jpvai
New Member
- 41
- 45
- 19
Incest Echoes Of Lust
- Thread starter mistyvixen
- Start date
- 1,208,804
- 5,297
- 6,081
- 174
- 5,297
- 6,081
- 174
Nice start,ab mujhe thoda thoda yaad aa raha haiki maine jab pehle padhi thi tab skip kar kar ke padhi thi
,Kuch aur updates padhke long review deta hu,Aaj ek padh liya bohot hai
Apan toh chahta Hai har din update aaye aur sonali ka gulugulu with me
Karan
Par maza aya
Chapter 34 kaisa hai, post-mortem karte hain...
- Sharvas ki khusi aur vani ki jhijhak,dar, aur aatmavishwas scene ko strong banata hai, aur aage ke liye ek mystery bhi create karta hai.
- Vinasika aur ravisha ka scene chapter ka core hai. Ravisha ka dar, ghabrahat aur pareshani, vinashak ka charecter bayan karta hai. Aur vinashak ka gussa,khauf,dar, takat aur agrak ko diya aadesh, scene ko kafi strong banata hain.
- Karan ki ghar wapsi, harish, payal, nandani, Aditya aur Prachi in sab milkar scene ko kafi strong banate hain, jo chapter me readers ke liye emotional hook ka kaam karta hai.
Chapter me spelling mistakes hai jo har baar hoti hain, isse sahi karne ki jarurat hai tumhe.
Ex. — woh → wo , rhe → rahe...
Maine pahle bhi ye bola hai, ki sentences theek Karo, isse flow aur pacing par effect padta hai.
Ex. —
Is chapter ki pacing thodi slow lagi mujhe, Sharvas aur vani ka scene balanced tha, par vinashak wala scene thoda lamba lagta hai. Usme tighten kiya ja sakta tha. Isse pacing & flow bhi accha hota aur scene balanced bhi hota.
3 mistake pahle hi bata di hain maine, par kuch aur bhi hain....
- Vinashika ka charecter apna pura impact nahi dal pa raha. Usse villain wali vibe kam aa rahi hai.
Solution — Agar uske dialogues sharp,short aur kuch movements ke sath add karye jayen, toh vinashika ka charecter readers ke mind me apni chhap chhod dega.- Karan ka charecter erotica ki wajah se spoiled ho raha hai, wo dheere dheere playboy ki category me ja raha hai.
Solution — uske andar inner feelings add karo,ya guilt dikhao thoda sa. Ye main is liye bol raha hun, kyon ki incest itna aasan nahi hota.- Is chapter me aditya sabko batane aaya tha ki ham par hamlah ho sakta hai, toh sabko tayari ya pareshan hona chahiye tha, par sab shanti se baithe. Ye ek ajeeb logic laga mujhe.
- Is chapter me abhi ke liye erotica ki jarurat nahi thi. Kyonki Karan itna lamba safar kar ke aaya tha, aur uska sharir pahle se jakhmi tha. Aur wo kamjor bhi tha.( Jakham se ek aur point yaad aaya.)
Overall chapter theek tha, emotions, suspense, mystery aur erotica ka mix accha balence banata hai. Agar Rating dun toh.....
Rating ; 7.2/10
Potential Rating ; 9/10 ( not this time)
( Ek kaam tumne accha kiya hai, ye ki scene change karne par tag laga diya)
"Vanrajya ka shahi mahal"
"Waqt subah"
( Ye sahi hai par thoda awkward lagta hai padhne me, isko aise bhi likh sakte hain )
(Subah ka waqt — shahi mahel, Vanrajya)
Same but different
( Ek chiz rahe gayi batane ko ya kah lo jatane ko ,jo kal bataunga. Ab so lun thoda)
Chapter 5 se aage padhna shuru kiya. Karan aur Meher ki chemistry ekdum mast set ho gayi hai. Elemental training ki baat karte hue Karan ka attitude aur Meher ka constant mazaak udana.. yeh dono ka dynamic interesting lag raha hai. Uske baad ka jo scene hai jisme Karan apni mom Nandani ko harata hai, woh ek subtle power-up ka moment tha, lekin uske baad jo tension build hui usme se romance ki chingari bhi dikh gayi. Thoda bold move tha, lekin natural laga. Character dynamics complex ho rahe hain, maa aur bete ka rishta hai, lekin attraction bhi hai; mentor-student hai, lekin magic bhi hai. Yeh balance aapne ache se capture kiya hai.
Chapter 6 aur 7 mein duniya ka expansion bahut solid hai. VanRajya ka introduction, Payal ki entry, political twist.. sab kuch smoothly introduce hua hai. Aapne Payal ko ek strong character banaya hai, lekin uski loyalty questionable bhi dikhayi, yeh twist achha tha. Woh jail vaale scene mein jo emotional moment tha “Maa…yeh sab maine aap dono ke hi bhalai ke liye kiya” is line ne poora perspective change kar diya. Yeh raaz ki baat thi ki yahan sab kuch itna simple nahi hai. Akansha ki entry bhi impactful thi. Uska demeanor, royal aur controlling hone ke saath saath mysterious aur slightly seductive bhi hai. Very intriguing combination hai.
Coming on to Chapter 8.. Akansha ka character abhi tak jo build-up tha, uska payoff yahan dikh raha hai. Woh scene jisme woh Karan ko identify karne ke liye uski jaangh check karti hai.. sensual bhi tha aur story-driven bhi. Library vaale scene mein exposition aur sexual tension dono maintain rahi. Very good balancing..!!
Kaljayi Granth ka concept interesting hai, ek aisa artifact jo kisi ki pure life ka raaz bata de.. isse plot ka scale bada ho gaya hai. Traas ke teen sevakon ka zikr aaya hai, ab lag raha hai ki villain ek system hai, sirf ek aadmi nahi. World-building ab depth dikha rahi hai.
Karan ka character arc abhi tak consistent hai.. woh confused hai, loyal hai, par uski desires bhi realistic hain. Uska internal conflict between duty, family, and attraction.. yeh abhi se set up ho raha hai. Climax ka jo moment tha jab Akansha uski god mein baith kar kiss karti hai…woh bold tha aur story ke context mein fit bhi tha. Yeh relationship kaise develop karega, yeh dekhna interesting hoga.
Overall, track strong hai. Fantasy ka setup solid hai, political drama shuru ho raha hai, aur character relationships complex hote ja rahe hain. Aapne romance ko bhi naturally blend kiya hai.. kahin bhi kuchh forced nahi laga. Aage dekhna hai ki Karan apni maa ko kaise dhoondta hai, Traas ke against alliance kaise banate hain, aur Akansha ka true motive kya hai. Keep going, yeh buildup promising lag raha hai!
Next update thode der mein
- 5,297
- 6,081
- 174
Chapter 35
Uncharted
Kal raat jab woh camp mein pahuncha tha, sabne use dekha tha Nandani, Payal aur sabne.
Par raat ho chuki thi isliye sabne faisla kiya ke aaram karna chahiye. Kal... subah fir se milkar aage ke yojna banaege.
Karan ne apni sharir ko stretch kiya. Ghav abhi bhi dard kar rahe the par woh pehle se behtar tha. Lag rha tha Vanrajya ki hawa... apne ghar ki hawa... usse theek kar rahi thi.
Usne shivir se bahar jhanka. Subah nikal rhe thi par abhi bhi kaafi log so rahe the. Kuch sipahi jagke pehra kar rahe the. Aag bujh chuki thi par thodi si raakh abhi bhi wahan thi.
Andar usne sir ghumaya toh dekha chattan par... koi baithi thi. Peeth uski taraf thi.
Karan ne gaur se dekha. Woh Nandani thi.
Nandani wahan baithi apne lambe, kaale, ghane baalon ko suljha rahi thi. Woh dheere-dheere ungliyon se baalon ko saaf kar rahi thi, kabhi kangan se, kabhi haathon se hi unhe sehla rahi thi.
Karan muskuraya aur bina awaaz kiye uski taraf badha.
Jab woh uske bilkul paas pahunch gaya Nandani ne apne baalon ke saath-saath apne halke hare blouse ki peeche ki patti ko theek karne ki koshish ki. Dono baal ek taraf kar liye the, par peeche ki doriyan ab bhi thodi si dheeli thi. Woh baar-baar haath peeche le ja rahi thi, par ungliyan sahi jagah nahi pahunch pa rahi thi. Blouse ki narm kapde uski naram peeth par chipki hui thi, aur har baar koshish karne mein thoda sa khisak rahi thi.
“Aahh…” Nandani ne halki si, madhur si cheekh ke awaaz nikali.
“Mom?” Karan ne bilkul dheeme se bola
Nandani chaunk kar peeche mud gayi. Uske gaal ek pal mein gulabi ho uthe. “Karan! Tum… tum kab aaye?”
“Abhi,” Karan ne halki muskurahat ke saath jawab diya, nazrein uske chehre par, phir dheere se neeche… uski peeth par. “Aapko… madad chahiye?”
Nandani ke honth thoda sa kaanp gaye, aankhen sharma ke jhuk gayi. “Haan… woh… yeh peeche wali doriyan… mujhse bandh nahi pa rahi. Kya tum…”
Karan ne sir hilaya. “Haan, batao kya karna hai.”
Nandani ne apne baal ek taraf kar diye, poori peeth uski taraf khul gayi. Halka sa blouse uski naram, gori peeth par tana hua tha. “Bas… dono doriyon ko pakad kar… achhe se, tight bandh do.”
Karan paas aaya. Usne dheere se dono doriyan pakdi unme se ek thodi si garam thi, jaise Nandani ki shareer ki garmi ab bhi us doriyon mein basi hui thi. Usne un doriyon ko dheere se kheench kar ek doosre se milaaya, phir savdhani se gaanth lagayi. Har gaanth ke saath uski ungliyan halke se Nandani ki peeth ko chhoo rahi thi.
“Ho gaya,” Karan ke awaaz mein halki si gudgudi thi.
“Shukriya beta…” Nandani ne baalon ko wapas chhod diya, woh baal uski peeth par baarish ki tarah gir gaye. Phir peeche mudkar Karan ko dekha.
“Achhe se soye tum?”
Karan uske bagal mein baith gaya, itna paas ki unke kandhe ek doosre ko chhoo rahe the. “Kaafi dinon baad… aisi chain ki neend aayi Mom.”
Nandani ne uska haath apne dono haathon mein le liya aur uske ungliyon se dheere se sehlaya. “Mujhe… bahut dar laga tha Karan. Jab tum Jalyak gaye… aur din-guzarte gaye, koi khabar nahi… main toh soch bhi nahi paati thi ke agar tumhe kuchh ho gaya toh…”
Uski aankhen nam ho uthi.
Karan ne uska haath aur kas kar pakda, apne seene ke paas le aaya. “Main bilkul theek hoon, Mom. Ab yahan hoon… aapke paas.”
Nandani ne aansu ponchhe bachpane si muskurahat uske chehre par aa gayi.
“Tumhe yaad hai,” uski aankhon mein sharaarat thi, “bachpan mein hum ek khel khela karte the?”
Karan ne muskurate hue poocha, “Kaun sa?”
“Woh… jisme main tumhari peeth par ungli se likhti thi… aur tum feel karke bataate the. Ya tum meri peeth par likhte the.”
Karan ki aankhen chamak uthi. “Haan! Jaise hum yahan pehle baar aaye tab?!?.”
Dono ko woh pal yaad aa gaya jab dono ne pehle baar kiss kiya tha.
Nandani ne uski taraf dekha, apne beete ke saath ko itne din baad akele the, uski aankhon mein pyaar aur sharaarat dono. “Toh… abhi khelen? Peeth par likhne ka wohi purana khel?”
Karan ka dil zor se dhadkane laga “Haan… kyun nahi?”
Nandani ne apni peeth uski taraf ki aur baal ek taraf kar diye. Blouse ka kapda uski peeth par bilkul chipka hua tha, har saans ke saath halka sa uth-raha tha. “Tum likho. Main feel karke bataungi.”
Karan ne apni ungli uthayi. Usne dheere se, bahut pyaar se, Nandani ki peeth par likhna shuru kiya. Har akshar ke saath uski ungli thodi der tak wahi rukti, jaise feel kar rahi ho, jaise us naram twacha ko mehsoos kar rahi ho, jaise har harf uski saans ko chhoo raha ho.
M… E… R… A…
Thoda der baad, phir…
S… U… K… O… O… N…
Nandani ne dheere se, awaaz mein halki si kaanpne ke saath pura dohraya kaha, “Mera… sukoon.”
Karan ka haath ek pal ke liye ruk gaya. Usne apni ungliyan uski peeth par hi rakhi rahi, jaise woh shabd ab bhi uske shareer mein goonj rahe hon.
Nandani ne peeche mudkar uski taraf dekha. “Karan… Tum bhi mera sukoon ho”
Karan ne kuchh nahi kaha. Bas usne apni ungliyon se ek baar phir woh shabd dheere se dohraaye. Uske haath ab thode se kaanp rahe the.
Nandani ne uska haath pakad liya, apni peeth se hatakar apne haathon mein le liya. “ toh Tum haar Gaye ab tumhe koi inaam nahi milega.”
Karan dheeme se muskuraya. “Mujhe… inaam ki zaroorat nahi Mom. Aap mere paas ho itna hi kaafi hai.”
Nandani ne aansuon ke saath muskurahat di. “Par tumhe ek kaam toh karna padega.”
“Kya?”
“Nahana,” Nandani ne kadak awaaz mein kaha “Dekho toh… teen din ka safar… dhool-mitti… tum bilkul gande ho gye ho.”
Karan ne apne aap ko dekha aur sharma gaya. Sach mein kapde dhool se bhare, chehra par mitti ki halki si parat thi.
“Aur,” Nandani khadi hui, uske itne paas ki uski saans Karan ke gaalon par lagi, “thodi der mein sab milenge. Tum… aise thodi jaaoge?”
Karan bhi khada hua. “Theek hai Mom… main jaata hoon nahane.”
Nandani ne muskurakar kaha, “Achhe se nahana. Aur naye saaf kapde pehenna. Main… tumhare liye rakh deti hoon.”
Karan ne haan mein sir hilaya.
Par jaane se pehle Nandani ne uska haath pakad liya aur uske ungliyon mein ungliyan phansa li.
“Karan,” uski awaaz ab bhar aayi thi, “main… bahut khush hoon ke tum wapas aa gaye. Bahut… bahut zyada. Aur yeh… mera sukoon… ab poora ho gaya.”
Karan ne bhi use kaskar se gale laga liya, itna kaksar ki Nandani ki saans uske seene par lagne lage. Dono kuchh pal aise hi rahe maa aur beta ek doosre mein ghule hue jaise duniya ruk gayi ho.
Phir Nandani ne dheere se use dhakka diya. “Ab jao… jaldi fresh ho jao. Baaki sab wait kar rahe honge… Payal, Aditya…sab”
Nandani wahi khadi rahi, use jaate hue dekhti rahi. Honthon par halki, pyaar bhari muskurahat the. Uski peeth par ab bhi woh shabd mehsoos ho rahe the ~mera sukoon.
***
Vaani ne apna matka ko dono haathon mein mazbooti se pakda aur Shravas ki taraf ek baar fir dekha. Yeh aadmi... ajeeb zaroor tha par usne uski jaan bachayi thi. Aur ab woh uske saath chal raha tha.
"Bas thoda aur," Vaani ne kaha.
Uske kadam tez ho gaye the. Vidut... woh chinta kar raha hoga. Woh hamesha chinta karta tha jab Vaani der se aati thi.
Shravas chup chaap uske peeche chal raha tha. Uski aankhen charon taraf ghoom rahi thi.
"Woh... wahan," Vaani ne aage ek badi chattan ki taraf ishara kiya. "Us chattan ke peeche."
Dono us chattan ki taraf badhne lage. Raasta thoda pathrila tha aur Vaani ko sambhalna mushkil ho raha ths. Par usne koi shikaayat nahi ki.
Jaise hi woh chattan ke paas pahunche, Vaani ne apni awaaz buland karke awaaz lagaye, "Vidut! Main aa gayi!"
Kuch pal ki khamoshi rhe. Fir... zameen ke neeche se ek awaaz aayi.
"Vaani? Tum theek ho? Surakshit wapas aa gayi?"
Vaani ke chehre par raahat ki lehren daud gayi. "Haan Vidut! Main bilkul theek hoon."
"Achha hai," Vidut ki awaaz mein tasalli thi. "Main chinta kar raha tha. Tum aaj der se aayi."
"Haan woh thodi mushkil aayi thi par ab sab theek hai," Vaani ne matka neeche rkhte hue jawab diya.
Vidut kuch pal chup raha. Fir achanak uski awaaz fir se aayi, par ab usme kuch shaq tha.
"Vaani... tumhare saath kisi aur ke kadam ki awaaz aa rahi hai. Koi... aur hai tumhare saath?"
Vaani ne Shravas ki taraf dekha. Shravas ne halka sa muskurate hue sir hilaya.
"Haan Vidut," Vaani ne jawab diya. "Ek aadmi hai mere saath. Usne meri madad ki. Agar woh nahi hota toh... toh shayad main..."
Uski awaaz kamp gayi.
Zameen ke neeche se halchal ki awaaz aayi. Jaise koi bhari cheez ko khiska raha ho.
Achanak chattan ke bagal wali zameen ka ek hissa khisak gaya. Ek chhota sa darwaza khul gaya, jisko pattharon aur mitti se dhaka hua tha itni chalaki se ke koi bhi asaani se nahi dekh sakta tha.
Aur us darwaze se... Vidut bahar aaya.
Uska chehra garda se bhara hua tha aur baal bikhra hue the. Uske haathon mein ek lambi lakdi thi, jisko usne bhale ki tarah pakda hua tha. Uski aankhen pehle Vaani par padi usme raahat aaye. Fir uski nazar Shravas par gayi.
Vidut wahi ruk gaya.
Uski aankhen badi ho gayi. Usne Shravas ko upar se neeche tak dekha. Woh ajeeb se kapde... woh chehra... kuch... jaani pehchane lag rahe the.
"Tum..." Vidut ne kaha par uski awaaz beech mein hi ruk gayi.
Shravas ne muskurate hue Vidut ki taraf dekha. Fir usne dheere se kaha, "Bahut din ho gaye Vidut. Kaafi badal gaye ho tum."
Jaise hi Shravas ki awaaz Vidut ke kaanon mein padi, uska poora sharir jakad gaya. Yeh awaaz woh kabhi nahi bhool sakta tha.
Uske haath se woh lakdi neeche gir gayi. Uske ghutne kaanpne lage.
"M-Mahamantri Shravas?!?" Vidut ki awaaz mein vishwas aur hairaani dono thi.
Aur fir Vidut dono ghutno par neeche baith gaya.
"M-Mahamantri... aap... aap zinda hai..."
Vaani yeh sab dekh kar puri tarah se chaunk gayi. Uski aankhen badi ho gayi aur usne Vidut ko fir Shravas ko dekha.
"V-Vidut?" Vaani ne hichkichate hue kaha. "Tum... inhe jaante ho?"
Vidut ne apna sir upar kiya par nazar neechi hi rakhi. "J-jaanta hoon Rajkumari? Main... yeh... yeh Mahamantri Shravas hai. Woh jo... Maharaj ke... aapke pita Maharaj ke sabse karebi saathi the. Unke seedhe sevak. Woh jo..."
Vidut ki awaaz fir se kamp gayi. "Woh jo Maharaj ke har faislon mein saath dete the. Woh jinke bina Maharaj koi bhi bada faisla nahi lete the."
Vaani ka muh khula ka khula reh gaya. Yeh... yeh aadmi? Yeh aadmi jo uske pita ke itne kareeb tha? Par... yeh yahan kaise?
Shravas aage badha aur Vidut ke kandhe par haath rakha.
"Uth jao Vidut," Shravas ne dheere se kaha. "Ab yeh sab rasmein... in sab ka waqt khatam ho gaya hai. Sab kuch badal gaya hai."
Vidut dheere se khada hua par uski nazar abhi bhi neechi thi.
Vaani ne Shravas ki taraf dekha. Uski aankhen bhar aayi. "Toh.. tum sach mein... mere pita ko jaante the?"
Shravas ne Vaani ki taraf dekha. Uski aankhen ab gambhir thi. Usne dheere se apna haath aage badhaya aur Vaani ke sar par rakha. Ek pita ki tarah.
"Haan Rajkumari," Shravas ne kaha. "Main tumhare pita Maharaj ke sabse kareeb tha. Aur... main tumhe bhi bachpan se jaanta hoon. Tum bahut chhoti thi jab main Thanasala se... jab main wahan se chala gaya tha."
Vaani ki aankhen se aansu tapakne lage. "Pitaji... ab nahi rahe..."
"Shhh," Shravas ne uske sar ko halke se sehlaya. "Main jaanta hoon aur maine Thanasala par hamle ke baare mein bhi suna hai. Par ab rona band karo. Sab kuch khatam nahi hua hai."
Vaani ne aankhon se aansu ponchte hue uski taraf dekha. "Kya... kya matlab?"
Shravas "Matlab yeh ke agar tum zinda ho... agar Vidut zinda hai... toh shayad aur bhi log zinde honge. Thanasala ka khoon abhi bhi beh raha hai. Bas use fir se jama karna hai."
Vaani ne halke se sir hilaya. Uske dil mein ek chhoti si umeed ki kiran jaagi.
Vidut ab bhi chup khada tha. Uski aankhen Shravas par tiki hui thi. Par achanak uski nazar Shravas ke peeche gayi. Wahan us toote hue kaankal par jo Ajay tha.
Vidut ki aankhen aur bhi badi ho gayi. "M-Mahamantri... yeh kaankal jo aapke saath hai... yeh..."
Shravas ne peeche mudkar dekha jahan Ajay abhi bhi deewar se bandha hua tha. Woh dhoop mein chamak raha tha.
"Aah," Shravas ne ek ajeeb si muskaan ke saath kaha. "Woh toh ek... Lambi kahani hai. Filhal usko chhodho."
"Par aap iske saath kya karne wale hai?" Vidut ne poocha. Uski awaaz mein darr aur jigyasa dono thi.
Shravas ki muskaan aur chaudi ho gayi. Usne Vidut ki taraf dekha, fir Vaani ki taraf, fir us bunker ki taraf jahan se Vidut nikla tha.
"Tumhara chupne ke jagah," Shravas ne kaha, uski awaaz mein ek ajeeb sa josh tha. "Mujhe dikhao. Main chahta hoon dekhna ke tum dono kahan reh rahe ho."
Vidut ne ek pal Shravas ko dekha. Fir usne sir jhukaya. "J-ji Mahamantri. Aayiye... Iss taraf."
Vidut aage badha aur us zameen ke darwaze ki taraf gaya. Usne ek patthar ko khiskaya aur neeche ek seedhi dikhai.
"Yahan neeche hai," Vidut ne kaha. "Bahut surakshit hai. Kisi ko pata nahi chalega."
Shravas ne neeche ki taraf jhanka. Andhera tha par neeche kuch roshni dikh rahi thi.
"Hmm," Shravas ne kaha. "Chalaki se banaya hai. Tumne yeh sab kab kiya?"
"Jab... hum yahaan aaye the," Vidut ne jawab diya. "Mujhe laga ke hume ek surakshit jagah chahiye. Toh maine yeh bunker khoda. Kaafi mehnat lagi par kuch din bhul bhulaiya mein rhene se jayda ab hum surakshit hai yahan."
Shravas ne Vidut ke kandhe par haath mara. "Tumne sahi kiya. Rajkumari ki suraksha sabse zaroori hai."
Vidut ne sir jhukaya.
Vaani aage aayi. "Shravas.. tum iss kaankal ke saath kya karoge? Aapne abhi bata nahi rahe aur yeh tumhara paltu nhi hai jooth mat bolo ab tum hum par vishwas kar skte ho."
Shravas ne Vaani ki taraf dekha. "Rajkumari... tumhe pata hai kya hai sabse zaroori cheez iss waqt?"
Vaani ne na mein sir hilaya.
"Taaqat," Shravas ne kaha. "Humein taaqat chahiye. Aise taaqat jo humare dushmanon ko harane ke liye kaafi ho. Thansala sabse jayda rakshashon se bhare rhene ke liye mashoor hai vaise bhi. Aur yeh kaankal..." Usne Ajay ki taraf ishara kiya, "Yeh hamari taaqat ka hissa banega."
Vidut ne ek pal Shravas ko dekha. Uske dimaag mein bahut saare sawaal the par woh kuch bol nahi paya.
"Chalo," Shravas bola "Pehle andar chalte hai. Mujhe dekhna hai tumhara bunker. Aur fir... main tumhe dikhaunga ke main iss kaankal ke saath kya karne wala hoon."
Vaani aur Vidut ne ek dusre ki taraf dekha. Dono ke chehron par fikar thi.
"Theek hai," Vaani bole.
Vidut pehle neeche utara. Fir Vaani, uske haath mein matka tha. Aur aakhir mein Shravas.
Bunker andar se chhota tha par khoob saja hua tha. Ek kone mein kuch bartan aur auzaar the. Dusre kone mein bistar. Beech mein se seediyan dusre taraf jaa kayi kamron ke beech mein se jaa rhe thein.
"Hmm," Shravas ne charon taraf dekha. "Bahut achhi jagah hai. Surakshit. Chhupa hua. Aur yahaan tak pahunchna mushkil hai."
"Ji "Maine pura dhyan rakha hai."
Shravas ek patthar par baith gaya. Usne apne kapdon se dhool jhadi.
"Toh batao," Shravas ne pucha
"Kya yojna hai tumhare? Yahan kitne din aur rahoge yahan?"
Vaani aur Vidut ne ek dusre ki taraf dekha. Vaani pehle bole, "Hum.. nahi jaante. Bas.. yahaan surakshit rehna tha. Aur... sochna tha ke aage kya karna hai."
Shravas ne gehri saans li. "Toh suno meri baat. Agar tum yahan aise hi rehte rahe... toh kuch nahi hoga. Thanasala ko wapas nahi laa paoge. Apne logon ko nahi bacha paoge."
"Par.. hum kar kya sakte hai?" Vaani ke awaaz mein bebasi thi. "Hum sirf do log hai. Aur pure raigistan mein alag alag prakar ke rakshas bhare hue hai."
"Abhi toh do log ho," Shravas ne muskurate hue kaha. "Par jald hi... hum zyada honge."
"Zyada? Kaise?" Vidut ne poocha.
Shravas khada hua aur ek chain se pakadar Ajay ko neeche patak diya.
***
Karan kutiya se bahar nikla ab usse lag rha tha ke uska sharir kuch aaram karne ke baad pehle jaise haal mein vapas aaya hai. Shaam ka andhera ghirne laga tha aur aasman mein sitare ek ek karke chamakne lage the. Thandi hawa chal rahi thi jo uske chehre ko chhoo rahi thi.
Aag ke paas sab log baithe hue the. Harish, Aditya, Prachi, aur kuch aur log jo Vanrajya ke bache hue sipahi the. Unke chehron par thakan thi par aankhen mein abhi bhi josh tha. Woh log jo apne rajya ke liye sab kuch daav par laga chuke the.
Payal bhi aag ke paas aayi. Usne Karan ko dekha aur halka sa muskurai. "Karan... ab kaisa lag raha hai? Ghar aa kar aur aaram kar kar?"
Karan ne Payal ki taraf dekha aur muskuraya. "Achha lag raha hai Di. Bahut achha. Par... abhi kaam khatam nahi hua. Abhi toh shuruat hi hai."
"Haan," Payal bole. "Main jaanti hoon."
Karan aage badha aur aag ke paas baith gaya. Sab log uski taraf dekhne lage. Unke chehron par ummeed thi. Ummeed ke ab unka rajkumar wapas aa gaya hai... ab sab kuch theek ho jayega.
"Suno sab," Karan ne bulandi se kaha "Mujhe... mujhe puri sthiti jaanni hai. Kya chal raha hai yahaan? Dushman kahaan hai? Aur... humare paas kitne log hai?"
Aditya aage badhkar bola, "Rajkumar... unki sena woh Kaankaalon ki sena. Woh log zinda nahi hai par... aur... woh bahut zyada hai. Karib hazaar ya usse bhi zyada."
Karan ka chehra jakad gaya. Hazaar? Itne zyada?
Harish ne sir hilaya.
Par usne haar nahi maani. Usne Vrishank aur Kalindi ki taraf dekha jo thoda door khade the. "Par ab humare paas makdi sipahi hai. Pachaas makdi sipahi jo bahut taqatwar hai."
Sabki aankhen chamak uthi. Haan... ab unke paas ek sena aur thi. Chhoti zaroor thi par taqatwar thi.
"Par Rajkumar," Harish ne fikar se kaha. "Agar hum yahaan baithe rahe... agar hum sirf intezaar karte rahe ke dushman humpar hamla kare... toh hum haar jayenge. Ravisha bahut chalak hai."
Karan ne sir hilaya. "Aap sahi keh rahe ho kaka. Hum intezaar nahi kar sakte. Humein pehle hamla karna hoga."
"Par kaise?" Aditya ne poocha. "Mahal tak pahunchna bhi mushkil hai. Aur... wahan hazaaron dushman hai."
Karan ne ek pal socha. Uske dimaag mein bahut saare vichaar aa rahe the. Kaise woh mahal tak pahunch sakte hai? Kaise woh Ravisha tak pahunch sakte hai?
Karan ne Harish ki taraf dekha. "Humare log...ho yahan pe iktha nhi hai jo bache hue log hai... woh kahaan hai?"
"Zyada tar yahan hai," Harish ne jawab diya. "Yaha camp mein humein unhe yahan surakshit jagah par chhupa diya hai.. par kuch log abhi bhi bahar hai. Gaon mein. Jungle mein. Woh... woh chhup rahe hai par hum nahi jaante kab tak woh surakshit rahenge."
Karan ne gehri saans li. "Toh hume unhe bhi yahaan lana hoga. Surakshit jagah par. Par... par bas unhe lana hi kafi nahi hai."
"Toh?" Payal ne poocha.
Karan ne aag ki taraf dekha. Lauon ko dekhte hue bola, "Humein ek yojna chahiye. Ek aisi yojna jisse hum mahal tak pahunch sake. Aur agar hum mahal mein ghus gaye... toh wahan hume ek upri haath chahiye. Kuch aisa jo humare paksh mein ho."
Harish ki aankhen badi ho gayi. Usne Karan ki taraf dekha. "Rajkumar... main... mujhe ek baat yaad aa rahi hai."
"Kya?" Karan ne poocha.
Harish thoda aage aaya aur dheere se bola jaise koi raaz bata raha ho, "Jab... maine mahal banaya tha bahut saal pehle... maine kuch gupth raaste bhi banaye the. Aur... maine ek bada hall bhi banaya tha mahal ke neeche. Bahut bada. Usme karib sau log chhup sakte the agar zaroorat padi."
Karan ki aankhen chamak uthi. "Gupth raaste? Aur ek bada hall?"
"Haan," Harish ne kaha. "Woh raaste bahut purane hai aur unmein se koi bhi seedha mahal ke andar jaata hai. Aur woh hall... woh itna bada hai ke agar hum apne sipahiyon ko wahan chhupa de... toh jab zaroorat pade, woh achanak mahal ke andar aa sakte hai. Dushman ko pata bhi nahi chalega."
Karan ke chehre par muskaan aa gayi. "Agar hum apne makdi sipahiyon ko us hall mein chhupa de... aur jab sahi waqt aaye woh mehel ke deewaron ko kamzor jagahon se tod dein, toh humare baaki saathi andar jaa skte hai... aur hum dushman ko achanak se harane ki koshish kar sakte hai."
"Haan," Harish ne josh ke saath bola. "Par... ek samasya hai."
"Kya?"
"Woh raaste... woh bahut door se shuru hote hai. Jungle ke dusre hisse se. Aur wahan tak pahunchne ke liye... humein dushman ke sipahiyon ke beech se guzarna padega.... woh charon taraf apne sipahiyon ko khada kiye hue hai. Bahut chukne hai."
Karan ne sir hilaya. Haan... yeh mushkil zaroor tha par namumkin nahi.
Tabhi Prachi aage aayi. Uske haathon mein kuch gilas the jisme paani tha. "Yeh... yeh lo sab. Paani pi lo. Bahut der se baat kar rahe ho."
Karan ne Prachi ki taraf dekha. Uski aankhen Prachi ke chehre par tiki. Woh abhi bhi utni hi khubsurat lag rahi thi jitni pehle lagti thi. Uske baal khule the.
Prachi ne sabko paani diya. Jab woh Karan ke paas aayi, toh usne gilas aage badhaya. "Yeh lo Ka... Karan."
Jaise hi yeh naam uske muh se nikla, Prachi ki aankhen badi ho gayi. Usne foran apna muh dhaka. "M-mera matlab... Rajkumar! Rajkumar Karan! Maaf kijiye main.. bhool gayi thi."
Karan ke galon par halki lali aa gayi. Usne paani ka gilas liya aur muskuraya. "Koi baat nahi Prachi. Tum.. mujhe Karan bhi bula sakti ho."
Prachi ne neeche dekha. Uske gaal bhi laal ho gaye the. "N-nahi... aap rajkumar hai. Mujhe aapko aisa nahi bulana chahiye."
Prachi ne upar dekha aur Karan ki aankhon mein dekha. Dono ki nazrein ek pal ke liye mile.
Payal yeh sab dekh rahi thi. Uski aankhen sankri ho gayi. Karan aur Prachi... kya... yeh dono? Usne dhyan se dekha. Karan ke chehre par woh muskaan... aur Prachi ka sharma jana... yeh sab...
Par usne kuch nahi kaha. Bas chupchap dekhti rahi.
Karan ne paani pi liya aur gilas wapas Prachi ko de diya. "Shukriya."
Prachi ne sir jhukaya aur peeche hat gayi.
Karan ne apna dhyan wapas plan par lagaya. Usne Harish ki taraf dekha. "Toh Harish kaka... hume us gupth raaste tak pahunchna hoga. Aur... hume yeh kaam bina kisi shor ke karna hoga. Agar dushman ko pata chal gaya... toh sab khatam."
"Bilkul sahi,"
"Toh yeh tay rahega," Karan ne sabki taraf dekha. "Pehle... main aur Aditya kal subah niklenge. Hum dono akele jayenge. Hum jaake dekhenge ke dushman ke sipahi kahaan kahaan khade hai. Aur us gupth raaste ka darwaza kahaan hai. Harish kaka humein nirdesh de denge wahan tak pahuche ka. Ko bache kuche log hai isliye hum ganv walon ka bhesh lekar andar ja skte hai. Agar hume woh mil gaya... toh hum wapas aayenge aur sabko bata denge."
Aditya ne josh se sir hilaya. "Haan Rajkumar! Main... aapke saath chalne ke liye tayaar hoon!"
"Aur Harish kaka... Aap yahaan rukoge. Aapko yahaan ki suraksha dekhni hogi. Agar.. koi dushman yahaan aa gaya toh tumhe sabko bachana hoga."
Harish ne apna haath apne seene par rakha. "Ji Rajkumar. Main apni jaan dekar bhi sabki raksha karunga."
"Aur Vrishank, Kalindi," Karan ne un dono ki taraf dekha. "Tum dono bhi yahaan rahoge. Makdi sipahiyon ke saath. Agar koi hamla hua... toh tum dono unhe sambhaloge."
Vrishank aur Kalindi ne sir jhukaya. "Jaise aap kahe Kaalraaj."
Payal ne aage badhkar kaha, "Par Karan... agar tum aur Aditya akele gaye aur agar tumhe koi khatra aa gaya toh? Agar dushman ne tumhe dekh liya toh?"
Karan ne Payal ka haath pakda. "Di... mujhe jaana hoga. Agar main nahi gaya... toh koi aur nahi ja sakta. Main yahaan ka rajkumar hoon. Aur yeh meri zimmedari hai."
Payal ki aankhon mein aansu aa gaye par usne unhe rok liya. "Theek hai. Par khayal rakhna apna. Agar tumhe kuch ho gaya... toh main..."
"Kuch nahi hoga Di," Karan ne uska haath dabaya. "Main waada karta hoon. Main wapas aaunga."
Sab chup ho gaye. Aag ki carcrahat aur ab raat ke jungle ki awaazein hi sunayi de rahi thi.
***
Sab log apne apne kaam mein lag gaye. Kuch log aag ke paas baith kar baatein kar rahe the, kuch apne bistar taiyaar kar rahe the. Shaam hone wale thi aur thandi hawa tez ho gayi thi.
Karan khada hua aur kutiya ki taraf jaane laga. Uska iraada tha ke woh andar jaake thoda aaram karega. Kal subah jaldi nikalna tha aur use neend ki sakht zaroorat thi.
Par tabhi Lakshaya uske paas aaya.
"Rajkumar," Lakshaya ne dheere se kaha
"Haan Lakshaya?" Karan ne poocha. "Kya baat hai?"
"Rajkumari Payal ne... unhone aapko bulaya hai. Woh... keh rhe the ke unhe aapse kuch baat karni hai. Akele mein."
Karan ki bhawe chaudi ho gayi. Di usse akele mein milna chahti thi? Par kyun? Agar kuch jung ya yojna ke baare mein baat karni thi toh woh sabke saamne kar sakti thi. Fir akele mein kyun?
Karan ne jawab diya. "Woh kahaan hai?"
"Woh us bade ped ke peeche baithi hai," Lakshaya ne door ek taraf ishara kiya jahan jungle ke kinare par ek vishaal ped khada hua tha. "Wahan."
Karan ne sir hilaya. "Achha. Main jata hoon."
Lakshaya chala gaya aur Karan us ped ki taraf badhne laga. Uske dimaag mein bahut saare sawaal the. Payal Di kyun use akele mein milna chahti thi? Kya kuch gadbad thi? Ya kuch aur?
Jaise jaise woh ped ke paas pahuncha, usne Payal ko dekha. Woh ped ki jad ke paas baithi hui thi, uski peeth ped se tiki hui thi. Uske haathon mein ek chhoti si lakdi ki chhadi thi jisse woh zameen par kuch bana rahi thi. Chand ki roshni uske chehre par pad rahi thi, jiski wajah se uska chehra aur bhi khubsurat lag raha tha.
"Di?" Karan ne dheere se awaz di.
Payal ne upar dekha aur muskurai. Par yeh muskaan... yeh woh khush wali muskaan nahi thi. Ismein kuch aur tha. Thoda sa gussa? Ya shayad udaasi?
"Aa gaye tum," Payal ne uski taraf dekha. "Baitho idhar." Usne apne bagal mein zameen par ishara kiya.
Karan aage badha aur Payal ke bagal mein baith gaya. Thodi door par... itni door ke dono ke beech kafi jagah thi par itni paas bhi ke woh aaram se baat kar sakte the.
"Kya baat hai Di? Aapne mujhe bulaya?"
Payal kuch pal chup rahi. Woh bas us lakdi ki chhadi se zameen par kuch banati rahi. Fir.. usne apna sir upar kiya aur seedha Karan ki aankhon mein dekha.
"Karan," Payal bole, uski awaaz mein gambhirta thi. "Main tumse ek sawaal poochhna chahti hoon."
"Ji Di?" Karan ne thodi ghabrahat se kaha
"Kya tum... kya tum mujhe apni badi behen maante ho?"
Karan ke chehre par hairaani aa gayi. Yeh.. kaisa sawaal tha? "Di.... aap yeh kya pooch rahi hai? Aap.. toh meri badi behen hai. Main.. aapko hamesha se apni Di maanta aaya hoon jabse yahan aaya hoon."
"Sach mein?" Payal ke apne bahue upar karke pucha. Uski awaaz mein shaq tha.
"Haan!" Karan ne foran kaha. "Bilkul sach. Hamesha se sach."
Payal ne gehri saans li. "Toh fir tum mujhse kuch batate kyun nhi ho? Kyun tum sab faisale akele le lete ho?"
Karan ki saans ruk gayi. Oh... toh baat yeh thi. Bach gaya woh kya kya soch baitha tha.
"Di main... bas—" Karan ne kuch kehne ki koshish ki par Payal ne beech mein hi kaata diya
"Jab tum us mahal mein akele gaye the," Payal ke awaaz ab thodi tez ho gayi thi. "Jab tum bina kisi ko bataye akele us khatre mein ghus gaye the. Tab tumne ek baar bhi nahi socha ke agar tumhe kuch ho gaya toh? Aur Agar woh Mesaka ne tumhe-?" Payal whin chup ho gye.
Karan ne neeche dekha. Haan... yeh sach tha. Woh bahut bade khatre mein gaya tha. Aur... aur usne kisi ko nahi bataya tha.
"Tumhe pata hai main kitna dar gayi thi?" Ab uski aankhen mein aansu chamak rahe the. "Jab mujhe pata chala ke tum wahaan gaye ho... main saans bhi nahi le pa rahi thi. Mujhe laga ke... ke main tumhe kho dungi. Jaise... Meine Pitaji ko kho diya tha. Jaise humne apne logon ko kho diya hai ab."
Karan ka dil dukh gaya. Usne Payal ki taraf dekha aur uski aankhon mein woh dard dekha. Woh dard jo ek behen mehsoos karti hai jab uska bhai khatre mein hota hai.
"Di... main... mujhe maaf kar do," Karan ne dheere se kaha. "Main.. bas... mujhe laga ke agar main nahi gaya toh aur koi nahi ja sakta. Aur.. woh kaam zaroori tha. Humare logon ko bachana zaroori tha."
"Haan zaroori tha. Par tumhe akele jaane ki zaroorat nahi thi. Tum... mujhe bata sakte the. Ya Harish kaka ko. Ya kisi aur ko. Hum... saath mein koi raasta nikaal sakte the."
Karan ne sir hilaya. "Aap sahi keh rahi hai Di. maine galti ki.... aur main waada karta hoon ke agli baar... baar main koi bhi faisla lene se pehle aapse zaroor baat karunga."
Payal ne Karan ki taraf dekha. Kuch pal tak woh bas use dekhti rahi. Fir.. woh halka sa muskuraye. "Achha. Bas...dubara ab aisa mat karna. Main... tumhe kho nahi sakti Karan."
Dono ek pal chup rahe.
Tabhi Payal ne apni us lakdi ki chhadi ko door fenk diya. Woh zameen par gir gayi.
Karan ki nazar us chhadi par gayi. Usne dhyan se dekha. Zameen par... ek chhoti si tasveer bani hui thi. Ek gilhari ke. Bahut hi pyaari si. Choti choti details ke saath.
"Di," Karan ne hairaani se kaha. "Yeh.. aapne banaya?"
Payal ne neeche dekha, uske galon par halki lali aa gayi. "Haan... bas aise hi. Kuch khaas nahi hai hai"
"Nahi," Karan ne uspe haath fera. "Yeh... bahut achha hai. Aap... bahut achha chitr karti hain."
Payal sharmaye. "Dhanyavad... mujhe bachpan se chitrkala pasand hai."
"Sach mein?" Karan ke awaaz mein jigyasa thi. "Mujhe nahi pata tha."
Payal muskurai. "Haan. Mujhe kalaa bahut pasand hai. Chirtkala, baageche, yudkalaa... yeh sab. Isliye... maine mahal mein woh baagecha khud se sambhala hua tha. Tumhe yaad hai?"
Karan ne sir hilaya. "Haan.. yaad hai. Woh bahut khubsurat tha. Hamesha... itne saare rang bhare hote the usmein."
Karan ne woh fenki hui lakdi uthayi. Usne use apne haath mein ghumaya.
"Waise," Karan ke chere pe ek shararti muskaan aa gye. "Main bhi bachpan mein thoda bahut chitr karta tha."
Payal ki bhahue chaudi ho gayi. "Sach mein? Tum? Yeh toh kuch naya suna meine."
"Jab main... jab main Vanrajya se door tha... tab maine bahut kuch seekha. Aur... Chirtkala bhi seekhi. Sach bataun toh main... main theek thaak chitrbaaz ban gaya tha."
Payal hasne lage, "Tum? Aur chirtkala mein nipun. Mujhe... mujhe vishwas nahi ho raha." Woh apne gadi nhi rok paa rhe the.
"Kyun nahi ho raha?" Karan ne natak se chubne ka dikhawa kiya. "Main sach bol raha hoon Di."
"Achha?" Payal ne apne bahue jode hue kaha. "Toh dikhao fir jab maanu."
"Dikhau?" Karan vishmay mein chala gaya.
"Agar tum sach mein itne achhe chirtkala jaante ho... toh kuch bana karke dikhao."
Karan muskuraya. "Theek hai. Par... par kya banau?"
Payal ne sochte hue kaha, "Tumhe jo banana ho. Jo tumhe pasand ho."
Karan ne ek pal socha. Fir usne woh lakdi ki chhadi se Payal ki taraf ishara kiya.
"Main... main aapka chitr banaunga."
Payal ki aankhen badi ho gayi. Uske gaal achanak se laal ho gaye. "Kya?! M-mujhe?!"
"Haan," Karan ne muskurate hue kaha. "Kyun? Koi dikkat hai?"
"N-nahi... matlab... par..." Payal kuch bolne ki koshish kar rahi thi par shabd nahi mil rahe the. "Par.. main... matlab... yeh..."
Karan hans pada. "Di... aap itna kyun sharma rahi hai? Main bas ek chitr hi toh bana raha hoon."
"H-haan... par yeh... yeh ajeeb hai,"
Karan: "Kuch ajeeb nahi hai. "Aap...bas waise hi baithi rahiye. Main...abhi bana deta hoon."
Payal ne halke se sir hilaya. Uska dil tez dhadak raha tha. Karan use draw karega? Yeh.. thoda ajeeb zaroor tha par... Na jaane use kyu usse achha bhi lag raha tha.
Karan zameen ki taraf jhuka aur us chhadi se zameen par chitr banane laga. Chand ki roshni kaafi thi dekhne ke liye. Usne ek baar Payal ko dekha... uske chehre ki har detail ko note kiya. Uski aankhen... uske baal... uski naak... uske honth. Dono ke aankhein jab bhi milte dono ghabra ke jaldi se use tod lete.
Aaj ke liye hi next update kal ya parson! Sorry guys kuch complications ke wajah se thode din ke liye story hold pe aa gye the. We'll hit the previous pace again. ^_^
Uncharted
Kal raat jab woh camp mein pahuncha tha, sabne use dekha tha Nandani, Payal aur sabne.
Par raat ho chuki thi isliye sabne faisla kiya ke aaram karna chahiye. Kal... subah fir se milkar aage ke yojna banaege.
Karan ne apni sharir ko stretch kiya. Ghav abhi bhi dard kar rahe the par woh pehle se behtar tha. Lag rha tha Vanrajya ki hawa... apne ghar ki hawa... usse theek kar rahi thi.
Usne shivir se bahar jhanka. Subah nikal rhe thi par abhi bhi kaafi log so rahe the. Kuch sipahi jagke pehra kar rahe the. Aag bujh chuki thi par thodi si raakh abhi bhi wahan thi.
Andar usne sir ghumaya toh dekha chattan par... koi baithi thi. Peeth uski taraf thi.
Karan ne gaur se dekha. Woh Nandani thi.
Nandani wahan baithi apne lambe, kaale, ghane baalon ko suljha rahi thi. Woh dheere-dheere ungliyon se baalon ko saaf kar rahi thi, kabhi kangan se, kabhi haathon se hi unhe sehla rahi thi.
Karan muskuraya aur bina awaaz kiye uski taraf badha.
Jab woh uske bilkul paas pahunch gaya Nandani ne apne baalon ke saath-saath apne halke hare blouse ki peeche ki patti ko theek karne ki koshish ki. Dono baal ek taraf kar liye the, par peeche ki doriyan ab bhi thodi si dheeli thi. Woh baar-baar haath peeche le ja rahi thi, par ungliyan sahi jagah nahi pahunch pa rahi thi. Blouse ki narm kapde uski naram peeth par chipki hui thi, aur har baar koshish karne mein thoda sa khisak rahi thi.
“Aahh…” Nandani ne halki si, madhur si cheekh ke awaaz nikali.
“Mom?” Karan ne bilkul dheeme se bola
Nandani chaunk kar peeche mud gayi. Uske gaal ek pal mein gulabi ho uthe. “Karan! Tum… tum kab aaye?”
“Abhi,” Karan ne halki muskurahat ke saath jawab diya, nazrein uske chehre par, phir dheere se neeche… uski peeth par. “Aapko… madad chahiye?”
Nandani ke honth thoda sa kaanp gaye, aankhen sharma ke jhuk gayi. “Haan… woh… yeh peeche wali doriyan… mujhse bandh nahi pa rahi. Kya tum…”
Karan ne sir hilaya. “Haan, batao kya karna hai.”
Nandani ne apne baal ek taraf kar diye, poori peeth uski taraf khul gayi. Halka sa blouse uski naram, gori peeth par tana hua tha. “Bas… dono doriyon ko pakad kar… achhe se, tight bandh do.”
Karan paas aaya. Usne dheere se dono doriyan pakdi unme se ek thodi si garam thi, jaise Nandani ki shareer ki garmi ab bhi us doriyon mein basi hui thi. Usne un doriyon ko dheere se kheench kar ek doosre se milaaya, phir savdhani se gaanth lagayi. Har gaanth ke saath uski ungliyan halke se Nandani ki peeth ko chhoo rahi thi.
“Ho gaya,” Karan ke awaaz mein halki si gudgudi thi.
“Shukriya beta…” Nandani ne baalon ko wapas chhod diya, woh baal uski peeth par baarish ki tarah gir gaye. Phir peeche mudkar Karan ko dekha.
“Achhe se soye tum?”
Karan uske bagal mein baith gaya, itna paas ki unke kandhe ek doosre ko chhoo rahe the. “Kaafi dinon baad… aisi chain ki neend aayi Mom.”
Nandani ne uska haath apne dono haathon mein le liya aur uske ungliyon se dheere se sehlaya. “Mujhe… bahut dar laga tha Karan. Jab tum Jalyak gaye… aur din-guzarte gaye, koi khabar nahi… main toh soch bhi nahi paati thi ke agar tumhe kuchh ho gaya toh…”
Uski aankhen nam ho uthi.
Karan ne uska haath aur kas kar pakda, apne seene ke paas le aaya. “Main bilkul theek hoon, Mom. Ab yahan hoon… aapke paas.”
Nandani ne aansu ponchhe bachpane si muskurahat uske chehre par aa gayi.
“Tumhe yaad hai,” uski aankhon mein sharaarat thi, “bachpan mein hum ek khel khela karte the?”
Karan ne muskurate hue poocha, “Kaun sa?”
“Woh… jisme main tumhari peeth par ungli se likhti thi… aur tum feel karke bataate the. Ya tum meri peeth par likhte the.”
Karan ki aankhen chamak uthi. “Haan! Jaise hum yahan pehle baar aaye tab?!?.”
Dono ko woh pal yaad aa gaya jab dono ne pehle baar kiss kiya tha.
Nandani ne uski taraf dekha, apne beete ke saath ko itne din baad akele the, uski aankhon mein pyaar aur sharaarat dono. “Toh… abhi khelen? Peeth par likhne ka wohi purana khel?”
Karan ka dil zor se dhadkane laga “Haan… kyun nahi?”
Nandani ne apni peeth uski taraf ki aur baal ek taraf kar diye. Blouse ka kapda uski peeth par bilkul chipka hua tha, har saans ke saath halka sa uth-raha tha. “Tum likho. Main feel karke bataungi.”
Karan ne apni ungli uthayi. Usne dheere se, bahut pyaar se, Nandani ki peeth par likhna shuru kiya. Har akshar ke saath uski ungli thodi der tak wahi rukti, jaise feel kar rahi ho, jaise us naram twacha ko mehsoos kar rahi ho, jaise har harf uski saans ko chhoo raha ho.
M… E… R… A…
Thoda der baad, phir…
S… U… K… O… O… N…
Nandani ne dheere se, awaaz mein halki si kaanpne ke saath pura dohraya kaha, “Mera… sukoon.”
Karan ka haath ek pal ke liye ruk gaya. Usne apni ungliyan uski peeth par hi rakhi rahi, jaise woh shabd ab bhi uske shareer mein goonj rahe hon.
Nandani ne peeche mudkar uski taraf dekha. “Karan… Tum bhi mera sukoon ho”
Karan ne kuchh nahi kaha. Bas usne apni ungliyon se ek baar phir woh shabd dheere se dohraaye. Uske haath ab thode se kaanp rahe the.
Nandani ne uska haath pakad liya, apni peeth se hatakar apne haathon mein le liya. “ toh Tum haar Gaye ab tumhe koi inaam nahi milega.”
Karan dheeme se muskuraya. “Mujhe… inaam ki zaroorat nahi Mom. Aap mere paas ho itna hi kaafi hai.”
Nandani ne aansuon ke saath muskurahat di. “Par tumhe ek kaam toh karna padega.”
“Kya?”
“Nahana,” Nandani ne kadak awaaz mein kaha “Dekho toh… teen din ka safar… dhool-mitti… tum bilkul gande ho gye ho.”
Karan ne apne aap ko dekha aur sharma gaya. Sach mein kapde dhool se bhare, chehra par mitti ki halki si parat thi.
“Aur,” Nandani khadi hui, uske itne paas ki uski saans Karan ke gaalon par lagi, “thodi der mein sab milenge. Tum… aise thodi jaaoge?”
Karan bhi khada hua. “Theek hai Mom… main jaata hoon nahane.”
Nandani ne muskurakar kaha, “Achhe se nahana. Aur naye saaf kapde pehenna. Main… tumhare liye rakh deti hoon.”
Karan ne haan mein sir hilaya.
Par jaane se pehle Nandani ne uska haath pakad liya aur uske ungliyon mein ungliyan phansa li.
“Karan,” uski awaaz ab bhar aayi thi, “main… bahut khush hoon ke tum wapas aa gaye. Bahut… bahut zyada. Aur yeh… mera sukoon… ab poora ho gaya.”
Karan ne bhi use kaskar se gale laga liya, itna kaksar ki Nandani ki saans uske seene par lagne lage. Dono kuchh pal aise hi rahe maa aur beta ek doosre mein ghule hue jaise duniya ruk gayi ho.
Phir Nandani ne dheere se use dhakka diya. “Ab jao… jaldi fresh ho jao. Baaki sab wait kar rahe honge… Payal, Aditya…sab”
Nandani wahi khadi rahi, use jaate hue dekhti rahi. Honthon par halki, pyaar bhari muskurahat the. Uski peeth par ab bhi woh shabd mehsoos ho rahe the ~mera sukoon.
***
Vaani ne apna matka ko dono haathon mein mazbooti se pakda aur Shravas ki taraf ek baar fir dekha. Yeh aadmi... ajeeb zaroor tha par usne uski jaan bachayi thi. Aur ab woh uske saath chal raha tha.
"Bas thoda aur," Vaani ne kaha.
Uske kadam tez ho gaye the. Vidut... woh chinta kar raha hoga. Woh hamesha chinta karta tha jab Vaani der se aati thi.
Shravas chup chaap uske peeche chal raha tha. Uski aankhen charon taraf ghoom rahi thi.
"Woh... wahan," Vaani ne aage ek badi chattan ki taraf ishara kiya. "Us chattan ke peeche."
Dono us chattan ki taraf badhne lage. Raasta thoda pathrila tha aur Vaani ko sambhalna mushkil ho raha ths. Par usne koi shikaayat nahi ki.
Jaise hi woh chattan ke paas pahunche, Vaani ne apni awaaz buland karke awaaz lagaye, "Vidut! Main aa gayi!"
Kuch pal ki khamoshi rhe. Fir... zameen ke neeche se ek awaaz aayi.
"Vaani? Tum theek ho? Surakshit wapas aa gayi?"
Vaani ke chehre par raahat ki lehren daud gayi. "Haan Vidut! Main bilkul theek hoon."
"Achha hai," Vidut ki awaaz mein tasalli thi. "Main chinta kar raha tha. Tum aaj der se aayi."
"Haan woh thodi mushkil aayi thi par ab sab theek hai," Vaani ne matka neeche rkhte hue jawab diya.
Vidut kuch pal chup raha. Fir achanak uski awaaz fir se aayi, par ab usme kuch shaq tha.
"Vaani... tumhare saath kisi aur ke kadam ki awaaz aa rahi hai. Koi... aur hai tumhare saath?"
Vaani ne Shravas ki taraf dekha. Shravas ne halka sa muskurate hue sir hilaya.
"Haan Vidut," Vaani ne jawab diya. "Ek aadmi hai mere saath. Usne meri madad ki. Agar woh nahi hota toh... toh shayad main..."
Uski awaaz kamp gayi.
Zameen ke neeche se halchal ki awaaz aayi. Jaise koi bhari cheez ko khiska raha ho.
Achanak chattan ke bagal wali zameen ka ek hissa khisak gaya. Ek chhota sa darwaza khul gaya, jisko pattharon aur mitti se dhaka hua tha itni chalaki se ke koi bhi asaani se nahi dekh sakta tha.
Aur us darwaze se... Vidut bahar aaya.
Uska chehra garda se bhara hua tha aur baal bikhra hue the. Uske haathon mein ek lambi lakdi thi, jisko usne bhale ki tarah pakda hua tha. Uski aankhen pehle Vaani par padi usme raahat aaye. Fir uski nazar Shravas par gayi.
Vidut wahi ruk gaya.
Uski aankhen badi ho gayi. Usne Shravas ko upar se neeche tak dekha. Woh ajeeb se kapde... woh chehra... kuch... jaani pehchane lag rahe the.
"Tum..." Vidut ne kaha par uski awaaz beech mein hi ruk gayi.
Shravas ne muskurate hue Vidut ki taraf dekha. Fir usne dheere se kaha, "Bahut din ho gaye Vidut. Kaafi badal gaye ho tum."
Jaise hi Shravas ki awaaz Vidut ke kaanon mein padi, uska poora sharir jakad gaya. Yeh awaaz woh kabhi nahi bhool sakta tha.
Uske haath se woh lakdi neeche gir gayi. Uske ghutne kaanpne lage.
"M-Mahamantri Shravas?!?" Vidut ki awaaz mein vishwas aur hairaani dono thi.
Aur fir Vidut dono ghutno par neeche baith gaya.
"M-Mahamantri... aap... aap zinda hai..."
Vaani yeh sab dekh kar puri tarah se chaunk gayi. Uski aankhen badi ho gayi aur usne Vidut ko fir Shravas ko dekha.
"V-Vidut?" Vaani ne hichkichate hue kaha. "Tum... inhe jaante ho?"
Vidut ne apna sir upar kiya par nazar neechi hi rakhi. "J-jaanta hoon Rajkumari? Main... yeh... yeh Mahamantri Shravas hai. Woh jo... Maharaj ke... aapke pita Maharaj ke sabse karebi saathi the. Unke seedhe sevak. Woh jo..."
Vidut ki awaaz fir se kamp gayi. "Woh jo Maharaj ke har faislon mein saath dete the. Woh jinke bina Maharaj koi bhi bada faisla nahi lete the."
Vaani ka muh khula ka khula reh gaya. Yeh... yeh aadmi? Yeh aadmi jo uske pita ke itne kareeb tha? Par... yeh yahan kaise?
Shravas aage badha aur Vidut ke kandhe par haath rakha.
"Uth jao Vidut," Shravas ne dheere se kaha. "Ab yeh sab rasmein... in sab ka waqt khatam ho gaya hai. Sab kuch badal gaya hai."
Vidut dheere se khada hua par uski nazar abhi bhi neechi thi.
Vaani ne Shravas ki taraf dekha. Uski aankhen bhar aayi. "Toh.. tum sach mein... mere pita ko jaante the?"
Shravas ne Vaani ki taraf dekha. Uski aankhen ab gambhir thi. Usne dheere se apna haath aage badhaya aur Vaani ke sar par rakha. Ek pita ki tarah.
"Haan Rajkumari," Shravas ne kaha. "Main tumhare pita Maharaj ke sabse kareeb tha. Aur... main tumhe bhi bachpan se jaanta hoon. Tum bahut chhoti thi jab main Thanasala se... jab main wahan se chala gaya tha."
Vaani ki aankhen se aansu tapakne lage. "Pitaji... ab nahi rahe..."
"Shhh," Shravas ne uske sar ko halke se sehlaya. "Main jaanta hoon aur maine Thanasala par hamle ke baare mein bhi suna hai. Par ab rona band karo. Sab kuch khatam nahi hua hai."
Vaani ne aankhon se aansu ponchte hue uski taraf dekha. "Kya... kya matlab?"
Shravas "Matlab yeh ke agar tum zinda ho... agar Vidut zinda hai... toh shayad aur bhi log zinde honge. Thanasala ka khoon abhi bhi beh raha hai. Bas use fir se jama karna hai."
Vaani ne halke se sir hilaya. Uske dil mein ek chhoti si umeed ki kiran jaagi.
Vidut ab bhi chup khada tha. Uski aankhen Shravas par tiki hui thi. Par achanak uski nazar Shravas ke peeche gayi. Wahan us toote hue kaankal par jo Ajay tha.
Vidut ki aankhen aur bhi badi ho gayi. "M-Mahamantri... yeh kaankal jo aapke saath hai... yeh..."
Shravas ne peeche mudkar dekha jahan Ajay abhi bhi deewar se bandha hua tha. Woh dhoop mein chamak raha tha.
"Aah," Shravas ne ek ajeeb si muskaan ke saath kaha. "Woh toh ek... Lambi kahani hai. Filhal usko chhodho."
"Par aap iske saath kya karne wale hai?" Vidut ne poocha. Uski awaaz mein darr aur jigyasa dono thi.
Shravas ki muskaan aur chaudi ho gayi. Usne Vidut ki taraf dekha, fir Vaani ki taraf, fir us bunker ki taraf jahan se Vidut nikla tha.
"Tumhara chupne ke jagah," Shravas ne kaha, uski awaaz mein ek ajeeb sa josh tha. "Mujhe dikhao. Main chahta hoon dekhna ke tum dono kahan reh rahe ho."
Vidut ne ek pal Shravas ko dekha. Fir usne sir jhukaya. "J-ji Mahamantri. Aayiye... Iss taraf."
Vidut aage badha aur us zameen ke darwaze ki taraf gaya. Usne ek patthar ko khiskaya aur neeche ek seedhi dikhai.
"Yahan neeche hai," Vidut ne kaha. "Bahut surakshit hai. Kisi ko pata nahi chalega."
Shravas ne neeche ki taraf jhanka. Andhera tha par neeche kuch roshni dikh rahi thi.
"Hmm," Shravas ne kaha. "Chalaki se banaya hai. Tumne yeh sab kab kiya?"
"Jab... hum yahaan aaye the," Vidut ne jawab diya. "Mujhe laga ke hume ek surakshit jagah chahiye. Toh maine yeh bunker khoda. Kaafi mehnat lagi par kuch din bhul bhulaiya mein rhene se jayda ab hum surakshit hai yahan."
Shravas ne Vidut ke kandhe par haath mara. "Tumne sahi kiya. Rajkumari ki suraksha sabse zaroori hai."
Vidut ne sir jhukaya.
Vaani aage aayi. "Shravas.. tum iss kaankal ke saath kya karoge? Aapne abhi bata nahi rahe aur yeh tumhara paltu nhi hai jooth mat bolo ab tum hum par vishwas kar skte ho."
Shravas ne Vaani ki taraf dekha. "Rajkumari... tumhe pata hai kya hai sabse zaroori cheez iss waqt?"
Vaani ne na mein sir hilaya.
"Taaqat," Shravas ne kaha. "Humein taaqat chahiye. Aise taaqat jo humare dushmanon ko harane ke liye kaafi ho. Thansala sabse jayda rakshashon se bhare rhene ke liye mashoor hai vaise bhi. Aur yeh kaankal..." Usne Ajay ki taraf ishara kiya, "Yeh hamari taaqat ka hissa banega."
Vidut ne ek pal Shravas ko dekha. Uske dimaag mein bahut saare sawaal the par woh kuch bol nahi paya.
"Chalo," Shravas bola "Pehle andar chalte hai. Mujhe dekhna hai tumhara bunker. Aur fir... main tumhe dikhaunga ke main iss kaankal ke saath kya karne wala hoon."
Vaani aur Vidut ne ek dusre ki taraf dekha. Dono ke chehron par fikar thi.
"Theek hai," Vaani bole.
Vidut pehle neeche utara. Fir Vaani, uske haath mein matka tha. Aur aakhir mein Shravas.
Bunker andar se chhota tha par khoob saja hua tha. Ek kone mein kuch bartan aur auzaar the. Dusre kone mein bistar. Beech mein se seediyan dusre taraf jaa kayi kamron ke beech mein se jaa rhe thein.
"Hmm," Shravas ne charon taraf dekha. "Bahut achhi jagah hai. Surakshit. Chhupa hua. Aur yahaan tak pahunchna mushkil hai."
"Ji "Maine pura dhyan rakha hai."
Shravas ek patthar par baith gaya. Usne apne kapdon se dhool jhadi.
"Toh batao," Shravas ne pucha
"Kya yojna hai tumhare? Yahan kitne din aur rahoge yahan?"
Vaani aur Vidut ne ek dusre ki taraf dekha. Vaani pehle bole, "Hum.. nahi jaante. Bas.. yahaan surakshit rehna tha. Aur... sochna tha ke aage kya karna hai."
Shravas ne gehri saans li. "Toh suno meri baat. Agar tum yahan aise hi rehte rahe... toh kuch nahi hoga. Thanasala ko wapas nahi laa paoge. Apne logon ko nahi bacha paoge."
"Par.. hum kar kya sakte hai?" Vaani ke awaaz mein bebasi thi. "Hum sirf do log hai. Aur pure raigistan mein alag alag prakar ke rakshas bhare hue hai."
"Abhi toh do log ho," Shravas ne muskurate hue kaha. "Par jald hi... hum zyada honge."
"Zyada? Kaise?" Vidut ne poocha.
Shravas khada hua aur ek chain se pakadar Ajay ko neeche patak diya.
***
Karan kutiya se bahar nikla ab usse lag rha tha ke uska sharir kuch aaram karne ke baad pehle jaise haal mein vapas aaya hai. Shaam ka andhera ghirne laga tha aur aasman mein sitare ek ek karke chamakne lage the. Thandi hawa chal rahi thi jo uske chehre ko chhoo rahi thi.
Aag ke paas sab log baithe hue the. Harish, Aditya, Prachi, aur kuch aur log jo Vanrajya ke bache hue sipahi the. Unke chehron par thakan thi par aankhen mein abhi bhi josh tha. Woh log jo apne rajya ke liye sab kuch daav par laga chuke the.
Payal bhi aag ke paas aayi. Usne Karan ko dekha aur halka sa muskurai. "Karan... ab kaisa lag raha hai? Ghar aa kar aur aaram kar kar?"
Karan ne Payal ki taraf dekha aur muskuraya. "Achha lag raha hai Di. Bahut achha. Par... abhi kaam khatam nahi hua. Abhi toh shuruat hi hai."
"Haan," Payal bole. "Main jaanti hoon."
Karan aage badha aur aag ke paas baith gaya. Sab log uski taraf dekhne lage. Unke chehron par ummeed thi. Ummeed ke ab unka rajkumar wapas aa gaya hai... ab sab kuch theek ho jayega.
"Suno sab," Karan ne bulandi se kaha "Mujhe... mujhe puri sthiti jaanni hai. Kya chal raha hai yahaan? Dushman kahaan hai? Aur... humare paas kitne log hai?"
Aditya aage badhkar bola, "Rajkumar... unki sena woh Kaankaalon ki sena. Woh log zinda nahi hai par... aur... woh bahut zyada hai. Karib hazaar ya usse bhi zyada."
Karan ka chehra jakad gaya. Hazaar? Itne zyada?
Harish ne sir hilaya.
Par usne haar nahi maani. Usne Vrishank aur Kalindi ki taraf dekha jo thoda door khade the. "Par ab humare paas makdi sipahi hai. Pachaas makdi sipahi jo bahut taqatwar hai."
Sabki aankhen chamak uthi. Haan... ab unke paas ek sena aur thi. Chhoti zaroor thi par taqatwar thi.
"Par Rajkumar," Harish ne fikar se kaha. "Agar hum yahaan baithe rahe... agar hum sirf intezaar karte rahe ke dushman humpar hamla kare... toh hum haar jayenge. Ravisha bahut chalak hai."
Karan ne sir hilaya. "Aap sahi keh rahe ho kaka. Hum intezaar nahi kar sakte. Humein pehle hamla karna hoga."
"Par kaise?" Aditya ne poocha. "Mahal tak pahunchna bhi mushkil hai. Aur... wahan hazaaron dushman hai."
Karan ne ek pal socha. Uske dimaag mein bahut saare vichaar aa rahe the. Kaise woh mahal tak pahunch sakte hai? Kaise woh Ravisha tak pahunch sakte hai?
Karan ne Harish ki taraf dekha. "Humare log...ho yahan pe iktha nhi hai jo bache hue log hai... woh kahaan hai?"
"Zyada tar yahan hai," Harish ne jawab diya. "Yaha camp mein humein unhe yahan surakshit jagah par chhupa diya hai.. par kuch log abhi bhi bahar hai. Gaon mein. Jungle mein. Woh... woh chhup rahe hai par hum nahi jaante kab tak woh surakshit rahenge."
Karan ne gehri saans li. "Toh hume unhe bhi yahaan lana hoga. Surakshit jagah par. Par... par bas unhe lana hi kafi nahi hai."
"Toh?" Payal ne poocha.
Karan ne aag ki taraf dekha. Lauon ko dekhte hue bola, "Humein ek yojna chahiye. Ek aisi yojna jisse hum mahal tak pahunch sake. Aur agar hum mahal mein ghus gaye... toh wahan hume ek upri haath chahiye. Kuch aisa jo humare paksh mein ho."
Harish ki aankhen badi ho gayi. Usne Karan ki taraf dekha. "Rajkumar... main... mujhe ek baat yaad aa rahi hai."
"Kya?" Karan ne poocha.
Harish thoda aage aaya aur dheere se bola jaise koi raaz bata raha ho, "Jab... maine mahal banaya tha bahut saal pehle... maine kuch gupth raaste bhi banaye the. Aur... maine ek bada hall bhi banaya tha mahal ke neeche. Bahut bada. Usme karib sau log chhup sakte the agar zaroorat padi."
Karan ki aankhen chamak uthi. "Gupth raaste? Aur ek bada hall?"
"Haan," Harish ne kaha. "Woh raaste bahut purane hai aur unmein se koi bhi seedha mahal ke andar jaata hai. Aur woh hall... woh itna bada hai ke agar hum apne sipahiyon ko wahan chhupa de... toh jab zaroorat pade, woh achanak mahal ke andar aa sakte hai. Dushman ko pata bhi nahi chalega."
Karan ke chehre par muskaan aa gayi. "Agar hum apne makdi sipahiyon ko us hall mein chhupa de... aur jab sahi waqt aaye woh mehel ke deewaron ko kamzor jagahon se tod dein, toh humare baaki saathi andar jaa skte hai... aur hum dushman ko achanak se harane ki koshish kar sakte hai."
"Haan," Harish ne josh ke saath bola. "Par... ek samasya hai."
"Kya?"
"Woh raaste... woh bahut door se shuru hote hai. Jungle ke dusre hisse se. Aur wahan tak pahunchne ke liye... humein dushman ke sipahiyon ke beech se guzarna padega.... woh charon taraf apne sipahiyon ko khada kiye hue hai. Bahut chukne hai."
Karan ne sir hilaya. Haan... yeh mushkil zaroor tha par namumkin nahi.
Tabhi Prachi aage aayi. Uske haathon mein kuch gilas the jisme paani tha. "Yeh... yeh lo sab. Paani pi lo. Bahut der se baat kar rahe ho."
Karan ne Prachi ki taraf dekha. Uski aankhen Prachi ke chehre par tiki. Woh abhi bhi utni hi khubsurat lag rahi thi jitni pehle lagti thi. Uske baal khule the.
Prachi ne sabko paani diya. Jab woh Karan ke paas aayi, toh usne gilas aage badhaya. "Yeh lo Ka... Karan."
Jaise hi yeh naam uske muh se nikla, Prachi ki aankhen badi ho gayi. Usne foran apna muh dhaka. "M-mera matlab... Rajkumar! Rajkumar Karan! Maaf kijiye main.. bhool gayi thi."
Karan ke galon par halki lali aa gayi. Usne paani ka gilas liya aur muskuraya. "Koi baat nahi Prachi. Tum.. mujhe Karan bhi bula sakti ho."
Prachi ne neeche dekha. Uske gaal bhi laal ho gaye the. "N-nahi... aap rajkumar hai. Mujhe aapko aisa nahi bulana chahiye."
Prachi ne upar dekha aur Karan ki aankhon mein dekha. Dono ki nazrein ek pal ke liye mile.
Payal yeh sab dekh rahi thi. Uski aankhen sankri ho gayi. Karan aur Prachi... kya... yeh dono? Usne dhyan se dekha. Karan ke chehre par woh muskaan... aur Prachi ka sharma jana... yeh sab...
Par usne kuch nahi kaha. Bas chupchap dekhti rahi.
Karan ne paani pi liya aur gilas wapas Prachi ko de diya. "Shukriya."
Prachi ne sir jhukaya aur peeche hat gayi.
Karan ne apna dhyan wapas plan par lagaya. Usne Harish ki taraf dekha. "Toh Harish kaka... hume us gupth raaste tak pahunchna hoga. Aur... hume yeh kaam bina kisi shor ke karna hoga. Agar dushman ko pata chal gaya... toh sab khatam."
"Bilkul sahi,"
"Toh yeh tay rahega," Karan ne sabki taraf dekha. "Pehle... main aur Aditya kal subah niklenge. Hum dono akele jayenge. Hum jaake dekhenge ke dushman ke sipahi kahaan kahaan khade hai. Aur us gupth raaste ka darwaza kahaan hai. Harish kaka humein nirdesh de denge wahan tak pahuche ka. Ko bache kuche log hai isliye hum ganv walon ka bhesh lekar andar ja skte hai. Agar hume woh mil gaya... toh hum wapas aayenge aur sabko bata denge."
Aditya ne josh se sir hilaya. "Haan Rajkumar! Main... aapke saath chalne ke liye tayaar hoon!"
"Aur Harish kaka... Aap yahaan rukoge. Aapko yahaan ki suraksha dekhni hogi. Agar.. koi dushman yahaan aa gaya toh tumhe sabko bachana hoga."
Harish ne apna haath apne seene par rakha. "Ji Rajkumar. Main apni jaan dekar bhi sabki raksha karunga."
"Aur Vrishank, Kalindi," Karan ne un dono ki taraf dekha. "Tum dono bhi yahaan rahoge. Makdi sipahiyon ke saath. Agar koi hamla hua... toh tum dono unhe sambhaloge."
Vrishank aur Kalindi ne sir jhukaya. "Jaise aap kahe Kaalraaj."
Payal ne aage badhkar kaha, "Par Karan... agar tum aur Aditya akele gaye aur agar tumhe koi khatra aa gaya toh? Agar dushman ne tumhe dekh liya toh?"
Karan ne Payal ka haath pakda. "Di... mujhe jaana hoga. Agar main nahi gaya... toh koi aur nahi ja sakta. Main yahaan ka rajkumar hoon. Aur yeh meri zimmedari hai."
Payal ki aankhon mein aansu aa gaye par usne unhe rok liya. "Theek hai. Par khayal rakhna apna. Agar tumhe kuch ho gaya... toh main..."
"Kuch nahi hoga Di," Karan ne uska haath dabaya. "Main waada karta hoon. Main wapas aaunga."
Sab chup ho gaye. Aag ki carcrahat aur ab raat ke jungle ki awaazein hi sunayi de rahi thi.
***
Sab log apne apne kaam mein lag gaye. Kuch log aag ke paas baith kar baatein kar rahe the, kuch apne bistar taiyaar kar rahe the. Shaam hone wale thi aur thandi hawa tez ho gayi thi.
Karan khada hua aur kutiya ki taraf jaane laga. Uska iraada tha ke woh andar jaake thoda aaram karega. Kal subah jaldi nikalna tha aur use neend ki sakht zaroorat thi.
Par tabhi Lakshaya uske paas aaya.
"Rajkumar," Lakshaya ne dheere se kaha
"Haan Lakshaya?" Karan ne poocha. "Kya baat hai?"
"Rajkumari Payal ne... unhone aapko bulaya hai. Woh... keh rhe the ke unhe aapse kuch baat karni hai. Akele mein."
Karan ki bhawe chaudi ho gayi. Di usse akele mein milna chahti thi? Par kyun? Agar kuch jung ya yojna ke baare mein baat karni thi toh woh sabke saamne kar sakti thi. Fir akele mein kyun?
Karan ne jawab diya. "Woh kahaan hai?"
"Woh us bade ped ke peeche baithi hai," Lakshaya ne door ek taraf ishara kiya jahan jungle ke kinare par ek vishaal ped khada hua tha. "Wahan."
Karan ne sir hilaya. "Achha. Main jata hoon."
Lakshaya chala gaya aur Karan us ped ki taraf badhne laga. Uske dimaag mein bahut saare sawaal the. Payal Di kyun use akele mein milna chahti thi? Kya kuch gadbad thi? Ya kuch aur?
Jaise jaise woh ped ke paas pahuncha, usne Payal ko dekha. Woh ped ki jad ke paas baithi hui thi, uski peeth ped se tiki hui thi. Uske haathon mein ek chhoti si lakdi ki chhadi thi jisse woh zameen par kuch bana rahi thi. Chand ki roshni uske chehre par pad rahi thi, jiski wajah se uska chehra aur bhi khubsurat lag raha tha.
"Di?" Karan ne dheere se awaz di.
Payal ne upar dekha aur muskurai. Par yeh muskaan... yeh woh khush wali muskaan nahi thi. Ismein kuch aur tha. Thoda sa gussa? Ya shayad udaasi?
"Aa gaye tum," Payal ne uski taraf dekha. "Baitho idhar." Usne apne bagal mein zameen par ishara kiya.
Karan aage badha aur Payal ke bagal mein baith gaya. Thodi door par... itni door ke dono ke beech kafi jagah thi par itni paas bhi ke woh aaram se baat kar sakte the.
"Kya baat hai Di? Aapne mujhe bulaya?"
Payal kuch pal chup rahi. Woh bas us lakdi ki chhadi se zameen par kuch banati rahi. Fir.. usne apna sir upar kiya aur seedha Karan ki aankhon mein dekha.
"Karan," Payal bole, uski awaaz mein gambhirta thi. "Main tumse ek sawaal poochhna chahti hoon."
"Ji Di?" Karan ne thodi ghabrahat se kaha
"Kya tum... kya tum mujhe apni badi behen maante ho?"
Karan ke chehre par hairaani aa gayi. Yeh.. kaisa sawaal tha? "Di.... aap yeh kya pooch rahi hai? Aap.. toh meri badi behen hai. Main.. aapko hamesha se apni Di maanta aaya hoon jabse yahan aaya hoon."
"Sach mein?" Payal ke apne bahue upar karke pucha. Uski awaaz mein shaq tha.
"Haan!" Karan ne foran kaha. "Bilkul sach. Hamesha se sach."
Payal ne gehri saans li. "Toh fir tum mujhse kuch batate kyun nhi ho? Kyun tum sab faisale akele le lete ho?"
Karan ki saans ruk gayi. Oh... toh baat yeh thi. Bach gaya woh kya kya soch baitha tha.
"Di main... bas—" Karan ne kuch kehne ki koshish ki par Payal ne beech mein hi kaata diya
"Jab tum us mahal mein akele gaye the," Payal ke awaaz ab thodi tez ho gayi thi. "Jab tum bina kisi ko bataye akele us khatre mein ghus gaye the. Tab tumne ek baar bhi nahi socha ke agar tumhe kuch ho gaya toh? Aur Agar woh Mesaka ne tumhe-?" Payal whin chup ho gye.
Karan ne neeche dekha. Haan... yeh sach tha. Woh bahut bade khatre mein gaya tha. Aur... aur usne kisi ko nahi bataya tha.
"Tumhe pata hai main kitna dar gayi thi?" Ab uski aankhen mein aansu chamak rahe the. "Jab mujhe pata chala ke tum wahaan gaye ho... main saans bhi nahi le pa rahi thi. Mujhe laga ke... ke main tumhe kho dungi. Jaise... Meine Pitaji ko kho diya tha. Jaise humne apne logon ko kho diya hai ab."
Karan ka dil dukh gaya. Usne Payal ki taraf dekha aur uski aankhon mein woh dard dekha. Woh dard jo ek behen mehsoos karti hai jab uska bhai khatre mein hota hai.
"Di... main... mujhe maaf kar do," Karan ne dheere se kaha. "Main.. bas... mujhe laga ke agar main nahi gaya toh aur koi nahi ja sakta. Aur.. woh kaam zaroori tha. Humare logon ko bachana zaroori tha."
"Haan zaroori tha. Par tumhe akele jaane ki zaroorat nahi thi. Tum... mujhe bata sakte the. Ya Harish kaka ko. Ya kisi aur ko. Hum... saath mein koi raasta nikaal sakte the."
Karan ne sir hilaya. "Aap sahi keh rahi hai Di. maine galti ki.... aur main waada karta hoon ke agli baar... baar main koi bhi faisla lene se pehle aapse zaroor baat karunga."
Payal ne Karan ki taraf dekha. Kuch pal tak woh bas use dekhti rahi. Fir.. woh halka sa muskuraye. "Achha. Bas...dubara ab aisa mat karna. Main... tumhe kho nahi sakti Karan."
Dono ek pal chup rahe.
Tabhi Payal ne apni us lakdi ki chhadi ko door fenk diya. Woh zameen par gir gayi.
Karan ki nazar us chhadi par gayi. Usne dhyan se dekha. Zameen par... ek chhoti si tasveer bani hui thi. Ek gilhari ke. Bahut hi pyaari si. Choti choti details ke saath.
"Di," Karan ne hairaani se kaha. "Yeh.. aapne banaya?"
Payal ne neeche dekha, uske galon par halki lali aa gayi. "Haan... bas aise hi. Kuch khaas nahi hai hai"
"Nahi," Karan ne uspe haath fera. "Yeh... bahut achha hai. Aap... bahut achha chitr karti hain."
Payal sharmaye. "Dhanyavad... mujhe bachpan se chitrkala pasand hai."
"Sach mein?" Karan ke awaaz mein jigyasa thi. "Mujhe nahi pata tha."
Payal muskurai. "Haan. Mujhe kalaa bahut pasand hai. Chirtkala, baageche, yudkalaa... yeh sab. Isliye... maine mahal mein woh baagecha khud se sambhala hua tha. Tumhe yaad hai?"
Karan ne sir hilaya. "Haan.. yaad hai. Woh bahut khubsurat tha. Hamesha... itne saare rang bhare hote the usmein."
Karan ne woh fenki hui lakdi uthayi. Usne use apne haath mein ghumaya.
"Waise," Karan ke chere pe ek shararti muskaan aa gye. "Main bhi bachpan mein thoda bahut chitr karta tha."
Payal ki bhahue chaudi ho gayi. "Sach mein? Tum? Yeh toh kuch naya suna meine."
"Jab main... jab main Vanrajya se door tha... tab maine bahut kuch seekha. Aur... Chirtkala bhi seekhi. Sach bataun toh main... main theek thaak chitrbaaz ban gaya tha."
Payal hasne lage, "Tum? Aur chirtkala mein nipun. Mujhe... mujhe vishwas nahi ho raha." Woh apne gadi nhi rok paa rhe the.
"Kyun nahi ho raha?" Karan ne natak se chubne ka dikhawa kiya. "Main sach bol raha hoon Di."
"Achha?" Payal ne apne bahue jode hue kaha. "Toh dikhao fir jab maanu."
"Dikhau?" Karan vishmay mein chala gaya.
"Agar tum sach mein itne achhe chirtkala jaante ho... toh kuch bana karke dikhao."
Karan muskuraya. "Theek hai. Par... par kya banau?"
Payal ne sochte hue kaha, "Tumhe jo banana ho. Jo tumhe pasand ho."
Karan ne ek pal socha. Fir usne woh lakdi ki chhadi se Payal ki taraf ishara kiya.
"Main... main aapka chitr banaunga."
Payal ki aankhen badi ho gayi. Uske gaal achanak se laal ho gaye. "Kya?! M-mujhe?!"
"Haan," Karan ne muskurate hue kaha. "Kyun? Koi dikkat hai?"
"N-nahi... matlab... par..." Payal kuch bolne ki koshish kar rahi thi par shabd nahi mil rahe the. "Par.. main... matlab... yeh..."
Karan hans pada. "Di... aap itna kyun sharma rahi hai? Main bas ek chitr hi toh bana raha hoon."
"H-haan... par yeh... yeh ajeeb hai,"
Karan: "Kuch ajeeb nahi hai. "Aap...bas waise hi baithi rahiye. Main...abhi bana deta hoon."
Payal ne halke se sir hilaya. Uska dil tez dhadak raha tha. Karan use draw karega? Yeh.. thoda ajeeb zaroor tha par... Na jaane use kyu usse achha bhi lag raha tha.
Karan zameen ki taraf jhuka aur us chhadi se zameen par chitr banane laga. Chand ki roshni kaafi thi dekhne ke liye. Usne ek baar Payal ko dekha... uske chehre ki har detail ko note kiya. Uski aankhen... uske baal... uski naak... uske honth. Dono ke aankhein jab bhi milte dono ghabra ke jaldi se use tod lete.
Aaj ke liye hi next update kal ya parson! Sorry guys kuch complications ke wajah se thode din ke liye story hold pe aa gye the. We'll hit the previous pace again. ^_^
Last edited:
Xkingthakur
Active Member
- 612
- 2,429
- 124
Nice updateChapter 35
Uncharted
Kal raat jab woh camp mein pahuncha tha, sabne use dekha tha Nandani, Payal aur sabne.
Par raat ho chuki thi isliye sabne faisla kiya ke aaram karna chahiye. Kal... subah fir se milkar aage ke yojna banaege.
Karan ne apni sharir ko stretch kiya. Ghav abhi bhi dard kar rahe the par woh pehle se behtar tha. Lag rha tha Vanrajya ki hawa... apne ghar ki hawa... usse theek kar rahi thi.
Usne shivir se bahar jhanka. Subah nikal rhe thi par abhi bhi kaafi log so rahe the. Kuch sipahi jagke pehra kar rahe the. Aag bujh chuki thi par thodi si raakh abhi bhi wahan thi.
Andar usne sir ghumaya toh dekha chattan par... koi baithi thi. Peeth uski taraf thi.
Karan ne gaur se dekha. Woh Nandani thi.
Nandani wahan baithi apne lambe, kaale, ghane baalon ko suljha rahi thi. Woh dheere-dheere ungliyon se baalon ko saaf kar rahi thi, kabhi kangan se, kabhi haathon se hi unhe sehla rahi thi.
Karan muskuraya aur bina awaaz kiye uski taraf badha.
Jab woh uske bilkul paas pahunch gaya Nandani ne apne baalon ke saath-saath apne halke hare blouse ki peeche ki patti ko theek karne ki koshish ki. Dono baal ek taraf kar liye the, par peeche ki doriyan ab bhi thodi si dheeli thi. Woh baar-baar haath peeche le ja rahi thi, par ungliyan sahi jagah nahi pahunch pa rahi thi. Blouse ki narm kapde uski naram peeth par chipki hui thi, aur har baar koshish karne mein thoda sa khisak rahi thi.
“Aahh…” Nandani ne halki si, madhur si cheekh ke awaaz nikali.
“Mom?” Karan ne bilkul dheeme se bola
Nandani chaunk kar peeche mud gayi. Uske gaal ek pal mein gulabi ho uthe. “Karan! Tum… tum kab aaye?”
“Abhi,” Karan ne halki muskurahat ke saath jawab diya, nazrein uske chehre par, phir dheere se neeche… uski peeth par. “Aapko… madad chahiye?”
Nandani ke honth thoda sa kaanp gaye, aankhen sharma ke jhuk gayi. “Haan… woh… yeh peeche wali doriyan… mujhse bandh nahi pa rahi. Kya tum…”
Karan ne sir hilaya. “Haan, batao kya karna hai.”
Nandani ne apne baal ek taraf kar diye, poori peeth uski taraf khul gayi. Halka sa blouse uski naram, gori peeth par tana hua tha. “Bas… dono doriyon ko pakad kar… achhe se, tight bandh do.”
Karan paas aaya. Usne dheere se dono doriyan pakdi unme se ek thodi si garam thi, jaise Nandani ki shareer ki garmi ab bhi us doriyon mein basi hui thi. Usne un doriyon ko dheere se kheench kar ek doosre se milaaya, phir savdhani se gaanth lagayi. Har gaanth ke saath uski ungliyan halke se Nandani ki peeth ko chhoo rahi thi.
“Ho gaya,” Karan ke awaaz mein halki si gudgudi thi.
“Shukriya beta…” Nandani ne baalon ko wapas chhod diya, woh baal uski peeth par baarish ki tarah gir gaye. Phir peeche mudkar Karan ko dekha.
“Achhe se soye tum?”
Karan uske bagal mein baith gaya, itna paas ki unke kandhe ek doosre ko chhoo rahe the. “Kaafi dinon baad… aisi chain ki neend aayi Mom.”
Nandani ne uska haath apne dono haathon mein le liya aur uske ungliyon se dheere se sehlaya. “Mujhe… bahut dar laga tha Karan. Jab tum Jalyak gaye… aur din-guzarte gaye, koi khabar nahi… main toh soch bhi nahi paati thi ke agar tumhe kuchh ho gaya toh…”
Uski aankhen nam ho uthi.
Karan ne uska haath aur kas kar pakda, apne seene ke paas le aaya. “Main bilkul theek hoon, Mom. Ab yahan hoon… aapke paas.”
Nandani ne aansu ponchhe bachpane si muskurahat uske chehre par aa gayi.
“Tumhe yaad hai,” uski aankhon mein sharaarat thi, “bachpan mein hum ek khel khela karte the?”
Karan ne muskurate hue poocha, “Kaun sa?”
“Woh… jisme main tumhari peeth par ungli se likhti thi… aur tum feel karke bataate the. Ya tum meri peeth par likhte the.”
Karan ki aankhen chamak uthi. “Haan! Jaise hum yahan pehle baar aaye tab?!?.”
Dono ko woh pal yaad aa gaya jab dono ne pehle baar kiss kiya tha.
Nandani ne uski taraf dekha, apne beete ke saath ko itne din baad akele the, uski aankhon mein pyaar aur sharaarat dono. “Toh… abhi khelen? Peeth par likhne ka wohi purana khel?”
Karan ka dil zor se dhadkane laga “Haan… kyun nahi?”
Nandani ne apni peeth uski taraf ki aur baal ek taraf kar diye. Blouse ka kapda uski peeth par bilkul chipka hua tha, har saans ke saath halka sa uth-raha tha. “Tum likho. Main feel karke bataungi.”
Karan ne apni ungli uthayi. Usne dheere se, bahut pyaar se, Nandani ki peeth par likhna shuru kiya. Har akshar ke saath uski ungli thodi der tak wahi rukti, jaise feel kar rahi ho, jaise us naram twacha ko mehsoos kar rahi ho, jaise har harf uski saans ko chhoo raha ho.
M… E… R… A…
Thoda der baad, phir…
S… U… K… O… O… N…
Nandani ne dheere se, awaaz mein halki si kaanpne ke saath pura dohraya kaha, “Mera… sukoon.”
Karan ka haath ek pal ke liye ruk gaya. Usne apni ungliyan uski peeth par hi rakhi rahi, jaise woh shabd ab bhi uske shareer mein goonj rahe hon.
Nandani ne peeche mudkar uski taraf dekha. “Karan… Tum bhi mera sukoon ho”
Karan ne kuchh nahi kaha. Bas usne apni ungliyon se ek baar phir woh shabd dheere se dohraaye. Uske haath ab thode se kaanp rahe the.
Nandani ne uska haath pakad liya, apni peeth se hatakar apne haathon mein le liya. “ toh Tum haar Gaye ab tumhe koi inaam nahi milega.”
Karan dheeme se muskuraya. “Mujhe… inaam ki zaroorat nahi Mom. Aap mere paas ho itna hi kaafi hai.”
Nandani ne aansuon ke saath muskurahat di. “Par tumhe ek kaam toh karna padega.”
“Kya?”
“Nahana,” Nandani ne kadak awaaz mein kaha “Dekho toh… teen din ka safar… dhool-mitti… tum bilkul gande ho gye ho.”
Karan ne apne aap ko dekha aur sharma gaya. Sach mein kapde dhool se bhare, chehra par mitti ki halki si parat thi.
“Aur,” Nandani khadi hui, uske itne paas ki uski saans Karan ke gaalon par lagi, “thodi der mein sab milenge. Tum… aise thodi jaaoge?”
Karan bhi khada hua. “Theek hai Mom… main jaata hoon nahane.”
Nandani ne muskurakar kaha, “Achhe se nahana. Aur naye saaf kapde pehenna. Main… tumhare liye rakh deti hoon.”
Karan ne haan mein sir hilaya.
Par jaane se pehle Nandani ne uska haath pakad liya aur uske ungliyon mein ungliyan phansa li.
“Karan,” uski awaaz ab bhar aayi thi, “main… bahut khush hoon ke tum wapas aa gaye. Bahut… bahut zyada. Aur yeh… mera sukoon… ab poora ho gaya.”
Karan ne bhi use kaskar se gale laga liya, itna kaksar ki Nandani ki saans uske seene par lagne lage. Dono kuchh pal aise hi rahe maa aur beta ek doosre mein ghule hue jaise duniya ruk gayi ho.
Phir Nandani ne dheere se use dhakka diya. “Ab jao… jaldi fresh ho jao. Baaki sab wait kar rahe honge… Payal, Aditya…sab”
Nandani wahi khadi rahi, use jaate hue dekhti rahi. Honthon par halki, pyaar bhari muskurahat the. Uski peeth par ab bhi woh shabd mehsoos ho rahe the ~mera sukoon.
***
Vaani ne apna matka ko dono haathon mein mazbooti se pakda aur Shravas ki taraf ek baar fir dekha. Yeh aadmi... ajeeb zaroor tha par usne uski jaan bachayi thi. Aur ab woh uske saath chal raha tha.
"Bas thoda aur," Vaani ne kaha.
Uske kadam tez ho gaye the. Vidut... woh chinta kar raha hoga. Woh hamesha chinta karta tha jab Vaani der se aati thi.
Shravas chup chaap uske peeche chal raha tha. Uski aankhen charon taraf ghoom rahi thi.
"Woh... wahan," Vaani ne aage ek badi chattan ki taraf ishara kiya. "Us chattan ke peeche."
Dono us chattan ki taraf badhne lage. Raasta thoda pathrila tha aur Vaani ko sambhalna mushkil ho raha ths. Par usne koi shikaayat nahi ki.
Jaise hi woh chattan ke paas pahunche, Vaani ne apni awaaz buland karke awaaz lagaye, "Vidut! Main aa gayi!"
Kuch pal ki khamoshi rhe. Fir... zameen ke neeche se ek awaaz aayi.
"Vaani? Tum theek ho? Surakshit wapas aa gayi?"
Vaani ke chehre par raahat ki lehren daud gayi. "Haan Vidut! Main bilkul theek hoon."
"Achha hai," Vidut ki awaaz mein tasalli thi. "Main chinta kar raha tha. Tum aaj der se aayi."
"Haan woh thodi mushkil aayi thi par ab sab theek hai," Vaani ne matka neeche rkhte hue jawab diya.
Vidut kuch pal chup raha. Fir achanak uski awaaz fir se aayi, par ab usme kuch shaq tha.
"Vaani... tumhare saath kisi aur ke kadam ki awaaz aa rahi hai. Koi... aur hai tumhare saath?"
Vaani ne Shravas ki taraf dekha. Shravas ne halka sa muskurate hue sir hilaya.
"Haan Vidut," Vaani ne jawab diya. "Ek aadmi hai mere saath. Usne meri madad ki. Agar woh nahi hota toh... toh shayad main..."
Uski awaaz kamp gayi.
Zameen ke neeche se halchal ki awaaz aayi. Jaise koi bhari cheez ko khiska raha ho.
Achanak chattan ke bagal wali zameen ka ek hissa khisak gaya. Ek chhota sa darwaza khul gaya, jisko pattharon aur mitti se dhaka hua tha itni chalaki se ke koi bhi asaani se nahi dekh sakta tha.
Aur us darwaze se... Vidut bahar aaya.
Uska chehra garda se bhara hua tha aur baal bikhra hue the. Uske haathon mein ek lambi lakdi thi, jisko usne bhale ki tarah pakda hua tha. Uski aankhen pehle Vaani par padi usme raahat aaye. Fir uski nazar Shravas par gayi.
Vidut wahi ruk gaya.
Uski aankhen badi ho gayi. Usne Shravas ko upar se neeche tak dekha. Woh ajeeb se kapde... woh chehra... kuch... jaani pehchane lag rahe the.
"Tum..." Vidut ne kaha par uski awaaz beech mein hi ruk gayi.
Shravas ne muskurate hue Vidut ki taraf dekha. Fir usne dheere se kaha, "Bahut din ho gaye Vidut. Kaafi badal gaye ho tum."
Jaise hi Shravas ki awaaz Vidut ke kaanon mein padi, uska poora sharir jakad gaya. Yeh awaaz woh kabhi nahi bhool sakta tha.
Uske haath se woh lakdi neeche gir gayi. Uske ghutne kaanpne lage.
"M-Mahamantri Shravas?!?" Vidut ki awaaz mein vishwas aur hairaani dono thi.
Aur fir Vidut dono ghutno par neeche baith gaya.
"M-Mahamantri... aap... aap zinda hai..."
Vaani yeh sab dekh kar puri tarah se chaunk gayi. Uski aankhen badi ho gayi aur usne Vidut ko fir Shravas ko dekha.
"V-Vidut?" Vaani ne hichkichate hue kaha. "Tum... inhe jaante ho?"
Vidut ne apna sir upar kiya par nazar neechi hi rakhi. "J-jaanta hoon Rajkumari? Main... yeh... yeh Mahamantri Shravas hai. Woh jo... Maharaj ke... aapke pita Maharaj ke sabse karebi saathi the. Unke seedhe sevak. Woh jo..."
Vidut ki awaaz fir se kamp gayi. "Woh jo Maharaj ke har faislon mein saath dete the. Woh jinke bina Maharaj koi bhi bada faisla nahi lete the."
Vaani ka muh khula ka khula reh gaya. Yeh... yeh aadmi? Yeh aadmi jo uske pita ke itne kareeb tha? Par... yeh yahan kaise?
Shravas aage badha aur Vidut ke kandhe par haath rakha.
"Uth jao Vidut," Shravas ne dheere se kaha. "Ab yeh sab rasmein... in sab ka waqt khatam ho gaya hai. Sab kuch badal gaya hai."
Vidut dheere se khada hua par uski nazar abhi bhi neechi thi.
Vaani ne Shravas ki taraf dekha. Uski aankhen bhar aayi. "Toh.. tum sach mein... mere pita ko jaante the?"
Shravas ne Vaani ki taraf dekha. Uski aankhen ab gambhir thi. Usne dheere se apna haath aage badhaya aur Vaani ke sar par rakha. Ek pita ki tarah.
"Haan Rajkumari," Shravas ne kaha. "Main tumhare pita Maharaj ke sabse kareeb tha. Aur... main tumhe bhi bachpan se jaanta hoon. Tum bahut chhoti thi jab main Thanasala se... jab main wahan se chala gaya tha."
Vaani ki aankhen se aansu tapakne lage. "Pitaji... ab nahi rahe..."
"Shhh," Shravas ne uske sar ko halke se sehlaya. "Main jaanta hoon aur maine Thanasala par hamle ke baare mein bhi suna hai. Par ab rona band karo. Sab kuch khatam nahi hua hai."
Vaani ne aankhon se aansu ponchte hue uski taraf dekha. "Kya... kya matlab?"
Shravas "Matlab yeh ke agar tum zinda ho... agar Vidut zinda hai... toh shayad aur bhi log zinde honge. Thanasala ka khoon abhi bhi beh raha hai. Bas use fir se jama karna hai."
Vaani ne halke se sir hilaya. Uske dil mein ek chhoti si umeed ki kiran jaagi.
Vidut ab bhi chup khada tha. Uski aankhen Shravas par tiki hui thi. Par achanak uski nazar Shravas ke peeche gayi. Wahan us toote hue kaankal par jo Ajay tha.
Vidut ki aankhen aur bhi badi ho gayi. "M-Mahamantri... yeh kaankal jo aapke saath hai... yeh..."
Shravas ne peeche mudkar dekha jahan Ajay abhi bhi deewar se bandha hua tha. Woh dhoop mein chamak raha tha.
"Aah," Shravas ne ek ajeeb si muskaan ke saath kaha. "Woh toh ek... Lambi kahani hai. Filhal usko chhodho."
"Par aap iske saath kya karne wale hai?" Vidut ne poocha. Uski awaaz mein darr aur jigyasa dono thi.
Shravas ki muskaan aur chaudi ho gayi. Usne Vidut ki taraf dekha, fir Vaani ki taraf, fir us bunker ki taraf jahan se Vidut nikla tha.
"Tumhara chupne ke jagah," Shravas ne kaha, uski awaaz mein ek ajeeb sa josh tha. "Mujhe dikhao. Main chahta hoon dekhna ke tum dono kahan reh rahe ho."
Vidut ne ek pal Shravas ko dekha. Fir usne sir jhukaya. "J-ji Mahamantri. Aayiye... Iss taraf."
Vidut aage badha aur us zameen ke darwaze ki taraf gaya. Usne ek patthar ko khiskaya aur neeche ek seedhi dikhai.
"Yahan neeche hai," Vidut ne kaha. "Bahut surakshit hai. Kisi ko pata nahi chalega."
Shravas ne neeche ki taraf jhanka. Andhera tha par neeche kuch roshni dikh rahi thi.
"Hmm," Shravas ne kaha. "Chalaki se banaya hai. Tumne yeh sab kab kiya?"
"Jab... hum yahaan aaye the," Vidut ne jawab diya. "Mujhe laga ke hume ek surakshit jagah chahiye. Toh maine yeh bunker khoda. Kaafi mehnat lagi par kuch din bhul bhulaiya mein rhene se jayda ab hum surakshit hai yahan."
Shravas ne Vidut ke kandhe par haath mara. "Tumne sahi kiya. Rajkumari ki suraksha sabse zaroori hai."
Vidut ne sir jhukaya.
Vaani aage aayi. "Shravas.. tum iss kaankal ke saath kya karoge? Aapne abhi bata nahi rahe aur yeh tumhara paltu nhi hai jooth mat bolo ab tum hum par vishwas kar skte ho."
Shravas ne Vaani ki taraf dekha. "Rajkumari... tumhe pata hai kya hai sabse zaroori cheez iss waqt?"
Vaani ne na mein sir hilaya.
"Taaqat," Shravas ne kaha. "Humein taaqat chahiye. Aise taaqat jo humare dushmanon ko harane ke liye kaafi ho. Thansala sabse jayda rakshashon se bhare rhene ke liye mashoor hai vaise bhi. Aur yeh kaankal..." Usne Ajay ki taraf ishara kiya, "Yeh hamari taaqat ka hissa banega."
Vidut ne ek pal Shravas ko dekha. Uske dimaag mein bahut saare sawaal the par woh kuch bol nahi paya.
"Chalo," Shravas bola "Pehle andar chalte hai. Mujhe dekhna hai tumhara bunker. Aur fir... main tumhe dikhaunga ke main iss kaankal ke saath kya karne wala hoon."
Vaani aur Vidut ne ek dusre ki taraf dekha. Dono ke chehron par fikar thi.
"Theek hai," Vaani bole.
Vidut pehle neeche utara. Fir Vaani, uske haath mein matka tha. Aur aakhir mein Shravas.
Bunker andar se chhota tha par khoob saja hua tha. Ek kone mein kuch bartan aur auzaar the. Dusre kone mein bistar. Beech mein se seediyan dusre taraf jaa kayi kamron ke beech mein se jaa rhe thein.
"Hmm," Shravas ne charon taraf dekha. "Bahut achhi jagah hai. Surakshit. Chhupa hua. Aur yahaan tak pahunchna mushkil hai."
"Ji "Maine pura dhyan rakha hai."
Shravas ek patthar par baith gaya. Usne apne kapdon se dhool jhadi.
"Toh batao," Shravas ne pucha
"Kya yojna hai tumhare? Yahan kitne din aur rahoge yahan?"
Vaani aur Vidut ne ek dusre ki taraf dekha. Vaani pehle bole, "Hum.. nahi jaante. Bas.. yahaan surakshit rehna tha. Aur... sochna tha ke aage kya karna hai."
Shravas ne gehri saans li. "Toh suno meri baat. Agar tum yahan aise hi rehte rahe... toh kuch nahi hoga. Thanasala ko wapas nahi laa paoge. Apne logon ko nahi bacha paoge."
"Par.. hum kar kya sakte hai?" Vaani ke awaaz mein bebasi thi. "Hum sirf do log hai. Aur pure raigistan mein alag alag prakar ke rakshas bhare hue hai."
"Abhi toh do log ho," Shravas ne muskurate hue kaha. "Par jald hi... hum zyada honge."
"Zyada? Kaise?" Vidut ne poocha.
Shravas khada hua aur ek chain se pakadar Ajay ko neeche patak diya.
***
Karan kutiya se bahar nikla ab usse lag rha tha ke uska sharir kuch aaram karne ke baad pehle jaise haal mein vapas aaya hai. Shaam ka andhera ghirne laga tha aur aasman mein sitare ek ek karke chamakne lage the. Thandi hawa chal rahi thi jo uske chehre ko chhoo rahi thi.
Aag ke paas sab log baithe hue the. Harish, Aditya, Prachi, aur kuch aur log jo Vanrajya ke bache hue sipahi the. Unke chehron par thakan thi par aankhen mein abhi bhi josh tha. Woh log jo apne rajya ke liye sab kuch daav par laga chuke the.
Payal bhi aag ke paas aayi. Usne Karan ko dekha aur halka sa muskurai. "Karan... ab kaisa lag raha hai? Ghar aa kar aur aaram kar kar?"
Karan ne Payal ki taraf dekha aur muskuraya. "Achha lag raha hai Di. Bahut achha. Par... abhi kaam khatam nahi hua. Abhi toh shuruat hi hai."
"Haan," Payal bole. "Main jaanti hoon."
Karan aage badha aur aag ke paas baith gaya. Sab log uski taraf dekhne lage. Unke chehron par ummeed thi. Ummeed ke ab unka rajkumar wapas aa gaya hai... ab sab kuch theek ho jayega.
"Suno sab," Karan ne bulandi se kaha "Mujhe... mujhe puri sthiti jaanni hai. Kya chal raha hai yahaan? Dushman kahaan hai? Aur... humare paas kitne log hai?"
Aditya aage badhkar bola, "Rajkumar... unki sena woh Kaankaalon ki sena. Woh log zinda nahi hai par... aur... woh bahut zyada hai. Karib hazaar ya usse bhi zyada."
Karan ka chehra jakad gaya. Hazaar? Itne zyada?
Harish ne sir hilaya.
Par usne haar nahi maani. Usne Vrishank aur Kalindi ki taraf dekha jo thoda door khade the. "Par ab humare paas makdi sipahi hai. Pachaas makdi sipahi jo bahut taqatwar hai."
Sabki aankhen chamak uthi. Haan... ab unke paas ek sena aur thi. Chhoti zaroor thi par taqatwar thi.
"Par Rajkumar," Harish ne fikar se kaha. "Agar hum yahaan baithe rahe... agar hum sirf intezaar karte rahe ke dushman humpar hamla kare... toh hum haar jayenge. Ravisha bahut chalak hai."
Karan ne sir hilaya. "Aap sahi keh rahe ho kaka. Hum intezaar nahi kar sakte. Humein pehle hamla karna hoga."
"Par kaise?" Aditya ne poocha. "Mahal tak pahunchna bhi mushkil hai. Aur... wahan hazaaron dushman hai."
Karan ne ek pal socha. Uske dimaag mein bahut saare vichaar aa rahe the. Kaise woh mahal tak pahunch sakte hai? Kaise woh Ravisha tak pahunch sakte hai?
Karan ne Harish ki taraf dekha. "Humare log...ho yahan pe iktha nhi hai jo bache hue log hai... woh kahaan hai?"
"Zyada tar yahan hai," Harish ne jawab diya. "Yaha camp mein humein unhe yahan surakshit jagah par chhupa diya hai.. par kuch log abhi bhi bahar hai. Gaon mein. Jungle mein. Woh... woh chhup rahe hai par hum nahi jaante kab tak woh surakshit rahenge."
Karan ne gehri saans li. "Toh hume unhe bhi yahaan lana hoga. Surakshit jagah par. Par... par bas unhe lana hi kafi nahi hai."
"Toh?" Payal ne poocha.
Karan ne aag ki taraf dekha. Lauon ko dekhte hue bola, "Humein ek yojna chahiye. Ek aisi yojna jisse hum mahal tak pahunch sake. Aur agar hum mahal mein ghus gaye... toh wahan hume ek upri haath chahiye. Kuch aisa jo humare paksh mein ho."
Harish ki aankhen badi ho gayi. Usne Karan ki taraf dekha. "Rajkumar... main... mujhe ek baat yaad aa rahi hai."
"Kya?" Karan ne poocha.
Harish thoda aage aaya aur dheere se bola jaise koi raaz bata raha ho, "Jab... maine mahal banaya tha bahut saal pehle... maine kuch gupth raaste bhi banaye the. Aur... maine ek bada hall bhi banaya tha mahal ke neeche. Bahut bada. Usme karib sau log chhup sakte the agar zaroorat padi."
Karan ki aankhen chamak uthi. "Gupth raaste? Aur ek bada hall?"
"Haan," Harish ne kaha. "Woh raaste bahut purane hai aur unmein se koi bhi seedha mahal ke andar jaata hai. Aur woh hall... woh itna bada hai ke agar hum apne sipahiyon ko wahan chhupa de... toh jab zaroorat pade, woh achanak mahal ke andar aa sakte hai. Dushman ko pata bhi nahi chalega."
Karan ke chehre par muskaan aa gayi. "Agar hum apne makdi sipahiyon ko us hall mein chhupa de... aur jab sahi waqt aaye woh mehel ke deewaron ko kamzor jagahon se tod dein, toh humare baaki saathi andar jaa skte hai... aur hum dushman ko achanak se harane ki koshish kar sakte hai."
"Haan," Harish ne josh ke saath bola. "Par... ek samasya hai."
"Kya?"
"Woh raaste... woh bahut door se shuru hote hai. Jungle ke dusre hisse se. Aur wahan tak pahunchne ke liye... humein dushman ke sipahiyon ke beech se guzarna padega.... woh charon taraf apne sipahiyon ko khada kiye hue hai. Bahut chukne hai."
Karan ne sir hilaya. Haan... yeh mushkil zaroor tha par namumkin nahi.
Tabhi Prachi aage aayi. Uske haathon mein kuch gilas the jisme paani tha. "Yeh... yeh lo sab. Paani pi lo. Bahut der se baat kar rahe ho."
Karan ne Prachi ki taraf dekha. Uski aankhen Prachi ke chehre par tiki. Woh abhi bhi utni hi khubsurat lag rahi thi jitni pehle lagti thi. Uske baal khule the.
Prachi ne sabko paani diya. Jab woh Karan ke paas aayi, toh usne gilas aage badhaya. "Yeh lo Ka... Karan."
Jaise hi yeh naam uske muh se nikla, Prachi ki aankhen badi ho gayi. Usne foran apna muh dhaka. "M-mera matlab... Rajkumar! Rajkumar Karan! Maaf kijiye main.. bhool gayi thi."
Karan ke galon par halki lali aa gayi. Usne paani ka gilas liya aur muskuraya. "Koi baat nahi Prachi. Tum.. mujhe Karan bhi bula sakti ho."
Prachi ne neeche dekha. Uske gaal bhi laal ho gaye the. "N-nahi... aap rajkumar hai. Mujhe aapko aisa nahi bulana chahiye."
Prachi ne upar dekha aur Karan ki aankhon mein dekha. Dono ki nazrein ek pal ke liye mile.
Payal yeh sab dekh rahi thi. Uski aankhen sankri ho gayi. Karan aur Prachi... kya... yeh dono? Usne dhyan se dekha. Karan ke chehre par woh muskaan... aur Prachi ka sharma jana... yeh sab...
Par usne kuch nahi kaha. Bas chupchap dekhti rahi.
Karan ne paani pi liya aur gilas wapas Prachi ko de diya. "Shukriya."
Prachi ne sir jhukaya aur peeche hat gayi.
Karan ne apna dhyan wapas plan par lagaya. Usne Harish ki taraf dekha. "Toh Harish kaka... hume us gupth raaste tak pahunchna hoga. Aur... hume yeh kaam bina kisi shor ke karna hoga. Agar dushman ko pata chal gaya... toh sab khatam."
"Bilkul sahi,"
"Toh yeh tay rahega," Karan ne sabki taraf dekha. "Pehle... main aur Aditya kal subah niklenge. Hum dono akele jayenge. Hum jaake dekhenge ke dushman ke sipahi kahaan kahaan khade hai. Aur us gupth raaste ka darwaza kahaan hai. Harish kaka humein nirdesh de denge wahan tak pahuche ka. Ko bache kuche log hai isliye hum ganv walon ka bhesh lekar andar ja skte hai. Agar hume woh mil gaya... toh hum wapas aayenge aur sabko bata denge."
Aditya ne josh se sir hilaya. "Haan Rajkumar! Main... aapke saath chalne ke liye tayaar hoon!"
"Aur Harish kaka... Aap yahaan rukoge. Aapko yahaan ki suraksha dekhni hogi. Agar.. koi dushman yahaan aa gaya toh tumhe sabko bachana hoga."
Harish ne apna haath apne seene par rakha. "Ji Rajkumar. Main apni jaan dekar bhi sabki raksha karunga."
"Aur Vrishank, Kalindi," Karan ne un dono ki taraf dekha. "Tum dono bhi yahaan rahoge. Makdi sipahiyon ke saath. Agar koi hamla hua... toh tum dono unhe sambhaloge."
Vrishank aur Kalindi ne sir jhukaya. "Jaise aap kahe Kaalraaj."
Payal ne aage badhkar kaha, "Par Karan... agar tum aur Aditya akele gaye aur agar tumhe koi khatra aa gaya toh? Agar dushman ne tumhe dekh liya toh?"
Karan ne Payal ka haath pakda. "Di... mujhe jaana hoga. Agar main nahi gaya... toh koi aur nahi ja sakta. Main yahaan ka rajkumar hoon. Aur yeh meri zimmedari hai."
Payal ki aankhon mein aansu aa gaye par usne unhe rok liya. "Theek hai. Par khayal rakhna apna. Agar tumhe kuch ho gaya... toh main..."
"Kuch nahi hoga Di," Karan ne uska haath dabaya. "Main waada karta hoon. Main wapas aaunga."
Sab chup ho gaye. Aag ki carcrahat aur ab raat ke jungle ki awaazein hi sunayi de rahi thi.
***
Sab log apne apne kaam mein lag gaye. Kuch log aag ke paas baith kar baatein kar rahe the, kuch apne bistar taiyaar kar rahe the. Shaam hone wale thi aur thandi hawa tez ho gayi thi.
Karan khada hua aur kutiya ki taraf jaane laga. Uska iraada tha ke woh andar jaake thoda aaram karega. Kal subah jaldi nikalna tha aur use neend ki sakht zaroorat thi.
Par tabhi Lakshaya uske paas aaya.
"Rajkumar," Lakshaya ne dheere se kaha
"Haan Lakshaya?" Karan ne poocha. "Kya baat hai?"
"Rajkumari Payal ne... unhone aapko bulaya hai. Woh... keh rhe the ke unhe aapse kuch baat karni hai. Akele mein."
Karan ki bhawe chaudi ho gayi. Di usse akele mein milna chahti thi? Par kyun? Agar kuch jung ya yojna ke baare mein baat karni thi toh woh sabke saamne kar sakti thi. Fir akele mein kyun?
Karan ne jawab diya. "Woh kahaan hai?"
"Woh us bade ped ke peeche baithi hai," Lakshaya ne door ek taraf ishara kiya jahan jungle ke kinare par ek vishaal ped khada hua tha. "Wahan."
Karan ne sir hilaya. "Achha. Main jata hoon."
Lakshaya chala gaya aur Karan us ped ki taraf badhne laga. Uske dimaag mein bahut saare sawaal the. Payal Di kyun use akele mein milna chahti thi? Kya kuch gadbad thi? Ya kuch aur?
Jaise jaise woh ped ke paas pahuncha, usne Payal ko dekha. Woh ped ki jad ke paas baithi hui thi, uski peeth ped se tiki hui thi. Uske haathon mein ek chhoti si lakdi ki chhadi thi jisse woh zameen par kuch bana rahi thi. Chand ki roshni uske chehre par pad rahi thi, jiski wajah se uska chehra aur bhi khubsurat lag raha tha.
"Di?" Karan ne dheere se awaz di.
Payal ne upar dekha aur muskurai. Par yeh muskaan... yeh woh khush wali muskaan nahi thi. Ismein kuch aur tha. Thoda sa gussa? Ya shayad udaasi?
"Aa gaye tum," Payal ne uski taraf dekha. "Baitho idhar." Usne apne bagal mein zameen par ishara kiya.
Karan aage badha aur Payal ke bagal mein baith gaya. Thodi door par... itni door ke dono ke beech kafi jagah thi par itni paas bhi ke woh aaram se baat kar sakte the.
"Kya baat hai Di? Aapne mujhe bulaya?"
Payal kuch pal chup rahi. Woh bas us lakdi ki chhadi se zameen par kuch banati rahi. Fir.. usne apna sir upar kiya aur seedha Karan ki aankhon mein dekha.
"Karan," Payal bole, uski awaaz mein gambhirta thi. "Main tumse ek sawaal poochhna chahti hoon."
"Ji Di?" Karan ne thodi ghabrahat se kaha
"Kya tum... kya tum mujhe apni badi behen maante ho?"
Karan ke chehre par hairaani aa gayi. Yeh.. kaisa sawaal tha? "Di.... aap yeh kya pooch rahi hai? Aap.. toh meri badi behen hai. Main.. aapko hamesha se apni Di maanta aaya hoon jabse yahan aaya hoon."
"Sach mein?" Payal ke apne bahue upar karke pucha. Uski awaaz mein shaq tha.
"Haan!" Karan ne foran kaha. "Bilkul sach. Hamesha se sach."
Payal ne gehri saans li. "Toh fir tum mujhse kuch batate kyun nhi ho? Kyun tum sab faisale akele le lete ho?"
Karan ki saans ruk gayi. Oh... toh baat yeh thi. Bach gaya woh kya kya soch baitha tha.
"Di main... bas—" Karan ne kuch kehne ki koshish ki par Payal ne beech mein hi kaata diya
"Jab tum us mahal mein akele gaye the," Payal ke awaaz ab thodi tez ho gayi thi. "Jab tum bina kisi ko bataye akele us khatre mein ghus gaye the. Tab tumne ek baar bhi nahi socha ke agar tumhe kuch ho gaya toh? Aur Agar woh Mesaka ne tumhe-?" Payal whin chup ho gye.
Karan ne neeche dekha. Haan... yeh sach tha. Woh bahut bade khatre mein gaya tha. Aur... aur usne kisi ko nahi bataya tha.
"Tumhe pata hai main kitna dar gayi thi?" Ab uski aankhen mein aansu chamak rahe the. "Jab mujhe pata chala ke tum wahaan gaye ho... main saans bhi nahi le pa rahi thi. Mujhe laga ke... ke main tumhe kho dungi. Jaise... Meine Pitaji ko kho diya tha. Jaise humne apne logon ko kho diya hai ab."
Karan ka dil dukh gaya. Usne Payal ki taraf dekha aur uski aankhon mein woh dard dekha. Woh dard jo ek behen mehsoos karti hai jab uska bhai khatre mein hota hai.
"Di... main... mujhe maaf kar do," Karan ne dheere se kaha. "Main.. bas... mujhe laga ke agar main nahi gaya toh aur koi nahi ja sakta. Aur.. woh kaam zaroori tha. Humare logon ko bachana zaroori tha."
"Haan zaroori tha. Par tumhe akele jaane ki zaroorat nahi thi. Tum... mujhe bata sakte the. Ya Harish kaka ko. Ya kisi aur ko. Hum... saath mein koi raasta nikaal sakte the."
Karan ne sir hilaya. "Aap sahi keh rahi hai Di. maine galti ki.... aur main waada karta hoon ke agli baar... baar main koi bhi faisla lene se pehle aapse zaroor baat karunga."
Payal ne Karan ki taraf dekha. Kuch pal tak woh bas use dekhti rahi. Fir.. woh halka sa muskuraye. "Achha. Bas...dubara ab aisa mat karna. Main... tumhe kho nahi sakti Karan."
Dono ek pal chup rahe.
Tabhi Payal ne apni us lakdi ki chhadi ko door fenk diya. Woh zameen par gir gayi.
Karan ki nazar us chhadi par gayi. Usne dhyan se dekha. Zameen par... ek chhoti si tasveer bani hui thi. Ek gilhari ke. Bahut hi pyaari si. Choti choti details ke saath.
"Di," Karan ne hairaani se kaha. "Yeh.. aapne banaya?"
Payal ne neeche dekha, uske galon par halki lali aa gayi. "Haan... bas aise hi. Kuch khaas nahi hai hai"
"Nahi," Karan ne uspe haath fera. "Yeh... bahut achha hai. Aap... bahut achha chitr karti hain."
Payal sharmaye. "Dhanyavad... mujhe bachpan se chitrkala pasand hai."
"Sach mein?" Karan ke awaaz mein jigyasa thi. "Mujhe nahi pata tha."
Payal muskurai. "Haan. Mujhe kalaa bahut pasand hai. Chirtkala, baageche, yudkalaa... yeh sab. Isliye... maine mahal mein woh baagecha khud se sambhala hua tha. Tumhe yaad hai?"
Karan ne sir hilaya. "Haan.. yaad hai. Woh bahut khubsurat tha. Hamesha... itne saare rang bhare hote the usmein."
Karan ne woh fenki hui lakdi uthayi. Usne use apne haath mein ghumaya.
"Waise," Karan ke chere pe ek shararti muskaan aa gye. "Main bhi bachpan mein thoda bahut chitr karta tha."
Payal ki bhahue chaudi ho gayi. "Sach mein? Tum? Yeh toh kuch naya suna meine."
"Jab main... jab main Vanrajya se door tha... tab maine bahut kuch seekha. Aur... Chirtkala bhi seekhi. Sach bataun toh main... main theek thaak chitrbaaz ban gaya tha."
Payal hasne lage, "Tum? Aur chirtkala mein nipun. Mujhe... mujhe vishwas nahi ho raha." Woh apne gadi nhi rok paa rhe the.
"Kyun nahi ho raha?" Karan ne natak se chubne ka dikhawa kiya. "Main sach bol raha hoon Di."
"Achha?" Payal ne apne bahue jode hue kaha. "Toh dikhao fir jab maanu."
"Dikhau?" Karan vishmay mein chala gaya.
"Agar tum sach mein itne achhe chirtkala jaante ho... toh kuch bana karke dikhao."
Karan muskuraya. "Theek hai. Par... par kya banau?"
Payal ne sochte hue kaha, "Tumhe jo banana ho. Jo tumhe pasand ho."
Karan ne ek pal socha. Fir usne woh lakdi ki chhadi se Payal ki taraf ishara kiya.
"Main... main aapka chitr banaunga."
Payal ki aankhen badi ho gayi. Uske gaal achanak se laal ho gaye. "Kya?! M-mujhe?!"
"Haan," Karan ne muskurate hue kaha. "Kyun? Koi dikkat hai?"
"N-nahi... matlab... par..." Payal kuch bolne ki koshish kar rahi thi par shabd nahi mil rahe the. "Par.. main... matlab... yeh..."
Karan hans pada. "Di... aap itna kyun sharma rahi hai? Main bas ek chitr hi toh bana raha hoon."
"H-haan... par yeh... yeh ajeeb hai,"
Karan: "Kuch ajeeb nahi hai. "Aap...bas waise hi baithi rahiye. Main...abhi bana deta hoon."
Payal ne halke se sir hilaya. Uska dil tez dhadak raha tha. Karan use draw karega? Yeh.. thoda ajeeb zaroor tha par... Na jaane use kyu usse achha bhi lag raha tha.
Karan zameen ki taraf jhuka aur us chhadi se zameen par chitr banane laga. Chand ki roshni kaafi thi dekhne ke liye. Usne ek baar Payal ko dekha... uske chehre ki har detail ko note kiya. Uski aankhen... uske baal... uski naak... uske honth. Dono ke aankhein jab bhi milte dono ghabra ke jaldi se use tod lete.
Aaj ke liye hi next update kal ya parson! Sorry guys kuch complications ke wajah se thode din ke liye story hold pe aa gye the. We'll hit the previous pace again. ^_^
Mr moon knight x
𝙃𝘼𝙑𝙀 𝙒𝘼𝙏𝘾𝙃𝙀𝘿 𝙀𝙈𝙋𝙄𝙍𝙀𝙎 𝙁𝘼𝙇𝙇
- 1,937
- 1,708
- 144
Mr moon knight x
𝙃𝘼𝙑𝙀 𝙒𝘼𝙏𝘾𝙃𝙀𝘿 𝙀𝙈𝙋𝙄𝙍𝙀𝙎 𝙁𝘼𝙇𝙇
- 1,937
- 1,708
- 144
Update was going fine.Chapter 35
Uncharted
Kal raat jab woh camp mein pahuncha tha, sabne use dekha tha Nandani, Payal aur sabne.
Par raat ho chuki thi isliye sabne faisla kiya ke aaram karna chahiye. Kal... subah fir se milkar aage ke yojna banaege.
Karan ne apni sharir ko stretch kiya. Ghav abhi bhi dard kar rahe the par woh pehle se behtar tha. Lag rha tha Vanrajya ki hawa... apne ghar ki hawa... usse theek kar rahi thi.
Usne shivir se bahar jhanka. Subah nikal rhe thi par abhi bhi kaafi log so rahe the. Kuch sipahi jagke pehra kar rahe the. Aag bujh chuki thi par thodi si raakh abhi bhi wahan thi.
Andar usne sir ghumaya toh dekha chattan par... koi baithi thi. Peeth uski taraf thi.
Karan ne gaur se dekha. Woh Nandani thi.
Nandani wahan baithi apne lambe, kaale, ghane baalon ko suljha rahi thi. Woh dheere-dheere ungliyon se baalon ko saaf kar rahi thi, kabhi kangan se, kabhi haathon se hi unhe sehla rahi thi.
Karan muskuraya aur bina awaaz kiye uski taraf badha.
Jab woh uske bilkul paas pahunch gaya Nandani ne apne baalon ke saath-saath apne halke hare blouse ki peeche ki patti ko theek karne ki koshish ki. Dono baal ek taraf kar liye the, par peeche ki doriyan ab bhi thodi si dheeli thi. Woh baar-baar haath peeche le ja rahi thi, par ungliyan sahi jagah nahi pahunch pa rahi thi. Blouse ki narm kapde uski naram peeth par chipki hui thi, aur har baar koshish karne mein thoda sa khisak rahi thi.
“Aahh…” Nandani ne halki si, madhur si cheekh ke awaaz nikali.
“Mom?” Karan ne bilkul dheeme se bola
Nandani chaunk kar peeche mud gayi. Uske gaal ek pal mein gulabi ho uthe. “Karan! Tum… tum kab aaye?”
“Abhi,” Karan ne halki muskurahat ke saath jawab diya, nazrein uske chehre par, phir dheere se neeche… uski peeth par. “Aapko… madad chahiye?”
Nandani ke honth thoda sa kaanp gaye, aankhen sharma ke jhuk gayi. “Haan… woh… yeh peeche wali doriyan… mujhse bandh nahi pa rahi. Kya tum…”
Karan ne sir hilaya. “Haan, batao kya karna hai.”
Nandani ne apne baal ek taraf kar diye, poori peeth uski taraf khul gayi. Halka sa blouse uski naram, gori peeth par tana hua tha. “Bas… dono doriyon ko pakad kar… achhe se, tight bandh do.”
Karan paas aaya. Usne dheere se dono doriyan pakdi unme se ek thodi si garam thi, jaise Nandani ki shareer ki garmi ab bhi us doriyon mein basi hui thi. Usne un doriyon ko dheere se kheench kar ek doosre se milaaya, phir savdhani se gaanth lagayi. Har gaanth ke saath uski ungliyan halke se Nandani ki peeth ko chhoo rahi thi.
“Ho gaya,” Karan ke awaaz mein halki si gudgudi thi.
“Shukriya beta…” Nandani ne baalon ko wapas chhod diya, woh baal uski peeth par baarish ki tarah gir gaye. Phir peeche mudkar Karan ko dekha.
“Achhe se soye tum?”
Karan uske bagal mein baith gaya, itna paas ki unke kandhe ek doosre ko chhoo rahe the. “Kaafi dinon baad… aisi chain ki neend aayi Mom.”
Nandani ne uska haath apne dono haathon mein le liya aur uske ungliyon se dheere se sehlaya. “Mujhe… bahut dar laga tha Karan. Jab tum Jalyak gaye… aur din-guzarte gaye, koi khabar nahi… main toh soch bhi nahi paati thi ke agar tumhe kuchh ho gaya toh…”
Uski aankhen nam ho uthi.
Karan ne uska haath aur kas kar pakda, apne seene ke paas le aaya. “Main bilkul theek hoon, Mom. Ab yahan hoon… aapke paas.”
Nandani ne aansu ponchhe bachpane si muskurahat uske chehre par aa gayi.
“Tumhe yaad hai,” uski aankhon mein sharaarat thi, “bachpan mein hum ek khel khela karte the?”
Karan ne muskurate hue poocha, “Kaun sa?”
“Woh… jisme main tumhari peeth par ungli se likhti thi… aur tum feel karke bataate the. Ya tum meri peeth par likhte the.”
Karan ki aankhen chamak uthi. “Haan! Jaise hum yahan pehle baar aaye tab?!?.”
Dono ko woh pal yaad aa gaya jab dono ne pehle baar kiss kiya tha.
Nandani ne uski taraf dekha, apne beete ke saath ko itne din baad akele the, uski aankhon mein pyaar aur sharaarat dono. “Toh… abhi khelen? Peeth par likhne ka wohi purana khel?”
Karan ka dil zor se dhadkane laga “Haan… kyun nahi?”
Nandani ne apni peeth uski taraf ki aur baal ek taraf kar diye. Blouse ka kapda uski peeth par bilkul chipka hua tha, har saans ke saath halka sa uth-raha tha. “Tum likho. Main feel karke bataungi.”
Karan ne apni ungli uthayi. Usne dheere se, bahut pyaar se, Nandani ki peeth par likhna shuru kiya. Har akshar ke saath uski ungli thodi der tak wahi rukti, jaise feel kar rahi ho, jaise us naram twacha ko mehsoos kar rahi ho, jaise har harf uski saans ko chhoo raha ho.
M… E… R… A…
Thoda der baad, phir…
S… U… K… O… O… N…
Nandani ne dheere se, awaaz mein halki si kaanpne ke saath pura dohraya kaha, “Mera… sukoon.”
Karan ka haath ek pal ke liye ruk gaya. Usne apni ungliyan uski peeth par hi rakhi rahi, jaise woh shabd ab bhi uske shareer mein goonj rahe hon.
Nandani ne peeche mudkar uski taraf dekha. “Karan… Tum bhi mera sukoon ho”
Karan ne kuchh nahi kaha. Bas usne apni ungliyon se ek baar phir woh shabd dheere se dohraaye. Uske haath ab thode se kaanp rahe the.
Nandani ne uska haath pakad liya, apni peeth se hatakar apne haathon mein le liya. “ toh Tum haar Gaye ab tumhe koi inaam nahi milega.”
Karan dheeme se muskuraya. “Mujhe… inaam ki zaroorat nahi Mom. Aap mere paas ho itna hi kaafi hai.”
Nandani ne aansuon ke saath muskurahat di. “Par tumhe ek kaam toh karna padega.”
“Kya?”
“Nahana,” Nandani ne kadak awaaz mein kaha “Dekho toh… teen din ka safar… dhool-mitti… tum bilkul gande ho gye ho.”
Karan ne apne aap ko dekha aur sharma gaya. Sach mein kapde dhool se bhare, chehra par mitti ki halki si parat thi.
“Aur,” Nandani khadi hui, uske itne paas ki uski saans Karan ke gaalon par lagi, “thodi der mein sab milenge. Tum… aise thodi jaaoge?”
Karan bhi khada hua. “Theek hai Mom… main jaata hoon nahane.”
Nandani ne muskurakar kaha, “Achhe se nahana. Aur naye saaf kapde pehenna. Main… tumhare liye rakh deti hoon.”
Karan ne haan mein sir hilaya.
Par jaane se pehle Nandani ne uska haath pakad liya aur uske ungliyon mein ungliyan phansa li.
“Karan,” uski awaaz ab bhar aayi thi, “main… bahut khush hoon ke tum wapas aa gaye. Bahut… bahut zyada. Aur yeh… mera sukoon… ab poora ho gaya.”
Karan ne bhi use kaskar se gale laga liya, itna kaksar ki Nandani ki saans uske seene par lagne lage. Dono kuchh pal aise hi rahe maa aur beta ek doosre mein ghule hue jaise duniya ruk gayi ho.
Phir Nandani ne dheere se use dhakka diya. “Ab jao… jaldi fresh ho jao. Baaki sab wait kar rahe honge… Payal, Aditya…sab”
Nandani wahi khadi rahi, use jaate hue dekhti rahi. Honthon par halki, pyaar bhari muskurahat the. Uski peeth par ab bhi woh shabd mehsoos ho rahe the ~mera sukoon.
***
Vaani ne apna matka ko dono haathon mein mazbooti se pakda aur Shravas ki taraf ek baar fir dekha. Yeh aadmi... ajeeb zaroor tha par usne uski jaan bachayi thi. Aur ab woh uske saath chal raha tha.
"Bas thoda aur," Vaani ne kaha.
Uske kadam tez ho gaye the. Vidut... woh chinta kar raha hoga. Woh hamesha chinta karta tha jab Vaani der se aati thi.
Shravas chup chaap uske peeche chal raha tha. Uski aankhen charon taraf ghoom rahi thi.
"Woh... wahan," Vaani ne aage ek badi chattan ki taraf ishara kiya. "Us chattan ke peeche."
Dono us chattan ki taraf badhne lage. Raasta thoda pathrila tha aur Vaani ko sambhalna mushkil ho raha ths. Par usne koi shikaayat nahi ki.
Jaise hi woh chattan ke paas pahunche, Vaani ne apni awaaz buland karke awaaz lagaye, "Vidut! Main aa gayi!"
Kuch pal ki khamoshi rhe. Fir... zameen ke neeche se ek awaaz aayi.
"Vaani? Tum theek ho? Surakshit wapas aa gayi?"
Vaani ke chehre par raahat ki lehren daud gayi. "Haan Vidut! Main bilkul theek hoon."
"Achha hai," Vidut ki awaaz mein tasalli thi. "Main chinta kar raha tha. Tum aaj der se aayi."
"Haan woh thodi mushkil aayi thi par ab sab theek hai," Vaani ne matka neeche rkhte hue jawab diya.
Vidut kuch pal chup raha. Fir achanak uski awaaz fir se aayi, par ab usme kuch shaq tha.
"Vaani... tumhare saath kisi aur ke kadam ki awaaz aa rahi hai. Koi... aur hai tumhare saath?"
Vaani ne Shravas ki taraf dekha. Shravas ne halka sa muskurate hue sir hilaya.
"Haan Vidut," Vaani ne jawab diya. "Ek aadmi hai mere saath. Usne meri madad ki. Agar woh nahi hota toh... toh shayad main..."
Uski awaaz kamp gayi.
Zameen ke neeche se halchal ki awaaz aayi. Jaise koi bhari cheez ko khiska raha ho.
Achanak chattan ke bagal wali zameen ka ek hissa khisak gaya. Ek chhota sa darwaza khul gaya, jisko pattharon aur mitti se dhaka hua tha itni chalaki se ke koi bhi asaani se nahi dekh sakta tha.
Aur us darwaze se... Vidut bahar aaya.
Uska chehra garda se bhara hua tha aur baal bikhra hue the. Uske haathon mein ek lambi lakdi thi, jisko usne bhale ki tarah pakda hua tha. Uski aankhen pehle Vaani par padi usme raahat aaye. Fir uski nazar Shravas par gayi.
Vidut wahi ruk gaya.
Uski aankhen badi ho gayi. Usne Shravas ko upar se neeche tak dekha. Woh ajeeb se kapde... woh chehra... kuch... jaani pehchane lag rahe the.
"Tum..." Vidut ne kaha par uski awaaz beech mein hi ruk gayi.
Shravas ne muskurate hue Vidut ki taraf dekha. Fir usne dheere se kaha, "Bahut din ho gaye Vidut. Kaafi badal gaye ho tum."
Jaise hi Shravas ki awaaz Vidut ke kaanon mein padi, uska poora sharir jakad gaya. Yeh awaaz woh kabhi nahi bhool sakta tha.
Uske haath se woh lakdi neeche gir gayi. Uske ghutne kaanpne lage.
"M-Mahamantri Shravas?!?" Vidut ki awaaz mein vishwas aur hairaani dono thi.
Aur fir Vidut dono ghutno par neeche baith gaya.
"M-Mahamantri... aap... aap zinda hai..."
Vaani yeh sab dekh kar puri tarah se chaunk gayi. Uski aankhen badi ho gayi aur usne Vidut ko fir Shravas ko dekha.
"V-Vidut?" Vaani ne hichkichate hue kaha. "Tum... inhe jaante ho?"
Vidut ne apna sir upar kiya par nazar neechi hi rakhi. "J-jaanta hoon Rajkumari? Main... yeh... yeh Mahamantri Shravas hai. Woh jo... Maharaj ke... aapke pita Maharaj ke sabse karebi saathi the. Unke seedhe sevak. Woh jo..."
Vidut ki awaaz fir se kamp gayi. "Woh jo Maharaj ke har faislon mein saath dete the. Woh jinke bina Maharaj koi bhi bada faisla nahi lete the."
Vaani ka muh khula ka khula reh gaya. Yeh... yeh aadmi? Yeh aadmi jo uske pita ke itne kareeb tha? Par... yeh yahan kaise?
Shravas aage badha aur Vidut ke kandhe par haath rakha.
"Uth jao Vidut," Shravas ne dheere se kaha. "Ab yeh sab rasmein... in sab ka waqt khatam ho gaya hai. Sab kuch badal gaya hai."
Vidut dheere se khada hua par uski nazar abhi bhi neechi thi.
Vaani ne Shravas ki taraf dekha. Uski aankhen bhar aayi. "Toh.. tum sach mein... mere pita ko jaante the?"
Shravas ne Vaani ki taraf dekha. Uski aankhen ab gambhir thi. Usne dheere se apna haath aage badhaya aur Vaani ke sar par rakha. Ek pita ki tarah.
"Haan Rajkumari," Shravas ne kaha. "Main tumhare pita Maharaj ke sabse kareeb tha. Aur... main tumhe bhi bachpan se jaanta hoon. Tum bahut chhoti thi jab main Thanasala se... jab main wahan se chala gaya tha."
Vaani ki aankhen se aansu tapakne lage. "Pitaji... ab nahi rahe..."
"Shhh," Shravas ne uske sar ko halke se sehlaya. "Main jaanta hoon aur maine Thanasala par hamle ke baare mein bhi suna hai. Par ab rona band karo. Sab kuch khatam nahi hua hai."
Vaani ne aankhon se aansu ponchte hue uski taraf dekha. "Kya... kya matlab?"
Shravas "Matlab yeh ke agar tum zinda ho... agar Vidut zinda hai... toh shayad aur bhi log zinde honge. Thanasala ka khoon abhi bhi beh raha hai. Bas use fir se jama karna hai."
Vaani ne halke se sir hilaya. Uske dil mein ek chhoti si umeed ki kiran jaagi.
Vidut ab bhi chup khada tha. Uski aankhen Shravas par tiki hui thi. Par achanak uski nazar Shravas ke peeche gayi. Wahan us toote hue kaankal par jo Ajay tha.
Vidut ki aankhen aur bhi badi ho gayi. "M-Mahamantri... yeh kaankal jo aapke saath hai... yeh..."
Shravas ne peeche mudkar dekha jahan Ajay abhi bhi deewar se bandha hua tha. Woh dhoop mein chamak raha tha.
"Aah," Shravas ne ek ajeeb si muskaan ke saath kaha. "Woh toh ek... Lambi kahani hai. Filhal usko chhodho."
"Par aap iske saath kya karne wale hai?" Vidut ne poocha. Uski awaaz mein darr aur jigyasa dono thi.
Shravas ki muskaan aur chaudi ho gayi. Usne Vidut ki taraf dekha, fir Vaani ki taraf, fir us bunker ki taraf jahan se Vidut nikla tha.
"Tumhara chupne ke jagah," Shravas ne kaha, uski awaaz mein ek ajeeb sa josh tha. "Mujhe dikhao. Main chahta hoon dekhna ke tum dono kahan reh rahe ho."
Vidut ne ek pal Shravas ko dekha. Fir usne sir jhukaya. "J-ji Mahamantri. Aayiye... Iss taraf."
Vidut aage badha aur us zameen ke darwaze ki taraf gaya. Usne ek patthar ko khiskaya aur neeche ek seedhi dikhai.
"Yahan neeche hai," Vidut ne kaha. "Bahut surakshit hai. Kisi ko pata nahi chalega."
Shravas ne neeche ki taraf jhanka. Andhera tha par neeche kuch roshni dikh rahi thi.
"Hmm," Shravas ne kaha. "Chalaki se banaya hai. Tumne yeh sab kab kiya?"
"Jab... hum yahaan aaye the," Vidut ne jawab diya. "Mujhe laga ke hume ek surakshit jagah chahiye. Toh maine yeh bunker khoda. Kaafi mehnat lagi par kuch din bhul bhulaiya mein rhene se jayda ab hum surakshit hai yahan."
Shravas ne Vidut ke kandhe par haath mara. "Tumne sahi kiya. Rajkumari ki suraksha sabse zaroori hai."
Vidut ne sir jhukaya.
Vaani aage aayi. "Shravas.. tum iss kaankal ke saath kya karoge? Aapne abhi bata nahi rahe aur yeh tumhara paltu nhi hai jooth mat bolo ab tum hum par vishwas kar skte ho."
Shravas ne Vaani ki taraf dekha. "Rajkumari... tumhe pata hai kya hai sabse zaroori cheez iss waqt?"
Vaani ne na mein sir hilaya.
"Taaqat," Shravas ne kaha. "Humein taaqat chahiye. Aise taaqat jo humare dushmanon ko harane ke liye kaafi ho. Thansala sabse jayda rakshashon se bhare rhene ke liye mashoor hai vaise bhi. Aur yeh kaankal..." Usne Ajay ki taraf ishara kiya, "Yeh hamari taaqat ka hissa banega."
Vidut ne ek pal Shravas ko dekha. Uske dimaag mein bahut saare sawaal the par woh kuch bol nahi paya.
"Chalo," Shravas bola "Pehle andar chalte hai. Mujhe dekhna hai tumhara bunker. Aur fir... main tumhe dikhaunga ke main iss kaankal ke saath kya karne wala hoon."
Vaani aur Vidut ne ek dusre ki taraf dekha. Dono ke chehron par fikar thi.
"Theek hai," Vaani bole.
Vidut pehle neeche utara. Fir Vaani, uske haath mein matka tha. Aur aakhir mein Shravas.
Bunker andar se chhota tha par khoob saja hua tha. Ek kone mein kuch bartan aur auzaar the. Dusre kone mein bistar. Beech mein se seediyan dusre taraf jaa kayi kamron ke beech mein se jaa rhe thein.
"Hmm," Shravas ne charon taraf dekha. "Bahut achhi jagah hai. Surakshit. Chhupa hua. Aur yahaan tak pahunchna mushkil hai."
"Ji "Maine pura dhyan rakha hai."
Shravas ek patthar par baith gaya. Usne apne kapdon se dhool jhadi.
"Toh batao," Shravas ne pucha
"Kya yojna hai tumhare? Yahan kitne din aur rahoge yahan?"
Vaani aur Vidut ne ek dusre ki taraf dekha. Vaani pehle bole, "Hum.. nahi jaante. Bas.. yahaan surakshit rehna tha. Aur... sochna tha ke aage kya karna hai."
Shravas ne gehri saans li. "Toh suno meri baat. Agar tum yahan aise hi rehte rahe... toh kuch nahi hoga. Thanasala ko wapas nahi laa paoge. Apne logon ko nahi bacha paoge."
"Par.. hum kar kya sakte hai?" Vaani ke awaaz mein bebasi thi. "Hum sirf do log hai. Aur pure raigistan mein alag alag prakar ke rakshas bhare hue hai."
"Abhi toh do log ho," Shravas ne muskurate hue kaha. "Par jald hi... hum zyada honge."
"Zyada? Kaise?" Vidut ne poocha.
Shravas khada hua aur ek chain se pakadar Ajay ko neeche patak diya.
***
Karan kutiya se bahar nikla ab usse lag rha tha ke uska sharir kuch aaram karne ke baad pehle jaise haal mein vapas aaya hai. Shaam ka andhera ghirne laga tha aur aasman mein sitare ek ek karke chamakne lage the. Thandi hawa chal rahi thi jo uske chehre ko chhoo rahi thi.
Aag ke paas sab log baithe hue the. Harish, Aditya, Prachi, aur kuch aur log jo Vanrajya ke bache hue sipahi the. Unke chehron par thakan thi par aankhen mein abhi bhi josh tha. Woh log jo apne rajya ke liye sab kuch daav par laga chuke the.
Payal bhi aag ke paas aayi. Usne Karan ko dekha aur halka sa muskurai. "Karan... ab kaisa lag raha hai? Ghar aa kar aur aaram kar kar?"
Karan ne Payal ki taraf dekha aur muskuraya. "Achha lag raha hai Di. Bahut achha. Par... abhi kaam khatam nahi hua. Abhi toh shuruat hi hai."
"Haan," Payal bole. "Main jaanti hoon."
Karan aage badha aur aag ke paas baith gaya. Sab log uski taraf dekhne lage. Unke chehron par ummeed thi. Ummeed ke ab unka rajkumar wapas aa gaya hai... ab sab kuch theek ho jayega.
"Suno sab," Karan ne bulandi se kaha "Mujhe... mujhe puri sthiti jaanni hai. Kya chal raha hai yahaan? Dushman kahaan hai? Aur... humare paas kitne log hai?"
Aditya aage badhkar bola, "Rajkumar... unki sena woh Kaankaalon ki sena. Woh log zinda nahi hai par... aur... woh bahut zyada hai. Karib hazaar ya usse bhi zyada."
Karan ka chehra jakad gaya. Hazaar? Itne zyada?
Harish ne sir hilaya.
Par usne haar nahi maani. Usne Vrishank aur Kalindi ki taraf dekha jo thoda door khade the. "Par ab humare paas makdi sipahi hai. Pachaas makdi sipahi jo bahut taqatwar hai."
Sabki aankhen chamak uthi. Haan... ab unke paas ek sena aur thi. Chhoti zaroor thi par taqatwar thi.
"Par Rajkumar," Harish ne fikar se kaha. "Agar hum yahaan baithe rahe... agar hum sirf intezaar karte rahe ke dushman humpar hamla kare... toh hum haar jayenge. Ravisha bahut chalak hai."
Karan ne sir hilaya. "Aap sahi keh rahe ho kaka. Hum intezaar nahi kar sakte. Humein pehle hamla karna hoga."
"Par kaise?" Aditya ne poocha. "Mahal tak pahunchna bhi mushkil hai. Aur... wahan hazaaron dushman hai."
Karan ne ek pal socha. Uske dimaag mein bahut saare vichaar aa rahe the. Kaise woh mahal tak pahunch sakte hai? Kaise woh Ravisha tak pahunch sakte hai?
Karan ne Harish ki taraf dekha. "Humare log...ho yahan pe iktha nhi hai jo bache hue log hai... woh kahaan hai?"
"Zyada tar yahan hai," Harish ne jawab diya. "Yaha camp mein humein unhe yahan surakshit jagah par chhupa diya hai.. par kuch log abhi bhi bahar hai. Gaon mein. Jungle mein. Woh... woh chhup rahe hai par hum nahi jaante kab tak woh surakshit rahenge."
Karan ne gehri saans li. "Toh hume unhe bhi yahaan lana hoga. Surakshit jagah par. Par... par bas unhe lana hi kafi nahi hai."
"Toh?" Payal ne poocha.
Karan ne aag ki taraf dekha. Lauon ko dekhte hue bola, "Humein ek yojna chahiye. Ek aisi yojna jisse hum mahal tak pahunch sake. Aur agar hum mahal mein ghus gaye... toh wahan hume ek upri haath chahiye. Kuch aisa jo humare paksh mein ho."
Harish ki aankhen badi ho gayi. Usne Karan ki taraf dekha. "Rajkumar... main... mujhe ek baat yaad aa rahi hai."
"Kya?" Karan ne poocha.
Harish thoda aage aaya aur dheere se bola jaise koi raaz bata raha ho, "Jab... maine mahal banaya tha bahut saal pehle... maine kuch gupth raaste bhi banaye the. Aur... maine ek bada hall bhi banaya tha mahal ke neeche. Bahut bada. Usme karib sau log chhup sakte the agar zaroorat padi."
Karan ki aankhen chamak uthi. "Gupth raaste? Aur ek bada hall?"
"Haan," Harish ne kaha. "Woh raaste bahut purane hai aur unmein se koi bhi seedha mahal ke andar jaata hai. Aur woh hall... woh itna bada hai ke agar hum apne sipahiyon ko wahan chhupa de... toh jab zaroorat pade, woh achanak mahal ke andar aa sakte hai. Dushman ko pata bhi nahi chalega."
Karan ke chehre par muskaan aa gayi. "Agar hum apne makdi sipahiyon ko us hall mein chhupa de... aur jab sahi waqt aaye woh mehel ke deewaron ko kamzor jagahon se tod dein, toh humare baaki saathi andar jaa skte hai... aur hum dushman ko achanak se harane ki koshish kar sakte hai."
"Haan," Harish ne josh ke saath bola. "Par... ek samasya hai."
"Kya?"
"Woh raaste... woh bahut door se shuru hote hai. Jungle ke dusre hisse se. Aur wahan tak pahunchne ke liye... humein dushman ke sipahiyon ke beech se guzarna padega.... woh charon taraf apne sipahiyon ko khada kiye hue hai. Bahut chukne hai."
Karan ne sir hilaya. Haan... yeh mushkil zaroor tha par namumkin nahi.
Tabhi Prachi aage aayi. Uske haathon mein kuch gilas the jisme paani tha. "Yeh... yeh lo sab. Paani pi lo. Bahut der se baat kar rahe ho."
Karan ne Prachi ki taraf dekha. Uski aankhen Prachi ke chehre par tiki. Woh abhi bhi utni hi khubsurat lag rahi thi jitni pehle lagti thi. Uske baal khule the.
Prachi ne sabko paani diya. Jab woh Karan ke paas aayi, toh usne gilas aage badhaya. "Yeh lo Ka... Karan."
Jaise hi yeh naam uske muh se nikla, Prachi ki aankhen badi ho gayi. Usne foran apna muh dhaka. "M-mera matlab... Rajkumar! Rajkumar Karan! Maaf kijiye main.. bhool gayi thi."
Karan ke galon par halki lali aa gayi. Usne paani ka gilas liya aur muskuraya. "Koi baat nahi Prachi. Tum.. mujhe Karan bhi bula sakti ho."
Prachi ne neeche dekha. Uske gaal bhi laal ho gaye the. "N-nahi... aap rajkumar hai. Mujhe aapko aisa nahi bulana chahiye."
Prachi ne upar dekha aur Karan ki aankhon mein dekha. Dono ki nazrein ek pal ke liye mile.
Payal yeh sab dekh rahi thi. Uski aankhen sankri ho gayi. Karan aur Prachi... kya... yeh dono? Usne dhyan se dekha. Karan ke chehre par woh muskaan... aur Prachi ka sharma jana... yeh sab...
Par usne kuch nahi kaha. Bas chupchap dekhti rahi.
Karan ne paani pi liya aur gilas wapas Prachi ko de diya. "Shukriya."
Prachi ne sir jhukaya aur peeche hat gayi.
Karan ne apna dhyan wapas plan par lagaya. Usne Harish ki taraf dekha. "Toh Harish kaka... hume us gupth raaste tak pahunchna hoga. Aur... hume yeh kaam bina kisi shor ke karna hoga. Agar dushman ko pata chal gaya... toh sab khatam."
"Bilkul sahi,"
"Toh yeh tay rahega," Karan ne sabki taraf dekha. "Pehle... main aur Aditya kal subah niklenge. Hum dono akele jayenge. Hum jaake dekhenge ke dushman ke sipahi kahaan kahaan khade hai. Aur us gupth raaste ka darwaza kahaan hai. Harish kaka humein nirdesh de denge wahan tak pahuche ka. Ko bache kuche log hai isliye hum ganv walon ka bhesh lekar andar ja skte hai. Agar hume woh mil gaya... toh hum wapas aayenge aur sabko bata denge."
Aditya ne josh se sir hilaya. "Haan Rajkumar! Main... aapke saath chalne ke liye tayaar hoon!"
"Aur Harish kaka... Aap yahaan rukoge. Aapko yahaan ki suraksha dekhni hogi. Agar.. koi dushman yahaan aa gaya toh tumhe sabko bachana hoga."
Harish ne apna haath apne seene par rakha. "Ji Rajkumar. Main apni jaan dekar bhi sabki raksha karunga."
"Aur Vrishank, Kalindi," Karan ne un dono ki taraf dekha. "Tum dono bhi yahaan rahoge. Makdi sipahiyon ke saath. Agar koi hamla hua... toh tum dono unhe sambhaloge."
Vrishank aur Kalindi ne sir jhukaya. "Jaise aap kahe Kaalraaj."
Payal ne aage badhkar kaha, "Par Karan... agar tum aur Aditya akele gaye aur agar tumhe koi khatra aa gaya toh? Agar dushman ne tumhe dekh liya toh?"
Karan ne Payal ka haath pakda. "Di... mujhe jaana hoga. Agar main nahi gaya... toh koi aur nahi ja sakta. Main yahaan ka rajkumar hoon. Aur yeh meri zimmedari hai."
Payal ki aankhon mein aansu aa gaye par usne unhe rok liya. "Theek hai. Par khayal rakhna apna. Agar tumhe kuch ho gaya... toh main..."
"Kuch nahi hoga Di," Karan ne uska haath dabaya. "Main waada karta hoon. Main wapas aaunga."
Sab chup ho gaye. Aag ki carcrahat aur ab raat ke jungle ki awaazein hi sunayi de rahi thi.
***
Sab log apne apne kaam mein lag gaye. Kuch log aag ke paas baith kar baatein kar rahe the, kuch apne bistar taiyaar kar rahe the. Shaam hone wale thi aur thandi hawa tez ho gayi thi.
Karan khada hua aur kutiya ki taraf jaane laga. Uska iraada tha ke woh andar jaake thoda aaram karega. Kal subah jaldi nikalna tha aur use neend ki sakht zaroorat thi.
Par tabhi Lakshaya uske paas aaya.
"Rajkumar," Lakshaya ne dheere se kaha
"Haan Lakshaya?" Karan ne poocha. "Kya baat hai?"
"Rajkumari Payal ne... unhone aapko bulaya hai. Woh... keh rhe the ke unhe aapse kuch baat karni hai. Akele mein."
Karan ki bhawe chaudi ho gayi. Di usse akele mein milna chahti thi? Par kyun? Agar kuch jung ya yojna ke baare mein baat karni thi toh woh sabke saamne kar sakti thi. Fir akele mein kyun?
Karan ne jawab diya. "Woh kahaan hai?"
"Woh us bade ped ke peeche baithi hai," Lakshaya ne door ek taraf ishara kiya jahan jungle ke kinare par ek vishaal ped khada hua tha. "Wahan."
Karan ne sir hilaya. "Achha. Main jata hoon."
Lakshaya chala gaya aur Karan us ped ki taraf badhne laga. Uske dimaag mein bahut saare sawaal the. Payal Di kyun use akele mein milna chahti thi? Kya kuch gadbad thi? Ya kuch aur?
Jaise jaise woh ped ke paas pahuncha, usne Payal ko dekha. Woh ped ki jad ke paas baithi hui thi, uski peeth ped se tiki hui thi. Uske haathon mein ek chhoti si lakdi ki chhadi thi jisse woh zameen par kuch bana rahi thi. Chand ki roshni uske chehre par pad rahi thi, jiski wajah se uska chehra aur bhi khubsurat lag raha tha.
"Di?" Karan ne dheere se awaz di.
Payal ne upar dekha aur muskurai. Par yeh muskaan... yeh woh khush wali muskaan nahi thi. Ismein kuch aur tha. Thoda sa gussa? Ya shayad udaasi?
"Aa gaye tum," Payal ne uski taraf dekha. "Baitho idhar." Usne apne bagal mein zameen par ishara kiya.
Karan aage badha aur Payal ke bagal mein baith gaya. Thodi door par... itni door ke dono ke beech kafi jagah thi par itni paas bhi ke woh aaram se baat kar sakte the.
"Kya baat hai Di? Aapne mujhe bulaya?"
Payal kuch pal chup rahi. Woh bas us lakdi ki chhadi se zameen par kuch banati rahi. Fir.. usne apna sir upar kiya aur seedha Karan ki aankhon mein dekha.
"Karan," Payal bole, uski awaaz mein gambhirta thi. "Main tumse ek sawaal poochhna chahti hoon."
"Ji Di?" Karan ne thodi ghabrahat se kaha
"Kya tum... kya tum mujhe apni badi behen maante ho?"
Karan ke chehre par hairaani aa gayi. Yeh.. kaisa sawaal tha? "Di.... aap yeh kya pooch rahi hai? Aap.. toh meri badi behen hai. Main.. aapko hamesha se apni Di maanta aaya hoon jabse yahan aaya hoon."
"Sach mein?" Payal ke apne bahue upar karke pucha. Uski awaaz mein shaq tha.
"Haan!" Karan ne foran kaha. "Bilkul sach. Hamesha se sach."
Payal ne gehri saans li. "Toh fir tum mujhse kuch batate kyun nhi ho? Kyun tum sab faisale akele le lete ho?"
Karan ki saans ruk gayi. Oh... toh baat yeh thi. Bach gaya woh kya kya soch baitha tha.
"Di main... bas—" Karan ne kuch kehne ki koshish ki par Payal ne beech mein hi kaata diya
"Jab tum us mahal mein akele gaye the," Payal ke awaaz ab thodi tez ho gayi thi. "Jab tum bina kisi ko bataye akele us khatre mein ghus gaye the. Tab tumne ek baar bhi nahi socha ke agar tumhe kuch ho gaya toh? Aur Agar woh Mesaka ne tumhe-?" Payal whin chup ho gye.
Karan ne neeche dekha. Haan... yeh sach tha. Woh bahut bade khatre mein gaya tha. Aur... aur usne kisi ko nahi bataya tha.
"Tumhe pata hai main kitna dar gayi thi?" Ab uski aankhen mein aansu chamak rahe the. "Jab mujhe pata chala ke tum wahaan gaye ho... main saans bhi nahi le pa rahi thi. Mujhe laga ke... ke main tumhe kho dungi. Jaise... Meine Pitaji ko kho diya tha. Jaise humne apne logon ko kho diya hai ab."
Karan ka dil dukh gaya. Usne Payal ki taraf dekha aur uski aankhon mein woh dard dekha. Woh dard jo ek behen mehsoos karti hai jab uska bhai khatre mein hota hai.
"Di... main... mujhe maaf kar do," Karan ne dheere se kaha. "Main.. bas... mujhe laga ke agar main nahi gaya toh aur koi nahi ja sakta. Aur.. woh kaam zaroori tha. Humare logon ko bachana zaroori tha."
"Haan zaroori tha. Par tumhe akele jaane ki zaroorat nahi thi. Tum... mujhe bata sakte the. Ya Harish kaka ko. Ya kisi aur ko. Hum... saath mein koi raasta nikaal sakte the."
Karan ne sir hilaya. "Aap sahi keh rahi hai Di. maine galti ki.... aur main waada karta hoon ke agli baar... baar main koi bhi faisla lene se pehle aapse zaroor baat karunga."
Payal ne Karan ki taraf dekha. Kuch pal tak woh bas use dekhti rahi. Fir.. woh halka sa muskuraye. "Achha. Bas...dubara ab aisa mat karna. Main... tumhe kho nahi sakti Karan."
Dono ek pal chup rahe.
Tabhi Payal ne apni us lakdi ki chhadi ko door fenk diya. Woh zameen par gir gayi.
Karan ki nazar us chhadi par gayi. Usne dhyan se dekha. Zameen par... ek chhoti si tasveer bani hui thi. Ek gilhari ke. Bahut hi pyaari si. Choti choti details ke saath.
"Di," Karan ne hairaani se kaha. "Yeh.. aapne banaya?"
Payal ne neeche dekha, uske galon par halki lali aa gayi. "Haan... bas aise hi. Kuch khaas nahi hai hai"
"Nahi," Karan ne uspe haath fera. "Yeh... bahut achha hai. Aap... bahut achha chitr karti hain."
Payal sharmaye. "Dhanyavad... mujhe bachpan se chitrkala pasand hai."
"Sach mein?" Karan ke awaaz mein jigyasa thi. "Mujhe nahi pata tha."
Payal muskurai. "Haan. Mujhe kalaa bahut pasand hai. Chirtkala, baageche, yudkalaa... yeh sab. Isliye... maine mahal mein woh baagecha khud se sambhala hua tha. Tumhe yaad hai?"
Karan ne sir hilaya. "Haan.. yaad hai. Woh bahut khubsurat tha. Hamesha... itne saare rang bhare hote the usmein."
Karan ne woh fenki hui lakdi uthayi. Usne use apne haath mein ghumaya.
"Waise," Karan ke chere pe ek shararti muskaan aa gye. "Main bhi bachpan mein thoda bahut chitr karta tha."
Payal ki bhahue chaudi ho gayi. "Sach mein? Tum? Yeh toh kuch naya suna meine."
"Jab main... jab main Vanrajya se door tha... tab maine bahut kuch seekha. Aur... Chirtkala bhi seekhi. Sach bataun toh main... main theek thaak chitrbaaz ban gaya tha."
Payal hasne lage, "Tum? Aur chirtkala mein nipun. Mujhe... mujhe vishwas nahi ho raha." Woh apne gadi nhi rok paa rhe the.
"Kyun nahi ho raha?" Karan ne natak se chubne ka dikhawa kiya. "Main sach bol raha hoon Di."
"Achha?" Payal ne apne bahue jode hue kaha. "Toh dikhao fir jab maanu."
"Dikhau?" Karan vishmay mein chala gaya.
"Agar tum sach mein itne achhe chirtkala jaante ho... toh kuch bana karke dikhao."
Karan muskuraya. "Theek hai. Par... par kya banau?"
Payal ne sochte hue kaha, "Tumhe jo banana ho. Jo tumhe pasand ho."
Karan ne ek pal socha. Fir usne woh lakdi ki chhadi se Payal ki taraf ishara kiya.
"Main... main aapka chitr banaunga."
Payal ki aankhen badi ho gayi. Uske gaal achanak se laal ho gaye. "Kya?! M-mujhe?!"
"Haan," Karan ne muskurate hue kaha. "Kyun? Koi dikkat hai?"
"N-nahi... matlab... par..." Payal kuch bolne ki koshish kar rahi thi par shabd nahi mil rahe the. "Par.. main... matlab... yeh..."
Karan hans pada. "Di... aap itna kyun sharma rahi hai? Main bas ek chitr hi toh bana raha hoon."
"H-haan... par yeh... yeh ajeeb hai,"
Karan: "Kuch ajeeb nahi hai. "Aap...bas waise hi baithi rahiye. Main...abhi bana deta hoon."
Payal ne halke se sir hilaya. Uska dil tez dhadak raha tha. Karan use draw karega? Yeh.. thoda ajeeb zaroor tha par... Na jaane use kyu usse achha bhi lag raha tha.
Karan zameen ki taraf jhuka aur us chhadi se zameen par chitr banane laga. Chand ki roshni kaafi thi dekhne ke liye. Usne ek baar Payal ko dekha... uske chehre ki har detail ko note kiya. Uski aankhen... uske baal... uski naak... uske honth. Dono ke aankhein jab bhi milte dono ghabra ke jaldi se use tod lete.
Aaj ke liye hi next update kal ya parson! Sorry guys kuch complications ke wajah se thode din ke liye story hold pe aa gye the. We'll hit the previous pace again. ^_^
dunno but she reminder me of "nachange saari Raat soniyo Ve"
Nice update....Chapter 35
Uncharted
Kal raat jab woh camp mein pahuncha tha, sabne use dekha tha Nandani, Payal aur sabne.
Par raat ho chuki thi isliye sabne faisla kiya ke aaram karna chahiye. Kal... subah fir se milkar aage ke yojna banaege.
Karan ne apni sharir ko stretch kiya. Ghav abhi bhi dard kar rahe the par woh pehle se behtar tha. Lag rha tha Vanrajya ki hawa... apne ghar ki hawa... usse theek kar rahi thi.
Usne shivir se bahar jhanka. Subah nikal rhe thi par abhi bhi kaafi log so rahe the. Kuch sipahi jagke pehra kar rahe the. Aag bujh chuki thi par thodi si raakh abhi bhi wahan thi.
Andar usne sir ghumaya toh dekha chattan par... koi baithi thi. Peeth uski taraf thi.
Karan ne gaur se dekha. Woh Nandani thi.
Nandani wahan baithi apne lambe, kaale, ghane baalon ko suljha rahi thi. Woh dheere-dheere ungliyon se baalon ko saaf kar rahi thi, kabhi kangan se, kabhi haathon se hi unhe sehla rahi thi.
Karan muskuraya aur bina awaaz kiye uski taraf badha.
Jab woh uske bilkul paas pahunch gaya Nandani ne apne baalon ke saath-saath apne halke hare blouse ki peeche ki patti ko theek karne ki koshish ki. Dono baal ek taraf kar liye the, par peeche ki doriyan ab bhi thodi si dheeli thi. Woh baar-baar haath peeche le ja rahi thi, par ungliyan sahi jagah nahi pahunch pa rahi thi. Blouse ki narm kapde uski naram peeth par chipki hui thi, aur har baar koshish karne mein thoda sa khisak rahi thi.
“Aahh…” Nandani ne halki si, madhur si cheekh ke awaaz nikali.
“Mom?” Karan ne bilkul dheeme se bola
Nandani chaunk kar peeche mud gayi. Uske gaal ek pal mein gulabi ho uthe. “Karan! Tum… tum kab aaye?”
“Abhi,” Karan ne halki muskurahat ke saath jawab diya, nazrein uske chehre par, phir dheere se neeche… uski peeth par. “Aapko… madad chahiye?”
Nandani ke honth thoda sa kaanp gaye, aankhen sharma ke jhuk gayi. “Haan… woh… yeh peeche wali doriyan… mujhse bandh nahi pa rahi. Kya tum…”
Karan ne sir hilaya. “Haan, batao kya karna hai.”
Nandani ne apne baal ek taraf kar diye, poori peeth uski taraf khul gayi. Halka sa blouse uski naram, gori peeth par tana hua tha. “Bas… dono doriyon ko pakad kar… achhe se, tight bandh do.”
Karan paas aaya. Usne dheere se dono doriyan pakdi unme se ek thodi si garam thi, jaise Nandani ki shareer ki garmi ab bhi us doriyon mein basi hui thi. Usne un doriyon ko dheere se kheench kar ek doosre se milaaya, phir savdhani se gaanth lagayi. Har gaanth ke saath uski ungliyan halke se Nandani ki peeth ko chhoo rahi thi.
“Ho gaya,” Karan ke awaaz mein halki si gudgudi thi.
“Shukriya beta…” Nandani ne baalon ko wapas chhod diya, woh baal uski peeth par baarish ki tarah gir gaye. Phir peeche mudkar Karan ko dekha.
“Achhe se soye tum?”
Karan uske bagal mein baith gaya, itna paas ki unke kandhe ek doosre ko chhoo rahe the. “Kaafi dinon baad… aisi chain ki neend aayi Mom.”
Nandani ne uska haath apne dono haathon mein le liya aur uske ungliyon se dheere se sehlaya. “Mujhe… bahut dar laga tha Karan. Jab tum Jalyak gaye… aur din-guzarte gaye, koi khabar nahi… main toh soch bhi nahi paati thi ke agar tumhe kuchh ho gaya toh…”
Uski aankhen nam ho uthi.
Karan ne uska haath aur kas kar pakda, apne seene ke paas le aaya. “Main bilkul theek hoon, Mom. Ab yahan hoon… aapke paas.”
Nandani ne aansu ponchhe bachpane si muskurahat uske chehre par aa gayi.
“Tumhe yaad hai,” uski aankhon mein sharaarat thi, “bachpan mein hum ek khel khela karte the?”
Karan ne muskurate hue poocha, “Kaun sa?”
“Woh… jisme main tumhari peeth par ungli se likhti thi… aur tum feel karke bataate the. Ya tum meri peeth par likhte the.”
Karan ki aankhen chamak uthi. “Haan! Jaise hum yahan pehle baar aaye tab?!?.”
Dono ko woh pal yaad aa gaya jab dono ne pehle baar kiss kiya tha.
Nandani ne uski taraf dekha, apne beete ke saath ko itne din baad akele the, uski aankhon mein pyaar aur sharaarat dono. “Toh… abhi khelen? Peeth par likhne ka wohi purana khel?”
Karan ka dil zor se dhadkane laga “Haan… kyun nahi?”
Nandani ne apni peeth uski taraf ki aur baal ek taraf kar diye. Blouse ka kapda uski peeth par bilkul chipka hua tha, har saans ke saath halka sa uth-raha tha. “Tum likho. Main feel karke bataungi.”
Karan ne apni ungli uthayi. Usne dheere se, bahut pyaar se, Nandani ki peeth par likhna shuru kiya. Har akshar ke saath uski ungli thodi der tak wahi rukti, jaise feel kar rahi ho, jaise us naram twacha ko mehsoos kar rahi ho, jaise har harf uski saans ko chhoo raha ho.
M… E… R… A…
Thoda der baad, phir…
S… U… K… O… O… N…
Nandani ne dheere se, awaaz mein halki si kaanpne ke saath pura dohraya kaha, “Mera… sukoon.”
Karan ka haath ek pal ke liye ruk gaya. Usne apni ungliyan uski peeth par hi rakhi rahi, jaise woh shabd ab bhi uske shareer mein goonj rahe hon.
Nandani ne peeche mudkar uski taraf dekha. “Karan… Tum bhi mera sukoon ho”
Karan ne kuchh nahi kaha. Bas usne apni ungliyon se ek baar phir woh shabd dheere se dohraaye. Uske haath ab thode se kaanp rahe the.
Nandani ne uska haath pakad liya, apni peeth se hatakar apne haathon mein le liya. “ toh Tum haar Gaye ab tumhe koi inaam nahi milega.”
Karan dheeme se muskuraya. “Mujhe… inaam ki zaroorat nahi Mom. Aap mere paas ho itna hi kaafi hai.”
Nandani ne aansuon ke saath muskurahat di. “Par tumhe ek kaam toh karna padega.”
“Kya?”
“Nahana,” Nandani ne kadak awaaz mein kaha “Dekho toh… teen din ka safar… dhool-mitti… tum bilkul gande ho gye ho.”
Karan ne apne aap ko dekha aur sharma gaya. Sach mein kapde dhool se bhare, chehra par mitti ki halki si parat thi.
“Aur,” Nandani khadi hui, uske itne paas ki uski saans Karan ke gaalon par lagi, “thodi der mein sab milenge. Tum… aise thodi jaaoge?”
Karan bhi khada hua. “Theek hai Mom… main jaata hoon nahane.”
Nandani ne muskurakar kaha, “Achhe se nahana. Aur naye saaf kapde pehenna. Main… tumhare liye rakh deti hoon.”
Karan ne haan mein sir hilaya.
Par jaane se pehle Nandani ne uska haath pakad liya aur uske ungliyon mein ungliyan phansa li.
“Karan,” uski awaaz ab bhar aayi thi, “main… bahut khush hoon ke tum wapas aa gaye. Bahut… bahut zyada. Aur yeh… mera sukoon… ab poora ho gaya.”
Karan ne bhi use kaskar se gale laga liya, itna kaksar ki Nandani ki saans uske seene par lagne lage. Dono kuchh pal aise hi rahe maa aur beta ek doosre mein ghule hue jaise duniya ruk gayi ho.
Phir Nandani ne dheere se use dhakka diya. “Ab jao… jaldi fresh ho jao. Baaki sab wait kar rahe honge… Payal, Aditya…sab”
Nandani wahi khadi rahi, use jaate hue dekhti rahi. Honthon par halki, pyaar bhari muskurahat the. Uski peeth par ab bhi woh shabd mehsoos ho rahe the ~mera sukoon.
***
Vaani ne apna matka ko dono haathon mein mazbooti se pakda aur Shravas ki taraf ek baar fir dekha. Yeh aadmi... ajeeb zaroor tha par usne uski jaan bachayi thi. Aur ab woh uske saath chal raha tha.
"Bas thoda aur," Vaani ne kaha.
Uske kadam tez ho gaye the. Vidut... woh chinta kar raha hoga. Woh hamesha chinta karta tha jab Vaani der se aati thi.
Shravas chup chaap uske peeche chal raha tha. Uski aankhen charon taraf ghoom rahi thi.
"Woh... wahan," Vaani ne aage ek badi chattan ki taraf ishara kiya. "Us chattan ke peeche."
Dono us chattan ki taraf badhne lage. Raasta thoda pathrila tha aur Vaani ko sambhalna mushkil ho raha ths. Par usne koi shikaayat nahi ki.
Jaise hi woh chattan ke paas pahunche, Vaani ne apni awaaz buland karke awaaz lagaye, "Vidut! Main aa gayi!"
Kuch pal ki khamoshi rhe. Fir... zameen ke neeche se ek awaaz aayi.
"Vaani? Tum theek ho? Surakshit wapas aa gayi?"
Vaani ke chehre par raahat ki lehren daud gayi. "Haan Vidut! Main bilkul theek hoon."
"Achha hai," Vidut ki awaaz mein tasalli thi. "Main chinta kar raha tha. Tum aaj der se aayi."
"Haan woh thodi mushkil aayi thi par ab sab theek hai," Vaani ne matka neeche rkhte hue jawab diya.
Vidut kuch pal chup raha. Fir achanak uski awaaz fir se aayi, par ab usme kuch shaq tha.
"Vaani... tumhare saath kisi aur ke kadam ki awaaz aa rahi hai. Koi... aur hai tumhare saath?"
Vaani ne Shravas ki taraf dekha. Shravas ne halka sa muskurate hue sir hilaya.
"Haan Vidut," Vaani ne jawab diya. "Ek aadmi hai mere saath. Usne meri madad ki. Agar woh nahi hota toh... toh shayad main..."
Uski awaaz kamp gayi.
Zameen ke neeche se halchal ki awaaz aayi. Jaise koi bhari cheez ko khiska raha ho.
Achanak chattan ke bagal wali zameen ka ek hissa khisak gaya. Ek chhota sa darwaza khul gaya, jisko pattharon aur mitti se dhaka hua tha itni chalaki se ke koi bhi asaani se nahi dekh sakta tha.
Aur us darwaze se... Vidut bahar aaya.
Uska chehra garda se bhara hua tha aur baal bikhra hue the. Uske haathon mein ek lambi lakdi thi, jisko usne bhale ki tarah pakda hua tha. Uski aankhen pehle Vaani par padi usme raahat aaye. Fir uski nazar Shravas par gayi.
Vidut wahi ruk gaya.
Uski aankhen badi ho gayi. Usne Shravas ko upar se neeche tak dekha. Woh ajeeb se kapde... woh chehra... kuch... jaani pehchane lag rahe the.
"Tum..." Vidut ne kaha par uski awaaz beech mein hi ruk gayi.
Shravas ne muskurate hue Vidut ki taraf dekha. Fir usne dheere se kaha, "Bahut din ho gaye Vidut. Kaafi badal gaye ho tum."
Jaise hi Shravas ki awaaz Vidut ke kaanon mein padi, uska poora sharir jakad gaya. Yeh awaaz woh kabhi nahi bhool sakta tha.
Uske haath se woh lakdi neeche gir gayi. Uske ghutne kaanpne lage.
"M-Mahamantri Shravas?!?" Vidut ki awaaz mein vishwas aur hairaani dono thi.
Aur fir Vidut dono ghutno par neeche baith gaya.
"M-Mahamantri... aap... aap zinda hai..."
Vaani yeh sab dekh kar puri tarah se chaunk gayi. Uski aankhen badi ho gayi aur usne Vidut ko fir Shravas ko dekha.
"V-Vidut?" Vaani ne hichkichate hue kaha. "Tum... inhe jaante ho?"
Vidut ne apna sir upar kiya par nazar neechi hi rakhi. "J-jaanta hoon Rajkumari? Main... yeh... yeh Mahamantri Shravas hai. Woh jo... Maharaj ke... aapke pita Maharaj ke sabse karebi saathi the. Unke seedhe sevak. Woh jo..."
Vidut ki awaaz fir se kamp gayi. "Woh jo Maharaj ke har faislon mein saath dete the. Woh jinke bina Maharaj koi bhi bada faisla nahi lete the."
Vaani ka muh khula ka khula reh gaya. Yeh... yeh aadmi? Yeh aadmi jo uske pita ke itne kareeb tha? Par... yeh yahan kaise?
Shravas aage badha aur Vidut ke kandhe par haath rakha.
"Uth jao Vidut," Shravas ne dheere se kaha. "Ab yeh sab rasmein... in sab ka waqt khatam ho gaya hai. Sab kuch badal gaya hai."
Vidut dheere se khada hua par uski nazar abhi bhi neechi thi.
Vaani ne Shravas ki taraf dekha. Uski aankhen bhar aayi. "Toh.. tum sach mein... mere pita ko jaante the?"
Shravas ne Vaani ki taraf dekha. Uski aankhen ab gambhir thi. Usne dheere se apna haath aage badhaya aur Vaani ke sar par rakha. Ek pita ki tarah.
"Haan Rajkumari," Shravas ne kaha. "Main tumhare pita Maharaj ke sabse kareeb tha. Aur... main tumhe bhi bachpan se jaanta hoon. Tum bahut chhoti thi jab main Thanasala se... jab main wahan se chala gaya tha."
Vaani ki aankhen se aansu tapakne lage. "Pitaji... ab nahi rahe..."
"Shhh," Shravas ne uske sar ko halke se sehlaya. "Main jaanta hoon aur maine Thanasala par hamle ke baare mein bhi suna hai. Par ab rona band karo. Sab kuch khatam nahi hua hai."
Vaani ne aankhon se aansu ponchte hue uski taraf dekha. "Kya... kya matlab?"
Shravas "Matlab yeh ke agar tum zinda ho... agar Vidut zinda hai... toh shayad aur bhi log zinde honge. Thanasala ka khoon abhi bhi beh raha hai. Bas use fir se jama karna hai."
Vaani ne halke se sir hilaya. Uske dil mein ek chhoti si umeed ki kiran jaagi.
Vidut ab bhi chup khada tha. Uski aankhen Shravas par tiki hui thi. Par achanak uski nazar Shravas ke peeche gayi. Wahan us toote hue kaankal par jo Ajay tha.
Vidut ki aankhen aur bhi badi ho gayi. "M-Mahamantri... yeh kaankal jo aapke saath hai... yeh..."
Shravas ne peeche mudkar dekha jahan Ajay abhi bhi deewar se bandha hua tha. Woh dhoop mein chamak raha tha.
"Aah," Shravas ne ek ajeeb si muskaan ke saath kaha. "Woh toh ek... Lambi kahani hai. Filhal usko chhodho."
"Par aap iske saath kya karne wale hai?" Vidut ne poocha. Uski awaaz mein darr aur jigyasa dono thi.
Shravas ki muskaan aur chaudi ho gayi. Usne Vidut ki taraf dekha, fir Vaani ki taraf, fir us bunker ki taraf jahan se Vidut nikla tha.
"Tumhara chupne ke jagah," Shravas ne kaha, uski awaaz mein ek ajeeb sa josh tha. "Mujhe dikhao. Main chahta hoon dekhna ke tum dono kahan reh rahe ho."
Vidut ne ek pal Shravas ko dekha. Fir usne sir jhukaya. "J-ji Mahamantri. Aayiye... Iss taraf."
Vidut aage badha aur us zameen ke darwaze ki taraf gaya. Usne ek patthar ko khiskaya aur neeche ek seedhi dikhai.
"Yahan neeche hai," Vidut ne kaha. "Bahut surakshit hai. Kisi ko pata nahi chalega."
Shravas ne neeche ki taraf jhanka. Andhera tha par neeche kuch roshni dikh rahi thi.
"Hmm," Shravas ne kaha. "Chalaki se banaya hai. Tumne yeh sab kab kiya?"
"Jab... hum yahaan aaye the," Vidut ne jawab diya. "Mujhe laga ke hume ek surakshit jagah chahiye. Toh maine yeh bunker khoda. Kaafi mehnat lagi par kuch din bhul bhulaiya mein rhene se jayda ab hum surakshit hai yahan."
Shravas ne Vidut ke kandhe par haath mara. "Tumne sahi kiya. Rajkumari ki suraksha sabse zaroori hai."
Vidut ne sir jhukaya.
Vaani aage aayi. "Shravas.. tum iss kaankal ke saath kya karoge? Aapne abhi bata nahi rahe aur yeh tumhara paltu nhi hai jooth mat bolo ab tum hum par vishwas kar skte ho."
Shravas ne Vaani ki taraf dekha. "Rajkumari... tumhe pata hai kya hai sabse zaroori cheez iss waqt?"
Vaani ne na mein sir hilaya.
"Taaqat," Shravas ne kaha. "Humein taaqat chahiye. Aise taaqat jo humare dushmanon ko harane ke liye kaafi ho. Thansala sabse jayda rakshashon se bhare rhene ke liye mashoor hai vaise bhi. Aur yeh kaankal..." Usne Ajay ki taraf ishara kiya, "Yeh hamari taaqat ka hissa banega."
Vidut ne ek pal Shravas ko dekha. Uske dimaag mein bahut saare sawaal the par woh kuch bol nahi paya.
"Chalo," Shravas bola "Pehle andar chalte hai. Mujhe dekhna hai tumhara bunker. Aur fir... main tumhe dikhaunga ke main iss kaankal ke saath kya karne wala hoon."
Vaani aur Vidut ne ek dusre ki taraf dekha. Dono ke chehron par fikar thi.
"Theek hai," Vaani bole.
Vidut pehle neeche utara. Fir Vaani, uske haath mein matka tha. Aur aakhir mein Shravas.
Bunker andar se chhota tha par khoob saja hua tha. Ek kone mein kuch bartan aur auzaar the. Dusre kone mein bistar. Beech mein se seediyan dusre taraf jaa kayi kamron ke beech mein se jaa rhe thein.
"Hmm," Shravas ne charon taraf dekha. "Bahut achhi jagah hai. Surakshit. Chhupa hua. Aur yahaan tak pahunchna mushkil hai."
"Ji "Maine pura dhyan rakha hai."
Shravas ek patthar par baith gaya. Usne apne kapdon se dhool jhadi.
"Toh batao," Shravas ne pucha
"Kya yojna hai tumhare? Yahan kitne din aur rahoge yahan?"
Vaani aur Vidut ne ek dusre ki taraf dekha. Vaani pehle bole, "Hum.. nahi jaante. Bas.. yahaan surakshit rehna tha. Aur... sochna tha ke aage kya karna hai."
Shravas ne gehri saans li. "Toh suno meri baat. Agar tum yahan aise hi rehte rahe... toh kuch nahi hoga. Thanasala ko wapas nahi laa paoge. Apne logon ko nahi bacha paoge."
"Par.. hum kar kya sakte hai?" Vaani ke awaaz mein bebasi thi. "Hum sirf do log hai. Aur pure raigistan mein alag alag prakar ke rakshas bhare hue hai."
"Abhi toh do log ho," Shravas ne muskurate hue kaha. "Par jald hi... hum zyada honge."
"Zyada? Kaise?" Vidut ne poocha.
Shravas khada hua aur ek chain se pakadar Ajay ko neeche patak diya.
***
Karan kutiya se bahar nikla ab usse lag rha tha ke uska sharir kuch aaram karne ke baad pehle jaise haal mein vapas aaya hai. Shaam ka andhera ghirne laga tha aur aasman mein sitare ek ek karke chamakne lage the. Thandi hawa chal rahi thi jo uske chehre ko chhoo rahi thi.
Aag ke paas sab log baithe hue the. Harish, Aditya, Prachi, aur kuch aur log jo Vanrajya ke bache hue sipahi the. Unke chehron par thakan thi par aankhen mein abhi bhi josh tha. Woh log jo apne rajya ke liye sab kuch daav par laga chuke the.
Payal bhi aag ke paas aayi. Usne Karan ko dekha aur halka sa muskurai. "Karan... ab kaisa lag raha hai? Ghar aa kar aur aaram kar kar?"
Karan ne Payal ki taraf dekha aur muskuraya. "Achha lag raha hai Di. Bahut achha. Par... abhi kaam khatam nahi hua. Abhi toh shuruat hi hai."
"Haan," Payal bole. "Main jaanti hoon."
Karan aage badha aur aag ke paas baith gaya. Sab log uski taraf dekhne lage. Unke chehron par ummeed thi. Ummeed ke ab unka rajkumar wapas aa gaya hai... ab sab kuch theek ho jayega.
"Suno sab," Karan ne bulandi se kaha "Mujhe... mujhe puri sthiti jaanni hai. Kya chal raha hai yahaan? Dushman kahaan hai? Aur... humare paas kitne log hai?"
Aditya aage badhkar bola, "Rajkumar... unki sena woh Kaankaalon ki sena. Woh log zinda nahi hai par... aur... woh bahut zyada hai. Karib hazaar ya usse bhi zyada."
Karan ka chehra jakad gaya. Hazaar? Itne zyada?
Harish ne sir hilaya.
Par usne haar nahi maani. Usne Vrishank aur Kalindi ki taraf dekha jo thoda door khade the. "Par ab humare paas makdi sipahi hai. Pachaas makdi sipahi jo bahut taqatwar hai."
Sabki aankhen chamak uthi. Haan... ab unke paas ek sena aur thi. Chhoti zaroor thi par taqatwar thi.
"Par Rajkumar," Harish ne fikar se kaha. "Agar hum yahaan baithe rahe... agar hum sirf intezaar karte rahe ke dushman humpar hamla kare... toh hum haar jayenge. Ravisha bahut chalak hai."
Karan ne sir hilaya. "Aap sahi keh rahe ho kaka. Hum intezaar nahi kar sakte. Humein pehle hamla karna hoga."
"Par kaise?" Aditya ne poocha. "Mahal tak pahunchna bhi mushkil hai. Aur... wahan hazaaron dushman hai."
Karan ne ek pal socha. Uske dimaag mein bahut saare vichaar aa rahe the. Kaise woh mahal tak pahunch sakte hai? Kaise woh Ravisha tak pahunch sakte hai?
Karan ne Harish ki taraf dekha. "Humare log...ho yahan pe iktha nhi hai jo bache hue log hai... woh kahaan hai?"
"Zyada tar yahan hai," Harish ne jawab diya. "Yaha camp mein humein unhe yahan surakshit jagah par chhupa diya hai.. par kuch log abhi bhi bahar hai. Gaon mein. Jungle mein. Woh... woh chhup rahe hai par hum nahi jaante kab tak woh surakshit rahenge."
Karan ne gehri saans li. "Toh hume unhe bhi yahaan lana hoga. Surakshit jagah par. Par... par bas unhe lana hi kafi nahi hai."
"Toh?" Payal ne poocha.
Karan ne aag ki taraf dekha. Lauon ko dekhte hue bola, "Humein ek yojna chahiye. Ek aisi yojna jisse hum mahal tak pahunch sake. Aur agar hum mahal mein ghus gaye... toh wahan hume ek upri haath chahiye. Kuch aisa jo humare paksh mein ho."
Harish ki aankhen badi ho gayi. Usne Karan ki taraf dekha. "Rajkumar... main... mujhe ek baat yaad aa rahi hai."
"Kya?" Karan ne poocha.
Harish thoda aage aaya aur dheere se bola jaise koi raaz bata raha ho, "Jab... maine mahal banaya tha bahut saal pehle... maine kuch gupth raaste bhi banaye the. Aur... maine ek bada hall bhi banaya tha mahal ke neeche. Bahut bada. Usme karib sau log chhup sakte the agar zaroorat padi."
Karan ki aankhen chamak uthi. "Gupth raaste? Aur ek bada hall?"
"Haan," Harish ne kaha. "Woh raaste bahut purane hai aur unmein se koi bhi seedha mahal ke andar jaata hai. Aur woh hall... woh itna bada hai ke agar hum apne sipahiyon ko wahan chhupa de... toh jab zaroorat pade, woh achanak mahal ke andar aa sakte hai. Dushman ko pata bhi nahi chalega."
Karan ke chehre par muskaan aa gayi. "Agar hum apne makdi sipahiyon ko us hall mein chhupa de... aur jab sahi waqt aaye woh mehel ke deewaron ko kamzor jagahon se tod dein, toh humare baaki saathi andar jaa skte hai... aur hum dushman ko achanak se harane ki koshish kar sakte hai."
"Haan," Harish ne josh ke saath bola. "Par... ek samasya hai."
"Kya?"
"Woh raaste... woh bahut door se shuru hote hai. Jungle ke dusre hisse se. Aur wahan tak pahunchne ke liye... humein dushman ke sipahiyon ke beech se guzarna padega.... woh charon taraf apne sipahiyon ko khada kiye hue hai. Bahut chukne hai."
Karan ne sir hilaya. Haan... yeh mushkil zaroor tha par namumkin nahi.
Tabhi Prachi aage aayi. Uske haathon mein kuch gilas the jisme paani tha. "Yeh... yeh lo sab. Paani pi lo. Bahut der se baat kar rahe ho."
Karan ne Prachi ki taraf dekha. Uski aankhen Prachi ke chehre par tiki. Woh abhi bhi utni hi khubsurat lag rahi thi jitni pehle lagti thi. Uske baal khule the.
Prachi ne sabko paani diya. Jab woh Karan ke paas aayi, toh usne gilas aage badhaya. "Yeh lo Ka... Karan."
Jaise hi yeh naam uske muh se nikla, Prachi ki aankhen badi ho gayi. Usne foran apna muh dhaka. "M-mera matlab... Rajkumar! Rajkumar Karan! Maaf kijiye main.. bhool gayi thi."
Karan ke galon par halki lali aa gayi. Usne paani ka gilas liya aur muskuraya. "Koi baat nahi Prachi. Tum.. mujhe Karan bhi bula sakti ho."
Prachi ne neeche dekha. Uske gaal bhi laal ho gaye the. "N-nahi... aap rajkumar hai. Mujhe aapko aisa nahi bulana chahiye."
Prachi ne upar dekha aur Karan ki aankhon mein dekha. Dono ki nazrein ek pal ke liye mile.
Payal yeh sab dekh rahi thi. Uski aankhen sankri ho gayi. Karan aur Prachi... kya... yeh dono? Usne dhyan se dekha. Karan ke chehre par woh muskaan... aur Prachi ka sharma jana... yeh sab...
Par usne kuch nahi kaha. Bas chupchap dekhti rahi.
Karan ne paani pi liya aur gilas wapas Prachi ko de diya. "Shukriya."
Prachi ne sir jhukaya aur peeche hat gayi.
Karan ne apna dhyan wapas plan par lagaya. Usne Harish ki taraf dekha. "Toh Harish kaka... hume us gupth raaste tak pahunchna hoga. Aur... hume yeh kaam bina kisi shor ke karna hoga. Agar dushman ko pata chal gaya... toh sab khatam."
"Bilkul sahi,"
"Toh yeh tay rahega," Karan ne sabki taraf dekha. "Pehle... main aur Aditya kal subah niklenge. Hum dono akele jayenge. Hum jaake dekhenge ke dushman ke sipahi kahaan kahaan khade hai. Aur us gupth raaste ka darwaza kahaan hai. Harish kaka humein nirdesh de denge wahan tak pahuche ka. Ko bache kuche log hai isliye hum ganv walon ka bhesh lekar andar ja skte hai. Agar hume woh mil gaya... toh hum wapas aayenge aur sabko bata denge."
Aditya ne josh se sir hilaya. "Haan Rajkumar! Main... aapke saath chalne ke liye tayaar hoon!"
"Aur Harish kaka... Aap yahaan rukoge. Aapko yahaan ki suraksha dekhni hogi. Agar.. koi dushman yahaan aa gaya toh tumhe sabko bachana hoga."
Harish ne apna haath apne seene par rakha. "Ji Rajkumar. Main apni jaan dekar bhi sabki raksha karunga."
"Aur Vrishank, Kalindi," Karan ne un dono ki taraf dekha. "Tum dono bhi yahaan rahoge. Makdi sipahiyon ke saath. Agar koi hamla hua... toh tum dono unhe sambhaloge."
Vrishank aur Kalindi ne sir jhukaya. "Jaise aap kahe Kaalraaj."
Payal ne aage badhkar kaha, "Par Karan... agar tum aur Aditya akele gaye aur agar tumhe koi khatra aa gaya toh? Agar dushman ne tumhe dekh liya toh?"
Karan ne Payal ka haath pakda. "Di... mujhe jaana hoga. Agar main nahi gaya... toh koi aur nahi ja sakta. Main yahaan ka rajkumar hoon. Aur yeh meri zimmedari hai."
Payal ki aankhon mein aansu aa gaye par usne unhe rok liya. "Theek hai. Par khayal rakhna apna. Agar tumhe kuch ho gaya... toh main..."
"Kuch nahi hoga Di," Karan ne uska haath dabaya. "Main waada karta hoon. Main wapas aaunga."
Sab chup ho gaye. Aag ki carcrahat aur ab raat ke jungle ki awaazein hi sunayi de rahi thi.
***
Sab log apne apne kaam mein lag gaye. Kuch log aag ke paas baith kar baatein kar rahe the, kuch apne bistar taiyaar kar rahe the. Shaam hone wale thi aur thandi hawa tez ho gayi thi.
Karan khada hua aur kutiya ki taraf jaane laga. Uska iraada tha ke woh andar jaake thoda aaram karega. Kal subah jaldi nikalna tha aur use neend ki sakht zaroorat thi.
Par tabhi Lakshaya uske paas aaya.
"Rajkumar," Lakshaya ne dheere se kaha
"Haan Lakshaya?" Karan ne poocha. "Kya baat hai?"
"Rajkumari Payal ne... unhone aapko bulaya hai. Woh... keh rhe the ke unhe aapse kuch baat karni hai. Akele mein."
Karan ki bhawe chaudi ho gayi. Di usse akele mein milna chahti thi? Par kyun? Agar kuch jung ya yojna ke baare mein baat karni thi toh woh sabke saamne kar sakti thi. Fir akele mein kyun?
Karan ne jawab diya. "Woh kahaan hai?"
"Woh us bade ped ke peeche baithi hai," Lakshaya ne door ek taraf ishara kiya jahan jungle ke kinare par ek vishaal ped khada hua tha. "Wahan."
Karan ne sir hilaya. "Achha. Main jata hoon."
Lakshaya chala gaya aur Karan us ped ki taraf badhne laga. Uske dimaag mein bahut saare sawaal the. Payal Di kyun use akele mein milna chahti thi? Kya kuch gadbad thi? Ya kuch aur?
Jaise jaise woh ped ke paas pahuncha, usne Payal ko dekha. Woh ped ki jad ke paas baithi hui thi, uski peeth ped se tiki hui thi. Uske haathon mein ek chhoti si lakdi ki chhadi thi jisse woh zameen par kuch bana rahi thi. Chand ki roshni uske chehre par pad rahi thi, jiski wajah se uska chehra aur bhi khubsurat lag raha tha.
"Di?" Karan ne dheere se awaz di.
Payal ne upar dekha aur muskurai. Par yeh muskaan... yeh woh khush wali muskaan nahi thi. Ismein kuch aur tha. Thoda sa gussa? Ya shayad udaasi?
"Aa gaye tum," Payal ne uski taraf dekha. "Baitho idhar." Usne apne bagal mein zameen par ishara kiya.
Karan aage badha aur Payal ke bagal mein baith gaya. Thodi door par... itni door ke dono ke beech kafi jagah thi par itni paas bhi ke woh aaram se baat kar sakte the.
"Kya baat hai Di? Aapne mujhe bulaya?"
Payal kuch pal chup rahi. Woh bas us lakdi ki chhadi se zameen par kuch banati rahi. Fir.. usne apna sir upar kiya aur seedha Karan ki aankhon mein dekha.
"Karan," Payal bole, uski awaaz mein gambhirta thi. "Main tumse ek sawaal poochhna chahti hoon."
"Ji Di?" Karan ne thodi ghabrahat se kaha
"Kya tum... kya tum mujhe apni badi behen maante ho?"
Karan ke chehre par hairaani aa gayi. Yeh.. kaisa sawaal tha? "Di.... aap yeh kya pooch rahi hai? Aap.. toh meri badi behen hai. Main.. aapko hamesha se apni Di maanta aaya hoon jabse yahan aaya hoon."
"Sach mein?" Payal ke apne bahue upar karke pucha. Uski awaaz mein shaq tha.
"Haan!" Karan ne foran kaha. "Bilkul sach. Hamesha se sach."
Payal ne gehri saans li. "Toh fir tum mujhse kuch batate kyun nhi ho? Kyun tum sab faisale akele le lete ho?"
Karan ki saans ruk gayi. Oh... toh baat yeh thi. Bach gaya woh kya kya soch baitha tha.
"Di main... bas—" Karan ne kuch kehne ki koshish ki par Payal ne beech mein hi kaata diya
"Jab tum us mahal mein akele gaye the," Payal ke awaaz ab thodi tez ho gayi thi. "Jab tum bina kisi ko bataye akele us khatre mein ghus gaye the. Tab tumne ek baar bhi nahi socha ke agar tumhe kuch ho gaya toh? Aur Agar woh Mesaka ne tumhe-?" Payal whin chup ho gye.
Karan ne neeche dekha. Haan... yeh sach tha. Woh bahut bade khatre mein gaya tha. Aur... aur usne kisi ko nahi bataya tha.
"Tumhe pata hai main kitna dar gayi thi?" Ab uski aankhen mein aansu chamak rahe the. "Jab mujhe pata chala ke tum wahaan gaye ho... main saans bhi nahi le pa rahi thi. Mujhe laga ke... ke main tumhe kho dungi. Jaise... Meine Pitaji ko kho diya tha. Jaise humne apne logon ko kho diya hai ab."
Karan ka dil dukh gaya. Usne Payal ki taraf dekha aur uski aankhon mein woh dard dekha. Woh dard jo ek behen mehsoos karti hai jab uska bhai khatre mein hota hai.
"Di... main... mujhe maaf kar do," Karan ne dheere se kaha. "Main.. bas... mujhe laga ke agar main nahi gaya toh aur koi nahi ja sakta. Aur.. woh kaam zaroori tha. Humare logon ko bachana zaroori tha."
"Haan zaroori tha. Par tumhe akele jaane ki zaroorat nahi thi. Tum... mujhe bata sakte the. Ya Harish kaka ko. Ya kisi aur ko. Hum... saath mein koi raasta nikaal sakte the."
Karan ne sir hilaya. "Aap sahi keh rahi hai Di. maine galti ki.... aur main waada karta hoon ke agli baar... baar main koi bhi faisla lene se pehle aapse zaroor baat karunga."
Payal ne Karan ki taraf dekha. Kuch pal tak woh bas use dekhti rahi. Fir.. woh halka sa muskuraye. "Achha. Bas...dubara ab aisa mat karna. Main... tumhe kho nahi sakti Karan."
Dono ek pal chup rahe.
Tabhi Payal ne apni us lakdi ki chhadi ko door fenk diya. Woh zameen par gir gayi.
Karan ki nazar us chhadi par gayi. Usne dhyan se dekha. Zameen par... ek chhoti si tasveer bani hui thi. Ek gilhari ke. Bahut hi pyaari si. Choti choti details ke saath.
"Di," Karan ne hairaani se kaha. "Yeh.. aapne banaya?"
Payal ne neeche dekha, uske galon par halki lali aa gayi. "Haan... bas aise hi. Kuch khaas nahi hai hai"
"Nahi," Karan ne uspe haath fera. "Yeh... bahut achha hai. Aap... bahut achha chitr karti hain."
Payal sharmaye. "Dhanyavad... mujhe bachpan se chitrkala pasand hai."
"Sach mein?" Karan ke awaaz mein jigyasa thi. "Mujhe nahi pata tha."
Payal muskurai. "Haan. Mujhe kalaa bahut pasand hai. Chirtkala, baageche, yudkalaa... yeh sab. Isliye... maine mahal mein woh baagecha khud se sambhala hua tha. Tumhe yaad hai?"
Karan ne sir hilaya. "Haan.. yaad hai. Woh bahut khubsurat tha. Hamesha... itne saare rang bhare hote the usmein."
Karan ne woh fenki hui lakdi uthayi. Usne use apne haath mein ghumaya.
"Waise," Karan ke chere pe ek shararti muskaan aa gye. "Main bhi bachpan mein thoda bahut chitr karta tha."
Payal ki bhahue chaudi ho gayi. "Sach mein? Tum? Yeh toh kuch naya suna meine."
"Jab main... jab main Vanrajya se door tha... tab maine bahut kuch seekha. Aur... Chirtkala bhi seekhi. Sach bataun toh main... main theek thaak chitrbaaz ban gaya tha."
Payal hasne lage, "Tum? Aur chirtkala mein nipun. Mujhe... mujhe vishwas nahi ho raha." Woh apne gadi nhi rok paa rhe the.
"Kyun nahi ho raha?" Karan ne natak se chubne ka dikhawa kiya. "Main sach bol raha hoon Di."
"Achha?" Payal ne apne bahue jode hue kaha. "Toh dikhao fir jab maanu."
"Dikhau?" Karan vishmay mein chala gaya.
"Agar tum sach mein itne achhe chirtkala jaante ho... toh kuch bana karke dikhao."
Karan muskuraya. "Theek hai. Par... par kya banau?"
Payal ne sochte hue kaha, "Tumhe jo banana ho. Jo tumhe pasand ho."
Karan ne ek pal socha. Fir usne woh lakdi ki chhadi se Payal ki taraf ishara kiya.
"Main... main aapka chitr banaunga."
Payal ki aankhen badi ho gayi. Uske gaal achanak se laal ho gaye. "Kya?! M-mujhe?!"
"Haan," Karan ne muskurate hue kaha. "Kyun? Koi dikkat hai?"
"N-nahi... matlab... par..." Payal kuch bolne ki koshish kar rahi thi par shabd nahi mil rahe the. "Par.. main... matlab... yeh..."
Karan hans pada. "Di... aap itna kyun sharma rahi hai? Main bas ek chitr hi toh bana raha hoon."
"H-haan... par yeh... yeh ajeeb hai,"
Karan: "Kuch ajeeb nahi hai. "Aap...bas waise hi baithi rahiye. Main...abhi bana deta hoon."
Payal ne halke se sir hilaya. Uska dil tez dhadak raha tha. Karan use draw karega? Yeh.. thoda ajeeb zaroor tha par... Na jaane use kyu usse achha bhi lag raha tha.
Karan zameen ki taraf jhuka aur us chhadi se zameen par chitr banane laga. Chand ki roshni kaafi thi dekhne ke liye. Usne ek baar Payal ko dekha... uske chehre ki har detail ko note kiya. Uski aankhen... uske baal... uski naak... uske honth. Dono ke aankhein jab bhi milte dono ghabra ke jaldi se use tod lete.
Aaj ke liye hi next update kal ya parson! Sorry guys kuch complications ke wajah se thode din ke liye story hold pe aa gye the. We'll hit the previous pace again. ^_^