Incest Baadshah ~ The Tales of Debauchery

[Werewolf]

Index​

Full Status and Cards​

Artworks​

Full Characters Guide​

Arcs​

Latest Update ~ Update 213 ​

 

[kingxlegion]

Zabar

Update - 212 ~ The Night the masks burned​

Ab tak...

Veer uske kaan ke qareeb aaya.

Veer : Oh, but you already lost…!

Gaurav (mutters) : Bhosdike, agar ye DGP yaha nahi hota na toh mein-

Veer : Do you know why you lost?

Gaurav : !!?

Veer ne ek jhalak neeche baithi Suhana ko dekha aur phir Gaurav ko.

Veer (whispers) : Because you underestimated your queen!!!

Gaurav : !!!!?

Ab aage...

*Clink*

Hall me hathkadi ki awaaz sabhi ko sunaayi di. Gaurav ne koi sangharsh nahi kiya. Maano jaise use iss baat se farq hi nahi pad raha tha ki use arrest kar liya gaya hai.

Par, zaahir taur se uske chehre ke haav-bhaav badle hue the. Jabda kasa hua, maathe par gusse se fadakti hui maanspeshi. Lekin, woh dara nahi. Reedh abhi bhi seedhi. Ahankaar abhi bhi adig. Guroor jo tha use apne aap par.

Jaise hi Rohan aur Trisha uske dono orr khade hue, usne hall me ek baar chaaro orr dekha. Kaise log use ghoor rahe the. Suhana. Sonia. Unke mata-pita. Aur, phir-

Nigaahein Veer ke upar jaa tiki. Bas kuchh kshan ke liye. Dono ke beech ek maun yuddh.

Veer chup-chap waha khada raha, haath abhi bhi jebo me, koi ghamand nahi aur na hi koi muskaan. Bas maun maujoodagi, jo aur bhi adhik bhaari thi.

Rohan ne Gaurav ke haatho ko thaam use moda, le jaane ke liye woh palta. Shailendra, jo ki ye sab hote hue dekh chuka tha, uska mann nahi maan raha tha ki aisa kuchh ho sakta tha.

Ek prakaar se ye uski beizzati thi itne logo ke saamne. Agar, woh kisi tarah DGP ko mana ke ye sab-

Sochte hi woh aage badha. Elite Group koi chhota-mota samooh nahi tha. Ghar me hi ghus ke ghar ke maalik ko iss qadar se hathkadi pehna ke le jaana…

Ye sirf aam vyaktiyo par laagu hota tha. Raees, oonchi pehchaan waalo ke liye nahi. Waha toh paisa khila ke, status dikha ke, wazandaari ke chalte maamla rafa-dafa kar diya jaata tha.

Yahi soch Shailendra apne damaad ko bachaane ke liye bade hi rutbe me aage badha, magar-

Rohan : Wahi theher jaaiye, Sir! Jo kuchh bhi sunwaayi hogi, ab police station me hogi.

Usne ek jhatke me Shailendra ko haath dikhakar wahi rok diya. Shailendra ki bauhe phadki. Ye DGP sirf ek raajya ka hi toh DGP tha. Elite Group ka varchasv toh poore desh me fela hua tha.

Magar, kanoon ke maamle me Rohan sakht tha. Aur, uski sakhti ke charche poore raajya me mashoor the. Isliye, Shailendra ne aage kuchh na kaha. Bas Gaurav ko haath dikhaate hue aashvaashan diya.

Rohan jaane se pehle Veer ki orr muda. Use yaad dila raha tha ki usne ‘Interrogation’ ka vaada kiya tha. Veer ne dheere se apna sarr hilaaya. Ek shaant sweekriti. Aur, ab toh waise bhi use jaana hi tha. Gaurav ke khilaaf usne saboot jo pesh kiye the.

Shailendra ne Veer ko ghoora. Yeh ladka uss raat ICONGLOBE ki deal ke dauraan bhi Kaera ke bagal se baitha tha. Mann me Veer ko lekar usne ek vichaar baithaaya.

Trisha ki nigaahein bhi Veer par thi. Aaj unn nazro me sandeh kam tha, soch-vichaar zyaada. Usne yeh ab pukhta maan liya tha ki Veer hi inn sab ke peechhe tha.

Jab Rohan exit se nikalne ke liye hua toh Erica uske paas ek file lekar aayi.

Erica : Transaction trails, server backups, logs, call reports, chats, images, everything is in hardcopy. *smiles* Aur, ye rahi pendrive, Sir. For more details.

Rohan ne file aur pendrive jab Erica ke haatho se li toh uski aankhein sikudi.

Rohan : Aur, tum kaun-!?

Erica (smiles) : Bas ek hired manager.

Rohan use saath lekar jaana chaahta tha, magar yeh sunane ke baad ki wo bas ek hired person thi, chaahte hue bhi usne iss baat par zor nahi diya. Lekin, Erica ke masked chehre ko woh apne dimaag me baithaana nahi bhoola. Aur, na hi Trisha.

Akhirkar, woh dono Gaurav ko lekar baahar nikle. Mukhya dwar se ve ravaana hue, phir baahar dur se siren ke goonjne ki awaaz ne spasht kar diya ki ve jaa chuke the.

Suhana wahi neeche baithi reh gayi. Kuchh derr pehle hi woh cake kaat rahi thi aur ab-

Itne saalo se woh uske changul me fasi thi. Gaurav ke mijaaz ke anusaar usne khud ko dhaalne ki koshish bhi ki thi. Khud dab-dab kar uske neeche rahi. Yeh yakeen dilaane ke liye ki shaayad ek na ek din sab sahi ho jaayega.

Kintu, aaj usne dekh liya ki sacchaayi toh ekdum hi vipreet thi. Aur, uske bheetar kuchh toot gaya.

Suhana : Aaj tak... Aaj tak mein- *shivers*

Usne fusfusate hue kaha, uski awaaz mushqil se hi bagal me jhuki Ashita ko sunaayi de rahi thi.

Suhana : M-Mujhe kabhi pata hi nahi chala... Ashita... Mein-

Ashita (tenderly) : Suhana...

Uski nazrein Suhana par tiki. Uska therapist dimaag pehle se hi trauma responses, emotional collapse ke patterns ko padhne ke liye jut chuka tha.

Phir, usne Veer ko dekha. Na jaane kab se woh Suhana jaisi split personality waali aurat ko badalne waale ladke se milne ke liye betaab thi. Aaj woh shaks uske saamne tha.

Beshaq. Veer ko dekhte hi usne ek gehri saans li. Use bas yeh jaanana tha ki iss ladke me aisa kya tha ki uski patient ki saansein uska naam lete hi tez ho jaati thi.

Filhaal ke liye charcha na sahi, lekin usne itna jaan liya tha ki Veer kaun tha.

Karan, jo ki wahi khada tha, sab kuchh ghatit hota dekh Veer ke nazdeek aaya. Maathe par shikan. Veer aur uske beech bina bol ke ishaaro me hi baat ho gayi.

Suhana ki maa ne jhukte hue use apne galey se lagaaya.

Toh wahi pita Shailendra ka chehra sharmindagi se laal tha. Woh swabhimaani vyakti jisne apne damaad ki na jaane kitni deenge haaki thi, jis par wo kabhi garv mehsoos karta tha, jisne use aadhe se zyaada vyapaar jagat se milwaaya tha aaj sharminda aur stabdh khada hua tha.

Udhar Sonia bina koi harqat kiye vismay aur bhay me khadi thi. Apni jagah se tass se mass na hui. Pushkar ka naam uske dimaag me ghoom raha tha. Yakeen nahi ho raha tha ki yeh sab-

Planned tha. Chhal se racha gaya tha. Aur, use humesha-humesha ke liye chup kara diya gaya. Itne saalo tak woh apne mann me uski maut ko baar-baar dohraati rahi, aur bas bhaagya ko dosh deti rahi. Lekin, iss ghatna me toh bhaagya ka haath kam, Gaurav ka zyaada tha.

Par, uss se bhi badi baat-

Jiska use darr tha. Jiska use bhay tha ki Gaurav uske liye kahi koi ghinauni soch toh nahi rakhta? Woh sach saabit ho gayi.

Ab jo kuchh bhi hua wo media me saamne tha. Iss se bacha nahi jaa sakta tha. Abhi ke liye Elite Group ki izzat par ek zordaar thokar lagi thi. Uss se ubharne ke liye-

Shailendra seedha khada hua aur mehmaano ki orr mudkar usne haath jode.

Shailendra : I apologise!

Usne tanaav bhari magar dhridh awaaz me kaha.

Shailendra : Aaj ki raat meri beti ke janmdin ke liye jashn manaane ke liye thi. Iske bajaaye… kuchh aisa ho gaya jo nahi hona chaahiye tha. Jis situation me abhi Suhana hai, mein chaahunga ki aap sabhi please move on kariye. Ek baar firse, kshama chaahta hu.

Log bhi samajhdaar the. Ve jaante the ki aisi sthiti me koi kaise hi apna janmdin mana sakta tha? Unhone Shailendra ko aashvaashan diya aur jaate-jaate use saantvna bhi de gaye.

Bheed chhatne lagi. Kuchh asahajta ke kaaran, kuchh darr ke maare, aur kuchh isliye ki ab tamasha khatam ho chuka tha.

Suhana jo iss waqt mehsoos kar rahi thi woh koi bhi nahi samajh sakta tha. Woh apni maa ke sparsh se peechhe hati.

Namrita : Suhana-!

Woh achanak hi khadi hui. Sonia ne iss baar use dekha. Pehle toh Suhana khadi hone ke baad dheere-dheere saiyyam se chali. Har qadam napa-tula, maano uska shareer bina uski ichha ke chal raha ho.

Phir, achanak na jaane kya hua, woh daud padi. Darwaaze ki orr. Baahar driveway ki taraf jaha security waale asmanjas me use dekhte hue alag ho gaye.

Namrita (yells) : Suhanaaaaa-! Ruko!

Peechhe se uski maa ki ruwaasi pukaar sunaayi padi. Uske pita ne bhi use awaaz lagaayi. Sonia ka dil ghabra kar zor se dhadka, usne apna haath utha kar use rokne ki koshish ki, magar muh se shabd hi baahar nahi nikle.

Suhana nahi ruki. Bhaag kar woh apni car tak pahuchi. Kaanpte haatho se usne gaadi unlock ki, andar baithi aur darwaaza zor se band kiya jis se baahar ki awaaz sunaayi na de.

Ek pal ke liye woh bas steering wheel ko kasskar pakde baithi rahi. Phir-

*Rumble*

Engine garja. Aur, usne apni gaadi aage dauda di. Kuchh zyada hi tez. Raat me sadko ke aas-paas khambo par, lampposts par jagah-jagah 26 january ke posters aur jhande lage hue the. Dur kahi aatishbaazi ho rahi thi, swatantrata ke chhote-chhote utsav ho rahe the.

Par, uski azaadi ka kya? Kya use khush hona chaahiye? Ya dukhi? Use samajh nahi aa raha tha.

Woh bina soche-samjhe idhar-udhar mod leti jaa rahi thi. Baaye, daaye, phir daaye. Sheher uski namm aankhon ke saamne dhundhla sa pad gaya. Aasuon ke chalte use theek se traffic bhi nazar nahi aa raha tha. Uska dil-dimaag shaant hone ka naam hi nahi le rahe the.

Pushkar. Hidden cameras. Photographs. Footage. Transactions.

Akhir kitne jhootho ke saath woh har ek din guzaar rahi thi Gaurav ke saath? Uski saansein phool rahi thi. Kayi minute tak disha-heen gaadi chalaane ke baad, usne ek flyover ke paas gaadi ko kinaare roka.

Car band ki. Dur se traffic ka shor use ab sunaayi diya. Uske haath steering wheel se hatey. Aur, kandhe kaanpne lage. Woh aage jhuki aur apne chehre ko usne apni hatheliyo me chhipa liya.

Aur, phir-

*Sniff*

“Haaaaaaaaaaaa!!!”

Woh zor se royi. Dil khol ke. Itne saalo se jo bhadaas andar thi, woh baahar aa gayi. Jo dabey hue emotions the woh baahar umad aaye.

Woh bilakh-bilakh kar royi. Siskiyon aur subakne ki awaaz car me goonj gayi. Woh aise royi ki agar koi sunn le toh uska dil dahal jaaye.

Kyunki, koi use sunane waala nahi tha. Kyunki, woh akeli thi. Aisa use yakeen tha jab peechhe se ek shaant awaaz aayi-

“Aapko pata hai na iss tarah se gaadi chalaana kitna khatarnak hota hai?”

Suhana ka badan kaanp utha. Woh haafte hue tezi se mudi, sihran uske poore jism me fel gayi. Aur, phir usne use dekha.

Veer.

Peechhe ki seat par baitha hua. Ek pal ke liye woh bas dekhti reh gayi, samajh nahi paa rahi thi ki Veer yaha kaise ho sakta tha.

“2 signals miss kiye. Divider se lagbhag gaadi bhid hi gayi thi.”

Usne narmi se kaha. Phir, ek virhaam.

“Aap toh iss tarah se drive nahi karti kabhi. Kis se bhaag rahi thi? Jo pehle hi sab khatam ho chuka hai uss cheez se? Ya phir apne aap se?”

Uske bol zor se Suhana ko lage. Woh daant nahi raha tha. Na hi mazaak uda raha tha. Bas… parvaah ko bade hi seedhepann se pesh kar raha tha. Woh utha, usne darwaaza khola aur car ke baahar utra.

“Haath kaanp rahe hai, phir bhi gaadi chalaani hai? Pata hai na ye kitna risky tha?”

Usne aage aate hue uski driver seat ka darwaaza khola.

“Aage se aisa mat karna. Samajh gayi na?”

Aur, bas-

Suhana ki rulaayi ek baar phir chhooth padi. Jab Veer ne use dheere se haath pakad baahar ko nikaala toh usne koi virodh nahi kiya. Jaise hi uske perr zameen par pade, uski saari taaqat jaise gaayab ho gayi. Woh zor se bilakh ke royi aur seedhe Veer ki baahon me simat gayi. Uski mutthiyon ne Veer ki shirt ko kasskar jakad liya.

“Waaaaaaa-!”

Aur, woh bas roti rahi. Subak-subak ke. Uske galey se lage hue. Kasskar chipke hue. Woh cold, arrogant, rich aur haughty Suhana gaayab ho chuki thi.

Suhana : M-Mein *sobs* Mein jhooth ki duniya me jee rahi thi, Veer! *sniff* H-Har din- *hic* He... He lied to me. *sob* Every day! Sonu ke liye bhi uske mann me- *sniff*

Veer ne apni baahon me use zor se jakad ke rakha. Ek haath uski peeth par mazbooti se tika hua tha. Dusra, uske kandhe ko sahaara de raha tha.

Veer : Shh! You were surviving. And, you did.

Suhana ne apna sirr uske seene par tikaaya.

Suhana : S-Sach mere saamne tha- *sniff* Par, mein hi andhi thi. *sob* M-Mujhe lagta tha mein… mein hi zaroorat se zyaada soch rahi hu. He kept lying to me. Every time. *sob* M-Mujhe yakeen nahi hota ki woh iss tarah ki ghinauni- *hic*

Veer : Shh! It’s alright!

Uska haath dheere-dheere Suhana ke baalo par phira, maano jaise woh koi chhoti bacchi ho. Dekha jaaye toh sahi maayno me aaj Suhana ek chhoti bacchi ke hi samaan thi. Shareerik taur se nahi, lekin uska chanchal mann, dil-dimaag ki sthiti abhi kisi ek dukhi, chot pahuchi baalika ke jaisi hi thi.

Veer : Aapne uss par bharosa karna chaaha jo khud na toh aap par kabhi bharosa kiya aur na hi khud bharose ke laayak bann paaya.

Suhana : …

Veer : Lekin, ye aapki kamzori nahi hai.

Suhana : M-Mujhe nahi pata ki ab mein kaun hu. *sob* Kuchh samajh nahi aa raha. *hic* I hate it, Veer. I hate it.

Veer thoda peechhe hua taaki uske aasuon se bheege chehre ko dekh sake.

Veer : Aap wahi Suhana ho jisne meri madad ki, jisne mere liye goli khaayi, jo apni chhoti behan ke liye har waqt khadi rahi, jisne apne aise pati ka bhi saath diya taaki apne maa-baap ka sarr sharm se na jhuke. Woh Suhana ho aap.

Suhana bas uss se lipti rahi. Kaafi derr tak. Akhirkar, uski saansein sthir hui. Poori tarah se nahi, lekin itna zaroor ki woh bina roye uski chhaati se sirr ko utha sake. Ungliyaan toh ab bhi Veer ki shirt ko jakde hue thi.




Suhana : K-Kaise-!? T-Tum car me- Maine toh tumhe dekha tak nahi.

Veer (smiles) : Jab aap bhaagi thi. Toh, mein bhi aapke peechhe hi tha.

Suhana : !!?

Veer : Jab aap car me andar baithi, tab uss waqt mein bhi peechhe andar baitha tha. Par, tab aap aisi haalat me nahi thi ki inn sab cheezon ko notice kar sako.

Suhana : T-Toh, tum shaant kyun the? K-Kuchh bole kyun nahi?

Veer (smiles) : Aapke mom dad ne aapko awaaz lagaayi thi. Kya aapne suni? Toh uss waqt mere bolne se kya hi farq padta?

Suhana (mutters) : Tumhari baat alag hai…!

Veer : Hmm?

Suhana : K-Kuchh nahi. Mein bas-

Usne apne kaanpte hue haatho ko dekha jo Veer ki shirt ko nichode hue the. Usne dheere se shirt ko chhora. Par, haath hatey nahi. Abhi bhi uske seene par hi tike hue the.

Tabhi, Veer ko kuchh yaad aaya.

Veer : Oh!?

Suhana : Huh?

Veer uss se alag hua, peechhe ki seat ke darwaaze ko usne khola aur ek rectangular sa kuchh baahar nikaala jo rang-birange decorative paper me lipta hua tha. Usne woh tauhfa Suhana ki orr badhaaya.

Veer : Mein lagbhag bhool hi gaya tha.

Suhana (curiously) : K-Kya hai ye?

Veer (smiles) : Khol ke dekh lijiye!

Suhana ki ungliyaan savdhani se lipte hue kaagaz ko kholne ke liye chalne lagi. Usne dheere se use faada aur tauhfe ko khola.

Jaise hi usne kaagaz alag kar ke dekha, uski aankhein hairat me fel gayi.

Veer (smiles) : Happy birthday~

Tauhfe me andar ek framed oil painting thi. Kaafi puraani. Canvas bhi khurdura sa tha.

Kayi dino pehle jab Veer Divya aur Ava ke saath serial killer ki investigation ke liye nikla tha tab Divya ne car me ek baat kahi thi uss se...

Veer : Toh, Divya! Miss Suhana ko kya pasand hai?

Divya : Suhana? Kyu? Tum kyu poochh rahe ho ye?

Veer : Unka birthday next month aa raha hai. Mein iss baar unhe kuchh khaas gift karna chaahta hu. Tum unki closest friend ho. Toh, laga ki tum sabse behtar jaanti hogi.

Divya (curiously) : Hmm? Tum kab se logo ke birthdays ki parvah karne lage, Veer? Mere liye toh kabhi aise gifts nahi laaye.

Veer : Ahem! *smiles* Waise- Rahi baat birthdays ki toh mein aam taur par aisa nahi karta. I'm not a 'celebration' type, you know. Lekin, Miss Suhana... Unhone mere liye bahut kuchh kiya hai. I want her to feel appreciated, that's all!

Divya : Appreciated, huh? What exactly are you planning, Mr. Thoughtful?

Veer (smiles) : Kuchh nahi, seriously. Isliye, toh tumse poochh raha hu. Any ideas?

Divya (thoughtfully) : Suhana ko art pasand hai, Veer. Woh rare paintings ikhatta karti hai — mostly abstract. Aur, woh classical music instruments ki deewani hai, khaas kar live orchestra ki. Lekin... *pauses, looks at him* Tum kuchh bada karne ke baare me soch rahe ho, hai na?

Veer (smiles) : Ho sakta hai!

Idhar Suhana ki dhadkane tez thi.

Painting me ek mahila toofan ke khatam hone ke dauraan apni balcony me kinaare khadi hui bagal se ek jalti laalten ki orr badh rahi thi, aur peechhe akaash baadalo aur bijli se ghira hua tha. Toofan ke jaate hue aas-paas ke kshetro me haani. Neeche sheher ast-vyast, tez hawaaein aur keechad.

Dekha jaaye toh yeh painting Suhana ki vyatha ko bakhoobi darsha rahi thi.

Neeche peetal ki plate par sheershak khud hi likha hua tha : The lantern that survived, Arvind Mirajkar, 1938.

Frame ko chhoote hue Suhana ka haath thar-thara utha.

Suhana (shivers) : N-Nahi! Y-Ye kaise ho sakta hai?

Woh har ek bareeki ko gaur se dekh rahi thi. Kone ke paas varnish me aayi daraare, neeche painter ke signature ka halka sa ghumavdaar nishaan, frame me thodi si khaami, har ek cheez. Suhana ka gala ye dekh ke hi sookh gaya.

Suhana : Y-Ye toh-

Usne fauran hi painting ko palat kar kuchh jaanch ki. Ek seal. Original collector ki ek stamp. Kayi varsho ki puraani lakdi.

Yeh asli thi.

Yeh wahi painting thi.

Saalo pehle, Delhi ki ek painting auction me usne iss painting ko dekha tha. Dekhte hi usne mann bana liya tha ki woh ye painting leke hi rahegi. Isliye, nahi ki ye painting kaafi durlabh thi, puraani thi. Balki, toofan me tiki laalten aur aurat ki wajah se-

Jo bhaari vipda ke baad bhi, apne khud ke liye khadi hui thi aur traasdi se ladkar bhi jeevit thi. Sahi salamat thi.

Parantu, uss painting ko paana lagbhag asambhav tha. Kyunki, woh painting-

Kaera ke paas thi.

Usne pehle hi uski bidding laga ke use khareed liya tha. Mehnge daam par. Baad me, Suhana uss se akele me mili. Khareedi hui keemat se doguni keemat dene taiyaar thi woh. Aur, Kaera apna bhaav-heen chehra liye uss se bas itna hi boli ki-




"It's mine now, Suhana. And... It's not for sale."

Suhana ne Veer ko dekha.

Suhana : Ye... K-Kaise? Ye Kaera ke paas thi. Mujhe yaad hai. Tumhare paas kaise-?

Veer (smiles) : Haan. Maine unse maang li.

Suhana (shocked) : M-Maang li?

Veer : Haan! Maine request ki. Aur, unhone de di.

Veer ka jawab hadd se zyada hi seedha-saada tha. Aur, isliye Suhana ko uss par yakeen nahi hua.

Kaera cheezein yuhi nahi deti thi. Paiso ke liye bhi nahi. Ehsaan ke liye bhi nahi.

Suhana ke dimaag me woh pal phirse aaya. ICONGLOBE deal ke baad uss raat Kaera ka Veer ko kiss karna. Uski bauhe fadki.

Woh bewakoof nahi thi. Kisi bhi tarah ki 'request' Kaera ko ye painting dene ke liye raazi nahi kar sakti thi.

Jab tak ki badle me use kuchh aur na diya jaaye. Koi utni hi ya uss se zyada moolya ki vastu.

Kuchh aisa jo Kaera ko chahiye ho. Usne Veer ko phirse dekha.

Suhana (mutters) : T-Tumne sirf poochha hi nahi... Tumne-

Veer ne koi jawaab nahi diya. Uski chuppi ne sab kuchh pukhta kar diya tha. Suhana ki chhaati dard se jakad gayi.

Suhana : You promised her something, didn't you???

Uski awaaz kaanp gayi. Woh aarop nahi laga rahi thi, lekin awaaz me dard saaf jhalak raha tha.

Suhana : Iske liye!??

Usne painting aage karte hue poochha.

Veer : Ab ye aapki hai. It's my gift. For you.

Veer ne uski aankhon me dekhte hue kaha. Uska mann kuchh derr pehle ki mulaqaat ki orr kaundh gaya.

---

Din ke dauran uski car ruki, woh Kaera ke ghar pahuch chuka tha. Jassi aur Raghu use dekhte hi aage badhe. Aam taur par wo dono use rokte aur poochhte, magar unhone bas sirr hila diya.

Bas ek mamooli sa security check aur unn dono ne hi use andar jaane de diya. Koi sawaal nahi. Koi baat nahi.

Veer ne andar ghar me pravesh kiya. Saubhagyavash aaj Kishore ghar par nahi tha. Usne mushqil se abhi teen-chaar qadam hi badhaaye the ki Julia hall me prakat hui. Veer ko dekhte hi uski aankhein chaudi ho gayi.

Julia : Oh? *smiles* Young Master Veer.

Veer : It’s just Veer.

Julia : Please, allow me to call you ‘Young Master.’ In this house, names carry weight. *smiles*

Uski awaaz me kuchh chanchalta thi, kuchh sharaarat.

Julia : Aisa aksar nahi hota ki mujhe aapko dekhne ka mauka mile. Aap yaha Young Miss ke liye aaye ho na? Follow me please.

Veer : Hindi huh!? Nice. Tumhe kaise pata chala ki mein Miss Kaera se-

Julia (smiles) : Isme pata karne ki zaroorat nahi hai, young master. It was obvious.

Woh aage badhi. Veer uske peechhe-peechhe aaya. Lift ke andar dono daakhil hue. Aur, lift upar ki orr jaane lagi.

Julia : You look serious today. Business or heart?

Veer : Huh? Does it matter?

Julia : To me? No. For her? *smiles* Always.

Veer ne koi jawaab nahi diya. Julia darasal use pasand karti thi. Romantically nahi. Bas apni miss ke liye. Woh jaanti thi ki uski miss ke liye Veer kitna maayne rakhta hai. Aur, kyun Veer baaki mardo se alag tha.

[She likes you.]

'Huh? Oh come on, Pari. Har koi mujhse-'

*Ding*

[Julia's favorability : 68]

[See?]

'Kya? 68 hi hai. Nothing much.'

[It's more than enough. Itna bataane ke liye kaafi hai ki wo aapko pasand toh zaroor karti hai, Master. Of course, not in a romantic way. But she likes you.]

Pari aur uske beech ye sanvaad kuchh aur chal paata ki itne me-

*Ting*

Lift ruki. Julia bina kisi jhijhak ke corridor se guzri. Kaera ke kamre se hote hue woh uske bedroom ke baahar aa kar khadi hui.

Usne ek baar darwaaza khat-khataaya aur phir dobaara me bina anumati liye hi usne darwaaze ko dhakel kar khol diya. Woh aur Veer andar aaye aur andar qadam rakhte hi Veer maano saans lena hi bhool gaya.




Kaera apne bistar par paalthi maare baithi hui thi, jism par bas ek dheeli-dhaali safed striped shirt thi. Perr aur jaangh poori tarah se nagn.

Usne apne haatho me pakdi ek kitaab se nazrein upar uthaayi. Jab usne Veer ko dekha toh chehre par halki si muskaan apne aap aa gayi.

Kaera : Oh?

Usne apni kitaab ko takiye ke neeche sarkaaya.

Uski nigaahein Julia par tiki.

Kaera : Tumhe pata hai na ki mere bedroom me aane ki permission kisi ko bhi nahi hai? Father ko bhi nahi. Even Karan.

Julia (smiles) : Jaanti hu, miss. But I also know that today you might make an exception.

Kehte hue usne Veer ki orr dekha, phir wapas se Kaera ki taraf.

Kaera (smiles) : I hate that you’re right about that part.

Julia muskuraayi aur jhukte hue abhivaadan ki.

Julia : I will leave you two alone then.

Jaate-jaate woh darwaaze par ruki, uski nigaahein ek pal ke liye Veer se phirse mili. Aankhon me ek ajeeb tarah ki chamak thi. Phir, woh darwaza band karke baahar nikal gayi. Aur, kamre me sannaata chhaa gaya.

Kaera ne thoda sa hilte hue apne perr modey.

Kaera : Mujhe nahi pata tha ki tum surprises dena bhi enjoy karte ho, Veer. So? What brings you here?

Kehte hue usne aalas me saamne ki chair ki orr ishaara kiya.

Kaera : Have a seat.

Veer baitha. Usne Kaera ko dekha. Kuchh toh gadbad thi. ICONGLOBE ki deal ki uss raat Kaera ne bina kisi jhijhak ke use kiss kiya tha. Uss par apna adhikaar jataaya tha.

Aur ab? Woh ekdum shaant thi. Beparwah si. Maano woh raat bas ek bhooli-bisri yaad bann chuki ho.

[Don’t worry. Aisa kuchh nahi hai, Master.]

‘Tumne mere mann ko padha?’

[Nahi. Bas jaan gayi ki aap kya soch rahe hoge.]

*Ding*

[Kaera’s favorability : 99]

Favorability badhi hui thi. Phir, Kaera bhala iss tarah se kyun pesh aa rahi thi? Yeh uske aam vyaktitva se alag tha. Veer ne iss baare me sochna band kiya aur usne apne phone par nazar daali. Divya ka ek message screen par dikhaayi de raha tha.

“Agar tum Suhana ko waqai ek achha gift dena chaahte ho toh Arvind Mirajkar ki ‘The lantern that survived’ painting use de sakte ho. Agar, tum use arrange karwa sakte ho toh… Kyunki, jaha tak mujhe yaad hai, woh Kaera ke paas hai. Suhana ke paas Arvind ke kaafi famous works hai, lagbhag sabhi siwaaye uss ek ke…”

Veer ne screen band ki aur seedha mudde pe aaya.

Veer : Kya aapke paas-

Kaera (smiles) : Aapke?

Veer (smiles) : I mean- Kya tumhare paas ‘The lantern that survived’ painting hai?

Sunte hi Kaera ke kaan khade hue aur uske haav-bhaav turant hi badal gaye. Woh seedhi ho kar baithi aur muskuraayi.

Kaera : Ah! *smirks* Toh tum Suhana ko gift dene ka plan kar rahe ho.

Veer maun raha. Use jawaab dene ki zaroorat bhi nahi thi. Uski khamoshi hi pushti thi. Kaera ne ek gehri saans li.

Kaera : Tumhe kisne bataaya ki woh painting mere paas hai?

Veer : Divya.

Kaera : I see!

Usne ek haami bhari.

Kaera (grins) : Of course. Wo dono best friends hai. Sab share karti hai. No wonder.

Usne phir paini nazron se Veer ko ghoora.

Kaera : Everything has a price, Veer.

Veer (nods) : Aur, mein pay karne ke liye taiyaar hu.

Kaera ki muskaan aur chaudi ho gayi jaise maano Veer uske saamne koi mazaak kar raha ho.

Kaera : Hundred thousand billion dollars. Can you pay it?

Veer (shocked) : Mein-

Kaera : See? *smiles* Agar, mujhe paise hi chaahiye hote, toh mein use khareedti hi kyun, Veer?

Woh dheere se khadi hui.




Kaera : Come.

Veer uske peechhe-peechhe bedroom se baahar nikla, uske main room se hote hue ek gallery waale room me pahucha jaha chuninda kalakritiyaan pradarshit ho rakhi thi. Kaera ek khaas canvas ke saamne ruki. Woh painting-

The lantern that survived.

Kaera ne uss painting ko showcase par se nikaala aur uski ungliyaan frame par phir gayi.

Kaera : Kya de sakte ho Veer… Iske badle me…?

Usne bina uski orr dekhe poochha. Veer chup raha. Kaera ne painting ko uski orr kar use dikhaaya.

Kaera : You see this woman? Toofan ke baad lantern ki taraf jo haath badha rahi hai?

Veer : ..!?

Kaera : Iss ladki me mein khud apne aap ko dekhti hu. Aur, pata hai iss lantern me kisko dekhti hu?

Kehte hue uski nigaahein Veer par phiri, unn nazron me kuchh ankaha chhipa hua tha. Veer ke honth halke se khule-

Veer : I-

Kaera : Anyways… I don’t need money. I have plenty of it. What I want is… A promise.

Veer : Promise? K-Kaisa promise?

Kaera : I don’t know. Par, jab time aayega, tab tumhe mere liye kuchh karna hoga. Jo mein maangungi woh.

Veer ne turant uttar nahi diya.

Veer : What is it that you want?

Kaera (smiles) : I don’t know yet.

*Silence*

Kaera : I will ask when the time comes.

Yahi sabse khatarnak pehlu tha. Ek undefined debt. Veer ne uss par vichaar kiya. Par, akhir Kaera uss se kya hi maangengi bhavishya me? Akhir uske paas toh sab kuchh tha jo insaan aam taur par paane ki chaah rakhta hai.

Suhana ka chehra ek kshan ke liye uske mann me mandraaya. Woh khamosh gham jo kabhi Suhana ne zaahir nahi kiya tha. Veer ne akhirkar sarr hilaaya.

Veer : I accept it. Jab samay aayega, tum jo kahogi, mein woh karunga.

Kaera ne kuchh pal tak use nihaara. Phir, usne woh painting use thama di.

Kaera : Take it. It’s yours now.

Veer ne saavdhani se uss painting ko apne haatho me liya. Aur, ab Kaera ke chehre par aisa bhaav tha jise samajhna lagbhag asambhav tha. Na hi kisi jeet ka aur na hi kisi haar ka.

Veer : Miss Suhana ne aapko invite nahi kiya?

Invited toh Veer khud bhi nahi tha par woh jaanta tha ki Suhana ne use kyun invite nahi kiya tha. Kaaran tha - Gaurav.

Kaera : Iss painting ko woh na jaane kitne saalo tak mujhse maangti rahi aur maine use ye aaj tak nahi di. Kya tumhe lagta hai woh mujhe invite karegi?

Veer : I see. So… aapas me koi berr nahi. Hai na?

Kaera : No. We’re on neutral terms. Woh mujhe zyada pasand nahi karti. Aur, mein use blame nahi karti.

Kehte hue usne neeche ki floor ki taraf ishaara kiya.

Kaera : But my little brother received an invitation, though. See? Kaise Suhana mujhe taunt karti hai!? Woh aise ready ho raha hai jaise uski girlfriend ne date par bulaaya ho.

Veer muskuraaya.

Veer : Thank you! It means a lot.

Kehte hue woh baahar nikalne ki orr chal pada. Tabhi, peechhe se use Kaera ki awaaz sunaayi di.

Kaera : Remember what you promised, Veer. Now you owe me twice.

Woh muskuraayi. Usne ICONGLOBE ki raat waali baat bhi use yaad dilaayi ki kaise Veer ab uska karzdaar tha. Ek baar nahi. Do baar.

Veer ruka. Aur, bina mudey hi bola.

Veer : I will.

Aur, phir woh baahar nikal gaya. Kaera wapas se apne bedroom me lauti, takiye ke neeche se usne apni wahi kitaab baahar nikaali jiska sheershak tha-

The Art of Loving without Losing.

Aur, usme pehle hi chapter ki seekh thi - Never show full interest. Let them come toward you.

‘Ugh! This is hard. I cannot do this.’

Usne pehle page ko faad ke dustbin me fek diya. Aur, woh dusre chapter par kood gayi.

---

Suhana ki aankhon me phirse aasu bhar aaye. Iss baar kisi aur dard ke chalte. Usne painting ko car ke andar rakha aur phir woh aage badhi aur usne Veer ko kasskar jakad liya. Kuchh zyaada hi zor se.

Usi waqt ek cab unse kuchh doorie par aakar ruki aur andar se ek aurat baahar nikli ~ Divya.




Veer ne use location apni pehle hi bhej di thi. Jaise hi woh unki taraf aage badhi, uske qadam saamne ke drishya ko dekh wahi jamm gaye.

Suhana ne Veer ke sarr ko neeche kheencha aur iss baar bina kisi sharm ke-




Usne Veer ke hontho ko apne muh me bhar liya.

*Kiss*

Uski aankhein band thi. Uske haath kass ke Veer ke baalo ko jakde hue the. Seena uski chhaati me dhasa hua tha. Aur, bina aate-jaate traffic ki parvaah kiye, woh Veer ke hontho ko choosne lagi. Ek baar. Do baar. Baar-baar. Bina ruke. Maano jaise ye jeevan ka antim lamha tha.

[See? I told you Suhana loves you.]

Pari ki awaaz uske mann me goonji. Magar, Veer ka dhyaan iss waqt Suhana par tha. Dono alag hue. Suhana ne use dekha. Veer ki aankhon me aashcharya tha.

Veer : Suhana…!?

Suhana : Shhhh-! Bas mere sawaalo ka jawaab do.

Veer : ???

Suhana : K-Kyun? Mere liye itna sab kyun?

Veer : Kyunki… Kyunki, aapko woh painting kayi saalo se chaahiye thi.

Suhana : Chaahiye toh mujhe aur bhi bahut kuchh hai. Doge mujhe?

Usne Veer ke hontho ko dekh bola.

*badumps*

Aur, iss baar Veer ki dhadkane tez ho gayi.

Veer : Su-

Bolne se pehle hi ek baar phir Suhana ne uske hontho par vaar kar diya. Uski saans phool rahi thi par uske bawajood woh Veer ko choomne se peechhe nahi hatna chaahti thi.

Aaj use samajh aa raha tha ki uss raat Kaera ko kaisa mehsoos hua hoga. Kahi na kahi use gussa aa raha tha ki Kaera ne ye ehsaas uss se pehle paa liya. Aur, woh wahi ki wahi bas khadi hoti dekhti rahi. Uss yaad ko woh aaj mitaana chaahti thi.

Jab dono alag hue toh dono ki hi saansein tez thi.

Suhana : Y-Ye sab tumhara plan tha na? *huff*

Veer (nods) : H-Haan! Sorry, meri wajah se aapka birthday-

Suhana : Nahi! It’s the best birthday gift I have ever got. Tumne mujhe azaad kiya hai. *glances* Aur, ye pal mein kabhi bhi nahi bhoolungi, Veer. Thank you~

“Tum dono ka ho gaya ho toh koi mujhe notice karega ab?”

Divya ki awaaz unke kaano me padi. Suhana ne jaisi hi use paaya, uske gaal sharm se laal ho gaye aur woh jhatse Veer se alag ho gayi.

Suhana : Divya? Tum yaha?

Divya : Haan mein yaha-

Suhana : T-Tum y-yaha kaise-!?

Divya : Veer ki location mere phone me update ho rahi thi. *walks forward* Happy birthday jaaneman!

Aur, usne kass ke Suhana ko apni baahon me bhar liya.

Suhana : Divya-!

Divya : Shh! I know kya hua hai. Veer ne mujhe sab pehle hi bata diya tha ki kya hone waala hai.

Suhana : Matlab tumhe pata tha?

Divya (nods) : Hmm! Happy birthday darling~ You deserved it. You deserve this happiness. This freedom. Every good thing in this world.

Veer : Ladies! Ab samay aa gaya hai mein niklu-

Suhana : Kyaaaa? N-Nahi!

Usne Veer ka haath kasskar thaama.

Suhana : You are not going anywhere. P-Please~ I beg you! Kahi mat jao. I want you to be with me. Tum dono… meri life me sabse important ho. *sob* Please~ Aaj mein bahut khush hu. I want to spend the rest of the night with you two. Please~

Veer ne uske gaalo ko apne haatho me liya aur uske chehre ki orr halka sa jhuka.

Veer : I know! Lekin… aapke husband ke khilaaf wo sab saboot jo maine pesh kiye. Uske liye… Mujhe police station jaana hi hoga. DGP se milna hoga. You know it too ki ye kitna serious matter hai, right? Mein aapse milne phirse aaunga baad me. Don’t worry.

Suhana : P-Par-

Veer ne uske maathe ko haule se chooma. Suhana ka badan kaanp gaya.

Veer : Maine kaha hai na ki mein aaunga. Now… Go. Aap apni best friend se itne time baad mil rahi ho. Aur, aap poochhna nahi chaahti Divya se ki woh itne din Mumbai me rahi toh mili kyu nahi aapse? *smiles* Spend some time with her.

Suhana : I-

Veer ne iss baar uski thuddi ko pakad uska chehra upar uthaaya aur Divya ke saamne hi-

*Kiss*

Uske hontho ko ek baar phirse choom liya. Suhana ka dil gadgad ho chuka tha. Woh kuchh derr pehle ka gham bhool chuki thi kyunki uske sabse pasandeeda vyakti uske paas the.

Suhana : P-Promise?

Veer : Haan promise.

Suhana : Aur, Kaera ko tumne kya diya badle me?

Veer : Kuchh bhi nahi.

Suhana : Jhooth mat bolo, mein jaanti hu ki woh yuhi tumhe painting nahi de sakti chaahe tum uske kitne hi achhe dost hi kyun na ho.

Veer : Bas ek vaada. Jiske baare me unhone nahi bataaya. Samay aane par woh mujhse kuchh maangengi.

Suhana ki bauhe kisi chinta me sikudi.

Veer : Ab mujhe jaana hoga. Enjoy your night now, okay? Leave the rest to me.

Kehte hue woh muda aur Divya ke bagal se jaane ke liye hue toh Divya ne uska haath pakad use rok liya. Uski peeth abhi bhi Veer ki taraf hi thi. Lekin, haath peechhe ki orr uski kalaayi ko thaame hue tha.

Divya (mutters) : Thank you.

Veer : Don’t mention it.

Divya : Nahi. Like, really… Thank you. Thank you so much. Tumhari wajah se hi aaj mein aur Suhana-

Veer (smiles) : Thank me some other time then. I need to go now.

Divya : Huh? Oh! *blushes* As you wish… *smiles*

Aur, Veer dono sakhiyo ko aapas me chhor waha se nikal gaya.

***

Raat abhi poori tarah se chhat bhi nahi paayi thi aur Mumbai me Gaurav ke bangley me mache hungaame se abhi tak log uss ghatna se prabhavit the.

Jab Suhana ghar se bhaagi thi, theek uske kuchh kshan pehle hi koi aur bhi waha se jaldbaazi me nikla tha. Uss waqt-

Ek black sedan car tez raftaar me bhaagte hue driveway se nikli, uske tyres ki cheenkh sadak par goonj uthi. Car ke andar Nik ke haath kaanp rahe the. Usne steering wheel ko kasskar jakad rakha tha. Jaise hi usne car ko sadak par moda, aur estate se dur tezi se bhagaaya, uske maathe par gusse se nassein ubhar aayi.

“Shit… shit… shit…”

Saansein tez thi. Kuchh hi palon me sab kuchh bikhar gaya tha. Projector. Gaurav ki sacchaayi ka saamne aana. Police ka aana. Woh files. Kisi ne sab kuchh plan kar rakha tha.

Aur, Nik ko iska matlab achhi tarah pata tha. Uss haramkhor Veer ko sab kuchh gyaat tha. Uski car sadak par tezi se bhaagti gayi. Lekin, tabhi kareeban uske 100 metre peechhe hi-

Ek aur car andhere se baahar nikli. Phir, ek aur. Aur, phir ek aur. Teen kaali gaadiyaan raat me sadak par aise utri jaise shikaari shikaar ke liye utarte hai.

Pehli SUV ke andar ek aadmi, driver seat ke bagal waali seat par jhuka hua tha aur windshield se baahar jhaak raha tha.

Surya. Wahi Sarabhai gang member ka ek mehatvpoorn member. Wahi gang jisko Aadesh ne hire kiya tha Veer ki hekdi nikaalne ke liye lekin, baad me Balhaar ke saamne use hi muh ki khaani padi thi. Uss din ke baad se hi Sarabhai aur uski gang Balhaar ke saamne natmastak ho gaye the.

Surya (smirks) : Kya hi kehne boss ke-!

Usne car ke baahar darwaaze ko haath se do baar thap-thapaaya aur driver ki orr jhuka.

Surya : Woh raha angrez ka choda, kameena. Tez chala bey!

Driver : K-Kaha? K-Kaun sa kameena, Surya bhai?

Surya : Wahi videshi chooha jiske baare me kal Veer boss ne bataaya tha.

Driver : P-Pakka wahi hai na? Koi aur nikla toh-?

Surya ne apna mobile nikaalte hue tasveerein check ki.

Surya : Wahi car number. Car ka wahi color. Sab same hai. Tu nahi tha na kal adde pe? Tujhe nahi pata. Bhaga! Bhaga! Aage le!

Driver (nods) : H-Haan, bhai!

SUV ka engine zor se garja.

Surya : Aur, tez!!!

Car tezi se aage badhi aur unke peechhe unke saath ki do cars bina kisi nirdesh ke hi unka peechha karne lagi. Chase shuru ho chuki thi.

---

Pichhli raat…

Docks se lage ek warehouse me, bade se hall me log samooh me khade the. Kuchh cigarette pee rahe the, kuchh bakso par tike hue the, kuchh aapas me fusfusa rahe the aur kuchh naye-naye aaye maal ko rakhwa rahe the.

Ye aam aadmi nahi the. Ye wo log the jo logo ko gaayab karne me maahir the. Sarabhai ek jagah khade kisi se baat-cheet kar raha tha. Surya uske bagal me khade tambakhu khaa raha tha aur beecho-beech Balhaar baitha hua tha. Lekin, aaj raat-

Balhaar kamre ka mukhiya nahi tha. Warehouse ke farsh par kisi ke aane ki aahat goonji. Koi andar aaya. Haath jebo me. Pehnaawa ekdum mehnga. Saaf-suthra. Aur, hontho par halki si muskaan.

Veer hall me aise daakhil hua jaise maano woh uss warehouse ka maalik ho. Baat-cheet tham gayi. Sarabhai turant hi seedha khada ho gaya. Surya ne apne tambakhu ko jeb me rakh liya. Aur, Balhaar bhi swayam khada ho gaya.

Veer unse kuchh hi doorie par ruka. Uski nigaahein waha jamey hue logo par dheere-dheere ghoomi. Phir, usne Balhaar ki orr dekha.

Veer : Kal raat ek ‘Nik’ naam ka ek videshi aadmi Globerays ke CEO, Gaurav ke ghar se faraar hoyega.

Sab ne use hairaani bhari aankhein liye dekha. Kaun Nik? Bhaagega? Kaha? Veer ne aage kehna jaari rakha.

Veer : Ek middle aged aadmi hai. Dikhne me thoda sa hatta-katta hai. Theek-thaak height hai. Kal woh waha se bhaagega. Ek black SUV me.

Samooh ke ek naye sadasya, jise Veer ke baare me kuchh bhi nahi pata tha, usne apni bauhe chadhaayi aur bola.

Ladka : Toh, hum kya kare? Tum kaun ho? Aur, humaara uss se kya lena-dena?

Warehouse me sannaata chhaa gaya. Sarabhai ne uss ladke ko dekha. Iske pehle ki woh moorkh kuchh aur keh paata-

*Chataak*

Surya aage badha aur use itni zor se thappad maara ki uski awaaz poore hall me goonj uthi. Woh ladka sadme me apna gaal pakadte hue peechhe ki orr ladkhada gaya.

Surya (yells) : Bhosdike, jab bolne ko kaha jaaye tabhi apna muh khola kar, samjha na?

Woh zor se gurraaya, uski aankhein gusse se laal thi. Usne uss ladke ki collor pakdi aur use peechhe dhakela.

Surya : Aur, agar Veer boss ne kaha hai ki aisa hoga… toh waisa hi hoga. Samajh gaya lawde???

Ladka (shivers) : J-Ji bhai! Sorry!

Kamra ekdum shaant ho gaya. Veer ne uss orr dekha bhi nahi. Woh bas bolta raha.

Veer : Jaise hi woh bhaagega, tum uska peechha karoge.

Balhaar aage badha.

Balhaar : Pakadna hai?

Veer : Haan!

Balhaar : Pakad ke kya karna hai?

Veer : Kuchh nahi. Bas pakadna hai. Zinda.

Balhaar (nods) : Ho jaayega.

Usne apne ladko par ek nazar daali. Surya aur kuchh aur ladko ki taraf.

Balhaar : Ladke log sambhaal lenge.

Veer ne apna phone uski orr feka toh Balhaar ne use pakad liya.

Veer : Uski pictures aur car ki details hai. Apne phone me leke ladko ko bhej do. Koi galti na hone paaye.

Balhaar ne haami bhar theek waisa hi kiya, phir uska chehra thoda narm pad gaya.

Balhaar : Shukriya.

Veer : Hmm?

Balhaar : Police ko vyast rakhne ke liye. Har jagah bhaag-daud me lagi hai wo. Prestige ka lafda. Serial killer ki khoj. Underground lair ki jaanch. Humaara woh Aadesh jaisinghani ke private suite me video bana ke viral karne ka idea. Sheher ke aadhe adhikari kaagazi kaaryavahi aur chhaapo ke bojh taley dabe hue hai.

Veer (grins) : Oh!?

Balhaar : Iss se mujhe kaafi samay mila hai. Warna, underground hue bahut waqt ho raha tha.

Veer jaanta tha ki uski wajah se Balhaar ko yeh sunehra avsar mila tha. Aage badhne ka samay. Phirse, nirmaan karne ka samay. Vikaas karne ka samay. Taaqat badhaane ka samay.

Balhaar : Mere liye maidaan kaafi saaf ho gaya. Iss se kaafi madad mili hai.

Veer (smiles) : Bas Nik ko pakad lena.

Usne iss baat par charcha nahi ki. Woh muda aur darwaaze ke paas ruka.

Veer : Use bhaagne mat dena.

Aur, bas itna bol woh waha se nikal gaya.

---

Nik ki sedan itni tezi se mod se guzri ki lagbhag bhidte-bhidte bach hi gayi. Uski saansein ab ladkhadaayi hui thi. Usne sheeshe me peechhe ka drishya dekha. Pehle toh kuchh nahi tha. Bas khaali sadak. Phir, do second ke baad hi-

Ek jodi headlights dikhaayi padi. Phir, ek aur. Aur, phir ek aur. Nik ki aankhein chaudi ho gayi.

“What the hell…?”

Raushni aur qareeb aane lagi. Behad qareeb. Uska dil zoro se dhadka.

“Shit!”

Usne accelerator par perr dabaaya. Engine zor se dahaada. Sedan kisi rocket ki tarah tezi se aage bhaagi. Aur, uske theek peechhe Surya, apni seat par aage ki orr jhuk gaya.

Surya : Wo raha madarchod! Pakad behanchod ko!

Usne dashboard par zor se haath maara.

Surya : Bhaga bhosdike!! Bhaga! Saala bach ke jaane na paaye.

Driver : Ji bhai! Nahi bhaag paayega!

SUV tez raftaar se aage badhi. Baaki gaadiyaan bhi unke peechhe kataar lagaaye bhaagti gayi. Ek gaadi daahine lane me ghus gayi toh wahi dusri baayi taraf waali lane me, Nik ko pakadne ke liye.

Nik ne sheeshe me dekha. Teen gaadiyon me se ab ek hi gaadi bachi thi. Lekin, woh jaanta tha ki baaki do kisi aur route se uss tak aane ki koshish kar rahi hongi. Uska gala sookh gaya.

“Fuck! Who the hell are these people?”

Uska dimaag har jagah daud raha tha. Tabhi, achanak usne apna phone uthaaya aur Gaurav ko call bhidaaya. Iss aas me ki usne ab tak matter sambhaal liya hoga. Ghanti baji, magar-

---

Idhar police station me Gaurav ko hathkadiyo me baandhe galiyaare me ghaseeta jaa raha tha. Gusse se uska poora chehra laal tha.

Gaurav : DGP!! Tumhe maalum nahi hai tum kise chhu rahe ho. Tumhe lagta hai ye khel yahi khatam ho jaayega?

Ek adhikari ne use aage dhakela. “Aage badho!”

Gaurav : Mein tumhara woh hashr karunga ki tum mere paas aake gidgidaoge, DGP! Yaad rakhna! Tum sab ke sab!

Rohan paas khada chup-chap sab dekhta raha, jab tak ki Gaurav ko andar jail me nahi daal diya gaya. Ab aage ki baat tabhi honi thi jab uski koi bail karwaane aaye. Tab tak ke liye, Gaurav ek gunehgaar hi tha.

Rohan : Iss file me jitne bhi saboot hai unhe cross check karo. Sab authentic hai ya nahi. Pendrive ke data ki ek report bana kar mujhe pesh karo. Sab cross check karo. Samajh gaye? Koi bhi maayi ka laal inn raeeso ko begunaah saabit karwaane ke liye aayega, toh unhe mein khud dekhunga.

Adhikari : Ji sir!

Tabhi, Rohan ki jeb me Gaurav ka phone baj utha jo usne zabt kiya tha. Usne screen par nazar daali.

Caller ID : Nik

Uski bauhe kass uthi. ‘Iska matlab Veer sahi tha…!’

Usne Gaurav ka bajta phone turant hi ek officer ki orr pheka.

Rohan : Call uthao. Trace karo iski location. Aur, ek unit taiyaar rakho turant bhejne ke liye.

Officer : Ji sir!

Rohan ne aadesh dete hue kaha. Uske peechhe Gaurav lagataar gaaliyaan bak raha tha.

Gaurav (yells) : Tum sab gaye kaam se behanchodo! Baahar bas nikalne do mujhe. Baahar nikalte hi mein tum sabko dafna dunga.

Rohan (smiles) : Jitna ganda bol sakte ho bolo, Mister Gaurav. Ye humaare liye aur bhi beneficial hai. Agar, kisi tarah tum riha ho bhi gaye, toh ek DGP ke saath badtameezi karne ke jurm me tumhe phir se andar toh daal sakta hu.

Gaurav (smirks) : Hmph! I’m drunk, DGP Sir. You know… nashe me bole gaye shabdo ko seriously maan ke saza nahi suna sakte.

Rohan : Dekha jaayega, Mister Gaurav. Dekha jaayega.

Tabhi, koi waha par aaya. Veer police station ki entrance par khada hua tha, haath jebo me, Suhana ki party me pehne gaye wahi kapde uske badan par the.

Trisha ne use sabse pehle dekha. Phir, Rohan ne. Aur, phir dono Rohan Trisha ne ek-dusre ko dekha.

Rohan : Toh, akhirkar aa hi gaye tum.

Veer (smiles) : Kisi ko interrogation jo chaahiye tha.

Rohan ne paas ek cabin ki orr ishaara kiya.

Rohan : Andar!

Kuchh minute baad, darwaaza band hua. Rohan Veer ke saamne mej ke dusri orr baitha hua tha. Trisha recording device taiyaar kar ke deewar ke paas khadi hui thi. Veer baitha aur apni kursi par thoda peechhe jhuk gaya. Araam se. Rohan ne use dhyaan se dekha.

Rohan : Toh… Aaj raat. Ye sab tumhara kiya dhara tha, hai na?

Veer (bluntly) : Bilkul!

Rohan ki bauhe tann gayi.

Rohan : Kaise?

Veer : Mere paas mere jasoos hai.

Rohan (leans forward) : Kaun?

Veer (smiles) : Ek jasoos jasoos hota hai, Sir. Hai na?

Rohan ne dheere se saans chhori. Ek pal ke liye kuchh derr pehle ka Erica ka naqaab-posh chehra uske mann me aaya.

Rohan : Theek hai! Mat batao. Toh, aaj ke iss khel se kya samjhu mein Veer? Kya yahi ki tumhe apraadhiyo ko be-naqaab karne me maza aata hai?

Veer : Aapko toh meri uplabdhi se khush hona chaahiye na? Hai ki nahi?

Rohan : Haan! *pauses* Aur, na. Tumne ek criminal ko expose kiya hai. Achhi baat hai. Lekin, tumne logo ki privacy ko invade bhi kiya hai, data hack kiya, security ko breach kiya aur illegally ye sab praapt kiya. *frowns* Ye apne aap me ek crime hai.

Veer : …

Rohan : Tumne kanoon ko apne haath me liya hai.

Veer (leans forward) : Aur, agar nahi leta toh?

Rohan : …

Veer (mutters) : Aap sab ko ghanta koi khabar lagni thi ki Gaurav peeth peechhe kya kuchh kar raha tha.

Baat sach thi. Rohan ne koi jawaab nahi diya. Veer punah peechhe jhuk gaya.

Veer : Jis asal mudde ke liye aapne mujhe yaha bulaaya hai. Kyun na hum uss par aaye ab?

Rohan : Tum underground lair ke andar the?

Veer : Haan.

Rohan : Kya dekha tumne udhar?

Veer : Serial killer ko.

Recording karte hue Trisha ka haath ek pal ke liye ruk gaya. Rohan ki nazrein paini hui.

Rohan : Meri beti ne bataaya ki tumne uss killer ke saath haathapaayi bhi ki thi. Kya ye sach hai?

Veer (chuckles) : Haan. Yeh sach hai.

Rohan : Aur, tum sahi-salaamat do bacchiyo ko lekar bach kar bhi baahar nikal aaye?

Veer : Hey! Mein kaafi injured tha. Kyun, hai na Miss Trisha? *smiles*

Trisha ka badan thitura. Woh asahaj sa mehsoos karne lagi. Rohan ne uski taraf dekha. Trisha ne phir haami bhari.

Trisha : Woh… *nods* Woh ghaayal tha.

Rohan (glances) : Serial killer ke baare me aur kuchh jaante ho?

Veer : Hmm! Jo sketch police ne jaari kiya tha, woh ekdum accurate hai. Ek aged man. Safed baal. Kandhe tak. Woh tez tha. Taqatvar. Aur… ek psycho.

Rohan (frowns) : Kya uske muh se aur kuchh anjaane me nikla tha? Koi maqsad?

Veer : Nahi! Par, itna zaroor bata sakta hu ki woh paiso ke liye nahi maar raha. Na hi badle ke liye. Na hi kisi ideology ki wajah se. Woh ek unhinged serial killer hai. Jo mazey ke liye maarta hai. Use pleasure milta hai. He’s a bloody psycho.

Kamre ka taapmaan thanda pad gaya. Trisha ki ungliyaan Pihu ko yaad kar recorder par kass gayi.

Rohan : Tumne abhi-abhi kaha ki woh ek aged man hai. Agar, woh itna hi aged hai, toh bhala itna khatarnak kaise hai?

Veer ki nazrein uthi. Aur, kamre me andar ghusne ke baad, pehli baar uske hontho par se muskaan gaayab thi.

Veer : Kyunki, woh trained hai. Aur, unpredictable.

Rohan : !?

Veer (leans forward) : Agli baar agar unfortunately aapka saamna uss se ho jaaye toh- *pauses* toh apne saath jitne bhi armed officers le jaa sakte ho, leke jaaiyega.

Rohan : !!!?

Veer : Jitne bhi weapons hai. Sab. Jitni bhi unit forces hai. Sab.

Rohan (frowns) : Kyun? Ek aged aadmi ke liye itna sab bhala kyun?

Veer : Kyunki, yeh wahi aged aadmi hai jise aapki poori police force abhi tak nahi pakad paayi, aur wo din dahaade murders par murders karta chala gaya. Yaha tak ki, aapki beti ko bhi utha ke le gaya tha.

*Silence*

Kuchh der tak bas sannaata chhaaya raha. Rohan ne ek gehri saans li.

Rohan : Ab do sabse important sawaal. Pehla. Tumne Pihu aur Juhi ko uss serial killer se kaise bachaaya?

Veer : Mein lucky tha. Juhi aur Pihu mujhe kismat ke chalte mil gayi thi. Uske baad bhaagte waqt hi meri haathapaayi uss se hui thi. Meri kismat isliye achhi thi kyunki, woh pehle se hi shaayad injured tha.

Rohan : Huh?

Veer : Haan! Isliye, ladte waqt mujhe chot zaroor aayi par mein bhaag nikalne me qamyaab tha.

Rohan : Injured hone ke bawajood woh police se bach kar bhaag nikla? *frowns* Dusra sawaal. Tumhe kaise pata chala ki Pihu aur Juhi underground lair me hai?

Veer (smiles) : Maine abhi aapse kaha tha ki mere paas mere jasoos hai.

Rohan : Bakwaas mat karo, Veer. Mujhe sirf sach chaahiye.

Veer (shrugs) : Theek hai. Raahgeero se pata chala tha.

Rohan (frowns) : Par police ko toh ye saboot nahi mil paaye the.

Veer : Toh mujhe kaise mil gaye?

Rohan (frowns) : Tum-!!!

Veer : Aur, isliye maine kaha. *smiles* Ki agli baar agar uss se saamna ho, toh satark rahiyega. Otherwise-

Rohan : …?

Veer : You’ll regret it!!!

---

Idhar, Nik ki gaadi kisi bike waale ko takkar maarte-maarte bachi. Uska chehra paseene se lath-path tha.

“Come on… come on… pick the damn call, Gaurav!”

Call akhirkar utha.

“Hello! Hello? Gaurav?”

Lekin, dusre chhor se koi awaaz nahi aayi. Bas khamoshi. Nik ka dimaag tezi se ghooma. Ek bura ehsaas. Usne mirror me dekha. Headlights. Abhi bhi thi. Aur, qareeb.

Gaurav. Police? Kahi woh use le toh nahi gaye? Agar, aisa tha toh uska phone-

“Shit!!”

Uski saans ek pal ke liye ruk gayi. Survival instincts trigger hue aur bina kisi jhijhak ke usne phone kaan se hataaya aur call cut karte hue khidki ke baahar fek diya.

Nik ne accelerator ko aur zor se dabaaya. Sedan bhaagi aur traffic ko cheerte hue nikalne lagi. Usne dobaara sheeshe me dekha. Gaadiyaan abhi bhi aa rahi thi.

“Who the hell are they? Fuck!”

Woh gurraaya. Uska dimag har jagah daudne laga. Police? Nahi. Police iss tarah se peechha nahi karti. Ye koi aur log the. Kuchh planned tha. Usne gaadi ko ek sakre mod me moda.

Peechhe , Surya ne zor se dashboard par maara.

Surya : Haraam-zaada gaadi chalaane me expert lagta hai. Aage bhagaate raho.

Uski SUV Nik ki car ke peechhe bhaagi.

Surya (shouts) : Aur, tez! Aur, tez! Tez chala gaandu!

Driver ne acceleration badhaaya. Surya iss baar khidki se baahar jhuka. Usne apni handgun uthaayi, aim lagaaya, ek gehri saans aur-

*Bang*

Goli ki awaaz traffic sadak par goonj uthi aur goli Nik ki sedan ke peechhe ke sheeshe se takraayi.

*Crack*

Sheesha kisi makdi ke jaale ke samaan chakna-choor ho gaya. Car ke andar Nik buri tarah chaunk gaya.

“FUCK!”

Uski seat ke peechhe kaanch ke tukde khad-khadaane lage. Jaan halak me thi.

“Motherfuckers are now shooting-!?”

Car par niyantran banaaye rakhne ke liye uske haath paseene se tarr ho chuke the. Usne khud ko shaant karne ki koshish ki. Socho. Socho Nik.

Woh Mumbai ke raasto se achhi tarah waaqif nahi tha. Lekin, kuchh jagaho ko jaanta tha. Aisi jagaahe jaha Gaurav aur usne niji mulaqaatein ki hui thi. Unme se ek jagah yaha se dur nahi thi.

Usne steering wheel ghumaaya aur dusri sadak par mud gaya. Tezi se uss disha ki orr badha. Uske peechhe-

Surya ki muskaan dheere-dheere chaudi ho gayi.

Surya : Oh ho… Dekho toh zara. Haha!

Driver : K-Kya hua bhai?

Surya : Bilkul wahi hua jaisa ki Veer boss ne kaha tha. Bhosdiwaale ne bilkul wahi mod liya hai.

Driver : Huh? Hum uss angrez ko pakad hi kyun rahe hai?

Surya ne uske sarr par ek thappad maara.

Surya : Tu bas gaadi chala, bewakoof. Jitna kaha gaya utna kar. Veer boss ne kaha hai usko zinda pakadna hai matlab pakadna hai.

Driver : J-Ji bhai!

Aage, Nik ki car ek shaant industrialist lane ke paas pahuchi. Uski aankhon me halki si chamak aa gayi.

“This is it!”

Gaurav ke shelters me se ek. Unhone iss shelter ka istemal aksar tab-tab kiya tha jab-jab unhe ekaant me baat karne ki zaroorat hoti thi.

Agar, woh bas kisi tarah se andar pahuch jaaye toh-

‘Huh?’

Uske chehre par se achanak hi rang udd gaya. Shelter ke paas do cars khadi hui thi. Pehle se. Chupke se. Aadhh me. Lekin, Nik ne dekh liya.

“N-Nooo-!!”

Cars ke engine achanak chaalu ho gaye. Nik ki aankhein bhay ke maare fel gayi.

“Fuckkkk! They were waiting for me!?”

Usne steering wheel ko zor se moda aur shelter pahuchne se pehle hi dusri sadak par mud gaya. Uske peechhe-

Dono khadi cars turant chal padi. Wo peechha karne lagi. Nik ko choohe ki tarah bhaagta dekh Surya zor se hasa.

Surya : Kaha bhaagega, bhosdike! Veer boss ne ekdum sahi kaha tha. Ye angrez ka tatta iss taraf bachne ke liye zaroor aayega. Aur, woh sahi the.

Kintu, Nik ko iska koi andaaza nahi tha. Ghera pehle hi kasa jaa chuka tha. Nik ki car ke peechhe, daaye-baaye, har taraf se aadmi uski taraf badh rahe the.

“How the hell do they know those places?”

Uske dimaag me tarah-tarah ke vichaar daud rahe the, tabhi wahi naam uske dimaag me punah aaya.

Veer.

Uska jabda kass gaya.

“That bastard…. VEEEEER!!!”

Wahi tha. Uske alawa aur koi ho hi nahi sakta tha. Par, akhir kaise? Usne accelerator par phir perr dabaaya. Car ek aur highway par tezi se daud padi. Agar, zameen surakshit nahi thi toh-

Keval ek hi vikalp bacha tha. Mumbai harbour. Port Area.

Gaurav ke paas waha ek private yacht thi. Agar, woh waha tak pahuch gaya toh woh bach jaayega.

---

Wapas police station me cabin ke andar sannaata tha. Rohan aur Trisha Veer ko ghoor rahe the. Usne abhi-abhi jo chetaavni di thi, uska gehra asar unn dono par pada tha.

Rohan : Regret? Kya matlab?

Veer : Bilkul wahi jo maine kaha. Aur, jo aapne suna. Serial killer ko aap uski umr ki wajah se kam mat samajhiye. Woh aapki poori police force ko bhi khatam kar sakta hai.

Rohan : Kya bakwaas kar rahe ho!

Veer : Mera kaam tha aapko bataana. Jo maine kar diya hai. Agar, aap yakeen nahi karna chaahte *shrugs* toh aapki marzi.

Woh dheere se khada hua.

Veer : Lekin, baad me mujhse ye mat kehna ki maine aapko warn nahi kiya.

Rohan : We’ll see. Prestige ke haadse waali raat tum kaha the?

Veer : Out of city tha. Late aaya tha.

Rohan : Phirse jhooth. Tumne uss haadse ke baad koi bhi jaankaari nahi di. Koi bhi interrogation nahi. Sab family members hi handle kar rahe the. Kyun?

Veer : Aap mazaak kar rahe ho, right? Maine apne dada ji ko kho diya. Mere ghar ke ek chaheete sadasya ko goli lag gayi, unhone apni chalne ki kshamta kho di. Mera startup tabaah ho gaya. Hotel khoon se rang gaya. Security guards maare gaye. Aur, uss afra-tafri ke beech-

Rohan : …

Veer : Aap mujhse ye expect kar rahe ho ki mein interviews deta?

Rohan ne dheere se saans chhori. Uske paas iska koi jawaab nahi tha. Veer ne shaant bhaav se apni aasteen theek ki.

Veer : I believe maine aapke important questions ke answers de diye hai.

Woh muda aur darwaaze ki orr chal pada, jab-

“YOU ARE NOT LEAVING!”

Rohan ne mej par haath patka aur achanak khada ho gaya. Uski awaaz kamre me goonj uthi.

Rohan : Jab tak mein na kahu, tum yaha se nahi jaaoge.

Veer ruka. Aur, dheere se peechhe muda.

Veer : Oh!? *smiles*

Rohan uske qareeb aaya. Aur, tabhi ek officer ne baahar se awaaz lagaayi.

“Phone ki stable location mil gayi hai, Sir!”

Rohan : Unit leke pahucho turant.

“Ji Sir!”

Rohan phirse Veer ki orr muda.

Rohan : Tum bahut saari cheezo me involved ho, Veer. Itne saare coincidences nahi ho sakte. Tum itni asaani se bachkar nahi nikal paaoge.

Veer (smiles) : Trust me. DGP Sir. Mujhe ek partner ke roop me lene me zyada samjhdari hogi bajaaye iske ki-

Rohan : SHUT UP! Tum yaha baithoge. Aur, mere har sawaal ka jawaab doge.

Veer ne kuchh nahi kaha. Woh bas use dekhta raha. Shaant.

Rohan : Kya tum Dhananjay, Ranjeet ke case me shaamil the?

Veer : Huh? Kaun Dhananjay Ranjeet?

[Hehe~]

Rohan ne apne daant zor se meese. Trisha ghabraayi. Kya Rohan samajh gaya? Rohan ki nazar ek pal ke liye Trisha par padi.

Rohan : Mere saath game mat khelo, Veer. Mujhe pata hai tum kayi maamlo me shaamil ho. Yaha tak ki mujhe yeh bhi yakeen hai ki tumhara connection underworld mafia se bhi hai.

Veer (smiles) : Aap bahut bada aarop laga rahe hai, Sir. Khaaskar mere jaise ek college student par.

Woh aalas se kursi par baith peechhe jhuk gaya.

Rohan (shouts) : SHUT THE FUCK UP!

Rohan : Mujhe pata hai ki tum kitne din college gaye ho, kitne din jaate ho, kitne business run karte ho, kaha tumhara uthna-baithna hai, kaha jaate ho, kis se milte ho, tumhare parivar me kaun-kaun hai.

Veer ki muskaan gaayab ho gayi.

Veer (frowns) : Aap mere parivar ki jasoosi kar rahe ho?

Rohan (smirks) : Abhi tak toh nahi. *pauses* Lekin, agar zaroorat padi, toh woh bhi ki jaayegi. Mere paas tumhare baare me kaafi jankaari hai, Veer. Tum dusro ko bewakoof bana sakte ho. Mujhe nahi.

Veer : …

Rohan : Sawal ka jawab do. Kya tum Dhananjay aur Ranjeet ke maamle me shaamil ho?

Trisha ke shareer me phir sihran daud gayi. Uski ungliyaan kass gayi. Agar, Rohan chhaan-been karta raha toh aise me toh-

Veer : Nahi! Mein kuchh bhi nahi jaanta.

Rohan bhadak utha.

Rohan : Tumhari himmat kaise hui mere saamne jhooth bolne ki-?

Usne gusse se mej par haath patke.

Rohan : Mein tumhe abhi jail me daal sakta hu, Veer. Samjhe? Ek third-degree ka treatment aur tum mujhse rukne ki bheekh maangne lagoge. Aur, koi bhi iss par sawaal nahi uthaayega. Ye authority hai mere paas. Mein ye kar sakta hu.

Veer (smiles) : Par, aap nahi karoge.

Usne seedha Trisha ki orr dekha.

Veer (smirks) : Hai na? Miss Trisha?

Trisha jamm ke reh gayi. Uske mann me phirse wahi drishya kaundh gaye. Ranjeet ka marna. Uske haath me bandook. Slaughterhouse. Tasveer. Uska dil zor se dhadka. Usne Rohan ko dekha aur apna sarr ‘naa’ me hilaaya. Nahi. Use itna push mat karo. Aur, Rohan ka gussa aur bhi badh gaya.

Rohan : Tch!

Veer : Jaisa ki maine kaha, mujhe ek partner ke roop me lena aapke liye hi behtar hoga.

Rohan : Shut up!

Veer : Aap wardi pehen kar apraadhiyo ka peechha karte ho. Maine wahi kaam bina wardi ke kiya hai. Aapki aur meri… manzil ek hi hai.

Rohan (yells) : Tumhe iska right nahi hai.

Veer (stands up) : Sahi kaha. Mere paas right nahi hai. Lekin, kabhi-kabhi rights se zyaada… results matter karte hai, Sir.

---

Nik ki gaadi sunsaan road pe zor se bhaagi. Uski saansein bhaari thi.

"Fuck... fuck..." Usne mirror check kiya. Headlights. Abhi bhi peeche. Woh haraamzade use jaane hi nahi de rahe the.

Surya, peechhe apni car ki window se aadha bahar jhuka.

Surya : Bhaga bhaga bhaga! Pakdo uss harami ko!

Nik apne aap me hi badbadaaya. “Shit-!”

Harbour aage tha. Agar woh Gaurav ki yacht tak pahunch gaya toh… Woh samundar ke zariye unse dur bhaag paane me qamyaab ho jaayega.

Bas thoda aur.

Bas-

Uski aankhein phail gayi. Harbour use dikhaayi diya. Aur, yacht bhi. Lekin, kuchh toh gadbad thi.

Log. Dher saare log. Yacht ke neeche aas-paas khade the. Road ko dekh rahe the. Intezar kar rahe the. Nik ke badan me jhurjhuri daud gayi.

"Shit." Uski steering wheel pe pakad mazboot ho gayi. “They’re here too…?”

Usne jaldi se apni kamar thap-thapaayi. Uski ungliyon ko apni handgun feel hui. "Tch."

Aur, uske peechhe-

"RUK MADARCHOD!"

*BANG*

Zor se gunshot ki aawaz aayi. Nik ne turant hi duck kiya, kyunki bullet ne peechhe waale sheeshe ko ab tod kar use poori tarah dhwast kar diya tha.

"Damn it! Damn it! Fuccckkk!" Usne steering wheel ko jhatke se ghumaaya aur car ko tezi se moda. Gaadi harbour se dur chali gayi.

---

Veer darwaaze tak pahucha. Rohan ki aawaz phir aayi.

Rohan : Maine kaha na ki tum mere sawaalo ke jawaab diye bina nahi jaoge?

Veer ruka. Dheere-dheere… Woh peechhe muda. Phir, woh Rohan ki taraf wapas chal pada. Ahista-ahista. Ve dono ab lagbhag aamne-saamne khade the. Veer thoda sa aage jhuka.

Veer : Ek samajhdar officer… jaanta hai kab kaunse sawaal poochhne hai. Aur, kab nahi, Sir.

Rohan ki aankhein jal rahi thi.

Rohan : Gaurav hi sirf jail me nahi rahega… Balki, tum bhi salaakhon ke peechhe jaaoge. Aur woh Nik- hum use bhi jald hi daboch lenge.

Veer : Oh?

Bilkul usi waqt-

Uska phone vibrate hua. Dheemi si ghanti baji. Veer ne neeche dekha. Unknown number. Ek message aaya hua tha.

“Pakad liya boss.”

Uske chehre pe dheere se ek muskaan phail gayi. Rohan jhijhka.

Rohan : K-Kya?

Veer nazdeek aaya. Rohan ke kandhe par haath rakha. Phir, uske kaan ke paas jhuka.

Veer (smirks) : Pata hai sabse taaza khabar kya hai, sir?

Rohan ke badan me sihran daud gayi. Veer ke honth aur adhik phail gaye.

Veer (whispers) : NIK MERE PAAS HAI!

Rohan ke badan me raungte khade ho gaye. Bina koi use samay diye, Veer muda aur exit ki taraf chal diya.

Veer : Dobaara baat karni hai agar, toh kal shaam ghar aa jaaiyega. *pauses* Aur, bina wardi ke hi aaiyega. Aur, agar nahi-

Rohan : !!?

Veer (smiles) : Toh, Nik ko jaise aap dabochne waale the, daboch lijiyega.

Rohan (yells) : VEEEEER!!! Mein tumhe jail me daal dunga. Tumhe lagta hai ki tum bach jaaoge?

Veer (smiles) : Bilkul!

Kehte hue woh waha se nikal gaya. Kamre me gehra sannaata chhaa gaya. Rohan wahi khada raha, gehri saansein le raha tha. Uski aankhein krodh se laal thi.

Veer bina peechhe dekhe police station se baahar nikal gaya. Rohan dheere se Trisha ki orr muda. Uski nigaahein teekhi thi. Jawaab maang rahi thi.

Trisha ne uss se nazrein churaayi. Uska gala sookh raha tha. Woh ghabraate hue aage badhi. “R-Rohan-!”

***

Veer baahar aaya aur tabhi uske saamne uski apni car aa kar ruki. Driver seat ki khidki neeche sarki, Erica halki muskaan ke saath baahar jhuki.




Erica (smiles) : Kaafi derr laga di!

Veer ne koi jawaab nahi diya. Usne darwaaza khola. Erica baahar aayi aur ghoom kar passenger ki seat par baithi. Veer driver seat par baitha. Engine chaalu hote hi gaadi police station ke gate se nikal padi. Aur, peechhe ki seat par-




Garofano ek perr ko dusre par rakhe baithi hui thi, uske bagal se Ava thi.




Garofano : Toh?

Veer : Done and dusted. Filhaal abhi ke liye.

Garofano (sighs) : Finally!

Usne apne baalo par haath phera.

Garofano : Sorry! Mein khud nahi aa saki. Clients se badi mushqil se jaan chhooti hai aaj.

Veer : It’s okay! Tum pehle hi bahut kuchh kar chuki ho.

Garofano (smiles) : Oh!?

Veer : Trisha ko phone par guide karna aur Raman tak precisely pahuchaana asaan kaam nahi tha.

Garofano : Well… Looks like system yahi chaahta tha ki mujhe ye mission mile. *grins* Kaafi badhiya skill mili hai reward me.

Veer : Kaun si?

Garofano (smirks) : If I reveal everything now, what will I tease you with later?

Veer ke jawaab dene se pehle hi Erica chehek uthi.

Erica : Mujhe bhi toh badhiya skill mili hai, hehe~

Veer (nods) : Yeah! Part vision!

[Skill : Part Vision
Description : Allows the host to join the parts of the past from the available clues and understand what transpired. Accuracy of the past will depend on the number of clues the host can get.]

Veer : Uss skill ne sab kuchh badal diya. Pushkar ke past ke bina… Gaurav aur Nik ki kartooto ke baare me nahi jaan paate.

Erica garv se muskuraayi.

Erica (smiles) : So, basically I saved the day. Yay~

Garofano : Relax little girl. You didn’t save the world. Your skill just came handy, that’s all. Itna exaggerate karne ki zaroorat nahi.

Erica (pouts) : Hmph~

Veer ke mann me-

*Ding*

[Mission : ‘Deal Breaker (1)’ has been completed.]

[You have gained 10,000 points.]

[Suhana’s favorability has increased by : 25.]

[Divya’s favorability has increased by : 10.]

*Ding*

[Perk Selection Available.]

[Select one of three random perks.]

[Perk 1] [Perk 2] [Perk 3]

‘Later Pari!’

[As you wish, Master!]

*Ding*

[Perk selection is post-poned.]

Veer : Waqai. Erica. Uss skill ki wajah se hi aaj mera mission poora hua hai. Thank you~

Erica (blushes) : It’s okay! Mujhe bhi ek skill mil gayi.

Garofano (chuckles) : Isliye, tumhare daddy Renshu yaha se gaayab ho gaye. Missions jo nahi mil rahe the use haha. Imagine losing to your own daughter in missions lol.

Erica : Hmph~ Toh kya hua? My dad would still crush you in a 1 v 1 fight.

Garofano : Oh please! Maana ki Renshu strong hai, lekin itna bhi nahi jis hisaab se tum apne daddy ke liye biased rehti ho.

Erica : Oh achha? Toh lagao bet. Hai himmat dad ke saath-

“I couldn’t do anything!”

Ava ki komal awaaz ne unki behas ko kaat diya. Erica aur Garofano, dono turant ruk gayi. Ava apne haatho ko ghoor rahi thi.

Ava : I… I barely helped.

Uski awaaz thodi kaanp rahi thi.

Veer : Nahi!

Ava : Huh?

Veer : Tumne apni identity reveal ki. Mere liye. Uss se poori situation change ho gayi thi.

Ava : But… But that is exactly why I hate it, Veer! I don’t want to appear only when things are already happening. I want to be there… when it begins. For you.

Aur, phir use ehsaas hua ki woh jaldbaazi me kya keh gayi. Usne haya me sarr neeche jhuka liya. Garofano aur Erica ne chup-chap use dekha. Dono shaant thi.

Veer : Tumne Teju di ko bachata, Ava. You took the bullet for my family. Aur, tumhe lagta hai tumne madad nahi ki?

Ava ke honth khule, lekin koi shabd nahi nikla.

Veer : I think it’s about time I- *pauses* I introduce you to my family. Tomorrow.

Ava (shivers) : Huh?

Usne aayeene me Veer ko dekha. Phir, dheere-dheere uske chehre par ek sharmeeli muskaan aa gayi.

Ava : O-Okay…! Tomorrow then…!

Baaki ka safar shaant baat-cheet me beeta. Plans. Precautions. Aage ki strategies.

Jab tak Veer ghar lauta, kaafi raat ho chuki thi. Ghar me andhera aur sannaata chhaaya hua tha. Shayad sabhi so chuke the. Usne spare key se gate ko unlock kiya and andar pravesh kiya.

Jaise hi woh hallway se guzar ke muda, woh achanak ruk gaya.

Uski maa ke kamre ka darwaaza khula hua tha. Andar ek light bulb jal raha tha. Bhavna darwaaze ke paas hi khadi thi. Intezaar kar rahi thi. Uski shaant nigaahein Veer par tiki. Aur, boli-

“Andar aao!”
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Aaj ke liye itna hi guys.
This update consists of 12k words. Dena nahi chaahta tha itna bada update par ab likh diya hai. Let's see tum log phirse wahi kaand karte ho ya iss baar bhi last update ki tarah jaldi reactions poore karte ho. Next update se hum thode system ke lore, Veer's familial issues, relationship, aur kuchh baaki characters par focus karenge. Kuchh secrets bhi unveil hone waale hai jald hi. Target apna wahi hai. 250.
Dhanyavad.

Zabardast update bhai love you hgya... Aysy cliffhanger pe update end ki hy k ab agli update ka wait krna mushkil hogya hy. I want to see the situation of jealousy between veer's sister and system holders at family meeting. Request meri yehi hy k ap update pe kaam shuru krdo q k likes tu pure ho jaengy but ham sy ziyada wait na hoga

 

[Mucchad]

Superb update bro

 

[yajivagan]

Nice update...

 

[Jitu0786]

Update - 212 ~ The Night the masks burned​

Ab tak...

Veer uske kaan ke qareeb aaya.

Veer : Oh, but you already lost…!

Gaurav (mutters) : Bhosdike, agar ye DGP yaha nahi hota na toh mein-

Veer : Do you know why you lost?

Gaurav : !!?

Veer ne ek jhalak neeche baithi Suhana ko dekha aur phir Gaurav ko.

Veer (whispers) : Because you underestimated your queen!!!

Gaurav : !!!!?

Ab aage...

*Clink*

Hall me hathkadi ki awaaz sabhi ko sunaayi di. Gaurav ne koi sangharsh nahi kiya. Maano jaise use iss baat se farq hi nahi pad raha tha ki use arrest kar liya gaya hai.

Par, zaahir taur se uske chehre ke haav-bhaav badle hue the. Jabda kasa hua, maathe par gusse se fadakti hui maanspeshi. Lekin, woh dara nahi. Reedh abhi bhi seedhi. Ahankaar abhi bhi adig. Guroor jo tha use apne aap par.

Jaise hi Rohan aur Trisha uske dono orr khade hue, usne hall me ek baar chaaro orr dekha. Kaise log use ghoor rahe the. Suhana. Sonia. Unke mata-pita. Aur, phir-

Nigaahein Veer ke upar jaa tiki. Bas kuchh kshan ke liye. Dono ke beech ek maun yuddh.

Veer chup-chap waha khada raha, haath abhi bhi jebo me, koi ghamand nahi aur na hi koi muskaan. Bas maun maujoodagi, jo aur bhi adhik bhaari thi.

Rohan ne Gaurav ke haatho ko thaam use moda, le jaane ke liye woh palta. Shailendra, jo ki ye sab hote hue dekh chuka tha, uska mann nahi maan raha tha ki aisa kuchh ho sakta tha.

Ek prakaar se ye uski beizzati thi itne logo ke saamne. Agar, woh kisi tarah DGP ko mana ke ye sab-

Sochte hi woh aage badha. Elite Group koi chhota-mota samooh nahi tha. Ghar me hi ghus ke ghar ke maalik ko iss qadar se hathkadi pehna ke le jaana…

Ye sirf aam vyaktiyo par laagu hota tha. Raees, oonchi pehchaan waalo ke liye nahi. Waha toh paisa khila ke, status dikha ke, wazandaari ke chalte maamla rafa-dafa kar diya jaata tha.

Yahi soch Shailendra apne damaad ko bachaane ke liye bade hi rutbe me aage badha, magar-

Rohan : Wahi theher jaaiye, Sir! Jo kuchh bhi sunwaayi hogi, ab police station me hogi.

Usne ek jhatke me Shailendra ko haath dikhakar wahi rok diya. Shailendra ki bauhe phadki. Ye DGP sirf ek raajya ka hi toh DGP tha. Elite Group ka varchasv toh poore desh me fela hua tha.

Magar, kanoon ke maamle me Rohan sakht tha. Aur, uski sakhti ke charche poore raajya me mashoor the. Isliye, Shailendra ne aage kuchh na kaha. Bas Gaurav ko haath dikhaate hue aashvaashan diya.

Rohan jaane se pehle Veer ki orr muda. Use yaad dila raha tha ki usne ‘Interrogation’ ka vaada kiya tha. Veer ne dheere se apna sarr hilaaya. Ek shaant sweekriti. Aur, ab toh waise bhi use jaana hi tha. Gaurav ke khilaaf usne saboot jo pesh kiye the.

Shailendra ne Veer ko ghoora. Yeh ladka uss raat ICONGLOBE ki deal ke dauraan bhi Kaera ke bagal se baitha tha. Mann me Veer ko lekar usne ek vichaar baithaaya.

Trisha ki nigaahein bhi Veer par thi. Aaj unn nazro me sandeh kam tha, soch-vichaar zyaada. Usne yeh ab pukhta maan liya tha ki Veer hi inn sab ke peechhe tha.

Jab Rohan exit se nikalne ke liye hua toh Erica uske paas ek file lekar aayi.

Erica : Transaction trails, server backups, logs, call reports, chats, images, everything is in hardcopy. *smiles* Aur, ye rahi pendrive, Sir. For more details.

Rohan ne file aur pendrive jab Erica ke haatho se li toh uski aankhein sikudi.

Rohan : Aur, tum kaun-!?

Erica (smiles) : Bas ek hired manager.

Rohan use saath lekar jaana chaahta tha, magar yeh sunane ke baad ki wo bas ek hired person thi, chaahte hue bhi usne iss baat par zor nahi diya. Lekin, Erica ke masked chehre ko woh apne dimaag me baithaana nahi bhoola. Aur, na hi Trisha.

Akhirkar, woh dono Gaurav ko lekar baahar nikle. Mukhya dwar se ve ravaana hue, phir baahar dur se siren ke goonjne ki awaaz ne spasht kar diya ki ve jaa chuke the.

Suhana wahi neeche baithi reh gayi. Kuchh derr pehle hi woh cake kaat rahi thi aur ab-

Itne saalo se woh uske changul me fasi thi. Gaurav ke mijaaz ke anusaar usne khud ko dhaalne ki koshish bhi ki thi. Khud dab-dab kar uske neeche rahi. Yeh yakeen dilaane ke liye ki shaayad ek na ek din sab sahi ho jaayega.

Kintu, aaj usne dekh liya ki sacchaayi toh ekdum hi vipreet thi. Aur, uske bheetar kuchh toot gaya.

Suhana : Aaj tak... Aaj tak mein- *shivers*

Usne fusfusate hue kaha, uski awaaz mushqil se hi bagal me jhuki Ashita ko sunaayi de rahi thi.

Suhana : M-Mujhe kabhi pata hi nahi chala... Ashita... Mein-

Ashita (tenderly) : Suhana...

Uski nazrein Suhana par tiki. Uska therapist dimaag pehle se hi trauma responses, emotional collapse ke patterns ko padhne ke liye jut chuka tha.

Phir, usne Veer ko dekha. Na jaane kab se woh Suhana jaisi split personality waali aurat ko badalne waale ladke se milne ke liye betaab thi. Aaj woh shaks uske saamne tha.

Beshaq. Veer ko dekhte hi usne ek gehri saans li. Use bas yeh jaanana tha ki iss ladke me aisa kya tha ki uski patient ki saansein uska naam lete hi tez ho jaati thi.

Filhaal ke liye charcha na sahi, lekin usne itna jaan liya tha ki Veer kaun tha.

Karan, jo ki wahi khada tha, sab kuchh ghatit hota dekh Veer ke nazdeek aaya. Maathe par shikan. Veer aur uske beech bina bol ke ishaaro me hi baat ho gayi.

Suhana ki maa ne jhukte hue use apne galey se lagaaya.

Toh wahi pita Shailendra ka chehra sharmindagi se laal tha. Woh swabhimaani vyakti jisne apne damaad ki na jaane kitni deenge haaki thi, jis par wo kabhi garv mehsoos karta tha, jisne use aadhe se zyaada vyapaar jagat se milwaaya tha aaj sharminda aur stabdh khada hua tha.

Udhar Sonia bina koi harqat kiye vismay aur bhay me khadi thi. Apni jagah se tass se mass na hui. Pushkar ka naam uske dimaag me ghoom raha tha. Yakeen nahi ho raha tha ki yeh sab-

Planned tha. Chhal se racha gaya tha. Aur, use humesha-humesha ke liye chup kara diya gaya. Itne saalo tak woh apne mann me uski maut ko baar-baar dohraati rahi, aur bas bhaagya ko dosh deti rahi. Lekin, iss ghatna me toh bhaagya ka haath kam, Gaurav ka zyaada tha.

Par, uss se bhi badi baat-

Jiska use darr tha. Jiska use bhay tha ki Gaurav uske liye kahi koi ghinauni soch toh nahi rakhta? Woh sach saabit ho gayi.

Ab jo kuchh bhi hua wo media me saamne tha. Iss se bacha nahi jaa sakta tha. Abhi ke liye Elite Group ki izzat par ek zordaar thokar lagi thi. Uss se ubharne ke liye-

Shailendra seedha khada hua aur mehmaano ki orr mudkar usne haath jode.

Shailendra : I apologise!

Usne tanaav bhari magar dhridh awaaz me kaha.

Shailendra : Aaj ki raat meri beti ke janmdin ke liye jashn manaane ke liye thi. Iske bajaaye… kuchh aisa ho gaya jo nahi hona chaahiye tha. Jis situation me abhi Suhana hai, mein chaahunga ki aap sabhi please move on kariye. Ek baar firse, kshama chaahta hu.

Log bhi samajhdaar the. Ve jaante the ki aisi sthiti me koi kaise hi apna janmdin mana sakta tha? Unhone Shailendra ko aashvaashan diya aur jaate-jaate use saantvna bhi de gaye.

Bheed chhatne lagi. Kuchh asahajta ke kaaran, kuchh darr ke maare, aur kuchh isliye ki ab tamasha khatam ho chuka tha.

Suhana jo iss waqt mehsoos kar rahi thi woh koi bhi nahi samajh sakta tha. Woh apni maa ke sparsh se peechhe hati.

Namrita : Suhana-!

Woh achanak hi khadi hui. Sonia ne iss baar use dekha. Pehle toh Suhana khadi hone ke baad dheere-dheere saiyyam se chali. Har qadam napa-tula, maano uska shareer bina uski ichha ke chal raha ho.

Phir, achanak na jaane kya hua, woh daud padi. Darwaaze ki orr. Baahar driveway ki taraf jaha security waale asmanjas me use dekhte hue alag ho gaye.

Namrita (yells) : Suhanaaaaa-! Ruko!

Peechhe se uski maa ki ruwaasi pukaar sunaayi padi. Uske pita ne bhi use awaaz lagaayi. Sonia ka dil ghabra kar zor se dhadka, usne apna haath utha kar use rokne ki koshish ki, magar muh se shabd hi baahar nahi nikle.

Suhana nahi ruki. Bhaag kar woh apni car tak pahuchi. Kaanpte haatho se usne gaadi unlock ki, andar baithi aur darwaaza zor se band kiya jis se baahar ki awaaz sunaayi na de.

Ek pal ke liye woh bas steering wheel ko kasskar pakde baithi rahi. Phir-

*Rumble*

Engine garja. Aur, usne apni gaadi aage dauda di. Kuchh zyada hi tez. Raat me sadko ke aas-paas khambo par, lampposts par jagah-jagah 26 january ke posters aur jhande lage hue the. Dur kahi aatishbaazi ho rahi thi, swatantrata ke chhote-chhote utsav ho rahe the.

Par, uski azaadi ka kya? Kya use khush hona chaahiye? Ya dukhi? Use samajh nahi aa raha tha.

Woh bina soche-samjhe idhar-udhar mod leti jaa rahi thi. Baaye, daaye, phir daaye. Sheher uski namm aankhon ke saamne dhundhla sa pad gaya. Aasuon ke chalte use theek se traffic bhi nazar nahi aa raha tha. Uska dil-dimaag shaant hone ka naam hi nahi le rahe the.

Pushkar. Hidden cameras. Photographs. Footage. Transactions.

Akhir kitne jhootho ke saath woh har ek din guzaar rahi thi Gaurav ke saath? Uski saansein phool rahi thi. Kayi minute tak disha-heen gaadi chalaane ke baad, usne ek flyover ke paas gaadi ko kinaare roka.

Car band ki. Dur se traffic ka shor use ab sunaayi diya. Uske haath steering wheel se hatey. Aur, kandhe kaanpne lage. Woh aage jhuki aur apne chehre ko usne apni hatheliyo me chhipa liya.

Aur, phir-

*Sniff*

“Haaaaaaaaaaaa!!!”

Woh zor se royi. Dil khol ke. Itne saalo se jo bhadaas andar thi, woh baahar aa gayi. Jo dabey hue emotions the woh baahar umad aaye.

Woh bilakh-bilakh kar royi. Siskiyon aur subakne ki awaaz car me goonj gayi. Woh aise royi ki agar koi sunn le toh uska dil dahal jaaye.

Kyunki, koi use sunane waala nahi tha. Kyunki, woh akeli thi. Aisa use yakeen tha jab peechhe se ek shaant awaaz aayi-

“Aapko pata hai na iss tarah se gaadi chalaana kitna khatarnak hota hai?”

Suhana ka badan kaanp utha. Woh haafte hue tezi se mudi, sihran uske poore jism me fel gayi. Aur, phir usne use dekha.

Veer.

Peechhe ki seat par baitha hua. Ek pal ke liye woh bas dekhti reh gayi, samajh nahi paa rahi thi ki Veer yaha kaise ho sakta tha.

“2 signals miss kiye. Divider se lagbhag gaadi bhid hi gayi thi.”

Usne narmi se kaha. Phir, ek virhaam.

“Aap toh iss tarah se drive nahi karti kabhi. Kis se bhaag rahi thi? Jo pehle hi sab khatam ho chuka hai uss cheez se? Ya phir apne aap se?”

Uske bol zor se Suhana ko lage. Woh daant nahi raha tha. Na hi mazaak uda raha tha. Bas… parvaah ko bade hi seedhepann se pesh kar raha tha. Woh utha, usne darwaaza khola aur car ke baahar utra.

“Haath kaanp rahe hai, phir bhi gaadi chalaani hai? Pata hai na ye kitna risky tha?”

Usne aage aate hue uski driver seat ka darwaaza khola.

“Aage se aisa mat karna. Samajh gayi na?”

Aur, bas-

Suhana ki rulaayi ek baar phir chhooth padi. Jab Veer ne use dheere se haath pakad baahar ko nikaala toh usne koi virodh nahi kiya. Jaise hi uske perr zameen par pade, uski saari taaqat jaise gaayab ho gayi. Woh zor se bilakh ke royi aur seedhe Veer ki baahon me simat gayi. Uski mutthiyon ne Veer ki shirt ko kasskar jakad liya.

“Waaaaaaa-!”

Aur, woh bas roti rahi. Subak-subak ke. Uske galey se lage hue. Kasskar chipke hue. Woh cold, arrogant, rich aur haughty Suhana gaayab ho chuki thi.

Suhana : M-Mein *sobs* Mein jhooth ki duniya me jee rahi thi, Veer! *sniff* H-Har din- *hic* He... He lied to me. *sob* Every day! Sonu ke liye bhi uske mann me- *sniff*

Veer ne apni baahon me use zor se jakad ke rakha. Ek haath uski peeth par mazbooti se tika hua tha. Dusra, uske kandhe ko sahaara de raha tha.

Veer : Shh! You were surviving. And, you did.

Suhana ne apna sirr uske seene par tikaaya.

Suhana : S-Sach mere saamne tha- *sniff* Par, mein hi andhi thi. *sob* M-Mujhe lagta tha mein… mein hi zaroorat se zyaada soch rahi hu. He kept lying to me. Every time. *sob* M-Mujhe yakeen nahi hota ki woh iss tarah ki ghinauni- *hic*

Veer : Shh! It’s alright!

Uska haath dheere-dheere Suhana ke baalo par phira, maano jaise woh koi chhoti bacchi ho. Dekha jaaye toh sahi maayno me aaj Suhana ek chhoti bacchi ke hi samaan thi. Shareerik taur se nahi, lekin uska chanchal mann, dil-dimaag ki sthiti abhi kisi ek dukhi, chot pahuchi baalika ke jaisi hi thi.

Veer : Aapne uss par bharosa karna chaaha jo khud na toh aap par kabhi bharosa kiya aur na hi khud bharose ke laayak bann paaya.

Suhana : …

Veer : Lekin, ye aapki kamzori nahi hai.

Suhana : M-Mujhe nahi pata ki ab mein kaun hu. *sob* Kuchh samajh nahi aa raha. *hic* I hate it, Veer. I hate it.

Veer thoda peechhe hua taaki uske aasuon se bheege chehre ko dekh sake.

Veer : Aap wahi Suhana ho jisne meri madad ki, jisne mere liye goli khaayi, jo apni chhoti behan ke liye har waqt khadi rahi, jisne apne aise pati ka bhi saath diya taaki apne maa-baap ka sarr sharm se na jhuke. Woh Suhana ho aap.

Suhana bas uss se lipti rahi. Kaafi derr tak. Akhirkar, uski saansein sthir hui. Poori tarah se nahi, lekin itna zaroor ki woh bina roye uski chhaati se sirr ko utha sake. Ungliyaan toh ab bhi Veer ki shirt ko jakde hue thi.




Suhana : K-Kaise-!? T-Tum car me- Maine toh tumhe dekha tak nahi.

Veer (smiles) : Jab aap bhaagi thi. Toh, mein bhi aapke peechhe hi tha.

Suhana : !!?

Veer : Jab aap car me andar baithi, tab uss waqt mein bhi peechhe andar baitha tha. Par, tab aap aisi haalat me nahi thi ki inn sab cheezon ko notice kar sako.

Suhana : T-Toh, tum shaant kyun the? K-Kuchh bole kyun nahi?

Veer (smiles) : Aapke mom dad ne aapko awaaz lagaayi thi. Kya aapne suni? Toh uss waqt mere bolne se kya hi farq padta?

Suhana (mutters) : Tumhari baat alag hai…!

Veer : Hmm?

Suhana : K-Kuchh nahi. Mein bas-

Usne apne kaanpte hue haatho ko dekha jo Veer ki shirt ko nichode hue the. Usne dheere se shirt ko chhora. Par, haath hatey nahi. Abhi bhi uske seene par hi tike hue the.

Tabhi, Veer ko kuchh yaad aaya.

Veer : Oh!?

Suhana : Huh?

Veer uss se alag hua, peechhe ki seat ke darwaaze ko usne khola aur ek rectangular sa kuchh baahar nikaala jo rang-birange decorative paper me lipta hua tha. Usne woh tauhfa Suhana ki orr badhaaya.

Veer : Mein lagbhag bhool hi gaya tha.

Suhana (curiously) : K-Kya hai ye?

Veer (smiles) : Khol ke dekh lijiye!

Suhana ki ungliyaan savdhani se lipte hue kaagaz ko kholne ke liye chalne lagi. Usne dheere se use faada aur tauhfe ko khola.

Jaise hi usne kaagaz alag kar ke dekha, uski aankhein hairat me fel gayi.

Veer (smiles) : Happy birthday~

Tauhfe me andar ek framed oil painting thi. Kaafi puraani. Canvas bhi khurdura sa tha.

Kayi dino pehle jab Veer Divya aur Ava ke saath serial killer ki investigation ke liye nikla tha tab Divya ne car me ek baat kahi thi uss se...

Veer : Toh, Divya! Miss Suhana ko kya pasand hai?

Divya : Suhana? Kyu? Tum kyu poochh rahe ho ye?

Veer : Unka birthday next month aa raha hai. Mein iss baar unhe kuchh khaas gift karna chaahta hu. Tum unki closest friend ho. Toh, laga ki tum sabse behtar jaanti hogi.

Divya (curiously) : Hmm? Tum kab se logo ke birthdays ki parvah karne lage, Veer? Mere liye toh kabhi aise gifts nahi laaye.

Veer : Ahem! *smiles* Waise- Rahi baat birthdays ki toh mein aam taur par aisa nahi karta. I'm not a 'celebration' type, you know. Lekin, Miss Suhana... Unhone mere liye bahut kuchh kiya hai. I want her to feel appreciated, that's all!

Divya : Appreciated, huh? What exactly are you planning, Mr. Thoughtful?

Veer (smiles) : Kuchh nahi, seriously. Isliye, toh tumse poochh raha hu. Any ideas?

Divya (thoughtfully) : Suhana ko art pasand hai, Veer. Woh rare paintings ikhatta karti hai — mostly abstract. Aur, woh classical music instruments ki deewani hai, khaas kar live orchestra ki. Lekin... *pauses, looks at him* Tum kuchh bada karne ke baare me soch rahe ho, hai na?

Veer (smiles) : Ho sakta hai!

Idhar Suhana ki dhadkane tez thi.

Painting me ek mahila toofan ke khatam hone ke dauraan apni balcony me kinaare khadi hui bagal se ek jalti laalten ki orr badh rahi thi, aur peechhe akaash baadalo aur bijli se ghira hua tha. Toofan ke jaate hue aas-paas ke kshetro me haani. Neeche sheher ast-vyast, tez hawaaein aur keechad.

Dekha jaaye toh yeh painting Suhana ki vyatha ko bakhoobi darsha rahi thi.

Neeche peetal ki plate par sheershak khud hi likha hua tha : The lantern that survived, Arvind Mirajkar, 1938.

Frame ko chhoote hue Suhana ka haath thar-thara utha.

Suhana (shivers) : N-Nahi! Y-Ye kaise ho sakta hai?

Woh har ek bareeki ko gaur se dekh rahi thi. Kone ke paas varnish me aayi daraare, neeche painter ke signature ka halka sa ghumavdaar nishaan, frame me thodi si khaami, har ek cheez. Suhana ka gala ye dekh ke hi sookh gaya.

Suhana : Y-Ye toh-

Usne fauran hi painting ko palat kar kuchh jaanch ki. Ek seal. Original collector ki ek stamp. Kayi varsho ki puraani lakdi.

Yeh asli thi.

Yeh wahi painting thi.

Saalo pehle, Delhi ki ek painting auction me usne iss painting ko dekha tha. Dekhte hi usne mann bana liya tha ki woh ye painting leke hi rahegi. Isliye, nahi ki ye painting kaafi durlabh thi, puraani thi. Balki, toofan me tiki laalten aur aurat ki wajah se-

Jo bhaari vipda ke baad bhi, apne khud ke liye khadi hui thi aur traasdi se ladkar bhi jeevit thi. Sahi salamat thi.

Parantu, uss painting ko paana lagbhag asambhav tha. Kyunki, woh painting-

Kaera ke paas thi.

Usne pehle hi uski bidding laga ke use khareed liya tha. Mehnge daam par. Baad me, Suhana uss se akele me mili. Khareedi hui keemat se doguni keemat dene taiyaar thi woh. Aur, Kaera apna bhaav-heen chehra liye uss se bas itna hi boli ki-




"It's mine now, Suhana. And... It's not for sale."

Suhana ne Veer ko dekha.

Suhana : Ye... K-Kaise? Ye Kaera ke paas thi. Mujhe yaad hai. Tumhare paas kaise-?

Veer (smiles) : Haan. Maine unse maang li.

Suhana (shocked) : M-Maang li?

Veer : Haan! Maine request ki. Aur, unhone de di.

Veer ka jawab hadd se zyada hi seedha-saada tha. Aur, isliye Suhana ko uss par yakeen nahi hua.

Kaera cheezein yuhi nahi deti thi. Paiso ke liye bhi nahi. Ehsaan ke liye bhi nahi.

Suhana ke dimaag me woh pal phirse aaya. ICONGLOBE deal ke baad uss raat Kaera ka Veer ko kiss karna. Uski bauhe fadki.

Woh bewakoof nahi thi. Kisi bhi tarah ki 'request' Kaera ko ye painting dene ke liye raazi nahi kar sakti thi.

Jab tak ki badle me use kuchh aur na diya jaaye. Koi utni hi ya uss se zyada moolya ki vastu.

Kuchh aisa jo Kaera ko chahiye ho. Usne Veer ko phirse dekha.

Suhana (mutters) : T-Tumne sirf poochha hi nahi... Tumne-

Veer ne koi jawaab nahi diya. Uski chuppi ne sab kuchh pukhta kar diya tha. Suhana ki chhaati dard se jakad gayi.

Suhana : You promised her something, didn't you???

Uski awaaz kaanp gayi. Woh aarop nahi laga rahi thi, lekin awaaz me dard saaf jhalak raha tha.

Suhana : Iske liye!??

Usne painting aage karte hue poochha.

Veer : Ab ye aapki hai. It's my gift. For you.

Veer ne uski aankhon me dekhte hue kaha. Uska mann kuchh derr pehle ki mulaqaat ki orr kaundh gaya.

---

Din ke dauran uski car ruki, woh Kaera ke ghar pahuch chuka tha. Jassi aur Raghu use dekhte hi aage badhe. Aam taur par wo dono use rokte aur poochhte, magar unhone bas sirr hila diya.

Bas ek mamooli sa security check aur unn dono ne hi use andar jaane de diya. Koi sawaal nahi. Koi baat nahi.

Veer ne andar ghar me pravesh kiya. Saubhagyavash aaj Kishore ghar par nahi tha. Usne mushqil se abhi teen-chaar qadam hi badhaaye the ki Julia hall me prakat hui. Veer ko dekhte hi uski aankhein chaudi ho gayi.

Julia : Oh? *smiles* Young Master Veer.

Veer : It’s just Veer.

Julia : Please, allow me to call you ‘Young Master.’ In this house, names carry weight. *smiles*

Uski awaaz me kuchh chanchalta thi, kuchh sharaarat.

Julia : Aisa aksar nahi hota ki mujhe aapko dekhne ka mauka mile. Aap yaha Young Miss ke liye aaye ho na? Follow me please.

Veer : Hindi huh!? Nice. Tumhe kaise pata chala ki mein Miss Kaera se-

Julia (smiles) : Isme pata karne ki zaroorat nahi hai, young master. It was obvious.

Woh aage badhi. Veer uske peechhe-peechhe aaya. Lift ke andar dono daakhil hue. Aur, lift upar ki orr jaane lagi.

Julia : You look serious today. Business or heart?

Veer : Huh? Does it matter?

Julia : To me? No. For her? *smiles* Always.

Veer ne koi jawaab nahi diya. Julia darasal use pasand karti thi. Romantically nahi. Bas apni miss ke liye. Woh jaanti thi ki uski miss ke liye Veer kitna maayne rakhta hai. Aur, kyun Veer baaki mardo se alag tha.

[She likes you.]

'Huh? Oh come on, Pari. Har koi mujhse-'

*Ding*

[Julia's favorability : 68]

[See?]

'Kya? 68 hi hai. Nothing much.'

[It's more than enough. Itna bataane ke liye kaafi hai ki wo aapko pasand toh zaroor karti hai, Master. Of course, not in a romantic way. But she likes you.]

Pari aur uske beech ye sanvaad kuchh aur chal paata ki itne me-

*Ting*

Lift ruki. Julia bina kisi jhijhak ke corridor se guzri. Kaera ke kamre se hote hue woh uske bedroom ke baahar aa kar khadi hui.

Usne ek baar darwaaza khat-khataaya aur phir dobaara me bina anumati liye hi usne darwaaze ko dhakel kar khol diya. Woh aur Veer andar aaye aur andar qadam rakhte hi Veer maano saans lena hi bhool gaya.




Kaera apne bistar par paalthi maare baithi hui thi, jism par bas ek dheeli-dhaali safed striped shirt thi. Perr aur jaangh poori tarah se nagn.

Usne apne haatho me pakdi ek kitaab se nazrein upar uthaayi. Jab usne Veer ko dekha toh chehre par halki si muskaan apne aap aa gayi.

Kaera : Oh?

Usne apni kitaab ko takiye ke neeche sarkaaya.

Uski nigaahein Julia par tiki.

Kaera : Tumhe pata hai na ki mere bedroom me aane ki permission kisi ko bhi nahi hai? Father ko bhi nahi. Even Karan.

Julia (smiles) : Jaanti hu, miss. But I also know that today you might make an exception.

Kehte hue usne Veer ki orr dekha, phir wapas se Kaera ki taraf.

Kaera (smiles) : I hate that you’re right about that part.

Julia muskuraayi aur jhukte hue abhivaadan ki.

Julia : I will leave you two alone then.

Jaate-jaate woh darwaaze par ruki, uski nigaahein ek pal ke liye Veer se phirse mili. Aankhon me ek ajeeb tarah ki chamak thi. Phir, woh darwaza band karke baahar nikal gayi. Aur, kamre me sannaata chhaa gaya.

Kaera ne thoda sa hilte hue apne perr modey.

Kaera : Mujhe nahi pata tha ki tum surprises dena bhi enjoy karte ho, Veer. So? What brings you here?

Kehte hue usne aalas me saamne ki chair ki orr ishaara kiya.

Kaera : Have a seat.

Veer baitha. Usne Kaera ko dekha. Kuchh toh gadbad thi. ICONGLOBE ki deal ki uss raat Kaera ne bina kisi jhijhak ke use kiss kiya tha. Uss par apna adhikaar jataaya tha.

Aur ab? Woh ekdum shaant thi. Beparwah si. Maano woh raat bas ek bhooli-bisri yaad bann chuki ho.

[Don’t worry. Aisa kuchh nahi hai, Master.]

‘Tumne mere mann ko padha?’

[Nahi. Bas jaan gayi ki aap kya soch rahe hoge.]

*Ding*

[Kaera’s favorability : 99]

Favorability badhi hui thi. Phir, Kaera bhala iss tarah se kyun pesh aa rahi thi? Yeh uske aam vyaktitva se alag tha. Veer ne iss baare me sochna band kiya aur usne apne phone par nazar daali. Divya ka ek message screen par dikhaayi de raha tha.

“Agar tum Suhana ko waqai ek achha gift dena chaahte ho toh Arvind Mirajkar ki ‘The lantern that survived’ painting use de sakte ho. Agar, tum use arrange karwa sakte ho toh… Kyunki, jaha tak mujhe yaad hai, woh Kaera ke paas hai. Suhana ke paas Arvind ke kaafi famous works hai, lagbhag sabhi siwaaye uss ek ke…”

Veer ne screen band ki aur seedha mudde pe aaya.

Veer : Kya aapke paas-

Kaera (smiles) : Aapke?

Veer (smiles) : I mean- Kya tumhare paas ‘The lantern that survived’ painting hai?

Sunte hi Kaera ke kaan khade hue aur uske haav-bhaav turant hi badal gaye. Woh seedhi ho kar baithi aur muskuraayi.

Kaera : Ah! *smirks* Toh tum Suhana ko gift dene ka plan kar rahe ho.

Veer maun raha. Use jawaab dene ki zaroorat bhi nahi thi. Uski khamoshi hi pushti thi. Kaera ne ek gehri saans li.

Kaera : Tumhe kisne bataaya ki woh painting mere paas hai?

Veer : Divya.

Kaera : I see!

Usne ek haami bhari.

Kaera (grins) : Of course. Wo dono best friends hai. Sab share karti hai. No wonder.

Usne phir paini nazron se Veer ko ghoora.

Kaera : Everything has a price, Veer.

Veer (nods) : Aur, mein pay karne ke liye taiyaar hu.

Kaera ki muskaan aur chaudi ho gayi jaise maano Veer uske saamne koi mazaak kar raha ho.

Kaera : Hundred thousand billion dollars. Can you pay it?

Veer (shocked) : Mein-

Kaera : See? *smiles* Agar, mujhe paise hi chaahiye hote, toh mein use khareedti hi kyun, Veer?

Woh dheere se khadi hui.




Kaera : Come.

Veer uske peechhe-peechhe bedroom se baahar nikla, uske main room se hote hue ek gallery waale room me pahucha jaha chuninda kalakritiyaan pradarshit ho rakhi thi. Kaera ek khaas canvas ke saamne ruki. Woh painting-

The lantern that survived.

Kaera ne uss painting ko showcase par se nikaala aur uski ungliyaan frame par phir gayi.

Kaera : Kya de sakte ho Veer… Iske badle me…?

Usne bina uski orr dekhe poochha. Veer chup raha. Kaera ne painting ko uski orr kar use dikhaaya.

Kaera : You see this woman? Toofan ke baad lantern ki taraf jo haath badha rahi hai?

Veer : ..!?

Kaera : Iss ladki me mein khud apne aap ko dekhti hu. Aur, pata hai iss lantern me kisko dekhti hu?

Kehte hue uski nigaahein Veer par phiri, unn nazron me kuchh ankaha chhipa hua tha. Veer ke honth halke se khule-

Veer : I-

Kaera : Anyways… I don’t need money. I have plenty of it. What I want is… A promise.

Veer : Promise? K-Kaisa promise?

Kaera : I don’t know. Par, jab time aayega, tab tumhe mere liye kuchh karna hoga. Jo mein maangungi woh.

Veer ne turant uttar nahi diya.

Veer : What is it that you want?

Kaera (smiles) : I don’t know yet.

*Silence*

Kaera : I will ask when the time comes.

Yahi sabse khatarnak pehlu tha. Ek undefined debt. Veer ne uss par vichaar kiya. Par, akhir Kaera uss se kya hi maangengi bhavishya me? Akhir uske paas toh sab kuchh tha jo insaan aam taur par paane ki chaah rakhta hai.

Suhana ka chehra ek kshan ke liye uske mann me mandraaya. Woh khamosh gham jo kabhi Suhana ne zaahir nahi kiya tha. Veer ne akhirkar sarr hilaaya.

Veer : I accept it. Jab samay aayega, tum jo kahogi, mein woh karunga.

Kaera ne kuchh pal tak use nihaara. Phir, usne woh painting use thama di.

Kaera : Take it. It’s yours now.

Veer ne saavdhani se uss painting ko apne haatho me liya. Aur, ab Kaera ke chehre par aisa bhaav tha jise samajhna lagbhag asambhav tha. Na hi kisi jeet ka aur na hi kisi haar ka.

Veer : Miss Suhana ne aapko invite nahi kiya?

Invited toh Veer khud bhi nahi tha par woh jaanta tha ki Suhana ne use kyun invite nahi kiya tha. Kaaran tha - Gaurav.

Kaera : Iss painting ko woh na jaane kitne saalo tak mujhse maangti rahi aur maine use ye aaj tak nahi di. Kya tumhe lagta hai woh mujhe invite karegi?

Veer : I see. So… aapas me koi berr nahi. Hai na?

Kaera : No. We’re on neutral terms. Woh mujhe zyada pasand nahi karti. Aur, mein use blame nahi karti.

Kehte hue usne neeche ki floor ki taraf ishaara kiya.

Kaera : But my little brother received an invitation, though. See? Kaise Suhana mujhe taunt karti hai!? Woh aise ready ho raha hai jaise uski girlfriend ne date par bulaaya ho.

Veer muskuraaya.

Veer : Thank you! It means a lot.

Kehte hue woh baahar nikalne ki orr chal pada. Tabhi, peechhe se use Kaera ki awaaz sunaayi di.

Kaera : Remember what you promised, Veer. Now you owe me twice.

Woh muskuraayi. Usne ICONGLOBE ki raat waali baat bhi use yaad dilaayi ki kaise Veer ab uska karzdaar tha. Ek baar nahi. Do baar.

Veer ruka. Aur, bina mudey hi bola.

Veer : I will.

Aur, phir woh baahar nikal gaya. Kaera wapas se apne bedroom me lauti, takiye ke neeche se usne apni wahi kitaab baahar nikaali jiska sheershak tha-

The Art of Loving without Losing.

Aur, usme pehle hi chapter ki seekh thi - Never show full interest. Let them come toward you.

‘Ugh! This is hard. I cannot do this.’

Usne pehle page ko faad ke dustbin me fek diya. Aur, woh dusre chapter par kood gayi.

---

Suhana ki aankhon me phirse aasu bhar aaye. Iss baar kisi aur dard ke chalte. Usne painting ko car ke andar rakha aur phir woh aage badhi aur usne Veer ko kasskar jakad liya. Kuchh zyaada hi zor se.

Usi waqt ek cab unse kuchh doorie par aakar ruki aur andar se ek aurat baahar nikli ~ Divya.




Veer ne use location apni pehle hi bhej di thi. Jaise hi woh unki taraf aage badhi, uske qadam saamne ke drishya ko dekh wahi jamm gaye.

Suhana ne Veer ke sarr ko neeche kheencha aur iss baar bina kisi sharm ke-




Usne Veer ke hontho ko apne muh me bhar liya.

*Kiss*

Uski aankhein band thi. Uske haath kass ke Veer ke baalo ko jakde hue the. Seena uski chhaati me dhasa hua tha. Aur, bina aate-jaate traffic ki parvaah kiye, woh Veer ke hontho ko choosne lagi. Ek baar. Do baar. Baar-baar. Bina ruke. Maano jaise ye jeevan ka antim lamha tha.

[See? I told you Suhana loves you.]

Pari ki awaaz uske mann me goonji. Magar, Veer ka dhyaan iss waqt Suhana par tha. Dono alag hue. Suhana ne use dekha. Veer ki aankhon me aashcharya tha.

Veer : Suhana…!?

Suhana : Shhhh-! Bas mere sawaalo ka jawaab do.

Veer : ???

Suhana : K-Kyun? Mere liye itna sab kyun?

Veer : Kyunki… Kyunki, aapko woh painting kayi saalo se chaahiye thi.

Suhana : Chaahiye toh mujhe aur bhi bahut kuchh hai. Doge mujhe?

Usne Veer ke hontho ko dekh bola.

*badumps*

Aur, iss baar Veer ki dhadkane tez ho gayi.

Veer : Su-

Bolne se pehle hi ek baar phir Suhana ne uske hontho par vaar kar diya. Uski saans phool rahi thi par uske bawajood woh Veer ko choomne se peechhe nahi hatna chaahti thi.

Aaj use samajh aa raha tha ki uss raat Kaera ko kaisa mehsoos hua hoga. Kahi na kahi use gussa aa raha tha ki Kaera ne ye ehsaas uss se pehle paa liya. Aur, woh wahi ki wahi bas khadi hoti dekhti rahi. Uss yaad ko woh aaj mitaana chaahti thi.

Jab dono alag hue toh dono ki hi saansein tez thi.

Suhana : Y-Ye sab tumhara plan tha na? *huff*

Veer (nods) : H-Haan! Sorry, meri wajah se aapka birthday-

Suhana : Nahi! It’s the best birthday gift I have ever got. Tumne mujhe azaad kiya hai. *glances* Aur, ye pal mein kabhi bhi nahi bhoolungi, Veer. Thank you~

“Tum dono ka ho gaya ho toh koi mujhe notice karega ab?”

Divya ki awaaz unke kaano me padi. Suhana ne jaisi hi use paaya, uske gaal sharm se laal ho gaye aur woh jhatse Veer se alag ho gayi.

Suhana : Divya? Tum yaha?

Divya : Haan mein yaha-

Suhana : T-Tum y-yaha kaise-!?

Divya : Veer ki location mere phone me update ho rahi thi. *walks forward* Happy birthday jaaneman!

Aur, usne kass ke Suhana ko apni baahon me bhar liya.

Suhana : Divya-!

Divya : Shh! I know kya hua hai. Veer ne mujhe sab pehle hi bata diya tha ki kya hone waala hai.

Suhana : Matlab tumhe pata tha?

Divya (nods) : Hmm! Happy birthday darling~ You deserved it. You deserve this happiness. This freedom. Every good thing in this world.

Veer : Ladies! Ab samay aa gaya hai mein niklu-

Suhana : Kyaaaa? N-Nahi!

Usne Veer ka haath kasskar thaama.

Suhana : You are not going anywhere. P-Please~ I beg you! Kahi mat jao. I want you to be with me. Tum dono… meri life me sabse important ho. *sob* Please~ Aaj mein bahut khush hu. I want to spend the rest of the night with you two. Please~

Veer ne uske gaalo ko apne haatho me liya aur uske chehre ki orr halka sa jhuka.

Veer : I know! Lekin… aapke husband ke khilaaf wo sab saboot jo maine pesh kiye. Uske liye… Mujhe police station jaana hi hoga. DGP se milna hoga. You know it too ki ye kitna serious matter hai, right? Mein aapse milne phirse aaunga baad me. Don’t worry.

Suhana : P-Par-

Veer ne uske maathe ko haule se chooma. Suhana ka badan kaanp gaya.

Veer : Maine kaha hai na ki mein aaunga. Now… Go. Aap apni best friend se itne time baad mil rahi ho. Aur, aap poochhna nahi chaahti Divya se ki woh itne din Mumbai me rahi toh mili kyu nahi aapse? *smiles* Spend some time with her.

Suhana : I-

Veer ne iss baar uski thuddi ko pakad uska chehra upar uthaaya aur Divya ke saamne hi-

*Kiss*

Uske hontho ko ek baar phirse choom liya. Suhana ka dil gadgad ho chuka tha. Woh kuchh derr pehle ka gham bhool chuki thi kyunki uske sabse pasandeeda vyakti uske paas the.

Suhana : P-Promise?

Veer : Haan promise.

Suhana : Aur, Kaera ko tumne kya diya badle me?

Veer : Kuchh bhi nahi.

Suhana : Jhooth mat bolo, mein jaanti hu ki woh yuhi tumhe painting nahi de sakti chaahe tum uske kitne hi achhe dost hi kyun na ho.

Veer : Bas ek vaada. Jiske baare me unhone nahi bataaya. Samay aane par woh mujhse kuchh maangengi.

Suhana ki bauhe kisi chinta me sikudi.

Veer : Ab mujhe jaana hoga. Enjoy your night now, okay? Leave the rest to me.

Kehte hue woh muda aur Divya ke bagal se jaane ke liye hue toh Divya ne uska haath pakad use rok liya. Uski peeth abhi bhi Veer ki taraf hi thi. Lekin, haath peechhe ki orr uski kalaayi ko thaame hue tha.

Divya (mutters) : Thank you.

Veer : Don’t mention it.

Divya : Nahi. Like, really… Thank you. Thank you so much. Tumhari wajah se hi aaj mein aur Suhana-

Veer (smiles) : Thank me some other time then. I need to go now.

Divya : Huh? Oh! *blushes* As you wish… *smiles*

Aur, Veer dono sakhiyo ko aapas me chhor waha se nikal gaya.

***

Raat abhi poori tarah se chhat bhi nahi paayi thi aur Mumbai me Gaurav ke bangley me mache hungaame se abhi tak log uss ghatna se prabhavit the.

Jab Suhana ghar se bhaagi thi, theek uske kuchh kshan pehle hi koi aur bhi waha se jaldbaazi me nikla tha. Uss waqt-

Ek black sedan car tez raftaar me bhaagte hue driveway se nikli, uske tyres ki cheenkh sadak par goonj uthi. Car ke andar Nik ke haath kaanp rahe the. Usne steering wheel ko kasskar jakad rakha tha. Jaise hi usne car ko sadak par moda, aur estate se dur tezi se bhagaaya, uske maathe par gusse se nassein ubhar aayi.

“Shit… shit… shit…”

Saansein tez thi. Kuchh hi palon me sab kuchh bikhar gaya tha. Projector. Gaurav ki sacchaayi ka saamne aana. Police ka aana. Woh files. Kisi ne sab kuchh plan kar rakha tha.

Aur, Nik ko iska matlab achhi tarah pata tha. Uss haramkhor Veer ko sab kuchh gyaat tha. Uski car sadak par tezi se bhaagti gayi. Lekin, tabhi kareeban uske 100 metre peechhe hi-

Ek aur car andhere se baahar nikli. Phir, ek aur. Aur, phir ek aur. Teen kaali gaadiyaan raat me sadak par aise utri jaise shikaari shikaar ke liye utarte hai.

Pehli SUV ke andar ek aadmi, driver seat ke bagal waali seat par jhuka hua tha aur windshield se baahar jhaak raha tha.

Surya. Wahi Sarabhai gang member ka ek mehatvpoorn member. Wahi gang jisko Aadesh ne hire kiya tha Veer ki hekdi nikaalne ke liye lekin, baad me Balhaar ke saamne use hi muh ki khaani padi thi. Uss din ke baad se hi Sarabhai aur uski gang Balhaar ke saamne natmastak ho gaye the.

Surya (smirks) : Kya hi kehne boss ke-!

Usne car ke baahar darwaaze ko haath se do baar thap-thapaaya aur driver ki orr jhuka.

Surya : Woh raha angrez ka choda, kameena. Tez chala bey!

Driver : K-Kaha? K-Kaun sa kameena, Surya bhai?

Surya : Wahi videshi chooha jiske baare me kal Veer boss ne bataaya tha.

Driver : P-Pakka wahi hai na? Koi aur nikla toh-?

Surya ne apna mobile nikaalte hue tasveerein check ki.

Surya : Wahi car number. Car ka wahi color. Sab same hai. Tu nahi tha na kal adde pe? Tujhe nahi pata. Bhaga! Bhaga! Aage le!

Driver (nods) : H-Haan, bhai!

SUV ka engine zor se garja.

Surya : Aur, tez!!!

Car tezi se aage badhi aur unke peechhe unke saath ki do cars bina kisi nirdesh ke hi unka peechha karne lagi. Chase shuru ho chuki thi.

---

Pichhli raat…

Docks se lage ek warehouse me, bade se hall me log samooh me khade the. Kuchh cigarette pee rahe the, kuchh bakso par tike hue the, kuchh aapas me fusfusa rahe the aur kuchh naye-naye aaye maal ko rakhwa rahe the.

Ye aam aadmi nahi the. Ye wo log the jo logo ko gaayab karne me maahir the. Sarabhai ek jagah khade kisi se baat-cheet kar raha tha. Surya uske bagal me khade tambakhu khaa raha tha aur beecho-beech Balhaar baitha hua tha. Lekin, aaj raat-

Balhaar kamre ka mukhiya nahi tha. Warehouse ke farsh par kisi ke aane ki aahat goonji. Koi andar aaya. Haath jebo me. Pehnaawa ekdum mehnga. Saaf-suthra. Aur, hontho par halki si muskaan.

Veer hall me aise daakhil hua jaise maano woh uss warehouse ka maalik ho. Baat-cheet tham gayi. Sarabhai turant hi seedha khada ho gaya. Surya ne apne tambakhu ko jeb me rakh liya. Aur, Balhaar bhi swayam khada ho gaya.

Veer unse kuchh hi doorie par ruka. Uski nigaahein waha jamey hue logo par dheere-dheere ghoomi. Phir, usne Balhaar ki orr dekha.

Veer : Kal raat ek ‘Nik’ naam ka ek videshi aadmi Globerays ke CEO, Gaurav ke ghar se faraar hoyega.

Sab ne use hairaani bhari aankhein liye dekha. Kaun Nik? Bhaagega? Kaha? Veer ne aage kehna jaari rakha.

Veer : Ek middle aged aadmi hai. Dikhne me thoda sa hatta-katta hai. Theek-thaak height hai. Kal woh waha se bhaagega. Ek black SUV me.

Samooh ke ek naye sadasya, jise Veer ke baare me kuchh bhi nahi pata tha, usne apni bauhe chadhaayi aur bola.

Ladka : Toh, hum kya kare? Tum kaun ho? Aur, humaara uss se kya lena-dena?

Warehouse me sannaata chhaa gaya. Sarabhai ne uss ladke ko dekha. Iske pehle ki woh moorkh kuchh aur keh paata-

*Chataak*

Surya aage badha aur use itni zor se thappad maara ki uski awaaz poore hall me goonj uthi. Woh ladka sadme me apna gaal pakadte hue peechhe ki orr ladkhada gaya.

Surya (yells) : Bhosdike, jab bolne ko kaha jaaye tabhi apna muh khola kar, samjha na?

Woh zor se gurraaya, uski aankhein gusse se laal thi. Usne uss ladke ki collor pakdi aur use peechhe dhakela.

Surya : Aur, agar Veer boss ne kaha hai ki aisa hoga… toh waisa hi hoga. Samajh gaya lawde???

Ladka (shivers) : J-Ji bhai! Sorry!

Kamra ekdum shaant ho gaya. Veer ne uss orr dekha bhi nahi. Woh bas bolta raha.

Veer : Jaise hi woh bhaagega, tum uska peechha karoge.

Balhaar aage badha.

Balhaar : Pakadna hai?

Veer : Haan!

Balhaar : Pakad ke kya karna hai?

Veer : Kuchh nahi. Bas pakadna hai. Zinda.

Balhaar (nods) : Ho jaayega.

Usne apne ladko par ek nazar daali. Surya aur kuchh aur ladko ki taraf.

Balhaar : Ladke log sambhaal lenge.

Veer ne apna phone uski orr feka toh Balhaar ne use pakad liya.

Veer : Uski pictures aur car ki details hai. Apne phone me leke ladko ko bhej do. Koi galti na hone paaye.

Balhaar ne haami bhar theek waisa hi kiya, phir uska chehra thoda narm pad gaya.

Balhaar : Shukriya.

Veer : Hmm?

Balhaar : Police ko vyast rakhne ke liye. Har jagah bhaag-daud me lagi hai wo. Prestige ka lafda. Serial killer ki khoj. Underground lair ki jaanch. Humaara woh Aadesh jaisinghani ke private suite me video bana ke viral karne ka idea. Sheher ke aadhe adhikari kaagazi kaaryavahi aur chhaapo ke bojh taley dabe hue hai.

Veer (grins) : Oh!?

Balhaar : Iss se mujhe kaafi samay mila hai. Warna, underground hue bahut waqt ho raha tha.

Veer jaanta tha ki uski wajah se Balhaar ko yeh sunehra avsar mila tha. Aage badhne ka samay. Phirse, nirmaan karne ka samay. Vikaas karne ka samay. Taaqat badhaane ka samay.

Balhaar : Mere liye maidaan kaafi saaf ho gaya. Iss se kaafi madad mili hai.

Veer (smiles) : Bas Nik ko pakad lena.

Usne iss baat par charcha nahi ki. Woh muda aur darwaaze ke paas ruka.

Veer : Use bhaagne mat dena.

Aur, bas itna bol woh waha se nikal gaya.

---

Nik ki sedan itni tezi se mod se guzri ki lagbhag bhidte-bhidte bach hi gayi. Uski saansein ab ladkhadaayi hui thi. Usne sheeshe me peechhe ka drishya dekha. Pehle toh kuchh nahi tha. Bas khaali sadak. Phir, do second ke baad hi-

Ek jodi headlights dikhaayi padi. Phir, ek aur. Aur, phir ek aur. Nik ki aankhein chaudi ho gayi.

“What the hell…?”

Raushni aur qareeb aane lagi. Behad qareeb. Uska dil zoro se dhadka.

“Shit!”

Usne accelerator par perr dabaaya. Engine zor se dahaada. Sedan kisi rocket ki tarah tezi se aage bhaagi. Aur, uske theek peechhe Surya, apni seat par aage ki orr jhuk gaya.

Surya : Wo raha madarchod! Pakad behanchod ko!

Usne dashboard par zor se haath maara.

Surya : Bhaga bhosdike!! Bhaga! Saala bach ke jaane na paaye.

Driver : Ji bhai! Nahi bhaag paayega!

SUV tez raftaar se aage badhi. Baaki gaadiyaan bhi unke peechhe kataar lagaaye bhaagti gayi. Ek gaadi daahine lane me ghus gayi toh wahi dusri baayi taraf waali lane me, Nik ko pakadne ke liye.

Nik ne sheeshe me dekha. Teen gaadiyon me se ab ek hi gaadi bachi thi. Lekin, woh jaanta tha ki baaki do kisi aur route se uss tak aane ki koshish kar rahi hongi. Uska gala sookh gaya.

“Fuck! Who the hell are these people?”

Uska dimaag har jagah daud raha tha. Tabhi, achanak usne apna phone uthaaya aur Gaurav ko call bhidaaya. Iss aas me ki usne ab tak matter sambhaal liya hoga. Ghanti baji, magar-

---

Idhar police station me Gaurav ko hathkadiyo me baandhe galiyaare me ghaseeta jaa raha tha. Gusse se uska poora chehra laal tha.

Gaurav : DGP!! Tumhe maalum nahi hai tum kise chhu rahe ho. Tumhe lagta hai ye khel yahi khatam ho jaayega?

Ek adhikari ne use aage dhakela. “Aage badho!”

Gaurav : Mein tumhara woh hashr karunga ki tum mere paas aake gidgidaoge, DGP! Yaad rakhna! Tum sab ke sab!

Rohan paas khada chup-chap sab dekhta raha, jab tak ki Gaurav ko andar jail me nahi daal diya gaya. Ab aage ki baat tabhi honi thi jab uski koi bail karwaane aaye. Tab tak ke liye, Gaurav ek gunehgaar hi tha.

Rohan : Iss file me jitne bhi saboot hai unhe cross check karo. Sab authentic hai ya nahi. Pendrive ke data ki ek report bana kar mujhe pesh karo. Sab cross check karo. Samajh gaye? Koi bhi maayi ka laal inn raeeso ko begunaah saabit karwaane ke liye aayega, toh unhe mein khud dekhunga.

Adhikari : Ji sir!

Tabhi, Rohan ki jeb me Gaurav ka phone baj utha jo usne zabt kiya tha. Usne screen par nazar daali.

Caller ID : Nik

Uski bauhe kass uthi. ‘Iska matlab Veer sahi tha…!’

Usne Gaurav ka bajta phone turant hi ek officer ki orr pheka.

Rohan : Call uthao. Trace karo iski location. Aur, ek unit taiyaar rakho turant bhejne ke liye.

Officer : Ji sir!

Rohan ne aadesh dete hue kaha. Uske peechhe Gaurav lagataar gaaliyaan bak raha tha.

Gaurav (yells) : Tum sab gaye kaam se behanchodo! Baahar bas nikalne do mujhe. Baahar nikalte hi mein tum sabko dafna dunga.

Rohan (smiles) : Jitna ganda bol sakte ho bolo, Mister Gaurav. Ye humaare liye aur bhi beneficial hai. Agar, kisi tarah tum riha ho bhi gaye, toh ek DGP ke saath badtameezi karne ke jurm me tumhe phir se andar toh daal sakta hu.

Gaurav (smirks) : Hmph! I’m drunk, DGP Sir. You know… nashe me bole gaye shabdo ko seriously maan ke saza nahi suna sakte.

Rohan : Dekha jaayega, Mister Gaurav. Dekha jaayega.

Tabhi, koi waha par aaya. Veer police station ki entrance par khada hua tha, haath jebo me, Suhana ki party me pehne gaye wahi kapde uske badan par the.

Trisha ne use sabse pehle dekha. Phir, Rohan ne. Aur, phir dono Rohan Trisha ne ek-dusre ko dekha.

Rohan : Toh, akhirkar aa hi gaye tum.

Veer (smiles) : Kisi ko interrogation jo chaahiye tha.

Rohan ne paas ek cabin ki orr ishaara kiya.

Rohan : Andar!

Kuchh minute baad, darwaaza band hua. Rohan Veer ke saamne mej ke dusri orr baitha hua tha. Trisha recording device taiyaar kar ke deewar ke paas khadi hui thi. Veer baitha aur apni kursi par thoda peechhe jhuk gaya. Araam se. Rohan ne use dhyaan se dekha.

Rohan : Toh… Aaj raat. Ye sab tumhara kiya dhara tha, hai na?

Veer (bluntly) : Bilkul!

Rohan ki bauhe tann gayi.

Rohan : Kaise?

Veer : Mere paas mere jasoos hai.

Rohan (leans forward) : Kaun?

Veer (smiles) : Ek jasoos jasoos hota hai, Sir. Hai na?

Rohan ne dheere se saans chhori. Ek pal ke liye kuchh derr pehle ka Erica ka naqaab-posh chehra uske mann me aaya.

Rohan : Theek hai! Mat batao. Toh, aaj ke iss khel se kya samjhu mein Veer? Kya yahi ki tumhe apraadhiyo ko be-naqaab karne me maza aata hai?

Veer : Aapko toh meri uplabdhi se khush hona chaahiye na? Hai ki nahi?

Rohan : Haan! *pauses* Aur, na. Tumne ek criminal ko expose kiya hai. Achhi baat hai. Lekin, tumne logo ki privacy ko invade bhi kiya hai, data hack kiya, security ko breach kiya aur illegally ye sab praapt kiya. *frowns* Ye apne aap me ek crime hai.

Veer : …

Rohan : Tumne kanoon ko apne haath me liya hai.

Veer (leans forward) : Aur, agar nahi leta toh?

Rohan : …

Veer (mutters) : Aap sab ko ghanta koi khabar lagni thi ki Gaurav peeth peechhe kya kuchh kar raha tha.

Baat sach thi. Rohan ne koi jawaab nahi diya. Veer punah peechhe jhuk gaya.

Veer : Jis asal mudde ke liye aapne mujhe yaha bulaaya hai. Kyun na hum uss par aaye ab?

Rohan : Tum underground lair ke andar the?

Veer : Haan.

Rohan : Kya dekha tumne udhar?

Veer : Serial killer ko.

Recording karte hue Trisha ka haath ek pal ke liye ruk gaya. Rohan ki nazrein paini hui.

Rohan : Meri beti ne bataaya ki tumne uss killer ke saath haathapaayi bhi ki thi. Kya ye sach hai?

Veer (chuckles) : Haan. Yeh sach hai.

Rohan : Aur, tum sahi-salaamat do bacchiyo ko lekar bach kar bhi baahar nikal aaye?

Veer : Hey! Mein kaafi injured tha. Kyun, hai na Miss Trisha? *smiles*

Trisha ka badan thitura. Woh asahaj sa mehsoos karne lagi. Rohan ne uski taraf dekha. Trisha ne phir haami bhari.

Trisha : Woh… *nods* Woh ghaayal tha.

Rohan (glances) : Serial killer ke baare me aur kuchh jaante ho?

Veer : Hmm! Jo sketch police ne jaari kiya tha, woh ekdum accurate hai. Ek aged man. Safed baal. Kandhe tak. Woh tez tha. Taqatvar. Aur… ek psycho.

Rohan (frowns) : Kya uske muh se aur kuchh anjaane me nikla tha? Koi maqsad?

Veer : Nahi! Par, itna zaroor bata sakta hu ki woh paiso ke liye nahi maar raha. Na hi badle ke liye. Na hi kisi ideology ki wajah se. Woh ek unhinged serial killer hai. Jo mazey ke liye maarta hai. Use pleasure milta hai. He’s a bloody psycho.

Kamre ka taapmaan thanda pad gaya. Trisha ki ungliyaan Pihu ko yaad kar recorder par kass gayi.

Rohan : Tumne abhi-abhi kaha ki woh ek aged man hai. Agar, woh itna hi aged hai, toh bhala itna khatarnak kaise hai?

Veer ki nazrein uthi. Aur, kamre me andar ghusne ke baad, pehli baar uske hontho par se muskaan gaayab thi.

Veer : Kyunki, woh trained hai. Aur, unpredictable.

Rohan : !?

Veer (leans forward) : Agli baar agar unfortunately aapka saamna uss se ho jaaye toh- *pauses* toh apne saath jitne bhi armed officers le jaa sakte ho, leke jaaiyega.

Rohan : !!!?

Veer : Jitne bhi weapons hai. Sab. Jitni bhi unit forces hai. Sab.

Rohan (frowns) : Kyun? Ek aged aadmi ke liye itna sab bhala kyun?

Veer : Kyunki, yeh wahi aged aadmi hai jise aapki poori police force abhi tak nahi pakad paayi, aur wo din dahaade murders par murders karta chala gaya. Yaha tak ki, aapki beti ko bhi utha ke le gaya tha.

*Silence*

Kuchh der tak bas sannaata chhaaya raha. Rohan ne ek gehri saans li.

Rohan : Ab do sabse important sawaal. Pehla. Tumne Pihu aur Juhi ko uss serial killer se kaise bachaaya?

Veer : Mein lucky tha. Juhi aur Pihu mujhe kismat ke chalte mil gayi thi. Uske baad bhaagte waqt hi meri haathapaayi uss se hui thi. Meri kismat isliye achhi thi kyunki, woh pehle se hi shaayad injured tha.

Rohan : Huh?

Veer : Haan! Isliye, ladte waqt mujhe chot zaroor aayi par mein bhaag nikalne me qamyaab tha.

Rohan : Injured hone ke bawajood woh police se bach kar bhaag nikla? *frowns* Dusra sawaal. Tumhe kaise pata chala ki Pihu aur Juhi underground lair me hai?

Veer (smiles) : Maine abhi aapse kaha tha ki mere paas mere jasoos hai.

Rohan : Bakwaas mat karo, Veer. Mujhe sirf sach chaahiye.

Veer (shrugs) : Theek hai. Raahgeero se pata chala tha.

Rohan (frowns) : Par police ko toh ye saboot nahi mil paaye the.

Veer : Toh mujhe kaise mil gaye?

Rohan (frowns) : Tum-!!!

Veer : Aur, isliye maine kaha. *smiles* Ki agli baar agar uss se saamna ho, toh satark rahiyega. Otherwise-

Rohan : …?

Veer : You’ll regret it!!!

---

Idhar, Nik ki gaadi kisi bike waale ko takkar maarte-maarte bachi. Uska chehra paseene se lath-path tha.

“Come on… come on… pick the damn call, Gaurav!”

Call akhirkar utha.

“Hello! Hello? Gaurav?”

Lekin, dusre chhor se koi awaaz nahi aayi. Bas khamoshi. Nik ka dimaag tezi se ghooma. Ek bura ehsaas. Usne mirror me dekha. Headlights. Abhi bhi thi. Aur, qareeb.

Gaurav. Police? Kahi woh use le toh nahi gaye? Agar, aisa tha toh uska phone-

“Shit!!”

Uski saans ek pal ke liye ruk gayi. Survival instincts trigger hue aur bina kisi jhijhak ke usne phone kaan se hataaya aur call cut karte hue khidki ke baahar fek diya.

Nik ne accelerator ko aur zor se dabaaya. Sedan bhaagi aur traffic ko cheerte hue nikalne lagi. Usne dobaara sheeshe me dekha. Gaadiyaan abhi bhi aa rahi thi.

“Who the hell are they? Fuck!”

Woh gurraaya. Uska dimag har jagah daudne laga. Police? Nahi. Police iss tarah se peechha nahi karti. Ye koi aur log the. Kuchh planned tha. Usne gaadi ko ek sakre mod me moda.

Peechhe , Surya ne zor se dashboard par maara.

Surya : Haraam-zaada gaadi chalaane me expert lagta hai. Aage bhagaate raho.

Uski SUV Nik ki car ke peechhe bhaagi.

Surya (shouts) : Aur, tez! Aur, tez! Tez chala gaandu!

Driver ne acceleration badhaaya. Surya iss baar khidki se baahar jhuka. Usne apni handgun uthaayi, aim lagaaya, ek gehri saans aur-

*Bang*

Goli ki awaaz traffic sadak par goonj uthi aur goli Nik ki sedan ke peechhe ke sheeshe se takraayi.

*Crack*

Sheesha kisi makdi ke jaale ke samaan chakna-choor ho gaya. Car ke andar Nik buri tarah chaunk gaya.

“FUCK!”

Uski seat ke peechhe kaanch ke tukde khad-khadaane lage. Jaan halak me thi.

“Motherfuckers are now shooting-!?”

Car par niyantran banaaye rakhne ke liye uske haath paseene se tarr ho chuke the. Usne khud ko shaant karne ki koshish ki. Socho. Socho Nik.

Woh Mumbai ke raasto se achhi tarah waaqif nahi tha. Lekin, kuchh jagaho ko jaanta tha. Aisi jagaahe jaha Gaurav aur usne niji mulaqaatein ki hui thi. Unme se ek jagah yaha se dur nahi thi.

Usne steering wheel ghumaaya aur dusri sadak par mud gaya. Tezi se uss disha ki orr badha. Uske peechhe-

Surya ki muskaan dheere-dheere chaudi ho gayi.

Surya : Oh ho… Dekho toh zara. Haha!

Driver : K-Kya hua bhai?

Surya : Bilkul wahi hua jaisa ki Veer boss ne kaha tha. Bhosdiwaale ne bilkul wahi mod liya hai.

Driver : Huh? Hum uss angrez ko pakad hi kyun rahe hai?

Surya ne uske sarr par ek thappad maara.

Surya : Tu bas gaadi chala, bewakoof. Jitna kaha gaya utna kar. Veer boss ne kaha hai usko zinda pakadna hai matlab pakadna hai.

Driver : J-Ji bhai!

Aage, Nik ki car ek shaant industrialist lane ke paas pahuchi. Uski aankhon me halki si chamak aa gayi.

“This is it!”

Gaurav ke shelters me se ek. Unhone iss shelter ka istemal aksar tab-tab kiya tha jab-jab unhe ekaant me baat karne ki zaroorat hoti thi.

Agar, woh bas kisi tarah se andar pahuch jaaye toh-

‘Huh?’

Uske chehre par se achanak hi rang udd gaya. Shelter ke paas do cars khadi hui thi. Pehle se. Chupke se. Aadhh me. Lekin, Nik ne dekh liya.

“N-Nooo-!!”

Cars ke engine achanak chaalu ho gaye. Nik ki aankhein bhay ke maare fel gayi.

“Fuckkkk! They were waiting for me!?”

Usne steering wheel ko zor se moda aur shelter pahuchne se pehle hi dusri sadak par mud gaya. Uske peechhe-

Dono khadi cars turant chal padi. Wo peechha karne lagi. Nik ko choohe ki tarah bhaagta dekh Surya zor se hasa.

Surya : Kaha bhaagega, bhosdike! Veer boss ne ekdum sahi kaha tha. Ye angrez ka tatta iss taraf bachne ke liye zaroor aayega. Aur, woh sahi the.

Kintu, Nik ko iska koi andaaza nahi tha. Ghera pehle hi kasa jaa chuka tha. Nik ki car ke peechhe, daaye-baaye, har taraf se aadmi uski taraf badh rahe the.

“How the hell do they know those places?”

Uske dimaag me tarah-tarah ke vichaar daud rahe the, tabhi wahi naam uske dimaag me punah aaya.

Veer.

Uska jabda kass gaya.

“That bastard…. VEEEEER!!!”

Wahi tha. Uske alawa aur koi ho hi nahi sakta tha. Par, akhir kaise? Usne accelerator par phir perr dabaaya. Car ek aur highway par tezi se daud padi. Agar, zameen surakshit nahi thi toh-

Keval ek hi vikalp bacha tha. Mumbai harbour. Port Area.

Gaurav ke paas waha ek private yacht thi. Agar, woh waha tak pahuch gaya toh woh bach jaayega.

---

Wapas police station me cabin ke andar sannaata tha. Rohan aur Trisha Veer ko ghoor rahe the. Usne abhi-abhi jo chetaavni di thi, uska gehra asar unn dono par pada tha.

Rohan : Regret? Kya matlab?

Veer : Bilkul wahi jo maine kaha. Aur, jo aapne suna. Serial killer ko aap uski umr ki wajah se kam mat samajhiye. Woh aapki poori police force ko bhi khatam kar sakta hai.

Rohan : Kya bakwaas kar rahe ho!

Veer : Mera kaam tha aapko bataana. Jo maine kar diya hai. Agar, aap yakeen nahi karna chaahte *shrugs* toh aapki marzi.

Woh dheere se khada hua.

Veer : Lekin, baad me mujhse ye mat kehna ki maine aapko warn nahi kiya.

Rohan : We’ll see. Prestige ke haadse waali raat tum kaha the?

Veer : Out of city tha. Late aaya tha.

Rohan : Phirse jhooth. Tumne uss haadse ke baad koi bhi jaankaari nahi di. Koi bhi interrogation nahi. Sab family members hi handle kar rahe the. Kyun?

Veer : Aap mazaak kar rahe ho, right? Maine apne dada ji ko kho diya. Mere ghar ke ek chaheete sadasya ko goli lag gayi, unhone apni chalne ki kshamta kho di. Mera startup tabaah ho gaya. Hotel khoon se rang gaya. Security guards maare gaye. Aur, uss afra-tafri ke beech-

Rohan : …

Veer : Aap mujhse ye expect kar rahe ho ki mein interviews deta?

Rohan ne dheere se saans chhori. Uske paas iska koi jawaab nahi tha. Veer ne shaant bhaav se apni aasteen theek ki.

Veer : I believe maine aapke important questions ke answers de diye hai.

Woh muda aur darwaaze ki orr chal pada, jab-

“YOU ARE NOT LEAVING!”

Rohan ne mej par haath patka aur achanak khada ho gaya. Uski awaaz kamre me goonj uthi.

Rohan : Jab tak mein na kahu, tum yaha se nahi jaaoge.

Veer ruka. Aur, dheere se peechhe muda.

Veer : Oh!? *smiles*

Rohan uske qareeb aaya. Aur, tabhi ek officer ne baahar se awaaz lagaayi.

“Phone ki stable location mil gayi hai, Sir!”

Rohan : Unit leke pahucho turant.

“Ji Sir!”

Rohan phirse Veer ki orr muda.

Rohan : Tum bahut saari cheezo me involved ho, Veer. Itne saare coincidences nahi ho sakte. Tum itni asaani se bachkar nahi nikal paaoge.

Veer (smiles) : Trust me. DGP Sir. Mujhe ek partner ke roop me lene me zyada samjhdari hogi bajaaye iske ki-

Rohan : SHUT UP! Tum yaha baithoge. Aur, mere har sawaal ka jawaab doge.

Veer ne kuchh nahi kaha. Woh bas use dekhta raha. Shaant.

Rohan : Kya tum Dhananjay, Ranjeet ke case me shaamil the?

Veer : Huh? Kaun Dhananjay Ranjeet?

[Hehe~]

Rohan ne apne daant zor se meese. Trisha ghabraayi. Kya Rohan samajh gaya? Rohan ki nazar ek pal ke liye Trisha par padi.

Rohan : Mere saath game mat khelo, Veer. Mujhe pata hai tum kayi maamlo me shaamil ho. Yaha tak ki mujhe yeh bhi yakeen hai ki tumhara connection underworld mafia se bhi hai.

Veer (smiles) : Aap bahut bada aarop laga rahe hai, Sir. Khaaskar mere jaise ek college student par.

Woh aalas se kursi par baith peechhe jhuk gaya.

Rohan (shouts) : SHUT THE FUCK UP!

Rohan : Mujhe pata hai ki tum kitne din college gaye ho, kitne din jaate ho, kitne business run karte ho, kaha tumhara uthna-baithna hai, kaha jaate ho, kis se milte ho, tumhare parivar me kaun-kaun hai.

Veer ki muskaan gaayab ho gayi.

Veer (frowns) : Aap mere parivar ki jasoosi kar rahe ho?

Rohan (smirks) : Abhi tak toh nahi. *pauses* Lekin, agar zaroorat padi, toh woh bhi ki jaayegi. Mere paas tumhare baare me kaafi jankaari hai, Veer. Tum dusro ko bewakoof bana sakte ho. Mujhe nahi.

Veer : …

Rohan : Sawal ka jawab do. Kya tum Dhananjay aur Ranjeet ke maamle me shaamil ho?

Trisha ke shareer me phir sihran daud gayi. Uski ungliyaan kass gayi. Agar, Rohan chhaan-been karta raha toh aise me toh-

Veer : Nahi! Mein kuchh bhi nahi jaanta.

Rohan bhadak utha.

Rohan : Tumhari himmat kaise hui mere saamne jhooth bolne ki-?

Usne gusse se mej par haath patke.

Rohan : Mein tumhe abhi jail me daal sakta hu, Veer. Samjhe? Ek third-degree ka treatment aur tum mujhse rukne ki bheekh maangne lagoge. Aur, koi bhi iss par sawaal nahi uthaayega. Ye authority hai mere paas. Mein ye kar sakta hu.

Veer (smiles) : Par, aap nahi karoge.

Usne seedha Trisha ki orr dekha.

Veer (smirks) : Hai na? Miss Trisha?

Trisha jamm ke reh gayi. Uske mann me phirse wahi drishya kaundh gaye. Ranjeet ka marna. Uske haath me bandook. Slaughterhouse. Tasveer. Uska dil zor se dhadka. Usne Rohan ko dekha aur apna sarr ‘naa’ me hilaaya. Nahi. Use itna push mat karo. Aur, Rohan ka gussa aur bhi badh gaya.

Rohan : Tch!

Veer : Jaisa ki maine kaha, mujhe ek partner ke roop me lena aapke liye hi behtar hoga.

Rohan : Shut up!

Veer : Aap wardi pehen kar apraadhiyo ka peechha karte ho. Maine wahi kaam bina wardi ke kiya hai. Aapki aur meri… manzil ek hi hai.

Rohan (yells) : Tumhe iska right nahi hai.

Veer (stands up) : Sahi kaha. Mere paas right nahi hai. Lekin, kabhi-kabhi rights se zyaada… results matter karte hai, Sir.

---

Nik ki gaadi sunsaan road pe zor se bhaagi. Uski saansein bhaari thi.

"Fuck... fuck..." Usne mirror check kiya. Headlights. Abhi bhi peeche. Woh haraamzade use jaane hi nahi de rahe the.

Surya, peechhe apni car ki window se aadha bahar jhuka.

Surya : Bhaga bhaga bhaga! Pakdo uss harami ko!

Nik apne aap me hi badbadaaya. “Shit-!”

Harbour aage tha. Agar woh Gaurav ki yacht tak pahunch gaya toh… Woh samundar ke zariye unse dur bhaag paane me qamyaab ho jaayega.

Bas thoda aur.

Bas-

Uski aankhein phail gayi. Harbour use dikhaayi diya. Aur, yacht bhi. Lekin, kuchh toh gadbad thi.

Log. Dher saare log. Yacht ke neeche aas-paas khade the. Road ko dekh rahe the. Intezar kar rahe the. Nik ke badan me jhurjhuri daud gayi.

"Shit." Uski steering wheel pe pakad mazboot ho gayi. “They’re here too…?”

Usne jaldi se apni kamar thap-thapaayi. Uski ungliyon ko apni handgun feel hui. "Tch."

Aur, uske peechhe-

"RUK MADARCHOD!"

*BANG*

Zor se gunshot ki aawaz aayi. Nik ne turant hi duck kiya, kyunki bullet ne peechhe waale sheeshe ko ab tod kar use poori tarah dhwast kar diya tha.

"Damn it! Damn it! Fuccckkk!" Usne steering wheel ko jhatke se ghumaaya aur car ko tezi se moda. Gaadi harbour se dur chali gayi.

---

Veer darwaaze tak pahucha. Rohan ki aawaz phir aayi.

Rohan : Maine kaha na ki tum mere sawaalo ke jawaab diye bina nahi jaoge?

Veer ruka. Dheere-dheere… Woh peechhe muda. Phir, woh Rohan ki taraf wapas chal pada. Ahista-ahista. Ve dono ab lagbhag aamne-saamne khade the. Veer thoda sa aage jhuka.

Veer : Ek samajhdar officer… jaanta hai kab kaunse sawaal poochhne hai. Aur, kab nahi, Sir.

Rohan ki aankhein jal rahi thi.

Rohan : Gaurav hi sirf jail me nahi rahega… Balki, tum bhi salaakhon ke peechhe jaaoge. Aur woh Nik- hum use bhi jald hi daboch lenge.

Veer : Oh?

Bilkul usi waqt-

Uska phone vibrate hua. Dheemi si ghanti baji. Veer ne neeche dekha. Unknown number. Ek message aaya hua tha.

“Pakad liya boss.”

Uske chehre pe dheere se ek muskaan phail gayi. Rohan jhijhka.

Rohan : K-Kya?

Veer nazdeek aaya. Rohan ke kandhe par haath rakha. Phir, uske kaan ke paas jhuka.

Veer (smirks) : Pata hai sabse taaza khabar kya hai, sir?

Rohan ke badan me sihran daud gayi. Veer ke honth aur adhik phail gaye.

Veer (whispers) : NIK MERE PAAS HAI!

Rohan ke badan me raungte khade ho gaye. Bina koi use samay diye, Veer muda aur exit ki taraf chal diya.

Veer : Dobaara baat karni hai agar, toh kal shaam ghar aa jaaiyega. *pauses* Aur, bina wardi ke hi aaiyega. Aur, agar nahi-

Rohan : !!?

Veer (smiles) : Toh, Nik ko jaise aap dabochne waale the, daboch lijiyega.

Rohan (yells) : VEEEEER!!! Mein tumhe jail me daal dunga. Tumhe lagta hai ki tum bach jaaoge?

Veer (smiles) : Bilkul!

Kehte hue woh waha se nikal gaya. Kamre me gehra sannaata chhaa gaya. Rohan wahi khada raha, gehri saansein le raha tha. Uski aankhein krodh se laal thi.

Veer bina peechhe dekhe police station se baahar nikal gaya. Rohan dheere se Trisha ki orr muda. Uski nigaahein teekhi thi. Jawaab maang rahi thi.

Trisha ne uss se nazrein churaayi. Uska gala sookh raha tha. Woh ghabraate hue aage badhi. “R-Rohan-!”

***

Veer baahar aaya aur tabhi uske saamne uski apni car aa kar ruki. Driver seat ki khidki neeche sarki, Erica halki muskaan ke saath baahar jhuki.




Erica (smiles) : Kaafi derr laga di!

Veer ne koi jawaab nahi diya. Usne darwaaza khola. Erica baahar aayi aur ghoom kar passenger ki seat par baithi. Veer driver seat par baitha. Engine chaalu hote hi gaadi police station ke gate se nikal padi. Aur, peechhe ki seat par-




Garofano ek perr ko dusre par rakhe baithi hui thi, uske bagal se Ava thi.




Garofano : Toh?

Veer : Done and dusted. Filhaal abhi ke liye.

Garofano (sighs) : Finally!

Usne apne baalo par haath phera.

Garofano : Sorry! Mein khud nahi aa saki. Clients se badi mushqil se jaan chhooti hai aaj.

Veer : It’s okay! Tum pehle hi bahut kuchh kar chuki ho.

Garofano (smiles) : Oh!?

Veer : Trisha ko phone par guide karna aur Raman tak precisely pahuchaana asaan kaam nahi tha.

Garofano : Well… Looks like system yahi chaahta tha ki mujhe ye mission mile. *grins* Kaafi badhiya skill mili hai reward me.

Veer : Kaun si?

Garofano (smirks) : If I reveal everything now, what will I tease you with later?

Veer ke jawaab dene se pehle hi Erica chehek uthi.

Erica : Mujhe bhi toh badhiya skill mili hai, hehe~

Veer (nods) : Yeah! Part vision!

[Skill : Part Vision
Description : Allows the host to join the parts of the past from the available clues and understand what transpired. Accuracy of the past will depend on the number of clues the host can get.]

Veer : Uss skill ne sab kuchh badal diya. Pushkar ke past ke bina… Gaurav aur Nik ki kartooto ke baare me nahi jaan paate.

Erica garv se muskuraayi.

Erica (smiles) : So, basically I saved the day. Yay~

Garofano : Relax little girl. You didn’t save the world. Your skill just came handy, that’s all. Itna exaggerate karne ki zaroorat nahi.

Erica (pouts) : Hmph~

Veer ke mann me-

*Ding*

[Mission : ‘Deal Breaker (1)’ has been completed.]

[You have gained 10,000 points.]

[Suhana’s favorability has increased by : 25.]

[Divya’s favorability has increased by : 10.]

*Ding*

[Perk Selection Available.]

[Select one of three random perks.]

[Perk 1] [Perk 2] [Perk 3]

‘Later Pari!’

[As you wish, Master!]

*Ding*

[Perk selection is post-poned.]

Veer : Waqai. Erica. Uss skill ki wajah se hi aaj mera mission poora hua hai. Thank you~

Erica (blushes) : It’s okay! Mujhe bhi ek skill mil gayi.

Garofano (chuckles) : Isliye, tumhare daddy Renshu yaha se gaayab ho gaye. Missions jo nahi mil rahe the use haha. Imagine losing to your own daughter in missions lol.

Erica : Hmph~ Toh kya hua? My dad would still crush you in a 1 v 1 fight.

Garofano : Oh please! Maana ki Renshu strong hai, lekin itna bhi nahi jis hisaab se tum apne daddy ke liye biased rehti ho.

Erica : Oh achha? Toh lagao bet. Hai himmat dad ke saath-

“I couldn’t do anything!”

Ava ki komal awaaz ne unki behas ko kaat diya. Erica aur Garofano, dono turant ruk gayi. Ava apne haatho ko ghoor rahi thi.

Ava : I… I barely helped.

Uski awaaz thodi kaanp rahi thi.

Veer : Nahi!

Ava : Huh?

Veer : Tumne apni identity reveal ki. Mere liye. Uss se poori situation change ho gayi thi.

Ava : But… But that is exactly why I hate it, Veer! I don’t want to appear only when things are already happening. I want to be there… when it begins. For you.

Aur, phir use ehsaas hua ki woh jaldbaazi me kya keh gayi. Usne haya me sarr neeche jhuka liya. Garofano aur Erica ne chup-chap use dekha. Dono shaant thi.

Veer : Tumne Teju di ko bachata, Ava. You took the bullet for my family. Aur, tumhe lagta hai tumne madad nahi ki?

Ava ke honth khule, lekin koi shabd nahi nikla.

Veer : I think it’s about time I- *pauses* I introduce you to my family. Tomorrow.

Ava (shivers) : Huh?

Usne aayeene me Veer ko dekha. Phir, dheere-dheere uske chehre par ek sharmeeli muskaan aa gayi.

Ava : O-Okay…! Tomorrow then…!

Baaki ka safar shaant baat-cheet me beeta. Plans. Precautions. Aage ki strategies.

Jab tak Veer ghar lauta, kaafi raat ho chuki thi. Ghar me andhera aur sannaata chhaaya hua tha. Shayad sabhi so chuke the. Usne spare key se gate ko unlock kiya and andar pravesh kiya.

Jaise hi woh hallway se guzar ke muda, woh achanak ruk gaya.

Uski maa ke kamre ka darwaaza khula hua tha. Andar ek light bulb jal raha tha. Bhavna darwaaze ke paas hi khadi thi. Intezaar kar rahi thi. Uski shaant nigaahein Veer par tiki. Aur, boli-

“Andar aao!”
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Aaj ke liye itna hi guys.
This update consists of 12k words. Dena nahi chaahta tha itna bada update par ab likh diya hai. Let's see tum log phirse wahi kaand karte ho ya iss baar bhi last update ki tarah jaldi reactions poore karte ho. Next update se hum thode system ke lore, Veer's familial issues, relationship, aur kuchh baaki characters par focus karenge. Kuchh secrets bhi unveil hone waale hai jald hi. Target apna wahi hai. 250.
Dhanyavad.

Bahut shanddar or unmda update
I realy like it
Bus aise hi updates dete raho

 

[Surya_021]

Awesome Update

Update - 212 ~ The Night the masks burned​

Ab tak...

Veer uske kaan ke qareeb aaya.

Veer : Oh, but you already lost…!

Gaurav (mutters) : Bhosdike, agar ye DGP yaha nahi hota na toh mein-

Veer : Do you know why you lost?

Gaurav : !!?

Veer ne ek jhalak neeche baithi Suhana ko dekha aur phir Gaurav ko.

Veer (whispers) : Because you underestimated your queen!!!

Gaurav : !!!!?

Ab aage...

*Clink*

Hall me hathkadi ki awaaz sabhi ko sunaayi di. Gaurav ne koi sangharsh nahi kiya. Maano jaise use iss baat se farq hi nahi pad raha tha ki use arrest kar liya gaya hai.

Par, zaahir taur se uske chehre ke haav-bhaav badle hue the. Jabda kasa hua, maathe par gusse se fadakti hui maanspeshi. Lekin, woh dara nahi. Reedh abhi bhi seedhi. Ahankaar abhi bhi adig. Guroor jo tha use apne aap par.

Jaise hi Rohan aur Trisha uske dono orr khade hue, usne hall me ek baar chaaro orr dekha. Kaise log use ghoor rahe the. Suhana. Sonia. Unke mata-pita. Aur, phir-

Nigaahein Veer ke upar jaa tiki. Bas kuchh kshan ke liye. Dono ke beech ek maun yuddh.

Veer chup-chap waha khada raha, haath abhi bhi jebo me, koi ghamand nahi aur na hi koi muskaan. Bas maun maujoodagi, jo aur bhi adhik bhaari thi.

Rohan ne Gaurav ke haatho ko thaam use moda, le jaane ke liye woh palta. Shailendra, jo ki ye sab hote hue dekh chuka tha, uska mann nahi maan raha tha ki aisa kuchh ho sakta tha.

Ek prakaar se ye uski beizzati thi itne logo ke saamne. Agar, woh kisi tarah DGP ko mana ke ye sab-

Sochte hi woh aage badha. Elite Group koi chhota-mota samooh nahi tha. Ghar me hi ghus ke ghar ke maalik ko iss qadar se hathkadi pehna ke le jaana…

Ye sirf aam vyaktiyo par laagu hota tha. Raees, oonchi pehchaan waalo ke liye nahi. Waha toh paisa khila ke, status dikha ke, wazandaari ke chalte maamla rafa-dafa kar diya jaata tha.

Yahi soch Shailendra apne damaad ko bachaane ke liye bade hi rutbe me aage badha, magar-

Rohan : Wahi theher jaaiye, Sir! Jo kuchh bhi sunwaayi hogi, ab police station me hogi.

Usne ek jhatke me Shailendra ko haath dikhakar wahi rok diya. Shailendra ki bauhe phadki. Ye DGP sirf ek raajya ka hi toh DGP tha. Elite Group ka varchasv toh poore desh me fela hua tha.

Magar, kanoon ke maamle me Rohan sakht tha. Aur, uski sakhti ke charche poore raajya me mashoor the. Isliye, Shailendra ne aage kuchh na kaha. Bas Gaurav ko haath dikhaate hue aashvaashan diya.

Rohan jaane se pehle Veer ki orr muda. Use yaad dila raha tha ki usne ‘Interrogation’ ka vaada kiya tha. Veer ne dheere se apna sarr hilaaya. Ek shaant sweekriti. Aur, ab toh waise bhi use jaana hi tha. Gaurav ke khilaaf usne saboot jo pesh kiye the.

Shailendra ne Veer ko ghoora. Yeh ladka uss raat ICONGLOBE ki deal ke dauraan bhi Kaera ke bagal se baitha tha. Mann me Veer ko lekar usne ek vichaar baithaaya.

Trisha ki nigaahein bhi Veer par thi. Aaj unn nazro me sandeh kam tha, soch-vichaar zyaada. Usne yeh ab pukhta maan liya tha ki Veer hi inn sab ke peechhe tha.

Jab Rohan exit se nikalne ke liye hua toh Erica uske paas ek file lekar aayi.

Erica : Transaction trails, server backups, logs, call reports, chats, images, everything is in hardcopy. *smiles* Aur, ye rahi pendrive, Sir. For more details.

Rohan ne file aur pendrive jab Erica ke haatho se li toh uski aankhein sikudi.

Rohan : Aur, tum kaun-!?

Erica (smiles) : Bas ek hired manager.

Rohan use saath lekar jaana chaahta tha, magar yeh sunane ke baad ki wo bas ek hired person thi, chaahte hue bhi usne iss baat par zor nahi diya. Lekin, Erica ke masked chehre ko woh apne dimaag me baithaana nahi bhoola. Aur, na hi Trisha.

Akhirkar, woh dono Gaurav ko lekar baahar nikle. Mukhya dwar se ve ravaana hue, phir baahar dur se siren ke goonjne ki awaaz ne spasht kar diya ki ve jaa chuke the.

Suhana wahi neeche baithi reh gayi. Kuchh derr pehle hi woh cake kaat rahi thi aur ab-

Itne saalo se woh uske changul me fasi thi. Gaurav ke mijaaz ke anusaar usne khud ko dhaalne ki koshish bhi ki thi. Khud dab-dab kar uske neeche rahi. Yeh yakeen dilaane ke liye ki shaayad ek na ek din sab sahi ho jaayega.

Kintu, aaj usne dekh liya ki sacchaayi toh ekdum hi vipreet thi. Aur, uske bheetar kuchh toot gaya.

Suhana : Aaj tak... Aaj tak mein- *shivers*

Usne fusfusate hue kaha, uski awaaz mushqil se hi bagal me jhuki Ashita ko sunaayi de rahi thi.

Suhana : M-Mujhe kabhi pata hi nahi chala... Ashita... Mein-

Ashita (tenderly) : Suhana...

Uski nazrein Suhana par tiki. Uska therapist dimaag pehle se hi trauma responses, emotional collapse ke patterns ko padhne ke liye jut chuka tha.

Phir, usne Veer ko dekha. Na jaane kab se woh Suhana jaisi split personality waali aurat ko badalne waale ladke se milne ke liye betaab thi. Aaj woh shaks uske saamne tha.

Beshaq. Veer ko dekhte hi usne ek gehri saans li. Use bas yeh jaanana tha ki iss ladke me aisa kya tha ki uski patient ki saansein uska naam lete hi tez ho jaati thi.

Filhaal ke liye charcha na sahi, lekin usne itna jaan liya tha ki Veer kaun tha.

Karan, jo ki wahi khada tha, sab kuchh ghatit hota dekh Veer ke nazdeek aaya. Maathe par shikan. Veer aur uske beech bina bol ke ishaaro me hi baat ho gayi.

Suhana ki maa ne jhukte hue use apne galey se lagaaya.

Toh wahi pita Shailendra ka chehra sharmindagi se laal tha. Woh swabhimaani vyakti jisne apne damaad ki na jaane kitni deenge haaki thi, jis par wo kabhi garv mehsoos karta tha, jisne use aadhe se zyaada vyapaar jagat se milwaaya tha aaj sharminda aur stabdh khada hua tha.

Udhar Sonia bina koi harqat kiye vismay aur bhay me khadi thi. Apni jagah se tass se mass na hui. Pushkar ka naam uske dimaag me ghoom raha tha. Yakeen nahi ho raha tha ki yeh sab-

Planned tha. Chhal se racha gaya tha. Aur, use humesha-humesha ke liye chup kara diya gaya. Itne saalo tak woh apne mann me uski maut ko baar-baar dohraati rahi, aur bas bhaagya ko dosh deti rahi. Lekin, iss ghatna me toh bhaagya ka haath kam, Gaurav ka zyaada tha.

Par, uss se bhi badi baat-

Jiska use darr tha. Jiska use bhay tha ki Gaurav uske liye kahi koi ghinauni soch toh nahi rakhta? Woh sach saabit ho gayi.

Ab jo kuchh bhi hua wo media me saamne tha. Iss se bacha nahi jaa sakta tha. Abhi ke liye Elite Group ki izzat par ek zordaar thokar lagi thi. Uss se ubharne ke liye-

Shailendra seedha khada hua aur mehmaano ki orr mudkar usne haath jode.

Shailendra : I apologise!

Usne tanaav bhari magar dhridh awaaz me kaha.

Shailendra : Aaj ki raat meri beti ke janmdin ke liye jashn manaane ke liye thi. Iske bajaaye… kuchh aisa ho gaya jo nahi hona chaahiye tha. Jis situation me abhi Suhana hai, mein chaahunga ki aap sabhi please move on kariye. Ek baar firse, kshama chaahta hu.

Log bhi samajhdaar the. Ve jaante the ki aisi sthiti me koi kaise hi apna janmdin mana sakta tha? Unhone Shailendra ko aashvaashan diya aur jaate-jaate use saantvna bhi de gaye.

Bheed chhatne lagi. Kuchh asahajta ke kaaran, kuchh darr ke maare, aur kuchh isliye ki ab tamasha khatam ho chuka tha.

Suhana jo iss waqt mehsoos kar rahi thi woh koi bhi nahi samajh sakta tha. Woh apni maa ke sparsh se peechhe hati.

Namrita : Suhana-!

Woh achanak hi khadi hui. Sonia ne iss baar use dekha. Pehle toh Suhana khadi hone ke baad dheere-dheere saiyyam se chali. Har qadam napa-tula, maano uska shareer bina uski ichha ke chal raha ho.

Phir, achanak na jaane kya hua, woh daud padi. Darwaaze ki orr. Baahar driveway ki taraf jaha security waale asmanjas me use dekhte hue alag ho gaye.

Namrita (yells) : Suhanaaaaa-! Ruko!

Peechhe se uski maa ki ruwaasi pukaar sunaayi padi. Uske pita ne bhi use awaaz lagaayi. Sonia ka dil ghabra kar zor se dhadka, usne apna haath utha kar use rokne ki koshish ki, magar muh se shabd hi baahar nahi nikle.

Suhana nahi ruki. Bhaag kar woh apni car tak pahuchi. Kaanpte haatho se usne gaadi unlock ki, andar baithi aur darwaaza zor se band kiya jis se baahar ki awaaz sunaayi na de.

Ek pal ke liye woh bas steering wheel ko kasskar pakde baithi rahi. Phir-

*Rumble*

Engine garja. Aur, usne apni gaadi aage dauda di. Kuchh zyada hi tez. Raat me sadko ke aas-paas khambo par, lampposts par jagah-jagah 26 january ke posters aur jhande lage hue the. Dur kahi aatishbaazi ho rahi thi, swatantrata ke chhote-chhote utsav ho rahe the.

Par, uski azaadi ka kya? Kya use khush hona chaahiye? Ya dukhi? Use samajh nahi aa raha tha.

Woh bina soche-samjhe idhar-udhar mod leti jaa rahi thi. Baaye, daaye, phir daaye. Sheher uski namm aankhon ke saamne dhundhla sa pad gaya. Aasuon ke chalte use theek se traffic bhi nazar nahi aa raha tha. Uska dil-dimaag shaant hone ka naam hi nahi le rahe the.

Pushkar. Hidden cameras. Photographs. Footage. Transactions.

Akhir kitne jhootho ke saath woh har ek din guzaar rahi thi Gaurav ke saath? Uski saansein phool rahi thi. Kayi minute tak disha-heen gaadi chalaane ke baad, usne ek flyover ke paas gaadi ko kinaare roka.

Car band ki. Dur se traffic ka shor use ab sunaayi diya. Uske haath steering wheel se hatey. Aur, kandhe kaanpne lage. Woh aage jhuki aur apne chehre ko usne apni hatheliyo me chhipa liya.

Aur, phir-

*Sniff*

“Haaaaaaaaaaaa!!!”

Woh zor se royi. Dil khol ke. Itne saalo se jo bhadaas andar thi, woh baahar aa gayi. Jo dabey hue emotions the woh baahar umad aaye.

Woh bilakh-bilakh kar royi. Siskiyon aur subakne ki awaaz car me goonj gayi. Woh aise royi ki agar koi sunn le toh uska dil dahal jaaye.

Kyunki, koi use sunane waala nahi tha. Kyunki, woh akeli thi. Aisa use yakeen tha jab peechhe se ek shaant awaaz aayi-

“Aapko pata hai na iss tarah se gaadi chalaana kitna khatarnak hota hai?”

Suhana ka badan kaanp utha. Woh haafte hue tezi se mudi, sihran uske poore jism me fel gayi. Aur, phir usne use dekha.

Veer.

Peechhe ki seat par baitha hua. Ek pal ke liye woh bas dekhti reh gayi, samajh nahi paa rahi thi ki Veer yaha kaise ho sakta tha.

“2 signals miss kiye. Divider se lagbhag gaadi bhid hi gayi thi.”

Usne narmi se kaha. Phir, ek virhaam.

“Aap toh iss tarah se drive nahi karti kabhi. Kis se bhaag rahi thi? Jo pehle hi sab khatam ho chuka hai uss cheez se? Ya phir apne aap se?”

Uske bol zor se Suhana ko lage. Woh daant nahi raha tha. Na hi mazaak uda raha tha. Bas… parvaah ko bade hi seedhepann se pesh kar raha tha. Woh utha, usne darwaaza khola aur car ke baahar utra.

“Haath kaanp rahe hai, phir bhi gaadi chalaani hai? Pata hai na ye kitna risky tha?”

Usne aage aate hue uski driver seat ka darwaaza khola.

“Aage se aisa mat karna. Samajh gayi na?”

Aur, bas-

Suhana ki rulaayi ek baar phir chhooth padi. Jab Veer ne use dheere se haath pakad baahar ko nikaala toh usne koi virodh nahi kiya. Jaise hi uske perr zameen par pade, uski saari taaqat jaise gaayab ho gayi. Woh zor se bilakh ke royi aur seedhe Veer ki baahon me simat gayi. Uski mutthiyon ne Veer ki shirt ko kasskar jakad liya.

“Waaaaaaa-!”

Aur, woh bas roti rahi. Subak-subak ke. Uske galey se lage hue. Kasskar chipke hue. Woh cold, arrogant, rich aur haughty Suhana gaayab ho chuki thi.

Suhana : M-Mein *sobs* Mein jhooth ki duniya me jee rahi thi, Veer! *sniff* H-Har din- *hic* He... He lied to me. *sob* Every day! Sonu ke liye bhi uske mann me- *sniff*

Veer ne apni baahon me use zor se jakad ke rakha. Ek haath uski peeth par mazbooti se tika hua tha. Dusra, uske kandhe ko sahaara de raha tha.

Veer : Shh! You were surviving. And, you did.

Suhana ne apna sirr uske seene par tikaaya.

Suhana : S-Sach mere saamne tha- *sniff* Par, mein hi andhi thi. *sob* M-Mujhe lagta tha mein… mein hi zaroorat se zyaada soch rahi hu. He kept lying to me. Every time. *sob* M-Mujhe yakeen nahi hota ki woh iss tarah ki ghinauni- *hic*

Veer : Shh! It’s alright!

Uska haath dheere-dheere Suhana ke baalo par phira, maano jaise woh koi chhoti bacchi ho. Dekha jaaye toh sahi maayno me aaj Suhana ek chhoti bacchi ke hi samaan thi. Shareerik taur se nahi, lekin uska chanchal mann, dil-dimaag ki sthiti abhi kisi ek dukhi, chot pahuchi baalika ke jaisi hi thi.

Veer : Aapne uss par bharosa karna chaaha jo khud na toh aap par kabhi bharosa kiya aur na hi khud bharose ke laayak bann paaya.

Suhana : …

Veer : Lekin, ye aapki kamzori nahi hai.

Suhana : M-Mujhe nahi pata ki ab mein kaun hu. *sob* Kuchh samajh nahi aa raha. *hic* I hate it, Veer. I hate it.

Veer thoda peechhe hua taaki uske aasuon se bheege chehre ko dekh sake.

Veer : Aap wahi Suhana ho jisne meri madad ki, jisne mere liye goli khaayi, jo apni chhoti behan ke liye har waqt khadi rahi, jisne apne aise pati ka bhi saath diya taaki apne maa-baap ka sarr sharm se na jhuke. Woh Suhana ho aap.

Suhana bas uss se lipti rahi. Kaafi derr tak. Akhirkar, uski saansein sthir hui. Poori tarah se nahi, lekin itna zaroor ki woh bina roye uski chhaati se sirr ko utha sake. Ungliyaan toh ab bhi Veer ki shirt ko jakde hue thi.




Suhana : K-Kaise-!? T-Tum car me- Maine toh tumhe dekha tak nahi.

Veer (smiles) : Jab aap bhaagi thi. Toh, mein bhi aapke peechhe hi tha.

Suhana : !!?

Veer : Jab aap car me andar baithi, tab uss waqt mein bhi peechhe andar baitha tha. Par, tab aap aisi haalat me nahi thi ki inn sab cheezon ko notice kar sako.

Suhana : T-Toh, tum shaant kyun the? K-Kuchh bole kyun nahi?

Veer (smiles) : Aapke mom dad ne aapko awaaz lagaayi thi. Kya aapne suni? Toh uss waqt mere bolne se kya hi farq padta?

Suhana (mutters) : Tumhari baat alag hai…!

Veer : Hmm?

Suhana : K-Kuchh nahi. Mein bas-

Usne apne kaanpte hue haatho ko dekha jo Veer ki shirt ko nichode hue the. Usne dheere se shirt ko chhora. Par, haath hatey nahi. Abhi bhi uske seene par hi tike hue the.

Tabhi, Veer ko kuchh yaad aaya.

Veer : Oh!?

Suhana : Huh?

Veer uss se alag hua, peechhe ki seat ke darwaaze ko usne khola aur ek rectangular sa kuchh baahar nikaala jo rang-birange decorative paper me lipta hua tha. Usne woh tauhfa Suhana ki orr badhaaya.

Veer : Mein lagbhag bhool hi gaya tha.

Suhana (curiously) : K-Kya hai ye?

Veer (smiles) : Khol ke dekh lijiye!

Suhana ki ungliyaan savdhani se lipte hue kaagaz ko kholne ke liye chalne lagi. Usne dheere se use faada aur tauhfe ko khola.

Jaise hi usne kaagaz alag kar ke dekha, uski aankhein hairat me fel gayi.

Veer (smiles) : Happy birthday~

Tauhfe me andar ek framed oil painting thi. Kaafi puraani. Canvas bhi khurdura sa tha.

Kayi dino pehle jab Veer Divya aur Ava ke saath serial killer ki investigation ke liye nikla tha tab Divya ne car me ek baat kahi thi uss se...

Veer : Toh, Divya! Miss Suhana ko kya pasand hai?

Divya : Suhana? Kyu? Tum kyu poochh rahe ho ye?

Veer : Unka birthday next month aa raha hai. Mein iss baar unhe kuchh khaas gift karna chaahta hu. Tum unki closest friend ho. Toh, laga ki tum sabse behtar jaanti hogi.

Divya (curiously) : Hmm? Tum kab se logo ke birthdays ki parvah karne lage, Veer? Mere liye toh kabhi aise gifts nahi laaye.

Veer : Ahem! *smiles* Waise- Rahi baat birthdays ki toh mein aam taur par aisa nahi karta. I'm not a 'celebration' type, you know. Lekin, Miss Suhana... Unhone mere liye bahut kuchh kiya hai. I want her to feel appreciated, that's all!

Divya : Appreciated, huh? What exactly are you planning, Mr. Thoughtful?

Veer (smiles) : Kuchh nahi, seriously. Isliye, toh tumse poochh raha hu. Any ideas?

Divya (thoughtfully) : Suhana ko art pasand hai, Veer. Woh rare paintings ikhatta karti hai — mostly abstract. Aur, woh classical music instruments ki deewani hai, khaas kar live orchestra ki. Lekin... *pauses, looks at him* Tum kuchh bada karne ke baare me soch rahe ho, hai na?

Veer (smiles) : Ho sakta hai!

Idhar Suhana ki dhadkane tez thi.

Painting me ek mahila toofan ke khatam hone ke dauraan apni balcony me kinaare khadi hui bagal se ek jalti laalten ki orr badh rahi thi, aur peechhe akaash baadalo aur bijli se ghira hua tha. Toofan ke jaate hue aas-paas ke kshetro me haani. Neeche sheher ast-vyast, tez hawaaein aur keechad.

Dekha jaaye toh yeh painting Suhana ki vyatha ko bakhoobi darsha rahi thi.

Neeche peetal ki plate par sheershak khud hi likha hua tha : The lantern that survived, Arvind Mirajkar, 1938.

Frame ko chhoote hue Suhana ka haath thar-thara utha.

Suhana (shivers) : N-Nahi! Y-Ye kaise ho sakta hai?

Woh har ek bareeki ko gaur se dekh rahi thi. Kone ke paas varnish me aayi daraare, neeche painter ke signature ka halka sa ghumavdaar nishaan, frame me thodi si khaami, har ek cheez. Suhana ka gala ye dekh ke hi sookh gaya.

Suhana : Y-Ye toh-

Usne fauran hi painting ko palat kar kuchh jaanch ki. Ek seal. Original collector ki ek stamp. Kayi varsho ki puraani lakdi.

Yeh asli thi.

Yeh wahi painting thi.

Saalo pehle, Delhi ki ek painting auction me usne iss painting ko dekha tha. Dekhte hi usne mann bana liya tha ki woh ye painting leke hi rahegi. Isliye, nahi ki ye painting kaafi durlabh thi, puraani thi. Balki, toofan me tiki laalten aur aurat ki wajah se-

Jo bhaari vipda ke baad bhi, apne khud ke liye khadi hui thi aur traasdi se ladkar bhi jeevit thi. Sahi salamat thi.

Parantu, uss painting ko paana lagbhag asambhav tha. Kyunki, woh painting-

Kaera ke paas thi.

Usne pehle hi uski bidding laga ke use khareed liya tha. Mehnge daam par. Baad me, Suhana uss se akele me mili. Khareedi hui keemat se doguni keemat dene taiyaar thi woh. Aur, Kaera apna bhaav-heen chehra liye uss se bas itna hi boli ki-




"It's mine now, Suhana. And... It's not for sale."

Suhana ne Veer ko dekha.

Suhana : Ye... K-Kaise? Ye Kaera ke paas thi. Mujhe yaad hai. Tumhare paas kaise-?

Veer (smiles) : Haan. Maine unse maang li.

Suhana (shocked) : M-Maang li?

Veer : Haan! Maine request ki. Aur, unhone de di.

Veer ka jawab hadd se zyada hi seedha-saada tha. Aur, isliye Suhana ko uss par yakeen nahi hua.

Kaera cheezein yuhi nahi deti thi. Paiso ke liye bhi nahi. Ehsaan ke liye bhi nahi.

Suhana ke dimaag me woh pal phirse aaya. ICONGLOBE deal ke baad uss raat Kaera ka Veer ko kiss karna. Uski bauhe fadki.

Woh bewakoof nahi thi. Kisi bhi tarah ki 'request' Kaera ko ye painting dene ke liye raazi nahi kar sakti thi.

Jab tak ki badle me use kuchh aur na diya jaaye. Koi utni hi ya uss se zyada moolya ki vastu.

Kuchh aisa jo Kaera ko chahiye ho. Usne Veer ko phirse dekha.

Suhana (mutters) : T-Tumne sirf poochha hi nahi... Tumne-

Veer ne koi jawaab nahi diya. Uski chuppi ne sab kuchh pukhta kar diya tha. Suhana ki chhaati dard se jakad gayi.

Suhana : You promised her something, didn't you???

Uski awaaz kaanp gayi. Woh aarop nahi laga rahi thi, lekin awaaz me dard saaf jhalak raha tha.

Suhana : Iske liye!??

Usne painting aage karte hue poochha.

Veer : Ab ye aapki hai. It's my gift. For you.

Veer ne uski aankhon me dekhte hue kaha. Uska mann kuchh derr pehle ki mulaqaat ki orr kaundh gaya.

---

Din ke dauran uski car ruki, woh Kaera ke ghar pahuch chuka tha. Jassi aur Raghu use dekhte hi aage badhe. Aam taur par wo dono use rokte aur poochhte, magar unhone bas sirr hila diya.

Bas ek mamooli sa security check aur unn dono ne hi use andar jaane de diya. Koi sawaal nahi. Koi baat nahi.

Veer ne andar ghar me pravesh kiya. Saubhagyavash aaj Kishore ghar par nahi tha. Usne mushqil se abhi teen-chaar qadam hi badhaaye the ki Julia hall me prakat hui. Veer ko dekhte hi uski aankhein chaudi ho gayi.

Julia : Oh? *smiles* Young Master Veer.

Veer : It’s just Veer.

Julia : Please, allow me to call you ‘Young Master.’ In this house, names carry weight. *smiles*

Uski awaaz me kuchh chanchalta thi, kuchh sharaarat.

Julia : Aisa aksar nahi hota ki mujhe aapko dekhne ka mauka mile. Aap yaha Young Miss ke liye aaye ho na? Follow me please.

Veer : Hindi huh!? Nice. Tumhe kaise pata chala ki mein Miss Kaera se-

Julia (smiles) : Isme pata karne ki zaroorat nahi hai, young master. It was obvious.

Woh aage badhi. Veer uske peechhe-peechhe aaya. Lift ke andar dono daakhil hue. Aur, lift upar ki orr jaane lagi.

Julia : You look serious today. Business or heart?

Veer : Huh? Does it matter?

Julia : To me? No. For her? *smiles* Always.

Veer ne koi jawaab nahi diya. Julia darasal use pasand karti thi. Romantically nahi. Bas apni miss ke liye. Woh jaanti thi ki uski miss ke liye Veer kitna maayne rakhta hai. Aur, kyun Veer baaki mardo se alag tha.

[She likes you.]

'Huh? Oh come on, Pari. Har koi mujhse-'

*Ding*

[Julia's favorability : 68]

[See?]

'Kya? 68 hi hai. Nothing much.'

[It's more than enough. Itna bataane ke liye kaafi hai ki wo aapko pasand toh zaroor karti hai, Master. Of course, not in a romantic way. But she likes you.]

Pari aur uske beech ye sanvaad kuchh aur chal paata ki itne me-

*Ting*

Lift ruki. Julia bina kisi jhijhak ke corridor se guzri. Kaera ke kamre se hote hue woh uske bedroom ke baahar aa kar khadi hui.

Usne ek baar darwaaza khat-khataaya aur phir dobaara me bina anumati liye hi usne darwaaze ko dhakel kar khol diya. Woh aur Veer andar aaye aur andar qadam rakhte hi Veer maano saans lena hi bhool gaya.




Kaera apne bistar par paalthi maare baithi hui thi, jism par bas ek dheeli-dhaali safed striped shirt thi. Perr aur jaangh poori tarah se nagn.

Usne apne haatho me pakdi ek kitaab se nazrein upar uthaayi. Jab usne Veer ko dekha toh chehre par halki si muskaan apne aap aa gayi.

Kaera : Oh?

Usne apni kitaab ko takiye ke neeche sarkaaya.

Uski nigaahein Julia par tiki.

Kaera : Tumhe pata hai na ki mere bedroom me aane ki permission kisi ko bhi nahi hai? Father ko bhi nahi. Even Karan.

Julia (smiles) : Jaanti hu, miss. But I also know that today you might make an exception.

Kehte hue usne Veer ki orr dekha, phir wapas se Kaera ki taraf.

Kaera (smiles) : I hate that you’re right about that part.

Julia muskuraayi aur jhukte hue abhivaadan ki.

Julia : I will leave you two alone then.

Jaate-jaate woh darwaaze par ruki, uski nigaahein ek pal ke liye Veer se phirse mili. Aankhon me ek ajeeb tarah ki chamak thi. Phir, woh darwaza band karke baahar nikal gayi. Aur, kamre me sannaata chhaa gaya.

Kaera ne thoda sa hilte hue apne perr modey.

Kaera : Mujhe nahi pata tha ki tum surprises dena bhi enjoy karte ho, Veer. So? What brings you here?

Kehte hue usne aalas me saamne ki chair ki orr ishaara kiya.

Kaera : Have a seat.

Veer baitha. Usne Kaera ko dekha. Kuchh toh gadbad thi. ICONGLOBE ki deal ki uss raat Kaera ne bina kisi jhijhak ke use kiss kiya tha. Uss par apna adhikaar jataaya tha.

Aur ab? Woh ekdum shaant thi. Beparwah si. Maano woh raat bas ek bhooli-bisri yaad bann chuki ho.

[Don’t worry. Aisa kuchh nahi hai, Master.]

‘Tumne mere mann ko padha?’

[Nahi. Bas jaan gayi ki aap kya soch rahe hoge.]

*Ding*

[Kaera’s favorability : 99]

Favorability badhi hui thi. Phir, Kaera bhala iss tarah se kyun pesh aa rahi thi? Yeh uske aam vyaktitva se alag tha. Veer ne iss baare me sochna band kiya aur usne apne phone par nazar daali. Divya ka ek message screen par dikhaayi de raha tha.

“Agar tum Suhana ko waqai ek achha gift dena chaahte ho toh Arvind Mirajkar ki ‘The lantern that survived’ painting use de sakte ho. Agar, tum use arrange karwa sakte ho toh… Kyunki, jaha tak mujhe yaad hai, woh Kaera ke paas hai. Suhana ke paas Arvind ke kaafi famous works hai, lagbhag sabhi siwaaye uss ek ke…”

Veer ne screen band ki aur seedha mudde pe aaya.

Veer : Kya aapke paas-

Kaera (smiles) : Aapke?

Veer (smiles) : I mean- Kya tumhare paas ‘The lantern that survived’ painting hai?

Sunte hi Kaera ke kaan khade hue aur uske haav-bhaav turant hi badal gaye. Woh seedhi ho kar baithi aur muskuraayi.

Kaera : Ah! *smirks* Toh tum Suhana ko gift dene ka plan kar rahe ho.

Veer maun raha. Use jawaab dene ki zaroorat bhi nahi thi. Uski khamoshi hi pushti thi. Kaera ne ek gehri saans li.

Kaera : Tumhe kisne bataaya ki woh painting mere paas hai?

Veer : Divya.

Kaera : I see!

Usne ek haami bhari.

Kaera (grins) : Of course. Wo dono best friends hai. Sab share karti hai. No wonder.

Usne phir paini nazron se Veer ko ghoora.

Kaera : Everything has a price, Veer.

Veer (nods) : Aur, mein pay karne ke liye taiyaar hu.

Kaera ki muskaan aur chaudi ho gayi jaise maano Veer uske saamne koi mazaak kar raha ho.

Kaera : Hundred thousand billion dollars. Can you pay it?

Veer (shocked) : Mein-

Kaera : See? *smiles* Agar, mujhe paise hi chaahiye hote, toh mein use khareedti hi kyun, Veer?

Woh dheere se khadi hui.




Kaera : Come.

Veer uske peechhe-peechhe bedroom se baahar nikla, uske main room se hote hue ek gallery waale room me pahucha jaha chuninda kalakritiyaan pradarshit ho rakhi thi. Kaera ek khaas canvas ke saamne ruki. Woh painting-

The lantern that survived.

Kaera ne uss painting ko showcase par se nikaala aur uski ungliyaan frame par phir gayi.

Kaera : Kya de sakte ho Veer… Iske badle me…?

Usne bina uski orr dekhe poochha. Veer chup raha. Kaera ne painting ko uski orr kar use dikhaaya.

Kaera : You see this woman? Toofan ke baad lantern ki taraf jo haath badha rahi hai?

Veer : ..!?

Kaera : Iss ladki me mein khud apne aap ko dekhti hu. Aur, pata hai iss lantern me kisko dekhti hu?

Kehte hue uski nigaahein Veer par phiri, unn nazron me kuchh ankaha chhipa hua tha. Veer ke honth halke se khule-

Veer : I-

Kaera : Anyways… I don’t need money. I have plenty of it. What I want is… A promise.

Veer : Promise? K-Kaisa promise?

Kaera : I don’t know. Par, jab time aayega, tab tumhe mere liye kuchh karna hoga. Jo mein maangungi woh.

Veer ne turant uttar nahi diya.

Veer : What is it that you want?

Kaera (smiles) : I don’t know yet.

*Silence*

Kaera : I will ask when the time comes.

Yahi sabse khatarnak pehlu tha. Ek undefined debt. Veer ne uss par vichaar kiya. Par, akhir Kaera uss se kya hi maangengi bhavishya me? Akhir uske paas toh sab kuchh tha jo insaan aam taur par paane ki chaah rakhta hai.

Suhana ka chehra ek kshan ke liye uske mann me mandraaya. Woh khamosh gham jo kabhi Suhana ne zaahir nahi kiya tha. Veer ne akhirkar sarr hilaaya.

Veer : I accept it. Jab samay aayega, tum jo kahogi, mein woh karunga.

Kaera ne kuchh pal tak use nihaara. Phir, usne woh painting use thama di.

Kaera : Take it. It’s yours now.

Veer ne saavdhani se uss painting ko apne haatho me liya. Aur, ab Kaera ke chehre par aisa bhaav tha jise samajhna lagbhag asambhav tha. Na hi kisi jeet ka aur na hi kisi haar ka.

Veer : Miss Suhana ne aapko invite nahi kiya?

Invited toh Veer khud bhi nahi tha par woh jaanta tha ki Suhana ne use kyun invite nahi kiya tha. Kaaran tha - Gaurav.

Kaera : Iss painting ko woh na jaane kitne saalo tak mujhse maangti rahi aur maine use ye aaj tak nahi di. Kya tumhe lagta hai woh mujhe invite karegi?

Veer : I see. So… aapas me koi berr nahi. Hai na?

Kaera : No. We’re on neutral terms. Woh mujhe zyada pasand nahi karti. Aur, mein use blame nahi karti.

Kehte hue usne neeche ki floor ki taraf ishaara kiya.

Kaera : But my little brother received an invitation, though. See? Kaise Suhana mujhe taunt karti hai!? Woh aise ready ho raha hai jaise uski girlfriend ne date par bulaaya ho.

Veer muskuraaya.

Veer : Thank you! It means a lot.

Kehte hue woh baahar nikalne ki orr chal pada. Tabhi, peechhe se use Kaera ki awaaz sunaayi di.

Kaera : Remember what you promised, Veer. Now you owe me twice.

Woh muskuraayi. Usne ICONGLOBE ki raat waali baat bhi use yaad dilaayi ki kaise Veer ab uska karzdaar tha. Ek baar nahi. Do baar.

Veer ruka. Aur, bina mudey hi bola.

Veer : I will.

Aur, phir woh baahar nikal gaya. Kaera wapas se apne bedroom me lauti, takiye ke neeche se usne apni wahi kitaab baahar nikaali jiska sheershak tha-

The Art of Loving without Losing.

Aur, usme pehle hi chapter ki seekh thi - Never show full interest. Let them come toward you.

‘Ugh! This is hard. I cannot do this.’

Usne pehle page ko faad ke dustbin me fek diya. Aur, woh dusre chapter par kood gayi.

---

Suhana ki aankhon me phirse aasu bhar aaye. Iss baar kisi aur dard ke chalte. Usne painting ko car ke andar rakha aur phir woh aage badhi aur usne Veer ko kasskar jakad liya. Kuchh zyaada hi zor se.

Usi waqt ek cab unse kuchh doorie par aakar ruki aur andar se ek aurat baahar nikli ~ Divya.




Veer ne use location apni pehle hi bhej di thi. Jaise hi woh unki taraf aage badhi, uske qadam saamne ke drishya ko dekh wahi jamm gaye.

Suhana ne Veer ke sarr ko neeche kheencha aur iss baar bina kisi sharm ke-




Usne Veer ke hontho ko apne muh me bhar liya.

*Kiss*

Uski aankhein band thi. Uske haath kass ke Veer ke baalo ko jakde hue the. Seena uski chhaati me dhasa hua tha. Aur, bina aate-jaate traffic ki parvaah kiye, woh Veer ke hontho ko choosne lagi. Ek baar. Do baar. Baar-baar. Bina ruke. Maano jaise ye jeevan ka antim lamha tha.

[See? I told you Suhana loves you.]

Pari ki awaaz uske mann me goonji. Magar, Veer ka dhyaan iss waqt Suhana par tha. Dono alag hue. Suhana ne use dekha. Veer ki aankhon me aashcharya tha.

Veer : Suhana…!?

Suhana : Shhhh-! Bas mere sawaalo ka jawaab do.

Veer : ???

Suhana : K-Kyun? Mere liye itna sab kyun?

Veer : Kyunki… Kyunki, aapko woh painting kayi saalo se chaahiye thi.

Suhana : Chaahiye toh mujhe aur bhi bahut kuchh hai. Doge mujhe?

Usne Veer ke hontho ko dekh bola.

*badumps*

Aur, iss baar Veer ki dhadkane tez ho gayi.

Veer : Su-

Bolne se pehle hi ek baar phir Suhana ne uske hontho par vaar kar diya. Uski saans phool rahi thi par uske bawajood woh Veer ko choomne se peechhe nahi hatna chaahti thi.

Aaj use samajh aa raha tha ki uss raat Kaera ko kaisa mehsoos hua hoga. Kahi na kahi use gussa aa raha tha ki Kaera ne ye ehsaas uss se pehle paa liya. Aur, woh wahi ki wahi bas khadi hoti dekhti rahi. Uss yaad ko woh aaj mitaana chaahti thi.

Jab dono alag hue toh dono ki hi saansein tez thi.

Suhana : Y-Ye sab tumhara plan tha na? *huff*

Veer (nods) : H-Haan! Sorry, meri wajah se aapka birthday-

Suhana : Nahi! It’s the best birthday gift I have ever got. Tumne mujhe azaad kiya hai. *glances* Aur, ye pal mein kabhi bhi nahi bhoolungi, Veer. Thank you~

“Tum dono ka ho gaya ho toh koi mujhe notice karega ab?”

Divya ki awaaz unke kaano me padi. Suhana ne jaisi hi use paaya, uske gaal sharm se laal ho gaye aur woh jhatse Veer se alag ho gayi.

Suhana : Divya? Tum yaha?

Divya : Haan mein yaha-

Suhana : T-Tum y-yaha kaise-!?

Divya : Veer ki location mere phone me update ho rahi thi. *walks forward* Happy birthday jaaneman!

Aur, usne kass ke Suhana ko apni baahon me bhar liya.

Suhana : Divya-!

Divya : Shh! I know kya hua hai. Veer ne mujhe sab pehle hi bata diya tha ki kya hone waala hai.

Suhana : Matlab tumhe pata tha?

Divya (nods) : Hmm! Happy birthday darling~ You deserved it. You deserve this happiness. This freedom. Every good thing in this world.

Veer : Ladies! Ab samay aa gaya hai mein niklu-

Suhana : Kyaaaa? N-Nahi!

Usne Veer ka haath kasskar thaama.

Suhana : You are not going anywhere. P-Please~ I beg you! Kahi mat jao. I want you to be with me. Tum dono… meri life me sabse important ho. *sob* Please~ Aaj mein bahut khush hu. I want to spend the rest of the night with you two. Please~

Veer ne uske gaalo ko apne haatho me liya aur uske chehre ki orr halka sa jhuka.

Veer : I know! Lekin… aapke husband ke khilaaf wo sab saboot jo maine pesh kiye. Uske liye… Mujhe police station jaana hi hoga. DGP se milna hoga. You know it too ki ye kitna serious matter hai, right? Mein aapse milne phirse aaunga baad me. Don’t worry.

Suhana : P-Par-

Veer ne uske maathe ko haule se chooma. Suhana ka badan kaanp gaya.

Veer : Maine kaha hai na ki mein aaunga. Now… Go. Aap apni best friend se itne time baad mil rahi ho. Aur, aap poochhna nahi chaahti Divya se ki woh itne din Mumbai me rahi toh mili kyu nahi aapse? *smiles* Spend some time with her.

Suhana : I-

Veer ne iss baar uski thuddi ko pakad uska chehra upar uthaaya aur Divya ke saamne hi-

*Kiss*

Uske hontho ko ek baar phirse choom liya. Suhana ka dil gadgad ho chuka tha. Woh kuchh derr pehle ka gham bhool chuki thi kyunki uske sabse pasandeeda vyakti uske paas the.

Suhana : P-Promise?

Veer : Haan promise.

Suhana : Aur, Kaera ko tumne kya diya badle me?

Veer : Kuchh bhi nahi.

Suhana : Jhooth mat bolo, mein jaanti hu ki woh yuhi tumhe painting nahi de sakti chaahe tum uske kitne hi achhe dost hi kyun na ho.

Veer : Bas ek vaada. Jiske baare me unhone nahi bataaya. Samay aane par woh mujhse kuchh maangengi.

Suhana ki bauhe kisi chinta me sikudi.

Veer : Ab mujhe jaana hoga. Enjoy your night now, okay? Leave the rest to me.

Kehte hue woh muda aur Divya ke bagal se jaane ke liye hue toh Divya ne uska haath pakad use rok liya. Uski peeth abhi bhi Veer ki taraf hi thi. Lekin, haath peechhe ki orr uski kalaayi ko thaame hue tha.

Divya (mutters) : Thank you.

Veer : Don’t mention it.

Divya : Nahi. Like, really… Thank you. Thank you so much. Tumhari wajah se hi aaj mein aur Suhana-

Veer (smiles) : Thank me some other time then. I need to go now.

Divya : Huh? Oh! *blushes* As you wish… *smiles*

Aur, Veer dono sakhiyo ko aapas me chhor waha se nikal gaya.

***

Raat abhi poori tarah se chhat bhi nahi paayi thi aur Mumbai me Gaurav ke bangley me mache hungaame se abhi tak log uss ghatna se prabhavit the.

Jab Suhana ghar se bhaagi thi, theek uske kuchh kshan pehle hi koi aur bhi waha se jaldbaazi me nikla tha. Uss waqt-

Ek black sedan car tez raftaar me bhaagte hue driveway se nikli, uske tyres ki cheenkh sadak par goonj uthi. Car ke andar Nik ke haath kaanp rahe the. Usne steering wheel ko kasskar jakad rakha tha. Jaise hi usne car ko sadak par moda, aur estate se dur tezi se bhagaaya, uske maathe par gusse se nassein ubhar aayi.

“Shit… shit… shit…”

Saansein tez thi. Kuchh hi palon me sab kuchh bikhar gaya tha. Projector. Gaurav ki sacchaayi ka saamne aana. Police ka aana. Woh files. Kisi ne sab kuchh plan kar rakha tha.

Aur, Nik ko iska matlab achhi tarah pata tha. Uss haramkhor Veer ko sab kuchh gyaat tha. Uski car sadak par tezi se bhaagti gayi. Lekin, tabhi kareeban uske 100 metre peechhe hi-

Ek aur car andhere se baahar nikli. Phir, ek aur. Aur, phir ek aur. Teen kaali gaadiyaan raat me sadak par aise utri jaise shikaari shikaar ke liye utarte hai.

Pehli SUV ke andar ek aadmi, driver seat ke bagal waali seat par jhuka hua tha aur windshield se baahar jhaak raha tha.

Surya. Wahi Sarabhai gang member ka ek mehatvpoorn member. Wahi gang jisko Aadesh ne hire kiya tha Veer ki hekdi nikaalne ke liye lekin, baad me Balhaar ke saamne use hi muh ki khaani padi thi. Uss din ke baad se hi Sarabhai aur uski gang Balhaar ke saamne natmastak ho gaye the.

Surya (smirks) : Kya hi kehne boss ke-!

Usne car ke baahar darwaaze ko haath se do baar thap-thapaaya aur driver ki orr jhuka.

Surya : Woh raha angrez ka choda, kameena. Tez chala bey!

Driver : K-Kaha? K-Kaun sa kameena, Surya bhai?

Surya : Wahi videshi chooha jiske baare me kal Veer boss ne bataaya tha.

Driver : P-Pakka wahi hai na? Koi aur nikla toh-?

Surya ne apna mobile nikaalte hue tasveerein check ki.

Surya : Wahi car number. Car ka wahi color. Sab same hai. Tu nahi tha na kal adde pe? Tujhe nahi pata. Bhaga! Bhaga! Aage le!

Driver (nods) : H-Haan, bhai!

SUV ka engine zor se garja.

Surya : Aur, tez!!!

Car tezi se aage badhi aur unke peechhe unke saath ki do cars bina kisi nirdesh ke hi unka peechha karne lagi. Chase shuru ho chuki thi.

---

Pichhli raat…

Docks se lage ek warehouse me, bade se hall me log samooh me khade the. Kuchh cigarette pee rahe the, kuchh bakso par tike hue the, kuchh aapas me fusfusa rahe the aur kuchh naye-naye aaye maal ko rakhwa rahe the.

Ye aam aadmi nahi the. Ye wo log the jo logo ko gaayab karne me maahir the. Sarabhai ek jagah khade kisi se baat-cheet kar raha tha. Surya uske bagal me khade tambakhu khaa raha tha aur beecho-beech Balhaar baitha hua tha. Lekin, aaj raat-

Balhaar kamre ka mukhiya nahi tha. Warehouse ke farsh par kisi ke aane ki aahat goonji. Koi andar aaya. Haath jebo me. Pehnaawa ekdum mehnga. Saaf-suthra. Aur, hontho par halki si muskaan.

Veer hall me aise daakhil hua jaise maano woh uss warehouse ka maalik ho. Baat-cheet tham gayi. Sarabhai turant hi seedha khada ho gaya. Surya ne apne tambakhu ko jeb me rakh liya. Aur, Balhaar bhi swayam khada ho gaya.

Veer unse kuchh hi doorie par ruka. Uski nigaahein waha jamey hue logo par dheere-dheere ghoomi. Phir, usne Balhaar ki orr dekha.

Veer : Kal raat ek ‘Nik’ naam ka ek videshi aadmi Globerays ke CEO, Gaurav ke ghar se faraar hoyega.

Sab ne use hairaani bhari aankhein liye dekha. Kaun Nik? Bhaagega? Kaha? Veer ne aage kehna jaari rakha.

Veer : Ek middle aged aadmi hai. Dikhne me thoda sa hatta-katta hai. Theek-thaak height hai. Kal woh waha se bhaagega. Ek black SUV me.

Samooh ke ek naye sadasya, jise Veer ke baare me kuchh bhi nahi pata tha, usne apni bauhe chadhaayi aur bola.

Ladka : Toh, hum kya kare? Tum kaun ho? Aur, humaara uss se kya lena-dena?

Warehouse me sannaata chhaa gaya. Sarabhai ne uss ladke ko dekha. Iske pehle ki woh moorkh kuchh aur keh paata-

*Chataak*

Surya aage badha aur use itni zor se thappad maara ki uski awaaz poore hall me goonj uthi. Woh ladka sadme me apna gaal pakadte hue peechhe ki orr ladkhada gaya.

Surya (yells) : Bhosdike, jab bolne ko kaha jaaye tabhi apna muh khola kar, samjha na?

Woh zor se gurraaya, uski aankhein gusse se laal thi. Usne uss ladke ki collor pakdi aur use peechhe dhakela.

Surya : Aur, agar Veer boss ne kaha hai ki aisa hoga… toh waisa hi hoga. Samajh gaya lawde???

Ladka (shivers) : J-Ji bhai! Sorry!

Kamra ekdum shaant ho gaya. Veer ne uss orr dekha bhi nahi. Woh bas bolta raha.

Veer : Jaise hi woh bhaagega, tum uska peechha karoge.

Balhaar aage badha.

Balhaar : Pakadna hai?

Veer : Haan!

Balhaar : Pakad ke kya karna hai?

Veer : Kuchh nahi. Bas pakadna hai. Zinda.

Balhaar (nods) : Ho jaayega.

Usne apne ladko par ek nazar daali. Surya aur kuchh aur ladko ki taraf.

Balhaar : Ladke log sambhaal lenge.

Veer ne apna phone uski orr feka toh Balhaar ne use pakad liya.

Veer : Uski pictures aur car ki details hai. Apne phone me leke ladko ko bhej do. Koi galti na hone paaye.

Balhaar ne haami bhar theek waisa hi kiya, phir uska chehra thoda narm pad gaya.

Balhaar : Shukriya.

Veer : Hmm?

Balhaar : Police ko vyast rakhne ke liye. Har jagah bhaag-daud me lagi hai wo. Prestige ka lafda. Serial killer ki khoj. Underground lair ki jaanch. Humaara woh Aadesh jaisinghani ke private suite me video bana ke viral karne ka idea. Sheher ke aadhe adhikari kaagazi kaaryavahi aur chhaapo ke bojh taley dabe hue hai.

Veer (grins) : Oh!?

Balhaar : Iss se mujhe kaafi samay mila hai. Warna, underground hue bahut waqt ho raha tha.

Veer jaanta tha ki uski wajah se Balhaar ko yeh sunehra avsar mila tha. Aage badhne ka samay. Phirse, nirmaan karne ka samay. Vikaas karne ka samay. Taaqat badhaane ka samay.

Balhaar : Mere liye maidaan kaafi saaf ho gaya. Iss se kaafi madad mili hai.

Veer (smiles) : Bas Nik ko pakad lena.

Usne iss baat par charcha nahi ki. Woh muda aur darwaaze ke paas ruka.

Veer : Use bhaagne mat dena.

Aur, bas itna bol woh waha se nikal gaya.

---

Nik ki sedan itni tezi se mod se guzri ki lagbhag bhidte-bhidte bach hi gayi. Uski saansein ab ladkhadaayi hui thi. Usne sheeshe me peechhe ka drishya dekha. Pehle toh kuchh nahi tha. Bas khaali sadak. Phir, do second ke baad hi-

Ek jodi headlights dikhaayi padi. Phir, ek aur. Aur, phir ek aur. Nik ki aankhein chaudi ho gayi.

“What the hell…?”

Raushni aur qareeb aane lagi. Behad qareeb. Uska dil zoro se dhadka.

“Shit!”

Usne accelerator par perr dabaaya. Engine zor se dahaada. Sedan kisi rocket ki tarah tezi se aage bhaagi. Aur, uske theek peechhe Surya, apni seat par aage ki orr jhuk gaya.

Surya : Wo raha madarchod! Pakad behanchod ko!

Usne dashboard par zor se haath maara.

Surya : Bhaga bhosdike!! Bhaga! Saala bach ke jaane na paaye.

Driver : Ji bhai! Nahi bhaag paayega!

SUV tez raftaar se aage badhi. Baaki gaadiyaan bhi unke peechhe kataar lagaaye bhaagti gayi. Ek gaadi daahine lane me ghus gayi toh wahi dusri baayi taraf waali lane me, Nik ko pakadne ke liye.

Nik ne sheeshe me dekha. Teen gaadiyon me se ab ek hi gaadi bachi thi. Lekin, woh jaanta tha ki baaki do kisi aur route se uss tak aane ki koshish kar rahi hongi. Uska gala sookh gaya.

“Fuck! Who the hell are these people?”

Uska dimaag har jagah daud raha tha. Tabhi, achanak usne apna phone uthaaya aur Gaurav ko call bhidaaya. Iss aas me ki usne ab tak matter sambhaal liya hoga. Ghanti baji, magar-

---

Idhar police station me Gaurav ko hathkadiyo me baandhe galiyaare me ghaseeta jaa raha tha. Gusse se uska poora chehra laal tha.

Gaurav : DGP!! Tumhe maalum nahi hai tum kise chhu rahe ho. Tumhe lagta hai ye khel yahi khatam ho jaayega?

Ek adhikari ne use aage dhakela. “Aage badho!”

Gaurav : Mein tumhara woh hashr karunga ki tum mere paas aake gidgidaoge, DGP! Yaad rakhna! Tum sab ke sab!

Rohan paas khada chup-chap sab dekhta raha, jab tak ki Gaurav ko andar jail me nahi daal diya gaya. Ab aage ki baat tabhi honi thi jab uski koi bail karwaane aaye. Tab tak ke liye, Gaurav ek gunehgaar hi tha.

Rohan : Iss file me jitne bhi saboot hai unhe cross check karo. Sab authentic hai ya nahi. Pendrive ke data ki ek report bana kar mujhe pesh karo. Sab cross check karo. Samajh gaye? Koi bhi maayi ka laal inn raeeso ko begunaah saabit karwaane ke liye aayega, toh unhe mein khud dekhunga.

Adhikari : Ji sir!

Tabhi, Rohan ki jeb me Gaurav ka phone baj utha jo usne zabt kiya tha. Usne screen par nazar daali.

Caller ID : Nik

Uski bauhe kass uthi. ‘Iska matlab Veer sahi tha…!’

Usne Gaurav ka bajta phone turant hi ek officer ki orr pheka.

Rohan : Call uthao. Trace karo iski location. Aur, ek unit taiyaar rakho turant bhejne ke liye.

Officer : Ji sir!

Rohan ne aadesh dete hue kaha. Uske peechhe Gaurav lagataar gaaliyaan bak raha tha.

Gaurav (yells) : Tum sab gaye kaam se behanchodo! Baahar bas nikalne do mujhe. Baahar nikalte hi mein tum sabko dafna dunga.

Rohan (smiles) : Jitna ganda bol sakte ho bolo, Mister Gaurav. Ye humaare liye aur bhi beneficial hai. Agar, kisi tarah tum riha ho bhi gaye, toh ek DGP ke saath badtameezi karne ke jurm me tumhe phir se andar toh daal sakta hu.

Gaurav (smirks) : Hmph! I’m drunk, DGP Sir. You know… nashe me bole gaye shabdo ko seriously maan ke saza nahi suna sakte.

Rohan : Dekha jaayega, Mister Gaurav. Dekha jaayega.

Tabhi, koi waha par aaya. Veer police station ki entrance par khada hua tha, haath jebo me, Suhana ki party me pehne gaye wahi kapde uske badan par the.

Trisha ne use sabse pehle dekha. Phir, Rohan ne. Aur, phir dono Rohan Trisha ne ek-dusre ko dekha.

Rohan : Toh, akhirkar aa hi gaye tum.

Veer (smiles) : Kisi ko interrogation jo chaahiye tha.

Rohan ne paas ek cabin ki orr ishaara kiya.

Rohan : Andar!

Kuchh minute baad, darwaaza band hua. Rohan Veer ke saamne mej ke dusri orr baitha hua tha. Trisha recording device taiyaar kar ke deewar ke paas khadi hui thi. Veer baitha aur apni kursi par thoda peechhe jhuk gaya. Araam se. Rohan ne use dhyaan se dekha.

Rohan : Toh… Aaj raat. Ye sab tumhara kiya dhara tha, hai na?

Veer (bluntly) : Bilkul!

Rohan ki bauhe tann gayi.

Rohan : Kaise?

Veer : Mere paas mere jasoos hai.

Rohan (leans forward) : Kaun?

Veer (smiles) : Ek jasoos jasoos hota hai, Sir. Hai na?

Rohan ne dheere se saans chhori. Ek pal ke liye kuchh derr pehle ka Erica ka naqaab-posh chehra uske mann me aaya.

Rohan : Theek hai! Mat batao. Toh, aaj ke iss khel se kya samjhu mein Veer? Kya yahi ki tumhe apraadhiyo ko be-naqaab karne me maza aata hai?

Veer : Aapko toh meri uplabdhi se khush hona chaahiye na? Hai ki nahi?

Rohan : Haan! *pauses* Aur, na. Tumne ek criminal ko expose kiya hai. Achhi baat hai. Lekin, tumne logo ki privacy ko invade bhi kiya hai, data hack kiya, security ko breach kiya aur illegally ye sab praapt kiya. *frowns* Ye apne aap me ek crime hai.

Veer : …

Rohan : Tumne kanoon ko apne haath me liya hai.

Veer (leans forward) : Aur, agar nahi leta toh?

Rohan : …

Veer (mutters) : Aap sab ko ghanta koi khabar lagni thi ki Gaurav peeth peechhe kya kuchh kar raha tha.

Baat sach thi. Rohan ne koi jawaab nahi diya. Veer punah peechhe jhuk gaya.

Veer : Jis asal mudde ke liye aapne mujhe yaha bulaaya hai. Kyun na hum uss par aaye ab?

Rohan : Tum underground lair ke andar the?

Veer : Haan.

Rohan : Kya dekha tumne udhar?

Veer : Serial killer ko.

Recording karte hue Trisha ka haath ek pal ke liye ruk gaya. Rohan ki nazrein paini hui.

Rohan : Meri beti ne bataaya ki tumne uss killer ke saath haathapaayi bhi ki thi. Kya ye sach hai?

Veer (chuckles) : Haan. Yeh sach hai.

Rohan : Aur, tum sahi-salaamat do bacchiyo ko lekar bach kar bhi baahar nikal aaye?

Veer : Hey! Mein kaafi injured tha. Kyun, hai na Miss Trisha? *smiles*

Trisha ka badan thitura. Woh asahaj sa mehsoos karne lagi. Rohan ne uski taraf dekha. Trisha ne phir haami bhari.

Trisha : Woh… *nods* Woh ghaayal tha.

Rohan (glances) : Serial killer ke baare me aur kuchh jaante ho?

Veer : Hmm! Jo sketch police ne jaari kiya tha, woh ekdum accurate hai. Ek aged man. Safed baal. Kandhe tak. Woh tez tha. Taqatvar. Aur… ek psycho.

Rohan (frowns) : Kya uske muh se aur kuchh anjaane me nikla tha? Koi maqsad?

Veer : Nahi! Par, itna zaroor bata sakta hu ki woh paiso ke liye nahi maar raha. Na hi badle ke liye. Na hi kisi ideology ki wajah se. Woh ek unhinged serial killer hai. Jo mazey ke liye maarta hai. Use pleasure milta hai. He’s a bloody psycho.

Kamre ka taapmaan thanda pad gaya. Trisha ki ungliyaan Pihu ko yaad kar recorder par kass gayi.

Rohan : Tumne abhi-abhi kaha ki woh ek aged man hai. Agar, woh itna hi aged hai, toh bhala itna khatarnak kaise hai?

Veer ki nazrein uthi. Aur, kamre me andar ghusne ke baad, pehli baar uske hontho par se muskaan gaayab thi.

Veer : Kyunki, woh trained hai. Aur, unpredictable.

Rohan : !?

Veer (leans forward) : Agli baar agar unfortunately aapka saamna uss se ho jaaye toh- *pauses* toh apne saath jitne bhi armed officers le jaa sakte ho, leke jaaiyega.

Rohan : !!!?

Veer : Jitne bhi weapons hai. Sab. Jitni bhi unit forces hai. Sab.

Rohan (frowns) : Kyun? Ek aged aadmi ke liye itna sab bhala kyun?

Veer : Kyunki, yeh wahi aged aadmi hai jise aapki poori police force abhi tak nahi pakad paayi, aur wo din dahaade murders par murders karta chala gaya. Yaha tak ki, aapki beti ko bhi utha ke le gaya tha.

*Silence*

Kuchh der tak bas sannaata chhaaya raha. Rohan ne ek gehri saans li.

Rohan : Ab do sabse important sawaal. Pehla. Tumne Pihu aur Juhi ko uss serial killer se kaise bachaaya?

Veer : Mein lucky tha. Juhi aur Pihu mujhe kismat ke chalte mil gayi thi. Uske baad bhaagte waqt hi meri haathapaayi uss se hui thi. Meri kismat isliye achhi thi kyunki, woh pehle se hi shaayad injured tha.

Rohan : Huh?

Veer : Haan! Isliye, ladte waqt mujhe chot zaroor aayi par mein bhaag nikalne me qamyaab tha.

Rohan : Injured hone ke bawajood woh police se bach kar bhaag nikla? *frowns* Dusra sawaal. Tumhe kaise pata chala ki Pihu aur Juhi underground lair me hai?

Veer (smiles) : Maine abhi aapse kaha tha ki mere paas mere jasoos hai.

Rohan : Bakwaas mat karo, Veer. Mujhe sirf sach chaahiye.

Veer (shrugs) : Theek hai. Raahgeero se pata chala tha.

Rohan (frowns) : Par police ko toh ye saboot nahi mil paaye the.

Veer : Toh mujhe kaise mil gaye?

Rohan (frowns) : Tum-!!!

Veer : Aur, isliye maine kaha. *smiles* Ki agli baar agar uss se saamna ho, toh satark rahiyega. Otherwise-

Rohan : …?

Veer : You’ll regret it!!!

---

Idhar, Nik ki gaadi kisi bike waale ko takkar maarte-maarte bachi. Uska chehra paseene se lath-path tha.

“Come on… come on… pick the damn call, Gaurav!”

Call akhirkar utha.

“Hello! Hello? Gaurav?”

Lekin, dusre chhor se koi awaaz nahi aayi. Bas khamoshi. Nik ka dimaag tezi se ghooma. Ek bura ehsaas. Usne mirror me dekha. Headlights. Abhi bhi thi. Aur, qareeb.

Gaurav. Police? Kahi woh use le toh nahi gaye? Agar, aisa tha toh uska phone-

“Shit!!”

Uski saans ek pal ke liye ruk gayi. Survival instincts trigger hue aur bina kisi jhijhak ke usne phone kaan se hataaya aur call cut karte hue khidki ke baahar fek diya.

Nik ne accelerator ko aur zor se dabaaya. Sedan bhaagi aur traffic ko cheerte hue nikalne lagi. Usne dobaara sheeshe me dekha. Gaadiyaan abhi bhi aa rahi thi.

“Who the hell are they? Fuck!”

Woh gurraaya. Uska dimag har jagah daudne laga. Police? Nahi. Police iss tarah se peechha nahi karti. Ye koi aur log the. Kuchh planned tha. Usne gaadi ko ek sakre mod me moda.

Peechhe , Surya ne zor se dashboard par maara.

Surya : Haraam-zaada gaadi chalaane me expert lagta hai. Aage bhagaate raho.

Uski SUV Nik ki car ke peechhe bhaagi.

Surya (shouts) : Aur, tez! Aur, tez! Tez chala gaandu!

Driver ne acceleration badhaaya. Surya iss baar khidki se baahar jhuka. Usne apni handgun uthaayi, aim lagaaya, ek gehri saans aur-

*Bang*

Goli ki awaaz traffic sadak par goonj uthi aur goli Nik ki sedan ke peechhe ke sheeshe se takraayi.

*Crack*

Sheesha kisi makdi ke jaale ke samaan chakna-choor ho gaya. Car ke andar Nik buri tarah chaunk gaya.

“FUCK!”

Uski seat ke peechhe kaanch ke tukde khad-khadaane lage. Jaan halak me thi.

“Motherfuckers are now shooting-!?”

Car par niyantran banaaye rakhne ke liye uske haath paseene se tarr ho chuke the. Usne khud ko shaant karne ki koshish ki. Socho. Socho Nik.

Woh Mumbai ke raasto se achhi tarah waaqif nahi tha. Lekin, kuchh jagaho ko jaanta tha. Aisi jagaahe jaha Gaurav aur usne niji mulaqaatein ki hui thi. Unme se ek jagah yaha se dur nahi thi.

Usne steering wheel ghumaaya aur dusri sadak par mud gaya. Tezi se uss disha ki orr badha. Uske peechhe-

Surya ki muskaan dheere-dheere chaudi ho gayi.

Surya : Oh ho… Dekho toh zara. Haha!

Driver : K-Kya hua bhai?

Surya : Bilkul wahi hua jaisa ki Veer boss ne kaha tha. Bhosdiwaale ne bilkul wahi mod liya hai.

Driver : Huh? Hum uss angrez ko pakad hi kyun rahe hai?

Surya ne uske sarr par ek thappad maara.

Surya : Tu bas gaadi chala, bewakoof. Jitna kaha gaya utna kar. Veer boss ne kaha hai usko zinda pakadna hai matlab pakadna hai.

Driver : J-Ji bhai!

Aage, Nik ki car ek shaant industrialist lane ke paas pahuchi. Uski aankhon me halki si chamak aa gayi.

“This is it!”

Gaurav ke shelters me se ek. Unhone iss shelter ka istemal aksar tab-tab kiya tha jab-jab unhe ekaant me baat karne ki zaroorat hoti thi.

Agar, woh bas kisi tarah se andar pahuch jaaye toh-

‘Huh?’

Uske chehre par se achanak hi rang udd gaya. Shelter ke paas do cars khadi hui thi. Pehle se. Chupke se. Aadhh me. Lekin, Nik ne dekh liya.

“N-Nooo-!!”

Cars ke engine achanak chaalu ho gaye. Nik ki aankhein bhay ke maare fel gayi.

“Fuckkkk! They were waiting for me!?”

Usne steering wheel ko zor se moda aur shelter pahuchne se pehle hi dusri sadak par mud gaya. Uske peechhe-

Dono khadi cars turant chal padi. Wo peechha karne lagi. Nik ko choohe ki tarah bhaagta dekh Surya zor se hasa.

Surya : Kaha bhaagega, bhosdike! Veer boss ne ekdum sahi kaha tha. Ye angrez ka tatta iss taraf bachne ke liye zaroor aayega. Aur, woh sahi the.

Kintu, Nik ko iska koi andaaza nahi tha. Ghera pehle hi kasa jaa chuka tha. Nik ki car ke peechhe, daaye-baaye, har taraf se aadmi uski taraf badh rahe the.

“How the hell do they know those places?”

Uske dimaag me tarah-tarah ke vichaar daud rahe the, tabhi wahi naam uske dimaag me punah aaya.

Veer.

Uska jabda kass gaya.

“That bastard…. VEEEEER!!!”

Wahi tha. Uske alawa aur koi ho hi nahi sakta tha. Par, akhir kaise? Usne accelerator par phir perr dabaaya. Car ek aur highway par tezi se daud padi. Agar, zameen surakshit nahi thi toh-

Keval ek hi vikalp bacha tha. Mumbai harbour. Port Area.

Gaurav ke paas waha ek private yacht thi. Agar, woh waha tak pahuch gaya toh woh bach jaayega.

---

Wapas police station me cabin ke andar sannaata tha. Rohan aur Trisha Veer ko ghoor rahe the. Usne abhi-abhi jo chetaavni di thi, uska gehra asar unn dono par pada tha.

Rohan : Regret? Kya matlab?

Veer : Bilkul wahi jo maine kaha. Aur, jo aapne suna. Serial killer ko aap uski umr ki wajah se kam mat samajhiye. Woh aapki poori police force ko bhi khatam kar sakta hai.

Rohan : Kya bakwaas kar rahe ho!

Veer : Mera kaam tha aapko bataana. Jo maine kar diya hai. Agar, aap yakeen nahi karna chaahte *shrugs* toh aapki marzi.

Woh dheere se khada hua.

Veer : Lekin, baad me mujhse ye mat kehna ki maine aapko warn nahi kiya.

Rohan : We’ll see. Prestige ke haadse waali raat tum kaha the?

Veer : Out of city tha. Late aaya tha.

Rohan : Phirse jhooth. Tumne uss haadse ke baad koi bhi jaankaari nahi di. Koi bhi interrogation nahi. Sab family members hi handle kar rahe the. Kyun?

Veer : Aap mazaak kar rahe ho, right? Maine apne dada ji ko kho diya. Mere ghar ke ek chaheete sadasya ko goli lag gayi, unhone apni chalne ki kshamta kho di. Mera startup tabaah ho gaya. Hotel khoon se rang gaya. Security guards maare gaye. Aur, uss afra-tafri ke beech-

Rohan : …

Veer : Aap mujhse ye expect kar rahe ho ki mein interviews deta?

Rohan ne dheere se saans chhori. Uske paas iska koi jawaab nahi tha. Veer ne shaant bhaav se apni aasteen theek ki.

Veer : I believe maine aapke important questions ke answers de diye hai.

Woh muda aur darwaaze ki orr chal pada, jab-

“YOU ARE NOT LEAVING!”

Rohan ne mej par haath patka aur achanak khada ho gaya. Uski awaaz kamre me goonj uthi.

Rohan : Jab tak mein na kahu, tum yaha se nahi jaaoge.

Veer ruka. Aur, dheere se peechhe muda.

Veer : Oh!? *smiles*

Rohan uske qareeb aaya. Aur, tabhi ek officer ne baahar se awaaz lagaayi.

“Phone ki stable location mil gayi hai, Sir!”

Rohan : Unit leke pahucho turant.

“Ji Sir!”

Rohan phirse Veer ki orr muda.

Rohan : Tum bahut saari cheezo me involved ho, Veer. Itne saare coincidences nahi ho sakte. Tum itni asaani se bachkar nahi nikal paaoge.

Veer (smiles) : Trust me. DGP Sir. Mujhe ek partner ke roop me lene me zyada samjhdari hogi bajaaye iske ki-

Rohan : SHUT UP! Tum yaha baithoge. Aur, mere har sawaal ka jawaab doge.

Veer ne kuchh nahi kaha. Woh bas use dekhta raha. Shaant.

Rohan : Kya tum Dhananjay, Ranjeet ke case me shaamil the?

Veer : Huh? Kaun Dhananjay Ranjeet?

[Hehe~]

Rohan ne apne daant zor se meese. Trisha ghabraayi. Kya Rohan samajh gaya? Rohan ki nazar ek pal ke liye Trisha par padi.

Rohan : Mere saath game mat khelo, Veer. Mujhe pata hai tum kayi maamlo me shaamil ho. Yaha tak ki mujhe yeh bhi yakeen hai ki tumhara connection underworld mafia se bhi hai.

Veer (smiles) : Aap bahut bada aarop laga rahe hai, Sir. Khaaskar mere jaise ek college student par.

Woh aalas se kursi par baith peechhe jhuk gaya.

Rohan (shouts) : SHUT THE FUCK UP!

Rohan : Mujhe pata hai ki tum kitne din college gaye ho, kitne din jaate ho, kitne business run karte ho, kaha tumhara uthna-baithna hai, kaha jaate ho, kis se milte ho, tumhare parivar me kaun-kaun hai.

Veer ki muskaan gaayab ho gayi.

Veer (frowns) : Aap mere parivar ki jasoosi kar rahe ho?

Rohan (smirks) : Abhi tak toh nahi. *pauses* Lekin, agar zaroorat padi, toh woh bhi ki jaayegi. Mere paas tumhare baare me kaafi jankaari hai, Veer. Tum dusro ko bewakoof bana sakte ho. Mujhe nahi.

Veer : …

Rohan : Sawal ka jawab do. Kya tum Dhananjay aur Ranjeet ke maamle me shaamil ho?

Trisha ke shareer me phir sihran daud gayi. Uski ungliyaan kass gayi. Agar, Rohan chhaan-been karta raha toh aise me toh-

Veer : Nahi! Mein kuchh bhi nahi jaanta.

Rohan bhadak utha.

Rohan : Tumhari himmat kaise hui mere saamne jhooth bolne ki-?

Usne gusse se mej par haath patke.

Rohan : Mein tumhe abhi jail me daal sakta hu, Veer. Samjhe? Ek third-degree ka treatment aur tum mujhse rukne ki bheekh maangne lagoge. Aur, koi bhi iss par sawaal nahi uthaayega. Ye authority hai mere paas. Mein ye kar sakta hu.

Veer (smiles) : Par, aap nahi karoge.

Usne seedha Trisha ki orr dekha.

Veer (smirks) : Hai na? Miss Trisha?

Trisha jamm ke reh gayi. Uske mann me phirse wahi drishya kaundh gaye. Ranjeet ka marna. Uske haath me bandook. Slaughterhouse. Tasveer. Uska dil zor se dhadka. Usne Rohan ko dekha aur apna sarr ‘naa’ me hilaaya. Nahi. Use itna push mat karo. Aur, Rohan ka gussa aur bhi badh gaya.

Rohan : Tch!

Veer : Jaisa ki maine kaha, mujhe ek partner ke roop me lena aapke liye hi behtar hoga.

Rohan : Shut up!

Veer : Aap wardi pehen kar apraadhiyo ka peechha karte ho. Maine wahi kaam bina wardi ke kiya hai. Aapki aur meri… manzil ek hi hai.

Rohan (yells) : Tumhe iska right nahi hai.

Veer (stands up) : Sahi kaha. Mere paas right nahi hai. Lekin, kabhi-kabhi rights se zyaada… results matter karte hai, Sir.

---

Nik ki gaadi sunsaan road pe zor se bhaagi. Uski saansein bhaari thi.

"Fuck... fuck..." Usne mirror check kiya. Headlights. Abhi bhi peeche. Woh haraamzade use jaane hi nahi de rahe the.

Surya, peechhe apni car ki window se aadha bahar jhuka.

Surya : Bhaga bhaga bhaga! Pakdo uss harami ko!

Nik apne aap me hi badbadaaya. “Shit-!”

Harbour aage tha. Agar woh Gaurav ki yacht tak pahunch gaya toh… Woh samundar ke zariye unse dur bhaag paane me qamyaab ho jaayega.

Bas thoda aur.

Bas-

Uski aankhein phail gayi. Harbour use dikhaayi diya. Aur, yacht bhi. Lekin, kuchh toh gadbad thi.

Log. Dher saare log. Yacht ke neeche aas-paas khade the. Road ko dekh rahe the. Intezar kar rahe the. Nik ke badan me jhurjhuri daud gayi.

"Shit." Uski steering wheel pe pakad mazboot ho gayi. “They’re here too…?”

Usne jaldi se apni kamar thap-thapaayi. Uski ungliyon ko apni handgun feel hui. "Tch."

Aur, uske peechhe-

"RUK MADARCHOD!"

*BANG*

Zor se gunshot ki aawaz aayi. Nik ne turant hi duck kiya, kyunki bullet ne peechhe waale sheeshe ko ab tod kar use poori tarah dhwast kar diya tha.

"Damn it! Damn it! Fuccckkk!" Usne steering wheel ko jhatke se ghumaaya aur car ko tezi se moda. Gaadi harbour se dur chali gayi.

---

Veer darwaaze tak pahucha. Rohan ki aawaz phir aayi.

Rohan : Maine kaha na ki tum mere sawaalo ke jawaab diye bina nahi jaoge?

Veer ruka. Dheere-dheere… Woh peechhe muda. Phir, woh Rohan ki taraf wapas chal pada. Ahista-ahista. Ve dono ab lagbhag aamne-saamne khade the. Veer thoda sa aage jhuka.

Veer : Ek samajhdar officer… jaanta hai kab kaunse sawaal poochhne hai. Aur, kab nahi, Sir.

Rohan ki aankhein jal rahi thi.

Rohan : Gaurav hi sirf jail me nahi rahega… Balki, tum bhi salaakhon ke peechhe jaaoge. Aur woh Nik- hum use bhi jald hi daboch lenge.

Veer : Oh?

Bilkul usi waqt-

Uska phone vibrate hua. Dheemi si ghanti baji. Veer ne neeche dekha. Unknown number. Ek message aaya hua tha.

“Pakad liya boss.”

Uske chehre pe dheere se ek muskaan phail gayi. Rohan jhijhka.

Rohan : K-Kya?

Veer nazdeek aaya. Rohan ke kandhe par haath rakha. Phir, uske kaan ke paas jhuka.

Veer (smirks) : Pata hai sabse taaza khabar kya hai, sir?

Rohan ke badan me sihran daud gayi. Veer ke honth aur adhik phail gaye.

Veer (whispers) : NIK MERE PAAS HAI!

Rohan ke badan me raungte khade ho gaye. Bina koi use samay diye, Veer muda aur exit ki taraf chal diya.

Veer : Dobaara baat karni hai agar, toh kal shaam ghar aa jaaiyega. *pauses* Aur, bina wardi ke hi aaiyega. Aur, agar nahi-

Rohan : !!?

Veer (smiles) : Toh, Nik ko jaise aap dabochne waale the, daboch lijiyega.

Rohan (yells) : VEEEEER!!! Mein tumhe jail me daal dunga. Tumhe lagta hai ki tum bach jaaoge?

Veer (smiles) : Bilkul!

Kehte hue woh waha se nikal gaya. Kamre me gehra sannaata chhaa gaya. Rohan wahi khada raha, gehri saansein le raha tha. Uski aankhein krodh se laal thi.

Veer bina peechhe dekhe police station se baahar nikal gaya. Rohan dheere se Trisha ki orr muda. Uski nigaahein teekhi thi. Jawaab maang rahi thi.

Trisha ne uss se nazrein churaayi. Uska gala sookh raha tha. Woh ghabraate hue aage badhi. “R-Rohan-!”

***

Veer baahar aaya aur tabhi uske saamne uski apni car aa kar ruki. Driver seat ki khidki neeche sarki, Erica halki muskaan ke saath baahar jhuki.




Erica (smiles) : Kaafi derr laga di!

Veer ne koi jawaab nahi diya. Usne darwaaza khola. Erica baahar aayi aur ghoom kar passenger ki seat par baithi. Veer driver seat par baitha. Engine chaalu hote hi gaadi police station ke gate se nikal padi. Aur, peechhe ki seat par-




Garofano ek perr ko dusre par rakhe baithi hui thi, uske bagal se Ava thi.




Garofano : Toh?

Veer : Done and dusted. Filhaal abhi ke liye.

Garofano (sighs) : Finally!

Usne apne baalo par haath phera.

Garofano : Sorry! Mein khud nahi aa saki. Clients se badi mushqil se jaan chhooti hai aaj.

Veer : It’s okay! Tum pehle hi bahut kuchh kar chuki ho.

Garofano (smiles) : Oh!?

Veer : Trisha ko phone par guide karna aur Raman tak precisely pahuchaana asaan kaam nahi tha.

Garofano : Well… Looks like system yahi chaahta tha ki mujhe ye mission mile. *grins* Kaafi badhiya skill mili hai reward me.

Veer : Kaun si?

Garofano (smirks) : If I reveal everything now, what will I tease you with later?

Veer ke jawaab dene se pehle hi Erica chehek uthi.

Erica : Mujhe bhi toh badhiya skill mili hai, hehe~

Veer (nods) : Yeah! Part vision!

[Skill : Part Vision
Description : Allows the host to join the parts of the past from the available clues and understand what transpired. Accuracy of the past will depend on the number of clues the host can get.]

Veer : Uss skill ne sab kuchh badal diya. Pushkar ke past ke bina… Gaurav aur Nik ki kartooto ke baare me nahi jaan paate.

Erica garv se muskuraayi.

Erica (smiles) : So, basically I saved the day. Yay~

Garofano : Relax little girl. You didn’t save the world. Your skill just came handy, that’s all. Itna exaggerate karne ki zaroorat nahi.

Erica (pouts) : Hmph~

Veer ke mann me-

*Ding*

[Mission : ‘Deal Breaker (1)’ has been completed.]

[You have gained 10,000 points.]

[Suhana’s favorability has increased by : 25.]

[Divya’s favorability has increased by : 10.]

*Ding*

[Perk Selection Available.]

[Select one of three random perks.]

[Perk 1] [Perk 2] [Perk 3]

‘Later Pari!’

[As you wish, Master!]

*Ding*

[Perk selection is post-poned.]

Veer : Waqai. Erica. Uss skill ki wajah se hi aaj mera mission poora hua hai. Thank you~

Erica (blushes) : It’s okay! Mujhe bhi ek skill mil gayi.

Garofano (chuckles) : Isliye, tumhare daddy Renshu yaha se gaayab ho gaye. Missions jo nahi mil rahe the use haha. Imagine losing to your own daughter in missions lol.

Erica : Hmph~ Toh kya hua? My dad would still crush you in a 1 v 1 fight.

Garofano : Oh please! Maana ki Renshu strong hai, lekin itna bhi nahi jis hisaab se tum apne daddy ke liye biased rehti ho.

Erica : Oh achha? Toh lagao bet. Hai himmat dad ke saath-

“I couldn’t do anything!”

Ava ki komal awaaz ne unki behas ko kaat diya. Erica aur Garofano, dono turant ruk gayi. Ava apne haatho ko ghoor rahi thi.

Ava : I… I barely helped.

Uski awaaz thodi kaanp rahi thi.

Veer : Nahi!

Ava : Huh?

Veer : Tumne apni identity reveal ki. Mere liye. Uss se poori situation change ho gayi thi.

Ava : But… But that is exactly why I hate it, Veer! I don’t want to appear only when things are already happening. I want to be there… when it begins. For you.

Aur, phir use ehsaas hua ki woh jaldbaazi me kya keh gayi. Usne haya me sarr neeche jhuka liya. Garofano aur Erica ne chup-chap use dekha. Dono shaant thi.

Veer : Tumne Teju di ko bachata, Ava. You took the bullet for my family. Aur, tumhe lagta hai tumne madad nahi ki?

Ava ke honth khule, lekin koi shabd nahi nikla.

Veer : I think it’s about time I- *pauses* I introduce you to my family. Tomorrow.

Ava (shivers) : Huh?

Usne aayeene me Veer ko dekha. Phir, dheere-dheere uske chehre par ek sharmeeli muskaan aa gayi.

Ava : O-Okay…! Tomorrow then…!

Baaki ka safar shaant baat-cheet me beeta. Plans. Precautions. Aage ki strategies.

Jab tak Veer ghar lauta, kaafi raat ho chuki thi. Ghar me andhera aur sannaata chhaaya hua tha. Shayad sabhi so chuke the. Usne spare key se gate ko unlock kiya and andar pravesh kiya.

Jaise hi woh hallway se guzar ke muda, woh achanak ruk gaya.

Uski maa ke kamre ka darwaaza khula hua tha. Andar ek light bulb jal raha tha. Bhavna darwaaze ke paas hi khadi thi. Intezaar kar rahi thi. Uski shaant nigaahein Veer par tiki. Aur, boli-

“Andar aao!”
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Aaj ke liye itna hi guys.
This update consists of 12k words. Dena nahi chaahta tha itna bada update par ab likh diya hai. Let's see tum log phirse wahi kaand karte ho ya iss baar bhi last update ki tarah jaldi reactions poore karte ho. Next update se hum thode system ke lore, Veer's familial issues, relationship, aur kuchh baaki characters par focus karenge. Kuchh secrets bhi unveil hone waale hai jald hi. Target apna wahi hai. 250.
Dhanyavad.

Awesome Update

 

[Pranay Elangi]

Jabardast update bhai

 

[sam21003]

B

Update - 211 ~ The Night the mirror cracked​

Ab tak...

Erica dheere se hasi.

Erica : Yes boss! Don't worry hehe. Mein sab sambhaal lungi.

Veer : Yeah. Kyunki, hum dono hi hai. Media aur company ke saamne sab kuchh reveal karne ke baad Ava busy hai. Aur, Garofano business clients se deal kar rahi hai. It's just you and me.

Erica : Kuchh bhi gadbad nahi hogi. You just have to believe in me. *winks*

Veer (smiles) : Alright! Let's go!

Erica : Yesss boss~

Aur, dono hi andar ki orr chal pade.

Ab aage...

26th January,
Suhana’s house,
Evening - 7:15 ~

Janmdin ki shaam Suhana ka aiyyaash bunglow raushni se jagmaga raha tha. Baahar, sandhya aaj chahal-pahal se bhari thi. Jaisa ki aam taur par shaadi partiyo me hota hai, ek ke baad ek luxury gaadiyo ka kaafila parking me daakhil ho raha tha.

Security waale furti se kaam kar rahe the, hired cameramen photos kheechne me vyast the, aur hasi-mazaak ki awaaz poore vatavaran me goonj rahi thi.

Vishaal bunglow ke andar jhoomaro ki sunehri raushni chaaro orr feli hui thi. Kuchh jaane-maane, toh kuchh naye gaayak halki awaaz me geet gunguna rahe the, jo baat-cheet ke shor me dheere se ghul raha tha. Kuchh dancers apna getup theek karne me lagi hui thi. Waiters tray lekar idhar-udhar ghoom rahe the.

Ye paise ka dikhawa, jashn ka nasha, taaqat aur satta ka namoona adhik prateet ho raha tha bajaaye kisi janmdin ke kaaryakram ke. Dekhne me toh yeh raat ekdum paripoorn lag rahi thi.

Kintu, bungalow ke andar, Suhana ke kamre ke band darwazo ke peechhe ki hawa kuchh alag thi. Bhaari. Ekdum ghutan bhari.

Gaurav sheeshe ke saamne khada hua tha, poornta behatreen dhang se taiyaar. Silwaya gaya ek kaala suit. Beige color ki shirt. Usne apne cologne ki bottle uthaayi aur apne galey, kaan ke peechhe aur seene par chhidka.

Uske peechhe Suhana bistar par baithi hui thi. Behad khubsurat. Aaj usne ek sundar si kaali dress pehni hui thi. Black uske pasandeeda rango me se ek jo tha. Uski nigaahein zameen par tiki hui thi. Ek haath me phone tha aur ungliyaan thodi kaanp rahi thi.




Screen par ek message type kiya hua tha : “Aaj mera birthday hai. Please, aana! Mein tumhara intezar karungi.”

Aur, chat me upar Veer ka naam tha. Usne aaj poora din intezar kiya tha.

Subah. Dopahar. Shaam. Lekin, Veer ka koi call nahi aaya. Koi sandesh nahi. Koi post nahi. Koi shubhkamnaye tak nahi.

Shayad… Shayad woh bhool gaya hoga.

Suhana ne apne aap me hi socha. Akhir, kaamo me itna vyast bhi toh rehta hai woh. Par, ab jaise-jaise samay beet raha tha, raat qareeb aa rahi thi, uski wo subah ki aaturta ab ek dard me badal gayi. Usne Veer ko nimantran nahi diya tha. Abhi tak toh nahi.

Kyunki, uske dil ke kisi nadaan hisse ko yeh ummeed thi ki Veer ka call zaroor aayega. Use Veer ko bulaane ki zaroorat hi nahi padegi. Use uska janmdin yaad hoga.

Magar-

Sannaata achanak toota.

Gaurav : Tumne uss Veer ko toh nahi invite kiya, hai na!?

Uski awaaz kamre me goonji, woh abhi bhi sheeshe ki orr hi dekh raha tha. Aur, yeh sawaal kam, aadesh zyada lag raha tha. Suhana ki maano saans atak gayi.

Uska angootha screen ke upar hi send button par mandra raha tha. Usne Gaurav ki orr dekha. Uski peeth uski orr thi, lekin Suhana uss lehze ko achhi tarah se jaanti thi.

Iske pehle ki woh kuchh keh paati, Gaurav muda, woh uski orr badhne laga. Aur, Suhana thitak ke reh gayi.

Usne jhatpat backspace button dabaayi aur dhadalle se saare type kiye gaye shabd mitate chale gaye. Usne screen ko upar ki orr swipe kiya aur home screen par wapas aa gayi. Gaurav theek uske saamne aa kar khada hua.

Iske pehle ki woh button press kar phone lock karti, Gaurav ne uske haath se phone kheench liya.

Suhana (yelps) : Gaurav-!!!

Kintu, tab tak derr ho chuki thi. Gaurav ki nazrein screen par ghoomi aur phir usne recent apps ki screen kholi, jaha use whatsapp dikhaayi diya. Use kholte hi use Veer ki chat screen par nazar aayi.

Bas itna kaafi tha.

Usne Suhana ki taraf dekha. Phir, phone ki taraf. Phir, dobara uski taraf. Usne phone ko bistar par iss qadar feka jaise maano wo koi ghinauni cheez ho. Uska haath tezi se badha aur usne Suhana ka jabda kasskar pakad liya.

Suhana (shrieks) : Ahhh-!

Gaurav : Tum jaanti ho ki mujhe woh Veer bilkul bhi pasand nahi, hai na?

Suhana ne muh khola, par shabd baahar na nikle. Gaurav ki pakad bahut mazboot thi.

Gaurav : Kya karne jaa rahi thi tum, haan? Uski chat khol ke kya karne ka iraada tha tumhara?

Suhana : G-Gaurav chhoro! Maine Veer ko invite nahi kiya hai. What are you implying? Leave me!

Ladkhadaate shabdo me Suhana ne jawaab diya, aur Gaurav ki aankhein gusse se laal ho gayi.

Gaurav (leans in) : Toh phir phone me uski chat kyu khuli hui thi?

Suhana : Mein-

Gaurav (yells) : TUMHE LAGTA HAI MEIN BEWAKOOF HU? TUMHE LAGTA HAI MUJHE PATA NAHI CHALEGA, HAAN?

Uski pakad aur adhik kass gayi.

Gaurav : TUM APNE AAP KO MUJHSE ZYADA SMART SAMAJHTI HO, HAAN???

Woh toh achha hua jo Suhana ne disappearing messages ka option on kar ke rakha hua tha jis wajah se Gaurav ko unki puraani koi bhi chats nazar nahi aayi. Warna shayad anjaam aur bhi bura ho sakta tha.

Suhana ki saans sisakte hue baahar aayi.

Gaurav : TUM USE BULAANE HI JAA RAHI THI, HAI NA!??

Uska haath achanak utha. Sehej hi Suhana ne apni aankhein band kar li aur apna chehra dusri taraf mod liya, apne haatho ko khud ko bachaane ki vyarth koshish me upar uthaaya. Woh thappad ka intezar kar rahi thi lekin-

*CRASH*

Kaanch ke tootne ki ek zordaar awaaz aayi, jo neeche mach rahe shor me kamre ke baahar na jaa paayi. Suhana ne dekha. Sheesha toot chuka tha. Woh itni zor se kaanp rahi thi ki uska poora shareer hil raha tha.

Gaurav ke cologne ki bottle farsh par tukdo me bikhri padi thi. Cologne zameen par fela hua tha. Aayina toot chuka tha. Gaurav ne ek baar phir uska jabda pakda.

Gaurav : Shukr manao jo aaj tumhara birthday hai. Yaad rakhna, Suhana. Agar, Veer aaj raat yaha aaya, toh uske liye anjaam achha nahi hoga.

Suhana ki nigaahein uss se mili.

Gaurav : Aur, na hi tumhare liye achha hoga… You got that? I hate that motherfucker. Woh tumhare aas-paas bhi bhatakta hua mujhe nazar nahi aana chaahiye.

Suhana ne zor se uska haath jhatak diya, awaaz kaanp rahi thi magar teekhi thi.

Suhana : Don’t act so obsessive!

Ab uski aankhon se aasu beh rahe the.

Suhana : Kya mein jaanti nahi-!? Mujhe pata hai tumhare baare me. Office me apni secretary ke saath, employees ke saath… mere peeth peechhe- aur ab tum mujhe ye obsession yaha dikha rahe ho?

Usne Gaurav ko ghor tiraskaar bhari aankhon se ghoora. Ek pal ke liye Gaurav bhi bas dekhta reh gaya. Phir, woh muskuraaya. Dheere se, aur shayad thode vyang me.

Gaurav (grins) : Oh? Toh tumhe bhi mehsoos hua akhir, hai na?

Usne komalta se haath badhaaya aur uske baalo ko aise sehlaaya jaise kisi bacche ko dilaasa de raha ho. Lekin, Suhana ne sehamte hue uska haath jhatak diya aur yeh Gaurav ko raas na aaya.

Uske haath ne Suhana ke baalo ko jakda. Woh cheenkhi. Gaurav ne uska sarr peechhe ki orr jhatka, use zabardasti apni orr dekhne ke liye majboor kiya.

Gaurav : Dekha? Dard hua na? Tumhe bhi chidh hoti hai na jab tum ye sochti ho ki mein kisi aur ke saath-? Theek aise hi mujhe bhi mehsoos hota hai jab mein uss nikamme Veer ko tumhare aas-paas dekhta hu. Samjhi?

Usne achanak uske baal chhore aur Suhana haafte hue peechhe ho gayi, khud ko sambhaalne ki koshish me usne bistar ke kinaare ko kasskar pakad liya. Gaurav ne apna blazer vyavasthit kiya.

Gaurav : You are a smart woman. Right? Tumhe pata hona chaahiye ki kya karna hai, aur kya nahi. Hai na?

Uska haath apne jeb me gaya. Blazer sarka aur uski kamar me khusi hui gun Suhana ko nazar aayi. Suhana ki aankhein khauf se chaudi ho gayi.

Gaurav ne jaane se pehle uske gaalo ko jakda aur uske maathe ko choomne ka prayaas kiya. Suhana ke haath virodh me chalte rahe par mard ke bal ke aage use majboor hona pada. Gaurav ne uske maathe ko chooma aur naatkeeya pyaar dikhaate hue uske sarr ko sehla ke mud ke waha se nikal gaya. Jaise maano kuchh hua hi na ho.

Suhana kaanpti hui wahi baithi rahi, uska make-up bigad chuka tha, aur seena khamosh siskiyo se ab dard karne laga tha. Dheere se usne apna sirr ghumaaya, sheeshe ki orr.

Usne toote hue aaine me khud ko dekha. Darpan me uski chhavi khandit dikhaayi de rahi thi. Tukdo me bikhri hui.

Shayad… Sheesha nahi toota tha. Woh swayam hi-

---

Jaise hi Gaurav seedhiyon se neeche utra, poora hall taaliyon ki gadgadahat se goonj utha. Jaam aapas me takra rahe the, koi seeti baja raha tha, koi banavti muskaan sajaaye hue tha aur cameras uski photo utaarne me jut gaye.

Woh muskuraaya, vinamrata se sirr hilaaya, utarte hue apni baahein felaate hue logon se mila. Raaste me parichit chehro ko galey lagaate hue aage badha.

Kuchh puraane investors. Politicians. Business partners.

“Ah! My friend haha~” Usne kisi vyakti ko milte hue use galey se lagaaya. “Long time, haan?”

Tabhi, ek jaani-pehchaani awaaz shorgul ke beech sunaayi di.

“Oi oi Gaurav my dude!”

Gaurav ne awaaz sunn mudkar dekha toh Nik baahein felaaye, tedhi-medhi ajeeb si muskaan liye uske paas aa raha tha. Dono ek-dusre ke zor se galey mile, lag raha tha jaise dono dost nahi bhai the.

Nik : Where’s Sonny, eh?

Gaurav : She hates that name, you know that mate.

Nik : Hahaha! I know! I know!

Gaurav : She’s getting ready. You know women. Time moves differently for them.

Nik hasa. Phir, thoda qareeb aaya aur uski muskaan gaayab ho gayi. Aur, dheemi awaaz me usne Gaurav ke kaan me poochha.

Nik : She invited Divya?

Gaurav (nods) : She did. Whether she shows up or not is another story.

Nik ka jabda yeh sunn kass gaya.

Nik (growls) : That bitch is hiding somewhere in Mumbai only. I know it.

Gaurav : Relax! Once tonight’s over, I’ll look into it. Someone’s helping her stay hidden. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have lasted this long.

Nik : It’s that motherfucker Veer. I’m 100% sure of it dude.

Veer ke baare me sochke hi Nik ki aankhein gusse se laal ho uthi.

Nik : We should erase him. I want to do it myself. I’ll kill him.

Gaurav ki muskaan nahi badli. Lekin, uski awaaz me sakhti zaroor thi abki baar.

Gaurav : Our target is the same. But… Not here. Not tonight.

Usne drinks section ki orr ishaara kiya.

Gaurav (smiles) : Enjoy the drinks. Tomorrow, I’ll set things in motion. And don’t get reckless like last time.

Nik : What do you mean?

Gaurav : Last time, you revealed that you were tracking her phone. She’s alert now. That trick won’t work again. We’ll lure her out in some other way.

Nik ne haami bhari. Uske andar jhunjhlaahat bhari hui thi. Gaurav ne uske kandhe par ek baar thap-thapaaya aur bheed me gaayab ho gaya.

Nik seedhe bar ki orr badha, apne liye ek kadak drink order ki aur bhookhi nigaaho se aati-jaati aurton ko taadne laga.

---

Baahar driveway ki raushni me Erica lamppost se tik kar, baahein modi khadi hui thi. Woh Veer ko hi besabri se dekh rahi thi.




Erica : Hum kab andar jaayenge??

Usne shabdo ko kheechte hue poochha.

Veer : Bas kuchh hi derr me.

Erica (pouts) : Muuuu~ tumne 10 minute pehle bhi yahi kaha tha.



Veer (smiles) : I know!

Erica (huffs) : Hum bas andar jaane hi waale the ki tum bewajah ruk gaye. Kyun???

Veer : Kyunki, unke saath andar jaana behtar hoga.

Erica : Kinke saath?

Veer bas muskuraaya, jiske chalte Erica ka muh aur bhi phool gaya. Par, tabhi-

Gaadiyo ke pahiyo ki awaaz Erica ke kaano me padi. Usne ek jhatke me apne muh par mask pehen liya. 3-4 gaadiya aakar Veer ke theek saamne ruki.

Darwaza khula aur andar se kayi log baahar nikle. Erica unhe dekhte hi chaunk gayi aur usne-

‘Check’

*Ding*

[Name : Rohan
Bio : ….]

*Ding*

[Name : Trisha
Bio : ….]

Rohan. Trisha, baaki police officers ke saath businessmen ke getup me khade hue the.

Veer ko saamne dekhte hi Rohan ki bauhe kass gayi. Trisha hairat aur thodi ghabrahat me Veer ko dekhi. Phir, apne pati ko aur phir wapas se Veer ko.

Veer apne jebo me haath daale nidar hoke unke saamne khada hua tha. Balki… uske hontho par ek muskaan bhi thi.

---

Hall ke andar shorgul chaalu tha.




Sonia aa chuki thi. Janmdin bhale hi Suhana ka tha par woh khud aaj kisi actress se kam nahi lag rahi thi. Photographers uske peechhe pad gaye. Woh vinamrata se muskuraayi, aur apne mata-pita ke nazdeek jaa kar khadi ho gayi.

Shailendra aur Namrita ICONGLOBE ki deal ke baad se hi charcha me bane hue the, dono hi apni beti ke upar garv kar rahe the.

Sonia ke aagman ke baad aur bhi mehmaan padhaarne lage. Casa Belle ka Aadesh Jaisinghani, Kaera ka chhota bhai - Karan, Tanishq, jo Autoshield jaisi company ka maalik tha, sabhi iss birthday party ka hissa the. Kayi vyapaari, celebrities aur social media influencers bhi aaye hue the.

Gaurav ki aankhein turant hi Sonia par jaa kar ruki. Uski aankhon me Sonia ki khubsurti dekhte hi chamak aa gayi. Woh baahein fela kar Shailendra aur Namrita ki orr badha.

Gaurav : Mummi ji! Papa ji! So good to have you here..!

Sonia ke mata-pita ne badi hi garmjoshi se Gaurav ko apne galey se lagaaya, iss baat se bilkul anjaan ki unka damaad kis kism ka neech insaan tha.

Gaurav Sonia ki orr muda, uski muskaan aur bhi chaudi ho gayi.

Gaurav : My dear-

Usne apni baahein kholi. Sonia thoda hichkichaayi. Shayad hi kisi ko kuchh samajh aaya ho, magar Sonia ko yeh mehsoos hua, woh jaani-pehchaani bechaini jo Gaurav ke nazdeek aakar woh humesha mehsoos karti thi.

Usne ek taraf se Gaurav ko apne galey se lagne diya, phir jaldi se peechhe hat gayi.

Sonia : Dii kaha hai?

Gaurav (shrugs) : Ready ho rahi hogi. Tum toh jaanti hi ho apni behan ko haha.

Sonia ne haami bhari, lekin uski bechaini kam nahi hui thi. ICONGLOBE deal waali raat me Suhana dwara kahi gayi baat woh bhooli nahi thi. Uss baat ka matlab aaj woh jaanana chaahti thi.

Kuchh toh gadbad thi. Filhaal ke liye, baat-cheet aur jashn me magn hone ke chalte usne iss baat ko apne andar daba liya.

---

Phir, sangeet dheema hua. Hall ka shorgul kam hua. Suhana seedhiyo ke upar dikhaayi di. Spotlight me woh behad sundar lag rahi thi.




Woh neeche utarne ke liye badhi, har qadam napa-tula aur niyantrit, maano koi raani apne singhaasan se utar kar aa rahi ho. Poora hall sannaate me doob gaya. Sabki nigaahein uss par tiki thi, chaaro orr prashansa ka bhaav vyaapt tha.

Sonia ki dhadkane tez ho gayi. Usne Suhana ko gaur se dekha. Muskaan waisi hi thi har baar ki tarah, saleeke se saji hui. Kuchh zyada hi saleeke se saji hui.

Neeche utarte hue Suhana ki nazar bheed me ghoom gayi. Alag-alag chehre, muskaane, jaane-pehchaane log.

Lekin, ek kami baaki sab se kahi zyada chubh rahi thi.

Veer.

Uski ungliyaan railing par halke se gharshan khaayi. Seene me ek ajeeb sa dard jo saans lene me bhi ab dikkat de raha tha. Usne apne nichle honth ko daato taley dabaaya, maano jaise chehre ke bhaavo ko chhipaane ki koshish kar rahi ho.

‘Kya woh bhool gaya?’

Yeh vichaar uski ummeed se kahi zyada kashtdaayak tha. Nahi. Woh yaha nahi ro sakti thi. Abhi kuchh derr pehle hi toh woh upar royi thi. Fatafat apne umadte hue aasuon ko pochhi thi. Apna makeup theek ki thi. Toote hue aaine me usne khud ko sawaara tha. Ab dobaara inn sab ke saamne nahi.

Magar, phir bhi-

Andar se uska haal yahi tha.

Kya use message karna chaahiye? Sirf ek baar?

Nahi.

Woh aisa nahi kar sakti thi. Woh apne akelepann aur khushi ke liye use mushqil me nahi daal sakti thi. Aaj raat nahi.

Parantu… aaj uska janmdin tha.

Aur, aaj hi pehli baar use aisa laga jaise uska janmdin nahi bhi tha.

Seedhiyon ke neeche pahuchte hi taaliyon ki gadgadahat gehri ho gayi. Woh naatkeeya roop se muskuraayi. Logo ko dhanyavad di. Galey se lagi.

Uski therapist Ashita bhi aayi hui thi, taali baja rahi thi, muskura rahi thi. Family ke advisor Prakash Uncle bhi the.

Sab log aaye the. Sab log siwaaye… uske.

Uski nigaahein phir se entrance ki orr mudi. Kya woh aayega?

Sawaal uske mann me baar-baar goonj raha tha. Aisa pehle kabhi nahi hua tha. Bhala woh kab se iss qadar kisi ke liye itna-!?

Magar, aaj hua tha. Aur, yeh itna gehra tha ki iska bodh use aur bhi adhik dara raha tha.

---

Suhana sab ke beecho beech khadi hui thi. Phir bhi aisa lag raha tha jaise akeli khadi hui ho.

Shailendra : Happy birthday my dear daughter~

Kehte hue unhone Suhana ko galey se laga liya. Suhana lipte hue aankhein band kar li. Namrita ne pyaar se uska chehra apne haatho me liya.

Namrita (smiles) : Aaj bahut sundar lag rahi hai meri bacchi. Happy birthday beta~

Suhana : Thank you mom~

Bagal se Sonia aage badhi aur use kass kar galey laga li.

Sonia : Happy birthday to the most beautiful dii in the world~

Suhana : Thank you Sonu~

Sonia (smiles) : Look at you. You didn’t tell me you were planning to outshine the entire city tonight, huh?

Suhana (smiles) : I have competition in this family you know. I have to try.

Sonia ne muskuraate hue thoda peechhe hatkar uski aankhon me dekha.

Sonia (whispers) : Theek ho na?

Suhana (smiles) : Ekdum!

Usne bina jhijak ke jawaab diya. Sonia ke aur kuchh poochhne se pehle hi Gaurav Suhana ke bagal se aake khada ho gaya aur apne ek haath se adhikaar jataate hue uski kamar ko thaam liya.

Gaurav : My queen~ Akhirkar, aa hi gayi tum.

Suhana halka sa sehmi. Thoda akdi. Gaurav ka haath dheere se kamar par daba. Ek sanket ki muskurao. Aur, woh muskuraayi bhi.

Nik thodi derr baad haath me glass liye paas aaya.

Nik : Ah, happy birthday, Sonny! Hahahaha!

Aaya toh woh galey milne tha par Suhana ne haath aage badha kar wahi se unke beech rekha kheench di.

Suhana : Thank you.

Hall ke dusri orr se Ashita dhyaan se saari baat-cheet ko dekh rahi thi. Mann me vichaar kuchh aur hi chal rahe the. Aadesh bar ke paas Tanishq ke saath gehri baat-cheet me mashgool tha. Karan kuchh businessmen se baato me laga hua tha. Sonia apne mata-pita ke paas hi thi, lekin Suhana ko ghoor rahi thi.

Aur, Suhana-




Uski nigaahein baar-baar entrance ki orr bhaag rahi thi. Har baar jab entrance se koi andar aata toh woh ummeed karti ki kaash Veer aaya ho.

Gaurav : Entrance ki taraf baar-baar kya dekh rahi ho?

Suhana : K-Kuchh nahi-!

Gaurav (murmurs) : Jhooth mat kaho. Tum baar-baar wahi dekhe jaa rahi ho. Kahi tumne uss Veer ko-

Suhana : N-Nahi! Maine nahi bulaaya hai.

Gaurav : Good!

Janmdin ka geet goonja, cake cutting ceremony chaalu hui, hall taaliyon se chehek utha.

Gaurav ne Suhana ko cake ka pehla tukda khilaaya, Suhana ne nakli muskaan bikherte hue badle me use ek tukda khilaaya.

Magar, Suhana ke liye yeh mithaas kadwaahat se kam nahi thi. Woh rone hi waali thi ki itne me-

Entrance se saleeke se kapde pehne purusho ka ek samooh andar aaya. Aur, unke peechhe-

Rohan.

Bina wardi ke bhi, uski maujoodagi ka wazan kaafi bhaari tha. Uske bagal se thi uski patni, Trisha.

Ekdum shaant. Satark. Aur, chaukas.

Kuchh aur aadmi bhi unke peechhe-peechhe daakhil hue. Par, jaise hi pravesh ke dauran wo jis tarah se aapas me feley, paarkhi nazar waale logo ne unhe kuchh hadd tak pehchaan liya.

Gaurav ki hasi beech me hi ruk gayi. Uski muskaan gaayab ho gayi. Sirf, ek pal ke liye. Phir, wo laut aayi.

Woh bewakoof nahi tha. Aur, na hi ignorant. Bina wardi ke bhi woh Rohan ko pehchaanane me galti nahi kar sakta tha.

Gaurav : DGP Sir…!

Usne apne haath khole aur Suhana ki orr dheere se muda.

Gaurav : Excuse me babe~

Suhana ne uski nazar ka peechha kiya. Uski dhadkane tez ho gayi. DGP? Ye log kyun aaye the bhala yaha? Kya Gaurav ne unhe nyota diya tha?

Police officers ki aadh me Erica apne saath ek bag liye andar pravesh ki. Woh kab andar aayi, kaise andar pahuchi, logo ka dhyaan uss par gaya hi nahi. Jaise maano woh pehle se hi waha maujood thi.




Kamaal tha uski [Chameleon] aur [Dead Silence] skills ka.

Uski nazar chaaro orr ghoomi aur phir logo ko ‘Check’ karte hi nigaahein event manager par tik gayi. Woh bina kisi jhijhak ke uske paas pahuchi.

---

Hall ke uss paar, Gaurav khule haatho se Rohan ke paas pahucha.

Gaurav : Sir! What a surprise hahahaha! Aap yaha? Aapko mujhe bataana chaahiye tha na!? Agar, mujhe maalum hota ki aap aa rahe hai toh mein aapka swaagat acchhe se karta.

Rohan ne bina muskuraaye uska haath thaama.

Rohan : Kabhi-kabhi mein bina bataaye hi jaana pasand karta hu, Mister Gaurav.

Gaurav : Oh!? *smiles* Toh, kya mein jaan sakta hu ki aapka aaj yaha aana kaise hua? Surely, aap meri wife ka birthday celebrate karne toh nahi hi aaye honge yaha?

Usne chalaaki se poochha. Rohan ne jawaab dene se pehle Trisha ki taraf dekha.

Rohan : Hum kisi ko dhoondh rahe hai.

Gaurav : Oh? Aur, yeh ‘kisi’ bhala kaun ho sakta hai?

Rohan ki aankhein sikudi. Woh yaha ek nahi, kayi maqsad ke liye tha. Jaise hi Gaurav ne prashn kiya, Rohan ka mann kuchh ghante peechhe chala gaya.

Woh apne ghar par hi maujood tha, jab phone ki ghanti baji. Koi unknown number.

Rohan ne jawaab dene se pehle ek pal ke liye screen ko ghoora. Uske baad-

Rohan : Hello?

Kshan bhar ka virhaam aur phir-

"Good evening, DGP Sir."

Rohan jamm gaya.

Rohan : Kaun?

"Mujhe nahi pehchaana? Abhi uss raat aap hi ne toh mujhe surveillance me rakhne ki baat kahi thi na?"

Sunte hi Rohan ki aankhein phel gayi. Ab woh uss awaaz ko jaanta tha. Isliye, nahi ki awaaz usne kayi dafa sunn rakhi thi. Balki, isliye ki... Woh isi awaaz ki talaash me tha.

Rohan (frowns) : Veer...!!!

Sofe ke dusri orr baithi Trisha ne turant upar dekha. Aur, Rohan ne idhar call ko speaker par daal diya.

Rohan : Hmph! Mujhe nahi pata tha tum jail me jaane ke liye itne utaawle ho?

Speaker se ek halki si hasi sunaayi di.

"Jail? Cut the bullshit, Sir. Bina saboot ke aap jail me mujhe nahi daal sakte. Besides... Mein jaanta hu aap kis cheez ke liye betaab ho."

Rohan : !!?

"Mere interrogation ke liye. Hai na?"

Rohan ka jabda kass gaya.

Rohan : Underground incident aur Prestige incident ke baad se tum kisi bhi poochh-taachh me shaamil nahi hue ho. Tumhe lagta hai ki police iss baat ko nazar-andaaz kar degi?

Halka sa sannaata chhaa gaya. Aur, phir Veer ki awaaz gambheer ho gayi.

"I'm ready!"

Rohan aur Trisha dono stabdh reh gaye.

Rohan : Ready? Kis liye?

"Aapko uss raat ki dastaan sunaane ke liye. Yes. That night. The night your daughter got abducted. I'm ready for the interrogation you are seeking."

Rohan aur Trisha ki dhadkane tez ho gayi. Woh raat. Unki beti, Pihu ka laapata hona. Underground lair. Serial killer.

Rohan ki ungliyaan desk ke kinaare par kass gayi.

"Aap ye toh jaante hi hai ki Pihu aur Juhi ko bacha kar laane waala kaun tha. Lekin, zameen ke neeche uss underground lair me kya hua? Kya ye aap jaanana nahi chaahoge?"

Trisha ki nazrein Rohan se mili. Dono hi bhauchakke the. Rohan ka lehza thoda sakht ho gaya.

Rohan : Aur, achanak tum bhala itne generous kaise ho gaye, Mister Veer?

"Generous nahi, Sir. Strategic."

Rohan ko Veer ka lehza raas na aaya.

"Aaj raat ek aur crime par se parda uthne waala hai. Ek aisa crime jisey achhi tarah se daba diya gaya tha. Aap toh kanoon ko haath me rakhte hai. Agar, kanoon ki itni hi parvaah hai, toh aa jaaiyega."

Rohan : K-Kya matlab? Kaun sa crime? Kaha?

Veer ne use phir ek pata bataaya. Suhana ke ghar ka pata.

Rohan : T-Tum? Tum pagal ho kya? Ye toh- Ye toh Globerays ke CEO Gaurav ke ghar ka address hai.

"Sahi farmaya aapne. Wahi aana hai. Apne baaki officers ko saath laana mat bhooliyega. Lekin, dhyaan rahe- wardi me nahi. Aise aaiyega jaise undercover operation ke liye jaa rahe ho. Party ka scene hai. Uss hisaab se kapde daal lijiyega. Baad me kehna mat ki bataaya nahi."

Rohan naatkeeya roop se hasa.

Rohan : Aur, tum ye ummeed karte ho ki mein tumhare inn bachkaane instructions ko follow karunga? Tumhe pata bhi hai ki tum kis se baat kar rahe ho?

"Meri ummeed bas itni hai ki agar aapko mauqa diya jaaye, toh aap uss mauqe ko haath se jaane nahi doge."

Rohan (mutters) : Tumne abhi-abhi phone par ye accept kar liya ki uss raat tum underground lair me the.

"Nahi toh? Bhala kya hi saboot hai aapke paas?"

Rohan (grins) : Tumhari call record ho rahi hai. Ab tak jo kuchh bhi tumne kaha sab record ho chuka hai. Zyada hoshiyar mat bano, Veer. Tumne ye qubool kar liya hai ki underground lair me tum hi the. Police ka poora haq hai tumhe interrogate karne ka. Mein abhi aa raha hu. Aur, khabardar agar kahi bhaagne ki koshish ki toh-

Ek gehra sannaata chhaa gaya. Phir, Veer ke hassne ki awaaz aayi.

"Toh zara... Apni patni ji se ye bhi poochh lijiye ki mere khilaaf call recording ko istemal karna sahi rahega ya nahi?"

Rohan ne jab yeh suna toh uske maathe par silvatein chhaa gayi. Usne Trisha ko dekha jiski aankhein bhay me chaudi ho rakhi thi.

Woh envelope... Woh tasveer... Jab Trisha ne Ranjeet ko maara tha. Use yaad aaya. Usne Rohan ko dekh fauran hi naa me sirr hilaaya. Aur, Rohan apni patni ko aise dekh achambhav me reh gaya.

Rohan (grits) : T-Tum... Kya chhipa rahe ho tum mujhse?

"Chhipa toh aapki patni ji rahi hai aapse, DGP Sir. Anyways, mujhe vishvas hai ki aap mauqe ko nahi gawaenge. Aur, na hi mere khilaaf aisi ghatiya tactic apnaenge. Khaaskar tab jab maine aapki beti ko maut ke muh se baahar nikaala ho."

Yeh baat na chaahte hue bhi chubhi. Kyunki, baat satya thi. Trisha jaanti thi.

"Aaj raat time par pahuchiyega. Kanoon jo kehta hai aap uss hisaab se hi aaj chaliyega. Uske baad... Mein khud interrogation ke liye aapke paas aaunga."

Rohan ke dimaag me tarah-tarah ke sawaal uthne lage. Bhala Trisha uss se aisa kya chhipa rahi thi jo Veer jaanta tha?

Rohan : Aur, agar mein nahi aaya toh?

"Toh aap ek aisa mauqa kho denge jo aapko dobaara nahi milega. Aur... Woh crime ek baar phir dab ke reh jaayega."

Veer ki halki si dabi hui hasi Rohan ko sunaayi di.

"Isliye, soch samajhkar faisla lijiyega, DGP Sir. Oh! Aur, ek antim baat. Waha par Globerays ke CEO Mister Gaurav agar poochhe aapse ki aap waha kyu aaye hai? Toh bas itna kahiyega ki-"

Veer ki antim baat sunn, Rohan ne jaise hi kuchh kehne ke liye muh khola toh itne me phone kat gaya. Woh bas khamosh phone ko dekhta raha. Uske maathe par paseene ke boonde saji hui thi.

Trisha : H-Humein chalna hoga, Rohan.

Rohan : Tumhare aur uske beech ki koi baat hai, hai na? Kya chhipa rahi ho tum mujhse Trisha?

Trisha ne uski jaangh par haath rakha.

Trisha : Sab bata dungi. Par, iske baad. Humaara aaj udhar jaana bahut zaroori hai, trust me. Uske baad mein tumhe sab kuchh sach-sach bata dungi. Please!

Rohan ne bas haami bhar di.

"DGP Sir?"

Gaurav ki awaaz use wapas se hosh me laayi. Woh ateet se baahar aaya. Usne Gaurav ko sthir nigaahon se dekha.

Gaurav : Maine poochha ki kiski talaash me aaye hai aap? Kya mein jaan sakta hu? *smiles*

Rohan (breathes) : Hum 'Nik' naamak vyakti ki talaash me hai.

Gaurav ki reedh me ek sihran daud gayi.

Gaurav : Nik? Kaun Nik? Haha. Aapko shayad koi galat-fehmi hui hai, Sir. Aaj toh meri wife ki b'day party hai.

Rohan : Wahi Nik jo aapka param mitr hai, Mister Gaurav. Wahi mitr jiske sang aapki photos social media par dali hui hai. Humein jankaari mili hai ki woh yahi hai.

Gaurav ki bauhe phadki. Saboot toh mita diye gaye the. Nik ke dwaara le jaayi gayi cars ko toh secure kar liya gaya tha. Phir, akhir kaise? Uske mann me bas ek hi naam aaya.

Veer!

Usne apne daant meese.

Gaurav (laughs) : Hahaha! Achha! Achha! Nik? Mera friend? Lekin, wo toh yaha nahi hai, Sir. Mein yakeen ke saath keh sakta hu. Woh toh India me hi nahi hai. Aur, bhala woh kaise aapki nigraani me aa gaya, Sir?

Rohan : Kuchh classified baatein hai. Abhi nahi bata sakta.

Pillar ke peechhe chhip ke Nik sab kuchh dhyaan se dekh raha tha. Usne Gaurav ka ek ishaara dekha.

Niklo yaha se. Abhi.

Aur, Nik ne ishaara padhte hi apna glass neeche rakha aur bheed me aur andar ghuste hue peechhe ke galiyaare se nikalne ke liye bhaaga.

Gaurav (smiles) : Kya mein jaan sakta hu ki aapko ye information kisne di ki Nik yaha par hai?

Rohan (smirks) : I’m afraid not, Mister Gaurav. Humaare bhi kuchh usool hote hai. Now, if you don’t mind, we’d like to just check the place.

Gaurav : Aap wardi me nahi hai, Sir.

Rohan : Hum undercover operation ke tehet aaye hai. *smiles*

Aur, uske utna kehte hi Rohan ke aadmi hall me titar-bitar ho gaye. Sab kuchh shaanti me ho raha tha. Trisha ki nazrein bhi baaj ki tarah hall me chaaro orr ghoomne lagi.

Phir-

Lights off ho gayi.

“Ohh!? Power cut?”

“Generator laga hoga.”

Log aapas me baat karne lage. Achanak se halki si raushni aayi. Dur ki deewar par ek bada sa safed kapda fela hua tha. Erica apna mask pehne ek chhoti table ke paas khadi thi, laptop khula hua tha aur projector ne safed kapde par apni kirane bikheri.

Projector chaalu hua.

Ek puraani tasveer.

Suhana aur Gaurav ki kayi saal pehle ki tasveer. Slide palti. Suhana ke bachpan ki ek tasveer. Sacchi muskaan ke saath.

“Oh wow~”

“So cute!”

Suhana swayam aashcharyachakit thi. Par, uss se bhi zyada koi hairat me tha toh khud Gaurav. Lekin, yeh chinta ek raahat me badal gayi.

Usne mann hi mann event manager ki tareef ke pul baandhe. Usne toh iske paise hi nahi diye the. Ye toh plan me hi nahi tha. Lagta hai event manager ne koi surprise plan kiya tha.

Iske baad aur tasveerein aayi. Unki shaadi ki, kuchh business launches ki, trips ki, functions ki, aur Gaurav ne thaan liya ki party ke baad woh event manager ko baksheesh zaroor dega.

Idhar Gaurav use paise dene ki soch raha tha, toh udhar event manager yeh soch raha tha ki ye sab taam-jhaam shayad Gaurav ne swayam taiyaar kiya hua tha.

Ek achhe vaivaahik jeevan ki kahani chal rahi thi projector pe. Suhana ne Gaurav ko ajeeb nigaahon se dekha. Gaurav uske qareeb aaya aur uske haath ko thaama.

Gaurav : Dekha? Maine tumhare liye kya kuchh plan kiya hua tha aaj? Kitna sochta hu mein tumhare baare me!

Suhana ne koi jawab nahi diya. Use ye sab ajeeb sa lag raha tha. Slides ke transition kaafi dheeme the. Ajeeb dhang se. Aur, woh sahi thi.

Erica ke chehre par mask ke peechhe muskaan gehri ho gayi. Achanak, slides ke saath-saath ek voice over bhi chaalu ho gaya.

Jaise hi voice over chaalu hua, Rohan Gaurav ke peechhe aake khada hua aur usne peechhe se hi uske kaan me kaha.

Rohan : Ab jo kuchh bhi hoga, tass se mass bhi nahi hona, Mister Gaurav.

Gaurav ko apni peeth par ek revolver feel hua.

Rohan : You are under surveillance for now. Aur, shayad- soon under arrest bhi ho sakte ho. Depend karta hai projector kya dikhaane waala hai.

Gaurav : Huh-!?

Gaurav ki reedh ki haddi kaanp uthi. Uski nazrein projector screen par hi jami hui thi jab-

Projector ka scene chaalu hua.

Kuchh saal pehle,
Boston, Hallowell Hall, MIT ~

Duniya ke kone-kone se aaye hue chhaatr sard kapdo me lipte aur aatmavishvas se lathpath yaha apne sapne sakaar karne ke liye aaye hue the. Har kisi ko kuchh na kuchh saabit karna tha.

Mumbai se aaya Engineering me dhurandhar Gaurav bhi iss bheed ka hissa tha. Apne kamre ke number 211 ke pravesh dwaar par khada, ek haath me duffle bag aur dusre haath me ‘The art of systems architecting’ ka naya-naya edition tha.

Usne kamre ke darwaaze ko dhakka dekar khola. Aur, dhue ka ek jhoka uske muh par aakar laga. Cigarettes. Aur, thodi chamde ki mehek bhi.

Kamra pehle se hi aadha bhara hua tha. Ek suitcase. Farsh par kaale joote. Mej par whiskey ka glass, aadha khaali. Aur, ek achhi kad-kaathi ka chaude kandho waala ladka jo khidki ke paas hi khada use hi ghoor raha tha.

Nicholas.

Nicholas : So… You’re the roommate they assigned me? *grins* Let’s see how long you last dude.

Gaurav : Just stay out of my business. And, we’ll be good.

Nicholas (smiles) : I like the sound of that…!

Pehle hafte toh dono ke beech baat-cheet lagbhag ne ke barabar hi rahi. Phir, ek raat, Gaurav gusse me lab se lauta. Usne ghuste hi apna bag de pheka.

Gaurav : Fuckkkk! The entire project got delayed because some idiot leaked our dataset to the rival group. Fucking bastards. Can’t even keep the data secured enough. Fucking losers.

Nicholas ne apni kitaab se nazrein utha kar upar uski orr dekha aur pehli baar kuchh poochha.

Nicholas : And? Do you want revenge or results?

Gaurav : Both. I want leverage.

Nicholas ne apni crimes studies se sambandhit kitaab neeche rakhi.

Nicholas (smiles) : Now you are talking in my language. Let’s sit and talk.

Uss raat, unn dono ke beech kuchh badal gaya. Dono ne baatein saajha ki, Gaurav ne use ‘Nik’ kehkar bulaana shuru kar diya. Aur, Nik ne use bataaya ki kaise woh casino players ki manovaigyanik profiling karke, unki bhavnao ki nakal karke aur unki kamzoriyon ka faayda uthakar bade daanv waale poker games me hera-pheri karta tha.

Toh wahi Gaurav ne use bataya ki kaise usne ek baar Mumbai me apne school server ko iss tarah se hack kiya tha ki kayi saari files uske haath lag sake aur bhrashtachaar ke maamlo ko woh unhe saamne dikha sake.

Raat se lekar subah tak, dono ke beech baatein chalti rahi, kisse saajha hote chale gaye aur dono ke beech ka rishta pehle se gehra ho gaya. Dekhte hi dekhte ve dono pakke dost bann chuke the.

Derr raat ki meetings lambi rann-neeti baithako me badal gayi. Ek logo ko padhne me maahir tha aur dusra logo ke data ko hadapne me. Ve dono logo ko shikaar ki tarah dekhne lage, aur aapas me jankaari saajha karne lage.

Kaun sa student dabaav me jhooth bolega? Kaun chupke se dhoka de raha hai? Kisko khareeda jaa sakta hai? Kiska patta saaf karna hai? Sab kuchh.

Nik : You know dude…! Everyone has a pressure point. You just have to know where to press. Or how long to wait before they push it themselves. Haha.

Gaurav (drunk) : *hic* I agree! *hic* People are like codes, Nik. I just need a system. You… *hic* provide the vulnerabilities and- and- *hic*

Nik (smiles) : And you’ll create the algorithm to exploit them. Hahahahaha!

Gaurav : Hahahaha! Yesssss. *hic*

Unn dono ne ek dusre ki taaqat ko samajhkar ek dusre ke liye istemaal karna seekh liya tha. Unki shuruaat chhote-chhote tests se hui.

Jaise ki farzi aaropo me fasa kar kuchh professors ko college se nikalwana. Foreign students ko pass karwaane ke liye grading invigilators ko blackmail karna. Campus ke elections me herr-ferr karna.

Koi bhi kabhi bhi unke baare me kuchh bhi pata nahi laga paaya. Wo humesha do qadam aage rehte the. Aur, inn sab ke dauraan unhe ehsaas hua ki-

Unhe ‘zindagi’ naam ke game ko khelne ki zaroorat hi nahi thi. Bas niyamo ko samajhne ki zaroorat thi.

Ek baar jab ek guest lecture ke dauraan Information Warfare aur Behavioral Economics ko lekar charcha ho rahi thi, tab ek FBI ke analyst unhe samjha rahe the ki aajkal ki sarkaare kis baat se joojh rahi thi.

“Students, you know what’s the problem? Data is not the problem anymore. Emotionally weighted intelligence is.”

Nik aur Gaurav ne ek dusre ko dekha. Ek khamosh si sehmati.

Gaurav : They don’t know what to do with people’s secrets, Nik hehe~

Nik (smirks) : But we do.

Dekhte hi dekhte ek saal guzar gaya. Nik aur Gaurav ke beech ki dosti bas gehri hoti chali gayi. Aur, phir woh aayi-

Suhana.

Sunehra din tha jab usne usi MIT me apne qadam rakhe. Gaurav khidki ke paas baithe code type kar raha tha jab uski nazar Suhana par padi.

Aur, maano jaise sab kuchh dhundhla pad gaya. Suhana? Suhana ko toh woh school se hi jaanta tha. Bhagwan ne kis qadar kismat likhi thi uski? Jiske liye woh school se pada hua tha, aaj woh swayam chalke yaha videsh tak uske paas aa gayi.

Uss raat usne Nik se kayi baatein saajha ki-

Gaurav : She’s my childhood crush dude. The eldest daughter of Shailendra, that guy owns Elite Motors and what not.

Nik (smiles) : Oh!?

Gaurav : She’s smart. Untouched. Powerful. Lonely. And… very submissive as well. *licks* I want her dude.

Nik (smiles) : You want her because… of the Elite Motors. Am I right? Or do you like her docile nature?

Gaurav : Both. Hahahaha~

Nik (smiles) : You son of a-

Gaurav ke liye Suhana baaki ladkiyo se ekdum hi alag thi. Woh na toh bigdi hui waaris thi aur na hi bewakoof, bholi-bhaali ameer ladki. Woh hoshiyaar thi, lekin thoda shaant, aur namr-vinamr swabhaav ki bhi.

Woh har baat par sawaal uthaati thi, professors ko challenge karti thi, aur ek baar toh usne publicly kisi teacher se behas karke unhe sharminda bhi kar diya tha. Lekin, woh zor se nahi bolti thi. Sateek rehti thi. Aur, sabse badi baat- woh swabhaav me submissive thi. Khaaskar mardo ke prati. Aur, yahi Gaurav ko lubhaata tha.

Gaurav sharing classes me uske theek peechhe baithne laga. Jab Suhana derr tak library me rehti, woh bhi wahi rehta. Pehle se jaan-pehchaan hone ki wajah se baat-cheet unn dono me bade hi araam se shuru ho chuki thi.

Suhana : Tumhara iraada apne dad ki tarah job karne ka nahi hai kya?

Gaurav : Ji haan! Mera aisa koi iraada nahi hai. Mein apne naam se kuchh banaunga. Mera khud ka empire.

Suhana : Bade-bade sapne huh-!?

Gaurav ne har tarqeeb apnaayi Suhana ko paane ke liye. Suhana ne badle me suhanubhuti dikhaayi. Dosti nibhaayi. Lekin, uss se zyada kuchh nahi. Usne kabhi bhi dosti ki seema ko paar nahi hone diya.

Gaurav : Suhana, I love you! Tum mujhe school se pasand ho.

Suhana : Gaurav maine tumse kaha na!? Mein tumhe bas ek dost ki tarah hi maanti hu. Mere andar tumhare liye waisi feelings nahi hai.

Gaurav : Feelings develop ho jaayengi. Tum ek baar-

Suhana : Maine kaha na nahi, Gaurav! I’m sorry but iss mamle me mein ye bilkul bhi force nahi karna chaahti. Relationship mere liye bahut maayne rakhta hai.

Magar, Gaurav mehez dosti se zyada chaahta tha. Usne Suhana ko kaise bhi paane ke liye rann-neeti banaani shuru kar di thi. Kintu, har paitra uska nakaam saabit hua.

Graduation ke baad uska Mumbai wapas jaana tay hua. Nik Las Vegas ki taraf nikal chuka tha. Suhana Boston me abhi bhi apne akhiri saal me thi.

Jab Gaurav Mumbai wapas laut ke aaya toh usne apni kuchh nayi tarqeebein lagaani shuru ki. Jinme se ek thi-

Suhana ke gharwalo se pehchaan banaana. Aur, jaha uski pehchaan hui-

Sonia se.

Sonia : Dii aur aap ek saath the college me? Wow~ Toh kaisa tha MIT? Maza aaya?

Gaurav : Bahut yaar! Sab badhiya tha. Bas ek aashiq ki kami thi. Haha.

Sonia : Oh hooo! Koi mili nahi kya waha?

Gaurav : Pyaar itna asaan kaha hai, Sonia.

Sonia : Hmm! I hope aapko aapki chaahne waali jald hi mil jaaye.

Gaurav : Yahi toh mein bhi chaahta hu!

Kehte hue uski nigaahein Sonia par phiri. Gaurav ko dono behne raas aa gayi thi. Magar, woh jaanta tha ki agar Suhana mutthi me aa jaaye toh Sonia ko hathiyaana kaafi asaan ho jaana tha.

Par tabhi, uske saleeke se soche gaye plan me ek adanga aa gaya.

Sonia : Ahh! Pushkar! Aao na!

Ek naujavan ladka sharmaate hue Sonia ke ghar ke gate ke paas aake khada hua tha. Andar qadam rakhne se sharma raha tha. Sonia use dekhte hi chehek uthi, woh uthi aur daudate hue uske paas gayi, uske haath ko pakadte hue use kheench kar andar le aayi.

Gaurav : Y-Ye kaun hai?

Sonia : Ye Pushkar! Mera achha dost. Pushkar, yeh Gaurav bhaiya hai. Dii Boston gayi hai na? Toh unke senior the ye waha pe. Ab graduate ho gaye hai.

Pushkar (nods) : H-Hello!

Gaurav ne bade hi achhe se uske saath haath milaaya. Par, sacchaayi toh yeh thi ki woh Pushkar ko abhi hi kaccha chaba jaana chaahta tha.

Jis tarah se Sonia uske paas chipak rahi thi, dono ke beech jis tarah se taal-mel tha, kahi na kahi use darr tha ki-

Gaurav : Waise, kya karte hai aapke papa, Pushkar?

Ek gehra sannaata chhaa gaya.

Pushkar sarr jhuka ke khada raha. Sonia bhi thodi chintit nazar aane lagi. Gaurav ko laga jaise usne kuchh galat poochh liya ho.

Sonia : Wo- Gaurav bhaiya, Pushkar ki jo family hai na wo humare ghar me work karte hai. Unki achhi si job hai. Hai na, Pushkar?

Sonia ne apne mitr ki baat ko dhak kar use bachaana chaaha parantu, yeh daya aur humdardi jaise Pushkar ke liye marham nahi, balki jaley par namak chhidakne ke samaan thi.

Pushkar : Mera parivar…? Hum gareeb hai. Sonia… Sonia ke papa ji ke liye hi kaam karte hai. Hum… hum servants quarter me rehte hai, peechhe hi.

Sonia ki bauhe chinta me sikud gayi. Ek yahi baat thi jiske liye woh humesha ghabraati thi. Woh kabhi nahi chaahti thi ki uska dost, Pushkar kabhi bhi uske rutbe, paise aur aiyyaash zindagi se darey aur bhaagne ki koshish kare.

Jaha woh vyakul thi, toh wahi idhar Gaurav ke hontho par ek kapti muskaan saj gayi. Jis darr ka woh intezaar kar raha tha woh toh kuchh aur hi nikla-

Par, kehte hai na, lohe pe hathoda tabhi maarna chaahiye jab woh garam ho. Aur, Gaurav yeh baat bakhoobi jaanta tha.

*Ring* *Ring*

Ek din, screen par naam dekhte hi Nik ne muskuraate hue call ko uthaaya.

Nik : What’s going on dude? *smiles* How’s your love life going? Any good news?

Gaurav : There is… but a bad one. And, I need your help.

Nik : Oh? Go on!

Gaurav : Someone unwanted has entered into the field. I want him eliminated.

Nik : Hmm? Eliminate? Do you-

Gaurav : No! Not the killing. Just gone.

Nik : Oh!? Who’s the lad?

Gaurav : A young guy. Somewhat pretty face. Tall. Slim. Poor. His family works for Suhana’s house. Lives in servant quarters behind her house. He’s a threat…!

Nik : Suhana and him-!?

Gaurav : No! Him and Sonia. Sonia is… the younger sister of Suhana.

Nik (grins) : You son of a-! So, you want the sister-in-law too, huh!?

Gaurav (smiles) : Just help me dude! And, to let you get started, he’s very afraid of his own status. He has that inferiority complex of being poor.

Nik : Hahahaha! Your half job is already done, dude! I’ll prepare a plan for him. Stay in touch.

Gaurav (grins) : That’s like my pal!

Nik logo ko padhne me maahir tha. Kaise unki kamzoriyon ka faayda utha ke unhe fasaana hai, yeh woh bakhoobi jaanta tha.

Nik ke kahe anusaar, Gaurav ne apni dosti Pushkar se bhi gehri kar li. Woh use apne sang parties me le jaata. Bars me le jaata. Use baahar ki duniya dikhaata. Beer, whiskey, alcohol se lekar cigarettes tak, woh sab kuchh use pilaata. Aur, ye sab Sonia ke peeth peechhe ho raha tha.

Dheere-dheere Pushkar baahri duniya se waaqif ho chuka tha. Aur, ek din-

Jab Sonia kisi party se laut kar aayi, jab Pushkar apne dil ki baat uss se kehne jaa hi raha tha ki woh uss se bahut pyaar karta hai, tabhi Gaurav ne use rok liya.

Gaurav : Arey arey! Kaha jaa rahe ho bandhu?

Pushkar : G-Gaurav bhaiya? *blushes* Woh mein-

Gaurav ne uske haatho me ek phool ka guldasta dekha aur uski muskaan aur adhik fel gayi.

Gaurav : Oh? Toh majnu laila ke pyaar me pad hi gaya, haan?

Pushkar (shyly) : Kya Gaurav bhaiya! A-Aisa kuchh bhi nahi hai. Mein toh bas Sonia ko ye-

Gaurav : Par, dukh ki baat hai bahut yaar. Jao jao! Mere samjhaane se kya hi hota hai.

Pushkar : M-Matlab?

Gaurav : Ni ni kuchh nahi yaar. Mujhe pyaar nahi mila toh mujhe tumhe nahi rokna chaahiye. Sacchaayi ki thokar sabhi ko lagni hi chaahiye.

Kehte hue woh palat ke jaane laga toh Pushkar ne uska haath thaam use roka.

Pushkar : Bhaiya bataiye na. Kya baat hai? A-Aap aur dara rahe ho. Seedhe-seedhe bol do. Ab toh hum dost hai na?

Gaurav (sighs) : Chal achha theek hai. Tujhe apna chhota bhai maanta hu toh jeevan ki sacchaayi aaj tu sunn hi le.

Usne Pushkar ke kandhe me haath daala aur use thoda dur le gaya.

Gaurav : Achha, ek baat bata. Tu Sonia se pyaar karta hai, hai na?

Pushkar (fumbles) : E-Eh-!

Gaurav : Arey bol na!

Pushkar (shyly) : H-Haan!

Gaurav : Kya Sonia tum se pyaar karti hai?

Pushkar : P-Pata nahi bhaiya.

Gaurav : Arey karti hi hogi, paagal hahaha!

Usne uske kandhe ko jhanjhora. Pushkar bechaara sharma ke reh gaya.

Gaurav : Pyaar-vyaar toh chalo ho gaya. Par, dikkat kaha par hai?

Pushkar : K-Kaha par?

Gaurav ne palatate hue Pushkar ko moda aur dur Sonia ki orr ishaara kiya jo apni chamchamaati gaadi se utar kar apni kuchh college friends se baat kar rahi thi.

Gaurav : Dekh udhar zara. Kya nazar aaya tujhe?

Pushkar : Huh? S-Sonia hai. Apni dosto se baat kar rahi hai.

Gaurav ne uske sarr par ek tapli maari.

Gaurav : Abey dhyaan se dekh. Uske haath me dekh. Kya hai? LV ka bag. Kya lagta hai kitne ka hoga? Lakho ka hai wo, samjha? Uski heels dekh. Qareeban 20-30 hazaar se kam ki nahi hongi. Dress? Araam se 50 hazaar ke qareeb. Gaadi? Karodo me keemat hai uski. Kuchh samajh aaya?

Pushkar, jo yeh sab sunn raha tha use achanak hi kuchh bodh hua. Jo 50-100 rupaye ka guldasta usne apne seene se laga ke rakha hua tha, woh haath me ab neeche jhool gaya. Uska sarr neeche ho gaya.

Gaurav : Kal maine tujhe wo beer pilaayi thi!? Kaisi thi?

Pushkar : A-Achhi thi!

Gaurav : Sach-sach bol! Darr mat!

Pushkar : Kh-Kharaab!

Gaurav : Bilkul sahi! Aur, aaj jo pilaayi thi woh?

Pushkar : Bahut achhi!

Gaurav : Tujhe kaaran pata hai uska?

Pushkar : N-Nahi!

Gaurav : Kyunki, aaj waali bahut mehngi thi, chhote! Ab jeevan ka kadwa sach sunn le. Ek raees baap ki beti jo hoti hai na… Use bhi aise hi inn sab cheezon ki aadat pad chuki hoti hai. Toh bhala woh ye sab araam chhor ke kisi aise ke paas kyu jaayegi jo uss se auhde me kam ho? Samjha?

Pushkar ki aankhein namm pad gayi. Gaurav ki baatein kadwi zaroor thi, magar unme kahi na kahi gehri sacchaayi bhi chhipi hui thi.

Pushkar : P-Par- Par, Sonia aisi nahi hai. Woh kehti hai ki-

Gaurav : Kyunki, abhi use bodh nahi hua hai, chhote. ‘Paisa’ uske liye haatho ka mel hai. Isliye, uski qadr nahi hai abhi. Par, use tum abhi bina paise ke chhor do. Phir, dekho-

Pushkar : …!? Aap nahi chaahte kya ki mein aur Sonia-

Gaurav : Arey paagal hai kya?

Usne kass ke Pushkar ko apne galey se lagaaya.

Gaurav : Tu toh bhai jaisa hai pagle. Mein kyu tera bura chaahunga? Mein bas tujhe sacchaayi bata raha hu ki-

Pushkar : Ki?

Gaurav : -ki ladkiyon ko sirf ek hi cheez chaahiye hoti hai.

Pushkar : !!?

Gaurav (smiles) : Paisa!

Pushkar : Huh?

Gaurav : Haan! Paisa! Tu khud soch. Agar, abhi tere paas dher saara paisa hota, toh aaj tu kaha hota? Tu Sonia ke bagal se khada hota, unki friends ke saath. Woh tere se chipak ki apni dosto ke saamne show-off kar rahi hoti.

Pushkar : …


Gaurav : Mujhe dekh le. Mere paas bhi thoda bahut paisa hai. Lekin, abhi tak single hu. Kyu? Kyunki, mujhe jo ladki chaahiye, use paane ke liye mujhe aur paisa kamaana padega.

Pushkar : A-Aapko kaun si ladki chaahiye?

Gaurav ne bas muskura diya. Maagr, uski baat Pushkar ke dil me baith chuki thi. Aaj ke jeevan me paisa bahut aavashyak tha. Jiske paas paisa hai, wahi taqatvar hai.

Pushkar : M-Mujhe bhi paisa kamaana hai. Bhaiya aap meri naukri kahi lagwa sakte ho? Mein paisa kamaunga! Mein ye ghar ke kaam karta raha toh kuchh bhi jod nahi paunga.

Gaurav : Abe chhote! Tu agar saari zindagi bhi naukri karega na, toh bhi tu itna paisa nahi jod paayega.

Pushkar : T-Toh kya karu? Mein Sonia ko har woh khushi dena chaahta hu jo use chaahiye. Mein uske liye dher saara paisa kamaana chaahta hu.

Gaurav : Dhandha!

Pushkar : Huh?

Gaurav : Paisa do dhandho se kamaaya jaa sakta hai, chhote. Ek safed dhandha. Aur, ek… *grins* kaala dhandha.

Pushkar : Par ye toh galat hai-

Gaurav : Aaj ke yug me kuchh bhi galat nahi pagle. Sonia ko dekh. Tujhe lagta hai ki har ek paayi-paayi uske pita ji ne imaandari karke kamaayi hai? Hargiz nahi!

Uss raat Pushkar ko samajh aa chuka tha ki paisa akhir kitna taqatvar tha. Dheere-dheere na chaahte hue bhi woh Gaurav ke bataaye gaye kaamo me uska saath dene laga.

Gaurav use kayi logo se milwaata, uss se gerr-kanooni kaam karwaata aur badle me use dher saara paisa deta.

Jab jebo me paisa bharne laga toh Pushkar ka aatmavishvas aur badhta chala gaya, woh Sonia ke liye paise jodne laga.

Magar, ant me Gaurav ne apni asli chaal bhi chal di. Pushkar ke badalte ravaiyye se uske gharwaale bhi pareshan ho chuke the. Woh jaan chuke the ki unke ghar ka chiraag ab raaste se bhatak raha hai. Aur, isliye-

Aaye din ghar par tu-tu mein-mein hoti. Jhagde hote. Jaha Pushkar aksar rooth ke ghar se nikal jaaya karta.

Pushkar : Aapne ekdum sahi kaha tha bhaiya. Ye gareeb ki kaum saali hoti hai gareeb rehne ke liye hai. Ye kabhi upar uth kar jeena nahi chaahte.

Gaurav (grins) : Par, tu toh alag hai na chhote!?

Pushkar : Haan! Sirf aapki wajah se. Mere kaaran hi gharwaale aaj kam se kam dhang ki dal roti kha paa rahe hai, hum upar uth rahe hai par nahi. Kaha se ye paisa? Imaandar raho. Kya rakha hai imaandari me? Koi kisi ki qadr nahi karta.

Gaurav : Ab tum jeevan ki sacchaayi ko jaan rahe ho.

Pushkar : Haan! Mujhe aur paisa kamaana hai. Lekin, ye gharwaale. Mere peechhe pade hue hai. Mann toh karta hai ki kisi din-

Gaurav : Agar kisi din zyaada tang aa jao, aur ghar se nikalne ka mann kare *smiles* Toh mein tumhari madad kar sakta hu.

Pushkar : Kaise?

Gaurav : Mera ek dost hai. Las Vegas me. Waha dollar chalta hai chhote. Woh tujhe dollar kamaane me madad karega. Tu aaj agar Sonia ke liye gaadi khareed sakta hai na, toh udhar jaa ke kuchh saal me hi tu use se shaadi karne ke liye yogya bhi ho jaayega.

Pushkar : Itna paisa hai udhar?

Gaurav : Teri soch se bhi zyada. Ye le. Rakh ise. Mere dost ka number hai. Jab tera mann kare, baat kar lena. Lekin, dhyaan rahe, uss se hindi nahi aati. Tu bas ek baar mujhe phone kar dena. Mein use sab samjha dunga.

Pushkar : Aap hi sabse sacche insaan ho bhaiya. Mere asli supporter. Lekin, mein Sonia ko yaha aise akele-

Gaurav : Mein kisliye hu? Kisi bhi ladke ko aas-paas bhi bhatakne nahi dunga uske.

Pushkar : S-Sach?

Gaurav : Aur nahi toh kya-

Pushkar : Bhaiya! Bolo kya karu aapke liye?

Ummeed toh Pushkar ne yahi kari thi ki kabhi use Nik tak jaane ke liye majboor na hona pade. Par, samay jaise-jaise aage badhta gaya, uske rishte apne gharwalo ke saath kamzor hote chale gaye.

Maar-peet, ladaayi, shorgul uske ghar me ab samaanya ho chuka tha. Aur, yahi kaaran tha jab Pushkar akhirkar apna ghar chhor ke bhaag nikla.

Yahi kaaran tha ki woh kyun Las Vegas gaya. Saara ka saara pratibandh Gaurav ne karwaya tha. Aur, udhar Las Vegas me Nik use kathputli ki tarah nachaate hue uss se kaale karnaame karwaane laga.

Yahi kaaran tha ki kyun woh Las Vegas me itne waqt tak rehne ke baad bhi pakda nahi gaya. Nik ki chhatr-chhaaya me jo har kaam ho raha tha.

Yahi kaaran tha ki kyun uska ravaiyya itne saalo me badal chuka tha. Yahi kaaran tha ki kyun woh udhar rehkar Sonia se bhi ghrina karne laga. Kyunki, Sonia ko Mumbai me vyast rakhne ka kaam Gaurav sambhaal raha tha aur udhar Pushkar ko bigaadne ka kaam, Nik.

Jab Gaurav yaha Sonia se rishte bana raha tha, tab Nik ki mulaqat udhar Divya se ho chuki thi. Nik ne use sab kuchh sikhaana shuru kar diya. Usne Gaurav ko bataaya ki Divya uske saath hai, jaha se dono ko pata laga ki Divya Suhana ki achhi dost hai.

Aur, aise hi ek din jab Pushkar Nik ke dwaara hi kisi gerr-kanooni kaam ko anjaam de raha tha, tab uske raaste me Suhana aur Divya aa gayi.

Yahi woh pal tha jab Suhana beech me Divya ke paas uss se milne gayi hui thi. Yahi woh pal tha jab Divya ne Suhana ko Nik se milwaaya tha. Yahi woh pal tha jab Pushkar aur Divya, Suhana ke beech ladaayi chhidi, aur yahi woh pal tha jab Divya ne Suhana ko bachaane ke liye-

*Bang*

Pushkar ka qatl kar diya.

Ek anhoni.

Lekin, saath hi ek sochi-samjhi gayi vardaat.

Aur, isi saboot ke saath dono Divya aur Suhana ki zindagiyo ki taqdeer bhi tay kar di gayi. Nik aur Gaurav ka wo phone call. Gaurav ka Suhana ko bachaana. Nik ka Divya ko bachaana.

Jabki… Pushkar ke uss sthiti me jaane ka kaaran yahi dono, Gaurav aur Nik hi the.

Gaurav ne Suhana par vijay praapt kar li thi. Usne Globerays ko praapt kiya. CEO bana. Par, uska asli maqsad?

DATA.

Gaurav apni company ki madad se data ikhatta karta, aur information sell karta tha. Chaahe wo phir dark web par hi kyu na ho.

Jiske badle me use itna paisa milta ki uska career aur Globerays skyrocket ho chuke the.

Akhirkar, slides dheeme padi. Ek financial dashboard khula.

Globerays ke internal access logs. Server routes. Encrypted transfers.

Bheed me fusfusaahat shuru ho gayi. Screen par ek highlight ki gayi line :

Client Data Extraction - Batch 47

Transferred to offshore wallet. Amounts follow. Crores.

Phir, dusri slide. Batch 61.

“Ye toh- ye toh data hai. Private information. Ise kaha sell kiya gaya hai?”

“Ek minute! Ye toh- ye toh internal audit ki footage hai.”

Slide phir palti.

Backend servers ka record ek recorded screen video me nazar aaya. Kaise user ke data ko real time me churaaya jaa raha tha. Biometric logs. Government contracts.

Phir, ek aur slide palti. Dark web ki chat windows. Kuchh anonymous buyers. Crypto confirmations.

Logo ki hairaani badhti jaa rahi thi.

“Ye toh- classified infrastructure data hai…”

Ek aur slide palti.

Shell companies. Receipts. Foreign Transfers. Tax evasion charts. ‘Consultation fee’ ke naam par li gayi rishwatein.

Gaurav ki peeth par abhi bhi Rohan ke revolver ki thandi nok tiki hui thi. Gaurav hila nahi. Ekdum seedha khada raha. Par, maathe par paseena zaroor chhaaya hua tha.

Slide ek baar phir badli. Iss baar hall me maujood logo ki saansein atak gayi. Chhipe hue cameras ki kuchh tasveerein aur footages.

Bedroom. Hallways. Kuchh zoom ki gayi tasveerein. Aur, tasveeron me-

Sonia.

Zaahir taur se Sonia ki image rakhne ke liye woh pictures blur kar di gayi thi, Erica ke dwaara.

Tasveerein dhundhli thi. Koi aur pehchaane ya na pehchaane, Sonia ki aankhein kabhi dhoka nahi kha sakti thi. Woh jaanti thi unn kapdo ke rango ko. Unn dhundhle hallways ko.

Suhana ke ghar par. Kapde badalte hue. Towel me lipti hui. Nange kandhe liye. Ye wahi thi. Log itna toh samajh gaye the ki tasveer kisi ladki ki thi par kaun thi? Ye wo nahi jaante the. Siwaaye Sonia ke.

Namrita ka haath apne muh par chala gaya. Kahi na kahi woh pehchaan chuki thi. Sonia bhauchakki si khadi hui thi. Uski aankhon ki putliyaan feli hui thi. Jo dekh rahi thi use theek se samajh nahi paa rahi thi.

Ek aur slide. Gaurav ke private archive folders. Assets. Encrypted backups. Aur, phir-

Woh khud.

Hotel ke kamro me. Alag-alag mahilaaye. Kuchh female employees. Explicit blurred images. Ekdum hi ashleel nahi, magar samajhne ke liye kaafi.

Hasi mazaak ki footage. Hookah. Alcohol. Transactions ki receipts.

Pushkar ka naam. Payment. Documents. Accident report. Nik aur uske dwaara kiye gaye kaale karnaamo ke saboot.

Suhana ki saansein jaise tham gayi. Pushkar. Jiski wajah se woh aaj iss daldal me fasi hui thi. Woh toh- swayam Gaurav aur Nik ke jaal ka shikaar tha.

Suhana ka badan buri tarah kaanp utha.

“N-Nahi-!” Woh fusfusaayi. Jis satya par woh itne varsho se vishvas kar rahi thi woh toh satya tha hi nahi.

Kamre me gehra sannaata chhaa gaya. Suhana ladkhadaayi. Ashita daud kar uske paas aayi aur uski kohni ko pakad li.

Suhana : I-Itne saalo se- *shivers* M-Mein-

Uske honth kaanpe. Aasu behte chale gaye. Ashita ne use sambhaala.

Suhana : IT WAS YOU!!!

Woh zor se chillaayi aur neeche baith gayi. Gaurav ki ungliyaan phadki aur peechhe se Rohan ne apna revolver par zor diya.

Rohan : Hilna nahi, Mister Gaurav. You are now officially… under arrest.

Gaurav : Aapko lagta hai iss se kuchh saabit ho gaya, Sir? Ye sab kisi ki chaal hai. Mujhe fasaaya jaa raha hai. Sab mann-gadhant hai. Fabricated. Edited hai sab. Koi bhi ise bana ke-

Rohan ne bandook ki nok ko aur zor se uski peeth par dabaaya.

Rohan : Ab jo kehna, woh police station me kehna, Mister Gaurav. Aapki saari baaton ko wahi suna jaayega.

*Clap* *Clap* *Clap*

Kisi ke taali bajaane ki awaaz waha goonj uthi. Entrance ki orr sabhi ki nigaahein phiri.

Koi andar aa raha tha.

Veer.

Muskuraate hue. Uski nazar Gaurav par tiki hui thi. Antatah, Suhana ne apni roti hui dhundhli aankhon se dekha. Aur, use paaya.

Jiska woh sabse zyada intezar kar rahi thi. Woh akhirkar aa chuka tha. Woh bhoola nahi tha. Aur, abki baar uske aansu bekqaabu hokar behne lage. Veer ki nigaahein pal bhar ke liye Suhana par tiki, uski aankhein narm pad gayi.

Woh wapas Gaurav ki orr muda.

Gaurav (growls) : VEEEERRR!!!

Veer : Tch tch tch!

Veer ne apni jeebh chatkaate hue projector par lage sabooto ko dekha. Phir, Gaurav ki orr. Phir, aas-paas khade logon ki taraf. Aur, phir woh wapas se Gaurav ki orr aaya. Uske nazdeek.

Gaurav (mutters) : Haram khor! Ye sab teri kartoot hai na? Tu bachega nahi! Tu ne galat aadmi se panga le liya Veer. Tu ne galat aadmi ke saath daav khela hai. Mein shantranj ka woh raja hu jo aaj tak nahi haara. Aaj tu bhale hi jeet gaya, lekin ye end nahi hai. Ye bas shuruaat hai.

Veer uske kaan ke qareeb aaya.

Veer : Oh, but you already lost…!

Gaurav (mutters) : Bhosdike, agar ye DGP yaha nahi hota na toh mein-

Veer : Do you know why you lost?

Gaurav : !!?

Veer ne ek jhalak neeche baithi Suhana ko dekha aur phir Gaurav ko.

Veer (whispers) : Because you underestimated your queen!!!

Gaurav : !!!!?
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Aaj ke liye itna hi guys.
This was part 1. Part 2 will finish the consequences of all of this. Socha toh ek part me hi karne ka tha but wo almost impossible hai kyunki itna sab dikhaana padta hai. Past ko maine yaha alag dhang se dikhaaya hai, let me know ye speed up flashback kaisa tha. Update consists of around 10.3k words. Ab mein lengths ghataane waala hu. Maine ye dekh liya hai ki readers ka attention span kitna hai. Toh length ab itni hi rahegi. It will never go to 12k and all. Iss se kam bhi ho sakti hai. 8k is what I have decided ideally. Baaki, target remains the same. Ab tum logo ke upar hai kab poora karte ho. Milenge agle bhaag me.
Dhanyavad.
[/QUOTE
Bahut hi jeevant drishya
Thank you brother
Bus aap se ek request hai
Kuch bhi mat kum kariye
Aap intezar hamesha rahta
Aap apni hi style me bahut achche
Lagte hai aap ki likhni ko Salam

 

[ayush01111]

Update - 212 ~ The Night the masks burned​

Ab tak...

Veer uske kaan ke qareeb aaya.

Veer : Oh, but you already lost…!

Gaurav (mutters) : Bhosdike, agar ye DGP yaha nahi hota na toh mein-

Veer : Do you know why you lost?

Gaurav : !!?

Veer ne ek jhalak neeche baithi Suhana ko dekha aur phir Gaurav ko.

Veer (whispers) : Because you underestimated your queen!!!

Gaurav : !!!!?

Ab aage...

*Clink*

Hall me hathkadi ki awaaz sabhi ko sunaayi di. Gaurav ne koi sangharsh nahi kiya. Maano jaise use iss baat se farq hi nahi pad raha tha ki use arrest kar liya gaya hai.

Par, zaahir taur se uske chehre ke haav-bhaav badle hue the. Jabda kasa hua, maathe par gusse se fadakti hui maanspeshi. Lekin, woh dara nahi. Reedh abhi bhi seedhi. Ahankaar abhi bhi adig. Guroor jo tha use apne aap par.

Jaise hi Rohan aur Trisha uske dono orr khade hue, usne hall me ek baar chaaro orr dekha. Kaise log use ghoor rahe the. Suhana. Sonia. Unke mata-pita. Aur, phir-

Nigaahein Veer ke upar jaa tiki. Bas kuchh kshan ke liye. Dono ke beech ek maun yuddh.

Veer chup-chap waha khada raha, haath abhi bhi jebo me, koi ghamand nahi aur na hi koi muskaan. Bas maun maujoodagi, jo aur bhi adhik bhaari thi.

Rohan ne Gaurav ke haatho ko thaam use moda, le jaane ke liye woh palta. Shailendra, jo ki ye sab hote hue dekh chuka tha, uska mann nahi maan raha tha ki aisa kuchh ho sakta tha.

Ek prakaar se ye uski beizzati thi itne logo ke saamne. Agar, woh kisi tarah DGP ko mana ke ye sab-

Sochte hi woh aage badha. Elite Group koi chhota-mota samooh nahi tha. Ghar me hi ghus ke ghar ke maalik ko iss qadar se hathkadi pehna ke le jaana…

Ye sirf aam vyaktiyo par laagu hota tha. Raees, oonchi pehchaan waalo ke liye nahi. Waha toh paisa khila ke, status dikha ke, wazandaari ke chalte maamla rafa-dafa kar diya jaata tha.

Yahi soch Shailendra apne damaad ko bachaane ke liye bade hi rutbe me aage badha, magar-

Rohan : Wahi theher jaaiye, Sir! Jo kuchh bhi sunwaayi hogi, ab police station me hogi.

Usne ek jhatke me Shailendra ko haath dikhakar wahi rok diya. Shailendra ki bauhe phadki. Ye DGP sirf ek raajya ka hi toh DGP tha. Elite Group ka varchasv toh poore desh me fela hua tha.

Magar, kanoon ke maamle me Rohan sakht tha. Aur, uski sakhti ke charche poore raajya me mashoor the. Isliye, Shailendra ne aage kuchh na kaha. Bas Gaurav ko haath dikhaate hue aashvaashan diya.

Rohan jaane se pehle Veer ki orr muda. Use yaad dila raha tha ki usne ‘Interrogation’ ka vaada kiya tha. Veer ne dheere se apna sarr hilaaya. Ek shaant sweekriti. Aur, ab toh waise bhi use jaana hi tha. Gaurav ke khilaaf usne saboot jo pesh kiye the.

Shailendra ne Veer ko ghoora. Yeh ladka uss raat ICONGLOBE ki deal ke dauraan bhi Kaera ke bagal se baitha tha. Mann me Veer ko lekar usne ek vichaar baithaaya.

Trisha ki nigaahein bhi Veer par thi. Aaj unn nazro me sandeh kam tha, soch-vichaar zyaada. Usne yeh ab pukhta maan liya tha ki Veer hi inn sab ke peechhe tha.

Jab Rohan exit se nikalne ke liye hua toh Erica uske paas ek file lekar aayi.

Erica : Transaction trails, server backups, logs, call reports, chats, images, everything is in hardcopy. *smiles* Aur, ye rahi pendrive, Sir. For more details.

Rohan ne file aur pendrive jab Erica ke haatho se li toh uski aankhein sikudi.

Rohan : Aur, tum kaun-!?

Erica (smiles) : Bas ek hired manager.

Rohan use saath lekar jaana chaahta tha, magar yeh sunane ke baad ki wo bas ek hired person thi, chaahte hue bhi usne iss baat par zor nahi diya. Lekin, Erica ke masked chehre ko woh apne dimaag me baithaana nahi bhoola. Aur, na hi Trisha.

Akhirkar, woh dono Gaurav ko lekar baahar nikle. Mukhya dwar se ve ravaana hue, phir baahar dur se siren ke goonjne ki awaaz ne spasht kar diya ki ve jaa chuke the.

Suhana wahi neeche baithi reh gayi. Kuchh derr pehle hi woh cake kaat rahi thi aur ab-

Itne saalo se woh uske changul me fasi thi. Gaurav ke mijaaz ke anusaar usne khud ko dhaalne ki koshish bhi ki thi. Khud dab-dab kar uske neeche rahi. Yeh yakeen dilaane ke liye ki shaayad ek na ek din sab sahi ho jaayega.

Kintu, aaj usne dekh liya ki sacchaayi toh ekdum hi vipreet thi. Aur, uske bheetar kuchh toot gaya.

Suhana : Aaj tak... Aaj tak mein- *shivers*

Usne fusfusate hue kaha, uski awaaz mushqil se hi bagal me jhuki Ashita ko sunaayi de rahi thi.

Suhana : M-Mujhe kabhi pata hi nahi chala... Ashita... Mein-

Ashita (tenderly) : Suhana...

Uski nazrein Suhana par tiki. Uska therapist dimaag pehle se hi trauma responses, emotional collapse ke patterns ko padhne ke liye jut chuka tha.

Phir, usne Veer ko dekha. Na jaane kab se woh Suhana jaisi split personality waali aurat ko badalne waale ladke se milne ke liye betaab thi. Aaj woh shaks uske saamne tha.

Beshaq. Veer ko dekhte hi usne ek gehri saans li. Use bas yeh jaanana tha ki iss ladke me aisa kya tha ki uski patient ki saansein uska naam lete hi tez ho jaati thi.

Filhaal ke liye charcha na sahi, lekin usne itna jaan liya tha ki Veer kaun tha.

Karan, jo ki wahi khada tha, sab kuchh ghatit hota dekh Veer ke nazdeek aaya. Maathe par shikan. Veer aur uske beech bina bol ke ishaaro me hi baat ho gayi.

Suhana ki maa ne jhukte hue use apne galey se lagaaya.

Toh wahi pita Shailendra ka chehra sharmindagi se laal tha. Woh swabhimaani vyakti jisne apne damaad ki na jaane kitni deenge haaki thi, jis par wo kabhi garv mehsoos karta tha, jisne use aadhe se zyaada vyapaar jagat se milwaaya tha aaj sharminda aur stabdh khada hua tha.

Udhar Sonia bina koi harqat kiye vismay aur bhay me khadi thi. Apni jagah se tass se mass na hui. Pushkar ka naam uske dimaag me ghoom raha tha. Yakeen nahi ho raha tha ki yeh sab-

Planned tha. Chhal se racha gaya tha. Aur, use humesha-humesha ke liye chup kara diya gaya. Itne saalo tak woh apne mann me uski maut ko baar-baar dohraati rahi, aur bas bhaagya ko dosh deti rahi. Lekin, iss ghatna me toh bhaagya ka haath kam, Gaurav ka zyaada tha.

Par, uss se bhi badi baat-

Jiska use darr tha. Jiska use bhay tha ki Gaurav uske liye kahi koi ghinauni soch toh nahi rakhta? Woh sach saabit ho gayi.

Ab jo kuchh bhi hua wo media me saamne tha. Iss se bacha nahi jaa sakta tha. Abhi ke liye Elite Group ki izzat par ek zordaar thokar lagi thi. Uss se ubharne ke liye-

Shailendra seedha khada hua aur mehmaano ki orr mudkar usne haath jode.

Shailendra : I apologise!

Usne tanaav bhari magar dhridh awaaz me kaha.

Shailendra : Aaj ki raat meri beti ke janmdin ke liye jashn manaane ke liye thi. Iske bajaaye… kuchh aisa ho gaya jo nahi hona chaahiye tha. Jis situation me abhi Suhana hai, mein chaahunga ki aap sabhi please move on kariye. Ek baar firse, kshama chaahta hu.

Log bhi samajhdaar the. Ve jaante the ki aisi sthiti me koi kaise hi apna janmdin mana sakta tha? Unhone Shailendra ko aashvaashan diya aur jaate-jaate use saantvna bhi de gaye.

Bheed chhatne lagi. Kuchh asahajta ke kaaran, kuchh darr ke maare, aur kuchh isliye ki ab tamasha khatam ho chuka tha.

Suhana jo iss waqt mehsoos kar rahi thi woh koi bhi nahi samajh sakta tha. Woh apni maa ke sparsh se peechhe hati.

Namrita : Suhana-!

Woh achanak hi khadi hui. Sonia ne iss baar use dekha. Pehle toh Suhana khadi hone ke baad dheere-dheere saiyyam se chali. Har qadam napa-tula, maano uska shareer bina uski ichha ke chal raha ho.

Phir, achanak na jaane kya hua, woh daud padi. Darwaaze ki orr. Baahar driveway ki taraf jaha security waale asmanjas me use dekhte hue alag ho gaye.

Namrita (yells) : Suhanaaaaa-! Ruko!

Peechhe se uski maa ki ruwaasi pukaar sunaayi padi. Uske pita ne bhi use awaaz lagaayi. Sonia ka dil ghabra kar zor se dhadka, usne apna haath utha kar use rokne ki koshish ki, magar muh se shabd hi baahar nahi nikle.

Suhana nahi ruki. Bhaag kar woh apni car tak pahuchi. Kaanpte haatho se usne gaadi unlock ki, andar baithi aur darwaaza zor se band kiya jis se baahar ki awaaz sunaayi na de.

Ek pal ke liye woh bas steering wheel ko kasskar pakde baithi rahi. Phir-

*Rumble*

Engine garja. Aur, usne apni gaadi aage dauda di. Kuchh zyada hi tez. Raat me sadko ke aas-paas khambo par, lampposts par jagah-jagah 26 january ke posters aur jhande lage hue the. Dur kahi aatishbaazi ho rahi thi, swatantrata ke chhote-chhote utsav ho rahe the.

Par, uski azaadi ka kya? Kya use khush hona chaahiye? Ya dukhi? Use samajh nahi aa raha tha.

Woh bina soche-samjhe idhar-udhar mod leti jaa rahi thi. Baaye, daaye, phir daaye. Sheher uski namm aankhon ke saamne dhundhla sa pad gaya. Aasuon ke chalte use theek se traffic bhi nazar nahi aa raha tha. Uska dil-dimaag shaant hone ka naam hi nahi le rahe the.

Pushkar. Hidden cameras. Photographs. Footage. Transactions.

Akhir kitne jhootho ke saath woh har ek din guzaar rahi thi Gaurav ke saath? Uski saansein phool rahi thi. Kayi minute tak disha-heen gaadi chalaane ke baad, usne ek flyover ke paas gaadi ko kinaare roka.

Car band ki. Dur se traffic ka shor use ab sunaayi diya. Uske haath steering wheel se hatey. Aur, kandhe kaanpne lage. Woh aage jhuki aur apne chehre ko usne apni hatheliyo me chhipa liya.

Aur, phir-

*Sniff*

“Haaaaaaaaaaaa!!!”

Woh zor se royi. Dil khol ke. Itne saalo se jo bhadaas andar thi, woh baahar aa gayi. Jo dabey hue emotions the woh baahar umad aaye.

Woh bilakh-bilakh kar royi. Siskiyon aur subakne ki awaaz car me goonj gayi. Woh aise royi ki agar koi sunn le toh uska dil dahal jaaye.

Kyunki, koi use sunane waala nahi tha. Kyunki, woh akeli thi. Aisa use yakeen tha jab peechhe se ek shaant awaaz aayi-

“Aapko pata hai na iss tarah se gaadi chalaana kitna khatarnak hota hai?”

Suhana ka badan kaanp utha. Woh haafte hue tezi se mudi, sihran uske poore jism me fel gayi. Aur, phir usne use dekha.

Veer.

Peechhe ki seat par baitha hua. Ek pal ke liye woh bas dekhti reh gayi, samajh nahi paa rahi thi ki Veer yaha kaise ho sakta tha.

“2 signals miss kiye. Divider se lagbhag gaadi bhid hi gayi thi.”

Usne narmi se kaha. Phir, ek virhaam.

“Aap toh iss tarah se drive nahi karti kabhi. Kis se bhaag rahi thi? Jo pehle hi sab khatam ho chuka hai uss cheez se? Ya phir apne aap se?”

Uske bol zor se Suhana ko lage. Woh daant nahi raha tha. Na hi mazaak uda raha tha. Bas… parvaah ko bade hi seedhepann se pesh kar raha tha. Woh utha, usne darwaaza khola aur car ke baahar utra.

“Haath kaanp rahe hai, phir bhi gaadi chalaani hai? Pata hai na ye kitna risky tha?”

Usne aage aate hue uski driver seat ka darwaaza khola.

“Aage se aisa mat karna. Samajh gayi na?”

Aur, bas-

Suhana ki rulaayi ek baar phir chhooth padi. Jab Veer ne use dheere se haath pakad baahar ko nikaala toh usne koi virodh nahi kiya. Jaise hi uske perr zameen par pade, uski saari taaqat jaise gaayab ho gayi. Woh zor se bilakh ke royi aur seedhe Veer ki baahon me simat gayi. Uski mutthiyon ne Veer ki shirt ko kasskar jakad liya.

“Waaaaaaa-!”

Aur, woh bas roti rahi. Subak-subak ke. Uske galey se lage hue. Kasskar chipke hue. Woh cold, arrogant, rich aur haughty Suhana gaayab ho chuki thi.

Suhana : M-Mein *sobs* Mein jhooth ki duniya me jee rahi thi, Veer! *sniff* H-Har din- *hic* He... He lied to me. *sob* Every day! Sonu ke liye bhi uske mann me- *sniff*

Veer ne apni baahon me use zor se jakad ke rakha. Ek haath uski peeth par mazbooti se tika hua tha. Dusra, uske kandhe ko sahaara de raha tha.

Veer : Shh! You were surviving. And, you did.

Suhana ne apna sirr uske seene par tikaaya.

Suhana : S-Sach mere saamne tha- *sniff* Par, mein hi andhi thi. *sob* M-Mujhe lagta tha mein… mein hi zaroorat se zyaada soch rahi hu. He kept lying to me. Every time. *sob* M-Mujhe yakeen nahi hota ki woh iss tarah ki ghinauni- *hic*

Veer : Shh! It’s alright!

Uska haath dheere-dheere Suhana ke baalo par phira, maano jaise woh koi chhoti bacchi ho. Dekha jaaye toh sahi maayno me aaj Suhana ek chhoti bacchi ke hi samaan thi. Shareerik taur se nahi, lekin uska chanchal mann, dil-dimaag ki sthiti abhi kisi ek dukhi, chot pahuchi baalika ke jaisi hi thi.

Veer : Aapne uss par bharosa karna chaaha jo khud na toh aap par kabhi bharosa kiya aur na hi khud bharose ke laayak bann paaya.

Suhana : …

Veer : Lekin, ye aapki kamzori nahi hai.

Suhana : M-Mujhe nahi pata ki ab mein kaun hu. *sob* Kuchh samajh nahi aa raha. *hic* I hate it, Veer. I hate it.

Veer thoda peechhe hua taaki uske aasuon se bheege chehre ko dekh sake.

Veer : Aap wahi Suhana ho jisne meri madad ki, jisne mere liye goli khaayi, jo apni chhoti behan ke liye har waqt khadi rahi, jisne apne aise pati ka bhi saath diya taaki apne maa-baap ka sarr sharm se na jhuke. Woh Suhana ho aap.

Suhana bas uss se lipti rahi. Kaafi derr tak. Akhirkar, uski saansein sthir hui. Poori tarah se nahi, lekin itna zaroor ki woh bina roye uski chhaati se sirr ko utha sake. Ungliyaan toh ab bhi Veer ki shirt ko jakde hue thi.




Suhana : K-Kaise-!? T-Tum car me- Maine toh tumhe dekha tak nahi.

Veer (smiles) : Jab aap bhaagi thi. Toh, mein bhi aapke peechhe hi tha.

Suhana : !!?

Veer : Jab aap car me andar baithi, tab uss waqt mein bhi peechhe andar baitha tha. Par, tab aap aisi haalat me nahi thi ki inn sab cheezon ko notice kar sako.

Suhana : T-Toh, tum shaant kyun the? K-Kuchh bole kyun nahi?

Veer (smiles) : Aapke mom dad ne aapko awaaz lagaayi thi. Kya aapne suni? Toh uss waqt mere bolne se kya hi farq padta?

Suhana (mutters) : Tumhari baat alag hai…!

Veer : Hmm?

Suhana : K-Kuchh nahi. Mein bas-

Usne apne kaanpte hue haatho ko dekha jo Veer ki shirt ko nichode hue the. Usne dheere se shirt ko chhora. Par, haath hatey nahi. Abhi bhi uske seene par hi tike hue the.

Tabhi, Veer ko kuchh yaad aaya.

Veer : Oh!?

Suhana : Huh?

Veer uss se alag hua, peechhe ki seat ke darwaaze ko usne khola aur ek rectangular sa kuchh baahar nikaala jo rang-birange decorative paper me lipta hua tha. Usne woh tauhfa Suhana ki orr badhaaya.

Veer : Mein lagbhag bhool hi gaya tha.

Suhana (curiously) : K-Kya hai ye?

Veer (smiles) : Khol ke dekh lijiye!

Suhana ki ungliyaan savdhani se lipte hue kaagaz ko kholne ke liye chalne lagi. Usne dheere se use faada aur tauhfe ko khola.

Jaise hi usne kaagaz alag kar ke dekha, uski aankhein hairat me fel gayi.

Veer (smiles) : Happy birthday~

Tauhfe me andar ek framed oil painting thi. Kaafi puraani. Canvas bhi khurdura sa tha.

Kayi dino pehle jab Veer Divya aur Ava ke saath serial killer ki investigation ke liye nikla tha tab Divya ne car me ek baat kahi thi uss se...

Veer : Toh, Divya! Miss Suhana ko kya pasand hai?

Divya : Suhana? Kyu? Tum kyu poochh rahe ho ye?

Veer : Unka birthday next month aa raha hai. Mein iss baar unhe kuchh khaas gift karna chaahta hu. Tum unki closest friend ho. Toh, laga ki tum sabse behtar jaanti hogi.

Divya (curiously) : Hmm? Tum kab se logo ke birthdays ki parvah karne lage, Veer? Mere liye toh kabhi aise gifts nahi laaye.

Veer : Ahem! *smiles* Waise- Rahi baat birthdays ki toh mein aam taur par aisa nahi karta. I'm not a 'celebration' type, you know. Lekin, Miss Suhana... Unhone mere liye bahut kuchh kiya hai. I want her to feel appreciated, that's all!

Divya : Appreciated, huh? What exactly are you planning, Mr. Thoughtful?

Veer (smiles) : Kuchh nahi, seriously. Isliye, toh tumse poochh raha hu. Any ideas?

Divya (thoughtfully) : Suhana ko art pasand hai, Veer. Woh rare paintings ikhatta karti hai — mostly abstract. Aur, woh classical music instruments ki deewani hai, khaas kar live orchestra ki. Lekin... *pauses, looks at him* Tum kuchh bada karne ke baare me soch rahe ho, hai na?

Veer (smiles) : Ho sakta hai!

Idhar Suhana ki dhadkane tez thi.

Painting me ek mahila toofan ke khatam hone ke dauraan apni balcony me kinaare khadi hui bagal se ek jalti laalten ki orr badh rahi thi, aur peechhe akaash baadalo aur bijli se ghira hua tha. Toofan ke jaate hue aas-paas ke kshetro me haani. Neeche sheher ast-vyast, tez hawaaein aur keechad.

Dekha jaaye toh yeh painting Suhana ki vyatha ko bakhoobi darsha rahi thi.

Neeche peetal ki plate par sheershak khud hi likha hua tha : The lantern that survived, Arvind Mirajkar, 1938.

Frame ko chhoote hue Suhana ka haath thar-thara utha.

Suhana (shivers) : N-Nahi! Y-Ye kaise ho sakta hai?

Woh har ek bareeki ko gaur se dekh rahi thi. Kone ke paas varnish me aayi daraare, neeche painter ke signature ka halka sa ghumavdaar nishaan, frame me thodi si khaami, har ek cheez. Suhana ka gala ye dekh ke hi sookh gaya.

Suhana : Y-Ye toh-

Usne fauran hi painting ko palat kar kuchh jaanch ki. Ek seal. Original collector ki ek stamp. Kayi varsho ki puraani lakdi.

Yeh asli thi.

Yeh wahi painting thi.

Saalo pehle, Delhi ki ek painting auction me usne iss painting ko dekha tha. Dekhte hi usne mann bana liya tha ki woh ye painting leke hi rahegi. Isliye, nahi ki ye painting kaafi durlabh thi, puraani thi. Balki, toofan me tiki laalten aur aurat ki wajah se-

Jo bhaari vipda ke baad bhi, apne khud ke liye khadi hui thi aur traasdi se ladkar bhi jeevit thi. Sahi salamat thi.

Parantu, uss painting ko paana lagbhag asambhav tha. Kyunki, woh painting-

Kaera ke paas thi.

Usne pehle hi uski bidding laga ke use khareed liya tha. Mehnge daam par. Baad me, Suhana uss se akele me mili. Khareedi hui keemat se doguni keemat dene taiyaar thi woh. Aur, Kaera apna bhaav-heen chehra liye uss se bas itna hi boli ki-




"It's mine now, Suhana. And... It's not for sale."

Suhana ne Veer ko dekha.

Suhana : Ye... K-Kaise? Ye Kaera ke paas thi. Mujhe yaad hai. Tumhare paas kaise-?

Veer (smiles) : Haan. Maine unse maang li.

Suhana (shocked) : M-Maang li?

Veer : Haan! Maine request ki. Aur, unhone de di.

Veer ka jawab hadd se zyada hi seedha-saada tha. Aur, isliye Suhana ko uss par yakeen nahi hua.

Kaera cheezein yuhi nahi deti thi. Paiso ke liye bhi nahi. Ehsaan ke liye bhi nahi.

Suhana ke dimaag me woh pal phirse aaya. ICONGLOBE deal ke baad uss raat Kaera ka Veer ko kiss karna. Uski bauhe fadki.

Woh bewakoof nahi thi. Kisi bhi tarah ki 'request' Kaera ko ye painting dene ke liye raazi nahi kar sakti thi.

Jab tak ki badle me use kuchh aur na diya jaaye. Koi utni hi ya uss se zyada moolya ki vastu.

Kuchh aisa jo Kaera ko chahiye ho. Usne Veer ko phirse dekha.

Suhana (mutters) : T-Tumne sirf poochha hi nahi... Tumne-

Veer ne koi jawaab nahi diya. Uski chuppi ne sab kuchh pukhta kar diya tha. Suhana ki chhaati dard se jakad gayi.

Suhana : You promised her something, didn't you???

Uski awaaz kaanp gayi. Woh aarop nahi laga rahi thi, lekin awaaz me dard saaf jhalak raha tha.

Suhana : Iske liye!??

Usne painting aage karte hue poochha.

Veer : Ab ye aapki hai. It's my gift. For you.

Veer ne uski aankhon me dekhte hue kaha. Uska mann kuchh derr pehle ki mulaqaat ki orr kaundh gaya.

---

Din ke dauran uski car ruki, woh Kaera ke ghar pahuch chuka tha. Jassi aur Raghu use dekhte hi aage badhe. Aam taur par wo dono use rokte aur poochhte, magar unhone bas sirr hila diya.

Bas ek mamooli sa security check aur unn dono ne hi use andar jaane de diya. Koi sawaal nahi. Koi baat nahi.

Veer ne andar ghar me pravesh kiya. Saubhagyavash aaj Kishore ghar par nahi tha. Usne mushqil se abhi teen-chaar qadam hi badhaaye the ki Julia hall me prakat hui. Veer ko dekhte hi uski aankhein chaudi ho gayi.

Julia : Oh? *smiles* Young Master Veer.

Veer : It’s just Veer.

Julia : Please, allow me to call you ‘Young Master.’ In this house, names carry weight. *smiles*

Uski awaaz me kuchh chanchalta thi, kuchh sharaarat.

Julia : Aisa aksar nahi hota ki mujhe aapko dekhne ka mauka mile. Aap yaha Young Miss ke liye aaye ho na? Follow me please.

Veer : Hindi huh!? Nice. Tumhe kaise pata chala ki mein Miss Kaera se-

Julia (smiles) : Isme pata karne ki zaroorat nahi hai, young master. It was obvious.

Woh aage badhi. Veer uske peechhe-peechhe aaya. Lift ke andar dono daakhil hue. Aur, lift upar ki orr jaane lagi.

Julia : You look serious today. Business or heart?

Veer : Huh? Does it matter?

Julia : To me? No. For her? *smiles* Always.

Veer ne koi jawaab nahi diya. Julia darasal use pasand karti thi. Romantically nahi. Bas apni miss ke liye. Woh jaanti thi ki uski miss ke liye Veer kitna maayne rakhta hai. Aur, kyun Veer baaki mardo se alag tha.

[She likes you.]

'Huh? Oh come on, Pari. Har koi mujhse-'

*Ding*

[Julia's favorability : 68]

[See?]

'Kya? 68 hi hai. Nothing much.'

[It's more than enough. Itna bataane ke liye kaafi hai ki wo aapko pasand toh zaroor karti hai, Master. Of course, not in a romantic way. But she likes you.]

Pari aur uske beech ye sanvaad kuchh aur chal paata ki itne me-

*Ting*

Lift ruki. Julia bina kisi jhijhak ke corridor se guzri. Kaera ke kamre se hote hue woh uske bedroom ke baahar aa kar khadi hui.

Usne ek baar darwaaza khat-khataaya aur phir dobaara me bina anumati liye hi usne darwaaze ko dhakel kar khol diya. Woh aur Veer andar aaye aur andar qadam rakhte hi Veer maano saans lena hi bhool gaya.




Kaera apne bistar par paalthi maare baithi hui thi, jism par bas ek dheeli-dhaali safed striped shirt thi. Perr aur jaangh poori tarah se nagn.

Usne apne haatho me pakdi ek kitaab se nazrein upar uthaayi. Jab usne Veer ko dekha toh chehre par halki si muskaan apne aap aa gayi.

Kaera : Oh?

Usne apni kitaab ko takiye ke neeche sarkaaya.

Uski nigaahein Julia par tiki.

Kaera : Tumhe pata hai na ki mere bedroom me aane ki permission kisi ko bhi nahi hai? Father ko bhi nahi. Even Karan.

Julia (smiles) : Jaanti hu, miss. But I also know that today you might make an exception.

Kehte hue usne Veer ki orr dekha, phir wapas se Kaera ki taraf.

Kaera (smiles) : I hate that you’re right about that part.

Julia muskuraayi aur jhukte hue abhivaadan ki.

Julia : I will leave you two alone then.

Jaate-jaate woh darwaaze par ruki, uski nigaahein ek pal ke liye Veer se phirse mili. Aankhon me ek ajeeb tarah ki chamak thi. Phir, woh darwaza band karke baahar nikal gayi. Aur, kamre me sannaata chhaa gaya.

Kaera ne thoda sa hilte hue apne perr modey.

Kaera : Mujhe nahi pata tha ki tum surprises dena bhi enjoy karte ho, Veer. So? What brings you here?

Kehte hue usne aalas me saamne ki chair ki orr ishaara kiya.

Kaera : Have a seat.

Veer baitha. Usne Kaera ko dekha. Kuchh toh gadbad thi. ICONGLOBE ki deal ki uss raat Kaera ne bina kisi jhijhak ke use kiss kiya tha. Uss par apna adhikaar jataaya tha.

Aur ab? Woh ekdum shaant thi. Beparwah si. Maano woh raat bas ek bhooli-bisri yaad bann chuki ho.

[Don’t worry. Aisa kuchh nahi hai, Master.]

‘Tumne mere mann ko padha?’

[Nahi. Bas jaan gayi ki aap kya soch rahe hoge.]

*Ding*

[Kaera’s favorability : 99]

Favorability badhi hui thi. Phir, Kaera bhala iss tarah se kyun pesh aa rahi thi? Yeh uske aam vyaktitva se alag tha. Veer ne iss baare me sochna band kiya aur usne apne phone par nazar daali. Divya ka ek message screen par dikhaayi de raha tha.

“Agar tum Suhana ko waqai ek achha gift dena chaahte ho toh Arvind Mirajkar ki ‘The lantern that survived’ painting use de sakte ho. Agar, tum use arrange karwa sakte ho toh… Kyunki, jaha tak mujhe yaad hai, woh Kaera ke paas hai. Suhana ke paas Arvind ke kaafi famous works hai, lagbhag sabhi siwaaye uss ek ke…”

Veer ne screen band ki aur seedha mudde pe aaya.

Veer : Kya aapke paas-

Kaera (smiles) : Aapke?

Veer (smiles) : I mean- Kya tumhare paas ‘The lantern that survived’ painting hai?

Sunte hi Kaera ke kaan khade hue aur uske haav-bhaav turant hi badal gaye. Woh seedhi ho kar baithi aur muskuraayi.

Kaera : Ah! *smirks* Toh tum Suhana ko gift dene ka plan kar rahe ho.

Veer maun raha. Use jawaab dene ki zaroorat bhi nahi thi. Uski khamoshi hi pushti thi. Kaera ne ek gehri saans li.

Kaera : Tumhe kisne bataaya ki woh painting mere paas hai?

Veer : Divya.

Kaera : I see!

Usne ek haami bhari.

Kaera (grins) : Of course. Wo dono best friends hai. Sab share karti hai. No wonder.

Usne phir paini nazron se Veer ko ghoora.

Kaera : Everything has a price, Veer.

Veer (nods) : Aur, mein pay karne ke liye taiyaar hu.

Kaera ki muskaan aur chaudi ho gayi jaise maano Veer uske saamne koi mazaak kar raha ho.

Kaera : Hundred thousand billion dollars. Can you pay it?

Veer (shocked) : Mein-

Kaera : See? *smiles* Agar, mujhe paise hi chaahiye hote, toh mein use khareedti hi kyun, Veer?

Woh dheere se khadi hui.




Kaera : Come.

Veer uske peechhe-peechhe bedroom se baahar nikla, uske main room se hote hue ek gallery waale room me pahucha jaha chuninda kalakritiyaan pradarshit ho rakhi thi. Kaera ek khaas canvas ke saamne ruki. Woh painting-

The lantern that survived.

Kaera ne uss painting ko showcase par se nikaala aur uski ungliyaan frame par phir gayi.

Kaera : Kya de sakte ho Veer… Iske badle me…?

Usne bina uski orr dekhe poochha. Veer chup raha. Kaera ne painting ko uski orr kar use dikhaaya.

Kaera : You see this woman? Toofan ke baad lantern ki taraf jo haath badha rahi hai?

Veer : ..!?

Kaera : Iss ladki me mein khud apne aap ko dekhti hu. Aur, pata hai iss lantern me kisko dekhti hu?

Kehte hue uski nigaahein Veer par phiri, unn nazron me kuchh ankaha chhipa hua tha. Veer ke honth halke se khule-

Veer : I-

Kaera : Anyways… I don’t need money. I have plenty of it. What I want is… A promise.

Veer : Promise? K-Kaisa promise?

Kaera : I don’t know. Par, jab time aayega, tab tumhe mere liye kuchh karna hoga. Jo mein maangungi woh.

Veer ne turant uttar nahi diya.

Veer : What is it that you want?

Kaera (smiles) : I don’t know yet.

*Silence*

Kaera : I will ask when the time comes.

Yahi sabse khatarnak pehlu tha. Ek undefined debt. Veer ne uss par vichaar kiya. Par, akhir Kaera uss se kya hi maangengi bhavishya me? Akhir uske paas toh sab kuchh tha jo insaan aam taur par paane ki chaah rakhta hai.

Suhana ka chehra ek kshan ke liye uske mann me mandraaya. Woh khamosh gham jo kabhi Suhana ne zaahir nahi kiya tha. Veer ne akhirkar sarr hilaaya.

Veer : I accept it. Jab samay aayega, tum jo kahogi, mein woh karunga.

Kaera ne kuchh pal tak use nihaara. Phir, usne woh painting use thama di.

Kaera : Take it. It’s yours now.

Veer ne saavdhani se uss painting ko apne haatho me liya. Aur, ab Kaera ke chehre par aisa bhaav tha jise samajhna lagbhag asambhav tha. Na hi kisi jeet ka aur na hi kisi haar ka.

Veer : Miss Suhana ne aapko invite nahi kiya?

Invited toh Veer khud bhi nahi tha par woh jaanta tha ki Suhana ne use kyun invite nahi kiya tha. Kaaran tha - Gaurav.

Kaera : Iss painting ko woh na jaane kitne saalo tak mujhse maangti rahi aur maine use ye aaj tak nahi di. Kya tumhe lagta hai woh mujhe invite karegi?

Veer : I see. So… aapas me koi berr nahi. Hai na?

Kaera : No. We’re on neutral terms. Woh mujhe zyada pasand nahi karti. Aur, mein use blame nahi karti.

Kehte hue usne neeche ki floor ki taraf ishaara kiya.

Kaera : But my little brother received an invitation, though. See? Kaise Suhana mujhe taunt karti hai!? Woh aise ready ho raha hai jaise uski girlfriend ne date par bulaaya ho.

Veer muskuraaya.

Veer : Thank you! It means a lot.

Kehte hue woh baahar nikalne ki orr chal pada. Tabhi, peechhe se use Kaera ki awaaz sunaayi di.

Kaera : Remember what you promised, Veer. Now you owe me twice.

Woh muskuraayi. Usne ICONGLOBE ki raat waali baat bhi use yaad dilaayi ki kaise Veer ab uska karzdaar tha. Ek baar nahi. Do baar.

Veer ruka. Aur, bina mudey hi bola.

Veer : I will.

Aur, phir woh baahar nikal gaya. Kaera wapas se apne bedroom me lauti, takiye ke neeche se usne apni wahi kitaab baahar nikaali jiska sheershak tha-

The Art of Loving without Losing.

Aur, usme pehle hi chapter ki seekh thi - Never show full interest. Let them come toward you.

‘Ugh! This is hard. I cannot do this.’

Usne pehle page ko faad ke dustbin me fek diya. Aur, woh dusre chapter par kood gayi.

---

Suhana ki aankhon me phirse aasu bhar aaye. Iss baar kisi aur dard ke chalte. Usne painting ko car ke andar rakha aur phir woh aage badhi aur usne Veer ko kasskar jakad liya. Kuchh zyaada hi zor se.

Usi waqt ek cab unse kuchh doorie par aakar ruki aur andar se ek aurat baahar nikli ~ Divya.




Veer ne use location apni pehle hi bhej di thi. Jaise hi woh unki taraf aage badhi, uske qadam saamne ke drishya ko dekh wahi jamm gaye.

Suhana ne Veer ke sarr ko neeche kheencha aur iss baar bina kisi sharm ke-




Usne Veer ke hontho ko apne muh me bhar liya.

*Kiss*

Uski aankhein band thi. Uske haath kass ke Veer ke baalo ko jakde hue the. Seena uski chhaati me dhasa hua tha. Aur, bina aate-jaate traffic ki parvaah kiye, woh Veer ke hontho ko choosne lagi. Ek baar. Do baar. Baar-baar. Bina ruke. Maano jaise ye jeevan ka antim lamha tha.

[See? I told you Suhana loves you.]

Pari ki awaaz uske mann me goonji. Magar, Veer ka dhyaan iss waqt Suhana par tha. Dono alag hue. Suhana ne use dekha. Veer ki aankhon me aashcharya tha.

Veer : Suhana…!?

Suhana : Shhhh-! Bas mere sawaalo ka jawaab do.

Veer : ???

Suhana : K-Kyun? Mere liye itna sab kyun?

Veer : Kyunki… Kyunki, aapko woh painting kayi saalo se chaahiye thi.

Suhana : Chaahiye toh mujhe aur bhi bahut kuchh hai. Doge mujhe?

Usne Veer ke hontho ko dekh bola.

*badumps*

Aur, iss baar Veer ki dhadkane tez ho gayi.

Veer : Su-

Bolne se pehle hi ek baar phir Suhana ne uske hontho par vaar kar diya. Uski saans phool rahi thi par uske bawajood woh Veer ko choomne se peechhe nahi hatna chaahti thi.

Aaj use samajh aa raha tha ki uss raat Kaera ko kaisa mehsoos hua hoga. Kahi na kahi use gussa aa raha tha ki Kaera ne ye ehsaas uss se pehle paa liya. Aur, woh wahi ki wahi bas khadi hoti dekhti rahi. Uss yaad ko woh aaj mitaana chaahti thi.

Jab dono alag hue toh dono ki hi saansein tez thi.

Suhana : Y-Ye sab tumhara plan tha na? *huff*

Veer (nods) : H-Haan! Sorry, meri wajah se aapka birthday-

Suhana : Nahi! It’s the best birthday gift I have ever got. Tumne mujhe azaad kiya hai. *glances* Aur, ye pal mein kabhi bhi nahi bhoolungi, Veer. Thank you~

“Tum dono ka ho gaya ho toh koi mujhe notice karega ab?”

Divya ki awaaz unke kaano me padi. Suhana ne jaisi hi use paaya, uske gaal sharm se laal ho gaye aur woh jhatse Veer se alag ho gayi.

Suhana : Divya? Tum yaha?

Divya : Haan mein yaha-

Suhana : T-Tum y-yaha kaise-!?

Divya : Veer ki location mere phone me update ho rahi thi. *walks forward* Happy birthday jaaneman!

Aur, usne kass ke Suhana ko apni baahon me bhar liya.

Suhana : Divya-!

Divya : Shh! I know kya hua hai. Veer ne mujhe sab pehle hi bata diya tha ki kya hone waala hai.

Suhana : Matlab tumhe pata tha?

Divya (nods) : Hmm! Happy birthday darling~ You deserved it. You deserve this happiness. This freedom. Every good thing in this world.

Veer : Ladies! Ab samay aa gaya hai mein niklu-

Suhana : Kyaaaa? N-Nahi!

Usne Veer ka haath kasskar thaama.

Suhana : You are not going anywhere. P-Please~ I beg you! Kahi mat jao. I want you to be with me. Tum dono… meri life me sabse important ho. *sob* Please~ Aaj mein bahut khush hu. I want to spend the rest of the night with you two. Please~

Veer ne uske gaalo ko apne haatho me liya aur uske chehre ki orr halka sa jhuka.

Veer : I know! Lekin… aapke husband ke khilaaf wo sab saboot jo maine pesh kiye. Uske liye… Mujhe police station jaana hi hoga. DGP se milna hoga. You know it too ki ye kitna serious matter hai, right? Mein aapse milne phirse aaunga baad me. Don’t worry.

Suhana : P-Par-

Veer ne uske maathe ko haule se chooma. Suhana ka badan kaanp gaya.

Veer : Maine kaha hai na ki mein aaunga. Now… Go. Aap apni best friend se itne time baad mil rahi ho. Aur, aap poochhna nahi chaahti Divya se ki woh itne din Mumbai me rahi toh mili kyu nahi aapse? *smiles* Spend some time with her.

Suhana : I-

Veer ne iss baar uski thuddi ko pakad uska chehra upar uthaaya aur Divya ke saamne hi-

*Kiss*

Uske hontho ko ek baar phirse choom liya. Suhana ka dil gadgad ho chuka tha. Woh kuchh derr pehle ka gham bhool chuki thi kyunki uske sabse pasandeeda vyakti uske paas the.

Suhana : P-Promise?

Veer : Haan promise.

Suhana : Aur, Kaera ko tumne kya diya badle me?

Veer : Kuchh bhi nahi.

Suhana : Jhooth mat bolo, mein jaanti hu ki woh yuhi tumhe painting nahi de sakti chaahe tum uske kitne hi achhe dost hi kyun na ho.

Veer : Bas ek vaada. Jiske baare me unhone nahi bataaya. Samay aane par woh mujhse kuchh maangengi.

Suhana ki bauhe kisi chinta me sikudi.

Veer : Ab mujhe jaana hoga. Enjoy your night now, okay? Leave the rest to me.

Kehte hue woh muda aur Divya ke bagal se jaane ke liye hue toh Divya ne uska haath pakad use rok liya. Uski peeth abhi bhi Veer ki taraf hi thi. Lekin, haath peechhe ki orr uski kalaayi ko thaame hue tha.

Divya (mutters) : Thank you.

Veer : Don’t mention it.

Divya : Nahi. Like, really… Thank you. Thank you so much. Tumhari wajah se hi aaj mein aur Suhana-

Veer (smiles) : Thank me some other time then. I need to go now.

Divya : Huh? Oh! *blushes* As you wish… *smiles*

Aur, Veer dono sakhiyo ko aapas me chhor waha se nikal gaya.

***

Raat abhi poori tarah se chhat bhi nahi paayi thi aur Mumbai me Gaurav ke bangley me mache hungaame se abhi tak log uss ghatna se prabhavit the.

Jab Suhana ghar se bhaagi thi, theek uske kuchh kshan pehle hi koi aur bhi waha se jaldbaazi me nikla tha. Uss waqt-

Ek black sedan car tez raftaar me bhaagte hue driveway se nikli, uske tyres ki cheenkh sadak par goonj uthi. Car ke andar Nik ke haath kaanp rahe the. Usne steering wheel ko kasskar jakad rakha tha. Jaise hi usne car ko sadak par moda, aur estate se dur tezi se bhagaaya, uske maathe par gusse se nassein ubhar aayi.

“Shit… shit… shit…”

Saansein tez thi. Kuchh hi palon me sab kuchh bikhar gaya tha. Projector. Gaurav ki sacchaayi ka saamne aana. Police ka aana. Woh files. Kisi ne sab kuchh plan kar rakha tha.

Aur, Nik ko iska matlab achhi tarah pata tha. Uss haramkhor Veer ko sab kuchh gyaat tha. Uski car sadak par tezi se bhaagti gayi. Lekin, tabhi kareeban uske 100 metre peechhe hi-

Ek aur car andhere se baahar nikli. Phir, ek aur. Aur, phir ek aur. Teen kaali gaadiyaan raat me sadak par aise utri jaise shikaari shikaar ke liye utarte hai.

Pehli SUV ke andar ek aadmi, driver seat ke bagal waali seat par jhuka hua tha aur windshield se baahar jhaak raha tha.

Surya. Wahi Sarabhai gang member ka ek mehatvpoorn member. Wahi gang jisko Aadesh ne hire kiya tha Veer ki hekdi nikaalne ke liye lekin, baad me Balhaar ke saamne use hi muh ki khaani padi thi. Uss din ke baad se hi Sarabhai aur uski gang Balhaar ke saamne natmastak ho gaye the.

Surya (smirks) : Kya hi kehne boss ke-!

Usne car ke baahar darwaaze ko haath se do baar thap-thapaaya aur driver ki orr jhuka.

Surya : Woh raha angrez ka choda, kameena. Tez chala bey!

Driver : K-Kaha? K-Kaun sa kameena, Surya bhai?

Surya : Wahi videshi chooha jiske baare me kal Veer boss ne bataaya tha.

Driver : P-Pakka wahi hai na? Koi aur nikla toh-?

Surya ne apna mobile nikaalte hue tasveerein check ki.

Surya : Wahi car number. Car ka wahi color. Sab same hai. Tu nahi tha na kal adde pe? Tujhe nahi pata. Bhaga! Bhaga! Aage le!

Driver (nods) : H-Haan, bhai!

SUV ka engine zor se garja.

Surya : Aur, tez!!!

Car tezi se aage badhi aur unke peechhe unke saath ki do cars bina kisi nirdesh ke hi unka peechha karne lagi. Chase shuru ho chuki thi.

---

Pichhli raat…

Docks se lage ek warehouse me, bade se hall me log samooh me khade the. Kuchh cigarette pee rahe the, kuchh bakso par tike hue the, kuchh aapas me fusfusa rahe the aur kuchh naye-naye aaye maal ko rakhwa rahe the.

Ye aam aadmi nahi the. Ye wo log the jo logo ko gaayab karne me maahir the. Sarabhai ek jagah khade kisi se baat-cheet kar raha tha. Surya uske bagal me khade tambakhu khaa raha tha aur beecho-beech Balhaar baitha hua tha. Lekin, aaj raat-

Balhaar kamre ka mukhiya nahi tha. Warehouse ke farsh par kisi ke aane ki aahat goonji. Koi andar aaya. Haath jebo me. Pehnaawa ekdum mehnga. Saaf-suthra. Aur, hontho par halki si muskaan.

Veer hall me aise daakhil hua jaise maano woh uss warehouse ka maalik ho. Baat-cheet tham gayi. Sarabhai turant hi seedha khada ho gaya. Surya ne apne tambakhu ko jeb me rakh liya. Aur, Balhaar bhi swayam khada ho gaya.

Veer unse kuchh hi doorie par ruka. Uski nigaahein waha jamey hue logo par dheere-dheere ghoomi. Phir, usne Balhaar ki orr dekha.

Veer : Kal raat ek ‘Nik’ naam ka ek videshi aadmi Globerays ke CEO, Gaurav ke ghar se faraar hoyega.

Sab ne use hairaani bhari aankhein liye dekha. Kaun Nik? Bhaagega? Kaha? Veer ne aage kehna jaari rakha.

Veer : Ek middle aged aadmi hai. Dikhne me thoda sa hatta-katta hai. Theek-thaak height hai. Kal woh waha se bhaagega. Ek black SUV me.

Samooh ke ek naye sadasya, jise Veer ke baare me kuchh bhi nahi pata tha, usne apni bauhe chadhaayi aur bola.

Ladka : Toh, hum kya kare? Tum kaun ho? Aur, humaara uss se kya lena-dena?

Warehouse me sannaata chhaa gaya. Sarabhai ne uss ladke ko dekha. Iske pehle ki woh moorkh kuchh aur keh paata-

*Chataak*

Surya aage badha aur use itni zor se thappad maara ki uski awaaz poore hall me goonj uthi. Woh ladka sadme me apna gaal pakadte hue peechhe ki orr ladkhada gaya.

Surya (yells) : Bhosdike, jab bolne ko kaha jaaye tabhi apna muh khola kar, samjha na?

Woh zor se gurraaya, uski aankhein gusse se laal thi. Usne uss ladke ki collor pakdi aur use peechhe dhakela.

Surya : Aur, agar Veer boss ne kaha hai ki aisa hoga… toh waisa hi hoga. Samajh gaya lawde???

Ladka (shivers) : J-Ji bhai! Sorry!

Kamra ekdum shaant ho gaya. Veer ne uss orr dekha bhi nahi. Woh bas bolta raha.

Veer : Jaise hi woh bhaagega, tum uska peechha karoge.

Balhaar aage badha.

Balhaar : Pakadna hai?

Veer : Haan!

Balhaar : Pakad ke kya karna hai?

Veer : Kuchh nahi. Bas pakadna hai. Zinda.

Balhaar (nods) : Ho jaayega.

Usne apne ladko par ek nazar daali. Surya aur kuchh aur ladko ki taraf.

Balhaar : Ladke log sambhaal lenge.

Veer ne apna phone uski orr feka toh Balhaar ne use pakad liya.

Veer : Uski pictures aur car ki details hai. Apne phone me leke ladko ko bhej do. Koi galti na hone paaye.

Balhaar ne haami bhar theek waisa hi kiya, phir uska chehra thoda narm pad gaya.

Balhaar : Shukriya.

Veer : Hmm?

Balhaar : Police ko vyast rakhne ke liye. Har jagah bhaag-daud me lagi hai wo. Prestige ka lafda. Serial killer ki khoj. Underground lair ki jaanch. Humaara woh Aadesh jaisinghani ke private suite me video bana ke viral karne ka idea. Sheher ke aadhe adhikari kaagazi kaaryavahi aur chhaapo ke bojh taley dabe hue hai.

Veer (grins) : Oh!?

Balhaar : Iss se mujhe kaafi samay mila hai. Warna, underground hue bahut waqt ho raha tha.

Veer jaanta tha ki uski wajah se Balhaar ko yeh sunehra avsar mila tha. Aage badhne ka samay. Phirse, nirmaan karne ka samay. Vikaas karne ka samay. Taaqat badhaane ka samay.

Balhaar : Mere liye maidaan kaafi saaf ho gaya. Iss se kaafi madad mili hai.

Veer (smiles) : Bas Nik ko pakad lena.

Usne iss baat par charcha nahi ki. Woh muda aur darwaaze ke paas ruka.

Veer : Use bhaagne mat dena.

Aur, bas itna bol woh waha se nikal gaya.

---

Nik ki sedan itni tezi se mod se guzri ki lagbhag bhidte-bhidte bach hi gayi. Uski saansein ab ladkhadaayi hui thi. Usne sheeshe me peechhe ka drishya dekha. Pehle toh kuchh nahi tha. Bas khaali sadak. Phir, do second ke baad hi-

Ek jodi headlights dikhaayi padi. Phir, ek aur. Aur, phir ek aur. Nik ki aankhein chaudi ho gayi.

“What the hell…?”

Raushni aur qareeb aane lagi. Behad qareeb. Uska dil zoro se dhadka.

“Shit!”

Usne accelerator par perr dabaaya. Engine zor se dahaada. Sedan kisi rocket ki tarah tezi se aage bhaagi. Aur, uske theek peechhe Surya, apni seat par aage ki orr jhuk gaya.

Surya : Wo raha madarchod! Pakad behanchod ko!

Usne dashboard par zor se haath maara.

Surya : Bhaga bhosdike!! Bhaga! Saala bach ke jaane na paaye.

Driver : Ji bhai! Nahi bhaag paayega!

SUV tez raftaar se aage badhi. Baaki gaadiyaan bhi unke peechhe kataar lagaaye bhaagti gayi. Ek gaadi daahine lane me ghus gayi toh wahi dusri baayi taraf waali lane me, Nik ko pakadne ke liye.

Nik ne sheeshe me dekha. Teen gaadiyon me se ab ek hi gaadi bachi thi. Lekin, woh jaanta tha ki baaki do kisi aur route se uss tak aane ki koshish kar rahi hongi. Uska gala sookh gaya.

“Fuck! Who the hell are these people?”

Uska dimaag har jagah daud raha tha. Tabhi, achanak usne apna phone uthaaya aur Gaurav ko call bhidaaya. Iss aas me ki usne ab tak matter sambhaal liya hoga. Ghanti baji, magar-

---

Idhar police station me Gaurav ko hathkadiyo me baandhe galiyaare me ghaseeta jaa raha tha. Gusse se uska poora chehra laal tha.

Gaurav : DGP!! Tumhe maalum nahi hai tum kise chhu rahe ho. Tumhe lagta hai ye khel yahi khatam ho jaayega?

Ek adhikari ne use aage dhakela. “Aage badho!”

Gaurav : Mein tumhara woh hashr karunga ki tum mere paas aake gidgidaoge, DGP! Yaad rakhna! Tum sab ke sab!

Rohan paas khada chup-chap sab dekhta raha, jab tak ki Gaurav ko andar jail me nahi daal diya gaya. Ab aage ki baat tabhi honi thi jab uski koi bail karwaane aaye. Tab tak ke liye, Gaurav ek gunehgaar hi tha.

Rohan : Iss file me jitne bhi saboot hai unhe cross check karo. Sab authentic hai ya nahi. Pendrive ke data ki ek report bana kar mujhe pesh karo. Sab cross check karo. Samajh gaye? Koi bhi maayi ka laal inn raeeso ko begunaah saabit karwaane ke liye aayega, toh unhe mein khud dekhunga.

Adhikari : Ji sir!

Tabhi, Rohan ki jeb me Gaurav ka phone baj utha jo usne zabt kiya tha. Usne screen par nazar daali.

Caller ID : Nik

Uski bauhe kass uthi. ‘Iska matlab Veer sahi tha…!’

Usne Gaurav ka bajta phone turant hi ek officer ki orr pheka.

Rohan : Call uthao. Trace karo iski location. Aur, ek unit taiyaar rakho turant bhejne ke liye.

Officer : Ji sir!

Rohan ne aadesh dete hue kaha. Uske peechhe Gaurav lagataar gaaliyaan bak raha tha.

Gaurav (yells) : Tum sab gaye kaam se behanchodo! Baahar bas nikalne do mujhe. Baahar nikalte hi mein tum sabko dafna dunga.

Rohan (smiles) : Jitna ganda bol sakte ho bolo, Mister Gaurav. Ye humaare liye aur bhi beneficial hai. Agar, kisi tarah tum riha ho bhi gaye, toh ek DGP ke saath badtameezi karne ke jurm me tumhe phir se andar toh daal sakta hu.

Gaurav (smirks) : Hmph! I’m drunk, DGP Sir. You know… nashe me bole gaye shabdo ko seriously maan ke saza nahi suna sakte.

Rohan : Dekha jaayega, Mister Gaurav. Dekha jaayega.

Tabhi, koi waha par aaya. Veer police station ki entrance par khada hua tha, haath jebo me, Suhana ki party me pehne gaye wahi kapde uske badan par the.

Trisha ne use sabse pehle dekha. Phir, Rohan ne. Aur, phir dono Rohan Trisha ne ek-dusre ko dekha.

Rohan : Toh, akhirkar aa hi gaye tum.

Veer (smiles) : Kisi ko interrogation jo chaahiye tha.

Rohan ne paas ek cabin ki orr ishaara kiya.

Rohan : Andar!

Kuchh minute baad, darwaaza band hua. Rohan Veer ke saamne mej ke dusri orr baitha hua tha. Trisha recording device taiyaar kar ke deewar ke paas khadi hui thi. Veer baitha aur apni kursi par thoda peechhe jhuk gaya. Araam se. Rohan ne use dhyaan se dekha.

Rohan : Toh… Aaj raat. Ye sab tumhara kiya dhara tha, hai na?

Veer (bluntly) : Bilkul!

Rohan ki bauhe tann gayi.

Rohan : Kaise?

Veer : Mere paas mere jasoos hai.

Rohan (leans forward) : Kaun?

Veer (smiles) : Ek jasoos jasoos hota hai, Sir. Hai na?

Rohan ne dheere se saans chhori. Ek pal ke liye kuchh derr pehle ka Erica ka naqaab-posh chehra uske mann me aaya.

Rohan : Theek hai! Mat batao. Toh, aaj ke iss khel se kya samjhu mein Veer? Kya yahi ki tumhe apraadhiyo ko be-naqaab karne me maza aata hai?

Veer : Aapko toh meri uplabdhi se khush hona chaahiye na? Hai ki nahi?

Rohan : Haan! *pauses* Aur, na. Tumne ek criminal ko expose kiya hai. Achhi baat hai. Lekin, tumne logo ki privacy ko invade bhi kiya hai, data hack kiya, security ko breach kiya aur illegally ye sab praapt kiya. *frowns* Ye apne aap me ek crime hai.

Veer : …

Rohan : Tumne kanoon ko apne haath me liya hai.

Veer (leans forward) : Aur, agar nahi leta toh?

Rohan : …

Veer (mutters) : Aap sab ko ghanta koi khabar lagni thi ki Gaurav peeth peechhe kya kuchh kar raha tha.

Baat sach thi. Rohan ne koi jawaab nahi diya. Veer punah peechhe jhuk gaya.

Veer : Jis asal mudde ke liye aapne mujhe yaha bulaaya hai. Kyun na hum uss par aaye ab?

Rohan : Tum underground lair ke andar the?

Veer : Haan.

Rohan : Kya dekha tumne udhar?

Veer : Serial killer ko.

Recording karte hue Trisha ka haath ek pal ke liye ruk gaya. Rohan ki nazrein paini hui.

Rohan : Meri beti ne bataaya ki tumne uss killer ke saath haathapaayi bhi ki thi. Kya ye sach hai?

Veer (chuckles) : Haan. Yeh sach hai.

Rohan : Aur, tum sahi-salaamat do bacchiyo ko lekar bach kar bhi baahar nikal aaye?

Veer : Hey! Mein kaafi injured tha. Kyun, hai na Miss Trisha? *smiles*

Trisha ka badan thitura. Woh asahaj sa mehsoos karne lagi. Rohan ne uski taraf dekha. Trisha ne phir haami bhari.

Trisha : Woh… *nods* Woh ghaayal tha.

Rohan (glances) : Serial killer ke baare me aur kuchh jaante ho?

Veer : Hmm! Jo sketch police ne jaari kiya tha, woh ekdum accurate hai. Ek aged man. Safed baal. Kandhe tak. Woh tez tha. Taqatvar. Aur… ek psycho.

Rohan (frowns) : Kya uske muh se aur kuchh anjaane me nikla tha? Koi maqsad?

Veer : Nahi! Par, itna zaroor bata sakta hu ki woh paiso ke liye nahi maar raha. Na hi badle ke liye. Na hi kisi ideology ki wajah se. Woh ek unhinged serial killer hai. Jo mazey ke liye maarta hai. Use pleasure milta hai. He’s a bloody psycho.

Kamre ka taapmaan thanda pad gaya. Trisha ki ungliyaan Pihu ko yaad kar recorder par kass gayi.

Rohan : Tumne abhi-abhi kaha ki woh ek aged man hai. Agar, woh itna hi aged hai, toh bhala itna khatarnak kaise hai?

Veer ki nazrein uthi. Aur, kamre me andar ghusne ke baad, pehli baar uske hontho par se muskaan gaayab thi.

Veer : Kyunki, woh trained hai. Aur, unpredictable.

Rohan : !?

Veer (leans forward) : Agli baar agar unfortunately aapka saamna uss se ho jaaye toh- *pauses* toh apne saath jitne bhi armed officers le jaa sakte ho, leke jaaiyega.

Rohan : !!!?

Veer : Jitne bhi weapons hai. Sab. Jitni bhi unit forces hai. Sab.

Rohan (frowns) : Kyun? Ek aged aadmi ke liye itna sab bhala kyun?

Veer : Kyunki, yeh wahi aged aadmi hai jise aapki poori police force abhi tak nahi pakad paayi, aur wo din dahaade murders par murders karta chala gaya. Yaha tak ki, aapki beti ko bhi utha ke le gaya tha.

*Silence*

Kuchh der tak bas sannaata chhaaya raha. Rohan ne ek gehri saans li.

Rohan : Ab do sabse important sawaal. Pehla. Tumne Pihu aur Juhi ko uss serial killer se kaise bachaaya?

Veer : Mein lucky tha. Juhi aur Pihu mujhe kismat ke chalte mil gayi thi. Uske baad bhaagte waqt hi meri haathapaayi uss se hui thi. Meri kismat isliye achhi thi kyunki, woh pehle se hi shaayad injured tha.

Rohan : Huh?

Veer : Haan! Isliye, ladte waqt mujhe chot zaroor aayi par mein bhaag nikalne me qamyaab tha.

Rohan : Injured hone ke bawajood woh police se bach kar bhaag nikla? *frowns* Dusra sawaal. Tumhe kaise pata chala ki Pihu aur Juhi underground lair me hai?

Veer (smiles) : Maine abhi aapse kaha tha ki mere paas mere jasoos hai.

Rohan : Bakwaas mat karo, Veer. Mujhe sirf sach chaahiye.

Veer (shrugs) : Theek hai. Raahgeero se pata chala tha.

Rohan (frowns) : Par police ko toh ye saboot nahi mil paaye the.

Veer : Toh mujhe kaise mil gaye?

Rohan (frowns) : Tum-!!!

Veer : Aur, isliye maine kaha. *smiles* Ki agli baar agar uss se saamna ho, toh satark rahiyega. Otherwise-

Rohan : …?

Veer : You’ll regret it!!!

---

Idhar, Nik ki gaadi kisi bike waale ko takkar maarte-maarte bachi. Uska chehra paseene se lath-path tha.

“Come on… come on… pick the damn call, Gaurav!”

Call akhirkar utha.

“Hello! Hello? Gaurav?”

Lekin, dusre chhor se koi awaaz nahi aayi. Bas khamoshi. Nik ka dimaag tezi se ghooma. Ek bura ehsaas. Usne mirror me dekha. Headlights. Abhi bhi thi. Aur, qareeb.

Gaurav. Police? Kahi woh use le toh nahi gaye? Agar, aisa tha toh uska phone-

“Shit!!”

Uski saans ek pal ke liye ruk gayi. Survival instincts trigger hue aur bina kisi jhijhak ke usne phone kaan se hataaya aur call cut karte hue khidki ke baahar fek diya.

Nik ne accelerator ko aur zor se dabaaya. Sedan bhaagi aur traffic ko cheerte hue nikalne lagi. Usne dobaara sheeshe me dekha. Gaadiyaan abhi bhi aa rahi thi.

“Who the hell are they? Fuck!”

Woh gurraaya. Uska dimag har jagah daudne laga. Police? Nahi. Police iss tarah se peechha nahi karti. Ye koi aur log the. Kuchh planned tha. Usne gaadi ko ek sakre mod me moda.

Peechhe , Surya ne zor se dashboard par maara.

Surya : Haraam-zaada gaadi chalaane me expert lagta hai. Aage bhagaate raho.

Uski SUV Nik ki car ke peechhe bhaagi.

Surya (shouts) : Aur, tez! Aur, tez! Tez chala gaandu!

Driver ne acceleration badhaaya. Surya iss baar khidki se baahar jhuka. Usne apni handgun uthaayi, aim lagaaya, ek gehri saans aur-

*Bang*

Goli ki awaaz traffic sadak par goonj uthi aur goli Nik ki sedan ke peechhe ke sheeshe se takraayi.

*Crack*

Sheesha kisi makdi ke jaale ke samaan chakna-choor ho gaya. Car ke andar Nik buri tarah chaunk gaya.

“FUCK!”

Uski seat ke peechhe kaanch ke tukde khad-khadaane lage. Jaan halak me thi.

“Motherfuckers are now shooting-!?”

Car par niyantran banaaye rakhne ke liye uske haath paseene se tarr ho chuke the. Usne khud ko shaant karne ki koshish ki. Socho. Socho Nik.

Woh Mumbai ke raasto se achhi tarah waaqif nahi tha. Lekin, kuchh jagaho ko jaanta tha. Aisi jagaahe jaha Gaurav aur usne niji mulaqaatein ki hui thi. Unme se ek jagah yaha se dur nahi thi.

Usne steering wheel ghumaaya aur dusri sadak par mud gaya. Tezi se uss disha ki orr badha. Uske peechhe-

Surya ki muskaan dheere-dheere chaudi ho gayi.

Surya : Oh ho… Dekho toh zara. Haha!

Driver : K-Kya hua bhai?

Surya : Bilkul wahi hua jaisa ki Veer boss ne kaha tha. Bhosdiwaale ne bilkul wahi mod liya hai.

Driver : Huh? Hum uss angrez ko pakad hi kyun rahe hai?

Surya ne uske sarr par ek thappad maara.

Surya : Tu bas gaadi chala, bewakoof. Jitna kaha gaya utna kar. Veer boss ne kaha hai usko zinda pakadna hai matlab pakadna hai.

Driver : J-Ji bhai!

Aage, Nik ki car ek shaant industrialist lane ke paas pahuchi. Uski aankhon me halki si chamak aa gayi.

“This is it!”

Gaurav ke shelters me se ek. Unhone iss shelter ka istemal aksar tab-tab kiya tha jab-jab unhe ekaant me baat karne ki zaroorat hoti thi.

Agar, woh bas kisi tarah se andar pahuch jaaye toh-

‘Huh?’

Uske chehre par se achanak hi rang udd gaya. Shelter ke paas do cars khadi hui thi. Pehle se. Chupke se. Aadhh me. Lekin, Nik ne dekh liya.

“N-Nooo-!!”

Cars ke engine achanak chaalu ho gaye. Nik ki aankhein bhay ke maare fel gayi.

“Fuckkkk! They were waiting for me!?”

Usne steering wheel ko zor se moda aur shelter pahuchne se pehle hi dusri sadak par mud gaya. Uske peechhe-

Dono khadi cars turant chal padi. Wo peechha karne lagi. Nik ko choohe ki tarah bhaagta dekh Surya zor se hasa.

Surya : Kaha bhaagega, bhosdike! Veer boss ne ekdum sahi kaha tha. Ye angrez ka tatta iss taraf bachne ke liye zaroor aayega. Aur, woh sahi the.

Kintu, Nik ko iska koi andaaza nahi tha. Ghera pehle hi kasa jaa chuka tha. Nik ki car ke peechhe, daaye-baaye, har taraf se aadmi uski taraf badh rahe the.

“How the hell do they know those places?”

Uske dimaag me tarah-tarah ke vichaar daud rahe the, tabhi wahi naam uske dimaag me punah aaya.

Veer.

Uska jabda kass gaya.

“That bastard…. VEEEEER!!!”

Wahi tha. Uske alawa aur koi ho hi nahi sakta tha. Par, akhir kaise? Usne accelerator par phir perr dabaaya. Car ek aur highway par tezi se daud padi. Agar, zameen surakshit nahi thi toh-

Keval ek hi vikalp bacha tha. Mumbai harbour. Port Area.

Gaurav ke paas waha ek private yacht thi. Agar, woh waha tak pahuch gaya toh woh bach jaayega.

---

Wapas police station me cabin ke andar sannaata tha. Rohan aur Trisha Veer ko ghoor rahe the. Usne abhi-abhi jo chetaavni di thi, uska gehra asar unn dono par pada tha.

Rohan : Regret? Kya matlab?

Veer : Bilkul wahi jo maine kaha. Aur, jo aapne suna. Serial killer ko aap uski umr ki wajah se kam mat samajhiye. Woh aapki poori police force ko bhi khatam kar sakta hai.

Rohan : Kya bakwaas kar rahe ho!

Veer : Mera kaam tha aapko bataana. Jo maine kar diya hai. Agar, aap yakeen nahi karna chaahte *shrugs* toh aapki marzi.

Woh dheere se khada hua.

Veer : Lekin, baad me mujhse ye mat kehna ki maine aapko warn nahi kiya.

Rohan : We’ll see. Prestige ke haadse waali raat tum kaha the?

Veer : Out of city tha. Late aaya tha.

Rohan : Phirse jhooth. Tumne uss haadse ke baad koi bhi jaankaari nahi di. Koi bhi interrogation nahi. Sab family members hi handle kar rahe the. Kyun?

Veer : Aap mazaak kar rahe ho, right? Maine apne dada ji ko kho diya. Mere ghar ke ek chaheete sadasya ko goli lag gayi, unhone apni chalne ki kshamta kho di. Mera startup tabaah ho gaya. Hotel khoon se rang gaya. Security guards maare gaye. Aur, uss afra-tafri ke beech-

Rohan : …

Veer : Aap mujhse ye expect kar rahe ho ki mein interviews deta?

Rohan ne dheere se saans chhori. Uske paas iska koi jawaab nahi tha. Veer ne shaant bhaav se apni aasteen theek ki.

Veer : I believe maine aapke important questions ke answers de diye hai.

Woh muda aur darwaaze ki orr chal pada, jab-

“YOU ARE NOT LEAVING!”

Rohan ne mej par haath patka aur achanak khada ho gaya. Uski awaaz kamre me goonj uthi.

Rohan : Jab tak mein na kahu, tum yaha se nahi jaaoge.

Veer ruka. Aur, dheere se peechhe muda.

Veer : Oh!? *smiles*

Rohan uske qareeb aaya. Aur, tabhi ek officer ne baahar se awaaz lagaayi.

“Phone ki stable location mil gayi hai, Sir!”

Rohan : Unit leke pahucho turant.

“Ji Sir!”

Rohan phirse Veer ki orr muda.

Rohan : Tum bahut saari cheezo me involved ho, Veer. Itne saare coincidences nahi ho sakte. Tum itni asaani se bachkar nahi nikal paaoge.

Veer (smiles) : Trust me. DGP Sir. Mujhe ek partner ke roop me lene me zyada samjhdari hogi bajaaye iske ki-

Rohan : SHUT UP! Tum yaha baithoge. Aur, mere har sawaal ka jawaab doge.

Veer ne kuchh nahi kaha. Woh bas use dekhta raha. Shaant.

Rohan : Kya tum Dhananjay, Ranjeet ke case me shaamil the?

Veer : Huh? Kaun Dhananjay Ranjeet?

[Hehe~]

Rohan ne apne daant zor se meese. Trisha ghabraayi. Kya Rohan samajh gaya? Rohan ki nazar ek pal ke liye Trisha par padi.

Rohan : Mere saath game mat khelo, Veer. Mujhe pata hai tum kayi maamlo me shaamil ho. Yaha tak ki mujhe yeh bhi yakeen hai ki tumhara connection underworld mafia se bhi hai.

Veer (smiles) : Aap bahut bada aarop laga rahe hai, Sir. Khaaskar mere jaise ek college student par.

Woh aalas se kursi par baith peechhe jhuk gaya.

Rohan (shouts) : SHUT THE FUCK UP!

Rohan : Mujhe pata hai ki tum kitne din college gaye ho, kitne din jaate ho, kitne business run karte ho, kaha tumhara uthna-baithna hai, kaha jaate ho, kis se milte ho, tumhare parivar me kaun-kaun hai.

Veer ki muskaan gaayab ho gayi.

Veer (frowns) : Aap mere parivar ki jasoosi kar rahe ho?

Rohan (smirks) : Abhi tak toh nahi. *pauses* Lekin, agar zaroorat padi, toh woh bhi ki jaayegi. Mere paas tumhare baare me kaafi jankaari hai, Veer. Tum dusro ko bewakoof bana sakte ho. Mujhe nahi.

Veer : …

Rohan : Sawal ka jawab do. Kya tum Dhananjay aur Ranjeet ke maamle me shaamil ho?

Trisha ke shareer me phir sihran daud gayi. Uski ungliyaan kass gayi. Agar, Rohan chhaan-been karta raha toh aise me toh-

Veer : Nahi! Mein kuchh bhi nahi jaanta.

Rohan bhadak utha.

Rohan : Tumhari himmat kaise hui mere saamne jhooth bolne ki-?

Usne gusse se mej par haath patke.

Rohan : Mein tumhe abhi jail me daal sakta hu, Veer. Samjhe? Ek third-degree ka treatment aur tum mujhse rukne ki bheekh maangne lagoge. Aur, koi bhi iss par sawaal nahi uthaayega. Ye authority hai mere paas. Mein ye kar sakta hu.

Veer (smiles) : Par, aap nahi karoge.

Usne seedha Trisha ki orr dekha.

Veer (smirks) : Hai na? Miss Trisha?

Trisha jamm ke reh gayi. Uske mann me phirse wahi drishya kaundh gaye. Ranjeet ka marna. Uske haath me bandook. Slaughterhouse. Tasveer. Uska dil zor se dhadka. Usne Rohan ko dekha aur apna sarr ‘naa’ me hilaaya. Nahi. Use itna push mat karo. Aur, Rohan ka gussa aur bhi badh gaya.

Rohan : Tch!

Veer : Jaisa ki maine kaha, mujhe ek partner ke roop me lena aapke liye hi behtar hoga.

Rohan : Shut up!

Veer : Aap wardi pehen kar apraadhiyo ka peechha karte ho. Maine wahi kaam bina wardi ke kiya hai. Aapki aur meri… manzil ek hi hai.

Rohan (yells) : Tumhe iska right nahi hai.

Veer (stands up) : Sahi kaha. Mere paas right nahi hai. Lekin, kabhi-kabhi rights se zyaada… results matter karte hai, Sir.

---

Nik ki gaadi sunsaan road pe zor se bhaagi. Uski saansein bhaari thi.

"Fuck... fuck..." Usne mirror check kiya. Headlights. Abhi bhi peeche. Woh haraamzade use jaane hi nahi de rahe the.

Surya, peechhe apni car ki window se aadha bahar jhuka.

Surya : Bhaga bhaga bhaga! Pakdo uss harami ko!

Nik apne aap me hi badbadaaya. “Shit-!”

Harbour aage tha. Agar woh Gaurav ki yacht tak pahunch gaya toh… Woh samundar ke zariye unse dur bhaag paane me qamyaab ho jaayega.

Bas thoda aur.

Bas-

Uski aankhein phail gayi. Harbour use dikhaayi diya. Aur, yacht bhi. Lekin, kuchh toh gadbad thi.

Log. Dher saare log. Yacht ke neeche aas-paas khade the. Road ko dekh rahe the. Intezar kar rahe the. Nik ke badan me jhurjhuri daud gayi.

"Shit." Uski steering wheel pe pakad mazboot ho gayi. “They’re here too…?”

Usne jaldi se apni kamar thap-thapaayi. Uski ungliyon ko apni handgun feel hui. "Tch."

Aur, uske peechhe-

"RUK MADARCHOD!"

*BANG*

Zor se gunshot ki aawaz aayi. Nik ne turant hi duck kiya, kyunki bullet ne peechhe waale sheeshe ko ab tod kar use poori tarah dhwast kar diya tha.

"Damn it! Damn it! Fuccckkk!" Usne steering wheel ko jhatke se ghumaaya aur car ko tezi se moda. Gaadi harbour se dur chali gayi.

---

Veer darwaaze tak pahucha. Rohan ki aawaz phir aayi.

Rohan : Maine kaha na ki tum mere sawaalo ke jawaab diye bina nahi jaoge?

Veer ruka. Dheere-dheere… Woh peechhe muda. Phir, woh Rohan ki taraf wapas chal pada. Ahista-ahista. Ve dono ab lagbhag aamne-saamne khade the. Veer thoda sa aage jhuka.

Veer : Ek samajhdar officer… jaanta hai kab kaunse sawaal poochhne hai. Aur, kab nahi, Sir.

Rohan ki aankhein jal rahi thi.

Rohan : Gaurav hi sirf jail me nahi rahega… Balki, tum bhi salaakhon ke peechhe jaaoge. Aur woh Nik- hum use bhi jald hi daboch lenge.

Veer : Oh?

Bilkul usi waqt-

Uska phone vibrate hua. Dheemi si ghanti baji. Veer ne neeche dekha. Unknown number. Ek message aaya hua tha.

“Pakad liya boss.”

Uske chehre pe dheere se ek muskaan phail gayi. Rohan jhijhka.

Rohan : K-Kya?

Veer nazdeek aaya. Rohan ke kandhe par haath rakha. Phir, uske kaan ke paas jhuka.

Veer (smirks) : Pata hai sabse taaza khabar kya hai, sir?

Rohan ke badan me sihran daud gayi. Veer ke honth aur adhik phail gaye.

Veer (whispers) : NIK MERE PAAS HAI!

Rohan ke badan me raungte khade ho gaye. Bina koi use samay diye, Veer muda aur exit ki taraf chal diya.

Veer : Dobaara baat karni hai agar, toh kal shaam ghar aa jaaiyega. *pauses* Aur, bina wardi ke hi aaiyega. Aur, agar nahi-

Rohan : !!?

Veer (smiles) : Toh, Nik ko jaise aap dabochne waale the, daboch lijiyega.

Rohan (yells) : VEEEEER!!! Mein tumhe jail me daal dunga. Tumhe lagta hai ki tum bach jaaoge?

Veer (smiles) : Bilkul!

Kehte hue woh waha se nikal gaya. Kamre me gehra sannaata chhaa gaya. Rohan wahi khada raha, gehri saansein le raha tha. Uski aankhein krodh se laal thi.

Veer bina peechhe dekhe police station se baahar nikal gaya. Rohan dheere se Trisha ki orr muda. Uski nigaahein teekhi thi. Jawaab maang rahi thi.

Trisha ne uss se nazrein churaayi. Uska gala sookh raha tha. Woh ghabraate hue aage badhi. “R-Rohan-!”

***

Veer baahar aaya aur tabhi uske saamne uski apni car aa kar ruki. Driver seat ki khidki neeche sarki, Erica halki muskaan ke saath baahar jhuki.




Erica (smiles) : Kaafi derr laga di!

Veer ne koi jawaab nahi diya. Usne darwaaza khola. Erica baahar aayi aur ghoom kar passenger ki seat par baithi. Veer driver seat par baitha. Engine chaalu hote hi gaadi police station ke gate se nikal padi. Aur, peechhe ki seat par-




Garofano ek perr ko dusre par rakhe baithi hui thi, uske bagal se Ava thi.




Garofano : Toh?

Veer : Done and dusted. Filhaal abhi ke liye.

Garofano (sighs) : Finally!

Usne apne baalo par haath phera.

Garofano : Sorry! Mein khud nahi aa saki. Clients se badi mushqil se jaan chhooti hai aaj.

Veer : It’s okay! Tum pehle hi bahut kuchh kar chuki ho.

Garofano (smiles) : Oh!?

Veer : Trisha ko phone par guide karna aur Raman tak precisely pahuchaana asaan kaam nahi tha.

Garofano : Well… Looks like system yahi chaahta tha ki mujhe ye mission mile. *grins* Kaafi badhiya skill mili hai reward me.

Veer : Kaun si?

Garofano (smirks) : If I reveal everything now, what will I tease you with later?

Veer ke jawaab dene se pehle hi Erica chehek uthi.

Erica : Mujhe bhi toh badhiya skill mili hai, hehe~

Veer (nods) : Yeah! Part vision!

[Skill : Part Vision
Description : Allows the host to join the parts of the past from the available clues and understand what transpired. Accuracy of the past will depend on the number of clues the host can get.]

Veer : Uss skill ne sab kuchh badal diya. Pushkar ke past ke bina… Gaurav aur Nik ki kartooto ke baare me nahi jaan paate.

Erica garv se muskuraayi.

Erica (smiles) : So, basically I saved the day. Yay~

Garofano : Relax little girl. You didn’t save the world. Your skill just came handy, that’s all. Itna exaggerate karne ki zaroorat nahi.

Erica (pouts) : Hmph~

Veer ke mann me-

*Ding*

[Mission : ‘Deal Breaker (1)’ has been completed.]

[You have gained 10,000 points.]

[Suhana’s favorability has increased by : 25.]

[Divya’s favorability has increased by : 10.]

*Ding*

[Perk Selection Available.]

[Select one of three random perks.]

[Perk 1] [Perk 2] [Perk 3]

‘Later Pari!’

[As you wish, Master!]

*Ding*

[Perk selection is post-poned.]

Veer : Waqai. Erica. Uss skill ki wajah se hi aaj mera mission poora hua hai. Thank you~

Erica (blushes) : It’s okay! Mujhe bhi ek skill mil gayi.

Garofano (chuckles) : Isliye, tumhare daddy Renshu yaha se gaayab ho gaye. Missions jo nahi mil rahe the use haha. Imagine losing to your own daughter in missions lol.

Erica : Hmph~ Toh kya hua? My dad would still crush you in a 1 v 1 fight.

Garofano : Oh please! Maana ki Renshu strong hai, lekin itna bhi nahi jis hisaab se tum apne daddy ke liye biased rehti ho.

Erica : Oh achha? Toh lagao bet. Hai himmat dad ke saath-

“I couldn’t do anything!”

Ava ki komal awaaz ne unki behas ko kaat diya. Erica aur Garofano, dono turant ruk gayi. Ava apne haatho ko ghoor rahi thi.

Ava : I… I barely helped.

Uski awaaz thodi kaanp rahi thi.

Veer : Nahi!

Ava : Huh?

Veer : Tumne apni identity reveal ki. Mere liye. Uss se poori situation change ho gayi thi.

Ava : But… But that is exactly why I hate it, Veer! I don’t want to appear only when things are already happening. I want to be there… when it begins. For you.

Aur, phir use ehsaas hua ki woh jaldbaazi me kya keh gayi. Usne haya me sarr neeche jhuka liya. Garofano aur Erica ne chup-chap use dekha. Dono shaant thi.

Veer : Tumne Teju di ko bachaaya, Ava. You took the bullet for my family. Aur, tumhe lagta hai tumne madad nahi ki?

Ava ke honth khule, lekin koi shabd nahi nikla.

Veer : I think it’s about time I- *pauses* I introduce you to my family. Tomorrow.

Ava (shivers) : Huh?

Usne aayeene me Veer ko dekha. Phir, dheere-dheere uske chehre par ek sharmeeli muskaan aa gayi.

Ava : O-Okay…! Tomorrow then…!

Baaki ka safar shaant baat-cheet me beeta. Plans. Precautions. Aage ki strategies.

Jab tak Veer ghar lauta, kaafi raat ho chuki thi. Ghar me andhera aur sannaata chhaaya hua tha. Shayad sabhi so chuke the. Usne spare key se gate ko unlock kiya and andar pravesh kiya.

Jaise hi woh hallway se guzar ke muda, woh achanak ruk gaya.

Uski maa ke kamre ka darwaaza khula hua tha. Andar ek light bulb jal raha tha. Bhavna darwaaze ke paas hi khadi thi. Intezaar kar rahi thi. Uski shaant nigaahein Veer par tiki. Aur, boli-

“Andar aao!”
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Aaj ke liye itna hi guys.
This update consists of 12k words. Dena nahi chaahta tha itna bada update par ab likh diya hai. Let's see tum log phirse wahi kaand karte ho ya iss baar bhi last update ki tarah jaldi reactions poore karte ho. Next update se hum thode system ke lore, Veer's familial issues, relationship, aur kuchh baaki characters par focus karenge. Kuchh secrets bhi unveil hone waale hai jald hi. Target apna wahi hai. 250.
Dhanyavad.

In just 20hours we had done 50% target Werewolf bhai please start next part

 

[Rk1991]

Super update

 

[Dhakad boy]

Update - 212 ~ The Night the masks burned​

Ab tak...

Veer uske kaan ke qareeb aaya.

Veer : Oh, but you already lost…!

Gaurav (mutters) : Bhosdike, agar ye DGP yaha nahi hota na toh mein-

Veer : Do you know why you lost?

Gaurav : !!?

Veer ne ek jhalak neeche baithi Suhana ko dekha aur phir Gaurav ko.

Veer (whispers) : Because you underestimated your queen!!!

Gaurav : !!!!?

Ab aage...

*Clink*

Hall me hathkadi ki awaaz sabhi ko sunaayi di. Gaurav ne koi sangharsh nahi kiya. Maano jaise use iss baat se farq hi nahi pad raha tha ki use arrest kar liya gaya hai.

Par, zaahir taur se uske chehre ke haav-bhaav badle hue the. Jabda kasa hua, maathe par gusse se fadakti hui maanspeshi. Lekin, woh dara nahi. Reedh abhi bhi seedhi. Ahankaar abhi bhi adig. Guroor jo tha use apne aap par.

Jaise hi Rohan aur Trisha uske dono orr khade hue, usne hall me ek baar chaaro orr dekha. Kaise log use ghoor rahe the. Suhana. Sonia. Unke mata-pita. Aur, phir-

Nigaahein Veer ke upar jaa tiki. Bas kuchh kshan ke liye. Dono ke beech ek maun yuddh.

Veer chup-chap waha khada raha, haath abhi bhi jebo me, koi ghamand nahi aur na hi koi muskaan. Bas maun maujoodagi, jo aur bhi adhik bhaari thi.

Rohan ne Gaurav ke haatho ko thaam use moda, le jaane ke liye woh palta. Shailendra, jo ki ye sab hote hue dekh chuka tha, uska mann nahi maan raha tha ki aisa kuchh ho sakta tha.

Ek prakaar se ye uski beizzati thi itne logo ke saamne. Agar, woh kisi tarah DGP ko mana ke ye sab-

Sochte hi woh aage badha. Elite Group koi chhota-mota samooh nahi tha. Ghar me hi ghus ke ghar ke maalik ko iss qadar se hathkadi pehna ke le jaana…

Ye sirf aam vyaktiyo par laagu hota tha. Raees, oonchi pehchaan waalo ke liye nahi. Waha toh paisa khila ke, status dikha ke, wazandaari ke chalte maamla rafa-dafa kar diya jaata tha.

Yahi soch Shailendra apne damaad ko bachaane ke liye bade hi rutbe me aage badha, magar-

Rohan : Wahi theher jaaiye, Sir! Jo kuchh bhi sunwaayi hogi, ab police station me hogi.

Usne ek jhatke me Shailendra ko haath dikhakar wahi rok diya. Shailendra ki bauhe phadki. Ye DGP sirf ek raajya ka hi toh DGP tha. Elite Group ka varchasv toh poore desh me fela hua tha.

Magar, kanoon ke maamle me Rohan sakht tha. Aur, uski sakhti ke charche poore raajya me mashoor the. Isliye, Shailendra ne aage kuchh na kaha. Bas Gaurav ko haath dikhaate hue aashvaashan diya.

Rohan jaane se pehle Veer ki orr muda. Use yaad dila raha tha ki usne ‘Interrogation’ ka vaada kiya tha. Veer ne dheere se apna sarr hilaaya. Ek shaant sweekriti. Aur, ab toh waise bhi use jaana hi tha. Gaurav ke khilaaf usne saboot jo pesh kiye the.

Shailendra ne Veer ko ghoora. Yeh ladka uss raat ICONGLOBE ki deal ke dauraan bhi Kaera ke bagal se baitha tha. Mann me Veer ko lekar usne ek vichaar baithaaya.

Trisha ki nigaahein bhi Veer par thi. Aaj unn nazro me sandeh kam tha, soch-vichaar zyaada. Usne yeh ab pukhta maan liya tha ki Veer hi inn sab ke peechhe tha.

Jab Rohan exit se nikalne ke liye hua toh Erica uske paas ek file lekar aayi.

Erica : Transaction trails, server backups, logs, call reports, chats, images, everything is in hardcopy. *smiles* Aur, ye rahi pendrive, Sir. For more details.

Rohan ne file aur pendrive jab Erica ke haatho se li toh uski aankhein sikudi.

Rohan : Aur, tum kaun-!?

Erica (smiles) : Bas ek hired manager.

Rohan use saath lekar jaana chaahta tha, magar yeh sunane ke baad ki wo bas ek hired person thi, chaahte hue bhi usne iss baat par zor nahi diya. Lekin, Erica ke masked chehre ko woh apne dimaag me baithaana nahi bhoola. Aur, na hi Trisha.

Akhirkar, woh dono Gaurav ko lekar baahar nikle. Mukhya dwar se ve ravaana hue, phir baahar dur se siren ke goonjne ki awaaz ne spasht kar diya ki ve jaa chuke the.

Suhana wahi neeche baithi reh gayi. Kuchh derr pehle hi woh cake kaat rahi thi aur ab-

Itne saalo se woh uske changul me fasi thi. Gaurav ke mijaaz ke anusaar usne khud ko dhaalne ki koshish bhi ki thi. Khud dab-dab kar uske neeche rahi. Yeh yakeen dilaane ke liye ki shaayad ek na ek din sab sahi ho jaayega.

Kintu, aaj usne dekh liya ki sacchaayi toh ekdum hi vipreet thi. Aur, uske bheetar kuchh toot gaya.

Suhana : Aaj tak... Aaj tak mein- *shivers*

Usne fusfusate hue kaha, uski awaaz mushqil se hi bagal me jhuki Ashita ko sunaayi de rahi thi.

Suhana : M-Mujhe kabhi pata hi nahi chala... Ashita... Mein-

Ashita (tenderly) : Suhana...

Uski nazrein Suhana par tiki. Uska therapist dimaag pehle se hi trauma responses, emotional collapse ke patterns ko padhne ke liye jut chuka tha.

Phir, usne Veer ko dekha. Na jaane kab se woh Suhana jaisi split personality waali aurat ko badalne waale ladke se milne ke liye betaab thi. Aaj woh shaks uske saamne tha.

Beshaq. Veer ko dekhte hi usne ek gehri saans li. Use bas yeh jaanana tha ki iss ladke me aisa kya tha ki uski patient ki saansein uska naam lete hi tez ho jaati thi.

Filhaal ke liye charcha na sahi, lekin usne itna jaan liya tha ki Veer kaun tha.

Karan, jo ki wahi khada tha, sab kuchh ghatit hota dekh Veer ke nazdeek aaya. Maathe par shikan. Veer aur uske beech bina bol ke ishaaro me hi baat ho gayi.

Suhana ki maa ne jhukte hue use apne galey se lagaaya.

Toh wahi pita Shailendra ka chehra sharmindagi se laal tha. Woh swabhimaani vyakti jisne apne damaad ki na jaane kitni deenge haaki thi, jis par wo kabhi garv mehsoos karta tha, jisne use aadhe se zyaada vyapaar jagat se milwaaya tha aaj sharminda aur stabdh khada hua tha.

Udhar Sonia bina koi harqat kiye vismay aur bhay me khadi thi. Apni jagah se tass se mass na hui. Pushkar ka naam uske dimaag me ghoom raha tha. Yakeen nahi ho raha tha ki yeh sab-

Planned tha. Chhal se racha gaya tha. Aur, use humesha-humesha ke liye chup kara diya gaya. Itne saalo tak woh apne mann me uski maut ko baar-baar dohraati rahi, aur bas bhaagya ko dosh deti rahi. Lekin, iss ghatna me toh bhaagya ka haath kam, Gaurav ka zyaada tha.

Par, uss se bhi badi baat-

Jiska use darr tha. Jiska use bhay tha ki Gaurav uske liye kahi koi ghinauni soch toh nahi rakhta? Woh sach saabit ho gayi.

Ab jo kuchh bhi hua wo media me saamne tha. Iss se bacha nahi jaa sakta tha. Abhi ke liye Elite Group ki izzat par ek zordaar thokar lagi thi. Uss se ubharne ke liye-

Shailendra seedha khada hua aur mehmaano ki orr mudkar usne haath jode.

Shailendra : I apologise!

Usne tanaav bhari magar dhridh awaaz me kaha.

Shailendra : Aaj ki raat meri beti ke janmdin ke liye jashn manaane ke liye thi. Iske bajaaye… kuchh aisa ho gaya jo nahi hona chaahiye tha. Jis situation me abhi Suhana hai, mein chaahunga ki aap sabhi please move on kariye. Ek baar firse, kshama chaahta hu.

Log bhi samajhdaar the. Ve jaante the ki aisi sthiti me koi kaise hi apna janmdin mana sakta tha? Unhone Shailendra ko aashvaashan diya aur jaate-jaate use saantvna bhi de gaye.

Bheed chhatne lagi. Kuchh asahajta ke kaaran, kuchh darr ke maare, aur kuchh isliye ki ab tamasha khatam ho chuka tha.

Suhana jo iss waqt mehsoos kar rahi thi woh koi bhi nahi samajh sakta tha. Woh apni maa ke sparsh se peechhe hati.

Namrita : Suhana-!

Woh achanak hi khadi hui. Sonia ne iss baar use dekha. Pehle toh Suhana khadi hone ke baad dheere-dheere saiyyam se chali. Har qadam napa-tula, maano uska shareer bina uski ichha ke chal raha ho.

Phir, achanak na jaane kya hua, woh daud padi. Darwaaze ki orr. Baahar driveway ki taraf jaha security waale asmanjas me use dekhte hue alag ho gaye.

Namrita (yells) : Suhanaaaaa-! Ruko!

Peechhe se uski maa ki ruwaasi pukaar sunaayi padi. Uske pita ne bhi use awaaz lagaayi. Sonia ka dil ghabra kar zor se dhadka, usne apna haath utha kar use rokne ki koshish ki, magar muh se shabd hi baahar nahi nikle.

Suhana nahi ruki. Bhaag kar woh apni car tak pahuchi. Kaanpte haatho se usne gaadi unlock ki, andar baithi aur darwaaza zor se band kiya jis se baahar ki awaaz sunaayi na de.

Ek pal ke liye woh bas steering wheel ko kasskar pakde baithi rahi. Phir-

*Rumble*

Engine garja. Aur, usne apni gaadi aage dauda di. Kuchh zyada hi tez. Raat me sadko ke aas-paas khambo par, lampposts par jagah-jagah 26 january ke posters aur jhande lage hue the. Dur kahi aatishbaazi ho rahi thi, swatantrata ke chhote-chhote utsav ho rahe the.

Par, uski azaadi ka kya? Kya use khush hona chaahiye? Ya dukhi? Use samajh nahi aa raha tha.

Woh bina soche-samjhe idhar-udhar mod leti jaa rahi thi. Baaye, daaye, phir daaye. Sheher uski namm aankhon ke saamne dhundhla sa pad gaya. Aasuon ke chalte use theek se traffic bhi nazar nahi aa raha tha. Uska dil-dimaag shaant hone ka naam hi nahi le rahe the.

Pushkar. Hidden cameras. Photographs. Footage. Transactions.

Akhir kitne jhootho ke saath woh har ek din guzaar rahi thi Gaurav ke saath? Uski saansein phool rahi thi. Kayi minute tak disha-heen gaadi chalaane ke baad, usne ek flyover ke paas gaadi ko kinaare roka.

Car band ki. Dur se traffic ka shor use ab sunaayi diya. Uske haath steering wheel se hatey. Aur, kandhe kaanpne lage. Woh aage jhuki aur apne chehre ko usne apni hatheliyo me chhipa liya.

Aur, phir-

*Sniff*

“Haaaaaaaaaaaa!!!”

Woh zor se royi. Dil khol ke. Itne saalo se jo bhadaas andar thi, woh baahar aa gayi. Jo dabey hue emotions the woh baahar umad aaye.

Woh bilakh-bilakh kar royi. Siskiyon aur subakne ki awaaz car me goonj gayi. Woh aise royi ki agar koi sunn le toh uska dil dahal jaaye.

Kyunki, koi use sunane waala nahi tha. Kyunki, woh akeli thi. Aisa use yakeen tha jab peechhe se ek shaant awaaz aayi-

“Aapko pata hai na iss tarah se gaadi chalaana kitna khatarnak hota hai?”

Suhana ka badan kaanp utha. Woh haafte hue tezi se mudi, sihran uske poore jism me fel gayi. Aur, phir usne use dekha.

Veer.

Peechhe ki seat par baitha hua. Ek pal ke liye woh bas dekhti reh gayi, samajh nahi paa rahi thi ki Veer yaha kaise ho sakta tha.

“2 signals miss kiye. Divider se lagbhag gaadi bhid hi gayi thi.”

Usne narmi se kaha. Phir, ek virhaam.

“Aap toh iss tarah se drive nahi karti kabhi. Kis se bhaag rahi thi? Jo pehle hi sab khatam ho chuka hai uss cheez se? Ya phir apne aap se?”

Uske bol zor se Suhana ko lage. Woh daant nahi raha tha. Na hi mazaak uda raha tha. Bas… parvaah ko bade hi seedhepann se pesh kar raha tha. Woh utha, usne darwaaza khola aur car ke baahar utra.

“Haath kaanp rahe hai, phir bhi gaadi chalaani hai? Pata hai na ye kitna risky tha?”

Usne aage aate hue uski driver seat ka darwaaza khola.

“Aage se aisa mat karna. Samajh gayi na?”

Aur, bas-

Suhana ki rulaayi ek baar phir chhooth padi. Jab Veer ne use dheere se haath pakad baahar ko nikaala toh usne koi virodh nahi kiya. Jaise hi uske perr zameen par pade, uski saari taaqat jaise gaayab ho gayi. Woh zor se bilakh ke royi aur seedhe Veer ki baahon me simat gayi. Uski mutthiyon ne Veer ki shirt ko kasskar jakad liya.

“Waaaaaaa-!”

Aur, woh bas roti rahi. Subak-subak ke. Uske galey se lage hue. Kasskar chipke hue. Woh cold, arrogant, rich aur haughty Suhana gaayab ho chuki thi.

Suhana : M-Mein *sobs* Mein jhooth ki duniya me jee rahi thi, Veer! *sniff* H-Har din- *hic* He... He lied to me. *sob* Every day! Sonu ke liye bhi uske mann me- *sniff*

Veer ne apni baahon me use zor se jakad ke rakha. Ek haath uski peeth par mazbooti se tika hua tha. Dusra, uske kandhe ko sahaara de raha tha.

Veer : Shh! You were surviving. And, you did.

Suhana ne apna sirr uske seene par tikaaya.

Suhana : S-Sach mere saamne tha- *sniff* Par, mein hi andhi thi. *sob* M-Mujhe lagta tha mein… mein hi zaroorat se zyaada soch rahi hu. He kept lying to me. Every time. *sob* M-Mujhe yakeen nahi hota ki woh iss tarah ki ghinauni- *hic*

Veer : Shh! It’s alright!

Uska haath dheere-dheere Suhana ke baalo par phira, maano jaise woh koi chhoti bacchi ho. Dekha jaaye toh sahi maayno me aaj Suhana ek chhoti bacchi ke hi samaan thi. Shareerik taur se nahi, lekin uska chanchal mann, dil-dimaag ki sthiti abhi kisi ek dukhi, chot pahuchi baalika ke jaisi hi thi.

Veer : Aapne uss par bharosa karna chaaha jo khud na toh aap par kabhi bharosa kiya aur na hi khud bharose ke laayak bann paaya.

Suhana : …

Veer : Lekin, ye aapki kamzori nahi hai.

Suhana : M-Mujhe nahi pata ki ab mein kaun hu. *sob* Kuchh samajh nahi aa raha. *hic* I hate it, Veer. I hate it.

Veer thoda peechhe hua taaki uske aasuon se bheege chehre ko dekh sake.

Veer : Aap wahi Suhana ho jisne meri madad ki, jisne mere liye goli khaayi, jo apni chhoti behan ke liye har waqt khadi rahi, jisne apne aise pati ka bhi saath diya taaki apne maa-baap ka sarr sharm se na jhuke. Woh Suhana ho aap.

Suhana bas uss se lipti rahi. Kaafi derr tak. Akhirkar, uski saansein sthir hui. Poori tarah se nahi, lekin itna zaroor ki woh bina roye uski chhaati se sirr ko utha sake. Ungliyaan toh ab bhi Veer ki shirt ko jakde hue thi.




Suhana : K-Kaise-!? T-Tum car me- Maine toh tumhe dekha tak nahi.

Veer (smiles) : Jab aap bhaagi thi. Toh, mein bhi aapke peechhe hi tha.

Suhana : !!?

Veer : Jab aap car me andar baithi, tab uss waqt mein bhi peechhe andar baitha tha. Par, tab aap aisi haalat me nahi thi ki inn sab cheezon ko notice kar sako.

Suhana : T-Toh, tum shaant kyun the? K-Kuchh bole kyun nahi?

Veer (smiles) : Aapke mom dad ne aapko awaaz lagaayi thi. Kya aapne suni? Toh uss waqt mere bolne se kya hi farq padta?

Suhana (mutters) : Tumhari baat alag hai…!

Veer : Hmm?

Suhana : K-Kuchh nahi. Mein bas-

Usne apne kaanpte hue haatho ko dekha jo Veer ki shirt ko nichode hue the. Usne dheere se shirt ko chhora. Par, haath hatey nahi. Abhi bhi uske seene par hi tike hue the.

Tabhi, Veer ko kuchh yaad aaya.

Veer : Oh!?

Suhana : Huh?

Veer uss se alag hua, peechhe ki seat ke darwaaze ko usne khola aur ek rectangular sa kuchh baahar nikaala jo rang-birange decorative paper me lipta hua tha. Usne woh tauhfa Suhana ki orr badhaaya.

Veer : Mein lagbhag bhool hi gaya tha.

Suhana (curiously) : K-Kya hai ye?

Veer (smiles) : Khol ke dekh lijiye!

Suhana ki ungliyaan savdhani se lipte hue kaagaz ko kholne ke liye chalne lagi. Usne dheere se use faada aur tauhfe ko khola.

Jaise hi usne kaagaz alag kar ke dekha, uski aankhein hairat me fel gayi.

Veer (smiles) : Happy birthday~

Tauhfe me andar ek framed oil painting thi. Kaafi puraani. Canvas bhi khurdura sa tha.

Kayi dino pehle jab Veer Divya aur Ava ke saath serial killer ki investigation ke liye nikla tha tab Divya ne car me ek baat kahi thi uss se...

Veer : Toh, Divya! Miss Suhana ko kya pasand hai?

Divya : Suhana? Kyu? Tum kyu poochh rahe ho ye?

Veer : Unka birthday next month aa raha hai. Mein iss baar unhe kuchh khaas gift karna chaahta hu. Tum unki closest friend ho. Toh, laga ki tum sabse behtar jaanti hogi.

Divya (curiously) : Hmm? Tum kab se logo ke birthdays ki parvah karne lage, Veer? Mere liye toh kabhi aise gifts nahi laaye.

Veer : Ahem! *smiles* Waise- Rahi baat birthdays ki toh mein aam taur par aisa nahi karta. I'm not a 'celebration' type, you know. Lekin, Miss Suhana... Unhone mere liye bahut kuchh kiya hai. I want her to feel appreciated, that's all!

Divya : Appreciated, huh? What exactly are you planning, Mr. Thoughtful?

Veer (smiles) : Kuchh nahi, seriously. Isliye, toh tumse poochh raha hu. Any ideas?

Divya (thoughtfully) : Suhana ko art pasand hai, Veer. Woh rare paintings ikhatta karti hai — mostly abstract. Aur, woh classical music instruments ki deewani hai, khaas kar live orchestra ki. Lekin... *pauses, looks at him* Tum kuchh bada karne ke baare me soch rahe ho, hai na?

Veer (smiles) : Ho sakta hai!

Idhar Suhana ki dhadkane tez thi.

Painting me ek mahila toofan ke khatam hone ke dauraan apni balcony me kinaare khadi hui bagal se ek jalti laalten ki orr badh rahi thi, aur peechhe akaash baadalo aur bijli se ghira hua tha. Toofan ke jaate hue aas-paas ke kshetro me haani. Neeche sheher ast-vyast, tez hawaaein aur keechad.

Dekha jaaye toh yeh painting Suhana ki vyatha ko bakhoobi darsha rahi thi.

Neeche peetal ki plate par sheershak khud hi likha hua tha : The lantern that survived, Arvind Mirajkar, 1938.

Frame ko chhoote hue Suhana ka haath thar-thara utha.

Suhana (shivers) : N-Nahi! Y-Ye kaise ho sakta hai?

Woh har ek bareeki ko gaur se dekh rahi thi. Kone ke paas varnish me aayi daraare, neeche painter ke signature ka halka sa ghumavdaar nishaan, frame me thodi si khaami, har ek cheez. Suhana ka gala ye dekh ke hi sookh gaya.

Suhana : Y-Ye toh-

Usne fauran hi painting ko palat kar kuchh jaanch ki. Ek seal. Original collector ki ek stamp. Kayi varsho ki puraani lakdi.

Yeh asli thi.

Yeh wahi painting thi.

Saalo pehle, Delhi ki ek painting auction me usne iss painting ko dekha tha. Dekhte hi usne mann bana liya tha ki woh ye painting leke hi rahegi. Isliye, nahi ki ye painting kaafi durlabh thi, puraani thi. Balki, toofan me tiki laalten aur aurat ki wajah se-

Jo bhaari vipda ke baad bhi, apne khud ke liye khadi hui thi aur traasdi se ladkar bhi jeevit thi. Sahi salamat thi.

Parantu, uss painting ko paana lagbhag asambhav tha. Kyunki, woh painting-

Kaera ke paas thi.

Usne pehle hi uski bidding laga ke use khareed liya tha. Mehnge daam par. Baad me, Suhana uss se akele me mili. Khareedi hui keemat se doguni keemat dene taiyaar thi woh. Aur, Kaera apna bhaav-heen chehra liye uss se bas itna hi boli ki-




"It's mine now, Suhana. And... It's not for sale."

Suhana ne Veer ko dekha.

Suhana : Ye... K-Kaise? Ye Kaera ke paas thi. Mujhe yaad hai. Tumhare paas kaise-?

Veer (smiles) : Haan. Maine unse maang li.

Suhana (shocked) : M-Maang li?

Veer : Haan! Maine request ki. Aur, unhone de di.

Veer ka jawab hadd se zyada hi seedha-saada tha. Aur, isliye Suhana ko uss par yakeen nahi hua.

Kaera cheezein yuhi nahi deti thi. Paiso ke liye bhi nahi. Ehsaan ke liye bhi nahi.

Suhana ke dimaag me woh pal phirse aaya. ICONGLOBE deal ke baad uss raat Kaera ka Veer ko kiss karna. Uski bauhe fadki.

Woh bewakoof nahi thi. Kisi bhi tarah ki 'request' Kaera ko ye painting dene ke liye raazi nahi kar sakti thi.

Jab tak ki badle me use kuchh aur na diya jaaye. Koi utni hi ya uss se zyada moolya ki vastu.

Kuchh aisa jo Kaera ko chahiye ho. Usne Veer ko phirse dekha.

Suhana (mutters) : T-Tumne sirf poochha hi nahi... Tumne-

Veer ne koi jawaab nahi diya. Uski chuppi ne sab kuchh pukhta kar diya tha. Suhana ki chhaati dard se jakad gayi.

Suhana : You promised her something, didn't you???

Uski awaaz kaanp gayi. Woh aarop nahi laga rahi thi, lekin awaaz me dard saaf jhalak raha tha.

Suhana : Iske liye!??

Usne painting aage karte hue poochha.

Veer : Ab ye aapki hai. It's my gift. For you.

Veer ne uski aankhon me dekhte hue kaha. Uska mann kuchh derr pehle ki mulaqaat ki orr kaundh gaya.

---

Din ke dauran uski car ruki, woh Kaera ke ghar pahuch chuka tha. Jassi aur Raghu use dekhte hi aage badhe. Aam taur par wo dono use rokte aur poochhte, magar unhone bas sirr hila diya.

Bas ek mamooli sa security check aur unn dono ne hi use andar jaane de diya. Koi sawaal nahi. Koi baat nahi.

Veer ne andar ghar me pravesh kiya. Saubhagyavash aaj Kishore ghar par nahi tha. Usne mushqil se abhi teen-chaar qadam hi badhaaye the ki Julia hall me prakat hui. Veer ko dekhte hi uski aankhein chaudi ho gayi.

Julia : Oh? *smiles* Young Master Veer.

Veer : It’s just Veer.

Julia : Please, allow me to call you ‘Young Master.’ In this house, names carry weight. *smiles*

Uski awaaz me kuchh chanchalta thi, kuchh sharaarat.

Julia : Aisa aksar nahi hota ki mujhe aapko dekhne ka mauka mile. Aap yaha Young Miss ke liye aaye ho na? Follow me please.

Veer : Hindi huh!? Nice. Tumhe kaise pata chala ki mein Miss Kaera se-

Julia (smiles) : Isme pata karne ki zaroorat nahi hai, young master. It was obvious.

Woh aage badhi. Veer uske peechhe-peechhe aaya. Lift ke andar dono daakhil hue. Aur, lift upar ki orr jaane lagi.

Julia : You look serious today. Business or heart?

Veer : Huh? Does it matter?

Julia : To me? No. For her? *smiles* Always.

Veer ne koi jawaab nahi diya. Julia darasal use pasand karti thi. Romantically nahi. Bas apni miss ke liye. Woh jaanti thi ki uski miss ke liye Veer kitna maayne rakhta hai. Aur, kyun Veer baaki mardo se alag tha.

[She likes you.]

'Huh? Oh come on, Pari. Har koi mujhse-'

*Ding*

[Julia's favorability : 68]

[See?]

'Kya? 68 hi hai. Nothing much.'

[It's more than enough. Itna bataane ke liye kaafi hai ki wo aapko pasand toh zaroor karti hai, Master. Of course, not in a romantic way. But she likes you.]

Pari aur uske beech ye sanvaad kuchh aur chal paata ki itne me-

*Ting*

Lift ruki. Julia bina kisi jhijhak ke corridor se guzri. Kaera ke kamre se hote hue woh uske bedroom ke baahar aa kar khadi hui.

Usne ek baar darwaaza khat-khataaya aur phir dobaara me bina anumati liye hi usne darwaaze ko dhakel kar khol diya. Woh aur Veer andar aaye aur andar qadam rakhte hi Veer maano saans lena hi bhool gaya.




Kaera apne bistar par paalthi maare baithi hui thi, jism par bas ek dheeli-dhaali safed striped shirt thi. Perr aur jaangh poori tarah se nagn.

Usne apne haatho me pakdi ek kitaab se nazrein upar uthaayi. Jab usne Veer ko dekha toh chehre par halki si muskaan apne aap aa gayi.

Kaera : Oh?

Usne apni kitaab ko takiye ke neeche sarkaaya.

Uski nigaahein Julia par tiki.

Kaera : Tumhe pata hai na ki mere bedroom me aane ki permission kisi ko bhi nahi hai? Father ko bhi nahi. Even Karan.

Julia (smiles) : Jaanti hu, miss. But I also know that today you might make an exception.

Kehte hue usne Veer ki orr dekha, phir wapas se Kaera ki taraf.

Kaera (smiles) : I hate that you’re right about that part.

Julia muskuraayi aur jhukte hue abhivaadan ki.

Julia : I will leave you two alone then.

Jaate-jaate woh darwaaze par ruki, uski nigaahein ek pal ke liye Veer se phirse mili. Aankhon me ek ajeeb tarah ki chamak thi. Phir, woh darwaza band karke baahar nikal gayi. Aur, kamre me sannaata chhaa gaya.

Kaera ne thoda sa hilte hue apne perr modey.

Kaera : Mujhe nahi pata tha ki tum surprises dena bhi enjoy karte ho, Veer. So? What brings you here?

Kehte hue usne aalas me saamne ki chair ki orr ishaara kiya.

Kaera : Have a seat.

Veer baitha. Usne Kaera ko dekha. Kuchh toh gadbad thi. ICONGLOBE ki deal ki uss raat Kaera ne bina kisi jhijhak ke use kiss kiya tha. Uss par apna adhikaar jataaya tha.

Aur ab? Woh ekdum shaant thi. Beparwah si. Maano woh raat bas ek bhooli-bisri yaad bann chuki ho.

[Don’t worry. Aisa kuchh nahi hai, Master.]

‘Tumne mere mann ko padha?’

[Nahi. Bas jaan gayi ki aap kya soch rahe hoge.]

*Ding*

[Kaera’s favorability : 99]

Favorability badhi hui thi. Phir, Kaera bhala iss tarah se kyun pesh aa rahi thi? Yeh uske aam vyaktitva se alag tha. Veer ne iss baare me sochna band kiya aur usne apne phone par nazar daali. Divya ka ek message screen par dikhaayi de raha tha.

“Agar tum Suhana ko waqai ek achha gift dena chaahte ho toh Arvind Mirajkar ki ‘The lantern that survived’ painting use de sakte ho. Agar, tum use arrange karwa sakte ho toh… Kyunki, jaha tak mujhe yaad hai, woh Kaera ke paas hai. Suhana ke paas Arvind ke kaafi famous works hai, lagbhag sabhi siwaaye uss ek ke…”

Veer ne screen band ki aur seedha mudde pe aaya.

Veer : Kya aapke paas-

Kaera (smiles) : Aapke?

Veer (smiles) : I mean- Kya tumhare paas ‘The lantern that survived’ painting hai?

Sunte hi Kaera ke kaan khade hue aur uske haav-bhaav turant hi badal gaye. Woh seedhi ho kar baithi aur muskuraayi.

Kaera : Ah! *smirks* Toh tum Suhana ko gift dene ka plan kar rahe ho.

Veer maun raha. Use jawaab dene ki zaroorat bhi nahi thi. Uski khamoshi hi pushti thi. Kaera ne ek gehri saans li.

Kaera : Tumhe kisne bataaya ki woh painting mere paas hai?

Veer : Divya.

Kaera : I see!

Usne ek haami bhari.

Kaera (grins) : Of course. Wo dono best friends hai. Sab share karti hai. No wonder.

Usne phir paini nazron se Veer ko ghoora.

Kaera : Everything has a price, Veer.

Veer (nods) : Aur, mein pay karne ke liye taiyaar hu.

Kaera ki muskaan aur chaudi ho gayi jaise maano Veer uske saamne koi mazaak kar raha ho.

Kaera : Hundred thousand billion dollars. Can you pay it?

Veer (shocked) : Mein-

Kaera : See? *smiles* Agar, mujhe paise hi chaahiye hote, toh mein use khareedti hi kyun, Veer?

Woh dheere se khadi hui.




Kaera : Come.

Veer uske peechhe-peechhe bedroom se baahar nikla, uske main room se hote hue ek gallery waale room me pahucha jaha chuninda kalakritiyaan pradarshit ho rakhi thi. Kaera ek khaas canvas ke saamne ruki. Woh painting-

The lantern that survived.

Kaera ne uss painting ko showcase par se nikaala aur uski ungliyaan frame par phir gayi.

Kaera : Kya de sakte ho Veer… Iske badle me…?

Usne bina uski orr dekhe poochha. Veer chup raha. Kaera ne painting ko uski orr kar use dikhaaya.

Kaera : You see this woman? Toofan ke baad lantern ki taraf jo haath badha rahi hai?

Veer : ..!?

Kaera : Iss ladki me mein khud apne aap ko dekhti hu. Aur, pata hai iss lantern me kisko dekhti hu?

Kehte hue uski nigaahein Veer par phiri, unn nazron me kuchh ankaha chhipa hua tha. Veer ke honth halke se khule-

Veer : I-

Kaera : Anyways… I don’t need money. I have plenty of it. What I want is… A promise.

Veer : Promise? K-Kaisa promise?

Kaera : I don’t know. Par, jab time aayega, tab tumhe mere liye kuchh karna hoga. Jo mein maangungi woh.

Veer ne turant uttar nahi diya.

Veer : What is it that you want?

Kaera (smiles) : I don’t know yet.

*Silence*

Kaera : I will ask when the time comes.

Yahi sabse khatarnak pehlu tha. Ek undefined debt. Veer ne uss par vichaar kiya. Par, akhir Kaera uss se kya hi maangengi bhavishya me? Akhir uske paas toh sab kuchh tha jo insaan aam taur par paane ki chaah rakhta hai.

Suhana ka chehra ek kshan ke liye uske mann me mandraaya. Woh khamosh gham jo kabhi Suhana ne zaahir nahi kiya tha. Veer ne akhirkar sarr hilaaya.

Veer : I accept it. Jab samay aayega, tum jo kahogi, mein woh karunga.

Kaera ne kuchh pal tak use nihaara. Phir, usne woh painting use thama di.

Kaera : Take it. It’s yours now.

Veer ne saavdhani se uss painting ko apne haatho me liya. Aur, ab Kaera ke chehre par aisa bhaav tha jise samajhna lagbhag asambhav tha. Na hi kisi jeet ka aur na hi kisi haar ka.

Veer : Miss Suhana ne aapko invite nahi kiya?

Invited toh Veer khud bhi nahi tha par woh jaanta tha ki Suhana ne use kyun invite nahi kiya tha. Kaaran tha - Gaurav.

Kaera : Iss painting ko woh na jaane kitne saalo tak mujhse maangti rahi aur maine use ye aaj tak nahi di. Kya tumhe lagta hai woh mujhe invite karegi?

Veer : I see. So… aapas me koi berr nahi. Hai na?

Kaera : No. We’re on neutral terms. Woh mujhe zyada pasand nahi karti. Aur, mein use blame nahi karti.

Kehte hue usne neeche ki floor ki taraf ishaara kiya.

Kaera : But my little brother received an invitation, though. See? Kaise Suhana mujhe taunt karti hai!? Woh aise ready ho raha hai jaise uski girlfriend ne date par bulaaya ho.

Veer muskuraaya.

Veer : Thank you! It means a lot.

Kehte hue woh baahar nikalne ki orr chal pada. Tabhi, peechhe se use Kaera ki awaaz sunaayi di.

Kaera : Remember what you promised, Veer. Now you owe me twice.

Woh muskuraayi. Usne ICONGLOBE ki raat waali baat bhi use yaad dilaayi ki kaise Veer ab uska karzdaar tha. Ek baar nahi. Do baar.

Veer ruka. Aur, bina mudey hi bola.

Veer : I will.

Aur, phir woh baahar nikal gaya. Kaera wapas se apne bedroom me lauti, takiye ke neeche se usne apni wahi kitaab baahar nikaali jiska sheershak tha-

The Art of Loving without Losing.

Aur, usme pehle hi chapter ki seekh thi - Never show full interest. Let them come toward you.

‘Ugh! This is hard. I cannot do this.’

Usne pehle page ko faad ke dustbin me fek diya. Aur, woh dusre chapter par kood gayi.

---

Suhana ki aankhon me phirse aasu bhar aaye. Iss baar kisi aur dard ke chalte. Usne painting ko car ke andar rakha aur phir woh aage badhi aur usne Veer ko kasskar jakad liya. Kuchh zyaada hi zor se.

Usi waqt ek cab unse kuchh doorie par aakar ruki aur andar se ek aurat baahar nikli ~ Divya.




Veer ne use location apni pehle hi bhej di thi. Jaise hi woh unki taraf aage badhi, uske qadam saamne ke drishya ko dekh wahi jamm gaye.

Suhana ne Veer ke sarr ko neeche kheencha aur iss baar bina kisi sharm ke-




Usne Veer ke hontho ko apne muh me bhar liya.

*Kiss*

Uski aankhein band thi. Uske haath kass ke Veer ke baalo ko jakde hue the. Seena uski chhaati me dhasa hua tha. Aur, bina aate-jaate traffic ki parvaah kiye, woh Veer ke hontho ko choosne lagi. Ek baar. Do baar. Baar-baar. Bina ruke. Maano jaise ye jeevan ka antim lamha tha.

[See? I told you Suhana loves you.]

Pari ki awaaz uske mann me goonji. Magar, Veer ka dhyaan iss waqt Suhana par tha. Dono alag hue. Suhana ne use dekha. Veer ki aankhon me aashcharya tha.

Veer : Suhana…!?

Suhana : Shhhh-! Bas mere sawaalo ka jawaab do.

Veer : ???

Suhana : K-Kyun? Mere liye itna sab kyun?

Veer : Kyunki… Kyunki, aapko woh painting kayi saalo se chaahiye thi.

Suhana : Chaahiye toh mujhe aur bhi bahut kuchh hai. Doge mujhe?

Usne Veer ke hontho ko dekh bola.

*badumps*

Aur, iss baar Veer ki dhadkane tez ho gayi.

Veer : Su-

Bolne se pehle hi ek baar phir Suhana ne uske hontho par vaar kar diya. Uski saans phool rahi thi par uske bawajood woh Veer ko choomne se peechhe nahi hatna chaahti thi.

Aaj use samajh aa raha tha ki uss raat Kaera ko kaisa mehsoos hua hoga. Kahi na kahi use gussa aa raha tha ki Kaera ne ye ehsaas uss se pehle paa liya. Aur, woh wahi ki wahi bas khadi hoti dekhti rahi. Uss yaad ko woh aaj mitaana chaahti thi.

Jab dono alag hue toh dono ki hi saansein tez thi.

Suhana : Y-Ye sab tumhara plan tha na? *huff*

Veer (nods) : H-Haan! Sorry, meri wajah se aapka birthday-

Suhana : Nahi! It’s the best birthday gift I have ever got. Tumne mujhe azaad kiya hai. *glances* Aur, ye pal mein kabhi bhi nahi bhoolungi, Veer. Thank you~

“Tum dono ka ho gaya ho toh koi mujhe notice karega ab?”

Divya ki awaaz unke kaano me padi. Suhana ne jaisi hi use paaya, uske gaal sharm se laal ho gaye aur woh jhatse Veer se alag ho gayi.

Suhana : Divya? Tum yaha?

Divya : Haan mein yaha-

Suhana : T-Tum y-yaha kaise-!?

Divya : Veer ki location mere phone me update ho rahi thi. *walks forward* Happy birthday jaaneman!

Aur, usne kass ke Suhana ko apni baahon me bhar liya.

Suhana : Divya-!

Divya : Shh! I know kya hua hai. Veer ne mujhe sab pehle hi bata diya tha ki kya hone waala hai.

Suhana : Matlab tumhe pata tha?

Divya (nods) : Hmm! Happy birthday darling~ You deserved it. You deserve this happiness. This freedom. Every good thing in this world.

Veer : Ladies! Ab samay aa gaya hai mein niklu-

Suhana : Kyaaaa? N-Nahi!

Usne Veer ka haath kasskar thaama.

Suhana : You are not going anywhere. P-Please~ I beg you! Kahi mat jao. I want you to be with me. Tum dono… meri life me sabse important ho. *sob* Please~ Aaj mein bahut khush hu. I want to spend the rest of the night with you two. Please~

Veer ne uske gaalo ko apne haatho me liya aur uske chehre ki orr halka sa jhuka.

Veer : I know! Lekin… aapke husband ke khilaaf wo sab saboot jo maine pesh kiye. Uske liye… Mujhe police station jaana hi hoga. DGP se milna hoga. You know it too ki ye kitna serious matter hai, right? Mein aapse milne phirse aaunga baad me. Don’t worry.

Suhana : P-Par-

Veer ne uske maathe ko haule se chooma. Suhana ka badan kaanp gaya.

Veer : Maine kaha hai na ki mein aaunga. Now… Go. Aap apni best friend se itne time baad mil rahi ho. Aur, aap poochhna nahi chaahti Divya se ki woh itne din Mumbai me rahi toh mili kyu nahi aapse? *smiles* Spend some time with her.

Suhana : I-

Veer ne iss baar uski thuddi ko pakad uska chehra upar uthaaya aur Divya ke saamne hi-

*Kiss*

Uske hontho ko ek baar phirse choom liya. Suhana ka dil gadgad ho chuka tha. Woh kuchh derr pehle ka gham bhool chuki thi kyunki uske sabse pasandeeda vyakti uske paas the.

Suhana : P-Promise?

Veer : Haan promise.

Suhana : Aur, Kaera ko tumne kya diya badle me?

Veer : Kuchh bhi nahi.

Suhana : Jhooth mat bolo, mein jaanti hu ki woh yuhi tumhe painting nahi de sakti chaahe tum uske kitne hi achhe dost hi kyun na ho.

Veer : Bas ek vaada. Jiske baare me unhone nahi bataaya. Samay aane par woh mujhse kuchh maangengi.

Suhana ki bauhe kisi chinta me sikudi.

Veer : Ab mujhe jaana hoga. Enjoy your night now, okay? Leave the rest to me.

Kehte hue woh muda aur Divya ke bagal se jaane ke liye hue toh Divya ne uska haath pakad use rok liya. Uski peeth abhi bhi Veer ki taraf hi thi. Lekin, haath peechhe ki orr uski kalaayi ko thaame hue tha.

Divya (mutters) : Thank you.

Veer : Don’t mention it.

Divya : Nahi. Like, really… Thank you. Thank you so much. Tumhari wajah se hi aaj mein aur Suhana-

Veer (smiles) : Thank me some other time then. I need to go now.

Divya : Huh? Oh! *blushes* As you wish… *smiles*

Aur, Veer dono sakhiyo ko aapas me chhor waha se nikal gaya.

***

Raat abhi poori tarah se chhat bhi nahi paayi thi aur Mumbai me Gaurav ke bangley me mache hungaame se abhi tak log uss ghatna se prabhavit the.

Jab Suhana ghar se bhaagi thi, theek uske kuchh kshan pehle hi koi aur bhi waha se jaldbaazi me nikla tha. Uss waqt-

Ek black sedan car tez raftaar me bhaagte hue driveway se nikli, uske tyres ki cheenkh sadak par goonj uthi. Car ke andar Nik ke haath kaanp rahe the. Usne steering wheel ko kasskar jakad rakha tha. Jaise hi usne car ko sadak par moda, aur estate se dur tezi se bhagaaya, uske maathe par gusse se nassein ubhar aayi.

“Shit… shit… shit…”

Saansein tez thi. Kuchh hi palon me sab kuchh bikhar gaya tha. Projector. Gaurav ki sacchaayi ka saamne aana. Police ka aana. Woh files. Kisi ne sab kuchh plan kar rakha tha.

Aur, Nik ko iska matlab achhi tarah pata tha. Uss haramkhor Veer ko sab kuchh gyaat tha. Uski car sadak par tezi se bhaagti gayi. Lekin, tabhi kareeban uske 100 metre peechhe hi-

Ek aur car andhere se baahar nikli. Phir, ek aur. Aur, phir ek aur. Teen kaali gaadiyaan raat me sadak par aise utri jaise shikaari shikaar ke liye utarte hai.

Pehli SUV ke andar ek aadmi, driver seat ke bagal waali seat par jhuka hua tha aur windshield se baahar jhaak raha tha.

Surya. Wahi Sarabhai gang member ka ek mehatvpoorn member. Wahi gang jisko Aadesh ne hire kiya tha Veer ki hekdi nikaalne ke liye lekin, baad me Balhaar ke saamne use hi muh ki khaani padi thi. Uss din ke baad se hi Sarabhai aur uski gang Balhaar ke saamne natmastak ho gaye the.

Surya (smirks) : Kya hi kehne boss ke-!

Usne car ke baahar darwaaze ko haath se do baar thap-thapaaya aur driver ki orr jhuka.

Surya : Woh raha angrez ka choda, kameena. Tez chala bey!

Driver : K-Kaha? K-Kaun sa kameena, Surya bhai?

Surya : Wahi videshi chooha jiske baare me kal Veer boss ne bataaya tha.

Driver : P-Pakka wahi hai na? Koi aur nikla toh-?

Surya ne apna mobile nikaalte hue tasveerein check ki.

Surya : Wahi car number. Car ka wahi color. Sab same hai. Tu nahi tha na kal adde pe? Tujhe nahi pata. Bhaga! Bhaga! Aage le!

Driver (nods) : H-Haan, bhai!

SUV ka engine zor se garja.

Surya : Aur, tez!!!

Car tezi se aage badhi aur unke peechhe unke saath ki do cars bina kisi nirdesh ke hi unka peechha karne lagi. Chase shuru ho chuki thi.

---

Pichhli raat…

Docks se lage ek warehouse me, bade se hall me log samooh me khade the. Kuchh cigarette pee rahe the, kuchh bakso par tike hue the, kuchh aapas me fusfusa rahe the aur kuchh naye-naye aaye maal ko rakhwa rahe the.

Ye aam aadmi nahi the. Ye wo log the jo logo ko gaayab karne me maahir the. Sarabhai ek jagah khade kisi se baat-cheet kar raha tha. Surya uske bagal me khade tambakhu khaa raha tha aur beecho-beech Balhaar baitha hua tha. Lekin, aaj raat-

Balhaar kamre ka mukhiya nahi tha. Warehouse ke farsh par kisi ke aane ki aahat goonji. Koi andar aaya. Haath jebo me. Pehnaawa ekdum mehnga. Saaf-suthra. Aur, hontho par halki si muskaan.

Veer hall me aise daakhil hua jaise maano woh uss warehouse ka maalik ho. Baat-cheet tham gayi. Sarabhai turant hi seedha khada ho gaya. Surya ne apne tambakhu ko jeb me rakh liya. Aur, Balhaar bhi swayam khada ho gaya.

Veer unse kuchh hi doorie par ruka. Uski nigaahein waha jamey hue logo par dheere-dheere ghoomi. Phir, usne Balhaar ki orr dekha.

Veer : Kal raat ek ‘Nik’ naam ka ek videshi aadmi Globerays ke CEO, Gaurav ke ghar se faraar hoyega.

Sab ne use hairaani bhari aankhein liye dekha. Kaun Nik? Bhaagega? Kaha? Veer ne aage kehna jaari rakha.

Veer : Ek middle aged aadmi hai. Dikhne me thoda sa hatta-katta hai. Theek-thaak height hai. Kal woh waha se bhaagega. Ek black SUV me.

Samooh ke ek naye sadasya, jise Veer ke baare me kuchh bhi nahi pata tha, usne apni bauhe chadhaayi aur bola.

Ladka : Toh, hum kya kare? Tum kaun ho? Aur, humaara uss se kya lena-dena?

Warehouse me sannaata chhaa gaya. Sarabhai ne uss ladke ko dekha. Iske pehle ki woh moorkh kuchh aur keh paata-

*Chataak*

Surya aage badha aur use itni zor se thappad maara ki uski awaaz poore hall me goonj uthi. Woh ladka sadme me apna gaal pakadte hue peechhe ki orr ladkhada gaya.

Surya (yells) : Bhosdike, jab bolne ko kaha jaaye tabhi apna muh khola kar, samjha na?

Woh zor se gurraaya, uski aankhein gusse se laal thi. Usne uss ladke ki collor pakdi aur use peechhe dhakela.

Surya : Aur, agar Veer boss ne kaha hai ki aisa hoga… toh waisa hi hoga. Samajh gaya lawde???

Ladka (shivers) : J-Ji bhai! Sorry!

Kamra ekdum shaant ho gaya. Veer ne uss orr dekha bhi nahi. Woh bas bolta raha.

Veer : Jaise hi woh bhaagega, tum uska peechha karoge.

Balhaar aage badha.

Balhaar : Pakadna hai?

Veer : Haan!

Balhaar : Pakad ke kya karna hai?

Veer : Kuchh nahi. Bas pakadna hai. Zinda.

Balhaar (nods) : Ho jaayega.

Usne apne ladko par ek nazar daali. Surya aur kuchh aur ladko ki taraf.

Balhaar : Ladke log sambhaal lenge.

Veer ne apna phone uski orr feka toh Balhaar ne use pakad liya.

Veer : Uski pictures aur car ki details hai. Apne phone me leke ladko ko bhej do. Koi galti na hone paaye.

Balhaar ne haami bhar theek waisa hi kiya, phir uska chehra thoda narm pad gaya.

Balhaar : Shukriya.

Veer : Hmm?

Balhaar : Police ko vyast rakhne ke liye. Har jagah bhaag-daud me lagi hai wo. Prestige ka lafda. Serial killer ki khoj. Underground lair ki jaanch. Humaara woh Aadesh jaisinghani ke private suite me video bana ke viral karne ka idea. Sheher ke aadhe adhikari kaagazi kaaryavahi aur chhaapo ke bojh taley dabe hue hai.

Veer (grins) : Oh!?

Balhaar : Iss se mujhe kaafi samay mila hai. Warna, underground hue bahut waqt ho raha tha.

Veer jaanta tha ki uski wajah se Balhaar ko yeh sunehra avsar mila tha. Aage badhne ka samay. Phirse, nirmaan karne ka samay. Vikaas karne ka samay. Taaqat badhaane ka samay.

Balhaar : Mere liye maidaan kaafi saaf ho gaya. Iss se kaafi madad mili hai.

Veer (smiles) : Bas Nik ko pakad lena.

Usne iss baat par charcha nahi ki. Woh muda aur darwaaze ke paas ruka.

Veer : Use bhaagne mat dena.

Aur, bas itna bol woh waha se nikal gaya.

---

Nik ki sedan itni tezi se mod se guzri ki lagbhag bhidte-bhidte bach hi gayi. Uski saansein ab ladkhadaayi hui thi. Usne sheeshe me peechhe ka drishya dekha. Pehle toh kuchh nahi tha. Bas khaali sadak. Phir, do second ke baad hi-

Ek jodi headlights dikhaayi padi. Phir, ek aur. Aur, phir ek aur. Nik ki aankhein chaudi ho gayi.

“What the hell…?”

Raushni aur qareeb aane lagi. Behad qareeb. Uska dil zoro se dhadka.

“Shit!”

Usne accelerator par perr dabaaya. Engine zor se dahaada. Sedan kisi rocket ki tarah tezi se aage bhaagi. Aur, uske theek peechhe Surya, apni seat par aage ki orr jhuk gaya.

Surya : Wo raha madarchod! Pakad behanchod ko!

Usne dashboard par zor se haath maara.

Surya : Bhaga bhosdike!! Bhaga! Saala bach ke jaane na paaye.

Driver : Ji bhai! Nahi bhaag paayega!

SUV tez raftaar se aage badhi. Baaki gaadiyaan bhi unke peechhe kataar lagaaye bhaagti gayi. Ek gaadi daahine lane me ghus gayi toh wahi dusri baayi taraf waali lane me, Nik ko pakadne ke liye.

Nik ne sheeshe me dekha. Teen gaadiyon me se ab ek hi gaadi bachi thi. Lekin, woh jaanta tha ki baaki do kisi aur route se uss tak aane ki koshish kar rahi hongi. Uska gala sookh gaya.

“Fuck! Who the hell are these people?”

Uska dimaag har jagah daud raha tha. Tabhi, achanak usne apna phone uthaaya aur Gaurav ko call bhidaaya. Iss aas me ki usne ab tak matter sambhaal liya hoga. Ghanti baji, magar-

---

Idhar police station me Gaurav ko hathkadiyo me baandhe galiyaare me ghaseeta jaa raha tha. Gusse se uska poora chehra laal tha.

Gaurav : DGP!! Tumhe maalum nahi hai tum kise chhu rahe ho. Tumhe lagta hai ye khel yahi khatam ho jaayega?

Ek adhikari ne use aage dhakela. “Aage badho!”

Gaurav : Mein tumhara woh hashr karunga ki tum mere paas aake gidgidaoge, DGP! Yaad rakhna! Tum sab ke sab!

Rohan paas khada chup-chap sab dekhta raha, jab tak ki Gaurav ko andar jail me nahi daal diya gaya. Ab aage ki baat tabhi honi thi jab uski koi bail karwaane aaye. Tab tak ke liye, Gaurav ek gunehgaar hi tha.

Rohan : Iss file me jitne bhi saboot hai unhe cross check karo. Sab authentic hai ya nahi. Pendrive ke data ki ek report bana kar mujhe pesh karo. Sab cross check karo. Samajh gaye? Koi bhi maayi ka laal inn raeeso ko begunaah saabit karwaane ke liye aayega, toh unhe mein khud dekhunga.

Adhikari : Ji sir!

Tabhi, Rohan ki jeb me Gaurav ka phone baj utha jo usne zabt kiya tha. Usne screen par nazar daali.

Caller ID : Nik

Uski bauhe kass uthi. ‘Iska matlab Veer sahi tha…!’

Usne Gaurav ka bajta phone turant hi ek officer ki orr pheka.

Rohan : Call uthao. Trace karo iski location. Aur, ek unit taiyaar rakho turant bhejne ke liye.

Officer : Ji sir!

Rohan ne aadesh dete hue kaha. Uske peechhe Gaurav lagataar gaaliyaan bak raha tha.

Gaurav (yells) : Tum sab gaye kaam se behanchodo! Baahar bas nikalne do mujhe. Baahar nikalte hi mein tum sabko dafna dunga.

Rohan (smiles) : Jitna ganda bol sakte ho bolo, Mister Gaurav. Ye humaare liye aur bhi beneficial hai. Agar, kisi tarah tum riha ho bhi gaye, toh ek DGP ke saath badtameezi karne ke jurm me tumhe phir se andar toh daal sakta hu.

Gaurav (smirks) : Hmph! I’m drunk, DGP Sir. You know… nashe me bole gaye shabdo ko seriously maan ke saza nahi suna sakte.

Rohan : Dekha jaayega, Mister Gaurav. Dekha jaayega.

Tabhi, koi waha par aaya. Veer police station ki entrance par khada hua tha, haath jebo me, Suhana ki party me pehne gaye wahi kapde uske badan par the.

Trisha ne use sabse pehle dekha. Phir, Rohan ne. Aur, phir dono Rohan Trisha ne ek-dusre ko dekha.

Rohan : Toh, akhirkar aa hi gaye tum.

Veer (smiles) : Kisi ko interrogation jo chaahiye tha.

Rohan ne paas ek cabin ki orr ishaara kiya.

Rohan : Andar!

Kuchh minute baad, darwaaza band hua. Rohan Veer ke saamne mej ke dusri orr baitha hua tha. Trisha recording device taiyaar kar ke deewar ke paas khadi hui thi. Veer baitha aur apni kursi par thoda peechhe jhuk gaya. Araam se. Rohan ne use dhyaan se dekha.

Rohan : Toh… Aaj raat. Ye sab tumhara kiya dhara tha, hai na?

Veer (bluntly) : Bilkul!

Rohan ki bauhe tann gayi.

Rohan : Kaise?

Veer : Mere paas mere jasoos hai.

Rohan (leans forward) : Kaun?

Veer (smiles) : Ek jasoos jasoos hota hai, Sir. Hai na?

Rohan ne dheere se saans chhori. Ek pal ke liye kuchh derr pehle ka Erica ka naqaab-posh chehra uske mann me aaya.

Rohan : Theek hai! Mat batao. Toh, aaj ke iss khel se kya samjhu mein Veer? Kya yahi ki tumhe apraadhiyo ko be-naqaab karne me maza aata hai?

Veer : Aapko toh meri uplabdhi se khush hona chaahiye na? Hai ki nahi?

Rohan : Haan! *pauses* Aur, na. Tumne ek criminal ko expose kiya hai. Achhi baat hai. Lekin, tumne logo ki privacy ko invade bhi kiya hai, data hack kiya, security ko breach kiya aur illegally ye sab praapt kiya. *frowns* Ye apne aap me ek crime hai.

Veer : …

Rohan : Tumne kanoon ko apne haath me liya hai.

Veer (leans forward) : Aur, agar nahi leta toh?

Rohan : …

Veer (mutters) : Aap sab ko ghanta koi khabar lagni thi ki Gaurav peeth peechhe kya kuchh kar raha tha.

Baat sach thi. Rohan ne koi jawaab nahi diya. Veer punah peechhe jhuk gaya.

Veer : Jis asal mudde ke liye aapne mujhe yaha bulaaya hai. Kyun na hum uss par aaye ab?

Rohan : Tum underground lair ke andar the?

Veer : Haan.

Rohan : Kya dekha tumne udhar?

Veer : Serial killer ko.

Recording karte hue Trisha ka haath ek pal ke liye ruk gaya. Rohan ki nazrein paini hui.

Rohan : Meri beti ne bataaya ki tumne uss killer ke saath haathapaayi bhi ki thi. Kya ye sach hai?

Veer (chuckles) : Haan. Yeh sach hai.

Rohan : Aur, tum sahi-salaamat do bacchiyo ko lekar bach kar bhi baahar nikal aaye?

Veer : Hey! Mein kaafi injured tha. Kyun, hai na Miss Trisha? *smiles*

Trisha ka badan thitura. Woh asahaj sa mehsoos karne lagi. Rohan ne uski taraf dekha. Trisha ne phir haami bhari.

Trisha : Woh… *nods* Woh ghaayal tha.

Rohan (glances) : Serial killer ke baare me aur kuchh jaante ho?

Veer : Hmm! Jo sketch police ne jaari kiya tha, woh ekdum accurate hai. Ek aged man. Safed baal. Kandhe tak. Woh tez tha. Taqatvar. Aur… ek psycho.

Rohan (frowns) : Kya uske muh se aur kuchh anjaane me nikla tha? Koi maqsad?

Veer : Nahi! Par, itna zaroor bata sakta hu ki woh paiso ke liye nahi maar raha. Na hi badle ke liye. Na hi kisi ideology ki wajah se. Woh ek unhinged serial killer hai. Jo mazey ke liye maarta hai. Use pleasure milta hai. He’s a bloody psycho.

Kamre ka taapmaan thanda pad gaya. Trisha ki ungliyaan Pihu ko yaad kar recorder par kass gayi.

Rohan : Tumne abhi-abhi kaha ki woh ek aged man hai. Agar, woh itna hi aged hai, toh bhala itna khatarnak kaise hai?

Veer ki nazrein uthi. Aur, kamre me andar ghusne ke baad, pehli baar uske hontho par se muskaan gaayab thi.

Veer : Kyunki, woh trained hai. Aur, unpredictable.

Rohan : !?

Veer (leans forward) : Agli baar agar unfortunately aapka saamna uss se ho jaaye toh- *pauses* toh apne saath jitne bhi armed officers le jaa sakte ho, leke jaaiyega.

Rohan : !!!?

Veer : Jitne bhi weapons hai. Sab. Jitni bhi unit forces hai. Sab.

Rohan (frowns) : Kyun? Ek aged aadmi ke liye itna sab bhala kyun?

Veer : Kyunki, yeh wahi aged aadmi hai jise aapki poori police force abhi tak nahi pakad paayi, aur wo din dahaade murders par murders karta chala gaya. Yaha tak ki, aapki beti ko bhi utha ke le gaya tha.

*Silence*

Kuchh der tak bas sannaata chhaaya raha. Rohan ne ek gehri saans li.

Rohan : Ab do sabse important sawaal. Pehla. Tumne Pihu aur Juhi ko uss serial killer se kaise bachaaya?

Veer : Mein lucky tha. Juhi aur Pihu mujhe kismat ke chalte mil gayi thi. Uske baad bhaagte waqt hi meri haathapaayi uss se hui thi. Meri kismat isliye achhi thi kyunki, woh pehle se hi shaayad injured tha.

Rohan : Huh?

Veer : Haan! Isliye, ladte waqt mujhe chot zaroor aayi par mein bhaag nikalne me qamyaab tha.

Rohan : Injured hone ke bawajood woh police se bach kar bhaag nikla? *frowns* Dusra sawaal. Tumhe kaise pata chala ki Pihu aur Juhi underground lair me hai?

Veer (smiles) : Maine abhi aapse kaha tha ki mere paas mere jasoos hai.

Rohan : Bakwaas mat karo, Veer. Mujhe sirf sach chaahiye.

Veer (shrugs) : Theek hai. Raahgeero se pata chala tha.

Rohan (frowns) : Par police ko toh ye saboot nahi mil paaye the.

Veer : Toh mujhe kaise mil gaye?

Rohan (frowns) : Tum-!!!

Veer : Aur, isliye maine kaha. *smiles* Ki agli baar agar uss se saamna ho, toh satark rahiyega. Otherwise-

Rohan : …?

Veer : You’ll regret it!!!

---

Idhar, Nik ki gaadi kisi bike waale ko takkar maarte-maarte bachi. Uska chehra paseene se lath-path tha.

“Come on… come on… pick the damn call, Gaurav!”

Call akhirkar utha.

“Hello! Hello? Gaurav?”

Lekin, dusre chhor se koi awaaz nahi aayi. Bas khamoshi. Nik ka dimaag tezi se ghooma. Ek bura ehsaas. Usne mirror me dekha. Headlights. Abhi bhi thi. Aur, qareeb.

Gaurav. Police? Kahi woh use le toh nahi gaye? Agar, aisa tha toh uska phone-

“Shit!!”

Uski saans ek pal ke liye ruk gayi. Survival instincts trigger hue aur bina kisi jhijhak ke usne phone kaan se hataaya aur call cut karte hue khidki ke baahar fek diya.

Nik ne accelerator ko aur zor se dabaaya. Sedan bhaagi aur traffic ko cheerte hue nikalne lagi. Usne dobaara sheeshe me dekha. Gaadiyaan abhi bhi aa rahi thi.

“Who the hell are they? Fuck!”

Woh gurraaya. Uska dimag har jagah daudne laga. Police? Nahi. Police iss tarah se peechha nahi karti. Ye koi aur log the. Kuchh planned tha. Usne gaadi ko ek sakre mod me moda.

Peechhe , Surya ne zor se dashboard par maara.

Surya : Haraam-zaada gaadi chalaane me expert lagta hai. Aage bhagaate raho.

Uski SUV Nik ki car ke peechhe bhaagi.

Surya (shouts) : Aur, tez! Aur, tez! Tez chala gaandu!

Driver ne acceleration badhaaya. Surya iss baar khidki se baahar jhuka. Usne apni handgun uthaayi, aim lagaaya, ek gehri saans aur-

*Bang*

Goli ki awaaz traffic sadak par goonj uthi aur goli Nik ki sedan ke peechhe ke sheeshe se takraayi.

*Crack*

Sheesha kisi makdi ke jaale ke samaan chakna-choor ho gaya. Car ke andar Nik buri tarah chaunk gaya.

“FUCK!”

Uski seat ke peechhe kaanch ke tukde khad-khadaane lage. Jaan halak me thi.

“Motherfuckers are now shooting-!?”

Car par niyantran banaaye rakhne ke liye uske haath paseene se tarr ho chuke the. Usne khud ko shaant karne ki koshish ki. Socho. Socho Nik.

Woh Mumbai ke raasto se achhi tarah waaqif nahi tha. Lekin, kuchh jagaho ko jaanta tha. Aisi jagaahe jaha Gaurav aur usne niji mulaqaatein ki hui thi. Unme se ek jagah yaha se dur nahi thi.

Usne steering wheel ghumaaya aur dusri sadak par mud gaya. Tezi se uss disha ki orr badha. Uske peechhe-

Surya ki muskaan dheere-dheere chaudi ho gayi.

Surya : Oh ho… Dekho toh zara. Haha!

Driver : K-Kya hua bhai?

Surya : Bilkul wahi hua jaisa ki Veer boss ne kaha tha. Bhosdiwaale ne bilkul wahi mod liya hai.

Driver : Huh? Hum uss angrez ko pakad hi kyun rahe hai?

Surya ne uske sarr par ek thappad maara.

Surya : Tu bas gaadi chala, bewakoof. Jitna kaha gaya utna kar. Veer boss ne kaha hai usko zinda pakadna hai matlab pakadna hai.

Driver : J-Ji bhai!

Aage, Nik ki car ek shaant industrialist lane ke paas pahuchi. Uski aankhon me halki si chamak aa gayi.

“This is it!”

Gaurav ke shelters me se ek. Unhone iss shelter ka istemal aksar tab-tab kiya tha jab-jab unhe ekaant me baat karne ki zaroorat hoti thi.

Agar, woh bas kisi tarah se andar pahuch jaaye toh-

‘Huh?’

Uske chehre par se achanak hi rang udd gaya. Shelter ke paas do cars khadi hui thi. Pehle se. Chupke se. Aadhh me. Lekin, Nik ne dekh liya.

“N-Nooo-!!”

Cars ke engine achanak chaalu ho gaye. Nik ki aankhein bhay ke maare fel gayi.

“Fuckkkk! They were waiting for me!?”

Usne steering wheel ko zor se moda aur shelter pahuchne se pehle hi dusri sadak par mud gaya. Uske peechhe-

Dono khadi cars turant chal padi. Wo peechha karne lagi. Nik ko choohe ki tarah bhaagta dekh Surya zor se hasa.

Surya : Kaha bhaagega, bhosdike! Veer boss ne ekdum sahi kaha tha. Ye angrez ka tatta iss taraf bachne ke liye zaroor aayega. Aur, woh sahi the.

Kintu, Nik ko iska koi andaaza nahi tha. Ghera pehle hi kasa jaa chuka tha. Nik ki car ke peechhe, daaye-baaye, har taraf se aadmi uski taraf badh rahe the.

“How the hell do they know those places?”

Uske dimaag me tarah-tarah ke vichaar daud rahe the, tabhi wahi naam uske dimaag me punah aaya.

Veer.

Uska jabda kass gaya.

“That bastard…. VEEEEER!!!”

Wahi tha. Uske alawa aur koi ho hi nahi sakta tha. Par, akhir kaise? Usne accelerator par phir perr dabaaya. Car ek aur highway par tezi se daud padi. Agar, zameen surakshit nahi thi toh-

Keval ek hi vikalp bacha tha. Mumbai harbour. Port Area.

Gaurav ke paas waha ek private yacht thi. Agar, woh waha tak pahuch gaya toh woh bach jaayega.

---

Wapas police station me cabin ke andar sannaata tha. Rohan aur Trisha Veer ko ghoor rahe the. Usne abhi-abhi jo chetaavni di thi, uska gehra asar unn dono par pada tha.

Rohan : Regret? Kya matlab?

Veer : Bilkul wahi jo maine kaha. Aur, jo aapne suna. Serial killer ko aap uski umr ki wajah se kam mat samajhiye. Woh aapki poori police force ko bhi khatam kar sakta hai.

Rohan : Kya bakwaas kar rahe ho!

Veer : Mera kaam tha aapko bataana. Jo maine kar diya hai. Agar, aap yakeen nahi karna chaahte *shrugs* toh aapki marzi.

Woh dheere se khada hua.

Veer : Lekin, baad me mujhse ye mat kehna ki maine aapko warn nahi kiya.

Rohan : We’ll see. Prestige ke haadse waali raat tum kaha the?

Veer : Out of city tha. Late aaya tha.

Rohan : Phirse jhooth. Tumne uss haadse ke baad koi bhi jaankaari nahi di. Koi bhi interrogation nahi. Sab family members hi handle kar rahe the. Kyun?

Veer : Aap mazaak kar rahe ho, right? Maine apne dada ji ko kho diya. Mere ghar ke ek chaheete sadasya ko goli lag gayi, unhone apni chalne ki kshamta kho di. Mera startup tabaah ho gaya. Hotel khoon se rang gaya. Security guards maare gaye. Aur, uss afra-tafri ke beech-

Rohan : …

Veer : Aap mujhse ye expect kar rahe ho ki mein interviews deta?

Rohan ne dheere se saans chhori. Uske paas iska koi jawaab nahi tha. Veer ne shaant bhaav se apni aasteen theek ki.

Veer : I believe maine aapke important questions ke answers de diye hai.

Woh muda aur darwaaze ki orr chal pada, jab-

“YOU ARE NOT LEAVING!”

Rohan ne mej par haath patka aur achanak khada ho gaya. Uski awaaz kamre me goonj uthi.

Rohan : Jab tak mein na kahu, tum yaha se nahi jaaoge.

Veer ruka. Aur, dheere se peechhe muda.

Veer : Oh!? *smiles*

Rohan uske qareeb aaya. Aur, tabhi ek officer ne baahar se awaaz lagaayi.

“Phone ki stable location mil gayi hai, Sir!”

Rohan : Unit leke pahucho turant.

“Ji Sir!”

Rohan phirse Veer ki orr muda.

Rohan : Tum bahut saari cheezo me involved ho, Veer. Itne saare coincidences nahi ho sakte. Tum itni asaani se bachkar nahi nikal paaoge.

Veer (smiles) : Trust me. DGP Sir. Mujhe ek partner ke roop me lene me zyada samjhdari hogi bajaaye iske ki-

Rohan : SHUT UP! Tum yaha baithoge. Aur, mere har sawaal ka jawaab doge.

Veer ne kuchh nahi kaha. Woh bas use dekhta raha. Shaant.

Rohan : Kya tum Dhananjay, Ranjeet ke case me shaamil the?

Veer : Huh? Kaun Dhananjay Ranjeet?

[Hehe~]

Rohan ne apne daant zor se meese. Trisha ghabraayi. Kya Rohan samajh gaya? Rohan ki nazar ek pal ke liye Trisha par padi.

Rohan : Mere saath game mat khelo, Veer. Mujhe pata hai tum kayi maamlo me shaamil ho. Yaha tak ki mujhe yeh bhi yakeen hai ki tumhara connection underworld mafia se bhi hai.

Veer (smiles) : Aap bahut bada aarop laga rahe hai, Sir. Khaaskar mere jaise ek college student par.

Woh aalas se kursi par baith peechhe jhuk gaya.

Rohan (shouts) : SHUT THE FUCK UP!

Rohan : Mujhe pata hai ki tum kitne din college gaye ho, kitne din jaate ho, kitne business run karte ho, kaha tumhara uthna-baithna hai, kaha jaate ho, kis se milte ho, tumhare parivar me kaun-kaun hai.

Veer ki muskaan gaayab ho gayi.

Veer (frowns) : Aap mere parivar ki jasoosi kar rahe ho?

Rohan (smirks) : Abhi tak toh nahi. *pauses* Lekin, agar zaroorat padi, toh woh bhi ki jaayegi. Mere paas tumhare baare me kaafi jankaari hai, Veer. Tum dusro ko bewakoof bana sakte ho. Mujhe nahi.

Veer : …

Rohan : Sawal ka jawab do. Kya tum Dhananjay aur Ranjeet ke maamle me shaamil ho?

Trisha ke shareer me phir sihran daud gayi. Uski ungliyaan kass gayi. Agar, Rohan chhaan-been karta raha toh aise me toh-

Veer : Nahi! Mein kuchh bhi nahi jaanta.

Rohan bhadak utha.

Rohan : Tumhari himmat kaise hui mere saamne jhooth bolne ki-?

Usne gusse se mej par haath patke.

Rohan : Mein tumhe abhi jail me daal sakta hu, Veer. Samjhe? Ek third-degree ka treatment aur tum mujhse rukne ki bheekh maangne lagoge. Aur, koi bhi iss par sawaal nahi uthaayega. Ye authority hai mere paas. Mein ye kar sakta hu.

Veer (smiles) : Par, aap nahi karoge.

Usne seedha Trisha ki orr dekha.

Veer (smirks) : Hai na? Miss Trisha?

Trisha jamm ke reh gayi. Uske mann me phirse wahi drishya kaundh gaye. Ranjeet ka marna. Uske haath me bandook. Slaughterhouse. Tasveer. Uska dil zor se dhadka. Usne Rohan ko dekha aur apna sarr ‘naa’ me hilaaya. Nahi. Use itna push mat karo. Aur, Rohan ka gussa aur bhi badh gaya.

Rohan : Tch!

Veer : Jaisa ki maine kaha, mujhe ek partner ke roop me lena aapke liye hi behtar hoga.

Rohan : Shut up!

Veer : Aap wardi pehen kar apraadhiyo ka peechha karte ho. Maine wahi kaam bina wardi ke kiya hai. Aapki aur meri… manzil ek hi hai.

Rohan (yells) : Tumhe iska right nahi hai.

Veer (stands up) : Sahi kaha. Mere paas right nahi hai. Lekin, kabhi-kabhi rights se zyaada… results matter karte hai, Sir.

---

Nik ki gaadi sunsaan road pe zor se bhaagi. Uski saansein bhaari thi.

"Fuck... fuck..." Usne mirror check kiya. Headlights. Abhi bhi peeche. Woh haraamzade use jaane hi nahi de rahe the.

Surya, peechhe apni car ki window se aadha bahar jhuka.

Surya : Bhaga bhaga bhaga! Pakdo uss harami ko!

Nik apne aap me hi badbadaaya. “Shit-!”

Harbour aage tha. Agar woh Gaurav ki yacht tak pahunch gaya toh… Woh samundar ke zariye unse dur bhaag paane me qamyaab ho jaayega.

Bas thoda aur.

Bas-

Uski aankhein phail gayi. Harbour use dikhaayi diya. Aur, yacht bhi. Lekin, kuchh toh gadbad thi.

Log. Dher saare log. Yacht ke neeche aas-paas khade the. Road ko dekh rahe the. Intezar kar rahe the. Nik ke badan me jhurjhuri daud gayi.

"Shit." Uski steering wheel pe pakad mazboot ho gayi. “They’re here too…?”

Usne jaldi se apni kamar thap-thapaayi. Uski ungliyon ko apni handgun feel hui. "Tch."

Aur, uske peechhe-

"RUK MADARCHOD!"

*BANG*

Zor se gunshot ki aawaz aayi. Nik ne turant hi duck kiya, kyunki bullet ne peechhe waale sheeshe ko ab tod kar use poori tarah dhwast kar diya tha.

"Damn it! Damn it! Fuccckkk!" Usne steering wheel ko jhatke se ghumaaya aur car ko tezi se moda. Gaadi harbour se dur chali gayi.

---

Veer darwaaze tak pahucha. Rohan ki aawaz phir aayi.

Rohan : Maine kaha na ki tum mere sawaalo ke jawaab diye bina nahi jaoge?

Veer ruka. Dheere-dheere… Woh peechhe muda. Phir, woh Rohan ki taraf wapas chal pada. Ahista-ahista. Ve dono ab lagbhag aamne-saamne khade the. Veer thoda sa aage jhuka.

Veer : Ek samajhdar officer… jaanta hai kab kaunse sawaal poochhne hai. Aur, kab nahi, Sir.

Rohan ki aankhein jal rahi thi.

Rohan : Gaurav hi sirf jail me nahi rahega… Balki, tum bhi salaakhon ke peechhe jaaoge. Aur woh Nik- hum use bhi jald hi daboch lenge.

Veer : Oh?

Bilkul usi waqt-

Uska phone vibrate hua. Dheemi si ghanti baji. Veer ne neeche dekha. Unknown number. Ek message aaya hua tha.

“Pakad liya boss.”

Uske chehre pe dheere se ek muskaan phail gayi. Rohan jhijhka.

Rohan : K-Kya?

Veer nazdeek aaya. Rohan ke kandhe par haath rakha. Phir, uske kaan ke paas jhuka.

Veer (smirks) : Pata hai sabse taaza khabar kya hai, sir?

Rohan ke badan me sihran daud gayi. Veer ke honth aur adhik phail gaye.

Veer (whispers) : NIK MERE PAAS HAI!

Rohan ke badan me raungte khade ho gaye. Bina koi use samay diye, Veer muda aur exit ki taraf chal diya.

Veer : Dobaara baat karni hai agar, toh kal shaam ghar aa jaaiyega. *pauses* Aur, bina wardi ke hi aaiyega. Aur, agar nahi-

Rohan : !!?

Veer (smiles) : Toh, Nik ko jaise aap dabochne waale the, daboch lijiyega.

Rohan (yells) : VEEEEER!!! Mein tumhe jail me daal dunga. Tumhe lagta hai ki tum bach jaaoge?

Veer (smiles) : Bilkul!

Kehte hue woh waha se nikal gaya. Kamre me gehra sannaata chhaa gaya. Rohan wahi khada raha, gehri saansein le raha tha. Uski aankhein krodh se laal thi.

Veer bina peechhe dekhe police station se baahar nikal gaya. Rohan dheere se Trisha ki orr muda. Uski nigaahein teekhi thi. Jawaab maang rahi thi.

Trisha ne uss se nazrein churaayi. Uska gala sookh raha tha. Woh ghabraate hue aage badhi. “R-Rohan-!”

***

Veer baahar aaya aur tabhi uske saamne uski apni car aa kar ruki. Driver seat ki khidki neeche sarki, Erica halki muskaan ke saath baahar jhuki.




Erica (smiles) : Kaafi derr laga di!

Veer ne koi jawaab nahi diya. Usne darwaaza khola. Erica baahar aayi aur ghoom kar passenger ki seat par baithi. Veer driver seat par baitha. Engine chaalu hote hi gaadi police station ke gate se nikal padi. Aur, peechhe ki seat par-




Garofano ek perr ko dusre par rakhe baithi hui thi, uske bagal se Ava thi.




Garofano : Toh?

Veer : Done and dusted. Filhaal abhi ke liye.

Garofano (sighs) : Finally!

Usne apne baalo par haath phera.

Garofano : Sorry! Mein khud nahi aa saki. Clients se badi mushqil se jaan chhooti hai aaj.

Veer : It’s okay! Tum pehle hi bahut kuchh kar chuki ho.

Garofano (smiles) : Oh!?

Veer : Trisha ko phone par guide karna aur Raman tak precisely pahuchaana asaan kaam nahi tha.

Garofano : Well… Looks like system yahi chaahta tha ki mujhe ye mission mile. *grins* Kaafi badhiya skill mili hai reward me.

Veer : Kaun si?

Garofano (smirks) : If I reveal everything now, what will I tease you with later?

Veer ke jawaab dene se pehle hi Erica chehek uthi.

Erica : Mujhe bhi toh badhiya skill mili hai, hehe~

Veer (nods) : Yeah! Part vision!

[Skill : Part Vision
Description : Allows the host to join the parts of the past from the available clues and understand what transpired. Accuracy of the past will depend on the number of clues the host can get.]

Veer : Uss skill ne sab kuchh badal diya. Pushkar ke past ke bina… Gaurav aur Nik ki kartooto ke baare me nahi jaan paate.

Erica garv se muskuraayi.

Erica (smiles) : So, basically I saved the day. Yay~

Garofano : Relax little girl. You didn’t save the world. Your skill just came handy, that’s all. Itna exaggerate karne ki zaroorat nahi.

Erica (pouts) : Hmph~

Veer ke mann me-

*Ding*

[Mission : ‘Deal Breaker (1)’ has been completed.]

[You have gained 10,000 points.]

[Suhana’s favorability has increased by : 25.]

[Divya’s favorability has increased by : 10.]

*Ding*

[Perk Selection Available.]

[Select one of three random perks.]

[Perk 1] [Perk 2] [Perk 3]

‘Later Pari!’

[As you wish, Master!]

*Ding*

[Perk selection is post-poned.]

Veer : Waqai. Erica. Uss skill ki wajah se hi aaj mera mission poora hua hai. Thank you~

Erica (blushes) : It’s okay! Mujhe bhi ek skill mil gayi.

Garofano (chuckles) : Isliye, tumhare daddy Renshu yaha se gaayab ho gaye. Missions jo nahi mil rahe the use haha. Imagine losing to your own daughter in missions lol.

Erica : Hmph~ Toh kya hua? My dad would still crush you in a 1 v 1 fight.

Garofano : Oh please! Maana ki Renshu strong hai, lekin itna bhi nahi jis hisaab se tum apne daddy ke liye biased rehti ho.

Erica : Oh achha? Toh lagao bet. Hai himmat dad ke saath-

“I couldn’t do anything!”

Ava ki komal awaaz ne unki behas ko kaat diya. Erica aur Garofano, dono turant ruk gayi. Ava apne haatho ko ghoor rahi thi.

Ava : I… I barely helped.

Uski awaaz thodi kaanp rahi thi.

Veer : Nahi!

Ava : Huh?

Veer : Tumne apni identity reveal ki. Mere liye. Uss se poori situation change ho gayi thi.

Ava : But… But that is exactly why I hate it, Veer! I don’t want to appear only when things are already happening. I want to be there… when it begins. For you.

Aur, phir use ehsaas hua ki woh jaldbaazi me kya keh gayi. Usne haya me sarr neeche jhuka liya. Garofano aur Erica ne chup-chap use dekha. Dono shaant thi.

Veer : Tumne Teju di ko bachaaya, Ava. You took the bullet for my family. Aur, tumhe lagta hai tumne madad nahi ki?

Ava ke honth khule, lekin koi shabd nahi nikla.

Veer : I think it’s about time I- *pauses* I introduce you to my family. Tomorrow.

Ava (shivers) : Huh?

Usne aayeene me Veer ko dekha. Phir, dheere-dheere uske chehre par ek sharmeeli muskaan aa gayi.

Ava : O-Okay…! Tomorrow then…!

Baaki ka safar shaant baat-cheet me beeta. Plans. Precautions. Aage ki strategies.

Jab tak Veer ghar lauta, kaafi raat ho chuki thi. Ghar me andhera aur sannaata chhaaya hua tha. Shayad sabhi so chuke the. Usne spare key se gate ko unlock kiya and andar pravesh kiya.

Jaise hi woh hallway se guzar ke muda, woh achanak ruk gaya.

Uski maa ke kamre ka darwaaza khula hua tha. Andar ek light bulb jal raha tha. Bhavna darwaaze ke paas hi khadi thi. Intezaar kar rahi thi. Uski shaant nigaahein Veer par tiki. Aur, boli-

“Andar aao!”
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Aaj ke liye itna hi guys.
This update consists of 12k words. Dena nahi chaahta tha itna bada update par ab likh diya hai. Let's see tum log phirse wahi kaand karte ho ya iss baar bhi last update ki tarah jaldi reactions poore karte ho. Next update se hum thode system ke lore, Veer's familial issues, relationship, aur kuchh baaki characters par focus karenge. Kuchh secrets bhi unveil hone waale hai jald hi. Target apna wahi hai. 250.
Dhanyavad.

As always the update was superb and amazing

Veer ne suhana aur Divya dono ko gourav aur nik ke changul se azad kar diya

The kissing scene between Veer and suhana was lovely

The part between Veer and keara is awesome too
Inka scene padhne me hamesha hi ek excitement aata hai
Veer ab keara ko do promise owe karta hai

NIk ko pakdane wale part me bhi maja aaya
Veer ne nik ki soch se aage badkar usko pakdane ka plan banaya tha

Overall ek bhut hi badhiya update
Ab agle update ka intezar rahega