha. Uss raat-
"Aur, mera kya? Kya mujhse kuchh nahi maangna Veer? Akhir, tumne hi mera case solve karwaya tha. *grins*"
"Mein, jald hi apni clothing brand ko market me utaarne jaa raha hu. So... Will you collab with me?"
"Ek guest ki tarah request kar rahe ho ya ek dost ki tarah haq se order de rahe ho?"
"Ek dost ki tarah haq se poochh raha hu."
"Then... *smiles* consider it done!"
Yahi woh sanvaad tha. Aur, aaj woh uske saamne thi. Apni baat ko poora karte hue. Veer ne uska haath thaama.
Veer : Are you sure? *smiles* you want to do business with someone like me?
Poochhte waqt uski aankhein Kishore par ghoomi, ek prakaar ka taana.
Veer : Not exactly the most successful name in this hall, right?
Garofano ne Kishore ki taraf dekha bhi nahi. Woh muskuraayi.
Garofano : I don’t do business with only successful people. I do it with people having the potential to become successful.
Uska angutha ek kshan ke liye Veer ke haath me phira, ek tarah ka ishaara, jo kisi aur ko dikhaayi na diya.
Garofano : -And, you… are already full of it. *winks*
Veer ki muskaan aur gehri ho gayi.
Veer : Then we’re aligned.
Dono ne haath milaaya aur tabhi-
“Then, are you ready for some other deals as well, Mister… Veer!?”
Ek behad madhur awaaz hall ke shor ko cheerte hue goonji. Punaah sabhi ke sirr awaaz ki orr mud gaye. Ek khubsurat ladki aage badhte hue aayi aur usne apna haath apne chehre tak uthaate hue apna mask alag kar diya.
Aadhe second ke liye, logo ko samajh nahi aaya ki kya hua, ve sab kya dekh rahe the. Par, phir-
Poore hall me hairani ki awaazein phel gayi. Phone upar uthe, cameras ke flashes chamakne lage.
Natalia Martin urf Ava…!
Woh gaayab awaaz. Woh laapata singer aur celebrity jo achanak hi fame par aate hue media se gaayab ho gayi thi. Jiski gerr-maujoodagi ne charts, headlines, aur laakho fans ko pareshan kar rakha tha.
Woh… saamne khadi hui thi.
Jo use nahi jaante the, woh sabhi uski khubsurti se dang the, aur jo jaante the, unke liye toh saans theek se lena hi mushqil ho raha tha.
Ava, seedhe Veer ki orr badhi. Veer khud hairaan tha. Ava ne jaan-boojh kar apni identity chhipaayi thi, magar aaj usne yaha aise me-!? Use kuchh samajh nahi aa raha tha ki bhala inn ladkiyo ne milkar aur kya-kya plans bana rakhe the?
Kintu, hairaan hone waalo me se sabse zyada dang thi do streeyaan — Kaera aur Sonia.
Kaera jaha apni jagah par jami hui thi toh wahi Sonia ki saansein bhi atak ke reh gayi.
Ava?
Yaha?
Abhi?
Kaise?
Kyun?
Tamaam sawaal unke mann me umad aaye. Ava aise chal rahi thi jaise woh humesha se hi cameras me rehne ke liye bani ho. Har qadam napa-tula. Nazar sateek. Kamra apne aap uske liye raasta bana raha tha, jaise paani ki dhaar waali chhuri se ho kar guzar raha ho.
Woh Veer ke bagal me aa kar ruki.
Ava : Music videos need brands that speak without words. *smiles* My music label… tunecrafts… collaborates often. Lead artists. Background performers. Sabhi ko ek achhe clothing brand se selected garments hi pehnaaye jaate hai.
Veer : !!?
Ava : Maine Yarnia ko dekha hai. Mein yahi thi tab…! The designs. Textures. Fabrics. Everything seemed good. So… I want to collaborate.
Ava ne casually ek amount bataaya. Aur, khamoshi phir hall me chhaa gayi.
Ava : So? What do you say, Mister Veer?
Usne haath aage badhaaya. Veer ne ek gehri saans chhori, apna sirr hilaaya aur use dekh muskuraaya.
Do khubsurat ladies. Powerful. Rich. Use chun rahi thi. Sabke saamne. Use, jisey dekh kar ICONGLOBE ne Kaera se deal cancel kar di thi. Veer ne turant hi uska haath bhi thaam ke mila liya.
Kaera aur Sonia ke bhaavo ka varnan karna iss samay asambhav tha. ‘Hairani’ unke bhaav ki vyatha ko bataane ke liye ek behad hi chhota shabd tha.
Aur, aaj itne varsho ke baad, akhirkar-
Trinity… ek hi jagah par ek saath maujood thi. Kaera. Sonia. Aur… Ava.
“Ava…!?” Sonia ke muh se dheere-se nikla. Use yakeen nahi ho raha tha. Ava bhi jaise kuchh mehsoos kar uski orr mudi. Dono ki nazrein takraayi aur dono ke badan me sihran daud gayi.
Mann toh kar raha tha ki woh abhi jaa ke Ava ke galey se lag jaaye. Lekin, nahi! Ab ve bacchiyaan nahi thi. Kayi varsho ka antar aa chuka tha unke beech.
Ava ne phir Kaera ko dekha. Dono ki chhaati gehri saans lete hue upar uthi. Magar, tabhi-
Kaera mudi aur waha se jaane lagi.
“Kaera-!!!”
Uske pita ne use awaaz di, magar woh nahi ruki. Kishore ki aankhein achambhav me badi ho gayi.
“Dii…” Karan bebas bas apni didi ko jaata hua dekhta raha. Kishore ke khade rehte, uski waha se hilne ki himmat hi nahi hui.
Aur, use iss tarah se jaata dekh, Veer ke qadam apne aap chal padey. Veer ko Kaera ka peechha karta dekh, Ava ke dil me bhi dard utha, magar woh apni jagah se nahi hili.
Kishore (yells) : Veeeeeeer!!! Khabardaar agar-
Magar, Kishore ki chetaavni ansuni hi reh gayi, kyunki Veer ne peechhe mudkar nahi dekha, woh aage nikal chuka tha.
Kishore (yells) : Raghu!!! Jassi!!
Uske chillaate hi dono hi Raghu aur Jassi saamne aa gaye. “Ji Sir!”
Jawaab dete hi ve turant hi aage badhe. Kuchh poochhne ki zaroorat hi nahi thi. Ve jaante the ki unhe kya karna tha. Unki aankhon ne pehle hi Kaera ko hall ki entrance se baahar nikalte dekh liya tha. Dono bodyguards mudey aur baahar nikalne ke liye badhe, lambe-lambe qadam, chehre par koi bhaav nahi.
Kaera chalti rahi, hall se baahar aayi, lobby me aur lobby se hote hue woh baahar nikal gayi. Uski chaal abhi bhi tez thi. Aur, usne mudkar peechhe tak nahi dekha.
“Shit-!!!” Veer chinta me dauda, uske qareeb pahuch hi raha tha jab achanak hi-
*Grasp*
“Huh?”
Uski kalaayi hawa me hi kisi ne pakad li. Veer ruka. Use pakda hua aadmi uske bilkul nazdeek khada tha, lagbhag kandhe se kandha milaakar, ekdum bagal se. Dono ka munh alag-alag dishaon me tha, jaise ve ajnabi ho jo galti se ek-dusre se takra gaye ho.
Woh aadmi haule se aage jhuka aur dheere se bola.
"Uss raat... Hotel Prestige me attack ke dauraan, ek aur incident hua tha. Abduction ka. Wo underground lair... Zameen ke neeche... Do masoom nanhi bacchiyaan... Jinhe bacha kar koi police ko saunpa tha. Ek naujavan. Woh... Tum hi the. Hai na?"
Veer ki reedh me thandi sihran daud gayi. Uski nazrein apne bagal me ghoomi aur usne dekha-
Rohan!!!
'Shit-!!'
State ka DGP. Aankhon me tej. Istree ki hui wardi. Use bataane ki bhi zaroorat nahi thi ki woh kis authority par baitha hua tha.
Veer ke chehre ke haav-bhaav nahi badle. Usne apne aap ko qaabu me rakha. Usne dheere se apni kalaayi peechhe kheenchne ki koshish ki.
"Lagta hai aapko koi galat-fehmi hui hai, Sir." Veer ne shaant awaaz me kaha. "Koi bhala kyu bina credit ke hero ka kaam karega?"
Woh muskuraaya. Lekin, Rohan ki ungliyaan aur adhik kass gayi. Itni zorr se nahi ki dard ho, magar chetaavni dene ke liye kaafi.
"Galtiyaan unn logo se hoti hai jo teh tak nahi jaate. Aur, mein... aisa nahi hu. Khaaskar tab jab meri apni beti isme shaamil ho."
---
Kuchh din pehle...
Rohan ne ek police officer ko uski collar se pakad ke deewar se sata rakha tha.
"Mein tumhe ek aur mauka deta hu." Woh gusse se gurraaya, uski aankhein jal rahi thi. "Aur, iss baar jhooth bolne ki galti mat karna."
"S-Sir-!" Police waala haklaaya, uske maathe se paseena beh raha tha, "W-Woh-!"
Rohan ne vinamrata se pehle iss mudde par baat-cheet karna chaaha tha. Magar, jab seedhi ungli se ghee na nikle, toh ungli tedhi karni hi padti hai.
Trisha ke sang ke police officers jab muh nahi khol rahe the toh Rohan ko akhirkar yeh tareeka apnaana pada. Aur, jab baat apni wardi par aa jaaye toh koi bhi police waala nahi chaahega ki woh apni wardi khoye.
Rohan ne uss police karmi ko aur zorr se dhakka diya.
"Jhooth bolne se tumhari wardi nahi bachegi officer. Iss se pehle ki mein official karyavaahi karu, sach sach batao sab. Kaun tha uss raat? Kitne log the?"
Police waala darrte hue haami bhara. "K-Koi team nahi thi, Sir. Koi unit nahi. B-Bas... Bas ek ladka."
"Sirf ek!?"
"H-Haan, Sir! Sirf ek. Dono bacchiyo ko usne utha rakha tha. A-Aapki beti Pihu ko usne madam Trisha ke haatho me saunpa aur phir-"
"Aur, phir???"
"Hum sabhi ne use jaane se rokna chaaha lekin... Lekin madam Trisha ne humein mana kar diya."
Rohan ne uski collar ki pakad thodi dheeli ki. "Kaun!? Kaun tha woh?"
"Woh... Woh-"
"Jawaab do!"
"Veer Singh!"
Sunte hi Rohan ki aankhein chaudi ho gayi.
"Ek naujavan ladka. Wahi Veer Singh jiske hotel par usi raat attack hua tha, Sir. Uske pehle bhi woh charcha me tha. France se jab woh sahi salamat laut ke aaya tha, tab news me chhaaya hua tha. Wahi hai woh-!"
Rohan ne uss police karmi ko chhora aur seedhe apni beti ke paas gaya. Use kuchh confirm karna tha.
Woh apni beti, Pihu ke saamne baitha, uski awaaz ekdum narm thi. "Pihu, beta-! Beta papa ko ek baat bataana zara. Uss raat aapko wo ganda badmaash utha ke le gaya tha na!? Uss raat aapko kaun bacha ke laaya tha?"
Yeh sawaal Rohan apni bitiya se kayi baar poochh chuka tha, parantu har baar Pihu aise dikhaati jaise use kuchh pata hi na ho. Woh humesha naa me sirr hila diya karti thi. Rohan jaanta tha ki Trisha ne Pihu ko kuchh bhi bataane ke liye mana kiya hua tha.
Lekin, ab uske paas ek clue tha.
Pihu abhi bhi khamosh thi. Dheere se woh naa me sirr hila di. Tabhi, Rohan ne apna paitra aazmaaya.
"Beta! Agar aap mujhe bataogi na ki woh kaun tha toh mein aapko aapki new friend Juhi aur unse milwaane le chalunga."
Pihu hairaan reh gayi. Woh apni jagah par uchhal padi. Uski aankhon me chamak aa gayi. "S-Sacchi papa?"
"Haan beta! Zaroor!"
"Wo... Wo... Wo Veer bhaiya the, papa. Juhi ke papa hai wo." Aur, usne ek baar me sab ugal diya.
Sunte hi Rohan ki saans atak gayi. Iska matlab... police officer sahi tha.
"Veer Singh...!" Woh budbudaya.
---
Aur, aaj wahi Veer Singh uske bagal se khada tha.
Veer ne bina palkein jhapkaaye mud ke Rohan ki aankhon me dekha.
"Aur, agar... woh mein hi tha toh-!?? Toh kya?" Veer ne dheere se poochha. Ek ajeeb sa aura uske ird-gird fel gaya jisey Rohan ne bhi mehsoos kiya. Uski paini nazar Rohan ki rooh me ghus ke ghoor rahi thi.
Rohan ne ek kshan ke liye use dekha aur phir, kalaayi chhor di. Uska haath Veer ke kandhe par aaya aur dheere se thap-thapaaya.
"Toh badhayi ho, Mister Veer!" Woh bola. "You are officially under surveillance."
Aur, itna bol Rohan waha se aage badh gaya. Veer ne use jaate hue dekha. Tabhi, use dhyaan aaya ki woh Kaera ka peechha kar raha tha.
'Shit!'
Woh bhaaga, apni tez raftaar me. Kaera hotel ke baahar nikal chuki thi. Woh parking lot ki orr badh rahi thi. Raghu aur Jassi bhi lobby se daud kar baahar nikal kar aaye.
Kaera bina ruke aage badhti jaa rahi thi.
"Kaeraaaaaa-!!!"
Jab ek tez awaaz uss tak pahuchi. Aur, Kaera wahi ruk gayi. Isliye nahi ki kisi ne bhi awaaz di.
Isliye kyunki, Veer ne awaaz di.
Isliye, kyunki usne use uske naam se bulaaya.
Miss nahi. Ma'am nahi. Sirf... Kaera.
Woh dheere-se saans chhori aur mudi. Woh muskuraayi par kahi na kahi uss muskaan ke peechhe kuchh aur bhi chhipa tha.
Kaera : Toh... Akhirkar tumne mujhe bina honorifics ke bulaana seekh hi liya, hmm!?
Veer ne koi jawab nahi diya. Woh khada raha, kandhe taney hue, mutthiyaan bhinchi hui.
Veer : I... I'm so sorry!
Kaera : ...!?
Veer : Yeh sab kuchh... Meri wajah se hua. Mujhe waha nahi hona chaahiye tha. Aur, iss wajah se tumhe... *glances* Tumhe apne pita se rishte kharaab karne ki zaroorat nahi. Meri wajah se toh bilkul bhi nahi. Mein-
Kaera ne apna haath uthaaya, aur use chup rehne ka ishaara kiya. Veer turant hi shaant ho gaya. Woh aur qareeb aayi. Aur, phir Veer ne dekha. Kaera ki aankhein... namm thi.
'Huh??'
Nahi. Yeh namumkin tha. Kaera ki aankhein namm!? Veer ne kabhi use rote hue nahi dekha tha. Ek akhiri baar jab usne Kaera ko aise dekha tha toh woh Mirror Gallery ke waqt tha. Jab uski haalat dekh Kaera poori tarah se darr gayi thi.
Parking lot se lagi jhaadiyo ke peechhe do parchhaaiyaan jhuki hui thi.
Raghu aage jhuka, nazara dekh uski aankhein fati ki fati reh gayi. Woh uthne ke liye khada hua.
Raghu : Oi, oi, oi... Ye Veer aur miss ke beech akhir chal kya raha hai!?
Jassi ne uski collar ke peechhe se pakda aur use kheench kar wapas peechhe jhaadiyo me kheench liya.
Jassi : Pagla gaya hai kya? Kya kar raha hai?
Raghu : Mein kya kar raha hu? Abey tu kya kar raha hai? Bhale hi hum use jaante hai par uska miss ke itna paas rehna aur- agar uske iraade kuchh aur ho toh?
Jassi : Usne miss ko Slogan ke changul se bachaaya tha. Bhool gaya saale? Club waali raat bhool gaya?
Raghu : Abey mein jaanta hu. Par... Insaan ke iraade badal bhi toh sakte hai na? Aur, tu hi toh kehta hai na humesha ki humein kisi par bhi aankh band kar ke bharosa nahi karna chaahiye.
Jassi ne apni jacket thodi-si upar uthaayi taaki uski kamar ke andar khusa tranquilizer use dikhayi de.
Jassi : Agar, uske iraade zara se bhi badle toh ye hai mere paas. Ab khush?
Raghu ne use bemann se aur gusse se dekha.
Raghu : Hmph! Mujhe abhi bhi woh kuchh khaas pasand nahi.
Jassi (smiles) : Par, miss ko shayad hai.
Raghu : Sapne me. Hmph!
Jassi : Bas chupchap dekh.
Kaera ne Veer ko beech me hi rok use dekha. Aaj woh behad kamzor lag rahi thi.
Kaera : Shayad aaj mujhe samajh aaya thoda bahut, Veer.
Veer : !!?
Kaera : -ki sabse zyada taqleef kab hoti hai.
Usne dheemi awaaz me kaha, control karne ke bawajood uski awaaz kaanp rahi thi.
Kaera : Deal ka haath se nikal jaana... Yes... Unfortunate tha. Lekin, Ruchika ka mere hone ke baad bhi... Father ko sab kuchh bata dena, mujhe uss se bhi zyada bura laga.
Veer : !!
Kaera : Anyways. I get it now. Lekin... Mujhe tumse kuchh jaanana hai.
Veer : Huh?
Kaera : Tell me... Tum aaj raat yaha kya kar rahe the?
Veer thitak ke reh gaya.
Kaera : I'm not stupid, Veer. Without invitation, yaha aise gala me aana next to impossible hai. Unless... agar kisi ki backing ho. Aur, tumhari Aadesh Jaisinghani se purani history rahi hai. Bina support ke andar aana, lagbhag namumkin hai.
Woh uske aur qareeb aayi.
Kaera : So, tell me... Who backed you?
Veer ka muh khula. Par, kuchh nahi nikla. Woh bhala kaise Suhana ka naam le sakta tha?
Kaera Veer ki aankhon me hi jhaank rahi thi jab achanak hi uski aankhein Veer ke peechhe driveway ke paas deewar ke peechhe ek hilti hui aakriti par dhoke se chali gayi.
Ek aurat deewar ke peechhe chhipi hui thi. Dekh rahi thi. Aur, tabhi-
Dono ki aankhein ek dusri se takraayi. Woh aurat ghabraayi aur ek jhatke me wapas deewar ke peechhe chhup gayi.
Kaera ki aankhein achambhav me fel gayi.
Kaera (mutters) : Su..ha...na...!?
Aur, Veer kaanp utha. Bhala kaise? Kaera ko kaise-? Woh peechhe muda. Uske sense alert ho gaye. Aur, use abhaas hua ki waqai deewar ke peechhe koi chhipa hua tha.
'Shit!'
Yaha tak ki use Raghu aur Jassi ki presence bhi feel ho gayi.
Jab woh wapas se Kaera ki orr muda toh ek aur jhatka use laga. Woh murti ki tarah wahi jamm gaya.
Kaera ki aankhon se... jhar-jhar kar aasu beh rahe the. Usne apne nichle honth ko itni zorr se kaata ki khoon nikal aaya. Ve thar-thara uthe.
Kaera : I get it now! Toh isliye-
Veer : Kaera...!
Kaera aise hi nahi itni shreshtha thi. Bas, Suhana ki ek jhalak... aur use samajh aa chuka tha ki Veer ko back karne waala insaan kaun tha.
Kyu Veer yaha aaya tha. Kyu Veer uske saath baithne ko raazi hua. Kyu yeh deal uske haatho se nikli. Kyu yeh deal Sonia ko mili. Aur, kyu Suhana... waha deewar ke peechhe chhup ke ye sab dekh rahi thi.
Kaera : KYU?
Bas ek sawaal. Uski awaaz poochhte hue kaanp rahi thi. Kyu? Kyu kiya akhir Veer ne uske saath aisa? Kya Suhana ke liye? Ya Sonia ke liye?
Veer ne jawaab dene ki koshish ki, magar uska gala roondh gaya. Peechhe jhaadiyo me chhipe Raghu aur Jassi bhi hairaan the. Unhe yakeen nahi ho raha tha ki unki miss aasu baha rahi thi.
Raghu : M-Miss ro rahi hai? Ye... Ye namumkin hai. Mein iss Veer ko chhorunga nahi. Isne miss ko-
Jassi : Shhh!
Aur, tabhi Kaera haule se hassne lagi. Par, ye hassi ruwasi waali hi thi. Na hi naram, na hi khushmijaaz. Tooti hui hassi.
Kaera ko hassta dekh Raghu aur Jassi baukhla gaye. Yeh unki miss hi thi ya koi aur?
Raghu : Behanchod chal kya raha hai?
Jassi : Halla nahi. Shh!
Kaera Veer ke paas aayi. Bahut zyada qareeb.
Usne upar haath badhaaya, Veer ki tie pakdi, aur use halka-sa neeche kheencha. Gusse aur dukh se kaanpti awaaz me usne poochha.
Kaera : TELL ME, VEEEER!!! HOW ARE YOU GOING TO REPAY THIS... LOSS!?
Veer ki dhadkane tez ho gayi. Saans atak ke reh gayi. Kaera ki nazdeeki ne jaise uske fefdo se hawa chheen li thi. Uske badan ki khushbu, uske jism ki garmahat, uski garm saansein aur aankhein laal, aasuon se bhari hui.
Unn aankhon me toofaan tha. Kaise iski bharpaayi karega? Veer ke paas iske liye koi shabd nahi the.
Kaera ne uski tie ko apni kalaayi me ek baar lapeta.
Veer : !!?
Veer ka chehra uske qareeb aaya. Phir, Kaera ne ek aur baar tie ko apni kalaayi par lapeta. Teesri baar. Chauthi baar. Aur, har baar woh aisa karte hue Veer ko apni orr kheechte chali gayi.
Veer ki aankhein achraj me felti chali gayi.
Kaera : Agar, tumhare paas jawaab nahi... Then, I'll decide.
Woh fusfusayi. Aur, phir-
Usne tie kheench di. Zorr se.
Veer ke honth... uske hontho se takra baithe. Aur, duniya jaise uske liye wahi tham gayi.
*Badump*
Raghu : Iski maa ki ch-
Raghu baukhla gaya. Jassi ne turant hi uske muh par haath rakha.
Raghu : Mmm! Nnn! Mmll!!
Jassi : Kuchh nahi dekha tumne. Kuchh nahi!
Usne kehte hue apne dusre haath se uski aankhein bhi band kar di. Raghu Jassi ke haath me hi cheenkh maarta reh gaya.
Jassi : Bhosdike hilna band kar warna tranquilizer teri hi gaand me pel dunga. Shhh!
Jassi ne keh toh diya par uski khud ki haalat kharaab thi. Yeh pehli baar tha jab uski miss ne kisi ladke ko-
Jassi : Maine bhi kuchh nahi dekha.
Kehte hue usne aankhein band kar li.
Magar, udhar deewaar ke peechhe-
Suhana ko jaise saanp soongh gaya. Uska muh khula ka khula reh gaya. Uski chhaati andar dhasti chali gayi. Achanak itna tez dard uske dil me utha jaise maano kisi ne sui buri tarah se chubho di ho.
Uski ungliyaan uski dress me gadd gayi, mutthi seene par aise bhinchi jaise maano koi uska jee chura ke le jaa raha ho.
Uski aankhein aasuon se bhar gayi. Usne apne honth zorr se kaate aur waha se bhaag uthi.
Kaera ne kass ke Veer ko kheencha hua tha. Hontho ke beech ka yuddh kuchh kshan tak chalta gaya.
Ek pal ke liye awaazein gaayab ho gayi. Raushni maddham pad gayi. Aur, vartmaan paani me kisi syaahi ki tarah ghul gaya.
---
Kuchh din pehle...
Kaera apne sheeshe ke saamne kursi par baithi hui thi. Julia uske theek peechhe khadi hokar, apne haatho se uske baal bana rahi thi.
Kaera : Julia!?
Usne achanak hi pukaara. Julia beech me ruki.
Julia : Yes, miss?
Par, phir wapas se brush se uske baal banaane lagi. Kaera abhi bhi sheeshe me hi dekh rahi thi.
Kaera : Kya tumne kabhi... Kabhi kisi ko kiss kiya hai?
Aur, Julia ka brush wahi ruk gaya. Usne palkein jhapkaayi, phir dheere-se hassi.
Julia : Kiss? Ye toh bada hi unexpected question tha, miss fufu~
Kaera : Toh, iska matlab haan hai, hai na?
Julia (smiles) : Yes, miss. I have. Bas, kuchh hi baar.
Kaera : Oh!? Who???
Julia ki nazrein mazakiya andaaz me sheeshe par phiri.
Julia : You are terrible at respecting people's privacy, miss fufu~
Kaera : Mein sirf poochh rahi thi. Force nahi kiya.
Julia : Aapka poochhna bhi kisi order ki tarah lagta hai, miss.
Usne haar maante hue ek aah bhari.
Julia : Fine. I'll tell you, miss. Jab mein Russia me thi, tab maine kuchh ladko ko date kiya tha.
Kaera : Kiya tha!? Past tense. Matlab abhi tum single ho, right? Kyu? Kya hua?
Julia (smiles) : Right! Kyunki, unme se koi bhi husband material nahi tha, miss. And, that's why... I'm here. With you. And, yes. Single.
Kaera ne uski baat ko samajhte hue haami bhari.
Kaera : Toh... Toh kaisa tha?
Julia : Hmm? Kaisa kya tha?
Kaera : Wahi... Kisi ko... Kisi ko kiss karna. How did it feel?
Aaeene me, uski nazrein apne hontho par chali gayi. Julia muskurayi, jaise usa sab pata ho, woh aur qareeb aayi, awaaz narm aur saansein garm thi.
Julia (whispers) : It's a very beautiful feeling, miss.
Kaera ki ungliyaan apni dress ke kinaare me kass gayi.
Kaera : J-Jaise-!?
Julia aur qareeb aayi, uske honth Kaera ke kaan ke paas the.
Julia : Aap khud hi try kar ke kyun nahi dekhti, miss? Aapko pata lag jaayega.
Kaera shaant ho gayi.
Kaera : Try...!? Mein khud-!?
Julia (smiles) : Yes!
Kaera : Par... Mujhe nahi pata ki kaise-
Julia hassi.
Julia : Fufufu~ It's very simple.
Kaera : Simple?
Julia (whispers) : Just seal your lips with your partner.
Kaera : S-Seal the lips... Aur, phir?
Julia : Fir, baaki sab *smiles* Apne aap ho jaata hai.
Woh kehte hue seedhi hui aur wapas se Kaera ke baal banaane me lag gayi.
Kaera (budbudate hue) : A-Apne aap..!?
Julia : When you do kiss someone... Don't forget to tell me how it felt, miss.
Kaera ne bas dheere se apna sirr hila diya.
---
Kaera ne apni kiss todi. Woh achanak peechhe hatt gayi. Uski saansein tez thi. Usne apni kaanpti hui ungliyon se apne hontho ko chhua, jaise mehsoos kar rahi ho ki ve abhi bhi wahi hai ya nahi.
Uski nazrein Veer ke hontho par gayi. Phir, uski aankhon par. Uske chehre par ek aisa bhaav aaya jisey padhna mushqil tha.
Kaera (smirks) : Pata chal gaya...!
Veer : Huh?
Kaera (mutters) : Magnetic!!!
Iss se pehle ki woh rok paati, shabd uske muh se nikal gaya.
Veer ne apni ukhdi saans chhori, khud ko sambhaalne ki koshish karte hue. Uska dil itni zorr se dhadak raha tha jaise maano dil apni lay hi bhool gaya ho.
Veer : K-Kya matlab?
Usne hairaani me poochha. Kya magnetic?
Kaera bas muskuraayi. Kuchh alag hi khatarnak dhang se. Usne apna haath uske seene par rakha, aur use dheere se peechhe dhakel diya.
Veer : Wh-What!? K-Kaera...?
Kaera : You owe me one tonight, Veer. And, you have to tell me. Who was that girl. Mein tumse baad me poochhungi. Yaad rakhna. *smirks*
Veer avaak reh gaya. Kaera ko abhi tak Erica ko lekar woh baat yaad thi?
Aur, bas itna bol, woh palat gayi. Woh apni car ki taraf chal padi. Awaaz reh gayi toh bas uski heels ki jo zameen par takraate hue shor karti chali gayi.
Use jaata dekh, Raghu aur Jassi turant hi dusre raaste se uski orr bhaage.
Aur, sab kuchh shaant pad gaya. Reh gaya toh sirf Veer.
Hairaan.
Bhramit.
Aur-
Aakarshit.
'Goddamn!'
---
Hotel ki lobby ke andar, Suhana ladkhadaate hue aage badhi, uski saans phool rahi thi, aasuon ke chalte uski nazar dhundhli ho chuki thi.
Tabhi-
"Dii...??"
Sonia uski taraf bhaagte hue aayi. Apne haatho se uske kandho ko usne thaama.
Sonia : Dii??? Aap yaha kya kar rahi ho?
Sonia ki khud ki aankhon me bhi aasu the. Suhana ka rota chehra dekh use laga ki shayad uski behan bhi uski qamyaabi par khush thi. Aur, isliye woh use pakad zorr zorr se hilaate hue chehek uthi.
Sonia : Dii... I won. Mein jeet gayi. I finally won dii!! I can't believe it. I finally won. I got the biggest deal of my life.
Suhana ne uski taraf dekha. Ab aasu aur tezi se behne lage. Usne dheere se apna sirr hilaaya.
Suhana : N-No... Sonu... *sniff* You didn't win.
Sonia : Huh!?
Sonia ki muskaan feeki pad gayi.
Sonia : D-Dii? Y-Ye aap kya keh rahi ho?
Suhana : You lost, Sonu! *sniff* YOU LOST THE BIGGEST DEAL OF YOUR LIFE.
Kehte hue woh peechhe hatt gayi.
Suhana (sobs) : AND SO DID I-!! *sniff*
Iske pehle ki Sonia kuchh samajh paati, bol paati, Suhana mudi aur rote-rote hi bhaagti chali gayi, apni chhoti behan ko waha hairaan, pareshaan khada chhorte hue.
Sonia ke kaano me jashn ka shor achanak hi gaayab ho gaya. Woh, apni jagah par jami reh gayi.
Vismay me. Bhay me.
***
Iss orr corporate gala ki vilasita se koso dur Veer ke ghar me ek alag hi mahaul bana hua tha.
Ghar par ek aadmi, uski patni, uska beta aur bahu sofe par virajman the.
Aur, unn sab ke saamne Bhavna, Shweta, Bhumika aur Tej maujood thi. Unn sabke chehre ka rang uda hua tha, khaas kar Tej ka.
Tej : K-Kya kaha aapne? Aap kisliye aaye hai?
Aadmi : Beta, hum apni beti ka rishta leke aaye hai aapke bhai, Veer ke liye. Humaari beti... Shreya bitiya ka rishta.
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Aaj ke liye itna hi guys.
This update consists of 11.2k words. This marks the end of the whole corporate gala scene. Next update se focus Suhana ke b'day par rahega. I'll finish that in 2 updates as well. Ya agar ho paaya toh, ek me hi nipta dunga. Sab kuchh samet dunga (If possible.)
Iss update me kaafi jhanjhat hui mujhe kyunki, illness bhi thi aur phir itne characters waala update. I hope I did justice to it. Sabhi ke reactions hopefully maine qaid kiye honge. Btw, Veer's Aura farming has just begun (A hint.) After changing his way of approaching, Veer was surprisingly very calm here. The reasons : Kaera and Suhana.
Sirf kuchh hi updates baaki hai. I mentioned that by the end of this arc Veer's relationship will be established. (I think you guys can take the hint now.) Baaki, aaj ke liye itna hi guys.
Dhanyavad.
Nice and beautiful update....
just superb nd great update
pawankamdev123
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Raj Shah Playboy
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Update - 209 ~ The Corporate Gala — ICONGLOBE (2)
Ab tak...
‘Haan haan! Bolo!’
[Mein bas ye bataane ke liye aayi thi ki-]
‘??’
[Ava ne bhi Kaera aur Sonia ki tarah red dress pehni hai. Good luck.]
*Ding*
[The system has gone into sleep mode.]
‘Fuuuuuucccckkkkkkk!!’
Ab aage...
Kya kabhi socha hai ki agar kisi vyakti ko ek se adhik chaahne waali streeyaan ek hi jagah par ekatrit ho jaaye, toh kya hoga?
Shaanti ke alaawa sab kuchh.
Ava, Garofano aur Erica ka Hotel Casa Belle me chal rahe iss Corporate Gala me pravesh karna kisi yuddh ki ghoshna se kam nahi tha. Veer ki haalat kisi junglee sher ke pinjre me feke gaye lakadbaghhe ki tarah thi, jo bhaagna toh chaahta tha, magar bhaag nahi sakta tha.
Erica, Veer ko dekh aise muskura rahi thi jaise koi teenager school fest me apne crush ko dekh kar muskurati hai. Yeh toh Kaera ne bhi swayam dekha tha.
Kaera : Hey! Tumne bataya nahi? That girl… Woh tumhe aise kyu ghoor rahi hai? Tum dono ek dusre ko jaante ho?
Veer ne muh khola, lekin koi awaaz nahi nikli. Aur, bhala bolta bhi kya? Shukr ho, ICONGLOBE ka, jinke Mr. Ward turant hi bol pade.
Mr. Ward : Miss Kaera! Shall we proceed?
Kaera ne Veer ki taraf se muh fera, maano Erica se jude sawaal ko baad me poochhne ke liye rakh diya ho.
Kaera (nods) : Of course!
Mr. Ward : The commotion was… unexpected haha.
Kaera (smiles) : It’s India, Mr. Ward! Here, the unexpected is normal.
Mr. Ward : Sure thing hahaha!
Normal? Agar, Veer se iss paristhiti ke baare me poochha jaaye toh uske muh se shayad yahi niklega ki - lawde ka normal hai. Yaha normal jaisa kuchh bhi nahi tha. Woh toh bas apni kursi par dhasta jaa raha tha. Aur, Erica? Erica poora lutf utha rahi thi.
Woh aate-jaate starters ko khaati, agal-bagal baithe logo se baatein karti, har thodi derr me Veer ko dekh muskurati, haath hilaati aur logo ka dhyaan uss par kendrit kar deti.
‘Damn it!’
Veer mann hi mann kheej utha. Iss waali Pari ki speciality hi uski intelligence thi, magar Pari khud hi sleep mode me jaa chuki thi, jaise kehna chaah rahi ho ki iss musibat se tum khud hi nipto.
Mr. Ward : We have already discussed with Miss Sonia, let’s be very clear Miss Kaera, what are you offering? Because ICONGLOBE will only partner with those who give us not only the best deal but best results along with a secured innovative vision.
Kaera (leans in) : I agree, Mr. Ward. Nexacom doesn’t plan to enter the automotive sector as a follower. If we step in, we step in with technology that changes the manufacturing curve entirely.
Mr. Ward : Such as?
Ruchika, jo abhi bhi thoda ghabrayi hui thi, woh mauka dekh apna tab dikhaate hue aage aayi.
Ruchika : Nexacom has the best tech all over India, Sir. You can see the numbers here. With our collaboration, we can shake the whole automobile sector. ICONGLOBE will provide the internal parts, and we will assemble them with our tech. Imagine the vehicles we can design…! We are also very actively working on AI.
Mr. Ward : Oh? I mean, it’s for sure that Nexacom is better in tech when compared to ELITE Motors. But what about the functioning? Factories? Manufacturing? Staff? Workers? ELITE motors have all of that…! How will you tackle that?
Kaera : We will establish!
Mr. Ward (smiles) : And, it will take time.
Kaera : Yes!
Ek thehraav. Mr. Ward Kaera ko dekhte rahe aur Kaera bina jhijak ke aatmavishvas ke saath baithi uttar de rahi thi.
Mr. Ward : And, you are serious about this?
Kaera : I wouldn’t have been here otherwise, right Mr. Ward!? *smiles*
ICONGLOBE ko chahiye thi ek aisi company jo turant ke turant unhe market me utaar sake. Aur, yeh kaam ELITE Motors se behatreen aur koi nahi kar sakta tha, kyunki ve khud hi market me top position par the.
Wahi Nexacom iss industry me abhi qadam rakh rahi thi. Unke paas factories, employees, jaisi cheezein abhi nahi thi jo ek automobile sector me lagti thi. Inhe set karne me samay lagne waala tha.
Lekin, Kaera ki best bet yahi thi. Woh iss se adhik aur kuchh bhi offer nahi kar sakti thi. Bas, intezar hi kar sakti thi ki kaash ICONGLOBE uske vision aur uski legacy ko dekh yeh deal use dede.
Idhar Kaera aur Mr. Ward aapas me baat karne me lage hue the aur udhar se Erica Veer ke mazey le rahi thi. Garofano bhi kuchh guests ke sang vartalaap me lag gayi. Bhala use kaun nahi jaanta tha? Uski maujoodgi yaha baaki companies ke liye ek sunehre awsar me badal chuki thi.
Aur, Ava? Woh apna mask pehni, shaant, ek kone me murti ki tarah khadi hui thi. Uski nigaahein Sonia aur Kaera par fir rahi thi.
Kabhi inhi dono ke sang wo bachpan me khela karti thi, aaj wahi dono aapas me ek deal ko lekar ladd rahi thi. Kya hoga jab unhe pata chalega ki trinity ka ek hissa unke sang yahi maujood tha?
Uski nazrein fir Veer par tik gayi. Veer ne bhi jaise use abhaas hote hi dekha. Uske mann me bas yahi vichaar chal raha tha ki bhala ye sab yaha kyu aayi hui thi?
Ava ki nazrein narm pad gayi, uski aankhein thodi namm ho chali. Veer ko toh woh baad me samjha sakti hai, lekin Kaera aur Sonia ka kya? Kya ve dono use ab bhi apna dost maanti hai?
‘What are they planning?’
Veer ne mann hi mann socha.
‘Erica ko dekh ke lagta hai jaise use kisi ne behka ke yaha aane ke liye manaaya ho. She looks happy. She’s fucking enjoying it. Ava…! Kyu??’
Uski nigaahein Ava par tiki.
‘Kya tum yaha kahi… Sonia aur Kaera ke liye toh nahi-!?’
Usne ek-ek jhalak Kaera aur Sonia ki orr bhi dekha.
‘But then… Violet…!’
Aur, ant me usne Garofano ko dekha jo kuchh companies ke owners ke sang baat kar rahi thi.
‘No wonder…! Ye plan zaroor tumhara hi hoga. But why here? Looking for a collaboration with other companies?’
Veer haule se muskuraaya.
‘Right! Akhirkar, sabki sab businesswomen hai. Ye opportunity bhala kaise chhor sakti hai? *sighs*I hope ye bas koi problem na create kar de. Mein already koi achhi situation me nahi hu.’
Dur se Suhana bhi Veer ki table ki orr hi nazrein gadaaye baithi hui thi. Woh soch rahi thi ki akhir Veer bhala kya karega? Kaise ye deal Sonia ko dilwaane me madad karega? Agar, Veer naqamyab bhi hota hai toh bhi woh hairaan nahi hone waali thi. Kyunki, uski ye demand hi vichitr thi.
Idhar Kaera aur Mr. Ward aapas me baat kar rahe the ki tabhi, Mr. Ward ka secretary kisi parchhaayi ki tarah peechhe se aaya, thoda jhuka aur unke kaan me kuchh fusfusaana shuru kar diya.
Mr. Ward ne Kaera par se nazrein nahi hataayi. Unhone suna. Aur, jaise-jaise woh sab kuchh sunn rahe the, unki nazrein Veer par sthit hoti chali gayi. Veer ne ye turant hi bhaanp liya.
Uska posture akad kar seedha ho gaya. Na chaahte hue bhi uske senses apne kaam par lag gaye. Jo Mr. Ward ke alaawa kisi ko bhi nahi sunaayi de raha tha, woh Veer ne sunn liya. Aur, utna kaafi tha yeh jaanane ke liye ki aage kya hone waala tha.
“So, that’s it! I see!”
Mr. Ward haami bharte hue sirr hilaaye aur apni ungliyon ke halke ishaare se apne secretary ko jaane ka ishaara kiya. Woh akad kar seedhe baithe aur apne dono haath saamne table par rakhte hue Kaera ko dekhe. Kuchh derr pehle ka dostaana corporate andaaz ab unke andar se gaayab ho chuka tha.
Mr. Ward : Ms. Kaera! I’d like to ask a few questions. I expect honest answers.
Kaera ki bauhe pal bhar ke liye tann gayi.
Kaera : Proceed!
Mr. Ward ki nazrein phir se Veer par gayi, aur phir wapas se Kaera par.
Mr. Ward : Care to explain who this gentleman is, Ms. Kaera?
Unhone Veer ke baare me poochha. Veer ne ek gehri saans li. Sawaal aa chuka tha. Usne jawaab dene ke liye apna muh khola ki tabhi-
Kaera : He’s... Veer Singh! Mister Veer Singh!
Parantu, Kaera ne uss se pehle hi uttar de diya. Uski awaaz shaant thi.
Kaera : A young entrepreneur.
Mr. Ward (nods) : And, what business does Mr. Veer run?
Kaera ne ek jhalak Veer ki orr dekha. Veer se uski nazrein mili. Woh kuchh soch rahi thi. Phir, wapas se woh Mr. Ward ki orr mudi.
Kaera : I think this is disrespectful, Mr. Ward, you know… to ask about him from me when he’s sitting right here. Your questions should be directed to him. Am I right!?
Dekha jaaye toh Kaera ka virodh ekdum sahi tha. Jab Veer ke baare me hi poochhna hai, toh seedhe-seedhe uss se hi kyu nahi poochh lete jab woh yahi baitha hua hai? Ye toh beizzati karne waali baat ho gayi.
Lekin, Mr. Ward ne apna sarr naa me hila diya.
Mr. Ward : No! ICONGLOBE is here to negotiate with either Nexacom or Elite Motors, Ms. Kaera. You are Nexacom’s owner. And, I’m asking you. It’s your responsibility to answer. We are not here to deal with Mister, Veer. What business does Mister Veer run?
Mahaul tanavpoorn ho gaya.
Kaera ne phir se Veer ko dekha, woh kuchh nahi bola. Usne bas halka-sa sirr hilaaya, jaise kehna chaah raha ho ki wo jawab de dega, magar-
Kaera wapas se Mr. Ward ki orr mudi.
Kaera : He owns a luxury hotel. He also runs other food businesses. Several food trucks. Hospitality. Various investments. Operations are stable.
Kaera ne Veer ke businesses ke baare me batlaaya, siwaaye ek cheez ke : Yarnia! Usne Yarnia ka zikr nahi kiya. Koi bhi zikr nahi. Na Yarnia ke clothing brand ki charcha, na koi launch event, na Hotel Prestige ka zikr, aur na hi waha khoon se saney farsh ka koi ullekh.
Woh jaanti thi. Yarnia ke baare me bataana matlab khud ke perr par kulhadi maarna. Saath hi… woh Veer ki image bhi bachaana chaahti thi.
Mr. Ward kuchh na bole. Bas chupchap sab sunte rahe. Phir, unhone aage kehna jaari kiya.
Mr. Ward : -And, if it’s not too personal, may I know what your relationship with Mister Veer is?
Veer swabhavik roop se aage jhuka. Yahi woh pal tha, jo iske rukh ko dusri disha me mod sakta tha. Agar, woh bas ye keh de ki woh aur Kaera ek dusre ko nahi jaante toh-
Veer : Mr. Ward, I-
Iske pehle ki woh samjha paata-
‘???’
Kaera ka haath achanak hi uske haath ke upar aa gaya. Garm. Mazboot. Adhikaar jataane waala. Shabd Veer ke galey me hi atke reh gaye. Usne hairanagi me Kaera ko dekha.
Kaera : Veer is my close friend. A partner. Perhaps… what do people call it… *pauses* right… Buddies!?
Mr. Ward ki nazrein table ke upar tiki. Kaera ke haath par, jo Veer ke haath ke upar rakha hua tha. Phir, wapas se Kaera ke chehre par.
Hall ke uss orr, Sonia akad ke reh gayi. Yeh sab kya ho raha tha? Kaera bhala sabke saamne Veer ke haath ko iss tarah se-!? Kaera toh kisi bhi mard ko apne nazdeek bhi nahi bhatakne deti thi. Phir, bhala Veer ke saath woh aise kyu-?
Toh wahi, yeh nazaara dekh Suhana ki ungliyaan glass ke chaaro orr kass ke jakad gayi. Uski saansein atak gayi. Aankhein unn dono ke haatho par jami hui. Table par.
Kaera ke bagal se baitha Karan bhi ek pal ke liye jamm gaya. Usne unke haatho ko dekha. Phir, Kaera ko aur phir Veer ko. Phir, wapas haatho ko.
Uske chehre ke haav-bhaav bina kuchh kahe hi chillaa rahe the ki : Bhai, wtf??? Tum aur di…!? Kab se???
Uske honth fadfadaaye, jaise maano woh koi aisa vaakya na bolne ke liye khud ko rok raha ho, jisey bolne par uski behan pakka use jaan se maar sakti thi.
Uski aankhein keh rahi thi : Maine tumhe 10 minute ke liye akela kya chhora, tum meri behan, Nexacom ki owner ka hi haath le gaye?
‘Fuckin’ hell, Veer-!!! Tumhare aur dii ke beech..!? The fuck is going on?’
Lekin, ye saari baatein uske mann me hi chal rahi thi. Woh samajhdar tha jo chup raha.
Mr. Ward thoda peechhe jhuke.
Mr. Ward : I see! So, Mister Veer isn’t a part of Nexacom. Then, why is he seated here?
Kaera ne Veer ke haath ko zorr se dabaaya. Na gusse me aur na hi darr me. Ek pakke iraade se… woh Mr. Ward ki aankhon me dekhi.
Kaera : Because… he’s important to me. And, I feel… better… when he’s beside me. Does that answer your question?
Veer (mutters) : Kaera…
Kaera ne dheere se Mr. Ward se kaha. Koi leepa-poti waala jawaab nahi. Na hi pehle se socha gaya jawaab. Bas… dil ko jaisa mehsoos hua, woh usne keh diya.
Veer ki aankhein narm pad gayi. Kaha woh yaha Kaera se deal chhinwa ke Sonia ko deal dilwaane aaya tha aur yaha Kaera use apne paas bula kar tohfa dete hue sabke saamne uski izzat ka maan rakh rahi thi. Yeh jaante hue ki agar woh Veer ko iss waqt dur kar deti hai, toh yeh deal milne ke chances badh jayenge.
Lekin, usne aisa nahi kiya. Ek taraf Sonia thi, jo emotions hone ke bawajood Veer ko chhor deal ko chuni thi, aur ek taraf Kaera thi, jo theek se emotions na hone ke bawajood bhi itni badi deal ke saamne, Veer ko nahi chhorna chaahti thi.
Aur, uska yu Veer ka haath thaamna… Yeh ek statement tha. Statement of ownership.
Hall ke uss paar-
Ava ki chhaati kass ke reh gayi. Uski ungliyaan mutthi me bhinch ke reh gayi. Yeh nazara uski ummeed se bhi zyada use peeda de gaya. Thodi jalan, thodi niraasha aur thoda dard.
Erica ki muskaan pehli baar feeki pad gayi. Uski aankhein aashcharya me badi ho gayi. Woh toh samajh rahi thi ki keval Ava aur Garofano hi uska competition thi par yaha toh yeh Kaera-!? Veer aur uske beech kya chal raha tha?
Garofano ki bhi paini nazrein unn par tiki hui thi. Woh halka-sa muskuraayi. Lekin, uski muskaan ke peechhe kuchh soojh-boojh thi.
Toh, wahi Veer shaant baitha hua tha. Kaera ka haath abhi bhi uske haath me tha. Hall ka atmosphere bhi badal chuka tha. Lagbhag sabhi unki taraf dekh rahe the, lekin kisi ne bhi shor karne ki himmat nahi ki.
Mr. Ward ne kaafi derr tak Kaera ko dekha.
Mr. Ward : Well, that answers more than I asked.
Woh turant hi khade ho gaye. Farsh par unki kursi ke khisakne ki awaaz ne sabhi ka dhyaan uss orr kheench liya.
Mr. Ward : Alright then! It’s decided! ICONGLOBE will not be proceeding with any business with Nexacom.
Shabd bhaari the. Kaera ki aankhein hairat me fel gayi.
Veer bhi turant khada ho gaya. Kursiyaan khisakne lagi. Table ke aas-paas baithe sabhi log khade ho gaye. Mr. Ward ke shabd kisi bade se patthar ki tarah the jo seedha aa kar unn par gir pade.
Mr. Ward Kaera ki orr mudey, unka lehza professional tha, lekin ab kahi na kahi thodi sakhti jhalak rahi thi.
Mr. Ward : Miss Kaera, you deliberately omitted a crucial detail that Mister Veer… is the owner of Hotel Prestige!
Ek gehra sannaata chhaa gaya.
Mr. Ward : The same hotel that was destroyed a few weeks ago. A targeted attack. A shootout. Blood. Fire. Casualties. The launch of a new brand. Destroyed on day one.
Logo ke beech fusfusaahat shuru ho gayi, jo chingaari ki tarah felti chali gayi. Jo Veer ko nahi bhi jaante the, ab woh bhi jaanane waale the.
Mr. Ward : Associating with someone surrounded by this level of instability poses unacceptable risk. ICONGLOBE will not entangle itself with businesses that attract… trouble.
Unhone kaha, bina apni awaaz oonchi kiye, kyunki uski zaroorat hi nahi thi.
Nazrein ghoom gayi, sirr mudey, fusfusaahat jaari…
“Achha, ye toh wahi Veer hai… Wahi jo news me aaya tha!”
“Hotel Prestige? Wahi na jis par hamla hua tha??”
“No wonder… Kyu ICONGLOBE ab Nexacom ke saath deal nahi kar rahi.”
“Miss Kaera akhir soch kya rahi thi? Veer jaise failed small businessman ke saath uthna-baithna-!?"
"Businessman? Arey bhai businessman hai hi kaha woh!? Hotel khol lene se koi businessman thodi bann jaata hai."
“She’s far above someone like him. He doesn’t even deserve to even stand next to her!”
“Ye toh Miss Kaera ki modesty hai jo use friend ki tarah treat kar rahi hai. Warna koi aur hota toh-”
Logo ki baatein khus-pusaate hue aapas me hone lagi. Aur, Veer ne sab kuchh suna. Har shabd uske ek kaan se guzarta hua dusre kaan se nikal gaya. Kintu, uske chehre par koi bhaav nahi the, aankhein adh-khuli.
Aur, akhirkar Kaera ko ab jaake samajh aaya.
Mr. Ward ke secretary ka beech me aake unke kaan ke paas jhukna. Phir, Mr. Ward ka uss se ye saare sawaal karna.
Mr. Ward ka secretary figures bataane nahi aaya tha, woh Veer ki sacchaayi sunaane aaya tha. Ek secretary hone ke naate yeh uski zimmedari thi ki woh saari research karke baithe. Aur, shayad itni derr me usne Veer ke baare me kaafi kuchh dhoondh liya tha.
Koi bhi company bhala uss company ke saath kyu deal karegi jiske owner ka uthna-baithna ek aise shaks ke saath ho jiske business par kuchh din pehle hi ek targeted attack hua ho!? Aur, yaha toh Kaera Veer ko apna close friend ghoshit kar chuki thi. Upar se uska haath thaamna… ye bahut tha anumaan lagaane ke liye.
Yahi kaaran tha ki kyu Mr. Ward sawaal par sawaal kar rahe the. Aur, Kaera imaandari ke saath saare jawaab deti chali gayi. Kuchh zyaada hi imaandaari se.
Nateeja?
ICONGLOBE ka Nexacom se deal cancel karna.
Veer ko mehsoos hua, uske seene me ek ajeeb-sa bharipann aaya. Kuchh chubh raha tha. Usne toh thaan liya tha ki woh iss matter me apne qadam nahi rakhega, lekin phir bhi-
Sirf uski maujoodagi hi kahi na kahi Kaera ke loss ka kaaran bann gayi.
Woh Kaera ki orr muda.
Veer : I… I shouldn’t have been here, right? I’m sorry… Miss Kaera! Meri maujoodagi ki wajah se… ye sab hua.
Kehte hue woh peechhe hata, jaane ke liye muda ki tabhi-
Kaera ki ungliyaan uske haath par kass gayi.
Kaera : Kya kaha tha maine abhi-abhi?
Usne sthir dheemi awaaz me poochha. Veer wahi jamm ke reh gaya. Kuchh derr pehle Kaera ke shabd bina bulaaye hi uske mastishk me goonj gaye.
“Because… he’s important to me. And, I feel… better… when he’s beside me.”
Yahi toh shabd the Kaera ke, jo usne Mr. Ward se kahe the. Veer ki dhadkane tez ho gayi.
*Badump*
Kaera ne apna sarr uthaaya. Mr. Ward pehle hi mud chuke the, jaane ki taiyaari kar rahe the. Kaera ne unki peeth ki taraf dekhte hue hi kaha.
Kaera : I stand by my words! If ICONGLOBE refuses a partnership because my friend is seated beside me, then so be it!!! From today onward, there will be no future partnerships between Nexacom and ICONGLOBE . Ever.
Poora ka poora hall shaant pad gaya. Kaera ke bol udhar goonj ke reh gaye. Mr. Ward pal bhar ke liye ruke. Bas ek kshan ke liye, phir wo waha se guzre aur Sonia ki table ki orr chal diye.
Mr. Ward : My congratulations! *smiles* ICONGLOBE has decided to proceed with Elite Motors, Miss Sonia!
Aur, taaliyo ki gad-gadahat waha goonj uthi. Sab agle hi kshan Kaera ke diye hue statement ko bhool gaye kyunki, 10 billion dollar ki deal ka mehatva hi itna zyada tha.
Sonia apni seat se khadi ho gayi, uske chehre par pehle hairanagi nazar aayi, phir jeet ki bhavna umad aayi. Usne Mr. Ward se turant hi haath milaaya, use yakeen nahi ho raha tha ki woh Kaera ko hara kar ye deal jeet rahi thi.
Suchika mask ke peechhe muskura rahi thi, par uss muskaan ke peechhe kahi na kahi ek dard bhi chhipa tha. Uski nigaahein dur hataash khadi Ruchika par pal bhar ke liye tik gayi.
Peechhe baithi Suhana ka haath uski goad par tha, kaanp raha tha. Usne Veer ko dekha, jo abhi bhi Kaera ke bagal se khada hua tha, aur abhi bhi chup tha. Raahat, hairat aur dard sab saath me mil gaye. Jab tabhi uske bagal se baithe uske pati, Gaurav ne ek tippani ki-
Gaurav : Hmph! Ye jagah waise bhi pickpockets ke liye nahi hai. Akhir, soch kya rahi thi Kaera? Veer jaiso ke saath uthne-baithne ka nateeja yahi hota hai!
Uski aankhein Veer par tiki, gusse me uski mutthi kasi hui thi. Kaaran aur bhi kuchh tha. Prestige ke tabaah hone waali raat ko Veer ne Nik aur uske chamcho ki kutaayi jo ki thi. Aur, Nik thehra Gaurav ka param mitr. Bhala Gaurav iss baat ko kaise jaane de sakta tha. Usi ki security me Nik ab tak Mumbai me thehra hua tha.
‘Bas do-teen din aur mazey kar le bhosdike! Phir, mein tujhe bataunga ki Gaurav se panga lena kitna bhaari padta hai. Tu jaanta nahi mujhe, Veer!’
Apne pati ke ghatiya bol sunn, Suhana ne apni dress ke kapde ko itni zorr se bheencha ki usme silvatein pad gayi. Ek pal ke liye toh aisa laga jaise woh wahi use thappad maar degi.
Lekin, woh aisa nahi kar sakti thi. Chaah ke bhi nahi.
Gaurav : Dekh rahi ho na tum? Veer jaiso ke saath rehne ka kya anjaam hota hai? He’s fucking cursed. Khud ki hotel bhi dubwa liya aur dusro ki deals bhi bigadwa di. Aas-paas dikhna nahi chahiye woh mujhe tumhaare!
Suhana : Shut up, Gaurav! Veer ki isme koi galti na- ahh-!
Iske pehle ki woh poori tarah se keh paati, Gaurav ka haath uski kalaayi par kass ke jakad gaya, Suhana ke haath ka bangle use itni zorr se chubha ki uske muh se ek halki siski nikal gayi. Woh dehshat me agal-bagal dekhi, par sabhi ka dhyaan Sonia ki table ki orr kendrit tha.
Gaurav : Tumhari himmat kaise hui mere bolne ke baad bhi uska favor karne ki, huh? Tum kya mujhe bewakoof samajhti ho?
Woh achanak hi uske kaan ki orr jhuka.
Gaurav (mutters) : Agar, tum uski aur apni bhalaayi chaahti ho na? Toh, aaj se uss se dur rehna. Warna-
Suhana ghabraate hue Gaurav ko mud ke dekhi-
Gaurav (smiles) : Warna kahi aisa na ho ki Veer kisi din akhbhar me ek khabar bann kar reh jaaye.
Suhana (darrte hue) : Y-You won’t-!
Gaurav (smirks) : Of course, I won’t! But Nik can-!
Suhana : H-Huh-!??
Suhana ki samajh nahi aaya. Bhala Nik kaha se beech me aa gaya?
Gaurav : Oh? Tumhe nahi pata?
Wo dheere se naa me sarr hilaayi aur Gaurav ki muskaan chaudi ho gayi. Woh phir uske kaan ki orr jhuka aur ahista se bola.
Gaurav : Tumhari dear friend, Divya yaha kayi hafto pehle Mumbai aayi thi, apne husband, Nik se jhooth bol kar, bina bataaye. Veer ke sang rang reliya mana rahi thi. Aur, Nik ne unn dono ko raat me ek saath car me pakda. Kya lagta hai? Kya hua hoga unke beech?
Ek bada jhatka Suhana ko laga. Woh thitak ke reh gayi. Divya Mumbai aayi thi? Toh, bhala usne use bataaya kyu nahi? Aur, Veer ke saath-!? Uska dimaag kaam karna band ho chuka tha.
Gaurav : Aur, Veer mister ne kya kiya? Nik aur uske aadmiyo ko peeta. *smiles* Ab Nik gusse me hai. Maine use shaant kara rakha hai. Lekin, kab tak meri baat maanega, iski bhala kya guarantee, right?
Suhana ka sarr soch-vichaar aur darr me neeche jhuk gaya. Usne fatafat Divya ko messages daalne shuru kar diye. Toh, wahi Gaurav muskuraate hue uth kar Sonia ki table ki orr chal diya.
---
Taaliyo ki gadgadahat abhi bhi sunaayi de rahi thi, magar tabhi-
*Click* *Click* *Click*
Cameras ki shutters ki awaaz goonj uthi, hall me halchal ki ek aur leher fel gayi. Sabke sirr ghoom gaye. Hall ke darwaaze se ek aadmi andar aise aaya jaise maano yeh uski hi hotel ho.
Shailendra. Sonia aur Suhana ke pita. Aur, saath me unn dono ki maa — Namrita.
Bodyguards aur security ke kadey ghere ke beech, unka secretary unse do qadam peechhe chalte hue, sab ke sab andar aane lage.
*Clap* *Clap* *Clap*
Shailendra taali bajaate hue, khulkar hasste hue aage aaye, unki hassi dumdar aur befiqr thi. Veh aadmi jisne Elite Group ko asal taur par Elite banaaya tha.
“Adhbhut!” Shailendra zorr se bole, unki aankhein apni beti Sonia par tiki. “Bahut khoob meri bacchi!”
Sonia ka chehra turant hi khil utha. “Dad!?”
Woh sab kuchh bhulkar unki taraf badhi. Shailendra ne apni baahein kholi aur hall me maujood vyaktiyo ki parvah kiye bagerr apni beti ko galey se laga liya. Aur, agle hi kshan unke peechhe se Namrita saamne aayi.
Sonia murti ki tarah jamm gayi. “Mom aap-!?”
Namrita dheere-se muskuraayi aur apni beti ko kass kar galey se laga li. Sonia ki aankhein khushi ke maare namm ho gayi. Usne iski kabhi bhi ummeed nahi ki thi. Aaj nahi. Yaha toh bilkul hi nahi.
Prakash Uncle bhi uth khade hue, ve aage badhe aur Suhana ke paas pahuche.
Prakash Uncle : Miss Suhana? Aaiye! Chaliye!
Suhana (gazes) : U-Uncle-!?
Prakash Uncle : Yeh roz-roz nahi hota ki aapke mummy papa kisi corporate deal me hissa le. Aaiye!
Suhana khadi hui, aur Prakash Uncle ke sang woh bhi apne mata-pita se jaa kar mili, unke galey se lagi.
Sonia chupchap khadi rahi, sabko galey milte dekh rahi thi. Hall me abhi bhi taaliyo ki goonj thi. Cameras ke flashes abhi bhi chamak rahe the. Log abhi bhi tareef ke saath Elite group ki charcha kar rahe the. Lekin, ek pal ke liye yeh sab ek dheeme-se shor me badal gaya.
Uske pita ka haath uske kandhe par tha. Mazboot. Garv se bharpoor. Jaise kehna chaah rahe ho ki ‘tumne kar dikhaaya meri bacchi.’
Kaera. Humesha academics me first. Sports me first. Business me first. Lagbhag har cheez me woh humesha se hi uss se aage rehti thi. Aur, Sonia? Humesha uske peechhe. Saari zindagi woh bas Kaera ki ek parchhaayi bann kar reh gayi, jo hazaar koshisho ke baad bhi kabhi aage na nikal saki.
“Tum humesha second par hi kyu rehti ho, Sonia?”
“Tum kadi mehnat karti ho, uske bawajood woh tumse… aage hai.”
“Tumhe uss se seekhna chaahiye, beta!”
“Kaera ko dekho. Usne kaise kar liya? Jab woh kar sakti hai toh tum kyu nahi?”
“Kabhi toh apne maa-baap ka naam raushan karo beta! Kab tak Kaera se humesha maat khaati rahogi?”
Yahi sunn sunn ke woh pali badhi thi. Second. Humesha second number par. Comparison ka shikaar. Parantu, aaj raat-!?
Woh shabd jaise mit gaya. Aaj raat woh akeli nahi thi. Uske mata-pita uske saath the. Nuksaan ki bharpaayi karne ke liye nahi, saantvna dene ke liye nahi, formality ke liye nahi.
Ve muskuraate hue, taali bajaate hue, use galey lagaane aaye the, uski qamyabi par. Uski maa ki aankhein bhi namm thi. Aur, pita ki awaaz me toh bina kisi rok-tok ke garv jhalak raha tha.
Iss se pehle ki woh aasuon ko rok paati, wo aankhon ko bhigote hue umad aaye. Usne tezi se palkein jhapkaayi, hontho ko dabaaya aur khud ko sambhaalne ki koshish ki.
Phir, nigaahein kahi aur chali gayi. Hall ke uss paar. Kaera, jo apni table ke paas khadi hui thi, ungliyaan bagal me bhinchi hui. Dono ki nazrein aapas me takraayi. Bas khamoshi.
Aaj pehli baar Sonia ko Kaera… badi hi chhoti prateet ho rahi thi.
Tabhi, Kaera ke hontho par ek badi hi bareek-si muskaan ubhri, jisey dekh Sonia ki aankhein phelti chali gayi.
‘Huh???’
Lekin, wo muskaan ek kshan me hi kahi gaayab bhi ho gayi. Sonia ki chhaati zorr se garv me upar hui. Lagbhag ek taane ke samaan. Neecha dikhaane ke liye nahi. Bas… thoda raub zaahir karne ke liye.
Mann me ek vichaar ki…
Toh tum bhi aakhir haar sakti ho. Koi namumkin nahi ye. Tumhe giraana bhi sambhav hai.
Uski nazar phir Veer par gayi aur use kuchh samajh aaya. Kaera isliye nahi haari thi kyunki usme ya uski approach me koi kami thi. Woh isliye haari thi kyunki, Veer uske saath tha. Kyunki, woh uske bagal se khada hua tha.
Yeh ehsaas dheere-dheere uske andar badhne laga.
Use woh raat yaad thi. Woh nirnay jo usne liya tha. Veer ke badle woh deal jo usne Casa Belle me pichhli baar ki thi. Usne Veer ki dosti ki jagah deal ko ahamiyat di thi.
Uske baad se hi, Veer ka swabhav uske prati thanda ho chuka tha. Woh kayi raato ko yeh socha karti thi kya usne kuchh galat kiya tha?
Aaj raat use uska jawab mil chuka tha.
Nahi! Hargiz nahi!
Uske kandhe araam me dheele pad gaye, ek ajeeb azaadi dene waala sukoon uss par chhaa gaya. Yeh… Yeh hoti hai safalta. Aisi dikhaayi deti hai qamyaabi.
Uske mata-pita ko uss par garv tha. Uski apni company jeet chuki thi. Raat ki sabse badi deal par uska naam tha.
Use Veer ki zaroorat nahi thi.
Use uski manzoori ki zaroorat nahi thi.
Use aise kisi ke saath khade hone ki zaroorat nahi thi jo jaha bhi jaata tha waha musibatein khadi kar deta tha.
Uske hontho par ek chhoti par santushti bhari muskaan saj gayi.
Hall ke dusri taraf, Kaera shaant thi. Sonia use dekh mudi. Pehli baar, woh aaj second number par nahi thi. Aaj raat woh wahi khadi thi, jaha use lagta tha ki use hona chaahiye tha.
Idhar ICONGLOBE ka staff Shailendra ke aate hi apne aap seedha khada ho gaya. Bhala use kaun nahi jaanta tha. Yahi woh vyakti tha. The man behind the ELITE GROUP.
Haath milaaye gaye. Badhaayi baanti gayi. Jab Shailendra ne Mr. Ward ka haath thaama toh unki hasi phir goonj gayi.
“You chose well haha,” unhone Mr. Ward se kaha. “Elite Motors won’t disappoint you.”
Sonia ki table ke ird-gird ka mahaul behad joshila tha. Jeet ka mahaul tha. Jashn ka mahaul tha.
Aur, phir thi uss paar… Kaera ki table, jaha thi bas-
Khamoshi.
Kaera bina hiley khadi rahi. Nazrein neeche, chehre par koi bhaav nahi. Koi shabd nahi. Koi reaction nahi. Bagal se Veer tha, hall me ghat rahe poore scene ko dhyaan se dekh raha tha, uski aankhein kayi baar Kaera par phirti.
Udhar ki table ke mahaul me aur idhar ki table ke mahaul me… farq bahut zyada tha.
Phir, achanak hi-
“Let’s not get too excited, shall we!?”
Ek awaaz peechhe se aayi. Buland. Teekhi. Aur, tez.
Hall me sannaata chhaa gaya. Cameramen phirse apne cameras liye dhadadad photos click karne lage, iss baar aur bhi zyaada maatra me.
Kyunki, andar aane waala shaks tha — Kishore. Nexacom ko sahi taur se NEXACOM banaane waala aadmi. Bharat ka sabse bada business group.
Ek haath jeb me, aur dusra dheele tareeke se phone ko pakde hue. Koi faaltu ki dress nahi. Grey suit me woh iss umr me bhi proper gentleman lag raha tha.
Shailendra muda. Kishore kuchh qadam dur ruk gaya. Ek pal ke liye dono diggaj bas ek-dusre ko dekhte rahe. Phir, Kishore halke-se muskuraaya.
Kishore : Congrats! *smiles* Well played.
Shailendra hasa, halanki aankhon me kahi na kahi savdhani jhalak rahi thi.
Shailendra : Thank you! It’s been a good night!
Kishore : Indeed! Lekin, yeh mat bhool jaana Shailendra ki… maidaan me aur bhi khilaadi abhi bhi hai.
Woh muskuraate hue palta. Shailendra ko uska message saaf-saaf samajh aa chuka tha. Kishore ka dhyaan dusri taraf gaya. Uski nazrein Shailendra se hatkar seedhe Kaera par gayi. Woh uski table ki orr badha.
Karan akad ke reh gaya. “D-Dad-!?”
Woh apne aap hi ek taraf hatt gaya, aur apne pita ko jagah di. Kishore Kaera ke saamne ruka. Akhirkar, Kaera ne apna sirr upar kar use dekha.
Aankhon me hairaani thi. Kabhi bhi uske pita iss tarah se corporate meetings me beech me nahi aate the. Aur, aaj na sirf Sonia, balki uske khud ke pita bhi aaye hue the, jo iss deal ki mahatvata ko aur bhi badha chuke the.
Kaera : F-Father…!
Kishore ne bas ek shabd kaha. Bas ek sawaal poochha.
Kishore : Kaise?
Aur, poora hall dhyaan se sunane laga. Kaise? Uska prashn tha. Kaise ye deal haath se nikli?
Kaera : M-Mujhe… Mujhe nahi pata.
Kishore : Aisi koi situation aaj tak paida nahi hui jaha meri beti ko yeh na pata ho ki usne billion dollars ki deal kaise gawa di.
Woh ek qadam aur qareeb aaya.
Kishore : Jawab do!
Kaera ki ungliyaan bagal me mud gayi.
Kaera : Maine kaha na mujhe nahi pata. I need time. Then, I’ll analyse. Fir, samajh aayega ki kaha galti hui.
Kaera ne jhooth kaha. Woh Veer ko bachaana chaahti thi. Kishore ki bauhe ye sunn halki-si sikudi.
Kishore : Tumhari pareshani mein kam kar deta hu!
Woh achanak hi muda aur seedhe Veer ki taraf dekha. Uski ungli Veer par uthi.
Kishore : Ye hai woh galti… jo tumse hui.
Kaera (gasps) : Father-!!!
Kaera ki aankhein chaudi ho gayi. Bhala uske pita ko yeh sab kaise pata chala? Par, tabhi-
Uski nazar turant Ruchika par padi jo apne aap ko chhipaane ki koshish kar rahi thi.
‘Huh?’
Kaera se nazrein milaate hi Ruchika ka chehra peela pad gaya. Woh apni miss se aankhein na mila saki. Aur, yeh bodh Kaera ko kisi khanjar ki tarah laga.
Kaera : R-Ruchika… you-!??
Ruchika sharm aur glaani ke maare apna sirr jhuka li.
Ruchika : I’m so sorry! I’m so sorry, miss! L-Lekin… Jab sir ka message mujhe aaya aur unhone mujhse poochha, toh mujhe sab kuchh sach-sach bataana pada.
Aaj raat pehli baar Kaera ko laga ki kuchh uske andar toot gaya. Bharose ki neev!? Shayad!?
Kishore dheere-dheere, soch-samajhkar chalne laga, Veer ke chaaro orr aise chakkar laga raha tha jaise koi shikaari duri ka andaaza laga raha ho.
Kishore : Kaera! Tumne Nexacom ka naam ek aise insaan ke saath joda jiska khud ka hotel ek crime scene bann ke reh gaya. A total massacre. Ek nakaam brand launch. Ek failure.
Phir se logo me fusfusahat shuru ho gayi. Veer chupchap khada raha. Kishore ab bhi jaari tha.
Kishore : Mein tumhare deal haath se nikalne se naraaz nahi. 10 billion dollars koi badi baat nahi. Aisi deals aati rahengi. Par… tumne company ko khatre me daala, ek aise insaan ke saath associate hokar jo tumhare aas-paas bhatakna bhi deserve nahi karta.
Kaera : N-No! Father!
Hall ke dusri taraf, Suhana ki mutthiyaan kass gayi. Jab usne Veer ko waha khade bina kisi bachaav ke har taane ko sunte dekha, toh uska jabda kass gaya. Gusse me. Glaani me. Gaurav uska haath zorr se thaame hue tha.
‘Stop,’ woh mann hi mann guhaar lagaayi. ‘Just stop.’
Paas hi Ava ka naqabposh chehra jhuka hua tha. Uski aankhein krodh me jal rahi thi, mutthi itni zorr se bhichi ki table me crack pad gaya. Kishore ka har shabd aisa lag raha tha jaise uske apne seene par ukera jaa raha ho. Woh abhi jaa ke Veer ke saamne uska kavach bann kar khadi ho jaati lekin-
Use ek darr tha ki kahi woh Veer ke matter me koi khalal na daal de.
Kaera ka badan kaanpa.
Kaera : He’s not-! Father stop it! Mein-
Kishore : ENOUGH!!!
*Silence*
Shabd ki goonj abhi khatam bhi nahi hui thi ki ek dusri awaaz ne tanaav ko cheer ke rakh diya.
“That’s right! Enough of this bullshit!”
Halki, mazakiya awaaz.
“Is that all you can do??”
Koi chalte hue aaya. Sabke sirr punaah ghoom gaye.
Garofano!!!
Woh aage aayi, chehre par koi dushmani nahi, koi darr nahi. Sirf confidence.
Kishore ahista se muda. Baaki sab bhi wahi kiye. Erica apni kursi se itni tezi se uthi ki uske peechhe ki kursi hi neeche gir gayi. Uth ke toh woh usi waqt jaana chaahti thi jab Kishore Veer ko suna raha tha, magar woh kuchh bhi gadbad nahi khadi karna chaahti thi. Uski aankhein Garofano, Kishore aur Veer ke beech ghoomne lagi.
‘Eh? Ehh? Ehhhhhhhhh???’
Uska dimaag chakra gaya. Yeh sab kya chal raha tha? Yeh toh script me nahi tha. Script me toh yeh tha ki Casa Belle me jaa kar ghusenge jaha Veer gaya hua hai aur corporate gala enjoy karenge. Phir, ye sab kya ho raha tha?
Usne tirchhi nazar se Ava ko dekha, jo khud confused magar alert khadi hui thi. Tabhi, ek awaaz Erica ko mann me sunaayi di.
[Just observe, Erica. Don’t interfere.]
‘G-Genie!?’
Erica ne haami bhari aur khud ko shaant kiya.
Garofano aage badhi. Uski high heels marble ke farsh par tuck-tuck ki awaaz kar rahi thi, har qadam sateek aur bina jadbaazi ke. Aisi chaal jis se lag raha tha ki use pata tha ki woh kya kar rahi hai, aur iska kya asar hoga.
Woh Kishore ke paas se guzri. Usne Kishore ki taraf balki dekha bhi nahi. Aur, uski itni himmat se hi bheed me halchal mach gayi.
Jab woh Veer ke saamne ruki, toh sabki nazrein uss par thi. Kuchh kshan ke liye usne Veer ko dekha, halki muskaan ke saath, jaise aas-paas ke log uske liye astitva me hi na ho.
Phir, woh mudi. aur , Kishore ko dekhi.
Garofano : You know, for someone who runs the biggest conglomerate in the country, your decision making is… quite questionable. *smiles*
Kishore ki bauhe dheere-dheere upar uthi. Uske chehre ke bhaav aise the jaise keh rahe ho ki-
Tumhe andaaza bhi hai tum kis se baat kar rahi ho?
Magar, Garofano ko koi farq na pada. Iski bajaaye woh wapas Veer ki orr mudi, aur apne haath mod ke khadi ho gayi.
Garofano (smiles) : Mister Veer, I saw your Yarnia collection. Before everything went… you know… explosive.
Veer : !!?
Garofano : That French designer. What was his name? Louis, right? Brilliant man. Very creative. Sharp cuts. Great designs.
Veer ne use ghoora.
‘Ab ye kya tumhari nayi chaal hai, Violet?’
Garofano : I liked the collection. A lot. *grins* Enough to remember it weeks later.
Veer (dheere se) : Get to the point, Violet.
Garofano (smiles) : So… if you don’t mind, I’d like to collaborate.
Hall me sabhi ki saansein atak gayi.
Garofano ne ek haath aage badhaaya.
Garofano : Ten million dollars. How’s that for a starter deal? *smiles*
Khamoshi. Sonia ki muskaan poori tarah se gaayab ho gayi. Uski aankhein phel gayi, hairanagi saaf jhalak rahi thi. Suhana ka bhi yahi haal tha.
Kaera bhi dhadalle se mudi, aankhein Garofano par sthit. Uske aam taur par bina bhaav waale chehre par bhi aashcharya saaf dikhayi diya.
Kishore ki teekhi nazrein bhi Veer aur Garofano par tik gayi. Woh hisaab laga raha tha, akhir ye sab chal kya raha tha? Kya ye videshi Garofano apna sarr kahi khambe me de maari thi kya? Yeh jaante hue bhi ki abhi-abhi ICONGLOBE ne uss vyakti ki wajah se deal cancel kari hai aur yeh usi vyakti se deal karna chaahti hai?
Ava aur Erica ko ab jaake samajh aaya ki yaha aane ka maqsad kya tha.
Garofano : What do you say, Mister Veer? Shall we make something beautiful together? *winks*
Cameras ke flashes phir se tezi se chamakne lage. Aur, inn sab ke beech, Veer khada tha.
Garofano ne haath aage badhaaya, Veer use zaroorat se zyada derr tak dekhta raha. Phir, muskuraaya. Aur, use akhir kar sab samajh aa gaya.
Jis raat woh China se laut raha tha, tab Garofano se Veer ne kuchh maanga tha. Uss raat-
"Aur, mera kya? Kya mujhse kuchh nahi maangna Veer? Akhir, tumne hi mera case solve karwaya tha. *grins*"
"Mein, jald hi apni clothing brand ko market me utaarne jaa raha hu. So... Will you collab with me?"
"Ek guest ki tarah request kar rahe ho ya ek dost ki tarah haq se order de rahe ho?"
"Ek dost ki tarah haq se poochh raha hu."
"Then... *smiles* consider it done!"
Yahi woh sanvaad tha. Aur, aaj woh uske saamne thi. Apni baat ko poora karte hue. Veer ne uska haath thaama.
Veer : Are you sure? *smiles* you want to do business with someone like me?
Poochhte waqt uski aankhein Kishore par ghoomi, ek prakaar ka taana.
Veer : Not exactly the most successful name in this hall, right?
Garofano ne Kishore ki taraf dekha bhi nahi. Woh muskuraayi.
Garofano : I don’t do business with only successful people. I do it with people having the potential to become successful.
Uska angutha ek kshan ke liye Veer ke haath me phira, ek tarah ka ishaara, jo kisi aur ko dikhaayi na diya.
Garofano : -And, you… are already full of it. *winks*
Veer ki muskaan aur gehri ho gayi.
Veer : Then we’re aligned.
Dono ne haath milaaya aur tabhi-
“Then, are you ready for some other deals as well, Mister… Veer!?”
Ek behad madhur awaaz hall ke shor ko cheerte hue goonji. Punaah sabhi ke sirr awaaz ki orr mud gaye. Ek khubsurat ladki aage badhte hue aayi aur usne apna haath apne chehre tak uthaate hue apna mask alag kar diya.
Aadhe second ke liye, logo ko samajh nahi aaya ki kya hua, ve sab kya dekh rahe the. Par, phir-
Poore hall me hairani ki awaazein phel gayi. Phone upar uthe, cameras ke flashes chamakne lage.
Natalia Martin urf Ava…!
Woh gaayab awaaz. Woh laapata singer aur celebrity jo achanak hi fame par aate hue media se gaayab ho gayi thi. Jiski gerr-maujoodagi ne charts, headlines, aur laakho fans ko pareshan kar rakha tha.
Woh… saamne khadi hui thi.
Jo use nahi jaante the, woh sabhi uski khubsurti se dang the, aur jo jaante the, unke liye toh saans theek se lena hi mushqil ho raha tha.
Ava, seedhe Veer ki orr badhi. Veer khud hairaan tha. Ava ne jaan-boojh kar apni identity chhipaayi thi, magar aaj usne yaha aise me-!? Use kuchh samajh nahi aa raha tha ki bhala inn ladkiyo ne milkar aur kya-kya plans bana rakhe the?
Kintu, hairaan hone waalo me se sabse zyada dang thi do streeyaan — Kaera aur Sonia.
Kaera jaha apni jagah par jami hui thi toh wahi Sonia ki saansein bhi atak ke reh gayi.
Ava?
Yaha?
Abhi?
Kaise?
Kyun?
Tamaam sawaal unke mann me umad aaye. Ava aise chal rahi thi jaise woh humesha se hi cameras me rehne ke liye bani ho. Har qadam napa-tula. Nazar sateek. Kamra apne aap uske liye raasta bana raha tha, jaise paani ki dhaar waali chhuri se ho kar guzar raha ho.
Woh Veer ke bagal me aa kar ruki.
Ava : Music videos need brands that speak without words. *smiles* My music label… tunecrafts… collaborates often. Lead artists. Background performers. Sabhi ko ek achhe clothing brand se selected garments hi pehnaaye jaate hai.
Veer : !!?
Ava : Maine Yarnia ko dekha hai. Mein yahi thi tab…! The designs. Textures. Fabrics. Everything seemed good. So… I want to collaborate.
Ava ne casually ek amount bataaya. Aur, khamoshi phir hall me chhaa gayi.
Ava : So? What do you say, Mister Veer?
Usne haath aage badhaaya. Veer ne ek gehri saans chhori, apna sirr hilaaya aur use dekh muskuraaya.
Do khubsurat ladies. Powerful. Rich. Use chun rahi thi. Sabke saamne. Use, jisey dekh kar ICONGLOBE ne Kaera se deal cancel kar di thi. Veer ne turant hi uska haath bhi thaam ke mila liya.
Kaera aur Sonia ke bhaavo ka varnan karna iss samay asambhav tha. ‘Hairani’ unke bhaav ki vyatha ko bataane ke liye ek behad hi chhota shabd tha.
Aur, aaj itne varsho ke baad, akhirkar-
Trinity… ek hi jagah par ek saath maujood thi. Kaera. Sonia. Aur… Ava.
“Ava…!?” Sonia ke muh se dheere-se nikla. Use yakeen nahi ho raha tha. Ava bhi jaise kuchh mehsoos kar uski orr mudi. Dono ki nazrein takraayi aur dono ke badan me sihran daud gayi.
Mann toh kar raha tha ki woh abhi jaa ke Ava ke galey se lag jaaye. Lekin, nahi! Ab ve bacchiyaan nahi thi. Kayi varsho ka antar aa chuka tha unke beech.
Ava ne phir Kaera ko dekha. Dono ki chhaati gehri saans lete hue upar uthi. Magar, tabhi-
Kaera mudi aur waha se jaane lagi.
“Kaera-!!!”
Uske pita ne use awaaz di, magar woh nahi ruki. Kishore ki aankhein achambhav me badi ho gayi.
“Dii…” Karan bebas bas apni didi ko jaata hua dekhta raha. Kishore ke khade rehte, uski waha se hilne ki himmat hi nahi hui.
Aur, use iss tarah se jaata dekh, Veer ke qadam apne aap chal padey. Veer ko Kaera ka peechha karta dekh, Ava ke dil me bhi dard utha, magar woh apni jagah se nahi hili.
Kishore (yells) : Veeeeeeer!!! Khabardaar agar-
Magar, Kishore ki chetaavni ansuni hi reh gayi, kyunki Veer ne peechhe mudkar nahi dekha, woh aage nikal chuka tha.
Kishore (yells) : Raghu!!! Jassi!!
Uske chillaate hi dono hi Raghu aur Jassi saamne aa gaye. “Ji Sir!”
Jawaab dete hi ve turant hi aage badhe. Kuchh poochhne ki zaroorat hi nahi thi. Ve jaante the ki unhe kya karna tha. Unki aankhon ne pehle hi Kaera ko hall ki entrance se baahar nikalte dekh liya tha. Dono bodyguards mudey aur baahar nikalne ke liye badhe, lambe-lambe qadam, chehre par koi bhaav nahi.
Kaera chalti rahi, hall se baahar aayi, lobby me aur lobby se hote hue woh baahar nikal gayi. Uski chaal abhi bhi tez thi. Aur, usne mudkar peechhe tak nahi dekha.
“Shit-!!!” Veer chinta me dauda, uske qareeb pahuch hi raha tha jab achanak hi-
*Grasp*
“Huh?”
Uski kalaayi hawa me hi kisi ne pakad li. Veer ruka. Use pakda hua aadmi uske bilkul nazdeek khada tha, lagbhag kandhe se kandha milaakar, ekdum bagal se. Dono ka munh alag-alag dishaon me tha, jaise ve ajnabi ho jo galti se ek-dusre se takra gaye ho.
Woh aadmi haule se aage jhuka aur dheere se bola.
"Uss raat... Hotel Prestige me attack ke dauraan, ek aur incident hua tha. Abduction ka. Wo underground lair... Zameen ke neeche... Do masoom nanhi bacchiyaan... Jinhe bacha kar koi police ko saunpa tha. Ek naujavan. Woh... Tum hi the. Hai na?"
Veer ki reedh me thandi sihran daud gayi. Uski nazrein apne bagal me ghoomi aur usne dekha-
Rohan!!!
'Shit-!!'
State ka DGP. Aankhon me tej. Istree ki hui wardi. Use bataane ki bhi zaroorat nahi thi ki woh kis authority par baitha hua tha.
Veer ke chehre ke haav-bhaav nahi badle. Usne apne aap ko qaabu me rakha. Usne dheere se apni kalaayi peechhe kheenchne ki koshish ki.
"Lagta hai aapko koi galat-fehmi hui hai, Sir." Veer ne shaant awaaz me kaha. "Koi bhala kyu bina credit ke hero ka kaam karega?"
Woh muskuraaya. Lekin, Rohan ki ungliyaan aur adhik kass gayi. Itni zorr se nahi ki dard ho, magar chetaavni dene ke liye kaafi.
"Galtiyaan unn logo se hoti hai jo teh tak nahi jaate. Aur, mein... aisa nahi hu. Khaaskar tab jab meri apni beti isme shaamil ho."
---
Kuchh din pehle...
Rohan ne ek police officer ko uski collar se pakad ke deewar se sata rakha tha.
"Mein tumhe ek aur mauka deta hu." Woh gusse se gurraaya, uski aankhein jal rahi thi. "Aur, iss baar jhooth bolne ki galti mat karna."
"S-Sir-!" Police waala haklaaya, uske maathe se paseena beh raha tha, "W-Woh-!"
Rohan ne vinamrata se pehle iss mudde par baat-cheet karna chaaha tha. Magar, jab seedhi ungli se ghee na nikle, toh ungli tedhi karni hi padti hai.
Trisha ke sang ke police officers jab muh nahi khol rahe the toh Rohan ko akhirkar yeh tareeka apnaana pada. Aur, jab baat apni wardi par aa jaaye toh koi bhi police waala nahi chaahega ki woh apni wardi khoye.
Rohan ne uss police karmi ko aur zorr se dhakka diya.
"Jhooth bolne se tumhari wardi nahi bachegi officer. Iss se pehle ki mein official karyavaahi karu, sach sach batao sab. Kaun tha uss raat? Kitne log the?"
Police waala darrte hue haami bhara. "K-Koi team nahi thi, Sir. Koi unit nahi. B-Bas... Bas ek ladka."
"Sirf ek!?"
"H-Haan, Sir! Sirf ek. Dono bacchiyo ko usne utha rakha tha. A-Aapki beti Pihu ko usne madam Trisha ke haatho me saunpa aur phir-"
"Aur, phir???"
"Hum sabhi ne use jaane se rokna chaaha lekin... Lekin madam Trisha ne humein mana kar diya."
Rohan ne uski collar ki pakad thodi dheeli ki. "Kaun!? Kaun tha woh?"
"Woh... Woh-"
"Jawaab do!"
"Veer Singh!"
Sunte hi Rohan ki aankhein chaudi ho gayi.
"Ek naujavan ladka. Wahi Veer Singh jiske hotel par usi raat attack hua tha, Sir. Uske pehle bhi woh charcha me tha. France se jab woh sahi salamat laut ke aaya tha, tab news me chhaaya hua tha. Wahi hai woh-!"
Rohan ne uss police karmi ko chhora aur seedhe apni beti ke paas gaya. Use kuchh confirm karna tha.
Woh apni beti, Pihu ke saamne baitha, uski awaaz ekdum narm thi. "Pihu, beta-! Beta papa ko ek baat bataana zara. Uss raat aapko wo ganda badmaash utha ke le gaya tha na!? Uss raat aapko kaun bacha ke laaya tha?"
Yeh sawaal Rohan apni bitiya se kayi baar poochh chuka tha, parantu har baar Pihu aise dikhaati jaise use kuchh pata hi na ho. Woh humesha naa me sirr hila diya karti thi. Rohan jaanta tha ki Trisha ne Pihu ko kuchh bhi bataane ke liye mana kiya hua tha.
Lekin, ab uske paas ek clue tha.
Pihu abhi bhi khamosh thi. Dheere se woh naa me sirr hila di. Tabhi, Rohan ne apna paitra aazmaaya.
"Beta! Agar aap mujhe bataogi na ki woh kaun tha toh mein aapko aapki new friend Juhi aur unse milwaane le chalunga."
Pihu hairaan reh gayi. Woh apni jagah par uchhal padi. Uski aankhon me chamak aa gayi. "S-Sacchi papa?"
"Haan beta! Zaroor!"
"Wo... Wo... Wo Veer bhaiya the, papa. Juhi ke papa hai wo." Aur, usne ek baar me sab ugal diya.
Sunte hi Rohan ki saans atak gayi. Iska matlab... police officer sahi tha.
"Veer Singh...!" Woh budbudaya.
---
Aur, aaj wahi Veer Singh uske bagal se khada tha.
Veer ne bina palkein jhapkaaye mud ke Rohan ki aankhon me dekha.
"Aur, agar... woh mein hi tha toh-!?? Toh kya?" Veer ne dheere se poochha. Ek ajeeb sa aura uske ird-gird fel gaya jisey Rohan ne bhi mehsoos kiya. Uski paini nazar Rohan ki rooh me ghus ke ghoor rahi thi.
Rohan ne ek kshan ke liye use dekha aur phir, kalaayi chhor di. Uska haath Veer ke kandhe par aaya aur dheere se thap-thapaaya.
"Toh badhayi ho, Mister Veer!" Woh bola. "You are officially under surveillance."
Aur, itna bol Rohan waha se aage badh gaya. Veer ne use jaate hue dekha. Tabhi, use dhyaan aaya ki woh Kaera ka peechha kar raha tha.
'Shit!'
Woh bhaaga, apni tez raftaar me. Kaera hotel ke baahar nikal chuki thi. Woh parking lot ki orr badh rahi thi. Raghu aur Jassi bhi lobby se daud kar baahar nikal kar aaye.
Kaera bina ruke aage badhti jaa rahi thi.
"Kaeraaaaaa-!!!"
Jab ek tez awaaz uss tak pahuchi. Aur, Kaera wahi ruk gayi. Isliye nahi ki kisi ne bhi awaaz di.
Isliye kyunki, Veer ne awaaz di.
Isliye, kyunki usne use uske naam se bulaaya.
Miss nahi. Ma'am nahi. Sirf... Kaera.
Woh dheere-se saans chhori aur mudi. Woh muskuraayi par kahi na kahi uss muskaan ke peechhe kuchh aur bhi chhipa tha.
Kaera : Toh... Akhirkar tumne mujhe bina honorifics ke bulaana seekh hi liya, hmm!?
Veer ne koi jawab nahi diya. Woh khada raha, kandhe taney hue, mutthiyaan bhinchi hui.
Veer : I... I'm so sorry!
Kaera : ...!?
Veer : Yeh sab kuchh... Meri wajah se hua. Mujhe waha nahi hona chaahiye tha. Aur, iss wajah se tumhe... *glances* Tumhe apne pita se rishte kharaab karne ki zaroorat nahi. Meri wajah se toh bilkul bhi nahi. Mein-
Kaera ne apna haath uthaaya, aur use chup rehne ka ishaara kiya. Veer turant hi shaant ho gaya. Woh aur qareeb aayi. Aur, phir Veer ne dekha. Kaera ki aankhein... namm thi.
'Huh??'
Nahi. Yeh namumkin tha. Kaera ki aankhein namm!? Veer ne kabhi use rote hue nahi dekha tha. Ek akhiri baar jab usne Kaera ko aise dekha tha toh woh Mirror Gallery ke waqt tha. Jab uski haalat dekh Kaera poori tarah se darr gayi thi.
Parking lot se lagi jhaadiyo ke peechhe do parchhaaiyaan jhuki hui thi.
Raghu aage jhuka, nazara dekh uski aankhein fati ki fati reh gayi. Woh uthne ke liye khada hua.
Raghu : Oi, oi, oi... Ye Veer aur miss ke beech akhir chal kya raha hai!?
Jassi ne uski collar ke peechhe se pakda aur use kheench kar wapas peechhe jhaadiyo me kheench liya.
Jassi : Pagla gaya hai kya? Kya kar raha hai?
Raghu : Mein kya kar raha hu? Abey tu kya kar raha hai? Bhale hi hum use jaante hai par uska miss ke itna paas rehna aur- agar uske iraade kuchh aur ho toh?
Jassi : Usne miss ko Slogan ke changul se bachaaya tha. Bhool gaya saale? Club waali raat bhool gaya?
Raghu : Abey mein jaanta hu. Par... Insaan ke iraade badal bhi toh sakte hai na? Aur, tu hi toh kehta hai na humesha ki humein kisi par bhi aankh band kar ke bharosa nahi karna chaahiye.
Jassi ne apni jacket thodi-si upar uthaayi taaki uski kamar ke andar khusa tranquilizer use dikhayi de.
Jassi : Agar, uske iraade zara se bhi badle toh ye hai mere paas. Ab khush?
Raghu ne use bemann se aur gusse se dekha.
Raghu : Hmph! Mujhe abhi bhi woh kuchh khaas pasand nahi.
Jassi (smiles) : Par, miss ko shayad hai.
Raghu : Sapne me. Hmph!
Jassi : Bas chupchap dekh.
Kaera ne Veer ko beech me hi rok use dekha. Aaj woh behad kamzor lag rahi thi.
Kaera : Shayad aaj mujhe samajh aaya thoda bahut, Veer.
Veer : !!?
Kaera : -ki sabse zyada taqleef kab hoti hai.
Usne dheemi awaaz me kaha, control karne ke bawajood uski awaaz kaanp rahi thi.
Kaera : Deal ka haath se nikal jaana... Yes... Unfortunate tha. Lekin, Ruchika ka mere hone ke baad bhi... Father ko sab kuchh bata dena, mujhe uss se bhi zyada bura laga.
Veer : !!
Kaera : Anyways. I get it now. Lekin... Mujhe tumse kuchh jaanana hai.
Veer : Huh?
Kaera : Tell me... Tum aaj raat yaha kya kar rahe the?
Veer thitak ke reh gaya.
Kaera : I'm not stupid, Veer. Without invitation, yaha aise gala me aana next to impossible hai. Unless... agar kisi ki backing ho. Aur, tumhari Aadesh Jaisinghani se purani history rahi hai. Bina support ke andar aana, lagbhag namumkin hai.
Woh uske aur qareeb aayi.
Kaera : So, tell me... Who backed you?
Veer ka muh khula. Par, kuchh nahi nikla. Woh bhala kaise Suhana ka naam le sakta tha?
Kaera Veer ki aankhon me hi jhaank rahi thi jab achanak hi uski aankhein Veer ke peechhe driveway ke paas deewar ke peechhe ek hilti hui aakriti par dhoke se chali gayi.
Ek aurat deewar ke peechhe chhipi hui thi. Dekh rahi thi. Aur, tabhi-
Dono ki aankhein ek dusri se takraayi. Woh aurat ghabraayi aur ek jhatke me wapas deewar ke peechhe chhup gayi.
Kaera ki aankhein achambhav me fel gayi.
Kaera (mutters) : Su..ha...na...!?
Aur, Veer kaanp utha. Bhala kaise? Kaera ko kaise-? Woh peechhe muda. Uske sense alert ho gaye. Aur, use abhaas hua ki waqai deewar ke peechhe koi chhipa hua tha.
'Shit!'
Yaha tak ki use Raghu aur Jassi ki presence bhi feel ho gayi.
Jab woh wapas se Kaera ki orr muda toh ek aur jhatka use laga. Woh murti ki tarah wahi jamm gaya.
Kaera ki aankhon se... jhar-jhar kar aasu beh rahe the. Usne apne nichle honth ko itni zorr se kaata ki khoon nikal aaya. Ve thar-thara uthe.
Kaera : I get it now! Toh isliye-
Veer : Kaera...!
Kaera aise hi nahi itni shreshtha thi. Bas, Suhana ki ek jhalak... aur use samajh aa chuka tha ki Veer ko back karne waala insaan kaun tha.
Kyu Veer yaha aaya tha. Kyu Veer uske saath baithne ko raazi hua. Kyu yeh deal uske haatho se nikli. Kyu yeh deal Sonia ko mili. Aur, kyu Suhana... waha deewar ke peechhe chhup ke ye sab dekh rahi thi.
Kaera : KYU?
Bas ek sawaal. Uski awaaz poochhte hue kaanp rahi thi. Kyu? Kyu kiya akhir Veer ne uske saath aisa? Kya Suhana ke liye? Ya Sonia ke liye?
Veer ne jawaab dene ki koshish ki, magar uska gala roondh gaya. Peechhe jhaadiyo me chhipe Raghu aur Jassi bhi hairaan the. Unhe yakeen nahi ho raha tha ki unki miss aasu baha rahi thi.
Raghu : M-Miss ro rahi hai? Ye... Ye namumkin hai. Mein iss Veer ko chhorunga nahi. Isne miss ko-
Jassi : Shhh!
Aur, tabhi Kaera haule se hassne lagi. Par, ye hassi ruwasi waali hi thi. Na hi naram, na hi khushmijaaz. Tooti hui hassi.
Kaera ko hassta dekh Raghu aur Jassi baukhla gaye. Yeh unki miss hi thi ya koi aur?
Raghu : Behanchod chal kya raha hai?
Jassi : Halla nahi. Shh!
Kaera Veer ke paas aayi. Bahut zyada qareeb.
Usne upar haath badhaaya, Veer ki tie pakdi, aur use halka-sa neeche kheencha. Gusse aur dukh se kaanpti awaaz me usne poochha.
Kaera : TELL ME, VEEEER!!! HOW ARE YOU GOING TO REPAY THIS... LOSS!?
Veer ki dhadkane tez ho gayi. Saans atak ke reh gayi. Kaera ki nazdeeki ne jaise uske fefdo se hawa chheen li thi. Uske badan ki khushbu, uske jism ki garmahat, uski garm saansein aur aankhein laal, aasuon se bhari hui.
Unn aankhon me toofaan tha. Kaise iski bharpaayi karega? Veer ke paas iske liye koi shabd nahi the.
Kaera ne uski tie ko apni kalaayi me ek baar lapeta.
Veer : !!?
Veer ka chehra uske qareeb aaya. Phir, Kaera ne ek aur baar tie ko apni kalaayi par lapeta. Teesri baar. Chauthi baar. Aur, har baar woh aisa karte hue Veer ko apni orr kheechte chali gayi.
Veer ki aankhein achraj me felti chali gayi.
Kaera : Agar, tumhare paas jawaab nahi... Then, I'll decide.
Woh fusfusayi. Aur, phir-
Usne tie kheench di. Zorr se.
Veer ke honth... uske hontho se takra baithe. Aur, duniya jaise uske liye wahi tham gayi.
*Badump*
Raghu : Iski maa ki ch-
Raghu baukhla gaya. Jassi ne turant hi uske muh par haath rakha.
Raghu : Mmm! Nnn! Mmll!!
Jassi : Kuchh nahi dekha tumne. Kuchh nahi!
Usne kehte hue apne dusre haath se uski aankhein bhi band kar di. Raghu Jassi ke haath me hi cheenkh maarta reh gaya.
Jassi : Bhosdike hilna band kar warna tranquilizer teri hi gaand me pel dunga. Shhh!
Jassi ne keh toh diya par uski khud ki haalat kharaab thi. Yeh pehli baar tha jab uski miss ne kisi ladke ko-
Jassi : Maine bhi kuchh nahi dekha.
Kehte hue usne aankhein band kar li.
Magar, udhar deewaar ke peechhe-
Suhana ko jaise saanp soongh gaya. Uska muh khula ka khula reh gaya. Uski chhaati andar dhasti chali gayi. Achanak itna tez dard uske dil me utha jaise maano kisi ne sui buri tarah se chubho di ho.
Uski ungliyaan uski dress me gadd gayi, mutthi seene par aise bhinchi jaise maano koi uska jee chura ke le jaa raha ho.
Uski aankhein aasuon se bhar gayi. Usne apne honth zorr se kaate aur waha se bhaag uthi.
Kaera ne kass ke Veer ko kheencha hua tha. Hontho ke beech ka yuddh kuchh kshan tak chalta gaya.
Ek pal ke liye awaazein gaayab ho gayi. Raushni maddham pad gayi. Aur, vartmaan paani me kisi syaahi ki tarah ghul gaya.
---
Kuchh din pehle...
Kaera apne sheeshe ke saamne kursi par baithi hui thi. Julia uske theek peechhe khadi hokar, apne haatho se uske baal bana rahi thi.
Kaera : Julia!?
Usne achanak hi pukaara. Julia beech me ruki.
Julia : Yes, miss?
Par, phir wapas se brush se uske baal banaane lagi. Kaera abhi bhi sheeshe me hi dekh rahi thi.
Kaera : Kya tumne kabhi... Kabhi kisi ko kiss kiya hai?
Aur, Julia ka brush wahi ruk gaya. Usne palkein jhapkaayi, phir dheere-se hassi.
Julia : Kiss? Ye toh bada hi unexpected question tha, miss fufu~
Kaera : Toh, iska matlab haan hai, hai na?
Julia (smiles) : Yes, miss. I have. Bas, kuchh hi baar.
Kaera : Oh!? Who???
Julia ki nazrein mazakiya andaaz me sheeshe par phiri.
Julia : You are terrible at respecting people's privacy, miss fufu~
Kaera : Mein sirf poochh rahi thi. Force nahi kiya.
Julia : Aapka poochhna bhi kisi order ki tarah lagta hai, miss.
Usne haar maante hue ek aah bhari.
Julia : Fine. I'll tell you, miss. Jab mein Russia me thi, tab maine kuchh ladko ko date kiya tha.
Kaera : Kiya tha!? Past tense. Matlab abhi tum single ho, right? Kyu? Kya hua?
Julia (smiles) : Right! Kyunki, unme se koi bhi husband material nahi tha, miss. And, that's why... I'm here. With you. And, yes. Single.
Kaera ne uski baat ko samajhte hue haami bhari.
Kaera : Toh... Toh kaisa tha?
Julia : Hmm? Kaisa kya tha?
Kaera : Wahi... Kisi ko... Kisi ko kiss karna. How did it feel?
Aaeene me, uski nazrein apne hontho par chali gayi. Julia muskurayi, jaise usa sab pata ho, woh aur qareeb aayi, awaaz narm aur saansein garm thi.
Julia (whispers) : It's a very beautiful feeling, miss.
Kaera ki ungliyaan apni dress ke kinaare me kass gayi.
Kaera : J-Jaise-!?
Julia aur qareeb aayi, uske honth Kaera ke kaan ke paas the.
Julia : Aap khud hi try kar ke kyun nahi dekhti, miss? Aapko pata lag jaayega.
Kaera shaant ho gayi.
Kaera : Try...!? Mein khud-!?
Julia (smiles) : Yes!
Kaera : Par... Mujhe nahi pata ki kaise-
Julia hassi.
Julia : Fufufu~ It's very simple.
Kaera : Simple?
Julia (whispers) : Just seal your lips with your partner.
Kaera : S-Seal the lips... Aur, phir?
Julia : Fir, baaki sab *smiles* Apne aap ho jaata hai.
Woh kehte hue seedhi hui aur wapas se Kaera ke baal banaane me lag gayi.
Kaera (budbudate hue) : A-Apne aap..!?
Julia : When you do kiss someone... Don't forget to tell me how it felt, miss.
Kaera ne bas dheere se apna sirr hila diya.
---
Kaera ne apni kiss todi. Woh achanak peechhe hatt gayi. Uski saansein tez thi. Usne apni kaanpti hui ungliyon se apne hontho ko chhua, jaise mehsoos kar rahi ho ki ve abhi bhi wahi hai ya nahi.
Uski nazrein Veer ke hontho par gayi. Phir, uski aankhon par. Uske chehre par ek aisa bhaav aaya jisey padhna mushqil tha.
Kaera (smirks) : Pata chal gaya...!
Veer : Huh?
Kaera (mutters) : Magnetic!!!
Iss se pehle ki woh rok paati, shabd uske muh se nikal gaya.
Veer ne apni ukhdi saans chhori, khud ko sambhaalne ki koshish karte hue. Uska dil itni zorr se dhadak raha tha jaise maano dil apni lay hi bhool gaya ho.
Veer : K-Kya matlab?
Usne hairaani me poochha. Kya magnetic?
Kaera bas muskuraayi. Kuchh alag hi khatarnak dhang se. Usne apna haath uske seene par rakha, aur use dheere se peechhe dhakel diya.
Veer : Wh-What!? K-Kaera...?
Kaera : You owe me one tonight, Veer. And, you have to tell me. Who was that girl. Mein tumse baad me poochhungi. Yaad rakhna. *smirks*
Veer avaak reh gaya. Kaera ko abhi tak Erica ko lekar woh baat yaad thi?
Aur, bas itna bol, woh palat gayi. Woh apni car ki taraf chal padi. Awaaz reh gayi toh bas uski heels ki jo zameen par takraate hue shor karti chali gayi.
Use jaata dekh, Raghu aur Jassi turant hi dusre raaste se uski orr bhaage.
Aur, sab kuchh shaant pad gaya. Reh gaya toh sirf Veer.
Hairaan.
Bhramit.
Aur-
Aakarshit.
'Goddamn!'
---
Hotel ki lobby ke andar, Suhana ladkhadaate hue aage badhi, uski saans phool rahi thi, aasuon ke chalte uski nazar dhundhli ho chuki thi.
Tabhi-
"Dii...??"
Sonia uski taraf bhaagte hue aayi. Apne haatho se uske kandho ko usne thaama.
Sonia : Dii??? Aap yaha kya kar rahi ho?
Sonia ki khud ki aankhon me bhi aasu the. Suhana ka rota chehra dekh use laga ki shayad uski behan bhi uski qamyaabi par khush thi. Aur, isliye woh use pakad zorr zorr se hilaate hue chehek uthi.
Sonia : Dii... I won. Mein jeet gayi. I finally won dii!! I can't believe it. I finally won. I got the biggest deal of my life.
Suhana ne uski taraf dekha. Ab aasu aur tezi se behne lage. Usne dheere se apna sirr hilaaya.
Suhana : N-No... Sonu... *sniff* You didn't win.
Sonia : Huh!?
Sonia ki muskaan feeki pad gayi.
Sonia : D-Dii? Y-Ye aap kya keh rahi ho?
Suhana : You lost, Sonu! *sniff* YOU LOST THE BIGGEST DEAL OF YOUR LIFE.
Kehte hue woh peechhe hatt gayi.
Suhana (sobs) : AND SO DID I-!! *sniff*
Iske pehle ki Sonia kuchh samajh paati, bol paati, Suhana mudi aur rote-rote hi bhaagti chali gayi, apni chhoti behan ko waha hairaan, pareshaan khada chhorte hue.
Sonia ke kaano me jashn ka shor achanak hi gaayab ho gaya. Woh, apni jagah par jami reh gayi.
Vismay me. Bhay me.
***
Iss orr corporate gala ki vilasita se koso dur Veer ke ghar me ek alag hi mahaul bana hua tha.
Ghar par ek aadmi, uski patni, uska beta aur bahu sofe par virajman the.
Aur, unn sab ke saamne Bhavna, Shweta, Bhumika aur Tej maujood thi. Unn sabke chehre ka rang uda hua tha, khaas kar Tej ka.
Tej : K-Kya kaha aapne? Aap kisliye aaye hai?
Aadmi : Beta, hum apni beti ka rishta leke aaye hai aapke bhai, Veer ke liye. Humaari beti... Shreya bitiya ka rishta.
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Aaj ke liye itna hi guys.
This update consists of 11.2k words. This marks the end of the whole corporate gala scene. Next update se focus Suhana ke b'day par rahega. I'll finish that in 2 updates as well. Ya agar ho paaya toh, ek me hi nipta dunga. Sab kuchh samet dunga (If possible.)
Iss update me kaafi jhanjhat hui mujhe kyunki, illness bhi thi aur phir itne characters waala update. I hope I did justice to it. Sabhi ke reactions hopefully maine qaid kiye honge. Btw, Veer's Aura farming has just begun (A hint.) After changing his way of approaching, Veer was surprisingly very calm here. The reasons : Kaera and Suhana.
Sirf kuchh hi updates baaki hai. I mentioned that by the end of this arc Veer's relationship will be established. (I think you guys can take the hint now.) Baaki, aaj ke liye itna hi guys.
Dhanyavad.
Bhai veer jaisi situation agar mera galti se bhi koi dushman ho toh usko bhi na aaye dost toh bahot door ki baat hein, ek saath itni chahne vaali woh bhi ek dusre se connected
Or baaki reh gaya tha toh last mein shreya ke ghar vaale veer ke liye rista leke aaye hein.
Kya hoga bichare veer ka ? Ladies ke bich mein fasta hi ja raha hein.
Bhagwan bachaye usko....,
Yeh update aisa hein ki tsunami, earthquake, twister, heavy rain sab ek city mein ek saath aaya ho.....!
Keep Smiling.....!
Last edited:
Silent lover
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Super updateUpdate - 209 ~ The Corporate Gala — ICONGLOBE (2)
Ab tak...
‘Haan haan! Bolo!’
[Mein bas ye bataane ke liye aayi thi ki-]
‘??’
[Ava ne bhi Kaera aur Sonia ki tarah red dress pehni hai. Good luck.]
*Ding*
[The system has gone into sleep mode.]
‘Fuuuuuucccckkkkkkk!!’
Ab aage...
Kya kabhi socha hai ki agar kisi vyakti ko ek se adhik chaahne waali streeyaan ek hi jagah par ekatrit ho jaaye, toh kya hoga?
Shaanti ke alaawa sab kuchh.
Ava, Garofano aur Erica ka Hotel Casa Belle me chal rahe iss Corporate Gala me pravesh karna kisi yuddh ki ghoshna se kam nahi tha. Veer ki haalat kisi junglee sher ke pinjre me feke gaye lakadbaghhe ki tarah thi, jo bhaagna toh chaahta tha, magar bhaag nahi sakta tha.
Erica, Veer ko dekh aise muskura rahi thi jaise koi teenager school fest me apne crush ko dekh kar muskurati hai. Yeh toh Kaera ne bhi swayam dekha tha.
Kaera : Hey! Tumne bataya nahi? That girl… Woh tumhe aise kyu ghoor rahi hai? Tum dono ek dusre ko jaante ho?
Veer ne muh khola, lekin koi awaaz nahi nikli. Aur, bhala bolta bhi kya? Shukr ho, ICONGLOBE ka, jinke Mr. Ward turant hi bol pade.
Mr. Ward : Miss Kaera! Shall we proceed?
Kaera ne Veer ki taraf se muh fera, maano Erica se jude sawaal ko baad me poochhne ke liye rakh diya ho.
Kaera (nods) : Of course!
Mr. Ward : The commotion was… unexpected haha.
Kaera (smiles) : It’s India, Mr. Ward! Here, the unexpected is normal.
Mr. Ward : Sure thing hahaha!
Normal? Agar, Veer se iss paristhiti ke baare me poochha jaaye toh uske muh se shayad yahi niklega ki - lawde ka normal hai. Yaha normal jaisa kuchh bhi nahi tha. Woh toh bas apni kursi par dhasta jaa raha tha. Aur, Erica? Erica poora lutf utha rahi thi.
Woh aate-jaate starters ko khaati, agal-bagal baithe logo se baatein karti, har thodi derr me Veer ko dekh muskurati, haath hilaati aur logo ka dhyaan uss par kendrit kar deti.
‘Damn it!’
Veer mann hi mann kheej utha. Iss waali Pari ki speciality hi uski intelligence thi, magar Pari khud hi sleep mode me jaa chuki thi, jaise kehna chaah rahi ho ki iss musibat se tum khud hi nipto.
Mr. Ward : We have already discussed with Miss Sonia, let’s be very clear Miss Kaera, what are you offering? Because ICONGLOBE will only partner with those who give us not only the best deal but best results along with a secured innovative vision.
Kaera (leans in) : I agree, Mr. Ward. Nexacom doesn’t plan to enter the automotive sector as a follower. If we step in, we step in with technology that changes the manufacturing curve entirely.
Mr. Ward : Such as?
Ruchika, jo abhi bhi thoda ghabrayi hui thi, woh mauka dekh apna tab dikhaate hue aage aayi.
Ruchika : Nexacom has the best tech all over India, Sir. You can see the numbers here. With our collaboration, we can shake the whole automobile sector. ICONGLOBE will provide the internal parts, and we will assemble them with our tech. Imagine the vehicles we can design…! We are also very actively working on AI.
Mr. Ward : Oh? I mean, it’s for sure that Nexacom is better in tech when compared to ELITE Motors. But what about the functioning? Factories? Manufacturing? Staff? Workers? ELITE motors have all of that…! How will you tackle that?
Kaera : We will establish!
Mr. Ward (smiles) : And, it will take time.
Kaera : Yes!
Ek thehraav. Mr. Ward Kaera ko dekhte rahe aur Kaera bina jhijak ke aatmavishvas ke saath baithi uttar de rahi thi.
Mr. Ward : And, you are serious about this?
Kaera : I wouldn’t have been here otherwise, right Mr. Ward!? *smiles*
ICONGLOBE ko chahiye thi ek aisi company jo turant ke turant unhe market me utaar sake. Aur, yeh kaam ELITE Motors se behatreen aur koi nahi kar sakta tha, kyunki ve khud hi market me top position par the.
Wahi Nexacom iss industry me abhi qadam rakh rahi thi. Unke paas factories, employees, jaisi cheezein abhi nahi thi jo ek automobile sector me lagti thi. Inhe set karne me samay lagne waala tha.
Lekin, Kaera ki best bet yahi thi. Woh iss se adhik aur kuchh bhi offer nahi kar sakti thi. Bas, intezar hi kar sakti thi ki kaash ICONGLOBE uske vision aur uski legacy ko dekh yeh deal use dede.
Idhar Kaera aur Mr. Ward aapas me baat karne me lage hue the aur udhar se Erica Veer ke mazey le rahi thi. Garofano bhi kuchh guests ke sang vartalaap me lag gayi. Bhala use kaun nahi jaanta tha? Uski maujoodgi yaha baaki companies ke liye ek sunehre awsar me badal chuki thi.
Aur, Ava? Woh apna mask pehni, shaant, ek kone me murti ki tarah khadi hui thi. Uski nigaahein Sonia aur Kaera par fir rahi thi.
Kabhi inhi dono ke sang wo bachpan me khela karti thi, aaj wahi dono aapas me ek deal ko lekar ladd rahi thi. Kya hoga jab unhe pata chalega ki trinity ka ek hissa unke sang yahi maujood tha?
Uski nazrein fir Veer par tik gayi. Veer ne bhi jaise use abhaas hote hi dekha. Uske mann me bas yahi vichaar chal raha tha ki bhala ye sab yaha kyu aayi hui thi?
Ava ki nazrein narm pad gayi, uski aankhein thodi namm ho chali. Veer ko toh woh baad me samjha sakti hai, lekin Kaera aur Sonia ka kya? Kya ve dono use ab bhi apna dost maanti hai?
‘What are they planning?’
Veer ne mann hi mann socha.
‘Erica ko dekh ke lagta hai jaise use kisi ne behka ke yaha aane ke liye manaaya ho. She looks happy. She’s fucking enjoying it. Ava…! Kyu??’
Uski nigaahein Ava par tiki.
‘Kya tum yaha kahi… Sonia aur Kaera ke liye toh nahi-!?’
Usne ek-ek jhalak Kaera aur Sonia ki orr bhi dekha.
‘But then… Violet…!’
Aur, ant me usne Garofano ko dekha jo kuchh companies ke owners ke sang baat kar rahi thi.
‘No wonder…! Ye plan zaroor tumhara hi hoga. But why here? Looking for a collaboration with other companies?’
Veer haule se muskuraaya.
‘Right! Akhirkar, sabki sab businesswomen hai. Ye opportunity bhala kaise chhor sakti hai? *sighs*I hope ye bas koi problem na create kar de. Mein already koi achhi situation me nahi hu.’
Dur se Suhana bhi Veer ki table ki orr hi nazrein gadaaye baithi hui thi. Woh soch rahi thi ki akhir Veer bhala kya karega? Kaise ye deal Sonia ko dilwaane me madad karega? Agar, Veer naqamyab bhi hota hai toh bhi woh hairaan nahi hone waali thi. Kyunki, uski ye demand hi vichitr thi.
Idhar Kaera aur Mr. Ward aapas me baat kar rahe the ki tabhi, Mr. Ward ka secretary kisi parchhaayi ki tarah peechhe se aaya, thoda jhuka aur unke kaan me kuchh fusfusaana shuru kar diya.
Mr. Ward ne Kaera par se nazrein nahi hataayi. Unhone suna. Aur, jaise-jaise woh sab kuchh sunn rahe the, unki nazrein Veer par sthit hoti chali gayi. Veer ne ye turant hi bhaanp liya.
Uska posture akad kar seedha ho gaya. Na chaahte hue bhi uske senses apne kaam par lag gaye. Jo Mr. Ward ke alaawa kisi ko bhi nahi sunaayi de raha tha, woh Veer ne sunn liya. Aur, utna kaafi tha yeh jaanane ke liye ki aage kya hone waala tha.
“So, that’s it! I see!”
Mr. Ward haami bharte hue sirr hilaaye aur apni ungliyon ke halke ishaare se apne secretary ko jaane ka ishaara kiya. Woh akad kar seedhe baithe aur apne dono haath saamne table par rakhte hue Kaera ko dekhe. Kuchh derr pehle ka dostaana corporate andaaz ab unke andar se gaayab ho chuka tha.
Mr. Ward : Ms. Kaera! I’d like to ask a few questions. I expect honest answers.
Kaera ki bauhe pal bhar ke liye tann gayi.
Kaera : Proceed!
Mr. Ward ki nazrein phir se Veer par gayi, aur phir wapas se Kaera par.
Mr. Ward : Care to explain who this gentleman is, Ms. Kaera?
Unhone Veer ke baare me poochha. Veer ne ek gehri saans li. Sawaal aa chuka tha. Usne jawaab dene ke liye apna muh khola ki tabhi-
Kaera : He’s... Veer Singh! Mister Veer Singh!
Parantu, Kaera ne uss se pehle hi uttar de diya. Uski awaaz shaant thi.
Kaera : A young entrepreneur.
Mr. Ward (nods) : And, what business does Mr. Veer run?
Kaera ne ek jhalak Veer ki orr dekha. Veer se uski nazrein mili. Woh kuchh soch rahi thi. Phir, wapas se woh Mr. Ward ki orr mudi.
Kaera : I think this is disrespectful, Mr. Ward, you know… to ask about him from me when he’s sitting right here. Your questions should be directed to him. Am I right!?
Dekha jaaye toh Kaera ka virodh ekdum sahi tha. Jab Veer ke baare me hi poochhna hai, toh seedhe-seedhe uss se hi kyu nahi poochh lete jab woh yahi baitha hua hai? Ye toh beizzati karne waali baat ho gayi.
Lekin, Mr. Ward ne apna sarr naa me hila diya.
Mr. Ward : No! ICONGLOBE is here to negotiate with either Nexacom or Elite Motors, Ms. Kaera. You are Nexacom’s owner. And, I’m asking you. It’s your responsibility to answer. We are not here to deal with Mister, Veer. What business does Mister Veer run?
Mahaul tanavpoorn ho gaya.
Kaera ne phir se Veer ko dekha, woh kuchh nahi bola. Usne bas halka-sa sirr hilaaya, jaise kehna chaah raha ho ki wo jawab de dega, magar-
Kaera wapas se Mr. Ward ki orr mudi.
Kaera : He owns a luxury hotel. He also runs other food businesses. Several food trucks. Hospitality. Various investments. Operations are stable.
Kaera ne Veer ke businesses ke baare me batlaaya, siwaaye ek cheez ke : Yarnia! Usne Yarnia ka zikr nahi kiya. Koi bhi zikr nahi. Na Yarnia ke clothing brand ki charcha, na koi launch event, na Hotel Prestige ka zikr, aur na hi waha khoon se saney farsh ka koi ullekh.
Woh jaanti thi. Yarnia ke baare me bataana matlab khud ke perr par kulhadi maarna. Saath hi… woh Veer ki image bhi bachaana chaahti thi.
Mr. Ward kuchh na bole. Bas chupchap sab sunte rahe. Phir, unhone aage kehna jaari kiya.
Mr. Ward : -And, if it’s not too personal, may I know what your relationship with Mister Veer is?
Veer swabhavik roop se aage jhuka. Yahi woh pal tha, jo iske rukh ko dusri disha me mod sakta tha. Agar, woh bas ye keh de ki woh aur Kaera ek dusre ko nahi jaante toh-
Veer : Mr. Ward, I-
Iske pehle ki woh samjha paata-
‘???’
Kaera ka haath achanak hi uske haath ke upar aa gaya. Garm. Mazboot. Adhikaar jataane waala. Shabd Veer ke galey me hi atke reh gaye. Usne hairanagi me Kaera ko dekha.
Kaera : Veer is my close friend. A partner. Perhaps… what do people call it… *pauses* right… Buddies!?
Mr. Ward ki nazrein table ke upar tiki. Kaera ke haath par, jo Veer ke haath ke upar rakha hua tha. Phir, wapas se Kaera ke chehre par.
Hall ke uss orr, Sonia akad ke reh gayi. Yeh sab kya ho raha tha? Kaera bhala sabke saamne Veer ke haath ko iss tarah se-!? Kaera toh kisi bhi mard ko apne nazdeek bhi nahi bhatakne deti thi. Phir, bhala Veer ke saath woh aise kyu-?
Toh wahi, yeh nazaara dekh Suhana ki ungliyaan glass ke chaaro orr kass ke jakad gayi. Uski saansein atak gayi. Aankhein unn dono ke haatho par jami hui. Table par.
Kaera ke bagal se baitha Karan bhi ek pal ke liye jamm gaya. Usne unke haatho ko dekha. Phir, Kaera ko aur phir Veer ko. Phir, wapas haatho ko.
Uske chehre ke haav-bhaav bina kuchh kahe hi chillaa rahe the ki : Bhai, wtf??? Tum aur di…!? Kab se???
Uske honth fadfadaaye, jaise maano woh koi aisa vaakya na bolne ke liye khud ko rok raha ho, jisey bolne par uski behan pakka use jaan se maar sakti thi.
Uski aankhein keh rahi thi : Maine tumhe 10 minute ke liye akela kya chhora, tum meri behan, Nexacom ki owner ka hi haath le gaye?
‘Fuckin’ hell, Veer-!!! Tumhare aur dii ke beech..!? The fuck is going on?’
Lekin, ye saari baatein uske mann me hi chal rahi thi. Woh samajhdar tha jo chup raha.
Mr. Ward thoda peechhe jhuke.
Mr. Ward : I see! So, Mister Veer isn’t a part of Nexacom. Then, why is he seated here?
Kaera ne Veer ke haath ko zorr se dabaaya. Na gusse me aur na hi darr me. Ek pakke iraade se… woh Mr. Ward ki aankhon me dekhi.
Kaera : Because… he’s important to me. And, I feel… better… when he’s beside me. Does that answer your question?
Veer (mutters) : Kaera…
Kaera ne dheere se Mr. Ward se kaha. Koi leepa-poti waala jawaab nahi. Na hi pehle se socha gaya jawaab. Bas… dil ko jaisa mehsoos hua, woh usne keh diya.
Veer ki aankhein narm pad gayi. Kaha woh yaha Kaera se deal chhinwa ke Sonia ko deal dilwaane aaya tha aur yaha Kaera use apne paas bula kar tohfa dete hue sabke saamne uski izzat ka maan rakh rahi thi. Yeh jaante hue ki agar woh Veer ko iss waqt dur kar deti hai, toh yeh deal milne ke chances badh jayenge.
Lekin, usne aisa nahi kiya. Ek taraf Sonia thi, jo emotions hone ke bawajood Veer ko chhor deal ko chuni thi, aur ek taraf Kaera thi, jo theek se emotions na hone ke bawajood bhi itni badi deal ke saamne, Veer ko nahi chhorna chaahti thi.
Aur, uska yu Veer ka haath thaamna… Yeh ek statement tha. Statement of ownership.
Hall ke uss paar-
Ava ki chhaati kass ke reh gayi. Uski ungliyaan mutthi me bhinch ke reh gayi. Yeh nazara uski ummeed se bhi zyada use peeda de gaya. Thodi jalan, thodi niraasha aur thoda dard.
Erica ki muskaan pehli baar feeki pad gayi. Uski aankhein aashcharya me badi ho gayi. Woh toh samajh rahi thi ki keval Ava aur Garofano hi uska competition thi par yaha toh yeh Kaera-!? Veer aur uske beech kya chal raha tha?
Garofano ki bhi paini nazrein unn par tiki hui thi. Woh halka-sa muskuraayi. Lekin, uski muskaan ke peechhe kuchh soojh-boojh thi.
Toh, wahi Veer shaant baitha hua tha. Kaera ka haath abhi bhi uske haath me tha. Hall ka atmosphere bhi badal chuka tha. Lagbhag sabhi unki taraf dekh rahe the, lekin kisi ne bhi shor karne ki himmat nahi ki.
Mr. Ward ne kaafi derr tak Kaera ko dekha.
Mr. Ward : Well, that answers more than I asked.
Woh turant hi khade ho gaye. Farsh par unki kursi ke khisakne ki awaaz ne sabhi ka dhyaan uss orr kheench liya.
Mr. Ward : Alright then! It’s decided! ICONGLOBE will not be proceeding with any business with Nexacom.
Shabd bhaari the. Kaera ki aankhein hairat me fel gayi.
Veer bhi turant khada ho gaya. Kursiyaan khisakne lagi. Table ke aas-paas baithe sabhi log khade ho gaye. Mr. Ward ke shabd kisi bade se patthar ki tarah the jo seedha aa kar unn par gir pade.
Mr. Ward Kaera ki orr mudey, unka lehza professional tha, lekin ab kahi na kahi thodi sakhti jhalak rahi thi.
Mr. Ward : Miss Kaera, you deliberately omitted a crucial detail that Mister Veer… is the owner of Hotel Prestige!
Ek gehra sannaata chhaa gaya.
Mr. Ward : The same hotel that was destroyed a few weeks ago. A targeted attack. A shootout. Blood. Fire. Casualties. The launch of a new brand. Destroyed on day one.
Logo ke beech fusfusaahat shuru ho gayi, jo chingaari ki tarah felti chali gayi. Jo Veer ko nahi bhi jaante the, ab woh bhi jaanane waale the.
Mr. Ward : Associating with someone surrounded by this level of instability poses unacceptable risk. ICONGLOBE will not entangle itself with businesses that attract… trouble.
Unhone kaha, bina apni awaaz oonchi kiye, kyunki uski zaroorat hi nahi thi.
Nazrein ghoom gayi, sirr mudey, fusfusaahat jaari…
“Achha, ye toh wahi Veer hai… Wahi jo news me aaya tha!”
“Hotel Prestige? Wahi na jis par hamla hua tha??”
“No wonder… Kyu ICONGLOBE ab Nexacom ke saath deal nahi kar rahi.”
“Miss Kaera akhir soch kya rahi thi? Veer jaise failed small businessman ke saath uthna-baithna-!?"
"Businessman? Arey bhai businessman hai hi kaha woh!? Hotel khol lene se koi businessman thodi bann jaata hai."
“She’s far above someone like him. He doesn’t even deserve to even stand next to her!”
“Ye toh Miss Kaera ki modesty hai jo use friend ki tarah treat kar rahi hai. Warna koi aur hota toh-”
Logo ki baatein khus-pusaate hue aapas me hone lagi. Aur, Veer ne sab kuchh suna. Har shabd uske ek kaan se guzarta hua dusre kaan se nikal gaya. Kintu, uske chehre par koi bhaav nahi the, aankhein adh-khuli.
Aur, akhirkar Kaera ko ab jaake samajh aaya.
Mr. Ward ke secretary ka beech me aake unke kaan ke paas jhukna. Phir, Mr. Ward ka uss se ye saare sawaal karna.
Mr. Ward ka secretary figures bataane nahi aaya tha, woh Veer ki sacchaayi sunaane aaya tha. Ek secretary hone ke naate yeh uski zimmedari thi ki woh saari research karke baithe. Aur, shayad itni derr me usne Veer ke baare me kaafi kuchh dhoondh liya tha.
Koi bhi company bhala uss company ke saath kyu deal karegi jiske owner ka uthna-baithna ek aise shaks ke saath ho jiske business par kuchh din pehle hi ek targeted attack hua ho!? Aur, yaha toh Kaera Veer ko apna close friend ghoshit kar chuki thi. Upar se uska haath thaamna… ye bahut tha anumaan lagaane ke liye.
Yahi kaaran tha ki kyu Mr. Ward sawaal par sawaal kar rahe the. Aur, Kaera imaandari ke saath saare jawaab deti chali gayi. Kuchh zyaada hi imaandaari se.
Nateeja?
ICONGLOBE ka Nexacom se deal cancel karna.
Veer ko mehsoos hua, uske seene me ek ajeeb-sa bharipann aaya. Kuchh chubh raha tha. Usne toh thaan liya tha ki woh iss matter me apne qadam nahi rakhega, lekin phir bhi-
Sirf uski maujoodagi hi kahi na kahi Kaera ke loss ka kaaran bann gayi.
Woh Kaera ki orr muda.
Veer : I… I shouldn’t have been here, right? I’m sorry… Miss Kaera! Meri maujoodagi ki wajah se… ye sab hua.
Kehte hue woh peechhe hata, jaane ke liye muda ki tabhi-
Kaera ki ungliyaan uske haath par kass gayi.
Kaera : Kya kaha tha maine abhi-abhi?
Usne sthir dheemi awaaz me poochha. Veer wahi jamm ke reh gaya. Kuchh derr pehle Kaera ke shabd bina bulaaye hi uske mastishk me goonj gaye.
“Because… he’s important to me. And, I feel… better… when he’s beside me.”
Yahi toh shabd the Kaera ke, jo usne Mr. Ward se kahe the. Veer ki dhadkane tez ho gayi.
*Badump*
Kaera ne apna sarr uthaaya. Mr. Ward pehle hi mud chuke the, jaane ki taiyaari kar rahe the. Kaera ne unki peeth ki taraf dekhte hue hi kaha.
Kaera : I stand by my words! If ICONGLOBE refuses a partnership because my friend is seated beside me, then so be it!!! From today onward, there will be no future partnerships between Nexacom and ICONGLOBE . Ever.
Poora ka poora hall shaant pad gaya. Kaera ke bol udhar goonj ke reh gaye. Mr. Ward pal bhar ke liye ruke. Bas ek kshan ke liye, phir wo waha se guzre aur Sonia ki table ki orr chal diye.
Mr. Ward : My congratulations! *smiles* ICONGLOBE has decided to proceed with Elite Motors, Miss Sonia!
Aur, taaliyo ki gad-gadahat waha goonj uthi. Sab agle hi kshan Kaera ke diye hue statement ko bhool gaye kyunki, 10 billion dollar ki deal ka mehatva hi itna zyada tha.
Sonia apni seat se khadi ho gayi, uske chehre par pehle hairanagi nazar aayi, phir jeet ki bhavna umad aayi. Usne Mr. Ward se turant hi haath milaaya, use yakeen nahi ho raha tha ki woh Kaera ko hara kar ye deal jeet rahi thi.
Suchika mask ke peechhe muskura rahi thi, par uss muskaan ke peechhe kahi na kahi ek dard bhi chhipa tha. Uski nigaahein dur hataash khadi Ruchika par pal bhar ke liye tik gayi.
Peechhe baithi Suhana ka haath uski goad par tha, kaanp raha tha. Usne Veer ko dekha, jo abhi bhi Kaera ke bagal se khada hua tha, aur abhi bhi chup tha. Raahat, hairat aur dard sab saath me mil gaye. Jab tabhi uske bagal se baithe uske pati, Gaurav ne ek tippani ki-
Gaurav : Hmph! Ye jagah waise bhi pickpockets ke liye nahi hai. Akhir, soch kya rahi thi Kaera? Veer jaiso ke saath uthne-baithne ka nateeja yahi hota hai!
Uski aankhein Veer par tiki, gusse me uski mutthi kasi hui thi. Kaaran aur bhi kuchh tha. Prestige ke tabaah hone waali raat ko Veer ne Nik aur uske chamcho ki kutaayi jo ki thi. Aur, Nik thehra Gaurav ka param mitr. Bhala Gaurav iss baat ko kaise jaane de sakta tha. Usi ki security me Nik ab tak Mumbai me thehra hua tha.
‘Bas do-teen din aur mazey kar le bhosdike! Phir, mein tujhe bataunga ki Gaurav se panga lena kitna bhaari padta hai. Tu jaanta nahi mujhe, Veer!’
Apne pati ke ghatiya bol sunn, Suhana ne apni dress ke kapde ko itni zorr se bheencha ki usme silvatein pad gayi. Ek pal ke liye toh aisa laga jaise woh wahi use thappad maar degi.
Lekin, woh aisa nahi kar sakti thi. Chaah ke bhi nahi.
Gaurav : Dekh rahi ho na tum? Veer jaiso ke saath rehne ka kya anjaam hota hai? He’s fucking cursed. Khud ki hotel bhi dubwa liya aur dusro ki deals bhi bigadwa di. Aas-paas dikhna nahi chahiye woh mujhe tumhaare!
Suhana : Shut up, Gaurav! Veer ki isme koi galti na- ahh-!
Iske pehle ki woh poori tarah se keh paati, Gaurav ka haath uski kalaayi par kass ke jakad gaya, Suhana ke haath ka bangle use itni zorr se chubha ki uske muh se ek halki siski nikal gayi. Woh dehshat me agal-bagal dekhi, par sabhi ka dhyaan Sonia ki table ki orr kendrit tha.
Gaurav : Tumhari himmat kaise hui mere bolne ke baad bhi uska favor karne ki, huh? Tum kya mujhe bewakoof samajhti ho?
Woh achanak hi uske kaan ki orr jhuka.
Gaurav (mutters) : Agar, tum uski aur apni bhalaayi chaahti ho na? Toh, aaj se uss se dur rehna. Warna-
Suhana ghabraate hue Gaurav ko mud ke dekhi-
Gaurav (smiles) : Warna kahi aisa na ho ki Veer kisi din akhbhar me ek khabar bann kar reh jaaye.
Suhana (darrte hue) : Y-You won’t-!
Gaurav (smirks) : Of course, I won’t! But Nik can-!
Suhana : H-Huh-!??
Suhana ki samajh nahi aaya. Bhala Nik kaha se beech me aa gaya?
Gaurav : Oh? Tumhe nahi pata?
Wo dheere se naa me sarr hilaayi aur Gaurav ki muskaan chaudi ho gayi. Woh phir uske kaan ki orr jhuka aur ahista se bola.
Gaurav : Tumhari dear friend, Divya yaha kayi hafto pehle Mumbai aayi thi, apne husband, Nik se jhooth bol kar, bina bataaye. Veer ke sang rang reliya mana rahi thi. Aur, Nik ne unn dono ko raat me ek saath car me pakda. Kya lagta hai? Kya hua hoga unke beech?
Ek bada jhatka Suhana ko laga. Woh thitak ke reh gayi. Divya Mumbai aayi thi? Toh, bhala usne use bataaya kyu nahi? Aur, Veer ke saath-!? Uska dimaag kaam karna band ho chuka tha.
Gaurav : Aur, Veer mister ne kya kiya? Nik aur uske aadmiyo ko peeta. *smiles* Ab Nik gusse me hai. Maine use shaant kara rakha hai. Lekin, kab tak meri baat maanega, iski bhala kya guarantee, right?
Suhana ka sarr soch-vichaar aur darr me neeche jhuk gaya. Usne fatafat Divya ko messages daalne shuru kar diye. Toh, wahi Gaurav muskuraate hue uth kar Sonia ki table ki orr chal diya.
---
Taaliyo ki gadgadahat abhi bhi sunaayi de rahi thi, magar tabhi-
*Click* *Click* *Click*
Cameras ki shutters ki awaaz goonj uthi, hall me halchal ki ek aur leher fel gayi. Sabke sirr ghoom gaye. Hall ke darwaaze se ek aadmi andar aise aaya jaise maano yeh uski hi hotel ho.
Shailendra. Sonia aur Suhana ke pita. Aur, saath me unn dono ki maa — Namrita.
Bodyguards aur security ke kadey ghere ke beech, unka secretary unse do qadam peechhe chalte hue, sab ke sab andar aane lage.
*Clap* *Clap* *Clap*
Shailendra taali bajaate hue, khulkar hasste hue aage aaye, unki hassi dumdar aur befiqr thi. Veh aadmi jisne Elite Group ko asal taur par Elite banaaya tha.
“Adhbhut!” Shailendra zorr se bole, unki aankhein apni beti Sonia par tiki. “Bahut khoob meri bacchi!”
Sonia ka chehra turant hi khil utha. “Dad!?”
Woh sab kuchh bhulkar unki taraf badhi. Shailendra ne apni baahein kholi aur hall me maujood vyaktiyo ki parvah kiye bagerr apni beti ko galey se laga liya. Aur, agle hi kshan unke peechhe se Namrita saamne aayi.
Sonia murti ki tarah jamm gayi. “Mom aap-!?”
Namrita dheere-se muskuraayi aur apni beti ko kass kar galey se laga li. Sonia ki aankhein khushi ke maare namm ho gayi. Usne iski kabhi bhi ummeed nahi ki thi. Aaj nahi. Yaha toh bilkul hi nahi.
Prakash Uncle bhi uth khade hue, ve aage badhe aur Suhana ke paas pahuche.
Prakash Uncle : Miss Suhana? Aaiye! Chaliye!
Suhana (gazes) : U-Uncle-!?
Prakash Uncle : Yeh roz-roz nahi hota ki aapke mummy papa kisi corporate deal me hissa le. Aaiye!
Suhana khadi hui, aur Prakash Uncle ke sang woh bhi apne mata-pita se jaa kar mili, unke galey se lagi.
Sonia chupchap khadi rahi, sabko galey milte dekh rahi thi. Hall me abhi bhi taaliyo ki goonj thi. Cameras ke flashes abhi bhi chamak rahe the. Log abhi bhi tareef ke saath Elite group ki charcha kar rahe the. Lekin, ek pal ke liye yeh sab ek dheeme-se shor me badal gaya.
Uske pita ka haath uske kandhe par tha. Mazboot. Garv se bharpoor. Jaise kehna chaah rahe ho ki ‘tumne kar dikhaaya meri bacchi.’
Kaera. Humesha academics me first. Sports me first. Business me first. Lagbhag har cheez me woh humesha se hi uss se aage rehti thi. Aur, Sonia? Humesha uske peechhe. Saari zindagi woh bas Kaera ki ek parchhaayi bann kar reh gayi, jo hazaar koshisho ke baad bhi kabhi aage na nikal saki.
“Tum humesha second par hi kyu rehti ho, Sonia?”
“Tum kadi mehnat karti ho, uske bawajood woh tumse… aage hai.”
“Tumhe uss se seekhna chaahiye, beta!”
“Kaera ko dekho. Usne kaise kar liya? Jab woh kar sakti hai toh tum kyu nahi?”
“Kabhi toh apne maa-baap ka naam raushan karo beta! Kab tak Kaera se humesha maat khaati rahogi?”
Yahi sunn sunn ke woh pali badhi thi. Second. Humesha second number par. Comparison ka shikaar. Parantu, aaj raat-!?
Woh shabd jaise mit gaya. Aaj raat woh akeli nahi thi. Uske mata-pita uske saath the. Nuksaan ki bharpaayi karne ke liye nahi, saantvna dene ke liye nahi, formality ke liye nahi.
Ve muskuraate hue, taali bajaate hue, use galey lagaane aaye the, uski qamyabi par. Uski maa ki aankhein bhi namm thi. Aur, pita ki awaaz me toh bina kisi rok-tok ke garv jhalak raha tha.
Iss se pehle ki woh aasuon ko rok paati, wo aankhon ko bhigote hue umad aaye. Usne tezi se palkein jhapkaayi, hontho ko dabaaya aur khud ko sambhaalne ki koshish ki.
Phir, nigaahein kahi aur chali gayi. Hall ke uss paar. Kaera, jo apni table ke paas khadi hui thi, ungliyaan bagal me bhinchi hui. Dono ki nazrein aapas me takraayi. Bas khamoshi.
Aaj pehli baar Sonia ko Kaera… badi hi chhoti prateet ho rahi thi.
Tabhi, Kaera ke hontho par ek badi hi bareek-si muskaan ubhri, jisey dekh Sonia ki aankhein phelti chali gayi.
‘Huh???’
Lekin, wo muskaan ek kshan me hi kahi gaayab bhi ho gayi. Sonia ki chhaati zorr se garv me upar hui. Lagbhag ek taane ke samaan. Neecha dikhaane ke liye nahi. Bas… thoda raub zaahir karne ke liye.
Mann me ek vichaar ki…
Toh tum bhi aakhir haar sakti ho. Koi namumkin nahi ye. Tumhe giraana bhi sambhav hai.
Uski nazar phir Veer par gayi aur use kuchh samajh aaya. Kaera isliye nahi haari thi kyunki usme ya uski approach me koi kami thi. Woh isliye haari thi kyunki, Veer uske saath tha. Kyunki, woh uske bagal se khada hua tha.
Yeh ehsaas dheere-dheere uske andar badhne laga.
Use woh raat yaad thi. Woh nirnay jo usne liya tha. Veer ke badle woh deal jo usne Casa Belle me pichhli baar ki thi. Usne Veer ki dosti ki jagah deal ko ahamiyat di thi.
Uske baad se hi, Veer ka swabhav uske prati thanda ho chuka tha. Woh kayi raato ko yeh socha karti thi kya usne kuchh galat kiya tha?
Aaj raat use uska jawab mil chuka tha.
Nahi! Hargiz nahi!
Uske kandhe araam me dheele pad gaye, ek ajeeb azaadi dene waala sukoon uss par chhaa gaya. Yeh… Yeh hoti hai safalta. Aisi dikhaayi deti hai qamyaabi.
Uske mata-pita ko uss par garv tha. Uski apni company jeet chuki thi. Raat ki sabse badi deal par uska naam tha.
Use Veer ki zaroorat nahi thi.
Use uski manzoori ki zaroorat nahi thi.
Use aise kisi ke saath khade hone ki zaroorat nahi thi jo jaha bhi jaata tha waha musibatein khadi kar deta tha.
Uske hontho par ek chhoti par santushti bhari muskaan saj gayi.
Hall ke dusri taraf, Kaera shaant thi. Sonia use dekh mudi. Pehli baar, woh aaj second number par nahi thi. Aaj raat woh wahi khadi thi, jaha use lagta tha ki use hona chaahiye tha.
Idhar ICONGLOBE ka staff Shailendra ke aate hi apne aap seedha khada ho gaya. Bhala use kaun nahi jaanta tha. Yahi woh vyakti tha. The man behind the ELITE GROUP.
Haath milaaye gaye. Badhaayi baanti gayi. Jab Shailendra ne Mr. Ward ka haath thaama toh unki hasi phir goonj gayi.
“You chose well haha,” unhone Mr. Ward se kaha. “Elite Motors won’t disappoint you.”
Sonia ki table ke ird-gird ka mahaul behad joshila tha. Jeet ka mahaul tha. Jashn ka mahaul tha.
Aur, phir thi uss paar… Kaera ki table, jaha thi bas-
Khamoshi.
Kaera bina hiley khadi rahi. Nazrein neeche, chehre par koi bhaav nahi. Koi shabd nahi. Koi reaction nahi. Bagal se Veer tha, hall me ghat rahe poore scene ko dhyaan se dekh raha tha, uski aankhein kayi baar Kaera par phirti.
Udhar ki table ke mahaul me aur idhar ki table ke mahaul me… farq bahut zyada tha.
Phir, achanak hi-
“Let’s not get too excited, shall we!?”
Ek awaaz peechhe se aayi. Buland. Teekhi. Aur, tez.
Hall me sannaata chhaa gaya. Cameramen phirse apne cameras liye dhadadad photos click karne lage, iss baar aur bhi zyaada maatra me.
Kyunki, andar aane waala shaks tha — Kishore. Nexacom ko sahi taur se NEXACOM banaane waala aadmi. Bharat ka sabse bada business group.
Ek haath jeb me, aur dusra dheele tareeke se phone ko pakde hue. Koi faaltu ki dress nahi. Grey suit me woh iss umr me bhi proper gentleman lag raha tha.
Shailendra muda. Kishore kuchh qadam dur ruk gaya. Ek pal ke liye dono diggaj bas ek-dusre ko dekhte rahe. Phir, Kishore halke-se muskuraaya.
Kishore : Congrats! *smiles* Well played.
Shailendra hasa, halanki aankhon me kahi na kahi savdhani jhalak rahi thi.
Shailendra : Thank you! It’s been a good night!
Kishore : Indeed! Lekin, yeh mat bhool jaana Shailendra ki… maidaan me aur bhi khilaadi abhi bhi hai.
Woh muskuraate hue palta. Shailendra ko uska message saaf-saaf samajh aa chuka tha. Kishore ka dhyaan dusri taraf gaya. Uski nazrein Shailendra se hatkar seedhe Kaera par gayi. Woh uski table ki orr badha.
Karan akad ke reh gaya. “D-Dad-!?”
Woh apne aap hi ek taraf hatt gaya, aur apne pita ko jagah di. Kishore Kaera ke saamne ruka. Akhirkar, Kaera ne apna sirr upar kar use dekha.
Aankhon me hairaani thi. Kabhi bhi uske pita iss tarah se corporate meetings me beech me nahi aate the. Aur, aaj na sirf Sonia, balki uske khud ke pita bhi aaye hue the, jo iss deal ki mahatvata ko aur bhi badha chuke the.
Kaera : F-Father…!
Kishore ne bas ek shabd kaha. Bas ek sawaal poochha.
Kishore : Kaise?
Aur, poora hall dhyaan se sunane laga. Kaise? Uska prashn tha. Kaise ye deal haath se nikli?
Kaera : M-Mujhe… Mujhe nahi pata.
Kishore : Aisi koi situation aaj tak paida nahi hui jaha meri beti ko yeh na pata ho ki usne billion dollars ki deal kaise gawa di.
Woh ek qadam aur qareeb aaya.
Kishore : Jawab do!
Kaera ki ungliyaan bagal me mud gayi.
Kaera : Maine kaha na mujhe nahi pata. I need time. Then, I’ll analyse. Fir, samajh aayega ki kaha galti hui.
Kaera ne jhooth kaha. Woh Veer ko bachaana chaahti thi. Kishore ki bauhe ye sunn halki-si sikudi.
Kishore : Tumhari pareshani mein kam kar deta hu!
Woh achanak hi muda aur seedhe Veer ki taraf dekha. Uski ungli Veer par uthi.
Kishore : Ye hai woh galti… jo tumse hui.
Kaera (gasps) : Father-!!!
Kaera ki aankhein chaudi ho gayi. Bhala uske pita ko yeh sab kaise pata chala? Par, tabhi-
Uski nazar turant Ruchika par padi jo apne aap ko chhipaane ki koshish kar rahi thi.
‘Huh?’
Kaera se nazrein milaate hi Ruchika ka chehra peela pad gaya. Woh apni miss se aankhein na mila saki. Aur, yeh bodh Kaera ko kisi khanjar ki tarah laga.
Kaera : R-Ruchika… you-!??
Ruchika sharm aur glaani ke maare apna sirr jhuka li.
Ruchika : I’m so sorry! I’m so sorry, miss! L-Lekin… Jab sir ka message mujhe aaya aur unhone mujhse poochha, toh mujhe sab kuchh sach-sach bataana pada.
Aaj raat pehli baar Kaera ko laga ki kuchh uske andar toot gaya. Bharose ki neev!? Shayad!?
Kishore dheere-dheere, soch-samajhkar chalne laga, Veer ke chaaro orr aise chakkar laga raha tha jaise koi shikaari duri ka andaaza laga raha ho.
Kishore : Kaera! Tumne Nexacom ka naam ek aise insaan ke saath joda jiska khud ka hotel ek crime scene bann ke reh gaya. A total massacre. Ek nakaam brand launch. Ek failure.
Phir se logo me fusfusahat shuru ho gayi. Veer chupchap khada raha. Kishore ab bhi jaari tha.
Kishore : Mein tumhare deal haath se nikalne se naraaz nahi. 10 billion dollars koi badi baat nahi. Aisi deals aati rahengi. Par… tumne company ko khatre me daala, ek aise insaan ke saath associate hokar jo tumhare aas-paas bhatakna bhi deserve nahi karta.
Kaera : N-No! Father!
Hall ke dusri taraf, Suhana ki mutthiyaan kass gayi. Jab usne Veer ko waha khade bina kisi bachaav ke har taane ko sunte dekha, toh uska jabda kass gaya. Gusse me. Glaani me. Gaurav uska haath zorr se thaame hue tha.
‘Stop,’ woh mann hi mann guhaar lagaayi. ‘Just stop.’
Paas hi Ava ka naqabposh chehra jhuka hua tha. Uski aankhein krodh me jal rahi thi, mutthi itni zorr se bhichi ki table me crack pad gaya. Kishore ka har shabd aisa lag raha tha jaise uske apne seene par ukera jaa raha ho. Woh abhi jaa ke Veer ke saamne uska kavach bann kar khadi ho jaati lekin-
Use ek darr tha ki kahi woh Veer ke matter me koi khalal na daal de.
Kaera ka badan kaanpa.
Kaera : He’s not-! Father stop it! Mein-
Kishore : ENOUGH!!!
*Silence*
Shabd ki goonj abhi khatam bhi nahi hui thi ki ek dusri awaaz ne tanaav ko cheer ke rakh diya.
“That’s right! Enough of this bullshit!”
Halki, mazakiya awaaz.
“Is that all you can do??”
Koi chalte hue aaya. Sabke sirr punaah ghoom gaye.
Garofano!!!
Woh aage aayi, chehre par koi dushmani nahi, koi darr nahi. Sirf confidence.
Kishore ahista se muda. Baaki sab bhi wahi kiye. Erica apni kursi se itni tezi se uthi ki uske peechhe ki kursi hi neeche gir gayi. Uth ke toh woh usi waqt jaana chaahti thi jab Kishore Veer ko suna raha tha, magar woh kuchh bhi gadbad nahi khadi karna chaahti thi. Uski aankhein Garofano, Kishore aur Veer ke beech ghoomne lagi.
‘Eh? Ehh? Ehhhhhhhhh???’
Uska dimaag chakra gaya. Yeh sab kya chal raha tha? Yeh toh script me nahi tha. Script me toh yeh tha ki Casa Belle me jaa kar ghusenge jaha Veer gaya hua hai aur corporate gala enjoy karenge. Phir, ye sab kya ho raha tha?
Usne tirchhi nazar se Ava ko dekha, jo khud confused magar alert khadi hui thi. Tabhi, ek awaaz Erica ko mann me sunaayi di.
[Just observe, Erica. Don’t interfere.]
‘G-Genie!?’
Erica ne haami bhari aur khud ko shaant kiya.
Garofano aage badhi. Uski high heels marble ke farsh par tuck-tuck ki awaaz kar rahi thi, har qadam sateek aur bina jadbaazi ke. Aisi chaal jis se lag raha tha ki use pata tha ki woh kya kar rahi hai, aur iska kya asar hoga.
Woh Kishore ke paas se guzri. Usne Kishore ki taraf balki dekha bhi nahi. Aur, uski itni himmat se hi bheed me halchal mach gayi.
Jab woh Veer ke saamne ruki, toh sabki nazrein uss par thi. Kuchh kshan ke liye usne Veer ko dekha, halki muskaan ke saath, jaise aas-paas ke log uske liye astitva me hi na ho.
Phir, woh mudi. aur , Kishore ko dekhi.
Garofano : You know, for someone who runs the biggest conglomerate in the country, your decision making is… quite questionable. *smiles*
Kishore ki bauhe dheere-dheere upar uthi. Uske chehre ke bhaav aise the jaise keh rahe ho ki-
Tumhe andaaza bhi hai tum kis se baat kar rahi ho?
Magar, Garofano ko koi farq na pada. Iski bajaaye woh wapas Veer ki orr mudi, aur apne haath mod ke khadi ho gayi.
Garofano (smiles) : Mister Veer, I saw your Yarnia collection. Before everything went… you know… explosive.
Veer : !!?
Garofano : That French designer. What was his name? Louis, right? Brilliant man. Very creative. Sharp cuts. Great designs.
Veer ne use ghoora.
‘Ab ye kya tumhari nayi chaal hai, Violet?’
Garofano : I liked the collection. A lot. *grins* Enough to remember it weeks later.
Veer (dheere se) : Get to the point, Violet.
Garofano (smiles) : So… if you don’t mind, I’d like to collaborate.
Hall me sabhi ki saansein atak gayi.
Garofano ne ek haath aage badhaaya.
Garofano : Ten million dollars. How’s that for a starter deal? *smiles*
Khamoshi. Sonia ki muskaan poori tarah se gaayab ho gayi. Uski aankhein phel gayi, hairanagi saaf jhalak rahi thi. Suhana ka bhi yahi haal tha.
Kaera bhi dhadalle se mudi, aankhein Garofano par sthit. Uske aam taur par bina bhaav waale chehre par bhi aashcharya saaf dikhayi diya.
Kishore ki teekhi nazrein bhi Veer aur Garofano par tik gayi. Woh hisaab laga raha tha, akhir ye sab chal kya raha tha? Kya ye videshi Garofano apna sarr kahi khambe me de maari thi kya? Yeh jaante hue bhi ki abhi-abhi ICONGLOBE ne uss vyakti ki wajah se deal cancel kari hai aur yeh usi vyakti se deal karna chaahti hai?
Ava aur Erica ko ab jaake samajh aaya ki yaha aane ka maqsad kya tha.
Garofano : What do you say, Mister Veer? Shall we make something beautiful together? *winks*
Cameras ke flashes phir se tezi se chamakne lage. Aur, inn sab ke beech, Veer khada tha.
Garofano ne haath aage badhaaya, Veer use zaroorat se zyada derr tak dekhta raha. Phir, muskuraaya. Aur, use akhir kar sab samajh aa gaya.
Jis raat woh China se laut raha tha, tab Garofano se Veer ne kuchh maanga tha. Uss raat-
"Aur, mera kya? Kya mujhse kuchh nahi maangna Veer? Akhir, tumne hi mera case solve karwaya tha. *grins*"
"Mein, jald hi apni clothing brand ko market me utaarne jaa raha hu. So... Will you collab with me?"
"Ek guest ki tarah request kar rahe ho ya ek dost ki tarah haq se order de rahe ho?"
"Ek dost ki tarah haq se poochh raha hu."
"Then... *smiles* consider it done!"
Yahi woh sanvaad tha. Aur, aaj woh uske saamne thi. Apni baat ko poora karte hue. Veer ne uska haath thaama.
Veer : Are you sure? *smiles* you want to do business with someone like me?
Poochhte waqt uski aankhein Kishore par ghoomi, ek prakaar ka taana.
Veer : Not exactly the most successful name in this hall, right?
Garofano ne Kishore ki taraf dekha bhi nahi. Woh muskuraayi.
Garofano : I don’t do business with only successful people. I do it with people having the potential to become successful.
Uska angutha ek kshan ke liye Veer ke haath me phira, ek tarah ka ishaara, jo kisi aur ko dikhaayi na diya.
Garofano : -And, you… are already full of it. *winks*
Veer ki muskaan aur gehri ho gayi.
Veer : Then we’re aligned.
Dono ne haath milaaya aur tabhi-
“Then, are you ready for some other deals as well, Mister… Veer!?”
Ek behad madhur awaaz hall ke shor ko cheerte hue goonji. Punaah sabhi ke sirr awaaz ki orr mud gaye. Ek khubsurat ladki aage badhte hue aayi aur usne apna haath apne chehre tak uthaate hue apna mask alag kar diya.
Aadhe second ke liye, logo ko samajh nahi aaya ki kya hua, ve sab kya dekh rahe the. Par, phir-
Poore hall me hairani ki awaazein phel gayi. Phone upar uthe, cameras ke flashes chamakne lage.
Natalia Martin urf Ava…!
Woh gaayab awaaz. Woh laapata singer aur celebrity jo achanak hi fame par aate hue media se gaayab ho gayi thi. Jiski gerr-maujoodagi ne charts, headlines, aur laakho fans ko pareshan kar rakha tha.
Woh… saamne khadi hui thi.
Jo use nahi jaante the, woh sabhi uski khubsurti se dang the, aur jo jaante the, unke liye toh saans theek se lena hi mushqil ho raha tha.
Ava, seedhe Veer ki orr badhi. Veer khud hairaan tha. Ava ne jaan-boojh kar apni identity chhipaayi thi, magar aaj usne yaha aise me-!? Use kuchh samajh nahi aa raha tha ki bhala inn ladkiyo ne milkar aur kya-kya plans bana rakhe the?
Kintu, hairaan hone waalo me se sabse zyada dang thi do streeyaan — Kaera aur Sonia.
Kaera jaha apni jagah par jami hui thi toh wahi Sonia ki saansein bhi atak ke reh gayi.
Ava?
Yaha?
Abhi?
Kaise?
Kyun?
Tamaam sawaal unke mann me umad aaye. Ava aise chal rahi thi jaise woh humesha se hi cameras me rehne ke liye bani ho. Har qadam napa-tula. Nazar sateek. Kamra apne aap uske liye raasta bana raha tha, jaise paani ki dhaar waali chhuri se ho kar guzar raha ho.
Woh Veer ke bagal me aa kar ruki.
Ava : Music videos need brands that speak without words. *smiles* My music label… tunecrafts… collaborates often. Lead artists. Background performers. Sabhi ko ek achhe clothing brand se selected garments hi pehnaaye jaate hai.
Veer : !!?
Ava : Maine Yarnia ko dekha hai. Mein yahi thi tab…! The designs. Textures. Fabrics. Everything seemed good. So… I want to collaborate.
Ava ne casually ek amount bataaya. Aur, khamoshi phir hall me chhaa gayi.
Ava : So? What do you say, Mister Veer?
Usne haath aage badhaaya. Veer ne ek gehri saans chhori, apna sirr hilaaya aur use dekh muskuraaya.
Do khubsurat ladies. Powerful. Rich. Use chun rahi thi. Sabke saamne. Use, jisey dekh kar ICONGLOBE ne Kaera se deal cancel kar di thi. Veer ne turant hi uska haath bhi thaam ke mila liya.
Kaera aur Sonia ke bhaavo ka varnan karna iss samay asambhav tha. ‘Hairani’ unke bhaav ki vyatha ko bataane ke liye ek behad hi chhota shabd tha.
Aur, aaj itne varsho ke baad, akhirkar-
Trinity… ek hi jagah par ek saath maujood thi. Kaera. Sonia. Aur… Ava.
“Ava…!?” Sonia ke muh se dheere-se nikla. Use yakeen nahi ho raha tha. Ava bhi jaise kuchh mehsoos kar uski orr mudi. Dono ki nazrein takraayi aur dono ke badan me sihran daud gayi.
Mann toh kar raha tha ki woh abhi jaa ke Ava ke galey se lag jaaye. Lekin, nahi! Ab ve bacchiyaan nahi thi. Kayi varsho ka antar aa chuka tha unke beech.
Ava ne phir Kaera ko dekha. Dono ki chhaati gehri saans lete hue upar uthi. Magar, tabhi-
Kaera mudi aur waha se jaane lagi.
“Kaera-!!!”
Uske pita ne use awaaz di, magar woh nahi ruki. Kishore ki aankhein achambhav me badi ho gayi.
“Dii…” Karan bebas bas apni didi ko jaata hua dekhta raha. Kishore ke khade rehte, uski waha se hilne ki himmat hi nahi hui.
Aur, use iss tarah se jaata dekh, Veer ke qadam apne aap chal padey. Veer ko Kaera ka peechha karta dekh, Ava ke dil me bhi dard utha, magar woh apni jagah se nahi hili.
Kishore (yells) : Veeeeeeer!!! Khabardaar agar-
Magar, Kishore ki chetaavni ansuni hi reh gayi, kyunki Veer ne peechhe mudkar nahi dekha, woh aage nikal chuka tha.
Kishore (yells) : Raghu!!! Jassi!!
Uske chillaate hi dono hi Raghu aur Jassi saamne aa gaye. “Ji Sir!”
Jawaab dete hi ve turant hi aage badhe. Kuchh poochhne ki zaroorat hi nahi thi. Ve jaante the ki unhe kya karna tha. Unki aankhon ne pehle hi Kaera ko hall ki entrance se baahar nikalte dekh liya tha. Dono bodyguards mudey aur baahar nikalne ke liye badhe, lambe-lambe qadam, chehre par koi bhaav nahi.
Kaera chalti rahi, hall se baahar aayi, lobby me aur lobby se hote hue woh baahar nikal gayi. Uski chaal abhi bhi tez thi. Aur, usne mudkar peechhe tak nahi dekha.
“Shit-!!!” Veer chinta me dauda, uske qareeb pahuch hi raha tha jab achanak hi-
*Grasp*
“Huh?”
Uski kalaayi hawa me hi kisi ne pakad li. Veer ruka. Use pakda hua aadmi uske bilkul nazdeek khada tha, lagbhag kandhe se kandha milaakar, ekdum bagal se. Dono ka munh alag-alag dishaon me tha, jaise ve ajnabi ho jo galti se ek-dusre se takra gaye ho.
Woh aadmi haule se aage jhuka aur dheere se bola.
"Uss raat... Hotel Prestige me attack ke dauraan, ek aur incident hua tha. Abduction ka. Wo underground lair... Zameen ke neeche... Do masoom nanhi bacchiyaan... Jinhe bacha kar koi police ko saunpa tha. Ek naujavan. Woh... Tum hi the. Hai na?"
Veer ki reedh me thandi sihran daud gayi. Uski nazrein apne bagal me ghoomi aur usne dekha-
Rohan!!!
'Shit-!!'
State ka DGP. Aankhon me tej. Istree ki hui wardi. Use bataane ki bhi zaroorat nahi thi ki woh kis authority par baitha hua tha.
Veer ke chehre ke haav-bhaav nahi badle. Usne apne aap ko qaabu me rakha. Usne dheere se apni kalaayi peechhe kheenchne ki koshish ki.
"Lagta hai aapko koi galat-fehmi hui hai, Sir." Veer ne shaant awaaz me kaha. "Koi bhala kyu bina credit ke hero ka kaam karega?"
Woh muskuraaya. Lekin, Rohan ki ungliyaan aur adhik kass gayi. Itni zorr se nahi ki dard ho, magar chetaavni dene ke liye kaafi.
"Galtiyaan unn logo se hoti hai jo teh tak nahi jaate. Aur, mein... aisa nahi hu. Khaaskar tab jab meri apni beti isme shaamil ho."
---
Kuchh din pehle...
Rohan ne ek police officer ko uski collar se pakad ke deewar se sata rakha tha.
"Mein tumhe ek aur mauka deta hu." Woh gusse se gurraaya, uski aankhein jal rahi thi. "Aur, iss baar jhooth bolne ki galti mat karna."
"S-Sir-!" Police waala haklaaya, uske maathe se paseena beh raha tha, "W-Woh-!"
Rohan ne vinamrata se pehle iss mudde par baat-cheet karna chaaha tha. Magar, jab seedhi ungli se ghee na nikle, toh ungli tedhi karni hi padti hai.
Trisha ke sang ke police officers jab muh nahi khol rahe the toh Rohan ko akhirkar yeh tareeka apnaana pada. Aur, jab baat apni wardi par aa jaaye toh koi bhi police waala nahi chaahega ki woh apni wardi khoye.
Rohan ne uss police karmi ko aur zorr se dhakka diya.
"Jhooth bolne se tumhari wardi nahi bachegi officer. Iss se pehle ki mein official karyavaahi karu, sach sach batao sab. Kaun tha uss raat? Kitne log the?"
Police waala darrte hue haami bhara. "K-Koi team nahi thi, Sir. Koi unit nahi. B-Bas... Bas ek ladka."
"Sirf ek!?"
"H-Haan, Sir! Sirf ek. Dono bacchiyo ko usne utha rakha tha. A-Aapki beti Pihu ko usne madam Trisha ke haatho me saunpa aur phir-"
"Aur, phir???"
"Hum sabhi ne use jaane se rokna chaaha lekin... Lekin madam Trisha ne humein mana kar diya."
Rohan ne uski collar ki pakad thodi dheeli ki. "Kaun!? Kaun tha woh?"
"Woh... Woh-"
"Jawaab do!"
"Veer Singh!"
Sunte hi Rohan ki aankhein chaudi ho gayi.
"Ek naujavan ladka. Wahi Veer Singh jiske hotel par usi raat attack hua tha, Sir. Uske pehle bhi woh charcha me tha. France se jab woh sahi salamat laut ke aaya tha, tab news me chhaaya hua tha. Wahi hai woh-!"
Rohan ne uss police karmi ko chhora aur seedhe apni beti ke paas gaya. Use kuchh confirm karna tha.
Woh apni beti, Pihu ke saamne baitha, uski awaaz ekdum narm thi. "Pihu, beta-! Beta papa ko ek baat bataana zara. Uss raat aapko wo ganda badmaash utha ke le gaya tha na!? Uss raat aapko kaun bacha ke laaya tha?"
Yeh sawaal Rohan apni bitiya se kayi baar poochh chuka tha, parantu har baar Pihu aise dikhaati jaise use kuchh pata hi na ho. Woh humesha naa me sirr hila diya karti thi. Rohan jaanta tha ki Trisha ne Pihu ko kuchh bhi bataane ke liye mana kiya hua tha.
Lekin, ab uske paas ek clue tha.
Pihu abhi bhi khamosh thi. Dheere se woh naa me sirr hila di. Tabhi, Rohan ne apna paitra aazmaaya.
"Beta! Agar aap mujhe bataogi na ki woh kaun tha toh mein aapko aapki new friend Juhi aur unse milwaane le chalunga."
Pihu hairaan reh gayi. Woh apni jagah par uchhal padi. Uski aankhon me chamak aa gayi. "S-Sacchi papa?"
"Haan beta! Zaroor!"
"Wo... Wo... Wo Veer bhaiya the, papa. Juhi ke papa hai wo." Aur, usne ek baar me sab ugal diya.
Sunte hi Rohan ki saans atak gayi. Iska matlab... police officer sahi tha.
"Veer Singh...!" Woh budbudaya.
---
Aur, aaj wahi Veer Singh uske bagal se khada tha.
Veer ne bina palkein jhapkaaye mud ke Rohan ki aankhon me dekha.
"Aur, agar... woh mein hi tha toh-!?? Toh kya?" Veer ne dheere se poochha. Ek ajeeb sa aura uske ird-gird fel gaya jisey Rohan ne bhi mehsoos kiya. Uski paini nazar Rohan ki rooh me ghus ke ghoor rahi thi.
Rohan ne ek kshan ke liye use dekha aur phir, kalaayi chhor di. Uska haath Veer ke kandhe par aaya aur dheere se thap-thapaaya.
"Toh badhayi ho, Mister Veer!" Woh bola. "You are officially under surveillance."
Aur, itna bol Rohan waha se aage badh gaya. Veer ne use jaate hue dekha. Tabhi, use dhyaan aaya ki woh Kaera ka peechha kar raha tha.
'Shit!'
Woh bhaaga, apni tez raftaar me. Kaera hotel ke baahar nikal chuki thi. Woh parking lot ki orr badh rahi thi. Raghu aur Jassi bhi lobby se daud kar baahar nikal kar aaye.
Kaera bina ruke aage badhti jaa rahi thi.
"Kaeraaaaaa-!!!"
Jab ek tez awaaz uss tak pahuchi. Aur, Kaera wahi ruk gayi. Isliye nahi ki kisi ne bhi awaaz di.
Isliye kyunki, Veer ne awaaz di.
Isliye, kyunki usne use uske naam se bulaaya.
Miss nahi. Ma'am nahi. Sirf... Kaera.
Woh dheere-se saans chhori aur mudi. Woh muskuraayi par kahi na kahi uss muskaan ke peechhe kuchh aur bhi chhipa tha.
Kaera : Toh... Akhirkar tumne mujhe bina honorifics ke bulaana seekh hi liya, hmm!?
Veer ne koi jawab nahi diya. Woh khada raha, kandhe taney hue, mutthiyaan bhinchi hui.
Veer : I... I'm so sorry!
Kaera : ...!?
Veer : Yeh sab kuchh... Meri wajah se hua. Mujhe waha nahi hona chaahiye tha. Aur, iss wajah se tumhe... *glances* Tumhe apne pita se rishte kharaab karne ki zaroorat nahi. Meri wajah se toh bilkul bhi nahi. Mein-
Kaera ne apna haath uthaaya, aur use chup rehne ka ishaara kiya. Veer turant hi shaant ho gaya. Woh aur qareeb aayi. Aur, phir Veer ne dekha. Kaera ki aankhein... namm thi.
'Huh??'
Nahi. Yeh namumkin tha. Kaera ki aankhein namm!? Veer ne kabhi use rote hue nahi dekha tha. Ek akhiri baar jab usne Kaera ko aise dekha tha toh woh Mirror Gallery ke waqt tha. Jab uski haalat dekh Kaera poori tarah se darr gayi thi.
Parking lot se lagi jhaadiyo ke peechhe do parchhaaiyaan jhuki hui thi.
Raghu aage jhuka, nazara dekh uski aankhein fati ki fati reh gayi. Woh uthne ke liye khada hua.
Raghu : Oi, oi, oi... Ye Veer aur miss ke beech akhir chal kya raha hai!?
Jassi ne uski collar ke peechhe se pakda aur use kheench kar wapas peechhe jhaadiyo me kheench liya.
Jassi : Pagla gaya hai kya? Kya kar raha hai?
Raghu : Mein kya kar raha hu? Abey tu kya kar raha hai? Bhale hi hum use jaante hai par uska miss ke itna paas rehna aur- agar uske iraade kuchh aur ho toh?
Jassi : Usne miss ko Slogan ke changul se bachaaya tha. Bhool gaya saale? Club waali raat bhool gaya?
Raghu : Abey mein jaanta hu. Par... Insaan ke iraade badal bhi toh sakte hai na? Aur, tu hi toh kehta hai na humesha ki humein kisi par bhi aankh band kar ke bharosa nahi karna chaahiye.
Jassi ne apni jacket thodi-si upar uthaayi taaki uski kamar ke andar khusa tranquilizer use dikhayi de.
Jassi : Agar, uske iraade zara se bhi badle toh ye hai mere paas. Ab khush?
Raghu ne use bemann se aur gusse se dekha.
Raghu : Hmph! Mujhe abhi bhi woh kuchh khaas pasand nahi.
Jassi (smiles) : Par, miss ko shayad hai.
Raghu : Sapne me. Hmph!
Jassi : Bas chupchap dekh.
Kaera ne Veer ko beech me hi rok use dekha. Aaj woh behad kamzor lag rahi thi.
Kaera : Shayad aaj mujhe samajh aaya thoda bahut, Veer.
Veer : !!?
Kaera : -ki sabse zyada taqleef kab hoti hai.
Usne dheemi awaaz me kaha, control karne ke bawajood uski awaaz kaanp rahi thi.
Kaera : Deal ka haath se nikal jaana... Yes... Unfortunate tha. Lekin, Ruchika ka mere hone ke baad bhi... Father ko sab kuchh bata dena, mujhe uss se bhi zyada bura laga.
Veer : !!
Kaera : Anyways. I get it now. Lekin... Mujhe tumse kuchh jaanana hai.
Veer : Huh?
Kaera : Tell me... Tum aaj raat yaha kya kar rahe the?
Veer thitak ke reh gaya.
Kaera : I'm not stupid, Veer. Without invitation, yaha aise gala me aana next to impossible hai. Unless... agar kisi ki backing ho. Aur, tumhari Aadesh Jaisinghani se purani history rahi hai. Bina support ke andar aana, lagbhag namumkin hai.
Woh uske aur qareeb aayi.
Kaera : So, tell me... Who backed you?
Veer ka muh khula. Par, kuchh nahi nikla. Woh bhala kaise Suhana ka naam le sakta tha?
Kaera Veer ki aankhon me hi jhaank rahi thi jab achanak hi uski aankhein Veer ke peechhe driveway ke paas deewar ke peechhe ek hilti hui aakriti par dhoke se chali gayi.
Ek aurat deewar ke peechhe chhipi hui thi. Dekh rahi thi. Aur, tabhi-
Dono ki aankhein ek dusri se takraayi. Woh aurat ghabraayi aur ek jhatke me wapas deewar ke peechhe chhup gayi.
Kaera ki aankhein achambhav me fel gayi.
Kaera (mutters) : Su..ha...na...!?
Aur, Veer kaanp utha. Bhala kaise? Kaera ko kaise-? Woh peechhe muda. Uske sense alert ho gaye. Aur, use abhaas hua ki waqai deewar ke peechhe koi chhipa hua tha.
'Shit!'
Yaha tak ki use Raghu aur Jassi ki presence bhi feel ho gayi.
Jab woh wapas se Kaera ki orr muda toh ek aur jhatka use laga. Woh murti ki tarah wahi jamm gaya.
Kaera ki aankhon se... jhar-jhar kar aasu beh rahe the. Usne apne nichle honth ko itni zorr se kaata ki khoon nikal aaya. Ve thar-thara uthe.
Kaera : I get it now! Toh isliye-
Veer : Kaera...!
Kaera aise hi nahi itni shreshtha thi. Bas, Suhana ki ek jhalak... aur use samajh aa chuka tha ki Veer ko back karne waala insaan kaun tha.
Kyu Veer yaha aaya tha. Kyu Veer uske saath baithne ko raazi hua. Kyu yeh deal uske haatho se nikli. Kyu yeh deal Sonia ko mili. Aur, kyu Suhana... waha deewar ke peechhe chhup ke ye sab dekh rahi thi.
Kaera : KYU?
Bas ek sawaal. Uski awaaz poochhte hue kaanp rahi thi. Kyu? Kyu kiya akhir Veer ne uske saath aisa? Kya Suhana ke liye? Ya Sonia ke liye?
Veer ne jawaab dene ki koshish ki, magar uska gala roondh gaya. Peechhe jhaadiyo me chhipe Raghu aur Jassi bhi hairaan the. Unhe yakeen nahi ho raha tha ki unki miss aasu baha rahi thi.
Raghu : M-Miss ro rahi hai? Ye... Ye namumkin hai. Mein iss Veer ko chhorunga nahi. Isne miss ko-
Jassi : Shhh!
Aur, tabhi Kaera haule se hassne lagi. Par, ye hassi ruwasi waali hi thi. Na hi naram, na hi khushmijaaz. Tooti hui hassi.
Kaera ko hassta dekh Raghu aur Jassi baukhla gaye. Yeh unki miss hi thi ya koi aur?
Raghu : Behanchod chal kya raha hai?
Jassi : Halla nahi. Shh!
Kaera Veer ke paas aayi. Bahut zyada qareeb.
Usne upar haath badhaaya, Veer ki tie pakdi, aur use halka-sa neeche kheencha. Gusse aur dukh se kaanpti awaaz me usne poochha.
Kaera : TELL ME, VEEEER!!! HOW ARE YOU GOING TO REPAY THIS... LOSS!?
Veer ki dhadkane tez ho gayi. Saans atak ke reh gayi. Kaera ki nazdeeki ne jaise uske fefdo se hawa chheen li thi. Uske badan ki khushbu, uske jism ki garmahat, uski garm saansein aur aankhein laal, aasuon se bhari hui.
Unn aankhon me toofaan tha. Kaise iski bharpaayi karega? Veer ke paas iske liye koi shabd nahi the.
Kaera ne uski tie ko apni kalaayi me ek baar lapeta.
Veer : !!?
Veer ka chehra uske qareeb aaya. Phir, Kaera ne ek aur baar tie ko apni kalaayi par lapeta. Teesri baar. Chauthi baar. Aur, har baar woh aisa karte hue Veer ko apni orr kheechte chali gayi.
Veer ki aankhein achraj me felti chali gayi.
Kaera : Agar, tumhare paas jawaab nahi... Then, I'll decide.
Woh fusfusayi. Aur, phir-
Usne tie kheench di. Zorr se.
Veer ke honth... uske hontho se takra baithe. Aur, duniya jaise uske liye wahi tham gayi.
*Badump*
Raghu : Iski maa ki ch-
Raghu baukhla gaya. Jassi ne turant hi uske muh par haath rakha.
Raghu : Mmm! Nnn! Mmll!!
Jassi : Kuchh nahi dekha tumne. Kuchh nahi!
Usne kehte hue apne dusre haath se uski aankhein bhi band kar di. Raghu Jassi ke haath me hi cheenkh maarta reh gaya.
Jassi : Bhosdike hilna band kar warna tranquilizer teri hi gaand me pel dunga. Shhh!
Jassi ne keh toh diya par uski khud ki haalat kharaab thi. Yeh pehli baar tha jab uski miss ne kisi ladke ko-
Jassi : Maine bhi kuchh nahi dekha.
Kehte hue usne aankhein band kar li.
Magar, udhar deewaar ke peechhe-
Suhana ko jaise saanp soongh gaya. Uska muh khula ka khula reh gaya. Uski chhaati andar dhasti chali gayi. Achanak itna tez dard uske dil me utha jaise maano kisi ne sui buri tarah se chubho di ho.
Uski ungliyaan uski dress me gadd gayi, mutthi seene par aise bhinchi jaise maano koi uska jee chura ke le jaa raha ho.
Uski aankhein aasuon se bhar gayi. Usne apne honth zorr se kaate aur waha se bhaag uthi.
Kaera ne kass ke Veer ko kheencha hua tha. Hontho ke beech ka yuddh kuchh kshan tak chalta gaya.
Ek pal ke liye awaazein gaayab ho gayi. Raushni maddham pad gayi. Aur, vartmaan paani me kisi syaahi ki tarah ghul gaya.
---
Kuchh din pehle...
Kaera apne sheeshe ke saamne kursi par baithi hui thi. Julia uske theek peechhe khadi hokar, apne haatho se uske baal bana rahi thi.
Kaera : Julia!?
Usne achanak hi pukaara. Julia beech me ruki.
Julia : Yes, miss?
Par, phir wapas se brush se uske baal banaane lagi. Kaera abhi bhi sheeshe me hi dekh rahi thi.
Kaera : Kya tumne kabhi... Kabhi kisi ko kiss kiya hai?
Aur, Julia ka brush wahi ruk gaya. Usne palkein jhapkaayi, phir dheere-se hassi.
Julia : Kiss? Ye toh bada hi unexpected question tha, miss fufu~
Kaera : Toh, iska matlab haan hai, hai na?
Julia (smiles) : Yes, miss. I have. Bas, kuchh hi baar.
Kaera : Oh!? Who???
Julia ki nazrein mazakiya andaaz me sheeshe par phiri.
Julia : You are terrible at respecting people's privacy, miss fufu~
Kaera : Mein sirf poochh rahi thi. Force nahi kiya.
Julia : Aapka poochhna bhi kisi order ki tarah lagta hai, miss.
Usne haar maante hue ek aah bhari.
Julia : Fine. I'll tell you, miss. Jab mein Russia me thi, tab maine kuchh ladko ko date kiya tha.
Kaera : Kiya tha!? Past tense. Matlab abhi tum single ho, right? Kyu? Kya hua?
Julia (smiles) : Right! Kyunki, unme se koi bhi husband material nahi tha, miss. And, that's why... I'm here. With you. And, yes. Single.
Kaera ne uski baat ko samajhte hue haami bhari.
Kaera : Toh... Toh kaisa tha?
Julia : Hmm? Kaisa kya tha?
Kaera : Wahi... Kisi ko... Kisi ko kiss karna. How did it feel?
Aaeene me, uski nazrein apne hontho par chali gayi. Julia muskurayi, jaise usa sab pata ho, woh aur qareeb aayi, awaaz narm aur saansein garm thi.
Julia (whispers) : It's a very beautiful feeling, miss.
Kaera ki ungliyaan apni dress ke kinaare me kass gayi.
Kaera : J-Jaise-!?
Julia aur qareeb aayi, uske honth Kaera ke kaan ke paas the.
Julia : Aap khud hi try kar ke kyun nahi dekhti, miss? Aapko pata lag jaayega.
Kaera shaant ho gayi.
Kaera : Try...!? Mein khud-!?
Julia (smiles) : Yes!
Kaera : Par... Mujhe nahi pata ki kaise-
Julia hassi.
Julia : Fufufu~ It's very simple.
Kaera : Simple?
Julia (whispers) : Just seal your lips with your partner.
Kaera : S-Seal the lips... Aur, phir?
Julia : Fir, baaki sab *smiles* Apne aap ho jaata hai.
Woh kehte hue seedhi hui aur wapas se Kaera ke baal banaane me lag gayi.
Kaera (budbudate hue) : A-Apne aap..!?
Julia : When you do kiss someone... Don't forget to tell me how it felt, miss.
Kaera ne bas dheere se apna sirr hila diya.
---
Kaera ne apni kiss todi. Woh achanak peechhe hatt gayi. Uski saansein tez thi. Usne apni kaanpti hui ungliyon se apne hontho ko chhua, jaise mehsoos kar rahi ho ki ve abhi bhi wahi hai ya nahi.
Uski nazrein Veer ke hontho par gayi. Phir, uski aankhon par. Uske chehre par ek aisa bhaav aaya jisey padhna mushqil tha.
Kaera (smirks) : Pata chal gaya...!
Veer : Huh?
Kaera (mutters) : Magnetic!!!
Iss se pehle ki woh rok paati, shabd uske muh se nikal gaya.
Veer ne apni ukhdi saans chhori, khud ko sambhaalne ki koshish karte hue. Uska dil itni zorr se dhadak raha tha jaise maano dil apni lay hi bhool gaya ho.
Veer : K-Kya matlab?
Usne hairaani me poochha. Kya magnetic?
Kaera bas muskuraayi. Kuchh alag hi khatarnak dhang se. Usne apna haath uske seene par rakha, aur use dheere se peechhe dhakel diya.
Veer : Wh-What!? K-Kaera...?
Kaera : You owe me one tonight, Veer. And, you have to tell me. Who was that girl. Mein tumse baad me poochhungi. Yaad rakhna. *smirks*
Veer avaak reh gaya. Kaera ko abhi tak Erica ko lekar woh baat yaad thi?
Aur, bas itna bol, woh palat gayi. Woh apni car ki taraf chal padi. Awaaz reh gayi toh bas uski heels ki jo zameen par takraate hue shor karti chali gayi.
Use jaata dekh, Raghu aur Jassi turant hi dusre raaste se uski orr bhaage.
Aur, sab kuchh shaant pad gaya. Reh gaya toh sirf Veer.
Hairaan.
Bhramit.
Aur-
Aakarshit.
'Goddamn!'
---
Hotel ki lobby ke andar, Suhana ladkhadaate hue aage badhi, uski saans phool rahi thi, aasuon ke chalte uski nazar dhundhli ho chuki thi.
Tabhi-
"Dii...??"
Sonia uski taraf bhaagte hue aayi. Apne haatho se uske kandho ko usne thaama.
Sonia : Dii??? Aap yaha kya kar rahi ho?
Sonia ki khud ki aankhon me bhi aasu the. Suhana ka rota chehra dekh use laga ki shayad uski behan bhi uski qamyaabi par khush thi. Aur, isliye woh use pakad zorr zorr se hilaate hue chehek uthi.
Sonia : Dii... I won. Mein jeet gayi. I finally won dii!! I can't believe it. I finally won. I got the biggest deal of my life.
Suhana ne uski taraf dekha. Ab aasu aur tezi se behne lage. Usne dheere se apna sirr hilaaya.
Suhana : N-No... Sonu... *sniff* You didn't win.
Sonia : Huh!?
Sonia ki muskaan feeki pad gayi.
Sonia : D-Dii? Y-Ye aap kya keh rahi ho?
Suhana : You lost, Sonu! *sniff* YOU LOST THE BIGGEST DEAL OF YOUR LIFE.
Kehte hue woh peechhe hatt gayi.
Suhana (sobs) : AND SO DID I-!! *sniff*
Iske pehle ki Sonia kuchh samajh paati, bol paati, Suhana mudi aur rote-rote hi bhaagti chali gayi, apni chhoti behan ko waha hairaan, pareshaan khada chhorte hue.
Sonia ke kaano me jashn ka shor achanak hi gaayab ho gaya. Woh, apni jagah par jami reh gayi.
Vismay me. Bhay me.
***
Iss orr corporate gala ki vilasita se koso dur Veer ke ghar me ek alag hi mahaul bana hua tha.
Ghar par ek aadmi, uski patni, uska beta aur bahu sofe par virajman the.
Aur, unn sab ke saamne Bhavna, Shweta, Bhumika aur Tej maujood thi. Unn sabke chehre ka rang uda hua tha, khaas kar Tej ka.
Tej : K-Kya kaha aapne? Aap kisliye aaye hai?
Aadmi : Beta, hum apni beti ka rishta leke aaye hai aapke bhai, Veer ke liye. Humaari beti... Shreya bitiya ka rishta.
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Aaj ke liye itna hi guys.
This update consists of 11.2k words. This marks the end of the whole corporate gala scene. Next update se focus Suhana ke b'day par rahega. I'll finish that in 2 updates as well. Ya agar ho paaya toh, ek me hi nipta dunga. Sab kuchh samet dunga (If possible.)
Iss update me kaafi jhanjhat hui mujhe kyunki, illness bhi thi aur phir itne characters waala update. I hope I did justice to it. Sabhi ke reactions hopefully maine qaid kiye honge. Btw, Veer's Aura farming has just begun (A hint.) After changing his way of approaching, Veer was surprisingly very calm here. The reasons : Kaera and Suhana.
Sirf kuchh hi updates baaki hai. I mentioned that by the end of this arc Veer's relationship will be established. (I think you guys can take the hint now.) Baaki, aaj ke liye itna hi guys.
Dhanyavad.