Incest Baadshah ~ The Tales of Debauchery

[Werewolf]

Index​

Full Status and Cards​

Artworks​

Full Characters Guide​

Arcs​

Latest Update - Update 202 ​

 

[Rajesh]

Update - 199 ~ The Elephant in the room​

Ab tak...

Garofano : He's here!!

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

Uske liye chhaata haath me thaame hue the.

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

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

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

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

Aur, paas aate hue usne bas itna hi kaha-

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

Ab aage...

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

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

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

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

Disembowler!

Jeevit tha.

Mushqil se hi sahi, lekin wo jeevit tha.

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

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

“Veer…!”

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

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

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

‘Zephyr’s Mask’ uske paas na hota.

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

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

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

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

Wo ruka. Ek baar peechhe dekha.

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

Lekin, usne wapas andar jaane ki zurrat nahi ki…

Usne sab kuchh chhor diya.

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

Sab kuchh.

Wo muskuraaya. Khoon uske hontho se behte hue gira.

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

Wo zorr se hasa.

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

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

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

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

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

***

Present, 8th January,
Ragini's house ~

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

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

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

---

Darwaza charmara kar khula.

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

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

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

Ragini : Ye dekh rahi ho aap?

Shweta (glances) : ???

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

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

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

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

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

Shweta : Mein-

Usne ek gehri saans chhori.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ragini : Y-Yarnia ka kya hua? Hotel?

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

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

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

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

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

Usne apne perro ki orr dekha.

Ragini : Fir, andhera chhaa gaya.

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

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

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

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

Ragini : B-Bomber?

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

Ragini : Aur???

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

Ragini : Haan!

Shweta : Uska ex husband hai wo.

Ragini ka badan sihar utha.

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

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

Bhumika : Right!

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

Ragini : K-Kaise?

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

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

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

Bhumika : M-Mera matlab wo nahi tha.

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

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

Bhumika : Baahar!

Ragini : K-Kaun kaun hai baahar?

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

Ragini : O-Okay!

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

Ragini : O-Oh!

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

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

Bhumika : Huh? Kuchh kaha kya?

Ragini : N-Nahi! Kuchh nahi.

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

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

Ragini : J-Ji, Tai ji!

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

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

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

"Tum wapas se chal paogi."

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

---

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ragini : Kavya? Aao na!

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

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

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

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

Uski awaaz aansuon se dabi cheenkh me badal gayi.

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

Arohi : Kavya-

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

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

Jawab sthir tha. Narm. Nishchit.

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

Kavya ki aankhon se mote-mote aasu behne lage.

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

Arohi : !!??

Ragini (smiles) : To bhi mein wahi karti.

Arohi (gasp) : Bh-Bhabhi!?

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

Kavya : Tai ji ke liye bhi?

Ragini : Hmm? Haan!

Kavya : Mummy ke liye bhi?

Ragini (smiles) : Bilkul!

Kavya : Tejal didi ke liye bhi?

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

Kavya : Veer bhaiy-

Ragini : Haan!

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

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

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

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

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

Wo ruki.

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

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

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

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

Ragini : ???

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

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

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

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

'Huh!?'

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

Nahi!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kavya ne naak sikodi aur zorr se sirr hilaaya.

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

Ragini : Hahahahaha!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

---

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

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

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

Bhavna : Kaisi hai ab?

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

Bhavna ne dheere se saans chhori.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tej ne fir hall me nazre maarte hue poochha.

Tej : Kavya!? Kavya kaha hai?

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

Wahi baithi Sumitra ne chinta me bauhe chadhaayi.

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

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

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

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

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

Sumitra, iss baar sehmati me muskurayi.

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

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

Tej Arohi ki orr firse mudi.

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

Arohi : Ahemdabad?

Tej (nods) : Hmm!

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

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

Bhavna : Veer! Aao!!!

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

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

---

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

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

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

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

Magar...

Sparsh komal tha.

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

Bhavna : Kaise ho?

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

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

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

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

Veer ne apni aankhein neeche kar li.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Uski saans ghutne lagi.

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

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

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

Bhavna : Jawab do mere bacche!!!

Veer : ...

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

Akhirkar, uske chehre par aasu umad hi aaye.

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

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

Bhavna : M-Mein akhiri baar poochh rahi hu.

Veh uski aankhon me dekhi.

Bhavna : TUMHE MERI KASAM!!!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Veer (yells) : Nahiiiiiiiiii-!!!

Bhavna (yells) : Toh jawaab do!!!

"MEIN BATAATI HU!!!"

Achanak peechhe se ek awaaz aayi.

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

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

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

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

Nidhi : Veer ko kuchh mat boliyega...

Bhavna : T-Tum-!?

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

Bhavna : !!?

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

Veer : Ma'am!! Nahi-!!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Usne nigla. Chehre par bebasi chhaa gayi.

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

Woh dheere-dheere apne ghutno ke bal gir padi.

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

"Bas!!!!"

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

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

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

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

Nidhi : M-Mein- *sniff*

Veer : CHUP RAHIYE!

Nidhi : *sniff*

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Veer : M-Maa!

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

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

[Master...!]

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

---

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

Halki. Meethi. Masoom.

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

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

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

"PAPAAAAAA!!!!"

Awaaz goonj gayi. Ekdum spasht.

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

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

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

"Papa...!!!"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tez ki awaaz ne fir chuppi todi.

Tej : P-Papa!?

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

Tej : Kya abhi-abhi usne-!??

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

Nidhi ghabraate hue aage badhi.

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

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

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

Veer : Juhi dari hui thi...

Usne bolna shuru kiya.

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

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

Bhavna : M-Mein samjhaati hu.

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

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

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

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

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

Juhi ne chup-chaap uske kandhe par sarr hilaaya.

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

Veer : ???

Nidhi : J-Juhi???

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

Nidhi ki saansein tez ho gayi.

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

Veer : Mujhe iss se koi dikkat nahi hai.

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

Suman : Mein kya kehti hu...

Suman ne sabhi ka dhyaan kheechte hue kaha.

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

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

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

Bhavna : ...

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

Bhavna : Huh?

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

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

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

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

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

Bhavna : Suman theek keh rahi hai.

Tej : M-Mom???

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

Aur, isi tarah...

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

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

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

Nidhi : Jab aap sab yaha nahi the...

Bhavna : ???

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

Tej : !!?

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

Arohi : !!?

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

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

Nidhi : *gasps*

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

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

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

***

Outside the society,
Night - 8:15 PM ~

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

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

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

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

"I'm outside."

Kuchh pal beetein. Aur, fir woh saamne aaya.

Veer!

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

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

Garofano : Hop in!

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

Garofano ne apni aankhon ke kone se use dekha.

Garofano : Kaise ho, Veer?

Veer ne koi jawab nahi diya. Balki-

Veer : Tum yaha par? Kisliye?

Bas itna hi.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Photos. Names. Locations. Routines.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Veer : ???

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

Veer : Aur?

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

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

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

Veer : I see! Aur, woh vulture?

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

Veer : Tsk!!!

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

Veer : !!?

Garofano : Past illustration me dikh gaya.

Veer : You mean-

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

Veer (grits) : K-Kaun?

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

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

Garofano : ....

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

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

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

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

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

Veer ne apna sarr jhunjhlaaya.

Veer : Sorry! N-Never mind!

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

Veer : ...

Garofano : Oh! Ek aur baat-!

Veer : ???

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

Veer : !!!?

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

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

Lekin, ye raahat nahi thi. Kuchh aur tha.

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

Keval aag thi.

Veer : Renshu aur baaki sab kaha hai?

Garofano : Hotel zenith me. Filhal.

Veer : Ava?

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

Veer : ....

Garofano : ...

Veer : ...

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

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

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

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

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

Veer : Yeah!

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

"Everything has a price, Veer!!!"

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

Veer (frowns) : What do you want??

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

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

Veer (blinks) : Time???

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

Veer ne use kuchh derr padha.

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

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

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

Veer : Fine!

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

Garofano (smirks) : Pleasure doing business.

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

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

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

The old Veer protected.
The new Veer will hunt.

***

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

*Click*

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

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

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

Uske shareer ki ek bhi maanspeshi nahi hili.

X

Saamne tha.

X : You're late, director.

Rebecca ne saans chhori.

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

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

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

Uske muh ke kinaare par ek muskaan ubhar aayi.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kuchh gadbad thi.

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

Kaise???

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

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

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

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

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

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

---

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

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

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

'This might be it...!'

---

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

Tabhi, X aage badhne se pehle ruk gaya.

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

Rebecca : !!?????

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

*Click*

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

X andar daakhil hua. Usne idhar-udhar dekha.

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

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

Lekin, jaise hi woh muda-

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

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

X : Ah! Sure sure!

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

*Badump*

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

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

*Badump*

Rebecca (gasps) : Huh-!!??

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

*BAAAAMMMM*

"Nghhh!!!"

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

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

*Whoosh*

X (smiles) : How cute!

Magar, bina uss orr dekhe hi...

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

Damian : Wh-Whaaaat!!!?

Rebecca : Nnghh!!!??? Dam-

Damian (yells) : Haaaaaaaarrgh!!!

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

*Swoosh*

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

'Got him!'

Magar-

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

'Huh???'

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

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

Damian (gasps) : Urghhh!!

Do system holder. Rebecca. Damian.

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

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

*BOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMM*

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

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

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

Aur, Rebecca-

*Swoooooooossshh*

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

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

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

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

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

Amazing updates bro maza aa gaya


Waiting for next update bro

 

[Samar_Singh]

Abhi toh kuchh nahi. Summit arc me hoga jo hoga.

He likes Nidhi. He likes Kaera as well but is afraid to approach her. Suhana ke prati bhi uski feelings strong hai but he hasn't realised it yet. He likes Ragini as well. But is afraid to make her his wife...

Technically Charitraheen hai Veer

 

[rahulaw]

Update - 201 ~ From the shadows (1)​

Ab tak...

Purvi ko yu akela chhor woh kisi kaaran se hi gaya tha. Kaaran tha-

*Ding*

[Mission : The Devil is in the details.
Description : Find the culprit who messed with Hotel Prestige, Yarnia, and host's family. Find the plotter.
Rewards : 10,000 points.
Time limit : 1 month.

Mission failure penalty : Unknown for now.]

Yahi wajah thi, Veer ko ab desperate hone ki. Magar, abhi woh soch hi raha tha jab achanak uske mann me-

*Ding*

[Mission : Deal breaker (1)
Description : Find the truth about Pushkar, Gaurav and Nik.
Rewards :
1) 10,000 points.
2) Favourability increase of Divya and Suhana.

Time limit : 10 days.
Mission failure penalty : Losing Suhana and Divya.]

Pehle mission par toh Veer already lag chuka tha. Lekin, dusra mission padhte hi uski aankhein aashcharya me maare fel gayi.

'What!?'

Ab aage...

A few days ago,
Disembowler’s Lair,
Morning - 7:36 AM ~

Kabristan ke ilaake ke baahar peele rang ke barricade tapes lage hue the. Police officers ka jhund andar ikhatta ho rakha tha. Darjano hathiyarband adhikari kabristan ki purani dehti deewaron ke paas khade ho kar media aur darshako ko door rakhne ki koshish kar rahe the. Cameras ke shutters baar-baar click ho rahe the, aur reporters chillaate hue khabar jaanane ki maang kar rahe the.

Par, fir bhi... Iss shor ke beech, Maharashtra ke DGP, Rohan Bakshi kabristan ke andar khamosh khade hue the.

Uske haath aapas me bandhe the. Aur, aankhein neeche ek gehre gaddhe ki orr tiki thi. Yahi wo entry thi jo Disembowler ki lair ke andar jaane ka raasta thi.

Wo abhi tak neeche nahi gaya tha, lekin tasveeron me usne bahut kuchh dekha tha.

Jalne ke nishaan, acid ke daag. Jung lage bistaron par bandhi zanzeerein. Baal ke guchhe. Haddiyaan. Surgical instruments. Janvaro ke shav. Insaanon ke avshesh. Aise aise chemicals jinhe abhi tak theek tarah se pehchaana bhi nahi gaya tha. Kharocho ke nishaan, khoon se sani deewaarein aur, na jaane kya kya.

"Sir?"

Rohan ne dheere se apna sarr ghumaaya. Ek hawaldar kabristan ke gate ke paas se savdhani se andar aaya, maano beech me bolne se darr raha ho.

"Hmm?"

Rohan ne sawaaliyaan nazrein liye uss se poochha.

Hawaldar : Media waale ab out of control ho rahe hai, Sir. Barrier todne ki dhamki de rahe hai. Live dikha rahe hai sab aur jawab ki maang kar rahe hai. Bina wajah kyu police ne aisi jagah par jaanch jaari kar rakhi hai? Aur, agar wajah hai... toh saamne kyu nahi laate? Mujhe nahi lagta ab hum unhe lambe samay tak rok paayenge, Sir.

Rohan ne turant jawab nahi diya. Uski nazar barrier ke theek peechhe badhti bheed par gayi. Darjano microphone taane journalists khade hue the. News vans betarteeb dhang se khadi thi. Aur, cameramen giddh ki tarah focus lagaaye baithe the.

Logon me darr toh tha, magar akrosh bhi utna hi tha. Rohan ne akhirkar kaha.

Rohan : Unse kaho ki mein aa raha hu.

Hawaldar ne sarr hilaaya aur fauran hi tezi se waapas bhaaga.

Rohan dheere-dheere barrier ke baahar jaane ke liye orr badha. Aur, use baahar aata dekh reporters bhediyo ki tarah aage badhne lage, camera shutters click hone lage, recordings chalu ho gayi, aur microphones ek dusre ke upar dhakel diye gaye.

Rohan baahar aate hue unn sab ke saamne aa kar khada hua. Ek pal beeta. Aur, fir sawaalon ke vaar shuru ho gaye.

"Sir, kya aap batayenge ki kya kuchh chal raha hai? Kyu police ne iss kabristan ko band kar rakha hai kal raat se?"

"Kya serial killer pakda gaya hai? Ya aur bhi bodies mili hai andar?"

"Serial killer se janta safe hai ya nahi, Sir?"

"Kya wo akela hi hai ya aur bhi log hai?"

"Kya police koi badi khabar janta se chhupa rahi hai?"

Rohan ne apna haath uthaaya. Aur, afra-tafri ka mahaul chuppi me badal gaya. Ek kshan baad woh bola. Uski awaaz bhaari aur gambheer thi aur aankhein camera par tiki hui thi.

Rohan : Humne serial killer ka thikaana khoj nikaala hai.

Ye sunte hi bheed me tanaav badh gaya. Log kaanp uthe. Sach saamne aane waala tha.

Rohan : Abhi completely nahi keh sakte ki ye usi ka thikaana tha ya nahi. Lekin, 99% hum sure hai isme ki yahi par wo pichhle kuchh dinon se chhipa hua tha.

Journalist 1 : Yaha par se aapka kya matlab hai?

Rohan (glances) : Yahi! Kabristan ke neeche. Underground.

Journalists : !!!

Rohan : Aur, isliye police use dhundhne me nakaam ho rahi thi. Experts abhi neeche analysis kar rahe hai. Aur, maine neeche ki kuchh photos bhi dekhi hai.

Journalist 1 : Kya mila sir aapko? Kuchh batayenge?

Rohan : Dekhiye! Abhi iss baat pe mein charcha nahi karna chahunga. Neeche jo kuchh bhi hai, bahut bura hai.

Journalist 1 : Toh kya aap janta ko andhere me rakhenge?

Rohan (sighs) : Dead bodies!!!

Journalist 1 : *shivers*

Rohan : Mil gaya aapko aapka jawaab? Ji haan! Neeche se hume bodies mili hai. Ek nahi. Kayi. Sirf insaano ki hi nahi. Janvaro ki bhi. Aur, bhi bahut kuchh. Neeche underground poori ek lair hai. Aur, itni badi hai ki ye apne aap me ek bahut badi discovery hai.

Journalist 2 : Aur, uss serial killer ka kya? Kya police ne use pakad liya hai?

Rohan : Ji nahi! Wo yaha nahi paaya gaya.

Journalist 2 : Toh police ne ye location ka pata kaise lagaaya?

Rohan (sighs) : Meri apni beti... Chhoti si hai. Serial killer dwara kidnap ho gayi thi. Shaam ko. Uske saath ek aur bacchi thi. Do nanhi bacchiyon ko kidnap kar ke bhaaga tha woh.

Journalists : !!!?

Rohan : Par, ye khush-kismati ki baat hai ki dono bacchiyaan sahi salamat laut aayi. Meri wife, Mrs. Trisha, jo ki DSP hai, iss case me kaafi involve hai. Aur, kisi shubhchintak ne unn dono bacchiyon ko sahi salamat rescue kiya tha. Mrs. Trisha ne iski pushti ki hai.

Journalist 2 : Kaun tha woh? Kya hum jaan sakte hai?

Rohan : Iss baare me koi jankari haath nahi lagi hai. Bas, ek naujavan tha jo dono bacchiyon ko serial killer ke muh se chhura kar laaya tha. Humara dhyaan tabhi bacchiyon ko surakshit rakhne me laga hua tha. Aur, saath hi uss serial killer ko pakadne ke liye.

Kehte hue uski bauhe kass gayi. Kyunki, use bhi yahi jankari praapt hui thi.

'Trisha... Kab tak tum mujhse uss naujavan ko chhupaogi? Kya majboori hai tumhari jo tumne mujhe bhi-!!'

Par, wo chaah ke bhi apni patni se sach ko zabardasti nahi jaan sakta tha. Uski beti sahi salamat uske paas pahuchi thi. Aur, ye sab uss naujavan ki wajah se hua tha. Trisha ka kehna tha ki usne uss naujavan ka chehra nahi dekha aur na hi woh use jaanti thi. Magar... Rohan jaanta tha ki uski patni uss se jhooth bol rahi thi. Yaha tak ki uske saath waale officers bhi kuchh nahi ugal rahe the.

Aur, wo h jaanta tha ki iss sab ke peechhe, uski patni ka haath tha.

Journalist 3 : Toh, Sir kya bacchiyon ko bachaane waale ko kisi bhi tarah ki saraahna nahi di jaayegi? Uske liye kuchh nahi karegi police?

Rohan : Hum toh chaahte hi hai ki veh naujavan, agar ye news dekh raha hai, toh kripya saamne aaye, police ke sabhi log saraahna karte hue uska sammaan karna chaahenge.

Aise hi aneko sawaalon ke jawaab dete hue jab Rohan interview se fursat hua toh news channels me sansani si mach gayi.

Desh bhar me TV par breaking news ki headlines chalne lagi.

"Breaking News : Mumbai me sthit ek kabristan ke neeche mili khaufnak maand."

"Police ne pushti ki : Underground maand serial killer ki hi thi."

"Kal shaam do bacchiyon ko aghwa kar ke le gaya tha serial killer."

"Agyaat naujavan dwara dono bacchiyon ko bachaaya gaya."

Aisi tamaam headlines ghar-ghar TVs me daud chali. Aur, isme koi shaq nahi tha ki Veer ke gharwalo ne bhi ye khabre dekh hi li thi.

***

Present,
Nidhi's house, Mumbai,
Morning - 9:20 AM ~

Subah subah Nidhi ke ghar se taaze parathon ki khushbu aa rahi thi. Nanhi Juhi jiski aankhon me abhi bhi kahi na kahi neend bhari hui thi, uski urja me koi kami nazar nahi aa rahi thi. Tabhi, darwaze par ek dastak hui-

*Knock* *Knock*

Juhi ne darwaza khola, aur jaise hi saamne khade shaks ko dekha, uski aankhein chamak uthi.

Juhi (shrieks) : Papa!!!

Woh khushi se chillayi, uski nanhi baahein Veer ki orr badh gayi. Veer muskuraaya — woh teekhi aur sthir muskaan nahi jo aaj kal uske hontho par rehti thi, balki ek sacchi aur keval chand logon ke saamne hi pesh aane waali woh muskaan.

Usne Juhi ko araam se goad me uthaaya, wo khil-khila rahi thi, uske chhote-chhote haath Veer ko uski gardan ke peechhe se jakad liye.

Hall me theek peechhe, Shreya sofe par baithi thi, Dhruv uske bagal se baitha hua tha, aur wo apne haatho se chhote-chhote kaur kar ke Dhruv ko paraanthe khilaane me lagi hui thi.

Kintu, Juhi ka yu Veer ko 'Papa' bulaane se, uski aankhein chand pal ke liye sikudi. Nidhi ne use saara vakhyaan bataya hua tha. Magar, apne kaano se ise saamne sunana ek alag anubhav tha.

Shor sunte hi Nidhi apne haathon ko apron me pochhte hue rasoi se baahar nikli, aur baahar aate hi uske qadam tham gaye. Usne Veer ko dekha. Kaise uski shirt ki aasteen upar thi, hawa se baal bikhre hue the aur Juhi ko apni goad me wo aise uthaaya hua tha jaise maano wo sach me uski bacchi ho.

*Badump*

Uska dil dhadak utha.

Nidhi : Veer...! T-Tum... Aa gaye!?

Veer (smiles) : Hmm! Good morning!

Usne Juhi ko dheere se neeche utaarte hue kaha.

Nidhi (smiles) : G-Good morning! Kaisi thi raat? Maasi ke yaha? Thoda better feel hua ghar se nikal ke?

Veer : Hmm? Oh! Haan! Zaroor!

Nidhi : Oh! Badhiya! T-Tum ekdum time par aaye ho. Naashta taiyaar hi hai. Fatafat baith jao. Fresh hona hai toh washroom me jaa-

Veer : Nahi! Mein maasi ke yaha se brush kar ke, in fact naashta kar ke hi aaya hu.

Nidhi : Kya? P-Par-! Tum waha se hi kyu-

Veer (smiles) : Aap le aaiye jo bhi banaya hai. Mujhe abhi bhi bhookh hai.

Nidhi (smiles) : H-Haan! Haan! Zaroor! Bas ek minute!

Nidhi chehekte hue tez qadmo ke saath andar gayi. Idhar Veer ne Juhi ko ek chocolate ka box pakdaya toh woh bhi khush ho gayi.

Juhi : Yay~ Mere liye, papa?

Veer (nods) : Bilkul! Sab tumhara hai!

Woh kone me bhaagi, chocolate box ko kisi khazaane ki tarah maante hue use ahista-ahista kholne lagi.

Aur, ant me jab Veer sofe par baithne laga toh usne Shreya aur Dhruv ko dekha.

Veer : Hey!

Shreya : Hi!

Usne Dhruv ke gaal ko sehlaate hue use khilaaya. Nanha sa Dhruv taktaki lagaaye use aise ghoor raha tha jaise maano yaad karne ki koshish kar raha ho ki ye dekha-dekha shaks akhir kaun hai.

Shreya ne TV se Veer ki orr dekha, fir screen ki orr ishaara kiya. Ek news anchor bahut hi aakramak lehze me khabrein suna raha tha, uske peechhe crime scene ki dhundhli tasveerein flash ho rahi thi.

Shreya (quietly) : Yahi hai... Wo jagah... Hai na?

Veer ne uski nigaaho ka peechha karte hue screen par dekha aur haami bhari.

Veer : Hmm!

Shreya (frowns) : Tum udhar the!? Uss... Shamsaan ke neeche? Juhi ko bachaane ke liye?

Veer ne apni aankhein screen par hi tikaayi rakhi.

Veer : Hmm!

Sunte hi Shreya ke andar ek sihran daud gayi.

Shreya : Toh... Tumhara saamna uss serial killer se nahi hua?

Veer (jhooth bolte hue) : Jab mein waha pahucha tab wo waha nahi tha.

Shreya : Oh! Toh kaha tha woh?

Usne zor dete hue poochha.

Veer : Mujhe kya pata.

Shreya thodi jhuki, bauhe sikodte hue.

Shreya : Aur, wo ghaav? Tumhare haatho par, chehre par-!? Wo kaise aaye?

Veer ki aankhein abhi bhi screen par hi thi.

Veer : Kuchh jaanvar. Awaara kutte... Aur, wo jagah. Mein fisal gaya tha. Gir gaya tha waha. Bas itna hi.

*Silence*

Shreya chup rahi. Woh jaanti thi ki Veer uss se jhooth bol raha tha. Kyunki, Juhi ne pehle hi bahut kuchh Nidhi aur use bata diya tha. Kaise uske so called 'papa' uss serial killer se bhide the, kaise apne upar taange-taange wo unhe bacha ke laaye. Woh kaafi kuchh jaanti thi. Jab usne dekha ki Veer uss vishay se bhaag raha hai, toh usne aur dakhal dene ki koshish nahi ki. Bas itna hi poochhi-

Shreya : Itna pyaar karte ho Juhi se???

Veer : Haan!

*Badump*

Iss baar Shreya ka dil zor se dhadka. Usne ek gehri saans li.

Udhar Juhi ne apni chocolate chabaana shuru kar diya tha. Uski hasi, uski masoomiyat, ye sab kamre me kisi madhur sangeet ki tarah goonj rahi thi.

Shreya : Mujhe ab bhi samajh nahi aata.

Veer : Hmm?

Shreya (budbudaate hue) : Tum humesha cheezon ko halke me kyu lete ho!? Sach chhupaate kyu ho? Bataate kyu nahi logon ko?

Veer ne uski orr dekha.

Veer : Kyunki...

Shreya : ???

Veer : Kuchh sach... theek nahi hote. Unka chhipa rehna hi behtar hota hai.

Shreya bhooli nahi thi. Use sab kuchh yaad tha ki Veer ne uske liye kya kuchh kiya tha. Kaise wo uske liye khada hua tha. Kaise Rajat se usne Nidhi aur Juhi ko bachaaya tha. Kaise usne uski pehli job lagwaayi thi. Aur, kaise uska sapna bhi poora kar diya.

Tab woh use appreciate karne lagi thi. Par, dheere-dheere yahi appreciation, attraction me badal gaya. Aur, ab wo attraction kuchh gehra... kuchh uljha hua... Na jaane kin anubhutiyon par sawaar thi ab woh. Jo bhi tha, bahut prabal tha.

Lekin, aspatal me uss raat ke baad se, jab usne Nidhi ko use kass ke pakde hue dekha tha, uske andar kuchh badal chuka tha.

Shreya : R-Right-!!

Veer : !!?

Shreya : Uss raat hospital me... Pata nahi kaise, aisa laga jaise... meri gardan par kuchh aake laga tha aur fir maine shayad apne hosh kho diye the.

Uski baat sunn Veer ko turant hi ek shaks ka dhyaan aaya.

'Erica-!'

Woh jaanta tha ki Erica hi use Nidhi ke hospital se utha ke laayi thi. Uske baad Renshu use dusre hospital le gaya tha jaha Ragini bharti thi.

Veer : Tum thaki hui hogi. Unconscious ho gayi hogi.

Shreya : Arey nahi! Mein theek thi yaar sach me!!! Kuchh to hua tha... Yaad nahi aa raha kya...

Veer : Don't sweat on it.

Shreya : Yeah!

Juhi carpet par hi laiti hui thi, uske chaaro orr khilauno ki chaadar bichhi hui thi. Do gudiya aapas me nakli ladaayi kar rahi thi, toh wahi ek chocolate se sana hua haath plastic ki talvaar pakde hue tha.

Aur, tabhi-

Nidhi garma-garam paranthe, katori me red sauce, achaar aur chai ke do cup lekar rasoi se baahar nikli. Tray rakhte waqt uski ungliyaan kaanp rahi thi. Na hi garmi se, na hi thand se, balki kisi aur cheez se.

Uski nazrein apne aap Veer par pad gayi. Woh sofe par baitha tha, apni kohni ghutno par tikaaye hue, kinhi khayaalo me khoya hua tha.

Nidhi : Y-Ye..

Usne uske saamne ek plate lagaate hue kaha.

Veer : Ji! Thank you!

Nidhi : Ye chai...

Usne dheere se use cup pakdaate hue kaha. Par, cup lene se pehle jaise hi woh kuchh kehne waala tha. Nidhi ne uske pehle hi keh diya.

Nidhi : Teen chammach. Do cup ke liye. Humesha ki tarah.

Veer muskuraaya.

Veer : Aapko yaad tha!?

Nidhi : Kuchh important cheezein ab mein nahi bhoolti.

Usne jawab diya. Par, turant hi use pachhtava bhi hua ki bhala ye kya keh diya usne? Ye sunn'ne me kaisa laga hoga?

Nidhi (blushes) : M-Mera matlab... mujhe yaad tha.

Woh uske saamne baithi, sahaj hone ka naatak kar rahi thi, lekin aankhein baar-baar Veer par hi tiki rahi aur jaise hi unki nazrein aapas me mili, toh usne jaldi se apni nazrein fer li. Itne me Shreya uthi-

Nidhi : V-Veer...!

Veer : *glances*

Usne dheere se pukaara, jab Shreya haath dhone ke liye andar chali gayi.

Nidhi : Juhi tumhe bahut yaad kar rahi thi. Kal raat se hi-

Veer (smiles) : School nahi gayi aaj?

Nidhi : Nahi! Zidd kar rahi thi. Toh, maine bhi nahi bheja. Aaj tum pehle din aane waale the. Isliye, aaj rok liya maine. *smiles* Par, ye chhutti sirf aaj ke liye.

Veer : Mein subah se shaam yahi rahunga. Kahi nahi jaane waala.

Nidhi : Umm! *smiles* Thank you!

Juhi waapas bhaagte hue aayi. Uske gaal chocolate se bhare hue the. Aur, usne pyaar se pukaara-

Juhi : Papa!!

Veer : Hmm?

Ek pal ke liye apni beti ke muh se Veer ke liye 'papa' sunn, Nidhi ke gaal sharm se laal ho gaye.

Juhi : Mein aapki kanghi kar du??

Veer : Huh??

Juhi : Mumma Juhi ke baal banaati hai toh... toh, Juhi Papa ke banayegi.

Veer : Hahahaha! Mere baal itne lambe nahi hai, Juhi.

Juhi : Mouuu~ Mujhe banaane hai~

Veer : Achha theek hai. Par, abhi nahi. Abhi mein breakfast kar raha hu. Baad me. Theek hai?

Juhi (chimes) : Okay~

Wo khushi se haste hue uske peechhe sofe par chadh gayi. Nidhi bhi hasi.

Veer : Perfect! Aaj bhi inn parantho ka swaad bilkul pehle jaisa hi hai! Aur, ye chai bhi-!

Nidhi ne uske bhaav padhne chaahe, uske hontho par halki muskaan thi. Kuchh saal pehle yahi Veer dara hua rehta tha, study table par jhuka hua, exams ki taiyaari karta hua, aur aaj yahi Veer ek alag Veer bann chuka tha.

Usne dekha ki Veer kamre ko badi hi bareeki se dekh raha tha. Toh, usne khud se hi samjhaana chaaha-

Nidhi : M-Maine curtains badal diye hai.

Veer (smiles) : Haan, wo dekhe maine.

Nidhi : A-Aur, wo corner me lamp bhi rakh diya hai. T-Tum kehte the na ki udhar ek chhota lamp hona chahiye. Toh, maine...

Veer (smiles) : Ab zyada achha lag raha hai.

Nidhi : H-Haan!! Tum wahi baithate the aksar.

Usne khidki ke paas door ek kone ki orr ishaara karte hue kaha. Veer ne uski nigaahon ka peechha kiya aur sarr hilaaya.

Veer : Hmm!

Ye woh jagah thi jaha woh sabse pehle Nidhi ke ghar me aake baitha tha. Jab use laga tha ki duniya me use koi bhi rehne nahi dega. Uska koi thikaana nahi hoga. Tab, yahi jagah uski apni thi. Uski pasandeeda.

Veer ke bhaav padh, Nidhi ki aankhein namm ho gayi.

Veer : Aapne kuchh nahi poochha tha...

Nidhi : !!?

Veer : Koi sawaal nahi. Bas mujhe hospital se leke aayi thi aap. Mujhe apne ghar laayi jaise mein humesha se yahi rehta tha. Aur-

Nidhi : Mujhe kuchh bhi poochhne ki zaroorat nahi thi.

Veer : ???

Nidhi : Mein jaanti thi mein kya kar rahi thi. Aur, kiske liye kar rahi thi.

Veer : Kyu kar rahi thi? Kya iska bhi jawaab hai?

Nidhi : Nahi! Mein nahi jaanti kyu. Bas, itna jaanti hu ki maine jo kiya, sahi kiya.

Veer : Agar, wahi sthiti aaj firse aapke saamne aaye toh kya aap-

Nidhi : Hazaar baar karungi.

Veer : Huh!!?

Nidhi : Har baar!

*Badump*

Iss baar Veer ka dil ek dhadkan phaand gaya. Aur, Juhi jo laiti hui apne khilauno se khelne me lagi hui thi, woh aise hi chehekte hue bol padi-

Juhi : Hehe! Mumma ko papa se pyaal hai~

Nidhi (yells) : J-JUHIIIIII-!!!! *blushes*

Juhi : Mumma loves papa~ Mumma loves papa~ Hehehe~

Nidhi (blushes) : Juhiiiii-!! Chup!!!

Veer ne turant koi jawaab nahi diya. Uske honthon par bas ek halki muskaan saji hui thi. Akhirkar, usne baat ko palatate hue kaha-

Veer : Waise- ye deewar ke paint par abhi bhi wahi daag hai.

Nidhi : Huh? H-Haan! Woh... Woh waha par sab baith ke sarr tikaate hai toh waha daag bann gaya hai. Abhi tak maine uska kuchh nahi kiya.

Veer : Aur, landlord ne nahi dekha abhi tak ye?

Nidhi : Dekh gaye hai! *sighs* Thoda sa hi hai. M-Mein fix karwa dungi baad me.

Veer : Jab karwaana ho toh mujhe bula lijiyega.

Nidhi (quietly) : Mmm!

Na hi Veer ne usko apne paise ka rutba dikhaya. Na hi usko middle class life ka ehsaas dilaaya. Usne bas itna kaha... ki jab sudharwana ho, toh woh use bulaaye. Bas. Aur, Nidhi ko yahi baat sabse achhi lagi.

Tabhi, Shreya ki awaaz ne unka dhyaan bhang kar diya.

Shreya : Oh wowww~ Mujhe toh pata hi nahi tha ki aap dono ekdum shadishuda jode ki tarah baatein karte ho!!?

Nidhi chaunk gayi, uska shareer jhatka kha kar reh gaya. Veer ne bhi bauhe upar kar uski orr dekha.

Veer : Excuse me!?

Shreya pyaar se muskurayi, lekin uski aankhein sikud gayi.

Shreya : Bas itna hi kaha ki maine dii ko kabhi itna baat karte nahi dekha na. Tum toh unka ekdum chatty version saamne le aaye. Nice job Veer. *winks*

Nidhi : Sh-Shreya?

Shreya : No!!! It's actually cute.

Usne parantha ka ek tukda muh me daalte hue kaha.

Shreya : Mujhe sochne pe majboor karta hai ye ki maine dii ke aur kaun se versions abhi tak nahi dekhe hai?

Veer ne uski baaton me ek wazan mehsoos kiya. Woh tanaav kam karte hue halka sa hasa.

[Oh! Someone's jelly...!]

Veer : Well! Haha! Tumhe apni dii se kitchen me aur bhi tasty tasty dishes banwani chaahiye. Trust me! Unke aur bhi versions dekhne ko milenge. *sips* Ye chai kamaal ki hai.

Shreya : Oh please! Aaj itni achhi chai isliye bani hai kyunki tum yaha ho.

Veer : Huh!?

Shreya : Yes! Warna daily aisi nahi banti.

Nidhi : SHREYA!!

Usne ab daanta, lekin gaalon par gulaabi rang chadha hua tha. Tabhi, itne me Juhi achanak khadi hui, uske haathon me ek drawing book thi.

Juhi (runs) : Papaaaa! Papa!!! Dekho! Maine humara ghar banaya...!

[Aww!]

Veer ne drawing book haath me li aur use dekha. Usme Juhi ka ek nanha sa stick figure version, ek bade stick figure ke bagal se khada hua tha, jis par 'papa' likha tha. Aur, uske bagal se ek gulabi color ki 'mumma' khadi hui thi. Spasht roop se — Nidhi. Aur, ek stroller me chhota sa baccha jo ki Dhruv tha.

[It's so cute. Right, master?]

'Hmm!'

Shreya : Huh? Ek minute! Mein kaha hu???

Drawing me Shreya kahi bhi nazar nahi aa rahi thi. Apni maasi ki baat sunn Juhi ne drawing ko firse dekha.

Juhi : Umm... A-Aap... Maasi... Umm... Haan!

Uski ungli fir achanak se ek aur figure ki orr badhi. Aur, wo bade hi garv se boli.

Juhi : Aap ped ho!!!

Shreya (yells) : Kyaaaaaaa????

Veer (laughs) : AHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

Veer ki hasi itni zorr se chhooti ki woh khud ko hasne se rok nahi paaya.

Shreya : Juhi ki bacchi-

Veer : Hahahahahaha!!!

Juhi : Ehehehehe~

Veer ki hasi dekh Juhi bhi uske sang shaamil ho gayi, ye sochte hue ki shayad usne koi bahut badhiya kaam kiya tha jo uske 'papa' has rahe the.

Nidhi jhuk kar dekhne lagi, uske honth hasi ko dabaane ki poori koshish kar rahe the. Yahi. Yahi toh wo pal the jinhe wo miss kiya karti thi. Veer ke yaha hone se... kitni raunak badh jaati thi ghar me.

Par, tabhi Veer ke bol uske kaan me pade. Awaaz bahut hi dheemi thi.

Veer (drawing ko dekhte hue) : Woh wahi dekh rahi hai, jo woh dekhna chaahti hai.

*Badump* *Badump*

Nidhi ke dil ki dhadkane tez ho gayi. Palkein jhapki aur honth thar-thara uthe. Aur, woh achanak se uss se door hoke wapas se apni jagah par baith gayi.

Lekin, unke beech ki ye kashmkash akhir iss baar Shreya ki aankhon se chook ke na jaa saki. Woh ab ise aur andekha nahi kar saki. Usne napkin se apne haath pochhe aur ek muskaan bikherte hue boli.

Shreya : You know what... Ab hum sab ko ek break ki zaroorat hai.

Nidhi : Break?

Shreya : Yeah! Yeah! Break!

Veer : Kaisa break?

Shreya : Break! Har cheez se. Ye lagatar stress, jo kuchh bhi hua, Juhi ka kidnap hona, hospital me dii ka hona, fir shamshan me tumhara jaana, serial killer se Juhi ko chhura ke laana, and then tumhari hotel pe wo unknown attack, Ragini aunty ki injury, Yarnia ka shut down, all that shit and-

Usne khud ko thoda roka, use ehsaas hua ki uski awaaz kuchh zyada hi oonchi ho rahi thi.

Shreya : I mean... Ye... Ye sab bahut zyada tha, right?

Veer ki palkein jhuk gayi. Nidhi ne bhi ek aah bhari, uske kandhe adrishya bojh se bhaari ho gaye.

Nidhi : Tumne sahi kaha.

Shreya khadi hui, table ke chaaro orr ghoomi aur Veer ke bagal se sofe ke armrest par baith gayi, kuchh zyada hi nazdeek.

Shreya : Plus... Mein Singapore se waapas aayi hu. Can you imagine? Singapore se! Mera shoot cancel ho gaya. Sab kuchh beech me chhorna pada. And, I don't even know why. Toh, ab mein practically unemployed hu aur frustrated bhi.

Veer : Toh?

Shreya : Toh, mere paas ek badhiya idea hai.

Veer : Jaise ki-?

Shreya : Jaise ki... Tum mujhe-

Veer : !!?

Shreya (smiles) : Ek date par leke chalo!

Nidhi : !!!!!

Veer : Huh?

Nidhi ko apne kaano par vishvas nahi ho raha tha. Juhi farsh par se uthi aur boli.

Juhi : Date pe? Mumma date pe kaise jaa sakte hai?? Usko to likhte hai na?

Bechari nanhi Juhi couple waali date ko tareekh waali date samajh rahi thi. Aur, isme uski koi galti bhi nahi thi. Shreya uski galat-fehmi par muskurayi.

Shreya : Woh waali date nahi, my little munchkin.

Juhi : Toh aur kaun si date??

Shreya ne naatkeeya dhang se apni zulfo ko peechhe karte hue jawab diya.

Shreya (smiles) : Iss date me sirf do bade log jaate hai, sweetie. Lunch pe, ya dinner pe, saath-saath. Sirf ek ladka. Aur, ek ladki.

Juhi : T-Toh, mein bhi chalungi.

Shreya (grins) : Hmph! Shayad tumne suna nahi beta! Maine kya kaha? Isme sirf do bade log jaate hai. Aur, tum kya ho?? Chhoti bacchi. Samajh gayi?

Juhi : M-Mujhe bhi jaana hai-!!!! Mein bhi papa ke saath jaungi!

Shreya : Hahaha! Ab toh tum aur nahi jaa sakti.

Juhi (ruwasi awaaz me) : K-Kyu?

Shreya : Kyunki, date par sirf couples ya friends jaate hai, my dear. *grins* Aur, tum toh Veer ko apna papa maanti ho. Hai na? Toh, tum toh jaa hi nahi sakti.

Juhi ki aankhon me aasu panpe. Shreya thoda ghabrayi aur uska darr haqeeqat me badal gaya.

"Haaaarrrrggghhhhhhh-!!!"

Juhi rote hue jaa ke Nidhi se lipat gayi.

Nidhi : Shreya!!! Kyu Juhi ko abhi se ye sab bataya? Ab wo-

Shreya : What? Aisa toh hai nahi ki mein uss se shaadi kar rahi hu. Ek date ke liye hi toh kaha hai. Ek dinner. Woh mera friend hai itna achha. Kya burayi hai isme?

Juhi : haaaaaarrrrgggghhh!!

Nidhi : P-Par, fir bhi- Y-Ye nahi-

Usne bolna chaaha, magar ruk gayi.

Shreya : Nahi kya? Kya friends ke saath hangout karne me koi problem hai? Aur, upar se ye Veer hai. Agar, mein ghar me mummy papa ko bhi bata ke jau na toh bhi woh mujhe nahi tokenge. Aur, aap shayad ye baat achhe se jaanti hongi.

Nidhi ki palkein neeche jhuk gayi. Woh apni beti ko chup karaane me lagi hui thi jab Juhi achanak se uske paas se nikli aur jaake Veer ke haath ko jakad li.

Shreya : !!?

Juhi : Niiiiii!!! Mein papa ko kahi nahi le jaane dungi.

Shreya : Aww! Par, cheezein tumhari icchha se nahi chalti, sweetie! Zara socho! Actually... Agar, sach me tumhari maasi ki shaadi tumhare so called 'papa' se ho gayi? Toh kya hoga? Tumhare papa humesha tumhare paas reh sakte hai. Aur, fir mein kya lagungi tumhari? Hmm? Mumma? Hahaha!

Juhi (shrieks) : Niiiiiii!!!

Shreya : ???

Juhi (Veer ki orr mudte hue) : P-Papa! Aap ni jaoge na?

Shreya : Arey waah! Kyu nahi jaayega woh? Hum bilkul jaayenge!

Juhi (shouts) : Niiiiii!!!

Veer : Ummm...

Juhi : Papa!!! Ni jaoge na??

Veer (smiles) : Mein-

Iske pehle ki woh jawaab de paata, Nidhi hi beech me kood gayi.

Nidhi : Woh nahi jaa sakta!!

Usne apni mansha kuchh zyada hi zorr se zaahir ki.

Veer : !!?

Shreya : Huh?

Nidhi : V-Veer ka... Usne abhi-abhi apne dada ji ko khoya hai.

Ek solid counterattack. Veer ne iss par chupchaap sarr hilaaya. Toh wahi, Shreya ki muskaan thodi ladkhada gayi.

Shreya : Haan toh mein kaun sa aaj hi uss se chalne ke liye keh rahi hu? Par, agle hafte ka kya? Agle mahine? Woh humesha toh iss phase me nahi reh sakta na? Humein use aur lively feel karwana chaahiye. Isliye, toh maine kaha tha. Hum baad me bhi jaa sakte, hai na Veer?

Kehte hue woh Veer ke qareeb jhuk gayi. Bahut nazdeek. Aur, Juhi chillaa uthi.

Juhi (yells) : Niiiiiii!

Nidhi ko laga ki uski saansein atak rahi thi. Gala sookh raha tha. Woh kya kar rahi thi? Woh beech me kyu aayi? Kya abhi-abhi usne ek bahaana dete hue apni hi chhoti behan ke plan ko fail karna chaaha?

Shreya ne use dekha. Uski awaaz me madhurta thi, lekin aankhein teekhi.

Shreya : Kya aap nahi chaahogi ki kisi shady tinder match ki bajaaye mein Veer jaise shareef ladke ke saath baahar jau??

Veer : Hey! Just to let you know, mein itna shareef nahi hu.

Shreya (winks) : Tumne abhi mujhe nahi jaana, dear.

Juhi ne Nidhi ki kurti ko hairaan ho kar kheencha.

Juhi : Mumma... P-Papa maasi ke saath jaayenge? Aap mana karo na papa ko.

Nidhi : Mein... Mujhe nahi pata...

Usne Veer ki aankhon se bachte hue dheere se kaha. Kamre me ek pal ke liye ajeeb tarah ka sannaata chhaa gaya.

Veer (smiles) : Papa wahi jaayenge jaha Juhi bolegi. Theek hai?

Aur, ye sunte hi Juhi ki aankhon me chamak aa gayi.

Juhi : Sacchi??

Veer (smiles) : Mucchi!

Shreya : Of course! Mujhe samajh jaana chaahiye tha ki yahi hoga. Enjoy!

Kehte hue woh be-mann se waha se chidhte hue nikal gayi. Aur, Juhi phudakte hue Veer ka haath kheench kar use Nidhi ke bagal se baithaane le gayi. Usne baari-baari dono ke haath liye aur boli.

Juhi : Toh... Toh... Mumma, papa aur mein... Hum teeno date pe chalenge!

Nidhi ka dil dhadak raha tha. Usne virodh kyu kiya? Woh beech me kyu aayi? Kya uss hospital waali raat sach me usne apna dil Veer ko saunp diya tha?

Toh, fir uski chhoti behan ka kya? Use toh khush hona chahiye tha ki uski chhoti behan ko Veer jaise ladke me interest tha aur use toh iss orr badhna chaahiye tha ki kaise woh Veer aur Shreya ko ek kar sake.

Lekin...

Jab Shreya ne use chhua, uske qareeb jhuki, use apne andar ek dard kyu mehsoos hua?

Usne andar jaati Shreya ko dekha. Aur, tabhi uski aankhein Veer se mili.

*Badump*

Nidhi : M-Mein...

Juhi : Mumma chalogi na?

Veer (smiles) : Zaroor! Hum sab chalenge. Okay?

Juhi (beams) : Yayyy~

Veer ka haath achanak Nidhi ke haath ke upar aaya, toh bechari Nidhi jhatka kha kar reh gayi. Nazrein mili. Aur, saansein tez ho gayi. Lekin, iss baar-

Nidhi ne apna haath nahi hataaya. Veer ki giraft me hi rehne diya. Veer ne dusra haath uske chehre ki orr badhaaya. Uski chin ko thaamte hue, chehre ko apni orr karne ki koshish ki-

Magar, Nidhi ne kaanpte hue apna chehra dheere se dusri orr ferna chaaha. Aur, tabhi Veer ne apna angutha Nidhi ke gulaabi hontho par firaaya.

Ek sihran Nidhi ke poore jism me daud gayi. Woh haanf rahi thi. Veer ne unn sharbati hontho ko chhiya. Nidhi ki palkein ahista-ahista uthi. Woh Veer ko dekhi. Juhi wapas se apne khilauno me lag chuki thi. Aur, uske peechhe sofe par Veer aur Nidhi agal-bagal behad qareeb baithe the.

Veer aage ki orr jhuka... Uski garm saansein jaise hi Nidhi ki gardan par padi, woh thitak kar reh gayi aur ghabraate hue uss se door ho gayi.

Kintu, Veer ne bura nahi maana. Balki, uske hontho par muskaan hi bikhri thi.

Magar, koi tha...

Bagal ki deewar ke peechhe...

Jo phati aankhon se iss drishya ko dekh raha tha.

'I-It can't be...!!!!?'

***

Hotel Prestige, Mumbai
Late at night ~

Prestige ki lobby me steel pipes, auzaaron ki khat-khat ki awaaz goonj rahi thi.

Kabhi modern elegance aur business class luxury ka prateek raha ye hotel ab reconstructive surgery se guzar raha tha.

Lobby ki west wing me scaffolding bichha hua tha. Workers der raat tak kaam karne ke liye lage hue the. Ek samooh nayi khidki ke frame ki welding kar raha tha, toh wahi kuchh farsh par visfot se hui kaalikh lage marble ko alag kar naya marble bichha rahe the.

"Kharcha toh hua hai, ma'am. Estimate ke according chale toh aap ye maan ke chaliye ki... 20-25 lakh araam se. Zyada bhi ho sakta hai."

Bhumika chup chaap apni secretary ki baat sunn rahi thi. Business outfit pehne, uska navy blue blazer uske kandho par peechhe se latka hua tha.

Woh jaanti thi. Use anumaan tha ki kitna kharcha ho chuka hoga. Aur, ye kharcha poora nahi tha. Yarnia ke products jo barbaad hue, kapde, models ki advance fees jo unhe deni padi, musical orchestra ki fees, decorations ke charges, invitations ke charges, wagarah wagarah aur fir ye humla jisne laakho ka maal tabaah kar diya.

Woh jaanti thi. Kitna bhaari nuksaan unhe hua tha. Upar se maare gaye security guards ko kahi na kahi financial support dene ki zimmedari. Ye sab kuchh bahut zyada tha.

Tabhi, uske peechhe se ek awaaz goonji. Dheemi. Aur, niyantrit.

"Evening...! Miss Bhumika."

Woh mudi, bauhe sikodte hue. Transparent glasses ki main entrance se ek mahila andar aa rahi thi. Wo bhi police uniform me. Aur, uske seene me laga batch dekhte hi Bhumika ki aankhein chaudi ho gayi.

Bhumika : DSP!?? Yaha? Mein... Mujhe ummeed nahi thi ki-

Trisha seedhe andar chali aayi.

Trisha : Jaanti hu. Aapke staff ne bhi ummeed nahi ki thi. Isliye, sab baahar chaunk gaye. Lekin, jab ek badi hotel me bombing ho, shootout ho, toh normal officers use bas kuchh hadd tak hi sambhaal sakte hai.

Bhumika ne apni bechaini ko chhupaane ki koshish karte hue saans chhori.

Bhumika : Wahi! Maine jab FIR file ki thi toh aap nahi thi. Mujhe laga tha ki officers hi sab investigate karenge-

Trisha ki nazar ab khaali ho chuke lounge area par padi. Bahut se furniture safed chaadron se dhake hue the, taaki kaam ke chalte unn par kisi bhi prakaar ki dhool, paint ya gandagi na lag jaaye.

Trisha : Well, originally... Yes. Yahi procedure hota hai. Mujhe involve hone ki zaroorat nahi padti agar ye case itna bada nahi hota toh...

Kehte hue usne apni uniform ki jeb se ek muda hua kaagaz nikaala. Ek tasveer. Usne wo tasveer reception ke counter par rakhi.

Bhumika jhuki. Usne dekha. Ek chehra. Logon ke samooh me. Safed kurta aur neeli jeans daale hue.

Trisha : Yahi hai uss raat Hotel Prestige me hue uss humle ke peechhe ka aadmi.

Maano jaise Bhumika ke perro taley zameen khisak gayi.

Trisha : Dhananjay!!!

Bhumika : Kyaaaaa???

Woh ladkhadaate hue chillaayi.

Bhumika : Kaun?? Kaun hai ye? Maine iske baare me kabhi nahi suna. Aur, na hi mein jaanti hu. Hai kaun ye???

Bhumika ka reaction dekh, ek pal ke liye Trisha ki bauhe sikudi. Ye dilchasp tha. Ab do baatein ho sakti thi. Ya toh Bhumika naatak kar rahi thi, aur woh jaanti thi ki yeh aadmi kaun tha. Ya fir use waqai iske baare me kuchh nahi pata tha.

Aur, agar aisa tha... Toh, Trisha ke liye cheezein aur bhi pecheeda hone waali thi. Aur, dekh ke toh yahi lag raha tha ki Bhumika waqai iss shaks se anjaan thi.

Trisha : Mujhe aapse aisi ummeed nahi thi. Aapki hotel par humla hua, shaks aapke saamne tasveer me maujood hai aur aap ise nahi jaanti? Toh, bhala anjaan vyakti kyu aap par humla karega?

Bhumika : I... I swear officer!!! Mein nahi jaanti ye kaun hai. Aisa bhi toh ho sakta hai ki... Ye main aadmi na ho? Koi aur bhi ho iske peechhe?

Trisha (nods) : Bilkul!

Bhumika : Aapne... Aapne iske baare me pata kaise lagaaya?

Trisha : Phone calls!

Bhumika : ???

Trisha : Uss night hue iss area ke around almost sabhi phone calls ki history trace karni padi. Jab dhyaan se gaur kiya toh paaya ki... Prestige ke around baar-baar 4 se 5 jagah aapas me hi calls kiye jaa rahe the.

Bhumika : !!?

Trisha : Probably, ye attackers ke group me se leader aur baaki sab ke beech ho rahi baaton ka saboot tha. Uske baad, ek recent call ki madad se humne ek aadmi ko yahi paas ke area me se dabocha hai.

Bhumika : Impressive! But... Koi mere bhai ki hotel... Hum par... kyu humla karna chaahega?

Trisha jhijhki. Fir dheere se usne bola.

Trisha : Bomber ke baare me toh aap informed hongi hi. Rajat!?

Bhumika (nods) : J-Ji!

Trisha : Hmm! Filhaal ke liye, woh hirasat me hai. Confession? Uska kehna hai ki usne Veer se badla lene ke liye ye sab kiya.

Bhumika ke honth ek rekha me dabb gaye.

Bhumika (frowns) : Veer se dushmani!? Uske liye itna kuchh...

Trisha : Kya aap iss dushmani ke baare me kuchh jaanti hai? Mera vistaar se jaanana zaroori hai.

Bhumika : Jaha tak mujhe pata hai. Wo Rajat... *frowns* Achha aadmi nahi. No! Never! Nidhi ma'am hai humaare yaha. Veer ke college ki teacher reh chuki hai. Unka-

Trisha : Jaanti hu. Nidhi ji ka ex husband hai. Dono ka talaak ho chuka hai.

Bhumika (surprised) : O-Oh!

Trisha : Mujhe dushmani ke baare me bataaiye.

Bhumika (nods) : S-Sure! Veer ne hi... Ma'am ko iss toxic relationship me baahar nikaalne me help ki thi actually. Uski wajah se hi ye sab possible hua tha.

Trisha ke mann me tabhi uss raat waali Veer ki chhavi dimaag me umad aayi. Jab woh Juhi aur Pihu dono ko ghaayal awastha me apne upar laade hue tha. Iska matlab... Veer Nidhi ki parvah karta tha!?

Trisha : Hmm! Interesting!

Bhumika : Bas. Mujhe itna hi pata hai. Details nahi pata. But yahi hua tha. Aur, shayad wo Rajat isliye Veer se nafrat karta hai. Lekin, uske liye woh aisa kuchh kar dega? I could never imagine. He's a complete psycho.

Trisha (nods) : Hmm! So... Nidhi and Veer... huh...! Okay.

Bhumika : A-Aap!? Aap Veer ko jaanti ho?

Trisha (smirks) : Kaun nahi jaanta? Ab kaafi charcha me jo hai.

Bhumika : Ah! I see. Like that...

Trisha jaate-jaate muskurayi. Uska kaam poora ho chuka tha. Woh yaha information dene kam, lene zyada aayi thi.

Use pata lag chuka tha ki Bhumika iss maamle se anjaan thi. Use pata lag chuka tha ki bomber Rajat, Veer ka dushman tha. Use sandeh ho chuka tha ki Dhananjay naam ka yeh vyakti bhi kahi na kahi shayad Veer ka dushman hi nikalne waala tha. Use pata lag chuka tha ki Nidhi aur Veer ke beech koi gehra rishta tha. Uska shaq gehra ho chuka tha ki Veer underground world me active tha.

Ab kadi se kadi milni shuru ho chuki thi. Aatish. Slogan. Veer ka mirror gallery me hona. Uska underworld me involve hona. Aatish aur Slogan ki rehesyamayi maut. Aur, ab Veer par humla. Ek targeted attack. Har ek cheez ek hi shaks ki orr point out kar rahi thi — Veer.

Kya ye theory sach nahi ho sakti thi ki Veer par ye pareshani uske ateet me li gayi logon se buraayi ki wajah se aa rahi thi?

Trisha ab aatmvishvas se bhari hui thi. Woh gutthi ko suljhaane ke liye uske qareeb badhti jaa rahi thi.

Nikalne se pehle wo ek pal ruki aur bina mudey hi poochhi.

Trisha : Waise... Kaha hai Mister Veer?

Bhumika (glances) : Woh... Woh toh Nidhi ma'am ke saath hi reh raha hai. Aur, uski maasi ke ghar me. Din me ma'am ke yaha toh raat me maasi ke ghar. Kya aapko koi kaam hai uss se!? I mean... Agar, possible ho toh uske side se mein question and answers ke liye ready hu. Abhi wo cope up kar raha hai. Toh agar-

Trisha : Nahi! Abhi koi zaroorat nahi. Don't worry.

Ab use sab samajh aa raha tha. Woh student jiska zikr Nidhi ne gift shop par uss raat kiya tha. Wo dono... qareeb the. Magar, agar Nidhi jaisi aurat uss par itna bharosa karti hai toh-

Usne dheere se saans chhori. Aur, waha se jaate-jaate...

Trisha : Take care, Miss Bhumika. Dhananjay ki chinta hum par chhor dijiye.

Bhumika : Huh? Uski location pata lag gayi??

Trisha ki muskaan laut aayi. Entrance ke baahar nikalte uske muh se bas yahi nikla.

"Classified."

Kehte hue woh waha se ravaana ho gayi. Aur, Bhumika ko uljha hua chhor gayi. Bhumika ne apna phone nikaala, gallery khol usme ek tasveer dekhi. Tasveer uski aur Veer ki thi. Kuchh mahine pehle ki. Veer ke chehre ko zoom kar usne use dekha.

Woh ab jaan chuki thi ki ye sab kuchh ghatnaaaye... Veer se sambandhit thi.

'Tum kuchh chhipa rahe ho... Hai na? Veer!?'

Screen ko ahista se sehlaate hue usne nishchay kiya ki Veer se woh vyaktigat me baat karegi. Aur, fir mudte hue woh hotel se nikalne ki taiyaari karne lagi.

---

Toh wahi idhar derr raat me, Veer jo apni maasi se lipat kar laita hua tha, uski palkein achanak hi khul gayi.

Usne dekha ki Purvi gehri neend me so rahi thi. Usne ghadi dekhi. Subah ke 1:45 baj rahe the.

Uska raat me yaha rukna isliye zaroori tha kyunki Arun, apne bete Ayush ke liye naye hostel me use shift karwaane ke liye Delhi gaya hua tha. Aur, Purvi ka akela rukna theek nahi tha.

Magar, majbooran-

Uske haath aur bhi kaamo me bandhe hue the. Kuchh aise kaam... Jo derr raat ke andhere me hi kiye jaa sakte the.

*Click*

Dheere se darwaaze ko lock kar, ek akhiri nazar apni maasi par daal, woh waha se gaayab ho gaya.

***

Penthouse Suite,
Hotel Casa Belle,
Mumbai, Night - 1:50 AM ~

Aadesh Jaisinghani apni araam kursi par peeth tikaaye hue tha. Nanga seena, ek silk robe aalsi dhang se uss par lipta hua tha.

Usne ek bahut hi mehngi whiskey ka ek ghooth liya, har harqat par uski sone ki chain chamak rahi thi.

"Kya raat hai ye-!! Calm. Silent. Peaceful. Such a lovely night. Waah!"

Khule sheesein ke darwaazon ke peechhe se Mumbai ka nazara jhalak raha tha.

Veer Singh. Ab tasveer se baahar tha. Prestige lahu-luhaan ho chuka tha. Market ghabraya hua tha. Investors hich-kicha rahe the. Aur, woh? Woh ab fal-fool raha tha.

Uska ek competitor, ab race se baahar ho chuka tha. Sheh aur maat.

Usne apne glass me whiskey ghumaayi.

Aadesh : Finally... *smiles* The king falls... And, Casa Belle rises. Hahaha!

Usne apni aankhein band ki, swaad ko barkaraar rehne diya, ki tabhi-

*CLACK*

Uski aankhein ek jhatke me khul gayi. Suite ka darwaza khul chuka tha. Usne fauran apna sarr ghumaate hue darwaaze ki orr dekha.

Waha... Darwaaze par...

'Huh?'

Koi khada tha. Peeth ke peechhe haath kare hue, jaise koi vakeel faisle ka intezar karta hai. Ek aadmi. Badi qad kaathi ka.

Proper suit pehne, peechhe ki orr kanghi kiye hue baal, teekhi daadhi, gussail aankhein. Aur, aspasht chehra.

Aadesh ki saansein atak gayi. Nashe ka ek-ek ansh uske shareer se gaayab ho gaya.

Aadesh : H-Huh? K-Kaun? T-Tum andar kaise aaye?

Jaise hi woh aadmi thode ujaale me aaya, toh Aadesh ke perr kaanp uthe. Woh ise jaanta tha.

Balhaar.

Woh Aadesh ki orr aage badha. Uske peechhe do aur hatte-katte aadmi andar aaye — taqatvar aur sudol. Aur, fir darwaza dheere se andar se band ho gaya.

Aadesh khada hua. Woh jaanta tha ki Balhaar kaun tha. Magar, iss tarah se uske private suite me ghusna. Ye kahi se bhi theek nahi maalum pad raha tha. Upar se aaj ki pyaari raat uski iss dakhal se barbaad ho chuki thi. Woh gusse me tha. Beshaq.

Aadesh (frowns) : Y-Ye ek 7 star luxury hai. Mere paas har floor ki private security hai. Aur, ye tareeqa sahi nahi-

Balhaar : Tumne iss baar bahut badi galti kar di.

Uski awaaz me shaanti thi. Aadesh ki dhadkane pal bhar ke liye tez ho gayi.

Aadesh : G-Galti? Kya galti? M-Maine kya kiya?

Balhaar: Oh? Naatak huh!?

Usne ek chutki bajaayi. Aur, turant hi do logon ko baahar se ghaseetate hue kamre ke andar laaya gaya.

Unka muh band tha, shareer par chot lagi hui thi, darr ke maare dono kaanp rahe the. Aur, unhe dekhte hi-

Aadesh ka chehra peela pad gaya. Woh unhe pehchaanta tha. Ye wahi toh the. Hotel Prestige me humle ke dauran maare gaye security guards ke rishtedar.

Wahi log jinhe usne media ke saamne Veer aur uske hotel ko badnaam karne ke liye ghoos dekar khareeda tha. Use laga ki sab kuchh nipat chuka tha. Koi pata bhi nahi laga sakta tha. Lekin-

'Tch!'

Usne apne sookhe hontho ko kisi sarp ki tarah chaata, sthiti ko sambhaalne ke baare me woh sochne laga.

Aadesh : Y-Ye? M-Mein inhe nahi jaanta. K-Kaun hai ye?

Balhaar : Abhi bhi bewakoof banaane ki koshish??

Aadesh : D-Dekho-

Usne zorr se chillaate hue kaha, woh kisi prakaar ka sahara dhundhne ki koshish kar raha tha.

Aadesh : Mein jaanta hu ki tum D-Don ho, magar... T-Tum iss tarah se kisi ki privacy me dakhal nahi de sakte-! P-Police tumhe-

Kehte hue woh ruk gaya.

Balhaar bina palkein jhapkaaye use ghoor raha tha. Uske hontho par ek patli si muskaan ubhri hui thi. Koi darr nahi. Koi ghabrahat nahi.

Aur, fir Aadesh ko ehsaas hua.

Unse galti kar di. Bahut badi galti. Uske maathe se ek paseene ki boond ludhak gayi.

Balhaar dheere-dheere khidki ke paas gaya, haath peeth ke peechhe rakhe, chaand ko dekhta hua.

Balhaar : Kya tumhe andaza bhi hai ki sheher me aur sheher ke baahar mere under me kitne hotels hai, Jaisinghani!?

Aadesh : ??

Balhaar (smirks) : Kya tumhe andaza hai ki iss poori floor ko book karna mere liye kitna asaan tha? Aisi IDs... Jo har verification ko legally pass kar sakti hai. *grins*

Aadesh ki nazrein khule darwaaze ke baahar padi. Hotel ki manzil ke corridor me usne dekha. Darjano parchhaiyaan ghoom rahi thi. Balhaar ke aadmi.

Par, kaise?

Balhaar : Tumhe laga ki mein security ko pass kar ke andar aaya hu? *smiles* Mere aadmi guests bann kar din me ghuse the yaha.

Aadesh : H-Huh!?

Balhaar : Pune, Nashik, Goa, Jaipur. Alag-alag sheher se. Alag-alag IDs. Sab legal. Nothing illegal.

Aadesh ab kaanp raha tha. Use bodh ho chuka tha ki poori floor par, Balhaar ke aadmi room liye baithe the. Aur, isliye uski security unhe rok nahi paayi. Kyunki, ve sab bahut saare the.

Ghabrakar usne apna rukh badalne ki koshish ki.

Aadesh : D-Dekho-! T-Tumhe aisa karne ki zaroorat nahi hai. Mujhe gumrah kiya gaya hai. Y-Ye personal nahi tha. It was all business, you know.

Par-

Uska koi bhi paitra kaam nahi aa raha tha. Aur, akhirkar usne apni aakhiri chaal chali.

'Tch!'

Aadesh (yells) : Tum uske liye kyu kaam kar rahe ho, huh??? That fucking kid, Veer!!! C'mon man! Tum aur mein- hahaha! Hum dono iss sheher par raaj kar sakte hai. Saath me.

Balhaar ki bauhe fadki.

Aadesh : Mere saath kaam karo. Uske under nahi. No restrictions. Tumhe paisa, power, respect, sab milega. Veer hai hi kya mere saamne?? Tumhare jaisa don uss bacche ke under kaise kaam kar sakta hai?

Balhaar : ...

Aadesh : Work with me!!! *grins* Tum... Tum Raja ho. Use 'boss' kehne ki kya naubat aa gayi tumhari?

Use laga jaise usne Balhaar ke chehre par jhijhak dekhi. Uska aatmvishvas badh gaya.

Aadesh : Hum dono, saath milke kya kuchh nahi kar sakte. Mere saath kaam karne ke liye tumhe mujhe koi 'boss' kehne ki zaroorat nahi. Hum equals honge. Equal partners. Mere paas Veer se zyada paisa hai. Zyada rutba hai. Woh kisi bhi maamlo me mere level par hai hi nahi. Aao! Aao hum saath milke kaam kare.

Balhaar : ...

Aadesh : Zara socho! Tum aur mein... Poore Mumbai par humara raaj hoga. Mein tumhari madad white world me karunga, aur tum meri madad black world me karna. Tumhari image ko saaf rakhne ki zimmedari meri hogi. Aur, mere competitors ko unki aukaat dikhaane ki zimmedari tumhari. Hum dono ek behtareen team bann sakte hai. We can do wonders hahahaha!

Balhaar : Tumhari baat me dum toh hai.

Aadesh : Haha! Hai na? Koi murkh hi hoga jo uss Veer ke under kaam karna chaahega. Aur, mein jaanta hu ki tum bhi... ye nahi chaahte. Aao my friend. Let's work together. Together we'll crush this bug, Veer.

Balhaar apne aadmiyon ki orr muda aur ishaara kiya. Aur, unn aadmiyon ne Aadesh ki baahein chhor di.

Aadesh ne apna robe sahi kiya, chhaati aatmvishvas se fool gayi. Woh jeet chuka tha.

Aadesh : Hatao-! Hatao apne haath! Fucking losers. How dare you touch my expensive robe like that-!? Fuck off!

Balhaar aage badha. Usne apna haath aage badhaaya. Aadesh bhi aage aaya, usne muskuraate hue apna haath uss se milaane ke liye uthaaya.

Aur, tabhi-

*WHUMP*

Balhaar ka haath ek mutthi bann ke seedhe uski aant me aa kar pada. Aadesh ke muh se thook nikal aaya. Uski aankhein palatne ko ho gayi.

Woh khaaste hue, ubkaayi lete hue apne ghutno par gir pada. Usne saans lene ki koshish ki. Bolne ki koshish ki. Lekin, haafne ke alawa uss se kuchh na hua.

Balhaar : Tumhe lagta hai ki paise se wafadari khareedi jaa sakti hai, Jaisinghani? Tune soch bhi kaise liya ki tu aur mein equals ho sakte hai?

Aadesh : !!?

Balhaar : Tu mujhe khareedne chala tha? Bhosdike! Tere jaise hazaron log mere se deal karne ke liye marte hai. Mere saath uthne baithe ke liye gidgidaate hai. Aur, tu? Tu mujhe apna partner banaane chala hai?

Balhaar ne apne aadmiyon ko ishaara kiya. Aur, aadmi log Aadesh ko utha ke le jaane lage.

Aadesh (panics) : N-Nahi! R-Ruko! Ruko!

Magar, bahut derr ho chuki thi.

Logon ne use kachre ki tarah utha liya. Jab use uske hi penthouse se ghaseet kar baahar nikaala jaane laga, laat maarte hue, cheenkhte hue, toh shor poori hotel me fel gaya.

Guests — ameer, videshi, desi, corridors, rooms ke darwazon par jame hue khade the. Dehshat me saamne ke nazaare ko dekh rahe the ki kaise ek aadmi ko ghaseet kar kamre se baahar nikaala jaa raha tha.

Aur, woh aadmi koi aur nahi, hotel ka hi owner tha — Aadesh Jaisinghani.

Aadesh ne apna chehra chhipaane ki koshish ki, lekin uske gaal par laal rang ka thappad ka nishaan pehle se hi uski izzat ko mitti me mila chuka tha.

Aadesh : S-Security! Security!!!

Woh chillaata raha, magar jaise hi use ghaseet ke first floor ki balcony me laaya gaya toh uski aankhein phati ki phati reh gayi.

Lobby me reception se leke main entrance par, har jagah, Balhaar ke aadmi apna dera jamaaye hue the. Security ko toh gun point par rakhe hue the.

Aadesh ko vishvas nahi ho raha tha. CCTVs? CCTV me zaroor sab kuchh qaid ho chuka hoga.

Par, woh galat tha. Hotel ke control room me hi CCTVs ko monitor karne waale ladke, bandhe hue, kursi par baithe the. Aur, Balhaar ka hi aadmi waha saare cameras ki recordings ko band kar chuka tha.

Yaha tak ki... Guests koi phone recording na kar paaye, uske liye bhi aadmi har rooms ke baahar pehra de rahe the.

Agle hi pal, Aadesh ke perro me wo aadmi log rassi baandhne lage.

Aadesh : H-Huh?? Ch-Chhorro! Chhoro mujhe! K-Kya kar rahe ho? *screams* Fucking leave me!!! Ye tumhare liye achha nahi hoga-!! Samjhe na??

Magar, unn aadmiyon ne ek baat bhi nahi suni. Balhaar utni derr tak Aadesh ke hi private suite me tha. Aur, usne darwaza andar se band kar, apna kaam shuru kar diya.

Idhar baahar Aadesh ke perro par rassi bandh chuki thi. Tabhi, ek aadmi ne rassi ka dusra chhor balcony ke saamne ceiling par latak rahe ek behad bade se chandelier ki orr feka. Aadesh ye dekh ghabra gaya.

Aadesh : Y-Ye!? Ye kya kar rahe ho tum?? Bachao-!! *yells* BACHAAAAO!!! HELP!!!!

Uss aadmi ne chandelier ko rassi ke ek hook se phasa ke kheencha aur fir rassi ka chhor uss par baandhne laga.

Rassi baandhte hi, do aadmiyon ne Aadesh ko uthaaya.

Aadesh (screams) : Nahiiiiii?? Nahi!! KYA KAR RAHE HO??? CHHORO!!! CHHORO MUJHE!! TUM SAB BACHOGE NAHI!!!

Aur, agle hi kshan-

Aadmiyon ne chandelier aur Aadesh, dono ko chhor diya.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa-!!!!"

Aadesh ki cheenkh Casa Belle ki poori lobby me goonj gayi. Woh chandelier se ulta latakta hua, swing motion ko follow karte hue lobby ke beecho-beech aaya, jaha chandelier ke theek neeche ek fountain bana hua tha.

*Splash*

Fountain ke fuwaare me se uska ulta latka shareer bheegta hua jhool ke aage badha. Aur, jab use laga ki woh peechhe deewar se takra jaayega tabhi-

'!!?'

Uske baalon se kisi ne use jakad liya. Woh ulta latka hua tha. Use nahi pata tha ki uske peechhe kaun tha. Kaun use pakda hua tha. Magar, usne dekhne ki koshish ki-

Aankhon ki putliyon ko ghumaate hue usne dekhna chaaha-

Aur, jo usne dekha, use dekh, uske pant me peshaab ki kuchh boondein chhoot gayi.




Laal aankhein. Ye bhram nahi tha.

Aur, fir ek awaaz uske kaano me padi-

"Tell me, Aadesh! Did you... pray today?"

Aadesh (shivers) : A-Ahn!? Huh!?

Lobby ke luxury sofe par Veer virajman tha. Bas intezar kar raha tha. Kal raat usne hi Balhaar se kaha tha.

"Aadesh Jaisinghani ka sarr mere paas jhoolta hua aana chaahiye."

Zaahir hai Balhaar Aadesh ko aise hi maar nahi sakta tha. Aur, na hi Veer ye chaahta tha. Toh, yahi upaay tha jiske chalte Aadesh jhoolta hua seedhe Veer ke saamne aa gaya.

Veer utha. Uske haathon me abhi bhi Aadesh ke baal the. Bhale hi usne apne muh par kapda baandh rakha tha, parantu Aadesh jaan chuka tha ki yeh kaun tha.

Apna haath badhaate hue Veer ne wahi khade aadmi ki orr ishaara kiya. Toh uss aadmi ne fauran hi ek hockey stick Veer ko thama di. Aadesh kisi machhli ki tarah rassi se latka hua chhatpata raha tha. Aisa lag raha tha koi maans ka tukda talne bhun'ne ke liye latkaya gaya ho.

Veer ne koi deri nahi ki-

*THWACK*

"Aaaaaarrrghhhhhh!"

*THWACK*

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

*THWACK*

"Haaaaaarrrrgggghhh!!"

Veer kuchh nahi bol raha tha. Par, jaise jaise woh hockey ke vaar Aadesh ke shareer par barsa raha tha. Waise waise uske andar kuchh tarange paida ho rahi thi. Jo Pari mehsoos kar paa rahi thi.

{N-No! This is bad!! M-Master! Ye kya ho raha hai? He's... He's enjoying it. He's taking pleasure!}

Pari, apne mann me sochne par majboor ho gayi. Kya ye Veer hi tha. Uske hontho par dheere dheere ab ek muskaan saj rahi thi.

Aadesh ki cheenkhein sunn, uske roye roye excitement me khade ho rahe the.

{No no no!!! Master?!?}

[Maaaster-!!!]

Pari chillaayi. Par, koi asar nahi.

Khoon ke chheete lobby me bikharne lage. Aadesh behosh ho chuka tha. Poore guests aatank ke maare jamm ke reh gaye the. Itne me Balhaar suite se baahar aaya. Aur, usne neeche aakar Veer ko roka.

Balhaar : Marr jaayega.

Veer apne hosh me aaya. Usne dekha. Aadesh ka lahu luhaan latakta hua bejaan sa shareer. Woh zinda tha. Lekin, adhmara sa ho chuka tha.

Aur, bina kuchh bole hi Veer ne hockey stick ko zorr se feka aur waha se mud ke jaane laga.

Koi shabd nahi. Koi harqat nahi.

Kyunki, uski agli destination tay thi.

Aur, woh akela nahi tha.

*Vroooooom*

Trisha ki jeep bhi raaste par bhaagte hue usi destination ki orr badh rahi thi.

Dhananjay!!!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Aaj ke liye itna hi guys.
This update consists of 9.4k words approximately. Late update ke liye maafi chaahta hu. Hum ise June ka hi update consider karenge. Lekin, Choonki site crash hui thi aur bahut pareshani jhelni padi. Isliye, June ke liye hum do hi updates per month consider karenge. Ek mein de chuka tha. Aur, ye tha dusra. Ab July ke 3 updates baaki hai. Jo I hope mein iss month me de paaunga. Also, let me know ki Nidhi ke ghar ka scene kaisa laga? Kaafi soch ke likha hai use. Ab thoda bahut action chalega ek do updates me. Aane waale events lined up ho rakhe hai. Autoshield company ka aana. Veer ke missions. Sonia, Kaera ki massive deals. Suhana ka b'day. Ruchika and Suchika ki story, etc. Jo hum sab isi arc me dekhne waale hai. And, uske baad Summit arc. Target 250 hi hai. Like karne ka aur reviews rakhne ka.
Dhanyavad.

Brilliant update bro vakahi lajavab hai

 

[streetking]

Update - 201 ~ From the shadows (1)​

Ab tak...

Purvi ko yu akela chhor woh kisi kaaran se hi gaya tha. Kaaran tha-

*Ding*

[Mission : The Devil is in the details.
Description : Find the culprit who messed with Hotel Prestige, Yarnia, and host's family. Find the plotter.
Rewards : 10,000 points.
Time limit : 1 month.

Mission failure penalty : Unknown for now.]

Yahi wajah thi, Veer ko ab desperate hone ki. Magar, abhi woh soch hi raha tha jab achanak uske mann me-

*Ding*

[Mission : Deal breaker (1)
Description : Find the truth about Pushkar, Gaurav and Nik.
Rewards :
1) 10,000 points.
2) Favourability increase of Divya and Suhana.

Time limit : 10 days.
Mission failure penalty : Losing Suhana and Divya.]

Pehle mission par toh Veer already lag chuka tha. Lekin, dusra mission padhte hi uski aankhein aashcharya me maare fel gayi.

'What!?'

Ab aage...

A few days ago,
Disembowler’s Lair,
Morning - 7:36 AM ~

Kabristan ke ilaake ke baahar peele rang ke barricade tapes lage hue the. Police officers ka jhund andar ikhatta ho rakha tha. Darjano hathiyarband adhikari kabristan ki purani dehti deewaron ke paas khade ho kar media aur darshako ko door rakhne ki koshish kar rahe the. Cameras ke shutters baar-baar click ho rahe the, aur reporters chillaate hue khabar jaanane ki maang kar rahe the.

Par, fir bhi... Iss shor ke beech, Maharashtra ke DGP, Rohan Bakshi kabristan ke andar khamosh khade hue the.

Uske haath aapas me bandhe the. Aur, aankhein neeche ek gehre gaddhe ki orr tiki thi. Yahi wo entry thi jo Disembowler ki lair ke andar jaane ka raasta thi.

Wo abhi tak neeche nahi gaya tha, lekin tasveeron me usne bahut kuchh dekha tha.

Jalne ke nishaan, acid ke daag. Jung lage bistaron par bandhi zanzeerein. Baal ke guchhe. Haddiyaan. Surgical instruments. Janvaro ke shav. Insaanon ke avshesh. Aise aise chemicals jinhe abhi tak theek tarah se pehchaana bhi nahi gaya tha. Kharocho ke nishaan, khoon se sani deewaarein aur, na jaane kya kya.

"Sir?"

Rohan ne dheere se apna sarr ghumaaya. Ek hawaldar kabristan ke gate ke paas se savdhani se andar aaya, maano beech me bolne se darr raha ho.

"Hmm?"

Rohan ne sawaaliyaan nazrein liye uss se poochha.

Hawaldar : Media waale ab out of control ho rahe hai, Sir. Barrier todne ki dhamki de rahe hai. Live dikha rahe hai sab aur jawab ki maang kar rahe hai. Bina wajah kyu police ne aisi jagah par jaanch jaari kar rakhi hai? Aur, agar wajah hai... toh saamne kyu nahi laate? Mujhe nahi lagta ab hum unhe lambe samay tak rok paayenge, Sir.

Rohan ne turant jawab nahi diya. Uski nazar barrier ke theek peechhe badhti bheed par gayi. Darjano microphone taane journalists khade hue the. News vans betarteeb dhang se khadi thi. Aur, cameramen giddh ki tarah focus lagaaye baithe the.

Logon me darr toh tha, magar akrosh bhi utna hi tha. Rohan ne akhirkar kaha.

Rohan : Unse kaho ki mein aa raha hu.

Hawaldar ne sarr hilaaya aur fauran hi tezi se waapas bhaaga.

Rohan dheere-dheere barrier ke baahar jaane ke liye orr badha. Aur, use baahar aata dekh reporters bhediyo ki tarah aage badhne lage, camera shutters click hone lage, recordings chalu ho gayi, aur microphones ek dusre ke upar dhakel diye gaye.

Rohan baahar aate hue unn sab ke saamne aa kar khada hua. Ek pal beeta. Aur, fir sawaalon ke vaar shuru ho gaye.

"Sir, kya aap batayenge ki kya kuchh chal raha hai? Kyu police ne iss kabristan ko band kar rakha hai kal raat se?"

"Kya serial killer pakda gaya hai? Ya aur bhi bodies mili hai andar?"

"Serial killer se janta safe hai ya nahi, Sir?"

"Kya wo akela hi hai ya aur bhi log hai?"

"Kya police koi badi khabar janta se chhupa rahi hai?"

Rohan ne apna haath uthaaya. Aur, afra-tafri ka mahaul chuppi me badal gaya. Ek kshan baad woh bola. Uski awaaz bhaari aur gambheer thi aur aankhein camera par tiki hui thi.

Rohan : Humne serial killer ka thikaana khoj nikaala hai.

Ye sunte hi bheed me tanaav badh gaya. Log kaanp uthe. Sach saamne aane waala tha.

Rohan : Abhi completely nahi keh sakte ki ye usi ka thikaana tha ya nahi. Lekin, 99% hum sure hai isme ki yahi par wo pichhle kuchh dinon se chhipa hua tha.

Journalist 1 : Yaha par se aapka kya matlab hai?

Rohan (glances) : Yahi! Kabristan ke neeche. Underground.

Journalists : !!!

Rohan : Aur, isliye police use dhundhne me nakaam ho rahi thi. Experts abhi neeche analysis kar rahe hai. Aur, maine neeche ki kuchh photos bhi dekhi hai.

Journalist 1 : Kya mila sir aapko? Kuchh batayenge?

Rohan : Dekhiye! Abhi iss baat pe mein charcha nahi karna chahunga. Neeche jo kuchh bhi hai, bahut bura hai.

Journalist 1 : Toh kya aap janta ko andhere me rakhenge?

Rohan (sighs) : Dead bodies!!!

Journalist 1 : *shivers*

Rohan : Mil gaya aapko aapka jawaab? Ji haan! Neeche se hume bodies mili hai. Ek nahi. Kayi. Sirf insaano ki hi nahi. Janvaro ki bhi. Aur, bhi bahut kuchh. Neeche underground poori ek lair hai. Aur, itni badi hai ki ye apne aap me ek bahut badi discovery hai.

Journalist 2 : Aur, uss serial killer ka kya? Kya police ne use pakad liya hai?

Rohan : Ji nahi! Wo yaha nahi paaya gaya.

Journalist 2 : Toh police ne ye location ka pata kaise lagaaya?

Rohan (sighs) : Meri apni beti... Chhoti si hai. Serial killer dwara kidnap ho gayi thi. Shaam ko. Uske saath ek aur bacchi thi. Do nanhi bacchiyon ko kidnap kar ke bhaaga tha woh.

Journalists : !!!?

Rohan : Par, ye khush-kismati ki baat hai ki dono bacchiyaan sahi salamat laut aayi. Meri wife, Mrs. Trisha, jo ki DSP hai, iss case me kaafi involve hai. Aur, kisi shubhchintak ne unn dono bacchiyon ko sahi salamat rescue kiya tha. Mrs. Trisha ne iski pushti ki hai.

Journalist 2 : Kaun tha woh? Kya hum jaan sakte hai?

Rohan : Iss baare me koi jankari haath nahi lagi hai. Bas, ek naujavan tha jo dono bacchiyon ko serial killer ke muh se chhura kar laaya tha. Humara dhyaan tabhi bacchiyon ko surakshit rakhne me laga hua tha. Aur, saath hi uss serial killer ko pakadne ke liye.

Kehte hue uski bauhe kass gayi. Kyunki, use bhi yahi jankari praapt hui thi.

'Trisha... Kab tak tum mujhse uss naujavan ko chhupaogi? Kya majboori hai tumhari jo tumne mujhe bhi-!!'

Par, wo chaah ke bhi apni patni se sach ko zabardasti nahi jaan sakta tha. Uski beti sahi salamat uske paas pahuchi thi. Aur, ye sab uss naujavan ki wajah se hua tha. Trisha ka kehna tha ki usne uss naujavan ka chehra nahi dekha aur na hi woh use jaanti thi. Magar... Rohan jaanta tha ki uski patni uss se jhooth bol rahi thi. Yaha tak ki uske saath waale officers bhi kuchh nahi ugal rahe the.

Aur, wo h jaanta tha ki iss sab ke peechhe, uski patni ka haath tha.

Journalist 3 : Toh, Sir kya bacchiyon ko bachaane waale ko kisi bhi tarah ki saraahna nahi di jaayegi? Uske liye kuchh nahi karegi police?

Rohan : Hum toh chaahte hi hai ki veh naujavan, agar ye news dekh raha hai, toh kripya saamne aaye, police ke sabhi log saraahna karte hue uska sammaan karna chaahenge.

Aise hi aneko sawaalon ke jawaab dete hue jab Rohan interview se fursat hua toh news channels me sansani si mach gayi.

Desh bhar me TV par breaking news ki headlines chalne lagi.

"Breaking News : Mumbai me sthit ek kabristan ke neeche mili khaufnak maand."

"Police ne pushti ki : Underground maand serial killer ki hi thi."

"Kal shaam do bacchiyon ko aghwa kar ke le gaya tha serial killer."

"Agyaat naujavan dwara dono bacchiyon ko bachaaya gaya."

Aisi tamaam headlines ghar-ghar TVs me daud chali. Aur, isme koi shaq nahi tha ki Veer ke gharwalo ne bhi ye khabre dekh hi li thi.

***

Present,
Nidhi's house, Mumbai,
Morning - 9:20 AM ~

Subah subah Nidhi ke ghar se taaze parathon ki khushbu aa rahi thi. Nanhi Juhi jiski aankhon me abhi bhi kahi na kahi neend bhari hui thi, uski urja me koi kami nazar nahi aa rahi thi. Tabhi, darwaze par ek dastak hui-

*Knock* *Knock*

Juhi ne darwaza khola, aur jaise hi saamne khade shaks ko dekha, uski aankhein chamak uthi.

Juhi (shrieks) : Papa!!!

Woh khushi se chillayi, uski nanhi baahein Veer ki orr badh gayi. Veer muskuraaya — woh teekhi aur sthir muskaan nahi jo aaj kal uske hontho par rehti thi, balki ek sacchi aur keval chand logon ke saamne hi pesh aane waali woh muskaan.

Usne Juhi ko araam se goad me uthaaya, wo khil-khila rahi thi, uske chhote-chhote haath Veer ko uski gardan ke peechhe se jakad liye.

Hall me theek peechhe, Shreya sofe par baithi thi, Dhruv uske bagal se baitha hua tha, aur wo apne haatho se chhote-chhote kaur kar ke Dhruv ko paraanthe khilaane me lagi hui thi.

Kintu, Juhi ka yu Veer ko 'Papa' bulaane se, uski aankhein chand pal ke liye sikudi. Nidhi ne use saara vakhyaan bataya hua tha. Magar, apne kaano se ise saamne sunana ek alag anubhav tha.

Shor sunte hi Nidhi apne haathon ko apron me pochhte hue rasoi se baahar nikli, aur baahar aate hi uske qadam tham gaye. Usne Veer ko dekha. Kaise uski shirt ki aasteen upar thi, hawa se baal bikhre hue the aur Juhi ko apni goad me wo aise uthaaya hua tha jaise maano wo sach me uski bacchi ho.

*Badump*

Uska dil dhadak utha.

Nidhi : Veer...! T-Tum... Aa gaye!?

Veer (smiles) : Hmm! Good morning!

Usne Juhi ko dheere se neeche utaarte hue kaha.

Nidhi (smiles) : G-Good morning! Kaisi thi raat? Maasi ke yaha? Thoda better feel hua ghar se nikal ke?

Veer : Hmm? Oh! Haan! Zaroor!

Nidhi : Oh! Badhiya! T-Tum ekdum time par aaye ho. Naashta taiyaar hi hai. Fatafat baith jao. Fresh hona hai toh washroom me jaa-

Veer : Nahi! Mein maasi ke yaha se brush kar ke, in fact naashta kar ke hi aaya hu.

Nidhi : Kya? P-Par-! Tum waha se hi kyu-

Veer (smiles) : Aap le aaiye jo bhi banaya hai. Mujhe abhi bhi bhookh hai.

Nidhi (smiles) : H-Haan! Haan! Zaroor! Bas ek minute!

Nidhi chehekte hue tez qadmo ke saath andar gayi. Idhar Veer ne Juhi ko ek chocolate ka box pakdaya toh woh bhi khush ho gayi.

Juhi : Yay~ Mere liye, papa?

Veer (nods) : Bilkul! Sab tumhara hai!

Woh kone me bhaagi, chocolate box ko kisi khazaane ki tarah maante hue use ahista-ahista kholne lagi.

Aur, ant me jab Veer sofe par baithne laga toh usne Shreya aur Dhruv ko dekha.

Veer : Hey!

Shreya : Hi!

Usne Dhruv ke gaal ko sehlaate hue use khilaaya. Nanha sa Dhruv taktaki lagaaye use aise ghoor raha tha jaise maano yaad karne ki koshish kar raha ho ki ye dekha-dekha shaks akhir kaun hai.

Shreya ne TV se Veer ki orr dekha, fir screen ki orr ishaara kiya. Ek news anchor bahut hi aakramak lehze me khabrein suna raha tha, uske peechhe crime scene ki dhundhli tasveerein flash ho rahi thi.

Shreya (quietly) : Yahi hai... Wo jagah... Hai na?

Veer ne uski nigaaho ka peechha karte hue screen par dekha aur haami bhari.

Veer : Hmm!

Shreya (frowns) : Tum udhar the!? Uss... Shamsaan ke neeche? Juhi ko bachaane ke liye?

Veer ne apni aankhein screen par hi tikaayi rakhi.

Veer : Hmm!

Sunte hi Shreya ke andar ek sihran daud gayi.

Shreya : Toh... Tumhara saamna uss serial killer se nahi hua?

Veer (jhooth bolte hue) : Jab mein waha pahucha tab wo waha nahi tha.

Shreya : Oh! Toh kaha tha woh?

Usne zor dete hue poochha.

Veer : Mujhe kya pata.

Shreya thodi jhuki, bauhe sikodte hue.

Shreya : Aur, wo ghaav? Tumhare haatho par, chehre par-!? Wo kaise aaye?

Veer ki aankhein abhi bhi screen par hi thi.

Veer : Kuchh jaanvar. Awaara kutte... Aur, wo jagah. Mein fisal gaya tha. Gir gaya tha waha. Bas itna hi.

*Silence*

Shreya chup rahi. Woh jaanti thi ki Veer uss se jhooth bol raha tha. Kyunki, Juhi ne pehle hi bahut kuchh Nidhi aur use bata diya tha. Kaise uske so called 'papa' uss serial killer se bhide the, kaise apne upar taange-taange wo unhe bacha ke laaye. Woh kaafi kuchh jaanti thi. Jab usne dekha ki Veer uss vishay se bhaag raha hai, toh usne aur dakhal dene ki koshish nahi ki. Bas itna hi poochhi-

Shreya : Itna pyaar karte ho Juhi se???

Veer : Haan!

*Badump*

Iss baar Shreya ka dil zor se dhadka. Usne ek gehri saans li.

Udhar Juhi ne apni chocolate chabaana shuru kar diya tha. Uski hasi, uski masoomiyat, ye sab kamre me kisi madhur sangeet ki tarah goonj rahi thi.

Shreya : Mujhe ab bhi samajh nahi aata.

Veer : Hmm?

Shreya (budbudaate hue) : Tum humesha cheezon ko halke me kyu lete ho!? Sach chhupaate kyu ho? Bataate kyu nahi logon ko?

Veer ne uski orr dekha.

Veer : Kyunki...

Shreya : ???

Veer : Kuchh sach... theek nahi hote. Unka chhipa rehna hi behtar hota hai.

Shreya bhooli nahi thi. Use sab kuchh yaad tha ki Veer ne uske liye kya kuchh kiya tha. Kaise wo uske liye khada hua tha. Kaise Rajat se usne Nidhi aur Juhi ko bachaaya tha. Kaise usne uski pehli job lagwaayi thi. Aur, kaise uska sapna bhi poora kar diya.

Tab woh use appreciate karne lagi thi. Par, dheere-dheere yahi appreciation, attraction me badal gaya. Aur, ab wo attraction kuchh gehra... kuchh uljha hua... Na jaane kin anubhutiyon par sawaar thi ab woh. Jo bhi tha, bahut prabal tha.

Lekin, aspatal me uss raat ke baad se, jab usne Nidhi ko use kass ke pakde hue dekha tha, uske andar kuchh badal chuka tha.

Shreya : R-Right-!!

Veer : !!?

Shreya : Uss raat hospital me... Pata nahi kaise, aisa laga jaise... meri gardan par kuchh aake laga tha aur fir maine shayad apne hosh kho diye the.

Uski baat sunn Veer ko turant hi ek shaks ka dhyaan aaya.

'Erica-!'

Woh jaanta tha ki Erica hi use Nidhi ke hospital se utha ke laayi thi. Uske baad Renshu use dusre hospital le gaya tha jaha Ragini bharti thi.

Veer : Tum thaki hui hogi. Unconscious ho gayi hogi.

Shreya : Arey nahi! Mein theek thi yaar sach me!!! Kuchh to hua tha... Yaad nahi aa raha kya...

Veer : Don't sweat on it.

Shreya : Yeah!

Juhi carpet par hi laiti hui thi, uske chaaro orr khilauno ki chaadar bichhi hui thi. Do gudiya aapas me nakli ladaayi kar rahi thi, toh wahi ek chocolate se sana hua haath plastic ki talvaar pakde hue tha.

Aur, tabhi-

Nidhi garma-garam paranthe, katori me red sauce, achaar aur chai ke do cup lekar rasoi se baahar nikli. Tray rakhte waqt uski ungliyaan kaanp rahi thi. Na hi garmi se, na hi thand se, balki kisi aur cheez se.

Uski nazrein apne aap Veer par pad gayi. Woh sofe par baitha tha, apni kohni ghutno par tikaaye hue, kinhi khayaalo me khoya hua tha.

Nidhi : Y-Ye..

Usne uske saamne ek plate lagaate hue kaha.

Veer : Ji! Thank you!

Nidhi : Ye chai...

Usne dheere se use cup pakdaate hue kaha. Par, cup lene se pehle jaise hi woh kuchh kehne waala tha. Nidhi ne uske pehle hi keh diya.

Nidhi : Teen chammach. Do cup ke liye. Humesha ki tarah.

Veer muskuraaya.

Veer : Aapko yaad tha!?

Nidhi : Kuchh important cheezein ab mein nahi bhoolti.

Usne jawab diya. Par, turant hi use pachhtava bhi hua ki bhala ye kya keh diya usne? Ye sunn'ne me kaisa laga hoga?

Nidhi (blushes) : M-Mera matlab... mujhe yaad tha.

Woh uske saamne baithi, sahaj hone ka naatak kar rahi thi, lekin aankhein baar-baar Veer par hi tiki rahi aur jaise hi unki nazrein aapas me mili, toh usne jaldi se apni nazrein fer li. Itne me Shreya uthi-

Nidhi : V-Veer...!

Veer : *glances*

Usne dheere se pukaara, jab Shreya haath dhone ke liye andar chali gayi.

Nidhi : Juhi tumhe bahut yaad kar rahi thi. Kal raat se hi-

Veer (smiles) : School nahi gayi aaj?

Nidhi : Nahi! Zidd kar rahi thi. Toh, maine bhi nahi bheja. Aaj tum pehle din aane waale the. Isliye, aaj rok liya maine. *smiles* Par, ye chhutti sirf aaj ke liye.

Veer : Mein subah se shaam yahi rahunga. Kahi nahi jaane waala.

Nidhi : Umm! *smiles* Thank you!

Juhi waapas bhaagte hue aayi. Uske gaal chocolate se bhare hue the. Aur, usne pyaar se pukaara-

Juhi : Papa!!

Veer : Hmm?

Ek pal ke liye apni beti ke muh se Veer ke liye 'papa' sunn, Nidhi ke gaal sharm se laal ho gaye.

Juhi : Mein aapki kanghi kar du??

Veer : Huh??

Juhi : Mumma Juhi ke baal banaati hai toh... toh, Juhi Papa ke banayegi.

Veer : Hahahaha! Mere baal itne lambe nahi hai, Juhi.

Juhi : Mouuu~ Mujhe banaane hai~

Veer : Achha theek hai. Par, abhi nahi. Abhi mein breakfast kar raha hu. Baad me. Theek hai?

Juhi (chimes) : Okay~

Wo khushi se haste hue uske peechhe sofe par chadh gayi. Nidhi bhi hasi.

Veer : Perfect! Aaj bhi inn parantho ka swaad bilkul pehle jaisa hi hai! Aur, ye chai bhi-!

Nidhi ne uske bhaav padhne chaahe, uske hontho par halki muskaan thi. Kuchh saal pehle yahi Veer dara hua rehta tha, study table par jhuka hua, exams ki taiyaari karta hua, aur aaj yahi Veer ek alag Veer bann chuka tha.

Usne dekha ki Veer kamre ko badi hi bareeki se dekh raha tha. Toh, usne khud se hi samjhaana chaaha-

Nidhi : M-Maine curtains badal diye hai.

Veer (smiles) : Haan, wo dekhe maine.

Nidhi : A-Aur, wo corner me lamp bhi rakh diya hai. T-Tum kehte the na ki udhar ek chhota lamp hona chahiye. Toh, maine...

Veer (smiles) : Ab zyada achha lag raha hai.

Nidhi : H-Haan!! Tum wahi baithate the aksar.

Usne khidki ke paas door ek kone ki orr ishaara karte hue kaha. Veer ne uski nigaahon ka peechha kiya aur sarr hilaaya.

Veer : Hmm!

Ye woh jagah thi jaha woh sabse pehle Nidhi ke ghar me aake baitha tha. Jab use laga tha ki duniya me use koi bhi rehne nahi dega. Uska koi thikaana nahi hoga. Tab, yahi jagah uski apni thi. Uski pasandeeda.

Veer ke bhaav padh, Nidhi ki aankhein namm ho gayi.

Veer : Aapne kuchh nahi poochha tha...

Nidhi : !!?

Veer : Koi sawaal nahi. Bas mujhe hospital se leke aayi thi aap. Mujhe apne ghar laayi jaise mein humesha se yahi rehta tha. Aur-

Nidhi : Mujhe kuchh bhi poochhne ki zaroorat nahi thi.

Veer : ???

Nidhi : Mein jaanti thi mein kya kar rahi thi. Aur, kiske liye kar rahi thi.

Veer : Kyu kar rahi thi? Kya iska bhi jawaab hai?

Nidhi : Nahi! Mein nahi jaanti kyu. Bas, itna jaanti hu ki maine jo kiya, sahi kiya.

Veer : Agar, wahi sthiti aaj firse aapke saamne aaye toh kya aap-

Nidhi : Hazaar baar karungi.

Veer : Huh!!?

Nidhi : Har baar!

*Badump*

Iss baar Veer ka dil ek dhadkan phaand gaya. Aur, Juhi jo laiti hui apne khilauno se khelne me lagi hui thi, woh aise hi chehekte hue bol padi-

Juhi : Hehe! Mumma ko papa se pyaal hai~

Nidhi (yells) : J-JUHIIIIII-!!!! *blushes*

Juhi : Mumma loves papa~ Mumma loves papa~ Hehehe~

Nidhi (blushes) : Juhiiiii-!! Chup!!!

Veer ne turant koi jawaab nahi diya. Uske honthon par bas ek halki muskaan saji hui thi. Akhirkar, usne baat ko palatate hue kaha-

Veer : Waise- ye deewar ke paint par abhi bhi wahi daag hai.

Nidhi : Huh? H-Haan! Woh... Woh waha par sab baith ke sarr tikaate hai toh waha daag bann gaya hai. Abhi tak maine uska kuchh nahi kiya.

Veer : Aur, landlord ne nahi dekha abhi tak ye?

Nidhi : Dekh gaye hai! *sighs* Thoda sa hi hai. M-Mein fix karwa dungi baad me.

Veer : Jab karwaana ho toh mujhe bula lijiyega.

Nidhi (quietly) : Mmm!

Na hi Veer ne usko apne paise ka rutba dikhaya. Na hi usko middle class life ka ehsaas dilaaya. Usne bas itna kaha... ki jab sudharwana ho, toh woh use bulaaye. Bas. Aur, Nidhi ko yahi baat sabse achhi lagi.

Tabhi, Shreya ki awaaz ne unka dhyaan bhang kar diya.

Shreya : Oh wowww~ Mujhe toh pata hi nahi tha ki aap dono ekdum shadishuda jode ki tarah baatein karte ho!!?

Nidhi chaunk gayi, uska shareer jhatka kha kar reh gaya. Veer ne bhi bauhe upar kar uski orr dekha.

Veer : Excuse me!?

Shreya pyaar se muskurayi, lekin uski aankhein sikud gayi.

Shreya : Bas itna hi kaha ki maine dii ko kabhi itna baat karte nahi dekha na. Tum toh unka ekdum chatty version saamne le aaye. Nice job Veer. *winks*

Nidhi : Sh-Shreya?

Shreya : No!!! It's actually cute.

Usne parantha ka ek tukda muh me daalte hue kaha.

Shreya : Mujhe sochne pe majboor karta hai ye ki maine dii ke aur kaun se versions abhi tak nahi dekhe hai?

Veer ne uski baaton me ek wazan mehsoos kiya. Woh tanaav kam karte hue halka sa hasa.

[Oh! Someone's jelly...!]

Veer : Well! Haha! Tumhe apni dii se kitchen me aur bhi tasty tasty dishes banwani chaahiye. Trust me! Unke aur bhi versions dekhne ko milenge. *sips* Ye chai kamaal ki hai.

Shreya : Oh please! Aaj itni achhi chai isliye bani hai kyunki tum yaha ho.

Veer : Huh!?

Shreya : Yes! Warna daily aisi nahi banti.

Nidhi : SHREYA!!

Usne ab daanta, lekin gaalon par gulaabi rang chadha hua tha. Tabhi, itne me Juhi achanak khadi hui, uske haathon me ek drawing book thi.

Juhi (runs) : Papaaaa! Papa!!! Dekho! Maine humara ghar banaya...!

[Aww!]

Veer ne drawing book haath me li aur use dekha. Usme Juhi ka ek nanha sa stick figure version, ek bade stick figure ke bagal se khada hua tha, jis par 'papa' likha tha. Aur, uske bagal se ek gulabi color ki 'mumma' khadi hui thi. Spasht roop se — Nidhi. Aur, ek stroller me chhota sa baccha jo ki Dhruv tha.

[It's so cute. Right, master?]

'Hmm!'

Shreya : Huh? Ek minute! Mein kaha hu???

Drawing me Shreya kahi bhi nazar nahi aa rahi thi. Apni maasi ki baat sunn Juhi ne drawing ko firse dekha.

Juhi : Umm... A-Aap... Maasi... Umm... Haan!

Uski ungli fir achanak se ek aur figure ki orr badhi. Aur, wo bade hi garv se boli.

Juhi : Aap ped ho!!!

Shreya (yells) : Kyaaaaaaa????

Veer (laughs) : AHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

Veer ki hasi itni zorr se chhooti ki woh khud ko hasne se rok nahi paaya.

Shreya : Juhi ki bacchi-

Veer : Hahahahahaha!!!

Juhi : Ehehehehe~

Veer ki hasi dekh Juhi bhi uske sang shaamil ho gayi, ye sochte hue ki shayad usne koi bahut badhiya kaam kiya tha jo uske 'papa' has rahe the.

Nidhi jhuk kar dekhne lagi, uske honth hasi ko dabaane ki poori koshish kar rahe the. Yahi. Yahi toh wo pal the jinhe wo miss kiya karti thi. Veer ke yaha hone se... kitni raunak badh jaati thi ghar me.

Par, tabhi Veer ke bol uske kaan me pade. Awaaz bahut hi dheemi thi.

Veer (drawing ko dekhte hue) : Woh wahi dekh rahi hai, jo woh dekhna chaahti hai.

*Badump* *Badump*

Nidhi ke dil ki dhadkane tez ho gayi. Palkein jhapki aur honth thar-thara uthe. Aur, woh achanak se uss se door hoke wapas se apni jagah par baith gayi.

Lekin, unke beech ki ye kashmkash akhir iss baar Shreya ki aankhon se chook ke na jaa saki. Woh ab ise aur andekha nahi kar saki. Usne napkin se apne haath pochhe aur ek muskaan bikherte hue boli.

Shreya : You know what... Ab hum sab ko ek break ki zaroorat hai.

Nidhi : Break?

Shreya : Yeah! Yeah! Break!

Veer : Kaisa break?

Shreya : Break! Har cheez se. Ye lagatar stress, jo kuchh bhi hua, Juhi ka kidnap hona, hospital me dii ka hona, fir shamshan me tumhara jaana, serial killer se Juhi ko chhura ke laana, and then tumhari hotel pe wo unknown attack, Ragini aunty ki injury, Yarnia ka shut down, all that shit and-

Usne khud ko thoda roka, use ehsaas hua ki uski awaaz kuchh zyada hi oonchi ho rahi thi.

Shreya : I mean... Ye... Ye sab bahut zyada tha, right?

Veer ki palkein jhuk gayi. Nidhi ne bhi ek aah bhari, uske kandhe adrishya bojh se bhaari ho gaye.

Nidhi : Tumne sahi kaha.

Shreya khadi hui, table ke chaaro orr ghoomi aur Veer ke bagal se sofe ke armrest par baith gayi, kuchh zyada hi nazdeek.

Shreya : Plus... Mein Singapore se waapas aayi hu. Can you imagine? Singapore se! Mera shoot cancel ho gaya. Sab kuchh beech me chhorna pada. And, I don't even know why. Toh, ab mein practically unemployed hu aur frustrated bhi.

Veer : Toh?

Shreya : Toh, mere paas ek badhiya idea hai.

Veer : Jaise ki-?

Shreya : Jaise ki... Tum mujhe-

Veer : !!?

Shreya (smiles) : Ek date par leke chalo!

Nidhi : !!!!!

Veer : Huh?

Nidhi ko apne kaano par vishvas nahi ho raha tha. Juhi farsh par se uthi aur boli.

Juhi : Date pe? Mumma date pe kaise jaa sakte hai?? Usko to likhte hai na?

Bechari nanhi Juhi couple waali date ko tareekh waali date samajh rahi thi. Aur, isme uski koi galti bhi nahi thi. Shreya uski galat-fehmi par muskurayi.

Shreya : Woh waali date nahi, my little munchkin.

Juhi : Toh aur kaun si date??

Shreya ne naatkeeya dhang se apni zulfo ko peechhe karte hue jawab diya.

Shreya (smiles) : Iss date me sirf do bade log jaate hai, sweetie. Lunch pe, ya dinner pe, saath-saath. Sirf ek ladka. Aur, ek ladki.

Juhi : T-Toh, mein bhi chalungi.

Shreya (grins) : Hmph! Shayad tumne suna nahi beta! Maine kya kaha? Isme sirf do bade log jaate hai. Aur, tum kya ho?? Chhoti bacchi. Samajh gayi?

Juhi : M-Mujhe bhi jaana hai-!!!! Mein bhi papa ke saath jaungi!

Shreya : Hahaha! Ab toh tum aur nahi jaa sakti.

Juhi (ruwasi awaaz me) : K-Kyu?

Shreya : Kyunki, date par sirf couples ya friends jaate hai, my dear. *grins* Aur, tum toh Veer ko apna papa maanti ho. Hai na? Toh, tum toh jaa hi nahi sakti.

Juhi ki aankhon me aasu panpe. Shreya thoda ghabrayi aur uska darr haqeeqat me badal gaya.

"Haaaarrrrggghhhhhhh-!!!"

Juhi rote hue jaa ke Nidhi se lipat gayi.

Nidhi : Shreya!!! Kyu Juhi ko abhi se ye sab bataya? Ab wo-

Shreya : What? Aisa toh hai nahi ki mein uss se shaadi kar rahi hu. Ek date ke liye hi toh kaha hai. Ek dinner. Woh mera friend hai itna achha. Kya burayi hai isme?

Juhi : haaaaaarrrrgggghhh!!

Nidhi : P-Par, fir bhi- Y-Ye nahi-

Usne bolna chaaha, magar ruk gayi.

Shreya : Nahi kya? Kya friends ke saath hangout karne me koi problem hai? Aur, upar se ye Veer hai. Agar, mein ghar me mummy papa ko bhi bata ke jau na toh bhi woh mujhe nahi tokenge. Aur, aap shayad ye baat achhe se jaanti hongi.

Nidhi ki palkein neeche jhuk gayi. Woh apni beti ko chup karaane me lagi hui thi jab Juhi achanak se uske paas se nikli aur jaake Veer ke haath ko jakad li.

Shreya : !!?

Juhi : Niiiiii!!! Mein papa ko kahi nahi le jaane dungi.

Shreya : Aww! Par, cheezein tumhari icchha se nahi chalti, sweetie! Zara socho! Actually... Agar, sach me tumhari maasi ki shaadi tumhare so called 'papa' se ho gayi? Toh kya hoga? Tumhare papa humesha tumhare paas reh sakte hai. Aur, fir mein kya lagungi tumhari? Hmm? Mumma? Hahaha!

Juhi (shrieks) : Niiiiiii!!!

Shreya : ???

Juhi (Veer ki orr mudte hue) : P-Papa! Aap ni jaoge na?

Shreya : Arey waah! Kyu nahi jaayega woh? Hum bilkul jaayenge!

Juhi (shouts) : Niiiiii!!!

Veer : Ummm...

Juhi : Papa!!! Ni jaoge na??

Veer (smiles) : Mein-

Iske pehle ki woh jawaab de paata, Nidhi hi beech me kood gayi.

Nidhi : Woh nahi jaa sakta!!

Usne apni mansha kuchh zyada hi zorr se zaahir ki.

Veer : !!?

Shreya : Huh?

Nidhi : V-Veer ka... Usne abhi-abhi apne dada ji ko khoya hai.

Ek solid counterattack. Veer ne iss par chupchaap sarr hilaaya. Toh wahi, Shreya ki muskaan thodi ladkhada gayi.

Shreya : Haan toh mein kaun sa aaj hi uss se chalne ke liye keh rahi hu? Par, agle hafte ka kya? Agle mahine? Woh humesha toh iss phase me nahi reh sakta na? Humein use aur lively feel karwana chaahiye. Isliye, toh maine kaha tha. Hum baad me bhi jaa sakte, hai na Veer?

Kehte hue woh Veer ke qareeb jhuk gayi. Bahut nazdeek. Aur, Juhi chillaa uthi.

Juhi (yells) : Niiiiiii!

Nidhi ko laga ki uski saansein atak rahi thi. Gala sookh raha tha. Woh kya kar rahi thi? Woh beech me kyu aayi? Kya abhi-abhi usne ek bahaana dete hue apni hi chhoti behan ke plan ko fail karna chaaha?

Shreya ne use dekha. Uski awaaz me madhurta thi, lekin aankhein teekhi.

Shreya : Kya aap nahi chaahogi ki kisi shady tinder match ki bajaaye mein Veer jaise shareef ladke ke saath baahar jau??

Veer : Hey! Just to let you know, mein itna shareef nahi hu.

Shreya (winks) : Tumne abhi mujhe nahi jaana, dear.

Juhi ne Nidhi ki kurti ko hairaan ho kar kheencha.

Juhi : Mumma... P-Papa maasi ke saath jaayenge? Aap mana karo na papa ko.

Nidhi : Mein... Mujhe nahi pata...

Usne Veer ki aankhon se bachte hue dheere se kaha. Kamre me ek pal ke liye ajeeb tarah ka sannaata chhaa gaya.

Veer (smiles) : Papa wahi jaayenge jaha Juhi bolegi. Theek hai?

Aur, ye sunte hi Juhi ki aankhon me chamak aa gayi.

Juhi : Sacchi??

Veer (smiles) : Mucchi!

Shreya : Of course! Mujhe samajh jaana chaahiye tha ki yahi hoga. Enjoy!

Kehte hue woh be-mann se waha se chidhte hue nikal gayi. Aur, Juhi phudakte hue Veer ka haath kheench kar use Nidhi ke bagal se baithaane le gayi. Usne baari-baari dono ke haath liye aur boli.

Juhi : Toh... Toh... Mumma, papa aur mein... Hum teeno date pe chalenge!

Nidhi ka dil dhadak raha tha. Usne virodh kyu kiya? Woh beech me kyu aayi? Kya uss hospital waali raat sach me usne apna dil Veer ko saunp diya tha?

Toh, fir uski chhoti behan ka kya? Use toh khush hona chahiye tha ki uski chhoti behan ko Veer jaise ladke me interest tha aur use toh iss orr badhna chaahiye tha ki kaise woh Veer aur Shreya ko ek kar sake.

Lekin...

Jab Shreya ne use chhua, uske qareeb jhuki, use apne andar ek dard kyu mehsoos hua?

Usne andar jaati Shreya ko dekha. Aur, tabhi uski aankhein Veer se mili.

*Badump*

Nidhi : M-Mein...

Juhi : Mumma chalogi na?

Veer (smiles) : Zaroor! Hum sab chalenge. Okay?

Juhi (beams) : Yayyy~

Veer ka haath achanak Nidhi ke haath ke upar aaya, toh bechari Nidhi jhatka kha kar reh gayi. Nazrein mili. Aur, saansein tez ho gayi. Lekin, iss baar-

Nidhi ne apna haath nahi hataaya. Veer ki giraft me hi rehne diya. Veer ne dusra haath uske chehre ki orr badhaaya. Uski chin ko thaamte hue, chehre ko apni orr karne ki koshish ki-

Magar, Nidhi ne kaanpte hue apna chehra dheere se dusri orr ferna chaaha. Aur, tabhi Veer ne apna angutha Nidhi ke gulaabi hontho par firaaya.

Ek sihran Nidhi ke poore jism me daud gayi. Woh haanf rahi thi. Veer ne unn sharbati hontho ko chhiya. Nidhi ki palkein ahista-ahista uthi. Woh Veer ko dekhi. Juhi wapas se apne khilauno me lag chuki thi. Aur, uske peechhe sofe par Veer aur Nidhi agal-bagal behad qareeb baithe the.

Veer aage ki orr jhuka... Uski garm saansein jaise hi Nidhi ki gardan par padi, woh thitak kar reh gayi aur ghabraate hue uss se door ho gayi.

Kintu, Veer ne bura nahi maana. Balki, uske hontho par muskaan hi bikhri thi.

Magar, koi tha...

Bagal ki deewar ke peechhe...

Jo phati aankhon se iss drishya ko dekh raha tha.

'I-It can't be...!!!!?'

***

Hotel Prestige, Mumbai
Late at night ~

Prestige ki lobby me steel pipes, auzaaron ki khat-khat ki awaaz goonj rahi thi.

Kabhi modern elegance aur business class luxury ka prateek raha ye hotel ab reconstructive surgery se guzar raha tha.

Lobby ki west wing me scaffolding bichha hua tha. Workers der raat tak kaam karne ke liye lage hue the. Ek samooh nayi khidki ke frame ki welding kar raha tha, toh wahi kuchh farsh par visfot se hui kaalikh lage marble ko alag kar naya marble bichha rahe the.

"Kharcha toh hua hai, ma'am. Estimate ke according chale toh aap ye maan ke chaliye ki... 20-25 lakh araam se. Zyada bhi ho sakta hai."

Bhumika chup chaap apni secretary ki baat sunn rahi thi. Business outfit pehne, uska navy blue blazer uske kandho par peechhe se latka hua tha.

Woh jaanti thi. Use anumaan tha ki kitna kharcha ho chuka hoga. Aur, ye kharcha poora nahi tha. Yarnia ke products jo barbaad hue, kapde, models ki advance fees jo unhe deni padi, musical orchestra ki fees, decorations ke charges, invitations ke charges, wagarah wagarah aur fir ye humla jisne laakho ka maal tabaah kar diya.

Woh jaanti thi. Kitna bhaari nuksaan unhe hua tha. Upar se maare gaye security guards ko kahi na kahi financial support dene ki zimmedari. Ye sab kuchh bahut zyada tha.

Tabhi, uske peechhe se ek awaaz goonji. Dheemi. Aur, niyantrit.

"Evening...! Miss Bhumika."

Woh mudi, bauhe sikodte hue. Transparent glasses ki main entrance se ek mahila andar aa rahi thi. Wo bhi police uniform me. Aur, uske seene me laga batch dekhte hi Bhumika ki aankhein chaudi ho gayi.

Bhumika : DSP!?? Yaha? Mein... Mujhe ummeed nahi thi ki-

Trisha seedhe andar chali aayi.

Trisha : Jaanti hu. Aapke staff ne bhi ummeed nahi ki thi. Isliye, sab baahar chaunk gaye. Lekin, jab ek badi hotel me bombing ho, shootout ho, toh normal officers use bas kuchh hadd tak hi sambhaal sakte hai.

Bhumika ne apni bechaini ko chhupaane ki koshish karte hue saans chhori.

Bhumika : Wahi! Maine jab FIR file ki thi toh aap nahi thi. Mujhe laga tha ki officers hi sab investigate karenge-

Trisha ki nazar ab khaali ho chuke lounge area par padi. Bahut se furniture safed chaadron se dhake hue the, taaki kaam ke chalte unn par kisi bhi prakaar ki dhool, paint ya gandagi na lag jaaye.

Trisha : Well, originally... Yes. Yahi procedure hota hai. Mujhe involve hone ki zaroorat nahi padti agar ye case itna bada nahi hota toh...

Kehte hue usne apni uniform ki jeb se ek muda hua kaagaz nikaala. Ek tasveer. Usne wo tasveer reception ke counter par rakhi.

Bhumika jhuki. Usne dekha. Ek chehra. Logon ke samooh me. Safed kurta aur neeli jeans daale hue.

Trisha : Yahi hai uss raat Hotel Prestige me hue uss humle ke peechhe ka aadmi.

Maano jaise Bhumika ke perro taley zameen khisak gayi.

Trisha : Dhananjay!!!

Bhumika : Kyaaaaa???

Woh ladkhadaate hue chillaayi.

Bhumika : Kaun?? Kaun hai ye? Maine iske baare me kabhi nahi suna. Aur, na hi mein jaanti hu. Hai kaun ye???

Bhumika ka reaction dekh, ek pal ke liye Trisha ki bauhe sikudi. Ye dilchasp tha. Ab do baatein ho sakti thi. Ya toh Bhumika naatak kar rahi thi, aur woh jaanti thi ki yeh aadmi kaun tha. Ya fir use waqai iske baare me kuchh nahi pata tha.

Aur, agar aisa tha... Toh, Trisha ke liye cheezein aur bhi pecheeda hone waali thi. Aur, dekh ke toh yahi lag raha tha ki Bhumika waqai iss shaks se anjaan thi.

Trisha : Mujhe aapse aisi ummeed nahi thi. Aapki hotel par humla hua, shaks aapke saamne tasveer me maujood hai aur aap ise nahi jaanti? Toh, bhala anjaan vyakti kyu aap par humla karega?

Bhumika : I... I swear officer!!! Mein nahi jaanti ye kaun hai. Aisa bhi toh ho sakta hai ki... Ye main aadmi na ho? Koi aur bhi ho iske peechhe?

Trisha (nods) : Bilkul!

Bhumika : Aapne... Aapne iske baare me pata kaise lagaaya?

Trisha : Phone calls!

Bhumika : ???

Trisha : Uss night hue iss area ke around almost sabhi phone calls ki history trace karni padi. Jab dhyaan se gaur kiya toh paaya ki... Prestige ke around baar-baar 4 se 5 jagah aapas me hi calls kiye jaa rahe the.

Bhumika : !!?

Trisha : Probably, ye attackers ke group me se leader aur baaki sab ke beech ho rahi baaton ka saboot tha. Uske baad, ek recent call ki madad se humne ek aadmi ko yahi paas ke area me se dabocha hai.

Bhumika : Impressive! But... Koi mere bhai ki hotel... Hum par... kyu humla karna chaahega?

Trisha jhijhki. Fir dheere se usne bola.

Trisha : Bomber ke baare me toh aap informed hongi hi. Rajat!?

Bhumika (nods) : J-Ji!

Trisha : Hmm! Filhaal ke liye, woh hirasat me hai. Confession? Uska kehna hai ki usne Veer se badla lene ke liye ye sab kiya.

Bhumika ke honth ek rekha me dabb gaye.

Bhumika (frowns) : Veer se dushmani!? Uske liye itna kuchh...

Trisha : Kya aap iss dushmani ke baare me kuchh jaanti hai? Mera vistaar se jaanana zaroori hai.

Bhumika : Jaha tak mujhe pata hai. Wo Rajat... *frowns* Achha aadmi nahi. No! Never! Nidhi ma'am hai humaare yaha. Veer ke college ki teacher reh chuki hai. Unka-

Trisha : Jaanti hu. Nidhi ji ka ex husband hai. Dono ka talaak ho chuka hai.

Bhumika (surprised) : O-Oh!

Trisha : Mujhe dushmani ke baare me bataaiye.

Bhumika (nods) : S-Sure! Veer ne hi... Ma'am ko iss toxic relationship me baahar nikaalne me help ki thi actually. Uski wajah se hi ye sab possible hua tha.

Trisha ke mann me tabhi uss raat waali Veer ki chhavi dimaag me umad aayi. Jab woh Juhi aur Pihu dono ko ghaayal awastha me apne upar laade hue tha. Iska matlab... Veer Nidhi ki parvah karta tha!?

Trisha : Hmm! Interesting!

Bhumika : Bas. Mujhe itna hi pata hai. Details nahi pata. But yahi hua tha. Aur, shayad wo Rajat isliye Veer se nafrat karta hai. Lekin, uske liye woh aisa kuchh kar dega? I could never imagine. He's a complete psycho.

Trisha (nods) : Hmm! So... Nidhi and Veer... huh...! Okay.

Bhumika : A-Aap!? Aap Veer ko jaanti ho?

Trisha (smirks) : Kaun nahi jaanta? Ab kaafi charcha me jo hai.

Bhumika : Ah! I see. Like that...

Trisha jaate-jaate muskurayi. Uska kaam poora ho chuka tha. Woh yaha information dene kam, lene zyada aayi thi.

Use pata lag chuka tha ki Bhumika iss maamle se anjaan thi. Use pata lag chuka tha ki bomber Rajat, Veer ka dushman tha. Use sandeh ho chuka tha ki Dhananjay naam ka yeh vyakti bhi kahi na kahi shayad Veer ka dushman hi nikalne waala tha. Use pata lag chuka tha ki Nidhi aur Veer ke beech koi gehra rishta tha. Uska shaq gehra ho chuka tha ki Veer underground world me active tha.

Ab kadi se kadi milni shuru ho chuki thi. Aatish. Slogan. Veer ka mirror gallery me hona. Uska underworld me involve hona. Aatish aur Slogan ki rehesyamayi maut. Aur, ab Veer par humla. Ek targeted attack. Har ek cheez ek hi shaks ki orr point out kar rahi thi — Veer.

Kya ye theory sach nahi ho sakti thi ki Veer par ye pareshani uske ateet me li gayi logon se buraayi ki wajah se aa rahi thi?

Trisha ab aatmvishvas se bhari hui thi. Woh gutthi ko suljhaane ke liye uske qareeb badhti jaa rahi thi.

Nikalne se pehle wo ek pal ruki aur bina mudey hi poochhi.

Trisha : Waise... Kaha hai Mister Veer?

Bhumika (glances) : Woh... Woh toh Nidhi ma'am ke saath hi reh raha hai. Aur, uski maasi ke ghar me. Din me ma'am ke yaha toh raat me maasi ke ghar. Kya aapko koi kaam hai uss se!? I mean... Agar, possible ho toh uske side se mein question and answers ke liye ready hu. Abhi wo cope up kar raha hai. Toh agar-

Trisha : Nahi! Abhi koi zaroorat nahi. Don't worry.

Ab use sab samajh aa raha tha. Woh student jiska zikr Nidhi ne gift shop par uss raat kiya tha. Wo dono... qareeb the. Magar, agar Nidhi jaisi aurat uss par itna bharosa karti hai toh-

Usne dheere se saans chhori. Aur, waha se jaate-jaate...

Trisha : Take care, Miss Bhumika. Dhananjay ki chinta hum par chhor dijiye.

Bhumika : Huh? Uski location pata lag gayi??

Trisha ki muskaan laut aayi. Entrance ke baahar nikalte uske muh se bas yahi nikla.

"Classified."

Kehte hue woh waha se ravaana ho gayi. Aur, Bhumika ko uljha hua chhor gayi. Bhumika ne apna phone nikaala, gallery khol usme ek tasveer dekhi. Tasveer uski aur Veer ki thi. Kuchh mahine pehle ki. Veer ke chehre ko zoom kar usne use dekha.

Woh ab jaan chuki thi ki ye sab kuchh ghatnaaaye... Veer se sambandhit thi.

'Tum kuchh chhipa rahe ho... Hai na? Veer!?'

Screen ko ahista se sehlaate hue usne nishchay kiya ki Veer se woh vyaktigat me baat karegi. Aur, fir mudte hue woh hotel se nikalne ki taiyaari karne lagi.

---

Toh wahi idhar derr raat me, Veer jo apni maasi se lipat kar laita hua tha, uski palkein achanak hi khul gayi.

Usne dekha ki Purvi gehri neend me so rahi thi. Usne ghadi dekhi. Subah ke 1:45 baj rahe the.

Uska raat me yaha rukna isliye zaroori tha kyunki Arun, apne bete Ayush ke liye naye hostel me use shift karwaane ke liye Delhi gaya hua tha. Aur, Purvi ka akela rukna theek nahi tha.

Magar, majbooran-

Uske haath aur bhi kaamo me bandhe hue the. Kuchh aise kaam... Jo derr raat ke andhere me hi kiye jaa sakte the.

*Click*

Dheere se darwaaze ko lock kar, ek akhiri nazar apni maasi par daal, woh waha se gaayab ho gaya.

***

Penthouse Suite,
Hotel Casa Belle,
Mumbai, Night - 1:50 AM ~

Aadesh Jaisinghani apni araam kursi par peeth tikaaye hue tha. Nanga seena, ek silk robe aalsi dhang se uss par lipta hua tha.

Usne ek bahut hi mehngi whiskey ka ek ghooth liya, har harqat par uski sone ki chain chamak rahi thi.

"Kya raat hai ye-!! Calm. Silent. Peaceful. Such a lovely night. Waah!"

Khule sheesein ke darwaazon ke peechhe se Mumbai ka nazara jhalak raha tha.

Veer Singh. Ab tasveer se baahar tha. Prestige lahu-luhaan ho chuka tha. Market ghabraya hua tha. Investors hich-kicha rahe the. Aur, woh? Woh ab fal-fool raha tha.

Uska ek competitor, ab race se baahar ho chuka tha. Sheh aur maat.

Usne apne glass me whiskey ghumaayi.

Aadesh : Finally... *smiles* The king falls... And, Casa Belle rises. Hahaha!

Usne apni aankhein band ki, swaad ko barkaraar rehne diya, ki tabhi-

*CLACK*

Uski aankhein ek jhatke me khul gayi. Suite ka darwaza khul chuka tha. Usne fauran apna sarr ghumaate hue darwaaze ki orr dekha.

Waha... Darwaaze par...

'Huh?'

Koi khada tha. Peeth ke peechhe haath kare hue, jaise koi vakeel faisle ka intezar karta hai. Ek aadmi. Badi qad kaathi ka.

Proper suit pehne, peechhe ki orr kanghi kiye hue baal, teekhi daadhi, gussail aankhein. Aur, aspasht chehra.

Aadesh ki saansein atak gayi. Nashe ka ek-ek ansh uske shareer se gaayab ho gaya.

Aadesh : H-Huh? K-Kaun? T-Tum andar kaise aaye?

Jaise hi woh aadmi thode ujaale me aaya, toh Aadesh ke perr kaanp uthe. Woh ise jaanta tha.

Balhaar.

Woh Aadesh ki orr aage badha. Uske peechhe do aur hatte-katte aadmi andar aaye — taqatvar aur sudol. Aur, fir darwaza dheere se andar se band ho gaya.

Aadesh khada hua. Woh jaanta tha ki Balhaar kaun tha. Magar, iss tarah se uske private suite me ghusna. Ye kahi se bhi theek nahi maalum pad raha tha. Upar se aaj ki pyaari raat uski iss dakhal se barbaad ho chuki thi. Woh gusse me tha. Beshaq.

Aadesh (frowns) : Y-Ye ek 7 star luxury hai. Mere paas har floor ki private security hai. Aur, ye tareeqa sahi nahi-

Balhaar : Tumne iss baar bahut badi galti kar di.

Uski awaaz me shaanti thi. Aadesh ki dhadkane pal bhar ke liye tez ho gayi.

Aadesh : G-Galti? Kya galti? M-Maine kya kiya?

Balhaar: Oh? Naatak huh!?

Usne ek chutki bajaayi. Aur, turant hi do logon ko baahar se ghaseetate hue kamre ke andar laaya gaya.

Unka muh band tha, shareer par chot lagi hui thi, darr ke maare dono kaanp rahe the. Aur, unhe dekhte hi-

Aadesh ka chehra peela pad gaya. Woh unhe pehchaanta tha. Ye wahi toh the. Hotel Prestige me humle ke dauran maare gaye security guards ke rishtedar.

Wahi log jinhe usne media ke saamne Veer aur uske hotel ko badnaam karne ke liye ghoos dekar khareeda tha. Use laga ki sab kuchh nipat chuka tha. Koi pata bhi nahi laga sakta tha. Lekin-

'Tch!'

Usne apne sookhe hontho ko kisi sarp ki tarah chaata, sthiti ko sambhaalne ke baare me woh sochne laga.

Aadesh : Y-Ye? M-Mein inhe nahi jaanta. K-Kaun hai ye?

Balhaar : Abhi bhi bewakoof banaane ki koshish??

Aadesh : D-Dekho-

Usne zorr se chillaate hue kaha, woh kisi prakaar ka sahara dhundhne ki koshish kar raha tha.

Aadesh : Mein jaanta hu ki tum D-Don ho, magar... T-Tum iss tarah se kisi ki privacy me dakhal nahi de sakte-! P-Police tumhe-

Kehte hue woh ruk gaya.

Balhaar bina palkein jhapkaaye use ghoor raha tha. Uske hontho par ek patli si muskaan ubhri hui thi. Koi darr nahi. Koi ghabrahat nahi.

Aur, fir Aadesh ko ehsaas hua.

Unse galti kar di. Bahut badi galti. Uske maathe se ek paseene ki boond ludhak gayi.

Balhaar dheere-dheere khidki ke paas gaya, haath peeth ke peechhe rakhe, chaand ko dekhta hua.

Balhaar : Kya tumhe andaza bhi hai ki sheher me aur sheher ke baahar mere under me kitne hotels hai, Jaisinghani!?

Aadesh : ??

Balhaar (smirks) : Kya tumhe andaza hai ki iss poori floor ko book karna mere liye kitna asaan tha? Aisi IDs... Jo har verification ko legally pass kar sakti hai. *grins*

Aadesh ki nazrein khule darwaaze ke baahar padi. Hotel ki manzil ke corridor me usne dekha. Darjano parchhaiyaan ghoom rahi thi. Balhaar ke aadmi.

Par, kaise?

Balhaar : Tumhe laga ki mein security ko pass kar ke andar aaya hu? *smiles* Mere aadmi guests bann kar din me ghuse the yaha.

Aadesh : H-Huh!?

Balhaar : Pune, Nashik, Goa, Jaipur. Alag-alag sheher se. Alag-alag IDs. Sab legal. Nothing illegal.

Aadesh ab kaanp raha tha. Use bodh ho chuka tha ki poori floor par, Balhaar ke aadmi room liye baithe the. Aur, isliye uski security unhe rok nahi paayi. Kyunki, ve sab bahut saare the.

Ghabrakar usne apna rukh badalne ki koshish ki.

Aadesh : D-Dekho-! T-Tumhe aisa karne ki zaroorat nahi hai. Mujhe gumrah kiya gaya hai. Y-Ye personal nahi tha. It was all business, you know.

Par-

Uska koi bhi paitra kaam nahi aa raha tha. Aur, akhirkar usne apni aakhiri chaal chali.

'Tch!'

Aadesh (yells) : Tum uske liye kyu kaam kar rahe ho, huh??? That fucking kid, Veer!!! C'mon man! Tum aur mein- hahaha! Hum dono iss sheher par raaj kar sakte hai. Saath me.

Balhaar ki bauhe fadki.

Aadesh : Mere saath kaam karo. Uske under nahi. No restrictions. Tumhe paisa, power, respect, sab milega. Veer hai hi kya mere saamne?? Tumhare jaisa don uss bacche ke under kaise kaam kar sakta hai?

Balhaar : ...

Aadesh : Work with me!!! *grins* Tum... Tum Raja ho. Use 'boss' kehne ki kya naubat aa gayi tumhari?

Use laga jaise usne Balhaar ke chehre par jhijhak dekhi. Uska aatmvishvas badh gaya.

Aadesh : Hum dono, saath milke kya kuchh nahi kar sakte. Mere saath kaam karne ke liye tumhe mujhe koi 'boss' kehne ki zaroorat nahi. Hum equals honge. Equal partners. Mere paas Veer se zyada paisa hai. Zyada rutba hai. Woh kisi bhi maamlo me mere level par hai hi nahi. Aao! Aao hum saath milke kaam kare.

Balhaar : ...

Aadesh : Zara socho! Tum aur mein... Poore Mumbai par humara raaj hoga. Mein tumhari madad white world me karunga, aur tum meri madad black world me karna. Tumhari image ko saaf rakhne ki zimmedari meri hogi. Aur, mere competitors ko unki aukaat dikhaane ki zimmedari tumhari. Hum dono ek behtareen team bann sakte hai. We can do wonders hahahaha!

Balhaar : Tumhari baat me dum toh hai.

Aadesh : Haha! Hai na? Koi murkh hi hoga jo uss Veer ke under kaam karna chaahega. Aur, mein jaanta hu ki tum bhi... ye nahi chaahte. Aao my friend. Let's work together. Together we'll crush this bug, Veer.

Balhaar apne aadmiyon ki orr muda aur ishaara kiya. Aur, unn aadmiyon ne Aadesh ki baahein chhor di.

Aadesh ne apna robe sahi kiya, chhaati aatmvishvas se fool gayi. Woh jeet chuka tha.

Aadesh : Hatao-! Hatao apne haath! Fucking losers. How dare you touch my expensive robe like that-!? Fuck off!

Balhaar aage badha. Usne apna haath aage badhaaya. Aadesh bhi aage aaya, usne muskuraate hue apna haath uss se milaane ke liye uthaaya.

Aur, tabhi-

*WHUMP*

Balhaar ka haath ek mutthi bann ke seedhe uski aant me aa kar pada. Aadesh ke muh se thook nikal aaya. Uski aankhein palatne ko ho gayi.

Woh khaaste hue, ubkaayi lete hue apne ghutno par gir pada. Usne saans lene ki koshish ki. Bolne ki koshish ki. Lekin, haafne ke alawa uss se kuchh na hua.

Balhaar : Tumhe lagta hai ki paise se wafadari khareedi jaa sakti hai, Jaisinghani? Tune soch bhi kaise liya ki tu aur mein equals ho sakte hai?

Aadesh : !!?

Balhaar : Tu mujhe khareedne chala tha? Bhosdike! Tere jaise hazaron log mere se deal karne ke liye marte hai. Mere saath uthne baithe ke liye gidgidaate hai. Aur, tu? Tu mujhe apna partner banaane chala hai?

Balhaar ne apne aadmiyon ko ishaara kiya. Aur, aadmi log Aadesh ko utha ke le jaane lage.

Aadesh (panics) : N-Nahi! R-Ruko! Ruko!

Magar, bahut derr ho chuki thi.

Logon ne use kachre ki tarah utha liya. Jab use uske hi penthouse se ghaseet kar baahar nikaala jaane laga, laat maarte hue, cheenkhte hue, toh shor poori hotel me fel gaya.

Guests — ameer, videshi, desi, corridors, rooms ke darwazon par jame hue khade the. Dehshat me saamne ke nazaare ko dekh rahe the ki kaise ek aadmi ko ghaseet kar kamre se baahar nikaala jaa raha tha.

Aur, woh aadmi koi aur nahi, hotel ka hi owner tha — Aadesh Jaisinghani.

Aadesh ne apna chehra chhipaane ki koshish ki, lekin uske gaal par laal rang ka thappad ka nishaan pehle se hi uski izzat ko mitti me mila chuka tha.

Aadesh : S-Security! Security!!!

Woh chillaata raha, magar jaise hi use ghaseet ke first floor ki balcony me laaya gaya toh uski aankhein phati ki phati reh gayi.

Lobby me reception se leke main entrance par, har jagah, Balhaar ke aadmi apna dera jamaaye hue the. Security ko toh gun point par rakhe hue the.

Aadesh ko vishvas nahi ho raha tha. CCTVs? CCTV me zaroor sab kuchh qaid ho chuka hoga.

Par, woh galat tha. Hotel ke control room me hi CCTVs ko monitor karne waale ladke, bandhe hue, kursi par baithe the. Aur, Balhaar ka hi aadmi waha saare cameras ki recordings ko band kar chuka tha.

Yaha tak ki... Guests koi phone recording na kar paaye, uske liye bhi aadmi har rooms ke baahar pehra de rahe the.

Agle hi pal, Aadesh ke perro me wo aadmi log rassi baandhne lage.

Aadesh : H-Huh?? Ch-Chhorro! Chhoro mujhe! K-Kya kar rahe ho? *screams* Fucking leave me!!! Ye tumhare liye achha nahi hoga-!! Samjhe na??

Magar, unn aadmiyon ne ek baat bhi nahi suni. Balhaar utni derr tak Aadesh ke hi private suite me tha. Aur, usne darwaza andar se band kar, apna kaam shuru kar diya.

Idhar baahar Aadesh ke perro par rassi bandh chuki thi. Tabhi, ek aadmi ne rassi ka dusra chhor balcony ke saamne ceiling par latak rahe ek behad bade se chandelier ki orr feka. Aadesh ye dekh ghabra gaya.

Aadesh : Y-Ye!? Ye kya kar rahe ho tum?? Bachao-!! *yells* BACHAAAAO!!! HELP!!!!

Uss aadmi ne chandelier ko rassi ke ek hook se phasa ke kheencha aur fir rassi ka chhor uss par baandhne laga.

Rassi baandhte hi, do aadmiyon ne Aadesh ko uthaaya.

Aadesh (screams) : Nahiiiiii?? Nahi!! KYA KAR RAHE HO??? CHHORO!!! CHHORO MUJHE!! TUM SAB BACHOGE NAHI!!!

Aur, agle hi kshan-

Aadmiyon ne chandelier aur Aadesh, dono ko chhor diya.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa-!!!!"

Aadesh ki cheenkh Casa Belle ki poori lobby me goonj gayi. Woh chandelier se ulta latakta hua, swing motion ko follow karte hue lobby ke beecho-beech aaya, jaha chandelier ke theek neeche ek fountain bana hua tha.

*Splash*

Fountain ke fuwaare me se uska ulta latka shareer bheegta hua jhool ke aage badha. Aur, jab use laga ki woh peechhe deewar se takra jaayega tabhi-

'!!?'

Uske baalon se kisi ne use jakad liya. Woh ulta latka hua tha. Use nahi pata tha ki uske peechhe kaun tha. Kaun use pakda hua tha. Magar, usne dekhne ki koshish ki-

Aankhon ki putliyon ko ghumaate hue usne dekhna chaaha-

Aur, jo usne dekha, use dekh, uske pant me peshaab ki kuchh boondein chhoot gayi.




Laal aankhein. Ye bhram nahi tha.

Aur, fir ek awaaz uske kaano me padi-

"Tell me, Aadesh! Did you... pray today?"

Aadesh (shivers) : A-Ahn!? Huh!?

Lobby ke luxury sofe par Veer virajman tha. Bas intezar kar raha tha. Kal raat usne hi Balhaar se kaha tha.

"Aadesh Jaisinghani ka sarr mere paas jhoolta hua aana chaahiye."

Zaahir hai Balhaar Aadesh ko aise hi maar nahi sakta tha. Aur, na hi Veer ye chaahta tha. Toh, yahi upaay tha jiske chalte Aadesh jhoolta hua seedhe Veer ke saamne aa gaya.

Veer utha. Uske haathon me abhi bhi Aadesh ke baal the. Bhale hi usne apne muh par kapda baandh rakha tha, parantu Aadesh jaan chuka tha ki yeh kaun tha.

Apna haath badhaate hue Veer ne wahi khade aadmi ki orr ishaara kiya. Toh uss aadmi ne fauran hi ek hockey stick Veer ko thama di. Aadesh kisi machhli ki tarah rassi se latka hua chhatpata raha tha. Aisa lag raha tha koi maans ka tukda talne bhun'ne ke liye latkaya gaya ho.

Veer ne koi deri nahi ki-

*THWACK*

"Aaaaaarrrghhhhhh!"

*THWACK*

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

*THWACK*

"Haaaaaarrrrgggghhh!!"

Veer kuchh nahi bol raha tha. Par, jaise jaise woh hockey ke vaar Aadesh ke shareer par barsa raha tha. Waise waise uske andar kuchh tarange paida ho rahi thi. Jo Pari mehsoos kar paa rahi thi.

{N-No! This is bad!! M-Master! Ye kya ho raha hai? He's... He's enjoying it. He's taking pleasure!}

Pari, apne mann me sochne par majboor ho gayi. Kya ye Veer hi tha. Uske hontho par dheere dheere ab ek muskaan saj rahi thi.

Aadesh ki cheenkhein sunn, uske roye roye excitement me khade ho rahe the.

{No no no!!! Master?!?}

[Maaaster-!!!]

Pari chillaayi. Par, koi asar nahi.

Khoon ke chheete lobby me bikharne lage. Aadesh behosh ho chuka tha. Poore guests aatank ke maare jamm ke reh gaye the. Itne me Balhaar suite se baahar aaya. Aur, usne neeche aakar Veer ko roka.

Balhaar : Marr jaayega.

Veer apne hosh me aaya. Usne dekha. Aadesh ka lahu luhaan latakta hua bejaan sa shareer. Woh zinda tha. Lekin, adhmara sa ho chuka tha.

Aur, bina kuchh bole hi Veer ne hockey stick ko zorr se feka aur waha se mud ke jaane laga.

Koi shabd nahi. Koi harqat nahi.

Kyunki, uski agli destination tay thi.

Aur, woh akela nahi tha.

*Vroooooom*

Trisha ki jeep bhi raaste par bhaagte hue usi destination ki orr badh rahi thi.

Dhananjay!!!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Aaj ke liye itna hi guys.
This update consists of 9.4k words approximately. Late update ke liye maafi chaahta hu. Hum ise June ka hi update consider karenge. Lekin, Choonki site crash hui thi aur bahut pareshani jhelni padi. Isliye, June ke liye hum do hi updates per month consider karenge. Ek mein de chuka tha. Aur, ye tha dusra. Ab July ke 3 updates baaki hai. Jo I hope mein iss month me de paaunga. Also, let me know ki Nidhi ke ghar ka scene kaisa laga? Kaafi soch ke likha hai use. Ab thoda bahut action chalega ek do updates me. Aane waale events lined up ho rakhe hai. Autoshield company ka aana. Veer ke missions. Sonia, Kaera ki massive deals. Suhana ka b'day. Ruchika and Suchika ki story, etc. Jo hum sab isi arc me dekhne waale hai. And, uske baad Summit arc. Target 250 hi hai. Like karne ka aur reviews rakhne ka.
Dhanyavad.

fabulous job brother great update
Shandar nidhi our veer ka scene bahut hi shandar tha vakahi

 

[rajtheroyal]

Update - 201 ~ From the shadows (1)​

Ab tak...

Purvi ko yu akela chhor woh kisi kaaran se hi gaya tha. Kaaran tha-

*Ding*

[Mission : The Devil is in the details.
Description : Find the culprit who messed with Hotel Prestige, Yarnia, and host's family. Find the plotter.
Rewards : 10,000 points.
Time limit : 1 month.

Mission failure penalty : Unknown for now.]

Yahi wajah thi, Veer ko ab desperate hone ki. Magar, abhi woh soch hi raha tha jab achanak uske mann me-

*Ding*

[Mission : Deal breaker (1)
Description : Find the truth about Pushkar, Gaurav and Nik.
Rewards :
1) 10,000 points.
2) Favourability increase of Divya and Suhana.

Time limit : 10 days.
Mission failure penalty : Losing Suhana and Divya.]

Pehle mission par toh Veer already lag chuka tha. Lekin, dusra mission padhte hi uski aankhein aashcharya me maare fel gayi.

'What!?'

Ab aage...

A few days ago,
Disembowler’s Lair,
Morning - 7:36 AM ~

Kabristan ke ilaake ke baahar peele rang ke barricade tapes lage hue the. Police officers ka jhund andar ikhatta ho rakha tha. Darjano hathiyarband adhikari kabristan ki purani dehti deewaron ke paas khade ho kar media aur darshako ko door rakhne ki koshish kar rahe the. Cameras ke shutters baar-baar click ho rahe the, aur reporters chillaate hue khabar jaanane ki maang kar rahe the.

Par, fir bhi... Iss shor ke beech, Maharashtra ke DGP, Rohan Bakshi kabristan ke andar khamosh khade hue the.

Uske haath aapas me bandhe the. Aur, aankhein neeche ek gehre gaddhe ki orr tiki thi. Yahi wo entry thi jo Disembowler ki lair ke andar jaane ka raasta thi.

Wo abhi tak neeche nahi gaya tha, lekin tasveeron me usne bahut kuchh dekha tha.

Jalne ke nishaan, acid ke daag. Jung lage bistaron par bandhi zanzeerein. Baal ke guchhe. Haddiyaan. Surgical instruments. Janvaro ke shav. Insaanon ke avshesh. Aise aise chemicals jinhe abhi tak theek tarah se pehchaana bhi nahi gaya tha. Kharocho ke nishaan, khoon se sani deewaarein aur, na jaane kya kya.

"Sir?"

Rohan ne dheere se apna sarr ghumaaya. Ek hawaldar kabristan ke gate ke paas se savdhani se andar aaya, maano beech me bolne se darr raha ho.

"Hmm?"

Rohan ne sawaaliyaan nazrein liye uss se poochha.

Hawaldar : Media waale ab out of control ho rahe hai, Sir. Barrier todne ki dhamki de rahe hai. Live dikha rahe hai sab aur jawab ki maang kar rahe hai. Bina wajah kyu police ne aisi jagah par jaanch jaari kar rakhi hai? Aur, agar wajah hai... toh saamne kyu nahi laate? Mujhe nahi lagta ab hum unhe lambe samay tak rok paayenge, Sir.

Rohan ne turant jawab nahi diya. Uski nazar barrier ke theek peechhe badhti bheed par gayi. Darjano microphone taane journalists khade hue the. News vans betarteeb dhang se khadi thi. Aur, cameramen giddh ki tarah focus lagaaye baithe the.

Logon me darr toh tha, magar akrosh bhi utna hi tha. Rohan ne akhirkar kaha.

Rohan : Unse kaho ki mein aa raha hu.

Hawaldar ne sarr hilaaya aur fauran hi tezi se waapas bhaaga.

Rohan dheere-dheere barrier ke baahar jaane ke liye orr badha. Aur, use baahar aata dekh reporters bhediyo ki tarah aage badhne lage, camera shutters click hone lage, recordings chalu ho gayi, aur microphones ek dusre ke upar dhakel diye gaye.

Rohan baahar aate hue unn sab ke saamne aa kar khada hua. Ek pal beeta. Aur, fir sawaalon ke vaar shuru ho gaye.

"Sir, kya aap batayenge ki kya kuchh chal raha hai? Kyu police ne iss kabristan ko band kar rakha hai kal raat se?"

"Kya serial killer pakda gaya hai? Ya aur bhi bodies mili hai andar?"

"Serial killer se janta safe hai ya nahi, Sir?"

"Kya wo akela hi hai ya aur bhi log hai?"

"Kya police koi badi khabar janta se chhupa rahi hai?"

Rohan ne apna haath uthaaya. Aur, afra-tafri ka mahaul chuppi me badal gaya. Ek kshan baad woh bola. Uski awaaz bhaari aur gambheer thi aur aankhein camera par tiki hui thi.

Rohan : Humne serial killer ka thikaana khoj nikaala hai.

Ye sunte hi bheed me tanaav badh gaya. Log kaanp uthe. Sach saamne aane waala tha.

Rohan : Abhi completely nahi keh sakte ki ye usi ka thikaana tha ya nahi. Lekin, 99% hum sure hai isme ki yahi par wo pichhle kuchh dinon se chhipa hua tha.

Journalist 1 : Yaha par se aapka kya matlab hai?

Rohan (glances) : Yahi! Kabristan ke neeche. Underground.

Journalists : !!!

Rohan : Aur, isliye police use dhundhne me nakaam ho rahi thi. Experts abhi neeche analysis kar rahe hai. Aur, maine neeche ki kuchh photos bhi dekhi hai.

Journalist 1 : Kya mila sir aapko? Kuchh batayenge?

Rohan : Dekhiye! Abhi iss baat pe mein charcha nahi karna chahunga. Neeche jo kuchh bhi hai, bahut bura hai.

Journalist 1 : Toh kya aap janta ko andhere me rakhenge?

Rohan (sighs) : Dead bodies!!!

Journalist 1 : *shivers*

Rohan : Mil gaya aapko aapka jawaab? Ji haan! Neeche se hume bodies mili hai. Ek nahi. Kayi. Sirf insaano ki hi nahi. Janvaro ki bhi. Aur, bhi bahut kuchh. Neeche underground poori ek lair hai. Aur, itni badi hai ki ye apne aap me ek bahut badi discovery hai.

Journalist 2 : Aur, uss serial killer ka kya? Kya police ne use pakad liya hai?

Rohan : Ji nahi! Wo yaha nahi paaya gaya.

Journalist 2 : Toh police ne ye location ka pata kaise lagaaya?

Rohan (sighs) : Meri apni beti... Chhoti si hai. Serial killer dwara kidnap ho gayi thi. Shaam ko. Uske saath ek aur bacchi thi. Do nanhi bacchiyon ko kidnap kar ke bhaaga tha woh.

Journalists : !!!?

Rohan : Par, ye khush-kismati ki baat hai ki dono bacchiyaan sahi salamat laut aayi. Meri wife, Mrs. Trisha, jo ki DSP hai, iss case me kaafi involve hai. Aur, kisi shubhchintak ne unn dono bacchiyon ko sahi salamat rescue kiya tha. Mrs. Trisha ne iski pushti ki hai.

Journalist 2 : Kaun tha woh? Kya hum jaan sakte hai?

Rohan : Iss baare me koi jankari haath nahi lagi hai. Bas, ek naujavan tha jo dono bacchiyon ko serial killer ke muh se chhura kar laaya tha. Humara dhyaan tabhi bacchiyon ko surakshit rakhne me laga hua tha. Aur, saath hi uss serial killer ko pakadne ke liye.

Kehte hue uski bauhe kass gayi. Kyunki, use bhi yahi jankari praapt hui thi.

'Trisha... Kab tak tum mujhse uss naujavan ko chhupaogi? Kya majboori hai tumhari jo tumne mujhe bhi-!!'

Par, wo chaah ke bhi apni patni se sach ko zabardasti nahi jaan sakta tha. Uski beti sahi salamat uske paas pahuchi thi. Aur, ye sab uss naujavan ki wajah se hua tha. Trisha ka kehna tha ki usne uss naujavan ka chehra nahi dekha aur na hi woh use jaanti thi. Magar... Rohan jaanta tha ki uski patni uss se jhooth bol rahi thi. Yaha tak ki uske saath waale officers bhi kuchh nahi ugal rahe the.

Aur, wo h jaanta tha ki iss sab ke peechhe, uski patni ka haath tha.

Journalist 3 : Toh, Sir kya bacchiyon ko bachaane waale ko kisi bhi tarah ki saraahna nahi di jaayegi? Uske liye kuchh nahi karegi police?

Rohan : Hum toh chaahte hi hai ki veh naujavan, agar ye news dekh raha hai, toh kripya saamne aaye, police ke sabhi log saraahna karte hue uska sammaan karna chaahenge.

Aise hi aneko sawaalon ke jawaab dete hue jab Rohan interview se fursat hua toh news channels me sansani si mach gayi.

Desh bhar me TV par breaking news ki headlines chalne lagi.

"Breaking News : Mumbai me sthit ek kabristan ke neeche mili khaufnak maand."

"Police ne pushti ki : Underground maand serial killer ki hi thi."

"Kal shaam do bacchiyon ko aghwa kar ke le gaya tha serial killer."

"Agyaat naujavan dwara dono bacchiyon ko bachaaya gaya."

Aisi tamaam headlines ghar-ghar TVs me daud chali. Aur, isme koi shaq nahi tha ki Veer ke gharwalo ne bhi ye khabre dekh hi li thi.

***

Present,
Nidhi's house, Mumbai,
Morning - 9:20 AM ~

Subah subah Nidhi ke ghar se taaze parathon ki khushbu aa rahi thi. Nanhi Juhi jiski aankhon me abhi bhi kahi na kahi neend bhari hui thi, uski urja me koi kami nazar nahi aa rahi thi. Tabhi, darwaze par ek dastak hui-

*Knock* *Knock*

Juhi ne darwaza khola, aur jaise hi saamne khade shaks ko dekha, uski aankhein chamak uthi.

Juhi (shrieks) : Papa!!!

Woh khushi se chillayi, uski nanhi baahein Veer ki orr badh gayi. Veer muskuraaya — woh teekhi aur sthir muskaan nahi jo aaj kal uske hontho par rehti thi, balki ek sacchi aur keval chand logon ke saamne hi pesh aane waali woh muskaan.

Usne Juhi ko araam se goad me uthaaya, wo khil-khila rahi thi, uske chhote-chhote haath Veer ko uski gardan ke peechhe se jakad liye.

Hall me theek peechhe, Shreya sofe par baithi thi, Dhruv uske bagal se baitha hua tha, aur wo apne haatho se chhote-chhote kaur kar ke Dhruv ko paraanthe khilaane me lagi hui thi.

Kintu, Juhi ka yu Veer ko 'Papa' bulaane se, uski aankhein chand pal ke liye sikudi. Nidhi ne use saara vakhyaan bataya hua tha. Magar, apne kaano se ise saamne sunana ek alag anubhav tha.

Shor sunte hi Nidhi apne haathon ko apron me pochhte hue rasoi se baahar nikli, aur baahar aate hi uske qadam tham gaye. Usne Veer ko dekha. Kaise uski shirt ki aasteen upar thi, hawa se baal bikhre hue the aur Juhi ko apni goad me wo aise uthaaya hua tha jaise maano wo sach me uski bacchi ho.

*Badump*

Uska dil dhadak utha.

Nidhi : Veer...! T-Tum... Aa gaye!?

Veer (smiles) : Hmm! Good morning!

Usne Juhi ko dheere se neeche utaarte hue kaha.

Nidhi (smiles) : G-Good morning! Kaisi thi raat? Maasi ke yaha? Thoda better feel hua ghar se nikal ke?

Veer : Hmm? Oh! Haan! Zaroor!

Nidhi : Oh! Badhiya! T-Tum ekdum time par aaye ho. Naashta taiyaar hi hai. Fatafat baith jao. Fresh hona hai toh washroom me jaa-

Veer : Nahi! Mein maasi ke yaha se brush kar ke, in fact naashta kar ke hi aaya hu.

Nidhi : Kya? P-Par-! Tum waha se hi kyu-

Veer (smiles) : Aap le aaiye jo bhi banaya hai. Mujhe abhi bhi bhookh hai.

Nidhi (smiles) : H-Haan! Haan! Zaroor! Bas ek minute!

Nidhi chehekte hue tez qadmo ke saath andar gayi. Idhar Veer ne Juhi ko ek chocolate ka box pakdaya toh woh bhi khush ho gayi.

Juhi : Yay~ Mere liye, papa?

Veer (nods) : Bilkul! Sab tumhara hai!

Woh kone me bhaagi, chocolate box ko kisi khazaane ki tarah maante hue use ahista-ahista kholne lagi.

Aur, ant me jab Veer sofe par baithne laga toh usne Shreya aur Dhruv ko dekha.

Veer : Hey!

Shreya : Hi!

Usne Dhruv ke gaal ko sehlaate hue use khilaaya. Nanha sa Dhruv taktaki lagaaye use aise ghoor raha tha jaise maano yaad karne ki koshish kar raha ho ki ye dekha-dekha shaks akhir kaun hai.

Shreya ne TV se Veer ki orr dekha, fir screen ki orr ishaara kiya. Ek news anchor bahut hi aakramak lehze me khabrein suna raha tha, uske peechhe crime scene ki dhundhli tasveerein flash ho rahi thi.

Shreya (quietly) : Yahi hai... Wo jagah... Hai na?

Veer ne uski nigaaho ka peechha karte hue screen par dekha aur haami bhari.

Veer : Hmm!

Shreya (frowns) : Tum udhar the!? Uss... Shamsaan ke neeche? Juhi ko bachaane ke liye?

Veer ne apni aankhein screen par hi tikaayi rakhi.

Veer : Hmm!

Sunte hi Shreya ke andar ek sihran daud gayi.

Shreya : Toh... Tumhara saamna uss serial killer se nahi hua?

Veer (jhooth bolte hue) : Jab mein waha pahucha tab wo waha nahi tha.

Shreya : Oh! Toh kaha tha woh?

Usne zor dete hue poochha.

Veer : Mujhe kya pata.

Shreya thodi jhuki, bauhe sikodte hue.

Shreya : Aur, wo ghaav? Tumhare haatho par, chehre par-!? Wo kaise aaye?

Veer ki aankhein abhi bhi screen par hi thi.

Veer : Kuchh jaanvar. Awaara kutte... Aur, wo jagah. Mein fisal gaya tha. Gir gaya tha waha. Bas itna hi.

*Silence*

Shreya chup rahi. Woh jaanti thi ki Veer uss se jhooth bol raha tha. Kyunki, Juhi ne pehle hi bahut kuchh Nidhi aur use bata diya tha. Kaise uske so called 'papa' uss serial killer se bhide the, kaise apne upar taange-taange wo unhe bacha ke laaye. Woh kaafi kuchh jaanti thi. Jab usne dekha ki Veer uss vishay se bhaag raha hai, toh usne aur dakhal dene ki koshish nahi ki. Bas itna hi poochhi-

Shreya : Itna pyaar karte ho Juhi se???

Veer : Haan!

*Badump*

Iss baar Shreya ka dil zor se dhadka. Usne ek gehri saans li.

Udhar Juhi ne apni chocolate chabaana shuru kar diya tha. Uski hasi, uski masoomiyat, ye sab kamre me kisi madhur sangeet ki tarah goonj rahi thi.

Shreya : Mujhe ab bhi samajh nahi aata.

Veer : Hmm?

Shreya (budbudaate hue) : Tum humesha cheezon ko halke me kyu lete ho!? Sach chhupaate kyu ho? Bataate kyu nahi logon ko?

Veer ne uski orr dekha.

Veer : Kyunki...

Shreya : ???

Veer : Kuchh sach... theek nahi hote. Unka chhipa rehna hi behtar hota hai.

Shreya bhooli nahi thi. Use sab kuchh yaad tha ki Veer ne uske liye kya kuchh kiya tha. Kaise wo uske liye khada hua tha. Kaise Rajat se usne Nidhi aur Juhi ko bachaaya tha. Kaise usne uski pehli job lagwaayi thi. Aur, kaise uska sapna bhi poora kar diya.

Tab woh use appreciate karne lagi thi. Par, dheere-dheere yahi appreciation, attraction me badal gaya. Aur, ab wo attraction kuchh gehra... kuchh uljha hua... Na jaane kin anubhutiyon par sawaar thi ab woh. Jo bhi tha, bahut prabal tha.

Lekin, aspatal me uss raat ke baad se, jab usne Nidhi ko use kass ke pakde hue dekha tha, uske andar kuchh badal chuka tha.

Shreya : R-Right-!!

Veer : !!?

Shreya : Uss raat hospital me... Pata nahi kaise, aisa laga jaise... meri gardan par kuchh aake laga tha aur fir maine shayad apne hosh kho diye the.

Uski baat sunn Veer ko turant hi ek shaks ka dhyaan aaya.

'Erica-!'

Woh jaanta tha ki Erica hi use Nidhi ke hospital se utha ke laayi thi. Uske baad Renshu use dusre hospital le gaya tha jaha Ragini bharti thi.

Veer : Tum thaki hui hogi. Unconscious ho gayi hogi.

Shreya : Arey nahi! Mein theek thi yaar sach me!!! Kuchh to hua tha... Yaad nahi aa raha kya...

Veer : Don't sweat on it.

Shreya : Yeah!

Juhi carpet par hi laiti hui thi, uske chaaro orr khilauno ki chaadar bichhi hui thi. Do gudiya aapas me nakli ladaayi kar rahi thi, toh wahi ek chocolate se sana hua haath plastic ki talvaar pakde hue tha.

Aur, tabhi-

Nidhi garma-garam paranthe, katori me red sauce, achaar aur chai ke do cup lekar rasoi se baahar nikli. Tray rakhte waqt uski ungliyaan kaanp rahi thi. Na hi garmi se, na hi thand se, balki kisi aur cheez se.

Uski nazrein apne aap Veer par pad gayi. Woh sofe par baitha tha, apni kohni ghutno par tikaaye hue, kinhi khayaalo me khoya hua tha.

Nidhi : Y-Ye..

Usne uske saamne ek plate lagaate hue kaha.

Veer : Ji! Thank you!

Nidhi : Ye chai...

Usne dheere se use cup pakdaate hue kaha. Par, cup lene se pehle jaise hi woh kuchh kehne waala tha. Nidhi ne uske pehle hi keh diya.

Nidhi : Teen chammach. Do cup ke liye. Humesha ki tarah.

Veer muskuraaya.

Veer : Aapko yaad tha!?

Nidhi : Kuchh important cheezein ab mein nahi bhoolti.

Usne jawab diya. Par, turant hi use pachhtava bhi hua ki bhala ye kya keh diya usne? Ye sunn'ne me kaisa laga hoga?

Nidhi (blushes) : M-Mera matlab... mujhe yaad tha.

Woh uske saamne baithi, sahaj hone ka naatak kar rahi thi, lekin aankhein baar-baar Veer par hi tiki rahi aur jaise hi unki nazrein aapas me mili, toh usne jaldi se apni nazrein fer li. Itne me Shreya uthi-

Nidhi : V-Veer...!

Veer : *glances*

Usne dheere se pukaara, jab Shreya haath dhone ke liye andar chali gayi.

Nidhi : Juhi tumhe bahut yaad kar rahi thi. Kal raat se hi-

Veer (smiles) : School nahi gayi aaj?

Nidhi : Nahi! Zidd kar rahi thi. Toh, maine bhi nahi bheja. Aaj tum pehle din aane waale the. Isliye, aaj rok liya maine. *smiles* Par, ye chhutti sirf aaj ke liye.

Veer : Mein subah se shaam yahi rahunga. Kahi nahi jaane waala.

Nidhi : Umm! *smiles* Thank you!

Juhi waapas bhaagte hue aayi. Uske gaal chocolate se bhare hue the. Aur, usne pyaar se pukaara-

Juhi : Papa!!

Veer : Hmm?

Ek pal ke liye apni beti ke muh se Veer ke liye 'papa' sunn, Nidhi ke gaal sharm se laal ho gaye.

Juhi : Mein aapki kanghi kar du??

Veer : Huh??

Juhi : Mumma Juhi ke baal banaati hai toh... toh, Juhi Papa ke banayegi.

Veer : Hahahaha! Mere baal itne lambe nahi hai, Juhi.

Juhi : Mouuu~ Mujhe banaane hai~

Veer : Achha theek hai. Par, abhi nahi. Abhi mein breakfast kar raha hu. Baad me. Theek hai?

Juhi (chimes) : Okay~

Wo khushi se haste hue uske peechhe sofe par chadh gayi. Nidhi bhi hasi.

Veer : Perfect! Aaj bhi inn parantho ka swaad bilkul pehle jaisa hi hai! Aur, ye chai bhi-!

Nidhi ne uske bhaav padhne chaahe, uske hontho par halki muskaan thi. Kuchh saal pehle yahi Veer dara hua rehta tha, study table par jhuka hua, exams ki taiyaari karta hua, aur aaj yahi Veer ek alag Veer bann chuka tha.

Usne dekha ki Veer kamre ko badi hi bareeki se dekh raha tha. Toh, usne khud se hi samjhaana chaaha-

Nidhi : M-Maine curtains badal diye hai.

Veer (smiles) : Haan, wo dekhe maine.

Nidhi : A-Aur, wo corner me lamp bhi rakh diya hai. T-Tum kehte the na ki udhar ek chhota lamp hona chahiye. Toh, maine...

Veer (smiles) : Ab zyada achha lag raha hai.

Nidhi : H-Haan!! Tum wahi baithate the aksar.

Usne khidki ke paas door ek kone ki orr ishaara karte hue kaha. Veer ne uski nigaahon ka peechha kiya aur sarr hilaaya.

Veer : Hmm!

Ye woh jagah thi jaha woh sabse pehle Nidhi ke ghar me aake baitha tha. Jab use laga tha ki duniya me use koi bhi rehne nahi dega. Uska koi thikaana nahi hoga. Tab, yahi jagah uski apni thi. Uski pasandeeda.

Veer ke bhaav padh, Nidhi ki aankhein namm ho gayi.

Veer : Aapne kuchh nahi poochha tha...

Nidhi : !!?

Veer : Koi sawaal nahi. Bas mujhe hospital se leke aayi thi aap. Mujhe apne ghar laayi jaise mein humesha se yahi rehta tha. Aur-

Nidhi : Mujhe kuchh bhi poochhne ki zaroorat nahi thi.

Veer : ???

Nidhi : Mein jaanti thi mein kya kar rahi thi. Aur, kiske liye kar rahi thi.

Veer : Kyu kar rahi thi? Kya iska bhi jawaab hai?

Nidhi : Nahi! Mein nahi jaanti kyu. Bas, itna jaanti hu ki maine jo kiya, sahi kiya.

Veer : Agar, wahi sthiti aaj firse aapke saamne aaye toh kya aap-

Nidhi : Hazaar baar karungi.

Veer : Huh!!?

Nidhi : Har baar!

*Badump*

Iss baar Veer ka dil ek dhadkan phaand gaya. Aur, Juhi jo laiti hui apne khilauno se khelne me lagi hui thi, woh aise hi chehekte hue bol padi-

Juhi : Hehe! Mumma ko papa se pyaal hai~

Nidhi (yells) : J-JUHIIIIII-!!!! *blushes*

Juhi : Mumma loves papa~ Mumma loves papa~ Hehehe~

Nidhi (blushes) : Juhiiiii-!! Chup!!!

Veer ne turant koi jawaab nahi diya. Uske honthon par bas ek halki muskaan saji hui thi. Akhirkar, usne baat ko palatate hue kaha-

Veer : Waise- ye deewar ke paint par abhi bhi wahi daag hai.

Nidhi : Huh? H-Haan! Woh... Woh waha par sab baith ke sarr tikaate hai toh waha daag bann gaya hai. Abhi tak maine uska kuchh nahi kiya.

Veer : Aur, landlord ne nahi dekha abhi tak ye?

Nidhi : Dekh gaye hai! *sighs* Thoda sa hi hai. M-Mein fix karwa dungi baad me.

Veer : Jab karwaana ho toh mujhe bula lijiyega.

Nidhi (quietly) : Mmm!

Na hi Veer ne usko apne paise ka rutba dikhaya. Na hi usko middle class life ka ehsaas dilaaya. Usne bas itna kaha... ki jab sudharwana ho, toh woh use bulaaye. Bas. Aur, Nidhi ko yahi baat sabse achhi lagi.

Tabhi, Shreya ki awaaz ne unka dhyaan bhang kar diya.

Shreya : Oh wowww~ Mujhe toh pata hi nahi tha ki aap dono ekdum shadishuda jode ki tarah baatein karte ho!!?

Nidhi chaunk gayi, uska shareer jhatka kha kar reh gaya. Veer ne bhi bauhe upar kar uski orr dekha.

Veer : Excuse me!?

Shreya pyaar se muskurayi, lekin uski aankhein sikud gayi.

Shreya : Bas itna hi kaha ki maine dii ko kabhi itna baat karte nahi dekha na. Tum toh unka ekdum chatty version saamne le aaye. Nice job Veer. *winks*

Nidhi : Sh-Shreya?

Shreya : No!!! It's actually cute.

Usne parantha ka ek tukda muh me daalte hue kaha.

Shreya : Mujhe sochne pe majboor karta hai ye ki maine dii ke aur kaun se versions abhi tak nahi dekhe hai?

Veer ne uski baaton me ek wazan mehsoos kiya. Woh tanaav kam karte hue halka sa hasa.

[Oh! Someone's jelly...!]

Veer : Well! Haha! Tumhe apni dii se kitchen me aur bhi tasty tasty dishes banwani chaahiye. Trust me! Unke aur bhi versions dekhne ko milenge. *sips* Ye chai kamaal ki hai.

Shreya : Oh please! Aaj itni achhi chai isliye bani hai kyunki tum yaha ho.

Veer : Huh!?

Shreya : Yes! Warna daily aisi nahi banti.

Nidhi : SHREYA!!

Usne ab daanta, lekin gaalon par gulaabi rang chadha hua tha. Tabhi, itne me Juhi achanak khadi hui, uske haathon me ek drawing book thi.

Juhi (runs) : Papaaaa! Papa!!! Dekho! Maine humara ghar banaya...!

[Aww!]

Veer ne drawing book haath me li aur use dekha. Usme Juhi ka ek nanha sa stick figure version, ek bade stick figure ke bagal se khada hua tha, jis par 'papa' likha tha. Aur, uske bagal se ek gulabi color ki 'mumma' khadi hui thi. Spasht roop se — Nidhi. Aur, ek stroller me chhota sa baccha jo ki Dhruv tha.

[It's so cute. Right, master?]

'Hmm!'

Shreya : Huh? Ek minute! Mein kaha hu???

Drawing me Shreya kahi bhi nazar nahi aa rahi thi. Apni maasi ki baat sunn Juhi ne drawing ko firse dekha.

Juhi : Umm... A-Aap... Maasi... Umm... Haan!

Uski ungli fir achanak se ek aur figure ki orr badhi. Aur, wo bade hi garv se boli.

Juhi : Aap ped ho!!!

Shreya (yells) : Kyaaaaaaa????

Veer (laughs) : AHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

Veer ki hasi itni zorr se chhooti ki woh khud ko hasne se rok nahi paaya.

Shreya : Juhi ki bacchi-

Veer : Hahahahahaha!!!

Juhi : Ehehehehe~

Veer ki hasi dekh Juhi bhi uske sang shaamil ho gayi, ye sochte hue ki shayad usne koi bahut badhiya kaam kiya tha jo uske 'papa' has rahe the.

Nidhi jhuk kar dekhne lagi, uske honth hasi ko dabaane ki poori koshish kar rahe the. Yahi. Yahi toh wo pal the jinhe wo miss kiya karti thi. Veer ke yaha hone se... kitni raunak badh jaati thi ghar me.

Par, tabhi Veer ke bol uske kaan me pade. Awaaz bahut hi dheemi thi.

Veer (drawing ko dekhte hue) : Woh wahi dekh rahi hai, jo woh dekhna chaahti hai.

*Badump* *Badump*

Nidhi ke dil ki dhadkane tez ho gayi. Palkein jhapki aur honth thar-thara uthe. Aur, woh achanak se uss se door hoke wapas se apni jagah par baith gayi.

Lekin, unke beech ki ye kashmkash akhir iss baar Shreya ki aankhon se chook ke na jaa saki. Woh ab ise aur andekha nahi kar saki. Usne napkin se apne haath pochhe aur ek muskaan bikherte hue boli.

Shreya : You know what... Ab hum sab ko ek break ki zaroorat hai.

Nidhi : Break?

Shreya : Yeah! Yeah! Break!

Veer : Kaisa break?

Shreya : Break! Har cheez se. Ye lagatar stress, jo kuchh bhi hua, Juhi ka kidnap hona, hospital me dii ka hona, fir shamshan me tumhara jaana, serial killer se Juhi ko chhura ke laana, and then tumhari hotel pe wo unknown attack, Ragini aunty ki injury, Yarnia ka shut down, all that shit and-

Usne khud ko thoda roka, use ehsaas hua ki uski awaaz kuchh zyada hi oonchi ho rahi thi.

Shreya : I mean... Ye... Ye sab bahut zyada tha, right?

Veer ki palkein jhuk gayi. Nidhi ne bhi ek aah bhari, uske kandhe adrishya bojh se bhaari ho gaye.

Nidhi : Tumne sahi kaha.

Shreya khadi hui, table ke chaaro orr ghoomi aur Veer ke bagal se sofe ke armrest par baith gayi, kuchh zyada hi nazdeek.

Shreya : Plus... Mein Singapore se waapas aayi hu. Can you imagine? Singapore se! Mera shoot cancel ho gaya. Sab kuchh beech me chhorna pada. And, I don't even know why. Toh, ab mein practically unemployed hu aur frustrated bhi.

Veer : Toh?

Shreya : Toh, mere paas ek badhiya idea hai.

Veer : Jaise ki-?

Shreya : Jaise ki... Tum mujhe-

Veer : !!?

Shreya (smiles) : Ek date par leke chalo!

Nidhi : !!!!!

Veer : Huh?

Nidhi ko apne kaano par vishvas nahi ho raha tha. Juhi farsh par se uthi aur boli.

Juhi : Date pe? Mumma date pe kaise jaa sakte hai?? Usko to likhte hai na?

Bechari nanhi Juhi couple waali date ko tareekh waali date samajh rahi thi. Aur, isme uski koi galti bhi nahi thi. Shreya uski galat-fehmi par muskurayi.

Shreya : Woh waali date nahi, my little munchkin.

Juhi : Toh aur kaun si date??

Shreya ne naatkeeya dhang se apni zulfo ko peechhe karte hue jawab diya.

Shreya (smiles) : Iss date me sirf do bade log jaate hai, sweetie. Lunch pe, ya dinner pe, saath-saath. Sirf ek ladka. Aur, ek ladki.

Juhi : T-Toh, mein bhi chalungi.

Shreya (grins) : Hmph! Shayad tumne suna nahi beta! Maine kya kaha? Isme sirf do bade log jaate hai. Aur, tum kya ho?? Chhoti bacchi. Samajh gayi?

Juhi : M-Mujhe bhi jaana hai-!!!! Mein bhi papa ke saath jaungi!

Shreya : Hahaha! Ab toh tum aur nahi jaa sakti.

Juhi (ruwasi awaaz me) : K-Kyu?

Shreya : Kyunki, date par sirf couples ya friends jaate hai, my dear. *grins* Aur, tum toh Veer ko apna papa maanti ho. Hai na? Toh, tum toh jaa hi nahi sakti.

Juhi ki aankhon me aasu panpe. Shreya thoda ghabrayi aur uska darr haqeeqat me badal gaya.

"Haaaarrrrggghhhhhhh-!!!"

Juhi rote hue jaa ke Nidhi se lipat gayi.

Nidhi : Shreya!!! Kyu Juhi ko abhi se ye sab bataya? Ab wo-

Shreya : What? Aisa toh hai nahi ki mein uss se shaadi kar rahi hu. Ek date ke liye hi toh kaha hai. Ek dinner. Woh mera friend hai itna achha. Kya burayi hai isme?

Juhi : haaaaaarrrrgggghhh!!

Nidhi : P-Par, fir bhi- Y-Ye nahi-

Usne bolna chaaha, magar ruk gayi.

Shreya : Nahi kya? Kya friends ke saath hangout karne me koi problem hai? Aur, upar se ye Veer hai. Agar, mein ghar me mummy papa ko bhi bata ke jau na toh bhi woh mujhe nahi tokenge. Aur, aap shayad ye baat achhe se jaanti hongi.

Nidhi ki palkein neeche jhuk gayi. Woh apni beti ko chup karaane me lagi hui thi jab Juhi achanak se uske paas se nikli aur jaake Veer ke haath ko jakad li.

Shreya : !!?

Juhi : Niiiiii!!! Mein papa ko kahi nahi le jaane dungi.

Shreya : Aww! Par, cheezein tumhari icchha se nahi chalti, sweetie! Zara socho! Actually... Agar, sach me tumhari maasi ki shaadi tumhare so called 'papa' se ho gayi? Toh kya hoga? Tumhare papa humesha tumhare paas reh sakte hai. Aur, fir mein kya lagungi tumhari? Hmm? Mumma? Hahaha!

Juhi (shrieks) : Niiiiiii!!!

Shreya : ???

Juhi (Veer ki orr mudte hue) : P-Papa! Aap ni jaoge na?

Shreya : Arey waah! Kyu nahi jaayega woh? Hum bilkul jaayenge!

Juhi (shouts) : Niiiiii!!!

Veer : Ummm...

Juhi : Papa!!! Ni jaoge na??

Veer (smiles) : Mein-

Iske pehle ki woh jawaab de paata, Nidhi hi beech me kood gayi.

Nidhi : Woh nahi jaa sakta!!

Usne apni mansha kuchh zyada hi zorr se zaahir ki.

Veer : !!?

Shreya : Huh?

Nidhi : V-Veer ka... Usne abhi-abhi apne dada ji ko khoya hai.

Ek solid counterattack. Veer ne iss par chupchaap sarr hilaaya. Toh wahi, Shreya ki muskaan thodi ladkhada gayi.

Shreya : Haan toh mein kaun sa aaj hi uss se chalne ke liye keh rahi hu? Par, agle hafte ka kya? Agle mahine? Woh humesha toh iss phase me nahi reh sakta na? Humein use aur lively feel karwana chaahiye. Isliye, toh maine kaha tha. Hum baad me bhi jaa sakte, hai na Veer?

Kehte hue woh Veer ke qareeb jhuk gayi. Bahut nazdeek. Aur, Juhi chillaa uthi.

Juhi (yells) : Niiiiiii!

Nidhi ko laga ki uski saansein atak rahi thi. Gala sookh raha tha. Woh kya kar rahi thi? Woh beech me kyu aayi? Kya abhi-abhi usne ek bahaana dete hue apni hi chhoti behan ke plan ko fail karna chaaha?

Shreya ne use dekha. Uski awaaz me madhurta thi, lekin aankhein teekhi.

Shreya : Kya aap nahi chaahogi ki kisi shady tinder match ki bajaaye mein Veer jaise shareef ladke ke saath baahar jau??

Veer : Hey! Just to let you know, mein itna shareef nahi hu.

Shreya (winks) : Tumne abhi mujhe nahi jaana, dear.

Juhi ne Nidhi ki kurti ko hairaan ho kar kheencha.

Juhi : Mumma... P-Papa maasi ke saath jaayenge? Aap mana karo na papa ko.

Nidhi : Mein... Mujhe nahi pata...

Usne Veer ki aankhon se bachte hue dheere se kaha. Kamre me ek pal ke liye ajeeb tarah ka sannaata chhaa gaya.

Veer (smiles) : Papa wahi jaayenge jaha Juhi bolegi. Theek hai?

Aur, ye sunte hi Juhi ki aankhon me chamak aa gayi.

Juhi : Sacchi??

Veer (smiles) : Mucchi!

Shreya : Of course! Mujhe samajh jaana chaahiye tha ki yahi hoga. Enjoy!

Kehte hue woh be-mann se waha se chidhte hue nikal gayi. Aur, Juhi phudakte hue Veer ka haath kheench kar use Nidhi ke bagal se baithaane le gayi. Usne baari-baari dono ke haath liye aur boli.

Juhi : Toh... Toh... Mumma, papa aur mein... Hum teeno date pe chalenge!

Nidhi ka dil dhadak raha tha. Usne virodh kyu kiya? Woh beech me kyu aayi? Kya uss hospital waali raat sach me usne apna dil Veer ko saunp diya tha?

Toh, fir uski chhoti behan ka kya? Use toh khush hona chahiye tha ki uski chhoti behan ko Veer jaise ladke me interest tha aur use toh iss orr badhna chaahiye tha ki kaise woh Veer aur Shreya ko ek kar sake.

Lekin...

Jab Shreya ne use chhua, uske qareeb jhuki, use apne andar ek dard kyu mehsoos hua?

Usne andar jaati Shreya ko dekha. Aur, tabhi uski aankhein Veer se mili.

*Badump*

Nidhi : M-Mein...

Juhi : Mumma chalogi na?

Veer (smiles) : Zaroor! Hum sab chalenge. Okay?

Juhi (beams) : Yayyy~

Veer ka haath achanak Nidhi ke haath ke upar aaya, toh bechari Nidhi jhatka kha kar reh gayi. Nazrein mili. Aur, saansein tez ho gayi. Lekin, iss baar-

Nidhi ne apna haath nahi hataaya. Veer ki giraft me hi rehne diya. Veer ne dusra haath uske chehre ki orr badhaaya. Uski chin ko thaamte hue, chehre ko apni orr karne ki koshish ki-

Magar, Nidhi ne kaanpte hue apna chehra dheere se dusri orr ferna chaaha. Aur, tabhi Veer ne apna angutha Nidhi ke gulaabi hontho par firaaya.

Ek sihran Nidhi ke poore jism me daud gayi. Woh haanf rahi thi. Veer ne unn sharbati hontho ko chhiya. Nidhi ki palkein ahista-ahista uthi. Woh Veer ko dekhi. Juhi wapas se apne khilauno me lag chuki thi. Aur, uske peechhe sofe par Veer aur Nidhi agal-bagal behad qareeb baithe the.

Veer aage ki orr jhuka... Uski garm saansein jaise hi Nidhi ki gardan par padi, woh thitak kar reh gayi aur ghabraate hue uss se door ho gayi.

Kintu, Veer ne bura nahi maana. Balki, uske hontho par muskaan hi bikhri thi.

Magar, koi tha...

Bagal ki deewar ke peechhe...

Jo phati aankhon se iss drishya ko dekh raha tha.

'I-It can't be...!!!!?'

***

Hotel Prestige, Mumbai
Late at night ~

Prestige ki lobby me steel pipes, auzaaron ki khat-khat ki awaaz goonj rahi thi.

Kabhi modern elegance aur business class luxury ka prateek raha ye hotel ab reconstructive surgery se guzar raha tha.

Lobby ki west wing me scaffolding bichha hua tha. Workers der raat tak kaam karne ke liye lage hue the. Ek samooh nayi khidki ke frame ki welding kar raha tha, toh wahi kuchh farsh par visfot se hui kaalikh lage marble ko alag kar naya marble bichha rahe the.

"Kharcha toh hua hai, ma'am. Estimate ke according chale toh aap ye maan ke chaliye ki... 20-25 lakh araam se. Zyada bhi ho sakta hai."

Bhumika chup chaap apni secretary ki baat sunn rahi thi. Business outfit pehne, uska navy blue blazer uske kandho par peechhe se latka hua tha.

Woh jaanti thi. Use anumaan tha ki kitna kharcha ho chuka hoga. Aur, ye kharcha poora nahi tha. Yarnia ke products jo barbaad hue, kapde, models ki advance fees jo unhe deni padi, musical orchestra ki fees, decorations ke charges, invitations ke charges, wagarah wagarah aur fir ye humla jisne laakho ka maal tabaah kar diya.

Woh jaanti thi. Kitna bhaari nuksaan unhe hua tha. Upar se maare gaye security guards ko kahi na kahi financial support dene ki zimmedari. Ye sab kuchh bahut zyada tha.

Tabhi, uske peechhe se ek awaaz goonji. Dheemi. Aur, niyantrit.

"Evening...! Miss Bhumika."

Woh mudi, bauhe sikodte hue. Transparent glasses ki main entrance se ek mahila andar aa rahi thi. Wo bhi police uniform me. Aur, uske seene me laga batch dekhte hi Bhumika ki aankhein chaudi ho gayi.

Bhumika : DSP!?? Yaha? Mein... Mujhe ummeed nahi thi ki-

Trisha seedhe andar chali aayi.

Trisha : Jaanti hu. Aapke staff ne bhi ummeed nahi ki thi. Isliye, sab baahar chaunk gaye. Lekin, jab ek badi hotel me bombing ho, shootout ho, toh normal officers use bas kuchh hadd tak hi sambhaal sakte hai.

Bhumika ne apni bechaini ko chhupaane ki koshish karte hue saans chhori.

Bhumika : Wahi! Maine jab FIR file ki thi toh aap nahi thi. Mujhe laga tha ki officers hi sab investigate karenge-

Trisha ki nazar ab khaali ho chuke lounge area par padi. Bahut se furniture safed chaadron se dhake hue the, taaki kaam ke chalte unn par kisi bhi prakaar ki dhool, paint ya gandagi na lag jaaye.

Trisha : Well, originally... Yes. Yahi procedure hota hai. Mujhe involve hone ki zaroorat nahi padti agar ye case itna bada nahi hota toh...

Kehte hue usne apni uniform ki jeb se ek muda hua kaagaz nikaala. Ek tasveer. Usne wo tasveer reception ke counter par rakhi.

Bhumika jhuki. Usne dekha. Ek chehra. Logon ke samooh me. Safed kurta aur neeli jeans daale hue.

Trisha : Yahi hai uss raat Hotel Prestige me hue uss humle ke peechhe ka aadmi.

Maano jaise Bhumika ke perro taley zameen khisak gayi.

Trisha : Dhananjay!!!

Bhumika : Kyaaaaa???

Woh ladkhadaate hue chillaayi.

Bhumika : Kaun?? Kaun hai ye? Maine iske baare me kabhi nahi suna. Aur, na hi mein jaanti hu. Hai kaun ye???

Bhumika ka reaction dekh, ek pal ke liye Trisha ki bauhe sikudi. Ye dilchasp tha. Ab do baatein ho sakti thi. Ya toh Bhumika naatak kar rahi thi, aur woh jaanti thi ki yeh aadmi kaun tha. Ya fir use waqai iske baare me kuchh nahi pata tha.

Aur, agar aisa tha... Toh, Trisha ke liye cheezein aur bhi pecheeda hone waali thi. Aur, dekh ke toh yahi lag raha tha ki Bhumika waqai iss shaks se anjaan thi.

Trisha : Mujhe aapse aisi ummeed nahi thi. Aapki hotel par humla hua, shaks aapke saamne tasveer me maujood hai aur aap ise nahi jaanti? Toh, bhala anjaan vyakti kyu aap par humla karega?

Bhumika : I... I swear officer!!! Mein nahi jaanti ye kaun hai. Aisa bhi toh ho sakta hai ki... Ye main aadmi na ho? Koi aur bhi ho iske peechhe?

Trisha (nods) : Bilkul!

Bhumika : Aapne... Aapne iske baare me pata kaise lagaaya?

Trisha : Phone calls!

Bhumika : ???

Trisha : Uss night hue iss area ke around almost sabhi phone calls ki history trace karni padi. Jab dhyaan se gaur kiya toh paaya ki... Prestige ke around baar-baar 4 se 5 jagah aapas me hi calls kiye jaa rahe the.

Bhumika : !!?

Trisha : Probably, ye attackers ke group me se leader aur baaki sab ke beech ho rahi baaton ka saboot tha. Uske baad, ek recent call ki madad se humne ek aadmi ko yahi paas ke area me se dabocha hai.

Bhumika : Impressive! But... Koi mere bhai ki hotel... Hum par... kyu humla karna chaahega?

Trisha jhijhki. Fir dheere se usne bola.

Trisha : Bomber ke baare me toh aap informed hongi hi. Rajat!?

Bhumika (nods) : J-Ji!

Trisha : Hmm! Filhaal ke liye, woh hirasat me hai. Confession? Uska kehna hai ki usne Veer se badla lene ke liye ye sab kiya.

Bhumika ke honth ek rekha me dabb gaye.

Bhumika (frowns) : Veer se dushmani!? Uske liye itna kuchh...

Trisha : Kya aap iss dushmani ke baare me kuchh jaanti hai? Mera vistaar se jaanana zaroori hai.

Bhumika : Jaha tak mujhe pata hai. Wo Rajat... *frowns* Achha aadmi nahi. No! Never! Nidhi ma'am hai humaare yaha. Veer ke college ki teacher reh chuki hai. Unka-

Trisha : Jaanti hu. Nidhi ji ka ex husband hai. Dono ka talaak ho chuka hai.

Bhumika (surprised) : O-Oh!

Trisha : Mujhe dushmani ke baare me bataaiye.

Bhumika (nods) : S-Sure! Veer ne hi... Ma'am ko iss toxic relationship me baahar nikaalne me help ki thi actually. Uski wajah se hi ye sab possible hua tha.

Trisha ke mann me tabhi uss raat waali Veer ki chhavi dimaag me umad aayi. Jab woh Juhi aur Pihu dono ko ghaayal awastha me apne upar laade hue tha. Iska matlab... Veer Nidhi ki parvah karta tha!?

Trisha : Hmm! Interesting!

Bhumika : Bas. Mujhe itna hi pata hai. Details nahi pata. But yahi hua tha. Aur, shayad wo Rajat isliye Veer se nafrat karta hai. Lekin, uske liye woh aisa kuchh kar dega? I could never imagine. He's a complete psycho.

Trisha (nods) : Hmm! So... Nidhi and Veer... huh...! Okay.

Bhumika : A-Aap!? Aap Veer ko jaanti ho?

Trisha (smirks) : Kaun nahi jaanta? Ab kaafi charcha me jo hai.

Bhumika : Ah! I see. Like that...

Trisha jaate-jaate muskurayi. Uska kaam poora ho chuka tha. Woh yaha information dene kam, lene zyada aayi thi.

Use pata lag chuka tha ki Bhumika iss maamle se anjaan thi. Use pata lag chuka tha ki bomber Rajat, Veer ka dushman tha. Use sandeh ho chuka tha ki Dhananjay naam ka yeh vyakti bhi kahi na kahi shayad Veer ka dushman hi nikalne waala tha. Use pata lag chuka tha ki Nidhi aur Veer ke beech koi gehra rishta tha. Uska shaq gehra ho chuka tha ki Veer underground world me active tha.

Ab kadi se kadi milni shuru ho chuki thi. Aatish. Slogan. Veer ka mirror gallery me hona. Uska underworld me involve hona. Aatish aur Slogan ki rehesyamayi maut. Aur, ab Veer par humla. Ek targeted attack. Har ek cheez ek hi shaks ki orr point out kar rahi thi — Veer.

Kya ye theory sach nahi ho sakti thi ki Veer par ye pareshani uske ateet me li gayi logon se buraayi ki wajah se aa rahi thi?

Trisha ab aatmvishvas se bhari hui thi. Woh gutthi ko suljhaane ke liye uske qareeb badhti jaa rahi thi.

Nikalne se pehle wo ek pal ruki aur bina mudey hi poochhi.

Trisha : Waise... Kaha hai Mister Veer?

Bhumika (glances) : Woh... Woh toh Nidhi ma'am ke saath hi reh raha hai. Aur, uski maasi ke ghar me. Din me ma'am ke yaha toh raat me maasi ke ghar. Kya aapko koi kaam hai uss se!? I mean... Agar, possible ho toh uske side se mein question and answers ke liye ready hu. Abhi wo cope up kar raha hai. Toh agar-

Trisha : Nahi! Abhi koi zaroorat nahi. Don't worry.

Ab use sab samajh aa raha tha. Woh student jiska zikr Nidhi ne gift shop par uss raat kiya tha. Wo dono... qareeb the. Magar, agar Nidhi jaisi aurat uss par itna bharosa karti hai toh-

Usne dheere se saans chhori. Aur, waha se jaate-jaate...

Trisha : Take care, Miss Bhumika. Dhananjay ki chinta hum par chhor dijiye.

Bhumika : Huh? Uski location pata lag gayi??

Trisha ki muskaan laut aayi. Entrance ke baahar nikalte uske muh se bas yahi nikla.

"Classified."

Kehte hue woh waha se ravaana ho gayi. Aur, Bhumika ko uljha hua chhor gayi. Bhumika ne apna phone nikaala, gallery khol usme ek tasveer dekhi. Tasveer uski aur Veer ki thi. Kuchh mahine pehle ki. Veer ke chehre ko zoom kar usne use dekha.

Woh ab jaan chuki thi ki ye sab kuchh ghatnaaaye... Veer se sambandhit thi.

'Tum kuchh chhipa rahe ho... Hai na? Veer!?'

Screen ko ahista se sehlaate hue usne nishchay kiya ki Veer se woh vyaktigat me baat karegi. Aur, fir mudte hue woh hotel se nikalne ki taiyaari karne lagi.

---

Toh wahi idhar derr raat me, Veer jo apni maasi se lipat kar laita hua tha, uski palkein achanak hi khul gayi.

Usne dekha ki Purvi gehri neend me so rahi thi. Usne ghadi dekhi. Subah ke 1:45 baj rahe the.

Uska raat me yaha rukna isliye zaroori tha kyunki Arun, apne bete Ayush ke liye naye hostel me use shift karwaane ke liye Delhi gaya hua tha. Aur, Purvi ka akela rukna theek nahi tha.

Magar, majbooran-

Uske haath aur bhi kaamo me bandhe hue the. Kuchh aise kaam... Jo derr raat ke andhere me hi kiye jaa sakte the.

*Click*

Dheere se darwaaze ko lock kar, ek akhiri nazar apni maasi par daal, woh waha se gaayab ho gaya.

***

Penthouse Suite,
Hotel Casa Belle,
Mumbai, Night - 1:50 AM ~

Aadesh Jaisinghani apni araam kursi par peeth tikaaye hue tha. Nanga seena, ek silk robe aalsi dhang se uss par lipta hua tha.

Usne ek bahut hi mehngi whiskey ka ek ghooth liya, har harqat par uski sone ki chain chamak rahi thi.

"Kya raat hai ye-!! Calm. Silent. Peaceful. Such a lovely night. Waah!"

Khule sheesein ke darwaazon ke peechhe se Mumbai ka nazara jhalak raha tha.

Veer Singh. Ab tasveer se baahar tha. Prestige lahu-luhaan ho chuka tha. Market ghabraya hua tha. Investors hich-kicha rahe the. Aur, woh? Woh ab fal-fool raha tha.

Uska ek competitor, ab race se baahar ho chuka tha. Sheh aur maat.

Usne apne glass me whiskey ghumaayi.

Aadesh : Finally... *smiles* The king falls... And, Casa Belle rises. Hahaha!

Usne apni aankhein band ki, swaad ko barkaraar rehne diya, ki tabhi-

*CLACK*

Uski aankhein ek jhatke me khul gayi. Suite ka darwaza khul chuka tha. Usne fauran apna sarr ghumaate hue darwaaze ki orr dekha.

Waha... Darwaaze par...

'Huh?'

Koi khada tha. Peeth ke peechhe haath kare hue, jaise koi vakeel faisle ka intezar karta hai. Ek aadmi. Badi qad kaathi ka.

Proper suit pehne, peechhe ki orr kanghi kiye hue baal, teekhi daadhi, gussail aankhein. Aur, aspasht chehra.

Aadesh ki saansein atak gayi. Nashe ka ek-ek ansh uske shareer se gaayab ho gaya.

Aadesh : H-Huh? K-Kaun? T-Tum andar kaise aaye?

Jaise hi woh aadmi thode ujaale me aaya, toh Aadesh ke perr kaanp uthe. Woh ise jaanta tha.

Balhaar.

Woh Aadesh ki orr aage badha. Uske peechhe do aur hatte-katte aadmi andar aaye — taqatvar aur sudol. Aur, fir darwaza dheere se andar se band ho gaya.

Aadesh khada hua. Woh jaanta tha ki Balhaar kaun tha. Magar, iss tarah se uske private suite me ghusna. Ye kahi se bhi theek nahi maalum pad raha tha. Upar se aaj ki pyaari raat uski iss dakhal se barbaad ho chuki thi. Woh gusse me tha. Beshaq.

Aadesh (frowns) : Y-Ye ek 7 star luxury hai. Mere paas har floor ki private security hai. Aur, ye tareeqa sahi nahi-

Balhaar : Tumne iss baar bahut badi galti kar di.

Uski awaaz me shaanti thi. Aadesh ki dhadkane pal bhar ke liye tez ho gayi.

Aadesh : G-Galti? Kya galti? M-Maine kya kiya?

Balhaar: Oh? Naatak huh!?

Usne ek chutki bajaayi. Aur, turant hi do logon ko baahar se ghaseetate hue kamre ke andar laaya gaya.

Unka muh band tha, shareer par chot lagi hui thi, darr ke maare dono kaanp rahe the. Aur, unhe dekhte hi-

Aadesh ka chehra peela pad gaya. Woh unhe pehchaanta tha. Ye wahi toh the. Hotel Prestige me humle ke dauran maare gaye security guards ke rishtedar.

Wahi log jinhe usne media ke saamne Veer aur uske hotel ko badnaam karne ke liye ghoos dekar khareeda tha. Use laga ki sab kuchh nipat chuka tha. Koi pata bhi nahi laga sakta tha. Lekin-

'Tch!'

Usne apne sookhe hontho ko kisi sarp ki tarah chaata, sthiti ko sambhaalne ke baare me woh sochne laga.

Aadesh : Y-Ye? M-Mein inhe nahi jaanta. K-Kaun hai ye?

Balhaar : Abhi bhi bewakoof banaane ki koshish??

Aadesh : D-Dekho-

Usne zorr se chillaate hue kaha, woh kisi prakaar ka sahara dhundhne ki koshish kar raha tha.

Aadesh : Mein jaanta hu ki tum D-Don ho, magar... T-Tum iss tarah se kisi ki privacy me dakhal nahi de sakte-! P-Police tumhe-

Kehte hue woh ruk gaya.

Balhaar bina palkein jhapkaaye use ghoor raha tha. Uske hontho par ek patli si muskaan ubhri hui thi. Koi darr nahi. Koi ghabrahat nahi.

Aur, fir Aadesh ko ehsaas hua.

Unse galti kar di. Bahut badi galti. Uske maathe se ek paseene ki boond ludhak gayi.

Balhaar dheere-dheere khidki ke paas gaya, haath peeth ke peechhe rakhe, chaand ko dekhta hua.

Balhaar : Kya tumhe andaza bhi hai ki sheher me aur sheher ke baahar mere under me kitne hotels hai, Jaisinghani!?

Aadesh : ??

Balhaar (smirks) : Kya tumhe andaza hai ki iss poori floor ko book karna mere liye kitna asaan tha? Aisi IDs... Jo har verification ko legally pass kar sakti hai. *grins*

Aadesh ki nazrein khule darwaaze ke baahar padi. Hotel ki manzil ke corridor me usne dekha. Darjano parchhaiyaan ghoom rahi thi. Balhaar ke aadmi.

Par, kaise?

Balhaar : Tumhe laga ki mein security ko pass kar ke andar aaya hu? *smiles* Mere aadmi guests bann kar din me ghuse the yaha.

Aadesh : H-Huh!?

Balhaar : Pune, Nashik, Goa, Jaipur. Alag-alag sheher se. Alag-alag IDs. Sab legal. Nothing illegal.

Aadesh ab kaanp raha tha. Use bodh ho chuka tha ki poori floor par, Balhaar ke aadmi room liye baithe the. Aur, isliye uski security unhe rok nahi paayi. Kyunki, ve sab bahut saare the.

Ghabrakar usne apna rukh badalne ki koshish ki.

Aadesh : D-Dekho-! T-Tumhe aisa karne ki zaroorat nahi hai. Mujhe gumrah kiya gaya hai. Y-Ye personal nahi tha. It was all business, you know.

Par-

Uska koi bhi paitra kaam nahi aa raha tha. Aur, akhirkar usne apni aakhiri chaal chali.

'Tch!'

Aadesh (yells) : Tum uske liye kyu kaam kar rahe ho, huh??? That fucking kid, Veer!!! C'mon man! Tum aur mein- hahaha! Hum dono iss sheher par raaj kar sakte hai. Saath me.

Balhaar ki bauhe fadki.

Aadesh : Mere saath kaam karo. Uske under nahi. No restrictions. Tumhe paisa, power, respect, sab milega. Veer hai hi kya mere saamne?? Tumhare jaisa don uss bacche ke under kaise kaam kar sakta hai?

Balhaar : ...

Aadesh : Work with me!!! *grins* Tum... Tum Raja ho. Use 'boss' kehne ki kya naubat aa gayi tumhari?

Use laga jaise usne Balhaar ke chehre par jhijhak dekhi. Uska aatmvishvas badh gaya.

Aadesh : Hum dono, saath milke kya kuchh nahi kar sakte. Mere saath kaam karne ke liye tumhe mujhe koi 'boss' kehne ki zaroorat nahi. Hum equals honge. Equal partners. Mere paas Veer se zyada paisa hai. Zyada rutba hai. Woh kisi bhi maamlo me mere level par hai hi nahi. Aao! Aao hum saath milke kaam kare.

Balhaar : ...

Aadesh : Zara socho! Tum aur mein... Poore Mumbai par humara raaj hoga. Mein tumhari madad white world me karunga, aur tum meri madad black world me karna. Tumhari image ko saaf rakhne ki zimmedari meri hogi. Aur, mere competitors ko unki aukaat dikhaane ki zimmedari tumhari. Hum dono ek behtareen team bann sakte hai. We can do wonders hahahaha!

Balhaar : Tumhari baat me dum toh hai.

Aadesh : Haha! Hai na? Koi murkh hi hoga jo uss Veer ke under kaam karna chaahega. Aur, mein jaanta hu ki tum bhi... ye nahi chaahte. Aao my friend. Let's work together. Together we'll crush this bug, Veer.

Balhaar apne aadmiyon ki orr muda aur ishaara kiya. Aur, unn aadmiyon ne Aadesh ki baahein chhor di.

Aadesh ne apna robe sahi kiya, chhaati aatmvishvas se fool gayi. Woh jeet chuka tha.

Aadesh : Hatao-! Hatao apne haath! Fucking losers. How dare you touch my expensive robe like that-!? Fuck off!

Balhaar aage badha. Usne apna haath aage badhaaya. Aadesh bhi aage aaya, usne muskuraate hue apna haath uss se milaane ke liye uthaaya.

Aur, tabhi-

*WHUMP*

Balhaar ka haath ek mutthi bann ke seedhe uski aant me aa kar pada. Aadesh ke muh se thook nikal aaya. Uski aankhein palatne ko ho gayi.

Woh khaaste hue, ubkaayi lete hue apne ghutno par gir pada. Usne saans lene ki koshish ki. Bolne ki koshish ki. Lekin, haafne ke alawa uss se kuchh na hua.

Balhaar : Tumhe lagta hai ki paise se wafadari khareedi jaa sakti hai, Jaisinghani? Tune soch bhi kaise liya ki tu aur mein equals ho sakte hai?

Aadesh : !!?

Balhaar : Tu mujhe khareedne chala tha? Bhosdike! Tere jaise hazaron log mere se deal karne ke liye marte hai. Mere saath uthne baithe ke liye gidgidaate hai. Aur, tu? Tu mujhe apna partner banaane chala hai?

Balhaar ne apne aadmiyon ko ishaara kiya. Aur, aadmi log Aadesh ko utha ke le jaane lage.

Aadesh (panics) : N-Nahi! R-Ruko! Ruko!

Magar, bahut derr ho chuki thi.

Logon ne use kachre ki tarah utha liya. Jab use uske hi penthouse se ghaseet kar baahar nikaala jaane laga, laat maarte hue, cheenkhte hue, toh shor poori hotel me fel gaya.

Guests — ameer, videshi, desi, corridors, rooms ke darwazon par jame hue khade the. Dehshat me saamne ke nazaare ko dekh rahe the ki kaise ek aadmi ko ghaseet kar kamre se baahar nikaala jaa raha tha.

Aur, woh aadmi koi aur nahi, hotel ka hi owner tha — Aadesh Jaisinghani.

Aadesh ne apna chehra chhipaane ki koshish ki, lekin uske gaal par laal rang ka thappad ka nishaan pehle se hi uski izzat ko mitti me mila chuka tha.

Aadesh : S-Security! Security!!!

Woh chillaata raha, magar jaise hi use ghaseet ke first floor ki balcony me laaya gaya toh uski aankhein phati ki phati reh gayi.

Lobby me reception se leke main entrance par, har jagah, Balhaar ke aadmi apna dera jamaaye hue the. Security ko toh gun point par rakhe hue the.

Aadesh ko vishvas nahi ho raha tha. CCTVs? CCTV me zaroor sab kuchh qaid ho chuka hoga.

Par, woh galat tha. Hotel ke control room me hi CCTVs ko monitor karne waale ladke, bandhe hue, kursi par baithe the. Aur, Balhaar ka hi aadmi waha saare cameras ki recordings ko band kar chuka tha.

Yaha tak ki... Guests koi phone recording na kar paaye, uske liye bhi aadmi har rooms ke baahar pehra de rahe the.

Agle hi pal, Aadesh ke perro me wo aadmi log rassi baandhne lage.

Aadesh : H-Huh?? Ch-Chhorro! Chhoro mujhe! K-Kya kar rahe ho? *screams* Fucking leave me!!! Ye tumhare liye achha nahi hoga-!! Samjhe na??

Magar, unn aadmiyon ne ek baat bhi nahi suni. Balhaar utni derr tak Aadesh ke hi private suite me tha. Aur, usne darwaza andar se band kar, apna kaam shuru kar diya.

Idhar baahar Aadesh ke perro par rassi bandh chuki thi. Tabhi, ek aadmi ne rassi ka dusra chhor balcony ke saamne ceiling par latak rahe ek behad bade se chandelier ki orr feka. Aadesh ye dekh ghabra gaya.

Aadesh : Y-Ye!? Ye kya kar rahe ho tum?? Bachao-!! *yells* BACHAAAAO!!! HELP!!!!

Uss aadmi ne chandelier ko rassi ke ek hook se phasa ke kheencha aur fir rassi ka chhor uss par baandhne laga.

Rassi baandhte hi, do aadmiyon ne Aadesh ko uthaaya.

Aadesh (screams) : Nahiiiiii?? Nahi!! KYA KAR RAHE HO??? CHHORO!!! CHHORO MUJHE!! TUM SAB BACHOGE NAHI!!!

Aur, agle hi kshan-

Aadmiyon ne chandelier aur Aadesh, dono ko chhor diya.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa-!!!!"

Aadesh ki cheenkh Casa Belle ki poori lobby me goonj gayi. Woh chandelier se ulta latakta hua, swing motion ko follow karte hue lobby ke beecho-beech aaya, jaha chandelier ke theek neeche ek fountain bana hua tha.

*Splash*

Fountain ke fuwaare me se uska ulta latka shareer bheegta hua jhool ke aage badha. Aur, jab use laga ki woh peechhe deewar se takra jaayega tabhi-

'!!?'

Uske baalon se kisi ne use jakad liya. Woh ulta latka hua tha. Use nahi pata tha ki uske peechhe kaun tha. Kaun use pakda hua tha. Magar, usne dekhne ki koshish ki-

Aankhon ki putliyon ko ghumaate hue usne dekhna chaaha-

Aur, jo usne dekha, use dekh, uske pant me peshaab ki kuchh boondein chhoot gayi.




Laal aankhein. Ye bhram nahi tha.

Aur, fir ek awaaz uske kaano me padi-

"Tell me, Aadesh! Did you... pray today?"

Aadesh (shivers) : A-Ahn!? Huh!?

Lobby ke luxury sofe par Veer virajman tha. Bas intezar kar raha tha. Kal raat usne hi Balhaar se kaha tha.

"Aadesh Jaisinghani ka sarr mere paas jhoolta hua aana chaahiye."

Zaahir hai Balhaar Aadesh ko aise hi maar nahi sakta tha. Aur, na hi Veer ye chaahta tha. Toh, yahi upaay tha jiske chalte Aadesh jhoolta hua seedhe Veer ke saamne aa gaya.

Veer utha. Uske haathon me abhi bhi Aadesh ke baal the. Bhale hi usne apne muh par kapda baandh rakha tha, parantu Aadesh jaan chuka tha ki yeh kaun tha.

Apna haath badhaate hue Veer ne wahi khade aadmi ki orr ishaara kiya. Toh uss aadmi ne fauran hi ek hockey stick Veer ko thama di. Aadesh kisi machhli ki tarah rassi se latka hua chhatpata raha tha. Aisa lag raha tha koi maans ka tukda talne bhun'ne ke liye latkaya gaya ho.

Veer ne koi deri nahi ki-

*THWACK*

"Aaaaaarrrghhhhhh!"

*THWACK*

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

*THWACK*

"Haaaaaarrrrgggghhh!!"

Veer kuchh nahi bol raha tha. Par, jaise jaise woh hockey ke vaar Aadesh ke shareer par barsa raha tha. Waise waise uske andar kuchh tarange paida ho rahi thi. Jo Pari mehsoos kar paa rahi thi.

{N-No! This is bad!! M-Master! Ye kya ho raha hai? He's... He's enjoying it. He's taking pleasure!}

Pari, apne mann me sochne par majboor ho gayi. Kya ye Veer hi tha. Uske hontho par dheere dheere ab ek muskaan saj rahi thi.

Aadesh ki cheenkhein sunn, uske roye roye excitement me khade ho rahe the.

{No no no!!! Master?!?}

[Maaaster-!!!]

Pari chillaayi. Par, koi asar nahi.

Khoon ke chheete lobby me bikharne lage. Aadesh behosh ho chuka tha. Poore guests aatank ke maare jamm ke reh gaye the. Itne me Balhaar suite se baahar aaya. Aur, usne neeche aakar Veer ko roka.

Balhaar : Marr jaayega.

Veer apne hosh me aaya. Usne dekha. Aadesh ka lahu luhaan latakta hua bejaan sa shareer. Woh zinda tha. Lekin, adhmara sa ho chuka tha.

Aur, bina kuchh bole hi Veer ne hockey stick ko zorr se feka aur waha se mud ke jaane laga.

Koi shabd nahi. Koi harqat nahi.

Kyunki, uski agli destination tay thi.

Aur, woh akela nahi tha.

*Vroooooom*

Trisha ki jeep bhi raaste par bhaagte hue usi destination ki orr badh rahi thi.

Dhananjay!!!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Aaj ke liye itna hi guys.
This update consists of 9.4k words approximately. Late update ke liye maafi chaahta hu. Hum ise June ka hi update consider karenge. Lekin, Choonki site crash hui thi aur bahut pareshani jhelni padi. Isliye, June ke liye hum do hi updates per month consider karenge. Ek mein de chuka tha. Aur, ye tha dusra. Ab July ke 3 updates baaki hai. Jo I hope mein iss month me de paaunga. Also, let me know ki Nidhi ke ghar ka scene kaisa laga? Kaafi soch ke likha hai use. Ab thoda bahut action chalega ek do updates me. Aane waale events lined up ho rakhe hai. Autoshield company ka aana. Veer ke missions. Sonia, Kaera ki massive deals. Suhana ka b'day. Ruchika and Suchika ki story, etc. Jo hum sab isi arc me dekhne waale hai. And, uske baad Summit arc. Target 250 hi hai. Like karne ka aur reviews rakhne ka.
Dhanyavad.

Bahut zakas update bahut shandar likha hai

 

[dark_world12]

Update - 201 ~ From the shadows (1)​

Ab tak...

Purvi ko yu akela chhor woh kisi kaaran se hi gaya tha. Kaaran tha-

*Ding*

[Mission : The Devil is in the details.
Description : Find the culprit who messed with Hotel Prestige, Yarnia, and host's family. Find the plotter.
Rewards : 10,000 points.
Time limit : 1 month.

Mission failure penalty : Unknown for now.]

Yahi wajah thi, Veer ko ab desperate hone ki. Magar, abhi woh soch hi raha tha jab achanak uske mann me-

*Ding*

[Mission : Deal breaker (1)
Description : Find the truth about Pushkar, Gaurav and Nik.
Rewards :
1) 10,000 points.
2) Favourability increase of Divya and Suhana.

Time limit : 10 days.
Mission failure penalty : Losing Suhana and Divya.]

Pehle mission par toh Veer already lag chuka tha. Lekin, dusra mission padhte hi uski aankhein aashcharya me maare fel gayi.

'What!?'

Ab aage...

A few days ago,
Disembowler’s Lair,
Morning - 7:36 AM ~

Kabristan ke ilaake ke baahar peele rang ke barricade tapes lage hue the. Police officers ka jhund andar ikhatta ho rakha tha. Darjano hathiyarband adhikari kabristan ki purani dehti deewaron ke paas khade ho kar media aur darshako ko door rakhne ki koshish kar rahe the. Cameras ke shutters baar-baar click ho rahe the, aur reporters chillaate hue khabar jaanane ki maang kar rahe the.

Par, fir bhi... Iss shor ke beech, Maharashtra ke DGP, Rohan Bakshi kabristan ke andar khamosh khade hue the.

Uske haath aapas me bandhe the. Aur, aankhein neeche ek gehre gaddhe ki orr tiki thi. Yahi wo entry thi jo Disembowler ki lair ke andar jaane ka raasta thi.

Wo abhi tak neeche nahi gaya tha, lekin tasveeron me usne bahut kuchh dekha tha.

Jalne ke nishaan, acid ke daag. Jung lage bistaron par bandhi zanzeerein. Baal ke guchhe. Haddiyaan. Surgical instruments. Janvaro ke shav. Insaanon ke avshesh. Aise aise chemicals jinhe abhi tak theek tarah se pehchaana bhi nahi gaya tha. Kharocho ke nishaan, khoon se sani deewaarein aur, na jaane kya kya.

"Sir?"

Rohan ne dheere se apna sarr ghumaaya. Ek hawaldar kabristan ke gate ke paas se savdhani se andar aaya, maano beech me bolne se darr raha ho.

"Hmm?"

Rohan ne sawaaliyaan nazrein liye uss se poochha.

Hawaldar : Media waale ab out of control ho rahe hai, Sir. Barrier todne ki dhamki de rahe hai. Live dikha rahe hai sab aur jawab ki maang kar rahe hai. Bina wajah kyu police ne aisi jagah par jaanch jaari kar rakhi hai? Aur, agar wajah hai... toh saamne kyu nahi laate? Mujhe nahi lagta ab hum unhe lambe samay tak rok paayenge, Sir.

Rohan ne turant jawab nahi diya. Uski nazar barrier ke theek peechhe badhti bheed par gayi. Darjano microphone taane journalists khade hue the. News vans betarteeb dhang se khadi thi. Aur, cameramen giddh ki tarah focus lagaaye baithe the.

Logon me darr toh tha, magar akrosh bhi utna hi tha. Rohan ne akhirkar kaha.

Rohan : Unse kaho ki mein aa raha hu.

Hawaldar ne sarr hilaaya aur fauran hi tezi se waapas bhaaga.

Rohan dheere-dheere barrier ke baahar jaane ke liye orr badha. Aur, use baahar aata dekh reporters bhediyo ki tarah aage badhne lage, camera shutters click hone lage, recordings chalu ho gayi, aur microphones ek dusre ke upar dhakel diye gaye.

Rohan baahar aate hue unn sab ke saamne aa kar khada hua. Ek pal beeta. Aur, fir sawaalon ke vaar shuru ho gaye.

"Sir, kya aap batayenge ki kya kuchh chal raha hai? Kyu police ne iss kabristan ko band kar rakha hai kal raat se?"

"Kya serial killer pakda gaya hai? Ya aur bhi bodies mili hai andar?"

"Serial killer se janta safe hai ya nahi, Sir?"

"Kya wo akela hi hai ya aur bhi log hai?"

"Kya police koi badi khabar janta se chhupa rahi hai?"

Rohan ne apna haath uthaaya. Aur, afra-tafri ka mahaul chuppi me badal gaya. Ek kshan baad woh bola. Uski awaaz bhaari aur gambheer thi aur aankhein camera par tiki hui thi.

Rohan : Humne serial killer ka thikaana khoj nikaala hai.

Ye sunte hi bheed me tanaav badh gaya. Log kaanp uthe. Sach saamne aane waala tha.

Rohan : Abhi completely nahi keh sakte ki ye usi ka thikaana tha ya nahi. Lekin, 99% hum sure hai isme ki yahi par wo pichhle kuchh dinon se chhipa hua tha.

Journalist 1 : Yaha par se aapka kya matlab hai?

Rohan (glances) : Yahi! Kabristan ke neeche. Underground.

Journalists : !!!

Rohan : Aur, isliye police use dhundhne me nakaam ho rahi thi. Experts abhi neeche analysis kar rahe hai. Aur, maine neeche ki kuchh photos bhi dekhi hai.

Journalist 1 : Kya mila sir aapko? Kuchh batayenge?

Rohan : Dekhiye! Abhi iss baat pe mein charcha nahi karna chahunga. Neeche jo kuchh bhi hai, bahut bura hai.

Journalist 1 : Toh kya aap janta ko andhere me rakhenge?

Rohan (sighs) : Dead bodies!!!

Journalist 1 : *shivers*

Rohan : Mil gaya aapko aapka jawaab? Ji haan! Neeche se hume bodies mili hai. Ek nahi. Kayi. Sirf insaano ki hi nahi. Janvaro ki bhi. Aur, bhi bahut kuchh. Neeche underground poori ek lair hai. Aur, itni badi hai ki ye apne aap me ek bahut badi discovery hai.

Journalist 2 : Aur, uss serial killer ka kya? Kya police ne use pakad liya hai?

Rohan : Ji nahi! Wo yaha nahi paaya gaya.

Journalist 2 : Toh police ne ye location ka pata kaise lagaaya?

Rohan (sighs) : Meri apni beti... Chhoti si hai. Serial killer dwara kidnap ho gayi thi. Shaam ko. Uske saath ek aur bacchi thi. Do nanhi bacchiyon ko kidnap kar ke bhaaga tha woh.

Journalists : !!!?

Rohan : Par, ye khush-kismati ki baat hai ki dono bacchiyaan sahi salamat laut aayi. Meri wife, Mrs. Trisha, jo ki DSP hai, iss case me kaafi involve hai. Aur, kisi shubhchintak ne unn dono bacchiyon ko sahi salamat rescue kiya tha. Mrs. Trisha ne iski pushti ki hai.

Journalist 2 : Kaun tha woh? Kya hum jaan sakte hai?

Rohan : Iss baare me koi jankari haath nahi lagi hai. Bas, ek naujavan tha jo dono bacchiyon ko serial killer ke muh se chhura kar laaya tha. Humara dhyaan tabhi bacchiyon ko surakshit rakhne me laga hua tha. Aur, saath hi uss serial killer ko pakadne ke liye.

Kehte hue uski bauhe kass gayi. Kyunki, use bhi yahi jankari praapt hui thi.

'Trisha... Kab tak tum mujhse uss naujavan ko chhupaogi? Kya majboori hai tumhari jo tumne mujhe bhi-!!'

Par, wo chaah ke bhi apni patni se sach ko zabardasti nahi jaan sakta tha. Uski beti sahi salamat uske paas pahuchi thi. Aur, ye sab uss naujavan ki wajah se hua tha. Trisha ka kehna tha ki usne uss naujavan ka chehra nahi dekha aur na hi woh use jaanti thi. Magar... Rohan jaanta tha ki uski patni uss se jhooth bol rahi thi. Yaha tak ki uske saath waale officers bhi kuchh nahi ugal rahe the.

Aur, wo h jaanta tha ki iss sab ke peechhe, uski patni ka haath tha.

Journalist 3 : Toh, Sir kya bacchiyon ko bachaane waale ko kisi bhi tarah ki saraahna nahi di jaayegi? Uske liye kuchh nahi karegi police?

Rohan : Hum toh chaahte hi hai ki veh naujavan, agar ye news dekh raha hai, toh kripya saamne aaye, police ke sabhi log saraahna karte hue uska sammaan karna chaahenge.

Aise hi aneko sawaalon ke jawaab dete hue jab Rohan interview se fursat hua toh news channels me sansani si mach gayi.

Desh bhar me TV par breaking news ki headlines chalne lagi.

"Breaking News : Mumbai me sthit ek kabristan ke neeche mili khaufnak maand."

"Police ne pushti ki : Underground maand serial killer ki hi thi."

"Kal shaam do bacchiyon ko aghwa kar ke le gaya tha serial killer."

"Agyaat naujavan dwara dono bacchiyon ko bachaaya gaya."

Aisi tamaam headlines ghar-ghar TVs me daud chali. Aur, isme koi shaq nahi tha ki Veer ke gharwalo ne bhi ye khabre dekh hi li thi.

***

Present,
Nidhi's house, Mumbai,
Morning - 9:20 AM ~

Subah subah Nidhi ke ghar se taaze parathon ki khushbu aa rahi thi. Nanhi Juhi jiski aankhon me abhi bhi kahi na kahi neend bhari hui thi, uski urja me koi kami nazar nahi aa rahi thi. Tabhi, darwaze par ek dastak hui-

*Knock* *Knock*

Juhi ne darwaza khola, aur jaise hi saamne khade shaks ko dekha, uski aankhein chamak uthi.

Juhi (shrieks) : Papa!!!

Woh khushi se chillayi, uski nanhi baahein Veer ki orr badh gayi. Veer muskuraaya — woh teekhi aur sthir muskaan nahi jo aaj kal uske hontho par rehti thi, balki ek sacchi aur keval chand logon ke saamne hi pesh aane waali woh muskaan.

Usne Juhi ko araam se goad me uthaaya, wo khil-khila rahi thi, uske chhote-chhote haath Veer ko uski gardan ke peechhe se jakad liye.

Hall me theek peechhe, Shreya sofe par baithi thi, Dhruv uske bagal se baitha hua tha, aur wo apne haatho se chhote-chhote kaur kar ke Dhruv ko paraanthe khilaane me lagi hui thi.

Kintu, Juhi ka yu Veer ko 'Papa' bulaane se, uski aankhein chand pal ke liye sikudi. Nidhi ne use saara vakhyaan bataya hua tha. Magar, apne kaano se ise saamne sunana ek alag anubhav tha.

Shor sunte hi Nidhi apne haathon ko apron me pochhte hue rasoi se baahar nikli, aur baahar aate hi uske qadam tham gaye. Usne Veer ko dekha. Kaise uski shirt ki aasteen upar thi, hawa se baal bikhre hue the aur Juhi ko apni goad me wo aise uthaaya hua tha jaise maano wo sach me uski bacchi ho.

*Badump*

Uska dil dhadak utha.

Nidhi : Veer...! T-Tum... Aa gaye!?

Veer (smiles) : Hmm! Good morning!

Usne Juhi ko dheere se neeche utaarte hue kaha.

Nidhi (smiles) : G-Good morning! Kaisi thi raat? Maasi ke yaha? Thoda better feel hua ghar se nikal ke?

Veer : Hmm? Oh! Haan! Zaroor!

Nidhi : Oh! Badhiya! T-Tum ekdum time par aaye ho. Naashta taiyaar hi hai. Fatafat baith jao. Fresh hona hai toh washroom me jaa-

Veer : Nahi! Mein maasi ke yaha se brush kar ke, in fact naashta kar ke hi aaya hu.

Nidhi : Kya? P-Par-! Tum waha se hi kyu-

Veer (smiles) : Aap le aaiye jo bhi banaya hai. Mujhe abhi bhi bhookh hai.

Nidhi (smiles) : H-Haan! Haan! Zaroor! Bas ek minute!

Nidhi chehekte hue tez qadmo ke saath andar gayi. Idhar Veer ne Juhi ko ek chocolate ka box pakdaya toh woh bhi khush ho gayi.

Juhi : Yay~ Mere liye, papa?

Veer (nods) : Bilkul! Sab tumhara hai!

Woh kone me bhaagi, chocolate box ko kisi khazaane ki tarah maante hue use ahista-ahista kholne lagi.

Aur, ant me jab Veer sofe par baithne laga toh usne Shreya aur Dhruv ko dekha.

Veer : Hey!

Shreya : Hi!

Usne Dhruv ke gaal ko sehlaate hue use khilaaya. Nanha sa Dhruv taktaki lagaaye use aise ghoor raha tha jaise maano yaad karne ki koshish kar raha ho ki ye dekha-dekha shaks akhir kaun hai.

Shreya ne TV se Veer ki orr dekha, fir screen ki orr ishaara kiya. Ek news anchor bahut hi aakramak lehze me khabrein suna raha tha, uske peechhe crime scene ki dhundhli tasveerein flash ho rahi thi.

Shreya (quietly) : Yahi hai... Wo jagah... Hai na?

Veer ne uski nigaaho ka peechha karte hue screen par dekha aur haami bhari.

Veer : Hmm!

Shreya (frowns) : Tum udhar the!? Uss... Shamsaan ke neeche? Juhi ko bachaane ke liye?

Veer ne apni aankhein screen par hi tikaayi rakhi.

Veer : Hmm!

Sunte hi Shreya ke andar ek sihran daud gayi.

Shreya : Toh... Tumhara saamna uss serial killer se nahi hua?

Veer (jhooth bolte hue) : Jab mein waha pahucha tab wo waha nahi tha.

Shreya : Oh! Toh kaha tha woh?

Usne zor dete hue poochha.

Veer : Mujhe kya pata.

Shreya thodi jhuki, bauhe sikodte hue.

Shreya : Aur, wo ghaav? Tumhare haatho par, chehre par-!? Wo kaise aaye?

Veer ki aankhein abhi bhi screen par hi thi.

Veer : Kuchh jaanvar. Awaara kutte... Aur, wo jagah. Mein fisal gaya tha. Gir gaya tha waha. Bas itna hi.

*Silence*

Shreya chup rahi. Woh jaanti thi ki Veer uss se jhooth bol raha tha. Kyunki, Juhi ne pehle hi bahut kuchh Nidhi aur use bata diya tha. Kaise uske so called 'papa' uss serial killer se bhide the, kaise apne upar taange-taange wo unhe bacha ke laaye. Woh kaafi kuchh jaanti thi. Jab usne dekha ki Veer uss vishay se bhaag raha hai, toh usne aur dakhal dene ki koshish nahi ki. Bas itna hi poochhi-

Shreya : Itna pyaar karte ho Juhi se???

Veer : Haan!

*Badump*

Iss baar Shreya ka dil zor se dhadka. Usne ek gehri saans li.

Udhar Juhi ne apni chocolate chabaana shuru kar diya tha. Uski hasi, uski masoomiyat, ye sab kamre me kisi madhur sangeet ki tarah goonj rahi thi.

Shreya : Mujhe ab bhi samajh nahi aata.

Veer : Hmm?

Shreya (budbudaate hue) : Tum humesha cheezon ko halke me kyu lete ho!? Sach chhupaate kyu ho? Bataate kyu nahi logon ko?

Veer ne uski orr dekha.

Veer : Kyunki...

Shreya : ???

Veer : Kuchh sach... theek nahi hote. Unka chhipa rehna hi behtar hota hai.

Shreya bhooli nahi thi. Use sab kuchh yaad tha ki Veer ne uske liye kya kuchh kiya tha. Kaise wo uske liye khada hua tha. Kaise Rajat se usne Nidhi aur Juhi ko bachaaya tha. Kaise usne uski pehli job lagwaayi thi. Aur, kaise uska sapna bhi poora kar diya.

Tab woh use appreciate karne lagi thi. Par, dheere-dheere yahi appreciation, attraction me badal gaya. Aur, ab wo attraction kuchh gehra... kuchh uljha hua... Na jaane kin anubhutiyon par sawaar thi ab woh. Jo bhi tha, bahut prabal tha.

Lekin, aspatal me uss raat ke baad se, jab usne Nidhi ko use kass ke pakde hue dekha tha, uske andar kuchh badal chuka tha.

Shreya : R-Right-!!

Veer : !!?

Shreya : Uss raat hospital me... Pata nahi kaise, aisa laga jaise... meri gardan par kuchh aake laga tha aur fir maine shayad apne hosh kho diye the.

Uski baat sunn Veer ko turant hi ek shaks ka dhyaan aaya.

'Erica-!'

Woh jaanta tha ki Erica hi use Nidhi ke hospital se utha ke laayi thi. Uske baad Renshu use dusre hospital le gaya tha jaha Ragini bharti thi.

Veer : Tum thaki hui hogi. Unconscious ho gayi hogi.

Shreya : Arey nahi! Mein theek thi yaar sach me!!! Kuchh to hua tha... Yaad nahi aa raha kya...

Veer : Don't sweat on it.

Shreya : Yeah!

Juhi carpet par hi laiti hui thi, uske chaaro orr khilauno ki chaadar bichhi hui thi. Do gudiya aapas me nakli ladaayi kar rahi thi, toh wahi ek chocolate se sana hua haath plastic ki talvaar pakde hue tha.

Aur, tabhi-

Nidhi garma-garam paranthe, katori me red sauce, achaar aur chai ke do cup lekar rasoi se baahar nikli. Tray rakhte waqt uski ungliyaan kaanp rahi thi. Na hi garmi se, na hi thand se, balki kisi aur cheez se.

Uski nazrein apne aap Veer par pad gayi. Woh sofe par baitha tha, apni kohni ghutno par tikaaye hue, kinhi khayaalo me khoya hua tha.

Nidhi : Y-Ye..

Usne uske saamne ek plate lagaate hue kaha.

Veer : Ji! Thank you!

Nidhi : Ye chai...

Usne dheere se use cup pakdaate hue kaha. Par, cup lene se pehle jaise hi woh kuchh kehne waala tha. Nidhi ne uske pehle hi keh diya.

Nidhi : Teen chammach. Do cup ke liye. Humesha ki tarah.

Veer muskuraaya.

Veer : Aapko yaad tha!?

Nidhi : Kuchh important cheezein ab mein nahi bhoolti.

Usne jawab diya. Par, turant hi use pachhtava bhi hua ki bhala ye kya keh diya usne? Ye sunn'ne me kaisa laga hoga?

Nidhi (blushes) : M-Mera matlab... mujhe yaad tha.

Woh uske saamne baithi, sahaj hone ka naatak kar rahi thi, lekin aankhein baar-baar Veer par hi tiki rahi aur jaise hi unki nazrein aapas me mili, toh usne jaldi se apni nazrein fer li. Itne me Shreya uthi-

Nidhi : V-Veer...!

Veer : *glances*

Usne dheere se pukaara, jab Shreya haath dhone ke liye andar chali gayi.

Nidhi : Juhi tumhe bahut yaad kar rahi thi. Kal raat se hi-

Veer (smiles) : School nahi gayi aaj?

Nidhi : Nahi! Zidd kar rahi thi. Toh, maine bhi nahi bheja. Aaj tum pehle din aane waale the. Isliye, aaj rok liya maine. *smiles* Par, ye chhutti sirf aaj ke liye.

Veer : Mein subah se shaam yahi rahunga. Kahi nahi jaane waala.

Nidhi : Umm! *smiles* Thank you!

Juhi waapas bhaagte hue aayi. Uske gaal chocolate se bhare hue the. Aur, usne pyaar se pukaara-

Juhi : Papa!!

Veer : Hmm?

Ek pal ke liye apni beti ke muh se Veer ke liye 'papa' sunn, Nidhi ke gaal sharm se laal ho gaye.

Juhi : Mein aapki kanghi kar du??

Veer : Huh??

Juhi : Mumma Juhi ke baal banaati hai toh... toh, Juhi Papa ke banayegi.

Veer : Hahahaha! Mere baal itne lambe nahi hai, Juhi.

Juhi : Mouuu~ Mujhe banaane hai~

Veer : Achha theek hai. Par, abhi nahi. Abhi mein breakfast kar raha hu. Baad me. Theek hai?

Juhi (chimes) : Okay~

Wo khushi se haste hue uske peechhe sofe par chadh gayi. Nidhi bhi hasi.

Veer : Perfect! Aaj bhi inn parantho ka swaad bilkul pehle jaisa hi hai! Aur, ye chai bhi-!

Nidhi ne uske bhaav padhne chaahe, uske hontho par halki muskaan thi. Kuchh saal pehle yahi Veer dara hua rehta tha, study table par jhuka hua, exams ki taiyaari karta hua, aur aaj yahi Veer ek alag Veer bann chuka tha.

Usne dekha ki Veer kamre ko badi hi bareeki se dekh raha tha. Toh, usne khud se hi samjhaana chaaha-

Nidhi : M-Maine curtains badal diye hai.

Veer (smiles) : Haan, wo dekhe maine.

Nidhi : A-Aur, wo corner me lamp bhi rakh diya hai. T-Tum kehte the na ki udhar ek chhota lamp hona chahiye. Toh, maine...

Veer (smiles) : Ab zyada achha lag raha hai.

Nidhi : H-Haan!! Tum wahi baithate the aksar.

Usne khidki ke paas door ek kone ki orr ishaara karte hue kaha. Veer ne uski nigaahon ka peechha kiya aur sarr hilaaya.

Veer : Hmm!

Ye woh jagah thi jaha woh sabse pehle Nidhi ke ghar me aake baitha tha. Jab use laga tha ki duniya me use koi bhi rehne nahi dega. Uska koi thikaana nahi hoga. Tab, yahi jagah uski apni thi. Uski pasandeeda.

Veer ke bhaav padh, Nidhi ki aankhein namm ho gayi.

Veer : Aapne kuchh nahi poochha tha...

Nidhi : !!?

Veer : Koi sawaal nahi. Bas mujhe hospital se leke aayi thi aap. Mujhe apne ghar laayi jaise mein humesha se yahi rehta tha. Aur-

Nidhi : Mujhe kuchh bhi poochhne ki zaroorat nahi thi.

Veer : ???

Nidhi : Mein jaanti thi mein kya kar rahi thi. Aur, kiske liye kar rahi thi.

Veer : Kyu kar rahi thi? Kya iska bhi jawaab hai?

Nidhi : Nahi! Mein nahi jaanti kyu. Bas, itna jaanti hu ki maine jo kiya, sahi kiya.

Veer : Agar, wahi sthiti aaj firse aapke saamne aaye toh kya aap-

Nidhi : Hazaar baar karungi.

Veer : Huh!!?

Nidhi : Har baar!

*Badump*

Iss baar Veer ka dil ek dhadkan phaand gaya. Aur, Juhi jo laiti hui apne khilauno se khelne me lagi hui thi, woh aise hi chehekte hue bol padi-

Juhi : Hehe! Mumma ko papa se pyaal hai~

Nidhi (yells) : J-JUHIIIIII-!!!! *blushes*

Juhi : Mumma loves papa~ Mumma loves papa~ Hehehe~

Nidhi (blushes) : Juhiiiii-!! Chup!!!

Veer ne turant koi jawaab nahi diya. Uske honthon par bas ek halki muskaan saji hui thi. Akhirkar, usne baat ko palatate hue kaha-

Veer : Waise- ye deewar ke paint par abhi bhi wahi daag hai.

Nidhi : Huh? H-Haan! Woh... Woh waha par sab baith ke sarr tikaate hai toh waha daag bann gaya hai. Abhi tak maine uska kuchh nahi kiya.

Veer : Aur, landlord ne nahi dekha abhi tak ye?

Nidhi : Dekh gaye hai! *sighs* Thoda sa hi hai. M-Mein fix karwa dungi baad me.

Veer : Jab karwaana ho toh mujhe bula lijiyega.

Nidhi (quietly) : Mmm!

Na hi Veer ne usko apne paise ka rutba dikhaya. Na hi usko middle class life ka ehsaas dilaaya. Usne bas itna kaha... ki jab sudharwana ho, toh woh use bulaaye. Bas. Aur, Nidhi ko yahi baat sabse achhi lagi.

Tabhi, Shreya ki awaaz ne unka dhyaan bhang kar diya.

Shreya : Oh wowww~ Mujhe toh pata hi nahi tha ki aap dono ekdum shadishuda jode ki tarah baatein karte ho!!?

Nidhi chaunk gayi, uska shareer jhatka kha kar reh gaya. Veer ne bhi bauhe upar kar uski orr dekha.

Veer : Excuse me!?

Shreya pyaar se muskurayi, lekin uski aankhein sikud gayi.

Shreya : Bas itna hi kaha ki maine dii ko kabhi itna baat karte nahi dekha na. Tum toh unka ekdum chatty version saamne le aaye. Nice job Veer. *winks*

Nidhi : Sh-Shreya?

Shreya : No!!! It's actually cute.

Usne parantha ka ek tukda muh me daalte hue kaha.

Shreya : Mujhe sochne pe majboor karta hai ye ki maine dii ke aur kaun se versions abhi tak nahi dekhe hai?

Veer ne uski baaton me ek wazan mehsoos kiya. Woh tanaav kam karte hue halka sa hasa.

[Oh! Someone's jelly...!]

Veer : Well! Haha! Tumhe apni dii se kitchen me aur bhi tasty tasty dishes banwani chaahiye. Trust me! Unke aur bhi versions dekhne ko milenge. *sips* Ye chai kamaal ki hai.

Shreya : Oh please! Aaj itni achhi chai isliye bani hai kyunki tum yaha ho.

Veer : Huh!?

Shreya : Yes! Warna daily aisi nahi banti.

Nidhi : SHREYA!!

Usne ab daanta, lekin gaalon par gulaabi rang chadha hua tha. Tabhi, itne me Juhi achanak khadi hui, uske haathon me ek drawing book thi.

Juhi (runs) : Papaaaa! Papa!!! Dekho! Maine humara ghar banaya...!

[Aww!]

Veer ne drawing book haath me li aur use dekha. Usme Juhi ka ek nanha sa stick figure version, ek bade stick figure ke bagal se khada hua tha, jis par 'papa' likha tha. Aur, uske bagal se ek gulabi color ki 'mumma' khadi hui thi. Spasht roop se — Nidhi. Aur, ek stroller me chhota sa baccha jo ki Dhruv tha.

[It's so cute. Right, master?]

'Hmm!'

Shreya : Huh? Ek minute! Mein kaha hu???

Drawing me Shreya kahi bhi nazar nahi aa rahi thi. Apni maasi ki baat sunn Juhi ne drawing ko firse dekha.

Juhi : Umm... A-Aap... Maasi... Umm... Haan!

Uski ungli fir achanak se ek aur figure ki orr badhi. Aur, wo bade hi garv se boli.

Juhi : Aap ped ho!!!

Shreya (yells) : Kyaaaaaaa????

Veer (laughs) : AHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

Veer ki hasi itni zorr se chhooti ki woh khud ko hasne se rok nahi paaya.

Shreya : Juhi ki bacchi-

Veer : Hahahahahaha!!!

Juhi : Ehehehehe~

Veer ki hasi dekh Juhi bhi uske sang shaamil ho gayi, ye sochte hue ki shayad usne koi bahut badhiya kaam kiya tha jo uske 'papa' has rahe the.

Nidhi jhuk kar dekhne lagi, uske honth hasi ko dabaane ki poori koshish kar rahe the. Yahi. Yahi toh wo pal the jinhe wo miss kiya karti thi. Veer ke yaha hone se... kitni raunak badh jaati thi ghar me.

Par, tabhi Veer ke bol uske kaan me pade. Awaaz bahut hi dheemi thi.

Veer (drawing ko dekhte hue) : Woh wahi dekh rahi hai, jo woh dekhna chaahti hai.

*Badump* *Badump*

Nidhi ke dil ki dhadkane tez ho gayi. Palkein jhapki aur honth thar-thara uthe. Aur, woh achanak se uss se door hoke wapas se apni jagah par baith gayi.

Lekin, unke beech ki ye kashmkash akhir iss baar Shreya ki aankhon se chook ke na jaa saki. Woh ab ise aur andekha nahi kar saki. Usne napkin se apne haath pochhe aur ek muskaan bikherte hue boli.

Shreya : You know what... Ab hum sab ko ek break ki zaroorat hai.

Nidhi : Break?

Shreya : Yeah! Yeah! Break!

Veer : Kaisa break?

Shreya : Break! Har cheez se. Ye lagatar stress, jo kuchh bhi hua, Juhi ka kidnap hona, hospital me dii ka hona, fir shamshan me tumhara jaana, serial killer se Juhi ko chhura ke laana, and then tumhari hotel pe wo unknown attack, Ragini aunty ki injury, Yarnia ka shut down, all that shit and-

Usne khud ko thoda roka, use ehsaas hua ki uski awaaz kuchh zyada hi oonchi ho rahi thi.

Shreya : I mean... Ye... Ye sab bahut zyada tha, right?

Veer ki palkein jhuk gayi. Nidhi ne bhi ek aah bhari, uske kandhe adrishya bojh se bhaari ho gaye.

Nidhi : Tumne sahi kaha.

Shreya khadi hui, table ke chaaro orr ghoomi aur Veer ke bagal se sofe ke armrest par baith gayi, kuchh zyada hi nazdeek.

Shreya : Plus... Mein Singapore se waapas aayi hu. Can you imagine? Singapore se! Mera shoot cancel ho gaya. Sab kuchh beech me chhorna pada. And, I don't even know why. Toh, ab mein practically unemployed hu aur frustrated bhi.

Veer : Toh?

Shreya : Toh, mere paas ek badhiya idea hai.

Veer : Jaise ki-?

Shreya : Jaise ki... Tum mujhe-

Veer : !!?

Shreya (smiles) : Ek date par leke chalo!

Nidhi : !!!!!

Veer : Huh?

Nidhi ko apne kaano par vishvas nahi ho raha tha. Juhi farsh par se uthi aur boli.

Juhi : Date pe? Mumma date pe kaise jaa sakte hai?? Usko to likhte hai na?

Bechari nanhi Juhi couple waali date ko tareekh waali date samajh rahi thi. Aur, isme uski koi galti bhi nahi thi. Shreya uski galat-fehmi par muskurayi.

Shreya : Woh waali date nahi, my little munchkin.

Juhi : Toh aur kaun si date??

Shreya ne naatkeeya dhang se apni zulfo ko peechhe karte hue jawab diya.

Shreya (smiles) : Iss date me sirf do bade log jaate hai, sweetie. Lunch pe, ya dinner pe, saath-saath. Sirf ek ladka. Aur, ek ladki.

Juhi : T-Toh, mein bhi chalungi.

Shreya (grins) : Hmph! Shayad tumne suna nahi beta! Maine kya kaha? Isme sirf do bade log jaate hai. Aur, tum kya ho?? Chhoti bacchi. Samajh gayi?

Juhi : M-Mujhe bhi jaana hai-!!!! Mein bhi papa ke saath jaungi!

Shreya : Hahaha! Ab toh tum aur nahi jaa sakti.

Juhi (ruwasi awaaz me) : K-Kyu?

Shreya : Kyunki, date par sirf couples ya friends jaate hai, my dear. *grins* Aur, tum toh Veer ko apna papa maanti ho. Hai na? Toh, tum toh jaa hi nahi sakti.

Juhi ki aankhon me aasu panpe. Shreya thoda ghabrayi aur uska darr haqeeqat me badal gaya.

"Haaaarrrrggghhhhhhh-!!!"

Juhi rote hue jaa ke Nidhi se lipat gayi.

Nidhi : Shreya!!! Kyu Juhi ko abhi se ye sab bataya? Ab wo-

Shreya : What? Aisa toh hai nahi ki mein uss se shaadi kar rahi hu. Ek date ke liye hi toh kaha hai. Ek dinner. Woh mera friend hai itna achha. Kya burayi hai isme?

Juhi : haaaaaarrrrgggghhh!!

Nidhi : P-Par, fir bhi- Y-Ye nahi-

Usne bolna chaaha, magar ruk gayi.

Shreya : Nahi kya? Kya friends ke saath hangout karne me koi problem hai? Aur, upar se ye Veer hai. Agar, mein ghar me mummy papa ko bhi bata ke jau na toh bhi woh mujhe nahi tokenge. Aur, aap shayad ye baat achhe se jaanti hongi.

Nidhi ki palkein neeche jhuk gayi. Woh apni beti ko chup karaane me lagi hui thi jab Juhi achanak se uske paas se nikli aur jaake Veer ke haath ko jakad li.

Shreya : !!?

Juhi : Niiiiii!!! Mein papa ko kahi nahi le jaane dungi.

Shreya : Aww! Par, cheezein tumhari icchha se nahi chalti, sweetie! Zara socho! Actually... Agar, sach me tumhari maasi ki shaadi tumhare so called 'papa' se ho gayi? Toh kya hoga? Tumhare papa humesha tumhare paas reh sakte hai. Aur, fir mein kya lagungi tumhari? Hmm? Mumma? Hahaha!

Juhi (shrieks) : Niiiiiii!!!

Shreya : ???

Juhi (Veer ki orr mudte hue) : P-Papa! Aap ni jaoge na?

Shreya : Arey waah! Kyu nahi jaayega woh? Hum bilkul jaayenge!

Juhi (shouts) : Niiiiii!!!

Veer : Ummm...

Juhi : Papa!!! Ni jaoge na??

Veer (smiles) : Mein-

Iske pehle ki woh jawaab de paata, Nidhi hi beech me kood gayi.

Nidhi : Woh nahi jaa sakta!!

Usne apni mansha kuchh zyada hi zorr se zaahir ki.

Veer : !!?

Shreya : Huh?

Nidhi : V-Veer ka... Usne abhi-abhi apne dada ji ko khoya hai.

Ek solid counterattack. Veer ne iss par chupchaap sarr hilaaya. Toh wahi, Shreya ki muskaan thodi ladkhada gayi.

Shreya : Haan toh mein kaun sa aaj hi uss se chalne ke liye keh rahi hu? Par, agle hafte ka kya? Agle mahine? Woh humesha toh iss phase me nahi reh sakta na? Humein use aur lively feel karwana chaahiye. Isliye, toh maine kaha tha. Hum baad me bhi jaa sakte, hai na Veer?

Kehte hue woh Veer ke qareeb jhuk gayi. Bahut nazdeek. Aur, Juhi chillaa uthi.

Juhi (yells) : Niiiiiii!

Nidhi ko laga ki uski saansein atak rahi thi. Gala sookh raha tha. Woh kya kar rahi thi? Woh beech me kyu aayi? Kya abhi-abhi usne ek bahaana dete hue apni hi chhoti behan ke plan ko fail karna chaaha?

Shreya ne use dekha. Uski awaaz me madhurta thi, lekin aankhein teekhi.

Shreya : Kya aap nahi chaahogi ki kisi shady tinder match ki bajaaye mein Veer jaise shareef ladke ke saath baahar jau??

Veer : Hey! Just to let you know, mein itna shareef nahi hu.

Shreya (winks) : Tumne abhi mujhe nahi jaana, dear.

Juhi ne Nidhi ki kurti ko hairaan ho kar kheencha.

Juhi : Mumma... P-Papa maasi ke saath jaayenge? Aap mana karo na papa ko.

Nidhi : Mein... Mujhe nahi pata...

Usne Veer ki aankhon se bachte hue dheere se kaha. Kamre me ek pal ke liye ajeeb tarah ka sannaata chhaa gaya.

Veer (smiles) : Papa wahi jaayenge jaha Juhi bolegi. Theek hai?

Aur, ye sunte hi Juhi ki aankhon me chamak aa gayi.

Juhi : Sacchi??

Veer (smiles) : Mucchi!

Shreya : Of course! Mujhe samajh jaana chaahiye tha ki yahi hoga. Enjoy!

Kehte hue woh be-mann se waha se chidhte hue nikal gayi. Aur, Juhi phudakte hue Veer ka haath kheench kar use Nidhi ke bagal se baithaane le gayi. Usne baari-baari dono ke haath liye aur boli.

Juhi : Toh... Toh... Mumma, papa aur mein... Hum teeno date pe chalenge!

Nidhi ka dil dhadak raha tha. Usne virodh kyu kiya? Woh beech me kyu aayi? Kya uss hospital waali raat sach me usne apna dil Veer ko saunp diya tha?

Toh, fir uski chhoti behan ka kya? Use toh khush hona chahiye tha ki uski chhoti behan ko Veer jaise ladke me interest tha aur use toh iss orr badhna chaahiye tha ki kaise woh Veer aur Shreya ko ek kar sake.

Lekin...

Jab Shreya ne use chhua, uske qareeb jhuki, use apne andar ek dard kyu mehsoos hua?

Usne andar jaati Shreya ko dekha. Aur, tabhi uski aankhein Veer se mili.

*Badump*

Nidhi : M-Mein...

Juhi : Mumma chalogi na?

Veer (smiles) : Zaroor! Hum sab chalenge. Okay?

Juhi (beams) : Yayyy~

Veer ka haath achanak Nidhi ke haath ke upar aaya, toh bechari Nidhi jhatka kha kar reh gayi. Nazrein mili. Aur, saansein tez ho gayi. Lekin, iss baar-

Nidhi ne apna haath nahi hataaya. Veer ki giraft me hi rehne diya. Veer ne dusra haath uske chehre ki orr badhaaya. Uski chin ko thaamte hue, chehre ko apni orr karne ki koshish ki-

Magar, Nidhi ne kaanpte hue apna chehra dheere se dusri orr ferna chaaha. Aur, tabhi Veer ne apna angutha Nidhi ke gulaabi hontho par firaaya.

Ek sihran Nidhi ke poore jism me daud gayi. Woh haanf rahi thi. Veer ne unn sharbati hontho ko chhiya. Nidhi ki palkein ahista-ahista uthi. Woh Veer ko dekhi. Juhi wapas se apne khilauno me lag chuki thi. Aur, uske peechhe sofe par Veer aur Nidhi agal-bagal behad qareeb baithe the.

Veer aage ki orr jhuka... Uski garm saansein jaise hi Nidhi ki gardan par padi, woh thitak kar reh gayi aur ghabraate hue uss se door ho gayi.

Kintu, Veer ne bura nahi maana. Balki, uske hontho par muskaan hi bikhri thi.

Magar, koi tha...

Bagal ki deewar ke peechhe...

Jo phati aankhon se iss drishya ko dekh raha tha.

'I-It can't be...!!!!?'

***

Hotel Prestige, Mumbai
Late at night ~

Prestige ki lobby me steel pipes, auzaaron ki khat-khat ki awaaz goonj rahi thi.

Kabhi modern elegance aur business class luxury ka prateek raha ye hotel ab reconstructive surgery se guzar raha tha.

Lobby ki west wing me scaffolding bichha hua tha. Workers der raat tak kaam karne ke liye lage hue the. Ek samooh nayi khidki ke frame ki welding kar raha tha, toh wahi kuchh farsh par visfot se hui kaalikh lage marble ko alag kar naya marble bichha rahe the.

"Kharcha toh hua hai, ma'am. Estimate ke according chale toh aap ye maan ke chaliye ki... 20-25 lakh araam se. Zyada bhi ho sakta hai."

Bhumika chup chaap apni secretary ki baat sunn rahi thi. Business outfit pehne, uska navy blue blazer uske kandho par peechhe se latka hua tha.

Woh jaanti thi. Use anumaan tha ki kitna kharcha ho chuka hoga. Aur, ye kharcha poora nahi tha. Yarnia ke products jo barbaad hue, kapde, models ki advance fees jo unhe deni padi, musical orchestra ki fees, decorations ke charges, invitations ke charges, wagarah wagarah aur fir ye humla jisne laakho ka maal tabaah kar diya.

Woh jaanti thi. Kitna bhaari nuksaan unhe hua tha. Upar se maare gaye security guards ko kahi na kahi financial support dene ki zimmedari. Ye sab kuchh bahut zyada tha.

Tabhi, uske peechhe se ek awaaz goonji. Dheemi. Aur, niyantrit.

"Evening...! Miss Bhumika."

Woh mudi, bauhe sikodte hue. Transparent glasses ki main entrance se ek mahila andar aa rahi thi. Wo bhi police uniform me. Aur, uske seene me laga batch dekhte hi Bhumika ki aankhein chaudi ho gayi.

Bhumika : DSP!?? Yaha? Mein... Mujhe ummeed nahi thi ki-

Trisha seedhe andar chali aayi.

Trisha : Jaanti hu. Aapke staff ne bhi ummeed nahi ki thi. Isliye, sab baahar chaunk gaye. Lekin, jab ek badi hotel me bombing ho, shootout ho, toh normal officers use bas kuchh hadd tak hi sambhaal sakte hai.

Bhumika ne apni bechaini ko chhupaane ki koshish karte hue saans chhori.

Bhumika : Wahi! Maine jab FIR file ki thi toh aap nahi thi. Mujhe laga tha ki officers hi sab investigate karenge-

Trisha ki nazar ab khaali ho chuke lounge area par padi. Bahut se furniture safed chaadron se dhake hue the, taaki kaam ke chalte unn par kisi bhi prakaar ki dhool, paint ya gandagi na lag jaaye.

Trisha : Well, originally... Yes. Yahi procedure hota hai. Mujhe involve hone ki zaroorat nahi padti agar ye case itna bada nahi hota toh...

Kehte hue usne apni uniform ki jeb se ek muda hua kaagaz nikaala. Ek tasveer. Usne wo tasveer reception ke counter par rakhi.

Bhumika jhuki. Usne dekha. Ek chehra. Logon ke samooh me. Safed kurta aur neeli jeans daale hue.

Trisha : Yahi hai uss raat Hotel Prestige me hue uss humle ke peechhe ka aadmi.

Maano jaise Bhumika ke perro taley zameen khisak gayi.

Trisha : Dhananjay!!!

Bhumika : Kyaaaaa???

Woh ladkhadaate hue chillaayi.

Bhumika : Kaun?? Kaun hai ye? Maine iske baare me kabhi nahi suna. Aur, na hi mein jaanti hu. Hai kaun ye???

Bhumika ka reaction dekh, ek pal ke liye Trisha ki bauhe sikudi. Ye dilchasp tha. Ab do baatein ho sakti thi. Ya toh Bhumika naatak kar rahi thi, aur woh jaanti thi ki yeh aadmi kaun tha. Ya fir use waqai iske baare me kuchh nahi pata tha.

Aur, agar aisa tha... Toh, Trisha ke liye cheezein aur bhi pecheeda hone waali thi. Aur, dekh ke toh yahi lag raha tha ki Bhumika waqai iss shaks se anjaan thi.

Trisha : Mujhe aapse aisi ummeed nahi thi. Aapki hotel par humla hua, shaks aapke saamne tasveer me maujood hai aur aap ise nahi jaanti? Toh, bhala anjaan vyakti kyu aap par humla karega?

Bhumika : I... I swear officer!!! Mein nahi jaanti ye kaun hai. Aisa bhi toh ho sakta hai ki... Ye main aadmi na ho? Koi aur bhi ho iske peechhe?

Trisha (nods) : Bilkul!

Bhumika : Aapne... Aapne iske baare me pata kaise lagaaya?

Trisha : Phone calls!

Bhumika : ???

Trisha : Uss night hue iss area ke around almost sabhi phone calls ki history trace karni padi. Jab dhyaan se gaur kiya toh paaya ki... Prestige ke around baar-baar 4 se 5 jagah aapas me hi calls kiye jaa rahe the.

Bhumika : !!?

Trisha : Probably, ye attackers ke group me se leader aur baaki sab ke beech ho rahi baaton ka saboot tha. Uske baad, ek recent call ki madad se humne ek aadmi ko yahi paas ke area me se dabocha hai.

Bhumika : Impressive! But... Koi mere bhai ki hotel... Hum par... kyu humla karna chaahega?

Trisha jhijhki. Fir dheere se usne bola.

Trisha : Bomber ke baare me toh aap informed hongi hi. Rajat!?

Bhumika (nods) : J-Ji!

Trisha : Hmm! Filhaal ke liye, woh hirasat me hai. Confession? Uska kehna hai ki usne Veer se badla lene ke liye ye sab kiya.

Bhumika ke honth ek rekha me dabb gaye.

Bhumika (frowns) : Veer se dushmani!? Uske liye itna kuchh...

Trisha : Kya aap iss dushmani ke baare me kuchh jaanti hai? Mera vistaar se jaanana zaroori hai.

Bhumika : Jaha tak mujhe pata hai. Wo Rajat... *frowns* Achha aadmi nahi. No! Never! Nidhi ma'am hai humaare yaha. Veer ke college ki teacher reh chuki hai. Unka-

Trisha : Jaanti hu. Nidhi ji ka ex husband hai. Dono ka talaak ho chuka hai.

Bhumika (surprised) : O-Oh!

Trisha : Mujhe dushmani ke baare me bataaiye.

Bhumika (nods) : S-Sure! Veer ne hi... Ma'am ko iss toxic relationship me baahar nikaalne me help ki thi actually. Uski wajah se hi ye sab possible hua tha.

Trisha ke mann me tabhi uss raat waali Veer ki chhavi dimaag me umad aayi. Jab woh Juhi aur Pihu dono ko ghaayal awastha me apne upar laade hue tha. Iska matlab... Veer Nidhi ki parvah karta tha!?

Trisha : Hmm! Interesting!

Bhumika : Bas. Mujhe itna hi pata hai. Details nahi pata. But yahi hua tha. Aur, shayad wo Rajat isliye Veer se nafrat karta hai. Lekin, uske liye woh aisa kuchh kar dega? I could never imagine. He's a complete psycho.

Trisha (nods) : Hmm! So... Nidhi and Veer... huh...! Okay.

Bhumika : A-Aap!? Aap Veer ko jaanti ho?

Trisha (smirks) : Kaun nahi jaanta? Ab kaafi charcha me jo hai.

Bhumika : Ah! I see. Like that...

Trisha jaate-jaate muskurayi. Uska kaam poora ho chuka tha. Woh yaha information dene kam, lene zyada aayi thi.

Use pata lag chuka tha ki Bhumika iss maamle se anjaan thi. Use pata lag chuka tha ki bomber Rajat, Veer ka dushman tha. Use sandeh ho chuka tha ki Dhananjay naam ka yeh vyakti bhi kahi na kahi shayad Veer ka dushman hi nikalne waala tha. Use pata lag chuka tha ki Nidhi aur Veer ke beech koi gehra rishta tha. Uska shaq gehra ho chuka tha ki Veer underground world me active tha.

Ab kadi se kadi milni shuru ho chuki thi. Aatish. Slogan. Veer ka mirror gallery me hona. Uska underworld me involve hona. Aatish aur Slogan ki rehesyamayi maut. Aur, ab Veer par humla. Ek targeted attack. Har ek cheez ek hi shaks ki orr point out kar rahi thi — Veer.

Kya ye theory sach nahi ho sakti thi ki Veer par ye pareshani uske ateet me li gayi logon se buraayi ki wajah se aa rahi thi?

Trisha ab aatmvishvas se bhari hui thi. Woh gutthi ko suljhaane ke liye uske qareeb badhti jaa rahi thi.

Nikalne se pehle wo ek pal ruki aur bina mudey hi poochhi.

Trisha : Waise... Kaha hai Mister Veer?

Bhumika (glances) : Woh... Woh toh Nidhi ma'am ke saath hi reh raha hai. Aur, uski maasi ke ghar me. Din me ma'am ke yaha toh raat me maasi ke ghar. Kya aapko koi kaam hai uss se!? I mean... Agar, possible ho toh uske side se mein question and answers ke liye ready hu. Abhi wo cope up kar raha hai. Toh agar-

Trisha : Nahi! Abhi koi zaroorat nahi. Don't worry.

Ab use sab samajh aa raha tha. Woh student jiska zikr Nidhi ne gift shop par uss raat kiya tha. Wo dono... qareeb the. Magar, agar Nidhi jaisi aurat uss par itna bharosa karti hai toh-

Usne dheere se saans chhori. Aur, waha se jaate-jaate...

Trisha : Take care, Miss Bhumika. Dhananjay ki chinta hum par chhor dijiye.

Bhumika : Huh? Uski location pata lag gayi??

Trisha ki muskaan laut aayi. Entrance ke baahar nikalte uske muh se bas yahi nikla.

"Classified."

Kehte hue woh waha se ravaana ho gayi. Aur, Bhumika ko uljha hua chhor gayi. Bhumika ne apna phone nikaala, gallery khol usme ek tasveer dekhi. Tasveer uski aur Veer ki thi. Kuchh mahine pehle ki. Veer ke chehre ko zoom kar usne use dekha.

Woh ab jaan chuki thi ki ye sab kuchh ghatnaaaye... Veer se sambandhit thi.

'Tum kuchh chhipa rahe ho... Hai na? Veer!?'

Screen ko ahista se sehlaate hue usne nishchay kiya ki Veer se woh vyaktigat me baat karegi. Aur, fir mudte hue woh hotel se nikalne ki taiyaari karne lagi.

---

Toh wahi idhar derr raat me, Veer jo apni maasi se lipat kar laita hua tha, uski palkein achanak hi khul gayi.

Usne dekha ki Purvi gehri neend me so rahi thi. Usne ghadi dekhi. Subah ke 1:45 baj rahe the.

Uska raat me yaha rukna isliye zaroori tha kyunki Arun, apne bete Ayush ke liye naye hostel me use shift karwaane ke liye Delhi gaya hua tha. Aur, Purvi ka akela rukna theek nahi tha.

Magar, majbooran-

Uske haath aur bhi kaamo me bandhe hue the. Kuchh aise kaam... Jo derr raat ke andhere me hi kiye jaa sakte the.

*Click*

Dheere se darwaaze ko lock kar, ek akhiri nazar apni maasi par daal, woh waha se gaayab ho gaya.

***

Penthouse Suite,
Hotel Casa Belle,
Mumbai, Night - 1:50 AM ~

Aadesh Jaisinghani apni araam kursi par peeth tikaaye hue tha. Nanga seena, ek silk robe aalsi dhang se uss par lipta hua tha.

Usne ek bahut hi mehngi whiskey ka ek ghooth liya, har harqat par uski sone ki chain chamak rahi thi.

"Kya raat hai ye-!! Calm. Silent. Peaceful. Such a lovely night. Waah!"

Khule sheesein ke darwaazon ke peechhe se Mumbai ka nazara jhalak raha tha.

Veer Singh. Ab tasveer se baahar tha. Prestige lahu-luhaan ho chuka tha. Market ghabraya hua tha. Investors hich-kicha rahe the. Aur, woh? Woh ab fal-fool raha tha.

Uska ek competitor, ab race se baahar ho chuka tha. Sheh aur maat.

Usne apne glass me whiskey ghumaayi.

Aadesh : Finally... *smiles* The king falls... And, Casa Belle rises. Hahaha!

Usne apni aankhein band ki, swaad ko barkaraar rehne diya, ki tabhi-

*CLACK*

Uski aankhein ek jhatke me khul gayi. Suite ka darwaza khul chuka tha. Usne fauran apna sarr ghumaate hue darwaaze ki orr dekha.

Waha... Darwaaze par...

'Huh?'

Koi khada tha. Peeth ke peechhe haath kare hue, jaise koi vakeel faisle ka intezar karta hai. Ek aadmi. Badi qad kaathi ka.

Proper suit pehne, peechhe ki orr kanghi kiye hue baal, teekhi daadhi, gussail aankhein. Aur, aspasht chehra.

Aadesh ki saansein atak gayi. Nashe ka ek-ek ansh uske shareer se gaayab ho gaya.

Aadesh : H-Huh? K-Kaun? T-Tum andar kaise aaye?

Jaise hi woh aadmi thode ujaale me aaya, toh Aadesh ke perr kaanp uthe. Woh ise jaanta tha.

Balhaar.

Woh Aadesh ki orr aage badha. Uske peechhe do aur hatte-katte aadmi andar aaye — taqatvar aur sudol. Aur, fir darwaza dheere se andar se band ho gaya.

Aadesh khada hua. Woh jaanta tha ki Balhaar kaun tha. Magar, iss tarah se uske private suite me ghusna. Ye kahi se bhi theek nahi maalum pad raha tha. Upar se aaj ki pyaari raat uski iss dakhal se barbaad ho chuki thi. Woh gusse me tha. Beshaq.

Aadesh (frowns) : Y-Ye ek 7 star luxury hai. Mere paas har floor ki private security hai. Aur, ye tareeqa sahi nahi-

Balhaar : Tumne iss baar bahut badi galti kar di.

Uski awaaz me shaanti thi. Aadesh ki dhadkane pal bhar ke liye tez ho gayi.

Aadesh : G-Galti? Kya galti? M-Maine kya kiya?

Balhaar: Oh? Naatak huh!?

Usne ek chutki bajaayi. Aur, turant hi do logon ko baahar se ghaseetate hue kamre ke andar laaya gaya.

Unka muh band tha, shareer par chot lagi hui thi, darr ke maare dono kaanp rahe the. Aur, unhe dekhte hi-

Aadesh ka chehra peela pad gaya. Woh unhe pehchaanta tha. Ye wahi toh the. Hotel Prestige me humle ke dauran maare gaye security guards ke rishtedar.

Wahi log jinhe usne media ke saamne Veer aur uske hotel ko badnaam karne ke liye ghoos dekar khareeda tha. Use laga ki sab kuchh nipat chuka tha. Koi pata bhi nahi laga sakta tha. Lekin-

'Tch!'

Usne apne sookhe hontho ko kisi sarp ki tarah chaata, sthiti ko sambhaalne ke baare me woh sochne laga.

Aadesh : Y-Ye? M-Mein inhe nahi jaanta. K-Kaun hai ye?

Balhaar : Abhi bhi bewakoof banaane ki koshish??

Aadesh : D-Dekho-

Usne zorr se chillaate hue kaha, woh kisi prakaar ka sahara dhundhne ki koshish kar raha tha.

Aadesh : Mein jaanta hu ki tum D-Don ho, magar... T-Tum iss tarah se kisi ki privacy me dakhal nahi de sakte-! P-Police tumhe-

Kehte hue woh ruk gaya.

Balhaar bina palkein jhapkaaye use ghoor raha tha. Uske hontho par ek patli si muskaan ubhri hui thi. Koi darr nahi. Koi ghabrahat nahi.

Aur, fir Aadesh ko ehsaas hua.

Unse galti kar di. Bahut badi galti. Uske maathe se ek paseene ki boond ludhak gayi.

Balhaar dheere-dheere khidki ke paas gaya, haath peeth ke peechhe rakhe, chaand ko dekhta hua.

Balhaar : Kya tumhe andaza bhi hai ki sheher me aur sheher ke baahar mere under me kitne hotels hai, Jaisinghani!?

Aadesh : ??

Balhaar (smirks) : Kya tumhe andaza hai ki iss poori floor ko book karna mere liye kitna asaan tha? Aisi IDs... Jo har verification ko legally pass kar sakti hai. *grins*

Aadesh ki nazrein khule darwaaze ke baahar padi. Hotel ki manzil ke corridor me usne dekha. Darjano parchhaiyaan ghoom rahi thi. Balhaar ke aadmi.

Par, kaise?

Balhaar : Tumhe laga ki mein security ko pass kar ke andar aaya hu? *smiles* Mere aadmi guests bann kar din me ghuse the yaha.

Aadesh : H-Huh!?

Balhaar : Pune, Nashik, Goa, Jaipur. Alag-alag sheher se. Alag-alag IDs. Sab legal. Nothing illegal.

Aadesh ab kaanp raha tha. Use bodh ho chuka tha ki poori floor par, Balhaar ke aadmi room liye baithe the. Aur, isliye uski security unhe rok nahi paayi. Kyunki, ve sab bahut saare the.

Ghabrakar usne apna rukh badalne ki koshish ki.

Aadesh : D-Dekho-! T-Tumhe aisa karne ki zaroorat nahi hai. Mujhe gumrah kiya gaya hai. Y-Ye personal nahi tha. It was all business, you know.

Par-

Uska koi bhi paitra kaam nahi aa raha tha. Aur, akhirkar usne apni aakhiri chaal chali.

'Tch!'

Aadesh (yells) : Tum uske liye kyu kaam kar rahe ho, huh??? That fucking kid, Veer!!! C'mon man! Tum aur mein- hahaha! Hum dono iss sheher par raaj kar sakte hai. Saath me.

Balhaar ki bauhe fadki.

Aadesh : Mere saath kaam karo. Uske under nahi. No restrictions. Tumhe paisa, power, respect, sab milega. Veer hai hi kya mere saamne?? Tumhare jaisa don uss bacche ke under kaise kaam kar sakta hai?

Balhaar : ...

Aadesh : Work with me!!! *grins* Tum... Tum Raja ho. Use 'boss' kehne ki kya naubat aa gayi tumhari?

Use laga jaise usne Balhaar ke chehre par jhijhak dekhi. Uska aatmvishvas badh gaya.

Aadesh : Hum dono, saath milke kya kuchh nahi kar sakte. Mere saath kaam karne ke liye tumhe mujhe koi 'boss' kehne ki zaroorat nahi. Hum equals honge. Equal partners. Mere paas Veer se zyada paisa hai. Zyada rutba hai. Woh kisi bhi maamlo me mere level par hai hi nahi. Aao! Aao hum saath milke kaam kare.

Balhaar : ...

Aadesh : Zara socho! Tum aur mein... Poore Mumbai par humara raaj hoga. Mein tumhari madad white world me karunga, aur tum meri madad black world me karna. Tumhari image ko saaf rakhne ki zimmedari meri hogi. Aur, mere competitors ko unki aukaat dikhaane ki zimmedari tumhari. Hum dono ek behtareen team bann sakte hai. We can do wonders hahahaha!

Balhaar : Tumhari baat me dum toh hai.

Aadesh : Haha! Hai na? Koi murkh hi hoga jo uss Veer ke under kaam karna chaahega. Aur, mein jaanta hu ki tum bhi... ye nahi chaahte. Aao my friend. Let's work together. Together we'll crush this bug, Veer.

Balhaar apne aadmiyon ki orr muda aur ishaara kiya. Aur, unn aadmiyon ne Aadesh ki baahein chhor di.

Aadesh ne apna robe sahi kiya, chhaati aatmvishvas se fool gayi. Woh jeet chuka tha.

Aadesh : Hatao-! Hatao apne haath! Fucking losers. How dare you touch my expensive robe like that-!? Fuck off!

Balhaar aage badha. Usne apna haath aage badhaaya. Aadesh bhi aage aaya, usne muskuraate hue apna haath uss se milaane ke liye uthaaya.

Aur, tabhi-

*WHUMP*

Balhaar ka haath ek mutthi bann ke seedhe uski aant me aa kar pada. Aadesh ke muh se thook nikal aaya. Uski aankhein palatne ko ho gayi.

Woh khaaste hue, ubkaayi lete hue apne ghutno par gir pada. Usne saans lene ki koshish ki. Bolne ki koshish ki. Lekin, haafne ke alawa uss se kuchh na hua.

Balhaar : Tumhe lagta hai ki paise se wafadari khareedi jaa sakti hai, Jaisinghani? Tune soch bhi kaise liya ki tu aur mein equals ho sakte hai?

Aadesh : !!?

Balhaar : Tu mujhe khareedne chala tha? Bhosdike! Tere jaise hazaron log mere se deal karne ke liye marte hai. Mere saath uthne baithe ke liye gidgidaate hai. Aur, tu? Tu mujhe apna partner banaane chala hai?

Balhaar ne apne aadmiyon ko ishaara kiya. Aur, aadmi log Aadesh ko utha ke le jaane lage.

Aadesh (panics) : N-Nahi! R-Ruko! Ruko!

Magar, bahut derr ho chuki thi.

Logon ne use kachre ki tarah utha liya. Jab use uske hi penthouse se ghaseet kar baahar nikaala jaane laga, laat maarte hue, cheenkhte hue, toh shor poori hotel me fel gaya.

Guests — ameer, videshi, desi, corridors, rooms ke darwazon par jame hue khade the. Dehshat me saamne ke nazaare ko dekh rahe the ki kaise ek aadmi ko ghaseet kar kamre se baahar nikaala jaa raha tha.

Aur, woh aadmi koi aur nahi, hotel ka hi owner tha — Aadesh Jaisinghani.

Aadesh ne apna chehra chhipaane ki koshish ki, lekin uske gaal par laal rang ka thappad ka nishaan pehle se hi uski izzat ko mitti me mila chuka tha.

Aadesh : S-Security! Security!!!

Woh chillaata raha, magar jaise hi use ghaseet ke first floor ki balcony me laaya gaya toh uski aankhein phati ki phati reh gayi.

Lobby me reception se leke main entrance par, har jagah, Balhaar ke aadmi apna dera jamaaye hue the. Security ko toh gun point par rakhe hue the.

Aadesh ko vishvas nahi ho raha tha. CCTVs? CCTV me zaroor sab kuchh qaid ho chuka hoga.

Par, woh galat tha. Hotel ke control room me hi CCTVs ko monitor karne waale ladke, bandhe hue, kursi par baithe the. Aur, Balhaar ka hi aadmi waha saare cameras ki recordings ko band kar chuka tha.

Yaha tak ki... Guests koi phone recording na kar paaye, uske liye bhi aadmi har rooms ke baahar pehra de rahe the.

Agle hi pal, Aadesh ke perro me wo aadmi log rassi baandhne lage.

Aadesh : H-Huh?? Ch-Chhorro! Chhoro mujhe! K-Kya kar rahe ho? *screams* Fucking leave me!!! Ye tumhare liye achha nahi hoga-!! Samjhe na??

Magar, unn aadmiyon ne ek baat bhi nahi suni. Balhaar utni derr tak Aadesh ke hi private suite me tha. Aur, usne darwaza andar se band kar, apna kaam shuru kar diya.

Idhar baahar Aadesh ke perro par rassi bandh chuki thi. Tabhi, ek aadmi ne rassi ka dusra chhor balcony ke saamne ceiling par latak rahe ek behad bade se chandelier ki orr feka. Aadesh ye dekh ghabra gaya.

Aadesh : Y-Ye!? Ye kya kar rahe ho tum?? Bachao-!! *yells* BACHAAAAO!!! HELP!!!!

Uss aadmi ne chandelier ko rassi ke ek hook se phasa ke kheencha aur fir rassi ka chhor uss par baandhne laga.

Rassi baandhte hi, do aadmiyon ne Aadesh ko uthaaya.

Aadesh (screams) : Nahiiiiii?? Nahi!! KYA KAR RAHE HO??? CHHORO!!! CHHORO MUJHE!! TUM SAB BACHOGE NAHI!!!

Aur, agle hi kshan-

Aadmiyon ne chandelier aur Aadesh, dono ko chhor diya.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa-!!!!"

Aadesh ki cheenkh Casa Belle ki poori lobby me goonj gayi. Woh chandelier se ulta latakta hua, swing motion ko follow karte hue lobby ke beecho-beech aaya, jaha chandelier ke theek neeche ek fountain bana hua tha.

*Splash*

Fountain ke fuwaare me se uska ulta latka shareer bheegta hua jhool ke aage badha. Aur, jab use laga ki woh peechhe deewar se takra jaayega tabhi-

'!!?'

Uske baalon se kisi ne use jakad liya. Woh ulta latka hua tha. Use nahi pata tha ki uske peechhe kaun tha. Kaun use pakda hua tha. Magar, usne dekhne ki koshish ki-

Aankhon ki putliyon ko ghumaate hue usne dekhna chaaha-

Aur, jo usne dekha, use dekh, uske pant me peshaab ki kuchh boondein chhoot gayi.




Laal aankhein. Ye bhram nahi tha.

Aur, fir ek awaaz uske kaano me padi-

"Tell me, Aadesh! Did you... pray today?"

Aadesh (shivers) : A-Ahn!? Huh!?

Lobby ke luxury sofe par Veer virajman tha. Bas intezar kar raha tha. Kal raat usne hi Balhaar se kaha tha.

"Aadesh Jaisinghani ka sarr mere paas jhoolta hua aana chaahiye."

Zaahir hai Balhaar Aadesh ko aise hi maar nahi sakta tha. Aur, na hi Veer ye chaahta tha. Toh, yahi upaay tha jiske chalte Aadesh jhoolta hua seedhe Veer ke saamne aa gaya.

Veer utha. Uske haathon me abhi bhi Aadesh ke baal the. Bhale hi usne apne muh par kapda baandh rakha tha, parantu Aadesh jaan chuka tha ki yeh kaun tha.

Apna haath badhaate hue Veer ne wahi khade aadmi ki orr ishaara kiya. Toh uss aadmi ne fauran hi ek hockey stick Veer ko thama di. Aadesh kisi machhli ki tarah rassi se latka hua chhatpata raha tha. Aisa lag raha tha koi maans ka tukda talne bhun'ne ke liye latkaya gaya ho.

Veer ne koi deri nahi ki-

*THWACK*

"Aaaaaarrrghhhhhh!"

*THWACK*

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

*THWACK*

"Haaaaaarrrrgggghhh!!"

Veer kuchh nahi bol raha tha. Par, jaise jaise woh hockey ke vaar Aadesh ke shareer par barsa raha tha. Waise waise uske andar kuchh tarange paida ho rahi thi. Jo Pari mehsoos kar paa rahi thi.

{N-No! This is bad!! M-Master! Ye kya ho raha hai? He's... He's enjoying it. He's taking pleasure!}

Pari, apne mann me sochne par majboor ho gayi. Kya ye Veer hi tha. Uske hontho par dheere dheere ab ek muskaan saj rahi thi.

Aadesh ki cheenkhein sunn, uske roye roye excitement me khade ho rahe the.

{No no no!!! Master?!?}

[Maaaster-!!!]

Pari chillaayi. Par, koi asar nahi.

Khoon ke chheete lobby me bikharne lage. Aadesh behosh ho chuka tha. Poore guests aatank ke maare jamm ke reh gaye the. Itne me Balhaar suite se baahar aaya. Aur, usne neeche aakar Veer ko roka.

Balhaar : Marr jaayega.

Veer apne hosh me aaya. Usne dekha. Aadesh ka lahu luhaan latakta hua bejaan sa shareer. Woh zinda tha. Lekin, adhmara sa ho chuka tha.

Aur, bina kuchh bole hi Veer ne hockey stick ko zorr se feka aur waha se mud ke jaane laga.

Koi shabd nahi. Koi harqat nahi.

Kyunki, uski agli destination tay thi.

Aur, woh akela nahi tha.

*Vroooooom*

Trisha ki jeep bhi raaste par bhaagte hue usi destination ki orr badh rahi thi.

Dhananjay!!!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Aaj ke liye itna hi guys.
This update consists of 9.4k words approximately. Late update ke liye maafi chaahta hu. Hum ise June ka hi update consider karenge. Lekin, Choonki site crash hui thi aur bahut pareshani jhelni padi. Isliye, June ke liye hum do hi updates per month consider karenge. Ek mein de chuka tha. Aur, ye tha dusra. Ab July ke 3 updates baaki hai. Jo I hope mein iss month me de paaunga. Also, let me know ki Nidhi ke ghar ka scene kaisa laga? Kaafi soch ke likha hai use. Ab thoda bahut action chalega ek do updates me. Aane waale events lined up ho rakhe hai. Autoshield company ka aana. Veer ke missions. Sonia, Kaera ki massive deals. Suhana ka b'day. Ruchika and Suchika ki story, etc. Jo hum sab isi arc me dekhne waale hai. And, uske baad Summit arc. Target 250 hi hai. Like karne ka aur reviews rakhne ka.
Dhanyavad.

Super dhamakedar update Bhai

 

[Werewolf]

Technically Charitraheen hai Veer

Keh sakte ho No one is perfect.

 

[mooni]

Update - 201 ~ From the shadows (1)​

Ab tak...

Purvi ko yu akela chhor woh kisi kaaran se hi gaya tha. Kaaran tha-

*Ding*

[Mission : The Devil is in the details.
Description : Find the culprit who messed with Hotel Prestige, Yarnia, and host's family. Find the plotter.
Rewards : 10,000 points.
Time limit : 1 month.

Mission failure penalty : Unknown for now.]

Yahi wajah thi, Veer ko ab desperate hone ki. Magar, abhi woh soch hi raha tha jab achanak uske mann me-

*Ding*

[Mission : Deal breaker (1)
Description : Find the truth about Pushkar, Gaurav and Nik.
Rewards :
1) 10,000 points.
2) Favourability increase of Divya and Suhana.

Time limit : 10 days.
Mission failure penalty : Losing Suhana and Divya.]

Pehle mission par toh Veer already lag chuka tha. Lekin, dusra mission padhte hi uski aankhein aashcharya me maare fel gayi.

'What!?'

Ab aage...

A few days ago,
Disembowler’s Lair,
Morning - 7:36 AM ~

Kabristan ke ilaake ke baahar peele rang ke barricade tapes lage hue the. Police officers ka jhund andar ikhatta ho rakha tha. Darjano hathiyarband adhikari kabristan ki purani dehti deewaron ke paas khade ho kar media aur darshako ko door rakhne ki koshish kar rahe the. Cameras ke shutters baar-baar click ho rahe the, aur reporters chillaate hue khabar jaanane ki maang kar rahe the.

Par, fir bhi... Iss shor ke beech, Maharashtra ke DGP, Rohan Bakshi kabristan ke andar khamosh khade hue the.

Uske haath aapas me bandhe the. Aur, aankhein neeche ek gehre gaddhe ki orr tiki thi. Yahi wo entry thi jo Disembowler ki lair ke andar jaane ka raasta thi.

Wo abhi tak neeche nahi gaya tha, lekin tasveeron me usne bahut kuchh dekha tha.

Jalne ke nishaan, acid ke daag. Jung lage bistaron par bandhi zanzeerein. Baal ke guchhe. Haddiyaan. Surgical instruments. Janvaro ke shav. Insaanon ke avshesh. Aise aise chemicals jinhe abhi tak theek tarah se pehchaana bhi nahi gaya tha. Kharocho ke nishaan, khoon se sani deewaarein aur, na jaane kya kya.

"Sir?"

Rohan ne dheere se apna sarr ghumaaya. Ek hawaldar kabristan ke gate ke paas se savdhani se andar aaya, maano beech me bolne se darr raha ho.

"Hmm?"

Rohan ne sawaaliyaan nazrein liye uss se poochha.

Hawaldar : Media waale ab out of control ho rahe hai, Sir. Barrier todne ki dhamki de rahe hai. Live dikha rahe hai sab aur jawab ki maang kar rahe hai. Bina wajah kyu police ne aisi jagah par jaanch jaari kar rakhi hai? Aur, agar wajah hai... toh saamne kyu nahi laate? Mujhe nahi lagta ab hum unhe lambe samay tak rok paayenge, Sir.

Rohan ne turant jawab nahi diya. Uski nazar barrier ke theek peechhe badhti bheed par gayi. Darjano microphone taane journalists khade hue the. News vans betarteeb dhang se khadi thi. Aur, cameramen giddh ki tarah focus lagaaye baithe the.

Logon me darr toh tha, magar akrosh bhi utna hi tha. Rohan ne akhirkar kaha.

Rohan : Unse kaho ki mein aa raha hu.

Hawaldar ne sarr hilaaya aur fauran hi tezi se waapas bhaaga.

Rohan dheere-dheere barrier ke baahar jaane ke liye orr badha. Aur, use baahar aata dekh reporters bhediyo ki tarah aage badhne lage, camera shutters click hone lage, recordings chalu ho gayi, aur microphones ek dusre ke upar dhakel diye gaye.

Rohan baahar aate hue unn sab ke saamne aa kar khada hua. Ek pal beeta. Aur, fir sawaalon ke vaar shuru ho gaye.

"Sir, kya aap batayenge ki kya kuchh chal raha hai? Kyu police ne iss kabristan ko band kar rakha hai kal raat se?"

"Kya serial killer pakda gaya hai? Ya aur bhi bodies mili hai andar?"

"Serial killer se janta safe hai ya nahi, Sir?"

"Kya wo akela hi hai ya aur bhi log hai?"

"Kya police koi badi khabar janta se chhupa rahi hai?"

Rohan ne apna haath uthaaya. Aur, afra-tafri ka mahaul chuppi me badal gaya. Ek kshan baad woh bola. Uski awaaz bhaari aur gambheer thi aur aankhein camera par tiki hui thi.

Rohan : Humne serial killer ka thikaana khoj nikaala hai.

Ye sunte hi bheed me tanaav badh gaya. Log kaanp uthe. Sach saamne aane waala tha.

Rohan : Abhi completely nahi keh sakte ki ye usi ka thikaana tha ya nahi. Lekin, 99% hum sure hai isme ki yahi par wo pichhle kuchh dinon se chhipa hua tha.

Journalist 1 : Yaha par se aapka kya matlab hai?

Rohan (glances) : Yahi! Kabristan ke neeche. Underground.

Journalists : !!!

Rohan : Aur, isliye police use dhundhne me nakaam ho rahi thi. Experts abhi neeche analysis kar rahe hai. Aur, maine neeche ki kuchh photos bhi dekhi hai.

Journalist 1 : Kya mila sir aapko? Kuchh batayenge?

Rohan : Dekhiye! Abhi iss baat pe mein charcha nahi karna chahunga. Neeche jo kuchh bhi hai, bahut bura hai.

Journalist 1 : Toh kya aap janta ko andhere me rakhenge?

Rohan (sighs) : Dead bodies!!!

Journalist 1 : *shivers*

Rohan : Mil gaya aapko aapka jawaab? Ji haan! Neeche se hume bodies mili hai. Ek nahi. Kayi. Sirf insaano ki hi nahi. Janvaro ki bhi. Aur, bhi bahut kuchh. Neeche underground poori ek lair hai. Aur, itni badi hai ki ye apne aap me ek bahut badi discovery hai.

Journalist 2 : Aur, uss serial killer ka kya? Kya police ne use pakad liya hai?

Rohan : Ji nahi! Wo yaha nahi paaya gaya.

Journalist 2 : Toh police ne ye location ka pata kaise lagaaya?

Rohan (sighs) : Meri apni beti... Chhoti si hai. Serial killer dwara kidnap ho gayi thi. Shaam ko. Uske saath ek aur bacchi thi. Do nanhi bacchiyon ko kidnap kar ke bhaaga tha woh.

Journalists : !!!?

Rohan : Par, ye khush-kismati ki baat hai ki dono bacchiyaan sahi salamat laut aayi. Meri wife, Mrs. Trisha, jo ki DSP hai, iss case me kaafi involve hai. Aur, kisi shubhchintak ne unn dono bacchiyon ko sahi salamat rescue kiya tha. Mrs. Trisha ne iski pushti ki hai.

Journalist 2 : Kaun tha woh? Kya hum jaan sakte hai?

Rohan : Iss baare me koi jankari haath nahi lagi hai. Bas, ek naujavan tha jo dono bacchiyon ko serial killer ke muh se chhura kar laaya tha. Humara dhyaan tabhi bacchiyon ko surakshit rakhne me laga hua tha. Aur, saath hi uss serial killer ko pakadne ke liye.

Kehte hue uski bauhe kass gayi. Kyunki, use bhi yahi jankari praapt hui thi.

'Trisha... Kab tak tum mujhse uss naujavan ko chhupaogi? Kya majboori hai tumhari jo tumne mujhe bhi-!!'

Par, wo chaah ke bhi apni patni se sach ko zabardasti nahi jaan sakta tha. Uski beti sahi salamat uske paas pahuchi thi. Aur, ye sab uss naujavan ki wajah se hua tha. Trisha ka kehna tha ki usne uss naujavan ka chehra nahi dekha aur na hi woh use jaanti thi. Magar... Rohan jaanta tha ki uski patni uss se jhooth bol rahi thi. Yaha tak ki uske saath waale officers bhi kuchh nahi ugal rahe the.

Aur, wo h jaanta tha ki iss sab ke peechhe, uski patni ka haath tha.

Journalist 3 : Toh, Sir kya bacchiyon ko bachaane waale ko kisi bhi tarah ki saraahna nahi di jaayegi? Uske liye kuchh nahi karegi police?

Rohan : Hum toh chaahte hi hai ki veh naujavan, agar ye news dekh raha hai, toh kripya saamne aaye, police ke sabhi log saraahna karte hue uska sammaan karna chaahenge.

Aise hi aneko sawaalon ke jawaab dete hue jab Rohan interview se fursat hua toh news channels me sansani si mach gayi.

Desh bhar me TV par breaking news ki headlines chalne lagi.

"Breaking News : Mumbai me sthit ek kabristan ke neeche mili khaufnak maand."

"Police ne pushti ki : Underground maand serial killer ki hi thi."

"Kal shaam do bacchiyon ko aghwa kar ke le gaya tha serial killer."

"Agyaat naujavan dwara dono bacchiyon ko bachaaya gaya."

Aisi tamaam headlines ghar-ghar TVs me daud chali. Aur, isme koi shaq nahi tha ki Veer ke gharwalo ne bhi ye khabre dekh hi li thi.

***

Present,
Nidhi's house, Mumbai,
Morning - 9:20 AM ~

Subah subah Nidhi ke ghar se taaze parathon ki khushbu aa rahi thi. Nanhi Juhi jiski aankhon me abhi bhi kahi na kahi neend bhari hui thi, uski urja me koi kami nazar nahi aa rahi thi. Tabhi, darwaze par ek dastak hui-

*Knock* *Knock*

Juhi ne darwaza khola, aur jaise hi saamne khade shaks ko dekha, uski aankhein chamak uthi.

Juhi (shrieks) : Papa!!!

Woh khushi se chillayi, uski nanhi baahein Veer ki orr badh gayi. Veer muskuraaya — woh teekhi aur sthir muskaan nahi jo aaj kal uske hontho par rehti thi, balki ek sacchi aur keval chand logon ke saamne hi pesh aane waali woh muskaan.

Usne Juhi ko araam se goad me uthaaya, wo khil-khila rahi thi, uske chhote-chhote haath Veer ko uski gardan ke peechhe se jakad liye.

Hall me theek peechhe, Shreya sofe par baithi thi, Dhruv uske bagal se baitha hua tha, aur wo apne haatho se chhote-chhote kaur kar ke Dhruv ko paraanthe khilaane me lagi hui thi.

Kintu, Juhi ka yu Veer ko 'Papa' bulaane se, uski aankhein chand pal ke liye sikudi. Nidhi ne use saara vakhyaan bataya hua tha. Magar, apne kaano se ise saamne sunana ek alag anubhav tha.

Shor sunte hi Nidhi apne haathon ko apron me pochhte hue rasoi se baahar nikli, aur baahar aate hi uske qadam tham gaye. Usne Veer ko dekha. Kaise uski shirt ki aasteen upar thi, hawa se baal bikhre hue the aur Juhi ko apni goad me wo aise uthaaya hua tha jaise maano wo sach me uski bacchi ho.

*Badump*

Uska dil dhadak utha.

Nidhi : Veer...! T-Tum... Aa gaye!?

Veer (smiles) : Hmm! Good morning!

Usne Juhi ko dheere se neeche utaarte hue kaha.

Nidhi (smiles) : G-Good morning! Kaisi thi raat? Maasi ke yaha? Thoda better feel hua ghar se nikal ke?

Veer : Hmm? Oh! Haan! Zaroor!

Nidhi : Oh! Badhiya! T-Tum ekdum time par aaye ho. Naashta taiyaar hi hai. Fatafat baith jao. Fresh hona hai toh washroom me jaa-

Veer : Nahi! Mein maasi ke yaha se brush kar ke, in fact naashta kar ke hi aaya hu.

Nidhi : Kya? P-Par-! Tum waha se hi kyu-

Veer (smiles) : Aap le aaiye jo bhi banaya hai. Mujhe abhi bhi bhookh hai.

Nidhi (smiles) : H-Haan! Haan! Zaroor! Bas ek minute!

Nidhi chehekte hue tez qadmo ke saath andar gayi. Idhar Veer ne Juhi ko ek chocolate ka box pakdaya toh woh bhi khush ho gayi.

Juhi : Yay~ Mere liye, papa?

Veer (nods) : Bilkul! Sab tumhara hai!

Woh kone me bhaagi, chocolate box ko kisi khazaane ki tarah maante hue use ahista-ahista kholne lagi.

Aur, ant me jab Veer sofe par baithne laga toh usne Shreya aur Dhruv ko dekha.

Veer : Hey!

Shreya : Hi!

Usne Dhruv ke gaal ko sehlaate hue use khilaaya. Nanha sa Dhruv taktaki lagaaye use aise ghoor raha tha jaise maano yaad karne ki koshish kar raha ho ki ye dekha-dekha shaks akhir kaun hai.

Shreya ne TV se Veer ki orr dekha, fir screen ki orr ishaara kiya. Ek news anchor bahut hi aakramak lehze me khabrein suna raha tha, uske peechhe crime scene ki dhundhli tasveerein flash ho rahi thi.

Shreya (quietly) : Yahi hai... Wo jagah... Hai na?

Veer ne uski nigaaho ka peechha karte hue screen par dekha aur haami bhari.

Veer : Hmm!

Shreya (frowns) : Tum udhar the!? Uss... Shamsaan ke neeche? Juhi ko bachaane ke liye?

Veer ne apni aankhein screen par hi tikaayi rakhi.

Veer : Hmm!

Sunte hi Shreya ke andar ek sihran daud gayi.

Shreya : Toh... Tumhara saamna uss serial killer se nahi hua?

Veer (jhooth bolte hue) : Jab mein waha pahucha tab wo waha nahi tha.

Shreya : Oh! Toh kaha tha woh?

Usne zor dete hue poochha.

Veer : Mujhe kya pata.

Shreya thodi jhuki, bauhe sikodte hue.

Shreya : Aur, wo ghaav? Tumhare haatho par, chehre par-!? Wo kaise aaye?

Veer ki aankhein abhi bhi screen par hi thi.

Veer : Kuchh jaanvar. Awaara kutte... Aur, wo jagah. Mein fisal gaya tha. Gir gaya tha waha. Bas itna hi.

*Silence*

Shreya chup rahi. Woh jaanti thi ki Veer uss se jhooth bol raha tha. Kyunki, Juhi ne pehle hi bahut kuchh Nidhi aur use bata diya tha. Kaise uske so called 'papa' uss serial killer se bhide the, kaise apne upar taange-taange wo unhe bacha ke laaye. Woh kaafi kuchh jaanti thi. Jab usne dekha ki Veer uss vishay se bhaag raha hai, toh usne aur dakhal dene ki koshish nahi ki. Bas itna hi poochhi-

Shreya : Itna pyaar karte ho Juhi se???

Veer : Haan!

*Badump*

Iss baar Shreya ka dil zor se dhadka. Usne ek gehri saans li.

Udhar Juhi ne apni chocolate chabaana shuru kar diya tha. Uski hasi, uski masoomiyat, ye sab kamre me kisi madhur sangeet ki tarah goonj rahi thi.

Shreya : Mujhe ab bhi samajh nahi aata.

Veer : Hmm?

Shreya (budbudaate hue) : Tum humesha cheezon ko halke me kyu lete ho!? Sach chhupaate kyu ho? Bataate kyu nahi logon ko?

Veer ne uski orr dekha.

Veer : Kyunki...

Shreya : ???

Veer : Kuchh sach... theek nahi hote. Unka chhipa rehna hi behtar hota hai.

Shreya bhooli nahi thi. Use sab kuchh yaad tha ki Veer ne uske liye kya kuchh kiya tha. Kaise wo uske liye khada hua tha. Kaise Rajat se usne Nidhi aur Juhi ko bachaaya tha. Kaise usne uski pehli job lagwaayi thi. Aur, kaise uska sapna bhi poora kar diya.

Tab woh use appreciate karne lagi thi. Par, dheere-dheere yahi appreciation, attraction me badal gaya. Aur, ab wo attraction kuchh gehra... kuchh uljha hua... Na jaane kin anubhutiyon par sawaar thi ab woh. Jo bhi tha, bahut prabal tha.

Lekin, aspatal me uss raat ke baad se, jab usne Nidhi ko use kass ke pakde hue dekha tha, uske andar kuchh badal chuka tha.

Shreya : R-Right-!!

Veer : !!?

Shreya : Uss raat hospital me... Pata nahi kaise, aisa laga jaise... meri gardan par kuchh aake laga tha aur fir maine shayad apne hosh kho diye the.

Uski baat sunn Veer ko turant hi ek shaks ka dhyaan aaya.

'Erica-!'

Woh jaanta tha ki Erica hi use Nidhi ke hospital se utha ke laayi thi. Uske baad Renshu use dusre hospital le gaya tha jaha Ragini bharti thi.

Veer : Tum thaki hui hogi. Unconscious ho gayi hogi.

Shreya : Arey nahi! Mein theek thi yaar sach me!!! Kuchh to hua tha... Yaad nahi aa raha kya...

Veer : Don't sweat on it.

Shreya : Yeah!

Juhi carpet par hi laiti hui thi, uske chaaro orr khilauno ki chaadar bichhi hui thi. Do gudiya aapas me nakli ladaayi kar rahi thi, toh wahi ek chocolate se sana hua haath plastic ki talvaar pakde hue tha.

Aur, tabhi-

Nidhi garma-garam paranthe, katori me red sauce, achaar aur chai ke do cup lekar rasoi se baahar nikli. Tray rakhte waqt uski ungliyaan kaanp rahi thi. Na hi garmi se, na hi thand se, balki kisi aur cheez se.

Uski nazrein apne aap Veer par pad gayi. Woh sofe par baitha tha, apni kohni ghutno par tikaaye hue, kinhi khayaalo me khoya hua tha.

Nidhi : Y-Ye..

Usne uske saamne ek plate lagaate hue kaha.

Veer : Ji! Thank you!

Nidhi : Ye chai...

Usne dheere se use cup pakdaate hue kaha. Par, cup lene se pehle jaise hi woh kuchh kehne waala tha. Nidhi ne uske pehle hi keh diya.

Nidhi : Teen chammach. Do cup ke liye. Humesha ki tarah.

Veer muskuraaya.

Veer : Aapko yaad tha!?

Nidhi : Kuchh important cheezein ab mein nahi bhoolti.

Usne jawab diya. Par, turant hi use pachhtava bhi hua ki bhala ye kya keh diya usne? Ye sunn'ne me kaisa laga hoga?

Nidhi (blushes) : M-Mera matlab... mujhe yaad tha.

Woh uske saamne baithi, sahaj hone ka naatak kar rahi thi, lekin aankhein baar-baar Veer par hi tiki rahi aur jaise hi unki nazrein aapas me mili, toh usne jaldi se apni nazrein fer li. Itne me Shreya uthi-

Nidhi : V-Veer...!

Veer : *glances*

Usne dheere se pukaara, jab Shreya haath dhone ke liye andar chali gayi.

Nidhi : Juhi tumhe bahut yaad kar rahi thi. Kal raat se hi-

Veer (smiles) : School nahi gayi aaj?

Nidhi : Nahi! Zidd kar rahi thi. Toh, maine bhi nahi bheja. Aaj tum pehle din aane waale the. Isliye, aaj rok liya maine. *smiles* Par, ye chhutti sirf aaj ke liye.

Veer : Mein subah se shaam yahi rahunga. Kahi nahi jaane waala.

Nidhi : Umm! *smiles* Thank you!

Juhi waapas bhaagte hue aayi. Uske gaal chocolate se bhare hue the. Aur, usne pyaar se pukaara-

Juhi : Papa!!

Veer : Hmm?

Ek pal ke liye apni beti ke muh se Veer ke liye 'papa' sunn, Nidhi ke gaal sharm se laal ho gaye.

Juhi : Mein aapki kanghi kar du??

Veer : Huh??

Juhi : Mumma Juhi ke baal banaati hai toh... toh, Juhi Papa ke banayegi.

Veer : Hahahaha! Mere baal itne lambe nahi hai, Juhi.

Juhi : Mouuu~ Mujhe banaane hai~

Veer : Achha theek hai. Par, abhi nahi. Abhi mein breakfast kar raha hu. Baad me. Theek hai?

Juhi (chimes) : Okay~

Wo khushi se haste hue uske peechhe sofe par chadh gayi. Nidhi bhi hasi.

Veer : Perfect! Aaj bhi inn parantho ka swaad bilkul pehle jaisa hi hai! Aur, ye chai bhi-!

Nidhi ne uske bhaav padhne chaahe, uske hontho par halki muskaan thi. Kuchh saal pehle yahi Veer dara hua rehta tha, study table par jhuka hua, exams ki taiyaari karta hua, aur aaj yahi Veer ek alag Veer bann chuka tha.

Usne dekha ki Veer kamre ko badi hi bareeki se dekh raha tha. Toh, usne khud se hi samjhaana chaaha-

Nidhi : M-Maine curtains badal diye hai.

Veer (smiles) : Haan, wo dekhe maine.

Nidhi : A-Aur, wo corner me lamp bhi rakh diya hai. T-Tum kehte the na ki udhar ek chhota lamp hona chahiye. Toh, maine...

Veer (smiles) : Ab zyada achha lag raha hai.

Nidhi : H-Haan!! Tum wahi baithate the aksar.

Usne khidki ke paas door ek kone ki orr ishaara karte hue kaha. Veer ne uski nigaahon ka peechha kiya aur sarr hilaaya.

Veer : Hmm!

Ye woh jagah thi jaha woh sabse pehle Nidhi ke ghar me aake baitha tha. Jab use laga tha ki duniya me use koi bhi rehne nahi dega. Uska koi thikaana nahi hoga. Tab, yahi jagah uski apni thi. Uski pasandeeda.

Veer ke bhaav padh, Nidhi ki aankhein namm ho gayi.

Veer : Aapne kuchh nahi poochha tha...

Nidhi : !!?

Veer : Koi sawaal nahi. Bas mujhe hospital se leke aayi thi aap. Mujhe apne ghar laayi jaise mein humesha se yahi rehta tha. Aur-

Nidhi : Mujhe kuchh bhi poochhne ki zaroorat nahi thi.

Veer : ???

Nidhi : Mein jaanti thi mein kya kar rahi thi. Aur, kiske liye kar rahi thi.

Veer : Kyu kar rahi thi? Kya iska bhi jawaab hai?

Nidhi : Nahi! Mein nahi jaanti kyu. Bas, itna jaanti hu ki maine jo kiya, sahi kiya.

Veer : Agar, wahi sthiti aaj firse aapke saamne aaye toh kya aap-

Nidhi : Hazaar baar karungi.

Veer : Huh!!?

Nidhi : Har baar!

*Badump*

Iss baar Veer ka dil ek dhadkan phaand gaya. Aur, Juhi jo laiti hui apne khilauno se khelne me lagi hui thi, woh aise hi chehekte hue bol padi-

Juhi : Hehe! Mumma ko papa se pyaal hai~

Nidhi (yells) : J-JUHIIIIII-!!!! *blushes*

Juhi : Mumma loves papa~ Mumma loves papa~ Hehehe~

Nidhi (blushes) : Juhiiiii-!! Chup!!!

Veer ne turant koi jawaab nahi diya. Uske honthon par bas ek halki muskaan saji hui thi. Akhirkar, usne baat ko palatate hue kaha-

Veer : Waise- ye deewar ke paint par abhi bhi wahi daag hai.

Nidhi : Huh? H-Haan! Woh... Woh waha par sab baith ke sarr tikaate hai toh waha daag bann gaya hai. Abhi tak maine uska kuchh nahi kiya.

Veer : Aur, landlord ne nahi dekha abhi tak ye?

Nidhi : Dekh gaye hai! *sighs* Thoda sa hi hai. M-Mein fix karwa dungi baad me.

Veer : Jab karwaana ho toh mujhe bula lijiyega.

Nidhi (quietly) : Mmm!

Na hi Veer ne usko apne paise ka rutba dikhaya. Na hi usko middle class life ka ehsaas dilaaya. Usne bas itna kaha... ki jab sudharwana ho, toh woh use bulaaye. Bas. Aur, Nidhi ko yahi baat sabse achhi lagi.

Tabhi, Shreya ki awaaz ne unka dhyaan bhang kar diya.

Shreya : Oh wowww~ Mujhe toh pata hi nahi tha ki aap dono ekdum shadishuda jode ki tarah baatein karte ho!!?

Nidhi chaunk gayi, uska shareer jhatka kha kar reh gaya. Veer ne bhi bauhe upar kar uski orr dekha.

Veer : Excuse me!?

Shreya pyaar se muskurayi, lekin uski aankhein sikud gayi.

Shreya : Bas itna hi kaha ki maine dii ko kabhi itna baat karte nahi dekha na. Tum toh unka ekdum chatty version saamne le aaye. Nice job Veer. *winks*

Nidhi : Sh-Shreya?

Shreya : No!!! It's actually cute.

Usne parantha ka ek tukda muh me daalte hue kaha.

Shreya : Mujhe sochne pe majboor karta hai ye ki maine dii ke aur kaun se versions abhi tak nahi dekhe hai?

Veer ne uski baaton me ek wazan mehsoos kiya. Woh tanaav kam karte hue halka sa hasa.

[Oh! Someone's jelly...!]

Veer : Well! Haha! Tumhe apni dii se kitchen me aur bhi tasty tasty dishes banwani chaahiye. Trust me! Unke aur bhi versions dekhne ko milenge. *sips* Ye chai kamaal ki hai.

Shreya : Oh please! Aaj itni achhi chai isliye bani hai kyunki tum yaha ho.

Veer : Huh!?

Shreya : Yes! Warna daily aisi nahi banti.

Nidhi : SHREYA!!

Usne ab daanta, lekin gaalon par gulaabi rang chadha hua tha. Tabhi, itne me Juhi achanak khadi hui, uske haathon me ek drawing book thi.

Juhi (runs) : Papaaaa! Papa!!! Dekho! Maine humara ghar banaya...!

[Aww!]

Veer ne drawing book haath me li aur use dekha. Usme Juhi ka ek nanha sa stick figure version, ek bade stick figure ke bagal se khada hua tha, jis par 'papa' likha tha. Aur, uske bagal se ek gulabi color ki 'mumma' khadi hui thi. Spasht roop se — Nidhi. Aur, ek stroller me chhota sa baccha jo ki Dhruv tha.

[It's so cute. Right, master?]

'Hmm!'

Shreya : Huh? Ek minute! Mein kaha hu???

Drawing me Shreya kahi bhi nazar nahi aa rahi thi. Apni maasi ki baat sunn Juhi ne drawing ko firse dekha.

Juhi : Umm... A-Aap... Maasi... Umm... Haan!

Uski ungli fir achanak se ek aur figure ki orr badhi. Aur, wo bade hi garv se boli.

Juhi : Aap ped ho!!!

Shreya (yells) : Kyaaaaaaa????

Veer (laughs) : AHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

Veer ki hasi itni zorr se chhooti ki woh khud ko hasne se rok nahi paaya.

Shreya : Juhi ki bacchi-

Veer : Hahahahahaha!!!

Juhi : Ehehehehe~

Veer ki hasi dekh Juhi bhi uske sang shaamil ho gayi, ye sochte hue ki shayad usne koi bahut badhiya kaam kiya tha jo uske 'papa' has rahe the.

Nidhi jhuk kar dekhne lagi, uske honth hasi ko dabaane ki poori koshish kar rahe the. Yahi. Yahi toh wo pal the jinhe wo miss kiya karti thi. Veer ke yaha hone se... kitni raunak badh jaati thi ghar me.

Par, tabhi Veer ke bol uske kaan me pade. Awaaz bahut hi dheemi thi.

Veer (drawing ko dekhte hue) : Woh wahi dekh rahi hai, jo woh dekhna chaahti hai.

*Badump* *Badump*

Nidhi ke dil ki dhadkane tez ho gayi. Palkein jhapki aur honth thar-thara uthe. Aur, woh achanak se uss se door hoke wapas se apni jagah par baith gayi.

Lekin, unke beech ki ye kashmkash akhir iss baar Shreya ki aankhon se chook ke na jaa saki. Woh ab ise aur andekha nahi kar saki. Usne napkin se apne haath pochhe aur ek muskaan bikherte hue boli.

Shreya : You know what... Ab hum sab ko ek break ki zaroorat hai.

Nidhi : Break?

Shreya : Yeah! Yeah! Break!

Veer : Kaisa break?

Shreya : Break! Har cheez se. Ye lagatar stress, jo kuchh bhi hua, Juhi ka kidnap hona, hospital me dii ka hona, fir shamshan me tumhara jaana, serial killer se Juhi ko chhura ke laana, and then tumhari hotel pe wo unknown attack, Ragini aunty ki injury, Yarnia ka shut down, all that shit and-

Usne khud ko thoda roka, use ehsaas hua ki uski awaaz kuchh zyada hi oonchi ho rahi thi.

Shreya : I mean... Ye... Ye sab bahut zyada tha, right?

Veer ki palkein jhuk gayi. Nidhi ne bhi ek aah bhari, uske kandhe adrishya bojh se bhaari ho gaye.

Nidhi : Tumne sahi kaha.

Shreya khadi hui, table ke chaaro orr ghoomi aur Veer ke bagal se sofe ke armrest par baith gayi, kuchh zyada hi nazdeek.

Shreya : Plus... Mein Singapore se waapas aayi hu. Can you imagine? Singapore se! Mera shoot cancel ho gaya. Sab kuchh beech me chhorna pada. And, I don't even know why. Toh, ab mein practically unemployed hu aur frustrated bhi.

Veer : Toh?

Shreya : Toh, mere paas ek badhiya idea hai.

Veer : Jaise ki-?

Shreya : Jaise ki... Tum mujhe-

Veer : !!?

Shreya (smiles) : Ek date par leke chalo!

Nidhi : !!!!!

Veer : Huh?

Nidhi ko apne kaano par vishvas nahi ho raha tha. Juhi farsh par se uthi aur boli.

Juhi : Date pe? Mumma date pe kaise jaa sakte hai?? Usko to likhte hai na?

Bechari nanhi Juhi couple waali date ko tareekh waali date samajh rahi thi. Aur, isme uski koi galti bhi nahi thi. Shreya uski galat-fehmi par muskurayi.

Shreya : Woh waali date nahi, my little munchkin.

Juhi : Toh aur kaun si date??

Shreya ne naatkeeya dhang se apni zulfo ko peechhe karte hue jawab diya.

Shreya (smiles) : Iss date me sirf do bade log jaate hai, sweetie. Lunch pe, ya dinner pe, saath-saath. Sirf ek ladka. Aur, ek ladki.

Juhi : T-Toh, mein bhi chalungi.

Shreya (grins) : Hmph! Shayad tumne suna nahi beta! Maine kya kaha? Isme sirf do bade log jaate hai. Aur, tum kya ho?? Chhoti bacchi. Samajh gayi?

Juhi : M-Mujhe bhi jaana hai-!!!! Mein bhi papa ke saath jaungi!

Shreya : Hahaha! Ab toh tum aur nahi jaa sakti.

Juhi (ruwasi awaaz me) : K-Kyu?

Shreya : Kyunki, date par sirf couples ya friends jaate hai, my dear. *grins* Aur, tum toh Veer ko apna papa maanti ho. Hai na? Toh, tum toh jaa hi nahi sakti.

Juhi ki aankhon me aasu panpe. Shreya thoda ghabrayi aur uska darr haqeeqat me badal gaya.

"Haaaarrrrggghhhhhhh-!!!"

Juhi rote hue jaa ke Nidhi se lipat gayi.

Nidhi : Shreya!!! Kyu Juhi ko abhi se ye sab bataya? Ab wo-

Shreya : What? Aisa toh hai nahi ki mein uss se shaadi kar rahi hu. Ek date ke liye hi toh kaha hai. Ek dinner. Woh mera friend hai itna achha. Kya burayi hai isme?

Juhi : haaaaaarrrrgggghhh!!

Nidhi : P-Par, fir bhi- Y-Ye nahi-

Usne bolna chaaha, magar ruk gayi.

Shreya : Nahi kya? Kya friends ke saath hangout karne me koi problem hai? Aur, upar se ye Veer hai. Agar, mein ghar me mummy papa ko bhi bata ke jau na toh bhi woh mujhe nahi tokenge. Aur, aap shayad ye baat achhe se jaanti hongi.

Nidhi ki palkein neeche jhuk gayi. Woh apni beti ko chup karaane me lagi hui thi jab Juhi achanak se uske paas se nikli aur jaake Veer ke haath ko jakad li.

Shreya : !!?

Juhi : Niiiiii!!! Mein papa ko kahi nahi le jaane dungi.

Shreya : Aww! Par, cheezein tumhari icchha se nahi chalti, sweetie! Zara socho! Actually... Agar, sach me tumhari maasi ki shaadi tumhare so called 'papa' se ho gayi? Toh kya hoga? Tumhare papa humesha tumhare paas reh sakte hai. Aur, fir mein kya lagungi tumhari? Hmm? Mumma? Hahaha!

Juhi (shrieks) : Niiiiiii!!!

Shreya : ???

Juhi (Veer ki orr mudte hue) : P-Papa! Aap ni jaoge na?

Shreya : Arey waah! Kyu nahi jaayega woh? Hum bilkul jaayenge!

Juhi (shouts) : Niiiiii!!!

Veer : Ummm...

Juhi : Papa!!! Ni jaoge na??

Veer (smiles) : Mein-

Iske pehle ki woh jawaab de paata, Nidhi hi beech me kood gayi.

Nidhi : Woh nahi jaa sakta!!

Usne apni mansha kuchh zyada hi zorr se zaahir ki.

Veer : !!?

Shreya : Huh?

Nidhi : V-Veer ka... Usne abhi-abhi apne dada ji ko khoya hai.

Ek solid counterattack. Veer ne iss par chupchaap sarr hilaaya. Toh wahi, Shreya ki muskaan thodi ladkhada gayi.

Shreya : Haan toh mein kaun sa aaj hi uss se chalne ke liye keh rahi hu? Par, agle hafte ka kya? Agle mahine? Woh humesha toh iss phase me nahi reh sakta na? Humein use aur lively feel karwana chaahiye. Isliye, toh maine kaha tha. Hum baad me bhi jaa sakte, hai na Veer?

Kehte hue woh Veer ke qareeb jhuk gayi. Bahut nazdeek. Aur, Juhi chillaa uthi.

Juhi (yells) : Niiiiiii!

Nidhi ko laga ki uski saansein atak rahi thi. Gala sookh raha tha. Woh kya kar rahi thi? Woh beech me kyu aayi? Kya abhi-abhi usne ek bahaana dete hue apni hi chhoti behan ke plan ko fail karna chaaha?

Shreya ne use dekha. Uski awaaz me madhurta thi, lekin aankhein teekhi.

Shreya : Kya aap nahi chaahogi ki kisi shady tinder match ki bajaaye mein Veer jaise shareef ladke ke saath baahar jau??

Veer : Hey! Just to let you know, mein itna shareef nahi hu.

Shreya (winks) : Tumne abhi mujhe nahi jaana, dear.

Juhi ne Nidhi ki kurti ko hairaan ho kar kheencha.

Juhi : Mumma... P-Papa maasi ke saath jaayenge? Aap mana karo na papa ko.

Nidhi : Mein... Mujhe nahi pata...

Usne Veer ki aankhon se bachte hue dheere se kaha. Kamre me ek pal ke liye ajeeb tarah ka sannaata chhaa gaya.

Veer (smiles) : Papa wahi jaayenge jaha Juhi bolegi. Theek hai?

Aur, ye sunte hi Juhi ki aankhon me chamak aa gayi.

Juhi : Sacchi??

Veer (smiles) : Mucchi!

Shreya : Of course! Mujhe samajh jaana chaahiye tha ki yahi hoga. Enjoy!

Kehte hue woh be-mann se waha se chidhte hue nikal gayi. Aur, Juhi phudakte hue Veer ka haath kheench kar use Nidhi ke bagal se baithaane le gayi. Usne baari-baari dono ke haath liye aur boli.

Juhi : Toh... Toh... Mumma, papa aur mein... Hum teeno date pe chalenge!

Nidhi ka dil dhadak raha tha. Usne virodh kyu kiya? Woh beech me kyu aayi? Kya uss hospital waali raat sach me usne apna dil Veer ko saunp diya tha?

Toh, fir uski chhoti behan ka kya? Use toh khush hona chahiye tha ki uski chhoti behan ko Veer jaise ladke me interest tha aur use toh iss orr badhna chaahiye tha ki kaise woh Veer aur Shreya ko ek kar sake.

Lekin...

Jab Shreya ne use chhua, uske qareeb jhuki, use apne andar ek dard kyu mehsoos hua?

Usne andar jaati Shreya ko dekha. Aur, tabhi uski aankhein Veer se mili.

*Badump*

Nidhi : M-Mein...

Juhi : Mumma chalogi na?

Veer (smiles) : Zaroor! Hum sab chalenge. Okay?

Juhi (beams) : Yayyy~

Veer ka haath achanak Nidhi ke haath ke upar aaya, toh bechari Nidhi jhatka kha kar reh gayi. Nazrein mili. Aur, saansein tez ho gayi. Lekin, iss baar-

Nidhi ne apna haath nahi hataaya. Veer ki giraft me hi rehne diya. Veer ne dusra haath uske chehre ki orr badhaaya. Uski chin ko thaamte hue, chehre ko apni orr karne ki koshish ki-

Magar, Nidhi ne kaanpte hue apna chehra dheere se dusri orr ferna chaaha. Aur, tabhi Veer ne apna angutha Nidhi ke gulaabi hontho par firaaya.

Ek sihran Nidhi ke poore jism me daud gayi. Woh haanf rahi thi. Veer ne unn sharbati hontho ko chhiya. Nidhi ki palkein ahista-ahista uthi. Woh Veer ko dekhi. Juhi wapas se apne khilauno me lag chuki thi. Aur, uske peechhe sofe par Veer aur Nidhi agal-bagal behad qareeb baithe the.

Veer aage ki orr jhuka... Uski garm saansein jaise hi Nidhi ki gardan par padi, woh thitak kar reh gayi aur ghabraate hue uss se door ho gayi.

Kintu, Veer ne bura nahi maana. Balki, uske hontho par muskaan hi bikhri thi.

Magar, koi tha...

Bagal ki deewar ke peechhe...

Jo phati aankhon se iss drishya ko dekh raha tha.

'I-It can't be...!!!!?'

***

Hotel Prestige, Mumbai
Late at night ~

Prestige ki lobby me steel pipes, auzaaron ki khat-khat ki awaaz goonj rahi thi.

Kabhi modern elegance aur business class luxury ka prateek raha ye hotel ab reconstructive surgery se guzar raha tha.

Lobby ki west wing me scaffolding bichha hua tha. Workers der raat tak kaam karne ke liye lage hue the. Ek samooh nayi khidki ke frame ki welding kar raha tha, toh wahi kuchh farsh par visfot se hui kaalikh lage marble ko alag kar naya marble bichha rahe the.

"Kharcha toh hua hai, ma'am. Estimate ke according chale toh aap ye maan ke chaliye ki... 20-25 lakh araam se. Zyada bhi ho sakta hai."

Bhumika chup chaap apni secretary ki baat sunn rahi thi. Business outfit pehne, uska navy blue blazer uske kandho par peechhe se latka hua tha.

Woh jaanti thi. Use anumaan tha ki kitna kharcha ho chuka hoga. Aur, ye kharcha poora nahi tha. Yarnia ke products jo barbaad hue, kapde, models ki advance fees jo unhe deni padi, musical orchestra ki fees, decorations ke charges, invitations ke charges, wagarah wagarah aur fir ye humla jisne laakho ka maal tabaah kar diya.

Woh jaanti thi. Kitna bhaari nuksaan unhe hua tha. Upar se maare gaye security guards ko kahi na kahi financial support dene ki zimmedari. Ye sab kuchh bahut zyada tha.

Tabhi, uske peechhe se ek awaaz goonji. Dheemi. Aur, niyantrit.

"Evening...! Miss Bhumika."

Woh mudi, bauhe sikodte hue. Transparent glasses ki main entrance se ek mahila andar aa rahi thi. Wo bhi police uniform me. Aur, uske seene me laga batch dekhte hi Bhumika ki aankhein chaudi ho gayi.

Bhumika : DSP!?? Yaha? Mein... Mujhe ummeed nahi thi ki-

Trisha seedhe andar chali aayi.

Trisha : Jaanti hu. Aapke staff ne bhi ummeed nahi ki thi. Isliye, sab baahar chaunk gaye. Lekin, jab ek badi hotel me bombing ho, shootout ho, toh normal officers use bas kuchh hadd tak hi sambhaal sakte hai.

Bhumika ne apni bechaini ko chhupaane ki koshish karte hue saans chhori.

Bhumika : Wahi! Maine jab FIR file ki thi toh aap nahi thi. Mujhe laga tha ki officers hi sab investigate karenge-

Trisha ki nazar ab khaali ho chuke lounge area par padi. Bahut se furniture safed chaadron se dhake hue the, taaki kaam ke chalte unn par kisi bhi prakaar ki dhool, paint ya gandagi na lag jaaye.

Trisha : Well, originally... Yes. Yahi procedure hota hai. Mujhe involve hone ki zaroorat nahi padti agar ye case itna bada nahi hota toh...

Kehte hue usne apni uniform ki jeb se ek muda hua kaagaz nikaala. Ek tasveer. Usne wo tasveer reception ke counter par rakhi.

Bhumika jhuki. Usne dekha. Ek chehra. Logon ke samooh me. Safed kurta aur neeli jeans daale hue.

Trisha : Yahi hai uss raat Hotel Prestige me hue uss humle ke peechhe ka aadmi.

Maano jaise Bhumika ke perro taley zameen khisak gayi.

Trisha : Dhananjay!!!

Bhumika : Kyaaaaa???

Woh ladkhadaate hue chillaayi.

Bhumika : Kaun?? Kaun hai ye? Maine iske baare me kabhi nahi suna. Aur, na hi mein jaanti hu. Hai kaun ye???

Bhumika ka reaction dekh, ek pal ke liye Trisha ki bauhe sikudi. Ye dilchasp tha. Ab do baatein ho sakti thi. Ya toh Bhumika naatak kar rahi thi, aur woh jaanti thi ki yeh aadmi kaun tha. Ya fir use waqai iske baare me kuchh nahi pata tha.

Aur, agar aisa tha... Toh, Trisha ke liye cheezein aur bhi pecheeda hone waali thi. Aur, dekh ke toh yahi lag raha tha ki Bhumika waqai iss shaks se anjaan thi.

Trisha : Mujhe aapse aisi ummeed nahi thi. Aapki hotel par humla hua, shaks aapke saamne tasveer me maujood hai aur aap ise nahi jaanti? Toh, bhala anjaan vyakti kyu aap par humla karega?

Bhumika : I... I swear officer!!! Mein nahi jaanti ye kaun hai. Aisa bhi toh ho sakta hai ki... Ye main aadmi na ho? Koi aur bhi ho iske peechhe?

Trisha (nods) : Bilkul!

Bhumika : Aapne... Aapne iske baare me pata kaise lagaaya?

Trisha : Phone calls!

Bhumika : ???

Trisha : Uss night hue iss area ke around almost sabhi phone calls ki history trace karni padi. Jab dhyaan se gaur kiya toh paaya ki... Prestige ke around baar-baar 4 se 5 jagah aapas me hi calls kiye jaa rahe the.

Bhumika : !!?

Trisha : Probably, ye attackers ke group me se leader aur baaki sab ke beech ho rahi baaton ka saboot tha. Uske baad, ek recent call ki madad se humne ek aadmi ko yahi paas ke area me se dabocha hai.

Bhumika : Impressive! But... Koi mere bhai ki hotel... Hum par... kyu humla karna chaahega?

Trisha jhijhki. Fir dheere se usne bola.

Trisha : Bomber ke baare me toh aap informed hongi hi. Rajat!?

Bhumika (nods) : J-Ji!

Trisha : Hmm! Filhaal ke liye, woh hirasat me hai. Confession? Uska kehna hai ki usne Veer se badla lene ke liye ye sab kiya.

Bhumika ke honth ek rekha me dabb gaye.

Bhumika (frowns) : Veer se dushmani!? Uske liye itna kuchh...

Trisha : Kya aap iss dushmani ke baare me kuchh jaanti hai? Mera vistaar se jaanana zaroori hai.

Bhumika : Jaha tak mujhe pata hai. Wo Rajat... *frowns* Achha aadmi nahi. No! Never! Nidhi ma'am hai humaare yaha. Veer ke college ki teacher reh chuki hai. Unka-

Trisha : Jaanti hu. Nidhi ji ka ex husband hai. Dono ka talaak ho chuka hai.

Bhumika (surprised) : O-Oh!

Trisha : Mujhe dushmani ke baare me bataaiye.

Bhumika (nods) : S-Sure! Veer ne hi... Ma'am ko iss toxic relationship me baahar nikaalne me help ki thi actually. Uski wajah se hi ye sab possible hua tha.

Trisha ke mann me tabhi uss raat waali Veer ki chhavi dimaag me umad aayi. Jab woh Juhi aur Pihu dono ko ghaayal awastha me apne upar laade hue tha. Iska matlab... Veer Nidhi ki parvah karta tha!?

Trisha : Hmm! Interesting!

Bhumika : Bas. Mujhe itna hi pata hai. Details nahi pata. But yahi hua tha. Aur, shayad wo Rajat isliye Veer se nafrat karta hai. Lekin, uske liye woh aisa kuchh kar dega? I could never imagine. He's a complete psycho.

Trisha (nods) : Hmm! So... Nidhi and Veer... huh...! Okay.

Bhumika : A-Aap!? Aap Veer ko jaanti ho?

Trisha (smirks) : Kaun nahi jaanta? Ab kaafi charcha me jo hai.

Bhumika : Ah! I see. Like that...

Trisha jaate-jaate muskurayi. Uska kaam poora ho chuka tha. Woh yaha information dene kam, lene zyada aayi thi.

Use pata lag chuka tha ki Bhumika iss maamle se anjaan thi. Use pata lag chuka tha ki bomber Rajat, Veer ka dushman tha. Use sandeh ho chuka tha ki Dhananjay naam ka yeh vyakti bhi kahi na kahi shayad Veer ka dushman hi nikalne waala tha. Use pata lag chuka tha ki Nidhi aur Veer ke beech koi gehra rishta tha. Uska shaq gehra ho chuka tha ki Veer underground world me active tha.

Ab kadi se kadi milni shuru ho chuki thi. Aatish. Slogan. Veer ka mirror gallery me hona. Uska underworld me involve hona. Aatish aur Slogan ki rehesyamayi maut. Aur, ab Veer par humla. Ek targeted attack. Har ek cheez ek hi shaks ki orr point out kar rahi thi — Veer.

Kya ye theory sach nahi ho sakti thi ki Veer par ye pareshani uske ateet me li gayi logon se buraayi ki wajah se aa rahi thi?

Trisha ab aatmvishvas se bhari hui thi. Woh gutthi ko suljhaane ke liye uske qareeb badhti jaa rahi thi.

Nikalne se pehle wo ek pal ruki aur bina mudey hi poochhi.

Trisha : Waise... Kaha hai Mister Veer?

Bhumika (glances) : Woh... Woh toh Nidhi ma'am ke saath hi reh raha hai. Aur, uski maasi ke ghar me. Din me ma'am ke yaha toh raat me maasi ke ghar. Kya aapko koi kaam hai uss se!? I mean... Agar, possible ho toh uske side se mein question and answers ke liye ready hu. Abhi wo cope up kar raha hai. Toh agar-

Trisha : Nahi! Abhi koi zaroorat nahi. Don't worry.

Ab use sab samajh aa raha tha. Woh student jiska zikr Nidhi ne gift shop par uss raat kiya tha. Wo dono... qareeb the. Magar, agar Nidhi jaisi aurat uss par itna bharosa karti hai toh-

Usne dheere se saans chhori. Aur, waha se jaate-jaate...

Trisha : Take care, Miss Bhumika. Dhananjay ki chinta hum par chhor dijiye.

Bhumika : Huh? Uski location pata lag gayi??

Trisha ki muskaan laut aayi. Entrance ke baahar nikalte uske muh se bas yahi nikla.

"Classified."

Kehte hue woh waha se ravaana ho gayi. Aur, Bhumika ko uljha hua chhor gayi. Bhumika ne apna phone nikaala, gallery khol usme ek tasveer dekhi. Tasveer uski aur Veer ki thi. Kuchh mahine pehle ki. Veer ke chehre ko zoom kar usne use dekha.

Woh ab jaan chuki thi ki ye sab kuchh ghatnaaaye... Veer se sambandhit thi.

'Tum kuchh chhipa rahe ho... Hai na? Veer!?'

Screen ko ahista se sehlaate hue usne nishchay kiya ki Veer se woh vyaktigat me baat karegi. Aur, fir mudte hue woh hotel se nikalne ki taiyaari karne lagi.

---

Toh wahi idhar derr raat me, Veer jo apni maasi se lipat kar laita hua tha, uski palkein achanak hi khul gayi.

Usne dekha ki Purvi gehri neend me so rahi thi. Usne ghadi dekhi. Subah ke 1:45 baj rahe the.

Uska raat me yaha rukna isliye zaroori tha kyunki Arun, apne bete Ayush ke liye naye hostel me use shift karwaane ke liye Delhi gaya hua tha. Aur, Purvi ka akela rukna theek nahi tha.

Magar, majbooran-

Uske haath aur bhi kaamo me bandhe hue the. Kuchh aise kaam... Jo derr raat ke andhere me hi kiye jaa sakte the.

*Click*

Dheere se darwaaze ko lock kar, ek akhiri nazar apni maasi par daal, woh waha se gaayab ho gaya.

***

Penthouse Suite,
Hotel Casa Belle,
Mumbai, Night - 1:50 AM ~

Aadesh Jaisinghani apni araam kursi par peeth tikaaye hue tha. Nanga seena, ek silk robe aalsi dhang se uss par lipta hua tha.

Usne ek bahut hi mehngi whiskey ka ek ghooth liya, har harqat par uski sone ki chain chamak rahi thi.

"Kya raat hai ye-!! Calm. Silent. Peaceful. Such a lovely night. Waah!"

Khule sheesein ke darwaazon ke peechhe se Mumbai ka nazara jhalak raha tha.

Veer Singh. Ab tasveer se baahar tha. Prestige lahu-luhaan ho chuka tha. Market ghabraya hua tha. Investors hich-kicha rahe the. Aur, woh? Woh ab fal-fool raha tha.

Uska ek competitor, ab race se baahar ho chuka tha. Sheh aur maat.

Usne apne glass me whiskey ghumaayi.

Aadesh : Finally... *smiles* The king falls... And, Casa Belle rises. Hahaha!

Usne apni aankhein band ki, swaad ko barkaraar rehne diya, ki tabhi-

*CLACK*

Uski aankhein ek jhatke me khul gayi. Suite ka darwaza khul chuka tha. Usne fauran apna sarr ghumaate hue darwaaze ki orr dekha.

Waha... Darwaaze par...

'Huh?'

Koi khada tha. Peeth ke peechhe haath kare hue, jaise koi vakeel faisle ka intezar karta hai. Ek aadmi. Badi qad kaathi ka.

Proper suit pehne, peechhe ki orr kanghi kiye hue baal, teekhi daadhi, gussail aankhein. Aur, aspasht chehra.

Aadesh ki saansein atak gayi. Nashe ka ek-ek ansh uske shareer se gaayab ho gaya.

Aadesh : H-Huh? K-Kaun? T-Tum andar kaise aaye?

Jaise hi woh aadmi thode ujaale me aaya, toh Aadesh ke perr kaanp uthe. Woh ise jaanta tha.

Balhaar.

Woh Aadesh ki orr aage badha. Uske peechhe do aur hatte-katte aadmi andar aaye — taqatvar aur sudol. Aur, fir darwaza dheere se andar se band ho gaya.

Aadesh khada hua. Woh jaanta tha ki Balhaar kaun tha. Magar, iss tarah se uske private suite me ghusna. Ye kahi se bhi theek nahi maalum pad raha tha. Upar se aaj ki pyaari raat uski iss dakhal se barbaad ho chuki thi. Woh gusse me tha. Beshaq.

Aadesh (frowns) : Y-Ye ek 7 star luxury hai. Mere paas har floor ki private security hai. Aur, ye tareeqa sahi nahi-

Balhaar : Tumne iss baar bahut badi galti kar di.

Uski awaaz me shaanti thi. Aadesh ki dhadkane pal bhar ke liye tez ho gayi.

Aadesh : G-Galti? Kya galti? M-Maine kya kiya?

Balhaar: Oh? Naatak huh!?

Usne ek chutki bajaayi. Aur, turant hi do logon ko baahar se ghaseetate hue kamre ke andar laaya gaya.

Unka muh band tha, shareer par chot lagi hui thi, darr ke maare dono kaanp rahe the. Aur, unhe dekhte hi-

Aadesh ka chehra peela pad gaya. Woh unhe pehchaanta tha. Ye wahi toh the. Hotel Prestige me humle ke dauran maare gaye security guards ke rishtedar.

Wahi log jinhe usne media ke saamne Veer aur uske hotel ko badnaam karne ke liye ghoos dekar khareeda tha. Use laga ki sab kuchh nipat chuka tha. Koi pata bhi nahi laga sakta tha. Lekin-

'Tch!'

Usne apne sookhe hontho ko kisi sarp ki tarah chaata, sthiti ko sambhaalne ke baare me woh sochne laga.

Aadesh : Y-Ye? M-Mein inhe nahi jaanta. K-Kaun hai ye?

Balhaar : Abhi bhi bewakoof banaane ki koshish??

Aadesh : D-Dekho-

Usne zorr se chillaate hue kaha, woh kisi prakaar ka sahara dhundhne ki koshish kar raha tha.

Aadesh : Mein jaanta hu ki tum D-Don ho, magar... T-Tum iss tarah se kisi ki privacy me dakhal nahi de sakte-! P-Police tumhe-

Kehte hue woh ruk gaya.

Balhaar bina palkein jhapkaaye use ghoor raha tha. Uske hontho par ek patli si muskaan ubhri hui thi. Koi darr nahi. Koi ghabrahat nahi.

Aur, fir Aadesh ko ehsaas hua.

Unse galti kar di. Bahut badi galti. Uske maathe se ek paseene ki boond ludhak gayi.

Balhaar dheere-dheere khidki ke paas gaya, haath peeth ke peechhe rakhe, chaand ko dekhta hua.

Balhaar : Kya tumhe andaza bhi hai ki sheher me aur sheher ke baahar mere under me kitne hotels hai, Jaisinghani!?

Aadesh : ??

Balhaar (smirks) : Kya tumhe andaza hai ki iss poori floor ko book karna mere liye kitna asaan tha? Aisi IDs... Jo har verification ko legally pass kar sakti hai. *grins*

Aadesh ki nazrein khule darwaaze ke baahar padi. Hotel ki manzil ke corridor me usne dekha. Darjano parchhaiyaan ghoom rahi thi. Balhaar ke aadmi.

Par, kaise?

Balhaar : Tumhe laga ki mein security ko pass kar ke andar aaya hu? *smiles* Mere aadmi guests bann kar din me ghuse the yaha.

Aadesh : H-Huh!?

Balhaar : Pune, Nashik, Goa, Jaipur. Alag-alag sheher se. Alag-alag IDs. Sab legal. Nothing illegal.

Aadesh ab kaanp raha tha. Use bodh ho chuka tha ki poori floor par, Balhaar ke aadmi room liye baithe the. Aur, isliye uski security unhe rok nahi paayi. Kyunki, ve sab bahut saare the.

Ghabrakar usne apna rukh badalne ki koshish ki.

Aadesh : D-Dekho-! T-Tumhe aisa karne ki zaroorat nahi hai. Mujhe gumrah kiya gaya hai. Y-Ye personal nahi tha. It was all business, you know.

Par-

Uska koi bhi paitra kaam nahi aa raha tha. Aur, akhirkar usne apni aakhiri chaal chali.

'Tch!'

Aadesh (yells) : Tum uske liye kyu kaam kar rahe ho, huh??? That fucking kid, Veer!!! C'mon man! Tum aur mein- hahaha! Hum dono iss sheher par raaj kar sakte hai. Saath me.

Balhaar ki bauhe fadki.

Aadesh : Mere saath kaam karo. Uske under nahi. No restrictions. Tumhe paisa, power, respect, sab milega. Veer hai hi kya mere saamne?? Tumhare jaisa don uss bacche ke under kaise kaam kar sakta hai?

Balhaar : ...

Aadesh : Work with me!!! *grins* Tum... Tum Raja ho. Use 'boss' kehne ki kya naubat aa gayi tumhari?

Use laga jaise usne Balhaar ke chehre par jhijhak dekhi. Uska aatmvishvas badh gaya.

Aadesh : Hum dono, saath milke kya kuchh nahi kar sakte. Mere saath kaam karne ke liye tumhe mujhe koi 'boss' kehne ki zaroorat nahi. Hum equals honge. Equal partners. Mere paas Veer se zyada paisa hai. Zyada rutba hai. Woh kisi bhi maamlo me mere level par hai hi nahi. Aao! Aao hum saath milke kaam kare.

Balhaar : ...

Aadesh : Zara socho! Tum aur mein... Poore Mumbai par humara raaj hoga. Mein tumhari madad white world me karunga, aur tum meri madad black world me karna. Tumhari image ko saaf rakhne ki zimmedari meri hogi. Aur, mere competitors ko unki aukaat dikhaane ki zimmedari tumhari. Hum dono ek behtareen team bann sakte hai. We can do wonders hahahaha!

Balhaar : Tumhari baat me dum toh hai.

Aadesh : Haha! Hai na? Koi murkh hi hoga jo uss Veer ke under kaam karna chaahega. Aur, mein jaanta hu ki tum bhi... ye nahi chaahte. Aao my friend. Let's work together. Together we'll crush this bug, Veer.

Balhaar apne aadmiyon ki orr muda aur ishaara kiya. Aur, unn aadmiyon ne Aadesh ki baahein chhor di.

Aadesh ne apna robe sahi kiya, chhaati aatmvishvas se fool gayi. Woh jeet chuka tha.

Aadesh : Hatao-! Hatao apne haath! Fucking losers. How dare you touch my expensive robe like that-!? Fuck off!

Balhaar aage badha. Usne apna haath aage badhaaya. Aadesh bhi aage aaya, usne muskuraate hue apna haath uss se milaane ke liye uthaaya.

Aur, tabhi-

*WHUMP*

Balhaar ka haath ek mutthi bann ke seedhe uski aant me aa kar pada. Aadesh ke muh se thook nikal aaya. Uski aankhein palatne ko ho gayi.

Woh khaaste hue, ubkaayi lete hue apne ghutno par gir pada. Usne saans lene ki koshish ki. Bolne ki koshish ki. Lekin, haafne ke alawa uss se kuchh na hua.

Balhaar : Tumhe lagta hai ki paise se wafadari khareedi jaa sakti hai, Jaisinghani? Tune soch bhi kaise liya ki tu aur mein equals ho sakte hai?

Aadesh : !!?

Balhaar : Tu mujhe khareedne chala tha? Bhosdike! Tere jaise hazaron log mere se deal karne ke liye marte hai. Mere saath uthne baithe ke liye gidgidaate hai. Aur, tu? Tu mujhe apna partner banaane chala hai?

Balhaar ne apne aadmiyon ko ishaara kiya. Aur, aadmi log Aadesh ko utha ke le jaane lage.

Aadesh (panics) : N-Nahi! R-Ruko! Ruko!

Magar, bahut derr ho chuki thi.

Logon ne use kachre ki tarah utha liya. Jab use uske hi penthouse se ghaseet kar baahar nikaala jaane laga, laat maarte hue, cheenkhte hue, toh shor poori hotel me fel gaya.

Guests — ameer, videshi, desi, corridors, rooms ke darwazon par jame hue khade the. Dehshat me saamne ke nazaare ko dekh rahe the ki kaise ek aadmi ko ghaseet kar kamre se baahar nikaala jaa raha tha.

Aur, woh aadmi koi aur nahi, hotel ka hi owner tha — Aadesh Jaisinghani.

Aadesh ne apna chehra chhipaane ki koshish ki, lekin uske gaal par laal rang ka thappad ka nishaan pehle se hi uski izzat ko mitti me mila chuka tha.

Aadesh : S-Security! Security!!!

Woh chillaata raha, magar jaise hi use ghaseet ke first floor ki balcony me laaya gaya toh uski aankhein phati ki phati reh gayi.

Lobby me reception se leke main entrance par, har jagah, Balhaar ke aadmi apna dera jamaaye hue the. Security ko toh gun point par rakhe hue the.

Aadesh ko vishvas nahi ho raha tha. CCTVs? CCTV me zaroor sab kuchh qaid ho chuka hoga.

Par, woh galat tha. Hotel ke control room me hi CCTVs ko monitor karne waale ladke, bandhe hue, kursi par baithe the. Aur, Balhaar ka hi aadmi waha saare cameras ki recordings ko band kar chuka tha.

Yaha tak ki... Guests koi phone recording na kar paaye, uske liye bhi aadmi har rooms ke baahar pehra de rahe the.

Agle hi pal, Aadesh ke perro me wo aadmi log rassi baandhne lage.

Aadesh : H-Huh?? Ch-Chhorro! Chhoro mujhe! K-Kya kar rahe ho? *screams* Fucking leave me!!! Ye tumhare liye achha nahi hoga-!! Samjhe na??

Magar, unn aadmiyon ne ek baat bhi nahi suni. Balhaar utni derr tak Aadesh ke hi private suite me tha. Aur, usne darwaza andar se band kar, apna kaam shuru kar diya.

Idhar baahar Aadesh ke perro par rassi bandh chuki thi. Tabhi, ek aadmi ne rassi ka dusra chhor balcony ke saamne ceiling par latak rahe ek behad bade se chandelier ki orr feka. Aadesh ye dekh ghabra gaya.

Aadesh : Y-Ye!? Ye kya kar rahe ho tum?? Bachao-!! *yells* BACHAAAAO!!! HELP!!!!

Uss aadmi ne chandelier ko rassi ke ek hook se phasa ke kheencha aur fir rassi ka chhor uss par baandhne laga.

Rassi baandhte hi, do aadmiyon ne Aadesh ko uthaaya.

Aadesh (screams) : Nahiiiiii?? Nahi!! KYA KAR RAHE HO??? CHHORO!!! CHHORO MUJHE!! TUM SAB BACHOGE NAHI!!!

Aur, agle hi kshan-

Aadmiyon ne chandelier aur Aadesh, dono ko chhor diya.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa-!!!!"

Aadesh ki cheenkh Casa Belle ki poori lobby me goonj gayi. Woh chandelier se ulta latakta hua, swing motion ko follow karte hue lobby ke beecho-beech aaya, jaha chandelier ke theek neeche ek fountain bana hua tha.

*Splash*

Fountain ke fuwaare me se uska ulta latka shareer bheegta hua jhool ke aage badha. Aur, jab use laga ki woh peechhe deewar se takra jaayega tabhi-

'!!?'

Uske baalon se kisi ne use jakad liya. Woh ulta latka hua tha. Use nahi pata tha ki uske peechhe kaun tha. Kaun use pakda hua tha. Magar, usne dekhne ki koshish ki-

Aankhon ki putliyon ko ghumaate hue usne dekhna chaaha-

Aur, jo usne dekha, use dekh, uske pant me peshaab ki kuchh boondein chhoot gayi.




Laal aankhein. Ye bhram nahi tha.

Aur, fir ek awaaz uske kaano me padi-

"Tell me, Aadesh! Did you... pray today?"

Aadesh (shivers) : A-Ahn!? Huh!?

Lobby ke luxury sofe par Veer virajman tha. Bas intezar kar raha tha. Kal raat usne hi Balhaar se kaha tha.

"Aadesh Jaisinghani ka sarr mere paas jhoolta hua aana chaahiye."

Zaahir hai Balhaar Aadesh ko aise hi maar nahi sakta tha. Aur, na hi Veer ye chaahta tha. Toh, yahi upaay tha jiske chalte Aadesh jhoolta hua seedhe Veer ke saamne aa gaya.

Veer utha. Uske haathon me abhi bhi Aadesh ke baal the. Bhale hi usne apne muh par kapda baandh rakha tha, parantu Aadesh jaan chuka tha ki yeh kaun tha.

Apna haath badhaate hue Veer ne wahi khade aadmi ki orr ishaara kiya. Toh uss aadmi ne fauran hi ek hockey stick Veer ko thama di. Aadesh kisi machhli ki tarah rassi se latka hua chhatpata raha tha. Aisa lag raha tha koi maans ka tukda talne bhun'ne ke liye latkaya gaya ho.

Veer ne koi deri nahi ki-

*THWACK*

"Aaaaaarrrghhhhhh!"

*THWACK*

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

*THWACK*

"Haaaaaarrrrgggghhh!!"

Veer kuchh nahi bol raha tha. Par, jaise jaise woh hockey ke vaar Aadesh ke shareer par barsa raha tha. Waise waise uske andar kuchh tarange paida ho rahi thi. Jo Pari mehsoos kar paa rahi thi.

{N-No! This is bad!! M-Master! Ye kya ho raha hai? He's... He's enjoying it. He's taking pleasure!}

Pari, apne mann me sochne par majboor ho gayi. Kya ye Veer hi tha. Uske hontho par dheere dheere ab ek muskaan saj rahi thi.

Aadesh ki cheenkhein sunn, uske roye roye excitement me khade ho rahe the.

{No no no!!! Master?!?}

[Maaaster-!!!]

Pari chillaayi. Par, koi asar nahi.

Khoon ke chheete lobby me bikharne lage. Aadesh behosh ho chuka tha. Poore guests aatank ke maare jamm ke reh gaye the. Itne me Balhaar suite se baahar aaya. Aur, usne neeche aakar Veer ko roka.

Balhaar : Marr jaayega.

Veer apne hosh me aaya. Usne dekha. Aadesh ka lahu luhaan latakta hua bejaan sa shareer. Woh zinda tha. Lekin, adhmara sa ho chuka tha.

Aur, bina kuchh bole hi Veer ne hockey stick ko zorr se feka aur waha se mud ke jaane laga.

Koi shabd nahi. Koi harqat nahi.

Kyunki, uski agli destination tay thi.

Aur, woh akela nahi tha.

*Vroooooom*

Trisha ki jeep bhi raaste par bhaagte hue usi destination ki orr badh rahi thi.

Dhananjay!!!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Aaj ke liye itna hi guys.
This update consists of 9.4k words approximately. Late update ke liye maafi chaahta hu. Hum ise June ka hi update consider karenge. Lekin, Choonki site crash hui thi aur bahut pareshani jhelni padi. Isliye, June ke liye hum do hi updates per month consider karenge. Ek mein de chuka tha. Aur, ye tha dusra. Ab July ke 3 updates baaki hai. Jo I hope mein iss month me de paaunga. Also, let me know ki Nidhi ke ghar ka scene kaisa laga? Kaafi soch ke likha hai use. Ab thoda bahut action chalega ek do updates me. Aane waale events lined up ho rakhe hai. Autoshield company ka aana. Veer ke missions. Sonia, Kaera ki massive deals. Suhana ka b'day. Ruchika and Suchika ki story, etc. Jo hum sab isi arc me dekhne waale hai. And, uske baad Summit arc. Target 250 hi hai. Like karne ka aur reviews rakhne ka.
Dhanyavad.

Absolutely Awesome and stunning update Anxiously waiting Amazing update.??
Awesome update! Eagerly waiting for next!!!!
Brilliant story line with awesome writing skills Onley those who have the brain will understand how amazing this stroy is Awesome update Anybody else struggling to see the updates? the most recent "update" i can read is this one So refreshing to see that her

 

[darkrider1]

Update - 201 ~ From the shadows (1)​

Ab tak...

Purvi ko yu akela chhor woh kisi kaaran se hi gaya tha. Kaaran tha-

*Ding*

[Mission : The Devil is in the details.
Description : Find the culprit who messed with Hotel Prestige, Yarnia, and host's family. Find the plotter.
Rewards : 10,000 points.
Time limit : 1 month.

Mission failure penalty : Unknown for now.]

Yahi wajah thi, Veer ko ab desperate hone ki. Magar, abhi woh soch hi raha tha jab achanak uske mann me-

*Ding*

[Mission : Deal breaker (1)
Description : Find the truth about Pushkar, Gaurav and Nik.
Rewards :
1) 10,000 points.
2) Favourability increase of Divya and Suhana.

Time limit : 10 days.
Mission failure penalty : Losing Suhana and Divya.]

Pehle mission par toh Veer already lag chuka tha. Lekin, dusra mission padhte hi uski aankhein aashcharya me maare fel gayi.

'What!?'

Ab aage...

A few days ago,
Disembowler’s Lair,
Morning - 7:36 AM ~

Kabristan ke ilaake ke baahar peele rang ke barricade tapes lage hue the. Police officers ka jhund andar ikhatta ho rakha tha. Darjano hathiyarband adhikari kabristan ki purani dehti deewaron ke paas khade ho kar media aur darshako ko door rakhne ki koshish kar rahe the. Cameras ke shutters baar-baar click ho rahe the, aur reporters chillaate hue khabar jaanane ki maang kar rahe the.

Par, fir bhi... Iss shor ke beech, Maharashtra ke DGP, Rohan Bakshi kabristan ke andar khamosh khade hue the.

Uske haath aapas me bandhe the. Aur, aankhein neeche ek gehre gaddhe ki orr tiki thi. Yahi wo entry thi jo Disembowler ki lair ke andar jaane ka raasta thi.

Wo abhi tak neeche nahi gaya tha, lekin tasveeron me usne bahut kuchh dekha tha.

Jalne ke nishaan, acid ke daag. Jung lage bistaron par bandhi zanzeerein. Baal ke guchhe. Haddiyaan. Surgical instruments. Janvaro ke shav. Insaanon ke avshesh. Aise aise chemicals jinhe abhi tak theek tarah se pehchaana bhi nahi gaya tha. Kharocho ke nishaan, khoon se sani deewaarein aur, na jaane kya kya.

"Sir?"

Rohan ne dheere se apna sarr ghumaaya. Ek hawaldar kabristan ke gate ke paas se savdhani se andar aaya, maano beech me bolne se darr raha ho.

"Hmm?"

Rohan ne sawaaliyaan nazrein liye uss se poochha.

Hawaldar : Media waale ab out of control ho rahe hai, Sir. Barrier todne ki dhamki de rahe hai. Live dikha rahe hai sab aur jawab ki maang kar rahe hai. Bina wajah kyu police ne aisi jagah par jaanch jaari kar rakhi hai? Aur, agar wajah hai... toh saamne kyu nahi laate? Mujhe nahi lagta ab hum unhe lambe samay tak rok paayenge, Sir.

Rohan ne turant jawab nahi diya. Uski nazar barrier ke theek peechhe badhti bheed par gayi. Darjano microphone taane journalists khade hue the. News vans betarteeb dhang se khadi thi. Aur, cameramen giddh ki tarah focus lagaaye baithe the.

Logon me darr toh tha, magar akrosh bhi utna hi tha. Rohan ne akhirkar kaha.

Rohan : Unse kaho ki mein aa raha hu.

Hawaldar ne sarr hilaaya aur fauran hi tezi se waapas bhaaga.

Rohan dheere-dheere barrier ke baahar jaane ke liye orr badha. Aur, use baahar aata dekh reporters bhediyo ki tarah aage badhne lage, camera shutters click hone lage, recordings chalu ho gayi, aur microphones ek dusre ke upar dhakel diye gaye.

Rohan baahar aate hue unn sab ke saamne aa kar khada hua. Ek pal beeta. Aur, fir sawaalon ke vaar shuru ho gaye.

"Sir, kya aap batayenge ki kya kuchh chal raha hai? Kyu police ne iss kabristan ko band kar rakha hai kal raat se?"

"Kya serial killer pakda gaya hai? Ya aur bhi bodies mili hai andar?"

"Serial killer se janta safe hai ya nahi, Sir?"

"Kya wo akela hi hai ya aur bhi log hai?"

"Kya police koi badi khabar janta se chhupa rahi hai?"

Rohan ne apna haath uthaaya. Aur, afra-tafri ka mahaul chuppi me badal gaya. Ek kshan baad woh bola. Uski awaaz bhaari aur gambheer thi aur aankhein camera par tiki hui thi.

Rohan : Humne serial killer ka thikaana khoj nikaala hai.

Ye sunte hi bheed me tanaav badh gaya. Log kaanp uthe. Sach saamne aane waala tha.

Rohan : Abhi completely nahi keh sakte ki ye usi ka thikaana tha ya nahi. Lekin, 99% hum sure hai isme ki yahi par wo pichhle kuchh dinon se chhipa hua tha.

Journalist 1 : Yaha par se aapka kya matlab hai?

Rohan (glances) : Yahi! Kabristan ke neeche. Underground.

Journalists : !!!

Rohan : Aur, isliye police use dhundhne me nakaam ho rahi thi. Experts abhi neeche analysis kar rahe hai. Aur, maine neeche ki kuchh photos bhi dekhi hai.

Journalist 1 : Kya mila sir aapko? Kuchh batayenge?

Rohan : Dekhiye! Abhi iss baat pe mein charcha nahi karna chahunga. Neeche jo kuchh bhi hai, bahut bura hai.

Journalist 1 : Toh kya aap janta ko andhere me rakhenge?

Rohan (sighs) : Dead bodies!!!

Journalist 1 : *shivers*

Rohan : Mil gaya aapko aapka jawaab? Ji haan! Neeche se hume bodies mili hai. Ek nahi. Kayi. Sirf insaano ki hi nahi. Janvaro ki bhi. Aur, bhi bahut kuchh. Neeche underground poori ek lair hai. Aur, itni badi hai ki ye apne aap me ek bahut badi discovery hai.

Journalist 2 : Aur, uss serial killer ka kya? Kya police ne use pakad liya hai?

Rohan : Ji nahi! Wo yaha nahi paaya gaya.

Journalist 2 : Toh police ne ye location ka pata kaise lagaaya?

Rohan (sighs) : Meri apni beti... Chhoti si hai. Serial killer dwara kidnap ho gayi thi. Shaam ko. Uske saath ek aur bacchi thi. Do nanhi bacchiyon ko kidnap kar ke bhaaga tha woh.

Journalists : !!!?

Rohan : Par, ye khush-kismati ki baat hai ki dono bacchiyaan sahi salamat laut aayi. Meri wife, Mrs. Trisha, jo ki DSP hai, iss case me kaafi involve hai. Aur, kisi shubhchintak ne unn dono bacchiyon ko sahi salamat rescue kiya tha. Mrs. Trisha ne iski pushti ki hai.

Journalist 2 : Kaun tha woh? Kya hum jaan sakte hai?

Rohan : Iss baare me koi jankari haath nahi lagi hai. Bas, ek naujavan tha jo dono bacchiyon ko serial killer ke muh se chhura kar laaya tha. Humara dhyaan tabhi bacchiyon ko surakshit rakhne me laga hua tha. Aur, saath hi uss serial killer ko pakadne ke liye.

Kehte hue uski bauhe kass gayi. Kyunki, use bhi yahi jankari praapt hui thi.

'Trisha... Kab tak tum mujhse uss naujavan ko chhupaogi? Kya majboori hai tumhari jo tumne mujhe bhi-!!'

Par, wo chaah ke bhi apni patni se sach ko zabardasti nahi jaan sakta tha. Uski beti sahi salamat uske paas pahuchi thi. Aur, ye sab uss naujavan ki wajah se hua tha. Trisha ka kehna tha ki usne uss naujavan ka chehra nahi dekha aur na hi woh use jaanti thi. Magar... Rohan jaanta tha ki uski patni uss se jhooth bol rahi thi. Yaha tak ki uske saath waale officers bhi kuchh nahi ugal rahe the.

Aur, wo h jaanta tha ki iss sab ke peechhe, uski patni ka haath tha.

Journalist 3 : Toh, Sir kya bacchiyon ko bachaane waale ko kisi bhi tarah ki saraahna nahi di jaayegi? Uske liye kuchh nahi karegi police?

Rohan : Hum toh chaahte hi hai ki veh naujavan, agar ye news dekh raha hai, toh kripya saamne aaye, police ke sabhi log saraahna karte hue uska sammaan karna chaahenge.

Aise hi aneko sawaalon ke jawaab dete hue jab Rohan interview se fursat hua toh news channels me sansani si mach gayi.

Desh bhar me TV par breaking news ki headlines chalne lagi.

"Breaking News : Mumbai me sthit ek kabristan ke neeche mili khaufnak maand."

"Police ne pushti ki : Underground maand serial killer ki hi thi."

"Kal shaam do bacchiyon ko aghwa kar ke le gaya tha serial killer."

"Agyaat naujavan dwara dono bacchiyon ko bachaaya gaya."

Aisi tamaam headlines ghar-ghar TVs me daud chali. Aur, isme koi shaq nahi tha ki Veer ke gharwalo ne bhi ye khabre dekh hi li thi.

***

Present,
Nidhi's house, Mumbai,
Morning - 9:20 AM ~

Subah subah Nidhi ke ghar se taaze parathon ki khushbu aa rahi thi. Nanhi Juhi jiski aankhon me abhi bhi kahi na kahi neend bhari hui thi, uski urja me koi kami nazar nahi aa rahi thi. Tabhi, darwaze par ek dastak hui-

*Knock* *Knock*

Juhi ne darwaza khola, aur jaise hi saamne khade shaks ko dekha, uski aankhein chamak uthi.

Juhi (shrieks) : Papa!!!

Woh khushi se chillayi, uski nanhi baahein Veer ki orr badh gayi. Veer muskuraaya — woh teekhi aur sthir muskaan nahi jo aaj kal uske hontho par rehti thi, balki ek sacchi aur keval chand logon ke saamne hi pesh aane waali woh muskaan.

Usne Juhi ko araam se goad me uthaaya, wo khil-khila rahi thi, uske chhote-chhote haath Veer ko uski gardan ke peechhe se jakad liye.

Hall me theek peechhe, Shreya sofe par baithi thi, Dhruv uske bagal se baitha hua tha, aur wo apne haatho se chhote-chhote kaur kar ke Dhruv ko paraanthe khilaane me lagi hui thi.

Kintu, Juhi ka yu Veer ko 'Papa' bulaane se, uski aankhein chand pal ke liye sikudi. Nidhi ne use saara vakhyaan bataya hua tha. Magar, apne kaano se ise saamne sunana ek alag anubhav tha.

Shor sunte hi Nidhi apne haathon ko apron me pochhte hue rasoi se baahar nikli, aur baahar aate hi uske qadam tham gaye. Usne Veer ko dekha. Kaise uski shirt ki aasteen upar thi, hawa se baal bikhre hue the aur Juhi ko apni goad me wo aise uthaaya hua tha jaise maano wo sach me uski bacchi ho.

*Badump*

Uska dil dhadak utha.

Nidhi : Veer...! T-Tum... Aa gaye!?

Veer (smiles) : Hmm! Good morning!

Usne Juhi ko dheere se neeche utaarte hue kaha.

Nidhi (smiles) : G-Good morning! Kaisi thi raat? Maasi ke yaha? Thoda better feel hua ghar se nikal ke?

Veer : Hmm? Oh! Haan! Zaroor!

Nidhi : Oh! Badhiya! T-Tum ekdum time par aaye ho. Naashta taiyaar hi hai. Fatafat baith jao. Fresh hona hai toh washroom me jaa-

Veer : Nahi! Mein maasi ke yaha se brush kar ke, in fact naashta kar ke hi aaya hu.

Nidhi : Kya? P-Par-! Tum waha se hi kyu-

Veer (smiles) : Aap le aaiye jo bhi banaya hai. Mujhe abhi bhi bhookh hai.

Nidhi (smiles) : H-Haan! Haan! Zaroor! Bas ek minute!

Nidhi chehekte hue tez qadmo ke saath andar gayi. Idhar Veer ne Juhi ko ek chocolate ka box pakdaya toh woh bhi khush ho gayi.

Juhi : Yay~ Mere liye, papa?

Veer (nods) : Bilkul! Sab tumhara hai!

Woh kone me bhaagi, chocolate box ko kisi khazaane ki tarah maante hue use ahista-ahista kholne lagi.

Aur, ant me jab Veer sofe par baithne laga toh usne Shreya aur Dhruv ko dekha.

Veer : Hey!

Shreya : Hi!

Usne Dhruv ke gaal ko sehlaate hue use khilaaya. Nanha sa Dhruv taktaki lagaaye use aise ghoor raha tha jaise maano yaad karne ki koshish kar raha ho ki ye dekha-dekha shaks akhir kaun hai.

Shreya ne TV se Veer ki orr dekha, fir screen ki orr ishaara kiya. Ek news anchor bahut hi aakramak lehze me khabrein suna raha tha, uske peechhe crime scene ki dhundhli tasveerein flash ho rahi thi.

Shreya (quietly) : Yahi hai... Wo jagah... Hai na?

Veer ne uski nigaaho ka peechha karte hue screen par dekha aur haami bhari.

Veer : Hmm!

Shreya (frowns) : Tum udhar the!? Uss... Shamsaan ke neeche? Juhi ko bachaane ke liye?

Veer ne apni aankhein screen par hi tikaayi rakhi.

Veer : Hmm!

Sunte hi Shreya ke andar ek sihran daud gayi.

Shreya : Toh... Tumhara saamna uss serial killer se nahi hua?

Veer (jhooth bolte hue) : Jab mein waha pahucha tab wo waha nahi tha.

Shreya : Oh! Toh kaha tha woh?

Usne zor dete hue poochha.

Veer : Mujhe kya pata.

Shreya thodi jhuki, bauhe sikodte hue.

Shreya : Aur, wo ghaav? Tumhare haatho par, chehre par-!? Wo kaise aaye?

Veer ki aankhein abhi bhi screen par hi thi.

Veer : Kuchh jaanvar. Awaara kutte... Aur, wo jagah. Mein fisal gaya tha. Gir gaya tha waha. Bas itna hi.

*Silence*

Shreya chup rahi. Woh jaanti thi ki Veer uss se jhooth bol raha tha. Kyunki, Juhi ne pehle hi bahut kuchh Nidhi aur use bata diya tha. Kaise uske so called 'papa' uss serial killer se bhide the, kaise apne upar taange-taange wo unhe bacha ke laaye. Woh kaafi kuchh jaanti thi. Jab usne dekha ki Veer uss vishay se bhaag raha hai, toh usne aur dakhal dene ki koshish nahi ki. Bas itna hi poochhi-

Shreya : Itna pyaar karte ho Juhi se???

Veer : Haan!

*Badump*

Iss baar Shreya ka dil zor se dhadka. Usne ek gehri saans li.

Udhar Juhi ne apni chocolate chabaana shuru kar diya tha. Uski hasi, uski masoomiyat, ye sab kamre me kisi madhur sangeet ki tarah goonj rahi thi.

Shreya : Mujhe ab bhi samajh nahi aata.

Veer : Hmm?

Shreya (budbudaate hue) : Tum humesha cheezon ko halke me kyu lete ho!? Sach chhupaate kyu ho? Bataate kyu nahi logon ko?

Veer ne uski orr dekha.

Veer : Kyunki...

Shreya : ???

Veer : Kuchh sach... theek nahi hote. Unka chhipa rehna hi behtar hota hai.

Shreya bhooli nahi thi. Use sab kuchh yaad tha ki Veer ne uske liye kya kuchh kiya tha. Kaise wo uske liye khada hua tha. Kaise Rajat se usne Nidhi aur Juhi ko bachaaya tha. Kaise usne uski pehli job lagwaayi thi. Aur, kaise uska sapna bhi poora kar diya.

Tab woh use appreciate karne lagi thi. Par, dheere-dheere yahi appreciation, attraction me badal gaya. Aur, ab wo attraction kuchh gehra... kuchh uljha hua... Na jaane kin anubhutiyon par sawaar thi ab woh. Jo bhi tha, bahut prabal tha.

Lekin, aspatal me uss raat ke baad se, jab usne Nidhi ko use kass ke pakde hue dekha tha, uske andar kuchh badal chuka tha.

Shreya : R-Right-!!

Veer : !!?

Shreya : Uss raat hospital me... Pata nahi kaise, aisa laga jaise... meri gardan par kuchh aake laga tha aur fir maine shayad apne hosh kho diye the.

Uski baat sunn Veer ko turant hi ek shaks ka dhyaan aaya.

'Erica-!'

Woh jaanta tha ki Erica hi use Nidhi ke hospital se utha ke laayi thi. Uske baad Renshu use dusre hospital le gaya tha jaha Ragini bharti thi.

Veer : Tum thaki hui hogi. Unconscious ho gayi hogi.

Shreya : Arey nahi! Mein theek thi yaar sach me!!! Kuchh to hua tha... Yaad nahi aa raha kya...

Veer : Don't sweat on it.

Shreya : Yeah!

Juhi carpet par hi laiti hui thi, uske chaaro orr khilauno ki chaadar bichhi hui thi. Do gudiya aapas me nakli ladaayi kar rahi thi, toh wahi ek chocolate se sana hua haath plastic ki talvaar pakde hue tha.

Aur, tabhi-

Nidhi garma-garam paranthe, katori me red sauce, achaar aur chai ke do cup lekar rasoi se baahar nikli. Tray rakhte waqt uski ungliyaan kaanp rahi thi. Na hi garmi se, na hi thand se, balki kisi aur cheez se.

Uski nazrein apne aap Veer par pad gayi. Woh sofe par baitha tha, apni kohni ghutno par tikaaye hue, kinhi khayaalo me khoya hua tha.

Nidhi : Y-Ye..

Usne uske saamne ek plate lagaate hue kaha.

Veer : Ji! Thank you!

Nidhi : Ye chai...

Usne dheere se use cup pakdaate hue kaha. Par, cup lene se pehle jaise hi woh kuchh kehne waala tha. Nidhi ne uske pehle hi keh diya.

Nidhi : Teen chammach. Do cup ke liye. Humesha ki tarah.

Veer muskuraaya.

Veer : Aapko yaad tha!?

Nidhi : Kuchh important cheezein ab mein nahi bhoolti.

Usne jawab diya. Par, turant hi use pachhtava bhi hua ki bhala ye kya keh diya usne? Ye sunn'ne me kaisa laga hoga?

Nidhi (blushes) : M-Mera matlab... mujhe yaad tha.

Woh uske saamne baithi, sahaj hone ka naatak kar rahi thi, lekin aankhein baar-baar Veer par hi tiki rahi aur jaise hi unki nazrein aapas me mili, toh usne jaldi se apni nazrein fer li. Itne me Shreya uthi-

Nidhi : V-Veer...!

Veer : *glances*

Usne dheere se pukaara, jab Shreya haath dhone ke liye andar chali gayi.

Nidhi : Juhi tumhe bahut yaad kar rahi thi. Kal raat se hi-

Veer (smiles) : School nahi gayi aaj?

Nidhi : Nahi! Zidd kar rahi thi. Toh, maine bhi nahi bheja. Aaj tum pehle din aane waale the. Isliye, aaj rok liya maine. *smiles* Par, ye chhutti sirf aaj ke liye.

Veer : Mein subah se shaam yahi rahunga. Kahi nahi jaane waala.

Nidhi : Umm! *smiles* Thank you!

Juhi waapas bhaagte hue aayi. Uske gaal chocolate se bhare hue the. Aur, usne pyaar se pukaara-

Juhi : Papa!!

Veer : Hmm?

Ek pal ke liye apni beti ke muh se Veer ke liye 'papa' sunn, Nidhi ke gaal sharm se laal ho gaye.

Juhi : Mein aapki kanghi kar du??

Veer : Huh??

Juhi : Mumma Juhi ke baal banaati hai toh... toh, Juhi Papa ke banayegi.

Veer : Hahahaha! Mere baal itne lambe nahi hai, Juhi.

Juhi : Mouuu~ Mujhe banaane hai~

Veer : Achha theek hai. Par, abhi nahi. Abhi mein breakfast kar raha hu. Baad me. Theek hai?

Juhi (chimes) : Okay~

Wo khushi se haste hue uske peechhe sofe par chadh gayi. Nidhi bhi hasi.

Veer : Perfect! Aaj bhi inn parantho ka swaad bilkul pehle jaisa hi hai! Aur, ye chai bhi-!

Nidhi ne uske bhaav padhne chaahe, uske hontho par halki muskaan thi. Kuchh saal pehle yahi Veer dara hua rehta tha, study table par jhuka hua, exams ki taiyaari karta hua, aur aaj yahi Veer ek alag Veer bann chuka tha.

Usne dekha ki Veer kamre ko badi hi bareeki se dekh raha tha. Toh, usne khud se hi samjhaana chaaha-

Nidhi : M-Maine curtains badal diye hai.

Veer (smiles) : Haan, wo dekhe maine.

Nidhi : A-Aur, wo corner me lamp bhi rakh diya hai. T-Tum kehte the na ki udhar ek chhota lamp hona chahiye. Toh, maine...

Veer (smiles) : Ab zyada achha lag raha hai.

Nidhi : H-Haan!! Tum wahi baithate the aksar.

Usne khidki ke paas door ek kone ki orr ishaara karte hue kaha. Veer ne uski nigaahon ka peechha kiya aur sarr hilaaya.

Veer : Hmm!

Ye woh jagah thi jaha woh sabse pehle Nidhi ke ghar me aake baitha tha. Jab use laga tha ki duniya me use koi bhi rehne nahi dega. Uska koi thikaana nahi hoga. Tab, yahi jagah uski apni thi. Uski pasandeeda.

Veer ke bhaav padh, Nidhi ki aankhein namm ho gayi.

Veer : Aapne kuchh nahi poochha tha...

Nidhi : !!?

Veer : Koi sawaal nahi. Bas mujhe hospital se leke aayi thi aap. Mujhe apne ghar laayi jaise mein humesha se yahi rehta tha. Aur-

Nidhi : Mujhe kuchh bhi poochhne ki zaroorat nahi thi.

Veer : ???

Nidhi : Mein jaanti thi mein kya kar rahi thi. Aur, kiske liye kar rahi thi.

Veer : Kyu kar rahi thi? Kya iska bhi jawaab hai?

Nidhi : Nahi! Mein nahi jaanti kyu. Bas, itna jaanti hu ki maine jo kiya, sahi kiya.

Veer : Agar, wahi sthiti aaj firse aapke saamne aaye toh kya aap-

Nidhi : Hazaar baar karungi.

Veer : Huh!!?

Nidhi : Har baar!

*Badump*

Iss baar Veer ka dil ek dhadkan phaand gaya. Aur, Juhi jo laiti hui apne khilauno se khelne me lagi hui thi, woh aise hi chehekte hue bol padi-

Juhi : Hehe! Mumma ko papa se pyaal hai~

Nidhi (yells) : J-JUHIIIIII-!!!! *blushes*

Juhi : Mumma loves papa~ Mumma loves papa~ Hehehe~

Nidhi (blushes) : Juhiiiii-!! Chup!!!

Veer ne turant koi jawaab nahi diya. Uske honthon par bas ek halki muskaan saji hui thi. Akhirkar, usne baat ko palatate hue kaha-

Veer : Waise- ye deewar ke paint par abhi bhi wahi daag hai.

Nidhi : Huh? H-Haan! Woh... Woh waha par sab baith ke sarr tikaate hai toh waha daag bann gaya hai. Abhi tak maine uska kuchh nahi kiya.

Veer : Aur, landlord ne nahi dekha abhi tak ye?

Nidhi : Dekh gaye hai! *sighs* Thoda sa hi hai. M-Mein fix karwa dungi baad me.

Veer : Jab karwaana ho toh mujhe bula lijiyega.

Nidhi (quietly) : Mmm!

Na hi Veer ne usko apne paise ka rutba dikhaya. Na hi usko middle class life ka ehsaas dilaaya. Usne bas itna kaha... ki jab sudharwana ho, toh woh use bulaaye. Bas. Aur, Nidhi ko yahi baat sabse achhi lagi.

Tabhi, Shreya ki awaaz ne unka dhyaan bhang kar diya.

Shreya : Oh wowww~ Mujhe toh pata hi nahi tha ki aap dono ekdum shadishuda jode ki tarah baatein karte ho!!?

Nidhi chaunk gayi, uska shareer jhatka kha kar reh gaya. Veer ne bhi bauhe upar kar uski orr dekha.

Veer : Excuse me!?

Shreya pyaar se muskurayi, lekin uski aankhein sikud gayi.

Shreya : Bas itna hi kaha ki maine dii ko kabhi itna baat karte nahi dekha na. Tum toh unka ekdum chatty version saamne le aaye. Nice job Veer. *winks*

Nidhi : Sh-Shreya?

Shreya : No!!! It's actually cute.

Usne parantha ka ek tukda muh me daalte hue kaha.

Shreya : Mujhe sochne pe majboor karta hai ye ki maine dii ke aur kaun se versions abhi tak nahi dekhe hai?

Veer ne uski baaton me ek wazan mehsoos kiya. Woh tanaav kam karte hue halka sa hasa.

[Oh! Someone's jelly...!]

Veer : Well! Haha! Tumhe apni dii se kitchen me aur bhi tasty tasty dishes banwani chaahiye. Trust me! Unke aur bhi versions dekhne ko milenge. *sips* Ye chai kamaal ki hai.

Shreya : Oh please! Aaj itni achhi chai isliye bani hai kyunki tum yaha ho.

Veer : Huh!?

Shreya : Yes! Warna daily aisi nahi banti.

Nidhi : SHREYA!!

Usne ab daanta, lekin gaalon par gulaabi rang chadha hua tha. Tabhi, itne me Juhi achanak khadi hui, uske haathon me ek drawing book thi.

Juhi (runs) : Papaaaa! Papa!!! Dekho! Maine humara ghar banaya...!

[Aww!]

Veer ne drawing book haath me li aur use dekha. Usme Juhi ka ek nanha sa stick figure version, ek bade stick figure ke bagal se khada hua tha, jis par 'papa' likha tha. Aur, uske bagal se ek gulabi color ki 'mumma' khadi hui thi. Spasht roop se — Nidhi. Aur, ek stroller me chhota sa baccha jo ki Dhruv tha.

[It's so cute. Right, master?]

'Hmm!'

Shreya : Huh? Ek minute! Mein kaha hu???

Drawing me Shreya kahi bhi nazar nahi aa rahi thi. Apni maasi ki baat sunn Juhi ne drawing ko firse dekha.

Juhi : Umm... A-Aap... Maasi... Umm... Haan!

Uski ungli fir achanak se ek aur figure ki orr badhi. Aur, wo bade hi garv se boli.

Juhi : Aap ped ho!!!

Shreya (yells) : Kyaaaaaaa????

Veer (laughs) : AHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

Veer ki hasi itni zorr se chhooti ki woh khud ko hasne se rok nahi paaya.

Shreya : Juhi ki bacchi-

Veer : Hahahahahaha!!!

Juhi : Ehehehehe~

Veer ki hasi dekh Juhi bhi uske sang shaamil ho gayi, ye sochte hue ki shayad usne koi bahut badhiya kaam kiya tha jo uske 'papa' has rahe the.

Nidhi jhuk kar dekhne lagi, uske honth hasi ko dabaane ki poori koshish kar rahe the. Yahi. Yahi toh wo pal the jinhe wo miss kiya karti thi. Veer ke yaha hone se... kitni raunak badh jaati thi ghar me.

Par, tabhi Veer ke bol uske kaan me pade. Awaaz bahut hi dheemi thi.

Veer (drawing ko dekhte hue) : Woh wahi dekh rahi hai, jo woh dekhna chaahti hai.

*Badump* *Badump*

Nidhi ke dil ki dhadkane tez ho gayi. Palkein jhapki aur honth thar-thara uthe. Aur, woh achanak se uss se door hoke wapas se apni jagah par baith gayi.

Lekin, unke beech ki ye kashmkash akhir iss baar Shreya ki aankhon se chook ke na jaa saki. Woh ab ise aur andekha nahi kar saki. Usne napkin se apne haath pochhe aur ek muskaan bikherte hue boli.

Shreya : You know what... Ab hum sab ko ek break ki zaroorat hai.

Nidhi : Break?

Shreya : Yeah! Yeah! Break!

Veer : Kaisa break?

Shreya : Break! Har cheez se. Ye lagatar stress, jo kuchh bhi hua, Juhi ka kidnap hona, hospital me dii ka hona, fir shamshan me tumhara jaana, serial killer se Juhi ko chhura ke laana, and then tumhari hotel pe wo unknown attack, Ragini aunty ki injury, Yarnia ka shut down, all that shit and-

Usne khud ko thoda roka, use ehsaas hua ki uski awaaz kuchh zyada hi oonchi ho rahi thi.

Shreya : I mean... Ye... Ye sab bahut zyada tha, right?

Veer ki palkein jhuk gayi. Nidhi ne bhi ek aah bhari, uske kandhe adrishya bojh se bhaari ho gaye.

Nidhi : Tumne sahi kaha.

Shreya khadi hui, table ke chaaro orr ghoomi aur Veer ke bagal se sofe ke armrest par baith gayi, kuchh zyada hi nazdeek.

Shreya : Plus... Mein Singapore se waapas aayi hu. Can you imagine? Singapore se! Mera shoot cancel ho gaya. Sab kuchh beech me chhorna pada. And, I don't even know why. Toh, ab mein practically unemployed hu aur frustrated bhi.

Veer : Toh?

Shreya : Toh, mere paas ek badhiya idea hai.

Veer : Jaise ki-?

Shreya : Jaise ki... Tum mujhe-

Veer : !!?

Shreya (smiles) : Ek date par leke chalo!

Nidhi : !!!!!

Veer : Huh?

Nidhi ko apne kaano par vishvas nahi ho raha tha. Juhi farsh par se uthi aur boli.

Juhi : Date pe? Mumma date pe kaise jaa sakte hai?? Usko to likhte hai na?

Bechari nanhi Juhi couple waali date ko tareekh waali date samajh rahi thi. Aur, isme uski koi galti bhi nahi thi. Shreya uski galat-fehmi par muskurayi.

Shreya : Woh waali date nahi, my little munchkin.

Juhi : Toh aur kaun si date??

Shreya ne naatkeeya dhang se apni zulfo ko peechhe karte hue jawab diya.

Shreya (smiles) : Iss date me sirf do bade log jaate hai, sweetie. Lunch pe, ya dinner pe, saath-saath. Sirf ek ladka. Aur, ek ladki.

Juhi : T-Toh, mein bhi chalungi.

Shreya (grins) : Hmph! Shayad tumne suna nahi beta! Maine kya kaha? Isme sirf do bade log jaate hai. Aur, tum kya ho?? Chhoti bacchi. Samajh gayi?

Juhi : M-Mujhe bhi jaana hai-!!!! Mein bhi papa ke saath jaungi!

Shreya : Hahaha! Ab toh tum aur nahi jaa sakti.

Juhi (ruwasi awaaz me) : K-Kyu?

Shreya : Kyunki, date par sirf couples ya friends jaate hai, my dear. *grins* Aur, tum toh Veer ko apna papa maanti ho. Hai na? Toh, tum toh jaa hi nahi sakti.

Juhi ki aankhon me aasu panpe. Shreya thoda ghabrayi aur uska darr haqeeqat me badal gaya.

"Haaaarrrrggghhhhhhh-!!!"

Juhi rote hue jaa ke Nidhi se lipat gayi.

Nidhi : Shreya!!! Kyu Juhi ko abhi se ye sab bataya? Ab wo-

Shreya : What? Aisa toh hai nahi ki mein uss se shaadi kar rahi hu. Ek date ke liye hi toh kaha hai. Ek dinner. Woh mera friend hai itna achha. Kya burayi hai isme?

Juhi : haaaaaarrrrgggghhh!!

Nidhi : P-Par, fir bhi- Y-Ye nahi-

Usne bolna chaaha, magar ruk gayi.

Shreya : Nahi kya? Kya friends ke saath hangout karne me koi problem hai? Aur, upar se ye Veer hai. Agar, mein ghar me mummy papa ko bhi bata ke jau na toh bhi woh mujhe nahi tokenge. Aur, aap shayad ye baat achhe se jaanti hongi.

Nidhi ki palkein neeche jhuk gayi. Woh apni beti ko chup karaane me lagi hui thi jab Juhi achanak se uske paas se nikli aur jaake Veer ke haath ko jakad li.

Shreya : !!?

Juhi : Niiiiii!!! Mein papa ko kahi nahi le jaane dungi.

Shreya : Aww! Par, cheezein tumhari icchha se nahi chalti, sweetie! Zara socho! Actually... Agar, sach me tumhari maasi ki shaadi tumhare so called 'papa' se ho gayi? Toh kya hoga? Tumhare papa humesha tumhare paas reh sakte hai. Aur, fir mein kya lagungi tumhari? Hmm? Mumma? Hahaha!

Juhi (shrieks) : Niiiiiii!!!

Shreya : ???

Juhi (Veer ki orr mudte hue) : P-Papa! Aap ni jaoge na?

Shreya : Arey waah! Kyu nahi jaayega woh? Hum bilkul jaayenge!

Juhi (shouts) : Niiiiii!!!

Veer : Ummm...

Juhi : Papa!!! Ni jaoge na??

Veer (smiles) : Mein-

Iske pehle ki woh jawaab de paata, Nidhi hi beech me kood gayi.

Nidhi : Woh nahi jaa sakta!!

Usne apni mansha kuchh zyada hi zorr se zaahir ki.

Veer : !!?

Shreya : Huh?

Nidhi : V-Veer ka... Usne abhi-abhi apne dada ji ko khoya hai.

Ek solid counterattack. Veer ne iss par chupchaap sarr hilaaya. Toh wahi, Shreya ki muskaan thodi ladkhada gayi.

Shreya : Haan toh mein kaun sa aaj hi uss se chalne ke liye keh rahi hu? Par, agle hafte ka kya? Agle mahine? Woh humesha toh iss phase me nahi reh sakta na? Humein use aur lively feel karwana chaahiye. Isliye, toh maine kaha tha. Hum baad me bhi jaa sakte, hai na Veer?

Kehte hue woh Veer ke qareeb jhuk gayi. Bahut nazdeek. Aur, Juhi chillaa uthi.

Juhi (yells) : Niiiiiii!

Nidhi ko laga ki uski saansein atak rahi thi. Gala sookh raha tha. Woh kya kar rahi thi? Woh beech me kyu aayi? Kya abhi-abhi usne ek bahaana dete hue apni hi chhoti behan ke plan ko fail karna chaaha?

Shreya ne use dekha. Uski awaaz me madhurta thi, lekin aankhein teekhi.

Shreya : Kya aap nahi chaahogi ki kisi shady tinder match ki bajaaye mein Veer jaise shareef ladke ke saath baahar jau??

Veer : Hey! Just to let you know, mein itna shareef nahi hu.

Shreya (winks) : Tumne abhi mujhe nahi jaana, dear.

Juhi ne Nidhi ki kurti ko hairaan ho kar kheencha.

Juhi : Mumma... P-Papa maasi ke saath jaayenge? Aap mana karo na papa ko.

Nidhi : Mein... Mujhe nahi pata...

Usne Veer ki aankhon se bachte hue dheere se kaha. Kamre me ek pal ke liye ajeeb tarah ka sannaata chhaa gaya.

Veer (smiles) : Papa wahi jaayenge jaha Juhi bolegi. Theek hai?

Aur, ye sunte hi Juhi ki aankhon me chamak aa gayi.

Juhi : Sacchi??

Veer (smiles) : Mucchi!

Shreya : Of course! Mujhe samajh jaana chaahiye tha ki yahi hoga. Enjoy!

Kehte hue woh be-mann se waha se chidhte hue nikal gayi. Aur, Juhi phudakte hue Veer ka haath kheench kar use Nidhi ke bagal se baithaane le gayi. Usne baari-baari dono ke haath liye aur boli.

Juhi : Toh... Toh... Mumma, papa aur mein... Hum teeno date pe chalenge!

Nidhi ka dil dhadak raha tha. Usne virodh kyu kiya? Woh beech me kyu aayi? Kya uss hospital waali raat sach me usne apna dil Veer ko saunp diya tha?

Toh, fir uski chhoti behan ka kya? Use toh khush hona chahiye tha ki uski chhoti behan ko Veer jaise ladke me interest tha aur use toh iss orr badhna chaahiye tha ki kaise woh Veer aur Shreya ko ek kar sake.

Lekin...

Jab Shreya ne use chhua, uske qareeb jhuki, use apne andar ek dard kyu mehsoos hua?

Usne andar jaati Shreya ko dekha. Aur, tabhi uski aankhein Veer se mili.

*Badump*

Nidhi : M-Mein...

Juhi : Mumma chalogi na?

Veer (smiles) : Zaroor! Hum sab chalenge. Okay?

Juhi (beams) : Yayyy~

Veer ka haath achanak Nidhi ke haath ke upar aaya, toh bechari Nidhi jhatka kha kar reh gayi. Nazrein mili. Aur, saansein tez ho gayi. Lekin, iss baar-

Nidhi ne apna haath nahi hataaya. Veer ki giraft me hi rehne diya. Veer ne dusra haath uske chehre ki orr badhaaya. Uski chin ko thaamte hue, chehre ko apni orr karne ki koshish ki-

Magar, Nidhi ne kaanpte hue apna chehra dheere se dusri orr ferna chaaha. Aur, tabhi Veer ne apna angutha Nidhi ke gulaabi hontho par firaaya.

Ek sihran Nidhi ke poore jism me daud gayi. Woh haanf rahi thi. Veer ne unn sharbati hontho ko chhiya. Nidhi ki palkein ahista-ahista uthi. Woh Veer ko dekhi. Juhi wapas se apne khilauno me lag chuki thi. Aur, uske peechhe sofe par Veer aur Nidhi agal-bagal behad qareeb baithe the.

Veer aage ki orr jhuka... Uski garm saansein jaise hi Nidhi ki gardan par padi, woh thitak kar reh gayi aur ghabraate hue uss se door ho gayi.

Kintu, Veer ne bura nahi maana. Balki, uske hontho par muskaan hi bikhri thi.

Magar, koi tha...

Bagal ki deewar ke peechhe...

Jo phati aankhon se iss drishya ko dekh raha tha.

'I-It can't be...!!!!?'

***

Hotel Prestige, Mumbai
Late at night ~

Prestige ki lobby me steel pipes, auzaaron ki khat-khat ki awaaz goonj rahi thi.

Kabhi modern elegance aur business class luxury ka prateek raha ye hotel ab reconstructive surgery se guzar raha tha.

Lobby ki west wing me scaffolding bichha hua tha. Workers der raat tak kaam karne ke liye lage hue the. Ek samooh nayi khidki ke frame ki welding kar raha tha, toh wahi kuchh farsh par visfot se hui kaalikh lage marble ko alag kar naya marble bichha rahe the.

"Kharcha toh hua hai, ma'am. Estimate ke according chale toh aap ye maan ke chaliye ki... 20-25 lakh araam se. Zyada bhi ho sakta hai."

Bhumika chup chaap apni secretary ki baat sunn rahi thi. Business outfit pehne, uska navy blue blazer uske kandho par peechhe se latka hua tha.

Woh jaanti thi. Use anumaan tha ki kitna kharcha ho chuka hoga. Aur, ye kharcha poora nahi tha. Yarnia ke products jo barbaad hue, kapde, models ki advance fees jo unhe deni padi, musical orchestra ki fees, decorations ke charges, invitations ke charges, wagarah wagarah aur fir ye humla jisne laakho ka maal tabaah kar diya.

Woh jaanti thi. Kitna bhaari nuksaan unhe hua tha. Upar se maare gaye security guards ko kahi na kahi financial support dene ki zimmedari. Ye sab kuchh bahut zyada tha.

Tabhi, uske peechhe se ek awaaz goonji. Dheemi. Aur, niyantrit.

"Evening...! Miss Bhumika."

Woh mudi, bauhe sikodte hue. Transparent glasses ki main entrance se ek mahila andar aa rahi thi. Wo bhi police uniform me. Aur, uske seene me laga batch dekhte hi Bhumika ki aankhein chaudi ho gayi.

Bhumika : DSP!?? Yaha? Mein... Mujhe ummeed nahi thi ki-

Trisha seedhe andar chali aayi.

Trisha : Jaanti hu. Aapke staff ne bhi ummeed nahi ki thi. Isliye, sab baahar chaunk gaye. Lekin, jab ek badi hotel me bombing ho, shootout ho, toh normal officers use bas kuchh hadd tak hi sambhaal sakte hai.

Bhumika ne apni bechaini ko chhupaane ki koshish karte hue saans chhori.

Bhumika : Wahi! Maine jab FIR file ki thi toh aap nahi thi. Mujhe laga tha ki officers hi sab investigate karenge-

Trisha ki nazar ab khaali ho chuke lounge area par padi. Bahut se furniture safed chaadron se dhake hue the, taaki kaam ke chalte unn par kisi bhi prakaar ki dhool, paint ya gandagi na lag jaaye.

Trisha : Well, originally... Yes. Yahi procedure hota hai. Mujhe involve hone ki zaroorat nahi padti agar ye case itna bada nahi hota toh...

Kehte hue usne apni uniform ki jeb se ek muda hua kaagaz nikaala. Ek tasveer. Usne wo tasveer reception ke counter par rakhi.

Bhumika jhuki. Usne dekha. Ek chehra. Logon ke samooh me. Safed kurta aur neeli jeans daale hue.

Trisha : Yahi hai uss raat Hotel Prestige me hue uss humle ke peechhe ka aadmi.

Maano jaise Bhumika ke perro taley zameen khisak gayi.

Trisha : Dhananjay!!!

Bhumika : Kyaaaaa???

Woh ladkhadaate hue chillaayi.

Bhumika : Kaun?? Kaun hai ye? Maine iske baare me kabhi nahi suna. Aur, na hi mein jaanti hu. Hai kaun ye???

Bhumika ka reaction dekh, ek pal ke liye Trisha ki bauhe sikudi. Ye dilchasp tha. Ab do baatein ho sakti thi. Ya toh Bhumika naatak kar rahi thi, aur woh jaanti thi ki yeh aadmi kaun tha. Ya fir use waqai iske baare me kuchh nahi pata tha.

Aur, agar aisa tha... Toh, Trisha ke liye cheezein aur bhi pecheeda hone waali thi. Aur, dekh ke toh yahi lag raha tha ki Bhumika waqai iss shaks se anjaan thi.

Trisha : Mujhe aapse aisi ummeed nahi thi. Aapki hotel par humla hua, shaks aapke saamne tasveer me maujood hai aur aap ise nahi jaanti? Toh, bhala anjaan vyakti kyu aap par humla karega?

Bhumika : I... I swear officer!!! Mein nahi jaanti ye kaun hai. Aisa bhi toh ho sakta hai ki... Ye main aadmi na ho? Koi aur bhi ho iske peechhe?

Trisha (nods) : Bilkul!

Bhumika : Aapne... Aapne iske baare me pata kaise lagaaya?

Trisha : Phone calls!

Bhumika : ???

Trisha : Uss night hue iss area ke around almost sabhi phone calls ki history trace karni padi. Jab dhyaan se gaur kiya toh paaya ki... Prestige ke around baar-baar 4 se 5 jagah aapas me hi calls kiye jaa rahe the.

Bhumika : !!?

Trisha : Probably, ye attackers ke group me se leader aur baaki sab ke beech ho rahi baaton ka saboot tha. Uske baad, ek recent call ki madad se humne ek aadmi ko yahi paas ke area me se dabocha hai.

Bhumika : Impressive! But... Koi mere bhai ki hotel... Hum par... kyu humla karna chaahega?

Trisha jhijhki. Fir dheere se usne bola.

Trisha : Bomber ke baare me toh aap informed hongi hi. Rajat!?

Bhumika (nods) : J-Ji!

Trisha : Hmm! Filhaal ke liye, woh hirasat me hai. Confession? Uska kehna hai ki usne Veer se badla lene ke liye ye sab kiya.

Bhumika ke honth ek rekha me dabb gaye.

Bhumika (frowns) : Veer se dushmani!? Uske liye itna kuchh...

Trisha : Kya aap iss dushmani ke baare me kuchh jaanti hai? Mera vistaar se jaanana zaroori hai.

Bhumika : Jaha tak mujhe pata hai. Wo Rajat... *frowns* Achha aadmi nahi. No! Never! Nidhi ma'am hai humaare yaha. Veer ke college ki teacher reh chuki hai. Unka-

Trisha : Jaanti hu. Nidhi ji ka ex husband hai. Dono ka talaak ho chuka hai.

Bhumika (surprised) : O-Oh!

Trisha : Mujhe dushmani ke baare me bataaiye.

Bhumika (nods) : S-Sure! Veer ne hi... Ma'am ko iss toxic relationship me baahar nikaalne me help ki thi actually. Uski wajah se hi ye sab possible hua tha.

Trisha ke mann me tabhi uss raat waali Veer ki chhavi dimaag me umad aayi. Jab woh Juhi aur Pihu dono ko ghaayal awastha me apne upar laade hue tha. Iska matlab... Veer Nidhi ki parvah karta tha!?

Trisha : Hmm! Interesting!

Bhumika : Bas. Mujhe itna hi pata hai. Details nahi pata. But yahi hua tha. Aur, shayad wo Rajat isliye Veer se nafrat karta hai. Lekin, uske liye woh aisa kuchh kar dega? I could never imagine. He's a complete psycho.

Trisha (nods) : Hmm! So... Nidhi and Veer... huh...! Okay.

Bhumika : A-Aap!? Aap Veer ko jaanti ho?

Trisha (smirks) : Kaun nahi jaanta? Ab kaafi charcha me jo hai.

Bhumika : Ah! I see. Like that...

Trisha jaate-jaate muskurayi. Uska kaam poora ho chuka tha. Woh yaha information dene kam, lene zyada aayi thi.

Use pata lag chuka tha ki Bhumika iss maamle se anjaan thi. Use pata lag chuka tha ki bomber Rajat, Veer ka dushman tha. Use sandeh ho chuka tha ki Dhananjay naam ka yeh vyakti bhi kahi na kahi shayad Veer ka dushman hi nikalne waala tha. Use pata lag chuka tha ki Nidhi aur Veer ke beech koi gehra rishta tha. Uska shaq gehra ho chuka tha ki Veer underground world me active tha.

Ab kadi se kadi milni shuru ho chuki thi. Aatish. Slogan. Veer ka mirror gallery me hona. Uska underworld me involve hona. Aatish aur Slogan ki rehesyamayi maut. Aur, ab Veer par humla. Ek targeted attack. Har ek cheez ek hi shaks ki orr point out kar rahi thi — Veer.

Kya ye theory sach nahi ho sakti thi ki Veer par ye pareshani uske ateet me li gayi logon se buraayi ki wajah se aa rahi thi?

Trisha ab aatmvishvas se bhari hui thi. Woh gutthi ko suljhaane ke liye uske qareeb badhti jaa rahi thi.

Nikalne se pehle wo ek pal ruki aur bina mudey hi poochhi.

Trisha : Waise... Kaha hai Mister Veer?

Bhumika (glances) : Woh... Woh toh Nidhi ma'am ke saath hi reh raha hai. Aur, uski maasi ke ghar me. Din me ma'am ke yaha toh raat me maasi ke ghar. Kya aapko koi kaam hai uss se!? I mean... Agar, possible ho toh uske side se mein question and answers ke liye ready hu. Abhi wo cope up kar raha hai. Toh agar-

Trisha : Nahi! Abhi koi zaroorat nahi. Don't worry.

Ab use sab samajh aa raha tha. Woh student jiska zikr Nidhi ne gift shop par uss raat kiya tha. Wo dono... qareeb the. Magar, agar Nidhi jaisi aurat uss par itna bharosa karti hai toh-

Usne dheere se saans chhori. Aur, waha se jaate-jaate...

Trisha : Take care, Miss Bhumika. Dhananjay ki chinta hum par chhor dijiye.

Bhumika : Huh? Uski location pata lag gayi??

Trisha ki muskaan laut aayi. Entrance ke baahar nikalte uske muh se bas yahi nikla.

"Classified."

Kehte hue woh waha se ravaana ho gayi. Aur, Bhumika ko uljha hua chhor gayi. Bhumika ne apna phone nikaala, gallery khol usme ek tasveer dekhi. Tasveer uski aur Veer ki thi. Kuchh mahine pehle ki. Veer ke chehre ko zoom kar usne use dekha.

Woh ab jaan chuki thi ki ye sab kuchh ghatnaaaye... Veer se sambandhit thi.

'Tum kuchh chhipa rahe ho... Hai na? Veer!?'

Screen ko ahista se sehlaate hue usne nishchay kiya ki Veer se woh vyaktigat me baat karegi. Aur, fir mudte hue woh hotel se nikalne ki taiyaari karne lagi.

---

Toh wahi idhar derr raat me, Veer jo apni maasi se lipat kar laita hua tha, uski palkein achanak hi khul gayi.

Usne dekha ki Purvi gehri neend me so rahi thi. Usne ghadi dekhi. Subah ke 1:45 baj rahe the.

Uska raat me yaha rukna isliye zaroori tha kyunki Arun, apne bete Ayush ke liye naye hostel me use shift karwaane ke liye Delhi gaya hua tha. Aur, Purvi ka akela rukna theek nahi tha.

Magar, majbooran-

Uske haath aur bhi kaamo me bandhe hue the. Kuchh aise kaam... Jo derr raat ke andhere me hi kiye jaa sakte the.

*Click*

Dheere se darwaaze ko lock kar, ek akhiri nazar apni maasi par daal, woh waha se gaayab ho gaya.

***

Penthouse Suite,
Hotel Casa Belle,
Mumbai, Night - 1:50 AM ~

Aadesh Jaisinghani apni araam kursi par peeth tikaaye hue tha. Nanga seena, ek silk robe aalsi dhang se uss par lipta hua tha.

Usne ek bahut hi mehngi whiskey ka ek ghooth liya, har harqat par uski sone ki chain chamak rahi thi.

"Kya raat hai ye-!! Calm. Silent. Peaceful. Such a lovely night. Waah!"

Khule sheesein ke darwaazon ke peechhe se Mumbai ka nazara jhalak raha tha.

Veer Singh. Ab tasveer se baahar tha. Prestige lahu-luhaan ho chuka tha. Market ghabraya hua tha. Investors hich-kicha rahe the. Aur, woh? Woh ab fal-fool raha tha.

Uska ek competitor, ab race se baahar ho chuka tha. Sheh aur maat.

Usne apne glass me whiskey ghumaayi.

Aadesh : Finally... *smiles* The king falls... And, Casa Belle rises. Hahaha!

Usne apni aankhein band ki, swaad ko barkaraar rehne diya, ki tabhi-

*CLACK*

Uski aankhein ek jhatke me khul gayi. Suite ka darwaza khul chuka tha. Usne fauran apna sarr ghumaate hue darwaaze ki orr dekha.

Waha... Darwaaze par...

'Huh?'

Koi khada tha. Peeth ke peechhe haath kare hue, jaise koi vakeel faisle ka intezar karta hai. Ek aadmi. Badi qad kaathi ka.

Proper suit pehne, peechhe ki orr kanghi kiye hue baal, teekhi daadhi, gussail aankhein. Aur, aspasht chehra.

Aadesh ki saansein atak gayi. Nashe ka ek-ek ansh uske shareer se gaayab ho gaya.

Aadesh : H-Huh? K-Kaun? T-Tum andar kaise aaye?

Jaise hi woh aadmi thode ujaale me aaya, toh Aadesh ke perr kaanp uthe. Woh ise jaanta tha.

Balhaar.

Woh Aadesh ki orr aage badha. Uske peechhe do aur hatte-katte aadmi andar aaye — taqatvar aur sudol. Aur, fir darwaza dheere se andar se band ho gaya.

Aadesh khada hua. Woh jaanta tha ki Balhaar kaun tha. Magar, iss tarah se uske private suite me ghusna. Ye kahi se bhi theek nahi maalum pad raha tha. Upar se aaj ki pyaari raat uski iss dakhal se barbaad ho chuki thi. Woh gusse me tha. Beshaq.

Aadesh (frowns) : Y-Ye ek 7 star luxury hai. Mere paas har floor ki private security hai. Aur, ye tareeqa sahi nahi-

Balhaar : Tumne iss baar bahut badi galti kar di.

Uski awaaz me shaanti thi. Aadesh ki dhadkane pal bhar ke liye tez ho gayi.

Aadesh : G-Galti? Kya galti? M-Maine kya kiya?

Balhaar: Oh? Naatak huh!?

Usne ek chutki bajaayi. Aur, turant hi do logon ko baahar se ghaseetate hue kamre ke andar laaya gaya.

Unka muh band tha, shareer par chot lagi hui thi, darr ke maare dono kaanp rahe the. Aur, unhe dekhte hi-

Aadesh ka chehra peela pad gaya. Woh unhe pehchaanta tha. Ye wahi toh the. Hotel Prestige me humle ke dauran maare gaye security guards ke rishtedar.

Wahi log jinhe usne media ke saamne Veer aur uske hotel ko badnaam karne ke liye ghoos dekar khareeda tha. Use laga ki sab kuchh nipat chuka tha. Koi pata bhi nahi laga sakta tha. Lekin-

'Tch!'

Usne apne sookhe hontho ko kisi sarp ki tarah chaata, sthiti ko sambhaalne ke baare me woh sochne laga.

Aadesh : Y-Ye? M-Mein inhe nahi jaanta. K-Kaun hai ye?

Balhaar : Abhi bhi bewakoof banaane ki koshish??

Aadesh : D-Dekho-

Usne zorr se chillaate hue kaha, woh kisi prakaar ka sahara dhundhne ki koshish kar raha tha.

Aadesh : Mein jaanta hu ki tum D-Don ho, magar... T-Tum iss tarah se kisi ki privacy me dakhal nahi de sakte-! P-Police tumhe-

Kehte hue woh ruk gaya.

Balhaar bina palkein jhapkaaye use ghoor raha tha. Uske hontho par ek patli si muskaan ubhri hui thi. Koi darr nahi. Koi ghabrahat nahi.

Aur, fir Aadesh ko ehsaas hua.

Unse galti kar di. Bahut badi galti. Uske maathe se ek paseene ki boond ludhak gayi.

Balhaar dheere-dheere khidki ke paas gaya, haath peeth ke peechhe rakhe, chaand ko dekhta hua.

Balhaar : Kya tumhe andaza bhi hai ki sheher me aur sheher ke baahar mere under me kitne hotels hai, Jaisinghani!?

Aadesh : ??

Balhaar (smirks) : Kya tumhe andaza hai ki iss poori floor ko book karna mere liye kitna asaan tha? Aisi IDs... Jo har verification ko legally pass kar sakti hai. *grins*

Aadesh ki nazrein khule darwaaze ke baahar padi. Hotel ki manzil ke corridor me usne dekha. Darjano parchhaiyaan ghoom rahi thi. Balhaar ke aadmi.

Par, kaise?

Balhaar : Tumhe laga ki mein security ko pass kar ke andar aaya hu? *smiles* Mere aadmi guests bann kar din me ghuse the yaha.

Aadesh : H-Huh!?

Balhaar : Pune, Nashik, Goa, Jaipur. Alag-alag sheher se. Alag-alag IDs. Sab legal. Nothing illegal.

Aadesh ab kaanp raha tha. Use bodh ho chuka tha ki poori floor par, Balhaar ke aadmi room liye baithe the. Aur, isliye uski security unhe rok nahi paayi. Kyunki, ve sab bahut saare the.

Ghabrakar usne apna rukh badalne ki koshish ki.

Aadesh : D-Dekho-! T-Tumhe aisa karne ki zaroorat nahi hai. Mujhe gumrah kiya gaya hai. Y-Ye personal nahi tha. It was all business, you know.

Par-

Uska koi bhi paitra kaam nahi aa raha tha. Aur, akhirkar usne apni aakhiri chaal chali.

'Tch!'

Aadesh (yells) : Tum uske liye kyu kaam kar rahe ho, huh??? That fucking kid, Veer!!! C'mon man! Tum aur mein- hahaha! Hum dono iss sheher par raaj kar sakte hai. Saath me.

Balhaar ki bauhe fadki.

Aadesh : Mere saath kaam karo. Uske under nahi. No restrictions. Tumhe paisa, power, respect, sab milega. Veer hai hi kya mere saamne?? Tumhare jaisa don uss bacche ke under kaise kaam kar sakta hai?

Balhaar : ...

Aadesh : Work with me!!! *grins* Tum... Tum Raja ho. Use 'boss' kehne ki kya naubat aa gayi tumhari?

Use laga jaise usne Balhaar ke chehre par jhijhak dekhi. Uska aatmvishvas badh gaya.

Aadesh : Hum dono, saath milke kya kuchh nahi kar sakte. Mere saath kaam karne ke liye tumhe mujhe koi 'boss' kehne ki zaroorat nahi. Hum equals honge. Equal partners. Mere paas Veer se zyada paisa hai. Zyada rutba hai. Woh kisi bhi maamlo me mere level par hai hi nahi. Aao! Aao hum saath milke kaam kare.

Balhaar : ...

Aadesh : Zara socho! Tum aur mein... Poore Mumbai par humara raaj hoga. Mein tumhari madad white world me karunga, aur tum meri madad black world me karna. Tumhari image ko saaf rakhne ki zimmedari meri hogi. Aur, mere competitors ko unki aukaat dikhaane ki zimmedari tumhari. Hum dono ek behtareen team bann sakte hai. We can do wonders hahahaha!

Balhaar : Tumhari baat me dum toh hai.

Aadesh : Haha! Hai na? Koi murkh hi hoga jo uss Veer ke under kaam karna chaahega. Aur, mein jaanta hu ki tum bhi... ye nahi chaahte. Aao my friend. Let's work together. Together we'll crush this bug, Veer.

Balhaar apne aadmiyon ki orr muda aur ishaara kiya. Aur, unn aadmiyon ne Aadesh ki baahein chhor di.

Aadesh ne apna robe sahi kiya, chhaati aatmvishvas se fool gayi. Woh jeet chuka tha.

Aadesh : Hatao-! Hatao apne haath! Fucking losers. How dare you touch my expensive robe like that-!? Fuck off!

Balhaar aage badha. Usne apna haath aage badhaaya. Aadesh bhi aage aaya, usne muskuraate hue apna haath uss se milaane ke liye uthaaya.

Aur, tabhi-

*WHUMP*

Balhaar ka haath ek mutthi bann ke seedhe uski aant me aa kar pada. Aadesh ke muh se thook nikal aaya. Uski aankhein palatne ko ho gayi.

Woh khaaste hue, ubkaayi lete hue apne ghutno par gir pada. Usne saans lene ki koshish ki. Bolne ki koshish ki. Lekin, haafne ke alawa uss se kuchh na hua.

Balhaar : Tumhe lagta hai ki paise se wafadari khareedi jaa sakti hai, Jaisinghani? Tune soch bhi kaise liya ki tu aur mein equals ho sakte hai?

Aadesh : !!?

Balhaar : Tu mujhe khareedne chala tha? Bhosdike! Tere jaise hazaron log mere se deal karne ke liye marte hai. Mere saath uthne baithe ke liye gidgidaate hai. Aur, tu? Tu mujhe apna partner banaane chala hai?

Balhaar ne apne aadmiyon ko ishaara kiya. Aur, aadmi log Aadesh ko utha ke le jaane lage.

Aadesh (panics) : N-Nahi! R-Ruko! Ruko!

Magar, bahut derr ho chuki thi.

Logon ne use kachre ki tarah utha liya. Jab use uske hi penthouse se ghaseet kar baahar nikaala jaane laga, laat maarte hue, cheenkhte hue, toh shor poori hotel me fel gaya.

Guests — ameer, videshi, desi, corridors, rooms ke darwazon par jame hue khade the. Dehshat me saamne ke nazaare ko dekh rahe the ki kaise ek aadmi ko ghaseet kar kamre se baahar nikaala jaa raha tha.

Aur, woh aadmi koi aur nahi, hotel ka hi owner tha — Aadesh Jaisinghani.

Aadesh ne apna chehra chhipaane ki koshish ki, lekin uske gaal par laal rang ka thappad ka nishaan pehle se hi uski izzat ko mitti me mila chuka tha.

Aadesh : S-Security! Security!!!

Woh chillaata raha, magar jaise hi use ghaseet ke first floor ki balcony me laaya gaya toh uski aankhein phati ki phati reh gayi.

Lobby me reception se leke main entrance par, har jagah, Balhaar ke aadmi apna dera jamaaye hue the. Security ko toh gun point par rakhe hue the.

Aadesh ko vishvas nahi ho raha tha. CCTVs? CCTV me zaroor sab kuchh qaid ho chuka hoga.

Par, woh galat tha. Hotel ke control room me hi CCTVs ko monitor karne waale ladke, bandhe hue, kursi par baithe the. Aur, Balhaar ka hi aadmi waha saare cameras ki recordings ko band kar chuka tha.

Yaha tak ki... Guests koi phone recording na kar paaye, uske liye bhi aadmi har rooms ke baahar pehra de rahe the.

Agle hi pal, Aadesh ke perro me wo aadmi log rassi baandhne lage.

Aadesh : H-Huh?? Ch-Chhorro! Chhoro mujhe! K-Kya kar rahe ho? *screams* Fucking leave me!!! Ye tumhare liye achha nahi hoga-!! Samjhe na??

Magar, unn aadmiyon ne ek baat bhi nahi suni. Balhaar utni derr tak Aadesh ke hi private suite me tha. Aur, usne darwaza andar se band kar, apna kaam shuru kar diya.

Idhar baahar Aadesh ke perro par rassi bandh chuki thi. Tabhi, ek aadmi ne rassi ka dusra chhor balcony ke saamne ceiling par latak rahe ek behad bade se chandelier ki orr feka. Aadesh ye dekh ghabra gaya.

Aadesh : Y-Ye!? Ye kya kar rahe ho tum?? Bachao-!! *yells* BACHAAAAO!!! HELP!!!!

Uss aadmi ne chandelier ko rassi ke ek hook se phasa ke kheencha aur fir rassi ka chhor uss par baandhne laga.

Rassi baandhte hi, do aadmiyon ne Aadesh ko uthaaya.

Aadesh (screams) : Nahiiiiii?? Nahi!! KYA KAR RAHE HO??? CHHORO!!! CHHORO MUJHE!! TUM SAB BACHOGE NAHI!!!

Aur, agle hi kshan-

Aadmiyon ne chandelier aur Aadesh, dono ko chhor diya.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa-!!!!"

Aadesh ki cheenkh Casa Belle ki poori lobby me goonj gayi. Woh chandelier se ulta latakta hua, swing motion ko follow karte hue lobby ke beecho-beech aaya, jaha chandelier ke theek neeche ek fountain bana hua tha.

*Splash*

Fountain ke fuwaare me se uska ulta latka shareer bheegta hua jhool ke aage badha. Aur, jab use laga ki woh peechhe deewar se takra jaayega tabhi-

'!!?'

Uske baalon se kisi ne use jakad liya. Woh ulta latka hua tha. Use nahi pata tha ki uske peechhe kaun tha. Kaun use pakda hua tha. Magar, usne dekhne ki koshish ki-

Aankhon ki putliyon ko ghumaate hue usne dekhna chaaha-

Aur, jo usne dekha, use dekh, uske pant me peshaab ki kuchh boondein chhoot gayi.




Laal aankhein. Ye bhram nahi tha.

Aur, fir ek awaaz uske kaano me padi-

"Tell me, Aadesh! Did you... pray today?"

Aadesh (shivers) : A-Ahn!? Huh!?

Lobby ke luxury sofe par Veer virajman tha. Bas intezar kar raha tha. Kal raat usne hi Balhaar se kaha tha.

"Aadesh Jaisinghani ka sarr mere paas jhoolta hua aana chaahiye."

Zaahir hai Balhaar Aadesh ko aise hi maar nahi sakta tha. Aur, na hi Veer ye chaahta tha. Toh, yahi upaay tha jiske chalte Aadesh jhoolta hua seedhe Veer ke saamne aa gaya.

Veer utha. Uske haathon me abhi bhi Aadesh ke baal the. Bhale hi usne apne muh par kapda baandh rakha tha, parantu Aadesh jaan chuka tha ki yeh kaun tha.

Apna haath badhaate hue Veer ne wahi khade aadmi ki orr ishaara kiya. Toh uss aadmi ne fauran hi ek hockey stick Veer ko thama di. Aadesh kisi machhli ki tarah rassi se latka hua chhatpata raha tha. Aisa lag raha tha koi maans ka tukda talne bhun'ne ke liye latkaya gaya ho.

Veer ne koi deri nahi ki-

*THWACK*

"Aaaaaarrrghhhhhh!"

*THWACK*

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

*THWACK*

"Haaaaaarrrrgggghhh!!"

Veer kuchh nahi bol raha tha. Par, jaise jaise woh hockey ke vaar Aadesh ke shareer par barsa raha tha. Waise waise uske andar kuchh tarange paida ho rahi thi. Jo Pari mehsoos kar paa rahi thi.

{N-No! This is bad!! M-Master! Ye kya ho raha hai? He's... He's enjoying it. He's taking pleasure!}

Pari, apne mann me sochne par majboor ho gayi. Kya ye Veer hi tha. Uske hontho par dheere dheere ab ek muskaan saj rahi thi.

Aadesh ki cheenkhein sunn, uske roye roye excitement me khade ho rahe the.

{No no no!!! Master?!?}

[Maaaster-!!!]

Pari chillaayi. Par, koi asar nahi.

Khoon ke chheete lobby me bikharne lage. Aadesh behosh ho chuka tha. Poore guests aatank ke maare jamm ke reh gaye the. Itne me Balhaar suite se baahar aaya. Aur, usne neeche aakar Veer ko roka.

Balhaar : Marr jaayega.

Veer apne hosh me aaya. Usne dekha. Aadesh ka lahu luhaan latakta hua bejaan sa shareer. Woh zinda tha. Lekin, adhmara sa ho chuka tha.

Aur, bina kuchh bole hi Veer ne hockey stick ko zorr se feka aur waha se mud ke jaane laga.

Koi shabd nahi. Koi harqat nahi.

Kyunki, uski agli destination tay thi.

Aur, woh akela nahi tha.

*Vroooooom*

Trisha ki jeep bhi raaste par bhaagte hue usi destination ki orr badh rahi thi.

Dhananjay!!!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Aaj ke liye itna hi guys.
This update consists of 9.4k words approximately. Late update ke liye maafi chaahta hu. Hum ise June ka hi update consider karenge. Lekin, Choonki site crash hui thi aur bahut pareshani jhelni padi. Isliye, June ke liye hum do hi updates per month consider karenge. Ek mein de chuka tha. Aur, ye tha dusra. Ab July ke 3 updates baaki hai. Jo I hope mein iss month me de paaunga. Also, let me know ki Nidhi ke ghar ka scene kaisa laga? Kaafi soch ke likha hai use. Ab thoda bahut action chalega ek do updates me. Aane waale events lined up ho rakhe hai. Autoshield company ka aana. Veer ke missions. Sonia, Kaera ki massive deals. Suhana ka b'day. Ruchika and Suchika ki story, etc. Jo hum sab isi arc me dekhne waale hai. And, uske baad Summit arc. Target 250 hi hai. Like karne ka aur reviews rakhne ka.
Dhanyavad.

Superb update bahut जबरदस्त pura hila diya aadesh ko Juhi ne bhi hila diya Shreya ko

 

[Rajesh]

Update - 200 ~ Gathering Information ​

Ab tak...

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

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

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

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

Bas... Taaqat. Taaqat jo duniya ko hila ke rakh dene waali thi. Jald hi.

Ab aage...

Ragini's House,
Night - 9:15 PM ~

Tej bechaini me hall me idhar se udhar tahal rahi thi, jabki Bhavna sofe par baithi kisi soch vichaar me doobi hui thi. Shaant lekin adhyayan karti hui.

Tej (chinta me) : M-Mom!? Kya aapko waqai lagta hai ki ye sahi decision tha?? Veer ko... unke saath bhejna?

Bhavna (glances) : Humein ek baat ki gaanth baandhni hogi, beta. Jab koi nahi tha, tab wahi thi Veer ke liye. Uss ghar se jab mere bacche ko baahar nikaala gaya tha to usne hi chhat di thi Veer ko. Usne uske liye khaana banaaya, uski dekhbhaal ki, use apne saath rakha. Ye bahut maayne rakhta hai. Aur, ye humein kabhi bhi bhoolna nahi chahiye. Isliye, uska bhi kahi na kahi Veer par haq hai.

Tej ruki. Uski bauhe sikudi. Woh Bhavna ki orr uljhan me dekhi.

Tej : I know mom... lekin, wo Nidhi aunty... wo abhi bhi divorcee hai. Do baccho ki maa hai aur, Veer... wo abhi bhi nadaan hai. Chhota hai. K-Kya ye sahi hai? I mean... Unka aur Veer ka ek saath rukna. Ek hi ghar me??

Bhavna : Hmm? Kya tumhe apne bhai par bharosa nahi?

Tej : Nooooo! Mom! Kya keh rahi ho aap??? Mujhe Veeru par poora bharosa hai. I trust him more than myself. L-Lekin, hai to woh bhi young na. Aur, upar se wo Nidhi aunty... Y-You know what I'm trying to say.

Bhavna : Mujhe nahi lagta Nidhi uss tarah ki aurat hai beta. Nidhi uske college ki teacher bhi rahi hai. Kabhi uski guardian bhi. Toh kya burayi hai isme!?

Tej ne apni mutthiyaan bheenchi, uski nazrein zameen par tiki.

'Lekin, hai toh fir bhi woh ek aurat hi na!? Aur, Veer... Veer. Mom aap samajhti kyu nahi? Wo jawaan hai. Udaas hai. Aur, confused hai. Aur, aise me woh waha hai. Unke theek bagal se... Akele...!'

Bhavna : Kya hua? Kya sochne lagi?

Tej (quietly) : K-Kuchh nahi! Theek hai, maan liya ki mein hi zyada soch rahi hu. P-Par, wo Juhi ka Veer ko papa keh ke bulaana? K-Kya ye sahi hai?

Bhavna : ...

Tej (zorr dete hue) : Mom... Mein Juhi ki khushi ke against nahi. M-Mein bhi chaahti hu ki wo khush rahe. B-But... Kya kisi ne socha hai? Jab Juhi badi ho jaayegi tab kya hoga? Jab use sacchayi pata chalegi? Ki Veer uske papa asliyat me hai hi nahi? K-Kya ye... ye future ke liye dangerous nahi?

Bhavna (sighs) : Sabse zaroori baat ye hai ki Veer ko iss se koi dikkat nahi hai. Suman ne sujhaav diya tha... Aur, sabhi ne sehmati bhari thi.

Tej (yells) : Maine nahi bhari thi!!!

Bhavna : !!???

Tej : I-I mean... I mean mein raazi nahi hui thi.

Bhavna : Toh tumne kuchh bola kyu nahi tab?

Tej : Jab sab raazi the, toh mere akele bolne se bhala kya hota?

Bhavna (sighs) : Uss time yahi sahi laga tha sabhi ko. Wo bacchi Veer ko apna rakshak maanti hai. Apne pita ki tarah. Iss tarah ka bond ittefaq se nahi banta. Saath me samay bitaana padta hai. Aur, uska Veer se attachment saaf dikhta bhi hai.

Tej ne apne honth kaante, haathon ko kass kar baandhi.

Tej : Mein bas- humein use akela nahi chhorna chahiye, mom. Use mere- I-I mean use humaare saath rehna chahiye.

Bhavna : ??

Tej (clears throat) : Use... Use yahi rehna chahiye. *meekly* Gh-Ghar par. Mere saath. A-Aapke saath. Family ke saath. A-Aur, Nidhi aunty ke yaha yu raat me uska rukna...

Bhavna : Woh waha raat nahi rukega. Raat rukne woh Purvi maasi ke yaha jaayega.

Tej : Huh??

Bhavna : Jaate-jaate maine use samjha diya tha ki Nidhi ke yaha din me jitna rehna hai woh reh sakta hai. Lekin, shaam hote hi... Apni maasi ke yaha chale jaana. Raat wahi guzaarni hai. Aisa maine samjha diya tha use.

Tej : O-Oh! Achha! H-Haan! Y-Ye theek kiya aapne. Good. Ye fir theek hai.

Bhale hi usne keh diya, magar fir bhi uska dil kahi na kahi abhi bhi raahat mehsoos nahi kar raha tha. Woh jaanti thi ki Nidhi keval Veer ki teacher thi, lekin uska dil abhi bhi nahi maan raha tha.

Woh akeli nahi thi. Bhavna swayam iss baar kuchh chintit thi. Kya usne theek kiya? Aaj uske mann me bhi ye sawaal aa raha tha.

---

Ghar ke andar idhar ek kamre me Suman dono apni bahu aur bitiya ke sang baithi hui thi. Aur, unki vartalap ka vishay tha — Ragini.

Aabha : Ragini ji ki sach me daad deni hogi maa ji, hai na? Itna sab kuchh ho gaya. Unhone apna perr zindagi bhar ke liye kho diya, fir bhi koi bakheda khada nahi kiya. Koi shikan nahi. Kuchh bhi nahi.

Sonali : Sach me! Agar, mein hoti na toh poora ghar hila ke rakh deti. Apne aap ko ek taang ke saath toh mein kabhi dekh hi nahi sakti. Tch! Na baba na! Mujhe toh hairani hai ki unhone itni shaanti se sab sweekar kaise kar liya?

Suman : Ye toofan ke pehle ki shaanti hai beta!

Woh boli. Uske bhaav me chinta thi.

Sonali : Huh?

Aabha (frowns) : Toofan ke pehle ki shaanti? Mein kuchh samjhi nahi, maa ji.

Suman (sighs) : Agar, kal ko maan lo ki mein bhi ek perr se apahij ho jau, toh kya mein din bhar roti firungi?

Sonali : Mein toh firungi!!!

Suman : ...

Aabha : ...

Sonali : Aise kya dekh rahe ho? Arey looli langdi ho jaungi to kya hassungi? Roungi hi na??

Suman : Haan, par har waqt toh nahi na? Aur, tum isliye rougi kyunki tum me alhadpann hai. Lekin, Ragini ji alag hai. Haan, unme bhi kahi na kahi alhadpann hai, lekin tumhari tarah nahi. Abhi unhe apni kamzori ka bodh nahi hua hai.

Aabha : Matlab?

Suman : Matlab ye ki... Jald hi unhe iska bodh hoga. Jab koi aisi sthiti aayegi jaha unke saamne koi aisi cheez ghatit ho rahi hogi jiske virodh me woh khade hone ki koshish karengi. Aur, jab woh khadi nahi ho payengi... uss din unhe apni kamzori ka aabhas asal me hoyega. Jis din woh apne prem ke liye khadi nahi ho payengi, tabhi... tabhi ek toofan aayega.

Aabha : Prem ke liye? M-Maa ji? P-Par, Ragini ji ne toh talaak le liya hai na? Fir, ye prem kis se? Kiski baat kar rahi hai aap?

Suman ne dono ko ek pal dekha. Usne kuchh socha aur fir ek aah bharte hue boli.

Suman : Theek hai. Bataati hu. Par, dhyaan rahe. Tum dono ke muh se ye baat kisi ko bhi nahi pata chalni chahiye. Samajh gayi? Warna mujhse bura koi nahi hoga.

Sonali : Ehhh? A-Aisa kya hai?

Aabha (nods) : Ji maa ji!

Suman : Toh suno! Ragini ji... maalik se prem karti hai!

Aabha : Huh!!?

Sonali (shouts) : KYAAAAAAA...MMPHHH-!?

Jab Sonali zorr se chillaayi toh Suman ne uske muh par haath rakh uska muh band kar diya.

Suman (frowns) : Shhh! Shor nahi!

Aabha : M-Maa ji? A-Aap itna yakeen ke saath kaise keh sakti hai?

Suman (smiles) : Agar, mein ye kahu ki maine unn dono ko kayi baar ek dusre ko choomte hue dekha hai toh-!?

Aabha (blushes) : Ahhn! A-Aisa hai toh-

Sonali : Hmph! Mein toh pehle hi kehti thi. Ye ladka har jagah muh maarega aur-

*Slap*

Sonali : Ouwww!!!

Uski baat adhoori hi reh gayi jab Suman ne uske sarr par zorr se ek tapli de maari.

Suman (sternly) : Chup raho tum. Tumhe pata hi kya hai? Maalik agar chaahe toh abhi ke abhi woh-

Sonali : Huh-!??

Suman : M-Mera matlab hai... Agar, ve chaahe toh abhi ke abhi Ragini ji ko kya, kisi ko bhi apna bana le. Lekin, woh aisa karte nahi hai. Ye khaandani hai. Unhe sirf ek ladki se lagaav ho hi nahi sakta. Aur, na hi keval ek ladki ko unse lagaav ho sakta hai.

Sonali : Hmph!

Aabha (blushes) : J-Ji maa ji! M-Mein ye achhi tarah jaanti hu. A-Aur, isliye maine khud ko samarpit kar diya hai. Mujhe... Mujhe unpe poora bharosa hai.

Suman (Sonali ko dekhte hue) : Dekha? Seekho kuchh apni bhabhi se tum.

Sonali : Hmph! Par, use alag-alag ladkiyon se rishta rakhna hi kyu hai? Kisi ek se shaadi nahi kar sakta kya? Seekhne ki zaroorat mujhe nahi hai. Aap dono ko hai.

Suman : Tameez se baat karo, Sonali. Mein hazar baar samjha chuki hu tumhe. Maalik hai woh humaare. Koi anjaan aadmi nahi.

Sonali : P-Par-

Aabha : Maa ji theek keh rahi hai, Sonali.

Sonali : Bh-Bhabhi aap bhi-!?

Aabha : Jo mujhe sahi laga maine uska hi saath diya. Maa ji sahi keh rahi hai. Maalik chhoti-chhoti baaton ka bura nahi maante, lekin iska matlab ye nahi ki tum unki iss baat ka fayda uthao aur peeth peechhe unke baare me iss tarah se bolo.

Suman : Kaash tumhari hi tarah Sonali me bhi itna dimag hota, beta.

Sonali : K-Kya? Kya matlab-?

Suman : Matlab ye ki... Ab dhyan rakhna ki ahinda se maalik aur Ragini ji ke beech koi bhi ann-bann ho. Toh, humein usme unki madad karni hai.

Aabha : Ah!? I-Iska matlab maa ji aap-!?

Suman (smiles) : Hmm!

Aabha : Kya ye sahi hai??

Sonali : Ehh? K-Kya? Mujhe bhi batao!!!

Suman (nods) : Yahi sahi hai!!

Aabha (smiles) : Theek hai, maa ji! Mein samajh gayi.

Sonali : K-Kya samajh gayi??? Huh?? Maa?? Arey mujhe toh batao!!!

Bechari Sonali guhaar lagaati reh gayi, parantu Suman aur uski bahu, Aabha ke beech ek maun samjhauta ho chuka tha jo sirf wahi dono jaanti thi.

---

Andar hi wahi ek aur kamre me Ragini apne bistar par deewar ki orr muh kar laiti hui thi. Uske baal bikhre aur chehra thaka hua sa prateet ho raha tha.

Kavya uske bistar ke kinaare se hi baithi hui thi aur uska doosra perr daba rahi thi.

Ragini : B-Bas, Kavya- Ab rehne do.

Kavya : Pakka bhabhi???

Ragini (nods) : H-Haan! Thank you dear.

Kavya : Okie!! Don't mention it.

Ragini : Tum gayi nahi? Mummy chali gayi na?

Kavya : Haan! Mummy aur Arohi di dono ghar chali gayi. Mein bas ruk gayi.

Ragini : Kyu? Tumhe nahi jaana?

Kavya : Kyu jaungi mein? Abhi bataya tha na aapko? Ki mein aaj se aapki seva karungi!!

Ragini : Tum... Tum bhi na... A-Aur, woh Nidhi ma'am? Woh chali gayi?

Kavya : Hmm? Oh! Haan! Woh chali gayi aur Purvi maasi aur Arun mausa ji bhi chale gaye. A-Aur, wo... wo auntiyaan log... Wo varsha aunty, mukta aunty aur ek aur jo hai-

Ragini : Sudha...

Kavya (nods) : H-Haan! Wo sab bhi chali gayi.

Ragini (frowns) : Wo bhi yaha aayi thi?

Kavya : Hmm? Haan! Sab chale gaye. Bas ab apne log hi hai.

Ragini : Oh! Kya baatein ho rahi thi baahar? Itna shor ho raha tha.

Kavya : Arey haan! Aapko toh pata hi nahi. Bhabhi, aap yakeen nahi karogi. Uss din hotel par jab attack hua tha na, tab Veer bhaiya pata hai kaha the?

Ragini : ???

Kavya : Nidhi ma'am ki beti hai na? Juhi!! Wo news me aane waala serial killer unki beti ko utha ke le gaya tha. Aur, pata hai kaun use chhura ke laaya???

Ragini (mutters) : V-Veer...!?

Kavya (excitedly) : Haaaaaaa!!! Veer bhaiya literally Juhi ko bacha ke laaye. Uss serial killer se.

Ragini : !!?

Kavya : Isliye, toh woh hotel par jab attack ho raha tha tab waha aa nahi paaye the...! Aur, sirf Juhi nahi. Ek koi police officer hai, unki beti, Pihu kar ke naam hai uska, use bhi utha ke le gaya tha serial killer. Veer bhaiya dono ko bacha ke laaye the. Can you believe it?

Ragini : ...

Kavya : Aur, isliye unke face pe woh scratches aaye honge, unhe chot lagi hogi. Ab samajh aaya sab kuchh meri. Woh toh achha hua Nidhi ma'am ne chhoti tai ji ko sab bata diya aur fir chhoti tai ji ne hum sab ko, toh sabhi ko ye baat pata lag gayi.

Ragini ke chehre par tanaav badh gaya. Anjaane me usne chaadar ko kass kar pakad liya. Usne apne seene me paida ho rahe toofan ko chhipaate hue khud ko shaant dikhaaya. Magar, aasu fir bhi glaani ke chalte uski aankhon se beh chale. Veer akhir na jaane kitni musibato ko jhel ke unke paas aaya tha. Lekin, kisi ne uski aap-beeti ko sunane ki koshish na ki.

Ab wo saare ghaav jo uske chehre par the, Ragini ko yaad aa rahe the. Choonki, woh deewar ki orr muh ki hui thi, isliye Kavya ko uski roti hui soorat na dikhayi de saki. Magar, woh thithak-thithak ke ro rahi thi.

Kavya : Par, sabse best cheez pata hai kya hui? Veer bhaiya Juhi ke hero bann gaye! Juhi ab unhe 'papa' keh ke bulaati hai. Maine bhi miss kar diya tha wo scene but Arohi di ne mujhe sab bataya abhi jaane se pehle. It's so sweet, right?

Ragini jaise wahi jamm ke reh gayi.

Kavya (giggles) : I mean, it's sooo adorable. Papa! Veer papa! Haha! Woh pehle se hi itna attached thi bhaiya se... I'm not surprised ki ye abhi ho raha hai.

Ragini (mutters) : V-Veer kaha hai?

Kavya : Ye toh ek na ek din hona hi tha. *smiles* Par, kitna achha hua na, bhabhi? Ab Juhi ko-

Ragini (quietly) : KAVYA! Veer kaha hai?

Kavya : H-Huh!? Veer bhaiya toh... woh to chale gaye.

Ragini : !!? Chale gaye? Matlab?

Kavya : M-Matlab... Nidhi ma'am ke saath. Din me wo unke saath rahenge aur night me Purvi maasi ke yaha.

Ragini (dheere se) : W-Woh... Woh unke saath chala gaya?

Uska thithakna band ho gaya. Aansu jo beh rahe the wo achanak hi tham gaye.

Kavya (smiles) : Haan, wo Nidhi ma'am ne request ki sabse aur Purvi maasi ne bhi, toh sab agree ho gaye. Waise mujhe bhi lagta hai ki bhaiya agar thode din baahar rahenge to unka bhi mood fresh ho jaayega. Hai na? Unki ma'am khud unhe lene aayi batao. *sighs* So sweet!

Sweet?

Ragini ke nakhoon chaadar me dhans gaye.

'He promised me...! Meri care karne ka vaada kiya tha usne!! Usne kaha tha woh mera khayal rakhega. He told me... HE WOULD BE THERE!! FOR ME!!! TOH, MUJHE AISE CHHOR KE KAISE JAA SAKTA HAI WOH??? W-WO BHI... USKE LIYE...! *sniff*'

Uski nazrein apne perr par gayi. Woh manhoos perr. Kaash. Kaash woh chal paati. Kaash woh uske paas daud paati. Kaash woh iss tarah asahaay na padi hoti.

Kavya : Bas kuchh dinon ki hi toh baat hai, bhabhi!

Ragini ne ek gehri saans chhori. Yeh shaanti nahi thi. Ye niyantrit krodh tha.

Ragini (dheere se) : U-Usne mujhe bataya kyu nahi? Jaane se pehle ek baar bhi woh mere paas nahi aaya!? K-Kyu?

Kavya : Umm... Shayad bhool gaye honge!?

Ragini : Bhool gaya, huh!?

Kavya : Umm... Aap theek ho na, bhabhi? Kuchh hua hai kya?



Ragini (stiffly) : Nahi! Bas thakaan hai thodi.

Wo laiti rahi. Bina palke jhapkaaye.

'Nidhi... wo samajhdar hai. Shaant hai. Caring hai. Aur, ab unke paas Veer aur unke bacche hai... Dheere-dheere wo Veer ko apni duniya me shaamil kar rahi hai. Aur, har koi iss se khush hai. Sab aisa hone de rahe hai. Lekin, mein??? Mein yaha padi hu... Tooti hui... Bhooli hui... Powerless. Sab bikharta hua dekh rahi hu.'

Usne apni aankhein band kar li. Lekin, honth khule to ek hi naam nikla.

'Veer...!'

***

Purvi's house,
Night - 10:05 PM ~

Idhar apne ghar me Arun travel bag ki chain lagaate hue sab samaan check karne me laga hua tha.

Arun (khud se budbudaate hue) : Dawaiyaan rakh li... Purse rakh liya... Charger ho gaya... Hmm! Haan! Purvi!! Mera ID folder kaha hai?

Parantu, koi jawab nahi. Purvi bedroom me na jaane kya kar rahi thi. Raatri me jab Arun aur Purvi dono Ragini ke ghar se laute to wo dono hi Veer ko apne sang le aaye the.

Aur, Veer ke idhar aane ke baad se hi Purvi iss tarah vyavhar kar rahi thi. Kuchh bol hi nahi rahi thi. Arun Veer ki orr muda aur thoda sharmindagi me muskuraya.

Arun : Achha hua tum aa gaye beta! Raat vaat me agar tumhari maasi ko kuchh zaroorat padi to kam se kam koi bolne bataane waala to rahega unke paas.

Veer (nods) : Ji!

Arun : Isi bahaane tumhara bhi thoda mann bahal jaayega, hai na? Waha ghar me mahaul abhi thoda gamgeen hai. Aise me mann bhi udaas bana rehta hai. Thode din idhar-udhar uthoge baithoge to mind bhi relax ho jaayega.

Veer (smiles) : Ji! Aapko chinta karne ki zaroorat nahi, mausa ji. Mein yahi hu.

Arun (smiles) : Bas isliye to santusht hoke jaa raha hu, beta. Idhar laaye toh tumhe tumhara mann behlaane ke liye hai, par kaho tumhe hi apni maasi ka mann behlaana pad jaaye hahaha!

Veer haule se muskuraya.

Veer : Kab ki train hai, mausa ji?

Arun : Bas beta 11:30 ki...

Veer : Abhi toh time hai. Par station jaate jaate samay lag jaayega. Lekin, chinta ki koi baat nahi. Mein aapko time se pahucha dunga.

Arun : Arey nahi! Tumhe jaane ki koi zaroorat nahi.

Veer : !!?

Arun : Tum aa gaye ho na? Bas ab yaha araam se raho. Mein chala jaunga.

Veer : Arey aise thodi mausa ji-! Mein kis liye hu? Mere rehte aap-

Arun : Beta aadat hai. Pehli baar thode hi hai. Mein chala jaunga, chinta mat karo.

Veer : Arey par-

Arun : Arey beta samjho! Abhi tumhara tumhari maasi ke saath rehna zyada zaroori hai. Samajh rahe na?

Veer kahi na kahi samajh gaya ki maasi mausa ji se kisi kaaran se roothi hui hai. Aur, isliye Arun use baar-baar yaha rukne ko keh raha hai.

Arun : Abhi tumne bhi bahut kuchh jhela hai. Thoda araam karo. Aur, bas apni maasi ke saath raho thode din.

Veer : Aadha ek ghante ki hi toh baat hai, mausa ji. Jaldi se chhor deta aapko-

Arun : Nahi nahi! Koi baat nahi. Mein manage kar lunga.

Usne apne backpack ko kandhe par latkaaya.

Arun : Chalo beta! Mera time ho raha hai ab. Ab late kiya toh dikkat ho jaayegi.

Aur, utne me hi-

Purvi andar se baahar nikal kar aayi. Dono Veer aur Arun chupchap bas khade dekhte rahe. Woh aage aayi, aur usne ID ka folder aage karte hue Arun ko thama diya.

Arun : Arey waah! Bahut badhiya. Waise toh phone par thi mere lekin original bhi rakhe raho to sahi rehta hai. Chalo! Mein nikalta hu... Hai na!?

Purvi bas dheere se haami bhari. Uske chehre par koi bhaav nahi the.

Arun darwaze se baahar nikla aur lift ki orr jaane laga. Jab Veer use chhorne ke liye aage badha toh Purvi ne uski baah kass kar thaam li.

Veer : Huh!!? Maasi?

Purvi : Chale jaayenge woh. Koi doodh peete bacche nahi hai. Aao! Chalo tum. Andar chale!

Aur, woh use ghaseet ke andar ki orr le gayi.

Ek lambe kshan ke liye, flat poori tarah se shaant ho gaya. Fir, Purvi ki hi awaaz ne shaanti bhang ki-

Purvi (rasoi se) : Veer! Chalo! Apne kapde badal lo. Maine tumhare kapde wahi sofe par rakhe hai. Aate waqt Bhavna se maang kar laayi thi.

Veer : Mausa ji aapse baat karna chaah rahe the aur aap-

Purvi : Badal rahe ho ya nahi???



Veer ne ek aah bhari. Aur, ek kamre ki orr badh gaya. Woh jaanta tha ki inn dono ke beech kuchh chal raha tha. Magar, kya?

---

Woh dheele shorts aur half sleeve tshirt me baahar aaya. Usne khud ko aaeene me dekha. Koi bhaav nahi.

Wo wapas hall me aaya toh kitchen se aa rahi khatpat ki awaaz use sunayi di. Purvi bhi bedroom me jaa kar ek naram cotton ka gown pehen aayi thi.

Veer (hall se) : Kya kar rahi ho aap? Ab kuchh khaunga nahi, maasi! Bhookh nahi hai-

Purvi (calls out) : Khana nahi bana rahi hu. Bas baitho. Aa rahi hu.

Veer : Sirf isliye ki mein rukne aaya hu iska matlab ye nahi ki ab aap mere saath mehmaan ki tarah pesh aane lagengi-!

Purvi (tray lekar baahar aate hue) : Tum mehmaan nahi ho. Bacche ho mere!!!

Veer : !!!

Woh jab gown pehne baahar aayi toh Veer ki nazar majbooran apni maasi ke jism ki banavat par tik gayi.

'Check'

*Ding*

[Name : Purvi
Age : 43 yrs old.]

43 saal ki hone ke baad bhi, Purvi ne jis tarah se apne aap ko maintain kiya hua tha, uss wajah se Veer jaise naujavan ko bhi woh apne upar aankhein sekne ke liye majboor kar rahi thi.

Kitchen se aate hue usne tray ko beech waali kaanch ki ek table par rakha. Do garm, taaze, grilled veg cheese sandwich saamne the. Saath me do glass paani ke, ek chhoti katori sauce ki aur ek chhoti katori hari chutney ki.

Veer : Sandwich!?

Purvi (smiles) : Bhavna ne bataya ki tum hi mere haath ka bana khaana miss kar rahe the. Toh lo, haazir hai.

Use yaad aaya ki usne apni maa se ye baat kuchh hafte pehle zaroor kahi thi jab woh China se laut kar aaya tha.

"Ab ye batao ki kya jaadu kar diya hai apni Purvi maasi par?"

"Purvi maasi? Kyu? Kya hua unhe?"

"Do baar ghar se lauti hai woh. Keh rahi thi ki na hi Veer mera message dekh raha hai aur na hi phone utha raha hai. Kaha gayab ho gaya? Ghar kyu nahi aaya mere? Jab se use pata chala hai ki tum gayab ho tab se roz phone aata hai uska."

"Umm... Wo bhi pareshan hongi shayad mere baare me?"

"Zaahir hai!!! Ab tum kisi din apni maasi se mil aana."

"Sunday ko unhe yahi par bulaiyega. Mujhe unke haath ka khaana pasand hai. Din bhar yahi rahengi woh."

"Theek hai-!!!"

'Ah! Toh iska matlab... Maa ne hi maasi ko bataya. Hmm!'

Usne fir saamne rakhi plate uthaayi, sandwich ka swaad chakha aur uski aankhein band ho gayi.

Veer : Mmm-! Aapke haatho me abhi bhi wahi jaadu hai.

Woh khud hi agar chaahe toh ek behatreen sandwich bana sakta tha. 'Absolute Chef' ke upyog se woh kya kuchh nahi bana sakta tha.

Parantu, maasi ke haath ka swaad toh maasi ke haatho me hi tha. Chaahe kitni hi 'Absolute Chef' skills na aa jaaye, maasi ke khaane ki naqal nahi ki jaa sakti thi.

Purvi (uske bagal se baithate hue) : Meri ichha toh yahi hai ki tumhe humesha apne haath se khaana bana-bana ke khilaati rahu. *smiles*

Woh use ek tarah ke maa ke sneh ki drishti se dekhi. Aur, use pal bhar ke liye nanha Veer yaad aa gaya jise Sumitra apni goad me leke uske paas aati thi use stanpaan karaane ke liye.

Purvi : Kitni dukh ki baat hai na-!?

Veer : Huh?

Purvi : Tum bahut chhote the. Nanhe se. Tumhari chachi tumhe mere paas laati thi. Tum rote rehte the. Fir, mein tumhe apni goad me litaati thi. Aur, doodh pilaati thi. *smiles* Aur, tumhara rona band ho jaata tha.

Veer : M-Mein... bahut chhota tha. Yaad nahi mujhe.

Purvi (smiles) : Haan! Isliye to kaha- ki kitni dukh ki baat hai. Tumhe kuchh yaad nahi. Uske baad se hum seedhe ab jaa kar mile hai. Veer kabhi socha hai-

Veer : !!?

Purvi : Ki... Ki agar tum unn 20 saalo me apni maa se juda na hue hote. Aur... Aur, aaj ki hi tarah mere ghar me aake ruk rahe hote. Toh aaj... aaj humaara rishta aur gehra hota na? Hai na?

Veer (smiles) : Zaroor!

Purvi muskuraate hue use dekhti rahi. Veer ne gaur kiya ki uski maasi use samaanya se kuchh zyada hi dekh rahi thi.

Veer (smiles) : Mere yaha hone se aap khush lag rahi ho!

Purvi : Aur, kyu nahi houngi bhala? Mein toh ye bahut time se chaahti thi. Sirf tum aur mein... Ek saath. Yahi mere ghar me. *smiles* Tum bade zaroor ho gaye ho par meri nazro me aaj bhi wahi nanha Veer mujhe saamne jhalak jaata hai.

Usne dheere se Veer ka aadha khaaya hua sandwich liya aur use apne haatho se khilaane lagi. Veer ne koi virodh nahi kiya.

Veer : Agar, aapko itni hi yaad aa rahi thi meri toh utha leti mujhe mere ghar se. *smiles* Mein koi virodh nahi karta.

Purvi : Haaaaaaa! Jisme Bhavna aur Tej meri jaan kha jaaye? Ek pal ko Bhavna ko toh mein mana bhi lu! Par, Tej? Na bhaiya na!

Veer : Oh? Teju di se itna darr?

Purvi : Darr nahi hai. *sighs* Mein Tej ko tumhe lekar aur taqleef me nahi dekhna chaahti.

Veer : Huh? Kya matlab?

Purvi (glances) : Tumhe nahi pata?

Veer : Kya???

Purvi : Ni... Matlab... Tej ne tumhe nahi bataya?

Veer : Kya nahi bataya!?

Purvi : Hey bhagwan! Ye ladki!

Veer : Arey kya nahi bataya? Kya chhipa rahi ho?

Purvi : Nahi! Kuchh nahi! Ab jab usne nahi bataya toh mein iss par aur baat nahi kar sakti.

Veer : Maasi ye theek nahi hai. Please! Bataiye na! Kya nahi bataya Teju di ne mujhe?

Purvi : T-Tumne uss se kabhi apna ateet share kiya?

Veer : Haan! Bilkul! Tabhi toh hum dono ki bonding aur strong ho paayi.

Purvi : Kya tumne kabhi uss se uske ateet ke baare me jaanana chaaha?

Veer : Mein-

Aur, Veer maun reh gaya. Nahi! Usne kabhi Tej aur apni maa ke beetein guzre 20 saalo ke baare me jaanane ki koshish nahi ki thi.

Sharmindagi ne ek zordar tamacha uske muh par aake maara.

Kintu, woh bhi kya karta? System holders ki duniya me jab se usne qadam rakha tha, tab se hi uska saans lena bhi mushqil ho chuka tha. Aise me bhi woh abhi tak sahi salamat apne parivar ke saamne tha, kya ye kam tha?

Dekhte hi dekhte baaton hi baaton me kab derr raat ho gayi dono ko pata hi nahi chala. Jab sone ki baari aayi toh Veer uth ke jab hall me bichhe sofe par hi laitne laga toh Purvi ne use tok diya.

Purvi : Arey? Yaha kaha lait rahe ho?

Veer : Sofe par!?

Purvi : Paagal ho gaye ho kya? Yaha kaha baahar sone lage? Chalo andar! Bedroom hai na! Do log araam se bante hai.

Veer : Bedroom me?

Purvi : Haan toh aur kaha?

Veer : A-Aapke saath!?

Purvi : Haan toh? Kyu? Sharm aa rahi hai kya? Ya maasi ke saath laitne me koi dikkat ho rahi hai?

Veer : Maine aisa toh nahi kaha.

Purvi : Toh fir chalo jaldi!

Veer haami bhar uske saath andar bedroom me chala gaya. Bedroom me Arun aur Purvi saath me sote the. Par, aaj Arun nahi, Veer uske sang tha.

Jaise hi dono laite, dono ke madhya firse baat-cheet ka silsila shuru ho gaya. Purvi badi hi utsaahit uski orr karvat leke use nihaarte hue baat karne lagi.

Jab tak baat unn dono ke beech ke kisse ki hoti, Purvi ke chehre par ek alag hi muskaan saji rehti. Par, jaise hi Arun ka zikr hota toh-

Veer : Mausa ji ko call kar ke poochh lete hai kaha pahuch gaye.

Purvi : Zaroorat nahi hai!

Achanak hi Purvi ki awaaz me sakhti aa gayi.

Veer : ???

Purvi : Koi bacche nahi hai woh. Hazaar baar train me jaa chuke hai. Aur, waise bhi so gaye honge. Unhe thodi koi parvah hai.

Veer iss baar apne aap ko rok na saka. Akhirkar, usne poochh hi liya.

Veer : Shaam se dekh raha hu. Kya baat hai? Bataiye!

Purvi : Kya bataiye?

Veer : Maasi mein bewakoof nahi hu. Koi baccha bhi ye dekh ke samajh jaayega ki aapke aur mausa ji ke beech jhagda chal raha hai. Aap unse baat tak nahi kar rahi ho. Aur, isi ka kaaran jaanana hai mujhe.

Purvi (muh ferrte hue) : A-Aisa... Aisa kuchh bhi nahi hai, Veer.

Veer ne apna haath aage badhaate hue uske gaal ko thaama aur uska chehra apni orr kiya.

Veer : Abhi thodi derr pehle hi aapne poochha tha... ki agar beetein 20 saalo me mein aapke ghar aaya karta, hum sab ek hote, toh humara rishta kaisa hota. Hai na? Poochha tha na?

Purvi : *nods*

Veer : Toh woh rishta kamzor hota!

Purvi : !!!??

Veer : Agar aap isi tarah mujhse baatein chhipa rahi hoti toh-

Purvi : ...

Veer : Ab boliye! Mein jaanta hu kuchh baat chal rahi hai. Bataiye! Kya mausa ji ne kuchh kiya? Haath uthaaya? Daanta? Kya kiya hai?

Purvi : N-Nahi! Woh mujhpar haath nahi uthaate! Kabhi bhi nahi!

Veer : Toh fir? Baat kya hai?

Purvi : M-Mein... Chhoro na Veer! Pati-patni ke beech ki baat hai. T-Tumhe... Tumhe chinta karne ki zaroorat nahi. So jao chalo! Raat ho gayi hai bahut.

Veer (sternly) : Maasi!!!

Purvi : Kya karoge jaan ke? Tumhare jaan lene se bhi kuchh theek hone waala nahi hai. Isliye-

Veer : Aap bata rahi ho ya mein phone kar ke mausa ji se puchhu?

Purvi : Tum-!!! *sighs* N-Nahi! Unhe phone mat karo. M-Mein bataati hu.

Woh kehte hue apna muh ferr kar karvat badal li aur budbudaate hue bolna shuru ki.

Purvi : Tumhe pata hai na tumhare mausa ji sarkari school me hai?

Veer : Hmm! Toh? Kya hua?

Purvi : Hua kuchh nahi hai. Darasal... Jis school me ye hai woh ek sadharan sa sarkari school hai. Zyada bada bhi nahi hai. Inhe promotion mil raha tha. Nazdeek ke school me. Woh kaafi bada school tha. Par, inhone reject kar diya.

Veer : Bas itni si baat?

Purvi : N-Nahi! Baat sirf ye nahi hai. Ye... Tumhe pata hai inhone ye promotion kyu reject kiya?

Veer : Kyu?

Purvi : Kyunki... Kyunki, ye zimmedari se bhaagte hai, Veer. Idhar inhe kaam zyada rahega. Lekin, yaha tak bhi mein inse naraaz nahi thi. Dikkat iss baat ki hai ki-

Veer : ??

Purvi : Jis school me ye hai... Waha ye akele mard hai. Baaki saari teachers mahilaaye hai. Aur, ye unke beech me fasey hue hai. Ye unka kaam karte rehte hai, bhaage-bhaage daudate firte hai, raat ko 11-12-1 baje tak unn madam logo ke calls aate hai aur ye mujhse chhip ke jaake baat karte rehte hai taaki mujhe pata na chale. Mein kya koi bewakoof hu???

Veer : ...

Purvi : Ye jaan boojh ke waha se nahi hatna chaahte, Veer. Na jaane waha aisi kaun si ghutti pila di hai unn madam logo ne ki subah shaam unke peechhe lage rehte hai. Bataate tak nahi hai ki kitni madam hai, kaun hai, na aaj tak kisi se milwaya aur na hi apne school le gaye mujhe kabhi. Har baar bas yahi keh dete hai ki arey kya karogi waha jaa ke...!

Veer : ...

Purvi : Aur, agar maine galti se kuchh poochh liya, toh bhadak jayenge. Mujhe doshi thehraane lagenge. Ye unka harr ek kaam karte hai, Veer! Baccho ko padhaate nahi hai. Kaam se bhaagte hai. Inke badle me wo madam log inki classes leti hai aur badle me ye unka saara kaagzi kaam karte rehte hai.

Veer : ...

Purvi : Inhe samajh kyu nahi aata ki wo sabhi inka istemal kar rahi hai? *sniff* Waha shaant rehte hai aur ghar me aake mujhpar gussa karte hai. *sniff* M-Mein kya koi kaam waali baai hu?? Jise sirf isliye ghar laaya gaya hai ki ghar ka kaam kare?? *sniff* A-Aaj kal tiffin bhi nahi le jaate. K-Kehte hai ki wahi madam log le aati hai toh wahi share kar leti hai.

Veer : ...

Purvi : Jab hum saksham hai, toh bhala hume dusro ka kyu khaana Veer? Kyu unke khaane par pal rahe hai? Kya mere haatho ka khaana inhe pasand nahi aata? Kya mein zeher de rahi hu inhe jo ye mere haath ka bana tiffin le jaana nahi chaahte?

Veer ko samajh aaya ki uski maasi ke apne haath ke bane khaana khilaane ke peechhe aur bhi kaaran maujood tha.

Purvi : Ye badal chuke hai, Veer! *sniff* Ab pehle jaise nahi rahe. Mein chubhne lagi hu inhe a-aur-

Veer ne bina kuchh kahe aage badhte hue Purvi ko apni baahon me liya. Purvi apni peeth Veer ke seene se chipkaaye laiti rahi. Veer ne uske aasuon ko pochha aur kass ke usne apne se laga liya.

Veer : Toh ye baat thi, huh!?

Purvi : H-Haan! *sniff* Kal isi baat ko lekar humaare beech jhagda ho gaya. Kal mein bhi chup nahi thi. Suna diya sab. Aur, woh bhi gussa kiye. Aur, aaj isliye- maine koi baat nahi ki. *sniff*

Veer : ...

Purvi : M-Mujhe maaf kar do beta! *sniff* Tumhe yaha mann behlaane ke liye laayi thi. P-Par, kahi na kahi... *sniff* Isme mera swaarth chhipa hua tha.

Veer ne kuchh na kaha. Usne bas Purvi ki gardan par peechhe se ahista se chooma aur bechari Purvi ke badan me ek jhurjhuri daud gayi. Uski aankhein band ho gayi. Veer ruka nahi. Woh haule-haule apni maasi ki gardan ko choomta chala gaya, baalon se aa rahi mohak khushbu use uttejit kar rahi thi.

Usne apne ek perr utha ke Purvi ke perr ke upar rakha toh Purvi bhi aur peechhe hoke uss se chipak gayi.

Veer : Aap chinta mat kariye. Mein ise apne dhang se dekhunga. Sab mujhpar chhor dijiye.

Purvi : N-Nahi, beta! Tumhe pareshan hone ki zaroorat nahi. Abhi tum apni life par focus karo. Yarnia ko itna bada loss hua hai. Meri chinta mat karo. Ye ghar ka maamla hai. M-Mein sambhaal lungi. Mere aur unke beech ki baat hai.

Veer ne kuchh na kaha. Woh jaanta tha ki agar woh zidd karega toh maasi bhi zidd karengi aur use uski mann marzi se kuchh bhi nahi karne dengi. Behtar yahi tha ki woh sahi mauke ka intezar kare.

Purvi ki peeth Veer ki chhaati se dheere se dabi hui thi. Woh apne kandhe ki haddi par uski dheemi aur sthir saanson ko mehsoos kar paa rahi thi. Veer ka haath uske pait ke madhya bhaag me lipta hua tha, hatheli uski kamar ke mod par tiki hui thi, aur angootha uske patle cotton gown ke kapde ko araam se sehla raha tha.

Uski ungli ki harr chhoti harqat komal magar jaan boojh kar ho rahi thi. Aisa sparsh jo bina poochhe hi apni maang rakhta tha.

Woh kuchh nahi boli. Bas laiti rahi. Uska shareer tanavgrast tha lekin, darr se nahi — bhram, laalsa aur glaani se. Aur, kuchh gehra jiska zikr karne ki uski himmat nahi hui.

Veer ki naak uske baalon ko chhui, usne use saanson me bhara. Purvi ne uske sirr ke halke jhukaav ko mehsoos kiya. Uske honth uske kaan ke peechhe ki sensitive skin ko chhee rahe the. Purvi ki reedh ki haddi me ek zordar sihran daud gayi.

Uska haath uske pait par sapaat tika hua, dheere-dheere upar ki orr khiska, aur uski ungliyaan uske stann ke neeche aa kar ruk gayi. Bas kuchh inch door.

Na hi Veer aage badha. Na tatola. Na kuchh pakda.

Purvi (bamushqil se) : V-Veer...

Veer : Mujhe yaad hai...! Aapne kya kaha tha. Jab bhi mera mann chaahe... Mein aapke paas aa sakta hu. Yahi kaha tha na aapne?

Purvi ki dhadkane ye sunte hi ruk gayi. Use yaad aaya. Haan! Usi ne toh kaha tha.

"Aage se jab bhi firse peene ka mann kare-!!! Toh, tumhe pata hona chahiye ki tumhe kiske paas aana hai. Hmm?"

Use yaad aaya. Aur, uske gaal sharm se laal ho gaye.

Usne ye keh toh diya tha, magar Veer ab nanha baccha nahi tha jise doodh ki zaroorat thi. Uska sparsh ab masoom nahi tha. Lekin, ye bura bhi nahi tha. Ye kuchh aur hi tha. Laalsa se bhara hua.

Woh thoda muda, dono ka shareer aur qareeb aaya. Unki saansein ek saath chal rahi thi. Uska haath fir se chala, iss baar dheere se, uska angootha uske gown ki gardan waali golaayi par aaya. Purvi ne use roka nahi.

Veer ne gown ko savdhani se kheencha, toh gown Purvi ke kandhe se sarakte hue thoda neeche aa gaya, uska ek kandha nagn ho gaya. Andar koi bra nahi thi.

Veer uske nange kandhe ko dekh khud ko rok na saka. Usne aage badh usko chooma-

*Kiss*

"Nnnghhh!"

Aur, Purvi ki saans galey me hi atak ke reh gayi. Usne ek siski bhari.

Jaise hi uske honth neeche ki orr, uski gardan ke nichle hisse ki orr badhe, uska dusra haath aage badha — chaadar ke neeche, uski jaangh ko lapetate hue, Purvi uski hatheli ki garmahat saaf-saaf nightgown ke upar se mehsoos kar paa rahi thi.

Veer ne koi jaldbazi nahi ki. Uski harqate dheemi thi. Ek haath usne Purvi ke sarr ke peechhe kiya, use sahara dete hue, aur dusra haath uske chehre par se baalon ki laton ko hataane me laga hua tha.

Dono ki nazrein aapas me mili.

Purvi (shivers) : V-Veer... B-Beta...!

Veer : Maasi...!

Purvi : *huff* *huff*

Veer : Mujhe peena hai!

Purvi : !!!!!

Aur, Veer ka haath agle hi kshan Purvi ke pait par se sarakta hua upar badhne laga. Saans lete hi Purvi ka pait andar dhansa, kaanpa, aur Veer ka haath uske cleavage par aaya. Woh zor zor se saans bhar rahi thi.

Veer ne uski aankhon me dekhte hue gown ko aur kheechte hue uske ek stann ko nanga azaad kar diya. Vatavaran me aate hi twacha ko jo thanda ehsaas hua, Purvi ka badan wo mehsoos kar kaanp utha.

Purvi ne bra nahi pehen rakhi thi. Kyu? Veer jaan chuka tha. Usne uske ek than ko dekha. Nipple uttejna ke maare khade hue the. Aur, turant hi-

Usne Purvi ko nipple ko apne muh me bhar liya.

"Aaaaaaahhhhhhh!!"

Purvi ka haath akasmaat apne aap hi Veer ke sarr ke peechhe uske baalo par lipat gaya. Ek sparsh hi kaafi tha, use uska aapa khone ke liye.

"Betaaaaaaaa...!!"

Woh chillaayi. Aur, Veer zorr-zorr se uske nipple ko kisi bhooke bhediye ki tarah choosne me lag gaya.

"Nnnghhhh~"

Purvi ne uske sarr ko pakad apne orr kheechna shuru kar diya.

"Ahhnn mmnghhh~ VEEEEEEER!!"

Veer ne jee bhar ke uske doodh choose, jab tak ki uska mann nahi bhar gaya. Par, itna hi nahi-

Woh upar aaya, uske chehre ki orr. Purvi haanf rahi thi. Dono ki aankhein ek dusre se mili aur iske pehle ki Purvi kuchh samajh paati-

"Maasi!"

Veer ne aage badh uske hontho ko apne muh me bhar liya. Purvi iske liye taiyyar nahi thi. Nahi! Hargiz nahi! Stanpaan ek alag cheez thi. Magar, honth par choomna!?

Jaise ye stanpaan se bhi zyada galat tha uske liye.

"Nnnghh!!! VEEEEEEER!!!"

Usne hadbadaate hue Veer ko apne se dhakela. Aur, use aise dekhi jaise usne koi gunaah kar diya ho. Kintu, Veer shaant tha. Uski nazrein abhi bhi apni maasi ke gulaabi hontho par tiki hui thi. Aur, ye Purvi bhali bhaanti dekh paa rahi thi. Ek sharmindagi ki leher uske andar daud gayi.

Nahi! Ye woh kya kar rahi thi? Apne bete jaise ladke ke saath iss tarah ka vyavhar? Kya use shobha deta tha? Bhavna ko pata chalega toh kya izzat reh jayegi uski!?

Woh ye soch hi rahi thi jab Veer ne dobaara uske hontho par humla kar diya-

"Veer nahiiii-!!! Nnnnnnn~"

Magar, iss baar... Uski aankhein band ho chali.

"Maasi! I love you!"

*Kiss*

"Mnhhh~ I... I love you too beta~"

Veer uske bagal se lait use ahista-ahista choomta raha. Aur, Purvi bechaari apne aap ko ye dilaasa deti rahi ki ye sab itna bura bhi nahi tha. Akhir, dono ek dusre ko choom hi toh rahe the.

Woh khud ko ye dilaasa dene lagi ki videsh me bhi akhir maa aur bete iss tarah se ek dusre ke honth kabhi-kabhi choomte toh the hi. Toh, bhala kya burayi thi isme?

Na hi unhe koi dekh raha hai. Na hi kisi ko kuchh pata chalna hai. Toh, iss tarah ke pyaar se kya burayi thi? Kaun sa iss se zyada ve aage badh rahe the.

Aur, isi chumban ke chalte, apne than chuswaane ke chalte, woh itni zorr se jhari ki sharmindagi aur thakaan ke maare woh kab neend ki waadiyon me chali gayi use pata hi nahi chala.

Veer apni maasi se lipte laita raha jab derr raat me achanak se uski aankhein khul gayi.

Woh utha... aur bistar se baahar nikal darwaaze ki orr gaya.

*Click*

Usne ek akhiri baar apni maasi ko dekh darwaza haule se band kiya aur baahar living room ke bhi baahar nikal gaya.

Usne Purvi ke flat ko baahar se hi lock kiya aur raat ke andhere me woh waha se gaayab ho gaya.

***

Mumbai slums,
Morning - 2:34 AM ~

Mumbai ki industrialization ki dhundh me slums ki basti aadhi raat me bechaini se so rahi thi. Galiyon me awaara kutte bhaunk rahe the. Rehesyo se bhari unhi me se ek sakri gali me, ek chikni kaali sedan apni headlights andhere me maarte hue khadi thi.

Andar, Mumbai ke underworld ka haal hi me bana don baitha hua tha — Balhaar.

Apni ungliyon ke beech cigarette jalaaye, khidki se baahar dhua udaate hue, woh saamne ki gali ko scan kar raha tha.

Aur, tabhi... usne dekha.

Andhere se ek aakriti ubhri — lambi, shaant, uska chehra kaale kapde se lipta hua tha. Keval uski paini aankhein raushni me chamak rahi thi, aur wo ghane baal jo hawa me lehra rahe the.

Balhaar ka haath eka-ek apne holster par gaya. Par, fir ruka.

'Huh!?'

Woh aakriti aage aayi. Shaant, saiyyamit aur alag. Aur, tabhi-

"Mere paas tumhare liye ek aur kaam hai!"

'!!!?'

Awaaz sunte hi Balhaar ko ek raahat mehsoos hui, kyunki awaaz usi ki thi jisko usne yaha par bulaaya tha.

Veer.

Balhaar : Ek aur-!? Ab kya??

Veer : Hmm! Lekin, uss se pehle... Tumne mujhe yaha par bulaaya. Kyu?

Don hone ke bawajood, Veer ke baare me kuchh aisa tha jo Balhaar ko cheenkh-cheenkh ke ahaat kar raha tha. Usne peechhe ki gali ki orr dekh, fir thoda jhijhakte hue kaha.

Balhaar : Prestige me hua shootout...! Mere kuchh aadmi wahi the. Control banaaye hue the. Kuchh maare bhi gaye.

Veer (flatly) : Aur?

'Huh!!?'

Balhaar thoda kaanpa. Veer ka bartaav... kuchh alag sa tha. Jaise use parvah hi nahi thi ki uske aadmi maare gaye.

Balhaar (awaaz dheeme karte hue) : Ek qabze me hai.

Veer ki bauhe sikud gayi. Balhaar ne aage jaari rakha.

Veer : Kaun!!!

Balhaar : Usne ek hi naam bataya hai. Dhananjay!

Veer : Huh!?

Veer uljhan me pad gaya. Dhananjay? Ye kaun tha bhala? Ek system holder hone ke naate uski memory bahut sharp thi. Use yaad tha ki iss naam se koi bhi vyakti uski zindagi me nahi tha. Fir kaun!?

Veer (frowns) : Jhooth bol raha hoga. Khatirdari karo uski achhe se. Jab tak ki uske muh se sach baahar nahi aa jaata-

Balhaar : Woh sach hi bol raha hai.

Veer : !!!?

Balhaar : Achhi tarah se treatment diya hai use. Hideout ke basement me baandh rakha hai saale ko. Mere aadmiyon ne shootout ke waqt use bandhi bana liya tha.

Veer : -Aur, kya bataya usne?

Balhaar : Uska daawa hai ki woh pichhle teen saal se Dhananjay ke under kaam kar raha hai. Uska kehna hai ki Dhananjay Rajasthan ke ek gaanv mayra se hai.

Veer (stunned) : Mayra...!

Balhaar : Baap ka naam — Bhanu Pratap Singh aur dada ka naam — Harikiran Singh. Woh yaha pe... unki maut ka badla lene ke liye aaya hai.

Veer ke badan me ek sihran daud gayi. Uske saamne unke chehre ghoom gaye — khoon se lathpath, toote hue, rassiyo ke sahaare kue me latke hue, uss gaanv me. Beshaq. Harikiran Singh aur Bhanu Pratap Singh, dono ko maut ke ghaat usi ne utaara tha. Uske jeevan ki wo ladaayi jaha usne apne badle ka ek chaper seal kar diya tha.

Bhanu Pratap Singh ki patni — Vandna. Uss samay usne system se Vandna ko scan kiya tha. Aur, system ne unke ek bete ka zikr bhi kiya tha. Lekin, uska naam system ne ujaagar nahi kiya tha.

Veer (mutters) : Kya ye... Ye wahi hai!?

Uski mutthi zorr se bhinch gayi.

Balhaar (qareeb aate hue) : Tumne... T-Tumne nahi kiya ye sab, hai na!?

Veer tezi se muda.

Veer : Kya matlab?

Balhaar ko tabhi yaad aaya. Jai ki kutaayi ke waqt uske muh se kahi gayi baat.

"K-Koi tha... U-Usne kaha tha ki woh meri madad karega. M-Mujhe apni gang banaane me, agar... agar maine aapko dhoka diya toh- par, mein bewakoof tha, boss. Mein chutiya tha. *cough* M-Mujhe usne bataya tha ki kya karna hai aur k-kaise karna hai."

Yahi woh baat thi jiski wajah se Balhaar bhaybheet tha. Kya Veer hi wo naqab-posh aadmi tha? Abhi bhi uske saamne Veer kapda baandhe hi khada hua tha. Iska matlab Jai sahi keh raha tha? Kya Veer hi ne Jai ko bhadkaya tha? Magar, kyu? Kya woh kisi dhang se uski pareeksha le raha tha?

Uske mann me tamaam sawaal utpann ho rahe the. Lekin, usne khamoshi banaaye rakhi. Woh dekhna chaahta tha ki Veer ke mann me akhir kya chal raha tha.

Balhaar (jhijhakte hue) : J-Jai! Mera ek aadmi... Usne dhoka diya. Bataya ki ek naqab-posh aadmi ne use plan bataaya tha ki kya karna hai. Usi ki wajah se usne mujhe dhoka diya, mere hideouts leak kiye aur police mere peechhe padi. Ant me... mujhe underground hona pada. Aur, ab tum...

Veer : !!?

Balhaar (frowns) : Waisa hi naqab pehne mere saamne ho. K-Kahi tumne hi use...!?

Veer : Aur, tumhe lag raha hai ki wo mein tha??

Balhaar ne koi jawaab nahi diya. Kintu, Veer ka jawaab sunn use andaaza lag chuka tha.

Balhaar : Ek minute! A-Agar, tum wo hote toh... Tumhe toh iss Dhananjay ke baare me pata hona chaahiye tha. Nahi! Upar se... Tum apni hi hotel par aisa kyu karwaoge? Sirf meri wafadari check karne ke liye? N-Nahi! Shayad mein kahi kuchh galat soch liya. Toh fir wo kaun tha!?

[Master!!!]

'Hmm! Jaanta hu! A masked man!! Kisi ne mujhe target kiya hai, Pari!'

[Yes!]

'Sirf mujhe hi nahi, mere parivar ko bhi.'

Balhaar : M-Matlab waqai me wo tum nahi the.

Veer (coldly) : Kya lagta hai tumhe? Mein tumhari wafadari check karne ke liye apne parivar ko marwaunga???

Balhaar darr ke maare thoda kaanp utha.

Balhaar : T-Toh... Ye koi test nahi tha!?

Veer ne dheere se uski aankhon me dekha. Uska bhaav aspasht tha. Uska chehra andhere se dhaka hua tha.

Veer (with eerie calm) : Nahi! *grins* Lekin, tum fir bhi pass ho gaye!

Balhaar : Huh?

Veer : Tumne apne aadmi anjaane me hi sahi, lekin sahi samay par bheje the. Good! Very good! And, now...

Balhaar : !?

Veer : I want to give you another task!!! Aur, iss baar... Ye test hi hai.

Balhaar : Huh?

Veer : Aadesh Jaisinghani! Casa Belle ka owner. Iss humle ke peechhe uska bhi kahi na kahi yogdaan hai. Maare gaye security guards ke parijano ko paisa deke bhadkana, aur unse media me galat afwaahe felwaana. Ye sab usi ka kiya dhara hai. Toh...

Balhaar : ...

Veer : Kal theek raat ko 12 baje, mein Casa Belle jaunga. Mere ghuste hi-

Balhaar : ...?

Veer aage badha aur uske kaano me dheere se kuchh kaha.

Balhaar : *gulps*

Fir woh peechhe hata.

Veer : Baaki mein dekh lunga ki uske saath mujhe kaise pesh aana hai. *grins* Are we clear?

Balhaar (nods) : Hmm! Kaam ho jaayega.

Veer : Aur, iss Dhananjay ke aadmi ko bandhi bana ke hi rakho. Jald hi ye Dhananjay bhi mere shikanje me hoga. But, first... I need to gather the details.

Balhaar : ...

Balhaar ki saans atak ke reh gayi. Veer aage badha, uske aas-paas ki hawa achanak bhaari ho gayi.

Veer : Kisi ne mujhe target kiya hai. Mere peeth peechhe se. Agar, mein ateet waala mein hota... toh shayad helpless feel karta. Aur, jaane deta. Lekin, ab...

Balhaar : ...!?

Woh muda. Apne kandhe ke peechhe se dekhte hue Balhaar ki aankhon me jhaanka. Mausam kharab ho raha tha. Aasmaan me kaale baadal chhaa chuke the.

*Ding*

Tabhi, uski aankhon par kshan bhar ke liye laali chamki. Aur-

*Rumble*

Bijli zorr se kadki. Uske prakaash me, Balhaar ne dekha. Wo laal aankhein. Jinhe dekh uski rooh kaanp gayi.

Veer : THIS TIME... I WILL HUNT!

*Whoooooooooooshhh*

Hawa ke ek jhonke ki tarah woh itna bol waha se gaayab ho gaya. Keval apne shabdo ki pratidhwani aur Balhaar ke seene me darr chhor gaya.

---

Tej derr raat apne kamre me laiti, phone ki screen par Veer ki chat kholi hui thi. Woh use message karna chaahti thi. Call karna chaahti thi. Uss se baat karna chaahti thi. Magar, ghabra rahi thi.

Usne type karna shuru kiya...

"Hey! Are you okay?"

Kintu, usne turant hi use delete kar diya.

Usne firse ek baar type kiya.

"Kya tumne dinner kiya?"

Magar, firse use delete kar diya.

Akhirkar, usne screen lock ki aur phone ko apni chhaati se chipka ke lait gayi. Uski aankhein band ho gayi.

'Oh god! I hate this feeling!!! Veeru...! Bhai...! Please, don't be like this. Tum jaante ho ki mein tumse kitna pyaar karti hu, right? Please! Don't push me back. I swear. I swear, I will do better next time. I promise, Veeru! I promise!!'

Mann me badbadaate hue woh phone ko yuhi liye liye hi so gayi.

***

Hotel Mirador Vault, Mumbai,
Morning - 3:15 AM ~

AC ki mand awaaz ne kamre ko bhar rakha tha. Kamra maamuli hi tha — FBCC dwara diya gaya ek standard suite, jo kisi bunker se kam nahi lag raha tha.

Divya bistar ke kinaare baithi hui thi, dono haath modey, apni saanson ko sthir rakhne ki koshish kar rahi thi. Bhale hi uske shareer par chot nahi pahuchi thi lekin uski aatma zaroor zakhmi thi. Aur, uski aankhon ke neeche aaye kaale dhabbe ye sab kuchh bayaan kar rahe the.

Kamre ka darwaza khula hua tha aur dehleez par hi Veer chup-chaap khada hua tha.

Divya (softly) : Tumhe yaha nahi aana chaahiye tha, Veer!

Veer : Mujhe aana hi tha. Ye dekhne ki tum theek ho ya nahi!

Divya ne ek khokhli hasi di aur khidki ke paas baithi pardo se baahar sheher ko dekhti rahi.

Divya : Tumne mujhe dekh liya hai. Ab jao! Nik shaant hai. Iska matlab hai ki woh kuchh plan bana raha hai. Aur, mein nahi chaahti ki tum usme fasso. Tumhe dakhal dene ki zaroorat nahi-

Veer : Iske liye bahut derr ho chuki hai, Divya.

Uss raat, Nik ko uske bodyguards ke saath kootne ke baad, Divya ne hi sabhi ko hospital bhijwaya tha. Usne FBCC se sab kuchh share kar diya tha jiske chalte, FBCC ne use protection provide kiya tha.

Nik hospital me tha. Aur, woh yaha. Lekin, uske baad se kya hua? Koi kuchh nahi jaanta tha. Zaahir hai ki Nik hospital se bhi riha ho chuka tha aur abhi ke liye woh shaant tha. Magar, woh yahi tha. Mumbai me. Divya ke aas-paas. Yahi kahi.

Divya hairanagi me Veer ko dekhi. Fir, boli-

Divya : Tumhe tension lene ki zaroorat nahi hai. Maine apna phone reset kar liya hai. Sab kuchh mita diya hai. FBCC sab kuchh monitor kar raha hai. Nik ab mera phone trace nahi kar sakta. Mein safe hu Veer... *mutters* For now at least.

Veer (steps closer) : Tum dari hui ho.

Divya (scoffs) : Mein darr ke saath jee chuki hu. Saath me soyi hu. Shaadi ki hu. Mujhe pata hai ki uss se kaise deal karna hai, Veer!

Veer : And, that's not how you were meant to live.

Woh aage badha. Par, jaise hi Divya ne use apne qareeb aate dekha, woh achanak khadi ho gayi, aur uss se door chali gayi.

Divya (quietly) : D-Don't!

Veer (steps closer) : Kyu?

Divya (bina mudey) : K-Kyunki... It's not the time now, Veer! B-Because... if you touch me now... I won't be able to pretend I don't need it.

Woh deewar ki orr muh kar ke khadi ho gayi, tabhi Veer ka haath uske kandhe par pada aur woh hil ke reh gayi. Aur, fir jaise gurutvakarshan ke chalte prithvi chaand ko apni orr kheech ke rakhi rehti hai, theek waise hi Veer ke uski kamar ko pakad ke use kheenchne par, wo bechari khichti chali gayi.

Veer : Woh tumhe apna nahi bana sakta. Iss tarah se kabhi bhi nahi-!

Divya ne apna muh khola, virodh karne ke liye, use ye bataane ke liye ki abhi nahi. Ye sab ab zyada ho raha hai. Unhe yahi ruk jaana chahiye. Lekin, Veer ne use koi samay nahi diya.

Veer ke honth uske hontho par the. Ugra aur haasil karne waale. Veer uss se koi sawaal nahi kar raha tha. Woh use bata raha tha. Apne haq ke baare me. Apni marzi ke baare me.

Aur, dikkat ye thi ki... sab kuchh jaante hue bhi... Divya dheeli pad gayi.

Divya ne use dhakka dena chaaha, aadhe adhoore mann se, uljhan me — lekin, uski mutthiyaan Veer ki chhaati se takrayi hi nahi. Balki, usne uski shirt ko aur bhi kass kar pakad liya. Aur, do second baad hi, usne use apne qareeb kheench liya. Uski chumban ne bhi utni hi bhookh se uska jawaab diya.

"Mmmmmnnnn~ Nnghhh~"




Uske gaalon par se aansu beh rahe the, lekin woh ruki nahi. Usne Veer ko use choomne diya.

Dono haanfte hue kuchh kshan baad alag hue.

Veer : *huff* Bhale hi tum mujhe dhakelo. Par, mein fir bhi tumhari madad karunga.

Divya : T-Tum-!!!

Usne neeche dekha. Fir, dheere se sarr hilaayi, ye jaante hue ki woh Veer ki zidd ke saamne kuchh nahi kar paayegi. Kahi na kahi woh khud bhi yahi chaah rahi thi jaise... ki Veer aake use Nik se bachaaye. Uski hifazat kare.

Veer peechhe hata, aur darwaaze ki orr chal diya. Lekin, baahar nikalne se pehle woh ek baar muda.

Veer (quietly) : Take care of yourself. Aur, jald hi...

Divya : !!?

Veer (mutters) : I will fix everything.

Itna bol, woh waha se chala gaya. Divya bas khadi-khadi yahi sochti reh gayi ki kya usne Veer ko apni private life me dakhal dene ki anumati dekar sahi kiya ya nahi!?

***

Hotel Zenith,
Morning - 3:45 AM ~

"Toh tumhara kehna hai ki kisi ne jaan-boojh ke tumhe target kiya?"

Renshu ki awaaz hotel ke kamre me goonj gayi. Door khadi Ava bhi bauhe chinta me modey Veer ko dekh rahi thi jo apne haath baandhe kursi par baitha hua tha.




Veer : Hmm!

Jab se Veer ke dada ji khatam hue the, uske baad se hi Veer sirf aur sirf uljhano me fasa hua tha. Use zara sa bhi araam karne ka waqt nahi mil raha tha.

Renshu : Masked man!! Kaala kapda? Pakka? Uska description sahi hai?

Veer : Hmm!

Renshu (frowns) : Ek system holder...!?

Veer (nods) : Mujhe poora yakeen hai. Kyunki, kisi aam aadmi me itni dum nahi ki mere ghar ke paas aake, mujhe bina alert kiye itna sab kuchh meri family ke baare me jaan le.

Koi agar nahi tha kamre me toh woh thi — Garofano aur Erica, jo dono Rajat, Dhananjay ke baare me information ikhatti karne nikli hui thi.

Renshu (frowns) : Kahi ye wahi toh nahi-!?

Veer : Kaun?

Renshu : Wahi... Jis se meri ladaayi hui thi. Wo masked man!

Veer (frowns) : Maine use nahi dekha. So, I don't know.

Renshu : Tumhare description ke hisaab se lag raha hai ki wahi ho sakta hai.

Veer : Maybe. Maybe not. *shrugs* Par, ek sawaal mera tumse hai!

Renshu : Hmm?

Veer : Jab tumne wo envelopes bheje the. Toh, tumne bataya ki tumne total 3 envelopes bheje the, right!?

Renshu (nods) : Mm-hmm!

Veer : Garofano aur mera toh samajh aata hai. Lekin... Tumne ek envelope use bhi bheja tha jisne tumhe call kiya tha. Jisko humne X ka darja diya hua hai.

Renshu (nods) : Hmm!

Veer (frowns) : Tumhe envelope bhejne ke liye uski location kaise pata chali-??

Ava : Oh!!!?

Renshu : ...

Veer : ...

Renshu : I traced the phone.

Veer : Huh!?

Renshu : Maine call ke through location trace ki aur fir uss location par envelope bheja.

Veer : Kya thi location!!?

Renshu : New York! Brooklyn bridge ke paas kahi...!

Veer : New York huh! Tumhe lagta hai woh envelope uske paas pahucha hoga!?

Renshu : Pahucha bhi tha aur envelope khola bhi gaya tha.

Veer : Ye kaise pata?

Renshu : Erica ki skill... Eager intellect.

Veer : Hmm! Ye bhi toh ho sakta hai ki kisi aur ne khola ho?

Renshu (nods) : Hmm! Bas yahi pata lagaya nahi jaa sakta abhi ki kisne enevlope khola tha.

Veer : I see!

Renshu fir aage badha aur saamne aate hue usne table par kuchh rakha. Veer ne jaise hi wo dekha toh uski aankhein hairangi me chaudi ho gayi.

Veer (mutters) : SHB!!!

Renshu : Underground lair se maine aur Erica ne ye baramad kiye hai. Sirf 5 test tubes hi hai.

Veer (frowns) : Disembowler ka experiment hai ye!!!

Renshu : Check kiya tha maine! Iska usage kya hai?

Veer : It can enhance a system holder's power tremendously for a short while.

Renshu (stunned) : Huh!!!

Veer : Upar se... Ye aur ke contact me aate hi oxidise hota hai.

Renshu : So, you just have to drink it?

Veer : Peene se pehle hi... Jitni derr me tum muh me bharoge utni derr me wo oxidise ho jaayega.

Renshu (frowns) : I see! It's dangerous then. Ye samples mere paas rahenge. Unless you want them...!?

Veer : Nahi! Mujhe kisi aur ke khoon ki zaroorat nahi! Use it however you see fit.

Renshu (nods) : Hmm! Toh? Aage ka kya plan hai?

Veer : Aane waale kuchh dinon me...

Ava : !?

Renshu : ...

Veer : Bahut kuchh badalne waala hai.

Renshu : Hmm?

Ava : Veer!?

Magar, Veer ne koi jawab nahi diya. Bas, unhe uljhan me chhor woh waha se chala gaya. Aur, subah ke 4:30 bajte hi woh apni maasi ke ghar me tha.

Purvi, iss baat se poori tarah se anjaan ki Veer raat me kaha-kaha hoke aa chuka tha chenn se bistar par so rahi thi.

'Pari!'

[Yes Master!?]

'Got to sleep mode!'

[Wh-What? M-Master? Wait! Mein kyu-]

'Maine kaha na sleep mode me jao, Pari.'

[P-Par, kyu? Kya maine kuchh galat kiya? Master, please tell me!]

'Just go! Mein dobaara repeat nahi karunga.'

[I...]

Na chaahte hue bhi Pari ko sleep mode me jaana pada. Aur, uske sleep mode me jaate hi-

*Splash*

Veer ne zorr se apne chehre par paani ke chheete maare. Usne apne saamne maujood sheeshe me khud ko dekha. Paani se uska chehra bheega hua tha, geele baalo ki latein uski aankhon ke saamne jhool rahi thi. Chehre par koi bhi bhaav nahi the.

Purvi ko yu akela chhor woh kisi kaaran se hi gaya tha. Kaaran tha-

*Ding*

[Mission : The Devil is in the details.
Description : Find the culprit who messed with Hotel Prestige, Yarnia, and host's family. Find the plotter.
Rewards : 10,000 points.
Time limit : 1 month.

Mission failure penalty : Unknown for now.]

Yahi wajah thi, Veer ko ab desperate hone ki. Magar, abhi woh soch hi raha tha jab achanak uske mann me-

*Ding*

[Mission : Deal breaker (1)
Description : Find the truth about Pushkar, Gaurav and Nik.
Rewards :
1) 10,000 points.
2) Favourability increase of Divya and Suhana.

Time limit : 10 days.
Mission failure penalty : Losing Suhana and Divya.]

Pehle mission par toh Veer already lag chuka tha. Lekin, dusra mission padhte hi uski aankhein aashcharya me maare fel gayi.

'What!?'
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Aaj ke liye itna hi guys.
The update is around 10k words. This was a breather. Agle update se saari activities start honi hai, toh next update se maza aayega. Disembowler arc sabse bada arc hai toh yes... Abhi kayi updates iske bache hue hai. But we are soon heading towards the Summit arc. Summit arc zyada bada nahi rahega. Not as long as Disembowler arc. But it will be quite an epic arc. Riftborn arc kahani ka sabse chhota arc hoga, filled with only action, action and action. Target mein abhi as such kuchh nahi rakh raha hu. Traffic ghata hai. Site crash hui hai. So, jitna pahucha sakte ho pahucha dena. Atleast 250 to kar hi dena. Baaki, next updates se target rakhenge.
Dhanyavad!!!

Bahut hi behtareen update hai bhai maza aa gaya