Incest Baadshah ~ The Tales of Debauchery

[Werewolf]

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Latest Update ➢ Update 199​

 

[kris123h]

There's no filler update in the story. Only cannon stuff. No non cannon scenes. I'm not changing the pace just because the updates are coming late. It's the right pace. I already told beforehand that the Disembowler arc is the longest arc of the story. The pacing makes sense now.

Well then waiting for more

 

[shivpatil]

Bole to ekdum jhakaas
Update hai bro

 

[Hellohoney]

Update - 199 ~ The Elephant in the room​

Ab tak...

Garofano : He's here!!

Jab ek limousine aake unke saamne ruki. Andar se Veer nikla aur saath hi uske bagal se do-chaar professional workers nikal kar ke aaye.

Uske liye chhaata haath me thaame hue the.

Veer ko iss tarah unhone pehle kabhi nahi dekha tha. Ava ki bauhe sikud gayi. Woh akeli nahi thi-

[Something... Something about him... has changed, dear.]

Na jaane uss ek hafte me kya kuchh badla tha, lekin badla toh zaroor tha. Bahut kuchh.

Veer ne uss worker ke haath se chhaata liya aur unhe wahi rukne ka ishaara dete hue woh ahista-ahista unki orr chalte hue aaya.

Aur, paas aate hue usne bas itna hi kaha-

"Humari alliance ka pehla mission ek hi hai — Summit!!!"

Ab aage...

A few days ago, 1st January,
The Night of the New Year,
Mumbai, 12:54 AM ~

Shamshan ke upar raat ka aasmaan garajte baadlon se bhara hua tha. Ped kaanp rahe the. Underground lair kahi-kahi se deh chuki thi aur uske pravesh dwaar se dhua nikal raha tha — kisi hinsak visfot ka saboot.

Ek aakriti andhere me langdaati hui chali aa rahi thi, jo khoon, thand aur fatey hue maans ke tukdo se lath-path thi. Corridor ki steel-plated deewarein emergency lights ki raushni me timtima rahi thi. Aur, dwaar se nikalta hua wo khaufnak aadmi jisey dekh ke aam aadmi ki taange kaanp jaaye.

Taral padaartho — khoon, tel aur acid — ki tapakti hui boond ki pratidhwani ne ek aisi lay banaayi, ek aisa manzar banaaya jo koi bhi sadharan aadmi bina bhaybheet hue nahi dekh sakta tha.

Disembowler!

Jeevit tha.

Mushqil se hi sahi, lekin wo jeevit tha.

Uska lamba lab coat, jo kabhi ekdum safed tha, ab khoon se sana, fata aur jala hua tha. Uski saansein kisi marte janvar ki tarah ukhad rahi thi. Iss baar uski bhayanak muskaan uske hontho se gaayab thi.

“That little wretch…” Usne badbadate hue khud ko aage ki orr kheencha. Uski awaaz me fufkaar thi, jo kahi na kahi uske gusse ko jhalka rahi thi.

“Veer…!”

[Woh taqatvar tha Ludwig...!!!]

"Ehe... Ehe... Shut up, George!! He'll be mine soon! *cough*"

Wo khaasa. Gaadha laal khoon uske muh se nikalte hue neeche farsh par gira. Uska shareer jagah-jagah se chakna-choor ho gaya tha, har harqat ke saath haddiyo ke tukde chatak rahe the. Uska dahina haath dheela pad gaya, liquid nitrogen ke chalte thand se uski twacha chhil chuki thi. Wo iss humle se na bach paata agar-

‘Zephyr’s Mask’ uske paas na hota.

Take 30% less damage (any damage)
Offers 30% resistance to fatal/bleed attacks.

Yahi wo do khoobiyaan thi ‘Zephyr’s Mask’ ki jiske chalte wo iss humle se bach paane me saksham tha.

Corridor fir se hil gaya, door ek generator me se chingari nikli aur fir wo band ho gaya. Ajeeb aakritiyaan alag-alag container me uthal-puthal kar rahi thi — ek abhaas ki unhe bhi khatra tha. Magar, Disembowler ne unki taraf mud ke dekha bhi nahi. Uske paas iska samay hi nahi tha.

Baahar aate hi door se use sirens ki awaazein sunayi di, gaadiyo ki gadgadahat, baarish ka shor… Baahri duniya.

Wo ruka. Ek baar peechhe dekha.

Uske peechhe lair barbaad hone se bas kuchh pal hi door thi. Dhamaake ka dhua corridor me felta jaa raha tha. Laptein deewaron ko apne aalingan me le rahi thi. Test tubes me SHB ke bahut se samples wahi chhoot gaye the.

Lekin, usne wapas andar jaane ki zurrat nahi ki…

Usne sab kuchh chhor diya.

Research. Blood samples. Equipment. Machines. Mutants. Test subjects. Discovery. Proof.

Sab kuchh.

Wo muskuraaya. Khoon uske hontho se behte hue gira.

“Rakh lo… Hehe…” Wo fusfusaya. “Tum meri research ki jaanch karoge? Kar lo… Ehehe… The moment the air touches the wounds, my truth will vanish… Oxidised. Useless. Hehehehe!!”

Wo zorr se hasa.

Lair ab khud shamshan me tabdeel ho chuki thi. Lekin, ye Disembowler ki main laboratory nahi thi. Yeh to bas shikaar ko lubhaane ke liye ek ghosla tha. Bhale hi wo iss baar naqamyab tha, parantu use kaafi hadd tak jankari praapt ho chuki thi.

Veer ko qareeb se dekhna, uski skills, uske cards, uske ladne ka dhang aur uski kamzoriyan.

Wo fir khaansa, lekin hassta raha — ek pagal, khokhli awaaz jo lair me goonj uthi.

“I was inches away…” Usne khud ko ek ghumavdar raaste se ghaseetate hue kaha. “Agli baar, Veer… Agli baar tum bach kar nahi jaa paoge ehe…”

Aur, aise hi wo andhere me kahi gaayab ho gaya.

***

Present, 8th January,
Ragini's house ~

Sardiyon ki ek narm dopahar. Sooraj ki raushni pardo se chhan kar andar kamre me aa rahi thi. Kamra bhi shaant tha — maun, jaise ki veh apni saans roke hue ho.

Kamre ke baahar hall se dabi hui awaazein aur khanakti hui chai ki pyaaliyo ka halka shor sunayi de raha tha.

Ragini apni peeth ke peechhe takiya lagaaye bed par tiki hui thi, uska chehra khidki ki orr tha, magar aankhein kahi aur khoyi hui thi.

---

Darwaza charmara kar khula.

Sabse pehle Shweta andar aayi, uske saath me Bhumika bhi thi. Ragini hili nahi. Usne mud kar bhi nahi dekha. Bas, yuhi baithi rahi. Fir, Shweta ne hi khamoshi todi.

Shweta : Ragini... Abhi kaisa lag raha hai?

Ragini ne use dekha. Fir, bagal se rakhi ek mej ko. Aur, fir boli.

Ragini : Ye dekh rahi ho aap?

Shweta (glances) : ???

Ragini : Isi furniture ki tarah mehsoos ho raha hai. *smiles* jo upar se dekhne me to achhi lag rahi hai lekin kisi kaam ki nahi hai.

Shweta thoda jhep gayi, lekin usne ise zaahir nahi hone diya.

Shweta : Aisa mat kaho. Ye to bas yaha ke doctor ne aisa bataya hai. Tum chinta mat karo. Hum har jagah jayenge. America, Germany... Jaha zaroorat hogi waha jayenge. Aur, tum fir se pehle ki tarah chalogi. Dekhna.

Akhirkar, Ragini ne apna sarr ghumaya, uski aankhein sookhi thi.

Ragini : Aapko lagta hai ki mujhe darr hai ki mein firse nahi chal paungi?

Shweta : Mein-

Usne ek gehri saans chhori.

Ragini (smiles) : Thank you Tai ji. Mein jaanti hu aap mujhe motivate karne ki koshish kar rahi hai. I appreciate it. Aur, haan... Mein bhi har wo koshish karungi jo mujhe pehle ki tarah bana sakti hai.

Shweta (smiles) : Very good. Bas aise hi... Aise hi rehna. Himmat nahi haarna hai.

Ragini (nods) : Mm! Bhumika? Kaisi ho? Mere behosh hone ke baad kya kuchh hua tha?

Bhumika : Aapke behosh hote hi, hotel me afra-tafri mach gayi thi. Suman aunty aur baaki sabhi ne aapko waha se nikaala tha. Aur, hum seedhe ambulance me baith ke hospital ki orr nikal gaye the.

Ragini (frowns) : Suman... Akhir, usne hi kyu...!?

Jis aurat se wo ghrina karna chaah rahi thi, baar-baar wahi aurat uski shubhchintak ke roop me uske saamne haazir ho rahi thi. Ek aur uska upkaar Ragini ke upar tha.

Bhumika : A-Aur, fir... Dada ji... Fir, Veer ka aana. Baaki sab aapko pata hi hoga.

Ragini : Y-Yarnia ka kya hua? Hotel?

Bhumika : Under maintainance hai sab kuchh. Par... Loss bahut hua hai. Louis sahi salamat hai lekin dara hua hai. Bahut se models ab dobara humare saath kaam karne se katra rahe hai. Same goes for the celebrities and businessmen.

Ragini (frowns) : Mere iss tarah hone se... Tum sab pe aur bhi zimmedari badh gayi, hai na?

Bhumika : Nahi! Aap iski chinta mat kariye. Aap bas apni health dekhiye pehle. Ye sab... hum sambhaal lenge.

Ragini ki ungliyaan kambal ke chaaro orr kass gayi. Usne mushqil se galey me atka thook nigla.

Ragini : M-Mujhe yaad hai... Thoda-thoda... Logo ki cheekhein, emergency alarm, maine khade hone ki koshish bhi ki thi, lekin-

Usne apne perro ki orr dekha.

Ragini : Fir, andhera chhaa gaya.

Bhumika bistar ke kinaare baithi aur dheere se apna haath Ragini ki baah par rakhi.

Bhumika : Wo to achha hua jo Suman aunty aur unke saath waali sabhi ladies ne aapko waha se turant hi utha liya tha. Kyunki, kuchh gunde theek usi samay par firing karte hue hotel ke andar ghusne lage the.

Ragini : R-Right! Ye attack... Kisne karwaya? Kaun tha iske peechhe? Aur, kyu?

Bhumika : Nahi pata. Police me complaint kar chuke hai. Investigation jaari hai. Maybe jald hi koi news mil jaaye hume. But so far kuchh bhi haasil nahi hua hai, siwae bomber ke.

Ragini : B-Bomber?

Bhumika (nods) : Hmm! Rajat! Yahi naam hai uska. Jail me hai. Aur...

Ragini : Aur???

Bhumika : Wo... Nidhi ma'am hai na? Veer ke college ki teacher?

Ragini : Haan!

Shweta : Uska ex husband hai wo.

Ragini ka badan sihar utha.

Ragini : K-Kya??? P-Par, kyu? W-Wo... Wo kyu? K-Kaise?

Shweta : Sab pata chalega. Par, abhi tum ye sab jaan ke kar bhi kya logi? Ye unnecessary details jaanana band karo. Ye sab hum par chhor do. Aur, bas apni fiqr karo. Thoda selfish bano. Theek hai?

Bhumika : Right!

Shweta : Uss haram-khor ki khabar hum lenge. Sirf jail me rakhne se usko uski saza nahi mil jayegi. Mein use aur bhi battar saza dilwa ke rahungi.

Ragini : K-Kaise?

Shweta : Meri ek friend hai, uska connection hai police me. Source lagaungi to kya kuchh nahi hoga. Usne humare parivar ko chot pahuchaane ki koshish ki hai. Aur, hum yuhi haath par haath dhare baithe rahenge? Hargiz nahi.

Bhumika : P-Par, mumma ye bahut risky hai.

Shweta : To? Koi saamne se apne ko nuksan pahuchayega aur tum chup hoke bas dekhti rahogi?

Bhumika : M-Mera matlab wo nahi tha.

Shweta : Tum bas dekhti jao mein kya karti hu. Wo bachega nahi.

Ragini : A-Aur, Veer? Kaha hai wo?

Bhumika : Baahar!

Ragini : K-Kaun kaun hai baahar?

Bhumika : Sabhi. Kuchh aur log bhi hai. Sab baat kar rahe hai.

Ragini : O-Okay!

Bhumika : Veer ko bhi... Dada ji ke jaane ka bahut bada sadma pahucha hai. Kal to poore din usne khaana bhi nahi khaaya tha. Aapko hospital se ghar laane me hi busy tha. Aapka poora samaan, medicines, policies, sab wahi dekh raha tha.

Ragini : O-Oh!

Uski bauhe narm pad gayi. Kuchh jhalka. Dard? Pachhtava? Kuchh uske chehre par ubhra.

Ragini (mutters) : Aur... Aise waqt pe maine use doshi thehraya...! I... I don't deserve him, right?

Bhumika : Huh? Kuchh kaha kya?

Ragini : N-Nahi! Kuchh nahi.

Shweta uthi aur Ragini ke paas aayi. Usne pyaar se uske sarr par haath rakha.

Shweta : Tum theek ho jaogi, chinta mat karo. Sab sahi ho jayega. Bas kuchh dino ka kasht hai.

Ragini : J-Ji, Tai ji!

Fir se ek khamoshi chhaa gayi. Bhumika khadi hui, usne Ragini ke haath ko dheere se dabaaya — ek aashvashan ki ve sab yahi hai.

Bhumika : Aap akeli nahi ho, bhabhi. Aap kabhi akeli nahi thi. Hum sab saath hai aapke.

Kehte hue dono hi Shweta aur Bhumika waha se chali gayi. Unke jaate hi Shweta ke bol Ragini ke kaano me goonj gaye.

"Tum wapas se chal paogi."

Aur, itne din me aaj pehli baar, use vishvas hua ki — shayad... shayad veh abhi bhi chal sakti hai.

---

Unke jaate hi darwaza ek baar fir awaaz kiya, iss baar thoda dheere se.

Arohi pehle andar aayi. Kavya uske peechhe-peechhe chalte hue aa rahi thi. Thoda ghabrayi hui aur thoda dari hui.

Uska humesha ki tarah uchhal-kood, ghar ke sabse tanhayi bhare kono me bhi goonjne waali bakbak iss waqt gaayab thi.

Wo Ragini ko aise ghoor rahi thi jaise use pehli baar dekh rahi ho. Uska badan saaf taur par hil raha tha, aur haath bhinche hue the.

Ragini ne dheere se apna sarr ghumaya. Shweta aur Bhumika ke liye pehle jo muskaan uske chehre par thi, wahi usne barkarar rakhi.

Jab usne Kavya ko hichkichaate hue dekha toh usne palke jhapkayi aur fir dheere se apna haath uthaaya, hatheli kholi aur-

Ragini : Kavya? Aao na!

Aur, bas itna hi tha... ki Kavya uss par toot padi — ek leher ki tarah jiske bahaav ki taaqat chhor tak aate aate khatam jaati hai. Veh Ragini ke bistar ke paas ghutno ke bal gir padi. Uski aankhon me aasu panap rahe the aur jald hi wo baandh khul gaya.

Kavya : Bhaaabhiii!!! Kyuuuu? *sniff* Kyu kiya aapne aisa?

Wo ro padi, usne Ragini ke dono haatho ko pakad liya.

Kavya : Aapne mere liye aisa kyu kiya, bhabhi??? *sniff* W-Waha par mujhe hona chahiye tha. P-Par, aapne mujhe apne se chhek kar-

Uski awaaz aansuon se dabi cheenkh me badal gayi.

Kavya : Iss bistar par mujhe hona chahiye tha!!! Ye haal... Mera hona chahiye tha!!! *sniff* Aapne aisa kyu kiya? Kyu kiya aisa???

Arohi : Kavya-

Ragini ne pehle to koi jawab nahi diya. Fir, uska haath dheere-dheere Kavya ke baalo ki orr badha, use ahista-ahista sehlaate hue, baalo me kanghi karte hue wo boli.

Ragini : Kyunki, tum mera apna parivar ho, Kavya.

Jawab sthir tha. Narm. Nishchit.

Ragini : Kyunki, jab bhagdad machi to uske theek pehle tum khil-khila kar hass rahi thi. Kyunki, jab tumhe ehsaas hua, to tum wahi jamm chuki thi. Kyunki, tumhare liye aaj bhi pyaar cotton candy ki tarah hai... Prince aur princess waala. Kyunki, tum iss ghar ki sabse pyaari aur meri chaheeti ho.

Kavya ki aankhon se mote-mote aasu behne lage.

Ragini : Aur, agar tumhari jagah Arohi bhi hoti...

Arohi : !!??

Ragini (smiles) : To bhi mein wahi karti.

Arohi (gasp) : Bh-Bhabhi!?

Ragini : Mera shareer apne aap tumhe bachaane ke liye aage aa gaya, Kavya. Ghar ka koi bhi sadasya hota, mein yahi karti. Chaahe mujhe kitne hi mauke kyu na de diye jaaye.

Kavya : Tai ji ke liye bhi?

Ragini : Hmm? Haan!

Kavya : Mummy ke liye bhi?

Ragini (smiles) : Bilkul!

Kavya : Tejal didi ke liye bhi?

Ragini : Hmm? Tejal? Haan! Uske liye bhi. *smiles*

Kavya : Veer bhaiy-

Ragini : Haan!

Kavya ke poora kehne se pehle hi Ragini ne uttar de diya. Jawab ki raftaar se khud woh bhi dang reh gayi. Uski palke agle hi kshan neeche jhuk gayi.

Kavya ka shareer kaanp utha aur usne apna chehra Ragini ki goad me chhipa liya.

Kavya : P-Par, aapne meri wajah se khud ko... *sniff* Ab mein... Mein khud se nafrat kiye bagerr aapko dekh bhi nahi paa rahi. Mein bina ye soche theek se saans bhi nahi le paa rahi ki maine aapse kuchh chheena hai.

Ragini ne use pakda, uska haath ab thoda kaanp raha tha, lekin abhi bhi uske baalo ko sehla raha tha.

Ragini : Tumne mujhse kuchh bhi nahi chheena hai, Kavya. Zindagi ne ek chaal chali aur mein aage aa gayi. Bas itna hi. No cosmic punishment. No debts to repay. Just... my own choice.

Wo ruki.

Ragini : Aur, agar fir se mauka mila, to firse mein yahi karungi.

Kavya ki cheenkh andar hi andar galey me nikli. Aisi cheenkh jo chhaati ke beech se nikalti hai, jo kamre ke andar cheezon ko hila ke rakh deti hai.

Kavya : T-Toh, ab mujhe bhi choose karne do. *hic*

Usne peechhe hatate hue kaha. Aankhein laal, aur kaajal aankhon me fela hua.

Ragini : ???

Kavya : Mujhe aapka khayaal rakhne do. Mein aapko khana khilaungi, aapke kapde badlungi, agar zaroorat padi to aapko utha ke le chalungi. *hic* Mein college nahi jaungi, mein... mein baahar nahi ghoomungi. *sniff* Mujhe parvah nahi. Mein bas yaha aapke paas rehna chaahti hu. *sniff* Mein bas chaahti hu ki aap pehle jaisi ho jao. Pehle ki tarah smile karo. *hic*

Ragini khud ko rok na paayi. Ek chhoti si, udaas muskaan uske hontho par ubhri.

Ragini (smiles) : Tumne already mujhe pehle ki tarah smile karwa diya, paagal.

Wo boli jab achanak uski muskaan ek vichaar ke chalte kahi gayab ho gayi.

'Huh!?'

Ek minute. Kavya uss se iss tarah isliye pesh aa rahi thi kyunki aaj wo iss haalat me thi. Wo apahij thi. Kya use Kavya ka vyavhar bura laga?

Nahi!

To fir, Veer ne bhi to yahi kiya tha. Wo bhi to uski parvah kar raha tha. To usne Veer se aisa kyu kaha ki wo uski parvah isliye kar raha hai kyunki wo ab chal nahi sakti. Akhir, Kavya bhi to yahi kar rahi thi.

Jaise hi use iss baat ka bodh hua, usne apne nichla honth daanto taley zorr se daba liya.

'Y-Ye kya ho raha hai, mujhe? Mein... Oh, Veer!!! I...'

Kahi na kahi, use apni harqato aur apni galti ka ehsaas ho raha tha.

Usne apne aasuon ko girne se roka aur Kavya par dhyaan diya jo ro rahi thi. Apne anguthe se usne Kavya ka gaal pochha.

Ragini : Thank you, silly girl. Par, meri wajah se tumhe college chhorne ki zaroorat nahi. Maine isliye wo goli nahi khaayi ki tum apni life enjoy karna chhor do.

Kavya ne naak sikodi aur zorr se sirr hilaaya.

Kavya : *sniff* Theek hai. To, fir mein hum dono ke liye enjoyment karungi. Par, ab aap mere saath fass chuki ho, bhabhi. Bhale hi aap mujhe baahar nikaal do, par aaj se mein yahi soungi. Zameen par. Fir, chaahe mein carpet me hi kyu na badal jau.

Ragini : Hahahahaha!

Iss par Ragini ki hassi chhoot gayi — iss baar sach me. Ye kilkaari kaale baadlo ke beech se sooraj ki raushni ki tarah thi.

Arohi, jo iss poore samay bed ke paas hi khadi thi, pehli baar akhirkar boli. Awaaz dheemi aur gambheer thi.

Arohi : Aap akeli nahi, bhabhi. Hum sab saath hai. Meri help ki koi bhi need ho, aap mujhe be-jhijhak call kariyega. No hesitation.

Ragini ne uski orr dekha. Woh shaant ladki jo shayad hi kabhi kuchh bolti thi. Uske lehze me humesha saadagi hoti thi, lafz humesha kam aur nape-tule hue.

Ragini (nods) : You both... Thank you.

Aur, ek pal ke liye kamre me maujood dukh kam sa ho gaya. Ve teeno chupchap baithe rahe.

Ek shok mana rahi thi.
Ek theek ho rahi thi.
Ek keval dekh rahi thi.

Aur, baahar darwaze ke theek peechhe, Veer khada hua tha — uska haath deewar par tha, sab sunn raha tha. Shaant. Sthir. Lekin, dil... dukh raha tha.

---

Veer ne hall me qadam rakha, uske dimag me vichar uthal-puthal machaaye hue the.

Living room me lagbhag sabhi log ikhatte the. Logo me chai batt rahi thi, biscuits diye jaa rahe the aur halki si fusfusahat me aapsi baatein ho rahi thi. Itne me andar se Arohi bhi baahar nikal ke aa gayi.

Bhavna, apni khamoshi me saiyammit lekin door, Arohi ko dhyaan se dekhi.

Bhavna : Kaisi hai ab?

Arohi (nods) : Theek hai ab. Abhi ke liye. Rest kar rahi hain.

Bhavna ne dheere se saans chhori.

Bhavna : Hmm! Mein uss se baad me milungi. Ek-ek kar ke jaana abhi theek nahi. Use araam ki zaroorat hai.

Tej ne pehle Veer ko dekha. Uske chehre ko. Jagah-jagah halke fulke ghaavo ko. Uski himmat nahi ho rahi thi uss se baat karne ki. Uss se poochhne ki. Na hi wo uss se nazrein mila paa rahi thi. Lekin, tadap rahi thi uss se baat karne ke liye.

Pichhle ek hafte se unn dono ke beech dhang se baat bhi nahi ho rahi thi. Tej glaani ke bhaar me dabti jaa rahi thi aur Veer na jaane kinn vichaaro me khoya hua rehta tha.

Kintu, wo yeh nahi jaanti thi ki Veer khud uss se baat karne me katra raha tha. Wo khud glaani ke bhaar ke neeche daba hua tha. Itna bada haadsa ho gaya, uske dada ji swarg sidhaar gaye, Ragini apahij ho gayi aur uski apni behan marrte-marrte bach gayi. Saari galti woh apne sarr liye hue tha.

Aise me kaise woh Tej ka saamna kar sakta tha? Kya jawab deta use? Magar, Tej ye baatein nahi jaanti thi.

Yaha tak ki Arohi bhi uss se kuchh kehne ki himmat nahi kar paa rahi thi. Kal jab usne sawaal kiye the to Veer ne use zorr se chillaa diya tha. Badi hone ke bawajood, Veer ki oonchi awaaz sunn woh sihar kar reh gayi thi.

Veer ke bartaav me jo badlaav aa raha tha wo koi aur notice kare ya na kare, Arohi aur Tej ne sabse pehle kar liya tha.

Tej ne fir hall me nazre maarte hue poochha.

Tej : Kavya!? Kavya kaha hai?

Arohi : Wo andar hai, didi. Bhabhi ke saath.

Wahi baithi Sumitra ne chinta me bauhe chadhaayi.

Sumitra : Andar? Abhi Ragini ke saath chhorna theek rahega kya? Use araam karne dete thodi derr. Arohi, tum use andar kyu-

Uska itna kehna hi tha ki uske bagal se baithi Shweta dheere se muskurayi, aur boli.

Shweta : Sumitra, maana ki Kavya kisi toofan se kam nahi. *smiles* Lekin, wo woh toofan hai jiski Ragini ko abhi zaroorat bhi hai. Woh ladki... Aise samay me har ghar me ek Kavya honi chahiye.

Uski baat par sabhi halke se hasey — uski baat se sehmat.

Shweta (smiles) : Woh Ragini ko apni baaton me uljha ke rakhegi.

Sumitra, iss baar sehmati me muskurayi.

Sumitra : Shayad... Aapne sahi kaha. *smiles*

Isi beech Suman, Aabha aur Sonali kamre ke beech me tray me chai ke cups ko ikhatta kar sab sametne me lagi hui thi. Ghar ki seva me veh teeno sabse aage thi. Ye chhote-chhote kaam sab wahi sambhaal rahi thi.

Tej Arohi ki orr firse mudi.

Tej : T-Tum... Tumhe bhi ab jaana hoga, hai na?

Arohi : Ahemdabad?

Tej (nods) : Hmm!

Arohi : Nahi! Mein tervi tak rukungi, didi. Jab tak sab kuchh ho nahi jaata. Mein yahi hu.

Uske uttar par sabhi ne haami bhari. Fir, achanak Bhavna ki nazar Veer par padi. Usne apna cup neeche rakha aur uthi.

Bhavna : Veer! Aao!!!

Kuchh ne sirr utha ke dekha, lekin kaha kuchh nahi. Har koi itna pareshan tha, itna thaka hua tha, itna toota hua tha ki kaarano ki talaash karne ki kisi ki ichhaa nahi hui.

Tej ke labb khule, magar bina kuchh kahe band ho gaye. Wo bas Veer ko uthata hua, apni maa ke peechhe-peechhe jaate hue dekhti rahi.

---

Bhavna seedhiyaan chadhte hue upar jaane lagi. Thandi hawaein chal rahi thi. Sooraj doob raha tha aur raushni chhatne lagi thi.

Woh aage badhti rahi aur fir ruk gayi. Veer ki orr mudi, apni baahein modey. Veer iss rukh se parichit tha. Ek toofan ka sanket. Woh taiyaar tha.

Lekin, jis cheez ki use ummeed nahi thi woh tha Bhavna ka haath jo uske chehre ki orr uth raha tha.

Bade se bade system holder ka bhi haath agar uske upar uthata to uska badan iss tarah nahi thiturta jis tarah apni maa ke haath uthne se ek pal ke liye hil gaya.

Magar...

Sparsh komal tha.

Bhavna ki hatheli uske gaal par thi. Uski ungliyaan uski twacha par dheere se fir rahi thi. Ek maa ka sparsh.

Bhavna : Kaise ho?

Ek ajeeb sa sawaal. Awaaz shaant thi. Veer do pal ke liye chakit reh gaya. Ye sawal kuchh aisa tha jo use Ragini se karna chahiye tha. Na ki apne bete se.

Lekin, Bhavna hi sirf yeh jaanti thi ki wo kya poochh rahi thi aur kyu poochh rahi thi.

Veer ne koi jawab nahi diya. Veh nahi de sakta tha.

Bhavna (voice trembling) : Jhooth mat bolo ab, Veer. Bas sach bolo... ek baar!!!

Veer ne apni aankhein neeche kar li.

Bhavna uske aur qareeb aayi. Usne apna haath Veer ke maathe par, uski kalam ki taraf firaaya, uski ungliyaan Veer ke kuchh ghaavo ko ahista se sparsh kar gayi. Uski bauhe sikudi.

Bhavna (frowns) : Y-Ye ghaav... Ye kya hai??? Tum kaha the, Veer? Kya hua tha??? Jawab do, mujhe!!!

Poochhte hue wo thoda peechhe hati. Use dekhi — uski baah, uske gaal, uske maathe, uski gardan ke kinaare maujood ghaav jo pichhle hafte se kaafi halke ho chuke the, lekin drishti me abhi bhi the.

Ye toh khush-kismat thi Veer ki jo uski maa uski shirt ke andar ke ghaav ko nahi dekh paayi thi. Wo ghaav jo uski chhaati, uski peeth, uske kandho par ukere gaye the.

Bhavna : Mein fir se tumse poochh rahi hu!!! Kya tum kisi gande kaam me shaamil ho?? Kya tumne... kisi se ladayi ki hai? Ya kisi se dushmani mod li hai? Gang? Mafia? Koi gerr-kanooni kaam? Jawab do!!!

Veer ki nazre punah neeche jhuk gayi. Chhat ki taraf. Usne kuchh bhi nahi kaha.

Bhavna : Jab sab kuchh bikhar raha tha tab tum kaha the??? Tum kaha the jab ye parivar...!?

Uski saans ghutne lagi.

Bhavna : -Jab Ragini par humla hua. Jab Tej lagbhag... lagbhag marrte-marrte reh gayi!?

Uski awaaz ab kaanp rahi thi — kuchh rosh me, kuchh lachaari me.

Veer ki mutthi kass gayi. Lekin, fir bhi usne kuchh nahi kaha. Aur, uski chuppi par Bhavna ka saiyyam toot gaya. Woh aage badhi, aur achanak uski collor pakad li — uske haath kaanp rahe the, uska chehra krodh aur aasuon se laal ho chuka tha.

Bhavna : Jawab do mere bacche!!!

Veer : ...

Bhavna : Aaj tumne apne dada ji ko khoya hai, Ragini ab pehle ki tarah chal nahi sakti, Tej... usne lagbhag apni jaan gawa di thi aur tum... Tum laapata the!!

Akhirkar, uske chehre par aasu umad hi aaye.

Bhavna : Kisi anjaan shaks ne... Tumhari behan ki jaan bachaayi. Tum kaha the??? Agar, tum aise hi chalte rahe... to tum sab kuchh kho doge, Veer. Tum Tej ko kho doge. Tum... Tum mujhe kho doge.

Akhiri shabd par uski awaaz toot gayi. Usne apne haath ko Veer ki collor se kheencha aur apni kaanpti hui hatheli uske seene par dheere se rakhi.

Bhavna : M-Mein akhiri baar poochh rahi hu.

Veh uski aankhon me dekhi.

Bhavna : TUMHE MERI KASAM!!!

Veer akad ke reh gaya. Wahi jamm gaya. Jaise uski maa ne kuchh aisa keh diya tha jise wo kabhi ansuna nahi kar sakta tha. Ek aisa daav jise koi bhi hara nahi sakta tha. Koi bhi kaushal use darkinaar nahi kar sakta tha.

Veer ki aankhein chaudi ho gayi. Yeh pehli baar tha jab uski maa ne use apni kasam di thi. Wo ab tak uske saare jhootho ko nazar-andaaz karti aayi thi par iss baar nahi.

Veer ne mushqil se nigla. Woh apni maa ke haatho tak pahucha. Shraddha-poorvak.

Usne unhe pakda, uthaaya, apne hontho se lagaaya aur chooma. Uske haath aur honth, dono kaanp rahe the.

Bhavna uski orr dekhti rahi. Aankhein laal ho chuki thi.

Bhavna : Bolo! *sniff* Bolo!!! KAHI AGLA DEH SANSKAR TUMHE MERA HI NA KARNA PAD JAAYE, VEER!!!

Veer (yells) : Nahiiiiiiiiii-!!!

Bhavna (yells) : Toh jawaab do!!!

"MEIN BATAATI HU!!!"

Achanak peechhe se ek awaaz aayi.

Bhavna aur Veer dono mude. Chhat ki seedhiyon ke chhor par Nidhi khadi hui thi, aankhon se aasu beh rahe the. Isme koi shaq nahi tha ki usne maa bete ke beech ho rahi baatein sunn li thi. Veh dheere-dheere aage badhi.

Veer : Ma'am!?? A-Aap yaha!?

Lekin, jaise hi usne ye poochha, usme dimag me kayi cheezein kaundh gayi. Use yaad aaya ki kaise usne Juhi ke nazuk shareer ko lair se nikaala tha. Use khoon, wo cheekhein, aur use surakshit jagah par pahuchaane ke liye bedum daudna yaad aaya. Use Nidhi ke hospital ke kamre me behosh hona yaad aaya aur ab... woh yaha thi.

Nidhi ne apne haatho se apne aasu pochhe. Wo aage badhi. Aur, aate hi usne Veer ko chhek liya. Woh Bhavna ke saamne khadi ho gayi.

Nidhi : Veer ko kuchh mat boliyega...

Bhavna : T-Tum-!?

Nidhi : Meri beti... Juhi... *sniff* Wahi serial killer... Wo le gaya tha meri beti ko utha ke... Jiski news aa rahi thi. *sniff* Mein dhundhti rahi... Lekin, meri bacchi mujhe kahi nahi mil rahi thi... Dar-dar bhatakti rahi, behosh ho gayi... Hospital me thi... Lekin, jab mein uthi... Mujhe hosh aaya toh-

Bhavna : !!?

Nidhi : *sniff* Meri bacchi mere saamne thi. *sniff* Veer ki goad me... Veer use chhura ke laaya tha... Jab aapke hotel me udhar humla ho raha tha... Tab Veer meri bacchi ko bachaane gaya tha... Use kuchh mat kahiyega... *sniff* Kehna hai to mujhe kahiye. Meri galti hai...!!

Veer : Ma'am!! Nahi-!!

Bhavna ne chaunkte hue palkein jhapkayi. Use ye pata tha ki Renshu, Erica aur Garofano Veer ko behoshi ki haalat me hospital laaye the.

Lekin, kisi ko bhi zyada jankari prapt nahi hui thi. Sab itna hi samajh paaye the ki Renshu aur baaki sab Veer ke shubhchintak the jo use kisi musibat se bacha ke laaye the.

Aaj Nidhi ke zariye use baaki baatein pata chal rahi thi.

Nidhi : M-Mujhe nahi pata ki meri bacchi ko wo kaha le gaya tha... *sniff* Mujhe nahi pata ki Veer ne kaise Juhi ko chhuraaya. Mujhe ye bhi nahi pata tha ki uss waqt uski hotel par humla ho raha tha. *sniff* Uske apna log khoon se lathpath the. Aur, tab bhi... Wo meri beti ko bachaane me laga hua tha. *sniff*

Wo sisakte hue boli. Apne dupatte ka kinaara pakadte hue usne himmat baandhi.

Nidhi : Maine dekhi thi... *sniff* Saari khabre... Bomb blast... Rajat...

Usne nigla. Chehre par bebasi chhaa gayi.

Nidhi : Woh... *sniff* Woh badla lena chaahta tha. M-Mujhe nahi pata ki use itna bhayanak kaam karne ke liye kisne uksaaya. Lekin, usne kiya... *sniff* aur, aapka beta... Usne meri beti ki parvah ki jab uski khud ki duniya bikhar rahi thi *sniff*

Woh dheere-dheere apne ghutno ke bal gir padi.

Nidhi : M-Mujhe maaf kar dijiye! *sniff* Mujhe maaf kar dijiye... A-Agar, meri wajah se aapke parivar ke rishton me daraar aayi to mein apne aap ko kabhi maaf nahi kar paungi. *sniff* Please... M-Mujhe maaf kar dijiye...! *sniff*

"Bas!!!!"

Veer ki awaaz zorr se waha fel gayi. Usne jhatse Nidhi ke kandho ko kass kar pakda aur use upar kheench liya.

Veer (frowns) : Ye kya kar rahi ho aap??? Uss sarrfirey ne jo kuchh bhi kiya uske liye aap apne aap ko kaise doshi thehra sakti ho??? Kya aaj bhi aap use apna pati maanti ho?

Nidhi (gasps) : N-Nahi! Kabhi nahi-!!

Veer : Toh fir??? Uss haraam-zaade ki kartooto ko aap apne sarr par kyu le rahi ho?

Nidhi : M-Mein- *sniff*

Veer : CHUP RAHIYE!

Nidhi : *sniff*

Veer (frowns) : Woh pehle se hi mere peechhe tha. Aapka iss se koi lena-dena nahi hai. Usne aapko target nahi kiya, mujhe kiya hai. Mere parivar ko. Aur, maine wahi kiya jo mujhe karna chaahiye tha. KYUNKI, JUHI SIRF AAPKE LIYE MAAYNE NAHI RAKHTI!

Uske iss bol par Nidhi ki aankhein aasuon se poori dhundhli ho chali.

Veer : Woh nirdosh thi...! Aur, mujhe... Mujhe to use bachaane jaana hi tha.

Ant me uski awaaz toot gayi. Aur, aaj pehli baar Bhavna ne apne bete ko spasht roop me dekha — rehesyo se bhare aadmi ke roop me nahi, balki dhaal ke peechhe yoddha ke roop me khoon bahaate hue.

Veh aage badhi, uski saansein tez thi, aankhein uss par tiki thi.

Veer ne uski orr dekha — sharminda, toota hua, thoda dara hua.

Aur, Bhavna ne use apni baahon me bhar liya. Koi shabd nahi. Kuchh nahi. Bas ek maa jo apne bacche ko poori taaqat se thaame hue thi.

Uske mote-mote aasu Veer ke kandhe par tapakte gaye, usne apne haath se uske sarr ke peechhe baalo ko sehlaaya aur use aise thaama jaise woh use kabhi bhi ab kahi jaane nahi degi. Wo royi.

Bhavna : M-Mujhe maaf kar dena... *sniff* Mujhe maaf kar de mere bete!!!

Veer : M-Maa!

Bhavna : Mujhe tum par garv hai!! *sniff* Bhale hi mein sab kuchh na samajh pau... Lekin, dard ko dekh ke hi pehchaan jaati hu...! Aur, ye bhi jaanti hu ki mera beta khatre se bhaag nahi raha. Ulta khatre ki orr bhaag raha hai... Use mitaane... Use khatm karne... Dusro ko uss se bachaane... *sniff* Mujhe maaf kar do, beta.

Veer ne akhirkar khud ko dheela chhor diya, aasu behne diye — chaahe ek pal ke liye hi sahi.

[Master...!]

Aur, uss chhat par dhundhle aasmaan ke neeche, ek maa ka aalingan hi ek aisi cheez bann gaya jisne bete ki bikharti duniya ke tukdo ko ek saath baandhe rakha.

---

Veer, Nidhi aur Bhavna jaise hi seedhiyon se neeche ko utar kar aaye to living room se unhe hasi-mazaak ki awaazein sunayi de rahi thi.

Halki. Meethi. Masoom.

Ve hall me jaise hi pravesh kiye to dekha ki Juhi sofe par baithi hui thi, uske peechhe Arohi thi jo uske mulayam gaalo se khel rahi thi. Kamre ka mahaul upar chhat par jo hua uss se bilkul hi vipreet tha.

Lekin, ek hi pal me sab kuchh badal gaya. Jaise hi Veer ne hall me qadam rakha, uski chhavi ne Juhi ka dhyaan kheench liya. Uski chhoti-chhoti aankhein Veer ko dekhte hi chamak uthi. Uska poora chehra khil utha.

Woh Arohi ki pakad se azaad hui aur apne nanhe-nanhe qadam le, apni baahein felaaye aage badhi. Aur, uski awaaz ghane sannaate ko teer ki tarah bhed gayi-

"PAPAAAAAA!!!!"

Awaaz goonj gayi. Ekdum spasht.

Samay jaise ruk gaya. Sab ke sab stabdh reh gaye. Arohi ki muskan gaayab ho gayi. Tej ka muh khula reh gaya. Bhumika, jo paani ka glass liye khadi thi, beech me hi ghoonth peete hue ruk gayi. Shweta wahi jamm ke reh gayi.

Nidhi ke chehre ka rang udd gaya. Woh Bhavna ke bagal me stabdh khadi rahi, uske honth aashcharya me khul gaye. Uski beti ne abhi-abhi Veer ko kya pukaara...!?

Veer bhi avaak tha. Juhi uss par tezi se jhapat padi.

"Papa...!!!"

Woh firse chillaayi aur aa kar Veer ke perr se chipak gayi. Veer apne aap hi akasmat neeche jhuka, use uthaaya aur use kass kar galey se laga liya.

Juhi ki chhoti baahein uski gardan ke chaaro orr lipat gayi, uske narm hontho ne uske gaal ko chooma aur fir usne apna chehra uske kandhe me chhipa liya. Wahi ehsaas — garm, surakshit aur araamdayak.

Veer ne bhi muskuraate hue use apne se lagaaye rakha. Uska haath dheere se Juhi ki peeth par gaya, use sehlaane laga.

Suman hi ekmaatra thi kamre me jiske chehre par khushi ke bhaav the. Ek shaant, jaankaar muskaan.

'Bahut jald... Yahi vastavik sacchayi hogi. Fufu~'

Bhavna ne Veer aur Juhi ko dekha, fir Nidhi ki orr — uski aankhein sawaalo se bhari hui thi, jinhe wo poochh nahi paa rahi thi.

Uska beta ek bacchi ko apni bacchi ki tarah pakde hue tha. Aur, bacchi bhi uss baat se poori tarah sehmat thi. Yakeen kar rahi thi.

Tez ki awaaz ne fir chuppi todi.

Tej : P-Papa!?

Usne kayi baar palkein jhapkayi, uski ungliyaan kursi ke kinaare par kass gayi.

Tej : Kya abhi-abhi usne-!??

Veer ne koi jawaab nahi diya. Juhi abhi bhi uss se lipti hui thi, abhi bhi apne mann me fusfusaate hue 'papa' keh rahi thi, jaise ki daava kar rahi ho ki yahi sach hai. Veer hi uske papa hai.

Nidhi ghabraate hue aage badhi.

Nidhi (nervously) : J-Juhi!? Beta... Aapne Veer maamu ko aisa kyu kaha? M-Maamu aapke papa nahi hai beta... Wo aapke maamu hai, hai na???

Lekin, Juhi ne use ansuna kar diya. Balki, usne Veer ko aur kass kar pakad liya maano keh rahi ho ki — nahi, aap galat ho.

Veer ne ek pal ke liye apni aankhein band ki aur saans chhori. Fir, usne sabki taraf dekha. Uski awaaz shaant thi, lekin awaaz me wazan tha.

Veer : Juhi dari hui thi...

Usne bolna shuru kiya.

Veer : Jab maine Juhi ko dhundha tha, to woh kaanp rahi thi. Kamre me bandhi hui thi. Uss serial killer ne Juhi aur Pihu dono ko baandh ke jakad rakha tha...! Aur, jab maine Juhi ko waha se chhuraaya, use apne se lagaaya, toh Juhi ne uss waqt apne aap hi... Mujhe 'papa' keh ke pukaara.

Veer ki baat kisi ko theek se samajh me na aayi. Kaun serial killer? Kaun Pihu? Kaha fassi thi Juhi aur Pihu? Lekin, Bhavna jisne abhi-abhi upar sach jaana tha veh sab kuchh samajh gayi.

Bhavna : M-Mein samjhaati hu.

Uske baad Bhavna ne woh sab kuchh bata diya jo Nidhi ne use upar chhat par bataaya tha, jisey sunn sabki aankhein phati ki phati reh gayi.

Unhe pata chal gaya Veer kaha tha. Aur, kyu tha. Unki aankhein uske balidaan par paani-paani ho chali. Iska matlab...

Wo bhi uss waqt apni jaan khatre me daal ke kisi nanhi jaan ki raksha kar raha tha. Tej ki glaani ye sunte hi aur bhi badh gayi.

Har koi saare vaakhyan ko bas chup-chaap sunta raha. Veer ne jaari rakha.

Veer : -Aur, isliye... maine Juhi ke mujhe 'papa' kehne par use sudhara nahi. Wo dari hui thi. Uss pal mein hi uske paas tha... Mera poora dhyaan use bachaane par tha. Shayad, isliye... Shayad isliye woh mujhe aise dekhne lagi hai.

Juhi ne chup-chaap uske kandhe par sarr hilaaya.

Juhi : Shayad nahi... Aap hi Juhi ke papa ho.

Veer : ???

Nidhi : J-Juhi???

Juhi : Mumma kehti hai ki jo Juhi se pyaar kare, jo... jo... jo Juhi ko plotect kare... jo Juhi ki mumma se pyaar kare... Wahi papa hai... Aur, aap hi ho... Mere papa...!

Nidhi ki saansein tez ho gayi.

Nidhi : J-Juhi... Beta nahi... Maamu ko tum aise-

Veer : Mujhe iss se koi dikkat nahi hai.

Usne beech me hi tokte hue sabhi ko chaunka diya. Nidhi ke gaal sharm se laal ho gaye. Usne apni nazrein neechi kar li aur ye bhaav Bhavna ki aankhon se chook kar na jaa sake.

Suman : Mein kya kehti hu...

Suman ne sabhi ka dhyaan kheechte hue kaha.

Suman : Agar, Veer ji ko koi dikkat nahi hai. Aur, agar nanhi Juhi bhi unhe aise hi bulaana chaahti hai. Toh, isme kya dikkat hai?

Bhavna (frowns) : S-Suman-! Tum shayad samjhi nahi ki-

Suman : Mein sab samajh rahi hu, didi. Aap sab isliye pareshan hai ki aage chal ke iss bacchi par kya asar padega. Samaj me kaisa lagega? Aur... Veer ji aur Nidhi ke beech iss tarah ka ek alag hi nakli rishta log maanane lagenge.

Bhavna : ...

Suman : Par, logo se hume kya. Hum jaante hai ki sacchayi kya hai. Juhi lagbhag apni paidaish se hi ek pita ke prem ke bagerr rahi hai. Agar, aane waale kuchh saalo ke liye wo Veer ji ko apna pita maanti hai, toh isme kya buraayi hai? Samay aane par... Badi hone par... Cheezein wapas se sadharan ho hi jaayengi na?

Bhavna : Huh?

Veer (nods) : Bilkul! Agar, iss ek shabd ki wajah se Juhi ko sukoon milta hai. Toh, mein ise garv se rakhunga. Bhale hi ye asli na ho. *smiles* Bhale hi ye sirf Juhi ke liye ho.

Nidhi ka dil jaise kayi dhadkane phaand gaya. Juhi ne Veer ko dekha.

Juhi : P-Par, papa yahi sach hai naaaaa!!!

Veer (smiles) : Tum kehti ho... toh, yahi sach hai.

Bhavna ne kuchh derr kuchh vichaar kiya, Nidhi baar-baar use nazrein chura ke darrte hue dekh rahi thi. Par, aage jo usne kaha, uss se Nidhi ka mann halka ho gaya.

Bhavna : Suman theek keh rahi hai.

Tej : M-Mom???

Bhavna : Logo ke dimaag me gandagi hoti hai. Agar, hume pata hai ki kiske beech kya rishta hai, kinn parishthitiyo ke kaaran Juhi aisa kar rahi hai, toh koi bhi suljha hua insaan iss par tippani nahi karega.

Aur, isi tarah...

Veer ko Juhi dwara 'papa' kehlaane ki sweekriti sabhi se mil gayi.

Kisi ka text bhi use usi waqt aaya jis wajah se use ghar se nikalna pada.

Idhar, uske jaate hi Nidhi jis kaam ke liye aayi thi, usne apni khwaish bhi rakh di.

Nidhi : Jab aap sab yaha nahi the...

Bhavna : ???

Nidhi : Jab Veer ko ghar se nikaal diya gaya tha. Tab, woh mere saath raha tha.

Tej : !!?

Nidhi (nervously) : Uske dada ji ke chal basne ki khabar sunn ke mujhe bahut hi bura laga, aur mein dekh rahi hu ki woh tab se hi gumsum sa hai... Isliye...

Arohi : !!?

Nidhi (nervously) : -Isliye... M-Mein chaahti hu ki... Mera matlab hai... J-Juhi bhi rahegi toh... K-Kya mein Veer ko apne saath le jaa sakti hu? K-Kuchh din ke liye? U-Uska dil bhi behel jaayega...

Tej (khade hote hue) : Kyaaaaaa????

Nidhi : *gasps*

Iske pehle ki Tej sawaal utha paati, hall ke darwaaze ke hi dehleez se ek aur awaaz aayi-

"Sirf aap hi nahi... Mein bhi chaahti hu ki Veer mere saath rahe."

Jab sab ne palat ke uss orr dekha toh paaya ki Purvi, Arun ke saath wahi khadi hui thi.

***

Outside the society,
Night - 8:15 PM ~

Gated colony ke theek baahar, timtimaate street lamp ke neeche ek sleek obsidian car khadi hui thi.

Garofano driver seat par baithi hui thi. Satin ki slit emerald green dress me wo keher dhaa rahi thi. Perr ek ke upar ek, uski lambi taangein, doodhiyaan jaangh, car ke andar andhere me bhi chamak rahi thi.

Aur, uski gehri aankhein society ke gate ki orr tiki hui thi.

Usne steering wheel ko apne manicure kiye gaye sundar lambe nakhoono se sehlaaya, fir phone se ek text bheja.

"I'm outside."

Kuchh pal beetein. Aur, fir woh saamne aaya.

Veer!

Aasteen tak mudi hui ek kaali shirt aur denim jeans pehne, woh gate se baahar nikla.

Car ki khidki ek halki si sarsarahat ke saath neeche khisak gayi. Garofano muskurayi.

Garofano : Hop in!

Veer ne koi jawab nahi diya. Usne darwaza khola, aur passenger seat par baithate hue darwaza zorr se band kar diya.

Garofano ne apni aankhon ke kone se use dekha.

Garofano : Kaise ho, Veer?

Veer ne koi jawab nahi diya. Balki-

Veer : Tum yaha par? Kisliye?

Bas itna hi.

Garofano ki muskaan feeki pad gayi, lekin sirf thodi si. Woh uske aura me aaye badlaav ko mehsoos kar paa rahi thi. Veer ke andar... kuchh badal chuka tha.

Garofano (coyly) : Ab kya mein tumse baat karne bhi nahi aa sakti, Veer?

Veer : Cut the crap! Seedhe-seedhe mudde pe aao, Violet!

Apna asal naam sunte hi Garofano samajh gayi ki Veer achhe mood me nahi tha.

Bina kuchh kahe, woh compartment me pahuchi aur usme se kaagaz ka ek muda hua tukda nikaalte hue use thama di.

Veer ne jhunjhlaate hue uske haath se wo kaagaz liya, lekin jaise hi usne use khola — uski aankhein bhay ke maare fel gayi. Uska badan wahi jamm gaya.

Wo kaagaz koi aam kaagaz nahi tha. Wo tha... ek dossier.

Photos. Names. Locations. Routines.

Uska poora parivar. Tej. Bhavna. Arohi. Kavya. Ragini.

Yaha tak ki Suman, Aabha, Sonali, har koi... usme maujood tha.

Veer ki saansein foolne lagi. Uske dil ki dhadkane tez ho gayi — darr se nahi, balki krodh se. Uski ungliyaan kaagaz ke kinaare par mud gayi, use dheere-dheere kuchalne lagi maano woh use kuchalne ki koshish kar raha ho jo iss sab ke peechhe tha.

Garofano bas use dhyaan se dekhti rahi. Aur, fir boli-

Garofano : Dexter ke paas se mujhe ye mila. Wahi sniper jisne tumhare Dada ji ko maara, tumhari sister-in-law ko disable kiya aur Natalia ko injure.

Veer ka jabda kass gaya. Uske daant aapas me misey.

Garofano : I killed him. Uska past bhi dekha maine.

Veer : ???

Garofano (frowns) : Woh kisi syndicate alliance ka hissa tha. Basically, ek assasin squad. Jinme 3 members the — Matthew, Dexter khud aur-

Veer : Aur?

Garofano : Aur, ek vulture. Past illustration me yahi naam tha uska.

Veer : Vulture? Matlab, ye bhi ek assasin tha?

Garofano : Tha ya fir hai. I don't know. Past me sirf yahi dikhayi diya ki ye teen syndicate alliance ka hissa the. Matthew tumhaare haatho maara gaya tha aur isliye, Dexter tumse badla lena chaahta tha.

Veer : I see! Aur, woh vulture?

Garofano : Uske baare me kuchh nazar nahi aaya. Bas yahi ki woh bhi initial phase me syndicate alliance ka hissa tha.

Veer : Tsk!!!

Garofano : The Elephant was in the room the whole time.

Veer : !!?

Garofano : Past illustration me dikh gaya.

Veer : You mean-

Garofano : Hmm! Iss sab ke peechhe ek system holder tha. Pehle se hi... Jiski tumhe bhanak tak nahi lag paayi. Woh yahi tha. Tumhari society me kahi... Tumhare parivar ki photos lete hue... Unki information ikhatti karte hue... Usi ne Dexter ko bhadkaya, ye dossier bana ke diya taaki wo tumse badla le sake. Aur, ant me... wo apna khel khelkar nikal gaya.

Veer (grits) : K-Kaun?

Garofano : Nahi pata. Sarr se lekar perr tak covered tha. Dexter ki memory me to yahi dikha. Bahut hi fuzzy tha uska past. Theek se kuchh samajh hi nahi aa raha tha.

Veer (mutters) : -And, I remained oblivious to it...!

Garofano : ....

Veer : I remained oblivious... Jab koi meri family ka peechha kar raha tha, tab mein... Mujhe dusre system holder ke baare me pata tak nahi chala. Wo meri hi society me ghus ke... MERI HI FAMILY KO- TSK!!!

Garofano (frowns) : Iss se ek baat samajh jao ki woh stealth me maahir hai.

[Master...! Stealth me toh... Garofano bhi maahir hai.]

Sunte hi Veer ki aankhein chaudi ho gayi, wo bhayanak roop se Garofano ki orr muda, uska chehra dekh bechari Garofano ke paseene chhooth gaye.

Garofano (nervously) : Wh-What!? How dare you doubt me, Veer? Pagal ho kya? Mein yaha thi bhi nahi... And, why would I?

Veer ne apna sarr jhunjhlaaya.

Veer : Sorry! N-Never mind!

Garofano (sighs) : Fine! I forgive you. Anyways, I know tum mujh par completely trust nahi karte ho but hey... Maine tumse pehle bhi kaha hua hai. I would never hurt you. Iss baar, tumne enemy ko underestimate kiya, Veer. Warna... Tumhare jaise strong system holder ki naak ke neeche koi aisi harqat kar jaaye, ye koi aam baat nahi.

Veer : ...

Garofano : Oh! Ek aur baat-!

Veer : ???

Garofano : Wo security guards jo tumhari hotel me bomb blast ke dauran maare gaye. Unke kuchh parivar waale jo protests karne aaye the... Some of them were funded by Aadesh Jaisinghani.

Veer : !!!?

Garofano : Paise khila ke unhe bhadkaya gaya, taaki wo protest kare, doshi tumhe thehraaye aur tum news me centre of attraction bann jao hate ke liye. Get it? Iske liye mujhe thank you keh sakte ho, you know. I did some extra work for you. *winks*

Veer ne koi jawab nahi diya. Ab uski nigaah aage ki orr thi. Fir, dheere se usne ek gehri saans chhori.

Lekin, ye raahat nahi thi. Kuchh aur tha.

Usne aankhein band ki. Kaafi derr tak. Aur, jab kholi... Toh unme se komalta, karuna, chinta, glaani gaayab thi.

Keval aag thi.

Veer : Renshu aur baaki sab kaha hai?

Garofano : Hotel zenith me. Filhal.

Veer : Ava?

Garofano : Ohh!? *smiles* Parvah ho rahi hai?

Veer : ....

Garofano : ...

Veer : ...

Garofano : Urgh! Yeah, she's fine! System holder hai. Already recover ho chuki hai wo completely. Tch! Mein tum dono ki koi mediator nahi hu, okay? Yahi sawaal usne bhi kiya tha. Itni hi parvah hai toh call kyu nahi kar lete?

Veer ne haami bhari. Koi bhaav nahi. Koi abhaar nahi. Fir, achanak woh uski orr muda.

Veer : Jab tak tum sab yaha par ho... Keep an eye on my family. Look out for them.

Garofano ne apna chehra uski orr ghumaaya, apna sirr thoda sa jhukaaya, khush hokar.

Garofano : Ohh!? Ek request? Woh bhi system holder, V alliance ke leader, Mister Veer ki orr se??? Heh~

Veer : Yeah!

Garofano ke honth kuchh kamuk, sharaarti dhang se mudey. Woh jhuki, uske perfume ki sugandh Veer ki naak tak pahuchi aur woh uske kaan ki taraf aate hue boli.

"Everything has a price, Veer!!!"

Usne fusfusate hue kaha. Uska haath dheere se uske seene par aa kar ruk gaya. Sparsh se woh Veer ke dil ki dhadkano ko mehsoos kar paa rahi thi.

Veer (frowns) : What do you want??

Garofano ke honth par muskaan feli. Wo punah aage jhuki.

Garofano (whispers) : Tumhara time...!!!

Veer (blinks) : Time???

Garofano (nods) : Mm-hmm! Jab bhi mein bulau, jaha bhi bulau, jo bhi plan banau... You must show up.

Veer ne use kuchh derr padha.

Garofano ke baare me humesha se hi kuchh na kuchh rehesyamayi tha. Woh sirf ek foreign ki system holder nahi thi. Woh ek aisi aurat thi jo badi se badi ghatnao me shaamil bhi rehti thi aur usme se bina chotil hue baahar bhi nikalti thi. Beautiful. Dangerous. Lekin, sabse mehatvpoorn... Unreadable.

Veer ko uss par poornta bharosa nahi tha. Usne kabhi kiya hi nahi. Woh rehesyamayi thi.

Lekin, iss baar... Kuchh sochte hue... Usne haami bhar di.

Veer : Fine!

Garofano chehekte hue muskurayi. Kyunki, sirf wahi jaanti thi ki iss deal ki keemat kya thi. Veer ke saath bitaaya gaya samay sirf samay nahi tha. Ye ek raasta tha. Usne abhi uska dil nahi maanga tha, usne uski duniya me pravesh karne ka adhikaar maang liya tha.

Garofano (smirks) : Pleasure doing business.

Veer ne uss se haath milaaya. Fir, khidki se baahar dekha.

Pari jaanti thi ki kuchh badal chuka tha.
Ab Veer woh Veer nahi tha jo instincts par nirbhar rehta tha.
Ab Veer woh Veer nahi tha jo shaanti ki talaash karta tha.
Yeh woh Veer tha jo jal raha tha.
Apne dada ji ko khone ke baad.
Ragini ke apahij hone ke baad.
Ava ke chotil hone ke baad.
Apni agyaanta ka bodh hone ke baad.

Pari bhaanp chuki thi. Woh ghabra bhi rahi thi. She knew that if...

The old Veer protected.
The new Veer will hunt.

***

New York,
FBCC Headquarters,
Night - 10:10 PM ~

*Click*

Rebecca ek andhere kamre me pravesh ki. Andhere me aate hi uski ek skill activate ho gayi jiske chalte use andhere me thoda safayi se dikh sake.

Woh ek system holder thi. Taqatvar. Hoshiyar. Lekin, iss kamre me ghuste hi, use shikaar jaisa mehsoos hota tha.

Uske saamne mand raushni ke neeche mushqil se dikhaayi de sake, ek aadmi baitha hua tha. Chup-chaap. Jaise, intezar kar raha tha.

Uske shareer ki ek bhi maanspeshi nahi hili.

X

Saamne tha.

X : You're late, director.

Rebecca ne saans chhori.

Rebecca (calmly): I’ve dealt with the Galileo.

Ek viraam. Uske saamne baitha aadmi apni seat par thoda sa hila. Raushni uske chehre ke ek hisse par padi — jo aanshik roop se ek kaale, custom made mask ke peechhe chhipa hua tha, jis par halke laal rang ki nakkashi thi.

Uska suit sharply cut tha, raat ki hi tarah kaala, jisme chaandi ki embroidery ki kuchh chamak thi. Haatho me gloves, aur sleek kaale kaano tak aate baal.

Uske muh ke kinaare par ek muskaan ubhar aayi.

X (voice like velvet) : Galileo, huh? So, much work. You tore down the sky to impress me. Waqai...! I'm impressed, Rebecca!

Rebecca ne saans rok li. Woh nahi samajh paa rahi thi ki ye prashansa thi ya mazaak.

Woh aage jhuka, aur ant me usne apni aankhein dikhayi — golden, piercing.

X : Don't fret over it. Good work, darling. Really. For once. *smiles*

Uske lehze me vinamrata thi. Rebecca ke maathe par paseene ki boonde jhalakne lagi.

Rebecca : Mujhe next report chahiye...! I have done my job. Now... The report.

X hasa. Aisi hasi jise sunn aadmi uncomfortable feel karne lage.

Bina kuchh kahe, usne table ka ek drawer khola aur ek mota kaala dossier nikaala. Usne table par use aise feka jaise ki woh uske liye kachra tha.

Rebecca ki aankhein chaudi ho gayi. Koi chhal nahi. Koi baat nahi. Koi paheli nahi. Aur, badle me koi keemat bhi nahi?

Kuchh gadbad thi.

Woh aage badhi, report ko uthaate hue use kholi. Contents? Asli tha. Information? Asli thi. Report? Asli thi.

Kaise???

Iss tarah se X use kabhi reports nahi deta tha. Itni asaani se toh nahi. Kya waqai woh uske kaam se itna impressed tha?

X : What? Cat got your tongue? Ya ab tumhe meri generosity pe doubt ho raha hai?

Wo naa me sirr hilaayi. Achanak, X khada hua. Uski upasthiti baaki logo ko aise chhipaati thi jaise soorya ko grahan. Uski har harqat, ek bayaan thi, jaise koi toofaan tay kar raha ho ki use kaha jaana hai.

Woh baahar nikal ke aaya, aur Rebecca chup-chaap wahi jamm ke khadi rahi.

X (teasingly) : So? You coming along? Or you have some other plans?

Woh haami bhar uske peechhe-peechhe tez qadam lekar aage badhi.

---

Toh, wahi FBCC ki gaganchumbi imaarat ke bagal se Damian, window cleaners dwara istemal ki jaane waali harness ki sahayata se khatarnak tareeke se latka hua tha. Uske chehra tanavgrast tha.

Kal raat usne nano-edge blade ka upyog kar ke khidki ke sheeshe ko pehle hi 99% kaat diya tha. Aur, aaj baaki 1% sateekta se kaatne ke baad, usne ek suction clamp ka istemal kar katey hue glass ko kheench liya taaki wo andar kamre me na gire.

Opening milte hi woh kamre ke andar ghusa, usne badi hi savdhani se woh glass ka nikaala gaya hissa wapas se window me laga diya aur X ki seat ke nazdeek, table ki uss drawer ke paas badha.

'This might be it...!'

---

Idhar baahar floor ke corridor par, Rebecca X ke bagal se khadi hui thi. Uski dhadkane train ke maafiq tez daud rahi thi. Lift upar aa rahi thi.

Tabhi, X aage badhne se pehle ruk gaya.

X (smiles) : Oops... I forgot one of my gloves.

Rebecca : !!?????

Rebecca ke dil jaise wahi ruk gaya. Nahi! Uski aankhein bhay me chaudi ho gayi.

Rebecca : N-Nahi! Y-You-! Uh... maybe it's not-

X (smiles) : Kya hua? Is someone in the room? A ghost?

Uski muskaan alag thi. Mazaak udaane waali. Ek shikaari ki muskaan.

Woh muda. Shaanti se. Aur, wapas kamre ki orr jaane laga. Har qadam ulti ginti jaisa prateet ho raha tha.

Andar, Damian jamm ke reh gaya. Drawer se agla report ka set baramad ho chuka tha. Cameras ki use tension hi nahi thi kyunki, unhe pehle hi Rebecca dwara band karwa diya gaya tha.

Reports haath me thi. Bas! Ab nikalna tha ki tabhi-

*Click*

Damian ghabraaya. Aur, andhere ki gehrayiyo me kahi chhip gaya.

X andar daakhil hua. Usne idhar-udhar dekha.

X (mocks disappointment) : Oh my!!! No one hiding in the shadows? How anticlimactic.

Woh aage badha. Usne apna glove uthaaya, aur use pehna.

Lekin, jaise hi woh muda-

Usne dekha ki Rebecca darwaze ke paas kisi murti ki tarah jami hui, ghabrayi khadi hui thi.

Rebecca : L-Let's leave. I-I have some work...

X : Ah! Sure sure!

Woh wapas nikalne ke liye hua. Lekin, darwaaze se nikalne ke theek pehle, woh ruk gaya.

*Badump*

Rebecca ka dil zorro se dhadka. Woh achanak uske kaan ki orr jhuka, aur bola-

"Next time... Teach your dog to do it properly."

*Badump*

Rebecca (gasps) : Huh-!!??

Agle hi pal, Rebecca ko apne galey par kuchh mehsoos hua... Ek mazboot pakad aur agle hi kshan uska shareer zorr se peechhe ki deewar se jaa takraaya.

*BAAAAMMMM*

"Nghhh!!!"

Uski cheenkh ghut ke reh gayi. Peechhe ki deewar toot ke bikhar gayi aur uska shareer deewar ke andar jaa ghusa. Uske hontho ke kono se khoon ki patli dhaara bahi.

Chhipe hue Damian ne turant hi pratikriya ki, usne apni blades me se ek seedhe X ki peeth ki orr feki.

*Whoosh*

X (smiles) : How cute!

Magar, bina uss orr dekhe hi...

X ne Damian ki feki hui blade apna haath peechhe le jaate hue pakad li.

Damian : Wh-Whaaaat!!!?

Rebecca : Nnghh!!!??? Dam-

Damian (yells) : Haaaaaaaarrgh!!!

Woh aage dauda. Iss baar usne apni kamar se bandhi ek chain nikaali aur ghumaate hue X ke perr ki orr feki.

*Swoosh*

Chain X ke perr me aate hi saanp ki tarah lipat gayi.

'Got him!'

Magar-

Agle hi pal, X ne apne perr ko itni taaqat se peechhe kheencha ki-

'Huh???'

Damian chain sahet kisi ragdoll ki tarah uski orr hawa me khichta chala gaya.

X ne beech hawa me hi use apne dusre haath se pakda.

Damian (gasps) : Urghhh!!

Do system holder. Rebecca. Damian.

Dono ek system holder ki giraft me the. Asahahay. Majboor.

X (leans in) : KNOW. YOUR. PLACE.

*BOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMM*

Palak jhapakte hi... Damian neeche tha. Usne use itni zorr se farsh par patka ki FBCC ki poori floor hil gayi.

Damian ki khopdi concrete se takraayi aur use udhedte hue neeche waali floor ke kamre me jaa ghusi. Khoon ke chheethe hawa me udd gaye.

Uska baaki hissa to yahi tha, magar khopdi, neeche waali floor ki ceiling par.

Aur, Rebecca-

*Swoooooooossshh*

Uska shareer hawa me uda aur jaa ke seedha deewar se jaa bhida, jiske chalte aadhi deewar wahi toot ke bikhar gayi.

Usne unn dono ke lachaar shareer ko ghoora. Jaise maano ek insaan cheetiyon ko ghoor raha ho.

X (quietly) : Remember, sweethearts. You're only alive... Because, I allow it.

Kehte hue woh waha se nikal gaya. Koi jaldbazi nahi. Koi darr nahi. Koi pareshani nahi.

Bas... Taaqat. Taaqat jo duniya ko hila ke rakh dene waali thi. Jald hi.
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Aaj ke liye itna hi.
Update is around 9.6k words. Target remains the same.

Fantastic update bhai majha aaya lekin veer ke action ki ummid thi baki update mast tha

 

[Bhupinder Singh]

Update - 199 ~ The Elephant in the room​

Ab tak...

Garofano : He's here!!

Jab ek limousine aake unke saamne ruki. Andar se Veer nikla aur saath hi uske bagal se do-chaar professional workers nikal kar ke aaye.

Uske liye chhaata haath me thaame hue the.

Veer ko iss tarah unhone pehle kabhi nahi dekha tha. Ava ki bauhe sikud gayi. Woh akeli nahi thi-

[Something... Something about him... has changed, dear.]

Na jaane uss ek hafte me kya kuchh badla tha, lekin badla toh zaroor tha. Bahut kuchh.

Veer ne uss worker ke haath se chhaata liya aur unhe wahi rukne ka ishaara dete hue woh ahista-ahista unki orr chalte hue aaya.

Aur, paas aate hue usne bas itna hi kaha-

"Humari alliance ka pehla mission ek hi hai — Summit!!!"

Ab aage...

A few days ago, 1st January,
The Night of the New Year,
Mumbai, 12:54 AM ~

Shamshan ke upar raat ka aasmaan garajte baadlon se bhara hua tha. Ped kaanp rahe the. Underground lair kahi-kahi se deh chuki thi aur uske pravesh dwaar se dhua nikal raha tha — kisi hinsak visfot ka saboot.

Ek aakriti andhere me langdaati hui chali aa rahi thi, jo khoon, thand aur fatey hue maans ke tukdo se lath-path thi. Corridor ki steel-plated deewarein emergency lights ki raushni me timtima rahi thi. Aur, dwaar se nikalta hua wo khaufnak aadmi jisey dekh ke aam aadmi ki taange kaanp jaaye.

Taral padaartho — khoon, tel aur acid — ki tapakti hui boond ki pratidhwani ne ek aisi lay banaayi, ek aisa manzar banaaya jo koi bhi sadharan aadmi bina bhaybheet hue nahi dekh sakta tha.

Disembowler!

Jeevit tha.

Mushqil se hi sahi, lekin wo jeevit tha.

Uska lamba lab coat, jo kabhi ekdum safed tha, ab khoon se sana, fata aur jala hua tha. Uski saansein kisi marte janvar ki tarah ukhad rahi thi. Iss baar uski bhayanak muskaan uske hontho se gaayab thi.

“That little wretch…” Usne badbadate hue khud ko aage ki orr kheencha. Uski awaaz me fufkaar thi, jo kahi na kahi uske gusse ko jhalka rahi thi.

“Veer…!”

[Woh taqatvar tha Ludwig...!!!]

"Ehe... Ehe... Shut up, George!! He'll be mine soon! *cough*"

Wo khaasa. Gaadha laal khoon uske muh se nikalte hue neeche farsh par gira. Uska shareer jagah-jagah se chakna-choor ho gaya tha, har harqat ke saath haddiyo ke tukde chatak rahe the. Uska dahina haath dheela pad gaya, liquid nitrogen ke chalte thand se uski twacha chhil chuki thi. Wo iss humle se na bach paata agar-

‘Zephyr’s Mask’ uske paas na hota.

Take 30% less damage (any damage)
Offers 30% resistance to fatal/bleed attacks.

Yahi wo do khoobiyaan thi ‘Zephyr’s Mask’ ki jiske chalte wo iss humle se bach paane me saksham tha.

Corridor fir se hil gaya, door ek generator me se chingari nikli aur fir wo band ho gaya. Ajeeb aakritiyaan alag-alag container me uthal-puthal kar rahi thi — ek abhaas ki unhe bhi khatra tha. Magar, Disembowler ne unki taraf mud ke dekha bhi nahi. Uske paas iska samay hi nahi tha.

Baahar aate hi door se use sirens ki awaazein sunayi di, gaadiyo ki gadgadahat, baarish ka shor… Baahri duniya.

Wo ruka. Ek baar peechhe dekha.

Uske peechhe lair barbaad hone se bas kuchh pal hi door thi. Dhamaake ka dhua corridor me felta jaa raha tha. Laptein deewaron ko apne aalingan me le rahi thi. Test tubes me SHB ke bahut se samples wahi chhoot gaye the.

Lekin, usne wapas andar jaane ki zurrat nahi ki…

Usne sab kuchh chhor diya.

Research. Blood samples. Equipment. Machines. Mutants. Test subjects. Discovery. Proof.

Sab kuchh.

Wo muskuraaya. Khoon uske hontho se behte hue gira.

“Rakh lo… Hehe…” Wo fusfusaya. “Tum meri research ki jaanch karoge? Kar lo… Ehehe… The moment the air touches the wounds, my truth will vanish… Oxidised. Useless. Hehehehe!!”

Wo zorr se hasa.

Lair ab khud shamshan me tabdeel ho chuki thi. Lekin, ye Disembowler ki main laboratory nahi thi. Yeh to bas shikaar ko lubhaane ke liye ek ghosla tha. Bhale hi wo iss baar naqamyab tha, parantu use kaafi hadd tak jankari praapt ho chuki thi.

Veer ko qareeb se dekhna, uski skills, uske cards, uske ladne ka dhang aur uski kamzoriyan.

Wo fir khaansa, lekin hassta raha — ek pagal, khokhli awaaz jo lair me goonj uthi.

“I was inches away…” Usne khud ko ek ghumavdar raaste se ghaseetate hue kaha. “Agli baar, Veer… Agli baar tum bach kar nahi jaa paoge ehe…”

Aur, aise hi wo andhere me kahi gaayab ho gaya.

***

Present, 8th January,
Ragini's house ~

Sardiyon ki ek narm dopahar. Sooraj ki raushni pardo se chhan kar andar kamre me aa rahi thi. Kamra bhi shaant tha — maun, jaise ki veh apni saans roke hue ho.

Kamre ke baahar hall se dabi hui awaazein aur khanakti hui chai ki pyaaliyo ka halka shor sunayi de raha tha.

Ragini apni peeth ke peechhe takiya lagaaye bed par tiki hui thi, uska chehra khidki ki orr tha, magar aankhein kahi aur khoyi hui thi.

---

Darwaza charmara kar khula.

Sabse pehle Shweta andar aayi, uske saath me Bhumika bhi thi. Ragini hili nahi. Usne mud kar bhi nahi dekha. Bas, yuhi baithi rahi. Fir, Shweta ne hi khamoshi todi.

Shweta : Ragini... Abhi kaisa lag raha hai?

Ragini ne use dekha. Fir, bagal se rakhi ek mej ko. Aur, fir boli.

Ragini : Ye dekh rahi ho aap?

Shweta (glances) : ???

Ragini : Isi furniture ki tarah mehsoos ho raha hai. *smiles* jo upar se dekhne me to achhi lag rahi hai lekin kisi kaam ki nahi hai.

Shweta thoda jhep gayi, lekin usne ise zaahir nahi hone diya.

Shweta : Aisa mat kaho. Ye to bas yaha ke doctor ne aisa bataya hai. Tum chinta mat karo. Hum har jagah jayenge. America, Germany... Jaha zaroorat hogi waha jayenge. Aur, tum fir se pehle ki tarah chalogi. Dekhna.

Akhirkar, Ragini ne apna sarr ghumaya, uski aankhein sookhi thi.

Ragini : Aapko lagta hai ki mujhe darr hai ki mein firse nahi chal paungi?

Shweta : Mein-

Usne ek gehri saans chhori.

Ragini (smiles) : Thank you Tai ji. Mein jaanti hu aap mujhe motivate karne ki koshish kar rahi hai. I appreciate it. Aur, haan... Mein bhi har wo koshish karungi jo mujhe pehle ki tarah bana sakti hai.

Shweta (smiles) : Very good. Bas aise hi... Aise hi rehna. Himmat nahi haarna hai.

Ragini (nods) : Mm! Bhumika? Kaisi ho? Mere behosh hone ke baad kya kuchh hua tha?

Bhumika : Aapke behosh hote hi, hotel me afra-tafri mach gayi thi. Suman aunty aur baaki sabhi ne aapko waha se nikaala tha. Aur, hum seedhe ambulance me baith ke hospital ki orr nikal gaye the.

Ragini (frowns) : Suman... Akhir, usne hi kyu...!?

Jis aurat se wo ghrina karna chaah rahi thi, baar-baar wahi aurat uski shubhchintak ke roop me uske saamne haazir ho rahi thi. Ek aur uska upkaar Ragini ke upar tha.

Bhumika : A-Aur, fir... Dada ji... Fir, Veer ka aana. Baaki sab aapko pata hi hoga.

Ragini : Y-Yarnia ka kya hua? Hotel?

Bhumika : Under maintainance hai sab kuchh. Par... Loss bahut hua hai. Louis sahi salamat hai lekin dara hua hai. Bahut se models ab dobara humare saath kaam karne se katra rahe hai. Same goes for the celebrities and businessmen.

Ragini (frowns) : Mere iss tarah hone se... Tum sab pe aur bhi zimmedari badh gayi, hai na?

Bhumika : Nahi! Aap iski chinta mat kariye. Aap bas apni health dekhiye pehle. Ye sab... hum sambhaal lenge.

Ragini ki ungliyaan kambal ke chaaro orr kass gayi. Usne mushqil se galey me atka thook nigla.

Ragini : M-Mujhe yaad hai... Thoda-thoda... Logo ki cheekhein, emergency alarm, maine khade hone ki koshish bhi ki thi, lekin-

Usne apne perro ki orr dekha.

Ragini : Fir, andhera chhaa gaya.

Bhumika bistar ke kinaare baithi aur dheere se apna haath Ragini ki baah par rakhi.

Bhumika : Wo to achha hua jo Suman aunty aur unke saath waali sabhi ladies ne aapko waha se turant hi utha liya tha. Kyunki, kuchh gunde theek usi samay par firing karte hue hotel ke andar ghusne lage the.

Ragini : R-Right! Ye attack... Kisne karwaya? Kaun tha iske peechhe? Aur, kyu?

Bhumika : Nahi pata. Police me complaint kar chuke hai. Investigation jaari hai. Maybe jald hi koi news mil jaaye hume. But so far kuchh bhi haasil nahi hua hai, siwae bomber ke.

Ragini : B-Bomber?

Bhumika (nods) : Hmm! Rajat! Yahi naam hai uska. Jail me hai. Aur...

Ragini : Aur???

Bhumika : Wo... Nidhi ma'am hai na? Veer ke college ki teacher?

Ragini : Haan!

Shweta : Uska ex husband hai wo.

Ragini ka badan sihar utha.

Ragini : K-Kya??? P-Par, kyu? W-Wo... Wo kyu? K-Kaise?

Shweta : Sab pata chalega. Par, abhi tum ye sab jaan ke kar bhi kya logi? Ye unnecessary details jaanana band karo. Ye sab hum par chhor do. Aur, bas apni fiqr karo. Thoda selfish bano. Theek hai?

Bhumika : Right!

Shweta : Uss haram-khor ki khabar hum lenge. Sirf jail me rakhne se usko uski saza nahi mil jayegi. Mein use aur bhi battar saza dilwa ke rahungi.

Ragini : K-Kaise?

Shweta : Meri ek friend hai, uska connection hai police me. Source lagaungi to kya kuchh nahi hoga. Usne humare parivar ko chot pahuchaane ki koshish ki hai. Aur, hum yuhi haath par haath dhare baithe rahenge? Hargiz nahi.

Bhumika : P-Par, mumma ye bahut risky hai.

Shweta : To? Koi saamne se apne ko nuksan pahuchayega aur tum chup hoke bas dekhti rahogi?

Bhumika : M-Mera matlab wo nahi tha.

Shweta : Tum bas dekhti jao mein kya karti hu. Wo bachega nahi.

Ragini : A-Aur, Veer? Kaha hai wo?

Bhumika : Baahar!

Ragini : K-Kaun kaun hai baahar?

Bhumika : Sabhi. Kuchh aur log bhi hai. Sab baat kar rahe hai.

Ragini : O-Okay!

Bhumika : Veer ko bhi... Dada ji ke jaane ka bahut bada sadma pahucha hai. Kal to poore din usne khaana bhi nahi khaaya tha. Aapko hospital se ghar laane me hi busy tha. Aapka poora samaan, medicines, policies, sab wahi dekh raha tha.

Ragini : O-Oh!

Uski bauhe narm pad gayi. Kuchh jhalka. Dard? Pachhtava? Kuchh uske chehre par ubhra.

Ragini (mutters) : Aur... Aise waqt pe maine use doshi thehraya...! I... I don't deserve him, right?

Bhumika : Huh? Kuchh kaha kya?

Ragini : N-Nahi! Kuchh nahi.

Shweta uthi aur Ragini ke paas aayi. Usne pyaar se uske sarr par haath rakha.

Shweta : Tum theek ho jaogi, chinta mat karo. Sab sahi ho jayega. Bas kuchh dino ka kasht hai.

Ragini : J-Ji, Tai ji!

Fir se ek khamoshi chhaa gayi. Bhumika khadi hui, usne Ragini ke haath ko dheere se dabaaya — ek aashvashan ki ve sab yahi hai.

Bhumika : Aap akeli nahi ho, bhabhi. Aap kabhi akeli nahi thi. Hum sab saath hai aapke.

Kehte hue dono hi Shweta aur Bhumika waha se chali gayi. Unke jaate hi Shweta ke bol Ragini ke kaano me goonj gaye.

"Tum wapas se chal paogi."

Aur, itne din me aaj pehli baar, use vishvas hua ki — shayad... shayad veh abhi bhi chal sakti hai.

---

Unke jaate hi darwaza ek baar fir awaaz kiya, iss baar thoda dheere se.

Arohi pehle andar aayi. Kavya uske peechhe-peechhe chalte hue aa rahi thi. Thoda ghabrayi hui aur thoda dari hui.

Uska humesha ki tarah uchhal-kood, ghar ke sabse tanhayi bhare kono me bhi goonjne waali bakbak iss waqt gaayab thi.

Wo Ragini ko aise ghoor rahi thi jaise use pehli baar dekh rahi ho. Uska badan saaf taur par hil raha tha, aur haath bhinche hue the.

Ragini ne dheere se apna sarr ghumaya. Shweta aur Bhumika ke liye pehle jo muskaan uske chehre par thi, wahi usne barkarar rakhi.

Jab usne Kavya ko hichkichaate hue dekha toh usne palke jhapkayi aur fir dheere se apna haath uthaaya, hatheli kholi aur-

Ragini : Kavya? Aao na!

Aur, bas itna hi tha... ki Kavya uss par toot padi — ek leher ki tarah jiske bahaav ki taaqat chhor tak aate aate khatam jaati hai. Veh Ragini ke bistar ke paas ghutno ke bal gir padi. Uski aankhon me aasu panap rahe the aur jald hi wo baandh khul gaya.

Kavya : Bhaaabhiii!!! Kyuuuu? *sniff* Kyu kiya aapne aisa?

Wo ro padi, usne Ragini ke dono haatho ko pakad liya.

Kavya : Aapne mere liye aisa kyu kiya, bhabhi??? *sniff* W-Waha par mujhe hona chahiye tha. P-Par, aapne mujhe apne se chhek kar-

Uski awaaz aansuon se dabi cheenkh me badal gayi.

Kavya : Iss bistar par mujhe hona chahiye tha!!! Ye haal... Mera hona chahiye tha!!! *sniff* Aapne aisa kyu kiya? Kyu kiya aisa???

Arohi : Kavya-

Ragini ne pehle to koi jawab nahi diya. Fir, uska haath dheere-dheere Kavya ke baalo ki orr badha, use ahista-ahista sehlaate hue, baalo me kanghi karte hue wo boli.

Ragini : Kyunki, tum mera apna parivar ho, Kavya.

Jawab sthir tha. Narm. Nishchit.

Ragini : Kyunki, jab bhagdad machi to uske theek pehle tum khil-khila kar hass rahi thi. Kyunki, jab tumhe ehsaas hua, to tum wahi jamm chuki thi. Kyunki, tumhare liye aaj bhi pyaar cotton candy ki tarah hai... Prince aur princess waala. Kyunki, tum iss ghar ki sabse pyaari aur meri chaheeti ho.

Kavya ki aankhon se mote-mote aasu behne lage.

Ragini : Aur, agar tumhari jagah Arohi bhi hoti...

Arohi : !!??

Ragini (smiles) : To bhi mein wahi karti.

Arohi (gasp) : Bh-Bhabhi!?

Ragini : Mera shareer apne aap tumhe bachaane ke liye aage aa gaya, Kavya. Ghar ka koi bhi sadasya hota, mein yahi karti. Chaahe mujhe kitne hi mauke kyu na de diye jaaye.

Kavya : Tai ji ke liye bhi?

Ragini : Hmm? Haan!

Kavya : Mummy ke liye bhi?

Ragini (smiles) : Bilkul!

Kavya : Tejal didi ke liye bhi?

Ragini : Hmm? Tejal? Haan! Uske liye bhi. *smiles*

Kavya : Veer bhaiy-

Ragini : Haan!

Kavya ke poora kehne se pehle hi Ragini ne uttar de diya. Jawab ki raftaar se khud woh bhi dang reh gayi. Uski palke agle hi kshan neeche jhuk gayi.

Kavya ka shareer kaanp utha aur usne apna chehra Ragini ki goad me chhipa liya.

Kavya : P-Par, aapne meri wajah se khud ko... *sniff* Ab mein... Mein khud se nafrat kiye bagerr aapko dekh bhi nahi paa rahi. Mein bina ye soche theek se saans bhi nahi le paa rahi ki maine aapse kuchh chheena hai.

Ragini ne use pakda, uska haath ab thoda kaanp raha tha, lekin abhi bhi uske baalo ko sehla raha tha.

Ragini : Tumne mujhse kuchh bhi nahi chheena hai, Kavya. Zindagi ne ek chaal chali aur mein aage aa gayi. Bas itna hi. No cosmic punishment. No debts to repay. Just... my own choice.

Wo ruki.

Ragini : Aur, agar fir se mauka mila, to firse mein yahi karungi.

Kavya ki cheenkh andar hi andar galey me nikli. Aisi cheenkh jo chhaati ke beech se nikalti hai, jo kamre ke andar cheezon ko hila ke rakh deti hai.

Kavya : T-Toh, ab mujhe bhi choose karne do. *hic*

Usne peechhe hatate hue kaha. Aankhein laal, aur kaajal aankhon me fela hua.

Ragini : ???

Kavya : Mujhe aapka khayaal rakhne do. Mein aapko khana khilaungi, aapke kapde badlungi, agar zaroorat padi to aapko utha ke le chalungi. *hic* Mein college nahi jaungi, mein... mein baahar nahi ghoomungi. *sniff* Mujhe parvah nahi. Mein bas yaha aapke paas rehna chaahti hu. *sniff* Mein bas chaahti hu ki aap pehle jaisi ho jao. Pehle ki tarah smile karo. *hic*

Ragini khud ko rok na paayi. Ek chhoti si, udaas muskaan uske hontho par ubhri.

Ragini (smiles) : Tumne already mujhe pehle ki tarah smile karwa diya, paagal.

Wo boli jab achanak uski muskaan ek vichaar ke chalte kahi gayab ho gayi.

'Huh!?'

Ek minute. Kavya uss se iss tarah isliye pesh aa rahi thi kyunki aaj wo iss haalat me thi. Wo apahij thi. Kya use Kavya ka vyavhar bura laga?

Nahi!

To fir, Veer ne bhi to yahi kiya tha. Wo bhi to uski parvah kar raha tha. To usne Veer se aisa kyu kaha ki wo uski parvah isliye kar raha hai kyunki wo ab chal nahi sakti. Akhir, Kavya bhi to yahi kar rahi thi.

Jaise hi use iss baat ka bodh hua, usne apne nichla honth daanto taley zorr se daba liya.

'Y-Ye kya ho raha hai, mujhe? Mein... Oh, Veer!!! I...'

Kahi na kahi, use apni harqato aur apni galti ka ehsaas ho raha tha.

Usne apne aasuon ko girne se roka aur Kavya par dhyaan diya jo ro rahi thi. Apne anguthe se usne Kavya ka gaal pochha.

Ragini : Thank you, silly girl. Par, meri wajah se tumhe college chhorne ki zaroorat nahi. Maine isliye wo goli nahi khaayi ki tum apni life enjoy karna chhor do.

Kavya ne naak sikodi aur zorr se sirr hilaaya.

Kavya : *sniff* Theek hai. To, fir mein hum dono ke liye enjoyment karungi. Par, ab aap mere saath fass chuki ho, bhabhi. Bhale hi aap mujhe baahar nikaal do, par aaj se mein yahi soungi. Zameen par. Fir, chaahe mein carpet me hi kyu na badal jau.

Ragini : Hahahahaha!

Iss par Ragini ki hassi chhoot gayi — iss baar sach me. Ye kilkaari kaale baadlo ke beech se sooraj ki raushni ki tarah thi.

Arohi, jo iss poore samay bed ke paas hi khadi thi, pehli baar akhirkar boli. Awaaz dheemi aur gambheer thi.

Arohi : Aap akeli nahi, bhabhi. Hum sab saath hai. Meri help ki koi bhi need ho, aap mujhe be-jhijhak call kariyega. No hesitation.

Ragini ne uski orr dekha. Woh shaant ladki jo shayad hi kabhi kuchh bolti thi. Uske lehze me humesha saadagi hoti thi, lafz humesha kam aur nape-tule hue.

Ragini (nods) : You both... Thank you.

Aur, ek pal ke liye kamre me maujood dukh kam sa ho gaya. Ve teeno chupchap baithe rahe.

Ek shok mana rahi thi.
Ek theek ho rahi thi.
Ek keval dekh rahi thi.

Aur, baahar darwaze ke theek peechhe, Veer khada hua tha — uska haath deewar par tha, sab sunn raha tha. Shaant. Sthir. Lekin, dil... dukh raha tha.

---

Veer ne hall me qadam rakha, uske dimag me vichar uthal-puthal machaaye hue the.

Living room me lagbhag sabhi log ikhatte the. Logo me chai batt rahi thi, biscuits diye jaa rahe the aur halki si fusfusahat me aapsi baatein ho rahi thi. Itne me andar se Arohi bhi baahar nikal ke aa gayi.

Bhavna, apni khamoshi me saiyammit lekin door, Arohi ko dhyaan se dekhi.

Bhavna : Kaisi hai ab?

Arohi (nods) : Theek hai ab. Abhi ke liye. Rest kar rahi hain.

Bhavna ne dheere se saans chhori.

Bhavna : Hmm! Mein uss se baad me milungi. Ek-ek kar ke jaana abhi theek nahi. Use araam ki zaroorat hai.

Tej ne pehle Veer ko dekha. Uske chehre ko. Jagah-jagah halke fulke ghaavo ko. Uski himmat nahi ho rahi thi uss se baat karne ki. Uss se poochhne ki. Na hi wo uss se nazrein mila paa rahi thi. Lekin, tadap rahi thi uss se baat karne ke liye.

Pichhle ek hafte se unn dono ke beech dhang se baat bhi nahi ho rahi thi. Tej glaani ke bhaar me dabti jaa rahi thi aur Veer na jaane kinn vichaaro me khoya hua rehta tha.

Kintu, wo yeh nahi jaanti thi ki Veer khud uss se baat karne me katra raha tha. Wo khud glaani ke bhaar ke neeche daba hua tha. Itna bada haadsa ho gaya, uske dada ji swarg sidhaar gaye, Ragini apahij ho gayi aur uski apni behan marrte-marrte bach gayi. Saari galti woh apne sarr liye hue tha.

Aise me kaise woh Tej ka saamna kar sakta tha? Kya jawab deta use? Magar, Tej ye baatein nahi jaanti thi.

Yaha tak ki Arohi bhi uss se kuchh kehne ki himmat nahi kar paa rahi thi. Kal jab usne sawaal kiye the to Veer ne use zorr se chillaa diya tha. Badi hone ke bawajood, Veer ki oonchi awaaz sunn woh sihar kar reh gayi thi.

Veer ke bartaav me jo badlaav aa raha tha wo koi aur notice kare ya na kare, Arohi aur Tej ne sabse pehle kar liya tha.

Tej ne fir hall me nazre maarte hue poochha.

Tej : Kavya!? Kavya kaha hai?

Arohi : Wo andar hai, didi. Bhabhi ke saath.

Wahi baithi Sumitra ne chinta me bauhe chadhaayi.

Sumitra : Andar? Abhi Ragini ke saath chhorna theek rahega kya? Use araam karne dete thodi derr. Arohi, tum use andar kyu-

Uska itna kehna hi tha ki uske bagal se baithi Shweta dheere se muskurayi, aur boli.

Shweta : Sumitra, maana ki Kavya kisi toofan se kam nahi. *smiles* Lekin, wo woh toofan hai jiski Ragini ko abhi zaroorat bhi hai. Woh ladki... Aise samay me har ghar me ek Kavya honi chahiye.

Uski baat par sabhi halke se hasey — uski baat se sehmat.

Shweta (smiles) : Woh Ragini ko apni baaton me uljha ke rakhegi.

Sumitra, iss baar sehmati me muskurayi.

Sumitra : Shayad... Aapne sahi kaha. *smiles*

Isi beech Suman, Aabha aur Sonali kamre ke beech me tray me chai ke cups ko ikhatta kar sab sametne me lagi hui thi. Ghar ki seva me veh teeno sabse aage thi. Ye chhote-chhote kaam sab wahi sambhaal rahi thi.

Tej Arohi ki orr firse mudi.

Tej : T-Tum... Tumhe bhi ab jaana hoga, hai na?

Arohi : Ahemdabad?

Tej (nods) : Hmm!

Arohi : Nahi! Mein tervi tak rukungi, didi. Jab tak sab kuchh ho nahi jaata. Mein yahi hu.

Uske uttar par sabhi ne haami bhari. Fir, achanak Bhavna ki nazar Veer par padi. Usne apna cup neeche rakha aur uthi.

Bhavna : Veer! Aao!!!

Kuchh ne sirr utha ke dekha, lekin kaha kuchh nahi. Har koi itna pareshan tha, itna thaka hua tha, itna toota hua tha ki kaarano ki talaash karne ki kisi ki ichhaa nahi hui.

Tej ke labb khule, magar bina kuchh kahe band ho gaye. Wo bas Veer ko uthata hua, apni maa ke peechhe-peechhe jaate hue dekhti rahi.

---

Bhavna seedhiyaan chadhte hue upar jaane lagi. Thandi hawaein chal rahi thi. Sooraj doob raha tha aur raushni chhatne lagi thi.

Woh aage badhti rahi aur fir ruk gayi. Veer ki orr mudi, apni baahein modey. Veer iss rukh se parichit tha. Ek toofan ka sanket. Woh taiyaar tha.

Lekin, jis cheez ki use ummeed nahi thi woh tha Bhavna ka haath jo uske chehre ki orr uth raha tha.

Bade se bade system holder ka bhi haath agar uske upar uthata to uska badan iss tarah nahi thiturta jis tarah apni maa ke haath uthne se ek pal ke liye hil gaya.

Magar...

Sparsh komal tha.

Bhavna ki hatheli uske gaal par thi. Uski ungliyaan uski twacha par dheere se fir rahi thi. Ek maa ka sparsh.

Bhavna : Kaise ho?

Ek ajeeb sa sawaal. Awaaz shaant thi. Veer do pal ke liye chakit reh gaya. Ye sawal kuchh aisa tha jo use Ragini se karna chahiye tha. Na ki apne bete se.

Lekin, Bhavna hi sirf yeh jaanti thi ki wo kya poochh rahi thi aur kyu poochh rahi thi.

Veer ne koi jawab nahi diya. Veh nahi de sakta tha.

Bhavna (voice trembling) : Jhooth mat bolo ab, Veer. Bas sach bolo... ek baar!!!

Veer ne apni aankhein neeche kar li.

Bhavna uske aur qareeb aayi. Usne apna haath Veer ke maathe par, uski kalam ki taraf firaaya, uski ungliyaan Veer ke kuchh ghaavo ko ahista se sparsh kar gayi. Uski bauhe sikudi.

Bhavna (frowns) : Y-Ye ghaav... Ye kya hai??? Tum kaha the, Veer? Kya hua tha??? Jawab do, mujhe!!!

Poochhte hue wo thoda peechhe hati. Use dekhi — uski baah, uske gaal, uske maathe, uski gardan ke kinaare maujood ghaav jo pichhle hafte se kaafi halke ho chuke the, lekin drishti me abhi bhi the.

Ye toh khush-kismat thi Veer ki jo uski maa uski shirt ke andar ke ghaav ko nahi dekh paayi thi. Wo ghaav jo uski chhaati, uski peeth, uske kandho par ukere gaye the.

Bhavna : Mein fir se tumse poochh rahi hu!!! Kya tum kisi gande kaam me shaamil ho?? Kya tumne... kisi se ladayi ki hai? Ya kisi se dushmani mod li hai? Gang? Mafia? Koi gerr-kanooni kaam? Jawab do!!!

Veer ki nazre punah neeche jhuk gayi. Chhat ki taraf. Usne kuchh bhi nahi kaha.

Bhavna : Jab sab kuchh bikhar raha tha tab tum kaha the??? Tum kaha the jab ye parivar...!?

Uski saans ghutne lagi.

Bhavna : -Jab Ragini par humla hua. Jab Tej lagbhag... lagbhag marrte-marrte reh gayi!?

Uski awaaz ab kaanp rahi thi — kuchh rosh me, kuchh lachaari me.

Veer ki mutthi kass gayi. Lekin, fir bhi usne kuchh nahi kaha. Aur, uski chuppi par Bhavna ka saiyyam toot gaya. Woh aage badhi, aur achanak uski collor pakad li — uske haath kaanp rahe the, uska chehra krodh aur aasuon se laal ho chuka tha.

Bhavna : Jawab do mere bacche!!!

Veer : ...

Bhavna : Aaj tumne apne dada ji ko khoya hai, Ragini ab pehle ki tarah chal nahi sakti, Tej... usne lagbhag apni jaan gawa di thi aur tum... Tum laapata the!!

Akhirkar, uske chehre par aasu umad hi aaye.

Bhavna : Kisi anjaan shaks ne... Tumhari behan ki jaan bachaayi. Tum kaha the??? Agar, tum aise hi chalte rahe... to tum sab kuchh kho doge, Veer. Tum Tej ko kho doge. Tum... Tum mujhe kho doge.

Akhiri shabd par uski awaaz toot gayi. Usne apne haath ko Veer ki collor se kheencha aur apni kaanpti hui hatheli uske seene par dheere se rakhi.

Bhavna : M-Mein akhiri baar poochh rahi hu.

Veh uski aankhon me dekhi.

Bhavna : TUMHE MERI KASAM!!!

Veer akad ke reh gaya. Wahi jamm gaya. Jaise uski maa ne kuchh aisa keh diya tha jise wo kabhi ansuna nahi kar sakta tha. Ek aisa daav jise koi bhi hara nahi sakta tha. Koi bhi kaushal use darkinaar nahi kar sakta tha.

Veer ki aankhein chaudi ho gayi. Yeh pehli baar tha jab uski maa ne use apni kasam di thi. Wo ab tak uske saare jhootho ko nazar-andaaz karti aayi thi par iss baar nahi.

Veer ne mushqil se nigla. Woh apni maa ke haatho tak pahucha. Shraddha-poorvak.

Usne unhe pakda, uthaaya, apne hontho se lagaaya aur chooma. Uske haath aur honth, dono kaanp rahe the.

Bhavna uski orr dekhti rahi. Aankhein laal ho chuki thi.

Bhavna : Bolo! *sniff* Bolo!!! KAHI AGLA DEH SANSKAR TUMHE MERA HI NA KARNA PAD JAAYE, VEER!!!

Veer (yells) : Nahiiiiiiiiii-!!!

Bhavna (yells) : Toh jawaab do!!!

"MEIN BATAATI HU!!!"

Achanak peechhe se ek awaaz aayi.

Bhavna aur Veer dono mude. Chhat ki seedhiyon ke chhor par Nidhi khadi hui thi, aankhon se aasu beh rahe the. Isme koi shaq nahi tha ki usne maa bete ke beech ho rahi baatein sunn li thi. Veh dheere-dheere aage badhi.

Veer : Ma'am!?? A-Aap yaha!?

Lekin, jaise hi usne ye poochha, usme dimag me kayi cheezein kaundh gayi. Use yaad aaya ki kaise usne Juhi ke nazuk shareer ko lair se nikaala tha. Use khoon, wo cheekhein, aur use surakshit jagah par pahuchaane ke liye bedum daudna yaad aaya. Use Nidhi ke hospital ke kamre me behosh hona yaad aaya aur ab... woh yaha thi.

Nidhi ne apne haatho se apne aasu pochhe. Wo aage badhi. Aur, aate hi usne Veer ko chhek liya. Woh Bhavna ke saamne khadi ho gayi.

Nidhi : Veer ko kuchh mat boliyega...

Bhavna : T-Tum-!?

Nidhi : Meri beti... Juhi... *sniff* Wahi serial killer... Wo le gaya tha meri beti ko utha ke... Jiski news aa rahi thi. *sniff* Mein dhundhti rahi... Lekin, meri bacchi mujhe kahi nahi mil rahi thi... Dar-dar bhatakti rahi, behosh ho gayi... Hospital me thi... Lekin, jab mein uthi... Mujhe hosh aaya toh-

Bhavna : !!?

Nidhi : *sniff* Meri bacchi mere saamne thi. *sniff* Veer ki goad me... Veer use chhura ke laaya tha... Jab aapke hotel me udhar humla ho raha tha... Tab Veer meri bacchi ko bachaane gaya tha... Use kuchh mat kahiyega... *sniff* Kehna hai to mujhe kahiye. Meri galti hai...!!

Veer : Ma'am!! Nahi-!!

Bhavna ne chaunkte hue palkein jhapkayi. Use ye pata tha ki Renshu, Erica aur Garofano Veer ko behoshi ki haalat me hospital laaye the.

Lekin, kisi ko bhi zyada jankari prapt nahi hui thi. Sab itna hi samajh paaye the ki Renshu aur baaki sab Veer ke shubhchintak the jo use kisi musibat se bacha ke laaye the.

Aaj Nidhi ke zariye use baaki baatein pata chal rahi thi.

Nidhi : M-Mujhe nahi pata ki meri bacchi ko wo kaha le gaya tha... *sniff* Mujhe nahi pata ki Veer ne kaise Juhi ko chhuraaya. Mujhe ye bhi nahi pata tha ki uss waqt uski hotel par humla ho raha tha. *sniff* Uske apna log khoon se lathpath the. Aur, tab bhi... Wo meri beti ko bachaane me laga hua tha. *sniff*

Wo sisakte hue boli. Apne dupatte ka kinaara pakadte hue usne himmat baandhi.

Nidhi : Maine dekhi thi... *sniff* Saari khabre... Bomb blast... Rajat...

Usne nigla. Chehre par bebasi chhaa gayi.

Nidhi : Woh... *sniff* Woh badla lena chaahta tha. M-Mujhe nahi pata ki use itna bhayanak kaam karne ke liye kisne uksaaya. Lekin, usne kiya... *sniff* aur, aapka beta... Usne meri beti ki parvah ki jab uski khud ki duniya bikhar rahi thi *sniff*

Woh dheere-dheere apne ghutno ke bal gir padi.

Nidhi : M-Mujhe maaf kar dijiye! *sniff* Mujhe maaf kar dijiye... A-Agar, meri wajah se aapke parivar ke rishton me daraar aayi to mein apne aap ko kabhi maaf nahi kar paungi. *sniff* Please... M-Mujhe maaf kar dijiye...! *sniff*

"Bas!!!!"

Veer ki awaaz zorr se waha fel gayi. Usne jhatse Nidhi ke kandho ko kass kar pakda aur use upar kheench liya.

Veer (frowns) : Ye kya kar rahi ho aap??? Uss sarrfirey ne jo kuchh bhi kiya uske liye aap apne aap ko kaise doshi thehra sakti ho??? Kya aaj bhi aap use apna pati maanti ho?

Nidhi (gasps) : N-Nahi! Kabhi nahi-!!

Veer : Toh fir??? Uss haraam-zaade ki kartooto ko aap apne sarr par kyu le rahi ho?

Nidhi : M-Mein- *sniff*

Veer : CHUP RAHIYE!

Nidhi : *sniff*

Veer (frowns) : Woh pehle se hi mere peechhe tha. Aapka iss se koi lena-dena nahi hai. Usne aapko target nahi kiya, mujhe kiya hai. Mere parivar ko. Aur, maine wahi kiya jo mujhe karna chaahiye tha. KYUNKI, JUHI SIRF AAPKE LIYE MAAYNE NAHI RAKHTI!

Uske iss bol par Nidhi ki aankhein aasuon se poori dhundhli ho chali.

Veer : Woh nirdosh thi...! Aur, mujhe... Mujhe to use bachaane jaana hi tha.

Ant me uski awaaz toot gayi. Aur, aaj pehli baar Bhavna ne apne bete ko spasht roop me dekha — rehesyo se bhare aadmi ke roop me nahi, balki dhaal ke peechhe yoddha ke roop me khoon bahaate hue.

Veh aage badhi, uski saansein tez thi, aankhein uss par tiki thi.

Veer ne uski orr dekha — sharminda, toota hua, thoda dara hua.

Aur, Bhavna ne use apni baahon me bhar liya. Koi shabd nahi. Kuchh nahi. Bas ek maa jo apne bacche ko poori taaqat se thaame hue thi.

Uske mote-mote aasu Veer ke kandhe par tapakte gaye, usne apne haath se uske sarr ke peechhe baalo ko sehlaaya aur use aise thaama jaise woh use kabhi bhi ab kahi jaane nahi degi. Wo royi.

Bhavna : M-Mujhe maaf kar dena... *sniff* Mujhe maaf kar de mere bete!!!

Veer : M-Maa!

Bhavna : Mujhe tum par garv hai!! *sniff* Bhale hi mein sab kuchh na samajh pau... Lekin, dard ko dekh ke hi pehchaan jaati hu...! Aur, ye bhi jaanti hu ki mera beta khatre se bhaag nahi raha. Ulta khatre ki orr bhaag raha hai... Use mitaane... Use khatm karne... Dusro ko uss se bachaane... *sniff* Mujhe maaf kar do, beta.

Veer ne akhirkar khud ko dheela chhor diya, aasu behne diye — chaahe ek pal ke liye hi sahi.

[Master...!]

Aur, uss chhat par dhundhle aasmaan ke neeche, ek maa ka aalingan hi ek aisi cheez bann gaya jisne bete ki bikharti duniya ke tukdo ko ek saath baandhe rakha.

---

Veer, Nidhi aur Bhavna jaise hi seedhiyon se neeche ko utar kar aaye to living room se unhe hasi-mazaak ki awaazein sunayi de rahi thi.

Halki. Meethi. Masoom.

Ve hall me jaise hi pravesh kiye to dekha ki Juhi sofe par baithi hui thi, uske peechhe Arohi thi jo uske mulayam gaalo se khel rahi thi. Kamre ka mahaul upar chhat par jo hua uss se bilkul hi vipreet tha.

Lekin, ek hi pal me sab kuchh badal gaya. Jaise hi Veer ne hall me qadam rakha, uski chhavi ne Juhi ka dhyaan kheench liya. Uski chhoti-chhoti aankhein Veer ko dekhte hi chamak uthi. Uska poora chehra khil utha.

Woh Arohi ki pakad se azaad hui aur apne nanhe-nanhe qadam le, apni baahein felaaye aage badhi. Aur, uski awaaz ghane sannaate ko teer ki tarah bhed gayi-

"PAPAAAAAA!!!!"

Awaaz goonj gayi. Ekdum spasht.

Samay jaise ruk gaya. Sab ke sab stabdh reh gaye. Arohi ki muskan gaayab ho gayi. Tej ka muh khula reh gaya. Bhumika, jo paani ka glass liye khadi thi, beech me hi ghoonth peete hue ruk gayi. Shweta wahi jamm ke reh gayi.

Nidhi ke chehre ka rang udd gaya. Woh Bhavna ke bagal me stabdh khadi rahi, uske honth aashcharya me khul gaye. Uski beti ne abhi-abhi Veer ko kya pukaara...!?

Veer bhi avaak tha. Juhi uss par tezi se jhapat padi.

"Papa...!!!"

Woh firse chillaayi aur aa kar Veer ke perr se chipak gayi. Veer apne aap hi akasmat neeche jhuka, use uthaaya aur use kass kar galey se laga liya.

Juhi ki chhoti baahein uski gardan ke chaaro orr lipat gayi, uske narm hontho ne uske gaal ko chooma aur fir usne apna chehra uske kandhe me chhipa liya. Wahi ehsaas — garm, surakshit aur araamdayak.

Veer ne bhi muskuraate hue use apne se lagaaye rakha. Uska haath dheere se Juhi ki peeth par gaya, use sehlaane laga.

Suman hi ekmaatra thi kamre me jiske chehre par khushi ke bhaav the. Ek shaant, jaankaar muskaan.

'Bahut jald... Yahi vastavik sacchayi hogi. Fufu~'

Bhavna ne Veer aur Juhi ko dekha, fir Nidhi ki orr — uski aankhein sawaalo se bhari hui thi, jinhe wo poochh nahi paa rahi thi.

Uska beta ek bacchi ko apni bacchi ki tarah pakde hue tha. Aur, bacchi bhi uss baat se poori tarah sehmat thi. Yakeen kar rahi thi.

Tez ki awaaz ne fir chuppi todi.

Tej : P-Papa!?

Usne kayi baar palkein jhapkayi, uski ungliyaan kursi ke kinaare par kass gayi.

Tej : Kya abhi-abhi usne-!??

Veer ne koi jawaab nahi diya. Juhi abhi bhi uss se lipti hui thi, abhi bhi apne mann me fusfusaate hue 'papa' keh rahi thi, jaise ki daava kar rahi ho ki yahi sach hai. Veer hi uske papa hai.

Nidhi ghabraate hue aage badhi.

Nidhi (nervously) : J-Juhi!? Beta... Aapne Veer maamu ko aisa kyu kaha? M-Maamu aapke papa nahi hai beta... Wo aapke maamu hai, hai na???

Lekin, Juhi ne use ansuna kar diya. Balki, usne Veer ko aur kass kar pakad liya maano keh rahi ho ki — nahi, aap galat ho.

Veer ne ek pal ke liye apni aankhein band ki aur saans chhori. Fir, usne sabki taraf dekha. Uski awaaz shaant thi, lekin awaaz me wazan tha.

Veer : Juhi dari hui thi...

Usne bolna shuru kiya.

Veer : Jab maine Juhi ko dhundha tha, to woh kaanp rahi thi. Kamre me bandhi hui thi. Uss serial killer ne Juhi aur Pihu dono ko baandh ke jakad rakha tha...! Aur, jab maine Juhi ko waha se chhuraaya, use apne se lagaaya, toh Juhi ne uss waqt apne aap hi... Mujhe 'papa' keh ke pukaara.

Veer ki baat kisi ko theek se samajh me na aayi. Kaun serial killer? Kaun Pihu? Kaha fassi thi Juhi aur Pihu? Lekin, Bhavna jisne abhi-abhi upar sach jaana tha veh sab kuchh samajh gayi.

Bhavna : M-Mein samjhaati hu.

Uske baad Bhavna ne woh sab kuchh bata diya jo Nidhi ne use upar chhat par bataaya tha, jisey sunn sabki aankhein phati ki phati reh gayi.

Unhe pata chal gaya Veer kaha tha. Aur, kyu tha. Unki aankhein uske balidaan par paani-paani ho chali. Iska matlab...

Wo bhi uss waqt apni jaan khatre me daal ke kisi nanhi jaan ki raksha kar raha tha. Tej ki glaani ye sunte hi aur bhi badh gayi.

Har koi saare vaakhyan ko bas chup-chaap sunta raha. Veer ne jaari rakha.

Veer : -Aur, isliye... maine Juhi ke mujhe 'papa' kehne par use sudhara nahi. Wo dari hui thi. Uss pal mein hi uske paas tha... Mera poora dhyaan use bachaane par tha. Shayad, isliye... Shayad isliye woh mujhe aise dekhne lagi hai.

Juhi ne chup-chaap uske kandhe par sarr hilaaya.

Juhi : Shayad nahi... Aap hi Juhi ke papa ho.

Veer : ???

Nidhi : J-Juhi???

Juhi : Mumma kehti hai ki jo Juhi se pyaar kare, jo... jo... jo Juhi ko plotect kare... jo Juhi ki mumma se pyaar kare... Wahi papa hai... Aur, aap hi ho... Mere papa...!

Nidhi ki saansein tez ho gayi.

Nidhi : J-Juhi... Beta nahi... Maamu ko tum aise-

Veer : Mujhe iss se koi dikkat nahi hai.

Usne beech me hi tokte hue sabhi ko chaunka diya. Nidhi ke gaal sharm se laal ho gaye. Usne apni nazrein neechi kar li aur ye bhaav Bhavna ki aankhon se chook kar na jaa sake.

Suman : Mein kya kehti hu...

Suman ne sabhi ka dhyaan kheechte hue kaha.

Suman : Agar, Veer ji ko koi dikkat nahi hai. Aur, agar nanhi Juhi bhi unhe aise hi bulaana chaahti hai. Toh, isme kya dikkat hai?

Bhavna (frowns) : S-Suman-! Tum shayad samjhi nahi ki-

Suman : Mein sab samajh rahi hu, didi. Aap sab isliye pareshan hai ki aage chal ke iss bacchi par kya asar padega. Samaj me kaisa lagega? Aur... Veer ji aur Nidhi ke beech iss tarah ka ek alag hi nakli rishta log maanane lagenge.

Bhavna : ...

Suman : Par, logo se hume kya. Hum jaante hai ki sacchayi kya hai. Juhi lagbhag apni paidaish se hi ek pita ke prem ke bagerr rahi hai. Agar, aane waale kuchh saalo ke liye wo Veer ji ko apna pita maanti hai, toh isme kya buraayi hai? Samay aane par... Badi hone par... Cheezein wapas se sadharan ho hi jaayengi na?

Bhavna : Huh?

Veer (nods) : Bilkul! Agar, iss ek shabd ki wajah se Juhi ko sukoon milta hai. Toh, mein ise garv se rakhunga. Bhale hi ye asli na ho. *smiles* Bhale hi ye sirf Juhi ke liye ho.

Nidhi ka dil jaise kayi dhadkane phaand gaya. Juhi ne Veer ko dekha.

Juhi : P-Par, papa yahi sach hai naaaaa!!!

Veer (smiles) : Tum kehti ho... toh, yahi sach hai.

Bhavna ne kuchh derr kuchh vichaar kiya, Nidhi baar-baar use nazrein chura ke darrte hue dekh rahi thi. Par, aage jo usne kaha, uss se Nidhi ka mann halka ho gaya.

Bhavna : Suman theek keh rahi hai.

Tej : M-Mom???

Bhavna : Logo ke dimaag me gandagi hoti hai. Agar, hume pata hai ki kiske beech kya rishta hai, kinn parishthitiyo ke kaaran Juhi aisa kar rahi hai, toh koi bhi suljha hua insaan iss par tippani nahi karega.

Aur, isi tarah...

Veer ko Juhi dwara 'papa' kehlaane ki sweekriti sabhi se mil gayi.

Kisi ka text bhi use usi waqt aaya jis wajah se use ghar se nikalna pada.

Idhar, uske jaate hi Nidhi jis kaam ke liye aayi thi, usne apni khwaish bhi rakh di.

Nidhi : Jab aap sab yaha nahi the...

Bhavna : ???

Nidhi : Jab Veer ko ghar se nikaal diya gaya tha. Tab, woh mere saath raha tha.

Tej : !!?

Nidhi (nervously) : Uske dada ji ke chal basne ki khabar sunn ke mujhe bahut hi bura laga, aur mein dekh rahi hu ki woh tab se hi gumsum sa hai... Isliye...

Arohi : !!?

Nidhi (nervously) : -Isliye... M-Mein chaahti hu ki... Mera matlab hai... J-Juhi bhi rahegi toh... K-Kya mein Veer ko apne saath le jaa sakti hu? K-Kuchh din ke liye? U-Uska dil bhi behel jaayega...

Tej (khade hote hue) : Kyaaaaaa????

Nidhi : *gasps*

Iske pehle ki Tej sawaal utha paati, hall ke darwaaze ke hi dehleez se ek aur awaaz aayi-

"Sirf aap hi nahi... Mein bhi chaahti hu ki Veer mere saath rahe."

Jab sab ne palat ke uss orr dekha toh paaya ki Purvi, Arun ke saath wahi khadi hui thi.

***

Outside the society,
Night - 8:15 PM ~

Gated colony ke theek baahar, timtimaate street lamp ke neeche ek sleek obsidian car khadi hui thi.

Garofano driver seat par baithi hui thi. Satin ki slit emerald green dress me wo keher dhaa rahi thi. Perr ek ke upar ek, uski lambi taangein, doodhiyaan jaangh, car ke andar andhere me bhi chamak rahi thi.

Aur, uski gehri aankhein society ke gate ki orr tiki hui thi.

Usne steering wheel ko apne manicure kiye gaye sundar lambe nakhoono se sehlaaya, fir phone se ek text bheja.

"I'm outside."

Kuchh pal beetein. Aur, fir woh saamne aaya.

Veer!

Aasteen tak mudi hui ek kaali shirt aur denim jeans pehne, woh gate se baahar nikla.

Car ki khidki ek halki si sarsarahat ke saath neeche khisak gayi. Garofano muskurayi.

Garofano : Hop in!

Veer ne koi jawab nahi diya. Usne darwaza khola, aur passenger seat par baithate hue darwaza zorr se band kar diya.

Garofano ne apni aankhon ke kone se use dekha.

Garofano : Kaise ho, Veer?

Veer ne koi jawab nahi diya. Balki-

Veer : Tum yaha par? Kisliye?

Bas itna hi.

Garofano ki muskaan feeki pad gayi, lekin sirf thodi si. Woh uske aura me aaye badlaav ko mehsoos kar paa rahi thi. Veer ke andar... kuchh badal chuka tha.

Garofano (coyly) : Ab kya mein tumse baat karne bhi nahi aa sakti, Veer?

Veer : Cut the crap! Seedhe-seedhe mudde pe aao, Violet!

Apna asal naam sunte hi Garofano samajh gayi ki Veer achhe mood me nahi tha.

Bina kuchh kahe, woh compartment me pahuchi aur usme se kaagaz ka ek muda hua tukda nikaalte hue use thama di.

Veer ne jhunjhlaate hue uske haath se wo kaagaz liya, lekin jaise hi usne use khola — uski aankhein bhay ke maare fel gayi. Uska badan wahi jamm gaya.

Wo kaagaz koi aam kaagaz nahi tha. Wo tha... ek dossier.

Photos. Names. Locations. Routines.

Uska poora parivar. Tej. Bhavna. Arohi. Kavya. Ragini.

Yaha tak ki Suman, Aabha, Sonali, har koi... usme maujood tha.

Veer ki saansein foolne lagi. Uske dil ki dhadkane tez ho gayi — darr se nahi, balki krodh se. Uski ungliyaan kaagaz ke kinaare par mud gayi, use dheere-dheere kuchalne lagi maano woh use kuchalne ki koshish kar raha ho jo iss sab ke peechhe tha.

Garofano bas use dhyaan se dekhti rahi. Aur, fir boli-

Garofano : Dexter ke paas se mujhe ye mila. Wahi sniper jisne tumhare Dada ji ko maara, tumhari sister-in-law ko disable kiya aur Natalia ko injure.

Veer ka jabda kass gaya. Uske daant aapas me misey.

Garofano : I killed him. Uska past bhi dekha maine.

Veer : ???

Garofano (frowns) : Woh kisi syndicate alliance ka hissa tha. Basically, ek assasin squad. Jinme 3 members the — Matthew, Dexter khud aur-

Veer : Aur?

Garofano : Aur, ek vulture. Past illustration me yahi naam tha uska.

Veer : Vulture? Matlab, ye bhi ek assasin tha?

Garofano : Tha ya fir hai. I don't know. Past me sirf yahi dikhayi diya ki ye teen syndicate alliance ka hissa the. Matthew tumhaare haatho maara gaya tha aur isliye, Dexter tumse badla lena chaahta tha.

Veer : I see! Aur, woh vulture?

Garofano : Uske baare me kuchh nazar nahi aaya. Bas yahi ki woh bhi initial phase me syndicate alliance ka hissa tha.

Veer : Tsk!!!

Garofano : The Elephant was in the room the whole time.

Veer : !!?

Garofano : Past illustration me dikh gaya.

Veer : You mean-

Garofano : Hmm! Iss sab ke peechhe ek system holder tha. Pehle se hi... Jiski tumhe bhanak tak nahi lag paayi. Woh yahi tha. Tumhari society me kahi... Tumhare parivar ki photos lete hue... Unki information ikhatti karte hue... Usi ne Dexter ko bhadkaya, ye dossier bana ke diya taaki wo tumse badla le sake. Aur, ant me... wo apna khel khelkar nikal gaya.

Veer (grits) : K-Kaun?

Garofano : Nahi pata. Sarr se lekar perr tak covered tha. Dexter ki memory me to yahi dikha. Bahut hi fuzzy tha uska past. Theek se kuchh samajh hi nahi aa raha tha.

Veer (mutters) : -And, I remained oblivious to it...!

Garofano : ....

Veer : I remained oblivious... Jab koi meri family ka peechha kar raha tha, tab mein... Mujhe dusre system holder ke baare me pata tak nahi chala. Wo meri hi society me ghus ke... MERI HI FAMILY KO- TSK!!!

Garofano (frowns) : Iss se ek baat samajh jao ki woh stealth me maahir hai.

[Master...! Stealth me toh... Garofano bhi maahir hai.]

Sunte hi Veer ki aankhein chaudi ho gayi, wo bhayanak roop se Garofano ki orr muda, uska chehra dekh bechari Garofano ke paseene chhooth gaye.

Garofano (nervously) : Wh-What!? How dare you doubt me, Veer? Pagal ho kya? Mein yaha thi bhi nahi... And, why would I?

Veer ne apna sarr jhunjhlaaya.

Veer : Sorry! N-Never mind!

Garofano (sighs) : Fine! I forgive you. Anyways, I know tum mujh par completely trust nahi karte ho but hey... Maine tumse pehle bhi kaha hua hai. I would never hurt you. Iss baar, tumne enemy ko underestimate kiya, Veer. Warna... Tumhare jaise strong system holder ki naak ke neeche koi aisi harqat kar jaaye, ye koi aam baat nahi.

Veer : ...

Garofano : Oh! Ek aur baat-!

Veer : ???

Garofano : Wo security guards jo tumhari hotel me bomb blast ke dauran maare gaye. Unke kuchh parivar waale jo protests karne aaye the... Some of them were funded by Aadesh Jaisinghani.

Veer : !!!?

Garofano : Paise khila ke unhe bhadkaya gaya, taaki wo protest kare, doshi tumhe thehraaye aur tum news me centre of attraction bann jao hate ke liye. Get it? Iske liye mujhe thank you keh sakte ho, you know. I did some extra work for you. *winks*

Veer ne koi jawab nahi diya. Ab uski nigaah aage ki orr thi. Fir, dheere se usne ek gehri saans chhori.

Lekin, ye raahat nahi thi. Kuchh aur tha.

Usne aankhein band ki. Kaafi derr tak. Aur, jab kholi... Toh unme se komalta, karuna, chinta, glaani gaayab thi.

Keval aag thi.

Veer : Renshu aur baaki sab kaha hai?

Garofano : Hotel zenith me. Filhal.

Veer : Ava?

Garofano : Ohh!? *smiles* Parvah ho rahi hai?

Veer : ....

Garofano : ...

Veer : ...

Garofano : Urgh! Yeah, she's fine! System holder hai. Already recover ho chuki hai wo completely. Tch! Mein tum dono ki koi mediator nahi hu, okay? Yahi sawaal usne bhi kiya tha. Itni hi parvah hai toh call kyu nahi kar lete?

Veer ne haami bhari. Koi bhaav nahi. Koi abhaar nahi. Fir, achanak woh uski orr muda.

Veer : Jab tak tum sab yaha par ho... Keep an eye on my family. Look out for them.

Garofano ne apna chehra uski orr ghumaaya, apna sirr thoda sa jhukaaya, khush hokar.

Garofano : Ohh!? Ek request? Woh bhi system holder, V alliance ke leader, Mister Veer ki orr se??? Heh~

Veer : Yeah!

Garofano ke honth kuchh kamuk, sharaarti dhang se mudey. Woh jhuki, uske perfume ki sugandh Veer ki naak tak pahuchi aur woh uske kaan ki taraf aate hue boli.

"Everything has a price, Veer!!!"

Usne fusfusate hue kaha. Uska haath dheere se uske seene par aa kar ruk gaya. Sparsh se woh Veer ke dil ki dhadkano ko mehsoos kar paa rahi thi.

Veer (frowns) : What do you want??

Garofano ke honth par muskaan feli. Wo punah aage jhuki.

Garofano (whispers) : Tumhara time...!!!

Veer (blinks) : Time???

Garofano (nods) : Mm-hmm! Jab bhi mein bulau, jaha bhi bulau, jo bhi plan banau... You must show up.

Veer ne use kuchh derr padha.

Garofano ke baare me humesha se hi kuchh na kuchh rehesyamayi tha. Woh sirf ek foreign ki system holder nahi thi. Woh ek aisi aurat thi jo badi se badi ghatnao me shaamil bhi rehti thi aur usme se bina chotil hue baahar bhi nikalti thi. Beautiful. Dangerous. Lekin, sabse mehatvpoorn... Unreadable.

Veer ko uss par poornta bharosa nahi tha. Usne kabhi kiya hi nahi. Woh rehesyamayi thi.

Lekin, iss baar... Kuchh sochte hue... Usne haami bhar di.

Veer : Fine!

Garofano chehekte hue muskurayi. Kyunki, sirf wahi jaanti thi ki iss deal ki keemat kya thi. Veer ke saath bitaaya gaya samay sirf samay nahi tha. Ye ek raasta tha. Usne abhi uska dil nahi maanga tha, usne uski duniya me pravesh karne ka adhikaar maang liya tha.

Garofano (smirks) : Pleasure doing business.

Veer ne uss se haath milaaya. Fir, khidki se baahar dekha.

Pari jaanti thi ki kuchh badal chuka tha.
Ab Veer woh Veer nahi tha jo instincts par nirbhar rehta tha.
Ab Veer woh Veer nahi tha jo shaanti ki talaash karta tha.
Yeh woh Veer tha jo jal raha tha.
Apne dada ji ko khone ke baad.
Ragini ke apahij hone ke baad.
Ava ke chotil hone ke baad.
Apni agyaanta ka bodh hone ke baad.

Pari bhaanp chuki thi. Woh ghabra bhi rahi thi. She knew that if...

The old Veer protected.
The new Veer will hunt.

***

New York,
FBCC Headquarters,
Night - 10:10 PM ~

*Click*

Rebecca ek andhere kamre me pravesh ki. Andhere me aate hi uski ek skill activate ho gayi jiske chalte use andhere me thoda safayi se dikh sake.

Woh ek system holder thi. Taqatvar. Hoshiyar. Lekin, iss kamre me ghuste hi, use shikaar jaisa mehsoos hota tha.

Uske saamne mand raushni ke neeche mushqil se dikhaayi de sake, ek aadmi baitha hua tha. Chup-chaap. Jaise, intezar kar raha tha.

Uske shareer ki ek bhi maanspeshi nahi hili.

X

Saamne tha.

X : You're late, director.

Rebecca ne saans chhori.

Rebecca (calmly): I’ve dealt with the Galileo.

Ek viraam. Uske saamne baitha aadmi apni seat par thoda sa hila. Raushni uske chehre ke ek hisse par padi — jo aanshik roop se ek kaale, custom made mask ke peechhe chhipa hua tha, jis par halke laal rang ki nakkashi thi.

Uska suit sharply cut tha, raat ki hi tarah kaala, jisme chaandi ki embroidery ki kuchh chamak thi. Haatho me gloves, aur sleek kaale kaano tak aate baal.

Uske muh ke kinaare par ek muskaan ubhar aayi.

X (voice like velvet) : Galileo, huh? So, much work. You tore down the sky to impress me. Waqai...! I'm impressed, Rebecca!

Rebecca ne saans rok li. Woh nahi samajh paa rahi thi ki ye prashansa thi ya mazaak.

Woh aage jhuka, aur ant me usne apni aankhein dikhayi — golden, piercing.

X : Don't fret over it. Good work, darling. Really. For once. *smiles*

Uske lehze me vinamrata thi. Rebecca ke maathe par paseene ki boonde jhalakne lagi.

Rebecca : Mujhe next report chahiye...! I have done my job. Now... The report.

X hasa. Aisi hasi jise sunn aadmi uncomfortable feel karne lage.

Bina kuchh kahe, usne table ka ek drawer khola aur ek mota kaala dossier nikaala. Usne table par use aise feka jaise ki woh uske liye kachra tha.

Rebecca ki aankhein chaudi ho gayi. Koi chhal nahi. Koi baat nahi. Koi paheli nahi. Aur, badle me koi keemat bhi nahi?

Kuchh gadbad thi.

Woh aage badhi, report ko uthaate hue use kholi. Contents? Asli tha. Information? Asli thi. Report? Asli thi.

Kaise???

Iss tarah se X use kabhi reports nahi deta tha. Itni asaani se toh nahi. Kya waqai woh uske kaam se itna impressed tha?

X : What? Cat got your tongue? Ya ab tumhe meri generosity pe doubt ho raha hai?

Wo naa me sirr hilaayi. Achanak, X khada hua. Uski upasthiti baaki logo ko aise chhipaati thi jaise soorya ko grahan. Uski har harqat, ek bayaan thi, jaise koi toofaan tay kar raha ho ki use kaha jaana hai.

Woh baahar nikal ke aaya, aur Rebecca chup-chaap wahi jamm ke khadi rahi.

X (teasingly) : So? You coming along? Or you have some other plans?

Woh haami bhar uske peechhe-peechhe tez qadam lekar aage badhi.

---

Toh, wahi FBCC ki gaganchumbi imaarat ke bagal se Damian, window cleaners dwara istemal ki jaane waali harness ki sahayata se khatarnak tareeke se latka hua tha. Uske chehra tanavgrast tha.

Kal raat usne nano-edge blade ka upyog kar ke khidki ke sheeshe ko pehle hi 99% kaat diya tha. Aur, aaj baaki 1% sateekta se kaatne ke baad, usne ek suction clamp ka istemal kar katey hue glass ko kheench liya taaki wo andar kamre me na gire.

Opening milte hi woh kamre ke andar ghusa, usne badi hi savdhani se woh glass ka nikaala gaya hissa wapas se window me laga diya aur X ki seat ke nazdeek, table ki uss drawer ke paas badha.

'This might be it...!'

---

Idhar baahar floor ke corridor par, Rebecca X ke bagal se khadi hui thi. Uski dhadkane train ke maafiq tez daud rahi thi. Lift upar aa rahi thi.

Tabhi, X aage badhne se pehle ruk gaya.

X (smiles) : Oops... I forgot one of my gloves.

Rebecca : !!?????

Rebecca ke dil jaise wahi ruk gaya. Nahi! Uski aankhein bhay me chaudi ho gayi.

Rebecca : N-Nahi! Y-You-! Uh... maybe it's not-

X (smiles) : Kya hua? Is someone in the room? A ghost?

Uski muskaan alag thi. Mazaak udaane waali. Ek shikaari ki muskaan.

Woh muda. Shaanti se. Aur, wapas kamre ki orr jaane laga. Har qadam ulti ginti jaisa prateet ho raha tha.

Andar, Damian jamm ke reh gaya. Drawer se agla report ka set baramad ho chuka tha. Cameras ki use tension hi nahi thi kyunki, unhe pehle hi Rebecca dwara band karwa diya gaya tha.

Reports haath me thi. Bas! Ab nikalna tha ki tabhi-

*Click*

Damian ghabraaya. Aur, andhere ki gehrayiyo me kahi chhip gaya.

X andar daakhil hua. Usne idhar-udhar dekha.

X (mocks disappointment) : Oh my!!! No one hiding in the shadows? How anticlimactic.

Woh aage badha. Usne apna glove uthaaya, aur use pehna.

Lekin, jaise hi woh muda-

Usne dekha ki Rebecca darwaze ke paas kisi murti ki tarah jami hui, ghabrayi khadi hui thi.

Rebecca : L-Let's leave. I-I have some work...

X : Ah! Sure sure!

Woh wapas nikalne ke liye hua. Lekin, darwaaze se nikalne ke theek pehle, woh ruk gaya.

*Badump*

Rebecca ka dil zorro se dhadka. Woh achanak uske kaan ki orr jhuka, aur bola-

"Next time... Teach your dog to do it properly."

*Badump*

Rebecca (gasps) : Huh-!!??

Agle hi pal, Rebecca ko apne galey par kuchh mehsoos hua... Ek mazboot pakad aur agle hi kshan uska shareer zorr se peechhe ki deewar se jaa takraaya.

*BAAAAMMMM*

"Nghhh!!!"

Uski cheenkh ghut ke reh gayi. Peechhe ki deewar toot ke bikhar gayi aur uska shareer deewar ke andar jaa ghusa. Uske hontho ke kono se khoon ki patli dhaara bahi.

Chhipe hue Damian ne turant hi pratikriya ki, usne apni blades me se ek seedhe X ki peeth ki orr feki.

*Whoosh*

X (smiles) : How cute!

Magar, bina uss orr dekhe hi...

X ne Damian ki feki hui blade apna haath peechhe le jaate hue pakad li.

Damian : Wh-Whaaaat!!!?

Rebecca : Nnghh!!!??? Dam-

Damian (yells) : Haaaaaaaarrgh!!!

Woh aage dauda. Iss baar usne apni kamar se bandhi ek chain nikaali aur ghumaate hue X ke perr ki orr feki.

*Swoosh*

Chain X ke perr me aate hi saanp ki tarah lipat gayi.

'Got him!'

Magar-

Agle hi pal, X ne apne perr ko itni taaqat se peechhe kheencha ki-

'Huh???'

Damian chain sahet kisi ragdoll ki tarah uski orr hawa me khichta chala gaya.

X ne beech hawa me hi use apne dusre haath se pakda.

Damian (gasps) : Urghhh!!

Do system holder. Rebecca. Damian.

Dono ek system holder ki giraft me the. Asahahay. Majboor.

X (leans in) : KNOW. YOUR. PLACE.

*BOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMM*

Palak jhapakte hi... Damian neeche tha. Usne use itni zorr se farsh par patka ki FBCC ki poori floor hil gayi.

Damian ki khopdi concrete se takraayi aur use udhedte hue neeche waali floor ke kamre me jaa ghusi. Khoon ke chheethe hawa me udd gaye.

Uska baaki hissa to yahi tha, magar khopdi, neeche waali floor ki ceiling par.

Aur, Rebecca-

*Swoooooooossshh*

Uska shareer hawa me uda aur jaa ke seedha deewar se jaa bhida, jiske chalte aadhi deewar wahi toot ke bikhar gayi.

Usne unn dono ke lachaar shareer ko ghoora. Jaise maano ek insaan cheetiyon ko ghoor raha ho.

X (quietly) : Remember, sweethearts. You're only alive... Because, I allow it.

Kehte hue woh waha se nikal gaya. Koi jaldbazi nahi. Koi darr nahi. Koi pareshani nahi.

Bas... Taaqat. Taaqat jo duniya ko hila ke rakh dene waali thi. Jald hi.
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Aaj ke liye itna hi.
Update is around 9.6k words. Target remains the same.

Nice update

 

[kalukalya]

Update - 199 ~ The Elephant in the room​

Ab tak...

Garofano : He's here!!

Jab ek limousine aake unke saamne ruki. Andar se Veer nikla aur saath hi uske bagal se do-chaar professional workers nikal kar ke aaye.

Uske liye chhaata haath me thaame hue the.

Veer ko iss tarah unhone pehle kabhi nahi dekha tha. Ava ki bauhe sikud gayi. Woh akeli nahi thi-

[Something... Something about him... has changed, dear.]

Na jaane uss ek hafte me kya kuchh badla tha, lekin badla toh zaroor tha. Bahut kuchh.

Veer ne uss worker ke haath se chhaata liya aur unhe wahi rukne ka ishaara dete hue woh ahista-ahista unki orr chalte hue aaya.

Aur, paas aate hue usne bas itna hi kaha-

"Humari alliance ka pehla mission ek hi hai — Summit!!!"

Ab aage...

A few days ago, 1st January,
The Night of the New Year,
Mumbai, 12:54 AM ~

Shamshan ke upar raat ka aasmaan garajte baadlon se bhara hua tha. Ped kaanp rahe the. Underground lair kahi-kahi se deh chuki thi aur uske pravesh dwaar se dhua nikal raha tha — kisi hinsak visfot ka saboot.

Ek aakriti andhere me langdaati hui chali aa rahi thi, jo khoon, thand aur fatey hue maans ke tukdo se lath-path thi. Corridor ki steel-plated deewarein emergency lights ki raushni me timtima rahi thi. Aur, dwaar se nikalta hua wo khaufnak aadmi jisey dekh ke aam aadmi ki taange kaanp jaaye.

Taral padaartho — khoon, tel aur acid — ki tapakti hui boond ki pratidhwani ne ek aisi lay banaayi, ek aisa manzar banaaya jo koi bhi sadharan aadmi bina bhaybheet hue nahi dekh sakta tha.

Disembowler!

Jeevit tha.

Mushqil se hi sahi, lekin wo jeevit tha.

Uska lamba lab coat, jo kabhi ekdum safed tha, ab khoon se sana, fata aur jala hua tha. Uski saansein kisi marte janvar ki tarah ukhad rahi thi. Iss baar uski bhayanak muskaan uske hontho se gaayab thi.

“That little wretch…” Usne badbadate hue khud ko aage ki orr kheencha. Uski awaaz me fufkaar thi, jo kahi na kahi uske gusse ko jhalka rahi thi.

“Veer…!”

[Woh taqatvar tha Ludwig...!!!]

"Ehe... Ehe... Shut up, George!! He'll be mine soon! *cough*"

Wo khaasa. Gaadha laal khoon uske muh se nikalte hue neeche farsh par gira. Uska shareer jagah-jagah se chakna-choor ho gaya tha, har harqat ke saath haddiyo ke tukde chatak rahe the. Uska dahina haath dheela pad gaya, liquid nitrogen ke chalte thand se uski twacha chhil chuki thi. Wo iss humle se na bach paata agar-

‘Zephyr’s Mask’ uske paas na hota.

Take 30% less damage (any damage)
Offers 30% resistance to fatal/bleed attacks.

Yahi wo do khoobiyaan thi ‘Zephyr’s Mask’ ki jiske chalte wo iss humle se bach paane me saksham tha.

Corridor fir se hil gaya, door ek generator me se chingari nikli aur fir wo band ho gaya. Ajeeb aakritiyaan alag-alag container me uthal-puthal kar rahi thi — ek abhaas ki unhe bhi khatra tha. Magar, Disembowler ne unki taraf mud ke dekha bhi nahi. Uske paas iska samay hi nahi tha.

Baahar aate hi door se use sirens ki awaazein sunayi di, gaadiyo ki gadgadahat, baarish ka shor… Baahri duniya.

Wo ruka. Ek baar peechhe dekha.

Uske peechhe lair barbaad hone se bas kuchh pal hi door thi. Dhamaake ka dhua corridor me felta jaa raha tha. Laptein deewaron ko apne aalingan me le rahi thi. Test tubes me SHB ke bahut se samples wahi chhoot gaye the.

Lekin, usne wapas andar jaane ki zurrat nahi ki…

Usne sab kuchh chhor diya.

Research. Blood samples. Equipment. Machines. Mutants. Test subjects. Discovery. Proof.

Sab kuchh.

Wo muskuraaya. Khoon uske hontho se behte hue gira.

“Rakh lo… Hehe…” Wo fusfusaya. “Tum meri research ki jaanch karoge? Kar lo… Ehehe… The moment the air touches the wounds, my truth will vanish… Oxidised. Useless. Hehehehe!!”

Wo zorr se hasa.

Lair ab khud shamshan me tabdeel ho chuki thi. Lekin, ye Disembowler ki main laboratory nahi thi. Yeh to bas shikaar ko lubhaane ke liye ek ghosla tha. Bhale hi wo iss baar naqamyab tha, parantu use kaafi hadd tak jankari praapt ho chuki thi.

Veer ko qareeb se dekhna, uski skills, uske cards, uske ladne ka dhang aur uski kamzoriyan.

Wo fir khaansa, lekin hassta raha — ek pagal, khokhli awaaz jo lair me goonj uthi.

“I was inches away…” Usne khud ko ek ghumavdar raaste se ghaseetate hue kaha. “Agli baar, Veer… Agli baar tum bach kar nahi jaa paoge ehe…”

Aur, aise hi wo andhere me kahi gaayab ho gaya.

***

Present, 8th January,
Ragini's house ~

Sardiyon ki ek narm dopahar. Sooraj ki raushni pardo se chhan kar andar kamre me aa rahi thi. Kamra bhi shaant tha — maun, jaise ki veh apni saans roke hue ho.

Kamre ke baahar hall se dabi hui awaazein aur khanakti hui chai ki pyaaliyo ka halka shor sunayi de raha tha.

Ragini apni peeth ke peechhe takiya lagaaye bed par tiki hui thi, uska chehra khidki ki orr tha, magar aankhein kahi aur khoyi hui thi.

---

Darwaza charmara kar khula.

Sabse pehle Shweta andar aayi, uske saath me Bhumika bhi thi. Ragini hili nahi. Usne mud kar bhi nahi dekha. Bas, yuhi baithi rahi. Fir, Shweta ne hi khamoshi todi.

Shweta : Ragini... Abhi kaisa lag raha hai?

Ragini ne use dekha. Fir, bagal se rakhi ek mej ko. Aur, fir boli.

Ragini : Ye dekh rahi ho aap?

Shweta (glances) : ???

Ragini : Isi furniture ki tarah mehsoos ho raha hai. *smiles* jo upar se dekhne me to achhi lag rahi hai lekin kisi kaam ki nahi hai.

Shweta thoda jhep gayi, lekin usne ise zaahir nahi hone diya.

Shweta : Aisa mat kaho. Ye to bas yaha ke doctor ne aisa bataya hai. Tum chinta mat karo. Hum har jagah jayenge. America, Germany... Jaha zaroorat hogi waha jayenge. Aur, tum fir se pehle ki tarah chalogi. Dekhna.

Akhirkar, Ragini ne apna sarr ghumaya, uski aankhein sookhi thi.

Ragini : Aapko lagta hai ki mujhe darr hai ki mein firse nahi chal paungi?

Shweta : Mein-

Usne ek gehri saans chhori.

Ragini (smiles) : Thank you Tai ji. Mein jaanti hu aap mujhe motivate karne ki koshish kar rahi hai. I appreciate it. Aur, haan... Mein bhi har wo koshish karungi jo mujhe pehle ki tarah bana sakti hai.

Shweta (smiles) : Very good. Bas aise hi... Aise hi rehna. Himmat nahi haarna hai.

Ragini (nods) : Mm! Bhumika? Kaisi ho? Mere behosh hone ke baad kya kuchh hua tha?

Bhumika : Aapke behosh hote hi, hotel me afra-tafri mach gayi thi. Suman aunty aur baaki sabhi ne aapko waha se nikaala tha. Aur, hum seedhe ambulance me baith ke hospital ki orr nikal gaye the.

Ragini (frowns) : Suman... Akhir, usne hi kyu...!?

Jis aurat se wo ghrina karna chaah rahi thi, baar-baar wahi aurat uski shubhchintak ke roop me uske saamne haazir ho rahi thi. Ek aur uska upkaar Ragini ke upar tha.

Bhumika : A-Aur, fir... Dada ji... Fir, Veer ka aana. Baaki sab aapko pata hi hoga.

Ragini : Y-Yarnia ka kya hua? Hotel?

Bhumika : Under maintainance hai sab kuchh. Par... Loss bahut hua hai. Louis sahi salamat hai lekin dara hua hai. Bahut se models ab dobara humare saath kaam karne se katra rahe hai. Same goes for the celebrities and businessmen.

Ragini (frowns) : Mere iss tarah hone se... Tum sab pe aur bhi zimmedari badh gayi, hai na?

Bhumika : Nahi! Aap iski chinta mat kariye. Aap bas apni health dekhiye pehle. Ye sab... hum sambhaal lenge.

Ragini ki ungliyaan kambal ke chaaro orr kass gayi. Usne mushqil se galey me atka thook nigla.

Ragini : M-Mujhe yaad hai... Thoda-thoda... Logo ki cheekhein, emergency alarm, maine khade hone ki koshish bhi ki thi, lekin-

Usne apne perro ki orr dekha.

Ragini : Fir, andhera chhaa gaya.

Bhumika bistar ke kinaare baithi aur dheere se apna haath Ragini ki baah par rakhi.

Bhumika : Wo to achha hua jo Suman aunty aur unke saath waali sabhi ladies ne aapko waha se turant hi utha liya tha. Kyunki, kuchh gunde theek usi samay par firing karte hue hotel ke andar ghusne lage the.

Ragini : R-Right! Ye attack... Kisne karwaya? Kaun tha iske peechhe? Aur, kyu?

Bhumika : Nahi pata. Police me complaint kar chuke hai. Investigation jaari hai. Maybe jald hi koi news mil jaaye hume. But so far kuchh bhi haasil nahi hua hai, siwae bomber ke.

Ragini : B-Bomber?

Bhumika (nods) : Hmm! Rajat! Yahi naam hai uska. Jail me hai. Aur...

Ragini : Aur???

Bhumika : Wo... Nidhi ma'am hai na? Veer ke college ki teacher?

Ragini : Haan!

Shweta : Uska ex husband hai wo.

Ragini ka badan sihar utha.

Ragini : K-Kya??? P-Par, kyu? W-Wo... Wo kyu? K-Kaise?

Shweta : Sab pata chalega. Par, abhi tum ye sab jaan ke kar bhi kya logi? Ye unnecessary details jaanana band karo. Ye sab hum par chhor do. Aur, bas apni fiqr karo. Thoda selfish bano. Theek hai?

Bhumika : Right!

Shweta : Uss haram-khor ki khabar hum lenge. Sirf jail me rakhne se usko uski saza nahi mil jayegi. Mein use aur bhi battar saza dilwa ke rahungi.

Ragini : K-Kaise?

Shweta : Meri ek friend hai, uska connection hai police me. Source lagaungi to kya kuchh nahi hoga. Usne humare parivar ko chot pahuchaane ki koshish ki hai. Aur, hum yuhi haath par haath dhare baithe rahenge? Hargiz nahi.

Bhumika : P-Par, mumma ye bahut risky hai.

Shweta : To? Koi saamne se apne ko nuksan pahuchayega aur tum chup hoke bas dekhti rahogi?

Bhumika : M-Mera matlab wo nahi tha.

Shweta : Tum bas dekhti jao mein kya karti hu. Wo bachega nahi.

Ragini : A-Aur, Veer? Kaha hai wo?

Bhumika : Baahar!

Ragini : K-Kaun kaun hai baahar?

Bhumika : Sabhi. Kuchh aur log bhi hai. Sab baat kar rahe hai.

Ragini : O-Okay!

Bhumika : Veer ko bhi... Dada ji ke jaane ka bahut bada sadma pahucha hai. Kal to poore din usne khaana bhi nahi khaaya tha. Aapko hospital se ghar laane me hi busy tha. Aapka poora samaan, medicines, policies, sab wahi dekh raha tha.

Ragini : O-Oh!

Uski bauhe narm pad gayi. Kuchh jhalka. Dard? Pachhtava? Kuchh uske chehre par ubhra.

Ragini (mutters) : Aur... Aise waqt pe maine use doshi thehraya...! I... I don't deserve him, right?

Bhumika : Huh? Kuchh kaha kya?

Ragini : N-Nahi! Kuchh nahi.

Shweta uthi aur Ragini ke paas aayi. Usne pyaar se uske sarr par haath rakha.

Shweta : Tum theek ho jaogi, chinta mat karo. Sab sahi ho jayega. Bas kuchh dino ka kasht hai.

Ragini : J-Ji, Tai ji!

Fir se ek khamoshi chhaa gayi. Bhumika khadi hui, usne Ragini ke haath ko dheere se dabaaya — ek aashvashan ki ve sab yahi hai.

Bhumika : Aap akeli nahi ho, bhabhi. Aap kabhi akeli nahi thi. Hum sab saath hai aapke.

Kehte hue dono hi Shweta aur Bhumika waha se chali gayi. Unke jaate hi Shweta ke bol Ragini ke kaano me goonj gaye.

"Tum wapas se chal paogi."

Aur, itne din me aaj pehli baar, use vishvas hua ki — shayad... shayad veh abhi bhi chal sakti hai.

---

Unke jaate hi darwaza ek baar fir awaaz kiya, iss baar thoda dheere se.

Arohi pehle andar aayi. Kavya uske peechhe-peechhe chalte hue aa rahi thi. Thoda ghabrayi hui aur thoda dari hui.

Uska humesha ki tarah uchhal-kood, ghar ke sabse tanhayi bhare kono me bhi goonjne waali bakbak iss waqt gaayab thi.

Wo Ragini ko aise ghoor rahi thi jaise use pehli baar dekh rahi ho. Uska badan saaf taur par hil raha tha, aur haath bhinche hue the.

Ragini ne dheere se apna sarr ghumaya. Shweta aur Bhumika ke liye pehle jo muskaan uske chehre par thi, wahi usne barkarar rakhi.

Jab usne Kavya ko hichkichaate hue dekha toh usne palke jhapkayi aur fir dheere se apna haath uthaaya, hatheli kholi aur-

Ragini : Kavya? Aao na!

Aur, bas itna hi tha... ki Kavya uss par toot padi — ek leher ki tarah jiske bahaav ki taaqat chhor tak aate aate khatam jaati hai. Veh Ragini ke bistar ke paas ghutno ke bal gir padi. Uski aankhon me aasu panap rahe the aur jald hi wo baandh khul gaya.

Kavya : Bhaaabhiii!!! Kyuuuu? *sniff* Kyu kiya aapne aisa?

Wo ro padi, usne Ragini ke dono haatho ko pakad liya.

Kavya : Aapne mere liye aisa kyu kiya, bhabhi??? *sniff* W-Waha par mujhe hona chahiye tha. P-Par, aapne mujhe apne se chhek kar-

Uski awaaz aansuon se dabi cheenkh me badal gayi.

Kavya : Iss bistar par mujhe hona chahiye tha!!! Ye haal... Mera hona chahiye tha!!! *sniff* Aapne aisa kyu kiya? Kyu kiya aisa???

Arohi : Kavya-

Ragini ne pehle to koi jawab nahi diya. Fir, uska haath dheere-dheere Kavya ke baalo ki orr badha, use ahista-ahista sehlaate hue, baalo me kanghi karte hue wo boli.

Ragini : Kyunki, tum mera apna parivar ho, Kavya.

Jawab sthir tha. Narm. Nishchit.

Ragini : Kyunki, jab bhagdad machi to uske theek pehle tum khil-khila kar hass rahi thi. Kyunki, jab tumhe ehsaas hua, to tum wahi jamm chuki thi. Kyunki, tumhare liye aaj bhi pyaar cotton candy ki tarah hai... Prince aur princess waala. Kyunki, tum iss ghar ki sabse pyaari aur meri chaheeti ho.

Kavya ki aankhon se mote-mote aasu behne lage.

Ragini : Aur, agar tumhari jagah Arohi bhi hoti...

Arohi : !!??

Ragini (smiles) : To bhi mein wahi karti.

Arohi (gasp) : Bh-Bhabhi!?

Ragini : Mera shareer apne aap tumhe bachaane ke liye aage aa gaya, Kavya. Ghar ka koi bhi sadasya hota, mein yahi karti. Chaahe mujhe kitne hi mauke kyu na de diye jaaye.

Kavya : Tai ji ke liye bhi?

Ragini : Hmm? Haan!

Kavya : Mummy ke liye bhi?

Ragini (smiles) : Bilkul!

Kavya : Tejal didi ke liye bhi?

Ragini : Hmm? Tejal? Haan! Uske liye bhi. *smiles*

Kavya : Veer bhaiy-

Ragini : Haan!

Kavya ke poora kehne se pehle hi Ragini ne uttar de diya. Jawab ki raftaar se khud woh bhi dang reh gayi. Uski palke agle hi kshan neeche jhuk gayi.

Kavya ka shareer kaanp utha aur usne apna chehra Ragini ki goad me chhipa liya.

Kavya : P-Par, aapne meri wajah se khud ko... *sniff* Ab mein... Mein khud se nafrat kiye bagerr aapko dekh bhi nahi paa rahi. Mein bina ye soche theek se saans bhi nahi le paa rahi ki maine aapse kuchh chheena hai.

Ragini ne use pakda, uska haath ab thoda kaanp raha tha, lekin abhi bhi uske baalo ko sehla raha tha.

Ragini : Tumne mujhse kuchh bhi nahi chheena hai, Kavya. Zindagi ne ek chaal chali aur mein aage aa gayi. Bas itna hi. No cosmic punishment. No debts to repay. Just... my own choice.

Wo ruki.

Ragini : Aur, agar fir se mauka mila, to firse mein yahi karungi.

Kavya ki cheenkh andar hi andar galey me nikli. Aisi cheenkh jo chhaati ke beech se nikalti hai, jo kamre ke andar cheezon ko hila ke rakh deti hai.

Kavya : T-Toh, ab mujhe bhi choose karne do. *hic*

Usne peechhe hatate hue kaha. Aankhein laal, aur kaajal aankhon me fela hua.

Ragini : ???

Kavya : Mujhe aapka khayaal rakhne do. Mein aapko khana khilaungi, aapke kapde badlungi, agar zaroorat padi to aapko utha ke le chalungi. *hic* Mein college nahi jaungi, mein... mein baahar nahi ghoomungi. *sniff* Mujhe parvah nahi. Mein bas yaha aapke paas rehna chaahti hu. *sniff* Mein bas chaahti hu ki aap pehle jaisi ho jao. Pehle ki tarah smile karo. *hic*

Ragini khud ko rok na paayi. Ek chhoti si, udaas muskaan uske hontho par ubhri.

Ragini (smiles) : Tumne already mujhe pehle ki tarah smile karwa diya, paagal.

Wo boli jab achanak uski muskaan ek vichaar ke chalte kahi gayab ho gayi.

'Huh!?'

Ek minute. Kavya uss se iss tarah isliye pesh aa rahi thi kyunki aaj wo iss haalat me thi. Wo apahij thi. Kya use Kavya ka vyavhar bura laga?

Nahi!

To fir, Veer ne bhi to yahi kiya tha. Wo bhi to uski parvah kar raha tha. To usne Veer se aisa kyu kaha ki wo uski parvah isliye kar raha hai kyunki wo ab chal nahi sakti. Akhir, Kavya bhi to yahi kar rahi thi.

Jaise hi use iss baat ka bodh hua, usne apne nichla honth daanto taley zorr se daba liya.

'Y-Ye kya ho raha hai, mujhe? Mein... Oh, Veer!!! I...'

Kahi na kahi, use apni harqato aur apni galti ka ehsaas ho raha tha.

Usne apne aasuon ko girne se roka aur Kavya par dhyaan diya jo ro rahi thi. Apne anguthe se usne Kavya ka gaal pochha.

Ragini : Thank you, silly girl. Par, meri wajah se tumhe college chhorne ki zaroorat nahi. Maine isliye wo goli nahi khaayi ki tum apni life enjoy karna chhor do.

Kavya ne naak sikodi aur zorr se sirr hilaaya.

Kavya : *sniff* Theek hai. To, fir mein hum dono ke liye enjoyment karungi. Par, ab aap mere saath fass chuki ho, bhabhi. Bhale hi aap mujhe baahar nikaal do, par aaj se mein yahi soungi. Zameen par. Fir, chaahe mein carpet me hi kyu na badal jau.

Ragini : Hahahahaha!

Iss par Ragini ki hassi chhoot gayi — iss baar sach me. Ye kilkaari kaale baadlo ke beech se sooraj ki raushni ki tarah thi.

Arohi, jo iss poore samay bed ke paas hi khadi thi, pehli baar akhirkar boli. Awaaz dheemi aur gambheer thi.

Arohi : Aap akeli nahi, bhabhi. Hum sab saath hai. Meri help ki koi bhi need ho, aap mujhe be-jhijhak call kariyega. No hesitation.

Ragini ne uski orr dekha. Woh shaant ladki jo shayad hi kabhi kuchh bolti thi. Uske lehze me humesha saadagi hoti thi, lafz humesha kam aur nape-tule hue.

Ragini (nods) : You both... Thank you.

Aur, ek pal ke liye kamre me maujood dukh kam sa ho gaya. Ve teeno chupchap baithe rahe.

Ek shok mana rahi thi.
Ek theek ho rahi thi.
Ek keval dekh rahi thi.

Aur, baahar darwaze ke theek peechhe, Veer khada hua tha — uska haath deewar par tha, sab sunn raha tha. Shaant. Sthir. Lekin, dil... dukh raha tha.

---

Veer ne hall me qadam rakha, uske dimag me vichar uthal-puthal machaaye hue the.

Living room me lagbhag sabhi log ikhatte the. Logo me chai batt rahi thi, biscuits diye jaa rahe the aur halki si fusfusahat me aapsi baatein ho rahi thi. Itne me andar se Arohi bhi baahar nikal ke aa gayi.

Bhavna, apni khamoshi me saiyammit lekin door, Arohi ko dhyaan se dekhi.

Bhavna : Kaisi hai ab?

Arohi (nods) : Theek hai ab. Abhi ke liye. Rest kar rahi hain.

Bhavna ne dheere se saans chhori.

Bhavna : Hmm! Mein uss se baad me milungi. Ek-ek kar ke jaana abhi theek nahi. Use araam ki zaroorat hai.

Tej ne pehle Veer ko dekha. Uske chehre ko. Jagah-jagah halke fulke ghaavo ko. Uski himmat nahi ho rahi thi uss se baat karne ki. Uss se poochhne ki. Na hi wo uss se nazrein mila paa rahi thi. Lekin, tadap rahi thi uss se baat karne ke liye.

Pichhle ek hafte se unn dono ke beech dhang se baat bhi nahi ho rahi thi. Tej glaani ke bhaar me dabti jaa rahi thi aur Veer na jaane kinn vichaaro me khoya hua rehta tha.

Kintu, wo yeh nahi jaanti thi ki Veer khud uss se baat karne me katra raha tha. Wo khud glaani ke bhaar ke neeche daba hua tha. Itna bada haadsa ho gaya, uske dada ji swarg sidhaar gaye, Ragini apahij ho gayi aur uski apni behan marrte-marrte bach gayi. Saari galti woh apne sarr liye hue tha.

Aise me kaise woh Tej ka saamna kar sakta tha? Kya jawab deta use? Magar, Tej ye baatein nahi jaanti thi.

Yaha tak ki Arohi bhi uss se kuchh kehne ki himmat nahi kar paa rahi thi. Kal jab usne sawaal kiye the to Veer ne use zorr se chillaa diya tha. Badi hone ke bawajood, Veer ki oonchi awaaz sunn woh sihar kar reh gayi thi.

Veer ke bartaav me jo badlaav aa raha tha wo koi aur notice kare ya na kare, Arohi aur Tej ne sabse pehle kar liya tha.

Tej ne fir hall me nazre maarte hue poochha.

Tej : Kavya!? Kavya kaha hai?

Arohi : Wo andar hai, didi. Bhabhi ke saath.

Wahi baithi Sumitra ne chinta me bauhe chadhaayi.

Sumitra : Andar? Abhi Ragini ke saath chhorna theek rahega kya? Use araam karne dete thodi derr. Arohi, tum use andar kyu-

Uska itna kehna hi tha ki uske bagal se baithi Shweta dheere se muskurayi, aur boli.

Shweta : Sumitra, maana ki Kavya kisi toofan se kam nahi. *smiles* Lekin, wo woh toofan hai jiski Ragini ko abhi zaroorat bhi hai. Woh ladki... Aise samay me har ghar me ek Kavya honi chahiye.

Uski baat par sabhi halke se hasey — uski baat se sehmat.

Shweta (smiles) : Woh Ragini ko apni baaton me uljha ke rakhegi.

Sumitra, iss baar sehmati me muskurayi.

Sumitra : Shayad... Aapne sahi kaha. *smiles*

Isi beech Suman, Aabha aur Sonali kamre ke beech me tray me chai ke cups ko ikhatta kar sab sametne me lagi hui thi. Ghar ki seva me veh teeno sabse aage thi. Ye chhote-chhote kaam sab wahi sambhaal rahi thi.

Tej Arohi ki orr firse mudi.

Tej : T-Tum... Tumhe bhi ab jaana hoga, hai na?

Arohi : Ahemdabad?

Tej (nods) : Hmm!

Arohi : Nahi! Mein tervi tak rukungi, didi. Jab tak sab kuchh ho nahi jaata. Mein yahi hu.

Uske uttar par sabhi ne haami bhari. Fir, achanak Bhavna ki nazar Veer par padi. Usne apna cup neeche rakha aur uthi.

Bhavna : Veer! Aao!!!

Kuchh ne sirr utha ke dekha, lekin kaha kuchh nahi. Har koi itna pareshan tha, itna thaka hua tha, itna toota hua tha ki kaarano ki talaash karne ki kisi ki ichhaa nahi hui.

Tej ke labb khule, magar bina kuchh kahe band ho gaye. Wo bas Veer ko uthata hua, apni maa ke peechhe-peechhe jaate hue dekhti rahi.

---

Bhavna seedhiyaan chadhte hue upar jaane lagi. Thandi hawaein chal rahi thi. Sooraj doob raha tha aur raushni chhatne lagi thi.

Woh aage badhti rahi aur fir ruk gayi. Veer ki orr mudi, apni baahein modey. Veer iss rukh se parichit tha. Ek toofan ka sanket. Woh taiyaar tha.

Lekin, jis cheez ki use ummeed nahi thi woh tha Bhavna ka haath jo uske chehre ki orr uth raha tha.

Bade se bade system holder ka bhi haath agar uske upar uthata to uska badan iss tarah nahi thiturta jis tarah apni maa ke haath uthne se ek pal ke liye hil gaya.

Magar...

Sparsh komal tha.

Bhavna ki hatheli uske gaal par thi. Uski ungliyaan uski twacha par dheere se fir rahi thi. Ek maa ka sparsh.

Bhavna : Kaise ho?

Ek ajeeb sa sawaal. Awaaz shaant thi. Veer do pal ke liye chakit reh gaya. Ye sawal kuchh aisa tha jo use Ragini se karna chahiye tha. Na ki apne bete se.

Lekin, Bhavna hi sirf yeh jaanti thi ki wo kya poochh rahi thi aur kyu poochh rahi thi.

Veer ne koi jawab nahi diya. Veh nahi de sakta tha.

Bhavna (voice trembling) : Jhooth mat bolo ab, Veer. Bas sach bolo... ek baar!!!

Veer ne apni aankhein neeche kar li.

Bhavna uske aur qareeb aayi. Usne apna haath Veer ke maathe par, uski kalam ki taraf firaaya, uski ungliyaan Veer ke kuchh ghaavo ko ahista se sparsh kar gayi. Uski bauhe sikudi.

Bhavna (frowns) : Y-Ye ghaav... Ye kya hai??? Tum kaha the, Veer? Kya hua tha??? Jawab do, mujhe!!!

Poochhte hue wo thoda peechhe hati. Use dekhi — uski baah, uske gaal, uske maathe, uski gardan ke kinaare maujood ghaav jo pichhle hafte se kaafi halke ho chuke the, lekin drishti me abhi bhi the.

Ye toh khush-kismat thi Veer ki jo uski maa uski shirt ke andar ke ghaav ko nahi dekh paayi thi. Wo ghaav jo uski chhaati, uski peeth, uske kandho par ukere gaye the.

Bhavna : Mein fir se tumse poochh rahi hu!!! Kya tum kisi gande kaam me shaamil ho?? Kya tumne... kisi se ladayi ki hai? Ya kisi se dushmani mod li hai? Gang? Mafia? Koi gerr-kanooni kaam? Jawab do!!!

Veer ki nazre punah neeche jhuk gayi. Chhat ki taraf. Usne kuchh bhi nahi kaha.

Bhavna : Jab sab kuchh bikhar raha tha tab tum kaha the??? Tum kaha the jab ye parivar...!?

Uski saans ghutne lagi.

Bhavna : -Jab Ragini par humla hua. Jab Tej lagbhag... lagbhag marrte-marrte reh gayi!?

Uski awaaz ab kaanp rahi thi — kuchh rosh me, kuchh lachaari me.

Veer ki mutthi kass gayi. Lekin, fir bhi usne kuchh nahi kaha. Aur, uski chuppi par Bhavna ka saiyyam toot gaya. Woh aage badhi, aur achanak uski collor pakad li — uske haath kaanp rahe the, uska chehra krodh aur aasuon se laal ho chuka tha.

Bhavna : Jawab do mere bacche!!!

Veer : ...

Bhavna : Aaj tumne apne dada ji ko khoya hai, Ragini ab pehle ki tarah chal nahi sakti, Tej... usne lagbhag apni jaan gawa di thi aur tum... Tum laapata the!!

Akhirkar, uske chehre par aasu umad hi aaye.

Bhavna : Kisi anjaan shaks ne... Tumhari behan ki jaan bachaayi. Tum kaha the??? Agar, tum aise hi chalte rahe... to tum sab kuchh kho doge, Veer. Tum Tej ko kho doge. Tum... Tum mujhe kho doge.

Akhiri shabd par uski awaaz toot gayi. Usne apne haath ko Veer ki collor se kheencha aur apni kaanpti hui hatheli uske seene par dheere se rakhi.

Bhavna : M-Mein akhiri baar poochh rahi hu.

Veh uski aankhon me dekhi.

Bhavna : TUMHE MERI KASAM!!!

Veer akad ke reh gaya. Wahi jamm gaya. Jaise uski maa ne kuchh aisa keh diya tha jise wo kabhi ansuna nahi kar sakta tha. Ek aisa daav jise koi bhi hara nahi sakta tha. Koi bhi kaushal use darkinaar nahi kar sakta tha.

Veer ki aankhein chaudi ho gayi. Yeh pehli baar tha jab uski maa ne use apni kasam di thi. Wo ab tak uske saare jhootho ko nazar-andaaz karti aayi thi par iss baar nahi.

Veer ne mushqil se nigla. Woh apni maa ke haatho tak pahucha. Shraddha-poorvak.

Usne unhe pakda, uthaaya, apne hontho se lagaaya aur chooma. Uske haath aur honth, dono kaanp rahe the.

Bhavna uski orr dekhti rahi. Aankhein laal ho chuki thi.

Bhavna : Bolo! *sniff* Bolo!!! KAHI AGLA DEH SANSKAR TUMHE MERA HI NA KARNA PAD JAAYE, VEER!!!

Veer (yells) : Nahiiiiiiiiii-!!!

Bhavna (yells) : Toh jawaab do!!!

"MEIN BATAATI HU!!!"

Achanak peechhe se ek awaaz aayi.

Bhavna aur Veer dono mude. Chhat ki seedhiyon ke chhor par Nidhi khadi hui thi, aankhon se aasu beh rahe the. Isme koi shaq nahi tha ki usne maa bete ke beech ho rahi baatein sunn li thi. Veh dheere-dheere aage badhi.

Veer : Ma'am!?? A-Aap yaha!?

Lekin, jaise hi usne ye poochha, usme dimag me kayi cheezein kaundh gayi. Use yaad aaya ki kaise usne Juhi ke nazuk shareer ko lair se nikaala tha. Use khoon, wo cheekhein, aur use surakshit jagah par pahuchaane ke liye bedum daudna yaad aaya. Use Nidhi ke hospital ke kamre me behosh hona yaad aaya aur ab... woh yaha thi.

Nidhi ne apne haatho se apne aasu pochhe. Wo aage badhi. Aur, aate hi usne Veer ko chhek liya. Woh Bhavna ke saamne khadi ho gayi.

Nidhi : Veer ko kuchh mat boliyega...

Bhavna : T-Tum-!?

Nidhi : Meri beti... Juhi... *sniff* Wahi serial killer... Wo le gaya tha meri beti ko utha ke... Jiski news aa rahi thi. *sniff* Mein dhundhti rahi... Lekin, meri bacchi mujhe kahi nahi mil rahi thi... Dar-dar bhatakti rahi, behosh ho gayi... Hospital me thi... Lekin, jab mein uthi... Mujhe hosh aaya toh-

Bhavna : !!?

Nidhi : *sniff* Meri bacchi mere saamne thi. *sniff* Veer ki goad me... Veer use chhura ke laaya tha... Jab aapke hotel me udhar humla ho raha tha... Tab Veer meri bacchi ko bachaane gaya tha... Use kuchh mat kahiyega... *sniff* Kehna hai to mujhe kahiye. Meri galti hai...!!

Veer : Ma'am!! Nahi-!!

Bhavna ne chaunkte hue palkein jhapkayi. Use ye pata tha ki Renshu, Erica aur Garofano Veer ko behoshi ki haalat me hospital laaye the.

Lekin, kisi ko bhi zyada jankari prapt nahi hui thi. Sab itna hi samajh paaye the ki Renshu aur baaki sab Veer ke shubhchintak the jo use kisi musibat se bacha ke laaye the.

Aaj Nidhi ke zariye use baaki baatein pata chal rahi thi.

Nidhi : M-Mujhe nahi pata ki meri bacchi ko wo kaha le gaya tha... *sniff* Mujhe nahi pata ki Veer ne kaise Juhi ko chhuraaya. Mujhe ye bhi nahi pata tha ki uss waqt uski hotel par humla ho raha tha. *sniff* Uske apna log khoon se lathpath the. Aur, tab bhi... Wo meri beti ko bachaane me laga hua tha. *sniff*

Wo sisakte hue boli. Apne dupatte ka kinaara pakadte hue usne himmat baandhi.

Nidhi : Maine dekhi thi... *sniff* Saari khabre... Bomb blast... Rajat...

Usne nigla. Chehre par bebasi chhaa gayi.

Nidhi : Woh... *sniff* Woh badla lena chaahta tha. M-Mujhe nahi pata ki use itna bhayanak kaam karne ke liye kisne uksaaya. Lekin, usne kiya... *sniff* aur, aapka beta... Usne meri beti ki parvah ki jab uski khud ki duniya bikhar rahi thi *sniff*

Woh dheere-dheere apne ghutno ke bal gir padi.

Nidhi : M-Mujhe maaf kar dijiye! *sniff* Mujhe maaf kar dijiye... A-Agar, meri wajah se aapke parivar ke rishton me daraar aayi to mein apne aap ko kabhi maaf nahi kar paungi. *sniff* Please... M-Mujhe maaf kar dijiye...! *sniff*

"Bas!!!!"

Veer ki awaaz zorr se waha fel gayi. Usne jhatse Nidhi ke kandho ko kass kar pakda aur use upar kheench liya.

Veer (frowns) : Ye kya kar rahi ho aap??? Uss sarrfirey ne jo kuchh bhi kiya uske liye aap apne aap ko kaise doshi thehra sakti ho??? Kya aaj bhi aap use apna pati maanti ho?

Nidhi (gasps) : N-Nahi! Kabhi nahi-!!

Veer : Toh fir??? Uss haraam-zaade ki kartooto ko aap apne sarr par kyu le rahi ho?

Nidhi : M-Mein- *sniff*

Veer : CHUP RAHIYE!

Nidhi : *sniff*

Veer (frowns) : Woh pehle se hi mere peechhe tha. Aapka iss se koi lena-dena nahi hai. Usne aapko target nahi kiya, mujhe kiya hai. Mere parivar ko. Aur, maine wahi kiya jo mujhe karna chaahiye tha. KYUNKI, JUHI SIRF AAPKE LIYE MAAYNE NAHI RAKHTI!

Uske iss bol par Nidhi ki aankhein aasuon se poori dhundhli ho chali.

Veer : Woh nirdosh thi...! Aur, mujhe... Mujhe to use bachaane jaana hi tha.

Ant me uski awaaz toot gayi. Aur, aaj pehli baar Bhavna ne apne bete ko spasht roop me dekha — rehesyo se bhare aadmi ke roop me nahi, balki dhaal ke peechhe yoddha ke roop me khoon bahaate hue.

Veh aage badhi, uski saansein tez thi, aankhein uss par tiki thi.

Veer ne uski orr dekha — sharminda, toota hua, thoda dara hua.

Aur, Bhavna ne use apni baahon me bhar liya. Koi shabd nahi. Kuchh nahi. Bas ek maa jo apne bacche ko poori taaqat se thaame hue thi.

Uske mote-mote aasu Veer ke kandhe par tapakte gaye, usne apne haath se uske sarr ke peechhe baalo ko sehlaaya aur use aise thaama jaise woh use kabhi bhi ab kahi jaane nahi degi. Wo royi.

Bhavna : M-Mujhe maaf kar dena... *sniff* Mujhe maaf kar de mere bete!!!

Veer : M-Maa!

Bhavna : Mujhe tum par garv hai!! *sniff* Bhale hi mein sab kuchh na samajh pau... Lekin, dard ko dekh ke hi pehchaan jaati hu...! Aur, ye bhi jaanti hu ki mera beta khatre se bhaag nahi raha. Ulta khatre ki orr bhaag raha hai... Use mitaane... Use khatm karne... Dusro ko uss se bachaane... *sniff* Mujhe maaf kar do, beta.

Veer ne akhirkar khud ko dheela chhor diya, aasu behne diye — chaahe ek pal ke liye hi sahi.

[Master...!]

Aur, uss chhat par dhundhle aasmaan ke neeche, ek maa ka aalingan hi ek aisi cheez bann gaya jisne bete ki bikharti duniya ke tukdo ko ek saath baandhe rakha.

---

Veer, Nidhi aur Bhavna jaise hi seedhiyon se neeche ko utar kar aaye to living room se unhe hasi-mazaak ki awaazein sunayi de rahi thi.

Halki. Meethi. Masoom.

Ve hall me jaise hi pravesh kiye to dekha ki Juhi sofe par baithi hui thi, uske peechhe Arohi thi jo uske mulayam gaalo se khel rahi thi. Kamre ka mahaul upar chhat par jo hua uss se bilkul hi vipreet tha.

Lekin, ek hi pal me sab kuchh badal gaya. Jaise hi Veer ne hall me qadam rakha, uski chhavi ne Juhi ka dhyaan kheench liya. Uski chhoti-chhoti aankhein Veer ko dekhte hi chamak uthi. Uska poora chehra khil utha.

Woh Arohi ki pakad se azaad hui aur apne nanhe-nanhe qadam le, apni baahein felaaye aage badhi. Aur, uski awaaz ghane sannaate ko teer ki tarah bhed gayi-

"PAPAAAAAA!!!!"

Awaaz goonj gayi. Ekdum spasht.

Samay jaise ruk gaya. Sab ke sab stabdh reh gaye. Arohi ki muskan gaayab ho gayi. Tej ka muh khula reh gaya. Bhumika, jo paani ka glass liye khadi thi, beech me hi ghoonth peete hue ruk gayi. Shweta wahi jamm ke reh gayi.

Nidhi ke chehre ka rang udd gaya. Woh Bhavna ke bagal me stabdh khadi rahi, uske honth aashcharya me khul gaye. Uski beti ne abhi-abhi Veer ko kya pukaara...!?

Veer bhi avaak tha. Juhi uss par tezi se jhapat padi.

"Papa...!!!"

Woh firse chillaayi aur aa kar Veer ke perr se chipak gayi. Veer apne aap hi akasmat neeche jhuka, use uthaaya aur use kass kar galey se laga liya.

Juhi ki chhoti baahein uski gardan ke chaaro orr lipat gayi, uske narm hontho ne uske gaal ko chooma aur fir usne apna chehra uske kandhe me chhipa liya. Wahi ehsaas — garm, surakshit aur araamdayak.

Veer ne bhi muskuraate hue use apne se lagaaye rakha. Uska haath dheere se Juhi ki peeth par gaya, use sehlaane laga.

Suman hi ekmaatra thi kamre me jiske chehre par khushi ke bhaav the. Ek shaant, jaankaar muskaan.

'Bahut jald... Yahi vastavik sacchayi hogi. Fufu~'

Bhavna ne Veer aur Juhi ko dekha, fir Nidhi ki orr — uski aankhein sawaalo se bhari hui thi, jinhe wo poochh nahi paa rahi thi.

Uska beta ek bacchi ko apni bacchi ki tarah pakde hue tha. Aur, bacchi bhi uss baat se poori tarah sehmat thi. Yakeen kar rahi thi.

Tez ki awaaz ne fir chuppi todi.

Tej : P-Papa!?

Usne kayi baar palkein jhapkayi, uski ungliyaan kursi ke kinaare par kass gayi.

Tej : Kya abhi-abhi usne-!??

Veer ne koi jawaab nahi diya. Juhi abhi bhi uss se lipti hui thi, abhi bhi apne mann me fusfusaate hue 'papa' keh rahi thi, jaise ki daava kar rahi ho ki yahi sach hai. Veer hi uske papa hai.

Nidhi ghabraate hue aage badhi.

Nidhi (nervously) : J-Juhi!? Beta... Aapne Veer maamu ko aisa kyu kaha? M-Maamu aapke papa nahi hai beta... Wo aapke maamu hai, hai na???

Lekin, Juhi ne use ansuna kar diya. Balki, usne Veer ko aur kass kar pakad liya maano keh rahi ho ki — nahi, aap galat ho.

Veer ne ek pal ke liye apni aankhein band ki aur saans chhori. Fir, usne sabki taraf dekha. Uski awaaz shaant thi, lekin awaaz me wazan tha.

Veer : Juhi dari hui thi...

Usne bolna shuru kiya.

Veer : Jab maine Juhi ko dhundha tha, to woh kaanp rahi thi. Kamre me bandhi hui thi. Uss serial killer ne Juhi aur Pihu dono ko baandh ke jakad rakha tha...! Aur, jab maine Juhi ko waha se chhuraaya, use apne se lagaaya, toh Juhi ne uss waqt apne aap hi... Mujhe 'papa' keh ke pukaara.

Veer ki baat kisi ko theek se samajh me na aayi. Kaun serial killer? Kaun Pihu? Kaha fassi thi Juhi aur Pihu? Lekin, Bhavna jisne abhi-abhi upar sach jaana tha veh sab kuchh samajh gayi.

Bhavna : M-Mein samjhaati hu.

Uske baad Bhavna ne woh sab kuchh bata diya jo Nidhi ne use upar chhat par bataaya tha, jisey sunn sabki aankhein phati ki phati reh gayi.

Unhe pata chal gaya Veer kaha tha. Aur, kyu tha. Unki aankhein uske balidaan par paani-paani ho chali. Iska matlab...

Wo bhi uss waqt apni jaan khatre me daal ke kisi nanhi jaan ki raksha kar raha tha. Tej ki glaani ye sunte hi aur bhi badh gayi.

Har koi saare vaakhyan ko bas chup-chaap sunta raha. Veer ne jaari rakha.

Veer : -Aur, isliye... maine Juhi ke mujhe 'papa' kehne par use sudhara nahi. Wo dari hui thi. Uss pal mein hi uske paas tha... Mera poora dhyaan use bachaane par tha. Shayad, isliye... Shayad isliye woh mujhe aise dekhne lagi hai.

Juhi ne chup-chaap uske kandhe par sarr hilaaya.

Juhi : Shayad nahi... Aap hi Juhi ke papa ho.

Veer : ???

Nidhi : J-Juhi???

Juhi : Mumma kehti hai ki jo Juhi se pyaar kare, jo... jo... jo Juhi ko plotect kare... jo Juhi ki mumma se pyaar kare... Wahi papa hai... Aur, aap hi ho... Mere papa...!

Nidhi ki saansein tez ho gayi.

Nidhi : J-Juhi... Beta nahi... Maamu ko tum aise-

Veer : Mujhe iss se koi dikkat nahi hai.

Usne beech me hi tokte hue sabhi ko chaunka diya. Nidhi ke gaal sharm se laal ho gaye. Usne apni nazrein neechi kar li aur ye bhaav Bhavna ki aankhon se chook kar na jaa sake.

Suman : Mein kya kehti hu...

Suman ne sabhi ka dhyaan kheechte hue kaha.

Suman : Agar, Veer ji ko koi dikkat nahi hai. Aur, agar nanhi Juhi bhi unhe aise hi bulaana chaahti hai. Toh, isme kya dikkat hai?

Bhavna (frowns) : S-Suman-! Tum shayad samjhi nahi ki-

Suman : Mein sab samajh rahi hu, didi. Aap sab isliye pareshan hai ki aage chal ke iss bacchi par kya asar padega. Samaj me kaisa lagega? Aur... Veer ji aur Nidhi ke beech iss tarah ka ek alag hi nakli rishta log maanane lagenge.

Bhavna : ...

Suman : Par, logo se hume kya. Hum jaante hai ki sacchayi kya hai. Juhi lagbhag apni paidaish se hi ek pita ke prem ke bagerr rahi hai. Agar, aane waale kuchh saalo ke liye wo Veer ji ko apna pita maanti hai, toh isme kya buraayi hai? Samay aane par... Badi hone par... Cheezein wapas se sadharan ho hi jaayengi na?

Bhavna : Huh?

Veer (nods) : Bilkul! Agar, iss ek shabd ki wajah se Juhi ko sukoon milta hai. Toh, mein ise garv se rakhunga. Bhale hi ye asli na ho. *smiles* Bhale hi ye sirf Juhi ke liye ho.

Nidhi ka dil jaise kayi dhadkane phaand gaya. Juhi ne Veer ko dekha.

Juhi : P-Par, papa yahi sach hai naaaaa!!!

Veer (smiles) : Tum kehti ho... toh, yahi sach hai.

Bhavna ne kuchh derr kuchh vichaar kiya, Nidhi baar-baar use nazrein chura ke darrte hue dekh rahi thi. Par, aage jo usne kaha, uss se Nidhi ka mann halka ho gaya.

Bhavna : Suman theek keh rahi hai.

Tej : M-Mom???

Bhavna : Logo ke dimaag me gandagi hoti hai. Agar, hume pata hai ki kiske beech kya rishta hai, kinn parishthitiyo ke kaaran Juhi aisa kar rahi hai, toh koi bhi suljha hua insaan iss par tippani nahi karega.

Aur, isi tarah...

Veer ko Juhi dwara 'papa' kehlaane ki sweekriti sabhi se mil gayi.

Kisi ka text bhi use usi waqt aaya jis wajah se use ghar se nikalna pada.

Idhar, uske jaate hi Nidhi jis kaam ke liye aayi thi, usne apni khwaish bhi rakh di.

Nidhi : Jab aap sab yaha nahi the...

Bhavna : ???

Nidhi : Jab Veer ko ghar se nikaal diya gaya tha. Tab, woh mere saath raha tha.

Tej : !!?

Nidhi (nervously) : Uske dada ji ke chal basne ki khabar sunn ke mujhe bahut hi bura laga, aur mein dekh rahi hu ki woh tab se hi gumsum sa hai... Isliye...

Arohi : !!?

Nidhi (nervously) : -Isliye... M-Mein chaahti hu ki... Mera matlab hai... J-Juhi bhi rahegi toh... K-Kya mein Veer ko apne saath le jaa sakti hu? K-Kuchh din ke liye? U-Uska dil bhi behel jaayega...

Tej (khade hote hue) : Kyaaaaaa????

Nidhi : *gasps*

Iske pehle ki Tej sawaal utha paati, hall ke darwaaze ke hi dehleez se ek aur awaaz aayi-

"Sirf aap hi nahi... Mein bhi chaahti hu ki Veer mere saath rahe."

Jab sab ne palat ke uss orr dekha toh paaya ki Purvi, Arun ke saath wahi khadi hui thi.

***

Outside the society,
Night - 8:15 PM ~

Gated colony ke theek baahar, timtimaate street lamp ke neeche ek sleek obsidian car khadi hui thi.

Garofano driver seat par baithi hui thi. Satin ki slit emerald green dress me wo keher dhaa rahi thi. Perr ek ke upar ek, uski lambi taangein, doodhiyaan jaangh, car ke andar andhere me bhi chamak rahi thi.

Aur, uski gehri aankhein society ke gate ki orr tiki hui thi.

Usne steering wheel ko apne manicure kiye gaye sundar lambe nakhoono se sehlaaya, fir phone se ek text bheja.

"I'm outside."

Kuchh pal beetein. Aur, fir woh saamne aaya.

Veer!

Aasteen tak mudi hui ek kaali shirt aur denim jeans pehne, woh gate se baahar nikla.

Car ki khidki ek halki si sarsarahat ke saath neeche khisak gayi. Garofano muskurayi.

Garofano : Hop in!

Veer ne koi jawab nahi diya. Usne darwaza khola, aur passenger seat par baithate hue darwaza zorr se band kar diya.

Garofano ne apni aankhon ke kone se use dekha.

Garofano : Kaise ho, Veer?

Veer ne koi jawab nahi diya. Balki-

Veer : Tum yaha par? Kisliye?

Bas itna hi.

Garofano ki muskaan feeki pad gayi, lekin sirf thodi si. Woh uske aura me aaye badlaav ko mehsoos kar paa rahi thi. Veer ke andar... kuchh badal chuka tha.

Garofano (coyly) : Ab kya mein tumse baat karne bhi nahi aa sakti, Veer?

Veer : Cut the crap! Seedhe-seedhe mudde pe aao, Violet!

Apna asal naam sunte hi Garofano samajh gayi ki Veer achhe mood me nahi tha.

Bina kuchh kahe, woh compartment me pahuchi aur usme se kaagaz ka ek muda hua tukda nikaalte hue use thama di.

Veer ne jhunjhlaate hue uske haath se wo kaagaz liya, lekin jaise hi usne use khola — uski aankhein bhay ke maare fel gayi. Uska badan wahi jamm gaya.

Wo kaagaz koi aam kaagaz nahi tha. Wo tha... ek dossier.

Photos. Names. Locations. Routines.

Uska poora parivar. Tej. Bhavna. Arohi. Kavya. Ragini.

Yaha tak ki Suman, Aabha, Sonali, har koi... usme maujood tha.

Veer ki saansein foolne lagi. Uske dil ki dhadkane tez ho gayi — darr se nahi, balki krodh se. Uski ungliyaan kaagaz ke kinaare par mud gayi, use dheere-dheere kuchalne lagi maano woh use kuchalne ki koshish kar raha ho jo iss sab ke peechhe tha.

Garofano bas use dhyaan se dekhti rahi. Aur, fir boli-

Garofano : Dexter ke paas se mujhe ye mila. Wahi sniper jisne tumhare Dada ji ko maara, tumhari sister-in-law ko disable kiya aur Natalia ko injure.

Veer ka jabda kass gaya. Uske daant aapas me misey.

Garofano : I killed him. Uska past bhi dekha maine.

Veer : ???

Garofano (frowns) : Woh kisi syndicate alliance ka hissa tha. Basically, ek assasin squad. Jinme 3 members the — Matthew, Dexter khud aur-

Veer : Aur?

Garofano : Aur, ek vulture. Past illustration me yahi naam tha uska.

Veer : Vulture? Matlab, ye bhi ek assasin tha?

Garofano : Tha ya fir hai. I don't know. Past me sirf yahi dikhayi diya ki ye teen syndicate alliance ka hissa the. Matthew tumhaare haatho maara gaya tha aur isliye, Dexter tumse badla lena chaahta tha.

Veer : I see! Aur, woh vulture?

Garofano : Uske baare me kuchh nazar nahi aaya. Bas yahi ki woh bhi initial phase me syndicate alliance ka hissa tha.

Veer : Tsk!!!

Garofano : The Elephant was in the room the whole time.

Veer : !!?

Garofano : Past illustration me dikh gaya.

Veer : You mean-

Garofano : Hmm! Iss sab ke peechhe ek system holder tha. Pehle se hi... Jiski tumhe bhanak tak nahi lag paayi. Woh yahi tha. Tumhari society me kahi... Tumhare parivar ki photos lete hue... Unki information ikhatti karte hue... Usi ne Dexter ko bhadkaya, ye dossier bana ke diya taaki wo tumse badla le sake. Aur, ant me... wo apna khel khelkar nikal gaya.

Veer (grits) : K-Kaun?

Garofano : Nahi pata. Sarr se lekar perr tak covered tha. Dexter ki memory me to yahi dikha. Bahut hi fuzzy tha uska past. Theek se kuchh samajh hi nahi aa raha tha.

Veer (mutters) : -And, I remained oblivious to it...!

Garofano : ....

Veer : I remained oblivious... Jab koi meri family ka peechha kar raha tha, tab mein... Mujhe dusre system holder ke baare me pata tak nahi chala. Wo meri hi society me ghus ke... MERI HI FAMILY KO- TSK!!!

Garofano (frowns) : Iss se ek baat samajh jao ki woh stealth me maahir hai.

[Master...! Stealth me toh... Garofano bhi maahir hai.]

Sunte hi Veer ki aankhein chaudi ho gayi, wo bhayanak roop se Garofano ki orr muda, uska chehra dekh bechari Garofano ke paseene chhooth gaye.

Garofano (nervously) : Wh-What!? How dare you doubt me, Veer? Pagal ho kya? Mein yaha thi bhi nahi... And, why would I?

Veer ne apna sarr jhunjhlaaya.

Veer : Sorry! N-Never mind!

Garofano (sighs) : Fine! I forgive you. Anyways, I know tum mujh par completely trust nahi karte ho but hey... Maine tumse pehle bhi kaha hua hai. I would never hurt you. Iss baar, tumne enemy ko underestimate kiya, Veer. Warna... Tumhare jaise strong system holder ki naak ke neeche koi aisi harqat kar jaaye, ye koi aam baat nahi.

Veer : ...

Garofano : Oh! Ek aur baat-!

Veer : ???

Garofano : Wo security guards jo tumhari hotel me bomb blast ke dauran maare gaye. Unke kuchh parivar waale jo protests karne aaye the... Some of them were funded by Aadesh Jaisinghani.

Veer : !!!?

Garofano : Paise khila ke unhe bhadkaya gaya, taaki wo protest kare, doshi tumhe thehraaye aur tum news me centre of attraction bann jao hate ke liye. Get it? Iske liye mujhe thank you keh sakte ho, you know. I did some extra work for you. *winks*

Veer ne koi jawab nahi diya. Ab uski nigaah aage ki orr thi. Fir, dheere se usne ek gehri saans chhori.

Lekin, ye raahat nahi thi. Kuchh aur tha.

Usne aankhein band ki. Kaafi derr tak. Aur, jab kholi... Toh unme se komalta, karuna, chinta, glaani gaayab thi.

Keval aag thi.

Veer : Renshu aur baaki sab kaha hai?

Garofano : Hotel zenith me. Filhal.

Veer : Ava?

Garofano : Ohh!? *smiles* Parvah ho rahi hai?

Veer : ....

Garofano : ...

Veer : ...

Garofano : Urgh! Yeah, she's fine! System holder hai. Already recover ho chuki hai wo completely. Tch! Mein tum dono ki koi mediator nahi hu, okay? Yahi sawaal usne bhi kiya tha. Itni hi parvah hai toh call kyu nahi kar lete?

Veer ne haami bhari. Koi bhaav nahi. Koi abhaar nahi. Fir, achanak woh uski orr muda.

Veer : Jab tak tum sab yaha par ho... Keep an eye on my family. Look out for them.

Garofano ne apna chehra uski orr ghumaaya, apna sirr thoda sa jhukaaya, khush hokar.

Garofano : Ohh!? Ek request? Woh bhi system holder, V alliance ke leader, Mister Veer ki orr se??? Heh~

Veer : Yeah!

Garofano ke honth kuchh kamuk, sharaarti dhang se mudey. Woh jhuki, uske perfume ki sugandh Veer ki naak tak pahuchi aur woh uske kaan ki taraf aate hue boli.

"Everything has a price, Veer!!!"

Usne fusfusate hue kaha. Uska haath dheere se uske seene par aa kar ruk gaya. Sparsh se woh Veer ke dil ki dhadkano ko mehsoos kar paa rahi thi.

Veer (frowns) : What do you want??

Garofano ke honth par muskaan feli. Wo punah aage jhuki.

Garofano (whispers) : Tumhara time...!!!

Veer (blinks) : Time???

Garofano (nods) : Mm-hmm! Jab bhi mein bulau, jaha bhi bulau, jo bhi plan banau... You must show up.

Veer ne use kuchh derr padha.

Garofano ke baare me humesha se hi kuchh na kuchh rehesyamayi tha. Woh sirf ek foreign ki system holder nahi thi. Woh ek aisi aurat thi jo badi se badi ghatnao me shaamil bhi rehti thi aur usme se bina chotil hue baahar bhi nikalti thi. Beautiful. Dangerous. Lekin, sabse mehatvpoorn... Unreadable.

Veer ko uss par poornta bharosa nahi tha. Usne kabhi kiya hi nahi. Woh rehesyamayi thi.

Lekin, iss baar... Kuchh sochte hue... Usne haami bhar di.

Veer : Fine!

Garofano chehekte hue muskurayi. Kyunki, sirf wahi jaanti thi ki iss deal ki keemat kya thi. Veer ke saath bitaaya gaya samay sirf samay nahi tha. Ye ek raasta tha. Usne abhi uska dil nahi maanga tha, usne uski duniya me pravesh karne ka adhikaar maang liya tha.

Garofano (smirks) : Pleasure doing business.

Veer ne uss se haath milaaya. Fir, khidki se baahar dekha.

Pari jaanti thi ki kuchh badal chuka tha.
Ab Veer woh Veer nahi tha jo instincts par nirbhar rehta tha.
Ab Veer woh Veer nahi tha jo shaanti ki talaash karta tha.
Yeh woh Veer tha jo jal raha tha.
Apne dada ji ko khone ke baad.
Ragini ke apahij hone ke baad.
Ava ke chotil hone ke baad.
Apni agyaanta ka bodh hone ke baad.

Pari bhaanp chuki thi. Woh ghabra bhi rahi thi. She knew that if...

The old Veer protected.
The new Veer will hunt.

***

New York,
FBCC Headquarters,
Night - 10:10 PM ~

*Click*

Rebecca ek andhere kamre me pravesh ki. Andhere me aate hi uski ek skill activate ho gayi jiske chalte use andhere me thoda safayi se dikh sake.

Woh ek system holder thi. Taqatvar. Hoshiyar. Lekin, iss kamre me ghuste hi, use shikaar jaisa mehsoos hota tha.

Uske saamne mand raushni ke neeche mushqil se dikhaayi de sake, ek aadmi baitha hua tha. Chup-chaap. Jaise, intezar kar raha tha.

Uske shareer ki ek bhi maanspeshi nahi hili.

X

Saamne tha.

X : You're late, director.

Rebecca ne saans chhori.

Rebecca (calmly): I’ve dealt with the Galileo.

Ek viraam. Uske saamne baitha aadmi apni seat par thoda sa hila. Raushni uske chehre ke ek hisse par padi — jo aanshik roop se ek kaale, custom made mask ke peechhe chhipa hua tha, jis par halke laal rang ki nakkashi thi.

Uska suit sharply cut tha, raat ki hi tarah kaala, jisme chaandi ki embroidery ki kuchh chamak thi. Haatho me gloves, aur sleek kaale kaano tak aate baal.

Uske muh ke kinaare par ek muskaan ubhar aayi.

X (voice like velvet) : Galileo, huh? So, much work. You tore down the sky to impress me. Waqai...! I'm impressed, Rebecca!

Rebecca ne saans rok li. Woh nahi samajh paa rahi thi ki ye prashansa thi ya mazaak.

Woh aage jhuka, aur ant me usne apni aankhein dikhayi — golden, piercing.

X : Don't fret over it. Good work, darling. Really. For once. *smiles*

Uske lehze me vinamrata thi. Rebecca ke maathe par paseene ki boonde jhalakne lagi.

Rebecca : Mujhe next report chahiye...! I have done my job. Now... The report.

X hasa. Aisi hasi jise sunn aadmi uncomfortable feel karne lage.

Bina kuchh kahe, usne table ka ek drawer khola aur ek mota kaala dossier nikaala. Usne table par use aise feka jaise ki woh uske liye kachra tha.

Rebecca ki aankhein chaudi ho gayi. Koi chhal nahi. Koi baat nahi. Koi paheli nahi. Aur, badle me koi keemat bhi nahi?

Kuchh gadbad thi.

Woh aage badhi, report ko uthaate hue use kholi. Contents? Asli tha. Information? Asli thi. Report? Asli thi.

Kaise???

Iss tarah se X use kabhi reports nahi deta tha. Itni asaani se toh nahi. Kya waqai woh uske kaam se itna impressed tha?

X : What? Cat got your tongue? Ya ab tumhe meri generosity pe doubt ho raha hai?

Wo naa me sirr hilaayi. Achanak, X khada hua. Uski upasthiti baaki logo ko aise chhipaati thi jaise soorya ko grahan. Uski har harqat, ek bayaan thi, jaise koi toofaan tay kar raha ho ki use kaha jaana hai.

Woh baahar nikal ke aaya, aur Rebecca chup-chaap wahi jamm ke khadi rahi.

X (teasingly) : So? You coming along? Or you have some other plans?

Woh haami bhar uske peechhe-peechhe tez qadam lekar aage badhi.

---

Toh, wahi FBCC ki gaganchumbi imaarat ke bagal se Damian, window cleaners dwara istemal ki jaane waali harness ki sahayata se khatarnak tareeke se latka hua tha. Uske chehra tanavgrast tha.

Kal raat usne nano-edge blade ka upyog kar ke khidki ke sheeshe ko pehle hi 99% kaat diya tha. Aur, aaj baaki 1% sateekta se kaatne ke baad, usne ek suction clamp ka istemal kar katey hue glass ko kheench liya taaki wo andar kamre me na gire.

Opening milte hi woh kamre ke andar ghusa, usne badi hi savdhani se woh glass ka nikaala gaya hissa wapas se window me laga diya aur X ki seat ke nazdeek, table ki uss drawer ke paas badha.

'This might be it...!'

---

Idhar baahar floor ke corridor par, Rebecca X ke bagal se khadi hui thi. Uski dhadkane train ke maafiq tez daud rahi thi. Lift upar aa rahi thi.

Tabhi, X aage badhne se pehle ruk gaya.

X (smiles) : Oops... I forgot one of my gloves.

Rebecca : !!?????

Rebecca ke dil jaise wahi ruk gaya. Nahi! Uski aankhein bhay me chaudi ho gayi.

Rebecca : N-Nahi! Y-You-! Uh... maybe it's not-

X (smiles) : Kya hua? Is someone in the room? A ghost?

Uski muskaan alag thi. Mazaak udaane waali. Ek shikaari ki muskaan.

Woh muda. Shaanti se. Aur, wapas kamre ki orr jaane laga. Har qadam ulti ginti jaisa prateet ho raha tha.

Andar, Damian jamm ke reh gaya. Drawer se agla report ka set baramad ho chuka tha. Cameras ki use tension hi nahi thi kyunki, unhe pehle hi Rebecca dwara band karwa diya gaya tha.

Reports haath me thi. Bas! Ab nikalna tha ki tabhi-

*Click*

Damian ghabraaya. Aur, andhere ki gehrayiyo me kahi chhip gaya.

X andar daakhil hua. Usne idhar-udhar dekha.

X (mocks disappointment) : Oh my!!! No one hiding in the shadows? How anticlimactic.

Woh aage badha. Usne apna glove uthaaya, aur use pehna.

Lekin, jaise hi woh muda-

Usne dekha ki Rebecca darwaze ke paas kisi murti ki tarah jami hui, ghabrayi khadi hui thi.

Rebecca : L-Let's leave. I-I have some work...

X : Ah! Sure sure!

Woh wapas nikalne ke liye hua. Lekin, darwaaze se nikalne ke theek pehle, woh ruk gaya.

*Badump*

Rebecca ka dil zorro se dhadka. Woh achanak uske kaan ki orr jhuka, aur bola-

"Next time... Teach your dog to do it properly."

*Badump*

Rebecca (gasps) : Huh-!!??

Agle hi pal, Rebecca ko apne galey par kuchh mehsoos hua... Ek mazboot pakad aur agle hi kshan uska shareer zorr se peechhe ki deewar se jaa takraaya.

*BAAAAMMMM*

"Nghhh!!!"

Uski cheenkh ghut ke reh gayi. Peechhe ki deewar toot ke bikhar gayi aur uska shareer deewar ke andar jaa ghusa. Uske hontho ke kono se khoon ki patli dhaara bahi.

Chhipe hue Damian ne turant hi pratikriya ki, usne apni blades me se ek seedhe X ki peeth ki orr feki.

*Whoosh*

X (smiles) : How cute!

Magar, bina uss orr dekhe hi...

X ne Damian ki feki hui blade apna haath peechhe le jaate hue pakad li.

Damian : Wh-Whaaaat!!!?

Rebecca : Nnghh!!!??? Dam-

Damian (yells) : Haaaaaaaarrgh!!!

Woh aage dauda. Iss baar usne apni kamar se bandhi ek chain nikaali aur ghumaate hue X ke perr ki orr feki.

*Swoosh*

Chain X ke perr me aate hi saanp ki tarah lipat gayi.

'Got him!'

Magar-

Agle hi pal, X ne apne perr ko itni taaqat se peechhe kheencha ki-

'Huh???'

Damian chain sahet kisi ragdoll ki tarah uski orr hawa me khichta chala gaya.

X ne beech hawa me hi use apne dusre haath se pakda.

Damian (gasps) : Urghhh!!

Do system holder. Rebecca. Damian.

Dono ek system holder ki giraft me the. Asahahay. Majboor.

X (leans in) : KNOW. YOUR. PLACE.

*BOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMM*

Palak jhapakte hi... Damian neeche tha. Usne use itni zorr se farsh par patka ki FBCC ki poori floor hil gayi.

Damian ki khopdi concrete se takraayi aur use udhedte hue neeche waali floor ke kamre me jaa ghusi. Khoon ke chheethe hawa me udd gaye.

Uska baaki hissa to yahi tha, magar khopdi, neeche waali floor ki ceiling par.

Aur, Rebecca-

*Swoooooooossshh*

Uska shareer hawa me uda aur jaa ke seedha deewar se jaa bhida, jiske chalte aadhi deewar wahi toot ke bikhar gayi.

Usne unn dono ke lachaar shareer ko ghoora. Jaise maano ek insaan cheetiyon ko ghoor raha ho.

X (quietly) : Remember, sweethearts. You're only alive... Because, I allow it.

Kehte hue woh waha se nikal gaya. Koi jaldbazi nahi. Koi darr nahi. Koi pareshani nahi.

Bas... Taaqat. Taaqat jo duniya ko hila ke rakh dene waali thi. Jald hi.
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Aaj ke liye itna hi.
Update is around 9.6k words. Target remains the same.

Bahut hi shandar tha update Erica ko our Ava ko Garofano batayengi ki vo veer ke sath ake time spent karne vali hai our veer ne use promise kiya hai to dono dekhne vali honga khaskarke Erica

 

[Dhakad boy]

Update - 199 ~ The Elephant in the room​

Ab tak...

Garofano : He's here!!

Jab ek limousine aake unke saamne ruki. Andar se Veer nikla aur saath hi uske bagal se do-chaar professional workers nikal kar ke aaye.

Uske liye chhaata haath me thaame hue the.

Veer ko iss tarah unhone pehle kabhi nahi dekha tha. Ava ki bauhe sikud gayi. Woh akeli nahi thi-

[Something... Something about him... has changed, dear.]

Na jaane uss ek hafte me kya kuchh badla tha, lekin badla toh zaroor tha. Bahut kuchh.

Veer ne uss worker ke haath se chhaata liya aur unhe wahi rukne ka ishaara dete hue woh ahista-ahista unki orr chalte hue aaya.

Aur, paas aate hue usne bas itna hi kaha-

"Humari alliance ka pehla mission ek hi hai — Summit!!!"

Ab aage...

A few days ago, 1st January,
The Night of the New Year,
Mumbai, 12:54 AM ~

Shamshan ke upar raat ka aasmaan garajte baadlon se bhara hua tha. Ped kaanp rahe the. Underground lair kahi-kahi se deh chuki thi aur uske pravesh dwaar se dhua nikal raha tha — kisi hinsak visfot ka saboot.

Ek aakriti andhere me langdaati hui chali aa rahi thi, jo khoon, thand aur fatey hue maans ke tukdo se lath-path thi. Corridor ki steel-plated deewarein emergency lights ki raushni me timtima rahi thi. Aur, dwaar se nikalta hua wo khaufnak aadmi jisey dekh ke aam aadmi ki taange kaanp jaaye.

Taral padaartho — khoon, tel aur acid — ki tapakti hui boond ki pratidhwani ne ek aisi lay banaayi, ek aisa manzar banaaya jo koi bhi sadharan aadmi bina bhaybheet hue nahi dekh sakta tha.

Disembowler!

Jeevit tha.

Mushqil se hi sahi, lekin wo jeevit tha.

Uska lamba lab coat, jo kabhi ekdum safed tha, ab khoon se sana, fata aur jala hua tha. Uski saansein kisi marte janvar ki tarah ukhad rahi thi. Iss baar uski bhayanak muskaan uske hontho se gaayab thi.

“That little wretch…” Usne badbadate hue khud ko aage ki orr kheencha. Uski awaaz me fufkaar thi, jo kahi na kahi uske gusse ko jhalka rahi thi.

“Veer…!”

[Woh taqatvar tha Ludwig...!!!]

"Ehe... Ehe... Shut up, George!! He'll be mine soon! *cough*"

Wo khaasa. Gaadha laal khoon uske muh se nikalte hue neeche farsh par gira. Uska shareer jagah-jagah se chakna-choor ho gaya tha, har harqat ke saath haddiyo ke tukde chatak rahe the. Uska dahina haath dheela pad gaya, liquid nitrogen ke chalte thand se uski twacha chhil chuki thi. Wo iss humle se na bach paata agar-

‘Zephyr’s Mask’ uske paas na hota.

Take 30% less damage (any damage)
Offers 30% resistance to fatal/bleed attacks.

Yahi wo do khoobiyaan thi ‘Zephyr’s Mask’ ki jiske chalte wo iss humle se bach paane me saksham tha.

Corridor fir se hil gaya, door ek generator me se chingari nikli aur fir wo band ho gaya. Ajeeb aakritiyaan alag-alag container me uthal-puthal kar rahi thi — ek abhaas ki unhe bhi khatra tha. Magar, Disembowler ne unki taraf mud ke dekha bhi nahi. Uske paas iska samay hi nahi tha.

Baahar aate hi door se use sirens ki awaazein sunayi di, gaadiyo ki gadgadahat, baarish ka shor… Baahri duniya.

Wo ruka. Ek baar peechhe dekha.

Uske peechhe lair barbaad hone se bas kuchh pal hi door thi. Dhamaake ka dhua corridor me felta jaa raha tha. Laptein deewaron ko apne aalingan me le rahi thi. Test tubes me SHB ke bahut se samples wahi chhoot gaye the.

Lekin, usne wapas andar jaane ki zurrat nahi ki…

Usne sab kuchh chhor diya.

Research. Blood samples. Equipment. Machines. Mutants. Test subjects. Discovery. Proof.

Sab kuchh.

Wo muskuraaya. Khoon uske hontho se behte hue gira.

“Rakh lo… Hehe…” Wo fusfusaya. “Tum meri research ki jaanch karoge? Kar lo… Ehehe… The moment the air touches the wounds, my truth will vanish… Oxidised. Useless. Hehehehe!!”

Wo zorr se hasa.

Lair ab khud shamshan me tabdeel ho chuki thi. Lekin, ye Disembowler ki main laboratory nahi thi. Yeh to bas shikaar ko lubhaane ke liye ek ghosla tha. Bhale hi wo iss baar naqamyab tha, parantu use kaafi hadd tak jankari praapt ho chuki thi.

Veer ko qareeb se dekhna, uski skills, uske cards, uske ladne ka dhang aur uski kamzoriyan.

Wo fir khaansa, lekin hassta raha — ek pagal, khokhli awaaz jo lair me goonj uthi.

“I was inches away…” Usne khud ko ek ghumavdar raaste se ghaseetate hue kaha. “Agli baar, Veer… Agli baar tum bach kar nahi jaa paoge ehe…”

Aur, aise hi wo andhere me kahi gaayab ho gaya.

***

Present, 8th January,
Ragini's house ~

Sardiyon ki ek narm dopahar. Sooraj ki raushni pardo se chhan kar andar kamre me aa rahi thi. Kamra bhi shaant tha — maun, jaise ki veh apni saans roke hue ho.

Kamre ke baahar hall se dabi hui awaazein aur khanakti hui chai ki pyaaliyo ka halka shor sunayi de raha tha.

Ragini apni peeth ke peechhe takiya lagaaye bed par tiki hui thi, uska chehra khidki ki orr tha, magar aankhein kahi aur khoyi hui thi.

---

Darwaza charmara kar khula.

Sabse pehle Shweta andar aayi, uske saath me Bhumika bhi thi. Ragini hili nahi. Usne mud kar bhi nahi dekha. Bas, yuhi baithi rahi. Fir, Shweta ne hi khamoshi todi.

Shweta : Ragini... Abhi kaisa lag raha hai?

Ragini ne use dekha. Fir, bagal se rakhi ek mej ko. Aur, fir boli.

Ragini : Ye dekh rahi ho aap?

Shweta (glances) : ???

Ragini : Isi furniture ki tarah mehsoos ho raha hai. *smiles* jo upar se dekhne me to achhi lag rahi hai lekin kisi kaam ki nahi hai.

Shweta thoda jhep gayi, lekin usne ise zaahir nahi hone diya.

Shweta : Aisa mat kaho. Ye to bas yaha ke doctor ne aisa bataya hai. Tum chinta mat karo. Hum har jagah jayenge. America, Germany... Jaha zaroorat hogi waha jayenge. Aur, tum fir se pehle ki tarah chalogi. Dekhna.

Akhirkar, Ragini ne apna sarr ghumaya, uski aankhein sookhi thi.

Ragini : Aapko lagta hai ki mujhe darr hai ki mein firse nahi chal paungi?

Shweta : Mein-

Usne ek gehri saans chhori.

Ragini (smiles) : Thank you Tai ji. Mein jaanti hu aap mujhe motivate karne ki koshish kar rahi hai. I appreciate it. Aur, haan... Mein bhi har wo koshish karungi jo mujhe pehle ki tarah bana sakti hai.

Shweta (smiles) : Very good. Bas aise hi... Aise hi rehna. Himmat nahi haarna hai.

Ragini (nods) : Mm! Bhumika? Kaisi ho? Mere behosh hone ke baad kya kuchh hua tha?

Bhumika : Aapke behosh hote hi, hotel me afra-tafri mach gayi thi. Suman aunty aur baaki sabhi ne aapko waha se nikaala tha. Aur, hum seedhe ambulance me baith ke hospital ki orr nikal gaye the.

Ragini (frowns) : Suman... Akhir, usne hi kyu...!?

Jis aurat se wo ghrina karna chaah rahi thi, baar-baar wahi aurat uski shubhchintak ke roop me uske saamne haazir ho rahi thi. Ek aur uska upkaar Ragini ke upar tha.

Bhumika : A-Aur, fir... Dada ji... Fir, Veer ka aana. Baaki sab aapko pata hi hoga.

Ragini : Y-Yarnia ka kya hua? Hotel?

Bhumika : Under maintainance hai sab kuchh. Par... Loss bahut hua hai. Louis sahi salamat hai lekin dara hua hai. Bahut se models ab dobara humare saath kaam karne se katra rahe hai. Same goes for the celebrities and businessmen.

Ragini (frowns) : Mere iss tarah hone se... Tum sab pe aur bhi zimmedari badh gayi, hai na?

Bhumika : Nahi! Aap iski chinta mat kariye. Aap bas apni health dekhiye pehle. Ye sab... hum sambhaal lenge.

Ragini ki ungliyaan kambal ke chaaro orr kass gayi. Usne mushqil se galey me atka thook nigla.

Ragini : M-Mujhe yaad hai... Thoda-thoda... Logo ki cheekhein, emergency alarm, maine khade hone ki koshish bhi ki thi, lekin-

Usne apne perro ki orr dekha.

Ragini : Fir, andhera chhaa gaya.

Bhumika bistar ke kinaare baithi aur dheere se apna haath Ragini ki baah par rakhi.

Bhumika : Wo to achha hua jo Suman aunty aur unke saath waali sabhi ladies ne aapko waha se turant hi utha liya tha. Kyunki, kuchh gunde theek usi samay par firing karte hue hotel ke andar ghusne lage the.

Ragini : R-Right! Ye attack... Kisne karwaya? Kaun tha iske peechhe? Aur, kyu?

Bhumika : Nahi pata. Police me complaint kar chuke hai. Investigation jaari hai. Maybe jald hi koi news mil jaaye hume. But so far kuchh bhi haasil nahi hua hai, siwae bomber ke.

Ragini : B-Bomber?

Bhumika (nods) : Hmm! Rajat! Yahi naam hai uska. Jail me hai. Aur...

Ragini : Aur???

Bhumika : Wo... Nidhi ma'am hai na? Veer ke college ki teacher?

Ragini : Haan!

Shweta : Uska ex husband hai wo.

Ragini ka badan sihar utha.

Ragini : K-Kya??? P-Par, kyu? W-Wo... Wo kyu? K-Kaise?

Shweta : Sab pata chalega. Par, abhi tum ye sab jaan ke kar bhi kya logi? Ye unnecessary details jaanana band karo. Ye sab hum par chhor do. Aur, bas apni fiqr karo. Thoda selfish bano. Theek hai?

Bhumika : Right!

Shweta : Uss haram-khor ki khabar hum lenge. Sirf jail me rakhne se usko uski saza nahi mil jayegi. Mein use aur bhi battar saza dilwa ke rahungi.

Ragini : K-Kaise?

Shweta : Meri ek friend hai, uska connection hai police me. Source lagaungi to kya kuchh nahi hoga. Usne humare parivar ko chot pahuchaane ki koshish ki hai. Aur, hum yuhi haath par haath dhare baithe rahenge? Hargiz nahi.

Bhumika : P-Par, mumma ye bahut risky hai.

Shweta : To? Koi saamne se apne ko nuksan pahuchayega aur tum chup hoke bas dekhti rahogi?

Bhumika : M-Mera matlab wo nahi tha.

Shweta : Tum bas dekhti jao mein kya karti hu. Wo bachega nahi.

Ragini : A-Aur, Veer? Kaha hai wo?

Bhumika : Baahar!

Ragini : K-Kaun kaun hai baahar?

Bhumika : Sabhi. Kuchh aur log bhi hai. Sab baat kar rahe hai.

Ragini : O-Okay!

Bhumika : Veer ko bhi... Dada ji ke jaane ka bahut bada sadma pahucha hai. Kal to poore din usne khaana bhi nahi khaaya tha. Aapko hospital se ghar laane me hi busy tha. Aapka poora samaan, medicines, policies, sab wahi dekh raha tha.

Ragini : O-Oh!

Uski bauhe narm pad gayi. Kuchh jhalka. Dard? Pachhtava? Kuchh uske chehre par ubhra.

Ragini (mutters) : Aur... Aise waqt pe maine use doshi thehraya...! I... I don't deserve him, right?

Bhumika : Huh? Kuchh kaha kya?

Ragini : N-Nahi! Kuchh nahi.

Shweta uthi aur Ragini ke paas aayi. Usne pyaar se uske sarr par haath rakha.

Shweta : Tum theek ho jaogi, chinta mat karo. Sab sahi ho jayega. Bas kuchh dino ka kasht hai.

Ragini : J-Ji, Tai ji!

Fir se ek khamoshi chhaa gayi. Bhumika khadi hui, usne Ragini ke haath ko dheere se dabaaya — ek aashvashan ki ve sab yahi hai.

Bhumika : Aap akeli nahi ho, bhabhi. Aap kabhi akeli nahi thi. Hum sab saath hai aapke.

Kehte hue dono hi Shweta aur Bhumika waha se chali gayi. Unke jaate hi Shweta ke bol Ragini ke kaano me goonj gaye.

"Tum wapas se chal paogi."

Aur, itne din me aaj pehli baar, use vishvas hua ki — shayad... shayad veh abhi bhi chal sakti hai.

---

Unke jaate hi darwaza ek baar fir awaaz kiya, iss baar thoda dheere se.

Arohi pehle andar aayi. Kavya uske peechhe-peechhe chalte hue aa rahi thi. Thoda ghabrayi hui aur thoda dari hui.

Uska humesha ki tarah uchhal-kood, ghar ke sabse tanhayi bhare kono me bhi goonjne waali bakbak iss waqt gaayab thi.

Wo Ragini ko aise ghoor rahi thi jaise use pehli baar dekh rahi ho. Uska badan saaf taur par hil raha tha, aur haath bhinche hue the.

Ragini ne dheere se apna sarr ghumaya. Shweta aur Bhumika ke liye pehle jo muskaan uske chehre par thi, wahi usne barkarar rakhi.

Jab usne Kavya ko hichkichaate hue dekha toh usne palke jhapkayi aur fir dheere se apna haath uthaaya, hatheli kholi aur-

Ragini : Kavya? Aao na!

Aur, bas itna hi tha... ki Kavya uss par toot padi — ek leher ki tarah jiske bahaav ki taaqat chhor tak aate aate khatam jaati hai. Veh Ragini ke bistar ke paas ghutno ke bal gir padi. Uski aankhon me aasu panap rahe the aur jald hi wo baandh khul gaya.

Kavya : Bhaaabhiii!!! Kyuuuu? *sniff* Kyu kiya aapne aisa?

Wo ro padi, usne Ragini ke dono haatho ko pakad liya.

Kavya : Aapne mere liye aisa kyu kiya, bhabhi??? *sniff* W-Waha par mujhe hona chahiye tha. P-Par, aapne mujhe apne se chhek kar-

Uski awaaz aansuon se dabi cheenkh me badal gayi.

Kavya : Iss bistar par mujhe hona chahiye tha!!! Ye haal... Mera hona chahiye tha!!! *sniff* Aapne aisa kyu kiya? Kyu kiya aisa???

Arohi : Kavya-

Ragini ne pehle to koi jawab nahi diya. Fir, uska haath dheere-dheere Kavya ke baalo ki orr badha, use ahista-ahista sehlaate hue, baalo me kanghi karte hue wo boli.

Ragini : Kyunki, tum mera apna parivar ho, Kavya.

Jawab sthir tha. Narm. Nishchit.

Ragini : Kyunki, jab bhagdad machi to uske theek pehle tum khil-khila kar hass rahi thi. Kyunki, jab tumhe ehsaas hua, to tum wahi jamm chuki thi. Kyunki, tumhare liye aaj bhi pyaar cotton candy ki tarah hai... Prince aur princess waala. Kyunki, tum iss ghar ki sabse pyaari aur meri chaheeti ho.

Kavya ki aankhon se mote-mote aasu behne lage.

Ragini : Aur, agar tumhari jagah Arohi bhi hoti...

Arohi : !!??

Ragini (smiles) : To bhi mein wahi karti.

Arohi (gasp) : Bh-Bhabhi!?

Ragini : Mera shareer apne aap tumhe bachaane ke liye aage aa gaya, Kavya. Ghar ka koi bhi sadasya hota, mein yahi karti. Chaahe mujhe kitne hi mauke kyu na de diye jaaye.

Kavya : Tai ji ke liye bhi?

Ragini : Hmm? Haan!

Kavya : Mummy ke liye bhi?

Ragini (smiles) : Bilkul!

Kavya : Tejal didi ke liye bhi?

Ragini : Hmm? Tejal? Haan! Uske liye bhi. *smiles*

Kavya : Veer bhaiy-

Ragini : Haan!

Kavya ke poora kehne se pehle hi Ragini ne uttar de diya. Jawab ki raftaar se khud woh bhi dang reh gayi. Uski palke agle hi kshan neeche jhuk gayi.

Kavya ka shareer kaanp utha aur usne apna chehra Ragini ki goad me chhipa liya.

Kavya : P-Par, aapne meri wajah se khud ko... *sniff* Ab mein... Mein khud se nafrat kiye bagerr aapko dekh bhi nahi paa rahi. Mein bina ye soche theek se saans bhi nahi le paa rahi ki maine aapse kuchh chheena hai.

Ragini ne use pakda, uska haath ab thoda kaanp raha tha, lekin abhi bhi uske baalo ko sehla raha tha.

Ragini : Tumne mujhse kuchh bhi nahi chheena hai, Kavya. Zindagi ne ek chaal chali aur mein aage aa gayi. Bas itna hi. No cosmic punishment. No debts to repay. Just... my own choice.

Wo ruki.

Ragini : Aur, agar fir se mauka mila, to firse mein yahi karungi.

Kavya ki cheenkh andar hi andar galey me nikli. Aisi cheenkh jo chhaati ke beech se nikalti hai, jo kamre ke andar cheezon ko hila ke rakh deti hai.

Kavya : T-Toh, ab mujhe bhi choose karne do. *hic*

Usne peechhe hatate hue kaha. Aankhein laal, aur kaajal aankhon me fela hua.

Ragini : ???

Kavya : Mujhe aapka khayaal rakhne do. Mein aapko khana khilaungi, aapke kapde badlungi, agar zaroorat padi to aapko utha ke le chalungi. *hic* Mein college nahi jaungi, mein... mein baahar nahi ghoomungi. *sniff* Mujhe parvah nahi. Mein bas yaha aapke paas rehna chaahti hu. *sniff* Mein bas chaahti hu ki aap pehle jaisi ho jao. Pehle ki tarah smile karo. *hic*

Ragini khud ko rok na paayi. Ek chhoti si, udaas muskaan uske hontho par ubhri.

Ragini (smiles) : Tumne already mujhe pehle ki tarah smile karwa diya, paagal.

Wo boli jab achanak uski muskaan ek vichaar ke chalte kahi gayab ho gayi.

'Huh!?'

Ek minute. Kavya uss se iss tarah isliye pesh aa rahi thi kyunki aaj wo iss haalat me thi. Wo apahij thi. Kya use Kavya ka vyavhar bura laga?

Nahi!

To fir, Veer ne bhi to yahi kiya tha. Wo bhi to uski parvah kar raha tha. To usne Veer se aisa kyu kaha ki wo uski parvah isliye kar raha hai kyunki wo ab chal nahi sakti. Akhir, Kavya bhi to yahi kar rahi thi.

Jaise hi use iss baat ka bodh hua, usne apne nichla honth daanto taley zorr se daba liya.

'Y-Ye kya ho raha hai, mujhe? Mein... Oh, Veer!!! I...'

Kahi na kahi, use apni harqato aur apni galti ka ehsaas ho raha tha.

Usne apne aasuon ko girne se roka aur Kavya par dhyaan diya jo ro rahi thi. Apne anguthe se usne Kavya ka gaal pochha.

Ragini : Thank you, silly girl. Par, meri wajah se tumhe college chhorne ki zaroorat nahi. Maine isliye wo goli nahi khaayi ki tum apni life enjoy karna chhor do.

Kavya ne naak sikodi aur zorr se sirr hilaaya.

Kavya : *sniff* Theek hai. To, fir mein hum dono ke liye enjoyment karungi. Par, ab aap mere saath fass chuki ho, bhabhi. Bhale hi aap mujhe baahar nikaal do, par aaj se mein yahi soungi. Zameen par. Fir, chaahe mein carpet me hi kyu na badal jau.

Ragini : Hahahahaha!

Iss par Ragini ki hassi chhoot gayi — iss baar sach me. Ye kilkaari kaale baadlo ke beech se sooraj ki raushni ki tarah thi.

Arohi, jo iss poore samay bed ke paas hi khadi thi, pehli baar akhirkar boli. Awaaz dheemi aur gambheer thi.

Arohi : Aap akeli nahi, bhabhi. Hum sab saath hai. Meri help ki koi bhi need ho, aap mujhe be-jhijhak call kariyega. No hesitation.

Ragini ne uski orr dekha. Woh shaant ladki jo shayad hi kabhi kuchh bolti thi. Uske lehze me humesha saadagi hoti thi, lafz humesha kam aur nape-tule hue.

Ragini (nods) : You both... Thank you.

Aur, ek pal ke liye kamre me maujood dukh kam sa ho gaya. Ve teeno chupchap baithe rahe.

Ek shok mana rahi thi.
Ek theek ho rahi thi.
Ek keval dekh rahi thi.

Aur, baahar darwaze ke theek peechhe, Veer khada hua tha — uska haath deewar par tha, sab sunn raha tha. Shaant. Sthir. Lekin, dil... dukh raha tha.

---

Veer ne hall me qadam rakha, uske dimag me vichar uthal-puthal machaaye hue the.

Living room me lagbhag sabhi log ikhatte the. Logo me chai batt rahi thi, biscuits diye jaa rahe the aur halki si fusfusahat me aapsi baatein ho rahi thi. Itne me andar se Arohi bhi baahar nikal ke aa gayi.

Bhavna, apni khamoshi me saiyammit lekin door, Arohi ko dhyaan se dekhi.

Bhavna : Kaisi hai ab?

Arohi (nods) : Theek hai ab. Abhi ke liye. Rest kar rahi hain.

Bhavna ne dheere se saans chhori.

Bhavna : Hmm! Mein uss se baad me milungi. Ek-ek kar ke jaana abhi theek nahi. Use araam ki zaroorat hai.

Tej ne pehle Veer ko dekha. Uske chehre ko. Jagah-jagah halke fulke ghaavo ko. Uski himmat nahi ho rahi thi uss se baat karne ki. Uss se poochhne ki. Na hi wo uss se nazrein mila paa rahi thi. Lekin, tadap rahi thi uss se baat karne ke liye.

Pichhle ek hafte se unn dono ke beech dhang se baat bhi nahi ho rahi thi. Tej glaani ke bhaar me dabti jaa rahi thi aur Veer na jaane kinn vichaaro me khoya hua rehta tha.

Kintu, wo yeh nahi jaanti thi ki Veer khud uss se baat karne me katra raha tha. Wo khud glaani ke bhaar ke neeche daba hua tha. Itna bada haadsa ho gaya, uske dada ji swarg sidhaar gaye, Ragini apahij ho gayi aur uski apni behan marrte-marrte bach gayi. Saari galti woh apne sarr liye hue tha.

Aise me kaise woh Tej ka saamna kar sakta tha? Kya jawab deta use? Magar, Tej ye baatein nahi jaanti thi.

Yaha tak ki Arohi bhi uss se kuchh kehne ki himmat nahi kar paa rahi thi. Kal jab usne sawaal kiye the to Veer ne use zorr se chillaa diya tha. Badi hone ke bawajood, Veer ki oonchi awaaz sunn woh sihar kar reh gayi thi.

Veer ke bartaav me jo badlaav aa raha tha wo koi aur notice kare ya na kare, Arohi aur Tej ne sabse pehle kar liya tha.

Tej ne fir hall me nazre maarte hue poochha.

Tej : Kavya!? Kavya kaha hai?

Arohi : Wo andar hai, didi. Bhabhi ke saath.

Wahi baithi Sumitra ne chinta me bauhe chadhaayi.

Sumitra : Andar? Abhi Ragini ke saath chhorna theek rahega kya? Use araam karne dete thodi derr. Arohi, tum use andar kyu-

Uska itna kehna hi tha ki uske bagal se baithi Shweta dheere se muskurayi, aur boli.

Shweta : Sumitra, maana ki Kavya kisi toofan se kam nahi. *smiles* Lekin, wo woh toofan hai jiski Ragini ko abhi zaroorat bhi hai. Woh ladki... Aise samay me har ghar me ek Kavya honi chahiye.

Uski baat par sabhi halke se hasey — uski baat se sehmat.

Shweta (smiles) : Woh Ragini ko apni baaton me uljha ke rakhegi.

Sumitra, iss baar sehmati me muskurayi.

Sumitra : Shayad... Aapne sahi kaha. *smiles*

Isi beech Suman, Aabha aur Sonali kamre ke beech me tray me chai ke cups ko ikhatta kar sab sametne me lagi hui thi. Ghar ki seva me veh teeno sabse aage thi. Ye chhote-chhote kaam sab wahi sambhaal rahi thi.

Tej Arohi ki orr firse mudi.

Tej : T-Tum... Tumhe bhi ab jaana hoga, hai na?

Arohi : Ahemdabad?

Tej (nods) : Hmm!

Arohi : Nahi! Mein tervi tak rukungi, didi. Jab tak sab kuchh ho nahi jaata. Mein yahi hu.

Uske uttar par sabhi ne haami bhari. Fir, achanak Bhavna ki nazar Veer par padi. Usne apna cup neeche rakha aur uthi.

Bhavna : Veer! Aao!!!

Kuchh ne sirr utha ke dekha, lekin kaha kuchh nahi. Har koi itna pareshan tha, itna thaka hua tha, itna toota hua tha ki kaarano ki talaash karne ki kisi ki ichhaa nahi hui.

Tej ke labb khule, magar bina kuchh kahe band ho gaye. Wo bas Veer ko uthata hua, apni maa ke peechhe-peechhe jaate hue dekhti rahi.

---

Bhavna seedhiyaan chadhte hue upar jaane lagi. Thandi hawaein chal rahi thi. Sooraj doob raha tha aur raushni chhatne lagi thi.

Woh aage badhti rahi aur fir ruk gayi. Veer ki orr mudi, apni baahein modey. Veer iss rukh se parichit tha. Ek toofan ka sanket. Woh taiyaar tha.

Lekin, jis cheez ki use ummeed nahi thi woh tha Bhavna ka haath jo uske chehre ki orr uth raha tha.

Bade se bade system holder ka bhi haath agar uske upar uthata to uska badan iss tarah nahi thiturta jis tarah apni maa ke haath uthne se ek pal ke liye hil gaya.

Magar...

Sparsh komal tha.

Bhavna ki hatheli uske gaal par thi. Uski ungliyaan uski twacha par dheere se fir rahi thi. Ek maa ka sparsh.

Bhavna : Kaise ho?

Ek ajeeb sa sawaal. Awaaz shaant thi. Veer do pal ke liye chakit reh gaya. Ye sawal kuchh aisa tha jo use Ragini se karna chahiye tha. Na ki apne bete se.

Lekin, Bhavna hi sirf yeh jaanti thi ki wo kya poochh rahi thi aur kyu poochh rahi thi.

Veer ne koi jawab nahi diya. Veh nahi de sakta tha.

Bhavna (voice trembling) : Jhooth mat bolo ab, Veer. Bas sach bolo... ek baar!!!

Veer ne apni aankhein neeche kar li.

Bhavna uske aur qareeb aayi. Usne apna haath Veer ke maathe par, uski kalam ki taraf firaaya, uski ungliyaan Veer ke kuchh ghaavo ko ahista se sparsh kar gayi. Uski bauhe sikudi.

Bhavna (frowns) : Y-Ye ghaav... Ye kya hai??? Tum kaha the, Veer? Kya hua tha??? Jawab do, mujhe!!!

Poochhte hue wo thoda peechhe hati. Use dekhi — uski baah, uske gaal, uske maathe, uski gardan ke kinaare maujood ghaav jo pichhle hafte se kaafi halke ho chuke the, lekin drishti me abhi bhi the.

Ye toh khush-kismat thi Veer ki jo uski maa uski shirt ke andar ke ghaav ko nahi dekh paayi thi. Wo ghaav jo uski chhaati, uski peeth, uske kandho par ukere gaye the.

Bhavna : Mein fir se tumse poochh rahi hu!!! Kya tum kisi gande kaam me shaamil ho?? Kya tumne... kisi se ladayi ki hai? Ya kisi se dushmani mod li hai? Gang? Mafia? Koi gerr-kanooni kaam? Jawab do!!!

Veer ki nazre punah neeche jhuk gayi. Chhat ki taraf. Usne kuchh bhi nahi kaha.

Bhavna : Jab sab kuchh bikhar raha tha tab tum kaha the??? Tum kaha the jab ye parivar...!?

Uski saans ghutne lagi.

Bhavna : -Jab Ragini par humla hua. Jab Tej lagbhag... lagbhag marrte-marrte reh gayi!?

Uski awaaz ab kaanp rahi thi — kuchh rosh me, kuchh lachaari me.

Veer ki mutthi kass gayi. Lekin, fir bhi usne kuchh nahi kaha. Aur, uski chuppi par Bhavna ka saiyyam toot gaya. Woh aage badhi, aur achanak uski collor pakad li — uske haath kaanp rahe the, uska chehra krodh aur aasuon se laal ho chuka tha.

Bhavna : Jawab do mere bacche!!!

Veer : ...

Bhavna : Aaj tumne apne dada ji ko khoya hai, Ragini ab pehle ki tarah chal nahi sakti, Tej... usne lagbhag apni jaan gawa di thi aur tum... Tum laapata the!!

Akhirkar, uske chehre par aasu umad hi aaye.

Bhavna : Kisi anjaan shaks ne... Tumhari behan ki jaan bachaayi. Tum kaha the??? Agar, tum aise hi chalte rahe... to tum sab kuchh kho doge, Veer. Tum Tej ko kho doge. Tum... Tum mujhe kho doge.

Akhiri shabd par uski awaaz toot gayi. Usne apne haath ko Veer ki collor se kheencha aur apni kaanpti hui hatheli uske seene par dheere se rakhi.

Bhavna : M-Mein akhiri baar poochh rahi hu.

Veh uski aankhon me dekhi.

Bhavna : TUMHE MERI KASAM!!!

Veer akad ke reh gaya. Wahi jamm gaya. Jaise uski maa ne kuchh aisa keh diya tha jise wo kabhi ansuna nahi kar sakta tha. Ek aisa daav jise koi bhi hara nahi sakta tha. Koi bhi kaushal use darkinaar nahi kar sakta tha.

Veer ki aankhein chaudi ho gayi. Yeh pehli baar tha jab uski maa ne use apni kasam di thi. Wo ab tak uske saare jhootho ko nazar-andaaz karti aayi thi par iss baar nahi.

Veer ne mushqil se nigla. Woh apni maa ke haatho tak pahucha. Shraddha-poorvak.

Usne unhe pakda, uthaaya, apne hontho se lagaaya aur chooma. Uske haath aur honth, dono kaanp rahe the.

Bhavna uski orr dekhti rahi. Aankhein laal ho chuki thi.

Bhavna : Bolo! *sniff* Bolo!!! KAHI AGLA DEH SANSKAR TUMHE MERA HI NA KARNA PAD JAAYE, VEER!!!

Veer (yells) : Nahiiiiiiiiii-!!!

Bhavna (yells) : Toh jawaab do!!!

"MEIN BATAATI HU!!!"

Achanak peechhe se ek awaaz aayi.

Bhavna aur Veer dono mude. Chhat ki seedhiyon ke chhor par Nidhi khadi hui thi, aankhon se aasu beh rahe the. Isme koi shaq nahi tha ki usne maa bete ke beech ho rahi baatein sunn li thi. Veh dheere-dheere aage badhi.

Veer : Ma'am!?? A-Aap yaha!?

Lekin, jaise hi usne ye poochha, usme dimag me kayi cheezein kaundh gayi. Use yaad aaya ki kaise usne Juhi ke nazuk shareer ko lair se nikaala tha. Use khoon, wo cheekhein, aur use surakshit jagah par pahuchaane ke liye bedum daudna yaad aaya. Use Nidhi ke hospital ke kamre me behosh hona yaad aaya aur ab... woh yaha thi.

Nidhi ne apne haatho se apne aasu pochhe. Wo aage badhi. Aur, aate hi usne Veer ko chhek liya. Woh Bhavna ke saamne khadi ho gayi.

Nidhi : Veer ko kuchh mat boliyega...

Bhavna : T-Tum-!?

Nidhi : Meri beti... Juhi... *sniff* Wahi serial killer... Wo le gaya tha meri beti ko utha ke... Jiski news aa rahi thi. *sniff* Mein dhundhti rahi... Lekin, meri bacchi mujhe kahi nahi mil rahi thi... Dar-dar bhatakti rahi, behosh ho gayi... Hospital me thi... Lekin, jab mein uthi... Mujhe hosh aaya toh-

Bhavna : !!?

Nidhi : *sniff* Meri bacchi mere saamne thi. *sniff* Veer ki goad me... Veer use chhura ke laaya tha... Jab aapke hotel me udhar humla ho raha tha... Tab Veer meri bacchi ko bachaane gaya tha... Use kuchh mat kahiyega... *sniff* Kehna hai to mujhe kahiye. Meri galti hai...!!

Veer : Ma'am!! Nahi-!!

Bhavna ne chaunkte hue palkein jhapkayi. Use ye pata tha ki Renshu, Erica aur Garofano Veer ko behoshi ki haalat me hospital laaye the.

Lekin, kisi ko bhi zyada jankari prapt nahi hui thi. Sab itna hi samajh paaye the ki Renshu aur baaki sab Veer ke shubhchintak the jo use kisi musibat se bacha ke laaye the.

Aaj Nidhi ke zariye use baaki baatein pata chal rahi thi.

Nidhi : M-Mujhe nahi pata ki meri bacchi ko wo kaha le gaya tha... *sniff* Mujhe nahi pata ki Veer ne kaise Juhi ko chhuraaya. Mujhe ye bhi nahi pata tha ki uss waqt uski hotel par humla ho raha tha. *sniff* Uske apna log khoon se lathpath the. Aur, tab bhi... Wo meri beti ko bachaane me laga hua tha. *sniff*

Wo sisakte hue boli. Apne dupatte ka kinaara pakadte hue usne himmat baandhi.

Nidhi : Maine dekhi thi... *sniff* Saari khabre... Bomb blast... Rajat...

Usne nigla. Chehre par bebasi chhaa gayi.

Nidhi : Woh... *sniff* Woh badla lena chaahta tha. M-Mujhe nahi pata ki use itna bhayanak kaam karne ke liye kisne uksaaya. Lekin, usne kiya... *sniff* aur, aapka beta... Usne meri beti ki parvah ki jab uski khud ki duniya bikhar rahi thi *sniff*

Woh dheere-dheere apne ghutno ke bal gir padi.

Nidhi : M-Mujhe maaf kar dijiye! *sniff* Mujhe maaf kar dijiye... A-Agar, meri wajah se aapke parivar ke rishton me daraar aayi to mein apne aap ko kabhi maaf nahi kar paungi. *sniff* Please... M-Mujhe maaf kar dijiye...! *sniff*

"Bas!!!!"

Veer ki awaaz zorr se waha fel gayi. Usne jhatse Nidhi ke kandho ko kass kar pakda aur use upar kheench liya.

Veer (frowns) : Ye kya kar rahi ho aap??? Uss sarrfirey ne jo kuchh bhi kiya uske liye aap apne aap ko kaise doshi thehra sakti ho??? Kya aaj bhi aap use apna pati maanti ho?

Nidhi (gasps) : N-Nahi! Kabhi nahi-!!

Veer : Toh fir??? Uss haraam-zaade ki kartooto ko aap apne sarr par kyu le rahi ho?

Nidhi : M-Mein- *sniff*

Veer : CHUP RAHIYE!

Nidhi : *sniff*

Veer (frowns) : Woh pehle se hi mere peechhe tha. Aapka iss se koi lena-dena nahi hai. Usne aapko target nahi kiya, mujhe kiya hai. Mere parivar ko. Aur, maine wahi kiya jo mujhe karna chaahiye tha. KYUNKI, JUHI SIRF AAPKE LIYE MAAYNE NAHI RAKHTI!

Uske iss bol par Nidhi ki aankhein aasuon se poori dhundhli ho chali.

Veer : Woh nirdosh thi...! Aur, mujhe... Mujhe to use bachaane jaana hi tha.

Ant me uski awaaz toot gayi. Aur, aaj pehli baar Bhavna ne apne bete ko spasht roop me dekha — rehesyo se bhare aadmi ke roop me nahi, balki dhaal ke peechhe yoddha ke roop me khoon bahaate hue.

Veh aage badhi, uski saansein tez thi, aankhein uss par tiki thi.

Veer ne uski orr dekha — sharminda, toota hua, thoda dara hua.

Aur, Bhavna ne use apni baahon me bhar liya. Koi shabd nahi. Kuchh nahi. Bas ek maa jo apne bacche ko poori taaqat se thaame hue thi.

Uske mote-mote aasu Veer ke kandhe par tapakte gaye, usne apne haath se uske sarr ke peechhe baalo ko sehlaaya aur use aise thaama jaise woh use kabhi bhi ab kahi jaane nahi degi. Wo royi.

Bhavna : M-Mujhe maaf kar dena... *sniff* Mujhe maaf kar de mere bete!!!

Veer : M-Maa!

Bhavna : Mujhe tum par garv hai!! *sniff* Bhale hi mein sab kuchh na samajh pau... Lekin, dard ko dekh ke hi pehchaan jaati hu...! Aur, ye bhi jaanti hu ki mera beta khatre se bhaag nahi raha. Ulta khatre ki orr bhaag raha hai... Use mitaane... Use khatm karne... Dusro ko uss se bachaane... *sniff* Mujhe maaf kar do, beta.

Veer ne akhirkar khud ko dheela chhor diya, aasu behne diye — chaahe ek pal ke liye hi sahi.

[Master...!]

Aur, uss chhat par dhundhle aasmaan ke neeche, ek maa ka aalingan hi ek aisi cheez bann gaya jisne bete ki bikharti duniya ke tukdo ko ek saath baandhe rakha.

---

Veer, Nidhi aur Bhavna jaise hi seedhiyon se neeche ko utar kar aaye to living room se unhe hasi-mazaak ki awaazein sunayi de rahi thi.

Halki. Meethi. Masoom.

Ve hall me jaise hi pravesh kiye to dekha ki Juhi sofe par baithi hui thi, uske peechhe Arohi thi jo uske mulayam gaalo se khel rahi thi. Kamre ka mahaul upar chhat par jo hua uss se bilkul hi vipreet tha.

Lekin, ek hi pal me sab kuchh badal gaya. Jaise hi Veer ne hall me qadam rakha, uski chhavi ne Juhi ka dhyaan kheench liya. Uski chhoti-chhoti aankhein Veer ko dekhte hi chamak uthi. Uska poora chehra khil utha.

Woh Arohi ki pakad se azaad hui aur apne nanhe-nanhe qadam le, apni baahein felaaye aage badhi. Aur, uski awaaz ghane sannaate ko teer ki tarah bhed gayi-

"PAPAAAAAA!!!!"

Awaaz goonj gayi. Ekdum spasht.

Samay jaise ruk gaya. Sab ke sab stabdh reh gaye. Arohi ki muskan gaayab ho gayi. Tej ka muh khula reh gaya. Bhumika, jo paani ka glass liye khadi thi, beech me hi ghoonth peete hue ruk gayi. Shweta wahi jamm ke reh gayi.

Nidhi ke chehre ka rang udd gaya. Woh Bhavna ke bagal me stabdh khadi rahi, uske honth aashcharya me khul gaye. Uski beti ne abhi-abhi Veer ko kya pukaara...!?

Veer bhi avaak tha. Juhi uss par tezi se jhapat padi.

"Papa...!!!"

Woh firse chillaayi aur aa kar Veer ke perr se chipak gayi. Veer apne aap hi akasmat neeche jhuka, use uthaaya aur use kass kar galey se laga liya.

Juhi ki chhoti baahein uski gardan ke chaaro orr lipat gayi, uske narm hontho ne uske gaal ko chooma aur fir usne apna chehra uske kandhe me chhipa liya. Wahi ehsaas — garm, surakshit aur araamdayak.

Veer ne bhi muskuraate hue use apne se lagaaye rakha. Uska haath dheere se Juhi ki peeth par gaya, use sehlaane laga.

Suman hi ekmaatra thi kamre me jiske chehre par khushi ke bhaav the. Ek shaant, jaankaar muskaan.

'Bahut jald... Yahi vastavik sacchayi hogi. Fufu~'

Bhavna ne Veer aur Juhi ko dekha, fir Nidhi ki orr — uski aankhein sawaalo se bhari hui thi, jinhe wo poochh nahi paa rahi thi.

Uska beta ek bacchi ko apni bacchi ki tarah pakde hue tha. Aur, bacchi bhi uss baat se poori tarah sehmat thi. Yakeen kar rahi thi.

Tez ki awaaz ne fir chuppi todi.

Tej : P-Papa!?

Usne kayi baar palkein jhapkayi, uski ungliyaan kursi ke kinaare par kass gayi.

Tej : Kya abhi-abhi usne-!??

Veer ne koi jawaab nahi diya. Juhi abhi bhi uss se lipti hui thi, abhi bhi apne mann me fusfusaate hue 'papa' keh rahi thi, jaise ki daava kar rahi ho ki yahi sach hai. Veer hi uske papa hai.

Nidhi ghabraate hue aage badhi.

Nidhi (nervously) : J-Juhi!? Beta... Aapne Veer maamu ko aisa kyu kaha? M-Maamu aapke papa nahi hai beta... Wo aapke maamu hai, hai na???

Lekin, Juhi ne use ansuna kar diya. Balki, usne Veer ko aur kass kar pakad liya maano keh rahi ho ki — nahi, aap galat ho.

Veer ne ek pal ke liye apni aankhein band ki aur saans chhori. Fir, usne sabki taraf dekha. Uski awaaz shaant thi, lekin awaaz me wazan tha.

Veer : Juhi dari hui thi...

Usne bolna shuru kiya.

Veer : Jab maine Juhi ko dhundha tha, to woh kaanp rahi thi. Kamre me bandhi hui thi. Uss serial killer ne Juhi aur Pihu dono ko baandh ke jakad rakha tha...! Aur, jab maine Juhi ko waha se chhuraaya, use apne se lagaaya, toh Juhi ne uss waqt apne aap hi... Mujhe 'papa' keh ke pukaara.

Veer ki baat kisi ko theek se samajh me na aayi. Kaun serial killer? Kaun Pihu? Kaha fassi thi Juhi aur Pihu? Lekin, Bhavna jisne abhi-abhi upar sach jaana tha veh sab kuchh samajh gayi.

Bhavna : M-Mein samjhaati hu.

Uske baad Bhavna ne woh sab kuchh bata diya jo Nidhi ne use upar chhat par bataaya tha, jisey sunn sabki aankhein phati ki phati reh gayi.

Unhe pata chal gaya Veer kaha tha. Aur, kyu tha. Unki aankhein uske balidaan par paani-paani ho chali. Iska matlab...

Wo bhi uss waqt apni jaan khatre me daal ke kisi nanhi jaan ki raksha kar raha tha. Tej ki glaani ye sunte hi aur bhi badh gayi.

Har koi saare vaakhyan ko bas chup-chaap sunta raha. Veer ne jaari rakha.

Veer : -Aur, isliye... maine Juhi ke mujhe 'papa' kehne par use sudhara nahi. Wo dari hui thi. Uss pal mein hi uske paas tha... Mera poora dhyaan use bachaane par tha. Shayad, isliye... Shayad isliye woh mujhe aise dekhne lagi hai.

Juhi ne chup-chaap uske kandhe par sarr hilaaya.

Juhi : Shayad nahi... Aap hi Juhi ke papa ho.

Veer : ???

Nidhi : J-Juhi???

Juhi : Mumma kehti hai ki jo Juhi se pyaar kare, jo... jo... jo Juhi ko plotect kare... jo Juhi ki mumma se pyaar kare... Wahi papa hai... Aur, aap hi ho... Mere papa...!

Nidhi ki saansein tez ho gayi.

Nidhi : J-Juhi... Beta nahi... Maamu ko tum aise-

Veer : Mujhe iss se koi dikkat nahi hai.

Usne beech me hi tokte hue sabhi ko chaunka diya. Nidhi ke gaal sharm se laal ho gaye. Usne apni nazrein neechi kar li aur ye bhaav Bhavna ki aankhon se chook kar na jaa sake.

Suman : Mein kya kehti hu...

Suman ne sabhi ka dhyaan kheechte hue kaha.

Suman : Agar, Veer ji ko koi dikkat nahi hai. Aur, agar nanhi Juhi bhi unhe aise hi bulaana chaahti hai. Toh, isme kya dikkat hai?

Bhavna (frowns) : S-Suman-! Tum shayad samjhi nahi ki-

Suman : Mein sab samajh rahi hu, didi. Aap sab isliye pareshan hai ki aage chal ke iss bacchi par kya asar padega. Samaj me kaisa lagega? Aur... Veer ji aur Nidhi ke beech iss tarah ka ek alag hi nakli rishta log maanane lagenge.

Bhavna : ...

Suman : Par, logo se hume kya. Hum jaante hai ki sacchayi kya hai. Juhi lagbhag apni paidaish se hi ek pita ke prem ke bagerr rahi hai. Agar, aane waale kuchh saalo ke liye wo Veer ji ko apna pita maanti hai, toh isme kya buraayi hai? Samay aane par... Badi hone par... Cheezein wapas se sadharan ho hi jaayengi na?

Bhavna : Huh?

Veer (nods) : Bilkul! Agar, iss ek shabd ki wajah se Juhi ko sukoon milta hai. Toh, mein ise garv se rakhunga. Bhale hi ye asli na ho. *smiles* Bhale hi ye sirf Juhi ke liye ho.

Nidhi ka dil jaise kayi dhadkane phaand gaya. Juhi ne Veer ko dekha.

Juhi : P-Par, papa yahi sach hai naaaaa!!!

Veer (smiles) : Tum kehti ho... toh, yahi sach hai.

Bhavna ne kuchh derr kuchh vichaar kiya, Nidhi baar-baar use nazrein chura ke darrte hue dekh rahi thi. Par, aage jo usne kaha, uss se Nidhi ka mann halka ho gaya.

Bhavna : Suman theek keh rahi hai.

Tej : M-Mom???

Bhavna : Logo ke dimaag me gandagi hoti hai. Agar, hume pata hai ki kiske beech kya rishta hai, kinn parishthitiyo ke kaaran Juhi aisa kar rahi hai, toh koi bhi suljha hua insaan iss par tippani nahi karega.

Aur, isi tarah...

Veer ko Juhi dwara 'papa' kehlaane ki sweekriti sabhi se mil gayi.

Kisi ka text bhi use usi waqt aaya jis wajah se use ghar se nikalna pada.

Idhar, uske jaate hi Nidhi jis kaam ke liye aayi thi, usne apni khwaish bhi rakh di.

Nidhi : Jab aap sab yaha nahi the...

Bhavna : ???

Nidhi : Jab Veer ko ghar se nikaal diya gaya tha. Tab, woh mere saath raha tha.

Tej : !!?

Nidhi (nervously) : Uske dada ji ke chal basne ki khabar sunn ke mujhe bahut hi bura laga, aur mein dekh rahi hu ki woh tab se hi gumsum sa hai... Isliye...

Arohi : !!?

Nidhi (nervously) : -Isliye... M-Mein chaahti hu ki... Mera matlab hai... J-Juhi bhi rahegi toh... K-Kya mein Veer ko apne saath le jaa sakti hu? K-Kuchh din ke liye? U-Uska dil bhi behel jaayega...

Tej (khade hote hue) : Kyaaaaaa????

Nidhi : *gasps*

Iske pehle ki Tej sawaal utha paati, hall ke darwaaze ke hi dehleez se ek aur awaaz aayi-

"Sirf aap hi nahi... Mein bhi chaahti hu ki Veer mere saath rahe."

Jab sab ne palat ke uss orr dekha toh paaya ki Purvi, Arun ke saath wahi khadi hui thi.

***

Outside the society,
Night - 8:15 PM ~

Gated colony ke theek baahar, timtimaate street lamp ke neeche ek sleek obsidian car khadi hui thi.

Garofano driver seat par baithi hui thi. Satin ki slit emerald green dress me wo keher dhaa rahi thi. Perr ek ke upar ek, uski lambi taangein, doodhiyaan jaangh, car ke andar andhere me bhi chamak rahi thi.

Aur, uski gehri aankhein society ke gate ki orr tiki hui thi.

Usne steering wheel ko apne manicure kiye gaye sundar lambe nakhoono se sehlaaya, fir phone se ek text bheja.

"I'm outside."

Kuchh pal beetein. Aur, fir woh saamne aaya.

Veer!

Aasteen tak mudi hui ek kaali shirt aur denim jeans pehne, woh gate se baahar nikla.

Car ki khidki ek halki si sarsarahat ke saath neeche khisak gayi. Garofano muskurayi.

Garofano : Hop in!

Veer ne koi jawab nahi diya. Usne darwaza khola, aur passenger seat par baithate hue darwaza zorr se band kar diya.

Garofano ne apni aankhon ke kone se use dekha.

Garofano : Kaise ho, Veer?

Veer ne koi jawab nahi diya. Balki-

Veer : Tum yaha par? Kisliye?

Bas itna hi.

Garofano ki muskaan feeki pad gayi, lekin sirf thodi si. Woh uske aura me aaye badlaav ko mehsoos kar paa rahi thi. Veer ke andar... kuchh badal chuka tha.

Garofano (coyly) : Ab kya mein tumse baat karne bhi nahi aa sakti, Veer?

Veer : Cut the crap! Seedhe-seedhe mudde pe aao, Violet!

Apna asal naam sunte hi Garofano samajh gayi ki Veer achhe mood me nahi tha.

Bina kuchh kahe, woh compartment me pahuchi aur usme se kaagaz ka ek muda hua tukda nikaalte hue use thama di.

Veer ne jhunjhlaate hue uske haath se wo kaagaz liya, lekin jaise hi usne use khola — uski aankhein bhay ke maare fel gayi. Uska badan wahi jamm gaya.

Wo kaagaz koi aam kaagaz nahi tha. Wo tha... ek dossier.

Photos. Names. Locations. Routines.

Uska poora parivar. Tej. Bhavna. Arohi. Kavya. Ragini.

Yaha tak ki Suman, Aabha, Sonali, har koi... usme maujood tha.

Veer ki saansein foolne lagi. Uske dil ki dhadkane tez ho gayi — darr se nahi, balki krodh se. Uski ungliyaan kaagaz ke kinaare par mud gayi, use dheere-dheere kuchalne lagi maano woh use kuchalne ki koshish kar raha ho jo iss sab ke peechhe tha.

Garofano bas use dhyaan se dekhti rahi. Aur, fir boli-

Garofano : Dexter ke paas se mujhe ye mila. Wahi sniper jisne tumhare Dada ji ko maara, tumhari sister-in-law ko disable kiya aur Natalia ko injure.

Veer ka jabda kass gaya. Uske daant aapas me misey.

Garofano : I killed him. Uska past bhi dekha maine.

Veer : ???

Garofano (frowns) : Woh kisi syndicate alliance ka hissa tha. Basically, ek assasin squad. Jinme 3 members the — Matthew, Dexter khud aur-

Veer : Aur?

Garofano : Aur, ek vulture. Past illustration me yahi naam tha uska.

Veer : Vulture? Matlab, ye bhi ek assasin tha?

Garofano : Tha ya fir hai. I don't know. Past me sirf yahi dikhayi diya ki ye teen syndicate alliance ka hissa the. Matthew tumhaare haatho maara gaya tha aur isliye, Dexter tumse badla lena chaahta tha.

Veer : I see! Aur, woh vulture?

Garofano : Uske baare me kuchh nazar nahi aaya. Bas yahi ki woh bhi initial phase me syndicate alliance ka hissa tha.

Veer : Tsk!!!

Garofano : The Elephant was in the room the whole time.

Veer : !!?

Garofano : Past illustration me dikh gaya.

Veer : You mean-

Garofano : Hmm! Iss sab ke peechhe ek system holder tha. Pehle se hi... Jiski tumhe bhanak tak nahi lag paayi. Woh yahi tha. Tumhari society me kahi... Tumhare parivar ki photos lete hue... Unki information ikhatti karte hue... Usi ne Dexter ko bhadkaya, ye dossier bana ke diya taaki wo tumse badla le sake. Aur, ant me... wo apna khel khelkar nikal gaya.

Veer (grits) : K-Kaun?

Garofano : Nahi pata. Sarr se lekar perr tak covered tha. Dexter ki memory me to yahi dikha. Bahut hi fuzzy tha uska past. Theek se kuchh samajh hi nahi aa raha tha.

Veer (mutters) : -And, I remained oblivious to it...!

Garofano : ....

Veer : I remained oblivious... Jab koi meri family ka peechha kar raha tha, tab mein... Mujhe dusre system holder ke baare me pata tak nahi chala. Wo meri hi society me ghus ke... MERI HI FAMILY KO- TSK!!!

Garofano (frowns) : Iss se ek baat samajh jao ki woh stealth me maahir hai.

[Master...! Stealth me toh... Garofano bhi maahir hai.]

Sunte hi Veer ki aankhein chaudi ho gayi, wo bhayanak roop se Garofano ki orr muda, uska chehra dekh bechari Garofano ke paseene chhooth gaye.

Garofano (nervously) : Wh-What!? How dare you doubt me, Veer? Pagal ho kya? Mein yaha thi bhi nahi... And, why would I?

Veer ne apna sarr jhunjhlaaya.

Veer : Sorry! N-Never mind!

Garofano (sighs) : Fine! I forgive you. Anyways, I know tum mujh par completely trust nahi karte ho but hey... Maine tumse pehle bhi kaha hua hai. I would never hurt you. Iss baar, tumne enemy ko underestimate kiya, Veer. Warna... Tumhare jaise strong system holder ki naak ke neeche koi aisi harqat kar jaaye, ye koi aam baat nahi.

Veer : ...

Garofano : Oh! Ek aur baat-!

Veer : ???

Garofano : Wo security guards jo tumhari hotel me bomb blast ke dauran maare gaye. Unke kuchh parivar waale jo protests karne aaye the... Some of them were funded by Aadesh Jaisinghani.

Veer : !!!?

Garofano : Paise khila ke unhe bhadkaya gaya, taaki wo protest kare, doshi tumhe thehraaye aur tum news me centre of attraction bann jao hate ke liye. Get it? Iske liye mujhe thank you keh sakte ho, you know. I did some extra work for you. *winks*

Veer ne koi jawab nahi diya. Ab uski nigaah aage ki orr thi. Fir, dheere se usne ek gehri saans chhori.

Lekin, ye raahat nahi thi. Kuchh aur tha.

Usne aankhein band ki. Kaafi derr tak. Aur, jab kholi... Toh unme se komalta, karuna, chinta, glaani gaayab thi.

Keval aag thi.

Veer : Renshu aur baaki sab kaha hai?

Garofano : Hotel zenith me. Filhal.

Veer : Ava?

Garofano : Ohh!? *smiles* Parvah ho rahi hai?

Veer : ....

Garofano : ...

Veer : ...

Garofano : Urgh! Yeah, she's fine! System holder hai. Already recover ho chuki hai wo completely. Tch! Mein tum dono ki koi mediator nahi hu, okay? Yahi sawaal usne bhi kiya tha. Itni hi parvah hai toh call kyu nahi kar lete?

Veer ne haami bhari. Koi bhaav nahi. Koi abhaar nahi. Fir, achanak woh uski orr muda.

Veer : Jab tak tum sab yaha par ho... Keep an eye on my family. Look out for them.

Garofano ne apna chehra uski orr ghumaaya, apna sirr thoda sa jhukaaya, khush hokar.

Garofano : Ohh!? Ek request? Woh bhi system holder, V alliance ke leader, Mister Veer ki orr se??? Heh~

Veer : Yeah!

Garofano ke honth kuchh kamuk, sharaarti dhang se mudey. Woh jhuki, uske perfume ki sugandh Veer ki naak tak pahuchi aur woh uske kaan ki taraf aate hue boli.

"Everything has a price, Veer!!!"

Usne fusfusate hue kaha. Uska haath dheere se uske seene par aa kar ruk gaya. Sparsh se woh Veer ke dil ki dhadkano ko mehsoos kar paa rahi thi.

Veer (frowns) : What do you want??

Garofano ke honth par muskaan feli. Wo punah aage jhuki.

Garofano (whispers) : Tumhara time...!!!

Veer (blinks) : Time???

Garofano (nods) : Mm-hmm! Jab bhi mein bulau, jaha bhi bulau, jo bhi plan banau... You must show up.

Veer ne use kuchh derr padha.

Garofano ke baare me humesha se hi kuchh na kuchh rehesyamayi tha. Woh sirf ek foreign ki system holder nahi thi. Woh ek aisi aurat thi jo badi se badi ghatnao me shaamil bhi rehti thi aur usme se bina chotil hue baahar bhi nikalti thi. Beautiful. Dangerous. Lekin, sabse mehatvpoorn... Unreadable.

Veer ko uss par poornta bharosa nahi tha. Usne kabhi kiya hi nahi. Woh rehesyamayi thi.

Lekin, iss baar... Kuchh sochte hue... Usne haami bhar di.

Veer : Fine!

Garofano chehekte hue muskurayi. Kyunki, sirf wahi jaanti thi ki iss deal ki keemat kya thi. Veer ke saath bitaaya gaya samay sirf samay nahi tha. Ye ek raasta tha. Usne abhi uska dil nahi maanga tha, usne uski duniya me pravesh karne ka adhikaar maang liya tha.

Garofano (smirks) : Pleasure doing business.

Veer ne uss se haath milaaya. Fir, khidki se baahar dekha.

Pari jaanti thi ki kuchh badal chuka tha.
Ab Veer woh Veer nahi tha jo instincts par nirbhar rehta tha.
Ab Veer woh Veer nahi tha jo shaanti ki talaash karta tha.
Yeh woh Veer tha jo jal raha tha.
Apne dada ji ko khone ke baad.
Ragini ke apahij hone ke baad.
Ava ke chotil hone ke baad.
Apni agyaanta ka bodh hone ke baad.

Pari bhaanp chuki thi. Woh ghabra bhi rahi thi. She knew that if...

The old Veer protected.
The new Veer will hunt.

***

New York,
FBCC Headquarters,
Night - 10:10 PM ~

*Click*

Rebecca ek andhere kamre me pravesh ki. Andhere me aate hi uski ek skill activate ho gayi jiske chalte use andhere me thoda safayi se dikh sake.

Woh ek system holder thi. Taqatvar. Hoshiyar. Lekin, iss kamre me ghuste hi, use shikaar jaisa mehsoos hota tha.

Uske saamne mand raushni ke neeche mushqil se dikhaayi de sake, ek aadmi baitha hua tha. Chup-chaap. Jaise, intezar kar raha tha.

Uske shareer ki ek bhi maanspeshi nahi hili.

X

Saamne tha.

X : You're late, director.

Rebecca ne saans chhori.

Rebecca (calmly): I’ve dealt with the Galileo.

Ek viraam. Uske saamne baitha aadmi apni seat par thoda sa hila. Raushni uske chehre ke ek hisse par padi — jo aanshik roop se ek kaale, custom made mask ke peechhe chhipa hua tha, jis par halke laal rang ki nakkashi thi.

Uska suit sharply cut tha, raat ki hi tarah kaala, jisme chaandi ki embroidery ki kuchh chamak thi. Haatho me gloves, aur sleek kaale kaano tak aate baal.

Uske muh ke kinaare par ek muskaan ubhar aayi.

X (voice like velvet) : Galileo, huh? So, much work. You tore down the sky to impress me. Waqai...! I'm impressed, Rebecca!

Rebecca ne saans rok li. Woh nahi samajh paa rahi thi ki ye prashansa thi ya mazaak.

Woh aage jhuka, aur ant me usne apni aankhein dikhayi — golden, piercing.

X : Don't fret over it. Good work, darling. Really. For once. *smiles*

Uske lehze me vinamrata thi. Rebecca ke maathe par paseene ki boonde jhalakne lagi.

Rebecca : Mujhe next report chahiye...! I have done my job. Now... The report.

X hasa. Aisi hasi jise sunn aadmi uncomfortable feel karne lage.

Bina kuchh kahe, usne table ka ek drawer khola aur ek mota kaala dossier nikaala. Usne table par use aise feka jaise ki woh uske liye kachra tha.

Rebecca ki aankhein chaudi ho gayi. Koi chhal nahi. Koi baat nahi. Koi paheli nahi. Aur, badle me koi keemat bhi nahi?

Kuchh gadbad thi.

Woh aage badhi, report ko uthaate hue use kholi. Contents? Asli tha. Information? Asli thi. Report? Asli thi.

Kaise???

Iss tarah se X use kabhi reports nahi deta tha. Itni asaani se toh nahi. Kya waqai woh uske kaam se itna impressed tha?

X : What? Cat got your tongue? Ya ab tumhe meri generosity pe doubt ho raha hai?

Wo naa me sirr hilaayi. Achanak, X khada hua. Uski upasthiti baaki logo ko aise chhipaati thi jaise soorya ko grahan. Uski har harqat, ek bayaan thi, jaise koi toofaan tay kar raha ho ki use kaha jaana hai.

Woh baahar nikal ke aaya, aur Rebecca chup-chaap wahi jamm ke khadi rahi.

X (teasingly) : So? You coming along? Or you have some other plans?

Woh haami bhar uske peechhe-peechhe tez qadam lekar aage badhi.

---

Toh, wahi FBCC ki gaganchumbi imaarat ke bagal se Damian, window cleaners dwara istemal ki jaane waali harness ki sahayata se khatarnak tareeke se latka hua tha. Uske chehra tanavgrast tha.

Kal raat usne nano-edge blade ka upyog kar ke khidki ke sheeshe ko pehle hi 99% kaat diya tha. Aur, aaj baaki 1% sateekta se kaatne ke baad, usne ek suction clamp ka istemal kar katey hue glass ko kheench liya taaki wo andar kamre me na gire.

Opening milte hi woh kamre ke andar ghusa, usne badi hi savdhani se woh glass ka nikaala gaya hissa wapas se window me laga diya aur X ki seat ke nazdeek, table ki uss drawer ke paas badha.

'This might be it...!'

---

Idhar baahar floor ke corridor par, Rebecca X ke bagal se khadi hui thi. Uski dhadkane train ke maafiq tez daud rahi thi. Lift upar aa rahi thi.

Tabhi, X aage badhne se pehle ruk gaya.

X (smiles) : Oops... I forgot one of my gloves.

Rebecca : !!?????

Rebecca ke dil jaise wahi ruk gaya. Nahi! Uski aankhein bhay me chaudi ho gayi.

Rebecca : N-Nahi! Y-You-! Uh... maybe it's not-

X (smiles) : Kya hua? Is someone in the room? A ghost?

Uski muskaan alag thi. Mazaak udaane waali. Ek shikaari ki muskaan.

Woh muda. Shaanti se. Aur, wapas kamre ki orr jaane laga. Har qadam ulti ginti jaisa prateet ho raha tha.

Andar, Damian jamm ke reh gaya. Drawer se agla report ka set baramad ho chuka tha. Cameras ki use tension hi nahi thi kyunki, unhe pehle hi Rebecca dwara band karwa diya gaya tha.

Reports haath me thi. Bas! Ab nikalna tha ki tabhi-

*Click*

Damian ghabraaya. Aur, andhere ki gehrayiyo me kahi chhip gaya.

X andar daakhil hua. Usne idhar-udhar dekha.

X (mocks disappointment) : Oh my!!! No one hiding in the shadows? How anticlimactic.

Woh aage badha. Usne apna glove uthaaya, aur use pehna.

Lekin, jaise hi woh muda-

Usne dekha ki Rebecca darwaze ke paas kisi murti ki tarah jami hui, ghabrayi khadi hui thi.

Rebecca : L-Let's leave. I-I have some work...

X : Ah! Sure sure!

Woh wapas nikalne ke liye hua. Lekin, darwaaze se nikalne ke theek pehle, woh ruk gaya.

*Badump*

Rebecca ka dil zorro se dhadka. Woh achanak uske kaan ki orr jhuka, aur bola-

"Next time... Teach your dog to do it properly."

*Badump*

Rebecca (gasps) : Huh-!!??

Agle hi pal, Rebecca ko apne galey par kuchh mehsoos hua... Ek mazboot pakad aur agle hi kshan uska shareer zorr se peechhe ki deewar se jaa takraaya.

*BAAAAMMMM*

"Nghhh!!!"

Uski cheenkh ghut ke reh gayi. Peechhe ki deewar toot ke bikhar gayi aur uska shareer deewar ke andar jaa ghusa. Uske hontho ke kono se khoon ki patli dhaara bahi.

Chhipe hue Damian ne turant hi pratikriya ki, usne apni blades me se ek seedhe X ki peeth ki orr feki.

*Whoosh*

X (smiles) : How cute!

Magar, bina uss orr dekhe hi...

X ne Damian ki feki hui blade apna haath peechhe le jaate hue pakad li.

Damian : Wh-Whaaaat!!!?

Rebecca : Nnghh!!!??? Dam-

Damian (yells) : Haaaaaaaarrgh!!!

Woh aage dauda. Iss baar usne apni kamar se bandhi ek chain nikaali aur ghumaate hue X ke perr ki orr feki.

*Swoosh*

Chain X ke perr me aate hi saanp ki tarah lipat gayi.

'Got him!'

Magar-

Agle hi pal, X ne apne perr ko itni taaqat se peechhe kheencha ki-

'Huh???'

Damian chain sahet kisi ragdoll ki tarah uski orr hawa me khichta chala gaya.

X ne beech hawa me hi use apne dusre haath se pakda.

Damian (gasps) : Urghhh!!

Do system holder. Rebecca. Damian.

Dono ek system holder ki giraft me the. Asahahay. Majboor.

X (leans in) : KNOW. YOUR. PLACE.

*BOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMM*

Palak jhapakte hi... Damian neeche tha. Usne use itni zorr se farsh par patka ki FBCC ki poori floor hil gayi.

Damian ki khopdi concrete se takraayi aur use udhedte hue neeche waali floor ke kamre me jaa ghusi. Khoon ke chheethe hawa me udd gaye.

Uska baaki hissa to yahi tha, magar khopdi, neeche waali floor ki ceiling par.

Aur, Rebecca-

*Swoooooooossshh*

Uska shareer hawa me uda aur jaa ke seedha deewar se jaa bhida, jiske chalte aadhi deewar wahi toot ke bikhar gayi.

Usne unn dono ke lachaar shareer ko ghoora. Jaise maano ek insaan cheetiyon ko ghoor raha ho.

X (quietly) : Remember, sweethearts. You're only alive... Because, I allow it.

Kehte hue woh waha se nikal gaya. Koi jaldbazi nahi. Koi darr nahi. Koi pareshani nahi.

Bas... Taaqat. Taaqat jo duniya ko hila ke rakh dene waali thi. Jald hi.
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Aaj ke liye itna hi.
Update is around 9.6k words. Target remains the same.

Bhut hi badhiya and shandar update

To Disembowler apne card zephyr mask ki vajah se bach gaya aur aage jakar Disembowler Veer ke liye ek badi problem jrur banega

Kavya or arohi se baat karte karte ragini ko ahsaas ho raha hai ki usne Veer ke sath kesa bartav kiya hai use samj aa raha hai ki Veer bhi to kavya ki hi tarah uski parvah kar raha tha

Vahi idhar ek pal ko to laga ki apni maa ke Kasam dene ke baad Veer sab kuch bata dega lekin nidhi sahi vakt par aa gayi aur Veer bach gaya aur nidhi ne hi sabhi ko bataya ki jab yarnia ke launch par hamla huva tha tab Veer kaha tha

Juhi ka yu sabke samne Veer ko papa kahne se sabhi shock ho gaye the yaha tak ki nidhi bhi shock ho gayi lekin Veer ke sab batane or suman ki baat ko sunne ke baad bavana aur baki sabhi juhi ke dvara Veer ko papa kahe jane par taiyar ho gaye

Vahi garofano ne Veer ko dexter ke past ke bare me bataya aur sath hi Aadesh Jaisinghani ki chal ke bare me bhi bataya

Vahi hame X or uski power ki jhalak dekne ko mili usne ek hi baar me do system holder rabecca or Damian dono ko buri tarah se gayal kar diya or use kuch pharak bhi nahi pada

Dekhte hai ab aage kya hota hai

 

[Janu002]

Superb update

 

[parkas]

For completed 4600 pages on your story thread.....

 

[supersonic12345]

kehna bahut kuch hai but review baad main likhunga... excellent update wolfy bro

 

[Mr.X796]

Nice update bro