★☆★ XForum | Ultimate Story Contest 2026 ~ Entry Thread ★☆★

[Noir]

An erotic adventure of space

Spoiler

Arjun Sharma ek Delhi ka munda tha, Punjabi Bagh se, gym jaata rehta tha roz, abs banaye hue the six pack. Papa retired army wale, maa teacher. Schooling DPS se hui, phir IIT Kanpur engineering kiya, seedha ISRO join kar liya astronaut program mein. Topper bana, zero gravity training mein sabko peeche chhod diya. Uski height 6 foot, broad shoulders, lund veiny bada, baalon wali chest. Sapna tha moon pe jaane ka, Chandrayaan-5 mission mila usko commander banne ka.

Team mein Priya Singh thi, Mumbai Bandra ki ladki, medical officer aur space scientist. Figure bomb tha 34-28-36, long black hair, yoga karti thi daily, dance bhi Bollywood style. Dad doctor, mom old actress thi. Priya ne MBBS kiya, phir NASA exchange program. Shy nahi thi, confident, lekin andar se wild.

Vikram Rao, Bangalore Jayanagar ka geek, IIT se robotics expert. Fit tha gym se, software coding ka king, biryani khane ka shaukeen. Lund kafi mota tha , . College mein Riya se crush tha.

Last Riya Patel, Gujarat Ahmedabad se geologist, PhD holder. Curvy 36C boobs, round gaand, thodi shy family girl, lekin andar se curious. Rocks study karti thi passion se, khandvi banati ghar pe.

Charo ki Training shuru hui ek saal pehle. Bangalore ISRO campus mai sab aaye the. Centrifuge machine mein ghoomte, 7G force se sar ghum jaata tha sabka. Jab bhi Arjun ko vomit hota wo plastic bag mai karta , aur Priya usko paani pilati thi, aur samjhati thi "Arjun yaar, hold kar, main hoon na." Haath touch hota dono ka ,ek spark feel hota tha. Isolation chamber 30 days lock tha , sirf yeh char log ander the . Khana ready to eat tha , gym zero Gravity simulator mein. Raaton mein sab baatein karte , flirt karte the. Kafi baar Vikram Riya se ek hi tarah ka flirt karta tha, same dialogue hota wo "Tere rocks se mera dil hard ho jaata hai." Riya sharma jaati thi, "

Ek din shower mai Priya aur Riya pehle gaye the. To Arjun ne peephole se dono ko dekha ek dum kasi hui body thi gora badan ,Arjun ka mann tha ke abhi ghus jaaye shower mai aur priya ko jabardast tarike se ragad de , lekin abhi wo aisa kar nhi sakta tha.

Launch day 15 August 2026, Sriharikota beach pe baarish ho rahi thi halki thand lag rhi thi. PM video call, "Jai Hind beta log!" Rocket Gaganyaan Mark II, 63 meter uncha, countdown 10-9-8-7... engines roar kiye, liftoff, bodies press hue seats pe. 7G force, "Fuck yaar!" Arjun bola radio pe. Priya ne grip kiya uska haath, "Together hum hain."

Space mein pehla ghanta .sab ko vomits hue aur sabne same Vomit ke liye plastic bags use kiye. Thoda settle hue aur Phir fun shuru. Zero gravity, bodies float. Food packets dal makhni, poha float karte hue muh mein daale ek dusre ke . Arjun ne fir se flirt start kiye aur bola, "Priya, tera tank top tight lag raha, nipples dikh rahe cold se." Priya hasi, "tharki hai tu, focus navigation pe rakh."

Teen din ki journey thi moon tak ki. Capsule cramped 4x4 meter the. Vikram ne rover software code check kiye, Riya ne moon samples list check ki. Raaton mein suits off kiye sabne, priya shorts t-shirts mai thi. Priya ka ass cheeks shorts se bahar dikh rahe the , Arjun ki nazar baar baar wahin atak rahi thii. Vikram ne Riya ko piggyback diya float mein, uske boobs back pe dab rahe the jiska maza dono le rahe the.

Moon orbit enter hote hi, Vikram ne announce kiya, "Lunar landing in 30 minutes." Thrusters fire, dust cloud utha. Touchdown soft, "India on Moon phir se, baby!" Arjun chillaya khusi se.

Pehla din EVA spacewalk. Arjun aur Vikram suits pehen ke bahar aaye, moon dust chipak rahe the boots pe. Tricolour flag lagaya crater pe, selfies li phone se. Priya radio pe, "Handsome lag rahe ho space cowboys, careful girna mat ." Riya geology scan kar rahi.

Andar aaye thak ke, suits off, sweat smell mix ajeeb par sexy tha. Dinner upma packets se ready kiye . Baatein home ki. Priya miss kar rahi thi Marine Drive, "Woh sea breeze yaad aa raha." Arjun, "Main breeze ban jaunga tere liye." Sab hasse.

Doosra din rover chalaya Vikram ne, Arjun saath mai tha , ice crystals mile south pole pe. "Water hai colony ke liye!" Excite the is baat ko leke dono . Shaam ko antenna glitch solar flare se lagaya,” contact 24 hours baad”. Itna time period tha moon se Earth tak contest milne mai .

Boredom mai, Priya boli, "Chalo Truth or Dare khelte, space edition." Circle banaye float mein velcro se.

Pehle Arjun se pucha priya ne truth: "Kaun si girl pe crush hai ?" "Priya on you." Blush kar ke reh gayi priya . Priya ko dare mila: Arjun ko kiss karne ka. Float karke lips milaye dono ne. Soft warm lips Priya ke, tongue andar daali Arjun ne, 30 seconds smooch. Haath priya ki body par ghum rahe the .

Vikram ko truth mila: Fantasy batane ke liye "Group sex team ke saath." Wow too bold “riya ne kaha.
Riya ko dare mila: Top off karne ka. Bra mein boobs bounce ho rahe the zero Gravity mein, pink bra creamy skin pe. Mahaul dheere dheere garam ho raha tha

Arjun ko dare mila : Shorts off ke liye , . Lund semi hard tent bana underwear mein. Girls giggle karne lagi, "Space boner!"

Priya ko truth mila: Panties wet? "Haan thodi si." Garam to chaaro ho gaye the
Vikram ko dare mila : Riya ke boobs dabane ka. bra ke uper se dabana suru kiye , bohat soft the riya ke boobs nipples hard ho rahe the dheere dheere .

Mood high ho chuka tha ab sabka. Priya boli, "Yaar isolation mein hormones peak pe hote hain , NASA studies kehti hai sex necessary hai mental health ke liye." Sab ne agree kiya. Lights dim hui .

Arjun ne Priya ko pakda float hote hue hi , uske gaalo ko pakda ek deep kiss jheebh puri muh mai daal ke . Dheere dheere Shirt utaari Priya ki aur ek side mai shirt float karne lagi , black bra pahna tha priya ne , arjun ne Hook khola, boobs pure free hue 34C perfect round, brown nipples erect the . Lips ko karte hue dheere dheere neck fir cleavage ko chumne chatne laga fir boobs ko hatho mai leke Nipples muh mein liye aur suck karne laga gently, nipples par jheebh ghumate hue suck kar raha tha boobs . Priya pighalti hui moan karna suru kar di thi , "Ahhh Arjun, mast suck kar raha hai... haan bite lightly."

Arjun Priya ke boobs se Haathon ko neeche le gaya Priya ki shorts mein, panty ke uper se wet spot rub karne laga aur saath mai boobs suck kar raha tha . Panty side ki aur finger chut par rub karne laga , chut Geeli thi bahut, fir clit ko rub karne laga Priya ne apne legs hawa mai hi khol diye , "Finger andar daal de yaar... ohhh yes!" Do fingers chut ke andar, aur gently ander bahar karne laga. Priya ki chut ab puri gili ho chuki thi .

Arjun ne apne shorts utare , lund bahar pura rock hard tha. Priya ne lund pakda hath mein, aur dheere dheere aage piche karne lagi. "Kitna mota hai tera, vein feel ho rahi." Lund par precum aane laga tha priya ne use apne thumb se rub kiya.

Dusri taraf Vikram ne Riya ki bra nikal di thi , riya ke boobs bade gol heavy ji hawa mai jhul rahe the . Vikram ne ek ek nipples ko suck karrna suru kiya, haath gaand par the aur halke halke Riya ki gaand daba raha tha . Fir Riya ki shorts utar ke hawa mai chhod diya ,riya ne white cotton panty pehni thi jo abhi bohat wet thi , panty ke ander hath dala chut ko rub kiya aur fir do Fingers chut mai daal diya , "Tight hai teri Riya, college mein try nahi kiya tha na?" Riya, "Nahi abhi tak sirf tu." Vikram ne bhi ab sone saare kapde nikal diye lund mota tha acha khasa , Riya ne use muh mein liya aur slowly suck karne lagi .

Idhar Ab main action suru ho raha tha , Arjun Priya ko velcro bed pe laga diya missionary style mai . Legs straps se hold kiye , Lund ke tip ko chut pe rub karne laga up and down . "Ready hai Priya?" "Haan ab daal de andar rocket!" Ek jhatke mein half lund andar, tight grip feel hua zero Gravity mein no weight but resistance. "Fuckkk tight aur geeli hai teri chut!"
Priya apni gaand move kar rhi thi aur pleasure ke liye, "Harder Arjun, chod mujhe !" Arjun ne Speed badha di, 60 thrusts per minute, dono pasine pasine ho gaye the jiski boonde float ho rahi thi . Arjun Priya ki Clit ko thumb se rub bhi kar raha gha. Kuch time ke jabardast sex ke baad ab Priya apne orgasm par thi, "Aaahh yesss fuck .. ahhhh I'm cumming!" Body kanpne lagi thi , chut ne lund ko aur tight squeeze kar liya tha . Arjun ka bhi hone wala tha "Main bhi... andar hi daal raha!" Kuch dhakko ke baad Arjun ne Hot cum shoot kiye 5-6 priya ke andar hi .

Dusri taraf Vikram Riya doggy bana raha tha Wall pe jahan magnetic boots lage hue the , gaand upar ke Lund ragad raha tha saliva se lube tha pura lund , lund ke tip ko gaand ke beech mai rub kar raha tha ,. "Chut mai daal baby." Riya boli , Vikram ne lund ko Slowly chut mai enter karaya , chut thodi stretch hui lund tight walls par ghiste hue ander jaa raha tha . "Ahhh Vikram dhire... bada hai tumhara !" Pura lund ander daalne ke baad , 10 sec hold rakha Vikram aur phir thrust par thrust. Ek Hath boobs par tha , aur ek hath se slap kar rha tha gaand pe lightly "Teri gaand mast round, bounce ho rahi." Riya ab moans karne lagi thi "Faster... haan chod!" Dono ka Orgasm hua kuch ke sex ke baad , Vikram ne cum boobs pe chhoda ho boobs par kam aur float jyada ho raha tha.
Kuch time ke rest ke baad chharo ne ek dusre ki taraf dekha aur fir place switch kar liye.
Arjun Riya ke paas. "Ab teri baari sex bomb " Fresh energy thi ab fir se , Riya ne lund muh mein liya pura deepthroat tak gag hua thoda Saliva drip hoke float hone laga. "Tera paani tasty hai Arjun.

Phir missionary mai kiya Riya ki . Legs wide open kiye lund slide kiya Riya ki chut mai jo easily chala gaya geeli chut mai , "bada hai tera Arjun... stretch ho rahi hai chut " arjun ne Deep strokes lagane suru kiye ho G spot ko bhi hit kar raha tha , Riya ne nails Arjun ki back pe chubha diye the ab .
Udhar Vikram aur Priya cowgir position mai thel . Priya upar baithi Vikram ke lund par bounce kar rahi thi , Vikram Riya ke boobs par slap kar raha tha. "Vikram tera mota hai, fill kar raha poora."

Kuch time ke tabadtod sex ke baad sab ne fir rest liya.

Ab time tha Group fun ka. Girls center mein float kar rhi thi aur boys sides mai , Priya ne dono ke lund hath mein le ke ek ek karke suck kar rhi thi , Riya ke boobs Vikram and Arjun suck kar rahe the , uski chut sehla rahe the kiss kar rahe the Riya ko , uske baad dono girls ki doggy bana ke jabardast sex kiya arjun and vikram ne .
Arjun ne Riya andar cum drop Kiya aur , Vikram ne Priya ke muh mein Jo ki Priya swallowbkar gayi.
Thodi der baad .
"Yeh toh best tha yaar," Priya boli. "Kal repeat?"


Aise hi pure 60 days inka scape adventure chalta tha jisme inhone apne professional work ke sath sath full wild sex bhi enjoy kiya . Aur last mai safely land bhi hue earth par .

 

[Mak]

" Aks (अक्स) : You Know What To Do! ”​

Spoiler

Adhyaay ~ 1

"Aap ab tak soye nahi? 10 bajne ko hai…"

Priya ki awaaz ne meri khamoshi ko bhed diya... or mera dhyaan apni or khincha..aaj main punah apne ghar ke baraamde mein akela baitha tha.. Mann me ek bechaini thi.. jiska kaaran mere saamne padi woh tasveer thi… aur uske paas rakhi woh diary.. Thodi der baad maine diary aur woh tasveer apne haathon mein uthayi, aur chupchaap bistar ki taraf badh gaya.... Priya bhi bina kuchh kahe mere paas aakar bistar par let gayi... usne apna haath meri or badhaya, or seene par rakha jaise dilaasaha de rahi ho.. Kuch minton me wo bhi chain ki neend me thi.. Par meri aankhon se neend koson door thi.. Baar-baar meri aankhon ke aage wo tasveer ubhar aati…..

Maine ek baar punah us mukhde ko gaur se dekha or fir dheere se apni nazrein paas me nagn leti Priya ki taraf mod di, is baar ek tulnaatmak bhaav ke saath... Mere honthon par ek muskaan si aa gayi.. Or mujhe aaj subah se ghati sabhi baaton ka punah smaran sa ho gaya.. Apne antar-mann me maine subah se hui sabhi ghatnaaon ko ek baar dohraaya..

《《 2nd December 2011 》》

<< NH - 7, Etawah, Uttarpradesh >>

December ki sardi ki dhund abhi poori tarah chhati nahi thi… aur highway ke kinaare ek chhota sa jamaavda lag chuka tha, Subah ke 5 baj rahe the, or Bheed ko dekh ye saaf andaaza lagaya ja sakta tha, ye sabhi subah me jooging ya running karne waale log the..

“Arey Patnaayak, idhar nahi yaar… thoda door jaakar ulti kar.. Kitni baar bola hai.. crime scene ganda mat kiya kar... SSP sahab aate hi honge…”

“Sorry sir…” Patnaayak ne jaldi jaldi me apne kadam aage badhaye or road ke kinaare jhuk kar raat ki daawat or daaru sab ugal diya..

“Khoon… khoon nahi dekha jaata mujhse… aur aaj toh poora din khana bhi nahi khaa paunga main…” thodi der baad usne apni saansein kaabu me karte hue kaha.

"Aur fir bhi tumhe Police ki naukari hi pasand aayi.. "

Itna bol kar, maine Patnayak ko uske haal par chhor laash ki oor badha.. Kuchh hi kadmon ki doori par, padi thi woh laash.. Bilkul hi nagn awashta me.. Jism par gehre ghaav the.. jaise kisi ne nafrat mein aakar baar-baar vaar kiya ho... Khoon sookh kar kaala padne laga tha… Main pairon se hote hue apni nazarein aage badhai, or Aur phir… meri nazar uske chehre par jaa tikki.. Wahi chehra.. Wahi masoomiyat.. Jaise maut ne usse chhua zaroor ho… lekin mita na paayi ho.. Maine ek pal ke liye aankhen band ki… phir dobara dekha... shayad tasdeek karne ke liye ki yeh haqeeqat hai, koi sapna nahi.. Ya shayad us massom chehre ko apne antarmann ke drishti-patal par purn roop se ankit karne liye..

“Sir… lagta hai yeh case seedha-saadha nahi hai…” mere peeche se awaaz aayi..

"Aur ye tum har case ki shuruaat me bolte ho.." Maine bina mudhe hi dheere se kaha..

“Patnaayak, perimeter secure karao. Koi bhi aadmi tape ke andar na aaye, media toh bilkul nahi. Aur photographer ko bolo, har angle cover kare, close-ups, mid, wide… sab.” maine ek kathor lahje me kaha..

“Ji, sir…”

Thodi hi der me forensic ki gaadi bhi aa gayi.. Lash ko Safed kapde se dhak diya gaya.. Bheed jo thodi bahut lagi thi.. unhen bhi door hataya gaya.. Murder site Main road par hone ki wajah se barricade lagaane pade.. Traffic jyada na badhe iske liye dusre alternate raashte se gaadiyon ko nikalne ka aadesh de diya gaya..

In sab kuch ko anjaam dete hue kareeb 2 ghante guzar gaye... Tabhi.. ek gaadi siren waali light ke saath hamare aage hi aa kar ruki.. Main or Patnayak jaldi se gaadi ki gate ke paas pahunche.. Patnayak ne gate khola or Or SSP ke baahar nikalte hi, pahle Patnayak or fir maine unhe salute kiya..

"Jai Hind Sir! "

" Jai Hind, Inspector Harshvardhan, Kya maamla hai.. tumne sidhe head office phone kiya tha.. Kisi bade aadmi se related case hai kya? "

"Nahi sir, Victim ki wajah se aapko call nahi kiya, balki jisne laash sabse pahle dekhi hai.. uski wajah se bulana pada.. Wo republic channel ka Anchor hai na, Arnav Chakarvarty, wahi first responder hai.. Uska ghar is road par aage padta hai.. "

"Aree yaar, case shuru hua nahi, or National audience pahle hi mil gayi.. Achha main dekhta hun, Thodi shatarkata baratni padegi, dekhna koi important information leak na ho.. Waise uska koi link to nahi lag raha na, murder victim se.. "

"Sir, victim ki abhi tak shinakht to nahi hui hai.. Preliminary report aaj shaam tak ya kal tak aa jaayegi.. But, aisa kuchh lag nahi raha.." Maine apni baat abhi khatm hi ki thi ki Patnayak tej kadmon ke saath hamari taraf aaya..

"Sir, Thodi door jhaadiyon me ek diary mili hai.. Ladki ka naam Jyoti Kumari hai.." Usne thodi tej saanson ke saath apni baat khatam ki..

Maine apne gloves pahne or badi hi satarkata ke saath Patnayak ke haathon se Diary le liya..

St. Mary's College, Vijaynagar, Etawah, Dairy ke cover page par ankit tha, Bhitar pahle panne par naam darj tha..

Name : Jyoti Kumari
Father's Name : Ramnarayan Prasad
Mother's Name : Urmila Devi
Residential Adress: Makaan no. 13, Lakshmi Chawl, Pachwali Road, Etawah
Height : Abhi naa bataib, tani aaur lamhar ho jaaib tab bataib..
Weight : Mot naa hai hum, Kilo to ghatat-badhat rahat hai..

Saath hi, rangeen kalam se kuchh phool ki drawings bani hui thi.. Maine diary ko apne haanthon me pakde hue hi.. SSP sir ko dikhaya.. Fir wapas se patnayak ko de diya is nirdesh ke saath ki Prints dusting ke baad ise aaj hi mujhe lauta dein..

"Now, That's a good start for the investigation, mujhe case ki baaki details call par bata dena, Tabtak, Main is Arnav se baat karke case ki koi Important detail baahar nahi aane se rokta hun.. Waise tum bhi to usse mile the pichhle saal Police union ki party me, Donor tha na ye wahan, mujhe jahan tak yaad hai, Tum apni taraf se bhi usse mil lena or thodi puchhtaachh bhi kar lena.."

"Ok Sir.. "

"Thik hai main nikalta hun ab, You are incharge of this case.. Lekin dhyaan rahe case thoda highlighted hai, to tumhare liye ye sahi mauka hai, Inspector Harshvardhan Singh se, DSP Harshvardhan Singh Kahlaane ka.. Or wo Patnayak kahan gaya, bolo use, aise murder site par ultiyan karega to Assistant Sub Inspector hi bana rahega.. Sub inspector tak ki bhi promotion nahi hogi.. "

<< Civil Lines Police Station, Etawah >>

"Are Patnayak, Wo preliminary report aayi kya? "

"Ji Sir, Abhi thodi der pahle hi dekar gaye hain, Forensic waale.. Main aapke paas lekar aa hi raha tha.."

"Hmm, Chalo dekho kya kya pata chala hai hamein.. Report ki ek copy mujhe de dena or ek File me bhi laga dena.. Ab Padho kya hai report me.. "

"Ji Sir...... Body temperature aur rigor mortis ke hisaab se, maut raat 1 se 3 baje ke beech hui hai aisa lagta hai.. Kul 9 stab wounds hain, Hesitation ke marks nahi hain, Matlab Killer ya to ye pahle bhi kar chuka hai.. ya fir wo well trained hai.. Body par struggle marks kam hain, shayad victim ko pehle sedate kiya gaya ho, Aise case me maybe victim Killer ko pahle se jaanta ho.. Lekin sir, ek hairani ki baat hai.. "

"Aisa kya ho gaya Patnayak, jo hamare liye bhi hairani ki baat ban jaaye.. "

"Sir, Cause of death Asphyxiation hai, Yaani vicitm ka gala ghonta gaya hai.. Lekin sir hairaani ki baat ye hai ki Forensic Doctor ke hisaab se Jo stab wounds hain wo marne ke baad ke nahi lagte.. Aisa lagta hai jo do insaan ho, ek ne gala dabaya hai or dusre ne chaaku se waar kiya hai.. Ya fir sharir se ek behad hi majboot aadmi.. Halanki sir, Jab victim ke saath ye sab hua, wo kisi higly sedative ke influence me thi.. Maybe, ketamine ya benzodiazepine jaisa koi chemical.. "

"Isiliye to maut bhi uske chehre se uski maasomiyat nahi chhin paayi.." Main apne bhitar hi bud-budaya..

"Aapne kuchh kaha sir? "

"Aree nahi.. Main bas soch raha tha ki yah to saaf hai ki killer ne pehle sab kuchh apne control me liya, sedation ke jariye.. phir apna kaam kiya.. Itni jahmat uthaane ki jaroorat kya thi.. "

"Ek baat aur hai sir, Vicitm ki body freshly washed hai.. Soap residue mile hain.."

"Forceful sex ke koi indication bhi hai kya? "

"No sir, Aisa kuchh abhi to nahi saamne aaya hai.. Forensic waale abhi aur bhi jaanch kar rahe hain.. "

"Ok, Thank You Patnayak, Main SSP sir ko call par update kar deta hun, Fir main ghar niklunga.. Ye Diary main le jaa raha hun, tum chaho to evidence log me mera naam daal dena.."

"Ok Sir.. "

Adhyaay ~ 2

Maine fir se ek baar us tasveer or Priya ki oor dekha.. Tulnaatmak bhaav ab apne nishkarsh par pahunch chuka tha.. fir ek muskaan ke saath diary ko khola..
________________________________
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Tohre Dil tak,
Hamri Pyaari Maai....​

《《 27 May 2011 》》​

" Maaiii....O.....Maaiii Ye tu Baapu ko samjhaawat kaahe naahi? Kahat hain ki hum college naa jaaib.. Paisa naahi baachat hamra laagi… Aur tu… tu bhi inka kuchh naahi bolat…bas chupe chape inka har batiya maan let ho… Jayee dee.. ab hum tohro se bhi na batiyaaeb..."

" Par Maaii.. tohse na batiyaib to kauno se batiyaib? aur kauno baatiyaawe wala bhi to naahi hai.. Achha chal thik hai... Na jaaib ham college.. Jaisan tu aur Bapu kahbo.. aisan hi karab.."

《《 2nd June 2011 》》​

" Maii... O... Maii.. aaj tohse hamka ek jarrori baat karni hai.. Dekh tu risiyaai mat jaiyo.... aur maarne mat lagiyo hamka.. Baapu jaisan.. Pahle hamri baat sun liyo.. Fir jaisan tu kahbo uhhe ham karab.."

"Aaj na hamka U Raviya hai na.. aree.. Uhee.. Hamni ke ghar ke saamne waale... Suresh Chacha ji ke laika... U na aaj hamka.. " I love you " kahalas... Hamahu okra saaf saaf bol dis.. pahile ham apni Maaii se puchhab fir jawaab dehab.. Hamari baat sun ke u bada joor se hasat rahe.. Sach batai, Maai… hamka bhi wo pasand hai… Tohra ham pahle bhi bataile hain na okra baare me… ketna baar u hamre saath tution jaat rahe... Padhai me bhi hamaar ketna baar madad kaile rahe... Dekhan me bhi theek hi hai.. Tani saa saanwar hai par lambai me lagbhag 6 foot ke hai... aaur deh, to bilkul kauno hero jaisan laage hai.. "

"Ab tu hi bata, Maai… ham kaa kari? Tu haan kahbe tabahi hamahu okra haan kahab… waise bhi Baapu ke to aajkal hamari chinta bilkul bhi naikhe rahat... Har roj daaru pee ke aawat hain…. Hamahu unka se bache ke upaay dundh liyo hai.. Unka aawe se pahle hi apna kamra band kar let hain… Pata naahi kaahe u aisan hot jaat hain… Shayad hamare byaah ke umar ho gail hai ehise... Par Maaii.. unka haalat dekh ke to naa laagat hai ki U hamar biyaah kabo karwaihan.. Ab to sab kuchh tohre hi soche ke padi…"


" Bol na, Maaii... hamahu Rabiya ke haan kar di na.. Tohar or Baapu ke Hamaar biyah laagi chinta hi khatam ho jai... Maan ja na Maii.. Maan ja... Achha kauno baat naahi.. Aaj naahi to kal… 1-2 din me to tu hamar baat maan hi jaibo… hamahu dekhat hain kab tak risiyaa ke baithal rahat ho.. "

《《 3rd August 2011 》》​

" Maaiii...O...Maaii.. Hum na tohse kuchh chhupaye rahe hain.. par ab bhitare bhitare ghutan si howat hai.. Tohse kuchh chhupaye nahi sakte na.. U ka hai na.. kal Hum College naa gayil rahin.. College ke bahaane hum aur Ravi, okra nayi dukaan par gaye rahin... Ravi ke papa ne ohke ek Photo Studio ke dukaan khol dis hai.. Ab to Ravi kamaaye bhi laagal hai... Kal Pahila baar Ravi aaur hum saath saath rahin.. tu samjhat hai na? Ravi ne hamri photo bhi kheenchi dher saari.. Ek photo tohre laagi laaye hain.. Ee diary ke panna ke hi tohra aanchal samajh ke ehime chhupa det hain.. Tu dekh liyo.."

" Or haan.. Bapu ka haal tohse naa hi kahun to theek hoi.. Jabse hum apna kamra band kare lagin, Tabse unkar haalat aur kharab hot jaat hai… Din me kaam par to jaat hain, Par har shaam daaru me dhut hokar lautat hain… Kaa hi kahe kahe tohse... Par ab… Hum akeli naahi hain, Maai… Ravi hamre saath hai… U hamse pyaar kare hain… aur hum unse… Hum unka sab kuchh batai diye hain.. U hamse shaadi kare ke baat bhi kahe hain…"

" Par ek baat aur hai, Maai… Ee baat shayad sirf tu hi samajh sakat hai… Hum Ravi se bhi kahe rahe, Par unka vishwaas naahi howat… Unka laagat hai ki hum kauno bhram me baani… Ab pata naa maai.. Shayad unkar baat hi sach hokhe.. Par Maai… Pichhla kuchh din se… Humka aisan lagat hai… Jaise koi hamaar pichha karat rahat hai… Raat me jab hum sut jaat hain… Laagat hai koi hamre kamra me aawat hai… Darwaja band rahe ke baad bhi… Hamre darwaja band kare ke baad bhi.. Ab to garmi me bhi… Hum khidki band karke sovat hain… Lekib tabahun, Ee darr… Jaane kaahe kam naahi hoat hai.."

《《 31 September 2011 》》​

" Maaiii...O...Maaiii.. Kaa kahin aaj tohse, hamar aanshu tohar aanchal par girat hi hai, Ee aanshun se hi tu samajh jaa, ka haal hawe hamaar.. Baapu chal gailan, Kaalhe hi unkar sab kriyakaram khatam bhayil… Daaru… unka apne saath hi jahar bana ke le gail… Ab kehu naahi ba hamaar… Ee ghar bhi kaatat bawe ab to.. Ravi... U bhi aapan dukaan ke chakkar me hamka bhula gail hawan.. Aaj hum jaaib unka se mile, Saaf-saaf puchh leham, U kaa chahat baran.. Hamara dukh Baapu ke jaaye ke to shayad bilkul bhi naikhe, Par Ravi ke badlal vyohaar bilkul naikhe sohaat hamra.. Kuchh naahi bujhaat hai kaa kari, Aage ke zindagi kaise jiyal jaayi… Ab to ee diary ke panna jekra hum tohar aanchal samjhat rahin.. U bhi kora kaagaz jaisan laage lagal ba.. "

" Maaaiii.... Ab toot rahal biya tohar Jyoti.... Priya .... "

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Aage ke 20–30 panne faade hue the… Par bas faade nahi gaye the, soch samajh kar mitaye gaye the... Panne aise faade gaye the ki bachpan wali trick... pencil se ghis kar pichhle lafzon ko ubhaar lena... yahan bilkul bekaar thi... Jaise kisi ne jaan-boojh kar har nishaan mita diya ho… Is entry ke baad jo agla panna bachaa tha… uspar bade aksharon me sirf ek hi line likhi hui thi...

“You Know What To Do!”​

Bade… teekhe… dabaav waale aksharon me likha gaya tha.. Jaise likhne waale ne poore Yaqeen ke saath likha ho.. Un bade aksharon ko dekh Mera gala sookh sa gaya... Kya yeh message… mere liye tha? Ek baat to bilkul saaf thi.. yeh Jyoti .. Priya ki handwriting nahi thi... Toh phir kiski thi? Aur sabse bada sawaal... kyun? Kya karwana chahta hai koi mujhse?

Agle hi kuchh palon me mera sir dard se fatne laga… Jaise dimaag ke andar koi zor-zor se darwaza peet raha ho... Maine aankhen band kar li… par wo lafz, “You Know What To Do…” baar-baar dimaag me goonj rahe the.. Jaise mere kaanon me koi baar-baar dohraa raha ho unhein..

Subah ke paanch bajne ko the… Suraj ki pahli kiran balcony ke raaste kamre me ghus rahi thi.. Poore kamre me ujala badhta jaa raha tha.. Par ajeeb baat thi.. Kamre ki roshni bhale hi badhti jaa rhai thi.. Par ek andhera mere andar ghar karta jaa raha tha.. Shayad neend ki kami thi… Ya phir… kuchh aur… Kuchh aisa… jo mujhe majboor kar raha tha.. us handwriting ko phir se dekhne ke liye… Jaise unmein koi nirdesh chuppe hue the.. Aur sabse khatarnak baat, Mujhe sach mein lagne laga tha… ki main jaanta hoon… mujhe kya karna hai... Aanan-faanan me main utha, Diary ko aakhiri sandesh jo shayad mere liye hi tha, us apnne ko bhi faad diya.. tabhi mera dhyaan bistar par chala gaya.. Priya wahan nahi thi...


Adhyaay ~ 3

《《 3rd December 2011 》》

"Tringg..... Tring... "

Dorbell ki aawaj ne meri neend todi.. Subah ke 9 bajne ko the.. Sir bhaari sa tha.. Aankhein neend me bojhil.. Maine kambal hatayi, or nagn Priya mere aadhe sharir par leti hui thi.. Maanon mere aadhe sharir par uska poora-poora haq ho..

"Tringg..... Tring... "

Tabhi dorbell ki aawaj dubara se mere kaanon me padi.. Maine Priya ko khud se alag karna chaha, wo thodi si kunmunaayi or karwat badal wapas se neend me dubb gayi.. Main bistar se utha, or raat ki baaton ko jehan me laane ki koshish karte hue, Darwaaje ki oor badha..

Mujhe yaad aaya ki kal der raat tak main Dairy padh raha tha.. Phir… Kamre me failti wo subah ki laalima.. phir andhera... Tabhi mera dhyaan us Diary ko or chala gaya.. Jo Baraamde ki table par padi thi.. Paas hi table fan chalu tha.. Thand ke din me maine table fan kyun or kab chalu kiya.. Main yahan aaya hi kab tha.. Maine to dairy bistar par hi padhi thi, or udhar hi rakh kar so gaya tha shaayad... Ya shaayad nahi.. Main baraamde me aaya tha.. Shaayad nind poori naa hone ki wajah se mujhe yaad nahi aa raha? Ek pal ko laga… jaise dimaag ke andar koi hissa khaali hai.. Maine apne khayaal jhatke.. Table fan off kiya or darwaaje ki oor badh gaya..

“Arey Patnaayak… tum? Itni Subah-subah? Aao andar aao.."

"Sir, aapka phone nahi lag raha.. Shayad band hai ya network ka issue hai.. Maine kitni baar aapko call kiya.. SSP sir ne bhi call kiya tha aapko.. fir unhone mujhe call kiya.. Itne thandi ke din me aap fan chala rahe ho? " Table fan jo dheere dheere band ho raha tha uspar Patnayak ki nazar pad gayi thi..

"Aree wo galti se pankhe ka button dab gaya tha... Rahi baat phone ki, to main kal charge me lagaana bhool gaya tha.. Waise aisa kya ho gaya jo SSP sir subah hi call karne lage.." Maine baat sambhaali..

"Wahi Arnav, Republic channel wala, usne shayad kal laash ki photo hamare site par pahunchne se pahle hi khinch li thi.. Ab wo blur karke TV par chala raha hai.. Headline me Police ki khoob waah-waahi bhi kar raha hai.. " Patnayak ne ek hansi ke saath talkh lahje me kaha..

"Baitho Patnayak, Main Chai banata hun.." Maine baraamde ke paas hi use baithne ka ishara karte hue Kitchen me chai ke liye chala gaya..

"Aaj kaafi busy din rahne waala hai sir, DSP sir se milne ke baad, hame mandatory Psych Test ke liye bhi jaana hai.. Poore Department ki evaluation hone waali hai.. Upar se media ki wajah se suna hai ki koi Local Politician bhi station par aane waala hai.. Uska bhi alag intezaam karna padega.. upar se unke sawal-jawab honge wo alag.. " Patnayak ne Baramde se hi thodi tej aawaj me kaha.. "Psych Evaluation" ye baat jaane kyon mujhe thodi khatki..

"Koi naya rule aaya hai kya? Ye Psych Evaluation to nahi hote the.. Hote bhi the to bas doctors ki sign hi lagti thi.. Wo bhi individually.. Pahli baar sunn raha poore department ka ek saath Psych Evaluation hona hai.. " Maine Kitchen se hi kaha..

Thodi der baad main chai lekar baraamde me aaya, Patnayak ne mujhe dekha... Phir diary ko.. Phir bedroom ki taraf ek jhalak li.. Maine use chai ki cup thamayi.. uska agla prashnn mere liye taiyar tha..

“Sir… aap akela rehte hain na?” Uska sawal seedha tha.. Maine uski aankhon me dekha...

“Kyoon?” Woh halka sa muskuraaya...

"Kuchh nahi sir.. Bas aise hi…”

Chai ki ekadh sip lekar usne apni baat badli..

"Aapne Diary ke contents padh liye.. Kuchh Interesting? "

"Haan, Padh to liya hai maine, aaj main ise Evidence me return kar dunga, uske baad tum bhi iska ek inspection kar lena.. Main nahi chahta ki mera prespective tumpar pahle hi haavi ho jaaye.. Dono log seperately ise aankalan karenge to behtar hoga.. Tumhe kya lagta hai? "

"Bilkul sahi baat kahi hai aapne, sir.. Yahi sab to aapse sikhna hai...... Waise Aapne ghar achha rent par liya hai.. Sahar se door, shant aabo-hawa, kaafi badhiya maahaul bhi hai.. Main to ab bhi Police issued Quaters me hi gujara kar raha hun.. "

"Kuchh saal or beetne do, tumhe bhi mehsoos hoga, tension waali naukri ke beech thodi shanti kitni jaroori hai.. "

Humaari chai khatm ho chuki thi.. Maine use baraamde me hi thoda wait karne ko kaha, or jaldi me taiyaar hokar uske saath hi DSP sir ke office ko nikal pada..
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Halke kohre ki wajah se Raasta dhundhla tha, Ya shayad neend poori naa hone ki wajah se meri nazar... Patnaayak drive kar raha tha aur Main side seat par tha...

“Sir… aap theek hain na?” Usne bina meri taraf dekhe puchha.

“Haan.”

“Sir… aap thoda… distracted lag rahe hain.”

Main chup raha, fir maine gaadi ke sheeshe me apna reflection dikha.. Aur ek pal ke liye… Mujhe laga… Woh main nahi hoon.

“Sir?” Patnaayak ki awaaz ne mujhe wapas kheench liya..

“Haan… main theek hoon.” Maine aankhen band kar li...

Thodi hi der me hum DSP sir ke office me the.. Fir wahi hua jo hona tha.. Case ko fasttrack karne ka farmaan jaari hua.. Aage ki kya strategy honi hai isko lekar bhi thodi mantrana hui.. Jald se jald koi suspect saamne laane ki baat bhi kahi gayi.. or antim aadesh ke roop me Psych evaluation me bhaag lene ka farmaan.. yahi koi 1 ghante ki metting rahi hogi hamaari.. Uske baad Patnayak mujhe apne saath lekar hi District Psychological Evaluation Centre ki oor chal pada..

<< District Psychological Evaluation Centre, Etawah >>

Main or Patnayak hall me baithe the.. Jyada badi nahi hote hue bhi, bhitar se ye building kaafi badi pratit ho rahi thi.. Kai kamre ek ke baad ek bane hue the.. Yahan ek ajeeb sa sannata mehsoos ho raha tha... Thodi der me Patnayak ka bulaawa aa gaya.. uske jaane ke yahi koi 10-15 minute baad ek madhur si aawaj sunaayi di, jo mera naam pukaar rahi thi..

“Inspector Harshvardhan Singh?”

"Ji.. " Maine sir utha kar dekha.. Ek 25-30 saal ki mahila, ne bade hi narm si aawaj me mera naam pukaara tha..

"Mujhe follow kijiye.” Usne usi narm lahje me kaha or ek room ki oor chal padi or main theek uske pichhe..

Room simple sa tha.. Ek table, Do kursiyan, Aur saamne table par pada ek name plate.. "Dr. Meera Sinha"

“Please sit.” unka bolne ka andaaz ab bhi usi narm lahje me tha.. par unki aankhein jaise mujhe beehter tak dekh rahi hon..

“Yeh ek routine evaluation hai, Bas kuchh sawaal-jawaab honge… aur maybe kuchh tests jaise CT scan, MRI. Let's conclude the Tests first, Aap MRI table par let jaaiye.. "
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Kareeb 2 ghante baad maine khud ko ab bhi Dr. Meera ke cabin me unke desk ke saamne baitha paaya... Par Dr. Meera wahan nahin thi.. Mera poora Shareer pasine se bhiga hua tha.. Maine mud kar gate ki oor dekha, wahan Dr Meera to nahi, lekin Patnayak khada tha.. ek ajeeb se bhaav se meri oor dekhte hue.. Thodi der baad usne apni jubaan kholi..

"Chaliye sir, ho gaye sabhi tests, ab results to kuchh hafton baad sidhe Headquaters pahunchenge.. "

Poore raaste hum dono ke beech koi baat nahi hui.. Halanki, maine kai baar Patnayak ko khud ko teerchi najaron se ghoorta hua paaya..


Adhyaay ~ 4

《《 5th December 2011 》》

<< Civil Lines Police Station, Etawah >>

Subah ke kareeb 10 baje the, main apne cabin me pahuncha jahaan Patnayak pahle se hi maujood tha.. Uske chehre par koi nayi cheej mili ho waisi hi khusi thi... Mere aate hi usne mujhe salute kiya or wo dairy meri table par rakh di..

"Kal poori raat maine diary ko khoob achhe se padha sir, or pata nahi aapse kaise itni badi baat miss ho gayi.."

"Kaun si baat miss ho gayi, mujhse? "

"Are sir, sabse bada saboot to hamari aankhon ke saamne hi hai.. "

"Aree Patnayak, Paheliyan na bujhao, mujhse miss kya hua hai wo batao.. "

"Sir, Jyoti ne saaf-saaf likha to hai photo ke baare me, jo usne Ravi ke studio me khinchwaai.."

"Haan wo to maine bhi padha, jo priya ne likha hai.. mera matlab Jyoti ne likha hai.. Par koi photo mili kahan, maine to diary ke sabhi panne chhan maare the.. "

"Wahi to aapse miss hua hai na sir.. Photos diary ke pannon ke beech nahi thi.. Ho sakta hai, Jyoti ne pahle, pannon ke beech rakha ho, par baad me use kisi darr ki wajah se chhupane ka nirnay liya ho.."

"Patnayak, par photos hain kahan? "

"Diary ke cover waale kaathor hisse ke niche.. Bai hi maheen kaam kiya hai usne, badi hi baariki ke saath usne Photos chhupane ki ye jagah banayi hai.. Or sir, isme ek nahin 4 photos hain kul.. or in photos ne to case ko bada hi sidha sa mood de diya hai.. 2 din pahle kahi baat main wapas leta hun.. Ye case to bilkul hi sidha-sidha sa lagta hai.. "

"Patnayak abhi kisi nishkarsh par nahi pahunch sakte, Gloves laao, or in photos ko badi hi baariki ke saath nikaalo, or inhen bhi print dusting ke liye Forensic lab bhejo.. Saath hi unse yeh bhi puchh lena ki Body ki preliminary report or Final report me koi antar to nahi aaya hai.. Koi naayi baat pata chali ho to mujhe batana.. Now go! "

"Ok sir, main khud hi photos ko lekar Forensic lab chala jata hun, aise me wo log kaam thoda jaldi bhi kar denge.. Waise Sir, Aapse ek baat puchhun? "

"Hmm, Puchho? " Maine bina uski or dhyaan diye bina hi kaha..

"Sir, Ye Priya kaun hai? " Uske is sawaal matrr se table ki fileon ke beech fansi meri nigaahein, swatah hi upar ki or uth gayi.. Kuch kshanon tak main use yun hi dekhta raha..

"Aree.. Koi nahi, wo mere dimaag me news paper ki ek baat ghar kar gayi thi.." Maine baat taali.. Usne kuchh palon ke liye mujhe ghoora, or fir chala gaya..

《《 6th December 2011 》》

Aaj fir Patnayak mere cabin me tha.. ham dono hi saamne table par bikhri tasveeron par najrein gaadaye hue the.. Print dusting ke baad Photos wapas aa chuki thi, Ek confirmed print to Jyoti..... Priya... ke mile the.. Ek or dusra print mila tha jo unknown tha, Patnayak or mera, anumaan tha ki yah nischit hi Ravi fingerprints ke honge..

Ek photo me Jyoti..... Priya... ke haanthon me ek chhoti se deepak ke roshni thi.. Jahan ye saaf anumaan lagaya jaa sakta tha ki wo photo me nirvashtra thi.. Maine photo ko aur gaur se dekha, us maasom chehre ke haav-bhaav padhne ki koshish karte hue..

"Patnayak, Is photo ko dekho.. Isme expression, kya tumhe natural lag raha hai? Aisa nahi lag raha jaise kisi ne guide kiya ho aisi photo khinchwaane ke liye? "

"Hmm.. " Patnayak ne bas itna hi kaha.. usne kuchh der us photo par gaur kiya, fir usne baaki ke teen picture ki oor dekha or mujhse kaha..

“Sir… aur bhi hain.. in par bhi jara gaur kariye..”

Baaki ke teen photos thode alag the.. Do photos me to aisa lag raha tha jaise wo Anjaan thi ki uski photos li jaa rahi hain.. Patnayak ne turant kaha..

“Sir, Yeh sabhi photos willingly nahi li gayi hain shayad... Maybe.. hidden camera? Ya Ravi dwara uske trust ka misuse.”

"Hmm.. Baat me tumhari dum hai Patnayak.. " Is baar maine haami bhari..

Thodi der baad, hamne aage ka plan banana start kiya.. SSP sir ko maine call karke case related details bataayi.. Wo bhi kuchh excited lage ek valid suspect ki information se.. Media me kehne ke liye unke paas ek naya point tha..

"Sir, hum bas nikal rahe hain, Ravi ko pick up karne ke liye.. Saath hi uske ghar or Studio ki bhi chhapemaari aaj hi kar lenge.. shaam tak shayad sach saamne aa jaye.. "

Uske baad Patnayak ko kuchh constables or Police gaadi ready karne bhej diya.. Thodi der me, humne Ravi ke ghar par chhapa maara, wo to wahan nahi tha, par uski family se pata chala ki wo apne Studio me hai.. Ghar ki taalashi ke liye kuch constables ko aadesh de kar, main or Patnayak Ravi ke studio pahunche..

<< Ravi Digital Studio – Vijayanagar >>

Dopahar ki dhhop ki wajah se Studio ka shutter aadha khula tha...

“Police!” Patnaayak ne zor se awaaz lagayi.. or Shutter ko upar khinch diya.. Ravi bhitar counter par baitha tha, koi bhi grahak maujood nahi tha.. Ravi yahi koi 25–26 saal ka ladka tha, saadharan sa hi dikhne waala..

“Ji… kya baat hai?” Usne hame dekh chaunkte hue kaha..

"Chalo, Mama ke ghar chalna hain.. Wahin batayenge kya baat hai.. " Uska chehra kuch paloon ke liye sunn sa ho gaya.. Par shayad wo bhi samajh gaya tha, kya maamla hai.. Usne koi jor jabardasti nahi ki or chupchap Patnayak ke saath Police gaadi me aa baitha..

<< Civil Lines Police Station, Etawah >>

Shaam ke 5 bajne ko the, Ravi ko Interrogation Room me le jaaya gaya.. Maine or Patnayak ne puchh-taachh shuru ki..

“Kab se jaante ho Jyoti ko?” Patnayak ne pahla sawaal kiya..

"Jaanta to main use bachpan se hun.. Par pichhle kuch mahino me main use achhe se jaan paaya.. "

"Matlab? "

"Matlab yahi sir, ki pichhle kuchh mahinon se hum dono ek dusre ko pyaar kar rahe the.. "

Maine photo uske saamne rakhi... Uski aankhon ka rang badal gaya...

“Yeh… tumhare studio ki hi hai na?”

“Ji Sir... " Usne nazarein churaayi..

“Hidden camera se li hui?”

Woh chup raha..

"Patnaayak video chalao jara.. " Maine nirdesh diya.. or fir Ravi ki or mukhatib hua..

"Ye Videos hame tumhare ghar aur Studio se mile hain.. Aur jitne videos mile hain aisa lag raha, tum apne pyaar ka koi special collection bana rahe the.. Nahi? "

Patnayak ne video chalaya.. Screen par Jyoti thi... Wahi Studio room... Camera angel se pata chal raha tha ki video hidden camera se banaya gaya tha.. Halanki koi audio nahi tha.. sirf video li gayi thi.. Ravi or Jyoti dono hi nirvastr Studio ke sofe par the.. Video me dikh rahi Jyoti ko dekh kar aisa lag raha tha, jaise uske paas koi self-control hi nahi.. Bas har-mansh ka putla sa ho.. Jo Ravi ke haathon me khilauna ban kar jhool rahi thi.. Kuchh der baad maine video pause kar diya..

"Aise 15-20 files hain hamare paas? Sabhi lagbhag yahi kahani bayaan kar rahe hain.. "

"Sir, aap log samjhoge nahi.. or main samjha bhi nahi paunga.. "

"Aisa kya hai jo hume samajh nahi aayega.."

"Sir… kuchh cheezein sach bolne se aur kharaab ho jaati hain…” " Itna bol wo fafak kar rone laga.. Anshu jharne ke bhanti use gaalon par tapak rahe the....

"Ye magarmachh ke aanshu band karo.. Agar kuchh kahna hai to yahi sahi mauka hai.. Warna Case to tumhare khilaaf strong nazar aa raaha hai.."

"Sirf is video ke evidence par aap log mujhpar shak kar rahe hain? " Usne apne aanshu pochhte hue puchha..

"Nahi beta, Hame tumhaare ghar se Jyoti ka locket or uski ghadi bhi baraamad hui hai.. Aur sabse badi baat, murder weapon se consistent pattern wala chaaku bhi tumhare Studio se mila hai.. Bhala Studio me chaku kaun rakhta hai.. " Kisi patthar ki bhati kathor bhav ke saath wo Patnayak ki baaton ko sunn raha tha.. Aankhein laal thi..

"Koi uska pichha kar raha tha kuchh dinon se, aap logon ko ye baat pata hai kya? "

"Haan, bhai ye bhi pata hai, or ye bhi pata hai ki tumne is baat ko uska bhram hai, ye kah kar taal diya tha.. Pyaar karte the, or apni Premika ko seriously bhi nahi lete the.. Waah re Pyaar.. " Is baar maine uska prati uttar diya.. mere is jawab par Patnayak ne mujhe thode samay ke liye ghoora..

Thodi der kamre me sannata raha.. Wo Jyoti ki tasveer ko ghoorta raha.. fir Uski ek ki hansi gunji..

"Sahi hai.. Main uska khayal nahi rakh paaya.. Yahi achha rahega mere liye.. Inspector sahab Main jurm kabool karta hun.. "

Uske is jawab ke baad Patnaayak aur maine usse or bhi kai sawaal kiye.. Par uski oor se koi jawab nahi aaya..

Hua wahi jo hona tha.. Shaam tak Ravi ka naam Arnav ki jubaan par tha jo TV ke jariye jan-jan tak pahunch gaya.. Agle din Maine Patnayak ko chargesheet file karne ko kaha, or maamla ab hamari jholi se aage badh Court Room ki band diwaaron ke beech tha..


《《 13th March 2012 》》

3 mahine chali court ki dalion ke baad faisla aaya.. Baujood iske ke Ravi ne Jurm kabool kar liya tha, uske gharwaalon ne uska saath nahi chhora.. or bade se bade wakil ke jariye case ko thoda lamba khinch diya.. Par jab gunehgaar apna jurm khud hi kabool kar chuka ho, bhala koi wakil kya hi kar sakta hai.. Faisla aaya.. Ravi Kumar - Convicted.. IPC 302... Life imprisonment... Main aaj fir se Arnav ko TV par dekh raha tha, Faisla sunn mere chehre par ek muskaan bikhar gayi..

Adhyaay ~ 5 { Entries From Pramod Kr. Patnayak's journal }

Entry 1

Main, Patnayak.. bilkul kisi puraani film ke villain jaisa naam.. par kaam? Kal se Hero waale karne the.. Jeevan me shuru hone waale is naye adhyaay ko, apne journal ke maadhyam se sametunga.. shayad retirement ke baad ye anubhav kisi kaam aa jaye..

Halanki, baat agar apne ab tak ke jeevan ki karun to kuchh khaas jhande to nahi gaade par, padhai me theek thak tha.. Human Psychology se Masters kiya, par mujhe mere vishay se related koi naukari nahi mili.. Or mere pita shree mujhe pagalon ka doctor maanne ko bilkul raaji nahi the.. Antim vikalp ke taur par UP SI ke exams clear kiye or aaj Etawaha ke Police quater me baitha hun, ek nayi shuruwaat karne ko..

Entry 2

Hero banne ki raah par pahla din kuch khaas nahi raha.. Wahi sabse introduction me beeta poora samay.. Haan, par mere senior Inspector Harshvardhan Sir ne mujhe kaafi attract kiya, Station ke kai colleagues se unki taarif suni.. unhone 2-3 bade cases solve kiye hain..

Halanki mere bhitar ke psychologist ne, pahli mulakaat me hi unki aankhon me kuchh gehraai mehsoos ki.. Yaa shayad mera bhram tha ye.. jo ab tak apne puraane vishay ko pakad kar baitha tha..

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Entry 45

Aaj pahli baar kisi Police ki party me sirkat karne ka mauka mila.. It was fun. Halanki, Mere mann pal rahe shakk ki sui ko aaj thoda aur bal mila..

Party ke dauraan Harsh sir corner mein khade the… haath mein glass tha… par pee nahi rahe the..Unki nazar ek jagah atki hui thi.

Main unke paas gaya, “Sir, sab theek?”

Unhone seedha jawab nahi diya… bas poocha,

“Patnayak… tumhe kabhi aisa laga hai… ki koi apna… apna nahi hai?”

“Sir, shaadi ke baad sabko to lagta hai.. Aapko bina shaadi kiye hi lagne laga hai... ”

Maine hansi mein uda diya, Par wo nahi hase.. . . . .

Entry 77

Aaj mujhe mera pahla murder crime scene mila ... It was a horrible experience. Khoon dekh kar hi maine to ulti kar diya.. Parantu, jis baat ne mujhe hairaan kiya wo the.. Inspector Harshvardhan Singh!

Unke chehre par kisi bhi tarah ka bhaav nahi tha.. na laash ki haalat dekh achambha… na gussa… Bas ek alag si lagan.. Aaj unke prati meri shanka thodi aur prabal hui...

Entry 93

Apne senior ke upar shakk karne se mere bhitar ek ghutan si rahne lagi hai.. Is beech aaj hi mujhe pata chala ki agle kuchh dinon baad sabhi police personals ka psych evaluation hona hai.. mere liye apni ghutan ko door karne ka yah sunahra mauka tha..

Saath hi.. main yah achhi tarah jaanta tha ki main apna doubt seedha report nahi kar sakta.. Agar main galat hota… to career khatam..

Dr. Meera Sinha
District Psychological Evaluation Centre me woh already assign thi..

Maine unse baat ki or bataya ki Mujhe ek officer ke behavior par doubt hai… Saath hi maine unhe apne puraane credentials bhi bataye.. aur maine unse kaha ki mujhe sirf proof nahi, unka poora pattern chahiye.. Chunki, ye unka kaam tha, Unhone bina zyada sawaal ke haan kar diya..

Entry 109

Harshvardhan sir par meri shanka aaj kaafi prabal hui.. or mujhe lagne laga hai ki main sahi disha me hun.. Highway par mili laash, aur thand ka mausam, aaj ka manjar hi kuchh alag tha.. Har case me Harsh sir details dekhte the.. lekin aaj ke case me baar-baar woh sirf chehra dekh rahe the..

Lash ke chehre par bhala maasomiyat kaun dekhta hai.. “Maut bhi uski masoomiyat nahi chheen paayi…” Ye line unhone do-teen baar boli thi… Ek trained officer aise emotionally attach nahi hota. Ye kahna sahi hoga ki.. “Subject is showing selective fixation.” Yani kuchh to khaas hai is case me jo unse juda hua hai..

Entry 110

Aaj ka din kaafi hectic raha.. Lekin behat hi mahatavpoorn bhi.. Aaj main Harsh Sir ke ghar pe gaya.. bina unko inform kiye.. Main bas yun hi gaya tha… ya shayad mera doubt mujhe wahan le gaya tha..

Unhone chai banayi… hamare beech casual baatein ho rahi thi… Is beech maine unse seedha sawaal poocha “Sir… aap akela rehte hain na?”

Unke jawab me ek khali pan tha, Aur us pal mujhe samajh aa gaya... ya to woh jhoot bol rahe hain… ya unhe sach yaad nahi..

Maine unki nazar bacha kar dekha bhi.. Ghar me koi aur nahi tha… Lekin har jagah kisi ki maujoodgi ka ehsaas tha..

Jaise.. Harsh sir ke bedroom me do cup pade hue the... baraamde me lagi do chairs.. Saath hi mujhe ek aur cheez ajeeb lagi..

Bhala sardi me Table fan kaun chalayega.. Aur woh keh rahe the “galti se button dab gaya…”

Police wale galtiyan kam karte hain… cover-ups zyada.. Table fan ke saamne hi Diary rakhi hui thi.. maanon pankhe ki hawa me wo diary sukha rahe hon, ya shayad diray me jahan photos chhupaye gaye the us cover par lage glue ko sukha rahe hon..

Subah ko unke ghar par jo baatein maine notice ki unka jawab mujhe dopahar ko mila.. Dr. Meera ke saath Harsh Sir ke psych evaluation ke baad...

As planned, maine Meera ji se kahkar Harsh sir ke test ke dauraan unke cabin se sate hue ek room se Harsh Sir ki poori evaluation dekhi.. Harsh sir ko laga unka routine test ho raha hai… Lekin actual me humne un par deep cognitive evaluation chalaya..

MRI… response mapping… trigger words…
Aur sabse important, association test..

Tests ke dauraan Jab bhi unhe “Priya” bola gaya, unki brain activity spike hui.. Jab “Jyoti” bola gaya tab bhi same pattern dekhne k mila.. Jab “Murder” bola gaya tab unhone aankhen bandh kar li..

Aur phir.. hame sabse dangerous response “You know what to do…” line se mila.. Ye phrase sunte hi unka pulse abnormal ho gaye.. Pura sharir tapne saa laga or pasine se bheeg saa gaya.. Aisa lag jaise wo kabhi bhi induced medicine ke prabhav ko todte hue hosh me aa jayenge.. Haathon ki mutthi jor se band ho gayi.. Aise Violent response dekh, Dr. Meera ne turant sabhi test roke.. or Harsh sir ko cabin me hi chhor wahan se baahar aa gayi..

Entry 111

Aaj hamne Jyoti murder case me shayad ek bekasoor ko giraftaar kar liya.. or shayad use saja bhi mil jayegi.. Par mera Dil baar-baar yah kah raha hai ki wo ek perfect scapegoat tha, Harsh sir ke dwara taiyaar kiya hua.. Mera dimaag baar-baar ek kahani bunn raha tha, ki kaise shayad Harsh sir ne Jyoti ka pichha kiya hoga.. Kaise unhone uske har raaz ko jaana hoga, unhone Ravi ko jaana hoga.. Unke video banane ki obsession ko jaana hoga.. or bakhubhi soch samajh kar Ravi ko fansaya hoga.. Halanki, Ravi ke khilaaf sabse badi baat thi, uska confession..

Bhale hi mera tajurba Police ki naukari me kam tha, par main bakhubi samajh raha tha ki wo culprit bilkul bhi nahi ho sakta.. Kuchh evidence the jo conclusive nahi the, jaise body ka wash kiya jaana.. par usko nyaay dilaane ko ye kaafi nahi the.. Aur use nyaay kaise dilaya jaaye.. jo khud ko gunehgaar maan baitha ho..

Entry 125

Aaj court me Ravi ki taarikh thi, or Harsh Sir ke leave ki wajah se as a Investigating Officer mujhe aaj court jana pada.. Wahan Ravi ko dekh mere mann me baar-baar yah sawaal ghar kar raha tha.. Aakhir kya tha aisa jiski wajah se Ravi khud ko begunaah banane par tula tha, Kya thi wo baat jo wah Interrogation ke dauraan chhupa raha tha.. Court ke baahar maine usse fir se puchha.. par, Ravi ne sirf mujhe dekha.. koi uttar nahi diya..

Entry 129

Aaj Dr. Meera se mulakaat hui.. Unhone mujhe jo report dikhaayi, main kuch seconds tak kuchh kah bhi nahi paaya.. Unke labz kuchh yun the “Your senior is suffering from dual misidentification syndromes… agar exact term me kahun to he is suffering from Capgras Syndrome and Fregoli Delusion.. "

Psychology ke student hone ke baaujood ye term mujhe naye se lage.. Ya shayad itne dinon se padhai chhorne ka ye nateeja tha.. Mere kahne par unhone mujhe samjhaya..

Capgras Syndrome aisa mental disorder hai jahan Patient ko lagta hai ki unka close person replace ho chuka hai.. Jaise unke kisi loved one ki jagah koi Duplicate.. ya imposter aa gaya hai..

Wahin, Fregoli Delusion me Patient ko lagta hai ki ek hi insaan alag-alag roop me unka peecha kar raha hai..

Dekha jaaye to dono hi condition ek dusre ke opposite hain, or dono ka ek saath kisi patient me hona, bahut hi rare condition hai.. and Your senior officer is one of those.

Unhone aage samjhaya, Harsh sir ke liye pahle Priya real rahi hogi.. phir unhe laga hoga “ye Priya nahi hai” (That must me be the Capgras Syndrome) phir unhe laga hoga, ki "Priya hi har jagah hai, alag roop me (Fregoli Delusion) jo shayad abhi unke saath ho raha hai..

Dr Meera ne kaha hai ki hame pahle Priya ke baare me pata karna hai.. Hum kuchh nahi jaante uske baare me.. If she is real there must be something... Priya ki jaankaari ke baad hi Wo mujhe samjha payengi aage ki baatein..

Entry 130

Mere pichhle 3 din apne hi senior officer ki Investigation me guzre.. or kaafi mashakkat ke baad mujhe kuchh mila.. jise lekar main sidhe Dr. Meera se mila..

Harshvardhan sir ka 7 saal purana case… Unki nayi nayi posting hui thi Baliya jile ke ek chhote se Police Station me..

Usi dauraan, kisi local gang se encounter ke dauraan unko Head injury hui.. Wo Temporary coma me rahe the kuchh din.. Unke Medical notes me likha tha, “Frontal lobe trauma with possible emotional recognition impairment.”

Us waqt unhe kuch nahi hua… Par dheere-dheere… Unka dimaag “pehchaan” aur “ehsaas” ke beech ka connection kho baitha... Saath hi un Records me Priya ka naam tha, Wo us thaane me Lady Constable thi, aur thaane ke puraane officers se pata chala ki wo Harshvardhan sir ke saath rahti bhi thi.. Shayad wo dono relationship me the..

Phir mere haath ek aur report lagi.. Priya ki missing report.. Lekin Case kabhi pursue hi nahi hua, Kyuki Investigating officer khud complaint karne waal bhi tha.. Aur suspect… koi nahi..

Priya ke past ko jaan kar Dr. Meera ne mujhe seedha dekha, or kaha.. “He must have killed her during a Capgras episode.” Wo apne cabin me chahalkadmi karti hui boli..

Hua kuchh yun hoga ki, us injury ki wajah se Capgras Syndrome ne ghar banaya.. fir unko Priya, koi imposter lagne lagi hogi.. fir violence ne jor pakda hoga or Priya ne apni jaan ganwaai..

Uske baad Priya ke murder ka guilt se cope karne ke khatir, unhone ek nayi reality bana li, jahan Priya abhi bhi unke saath hai..

Fir aati hai, Jyoti ki kahaani.. Ya shayad, Jyoti jaisi kitni kahaaniyan.. jo Harshvardhan ki file ke roop me hi band ho gayi hongi.. Bilkul Jyoti ke jaise hi unhone Harshvardhan ki nazaron me Priya ka roop liya hoga.. That was the Fregoli Delusion, which growedd with time inside his brain.. Itna bol wo chup ho gayi thi, ek gehri soch me doobi..

Mere jehan me bhi ab sab clear ho chuka tha.. Jyoti ka chehra… Priya jaisa nahi… par feeling trigger karne ke liye kaafi.. Jisse Harsh sir attract hue honge.. fir obsessed hue honge.. Aur jab unka mind collapse hua, same pattern repeat hua..

Par fir mere mann me yah sawaal aaya.. "You know what to do!" Ye kiski aawaj thi.. Iska jawaab bhi Dr. Meera ne diya..

“It’s not external… it’s a command loop. Harsh ka dimaag khud ko instructions de raha tha, Uski ek split identity hai Priya… Phir Ek observer hai as Inspector.. Aur Ek executor, the one who kills! "

Entry 131

Maine or Dr Meera ne milkar sabkuch suljha to liya tha, par Hamare paas koi evidence nahi the.. tha to bas medical report jo jyada se jyada Harshvardhan sir ko medically unfit declare karke Police force se nikalwa sakta tha.. Dr Meera ne yahi raashta uchit samjha or reports Headquarters bhej diye.. Par mera mann unse ek aakhiri rubaroo karne se khud ko rok naa paaya..

Hamaari aaj mulakaat hui, or mera unse sirf ek hi sawaal tha.. "Sir, Priya kahan hain? "

Unhone mujhe bas apni nazaron se ghoora, na kuchh kaha, naa koi reaction.. main apni naakaami ke saath laut aaya..

Entry 147

Aaj jaane kaise mujhe fir se Ravi ki yaad aa gayi.. Use umarkaid ki saza mile kuchh mahine ho gaye the.. Par uski wo baat ab bhi mujhe kachot si deti thi.. "Ais kya Jyoti ki sachchai thi jo main nahi samajh sakta tha.. isi soch ke saath main usse aaj mila.. Aur jo usne mujhe bataya wo shayad hi main kisi ko bata paaun..

Saamaj ka ek wo ghinauna roop mujhe aaj pata chala tha, jahan ek baap ne apni beti ke saath hi rishte ko kalankit kiya tha.. Main to ye soch kar hi behad hi hataahit tha, ki jaane kis umar ke padaav par Jyoti ne apni maa ko khoya hoga, or jaane kab se wo us darindagi bhare jeevan ko jee rahi hogi..

Ravi ki baaton ne Video ki sachchai bhi ujagar kar di thi.. Jahan darr or sahmi hui Jyoti, jisne ab tak sirf apne sharir ko purntah samarpan karte hue hi sambandh banaaye the, Ravi ke saath banaye videos ke jariye, khud ke vyahaar ko badalne ki koshish kar rahi thi.. jo samarpan ke bhaav se upar aate hue khud ke shaarirk aanand ko mehsoos kar rahi thi..

Entry 357

Aaj shaam ek case ki silsilay me Harshvardhan Sir ke ghar ki taraf se jaana hua.. Kareeb 3 saal hone ko hain, unke police force se gaye hue.. Dr. Meera ne jo raashta apnaya tha, wahi kaam aaya..

Aaj unke ghar se guzarte hue maine unhe dekha. Baraamde me do kursiya thi.. or ek aadmi khaali hawa se baatein karta hua, mushkurata hua, nazar aaya...

_______________________________
____________________

Maine, Patnayak ki wo journal dheeme haathon se uske desk par rakh di.. or apni ek nazar saamne bistar par nagn lete Patnayak or uski baahon me simti Dr. Meera... Dr. Priya..ki or dekha..

Mere mann me bas ek hi khayaal aa raha tha.. " Dr. Priya, You are cheating on me! "

The End

__________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________​

 

[Werewolf]

EPONYMOUS​

Spoiler

Kuchh sach, sirf ateet ko qareeb se dekhne par samajh aate hain. Par, jab ve aate hain, tab tak bahut der ho chuki hoti hai.

***

Year 2150,
ISRO Headquarters,
Bangalore, Morning ~

Conference call aate hi kamre me afra-tafri mach gayi, har kisi ke haath me reports thi.

"America is requesting immediate clarification, Sir."

"Sir, China bhi anomalies ki reports maang raha hai."

"Russia bhi yahi poochh raha hai ki fluctuations ki kya wajah hai. Sabko pata lag gaya hai ki fault humaare base me hai, sir."

Staff ke kuchh log ek insaan ki taraf mudkar bole. Magar, Mr. Kaul bina ruke unke paas se guzarte chale gaye.

Woh aage badhe aur jaake bade se monitors ke saamne khade hue, jaha base station ke co-ordinates, live images aur footages jhalak rahi thi.

Monitor par ek naam chamak raha tha ~ 'Pratham.' Bharat ka pehla aur ekmaatra Mars par unka apna base station.

Assistant paas aaya, "Sir... Humein koi clue nahi mila hai. Hum US, Russia aur China ko ab investigation ke naam par zyada derr taal nahi sakte."

"Abhi tak kuchh trace nahi hua kya?"

"Nahi, Sir. Wo sab wait kar rahe hain ki kab hum ise sort out kare aur unhe jald se jald reports bheje."

Mr. Kaul ki ungliyaan monitors ke platform par thirki. "Base par kisi ko kuchh pata nahi chala?"

"Reasons unclear hain. Wo sab anomalies experts nahi hain. Aur, kisi ne bhi expect nahi kiya tha ki aisa kuchh ho jaayega." Assistant ke vaakya thode ladkhadaye hue the.

Usne ek screen ko uthaate hue Mr. Kaul ko dikhaaya. "S-Sir, ye equipment failure ya signal lag nahi hai. Telemetry dikha rahi hain ki humaare base ke atomic clocks aur humaare orbital relays ke beech kuchh 0.8 seconds ka gap notice hua hai."

"Don't talk rubbish, Jadhav! Tumhara dimaag theek hai? Time gap?" Unhone sakht lehze me poochha.

"Wahi sir- aisa pehli baar-"

"Jadhav, are you out of your mind? Frame dragging ke liye we need a rotating singularity, goddamn it! Ek massive black hole hi aas-paas ke spacetime ko disturb kar sakta hai. Tum ye baat jaante ho na?"

"Y-Yes, sir par-"

"Par kya? Humara nearest black hole Gaia BH1 bhi 1560 light years dur hai. Itne vast distance me uske gravitational pull ka koi sawaal hi nahi. Jab aas-paas koi massive rotating singularity hai hi nahi, toh bhala time kaise disturb ho sakta hai?"

"Magar, yahi hua hai, Sir."

Unke beech khamoshi chhaa gayi. Machines jhooth nahi bolti. Aneko baar data nikaala jaa chuka tha aur kahi na kahi, har baar 0.8 seconds ka gap nazar aa raha tha.

"Team me kisi ne toh kuchh dhoondha hoga-" Mr. Kaul ne ek bhaari sannaate ke baad poochha.

"Yes, Sir. Lekin, cause nahi. Bas irregularities. Humare researchers, engineers ko samajh nahi aa raha ki iski wajah kya hai."

"Aisa toh nahi ki cause kahi underground se-"

"Geological cause nahi ho sakta, Sir. Mars par tectonic activity nahi hoti."

"Lekin, quakes toh hote hain?"

"Unn quakes ko humaare devices samay se pehle read karne ke liye saksham hai, Sir. Aur, waise bhi- underground quakes se time disturb hona..."

"Matlab, geological bhi nahi hai." Unhone dheere-se saans chhori, maano jaise ab nirnay le liya ho. "Theek hai. Mission ki taiyaari karo."

Awaaz ab sakht thi. Aankhein Pratham base ki live tasveer par tiki hui. "Humein ab 'use' hi bhejna padega."

***

Apni laboratory me kursi par ek aadmi susta raha tha. Chaaro orr halki raushni me doobi screens chaalu thi aur machines ki lagataar goonj kamre me faili hui thi.

"Phew~ finally done!" Usne apni aasteen se paseena pochh, saamne rakhe ek device ko dekha. "Par, abhi tumhe aur perfect banaana hai mujhe."

Usne device ko idhar-udhar tatolte hue sunishchit kiya aur use phir ek box me rakh band kar diya.

Uski nazar desk par rakhe phir 2 memora devices par gayi.

Jaise hi usne apna fingerprint uss device par lagaaya, ek 3D hologram usme se nikal kar aaya. Ek aadmi, ek aurat aur ek bacchi. Unhe dekh woh pyaar se muskuraaya.

Phir, usne dusre memora device ko ON kiya. Dusra hologram saamne aaya. Spacesuit pehne ek aurat. Chehre par shaant si muskaan. Haath hilaati hui. Bas.

Memora, yaadon ko hologram ke roop me sametne me bahut samarth tha. Woh uss aurat ki muskaan dekh thoda maayusi me muskuraya. Tabhi-

Darwaze ke lock khulne ki masheeni dhwani sunaayi di, aur phir woh sarak kar khul gaya. Woh apni jagah par jamm gaya. Mudne ki zaroorat nahi thi. Jaanta tha ki mehez ek hi shaksiyat thi jo uski sealed laboratory me ghus sakti thi.

Usne ek kheej bhari. “Maine tumhe kitni baar samjhaya hai ki ISRO ke gadgets se meri privacy invade mat kiya karo, Ayra!”

Woh bina dekhe badbadaya. Aur, jaise hi muda-

‘!’

Saamne apne unhi kaale bob cut baalon me, kasey hue kaale suit me lipte Ayra khadi thi.

Haseen toh woh thi hi, lekin saath hi uski aankhon me aisi gehraayi thi jo use humesha uljhan me daal deti thi. Aisi uljhan, jiska woh qaayal tha.

“Tumhari kismat achhi hai, Mister Kiyaan, jo mein tumhari complaint nahi karti.” Woh andar aakar boli. “Warna, government owned area me kisi ko bhi private laboratory ki permission nahi hai. Aur, DSD ke staff ko toh bilkul bhi nahi.”

“Come on!” Kiyaan ne upar mandraati apni robot ki orr dekha, “Adela, mere liye ek strong coffee. Aur, Ayra ke liye normal. Aur, ye hawa me udna band karo, warna battery khatam hote hi neeche girogi.”

Ek badi hi pyaari si robot hawa me udti boli.

[Command denied. (⁠ー⁠_⁠ー⁠゛⁠) Adela likes to fly. Command Accepted. Preparing coffee for Master and Mistress. (⁠ ⁠◜⁠‿⁠◝⁠ ⁠) ]

Woh teekhi ‘beep’ kar, coffee maker ki orr badhi aur apne kaam me lag gayi. 3 minute ke andar hi, 2 cups se bhaanp uth rahi thi.

Kiyaan ne ek ghoonth liya, muh banaaya aur phir use sink me thook diya.

“Fuck-! Kitni baar kaha hai Adela ki coffee strong honi chaahiye, jaanlewa nahi.”

Adela ki digital awaaz ne jawaab diya.

[Molecular precision is hard to achieve without specific parameters, Master. Next time, provide a bitterness index. Hmph. (⁠ー⁠_⁠ー⁠゛⁠) ]

Ayra hasi, aur khud coffee maker ki orr badhi. “Kuchh kaam,” usne apne haatho me Kiyaan se cup lekar kaha, “humesha insaano ko hi karne chaahiye. AI ko nahi.”

Kiyaan ne uske baigani rang se rangey hontho ko dekha. Use itna qareeb paakar... “Babe-”

[Master's pulse increased.]

Ayra ye sunn kutil muskaan liye, apni wahi adaa ke saath coffee maker ki taraf chal di.

"Adela, you-!" Kiyaan ne daant meese. “Right. Kuchh kaam insaano ko hi karne chaahiye. Lekin, insaan toh-” Usne Adela ki taraf ishaara kiya. “Inhe banaane me vyast hain.”




Ayra ki nazrein coffee banaate hue monitor par tiki jis par Bharat ki andhruni khabrein chal rahi thi, jinhe keval ISRO aur DSD jaise organisations hi access kar sakte the.

Time Machine Experiment #7 : Status - ongoing.

“Tum log abhi bhi isme lage ho?” Kiyaan ne mazaak me Ayra ki nazron ka peechha kar, monitor ko dekh poochha.

"Hum nahi. Another project. Another team. Par, haan." Woh palti. "Kyunki, har koi aapki tarah shortcuts nahi dhoondhta, Mister. You succeed after failures."

Woh hasa. "Come on. Dekho inhe. Kitni baar fail ho chuke honge ye?"

"More than they'd admit?"

Phir, uski nazrein desk par rakhe 2 memora devices par gayi. Pehle hologram me Kiyaan tha, uske bagal se woh khud, aur uski goad me ek nanhi si bacchi.

Usne bagal se rakhe phir dusre hologram ko dekha, jisme ek aurat haath hila rahi thi.

"Hey-" Usne poochha, "Say, agar- agar tumhaare paas time machine hoti to tum kya karte, K?"

"3 saal pehle, uss tragedy ko rokta." Kiyaan ne bejhijhak kaha.

"Of- Of course. You would." Thitakte hue woh wapas se coffee maker ki taraf mudi. Nigaahein uski apni ungli par shaadi ki anguthi par padi. Ek ankahi maayusi uske chehre par chhaa gayi.

"Agar, aisa hota toh aaj Elina-"

"Humaare beech hoti." Kiyaan ne uska vaakya poora kiya. Usne upar udd rahi Adela ko dekha. Elina ke dwara diya gaya uske janmdin ka tauhfa.

"R-Right." Woh dheere se budbudayi.

Khamoshi ne unn dono ke beech kuchh pal ke liye janm liya. Phir, coffee taiyaar hui aur Ayra use Kiyaan ke liye lekar aayi.

"Toh? Kaisi hai woh? Naam rakh diya?" Usne Ayra se coffee lete hue poochha.

"Natkhat hai. Tumhari tarah. Naam abhi nahi rakha. Dad baar-baar ratt lagaaye hue hain ki naamkaran unhe karne do. Par, maine mana kar rakha hai. Mein chaahti hu ki tum uska naam rakho."

"Mein?"

"Haan, tum. Kyun? Tumhe humaari beti ka naam rakhne me koi dikkat hai?"

Kiyaan hasa. "Kya tum nahi jaanti ki mere diye naam kaise hote hain?"

Adela ne turant hi awaaz ki, uski screen par kuchh nazar aaya-

[Previous name : "Addu" given by Master. (⁠─⁠.⁠─⁠|⁠|⁠）]

[Current name : "Adela" given by Mistress. (⁠ ⁠◜⁠‿⁠◝⁠ ⁠)⁠♡ ]

"Hey, itna bura bhi nahi hai 'Addu.' Usme ek feeling hai. I mean, maybe... Adela ke muqaable thoda pheeka ho sakta hai."

Ayra khilkhilayi. "Jo bhi ho.. Mein chaahti hu ki tum hi use naam do. It's my wish."

"Okay." Usne coffee ka ek ghoonth lete hue cup ko alag rakha. "So good. Agar, ek achha naam mujhe mila... Toh, kyun nahi?"

Ayra ne haami bhari. Phir, kuchh der ke sannaate ke baad boli. "Tumhari ek help chaahiye-"

"Tumhare yaha aane ka matlab toh yahi tha na?"

"H-Haan! Mein-"

"Pata hai." Usne Ayra ko beech me hi kaat diya. "Mars par anomalies ho rahi hain. Aur, ab unhe meri zaroorat hai." Kehte hue woh apni jagah se khada hua. Ayra ke nazdeek gaya.

Ayra ka haath coffee counter ke slab par kasa. "I see. Dad ne inform kar diya, matlab? Tumhare alawa kisi aur ka karna mushqil hai. Spacetime aur anomaly expert ho tum. Mars par pehle bhi jaa chuke ho. Upar se, DSD aur ISRO ke beech tum hi best link ho-"

Kiyaan uske ekdum qareeb aate hue ruka. "Agar, ISRO ne 3 saal pehle wo mission fail na kiya hota, toh aaj mein DSD ka hissa nahi hota. Aaj bhi ISRO ki team me hota-"

"A-Aaj bhi tum uss team ko lead kar rahe hote. Tumhara naam aur ooncha hota." Woh kaanpte hue haath le jaa kar uske gaal par rakhi.

"Lekin, K-!" Uske honth thar-tharaaye, "Isme ISRO ki galti nahi thi ki wo Elina ko nahi bacha paaye. Woh bas-"

"Mehez ek tragedy thi? NO!" Kiyaan ki awaaz me bhaaripann tha. "Elina ko bachaaya jaa sakta tha agar- agar ISRO goddamn fast hoti. Slow nahi."

Kheejte hue woh peechhe hatt gaya. "DSD har kaam me better hai. Anyways, let's leave this topic. Na hi mein ISRO me wapas se tumhare dad ke command ke under lautne waala hu aur na hi DSD chhorne waala hu."

Ayra ke maathe par silvatein chhaa gayi. "Toh, humesha DSD ke unorthodox operations me hissa lete rahoge? Jo 100% legal bhi nahi hai? Unka saath zindagi bhar doge?"

"They are not illegal. They are just fast."

"Har samay results matter nahi karte."

"But they do. Most of the time."

"K!"

[The Master and Mistress' complex feelings were detected. Adela suggests not fighting with each other. (⁠╯⁠︵⁠╰⁠,⁠) ]

Dono shaant pad gaye.

"Th-Thank you, Adela." Ayra boli. "Kiyaan. Ek ghante ke andar mujhe HQ me milo."

Bolte hue woh bina mude hi waha se nikal gayi. Kiyaan bas use jaata hua dekhta raha. Uski nazrein punah unn dono memora devices par gayi.

Usne ek aah bhar, dono devices ko band kar apni jeb me rakha. Aur, saath hi apna wo device jisko usne box me rakha tha. Phir, taiyaar hokar woh apni lab se nikla-

"Adela, mujhe aane me kayi din lag jaayenge. Toh, khud ko charge kar lena."

Kehte hue woh nikal gaya. Magar, pyaari Adela jo udd rahi thi uski maang kuchh alag hi thi.

[No. Adela will wait for the Master to come back and charge Adela. (⁠灬⁠º⁠‿⁠º⁠灬⁠) ]

***

An hour later...

Woh HQ me ‘Drishti Hub’ me pahucha. Andar ka nazara baahar ki shanti ke vipreet tha. Staff chinta me files, aur tablets pakde bhaag raha tha. Robots kaam me vyast the. Badi deewar par ISRO ke logo ke theek bagal se ek branding chamak rahi thi ~ DSD (Deep Space Registrate.)

'Drishti Hub' ISRO aur DSD ke beech ka joint venture tha, ek aisa hub jaha aage hone waale bade missions ke liye vision baithaaya jaata tha. Isliye, naam pada... Drishti.

Hub ki safalta ka mukhya kaaran tha... Kiyaan, jisne ISRO aur DSD ke beech mann-mutaav aur pratispardha hone ke bawajood dono ko iske liye raazi kiya tha.

"K-Kiyaan Sir?!" Wahi se guzar rahe ek junior recruit ne use dekh qadam thaame. Woh daudkar uske paas aaya. "I'm... I'm a huge fan, sir! Aapke Memora device se inspire hokar maine bhi ek theory par-"

Iske pehle ki woh apna utsaah jata paata, peechhe se kisi ne sakht lehze me tanj kasa. "Tumhare paas aur koi kaam nahi hai kya, junior?"

Mr. Kaul ki awaaz sunte hi wo bechaara darr gaya aur apne haatho me liye data device sahit gaayab ho gaya.

Staff ke baaki log apni screens me jhaankte hue aapas me fusfusa rahe the. Kiyaan, DSD ka anokha Spacetime aur anomaly expert, phirse ISRO ke uss HQ me tha jaha se usne 3 saal pehle naata toda tha.

Mr. Kaul aage aaye, unke coat par ISRO ke 'Chairman' ka badge chamak raha tha. "Tum late ho."

"Inform hi late kiya gaya."

"Maine tumhe 3 ghante pehle inform kiya tha, Kiyaan."

"Aur ye anomaly kabse chal rahi hai?"

Uske sawaal par veh khamosh reh gaye. Unhe pata tha ki iss behes ka koi ant nahi.

"Tumhe jaana hoga. Tumhi ho jo-"

"I know."

"Good. Then, assess yourself."

Kehkar, woh baaki staff ke saath aage ke mission ko leke vyast ho gaye, aur ek junior staff Kiyaan ko nazdeeki medical wing me le gaya.

Kiyaan ne apni shirt utaari aur raushni se bhare cylindrical biometric ring ke andar khada hua. Neele rang ki lasers use upar se neeche tak scan ki. Vitals, bone density, stress level, BP, sab kuchh bas chand seconds me assess ho raha tha.

Tabhi, darwaaza khula. Kiyaan palta, aur woh hairaan reh gaya. Ayra andar aa rahi thi. Aur, uski baahon me thi... unki beti.

"Ise yaha kyun le aayi?" Usne assessing device se hi awaaz lagaayi.

Ayra qareeb aayi. "Kyun? Tum agal-bagal ke sheher nahi jaa rahe. Mars par jaa rahe ho... toh kya jaate waqt apne parivar se milke nahi jaoge?"

"Tum toh aise bol rahi ho jaise mein waha jaakar wapas hi nahi aane waala." Woh hasste hue machine ke baahar aaya.

"Faltu baatein band karo." Ayra ne chidhte hue bacchi ko uski baahon me thama diya. "Aur, ye lo-"

"Whoa-!" Jaise hi Kiyaan ne nanhi jaan ko apne haathon me liya, uske chehre ke bhaav poori tarah badal gaye.

Jaise ek ajeeb adrishya bojh uske kandhon par aa gaya. Ye woh zimmedari thi jo baahar se kabhi nahi dikhti, lekin apni bacchi ko baahon me lene par mehsoos hoti thi. Uska darr, uski kamzori, uski khushiyaan aur uski duniya, uske haathon me thi.

Usne muskurate hue uske mulayam gaalon ko chhua. "Oi... look at you, my beauty."

Bacchi khilkhilakar hasi aur Kiyaan ki ungliyon se khelne lagi.

"Yaad hai na?" Ayra boli, "Tumhe jald se jald iska naam rakhna hai. Warna, dad ne koi scientific naam rakha toh fir mat bolna."

"Haan yaad hai," Kiyaan bina bacchi se nazar hataaye bola. "Who knows? Mars me shayad waha koi inspiration mil jaaye? Haha."

[Assessment report complete.
Vitals: Optimal.
Stable for Interplanetary Transit.]

Room me machine ke AI ne announce kiya. AI ab atyadhik advanced ho chuka tha. Ab log uss se birthday wishes nahi bhejte the, na girlfriend banake uss se chat karte the, aur na hi kahaniya likhwaane jaise kaam. Kyunki, ikkeesvi shatabdi ke baad log bhi hoshiyar ho chuke the. Ve jaante the ki AI artificial intelligence hai. Emotional intelligence nahi. Uss se kya karwana hai, aur kya nahi, unhe pata tha.

Kiyaan ne bacchi ko wapas se Ayra ko pakdakar apni shirt pehni. Woh taiyaar hokar muda hi tha ki achanak Ayra aage aayi.

Usne uske wahi baigani rang waale hontho ko apne ekdum qareeb aate dekha. "Huh-?"

Aur-

Iske pehle ki woh kuchh samajh paata, Ayra ne uske honth apne hontho me bhar liye. Woh turant hi peechhe bhi hatt gayi, gaal sharm se laal the.

"Just... Be careful," Awaaz kaanpi. Ab haya ki jagah bechaini ne leli thi.

Usne goad me li beti ko Kiyaan ke chehre ki taraf uthaaya. "Jao, papa ko kissy do."

Bacchi ne aage badhkar Kiyaan ke gaal par apne chhotey se honth thook lagaate hue chipkaaye.

Woh hasa, "Ye humesha mujhe thook laga ke kyun choomti hai?"

"Kyunki, tumse zyada pyaar karti hai. Mere saath kabhi aisa nahi karti. Be grateful."

"Haan baba!" Usne pyaar se bacchi aur Ayra ke sirr par apna haath phera. "Don't worry! Aa jaunga jaldi."

"K..!" Woh vyakulta me use dekhi.

Tabhi, peechhe se-

"Are you ready?"

Darwaze par Mr. Kaul khade the. Unhe dekh Ayra thoda sharma kar turant Kiyaan se dur hatt gayi.

"Ready hu!" Woh bola.

Mr. Kaul ne ishaara kiya. Kiyaan room se baahar nikla toh uske saath 2 chune hue pilots the. Ek DSD ka. Ek ISRO ka. Unka kaam use sirf drop karke wapas laane ka tha.

Pichle 3 ghante se ISRO ka emergency protocol activate tha. 'Vajra' spacecraft space me Indian station par trajectory ke saath locked khada tha, bas intezar tha toh Kiyaan ke aane ka.

Ve launch area pahuche. Saare procedures poore hue. Ayra, apni beti ko baahon me thaame, aur Mr. Kaul, HQ ki kaanch ki khidki se baahar dekh rahe the. Unki nazrein high speed shuttle par tiki thi, jo aasmaan ko cheerte hue antriksh me jaa raha tha.

Kármán line ko paar kar shuttle seedhe Bharat ke orbital space station me dock hua. Bina waqt zaaya kiye, Kiyaan aur pilots nikalkar pehle se taiyaar 'Vajra' spacecraft me sawaar hue.

Ab inter planetary journeys wahi puraane heavy fuel based method se nahi hoti thi. 'Beamed laser propulsion' se hoti thi.

Mars tak ka safar, jo kisi zamaane me mahino leta tha, ab bas 3-4 dinon me tay ho jaata tha.

***

Mars,
3 Earth Days later...

Vajra ke landing pad par utarte hi laal dhool ka ek vishaal gubaar utha. Mars ka aasmaan prithvi jaisa neela nahi tha, balki dhundhla, narangi rang ka tha, hawa patli thi.

Airlock khula, Kiyaan apne DSD spacesuit me baahar aaya. Sateh par pehle se hi Pratham base se ISRO ke 2 log bhaari suits pehne uska intezar kar rahe the.

Mars par gravity Earth ke muqaable sirf 38% thi. Isliye, chalte waqt unke qadam zameen par bhaari padne ke bajaye hawa me uchhal rahe the. Ve uchhalte hue pad ke kinaare pahuche, jaha ek motorized cable base ki taraf jaa rahi thi.

Kiyaan ne aage badhkar magnetic zipline ka handle pakda aur lock dabaaya. Baaki dono ne bhi wahi kiya.

Motor start hui aur jhatke ke saath zipline ne unhe tezi se kheencha. Ve kam gravity me, laal mitti ke thoda upar udkar base ki orr ravaana hue.

Teeno base ke andar aaye aur gate band ho gaya. Deewaron se tez 'hiss' ki fufkaar ke saath hawa andar bharne lagi, taaki air pressure prithvi jaisa ho sake.

Kiyaan ne sabse pehle apna helmet utaara. Lamba safar aur high-G boost uske chehre par thakaan ke roop me saaf jhalak raha tha.

"Sir, aapke liye quarters taiyaar hain," ek ne apna helmet hatakar kaha. "Aap kuchh ghante rest kar sakte hain."

"Zaroorat nahi." Kiyaan ne apne seene par lagi ek node ghumaayi, uske DSD suit ka pressure kam hua aur beech se khul gaya.

Phir usne apni belt se 'Synapse-90' karke ek chhota-sa inhaler nikaala, jo space lag aur fatigue ko rokne ke liye unka adhunik supplement tha.

Kheench ke inhaler se gehri saans lene ke baad hi uski aankhon ki laali gaayab hone lagi aur brain fog poori tarah chhat gaya. Zaahir taur se bas kuchh ghanto ke liye.

"Mujhe seedhe Command Center le chalo," Usne apni asteen theek kari. "We are starting. NOW!"

---

"Ye raha, Sir. Ye dekhiye saare time gaps ka log." Command Center ke ek operative ne use main console ki taraf le jaakar kaha.

Kiyaan ki nazrein tezi se data par daudi. Jaise-jaise woh unn figures ko padh raha tha, uske maathe par lakeerein badhti jaa rahi thi.

Ye base poori tarah dual time system par chalta tha. Room ki mukhya deewar par lagi digital clocks dono times darsha rahi thi. Ek taraf Earth ke aam 24 ghante, aur dusri taraf Mars ke 24 ghante 39 minutes.

Kaanch ke baahar Mars ki ghapp andheri raat thi, aur andar theek unke upar dono clocks real-time dikha rahi thi.

Earth clock : 14:12:36
Mars clock : 02:15:00

Usne dekha ki kuchh derr pehle hi 0.8 seconds ka gap nazar aaya tha.

12:15:20.0 se 12:15:28.8 tak.

"Ye latest data hai na?"

"Ji, sir. Abhi-abhi notice hua tha ye gap."

"Kuchh aur notice kiya? Koi bhi chhoti se chhoti cheez?" Usne operative se poochha.

"Sir... Mujhe uss time aisa laga tha jaise mere colleague ne chalte waqt ek qadam phaand liya ho. Mera vaham bhi ho sakta hai. I know it sounds ridiculous-"

"No, I believe you!"

"Huh?" Operative thoda hairan reh gaya ki itne bade expert ne uski iss ajeeb baat ko itni jaldi maan liya?

"Mujhe poore base ka map do."

Operative ne Kiyaan ko ek memora device thamaya. Uske ON karte hi base ka 3D holographic map hawa me ubhar aaya.

"Good. Ground aur upper levels, mujhe inki poori jaanch chahiye. Neeche ki saari floors mein khud check karne jaa raha hu." Kehkar usne paas hi rakha tactical safety gear pehna aur lift ki orr badha.

Idhar operative ne Kiyaan ke aadesh par sabhi ko chaukanna kar, jaanch ke liye laga diya.

Woh ek floor neeche gaya. Staff waha bhi maujood tha, magar sankhya me kam. Usne sabhi se poochh-taachh ki...

Jab har jagah se 'okay' ka signal mila toh woh aur neeche ki floors me utarta chala gaya. Jaise-jaise woh floor by floor gehraayi me jaa raha tha, staff ki maujoodagi lagbhag shoonya hoti jaa rahi thi.

Ant me woh sabse nichle floor par pahucha.

"Sir, wo floor kaafi risky hai. Unexplored hai. Gate ke andar rahiyega. Gate ke baahar gaye toh aap seedhe outer area me pahuch jaayenge."

Kiyaan ke comms me se usi operative ke bol sunaayi diye. Usne haami bhar comms link kaat diya.

Woh aage badha, sabse nichle floor me daakhil hua. Yaha shor na ke barabar tha.

Koi halchal nahi. Bas gehra sannaata. Kuchh jagah saaf-suthri, toh kuchh jagah Mars ki laal mitti jami thi. Andhere me chalte hue use apne hi jooto ki goonj sunaayi de rahi thi.

Raushni kam thi. Use kahi koi dikhaayi nahi de raha tha.

'Lowest floor unassigned hai kya?' Usne mann me socha. Phir-

*Clink*

Ek shor...

'Huh?'

Kiyaan ka sarr daayi orr ghooma. Uss chhor par, halki raushni ke beech use kuchh nazar aaya.

Kisi insaan ki aakriti. Ekdum sthir. Uske raungte khade ho gaye. Lekin-

Na jaane kaise magar uska dimaag shaant hone laga. Andar hi andar jaise kuchh badalne laga. Bechaini gaayab hone lagi.

Kya ye Synapse-90 ka asar tha?

Use samajh aaya ki zaahir si baat hai ki koi na koi toh yaha hoga hi. Kyun nahi hoga? Ye logic bhi haawi ho raha tha.

Uske tanaav se kasey hue kandhe dheele pad gaye maano jaise ab kuchh bhi ajeeb nahi tha. Woh uss aakriti ki orr muda.

"Who's there?" Usne pukaara.

Aakriti prakash me saamne aayi. Uske jism par bhi Kiyaan ki tarah tactical suit maujood tha. Kiyaan ne ye dekh ek raahat ki saans li. Magar, saamne maujood insaan kuchh bola nahi. Bas khada tha. Helmet ke kaale visor ke chalte Kiyaan ko uska chehra nazar na aaya.

"Kaun ho tum?" Iss baar woh aur aage badha, uska haath apni kamar ke peechhe emergency safety gun ke upar mandraaya.

Par, abhi usne unke beech ka aadha raasta hi tay kiya tha jab-

"Umm... Mm... H-Hello sir!" Kisi ladki ki madhur, magar ghabrayi hui awaaz uss suit se aayi.

"Huh?" Woh ruka. "Kaun? Mujhe toh laga tha ye area inaccessible hai. Kisne bheja tumhe yaha? Aur, kaun hai?"

Kuchh derr shaanti chhaayi rahi, phir woh ladki boli. "M-Maintenance check, sir. Sirf mein hi hu."

"Maintenance? Lowest floor me?" Kiyaan ki bhauhe tani. "New recruit?"

"Y-Yes, sir!"

Kiyaan ne lambi saans chhodte hue sirr hilaaya. Baat swabhavik thi. New recruits ko phaaltu ke kaamo par lagana aam baat thi. Kisi senior ne shayad apna kaam iske upar thop diya tha.

"Kya naam hai tumhara?" Usne uski orr ghoorte hue poochha.

Suit ke andar ladki ne ghabrahat me apne haath maley. Thoda idhar-udhar dekhi, maano jaise andhere me se koi jawaab talaash rahi ho.

"S-Sia... Sir. Aapka?" Usne jhijhakte hue poochha.

Kiyaan ki bhauhe upar uthi. "Tum mujhe nahi jaanti?"

"Umm... Aapne helmet pehna hai toh kuchh nazar nahi aa raha."

"Oh haan!" Usne apni hatheli apne helmet pe maari. "Mein Kiyaan. DSD se. Anomaly aur Spacetime expert."

"K-Kiyaan? Umm... I... I'm a huge fan of yours. Aap yaha?"

"Haan mein yaha. Par, meri chhoro, ye batao... tumhe iss khatarnak section me aisa kya check karne bhej diya? Aur, wo bhi akele?"

Sia ki ungliyaan suit ke andar mutthi me bandhi. "Bas... general inspection, sir. Yahi dekhne aayi thi ki sab theek se chal raha hai ya nahi. Kahi koi... umm, koi mishaps na ho."

"Toh ye kaam toh senior ka hua na?" Uski nigaahein Sia ke helmet ke kaale visor ke aar-paar dekhne ki koshish kar rahi thi.

Woh sakpakayi. "S-Senior ka hi kaam tha, Sir."

"Oh? Kisne bheja tumhe yaha?"

Kuchh seconds ki bhaari khamoshi ke baad woh atakte hue jawab di. "Mrs... Mrs. Grace ne."

"Grace? Oh yeah, that woman...!" Usne raahat me magar thoda chidhkar sarr hilaaya. "I was right. Apna poora kaam juniors ke sirr par thopne ki aadat uski gayi nahi. I'm sorry on her behalf."

"N-Nahi, aap... Aap kyun maafi maang rahe ho." Usne achanak aage badh Kiyaan ke haath thaame. Phir, use ehsaas hua, aur woh jhatke se peechhe hatt gayi. "I'm... I'm sorry."

"It's okay." Kiyaan kaafi hadd tak aashwast ho chuka tha. Usne punah Sia ki orr dhyan se dekh poochha, "Tumhe yaha chal rahi emergency ke baare me toh pata hi hoga?" Woh uski body language ko gaur se padh raha tha.

Helmet ke andar Sia ne apna nichla honth dabaaya. "Y-yes... yaha koi time anomaly chal rahi hai... right?"

Kiyaan ne raahat ki saans li. Chalo, kam se kam iss bechaari recruit ko basic si
tuation toh pata thi.

"Right. Aao mere saath," Kiyaan ne aage badhkar ishaara kiya. "Stay close to me."

Dono uss lambe corridor me aage badhne lage. Kiyaan lagataar apne quantum meter par nazar banaye hue tha, aur saath hi saath woh Sia ko samjhaane laga ki 0.8 seconds ka gap kaise kaam kar raha hai, aur ye kitna khatarnak hai.

Meter me halka-fulka time distortion dekhne ko mil raha tha. Kareeban 0.1 se 0.2 seconds ka. Lekin, 0.8 jaisa kuchh bhi haath nahi laga tha.

Sia uski baaton ka matlab nahi sunn rahi thi, bas uss awaaz ki gehraayi aur usme chhupe fikr ko mehsoos kar rahi thi. Suit ke andar uski aankhein namm thi. Ajeeb-sa sukoon uske dil me utar raha tha.

Pratham base ka sabse andhera aur khatarnak hissa, uske liye duniya ki sabse khoobsurat jagah bann gaya tha.

Dono uss ghapp andhere aur laal dhool se bhare lambe corridor me aage badhe.

Kiyaan apne kaam me vyast tha. "Interesting..." usne badbadaate hue device ko thoda aage kiya.

"K-Kya hua, sir?"

"Anomaly koi random event nahi hai. Meter par ek clear 'trail' mil rahi hai. Jaise... gravitational footprints. Kisi ne ya kisi cheez ne iss area me jaan-boojh ke massive spacetime ko bend kiya hai. Aur, hum uske bohot qareeb hain."

Sia ne kasske apni mutthi baandhi. "A-Achha?"

Achanak-

*RUMBLE*

Zameen tezi se kaanpi. Ye koi aam bhookamp nahi tha, balki spacetime ke stretch hone ke kaaran paida hua ek quake tha.

Upar chhat par lagi ek bhaari exhaust pipe apni jagah se ukhdi.

"Shit! Look out!"

Kiyaan ne tezi se aage badh Sia ka haath kheencha. Dono ek doosre se takraakar zameen par ludhke, aur wo bhaari pipe theek usi jagah giri jaha wo ek second pehle khade the.

Dhool uthi. Kiyaan ne aankhein kholi toh paaya ki Sia ne use kasskar baahon me jakad rakha tha. Wo uske seene se chipki hui thi, uski pakad me ek aisi besabri thi jaise koi apni sabse keemti cheez ko khone se darr raha ho.

Kiyaan thoda asahaj hua. "Sia? Tum theek-"

Woh hosh me aayi aur jhatke-se peechhe hati. "S-Sorry, Sir! I... I'm sorry."

"It's fine. Lekin, tum kaanp rahi ho," Kiyaan ne apni jagah se uthte hue use dekha.

"M-Mujhe... panic attacks aate hain, sir. Aisi situations me," Uski awaaz sach me kaanp rahi thi, par darr se nahi, balki kisi aur kaaran se.

Kiyaan ki bhauhe tani. "Panic attacks? Ek deep space mission me? ISRO aur DSD ki medical team ne tumhe aisi health condition me allow kaise kiya?"

Sia ne nazrein churaayi. "Ye... ye roz nahi hota, sir. Sirf tab jab bahut dangerous situation ho. Zyada severe nahi hai. I'm all okay. See!"

Kiyaan ne lambi saans li. Aaj-kal ki recruiting bhi ajeeb thi. Usne apna quantum meter uthaaya, jiski screen quake ke baad reset ho rahi thi. "Ise recalibrate hone me kuchh samay lagega. Baith jao. Abhi aage badhna theek nahi hai."

Tabhi, uske comms par wapas se operative ka swar sunaayi diya. "Sir, ek chhota quake aane waala hai. Please be careful."

"What the-? Quake aane waala nahi, aake jaa chuka hai."

"Kya? Par, sir-"

"Lagta hai anomaly active hai. Keep an eye."

"J-Ji, sir. Aap theek hai na?"

"I'm fine."

Kiyaan aur Sia phir wahi rakhe kuchh bhaari crates par baith gaye. Thakan ab shanti me badal rahi thi.

Kiyaan ne helmet utaara, suit ki pocket me haath daala aur apne dono Memora devices nikaale. Usne pehla device ON kiya.

Hologram me ek spacesuit pehne aurat haath hila rahi thi. Wahi shaant muskaan.

Sia, jo abhi tak apne jazbaat sambhal rahi thi, woh pehle kuchh der tak Kiyaan ke chehre ko dekhti rahi, phir usne bhi apna helmet kuchh soch ke utaar diya.

"Huh?" Kiyaan ne jab use dekha toh dekh muskuraaya. "Oh! You are quite a beautiful one."

Sia sharmaayi. Woh achanak uss hologram ki orr aakarshit hui. Thoda aur qareeb khiski, "Ye... Ye kaun hain?"

"Ek friend. Elina," Kiyaan ki awaaz me wahi purana bhaaripann tha. "3 saal pehle mars ke hi mission me uski jaan chali gayi thi."

Sia ke dil me ek ajeeb-si kashmakash hui. Uske andar ek dabi hui narazgi paida hui.

Phir, Kiyaan ne dusra device on kiya. Ek naya hologram ubhra. Ek aadmi, ek aurat, aur ek nanhi si bacchi. Sia ki nazrein uss par jami.

"Aur ye?" Usne badi masoomiyat se poochha.

Kiyaan ke chehre par pichhle ek ghante me pehli baar ek sacchi muskaan aayi. "Ye meri wife. Ayra. Jis se mein bahut pyaar karta hu. Aur, ye humari beti. Sundar hai na?"

Sia ne palak jhapkayi. "Oh... Very beautiful. K-Kya naam hai aapki beti ka?"

"Haha. Abhi tak kuchh rakh hi nahi paaya. Mujhe koi naam soojh hi nahi raha," usne halki si hasi ke saath kaha.

Jab achanak-

*Thump*

Sia ne apna haath aage badhaya aur Kiyaan ke seene par halke se ek mukka maara.

Kiyaan chaunka. "What the-"

"Ye galat hai, Sir," Sia ki awaaz me ek adhikaar tha, jo ek new recruit me bilkul nahi hona chaahiye tha. "Aap galat kar rahe hain."

"Kya matlab?"

"Aap anjaane me apni wife ko hurt kar rahe ho, sir." Sia ki awaaz me halki si narazgi thi. "Aap apni friend, Elina ke past me itna zyada atke hue ho ki aapko pata hi nahi chal raha ki aapki wife present me aapke iss obsession ko chup-chaap seh rahi hain."

"What rubbish-"

Kiyaan ekdum sthir ho gaya. Sia ki baatein uske dil me kisi teer ki tarah lagi. Use achanak Ayra ki yaad aayi, kaise jab bhi wo Elina ka zikr karta tha, Ayra ki nigaahein uski shaadi ki angoothi par chali jaati thi. Kaise wo khamosh ho jaati thi.

Ek nayi recruit ne uske andar ka wo sach nikaal diya tha jo wo khud kabhi nahi dekh paaya tha.

"Tum..." Kiyaan ke paas shabd nahi the. Uski nigaahein jhuki, aur phir wapas apni beti ke hologram par gayi. Mahaul ko halka karne ke liye usne vishay badla, "Tumhe kya lagta hai? Kya naam hona chaahiye meri beti ka?"

Sia ne us hologram ko dekha. Par, uske muh se achanak hi bina soche samjhe kuchh shabd nikal aaye. "Rhea kaisa rahega?"

Kshan bhar ke liye waha sannaata chhaa gaya. Sia ko turant ehsaas hua ki usne kya bol diya. Uska dil zoro se dhadakne laga.

Lekin Kiyaan...

Kiyaan ke chehre ki saari thakan gayab ho chuki thi. Uski aankhein chamak uthi. Usne uss shabd ko apne hontho par aazmaaya. "Rhea... Rhea... Damn it! Maine kyun nahi socha ye pehle? It's perfect! It has a nice ring to it. Ayra. Kiyaan. Aur... Rhea."

Woh itna khush hua ki usne Sia ka kandha thapthapaaya. "Thank you! Tum nahi jaanti tumne meri kitni badi problem solve di!"

Sia, use iss qadar khush dekhkar, aur uss khushi ki wajah khud ko paakar, apne aapko rok na paayi. Ek aisi masoom talab me, usne aage badhkar Kiyaan ke gaal par ek kiss kar diya.

Chumban kuchh jaana-pehchaana tha. Thoda geela. Ekdum bachkaana. Jaise pehli baar woh kisi ko kiss kar rahi ho.

Kiyaan thitak ke reh gaya. Uski aankhein chaudi ho gayi. Sia jhatke se peechhe hati. "I- I... I'm so sorry sir! M-Mera wo matlab nahi tha, I was just happy-"

Kiyaan ne dheere se apne gaal ko chhua. Gusse ki jagah, uske chehre par ek behad uljhi hui, par naram muskaan thi.

"Strange..." wo budbadaya, "You know, it feels oddly familiar."

Usne apne aapko jhatka aur turant apni jagah se uth khada hua. "Rhea. Mujhe... Mujhe ye naam abhi Ayra ko bataana padega."

"S-Sir-" Woh pukaari.

"Mujhe lagbhag upar junction tak wapas jaana hoga. Wait for me. I'll be back in a few minutes." Kiyaan ne Memora device waise hi chalte hue chhod diya aur Quantum meter Sia ke haath me thama diya.

"Tum yahi ruko. Device ko observe karo. Main bas message drop karke aata hu."

"S-Sir, rukiye..."

Lekin Kiyaan na ruka. Wo andhere me, nayi taaqat ke saath tez qadmo se corridor ki taraf bhaaga. Sia bas wahi andhere me akeli baithi rahi, apne hontho ko chhooti hui, aur saamne chalte uss hologram ko dekhti hui.

Junction tak pahuchte-pahuchte Kiyaan ke comms me awaazein aana shuru ho gayi thi.

"Kya hua, sir? Any report?" Command Center se operative ne poochha.

"Kuchh traces mile hain," Kiyaan ne screen par Earth ka connection establish karte hue jawab diya. "Abhi confirm karna baaki hai. Main bas ek quick update de raha hu."

Connection judte hi saamne screen par Mr. Kaul aur DSD ke officials nazar aaye. "Kiyaan, status kya hai?" Mr. Kaul ne seedha mudde ki baat ki.

Kiyaan ne base ki halat aur spacetime fluctuations ka brief diya. Lekin, ek ajeeb si baat thi. Jab bhi uska dimaag 'Sia' ka zikr karna chaaha, toh uske muh se awaaz hi na nikli. Jaise uske dimaag me koi dhundh chha gayi ho. Wo chah kar bhi us ladki ke baare me ek shabd nahi bol paaya.

Debriefing khatam hote hi usne request ki. "Mujhe Ayra se connect karo. Secured channel."

Kuchh seconds baad, Ayra ka chehra screen par nazar aaya. Uski aankhon me abhi bhi wahi chinta thi jo Kiyaan ko vida karte waqt thi.

"K... You okay?"

"Main theek hu babe," Uske hotho par ek sacchi muskaan tairi hui thi. "Maine... maine ek naam soch liya hai."

Ayra ki saansein bhi tez ho gayi. "Sach me?"

"Haan!"

"K-Kya socha hai?"

"Rhea." Usne uss shabd ko bahut hi nazaakat se bola. "Humari beti ka naam. Rhea. Kaisa hai?"

Screen ke uss paar, Ayra ki aankhon me achanak aansu umad aaye. Woh ro padi, par aansu khushi ke the. Usne apne hontho par haath rakh liya aur lagataar haami me sirr hilaayi. "Rhea... ye bahut khoobsurat hai, K. Bahut zyada."

Kiyaan uski unn nam aankhon ko dekhta raha. "Babe-"

"H-Haan?"

Iss waqt use tokne ke liye Adela bhi nahi thi. Sia ki kuchh derr pehle kahi baat uske kaano me goonj gayi.

'Aap anjaane me apni wife ko hurt kar rahe ho, sir. Aap apni friend, Elina ke past me itna zyada atke hue ho ki aapko pata hi nahi chal raha ki aapki wife present me aapke iss obsession ko chup-chaap seh rahi hain.'

"Ayra... I love you~"

Usne kaha.

Ayra sann reh gayi. Phir, uske gaal sharm aur khushi se laal ho gaye. Usne apne aansu pochhte hue muskurakar jawaab diya, "I love you too, K. Jaldi wapas aao."

Aur, phir... screen band ho gayi.

Kiyaan ne ek gehri saans li aur apni bag se ek chhota box nikaala. Ye wahi device tha jise usne Earth par apni laboratory me pack kiya tha.

"New tech, Sir?" Paas khade operative ne chauk kar us anokhe device ko dekha.

"Haan," Kiyaan ne uss device ko apne maathe par set karte hue ek strap se lock kiya.

"Neural Cognitive Stabilizer. Abhi incomplete hai, par dimaag ke electrical signals ko external interference se block karne me kaam aata hai."

Usne device ko ON kiya. Ek halki si neeli raushni uske maathe par jali, aur achanak...

*Gasp*

Kiyaan ne ek zor ki saans andar kheenchi. Uska dimaag kisi jhatke se jaag utha. Synapse-90 ka asar nahi... wo kuchh aur tha! Lowest floor me usne jo kuchh bhi dekha aur mehsoos kiya tha, wo ab bina kisi dhundh ke uske saamne saaf tha.

Wahi neeche, andhere corridor me Sia abhi bhi akele khadi thi. Uski aankhein namm thi. Achanak, uske dimaag me bachpan ki ek dhundhli si yaad taaza ho gayi.

"Mamma... mujhe ye naam kisne diya tha?" Ek nanhi bacchi ne apne khilauno se khelte hue poochha.

"Tumhare papa ne, beta..." Ayra ne ek udaas muskaan ke saath jawaab diya tha. "Tumhare papa ne tumhara naam Rhea rakha tha."

Andhere me khadi Rhea ke poore jism me ek jhurjhuri daud gayi. Uske royein khade ho gaye. Uski aankhon se aasu jhar-jharkar girte jaa rahe the.

Tabhi, pichhe se aati jooto ki aahat ne use sachet kiya. Sia ne apne aansu poonchhe aur uski taraf peeth karke wahi khadi rahi.

"Calibration poori hui?" Kiyaan ne pichhe se aate hue aam lehze me poochha.

"N-Nahi sir... abhi 2 minute aur lagenge," Sia ne apni ghabrahat chhupaate hue jawaab diya.

Kiyaan uske aur qareeb aaya. Uske qadmo ki aahat ab theek Sia ke pichhe thi.

Aur phir, sannaate ko cheerte hue ek aisi thandi aur khatarnak awaaz goonji, jisne Sia ke badan me khoon ko jama ke rakh diya.

"ANDAR KAISE AAYI, SIA???"

Sia apni jagah par jamm gayi. Uska jism aise sunn pad gaya jaise usne kisi bhoot ko dekh liya ho.

"Kaise aayi andar?? Kaun ho tum?" Kiyaan ka swar ab bohot sakht aur khatarnak tha.

Sia mudne ki himmat nahi juta paa rahi thi. Usne dekha nahi, par use pata tha ki Kiyaan ka haath uski kamar par bandhi emergency gun par tha.

"M-Mein... Y-Ye aap kya keh raho, sir. Mein toh new recruit-"

"Shut up!" Kiyaan ne dahaadte hue use kaata. "Lowest floor ke liye toh koi assign hi nahi hua tha kabhi. Aur 'Sia' naam ki koi recruit toh iss base me hai hi nahi!"

Kiyaan ki nigaahein ab bilkul saaf thi. Usne sab samajh liya tha. "WHO ARE YOU?"

"Tumhare aas-paas ke cameras disabled nahi hue hain... wo tumhari wajah se freeze hue hain. Isliye, upar ka koi bhi staff cameras se kuchh intercept nahi kar paa raha. Tum kuchh istemal kar rahi ho. Hai na? Kisi prakaar ki cognitive field jo aas-paas ke logon ke dimaag ko dhokha deti hai. Unhe wahi vishwas dilaati hai jo tum chaahti ho. Yahi wajah thi ki mein tum par shaq nahi kar paaya... yahi wajah thi ki Command Center me mein tumhara zikr tak nahi kar saka!"

Kiyaan ne apni gun nikaal kar uski taraf taani. "Tum koi staff nahi ho. Tum is waqt poore base, poori duniya ke samay ko disrupt kar rahi ho. You are the ANOMALY! Am I wrong, Sia?"

Sia ke paas ab koi chaara nahi bacha tha. Agar wo ruki, toh uske Kiyaan use arrest kar lega aur uski poori sacchayi saamne aa jaayegi.

Woh bhaagi.

"Siaaaaa!" Kiyaan chillaya aur uske peechhe bhaaga.

'Shit shit shit! Why is this not working?'

Bhaagte hue woh apne galey me lagey ek device ki button ko baar-baar reset kar rahi thi. Uske aansu lagatar behte jaa rahe the.

Yahi woh device tha jiski madad se woh cognitive field generate kar Kiyaan ko bhram me rakhkar saari baatein yakeen dilwa rahi thi. Magar, Kiyaan ka khud ka banaaya personal tech Sia ke device me feed nahi tha. Isliye, uske khilaaf woh kaam na aa saka.

Lower floor ka storage area kisi bhool-bhulaiya jaisa tha. Bhaari crates, purani masheeno aur andhere ke beech dono ke beech ek bhayanak choohe billi ki chase shuru ho gayi.

Sia ki raftar tez thi, par Kiyaan ka tazurba aur tactical suit use lagataar uske qareeb laa raha tha.

Kuchh minute andhere me daudne ke baad, Kiyaan ek vishal khule hall me pahucha. Uski saansein phooli hui thi. Gun uske dono haatho ne jakdi hui thi.
Lekin jab usne saamne dekha, toh uski gun waale haath apne aap dheele pad gaye. Uski aankhein hairat se phati ki phati reh gayi.

"What the hell...? What is this?" Woh haklaaya.

Saamne andhere me, ek ajeeb si raushni me nahayi hui ek machine khadi thi. Uska design ISRO ke kisi blueprints jaisa tha, par uski technology saalo aage ki lag rahi thi. Uske chaaro orr ek field generate ho rakhi thi jo hawa ko kaanpne par majboor kar rahi thi.

Kiyaan mantramugdh sa uss machine ki taraf badha. Usne apne darr aur savdhani ko bhula kar machine ke thande metal ko chhua.

Darwaza khula tha. Wo uske andar qadam rakh chuka tha.

Andar ki screens, quantum coordinates... uske dimag me ek bhayanak current daud gaya. Uski saari theories, uske kayi saal jis cheez ka adhyayan karne me beetein the, shayad wo aaj uske saamne sach ban kar khadi thi.

"Time... Time machine?"

Sab kuchh sheeshe ki tarah saaf ho gaya. Wo ladki, Sia. Uska Ayra ke dil ki bhavnao ka maalum hona. Anomaly. Wo kisi aur base se nahi aayi thi. Wo kisi aur 'samay' se aayi thi!

Lekin iss aashcharya ke beech, Kiyaan ke andar ka wahi DSD ka 'shortcut' dhoondhne wala expert haavi ho gaya. Uski aankhein control panel par gayi. Uska junoon, jisne uski patni tak ko hurt kiya tha, aaj bhi zinda tha.

'Agar ye waqai time machine hai... toh...'

Usne apne kaanpte haatho se interface par kuchh coordinates type kiye. Ye wo coordinates the jo pichhle teen saal se uske dimaag me kisi daag ki tarah chhape hue the.

Elina ke aakhiri spacecraft ke coordinates.

"Agar..." Kiyaan ne badbadaate hue uss final switch par haath rakha.

Tabhi, corridor se daudkar wapas laut rahi Sia ne ye manzar dekha.

"N-NO Wait!!" Woh cheenkhi.

Par, tab tak bahut derr ho chuki thi. Kiyaan ne switch press kar diya tha.

*ZAP*

Ek andha kar dene wali neeli raushni uthi, aur machine waha se gaayab ho gayi.

Spacetime ko cheerte hue, machine ne seedhe space ke unn dead coordinates par chhalaang maari.

Par, ek bahut bada calculation error. Time aur space ko manually bend karna koi khel nahi tha. Machine exact unn coordinates par toh pahuchi, magar ulti hokar.

Antriksh ke vacuum me machine ke prakat hote hi, uska darwaza jo pehle se hi khula hua tha, uske chalte Kiyaan baahar ko gir gaya.

Woh iss chhalaang aur ulte gravitational pull ke liye taiyaar nahi tha, uss khule hue darwaze se woh seedhe baahar...

Space ke anant, kaale aur thande andhere me gir gaya.

Uske suit me space-walk ka koi support nahi tha. Usne apni saansein roki. Agar, kisi tarah woh wapas uss machine tak pahuch jaaye toh-

Machine ke AI ne turant emergency protocol detect kiya.

[Pilot missing. Executing auto-return sequence.]

Aur-

ZAP!

Machine wapas usi Pratham base ke andhere hall me laut gayi. Sia daudkar apni machine ke paas aayi. Uski saansein ukhdi hui thi. Usne andar jhaanka.

Andar koi nahi tha.

"DAD...!!" Woh zor se chillaayi. Haatho me uske wahi memora devices the jinhe Kiyaan chhor ke gaya tha.

Upar junction me, operative ke console par ek tez alarm baja.

"Sir! Kiyaan sir ka biometric signal drop ho gaya hai! He's off the grid! Map me unki location show nahi ho rahi. Mujhe lower level par sabki movement chahiye, NOW!"

Bhaari qadmo ki aawazein lift ke zariye neeche aane lagi.

Udhar space me Kiyaan gaayab hua aur prithvi par uski lab me-

*Thud*

[Battery dead. •́⁠ ⁠ ⁠‿⁠ ⁠,⁠•̀ Adela will wait for the Master to come back and char...]

Idhar, Sia ghutno ke bal wahi zameen par gir padi. Uski aankhon se aansu rukne ka naam nahi le rahe the. Sab kuchh tabah ho gaya tha.

Usne socha tha ki wo yaha aakar iss time anomaly ko study karegi. Pata karegi ki akhir uske pita ki mrityu kaise hui? Par asal me...

Asal me... Woh khud hi anomaly thi. Jo baar-baar 0.8 seconds ka gap aa raha tha, woh aur kuchh nahi, uske hi time machine ke baar-baar yaha laane aur le jaane par aa raha tha.

Apni timeline se Mars mission ke coordinates ko dhundhte hue woh yaha aayi thi. Jab pehle din aayi, toh pata laga woh jaldi aa gayi hai. Phir, woh dusre din me pahuchi. Aur, yahi kaaran tha ki kyun har din 0.8 seconds ka gap nazar aa raha tha.

Use ehsaas hua ki jis naam par wo faqr karti thi ki yeh naam uske pita ne diya tha, par iss naam ke peechhe bhi... Woh khud thi. Usne swayam ko naam diya tha.

Aur sabse bhayanak sach. Jis haadse ne uske dad ko uss se bachpan me hi chheen liya tha, jis gumshudgi ka shok uski maa ne poori zindagi jataya tha, wo kisi aur ne nahi kiya tha. Usne khud, apne dad ko maut ke muh me dhakela tha.

Sia hi... Rhea thi.

Rhea ne kaanpte haatho se masheen ka darwaza band kiya, apni timeline par jump set kiya, aur rote hue switch daba diya.

Raushni uthi, aur wo hamesha ke liye waha se gaayab ho gayi. Peechhe chhut gaya toh sirf Pratham base ka wahi thanda, kaala, aur khamosh andhera.

The END​

[P.S ~ Read the logline (first line) again. Pic is hand drawn by me.]

 

[Adirshi]

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