Incest Baadshah ~ The Tales of Debauchery

[Werewolf]

Index​

Full Status and Cards​

Artworks​

Full Characters Guide​

Arcs​

Latest Update ➢ Update 186 ​

 

[Iron Man]

Mega Update

Update - 186 ~ Decisions and Trails​

Ab tak...

Dhananjay : Hum hiya dui aadmi chhore jaa rahe hai. Ee aapko sab bata denge. Theek? Ab aap report likhiye. Chalte hai hum... Hahahaha! Ram ram ji!!!

Kehte hue jaise hi woh darwaze ke paas tak pahucha peechhe se inspector ke sawaal ne use rok diya.

Inspector : Baap dada ka kya naam hai???

Dhananjay : Bhanu pratap aur Harikiran Singh!!!

Kehte hue woh waha se nikal gaya. Aur, idhar do hatte katte aadmi inspector ke saamne baith gaye.

Ab aage...

Veer's house,
Morning - 8:10 AM ~

Ravivar ka din tha aur subah-subah Veer kitchen me khada hua tha, ghar ke logo ke liye naashta taiyaar karte samay uske haath badi hi sateekta se chal rahe the.

Masaale, taazi kati hui sabziyaan aur pan me pighalte butter ki mehek hawa me bhar rakhi thi. Veer ki 'Absolute Chef' aaj apna kamaal dikhaane ke liye taiyaar thi. Sab ke sab 10 seater dining table par virajman the aur jaante the ki Veer khaana banaane me kitna maahir tha.

Tej : Oh god! Kitni achhi khushbu aa rahi hai. Veeru?? Kya bann raha hai?

Tej ne bade hi pyaar se awaaz lagaate hue poochha. Kitchen ek open kitchen tha toh use dikhayi toh sab de raha tha magar, fir bhi woh apne bhai se baat karne ke mauke ko yuhi nahi gawana chaahti thi.

Bhavna : Veeru???

Bhavna ne apni bauhe upar chadhaate hue dekha. Kal raat ke baad se dono hi Tej aur Veer kuchh zyada hi qareeb nazar aa rahe the. Woh ye dekh taajub me thi ki ek raat me hi uske baccho ke beech bhala itna lagaav kaise aa gaya? Dil khush toh tha magar jigyasu bhi.

Tej : Mein use ab pyaar se Veeru keh ke bulaungi. Kyu? Achha nahi hai?

Bhavna (smiles) : Maine toh koi virodh nahi jataaya.

Tej (smiles back) : Toh, khushi bhi toh nahi jataayi? Veeru-!! Batao na, kya bana rahe ho?

Veer (kitchen se) : Patience rakhiye, Teju di! Patience! Jald hi naashta aapki table par hoga. Tab dekh lena!?

Tej : Urgh!!! You are such a mood killer. I know tum pasta bana rahe ho, mein khushbu se hi bata sakti hu.

Uski baat par Veer bas muskuraya. Toh wahi Ragini head chair par baithi hui thi aur uski teevra aankhein Veer par hi tiki thi. Woh coffee ke mug par apni ungli ferte hue kinhi khayalo me ghum thi. Pichhli raat ke drishya uske mann me umad aaye. Woh khud se niraash thi. Akhir, woh har baar ki tarah firse Veer ke sparsh se haar jo gayi thi.

Tej uske bagal se aage ki orr jhuki aur apne bhai ko khaana banaate dekh muskurayi. Kuchh toh aisa tha Veer me jo use uski orr aakarshit karta tha. Dono ka rishta hamesha se hi ek naazuk rekha par chalta aaya tha, lekin kal raat ke baad se hi sab kuchh ab badal chuka tha. Tej ne apni maa ki orr ek nazar daali aur pal bhar ke liye sochi ki kahi unki maa ne unn dono ke beech badh rahi shareerik nazdeeki ko pakad toh nahi liya?

'Mere aur Veeru ke beech ye nazdeekiya. Kahi Mom ko shaq toh nahi hua na? Nahi! Chaahe kuchh bhi ho jaaye, humaare beech kya hai, ye kisi ko bhi pata nahi chalna chahiye. Mom ko toh hargiz nahi. Tabhi, mein aur Veeru humesha-humesha ke liye...! Yes! I'll never let you go! Never!!!'

Woh jaanti thi ki kal raat jis tarah se usne Veer ko chooma tha, woh kahi se bhi ek bhai-behan waala chumban nahi tha. Use iss baat ka ab bodh ho chuka tha ki woh dono ek sadharan bhai-behan ke rishte se kahi zyada aage badh chuke the. Aur, bhalaayi filhal isi me thi ki iss baat ka pata kisi ko na lagne paaye.

Saath hi Shweta bhi baithi hui thi, jiska dhyaan Veer par kam aur Bhavna par adhik tha. Har baar ki tarah vichaar yahi ki akhir Veer use Bhavna ki tarah kyu nahi dekhta? Bhale hi woh uski sagi maa nahi thi lekin, Veer par prem aur mamta lutaane ki uski bhavna ko koi bhi nazar-andaaz nahi kar sakta tha.

Toh wahi yaha Suman ahista-ahista sabhi ke liye plates laga rahi thi. Aur, uski beti Sonali naashta ke liye table par apni ungliyaan zoro se chalaate hue intezar kar rahi thi. Veer ke haath ka swaad usne chakh rakha tha. Aur, uss se behtar ye koi nahi jaanta tha ki Veer khaana banaane me kitna aage tha. Kintu, jo duwidha me thi woh thi ~ Bhumika!

'Y-Ye... Ye kya ho raha hai mujhe? Jab se Veer China se laut ke aaya hai tab se hi-!'

Uski nazar Veer ki peeth par gayi. Fir, uski mazboot baaho par jaha uski shirt ki sleeves mud ke bandhi hui thi. Fir, uske chehre par jaha woh uske hontho par halki si muskaan dekh paa rahi thi. Aur, ye dekh uske dil ki dhadkane tez ho gayi.

'Ye kyu ho raha hai mere saath-!!?'

Usne apne haath me liye bread toast ki taraf dhyaan lagaya jaise maano uss se hi jawab maang rahi ho. Khud par gussa bhi aa raha tha aur chidhan bhi ho rahi thi.

Magar, uska dhyaan hall ka darwaza khulne se bhang ho gaya. Ek ladki phudakti hui andar aayi aur iske pehle ki use dekh koi kuchh bol paata usne sabhi ko apne hontho par ungli rakh shaant rehne ka ishaara kiya.

Woh dabe paav Veer ko dhundhte hue apni nazre daudate hue andar gayi. Usne dekha ki Veer apni peeth kiye kitchen me naashta banaane me laga hua tha. Woh shaitaani muskaan liye Veer ke peechhe-peechhe aayi aur usne apne haatho se achanak hi Veer ki aankhein dhak li.

'Hmm!?'

Peechhe se Tej ne bhi jaise uss ladki ka saath diya aur boli.

Tej : Veeru! Koi aaya hai. Batao toh zara kaun hai?

Veer ko system ka istemal kar haath ko check karne ki zaroorat nahi thi. Woh jaanta tha ye ladki kaun thi.

Veer (smiles) : Aisa karne se kuchh nahi hone waala, meri chhoti behan. Mein jaanta hu ye tum ho ~ Kavya!

Kavya (pouts) : Ahh~ mou~ Aapko kaise pata chala?

Veer (turns around) : Mujhe tumhara touch pata hai, my dear sister.

Kavya (blushes) : Hmph! Jhooth bol rahe ho aap.

Veer : Accha? Mein jhooth bol raha hu?

Kavya : Haan!!!

Veer : Well, toh agar mein ye kahu ki tumne wahi Garofano ka perfume lagaya hai jo maine tumhe gift me diya tha toh? Kya ab tum maanogi?

Kavya : Ahhh-!!! Bhaiya, aap bahut gande ho. Aapko pata tha?

Veer (smiles) : You'll have to try next time.

Kavya (pouts) : Mou~

Aur, baari-baari hall me fir Arohi, Sumitra aur yaha tak ki Manorath bhi andar aa gaye.

Ragini (stands up) : Arey aap sab-!?

Bhavna : A-Aap?

Bhavna kuchh pal tak toh apni jagah par hi khadi rahi. Fir, woh Manorath ki taraf aage badhi aur apne sarr par pallu daal jhuk ke aashirvaad lene ke liye hui toh Manorath ne muskurate hue use aashirvaad diya. Ye pal jaise unke liye sabse bada pal tha.

Bhale hi Bhavna Brijesh se dur ho chuki thi. Lekin, Manorath ko aaj bhi woh utna hi sammaan deti thi jitna ki pehle. Haan, kahi na kahi woh Manorath se nirash zaroor thi kyunki jab use ghar se nikaala jaa raha tha tab Manorath apne bal-boote par kuchh nahi kar paaye the. Lekin, unka dosh behad kam tha. Pati aur patni ki beech ki ladaayi me unki bhoomika bahut hi kam thi.

Manorath (narm aankhon se) : Bitiya tum aaj bhi waisi hi ho. Kaash, Brijesh ye samajh paata.

Bhavna ne jab unke perr chhue toh Manorath ka dil jaise gadgad ho gaya.

Bhavna : ...

Manorath : Khair! Jo hota hai achhe ke liye hi hota hai. Mein dekh paa raha hu ki tum yaha khush ho.

Bhavna (smiles) : Apne baccho ka saath ho toh ek maa ko aur kuchh nahi chahiye.

Manorath : Hmm! Oh? Toh ye hai Tejal bitiya.

Tej uthati hui qareeb aayi aur jhukte hue usne bhi apni maa ki dekha dekhi kar unke paav chhue.

Tej : Ji! Namaste!

Manorath : Namaste! Namaste! Jeeti raho, beta! Ye bilkul tum pe gayi hai, Bhavna bitiya haha.

Bhavna (smiles) : Aaj aap yaha?

Manorath : Hoo~ Meri poti Kavya mujhe kheench ke le aayi. Aaj ravivar hai toh boli hum sab ko saath me samay bitana chahiye.

Kavya : Huh? Dada ji! Aap jhooth mat boliye. Kal aapne hi mujhse kaha tha ki aapko Veer bhaiya aur baaki sab se milne ka bahut mann kar raha hai.

Manorath : Ahem! Hahahaha!

Bhavna (smiles) : Aaiye, baithiye na.

Manorath : Hmm! Shweta bhi yahi hai.

Shweta : J-Ji!

Shweta uthi aur ahista se unke perr chhoote hue wapas se dur khadi ho gayi. Bhumika ne bhi yahi kiya.

Manorath : Jidhar bhi raho, khush rehna bahut aavashyak hai. Aur, agar tum sab yahi par khush ho toh wahi sahi. Mein tum me se kisi ko baandh ke waha ghar pe nahi rakhna chaahta. Hmph! Jab unn nalaayako ko tum sabki qadr nahi toh mein kaun hota hu tumhe rokne waala?

Shweta aur Bhavna dono hi muskurayi.

Manorath : Ragini bitiya! Theek ho?

Ragini : J-Ji dada ji! Pranaam!

Manorath : Jeeti raho aur khush raho! Vivek bhi apne pita jaisa hi nikla. Mera pota Veer hi hai jiske andar humaare kul ke sahi gunn shaamil hai.

Uski baat par Ragini khamosh rahi aur Manorath ka haath pakad unhe sofe par baithaayi. Bhavna ki nazre jab Sumitra par padi, toh woh uske paas aate hue uske haatho ko thaam li.

Bhavna : K-Kaisi ho?

Sumitra (smiles) : Theek hu, didi! Aap kaisi hai?

Bhavna (smiles back) : Bahut acchi hu! Tum... Tum yahi kyu nahi aa jaati? Kavya aur Arohi ke saath.

Sumitra : Didi, papa ji ki dekh-bhaal kaun karega? Aur, fir Vivek bhi toh hai. Uska dhyaan kaun rakhega? Fir... Jeth ji bhi hai. Sabka khaana peena, ghar dekhna. Ye toh mera kartavya hai.

Bhavna : Tum mahaan ho, Sumitra.

Sumitra : Nahi didi! Mahaan toh aap hai. Jo itna sab kuchh ho jaane ke baad bhi-

Bhavna : Nahi, Sumitra. Kya mein nahi jaanti tumhari vyatha ko? Tumhare chehre par muskaan hai. Lekin, mein jaanti hu ki andar kya chhipa hua hai.

Sumitra bas muskurayi lekin, woh theek nahi thi. Bhavna ki ye baat satya thi. Karunesh aur Pranjal ko laat maar ke Manorath ne ghar se baahar nikaala tha. Apne bete aur pati ke ghar se jaane ke baad bhala woh theek kaise reh sakti thi?

Bhavna andar hi andar dukhad bhaav liye shaant rahi. Kuchh na boli. Aur, itne me hi Veer apne haatho me plates liye kitchen se baahar nikal aaya.

Veer (smiles) : Dada ji! Sahi samay par aaye hai aap. Aaiye! Naashta kariye!

Usne Arohi ko dekha jo uski laayi hui gift ke roop me black sweater pehni hui thi.

Veer : Ahh-! Aap pe... bahut achhi lag rahi hai.

Arohi (blushes) : Thank you!

Plates rakh usne bhi fir Manorath aur Sumitra dono ke perr chhue aur fir sabhi baari-baari dining table par virajman ho gaye. Veer ke haatho ka naashta sabne khaaya aur jam kar uski tareef bhi ki. Sumitra toh kuchh zyada hi hairaan thi.

Tej : Y-Ye tumne? Ye tumne kab seekha Bhai?

Kavya : Haan bhaiya! Aap itne acche kab se ho gaye cooking me? Ghar par toh aapne kabhi hume kuchh bana ke nahi khilaya tha pehle.

Veer : Zindagi sikha deti hai, meri behan!

Uski iss baat par Ragini samet Bhumika, Arohi, Shweta, Sumitra aur swayam Kavya ke sarr neeche jhuk gaye. Woh sabhi bhali bhaanti parichit thi ki Veer ka ateet kaisa tha.

Lekin, Tej ki bauhe prashno ko lekar sikud gayi. Bhavna ki aankhein apne bete ke upar narm pad gayi. Jee kar raha tha ki abhi use apne seene se laga le. Toh wahi Tej confused thi. Use ye pata tha ki Veer ke sang pehle sahi dhang se bartaav nahi kiya jaata tha uske ghar par. Parantu, use sankshipt me kuchh bhi gyaat nahi tha. Woh ye toh jaanti thi ki Shweta aur Bhumika, Ragini aur Pranjal kaise Veer ke khilaaf the. Magar, ye nahi jaanti thi ki khud Arohi aur Kavya bhi kabhi use nazar-andaaz kiya karti thi.

Veer ne use kabhi itne vistaar se nahi bataya tha aur na hi Kavya ya Arohi ne uss baare me Tej se kabhi charcha ki thi. Tej ke inhi bhaawo ko jaise Arohi ne dekh padh liya. Agle hi shan andar se use glaani ka bojh apne upar mehsoos hua aur woh sarr jhukaaye khud se nafrat kar muh me kaur chabaate-chabaate ruk gayi.

'Mujhe unhe sab bata dena chahiye. Even if she comes to hate me. I must...!'

Bhavna : Tej!!!

Tej : Huh?

Bhavna ne fir kehna shuru kiya, uski nazre apni beti par sthir thi.

Bhavna : Tum aakhir mujhe ye kab bataogi ki tumne apni job chhor di hai?

Uske itna kehte hi Veer ko chhor sabhi aashcharya me use dekhne lage. Tej iss achanak hamle ke liye taiyaar nahi thi. Woh apni jagah par thitak ke reh gayi. Uska haath uske cup par tik gaya. Akhir, uski maa ko pata kaise chala? Usne fir apne bagal se baithe Veer ko dekha jo ishaaro hi ishaaro me uss se maafi maang raha tha.

Bhavna : Agar, tum ye soch rahi ho ki mujhe kaise pata chala? Toh, Veer ne mujhe sab bata diya hai.

Tej ek gehri saans lete hue apni kursi par seedhi hui aur apni maa ko dekh fir boli.

Tej : Mein… Mein aapko bataane hi waali thi. Wo bas… Mere liye ab meri priorities badal chuki hai. Mein life me jo chaahti thi woh ab badal chuka hai, mom.

Bhavna ne apni bauhe upar uthayi lekin chup rahi aur keval sunti rahi.

Tej (breathes) : Mein yaha apne parivar ke saath rehna chaahti hu. Mein Veer ki uske business me har possible way me help karna chaahti hu. Yahi decision mujhe sahi laga.

Bhavna : Aur, kis se poochh ke tumne ye decision liya?

Tej : Mein-

Uske bol wahi atak gaye jab Bhavna ne Veer ko dekha aur prashn kiya.

Bhavna : Kya ye tumne kiya?

Uske bol Veer par aarop nahi laga rahe the. Lekin, awaaz me wazan zaroor tha. Veer ne fauran hi apna sarr naa me hilaya.

Veer : Nahi maa! Mein kabhi bhi Teju di se unke career ke liye kisi bhi golden opportunity ko nahi chheenunga. Ye baat sach hai ki maine hi unse apne business ke liye help maangi thi. Aur, mein chaahta hu ki woh meri help kare. Lekin, woh apni job quit kar dengi iska mujhe andaaza nahi tha.

Tej ki chinta badhi aur woh turant hi apne haath se Veer ko chhekte hue boli.

Tej : Nahi, mom! Veer ne mujhe force nahi kiya. Ye mein hi chaahti thi. Mein jaisi pehle thi ab waisi nahi hu. Jaisa ki maine kaha, meri priorities badal chuki hai. Ab ye sirf mere career ke baare me nahi hai… Yaha rehne ke baare me hai… *glances* Mere bhai ke liye… Hum sab ke liye.

Bhavna : Tej! Maine tumhe apni tarah ek archaeologist banaya kyunki yahi tumhara junoon tha. Mujhe laga tha ki tum bhi meri tarah ek din ek renowned archaeologist banana chaahti thi. Bachpan me toh yahi tumhari khwahish thi.

Tej : Ye sach tha, mom! Lekin ab… ab cheezein alag hai. Aapne jo mujhe sikhaya mein uska tyaag nahi kar rahi. Baat bas itni hai ki… Veer ko ab meri zaroorat hai. Aur… Mujhe bhi… Mujhe bhi uski zaroorat hai. Mujhe uske saath rehne ki zaroorat hai. Hum… Hum ek parivar hai!

Veer ne dekha ki Tej ka haath dining table par rakha kaanp raha tha. Usne apna haath aage badhaate hue Tej ke haath ke upar rakh use thaam liya. Aur, Tej ki nigaahein apne bhai ke chehre par tik gayi.

Bhavna ne bhi unke beech ki iss harqat ko gaur se dekha — Jis tarah se Veer ne apne haath ko Tej ke haath ke upar dhak rakha tha, jis tarah se Tej uske sparsh se raahat mehsoos kar rahi thi, Bhavna ke chehre ke bhaav ye dekh badal gaye.

Veer : Teju di!!

Tej : Mm~ Mein tumhare saath rehna chaahti hu, Veeru! Mein tumhe successful hote dekhna chaahti hu. Aur, iske liye mujhse jo bann padega mein woh karungi. Ye koi mera sacrifice nahi hai, bhai. Yeh wahi hai jo mein khud chaahti hu.

Veer ke dil ne jaise ye sunte hi ek dhadkan phaand li.

Veer : Teju di aap-!!!

[Oh??? Your heart rate has increased.]

Manorath (nods) : Bahut khoob bitiya!

Bhavna ne unhe qareeb se dekha. Uska seena garv se chauda ho rakha tha. Halanki, usne ye khushi turant hi zaahir nahi ki, usne pehle ki tarah gambheerta banaaye rakhi.

Bhavna (sighs) : Agar, tumne yahi nirnay le liya hai *smiles* Toh, mein iska sammaan karti hu.

Tej : Huhhh!!?

Veer : Matlab aap-!!?

Bhavna (smiles) : Government ke dwara di gayi woh archaeological kit courier kar dena aaj hi. Choonki, ab tum ek archaeologist nahi rahi toh ye tumhari zimmedari hai ki tum woh kit aur uske saath mile saare tools wapas karo.

Tej : Ahhh~ Thank you! Thank you, Mom!!!

Bhavna : Lekin-

Tej : Lekin??

Bhavna : Parivar zaroori hai, iss baat se mein sehmat hu. Lekin, iss bhaag daud me ye mat bhool jaana ki ek insaan ka khud ka dhyaan rakhna bhi utna hi zaroori hai.

Kehte hue woh apni chai peene lagi. Uska ishaara saaf tha jo Tej samajh chuki thi. Uski maa use apne upar bhi dhyaan dene ko keh rahi thi. Woh muskurayi aur utsukta ke saath haami bhar dhanyavad di.

Arohi : Darasal, mujhe bhi kuchh kehna tha. Veer se…

Veer : Huh???

Arohi : Veer ne mujhse bhi business ko lekar help maangi thi. Aur, mein raazi bhi hu. Lekin-

Tej : Arohi! Tum bhi-??

Veer : Lekin???

Arohi : Veer! Shayad mein abhi taiyaar nahi! I mean… Maine bas abhi graduation hi kiya hai. Maan lo mein humare business ki ek important profile hold karti hu aur kal ko koi normal sa employee mere academics par ungli utha ke question karne lage ki mein kinn reasons ke chalte iss post par hu? Toh? Mein kya jawab dungi? Kya ye kahungi ki business mere bhai ka hai aur isliye mein jo chaahe uss post par reh sakti hu?

Veer : That’s-

Arohi : Nahi na? Mein ise justify kaise karungi? Tabhi kar paungi na jab mere paas woh qualifications honge? Aur isliye…

Veer : ???

Arohi : Isliye maine MBA karne ka faisla liya hai, Veer! I'll study hard. Aur, sorry maine tumse ye chhipaaya. Maine already CAT exam de diya hai. Result jald hi aa jayega. I’m aiming for IIM Ahmedabad or IIM Bengaluru.

Veer (surprised) : O-Ohh!

Arohi : I-I’m sorry-!!!

Veer : Kis field ke baare me socha hai aapne? Marketing? Finance? Ya-

Arohi : IT!!

Veer : Oh! Good!

Aisa nahi tha ki Arohi Tej ki tarah uske paas nahi rehna chaahti thi. Woh simply apni worth badhaana chaahti thi. Taaki, woh Veer ke liye jitna adhik ho sake utna adhik kaam aa sake. Veer ne sarr ahista se hilaaya.

Veer (smiles) : Aap jo bhi decision lengi, mujhe uss se koi aapatti nahi hai, di!

Arohi (smiles) : Thank you! It makes my heart at ease.

Badle me Veer bhi muskuraya. Lekin, ye muskaan kahi na kahi aatmvishvas se bhari thi.

'Balki, mein yahi chaahta tha...!'

[Oh???]

'Di ko MBA karne me 2 saal lagenge. Tab tak mein Yarnia ko establish kar chuka hounga. Aur, mera aim IT industry pe bhi hai. Maidaan me utarte hi competition har chhoti badi companies se hoga. Lekin, jo biggest competition hoga woh hoga-'

[Globerays se.]

'Exactly! Miss Suhana ke husband ki company.'

[He's just a CEO. Not the owner, master.]

'CEO apne aap me ek zimmedari waali post hai, Pari. Globerays India ki top IT company hai. Aur, isme koi shaq nahi ki uski success ke peechhe uske staff ka haath hai.'

[Oh? Are you playing dirty this time? Niharika ki madad se aap waha ke employees ko exploit kar ke apni future IT company me shaamil karna chaahte ho?]

'Nahi! Kyunki, ye mere liye faaydemand nahi.'

[Woh kaise?]

'Jo insaan kuchh paiso ke liye ek achhi bhali company ko chhor dusri company me shaamil ho sakta hai. Kya guarantee hai iski ki kal ko wahi insaan kisi teesri company ke liye meri company na chhore?'

[That's true. Lekin, ye toh hona hi hai.]

'Mere kehne ka matlab ye hai ki aise employees vulnerable bahut hote hai. Aur, volatile bhi. Ye kabhi bhi kisi bhi waqt apni choice badal sakte hai. And, that's why I don't need such employees.'

[Toh fir?]

'Mujhe unn employees ki zaroorat hai jo qaabil bhi hai aur waha ke work environment se fed-up ho chuke hai. Jo ek stable naya aur achha environment chaahte hai. Yahi pe Niharika ka mein istemal karunga. Use maine kaam par laga hi diya hai. Mein unhe woh environment bana ke dunga. Aur, dusra... I have a plan for the recruitment and how to select the candidates.'

[Mujhe intezar rahega ye dekhne ka, Master. For now, I can only give you my best wishes.]

'Pari! Show me the profit path.'

*Ding*




'Yes!!! Arohi di aur Ragini dono ka naam hai upar. They both will be my future assets.'

Veer apne vichaaro me leen tha jab Kavya ki chehekti hui awaaz ne sab ka dhyaan kheench liya.

Kavya : Arey bas bas! Ye aap sab ne kya senti sa mahaul bana rakha hai? Aaj hum sab party karenge. Yayyy~

Aur, jald hi sabhi hall me do-chaar group me batt gaye. Veer ki sabhi behne ek saath baithi aapas me baat kar rahi thi. Toh wahi Manorath Shweta aur Ragini ke sang baato me lage hue the jaha woh apni patni Brinda ke dwara diye gaye kuchh gehne dono Ragini aur Shweta ko de rahe the. Bhavna ke liye bhi woh kuchh laaye the.

Bhavna, Suman aur Sumitra apne ateet ki baato ko yaad kar rahi thi. Toh wahi Veer apne laptop par 'Stock Master' ki madad se stocks me investment kar raha tha, jiska gyaan woh apne bagal se baithi Sonali ko bhi deta jaa raha tha.

Aur, isi dauran Bhumika thi jo Veer par sarsari nigaahein daalne par majboor hoti jaa rahi thi. Jitna woh use dekhti utna hi uska dil tezi se dhadakne lagta.

Woh dekh rahi thi ki kaise Veer Sonali ko sab kuchh apne laptop par sikha raha tha. Woh dekh paa rahi thi ki kaise Kavya se baatein karte waqt woh sofe par peechhe hote hue hass raha tha.

'His smile... is so... charismatic...!'

Woh dekh paa rahi thi ki kaise woh Manorath ke saath baith ke alag-alag vishayo par baat kar raha tha. Haami bharte waqt kaise uske baalo ki latt humesha uski baayi aankh ke upar aake gir rahi thi. Woh dekh paa rahi thi ki apni aur uski dono hi maa ki taraf woh kitna prem rakhta tha.

Kaise woh Arohi ke kaan ki baali ko haath me leke uss se kuchh keh raha tha. Use kuchh sunayi nahi de raha tha. Woh toh bas Veer ke chehre me khoyi hui thi. Kaise woh Tej ka haath thaame ye dekh raha tha ki use kaha kaha par til tha. Aur, fir kaise apne shareer ke til ke baare me bata raha tha.

*Badump*

'Huh??? Y-Ye kya ho raha hai mujhe?'

Lekin, dil majboor tha. Use yaad aaya, kaise ek subah Veer ke haath se chai lete waat uske haath ki ungliyaan jab Veer ke haath se sparsh ho gayi thi aur woh kaise sharma ke bhaag gayi thi.

Jab jab woh subah jaane ke liye hoti toh uski nazre Veer ko dhundhti. Use dhyaan aaya ki kaise dinner ke waqt aaj kal woh kuchh zyada hi derr tak Veer par apni nazre gada rahi thi.

'No no no no!!!! What's wrong with me???'

Kintu, woh jitna use dekhti utna hi uska dil zoro se dhadakta. Idhar, Pari ne bhi akhir khulasa karne ke baare me nirnay le hi liya.

[Master!]

'Hmm?'

[China se lautne ke baad ek baat maine aapse abhi tak share nahi ki hai.]

'Hmm? Kaun si?'

[Updated list of favorabilities.]

'Hmm? Toh usme kya?'

[Check for yourself.]

*Ding*




Agle hi pal Veer ke samaksh saari updated favorabilities ki list saamne aa gayi aur use jhatke par jhatke lagte chale gaye.

'Huh? What the hell? Nidhi ma'am ke saamne question mark kyu hai? Yaha tak ki Ragini, Teju di aur Miss Suhana ke saamne bhi. Aur... Aur, ek second... Ragini ki favourability 150? Miss Suhana 148?? Teju di bhi 148?? What the fuck!!!? Sonali ko slave ka status kab se mil gaya? Wait a minute. Miss Sonia ki favorability drop hui hai mere khayaal se.'

[Calm down Master. Question mark isliye show ho raha hai kyunki haal hi me inke saath aapka relationship uncertainty me jaa chuka hai.]

'K-Kya matlab?'

[Matlab ye ki system abhi certain nahi hai ki inhe kaun sa title diya jaaye. Kyunki, abhi defined emotions established nahi hue hai. Agar, for example : Inme se koi bhi aapki future wife ya girlfriend banti hai toh system ise recognise kar lega aur ek title unhe allot kar dega. Lekin, abhi ke liye system inn relationships ko leke uncertain hai.]

'Samjha!'

[Yes! Rahi baat Sonali ko slave ka status kyu allot hua? Toh, system ne use ek slave ke roop me hi accept kiya hai. Aap bhale hi use dost maano lekin, jis tarah se relationship jaa raha hai woh system ke liye slave ki category me hi aata hai.]

'Ah!!'

[Aur, Miss Sonia ki favorability indeed drop hui hai. Ye lack of communication ka nateeja hai.]

'Unke baare me mujhe kuchh nahi sochna. Lekin, Bhumika di? Huh? Unki favorability 120 achanak se?'

Usne turant hi sarr utha ke Bhumika ko dekha jo uski taraf hi dekh rahi thi. Maano jaise uss bechaari ki chori pakdi gayi. Nazre milte hi woh iss qadar sharmayi ki fauran hi usne apni nigaahein fer li.

'Strange-!!!'

Tej : Hey!! Aapko pata tha ki Veer 31st December ko Yarnia ki launch karne jaa raha hai???

Bhumika : Ahhh?? K-Kya???

Tej : Arey maine kaha ki aapko pata tha ki Veer 31st December ko Yarnia ki launch karne jaa raha hai?

Bhumika : Ohh! H-Haan! W-Woh usne bataya tha.

Tej (smiles) : I'm excited.

Veer ke mukhde se pareshaan hoke antatah Bhumika apni jagah se uthi aur hotel ke kaam se baahar jaane ka bahaana banaate hue woh ghar se nikal gayi.

Lekin, isi ki aadh me Ragini ko uska bahaana mil chuka tha. Woh bhi taiyaar hoke ghar se nikal rahi thi, jab Veer ne use tok diya.

Veer : Aap kaha jaa rahi hai?

Ragini : Woh... Mujhe apne ghar jaana tha. Mummy papa se milne. Thoda kaam hai.

Veer : Iss waqt?

Ragini (nods) : Hmm!

Veer : Sab aaye hue hai ghar pe abhi.

Ragini : Mil toh liya sab se. Udhar jaana bhi zaroori hai.

Iske aage Veer ne kuchh na kaha. Jaise hi woh hall se nikalne ke liye hui toh-

'Pari!!!'

[Yes?]

'Mark the tracer on her saree.'

[Okay!]

*Ding*

[Do you want to remove the tracer from your food truck?]

'Huh? Wait-!!!'

Use yaad aaya ki usne akhiri baar tracer apne food truck pe lagaya tha jab woh Sonali ko Kaushik naam ke jaanvar se bachaane ke liye use dhundh raha tha.

'What the-!? Iska matlab tracer ek baar me ek hi cheez par apply ho sakta hai?'

[Toh aapko kya laga? Agar, multiple cheezon pe apply ho sakta toh ye skill legendary skill na bann jaati? Iske zariye aap har uss vyakti ko trace kar paate jinpe ye laga hota.]

'Hmm! Tracer ko food truck se remove kar do Pari aur Ragini ki saree par laga do.'

Pari ne aadesh anusaar wahi kiya. Veer dekhna chaahta tha ki kya Ragini waqai ghar jaa rahi thi ya kahi orr. Lekin, use uska jawab jald hi mil gaya jab usne dekha ki Ragini waqai apne ghar hi gayi hui thi.

Ek raahat ki saans lete hue usne tracer ka map band kar diya. Magar, woh nahi jaanta tha ki Ragini apne ghar jaan boojh ke chakma dene ke liye hi gayi thi. Uski asli destination toh kuchh aur thi, jaha woh shaam me dastak dene waali thi.

***

Carewell hospital, Mumbai,
Afternoon - 2:30 PM ~

DSP Trisha aur head constable Jeetu kaaka, hospital ke corridor me tez qadmo ke saath chalte hue ek room ki orr badh rahe the. Woh dono operation theatres se hoke guzre jaha par operations aur post mortems kiye jaa rahe the. Chalte-chalte hi Trisha ne sawaal uthaaya.

Trisha : Report jab taiyaar ho gayi thi toh fir unhe seedhe police station me kyu nahi bhijwaya gaya?

Jeetu kaaka : Ab, bola toh tha madam ji… heyhey… Par, lagta hai hospital waalo ke paas aadmi nahi raha hoga uss waqt.

Trisha ne ek nazar Jeetu kaaka par maari aur fir sarr hilaate hue saamne ke kamre me chali gayi jaha ek doctor, ek surgeon aur kuchh nurses pehle se maujood thi.

Doctor (glances) : Ahh! Trisha madam! Aaiye!

Trisha : Report!

Doctor : Ji! Mein aapka hi intezar kar raha tha. Baithiye!

Kehte hue usne kuchh files me se ek file nikaali aur Trisha ko thama di. Trisha ne file me se report nikaal jaise hi use dekha toh paaya ki usme sab kuchh maujood tha.

Shav kiska tha, use kaun laaya, use identify kisne kiya, kitne samay paaya gaya, kis dinaank ko mila, uss par kaun-kaun se diagnostic tests kiye gaye, external examination me kya kuchh paaya gaya, kapdo me se kya kuchh baramad hua, galey ki jaanch karne par kya pata chala jaisi tamaam cheezein uss report me mentioned thi.

Lekin, writing aisi ki medical waala banda hi use padh sake. Trisha ke maathe par surgeon ne jab rekhaaye dekhi toh woh khud hi saral bhaasha me samjhaane ke liye aage aa gaya.

Surgeon : Madam, ye ek murder hi tha. Aur, kisi bhi hathyaar se ye murder nahi kiya gaya hai.

Trisha : Huh?

Surgeon : Cause of death - Extreme pain, breakage of tissues and internal organs, aur bloodloss hai.

Trisha : ???

Surgeon : Humne humaari orr se poori achhe tareeke se jaanch ki hai madam. Dekhiye! Victim ke left lumbar region par attack kiya gaya tha. Humare umbilical region ka left portion. Aur, hum ye daave ke saath keh sakte hai ki ye assault kisi bhi tarah ke metallic weapon se nahi kiya gaya hai.

Trisha (stupefied) : Whatttt? A-Aap kehna kya chaah rahe hai?

Doctor : Kehna ye chaah rahe hai madam ki jis se bhi attack kiya gaya woh kisi bhi haal me kisi metal se bana weapon nahi tha. Yaani ki sharp objects jaise chaaku, talvaar, chhuri, rod, wagarah-wagarah. Aise kisi bhi metallic objects ke kann hume khoon, tissues, outer skin ya kapdo par kahi par bhi nahi mile hai. Aur toh aur hum cuts ko dekh ke hi anumaan laga lete hai ki kis tarah ke weapon ka istemal kiya gaya hoga. Lekin, yaha hume kuchh bhi samajh nahi aaya.

Surgeon : Ji haan! Aur, pareshani ki baat ye hai ki body me se aisa koi bhi clue nahi mila hai jis se ye pata lag sake ki ye attack hua kis cheez se.

Trisha : Y-Ye impossible hai. Bina kisi sharp object ke itna bada ghaav karna impossible hai. Aur, aapne hi toh bataya tha na phone par ki bullet ya kisi janglee jaanvar ka kaam bhi nahi hai ye? Fir kaise? Ye toh mumkin hi nahi hai!!

Doctor haami bhar aage badh apne haath mod table par baitha.

Doctor : Bilkul! Hum bhi yahi maante hai. Lekin, yahi par humaara kaam khatam hota madam. Aur… aapka shuru-!

Trisha : A-Aap ek baar aur jaanch kariye. Dekhiye, ye possible hi nahi hai. Ho sakta hai kahi kuchh-

Doctor (frowns) : Madam ji!!!

Trisha : ???

Doctor : Jankaari ke liye bata du ki aap sheher ke sabse bade aur prakhyaat private hospital me baithi hai. Jitni jaldi aur bareeki se har cheez ki pushti yaha hoti hai woh sheher ke kisi bhi aspataal me nahi hoti. Ye baat toh aap khud bhi jaanti hi hongi. Humne apna kaam kar diya hai. Agar, aapko fir bhi lagta hai ki humse koi bhool-choonk hui hai toh aap kahi aur se autopsy karwaane ke liye swatantra hai. Neeche hi mortuary me freezer me body padi hai. Agar, aap kehti hai toh mein ambulance ke zariye aapke preferred hospital me bhijwaaye deta hu.

Kehte hue doctor ne table par se landline phone uthaaya aur Trisha ko ghoor uske jawab ka intezar karne laga.

Trisha (frowns) : N-Nahi! Rehne dijiye! Woh ek body hai…! Koi khilauna nahi. M-Mujhe aap pe bharosa hai. Maafi chaahti hu!

Doctor (smiles) : Dhanyavad! Ab aapse ek akhiri nivedan yahi hai ki jitna jaldi ho sake formalities poori kar dijiyega. Taaki, body ko uske parivar me lautaya jaa sake. Kuchh ab bhi aas liye sirf body ka hi wait kar rahe hai, taaki unke qareebi ka deh sanskar ho sake.

Trisha (nods) : J-Ji! Chaliye Jeetu kaaka!

*Thud*

Darwaza band hua aur woh dono kamre se baahar nikal gaye.

Jeetu kaaka : Madam, ye gutthi toh ulajhti hi jaa rahi hai. Agar, hamla nukeele auzaar se nahi hua toh pait se itna bada maans nikla kaise?

Trisha (frowns) : Yahi toh samajh nahi aa raha hai, kaaka! *sighs* Suniye! Thaane se inspector ko bulaaiye aur yaha ki saari formalities karwaiye. Mujhe ek zaroori kaam hai. Mein shaam tak thaane par milti hu.

Jeetu kaaka : Ji madam!!!

Trisha nirdesh dete hue Carewell hospital se baahar nikli aur seedhe police jeep me sawaar waha se ravaana ho gayi. Raaste me hi woh aneko files me se kuchh khangaalne me lagi hui thi.

Driver : Madam, aap ab bhi usi case ke peechhe padi hai?

Trisha : Haan! Toh?

Driver : Udhar se kuchh nahi milne waala madam!! Chhota muh badi baat kar raha hu. Par, meri maaniye — Aap abhi ke case par zyada dhyaan dijiye. Agar, ye serial killer ka case hal ho gaya toh aapka promotion pakka hai. Kya pata, isi lapete me hume bhi thodi bahut mithaayi khaane mil jaaye. *smiles*

Trisha : Beta mithaayi toh tujhe tab bhi khaane mil jayegi agar maine ye purana case hal kar liya toh. Ab baatein mat kar. Gaadi chala!

Driver (sighs) : Ji madam!

Jald hi woh apne ghar ke saamne thi. Jeep se utar woh files ke saath ghar me pravesh ki aur jeep wapas station ki orr nikal gayi.

Ghar me aate hi uski saasu maa aur uski nanhi si bacchi ~ Pihu baahar nikal kar aayi. Unse kuchh der baat kar woh firse unhi reports ko padhte hue uska aaklan karne lagi.

‘Slogan! Maut ke pehle iski car, highway ke paas se iss sunsaan sadak se baramad hui thi. Aur, iske pehle ye car — Theek iss hotel se baahar nikli thi jaha par ek aur shav paaya gaya tha. Body ka head kisi sniper bullet se explode hua tha aisa forensics se pata laga hai.'

'Strangely, iss hotel ke paas se koi bhi security footage baramad nahi hui. Iska matlab saaf hai ki ye zaroor ek setup tha. Lekin, witnesses se bhi kuchh clear haath nahi laga hai. Hotel waali iss dead body ki identity bhi clear nahi hai. Chal kya raha tha uss din waha?’

‘Zaahir hai ki iss slogan ki car hotel se nikalne ke baad uss sunsaan sadak tak pahuchi. Aur, isliye maine iss route me har kisi se poochh-taachh kar li hai. Kuchh toh kuchh nahi jaante toh wahi kuchh aise hai jo daawa toh karte hai dekhne ka. Lekin, kuchh khaas details saamne nahi rakh paa rahe…! It’s getting really complicated. Kya karu mein?’

‘Ab siwaaye uss ladke se milne ke alawa mere paas aur koi chaara nahi. Wardi pehen ke jaungi toh aisa na ho ki woh kahi darr ke maare data delete kar de. Hmm! Normal getup me hi jaana padega.'

Upar ek top aur neeche jeans daal Trisha apne ghar se nikal car me baith uss highway ki orr nikli.

'Kya naam tha uss ladke ka? Haan! Jai!!! Information exchanger. Achha hua gun mere saath hai. Agar, kuchh hua toh-!!'

Sochte hue woh ek dukaan ke saamne ruki. Highway par hi ek badi si dukaan thi jiske bagal se dhaaba khula hua tha. Ye wahi route tha jaha se Slogan ki gaadi nikli thi. Aur, Trisha jaanti thi ki use jo kuchh bhi ab pata lag sakta tha woh cctv footage se hi lag sakta hai.

Khambe par, dhaaba ke baahar, dukaan ke baahar kayi cctv cameras lage hue the. Jab pichhli baar woh yaha se jaanch ke liye guzri thi toh samajh gayi thi ki yahi se use kuchh mil sakta hai. Lekin, poochh-taachh karne par use pata laga tha ki Jai dukaan aur dhaabe ki aadh me darasal information bechta tha. Aisi kayi highway ki sadko par uske cameras kisi dukaan, ya kisi dhaabe par lage rehte the.

Ye route aisa tha jaha se sandigdh trucks, tractors, trolleys, aur tamaam bade-bade vehicles guzra karte the. Unme kya hota tha? Woh kaha jaate the? Unki gaadi ka number, ye sab Jai becha karta tha taaki baad me unki loot-paat ho sake. Aur, isliye woh yaha wardi ke bina aayi hui thi.

Andar aate hi sabhi ki nazre uss par tik gayi. Khaas kar uske khubsoorat chehre aur kaseele badan par. Bhala ek sundar ladki akeli yaha highway par dhaabe par kya kar rahi thi?

Trisha dabang style me andar aayi aur apna kaala chashma hataate hue usne dukaan par baithe aadmi ko dekh ishaare se poochha.

Trisha : Jai kidhar hai?

Dukaan wala : Hmm? Kaun Jai?

Trisha (aage jhukte hue) : Abey wahi Jai jo jankaari bechta hai. Customer ko bhagaana chaahta hai tu?

Dukaan wala : Oh! Hahaha! A-Abhi bulaata hu. Ruko yahi!

Kehte hue woh andar chala gaya aur Trisha tab tak aas-paas baithe logo ka jaayza lene lagi. Har taraf aadmi hi aadmi baitha hua tha. Ek bhi mahila maujood nahi thi.

Kuchh hi der me Jai baahar aaya aur usne Trisha ko apni bauhe chadhaate hue upar se neeche tak parkha.

Jai : Kya re item? Kya chaahiye?

Ek pal ko Trisha ke maathe ki nass phatne ko hui. Lekin, usne apna gussa nigla aur chalaaki se apni chaal chali.

Trisha : Graahak hu! Samaan chaahiye!

Jai : Toh ye sab latke toh hai samaan! Jo lena ho lo, paisa chukao aur aage badho.

Trisha : Ye samaan lene ke liye mein highway aaungi? Jankaari chaahiye thi.

Jai firse khamosh raha. Aur, aage aate hue dukaan ki seat par baith gaya.

Jai : Kaun hai tu?

Trisha : Iss se matlab? Tum apna kaam karo. Mein apna kaam karungi. Aur, fir hume ek dusre se kya lena dena?

Kehte hue usne apni jeb me se rupaye ki kuchh gaddiyaan nikaali aur Jai ke saamne hawa me lehraate hue use dikhaayi.

Jai (frowns) : Tujhe pehle toh nahi dekha kabhi yaha. Tujhe kaise pata chala iss jagah ka?

Trisha : Suni sunaayi baato se.

Jai : Huh?

Trisha : Iss se kya lena dena tumhe? Mujhe jankaari chahiye hai aur tumhe paise. Deal karo. Aur, baat khatam. Agar, tumhare paas woh jankari hogi toh mein use khareedungi aur agar nahi toh nahi. Itni si hi toh baat hai.

Jai : Theek hai! Theek hai! Andar chal!

Jai uthate hue andar jaane laga aur Trisha mahaul ko padhte hue savdhani ke saath aage badhi. Andar aate hi usne dekha ki 4 se 5 computers ek saath lage hue the.

Jai : System chaalu kar re gaandu. Saare karna.

Chela : J-Ji!

Computers on hote hi Jai seat par baitha aur Trisha ko dekh bola.

Jai : Chal bata! Kya chahiye tujhe?

Trisha : Ek se dedh saal pehle yaha se ek car guzri thi. Kisi prakar ki chase ho rahi thi. Uski footage hai tumhare paas?

Jai uske sawaal par thoda sachet ho gaya. Aur, peeth seedhi kar ke baith gaya.

Jai : Kya re item? Tujhe pata nahi kya? Ye highway hai! Yaha se daily hazaro gaadiya guzarti hai. Mujhe kaise pata chalega ki tu kis gaadi ki baat kar rahi hai? Aur, woh bhi kaun se din ki baat kar rahi hai? Tareekh bata! Agar data me saved file koi padi hogi toh mil jayegi.

Trisha ne use fir wahi tareekh batayi jis din Slogan ki car hotel se bhaagi thi.

Trisha : Tum itna puraana data bhi rakhte ho?

Jai (while typing) : Do-do teen-teen saal pehle ka data bhi rehta hai apne paas. Apna kaam hi yahi hai. Ye lo! Mil gayi tumhari file.

Trisha (leans in) : Hmm?

Jai ne uss tareekh ka bana hua ek folder khola aur dekha ki usme do recordings padi hui thi. Usne be-jhijak pehli recording play kar di.

Jai : Ye waali hai kya? Haan! Subah ye accident ho gaya tha ek car ka. Yaad hai apne ko. Ye hai kya?

Trisha : Nahi! Der raat ki baat hai. Dusri footage dekho.

Jai ne jaise hi dusri footage play ki toh usme dikha ki ek car tez raftaar ke saath aage badhte hue nikli aur uss ke peechhe dher saari gaadiyaan lagi hui thi. Jaise hi footage ko Jai ne dekha toh uske maathe par paseene ki boondein umad aayi. Aur, Trisha ki aankhein chaudi ho gayi.

Aur, agle hi pal — usne video clip band kar di.

Trisha : Y-Ye kya kiya?

Jai : Ab mujhe dhandha nahi karna. Mujhe koi information nahi bechna.

Trisha : Kya? Kya matlab? Tumne chalaayi hi kaha abhi video theek se!?

Jai : Tumhare iraade mujhe kuchh theek nahi lag rahe. Aur, mujhe tum par doubt hai. Toh ab chup-chaap yaha se nikal lo.

Trisha : Dekho! Mein sirf information hi chaahti hu. Mein tumhe yaha fasaane nahi aayi hu.

Jai : Oh achha? Toh kya mein jaan sakta hu ki tum ye clip kyu dhundh rahi ho? Kya hua tha uss raat aisa jo tum mere adde tak aa gayi? Koi bewakoof hi hoga jo tumse bina sawaal kiye aise hi tumhe ye jankaari de dega. Aur, mein bewakoof nahi.

Trisha : Dekho! Uss raat ki mujhe footage chahiye hai. Kyunki, mujhe sach jaanana hai.

Jai : Kaisa sach?

'Ye aise nahi maanega-! Mujhe isko baato me ghumaana padega.'

Trisha : Uss raat — mere ek qareebi family member ka murder hua tha. Mein jaanti hu ki unki car yahi se nikli thi. Mujhe ye jaanana hai ki unke peechhe akhir kaun tha? Gaadi number, uska color, agar kuchh bhi mujhe milta hai toh meri madad hogi.

Jai : Oh? Toh tum yaha kyu aayi ho? Police me complain karo. Mujhe chutiya samjha hai kya? Ab iske pehle ki mein kuchh karu, tum yaha se nikal lo, warna-

Trisha samajh gayi ki ye aise nahi maanega. Aur, majbooran use sakht hona hi padega. Usne fir kiya bhi wahi, apni jeans ke peechhe khusi hui handgun usne ekdum se nikaali aur seedhe Jai ke upar taan di.

Trisha : Hands up!!! Inspector Trisha!!! Thaane police station!!!

Gun dekhte hi Jai ne apne haath khade kar liye. Aur, Trisha uske qareeb aake jhuki.

Trisha : Dekh! Mein agar chaahti toh tera ye sab kuchh zabt kar sakti thi. Mujhe khaali ek raid maarni thi. Aur, tu abhi salaakho ke peechhe hota. Samjha?

Jai : P-Par- maine tab tak data uda diya hota. Ya drive leke mein use tabaah bhi kar sakta tha.

Trisha : Smart! Aur, isliye mein wardi me nahi aayi. Ab chup chaap se ye harddrive mere hawaale karo iske pehle ki mein yaha pe raid karwau. Hmm?

Majbooran Jai ko wahi karna pada jo Trisha ne kaha. Woh jaanta tha uska bhaanda foot chuka tha. Lekin, woh ye bhi jaanta tha ki woh itni asaani se nahi pakde jaane waala tha.

Kyunki, Trisha ne harddrive li aur woh bina Jai ko kuchh bhi kahe waha se nikal gayi. Woh jaanti thi ki uss clip me wahi tha jo use dekhna tha. Aur, Jai jaiso ko toh woh iss case ke baad bhi pakad ke jail me daal sakti thi.

Halaki, jab woh waha se nikli, toh woh bas ek baat se aparichit thi. Aur, woh ye thi ki — Jai darasal Balhaar ka aadmi thi. Wahi aadmi jisme Balhaar ko haal hi me dhoka diya tha. Aur, wahi aadmi jisne Damian ke behkaawe me aake ye sab kiya tha.

Trisha fauran hi thaane lauti aur turant hi control room ke paas pahuchi.

Trisha : Shekhar-!!!

Shekhar : Ji madam?

Trisha : Iss harddrive ko jaldi se connect karo aur folder me se mujhe woh video clip play kar ke do.

Usne Shekhar ko wahi date bataayi aur apni nazre gadaaye woh wahi jhuk ke khadi ho gayi.

Shekhar ne jaise hi clip play ki, har guzarte pal Trisha ki dhadkane badhti chali gayi. Ye wahi tha.

'I got it!!! This is it...!!'

Woh screen me jaise ghusne ko ho gayi. Clip maatra 1 minute ki jitni hi lambi thi lekin usme sab kuchh tha. Slogan ki wahi gaadi jo bhaag rahi thi. Peechhe lagi kuchh aur gaadiyaan. Aur, tabhi use sabse peechhe ek badi hi luxury gaadi nazar aayi aur khush-kismati se uska number bhi.

Trisha : Sh-Shekhar-!!! Pause karo!! Haan! Ye-!!! Ye number...! This is it!!! Isi pal ka toh intezar tha mujhe. I can't believe I got my hands on this. Yahi... Yahi hume iss gutthi ko suljhaane me madad karegi. Mujhe abhi ke abhi jitna jaldi ho sake iss number se saari information nikaal ke do. Ye kiski hai, kaha se li gayi, sab kuchh.

Shekhar : Ji madam! Bas thoda time dijiye.

Woh haami bharte hue apni tez dhadkano ko qaabu me karne ki koshish karne lagi ki tabhi uska phone baj utha. Dekha toh paaya ki uske pati Rohan, yaani ki sheher ke DGP ka phone tha.

Trisha : Hello?

Rohan : Kaha tak aage badha case?

Trisha : Report mili aaj hi. Case ulajhta jaa raha hai. Kis hathyaar se vaar kiya gaya ye abhi bhi ek rehesya hi hai.

Rohan : Dekho, Trisha! Ye ab heinous crime me aa chuka hai. Poori police force ko ab satark aur sakht hone ki zaroorat hai. Agar, tumne jald hi iske baar me kuchh nahi kiya toh thaane hi nahi, poori state level police ko alert bhejna padega. Aur, fir tum jaanti ho na?

Trisha : Rohan!!! Mein-! Mein kar rahi hu. Dekho, mein jaanti hu ki tum kyu abhi tak state level police ko isme shaamil nahi kar rahe. Taaki, mein ise jitna jaldi ho sake utna jaldi solve karu aur promotion mere liye aur bhi asaan ho jaaye. Magar-

Rohan : ???

Trisha : Tum promotion ki chinta mat karo. Aur, tum jaante ho na-! Mein crimes ke khilaaf kitni sakht rehti hu? Mein...! Har case ka parda faash karungi. Don't worry! Hum logo ki jaan ko aise khatre me nahi daal sakte, Rohan. Isliye, tum wahi karo jo sahi hai. Sabhi ko alert kar do. Sab ek saath iss case me lag jayenge toh hum criminal ko jaldi pakad payenge.

Rohan : Tumne theek kaha. Lekin, mein chaahta tha ki ye bada case tum solve karo.

Trisha : Rohan! Promotion se laakh guna zyada zaroori hai uss mujrim ka pakde jaana. So, do what is right.

Rohan : Hmm! Mein kal hi iss par charcha karta hu aur saari police force ko shaamil karta hu.

Trisha (smiles) : Good-!!!

Trisha ne jaise hi phone rakha toh udhar se Shekhar ne use bula liya. Usne saari information gaadi ke baare me khoj nikaali thi.

Trisha (walks in) : Shekhar? Mil gayi?

Shekhar : Ji madam! Gaadi blue color ki ek Bentley Mulsanne hai. Aur, owner hai 'Karan Adarsh.' Ye Karan Nexacom ke owner 'Kishore Adarsh' ke sage bete hai. Gaadi import karwayi gayi thi Dubai se.

Jaise hi Trisha ne jankaari suni uski aankhein aashcharya me fel gayi.

'Nexacom-!?? Karan Adarsh-!!! Itne bade raees vyakti ki gaadi bhala iss chase me? Ye aur ulajhta jaa raha hai. Par, ab mere paas ek — clue hai. Tum kitne hi raaes kyu na ho Mister Karan Adarsh! Agar, tumhara iss murder me haath hua toh mein khud tumhe salaakho ke peechhe daalungi.'

Trisha : Shekhar!!! Clip se aur jitni gaadiyo ke number bina blur hue saaf-saaf nazar aa rahe hai. Unn sab ki information nikaalo.

Shekhar : Ji madam!

Trisha : Kal subah, Nexacom ke owner Kishore Adarsh aur uske bete ke liye bahut hi yaadgaar saabit ho sakti hai.

***

Nidhi's apartment,
Night - 8:15 PM ~

Ragini Nidhi ke apartment ke theek baahar khadi hui thi. Aur, yahi thi uski asli destination. Uska dil uske seene me zoro se dhadak raha tha. Woh yaha pehle kabhi nahi aayi thi, halaaki woh aur Nidhi ek dusre se parichit thi. Gatherings, festivals aur functions me unka aamna-saamna kayi dafa ho chuka tha. Lekin, aaj ki raat alag thi. Sandeh ka bojh use yaha tak le aaya tha.

Darwaze ko khat-khataane se veh jhijhki. Kintu, fir usne dheere se khat-khataaya. Kuchh shan baad darwaza khula, aur Nidhi use dekh hairat me reh gayi.

Nidhi : Arey—A-Aap?

Uski awaaz komal lekin utsukta se bhari hui thi.

Nidhi : Maine nahi socha tha iss waqt aap hongi.

Ragini : Kyu? Kya aapko laga tha Veer hoga?

Nidhi (jhepte hue) : Huh???

Ragini (smiles) : Arey wahi toh aksar aata hai. Mein pehli baar aayi hu. Obviously, aap mujhe expect nahi kar rahi thi. Haha!

Nidhi : W-Wahi! Please! Aao na!

Jabran muskuraate hue Ragini andar qadam rakhi. Woh ek-ek gesture ko notice kar rahi thi. Nidhi ka achanak se jhepna aur uske chehre ke bhaav se leke sab kuchh.

Ragini : Mein toh bas — aapse milna chaahti thi. Aapse baat kare kaafi samay ho gaya tha. Socha, mil hi leti hu. Isi bahaane ghar bhi dekh lungi. I hope I'm not intruding, right?

Nidhi : Arey, nahi nahi! Isme kaisa intrusion? Aap aayi toh mujhe achha laga. Baitho na!

Ragini (nods) : Hmm!

Nidhi : Batao! Kya logi? Chai ya coffee?

Ragini : Arey, mein chai coffee ke liye thodi aayi hu. Aapse baat karne aayi hu. Aap baitho yahi.

Nidhi : Arey, aise kaise bhala? Pehli baar aayi ho aur mein itna bhi na karu? Aap bhi toh apne ghar me aisa hi karti ho na. Batao! Chai karu ya coffee?

Ragini : Arey aap bhi na-!!! *sighs* Theek hai! Coffee, then!

Nidhi haami bharte hue kitchen me chali gayi. Pehle woh uske liye paani laayi aur fir coffee banaane ke liye andar vyast ho gayi.

Isi beech Ragini ki nazar iss sadharan se apartment par padi. Aur, woh sochne par majboor ho gayi ki kabhi uske saath rehne se pehle Veer yahi par kayi mahino tak raha tha, jaha usne ek jeevan aisa bhi jiya tha jise usne kabhi theek se saajha nahi kiya, jiske baare me usne kabhi bhi theek se use nahi bataaya.

Uski ungliyaan sofe ke hatthe par firi, ek kalpana hui ki Veer yahi par baitha hai, shayad raat ke sannaate me Nidhi se baat kar raha hai.

Aur, irshya janm le uthi. Yahi sab woh jagah-jagah dekh soch rahi thi jab Nidhi do cup coffee ke lekar lauti aur ek cup Ragini ke saamne table par rakh kar baith gayi.

Nidhi : Toh? Aaj aapko meri yaad kaise aa gayi?

Ragini ne casual dikhne ki koshish karte hue apni coffee ka cup uthaaya aur boli.

Ragini : Ab kya batau. Jab se Veer China se laut ke aaya hai, tab se hi sab titar-bitar ho rakha hai. Ghar me afra-tafri machi hai, haha. Business ko lekar sab focused hai. Aur, mujhe thoda break chahiye tha. Fir aapka khayaal aa gaya. *smiles*

Ragini ne apni chaal chal di. Safed jhooth bolte hue usne badi hi chalaaki se topic of discussion ko Veer ki taraf mod diya tha.

Nidhi : O-Ohh! Bilkul! Thoda mind ko break dena bhi zaroori hota hai.

Ragini : Ji! Waise ek baat toh hai-!

Nidhi : ??

Ragini : Veer aksar aapke baare me baat karta rehta hai.

Nidhi : H-Huh!!!?

Ragini : -ki kaise aapne uske kathin waqt me itna saath diya. Tough times me kaise aap uske saath thi.

Nidhi ki aankhon me halki si kuchh chamak si aayi—shayad hairaangi, shayad puraani yaadein.

Nidhi (nods) : H-Haan! Woh tha — Jab woh yaha aaya tha toh bahut hi buri sthiti me tha. Maine dekha hai use-! Aur, maine wahi kiya jo meri jagah agar koi aur bhi hota toh yahi karta.

Ragini : Ji nahi! Mujhe toh nahi lagta. *sips* Shadi-shuda, do baccho ki maa, ghar par kisi mard ka na hona, inn sab ke baad bhi aapne ek jawaan ladke ko apni chhat ke neeche panaah di. Mujhe nahi lagta ki itni asaani se koi bhi aise madad ka haath badhaata. *sips* By the way, coffee bahut achhi bani hai.

Nidhi (smiles) : Thank you! Lekin, sach yahi hai, maine wahi kiya jo mujhe sahi laga. Aur, aap bhi agar meri jagah hoti toh shayad yahi karti.

Ragini (shrugs) : Shayad! Toh? Itne mahino tak aap dono saath rahe. Qareebi toh badhi hi hogi. Uska yaha hona aapko kaisa lagta tha? I mean to say—aapko dikkat nahi gayi kabhi? Baccho ke saath-saath ek aur sadasya ka ghar me achanak se aa jaana?

Nidhi iss prashn par thoda jhijhki, saaf taur par apni bhavnao par qaabu rakhne ki koshish kar rahi thi.

Nidhi : Sach kahu toh- Woh samajhdar hai! Thoda nadaan zaroor hai lekin, samajhdar hai. Jab woh kathin samay se guzar raha tha tab bhi woh andar se humesha se mazboot rehta tha. Usne meri itni madad ki, jitni maine kabhi umeed bhi nahi ki thi. Toh, mujhe kabhi aisa laga hi nahi ki woh mere liye kabhi koi bojh tha. Aisa lagta tha jaise woh isi parivar ka hissa tha.

Ragini ka dil andar hi andar marud ke reh gaya. Woh Nidhi ki awaaz me uska sneh sunn paa rahi thi, aur ye uske andar bhadki jalan ki lapto ko aur bhi zyada badha raha tha.

Ragini : Ji! Veer aksar mujhe bataya karta tha. Toh, ye din-ba-din kaisa tha? Aap baccho ke saath-saath itna sab manage kaise kar leti thi?

Nidhi ki aankhein narm pad gayi aur pehli baar ek halki si muskaan ubhri.

Nidhi : Maine use parivar ke sadasya ki tarah hi maana humesha. Woh Juhi ki madad karta tha, kabhi-kabhi use school le jaata tha, yaha tak ki use nehlaana aur toilet tak leke jaana. Hum saath-saath shopping bhi karne jaate the, saath hi dinner ki taiyaari karna, chhote-chhote kaamo me haath bataana. Sab easily manage ho jaata tha. Aur, uske jaane ke baad hi mujhe ehsaas hua ki mein uspe kitna depend ho chuki thi.

Ragini ki pakad uske cup par mazboot ho gayi. Woh jaan rahi thi sab. 80 pratishat woh samajh chuki thi ki Nidhi hi veh mahila thi jis se Veer pyaar karta hai. Uske bheetar gusse aur jalan ki lehre uthi. Saath-saath dinner karna? Saath-saath shopping pe jaana? Mil ke baccho ka dhyaan rakhna? Agar, ye sab ek pati patni ke kaam nahi the toh aur kya the? Aur, ye sab Veer Nidhi ke saath kar chuka tha? Woh bhi uske pehle?

Ragini : Woh aapke liye bahut maayne rakhta hai, hai na?

Nidhi, bechaari chhal-kapat ki duniya se pare, ye samajh hi na paayi ki Ragini ke yaha aane ka uddeshya kya tha. Shayad, yahi ek kaaran bhi tha ki kyu veh Rajat ke jaal me itni asaani se fass gayi thi. Aur, shayad yahi ek kaaran aur bhi tha ki kaise Ragini kabhi Veer ke khilaaf shadiyantro me shaamil raha karti thi.

Ek taraf ek ignorant woman! Aur, dusri taraf ek crafty lady.

Nidhi : Veer-!! Woh alag hi hai ekdum. Niswaarth. Maine use kabhi khud ke liye selfish hote nahi dekha.

Ragini : Hmm! Aapki family ne kabhi object nahi kiya? Uska aapke saath rukne ko leke?

Nidhi : Hmm? Nahi! Hargiz nahi! Siwae, Shreya ko chhor ke. Lekin, baad me woh bhi uske saath ghul-mil gayi thi. Aap bhi ek mahila hai. Hum toh aankhon ko dekh ke hi pehchaan lete hai ki mardo ke andar humaare liye kya hai, hai na?

Ragini (nods) : Ji!

Nidhi : Maine kabhi Veer ki aankhon me woh sab nahi dekha. Hawas! Galat iraade!

Ragini : Ji!

'Agar, mein inhe bata du ki Veer ne kya kuchh kar rakha hai toh? Kya inhe bata du? Should I really-!? Inhe lagta hai iss baare me kuchh bhi nahi pata hai.'

Ragini : Waise-! Veer aapko kaisa lagta hai?

Nidhi : Huhhh??

Ragini : Mera matlab, ek insaan ke roop me aap use kaise dekhti hai?

Nidhi (smiles) : Selfless, caring, protective aur thoda sa nadaan. Lekin, ye nadaani samay ke saath chali jayegi. Abhi young hai na. Ye hota hai. Par, age ke hisaab se woh bahut mature hai.

Ragini : R-Right!

'B-Bahut mature? Bahut mature??? Agar, inhe pata chala ki usne mere saath hum-bistar hone ke baad bhi mujhe jawaab nahi diya hai toh kya sochengi ye? Kya inke vichaar tab badlenge?'

Nidhi : Aapko yakeen nahi hoga, par mein use pehle bahut kosa karti thi. Daanta bhi karti thi.

Ragini : Hmm? Kis liye?

Nidhi (smiles) : Usne aapko aur aapke parivaar ko gundo se bachaya tha na?

Ragini : Huh? A-Aapko kaise pata chala?

Nidhi : Usne hi mujhe bataya tha. Aapko pata hai? Jis raat usne aapko bachaaya tha, usi raat maine uske liye special dinner banaaya tha. Aur, woh dinner chhor ke bhaaga tha. Jab ghar aaya tha toh poore chot ke nishaan the uske shareer par. Fir, maine hi uski first aid ki thi aur fir usne bataya tha ki woh kaha par tha aur kya kuchh hua tha.

Ragini : Th-That's-

Nidhi (smiles) : Aur, mein isliye use kabhi chillaaya karti thi ki jab uska parivar uski parvah nahi karta toh woh kyu har baar khud ko unke liye jokhim me daalta hai? Can you believe it? Haha! U-Use itna chotil dekhti thi toh bas nikal jaata tha mere muh se.

Ragini ka sarr sharm se neeche jhuk gaya. The fact that he came for her when he was being served here with a special dinner comfortably. Ye apne aap me bahut kuchh bayaa karta tha.

Nidhi : Woh aapke baare me bhi bahut baatein karta tha.

Ragini : M-Matlab?

Ragini chaunkte hue apni palke jhapkaate hue use dekhi. Nidhi ne apna cup neeche rakha aur fir jaari rakha.

Nidhi : Jab woh aapke saath rehne laga tha toh yaha jab bhi aata tha toh aapki baat karta tha. Mujhe bataata tha ki ab uske parivar me uski ek bhabhi hai jo uski sach-much me parvah karti hai. Woh mujhe sab bataata tha ki aap uska kitna khayaal rakhti thi. Aapko shayad pata nahi par—woh aapki kalpana se bhi zyada parvah karta hai aapki.

Ragini : !!???

Nidhi ke shabd Ragini par haawi ho gaye aur uske andar jal rahi aag ko jaise thand kar gaye. Veer uske baare me aisa kehta tha? Beshaq, Nidhi uske liye koi anya mahila nahi thi—veh zaroorat ke samay me ek aashray thi. Lekin, ye baat ki woh Ragini ko nahi bhoola tha. Usne kabhi use peechhe nahi chhora tha.

Uski aankhon se apne aap aasu behne lage. Ye sab kya ho raha tha. Woh yaha rone nahi aayi thi. Fir kyu?

Usne apne aasu pochh dheere se saans chhori, use laga jaise ab uske andar ki gaanth thodi dheeli pad chuki thi. Lekin, jalan abhi bhi kahi na kahi maujood thi.

'Kya karu? Kya inhe bata du? Parijaat ghar ki aurto ke baare me? Kya hoga fir? Kya hoga, Veer? I have the opportunity. Mujhe bas sach ugalna hai. I can make you lose her, Veer.'

Nidhi uthate hue tabhi andar kun-munate Dhruv ki orr gayi aur uske sarr ko sehlaate hue aur soti hui Juhi ko blanket udhaane lagi.

'I can't-!!!'

Ragini ne apni saree zorr se bheench li. Uska nichla honth daanto tale kass ke dabb gaya.

'I fucking can't-!!!'

Usne Nidhi ko dekha. Juhi aur Dhurv ko dekha. Woh kitna khush thi. Aise, me bhala woh kaise sach bata sakti thi?

'Mein bas ek qadam dur hu iss aurat ko tumhari zindagi se dur karne me, Veer! And, yet I- *sniff* Yet I— I can't!!! *sniff* I fucking hate you, Veer!!! Ye kaha laa ke khada kar diya hai tumne mujhe? *sniff* It hurts so fucking much lekin, uske baad bhi mein ye nahi kar paa rahi. Is this—? This is what it means to be in love??? Is this love? I hate you, Veer-!!! *sniff* I hate you... Because... I love you~ *sniff*'

Nidhi wapas aayi aur apna pallu theek kar boli.

Nidhi (smiles) : Veer ka aisa hi hai. Woh apni family ke prati bahut protective hai. Maine shuru se dekha hai. Itna sab kuchh ho jaane ke baad bhi usne sab accept kar liya aur sab ke liye itna kuchh karta hai toh aap andaza laga hi sakti ho ki woh kaisa vyakti hai.

Ragini ne sarr hilaaya. Uski bhavnaaye uthal-puthal me thi. Woh apne sandeh ki pushti karne yaha aayi thi aur usne aisa hi kiya. Lekin, Nidhi ke shabdo ne use kuchh apratyaashit bhi pradaan kar diya — shaanti ki bhavna. Veer ne kisi ek ko dusre ke upar nahi chuna tha. Woh unn dono ki dekh-bhaal apne dhang se kar raha tha.

Jaise hi baat-cheet khatam hone ko aayi toh Ragini uth khadi hui.

Ragini : Thank you~ Aayi toh waise kuchh aur iraade se thi aur baatein kuchh aur hi ho gayi.

Nidhi (smiles) : Toh kya hua? Ab jab chaahe aap aa jaaya karo. Mein ghar par hi rehti hu.

Ragini muskurate hue ghar ke baahar nikli.

Ragini : You know what? Aap sahi hai. Nahi! Hum-! Hum sahi hai.

Nidhi : Hmm?

Ragini : Bas, ek akhiri sawaal. Veer ne aapko propose kiya toh uss baare me kya socha aapne?

Nidhi (astounded) : Huhhhh!!!?? M-Mein-!? Huh???

Nidhi jaise hi sakpakayi, Ragini ko shat-pratishat vishvas ho gayi ki Nidhi hi veh aurat thi. Isme koi shaq nahi tha. Woh punah muskurayi.

Ragini (smiles) : Veer keh raha tha ki woh aise pranks karta rehta hai, haha! Toh, maine socha kahi aapko bura toh nahi lag gaya? Isliye, poochha ki aap kya sochti hai iss baare me?

Nidhi (panics) : N-Nahi-! W-Woh-

Ragini (smiles) : It's okay. Don't mind him. Chalti aayi. Aaiyega!

Nidhi : Huh?? *nods* H-Haan!

Aur, Nidhi ko sawaalo ke bavandar me gumraah kar ke, Ragini waha se ravana ho gayi.

***

Starbucks, Mumbai,
Night - 8:30 PM ~

Starbucks ka shaant ambience kursi par baithi do mahilao ke beech ghanghor tanaav ke bilkul vipreet tha. Tej ki ungliyaan uske espresso ke cup par bechaini se thap-thapa rahi thi, uski teekhi nigaahein Suhana par tiki thi, jo humesha ki tarah shaant aur polished uske saamne baithi thi. Coffee shop ki roasted beans ki khushboo hawa me feli hui thi, lekin Tej ke dimag me ek hi cheez thi — Veer.

Suhana apni seat par thoda sa shift hui, uska almond latte jyo ka tyo rakha hua tha. Woh Tej ki ghoorti nigaaho me wazan ko mehsoos kar paa rahi thi. Kuchh gadbad thi.




Tej : Thanks for coming! And, apologies for rescheduling...! Mein busy thi lately, you know—personal matters.

Suhana (nods) : No problem!

Uske business instincts pehle se hi ye bata rahe the ki ye koi casual coffee chat nahi thi.

Suhana : I can understand. Kabhi-kabhi cheezein bahut overwhelming ho jaati hai.

Tez zabardasti muskurayi, uski aankhein narm nahi padi. Woh thoda aage ki orr jhuki aur, uski ungliyaan uske cup ke chaaro orr ghumne lagi.

Tej : Mein kuchh khaas baat karna chaahti thi. Actually — Veer ko leke.

Akhirkar, asal mudda saamne tha. Suhana ka shaant swabhav bana raha lekin uski ungliyaan uske cup par adrishya roop se kass gayi.

Suhana : Veer?? What about him?

Tej ne turant koi jawab na diya, usne apni coffee pi, nigaahein Suhana par hi tiki rahi.

Tej : Aapne use woh car gift ki thi? Roll Royce Ghost? That white car?

Suhana (nods) : I did!

Tej : Quite a gift, you know. Not something you see exchanged between casual acquaintances.

Suhana ne seedhe uski orr dekha, ye samajhte hue ki baat-cheeet ka saar kya tha.

Suhana : Yes, the car! Ye har din nahi hota ki aap kisi aise vyakti se milo jo aapki madad ke liye be-jhijhak aage aa jaaye. Veer ne mere liye bahut kuchh kiya hai. I was shot in Las Vegas. Back me-! I was about to die.

Tej : Huh?

Suhana : Aur, Veer ne hi mujhe bachaaya tha. Usne bataya tha ki use ye car pasand thi. So, it was a token of my appreciation. Aur, mujhe nahi lagta ki iss car ki keemat meri jaan ki keemat se zyada hai.

Tej ka muh andar se sikud gaya. 'A token of appreciation?' Woh andar hi andar hasi, lekin usme koi haasya nahi tha.

Tej : It's an awfully grand gesture for a token, don't you think? I mean— itna mehnga gift. Just like that-!

Suhana : Gift toh gift hota hai. Badle me kuchh maangungi thodi. Ye car mere liye 'thank you' kehne ka tareeka tha jo mujhe appropriate laga.

Tej ki ungliyaan cup ko kass ke pakadne ke chalte safed ho chali, uska dimag tezi se daudne laga. Appropriate? Rolls Royce Ghost kahi se bhi appropriate nahi thi. It was intimate — iska matlab kuchh aur tha. Aabhaar se pare.

Tej : Aap dono kaafi samay se ek dusre ko jaante honge, hai na?

Suhana ne napi-tuli saans li.

Suhana : Yes! Quite a while indeed. Shayad 2 saal se? Delhi tour, Las Vegas tour. We went together to a few places. Zaroorat ke samay woh har waqt meri madad ke liye aage aaya hai. I can't deny that-! Kuchh din pehle hi usne mujhse 'Yarnia' ke showroom ke liye madad maangi thi. So, I have arranged something for him.

Tej : What???

Tej ka gussa ubaal maarne laga. Lekin, usne chhipaane ki poori koshish ki. I have arranged something for him? Ye kisi dhamki jaisa lag raha tha use.

Tej : So, you arranged for him huh? Aur, yaha mein kayi dino se sheher me ghoom rahi thi, uske liye sahi jagah dhoondhne ki koshish kar rahi thi. Iss poore samay mein ye soch rahi thi ki woh mein hi hu jis par woh depend ho sakta hai. Lekin, aaj pata chala ki peeth peechhe woh aapse madad maang raha tha.

Akhir me uski awaaz toot gayi, jiske chalte uss chot ka pata chal gaya jise woh apne gusse ke neeche dabaane ki koshish kar rahi thi.

Suhana Tej ke swar me aaye badlaav se na chooki aur pehli baar use tanaav ka asli kaaran pata chala. Ye car ya showroom ke baare me nahi tha — Yeh Veer ke baare me tha. Aur, Tej ki apne bhai ke prati loyalty, uski possessiveness.

'Looks like she dislikes me.' Suhana ne bhaanp liya ki akhir Tej use yaha par kyu bulaayi thi. 'She wants to know the relationship I share with Veer.'

Suhana : You know what? You are lucky.

Tej : Huh?

Suhana : Veer tumhari bahut parvaah karta hai. Tumhe koi idea nahi hai ki woh tumhare baare me kitna sochta hai.

Tej akad ke reh gayi, lekin uski aankhein kisi cheez se chamak uthi.

Tej : Woh mere baare me sochta hai?

Suhana : Haan! Use tum par garv hai. Tumko pata hai woh mere paas madad ke liye kyu aaya?

Tej : !!??

Suhana : -Kyunki, woh apni behan par aur burden nahi daalna chaahta tha. Tumne uski absence me jo kuchh bhi kiya, woh unn results se bahut khush tha. But, he didn't want to overburden you. That's why he decided to ask for my help. He looks up to you.

Tej ki saansein uske gale me atak gayi. Usne bahut lamba samay woh behan banane ke liye bitaaya tha jis par Veer nirbhar ho sake, jis se ki woh har cheez ke liye uski orr dekh sake. Aur, ab Suhana se ye sunn kar uski bhavnaaye bhadak uthi — krodh, raahat, irshya.

Tej : Par, fir bhi- aaya toh woh aapke paas hi na. He came to you!!! And, not me!

Suhana : Woh tumpe bojh nahi daalna chaahta tha. Isliye, woh mere paas aaya tha. Isliye, nahi ki use tum par bharosa nahi tha, balki isliye ki woh tumhe itna importance deta hai ki tumse aur zyada maang nahi rakh sakta. You already did more than enough for him.

Tej ye sweekar nahi karna chaahti thi. Woh iss par vishvas nahi karna chaahti thi. Lekin, inn bol ne jaise uske gusse ko shaant kar diya.

Tej : You care for him, right?

Ye ek sawal ki bajaaye ek bayaan tha. Aur, iss baar Suhana hichak ke reh gayi. Woh apni nazre churaate hue idhar-udhar dekhne lagi.

Suhana : I... He's just an acquaintance.

Tej : Just an acquaintance. Right!

Kehte hue woh uth gayi. Aur, waha se jaane lagi. Lekin, jaate-jaate usne Suhana ko yaha aane ke liye dhanyavad kaha. Jaise hi cafe ka darwaza uske peechhe band hua, Suhana ne ek saans chhori.

Iss exchange ke baad dono ek dusre ke prati kuchh na kuchh bhaanp chuki thi. Tej jaan chuki thi ki Suhana bas ek acquaintance nahi thi. Aur, Suhana ye jaan gayi thi ki Tej uske aur Veer ke rishte ko lekar sandeh me thi. Saath hi ye — ki woh apne bhai ko leke kitni possessive thi.

***

FBCC headquarters, New York,
Night - 9:00 PM ~

"You showed up!!!"

Rebecca ne mudte hue apne peechhe se aa rahe shaks ko dekha.

"Aapne hi mujhe bulaaya tha."

Kehte hue woh ladka uske nazdeek aaya. Ye koi aur nahi — Damian hi tha.

Rebecca : Prepare for your next mission. Tumhe Australia jaana hoga.

Damian : Fight?

Rebecca : Up to you! Jitna ho sake uss ladki ko busy rakhna. You did well in Mumbai.

Damian (nods) : Hmm! Woh Mumbai me hi hai. Aisa mujhe lagta hai.

Rebecca : Who?

Damian : That weird one!

Rebecca : Ohh!

Damian haami bhar waha se chala gaya. Aur, idhar Rebecca ke dimaag me X ki baatein goonj gayi.

'Use your other pawn, Rebecca!'

Usne fauran hi Mumbai me maujood apne special agent ko call lagaaya — Divya!

Divya : Hello? Y-Yes Director!?

Rebecca : You have a mission, Mrs. Divya.

Divya : Huh?

Rebecca : Maharashtra me murders ho rahe hai. It appears to be a murder chain.

Divya : M-Murders?

Rebecca : I hereby assign you as a special agent to unravel the mystery behind these murders. FBCC jald hi Maharashtra govt. se contact me aa jayegi. So, be prepared.

Divya : Ahhh-!!?

Idhar Divya ko uska naya mission mila aur udhar Veer ko uske mann me-

*Ding*

[Mission : Assist Divya and unveil the murderer.
Time limit : 14 days.
Rewards :
1) ??? Points.
2) ??? Fame Points.
3) Divya's favourability increment.

Mission failure penalty : Loss of loved ones.]
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Aaj ke liye itna hi guys.
This update consists of 12k words. Cheezein bahut jaldi ab escalate hongi, ek idea lag gaya hoga ise padhne ke baad. So, be prepared. Sorry for the late update. Festivals ka time hai toh thodi vyastata rahegi, I had to go back to my hometown too. Toh adjust karne ka. Also, let me know Tej and Suhana ki meet aur Nidhi aur Ragini ki meet kaisi lagi. I spent a lot of time to write those two meetings. Baaki, target apna wahi hai. 200. Like thokne ka aur revos rakhna ka.
Dhanyavad.

Shandar jabardast super faddu lovely update

 

[Werewolf]

Here's another quiz for you guys -

Let me know which one of the sisters you prefer and WHY? You can choose only one.

a) Tej



b) Kavya



c) Arohi



d) Bhumika

 

[kris123h]

Is bhavana gonna be offed by the killer and I prefer arohi their is something about her character that attracts me the most

 

[Samar_Singh]

Here's another quiz for you guys -

Let me know which one of the sisters you prefer and WHY? You can choose only one.

a) Tej
b) Kavya
c) Arohi
d) Bhumika

Bhumika ke alawa teeno hi khas hai.

But ju know my answer,,,,
Ranking me to maine use Nidhi ke barabar rakha tha.

None other than Kavya the Cutie

 

[Rihanna]

Here's another quiz for you guys -

Let me know which one of the sisters you prefer and WHY? You can choose only one.

a) Tej
b) Kavya
c) Arohi
d) Bhumika

Personally... I prefer Arohi and Tej...
Agar aapne ye quiz kuch din pehle pucha hota to mera answer Arohi rehta ...
But seeing how Tej is behaving nd doing so much for Veer selflessly... She's becoming my favourite too ...

So Tej nd Arohi both are at equal level for me... Kavya comes second nd bhumika at last...

nd the answer why I prefer them... Arohi holds that Mysterious vibes to her .. I love how intelligent and introverted she is ... She says less but her impact is visible in every scene...

Tej... I prefer her because of her bold nature and utmost protectiveness towards Veer....

 

[katana]

fantastic update bro

 

[parkas]

Mega Update

Update - 186 ~ Decisions and Trails​

Ab tak...

Dhananjay : Hum hiya dui aadmi chhore jaa rahe hai. Ee aapko sab bata denge. Theek? Ab aap report likhiye. Chalte hai hum... Hahahaha! Ram ram ji!!!

Kehte hue jaise hi woh darwaze ke paas tak pahucha peechhe se inspector ke sawaal ne use rok diya.

Inspector : Baap dada ka kya naam hai???

Dhananjay : Bhanu pratap aur Harikiran Singh!!!

Kehte hue woh waha se nikal gaya. Aur, idhar do hatte katte aadmi inspector ke saamne baith gaye.

Ab aage...

Veer's house,
Morning - 8:10 AM ~

Ravivar ka din tha aur subah-subah Veer kitchen me khada hua tha, ghar ke logo ke liye naashta taiyaar karte samay uske haath badi hi sateekta se chal rahe the.

Masaale, taazi kati hui sabziyaan aur pan me pighalte butter ki mehek hawa me bhar rakhi thi. Veer ki 'Absolute Chef' aaj apna kamaal dikhaane ke liye taiyaar thi. Sab ke sab 10 seater dining table par virajman the aur jaante the ki Veer khaana banaane me kitna maahir tha.

Tej : Oh god! Kitni achhi khushbu aa rahi hai. Veeru?? Kya bann raha hai?

Tej ne bade hi pyaar se awaaz lagaate hue poochha. Kitchen ek open kitchen tha toh use dikhayi toh sab de raha tha magar, fir bhi woh apne bhai se baat karne ke mauke ko yuhi nahi gawana chaahti thi.

Bhavna : Veeru???

Bhavna ne apni bauhe upar chadhaate hue dekha. Kal raat ke baad se dono hi Tej aur Veer kuchh zyada hi qareeb nazar aa rahe the. Woh ye dekh taajub me thi ki ek raat me hi uske baccho ke beech bhala itna lagaav kaise aa gaya? Dil khush toh tha magar jigyasu bhi.

Tej : Mein use ab pyaar se Veeru keh ke bulaungi. Kyu? Achha nahi hai?

Bhavna (smiles) : Maine toh koi virodh nahi jataaya.

Tej (smiles back) : Toh, khushi bhi toh nahi jataayi? Veeru-!! Batao na, kya bana rahe ho?

Veer (kitchen se) : Patience rakhiye, Teju di! Patience! Jald hi naashta aapki table par hoga. Tab dekh lena!?

Tej : Urgh!!! You are such a mood killer. I know tum pasta bana rahe ho, mein khushbu se hi bata sakti hu.

Uski baat par Veer bas muskuraya. Toh wahi Ragini head chair par baithi hui thi aur uski teevra aankhein Veer par hi tiki thi. Woh coffee ke mug par apni ungli ferte hue kinhi khayalo me ghum thi. Pichhli raat ke drishya uske mann me umad aaye. Woh khud se niraash thi. Akhir, woh har baar ki tarah firse Veer ke sparsh se haar jo gayi thi.

Tej uske bagal se aage ki orr jhuki aur apne bhai ko khaana banaate dekh muskurayi. Kuchh toh aisa tha Veer me jo use uski orr aakarshit karta tha. Dono ka rishta hamesha se hi ek naazuk rekha par chalta aaya tha, lekin kal raat ke baad se hi sab kuchh ab badal chuka tha. Tej ne apni maa ki orr ek nazar daali aur pal bhar ke liye sochi ki kahi unki maa ne unn dono ke beech badh rahi shareerik nazdeeki ko pakad toh nahi liya?

'Mere aur Veeru ke beech ye nazdeekiya. Kahi Mom ko shaq toh nahi hua na? Nahi! Chaahe kuchh bhi ho jaaye, humaare beech kya hai, ye kisi ko bhi pata nahi chalna chahiye. Mom ko toh hargiz nahi. Tabhi, mein aur Veeru humesha-humesha ke liye...! Yes! I'll never let you go! Never!!!'

Woh jaanti thi ki kal raat jis tarah se usne Veer ko chooma tha, woh kahi se bhi ek bhai-behan waala chumban nahi tha. Use iss baat ka ab bodh ho chuka tha ki woh dono ek sadharan bhai-behan ke rishte se kahi zyada aage badh chuke the. Aur, bhalaayi filhal isi me thi ki iss baat ka pata kisi ko na lagne paaye.

Saath hi Shweta bhi baithi hui thi, jiska dhyaan Veer par kam aur Bhavna par adhik tha. Har baar ki tarah vichaar yahi ki akhir Veer use Bhavna ki tarah kyu nahi dekhta? Bhale hi woh uski sagi maa nahi thi lekin, Veer par prem aur mamta lutaane ki uski bhavna ko koi bhi nazar-andaaz nahi kar sakta tha.

Toh wahi yaha Suman ahista-ahista sabhi ke liye plates laga rahi thi. Aur, uski beti Sonali naashta ke liye table par apni ungliyaan zoro se chalaate hue intezar kar rahi thi. Veer ke haath ka swaad usne chakh rakha tha. Aur, uss se behtar ye koi nahi jaanta tha ki Veer khaana banaane me kitna aage tha. Kintu, jo duwidha me thi woh thi ~ Bhumika!

'Y-Ye... Ye kya ho raha hai mujhe? Jab se Veer China se laut ke aaya hai tab se hi-!'

Uski nazar Veer ki peeth par gayi. Fir, uski mazboot baaho par jaha uski shirt ki sleeves mud ke bandhi hui thi. Fir, uske chehre par jaha woh uske hontho par halki si muskaan dekh paa rahi thi. Aur, ye dekh uske dil ki dhadkane tez ho gayi.

'Ye kyu ho raha hai mere saath-!!?'

Usne apne haath me liye bread toast ki taraf dhyaan lagaya jaise maano uss se hi jawab maang rahi ho. Khud par gussa bhi aa raha tha aur chidhan bhi ho rahi thi.

Magar, uska dhyaan hall ka darwaza khulne se bhang ho gaya. Ek ladki phudakti hui andar aayi aur iske pehle ki use dekh koi kuchh bol paata usne sabhi ko apne hontho par ungli rakh shaant rehne ka ishaara kiya.

Woh dabe paav Veer ko dhundhte hue apni nazre daudate hue andar gayi. Usne dekha ki Veer apni peeth kiye kitchen me naashta banaane me laga hua tha. Woh shaitaani muskaan liye Veer ke peechhe-peechhe aayi aur usne apne haatho se achanak hi Veer ki aankhein dhak li.

'Hmm!?'

Peechhe se Tej ne bhi jaise uss ladki ka saath diya aur boli.

Tej : Veeru! Koi aaya hai. Batao toh zara kaun hai?

Veer ko system ka istemal kar haath ko check karne ki zaroorat nahi thi. Woh jaanta tha ye ladki kaun thi.

Veer (smiles) : Aisa karne se kuchh nahi hone waala, meri chhoti behan. Mein jaanta hu ye tum ho ~ Kavya!

Kavya (pouts) : Ahh~ mou~ Aapko kaise pata chala?

Veer (turns around) : Mujhe tumhara touch pata hai, my dear sister.

Kavya (blushes) : Hmph! Jhooth bol rahe ho aap.

Veer : Accha? Mein jhooth bol raha hu?

Kavya : Haan!!!

Veer : Well, toh agar mein ye kahu ki tumne wahi Garofano ka perfume lagaya hai jo maine tumhe gift me diya tha toh? Kya ab tum maanogi?

Kavya : Ahhh-!!! Bhaiya, aap bahut gande ho. Aapko pata tha?

Veer (smiles) : You'll have to try next time.

Kavya (pouts) : Mou~

Aur, baari-baari hall me fir Arohi, Sumitra aur yaha tak ki Manorath bhi andar aa gaye.

Ragini (stands up) : Arey aap sab-!?

Bhavna : A-Aap?

Bhavna kuchh pal tak toh apni jagah par hi khadi rahi. Fir, woh Manorath ki taraf aage badhi aur apne sarr par pallu daal jhuk ke aashirvaad lene ke liye hui toh Manorath ne muskurate hue use aashirvaad diya. Ye pal jaise unke liye sabse bada pal tha.

Bhale hi Bhavna Brijesh se dur ho chuki thi. Lekin, Manorath ko aaj bhi woh utna hi sammaan deti thi jitna ki pehle. Haan, kahi na kahi woh Manorath se nirash zaroor thi kyunki jab use ghar se nikaala jaa raha tha tab Manorath apne bal-boote par kuchh nahi kar paaye the. Lekin, unka dosh behad kam tha. Pati aur patni ki beech ki ladaayi me unki bhoomika bahut hi kam thi.

Manorath (narm aankhon se) : Bitiya tum aaj bhi waisi hi ho. Kaash, Brijesh ye samajh paata.

Bhavna ne jab unke perr chhue toh Manorath ka dil jaise gadgad ho gaya.

Bhavna : ...

Manorath : Khair! Jo hota hai achhe ke liye hi hota hai. Mein dekh paa raha hu ki tum yaha khush ho.

Bhavna (smiles) : Apne baccho ka saath ho toh ek maa ko aur kuchh nahi chahiye.

Manorath : Hmm! Oh? Toh ye hai Tejal bitiya.

Tej uthati hui qareeb aayi aur jhukte hue usne bhi apni maa ki dekha dekhi kar unke paav chhue.

Tej : Ji! Namaste!

Manorath : Namaste! Namaste! Jeeti raho, beta! Ye bilkul tum pe gayi hai, Bhavna bitiya haha.

Bhavna (smiles) : Aaj aap yaha?

Manorath : Hoo~ Meri poti Kavya mujhe kheench ke le aayi. Aaj ravivar hai toh boli hum sab ko saath me samay bitana chahiye.

Kavya : Huh? Dada ji! Aap jhooth mat boliye. Kal aapne hi mujhse kaha tha ki aapko Veer bhaiya aur baaki sab se milne ka bahut mann kar raha hai.

Manorath : Ahem! Hahahaha!

Bhavna (smiles) : Aaiye, baithiye na.

Manorath : Hmm! Shweta bhi yahi hai.

Shweta : J-Ji!

Shweta uthi aur ahista se unke perr chhoote hue wapas se dur khadi ho gayi. Bhumika ne bhi yahi kiya.

Manorath : Jidhar bhi raho, khush rehna bahut aavashyak hai. Aur, agar tum sab yahi par khush ho toh wahi sahi. Mein tum me se kisi ko baandh ke waha ghar pe nahi rakhna chaahta. Hmph! Jab unn nalaayako ko tum sabki qadr nahi toh mein kaun hota hu tumhe rokne waala?

Shweta aur Bhavna dono hi muskurayi.

Manorath : Ragini bitiya! Theek ho?

Ragini : J-Ji dada ji! Pranaam!

Manorath : Jeeti raho aur khush raho! Vivek bhi apne pita jaisa hi nikla. Mera pota Veer hi hai jiske andar humaare kul ke sahi gunn shaamil hai.

Uski baat par Ragini khamosh rahi aur Manorath ka haath pakad unhe sofe par baithaayi. Bhavna ki nazre jab Sumitra par padi, toh woh uske paas aate hue uske haatho ko thaam li.

Bhavna : K-Kaisi ho?

Sumitra (smiles) : Theek hu, didi! Aap kaisi hai?

Bhavna (smiles back) : Bahut acchi hu! Tum... Tum yahi kyu nahi aa jaati? Kavya aur Arohi ke saath.

Sumitra : Didi, papa ji ki dekh-bhaal kaun karega? Aur, fir Vivek bhi toh hai. Uska dhyaan kaun rakhega? Fir... Jeth ji bhi hai. Sabka khaana peena, ghar dekhna. Ye toh mera kartavya hai.

Bhavna : Tum mahaan ho, Sumitra.

Sumitra : Nahi didi! Mahaan toh aap hai. Jo itna sab kuchh ho jaane ke baad bhi-

Bhavna : Nahi, Sumitra. Kya mein nahi jaanti tumhari vyatha ko? Tumhare chehre par muskaan hai. Lekin, mein jaanti hu ki andar kya chhipa hua hai.

Sumitra bas muskurayi lekin, woh theek nahi thi. Bhavna ki ye baat satya thi. Karunesh aur Pranjal ko laat maar ke Manorath ne ghar se baahar nikaala tha. Apne bete aur pati ke ghar se jaane ke baad bhala woh theek kaise reh sakti thi?

Bhavna andar hi andar dukhad bhaav liye shaant rahi. Kuchh na boli. Aur, itne me hi Veer apne haatho me plates liye kitchen se baahar nikal aaya.

Veer (smiles) : Dada ji! Sahi samay par aaye hai aap. Aaiye! Naashta kariye!

Usne Arohi ko dekha jo uski laayi hui gift ke roop me black sweater pehni hui thi.

Veer : Ahh-! Aap pe... bahut achhi lag rahi hai.

Arohi (blushes) : Thank you!

Plates rakh usne bhi fir Manorath aur Sumitra dono ke perr chhue aur fir sabhi baari-baari dining table par virajman ho gaye. Veer ke haatho ka naashta sabne khaaya aur jam kar uski tareef bhi ki. Sumitra toh kuchh zyada hi hairaan thi.

Tej : Y-Ye tumne? Ye tumne kab seekha Bhai?

Kavya : Haan bhaiya! Aap itne acche kab se ho gaye cooking me? Ghar par toh aapne kabhi hume kuchh bana ke nahi khilaya tha pehle.

Veer : Zindagi sikha deti hai, meri behan!

Uski iss baat par Ragini samet Bhumika, Arohi, Shweta, Sumitra aur swayam Kavya ke sarr neeche jhuk gaye. Woh sabhi bhali bhaanti parichit thi ki Veer ka ateet kaisa tha.

Lekin, Tej ki bauhe prashno ko lekar sikud gayi. Bhavna ki aankhein apne bete ke upar narm pad gayi. Jee kar raha tha ki abhi use apne seene se laga le. Toh wahi Tej confused thi. Use ye pata tha ki Veer ke sang pehle sahi dhang se bartaav nahi kiya jaata tha uske ghar par. Parantu, use sankshipt me kuchh bhi gyaat nahi tha. Woh ye toh jaanti thi ki Shweta aur Bhumika, Ragini aur Pranjal kaise Veer ke khilaaf the. Magar, ye nahi jaanti thi ki khud Arohi aur Kavya bhi kabhi use nazar-andaaz kiya karti thi.

Veer ne use kabhi itne vistaar se nahi bataya tha aur na hi Kavya ya Arohi ne uss baare me Tej se kabhi charcha ki thi. Tej ke inhi bhaawo ko jaise Arohi ne dekh padh liya. Agle hi shan andar se use glaani ka bojh apne upar mehsoos hua aur woh sarr jhukaaye khud se nafrat kar muh me kaur chabaate-chabaate ruk gayi.

'Mujhe unhe sab bata dena chahiye. Even if she comes to hate me. I must...!'

Bhavna : Tej!!!

Tej : Huh?

Bhavna ne fir kehna shuru kiya, uski nazre apni beti par sthir thi.

Bhavna : Tum aakhir mujhe ye kab bataogi ki tumne apni job chhor di hai?

Uske itna kehte hi Veer ko chhor sabhi aashcharya me use dekhne lage. Tej iss achanak hamle ke liye taiyaar nahi thi. Woh apni jagah par thitak ke reh gayi. Uska haath uske cup par tik gaya. Akhir, uski maa ko pata kaise chala? Usne fir apne bagal se baithe Veer ko dekha jo ishaaro hi ishaaro me uss se maafi maang raha tha.

Bhavna : Agar, tum ye soch rahi ho ki mujhe kaise pata chala? Toh, Veer ne mujhe sab bata diya hai.

Tej ek gehri saans lete hue apni kursi par seedhi hui aur apni maa ko dekh fir boli.

Tej : Mein… Mein aapko bataane hi waali thi. Wo bas… Mere liye ab meri priorities badal chuki hai. Mein life me jo chaahti thi woh ab badal chuka hai, mom.

Bhavna ne apni bauhe upar uthayi lekin chup rahi aur keval sunti rahi.

Tej (breathes) : Mein yaha apne parivar ke saath rehna chaahti hu. Mein Veer ki uske business me har possible way me help karna chaahti hu. Yahi decision mujhe sahi laga.

Bhavna : Aur, kis se poochh ke tumne ye decision liya?

Tej : Mein-

Uske bol wahi atak gaye jab Bhavna ne Veer ko dekha aur prashn kiya.

Bhavna : Kya ye tumne kiya?

Uske bol Veer par aarop nahi laga rahe the. Lekin, awaaz me wazan zaroor tha. Veer ne fauran hi apna sarr naa me hilaya.

Veer : Nahi maa! Mein kabhi bhi Teju di se unke career ke liye kisi bhi golden opportunity ko nahi chheenunga. Ye baat sach hai ki maine hi unse apne business ke liye help maangi thi. Aur, mein chaahta hu ki woh meri help kare. Lekin, woh apni job quit kar dengi iska mujhe andaaza nahi tha.

Tej ki chinta badhi aur woh turant hi apne haath se Veer ko chhekte hue boli.

Tej : Nahi, mom! Veer ne mujhe force nahi kiya. Ye mein hi chaahti thi. Mein jaisi pehle thi ab waisi nahi hu. Jaisa ki maine kaha, meri priorities badal chuki hai. Ab ye sirf mere career ke baare me nahi hai… Yaha rehne ke baare me hai… *glances* Mere bhai ke liye… Hum sab ke liye.

Bhavna : Tej! Maine tumhe apni tarah ek archaeologist banaya kyunki yahi tumhara junoon tha. Mujhe laga tha ki tum bhi meri tarah ek din ek renowned archaeologist banana chaahti thi. Bachpan me toh yahi tumhari khwahish thi.

Tej : Ye sach tha, mom! Lekin ab… ab cheezein alag hai. Aapne jo mujhe sikhaya mein uska tyaag nahi kar rahi. Baat bas itni hai ki… Veer ko ab meri zaroorat hai. Aur… Mujhe bhi… Mujhe bhi uski zaroorat hai. Mujhe uske saath rehne ki zaroorat hai. Hum… Hum ek parivar hai!

Veer ne dekha ki Tej ka haath dining table par rakha kaanp raha tha. Usne apna haath aage badhaate hue Tej ke haath ke upar rakh use thaam liya. Aur, Tej ki nigaahein apne bhai ke chehre par tik gayi.

Bhavna ne bhi unke beech ki iss harqat ko gaur se dekha — Jis tarah se Veer ne apne haath ko Tej ke haath ke upar dhak rakha tha, jis tarah se Tej uske sparsh se raahat mehsoos kar rahi thi, Bhavna ke chehre ke bhaav ye dekh badal gaye.

Veer : Teju di!!

Tej : Mm~ Mein tumhare saath rehna chaahti hu, Veeru! Mein tumhe successful hote dekhna chaahti hu. Aur, iske liye mujhse jo bann padega mein woh karungi. Ye koi mera sacrifice nahi hai, bhai. Yeh wahi hai jo mein khud chaahti hu.

Veer ke dil ne jaise ye sunte hi ek dhadkan phaand li.

Veer : Teju di aap-!!!

[Oh??? Your heart rate has increased.]

Manorath (nods) : Bahut khoob bitiya!

Bhavna ne unhe qareeb se dekha. Uska seena garv se chauda ho rakha tha. Halanki, usne ye khushi turant hi zaahir nahi ki, usne pehle ki tarah gambheerta banaaye rakhi.

Bhavna (sighs) : Agar, tumne yahi nirnay le liya hai *smiles* Toh, mein iska sammaan karti hu.

Tej : Huhhh!!?

Veer : Matlab aap-!!?

Bhavna (smiles) : Government ke dwara di gayi woh archaeological kit courier kar dena aaj hi. Choonki, ab tum ek archaeologist nahi rahi toh ye tumhari zimmedari hai ki tum woh kit aur uske saath mile saare tools wapas karo.

Tej : Ahhh~ Thank you! Thank you, Mom!!!

Bhavna : Lekin-

Tej : Lekin??

Bhavna : Parivar zaroori hai, iss baat se mein sehmat hu. Lekin, iss bhaag daud me ye mat bhool jaana ki ek insaan ka khud ka dhyaan rakhna bhi utna hi zaroori hai.

Kehte hue woh apni chai peene lagi. Uska ishaara saaf tha jo Tej samajh chuki thi. Uski maa use apne upar bhi dhyaan dene ko keh rahi thi. Woh muskurayi aur utsukta ke saath haami bhar dhanyavad di.

Arohi : Darasal, mujhe bhi kuchh kehna tha. Veer se…

Veer : Huh???

Arohi : Veer ne mujhse bhi business ko lekar help maangi thi. Aur, mein raazi bhi hu. Lekin-

Tej : Arohi! Tum bhi-??

Veer : Lekin???

Arohi : Veer! Shayad mein abhi taiyaar nahi! I mean… Maine bas abhi graduation hi kiya hai. Maan lo mein humare business ki ek important profile hold karti hu aur kal ko koi normal sa employee mere academics par ungli utha ke question karne lage ki mein kinn reasons ke chalte iss post par hu? Toh? Mein kya jawab dungi? Kya ye kahungi ki business mere bhai ka hai aur isliye mein jo chaahe uss post par reh sakti hu?

Veer : That’s-

Arohi : Nahi na? Mein ise justify kaise karungi? Tabhi kar paungi na jab mere paas woh qualifications honge? Aur isliye…

Veer : ???

Arohi : Isliye maine MBA karne ka faisla liya hai, Veer! I'll study hard. Aur, sorry maine tumse ye chhipaaya. Maine already CAT exam de diya hai. Result jald hi aa jayega. I’m aiming for IIM Ahmedabad or IIM Bengaluru.

Veer (surprised) : O-Ohh!

Arohi : I-I’m sorry-!!!

Veer : Kis field ke baare me socha hai aapne? Marketing? Finance? Ya-

Arohi : IT!!

Veer : Oh! Good!

Aisa nahi tha ki Arohi Tej ki tarah uske paas nahi rehna chaahti thi. Woh simply apni worth badhaana chaahti thi. Taaki, woh Veer ke liye jitna adhik ho sake utna adhik kaam aa sake. Veer ne sarr ahista se hilaaya.

Veer (smiles) : Aap jo bhi decision lengi, mujhe uss se koi aapatti nahi hai, di!

Arohi (smiles) : Thank you! It makes my heart at ease.

Badle me Veer bhi muskuraya. Lekin, ye muskaan kahi na kahi aatmvishvas se bhari thi.

'Balki, mein yahi chaahta tha...!'

[Oh???]

'Di ko MBA karne me 2 saal lagenge. Tab tak mein Yarnia ko establish kar chuka hounga. Aur, mera aim IT industry pe bhi hai. Maidaan me utarte hi competition har chhoti badi companies se hoga. Lekin, jo biggest competition hoga woh hoga-'

[Globerays se.]

'Exactly! Miss Suhana ke husband ki company.'

[He's just a CEO. Not the owner, master.]

'CEO apne aap me ek zimmedari waali post hai, Pari. Globerays India ki top IT company hai. Aur, isme koi shaq nahi ki uski success ke peechhe uske staff ka haath hai.'

[Oh? Are you playing dirty this time? Niharika ki madad se aap waha ke employees ko exploit kar ke apni future IT company me shaamil karna chaahte ho?]

'Nahi! Kyunki, ye mere liye faaydemand nahi.'

[Woh kaise?]

'Jo insaan kuchh paiso ke liye ek achhi bhali company ko chhor dusri company me shaamil ho sakta hai. Kya guarantee hai iski ki kal ko wahi insaan kisi teesri company ke liye meri company na chhore?'

[That's true. Lekin, ye toh hona hi hai.]

'Mere kehne ka matlab ye hai ki aise employees vulnerable bahut hote hai. Aur, volatile bhi. Ye kabhi bhi kisi bhi waqt apni choice badal sakte hai. And, that's why I don't need such employees.'

[Toh fir?]

'Mujhe unn employees ki zaroorat hai jo qaabil bhi hai aur waha ke work environment se fed-up ho chuke hai. Jo ek stable naya aur achha environment chaahte hai. Yahi pe Niharika ka mein istemal karunga. Use maine kaam par laga hi diya hai. Mein unhe woh environment bana ke dunga. Aur, dusra... I have a plan for the recruitment and how to select the candidates.'

[Mujhe intezar rahega ye dekhne ka, Master. For now, I can only give you my best wishes.]

'Pari! Show me the profit path.'

*Ding*




'Yes!!! Arohi di aur Ragini dono ka naam hai upar. They both will be my future assets.'

Veer apne vichaaro me leen tha jab Kavya ki chehekti hui awaaz ne sab ka dhyaan kheench liya.

Kavya : Arey bas bas! Ye aap sab ne kya senti sa mahaul bana rakha hai? Aaj hum sab party karenge. Yayyy~

Aur, jald hi sabhi hall me do-chaar group me batt gaye. Veer ki sabhi behne ek saath baithi aapas me baat kar rahi thi. Toh wahi Manorath Shweta aur Ragini ke sang baato me lage hue the jaha woh apni patni Brinda ke dwara diye gaye kuchh gehne dono Ragini aur Shweta ko de rahe the. Bhavna ke liye bhi woh kuchh laaye the.

Bhavna, Suman aur Sumitra apne ateet ki baato ko yaad kar rahi thi. Toh wahi Veer apne laptop par 'Stock Master' ki madad se stocks me investment kar raha tha, jiska gyaan woh apne bagal se baithi Sonali ko bhi deta jaa raha tha.

Aur, isi dauran Bhumika thi jo Veer par sarsari nigaahein daalne par majboor hoti jaa rahi thi. Jitna woh use dekhti utna hi uska dil tezi se dhadakne lagta.

Woh dekh rahi thi ki kaise Veer Sonali ko sab kuchh apne laptop par sikha raha tha. Woh dekh paa rahi thi ki kaise Kavya se baatein karte waqt woh sofe par peechhe hote hue hass raha tha.

'His smile... is so... charismatic...!'

Woh dekh paa rahi thi ki kaise woh Manorath ke saath baith ke alag-alag vishayo par baat kar raha tha. Haami bharte waqt kaise uske baalo ki latt humesha uski baayi aankh ke upar aake gir rahi thi. Woh dekh paa rahi thi ki apni aur uski dono hi maa ki taraf woh kitna prem rakhta tha.

Kaise woh Arohi ke kaan ki baali ko haath me leke uss se kuchh keh raha tha. Use kuchh sunayi nahi de raha tha. Woh toh bas Veer ke chehre me khoyi hui thi. Kaise woh Tej ka haath thaame ye dekh raha tha ki use kaha kaha par til tha. Aur, fir kaise apne shareer ke til ke baare me bata raha tha.

*Badump*

'Huh??? Y-Ye kya ho raha hai mujhe?'

Lekin, dil majboor tha. Use yaad aaya, kaise ek subah Veer ke haath se chai lete waat uske haath ki ungliyaan jab Veer ke haath se sparsh ho gayi thi aur woh kaise sharma ke bhaag gayi thi.

Jab jab woh subah jaane ke liye hoti toh uski nazre Veer ko dhundhti. Use dhyaan aaya ki kaise dinner ke waqt aaj kal woh kuchh zyada hi derr tak Veer par apni nazre gada rahi thi.

'No no no no!!!! What's wrong with me???'

Kintu, woh jitna use dekhti utna hi uska dil zoro se dhadakta. Idhar, Pari ne bhi akhir khulasa karne ke baare me nirnay le hi liya.

[Master!]

'Hmm?'

[China se lautne ke baad ek baat maine aapse abhi tak share nahi ki hai.]

'Hmm? Kaun si?'

[Updated list of favorabilities.]

'Hmm? Toh usme kya?'

[Check for yourself.]

*Ding*




Agle hi pal Veer ke samaksh saari updated favorabilities ki list saamne aa gayi aur use jhatke par jhatke lagte chale gaye.

'Huh? What the hell? Nidhi ma'am ke saamne question mark kyu hai? Yaha tak ki Ragini, Teju di aur Miss Suhana ke saamne bhi. Aur... Aur, ek second... Ragini ki favourability 150? Miss Suhana 148?? Teju di bhi 148?? What the fuck!!!? Sonali ko slave ka status kab se mil gaya? Wait a minute. Miss Sonia ki favorability drop hui hai mere khayaal se.'

[Calm down Master. Question mark isliye show ho raha hai kyunki haal hi me inke saath aapka relationship uncertainty me jaa chuka hai.]

'K-Kya matlab?'

[Matlab ye ki system abhi certain nahi hai ki inhe kaun sa title diya jaaye. Kyunki, abhi defined emotions established nahi hue hai. Agar, for example : Inme se koi bhi aapki future wife ya girlfriend banti hai toh system ise recognise kar lega aur ek title unhe allot kar dega. Lekin, abhi ke liye system inn relationships ko leke uncertain hai.]

'Samjha!'

[Yes! Rahi baat Sonali ko slave ka status kyu allot hua? Toh, system ne use ek slave ke roop me hi accept kiya hai. Aap bhale hi use dost maano lekin, jis tarah se relationship jaa raha hai woh system ke liye slave ki category me hi aata hai.]

'Ah!!'

[Aur, Miss Sonia ki favorability indeed drop hui hai. Ye lack of communication ka nateeja hai.]

'Unke baare me mujhe kuchh nahi sochna. Lekin, Bhumika di? Huh? Unki favorability 120 achanak se?'

Usne turant hi sarr utha ke Bhumika ko dekha jo uski taraf hi dekh rahi thi. Maano jaise uss bechaari ki chori pakdi gayi. Nazre milte hi woh iss qadar sharmayi ki fauran hi usne apni nigaahein fer li.

'Strange-!!!'

Tej : Hey!! Aapko pata tha ki Veer 31st December ko Yarnia ki launch karne jaa raha hai???

Bhumika : Ahhh?? K-Kya???

Tej : Arey maine kaha ki aapko pata tha ki Veer 31st December ko Yarnia ki launch karne jaa raha hai?

Bhumika : Ohh! H-Haan! W-Woh usne bataya tha.

Tej (smiles) : I'm excited.

Veer ke mukhde se pareshaan hoke antatah Bhumika apni jagah se uthi aur hotel ke kaam se baahar jaane ka bahaana banaate hue woh ghar se nikal gayi.

Lekin, isi ki aadh me Ragini ko uska bahaana mil chuka tha. Woh bhi taiyaar hoke ghar se nikal rahi thi, jab Veer ne use tok diya.

Veer : Aap kaha jaa rahi hai?

Ragini : Woh... Mujhe apne ghar jaana tha. Mummy papa se milne. Thoda kaam hai.

Veer : Iss waqt?

Ragini (nods) : Hmm!

Veer : Sab aaye hue hai ghar pe abhi.

Ragini : Mil toh liya sab se. Udhar jaana bhi zaroori hai.

Iske aage Veer ne kuchh na kaha. Jaise hi woh hall se nikalne ke liye hui toh-

'Pari!!!'

[Yes?]

'Mark the tracer on her saree.'

[Okay!]

*Ding*

[Do you want to remove the tracer from your food truck?]

'Huh? Wait-!!!'

Use yaad aaya ki usne akhiri baar tracer apne food truck pe lagaya tha jab woh Sonali ko Kaushik naam ke jaanvar se bachaane ke liye use dhundh raha tha.

'What the-!? Iska matlab tracer ek baar me ek hi cheez par apply ho sakta hai?'

[Toh aapko kya laga? Agar, multiple cheezon pe apply ho sakta toh ye skill legendary skill na bann jaati? Iske zariye aap har uss vyakti ko trace kar paate jinpe ye laga hota.]

'Hmm! Tracer ko food truck se remove kar do Pari aur Ragini ki saree par laga do.'

Pari ne aadesh anusaar wahi kiya. Veer dekhna chaahta tha ki kya Ragini waqai ghar jaa rahi thi ya kahi orr. Lekin, use uska jawab jald hi mil gaya jab usne dekha ki Ragini waqai apne ghar hi gayi hui thi.

Ek raahat ki saans lete hue usne tracer ka map band kar diya. Magar, woh nahi jaanta tha ki Ragini apne ghar jaan boojh ke chakma dene ke liye hi gayi thi. Uski asli destination toh kuchh aur thi, jaha woh shaam me dastak dene waali thi.

***

Carewell hospital, Mumbai,
Afternoon - 2:30 PM ~

DSP Trisha aur head constable Jeetu kaaka, hospital ke corridor me tez qadmo ke saath chalte hue ek room ki orr badh rahe the. Woh dono operation theatres se hoke guzre jaha par operations aur post mortems kiye jaa rahe the. Chalte-chalte hi Trisha ne sawaal uthaaya.

Trisha : Report jab taiyaar ho gayi thi toh fir unhe seedhe police station me kyu nahi bhijwaya gaya?

Jeetu kaaka : Ab, bola toh tha madam ji… heyhey… Par, lagta hai hospital waalo ke paas aadmi nahi raha hoga uss waqt.

Trisha ne ek nazar Jeetu kaaka par maari aur fir sarr hilaate hue saamne ke kamre me chali gayi jaha ek doctor, ek surgeon aur kuchh nurses pehle se maujood thi.

Doctor (glances) : Ahh! Trisha madam! Aaiye!

Trisha : Report!

Doctor : Ji! Mein aapka hi intezar kar raha tha. Baithiye!

Kehte hue usne kuchh files me se ek file nikaali aur Trisha ko thama di. Trisha ne file me se report nikaal jaise hi use dekha toh paaya ki usme sab kuchh maujood tha.

Shav kiska tha, use kaun laaya, use identify kisne kiya, kitne samay paaya gaya, kis dinaank ko mila, uss par kaun-kaun se diagnostic tests kiye gaye, external examination me kya kuchh paaya gaya, kapdo me se kya kuchh baramad hua, galey ki jaanch karne par kya pata chala jaisi tamaam cheezein uss report me mentioned thi.

Lekin, writing aisi ki medical waala banda hi use padh sake. Trisha ke maathe par surgeon ne jab rekhaaye dekhi toh woh khud hi saral bhaasha me samjhaane ke liye aage aa gaya.

Surgeon : Madam, ye ek murder hi tha. Aur, kisi bhi hathyaar se ye murder nahi kiya gaya hai.

Trisha : Huh?

Surgeon : Cause of death - Extreme pain, breakage of tissues and internal organs, aur bloodloss hai.

Trisha : ???

Surgeon : Humne humaari orr se poori achhe tareeke se jaanch ki hai madam. Dekhiye! Victim ke left lumbar region par attack kiya gaya tha. Humare umbilical region ka left portion. Aur, hum ye daave ke saath keh sakte hai ki ye assault kisi bhi tarah ke metallic weapon se nahi kiya gaya hai.

Trisha (stupefied) : Whatttt? A-Aap kehna kya chaah rahe hai?

Doctor : Kehna ye chaah rahe hai madam ki jis se bhi attack kiya gaya woh kisi bhi haal me kisi metal se bana weapon nahi tha. Yaani ki sharp objects jaise chaaku, talvaar, chhuri, rod, wagarah-wagarah. Aise kisi bhi metallic objects ke kann hume khoon, tissues, outer skin ya kapdo par kahi par bhi nahi mile hai. Aur toh aur hum cuts ko dekh ke hi anumaan laga lete hai ki kis tarah ke weapon ka istemal kiya gaya hoga. Lekin, yaha hume kuchh bhi samajh nahi aaya.

Surgeon : Ji haan! Aur, pareshani ki baat ye hai ki body me se aisa koi bhi clue nahi mila hai jis se ye pata lag sake ki ye attack hua kis cheez se.

Trisha : Y-Ye impossible hai. Bina kisi sharp object ke itna bada ghaav karna impossible hai. Aur, aapne hi toh bataya tha na phone par ki bullet ya kisi janglee jaanvar ka kaam bhi nahi hai ye? Fir kaise? Ye toh mumkin hi nahi hai!!

Doctor haami bhar aage badh apne haath mod table par baitha.

Doctor : Bilkul! Hum bhi yahi maante hai. Lekin, yahi par humaara kaam khatam hota madam. Aur… aapka shuru-!

Trisha : A-Aap ek baar aur jaanch kariye. Dekhiye, ye possible hi nahi hai. Ho sakta hai kahi kuchh-

Doctor (frowns) : Madam ji!!!

Trisha : ???

Doctor : Jankaari ke liye bata du ki aap sheher ke sabse bade aur prakhyaat private hospital me baithi hai. Jitni jaldi aur bareeki se har cheez ki pushti yaha hoti hai woh sheher ke kisi bhi aspataal me nahi hoti. Ye baat toh aap khud bhi jaanti hi hongi. Humne apna kaam kar diya hai. Agar, aapko fir bhi lagta hai ki humse koi bhool-choonk hui hai toh aap kahi aur se autopsy karwaane ke liye swatantra hai. Neeche hi mortuary me freezer me body padi hai. Agar, aap kehti hai toh mein ambulance ke zariye aapke preferred hospital me bhijwaaye deta hu.

Kehte hue doctor ne table par se landline phone uthaaya aur Trisha ko ghoor uske jawab ka intezar karne laga.

Trisha (frowns) : N-Nahi! Rehne dijiye! Woh ek body hai…! Koi khilauna nahi. M-Mujhe aap pe bharosa hai. Maafi chaahti hu!

Doctor (smiles) : Dhanyavad! Ab aapse ek akhiri nivedan yahi hai ki jitna jaldi ho sake formalities poori kar dijiyega. Taaki, body ko uske parivar me lautaya jaa sake. Kuchh ab bhi aas liye sirf body ka hi wait kar rahe hai, taaki unke qareebi ka deh sanskar ho sake.

Trisha (nods) : J-Ji! Chaliye Jeetu kaaka!

*Thud*

Darwaza band hua aur woh dono kamre se baahar nikal gaye.

Jeetu kaaka : Madam, ye gutthi toh ulajhti hi jaa rahi hai. Agar, hamla nukeele auzaar se nahi hua toh pait se itna bada maans nikla kaise?

Trisha (frowns) : Yahi toh samajh nahi aa raha hai, kaaka! *sighs* Suniye! Thaane se inspector ko bulaaiye aur yaha ki saari formalities karwaiye. Mujhe ek zaroori kaam hai. Mein shaam tak thaane par milti hu.

Jeetu kaaka : Ji madam!!!

Trisha nirdesh dete hue Carewell hospital se baahar nikli aur seedhe police jeep me sawaar waha se ravaana ho gayi. Raaste me hi woh aneko files me se kuchh khangaalne me lagi hui thi.

Driver : Madam, aap ab bhi usi case ke peechhe padi hai?

Trisha : Haan! Toh?

Driver : Udhar se kuchh nahi milne waala madam!! Chhota muh badi baat kar raha hu. Par, meri maaniye — Aap abhi ke case par zyada dhyaan dijiye. Agar, ye serial killer ka case hal ho gaya toh aapka promotion pakka hai. Kya pata, isi lapete me hume bhi thodi bahut mithaayi khaane mil jaaye. *smiles*

Trisha : Beta mithaayi toh tujhe tab bhi khaane mil jayegi agar maine ye purana case hal kar liya toh. Ab baatein mat kar. Gaadi chala!

Driver (sighs) : Ji madam!

Jald hi woh apne ghar ke saamne thi. Jeep se utar woh files ke saath ghar me pravesh ki aur jeep wapas station ki orr nikal gayi.

Ghar me aate hi uski saasu maa aur uski nanhi si bacchi ~ Pihu baahar nikal kar aayi. Unse kuchh der baat kar woh firse unhi reports ko padhte hue uska aaklan karne lagi.

‘Slogan! Maut ke pehle iski car, highway ke paas se iss sunsaan sadak se baramad hui thi. Aur, iske pehle ye car — Theek iss hotel se baahar nikli thi jaha par ek aur shav paaya gaya tha. Body ka head kisi sniper bullet se explode hua tha aisa forensics se pata laga hai.'

'Strangely, iss hotel ke paas se koi bhi security footage baramad nahi hui. Iska matlab saaf hai ki ye zaroor ek setup tha. Lekin, witnesses se bhi kuchh clear haath nahi laga hai. Hotel waali iss dead body ki identity bhi clear nahi hai. Chal kya raha tha uss din waha?’

‘Zaahir hai ki iss slogan ki car hotel se nikalne ke baad uss sunsaan sadak tak pahuchi. Aur, isliye maine iss route me har kisi se poochh-taachh kar li hai. Kuchh toh kuchh nahi jaante toh wahi kuchh aise hai jo daawa toh karte hai dekhne ka. Lekin, kuchh khaas details saamne nahi rakh paa rahe…! It’s getting really complicated. Kya karu mein?’

‘Ab siwaaye uss ladke se milne ke alawa mere paas aur koi chaara nahi. Wardi pehen ke jaungi toh aisa na ho ki woh kahi darr ke maare data delete kar de. Hmm! Normal getup me hi jaana padega.'

Upar ek top aur neeche jeans daal Trisha apne ghar se nikal car me baith uss highway ki orr nikli.

'Kya naam tha uss ladke ka? Haan! Jai!!! Information exchanger. Achha hua gun mere saath hai. Agar, kuchh hua toh-!!'

Sochte hue woh ek dukaan ke saamne ruki. Highway par hi ek badi si dukaan thi jiske bagal se dhaaba khula hua tha. Ye wahi route tha jaha se Slogan ki gaadi nikli thi. Aur, Trisha jaanti thi ki use jo kuchh bhi ab pata lag sakta tha woh cctv footage se hi lag sakta hai.

Khambe par, dhaaba ke baahar, dukaan ke baahar kayi cctv cameras lage hue the. Jab pichhli baar woh yaha se jaanch ke liye guzri thi toh samajh gayi thi ki yahi se use kuchh mil sakta hai. Lekin, poochh-taachh karne par use pata laga tha ki Jai dukaan aur dhaabe ki aadh me darasal information bechta tha. Aisi kayi highway ki sadko par uske cameras kisi dukaan, ya kisi dhaabe par lage rehte the.

Ye route aisa tha jaha se sandigdh trucks, tractors, trolleys, aur tamaam bade-bade vehicles guzra karte the. Unme kya hota tha? Woh kaha jaate the? Unki gaadi ka number, ye sab Jai becha karta tha taaki baad me unki loot-paat ho sake. Aur, isliye woh yaha wardi ke bina aayi hui thi.

Andar aate hi sabhi ki nazre uss par tik gayi. Khaas kar uske khubsoorat chehre aur kaseele badan par. Bhala ek sundar ladki akeli yaha highway par dhaabe par kya kar rahi thi?

Trisha dabang style me andar aayi aur apna kaala chashma hataate hue usne dukaan par baithe aadmi ko dekh ishaare se poochha.

Trisha : Jai kidhar hai?

Dukaan wala : Hmm? Kaun Jai?

Trisha (aage jhukte hue) : Abey wahi Jai jo jankaari bechta hai. Customer ko bhagaana chaahta hai tu?

Dukaan wala : Oh! Hahaha! A-Abhi bulaata hu. Ruko yahi!

Kehte hue woh andar chala gaya aur Trisha tab tak aas-paas baithe logo ka jaayza lene lagi. Har taraf aadmi hi aadmi baitha hua tha. Ek bhi mahila maujood nahi thi.

Kuchh hi der me Jai baahar aaya aur usne Trisha ko apni bauhe chadhaate hue upar se neeche tak parkha.

Jai : Kya re item? Kya chaahiye?

Ek pal ko Trisha ke maathe ki nass phatne ko hui. Lekin, usne apna gussa nigla aur chalaaki se apni chaal chali.

Trisha : Graahak hu! Samaan chaahiye!

Jai : Toh ye sab latke toh hai samaan! Jo lena ho lo, paisa chukao aur aage badho.

Trisha : Ye samaan lene ke liye mein highway aaungi? Jankaari chaahiye thi.

Jai firse khamosh raha. Aur, aage aate hue dukaan ki seat par baith gaya.

Jai : Kaun hai tu?

Trisha : Iss se matlab? Tum apna kaam karo. Mein apna kaam karungi. Aur, fir hume ek dusre se kya lena dena?

Kehte hue usne apni jeb me se rupaye ki kuchh gaddiyaan nikaali aur Jai ke saamne hawa me lehraate hue use dikhaayi.

Jai (frowns) : Tujhe pehle toh nahi dekha kabhi yaha. Tujhe kaise pata chala iss jagah ka?

Trisha : Suni sunaayi baato se.

Jai : Huh?

Trisha : Iss se kya lena dena tumhe? Mujhe jankaari chahiye hai aur tumhe paise. Deal karo. Aur, baat khatam. Agar, tumhare paas woh jankari hogi toh mein use khareedungi aur agar nahi toh nahi. Itni si hi toh baat hai.

Jai : Theek hai! Theek hai! Andar chal!

Jai uthate hue andar jaane laga aur Trisha mahaul ko padhte hue savdhani ke saath aage badhi. Andar aate hi usne dekha ki 4 se 5 computers ek saath lage hue the.

Jai : System chaalu kar re gaandu. Saare karna.

Chela : J-Ji!

Computers on hote hi Jai seat par baitha aur Trisha ko dekh bola.

Jai : Chal bata! Kya chahiye tujhe?

Trisha : Ek se dedh saal pehle yaha se ek car guzri thi. Kisi prakar ki chase ho rahi thi. Uski footage hai tumhare paas?

Jai uske sawaal par thoda sachet ho gaya. Aur, peeth seedhi kar ke baith gaya.

Jai : Kya re item? Tujhe pata nahi kya? Ye highway hai! Yaha se daily hazaro gaadiya guzarti hai. Mujhe kaise pata chalega ki tu kis gaadi ki baat kar rahi hai? Aur, woh bhi kaun se din ki baat kar rahi hai? Tareekh bata! Agar data me saved file koi padi hogi toh mil jayegi.

Trisha ne use fir wahi tareekh batayi jis din Slogan ki car hotel se bhaagi thi.

Trisha : Tum itna puraana data bhi rakhte ho?

Jai (while typing) : Do-do teen-teen saal pehle ka data bhi rehta hai apne paas. Apna kaam hi yahi hai. Ye lo! Mil gayi tumhari file.

Trisha (leans in) : Hmm?

Jai ne uss tareekh ka bana hua ek folder khola aur dekha ki usme do recordings padi hui thi. Usne be-jhijak pehli recording play kar di.

Jai : Ye waali hai kya? Haan! Subah ye accident ho gaya tha ek car ka. Yaad hai apne ko. Ye hai kya?

Trisha : Nahi! Der raat ki baat hai. Dusri footage dekho.

Jai ne jaise hi dusri footage play ki toh usme dikha ki ek car tez raftaar ke saath aage badhte hue nikli aur uss ke peechhe dher saari gaadiyaan lagi hui thi. Jaise hi footage ko Jai ne dekha toh uske maathe par paseene ki boondein umad aayi. Aur, Trisha ki aankhein chaudi ho gayi.

Aur, agle hi pal — usne video clip band kar di.

Trisha : Y-Ye kya kiya?

Jai : Ab mujhe dhandha nahi karna. Mujhe koi information nahi bechna.

Trisha : Kya? Kya matlab? Tumne chalaayi hi kaha abhi video theek se!?

Jai : Tumhare iraade mujhe kuchh theek nahi lag rahe. Aur, mujhe tum par doubt hai. Toh ab chup-chaap yaha se nikal lo.

Trisha : Dekho! Mein sirf information hi chaahti hu. Mein tumhe yaha fasaane nahi aayi hu.

Jai : Oh achha? Toh kya mein jaan sakta hu ki tum ye clip kyu dhundh rahi ho? Kya hua tha uss raat aisa jo tum mere adde tak aa gayi? Koi bewakoof hi hoga jo tumse bina sawaal kiye aise hi tumhe ye jankaari de dega. Aur, mein bewakoof nahi.

Trisha : Dekho! Uss raat ki mujhe footage chahiye hai. Kyunki, mujhe sach jaanana hai.

Jai : Kaisa sach?

'Ye aise nahi maanega-! Mujhe isko baato me ghumaana padega.'

Trisha : Uss raat — mere ek qareebi family member ka murder hua tha. Mein jaanti hu ki unki car yahi se nikli thi. Mujhe ye jaanana hai ki unke peechhe akhir kaun tha? Gaadi number, uska color, agar kuchh bhi mujhe milta hai toh meri madad hogi.

Jai : Oh? Toh tum yaha kyu aayi ho? Police me complain karo. Mujhe chutiya samjha hai kya? Ab iske pehle ki mein kuchh karu, tum yaha se nikal lo, warna-

Trisha samajh gayi ki ye aise nahi maanega. Aur, majbooran use sakht hona hi padega. Usne fir kiya bhi wahi, apni jeans ke peechhe khusi hui handgun usne ekdum se nikaali aur seedhe Jai ke upar taan di.

Trisha : Hands up!!! Inspector Trisha!!! Thaane police station!!!

Gun dekhte hi Jai ne apne haath khade kar liye. Aur, Trisha uske qareeb aake jhuki.

Trisha : Dekh! Mein agar chaahti toh tera ye sab kuchh zabt kar sakti thi. Mujhe khaali ek raid maarni thi. Aur, tu abhi salaakho ke peechhe hota. Samjha?

Jai : P-Par- maine tab tak data uda diya hota. Ya drive leke mein use tabaah bhi kar sakta tha.

Trisha : Smart! Aur, isliye mein wardi me nahi aayi. Ab chup chaap se ye harddrive mere hawaale karo iske pehle ki mein yaha pe raid karwau. Hmm?

Majbooran Jai ko wahi karna pada jo Trisha ne kaha. Woh jaanta tha uska bhaanda foot chuka tha. Lekin, woh ye bhi jaanta tha ki woh itni asaani se nahi pakde jaane waala tha.

Kyunki, Trisha ne harddrive li aur woh bina Jai ko kuchh bhi kahe waha se nikal gayi. Woh jaanti thi ki uss clip me wahi tha jo use dekhna tha. Aur, Jai jaiso ko toh woh iss case ke baad bhi pakad ke jail me daal sakti thi.

Halaki, jab woh waha se nikli, toh woh bas ek baat se aparichit thi. Aur, woh ye thi ki — Jai darasal Balhaar ka aadmi thi. Wahi aadmi jisme Balhaar ko haal hi me dhoka diya tha. Aur, wahi aadmi jisne Damian ke behkaawe me aake ye sab kiya tha.

Trisha fauran hi thaane lauti aur turant hi control room ke paas pahuchi.

Trisha : Shekhar-!!!

Shekhar : Ji madam?

Trisha : Iss harddrive ko jaldi se connect karo aur folder me se mujhe woh video clip play kar ke do.

Usne Shekhar ko wahi date bataayi aur apni nazre gadaaye woh wahi jhuk ke khadi ho gayi.

Shekhar ne jaise hi clip play ki, har guzarte pal Trisha ki dhadkane badhti chali gayi. Ye wahi tha.

'I got it!!! This is it...!!'

Woh screen me jaise ghusne ko ho gayi. Clip maatra 1 minute ki jitni hi lambi thi lekin usme sab kuchh tha. Slogan ki wahi gaadi jo bhaag rahi thi. Peechhe lagi kuchh aur gaadiyaan. Aur, tabhi use sabse peechhe ek badi hi luxury gaadi nazar aayi aur khush-kismati se uska number bhi.

Trisha : Sh-Shekhar-!!! Pause karo!! Haan! Ye-!!! Ye number...! This is it!!! Isi pal ka toh intezar tha mujhe. I can't believe I got my hands on this. Yahi... Yahi hume iss gutthi ko suljhaane me madad karegi. Mujhe abhi ke abhi jitna jaldi ho sake iss number se saari information nikaal ke do. Ye kiski hai, kaha se li gayi, sab kuchh.

Shekhar : Ji madam! Bas thoda time dijiye.

Woh haami bharte hue apni tez dhadkano ko qaabu me karne ki koshish karne lagi ki tabhi uska phone baj utha. Dekha toh paaya ki uske pati Rohan, yaani ki sheher ke DGP ka phone tha.

Trisha : Hello?

Rohan : Kaha tak aage badha case?

Trisha : Report mili aaj hi. Case ulajhta jaa raha hai. Kis hathyaar se vaar kiya gaya ye abhi bhi ek rehesya hi hai.

Rohan : Dekho, Trisha! Ye ab heinous crime me aa chuka hai. Poori police force ko ab satark aur sakht hone ki zaroorat hai. Agar, tumne jald hi iske baar me kuchh nahi kiya toh thaane hi nahi, poori state level police ko alert bhejna padega. Aur, fir tum jaanti ho na?

Trisha : Rohan!!! Mein-! Mein kar rahi hu. Dekho, mein jaanti hu ki tum kyu abhi tak state level police ko isme shaamil nahi kar rahe. Taaki, mein ise jitna jaldi ho sake utna jaldi solve karu aur promotion mere liye aur bhi asaan ho jaaye. Magar-

Rohan : ???

Trisha : Tum promotion ki chinta mat karo. Aur, tum jaante ho na-! Mein crimes ke khilaaf kitni sakht rehti hu? Mein...! Har case ka parda faash karungi. Don't worry! Hum logo ki jaan ko aise khatre me nahi daal sakte, Rohan. Isliye, tum wahi karo jo sahi hai. Sabhi ko alert kar do. Sab ek saath iss case me lag jayenge toh hum criminal ko jaldi pakad payenge.

Rohan : Tumne theek kaha. Lekin, mein chaahta tha ki ye bada case tum solve karo.

Trisha : Rohan! Promotion se laakh guna zyada zaroori hai uss mujrim ka pakde jaana. So, do what is right.

Rohan : Hmm! Mein kal hi iss par charcha karta hu aur saari police force ko shaamil karta hu.

Trisha (smiles) : Good-!!!

Trisha ne jaise hi phone rakha toh udhar se Shekhar ne use bula liya. Usne saari information gaadi ke baare me khoj nikaali thi.

Trisha (walks in) : Shekhar? Mil gayi?

Shekhar : Ji madam! Gaadi blue color ki ek Bentley Mulsanne hai. Aur, owner hai 'Karan Adarsh.' Ye Karan Nexacom ke owner 'Kishore Adarsh' ke sage bete hai. Gaadi import karwayi gayi thi Dubai se.

Jaise hi Trisha ne jankaari suni uski aankhein aashcharya me fel gayi.

'Nexacom-!?? Karan Adarsh-!!! Itne bade raees vyakti ki gaadi bhala iss chase me? Ye aur ulajhta jaa raha hai. Par, ab mere paas ek — clue hai. Tum kitne hi raaes kyu na ho Mister Karan Adarsh! Agar, tumhara iss murder me haath hua toh mein khud tumhe salaakho ke peechhe daalungi.'

Trisha : Shekhar!!! Clip se aur jitni gaadiyo ke number bina blur hue saaf-saaf nazar aa rahe hai. Unn sab ki information nikaalo.

Shekhar : Ji madam!

Trisha : Kal subah, Nexacom ke owner Kishore Adarsh aur uske bete ke liye bahut hi yaadgaar saabit ho sakti hai.

***

Nidhi's apartment,
Night - 8:15 PM ~

Ragini Nidhi ke apartment ke theek baahar khadi hui thi. Aur, yahi thi uski asli destination. Uska dil uske seene me zoro se dhadak raha tha. Woh yaha pehle kabhi nahi aayi thi, halaaki woh aur Nidhi ek dusre se parichit thi. Gatherings, festivals aur functions me unka aamna-saamna kayi dafa ho chuka tha. Lekin, aaj ki raat alag thi. Sandeh ka bojh use yaha tak le aaya tha.

Darwaze ko khat-khataane se veh jhijhki. Kintu, fir usne dheere se khat-khataaya. Kuchh shan baad darwaza khula, aur Nidhi use dekh hairat me reh gayi.

Nidhi : Arey—A-Aap?

Uski awaaz komal lekin utsukta se bhari hui thi.

Nidhi : Maine nahi socha tha iss waqt aap hongi.

Ragini : Kyu? Kya aapko laga tha Veer hoga?

Nidhi (jhepte hue) : Huh???

Ragini (smiles) : Arey wahi toh aksar aata hai. Mein pehli baar aayi hu. Obviously, aap mujhe expect nahi kar rahi thi. Haha!

Nidhi : W-Wahi! Please! Aao na!

Jabran muskuraate hue Ragini andar qadam rakhi. Woh ek-ek gesture ko notice kar rahi thi. Nidhi ka achanak se jhepna aur uske chehre ke bhaav se leke sab kuchh.

Ragini : Mein toh bas — aapse milna chaahti thi. Aapse baat kare kaafi samay ho gaya tha. Socha, mil hi leti hu. Isi bahaane ghar bhi dekh lungi. I hope I'm not intruding, right?

Nidhi : Arey, nahi nahi! Isme kaisa intrusion? Aap aayi toh mujhe achha laga. Baitho na!

Ragini (nods) : Hmm!

Nidhi : Batao! Kya logi? Chai ya coffee?

Ragini : Arey, mein chai coffee ke liye thodi aayi hu. Aapse baat karne aayi hu. Aap baitho yahi.

Nidhi : Arey, aise kaise bhala? Pehli baar aayi ho aur mein itna bhi na karu? Aap bhi toh apne ghar me aisa hi karti ho na. Batao! Chai karu ya coffee?

Ragini : Arey aap bhi na-!!! *sighs* Theek hai! Coffee, then!

Nidhi haami bharte hue kitchen me chali gayi. Pehle woh uske liye paani laayi aur fir coffee banaane ke liye andar vyast ho gayi.

Isi beech Ragini ki nazar iss sadharan se apartment par padi. Aur, woh sochne par majboor ho gayi ki kabhi uske saath rehne se pehle Veer yahi par kayi mahino tak raha tha, jaha usne ek jeevan aisa bhi jiya tha jise usne kabhi theek se saajha nahi kiya, jiske baare me usne kabhi bhi theek se use nahi bataaya.

Uski ungliyaan sofe ke hatthe par firi, ek kalpana hui ki Veer yahi par baitha hai, shayad raat ke sannaate me Nidhi se baat kar raha hai.

Aur, irshya janm le uthi. Yahi sab woh jagah-jagah dekh soch rahi thi jab Nidhi do cup coffee ke lekar lauti aur ek cup Ragini ke saamne table par rakh kar baith gayi.

Nidhi : Toh? Aaj aapko meri yaad kaise aa gayi?

Ragini ne casual dikhne ki koshish karte hue apni coffee ka cup uthaaya aur boli.

Ragini : Ab kya batau. Jab se Veer China se laut ke aaya hai, tab se hi sab titar-bitar ho rakha hai. Ghar me afra-tafri machi hai, haha. Business ko lekar sab focused hai. Aur, mujhe thoda break chahiye tha. Fir aapka khayaal aa gaya. *smiles*

Ragini ne apni chaal chal di. Safed jhooth bolte hue usne badi hi chalaaki se topic of discussion ko Veer ki taraf mod diya tha.

Nidhi : O-Ohh! Bilkul! Thoda mind ko break dena bhi zaroori hota hai.

Ragini : Ji! Waise ek baat toh hai-!

Nidhi : ??

Ragini : Veer aksar aapke baare me baat karta rehta hai.

Nidhi : H-Huh!!!?

Ragini : -ki kaise aapne uske kathin waqt me itna saath diya. Tough times me kaise aap uske saath thi.

Nidhi ki aankhon me halki si kuchh chamak si aayi—shayad hairaangi, shayad puraani yaadein.

Nidhi (nods) : H-Haan! Woh tha — Jab woh yaha aaya tha toh bahut hi buri sthiti me tha. Maine dekha hai use-! Aur, maine wahi kiya jo meri jagah agar koi aur bhi hota toh yahi karta.

Ragini : Ji nahi! Mujhe toh nahi lagta. *sips* Shadi-shuda, do baccho ki maa, ghar par kisi mard ka na hona, inn sab ke baad bhi aapne ek jawaan ladke ko apni chhat ke neeche panaah di. Mujhe nahi lagta ki itni asaani se koi bhi aise madad ka haath badhaata. *sips* By the way, coffee bahut achhi bani hai.

Nidhi (smiles) : Thank you! Lekin, sach yahi hai, maine wahi kiya jo mujhe sahi laga. Aur, aap bhi agar meri jagah hoti toh shayad yahi karti.

Ragini (shrugs) : Shayad! Toh? Itne mahino tak aap dono saath rahe. Qareebi toh badhi hi hogi. Uska yaha hona aapko kaisa lagta tha? I mean to say—aapko dikkat nahi gayi kabhi? Baccho ke saath-saath ek aur sadasya ka ghar me achanak se aa jaana?

Nidhi iss prashn par thoda jhijhki, saaf taur par apni bhavnao par qaabu rakhne ki koshish kar rahi thi.

Nidhi : Sach kahu toh- Woh samajhdar hai! Thoda nadaan zaroor hai lekin, samajhdar hai. Jab woh kathin samay se guzar raha tha tab bhi woh andar se humesha se mazboot rehta tha. Usne meri itni madad ki, jitni maine kabhi umeed bhi nahi ki thi. Toh, mujhe kabhi aisa laga hi nahi ki woh mere liye kabhi koi bojh tha. Aisa lagta tha jaise woh isi parivar ka hissa tha.

Ragini ka dil andar hi andar marud ke reh gaya. Woh Nidhi ki awaaz me uska sneh sunn paa rahi thi, aur ye uske andar bhadki jalan ki lapto ko aur bhi zyada badha raha tha.

Ragini : Ji! Veer aksar mujhe bataya karta tha. Toh, ye din-ba-din kaisa tha? Aap baccho ke saath-saath itna sab manage kaise kar leti thi?

Nidhi ki aankhein narm pad gayi aur pehli baar ek halki si muskaan ubhri.

Nidhi : Maine use parivar ke sadasya ki tarah hi maana humesha. Woh Juhi ki madad karta tha, kabhi-kabhi use school le jaata tha, yaha tak ki use nehlaana aur toilet tak leke jaana. Hum saath-saath shopping bhi karne jaate the, saath hi dinner ki taiyaari karna, chhote-chhote kaamo me haath bataana. Sab easily manage ho jaata tha. Aur, uske jaane ke baad hi mujhe ehsaas hua ki mein uspe kitna depend ho chuki thi.

Ragini ki pakad uske cup par mazboot ho gayi. Woh jaan rahi thi sab. 80 pratishat woh samajh chuki thi ki Nidhi hi veh mahila thi jis se Veer pyaar karta hai. Uske bheetar gusse aur jalan ki lehre uthi. Saath-saath dinner karna? Saath-saath shopping pe jaana? Mil ke baccho ka dhyaan rakhna? Agar, ye sab ek pati patni ke kaam nahi the toh aur kya the? Aur, ye sab Veer Nidhi ke saath kar chuka tha? Woh bhi uske pehle?

Ragini : Woh aapke liye bahut maayne rakhta hai, hai na?

Nidhi, bechaari chhal-kapat ki duniya se pare, ye samajh hi na paayi ki Ragini ke yaha aane ka uddeshya kya tha. Shayad, yahi ek kaaran bhi tha ki kyu veh Rajat ke jaal me itni asaani se fass gayi thi. Aur, shayad yahi ek kaaran aur bhi tha ki kaise Ragini kabhi Veer ke khilaaf shadiyantro me shaamil raha karti thi.

Ek taraf ek ignorant woman! Aur, dusri taraf ek crafty lady.

Nidhi : Veer-!! Woh alag hi hai ekdum. Niswaarth. Maine use kabhi khud ke liye selfish hote nahi dekha.

Ragini : Hmm! Aapki family ne kabhi object nahi kiya? Uska aapke saath rukne ko leke?

Nidhi : Hmm? Nahi! Hargiz nahi! Siwae, Shreya ko chhor ke. Lekin, baad me woh bhi uske saath ghul-mil gayi thi. Aap bhi ek mahila hai. Hum toh aankhon ko dekh ke hi pehchaan lete hai ki mardo ke andar humaare liye kya hai, hai na?

Ragini (nods) : Ji!

Nidhi : Maine kabhi Veer ki aankhon me woh sab nahi dekha. Hawas! Galat iraade!

Ragini : Ji!

'Agar, mein inhe bata du ki Veer ne kya kuchh kar rakha hai toh? Kya inhe bata du? Should I really-!? Inhe lagta hai iss baare me kuchh bhi nahi pata hai.'

Ragini : Waise-! Veer aapko kaisa lagta hai?

Nidhi : Huhhh??

Ragini : Mera matlab, ek insaan ke roop me aap use kaise dekhti hai?

Nidhi (smiles) : Selfless, caring, protective aur thoda sa nadaan. Lekin, ye nadaani samay ke saath chali jayegi. Abhi young hai na. Ye hota hai. Par, age ke hisaab se woh bahut mature hai.

Ragini : R-Right!

'B-Bahut mature? Bahut mature??? Agar, inhe pata chala ki usne mere saath hum-bistar hone ke baad bhi mujhe jawaab nahi diya hai toh kya sochengi ye? Kya inke vichaar tab badlenge?'

Nidhi : Aapko yakeen nahi hoga, par mein use pehle bahut kosa karti thi. Daanta bhi karti thi.

Ragini : Hmm? Kis liye?

Nidhi (smiles) : Usne aapko aur aapke parivaar ko gundo se bachaya tha na?

Ragini : Huh? A-Aapko kaise pata chala?

Nidhi : Usne hi mujhe bataya tha. Aapko pata hai? Jis raat usne aapko bachaaya tha, usi raat maine uske liye special dinner banaaya tha. Aur, woh dinner chhor ke bhaaga tha. Jab ghar aaya tha toh poore chot ke nishaan the uske shareer par. Fir, maine hi uski first aid ki thi aur fir usne bataya tha ki woh kaha par tha aur kya kuchh hua tha.

Ragini : Th-That's-

Nidhi (smiles) : Aur, mein isliye use kabhi chillaaya karti thi ki jab uska parivar uski parvah nahi karta toh woh kyu har baar khud ko unke liye jokhim me daalta hai? Can you believe it? Haha! U-Use itna chotil dekhti thi toh bas nikal jaata tha mere muh se.

Ragini ka sarr sharm se neeche jhuk gaya. The fact that he came for her when he was being served here with a special dinner comfortably. Ye apne aap me bahut kuchh bayaa karta tha.

Nidhi : Woh aapke baare me bhi bahut baatein karta tha.

Ragini : M-Matlab?

Ragini chaunkte hue apni palke jhapkaate hue use dekhi. Nidhi ne apna cup neeche rakha aur fir jaari rakha.

Nidhi : Jab woh aapke saath rehne laga tha toh yaha jab bhi aata tha toh aapki baat karta tha. Mujhe bataata tha ki ab uske parivar me uski ek bhabhi hai jo uski sach-much me parvah karti hai. Woh mujhe sab bataata tha ki aap uska kitna khayaal rakhti thi. Aapko shayad pata nahi par—woh aapki kalpana se bhi zyada parvah karta hai aapki.

Ragini : !!???

Nidhi ke shabd Ragini par haawi ho gaye aur uske andar jal rahi aag ko jaise thand kar gaye. Veer uske baare me aisa kehta tha? Beshaq, Nidhi uske liye koi anya mahila nahi thi—veh zaroorat ke samay me ek aashray thi. Lekin, ye baat ki woh Ragini ko nahi bhoola tha. Usne kabhi use peechhe nahi chhora tha.

Uski aankhon se apne aap aasu behne lage. Ye sab kya ho raha tha. Woh yaha rone nahi aayi thi. Fir kyu?

Usne apne aasu pochh dheere se saans chhori, use laga jaise ab uske andar ki gaanth thodi dheeli pad chuki thi. Lekin, jalan abhi bhi kahi na kahi maujood thi.

'Kya karu? Kya inhe bata du? Parijaat ghar ki aurto ke baare me? Kya hoga fir? Kya hoga, Veer? I have the opportunity. Mujhe bas sach ugalna hai. I can make you lose her, Veer.'

Nidhi uthate hue tabhi andar kun-munate Dhruv ki orr gayi aur uske sarr ko sehlaate hue aur soti hui Juhi ko blanket udhaane lagi.

'I can't-!!!'

Ragini ne apni saree zorr se bheench li. Uska nichla honth daanto tale kass ke dabb gaya.

'I fucking can't-!!!'

Usne Nidhi ko dekha. Juhi aur Dhurv ko dekha. Woh kitna khush thi. Aise, me bhala woh kaise sach bata sakti thi?

'Mein bas ek qadam dur hu iss aurat ko tumhari zindagi se dur karne me, Veer! And, yet I- *sniff* Yet I— I can't!!! *sniff* I fucking hate you, Veer!!! Ye kaha laa ke khada kar diya hai tumne mujhe? *sniff* It hurts so fucking much lekin, uske baad bhi mein ye nahi kar paa rahi. Is this—? This is what it means to be in love??? Is this love? I hate you, Veer-!!! *sniff* I hate you... Because... I love you~ *sniff*'

Nidhi wapas aayi aur apna pallu theek kar boli.

Nidhi (smiles) : Veer ka aisa hi hai. Woh apni family ke prati bahut protective hai. Maine shuru se dekha hai. Itna sab kuchh ho jaane ke baad bhi usne sab accept kar liya aur sab ke liye itna kuchh karta hai toh aap andaza laga hi sakti ho ki woh kaisa vyakti hai.

Ragini ne sarr hilaaya. Uski bhavnaaye uthal-puthal me thi. Woh apne sandeh ki pushti karne yaha aayi thi aur usne aisa hi kiya. Lekin, Nidhi ke shabdo ne use kuchh apratyaashit bhi pradaan kar diya — shaanti ki bhavna. Veer ne kisi ek ko dusre ke upar nahi chuna tha. Woh unn dono ki dekh-bhaal apne dhang se kar raha tha.

Jaise hi baat-cheet khatam hone ko aayi toh Ragini uth khadi hui.

Ragini : Thank you~ Aayi toh waise kuchh aur iraade se thi aur baatein kuchh aur hi ho gayi.

Nidhi (smiles) : Toh kya hua? Ab jab chaahe aap aa jaaya karo. Mein ghar par hi rehti hu.

Ragini muskurate hue ghar ke baahar nikli.

Ragini : You know what? Aap sahi hai. Nahi! Hum-! Hum sahi hai.

Nidhi : Hmm?

Ragini : Bas, ek akhiri sawaal. Veer ne aapko propose kiya toh uss baare me kya socha aapne?

Nidhi (astounded) : Huhhhh!!!?? M-Mein-!? Huh???

Nidhi jaise hi sakpakayi, Ragini ko shat-pratishat vishvas ho gayi ki Nidhi hi veh aurat thi. Isme koi shaq nahi tha. Woh punah muskurayi.

Ragini (smiles) : Veer keh raha tha ki woh aise pranks karta rehta hai, haha! Toh, maine socha kahi aapko bura toh nahi lag gaya? Isliye, poochha ki aap kya sochti hai iss baare me?

Nidhi (panics) : N-Nahi-! W-Woh-

Ragini (smiles) : It's okay. Don't mind him. Chalti aayi. Aaiyega!

Nidhi : Huh?? *nods* H-Haan!

Aur, Nidhi ko sawaalo ke bavandar me gumraah kar ke, Ragini waha se ravana ho gayi.

***

Starbucks, Mumbai,
Night - 8:30 PM ~

Starbucks ka shaant ambience kursi par baithi do mahilao ke beech ghanghor tanaav ke bilkul vipreet tha. Tej ki ungliyaan uske espresso ke cup par bechaini se thap-thapa rahi thi, uski teekhi nigaahein Suhana par tiki thi, jo humesha ki tarah shaant aur polished uske saamne baithi thi. Coffee shop ki roasted beans ki khushboo hawa me feli hui thi, lekin Tej ke dimag me ek hi cheez thi — Veer.

Suhana apni seat par thoda sa shift hui, uska almond latte jyo ka tyo rakha hua tha. Woh Tej ki ghoorti nigaaho me wazan ko mehsoos kar paa rahi thi. Kuchh gadbad thi.




Tej : Thanks for coming! And, apologies for rescheduling...! Mein busy thi lately, you know—personal matters.

Suhana (nods) : No problem!

Uske business instincts pehle se hi ye bata rahe the ki ye koi casual coffee chat nahi thi.

Suhana : I can understand. Kabhi-kabhi cheezein bahut overwhelming ho jaati hai.

Tez zabardasti muskurayi, uski aankhein narm nahi padi. Woh thoda aage ki orr jhuki aur, uski ungliyaan uske cup ke chaaro orr ghumne lagi.

Tej : Mein kuchh khaas baat karna chaahti thi. Actually — Veer ko leke.

Akhirkar, asal mudda saamne tha. Suhana ka shaant swabhav bana raha lekin uski ungliyaan uske cup par adrishya roop se kass gayi.

Suhana : Veer?? What about him?

Tej ne turant koi jawab na diya, usne apni coffee pi, nigaahein Suhana par hi tiki rahi.

Tej : Aapne use woh car gift ki thi? Roll Royce Ghost? That white car?

Suhana (nods) : I did!

Tej : Quite a gift, you know. Not something you see exchanged between casual acquaintances.

Suhana ne seedhe uski orr dekha, ye samajhte hue ki baat-cheeet ka saar kya tha.

Suhana : Yes, the car! Ye har din nahi hota ki aap kisi aise vyakti se milo jo aapki madad ke liye be-jhijhak aage aa jaaye. Veer ne mere liye bahut kuchh kiya hai. I was shot in Las Vegas. Back me-! I was about to die.

Tej : Huh?

Suhana : Aur, Veer ne hi mujhe bachaaya tha. Usne bataya tha ki use ye car pasand thi. So, it was a token of my appreciation. Aur, mujhe nahi lagta ki iss car ki keemat meri jaan ki keemat se zyada hai.

Tej ka muh andar se sikud gaya. 'A token of appreciation?' Woh andar hi andar hasi, lekin usme koi haasya nahi tha.

Tej : It's an awfully grand gesture for a token, don't you think? I mean— itna mehnga gift. Just like that-!

Suhana : Gift toh gift hota hai. Badle me kuchh maangungi thodi. Ye car mere liye 'thank you' kehne ka tareeka tha jo mujhe appropriate laga.

Tej ki ungliyaan cup ko kass ke pakadne ke chalte safed ho chali, uska dimag tezi se daudne laga. Appropriate? Rolls Royce Ghost kahi se bhi appropriate nahi thi. It was intimate — iska matlab kuchh aur tha. Aabhaar se pare.

Tej : Aap dono kaafi samay se ek dusre ko jaante honge, hai na?

Suhana ne napi-tuli saans li.

Suhana : Yes! Quite a while indeed. Shayad 2 saal se? Delhi tour, Las Vegas tour. We went together to a few places. Zaroorat ke samay woh har waqt meri madad ke liye aage aaya hai. I can't deny that-! Kuchh din pehle hi usne mujhse 'Yarnia' ke showroom ke liye madad maangi thi. So, I have arranged something for him.

Tej : What???

Tej ka gussa ubaal maarne laga. Lekin, usne chhipaane ki poori koshish ki. I have arranged something for him? Ye kisi dhamki jaisa lag raha tha use.

Tej : So, you arranged for him huh? Aur, yaha mein kayi dino se sheher me ghoom rahi thi, uske liye sahi jagah dhoondhne ki koshish kar rahi thi. Iss poore samay mein ye soch rahi thi ki woh mein hi hu jis par woh depend ho sakta hai. Lekin, aaj pata chala ki peeth peechhe woh aapse madad maang raha tha.

Akhir me uski awaaz toot gayi, jiske chalte uss chot ka pata chal gaya jise woh apne gusse ke neeche dabaane ki koshish kar rahi thi.

Suhana Tej ke swar me aaye badlaav se na chooki aur pehli baar use tanaav ka asli kaaran pata chala. Ye car ya showroom ke baare me nahi tha — Yeh Veer ke baare me tha. Aur, Tej ki apne bhai ke prati loyalty, uski possessiveness.

'Looks like she dislikes me.' Suhana ne bhaanp liya ki akhir Tej use yaha par kyu bulaayi thi. 'She wants to know the relationship I share with Veer.'

Suhana : You know what? You are lucky.

Tej : Huh?

Suhana : Veer tumhari bahut parvaah karta hai. Tumhe koi idea nahi hai ki woh tumhare baare me kitna sochta hai.

Tej akad ke reh gayi, lekin uski aankhein kisi cheez se chamak uthi.

Tej : Woh mere baare me sochta hai?

Suhana : Haan! Use tum par garv hai. Tumko pata hai woh mere paas madad ke liye kyu aaya?

Tej : !!??

Suhana : -Kyunki, woh apni behan par aur burden nahi daalna chaahta tha. Tumne uski absence me jo kuchh bhi kiya, woh unn results se bahut khush tha. But, he didn't want to overburden you. That's why he decided to ask for my help. He looks up to you.

Tej ki saansein uske gale me atak gayi. Usne bahut lamba samay woh behan banane ke liye bitaaya tha jis par Veer nirbhar ho sake, jis se ki woh har cheez ke liye uski orr dekh sake. Aur, ab Suhana se ye sunn kar uski bhavnaaye bhadak uthi — krodh, raahat, irshya.

Tej : Par, fir bhi- aaya toh woh aapke paas hi na. He came to you!!! And, not me!

Suhana : Woh tumpe bojh nahi daalna chaahta tha. Isliye, woh mere paas aaya tha. Isliye, nahi ki use tum par bharosa nahi tha, balki isliye ki woh tumhe itna importance deta hai ki tumse aur zyada maang nahi rakh sakta. You already did more than enough for him.

Tej ye sweekar nahi karna chaahti thi. Woh iss par vishvas nahi karna chaahti thi. Lekin, inn bol ne jaise uske gusse ko shaant kar diya.

Tej : You care for him, right?

Ye ek sawal ki bajaaye ek bayaan tha. Aur, iss baar Suhana hichak ke reh gayi. Woh apni nazre churaate hue idhar-udhar dekhne lagi.

Suhana : I... He's just an acquaintance.

Tej : Just an acquaintance. Right!

Kehte hue woh uth gayi. Aur, waha se jaane lagi. Lekin, jaate-jaate usne Suhana ko yaha aane ke liye dhanyavad kaha. Jaise hi cafe ka darwaza uske peechhe band hua, Suhana ne ek saans chhori.

Iss exchange ke baad dono ek dusre ke prati kuchh na kuchh bhaanp chuki thi. Tej jaan chuki thi ki Suhana bas ek acquaintance nahi thi. Aur, Suhana ye jaan gayi thi ki Tej uske aur Veer ke rishte ko lekar sandeh me thi. Saath hi ye — ki woh apne bhai ko leke kitni possessive thi.

***

FBCC headquarters, New York,
Night - 9:00 PM ~

"You showed up!!!"

Rebecca ne mudte hue apne peechhe se aa rahe shaks ko dekha.

"Aapne hi mujhe bulaaya tha."

Kehte hue woh ladka uske nazdeek aaya. Ye koi aur nahi — Damian hi tha.

Rebecca : Prepare for your next mission. Tumhe Australia jaana hoga.

Damian : Fight?

Rebecca : Up to you! Jitna ho sake uss ladki ko busy rakhna. You did well in Mumbai.

Damian (nods) : Hmm! Woh Mumbai me hi hai. Aisa mujhe lagta hai.

Rebecca : Who?

Damian : That weird one!

Rebecca : Ohh!

Damian haami bhar waha se chala gaya. Aur, idhar Rebecca ke dimaag me X ki baatein goonj gayi.

'Use your other pawn, Rebecca!'

Usne fauran hi Mumbai me maujood apne special agent ko call lagaaya — Divya!

Divya : Hello? Y-Yes Director!?

Rebecca : You have a mission, Mrs. Divya.

Divya : Huh?

Rebecca : Maharashtra me murders ho rahe hai. It appears to be a murder chain.

Divya : M-Murders?

Rebecca : I hereby assign you as a special agent to unravel the mystery behind these murders. FBCC jald hi Maharashtra govt. se contact me aa jayegi. So, be prepared.

Divya : Ahhh-!!?

Idhar Divya ko uska naya mission mila aur udhar Veer ko uske mann me-

*Ding*

[Mission : Assist Divya and unveil the murderer.
Time limit : 14 days.
Rewards :
1) ??? Points.
2) ??? Fame Points.
3) Divya's favourability increment.

Mission failure penalty : Loss of loved ones.]
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Aaj ke liye itna hi guys.
This update consists of 12k words. Cheezein bahut jaldi ab escalate hongi, ek idea lag gaya hoga ise padhne ke baad. So, be prepared. Sorry for the late update. Festivals ka time hai toh thodi vyastata rahegi, I had to go back to my hometown too. Toh adjust karne ka. Also, let me know Tej and Suhana ki meet aur Nidhi aur Ragini ki meet kaisi lagi. I spent a lot of time to write those two meetings. Baaki, target apna wahi hai. 200. Like thokne ka aur revos rakhna ka.
Dhanyavad.

Bahut hi badhiya update diya hai Werewolf bhai....
Nice and beautiful update....

 

[Rihanna]

And these small details of scene 'uske hath coffee cup par kas gaye', 'Cup ko pakadne se uski ungaliya safed ho gayi' and many more... aisi details hi pure scene ko aur jyada imaginative, living realistic bana deti hai.

I 100% agree...

This is what sets a skilled writer and just a writer apart...

Anyone can write the description... If I know the plot then Main bhi likh sakti hu ki aaj Veer ghar pe tha... Sunday tha... Wo naashta banane me laga tha... Baaki sabhi ka aagman hua... Anyone can write...
But I think these are the sentences which tells us that how excellent the narration is -

Masaale, taazi kati hui sabziyaan aur pan me pighalte butter ki mehek hawa me bhar rakhi thi.

Woh coffee ke mug par apni ungli ferte hue kinhi khayalo me ghum thi. Pichhli raat ke drishya uske mann me umad aaye.

Uski ungliyaan sofe ke hatthe par firi, ek kalpana hui ki Veer yahi par baitha hai, shayad raat ke sannaate me Nidhi se baat kar raha hai.

Nidhi, bechaari chhal-kapat ki duniya se pare, ye samajh hi na paayi ki Ragini ke yaha aane ka uddeshya kya tha. Shayad, yahi ek kaaran bhi tha ki kyu veh Rajat ke jaal me itni asaani se fass gayi thi. Aur, shayad yahi ek kaaran aur bhi tha ki kaise Ragini kabhi Veer ke khilaaf shadiyantro me shaamil raha karti thi.

Ek taraf ek ignorant woman! Aur, dusri taraf ek crafty lady.

Starbucks ka shaant ambience kursi par baithi do mahilao ke beech ghanghor tanaav ke bilkul vipreet tha. Tej ki ungliyaan uske espresso ke cup par bechaini se thap-thapa rahi thi, uski teekhi nigaahein Suhana par tiki thi, jo humesha ki tarah shaant aur polished uske saamne baithi thi. Coffee shop ki roasted beans ki khushboo hawa me feli hui thi, lekin Tej ke dimag me ek hi cheez thi — Veer.

These few sentences show us that how skilled he is in narration...

 

[SANJU ( V. R. )]

भावना जी के दुख दर्द और सैक्रिफाइस से सभी रीडर्स भलीभांति अवगत है । जिस तरह से सिंगल मदर होते हुए अपनी बेटी तेजल का पालन-पोषण किया है और बहुत-बहुत ही कठोर संघर्ष किया है वह किसी से छुपा हुआ नही है ।

लेकिन जब से वह अपने बिछड़े हुए लाड़ले वीर से मिली है तब से वह कुछ अप्रत्याशित सी लगने लगी है । उनका वह स्वभाविक प्रेम और ममता नही दिखाई देता जो एक मां का अपने बच्चों के साथ होता है । इस अपडेट की ही बात कर लीजिए । तेजल को नौकरी करनी है या नही करनी है इसके लिए ढिंढोरा पीटने की जरूरत नही थी । यह बात वह तेजल से एकांत मे भी पूछ सकती थी । पुरे परिवार के सामने तेजल को शर्मिंदा करने की कोई आवश्यकता नही थी ।

वैसे तेजल को यह महसूस हो गया है कि वीर के साथ उनका सम्बन्ध अनैतिक सम्बन्ध की श्रेणी मे आता है । वह इस सम्बन्ध को फाॅरविडेन और टैबो समझ भी रही है और यह भी जानती है कि ऐसे सम्बन्ध सार्वजनिक नही किए जा सकते । फिर वह क्यों वीर के साथ जुड़े हुए उन महिलाओं की खोज खबर लेने पर आमदा हो गई है जिनके साथ वीर का प्रेम संबंध हो सकता है ?
आज सुहाना की जांच पड़ताल करने पहुंच गई , कल किसी और के पास पहुंचेगी और परसों किसी और के पास पहुंचेगी । कितनी महिलाओं के पास वह जायेंगी और कहेंगी कि आप मेरे भाई से दूर ही रहो !
कल को वीर की शादी होगी तब भी क्या वह इसी तरह उसके मंगेतर से इसी तरह बर्ताव करेगी !

ठीक ऐसा ही काम रागिनी भाभी ने भी किया । वह भी निधि मैडम के घर पहुंच गई । अगर उन्हे वीर के दूसरे औरतों के साथ सेक्सुअल रिलेशनशिप होने से आपत्ति है तो पहले उन्हे सुमन के पास जाना चाहिए था । उन्हे पारिजात महल की महिलाओं के पास जाना चाहिए था ।
इन के साथ वीर का सेक्सुअल सम्बन्ध बन चुका है और वह इससे भलीभाँति जानती भी है ।
वीर का निधि के प्रति प्रेम एकतरफ़ा है । निधि ने वीर के प्रेम प्रपोजल को स्वीकार नही किया है । मै भी छ सात साल की उम्र मे हेमा मालिनी से शादी करना चाहता था । जब जवान हुआ तब श्रीदेवी से शादी करना चाहता था ।
मेरे चाहने और न चाहने से क्या होता है !
रागिनी के वीर के प्रति चाहत का मै अनादर नही कर रहा । लेकिन उन्हे वीर के अतीत से सबक लेना चाहिए । वीर के उस भावना को समझना चाहिए जो सब के लिए एक समान है । उसके कलयुगी कान्हा सिचुएशन को समझना चाहिए ।

भूमिका मैडम को पहली बार कुछ कुछ होने लगा है ।
लेकिन उसे वीर को कुछ न कुछ तो पोजिटिव संकेत देने ही होंगे । अन्यथा उसका प्रेम एक मृग तृष्णा की तरह होकर रह जायेगा ।

रागिनी और तेजल के अलावा काइरा , भूमिका , सुहाना , निधि और पूर्वी भी वीर साहब की भावी प्रेमिका हो सकती हैं । गारोफानो , एवा मार्टिन , इरिका , सोनिया भी वेटिंग लिस्ट मे हैं । किस किस के साथ पंगा लेते रहेंगी ये दोनो मोहतरमा !
आरोही और काव्या का टीकट कन्फर्म होना ही होना है । क्या यह दोनो मोहतरमा इनके साथ भी ' मै पत्नी तू सौतन ' वाला खेल खेलना चाहेगी ! जबकि हकीकत यह है कि न ही ये पत्नी बन सकती है और न ही सौतन ।

आरोही से याद आया , वह बहुत बढ़िया डिसिजन ली है । एजुकेशन पहली प्राथमिकता होनी चाहिए । लेकिन एजुकेशन के दरम्यान पार्ट टाइम मे वह वीर को व्यापारिक मामलो मे सहयोग भी कर सकती है ।

फेयरवेल अस्पताल - यह डाॅक्टरों ने पुलिस और डिटेक्टिव का काम कब से शुरू कर दिया ? जो डाॅक्टर पोस्टमार्टम का काम करते हैं , ऑटोप्सी का काम करते हैं
वह मृतक के परिवार और दोस्तों के बारे मे इनक्वायरी नही करते । उनका काम मृतक के शरीर का चिड़ फाड़ करना और मृत्यु का कारण ढूंढना होता है । शव किसका था , कौन शव लाया था , कपड़ों से क्या क्या बरामद हुआ था , शव को फैमिली मेम्बर को कब सौंपना है -- यह सब काम डाॅक्टर का नही पुलिस का है ।
वैसे तृषा मैडम ने जो गड़े मुर्दे उखाड़ने शुरू किए है वो अंततः किसी काम का नही । एक कार की शिनाख्त पर करण साहब तक पहुंचना और फिर शायद वीर तक भी पहुंचना और बात है लेकिन सबूत ढूंढना और उन्हे गुनाहगार साबित करना और । यह बहुत ही टेढ़ी खीर है ।

मिस्टर एक्स और रेबैका मैडम के बारे मे फिलहाल कहने को कुछ ज्यादा नही है सिर्फ इस बात को छोड़कर कि उन्होने दिव्या को महाराष्ट्र मे हो रहे सिरियल मर्डर केस की जांच सौंप दी है ।
पर वीर का भी इस केस से जुड़ना और सिर्फ दो हफ्ते के अंदर इस केस को सॉल्व करना हमारे लिए एक कौतुहल फैक्टर बन गया है । कौतुहल फैक्टर इसलिए कि वीर के फेल्योर होने पर उसके किसी एक आत्मीय जन का खोना।
वैसे डेमियन ने भी कुछ अबूझ जैसी बातें की जिसका सिर्फ कयास ही लगाया जा सकता है ।

खुबसूरत अपडेट वेयरवोल्फ भाई ।
जगमग जगमग अपडेट ।

 

[Samar_Singh]

I 100% agree...

This is what sets a skilled writer and just a writer apart...

Anyone can write the description... If I know the plot then Main bhi likh sakti hu ki aaj Veer ghar pe tha... Sunday tha... Wo naashta banane me laga tha... Baaki sabhi ka aagman hua... Anyone can write...
But I think these are the sentences which tells us that how excellent the narration is -






These few sentences show us that how skilled he is in narration...

You didn't find the clues about the weird one that Damian and Rebecca was talking about