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Guys Don't worry, story band nahi hui hai. Just baat ye hai ki mere 99% purane readers audience have left the forum. So now wo "Slow Burn" ke saath story ke updates dena koi sense nahi banata , to Mai bass baki bache updates complete kar raha hu, and ek saath sare post kar dunga. We're almost there. As always meri story 200-300 updates ki nahi hoti, so isme bhi 50-100 updates hai, jisme adhe to already likhe hai. Baki thode bache jald se jald likh kar yaha post kar dunga. And this would be my last story on this platform (most probably)
Haveli ke aakhiri hisse mein bane Siraaj ke office mein is waqt khamoshi thi. Siraaj apni heavy mahogany desk par baitha, import hui automatic rifles ke fake shipping documents par dhyan se sign kar raha tha. Tabhi darwaze par halki si aahat hui aur Altaf andar aaya.
"Umm... Siraaj... Mujhe kuch zaroori baat karni thi tujhse," Altaf ne aakar samne wali kursi kheench li. Uske haath mein ek file thi.
Siraaj ne pen rakha aur apni thehri hui nazron se bade bhai ko dekha. "Haan, kahiye. Kya baat hai?"
Altaf ne thoda jhijhakte hue shuru kiya, "Mujhe lagta hai ki... humara baki transport aur aslah ka business to acha chal hi raha hai, lekin ek vyapaar aur hai market mein. Agar hum usme haath dalein, toh munafa humare abhi ke profit se do guna... nahi, teen guna zyada hoga."
Ye sunkar Siraaj poori tarah apne kaam se dhyan hata kar Altaf ki taraf ghoom gaya. Uske chehre ke bhaav sakht hone lage the. "Hmm... Aur kis cheez ka dhanda hai ye jisme itna munafa dikh raha hai aapko?"
Altaf ne thoda aage jhuk kar aawaz dheemi ki, "Afeem (Opium), Siraaj. Aur nayi tarah ke videshi nashe. Nashe ka market behadd bada hai Mumbai aur Pune mein. Humari pehchan aur network itna strong hai ki bina kisi rok-tok ke hum isey control kar sakte hain. Soch kitna paisa..."
"Nahi." Siraaj ne Altaf ki baat beech mein hi berukhi se kaat di.
Altaf thoda chid gaya. "Arey poori baat toh sun le. Siraaj, socho us munafe ke bare mein agar hum..."
Siraaj apni kursi se utha. Usne table par rakha paperweight ghumaate hue nihayat hi thandi aawaz mein kaha, "Bhai, humara abhi ka kaam bhale jokhim bhara hai, khooni hai... lekin use hum control kar sakte hain. Bandook us par chalti hai jispar hum chalana chahte hain. Lekin drugs ka dhanda? Wo kabhi kisi ke control mein nahi reh payega. Ye humari naslon mein ghus jata hai."
Altaf ne fir koshish ki, "Lekin Siraaj, market..."
"Nahi matlab nahi," Siraaj ki aawaz ab hukum ban chuki thi. "Drugs ka dhanda karna waisa hi hai jaise samandar ke kinare ret ka mahal banana. Munafa dikhta zaroor hai, par ek badi lehar aati hai... aur sab kuch mitti mein mil jata hai. Ye kachra main apne network mein nahi aane dunga."
Siraaj ki aankhon ki sakhti dekh kar Altaf samajh gaya ki ab behes karne ka koi fayda nahi. Wo chupchap baith gaya.
Siraaj ne wapas table par aakar file uthayi. "Agle kuch dino tak Guns ka sara kaam-kaaj aapko dekhna hoga bhai. Main kuch din tak Pune Race Club ke documents ke kaamon mein fasa rahunga."
Altaf ne thandi saans chhodte hue sir hilaya, "Theek hai... Main sambhal lunga."
Dusri taraf, Mumbai ke mashhoor Leopold Cafe mein is waqt ek alag hi rounaq thi. College ki chutti hone ke baad Naziya seedha apni purani aur sabse khaas dost, Dimpy se milne aayi thi. Dimpy Naziya se 3-4 saal badi thi aur pichle 4 saal se America mein padhai kar rahi thi. Dono itne waqt baad mil kar behadd khush thi.
"Kya baat hai Dimpy! Tumhara toh poora rang dhang hi badal gaya America ja kar!" Naziya ne Dimpy ki western dress aur uske chote kate baalon ko hairat se dekhte hue kaha.
Dimpy ne apne milkshake ki sip li aur haste hue boli, "Arey kya rang dhang badalna. Wahan ja kar main aur desi ho gayi hu yaar. Sach kahu toh hum sab ke liye Hindustan hi sabse sahi jagah hai."
"Wo kyu?" Naziya ne masoomiyat se pucha.
"Kyunki yaar, hum log thode bhavuk hote hain. Aur America mein na... wahan bhavnao ki koi value nahi hai. Sab machino ki tarah ghoom rahe hain. Mera toh wahan settle hone ka koi irada nahi."
Naziya khilkhila kar has padi, "Chalo achi baat hai, tum wapas aa gayi. Waise maine toh socha tha kahin tum kisi gore angrez ke sath hi bhaag kar wahan ghar basa logi."
"Arey kya tum kuch bhi sochti ho. Wahan par sacha pyaar pana namumkin jaisa lagta hai... Accha Wo sab chhod, tu bata teri zindagi kaisi chal rahi hai? Agle mahine se University mein admission hai na tera?" Dimpy ne Naziya ka hath pakad kar pucha.
"Haan, sabkuch theek thak hi hai. Par sach kahu... haveli ke bahar ki duniya dekhne ke liye main university ka intezar nahi kar sakti!" Naziya ki aakhon mein khuli hawa ke liye ek bechaini thi.
Aise hi dono hasi mazak karti rahi. Tabhi Dimpy ke bag mein kuch 'Beep-Beep' bajj utha. Dimpy ne apne bag se ek ajeeb sa chota, kaale rang ka device nikala aur usko beech se khol kar kaan par laga liya.
"Hello? Yeah, mom... Me Naziya se milne ayi hu I'll be late."
Naziya ki aankhein fati ki fati reh gayi. Ye duniya ka pehla flip cellphone tha, jo abhi tak Hindustan ke market mein dhang se launch bhi nahi hua tha. Sirf ameer log foreign se import karwate the.
Call katne ke baad Dimpy ne phone band kiya aur table par rakh diya. Naziya us phone ko aise dekh rahi thi jaise koi jaadu dekh liya ho.
"Ye... ye bina taar wala telephone? Ye beech me se fold bhi ho jata hai?!" Naziya ne usey hath lagate hue pucha.
Dimpy has padi, "Haan pagli, isey Cellphone kehte hain. America mein ab sab yehi use karte hain."
Bas, us ek pal mein, us flip phone par Naziya ka dil aa gaya tha.
Idhar South Bombay ke ek andhere Godown mein Altaf aur uska sabse kareebi aadmi, Ravi baithe the. Altaf ke samne mehngi Scotch ki aadhi khali botal rakhi thi. Uski aakhon mein alcohol aur ego dono ka nasha tha.
Ravi ne mahol ko samajhte hue kaha, "Aapke haav-bhaav se lag raha hai Altaf bhai, ki Afeem ke us tagde munafe ke baare mein humein bhoolna padega."
Altaf ne glass ek saans mein khali kiya aur gusse se table par patka. "Sahi kaha... Siraaj se baat ki maine. Par wo is dhande mein risk nahi lena chahta. Uski wahi purani ratein, Asool aur rules."
Ravi ne janbujh kar aag mein ghee dala, "Samajh gaya Altaf bhai. Waise Agar aap thoda aur mazbooti se baat karte to sha......."
Ravi ki baat poori hone se pehle hi Altaf ne aisi zehrili aur gusse bhari nazar uspar daali ki Ravi ka gala sookh gaya. Altaf ne ek lambi saans li, nashe mein usne apne asool thode dhile kar diye. "Ek kaam kar Ravi... Ek chota consignment, ek chota lot utha le Afeem ka. Dekhte hain agar bina Siraaj ki nazron mein aaye, kam se kam risk mein ye kaam hota hai ya nahi. Agar munafa double hua, toh munafa dekh kar Siraaj khud maan jayega."
"Theek hai Altaf bhai. Main kal hi upar contact karta hu," Ravi muskuraya. Andhere mein Altaf ne pehli baar apne hi bhai ke khilaf, bina usey bataye, maut ka sauda kar liya tha.
Raat ho chuki thi. Haveli mein Naziya hall se lekar main gate tak bar-bar besabri se chakkar kaat rahi thi. Jaise hi Siraaj ki kaali gaadi ruki, Naziya daud kar kitchen mein gayi aur tray mein paani ka glass lekar Siraaj ke samne aa khadi hui.
Siraaj ne coat utarte hue use ajeeb nazron se dekha. "Theek se andar toh aane deti? Aaj ye khatirdaari kis khushi mein?" Siraaj ne paani ka glass liya.
"Aapne khana kha liya kya bhaiya?" Naziya ne bachi jaisi pyari aawaz mein pucha.
Siraaj ne glass table par rakha aur muskuraya, "Dopehar mein bataya toh tha, main kisi party ke sath dinner karke aaunga. Mera pet bhara hai."
"Arey par... wo maine na aaj apne hathon se sewaiyan banayi hain. Thodi si khaoge?" Naziya ne itni masoomiyat se pucha ki Siraaj chah kar bhi na nahi keh saka.
Dining table par Siraaj sewaiyan kha raha tha aur Naziya uske samne dono hathon par muh rakhe use dhyan se dekh rahi thi. Uski aakhon mein aur hothon par ek chaalak si choti muskurahat thi. Siraaj samajh gaya ki daal mein kuch kala hai.
Siraaj ne chammach rakha. "Acha, ab makkhan lagana ho gaya ho toh... seedhe seedhe bata de kya baat hai? Kiski gardan kaatni hai?"
Naziya khilkhila kar hasi, "kyaa.... Nahi nahi! Gardan nahi! Bhaiya wo... Dimpy aaj America se wapas aayi hai. Uske paas na ek bahut pyara sa Cellphone tha. Wo wala jo beech me se folder ki tarah band ho jata hai aur jisme se antenna nikalta hai! Toh... mujhe bhi theek waisa hi wala Cellphone chahiye. Please!"
Siraaj ne ek eyebrow uthayi. "Cellphone? Tere kamre mein jo landline hai, aur uske bagal mein jo wireless phone hai, usey kya hua?"
"Kuch nahi hua! Mujhe bas... mujhe waisa hi flip hone wala phone chahiye. Sab doston ke paas pagers aa gaye hain. Mujhe cell phone chahiye, please Bhaiya please please!" Naziya ne zidd pakad li.
Siraaj apni behen ki is khushi aur zidd ke aage hamesha harta aaya tha. Wo andhere ka saudagar, Naziya ke saamne bas ek majboor bhai tha.
Siraaj ne ek halki saans li aur haan mein sir hilaya. "Theek hai. Par wo India mein nahi milta, mujhe kisi ko bol kar bahar se import karwana padega. Kuch din lagenge. Chalega?"
Ye sunte hi Naziya khushi se uchal padi. Wo apni kursi se uthi aur Siraaj ke gale lag gayi. Siraaj ke thake hue chehre par ek sachi muskurahat tair gayi. Yahi ek jagah thi jahan usey sukoon milta tha.
Udhar Upadhyay aangan mein ek alag hi gandagi phaili thi. Raghuveer ke bungalow se juda ek aalishan quarter tha jise Harish ne apna 'Randi Khana' bana rakha tha. Raat ke 11 baj rahe the. Raghuveer apni main balcony se cigar pite hue us quarter ki taraf jhaank raha tha. Wahan se loud music aur gandi aawazein aa rahi thi.
"Kya Randi khana bana rakha hai is badzaat ne yahan... Kaam ka pata nahi, mauj poori hai iski," Raghuveer badbadaya.
Gusse mein Raghuveer seedha us quarter mein chala gaya. Bina knock kiye usne darwaza zor se laat maar kar khola. Andar ka nazara dekh kar kisi ko bhi ghin aa jaye.
Harish 3-4 ladkiyon ke sath bistar par tha, sab ke sab nange the. Sharab ki botalein aur charas ka dhuaan kamre mein faila tha. Raghuveer ke aane par bhi Harish par koi asar nahi hua, wo pasine mein tarr apni hawas poori karne mein madhosh tha.
"Harish!" Raghuveer ki dahad se poore quarter ke sheeshe kaanp gaye.
Apne baap ki gusse bhari aawaz ne Harish ka nasha faad diya. Wo ghabra kar ruka. Usne ladkiyon ko aankh dikhate hue wahi rehne ko kaha.
"Sali randiyo... khabardar agar mere wapas aane par kisi ne bhi apne kapde pehne toh..."
Harish ne jaldi se ek bathrobe lapeta aur gusse mein bahar aangan mein aaya. "Kya hai? Kyu dimaag kha rahe ho mera aadhi raat ko?"
Raghuveer ne uske chehre par ek zordaar thappad raseed kiya. CHATAACK!
"Dekh beta... ye teri aakhiri aiyashi hai is mahine ki. Kuch dino baad China border wala bada maal aane wala hai. Tu Krunal ke sath milkar uska hath batayega, bina koi nayi bhasad failaye. Samajh gaya?"
Harish ne apna laal gaal sehlaya aur zehreli nazron se dekha. "Aur kuch?"
Raghuveer ne use ghinoni nazron se dekha, "Tujhse teri aage ki zindagi ke baare mein toh main pooch bhi nahi sakta. Nasha aur randiyon ke siva tere dimaag mein hai kya janne layak?"
Itna keh kar Raghuveer wapas haweli mein chala gaya. Harish jallad ki tarah gusse mein phafkarta hua wapas andar chala gaya, in sabka badla un bechari ladkiyon par nikalne ke liye.
Raat ke 2 baj chuke the. Siraaj ki kaali gaadi ek sunsaan, safed rang ki society ke bahar aakar ruki. Usne apna coat gaadi mein hi chhoda aur stairs chadh kar ek flat ka darwaza bajaya.
Darwaza khula, aur samne ek behadd khubsurat, chereh par saadgi aur aakhon mein gehra dard liye ek aurat khadi thi, Sarika. Siraaj ko dekhte hi uski aankhon mein achanak se chamak aur hothon par ek thehri hui muskurahat aa gayi. Usne aage badh kar Siraaj ki shirt ke collar ko pakda aur use pyaar se andar kheench liya. Darwaza band karte hi dono seedhe bedroom mein chale gaye.
Siraaj thakaan se bed ke kinare par baith gaya. Sarika ne apne nightgown ki pocket se ek cigarette nikali, jalayi aur Siraaj ke hothon ke beech rakh di. Siraaj wese toh zyada smoke nahi karta tha, par Sarika ke paas aakar wo khud ko thoda dheela chhod deta tha.
Sarika aakar Siraaj ki gaud mein baith gayi. Usne apne mulayam hathon se Siraaj ke ghane baalon ko sehlaya. "Toh... kaise ho meri jaan?"
Siraaj ne cigarette ka dhuaan chhodte hue uski taraf dekha. "Kya lagta hai tumhe?"
"Sadiyon ke thake hue lagte ho... Jisse nind toh aati hai par wo so nahi paata," Sarika ne uske chehre ki lakeeron ko padhte hue kaha. "Chalo koi baat nahi... ab tumhari Sarika tumhe sukoon dilayegi."
Itna keh kar Sarika Siraaj ke shirt ke buttons ek ek karke kholne lagi. Siraaj ne adhi jalti cigarette ashtray mein feki aur dono haathon se Sarika ka chehra pakad kar uske hothon ko be-tahaasha chumne laga. Is chumman mein pyaar kam aur ek dard, ek desperate hunger zyada thi. Sarika ne tezi se Siraaj ki shirt utaar di aur sath hi apne jism ko bhi kapdon se azaad kar diya.
"Chalo ab... ab aur zyada mat tadpao... ahhh," Sarika ki aawaz mein ek mithi talab thi.
Siraaj ne use apne majboot hathon se pakda aur bed par gira diya. Us raat kamre mein beinteha jazbaat the. Siraaj ka jism aur Sarika ki rooh ek doosre mein uljhi hui thi. Ye sirf sex nahi tha, ye Siraaj ke us andhere ka outlet tha jo wo duniya ke saamne nahi nikal sakta tha.
*(Waise bata du... Sarika ek sadharan ladki nahi thi. Wo kam umar mein ek kothe par zabardasti bechi gayi thi. Ek raat Siraaj us kothe ke paas se guzar raha tha tabhi use ek roti Hui ladki nange pair bhagti dikhi jise 2-3 aurto me pakad kar wapis Kothe ki taraf khinch liya. Sarika ki aakhon ka dard dekh kar, Siraaj ne kothe ke maalik ke saamne noton ka bag phenka aur Sarika ko wahan ke narak se hamesha ke liye azaad kar diya. Aaj Sarika us ghinoni duniya se door, Siraaj ke saare kaale dhando ki hisaab-kitaab sambhalne wali sharp Accountant thi. Wo jism se aur rooh se sirf Siraaj ko chahti thi. Lekin Siraaj... usne apne dil ke darwaze par pehre bitha rakhe the. Siraaj kisi se dil nahi lagata tha, usey darr tha ki jis din usne kisi se pyaar kiya, uske dushman uski kamzori ko maar denge. Isiliye Siraaj, Sarika ke paas sirf mahine ke aakhiri hafte mein aata tha. Thakan door karta, aur fir...) *
Agli subah.
Suraj ki roshni kamre mein aa chuki thi. Sarika bed par chadar lapete Siraaj ko suit pehante hue dhyan se dekh rahi thi. Siraaj ne apna wallet nikala, usme se kuch 500 ke naye note gine, aur bina Sarika ki taraf dekhe, paise bed ki side table par rakh diye.
Ye paise Sarika ki tankha the. Lekin in paison ka asal maqsad kuch aur hi tha. Siraaj ye paise jaan boojh kar deta tha taaki Sarika ko yaad rahe ki unke beech ka rishta sirf Len Den ka hai. Ek invisible deewar jo Siraaj ne khud khadi ki thi, taaki Sarika bhool se bhi use apna haqeeqat ka humsafar na maan baithe. Siraaj use aur dukh nahi dena chahta tha.
Sarika ne un paison ki taraf dekha. Uske hothon par ek dard bhari muskurahat thi. Wo uthi, Siraaj ke nazdeek aayi aur uske shirt ka collar theek karte hue behadd naram aawaz mein boli,
"Kabhi bina in paison ke paas aakar dekh lena Siraaj... main tumhe apnane se mana thodi karungi. Main bikk chuki hu pehle... par tumhare liye main aaj bhi anmol hu."
Siraaj ke hath pal bhar ke liye ruk gaye. Uske andar ka patthar ek second ke liye pighla tha. Lekin agle hi second usne apne chehre ko wapas sakht kar liya. Usne Sarika ko apni taraf khincha, uske mathe par ek halke se kiss kiya, aur use piche hatate hue bola, "Accountant ho na meri... apna hisaab barabar rakha karo."
Siraaj darwaza khol kar bahar nikal gaya. Sarika wahi khadi rahi. Use Siraaj ke is kathorpan ka gussa nahi aata tha, balki rona aata tha. Wo us deewar ke piche chupe hue ek darr se kaanpte hue insaan ko saaf dekh sakti thi.
Siraaj building se niche utra, gaadi mein baitha aur usne gaadi start ki. Uske dimaag mein ek ajeeb sa bojh tha, par ab us bojh ke sath ek naya toofan judne wala tha. Kyunki Altaf aur Upadhyay family... dono hi aise bomb the jinhe kisi bhi waqt fatna tha.
What an amazing update. Siraj chahe bure kaam zarur karta h lekin uske usul h ki drugs jese ghinoni chiz me wo apna hath ganda nhi krga. Altaf k wajah se lafda hone wala h asa lagta h. Waiting for it
Haveli ke aakhiri hisse mein bane Siraaj ke office mein is waqt khamoshi thi. Siraaj apni heavy mahogany desk par baitha, import hui automatic rifles ke fake shipping documents par dhyan se sign kar raha tha. Tabhi darwaze par halki si aahat hui aur Altaf andar aaya.
"Umm... Siraaj... Mujhe kuch zaroori baat karni thi tujhse," Altaf ne aakar samne wali kursi kheench li. Uske haath mein ek file thi.
Siraaj ne pen rakha aur apni thehri hui nazron se bade bhai ko dekha. "Haan, kahiye. Kya baat hai?"
Altaf ne thoda jhijhakte hue shuru kiya, "Mujhe lagta hai ki... humara baki transport aur aslah ka business to acha chal hi raha hai, lekin ek vyapaar aur hai market mein. Agar hum usme haath dalein, toh munafa humare abhi ke profit se do guna... nahi, teen guna zyada hoga."
Ye sunkar Siraaj poori tarah apne kaam se dhyan hata kar Altaf ki taraf ghoom gaya. Uske chehre ke bhaav sakht hone lage the. "Hmm... Aur kis cheez ka dhanda hai ye jisme itna munafa dikh raha hai aapko?"
Altaf ne thoda aage jhuk kar aawaz dheemi ki, "Afeem (Opium), Siraaj. Aur nayi tarah ke videshi nashe. Nashe ka market behadd bada hai Mumbai aur Pune mein. Humari pehchan aur network itna strong hai ki bina kisi rok-tok ke hum isey control kar sakte hain. Soch kitna paisa..."
"Nahi." Siraaj ne Altaf ki baat beech mein hi berukhi se kaat di.
Altaf thoda chid gaya. "Arey poori baat toh sun le. Siraaj, socho us munafe ke bare mein agar hum..."
Siraaj apni kursi se utha. Usne table par rakha paperweight ghumaate hue nihayat hi thandi aawaz mein kaha, "Bhai, humara abhi ka kaam bhale jokhim bhara hai, khooni hai... lekin use hum control kar sakte hain. Bandook us par chalti hai jispar hum chalana chahte hain. Lekin drugs ka dhanda? Wo kabhi kisi ke control mein nahi reh payega. Ye humari naslon mein ghus jata hai."
Altaf ne fir koshish ki, "Lekin Siraaj, market..."
"Nahi matlab nahi," Siraaj ki aawaz ab hukum ban chuki thi. "Drugs ka dhanda karna waisa hi hai jaise samandar ke kinare ret ka mahal banana. Munafa dikhta zaroor hai, par ek badi lehar aati hai... aur sab kuch mitti mein mil jata hai. Ye kachra main apne network mein nahi aane dunga."
Siraaj ki aankhon ki sakhti dekh kar Altaf samajh gaya ki ab behes karne ka koi fayda nahi. Wo chupchap baith gaya.
Siraaj ne wapas table par aakar file uthayi. "Agle kuch dino tak Guns ka sara kaam-kaaj aapko dekhna hoga bhai. Main kuch din tak Pune Race Club ke documents ke kaamon mein fasa rahunga."
Altaf ne thandi saans chhodte hue sir hilaya, "Theek hai... Main sambhal lunga."
Dusri taraf, Mumbai ke mashhoor Leopold Cafe mein is waqt ek alag hi rounaq thi. College ki chutti hone ke baad Naziya seedha apni purani aur sabse khaas dost, Dimpy se milne aayi thi. Dimpy Naziya se 3-4 saal badi thi aur pichle 4 saal se America mein padhai kar rahi thi. Dono itne waqt baad mil kar behadd khush thi.
"Kya baat hai Dimpy! Tumhara toh poora rang dhang hi badal gaya America ja kar!" Naziya ne Dimpy ki western dress aur uske chote kate baalon ko hairat se dekhte hue kaha.
Dimpy ne apne milkshake ki sip li aur haste hue boli, "Arey kya rang dhang badalna. Wahan ja kar main aur desi ho gayi hu yaar. Sach kahu toh hum sab ke liye Hindustan hi sabse sahi jagah hai."
"Wo kyu?" Naziya ne masoomiyat se pucha.
"Kyunki yaar, hum log thode bhavuk hote hain. Aur America mein na... wahan bhavnao ki koi value nahi hai. Sab machino ki tarah ghoom rahe hain. Mera toh wahan settle hone ka koi irada nahi."
Naziya khilkhila kar has padi, "Chalo achi baat hai, tum wapas aa gayi. Waise maine toh socha tha kahin tum kisi gore angrez ke sath hi bhaag kar wahan ghar basa logi."
"Arey kya tum kuch bhi sochti ho. Wahan par sacha pyaar pana namumkin jaisa lagta hai... Accha Wo sab chhod, tu bata teri zindagi kaisi chal rahi hai? Agle mahine se University mein admission hai na tera?" Dimpy ne Naziya ka hath pakad kar pucha.
"Haan, sabkuch theek thak hi hai. Par sach kahu... haveli ke bahar ki duniya dekhne ke liye main university ka intezar nahi kar sakti!" Naziya ki aakhon mein khuli hawa ke liye ek bechaini thi.
Aise hi dono hasi mazak karti rahi. Tabhi Dimpy ke bag mein kuch 'Beep-Beep' bajj utha. Dimpy ne apne bag se ek ajeeb sa chota, kaale rang ka device nikala aur usko beech se khol kar kaan par laga liya.
"Hello? Yeah, mom... Me Naziya se milne ayi hu I'll be late."
Naziya ki aankhein fati ki fati reh gayi. Ye duniya ka pehla flip cellphone tha, jo abhi tak Hindustan ke market mein dhang se launch bhi nahi hua tha. Sirf ameer log foreign se import karwate the.
Call katne ke baad Dimpy ne phone band kiya aur table par rakh diya. Naziya us phone ko aise dekh rahi thi jaise koi jaadu dekh liya ho.
"Ye... ye bina taar wala telephone? Ye beech me se fold bhi ho jata hai?!" Naziya ne usey hath lagate hue pucha.
Dimpy has padi, "Haan pagli, isey Cellphone kehte hain. America mein ab sab yehi use karte hain."
Bas, us ek pal mein, us flip phone par Naziya ka dil aa gaya tha.
Idhar South Bombay ke ek andhere Godown mein Altaf aur uska sabse kareebi aadmi, Ravi baithe the. Altaf ke samne mehngi Scotch ki aadhi khali botal rakhi thi. Uski aakhon mein alcohol aur ego dono ka nasha tha.
Ravi ne mahol ko samajhte hue kaha, "Aapke haav-bhaav se lag raha hai Altaf bhai, ki Afeem ke us tagde munafe ke baare mein humein bhoolna padega."
Altaf ne glass ek saans mein khali kiya aur gusse se table par patka. "Sahi kaha... Siraaj se baat ki maine. Par wo is dhande mein risk nahi lena chahta. Uski wahi purani ratein, Asool aur rules."
Ravi ne janbujh kar aag mein ghee dala, "Samajh gaya Altaf bhai. Waise Agar aap thoda aur mazbooti se baat karte to sha......."
Ravi ki baat poori hone se pehle hi Altaf ne aisi zehrili aur gusse bhari nazar uspar daali ki Ravi ka gala sookh gaya. Altaf ne ek lambi saans li, nashe mein usne apne asool thode dhile kar diye. "Ek kaam kar Ravi... Ek chota consignment, ek chota lot utha le Afeem ka. Dekhte hain agar bina Siraaj ki nazron mein aaye, kam se kam risk mein ye kaam hota hai ya nahi. Agar munafa double hua, toh munafa dekh kar Siraaj khud maan jayega."
"Theek hai Altaf bhai. Main kal hi upar contact karta hu," Ravi muskuraya. Andhere mein Altaf ne pehli baar apne hi bhai ke khilaf, bina usey bataye, maut ka sauda kar liya tha.
Raat ho chuki thi. Haveli mein Naziya hall se lekar main gate tak bar-bar besabri se chakkar kaat rahi thi. Jaise hi Siraaj ki kaali gaadi ruki, Naziya daud kar kitchen mein gayi aur tray mein paani ka glass lekar Siraaj ke samne aa khadi hui.
Siraaj ne coat utarte hue use ajeeb nazron se dekha. "Theek se andar toh aane deti? Aaj ye khatirdaari kis khushi mein?" Siraaj ne paani ka glass liya.
"Aapne khana kha liya kya bhaiya?" Naziya ne bachi jaisi pyari aawaz mein pucha.
Siraaj ne glass table par rakha aur muskuraya, "Dopehar mein bataya toh tha, main kisi party ke sath dinner karke aaunga. Mera pet bhara hai."
"Arey par... wo maine na aaj apne hathon se sewaiyan banayi hain. Thodi si khaoge?" Naziya ne itni masoomiyat se pucha ki Siraaj chah kar bhi na nahi keh saka.
Dining table par Siraaj sewaiyan kha raha tha aur Naziya uske samne dono hathon par muh rakhe use dhyan se dekh rahi thi. Uski aakhon mein aur hothon par ek chaalak si choti muskurahat thi. Siraaj samajh gaya ki daal mein kuch kala hai.
Siraaj ne chammach rakha. "Acha, ab makkhan lagana ho gaya ho toh... seedhe seedhe bata de kya baat hai? Kiski gardan kaatni hai?"
Naziya khilkhila kar hasi, "kyaa.... Nahi nahi! Gardan nahi! Bhaiya wo... Dimpy aaj America se wapas aayi hai. Uske paas na ek bahut pyara sa Cellphone tha. Wo wala jo beech me se folder ki tarah band ho jata hai aur jisme se antenna nikalta hai! Toh... mujhe bhi theek waisa hi wala Cellphone chahiye. Please!"
Siraaj ne ek eyebrow uthayi. "Cellphone? Tere kamre mein jo landline hai, aur uske bagal mein jo wireless phone hai, usey kya hua?"
"Kuch nahi hua! Mujhe bas... mujhe waisa hi flip hone wala phone chahiye. Sab doston ke paas pagers aa gaye hain. Mujhe cell phone chahiye, please Bhaiya please please!" Naziya ne zidd pakad li.
Siraaj apni behen ki is khushi aur zidd ke aage hamesha harta aaya tha. Wo andhere ka saudagar, Naziya ke saamne bas ek majboor bhai tha.
Siraaj ne ek halki saans li aur haan mein sir hilaya. "Theek hai. Par wo India mein nahi milta, mujhe kisi ko bol kar bahar se import karwana padega. Kuch din lagenge. Chalega?"
Ye sunte hi Naziya khushi se uchal padi. Wo apni kursi se uthi aur Siraaj ke gale lag gayi. Siraaj ke thake hue chehre par ek sachi muskurahat tair gayi. Yahi ek jagah thi jahan usey sukoon milta tha.
Udhar Upadhyay aangan mein ek alag hi gandagi phaili thi. Raghuveer ke bungalow se juda ek aalishan quarter tha jise Harish ne apna 'Randi Khana' bana rakha tha. Raat ke 11 baj rahe the. Raghuveer apni main balcony se cigar pite hue us quarter ki taraf jhaank raha tha. Wahan se loud music aur gandi aawazein aa rahi thi.
"Kya Randi khana bana rakha hai is badzaat ne yahan... Kaam ka pata nahi, mauj poori hai iski," Raghuveer badbadaya.
Gusse mein Raghuveer seedha us quarter mein chala gaya. Bina knock kiye usne darwaza zor se laat maar kar khola. Andar ka nazara dekh kar kisi ko bhi ghin aa jaye.
Harish 3-4 ladkiyon ke sath bistar par tha, sab ke sab nange the. Sharab ki botalein aur charas ka dhuaan kamre mein faila tha. Raghuveer ke aane par bhi Harish par koi asar nahi hua, wo pasine mein tarr apni hawas poori karne mein madhosh tha.
"Harish!" Raghuveer ki dahad se poore quarter ke sheeshe kaanp gaye.
Apne baap ki gusse bhari aawaz ne Harish ka nasha faad diya. Wo ghabra kar ruka. Usne ladkiyon ko aankh dikhate hue wahi rehne ko kaha.
"Sali randiyo... khabardar agar mere wapas aane par kisi ne bhi apne kapde pehne toh..."
Harish ne jaldi se ek bathrobe lapeta aur gusse mein bahar aangan mein aaya. "Kya hai? Kyu dimaag kha rahe ho mera aadhi raat ko?"
Raghuveer ne uske chehre par ek zordaar thappad raseed kiya. CHATAACK!
"Dekh beta... ye teri aakhiri aiyashi hai is mahine ki. Kuch dino baad China border wala bada maal aane wala hai. Tu Krunal ke sath milkar uska hath batayega, bina koi nayi bhasad failaye. Samajh gaya?"
Harish ne apna laal gaal sehlaya aur zehreli nazron se dekha. "Aur kuch?"
Raghuveer ne use ghinoni nazron se dekha, "Tujhse teri aage ki zindagi ke baare mein toh main pooch bhi nahi sakta. Nasha aur randiyon ke siva tere dimaag mein hai kya janne layak?"
Itna keh kar Raghuveer wapas haweli mein chala gaya. Harish jallad ki tarah gusse mein phafkarta hua wapas andar chala gaya, in sabka badla un bechari ladkiyon par nikalne ke liye.
Raat ke 2 baj chuke the. Siraaj ki kaali gaadi ek sunsaan, safed rang ki society ke bahar aakar ruki. Usne apna coat gaadi mein hi chhoda aur stairs chadh kar ek flat ka darwaza bajaya.
Darwaza khula, aur samne ek behadd khubsurat, chereh par saadgi aur aakhon mein gehra dard liye ek aurat khadi thi, Sarika. Siraaj ko dekhte hi uski aankhon mein achanak se chamak aur hothon par ek thehri hui muskurahat aa gayi. Usne aage badh kar Siraaj ki shirt ke collar ko pakda aur use pyaar se andar kheench liya. Darwaza band karte hi dono seedhe bedroom mein chale gaye.
Siraaj thakaan se bed ke kinare par baith gaya. Sarika ne apne nightgown ki pocket se ek cigarette nikali, jalayi aur Siraaj ke hothon ke beech rakh di. Siraaj wese toh zyada smoke nahi karta tha, par Sarika ke paas aakar wo khud ko thoda dheela chhod deta tha.
Sarika aakar Siraaj ki gaud mein baith gayi. Usne apne mulayam hathon se Siraaj ke ghane baalon ko sehlaya. "Toh... kaise ho meri jaan?"
Siraaj ne cigarette ka dhuaan chhodte hue uski taraf dekha. "Kya lagta hai tumhe?"
"Sadiyon ke thake hue lagte ho... Jisse nind toh aati hai par wo so nahi paata," Sarika ne uske chehre ki lakeeron ko padhte hue kaha. "Chalo koi baat nahi... ab tumhari Sarika tumhe sukoon dilayegi."
Itna keh kar Sarika Siraaj ke shirt ke buttons ek ek karke kholne lagi. Siraaj ne adhi jalti cigarette ashtray mein feki aur dono haathon se Sarika ka chehra pakad kar uske hothon ko be-tahaasha chumne laga. Is chumman mein pyaar kam aur ek dard, ek desperate hunger zyada thi. Sarika ne tezi se Siraaj ki shirt utaar di aur sath hi apne jism ko bhi kapdon se azaad kar diya.
"Chalo ab... ab aur zyada mat tadpao... ahhh," Sarika ki aawaz mein ek mithi talab thi.
Siraaj ne use apne majboot hathon se pakda aur bed par gira diya. Us raat kamre mein beinteha jazbaat the. Siraaj ka jism aur Sarika ki rooh ek doosre mein uljhi hui thi. Ye sirf sex nahi tha, ye Siraaj ke us andhere ka outlet tha jo wo duniya ke saamne nahi nikal sakta tha.
*(Waise bata du... Sarika ek sadharan ladki nahi thi. Wo kam umar mein ek kothe par zabardasti bechi gayi thi. Ek raat Siraaj us kothe ke paas se guzar raha tha tabhi use ek roti Hui ladki nange pair bhagti dikhi jise 2-3 aurto me pakad kar wapis Kothe ki taraf khinch liya. Sarika ki aakhon ka dard dekh kar, Siraaj ne kothe ke maalik ke saamne noton ka bag phenka aur Sarika ko wahan ke narak se hamesha ke liye azaad kar diya. Aaj Sarika us ghinoni duniya se door, Siraaj ke saare kaale dhando ki hisaab-kitaab sambhalne wali sharp Accountant thi. Wo jism se aur rooh se sirf Siraaj ko chahti thi. Lekin Siraaj... usne apne dil ke darwaze par pehre bitha rakhe the. Siraaj kisi se dil nahi lagata tha, usey darr tha ki jis din usne kisi se pyaar kiya, uske dushman uski kamzori ko maar denge. Isiliye Siraaj, Sarika ke paas sirf mahine ke aakhiri hafte mein aata tha. Thakan door karta, aur fir...) *
Agli subah.
Suraj ki roshni kamre mein aa chuki thi. Sarika bed par chadar lapete Siraaj ko suit pehante hue dhyan se dekh rahi thi. Siraaj ne apna wallet nikala, usme se kuch 500 ke naye note gine, aur bina Sarika ki taraf dekhe, paise bed ki side table par rakh diye.
Ye paise Sarika ki tankha the. Lekin in paison ka asal maqsad kuch aur hi tha. Siraaj ye paise jaan boojh kar deta tha taaki Sarika ko yaad rahe ki unke beech ka rishta sirf Len Den ka hai. Ek invisible deewar jo Siraaj ne khud khadi ki thi, taaki Sarika bhool se bhi use apna haqeeqat ka humsafar na maan baithe. Siraaj use aur dukh nahi dena chahta tha.
Sarika ne un paison ki taraf dekha. Uske hothon par ek dard bhari muskurahat thi. Wo uthi, Siraaj ke nazdeek aayi aur uske shirt ka collar theek karte hue behadd naram aawaz mein boli,
"Kabhi bina in paison ke paas aakar dekh lena Siraaj... main tumhe apnane se mana thodi karungi. Main bikk chuki hu pehle... par tumhare liye main aaj bhi anmol hu."
Siraaj ke hath pal bhar ke liye ruk gaye. Uske andar ka patthar ek second ke liye pighla tha. Lekin agle hi second usne apne chehre ko wapas sakht kar liya. Usne Sarika ko apni taraf khincha, uske mathe par ek halke se kiss kiya, aur use piche hatate hue bola, "Accountant ho na meri... apna hisaab barabar rakha karo."
Siraaj darwaza khol kar bahar nikal gaya. Sarika wahi khadi rahi. Use Siraaj ke is kathorpan ka gussa nahi aata tha, balki rona aata tha. Wo us deewar ke piche chupe hue ek darr se kaanpte hue insaan ko saaf dekh sakti thi.
Siraaj building se niche utra, gaadi mein baitha aur usne gaadi start ki. Uske dimaag mein ek ajeeb sa bojh tha, par ab us bojh ke sath ek naya toofan judne wala tha. Kyunki Altaf aur Upadhyay family... dono hi aise bomb the jinhe kisi bhi waqt fatna tha.
What an amazing update. Siraj chahe bure kaam zarur karta h lekin uske usul h ki drugs jese ghinoni chiz me wo apna hath ganda nhi krga. Altaf k wajah se lafda hone wala h asa lagta h. Waiting for it
(Naziya Voiceover)
"Illegal guns ki smuggling, politicians ki funding, aur ab Race fixing. aise kai kaamon mein se mere bhai ne be-tahaasha daulat aur power ikhathi kar li thi. Connection, rutba aur khauf, sab kuch Siraaj ke kadmon mein bichha ja raha tha. Par kehte hain na, 'Power Corrupts the Mind'..... Lekin kya ye kahawat Siraaj par bhi laagu hoti thi? Ya shayad, Siraaj taqat se corrupt nahi hua tha, balki wo khud us corruption ka sabse shatir roop ban chuka tha."
Yahan, Altaf ne Siraaj ki baat ko nazarandaz karke Ravi ke sath milkar Afeem ka dhanda chalu kar diya tha. Altaf ka ego use ye samjha raha tha ki agar wo Afeem se kamaya hua mota munafa ek din achanak Siraaj ki table par laakar rakhega, toh Siraaj bhi is dhande ki taqat ko maan jayega.
Lekin dikkat ki baat ye thi ki is sheher ka andhera sirf ek hi raja ka gulam nahi tha. Mumbai border par Afeem ka already ek be-taj badshah tha, Raghuveer Upadhyay. Aur Raghuveer tak ye khabar pahunchne mein der nahi lagi ki koi naya khiladi uske bazaar mein apne pair jama raha hai.
Dopehar ka waqt tha. Haveli ki badi si balcony mein Naziya aur Dimpy baithe coffee pi rahe the. Tabhi niche aangan mein Siraaj apni kaali Contessa mein baithne ke liye nikla. Usne apna dark coat pehna tha aur uske do guards uske aage-peeche chal rahe the.
Dimpy coffee ka cup hathon mein roke, Siraaj ko door se hi ek-takk ghoorne lagi.
Naziya ne ye dekha toh usne halke se Dimpy ke kandhe par ek chapet mari. "Kya dekh rahi ho aise aakhein faad kar?"
Dimpy hosh mein aayi, "Yaar... tere bhaiya ko dekh rahi hu. Kasam se, itni khatarnak aur itni attractive personality wale mard bahut kam hote hain. Aur ek tere bhaiya hain, jo us kothe wali ladki par apna waqt zaaya karte hain."
Ye baat sunkar Naziya ki muskurahat ekdum se gayab ho gayi. Uski aankhein hairani aur ek ajeeb si uljhan se badi ho gayi. "Dimpy, kya bakwaas keh rahi ho tum?"
Dimpy ne casually kandhe uchkaye, "Tujhe Sarika ke bare mein nahi pata? Oho, mujhe laga pata hoga."
"Ye Sarika kaun hai?" Naziya ke seene mein ek ajeeb si jalan aur bechaini hone lagi.
"Papa ek din baat kar rahe the," Dimpy aage aayi aur dheemi aawaz mein boli. "Wo Sarika kisi kothe par kaam karti thi. Tere Siraaj bhaiya ne use wahan se bhaari paisa dekar chhudwaya, aur ab apne private office mein as an 'Accountant' rakha hua hai. Ab tu khud soch na, ek kothe ki ladki ko uske theekane se nikal kar aalishan lifestyle dena... Zahir hai unhone ye sab kis wajah se kiya hoga?"
Dimpy ki baat sunkar Naziya gehri soch mein pad gayi. Siraaj, jo aurton se aur jazbaaton se koso door rehta tha, usne kisi aurat ke liye itna bada kadam uthaya? Wo bhi aisi aurat ke liye? Naziya ka dil kisi anjaane darr aur jealousy se bhari hone laga. Use laga jaise Siraaj par sirf uska haq tha, aur ye 'Sarika' uske fitoor ke beech mein aa rahi thi.
"Acha ab jo sochna hai baad mein sochna, ghoor mat mujhe aise," Dimpy ne baat kaati. "Aaj shaam ko hum South Bombay ke ek club mein party karne jayenge. Mere NRI dost bhi aane wale hain."
Naziya ka mood abhi party wala bilkul nahi tha. "Nahi... tum jao, main haveli mein hi theek hu."
"Agar tum sath aayogi toh hi main jaungi, warna nahi. Come on Naziya, tum kab tak is sone ke pinjre mein kaid rahogi?" Dimpy ne zidd pakad li.
"Acha baba theek hai... main aaungi," Naziya ne haar maante hue kaha.
"Ye hui na baat! Acha main shaam ko yahin aa jaungi tumhare liye ek badiya si dress lekar," Dimpy excited ho gayi.
"Mere paas kapde hain Dimpy," Naziya ne yaad dilaya.
"Tumhare wo salwar-kameez party mein nahi chalenge madam. Main le aungi!" Dimpy itna keh kar wahan se chali gayi, aur Naziya bas 'Sarika' ke naam mein uljhi reh gayi.
Udhar Upadhyay ke godown mein mahol maut jaisa thanda tha.
Ek khabari Krunal ke samne khada tha. "Bhai... wo jo naya Afeem bech raha tha apne ilake mein, uske baare mein pata chal gaya hai."
"Kaun hai wo?" Krunal ne apni bandook saaf karte hue pucha.
"Koi Ravi naam ka aadmi hai. Yaad hai Bauji ke sath hum Pune Race Club mein Siraaj Khan se mile the? Us Siraaj ke bade bhai Altaf ke sath is Ravi ko kai baar dekha gaya hai."
Krunal ki aankhon mein gussa aa gaya. "Siraaj... Race club ka munafa kam pad gaya usko jo ab humare dhandhe mein bhi haath maarne laga? Us Ravi ko utha la aaj hi!"
Aur waisa hi hua. Shaam hote hote, Ravi ko utha liya gaya.
Andhere godown mein Ravi ke haath kursi se bandhe hue the. Uski halat buri tarah peet-peet kar kharab kar di gayi thi. Uski naak aur hothon se khoon tapak raha tha.
"K... Kaun... kaun ho tum log? C... Chhod do mujhe! Ahhh!" Ravi ne kaanpte hue pucha.
Uske sawal ka jawab samne khade Krunal ne uske pet mein ek zordaar laat maar kar diya. Tabhi godown ka lohe ka darwaza khula, aur Raghuveer Upadhyay andar aaya. Use dekhte hi Ravi darr ke maare rone laga. Wo samajh gaya ki usne kis sher ki poonch par paer rakha tha.
Raghuveer chalte hue uske theek samne aakar khada hua. "Suna hai... Afeem bechta hai tu market mein? Wo bhi meri ijazat ke bina?"
"Main... Sahib wo Altaf bhai ne..."
Is se aage Ravi ek lafz nahi nikal paya. Raghuveer ne apni coat se revolver nikali, aur ek second soche bina Ravi ke khule hue muh mein daal kar trigger daba diya.
"BANG!"
Ravi ka sir piche kursi par latak gaya. Godown mein barood ki mehak fail gayi.
Raghuveer ne apni revolver ki barrel par laga Ravi ka khoon apni safed rumaal se saaf kiya. "Jahan se is kide ko uthaya tha, wahi iski laash phenk aao. Ek note chhod dena iske saath"
Krunal ne laash ki taraf ghin se dekha aur bola, "Bauji... is choti machli ko marne se acha tha, seedha us Siraaj Khan ko hi tapka dete. Khel hi khatam."
Raghuveer ne muskurate hue Krunal ko dekha. "Nahi Krunal. Dhandhe mein be-wafkoofi aur gusse mein farq samajhna seekh. Siraaj Khan humare liye bahot bada munafa sabit ho sakta hai. Is aam admi ko maar kar Siraaj ko sirf ye batana tha ki humare raaste mein bina puche ghusne ki saza maut hai."
Shaam dhal chuki thi aur Mumbai mein ghanghor barish shuru ho gayi thi.
Haveli ke kamre mein Naziya aaine ke samne khadi thi. Dimpy uske piche bed par baithi thi. Dimpy ne ek behadd bold, deep-neck aur short black dress Naziya ko pehanne ke liye majboor kiya tha.
Naziya ne apne aage coat laga kar khud ko dhakne ki koshish ki. "Ye kaise kapde le aayi tum? Ye thode bhi dhang ke nahi hain Dimpy. Mera adha jism dikh raha hai isme!"
"Oh Miss old-fashion" Dimpy uth kar aayi. "Is American fashion ki kitni demand hai aur ye kitna premium lagta hai, tu nahi janti."
"Main sab janti hu. Siraaj bhaiya mujhe zinda gaad denge agar unhone is haalat mein mujhe dekh liya toh," Naziya ne ghabrate hue kaha.
"Arey yaar tum bhi na... wo thodi aayenge party mein. Sab bade log aise hi kapde pehante hain wahan. Tu pehan, aadat ho jayegi," Dimpy ne zor diya.
Bina aur behes kiye, Naziya ne wo dress theek ki. Sach toh ye tha ki wo aaine mein behadd khubsurat aur qayamat lag rahi thi. Uska gora rang us kaale deep-neck libaas mein aur chamak raha tha.
Dono wahan se gaadi mein baith kar nikal gayi. Siraaj ne security ke liye ek gaadi unke piche lagayi thi, jisme 4 hathiyarbund aadmi the.
Udhar Altaf ka dimaag phata ja raha tha. Wo pichle teen ghante se Ravi ko landline par call mila raha tha, par koi jawab nahi tha. Ghabrahat mein Altaf khud gadi chala kar Ravi ke thekane par pahuncha.
Darwaza thoda sa khula hua tha. Andar andhera tha. Altaf ne jaise hi light ka switch dabaya, uske pairo tale zameen khisak gayi. Uski poori nasheeli halat ka nasha pal bhar mein utar gaya.
Ravi ki laash khoon se lathpath zameen par padi thi, aur uske sir ka pichla hissa ud chuka tha. Altaf ke haath kaanpne lage. Usne Ravi ki shirt ki collar mein phasa ek kagaz ka note dekha. Us par sirf ek naam likha tha 'Raghuveer Upadhyay'.
Haveli ke office mein Siraaj chupchap kitab padh raha tha jab Altaf bad-hawaas halat mein darwaza dhakel kar andar aaya. Uska rang uda hua tha. Usne poori baat Siraaj ko batayi.
Siraaj apni kursi par aaram se baitha raha. Usne aahista se apni kitab band ki. Uske chehre par koi hairani nahi thi, sirf ek thanda, jama dene wala gussa tha.
Siraaj ki thandi aawaz us kamre mein kisi sza-e-maut ki tarah goonji. "Maine aapse is afeem ke kachre se door rehne ke liye kaha tha, Altaf bhai."
"Siraaj... humne bas... bas ek chota sa lot uthaya tha... mujhe kya pata tha Raghuveer..." Altaf hakla raha tha.
"Aur ab us 'chote' lot ki keemat dekh li aapne?" Siraaj apni kursi se utha aur table par jhuka. "Aapki be-waqoofi aur lalach ki wajah se mera ek aadmi mara gaya hai!"
Altaf ne sharam aur darr se apna sir niche kar liya. Siraaj chahta toh abhi use uski aukaat bata deta, par khoon aakhir khoon tha.
Altaf ne darte hue kaha, "Main... main jata hu us Raghuveer ke paas. Main khud ja kar sab settle karwata hu."
"Settle? Ye Settle ka matlab kya hota hai aapki dictionary mein bhai?" Siraaj ne pucha.
"Main usey bata dunga ki main ye afeem ka dhanda humesha ke liye band kar raha hu. Us se maafi..."
"Hargiz nahi!" Siraaj dahada. "Iska matlab aap samjhte hain? Khud shuru ki hui jung mein dushman ke aage ghutne tek dega? Siraaj Khan ki izzat aisi road par nahi biki hai."
Siraaj ne coat pehna aur apni revolver theek ki. Darwaze ki taraf akar piche bethe Altaf ko kaha "Bhaijaan, aap apne kamre mein jaiye aur sharab pijiye, wo ek hi kaam hai, jo aapse ache se hota hai. Raghuveer se milne main jaunga."
Is khooni kashmakash se door, South Bombay ke ek mehnge underground club mein Naziya apni zindagi ki pehli club party ke maze le rahi thi. Shuruat ka darr ab kam ho raha tha. Dimpy ke NRI aur ameeron ke doston ke sath uski achi dosti ban rahi thi.
Naziya jab washroom gayi, toh uske dono bodyguards washroom ke theek bahar corridor mein haath baandh kar khade ho gaye.
Ye dekh kar Dimpy ki ek dost ne hairani se pucha, "Dimpy... ye kya Naziya ke bodyguards hain? Aisi bhi kya VIP hai wo?"
Dimpy ne muskurate hue ek cigarette jalayi. "Haan, waisa hi samajh lo. Waise, uska asli bodyguard toh abhi sath aaye bhi nahi hain."
"Kya matlab?"
"Arey, Naziya ka bada bhai, Siraaj. Wahi iski duniya ka asli guard hai. Jiske khauf se ye pure sheher mein ghoom sakti hai," Dimpy ne bataya.
"Lekin Naziya ne toh bataya tha ki uski family Transport aur Logistics ka business karti hai. Toh bodyguards kyu?"
Dimpy ne us ladki ko uski aukat dikhate hue kaha, "Sweetheart, is aalishan club mein baithe hum sab ke parivaar 'Business' hi karte hain. Kya ye batane ki zarurat hai ki in safed chadaro ke niche kya kya kaale daag chupe hote hain?" Uski baat par sabke muh band ho gaye.
Jab Naziya washroom se wapas aayi, toh VIP table par tarah-tarah ki mehangi sharab ki botalein aa chuki thi. Naziya ye sab dekh kar thodi seham kar apni jagah baith gayi.
Dimpy ne ek imported beer ka mug aage kiya. "Naziya... main janti hu tune kabhi drink nahi kiya. Toh tu shuruat aasan karna. Ye le, just a light beer. Nothing heavy."
Naziya ne jaldi se mana kiya, "Nahi Dimpy... please. Main ye sab nahi karne wali. Sorry."
"Oh c'mon yaar! Grow up! Everyone is drinking. Siraaj yahan nahi hai tumhe judge karne ke liye. Just have some!" Dimpy aur baki sab log use force karne lage.
Peer pressure, aur apni azaadi ko thoda aur feel karne ke lalach mein, Naziya ne aakhirkar mug pakad liya. Usne saans roki aur ek lamba ghoont piya. Beer ki kadwahat uske gale mein chubhi.
"Kitni buri hai ye! Chii!" Naziya ne aakhein bheench li.
Dimpy aur baki dost hasne lage. "Koi baat nahi, waqt ke sath kadwahat ki bhi aadat pad jayegi."
Sach baat toh ye thi ki sharab kadwi thi, par bandisho ko todne ka aur azaadi ka jo maza tha... wo Naziya ko behadd meetha lag raha tha.
Bahar ghanghor barish ho rahi thi. Bijli ki kadak aasman ko faad rahi thi. Is toofan ke beech Siraaj ki gaadi Raghuveer Upadhyay ke bade se bungalow ke main gate par aakar ruki.
Gate par khade chaar armed guards ne gaadi ko rok liya.
"Kahan jana hai?" Guard ne bandook gaadi ki taraf taan li.
Siraaj ne sheesha thoda sa niche kiya. Uske chehre par baarish ki roshni pad rahi thi. "Raghuveer ji se milna hai."
"Naam!"
"Siraaj Khan." Siraaj ki thandi aawaz mein ek aisi authority thi ki guard bhi do pal ke liye shant ho gaya.
Guard ne walkie-talkie nikala aur andar message diya. Kuch hi seconds mein aage se clearance mil gayi aur bhari lohe ka gate khul gaya.
Waise Siraaj ko is baat ka poora ilm tha ki wo maut ke kuwein mein bina kisi sena ke akela ghus raha hai. Ek galti, aur Raghuveer yahan Siraaj ko marne se do baar nahi sochega. Par Siraaj ko darr nahi tha, use khud ke dimaag par poora bharosa tha.
Bungalow ka drawing room kisi mahal jaisa tha. Siraaj kaale sofe par aaram se baitha tha. Tabhi seedhiyon se Raghuveer aur Krunal niche aaye. Krunal ke hath mein abhi bhi bandook thi.
"Kya baat hai Mr. Siraaj..." Raghuveer ne aakar samne wali kursi li. "Aisi kya majboori aagayi, aisi kaun si maut piche pad gayi aapke ki itni raat ko baarish mein akela humare is darbar mein aana pada?"
Siraaj ne apni jeb se rumaal nikal kar apne haath poche aur seedhe aankhon mein dekha. "Raghuveer ji, main gol-gol ghuma kar baatein karne walo mein se nahi hu. Afeem ke vyapaar mein mere hath bhi utne hi mazboot hain jitne guns mein. Lekin in sab ke beech, mere aadmi ka mara jana... dhandhe ke asoolon ke khilaf tha."
Raghuveer ne haste hue ek naukar ko chai laane ka ishara kiya. "Ab kya karein Mr. Siraaj. Tum toh ek vyapari ho, samajh sakte ho. Aise nashe ke aur maut ke dhandhon mein... Competition aurat ki sautan ki tarah hoti hai. Bardaasht nahi hoti."
Siraaj muskuraya. "Sahi kaha. Main bhi bilkul yahi soch raha tha aate waqt. Lagta hai hum dono ki soch kaafi milti hai."
Raghuveer ne naukar se chai ka pyala lekar Siraaj ke aage rakha. "Acha? Toh aapne apne aadmi ki maut ke badle kya socha is barish mein?"
Siraaj ne chai ka cup pakda, "Main soch raha tha ki... kyu na bazaar mein 'competitors' ban kar ek dusre ka khoon bahane se acha hai... hum Partners ban jayein? Waise bhi, aane wale kal mein aapko mere jaise ek partner ki sakhht zarurat padne wali hai."
Ye line sunte hi piche khade Krunal ko gussa aa gaya. Krunal aage aaya aur bandook ki barrel table par thoki. "Aur... Mumbai ke is tuchhe khiladi ko aisa kyu lagta hai ki hum Upadhyayo ko tumhari zarurat hai?"
Siraaj ne aaram se chai ki ghoont li, aur cup niche rakhte hue Raghuveer ki taraf dekh kar muskuraya. "Agar na hoti... toh is aadhi raat ko dushman ko bagair puche chai pesh nahi ki jati."
Siraaj ke is jawab par Raghuveer ka ego hurt hone ki jagah, wo zor se has pada. Krunal ka mooh band ho gaya.
Raghuveer ne tali bajayi, "Mr. Siraaj, sach kahu toh jab maine Pune Race club mein aapse do-do haath kiye the, tabhi main samajh gaya tha ki aap koi mamooli gunde nahi, ek shatir mastermind hain. Khair, batayein, hum 'Partner in crime' kaise ban sakte hain?"
Siraaj thoda aage jhuka aur usne apna patta phenka. "Main janta hu, aap is Maharashtra mein afeem ke sirf dealer nahi hain. Aap is Nashe ke badshah hain. Aapka network behadd bada hai. Magar... aapki kamzori hai apka Transport. Logistic par aapki pakad nahi hai Raghuveer ji. Aur wahi aapko maat de sakti hai. Aapke liye Siraaj Khan ka transport matlab sone ke mahal ki chabi hai."
Krunal zor se hasa, "Hahaha! Kitna hi bada teer maar loge agar humara maal aapke tute huye trucko aur jahazo mein aaye toh?"
Siraaj ne Krunal ko ignore kiya aur Raghuveer se baat jari rakhi.
"Farz kijiye Raghuveer ji... Wuhan (China) se lekar Bambayi ke border tak, jab aapka maal aata hai, toh us transport ko jahazo ke zariye samandar mein kareeb 10,000 kilometer paar karna padta hai. Ab zahir si baat hai, 2 number ka aur karodo ka saman hai, toh har port par bribe (ghoos) aur custom walon ka munh daba kar bharna padta hoga. Jaise Wuhan se Hong Kong aur waha se shell company ke dwara cargo se Dubai me Laundering aur waha se Mumbai... kyu Mr. Krunal? Aankada theek de raha hu na main?"
Samundari raste aur ghoos ka exact route sunte hi Raghuveer aur Krunal dono ki hasi ekdum se gayab ho gayi. Siraaj ko inke personal smuggling routes ka poora naksha muh-zabani yaad tha. Ye unke liye kisi jhatke se kam nahi tha.
Siraaj ne apna agla vaar kiya. "Ab agar main aapse kahu, ki wahi 10,000 kilometer lamba aur mehanga rasta... main kaat kar By-Road 6,200 kilometer mein laa sakta hu? Wo bhi customs walon ko bina kisi badi rishwat diye?"
By-road?
Ye sunkar Raghuveer seedha hokar baith gaya. China se India by-road drugs lana lagbhag impossible mana jata tha border security ki wajah se.
"By-road? Hosh mein toh ho Siraaj? Army border par khadi hai," Raghuveer ne serious hokar pucha.
Siraaj halke se muskuraya. "Pune mein aapne mujhse kaha tha na... ki mera khazana jahan hai, wahan dhoop kafi tez hai? Aap galat the Raghuveer ji. Mera khazana, raat ke un andheron mein ek saaye ki tarah chalta hai jahan army ki searchlights nahi padti. China se sidha Myanmar mein aane ke liye thodi dikkat hoti hai, thodi local rishwat lagti hai... lekin wo us samandar wali rishwat se kai guna kam hogi. Aur ek baar maal Myanmar se North-East border ke zariye Hindustan ke zameen par enter ho gaya... toh Bambayi tak usey laane ka nizaam Siraaj Khan dekhta hai."
Raghuveer ka dimaag tezi se calculation kar raha tha. Agar Siraaj ki baat sach thi, toh munafa do guna hone wala tha. "Aur is service ke badle mein tumhari kimat kya hogi?"
"15 taka." Siraaj ne thehrav se jawab diya. "Jahan tak mera ganit mujhe batata hai, aap abhi apne kareeb 10 Crore ke maal par 2 se 2.5 Crore sirf corrupt officers ko gawa rahe hain. Mujhe 1.5 crore dijiye. Apka fayda hi hoga."
Siraaj ka har ek aakda bilkul nishane par jaakar laga tha. Raghuveer ko ab poori tarah se samajh aa chuka tha ki usey agle level par jane ke liye Siraaj ki sakht zarurat thi.
Raghuveer ne cigar ka dhuaan choda. "Toh... tum keh rahe ho, main ek kal ke aaye hue ladke par bharosa kar ke apne sabse keemti import ki zindagi uske haathon mein saunp du? Main kaise yakeen kar lu ki tum aur tumhara nashedi bhai mujhe raste mein dhoka nahi doge?"
Siraaj uth khada hua. "Main naitikta aur asoolon ke sath jeene wala insaan hu Raghuveer ji. Mere taraf se diya hua 'Shabd', meri bandook ki goli se zyada vazan rakhta hai. Maine zindagi mein sirf apne wajood par bharosa kiya hai. Agar dhoka dene ka irada hota, toh main aaj barish mein akela aapke in kutton ke beech nahi khada hota."
Uski us mardangi aur fearless attitude ne Raghuveer ka dil jeet liya.
Raghuveer bhi khada hua aur usne aage badh kar Siraaj ki taraf apna haath badha diya. "Chaliye Mr. Siraaj... Aasha karta hu ki humari ye 'partnership' ek lambi umar dekhegi."
"Bilkul," Siraaj ne hath milaya.
Krunal, jo abhi bhi jal raha tha, bola, "Waise humein kabhi pata hi nahi chala Siraaj, ki tumhari wo 'Naziya Transport Industries' seedhe route par itne bade 2 number ke kaam bhi karti hai."
Siraaj ka hath ek pal ke liye ruka, fir usne bilkul shant aawaz mein kaha, "Aap logon ko ye aage bhi kabhi pata nahi chalega. Kyuki ye drugs ka kaam 'Naziya Transport' ke banners tale hargiz nahi hota. Uski gadiyan sirf safed kaam ke liye hain."
Tabhi theek us pal, piche seedhiyon se Harish nashe ki halat mein taaliya bajata hua niche aaya. Usne ye poori baatcheet sun li thi.
Harish ne ghinauni muskurahat ke sath Siraaj ko dekha aur bola, "Waah... naam hi alag rakha hai? Badi azeez hogi fir toh 'Naziya' aapke liye... Siraaj bhai."
Harish ke hothon se Naziya ka naam sunte hi kamre ka poora temperature jaise zero degree par gir gaya. Siraaj ke chere ke tevar achanak pathar mein badal gaye. Uski dark eyes seedhi Harish ki aakhon mein ek zinda maut ki tarah gadi hui thi. Raghuveer aur Krunal ne bhi wo bhayankar shanti mehsoos ki jo Siraaj ke aas-paas achanak fail gayi thi. Harish ki nakli hasi us ghoor ke aage thandi pad gayi.
Lekin Siraaj ne ek bhi lafz nahi kaha. Usne apna coat theek kiya, ek feeki si muskurahat apne hothon par laya, aur Raghuveer ko salam karte hue bina aur kisi ki taraf dekhe nikal gaya. Is aafat ko usne ek bhayankar avsar mein badal diya tha.
Gaadi mein baithte hi Siraaj ne apne ghadi mein waqt dekha. Raat ke 1 baj chuke the. Usne turant Naziya ko call kiya, lekin call nahi uthi. Siraaj ko bechaini hone lagi. Usne bodyguards ko call kiya toh unhone bataya ki wo party se nikal chuke hain aur bas haveli pahunchne hi wale hain.
Siraaj ne gaadi ki raftar badha di. Barish ab toofan ban chuki thi.
Kuch hi der mein, Siraaj aur Naziya ki dono gaadiyan ek hi sath haveli ke aangan mein aakar ruki. Siraaj jaldi se apni gaadi se nikla, usne piche se bada sa chata khola aur daud kar Naziya ki gaadi ka darwaza khola taaki wo barish mein bheeg na jaye.
Jaise hi Naziya gaadi se utari, Siraaj ka haath ek pal ke liye hawa mein hi thehar gaya. Naziya us choti si, deep-neck aur bold black party dress mein thi. Siraaj ke dimaag mein ek taraf toh asoolon ka bhai jaag raha tha jise ye pasand nahi aaya, par dusri taraf wo ye dekh kar thaga sa reh gaya ki uski behen ab sach mein badi ho gayi thi.
Naziya ki halat kharab thi. Usne beer pi thi aur use lag raha tha ki uske kapdon se aati alcohol ki smell aur uski ladkhadati chal Siraaj zaroor pakad lega. Uski saansein tez thi aur dil darr se dhadak raha tha.
Siraaj ne use dekha, thoda kareeb se use chate ke niche cover kiya. Use beer ki wo faint smell aayi... par wo kuch nahi bola. Usne ek gehri thandi saans chodi.
"Chalo, andar chalo. Bheeg jaogi," Siraaj ne bas itna hi kaha.
Naziya jaise hi hall mein pahunchi, wo Siraaj se aankhein churati hui, "Goodnight bhaiya!" bol kar lagbhag daudti hui apne kamre ki taraf bhag gayi.
Siraaj wahin hall mein khada raha. Tabhi Altaf darta hua wahan aaya, uska nasha aur darr abhi utra nahi tha.
"Siraaj... kya... kya hua wahan? Raghuveer ne kya..." Altaf hakla raha tha.
Siraaj ne piche mud kar apne bhai ko dekha. Siraaj janta tha ki Altaf is nayi deal ka hissa banne ke layal nahi tha. Wo lalchi tha aur uski zaban par kabu nahi tha. Siraaj ne apne sabse bade sach ko apne seene mein dafan karne ka faisla kar liya tha.
"Mamla bilkul shant ho gaya hai Bhaijaan," Siraaj ne thande dimaag se jhoot bola. "Maine unhe bata diya hai ki Ravi ne apni marzi se kaam kiya tha aur humara Upadhyay se ya uski afeem se koi lena dena nahi hai. Raghuveer maan gaya."
Altaf ke seene mein ruki hui saans bahar aayi. "Shukar hai khuda ka!"
Siraaj ne Altaf ki aakhon mein dekhte hue aakhiri chetavni di, "Lekin yaad rakhiyega. Aaj ke baad, galti se bhi apne khayalon mein bhi Afeem ya us Raghuveer ka naam mat liyega. Dhanda wahi chalega jo main chahunga."
Altaf ne jaldi se haan mein sir hilaya. Siraaj bina kuch aur kahe apne kamre mein chala gaya.
Uske kamre ki batti band ho chuki thi. Bahar toofan shor kar raha tha, par Siraaj bed par aaram se leta tha. Uski palke bojhail ho rahi thi. Aaj usne underworld ki game mein apna sabse bada daav khela tha. Aur wo janta tha... ki ab jo khel shuru hua hai, usme dushman aur parivaar, dono hi ek na ek din jalne wale the.
, to Mai bass baki bache updates complete kar raha hu, and ek saath sare post kar dunga. We're almost there. As always meri story 200-300 updates ki nahi hoti, so isme bhi 50-100 updates hai, jisme adhe to already likhe hai. Baki thode bache jald se jald likh kar yaha post kar dunga. And this would be my last story on this platform (most probably) 
