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Trisha : Please, jaise hi koi bhi clue haath lage, hume inform kariyega. Aap hi hai jo iss task ko complete kar sakte ho. Kyunki, humara yaha rehna bahut zaroori hai.
Divya : Don't worry!
Trisha : Koi escorts? Mein ek sub-inspector aur control room se-
Divya : Nahi nahi! Iski koi zaroorat nahi. Mein aur mera assistant hi kaafi honge.
Trisha : Are you sure?
Divya (nods) : Yes!! Then, hum nikalte hai.
Divya aur Veer fir kuchh der waha intezar kar gaadi ke liye nikal gaye. Aur, unki manzil thi — Pune!
Ab aage...
'Fuckin' hell!!!'
Jab Divya ne uske ghar chalne ka zikr kiya toh Veer jaan gaya ki ye bahut hi bura vichaar tha. Uska parivar sirf ek sadharan parivar nahi tha — wo ankahi bhavnao ka ek uljha hua jaal tha, aur ek baahri vyakti - khaas taur se Divya ka waha aana, ghar me uthal-puthal machaane ke liye kaafi tha.
Fir bhi, uske paas koi vikalp nahi tha. Divya ne aaj hi Karan ke ghar se inspector Trisha ko hataate hue uski madad ki thi. Aur, iske pehle bhi usne France me uske liye madad bhijwayi thi. Toh ab jab woh Mumbai me thi aur high-profile murder cases ki jaanch kar rahi thi, toh aise me Veer use apni peeth nahi dikha sakta tha. Woh Divya ka kahi na kahi karzdaar tha.
Din wahi tha aur shaam ke 7:15 baj rahe the. Jaise hi veh dono darwaze ke paas pahuche, Veer ko apne seene me tanaav mehsoos hua. Ye koi samaanya sa home tour nahi tha; Divya ghar ki koi parichit nahi thi. Aur, uski overprotective badi behna — Tej, koi mamooli behan nahi thi. Ye ek powder keg ke samaan tha jo fatne ke liye taiyaar tha. Aur, Veer ki maujoodgi yaha uss par apni chingaari pehle hi laga chuki thi.
*Ding Dong*
Divya ne doorbell bajaayi. Uske chehre par ek adrishya muskaan thi jise Veer parakh na saka. Kuchh hi derr me Tej ne ujjwal muskaan ke saath darwaaza khola aur uski aankhein apne bhai ko dekh kar chamak uthi.
Tej (smiles) : Aa gaye tum? Huh-!?
Uski awaaz garmjoshi se bhari aur swaagat karne waali thi. Lekin, jaise hi uski nazar uske bhai ke bagal se khadi mahila par padi toh woh garmahat kahi gaayab si ho gayi. Uska shareer akda, aur muskaan feeki pad gayi. Uska dimaag apne aap hi use satark kar diya, usne Divya ko upar se neeche tak dekha. Kaun thi yeh aurat???
Toh wahi Divya hamesha ki tarah shaant, ek professional muskaan bikhere aage badhi.
Divya : Hi! Mein 'Divya Dhawan,' ek special agent, Foreign bureau for Crime Control se. In short, FBCC!
Usne apni FBCC ki ID Tej ko dikhaate hue kaha. Gaur karne waali baat ye thi ki usne apna surname 'Dhawan' bataya jo ki uska shaadi se pehle ka surname tha. Na ki 'Wilson' jo uske pati Nick ka surname tha.
Divya : State me ho rahe serial murders ko lekar mein yaha aayi hui hu. Veer aur mein pehle bhi kaam kar chuke hai. Aur, usi silsile me mein yaha aayi hu. Baat lambi ho sakti hai. Toh, kya hum andar baith ke baat kar sakte hai?
Tej ki nazar Divya ki ID par padi aur uski pehchaan uss par kisi bijli ki tarah aa kar giri. DIVYA!!! Isi Divya ka zikr Veer ne kiya tha. Use yaad aaya jab Veer China se laut ke aaya tha toh usne kayi saare sawaalo ke jawaab diye the.
'France me mein kaafi involved tha police aur baaki departments se. Also, aap Miss Divya se familiar nahi ho, right?'
'Miss Divya??? Who is she??'
'FBCC ki ek special agent. Also, former detective of the crime department in Las Vegas.'
'Theek hai! Maan liya! Ab aage? Kaun hai woh Divya?
'Miss Divya… Hmm! Las Vegas ki trip ke dauran meri mulaqat unse hui thi aur woh Miss Suhana ki bachpan ki dost hai. Miss Suhana ko aap sab jaante hi ho. Ye tab ki baat hai jab humara reunion nahi hua tha, dii!'
'So?'
'Wahi Miss Divya FBCC ke dwara bheji gayi thi China. Choonki, mein unse familiar tha aur Li Renshu se bhi toh mein iss ‘Order’ vs ‘Legion’ ke beech fass baitha. Mujhe Li Renshu ka favor chukana tha aur Miss Divya ne mera involvement asaan kar diya.'
Tej ko sab kuchh yaad aaya jo Veer ne Divya ko lekar use bataaya tha. Yahi woh Divya thi jiske saath Veer ne Las Vegas me kaam kiya tha. Halanki, woh abhi ye nahi jaanti thi ki ek peshevar rishte ke alawa Veer aur Divya aur bhi bahut kuchh saanjha kar chuke the.
Andar hi andar uska dimaag ghoom raha tha - yeh mahila ek khatra thi, ek gambheer khatra. Veer kisi ko bhi ghar nahi laaya tha. Woh 'use' ghar laaya tha. Divya ko!!!
Tej ne khud ko muskuraane ke liye majboor kiya, aur unhe andar aane dene ke liye ek taraf hatt gayi. Usne Veer ko tirchhi nazar se dekha jaise maano poochhna chaah rahi ho ki — Kya chal raha hai tumhara iss aurat ke saath?
Tej (nods) : Aaiye!
Usne swaagat kiya. Uska swar vinamra lekin tanaavpoorna tha. Jaise hi Divya ne ghar me qadam rakha, Tej ne firse apne bhai ki orr dekha, jaise uss se anurodh kar rahi ho ki kuchh toh samjhao akhir chal kya raha hai? Lekin, Veer ne filhaal ke liye nazre ferr li. Woh jaanta tha ki abhi kuchh bhi safaayi dena wajib nahi tha.
Ghar ke andar Bhavna, Shweta, Ragini aur Suman living room me ikhatti thi. Jaise hi unn sabne Veer ko ek anjaan mahila ke saath andar aate dekha toh kamra tanaav se bhar gaya. Ragini seedhi hokar baith gayi. Uski aankhein sikudi aur woh sochne lagi ki Veer ke bagal se khadi ye mahila akhir kaun thi?
Humesha ki tarah Bhavna ka dimag turant hi cheezon ko bhaapne me lag gaya. Shweta, mann me prashn par prashn liye bas unhe poochhne ka intezar kar rahi thi. Aur, Suman, jo rasoi ke paas khadi thi woh shaant ruchi ke saath sab kuchh dekh rahi thi. Apne 'maalik' se judi har cheez par woh dhyaan deti thi. Rahi baat Bhumika aur Sonali ki — toh dono hi apne hotel aur food truck me thi.
Divya ne kuchh der ruk kar kamre ka jayza liya. Woh apne upar unki aankhon ka bhaar, ankahi jigyasa, thodi shatruta aur thodi chinta mehsoos kar paa rahi thi. Woh iss se kahi khatarnak sthitiyo me pad chuki thi, lekin kisi tarah, Veer ke ghar me uske parivar ke saath khada hona aaj use lohe ke chane chabaane ke samaan lag raha tha. Iske bawajood, usne apna saiyyam banaaye rakha.
Divya : Nice house. Looks good. Feels good~
Veer (smiles) : Thank you!!
Tej : ???
Divya : Oh! Namaste!!!
Usne apne haath jode, uska lehza napa-tula magar vinamra tha.
Divya : Mera naam - Divya Dhawan hai. Mein FBCC ki ek special agent hu. Agar, aapko FBCC ke baare me nahi pata toh mein bata deti hu — FBCC duniya ke bade crime cases ke saath deal karti hai. Worldwide apni aid countries tak pahuchaati hai.
Bhavna : Toh aap hai woh Divya!
Divya : Hmm? Ji! I see! Toh, Veer ne aapko mere baare me bataya hua hai.
Tej : Indeed! Aur, hume FBCC ke baare me bhi pata hai.
Divya : Oh? *smiles* I'm impressed!
Tej : Come to the point, please?
Divya : Sure! Well then, aap sabko shayad ye bhi pata hoga ki mein aur Veer — we have quite a history you know. Humne past me high profile cases me saath me kaam kiya hua hai. Aur, mujhe Veer ki assistance chaahiye. Simple!
Woh sofe par virajman hui aur sabhi taktaki laga ke use ghoorne lage.
Bhavna : Waise, mein Veer ki maa hu. Toh aapko mere bete ki assistance chaahiye? Bhala kis prakaar se?
Usne apne bete par ek sarsari nigaah daalte hue poochha.
Bhavna (glances) : Suman-!!!
Suman (nods) : Ji!
Ishaara samajhte hi Suman andar kitchen me gayi aur baahar Divya ke liye tray me paani lete hue aayi. Divya ne bhi koi kasar nahi chhori. Woh jaanti thi ye sab formality thi lekin, ye kisi aur ka ghar nahi tha. Ye Veer ka ghar tha.
Divya : Aapne sheher me ho rahe murders ko gaur kiya hi hoga.
Bhavna (nods) : Hmm!
Divya : Ye kaafi bada matter hai. I mean khud FBCC iss par action le rahi hai, iss se aap andaza laga hi sakti hai ki case kitna bada hoga. Maamla local police ke control se baahar jaa chuka hai. Jo skills Veer ke paas hai, woh iss case ko solve karne me kaafi madadgaar saabit ho sakti hai.
Tej : Skills?
Divya (nods) : Ah-huh! Observational skills.
Tej : ???
Divya : Hmm? Ab ye mat kehna ki aap sab Veer ke talent se waqif nahi?
Tej : Veer ka- talent?
Divya (glances) : Tumne inhe kuchh nahi bataaya kya?
Veer : Well-
Divya : Seriously? Tumne kuchh bhi nahi bataaya? Aap sab ko Las Vegas ke baare me nahi pata kya?
Tej : Hume ye pata hai ki Veer ka involvement waha crime departments se tha. Waha exactly kya hua tha iske baare me hume kuchh nahi pata.
Divya (amazed) : Oh my god!!! Tumhe pata hai tumhara bhai kya hai?
Tej : Huh???
Divya : Ek chalta firta computer. Maine apni life me Veer se zyada skilled detective nahi dekha. Jo deductions Veer karne me capable hai, shayad hi uss level ka koi aur hoga. And, I'm not joking.
Ragini jo ab tak shaant thi, usne apni baahein sofe ki side par felaate hue halka sa uphaas kiya.
Ragini : Aur, aapko lagta hai ki Veer ko iss tarah ki kisi cheez me shaamil hona chaahiye? Aapne soch bhi kaise liya ki hum sab use iss khatre me jaane denge?
Bhale hi woh Veer se abhi baat nahi kar rahi thi lekin, uski chinta abhi bhi saaf zaahir thi.
Divya : Shayad aap meri baaton ki gehraayi ko samajh nahi paayi. Maine kaha - ki Veer ke paas jo skills hai, woh iss case ko solve karne ke liye bahut madadgaar saabit ho sakti hai. Serial killer khulla ghoom raha hai. Na jaane kitne masoom log apni jaan gawa sakte hai. This is serious!
Tej : ...
Divya : Tum Veer ki behan ho, right?
Tej (nods) : H-Hmm! Mein Tejal! Veer ki sagi badi behan.
Divya : Do you know what happened in Las Vegas?
Tej : Huh??? N-Nahi!
Divya : Short me bataati hu. Mein bata sakti hu na, Veer?
Veer : Well-! Go ahead! *nods*
Divya : Alright! Las Vegas me 'house of the killers' ke naam se bahut bade criminals ek saath uske under kaam kar rahe the.
Shweta (frowns) : House of the killers?
Tej : ???
Bhavna : ...
Divya : Ji! House of the killers. Veer ne ek-ek ko pakadwaya tha. Jim the slippery, jo drug dealings kar raha tha police se chhip ke. Pitcher, jo ki ek bahut bada mastermind criminal tha. Woh logo ko kaise maarta tha aapko pata hai?
Bhavna : ???
Divya : Mithridatism se.
Tej : Mithri-!!?
Bhavna (frowns) : Mithridatism, Tej! Khud thodi-thodi maatra me zeher lena taaki aapke shareer ki tolerance zeher ke prati badh sake.
Tej : Ahhh?!!!
Divya : Exactly! Woh logo ko parties me wine pila kar maarta tha jinme zeher hota tha. Veer Las Vegas ke investigation department ki taraf se ek spy bann ke uski party me ghusa tha aur usi ki party me ghus ke usne uss Pitcher ko chakma diya tha. Can you believe it? Veer hi tha jisne ye decode kiya tha ki Pitcher Mithridatism ka istemal kar ke logo ko maar raha tha.
Jab Bhavna samet sabhi ne ye suna toh pal bhar ke liye unki dhadkane badh gayi, khaas kar Bhavna ki. Usne apne bete ko chintit nazro se dekha. Veer inn sab ke hoke guzra tha? Akhir, aur kitne raaz chhipaaye hue tha uska laadla? Agar, use kuchh ho jaata toh? Bhavna mann hi mann khud ko kos shaant reh gayi.
Divya : Par, asli khel toh uss mansion me hua tha. Uss island par. Jab Veer ne Nightwalker ki mystery se parda uthaaya tha.
Tej : Nightwalker?
Divya : Haan! Las Vegas ke island me ek mansion me ek event organise hota tha. Illegal means se waha tak pahucha jaata tha aur aapko ek night stay karna hota tha. Shart yahi rehti thi ki jisne night out complete kar liya woh aseem sampatti ka maalik bann sakta tha. Gold, cash, rubies, you name it. Sab kuchh!
Tej : Then?
Divya : Par, room numbers alag alag orders me batey hue the. Jaise ki 74, 50, etc. Rooms aise the ki unke doors metals se bane hue the. No windows, nothing. Participiants ko apne respective rooms me rukna hota tha aur fir night me unhe gold dhoondhne ke liye nikalna hota tha. Par, yahi woh time hota tha jab Nightwalker apne chehre par mask lagaaye logo ka qatl karta tha. Balki, unke rooms ke andar ghus ke. Jo ki impossible hona chahiye, right?
Tej (shivers) : Huhhh!!?
Divya (smiles) : Aur, Veer ne use bhi pakda tha. Your brother entered that same mansion and not only he survived, he was able to expose the mystery behind the murders. Kya tum guess kar sakti ho ki Nightwalker kaise maarta tha room me ghus ke?
Tej : ???
Divya (smiles) : Those room numbers... They were atomic numbers of the metals. Room number ka door uske respective metal se bana hota tha. Aur, Nightwalker door ke bar ko uske melting point tak le jaate hue, use pighla kar slab ko nikaal ke haath andar le jaa kar gate kholta tha, andar ghusta tha aur logo ko maarta tha. He was a master in welding. Also, a superb electrician. Now you get it? Tumhare bhai ki kya skills hai?
Tej ne Veer ko dekha. Bechaari ki samajh nahi aa raha tha ki kya kare? Apne bhai par garv kare? Ya fir chinta jataaye ki itni kathnaiyo se hoke guzra tha woh. Ya fir darey ki kahi use kuchh ho jaata toh? Ya chakit hoye ki uske bhai ke paas itna kaushal tha?
Divya : -Aur, isliye — Mein yaha Veer ki assistance ki maang karne aayi hu. He's very crucial for this case.
Bhavna ne jab ye suna toh woh bhaanp gayi ki uska beta waqai me alag tha. Aise hi nahi usne Egypt me uss artifact ki jankaari bata di thi. Iska matlab ye sach tha ki uske bete ke paas exceptional observing skills thi.
Tej abhi bhi darwaaze ke paas khadi thi, usne apne honth daanto taley dabaaye, uski chinta aur adhik badh gayi. Veer ko Divya ke sang jaata sochne maatra se hi uski saansein fool rahi thi.
Tej : M-Mujhe nahi lagta ki ye koi achha idea hai. Veer ne... Mere bhai ne pehle hi bahut kuchh kar diya hai. Aur, use dobaara khud ko khatre me daalne ki zaroorat nahi hai. Aur, na hi hum use khatre me jaane denge.
Divya : With all due respect, this isn't just any case. Ye personal matters se bada hai. Mein use kisi faaltu baat ke liye ghaseetne nahi aayi hu yaha. He knows the stakes as well.
Suman rasoi se sab kuchh dekhte hue Veer ke qareeb chali aayi, uske shaant qadmo ke chalte logo ka dhyaan uss par na gaya. Woh uski orr jhuki aur thoda fus-fusaate hue boli.
Suman : Maalik, kya aap chaahte hai ki mein dakhal du? Agar aap nahi jaana chaahte toh aapko uske saath jaane ki koi zaroorat nahi hai. Ise mein sambhaal lungi.
Uske shabdo me ek khatarnak dhaar thi, ek vaada, ki zaroorat padne par veh iss aurat ko gaayab bhi kar sakti hai. Veer uski wafadaari dekh muskuraaya aur apna sarr hilaate hue usne Suman ko shaant rehne ka hi ishaara kiya. Divya koi paraayi nahi thi.
Tej ka dil zorr se dhadak raha tha. Woh apne jeevan me sab kuchh niyantrit kar sakti thi siwae iske ki Veer ki zindagi me kin aurton ko rehna chaahiye aur kinhe nahi. Uski pakad se Veer chhootata hua use mehsoos ho raha tha. Woh Veer ko mana nahi kar sakti thi, bhale hi woh kitna hi kyu na chaahe ki Veer Divya ke saath na jaaye. Lekin, fir bhi himmat kar woh boli.
Tej : V-Veer-!! Veer, tum pehle bhi inn khatro me pad chuke ho. Hume toh kuchh pata bhi nahi tha. Tum akele inn sab ko face karte aa rahe the. Aur, ab jab hume sacchayi pata chali hai, toh hum sab tumhe kaise jaane de sakte hai mere bhai? Ye jaante hue ki-
Shweta : Bilkul! Iss baar mein bhi sehmat hu. Jokhim bhari jagah par hum sab tumhe kaise jaane de sakte hai mere bacche-!?
Lekin, Veer behtar jaanta tha. Uska Divya ke liye kam se kam itna karna banta tha. Aur, ye baat bataane ki bhi zaroorat nahi thi ki use iska mission bhi mila hua tha.
Veer : Sorry, Teju di! Par, mujhe jaana hoga. Ye matter ignore nahi kiya jaa sakta.
Aur, kamre me ek sannaata chha gaya. Tej ne apne bhai ki aankhon ko padh liya. Woh jaan chuki thi ki ab use koi bhi nahi rok sakta tha. Kahi na kahi use khud par hi kheej uthi. Woh kitni kamzor thi ki uske bhai ko majbooran jaana pad raha tha. Aur, woh kuchh nahi kar paa rahi thi. Ragini ka chehra bhi sakht ho chuka tha, uske honth niraasha se sikud gaye.
Tej ka mukh khula par siwae thar-tharaate hontho ke muh ne aur koi prakriya nahi ki.
Tej : T-Tumhara har baar ka yahi hai V-Veer! T-Tumhe-!! Tumhe jo karna hai karo. China se aaye tumhe abhi din hi kitne hue the? Aur, ab-!
Veer jaanta tha uski Teju di uss se udaas thi. Magar, woh chaah ke bhi kuchh nahi kar sakta tha. Beparvah, Divya ne apna sarr hilaaya aur woh apni jagah se uthi.
Divya : Toh kya mein ise 'haan' samjhu?
Bhavna : Agar, Veer ne haan keh hi diya hai. Aur, use dekh ke yahi lag raha hai ki woh humaari nahi sunega. Toh fir haan hi samajhiye. Dhyaan rahe, ki aap 'haan' samajh rahi hai. Na ki-
Uske hidden meaning ko Divya samajh gayi. Shayad aaj ke liye woh iss ghar me itni invited nahi thi. Magar, shayad bhavishya me kabhi kuchh badal jaaye? Yahi soch woh waha se nikli.
Divya : We'll leave tomorrow morning! Pick me up at sharp 7 AM.
Veer (nods) : Sure!
Divya (smiles) : See you!
Veer : *smiles*
Jaise hi Divya waha se ravana hui, ghar me tanaav badh gaya. Veer darwaaze ke paas hi khada raha, baahar ki orr dekhta raha, lekin woh mehsoos kar sakta tha ki sabhi ki aankhon ka bhaar uss par hi tha. Tej shaanti ko bhang karne waali pehli thi.
Tej : Kya tum serious ho, Veer?
Veer peechhe mud apni behan ki nazro se mila.
Veer (nods) : Mujhe sach me jaana hoga, di! Divya ne meri madad ki thi, aur ab meri baari hai.
Tej ke honth ye sunte hi sikud gaye. Usne apni mutthi kasste hue kaha.
Tej : Lekin, use yaha laana? Use yaha kyu laaye tum Veer? Tumhe pata hai na ki cheezein kaisi hai. Tumhe pata hai na ki mein kaise mehsoos karti hu tumhare-
Kehte hue woh achanak hi ruk gayi. Use dhyaan aaya ki woh kya kuchh kehne jaa rahi thi.
Veer : Agar, mein use yaha nahi bhi laata toh kya aap unse milne nahi jaati?
Tej : M-Mein bhala kyu jaati uss se milne? M-Mujhe kaise pata hota ki woh yaha par hai?
Veer : Miss Suhana se toh aap mil hi aayi. Toh, fir inse milne me kya dikkat hoti aapko?
Sunte hi Tej jhep gayi. Veer ko pata tha? Use kaise pata chala? Usne dekha ki uska bhai kaise use dekh raha tha. Jaise maano usne koi chori ki ho. Aur, Tej ka dil ye dekhte hi andar se use kachotne laga.
Tej : V-Veer-! Veer aisa nahi hai. Haan mein gayi thi. Mein mili thi unse. L-Lekin, mein tumhe bataane waali thi. Mein tumse kuchh nahi chhipaati Veer.
Veer : Oh really? I see!
Magar, Veer ka ravaiyya use aur kasht pahucha gaya. Woh daud ke uski orr aayi aur uske galey se lag gayi.
Tej : Veeeeerrr!!! Meri baat maano!!! Mein kabhi jhooth nahi bolti hu tumse. M-Mein unse milne gayi thi mein maanti hu. L-Lekin, mein tumhe baad me bataane waali thi. Sab kuchh toh tumhare saamne rehta hai Veer. Maine kabhi tumse kuchh bhi nahi chhipaya hai.
Veer : It's okay, di! I trust you!
Tej : ...! I will never... I will never lie to you. So, please... Mat jao na! Mat jao! Tumhe inn sab me shaamil hone ki koi zaroorat nahi hai.
Veer : Teju di! Ye case sach me bada hai. Aap samajhti kyu nahi? Kitne log marr chuke hai. Unhe meri zaroorat hai. Baat ko samajhiye. Agar, Miss Divya ko meri zaroorat nahi hoti toh woh kabhi mujhse bolti hi nahi.
Ragini (stands up) : Toh tum hi kyu, Veer? Tum hi kyu? Tum koi police officer nahi ho, na hi tum koi detective ho ya koi hero. Kya woh tumhare bina ek case bhi solve nahi kar sakte? Kya unke paas ek dhang ki team bhi nahi hai ise solve karne ke liye? Jo tumhe inn sab me ghaseet rahe hai?
Akhir kaar Ragini ne Veer se baat ki. Woh ab aur bardaasht nahi kar sakti thi. Veer ne ek aah bhar apne baalo par haath fera aur bola.
Veer : Aisa nahi hai ki woh ise solve nahi kar sakte. Baat sirf itni hai ki Miss Divya ne meri madad pehle kaafi ki hai. Aur, agar mein ab unki madad karne ke liye apne haath khade kar dunga toh kya ye sahi hoga? Woh meri madad maangti hi nahi agar unhe meri zaroorat na hoti toh. Woh khud bahut capable hai.
Bhavna apni kursi par baithe apne bete ko dhyaan se dekh rahi thi. Kamre me gehri bechaini ko mehsoos karte hue, uski nazre Tej, Veer ar Ragini ke beech ghoomi.
Bhavna (calmly) : Beta-!!!
Veer : Hmm?
Bhavna : Kya tum sach me sure ho ki iss cheez me tumhara shaamil hona zaroori hai?
Veer aage badh apni maa ke paas ghutno ke bal baitha aur unka haath pakad thaamte hue bola.
Veer : Maa! Mein khud aap sab se door nahi jaana chaahta. Lekin, ye maamla... Ye zaroori hai. Aur, agar mein nahi gaya toh aur bhi nirdosh log maare jaa sakte hai. Agar, mere waha jaane se ye case jaldi solve ho sakta hai. Toh kya woh sahi nahi hai, maa?
Bhavna : Tum inn sab maamlo me kab se padne lage mere bete?
Veer (smiles) : Jab aap yaha thi bhi nahi tab se.
Aur, uske itna kehte hi waha ek gehri, bhaari khamoshi janm li. Bhavna ke mukh se kuchh na nikla. Veer ne bagal se baithi Shweta ko dekha jo kehna toh bahut kuchh chaahti thi magar keh nahi paa rahi thi. Uski orr aate hue Veer ne uske haatho ko bhi thaama.
Veer : Aur, Shweta maa aap bhi.
Shweta : H-Huhh???
Veer : Meri gair-haziri me aapko sabka dhyaan rakhna hoga. Khaas kar didi logo ka. Mujhe aap par bharosa hai.
Shweta maano ye sunn gadgad ho uthi. Use samajh nahi aa raha tha ki woh Veer ke iss bartaav se khush hoye ya fir uske jaane ki wajah se dukh zaahir kare.
Tej ne khud ko sthir rakhne ke liye apni mutthiyaan bheenchi, woh hamesha inn palo se darti thi. Veer ke door jaana ka bas khayaal, use kuchh ho jaaye uska dar, Tej ke badan me sihran dauda jaata tha. Woh cheekhna chaahti thi, uss se na jaane ki vinti karna chaahti thi, lekin woh Veer ko bahut achhi tarah se bhi jaanti thi. Ek baar mann bana lene ke baad woh apni zimmedariyo ko chhorne waalo me se nahi tha.
Tej (yells) : Tumne kaha tha ki China se aane ke baad tum humaare saath rahoge, time spend karoge. Tumne kaha tha, Veer!!! *shivers* Tumne promise kiya tha ki tum dobaara aisa nahi karoge kabhi-!!!
Veer (softly) : Mein humesha ke liye nahi jaa raha hu, Teju di.
Tej (yells) : Yarnia ka kya??? Sab kuchh kaun sambhalega? Tumne iss par kitni mehnat ki hai-
Veer : Mujhse zyada mehnat aapne ki hai. Aur, isliye uski zimmedari mein aap sab ke upar chhorta hu. Lekin, mein promise karta hu, opening ceremony ki raat... Mein waha aap sab ke saamne maujood rahunga.
Tej : Veer, tum nahi jaa sakte!!!
Veer : Aap aur Ragini Bhabhi-!!! Aap dono hi meri madad karogi. Iske pehle bhi aap dono ne business ko achhi tarah se sambhaala hai. Mujhe aap pe poora bharosa hai.
Ragini : Mein jaanti hu ki tum kitne ziddi ho.
Veer : *smiles*
Ragini : Toh mein tumhe rokungi nahi. Kyunki, uska koi faayda nahi. Hum toh yaha cheezein sambhaal lenge. Lekin, tumhara kya? Agar, tum samay par waapas nahi aaye tab kya? Agar, tumhe waha kuchh ho gaya toh?
Veer : Mujhe waha kuchh nahi hoga. Aur, iss baar mein aap sab ke contact me rahunga. *smiles* Mein phone karunga. Mein apni situation ke baare me aap sab ko update karta rahunga. Mein pehle ki tarah gaayab nahi ho raha.
Ragini kuchh pal shaant rahi. Zaahir hai woh bhi Veer ko jaane nahi dena chaahti thi. Lekin, uske kehne se Veer rukne waala nahi tha, ye baat woh bhali bhaanti jaanti thi.
Ragini (nods) : Behtar hoga fir ki tum apni baat par khade utro.
Antatah Bhavna ne Veer ko dekha, uska shaant bhaav sthir tha lekin uski awaaz me ek maa ki chinta jhalak rahi thi.
Bhavna : Bas ye sunishchit karna ki tum... Tum sahi salaamat laut ke aao. Chaahe kuchh bhi ho jaaye.
Veer (smiles) : Mein sirf waha pe apni observational skills ke liye jaa raha hu, maa. Mein waha kisi se ladne nahi jaa raha. Mein waha sirf analysis karunga.
Bhavna : Fir bhi-
Veer (nods) : Don't worry. I'll be fine.
Tej apne nichle honth ko daanto tale bheenchte hue mudi aur boli.
Tej : Th-Theek hai! Tumhe jo karna hai wo karo, Veer. Koi tumhe nahi rokega. Mein bhi nahi. B-Bye-!!!
Kehte hue woh waha se seedhe apne kamre ki orr bhaag gayi. Uski awaaz ruwaasi thi.
Veer : Teju diii-!!! Suniyeee!!!!
Magar, wo na ruki. Aur, isi tarah aaj ki ye raat yuhi beet gayi. Subah-subah 6:45 pe Veer Pune jaane ke liye taiyaar tha. Bhavna samet sabhi jaag chuki thi siwae Tej, Bhumika aur Sonali ke.
Bhumika aur Sonali ko toh ye baat pata bhi nahi thi. Isliye, woh dono hi chenn ki neend so rahi thi. Veer ne apni car nikaali aur woh ghar se vida lene ke liye taiyaar tha.
Kisi ne kuchh na kaha. Par, sabka dil bhaari tha. Veer ne baari-baari sabhi ko galey se lagaaya. Bhavna ne uske maathe ko chooma toh Shweta ne uske gaalo ko. Lekin, dono hi shaant khadi rahi, aankhon me ek gehri chinta jise koi bhi samajh na paaya.
Dekhte hi dekhte Veer unki aankhon se ojhal ho gaya. Kuchh baatein aur hui maa bete ke beech me par Veer ka khud ka jiya itna bechain tha ki usne inn anubhutiyo ko mann se nikaal diya.
***
Hotel Serenity, Mumbai,
Morning - 7:01 AM ~
Veer ne apni car hotel ki building ke entrance gate ke theek baahar laga rakhi thi. Usne apni ghadi par nazar daali — Divya ko ab kisi bhi samay baahar aa jaana chaahiye tha. Uski ungliyaan steering wheel par intezar me thap-thapa rahi thi aur woh Pune me aage kya hoga, iss vichaar me khoya hua tha. Maamla behad kroor tha, kaam khatarnaak tha, lekin inme se kisi ne bhi use utna chintit nahi kiya jitna ki uske khud ke daayre me rahi cheezon ne use kiya — Uske rishte, uska daayitva, aur uski zimmedariyaan.
Woh abhi baitha hi tha jab achanak hi hotel ka glass door khula aur uski drishti ek bemisaal khubsoorti par padi.
Ava-!!!
'Huh? Ava yaha-!?'
Use dekh, Veer ko apni chhaathi me ek parichit khhichaav mehsoos hua. Woh tip-top taiyaar hoke baahar nikli thi. Chalte hue woh seedhe Veer ke nazdeek aayi aur pal bhar ke liye Veer aur Ava dono ki hi saansein ek dusre ko dekh tez ho gayi. Dono ke beech ek chumbakeeya khhichaav tha.
Veer : Ava-!?
Ava (nods) : Mein bhi saath chal rahi hu.
Veer : Wait! What? Tumhe kaise pata chala ki mein yaha aa raha hu?
[Death Flag Master. Ava ne aap pe Death Flag laga rakha hai. Yahi kaaran hai ki woh hume China me kyu dhoondh paayi thi.]
'Ah, right! Fuck! Mein bhool hi gaya tha.'
Ava : V-Veer-!!! Death Flag mujhe sab bataati hai. Tum kaha ho, kidhar jaa rahe ho, sab kuchh.
Usne ye thoda hich-kichaate hue kaha. Woh Veer ke response ko dekhna chaah rahi thi. Kintu, Veer ne badle me kuchh na kaha. Usne bas apna sarr hila diya. Aur, bechari Ava ye dekh aur bhi bechain ho uthi. Kya Veer ko ye pasand nahi tha? Kahi woh uncomfortable toh nahi mehsoos kar raha tha? Woh kuchh samajh nahi paa rahi thi.
Veer : Toh? Tum yaha?
Ava : Mein bhi aa rahi hu. Tumhare saath!
Veer : Mere saath? Kaha?
Ava : Pune!!
Veer : ??? Tumhe kaise-???
Ava : Mujhe bhi mission mila hai, Veer.
Veer : ....
Use samajh aaya ki use mission toh mila tha lekin, saath hi Ava ko bhi iss case se sambandhit mission praapt ho chuka tha.
Veer : Waise, mujhe poochhna toh nahi chahiye-
Ava : Mujhe mission tumhe assist karne ka mila hai, Veer.
Iske pehle ki woh sawaal kar paata, Ava ne swayam hi sab kuchh saaf-saaf use bata diya. Aur, Veer bas thoda hairat me reh gaya.
Ava (gently) : You're gonna need some help.
Kuchh der vichaar kar Veer ne haami bhar di aur achanak hi hotel ke glass doors punah khule aur Divya baahar nikli. Uska professional demeanor har baar ki tarah aaj bhi sharp hi tha. Kintu, Veer ko jo chinta sata rahi thi woh thi — Kya Ava aur Divya ka ek saath hona theek tha?
Divya jaise hi unke paas aayi, Ava ko dekhte hi uski bauhe sikud gayi.
Divya (frowns) : Ava!? Tum yaha kya kar rahi ho?
Uski awaaz teekhi thi, spasht roop se sandeh se bhari hui. Aur, ye Ava ne bhi mehsoos kiya. Lekin, usne koi jawab na diya. Uski aankhein Divya se Veer ki orr ghoomi. Usne intezar kiya aur Veer ko jawab dene diya.
Veer : Ava humaare saath aa rahi hai.
Divya : What??? Veer?? Ye sab kya hai? Ye tay nahi hua tha humaare beech kal. Aur, waise bhi Ava ka iss case se kya lena dena? Why the hell is she even here?
Veer : Ava ko kuchh kaam hai waha. Plus, she have some contacts. Not to mention ki woh ek bahut badi celebrity aur singer bhi hai. A perfect candidate for a distraction, if needed...!
Divya : Tch! Fir bhi, Veer! Hum iss par raazi nahi hue the. Mein tumhare liye cover kar sakti hu but ek aur person ke liye-
Veer : Tumhe kuchh bhi karne ki zaroorat nahi, Divya. Ava bas door se hi assist karegi. She won't interfere. Trust me!
Divya : Bhulo nahi Veer ki France me... France me zaroor isne hi kuchh karwaya tha jis chakkar me tum fasey the. I'm sure of it.
Ava 'France' ka naam sunte hi jhep gayi. Usne apni bhavnao ko ek udaseen mukhaute ke peechhe chhipa liya. Divya humesha se hi perceptive thi aur uska sandeh jaayaz tha.
Ateet me Ava ki betrayal ne ek ghaav chhor diya tha, jise woh theek karne ke liye betaab thi, lekin woh iska zikr nahi kar sakti thi — yaha nahi, Divya ke saamne nahi.
Veer ne ek pal ke liye apna maatha ragadte hue ek aah bhari.
Veer : Pehle car me baitho sab. Yaha se toh nikle. Uske baad discuss kar lenge.
Divya ne apni bauhe upar uthayi, spasht roop se woh aashvast nahi thi, lekin aage behas karne se bhi koi faayda nahi tha.
Divya (mutters) : Fine! But keep an eye on her. I don't want any surprises.
Jaise hi woh aage ki seat par Veer ke bagal se baithi, Ava peechhe ki seat par virajman ho gayi. Veer ne rear view mirror ke madhyam se Ava par nazar daali, aur unki aankhein shan bhar ke liye mili — kuchh ankahe shabd jo Ava ki aankhein darsha rahi thi.
Aur, sabhi ke approval ke baad Veer ne car start kar waha se badha di.
***
Jaise-jaise car maarg par daudati gayi, Mumbai ke hal-chal bhare sheher ko chhor Pune ki orr badhti gayi. Oonchi-oonchi gagan-chumbi imaaratein aur yatayat ke nirantar shor se dheere-dheere grameen drishya, khet aur hariyali saamne aane lagi.
Veer ne Pune me Madhuri ke pita ke case ke baare me sochte hue apni aankhein aage sadak par rakhi, halanki car me tanaav spasht tha.
Ava ki chuppi bhaari thi, lekin beech-beech me Veer rear view mirror me use apni orr dekhta paa ke pakad leta aur Ava turant hi apni nazre ferr leti.
Aur, dekhte hi dekhte woh Pune ke sheher me apni dastak de chuke the.
Veer : Toh? Kaha chalna hai pehle?
Divya : Police station! Inspector Trisha ne apni orr se inform kar hi diya hoga lekin, ek baar hume apni presence waha deni padegi. Agar, approval mil jayega toh badhiya hoga.
Veer (nods) : Alright!
Veer ne gaadi seedhe waha ke apradh sthal ke sabse paas waale thaane ki orr ghuma di. Jab woh sab waha pahuche toh Divya ko saari formalities karne me hi ek ghanta lag gaya. Woh thaki-thaki si baahar aayi.
Divya (nods) : Haan! Maybe hume waha kuchh aisa mil jaaye jo shayad police ki taraf se chhoot gaya ho? Then, hum victim ke parivar jano se milne jayenge. Unhone wo area khaali kar diya hai. Woh abhi kaha reh rahe hai iski details bhi leli hai maine.
Veer : Alright!
Jab Veer aur baaki sab apradh sthal par pahuche, toh use pichli baar se ek alag hi tasveer dekhne ko mili. Television par drishya kuchh aur hi the. Yaha keechad tha, bheedam bhaad thi, aur sab ast-vyast tha. Magar, ab malba hata diya gaya tha, koi bheed-bhaad nahi thi aur woh bina kisi samasya ke gali me apni gaadi park kar diya.
Kintu, ghar ke nazdeek aate hi uski naak sikudi aur use pata chala ki ek bheeshan durgandh abhi bhi kayam thi.
Divya : It stinks-!! Ugh-!!!
Veer : Yeah! Ye gandh lekin wo nahi hai.
Divya : Right! Also, behtar hoga ki hum nasamajh padosiyo ka dhyaan khichne se pehle hi talaashi lele.
Divya ne aas-paas nazre maarte hue kaha. Veer ne bhi nazre daudayi toh dekha ki kuch khidkiyo ke parde khul rahe the aur andar se kuch jigyasu chehre kaanch ke uss orr se unhe hi ghoor rahe the.
Veer : I still don't think ki hume yaha talashi lene ki koi zaroorat hai. Experts ne already achhe se kaam kiya hoga. Dekh ke lag nahi raha ki kuch milega yaha. Police force guard dogs ko bhi laayi hi hogi.
Veer janta tha ki agar iske peechhe kisi system holder ke hone ke chances the, toh woh itni asani se saboot nahi chorrne waala tha.
Ava : Agar experts ne investigation kar li hai toh zaroor unhe kuch findings mili hongi. Kya hum directly unn findings ko nahi dekh sakte?
Ava ne apna sujhaav diya. Aur, uska sujhaav logical bhi tha. Magar, cheezein itni asaan kaha hoti thi. Divya ne halka sa mudte hue apne kandhe ke upar se peeche khadi Ava ko dekha aur boli,
Divya : Aisa nahi hota. Jo bhi findings yaha se mili hongi, unhe already investigation ke liye bhej diya gaya hoga. Findings jo dhoondhte hai woh alag hote hai, aur findings ki jo jaanch karte hai woh alag. Itni jaldi woh hume ye sab nahi de sakte. After all, hum baahri vyakti hai unke liye. Uske liye hume thoda intezar karna hoga.
Ava : Aisa lag raha hai jaise unhe hum par ya kisi cheez par bharosa nahi hai.
Divya (sighs) : It's not their fault. Har desh yahi karta hai. Inspector Trisha ki tactic bhi mein jaanti hu. Usne hume yaha jaan boojh ke bheja hai taaki hum case se door reh sake. Lekin, sirf tumhare ishaare par mein maan gayi thi, Veer.
Veer : Well, dekhte hai kya hota hai. By the way, Ava…!
Veer ke turant pukarne par Ava jaise uska ishaara samajh gayi. Woh haami bharte hue boli.
Ava : Mein baahar east aur west ends tak check karke aati hu.
Veer : Ek quick 360° kar lena.
Ava (nods) : Alright!
Aur, itna bol woh nikal gayi.
Divya : Kya Ava ka baahar bhejna sahi hai?
Veer : Woh mask pehne hue hai. Use koi nahi pehchaanega. Aur, tum toh yahi chaahti thi na ki Ava case me dakhal na de?
Divya : Haan, lekin-! Nahi! Leave it!
Woh baahar ki haalat ka jayza le rahi thi. Aur, ab Ava ke jaane ke baad Veer aur Divya hi uss sthal par akele maujood the.
Veer ne dekha ki kaise Divya koshish kar rahi thi ki kahi se bhi kuchh mil jaaye. Magar, experts dwara sab kuch saaf kar diya gaya tha.
Woh toh bas isliye iss case me shamil tha kyuki inn sab ke peeche koi system holder ho sakta tha aur use iska mission bhi mila hua tha. Bas isliye woh bas uss saboot ki talash me tha jis se ye satya saabit ho sake ki iske peeche koi system holder tha ya nahi?
Warna, agar isko anjaam dene waala ek aam serial killer nikla toh Veer iss case me se khud ko peechhe kheech lene wala tha. Uske paas inn sab ka samay nahi tha. Inn sab ke liye police thi. Uska target maatra system holders hi the. Khatra unse hi tha.
Veer ko tabhi dhyaan aaya ki woh aur Divya akele the. Divya ki thirakti gaand uske saamne hi thi. Ek masti ka mood uska achanak hi bann gaya.
Woh chanchal swar me ek sujhaav lete hue poochha?
Veer (smiles) : Kya tumhari nigrani bhi rakhne ki zaroorat hai mujhe?
Divya (grins) : Kyu nahi? Agar tum meri rakhoge toh mein tumhari rakhungi.
Veer (smiles) : Toh ye toh achha hai na? Mein taiyaar hu. Bolo?
Woh muskurayi aur unke beech ki doori ko kam kar uske nazdeek aayi.
Divya : Be careful, Veer! Tum ek shadi shuda aurat ko woh ideas de rahe ho jo uske mann me kabhi nahi aane chahiye.
Veer : Jaise ki-!?
Veer bhi badle me bas muskuraya. Divya ke saath chedh-chadh karne me use ek alag hi maza aata tha. Shayad, Divya uski har harqat ko bardasht kar leti thi ye ek kaaran tha. Ya fir Divya ke badan ko paane me wo qamyab ho jaata tha ye ek kaaran tha. Ya fir, Divya swayam se hi yahi chaahti thi.
Divya lohe ki seedhiyo se hote hue upar ko chadh gayi aur andar ghar me talashi lene lagi. Toh wahi Veer upar jaane se pehle ek pal ke liye apni nigaahein neeche hi tikne diya. Abhi jaha woh khada tha, shav uss se 4 qadam ki duri par uss din mila tha. Zameen par peeli aur bejaan padi laash ki yaaddasht ne Veer ko rok diya. TV par toh chehra blur kar diya gaya tha magar shareer ko usne dekha tha.
Concrete par gehre bhoore rang ke dhabbo ne Veer ka dhyaan kheencha. Ye Prabhakar ke khoon ke avshesh the. Uske alawa use aur kuch nazar nahi aaya. Yaha tak ki ghaas-poos bhi saaf kar di gayi thi.
Woh khade hoke upar Divya ke sang jaanch me shamil hone hi waala tha ki ek dhundhli chamak uski aankhon me padi. Bauhe sikodte hue usne apni jeb se Divya dwara diya gaya ek latex ka dastana nikaala aur ek haath me pehen liya.
Zameen ke beech me mitti aur malbe me ek chhoti si pin dabi hui use nazar aayi. Veer ne use uthaya aur uth ke thoda aage aaya.
'Check'
*Ding*
[Description : A blood lancet. Not usable now.]
Use check karte hi Veer ko samajh aa gaya ki ye kya thi. Ye woh pin thi jise aksar blood test ke liye istemal kiya jaata tha. Neele rang ki casing me dhasi hui ek lancet blood needle.
Magar, ise istemal nahi kiya gaya tha. Isme khoon ke avshesh nahi the. Lag raha tha jaise kisi ne perro se isko ek do baar kuchla ho.
[Ek used blood lancet, Master. Ise kaafi pehle istemal kiya gaya hai. Warna, system aapko aur zyada information deta iske baare me.]
'Par, sawaal wo nahi hai, Pari. Ye pin akhir yaha kar kya rahi hai?'
[Kahi se aa gayi hogi maybe? Kyunki, bahut si aisi chhoti-chhoti cheezein aksar hawa ya paani ke bahaav se ya jaise-taise kisi na kisi prakaar se idhar-udhar ho hi jaati hai.]
'Maybe!?'
Divya jab andar se neeche ki orr aayi toh Veer ne use woh blood lancet dikhayi.
Divya : Hmm! Strange! Ek blood lancet yaha kya kar rahi hai?
Veer : Uss se zyada ajeeb ye hai ki police ne ise dhoondha nahi?
Divya : Shayad ye unrelated ho. I mean... Yuhi padi ho. Yaha bahut kuchh pada hua hai waise bhi, Veer. Look! Ab aise dekhe toh yaha pe bahut si cheezein logical nahi lagengi.
Veer : Yeah! Still... Mein ise apne paas rakhta hu.
Divya (nods) : Hmm!
*Whoooosh*
Aur, Ava bhi kisi hawa ke jhonke ki tarah waha achanak prakat ho gayi.
Veer : Kuchh mila?
Ava : Nahi!
Divya : Huh? Tum kab aayi? Tumne itni jaldi area scan bhi kar liya?
Ava : Yes!
Divya (frowns) : Let's leave, Veer. Yaha kuchh nahi hai. Hum victim ke parivar jann se milne chal rahe hai.
Veer : Hmm!
Veer aur woh sab Madhuri ke naye nivaas ki orr badh gaye. Prabhakar ke puraane ghar se unhe koi suraag praapt nahi hua tha. Aur, jaise-jaise ye case ulajhta jaa raha tha, Veer ko mann me Garofano ki kahi gayi woh baat baar-baar yaad aa rahi thi.
'System holder...!'
[Alert rahiye, Master. Iske peechhe ek system holder ke hone ke chances mujhe 80% lag rahe hai.]
'Yeah! I've got the same feeling too.'
Kuchh hi der ki traveling ke baad akhir kaar woh Madhuri ke thehraav waale sthaan par pahuch hi gaye.
Ye ek prakar ka guest house tha jo sarkaar ne filhaal ke liye Madhuri aur uski maa ke liye rent-free niyukt kiya tha.
Par, yaha aate hi Veer ki nazar baahar khade jis shaks par pehle padi, use dekh woh taajub me reh gaya. Aur, Veer hi nahi woh shaks bhi Veer ko dekh bhauchakka reh gaya.
Veer : Tum-!???
Saamne koi aur nahi — Pranjal tha. Jisne Veer ko mask pehna dekh ke bhi pehchaan liya.
Pranjal : Huh??? V-Veer?? Tum-!!!?
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Aaj ke liye itna hi guys.
This update consists of 7.3k words. I know thoda chhota hai but mein bahut busy tha. Ghar par kaam laga hua hai, toh kaafi exhausted tha. Serial murder case ka abhi part 3 aur aayega. Ye segment teen se chaar part me divided hai. Lekin, parallel me hum thode aur alag scenes bhi dekhenge bahut jald. Kuchh Mumbai ke - Kaera, Sonia se related toh kuchh foreign ki activities. Baaki, Target apna wahi hai - 200! Toh likes thokne ka aur revos rakhna ka.
Dhanyavad.
Ye ek prakar ka guest house tha jo sarkaar ne filhaal ke liye Madhuri aur uski maa ke liye rent-free niyukt kiya tha.
Par, yaha aate hi Veer ki nazar baahar khade jis shaks par pehle padi, use dekh woh taajub me reh gaya. Aur, Veer hi nahi woh shaks bhi Veer ko dekh bhauchakka reh gaya.
Veer : Tum-!???
Saamne koi aur nahi — Pranjal tha. Jisne Veer ko mask pehna dekh ke bhi pehchaan liya.
Pranjal : Huh??? V-Veer?? Tum-!!!?
Ab aage...
Perth, Australia,
2 years ago ~
"Captain, humne naya base dhoondh liya hai."
Ek ladki haafte hue kamre ke andar aayi aur sofe par baithi apni captain ko dekh boli. Uski aankhon me ek chamak thi. Toh wahi captain lambi-lambi gehri saansein le rahi thi. Uski black leather jacket par ghaav saaf-saaf dikhaayi nahi pad raha tha, magar khoon ki gandh se sab jaayaz tha ki chot kitni gambheer thi.
*Cough* *Cough*
"C-Captain-!!!"
Woh ladki ghabrate hue aage aayi aur usne captain ko sofe se girte-girte bachaate hue apni baahon me thaam liya.
"M-Mein theek hu! Chhoro mujhe-!"
Captain ne ladki ke haath ko hataane ka prayatn kiya lekin, woh ladki na maani. Chot ka jaayza lete hi woh bechain ho uthi.
"N-Nahi! Aap theek nahi ho, Captain! Aap theek nahi ho. Aapki chot gehri hai. Hume hospital chalna hoga."
Tabhi, ek aur ladki andar pravesh ki aur Captain ki haalat dekh uski bauhe sikud gayi.
"Captain! Hume jald se jald ye jagah khaali karni hogi." Woh boli.
"Hmm!" Captain ne haami bhari.
"Mia, tum paagal ho gayi ho kya? Captain ki haalat dekho." Captain ko thaami hui woh pehli ladki chillaayi. "Captain iss haalat me kaise kahi jaa sakti hai?"
"Rosella-!!! Tum jaanti ho na ki humne 'Black Fangs' ke bas 10% gang members ka hi khaatma kiya hai. Jald hi baaki gang members yaha aate hi honge."
Darwaze par khadi Mia ne sthiti ki gambheerta ko samajhte hue kaha.
Rosella : Toh? Toh tum kehna kya chaahti ho? Hum captain ko iss haalat me leke jaaye? Bolo-!!! Agar, humne ek minute bhi ab deri kari na toh-
Mia (frowns) : Tum jaanti ho ki hum hospital nahi jaa sakte. Janta aur government ki nazro me hum ek evil syndicate hai. Bhulo nahi, Rosella! Hospital me jaana matlab apni maut ko bulaava dena. Captain ka treatment Daisy karegi. Jaise woh har baar karti aayi hai.
Rosella (yells) : Captain ka wound gehra hai, stupid Mia. Tum meri baat samajhti kyu nahi ho? Hume jald se jald-
Aur, usne abhi kaha hi tha ki Daisy kamre ke andar bhaagti hui pravesh ki. Uske haatho me ek bada sa suitcase tha jisme medical aid ke liye saari zaroori saamagri rakhi hui thi. Apni captain ki haalat ko dekhte hi Daisy ke honth thar-thara gaye.
Woh daudate hue Rosella aur captain ke nazdeek aayi. Captain ke pait par bade hi ahista se haath ferte hue usne chot ka jaayza liya. Aur, khoon ki maatra aur wound ke gap ko dekhte hi Daisy ki aankhein bhay ke maare fel gayi.
Daisy : Th-This is bad!!! Mia-!! Rosella-!! Jaldi! Jaldi! Captain ko bed par litao. We have no time!!
Aur, Daisy ko ghabrata dekh pehli baar aaj Mia ki dhadkane tez ho gayi. Use gyaat ho gaya ki sthiti kitni gambheer thi. Iske pehle bhi usne apni captain ko ghaayal hote dekha tha. Aur, Daisy hi unn sab ka ilaaj kiya karti thi. Woh unke group ki paramedic thi. Lekin, usne kabhi bhi Daisy ko iss tarah captain ke liye jaldbazi karte nahi dekha tha. Iska matlab saaf tha ki unke captain ki jaan khatre me thi.
Mia (frowns) : Wh-Why did you-!??
Woh apna nichla honth daanto tale zor se kaatate hue captain ko gusse me dekh boli. Captain ne bhi jaise uske iss virodh ko sunn liya. Woh muskurayi aur ahista se boli-
Captain : What? *smiles* Captain hone ke naate ye meri zimmedari thi ki mein group ko lead karu.
Mia (shivers) : Y-You-!!! Why are you always-??? Agar, risk zyada tha toh fall back kar sakte the. Humare paas advantage tha!!! Toh fir kyu???
Captain (grins) : Heh-!
Mia (yells) : Don't laugh, you fucking idiot!!!
Woh apni captain par baras zaroor rahi thi. Lekin, andar hi andar woh kaanp rahi thi. Dar se, gusse se aur bechaini se.
Captain (smiles) : -Kyunki, maine Daisy se promise kiya tha... Ki mein 'Black Fangs' ko uske liye khatm kar ke rahungi.
Daisy jiski aankhon me pehle se hi captain ke ghaav ko dekh aasu umad aaye the, woh ye sunte hi apna sarr utha ke captain ko dekhi, aur aasu uske gaalo se behte hue jhar-jhar kar neeche girne lage.
Daisy (yells) : Idiot, captain-!!! Aap bewakoof ho!!! *sniff* Nahi chaahiye mujhe kuchh bhi. Nahi chaahiye mujhe koi badla. I just want... I just want everyone to be safe.
Unn sab ke yaha hone ka kaaran aaj Daisy hi thi. 'Black Fangs' Australia ki teen sabse badi gangs me se ek thi jo underground mafia ki duniya me mashoor thi. Daisy ka parivar 'Black Fangs' ke kuchh sadasyo dwara hi ujaada gaya tha.
Aur, tab se hi Daisy ek orphan bann ke reh gayi thi. Antatah jab tak ki captain ki nazar uss par na pad gayi. Uss samay jab koi nahi tha, jab woh jeene ki ichha bhi chhor chuki thi, jab woh poori tarah se andhkaar me doob chuki thi. Raushni ki ek akhiri kiran me se ek haath aage badh uski orr aaya.
"Kya tum 'Orphana' se judna chaahogi?"
Aur, iske baad sab kuchh itihaas bann gaya. Daisy ko samajh aaya ki ye faction sirf aur sirf ladkiyo se bhara hua tha. Use ye bhi samajh aaya ki bhala iss group ka naam 'Orphana' kyu tha. Kyunki, sabhi ladkiyaan jo iss group ki sadasya thi — woh anaath thi. Bilkul, uski tarah.
Captain ne use ek naya jeevan diya. 'Orphana' woh group tha jo raasta kho chuki ladkiyo ko unke uddeshya tak pahuchne me madad karta tha. Fir chaahe woh uddeshya unke jeevan ka badla ho, ayyaashi bhari zindagi jeena ho, ya fir kuchh aur. Group ki tamam ladkiyaan ek dusre ke liye samarpit rehti thi aur unke liye apni jaan bhi daav par laga deti thi. Woh sab aapas me hi ek dusre ke liye apna parivar thi.
Daisy ke ateet se poora 'Orphana' waqif tha. Sabhi ye bhi jaante the ki ek na ek din unhe 'Black Fangs' se bhidna hi tha. Aur, aaj wahi din tha.
Unki captain ne aaj bhi leader hone ke naate group ko lead kiya. Gang members ko dher kiya aur unke hideout ko poori tarah se khaali kar diya. Ek bhi 'Orphana' ki sadasya ki jaan nahi gayi. Kyunki, lead karne waali unki captain thi. Na sirf woh ek trained ring boxer thi balki ek honhar sharp-shooter bhi thi, jo adhiktar jokhim aksar apne upar hi leke chalti thi. Aur, isi wajah se aaj — woh ek bullet ka shikaar ho gayi.
Rosella aur Mia ne fatafat Captain ko bed par litaaya aur Daisy turant hi Captain ke emergency treatment par lag gayi. Daisy ke nirdesh anusaar Mia aur Rosella dono hi kamre ke baahar nikal gayi.
Jaha Rosella theek darwaze ke baahar khadi ho gayi toh wahi Mia baahar ki orr chal di. Daisy ko agar kisi bhi cheez ki avashyakta padi toh waha uske liye Rosella thi.
Group me second-in-command hone ke chalte Mia baahar aayi. Ye jagah waqai khatre se khaali nahi thi. Kuchh der pehle hi bheeshan ladaayi ke baad sab kuchh abhi ke liye shaant ho chuka tha. Magar, ye shaanti bas kuchh der ke liye hi thi.
Captain aur tamaam ladkiyon ne vijay toh praapt kar li thi lekin, iss jagah par unka haq nahi tha. Kyunki, woh jaanti thi ki ye ladaayi bas ek shuruat thi.
Kamre ke baahar aate hi Mia ko aadmiyon ki laashe dali hui dikhayi di jinhe thodi der pehle hi unn sab ne milke dher kiya tha. Uske baahar aate hi baaki ladkiyaan uske ird-gird ikhatti ho gayi aur uss par sawaalo ke hamle kar shuru ho gayi.
"Captain kaha hai, Mia? Woh theek toh hai na?"
"Haan? Hum jeet gaye na? Ab yaha se kya?"
"Captain waqai theek hai na? Unhe kuchh hua toh nahi? Aap sab kamre me kyu the? Kuchh batao na!!!"
Mia ne unse kuchh bhi nahi chhipaaya. Unke sawaal khatam hote hi usne vistaar se unhe sab kuchh bataya jiske chalte unn sab ki chintaaye badh gayi.
Mia : Captain kaafi injured hai. Lekin, Daisy unka treatment kar rahi hai. Temporary treatment hote hi hum captain ko leke nazdeek ke hideout me shift honge. Tum sab ne Daisy ke liye medical room hideout me set kar diya?
Ladki 1 : Humne call kar diya hai. Woh sab saara samaan ambulance me rakh kar kuchh der me hideout pahuchti hi hongi.
Mia (nods) : Good-!
Ladki 2 : Par, hume naye hideout me jaane ki kya zaroorat hai, didi? Kya hum sab yaha nahi reh sakte? Ab toh humne inhe thikaane laga hi diya hai na?
Mia : Ye captain ke orders hai. Aur, har baar hum yahi karte hue aaye hai. Yaha hum isliye nahi ruk sakte kyunki ye 'Black Fangs' ka hideout hai. Baaki gang members ko inn logo ne inform kar diya gaya hoga aur woh sab yaha kuchh ghanto me pahuchte hi honge.
Ladki 2 : Humaare puraane hideout ka kya?
Mia : Maine bataya na — Captain ke orders. Kabhi bhi ek hi jagah par zyada der nahi theherna chaahiye.
Mia (nods) : Sab transport karwao. We are taking everything.
Ladki 1 : Hmm!
30 se 40 ye 'Orphana' ki ladkiyaan sab ki sab physical fights aur shooting me trained thi. Na sirf ye combats me maahir thi balki alag-alag kaamo me bhi nipud thi. Koi heavy vehicles chalaane me maahir thi toh koi drug dealings aur smugglings me. Toh wahi 50 se bhi upar jawan nayi ladkiyaan thi jo abhi under-training period me thi. Aane waale samay me 'Orphana' mazboot hone waala tha. Aur, ye tab hi mumkin tha jab-
'Don't you dare die on me... Captain-!!!'
Unke captain ki saansein chalti rahe.
Kuchh hi samay me woh sabhi naye hideout par shift ho chuke the. Captain ke temporary treatment ke baad medical room me Daisy ne surgery bhi kar di thi. Lekin, captain ki haalat abhi bhi gambheer thi. Pehle hi kaafi blood loss ho chuka tha. Mia ne apna blood donate toh kar diya tha magar, captain ki recovery uske weak state ke chalte bahut hi dheemi pad chuki thi.
Daisy rote hue captain ke maathe ko sehla rahi thi. 'Orphana' ke har ek sadasya ke liye unki captain ne kya kuchh nahi kiya tha. Sab ke badle ke liye Captain khushi-khushi apni jaan daav par laga deti thi. Aur, aaj woh sab agar yaha zinda thi toh uska kaaran tha unki — captain. Kintu, unme se koi bhi captain ki swayam ki kahani nahi jaanta tha.
Kyu tha ye 'Orphana group?' Kisne shuru kiya tha? Kya thi unki captain ki kahani? Kya tha unka maqsad? Unme se koi bhi kuchh nahi jaanta tha. Yaha tak ki Mia bhi nahi jo 'Orphana' ki sabse pehli sadasya thi jo captain dwara recruit ki gayi thi.
'What story are you hiding captain? Please!!! Get well soon! Aap yu hume chhor ke nahi jaa sakti. Recover! Please!'
Daisy ne apna kaam kar diya tha. Blood vessels aur organs buri tarah wounded the aur pneumothorax ke chalte oxygen level lagatar ghatata jaa raha tha. Ab sab kuchh recovery ke upar tha. Woh apni taraf se har woh prayas kar rahi thi jo mumkin tha. Lekin-
*Beep* *Beep*
*Beep* *Beep*
Achanak hi ECG monitor me heart rate kaafi kam hota chala gaya. Daisy ghabra ke uth ke baith gayi.
"N-Nooo-!! Captain-!!! Captain-!!!"
Agar, aisa hi chalta raha toh captain shayad aaj apni aakhiri saansein lene waali thi. Captain ko khone ke dar se Daisy itna ghabra gayi ki woh turant ke turant treatment me jutt gayi.
Heart ko temporary pacemaker se connect karne ki zaroorat thi jis se captain ke heart tak low electricity ke jhatke diye jaa sake taaki heart beat karta rahe. Aur, low heart rate ke chalte apna dum na tod de.
Ek ghante ke andar-andar hi Daisy ne temporary pacemaker bhi connect kar diya tha. Woh zoro se haaf rahi thi. Uss bechaari ne apni jee jaan laga di thi.
Ye medical equipment, ye tools, ye machines sab kuchh 'Orphana' ne zaroorat ke waqt ke liye khareede the. Par, agar aaj ye sab unki captain ko bachaane ke kaam na aaye, toh ye sab kis kaam ke reh jaane waale the?
'Don't die-!! Don't die, captain-!!!'
Iske pehle aaj tak Daisy ne kabhi bhi itni shiddat se kisi ke liye dua shayad hi maangi thi. Lekin, uparwaala jaise aaj kuchh aur hi chaahta tha.
*Beeeeeeeeeeeeeepppppp*
"Noooooooooooooo-!!!!!"
Woh itni zorr se cheenkhi ki baahar baithi kuchh ladkiyaan medical room me daakhil ho gayi. Aur, jab woh andar aayi toh unhone dekha ki — ECG monitor me straight line bann ke aa chuki thi.
Mia wahi apne ghutno par gir gayi. Rosella apna muh dhaake kaanpte hue gir padi. Toh wahi Daisy ki cheenkhein kamre me goonjti chali gayi.
*Beeeeeeeeeeeeeepppppp*
Captain ki aankhein humesha-humesha ke liye band ho chuki thi.
***
"Captain!!! Mia aaj bhi aapki Porsche chori chhipe le gayi thi."
"What? N-No way! Bakwas mat karo. Mere paas khud ki BMW hai. Why would I drive her car?"
"Kyunki, tumhe ab Porsche zyada pasand hai. Aur, ab tum woh khareedna chaahti ho. Lekin, captain ko bataane se darrti ho. Haha!"
"Rosella-!! Tum-!! Fine then! Captain! Kal raat aap poochh rahi thi na ki strawberry pie ka last piece kisne khatam kiya? Toh woh ye Rosella hi thi."
"Wh-What?? N-N-No no no no! Captain! Ye jhooth bol rahi hai. Maine toh woh park me ghoomne waali uss cat ko diya tha. I swearrrr-!!!"
"Hey, captain! Kya hum sach me movie dekhne chal rahe hai? Like... Really? Hum sab? Thanks so much!"
"Captain! Daisy ne flower vase tod diya."
"Ahhhn~ N-No! Captain! Woh galti se mera haath lag gaya tha. I'm sorry. Please! M-Mein pay back kar dungi. I promise."
"Lexi aaj bhi drill training ke liye late thi captain. Kya aaj bhi use cars saaf karne ki saza milegi? Waise kuchh dump trucks bahar gande pade hue hai. Hahahahaha-!"
"C-Captain-! W-Woh refrigerator kharab ho gaya hai toh-! Huh? Wait! Aap naya le aayi? Kab?? No wayyyy-!!!"
"Thank you, captain! Aapne mere kehne par unn logo ki madad ki. Jabki woh aapke kuchh lagte bhi nahi the. I'll always remember this."
"Ehh? Y-Ye mere liye? *blushes* P-Par, ye dress toh bahut mehngi hai, captain. O-Ohh! Mera birthday gift? M-Mujhe toh yaad bhi nahi tha. Th-Thank you, captain!"
'Am I... Am I dead?'
'Ye sab yaadein... Mujhe kyu yaad aa rahi hai? Kya isliye ki ab mera waqt aa chuka hai? Mein maut ke qareeb hu isliye? P-Par-!'
'I don't want to die right now. Mujhe abhi bahut kuchh karna tha. Mujhe-'
'I guess... This is the end. I'm sorry, Mia. Mein tumhare liye tumhara maqsad poora nahi karwa paayi. Well, mere baad tum hi 'Orphana' ko aage leke jaogi. And, I believe it will flourish beautifully under your care. I believe in you.'
'This is it... It's time for me to leave now.'
Captain apni zindagi se poorn tarah se santusht toh nahi thi. Lekin, woh khush thi. Kam se kam usne ek neev toh rakh di thi jiske chalte 'Orphana' aage badh sake.
Aur, woh khushi-khushi iss duniya se alvida kehne waali thi jab-
Achanak hi kuchh hua. Uske shareer ne jhatka khaaya aur-
*Ding*
[System has been activated.]
*Beep* *Beep*
*Beep* *Beep*
"A-Ahhhn-!!!"
Daisy hadbadaate hue uthi aur ECG monitor ko check kar Captain ko dekhne lagi. Baaki, sab ka bhi yahi haal tha.
Aur, jab unhe samajh aaya ki unki captain ne unka saath nahi chhora hai toh sabhi khushi ke aasu bahaate hue ek dusre se lipat kar rone lagi.
Par, woh sab ye nahi jaanti thi ki unki captain ki kahani ke raazo me ab ek aur naya raaz jud chuka tha.
Sabse zyada khush thi toh woh thi — Mia. Bhale hi woh ek sakht bartaav rakhne waali sadasya ke roop me jaani jaati thi magar, woh Captain ki sabse qareebi aur sabse puraani sakha thi. 'Orphana' ki pehli sadasya.
Use Captain ki kahi gayi woh baat yaad aa gayi.
"Remember, Mia. Strength is not a weapon. It's a promise — to stand when no one else will."
Aur, aaj use iska arth samajh aa chuka tha. Captain kyu har baar unke liye khadi hoti thi. Kyunki, kabhi woh bhi akeli thi.
'You made it. You made it you idiot...! Thank God!!
***
Back to present, Somewhere in Perth, Australia, Evening - 5:05 PM ~
Puraani inhi kuchh yaadon ko yaad kar Captain ghane ped-paudho waale ilaaqo me akele aaj sair kar rahi thi. Inn beetein do saalo me usne lagbhag woh sab kuchh paa liya tha jo woh paana chaahti thi.
'Black Fangs' ka naam-o-nishaan mit chuka tha. 'Orphana' ka naam ab poore Australia me mashoor tha aur sabse badi aur powerful gang ke roop me jaana jaata tha.
Mia se leke aur bhi sadasyo ke jeevan ke uddeshyo ko paane me 'Orphana' ne unki poori sahaayta ki thi. Har guzarte din unka faction taqatvar hota jaa raha tha aur ye sab mumkin ho paaya tha sirf aur sirf unki captain ki wajah se.
System ke aane ke baad, captain poora risk apne upar leke chalti thi. Na sirf sadasyo me uski izzat badh chuki thi balki unke beech aapas me ab pehle se zyada ekta aur nidarta jhalakti thi.
Kintu, captain ek cheez se abhi anibhigya thi. Aur, woh thi-
*Tocotocotocotocotocotoco*
Captain ke kshetra se kuchh hi kilometres door ek helicopter hawa me mandraata hua uske nazdeek badh raha tha. Aur, uske gate par khada ek vyakti apni nazre neeche gadaaye kshetra ka jaayza le raha tha.
Uska chehra kapde se dhaka hua tha aur peeth par teer se bhara ek tarkas latka hua tha.
"Neeche lo!"
Usne pilot ko bina dekhe hi nirdesh diya. Aur, pilot ne haami bhar helicopter ek khaali jagah dekh neeche utaarna shuru kar diya. Helicopter abhi zameen par aaya bhi nahi tha ki woh vyakti helicopter se kooda aur seedhe zameen par land kiya.
Pilot ne copter ko wapas se hawa me upar kiya aur woh waha se nikal gaya. Aur, neeche utarne waala yeh vyakti koi aur nahi — Damian hi tha.
'Remember, Damian! Tumhara kaam uss ladki ko ghaayal karna hai. Stall her! That's it. Behtar hoga agar tum use humari side karne me qamyab hote ho. Lekin, woh nahi aayegi. I can tell. So, just stick to the plan. Aur, agar maamla tumhare haath se nikal jaaye, then you must escape. It's not a death fight. Go now!'
Rebecca ki kahi gayi baat use yaad aayi. Australia ke liye nikalne se pehle yahi baatein Rebecca ne use samjhayi thi. Unhe dhyaan me rakhte hue woh dabe paav aage badha.
Idhar, Captain jangal me ped paudho ke beech apna samay vyateet kar rahi thi. Aksar woh chaandni raato me yaha aasmaan me taaro ke neeche ghaas par laite shaanti mehsoos kiya karti. Use jaanvaro se lagaav tha — vishesh roop se bhediyo se. Aur, aksar yaha woh unke ird-gird hi paayi jaati thi, unse baatein karte hue, unhe khilaate hue, unke saath daudate hue. Use toofano se bhi ek ajeeb sa lagaav tha. Woh unki arajak taaqat me bhi sundarta dhoondhti thi.
Abhi woh jangal ki sundarta ko nihaar hi rahi thi jab-
*Swoosh* *Swoosh* *Swoosh*
Hawa ko cheerte hue kisi cheez ke aane ki dhwani ne use ahaat kiya aur-
*Ding*
HYPER REFLEXIA
Ek jhatke me palatate hue usne apni taraf chhore gaye do teero ko apne haatho se jakad liya.
Door khade uss anjaan vyakti aur uske muh par lipte kapde ko dekhte hi Captain ki aankhein chaudi ho gayi.
Captain (growls) : Y-You-!!! It's you...!
Aur, woh abhi Damian par hamla karne hi waali thi jab Damian ne swayam bolna shuru kiya.
Damian : Captain of the Orphana!!! We meet again-
Captain (growls) : Tumhari himmat kaise hui mere hi continent me aake mujh par peeth peechhe vaar karne ki??
Damian : Mein yaha kuchh samjhaute ke liye hu. I mean no harm!
Woh gurraate hue boli. Aur, agle hi shan uski aankhon par golden color ki parat chadh gayi.
Captain (growls) : WHERE... IS... SHE???
Damian : Mein yaha sirf baat karne ke liye hu. Uske alawa mein koi bhi details share nahi kar sakta. Par-
Captain : Well, then it doesn't matter. Tumhe qaid me karne ke baad woh bhi yaha daudi-daudi chali aayegi.
Damian : Mujhe nahi lagta ye sahi approach hogi. After all, I'm just a pawn. Agar, mein yaha maara bhi jaata hu toh bhi tumhe kuchh nahi milega.
Captain (sneers) : Hmph! A lapdog indeed. Lekin, tumhara past shayad sab kuchh baya kar dega.
Damian : That'll depend on your capability.
*Whoooosh*
Agle hi shan Captain apni jagah se gaayab hui aur palak jhapakte hi woh Damian ke theek peechhe thi. Uski raftaar dekhte hi Damian ki aankhein hairaani me fel gayi. Captain ka perr Damian ke sarr ko dhad se alag karne ke liye hawa ko cheerte hue aaya.
Magar, Damian ne turant hi duck kar liya. Laat uske baalo ko chhoote hue nikli. Damian ne jhukte hi apni kamar par khusi ek knife blade nikaali aur bina peechhe dekhe hi usne apna haath chala diya. Magar, Captain blade dekhte hi peechhe ko hatt gayi.
[He's an agile assassin.]
Captain ke mann me ek aadmi ki awaaz goonji. Zaahir hai ye uske system ki awaaz thi.
'Agile assassin?'
[Hmm! Woh assassin jo aksar apni speed par rely karta hai. Dusre shabdo me, woh tumse physically weak ho sakta hai. Lekin, speed me tumse aage ho sakta hai. Isliye, sambhal ke-]
'Hmm!'
Haami bharte hue iss baar Captain Damian ko upar se neeche tak parakhne lagi. Damian chup-chaap utha aur palatate hue usne firse wahi kaha.
Damian : I mean no harm captain. Mujhe sirf aur sirf baat karni hai.
Iss baar Captain ne apni aankhon se sunehre rang ki parat ko hataaya aur woh kuchh sochte hue boli.
Captain : State your purpose.
Damian : Join us!
Captain : Huh?
Damian : Tum meri senior se milna chaahti ho. Hai na? Toh hume join kyu nahi karti? Mein tumhe vachan deta hu ki agar tum hume join karti ho toh mein tumhari meeting senior se zaroor karwaunga.
Captain (sneers) : That bitch?? Hmph! Shayad, tum abhi bhi theek se samjhe nahi. I'm a free bird. Duniya ki koi bhi taaqat mujhe apne ishaare par nachaane ke liye majboor nahi kar sakti. Woh aurat aur tum aapas me mile hue ho ye toh mein jaan gayi hu. Lekin, mujhe ye jaanana hai ki woh bitch uss raat waha kar kya rahi thi???
Captain : Mein jaanti thi ye conversation fizool hi hai. Jab tak mein tumhe apna bandhi nahi bana leti tab tak mere haath kuchh bhi nahi lagega.
Kehte hue uski aankhein punah sunehre rang se chamak uthi.
Damian : Humara yaha ladna faydemand saabit nahi hoga, Captain.
Captain (takes stance) : Time will tell.
Damian : Mein jaanta hu ki tum itni powerful kaise ho paayi ho. 'Orphana' ke sadasyo ki wajah se.
Sunte hi pal bhar ke liye Captain ki bauhe sikudi.
Damian : Jitne zyada orphans tumhe mile, utne hi zyada missions bhi tumhe mile honge. Jinhe baari-baari tum complete karti gayi aur 'Orphana' ke saath-saath tum bhi taqatvar hoti chali gayi. Mein sahi keh raha hu na?
Captain : Tch-!!
Woh gusse me Damian ko dekhi. Iss ladke ko bahut kuchh pata tha.
Damian : Par, kya hoga agar wahi 'Orphana' ke sadasyo ka khaatma kar diya jaaye?
*Booooooooooooooommmmm*
Palak jhapakte hi jidhar Damian khada hua tha waha ki dharti ke chithde udd gaye aur Damian sahi samay par peechhe kood gaya warna ye vaar use sach me ghaayal kar diya hota.
Captain ki laat zameen ke andar dhas chuki thi. Aur, aas paas ki zameen ke chithde bikhar chuke the.
Gussail aankhon se usne apna sarr upar kar Damian ko ghoora.
Captain (growls) : YOU DARE?
Damian : I WOUL-
*Booooooooooooooommmmm*
Damian ke bagal se laga ped beech se hi ukhad gaya aur vishaal vraksh badi hi asaani se do tukdo me batt ke neeche dharashayi ho gaya.
Pakshiyo ka shor ho utha aur aas paas ke jeev jantu khatra mehsoos kar waha se bhaag uthe. Aur, iss baar Damian ko bodh hua. Bodh ki woh apne saamne khadi iss captain se bhidne ke liye taiyaar nahi tha. Agar, woh bhida toh use apne qamyab hone ke koi bhi asaar nazar nahi aa rahe the.
Par, yahi uska maqsad bhi tha. Rebecca ne use Captain ko vyast rakhne ke liye kaha tha. Aur, ho sake toh ghayal karne ke liye.
Damian yaha se khaali haath nahi laut sakta tha. Aur, uske baad shuru hua waha ek ghamasan yuddh. Do system holders aapas me takraaye.
Woh sundar jagah tabaah hoti chali gayi. Ped paudhe nasht hote gaye toh wahi zameen ujadti chali gayi. Unn dono ki ladaayi waha ke jeevan ko khatam kar rahi thi.
Magar, Captain ke upar gussa sawaar tha. Damian ke explosive arrows ho ya fir feint attacks. Captain ne woh sab kuchh apne upar liya. Zaahir hai woh kayi hamlo ka shikaar ho chuki thi.
Uske badan se jagah-jagah se khoon beh raha tha aur pait me kaafi gehri chot bhi aayi thi. Lekin, iss se bura haal tha Damian ka.
Jiska sarr zameen ke andar dhasa hua tha aur Captain ka joota jo theek uski khopdi ke upar rakha hua tha. Captain lambi-lambi gehri saansein le rahi thi. Magar, woh iss ladke ko haraane me qamyab thi.
Usne jhukte hue Damian ke sarr ke baal pakde aur ek haath se hi uske shareer ko baalo se jakadte hue uthaaya. Woh dusre haath se uske muh par se woh naqaab hataane jaa rahi thi jab-
Damian : I told you...!
Captain : ???
Damian : It wouldn't end well if we fought. You forced me to do this-
Captain : Huh-!???
Turant hi Captain ko khatra mehsoos hua. Aur, jis hisaab se Renshu kabhi Damian ki hidden blades ka shikaar hua tha. Wahi Captain ke saath bhi hua.
Teen badi blades jo pattiyo ke neeche bikhri chhipi hui dali thi. Shan bhar me hi Damian ne unhe hidden wires se kheencha aur-
'Shit-!!!'
Par, bahut der ho chuki thi.
*Squelch* *Squelch* *Squelch*
Iske pehle ki Captain waha se hatt paati. Woh teeno blades peechhe se uske shareer me aake dhas gayi.
"Blurgh-!!!"
Captain ke muh se dher saara khoon beh ke neeche gira. Internal bleeding.
[It's critical. End this quickly.]
Captain ke mann me uske system ki awaaz aayi. Aur, Damian jo soch raha tha ki ab Captain kamzor pad ke gir jayegi toh uske armaano par paani fir gaya. Aur, maathe par pehli baar ab shikan ke chalte paseene ki boondein umad aayi.
"YOU MOTHERFUCKER-!!!!"
Captain ne itni zor se dahaad lagaayi ki Damian ke baal uski awaaz maatra se lehra gaye. Woh Captain ki jakdan me abhi bhi tha. Aur, iska bodh hote hi woh bhaagne ki koshish kiya. Magar, sab fizool. Pehli baar aaj use dar mehsoos hua.
Agle hi pal Captain ka daaya haath zor se thar-tharaane laga. Damian ne dekha ki Captain ke haath ki nasey achanak hi foolne lagi thi. Ek bura sanket. Lag raha tha jaise maano khoon ka sanchaar tezi se mutthi ki orr ho raha tha. Captain ki kasi hui mutthi itni laal pad chuki thi aisa lag raha tha maano use gehre laal rang se pot diya gaya ho.
Damian ghabraya. Teen-teen blades ke shareer me khuse hone ke bawajood Captain aakhir use chhor kyu nahi rahi thi? Inn sab ke baad bhi uske andar itni urja kaise bachi hui thi?
Lekin, ye sab woh zyada der na soch paaya. Kyunki, palak jhapakte hi-
Captain ki kasi hui mutthi seedhe uske chehre ki orr aayi aur-
*Ding*
BANE BLAST
*Booooooooooooooommmmm*
Aur, uske baad Damian ko kuchh na samajh aaya. Use halka mehsoos ho raha tha. Drishya badi hi tezi se uske saamne se badalte jaa rahe the. Use samajh aaya ki woh hawa me udd raha tha.
Uske muh ke baayi orr garam sa ehsaas use ho raha tha. Hawa me hi udte hue usne apna haath le jaate hue udhar chhiya toh paaya ki-
Uske chehre ka kuchh hissa gayab ho chuka tha. Darr! Jo pehli baar usne kaafi samay baad mehsoos kiya. Chehre par se 15% maans udhad ke nikal chuka tha. Woh apne gaal ki haddi ko bhi chhee paa raha tha.
Aur, iske pehle ki woh kuchh aur soch paata, uska shareer ek ped se bhidte hue dhadaam se neeche gir gaya. Uska system turant hi blood loss ko rokne ke liye kaam par lag gaya.
Woh jaanta tha ki agar woh yaha ruka toh uski maut nishchit thi. Khoon ke rukte hi woh waha se uth palta aur jaise-taise kar waha se bhaaga. Toh wahi jangal ke andar Captain ki haalat bhi kuchh theek nahi thi.
Teen-teen blades uske shareer me dhasi hui thi. Woh jaanti thi ki agar usne blades nikaali toh blood loss bahut zyada ho jayega. Woh apne ghutno par giri. Ab exhaustion hit kar raha tha.
Jhatse phone nikaalte hue usne ek SOS signal bheja. Aur, 'Orphana' ki second-in-command leader, Mia ko jaise hi ye message mila woh Daisy aur ek team leke seedhe uss location ke liye ravaana ho gayi.
[You did well. Rest. I will help you to alleviate the pain.]
Behoshi me jaane se pehle, Captain bas halke se muskurayi. Aur, ahista se mann me hi boli-
'Thanks... Zero...!'
[Don't mention it.]
***
Government allotted ward,
Pune, Afternoon - 12:30 PM ~
Sarkari ward ki shaanti tab bhang hui jab ek zor ki awaaz uske aangan me goonj gayi.
Pranjal itni zor se ladkhadaya ki paani se bhare containers se jaake jaa bhida. Woh zor se zameen par gira aur unme bhara thanda paani uske poore badan ko bhigo diya. Uski peeth dard aur thand ke maare kaanpne lagi aur usne ek karaah bhari.
Pranjal : Tujhe kya lagta hai ki mein tujhe jaanta nahi? Haan, Veer??? Tujhe lagta hai ki tu uss mask ke peechhe apne chehre ko chhipa sakta hai?? Mujhe pata hai ki ye tu hai!!
Woh gurraaya. Uski awaaz me krodh aur hataasha mishrit thi.
Kuchh hi qadam ki doori par khade Veer ne koi jawaab nahi diya. Uska lamba sudol, prabhavshali shareer aur uske chehre ko chhipaaya hua kaala mask ek khatre ki anubhooti de raha tha. Woh Pranjal ko badi hi khamoshi se dekh raha tha.
Yaha aate hi Pranjal ne ek shan me use pehchaan liya tha. Woh sab kuchh bhool sakta tha par Veer ki shaqal nahi. Mask ke peechhe bhi usne Veer ko yuhi pehchaan liya tha. Woh bhadka aur Veer ki beizzati kar uss par shabdo ke vaar kar shuru ho gaya. Kintu, jaise hi uske muh se gaali nikli, nateeja saamne tha.
Pranjal ko uska apmaan yaad aa gaya. Kaise Veer ne uska sarr commode me ghusedte hue use peeta tha.
Pranjal (yells) : Tu... Teri hi wajah se aaj mera ye haal hai. Teri hi wajah se mujhe ghar se nikaal diya gaya. Tune meri zindagi barbaad kar di.
Usne uthate hue neeche zameen par thooka. Uski awaaz aakrosh se kaanp rahi thi.
Pranjal (screams) : Tujhe yaad hai na? Bhosdike-!!! Tu... Tune mujhe humiliate kiya tha. Yaad hai na tujhe?? Mein bhoola nahi hu. Ek na ek din, mein tujhe uska dus guna chukaunga, Veer-!!!
Shor ke chalte, dekhte hi dekhte waha bheed ikhatta ho gayi. Ward me panaah le rahe log bhi baahar nikal kar aake tamasha dekhne lage. Par, kisi ne dakhal dene ki himmat nahi ki.
Pranjal ke bol sunn peeche door khadi Ava Veer ko dekhti rahi. Usne Pranjal ko check kar ye toh pata laga liya tha ki ye Veer ka cousin bhai tha. Aur, ye bhi ki unn dono ke beech shuru se hi bair thi. Magar, asal kahani kya thi? Iss se Ava anibhigya thi. Veer ke baare me woh sab kuchh jaanana chaahti thi. Kya soch raha tha woh iss waqt? Kya chal raha hoga uske mann me abhi?
Kintu, Veer khamosh tha. Mask ke peechhe uske chehre par koi bhaav nahi the. Uski nazre Pranjal par hi tiki hui thi. Aur, uski yahi khamoshi Pranjal ko aur bhi zyada bhadka rahi thi.
Pranjal (yells) : Jawaab de mujhe-!!! Tu yaha kya kar raha hai?? Tujhe kya lagta hai ki tu jab chaahe mere raaste ke beech aake meri zindagi barbaad kar sakta hai? Aur, mein bas khade-khade tamasha dekhta rahunga?? Nahi Veer! Nahi! Ye teri galat fehmi hai! Tu... Kuchh nahi. Tu kuchh bhi nahi! Tu sirf ek panoti hai, Veer. Sirf aur sirf ek panoti!!!
[ENOUUUGHHHH-!!!! ENOUGH!!! I'LL SKIN HIM ALIVE!!! HOW DARE HE DISRESPECT YOU?? ISS DO KAUDI KE LADKE KI AUKAAT KAISE HUI MERE SAAMNE MASTER KI BEIZZATI KARNE KI? I'LL KILL HIM! KILL HIM, MASTER!! LET'S KILL THIS BASTARD GERM!!!]
Aur, hamesha ki tarah shaant rehne waali Pari ne bhi apna aapa kho diya. Woh sab kuchh bardaasht kar sakti thi par apne master ki beizzati nahi. Crimson se bhidte waqt jab Veer apna balidaan dene jaa raha tha, uss shan se hi Pari ki iss personality ke dil me Veer ke liye ek alag hi jagah bann chuki thi. Toh aise me agar koi aera-gaira vyakti uske hi saamne uske master ki beizzati kare, toh woh bhala kaise bardaasht kar sakti thi?
Pranjal (yells) : Jawaab de gaandu! Kyu aaya tu yaha-
Veer ka rukh badla. Uski maanspeshiyo me tanaav spasht hua, aur ek akasmat, tez chaal ke saath, usne uske aur Pranjal ke beech ki doori ko kam kar diya. Pranjal ko samajh hi nahi ki kab aur kaise, par uske jabde par ek tez jhatka laga aur agle hi pal woh keechad me tha.
"Argh-!! Kameene-!!!"
Woh zorr se cheenkha. Jaise hi woh uthne ko hua toh Veer ke ek aur tez aur nirdayi prahaar se uske shabd uske muh me hi reh gaye. Woh waapas zameen par gir pada. Aur, ab poore shareer me dard fel chuka tha.
Wahi khadi Divya bhi ye sab kuchh dekhte hue hairat me thi. Veer ke ateet aur uski family ke baare me use koi jankaari nahi thi. Pranjal jis tarah se Veer par aarop par aarop lagaate hue use gaaliyaan bak raha tha woh jaan chuki thi ki unn dono ke beech 36 ki aakda tha. Lekin, woh ab iss ghatna ko aur aage badhne nahi de sakti thi.
Divya (yells) : Enough!!!
Usne apni ID nikaalte hue Pranjal ko peechhe rehne ka ishaara kiya. Woh yaha Madhuri aur uski maa se milne ke liye aayi thi. Na ki kisi ke personal matters handle karne. Aur, Divya ko ye zara bhi pasand nahi aaya ki Veer ko koi iss tarah se sab ke saamne beizzat kare.
Divya : Divya Dhawan, a special agent from FBCC. Iske pehle ki mein action lu, lower your guard and leave this place as soon as possible.
Magar, ID se bina prabhavit hue hi Pranjal iss baar Divya par bhi bhadak utha.
Pranjal : Special agent? Lawde ki special agent!!! Behanchod! Tumhe lagta hai mujhe FBCC Ya LGCC se koi matlab hai?
Usne apni aasteen ko jhatkaar kar saaf karte hue kaha.
Pranjal : Tum sab Veer ke saath mili ho. Kyu be, Veer? Hai na? Bol kitne me khareeda tune ise? Iss baar tu kya karne ki soch raha hai? Jawaab de-!!!
Divya ki aankhein sikudi aur usne tezi se apni handgun nikaal Pranjal par taan di.
Divya : Say another word, and I promise you, you'll regret it.
Iss baar Pranjal ke muh se kuchh na nikla. Handgun dekhte hi woh stabdh reh gaya. Aur, bas wahi nahi tha. Waha maujood tamaam log Divya ke haath me handgun dekhte hi sakpaka ke reh gaye.
Toh wahi iss shor-sharaabe ke chalte, pehli manzil ki balcony me Madhuri aur uski maa, Lalita apne kamre se baahar nikal kar aayi. Jab Madhuri ne neeche dekha toh uski aankhein chaudi ho gayi. Neeche, Divya apni bandook liye nishaana saadhe hue thi; Veer, naqabposh aur khamosh, uski chhavi sthir thi; Aur Pranjal, bheega hua, ast-vyast aur chotil.
Madhuri (murmurs) : K-Kaun...!?
Woh fus-fusayi. Neeche khade shakso me se use Veer ki chhavi dekh ek ajeeb sa apnapann sa mehsoos hua. Uski maa ne dheere se uske kandhe par haath rakha, anishchit, ki unhe neeche jaana chaahiye ya nahi?
Aur, idhar Madhuri ke saamne aate hi Pranjal ki nazre uss par tik gayi. Uska gussa jaise kahi gaayab ho gaya, uski jagah ek narm aur laalsa bhara bhaav janm le liya.
Pranjal (murmurs) : M-Madhuri...
Woh budbudaya, uski awaaz bamushqil hi sunane laayak thi. Divya aur Veer ko nazar-andaaz kar woh ek qadam ladkhadate hue aage badha.
Madhuri, Veer ko uske mask ke kaaran pehchanane me asamarth thi. Uski nigaahein teen logo ke beech ghoom rahi thi. Jaise hi woh punaah Veer ko dekhi, use laga jaise usne pehle kahi iss shaks ko dekha hai, kintu yaddaasht dhundhli ho rakhi thi. Woh yaad karne ke liye bechain thi, magar woh yaddasht beetein varsho ki yaado ke neeche kahi dabi hui thi.
Madhuri : M-Maa-! Maa, neeche chalo! Jaldi!
Woh agle hi shan neeche ko bhaagi, use uss shaks ke baare me jaanana tha aur uski maa use neeche jaata dekh ghabra uthi.
Lalita : Madhu!!! Madhu, ruk! Madhu!!
Kuchh hi palo me sab ek-dusre ke saamne the. Veer ke saamne jaise hi Madhuri aayi, uski aankhein use dekh narm pad gayi. Iss ladki se use kaafi pehle hi maafi maang leni chaahiye thi. Par, use kabhi iska mauka nahi mil paaya.
Na uss din Veer Madhuri par bhadakta, na woh ro ke bhaagti, na Pranjal aur Madhuri ke beech ki dosti tootati aur na hi Pranjal uske prati ye bhavnaaye rakhta.
[Oh, achha? Aur, fir aap mujhe kaise milte?]
Pari ne jaise uske mann ki baatein ko padh liya. Veer mann hi mann muskuraya. Pari sahi thi. Jo hona tha woh ho gaya. Ab yaha se cheezon ko kaise sambhaalna tha ye uske haath me tha.
Divya ne jab Madhuri aur Lalita ko neeche aate dekha toh woh Madhuri ko dekh ke hi pehchaan gayi. Yaha aane se pehle report me usne sab kuchh padha tha aur victim ke parivar jano ki photos uske dimaag me baithi hui thi.
Divya : Madhuri?
Madhuri : Ahn?? J-Ji??
Divya (holsters gun) : Mein Divya Dhawan, ek special agent FBCC se. Mujhe aap se aur aapki maa se aapke pita ki hatya ko leke kuchh zaroori baat-cheet karni hai.
Madhuri (nods) : J-Ji-! A-Aaiye!
Madhuri ke mann me kayi sawaal the. Woh Veer aur Pranjal ke baare me poochhna chaahti thi. Lekin, uski himmat nahi hui kuchh bhi kehne ki.
Jab Veer aur Divya Madhuri ke peechhe-peechhe jaane lage toh Pranjal bhi unke peechhe aane laga lekin Divya turant hi ruki aur uski orr dekhi, jaise poochhna chaah rahi ho ki tum bhala kaha chale aa rahe ho?
Pranjal iske pehle ki kuchh keh paata ki itne me Veer ne Divya ko rok diya.
Veer : Let him...!
Divya : Huh?? P-Par, Veer? Ye serious matter hai aur-
Veer : It's okay! Mein zimmedari leta hu.
Divya (sighs) : Agar, tum kehte ho toh... Theek hai!
Divya ek aur paini nazar Pranjal par maarte hue upar ko chali gayi. Pranjal ne bhi iss baar Veer ki peeth ko dekha. Na jaane kya soch raha tha woh. Ava uske theek bagal se nikli lekin, achanak hi-
*Swish*
"Aaaaaaahhh!"
Ava ne apni hidden knife nikaalte hue hawa me ghumaayi toh Pranjal dar ke maare ek qadam peechhe ho gaya. Upar se neeche tak Ava ne use ek pal ke liye dekha, jaise use kisi prakaar se savdhaan kar rahi thi. Aur, fir woh bhi upar chali gayi.
Sabhi Madhuri ke iss niwaas sthaan ke andar baithe hue the siwae Ava ke jo kamre ke theek baahar apne haath mode deewar se tik ke khadi hui thi aur sab kuchh sunn paa rahi thi. Pranjal ki zimmedari Veer ne le li thi toh Divya ko uski chinta karne ki zaroorat hi nahi thi. Aur, fir shuru hua sawaalo ka silsila.
Divya : Waise toh police ne saari jankaari le hi li hogi. Par, fir bhi mein ek baar aap dono se personally baat karna chaahti thi. Aap ko koi aitraaz toh nahi?
Madhuri : J-Ji nahi! Poochhiye na!
Woh boli. Ek sarsari nigaah usne Veer par maari jo khidki ke paas apne haath mode khada hua tha. Ek aasha jaagi ki kaash woh uske mask ke peechhe ke uss chehre ko dekh paati.
Divya : Dekhiye! Mein sadharan police karmchari nahi hu. Mein FBCC se hu. Ek International crime control agency. Toh aap jitna mujhe khul kar sab kuchh batayengi, cheezein utni hi aapke liye behtar saabit ho sakti hai.
Madhuri : M-Mein kuchh samjhi nahi.
Divya : Matlab ye ki, jo kaam police nahi kar sakti, woh mein chutkiyo me karwa sakti hu. Toh, aap ko kuchh bhi chhipaane ki zaroorat nahi hai.
Madhuri aur Lalita, dono ne ek dusre ko dekha.
Madhuri : J-Ji! Poochhiye!
Uske baad Madhuri ne woh sab kuchh bataaya jo woh bataana chaahti thi. Aur, jo pehle bhi bata chuki thi.
Divya : Hmm! Toh aapka kehna hai ki Prabhakar ji ki pehle kisi se bair thi aur usi ke kaaran unhe kaafi nuksaan bhi hua tha, right?
Madhuri (nods) : J-Ji! Lekin, uss aadmi ka haath iske peechhe nahi hai. Police ne iski chhaan-been kar li hai.
Divya : Hmm! Toh, fir? Aapko kya lagta hai?
Madhuri : Pita ji ki iske alawa aur koi dushmani nahi thi. Toh, mera anumaan do cheezon par hai.
Divya : Aur, kya hai woh?
Madhuri : Pehla toh yahi ki- ho sakta hai police ko uss aadmi ne paise khila ke chup kara diya ho. Aur, wahi iss sab ke peechhe ho?
Divya : Hmm! Interesting! Aur, dusra anumaan?
Madhuri : Mujhe nahi pata.
Divya : Hmm?
Madhuri : Mera matlab hai, ho sakta hai ki inn sab ke peechhe kuchh aur hi ho. Kisi aur ka hi haath ho jiske baare me mein aur maa nahi jaante.
Divya : Ohh?
Divya ne ek pal Veer ko dekha. Fir, jaise use kuchh yaad aaya aur usne apna sawaal ghumaate hue poochha.
Divya : Kya aapke pita koi medical condition ka shikaar the kya? I mean, koi beemari? Ya koi tests wagarah karwaate the?
Madhuri : Huh? N-Nahi! Pita ji poori tarah se swasth the. Unhe koi beemari nahi thi.
Madhuri : N-Nahi! Agar, woh karwaate toh hume iss baare me zaroor pata hota.
Divya : Kisi doctor se unka koi sampark?
Madhuri : N-Nahi! Jaha tak mujhe yaad hai, humara koi family doctor nahi tha. Pita ji doctors ke paas kabhi jaate hi nahi the. Beemaar padte the toh aksar medical ki shops se mein hi unke liye dawayi laaya karti thi. P-Par, kya hua? Aap ye sab-
Divya : Nahi! Kuchh nahi! Bas yuhi poochha.
Ek baar fir Divya ne Veer ko dekha. Veer ne haami bhari. Aur, Madhuri iss baar apni ichhaa daba nahi paayi.
Madhuri (glances) : K-Kya, maine aapko pehle kahi dekha hai? K-Kya hum ek dusre se kabhi mile hai?
Veer : Hmm?
Divya : ???
Madhuri : Kya mein aapka chehra dekh sakti hu?
Divya : I-I'm sorry lekin woh mere saath hai. Aur, undercover agents ko-
Par, pata nahi Veer ko kya soojha usne bina kuchh kahe hi apna mask utaar diya. Jaha Pranjal Veer ka chehre dekhte hi mann hi mann apne sahi anumaan par garv kar raha tha toh wahi Madhuri Veer ka chehra dekhte hi ek gehri saans kheechne par majboor ho gayi.
Use fauran hi yaad aa gaya ki usne Veer ko kaha dekha tha. Woh sahi thi. Woh uss se mili thi. Delhi me... Jab woh ek ladke ke saath uski girlfriend ka naatak kar ke uske saath dinner par gayi thi. Tab, uski mulaqat Veer se hui thi.
Madhuri (stands up) : Ahn! A-Aap toh wahi-!!!
Pranjal ne jab ye dekha toh woh taajub me reh gaya. Yahi haal Divya aur Lalita ka bhi tha.
Veer uski masoom si bholi soorat dekh use niraash nahi karna chaahta tha. Toh, usne haami bhari.
Veer (nods) : Bilkul! Mujhe yaad hai.
Madhuri : Ahhn-!! M-Maa-!!!
Lalita : K-Kya hua beta??
Mauka dekhte hi Pranjal bhi uth khada hua.
Pranjal : M-Madhuri...! T-Tumhe Veer yaad hai???
Madhuri : Huhh? V-Veer???
Akasmat hi ye naam Madhuri ke dimag me khatka.
Pranjal : M-Mein Pranjal, Madhuri! T-Tumhe kuchh yaad aaya? Pranjal! Mein, Pranjal! Yaad karo! Bachpan me hum saath khela karte the. Yaad aaya? Tum mere ghar aati thi. Tum boycut rakhti thi tab. Kuchh... Kuchh yaad aaya?
Madhuri unn yaadon ko kabhi nahi bhool sakti thi. Kyunki, wahi shayad uske jeevan ki aakhiri achhi yaadein thi. Woh samay jab uska parivar khush tha, ghar me shaanti, samridhhi aur daulat barkarar thi. Unn palo ko woh chaah ke bhi nahi bhool sakti thi. Use yaad aaya ki uske saamne khada ye ladka wahi Pranjal thi. Par, ek minute-!?
Pranjal ke kuchh shan pehle kahe gaye shabd uske mann me goonje. Tumhe Veer yaad hai? Iska matlab-
Woh jhatse Veer ki orr palti. Bachpan se hi woh Veer se dosti karna chaahti thi lekin, Veer kabhi uss se baat nahi karta tha. Akhiri baar jab usne use ladka samajhte hue dhutkaar ke bura bhala kaha tha toh woh ro ke bhaag aayi thi.
Uss bechari ko khud ko nahi pata tha ki woh Veer se dobaara kabhi nahi mil paayegi. Agle kayi dino tak woh ro ro ke apni raatein guzara karti. Aur, aaj wahi Veer aur Pranjal uske saamne the.
Par, kaise waqt pe? Jab uska parivar ek taaza khabar bann chuka tha. Uske pita ka qatl kar diya gaya tha, police ka aana jaana laga tha, aur rehne ke liye khud ka ghar tak nahi tha.
Uski aankhon se aasu jhar-jhar kar behne lage.
Madhuri : T-Tum...!? Tum wahi V-Veer ho?
Veer : *smiles*
Madhuri : M-Mujhe pehchaana? *sniff* M-Mein Madhuri-!! Wahi-!! Tum jis se door bhaagte the. *sniff* Y-Yaad hai na?
Veer (nods) : Mujhe yaad hai. Mujhe maaf kar dena, Madhuri. Maine tumhe uss waqt ladka samajh ke-
Par, uske bol adhoore reh gaye jab achanak hi Madhuri seedhe uske seene se aa lagi. Aur, Pranjal ki aankhein ye dekhte hi phatne ko baahar aa gayi.
[That's what you get you bastard!!! Master! Make her yours! Kiss her!!!]
Veer jitna Madhuri ki hug se hairaan tha, uss se kahi zyada woh Pari ke iss agressive behaviour se taajub me tha. Ye Pari ko kya ho gaya tha?
Par, Pranjal ko apne daant meesne ka mauka hi nahi mila kyunki, Madhuri turant hi Veer ke haath ko apne haath me daal uski orr aayi aur dusre haath se uske haath ko bhi apne haath me daal li.
Lalita : M-Madhu? Y-Ye sab kya???
Madhuri : M-Maa! *sniff* Tumhe yaad hai na jab hum Mumbai me rehte the? Tab mein pados me bade se ghar me khelne jaaya karti thi?
Lalita ko kuchh dhundhli yaadein yaad aayi.
Madhuri : Inke yaha bihi ka ek bada sa ped bhi tha aangan me. Yaad karo?
Aur, Lalita ko sab kuchh yaad aa gaya.
Lalita : H-Haan! Yaad aaya. Manorath ji karke rehte the waha ek. Bahut hi sajjan log the.
Madhuri : Y-Ye usi ghar se hai, maa. Y-Ye Pranjal! A-Aur, ye Veer. Mein aake tumhare saamne roti thi na? Tumko bataati thi ki Veer mujhse dosti nahi karta. *sniff* Y-Ye wahi Veer hai.
Use dekh ke samajh nahi aa raha tha ki kya kahe. Uski aankhon se aasu beh rahe the par hontho par muskaan bhi saji hui thi. Lalita ko jab sab yaad aaya toh woh bhi aage badh ke aayi aur unn dono ke sarr sehlaane lagi.
Divya aur Ava dono hi hairat me bas sab kuchh ghatit hota hua dekh rahi thi. Pranjal aur Veer ki nazre aapas me takrayi. Par, jis tarah se Madhuri unke beech me hoke unhe thaami hui thi woh dono hi khamosh rahe. Pranjal toh iss ehsaas me kho chuka tha. Madhuri uske bagal se thi. Baar-baar uski nazre unn dono ke bandhe hue haath par jaa rahi thi.
Uske baad sab kuchh vistaar se bataya gaya. Pranjal ne bataya ki woh yaha par kyu aaya tha. Inn beetein dino me usne kuchh paiso ka jugaad kiya tha. Woh yaha pehle hi aa chuka hota. Magar, Karunesh ne use paise dene se inkaar kar diya tha.
Majbooran, use idhar-udhar se paise jugaadne pade. Aur, isi chakkar me use kayi din lag gaye. Aaj ki tareekh me bhi uske paas 30-40 hazaar hi the bas. Aur, woh ye sab Madhuri ke liye laaya tha.
Jab Madhuri ne neeche hui ghatna ka zikra kiya toh uss vishay par dono Veer aur Pranjal khamosh reh gaye.
Madhuri : B-Batao na! Y-Ye neeche kya chal raha tha? Tumhare kapde itne gande kaise ho gaye? A-Aur, aap iss par bandook kyu taani hui thi?
Divya : Aap iss se hi kyu nahi poochhti?
Madhuri : P-Pranjal! Jawab do! Kya hua tha?
Pranjal : K-Kuchh nahi, Madhuri! Y-Ye humare beech ka maamla hai. Mein tumhe fursat se sab bataunga. Abhi yaha se chalo. Tumne bataya na abhi ki ye sthaan tumhe bas kuchh dino ke liye mila hai? Toh chalo yaha se. Mumbai chalo mere saath.
Lalita : Mumbai? Beta, Pune me hi hume ghar nahi mil paa raha hai. Hum Mumbai me kaha rukenge?
Pranjal : M-Mein uski vyavastha karta hu, aunty. Aap fiqr mat kijiye. Aur, aap bhi toh dar rahi ho na? Aapne bataya tha thodi der pehle ki aapko jis aadmi par shaq hai, woh aapko nuksaan pahucha sakta hai. Yaha rehna khatre se khaali nahi hai. Aap chaliye mere saath.
Madhuri : N-Nahi Pranjal! Shukriya. Lekin, h-hum aise bina kisi guarantee ke kaise-
Veer : Uski zaroorat nahi hai.
Madhuri : ???
Veer : Mere paas aap sab ke liye ghar bhi hai. Aur, aapko jeevan bhar, bhar-pait khaana khila saku utni meri haisiyat bhi hai. Toh, apna beta samajhte hue, aap Mumbai aaiye, aunty.
Lalita : P-Par-
Veer : Bachpan me maine Madhuri ka kaafi dil dukhaya hai. Samajh lijiye mera uss se ye maafi maangne ka tareeka hai. Aap aur Madhuri dono surakshit bhi rahengi. Aur, choonki mein iss case se juda hua hu toh aapko pal-pal iski khabar bhi deta rahunga.
Pranjal muh khole Veer ko dekh raha tha. Woh Madhuri ki madad karne ke liye tatpar tha. Lekin, jab use paiso ki sabse zyada zaroorat thi tab uske khud ke baap ne use paise dene se inkaar kar diya tha. Parantu, Veer ne bejhijhak madad ka haath aage badha diya.
Veer ki baat sunte hi idhar Lalita ka hriday parivartan hua. Woh yaha se nikalne ke liye taiyaar thi. Usne apni beti ko dekha jo aas liye use hi ghoor rahi thi. Aur, fir usne haami bhar di.
Toh ye tay ho chuka tha ki Madhuri Mumbai laut rahi thi. Aur, dono maa beti apna-apna samaan baandhne me bhi lag gayi. Iss poore prakran me kaafi samay guzar chuka tha. Madhuri ke mann me kayi sawaal the. Veer FBCC ke saath kya kar raha tha? Woh yaha kyu aaya tha? Ab tak usne kya kuchh kiya? Wagarah wagarah! Yahi sawal Pranjal ke liye bhi uske mann me the. Lekin, usne filhal apne mann ko shaant rakha.
Veer ward ki terrace kar khade doobte hue sooraj ko dekh cigarette ka ek kash laga raha tha jab upar Pranjal aa dhamka. Kaafi der tak ek sannaata chhaaya raha. Aur, fir Pranjal ne bolna shuru kiya.
Pranjal : Tum... Tum kab se cigarette peene lage?
Veer (side eyes) : Batana zaroori nahi samajhta mein.
Kahi na kahi, iss baar Veer ke ye kehne se Pranjal ko zara bhi bura nahi laga.
Veer (smokes) : Take them with you.
Pranjal : ??? Kyu? Kya tum nahi jaa rahe?
Veer : I have some work to attend to-! *smokes* Address already unhe pata hai. Tumhe bas unhe waha tak sahi salamat le jaana hai. Baaki ka kaam mere workers waha dekh lenge. You do have money, right?
Pranjal : Hmph!
Veer ne apni jeb se ek note ki gaddi hawa me Pranjal ki orr feki.
Veer : Take it! Mein nahi chaahta ki tum Madhuri aur uske parivar par udhaari waale paiso ka istemal karo. Mein unhe aur musibat me nahi dekhna chaahta.
Pranjal (grits) : Tch-!!!
Par, Pranjal ne agle hi pal woh gaddi wapas Veer ki orr fek di jo usne haatho me pakad kar thaam li.
Pranjal : Fuck you! Tumhe kya lagta hai? Ki mein apni wajah se unhe pareshani me daalunga? I'll have money... *murmurs* I'll arrange it.
Aur, woh ladkhadaate hue waha se waapas chala gaya. Na jaane aage kya kuchh hone waala tha. Madhuri aur uski maa ki samasya toh door ho chuki thi. Lekin, ye murder ke raaz par se parda uthaana abhi bhi baaki tha. Aur, uske liye, Veer ki agli destination thi — Panchgani!!!
***
Nexacom's HQ, Mumbai,
Evening - 6:50 PM ~
Kaera lakshya ke saath chal rahi thi, gati tez aur chaal ekdum truti-heen. Uss se ek aise vyakti ki prabhavshali upasthiti jhalak rahi thi jisne kabhi asafalta dekhi hi na ho.
Ruchika, uski secretary theek uske peechhe uske qadam se qadam milaane ke liye sangharsh kar rahi thi. Uske haath me ek tablet notifications se bhara hua tha — urgent emails, financial reports, messages jo vibhinn vibhaago se the. Jaise hi Kaera meeting room se baahar nikli, Ruchika ne turant hi zaroori muddo ko sahi soonchi me rakh bolna shuru kar diya.
Ruchika : Ah! M-Miss! Humare Mumbai ke ports me strike ki wajah se humare textile devision me supply chain ko bahut nuksaan hua hai. Logistics team samajh nahi paa rahi ki kaise aage badhe?
Kaera : Shipments ko southern ports ki taraf divert karo.
Usne turant ke turant jawab diya. Uske sochne ki speed fraction of seconds thi.
Kaera : Transportation ko tez banaaye rakhne ke liye railways se jo humara contract hai uska istemal karo. Jo workers strike kar rahe hai unhe secretly bonus package do — industry standard se 10% upar — taaki woh kaam jaari rakhe. Have HR handle the negotiations. Transportation rukna nahi chahiye kisi bhi haalat me.
Ruchika ne apne tablet par sab note kar, tap karte hue sarr hilaaya.
Ruchika : M-Miss! Casa Belle luxury hotel budget overrun face kar rahi hai. Unka project manager additonal funds ki demand kar raha hai.
Kaera : Budget overrun?
Ruchika : Sh-Shayad, woh out of budget hai. Kuchh bada plan kar rahe hai? Maybe? Ya fir renovations? New materials? Maybe?
Kaera : Come to think of it. Veer... He has a hotel too, right? The name...! What was it? Right! Hotel Prestige!
Ruchika : E-Ehh?
Kaera : Make a call at Hotel Prestige!
Ruchika : Ahnn! R-Right away!
Chalte-chalte hi Ruchika ne Hotel Prestige par call lagaya. Aur, udhar se manager - Nandini ne call uthaaya. Jaise hi Nandini ko pata chala ki Nexacom ki taraf se call tha woh hadbada gayi. Turant hi usne call Bhumika ki orr forward kiya aur bechari Bhumika ki bhi yahi haalat thi.
Kaera : Ask them that if they need any fund? Any kind of investment?
Ruchika ne theek waisa hi kiya. Jab Bhumika ko pata chala ki Nexacom hotel prestige me invest karne ke liye interested hai toh uski khushi ka koi thikana na raha. Bina soche samjhe hi usne haan kar di. Ye sunehra mauka woh haath se bhala kaise jaane de sakti thi?
Ruchika : M-Miss! Wo-Woh ready hai!
Kaera (smiles) : Then give them the fund which you were supposed to give to Casa Belle.
Ruchika : O-Okay! P-Par, Casa Belle ke project manager ko kya jawab du, Miss?
Kaera : Keh do ki humne thodi der pehle hi apne marketing budget me extra 15% invest kiya hai. Hum yaha invest karne ke liye hai. Liquidity gap bharne ke liye nahi.
Ruchika : Samajh gayi!
Woh boli. Uski awaaz me sammaan saaf-saaf jhalak raha tha.
Ruchika (hurriedly) : E-Ek potential legal issue bhi hai, Miss. Humaare pharmaceutical division ka jo latest product hai woh mushqil me hai. Regulatory body uski jaanch kar rahi hai aur woh humari clinical trial data ki validity par sawal utha rahe hai.
Kaera achanak ruk gayi. Uski nazre paini ho chali.
Kaera : Trials ki ek comprehensive report taiyaar karo. Woh saare regulations highlight karo jinka hum paalan sahi se kar rahe hai. Koi bhi data jo misinterpret ho sakta hai, uska khaas khayal rakho. Have the legal team frame it properly. Meanwhile, ek private meeting schedule karo meri uss regulatory body ke head ke saath. Shayad mujhe unhe yaad dilaane ki zaroorat hai ki humare innovative products ke chalte public sector ko kitna fayda hua hai. I'll personally oversee the negotiations.
Jitni gati se Kaera pratyek samasya ka samadhan pradan kar rahi thi, bechari Ruchika badi hi mushqil se uski gati ke saath apni gati barkarar rakh paa rahi thi. Kaera ke shabdo me koi jhijak nahi thi, koi anumaan nahi — bas ek adig nirnay karne ki kshamta jaha galti ke liye koi sthaan nahi tha.
Jaise hi woh ek kamre ke paas pahuchne lage toh Ruchika ne ek akhiri mudde ka zikra kiya.
Ruchika : M-Miss, TechUnion ke saath merger ke discussion me delay hua hai. Unka board iss saude par sehmat hone se pehle kuchh aur concessions maang raha hai.
Kaera ke hontho par halki si muskaan bikhri.
Kaera : Then call their bluff. Unhe batao ki hum alternative partners ko consider kar rahe hai. That should remind them of their place in this negotiation. If they don't come back to the table within 48 hours, pull the plug and move on to our next target.
Ruchika poori tarah se avaak reh gayi thi. Ekdum bhauchakki. Usne tamaam hastiyaan dekhi thi par aisi? Koi nahi. Kya Kaera ko duniya ka aathwa ajooba kehna sahi tha? Ruchika se agar ye poochhe, toh uska uttar — haan tha.
Kaera : Next year bahut badi deal aane waali hai. ICONGLOBE India aa rahi hai aur top company me invest karne ki soch rahi hai. That deal... will be mine!!!
***
"That deal... is mine!!!"
Apne ghar ke kamre me maujood Sonia ne apni mutthi kaste hue kaha. Uske theek peechhe Suchika darwaze par khadi hui thi. Usne halka sa mud use dekha.
Sonia : Suchika-!!!
Suchika : ???
Sonia : Tum meri help karogi na?
Suchika : Yes, Miss!
Sonia : Good! Toh iss baar mujhe ye deal seal karne se koi nahi rok sakta. We'll move according to the plan. No one can stop us. Tum bhi nahi... Kaera!!!
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Aaj ke liye itna hi guys.
This update consists of around 10.1k words. Thoda sa late hai par umeed hai ju logo ko pasand aayega. Target ise diwali ke pehle dene ka tha but I was too occupied with my personal works. So, consider this as a Diwali bonus. Pichhle update me monotonous scene ko leke kaafi log keh rahe the. So, this time it's a 4 scene update. Baaki, Target apna wahi hai. 200. Toh, like thokne ka aur revos rakhne ka. Dhanyavad.