- 20,566
- 123,459
- 259
Last edited:
Incest Baadshah ~ The Tales of Debauchery
- Thread starter Werewolf
- Start date
- 21,705,454
🔥 Read Next Hot Story →
Discover more exclusive stories
RAAZ
Well-Known Member
- 3,296
- 7,686
- 158
Bohat top update koi nahi chota hai magar aapki life bhi ab busy hai. Life me priorities bhi badalti rehti hai aur hamay unke sath adjust karna hota hai.Update - 215 ~ Pre-Summit Prep
Ab tak...
Woh dheere se seedhi baithi.
"Shayad tum sahi keh rahi ho?"
Usne billi ko pyaar se uthakar sofe par bithaaya. Phir khadi hui. Uske gray baal kandhon par bikhar gaye. Saamne lage bade se sheeshe me usne apne aap ko dekha. Aur muskuraayi.
"Alright."
Usne dheere se apni jacket uthayi.
"Let's see what all the fuss is about."
Billi ne dobaara meow kiya. Woh aurat darwaaze ki taraf badhi. Phir ek pal ke liye ruki. Uski aankhon me wahi shararat laut aayi.
"But what if...?"
Usne mudke apni billi ko dekha.
"...they can't handle me?"
*Meow*
Aur billi ka jawaab sunn uski hasi phir kamre me goonj uthi.
Ab aage...
Darwaaza khula toh Bhavna ne hall se sirr utha kar dekha. Ghar ke baahar khada auto ab jaa chuka tha aur Suman kandhe par bag latkaaye andar aa rahi thi.
“Aa gayi tum…! Kaafi din lag gaye.”
Bhavna ne andar aati Suman ko dekh kaha.
Suman : Ji didi!
Woh sofe par baithi toh Bhavna ne wahi rakha apna paani ka glass, jo woh apne liye laayi thi, Suman ki orr aage karte hue badhaaya.
Bhavna : Kuchh mila fir?
Suman (paani lete hue) : Hmm! Dukhad khabar hai. Unka beta kuchh din pehle hi guzar gaya tha. Antim sanskaar pehle hi ho gaya tha. Jo kuchh mila toh… bas kuchh bachi hui amaanatein.
Bhavna (sighs) : Na jaane kya beet rahi hogi.
Suman : Unke hi parivar ne aapke saath chhal kiya aur aap unse hi humdardi jata rahi hain?
Bhavna : Isme humdardi jaisa kya Suman? Akhir… hai toh woh bhi ek maa hi na? Aulaad khone ke baare me toh mein soch bhi nahi sakti.
Kehte hue woh uthkar khidki ke paas pahuchi. Kshan bhar ke liye 'Shweta' aur 'Purvi' dono uske zehen me aayi. Nazrein baahar sadak par tiki aur usne aage bolna jaari rakha.
Bhavna : Beshaq! Uss parivar ne humein bahut taqleef di hai, lekin Vandna ka kya dosh? Usne bhi toh sab kuchh khoya hi hai na? Upar se woh bhi Parijaat ka hissa rahi hai. Uske purvaj bhi kabhi Parijaat ka hissa hi the. Kahi na kahi woh humesha se hi humse judi rahi hai.
Suman : Shayad isliye unke andar aapko lekar utna berr nahi hai.
Bhavna : Huh?
Suman : Kuchh nahi! Bas yuhi…
Bhavna : Khair, ek ye baat achhi thi ki uss dukhad ghadi me kam se kam tum uske saath thi.
Ek halki muskaan ke saath woh palatate hue boli. Suman ne haami bhar ek gehri saans li aur phir ghar par agal-bagal nazar maari.
Suman : Baaki sabhi kaha hain?
Bhavna : Kaha honge? Apne-apne kaamo me vyast hain.
Suman : Aabha?
Bhavna : Andar hai. Kitchen me. Kavya ke saath.
Suman : Kavya abhi bhi yahin par hain?
Bhavna : Hmm! Uss haadse ke baad se Ragini aur woh ek-dusre ke kaafi qareeb aa gayi hain. Usne prann liya hai ki Ragini ki seva woh khud karegi.
Suman : Maalik?
Sunte hi Bhavna ki aankhein sikudi. Yeh shabd humesha hi use atpata lagta tha.
Bhavna : Tum-
Suman : Iske pehle ki aap mujhe toke mein pehle hi jata deti hu. Haan! Mein unhe isi naam se pukaarungi. Nahi! Sabke saamne nahi. Lekin, aapse chhipaane ki bhi zaroorat nahi hai.
Bhavna (frowns) : Toh mere saamne bhi mat kiya karo, Suman!
Suman : Jaanti toh hain sab aap. Phir, kyu bhaag rahi hain sacchaayi se?
Bhavna punah khidki ki orr palti.
Bhavna : Bhaag nahi rahi hu. Bas...
Suman apne sthaan par se khadi hui.
Suman : Ise bhaagna hi kehte hai didi. Ek taraf toh aap Parijaat se rishta hone ki wajah deke Vandna se humdardi jata rahi hain. Aur, dusri orr mere 'maalik' kehne par aapko aitraaz bhi ho raha hai? Yeh do tarfa khel kab tak khelengi aap?
Bhavna jhatse uski orr mudi. Chehre par ab shikan saaf jhalak rahi thi.
Bhavna : Mein koi khel nahi khel rahi hu. Hawas ke bahaav me mat baho Suman. Koi bhi sajjan, shikshit vyakti ye asaani se bata dega ki ye sab... Ye sab galat hain. Wo sab nahi hona chaahiye tha. Peedhi-dar-peedhi ye-
Suman : Oh achha? Hawas? Aapko lagta hai mein hawas ke bahaav me beh rahi hu? Hawas nahi. Prem hai ye! Kal ko maalik agar mujhe chheene se bhi inkaar kar de. Toh bhi mera prem unke liye humesha utna hi rahega. Nahi. Balki, badhta hi jaayega. Ye baat aap bhi achhi tarah se jaanti hai didi ki maalik ke liye mein apni jaan bhi de sakti hu. Na hi unke khilaaf mein kuchh bura sunn sakti hu aur na hi unn par koi aanch aane de sakti hu.
Bhavna : P-Par ye galat-
Suman (zor se) : Toh sach kya hai didi? Kya hai iska hal? Kya hai sahi? Kya hai galat? Samjhaiye mujhe!
Uske qadam ahista-ahista Bhavna ki orr badhe. Jaise hi woh uske qareeb pahuchi, Bhavna ne nazrein ferr li aur uski zubaan par khamoshi ka taala lag gaya. Woh jaanti thi ki Parijaat ke shraap ka koi hal nahi. Aur, agar hai bhi... toh uss se woh anjaan thi.
Suman (narm padte hue) : Meri wafadari ko hawas ka naam mat dijiye didi. Maalik ko maine tann, mann, dhan, poorn roop se apnaaya hai. Sab kuchh saunp chuki hu unhe. Ise hawas ka naam mat dijiye. Aap ne toh sab dekha hua hai na? Kaise Parijaat ki auratein bina shareerik roop se jude hone ke bawajood Singh parivar ke kul ke liye kitna samarpit rehti thi? Aaj bhi waisa hi hai. Maalik ko bas kehna hai aur ye Suman... Use haqeeqat me badal degi.
Kuchh derr tak Bhavna bas Suman ko dekhti rahi. Uski aankhon me jhaank kar uski gambheerta ko parakhti rahi. Parantu, use agar unn aankhon me kuchh nazar aaya toh sirf junoon. Pagalpann. Prem. Koi chhal nahi. Koi jhooth nahi.
Bhavna : K-Kyu? Itna kyu-? Itna kyu uss se mohit ho tum? Aakhir tum iss qadar kaise uss se prem-? Aabha aur Sonali bhi hoti toh samajh aata ki wo uski hum-umr hai lekin tum-? Tum dono ko mile itna samay bhi nahi hua. Fir bhala kyu?
Suman : Maut ki raat yaad hai na didi?
Uss raat ko yaad karte hi Bhavna ke badan me ruue khade ho gaye. Woh kaali raat jab Singh parivar ki haveli aag me jalkar bhasm ho gayi thi.
Suman : Yaad hai na? Kaise aapne apne parivar ko khoya tha? Aur, maine apni maa ko...! Aaj aap Vandna se humdardi jata rahi hai. Kya yaad hai aapko aapne uss raat kya kaha tha?
Bhavna ko wo pal yaad aaya jis waqt woh apni haveli ko jalta hua dekh rahi thi. Uske bagal se Suman apni kishoravastha me, sevak Shyaam ke pita, Jaidev aur Abhilasha kaaki khadi hui thi.
Kuchh bacha tha toh uske haatho me sirf woh... Neelmani.
Kaapte haatho se usne Neelmani ko apne saamne kiya. Apni khud ki jalti hui haveli ke saamne. Unn aag ki lapto ki jwaalaye uss chamkeele patthar par chamak rahi thi.
"Aaj mein Bhavna Singh, Dharam Singh ki putri aur Vijay Singh ki behan ye pratigya leti hu! Ki ek din...! Jis tarah inn sab ne mere parivaar ko maara hai! Usi tarah mein bhi inke parivar ko khatm karungi!"
Suman ki nigaahein uss patthar par tiki hui thi jo aag ki lapto se aani waali raushni me Bhavna ke haath me chamak raha tha.
Bhavna ne nazrein neechi kar Suman ko dekha aur uske sarr par haath phera.
"Suman! Kya tum mujhse ek vaada karogi?"
Chanchal Suman ne ahista se sarr haan me hilaaya.
"Vaada karo! Vaada karo ki tum..." Uska haath sehsa ek pal ke liye apne pait ke upar gaya. "Vaada karo ki jab Singh parivar ke kul ka janm hoga aur agar tum kabhi uss se mili... Toh tum uska khayaal rakhogi. Vaada karo."
Suman ki aankhon me chamak thi. Usne Bhavna ki saree ko kass kar thaam apna sirr hilaaya. Bolne ke sthiti me nahi thi. Saamne aag ki lapto ne uski maa ko bhi jo samet liya tha.
Bhavna ne ek gehri kaanpti hui saans bhari.
"Kaaki! Kaaka! Ab kuchh shesh nahi raha. Sab khatam ho gaya! Chaliye!"
Apne aasuo ko pochh woh mud ke nikal gayi.
Ek sihran bharte hue Bhavna ne apni palkein khol Suman ko dekha.
Suman : Aa gaya yaad?
Bhavna : Toh chaahti kya ho tum? Kya ye kehna chaahti ho ki mein Vandna se humdardi na jatau?
Suman : Maine ye toh kaha hi nahi!?
Bhavna : Toh phir kya kehna chaah rahi ho?
Suman : Aapko ye batlaana chaah rahi hu ki ek taraf aap Vandna ke Parijaat se jude hone ke chalte unse humdardi jata rahi ho toh wahi dusri taraf aapko maalik ka Parijaat se juda hona pasand nahi aa raha. Agar ye doglapann nahi toh kya hai didi?
Bhavna : L-Lekin mein... I-Iss tarah nahi Suman-
Suman : Aapne Parijaat ka iske pehle toh kabhi virodh nahi kiya!? Par jaise hi baat apne bete par aayi toh achanak se Parijaat itna chubhne kyun laga?
Bhavna ki aankhein sikudi.
Bhavna (frowns) : Abhilasha kaaki ne kaafi kuchh bata diya hai shayad. Hai na?
Suman (smiles) : Bahut kuchh!
Bhavna : ...
Suman : ...
Bhavna (glares) : Suman... Prem ka matlab apni maryaada kho dena nahi hota hai.
Suman muskuraayi. Bhavna uski muskaan dekh thoda chintit hui.
Suman : Ye baat aapke muh se shobha nahi deti, didi.
Bhavna : Kya matlab?
Suman (smiles) : Matlab ye ki- maryaada ki baat aap mujhse kar rahi hain? Kya aapko nahi lagta ki ye maryaada ki baat aapko pehle-
Bhavna : ??
Suman dheere se chalte hue uske qareeb aayi aur uske kaan ki taraf jhukte hue ahista se boli.
Suman : -Purvi didi se karni chahiye?
Bhavna (gasps) : Huh?
Suman : Kyun? Kya maine kuchh galat kaha? Purvi didi ka... Ek maa samaan hona aur maalik ke muh me apna nanga stann bharna. Ye kaha ki maryaada hai? *smirks*
Jab Bhavna ne yeh suna toh jaise uske perro taley zameen khisak gayi. Woh bhauchakki khadi Suman ko ghoorti rahi.
Suman : Pehle aap unse kyun nahi maryaada ki baat karti?
Bhavna (shudders) : T-Tumhe-!?
Suman : Haan! Sab jaanti hu mein!
Bhavna : K-Kaise? Tumhe ye sab kisne-?
Suman : Khud maalik ne!
Bhavna (hairat me) : Veer ne tumhe-?
Suman : Ji! Lekin, ab aap ye baat unhe mat bataiyega. Rahi baat meri toh... Jis din maalik mujhe dhitkaar denge. Yeh Suman uss din se unhe chhiyegi tak nahi. Par, woh din aane se pehle... Mein poori tarah se unki hu. Aur, aap jaanti hai ki ise nazarandaz nahi kiya jaa sakta.
Bhavna ne kaanpte hue ek gehri saans chhori. Aur, use iss tarah dekh Suman bhi narm pad gayi.
Suman : Mein jaanti hu aapke mann me kya chal raha hai. Lekin, aap jitna uss baare me sochengi, ye utna hi aapko pareshan karega.
Bhavna : Toh kya karu?
Suman : Niyati pe chhor dijiye sab. Hum jitna ise rokne ki koshish karenge, utna hi ulajhte chale jaayenge. Niyati se yaad aaya- *frowns* Mujhe aapse behad zaroori baat karni hai. Aaiye!
Achanak hi woh Bhavna ko kheechte hue andar le jaane lagi.
Bhavna : S-Suman? Kya hua???
Parantu, Suman ne koi jawab nahi diya. Woh bas Bhavna ko ek kamre me andar leke gayi, ghar me maujood logo ki nazron se bachte hue, aur andar aate hi usne jhatse darwaza band kar diya.
Bhavna : K-Kya hua? Achanak se tum-?
Usne Bhavna ki baahein thaame use bistar par baithaaya aur khud neeche hi uski taango ke paas baith gayi.
Suman : Shh! Ab mein aapko jo bataane waali hu, ho sakta hai use sunane ke baad aapko bahut bada jhatka lage, isliye pehle se sachet kar rahi hu.
Bhavna : K-Kaisi baat?
Suman : Dhyaan se suniye-
Uske baad kamre ke andar kya baatein hui, woh uss ghar ki deewaarein hi jaanti thi. Bahar waqt apni raftaar se guzarta raha aur andar Bhavna ka har vishwas ek-ek karke tootata chala gaya.
Jab qareeban ek ghante baad darwaza khula, tab jaati hui Suman ko dekh Bhavna ne bola.
Bhavna : Suman!
Suman apni jagah par thehri.
Bhavna (frowns) : Sambhal ke...! Kahi use-
Suman : Sab mujhpar chhor dijiye didi.
Kehte hue woh kamre se baahar nikal gayi. Bhavna bas nishabd khadi use jaata dekhti rahi. Aur darwaza dheere se band ho gaya.
***
Ahemdabad,
Evening - 6:30 PM~
*Thud*
Darwaza band hua toh Arohi ne ek gehri saans li. Badan par usne teal color ka ek casual hoodie daala hua tha. Washroom ke sheeshe ke saamne khadi hokar usne apna phone uthaya aur selfie click karni shuru ki.
*Click*
*Click*
*Click*
Ek...
Do...
Das...
Bees...
Pachaas...
Qareeban sattar tasveerein kheenchne ke baad bhi woh sirf ek hi photo par aa kar ruki.
'Hmm...'
Usne kuchh pal uss tasveer ko dekha.
'Nahi...'
*Delete*
'Looking weird again. Isliye social media ka mann nahi karta.'
Halki si naraazgi ke saath usne phone apni pocket me daal liya. Par use kaun bataaye...
-ki jin tasveeron ko woh bekaar samajhkar delete kar rahi thi, wahi agar kabhi social media par pahuch jaaye, toh na jaane kitne ladke bas ek jhalak ke liye uska profile baar-baar kholne lag jaaye.
Uske inbox me dedh sau se bhi adhik unread messages pade hue the. Zyadatar ladko ke.
Magar, Arohi ke liye ye sab maayne hi nahi rakhta tha. Uske liye duniya bahut chhoti thi. Bas apne log. Apna parivaar.
Kisi mard me uski kabhi koi dilchaspi thi hi nahi. Na woh kisi ladke se bewajah baat karti thi, na hi kisi ko apne qareeb aane deti thi.
Aaj bhi agar woh yaha thi toh sirf apni ek nayi saheli ki zid ki wajah se. Warna uska asal plan toh PG ke kamre me bistar par lait kar chen ki neend lene ka tha.
Washroom ka darwaza khol woh baahar aayi.
"Finally!" ek ladki hass padi. "Madam, hum sab aapka hi wait kar rahe the."
"Hmm... Sorry."
Bas itna kehkar Arohi ne halki si muskaan di.
"Chale?"
Sabne haami bhari aur unka group mall se kuchh hi doorie par sthit ek cafe ki taraf chal diya.
Ahmedabad ki February ki shaam me halki thandi hawa chal rahi thi. Sadak par gaadiyon ki awaazein, footpath par thele waalon ki pukaar, fafda, khaman aur dur se aati chai ki milti-julti khushboo sheher ko ek alag hi rang me duboye hue thi.
Abhi ve sab kuchh hi qadam chale honge ki uski bagal me chal rahi ladki ki nazar achanak uske kaano par tik gayi.
"Wooow!"
Arohi ne uski taraf dekha. 'Hmm?'
Ladki : Arohi, tumhare earrings kitne pretty hain!
Anjaane me, Arohi ka haath apne kaan tak gaya. Uski ungliyaan dheere se apne kaan ke paas ki zulfon par phiri aur phir unn earrings ko chhoo gayi.
Ek pal ke liye waqt jaise theher gaya. Woh maun reh gayi. Honth khule par shabd baahar nahi nikle, phir achanak hi bina wajah ek halki si muskaan unn par ubhar aayi.
Aur uske zehen me aaya... Kavya ka woh janmdin. Ek chhota sa gift box. Aur...
Veer.
Ladki : Gold hai na?
Arohi (nods) : Hmm...
Ladki : Kaha se liye?
Arohi (smiles) : Gift hai...
Ladki (sharaarat me) : Heh~ Boyfriend?
Arohi (blushes) : N-Nahi.
Ladki : Accha? Toh fir kisne diye?
Arohi kuchh na boli. Unn earrings ko ungliyon se sehlaate hi yaadein dheere-dheere aankhon ke saamne tairne lagi.
Janmdin Kavya ka tha. Arohi apne kuchh dosto ke saath khadi thi, jinme se ek tha Akash. College ka ek ladka, jo kaafi samay se uske peeche pada hua tha.
Akash : Please, Arohi! Tum jaanti hi ho... kitne pyaar se laaya hu.
Kehte hue usne apne haath me pakda chhota sa box khola. Andar ek behad hi khubsoorat earrings ki jodi thi.
Arohi : Akash... maine kaha na, I really don't need it. Aur birthday Kavya ka hai. Maine tum sabko yaha uske birthday ke liye invite kiya hai.
Thodi dur khada Veer kaafi der se yahi sab dekh raha tha. Akash baar-baar mana karne ke baad bhi maan hi nahi raha tha.
Arohi jaanti thi ki ye sirf ek gift nahi tha. Agar usne ye earrings accept kar liye, toh uska matlab bhi nikaala jaata. Aur wahi woh nahi chaahti thi.
Par woh unn ladkiyon me se bhi nahi thi jo baat-baat par chillane lage. Isliye bas shaanti se use mana karti rahi.
Tabhi, uski nazar Veer par padi. Jaise ek hi pal me uski saari uljhan khatam ho gayi.
Akash : Mein jaanta hu Kavya ka birthday hai, Arohi. Uske liye toh mein alag gift laaya hu. Ye toh sirf tumhare liye hai. Meri taraf se. Pyaar se laaya hu... mana mat karo.
Veer ahista se chalte hue unke qareeb aaya.
Veer (smiles) : Hmm? Ohh... Earrings! Sorry, brother. Lekin meri dii ke paas already bahut hi pyaari si earrings hain.
Akash : H-Huh? Kya? Kaha hai? Bakwaas mat karo. Main Arohi ko pichhle do saalo se dekhta aa raha hu. I-I mean... maine use notice kiya hai. Usne kabhi kaano me baali nahi pehni. Isliye main uske liye ye lekar aaya tha.
Veer (smiles) : Well... She does have earrings.
Muskuraate hue usne apne blazer ke andar haath daala aur ek chhota sa gift box nikaala. Jaise hi box khula...
Andar rakhi earrings ki chamak par waha maujood sabhi ki nazrein theher gayi. Kuchh pal ke liye Arohi bhi bas unhe dekhti hi reh gayi.
Lights ki raushni me wo itni khubsoorat lag rahi thi ki Akash ke haath me pakdi earrings ekdum pheeki pad gayi.
Akash: !!???
Aur fir...
Ek bhi pal gawaaye bina Arohi ne jhatse Veer ke haath se woh box liya aur zor se uss se chipak gayi.
Veer (smiles): See? She does have earrings.
Unn palo ko yaad kar Arohi ke hontho par anjaane me muskaan bikhar gayi aur gaal gulaabi ho chale.
Ladki : Oye? Kya hua? Kaha kho gayi?
Arohi : Huh!?
Ladki : Tumne bataya nahi... kisne diye?
Arohi ne phir unn earrings ko dheere se chhua.
Arohi (smiles) : ...bas kisi apne ne.
Ladki : Ohh! Bahut sundar hai sach me.
Arohi bas muskura di. Unn earrings ko ek baar phir chhoote hue woh sabke saath chalne lagi. Kuchh hi der baad group cafe ke baahar pahucha.
Sab apni-apni baaton me lage hue the. Tabhi Arohi ke kaano me do ladko ki dheemi awaaz padi.
"Bhai yahi mauka hai. Bol de!"
"Yaar... kaise bolu? Dekha nahi kitni shaant rehti hai?"
"Haan toh? Ek coffee ke liye hi toh poochhna hai bey."
"Mana kar di toh?"
"Toh kya hua? Try toh kar bhosdike!"
Arohi ne bina palte bas ek baar aankhon ke kone se unki taraf dekha.
Ye ladka...
Jise woh pichhle kuchh dino se baar-baar apni taraf dekhte hue pakad rahi thi. Aaj bhi usne apni nazrein hata li. Jaise kuchh suna hi na ho.
'Toh... ye baat hai.'
Uske chehre par koi badlaav nahi aaya. Lekin agle hi pal...
Na jaane kyun... Uske zehen me Veer ka chehra ubhar aaya. Usne socha...
'Agar Veer ye dekhega toh?'
Ek chhoti si muskaan uske honthon par aa gayi.
'Thoda sa pareshaan karke dekhu?'
Phir turant hi usne khud ko daanta.
'No! Pagal! I shouldn't do it.'
Aur, bas do qadam chalte hi...
'Bas thoda sa...'
Usne hoodie ki pocket se apna phone nikala, contacts khole aur bina ek pal gawaaye, Veer ko video call kar diya.
---
Idhar Veer ka phone jab vibrate hua toh usne apna phone nikaal kar dekha.
'Hmm? Arohi dii ka video call?'
Usne call uthaaya, Arohi ka chehra use nazar aaya.
Veer (smiles) : Arohi dii! Kaisi ho?
Arohi ne Veer ke ird-gird dekha toh nazara dekh thoda bhram me pad gayi.
Arohi : H-Hey! Mein theek hu. Kaha par ho tum?
Veer : Huh? Mein? Woh-
Veer ne apne agal-bagal nazrein daudaayi, phir wapas screen ki orr palta.
Veer : Bas yuhi... baahar aaya hua tha. Par aap? Aap kaha ho? Out with friends?
Arohi (nods) : Mm! Ek roommate zid kar rahi thi chalne ke liye so...
Veer (smiles) : I see! Aur, aap mana nahi kar paayi. Hai na?
Arohi : H-Haan!
Veer : Par andar hi andar aap bhi jaana chaahti thi, hai na?
Arohi : H-Haan! Huh? What? N-Nahi!
Veer : Hahaha! Well, dekh ke achha laga ki aap udhar ghul-mil rahi ho.
Arohi : Mm! Ghar par sab kaise hai?
Veer : Sab badhiya hain. Aapka session kabse hai?
Arohi : March se...
Veer : Toh itni jaldi kyun chali gayi aap? Abhi toh feb hi laga hai.
Arohi : Bas... Kuchh time akele spend karna tha. Dada ji ke jaane ke baad se... Mujhe ghar se nikalne ki zaroorat thi.
Veer khamosh reh gaya. Usne dheere se sirr hilaaya.
Veer : Toh... Ab kab aaogi aap?
Arohi : Seedhe diwali...!
Veer : Itna late?
Arohi : Hmm!
Veer ne kuchh pal use dekha.
Veer : Lagta hai Ahemdabad aakar hi milna padega phir aapse.
Arohi : Sach me?
Veer : Maybe haha! Kyun? Kya aap nahi chaahti ki mein aau?
Arohi : M-Mein kyun nahi chaahungi? *blushes* It was just out of character for you. Isliye poochha...
Veer : Mein aur out of character? Kabhi nahi. Waise bhi, aapko toh ab naye dost mil gaye honge? Hai na?
Arohi ne kuchh nahi kaha. Uski nazar anjaane me apne group ki taraf gayi. Aur tabhi... Unke group me se usi ek ladke ki nazar uss se jaa mili. Ladka turant hi doosri taraf mud gaya.
"Bhosdike jaa na, dekh rahi hai tujhe!"
"Jaa na saale! Gaand phat gayi kya ab?"
"N-Nahi yaar! Abhi kaise?"
"Jaa bhosdike!"
"Jaa jaldi!"
"H-Ho sakta hai apne boyfriend se hi baat kar rahi ho?"
"Saale kitna phattu hai tu! Abey aisi ladkiyaan ladko se koso dur rehti hai. Tu jaa toh sahi!"
"Yaar darr lag raha!"
"Madarchod, tu nahi jaa raha toh mein jaa raha, chal hatt!"
"N-Ni! Jaata hu! Jaata hu!"
Inke apne chochle chal rahe the. Arohi kuchh der tak uss ladke aur uske dosto ko dur se dekhti rahi jab-
Veer : Arohi dii?
Arohi : Hmm?
Veer : Kaha kho gayi aap?
Arohi : K-Kahi nahi!
Lekin iss baar uske chehre par ek ajeeb si muskaan thi. Wahi khayaal uske zehen me aaya.
'Agar...?'
Usne phir usi ladke ki orr dekha. Phir screen me Veer ko. Aur na jaane kyu magar wahi shararat andar janm le gayi. Woh dobaara uss ladke ko dekhi aur boli.
Arohi : Tum kuchh keh rahe the kya?
Jab ladke ne Arohi ki awaaz suni toh woh wahi jamm ke reh gaya. Yaha tak ki uske haraami dost bhi shaant pad gaye. Ek ne peechhe se uski gaand pe chamaat lagaayi, jaise kehna chaah raha ho ki saale jaa, jaake baat kar.
Chamaat ka asar bhi dikhaayi diya. Do qadam aage badhte hue woh ladka thoda ghabraaya.
Ladka : U-Umm! N-Nahi! A-Aisi koi zaroori baat nahi thi.
Arohi : Bolo na! Kya baat hai?
Iss poore samay Arohi ka dhyaan uss par tha. Aur, screen par Veer dikhaayi de raha tha jo zaahir taur se confused prateet ho raha tha.
Usne bola toh kuchh nahi. Lekin, ek sawaal zaroor mann me aaya ki Arohi bhala use hold par rakh ke kis se itni important baat karne ki koshish kar rahi thi?
Ladka : N-Nahi nahi! A-Aap continue karo na. Call hai na aapka?
Arohi : Oh it can wait! Tumhe kuchh kehna hai toh tum keh sakte ho.
Vaar seedhe jaake Veer ke dil par laga. Uske maathe ki nass halki si fadki. It can wait? Kaun maayi ka laal aa gaya jiske liye Arohi uska call hold par daal rahi thi?
Ladka jaise hi qareeb aaya toh uski nazar Arohi ke phone ki screen par Veer par padi aur Veer jaise handsome insaan ko dekh ek pal ke liye uske saare armaano par jaise paani fir gaya.
Magar, phir ye bhi dhyaan me aaya ki agar yeh ladka Arohi ka bf hota toh Arohi use ignore nahi karti. Usne ek raahat ki saans li.
Idhar uske frame me aate hi Veer ne-
'Check'
*Ding*
Uss ladke ki usne poori janm kundli nikaal li.
Ladka : W-Woh mein keh raha tha ki yahi paas me hi ek cafe hai achha. Coffee achhi milti hai udhar. Toh, kal coffee ke liye chalogi kya? Mein jaa raha tha toh socha...
Arohi : Aur, kaun-kaun hai?
Ladka : Uh-! Aur... Aur toh koi nahi. Bas mein hi hu. I mean-
Arohi : Coffee achhi milti hai?
Ladka : Haan! Kal hi try ki thi maine. Isliye poochha...
Arohi : Hmm! Okay! Sure!
Ladka : Huh? Really?
Arohi : Yes~
Uss ladke ka jaise barso puraana sapna poora ho gaya. Woh khushi ke maare apne dosto ke paas gaya.
Arohi chhip-chhip ke apni aankhon ke kono se use dekh rahi thi. Na jaane uske mann me kya chal raha tha.
Arohi : S-Sorry! Woh bas batchmate tha.
Veer : I see!
Arohi : Coffee ke liye poochhne aaya tha. You know I like coffee...
Veer (smiles) : Of course! I know!
Arohi : Umm... T-Toh mein kal jaungi...
Veer : Haan suna maine abhi.
Arohi : H-Haan! Bas aise hi coffee peekar aa jaayenge.
Veer : Nice!
*Crack*
Achanak, Veer ke haath me pakdi hui metal ki bottle uski ungliyon ke beech me buri tarah dab gayi.
Arohi : ...
Veer : ...
Arohi : Um... Tumhe naam nahi jaanana uska?
Veer : Kis liye?
Arohi : Huh? M-Mujhe laga tumhe poochhna hoga.
Veer : Nahi toh...
Arohi : O-Okay! Toh... Toh tumhe koi dikkat nahi hai?
Veer : Kaisi dikkat?
Arohi : Huh!!?
Bechari ko jaise yakeen hi nahi hua ki Veer ne kya kaha. Usne muh fulaate hue nazrein pher li. Jaisa usne socha tha, waisa use kuchh bhi dekhne ko jo nahi mila.
Jab achanak-
"Will you all stay quiet for a few minutes?"
Veer ki awaaz screen ke through use sunaayi padi. Usne dekha ki Veer peechhe dekhte hue kisi se ye sab keh raha tha.
Arohi : Huh? Veer? Kis se baat kar rahe ho?
Iske pehle ki Veer use jawaab de paata Arohi ki aankhein phati ki phati reh gayi jab camera frame me achanak se Veer ke bagal se koi aur aa gaya. Ek ladki. Nahi. Ek atyadhik khubsurat ladki. Ek celebrity.
Ava.
Par, ye jhatka kam tha jab daaye aur baaye se do aur khubsurat ladkiyaan frame ke andar aa gayi.
Garofano aur Erica.
Arohi : V-Veer?
Veer : Umm! Hey! *smiles* Just like you... mein bhi apne friends ke saath outing par hu.
Arohi : F-Friends?
Bechaari ke muh se toh yahi nikla. Lekin, shayad andar kuchh aur hi chal raha tha. Friends? WHO THE FUCK ARE THEY? FUCKING CELEBRITIES? WHYYY?
Arohi : Veer, ye... That's... that's... Natalia Martin!!! G-Garorano from Garofano products??? Aur, wo... I think I have seen her too... Hospital me... Wait!! Ye tumhare friends hain?
Veer (smiles) : Haan!
Arohi : Haan? Haan kya? Veer! Explain!
Veer : Kya hua?
Arohi (panics) : Ye... Kaha ho tum? Ye sab kaise?
Veer : Aap itni hairaan kyun ho?
Arohi : Toh aur kya houngi?
Veer : They are friends. Chill.
Ava (smiles) : Hey!
Erica : Hello~
Garofano : Are you Veer's cousin? I remember seeing you.
Garofano ne achanak hi Veer ke kandho par apne haath rakhe.
Garofano : He's keeping us company. *smiles*
Arohi : Huh???
Iske pehle ki Arohi uss se aur kuchh poochh paati...
'Hmm?'
Veer : Sorry dii! Ek call aa raha hai. Hum baad me connect karte hain. Enjoy your time with your friends. Bye!
Arohi : R-Ruko! Veeeeer!!
*Call ends*
Arohi : Shit!
Bechaari ka poora daanv uss par hi ulta pad gaya. Pehli baar aaj Arohi ke chehre par jalan dikhaayi de rahi thi aur shayad... thodi chinta aur ashaanti bhi.
Usne fauran hi call wapas se lagaaya magar-
"Aapke dwara dial kiya gaya number, iss waqt anya call par vyast hai. Kripya-"
Arohi (grits) : Tch!
Uski bechaini ab aur badhti jaa rahi thi. Teen ladkiyo tak toh theek tha magar aakhir kiske call ki wajah se Veer ne uska phone call kaat diya? Zaahir taur se koi na koi zaroori call hi raha hoga.
Woh yaha unn teeno ladkiyo ke baare me sochkar paagal hui jaa rahi thi jab uske group ka wahi ladka uske paas phir aaya-
Ladka : Arohi, mein poochh raha tha ki kal kitne baje tum free rahogi?
Arohi ne ahista se chehra uthaate hue dekha.
Arohi (mutters) : Leave...!!!!
Aur, sunte hi maano uss ladke ki rooh kaanp gayi. Arohi ke ird-gird se jo anubhooti mehsoos ho rahi thi woh itni bhayanak thi ki ladka apna thook nigalte hue waha se kat liya.
'Veer-!'
Usne apna angutha daanto taley dabaaya. Akhir ye sab Veer ke itne close kaise thi? Itni badi-badi hastiyon ka uske bhai se kya kaam? Aur, sab ki sab iss waqt Mumbai me uske saath kya kar rahi thi?
Na jaane kitne sawaal uske mann me aa rahe the. Woh khud hi apne conclusions nikaal rahi thi aur khud hi unn sawaalo me aur phasti jaa rahi thi.
***
Mumbai,
A few minutes ago...
Mumbai ke baahri ilaaqe me maujood kuchh ghane ped aur sunsaan sadkein lagti thi. Shehar ke shor-sharaabe se kuchh kilometres dur, ye jagah poori tarah se shaant thi.
Khamoshi itni gehri ki sookhe patton par ek qadam ki bhi awaaz saaf-saaf sunaayi de rahi thi.
Veer ne chaaron taraf apni nazrein daudaayi. Pedon ki oonchi-oonchi bel aur teheniyaan aasmaan ko dhaki hui thi, jinse dhalte sooraj ki dhoop zameen par chhan kar aa rahi thi.
Veer : Ye jagah sahi rahegi.
Usne ek jagah ruk kar mudte hue kaha. Uske peechhe Ava, Garofano aur Erica aa rahi thi. Teeno hi uske qareeb aakar ruki.
Ava ne idhar-udhar dekh aas-paas ki jagah ka jaayza liya, toh wahi Garofano muskaan bikhere apne baalon ko peechhe karne me lagi hui thi. Erica ne ek gehri saans li, jangal ki mitti aur ghaas ki mehak ko mehsoos kar use apne China ke ghar ki yaad aa gayi jaha roz subah 'Order' ke aadmi aise hi jangal me martial arts ki practise kiya karte the.
Garofano : Are you sure Veer? *smiles* Yaha par? I can't promise that I won't cause any damage.
Usne mazakiya dhang me kaha, magar uski aankhein yahi baya kar rahi thi ki use bhi yeh jagah pasand thi.
Veer (smiles) : Hum sab me se tumhara control hi sabse achha hoga, I guess? So, don't joke with me.
Garofano (smiles) : Oh, you are no fun!
Veer : Aaj 5th hai. 20th ko Summit hai. Humaare paas zyada time nahi hai. Plum Island! Waha kya hoga humein nahi pata. Lekin agar Summit se pehle khud ko test nahi kiya, toh anjaam bura ho sakta hai. We must be prepared.
Erica : Lekin, itne kam time me... Kuchh prepare bhi hoga?
Ava (glances) : More than enough hai.
Erica : Ugh! Maybe for you! Lekin, mera kya? Mein aap sabki tarah combat fighter nahi hu.
[Oye! Don't insult me! Tumhare paas literally kayi fighting skills hai. Apne aalas ki wajah se tumne unn skills ko seekha nahi toh isme meri galti nahi hai.]
'Ugh! G-Genie-!'
[Don't blame me! You're getting lethargic. Aalsi ho tum!]
'Ugh!'
[Kaamchor ho rahi ho!]
'Ahh!'
[Tumhe sirf bahaane banaana aata hai!]
'Ehh?'
[You are-]
'Ahhh! Stop it! Stop! Stop! Stop! Mujhe aur nahi sunana!'
Woh apna sarr pakad ke idhar-udhar ghumaane lagi. Veer, Garofano aur Ava use aise dekh rahe the jaise maano uspe koi bhoot sawaar ho gaya ho.
Veer : Erica!!!
Erica : Ahh?!
Veer : You are first!
Erica : Hein? K-Kya?
Veer : Humaare beech ek mutual understanding honi chahiye. In case kabhi tum aur mein kisi aise opponents ke saath bhid gaye jinki tuning aapas me bahut achhi hai, toh humaare liye kaafi mushqil hoga.
Erica : Ah! I know! Kyunki, humne ek dusre ke saath kabhi coordinate nahi kiya, hai na?
Veer (nods) : Exactly! Ek team hone ke naate, humein kam se kam ek dusre ke baare me itna pata hona chahiye ki hum apne opponents se effortlessly bhid sake. Kahi koi misunderstanding na ho.
Erica : I agree! T-Toh kya karna hai?
Woh apne kapde theek karte hue Veer ke saamne aayi. Toh wahi Garofano aur Ava zameen par gadey bade pattharo par baithkar unka training session dekhne me mashgool ho gayi.
Veer : Kya tum bata sakti ho ki tumhare paas kaun si skills hai? I mean agar tum hesitate kar rahi ho toh-
Erica : Umm...
Usne ek pal ke liye Ava aur Garofano ko dekha.
Garofano : What? Don't give us that look. Tum toh aise dekh rahi ho jaise apni skills reveal karne se tumhe disadvantage hoga. Girl... Tum skills reveal karo ya na karo, you'll always lose against me. Toh pretend karne ki zaroorat nahi.
Erica : Wh-What? How dare you-!? *grits* Agar itna hi confidence hai toh try me. I'll beat your sorry ass! Hmph!
Garofano (smiles) : In your dreams sweetheart!
Erica : Y-You-!
Veer : ERICA!
Erica : Ahh! S-Sorry!
Veer : Take your stance! Mein attack karunga aur tum defend karogi. Kar logi na?
Erica : Hey! Maine apne dad se bachpan me martial arts seekha hua hai. I still train with him. I mean... sometimes...
Woh sarr neeche kar boli. Use yaad aaya, kaise woh 'Order' ke aadmiyon ke saath train karti thi. System milne ke baad se hi, woh humesha unn logo ko chutkiyon me hara diya karti thi. Antatah, sab ke sab bas karaahte hue zameen par daley rehte the.
Use kabhi bhi koi aisa teammate nahi mila, jo uske saath kandhe se kandha mila kar uska saath de sake. Ye kami use humesha se hi khalti thi. Uske pita, Li Renshu ek achhe martial arts teacher toh the, magar Erica ki kabhi wo dost waali bonding apne pita ke saath nahi bann paayi.
Usne ek gehri saans li, ek qadam peechhe, ek haath aage kar apna stance liya. Aankhein Veer par tiki aur usne apne haath se ishaara kiya.
Erica : Come!
*Whoosh*
Erica : ???
Uske bolte hi Veer apni jagah se itni tezi se gaayab hua ki Erica ghabra gayi. Dur baithi Ava aur Garofano ki aankhein bhi pal bhar ke liye chaudi ho gayi. Jab tak Erica kuchh samajh paati, Veer theek uske bagal me tha.
[Shit! Ericaaaaa! Dodge!]
'Ahhh!'
Veer ka ek punch jaise hi uski pasli ki taraf aaya toh-
*Bam*
'Nggh!'
Daant meeste hue Erica ne jaise-taise Veer ki fist ko pakda, magar force itna zyada tha ki woh hawa me uchhalte hue kuchh qadam dur udd gayi.
Zameen par land karte hue woh halka sa ghisti aur bas avaak reh gayi.
[Such power! Damn it! Erica! Usne abhi bhi apni full strength use nahi ki hai. This is the best opportunity. Apni skills use karo. Tai Chi, Bagua Zhang, aur Xingyiquan ko practice karne ka ye best time hai.]
'Hmm! Got it! Activate the Quick Reflect scroll, Genie.'
*Ding*
[Quick Reflect scroll is now activated for the next 15 minutes.]
*Ding*
[200 points have been deducted.]
Erica ne nigaahein Veer par gadaayi.
Erica : Again!
*Whoosh*
Veer phir apni jagah se gaayab hua aur jaise hi woh Erica ke nazdeek aaya, uski laat hawa ko cheerte hue Erica ke baayi haath ki orr badhi, lekin iss baar-
Erica ka haath apne aap Veer ki taang ki taraf badha aur-
*Flick*
'Ohh! *smiles* Interesting...!'
Veer ke hontho par muskaan bikhar gayi jab Erica ne uski laat ko deflect kar diya. Magar-
Jaha Erica khush thi toh wahi-
'Ehh!?'
Daayi orr se aata hua punch use dikhaayi hi nahi diya. Iske pehle ki woh samajh paati ki ye kab aur kaha se aaya-
*BAAAAAMMMMM*
"Ahhhhh!"
Woh hawa me uchhalte hue dur peechhe ek ped se jaa takraayi.
Ava : V-Veer-?
Garofano (smiles) : You can be gentle on her you know!
Veer : Dushman aisa nahi sochega. I want her to train in real.
Erica (uthate hue) : It's okay! I... I can handle it!
Aur, qareeban agle poore aadhe ghante tak unki training yuhi chalti rahi. Erica ne itni jagah chot khaayi, magar saath hi saath woh apni skills bhi train karti gayi.
Par iss beech agar sabse bada jhatka kisi ko laga toh woh tha-
[Dear!]
Ava ke mann me Lily ki awaaz goonji.
'Lily?'
[Mein itni derr se Veer ko observe kar rahi thi. There's something odd.]
'Odd? Kya hua?'
[Yaad hai na? Last time maine Veer ke baare me kya kaha tha?]
'Yahi ki... ki Veer kuchh chhipa raha hai?'
[Haan! Mera doubt aur badh gaya hai.]
'Huh? K-Kaise?'
[Veer ke paas Beowulf's blessings aur Intimidating Presence hai. Isme koi doubt nahi hai. Hum multiple times dekh chuke hai.]
'Hmm!'
[Aur, maine abhi notice bhi kiya ki usne Beowulf's Blessings Erica ke khilaaf use kiya. L-Lekin-]
'Lekin?'
[It's... It's impossible.]
'Lily? Batao bhi... Don't... Don't keep me hanging.'
[Usne dono cards ek saath use kiye!!]
'Kya??? N-Nahi! Aisa kaise ho sakta hai? T-Tumne zaroor galat notice kiya hoga.'
[Galat? Are you judging my observation skills, dear? Kya tumne dhyaan nahi diya?]
'M-Maine-!'
[Nahi! Mein bhi kis se poochh rahi hu? Tumhara poora dhyaan toh uss par hi tha. Par mann me kuchh aur hi chal raha tha, hai na?]
'Wh-What? N-No! *blushes* Aisa nahi hai!'
[Mein Veer ke aur qareeb aani chaahti hu. Blah blah blah. Kaash Erica aur wo bitch Garofano yaha na hoti. Blah blah blah. Kaash mein aur Veer-]
'Ahhh! Stop it! Stop! Mere mann ki baatein mat padho, Lily!'
Iss baar Ava ki baari thi apna sarr pakad ke hilaane ki, par use dekhne waala koi na tha. Kyunki, Garofano aur Erica, dono hi Veer ke saath training me lagi hui thi.
[So you accepted huh? *smiles* Anyways, jo maine bataaya woh ekdum sahi bataaya hai. Usne dono cards ek saath use kiye hai. I can tell.]
'Intimidating presence ko notice karne ka koi thos tareeka nahi hai, Lily. Aisa bhi toh ho sakta hai ki usi se related Veer ke paas koi skill ho waisi? Aur usne Beowulf's Blessings ke saath wo use ki ho? Isliye humein lag raha hai ki wo 2 cards eksaath use kar raha hai?'
[Possibility hai. Lekin, mere instincts kabhi galat nahi hote, dear *frowns* Tumhe pata lagaana padega.]
'Huh?'
[This would reveal so many things.]
'I... I see! B-But agar woh nahi bataana chaahe toh-'
[You must get that information out of him!!! YOU MUST!!!]
'I... I'll try!'
Ava ka mann udaas pad gaya. Woh dekh rahi thi ki Garofano bhi Erica ke saath Veer ke against train kar rahi thi.
Kintu, Veer ne use nahi bulaaya. Na hi use address kiya. Kya woh kisi baat se rootha hua tha? Kya kaaran tha?
'Mujhe lagta hai, mujhe aur mehnat karni hogi. Iske pehle ki mein sabke liye bojh ban jau!'
Erica ne mann me socha. Woh poori tarah se paseene se lathpath thi.
Garofano ne uske kandhe par halke se thapthapaya.
Garofano : You did well, little one!
Erica : You too, old one! *grin*
Garofano (growls) : YOU-!
Erica hasi, uski aankhein phir Ava ki taraf gayi. Ava thodi dur alag hi baithi hui thi, ekdum chupchaap, apne haath ki ungliyon ko aapas me lapete hue.
Ava niraash thi. Usne socha tha ki Veer sabse pehle uske saath sparring karega. Uske saath, jiske saath wo itne samay se juda hua hai.
Uska dil bechain hone laga. Kya usne kuchh galat kiya? Kya France ya China ke baad... wo ab bhi uss par gussa hai? Kya wo use avoid kar raha hai?
Tamaam sawaal Ava ke mann me ubharne lage.
Veer thoda thak gaya tha. Usne side me rakhi hui metallic water bottle uthaayi aur paani peene laga.
Tabhi, uske pocket me phone vibrate hua. Screen par naam jhalka-
Arohi.
Veer ne bottle ka cap lagaya, thoda muskuraya, aur call receive karke screen par dekha.
Aur, yahi woh pal tha jab uski baat Arohi se hui thi jab achanak baat karne ke dauraan hi-
*Ring* *Ring*
Incoming call...
Nidhi ma'am...
'Huh?'
Yahi woh pal tha jab-
Veer : Sorry dii! Ek call aa raha hai. Hum baad me connect karte hain. Enjoy your time with your friends. Bye!
Arohi : R-Ruko! Veeeeer!!
*Call ends*
Usne Nidhi ka call pick kiya aur kuchh minutes tak uss se hi baat karta raha. Ant me usne yahi kaha ki-
Veer : Don't worry! Mein kal aata hu!
Nidhi : Hmm! Mein intezar karungi!
Veer : Ji!
*call ends*
Woh akhirkar unn teen sundariyon ki orr muda.
Veer : Alright! Aaj ki training yahi end hoti hai. It was a good session. Violet! Erica! You both can leave. I guess ab ek bath ki zaroorat hai tum dono ko.
Garofano : Aye Aye Captain! *smiles* see you later, handsome~
Erica (blushes) : Mmm!
Erica ka dil zor-zor se dhadak raha tha. China me, 'Order' ke aadmi wo moorkh the jo sirf maar-peet samajhte the.
Par Veer... Veer alag tha. Wo uss se kahi zyada taqatvar tha, lekin wo uske potential ko samajh raha tha. Wo uss kami ko bhar raha tha jo Erica ne saalon se apni zindagi me mehsoos ki thi.
*Badump* *Badump*
'He's... so reliable,' Erica ne mann hi mann socha, uske gaal thode laal the. 'Mera dil itna tezz kyun dhadak raha hai...?'
Dur khadi Ava ye sab dekh rahi thi. Uski mutthi kasi hui thi. Garofano ka wo mazaakiya flirtatious vyavhaar, Erica ka wo sharmaana... aur Veer ka unke saath itna open hokar train karna.
Jalan uske andar ek aag ki tarah phail rahi thi.
Garofano aur Erica mudkar jangal ke raaste se baahar nikalne lagi. Raaste bhar Erica ki khushi thamne ka naam hi nahi le rahi thi.
Erica : Veer is such a good captain, hai na? Wo bilkul nahi chillata, aur usne mujhe... Kitne achhe se train kiya.
Garofano : Hmm!
Garofano ki muskaan achanak gaayab ho gayi. Usne chalte hue ek baar peechhe mudkar dekha. Aankhon ke kone se uski putliyaan Ava aur Veer par tiki.
Woh bewakoof nahi thi. Usne gaur kar liya tha ki Veer ne poore samay Ava ko ek baar bhi fight me shaamil nahi kiya... aur ab unhe baahar bhej ke Ava ke sang akele ruk raha tha?
Uske hontho par ek teekhi muskaan saj gayi, par usne Erica se kuchh nahi kaha aur yuhi aage badhti rahi.
Andar ab sirf do hi log maujood the. Veer... aur Ava.
Aur, unke beech ki... khamoshi. Ava wahi khadi thi, uska sarr neeche jhuka hua tha. Wo bhramit thi, dimaag hazaar sawalon se bhara hua tha.
Veer : Ava!
Ava (gasps) : Huh? Y-Yes?
Veer ne koi jawab nahi diya. Wo bas mudkar jangal ke aur gehri, veeraan jagah ki taraf chalne laga.
Ava ne ek kshan ke liye sankoch jataaya, phir uske peeche-peeche chalne lagi. Sookhe patton ke tootne ki aawaz unke beech ki akeli awaaz thi.
Kuchh dur chalne ke baad, Veer bina mude hi bola.
Veer : Are you disappointed?
Ava (glances) : H-Huh?
Veer : Yahi soch rahi ho na ki mein tumhe avoid kar raha hu?
Veer ne aage chalte hue kaha. Uski peeth Ava ki taraf thi.
Ava : N-Nahi...! M-Mein kyu disappointed houngi?
Jhooth.
Veer ruka. Wo muda aur Ava ki orr dekha. Uske chehre par koi gussa nahi tha, koi berukhi nahi. Sirf gehri gambheerta.
Veer : Maine jaan boojh ke tumhare saath training nahi ki.
Ava ne kisi chhote bacche ki tarah aankhein badi kar uski taraf dekha.
Ava : Jaan boojh ke?
Veer : Haan! Kyunki mein nahi chahta tha ki wo dekhe ki hum kaise train karte hai. Unke saamne... training karne ka matlab hota tumhari aur meri combined abilities, cards, aur hidden techniques ko reveal karna. Aur, mein nahi chaahta tha ki... Sabko sab kuchh pata chale.
*BOOM.*
Ava ke dil me jaise ek dhamaka hua. Uska poora wajood sunn pad gaya.
Unhe nahi dikhaana chaahta? Uska dimaag ek baar ke liye rewind hua. Veer ne Erica aur Garofano ke saamne uski abilities ko dhaka, kyunki wo unn dono par utna vishvas nahi karta jitna woh uss par karta tha! Wo unhe apni aur uski training nahi dikhana chahta tha.
Veer ne ye lafz bol kar nahi kahe ki, "Mein tumpar sabse zyada trust karta hu," lekin Ava ne uske har ek shabd se ye matlab nikaal liya tha.
Bechaari ka dil itni tez dhadak raha tha ki use laga Veer ko uski dhadkan kahi sunaayi na de jaaye. Uska saara gussa, uski saari bechaini, jalan... ek kshan me pighal kar khatam ho gayi. Uski jagah gehri khushi ne li ki, uske gaal ekdum laal pad gaye.
Wo Veer ke saamne ek dam maun khadi hui thi.
Veer : 15th se pehle... Hum 'Ryotsken' master kar ke hi rahenge. Don't worry.
Ava (blushes) : M-Mmm!
Veer : Let's go!
Ava : Mm~
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Aaj ke liye itna hi guys.
So sorry for the wait. And, also sorry ki ye update sirf 7.5k words ka hi hai. Isme ek scene aur tha. Jo length ko around 10k tak le jaane waala tha magar time ki kami ki wajah se use maine next update me shift kar diya hai. I know iss update me scene thode kam the. Lekin, trust the process. Next update kaafi badhiya hone waala hai aur bahut se chal rahe scenarios end ho jaayenge. Jaise ki... Suman ki planning ka result, Nidhi's reason to call Veer, Veer ka culprit dhundhne waala mission and all. Ye sab next update me deliver hoga. So have patience. Baaki target kuchh nahi hai. But I hope at least last update jitna hi pyaar ise bhi doge. Keep supporting.
Dhanyavad.
🔥 Read Next Hot Story →
Discover more exclusive stories
Hope you doing well in life
Bohat sara pyar
Bohat hi badiya bro but please keep updating continuously please daily tread refresh kr raha tha k aj update ai ga aj ai ga and here you
Are with a gem
Review for update :
I dont have words to describe how excited i was for the update literally i have been here since too long and was a silent reader
But your writing make my brain
explode
Bro please suhan and baki sb ko bhi next update main include krna plese ( specially suhana
I am out from my country without family friends
But reading your story make me forget all that
God bless you brother
I am obsessed with this story i don’t know how why but literally addicted
Suggestion :
Only if you think k ap time nh de pa rahy to
Try to wind it up like thora scenes short cut to cut rakh kr story complet kr len
only but literally i don’t want you to do it
HOPE NEXT UPDATE WILL BE EARLY AND BIG
Eagerly waiting for next
Bohat sara pyar
Bohat hi badiya bro but please keep updating continuously please daily tread refresh kr raha tha k aj update ai ga aj ai ga and here you
Are with a gem
Review for update :
I dont have words to describe how excited i was for the update literally i have been here since too long and was a silent reader
But your writing make my brain
explode Bro please suhan and baki sb ko bhi next update main include krna plese ( specially suhana
I am out from my country without family friends
But reading your story make me forget all that
God bless you brother
I am obsessed with this story i don’t know how why but literally addicted
Suggestion :
Only if you think k ap time nh de pa rahy to
Try to wind it up like thora scenes short cut to cut rakh kr story complet kr len
only but literally i don’t want you to do it
HOPE NEXT UPDATE WILL BE EARLY AND BIG
Eagerly waiting for next
I will call this romantic update as a lull before the storm.
Suman Veer ke liye kitna samarpit hai, weh to system ne pehle hi bata diya hai, lekin Suman aur Bhavna ke vartapap ne isko aur bhi clear kar diya. Sabse accha laga ki jab Suman ne Bhavna se saaf keh diya ki weh uski aur Parijaat ki sacchai ko accept kar lein aur ek tarah se Veer ko, jaisa weh hai, waise hi accept kar lein. Ghar me kya ho raha hai, kuch bhi Suman se chhupa nahi hai. Bas, ant me aisa laga ki weh Veer se santan paida karne ke liya kuch karne ki soch kar aayi hai. Yahan par Neelmani ka chhota sa ullekh aaya hai, Suman ne Veer ko usi se pehchna tha. Lekin Neelmani ka kya itna hi role hai, vishvas nahi hota. Purane Maharaj ko Rajguru ka weh vakya, aap is Neelmani ko yuddh me apne se alag na hone de, aur uske alag hote hi unki mrityu ho jana, kuch aur hi sanket de raha hai.
Arohi ka prem abhi tak saaf nahi dikha tha, bass kya kehte hain, between the line, jaisa jhalak raha tha. Kahan Arohi Veer ko jalane ki soch rahi thi, kahan khud jal-bhun kar raakh ho gayi. Bechara fattu ladka, bina baat par Arohi ki jhidki kha gaya. Bass ek shabd, 'leave'. ab to weh shadi ke baad apni patni ko bhi kabhi approach nahi kar payega. Very well written.
Yahi haal bechari Ava ke saath hua. Jalan. Lekin Erica ke system ki prashansa karni padegi ki usne Veer ki ek sath do cards use karne ki capability ko pakad liya. Ek baat aur, Erica ke pass fighing skills ke bhi kayi cards hain, lekin usne kabhi unka dhyan nahi diya. Veer ke saath un skills aur cards ko sharpen karne ka mauka mil gaya. Garofano to hamesha se ek enigma bani huyi hai, uski loyalty par to hamesha se doubt tha, lekin Veer ne isme Erica ko bhi shamil kar liya, yeh padh kar aashcharya hua.
Aakhir me Ava ki to ban gayi jab Veer ne usase indirectly kaha ki usko Ava par para vishvas hai. Yeh dono ek dusre ke baare me puri tarah se jaante hain, aur is tarah practice kar rahe hain, ki ek dusre ko complement karein. shayad 'Ryotsken' ka arth yahi ho. Waise, Ragini ka bhi yahi reaction tha, weh bhi keval Ava ko trust kar rahi thi. Trinity ab ubhar rahi hain. Kaera to pehle se thi, ab Sonia bhi khul kar aane wali hai, Ava ka to dikh hi raha tha.
Dekhna hai ki in teeno ke beech me Nidhi, Ragini aur Suhana kaise survive kerti hain. Kavya aur Arohi alag ek angle banaye huyi hain. Suman ek alag leval par hai, Parijaat ki mahilayon ko to Veer apni ek duty ki tarah dekhta hai. Aur bhi hain, unke baare me kya likhun.
Khair, abhi to Summit Arc ka intezar hai, jahan Grey Hairs wali, Billi wali ki pratiksha hai. System wale milenge, ladenge, kuch marenge bhi. Veer ke Tasks to jaldi khatam hone chahiye. Damian wala to yahin khatam ho jana chahiye, lekin dusra to Summit Arc me hi pura hoga. Kaera ke task ke baare me to ab sochna hi band kar diya, waise bhi jo Veer ne karna tha, weh to bahut pehle kar diya tha. Ab Kaera ke emotions khulne ki pratiksha hai.
Again a great update.
Bahut dinon baad aya lekin update accha tha sab apni apni planing kar rahen hain agle update ka intjar rahegaUpdate - 215 ~ Pre-Summit Prep
Ab tak...
Woh dheere se seedhi baithi.
"Shayad tum sahi keh rahi ho?"
Usne billi ko pyaar se uthakar sofe par bithaaya. Phir khadi hui. Uske gray baal kandhon par bikhar gaye. Saamne lage bade se sheeshe me usne apne aap ko dekha. Aur muskuraayi.
"Alright."
Usne dheere se apni jacket uthayi.
"Let's see what all the fuss is about."
Billi ne dobaara meow kiya. Woh aurat darwaaze ki taraf badhi. Phir ek pal ke liye ruki. Uski aankhon me wahi shararat laut aayi.
"But what if...?"
Usne mudke apni billi ko dekha.
"...they can't handle me?"
*Meow*
Aur billi ka jawaab sunn uski hasi phir kamre me goonj uthi.
Ab aage...
Darwaaza khula toh Bhavna ne hall se sirr utha kar dekha. Ghar ke baahar khada auto ab jaa chuka tha aur Suman kandhe par bag latkaaye andar aa rahi thi.
“Aa gayi tum…! Kaafi din lag gaye.”
Bhavna ne andar aati Suman ko dekh kaha.
Suman : Ji didi!
Woh sofe par baithi toh Bhavna ne wahi rakha apna paani ka glass, jo woh apne liye laayi thi, Suman ki orr aage karte hue badhaaya.
Bhavna : Kuchh mila fir?
Suman (paani lete hue) : Hmm! Dukhad khabar hai. Unka beta kuchh din pehle hi guzar gaya tha. Antim sanskaar pehle hi ho gaya tha. Jo kuchh mila toh… bas kuchh bachi hui amaanatein.
Bhavna (sighs) : Na jaane kya beet rahi hogi.
Suman : Unke hi parivar ne aapke saath chhal kiya aur aap unse hi humdardi jata rahi hain?
Bhavna : Isme humdardi jaisa kya Suman? Akhir… hai toh woh bhi ek maa hi na? Aulaad khone ke baare me toh mein soch bhi nahi sakti.
Kehte hue woh uthkar khidki ke paas pahuchi. Kshan bhar ke liye 'Shweta' aur 'Purvi' dono uske zehen me aayi. Nazrein baahar sadak par tiki aur usne aage bolna jaari rakha.
Bhavna : Beshaq! Uss parivar ne humein bahut taqleef di hai, lekin Vandna ka kya dosh? Usne bhi toh sab kuchh khoya hi hai na? Upar se woh bhi Parijaat ka hissa rahi hai. Uske purvaj bhi kabhi Parijaat ka hissa hi the. Kahi na kahi woh humesha se hi humse judi rahi hai.
Suman : Shayad isliye unke andar aapko lekar utna berr nahi hai.
Bhavna : Huh?
Suman : Kuchh nahi! Bas yuhi…
Bhavna : Khair, ek ye baat achhi thi ki uss dukhad ghadi me kam se kam tum uske saath thi.
Ek halki muskaan ke saath woh palatate hue boli. Suman ne haami bhar ek gehri saans li aur phir ghar par agal-bagal nazar maari.
Suman : Baaki sabhi kaha hain?
Bhavna : Kaha honge? Apne-apne kaamo me vyast hain.
Suman : Aabha?
Bhavna : Andar hai. Kitchen me. Kavya ke saath.
Suman : Kavya abhi bhi yahin par hain?
Bhavna : Hmm! Uss haadse ke baad se Ragini aur woh ek-dusre ke kaafi qareeb aa gayi hain. Usne prann liya hai ki Ragini ki seva woh khud karegi.
Suman : Maalik?
Sunte hi Bhavna ki aankhein sikudi. Yeh shabd humesha hi use atpata lagta tha.
Bhavna : Tum-
Suman : Iske pehle ki aap mujhe toke mein pehle hi jata deti hu. Haan! Mein unhe isi naam se pukaarungi. Nahi! Sabke saamne nahi. Lekin, aapse chhipaane ki bhi zaroorat nahi hai.
Bhavna (frowns) : Toh mere saamne bhi mat kiya karo, Suman!
Suman : Jaanti toh hain sab aap. Phir, kyu bhaag rahi hain sacchaayi se?
Bhavna punah khidki ki orr palti.
Bhavna : Bhaag nahi rahi hu. Bas...
Suman apne sthaan par se khadi hui.
Suman : Ise bhaagna hi kehte hai didi. Ek taraf toh aap Parijaat se rishta hone ki wajah deke Vandna se humdardi jata rahi hain. Aur, dusri orr mere 'maalik' kehne par aapko aitraaz bhi ho raha hai? Yeh do tarfa khel kab tak khelengi aap?
Bhavna jhatse uski orr mudi. Chehre par ab shikan saaf jhalak rahi thi.
Bhavna : Mein koi khel nahi khel rahi hu. Hawas ke bahaav me mat baho Suman. Koi bhi sajjan, shikshit vyakti ye asaani se bata dega ki ye sab... Ye sab galat hain. Wo sab nahi hona chaahiye tha. Peedhi-dar-peedhi ye-
Suman : Oh achha? Hawas? Aapko lagta hai mein hawas ke bahaav me beh rahi hu? Hawas nahi. Prem hai ye! Kal ko maalik agar mujhe chheene se bhi inkaar kar de. Toh bhi mera prem unke liye humesha utna hi rahega. Nahi. Balki, badhta hi jaayega. Ye baat aap bhi achhi tarah se jaanti hai didi ki maalik ke liye mein apni jaan bhi de sakti hu. Na hi unke khilaaf mein kuchh bura sunn sakti hu aur na hi unn par koi aanch aane de sakti hu.
Bhavna : P-Par ye galat-
Suman (zor se) : Toh sach kya hai didi? Kya hai iska hal? Kya hai sahi? Kya hai galat? Samjhaiye mujhe!
Uske qadam ahista-ahista Bhavna ki orr badhe. Jaise hi woh uske qareeb pahuchi, Bhavna ne nazrein ferr li aur uski zubaan par khamoshi ka taala lag gaya. Woh jaanti thi ki Parijaat ke shraap ka koi hal nahi. Aur, agar hai bhi... toh uss se woh anjaan thi.
Suman (narm padte hue) : Meri wafadari ko hawas ka naam mat dijiye didi. Maalik ko maine tann, mann, dhan, poorn roop se apnaaya hai. Sab kuchh saunp chuki hu unhe. Ise hawas ka naam mat dijiye. Aap ne toh sab dekha hua hai na? Kaise Parijaat ki auratein bina shareerik roop se jude hone ke bawajood Singh parivar ke kul ke liye kitna samarpit rehti thi? Aaj bhi waisa hi hai. Maalik ko bas kehna hai aur ye Suman... Use haqeeqat me badal degi.
Kuchh derr tak Bhavna bas Suman ko dekhti rahi. Uski aankhon me jhaank kar uski gambheerta ko parakhti rahi. Parantu, use agar unn aankhon me kuchh nazar aaya toh sirf junoon. Pagalpann. Prem. Koi chhal nahi. Koi jhooth nahi.
Bhavna : K-Kyu? Itna kyu-? Itna kyu uss se mohit ho tum? Aakhir tum iss qadar kaise uss se prem-? Aabha aur Sonali bhi hoti toh samajh aata ki wo uski hum-umr hai lekin tum-? Tum dono ko mile itna samay bhi nahi hua. Fir bhala kyu?
Suman : Maut ki raat yaad hai na didi?
Uss raat ko yaad karte hi Bhavna ke badan me ruue khade ho gaye. Woh kaali raat jab Singh parivar ki haveli aag me jalkar bhasm ho gayi thi.
Suman : Yaad hai na? Kaise aapne apne parivar ko khoya tha? Aur, maine apni maa ko...! Aaj aap Vandna se humdardi jata rahi hai. Kya yaad hai aapko aapne uss raat kya kaha tha?
Bhavna ko wo pal yaad aaya jis waqt woh apni haveli ko jalta hua dekh rahi thi. Uske bagal se Suman apni kishoravastha me, sevak Shyaam ke pita, Jaidev aur Abhilasha kaaki khadi hui thi.
Kuchh bacha tha toh uske haatho me sirf woh... Neelmani.
Kaapte haatho se usne Neelmani ko apne saamne kiya. Apni khud ki jalti hui haveli ke saamne. Unn aag ki lapto ki jwaalaye uss chamkeele patthar par chamak rahi thi.
"Aaj mein Bhavna Singh, Dharam Singh ki putri aur Vijay Singh ki behan ye pratigya leti hu! Ki ek din...! Jis tarah inn sab ne mere parivaar ko maara hai! Usi tarah mein bhi inke parivar ko khatm karungi!"
Suman ki nigaahein uss patthar par tiki hui thi jo aag ki lapto se aani waali raushni me Bhavna ke haath me chamak raha tha.
Bhavna ne nazrein neechi kar Suman ko dekha aur uske sarr par haath phera.
"Suman! Kya tum mujhse ek vaada karogi?"
Chanchal Suman ne ahista se sarr haan me hilaaya.
"Vaada karo! Vaada karo ki tum..." Uska haath sehsa ek pal ke liye apne pait ke upar gaya. "Vaada karo ki jab Singh parivar ke kul ka janm hoga aur agar tum kabhi uss se mili... Toh tum uska khayaal rakhogi. Vaada karo."
Suman ki aankhon me chamak thi. Usne Bhavna ki saree ko kass kar thaam apna sirr hilaaya. Bolne ke sthiti me nahi thi. Saamne aag ki lapto ne uski maa ko bhi jo samet liya tha.
Bhavna ne ek gehri kaanpti hui saans bhari.
"Kaaki! Kaaka! Ab kuchh shesh nahi raha. Sab khatam ho gaya! Chaliye!"
Apne aasuo ko pochh woh mud ke nikal gayi.
Ek sihran bharte hue Bhavna ne apni palkein khol Suman ko dekha.
Suman : Aa gaya yaad?
Bhavna : Toh chaahti kya ho tum? Kya ye kehna chaahti ho ki mein Vandna se humdardi na jatau?
Suman : Maine ye toh kaha hi nahi!?
Bhavna : Toh phir kya kehna chaah rahi ho?
Suman : Aapko ye batlaana chaah rahi hu ki ek taraf aap Vandna ke Parijaat se jude hone ke chalte unse humdardi jata rahi ho toh wahi dusri taraf aapko maalik ka Parijaat se juda hona pasand nahi aa raha. Agar ye doglapann nahi toh kya hai didi?
Bhavna : L-Lekin mein... I-Iss tarah nahi Suman-
Suman : Aapne Parijaat ka iske pehle toh kabhi virodh nahi kiya!? Par jaise hi baat apne bete par aayi toh achanak se Parijaat itna chubhne kyun laga?
Bhavna ki aankhein sikudi.
Bhavna (frowns) : Abhilasha kaaki ne kaafi kuchh bata diya hai shayad. Hai na?
Suman (smiles) : Bahut kuchh!
Bhavna : ...
Suman : ...
Bhavna (glares) : Suman... Prem ka matlab apni maryaada kho dena nahi hota hai.
Suman muskuraayi. Bhavna uski muskaan dekh thoda chintit hui.
Suman : Ye baat aapke muh se shobha nahi deti, didi.
Bhavna : Kya matlab?
Suman (smiles) : Matlab ye ki- maryaada ki baat aap mujhse kar rahi hain? Kya aapko nahi lagta ki ye maryaada ki baat aapko pehle-
Bhavna : ??
Suman dheere se chalte hue uske qareeb aayi aur uske kaan ki taraf jhukte hue ahista se boli.
Suman : -Purvi didi se karni chahiye?
Bhavna (gasps) : Huh?
Suman : Kyun? Kya maine kuchh galat kaha? Purvi didi ka... Ek maa samaan hona aur maalik ke muh me apna nanga stann bharna. Ye kaha ki maryaada hai? *smirks*
Jab Bhavna ne yeh suna toh jaise uske perro taley zameen khisak gayi. Woh bhauchakki khadi Suman ko ghoorti rahi.
Suman : Pehle aap unse kyun nahi maryaada ki baat karti?
Bhavna (shudders) : T-Tumhe-!?
Suman : Haan! Sab jaanti hu mein!
Bhavna : K-Kaise? Tumhe ye sab kisne-?
Suman : Khud maalik ne!
Bhavna (hairat me) : Veer ne tumhe-?
Suman : Ji! Lekin, ab aap ye baat unhe mat bataiyega. Rahi baat meri toh... Jis din maalik mujhe dhitkaar denge. Yeh Suman uss din se unhe chhiyegi tak nahi. Par, woh din aane se pehle... Mein poori tarah se unki hu. Aur, aap jaanti hai ki ise nazarandaz nahi kiya jaa sakta.
Bhavna ne kaanpte hue ek gehri saans chhori. Aur, use iss tarah dekh Suman bhi narm pad gayi.
Suman : Mein jaanti hu aapke mann me kya chal raha hai. Lekin, aap jitna uss baare me sochengi, ye utna hi aapko pareshan karega.
Bhavna : Toh kya karu?
Suman : Niyati pe chhor dijiye sab. Hum jitna ise rokne ki koshish karenge, utna hi ulajhte chale jaayenge. Niyati se yaad aaya- *frowns* Mujhe aapse behad zaroori baat karni hai. Aaiye!
Achanak hi woh Bhavna ko kheechte hue andar le jaane lagi.
Bhavna : S-Suman? Kya hua???
Parantu, Suman ne koi jawab nahi diya. Woh bas Bhavna ko ek kamre me andar leke gayi, ghar me maujood logo ki nazron se bachte hue, aur andar aate hi usne jhatse darwaza band kar diya.
Bhavna : K-Kya hua? Achanak se tum-?
Usne Bhavna ki baahein thaame use bistar par baithaaya aur khud neeche hi uski taango ke paas baith gayi.
Suman : Shh! Ab mein aapko jo bataane waali hu, ho sakta hai use sunane ke baad aapko bahut bada jhatka lage, isliye pehle se sachet kar rahi hu.
Bhavna : K-Kaisi baat?
Suman : Dhyaan se suniye-
Uske baad kamre ke andar kya baatein hui, woh uss ghar ki deewaarein hi jaanti thi. Bahar waqt apni raftaar se guzarta raha aur andar Bhavna ka har vishwas ek-ek karke tootata chala gaya.
Jab qareeban ek ghante baad darwaza khula, tab jaati hui Suman ko dekh Bhavna ne bola.
Bhavna : Suman!
Suman apni jagah par thehri.
Bhavna (frowns) : Sambhal ke...! Kahi use-
Suman : Sab mujhpar chhor dijiye didi.
Kehte hue woh kamre se baahar nikal gayi. Bhavna bas nishabd khadi use jaata dekhti rahi. Aur darwaza dheere se band ho gaya.
***
Ahemdabad,
Evening - 6:30 PM~
*Thud*
Darwaza band hua toh Arohi ne ek gehri saans li. Badan par usne teal color ka ek casual hoodie daala hua tha. Washroom ke sheeshe ke saamne khadi hokar usne apna phone uthaya aur selfie click karni shuru ki.
*Click*
*Click*
*Click*
Ek...
Do...
Das...
Bees...
Pachaas...
Qareeban sattar tasveerein kheenchne ke baad bhi woh sirf ek hi photo par aa kar ruki.
'Hmm...'
Usne kuchh pal uss tasveer ko dekha.
'Nahi...'
*Delete*
'Looking weird again. Isliye social media ka mann nahi karta.'
Halki si naraazgi ke saath usne phone apni pocket me daal liya. Par use kaun bataaye...
-ki jin tasveeron ko woh bekaar samajhkar delete kar rahi thi, wahi agar kabhi social media par pahuch jaaye, toh na jaane kitne ladke bas ek jhalak ke liye uska profile baar-baar kholne lag jaaye.
Uske inbox me dedh sau se bhi adhik unread messages pade hue the. Zyadatar ladko ke.
Magar, Arohi ke liye ye sab maayne hi nahi rakhta tha. Uske liye duniya bahut chhoti thi. Bas apne log. Apna parivaar.
Kisi mard me uski kabhi koi dilchaspi thi hi nahi. Na woh kisi ladke se bewajah baat karti thi, na hi kisi ko apne qareeb aane deti thi.
Aaj bhi agar woh yaha thi toh sirf apni ek nayi saheli ki zid ki wajah se. Warna uska asal plan toh PG ke kamre me bistar par lait kar chen ki neend lene ka tha.
Washroom ka darwaza khol woh baahar aayi.
"Finally!" ek ladki hass padi. "Madam, hum sab aapka hi wait kar rahe the."
"Hmm... Sorry."
Bas itna kehkar Arohi ne halki si muskaan di.
"Chale?"
Sabne haami bhari aur unka group mall se kuchh hi doorie par sthit ek cafe ki taraf chal diya.
Ahmedabad ki February ki shaam me halki thandi hawa chal rahi thi. Sadak par gaadiyon ki awaazein, footpath par thele waalon ki pukaar, fafda, khaman aur dur se aati chai ki milti-julti khushboo sheher ko ek alag hi rang me duboye hue thi.
Abhi ve sab kuchh hi qadam chale honge ki uski bagal me chal rahi ladki ki nazar achanak uske kaano par tik gayi.
"Wooow!"
Arohi ne uski taraf dekha. 'Hmm?'
Ladki : Arohi, tumhare earrings kitne pretty hain!
Anjaane me, Arohi ka haath apne kaan tak gaya. Uski ungliyaan dheere se apne kaan ke paas ki zulfon par phiri aur phir unn earrings ko chhoo gayi.
Ek pal ke liye waqt jaise theher gaya. Woh maun reh gayi. Honth khule par shabd baahar nahi nikle, phir achanak hi bina wajah ek halki si muskaan unn par ubhar aayi.
Aur uske zehen me aaya... Kavya ka woh janmdin. Ek chhota sa gift box. Aur...
Veer.
Ladki : Gold hai na?
Arohi (nods) : Hmm...
Ladki : Kaha se liye?
Arohi (smiles) : Gift hai...
Ladki (sharaarat me) : Heh~ Boyfriend?
Arohi (blushes) : N-Nahi.
Ladki : Accha? Toh fir kisne diye?
Arohi kuchh na boli. Unn earrings ko ungliyon se sehlaate hi yaadein dheere-dheere aankhon ke saamne tairne lagi.
Janmdin Kavya ka tha. Arohi apne kuchh dosto ke saath khadi thi, jinme se ek tha Akash. College ka ek ladka, jo kaafi samay se uske peeche pada hua tha.
Akash : Please, Arohi! Tum jaanti hi ho... kitne pyaar se laaya hu.
Kehte hue usne apne haath me pakda chhota sa box khola. Andar ek behad hi khubsoorat earrings ki jodi thi.
Arohi : Akash... maine kaha na, I really don't need it. Aur birthday Kavya ka hai. Maine tum sabko yaha uske birthday ke liye invite kiya hai.
Thodi dur khada Veer kaafi der se yahi sab dekh raha tha. Akash baar-baar mana karne ke baad bhi maan hi nahi raha tha.
Arohi jaanti thi ki ye sirf ek gift nahi tha. Agar usne ye earrings accept kar liye, toh uska matlab bhi nikaala jaata. Aur wahi woh nahi chaahti thi.
Par woh unn ladkiyon me se bhi nahi thi jo baat-baat par chillane lage. Isliye bas shaanti se use mana karti rahi.
Tabhi, uski nazar Veer par padi. Jaise ek hi pal me uski saari uljhan khatam ho gayi.
Akash : Mein jaanta hu Kavya ka birthday hai, Arohi. Uske liye toh mein alag gift laaya hu. Ye toh sirf tumhare liye hai. Meri taraf se. Pyaar se laaya hu... mana mat karo.
Veer ahista se chalte hue unke qareeb aaya.
Veer (smiles) : Hmm? Ohh... Earrings! Sorry, brother. Lekin meri dii ke paas already bahut hi pyaari si earrings hain.
Akash : H-Huh? Kya? Kaha hai? Bakwaas mat karo. Main Arohi ko pichhle do saalo se dekhta aa raha hu. I-I mean... maine use notice kiya hai. Usne kabhi kaano me baali nahi pehni. Isliye main uske liye ye lekar aaya tha.
Veer (smiles) : Well... She does have earrings.
Muskuraate hue usne apne blazer ke andar haath daala aur ek chhota sa gift box nikaala. Jaise hi box khula...
Andar rakhi earrings ki chamak par waha maujood sabhi ki nazrein theher gayi. Kuchh pal ke liye Arohi bhi bas unhe dekhti hi reh gayi.
Lights ki raushni me wo itni khubsoorat lag rahi thi ki Akash ke haath me pakdi earrings ekdum pheeki pad gayi.
Akash: !!???
Aur fir...
Ek bhi pal gawaaye bina Arohi ne jhatse Veer ke haath se woh box liya aur zor se uss se chipak gayi.
Veer (smiles): See? She does have earrings.
Unn palo ko yaad kar Arohi ke hontho par anjaane me muskaan bikhar gayi aur gaal gulaabi ho chale.
Ladki : Oye? Kya hua? Kaha kho gayi?
Arohi : Huh!?
Ladki : Tumne bataya nahi... kisne diye?
Arohi ne phir unn earrings ko dheere se chhua.
Arohi (smiles) : ...bas kisi apne ne.
Ladki : Ohh! Bahut sundar hai sach me.
Arohi bas muskura di. Unn earrings ko ek baar phir chhoote hue woh sabke saath chalne lagi. Kuchh hi der baad group cafe ke baahar pahucha.
Sab apni-apni baaton me lage hue the. Tabhi Arohi ke kaano me do ladko ki dheemi awaaz padi.
"Bhai yahi mauka hai. Bol de!"
"Yaar... kaise bolu? Dekha nahi kitni shaant rehti hai?"
"Haan toh? Ek coffee ke liye hi toh poochhna hai bey."
"Mana kar di toh?"
"Toh kya hua? Try toh kar bhosdike!"
Arohi ne bina palte bas ek baar aankhon ke kone se unki taraf dekha.
Ye ladka...
Jise woh pichhle kuchh dino se baar-baar apni taraf dekhte hue pakad rahi thi. Aaj bhi usne apni nazrein hata li. Jaise kuchh suna hi na ho.
'Toh... ye baat hai.'
Uske chehre par koi badlaav nahi aaya. Lekin agle hi pal...
Na jaane kyun... Uske zehen me Veer ka chehra ubhar aaya. Usne socha...
'Agar Veer ye dekhega toh?'
Ek chhoti si muskaan uske honthon par aa gayi.
'Thoda sa pareshaan karke dekhu?'
Phir turant hi usne khud ko daanta.
'No! Pagal! I shouldn't do it.'
Aur, bas do qadam chalte hi...
'Bas thoda sa...'
Usne hoodie ki pocket se apna phone nikala, contacts khole aur bina ek pal gawaaye, Veer ko video call kar diya.
---
Idhar Veer ka phone jab vibrate hua toh usne apna phone nikaal kar dekha.
'Hmm? Arohi dii ka video call?'
Usne call uthaaya, Arohi ka chehra use nazar aaya.
Veer (smiles) : Arohi dii! Kaisi ho?
Arohi ne Veer ke ird-gird dekha toh nazara dekh thoda bhram me pad gayi.
Arohi : H-Hey! Mein theek hu. Kaha par ho tum?
Veer : Huh? Mein? Woh-
Veer ne apne agal-bagal nazrein daudaayi, phir wapas screen ki orr palta.
Veer : Bas yuhi... baahar aaya hua tha. Par aap? Aap kaha ho? Out with friends?
Arohi (nods) : Mm! Ek roommate zid kar rahi thi chalne ke liye so...
Veer (smiles) : I see! Aur, aap mana nahi kar paayi. Hai na?
Arohi : H-Haan!
Veer : Par andar hi andar aap bhi jaana chaahti thi, hai na?
Arohi : H-Haan! Huh? What? N-Nahi!
Veer : Hahaha! Well, dekh ke achha laga ki aap udhar ghul-mil rahi ho.
Arohi : Mm! Ghar par sab kaise hai?
Veer : Sab badhiya hain. Aapka session kabse hai?
Arohi : March se...
Veer : Toh itni jaldi kyun chali gayi aap? Abhi toh feb hi laga hai.
Arohi : Bas... Kuchh time akele spend karna tha. Dada ji ke jaane ke baad se... Mujhe ghar se nikalne ki zaroorat thi.
Veer khamosh reh gaya. Usne dheere se sirr hilaaya.
Veer : Toh... Ab kab aaogi aap?
Arohi : Seedhe diwali...!
Veer : Itna late?
Arohi : Hmm!
Veer ne kuchh pal use dekha.
Veer : Lagta hai Ahemdabad aakar hi milna padega phir aapse.
Arohi : Sach me?
Veer : Maybe haha! Kyun? Kya aap nahi chaahti ki mein aau?
Arohi : M-Mein kyun nahi chaahungi? *blushes* It was just out of character for you. Isliye poochha...
Veer : Mein aur out of character? Kabhi nahi. Waise bhi, aapko toh ab naye dost mil gaye honge? Hai na?
Arohi ne kuchh nahi kaha. Uski nazar anjaane me apne group ki taraf gayi. Aur tabhi... Unke group me se usi ek ladke ki nazar uss se jaa mili. Ladka turant hi doosri taraf mud gaya.
"Bhosdike jaa na, dekh rahi hai tujhe!"
"Jaa na saale! Gaand phat gayi kya ab?"
"N-Nahi yaar! Abhi kaise?"
"Jaa bhosdike!"
"Jaa jaldi!"
"H-Ho sakta hai apne boyfriend se hi baat kar rahi ho?"
"Saale kitna phattu hai tu! Abey aisi ladkiyaan ladko se koso dur rehti hai. Tu jaa toh sahi!"
"Yaar darr lag raha!"
"Madarchod, tu nahi jaa raha toh mein jaa raha, chal hatt!"
"N-Ni! Jaata hu! Jaata hu!"
Inke apne chochle chal rahe the. Arohi kuchh der tak uss ladke aur uske dosto ko dur se dekhti rahi jab-
Veer : Arohi dii?
Arohi : Hmm?
Veer : Kaha kho gayi aap?
Arohi : K-Kahi nahi!
Lekin iss baar uske chehre par ek ajeeb si muskaan thi. Wahi khayaal uske zehen me aaya.
'Agar...?'
Usne phir usi ladke ki orr dekha. Phir screen me Veer ko. Aur na jaane kyu magar wahi shararat andar janm le gayi. Woh dobaara uss ladke ko dekhi aur boli.
Arohi : Tum kuchh keh rahe the kya?
Jab ladke ne Arohi ki awaaz suni toh woh wahi jamm ke reh gaya. Yaha tak ki uske haraami dost bhi shaant pad gaye. Ek ne peechhe se uski gaand pe chamaat lagaayi, jaise kehna chaah raha ho ki saale jaa, jaake baat kar.
Chamaat ka asar bhi dikhaayi diya. Do qadam aage badhte hue woh ladka thoda ghabraaya.
Ladka : U-Umm! N-Nahi! A-Aisi koi zaroori baat nahi thi.
Arohi : Bolo na! Kya baat hai?
Iss poore samay Arohi ka dhyaan uss par tha. Aur, screen par Veer dikhaayi de raha tha jo zaahir taur se confused prateet ho raha tha.
Usne bola toh kuchh nahi. Lekin, ek sawaal zaroor mann me aaya ki Arohi bhala use hold par rakh ke kis se itni important baat karne ki koshish kar rahi thi?
Ladka : N-Nahi nahi! A-Aap continue karo na. Call hai na aapka?
Arohi : Oh it can wait! Tumhe kuchh kehna hai toh tum keh sakte ho.
Vaar seedhe jaake Veer ke dil par laga. Uske maathe ki nass halki si fadki. It can wait? Kaun maayi ka laal aa gaya jiske liye Arohi uska call hold par daal rahi thi?
Ladka jaise hi qareeb aaya toh uski nazar Arohi ke phone ki screen par Veer par padi aur Veer jaise handsome insaan ko dekh ek pal ke liye uske saare armaano par jaise paani fir gaya.
Magar, phir ye bhi dhyaan me aaya ki agar yeh ladka Arohi ka bf hota toh Arohi use ignore nahi karti. Usne ek raahat ki saans li.
Idhar uske frame me aate hi Veer ne-
'Check'
*Ding*
Uss ladke ki usne poori janm kundli nikaal li.
Ladka : W-Woh mein keh raha tha ki yahi paas me hi ek cafe hai achha. Coffee achhi milti hai udhar. Toh, kal coffee ke liye chalogi kya? Mein jaa raha tha toh socha...
Arohi : Aur, kaun-kaun hai?
Ladka : Uh-! Aur... Aur toh koi nahi. Bas mein hi hu. I mean-
Arohi : Coffee achhi milti hai?
Ladka : Haan! Kal hi try ki thi maine. Isliye poochha...
Arohi : Hmm! Okay! Sure!
Ladka : Huh? Really?
Arohi : Yes~
Uss ladke ka jaise barso puraana sapna poora ho gaya. Woh khushi ke maare apne dosto ke paas gaya.
Arohi chhip-chhip ke apni aankhon ke kono se use dekh rahi thi. Na jaane uske mann me kya chal raha tha.
Arohi : S-Sorry! Woh bas batchmate tha.
Veer : I see!
Arohi : Coffee ke liye poochhne aaya tha. You know I like coffee...
Veer (smiles) : Of course! I know!
Arohi : Umm... T-Toh mein kal jaungi...
Veer : Haan suna maine abhi.
Arohi : H-Haan! Bas aise hi coffee peekar aa jaayenge.
Veer : Nice!
*Crack*
Achanak, Veer ke haath me pakdi hui metal ki bottle uski ungliyon ke beech me buri tarah dab gayi.
Arohi : ...
Veer : ...
Arohi : Um... Tumhe naam nahi jaanana uska?
Veer : Kis liye?
Arohi : Huh? M-Mujhe laga tumhe poochhna hoga.
Veer : Nahi toh...
Arohi : O-Okay! Toh... Toh tumhe koi dikkat nahi hai?
Veer : Kaisi dikkat?
Arohi : Huh!!?
Bechari ko jaise yakeen hi nahi hua ki Veer ne kya kaha. Usne muh fulaate hue nazrein pher li. Jaisa usne socha tha, waisa use kuchh bhi dekhne ko jo nahi mila.
Jab achanak-
"Will you all stay quiet for a few minutes?"
Veer ki awaaz screen ke through use sunaayi padi. Usne dekha ki Veer peechhe dekhte hue kisi se ye sab keh raha tha.
Arohi : Huh? Veer? Kis se baat kar rahe ho?
Iske pehle ki Veer use jawaab de paata Arohi ki aankhein phati ki phati reh gayi jab camera frame me achanak se Veer ke bagal se koi aur aa gaya. Ek ladki. Nahi. Ek atyadhik khubsurat ladki. Ek celebrity.
Ava.
Par, ye jhatka kam tha jab daaye aur baaye se do aur khubsurat ladkiyaan frame ke andar aa gayi.
Garofano aur Erica.
Arohi : V-Veer?
Veer : Umm! Hey! *smiles* Just like you... mein bhi apne friends ke saath outing par hu.
Arohi : F-Friends?
Bechaari ke muh se toh yahi nikla. Lekin, shayad andar kuchh aur hi chal raha tha. Friends? WHO THE FUCK ARE THEY? FUCKING CELEBRITIES? WHYYY?
Arohi : Veer, ye... That's... that's... Natalia Martin!!! G-Garorano from Garofano products??? Aur, wo... I think I have seen her too... Hospital me... Wait!! Ye tumhare friends hain?
Veer (smiles) : Haan!
Arohi : Haan? Haan kya? Veer! Explain!
Veer : Kya hua?
Arohi (panics) : Ye... Kaha ho tum? Ye sab kaise?
Veer : Aap itni hairaan kyun ho?
Arohi : Toh aur kya houngi?
Veer : They are friends. Chill.
Ava (smiles) : Hey!
Erica : Hello~
Garofano : Are you Veer's cousin? I remember seeing you.
Garofano ne achanak hi Veer ke kandho par apne haath rakhe.
Garofano : He's keeping us company. *smiles*
Arohi : Huh???
Iske pehle ki Arohi uss se aur kuchh poochh paati...
'Hmm?'
Veer : Sorry dii! Ek call aa raha hai. Hum baad me connect karte hain. Enjoy your time with your friends. Bye!
Arohi : R-Ruko! Veeeeer!!
*Call ends*
Arohi : Shit!
Bechaari ka poora daanv uss par hi ulta pad gaya. Pehli baar aaj Arohi ke chehre par jalan dikhaayi de rahi thi aur shayad... thodi chinta aur ashaanti bhi.
Usne fauran hi call wapas se lagaaya magar-
"Aapke dwara dial kiya gaya number, iss waqt anya call par vyast hai. Kripya-"
Arohi (grits) : Tch!
Uski bechaini ab aur badhti jaa rahi thi. Teen ladkiyo tak toh theek tha magar aakhir kiske call ki wajah se Veer ne uska phone call kaat diya? Zaahir taur se koi na koi zaroori call hi raha hoga.
Woh yaha unn teeno ladkiyo ke baare me sochkar paagal hui jaa rahi thi jab uske group ka wahi ladka uske paas phir aaya-
Ladka : Arohi, mein poochh raha tha ki kal kitne baje tum free rahogi?
Arohi ne ahista se chehra uthaate hue dekha.
Arohi (mutters) : Leave...!!!!
Aur, sunte hi maano uss ladke ki rooh kaanp gayi. Arohi ke ird-gird se jo anubhooti mehsoos ho rahi thi woh itni bhayanak thi ki ladka apna thook nigalte hue waha se kat liya.
'Veer-!'
Usne apna angutha daanto taley dabaaya. Akhir ye sab Veer ke itne close kaise thi? Itni badi-badi hastiyon ka uske bhai se kya kaam? Aur, sab ki sab iss waqt Mumbai me uske saath kya kar rahi thi?
Na jaane kitne sawaal uske mann me aa rahe the. Woh khud hi apne conclusions nikaal rahi thi aur khud hi unn sawaalo me aur phasti jaa rahi thi.
***
Mumbai,
A few minutes ago...
Mumbai ke baahri ilaaqe me maujood kuchh ghane ped aur sunsaan sadkein lagti thi. Shehar ke shor-sharaabe se kuchh kilometres dur, ye jagah poori tarah se shaant thi.
Khamoshi itni gehri ki sookhe patton par ek qadam ki bhi awaaz saaf-saaf sunaayi de rahi thi.
Veer ne chaaron taraf apni nazrein daudaayi. Pedon ki oonchi-oonchi bel aur teheniyaan aasmaan ko dhaki hui thi, jinse dhalte sooraj ki dhoop zameen par chhan kar aa rahi thi.
Veer : Ye jagah sahi rahegi.
Usne ek jagah ruk kar mudte hue kaha. Uske peechhe Ava, Garofano aur Erica aa rahi thi. Teeno hi uske qareeb aakar ruki.
Ava ne idhar-udhar dekh aas-paas ki jagah ka jaayza liya, toh wahi Garofano muskaan bikhere apne baalon ko peechhe karne me lagi hui thi. Erica ne ek gehri saans li, jangal ki mitti aur ghaas ki mehak ko mehsoos kar use apne China ke ghar ki yaad aa gayi jaha roz subah 'Order' ke aadmi aise hi jangal me martial arts ki practise kiya karte the.
Garofano : Are you sure Veer? *smiles* Yaha par? I can't promise that I won't cause any damage.
Usne mazakiya dhang me kaha, magar uski aankhein yahi baya kar rahi thi ki use bhi yeh jagah pasand thi.
Veer (smiles) : Hum sab me se tumhara control hi sabse achha hoga, I guess? So, don't joke with me.
Garofano (smiles) : Oh, you are no fun!
Veer : Aaj 5th hai. 20th ko Summit hai. Humaare paas zyada time nahi hai. Plum Island! Waha kya hoga humein nahi pata. Lekin agar Summit se pehle khud ko test nahi kiya, toh anjaam bura ho sakta hai. We must be prepared.
Erica : Lekin, itne kam time me... Kuchh prepare bhi hoga?
Ava (glances) : More than enough hai.
Erica : Ugh! Maybe for you! Lekin, mera kya? Mein aap sabki tarah combat fighter nahi hu.
[Oye! Don't insult me! Tumhare paas literally kayi fighting skills hai. Apne aalas ki wajah se tumne unn skills ko seekha nahi toh isme meri galti nahi hai.]
'Ugh! G-Genie-!'
[Don't blame me! You're getting lethargic. Aalsi ho tum!]
'Ugh!'
[Kaamchor ho rahi ho!]
'Ahh!'
[Tumhe sirf bahaane banaana aata hai!]
'Ehh?'
[You are-]
'Ahhh! Stop it! Stop! Stop! Stop! Mujhe aur nahi sunana!'
Woh apna sarr pakad ke idhar-udhar ghumaane lagi. Veer, Garofano aur Ava use aise dekh rahe the jaise maano uspe koi bhoot sawaar ho gaya ho.
Veer : Erica!!!
Erica : Ahh?!
Veer : You are first!
Erica : Hein? K-Kya?
Veer : Humaare beech ek mutual understanding honi chahiye. In case kabhi tum aur mein kisi aise opponents ke saath bhid gaye jinki tuning aapas me bahut achhi hai, toh humaare liye kaafi mushqil hoga.
Erica : Ah! I know! Kyunki, humne ek dusre ke saath kabhi coordinate nahi kiya, hai na?
Veer (nods) : Exactly! Ek team hone ke naate, humein kam se kam ek dusre ke baare me itna pata hona chahiye ki hum apne opponents se effortlessly bhid sake. Kahi koi misunderstanding na ho.
Erica : I agree! T-Toh kya karna hai?
Woh apne kapde theek karte hue Veer ke saamne aayi. Toh wahi Garofano aur Ava zameen par gadey bade pattharo par baithkar unka training session dekhne me mashgool ho gayi.
Veer : Kya tum bata sakti ho ki tumhare paas kaun si skills hai? I mean agar tum hesitate kar rahi ho toh-
Erica : Umm...
Usne ek pal ke liye Ava aur Garofano ko dekha.
Garofano : What? Don't give us that look. Tum toh aise dekh rahi ho jaise apni skills reveal karne se tumhe disadvantage hoga. Girl... Tum skills reveal karo ya na karo, you'll always lose against me. Toh pretend karne ki zaroorat nahi.
Erica : Wh-What? How dare you-!? *grits* Agar itna hi confidence hai toh try me. I'll beat your sorry ass! Hmph!
Garofano (smiles) : In your dreams sweetheart!
Erica : Y-You-!
Veer : ERICA!
Erica : Ahh! S-Sorry!
Veer : Take your stance! Mein attack karunga aur tum defend karogi. Kar logi na?
Erica : Hey! Maine apne dad se bachpan me martial arts seekha hua hai. I still train with him. I mean... sometimes...
Woh sarr neeche kar boli. Use yaad aaya, kaise woh 'Order' ke aadmiyon ke saath train karti thi. System milne ke baad se hi, woh humesha unn logo ko chutkiyon me hara diya karti thi. Antatah, sab ke sab bas karaahte hue zameen par daley rehte the.
Use kabhi bhi koi aisa teammate nahi mila, jo uske saath kandhe se kandha mila kar uska saath de sake. Ye kami use humesha se hi khalti thi. Uske pita, Li Renshu ek achhe martial arts teacher toh the, magar Erica ki kabhi wo dost waali bonding apne pita ke saath nahi bann paayi.
Usne ek gehri saans li, ek qadam peechhe, ek haath aage kar apna stance liya. Aankhein Veer par tiki aur usne apne haath se ishaara kiya.
Erica : Come!
*Whoosh*
Erica : ???
Uske bolte hi Veer apni jagah se itni tezi se gaayab hua ki Erica ghabra gayi. Dur baithi Ava aur Garofano ki aankhein bhi pal bhar ke liye chaudi ho gayi. Jab tak Erica kuchh samajh paati, Veer theek uske bagal me tha.
[Shit! Ericaaaaa! Dodge!]
'Ahhh!'
Veer ka ek punch jaise hi uski pasli ki taraf aaya toh-
*Bam*
'Nggh!'
Daant meeste hue Erica ne jaise-taise Veer ki fist ko pakda, magar force itna zyada tha ki woh hawa me uchhalte hue kuchh qadam dur udd gayi.
Zameen par land karte hue woh halka sa ghisti aur bas avaak reh gayi.
[Such power! Damn it! Erica! Usne abhi bhi apni full strength use nahi ki hai. This is the best opportunity. Apni skills use karo. Tai Chi, Bagua Zhang, aur Xingyiquan ko practice karne ka ye best time hai.]
'Hmm! Got it! Activate the Quick Reflect scroll, Genie.'
*Ding*
[Quick Reflect scroll is now activated for the next 15 minutes.]
*Ding*
[200 points have been deducted.]
Erica ne nigaahein Veer par gadaayi.
Erica : Again!
*Whoosh*
Veer phir apni jagah se gaayab hua aur jaise hi woh Erica ke nazdeek aaya, uski laat hawa ko cheerte hue Erica ke baayi haath ki orr badhi, lekin iss baar-
Erica ka haath apne aap Veer ki taang ki taraf badha aur-
*Flick*
'Ohh! *smiles* Interesting...!'
Veer ke hontho par muskaan bikhar gayi jab Erica ne uski laat ko deflect kar diya. Magar-
Jaha Erica khush thi toh wahi-
'Ehh!?'
Daayi orr se aata hua punch use dikhaayi hi nahi diya. Iske pehle ki woh samajh paati ki ye kab aur kaha se aaya-
*BAAAAAMMMMM*
"Ahhhhh!"
Woh hawa me uchhalte hue dur peechhe ek ped se jaa takraayi.
Ava : V-Veer-?
Garofano (smiles) : You can be gentle on her you know!
Veer : Dushman aisa nahi sochega. I want her to train in real.
Erica (uthate hue) : It's okay! I... I can handle it!
Aur, qareeban agle poore aadhe ghante tak unki training yuhi chalti rahi. Erica ne itni jagah chot khaayi, magar saath hi saath woh apni skills bhi train karti gayi.
Par iss beech agar sabse bada jhatka kisi ko laga toh woh tha-
[Dear!]
Ava ke mann me Lily ki awaaz goonji.
'Lily?'
[Mein itni derr se Veer ko observe kar rahi thi. There's something odd.]
'Odd? Kya hua?'
[Yaad hai na? Last time maine Veer ke baare me kya kaha tha?]
'Yahi ki... ki Veer kuchh chhipa raha hai?'
[Haan! Mera doubt aur badh gaya hai.]
'Huh? K-Kaise?'
[Veer ke paas Beowulf's blessings aur Intimidating Presence hai. Isme koi doubt nahi hai. Hum multiple times dekh chuke hai.]
'Hmm!'
[Aur, maine abhi notice bhi kiya ki usne Beowulf's Blessings Erica ke khilaaf use kiya. L-Lekin-]
'Lekin?'
[It's... It's impossible.]
'Lily? Batao bhi... Don't... Don't keep me hanging.'
[Usne dono cards ek saath use kiye!!]
'Kya??? N-Nahi! Aisa kaise ho sakta hai? T-Tumne zaroor galat notice kiya hoga.'
[Galat? Are you judging my observation skills, dear? Kya tumne dhyaan nahi diya?]
'M-Maine-!'
[Nahi! Mein bhi kis se poochh rahi hu? Tumhara poora dhyaan toh uss par hi tha. Par mann me kuchh aur hi chal raha tha, hai na?]
'Wh-What? N-No! *blushes* Aisa nahi hai!'
[Mein Veer ke aur qareeb aani chaahti hu. Blah blah blah. Kaash Erica aur wo bitch Garofano yaha na hoti. Blah blah blah. Kaash mein aur Veer-]
'Ahhh! Stop it! Stop! Mere mann ki baatein mat padho, Lily!'
Iss baar Ava ki baari thi apna sarr pakad ke hilaane ki, par use dekhne waala koi na tha. Kyunki, Garofano aur Erica, dono hi Veer ke saath training me lagi hui thi.
[So you accepted huh? *smiles* Anyways, jo maine bataaya woh ekdum sahi bataaya hai. Usne dono cards ek saath use kiye hai. I can tell.]
'Intimidating presence ko notice karne ka koi thos tareeka nahi hai, Lily. Aisa bhi toh ho sakta hai ki usi se related Veer ke paas koi skill ho waisi? Aur usne Beowulf's Blessings ke saath wo use ki ho? Isliye humein lag raha hai ki wo 2 cards eksaath use kar raha hai?'
[Possibility hai. Lekin, mere instincts kabhi galat nahi hote, dear *frowns* Tumhe pata lagaana padega.]
'Huh?'
[This would reveal so many things.]
'I... I see! B-But agar woh nahi bataana chaahe toh-'
[You must get that information out of him!!! YOU MUST!!!]
'I... I'll try!'
Ava ka mann udaas pad gaya. Woh dekh rahi thi ki Garofano bhi Erica ke saath Veer ke against train kar rahi thi.
Kintu, Veer ne use nahi bulaaya. Na hi use address kiya. Kya woh kisi baat se rootha hua tha? Kya kaaran tha?
'Mujhe lagta hai, mujhe aur mehnat karni hogi. Iske pehle ki mein sabke liye bojh ban jau!'
Erica ne mann me socha. Woh poori tarah se paseene se lathpath thi.
Garofano ne uske kandhe par halke se thapthapaya.
Garofano : You did well, little one!
Erica : You too, old one! *grin*
Garofano (growls) : YOU-!
Erica hasi, uski aankhein phir Ava ki taraf gayi. Ava thodi dur alag hi baithi hui thi, ekdum chupchaap, apne haath ki ungliyon ko aapas me lapete hue.
Ava niraash thi. Usne socha tha ki Veer sabse pehle uske saath sparring karega. Uske saath, jiske saath wo itne samay se juda hua hai.
Uska dil bechain hone laga. Kya usne kuchh galat kiya? Kya France ya China ke baad... wo ab bhi uss par gussa hai? Kya wo use avoid kar raha hai?
Tamaam sawaal Ava ke mann me ubharne lage.
Veer thoda thak gaya tha. Usne side me rakhi hui metallic water bottle uthaayi aur paani peene laga.
Tabhi, uske pocket me phone vibrate hua. Screen par naam jhalka-
Arohi.
Veer ne bottle ka cap lagaya, thoda muskuraya, aur call receive karke screen par dekha.
Aur, yahi woh pal tha jab uski baat Arohi se hui thi jab achanak baat karne ke dauraan hi-
*Ring* *Ring*
Incoming call...
Nidhi ma'am...
'Huh?'
Yahi woh pal tha jab-
Veer : Sorry dii! Ek call aa raha hai. Hum baad me connect karte hain. Enjoy your time with your friends. Bye!
Arohi : R-Ruko! Veeeeer!!
*Call ends*
Usne Nidhi ka call pick kiya aur kuchh minutes tak uss se hi baat karta raha. Ant me usne yahi kaha ki-
Veer : Don't worry! Mein kal aata hu!
Nidhi : Hmm! Mein intezar karungi!
Veer : Ji!
*call ends*
Woh akhirkar unn teen sundariyon ki orr muda.
Veer : Alright! Aaj ki training yahi end hoti hai. It was a good session. Violet! Erica! You both can leave. I guess ab ek bath ki zaroorat hai tum dono ko.
Garofano : Aye Aye Captain! *smiles* see you later, handsome~
Erica (blushes) : Mmm!
Erica ka dil zor-zor se dhadak raha tha. China me, 'Order' ke aadmi wo moorkh the jo sirf maar-peet samajhte the.
Par Veer... Veer alag tha. Wo uss se kahi zyada taqatvar tha, lekin wo uske potential ko samajh raha tha. Wo uss kami ko bhar raha tha jo Erica ne saalon se apni zindagi me mehsoos ki thi.
*Badump* *Badump*
'He's... so reliable,' Erica ne mann hi mann socha, uske gaal thode laal the. 'Mera dil itna tezz kyun dhadak raha hai...?'
Dur khadi Ava ye sab dekh rahi thi. Uski mutthi kasi hui thi. Garofano ka wo mazaakiya flirtatious vyavhaar, Erica ka wo sharmaana... aur Veer ka unke saath itna open hokar train karna.
Jalan uske andar ek aag ki tarah phail rahi thi.
Garofano aur Erica mudkar jangal ke raaste se baahar nikalne lagi. Raaste bhar Erica ki khushi thamne ka naam hi nahi le rahi thi.
Erica : Veer is such a good captain, hai na? Wo bilkul nahi chillata, aur usne mujhe... Kitne achhe se train kiya.
Garofano : Hmm!
Garofano ki muskaan achanak gaayab ho gayi. Usne chalte hue ek baar peechhe mudkar dekha. Aankhon ke kone se uski putliyaan Ava aur Veer par tiki.
Woh bewakoof nahi thi. Usne gaur kar liya tha ki Veer ne poore samay Ava ko ek baar bhi fight me shaamil nahi kiya... aur ab unhe baahar bhej ke Ava ke sang akele ruk raha tha?
Uske hontho par ek teekhi muskaan saj gayi, par usne Erica se kuchh nahi kaha aur yuhi aage badhti rahi.
Andar ab sirf do hi log maujood the. Veer... aur Ava.
Aur, unke beech ki... khamoshi. Ava wahi khadi thi, uska sarr neeche jhuka hua tha. Wo bhramit thi, dimaag hazaar sawalon se bhara hua tha.
Veer : Ava!
Ava (gasps) : Huh? Y-Yes?
Veer ne koi jawab nahi diya. Wo bas mudkar jangal ke aur gehri, veeraan jagah ki taraf chalne laga.
Ava ne ek kshan ke liye sankoch jataaya, phir uske peeche-peeche chalne lagi. Sookhe patton ke tootne ki aawaz unke beech ki akeli awaaz thi.
Kuchh dur chalne ke baad, Veer bina mude hi bola.
Veer : Are you disappointed?
Ava (glances) : H-Huh?
Veer : Yahi soch rahi ho na ki mein tumhe avoid kar raha hu?
Veer ne aage chalte hue kaha. Uski peeth Ava ki taraf thi.
Ava : N-Nahi...! M-Mein kyu disappointed houngi?
Jhooth.
Veer ruka. Wo muda aur Ava ki orr dekha. Uske chehre par koi gussa nahi tha, koi berukhi nahi. Sirf gehri gambheerta.
Veer : Maine jaan boojh ke tumhare saath training nahi ki.
Ava ne kisi chhote bacche ki tarah aankhein badi kar uski taraf dekha.
Ava : Jaan boojh ke?
Veer : Haan! Kyunki mein nahi chahta tha ki wo dekhe ki hum kaise train karte hai. Unke saamne... training karne ka matlab hota tumhari aur meri combined abilities, cards, aur hidden techniques ko reveal karna. Aur, mein nahi chaahta tha ki... Sabko sab kuchh pata chale.
*BOOM.*
Ava ke dil me jaise ek dhamaka hua. Uska poora wajood sunn pad gaya.
Unhe nahi dikhaana chaahta? Uska dimaag ek baar ke liye rewind hua. Veer ne Erica aur Garofano ke saamne uski abilities ko dhaka, kyunki wo unn dono par utna vishvas nahi karta jitna woh uss par karta tha! Wo unhe apni aur uski training nahi dikhana chahta tha.
Veer ne ye lafz bol kar nahi kahe ki, "Mein tumpar sabse zyada trust karta hu," lekin Ava ne uske har ek shabd se ye matlab nikaal liya tha.
Bechaari ka dil itni tez dhadak raha tha ki use laga Veer ko uski dhadkan kahi sunaayi na de jaaye. Uska saara gussa, uski saari bechaini, jalan... ek kshan me pighal kar khatam ho gayi. Uski jagah gehri khushi ne li ki, uske gaal ekdum laal pad gaye.
Wo Veer ke saamne ek dam maun khadi hui thi.
Veer : 15th se pehle... Hum 'Ryotsken' master kar ke hi rahenge. Don't worry.
Ava (blushes) : M-Mmm!
Veer : Let's go!
Ava : Mm~
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Aaj ke liye itna hi guys.
So sorry for the wait. And, also sorry ki ye update sirf 7.5k words ka hi hai. Isme ek scene aur tha. Jo length ko around 10k tak le jaane waala tha magar time ki kami ki wajah se use maine next update me shift kar diya hai. I know iss update me scene thode kam the. Lekin, trust the process. Next update kaafi badhiya hone waala hai aur bahut se chal rahe scenarios end ho jaayenge. Jaise ki... Suman ki planning ka result, Nidhi's reason to call Veer, Veer ka culprit dhundhne waala mission and all. Ye sab next update me deliver hoga. So have patience. Baaki target kuchh nahi hai. But I hope at least last update jitna hi pyaar ise bhi doge. Keep supporting.
Dhanyavad.
Wow, Veer has started preparing for the Summit in right earnest along with Erica, Ava and Garoffano ! Suman completed her mission and back with Bhavna. Arohi is back in limelight, though for a shorter period. What transpired between Nidhi MDM and Veer, God alone knows better. The mysterious lady , from last updateUpdate - 215 ~ Pre-Summit Prep
Ab tak...
Woh dheere se seedhi baithi.
"Shayad tum sahi keh rahi ho?"
Usne billi ko pyaar se uthakar sofe par bithaaya. Phir khadi hui. Uske gray baal kandhon par bikhar gaye. Saamne lage bade se sheeshe me usne apne aap ko dekha. Aur muskuraayi.
"Alright."
Usne dheere se apni jacket uthayi.
"Let's see what all the fuss is about."
Billi ne dobaara meow kiya. Woh aurat darwaaze ki taraf badhi. Phir ek pal ke liye ruki. Uski aankhon me wahi shararat laut aayi.
"But what if...?"
Usne mudke apni billi ko dekha.
"...they can't handle me?"
*Meow*
Aur billi ka jawaab sunn uski hasi phir kamre me goonj uthi.
Ab aage...
Darwaaza khula toh Bhavna ne hall se sirr utha kar dekha. Ghar ke baahar khada auto ab jaa chuka tha aur Suman kandhe par bag latkaaye andar aa rahi thi.
“Aa gayi tum…! Kaafi din lag gaye.”
Bhavna ne andar aati Suman ko dekh kaha.
Suman : Ji didi!
Woh sofe par baithi toh Bhavna ne wahi rakha apna paani ka glass, jo woh apne liye laayi thi, Suman ki orr aage karte hue badhaaya.
Bhavna : Kuchh mila fir?
Suman (paani lete hue) : Hmm! Dukhad khabar hai. Unka beta kuchh din pehle hi guzar gaya tha. Antim sanskaar pehle hi ho gaya tha. Jo kuchh mila toh… bas kuchh bachi hui amaanatein.
Bhavna (sighs) : Na jaane kya beet rahi hogi.
Suman : Unke hi parivar ne aapke saath chhal kiya aur aap unse hi humdardi jata rahi hain?
Bhavna : Isme humdardi jaisa kya Suman? Akhir… hai toh woh bhi ek maa hi na? Aulaad khone ke baare me toh mein soch bhi nahi sakti.
Kehte hue woh uthkar khidki ke paas pahuchi. Kshan bhar ke liye 'Shweta' aur 'Purvi' dono uske zehen me aayi. Nazrein baahar sadak par tiki aur usne aage bolna jaari rakha.
Bhavna : Beshaq! Uss parivar ne humein bahut taqleef di hai, lekin Vandna ka kya dosh? Usne bhi toh sab kuchh khoya hi hai na? Upar se woh bhi Parijaat ka hissa rahi hai. Uske purvaj bhi kabhi Parijaat ka hissa hi the. Kahi na kahi woh humesha se hi humse judi rahi hai.
Suman : Shayad isliye unke andar aapko lekar utna berr nahi hai.
Bhavna : Huh?
Suman : Kuchh nahi! Bas yuhi…
Bhavna : Khair, ek ye baat achhi thi ki uss dukhad ghadi me kam se kam tum uske saath thi.
Ek halki muskaan ke saath woh palatate hue boli. Suman ne haami bhar ek gehri saans li aur phir ghar par agal-bagal nazar maari.
Suman : Baaki sabhi kaha hain?
Bhavna : Kaha honge? Apne-apne kaamo me vyast hain.
Suman : Aabha?
Bhavna : Andar hai. Kitchen me. Kavya ke saath.
Suman : Kavya abhi bhi yahin par hain?
Bhavna : Hmm! Uss haadse ke baad se Ragini aur woh ek-dusre ke kaafi qareeb aa gayi hain. Usne prann liya hai ki Ragini ki seva woh khud karegi.
Suman : Maalik?
Sunte hi Bhavna ki aankhein sikudi. Yeh shabd humesha hi use atpata lagta tha.
Bhavna : Tum-
Suman : Iske pehle ki aap mujhe toke mein pehle hi jata deti hu. Haan! Mein unhe isi naam se pukaarungi. Nahi! Sabke saamne nahi. Lekin, aapse chhipaane ki bhi zaroorat nahi hai.
Bhavna (frowns) : Toh mere saamne bhi mat kiya karo, Suman!
Suman : Jaanti toh hain sab aap. Phir, kyu bhaag rahi hain sacchaayi se?
Bhavna punah khidki ki orr palti.
Bhavna : Bhaag nahi rahi hu. Bas...
Suman apne sthaan par se khadi hui.
Suman : Ise bhaagna hi kehte hai didi. Ek taraf toh aap Parijaat se rishta hone ki wajah deke Vandna se humdardi jata rahi hain. Aur, dusri orr mere 'maalik' kehne par aapko aitraaz bhi ho raha hai? Yeh do tarfa khel kab tak khelengi aap?
Bhavna jhatse uski orr mudi. Chehre par ab shikan saaf jhalak rahi thi.
Bhavna : Mein koi khel nahi khel rahi hu. Hawas ke bahaav me mat baho Suman. Koi bhi sajjan, shikshit vyakti ye asaani se bata dega ki ye sab... Ye sab galat hain. Wo sab nahi hona chaahiye tha. Peedhi-dar-peedhi ye-
Suman : Oh achha? Hawas? Aapko lagta hai mein hawas ke bahaav me beh rahi hu? Hawas nahi. Prem hai ye! Kal ko maalik agar mujhe chheene se bhi inkaar kar de. Toh bhi mera prem unke liye humesha utna hi rahega. Nahi. Balki, badhta hi jaayega. Ye baat aap bhi achhi tarah se jaanti hai didi ki maalik ke liye mein apni jaan bhi de sakti hu. Na hi unke khilaaf mein kuchh bura sunn sakti hu aur na hi unn par koi aanch aane de sakti hu.
Bhavna : P-Par ye galat-
Suman (zor se) : Toh sach kya hai didi? Kya hai iska hal? Kya hai sahi? Kya hai galat? Samjhaiye mujhe!
Uske qadam ahista-ahista Bhavna ki orr badhe. Jaise hi woh uske qareeb pahuchi, Bhavna ne nazrein ferr li aur uski zubaan par khamoshi ka taala lag gaya. Woh jaanti thi ki Parijaat ke shraap ka koi hal nahi. Aur, agar hai bhi... toh uss se woh anjaan thi.
Suman (narm padte hue) : Meri wafadari ko hawas ka naam mat dijiye didi. Maalik ko maine tann, mann, dhan, poorn roop se apnaaya hai. Sab kuchh saunp chuki hu unhe. Ise hawas ka naam mat dijiye. Aap ne toh sab dekha hua hai na? Kaise Parijaat ki auratein bina shareerik roop se jude hone ke bawajood Singh parivar ke kul ke liye kitna samarpit rehti thi? Aaj bhi waisa hi hai. Maalik ko bas kehna hai aur ye Suman... Use haqeeqat me badal degi.
Kuchh derr tak Bhavna bas Suman ko dekhti rahi. Uski aankhon me jhaank kar uski gambheerta ko parakhti rahi. Parantu, use agar unn aankhon me kuchh nazar aaya toh sirf junoon. Pagalpann. Prem. Koi chhal nahi. Koi jhooth nahi.
Bhavna : K-Kyu? Itna kyu-? Itna kyu uss se mohit ho tum? Aakhir tum iss qadar kaise uss se prem-? Aabha aur Sonali bhi hoti toh samajh aata ki wo uski hum-umr hai lekin tum-? Tum dono ko mile itna samay bhi nahi hua. Fir bhala kyu?
Suman : Maut ki raat yaad hai na didi?
Uss raat ko yaad karte hi Bhavna ke badan me ruue khade ho gaye. Woh kaali raat jab Singh parivar ki haveli aag me jalkar bhasm ho gayi thi.
Suman : Yaad hai na? Kaise aapne apne parivar ko khoya tha? Aur, maine apni maa ko...! Aaj aap Vandna se humdardi jata rahi hai. Kya yaad hai aapko aapne uss raat kya kaha tha?
Bhavna ko wo pal yaad aaya jis waqt woh apni haveli ko jalta hua dekh rahi thi. Uske bagal se Suman apni kishoravastha me, sevak Shyaam ke pita, Jaidev aur Abhilasha kaaki khadi hui thi.
Kuchh bacha tha toh uske haatho me sirf woh... Neelmani.
Kaapte haatho se usne Neelmani ko apne saamne kiya. Apni khud ki jalti hui haveli ke saamne. Unn aag ki lapto ki jwaalaye uss chamkeele patthar par chamak rahi thi.
"Aaj mein Bhavna Singh, Dharam Singh ki putri aur Vijay Singh ki behan ye pratigya leti hu! Ki ek din...! Jis tarah inn sab ne mere parivaar ko maara hai! Usi tarah mein bhi inke parivar ko khatm karungi!"
Suman ki nigaahein uss patthar par tiki hui thi jo aag ki lapto se aani waali raushni me Bhavna ke haath me chamak raha tha.
Bhavna ne nazrein neechi kar Suman ko dekha aur uske sarr par haath phera.
"Suman! Kya tum mujhse ek vaada karogi?"
Chanchal Suman ne ahista se sarr haan me hilaaya.
"Vaada karo! Vaada karo ki tum..." Uska haath sehsa ek pal ke liye apne pait ke upar gaya. "Vaada karo ki jab Singh parivar ke kul ka janm hoga aur agar tum kabhi uss se mili... Toh tum uska khayaal rakhogi. Vaada karo."
Suman ki aankhon me chamak thi. Usne Bhavna ki saree ko kass kar thaam apna sirr hilaaya. Bolne ke sthiti me nahi thi. Saamne aag ki lapto ne uski maa ko bhi jo samet liya tha.
Bhavna ne ek gehri kaanpti hui saans bhari.
"Kaaki! Kaaka! Ab kuchh shesh nahi raha. Sab khatam ho gaya! Chaliye!"
Apne aasuo ko pochh woh mud ke nikal gayi.
Ek sihran bharte hue Bhavna ne apni palkein khol Suman ko dekha.
Suman : Aa gaya yaad?
Bhavna : Toh chaahti kya ho tum? Kya ye kehna chaahti ho ki mein Vandna se humdardi na jatau?
Suman : Maine ye toh kaha hi nahi!?
Bhavna : Toh phir kya kehna chaah rahi ho?
Suman : Aapko ye batlaana chaah rahi hu ki ek taraf aap Vandna ke Parijaat se jude hone ke chalte unse humdardi jata rahi ho toh wahi dusri taraf aapko maalik ka Parijaat se juda hona pasand nahi aa raha. Agar ye doglapann nahi toh kya hai didi?
Bhavna : L-Lekin mein... I-Iss tarah nahi Suman-
Suman : Aapne Parijaat ka iske pehle toh kabhi virodh nahi kiya!? Par jaise hi baat apne bete par aayi toh achanak se Parijaat itna chubhne kyun laga?
Bhavna ki aankhein sikudi.
Bhavna (frowns) : Abhilasha kaaki ne kaafi kuchh bata diya hai shayad. Hai na?
Suman (smiles) : Bahut kuchh!
Bhavna : ...
Suman : ...
Bhavna (glares) : Suman... Prem ka matlab apni maryaada kho dena nahi hota hai.
Suman muskuraayi. Bhavna uski muskaan dekh thoda chintit hui.
Suman : Ye baat aapke muh se shobha nahi deti, didi.
Bhavna : Kya matlab?
Suman (smiles) : Matlab ye ki- maryaada ki baat aap mujhse kar rahi hain? Kya aapko nahi lagta ki ye maryaada ki baat aapko pehle-
Bhavna : ??
Suman dheere se chalte hue uske qareeb aayi aur uske kaan ki taraf jhukte hue ahista se boli.
Suman : -Purvi didi se karni chahiye?
Bhavna (gasps) : Huh?
Suman : Kyun? Kya maine kuchh galat kaha? Purvi didi ka... Ek maa samaan hona aur maalik ke muh me apna nanga stann bharna. Ye kaha ki maryaada hai? *smirks*
Jab Bhavna ne yeh suna toh jaise uske perro taley zameen khisak gayi. Woh bhauchakki khadi Suman ko ghoorti rahi.
Suman : Pehle aap unse kyun nahi maryaada ki baat karti?
Bhavna (shudders) : T-Tumhe-!?
Suman : Haan! Sab jaanti hu mein!
Bhavna : K-Kaise? Tumhe ye sab kisne-?
Suman : Khud maalik ne!
Bhavna (hairat me) : Veer ne tumhe-?
Suman : Ji! Lekin, ab aap ye baat unhe mat bataiyega. Rahi baat meri toh... Jis din maalik mujhe dhitkaar denge. Yeh Suman uss din se unhe chhiyegi tak nahi. Par, woh din aane se pehle... Mein poori tarah se unki hu. Aur, aap jaanti hai ki ise nazarandaz nahi kiya jaa sakta.
Bhavna ne kaanpte hue ek gehri saans chhori. Aur, use iss tarah dekh Suman bhi narm pad gayi.
Suman : Mein jaanti hu aapke mann me kya chal raha hai. Lekin, aap jitna uss baare me sochengi, ye utna hi aapko pareshan karega.
Bhavna : Toh kya karu?
Suman : Niyati pe chhor dijiye sab. Hum jitna ise rokne ki koshish karenge, utna hi ulajhte chale jaayenge. Niyati se yaad aaya- *frowns* Mujhe aapse behad zaroori baat karni hai. Aaiye!
Achanak hi woh Bhavna ko kheechte hue andar le jaane lagi.
Bhavna : S-Suman? Kya hua???
Parantu, Suman ne koi jawab nahi diya. Woh bas Bhavna ko ek kamre me andar leke gayi, ghar me maujood logo ki nazron se bachte hue, aur andar aate hi usne jhatse darwaza band kar diya.
Bhavna : K-Kya hua? Achanak se tum-?
Usne Bhavna ki baahein thaame use bistar par baithaaya aur khud neeche hi uski taango ke paas baith gayi.
Suman : Shh! Ab mein aapko jo bataane waali hu, ho sakta hai use sunane ke baad aapko bahut bada jhatka lage, isliye pehle se sachet kar rahi hu.
Bhavna : K-Kaisi baat?
Suman : Dhyaan se suniye-
Uske baad kamre ke andar kya baatein hui, woh uss ghar ki deewaarein hi jaanti thi. Bahar waqt apni raftaar se guzarta raha aur andar Bhavna ka har vishwas ek-ek karke tootata chala gaya.
Jab qareeban ek ghante baad darwaza khula, tab jaati hui Suman ko dekh Bhavna ne bola.
Bhavna : Suman!
Suman apni jagah par thehri.
Bhavna (frowns) : Sambhal ke...! Kahi use-
Suman : Sab mujhpar chhor dijiye didi.
Kehte hue woh kamre se baahar nikal gayi. Bhavna bas nishabd khadi use jaata dekhti rahi. Aur darwaza dheere se band ho gaya.
***
Ahemdabad,
Evening - 6:30 PM~
*Thud*
Darwaza band hua toh Arohi ne ek gehri saans li. Badan par usne teal color ka ek casual hoodie daala hua tha. Washroom ke sheeshe ke saamne khadi hokar usne apna phone uthaya aur selfie click karni shuru ki.
*Click*
*Click*
*Click*
Ek...
Do...
Das...
Bees...
Pachaas...
Qareeban sattar tasveerein kheenchne ke baad bhi woh sirf ek hi photo par aa kar ruki.
'Hmm...'
Usne kuchh pal uss tasveer ko dekha.
'Nahi...'
*Delete*
'Looking weird again. Isliye social media ka mann nahi karta.'
Halki si naraazgi ke saath usne phone apni pocket me daal liya. Par use kaun bataaye...
-ki jin tasveeron ko woh bekaar samajhkar delete kar rahi thi, wahi agar kabhi social media par pahuch jaaye, toh na jaane kitne ladke bas ek jhalak ke liye uska profile baar-baar kholne lag jaaye.
Uske inbox me dedh sau se bhi adhik unread messages pade hue the. Zyadatar ladko ke.
Magar, Arohi ke liye ye sab maayne hi nahi rakhta tha. Uske liye duniya bahut chhoti thi. Bas apne log. Apna parivaar.
Kisi mard me uski kabhi koi dilchaspi thi hi nahi. Na woh kisi ladke se bewajah baat karti thi, na hi kisi ko apne qareeb aane deti thi.
Aaj bhi agar woh yaha thi toh sirf apni ek nayi saheli ki zid ki wajah se. Warna uska asal plan toh PG ke kamre me bistar par lait kar chen ki neend lene ka tha.
Washroom ka darwaza khol woh baahar aayi.
"Finally!" ek ladki hass padi. "Madam, hum sab aapka hi wait kar rahe the."
"Hmm... Sorry."
Bas itna kehkar Arohi ne halki si muskaan di.
"Chale?"
Sabne haami bhari aur unka group mall se kuchh hi doorie par sthit ek cafe ki taraf chal diya.
Ahmedabad ki February ki shaam me halki thandi hawa chal rahi thi. Sadak par gaadiyon ki awaazein, footpath par thele waalon ki pukaar, fafda, khaman aur dur se aati chai ki milti-julti khushboo sheher ko ek alag hi rang me duboye hue thi.
Abhi ve sab kuchh hi qadam chale honge ki uski bagal me chal rahi ladki ki nazar achanak uske kaano par tik gayi.
"Wooow!"
Arohi ne uski taraf dekha. 'Hmm?'
Ladki : Arohi, tumhare earrings kitne pretty hain!
Anjaane me, Arohi ka haath apne kaan tak gaya. Uski ungliyaan dheere se apne kaan ke paas ki zulfon par phiri aur phir unn earrings ko chhoo gayi.
Ek pal ke liye waqt jaise theher gaya. Woh maun reh gayi. Honth khule par shabd baahar nahi nikle, phir achanak hi bina wajah ek halki si muskaan unn par ubhar aayi.
Aur uske zehen me aaya... Kavya ka woh janmdin. Ek chhota sa gift box. Aur...
Veer.
Ladki : Gold hai na?
Arohi (nods) : Hmm...
Ladki : Kaha se liye?
Arohi (smiles) : Gift hai...
Ladki (sharaarat me) : Heh~ Boyfriend?
Arohi (blushes) : N-Nahi.
Ladki : Accha? Toh fir kisne diye?
Arohi kuchh na boli. Unn earrings ko ungliyon se sehlaate hi yaadein dheere-dheere aankhon ke saamne tairne lagi.
Janmdin Kavya ka tha. Arohi apne kuchh dosto ke saath khadi thi, jinme se ek tha Akash. College ka ek ladka, jo kaafi samay se uske peeche pada hua tha.
Akash : Please, Arohi! Tum jaanti hi ho... kitne pyaar se laaya hu.
Kehte hue usne apne haath me pakda chhota sa box khola. Andar ek behad hi khubsoorat earrings ki jodi thi.
Arohi : Akash... maine kaha na, I really don't need it. Aur birthday Kavya ka hai. Maine tum sabko yaha uske birthday ke liye invite kiya hai.
Thodi dur khada Veer kaafi der se yahi sab dekh raha tha. Akash baar-baar mana karne ke baad bhi maan hi nahi raha tha.
Arohi jaanti thi ki ye sirf ek gift nahi tha. Agar usne ye earrings accept kar liye, toh uska matlab bhi nikaala jaata. Aur wahi woh nahi chaahti thi.
Par woh unn ladkiyon me se bhi nahi thi jo baat-baat par chillane lage. Isliye bas shaanti se use mana karti rahi.
Tabhi, uski nazar Veer par padi. Jaise ek hi pal me uski saari uljhan khatam ho gayi.
Akash : Mein jaanta hu Kavya ka birthday hai, Arohi. Uske liye toh mein alag gift laaya hu. Ye toh sirf tumhare liye hai. Meri taraf se. Pyaar se laaya hu... mana mat karo.
Veer ahista se chalte hue unke qareeb aaya.
Veer (smiles) : Hmm? Ohh... Earrings! Sorry, brother. Lekin meri dii ke paas already bahut hi pyaari si earrings hain.
Akash : H-Huh? Kya? Kaha hai? Bakwaas mat karo. Main Arohi ko pichhle do saalo se dekhta aa raha hu. I-I mean... maine use notice kiya hai. Usne kabhi kaano me baali nahi pehni. Isliye main uske liye ye lekar aaya tha.
Veer (smiles) : Well... She does have earrings.
Muskuraate hue usne apne blazer ke andar haath daala aur ek chhota sa gift box nikaala. Jaise hi box khula...
Andar rakhi earrings ki chamak par waha maujood sabhi ki nazrein theher gayi. Kuchh pal ke liye Arohi bhi bas unhe dekhti hi reh gayi.
Lights ki raushni me wo itni khubsoorat lag rahi thi ki Akash ke haath me pakdi earrings ekdum pheeki pad gayi.
Akash: !!???
Aur fir...
Ek bhi pal gawaaye bina Arohi ne jhatse Veer ke haath se woh box liya aur zor se uss se chipak gayi.
Veer (smiles): See? She does have earrings.
Unn palo ko yaad kar Arohi ke hontho par anjaane me muskaan bikhar gayi aur gaal gulaabi ho chale.
Ladki : Oye? Kya hua? Kaha kho gayi?
Arohi : Huh!?
Ladki : Tumne bataya nahi... kisne diye?
Arohi ne phir unn earrings ko dheere se chhua.
Arohi (smiles) : ...bas kisi apne ne.
Ladki : Ohh! Bahut sundar hai sach me.
Arohi bas muskura di. Unn earrings ko ek baar phir chhoote hue woh sabke saath chalne lagi. Kuchh hi der baad group cafe ke baahar pahucha.
Sab apni-apni baaton me lage hue the. Tabhi Arohi ke kaano me do ladko ki dheemi awaaz padi.
"Bhai yahi mauka hai. Bol de!"
"Yaar... kaise bolu? Dekha nahi kitni shaant rehti hai?"
"Haan toh? Ek coffee ke liye hi toh poochhna hai bey."
"Mana kar di toh?"
"Toh kya hua? Try toh kar bhosdike!"
Arohi ne bina palte bas ek baar aankhon ke kone se unki taraf dekha.
Ye ladka...
Jise woh pichhle kuchh dino se baar-baar apni taraf dekhte hue pakad rahi thi. Aaj bhi usne apni nazrein hata li. Jaise kuchh suna hi na ho.
'Toh... ye baat hai.'
Uske chehre par koi badlaav nahi aaya. Lekin agle hi pal...
Na jaane kyun... Uske zehen me Veer ka chehra ubhar aaya. Usne socha...
'Agar Veer ye dekhega toh?'
Ek chhoti si muskaan uske honthon par aa gayi.
'Thoda sa pareshaan karke dekhu?'
Phir turant hi usne khud ko daanta.
'No! Pagal! I shouldn't do it.'
Aur, bas do qadam chalte hi...
'Bas thoda sa...'
Usne hoodie ki pocket se apna phone nikala, contacts khole aur bina ek pal gawaaye, Veer ko video call kar diya.
---
Idhar Veer ka phone jab vibrate hua toh usne apna phone nikaal kar dekha.
'Hmm? Arohi dii ka video call?'
Usne call uthaaya, Arohi ka chehra use nazar aaya.
Veer (smiles) : Arohi dii! Kaisi ho?
Arohi ne Veer ke ird-gird dekha toh nazara dekh thoda bhram me pad gayi.
Arohi : H-Hey! Mein theek hu. Kaha par ho tum?
Veer : Huh? Mein? Woh-
Veer ne apne agal-bagal nazrein daudaayi, phir wapas screen ki orr palta.
Veer : Bas yuhi... baahar aaya hua tha. Par aap? Aap kaha ho? Out with friends?
Arohi (nods) : Mm! Ek roommate zid kar rahi thi chalne ke liye so...
Veer (smiles) : I see! Aur, aap mana nahi kar paayi. Hai na?
Arohi : H-Haan!
Veer : Par andar hi andar aap bhi jaana chaahti thi, hai na?
Arohi : H-Haan! Huh? What? N-Nahi!
Veer : Hahaha! Well, dekh ke achha laga ki aap udhar ghul-mil rahi ho.
Arohi : Mm! Ghar par sab kaise hai?
Veer : Sab badhiya hain. Aapka session kabse hai?
Arohi : March se...
Veer : Toh itni jaldi kyun chali gayi aap? Abhi toh feb hi laga hai.
Arohi : Bas... Kuchh time akele spend karna tha. Dada ji ke jaane ke baad se... Mujhe ghar se nikalne ki zaroorat thi.
Veer khamosh reh gaya. Usne dheere se sirr hilaaya.
Veer : Toh... Ab kab aaogi aap?
Arohi : Seedhe diwali...!
Veer : Itna late?
Arohi : Hmm!
Veer ne kuchh pal use dekha.
Veer : Lagta hai Ahemdabad aakar hi milna padega phir aapse.
Arohi : Sach me?
Veer : Maybe haha! Kyun? Kya aap nahi chaahti ki mein aau?
Arohi : M-Mein kyun nahi chaahungi? *blushes* It was just out of character for you. Isliye poochha...
Veer : Mein aur out of character? Kabhi nahi. Waise bhi, aapko toh ab naye dost mil gaye honge? Hai na?
Arohi ne kuchh nahi kaha. Uski nazar anjaane me apne group ki taraf gayi. Aur tabhi... Unke group me se usi ek ladke ki nazar uss se jaa mili. Ladka turant hi doosri taraf mud gaya.
"Bhosdike jaa na, dekh rahi hai tujhe!"
"Jaa na saale! Gaand phat gayi kya ab?"
"N-Nahi yaar! Abhi kaise?"
"Jaa bhosdike!"
"Jaa jaldi!"
"H-Ho sakta hai apne boyfriend se hi baat kar rahi ho?"
"Saale kitna phattu hai tu! Abey aisi ladkiyaan ladko se koso dur rehti hai. Tu jaa toh sahi!"
"Yaar darr lag raha!"
"Madarchod, tu nahi jaa raha toh mein jaa raha, chal hatt!"
"N-Ni! Jaata hu! Jaata hu!"
Inke apne chochle chal rahe the. Arohi kuchh der tak uss ladke aur uske dosto ko dur se dekhti rahi jab-
Veer : Arohi dii?
Arohi : Hmm?
Veer : Kaha kho gayi aap?
Arohi : K-Kahi nahi!
Lekin iss baar uske chehre par ek ajeeb si muskaan thi. Wahi khayaal uske zehen me aaya.
'Agar...?'
Usne phir usi ladke ki orr dekha. Phir screen me Veer ko. Aur na jaane kyu magar wahi shararat andar janm le gayi. Woh dobaara uss ladke ko dekhi aur boli.
Arohi : Tum kuchh keh rahe the kya?
Jab ladke ne Arohi ki awaaz suni toh woh wahi jamm ke reh gaya. Yaha tak ki uske haraami dost bhi shaant pad gaye. Ek ne peechhe se uski gaand pe chamaat lagaayi, jaise kehna chaah raha ho ki saale jaa, jaake baat kar.
Chamaat ka asar bhi dikhaayi diya. Do qadam aage badhte hue woh ladka thoda ghabraaya.
Ladka : U-Umm! N-Nahi! A-Aisi koi zaroori baat nahi thi.
Arohi : Bolo na! Kya baat hai?
Iss poore samay Arohi ka dhyaan uss par tha. Aur, screen par Veer dikhaayi de raha tha jo zaahir taur se confused prateet ho raha tha.
Usne bola toh kuchh nahi. Lekin, ek sawaal zaroor mann me aaya ki Arohi bhala use hold par rakh ke kis se itni important baat karne ki koshish kar rahi thi?
Ladka : N-Nahi nahi! A-Aap continue karo na. Call hai na aapka?
Arohi : Oh it can wait! Tumhe kuchh kehna hai toh tum keh sakte ho.
Vaar seedhe jaake Veer ke dil par laga. Uske maathe ki nass halki si fadki. It can wait? Kaun maayi ka laal aa gaya jiske liye Arohi uska call hold par daal rahi thi?
Ladka jaise hi qareeb aaya toh uski nazar Arohi ke phone ki screen par Veer par padi aur Veer jaise handsome insaan ko dekh ek pal ke liye uske saare armaano par jaise paani fir gaya.
Magar, phir ye bhi dhyaan me aaya ki agar yeh ladka Arohi ka bf hota toh Arohi use ignore nahi karti. Usne ek raahat ki saans li.
Idhar uske frame me aate hi Veer ne-
'Check'
*Ding*
Uss ladke ki usne poori janm kundli nikaal li.
Ladka : W-Woh mein keh raha tha ki yahi paas me hi ek cafe hai achha. Coffee achhi milti hai udhar. Toh, kal coffee ke liye chalogi kya? Mein jaa raha tha toh socha...
Arohi : Aur, kaun-kaun hai?
Ladka : Uh-! Aur... Aur toh koi nahi. Bas mein hi hu. I mean-
Arohi : Coffee achhi milti hai?
Ladka : Haan! Kal hi try ki thi maine. Isliye poochha...
Arohi : Hmm! Okay! Sure!
Ladka : Huh? Really?
Arohi : Yes~
Uss ladke ka jaise barso puraana sapna poora ho gaya. Woh khushi ke maare apne dosto ke paas gaya.
Arohi chhip-chhip ke apni aankhon ke kono se use dekh rahi thi. Na jaane uske mann me kya chal raha tha.
Arohi : S-Sorry! Woh bas batchmate tha.
Veer : I see!
Arohi : Coffee ke liye poochhne aaya tha. You know I like coffee...
Veer (smiles) : Of course! I know!
Arohi : Umm... T-Toh mein kal jaungi...
Veer : Haan suna maine abhi.
Arohi : H-Haan! Bas aise hi coffee peekar aa jaayenge.
Veer : Nice!
*Crack*
Achanak, Veer ke haath me pakdi hui metal ki bottle uski ungliyon ke beech me buri tarah dab gayi.
Arohi : ...
Veer : ...
Arohi : Um... Tumhe naam nahi jaanana uska?
Veer : Kis liye?
Arohi : Huh? M-Mujhe laga tumhe poochhna hoga.
Veer : Nahi toh...
Arohi : O-Okay! Toh... Toh tumhe koi dikkat nahi hai?
Veer : Kaisi dikkat?
Arohi : Huh!!?
Bechari ko jaise yakeen hi nahi hua ki Veer ne kya kaha. Usne muh fulaate hue nazrein pher li. Jaisa usne socha tha, waisa use kuchh bhi dekhne ko jo nahi mila.
Jab achanak-
"Will you all stay quiet for a few minutes?"
Veer ki awaaz screen ke through use sunaayi padi. Usne dekha ki Veer peechhe dekhte hue kisi se ye sab keh raha tha.
Arohi : Huh? Veer? Kis se baat kar rahe ho?
Iske pehle ki Veer use jawaab de paata Arohi ki aankhein phati ki phati reh gayi jab camera frame me achanak se Veer ke bagal se koi aur aa gaya. Ek ladki. Nahi. Ek atyadhik khubsurat ladki. Ek celebrity.
Ava.
Par, ye jhatka kam tha jab daaye aur baaye se do aur khubsurat ladkiyaan frame ke andar aa gayi.
Garofano aur Erica.
Arohi : V-Veer?
Veer : Umm! Hey! *smiles* Just like you... mein bhi apne friends ke saath outing par hu.
Arohi : F-Friends?
Bechaari ke muh se toh yahi nikla. Lekin, shayad andar kuchh aur hi chal raha tha. Friends? WHO THE FUCK ARE THEY? FUCKING CELEBRITIES? WHYYY?
Arohi : Veer, ye... That's... that's... Natalia Martin!!! G-Garorano from Garofano products??? Aur, wo... I think I have seen her too... Hospital me... Wait!! Ye tumhare friends hain?
Veer (smiles) : Haan!
Arohi : Haan? Haan kya? Veer! Explain!
Veer : Kya hua?
Arohi (panics) : Ye... Kaha ho tum? Ye sab kaise?
Veer : Aap itni hairaan kyun ho?
Arohi : Toh aur kya houngi?
Veer : They are friends. Chill.
Ava (smiles) : Hey!
Erica : Hello~
Garofano : Are you Veer's cousin? I remember seeing you.
Garofano ne achanak hi Veer ke kandho par apne haath rakhe.
Garofano : He's keeping us company. *smiles*
Arohi : Huh???
Iske pehle ki Arohi uss se aur kuchh poochh paati...
'Hmm?'
Veer : Sorry dii! Ek call aa raha hai. Hum baad me connect karte hain. Enjoy your time with your friends. Bye!
Arohi : R-Ruko! Veeeeer!!
*Call ends*
Arohi : Shit!
Bechaari ka poora daanv uss par hi ulta pad gaya. Pehli baar aaj Arohi ke chehre par jalan dikhaayi de rahi thi aur shayad... thodi chinta aur ashaanti bhi.
Usne fauran hi call wapas se lagaaya magar-
"Aapke dwara dial kiya gaya number, iss waqt anya call par vyast hai. Kripya-"
Arohi (grits) : Tch!
Uski bechaini ab aur badhti jaa rahi thi. Teen ladkiyo tak toh theek tha magar aakhir kiske call ki wajah se Veer ne uska phone call kaat diya? Zaahir taur se koi na koi zaroori call hi raha hoga.
Woh yaha unn teeno ladkiyo ke baare me sochkar paagal hui jaa rahi thi jab uske group ka wahi ladka uske paas phir aaya-
Ladka : Arohi, mein poochh raha tha ki kal kitne baje tum free rahogi?
Arohi ne ahista se chehra uthaate hue dekha.
Arohi (mutters) : Leave...!!!!
Aur, sunte hi maano uss ladke ki rooh kaanp gayi. Arohi ke ird-gird se jo anubhooti mehsoos ho rahi thi woh itni bhayanak thi ki ladka apna thook nigalte hue waha se kat liya.
'Veer-!'
Usne apna angutha daanto taley dabaaya. Akhir ye sab Veer ke itne close kaise thi? Itni badi-badi hastiyon ka uske bhai se kya kaam? Aur, sab ki sab iss waqt Mumbai me uske saath kya kar rahi thi?
Na jaane kitne sawaal uske mann me aa rahe the. Woh khud hi apne conclusions nikaal rahi thi aur khud hi unn sawaalo me aur phasti jaa rahi thi.
***
Mumbai,
A few minutes ago...
Mumbai ke baahri ilaaqe me maujood kuchh ghane ped aur sunsaan sadkein lagti thi. Shehar ke shor-sharaabe se kuchh kilometres dur, ye jagah poori tarah se shaant thi.
Khamoshi itni gehri ki sookhe patton par ek qadam ki bhi awaaz saaf-saaf sunaayi de rahi thi.
Veer ne chaaron taraf apni nazrein daudaayi. Pedon ki oonchi-oonchi bel aur teheniyaan aasmaan ko dhaki hui thi, jinse dhalte sooraj ki dhoop zameen par chhan kar aa rahi thi.
Veer : Ye jagah sahi rahegi.
Usne ek jagah ruk kar mudte hue kaha. Uske peechhe Ava, Garofano aur Erica aa rahi thi. Teeno hi uske qareeb aakar ruki.
Ava ne idhar-udhar dekh aas-paas ki jagah ka jaayza liya, toh wahi Garofano muskaan bikhere apne baalon ko peechhe karne me lagi hui thi. Erica ne ek gehri saans li, jangal ki mitti aur ghaas ki mehak ko mehsoos kar use apne China ke ghar ki yaad aa gayi jaha roz subah 'Order' ke aadmi aise hi jangal me martial arts ki practise kiya karte the.
Garofano : Are you sure Veer? *smiles* Yaha par? I can't promise that I won't cause any damage.
Usne mazakiya dhang me kaha, magar uski aankhein yahi baya kar rahi thi ki use bhi yeh jagah pasand thi.
Veer (smiles) : Hum sab me se tumhara control hi sabse achha hoga, I guess? So, don't joke with me.
Garofano (smiles) : Oh, you are no fun!
Veer : Aaj 5th hai. 20th ko Summit hai. Humaare paas zyada time nahi hai. Plum Island! Waha kya hoga humein nahi pata. Lekin agar Summit se pehle khud ko test nahi kiya, toh anjaam bura ho sakta hai. We must be prepared.
Erica : Lekin, itne kam time me... Kuchh prepare bhi hoga?
Ava (glances) : More than enough hai.
Erica : Ugh! Maybe for you! Lekin, mera kya? Mein aap sabki tarah combat fighter nahi hu.
[Oye! Don't insult me! Tumhare paas literally kayi fighting skills hai. Apne aalas ki wajah se tumne unn skills ko seekha nahi toh isme meri galti nahi hai.]
'Ugh! G-Genie-!'
[Don't blame me! You're getting lethargic. Aalsi ho tum!]
'Ugh!'
[Kaamchor ho rahi ho!]
'Ahh!'
[Tumhe sirf bahaane banaana aata hai!]
'Ehh?'
[You are-]
'Ahhh! Stop it! Stop! Stop! Stop! Mujhe aur nahi sunana!'
Woh apna sarr pakad ke idhar-udhar ghumaane lagi. Veer, Garofano aur Ava use aise dekh rahe the jaise maano uspe koi bhoot sawaar ho gaya ho.
Veer : Erica!!!
Erica : Ahh?!
Veer : You are first!
Erica : Hein? K-Kya?
Veer : Humaare beech ek mutual understanding honi chahiye. In case kabhi tum aur mein kisi aise opponents ke saath bhid gaye jinki tuning aapas me bahut achhi hai, toh humaare liye kaafi mushqil hoga.
Erica : Ah! I know! Kyunki, humne ek dusre ke saath kabhi coordinate nahi kiya, hai na?
Veer (nods) : Exactly! Ek team hone ke naate, humein kam se kam ek dusre ke baare me itna pata hona chahiye ki hum apne opponents se effortlessly bhid sake. Kahi koi misunderstanding na ho.
Erica : I agree! T-Toh kya karna hai?
Woh apne kapde theek karte hue Veer ke saamne aayi. Toh wahi Garofano aur Ava zameen par gadey bade pattharo par baithkar unka training session dekhne me mashgool ho gayi.
Veer : Kya tum bata sakti ho ki tumhare paas kaun si skills hai? I mean agar tum hesitate kar rahi ho toh-
Erica : Umm...
Usne ek pal ke liye Ava aur Garofano ko dekha.
Garofano : What? Don't give us that look. Tum toh aise dekh rahi ho jaise apni skills reveal karne se tumhe disadvantage hoga. Girl... Tum skills reveal karo ya na karo, you'll always lose against me. Toh pretend karne ki zaroorat nahi.
Erica : Wh-What? How dare you-!? *grits* Agar itna hi confidence hai toh try me. I'll beat your sorry ass! Hmph!
Garofano (smiles) : In your dreams sweetheart!
Erica : Y-You-!
Veer : ERICA!
Erica : Ahh! S-Sorry!
Veer : Take your stance! Mein attack karunga aur tum defend karogi. Kar logi na?
Erica : Hey! Maine apne dad se bachpan me martial arts seekha hua hai. I still train with him. I mean... sometimes...
Woh sarr neeche kar boli. Use yaad aaya, kaise woh 'Order' ke aadmiyon ke saath train karti thi. System milne ke baad se hi, woh humesha unn logo ko chutkiyon me hara diya karti thi. Antatah, sab ke sab bas karaahte hue zameen par daley rehte the.
Use kabhi bhi koi aisa teammate nahi mila, jo uske saath kandhe se kandha mila kar uska saath de sake. Ye kami use humesha se hi khalti thi. Uske pita, Li Renshu ek achhe martial arts teacher toh the, magar Erica ki kabhi wo dost waali bonding apne pita ke saath nahi bann paayi.
Usne ek gehri saans li, ek qadam peechhe, ek haath aage kar apna stance liya. Aankhein Veer par tiki aur usne apne haath se ishaara kiya.
Erica : Come!
*Whoosh*
Erica : ???
Uske bolte hi Veer apni jagah se itni tezi se gaayab hua ki Erica ghabra gayi. Dur baithi Ava aur Garofano ki aankhein bhi pal bhar ke liye chaudi ho gayi. Jab tak Erica kuchh samajh paati, Veer theek uske bagal me tha.
[Shit! Ericaaaaa! Dodge!]
'Ahhh!'
Veer ka ek punch jaise hi uski pasli ki taraf aaya toh-
*Bam*
'Nggh!'
Daant meeste hue Erica ne jaise-taise Veer ki fist ko pakda, magar force itna zyada tha ki woh hawa me uchhalte hue kuchh qadam dur udd gayi.
Zameen par land karte hue woh halka sa ghisti aur bas avaak reh gayi.
[Such power! Damn it! Erica! Usne abhi bhi apni full strength use nahi ki hai. This is the best opportunity. Apni skills use karo. Tai Chi, Bagua Zhang, aur Xingyiquan ko practice karne ka ye best time hai.]
'Hmm! Got it! Activate the Quick Reflect scroll, Genie.'
*Ding*
[Quick Reflect scroll is now activated for the next 15 minutes.]
*Ding*
[200 points have been deducted.]
Erica ne nigaahein Veer par gadaayi.
Erica : Again!
*Whoosh*
Veer phir apni jagah se gaayab hua aur jaise hi woh Erica ke nazdeek aaya, uski laat hawa ko cheerte hue Erica ke baayi haath ki orr badhi, lekin iss baar-
Erica ka haath apne aap Veer ki taang ki taraf badha aur-
*Flick*
'Ohh! *smiles* Interesting...!'
Veer ke hontho par muskaan bikhar gayi jab Erica ne uski laat ko deflect kar diya. Magar-
Jaha Erica khush thi toh wahi-
'Ehh!?'
Daayi orr se aata hua punch use dikhaayi hi nahi diya. Iske pehle ki woh samajh paati ki ye kab aur kaha se aaya-
*BAAAAAMMMMM*
"Ahhhhh!"
Woh hawa me uchhalte hue dur peechhe ek ped se jaa takraayi.
Ava : V-Veer-?
Garofano (smiles) : You can be gentle on her you know!
Veer : Dushman aisa nahi sochega. I want her to train in real.
Erica (uthate hue) : It's okay! I... I can handle it!
Aur, qareeban agle poore aadhe ghante tak unki training yuhi chalti rahi. Erica ne itni jagah chot khaayi, magar saath hi saath woh apni skills bhi train karti gayi.
Par iss beech agar sabse bada jhatka kisi ko laga toh woh tha-
[Dear!]
Ava ke mann me Lily ki awaaz goonji.
'Lily?'
[Mein itni derr se Veer ko observe kar rahi thi. There's something odd.]
'Odd? Kya hua?'
[Yaad hai na? Last time maine Veer ke baare me kya kaha tha?]
'Yahi ki... ki Veer kuchh chhipa raha hai?'
[Haan! Mera doubt aur badh gaya hai.]
'Huh? K-Kaise?'
[Veer ke paas Beowulf's blessings aur Intimidating Presence hai. Isme koi doubt nahi hai. Hum multiple times dekh chuke hai.]
'Hmm!'
[Aur, maine abhi notice bhi kiya ki usne Beowulf's Blessings Erica ke khilaaf use kiya. L-Lekin-]
'Lekin?'
[It's... It's impossible.]
'Lily? Batao bhi... Don't... Don't keep me hanging.'
[Usne dono cards ek saath use kiye!!]
'Kya??? N-Nahi! Aisa kaise ho sakta hai? T-Tumne zaroor galat notice kiya hoga.'
[Galat? Are you judging my observation skills, dear? Kya tumne dhyaan nahi diya?]
'M-Maine-!'
[Nahi! Mein bhi kis se poochh rahi hu? Tumhara poora dhyaan toh uss par hi tha. Par mann me kuchh aur hi chal raha tha, hai na?]
'Wh-What? N-No! *blushes* Aisa nahi hai!'
[Mein Veer ke aur qareeb aani chaahti hu. Blah blah blah. Kaash Erica aur wo bitch Garofano yaha na hoti. Blah blah blah. Kaash mein aur Veer-]
'Ahhh! Stop it! Stop! Mere mann ki baatein mat padho, Lily!'
Iss baar Ava ki baari thi apna sarr pakad ke hilaane ki, par use dekhne waala koi na tha. Kyunki, Garofano aur Erica, dono hi Veer ke saath training me lagi hui thi.
[So you accepted huh? *smiles* Anyways, jo maine bataaya woh ekdum sahi bataaya hai. Usne dono cards ek saath use kiye hai. I can tell.]
'Intimidating presence ko notice karne ka koi thos tareeka nahi hai, Lily. Aisa bhi toh ho sakta hai ki usi se related Veer ke paas koi skill ho waisi? Aur usne Beowulf's Blessings ke saath wo use ki ho? Isliye humein lag raha hai ki wo 2 cards eksaath use kar raha hai?'
[Possibility hai. Lekin, mere instincts kabhi galat nahi hote, dear *frowns* Tumhe pata lagaana padega.]
'Huh?'
[This would reveal so many things.]
'I... I see! B-But agar woh nahi bataana chaahe toh-'
[You must get that information out of him!!! YOU MUST!!!]
'I... I'll try!'
Ava ka mann udaas pad gaya. Woh dekh rahi thi ki Garofano bhi Erica ke saath Veer ke against train kar rahi thi.
Kintu, Veer ne use nahi bulaaya. Na hi use address kiya. Kya woh kisi baat se rootha hua tha? Kya kaaran tha?
'Mujhe lagta hai, mujhe aur mehnat karni hogi. Iske pehle ki mein sabke liye bojh ban jau!'
Erica ne mann me socha. Woh poori tarah se paseene se lathpath thi.
Garofano ne uske kandhe par halke se thapthapaya.
Garofano : You did well, little one!
Erica : You too, old one! *grin*
Garofano (growls) : YOU-!
Erica hasi, uski aankhein phir Ava ki taraf gayi. Ava thodi dur alag hi baithi hui thi, ekdum chupchaap, apne haath ki ungliyon ko aapas me lapete hue.
Ava niraash thi. Usne socha tha ki Veer sabse pehle uske saath sparring karega. Uske saath, jiske saath wo itne samay se juda hua hai.
Uska dil bechain hone laga. Kya usne kuchh galat kiya? Kya France ya China ke baad... wo ab bhi uss par gussa hai? Kya wo use avoid kar raha hai?
Tamaam sawaal Ava ke mann me ubharne lage.
Veer thoda thak gaya tha. Usne side me rakhi hui metallic water bottle uthaayi aur paani peene laga.
Tabhi, uske pocket me phone vibrate hua. Screen par naam jhalka-
Arohi.
Veer ne bottle ka cap lagaya, thoda muskuraya, aur call receive karke screen par dekha.
Aur, yahi woh pal tha jab uski baat Arohi se hui thi jab achanak baat karne ke dauraan hi-
*Ring* *Ring*
Incoming call...
Nidhi ma'am...
'Huh?'
Yahi woh pal tha jab-
Veer : Sorry dii! Ek call aa raha hai. Hum baad me connect karte hain. Enjoy your time with your friends. Bye!
Arohi : R-Ruko! Veeeeer!!
*Call ends*
Usne Nidhi ka call pick kiya aur kuchh minutes tak uss se hi baat karta raha. Ant me usne yahi kaha ki-
Veer : Don't worry! Mein kal aata hu!
Nidhi : Hmm! Mein intezar karungi!
Veer : Ji!
*call ends*
Woh akhirkar unn teen sundariyon ki orr muda.
Veer : Alright! Aaj ki training yahi end hoti hai. It was a good session. Violet! Erica! You both can leave. I guess ab ek bath ki zaroorat hai tum dono ko.
Garofano : Aye Aye Captain! *smiles* see you later, handsome~
Erica (blushes) : Mmm!
Erica ka dil zor-zor se dhadak raha tha. China me, 'Order' ke aadmi wo moorkh the jo sirf maar-peet samajhte the.
Par Veer... Veer alag tha. Wo uss se kahi zyada taqatvar tha, lekin wo uske potential ko samajh raha tha. Wo uss kami ko bhar raha tha jo Erica ne saalon se apni zindagi me mehsoos ki thi.
*Badump* *Badump*
'He's... so reliable,' Erica ne mann hi mann socha, uske gaal thode laal the. 'Mera dil itna tezz kyun dhadak raha hai...?'
Dur khadi Ava ye sab dekh rahi thi. Uski mutthi kasi hui thi. Garofano ka wo mazaakiya flirtatious vyavhaar, Erica ka wo sharmaana... aur Veer ka unke saath itna open hokar train karna.
Jalan uske andar ek aag ki tarah phail rahi thi.
Garofano aur Erica mudkar jangal ke raaste se baahar nikalne lagi. Raaste bhar Erica ki khushi thamne ka naam hi nahi le rahi thi.
Erica : Veer is such a good captain, hai na? Wo bilkul nahi chillata, aur usne mujhe... Kitne achhe se train kiya.
Garofano : Hmm!
Garofano ki muskaan achanak gaayab ho gayi. Usne chalte hue ek baar peechhe mudkar dekha. Aankhon ke kone se uski putliyaan Ava aur Veer par tiki.
Woh bewakoof nahi thi. Usne gaur kar liya tha ki Veer ne poore samay Ava ko ek baar bhi fight me shaamil nahi kiya... aur ab unhe baahar bhej ke Ava ke sang akele ruk raha tha?
Uske hontho par ek teekhi muskaan saj gayi, par usne Erica se kuchh nahi kaha aur yuhi aage badhti rahi.
Andar ab sirf do hi log maujood the. Veer... aur Ava.
Aur, unke beech ki... khamoshi. Ava wahi khadi thi, uska sarr neeche jhuka hua tha. Wo bhramit thi, dimaag hazaar sawalon se bhara hua tha.
Veer : Ava!
Ava (gasps) : Huh? Y-Yes?
Veer ne koi jawab nahi diya. Wo bas mudkar jangal ke aur gehri, veeraan jagah ki taraf chalne laga.
Ava ne ek kshan ke liye sankoch jataaya, phir uske peeche-peeche chalne lagi. Sookhe patton ke tootne ki aawaz unke beech ki akeli awaaz thi.
Kuchh dur chalne ke baad, Veer bina mude hi bola.
Veer : Are you disappointed?
Ava (glances) : H-Huh?
Veer : Yahi soch rahi ho na ki mein tumhe avoid kar raha hu?
Veer ne aage chalte hue kaha. Uski peeth Ava ki taraf thi.
Ava : N-Nahi...! M-Mein kyu disappointed houngi?
Jhooth.
Veer ruka. Wo muda aur Ava ki orr dekha. Uske chehre par koi gussa nahi tha, koi berukhi nahi. Sirf gehri gambheerta.
Veer : Maine jaan boojh ke tumhare saath training nahi ki.
Ava ne kisi chhote bacche ki tarah aankhein badi kar uski taraf dekha.
Ava : Jaan boojh ke?
Veer : Haan! Kyunki mein nahi chahta tha ki wo dekhe ki hum kaise train karte hai. Unke saamne... training karne ka matlab hota tumhari aur meri combined abilities, cards, aur hidden techniques ko reveal karna. Aur, mein nahi chaahta tha ki... Sabko sab kuchh pata chale.
*BOOM.*
Ava ke dil me jaise ek dhamaka hua. Uska poora wajood sunn pad gaya.
Unhe nahi dikhaana chaahta? Uska dimaag ek baar ke liye rewind hua. Veer ne Erica aur Garofano ke saamne uski abilities ko dhaka, kyunki wo unn dono par utna vishvas nahi karta jitna woh uss par karta tha! Wo unhe apni aur uski training nahi dikhana chahta tha.
Veer ne ye lafz bol kar nahi kahe ki, "Mein tumpar sabse zyada trust karta hu," lekin Ava ne uske har ek shabd se ye matlab nikaal liya tha.
Bechaari ka dil itni tez dhadak raha tha ki use laga Veer ko uski dhadkan kahi sunaayi na de jaaye. Uska saara gussa, uski saari bechaini, jalan... ek kshan me pighal kar khatam ho gayi. Uski jagah gehri khushi ne li ki, uske gaal ekdum laal pad gaye.
Wo Veer ke saamne ek dam maun khadi hui thi.
Veer : 15th se pehle... Hum 'Ryotsken' master kar ke hi rahenge. Don't worry.
Ava (blushes) : M-Mmm!
Veer : Let's go!
Ava : Mm~
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Aaj ke liye itna hi guys.
So sorry for the wait. And, also sorry ki ye update sirf 7.5k words ka hi hai. Isme ek scene aur tha. Jo length ko around 10k tak le jaane waala tha magar time ki kami ki wajah se use maine next update me shift kar diya hai. I know iss update me scene thode kam the. Lekin, trust the process. Next update kaafi badhiya hone waala hai aur bahut se chal rahe scenarios end ho jaayenge. Jaise ki... Suman ki planning ka result, Nidhi's reason to call Veer, Veer ka culprit dhundhne waala mission and all. Ye sab next update me deliver hoga. So have patience. Baaki target kuchh nahi hai. But I hope at least last update jitna hi pyaar ise bhi doge. Keep supporting.
Dhanyavad.
still , remains the same still. The answers shall be given in due course by, who else , but one and the only one , Werewolf Bhai ! Thanks a lot for giving us an unforgettable update , dear brother. Hoping to see you, much sooner, with your upcoming update , with some twists and turns - your trademark style. Till then, we shall remain, as usual, abated breath , anxiety and all, awaiting your upcoming update , dear brother 
- 20,566
- 123,459
- 259
Dhanyavad bhai.Super dhamakedar update bhai
Update sach me bahot hi badiya tha eske sare scene bhi mast hai sidhe words bhi bolu to update 1 no. Tha
Thank you werewolf bhai for this amazing update
Arey badhiya tha par utna badhiya bhi nahi tha. I know ki ye filler kinda update tha. Lekin, next update badhiya hoga iski guarantee hai meri. Tum logo ko pasand aayega. Keep supporting.
Yes, I know man. Thanks.
Update thoda sa filler jaisa lag sakta hai because jaisa ki naam hi tha update ka... It was about a pre preparation for the upcoming Summit. Zyada din nahi bache hai summit ke liye. So, agle kuchh updates me bahut se changes aayenge iske pehle ki Veer Plum Island ke liye ravana hoye.
Ye next update me pata lag jaayega ki unke beech kya baatein hui.
Flight waala scene yaad hai? Jab Veer aur Ava plane me the? Tab bhi Lily ne Ava se kuchh kaha tha. Mein update number bhool raha hu. Yaad aaye toh bataana.
Lily ne Veer par nazar rakhke isliye bola kyunki bhai usne ye notice kiya ki Veer do cards ek saath use kar raha hai. Kaise? Ava ke paas ek hi slot hai. Veer ke paas 2 slots hai. Par Veer ke paas 2 slots hai ye kisi ko bhi nahi pata. Ye bhi next update me poora khulaasa ho jaayega iska.
Haha. Thanks. Yahi toh motive tha dikhaane ka. Veer ko jalaana itna asaan nahi hai. Dude have so many ladies chasing after him.Aur ha arohi ka veer ko jalane ka plan tha lekin bechari khud hi jalan mai pad gyi that was a best moment in this update for me
Bhai, I use different applications. Kabhi docs me direct likhta hu jab hu pc par rehta hu toh kabhi pure writer ya fir novelist apps ka istemal karta hu jab mobile par rehta hu. Jab jisme mann ho jaaye likhne ka. Lekin, kisi ek hi app me inventory rakhta hu saare updates ki. Bahut se apps hai available playstore pe. Try using some of them aur fir jo bhi suit kare. Use apna main go to app bana lo. Simple.Aur sir mera ek personal question bhi hai
* Mai bhi stories likhta hu lekin kabhi post nhi ki kahi , mai google docs mai likhta rehta hu , kya aap mujhe bata sakte hai ki aap konse software pe likhte hai aur kaise xforum pe post karte hai
Thanks a lot and keep supporting man. Aise hi saath bane rehne ka.Thank you,, keep writing sir this is a fantastic storysmall fan crimson
🔥 Read Next Hot Story →
Discover more exclusive stories
- 20,566
- 123,459
- 259
Dhanyavad bhai. Keep supporting.Thanks for update dear ajj muje laga ki update aye ga apne fir se bahut khubsurati se trash ke likha bahut bahut dhanyabad dear
Yes bhai. I know update chhota tha aur zyada kuchh hua nahi usme. Treat it as a buildup update. Next update aur bhi mazedaar hoga.
1. Ava ka system Veer ke andar nahi ghusna chaahta. Lily ne kuchh observe Kiya hai aur isliye woh chaahti hai ki Veer ke system ke baare jaanane ko mile taaki doubts clear ho sake.
2. Woh toh abhi baahar hi hai. 2 saal ke baad hi nazar aayegi.
3. Suman ka case hi next update me poora dikhaya jaayega. Wo case end ho jaayega next update me.
Thanks and keep supporting.