Incest Baadshah ~ The Tales of Debauchery

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Update - 182 ~ Unsolved​

Ab tak...

Ladka : Veer-!!!!

Naam sunte hi Cashier ki aankhein chaudi ho gayi.

Ladka : Don't you have some business with him? *grins* Take this.

Usne ek envelope use thamaya. Na jaane andar kya tha.

Cashier : Get the fuck outta here... I don't need anything... I...

Par, jaate-jaate ladke ne jo kaha use sunn cashier chuppi saadhne par majboor ho gaya.

Ladka : I hope you will comply... Mister... Dexter-!!!!!

Ab aage...

"Akhir kab tak??? Akhir kab tak hum iss 30 x 30 ke flat me sadte rahenge, Dad?"

Pranjal ki oonchi awaaz flat ke hall me goonj gayi. Usne akhbar ko table par patakte hue apni kheej jataayi. Saamne sofe par chai pee raha Karunesh apne bete ki harqat dekh khud ko bolne se na rok saka.

Karunesh : Ye kya chai banayi hai tumne? Itne dino se ek chai banana bhi nahi seekh paaye tum?

Pranjal : Aapko chai ki padi hai? Arey iss flat se kab chhutkara payenge hum?

Karunesh : Toh, kisne kaha tha tumhe bewakoofi waali harqate karne ko?

Pranjal : Huh? Bewakoofi? Bewakoofi!? Aur, woh bhi mein? Mujhe toh ghar se nikaal hi diya tha pehle hi... Par, aap? Aap kaun sa kaand kare baithe the barso pehle? Kya naam tha uska? Hari...? Harikiran!? Aisi kaun si patti padha gaya woh buddha aapko ki aap uski kahi sab karte chale gaye? Aur, kiya toh kiya. Fir, itne saalo baad phans bhi gaye?

Karunesh : Uss aadmi ka naam bhi mat lo. Uske kaaran hi aaj hum iss haalat me hai. Na mein uss waqt uss geedad ki baaton me aata aur na hi aaj hume ye din dekhna padta.

Pranjal : Tch-!!! Saala jis bhi kaam me haath daalo wohi bigad jaata hai. Chenn ki zindagi toh jee hi nahi paa rahe hai.

Karunesh : Tumne apne perr par khud kulhadi maari hai. Aur, maine bhi! Vivek ko dekho. Sahi samay par usne apne perr peeche kar liye toh aaj kam se kam ghar me sab ke saath chenn ki saans toh le raha hai.

Pranjal : Hmph! Mujhe uksaate bhi toh aap hi the. Meri problem sirf Veer se thi. Mujhe ghar se hi nikal diya uske liye? Aur, rahi baat Vivek bhaiya ki toh... Unhone hume dhoka diya hai.

Karunesh : Woh dimag se chala aur kuch nahi. Aur, aaj wahi dimag ke kaaran woh ghar me sab ke saath hai. Arey, insaan kamata kiske liye hai? Parivar ke liye? Maana ki mein laalach me aa gaya tha. Par, hamesha se mera uddeshya apne ghar ko aage badhane ka hi raha hai.

Pranjal : Aur, kya hua fir?

Karunesh (sighs) : Jalan ke chalte sab dhara ka dhara reh gaya. Aaj agar papa ji ne mujhe bhaiya ki zameen ka hissa diya hota toh mein bhi akhir ghar pe wahi toh kar raha hota jo bhaiya kar rahe hai. Parivar ko aage badhana. Toh, fir jab bhaiya bhi wahi karte aaye hai toh mujhe isme koi taqleef honi hi nahi chahiye thi. Lekin, ye vipreet buddhi...! Aur, woh lakad-bagghha Harikiran!!! Lalach ne apna ghar bana liya tha. Aur, aaj dekho...!

Pranjal : ...!?

Karunesh : Meri bacchiyaan aur Sumitra...! Sab ghar pe hai aur mein yaha...!

Pranjal : Kuch kariye. Kuch sochiye! Mein iss bekaar se flat me ab aur nahi reh sakta.

Karunesh : Kya karu? Mujhe nahi lagta papa ji mujhe maaf karenge. Mein unka gussa jaanta hu. Jis tarah se unhone mujhe maara tha...! Itna gussa maine bahut kam dekha hai unpe. Upar se Bhabhi ke bahut bade bhakt the woh. Aise me mujhe toh maaf karne se rahe.

Pranjal : Aur, mujhe toh aur bhi nahi karenge. Aapke pehle hi mujhe ghar se nikaal diya gaya tha. Khurraaye baithe honge. Par... Par ab mujhe mom, Arohi di aur Kavya... sabki ki yaad aa rahi hai.

Karunesh : Baad me dekhte hai kya karna hai. TV chalu karo zara. News dekhe...!

Pranjal ne be-mann se TV on kari aur woh apne phone me lagne hi wala tha jab TV par aa rahi khabar sunn uske kaan khade ho gaye aur jab usne screen pe jis shaks ko dekha use dekhne ke baad toh jaise woh wahi jamm ke reh gaya.

Karunesh : Zara dekhe toh kya haal chaal hai apne Maharashtra ke...

*switches on*

"Namaskar! Aap dekh rahe hai xxxx news aur mein iss waqt khadi hu Pune ke ek jaane maane ilaaqe me. Ek aisa ilaaqa jaha chori-dakaiti hone ki sambhavna dus feesdi se bhi kam hai, jaha pichle 33 saalo me koi bhi bada apradh nahi hua. Usi ilaaqe me ek raat aisa dardnak aur bhayanak qatl hota hai jo poore ke poore Pune sheher ko jhakjhor kar rakh deta hai."

"Ji haan! Mein baat kar rahi hu haal hi me hue 'Prabhakar hatya-kaand' ki. Ek aisa khaufnak hatya-kaand jiske baare me sunn aapki rooh kaanp jayegi. Aap sochne par majboor ho jayenge ki bhala koi itna nirdayee kaise ho sakta hai?"

"Mein khadi hu 'Prabhakar Desai' ji ke iss ghar ke saamne... Jo pehle kabhi ghar hua karta tha. Kyuki, ab uss ghar ko chalane wala insaan maujood nahi hai. Ghar ki rozi-roti jo vyakti apni mehnat ki kamayi se chalaya karta tha use buri tarah se maut ke ghaat utaar diya gaya."

"Ghatna kuch dino pehle ki hai jab police ko Prabhakar ji ka mrat shareer agyaat awastha me mila tha. Tab, hamari reporting ke zariye aap sab ne unn bhayanak tasveero ko dekha tha. Aaj mein yaha jayza lene aayi hu ki kya sarkar aur police ke dwara iss masoom se parivar ke liye kuch kiya bhi gaya hai ya nahi?"

"Murder ke baad, police ne jab body ki haalat dekhi toh veh hakki-bakki reh gayi thi. Mein kroorta ke uss varnan me firse nahi jaana chahungi kyuki hamare saath maujood hai swayam Prabhakar ji ki ekmatra suputri. Aaiye, unse baat karte hai aur halaat ko thoda aur samajhte hai. Kya naam hai aapka, beta?"

"M-Madhuri-!!"

"Beta Madhuri, kya mein puch sakti hu ki kya karti hai aap abhi?"

"M-Mera... Mera last year hai college me. B.com!!!"

"Accha! Toh yahi Pune se kar rahi hai aap?"

"J-Jii!"

"Fir toh college ki fees aur ghar kharch sab papa chalate honge."

"H-Haan! S-Sab papa karte the."

"Abhi kinn dikkato ka saamna karna pad raha hai?"

"Bahut ...! P-Papa ke na hone se...! Maa...! Hume bahut taqleef ho rahi hai. *sniff* Kuch samajh nahi aa raha. *sniff* Pata nahi kya hoga."

"Beta, himmat rakho. Mujhe ye batao ki kya prashasan ne kuch kiya aapke liye abhi tak? Maharashtra sarkar ne iss masle par kya pratikriya di hai? Aur, police ne aapke liye kuch khoja abhi tak ya nahi?"

"J-Ji! Sarkar ne 10 lakh ka muavza dene ka kaha hai. *sniff* Aur, police ne... Police kuch bhi khoj nahi paayi hai. *sniff* Kuch pata nahi chala hai."

"Kya aapke pita ki kisi ke saath kabhi dushmani thi? Koi bhi berr ya ladayi kabhi kisi se-!?"

Sawal sunte hi Madhuri jaise aur bhi darr gayi. Woh fauran boli,

"Nahiiiii-!!!! Hargiz nahi!!! Papa kabhi kisi se ladte hi nahi the. Aur, iss tarah unhe koi- *sniff* *sniff*"

Uske rone par reporter ne use gale se lagate hue chup karaya aur camera ke bahar le jaate hue use shaant kiya. Fir, wapas se camera ke saamne aate hue boli.

"Toh jaisa ki dekha aapne, kaise bechari ek 20-22 saal ki yeh ladki apni haalat ko shabdo me bayaan bhi nahi kar paa rahi hai. Kitna hi dukhad samay hai Madhuri aur uski maa ke liye. Maharashtra sarkar ne 10 lakh dene ka faisla toh suna diya, par kya inn 10 lakh se uss mrat pita ki kami poori ho sakti hai? Shayad nahi! Aur, shayad isliye kaha jaata hai ki kyu zindagi anmol hoti hai. Iska koi mol nahi."

"Samay-samay par hum aapke liye Madhuri aur uske jaise aur peedit parivar se judi khabre laate rahenge. Tab tak ke liye dekhte rahiye, xxxx news."

Idhar camera ke band hote hi Madhuri jab wapas apne ghar ke andar aayi toh uski maa Lalita uska andar hi intezar kar rahi thi.

Lalita : K-Kya hua? Kya puch rahe the?

Madhuri : Wahi maa-!! Pita ki ke baare me.

Lalita : Inhe... Inhe bas haal-chaal puchne keh do. Madad karne ke liye koi aage nahi aata. Itne din ho gaye hai Madhu... Aur, ye hatyaare ka pata tak nahi laga paaye. *sniff* Sab ke sab nithalle hai. Kisi ko kuch nahi aata! *sniff* Ek patni par kya beetati hai ye bhala ye kaha samjhenge? *sniff* Tumne- Tumne kya bataya?

Madhuri : Z-Zyada kuch nahi.

Lalita : Tumne uss aadmi ke baare me nahi bataya?

Madhuri : N-Nahi maa!

Lalita (yells) : Tu pagal hai kya? Arey teri aqal kya ghaas charne gayi hai? Media waalo ke saamne nahi bolegi toh kis se bolegi??? Mujhe poora vishvas hai uss kutte Praveen ne hi ye sab kuch karwaya hai. *sniff* Mein jaanti hu...! Mein jaanti hu kaun hai iske peeche. *cough* *cough*

Madhuri : M-Maa!!! Police ko toh hum ye sab bata chuke hai. Toh fir harr jagah bataane ki kya zaroorat hai? Aur, tum shaant raho, please. Warna, tabiyat bigad jayegi.

Lalita (screams) : Toh bigad jaane do!!! Ab bacha hi kya hai??? Arey kya ukhad lenge ye mera??? Ab mein darr ke peeche baithne waali nahi. Khul ke naam lungi. Sab toh le liya mujhse mera. Kya kar lenge ab ye??? Inko jab tak salaakho ke peeche nahi karwa dungi tab tak chenn se baithne waali nahi mein.

Madhuri (chillaate hue) : Maaaa-!

Madhuri Lalita ke paas aayi aur uske kandho par haath rakh use jakadte hue ro kar boli.

Madhuri : Tumhe kya ho gaya hai??? *sniff* Tum samajhti kyu nahi?? Pita ji jaa chuke hai. Agar, tumhe kuch ho gaya toh kya hoga mera??? *sniff* Mera khayal nahi hai kya tumhe zara bhi-!? *hic*

Jab Lalita ne apni beti ki ye baat suni toh woh jaise apni bhavnao se baahar aayi. Aur, khud rote hue uss se lipat gayi.

Prabhakar, ek qabil mechanical engineer tha. Praveen ke sang mil ke usne apni zindagi ki dobara shuruat ki thi jab woh pehle hi apna paisa business me duba chuka tha. Workshop me gaadiyo ki servicing aur repairing. Aur, insurance waali gaadiyo se kaise adhik paise nikalwana tha. Prabhakar inme bahut maahir tha.

Magar, uska woh dhandha bhi Praveen kha gaya. Uske pashchat Prabhakar bas ek sadharan mechanic bann ke reh gaya. Lekin, shayad upar waale ne kuch aur hi tay kar rakha tha uske liye. Use apne paas hi bula liya.

Idhar TV par samachar dekh raha Karunesh news se hairan tha. Par, uss se bhi zyada jhatka laga tha Pranjal ko.

Karunesh : Kaise murder ho rahe shehro me...!

Pranjal : M-Madhuri-!!!

Karunesh (glances) : Hmm?

Pranjal ki aankhein phati hui thi. Bachpan se jise woh chaahta aaya tha use itne saalo baad dekhne ke baad bhi uski aankhein dhoka nahi kha sakti thi. Use poora bharosa tha ki ye wahi Madhuri thi jo uske sang khela karti thi. Jise woh pasand kiya karta tha. Kabhi laga tha ki woh ab uss se dobara kabhi nahi mil payega. Par, Madhuri swayam khabar ke zariye uske saamne aa gayi.

Pranjal : D-Dad-!!! Madhuri-!!!

Karunesh : Hmm? Kya?

Pranjal (yells) : Dad ye wahi Madhuri hai-!!!! Meri bachpan ki dost, Dad!!! Yaad aaya??? Inka parivar hamare pados me raha karta tha. Woh hamare ghar khelne aati thi.

Karunesh : Kya bole jaa rahe ho?

Pranjal : Dad...! Bachpan me ek ladki aati thi na hamare ghar??? Mere saath khelti thi. Madhuri!!? Yaad karo na-!! W-Woh boy cut rakhti thi. Inka ghar hamare pados me hi toh tha.

Karunesh : H-Haan! Kuch yaad toh aaya. Ye wahi parivar hai??? Nahi! Woh log toh acchi sthiti me the. Iss haalat me thodi the-

Pranjal : Ye wahi parivar hai, Dad! Mein poori guarantee ke saath keh sakta hu. Mein Madhuri ko kabhi bhool nahi sakta. Mein use ek jhalak me pehchan sakta hu. Woh meri best friend thi.

Karunesh : Par, woh log toh ameer gharane se lagte the aur yaha ye-

Pranjal : Ameer gareeb kya Dad. Mujhe bas itna pata hai ki ye wahi hai. Dad!!! H-Hume unki madad karni chahiye. Hai na? Madhuri meri dost hai. Meri sabse acchi dost.

Karunesh : Agar, ye wahi log hai toh waqai bahut dukh ki baat hai unke liye. Par, ab isme hum kya kar sakte hai?

Pranjal : Hum nahi karenge toh aur kaun karega, Dad? Mein uska khaas dost tha. Agar, mein ye khabar dekhne ke baad bhi uske liye kuch nahi karunga toh kaun karega???

Karunesh : Hmm? Ye achanak se tumhare andar dosti nibhane ki bhavna kaise jaag gayi? Woh bhi tab ki dosti jab tum bacche the. Itni samajh bhi nahi thi. Arey kaho use yaad bhi na ho ki tum kaun ho.

Pranjal : Nahiiii!!!! Bilkul nahi!!! Woh mujhe nahi bhool sakti...! Kabhi nahi!!! Aap samajhte kyu nahi-!? Ye sirf ittefaq nahi tha Dad ki aapke news dekhne par seedha wahi khabar hamare saamne aayi. Matlab, bhagwan chahta hai ki hum uski madad kare.

Karunesh : Mera beta jo mandir tak jaane ka shaukeen nahi hai, woh aaj aisi baatein kar raha hai? Kuch toh baat hai zaroor.

Pranjal : Urgh-!!! D-Dad! Koi baat nahi hai. Aapne mujhe samajh kya rakha hai? Madhuri meri dost hai. Aur, mein...! Mein uski madad kar ke hi rahunga. Mein, Pune jaa raha hu.

Karunesh : Huh-!!? Oye!?? Pranjal???

Kehte hue Pranjal baahar nikal gaya aur Karunesh use idhar rokta hi reh gaya. Na jaane achanak se uske bete ko kya ho gaya tha. Uska ye ravaiyya dekh woh khud hi hairat me tha.

***

*Thud*

Gaadi ka darwaza band hua aur Veer ne apne saamne maujood aalishan ghar ki orr dekha. Balki, ghar kehna bhi galat tha. Yeh ek bunglow tha. Suhana ka bunglow.

Aaj kitne samay baad woh uss se milne jaa raha tha ye soch ke hi woh khud bhi andar se thoda vyakul tha. Akhiri baar usne France me hi use dekha tha jab woh bhaagti hui daud ke uski taraf aayi thi. Aankhon me aasu, baal bikhre, aur aankhein gham se laal hui padi thi uski. Tab, Veer ne use rokna chaaha tha. Magar, kisi kaaran-vash woh uss se dur bhaag gayi thi. Aur, uske baad se dono ke beech koi bhi baat-cheet na hui.

Woh aage badha. Aur, security guards use dekhte hi iss baar pehchan gaye. Pichli baar jab woh Suhana ke ghar aaya tha toh Suhana ke badle hue ravaiyye se ghar me kaam karne waale sabhi hakke-bakke reh gaye the. Woh tab se hi jaan gaye the ki ye ladka unki madam ke dil me koi khaas jagah rakhta hai. Warna, kabhi unki madam apne saath kisi ladke ko nahi laayi thi. Veer woh pehla ekmaatra ladka tha.

Veer ko dekhte hi guards ne iss baar use salaam thoka aur bina kisi jhanjhat ke uske liye darwaza khol diya.

Veer : Um... Miss Suhana-!?

Security guard : Madam andar hi hai, Sir.

Veer (nods) : Hmm! Thanks!

Woh andar ki orr chal diya. Hall me pravesh karte hi usne nazre daudayi. Sab cheez ekdum vyavasthit thi, ghar pehle ki tarah hi tha aur naukar-chaakar sab apne apne kaam me lage hue the. Woh soch hi raha tha ki seedhe Suhana ke kamre ki orr jaaye ya fir kisi se puch le... Ki itne me ek safayi karne waali maid ne use dekh liya.

Maid : Ah!! A-Aap-!!!? Aap toh wahi ho na jo-

Veer : Mujhe Miss Suhana se milna tha.

Maid : Miss? O-Ohh-!!! Aaiye! Aaiye mein aap ko unke kamre tak le chalti hu.

Jaise hi woh use Suhana ke kamre ki orr laayi toh baaki ke workers firse Veer ko ajeeb nigaho se dekhne lage. Veer ko darwaze par chorr woh waha se chali gayi aur idhar Veer darwaza khol kamre ke andar aa gaya.

Kisi ki dastak ko mehsoos kar andar baithi Suhana ne jaise hi apni nazre upar utha ke dekhi toh woh stabdh hoke reh gayi. Uska dil zoro se dhadakne laga. Veer ke aate hi, uska itna bada kamra bhi bahut chhota, bahut hi seemit sa lagne laga. Usne khud ko sthir rakhne ki koshish karte hue ek gehri saans Ii.

Veer apni jagah par hi khada tha. Hamesha ki tarah shaant. Lekin, uski aankhon me chinta thi jo Suhana shayad bhaanp na paayi.

Suhana : V-Veer-!?




Awaaz me kampan tha. Suhana ko punah dekh Veer ke khud ke dil me na jaane kaisi tarange uthi jinhe woh khud samajh na paaya. Iss aurat ko saamne dekh pata nahi kyu use hamesha raahat mehsoos hoti thi.

Veer : Miss Suhana-!!!

Aur, uski awaaz sunte hi Suhana apna nichla honth daato tale dabaate hue peeche ko mud gayi. Apne haatho me li hui kitab ko rakhne ke bahaane woh Veer ki orr peeth kar khadi ho gayi.

Unke beech ka sannata ghana tha. Ankahe shabdo aur ansuljhi bhavnao se bhara hua.

Veer : Suhana-!!!

Iss baar usne seedhe uska naam lete hue pukara. Aur, Suhana ke badan me ek sihran daud gayi. Kuch derr tak woh yuhi khadi rahi. Uske baad palatate hue uss se puchi.

Suhana : T-Tum yaha-!?

Veer yaha teen kaarno ki wajah se tha. Pehla toh yahi ki woh Suhana ka haal-chaal puchna chaahta tha. Uss se milna chaahta tha. Dusra yeh ki woh uss se kuch zaroori baat karna chahta tha. Aur, teesra tha...

Usne apni jeb se kuch nikaala aur Suhana ki orr karte hue use dikhaya.

Veer : Mein... Ise lautaane aaya tha!

Uss cheez ko dekhte hi Suhana ki aankhein aashcharya me fel gayi. Kuch khatti-meethi puraani yaadein taaza ho gayi. Lekin, uski samajh na aaya ki bhala kyu Veer use woh cheez lauta raha tha?

Kuch derr pehle...

Veer ke ghar par sabhi apne-apne kaamo me lage hue the. Hall me laga heater chaalu tha aur uski garmahat ka anand lete hue Veer sofe par virajman tha.

Tej aur Bhavna kisi prakar ki archaeological meeting ke liye online apne-apne laptop par vyast thi. Aur, Ragini, Suman andar khaane ki taiyariyaan kar rahi thi.

Veer ne TV band ki aur samachar se Madhuri ke parivar ki khabar use bhi lag chuki thi.

'That girl...! Madhuri-!!! It's her!!'

Use yaad tha. Ye wahi ladki thi jiske peeche Pranjal uss se nafrat karna shuru kiya tha. Woh boy-cut rakhne waali ladki jise ladka samajh Veer ne use bachpan me dhutkar diya tha. Ye wahi ladki thi jo Delhi me use mili thi. Jaha uska boyfriend use hotel ke baahar daant raha tha. Tab Veer ne use uss ladke se bachaate hue apna coat use pehnaya tha. Baad me woh coat Kaera ne Madhuri se le liya tha.

Veer ko yaad tha. Magar, Delhi se akhir Pune kaise pahuchi woh? Aur, uske pita ka ye murder. Akhir, chal kya raha tha?

Kintu, keval yahi khabar nahi thi. Ek aur khabar uske dimag me mandra rahi thi. Aur, woh thi ~ Moroccan hotel 'Royal Oasis' ka Spain ki missiles dwara tabah hona.

Spain ne Morocco pe attack kiya? Ya fir kuch aur hi chal raha tha? Samajhna bahut mushqil tha. Magar, Pari jaise uski bhavnao ko samajh gayi.

[The time has come to be vigilant, Master.]

'Yeah!'

[Keep a close watch around you. Kuch anhoni hone ke sanket mehsoos ho rahe hai mujhe.]

'I agree! Mujhe bhi kuch aisa hi feel ho raha hai. Something unknown... is lurking...!'

[Yes! It's better to be careful beforehand.]

'Mm!'

Woh inn sab vicharo me dooba hua tha jab peeche se use Kavya ki awaaz sunayi di.

Kavya : Bhaiya-!? Y-Ye aapka hai kya?

Kehte hue woh uske nazdeek aayi aur use kuch thamayi. Veer ne jaise hi woh dekha toh puraani kuch tasveere uske mann me taaza ho gayi.

Woh ek debit card tha. Aur, card bearer ka naam tha ~ Suhana!

Agle hi shan Veer ke dimag me kuch bol goonj gaye.

"Wo... Wo... Ye tum ring waapas laaye uske liye. Don't think ki mein tumhe rishvat de rahi hu. It's.. It's not like that at all. Okay? It's a payment for your hard work. Iska password hai xxxxxx, Also, maine tumhe uss din wo sab kaha uske liye s-sorry... Sonu mujh se behad naraaz thi isliye... I'll... I'll forgive you... Nooo! I mean... Aaarghh! Just take this. Aur ab sawaal-jawaab mat karna."

Ye wahi debit card tha jo Suhana ne use tab diya tha jab woh uski mom ke birthday ki ring dhundh ke use wapas laaya tha.

'This...!'

[Aapne kabhi iska istemal hi nahi kiya!?]

'Hmm! Kabhi zaroorat hi nahi padi. Jab bhi mujhe paiso ki zaroorat padti thi toh Ragini bhabhi meri madad kar deti thi. Aur, baad me Shweta maa aur Bhumika di ne bhi kaafi support kiya. Fir Teju di aur maa ne bhi. Iss card ko use karne ka kabhi mauka mila hi nahi. I should return it to her.'

[Hmm? Suhana ne aapko ye card reward ke roop me diya tha. Kya waqai aap ye card lautana chahte ho?]

'Yeah! Aur, isi bahane meri unse mulaqat bhi ho jayegi. She has done so much for me. Bahut si adhoori baatein hai jo mujhe unse karni hai. Unse aur madad nahi maangna chahta ab mein. She has done more than enough for me, Pari. Ab baari meri hai ki mein unke kaam aau.'

[Aapse yahi umeed thi mujhe.]

'Hmm? Kya mein kuch galat kar raha hu?'

[No! *smiles* I admire your every decision, Master.]

'Mmm-!'

Suhana hi woh vyakti bhi thi jisne Veer ko kapdo ke business ka idea diya tha. Aaj agar Veer 'Yarnia' ko market me utaarne jaa raha tha toh usme sabse bada haath Suhana ka hi tha.

'Come to think of it...! Mujhe yaad hai ki unhone mujhse showroom dene ka bhi vaada kiya tha. Unhone kaha tha ki jab tum apna brand khologe toh uske showroom ki jagah ke liye mere paas aana. Iss maamle me mein unse baat kar sakta hu. Arohi di aur Teju di kal khaali haath laut ke aayi hai. Unhe sahi jagah nahi mili outlet ke liye.'

[If I remember, Karan ne ek chhoti building bhi li hai na?]

'Yeah! Teju di ne mujhe bataya tha. Saara production ka kaam wahi ho raha hai. Poore stocks aur raw materials bhi wahi jama ho rahe hai. Printing, Pressing, saare procedures wahi kiye jaa rahe hai. Woh building ab hamari 'Yarnia' ki manufacturing unit hai. Mujhe Karan se bhi jald se jald milna hoga. Usne zahir hai apna paisa laga ke woh building hathyayi hai. Louis se bhi mujhe milne ki zaroorat hai. There's so much to do.'

[Don't worry! Aap akele nahi ho.]

'Hmm!'

Woh apne vicharo me hi leen tha jab Kavya ki awaaz use wapas se hosh me laayi.

Kavya : Bhaiya? Kya hua? Kya hai ye? Bank card? Kiska hai?

Veer : Bas kisi ka hai... Jo mujhe lautana hai.

Kavya : Ohh! Aapko paiso ki zaroorat hai kya bhaiya?

Veer : Nope! Kisi ne mujhe ye zaroorat ke liye tab diya tha. Par, maine iska istemal hi nahi kiya.

Kavya : Kisne??

Veer : Hmm? Tum kisi ko pokogi toh nahi ye baat?

Kavya : Bhaiya, aapko mere pe ittu sa bhi bharosa nahi hai kya?

Veer : Mujhe tum par bharosa hai. Tumhare muh par nahi.

Kavya : Ohh, you hurt me-!! Ughuuu-! (⁠ ⁠≧⁠Д⁠≦⁠)

Veer : Muh theek karo, muh theek karo, maarunga ek-

Kavya : Hehehe-! Toh fir bataiye!

Veer : Kuch nahi hai...! Ye card bas mujhe Miss Suhana ne diya tha.

Kavya : Ahhh! Miss Suhana!? Y-Ye toh wahi didi hai na jo Holi me hamare ghar aayi thi??

Veer (nods) : Hmm!

Kavya : Toh unhone aapko ye kyu diya???

Veer : Maine unka ek kaam kiya tha. Jiske baad unhone payment ke roop me mujhe ye card diya tha.

Kavya : Eh!?? Aisa kaun sa kaam kiya tha aapne unka jo unhone seedha bank card hi aapko de diya?

Veer : Apna khayali pulav pakane ki zaroorat nahi hai. Unki mom ke birthday ke liye ek keemti ring thi jo chori ho gayi thi. Baad me maine use dhundh ke unhe wapas ki thi. Jiski khushi me unhone mujhe ye card diya tha. Samjhi?

Kavya : Ohhhh! Aap toh bahut lucky ho bhaiya!

Veer : Jao nahane jao! Mujhe bhi ye lautane jaana hai.

Kavya : Okie-!! Aap aana chaahoge mere saath? Hehe! *winks*

Veer : Huh-!!!? Kavya ki bacchi-!!!

Kavya : Ahahahaha-!!!

Woh Kavya ke pichhwade par apne haath saaf karne ke liye utha ki itne me Kavya khil-khilaate hue waha se bhaag nikli.

Jab Kavya naha ke baahar aayi tab tak Veer ghar se jaa chuka tha. Tej apni meeting se fursat hui hi thi jab use Kavya se pata chala ki Veer Suhana ke ghar gaya hua hai. Aur, bas... Itna kaafi tha use bechain karne ke liye.

Tej : Tumne roka kyu nahi use Kavya!?

Kavya : Hmm? Par, kyu? Bhaiya, unka bank ka card lautane gaye hai. Usme unhe rokna kyu?

Tej : What? Kaun sa card?

Kavya : Bhaiya ne bataya ki woh Suhana jo hai... Unhone unko apna bank ka card diya tha zaroorat ke samay istemal karne ke liye. Par, bhaiya ab woh lautane jaa rahe hai.

Tej : She... She gave him a bank card? Just like that-!?

Kavya : Hmm? Nahi! Bhaiya ne unki mummy ke birthday ki khoyi hui ring lautayi thi. Isliye, khush hoke unhone woh card diya tha.

Tej : No woman gives her bank card like that Kavya...! Urgh-!!! Damn it!!!

Kavya : Hmm???

Tej : Ye Suhana...! What the hell is going on...!?

Kavya : Kya hua di?

Tej : Oh, Kavya! Tum bahut bholi ho. Agli baar Veer ke muh se Suhana ka naam jab bhi nikle aur woh uske ghar ya uss se milne jaaye toh uske jaane se pehle seedhe pehle mujhe inform karogi tum. Samajh gayi?

Kavya : Mmm? Okay!

Tej (frowns) : I need to meet her! Face-to-face!!

Aur, wahi card ab Veer ke haatho me tha. Saamne khadi Suhana card ko dekh sab bhaanp gayi. Sab yaad aa gaya use. Veer se judi harr yaad uske andar taaza bani hui thi. Uske thar-tharate hue hontho se nikla,

Suhana : Y-Ye card...! I remember!




Veer : Hmm! Aapne hi ye mujhe diya tha. Isliye, mein ise ab lautaane aaya hu.

Suhana (frowns) : Kis liye?

Veer : I believe it belongs to you!?

Suhana : You earned that as a reward. Didn't you?

Veer (sighs) : Maine iska kabhi istemal nahi kiya. Mujhe lagta hai ise lautana hi sahi hai. Mere paas abhi paryapt paisa hai. Thanks a lot! Uss waqt mujhe ye dene ke liye. Lekin, mujhe iski zaroorat nahi padi.

Suhana (frowns) : Maine tumhare upar koi ehsaan nahi kiya tha, Veer. Ye ek tohfa tha. I was grateful...! Tumne mom ki ring dhundhi thi. Uske badle ye bas ek chhota sa-

Veer : Ye chhota nahi, Miss Suhana! It has money in it. 5 lakh, 75 thousand rupees. Ye raqam... Chhoti nahi. I mean... Mere liye toh aaj bhi ye raqam... badi hi hai.

Pata nahi kyu, par Suhana ke dil pe bahut zorr se ghaat pahuchi. Veer use uska diya hua tohfa lauta raha tha? Woh card usne apna abhaar vyakt karne ke liye diya tha. Toh aise me Veer ka use wapas karna. Kahi na kahi, Suhana ka dil dukh utha. Aur, upar se ye kya matlab hua ki uske liye woh raqam badi hai? Kya woh ye dikhana chaah raha tha ki ye paise Suhana ke swayam ke liye kuch nahi? Bas, haath ka mel hai? Kya woh uss par raeesi ki mauhar laga raha tha?

Suhana (frowns) : Tumhe ise lautaane ki , zaroorat nahi-




Veer : Zaroorat hai!! I don't want to depend on you.

Jaise hi uske muh se ye shabd nikle Suhana hairat me use dekhti reh gayi. Ek adrishya khanjar jaise uske dil par ghop diya gaya. Kintu, agle hi pal Veer ne uske baad jo kaha use sunte hi Suhana ka dil dhadkane phaand gaya.

Veer : Instead... I want you to depend on me.

Saansein tez hui. Jo deewarein usne apne ird-gird banayi thi Veer se bachne ke liye woh ek-ek kar ke bikharne lagi.

Apni nazre churaate hue woh kamre ki badi si khidki ke nazdeek aayi aur waha se baahar apne ghar ke garden me lage phoolo ko dekhne lagi. Gulab ki pankhudiyaan band thi. Aur, unhe dekhte hi uski bauhe kass uthi. Woh mudi,




Suhana : Kya bas ise hi dene aaye the? Agar, tumhe nahi chahiye toh use wahi table par rakh do. You can leave now.

Apne chehre par uska wapas se wahi kathorpann laut aaya. Veer Suhana ki orr aage badha toh Suhana ki saansein atak ke reh gayi. Veer uske behad qareeb tha.

Veer (ahista se) : Mein yaha sirf card dene nahi aaya hu, Suhana!

Suhana : !!!?

Veer : I have come for you!!!

Suhana : Huh-!!!?

Suhana ka dil itni zorro se dhadka ki ek pal ke liye woh ghabrayi kahi Veer ne uski dhadkane toh nahi sunn li?

Veer : I have questions, Suhana!

Suhana : Wh-What-!?

Veer (frowns) : Tum mujhse bhaag kyu rahi thi? France me... You ran away from me. Why??? Jawab do mujhe!!!

Lekin, Suhana keval apna muh ferrne ke alawa aur kuch na keh saki. Iss baare me woh koi charcha nahi karna chahti thi.

Veer : Tumne meri itni madad ki hai. Akhir kyu? You even sent a fucking helicopter for me in France-!!! Tumhe pata kaise chala ki mein France me hu? No! Wait! Tum waha kar bhi kya rahi thi?

Jab Suhana kaafi derr tak yuhi khamosh khadi rahi toh Veer ne use uske kandho se thaam jhanjhorte hue apne saamne kiya. Aur, maatra sparsh se hi Suhana ki saansein atak gayi. Ye nahi hona chahiye tha. Ye hargiz nahi hona chahiye tha. Veer ka sparsh usne pehle bhi kayi dafa mehsoos kiya hua tha par kabhi bhi iss tarah ki anubhuti nahi hoti thi use. Fir, ab kyu?

Akasmat use apni psychiatrist 'Ashita' ke bol yaad aa gaye.

'You have fallen for him, Dear.'

Suhana : Nahhhhiiiii-!!!!

Woh cheenkhi. Veer ki pakad se khud ko chhurate hue uss se dur bhaagi. Veer uske achanak se iss bartaav ko dekh achambhav me reh gaya. Suhana ko bhi gyaat hua ki akhir usne achanak se ye kya kar diya. Ahista se fir usne wapas se kaha,

Suhana : N-Nahi!

Veer : Kya nahi?

Suhana : N-Nahi! It's... It's better this way. For you... For me... For both of us.

Veer (confused) : Kya matlab?

Woh punah uske qareeb aaya.

Veer : Jawab do! Iska kya matlab hua? Mere sawal ka jawab do, Suhana. Paheliyaan mat bujhao.

Suhana : Y-You won't understand!!!

Veer (yells) : Then make me understand-!!!

Suhana (frowns) : Y-You-!!! J-Just leave, Veer. Tumne card return kar diya hai. Leave now!

Veer : Mein idhar se kahi nahi jaane waala. Aur, tumhe jawab dena hi hoga.

Usne Suhana ka haath pakad use kheencha aur sofe ke qareeb use laaya. Use neeche baithaya aur khud uske saamne baith gaya.

Veer : Meri aankhon me dekho-! Aur, jawab do!!! Kyu??? Kyu bhaag rahi thi tum mujhse?

Suhana (looks away) : T-Tumhare... Tumhare manners kidhar gaye? Tum kab se mujhe 'Tum' kehke bulaane lage?




Veer : Mein jinhe apna maanta hu... Unse aise hi pesh aata hu!!!

Suhana (gasps) : Hhhuh!???

Veer : Ab jawab do! Kyu bhaag rahi thi mujhse?

Suhana : I... I don't know!

Veer (yells) : YOU'RE LYING!!!!

Suhana (screams) : I'M NOT!!!!

Veer : ...

Suhana : I'm... I'm not!!! *shivers* I'm not lying!! It's just... Jab tumhari khabar padhi thi ki tumhe execute kar diya gaya hai toh-

Veer : Toh?

Suhana : I felt like... Something died within me.

Veer : !!??

Suhana : Lekin, fir tumhe sahi salamat paaya. Par... M-Mein... Mein tumhara saamna nahi karna chaahti thi.

Veer : Kyu???

Suhana : I thought... Staying away from you... would make me hurt less.

[Oh dear!]

Baaton hi baaton me Suhana nahi jaanti thi ki usne kya izhaar kar diya tha. Aur, Veer bhi harr baar ki tarah yahi samajh paaya ki Suhana uski bahut parvah karti hai. Pari hi ekmaatra thi jo sab bhaanp gayi.

[Oh no-!!! You both- *sighs*]

Veer (amazed) : T-Tum-

Suhana : A-And I don't know further. Okay? Mil gaya tumhe tumhara jawab?

Veer : Nahi! Mere dusre sawal ka uttar mujhe abhi nahi mila. Meri itni madad kyu ki??

Suhana (looks away) : Don't make it sound weird. Ye pehli baar nahi hai. Iske pehle bhi... Iske pehle bhi mein tumhari madad kar chuki hu. Aatish ke waqt... Slogan ke waqt... Maine tumhe apni handgun tak di thi.

Veer : Tab tumhara swaarth juda hua tha. 'Aatish' aur 'Slogan' Miss Sonia ke peeche pade hue the aur tum unhe kaise bhi kar ke surakshit rakhna chaahti thi. Lekin, uske baad kya? Uske baad toh tumne lagatar meri madad ki hai. Meri jaan bachayi hai.

Suhana : I... I thought we were accomplices!?

Veer : We are!!!

Suhana : T-Toh fir-!? Agar uske baad maine madad kar bhi di toh tum itne surprised kyu ho? Tumhe toh khush hona chahiye na? Kya tum khush nahi the??

Veer : Nahi!!!

Suhana : Huh!?

Veer : Tumhe pata hai jab mein France me police se bach ke bhaag raha tha aur uske baad jab mujhe helicopter dikhayi diya tha toh mujhe kaisa mehsoos hua tha?

Suhana : !!?

Veer : I cannot even express it. Jab mujhe pata chala tha ki woh helicopter tumne bhijwaya tha. I was relieved. I was happy. I felt secured. Lekin, ab gussa bhi aata hai.

Suhana : ??

Veer : You stupid girl!!!

Suhana : Wh-What?

Veer : Mujhe behad khushi hoti hai jab mere apne log meri madad karte hai. Lekin, tumhe pata hai mujhe sabse zyada dukh kab hota hai?

Suhana : ???

Veer haule se uski orr jhuka. Aur, iss baar uska haath seedhe Suhana ki kamar par jaake tham gaya. Suhana ki aankhein chaudi ho uthi. Veer ka haath ahista-ahista sarp ki tarah uske badan par rengte hue uske peeth par gaya. Dono ke chehre atyadhik nazdeek the. Suhana ka jism harr sparsh par kaanp raha tha.

Veer (softly) : Mujhe sabse zyada dard tab hota hai jab mein mere apno ko dard me dekhta hu, Suhana!




Kehte hue usne Suhana ki peeth sehlayi. Ye wahi jagah thi jaha par Suhana ne uske liye woh bullet apne upar li thi. Haya ki parat toh thi hi par saath hi saath Suhana ke chehre par taajub tha. Veer ke muh se aise bol sunn, woh aashcharya-chakit thi. Use aaj ye ehsaas hua tha ki Veer use kis hadd tak apna maanta hai.

Veer : ...And I consider you as one of my people.

Suhana achraj ke maare sann pad gayi.

Veer : Aur, isliye... Mujhe gussa aata hai. Mein nahi chahta ki aisi khatarnak jagaho par mera koi apna mandraaye. Yahi kaaran hai ki mein tumpe gussa bhi tha. Now, tell me! Kyu thi tum waha?

Suhana : I... I had some business.

Veer : Jhooth!

Iss baar Suhana virodh me nahi chillaa paayi. Kyuki, Veer sahi tha. Woh jhooth hi keh rahi thi. Woh toh keval aur keval Veer ke liye hi waha par thi.

Veer (sighs) : Fine! Agar, tumhe nahi batana toh mat batao. Mujhe apne zaroori sawalo ke jawab kuch hadd tak mil gaye hai. It's time for me to take my leave.

Woh uth khada hua toh Suhana tapaak se bol uthi.

Suhana : Tum... Tum iss tarah card wapas nahi kar sakte.

Veer : Hmm?

Suhana (blushes) : M-Maine... Maine woh gift ke roop me tumhe diya tha. Agar, tumhe amount bada lag raha hai toh kuch aur le lo. But, you must take something. Otherwise, aise me meri repayment ka kya matlab?




Veer : Oh! Right! I remember-! *smiles* Well, mujhe tumse ek madad chahiye hi thi. Hamara clothing brand 'Yarnia' market me utarne ke liye taiyaar hai. Tumne kaha tha ki tum ek showroom ka arrangement kar ke mujhe dogi. So?

Suhana : Bas???

Veer : Hm? Yeah! Abhi toh space ki hi dikkat jaa rahi hai.

Suhana : Consider it done. I'll send you the details later.

Veer (smiles) : Chalta hu!

Suhana (blushes) : Mm!

Veer jaise hi uske kamre se baahar nikla toh Suhana jo apne pati ke liye kisi meeting me jaane ke liye taiyaar hone waali thi, usne apne kapde utaar ke feke aur ghar ke dheele dhaale kapdo me aa gayi. Usne turant hi Ashita ko call kar ghar pe bula liya.

Toh wahi, Veer ke jaane ke pashchat sabhi maids jo pehle darwaze par kaan lagaaye sab sunane ki koshish kar rahi thi woh ikhatti hui aur aapas me gapp-shup me lag gayi.

Maid 1 : W-Woh ladd rahe the kya?

Maid 2 : Lag toh nahi raha.

Maid 1 : Toh abhi kya kare hum?

Maid 2 : Kuch nahi! Agar kuch hota toh madam kuch kehti hamse.

Maid 1 : Tumhe kya lagta hai? Woh ladka madam ka boyfriend hai?

Maid 2 : Haan! Mujhe toh poora vishvas hai. Madam aaj tak kabhi kisi ladke ko ghar nahi laayi hai. Woh pehla aisa ladka hai. Aur, dekha nahi tumne? Kaise madam ne pichli baar hume daant diya tha.

Maid 1 : Haan! Keh rahi thi ki hum sab unn sir ko hamesha respect se treat kare. Iska matlab... Iska matlab madam Gaurav Sir ko talaak dene waali hai?

Maid 3 : Huh? Kya waqai? Agar aisa hua toh kitna accha ho jayega na? Roz-roz waise bhi woh dono ladte hi rehte hai.

Maid 2 : Sahi kaha! Madam ko kitna rote hue dekha hai maine. Baap re!!! Inn ameero ke paas paisa zaroor hai magar khushiyaan nahi hai. Kabhi-kabhi lagta hai ki theek hi hai jo mere paas itna paisa nahi hai.

Maid 1 : Hahaha! Chal chal! Kaam pe lag jaa! Shayad madam ne firse kisi ko bulaya hai.

Aur, maids ki baat sahi thi. Suhana ne apni psychiatrist Ashita ko ghar pe bulaya tha. Zyada samay bhi nahi liya Ashita ne ghar pahuchne me.

Ashita : K-Kya hua? Itna urgently bulaya tumne mujhe???

Suhana deewar se tiki khadi hui thi. Uski samajh nahi aa raha tha ki kis tarah baat ko shuru kiya jaaye.




Ashita : Arey kya hua? Bolo?

Suhana : Tumne theek kaha tha.

Ashita : Hmm?

Suhana : M-Mujhe kuch ho gaya hai, Ashita.




Ashita ne use itminaan se sofe par baithaya aur woh uss se saari jankaari lene lagi. Jab use pata chala ki bas kuch derr pehle hi Veer yaha se lauta tha toh woh aur chillaa uthi.

Ashita : Woh Veer yaha par tha-!!!? Aur, tumne mujhe bataya bhi nahi???

Suhana : Woh achanak aaya tha. Mujhe khabar nahi thi.

Ashita : You-!!! I missed my chance to speak to him.

Suhana : Ashita...! Ashita, it's getting serious.

Ashita : ???

Suhana : M-Mein pehle aisi nahi thi. I don't know mujhe kya hota jaa raha hai. Mein aisi kabhi nahi thi, Ashita-!!! I don't know... I don't know what to do. And, it's making me nervous...! Meri raato ki neend udd rahi hai...! Khud par dhyaan dena kam ho gaya hai mera. I keep daydreaming...! I feel lost...!




Ashita : It's damn serious! Shit!!

Suhana : Huh?

Ashita : You've gotten a fever!

Suhana : Wh-What-!?

Ashita : Love fever!

Suhana : ???

Woh iske pehle ki kuch keh paati ki tabhi-

*Ring* *Ring*

Ashita : Tumhara phone baj raha hai.

Call unknown number se tha. Suhana ne jaise hi call pick kar apne kaan se lagaya toh udhar se kisi ladki ki awaaz aayi.

"Suhana?"

Suhana : Yes?

"Tejal this side! Veer ki badi behan!!! I need to talk with you. Face-to-face."

Suhana : Huh?

"Meet me tomorrow at 6 PM. You decide the venue and let me know. This is my number. I'll come wherever you see fit."

*Call ends*

Suhana : Wh-What-?

Ashita : Kya hua?

Suhana : Veer ki badi behan...! Woh mujhse milna chahti hai.

Ashita : Oh no! I think I know where this is going...! *sighs*

***

Police Station, Thane
Mumbai
Evening ~ 6:10 PM

Ek khubsoorat DSP mahila officer baar-baar alag-alag files ko paltaate hue dekhti jaa rahi thi. Kuch dhundhne ki koshish kar rahi thi parantu, woh na milne par uska gussa badhta hi jaa raha tha jab ek head constable ne usko tang dekh apni himmat kar bola.

"Trisha madam-!!! Woh file band hoke almaree me kayi mahino pehle hi lapet di gayi thi. Kuch milega nahi usme se aapko."

Trisha : Jaanti hu Jeetu kaaka!!! Aur, isliye toh mujhe aur bhi zyada kheej uth rahi hai. Ye kya report hai???

Jeetu kaaka : Aapke pehle jo madam thi unhone hi taiyar kari thi. Sabka maanana yahi tha ki agar koi jurm karne waala vyakti chala jaaye duniya se toh duniya ke liye toh accha hi hai na?

Trisha : Aise nahi Jeetu kaaka! Aise nahi chalta kanoon!!! Police ka kaam hai teh tak jaana!!!

Jeetu kaaka : !!??

Trisha (frowns) : Aatish Rane aur Sanjeev Mankar urf Slogan!!! Do bade gangsters jo Mumbai me apna thikana banaaye hue the woh dono hi achanak se maare jaate hai. Aur, police kya karti hai? Gangsters maare gaye hai iski khushi me dheeli-dhaali ek report bana kar usme 'haadse ka shikaar' likhte hue uss file ko thande baste me daal deti hai. Tch-!!

Jeetu kaaka : Ise toh saal do saal ho gaya madam. Ab fizool me gade murde ukhaadne ka kya fayda???

Trisha : Agar, aise hi harr police waala sochne laga kaaka toh duniya thapp ho jayegi. Do bade gangsters ko maarne waala zaroori nahi ki koi nyaay ka devta hi ho. Koi unse bhi bada gangster ho sakta hai jo baad me aur bhi bada khatra bann ke saabit ho.

Jeetu kaaka : Hmm! Ye baat toh hai.

Trisha (frowns) : Aatish Rane ki toh theek se laash bhi nahi mili. Lekin, report me saaf darz hai ki woh hi tha jo maara gaya. Toh wahi Sanjeev Mankar...! Khaayi me neeche mrat haalat me paaya gaya. Laash badi mushqil se pehchan me aayi thi.

Jeetu kaaka : Aap iss puraane case ke hi peeche kyu padi ho madam?

Trisha : Kaaka aap khud sochiye. Do bade gangsters achanak se maare jaate hai. Aur, dono hi iss tarah maare jaate hai ki maarne waale ke baare me koi saboot tak nahi milta.

Jeetu kaaka : Haadsa bhi toh ho sakta hai na-!?

Trisha : Sanjeev Mankar ki laash jangal ke andar neeche khaayi me mili thi Kaaka. Aur, aas paas koi gaadi ya car nahi thi. Itni andar jangal ki gehrayi me jaa ke koi aadmi ladkhada ke toh nahi girega na? Ye dono murders the!!! Tch-!!! Jankari bahut kam hai.

Jeetu kaaka : Kabhi-kabhi madam ji thoda duri banaaye rakhna hi behtar hai.

Trisha : Mein koi darpok officer nahi, kaaka. Agar mein desh ki seva me haath nahi battaungi toh aur kaun battayega? Gunah apni panah leta rahega!!! Mein iske baare me dhundh ke rahungi-!!!

Usne file par apne dono haath patakte hue dridhta se kaha ki itne me peeche se kisi aur mard ki awaaz aayi.

"Use baad me dhundhna! Pehle ise dekho-!!!"

Kehte hue ek aadmi waha andar aaya. Aur, uske andar aate hi Jeetu kaaka apni jagah par hi salaam thok tann ke khade ho gaye.

Wahi nahi the. Trisha khud apni jagah par khadi hui aur aane waale insaan ko dekh salute kari.

Aadmi andar aaya. Umr zyada nahi thi. 30-32 ke aas-paas ka prateet ho raha tha. Usne apne haatho me li hui file wahi table par patki aur Trisha ko padhne ka ishara kiya.

Trisha : DGP Sir? Yaha pe?

Aadmi muskuraya. Uske seene par saaf-saaf uske naam aur post ka tag laga hua tha.

Rohan Bakshi
DGP (Director General of Police)

Rohan : I guess, ye tumhare liye zyada interesting hona chahiye.

Trisha : Y-Ye-!?

Rohan : Maharashtra me serial killer khulla ghoom raha hai. Pune, Satara, Panchgani, Lonavla, aur ab Thaane. 6 murders ho chuke hai kul.

Trisha (frowns) : Aap abhi-!?

Rohan (nods) : Hmm! Pune se hi aa raha hu. Udhar par responsibility di hai. Thaane ka case tumhara hai. Deal with it.

Trisha : Yes Sir!

Rohan (smiles) : Naam se bula sakti ho. I'm your husband after all.

Uske itna kehte hi Trisha use aankh dikhaati hai toh Rohan kharaash lete hue Jeetu kaaka ki orr mudd jaata hai.

Rohan : Aaj aapko jaldi nahi jaana? Maine suna hai aap aksar jaldi nikalne ke liye rasta dekhte rehte hai.

Jeetu kaaka : N-Nahi Sir ji! Y-Ye kisne kaha aap se? Mein head constable hu. Mein akhir me hi jaata hu.

Rohan : Oh-!?

Trisha (mutters) : Pihu ne tang toh nahi kiya?

Rohan (smiles) : Pihu maa ke saath mauj me lagi hai.

Trisha : Maa ji ko aaj jaana tha na?

Rohan : Maine aaj rok liya. Kal jayengi woh.

Trisha : T-Toh fir kal se?

Rohan : Mama ji ke yaha chorr denge. Masla woh nahi hai. Masla ye report hai. Sambhal ke thoda. Mujhe ek important kaam se jaana hai. Raat ko ghar deri se aaunga.

Trisha (nods) : Hmm!

Aur, Rohan ek akhiri baar apni biwi ko dekh waha se nikal gaya. Trisha ne report kholi aur woh bareeki se saari vardaato ki summary ko padhne me lag gayi. Woh nahi jaanti thi ki woh kitne bade case me hissa lene jaa rahi thi.

***

FBCC Headquarters
New York, USA
Night ~ 10:25 PM

FBCC ki iss lambi si building ke andar, sabse upar maale ke theek neeche waale floor par Rebecca ahista se lift se nikalte hue andar dakhil hui.

Harr baar ki tarah floor par ghapp andhera tha. Na hi uss floor par kisi ko jaane ki anumati thi aur na hi koi jaata tha. Sawal karne par unhe bas mana kar diya jaata.

Aur, jo zurrat karta use naukri se hi nikaal diya jaata. Anumati keval aur keval Rebecca ko thi. Jo swayam FBCC ki Director thi.

Poora FBCC uske niyantran me tha aur uske hisaab se hi chalta tha. Bhale hi sarkar bhi iss crime control agency me hissedar thi magar andhruni taur se Rebecca hi iss agency ko chalati thi.

Ghanghor andhere se guzarte hue woh ahista-ahista andar ko aayi.

"I know you're here-!!!"




Bolte hue woh apne sthaan par ruk gayi.

Aur, halki si raushni me tabhi dur use koi baitha dikhayi diya.

?? : Of course! Where else I could be???




Rebecca (frowns) : Report-!!!!

?? : Ohh? Itni jaldi chahiye?

Rebecca : ...

?? : I always appreciate patience, you know.

Rebecca : Tumhare saare kaam hote gaye hai.

?? : Kya waqai?

Rebecca : Y-Yes!!!

?? : Australia ka kya?

Rebecca : Neutral!!!

?? : Hmm? Kya uss ladki ko khabar nahi lagi abhi?

Rebecca : Agar lagi hoti toh threat aa gaya hota.

?? : Australia is the easiest one. C'mon! Give me a break! You are taking too much time.

Rebecca : Satark rehne me koi burayi nahi. What about you? Aren't you dilly-dallying your case too?

?? : I'm dealing with something much bigger, lady!!! Aur, waise bhi... Mujhe bahut logo se deal karna hota hai.

Rebecca (frowns) : Kya tum... waqai wahi karne jaa rahe ho?

?? : Of course! Tumhe kya lagta hai? Mein yaha time-pass karne aata hu?

Rebecca : B-But-

?? : Kyu? Kahi... Koi hamdardi toh nahi?

Rebecca (sweats profusely) : N-No!

?? : Really?

Rebecca : Y-Yes!!!

?? : What about the Spanish duo?

Rebecca : Neutral!!!

?? (sighs) : Lagta hai, mujhe hi sab karna hoga. Well, I shouldn't complain. You ever seen a god complaining?

Rebecca : ...

?? : No! Right? I'm new to these things. Par, dheere dheere I'll manage. Trust me! Oh, by the way-

Rebecca : ???

?? (smiles) : I heard rumours that you might be pulling strings behind my back! *smiles* Is it true??? *smiles*

Rebecca : H-Huh-!!? Wh-What do you-

Agle hi shan, woh aadmi apni jagah se gayab hua. Rebecca ki aankhein darr ke maare feli aur woh kuch karne ke liye apne perr modi magar sab kuch itni jaldi hua ki woh react tak na kar paayi aur-

*BAAAAMMMMMMMMMMM*

Uska sarr seedhe peeche concrete ki deewar par jaake laga. Uska gala uss aadmi ki mazboot giraft me tha. Lag raha tha maano ek cheel khargosh ko apne panjo me daba ke fasaaye hue tha.

Woh haule se jhukta hua uske kaan ke nazdeek aaya aur bola,

?? : You... don't have any legendary skill, right???

Rebecca ne badi hi mushqil se ukhdi saansein lete hue himmat kar naa me sarr hilaaya. Kuch derr tak woh aadmi use yuhi dekhta raha.

?? (smiles) : Good! Kitni acchi baat hai ki tumne jhooth nahi kaha.

Rebecca : Arghh-!!!

?? : Because, you know... I hate lies... And, liars even more!!!

Rebecca : Urggh-!!!

Uss aadmi ka haath Rebecca ki zulfo par fira aur ahista ahista uske gaalo par aaya. Rebecca apne chehre ko uske sparsh se khud ko modti rahi.

?? : Tumhe pata hai-!? I don't destroy for the sake of chaos. My each move is calculated, each action meticulously planned. Kya naam dogi tum aisi planning ko?

Rebecca (grits) : E-Evil-!!!

?? (smiles) : And, I call it strategy.

Kehte hue usne uske gale par se haath hataaya toh Rebecca khaaste hue apne gale ko sehlane lagi.

?? : Tumhare uska kya?? Your lapdog??? Hmm?

Rebecca : He's doing his mission. *cough*

?? (nods) : Good! Good!

Rebecca : ...

?? : Table par report rakhi hui hai. Jo tumhe chahiye tha woh tumhare paas hai. Go on!

Report ke baare me sunte hi Rebecca bechaini me table ki taraf bhaagi. Lekin, report dekhte hi uski utsukta ghabrahat me badal gayi.

Rebecca : Y-Ye-!! Ye toh sirf ek report hai.

?? : Oh!! Toh tumhe kya laga? Kya waqai tumhe ye laga tha ki mein tumhe saari reports de dunga?

Rebecca (frowns) : Tsk...!!!

Muskurate hue woh lift ki orr jaane laga jab peeche se Rebecca ne ek akhiri sawaal pucha.

Rebecca : Wh-Where are you going???

?? (smiles) : I was just craving some couscous!!!

Kehte hue woh waha se gayab ho gaya.
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Aaj ke liye itna hi guys.
This update consists of around 8.5k words. Itni hi length ke around sabhi updates honge. Kuch mega updates agar aaye toh woh bhi bade honge. Bahut dino baad aaya hai update. You guys know my troubles. Toh, like thokne ka aur revos rakhne ka. Target apna wahi hai guys ~ 200!!! Arc pacing pakad raha hai. You saw some new characters as well. You also got to know about Aatish' and Slogan's full names. Police jo ab tak aksar muddo se bahar rehti thi ab light me aa chuki hai. More trouble for Veer. Baaki, aise hi support karte rehne ka.
Dhanyavad.

Well Suhana confesses that she has fallen for Veer *interesting*. She is the one who deserves Veer the most but I want to see Veer with Nidhi.

Tejal wants a meeting with Suhana, she is very possessive for Veer it seems, what will happen when she will come across the mystery between Veer and Kavya, it is gonna be a tough challenge to accept for Tejal or may be she can't??

Trisha is doing well but can she reach to the truth??

Pranjal again on the scene!! Let's see what kind of situations are ahead???

 

[Rexd]

After last chapter, I was not sure where this will all go.

What level of writing! This content is too good. There was an inkling of an attack of some sort at Hotel Prestige, but I didn’t expect it to happen this way. Who are those people killed by Dexter?

So many questions! This is a Sophie’s choice moment for Veer. But he is unaware of what’s happened with his family. Will they be angry at him when all the dust from rubble clears? It doesn’t look like the new year is going to be great start for him! Such setback. This is why I love this story - Werewolf is so authentic in terms of his story. love this chapter!

Reading the part about Juhi and what veer was thinking, even I felt scared for her - to bring out such emotions in readers : hats off! Who came to rescue for Ava? Friend or foe? Veer’s clash with new system holder!
Pandemonium indeed!

Looking forward to the next chapter.

 

[Werewolf]

Pandemonium - vakai me sab jagah bhagdadh si machi huyi hai. Aur ant me to visphot sa hi ho gaya. Bahut sunder dhang se sab jagah ka varnan kiya hai.

Tamanna, Shreya aur Abha theek tarah se ghar pahunch gayi. Jahan Tamanna chintit aur dari huyi thi, Shreya ki jigyasa situation ko aur tanavpurn kar rahi thi, wahin par paristhiti ko samajhte huye Abha bilkul shaant thi.

Wahin par Trisha ko Mirror Gallery me Veer aur Kaera dikh gaye, lekin usi samay sandigdh aadmi ke baare me call aaya aur weh usme busy ho gayi.

Veer ne Nidhi ko call kiya, Divya aur Ava ke kaan khade ho gaye, lekin Juhi ke Maamu ki awaj ne unko tanav rahit kar diya.

Suhana aur Sonia ka sanvaad interesting tha. Suhana ke vyavhaar se Sonia chakit reh gayi, kya weh ye nhi samajh payi ki Suhana Veer ke kitna close ho gayi hai.

Sonia ye baat samajh gayi hai bhai. Use doubt ho gaya hai ki uski badi behan Suhana Veer ke kuchh zyada hi close ho rahi hai. At least uske dimag me ye baat baith chuki hai.

Wahin Hotel Prestige me parivaar ka har sadasya ek well oiled machinery ki tarah apna kaam kar rahe the.

Uper likhi huyi sab baatein jis detail me likhi hain, ek-ek situation me jo bhaav, tanaav, aur utsah ka mishran ghola hai, padh kar anand aa gaya. Hats off to your writing skills.

Thanks a lot.

Ab aate hain thrill par. Veer ki pratiksha uske parivaar wale hi nahi kar rahe, balki Dhananjay ke bheje gaye aadmi bhi kar rahe hain, aur ek sharp-shooter bhi kar raha hai. Yeh shayad Aadesh ne bheja ho.

Nahi! Woh Dexter hai bhai. Dexter is one of the assassins who was hired by Slogan.

Sanyog kaisa rachaya hai, Nidhi ki akasmat Trisha se mulakat, Juhi aur Pihu, dono bacchiyon ka ek dusre se click karna, aur uss khuni aadmi ke chungal me phans jana. Udhar usi samay Madhuri aur Pranjal ka usase takrana, aur sabse badi baat, Nidhi ka behosh ho jana. Agar Nidhi hosh me hoti to weh jarur Veer ko ring karti. Ab Veer ko kaise pata lagega ki uski Juhi kidnap ho gayi hai aur uski jaan khatre me hai. Shayad Madhuri bata de, ya phir media walon ko khabar mile aur weh usko broadcast kar de.

Veer ko Shreya ne bata diya hai. Ab Shreya ko ye baat kaise pata chali? Nidhi ke behosh ho jaane ke baad kya hua tha, woh sab hum agle bhaag me jaanenge.

Akhir me ek aur roda, Nik raasta roke khada hai. Yeh to pita.

Har situation ko itni acchi tarah se likha hai ki padh kar maza aa gaya. Yeh saaf hai ki agar Veer theek samay nahi pahuncha to weh Juhi ko kho dega jo mission fail hone ki panalty hai. Ab tej dhadkano ke saath agle update ka intezaar hai.

As usual, again a great update. The sketch of Khooni Aadmi was very scary.

That sketch is not made by me.
But yes... I had to search a lot to get a near accurate version of him according to my imagination. Uske baad use sketch jaisa dikhaane ke liye maine editing kari hai taaki woh feel aayi ki woh sketch hi hai aur kisi ke dwara banaya gaya hai.

Thanks a lot and keep supporting man.

 

[dhalchandarun]

Mega Update

Update - 183 ~ Misunderstandings

[Note : This update consists of 12.7k words. Read it when you have enough time to read in a single sitting.]​

Ab tak...

Rebecca : Y-Ye-!! Ye toh sirf ek report hai.

?? : Oh!! Toh tumhe kya laga? Kya waqai tumhe ye laga tha ki mein tumhe saari reports de dunga?

Rebecca (frowns) : Tsk...!!!

Muskurate hue woh lift ki orr jaane laga jab peeche se Rebecca ne ek akhiri sawaal pucha.

Rebecca : Wh-Where are you going???

?? (smiles) : I was just craving some couscous!!!

Kehte hue woh waha se gayab ho gaya.

Ab aage...

Veer’s house, Mumbai,
Afternoon ~ 12:22 PM

Ragini kitchen me platform se satke khadi thi. Uske haath sabziyaan kaatne me lage hue the. Chaaku ki lay-baddh kaat uske dimag me chal rahi uthal-puthal se bilkul vipreet thi. Dopahar ke sooraj ki raushni khidki se chhan kar uske naazuk chehre par garm chamak bikher rahi thi. Lekin, veh raushni uski aankhon ke bheetar umde sailaab ko na chhu saki.

Uske vichar achanak hi chhuttiyon me sang pal bitaaye uss raat ki orr chale gaye. Woh raat!! Jab hawa me ankahe shabdo ka bhaar tha, tanaav spasht tha. Veer ke woh bol uske mastishk me goonj gaye. Unn dono ke beech hua uss raat woh sanvaad~

‘Tumhe yahi sanshay hai na ki mein tumhe shadi-shuda aur divorcee hone ke kaaran nahi apna raha?’

‘H-Haan! Kya galat hai isme? Yahi sach hai!’

‘Ji nahi! Ye sach nahi hai! Kyuki, mujhe jo pyaar karti hai aur jis se mein pyaar karta hu, woh bhi tumhari tarah hi ek divorcee hai!!!’

Yahi bol the uske. Aur, uss raat ke baad se hi Ragini ki neendein haraam ho chuki thi.

‘D-Divorcee?? M-Meri tarah?’

Iss baar uska gussa charam par tha. Pehle jaha use sandeh tha ki koi anchhui kali ne Veer ko apne jhaase me fasaya hai toh ab ye jaanane ke baad ki koi uski hi tarah ek talaq-shuda aurat hai jispe Veer fida ho chuka hai. Ye toh jaise uski bardasht se pare tha. Shayad itna gussa aur itni jalan use tab na hui hoti agar Veer kisi apni umra ki ladki ke upar lattu hua hota. Magar, uska yeh kehna ki koi talaq-shuda ne uska ye haal kar diya?

Ragini ko shayad aaj pehli baar apne imaan, apni sundarta par itni badi ghaat pahuchi thi. Uske andar jo irshya bhadki thi, woh ekdum bhasm kar dene waali thi.

Aansu chhalke, aur uski drishti dhundhli ho chali. Chopping board par pyaaz zaroor kat rahi thi magar, veh khud behtar jaanti thi ki inn aasuo ka kaaran pyaaz nahi thi.

Rasoi me maujood shanti uss par bojh ki tarah dabav daalti jaa rahi thi. Maujood toh Suman bhi thi waha jo samaan ko vyavasthit karne me juti hui thi. Magar, uski haziri Ragini ke antar-mann me tabahi macha rahe vicharo se dhak chuki thi.

Chopping board par iss baar tamatar ast-vyast the, jo uski bheetar ki avyavastha ko darsha rahe the. Usne apni aankhein band kar ek gehri saans li. Use mehsoos hua ki uske aur Veer ke beech ek gehri adrishya khaayi thi. Ragini use laangh kar uske paas pahuchna chahti thi. Lekin, Veer ki asweekriti aur faisle ke dar ne use ab tak rok ke rakha tha. Veh apni hi banayi hui bhool-bhulaiyaa me fass gayi thi, jaha pratyek raasta aur bhi adhik peeda ki orr le jaata tha.

Usne apni aankhein kholi aur punah kaatna jaari kiya. Harr tukda uske dil ke tukde ko darsha raha tha. Iss baar krodh aur jalan haawi ho uthi. Uske haatho ka bal badha aur chaaku sabzi se fisalte hue seedhe jaake uski ungli par jaa lagi.

“Ahhh!!!!”

Dard ke chalte woh apne khwabon se nikal vastavik duniya me wapas aayi. Suman jo wahi par thi, Ragini ki ungli se behta khoon dekh daud ke uske paas aayi.

Suman : Arey-!!? Ye kya kiya aapne? Kaha dhyaan hai aapka? Laiye, haath idhar!

Ragini : K-Kuch nahi Suman. Aap rehne do! Mamooli si chot hai. Mein cream laga leti hu.

Suman : Maine kaha na dikhaiye idhar!!!

Suman ke zorr se kehne par Ragini aur virodh na kar saki. Pehle toh Suman ne uske haath ko seedhe sink ke nal ke behte paani ke neeche lagaya aur fir andar se first-aid ka dibba laate hue usme se savlon aur ruyi ki sahayta se uske ghaav ko saaf karne lagi.

Suman : Sssss!! Tch-tch-tch! Dekhiye toh! Kitna zyada lag gaya hai. Mein dekh rahi hu kaafi der se. Kya soch rahi thi aap?

Kintu, Ragini maun rahi. Suman ne filhal baat ko nahi chhedha aur ghaav par dhyan dete hue usne ek antiseptic powder ki parat uss par chadhayi aur fir marham-patti kar di. Uske baad usne wapas se apna sawal rakha.

Suman : Aap theek toh hai na? Kuch khoyi-khoyi si prateet ho rahi thi aap.

Ragini kuch shan apni ungli par bandhi patti ko ghoorti rahi fir kuch derr baad sochte hue boli.

Ragini : Kya aap mere ek sawal ka jawab dogi, Suman?

Suman : Sawal ka jawab? Haan, puchiye na! Kya baat hai?

Ragini : Vaada kariye ki aap imandari se iska jawab dengi.

Suman : Arey, haan haan-! Aap puchiye toh sahi. Mein bhala jhooth kyu bolungi?

Ragini : Toh, ye bataiye ki kya mujhe dusri shaadi karne ka haq hai? Waise toh maine nirnay le liya hai lekin fir bhi mein aapki raay bhi lena chaahti hu.

Suman : Ye… Ye sawal ek vyaktigat sawal hai.

Ragini : Mein jaanti hu. Jaisa ki maine kaha. Nirnay maine le liya hai. Bas, aapke muh se bhi aapka jawab sunana chaahti hu.

Suman : Theek hai! Toh, mera jawab toh haan hai. Har naari ko dusri shaadi karne ka poora haq hai. Khaas kar tab jab pehle pati se aapne talaq le liya ho aur toh aur uske sang yaadein bhi acchi na guzri ho.

Ragini : Dhyan rakhiye, Suman! Yaha aapko soch samajh ke jawab dena hai. Mein ye sirf mere liye nahi puch rahi hu. Aapko baaki rishton ke baare me sochte hue iska jawab dena hai. Aaj mein iss ghar me hu. Kal ko meri shaadi hogi toh mein yaha nahi rahungi. Mera rishta baakiyo se badal jayega. Naye parivar ke logo se rishte banaane honge aap sabko. Unka aana-jaana yaha laga rahega. Ho sakta hai woh log aapko pasand na aaye. Ho sakta hai unhe aap log na pasand aao.

Ragini darasal Suman ko parakh rahi thi. Woh ye dekhne ki koshish kar rahi thi ki kya ghar me uski shaadi ki baat ko leke log bechain hote hai ya nahi? Woh bas ek daav fek ke ye dekhna chahti thi. Magar, woh ye nahi jaanti thi ki Suman ne uski soch ki jaanch-padtal pehle hi kar li thi. Aur, usne apna paasa uss se bhi pehle fek diya tha.

Suman (smiles) : Iss se toh har wo parivar guzarta hai jinke yaha shaadi hoti hai. Hai na? Isme kya dikkat? Aur, isme kya nayi baat?

Ragini : A-Aap samajh nahi rahi.

Suman (smiles) : Kya nahi samajh rahi mein?

Ragini : M-Matlab, aapko koi dikkat nahi hai agar mein dusri shaadi karti hu toh?

Suman : Nahi! Bilkul nahi! Aur, mujhe kya kisi ko bhi koi dikkat nahi hogi aur na hi honi chahiye!

Ragini : Th-Theek hai! Ek aur sawaal! Aapko kya lagta hai? K-Kya mujhse… Mujh jaisi talaq-shuda aurat se firse koi jawan ladka shaadi karega?

Suman : Ye bhi koi sawal hai? Aapse toh koi bhi shaadi karne ko taiyaar ho jayega, Ragini ji! *smiles*

Ragini : Koi bhi nahi, Suman! Koi bhi nahi! Mujhe koi bhi ladke se shaadi nahi karni.

Suman : Ahh! Kya… Kahi aapko koi pasand aa gaya hai?

Suman ne ek shararti muskaan liye pucha. Woh toh sab jaanti thi. Lekin, natak kar rahi thi. Swayam Ragini ke muh se jaise woh sach sunana chahti thi.

Ragini : Sach kahu toh, pasand toh bahut pehle aa gaya tha. Woh samundar ki tarah hai, Suman! Aur, mein kisi sahil ki tarah. Uski lehre mujhse aake takrati hai, lekin bas chand derr ke sparsh ke baad mujhe akela chhor ke chali jaati hai. Aur, wapas se phir wahi tanhai… phir wahi bebasi…

Suman : Aap uske baare me aise baatein kar rahi hai jaise maano woh aapki subah ka sooraj ho. Agar, itna prem hai toh fir woh kaun si cheez hai jo aapko aage badhne se rok rahi hai?

Ragini : Yahi toh dikkat hai, Suman! Yahi toh dikkat hai! Yeh itna asaan nahi! Pehle hi mein ek toofan se guzar chuki hu. Ab uske malbe ke neeche dabb ke nahi jeena chahti. Aur, isliye… isliye mein uski hona chahti hu. Aap maanogi nahi, Suman! Uski har nazar, uske har shabd, jab-jab woh mujhse kuch kehta hai toh aisa lagta hai jaise woh seedhe meri rooh se baat kar raha hai. Mujhe apne qareeb kheench raha hai. Lekin, fir agle hi pal… Ek hi saans me mujhe dur bhi dhakel deta hai. Aisa kyu hai, Suman??

Suman : Kya aap prem hi dhundh rahi hai ya…!? Ya fir apne ateet se bas chhutkara paane ka ek raasta?

Iss baar Suman ki nigaahein sateek uss par tiki thi. Lag raha tha jaise ye sawal khud Suman ke liye bhi bahut sanvedan-sheel tha.

Ragini : Shayad… dono? Yeh aisa hai maano woh ek bageecha hai jisme mein ghoomne ke liye utsuk hu. Bekarar hu. Lekin, fir bhi chalne se darti hu. Uski maujoodgi ki har ek pankhuri mujhe bulaati hai, sundarta aur shanti ka vaada karti hai. Lekin, mujhe kabhi-kabhi darr bhi lagta hai. Kya hoga agar mera sparsh unhe murjha de? Kya hoga agar mein woh toofan niklu jo sab kuch barbaad kar de? Aur, bas isliye… isliye ab tak khud ko roki hui hu. Sirf uski haami ka intezar kar rahi hu. Warna, mein toh kab ka…

Suman : Ye sab aapki dharnaaye hai, Ragini ji! Aap koi toofan nahi! Toofan se toh aap balki bach gayi. Talaq jo le liya! Aur, kya pata? Ho sakta hai ki veh ladka hi aapki shanti ho? Aapka sukh-chenn? Jiski aapko talaash hai?

Kehte waqt uske hontho par ek muskaan thi. Jaise woh jaanti thi ki veh kya kar rahi thi aur ye bhi jaanti thi ki inke parinam kya hone waale the.

Ragini : Aur, agar sach me wahi mera sukh-chenn hai toh? Toh, fir kya? Mein apne mann ki uthal-puthal ko hata ke uss tak kaise pahuchu? Kaise use batau ki wahi mera sab kuch hai? Mein nahi chaahti ki woh meri maango se, meri ichhao se darey. Mujhse dur bhaage!!! Use mein sab bata chuki hu. Lekin, hum dono ke andar kahi na kahi ek dar hai!

Suman : Ragini ji!

Ragini (glances) : …?

Suman : Dil apna rasta khud jaanta hai. Chaahe kitna hi bada toofan kyu na ho, chaahe kitna hi andhera kyu na hu, ye hamesha apna bageecha dhundh leta hai. Aur, ek aur baat. Kabhi-kabhi pareshaniyo ko saajha karne se unka hal mil jaata hai.

Kehte hue usne apna dusra paasa bhi fek diya. Chand pal guzar gaye. Ragini jo apne maathe par lakeere sajaaye kinhi vicharo se joojh rahi thi, woh kuch sochne ke baad nirnay lete hue boli.

Ragini : Mere saath mere kamre me chaliye. Mujhe aapse kuch zaroori baat karni hai!

Woh hawa ke jhonke ki tarah kitchen se nikli aur idhar uske jaate hi Suman ke hontho ki muskaan aur adhik fel gayi.

‘Ragini ji! Agar, kahi pe bhi mujhe aapke andar truti mili…! Toh, mein aapko maalik se baat karna toh dur, unke aas-paas bhi nahi bhatakne dungi.’

Mann hi mann sochte hue Suman Ragini ke kamre me uske peeche-peeche chal dakhil ho gayi.

***

Veer ki Rolls Royce Ghost sadak par bhaag rahi thi aur logo ki gardane modne par unhe majboor kar rahi thi. Ye gaadi Suhana ka ek sabse khaas tohfa thi uske liye. Uske muh se bas nikla tha aur Suhana ne uske liye ye bhej di thi.

‘Kabhi maine Miss Suhana ko koi gift nahi diya. Iss baar unke birthday par, I’ll give her a huge surprise.’

[That’s right! She deserves one.]

‘Bilkul! Jitna unhone mere liye kiya hai, itna shayad hi koi kisi ke liye karta hai. Iss baar mein unka birthday unforgettable bana dunga.’

Woh abhi raaste se guzar hi raha tha, gaadi ki raftar bhi kam thi jab use road ke paas ek cafe ke baahar Kritika khadi nazar aayi.

‘Kritika? Ye yaha kya kar rahi hai?’

Gaadi ko jaise hi usne cafe ke saamne lagaya toh ek baar phir sabki nazre Rolls Royce par tik gayi. Andar baithe couples bhi aankhein gadaaye dekhne par majboor ho gaye. Jaha ladko ke mann me jalan ubaal maar rahi thi toh wahi ladkiyaan car se nikalte Veer ko dekh uss par mohit ho rahi thi. Aur, Kritika unme se ek thi.

Kritika : V-Veer bhaiya? Aap yaha?

Veer : Hmm! Par, tum yaha baahar khadi kya kar rahi ho?

Kritika : Oh! M-Mein woh-

Veer : Hmm?

Kritika : Actually! Kisi se batana mat aap. Okay? Aur, Kavya ko toh bilkul bhi mat! Use pokne ki bahut buri aadat hai.

Kritika ki baat par Veer ne apni bauho par ungliyaan rakh haami bhari. Kal hi usne Kavya ko bataya tha ki woh Miss Suhana ka card unhe wapas dene jaa raha hai aur kal hi Kavya ne Tej ko sab pok bhi diya tha. Uske baad raat bhar Tej uss se sawaal par sawaal puchti rahi.

Veer : H-Haan! Lekin, kya mat batana?

Kritika ne fir uske kaan ki orr jhukte hue kuch kaha aur fir cafe ke upar dusri building ki orr ishara kar sharma gayi.

Veer : Ohhh!

Kritika (nods) : H-Haan! M-Mujhse nahi ho paa raha hai.

Veer : Hey! I can help if you don’t mind!

Kritika (blushes) : Wh-What? A-Aap? N-Nahi!

Veer : Kyu? Kya buraayi hai? Mujhe experience hai!

Kritika (blushes) : Ahh! P-Par-! Aapke saath…

Veer : I mean agar tum uncomfortable ho toh koi baat nahi-

Kritika : N-Nahi! I-It’s okay! M-Mein ready hu. *blushes* M-Mera first time hai so…

Veer : Shuru shuru me dikkat jaati hai. Ghabrahat hoti hai par ek baar jaha experience mil gaya toh sab asaan ho jaata hai. Aur, mujhe bhi accha lagega. I really needed a breather. Come!

Kritika (blushes) : H-Hmm!

Aur, Veer use upar leke chal diya. Magar, abhi mushqil se ek ghanta hi hua tha ki ek Innova waha aake khadi hui aur usme se Tej, Arohi aur Kavya teeno baahar nikli. Yeh gaadi Ragini ki khud ki personal gaadi thi.

Tej : Dekha tumne? Maine kaha tha na, Kavya! Tum bahut bholi ho. Aaj bhi Veer idhar-udhar ladkiyo ke saath ghum raha hoga mein daave ke saath keh sakti hu. Isliye, maine tumse kaha tha ki uspe nazar rakha karo.

Kavya : Uhm…! P-Par, Bhaiya ke phone ki location aise track karna kya sahi tha, Tejal didi?

Tej : Hmph! Jab bhai jhooth bolne lage toh ye karna padta hai, Kavya. Accha hua maine uss din uss se uska mobile maang liya tha. Kam se kam ab mein uski location ka pata toh laga sakti hu. Aaj kal use baahar ki hawa lag gayi hai. Ghar me itne log hai par ise baahar hi ghumna rehta hai. Arey, agar kuch chahiye toh mujhse kahe na. Mein kisliye hu?

Arohi : Maybe, he wants something which you can't give to him.

Tej : Wh-What-!?

Arohi : S….E….X…!!!

Tej (blushes) : Arohi!!!!! Y-Ye kya tha???

Arohi : I just stated facts. Veer ki umra me hormones foot-foot kar baahar nikalte hai. No wonder, he might be craving for some S…E….

Tej (blushes) : S-Stop it!!! Stop!!!

Arohi : Also, should I mention that ‘Parijaat’ incident???

Tej (blushes) : Stoooooppppp!!!!!

Arohi : ….

Kavya (blushes) : M-Matlab, bhaiya ko- Bhaiya ko ab girlfriend ki talaash hai?

Tej : Huh? N-Nahi! Uski baat par dhyaan mat do, Kavya. Aur, ‘Parijaat’ ka naam toh mere saamne lena hi mat, Arohi!

Arohi (shrugs) : I was just being logical!

Tej : Mein use acche se jaanti hu. Woh itni jaldi girlfriend bana hi nahi sakta. Aur, waise bhi- Mujhe bataye bina woh akhir kaise koi decision le sakta hai? I'm his elder sister after all.

Arohi : Aapko bataye bina hi usne Miss Suhana jaisi badi-badi businesswomen se contacts banaaye hai.

Tej : Urgh-!!! Tumhe ye bataane ki zaroorat thi? Mein tab ghar ka hissa nahi thi. I can't help it. Okay?

Kavya : Arey, ab aap dono yahi khade hoke baat karti rahogi ya andar bhi chalogi?

Tej : Right! Chalo! Uski nazar me mat aa jaana.

Woh teeno hi dabe paav liye chhipte chhupaate cafe ke andar pravesh ki toh unhe Veer dur baitha hi dikhayi de gaya. Kismat ki baat thi ki Veer ki peeth unki orr thi aur woh unhe dekh na paaya. Parantu, uske saath hi ek ladki bhi virajman thi.

Jaise hi teeno ne dekha ki woh ladki kaun thi teeno ki hi aankhein hairat me fel gayi. Aur, teeno hi apni jagah par jamm gayi. Woh ladki Kritika hi thi.

Tej (frowns) : Maine kaha tha na? Maine kaha tha!!! Woh ladkiyo ke saath hi ghoom raha hoga. See? I was right!

Veer ko ladki ke saath baithe dekh ke hi Tej ko pata nahi kyu par bahut gussa aa gaya. Veer pe toh krodhit thi hi woh lekin uss se bhi zyada uske saath baithi uss ladki par use gussa aa raha tha.

Kavya : K-Kritika-!!! Ugh-!!!!

Sabse zyada bura agar kisi ko laga tha toh woh thi Kavya. Apna ladkiyo wala rumaal muh me daato tale daboche woh dono ko namm aankhein liye dekh rahi thi.

Kavya : M-Mujhe kabhi nahi laga tha. Kabhi nahi laga tha ki tum woh ladki niklogi, Kritika!! Urgh-!!! *hic* Kutti kahi ki…!!!

Arohi (baffled) : K-Kavya??? Ye kaisi language hai???

Kavya : Ugh-!!! Blame her!!! Not me!!! Usi ne mujhe sikhayi hai. Aur, ab dekho khud hi-!!! Khud hi bhaiya ke saath lovey-dovey hoke baithi hai. *hic*

Tej (frowns) : Tch! Ye toh tumhari hi dost nikli!!! Look at them! Dekho, kaise hass-hass ke baatein kar rahe hai dono. Chalo! Chalo, chal ke unka bhaanda phodte hai.

Arohi : N-No-!! Wait!!

Tej : Huh?

Arohi : Woh side me partition hai. Partition ke uss side waali seats pe chalte hai. Hum unki baatein bhi sunn payenge. Agar, humare paas koi saboot nahi hoga toh hum blame nahi laga sakte aise.

Tej (nods) : Right-!!!

Aur, teeno hi apna sarr jhukaate hue Veer aur Kritika ki nazro se bach kar partition ke bagal waali seats ki orr pahuch gayi. Ek couple jo waha baithne hi jaa raha tha unko daraate hue teeno hi waha pahuch gayi.

Bechara ladka jo apni gaand kursi par tikaane jaa hi raha tha, use Tej ne dhadalle se kheencha aur bade hi gusse me boli.

Tej : Ye seat reserved hai! You get it? Now, get lost!!!

Parantu, uske iss ravaiyye se ladke ki girlfriend bhadak uthi.

Ladki : Oh hello? Y-Ye kya tareeka hai? Aur-

Iske pehle ki woh aur kuch bol ke bakheda khada karti, Arohi aage aayi aur uski khubsoorti dekhte hi ladke ki aankhein chaundhiya gayi.

Arohi : If you don't mind…! Please, aap kahi aur baith sakte hai? Please?

Ladka : H-Haan-! O-Okay! K-Kyu nahi? S-Sure!

Ladki : Huh??? Arey, hum kyu kahi aur baithenge?

Ladka : Shh! Ladkiyo se mat uljho! Aao na babe!! Hum yaha baithate hai!! Lunch is on me!!!

Ladki : Hmph-!!!

Muh fulaate hue woh ladki apne boyfriend ke saath dusri seat par baithne chali gayi. Aur, idhar Arohi ne ek raahat ki saans li. Magar, uska mood kharab ho chuka tha. Teeno jaise hi seat par baithi, Arohi ne apna sarr narazgi me jhuka liya.

Kavya : D-Di? Kya hua?

Arohi : I… I showed my vulnerable side to a random guy… other than Veer. And, I hate it!!!

Tej : Shhh!!! Unhe humari baatein sunayi nahi deni chahiye!

Abhi unhe baithe kuch hi pal beete the ki itne me cafe ka darwaza ek baar fir khula aur ek jaana-pehchana chehra pravesh kiya.

Magar, uske andar aate hi usne jo drishya dekha use dekhne ke baad woh confused ho utha.

‘What the-!? Veer aur Kritika?’

Ye koi aur nahi, Karan hi tha. Woh abhi unn dono ko awaaz laga ke haath hilaane hi waala tha jab uski nazar partition ke bagal se baaki ki seats par padi jaha Kavya aur Arohi baithi hui thi.

‘Huh? What the hell???’

Uska haath hawa me hi ruk gaya. Kavya ki nazre jaise hi Karan se bhidi toh woh pehle toh chakit hui par uske baad apne hontho par ungli rakh use shaant rehne ka ishaara karne lagi. Uski harqat dekh Tej ne bhi peeche mud ke dekha toh Karan ko aur jhatka laga.

‘What the fuck-!? Veer ki behne? Ye sab yaha kya kar rahi hai?’

Arohi ne itne me samajhdari dikhate hue Karan ko ishaare se apne paas bulaaya toh Karan haami bharte hue unke paas aaya. Aur, jaise hi woh unke qareeb pahucha, Tej ne use kheench ke apne bagal se kursi par baitha diya.

Karan : A-Aap sab? Yaha?

Tej : Shhh!!!

Kavya : Karan bhaiya? Aap yaha kar rahe ho?

Woh dabi awaaz me puchi.

Karan : M-Mein toh aise hi yaha se guzar raha tha toh bas ek soft drink ke liye aaya tha. Yaha soft drinks achhi milti hai. P-Par- aap sab yaha? Aur, ye bagal se Veer-

Uske kehne se pehle hi Tej ne uske muh par haath rakh diya.

Tej : Idiot!!! Bola na shaant raho!!! Tumko situation samajh nahi aa rahi kya?

Karan : Huh? K-Kya hua?

Kavya : Karan bhaiya!! Aapko ye sunn ke bura lagega par-

Karan : Par?

Kavya : Ugh! Di! Aap batao! Mujhse nahi hoga!

Karan : What? Kya chal kya raha hai?

Arohi : Veer and Kritika are dating each other!!!

Sunte hi Karan ki bolti band ho gayi. Pehle toh woh muskuraya. Fir, haste hue bola.

Karan : Haha! Nice joke! Par, aisa nahi ho sakta. Kritika Veer ko nahi pasand karti. Aur, Veer bhi Kritika ko sirf ek friend ke roop me dekhta hai. So…

Tej : Urgh!!! Ye gadha hai!!! Arey, stupid tumne dekha nahi abhi? Veer aur tumhari woh Kritika ek dusre ke saath bagal se baithe hue hai. Aur, hamare yaha aane se pehle se hi woh baithe hai.

Karan : Huh?

Arohi (nods) : That's right! Unhe rangey haath pakadne ke liye hi hum yaha aise chhip ke baithe hai.

Karan : N-No!! That can't be-!!!

Arohi : It might be true!!! Toh, bas kaan laga ke sunte raho.

Sthiti ki gambheerta ko dekh Karan shaant ho gaya. Woh sab Veer aur Kritika ki baatein sunane ki koshish karne lage jab unke paas cafe ka ek waiter aake khada ho gaya.

Waiter : Your order, Sir?

Sabse tez munda kharab agar hua toh woh tha Tej ka. Woh bekaar sa muh banaaye pehle toh waiter ko dekhi, fir rookhe se swar me boli.

Tej : Chaar coffee!!!

Waiter : Hot ya cold ma'am???

Tej : What do you mean by hot ya cold? December ka mahina chal raha hai. Kaun si coffee order karungi?

Waiter : Yaha harr tarah ke customers aate hai, ma'am.

Tej : Argh!!! Obviously, goddamn HOT COFFEE!!!!

Waiter : Ji! Kaun si waali ma'am? Humare yaha 6 prakar ki hot coffee available hai. Latte, Cappuccino, Espresso, Mocha, Americano, ya Macchiato?

Tej : Latte!!!

Waiter : Ji! Kitne sugar cubes lengi ma'am? Generally, hum 2 sugar cubes ke saath serve karte hai.

Tej : Can I hit him???

Arohi : N-Nooo! Tejal di!! Calm down!!!

Karan (gestures) : Hum general hi lenge.

Waiter : Ji! Please wait for your order! Thank you!

Kehte hue woh waha se chala gaya.

Tej : Thank you ka baccha!!! Agar, 2 second aur woh rukta na toh mein use seedha jhapad de deti.

Arohi : C-Calm down, di!

Kavya : Umm! Hum coffee kyu pee rahe hai? Hum toh baat sunane aaye the na?

Tej : Kavya! Meri bholi nadaan Kavya, meri chhoti behan!!! Agar, use order nahi dete toh woh yahi hamare sarr par mandrata rehta.

Arohi (nods) : Right!

Kavya : O-Ohh! Matlab hum coffee bhi peeke jayenge?

*Silence*

Tej : Urgh-!! Haan meri maa!! Haan!! Pee lena!!!

Kavya (budbudate hue) : Ohh! Mujhe wo… mujhe wo… actually…

Tej : ???

Arohi : ???

Kavya (mutters) : Watermelon crush peena tha… coffee nahi!!!

*Silence*

Idhar uski baat sunn Tej ki aankh ab phad-phadane lagi. Lag raha tha jaise woh kisi pe bhi ab haath saaf karne ke liye taiyar thi.

Arohi : Di! Calm down! Calm down!

Tej (takes a deep breath) : Fuuu-!

Karan : Kavya! Tumhe agar watermelon crush peena hai toh mein baad me pilwa dunga. Par, pehle abhi jaisa ki Tejal didi ne kaha. Let's just listen first. Ho sakta hai ki hum jo soch rahe ho waisa kuch ho hi na?

Tej : That's right! Be quiet! Now, listen!

Woh sab kaan laga ke partition ke uss orr ho rahi baatein sunane lage jo Veer aur Kritika ke beech ho rahi thi. Aur beshaq, yaha aana unke liye vifal nahi gaya. Unki baatein unhe sunaayi dene lagi.

Kritika : Kitne dino baad aaj hum mile hai, hai na? Warna Casa Belle me uss incident ke baad se hi hum nahi mil paaye the.

Veer (smiles) : That's right!

Kritika : Thanks! Meri help ke liye.

Veer : Koi baat nahi! Agar, mein nahi karunga toh aur kaun karega?

Kritika (blushes) : Aap bhi na…! Kuch bhi…!

Veer (smiles) : You know what!? Bahut hi kamaal ki ho tum. I mean as a beginner, tumhare haatho ka prayog kaafi accha hai.

Dusri orr sunn rahe Karan aur baaki sabhi ki shaqle dekhne layak thi.

Karan : Y-Ye kya baatein kar rahe hai, ye dono?

Tej : Shhh!!! Listen!!!

Kritika : Fufu~ Th-Thank you! Par- par abhi mujhe bahut kuch seekhna hai.

Veer (smiles) : Mein tumhe train kar dunga.

Kritika (blushes) : Mmm! *nods* A-And-

Veer : Hmm?

Kritika : Please, Kavya se ye secret rakhna. Use nahi pata chalna chahiye ki aap aur mein ek saath-

Veer (smiles) : Sure! Don't worry!

Idhar, sabhi ne Kavya ki orr dekha. Uska rumaal aadha uske muh me ghus chuka tha. Daato se kaatate hue woh aasu baha ke jaise tese bas sunn rahi thi. Aur, mann hi mann jitne bhi bure shabd use yaad the woh Kritika ko bolti jaa rahi thi. Irony ye thi ki woh saare bure shabd Kritika ne hi use sikhaaye the.

Karan ka haal bhi ab bura hota jaa raha tha. Kahi, ye sab sach toh nahi tha? Kya waqai Kritika aur Veer date kar rahe the? Agar, aisa hua toh uska dil hi sabse zyada chotil hone waala tha. Kyuki, ek taraf uski chaahat thi toh dusri taraf uska khaas dost.

Kritika : Aaj mujhe pata chala ki mein kitni hi nauseekhiya thi. Mein apne college me sabhi ko haakti rehti thi ki mujhe sab aata hai par aaj pata chala sach me. Thanks to you!

Veer : I did nothing! Saara kamaal tumhara tha.

Kritika : N-Nahi! Aapne hi mujhe sahi dhang se pakadna sikhaya. Sahi angle bataya…! Aap kamaal ho!!!

Ye baatein sunte hi Tej se leke Karan aur Arohi ke gaal laal ho chale. Dhang se pakadna sikhaya? Sahi angle? Aur, Kavya ka toh haal hi behaal tha. Ab uss se aur nahi saha jaa raha tha.

Kavya : Ughuuuu-!!! *hic* Kritika…! Kutti!!! *hic* *sniff*

Tej : Kavya, shut up!!! Shhhh!

Arohi : Mujhe yakeen nahi ho raha. Karan? Tum theek toh ho na?

Usne pucha. Parantu, Karan ke hontho ki farzi muskaan sab bayaan kar rahi thi. Aur, udhar Veer aur Kavya abhi bhi chaalu the.

Veer : Mein toh tumhe dekh ke hi samajh gaya tha ki tum bahut nervous ho. Tumhe bas ek rythm ki zaroorat thi. Sahi se aage aur sahi se peeche!! Yaad rakhna!

Kritika : H-Haan! *blushes* Thank you! I really needed guidance. Aur, jise aap pehchante ho uss se behtar kaun ho sakta hai bhala? Koi aur hota toh mein bilkul nahi karti. Par, aap the toh mujhe karne me comfortable bhi feel hua. I don't regret at all.

Veer : Ab toh hum milte hi rahenge, jab tak tumhe poora trained na kar du. Haha!

Kritika (blushes) : Y-Yeah!

Aur, udhar Kavya ka rona shuru ho gaya.

Kavya : Ughhh-!!! *hic* *sniff* Didiiii!!! *hic*

Tej : Shhhh!!!

Arohi (frowns) : This is getting worse.

Karan : Hahaha! Haha! Saala mere saath hi aisa kyu hota hai? M-Maine kabhi nahi socha tha ki-

Arohi : I… I know! I can understand!

Magar, abhi maamla khatam nahi hua tha. Veer aur Kritika ki baatein jaari hi thi jo har guzarte pal dusri orr baithe logo ke dilo ko chhalni karti jaa rahi thi.

Veer : Mujhe laga nahi tha ki tum itna bada sambhaal paogi. You know… tumhara first time tha ye.

Kritika : Ah!! Hmm! M-Maine bas ye socha tha ki… ek baar acche se bade ki aadat lag jaaye toh fir chhoto ko toh mein yu sambhal lungi.

Maano jaise ek adrishya teer aake seedha Karan ke dil ko cheer ke ghus gaya. Woh baithe-baithe hi jhatke le raha tha aur Tej ke haatho me udhar tissue papers ka keema bann chuka tha. Gusse me uska maatha laal hota jaa raha tha. Toh wahi, Arohi ne apne haath jaise khade kar diye the.

Veer : Shuru me tum thoda rough thi magar, baad me tumne sahi rythm pakad li thi.

Kritika : Y-Yeah! Aur, woh tabhi possible hua jab aapne sahi position batayi.

Sunte hi Karan ko phanda lag gaya. Aur, woh zorr se khaasne par majboor ho gaya.

Karan : *cough* *cough*

Tej : V-Veer-!!! You-!!!

Tej ki pakad table cloth par itni mazboot thi ki ek pal ko laga woh abhi use pakad ke kheench degi. Andar se waiter bhi unka order leke aa gaya. 4 latte coffee usne unki table par rakhi ki tabhi, Karan ne jaate hue waiter ko baazu se pakad liya.

Karan : A change in the order. Get me some beer!!!

Waiter : S-Sir!!! Humara cafe non-alcoholic hai. Aur-

Karan ne apni jeb se kuch cash nikala aur seedhe uske haatho me thama diya. Usne dekha bhi nahi ki kitne paise usne diye. Waiter ne jab dekha toh uski aankhein hairat me fel gayi. 500-500 ke 5-6 note the. Samajhdari dikhate hue woh ekdum chup ho gaya.

Waiter : S-Sir, bas koi matter mat kar dena. Mein apne risk pe laa de raha hu.

Karan : Go!!! Right now!!!

Aur, waiter waha se bhaag gaya. Tej, Arohi aur Kavya ka bhi haal kuch theek nahi tha. Agar, kuch derr aur yahi sab chalta raha toh shayad unhe bhi beer ki zaroorat padne waali thi.

Kritika : Sach me… aapke jaisa ladka har family me hona chahiye. Kabhi-kabhi toh mujhe Kavya se jalan hoti hai.

Veer : Woh kyu bhala?

Kritika : Kitni easily woh aap pe haq jata leti hai aur aap hamesha uski kitni care karte ho. Mein single child hu. Mujhe hamesha se hi akele rehna pada hai.

Veer : Ah! I see!

Kritika : But, now I'm happy… mujhe akhir woh feeling toh mili jis se mein abhi tak anjaan thi. Hehe~

Veer : *smiles*

Kritika : Aapne aaj mere movements ekdum sahi kar diye. Ab mujhe pata hai ki kaise move karna hai.

Veer : Zyada kuch nahi hai. Bas, ghabraya nahi karo.

Kritika : Hmm! Mein din me hi aa sakti hu. Ghar pe mummy-papa raat me jaana allow nahi karte. Agar, raat me aa paati toh kitna accha rehta na? Ekdum khaali rehta sab. Hum araam se kar sakte the.

Idhar beer aate hi Karan ne ek jhatke me cup uthaya aur seedhe gale ke neeche utaarne laga.

Karan : I’m sorry… aap sab ke saamne mein ye nahi karna chahta tha. Par- par mujhe iss waqt iski zaroorat hai.

Arohi (with concern) : I can understand!

Kavya : M-Mujhe bhi chahiye-!! *hic*

Arohi : Kaaavyaaa!!! Nahi!!!

Kavya : Bhaiya, aisa kaise kar sakte hai? Hum sab se chhupa ke… mujhse chhupa ke…!? *sniff*

Arohi : Tejal di? K-Kya karna hai ab??

Arohi ne saamne baithi Tejal ko dekh pucha. Magar, use dekhti hi Arohi ka dar haqeeqat me badal gaya.

‘Oh no!!!’

Tej ka shareer gusse se jhatke le raha tha. Woh apna sarr jhukaaye table cloth ko itna marod chuki thi ki ab istri bhi shayad hi uss kapde ko wapas se sapaat karne me madadgar saabit hone waala tha!?

Aur, waha Kritika aur Veer ki gup-shup thi jo khatam hone ka naam hi nahi le rahi thi. Unki ashleel baatein idhar Karan aur baaki sabhi ke mann me vichitra aur anchaahi tasveere bana ke jaa rahi thi.

Kritika : Mujhe laga nahi tha ki aap itne pro hoge. Kaha se seekha aapne?

Veer : Hmm? *smiles* It's a secret!

Kritika : Oh, come on! W-Waise, aapko sabse zyada satisfaction kisme milta hai? Bed sajaane me ya fir… cushion shots me?

Bagal me baithi Kavya ‘cushion’ sunte hi aur bhi vyakul ho uthi.

Kavya : C-Cushion shots??? *sniff* Didiiiii-!!! Waaaaa-!!!! Woh dono bed pe-!!! *hic* *hic*

Arohi : They have done it! And, it's way too serious! *sigh*

Veer (laughs) : Haha! Mujhe sabse zyada satisfaction toh… you know… sabhi holes me daalne ke baad hi milta hai.

Kritika (blushes) : Ah!! K-Kya aap bhi-!!! You are so dirty, Veer bhaiya!

Veer (laughs) : Hahahaha!!!

Kritika (giggles) : Fufufu~

Tej : V-Veer ke baccheee-!!!!

Arohi : T-Tejal di!!!

Karan : Veeeeeerrrr-!!! You fuckerrrr-!!!!

Aur, akhir dono Tej aur Karan ke sabr ke baandh ne jawab de hi diya. Karan apni jagah se uth kursi par chadha aur partition ke upar se koodate hue dusri orr jaa pahucha. Toh wahi, Tej bhaagte hue uss orr pahuchi.

Arohi aur Kavya stabdh thehri achanak se gathit hui gatividhiyo ko dekhti hi reh gayi. Aur, unke saath hi waha baithe couples bhi iss drishya ke darshak bann gaye.

Veer : What the-!?

Kritika : Ah??? K-Karan??

Karan ne dhadalle se Veer ki collor pakdi. Veer agar chaahta toh araam se hi use dodge kar sakta tha parantu, woh aashcharya-chakit tha. Aur, ye dekhna bhi chaahta tha ki Karan ne bhala aisa kyu kiya?

Idhar Tej jo bhaag ke aa rahi thi, Kritika ko dekhte hi uske paas pahuchi aur seedhe uske top ko jakad ke khadi ho gayi.

Kritika : Nhh!? T-Tejal didi? A-Aap?

Karan : You fucker-!! Veeeeerr!!! Maine kya bigada tha tumhara???

Veer : What???

Karan : Tsk!!! Maine tumhe apne bhai ki tarah treat kiya aur tumne aisa kiya mere saath?

Kavya aur Arohi bhi bhaag ke aa chuki thi.

Kavya : Bhaiyaaa!!! Aap aisa kaise kar sakte ho? *sniff* Aap Kritika ke saath-!? Chheeee!!! *hic*

Veer : Y-You guys-!?

Kritika : K-Kavya tum? Y-Yaha?

Kavya : Haan, mein yaha!!! Kutti-!!!! *hic*

Kritika (baffled) : Kya???? K-Kya kaha tumne?

Kavya : Maine kaha kutti-!!! Kutti! Kutti! Kutti!!! *hic*

Kritika : T-Tumhara dimag toh thikaane par hai?

Kavya : Ohohohoho! Dii! Dekho toh ise. Kitni bholi bann rahi hai. *sniff*

Arohi : Ye tumne accha nahi kiya, Kritika!

Kritika : What? Aap sab- Aap sab kya baatein kar rahi ho?

Tej : Idhar dekho meri taraf!! Aisa chamaat dungi na, sab samajh aa jayega tumhe samjhi na? Bhale hi tum Kavya ki dost kyu na ho, par iss harqat ke liye mein tumhe maaf nahi karne waali.

Kritika (gasps) : Didi? Y-Ye aap kya bol rahi ho?

Karan : Bata!!! Bata tune aisa kyu kiya mere saath???

Veer : Ek minute! Mujhe lagta hai yaha koi misunderstanding hui hai.

Karan : Sahi kaha saale!! Bahut badi misunderstanding hui hai. Wo bhi mujhse. Mujhe lagta tha ki tum aur Kritika sirf friends ho. Aur, tum apne dost ki love life me dakhal nahi doge. Par, mein galat tha!

Veer : What the hell? Tum sab-! Tum sab paagal ho gaye ho kya?

Tej : Veeeeerrr! Tumne mujhse jhooth bola? Mujhse? You lied to me, baby? Apni sagi badi behan se? Tum toh kehte tha na ki tum mujhse koi baat nahi chhipa sakte. F-Fir kyu? Kyu??

Usne apne thar-tharate hue hontho se pucha.

Veer : Teju di! Aapko koi galat-fehmi hui hai.

Tej : K-Kaash ye galat-fehmi hoti, Veer. Kaash! Par, hum sab ne sab kuch sunn liya hai. Sab kuch!

Arohi (nods) : Hum yahi bagal se baithe the. We heard everything!

Veer : Wait! What?

Kavya : Bhaiya! I hate you so much! Aap-? Aap Kritika ke saath? *sniff* Kya hua vacation me uss moment ka? Mere promise ka? *sniff* I hate you!!

Veer : Kavya? Wait! Mein Kritika ke saath kya?

Karan : Ab aur kitna chhipaane ki koshish karoge? Sab suna hai hum sab ne!

Veer : E-Ek minute! Mein aur Kritika toh sirf baat kar rahe the. Isme aisa kya kar diya hum dono ne ki-

Karan : Sirf baat kar rahe the??? Accha? Aur, kya baat kar rahe the?

Veer : Normal baat!

Karan : Normal baat ke bacche. Aur, kitna jhooth bologe?

Veer (frowns) : Y-You-!!

Tej : Woh kahi se bhi normal baat nahi thi, Veer! Ab sach bata do!!! Kya baatein kar rahe the tum dono?

Veer : Meri toh ab bhi samajh nahi aa raha ki aap sab itna bhadak kyu rahe ho?

Tej (shouts) : Veer, baatein mat banao aur mere sawal ka jawab do!! Kya baatein kar rahe the tum???

Karan : Isn't it obvious, didi???

Uske puchte hi Karan aur Veer dono ke muh saath me khule.

Karan : It's… SEX!!!

Veer : It's… BILLIARDS!!!

Karan : Huh???

Veer : Huh???

Arohi : Ahhh!!!

Kavya : ???

Tej : ???

Kritika: ….

*Silence*

Aur, fir Arohi ke dimag ki batti jali. Use sab kuch samajh aaya. Aur, jaise-jaise use iska bodh hota gaya uske chehre ke bhaav badalte chale gaye.

Billiards! Ya, ek aur naam se jaane waala khel ~ Snooker!!! Veer aur Kritika iss khel ki baat kar rahe the. Aur, Arohi ko sab samajh me aane laga ki woh baatein uss tarah ki kyu thi.

Woh angle, woh position, woh hole me ball daalna, movements, rythm, stick ka aage peeche karne ka istemal, sabse badi stick ka istemal karna taaki uske bhaar ki aadat pehle hi ho jaaye aur baad me chhoti sticks se dikkat na ho.

Khel ki uss table ko bed kaha jaata tha jispe balls ko set kiya jaata tha. Aur, table ke chaaro orr jo sides balls ko baahar girne se rokti thi unhe cushions kaha jaata tha. Arohi ko sab samajh aaya ki Kritika ke unn shabdo ka matlab kya tha.

Bed sajaane ka matlab tha bed table par balls ko arrange karna.

Cushion shots ka matlab tha seedhe balls ko na maar ke, sides ka sahara leke balls ko maarna.

‘Oh no!!! Oh no!!! Oh noooooo! We… we messed up!!!’

Aur, sirf wahi nahi thi. Kavya ko chhor ke waha sabhi ke dimag ko bhali bhaanti samajh aa chuka tha. Kavya choonki billiards ke khel se aparichit thi isliye use iss khel ki terminology utni samajh na aayi. Parantu, woh samajh paa rahi thi ki baat kuch aur thi jiske chalte sab khamosh reh gaye the.

Veer ne jab gaur kiya ki uski aur Kritika ki baato ka kya se kya matlab nikaal liya gaya hai, toh uske maathe ki nass phatne ko ho chali. Woh bekaar me hi unke ilzaam apne upar itni derr se le raha tha.

Veer (grits teeth) : Y-You fucking moron!!

Karan ke haath me Veer ki collor ki pakad dheeli ho gayi. Use sab gyaat ho chuka tha.

Aur, Veer ka ek ulte haath ka tamaacha aake seedhe uske sarr par pada.

*Slap*

Karan : Argh-!

Veer : You fucking bastard!!!

Karan : V-Veer!

Veer (frowns) : Tumko pata hai tumne abhi-abhi kya kiya hai?

Karan : I… I…

Veer : Mein aur Kritika? Aur, woh bhi date? Are you guys out of your mind?

Tej : V-Veer, hume laga-

Veer : Kritika aur mein billiards ki practice ki baat kar rahe the. I'm sorry, Kritika! Tumne bataane se mana kiya tha par ab mujhe bataana hi hoga.

Karan : Huh?

Veer : Tumne last month insta pe apni kaun si photo upload ki thi?

Karan ek pal ke liye socha. Par, fir jaise use turant hi dhyan aaya. Use yaad aaya ki usne ek photo apni profile par daali thi jisme woh snooker khelte hue ek pose de raha tha.

Veer : Snooker khelte hue post daali thi na?

Karan (nods) : H-Haan!

Veer : Isliye, Kritika yaha aayi thi. She saw your post. She wanted to impress you, so she wanted to learn the game of snooker.

Karan : Ah!! K-Kritika???

Jab Karan ne Kritika ko dekha toh uska dil aur bhi toot gaya. Kritika ke mote-mote aasu uske gaalo se behte hue neeche gir rahe the. Tej ki pakad bhi Kritika ke top par se dheeli ho gayi.

Kavya : Ahh! K-Kritika bhaiya ke saath practice kar rahi thi?

Veer : Cafe ke upar hi snooker khela jaata hai. Club hai waha. Aur, sab ladke hi hai. Kritika nahi chaahti thi ki woh waha kisi ladke se seekhe. Isliye, do din tak woh akeli hi aati rahi magar use kuch samajh nahi aa raha tha.

Karan : …?

Veer : Ladke uska mazak bhi banaate the aur use sikhaane ke liye uss par chance bhi maarte the. Lekin, uske bawajood usne unki help lene se inkar kar diya. Choonki, woh mujhe jaanti thi isliye usne meri help accept ki.

Karan : Huh!!!

Veer : Aur, isliye woh mujhe thanks keh rahi thi. Maine use abhi hi kuch basics sikhaaye the.

Karan : K-Kritika…!

Kritika : *sniff*

Karan : Tumhe pata hai? M-Mein toh snooker asal me khelta bhi nahi. Corporate meetings me bade guests ke liye ye sab seekhna padta hai taaki professional life me hum kahi peeche na reh jaaye. Isliye, maine woh post daali thi. But, you went through all that trouble…? J-Just for me? To make me happy? I…

Kehte hue woh uske qareeb badha. Lekin, iske pehle ki woh use sparsh kar paata. Kritika rote hue Veer ki orr mudi aur bas chand shabd hi boli.

Kritika : *sniff* Veer bhaiya!!! Thank you! *sniff*

Aur, itna bolte hi woh waha se daud laga ke bhaag gayi.

Karan : Kritika! Nahi! Ruko!!!

Kavya : Kritikaaaaa!!!

Lekin, woh na ruki. Karan ko tabhi uske sarr pe peeche se ek aur tapli aake padi. Mud ke dekha toh paaya ki Veer hi tha.

Veer : Waise toh mein tumse business se related kuch baat karna chaahta tha. But, I think we can leave that for later.

Karan : …?

Veer : Chase her while you can, you idiot!!! You won't find another girl like her. Sirf tumhare liye woh uss khel ko seekhne raazi ho gayi jo tum khud bhi nahi khelte. Fucking go now before I kick your ass.

Karan ne jab Veer ki baat suni toh woh poori tarah se bhaavuk ho utha. Veer na hi uss se naraaz tha aur na hi usne uss se koi berr rakhi. Iss waqt bhi woh uski madad hi kar raha tha. Andaaz zaroor rookha sa tha magar, Karan ye jaanta tha ki ye Veer ka madad karne ka tareeka tha.

Usne kuch na kaha. Woh jaanta tha ki unki dosti ab aur bhi gehri ho chuki thi.

Karan : Th-Thanks!

Usne bas itna hi kaha aur woh daud lagaate hue waha se Kritika ke peeche bhaaga. Sirf, wahi nahi tha. Kavya bhi theek uske peeche bhaag chali. Gusse me aake usne apni best-friend ko na jaane kya-kya baatein suna di thi. Woh Kritika ko nahi khona chaahti thi. Aur, Kavya ko alag se dekhne aur uska dhyan rakhne ke liye bhala Arohi kaise peeche reh sakti thi?

Arohi : M-Mein jaa ke Kavya ko dekhti hu. I'm… I'm sorry, Veer!

Jaate-jaate usne bas yahi kaha. Baaki, baatein baad ke liye usne chhor di. Aur, wo bhi cafe se baahar nikal gayi. Bach gaye toh sirf Veer aur Tej.

Tej ka sarr glaani ke chalte neeche tha. Veer muda aur baahar jaane ke liye hua jab uske qadam cafe ki exit par pahuch ke ruk gaye.

Veer : -And, you!!!

Sunte hi Tej apni jagah par hi thitur gayi.

Veer : Mere phone ki location track karne ke baad mujhe nahi laga tha ki aap aisa kuch karogi.

Tej (shivers) : Huhh-!?

Veer : I didn't expect this from you, Teju di! Bina soche samjhe aapne mujhe judge kar liya?

Tej (panics) : V-Veer, mein-!

Veer : My statement still remains intact. Mein aapse jhooth nahi bolta. Par, badqismati meri yeh jo… jo aapko meri baat par vishvas hi na raha.

Tej : N-Nahi!!! Nahi, Veer! Aisa nahi-

Veer : We'll talk later! I need to meet someone else too!

Bolte hue woh waha se chala gaya. Cafe ke baahar aake Tej ek baar fir apni asaflta par hasne lagi.

*Smack*

Gusse me aake usne apna haath zorr se cafe ke bagal se lagi building ki deewar par de maara. Aur, hasste-hasste uski aankhein namm pad gayi. Khud ki galtiyo par khud ko hi chot pahuchana uska tareeka tha saza dene ka.

Jitna woh Veer ke qareeb jaane ki koshish karti, utna hi uss se dur jaati jaa rahi thi woh.

Innova me baith ke woh ant me waha se ravana ho gayi. Kyuki, Veer ki hi tarah… Use bhi kisi se bhaint karni thi.

***

Veer's house,
A few hours ago...

*Click*

Darwaza andar se band hua. Suman ke saamne Ragini apni peeth kiye, haath mode khadi hui thi.

Suman : Toh? Kya baat karni thi aapko?

Ragini : Jo aapne kaha…

Suman : Hmm?

Ragini : Pareshaniyan saajha karne se unke hal mil jaate hai. Hai na?

Suman : Ji!

Ragini : Toh wahi kar rahi hu.

Suman : !??

Ragini : Kisi ko maine nahi bataya hai. Aap pehli ho. Aur, ho sake toh kisi se bhi ye saajha mat karna.

Suman : Hmm?

Ragini : Mujhe waqai kisi se pyaar ho gaya hai. Ye sach hai! Lekin, kuch dikkatein hai.

Suman : Dikkatein? Kaisi dikkatein?

Ragini : Mein aur woh itni asaani se ek nahi ho sakte.

Suman : Kya mein puch sakti hu ki aisa kyu bhala?

Ragini : Abhi ke liye itna jaan lijiye ki… woh hamare bade se parivar ka hi hissa hai.

Suman ne ye sunte hi khud ko chakit hota hua dikhaaya.

Suman : Aap…? Aap kisi sambandhi se pyaar kar baithi hai?

Ragini : Haan! *smiles* Ab samajh aaya na? Kyu dikkatein hai?

Suman : Ji! *nods* Aur, isliye aap kisi aur se ye saajha nahi karna chaahti.

Ragini : Hmm!

Suman : Aur, ye prem kaise hua? Maine toh aapko kabhi kisi ke saath yu iss tarah… nahi dekha.

Ragini : Aisa prem kisi ko dikha ke thodi kiya jaata hai, Suman.

Suman : Ye baat bhi hai! *smiles* Aur? Aur, kya dikkatein hai?

Ragini : Aap ko jaan ke mujhpe ghin nahi aayi? Mein ek sambandhi se pyaar kar baithi?

Suman uske sawal par muskurayi.

Suman : Ji nahi! Bilkul bhi nahi! Har insaan ke andar koi na koi najayaz icchaaye maujood hoti hai. Mere andar bhi hai. Farq sirf itna hota hai ki kuch log use imandari se saamne rakh dete hai, toh kuch unhe apne andar hi dabaaye rakhte hai. Aur, aapne ye mujhe bataya. Toh, aap toh tareef ki paatra hui na?

Ragini : Shayad! Ya shayad nahi! Mein uss se iss tarah pyaar karne lagi hu jitna maine apne jeevan me kisi se nahi kiya. Jab mein Vivek se mili thi. Aapko pata hai?

Suman : …

Ragini : Mujhe laga tha ki mujhe saccha pyaar ho gaya hai. Waisa maine kabhi mehsoos hi nahi kiya tha. Aapko jaan ke hairani bhi hogi ki Vivek se shadi ka prastav rakhne waali bhi mein hi thi.

Suman : Ohh!

Ragini : Aur, aaj jab apne ateet waali Ragini ko dekhti hu toh bas hasi chhootati hai. Pyaar tha ya mazak? Prem toh ab hua hai mujhe. Jaha sudh-budh kho chuki hu. Agar, iss pyaar ke daldal me na fasi hoti toh aaj mein kisi badi post par baith ke laakho, karodo kama rahi hoti. Ya khud ka hi business run kar rahi hoti.

Suman : ….

Ragini : Par, dekho mujhe…! Mein sirf uss ek ladke ke liye deewani hui baithi hu ki kab woh mere paas aaye, mujhse kahe ki Ragini tum meri ho, mujhse shaadi kare aur mujhe apna jeevan-saathi banaaye.

Suman : Ichhao ko haqeeqat me badalne ke liye, uss par amal bhi karna padta hai, Ragini ji!

Ragini : Jaanti hu! Aapko pata hai? Mein uske liye kuch bhi kar sakti hu. Kuch bhi! Lekin, jab maine uss se apne pyaar ka izhaar kiya toh usne kya kaha mujhse?

Suman : ??

Ragini : Usne kaha ki koi aur hai jis se woh pyaar karta hai aur woh bhi uss se utna hi pyaar karti hai. Usne kaha ki mein sirf tumhara hoke nahi reh sakta. Aur, sabse hairan karne waali baat kya hai, pata hai?

Suman : Huh?

Ragini : Yahi ki… jis se woh pyaar karta hai woh bhi meri hi tarah ek talaq-shuda aurat hai.

Suman : Ahh!! Toh, ye baat hai.

Ragini kuch derr tak shaant rahi. Kintu, uske agal-bagal ki hawa bhaari ho chali. Uska ravaiyya achanak se hi thanda pad gaya aur usne mud ke Suman ko dekh bas ek sawal pucha.

Ragini : Aap… Aap bhi toh talaq-shuda ho na?

Suman : H-Huh-!?

Suman ne jab saamne dekha toh Ragini ka sarr neeche jhuka hua tha. Woh uske chehre ke bhaav ko padh na paayi. Magar, Ragini aisi prateet ho rahi thi jaise maano jangal me sherni apne shikaar ke galti karne ka intezar kar rahi ho. Thand hone ke bawajood ek paseene ki boond Suman ke maathe se behte hue uske gaalo par fisal gayi.

Suman : J-Ji! Mein talaq-shuda hu. Lekin, kaagzi taur par nahi.

Ragini : Hmm?

Suman : Gaav ki shaadiya court kachehri waali nahi hoti aksar. Usne mujhe pratadit kiya. Fir, maalik ne mujhe waha se bachaya. Aur, uske baad se hi maine use tyaag diya. Gale me dekh lijiye aap mere. Aap ko koi bhi mangalsutra nahi dikhega. Yeh saboot hai ki maine uss aadmi ko apne jeevan se nikaal diya hai.

Ragini : Maalik???

Suman : Huh-!?

Jis galti ka sherni intezar kar rahi thi, woh uske shikaar ne akhir kar hi di. Suman jaldbazi me Veer ko ‘maalik’ keh baithi. Woh kabhi yeh galti nahi karti thi magar aaj… aaj uske muh se akhir nikal hi gaya. Aur, Ragini ki aankhein ye sunte hi chaudi ho gayi.

Ragini : Kaun maalik? Aapko toh Veer ne bachaya tha na?

Suman jaanti thi ki woh fass chuki thi. Jis qadar Ragini use ghoor rahi thi waha jhooth bolna sahi nahi tha.

‘Shayad ab aur chhipaya nahi jaa sakta.’ Sochte hue usne ek gehri saans li aur aage hone waali gatividhiyo ke liye taiyar ho gayi.

Suman : Haan! Maalik! Dusre shabdo me… Veer ji! Mere maalik!

Ragini : Kya kaha aapne?

Suman : Wahi jo aapne suna! Ab aap se sach chhipaane ka koi matlab nahi. Ghar me aap hi thi jinse sacchayi ko chhipaya gaya tha.

Ragini : K-Kya matlab?

Suman : Veer ji mere maalik hai. Aur, ‘maalik’ se mera matlab hai… Unka mere tann-mann sab pe haq hai.

Ragini (frowns) : Y-Ye kya keh rahi ho aap?

Suman : Jo keh rahi hu sach keh rahi hu. Mein maalik ki daasi hu. Aur, mere aur unke yaun sambandh bhi hai.

Jaise hi usne ye kaha. Ragini ka badan maano jaise ek shan ke liye current ki nangi taar se lag ke guzar gaya. Woh aankhein faade Suman ko ghoor rahi thi.

Suman : Maalik hi the jinhone mujhe aur Sonali ko uss daldal se baahar nikaala. Lekin, maalik ek bahut bade khandaan se aate hai.

Ragini : ???

Suman : Bhavna didi ka khandaan. Jo rajao maharajao ke zamaane se chala aa raha hai. Mere parivar ki peedhi shuru se hi Bhavna didi ke parivar ki seva karne ke liye baadhya thi. Yeh ek shraap tha.

Ragini : Sh-Shraap?

Suman : Hmm! Pichli peedhi me jinhone bhi seva karne se khud ko bachaya aur apne uddeshya se bhatke, unn sab ki maut ho gayi. Maine apna pehla pati bhi aise hi khoya tha. Woh iss pratha ka virodhi tha. Nateeja? Maut! Veer ji Bhavna didi ke parivar ke akhiri vaaris hai. Aur, isliye unki seva karna hi hamara lakshya hai. Sonali aur mein. Yaha tak ki Aabha bhi. Hum sabhi maalik ki seva karne ke liye hi jeete hai. Aur, haan! Hum sabhi ke unke saath yaun sambandh hai.

Sach sunte hi Ragini ke perro tale zameen khisak gayi.

Ragini : Y-Ye kya badbada rahi ho aap? Aap ko hosh hai aap kya keh rahi-

Suman : Jo keh rahi hu sach keh rahi hu. Yaha tak ki maalik ke aur bhi aurton ke saath yaun sambandh hai. Parijaat ghar ki sabhi aurtein.

Ragini : P-Parijaat ghar-!?

Suman : Aapne Tejal ji ko uss Varsha ke saath kaam karte dekha hoga kabhi jab aap zameen taraf gayi hogi toh. Ya fir Mukta ko dekha hoga jab aap Bhumika ji ki hotel me gayi hogi? Ya fir Sudha ko jo maalik ki nayi company me kapdo ke kaam me madad karwa rahi hai. Kuch yaad aaya?

Ragini aksar Veer ke kaamo ke liye idhar-udhar jaati rehti thi. Aur, isme koi shaq nahi tha ki woh inn sabhi aurto se kabhi na kabhi mili hi thi. Jaise hi unki chhavi uske mastishq me aayi, woh bhauchakki si wahi jamm ke reh gayi.

Ragini : N-Nahi-!!! Ye-

Suman : Aapko kya lagta hai? Woh aurtein kya yuhi prakat ho gayi? Woh Parijaat ghar ki aurtein hai. Woh bhi meri hi tarah maalik ki seva karne ke liye hi jeeti hai. Unn sab ke maalik yaani Veer ji ke saath yaun sambandh hai. Aur, ye maalik ki zimmedari hai ki woh sabhi ek acchi zindagi vyateet kare. Isliye, maalik ne unhe rehne ke liye chhat di, unhe kaam par lagaya, unhe paisa kamaana sikhaaya kyuki ye unki zimmedari thi.

Ragini poori tarah se ab aapa kho chuki thi. Woh tez qadmo ke saath Suman ke qareeb aayi aur usne kass ke uske haatho ko jakad liya. Uski aankhon me gussa saaf nazar aa raha tha.

Ragini : Aap bakwas kar rahi ho-!!! Y-Ye sach nahi! V-Veer aisa nahi kar sakta.

Suman : Agar, aap ko vishvas nahi toh ghar me kisi se bhi puch lijiye. Sachhayi kadvi thi isliye gaav se lautne ke baad aap se chhipayi gayi.

Ragini : V-Veer… Veer ke yaun sambandh? Unn aurton ke saath? Hargiz nahi!!!! Woh aisa nahi kar sakta.

Suman (smiles) : Toh, woh Veer ji hai jo aapke naye premi hai. Mein sahi thi matlab.

Ragini : H-Huh-!!?

Suman : Aap apne hi devar se pyaar kar baithi? Tch! Tch! Tch! Kya hoga jab ye baat baahar aayegi?

Ragini (grits teeth) : Aapko lagta hai mein parvah karti hu? Mujhe koi farq nahi padta. Aapki himmat kaise hui mujhse ye sawaal karne ki? Jab aap, aapki beti aur baaki sab Veer ke saath aise sambandh bana ke rakhi hai toh?

Suman : Hum baadhya hai!

Ragini : Bhaad me gayi aapki pratha!!! Mera dil ye soch ke hi jalta jaa raha hai ki Veer ke saath na jaane kin-kin aurton ne… Chhheeeee-!!!! Lekin, ye aapki bhool hai agar aap ye soch rahi hai ki mera pyaar uske liye kam ho gaya hai. Ye kabhi nahi hoga. Balki, ab toh woh mujhe chahiye hi chahiye.

Suman : ???

Ragini : Kaan khol ke sunn lo aap. Veer sirf aur sirf mera hai!!! Sirf mera!!! Aur, use mein apna bana ke rahungi. Uski zindagi me sirf mein rahungi. Aur, koi nahi-!!! Woh talaq-shuda aurat bhi nahi.

Suman (smiles) : Aap jin talaq-shuda aurat ka zikr kar rahi hai. Woh toh hum me se koi hai bhi nahi.

Ragini : Huh???

Suman : Koi aur hi hai jo maalik ke dil me pehle hi jagah bana chuki hai.

Ragini : K-Kaun? Kaun hai woh haram-zaadi?? Jawab do mujhe!!! Jawab do!!!!

Suman (smiles) : Mujhe jhanjhorne se uttar nahi milega. Abhi aapne kaha na? Ki aap maalik ko apna bana ke rahogi? Toh jaiye! Banaiye! Aur, dhundhiye khud ki kaun hai woh dusri talaq-shuda.

Ragini andar se bahut chotil ho chuki thi. Suman ko chhorte hi woh zameen par ghutno ke bal gir gayi. Uske aasu apne aap hi aankhon se utpann hoke behne lage. Aur, Suman ne use isi haal me filhal chhorna behtar samjha. Woh darwaza khol bina kuch bole waha se chali gayi. Lekin, Ragini ki duniya kuch hi palo me palat chuki thi. Mahino se jis sacchayi ko uss se chhipaya jaa raha tha, achanak se uske saamne woh sabhi baatein ujagar ho gayi ki uski kuch samajh me na aaya ki kya kare. Woh bas yuhi neeche baith roti rahi.

***

Nidhi's apartment,
Evening ~ 7:30 PM

Jis shaks se milne ki aarzoo Veer ko pehle se hi thi woh koi aur nahi, uski ma'am Nidhi thi. Pichli baar woh unse milne aaya tha jab woh China ke liye ravana ho raha tha. Magar, bina uss baare me bataaye hi woh yaha se laut gaya tha.

Uske baad se na hi dono ki mulaqat hui, aur na hi aapas me koi baat. Veer iss baat se bhi khafa tha ki kam se kam woh milne toh aata tha bajaaye Nidhi ke jo bas- Apne ghar par hi rehti thi.

*Ding Dong*

Usne bell bajayi aur dobara bajaane ki zaroorat na padi jab darwaza andar se khul gaya. Darwaza kholte hi Nidhi ki nazar Veer par padi aur shan bhar ke liye woh chaunki. Saans halki si atki. Par, sambhalte hue uske muh se sirf uska naam nikla.

Nidhi : V-Veer?

Veer (nods) : Mmm!

Apni nazre jhukaate hue woh fauran hi mud gayi aur Veer ko andar aane ke liye raasta diya.

Nidhi : A-Aao na!

Veer ne andar aate hue darwaze ko andar se band kiya. Uski nazre ghar ke chaaro orr daud gayi. Ghar ab bhi waisa ka waisa hi tha. Bas, thoda bikhra zyada tha. Jo ki swabhavik tha agar ghar me do chhote-chhote bacche ho toh.

Juhi ne jaise hi apne maamu ko dekha woh khil-khilaate hue daud ke uske paas chali aayi.

Juhi : Maaamuuuuu-!!!!

Aur, Veer ke hontho par apne aap use dekh muskaan fel gayi. Uske nanhe qadam chalte hue Veer ke paas aaye toh Veer ne pyaar se use apni goad me utha liya. Aur, Juhi ne harr baar ki tarah uske gaal ko choom liya.

Veer : Hahaha! Kya kar rahi thi, meri Juhi?

Juhi : Homework!

Veer : Oh! Juhi homework kar rahi thi?

Juhi (nods) : Haan! Maamu, mere liye kya laaye??

Veer : Aapke maamu aapke liye chocolates aur toys laaye hai!

Juhi : Haan??? Kaun sa toy???

Veer ne use neeche utaara aur apne bagal me neeche farsh par rakha ek package use thama diya.

Veer : Ye lo! Aap khud dekh lo!

Aur, Juhi khushi ke maare woh package leke hall ke beecho-beech jaake zameen par baith use kholne lagi.

Nidhi : J-Juhi!! Juhi, neeche farsh par nahi. Idhar aao! Idhar carpet pe baith ke kholo nahi toh thand lag jayegi.

Maa ki baat maante hue woh carpet par baith gayi. Nidhi ne fir Veer par dhyan diya.

Nidhi : Itha bada packet? Ye sab kyu le aaye? Abhi ek hafte pehle hi maine use ek naya toy dilaaya tha.

Veer (smiles) : Khelne dijiye! Bacchi hai!

Nidhi : Haan, par iss tarah se itna frequently harr cheezein nahi thamani hoti hai baccho ko aur-

Veer : Mein laaya hu. Aap nahi! Uske maamu hone ke naate ye mera tohfa hai uske liye. China se jab laut raha tha tab khareeda tha waha se.

Uski baat pe Nidhi ko yaad aaya ki Veer pichli baar jab uss se milne aaya tha toh woh bye kehne aaya tha. Magar, woh samajh na paayi. Uske baad usne Veer ke ghar pe call kar ke uske baare me pucha bhi tha. Lekin, use bas yahi pata lag paaya tha ki Veer videsh gaya hua tha.

Nidhi : T-Tum? China me the? Waha kya karne gaye the?

Veer : Kuch zaroori kaam!

Nidhi ke maathe par silvatein chha gayi. Uske honth khule par fir band ho gaye. Woh puchna chaahti thi ki bhala Veer waha kya karne gaya tha. Lekin, jaise uske andar se awaaz baahar na nikli. Jaise woh ye puchne ka haq kho chuki thi kyuki unke beech ab pehle jaisa rishta nahi tha. Aur, na hi Veer ab uske saath rehta tha. Woh aage kuch na boli.

Veer : Dhruv kaha hai?

Nidhi ne bedroom me rakhe crib ki orr ishara kiya. Veer ne jhaakte hue dekha toh paaya ki bedroom me crib ke andar Dhruv soya hua tha.

Nidhi Juhi ke bikhraye gaye khilauno ko jamaane lagi aur halki si ek muskan ke saath boli.

Nidhi : Ab bada ho raha hai. Pakad-pakad ke chalna seekh gaya hai. Toh, mujhe vyast rakhta hai aur thaka deta hai.

Veer ko kahi na kahi ajeeb si anubhuti hui. Aisa laga jaise use waha Nidhi ke sang hona chahiye tha Dhruv ke pehle qadam ko dekhne ke liye.

Nidhi : Aur, tum? Tumhe toh... Tumhara business vyast rakh raha hoga?

Aisa laga maano Nidhi ne uspe tanj kasa ho.

Veer : Sort of...!

Nidhi : Padhayi-likhayi se toh ab tum... upar uth chuke ho, hai na?

Veer (frowns) : Aapka matlab?

Nidhi : Matlab yahi ki... Ab tumhe padhayi karne ki koi zaroorat nahi. Sab set hai. Paisa aa hi raha hai. Business chal hi raha hai. Rehne ko ghar hai. Parivar hai. Abhi kuch saal me shaadi ho jaani hai. Fir, bacche ho jayenge. Jeevan sahi jaa toh raha hai toh-

Woh peeth kar ke Veer ki orr khadi hui thi aur sofe ke takiyo ko vyavasthit kar rahi thi jab uske bol beech me hi adhoore reh gaye. Uska haath achanak hi kisi ne peeche se kheencha aur use mod ke palta diya.

Veer ne uska haath apni giraft me le rakha tha. Uski aankhein gusse me Nidhi ke chehre par neeche tiki hui thi.

Veer : Saaf-saaf kyu nahi kehti jo kehna chaahti ho? Yu iss tarah baatein kyu ghuma rahi ho?

Nidhi (frowns) : Saaf-saaf hi toh keh rahi hu. Kya kuch galat kaha maine? Aur, haath chhoro!

Woh apna haath jhatke se chhurate hue palat ke kitchen me chali gayi. Aur, Veer uske peeche-peeche aa gaya.

Veer : Toh fir mujhse bhi saaf-saaf sunn lijiye.

Nidhi ek pal ko ruki. Fir, lighter se gas jalaate hue uss par pateela rakh chai chadhaane lagi. Veer theek uske peeche hi khada tha. Pehle bhi iss qadar Veer uske sang kitchen me aaya karta tha. Magar, tab unke beech rishta kuch aur tha. Aur, ab kuch aur.

Veer : Aapne sahi kaha. Padhayi-likhayi se ab mein upar uth chuka hu. Aur, mujhe unki koi zaroorat nahi. Ye last semester ke saare paper dene ke baad bas mujhe degree uthaani hai. Aur, fir apne business pe dhyan dena hai.

Nidhi : Acchi baat hai!

Kehte hue Nidhi ne shakkar ke dibbe se teen chammach shakkar pateele me daali aur chauthi daalne hi waali thi jab Veer ne uska haath peeche se kass ke thaam liya. Nidhi hairat-angez, Veer ke haath ko apne haath ke upar dekhi. Ye kya harqat thi bhala? Iske pehle ki woh koi virodh kar paati Veer ki garam saansein use apne daaye kandhe par mehsoos hui. Aur, ek sihran uske badan me daud gayi.

Veer : Shayad aap bhool gayi hai. Do cup chai me... Mein hamesha 3 chammach shakkar hi daalta tha.

Nidhi ki bauhe sikudi. Usne apna nazuk haath Veer ki pakad se chhurane ki koshish ki magar har prayas vyarth. Antatah, Veer ne swayam hi uska haath chhor diya.

Dekhte hi dekhte, khamoshi ke vatavaran me chai bhi bann gayi. Aur, dono wapas se hall me the.

Juhi apna naya khilauna leke Veer ke paas aayi toh Veer ne use uthaate hue apne kandho par baitha liya. Uska daaya haath jaake Juhi ke sarr par tham gaya. Aur, ye drishya dekhte hi Nidhi ko uss raat ki chhavi yaad aa gayi.

Jis raat Veer apni 'Hourglass method' ko janta ke saamne laaya tha. Tab bhi Veer ne Juhi ko iss qadar hi apne kandho par utha ke uske sarr par haath rakha tha. Tab bhi Nidhi apna haath aage badha ke kuch kehna chaahti thi. Veer ki shirt ko peeche se jaise thaamna chaahti thi.

Aaj bhi wahi hua. Uska haath apne aap akasmat hawa me utha. Lekin, kuch bodh hote hi woh do qadam peeche chali gayi.

Juhi : Mamma!!!

Nidhi : H-Haan?

Juhi : Ab mujhe neend aa rahi hai.

Nidhi : Huh? Arey, par khaana-

Juhi : Abhi toh khaaya tha mamma!!!

Nidhi : Accha theek hai! Tum andar jaa ke so jao.

Veer ne use wapas se neeche utaara toh Juhi bhaagte hue bedroom me chali gayi. Aur, reh gaye toh bas Veer aur Nidhi.

Nidhi : Tumhari chai thandi ho rahi hai.

Veer : Hmm!

Nidhi : Biscuits laati hu. Ruko! Mujhe pata hai ki tumhe chai ke saath biscuits pasand hai.

Veer : Rehne dijiye! Ye pehle karna hota hai.

Nidhi : Huh??

Veer : Waise bhi aap cheezein bhulti jaa rahi hai.

Iss baar Veer ne uspe tanj kasa. Aur, ye Nidhi ko bilkul raas na aaya. Usne agle hi shan apna mobile khola aur kuch type karne lagi.

*Ping*

Do minute baad hi Veer ke phone par notification aaya aur screen on ho uthi. Jaise hi usne mobile khol dekha toh gusse ke chalte uske maathe par lakeere chha gayi.

Notification tha ~

"Dear UPI user ur A/C XXXXX credited by Rs. 1,00,000. Transfer from 7852XXXXXXXXX
- UPI/XX/ 4856XXXXXXXXX/ Mrs. Nidhi/ YESB/ nidhimishra/ UPI."

Nidhi : Cheezein bhoolne lagi hu. Isliye, kahi aisa na ho ki karz hi bhool jau!

Veer ka maatha itni zorr se thanka ki woh apna mobile chhor seedhe Nidhi ki orr lapka aur uski kalaayi ko zorr se jakad liya.

Veer (yells) : Ye kya behuda harqat thi?

Nidhi (frowns) : Veer-!! H-Haath chhoro!!!

Veer : Nahi chhorunga! Pehle mere sawal ka jawab dijiye. Ye sab kya tha? Ye achanak se aapne aisa kyu kiya???

Nidhi : Achanak se? Kisi na kisi din chukana hi hai. Toh, abhi hi sahi. Dheere-dheere kar ke mein sab chuka hi dungi-

Veer (yells) : Aapko daure padte hai kya beech-beech me? Kya ho jaata hai aapko?

Nidhi (shouts) : Mujhe kya ho jaata hai? Ki tumhe kya ho jaata hai? Kyu rakhu mein tumhara ehsan? Kyu rakhu mein tumhare paise? Kaun ho tum?? Kya lagte ho mere-!???

Veer (yells) : Youuuu-!!!!

Aur, Nidhi ekdum stabdh reh gayi. Aankhein phati ki phati. Agle hi pal Veer ko uski aankhon me darr dikha. Aur, use ehsaas hua ki ye usne kya kar diya. Uska haath hawa me upar utha hua tha. Nidhi ka badan darr ke chalte kaanp ke jhatka kha gaya. Veer ne use dekha, aur sach-much me dekha - naazuk, dari hui, aur behad kamzor si ek aurat.

Ye Nidhi thi. Rajat ke dwara di gayi yaatna se bhari yaadein Nidhi ke saamne pratyaksh jhalak uthi. Uske aasu uski ijazat ke bina hi aankhon se behne lage. Veer ko ehsaas hua ki usne kitni badi galti kar di. Akhir, usme aur Rajat me kya hi antar reh gaya? Woh toh accha hua jo haath upar hawa me hi sahi samay par ruk gaya tha. Warna-

Veer : Ma'am-! I...

Usne Nidhi ko kass ke apne aaghosh me le liya. Nidhi vismay aur darr me uske seene se lagi rahi. Subakti rahi.

Veer : Why are you like this?

Nidhi : ...

Veer : Mein jitna aap se apna rishta accha karne ki koshish karta hu aap kuch na kuch aisa kar deti ho jiske chalte humare rishte me tanaav paida ho jaata hai. Kyu karti ho aap aisa?

Magar, Nidhi ab kuch bhi bolne ki sthiti me nahi thi.

Veer : I'm so sorry! Par, aap mujhe gussa kyu dilaati ho? Maine aapse kaha hua hai na ki aapko mujhe woh paise lautaane ki zaroorat nahi hai. Maine aap pe koi ehsaan nahi kiya hai. Aap independent ho! Kisi se bandhi hui nahi ho. Karz se bhi nahi. You are free! Toh, ahinda se kabhi aisa mat kariyega.

Nidhi : ...

Veer : And, let me say it finally-

Nidhi : ...

Veer : I love you!!! Ma'am!!!

Nidhi ka badan ek baar punah jhatka khaa gaya. Lekin, mukh se kuch bhi na nikla. Aur, tabhi use apne gaal par Veer ke honth mehsoos hue. Dil dhak-dhak kar raha tha. Veer use koi mauqa diye bina apni jagah se utha.

Veer : Ahinda se aap kabhi aisi harqat nahi karogi. Okay? Aur, rahi baat aapke sawaal ki... Ki kaun lagta hu mein aapka? Toh bas itna yaad rakhiyega.

Nidhi : ???

Veer : Mein aapka woh shubh-chintak hu jo kabhi aapko dukhi nahi dekh sakta. Ye toh theek hai na? *smiles* Goodbye! Ma'am!

Kehte hue woh waha se chala gaya. Phone ki ghanti Nidhi ko hosh me laayi. Notification aaya hua tha. Veer ne woh paise uske account me wapas bhej diye the. Woh sakpakayi si bas apni jagah par baithi rahi aur phone ki screen ko taktaki lagaye dekhti reh gayi.

***

Rabat, Morocco,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Headquarters, Night ~ 8:20 PM

Rabat me maujood foreign affairs ministry ke mantralay ka bhavya hall Morocco ke samriddh itihas aur raj-naitik taaqat ka pramaan tha.

Kamre me halki raushni thi, jiske chalte uss se bann rahi chhaaya waha ikhatte hue gann-maanya vyaktiyo ke chehre par pad rahi thi. Hawa tanaav se bhaari thi, aur pratyek fus-fusahat waha ki alankrit deewaro se takra ke goonj rahi thi.

Morocco ek aisa desh tha jaha aaj bhi ek raja ka shasan chalta tha. Yaha sarkar nahi hoti thi. Aur, iss waqt Morocco ke King lambi table ke sheersh sthaan par baithe the. Khaali unki upasthiti hi aadesh se bhari hui aur kathor si prateet ho rahi thi.

Veh apne salahkaro, yaani ki Foreign Affairs ke consultants se vartalap me lage hue the. Morocco ke prasiddh hotels me se ek hotel Royal Oaisis par beetein dino ek khatarnak hamla hua tha. Halaki, ye qismat ki baat thi ki hamle me koi maara nahi gaya. Lekin, hamle ke peeche ke iraado ko nazar-andaz nahi kiya jaa sakta tha.

Aur, jabse ye khabar saamne aayi ki hotel jinn missiles dwara tabah kiya gaya tha, woh Spain ki thi. Tab se toh poore Morocco me dehshat chhaa chuki thi. Spain waha media me iss maamle par kayi dino se chuppi saadhe hue tha par ant me unki orr se jawab yahi aaya ki woh iss hamle ke baare me kuch nahi jaante.

Choonki, desh pehle hi hamle ke baad sadme me jaa chuka tha isliye aaj raat ki yeh baithak atyant hi mehatv-poorna hone waali thi unn sab ke liye.

Sab baithe abhi aapas me baat kar hi rahe the jab hall ke dur waale hisse ke bade darwaze charmara ke khule aur achanak hi iss shor se saari baat-cheet par virham lag gaya.

Ek anjaan aadmi ne andar pravesh kiya aur uske qadmo ki awaaz kamre me goonj gayi. Sthiti ki gambheerta ke bawajood uss shaks ke chehre par muskaan feli hui thi. Aadha chehra uska ek hat se dhaka hua tha. Aur, uske saath-saath peeche ek rectangular akaar ki vastu bhi uske saath aa rahi thi. Usne uss trolley ki dorr apne haath me pakdi hui thi.

Vastu jo bhi thi, gehre kaale rang ke kapde se dhaki hui thi. Bamushqil hi uske kinaare nazar aa rahe the.

Security ne uski poori jaanch-padtaal kar li thi. Lekin, fir bhi jab woh table ke nazdeek pahucha toh logo ki bechainiya badh gayi. Woh King se kuch duri par ruka aur uske hontho par ek muskan tair gayi.

?? : We meet again, your majesty!!

Uski awaaz namra thi. Aam taur par koi bhi jab King se bhaint karta tha toh sarr jhuka ke unse milta tha. Lekin, iss aadmi ne na hi sarr jhukaya aur na hi aadar me do shabd bole.

King (frowns) : This is not a social call!! Tumhe pata hona chahiye ki tum yaha kyu ho, outsider!

?? (nods) : Bilkul, your majesty! Bilkul! Haal ki hi ghatnao ne hume dikha diya ki hamari position akhir kitni uncertain hai. And, it's clear that drastic measures are required.

King aage ki orr jhuke aur thodi paini nigaaho se uss anjaan vyakti ko ghoore jinse woh pehle bhi mil chuke the.

King (frowns) : Mudde ki baat par aao!!

Uss aadmi ne table ke chaaro orr baithe mantriyo aur salahkaro ke chintit chehro par nazar daali aur jaan boojh ke unki jigyasa se khelne ke liye uss kapde se dhaki hui cheez ko saamne kar uska kapda pakad liya.

Idhar consultants aur bade-bade political figures ki dhadkane uss agyaat cheez ko dekh tez ho gayi.

?? : Morocco stands at a crossroads.

Uski awaaz me bhaari-pann se kamra shaant ho gaya.

?? : Hume ek gambheer sthiti me daal diya gaya hai jiske liye ek bahut hi decisive plan Morocco ki ministry ko chahiye. Isme koi shaq nahi ki Morocco Spain ki activities se joojh raha hai. But-

King : ???

?? (grins) : But vulnerability can be turned into an opportunity, your majesty!

King : Huh???

Kehte hue usne apne haath me liye kapde ko zorr se kheencha aur sabke saamne woh agyaat cheez ujagar kar di. Poore hall me ek saath haafne ki awaaz goonji. Yaha tak ki King bhi bhauchakka hua baitha tha. Kursi ke hatthe par uski pakad mazboot ho gayi.

King (gasps) : Y-Ye... Ye kya hai?

Kahi na kahi use anuman lag gaya tha magar fir bhi woh nishchit karna chaahta tha. Kapde ke andar se bas ek tasveer hi nikli thi. Lekin, samajhne waale uska mehatv aur uski taaqat samajh chuke the.

?? : I present you an opportunity, your majesty. I'm providing you something... *smiles* terrifying... which can lead to significant results.

Consultants aur politicians ki nigaahein ek dusre par padi toh unme fus-fusa ke charcha shuru ho gayi. King ke chehre par baahar se koi bhaav nahi the magar andar se woh poora hila hua tha. Aur, kahi na kahi- aankhon me ek chamak thi. Use ab samajh aa gaya tha ki veh cheez kya thi.

King : Aur, tumhara kehna hai ki hum iss opportunity ko accept kar le?

?? (grins widely) : Only a fool would cast away such a chance, your majesty!

King (frowns) : You-!!!!

Kamre me tanaav badh gaya.

King : Par, iski qeemat bahut jayegi aur isme samay bhi bahut zaaya hoga. Humare paas itna samay nahi-

?? : Bas kuch mahine!!!

King : Hmm?

?? : Zyada se zyada ek do saal. Uss se adhik nahi! I know that the cost is substantial but the rewards... are immeasurable too.

King : Hmm! Leave us! We need to discuss this matter privately.

?? (smiles) : Of course! I await your decision, your majesty!

Woh aadmi muda aur jaane laga. Par, jaane se pehle woh ek akhiri baar palta aur bola.

?? : Oh! And, of course... I know about the treaty.

King : Huhhh!????

?? (grins) : There's a way!!! Aapke nirnay ka intezar rahega mujhe... Your... Majesty...!!!
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Aaj ke liye itna hi guys.
This update consists of 12.7k words. Like, literally!!! Ye akhiri part mein isme daalne nahi waala tha but then I thought ki update itne dino baad de raha hu toh thoda extend kar hi deta hu. Kya ye longest update ho gaya? Let me know! Target apna wahi hai. 200! Toh likes thokne ka aur revos rakhne ka. You also got to know Nidhi's full name in this update. You got to see Kritika, Karan, Ragini, Suman, Nidhi, Juhi, all in one update. Praise me later!!!
And, keep supporting.
Dhanyavad.

Veer! Veer! Veer, he is considering Nidhi as his wife(it seems to me). Tejal, Kavya aur Aarohi matlab teeno ko ek dusre se koi problem nahi hai lag toh aisa hi raha hai.

Ragini ka stubbornness, she wants to be with Veer but at the same time she doesn't want to see any other with him. Situations are not simple where everyone and everything are under control of Veer, but one thing is clear that all are playing their cards to get Veer.

 

[dhalchandarun]

Mega Update

Update - 183 ~ Misunderstandings

[Note : This update consists of 12.7k words. Read it when you have enough time to read in a single sitting.]​

Ab tak...

Rebecca : Y-Ye-!! Ye toh sirf ek report hai.

?? : Oh!! Toh tumhe kya laga? Kya waqai tumhe ye laga tha ki mein tumhe saari reports de dunga?

Rebecca (frowns) : Tsk...!!!

Muskurate hue woh lift ki orr jaane laga jab peeche se Rebecca ne ek akhiri sawaal pucha.

Rebecca : Wh-Where are you going???

?? (smiles) : I was just craving some couscous!!!

Kehte hue woh waha se gayab ho gaya.

Ab aage...

Veer’s house, Mumbai,
Afternoon ~ 12:22 PM

Ragini kitchen me platform se satke khadi thi. Uske haath sabziyaan kaatne me lage hue the. Chaaku ki lay-baddh kaat uske dimag me chal rahi uthal-puthal se bilkul vipreet thi. Dopahar ke sooraj ki raushni khidki se chhan kar uske naazuk chehre par garm chamak bikher rahi thi. Lekin, veh raushni uski aankhon ke bheetar umde sailaab ko na chhu saki.

Uske vichar achanak hi chhuttiyon me sang pal bitaaye uss raat ki orr chale gaye. Woh raat!! Jab hawa me ankahe shabdo ka bhaar tha, tanaav spasht tha. Veer ke woh bol uske mastishk me goonj gaye. Unn dono ke beech hua uss raat woh sanvaad~

‘Tumhe yahi sanshay hai na ki mein tumhe shadi-shuda aur divorcee hone ke kaaran nahi apna raha?’

‘H-Haan! Kya galat hai isme? Yahi sach hai!’

‘Ji nahi! Ye sach nahi hai! Kyuki, mujhe jo pyaar karti hai aur jis se mein pyaar karta hu, woh bhi tumhari tarah hi ek divorcee hai!!!’

Yahi bol the uske. Aur, uss raat ke baad se hi Ragini ki neendein haraam ho chuki thi.

‘D-Divorcee?? M-Meri tarah?’

Iss baar uska gussa charam par tha. Pehle jaha use sandeh tha ki koi anchhui kali ne Veer ko apne jhaase me fasaya hai toh ab ye jaanane ke baad ki koi uski hi tarah ek talaq-shuda aurat hai jispe Veer fida ho chuka hai. Ye toh jaise uski bardasht se pare tha. Shayad itna gussa aur itni jalan use tab na hui hoti agar Veer kisi apni umra ki ladki ke upar lattu hua hota. Magar, uska yeh kehna ki koi talaq-shuda ne uska ye haal kar diya?

Ragini ko shayad aaj pehli baar apne imaan, apni sundarta par itni badi ghaat pahuchi thi. Uske andar jo irshya bhadki thi, woh ekdum bhasm kar dene waali thi.

Aansu chhalke, aur uski drishti dhundhli ho chali. Chopping board par pyaaz zaroor kat rahi thi magar, veh khud behtar jaanti thi ki inn aasuo ka kaaran pyaaz nahi thi.

Rasoi me maujood shanti uss par bojh ki tarah dabav daalti jaa rahi thi. Maujood toh Suman bhi thi waha jo samaan ko vyavasthit karne me juti hui thi. Magar, uski haziri Ragini ke antar-mann me tabahi macha rahe vicharo se dhak chuki thi.

Chopping board par iss baar tamatar ast-vyast the, jo uski bheetar ki avyavastha ko darsha rahe the. Usne apni aankhein band kar ek gehri saans li. Use mehsoos hua ki uske aur Veer ke beech ek gehri adrishya khaayi thi. Ragini use laangh kar uske paas pahuchna chahti thi. Lekin, Veer ki asweekriti aur faisle ke dar ne use ab tak rok ke rakha tha. Veh apni hi banayi hui bhool-bhulaiyaa me fass gayi thi, jaha pratyek raasta aur bhi adhik peeda ki orr le jaata tha.

Usne apni aankhein kholi aur punah kaatna jaari kiya. Harr tukda uske dil ke tukde ko darsha raha tha. Iss baar krodh aur jalan haawi ho uthi. Uske haatho ka bal badha aur chaaku sabzi se fisalte hue seedhe jaake uski ungli par jaa lagi.

“Ahhh!!!!”

Dard ke chalte woh apne khwabon se nikal vastavik duniya me wapas aayi. Suman jo wahi par thi, Ragini ki ungli se behta khoon dekh daud ke uske paas aayi.

Suman : Arey-!!? Ye kya kiya aapne? Kaha dhyaan hai aapka? Laiye, haath idhar!

Ragini : K-Kuch nahi Suman. Aap rehne do! Mamooli si chot hai. Mein cream laga leti hu.

Suman : Maine kaha na dikhaiye idhar!!!

Suman ke zorr se kehne par Ragini aur virodh na kar saki. Pehle toh Suman ne uske haath ko seedhe sink ke nal ke behte paani ke neeche lagaya aur fir andar se first-aid ka dibba laate hue usme se savlon aur ruyi ki sahayta se uske ghaav ko saaf karne lagi.

Suman : Sssss!! Tch-tch-tch! Dekhiye toh! Kitna zyada lag gaya hai. Mein dekh rahi hu kaafi der se. Kya soch rahi thi aap?

Kintu, Ragini maun rahi. Suman ne filhal baat ko nahi chhedha aur ghaav par dhyan dete hue usne ek antiseptic powder ki parat uss par chadhayi aur fir marham-patti kar di. Uske baad usne wapas se apna sawal rakha.

Suman : Aap theek toh hai na? Kuch khoyi-khoyi si prateet ho rahi thi aap.

Ragini kuch shan apni ungli par bandhi patti ko ghoorti rahi fir kuch derr baad sochte hue boli.

Ragini : Kya aap mere ek sawal ka jawab dogi, Suman?

Suman : Sawal ka jawab? Haan, puchiye na! Kya baat hai?

Ragini : Vaada kariye ki aap imandari se iska jawab dengi.

Suman : Arey, haan haan-! Aap puchiye toh sahi. Mein bhala jhooth kyu bolungi?

Ragini : Toh, ye bataiye ki kya mujhe dusri shaadi karne ka haq hai? Waise toh maine nirnay le liya hai lekin fir bhi mein aapki raay bhi lena chaahti hu.

Suman : Ye… Ye sawal ek vyaktigat sawal hai.

Ragini : Mein jaanti hu. Jaisa ki maine kaha. Nirnay maine le liya hai. Bas, aapke muh se bhi aapka jawab sunana chaahti hu.

Suman : Theek hai! Toh, mera jawab toh haan hai. Har naari ko dusri shaadi karne ka poora haq hai. Khaas kar tab jab pehle pati se aapne talaq le liya ho aur toh aur uske sang yaadein bhi acchi na guzri ho.

Ragini : Dhyan rakhiye, Suman! Yaha aapko soch samajh ke jawab dena hai. Mein ye sirf mere liye nahi puch rahi hu. Aapko baaki rishton ke baare me sochte hue iska jawab dena hai. Aaj mein iss ghar me hu. Kal ko meri shaadi hogi toh mein yaha nahi rahungi. Mera rishta baakiyo se badal jayega. Naye parivar ke logo se rishte banaane honge aap sabko. Unka aana-jaana yaha laga rahega. Ho sakta hai woh log aapko pasand na aaye. Ho sakta hai unhe aap log na pasand aao.

Ragini darasal Suman ko parakh rahi thi. Woh ye dekhne ki koshish kar rahi thi ki kya ghar me uski shaadi ki baat ko leke log bechain hote hai ya nahi? Woh bas ek daav fek ke ye dekhna chahti thi. Magar, woh ye nahi jaanti thi ki Suman ne uski soch ki jaanch-padtal pehle hi kar li thi. Aur, usne apna paasa uss se bhi pehle fek diya tha.

Suman (smiles) : Iss se toh har wo parivar guzarta hai jinke yaha shaadi hoti hai. Hai na? Isme kya dikkat? Aur, isme kya nayi baat?

Ragini : A-Aap samajh nahi rahi.

Suman (smiles) : Kya nahi samajh rahi mein?

Ragini : M-Matlab, aapko koi dikkat nahi hai agar mein dusri shaadi karti hu toh?

Suman : Nahi! Bilkul nahi! Aur, mujhe kya kisi ko bhi koi dikkat nahi hogi aur na hi honi chahiye!

Ragini : Th-Theek hai! Ek aur sawaal! Aapko kya lagta hai? K-Kya mujhse… Mujh jaisi talaq-shuda aurat se firse koi jawan ladka shaadi karega?

Suman : Ye bhi koi sawal hai? Aapse toh koi bhi shaadi karne ko taiyaar ho jayega, Ragini ji! *smiles*

Ragini : Koi bhi nahi, Suman! Koi bhi nahi! Mujhe koi bhi ladke se shaadi nahi karni.

Suman : Ahh! Kya… Kahi aapko koi pasand aa gaya hai?

Suman ne ek shararti muskaan liye pucha. Woh toh sab jaanti thi. Lekin, natak kar rahi thi. Swayam Ragini ke muh se jaise woh sach sunana chahti thi.

Ragini : Sach kahu toh, pasand toh bahut pehle aa gaya tha. Woh samundar ki tarah hai, Suman! Aur, mein kisi sahil ki tarah. Uski lehre mujhse aake takrati hai, lekin bas chand derr ke sparsh ke baad mujhe akela chhor ke chali jaati hai. Aur, wapas se phir wahi tanhai… phir wahi bebasi…

Suman : Aap uske baare me aise baatein kar rahi hai jaise maano woh aapki subah ka sooraj ho. Agar, itna prem hai toh fir woh kaun si cheez hai jo aapko aage badhne se rok rahi hai?

Ragini : Yahi toh dikkat hai, Suman! Yahi toh dikkat hai! Yeh itna asaan nahi! Pehle hi mein ek toofan se guzar chuki hu. Ab uske malbe ke neeche dabb ke nahi jeena chahti. Aur, isliye… isliye mein uski hona chahti hu. Aap maanogi nahi, Suman! Uski har nazar, uske har shabd, jab-jab woh mujhse kuch kehta hai toh aisa lagta hai jaise woh seedhe meri rooh se baat kar raha hai. Mujhe apne qareeb kheench raha hai. Lekin, fir agle hi pal… Ek hi saans me mujhe dur bhi dhakel deta hai. Aisa kyu hai, Suman??

Suman : Kya aap prem hi dhundh rahi hai ya…!? Ya fir apne ateet se bas chhutkara paane ka ek raasta?

Iss baar Suman ki nigaahein sateek uss par tiki thi. Lag raha tha jaise ye sawal khud Suman ke liye bhi bahut sanvedan-sheel tha.

Ragini : Shayad… dono? Yeh aisa hai maano woh ek bageecha hai jisme mein ghoomne ke liye utsuk hu. Bekarar hu. Lekin, fir bhi chalne se darti hu. Uski maujoodgi ki har ek pankhuri mujhe bulaati hai, sundarta aur shanti ka vaada karti hai. Lekin, mujhe kabhi-kabhi darr bhi lagta hai. Kya hoga agar mera sparsh unhe murjha de? Kya hoga agar mein woh toofan niklu jo sab kuch barbaad kar de? Aur, bas isliye… isliye ab tak khud ko roki hui hu. Sirf uski haami ka intezar kar rahi hu. Warna, mein toh kab ka…

Suman : Ye sab aapki dharnaaye hai, Ragini ji! Aap koi toofan nahi! Toofan se toh aap balki bach gayi. Talaq jo le liya! Aur, kya pata? Ho sakta hai ki veh ladka hi aapki shanti ho? Aapka sukh-chenn? Jiski aapko talaash hai?

Kehte waqt uske hontho par ek muskaan thi. Jaise woh jaanti thi ki veh kya kar rahi thi aur ye bhi jaanti thi ki inke parinam kya hone waale the.

Ragini : Aur, agar sach me wahi mera sukh-chenn hai toh? Toh, fir kya? Mein apne mann ki uthal-puthal ko hata ke uss tak kaise pahuchu? Kaise use batau ki wahi mera sab kuch hai? Mein nahi chaahti ki woh meri maango se, meri ichhao se darey. Mujhse dur bhaage!!! Use mein sab bata chuki hu. Lekin, hum dono ke andar kahi na kahi ek dar hai!

Suman : Ragini ji!

Ragini (glances) : …?

Suman : Dil apna rasta khud jaanta hai. Chaahe kitna hi bada toofan kyu na ho, chaahe kitna hi andhera kyu na hu, ye hamesha apna bageecha dhundh leta hai. Aur, ek aur baat. Kabhi-kabhi pareshaniyo ko saajha karne se unka hal mil jaata hai.

Kehte hue usne apna dusra paasa bhi fek diya. Chand pal guzar gaye. Ragini jo apne maathe par lakeere sajaaye kinhi vicharo se joojh rahi thi, woh kuch sochne ke baad nirnay lete hue boli.

Ragini : Mere saath mere kamre me chaliye. Mujhe aapse kuch zaroori baat karni hai!

Woh hawa ke jhonke ki tarah kitchen se nikli aur idhar uske jaate hi Suman ke hontho ki muskaan aur adhik fel gayi.

‘Ragini ji! Agar, kahi pe bhi mujhe aapke andar truti mili…! Toh, mein aapko maalik se baat karna toh dur, unke aas-paas bhi nahi bhatakne dungi.’

Mann hi mann sochte hue Suman Ragini ke kamre me uske peeche-peeche chal dakhil ho gayi.

***

Veer ki Rolls Royce Ghost sadak par bhaag rahi thi aur logo ki gardane modne par unhe majboor kar rahi thi. Ye gaadi Suhana ka ek sabse khaas tohfa thi uske liye. Uske muh se bas nikla tha aur Suhana ne uske liye ye bhej di thi.

‘Kabhi maine Miss Suhana ko koi gift nahi diya. Iss baar unke birthday par, I’ll give her a huge surprise.’

[That’s right! She deserves one.]

‘Bilkul! Jitna unhone mere liye kiya hai, itna shayad hi koi kisi ke liye karta hai. Iss baar mein unka birthday unforgettable bana dunga.’

Woh abhi raaste se guzar hi raha tha, gaadi ki raftar bhi kam thi jab use road ke paas ek cafe ke baahar Kritika khadi nazar aayi.

‘Kritika? Ye yaha kya kar rahi hai?’

Gaadi ko jaise hi usne cafe ke saamne lagaya toh ek baar phir sabki nazre Rolls Royce par tik gayi. Andar baithe couples bhi aankhein gadaaye dekhne par majboor ho gaye. Jaha ladko ke mann me jalan ubaal maar rahi thi toh wahi ladkiyaan car se nikalte Veer ko dekh uss par mohit ho rahi thi. Aur, Kritika unme se ek thi.

Kritika : V-Veer bhaiya? Aap yaha?

Veer : Hmm! Par, tum yaha baahar khadi kya kar rahi ho?

Kritika : Oh! M-Mein woh-

Veer : Hmm?

Kritika : Actually! Kisi se batana mat aap. Okay? Aur, Kavya ko toh bilkul bhi mat! Use pokne ki bahut buri aadat hai.

Kritika ki baat par Veer ne apni bauho par ungliyaan rakh haami bhari. Kal hi usne Kavya ko bataya tha ki woh Miss Suhana ka card unhe wapas dene jaa raha hai aur kal hi Kavya ne Tej ko sab pok bhi diya tha. Uske baad raat bhar Tej uss se sawaal par sawaal puchti rahi.

Veer : H-Haan! Lekin, kya mat batana?

Kritika ne fir uske kaan ki orr jhukte hue kuch kaha aur fir cafe ke upar dusri building ki orr ishara kar sharma gayi.

Veer : Ohhh!

Kritika (nods) : H-Haan! M-Mujhse nahi ho paa raha hai.

Veer : Hey! I can help if you don’t mind!

Kritika (blushes) : Wh-What? A-Aap? N-Nahi!

Veer : Kyu? Kya buraayi hai? Mujhe experience hai!

Kritika (blushes) : Ahh! P-Par-! Aapke saath…

Veer : I mean agar tum uncomfortable ho toh koi baat nahi-

Kritika : N-Nahi! I-It’s okay! M-Mein ready hu. *blushes* M-Mera first time hai so…

Veer : Shuru shuru me dikkat jaati hai. Ghabrahat hoti hai par ek baar jaha experience mil gaya toh sab asaan ho jaata hai. Aur, mujhe bhi accha lagega. I really needed a breather. Come!

Kritika (blushes) : H-Hmm!

Aur, Veer use upar leke chal diya. Magar, abhi mushqil se ek ghanta hi hua tha ki ek Innova waha aake khadi hui aur usme se Tej, Arohi aur Kavya teeno baahar nikli. Yeh gaadi Ragini ki khud ki personal gaadi thi.

Tej : Dekha tumne? Maine kaha tha na, Kavya! Tum bahut bholi ho. Aaj bhi Veer idhar-udhar ladkiyo ke saath ghum raha hoga mein daave ke saath keh sakti hu. Isliye, maine tumse kaha tha ki uspe nazar rakha karo.

Kavya : Uhm…! P-Par, Bhaiya ke phone ki location aise track karna kya sahi tha, Tejal didi?

Tej : Hmph! Jab bhai jhooth bolne lage toh ye karna padta hai, Kavya. Accha hua maine uss din uss se uska mobile maang liya tha. Kam se kam ab mein uski location ka pata toh laga sakti hu. Aaj kal use baahar ki hawa lag gayi hai. Ghar me itne log hai par ise baahar hi ghumna rehta hai. Arey, agar kuch chahiye toh mujhse kahe na. Mein kisliye hu?

Arohi : Maybe, he wants something which you can't give to him.

Tej : Wh-What-!?

Arohi : S….E….X…!!!

Tej (blushes) : Arohi!!!!! Y-Ye kya tha???

Arohi : I just stated facts. Veer ki umra me hormones foot-foot kar baahar nikalte hai. No wonder, he might be craving for some S…E….

Tej (blushes) : S-Stop it!!! Stop!!!

Arohi : Also, should I mention that ‘Parijaat’ incident???

Tej (blushes) : Stoooooppppp!!!!!

Arohi : ….

Kavya (blushes) : M-Matlab, bhaiya ko- Bhaiya ko ab girlfriend ki talaash hai?

Tej : Huh? N-Nahi! Uski baat par dhyaan mat do, Kavya. Aur, ‘Parijaat’ ka naam toh mere saamne lena hi mat, Arohi!

Arohi (shrugs) : I was just being logical!

Tej : Mein use acche se jaanti hu. Woh itni jaldi girlfriend bana hi nahi sakta. Aur, waise bhi- Mujhe bataye bina woh akhir kaise koi decision le sakta hai? I'm his elder sister after all.

Arohi : Aapko bataye bina hi usne Miss Suhana jaisi badi-badi businesswomen se contacts banaaye hai.

Tej : Urgh-!!! Tumhe ye bataane ki zaroorat thi? Mein tab ghar ka hissa nahi thi. I can't help it. Okay?

Kavya : Arey, ab aap dono yahi khade hoke baat karti rahogi ya andar bhi chalogi?

Tej : Right! Chalo! Uski nazar me mat aa jaana.

Woh teeno hi dabe paav liye chhipte chhupaate cafe ke andar pravesh ki toh unhe Veer dur baitha hi dikhayi de gaya. Kismat ki baat thi ki Veer ki peeth unki orr thi aur woh unhe dekh na paaya. Parantu, uske saath hi ek ladki bhi virajman thi.

Jaise hi teeno ne dekha ki woh ladki kaun thi teeno ki hi aankhein hairat me fel gayi. Aur, teeno hi apni jagah par jamm gayi. Woh ladki Kritika hi thi.

Tej (frowns) : Maine kaha tha na? Maine kaha tha!!! Woh ladkiyo ke saath hi ghoom raha hoga. See? I was right!

Veer ko ladki ke saath baithe dekh ke hi Tej ko pata nahi kyu par bahut gussa aa gaya. Veer pe toh krodhit thi hi woh lekin uss se bhi zyada uske saath baithi uss ladki par use gussa aa raha tha.

Kavya : K-Kritika-!!! Ugh-!!!!

Sabse zyada bura agar kisi ko laga tha toh woh thi Kavya. Apna ladkiyo wala rumaal muh me daato tale daboche woh dono ko namm aankhein liye dekh rahi thi.

Kavya : M-Mujhe kabhi nahi laga tha. Kabhi nahi laga tha ki tum woh ladki niklogi, Kritika!! Urgh-!!! *hic* Kutti kahi ki…!!!

Arohi (baffled) : K-Kavya??? Ye kaisi language hai???

Kavya : Ugh-!!! Blame her!!! Not me!!! Usi ne mujhe sikhayi hai. Aur, ab dekho khud hi-!!! Khud hi bhaiya ke saath lovey-dovey hoke baithi hai. *hic*

Tej (frowns) : Tch! Ye toh tumhari hi dost nikli!!! Look at them! Dekho, kaise hass-hass ke baatein kar rahe hai dono. Chalo! Chalo, chal ke unka bhaanda phodte hai.

Arohi : N-No-!! Wait!!

Tej : Huh?

Arohi : Woh side me partition hai. Partition ke uss side waali seats pe chalte hai. Hum unki baatein bhi sunn payenge. Agar, humare paas koi saboot nahi hoga toh hum blame nahi laga sakte aise.

Tej (nods) : Right-!!!

Aur, teeno hi apna sarr jhukaate hue Veer aur Kritika ki nazro se bach kar partition ke bagal waali seats ki orr pahuch gayi. Ek couple jo waha baithne hi jaa raha tha unko daraate hue teeno hi waha pahuch gayi.

Bechara ladka jo apni gaand kursi par tikaane jaa hi raha tha, use Tej ne dhadalle se kheencha aur bade hi gusse me boli.

Tej : Ye seat reserved hai! You get it? Now, get lost!!!

Parantu, uske iss ravaiyye se ladke ki girlfriend bhadak uthi.

Ladki : Oh hello? Y-Ye kya tareeka hai? Aur-

Iske pehle ki woh aur kuch bol ke bakheda khada karti, Arohi aage aayi aur uski khubsoorti dekhte hi ladke ki aankhein chaundhiya gayi.

Arohi : If you don't mind…! Please, aap kahi aur baith sakte hai? Please?

Ladka : H-Haan-! O-Okay! K-Kyu nahi? S-Sure!

Ladki : Huh??? Arey, hum kyu kahi aur baithenge?

Ladka : Shh! Ladkiyo se mat uljho! Aao na babe!! Hum yaha baithate hai!! Lunch is on me!!!

Ladki : Hmph-!!!

Muh fulaate hue woh ladki apne boyfriend ke saath dusri seat par baithne chali gayi. Aur, idhar Arohi ne ek raahat ki saans li. Magar, uska mood kharab ho chuka tha. Teeno jaise hi seat par baithi, Arohi ne apna sarr narazgi me jhuka liya.

Kavya : D-Di? Kya hua?

Arohi : I… I showed my vulnerable side to a random guy… other than Veer. And, I hate it!!!

Tej : Shhh!!! Unhe humari baatein sunayi nahi deni chahiye!

Abhi unhe baithe kuch hi pal beete the ki itne me cafe ka darwaza ek baar fir khula aur ek jaana-pehchana chehra pravesh kiya.

Magar, uske andar aate hi usne jo drishya dekha use dekhne ke baad woh confused ho utha.

‘What the-!? Veer aur Kritika?’

Ye koi aur nahi, Karan hi tha. Woh abhi unn dono ko awaaz laga ke haath hilaane hi waala tha jab uski nazar partition ke bagal se baaki ki seats par padi jaha Kavya aur Arohi baithi hui thi.

‘Huh? What the hell???’

Uska haath hawa me hi ruk gaya. Kavya ki nazre jaise hi Karan se bhidi toh woh pehle toh chakit hui par uske baad apne hontho par ungli rakh use shaant rehne ka ishaara karne lagi. Uski harqat dekh Tej ne bhi peeche mud ke dekha toh Karan ko aur jhatka laga.

‘What the fuck-!? Veer ki behne? Ye sab yaha kya kar rahi hai?’

Arohi ne itne me samajhdari dikhate hue Karan ko ishaare se apne paas bulaaya toh Karan haami bharte hue unke paas aaya. Aur, jaise hi woh unke qareeb pahucha, Tej ne use kheench ke apne bagal se kursi par baitha diya.

Karan : A-Aap sab? Yaha?

Tej : Shhh!!!

Kavya : Karan bhaiya? Aap yaha kar rahe ho?

Woh dabi awaaz me puchi.

Karan : M-Mein toh aise hi yaha se guzar raha tha toh bas ek soft drink ke liye aaya tha. Yaha soft drinks achhi milti hai. P-Par- aap sab yaha? Aur, ye bagal se Veer-

Uske kehne se pehle hi Tej ne uske muh par haath rakh diya.

Tej : Idiot!!! Bola na shaant raho!!! Tumko situation samajh nahi aa rahi kya?

Karan : Huh? K-Kya hua?

Kavya : Karan bhaiya!! Aapko ye sunn ke bura lagega par-

Karan : Par?

Kavya : Ugh! Di! Aap batao! Mujhse nahi hoga!

Karan : What? Kya chal kya raha hai?

Arohi : Veer and Kritika are dating each other!!!

Sunte hi Karan ki bolti band ho gayi. Pehle toh woh muskuraya. Fir, haste hue bola.

Karan : Haha! Nice joke! Par, aisa nahi ho sakta. Kritika Veer ko nahi pasand karti. Aur, Veer bhi Kritika ko sirf ek friend ke roop me dekhta hai. So…

Tej : Urgh!!! Ye gadha hai!!! Arey, stupid tumne dekha nahi abhi? Veer aur tumhari woh Kritika ek dusre ke saath bagal se baithe hue hai. Aur, hamare yaha aane se pehle se hi woh baithe hai.

Karan : Huh?

Arohi (nods) : That's right! Unhe rangey haath pakadne ke liye hi hum yaha aise chhip ke baithe hai.

Karan : N-No!! That can't be-!!!

Arohi : It might be true!!! Toh, bas kaan laga ke sunte raho.

Sthiti ki gambheerta ko dekh Karan shaant ho gaya. Woh sab Veer aur Kritika ki baatein sunane ki koshish karne lage jab unke paas cafe ka ek waiter aake khada ho gaya.

Waiter : Your order, Sir?

Sabse tez munda kharab agar hua toh woh tha Tej ka. Woh bekaar sa muh banaaye pehle toh waiter ko dekhi, fir rookhe se swar me boli.

Tej : Chaar coffee!!!

Waiter : Hot ya cold ma'am???

Tej : What do you mean by hot ya cold? December ka mahina chal raha hai. Kaun si coffee order karungi?

Waiter : Yaha harr tarah ke customers aate hai, ma'am.

Tej : Argh!!! Obviously, goddamn HOT COFFEE!!!!

Waiter : Ji! Kaun si waali ma'am? Humare yaha 6 prakar ki hot coffee available hai. Latte, Cappuccino, Espresso, Mocha, Americano, ya Macchiato?

Tej : Latte!!!

Waiter : Ji! Kitne sugar cubes lengi ma'am? Generally, hum 2 sugar cubes ke saath serve karte hai.

Tej : Can I hit him???

Arohi : N-Nooo! Tejal di!! Calm down!!!

Karan (gestures) : Hum general hi lenge.

Waiter : Ji! Please wait for your order! Thank you!

Kehte hue woh waha se chala gaya.

Tej : Thank you ka baccha!!! Agar, 2 second aur woh rukta na toh mein use seedha jhapad de deti.

Arohi : C-Calm down, di!

Kavya : Umm! Hum coffee kyu pee rahe hai? Hum toh baat sunane aaye the na?

Tej : Kavya! Meri bholi nadaan Kavya, meri chhoti behan!!! Agar, use order nahi dete toh woh yahi hamare sarr par mandrata rehta.

Arohi (nods) : Right!

Kavya : O-Ohh! Matlab hum coffee bhi peeke jayenge?

*Silence*

Tej : Urgh-!! Haan meri maa!! Haan!! Pee lena!!!

Kavya (budbudate hue) : Ohh! Mujhe wo… mujhe wo… actually…

Tej : ???

Arohi : ???

Kavya (mutters) : Watermelon crush peena tha… coffee nahi!!!

*Silence*

Idhar uski baat sunn Tej ki aankh ab phad-phadane lagi. Lag raha tha jaise woh kisi pe bhi ab haath saaf karne ke liye taiyar thi.

Arohi : Di! Calm down! Calm down!

Tej (takes a deep breath) : Fuuu-!

Karan : Kavya! Tumhe agar watermelon crush peena hai toh mein baad me pilwa dunga. Par, pehle abhi jaisa ki Tejal didi ne kaha. Let's just listen first. Ho sakta hai ki hum jo soch rahe ho waisa kuch ho hi na?

Tej : That's right! Be quiet! Now, listen!

Woh sab kaan laga ke partition ke uss orr ho rahi baatein sunane lage jo Veer aur Kritika ke beech ho rahi thi. Aur beshaq, yaha aana unke liye vifal nahi gaya. Unki baatein unhe sunaayi dene lagi.

Kritika : Kitne dino baad aaj hum mile hai, hai na? Warna Casa Belle me uss incident ke baad se hi hum nahi mil paaye the.

Veer (smiles) : That's right!

Kritika : Thanks! Meri help ke liye.

Veer : Koi baat nahi! Agar, mein nahi karunga toh aur kaun karega?

Kritika (blushes) : Aap bhi na…! Kuch bhi…!

Veer (smiles) : You know what!? Bahut hi kamaal ki ho tum. I mean as a beginner, tumhare haatho ka prayog kaafi accha hai.

Dusri orr sunn rahe Karan aur baaki sabhi ki shaqle dekhne layak thi.

Karan : Y-Ye kya baatein kar rahe hai, ye dono?

Tej : Shhh!!! Listen!!!

Kritika : Fufu~ Th-Thank you! Par- par abhi mujhe bahut kuch seekhna hai.

Veer (smiles) : Mein tumhe train kar dunga.

Kritika (blushes) : Mmm! *nods* A-And-

Veer : Hmm?

Kritika : Please, Kavya se ye secret rakhna. Use nahi pata chalna chahiye ki aap aur mein ek saath-

Veer (smiles) : Sure! Don't worry!

Idhar, sabhi ne Kavya ki orr dekha. Uska rumaal aadha uske muh me ghus chuka tha. Daato se kaatate hue woh aasu baha ke jaise tese bas sunn rahi thi. Aur, mann hi mann jitne bhi bure shabd use yaad the woh Kritika ko bolti jaa rahi thi. Irony ye thi ki woh saare bure shabd Kritika ne hi use sikhaaye the.

Karan ka haal bhi ab bura hota jaa raha tha. Kahi, ye sab sach toh nahi tha? Kya waqai Kritika aur Veer date kar rahe the? Agar, aisa hua toh uska dil hi sabse zyada chotil hone waala tha. Kyuki, ek taraf uski chaahat thi toh dusri taraf uska khaas dost.

Kritika : Aaj mujhe pata chala ki mein kitni hi nauseekhiya thi. Mein apne college me sabhi ko haakti rehti thi ki mujhe sab aata hai par aaj pata chala sach me. Thanks to you!

Veer : I did nothing! Saara kamaal tumhara tha.

Kritika : N-Nahi! Aapne hi mujhe sahi dhang se pakadna sikhaya. Sahi angle bataya…! Aap kamaal ho!!!

Ye baatein sunte hi Tej se leke Karan aur Arohi ke gaal laal ho chale. Dhang se pakadna sikhaya? Sahi angle? Aur, Kavya ka toh haal hi behaal tha. Ab uss se aur nahi saha jaa raha tha.

Kavya : Ughuuuu-!!! *hic* Kritika…! Kutti!!! *hic* *sniff*

Tej : Kavya, shut up!!! Shhhh!

Arohi : Mujhe yakeen nahi ho raha. Karan? Tum theek toh ho na?

Usne pucha. Parantu, Karan ke hontho ki farzi muskaan sab bayaan kar rahi thi. Aur, udhar Veer aur Kavya abhi bhi chaalu the.

Veer : Mein toh tumhe dekh ke hi samajh gaya tha ki tum bahut nervous ho. Tumhe bas ek rythm ki zaroorat thi. Sahi se aage aur sahi se peeche!! Yaad rakhna!

Kritika : H-Haan! *blushes* Thank you! I really needed guidance. Aur, jise aap pehchante ho uss se behtar kaun ho sakta hai bhala? Koi aur hota toh mein bilkul nahi karti. Par, aap the toh mujhe karne me comfortable bhi feel hua. I don't regret at all.

Veer : Ab toh hum milte hi rahenge, jab tak tumhe poora trained na kar du. Haha!

Kritika (blushes) : Y-Yeah!

Aur, udhar Kavya ka rona shuru ho gaya.

Kavya : Ughhh-!!! *hic* *sniff* Didiiii!!! *hic*

Tej : Shhhh!!!

Arohi (frowns) : This is getting worse.

Karan : Hahaha! Haha! Saala mere saath hi aisa kyu hota hai? M-Maine kabhi nahi socha tha ki-

Arohi : I… I know! I can understand!

Magar, abhi maamla khatam nahi hua tha. Veer aur Kritika ki baatein jaari hi thi jo har guzarte pal dusri orr baithe logo ke dilo ko chhalni karti jaa rahi thi.

Veer : Mujhe laga nahi tha ki tum itna bada sambhaal paogi. You know… tumhara first time tha ye.

Kritika : Ah!! Hmm! M-Maine bas ye socha tha ki… ek baar acche se bade ki aadat lag jaaye toh fir chhoto ko toh mein yu sambhal lungi.

Maano jaise ek adrishya teer aake seedha Karan ke dil ko cheer ke ghus gaya. Woh baithe-baithe hi jhatke le raha tha aur Tej ke haatho me udhar tissue papers ka keema bann chuka tha. Gusse me uska maatha laal hota jaa raha tha. Toh wahi, Arohi ne apne haath jaise khade kar diye the.

Veer : Shuru me tum thoda rough thi magar, baad me tumne sahi rythm pakad li thi.

Kritika : Y-Yeah! Aur, woh tabhi possible hua jab aapne sahi position batayi.

Sunte hi Karan ko phanda lag gaya. Aur, woh zorr se khaasne par majboor ho gaya.

Karan : *cough* *cough*

Tej : V-Veer-!!! You-!!!

Tej ki pakad table cloth par itni mazboot thi ki ek pal ko laga woh abhi use pakad ke kheench degi. Andar se waiter bhi unka order leke aa gaya. 4 latte coffee usne unki table par rakhi ki tabhi, Karan ne jaate hue waiter ko baazu se pakad liya.

Karan : A change in the order. Get me some beer!!!

Waiter : S-Sir!!! Humara cafe non-alcoholic hai. Aur-

Karan ne apni jeb se kuch cash nikala aur seedhe uske haatho me thama diya. Usne dekha bhi nahi ki kitne paise usne diye. Waiter ne jab dekha toh uski aankhein hairat me fel gayi. 500-500 ke 5-6 note the. Samajhdari dikhate hue woh ekdum chup ho gaya.

Waiter : S-Sir, bas koi matter mat kar dena. Mein apne risk pe laa de raha hu.

Karan : Go!!! Right now!!!

Aur, waiter waha se bhaag gaya. Tej, Arohi aur Kavya ka bhi haal kuch theek nahi tha. Agar, kuch derr aur yahi sab chalta raha toh shayad unhe bhi beer ki zaroorat padne waali thi.

Kritika : Sach me… aapke jaisa ladka har family me hona chahiye. Kabhi-kabhi toh mujhe Kavya se jalan hoti hai.

Veer : Woh kyu bhala?

Kritika : Kitni easily woh aap pe haq jata leti hai aur aap hamesha uski kitni care karte ho. Mein single child hu. Mujhe hamesha se hi akele rehna pada hai.

Veer : Ah! I see!

Kritika : But, now I'm happy… mujhe akhir woh feeling toh mili jis se mein abhi tak anjaan thi. Hehe~

Veer : *smiles*

Kritika : Aapne aaj mere movements ekdum sahi kar diye. Ab mujhe pata hai ki kaise move karna hai.

Veer : Zyada kuch nahi hai. Bas, ghabraya nahi karo.

Kritika : Hmm! Mein din me hi aa sakti hu. Ghar pe mummy-papa raat me jaana allow nahi karte. Agar, raat me aa paati toh kitna accha rehta na? Ekdum khaali rehta sab. Hum araam se kar sakte the.

Idhar beer aate hi Karan ne ek jhatke me cup uthaya aur seedhe gale ke neeche utaarne laga.

Karan : I’m sorry… aap sab ke saamne mein ye nahi karna chahta tha. Par- par mujhe iss waqt iski zaroorat hai.

Arohi (with concern) : I can understand!

Kavya : M-Mujhe bhi chahiye-!! *hic*

Arohi : Kaaavyaaa!!! Nahi!!!

Kavya : Bhaiya, aisa kaise kar sakte hai? Hum sab se chhupa ke… mujhse chhupa ke…!? *sniff*

Arohi : Tejal di? K-Kya karna hai ab??

Arohi ne saamne baithi Tejal ko dekh pucha. Magar, use dekhti hi Arohi ka dar haqeeqat me badal gaya.

‘Oh no!!!’

Tej ka shareer gusse se jhatke le raha tha. Woh apna sarr jhukaaye table cloth ko itna marod chuki thi ki ab istri bhi shayad hi uss kapde ko wapas se sapaat karne me madadgar saabit hone waala tha!?

Aur, waha Kritika aur Veer ki gup-shup thi jo khatam hone ka naam hi nahi le rahi thi. Unki ashleel baatein idhar Karan aur baaki sabhi ke mann me vichitra aur anchaahi tasveere bana ke jaa rahi thi.

Kritika : Mujhe laga nahi tha ki aap itne pro hoge. Kaha se seekha aapne?

Veer : Hmm? *smiles* It's a secret!

Kritika : Oh, come on! W-Waise, aapko sabse zyada satisfaction kisme milta hai? Bed sajaane me ya fir… cushion shots me?

Bagal me baithi Kavya ‘cushion’ sunte hi aur bhi vyakul ho uthi.

Kavya : C-Cushion shots??? *sniff* Didiiiii-!!! Waaaaa-!!!! Woh dono bed pe-!!! *hic* *hic*

Arohi : They have done it! And, it's way too serious! *sigh*

Veer (laughs) : Haha! Mujhe sabse zyada satisfaction toh… you know… sabhi holes me daalne ke baad hi milta hai.

Kritika (blushes) : Ah!! K-Kya aap bhi-!!! You are so dirty, Veer bhaiya!

Veer (laughs) : Hahahaha!!!

Kritika (giggles) : Fufufu~

Tej : V-Veer ke baccheee-!!!!

Arohi : T-Tejal di!!!

Karan : Veeeeeerrrr-!!! You fuckerrrr-!!!!

Aur, akhir dono Tej aur Karan ke sabr ke baandh ne jawab de hi diya. Karan apni jagah se uth kursi par chadha aur partition ke upar se koodate hue dusri orr jaa pahucha. Toh wahi, Tej bhaagte hue uss orr pahuchi.

Arohi aur Kavya stabdh thehri achanak se gathit hui gatividhiyo ko dekhti hi reh gayi. Aur, unke saath hi waha baithe couples bhi iss drishya ke darshak bann gaye.

Veer : What the-!?

Kritika : Ah??? K-Karan??

Karan ne dhadalle se Veer ki collor pakdi. Veer agar chaahta toh araam se hi use dodge kar sakta tha parantu, woh aashcharya-chakit tha. Aur, ye dekhna bhi chaahta tha ki Karan ne bhala aisa kyu kiya?

Idhar Tej jo bhaag ke aa rahi thi, Kritika ko dekhte hi uske paas pahuchi aur seedhe uske top ko jakad ke khadi ho gayi.

Kritika : Nhh!? T-Tejal didi? A-Aap?

Karan : You fucker-!! Veeeeerr!!! Maine kya bigada tha tumhara???

Veer : What???

Karan : Tsk!!! Maine tumhe apne bhai ki tarah treat kiya aur tumne aisa kiya mere saath?

Kavya aur Arohi bhi bhaag ke aa chuki thi.

Kavya : Bhaiyaaa!!! Aap aisa kaise kar sakte ho? *sniff* Aap Kritika ke saath-!? Chheeee!!! *hic*

Veer : Y-You guys-!?

Kritika : K-Kavya tum? Y-Yaha?

Kavya : Haan, mein yaha!!! Kutti-!!!! *hic*

Kritika (baffled) : Kya???? K-Kya kaha tumne?

Kavya : Maine kaha kutti-!!! Kutti! Kutti! Kutti!!! *hic*

Kritika : T-Tumhara dimag toh thikaane par hai?

Kavya : Ohohohoho! Dii! Dekho toh ise. Kitni bholi bann rahi hai. *sniff*

Arohi : Ye tumne accha nahi kiya, Kritika!

Kritika : What? Aap sab- Aap sab kya baatein kar rahi ho?

Tej : Idhar dekho meri taraf!! Aisa chamaat dungi na, sab samajh aa jayega tumhe samjhi na? Bhale hi tum Kavya ki dost kyu na ho, par iss harqat ke liye mein tumhe maaf nahi karne waali.

Kritika (gasps) : Didi? Y-Ye aap kya bol rahi ho?

Karan : Bata!!! Bata tune aisa kyu kiya mere saath???

Veer : Ek minute! Mujhe lagta hai yaha koi misunderstanding hui hai.

Karan : Sahi kaha saale!! Bahut badi misunderstanding hui hai. Wo bhi mujhse. Mujhe lagta tha ki tum aur Kritika sirf friends ho. Aur, tum apne dost ki love life me dakhal nahi doge. Par, mein galat tha!

Veer : What the hell? Tum sab-! Tum sab paagal ho gaye ho kya?

Tej : Veeeeerrr! Tumne mujhse jhooth bola? Mujhse? You lied to me, baby? Apni sagi badi behan se? Tum toh kehte tha na ki tum mujhse koi baat nahi chhipa sakte. F-Fir kyu? Kyu??

Usne apne thar-tharate hue hontho se pucha.

Veer : Teju di! Aapko koi galat-fehmi hui hai.

Tej : K-Kaash ye galat-fehmi hoti, Veer. Kaash! Par, hum sab ne sab kuch sunn liya hai. Sab kuch!

Arohi (nods) : Hum yahi bagal se baithe the. We heard everything!

Veer : Wait! What?

Kavya : Bhaiya! I hate you so much! Aap-? Aap Kritika ke saath? *sniff* Kya hua vacation me uss moment ka? Mere promise ka? *sniff* I hate you!!

Veer : Kavya? Wait! Mein Kritika ke saath kya?

Karan : Ab aur kitna chhipaane ki koshish karoge? Sab suna hai hum sab ne!

Veer : E-Ek minute! Mein aur Kritika toh sirf baat kar rahe the. Isme aisa kya kar diya hum dono ne ki-

Karan : Sirf baat kar rahe the??? Accha? Aur, kya baat kar rahe the?

Veer : Normal baat!

Karan : Normal baat ke bacche. Aur, kitna jhooth bologe?

Veer (frowns) : Y-You-!!

Tej : Woh kahi se bhi normal baat nahi thi, Veer! Ab sach bata do!!! Kya baatein kar rahe the tum dono?

Veer : Meri toh ab bhi samajh nahi aa raha ki aap sab itna bhadak kyu rahe ho?

Tej (shouts) : Veer, baatein mat banao aur mere sawal ka jawab do!! Kya baatein kar rahe the tum???

Karan : Isn't it obvious, didi???

Uske puchte hi Karan aur Veer dono ke muh saath me khule.

Karan : It's… SEX!!!

Veer : It's… BILLIARDS!!!

Karan : Huh???

Veer : Huh???

Arohi : Ahhh!!!

Kavya : ???

Tej : ???

Kritika: ….

*Silence*

Aur, fir Arohi ke dimag ki batti jali. Use sab kuch samajh aaya. Aur, jaise-jaise use iska bodh hota gaya uske chehre ke bhaav badalte chale gaye.

Billiards! Ya, ek aur naam se jaane waala khel ~ Snooker!!! Veer aur Kritika iss khel ki baat kar rahe the. Aur, Arohi ko sab samajh me aane laga ki woh baatein uss tarah ki kyu thi.

Woh angle, woh position, woh hole me ball daalna, movements, rythm, stick ka aage peeche karne ka istemal, sabse badi stick ka istemal karna taaki uske bhaar ki aadat pehle hi ho jaaye aur baad me chhoti sticks se dikkat na ho.

Khel ki uss table ko bed kaha jaata tha jispe balls ko set kiya jaata tha. Aur, table ke chaaro orr jo sides balls ko baahar girne se rokti thi unhe cushions kaha jaata tha. Arohi ko sab samajh aaya ki Kritika ke unn shabdo ka matlab kya tha.

Bed sajaane ka matlab tha bed table par balls ko arrange karna.

Cushion shots ka matlab tha seedhe balls ko na maar ke, sides ka sahara leke balls ko maarna.

‘Oh no!!! Oh no!!! Oh noooooo! We… we messed up!!!’

Aur, sirf wahi nahi thi. Kavya ko chhor ke waha sabhi ke dimag ko bhali bhaanti samajh aa chuka tha. Kavya choonki billiards ke khel se aparichit thi isliye use iss khel ki terminology utni samajh na aayi. Parantu, woh samajh paa rahi thi ki baat kuch aur thi jiske chalte sab khamosh reh gaye the.

Veer ne jab gaur kiya ki uski aur Kritika ki baato ka kya se kya matlab nikaal liya gaya hai, toh uske maathe ki nass phatne ko ho chali. Woh bekaar me hi unke ilzaam apne upar itni derr se le raha tha.

Veer (grits teeth) : Y-You fucking moron!!

Karan ke haath me Veer ki collor ki pakad dheeli ho gayi. Use sab gyaat ho chuka tha.

Aur, Veer ka ek ulte haath ka tamaacha aake seedhe uske sarr par pada.

*Slap*

Karan : Argh-!

Veer : You fucking bastard!!!

Karan : V-Veer!

Veer (frowns) : Tumko pata hai tumne abhi-abhi kya kiya hai?

Karan : I… I…

Veer : Mein aur Kritika? Aur, woh bhi date? Are you guys out of your mind?

Tej : V-Veer, hume laga-

Veer : Kritika aur mein billiards ki practice ki baat kar rahe the. I'm sorry, Kritika! Tumne bataane se mana kiya tha par ab mujhe bataana hi hoga.

Karan : Huh?

Veer : Tumne last month insta pe apni kaun si photo upload ki thi?

Karan ek pal ke liye socha. Par, fir jaise use turant hi dhyan aaya. Use yaad aaya ki usne ek photo apni profile par daali thi jisme woh snooker khelte hue ek pose de raha tha.

Veer : Snooker khelte hue post daali thi na?

Karan (nods) : H-Haan!

Veer : Isliye, Kritika yaha aayi thi. She saw your post. She wanted to impress you, so she wanted to learn the game of snooker.

Karan : Ah!! K-Kritika???

Jab Karan ne Kritika ko dekha toh uska dil aur bhi toot gaya. Kritika ke mote-mote aasu uske gaalo se behte hue neeche gir rahe the. Tej ki pakad bhi Kritika ke top par se dheeli ho gayi.

Kavya : Ahh! K-Kritika bhaiya ke saath practice kar rahi thi?

Veer : Cafe ke upar hi snooker khela jaata hai. Club hai waha. Aur, sab ladke hi hai. Kritika nahi chaahti thi ki woh waha kisi ladke se seekhe. Isliye, do din tak woh akeli hi aati rahi magar use kuch samajh nahi aa raha tha.

Karan : …?

Veer : Ladke uska mazak bhi banaate the aur use sikhaane ke liye uss par chance bhi maarte the. Lekin, uske bawajood usne unki help lene se inkar kar diya. Choonki, woh mujhe jaanti thi isliye usne meri help accept ki.

Karan : Huh!!!

Veer : Aur, isliye woh mujhe thanks keh rahi thi. Maine use abhi hi kuch basics sikhaaye the.

Karan : K-Kritika…!

Kritika : *sniff*

Karan : Tumhe pata hai? M-Mein toh snooker asal me khelta bhi nahi. Corporate meetings me bade guests ke liye ye sab seekhna padta hai taaki professional life me hum kahi peeche na reh jaaye. Isliye, maine woh post daali thi. But, you went through all that trouble…? J-Just for me? To make me happy? I…

Kehte hue woh uske qareeb badha. Lekin, iske pehle ki woh use sparsh kar paata. Kritika rote hue Veer ki orr mudi aur bas chand shabd hi boli.

Kritika : *sniff* Veer bhaiya!!! Thank you! *sniff*

Aur, itna bolte hi woh waha se daud laga ke bhaag gayi.

Karan : Kritika! Nahi! Ruko!!!

Kavya : Kritikaaaaa!!!

Lekin, woh na ruki. Karan ko tabhi uske sarr pe peeche se ek aur tapli aake padi. Mud ke dekha toh paaya ki Veer hi tha.

Veer : Waise toh mein tumse business se related kuch baat karna chaahta tha. But, I think we can leave that for later.

Karan : …?

Veer : Chase her while you can, you idiot!!! You won't find another girl like her. Sirf tumhare liye woh uss khel ko seekhne raazi ho gayi jo tum khud bhi nahi khelte. Fucking go now before I kick your ass.

Karan ne jab Veer ki baat suni toh woh poori tarah se bhaavuk ho utha. Veer na hi uss se naraaz tha aur na hi usne uss se koi berr rakhi. Iss waqt bhi woh uski madad hi kar raha tha. Andaaz zaroor rookha sa tha magar, Karan ye jaanta tha ki ye Veer ka madad karne ka tareeka tha.

Usne kuch na kaha. Woh jaanta tha ki unki dosti ab aur bhi gehri ho chuki thi.

Karan : Th-Thanks!

Usne bas itna hi kaha aur woh daud lagaate hue waha se Kritika ke peeche bhaaga. Sirf, wahi nahi tha. Kavya bhi theek uske peeche bhaag chali. Gusse me aake usne apni best-friend ko na jaane kya-kya baatein suna di thi. Woh Kritika ko nahi khona chaahti thi. Aur, Kavya ko alag se dekhne aur uska dhyan rakhne ke liye bhala Arohi kaise peeche reh sakti thi?

Arohi : M-Mein jaa ke Kavya ko dekhti hu. I'm… I'm sorry, Veer!

Jaate-jaate usne bas yahi kaha. Baaki, baatein baad ke liye usne chhor di. Aur, wo bhi cafe se baahar nikal gayi. Bach gaye toh sirf Veer aur Tej.

Tej ka sarr glaani ke chalte neeche tha. Veer muda aur baahar jaane ke liye hua jab uske qadam cafe ki exit par pahuch ke ruk gaye.

Veer : -And, you!!!

Sunte hi Tej apni jagah par hi thitur gayi.

Veer : Mere phone ki location track karne ke baad mujhe nahi laga tha ki aap aisa kuch karogi.

Tej (shivers) : Huhh-!?

Veer : I didn't expect this from you, Teju di! Bina soche samjhe aapne mujhe judge kar liya?

Tej (panics) : V-Veer, mein-!

Veer : My statement still remains intact. Mein aapse jhooth nahi bolta. Par, badqismati meri yeh jo… jo aapko meri baat par vishvas hi na raha.

Tej : N-Nahi!!! Nahi, Veer! Aisa nahi-

Veer : We'll talk later! I need to meet someone else too!

Bolte hue woh waha se chala gaya. Cafe ke baahar aake Tej ek baar fir apni asaflta par hasne lagi.

*Smack*

Gusse me aake usne apna haath zorr se cafe ke bagal se lagi building ki deewar par de maara. Aur, hasste-hasste uski aankhein namm pad gayi. Khud ki galtiyo par khud ko hi chot pahuchana uska tareeka tha saza dene ka.

Jitna woh Veer ke qareeb jaane ki koshish karti, utna hi uss se dur jaati jaa rahi thi woh.

Innova me baith ke woh ant me waha se ravana ho gayi. Kyuki, Veer ki hi tarah… Use bhi kisi se bhaint karni thi.

***

Veer's house,
A few hours ago...

*Click*

Darwaza andar se band hua. Suman ke saamne Ragini apni peeth kiye, haath mode khadi hui thi.

Suman : Toh? Kya baat karni thi aapko?

Ragini : Jo aapne kaha…

Suman : Hmm?

Ragini : Pareshaniyan saajha karne se unke hal mil jaate hai. Hai na?

Suman : Ji!

Ragini : Toh wahi kar rahi hu.

Suman : !??

Ragini : Kisi ko maine nahi bataya hai. Aap pehli ho. Aur, ho sake toh kisi se bhi ye saajha mat karna.

Suman : Hmm?

Ragini : Mujhe waqai kisi se pyaar ho gaya hai. Ye sach hai! Lekin, kuch dikkatein hai.

Suman : Dikkatein? Kaisi dikkatein?

Ragini : Mein aur woh itni asaani se ek nahi ho sakte.

Suman : Kya mein puch sakti hu ki aisa kyu bhala?

Ragini : Abhi ke liye itna jaan lijiye ki… woh hamare bade se parivar ka hi hissa hai.

Suman ne ye sunte hi khud ko chakit hota hua dikhaaya.

Suman : Aap…? Aap kisi sambandhi se pyaar kar baithi hai?

Ragini : Haan! *smiles* Ab samajh aaya na? Kyu dikkatein hai?

Suman : Ji! *nods* Aur, isliye aap kisi aur se ye saajha nahi karna chaahti.

Ragini : Hmm!

Suman : Aur, ye prem kaise hua? Maine toh aapko kabhi kisi ke saath yu iss tarah… nahi dekha.

Ragini : Aisa prem kisi ko dikha ke thodi kiya jaata hai, Suman.

Suman : Ye baat bhi hai! *smiles* Aur? Aur, kya dikkatein hai?

Ragini : Aap ko jaan ke mujhpe ghin nahi aayi? Mein ek sambandhi se pyaar kar baithi?

Suman uske sawal par muskurayi.

Suman : Ji nahi! Bilkul bhi nahi! Har insaan ke andar koi na koi najayaz icchaaye maujood hoti hai. Mere andar bhi hai. Farq sirf itna hota hai ki kuch log use imandari se saamne rakh dete hai, toh kuch unhe apne andar hi dabaaye rakhte hai. Aur, aapne ye mujhe bataya. Toh, aap toh tareef ki paatra hui na?

Ragini : Shayad! Ya shayad nahi! Mein uss se iss tarah pyaar karne lagi hu jitna maine apne jeevan me kisi se nahi kiya. Jab mein Vivek se mili thi. Aapko pata hai?

Suman : …

Ragini : Mujhe laga tha ki mujhe saccha pyaar ho gaya hai. Waisa maine kabhi mehsoos hi nahi kiya tha. Aapko jaan ke hairani bhi hogi ki Vivek se shadi ka prastav rakhne waali bhi mein hi thi.

Suman : Ohh!

Ragini : Aur, aaj jab apne ateet waali Ragini ko dekhti hu toh bas hasi chhootati hai. Pyaar tha ya mazak? Prem toh ab hua hai mujhe. Jaha sudh-budh kho chuki hu. Agar, iss pyaar ke daldal me na fasi hoti toh aaj mein kisi badi post par baith ke laakho, karodo kama rahi hoti. Ya khud ka hi business run kar rahi hoti.

Suman : ….

Ragini : Par, dekho mujhe…! Mein sirf uss ek ladke ke liye deewani hui baithi hu ki kab woh mere paas aaye, mujhse kahe ki Ragini tum meri ho, mujhse shaadi kare aur mujhe apna jeevan-saathi banaaye.

Suman : Ichhao ko haqeeqat me badalne ke liye, uss par amal bhi karna padta hai, Ragini ji!

Ragini : Jaanti hu! Aapko pata hai? Mein uske liye kuch bhi kar sakti hu. Kuch bhi! Lekin, jab maine uss se apne pyaar ka izhaar kiya toh usne kya kaha mujhse?

Suman : ??

Ragini : Usne kaha ki koi aur hai jis se woh pyaar karta hai aur woh bhi uss se utna hi pyaar karti hai. Usne kaha ki mein sirf tumhara hoke nahi reh sakta. Aur, sabse hairan karne waali baat kya hai, pata hai?

Suman : Huh?

Ragini : Yahi ki… jis se woh pyaar karta hai woh bhi meri hi tarah ek talaq-shuda aurat hai.

Suman : Ahh!! Toh, ye baat hai.

Ragini kuch derr tak shaant rahi. Kintu, uske agal-bagal ki hawa bhaari ho chali. Uska ravaiyya achanak se hi thanda pad gaya aur usne mud ke Suman ko dekh bas ek sawal pucha.

Ragini : Aap… Aap bhi toh talaq-shuda ho na?

Suman : H-Huh-!?

Suman ne jab saamne dekha toh Ragini ka sarr neeche jhuka hua tha. Woh uske chehre ke bhaav ko padh na paayi. Magar, Ragini aisi prateet ho rahi thi jaise maano jangal me sherni apne shikaar ke galti karne ka intezar kar rahi ho. Thand hone ke bawajood ek paseene ki boond Suman ke maathe se behte hue uske gaalo par fisal gayi.

Suman : J-Ji! Mein talaq-shuda hu. Lekin, kaagzi taur par nahi.

Ragini : Hmm?

Suman : Gaav ki shaadiya court kachehri waali nahi hoti aksar. Usne mujhe pratadit kiya. Fir, maalik ne mujhe waha se bachaya. Aur, uske baad se hi maine use tyaag diya. Gale me dekh lijiye aap mere. Aap ko koi bhi mangalsutra nahi dikhega. Yeh saboot hai ki maine uss aadmi ko apne jeevan se nikaal diya hai.

Ragini : Maalik???

Suman : Huh-!?

Jis galti ka sherni intezar kar rahi thi, woh uske shikaar ne akhir kar hi di. Suman jaldbazi me Veer ko ‘maalik’ keh baithi. Woh kabhi yeh galti nahi karti thi magar aaj… aaj uske muh se akhir nikal hi gaya. Aur, Ragini ki aankhein ye sunte hi chaudi ho gayi.

Ragini : Kaun maalik? Aapko toh Veer ne bachaya tha na?

Suman jaanti thi ki woh fass chuki thi. Jis qadar Ragini use ghoor rahi thi waha jhooth bolna sahi nahi tha.

‘Shayad ab aur chhipaya nahi jaa sakta.’ Sochte hue usne ek gehri saans li aur aage hone waali gatividhiyo ke liye taiyar ho gayi.

Suman : Haan! Maalik! Dusre shabdo me… Veer ji! Mere maalik!

Ragini : Kya kaha aapne?

Suman : Wahi jo aapne suna! Ab aap se sach chhipaane ka koi matlab nahi. Ghar me aap hi thi jinse sacchayi ko chhipaya gaya tha.

Ragini : K-Kya matlab?

Suman : Veer ji mere maalik hai. Aur, ‘maalik’ se mera matlab hai… Unka mere tann-mann sab pe haq hai.

Ragini (frowns) : Y-Ye kya keh rahi ho aap?

Suman : Jo keh rahi hu sach keh rahi hu. Mein maalik ki daasi hu. Aur, mere aur unke yaun sambandh bhi hai.

Jaise hi usne ye kaha. Ragini ka badan maano jaise ek shan ke liye current ki nangi taar se lag ke guzar gaya. Woh aankhein faade Suman ko ghoor rahi thi.

Suman : Maalik hi the jinhone mujhe aur Sonali ko uss daldal se baahar nikaala. Lekin, maalik ek bahut bade khandaan se aate hai.

Ragini : ???

Suman : Bhavna didi ka khandaan. Jo rajao maharajao ke zamaane se chala aa raha hai. Mere parivar ki peedhi shuru se hi Bhavna didi ke parivar ki seva karne ke liye baadhya thi. Yeh ek shraap tha.

Ragini : Sh-Shraap?

Suman : Hmm! Pichli peedhi me jinhone bhi seva karne se khud ko bachaya aur apne uddeshya se bhatke, unn sab ki maut ho gayi. Maine apna pehla pati bhi aise hi khoya tha. Woh iss pratha ka virodhi tha. Nateeja? Maut! Veer ji Bhavna didi ke parivar ke akhiri vaaris hai. Aur, isliye unki seva karna hi hamara lakshya hai. Sonali aur mein. Yaha tak ki Aabha bhi. Hum sabhi maalik ki seva karne ke liye hi jeete hai. Aur, haan! Hum sabhi ke unke saath yaun sambandh hai.

Sach sunte hi Ragini ke perro tale zameen khisak gayi.

Ragini : Y-Ye kya badbada rahi ho aap? Aap ko hosh hai aap kya keh rahi-

Suman : Jo keh rahi hu sach keh rahi hu. Yaha tak ki maalik ke aur bhi aurton ke saath yaun sambandh hai. Parijaat ghar ki sabhi aurtein.

Ragini : P-Parijaat ghar-!?

Suman : Aapne Tejal ji ko uss Varsha ke saath kaam karte dekha hoga kabhi jab aap zameen taraf gayi hogi toh. Ya fir Mukta ko dekha hoga jab aap Bhumika ji ki hotel me gayi hogi? Ya fir Sudha ko jo maalik ki nayi company me kapdo ke kaam me madad karwa rahi hai. Kuch yaad aaya?

Ragini aksar Veer ke kaamo ke liye idhar-udhar jaati rehti thi. Aur, isme koi shaq nahi tha ki woh inn sabhi aurto se kabhi na kabhi mili hi thi. Jaise hi unki chhavi uske mastishq me aayi, woh bhauchakki si wahi jamm ke reh gayi.

Ragini : N-Nahi-!!! Ye-

Suman : Aapko kya lagta hai? Woh aurtein kya yuhi prakat ho gayi? Woh Parijaat ghar ki aurtein hai. Woh bhi meri hi tarah maalik ki seva karne ke liye hi jeeti hai. Unn sab ke maalik yaani Veer ji ke saath yaun sambandh hai. Aur, ye maalik ki zimmedari hai ki woh sabhi ek acchi zindagi vyateet kare. Isliye, maalik ne unhe rehne ke liye chhat di, unhe kaam par lagaya, unhe paisa kamaana sikhaaya kyuki ye unki zimmedari thi.

Ragini poori tarah se ab aapa kho chuki thi. Woh tez qadmo ke saath Suman ke qareeb aayi aur usne kass ke uske haatho ko jakad liya. Uski aankhon me gussa saaf nazar aa raha tha.

Ragini : Aap bakwas kar rahi ho-!!! Y-Ye sach nahi! V-Veer aisa nahi kar sakta.

Suman : Agar, aap ko vishvas nahi toh ghar me kisi se bhi puch lijiye. Sachhayi kadvi thi isliye gaav se lautne ke baad aap se chhipayi gayi.

Ragini : V-Veer… Veer ke yaun sambandh? Unn aurton ke saath? Hargiz nahi!!!! Woh aisa nahi kar sakta.

Suman (smiles) : Toh, woh Veer ji hai jo aapke naye premi hai. Mein sahi thi matlab.

Ragini : H-Huh-!!?

Suman : Aap apne hi devar se pyaar kar baithi? Tch! Tch! Tch! Kya hoga jab ye baat baahar aayegi?

Ragini (grits teeth) : Aapko lagta hai mein parvah karti hu? Mujhe koi farq nahi padta. Aapki himmat kaise hui mujhse ye sawaal karne ki? Jab aap, aapki beti aur baaki sab Veer ke saath aise sambandh bana ke rakhi hai toh?

Suman : Hum baadhya hai!

Ragini : Bhaad me gayi aapki pratha!!! Mera dil ye soch ke hi jalta jaa raha hai ki Veer ke saath na jaane kin-kin aurton ne… Chhheeeee-!!!! Lekin, ye aapki bhool hai agar aap ye soch rahi hai ki mera pyaar uske liye kam ho gaya hai. Ye kabhi nahi hoga. Balki, ab toh woh mujhe chahiye hi chahiye.

Suman : ???

Ragini : Kaan khol ke sunn lo aap. Veer sirf aur sirf mera hai!!! Sirf mera!!! Aur, use mein apna bana ke rahungi. Uski zindagi me sirf mein rahungi. Aur, koi nahi-!!! Woh talaq-shuda aurat bhi nahi.

Suman (smiles) : Aap jin talaq-shuda aurat ka zikr kar rahi hai. Woh toh hum me se koi hai bhi nahi.

Ragini : Huh???

Suman : Koi aur hi hai jo maalik ke dil me pehle hi jagah bana chuki hai.

Ragini : K-Kaun? Kaun hai woh haram-zaadi?? Jawab do mujhe!!! Jawab do!!!!

Suman (smiles) : Mujhe jhanjhorne se uttar nahi milega. Abhi aapne kaha na? Ki aap maalik ko apna bana ke rahogi? Toh jaiye! Banaiye! Aur, dhundhiye khud ki kaun hai woh dusri talaq-shuda.

Ragini andar se bahut chotil ho chuki thi. Suman ko chhorte hi woh zameen par ghutno ke bal gir gayi. Uske aasu apne aap hi aankhon se utpann hoke behne lage. Aur, Suman ne use isi haal me filhal chhorna behtar samjha. Woh darwaza khol bina kuch bole waha se chali gayi. Lekin, Ragini ki duniya kuch hi palo me palat chuki thi. Mahino se jis sacchayi ko uss se chhipaya jaa raha tha, achanak se uske saamne woh sabhi baatein ujagar ho gayi ki uski kuch samajh me na aaya ki kya kare. Woh bas yuhi neeche baith roti rahi.

***

Nidhi's apartment,
Evening ~ 7:30 PM

Jis shaks se milne ki aarzoo Veer ko pehle se hi thi woh koi aur nahi, uski ma'am Nidhi thi. Pichli baar woh unse milne aaya tha jab woh China ke liye ravana ho raha tha. Magar, bina uss baare me bataaye hi woh yaha se laut gaya tha.

Uske baad se na hi dono ki mulaqat hui, aur na hi aapas me koi baat. Veer iss baat se bhi khafa tha ki kam se kam woh milne toh aata tha bajaaye Nidhi ke jo bas- Apne ghar par hi rehti thi.

*Ding Dong*

Usne bell bajayi aur dobara bajaane ki zaroorat na padi jab darwaza andar se khul gaya. Darwaza kholte hi Nidhi ki nazar Veer par padi aur shan bhar ke liye woh chaunki. Saans halki si atki. Par, sambhalte hue uske muh se sirf uska naam nikla.

Nidhi : V-Veer?

Veer (nods) : Mmm!

Apni nazre jhukaate hue woh fauran hi mud gayi aur Veer ko andar aane ke liye raasta diya.

Nidhi : A-Aao na!

Veer ne andar aate hue darwaze ko andar se band kiya. Uski nazre ghar ke chaaro orr daud gayi. Ghar ab bhi waisa ka waisa hi tha. Bas, thoda bikhra zyada tha. Jo ki swabhavik tha agar ghar me do chhote-chhote bacche ho toh.

Juhi ne jaise hi apne maamu ko dekha woh khil-khilaate hue daud ke uske paas chali aayi.

Juhi : Maaamuuuuu-!!!!

Aur, Veer ke hontho par apne aap use dekh muskaan fel gayi. Uske nanhe qadam chalte hue Veer ke paas aaye toh Veer ne pyaar se use apni goad me utha liya. Aur, Juhi ne harr baar ki tarah uske gaal ko choom liya.

Veer : Hahaha! Kya kar rahi thi, meri Juhi?

Juhi : Homework!

Veer : Oh! Juhi homework kar rahi thi?

Juhi (nods) : Haan! Maamu, mere liye kya laaye??

Veer : Aapke maamu aapke liye chocolates aur toys laaye hai!

Juhi : Haan??? Kaun sa toy???

Veer ne use neeche utaara aur apne bagal me neeche farsh par rakha ek package use thama diya.

Veer : Ye lo! Aap khud dekh lo!

Aur, Juhi khushi ke maare woh package leke hall ke beecho-beech jaake zameen par baith use kholne lagi.

Nidhi : J-Juhi!! Juhi, neeche farsh par nahi. Idhar aao! Idhar carpet pe baith ke kholo nahi toh thand lag jayegi.

Maa ki baat maante hue woh carpet par baith gayi. Nidhi ne fir Veer par dhyan diya.

Nidhi : Itha bada packet? Ye sab kyu le aaye? Abhi ek hafte pehle hi maine use ek naya toy dilaaya tha.

Veer (smiles) : Khelne dijiye! Bacchi hai!

Nidhi : Haan, par iss tarah se itna frequently harr cheezein nahi thamani hoti hai baccho ko aur-

Veer : Mein laaya hu. Aap nahi! Uske maamu hone ke naate ye mera tohfa hai uske liye. China se jab laut raha tha tab khareeda tha waha se.

Uski baat pe Nidhi ko yaad aaya ki Veer pichli baar jab uss se milne aaya tha toh woh bye kehne aaya tha. Magar, woh samajh na paayi. Uske baad usne Veer ke ghar pe call kar ke uske baare me pucha bhi tha. Lekin, use bas yahi pata lag paaya tha ki Veer videsh gaya hua tha.

Nidhi : T-Tum? China me the? Waha kya karne gaye the?

Veer : Kuch zaroori kaam!

Nidhi ke maathe par silvatein chha gayi. Uske honth khule par fir band ho gaye. Woh puchna chaahti thi ki bhala Veer waha kya karne gaya tha. Lekin, jaise uske andar se awaaz baahar na nikli. Jaise woh ye puchne ka haq kho chuki thi kyuki unke beech ab pehle jaisa rishta nahi tha. Aur, na hi Veer ab uske saath rehta tha. Woh aage kuch na boli.

Veer : Dhruv kaha hai?

Nidhi ne bedroom me rakhe crib ki orr ishara kiya. Veer ne jhaakte hue dekha toh paaya ki bedroom me crib ke andar Dhruv soya hua tha.

Nidhi Juhi ke bikhraye gaye khilauno ko jamaane lagi aur halki si ek muskan ke saath boli.

Nidhi : Ab bada ho raha hai. Pakad-pakad ke chalna seekh gaya hai. Toh, mujhe vyast rakhta hai aur thaka deta hai.

Veer ko kahi na kahi ajeeb si anubhuti hui. Aisa laga jaise use waha Nidhi ke sang hona chahiye tha Dhruv ke pehle qadam ko dekhne ke liye.

Nidhi : Aur, tum? Tumhe toh... Tumhara business vyast rakh raha hoga?

Aisa laga maano Nidhi ne uspe tanj kasa ho.

Veer : Sort of...!

Nidhi : Padhayi-likhayi se toh ab tum... upar uth chuke ho, hai na?

Veer (frowns) : Aapka matlab?

Nidhi : Matlab yahi ki... Ab tumhe padhayi karne ki koi zaroorat nahi. Sab set hai. Paisa aa hi raha hai. Business chal hi raha hai. Rehne ko ghar hai. Parivar hai. Abhi kuch saal me shaadi ho jaani hai. Fir, bacche ho jayenge. Jeevan sahi jaa toh raha hai toh-

Woh peeth kar ke Veer ki orr khadi hui thi aur sofe ke takiyo ko vyavasthit kar rahi thi jab uske bol beech me hi adhoore reh gaye. Uska haath achanak hi kisi ne peeche se kheencha aur use mod ke palta diya.

Veer ne uska haath apni giraft me le rakha tha. Uski aankhein gusse me Nidhi ke chehre par neeche tiki hui thi.

Veer : Saaf-saaf kyu nahi kehti jo kehna chaahti ho? Yu iss tarah baatein kyu ghuma rahi ho?

Nidhi (frowns) : Saaf-saaf hi toh keh rahi hu. Kya kuch galat kaha maine? Aur, haath chhoro!

Woh apna haath jhatke se chhurate hue palat ke kitchen me chali gayi. Aur, Veer uske peeche-peeche aa gaya.

Veer : Toh fir mujhse bhi saaf-saaf sunn lijiye.

Nidhi ek pal ko ruki. Fir, lighter se gas jalaate hue uss par pateela rakh chai chadhaane lagi. Veer theek uske peeche hi khada tha. Pehle bhi iss qadar Veer uske sang kitchen me aaya karta tha. Magar, tab unke beech rishta kuch aur tha. Aur, ab kuch aur.

Veer : Aapne sahi kaha. Padhayi-likhayi se ab mein upar uth chuka hu. Aur, mujhe unki koi zaroorat nahi. Ye last semester ke saare paper dene ke baad bas mujhe degree uthaani hai. Aur, fir apne business pe dhyan dena hai.

Nidhi : Acchi baat hai!

Kehte hue Nidhi ne shakkar ke dibbe se teen chammach shakkar pateele me daali aur chauthi daalne hi waali thi jab Veer ne uska haath peeche se kass ke thaam liya. Nidhi hairat-angez, Veer ke haath ko apne haath ke upar dekhi. Ye kya harqat thi bhala? Iske pehle ki woh koi virodh kar paati Veer ki garam saansein use apne daaye kandhe par mehsoos hui. Aur, ek sihran uske badan me daud gayi.

Veer : Shayad aap bhool gayi hai. Do cup chai me... Mein hamesha 3 chammach shakkar hi daalta tha.

Nidhi ki bauhe sikudi. Usne apna nazuk haath Veer ki pakad se chhurane ki koshish ki magar har prayas vyarth. Antatah, Veer ne swayam hi uska haath chhor diya.

Dekhte hi dekhte, khamoshi ke vatavaran me chai bhi bann gayi. Aur, dono wapas se hall me the.

Juhi apna naya khilauna leke Veer ke paas aayi toh Veer ne use uthaate hue apne kandho par baitha liya. Uska daaya haath jaake Juhi ke sarr par tham gaya. Aur, ye drishya dekhte hi Nidhi ko uss raat ki chhavi yaad aa gayi.

Jis raat Veer apni 'Hourglass method' ko janta ke saamne laaya tha. Tab bhi Veer ne Juhi ko iss qadar hi apne kandho par utha ke uske sarr par haath rakha tha. Tab bhi Nidhi apna haath aage badha ke kuch kehna chaahti thi. Veer ki shirt ko peeche se jaise thaamna chaahti thi.

Aaj bhi wahi hua. Uska haath apne aap akasmat hawa me utha. Lekin, kuch bodh hote hi woh do qadam peeche chali gayi.

Juhi : Mamma!!!

Nidhi : H-Haan?

Juhi : Ab mujhe neend aa rahi hai.

Nidhi : Huh? Arey, par khaana-

Juhi : Abhi toh khaaya tha mamma!!!

Nidhi : Accha theek hai! Tum andar jaa ke so jao.

Veer ne use wapas se neeche utaara toh Juhi bhaagte hue bedroom me chali gayi. Aur, reh gaye toh bas Veer aur Nidhi.

Nidhi : Tumhari chai thandi ho rahi hai.

Veer : Hmm!

Nidhi : Biscuits laati hu. Ruko! Mujhe pata hai ki tumhe chai ke saath biscuits pasand hai.

Veer : Rehne dijiye! Ye pehle karna hota hai.

Nidhi : Huh??

Veer : Waise bhi aap cheezein bhulti jaa rahi hai.

Iss baar Veer ne uspe tanj kasa. Aur, ye Nidhi ko bilkul raas na aaya. Usne agle hi shan apna mobile khola aur kuch type karne lagi.

*Ping*

Do minute baad hi Veer ke phone par notification aaya aur screen on ho uthi. Jaise hi usne mobile khol dekha toh gusse ke chalte uske maathe par lakeere chha gayi.

Notification tha ~

"Dear UPI user ur A/C XXXXX credited by Rs. 1,00,000. Transfer from 7852XXXXXXXXX
- UPI/XX/ 4856XXXXXXXXX/ Mrs. Nidhi/ YESB/ nidhimishra/ UPI."

Nidhi : Cheezein bhoolne lagi hu. Isliye, kahi aisa na ho ki karz hi bhool jau!

Veer ka maatha itni zorr se thanka ki woh apna mobile chhor seedhe Nidhi ki orr lapka aur uski kalaayi ko zorr se jakad liya.

Veer (yells) : Ye kya behuda harqat thi?

Nidhi (frowns) : Veer-!! H-Haath chhoro!!!

Veer : Nahi chhorunga! Pehle mere sawal ka jawab dijiye. Ye sab kya tha? Ye achanak se aapne aisa kyu kiya???

Nidhi : Achanak se? Kisi na kisi din chukana hi hai. Toh, abhi hi sahi. Dheere-dheere kar ke mein sab chuka hi dungi-

Veer (yells) : Aapko daure padte hai kya beech-beech me? Kya ho jaata hai aapko?

Nidhi (shouts) : Mujhe kya ho jaata hai? Ki tumhe kya ho jaata hai? Kyu rakhu mein tumhara ehsan? Kyu rakhu mein tumhare paise? Kaun ho tum?? Kya lagte ho mere-!???

Veer (yells) : Youuuu-!!!!

Aur, Nidhi ekdum stabdh reh gayi. Aankhein phati ki phati. Agle hi pal Veer ko uski aankhon me darr dikha. Aur, use ehsaas hua ki ye usne kya kar diya. Uska haath hawa me upar utha hua tha. Nidhi ka badan darr ke chalte kaanp ke jhatka kha gaya. Veer ne use dekha, aur sach-much me dekha - naazuk, dari hui, aur behad kamzor si ek aurat.

Ye Nidhi thi. Rajat ke dwara di gayi yaatna se bhari yaadein Nidhi ke saamne pratyaksh jhalak uthi. Uske aasu uski ijazat ke bina hi aankhon se behne lage. Veer ko ehsaas hua ki usne kitni badi galti kar di. Akhir, usme aur Rajat me kya hi antar reh gaya? Woh toh accha hua jo haath upar hawa me hi sahi samay par ruk gaya tha. Warna-

Veer : Ma'am-! I...

Usne Nidhi ko kass ke apne aaghosh me le liya. Nidhi vismay aur darr me uske seene se lagi rahi. Subakti rahi.

Veer : Why are you like this?

Nidhi : ...

Veer : Mein jitna aap se apna rishta accha karne ki koshish karta hu aap kuch na kuch aisa kar deti ho jiske chalte humare rishte me tanaav paida ho jaata hai. Kyu karti ho aap aisa?

Magar, Nidhi ab kuch bhi bolne ki sthiti me nahi thi.

Veer : I'm so sorry! Par, aap mujhe gussa kyu dilaati ho? Maine aapse kaha hua hai na ki aapko mujhe woh paise lautaane ki zaroorat nahi hai. Maine aap pe koi ehsaan nahi kiya hai. Aap independent ho! Kisi se bandhi hui nahi ho. Karz se bhi nahi. You are free! Toh, ahinda se kabhi aisa mat kariyega.

Nidhi : ...

Veer : And, let me say it finally-

Nidhi : ...

Veer : I love you!!! Ma'am!!!

Nidhi ka badan ek baar punah jhatka khaa gaya. Lekin, mukh se kuch bhi na nikla. Aur, tabhi use apne gaal par Veer ke honth mehsoos hue. Dil dhak-dhak kar raha tha. Veer use koi mauqa diye bina apni jagah se utha.

Veer : Ahinda se aap kabhi aisi harqat nahi karogi. Okay? Aur, rahi baat aapke sawaal ki... Ki kaun lagta hu mein aapka? Toh bas itna yaad rakhiyega.

Nidhi : ???

Veer : Mein aapka woh shubh-chintak hu jo kabhi aapko dukhi nahi dekh sakta. Ye toh theek hai na? *smiles* Goodbye! Ma'am!

Kehte hue woh waha se chala gaya. Phone ki ghanti Nidhi ko hosh me laayi. Notification aaya hua tha. Veer ne woh paise uske account me wapas bhej diye the. Woh sakpakayi si bas apni jagah par baithi rahi aur phone ki screen ko taktaki lagaye dekhti reh gayi.

***

Rabat, Morocco,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Headquarters, Night ~ 8:20 PM

Rabat me maujood foreign affairs ministry ke mantralay ka bhavya hall Morocco ke samriddh itihas aur raj-naitik taaqat ka pramaan tha.

Kamre me halki raushni thi, jiske chalte uss se bann rahi chhaaya waha ikhatte hue gann-maanya vyaktiyo ke chehre par pad rahi thi. Hawa tanaav se bhaari thi, aur pratyek fus-fusahat waha ki alankrit deewaro se takra ke goonj rahi thi.

Morocco ek aisa desh tha jaha aaj bhi ek raja ka shasan chalta tha. Yaha sarkar nahi hoti thi. Aur, iss waqt Morocco ke King lambi table ke sheersh sthaan par baithe the. Khaali unki upasthiti hi aadesh se bhari hui aur kathor si prateet ho rahi thi.

Veh apne salahkaro, yaani ki Foreign Affairs ke consultants se vartalap me lage hue the. Morocco ke prasiddh hotels me se ek hotel Royal Oaisis par beetein dino ek khatarnak hamla hua tha. Halaki, ye qismat ki baat thi ki hamle me koi maara nahi gaya. Lekin, hamle ke peeche ke iraado ko nazar-andaz nahi kiya jaa sakta tha.

Aur, jabse ye khabar saamne aayi ki hotel jinn missiles dwara tabah kiya gaya tha, woh Spain ki thi. Tab se toh poore Morocco me dehshat chhaa chuki thi. Spain waha media me iss maamle par kayi dino se chuppi saadhe hue tha par ant me unki orr se jawab yahi aaya ki woh iss hamle ke baare me kuch nahi jaante.

Choonki, desh pehle hi hamle ke baad sadme me jaa chuka tha isliye aaj raat ki yeh baithak atyant hi mehatv-poorna hone waali thi unn sab ke liye.

Sab baithe abhi aapas me baat kar hi rahe the jab hall ke dur waale hisse ke bade darwaze charmara ke khule aur achanak hi iss shor se saari baat-cheet par virham lag gaya.

Ek anjaan aadmi ne andar pravesh kiya aur uske qadmo ki awaaz kamre me goonj gayi. Sthiti ki gambheerta ke bawajood uss shaks ke chehre par muskaan feli hui thi. Aadha chehra uska ek hat se dhaka hua tha. Aur, uske saath-saath peeche ek rectangular akaar ki vastu bhi uske saath aa rahi thi. Usne uss trolley ki dorr apne haath me pakdi hui thi.

Vastu jo bhi thi, gehre kaale rang ke kapde se dhaki hui thi. Bamushqil hi uske kinaare nazar aa rahe the.

Security ne uski poori jaanch-padtaal kar li thi. Lekin, fir bhi jab woh table ke nazdeek pahucha toh logo ki bechainiya badh gayi. Woh King se kuch duri par ruka aur uske hontho par ek muskan tair gayi.

?? : We meet again, your majesty!!

Uski awaaz namra thi. Aam taur par koi bhi jab King se bhaint karta tha toh sarr jhuka ke unse milta tha. Lekin, iss aadmi ne na hi sarr jhukaya aur na hi aadar me do shabd bole.

King (frowns) : This is not a social call!! Tumhe pata hona chahiye ki tum yaha kyu ho, outsider!

?? (nods) : Bilkul, your majesty! Bilkul! Haal ki hi ghatnao ne hume dikha diya ki hamari position akhir kitni uncertain hai. And, it's clear that drastic measures are required.

King aage ki orr jhuke aur thodi paini nigaaho se uss anjaan vyakti ko ghoore jinse woh pehle bhi mil chuke the.

King (frowns) : Mudde ki baat par aao!!

Uss aadmi ne table ke chaaro orr baithe mantriyo aur salahkaro ke chintit chehro par nazar daali aur jaan boojh ke unki jigyasa se khelne ke liye uss kapde se dhaki hui cheez ko saamne kar uska kapda pakad liya.

Idhar consultants aur bade-bade political figures ki dhadkane uss agyaat cheez ko dekh tez ho gayi.

?? : Morocco stands at a crossroads.

Uski awaaz me bhaari-pann se kamra shaant ho gaya.

?? : Hume ek gambheer sthiti me daal diya gaya hai jiske liye ek bahut hi decisive plan Morocco ki ministry ko chahiye. Isme koi shaq nahi ki Morocco Spain ki activities se joojh raha hai. But-

King : ???

?? (grins) : But vulnerability can be turned into an opportunity, your majesty!

King : Huh???

Kehte hue usne apne haath me liye kapde ko zorr se kheencha aur sabke saamne woh agyaat cheez ujagar kar di. Poore hall me ek saath haafne ki awaaz goonji. Yaha tak ki King bhi bhauchakka hua baitha tha. Kursi ke hatthe par uski pakad mazboot ho gayi.

King (gasps) : Y-Ye... Ye kya hai?

Kahi na kahi use anuman lag gaya tha magar fir bhi woh nishchit karna chaahta tha. Kapde ke andar se bas ek tasveer hi nikli thi. Lekin, samajhne waale uska mehatv aur uski taaqat samajh chuke the.

?? : I present you an opportunity, your majesty. I'm providing you something... *smiles* terrifying... which can lead to significant results.

Consultants aur politicians ki nigaahein ek dusre par padi toh unme fus-fusa ke charcha shuru ho gayi. King ke chehre par baahar se koi bhaav nahi the magar andar se woh poora hila hua tha. Aur, kahi na kahi- aankhon me ek chamak thi. Use ab samajh aa gaya tha ki veh cheez kya thi.

King : Aur, tumhara kehna hai ki hum iss opportunity ko accept kar le?

?? (grins widely) : Only a fool would cast away such a chance, your majesty!

King (frowns) : You-!!!!

Kamre me tanaav badh gaya.

King : Par, iski qeemat bahut jayegi aur isme samay bhi bahut zaaya hoga. Humare paas itna samay nahi-

?? : Bas kuch mahine!!!

King : Hmm?

?? : Zyada se zyada ek do saal. Uss se adhik nahi! I know that the cost is substantial but the rewards... are immeasurable too.

King : Hmm! Leave us! We need to discuss this matter privately.

?? (smiles) : Of course! I await your decision, your majesty!

Woh aadmi muda aur jaane laga. Par, jaane se pehle woh ek akhiri baar palta aur bola.

?? : Oh! And, of course... I know about the treaty.

King : Huhhh!????

?? (grins) : There's a way!!! Aapke nirnay ka intezar rahega mujhe... Your... Majesty...!!!
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Aaj ke liye itna hi guys.
This update consists of 12.7k words. Like, literally!!! Ye akhiri part mein isme daalne nahi waala tha but then I thought ki update itne dino baad de raha hu toh thoda extend kar hi deta hu. Kya ye longest update ho gaya? Let me know! Target apna wahi hai. 200! Toh likes thokne ka aur revos rakhne ka. You also got to know Nidhi's full name in this update. You got to see Kritika, Karan, Ragini, Suman, Nidhi, Juhi, all in one update. Praise me later!!!
And, keep supporting.
Dhanyavad.

Veer! Veer! Veer, he is considering Nidhi as his wife(it seems to me). Tejal, Kavya aur Aarohi matlab teeno ko ek dusre se koi problem nahi hai lag toh aisa hi raha hai.

Ragini ka stubbornness, she wants to be with Veer but at the same time she doesn't want to see any other with him. Situations are not simple where everyone and everything are under control of Veer, but one thing is clear that all are playing their cards to get Veer.

 

[Werewolf]

First of all... Happy makar sankranti Werewolf

Nd now to the review...

Ek jo bohut achha part mujhe laga iss update ka wo tha sonia nd Suhana ka convo... Unexpected tha... Lekin ye bhi question aaya hi tha mann me ki Veer k saath casa Belle me jo kuch hua uske baare me kya Suhana ko pta chal paega kabhi?? Aur wo aapne iss update me dikha dia...

Yes! Wo scene post poned ho chuka tha and I finally showed it here.

Jis way me Suhana k emotions phoot phoot kar bahar aa rhe the... That scene was so good... She practically had no control over her emotions... Aur ye sab sirf ek ladke ki wajah se.... The rizz master... Veer...

Veer ne hi aisa haal kar diya hai bechaari ka... Toh ab kya kare..

Na jaane kitni ladkiyo k dil me kabza kr k baithe h humare protagonist sahab...

Sab ko pyaar nahi milta

Suhana nd nidhi... These 2 characters r just... Alag league me h ye dono... But but but... My Arohi nd Kaera... It's hard to overshadow them.. Kaera abhi aayi bhi nhi h scene me aur uske baare me log baate kr rhe h... This is her aura... Jab aaegi to kya hoga...

Well... She's the epitome of beauty. Shuruwat se hi use alag hi dikhaya gaya hai.

Yarnia's over-all description was just tremendous...
Kisi ko ni chodha aapne... Purvi se leke har koi waha pe present tha... Even niharika... Parijat ladies... Food truck worker prachi nd staff etc... har ek character ko aapne yaad rakha... Nd especially... Ghar ke har member ko aapne unke respective scenes diye... For that...

Thanks a lot

Trisha is two timing two different cases... Aatish slogan... Nd then this murderer... All in all jaana use Veer k paas hi h... But now situation has changed... Pihu has been abducted... Nd Veer is the only one who can save her... Or maybe not..

Well, Veer is there now. We'll see whether he's able to save him or not.

Tamanna nd rest are safe for now. Thank god... But shayad nidhi ko abhi tk pta ni chala h ki Shreya wapas laut aayi h... Tamanna ne kaha tha use apne ghar lautne k liye... I'm guessing she returned to her home... Not the Nidhi's house ... But her home... So she might be with her parents...

Yes! She went to her home

Ab dekhna ye h ki wo nidhi tak kaise jaati h... Aabha Shreya ka wait kr rhi h prestige me that means Shreya shayad directly wahi pahuchegi... Kyuki nidhi nd juhi to neeche aa gyi thi gift wrap karwane... Wo shop me thi..
So one more question... Where's dhruv???

Dhruv ko Nidhi ne apne mata pita ke ghar chhor diya tha.

Or maybe I'm overthinking... Shayad aapne kuch scenes dikhaye na ho jo already ho chuke h... Nd mere questions ka answer next update me mil jaaye maybe...

Exactly!
Ab ju mujhe samajhne lagi ho kuchh kuchh.

Anyways... Coming to the troublesome scene... This... Weird person... The sketch... His appearance... The way you created the horror atmosphere... Pure Goosebumps...

Jab usne ye kaha na....

"Well, aren't you two of the sweetest little things?"

Nd then suddenly uski wo picture... Peeche khade hone ki... I got literal goosebumps on my skin... coz that time I knew they fucked up ... Nd I was right... Perfect example of nazar hati durghatna ghati... Nidhi nd Trisha busy hui aur idhar se juhi nd pihu gayab ...

Thank you. I had to create that atmosphere to induce the anxiety. I'm glad you liked it.

The part where he held little Juhi's hand and caressed it just gave me heebie jeebies... 🫨🫨🫨

I was praying ki kuch na ho... But wo le hi gya... Ab use kuch hua to main aapko chodhne wali ni hu... main protest kar dungi... Aur morcha nikalungi... Mind it... Juhi ko kuch nhi hona chahiye... Sirf Juhi ko hi nhi... Pihu nd nidhi ko bhi kuch nhi hona chahiye...

Already, sab nirdharit hai. Hoga wahi jo maine decide kar rakha hai.

Pranjal k liye +1 respect... Bhale hi kuch kar ni paaya... But Madhuri k saamne uska character badal jaata h... He had problem with Veer... But still... Use maaf ni kia jaa sakta for the things he did to Veer...

Kamal ki baat ye h ki... Aap itni hints de dete ho uske baad jaa k kahi kuch hum predict kar paate h... Ab aapne iss update me itna kuch setup kar dia aur sab show bhi kar dia h ki kaun kaun Veer par ghaat lagae baitha h sab dikh rha h...

That's the main part... Now imagine ki agar mein hint na du. Na hi comments me koi hints du. Toh kya hoga? Kya hua log fir itna kuchh guess kar paoge???

But koi bhi guess nhi kar sakta ki aage exactly hoga kya... That's kind of ... Unique thing about u...

I hv so many questions... Veer juhi tak kese pahuchega? Kaise use rajat, Dhananjay ke bare me pta lagega? Dexter bhi to h... Upar shayad building me who tha... Nd I think he's holding a sniper...

Inn saare sawalo ke jawab latest update me de diye gaye hai.
Jo kuchh bhi rayta fela tha woh maine samet diya hai. Thoda aur baaki hai, jo jald hi samet lunga. Aur, fir hum post Disembowler arc me after trauma scenes se guzrenge.

Kaise hoga sab? Abhi to Kaera Suhana nd sonia ka aana baki h... Kya hoga? Kaun sambhalega? I can't guess anything for this... Veer k waha wo chutiya nik aa gya...

Usko alag sutne ka shauk h... Par question ye bhi aata h ki use pta kaise chala ki Divya Mumbai me h aur to aur uski exact location kisne leak kari??? Ye kuch questions h... Maybe shayad next update me inke answers mil jaaye...

Divya's phone was tapped the moment she left for China. Aur, isi ke zariye Nik uss tak pahuch paaya.

Nd thanks for answering my previous questions. A lot of things have been cleared..
Ab bilkul bhi wait ni ho paa rha h next update k liye... Plz.. Rehem kariye... Aur update likhna shuru kar dijiye...

Ek hafte to aapko likhne me hi lagenge abhi... So don't be late... Ye aise part par roki h aapne abhi ki... Cliffhanger itna khatarnak kaun deta h??? Har update k end me naya cliffhanger...

Keep writing sir ji... Just as Hotel Prestige was shining like a jewel at night in Mumbai... You shine like a Diamond here... So don't make us wait for long this time... It's my humble request. Nd thank u for this amazing update... 🩷

Aww! Thank you so much dear.
Yes, time toh lagega updates me. Mujhe bahut si cheezein prepare karni hai next update ke liye.

Anyways, keep supporting.

 

[CjB]

Amazing

 

[supersonic12345]

in future kab suhana n veer ka romantic kiss dekhne ko milega ?????

waiting for when Nidhi bow down against his love towards veer

also when keara reveals his love

 

[kisanlal]

Bhai ye villain kuch kuch batman wale joker se nhi milta i mean mujhe iski personality iske gesture kuch kuch ese hi dikh te hn Werewolf