Incest Baadshah ~ The Tales of Debauchery

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Latest Update ➢ Update 191 ​

 

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Update - 191 ~ On Pins & Needles​

Ab tak...

Ek viman apne niyamit samay ka paalan karte hue airstrip par utra. Baari-baari usme se attendants baahar nikalte gaye aur ek shaks apna ek suitcase leke baahar ko aaya.

Baahar aate hi usne sabse pehle formalities kar apna phone chaalu karwaya aur fir ek call lagaya.

Aur, call pe usne bas itna hi kaha-

"I'm in Mumbai, my friend. Yes! Yes!! Send me the address of your villa. That would be good. Why so suddenly?? Hahaha! No! No!!! It's because my bitch ass wife is roaming here-!!! I need to settle some scores with her!!"

Ab aage...

29th December,
Thane Police Station,
Mumbai, Morning - 10:20 AM ~

*Clack* *Clack*
*Clack* *Clack*

Dur se typewriter ki laybaddh khad-khadahat mand raushni waale police station me goonj rahi thi. DSP Trisha apni avyavasthit kursi par baithi thi, aur subah ki dhoop ke chalte halki garmi me upar chal raha pankha bhi shor me apna yogdaan de raha tha.

Yahi tha Mumbai ka mausam. Subah halki garmi, din me kaho AC bhi chalana pad jaaye aur raat me halki-fulki maamuli si thand jo shayad shareer ki agar garam taseer ho toh samajh bhi na aaye.

Thandi chai ka ek cup uske bagal me achhoota pada hua tha, chai se sana hua table ka kinara subah se chal rahe bechain kaam ka ek pramaan tha.

Trisha ki aankhein apne haath me liye hue phone par tiki hui thi. Uski bauhe ekagrata se sikud gayi. Hatyaare ka varnan usne halke swar me dohraya.

"Chaudi baahar ko aati aankhein... Safed lamba coat... Safed kandhe tak aate baal... Bhayanak muskaan..."

Uska haath phone ke chaaro orr kass gaya.

"Iss se toh ye case aur ulajh gaya. Kya musibat hai!!! Shittt-!!!!"

*Baaaaammmmm*

Usne apne dono haath zor se mej par patke. Eye witness — Deepu se jo bhi gawahi mili thi woh Divya ne sabhi police stations me notes bana kar aage forward kar di thi. Aur, uske itna karte hi sabhi thaano me ek sansani si mach chuki thi. Trisha bhi unn chintit jano me se ek thi.

Trisha : Ye toh aam insaan ka description lag hi nahi raha. Aur, uska ye kehna ki ye manav shareer itna dilchasp hai. Kahi hum kisi paagal se toh deal nahi kar rahe? Ya woh Deepu jhooth toh nahi bol raha?

Paas me hi control room me baitha Shekhar, Trisha ki baat sunn keyboard par apni ungliyaan chalaate hue bola.

Shekhar : Agar, use jhooth bolna hota toh woh pehle hi bol deta, madam. Khair, woh jo bhi ho par aapko ek baat toh maanani padegi. Ye FBCC waale badi hi jaldi results de rahe hai. Hai na?

Trisha (smirks) : Hmph! Kam se kam kuchh kaam toh aa rahe hai. Achha hua jo maine unhe iss kaam me laga diya.

Kehte hue woh ek gehri saans chhor apni kursi par peechhe jhuk gayi. Upar bulb ki raushni timtima rahi thi, kuchh halke drafts ke kaagaz uski mej par rakhe hawa se sarsara uthe. Uski nazar deewar par lage ast-vyast pinboard par padi — ansuljhe maamle, feeki puraani tasveerein aur kuchh haath likhe noto ka ek jaal.

Woh abhi baithi soch hi rahi thi jab darwaza khula aur baahar se ek sub-inspector andar jhaankte hue bola.

Sub-inspector : M-Madam-!! W-Woh-

Trisha : Hmm? Kya hua?

Sub-inspector : Woh ek aur laapata vyakti ki complaint aayi hai.

Trisha (frowns) : Kya-!!?? Idhar pehle hi inn murders se poora pradesh pareshan hai aur idhar gumshuda logo ki reports aa rahi hai? Kaun kho gaya??

Sub-inspector : Koi mahila hai. Uska pati aur kuchh aas-pados ke log aaye hai.

Trisha : 24 ghante ho gaye?

Sub-inspector : 24 ghante ke upar ho gaye hai, madam.

Trisha (frowns) : Tch-!!!

Sub-inspector : Toh mein- likh du na?

Trisha (nods) : Hmm! Report taiyar karo aur unse kaho ki hum talashi shuru kar rahe hai jald hi.

Sub-inspector : J-Ji!

Kehte hue woh wapas baahar nikal gaya. Lekin, idhar Trisha pehle se aur bhi zyada chinta me aa gayi.

'Yaha ek toh woh murderer nahi mil raha hai aur ye log upar se police ko aur gumshuda vyaktiyo ki report lekar aa rahe hai. Tsk-!! Ghar ka ek sadasya nahi sambhala jaa raha inse.'

Trisha (glances) : Shekhar, tumhe kuchh mila kya?

Shekhar : Hmm? Iss case ka toh nahi pata madam, lekin mujhe pichhle case ke baare me kuchh pata laga hai.

Trisha : Huh??

Woh mudi aur prashn bhari nigaaho se use dekhi. Shekhar ne use jab ishaare se apne paas bulaya toh woh fauran hi uth ke uske paas aayi.

Shekhar : Ye dekhiye...! Lagbhag dedh-do saal pehle Kora Kendra Ground par ek event hua tha.

Trisha (leans in) : Event???

Shekhar : Aur, iss event ke aas-paas Slogan ko dekha gaya tha.

Trisha : Kya!!?

Shekhar ne agle hi pal social media se chhaatate hue ek photo, jo kisi anjaan vyakti dwara kheenchi gayi thi use khol ke saamne screen par dikhaya.

Photo aam taur par uss event ki saaj-sajja ke liye kheenchi gayi thi magar, uss photo me Slogan bhi ittefaq se capture ho chuka tha.

Trisha (frowns) : Y-Ye-

Shekhar (nods) : Mirror gallery!!! Ek fake event.

Trisha : Fake event???

Shekhar : Ji madam! Agar, hum iss mirror gallery ke hashtag par jaaye aur iss se sambandhit posts sirf Mumbai me dekhe- *Click* *Click* Toh, ye dekhiye — Aap padh sakti hai ki kitne logo ne shikayatein rakhi hai ki event me unhe jaane hi nahi diya gaya tha.

Trisha : Waqai!! Ek minute! Par, kuchh logo ne positive reviews bhi chhore hai. Dekho!

Shekhar : Hmm! Lekin, ratio dekhiye na madam. 10 me se 8 logo ne yahi kaha hai ki unhe andar jaane tak nahi diya gaya. Unhe waha se bhaga diya gaya tha.

Trisha (frowns) : Hmm!!!

Shekhar : Aur, ek kamaal ki cheez aapko dikhata hu.

Trisha : ???

Shekhar : Ye padhiye! Mirror gallery me jo samagri ka istemal hua tha woh official dealers dwara bheji hi nahi gayi thi. Inhone khud confirm kiya hai, social media par. Kehne ka matlab ye hai ki ye event official organisers dwara nahi set kiya gaya tha.

Trisha : Aur, aise me uss Slogan ka waha hona. Kya tum ye kehna chaah rahe ho ki iss sab ke peechhe wahi tha?

Shekhar : Ho sakta hai!

Trisha : Lekin, iss se uski maut ka kya sambandh?

Shekhar : Ho sakta hai ki ye mirror gallery ki ghatna se hi kuchh shuru hua ho?

Trisha : Ye mirror gallery akhir hai kya?

Shekhar : Maine inhe officially dhoondh liya hai. Kuchh photos dikhata hu aapko. Ye dekhiye-!!! Kisi prakar ki pradarshni hoti hai jaha par alag-alag prakar ke mirrors hote hai. Arey, woh movie wagarah me dekhte hai na hum-

Trisha : Tumhara matlab fun house? Carnival wagarah me jo hote hai?

Shekhar (nods) : Haan!! Jinme humara akaar badla hua nazar aata hai. Kuchh me hum mote dikhte hai, kuchh me patle.

Trisha : Samajh gayi! Lekin, Slogan ka waha hona ek ittefaq bhi toh ho sakta hai.

Shekhar : Par, saath hi me iss Mirror Gallery ka illegal tareeke se organise hona? Kya woh bhi ek ittefaq tha madam?

Trisha (nods) : Hmm! Tumne sahi kaha, Shekhar! Kuchh gadbad toh zaroor hai. Mujhe iske baare me aur chhaan-been chaahiye. Mirror gallery se sambandhit sab kuchh chhaan maaro. Aur, Slogan ko iske theek baad kaha-kaha dekha gaya, uska bhi pata lagao.

Shekhar : Ji madam!!

Trisha (mutters) : Chaahe ye murder ke cases ho ya fir Slogan Aatish ki rehesyamayi maut. Mein inn dono raazo par se parda utha ke rahungi!!!

Apne aap se yeh dridh nishchay kar, woh kamre se baahar nikal gayi.

***

Casa Belle,
Unicard accessed suite,
Morning - 10:40 AM ~

Unicard dwara praapt kiye gaye iss aalishan suite me fizool-kharchi ki gandh aa rahi thi. Crystals ke jhoomaro ne kamre ko sunehri chamak se bhar rakha tha, jo polish kiye gaye sangmarmar ke farsh aur alankrit furniture par pratibimb ho rahi thi.

Resham ka kurta pehne aur makhmali shawl lapete — Dhananjay Singh, ek chamde ki kursi par baitha hua tha aur mehngi cognac se bhara glass halke-halke chalan me ghuma raha tha. Uske sone ke kangan har harqat ke saath baj rahe the, jo uski virasat me mili sampatti aur shakti ka prateek tha.

Deewar par lage vishal se TV screen par mand awaaz me samachar chal rahe the, jiski tim-timaati raushni uske teekhe nain-naksh par chamak rahi thi. Unn aankhon me shaant krodh ubaal le raha tha. Kamre ka mahaul ekdum tanaav-poorn tha.

Bhale hi Veer ne Harikiran aur Bhanu Partap Singh ko maut ke ghaat utaar ke unka ghar gaav waalo ki nigrani me saunp diya tha. Kintu, Dhananjay ke lautne ke baad halaat thode badal chuke the. Beetein barso me kamaya gaya saara kaala dhan aaj bhi uski hi jebo me tha. Kul milake, aaj ki tareekh me uske paas atyadhik paisa tha.

*Knock* *Knock*

Darwaze par achanak hui dastak ne shaanti todi. Dhananjay ne jhunjhla kar apni bauhe chadhaayi.

Dhananjay : Kaun hai bey???

Darwaza jhijhakte hue ek aadmi ne khola aur thodi ukhdi hui saans ke saath usne andar jhaaka. Prateet ho raha tha jaise woh bhaag ke aaya tha.

Dhananjay : Achha! Tu? Saala, maai ka chode theek se peene bhi na det tumre log!!! Aa!! Andar, aa!!!

Woh aadmi andar aaya. Dikhne me toh hatta-katta par apne sarkar ke saamne aate hi uski hekdi nikal chuki thi aur kaafi ghabraya hua bhi lag raha tha.

Aadmi : S-Sarkar-!!! Ek badi khabar mili hai.

Dhananjay ne dheere se glass ko mej par rakha aur apni kursi par seedha ho gaya.

Dhananjay (coldly) : Agar, khabar humra samay ka barbaadi karan waali hui, toh uu ka nateeja tum jaani na???

Aadmi ne apne gale me atke hue thook ko nigla aur himmat kar haan me sarr hilaaya.

Aadmi : H-Humne pata laga liya hai, Sarkar! Jisne saahab aur bade saahab ko maara tha. Uss Veer ka karobar yaha Mumbai me hi hai.

Dhananjay : Hmm??

Aadmi : Ek hotel hai — Prestige naam se. Udhar use aate-jaate kayi baar dekha gaya hai. Aur, kuchh khaane ke trucks bhi chalwata hai woh. Aur, ek aur khabar mili hai sarkar... 31 december ko koi naya karobar bhi shuru karne waala hai shayad.

Dhananjay : Ee ka matlab uu sasuri phone waala banda sach bol raha tha.

Dhananjay ka dhyaan turant hi Damian ke dwara kiye gaye phone call par gaya. Damian ne hi use jataya tha ki Veer ek businessman hai jo Mumbai me apna vyavsay dekhta hai. Usne ye bhi bataya tha ki uski ek hotel hai.

Use chidhaate hue Damian ne use poora sach nahi bataya aur chhaan-been ka kaam Dhananjay ko saunp diya tha. Kintu, aaj Dhananjay ke itne dino se talashi kar rahe pantaro ki mehnat rang laayi. Aur, ye siddh ho gaya ki Damian ne phone par jo baatein kahi thi — woh sach thi.

Baaki, Veer ka naam toh use apni maa se hi pata chal gaya tha. Jab Veer ne Harikiran aur Bhanu Pratap ka safaya kiya tha, tab uski maa ghar par hi thi.

Kamre me khamoshi chhaa hui thi. Dhananjay ke hontho par achanak ek kutil muskaan fel gayi, lekin uski aankhon me siwae dwesh ke alawa aur kuchh nazar nahi aa raha tha.

Dhananjay : Naya karobaar huh??? *grins* Bahut badhiya!!! Ee kutta shayad sochat ba ki humra se khilwad kar ke uu apna jindagi me aage badh jayega? Hahaha!

Woh apni kursi se utha, uski prabhavshali upasthiti ne uske aadmi ko anechhik roop se peechhe hatne par majboor kar diya.

Dhananjay : Hum ee kutte ko uu ki haisiyat yaad dilaaib. Lekin, abhi naahi. Abhi ee sochne do ki uu ka naya karobar ka udghatan bhavya hogi. Humni ke tab hamla karab jab jaa ke har choti, har sapna ke nasht kare ke samay aayi.

Wo kamre ki bhavya khidki ki orr gaya, uski chhaaya kamre me lambi fel gayi. Usne apne haath apni peeth ke peechhe kiye aur bola.

Dhananjay : Sabaas!!! Aisa hi kaam chahiye humka. Jaa!! Aur, har jagah log ke baitha di. Humra har pal ke khabar chaahi — udhghatan kaha hoi, ke aayi, parivar se ke hoi, kaun samay se karyakram shuru hoi, aur kaun samay uu kutta sabse jyada byast aur kamjor hoi. Humra sab kuchh chaahi!

Aadmi ne tezi se sarr hilaaya, uski raahat spasht thi.

Aadmi : J-Jaisa aap kahe, sarkar. Hum har jagah log bitha denge. Aapko ek-ek pal ki khabar milti rahegi.

Dhananjay (turns) : Aur, sunn… Humra ke nirash na kari, hai na? Tum toh jaani ki ee jo abhi chal raha hai na, uu khel naahi hai. Ee to bas shuruwaat hai. Aur, ee lo!!! Humaar taraf se chhota sa tohfa!! Maja kari, pantaro ke saath. Haha!

Kehte hue usne ek 500 ki gaddi mej par patak di. Aadmi ne darte hue haath jod kar rakam uthayi aur haami bhar, salaam thok baahar nikal gaya. Jaise hi darwaza band hua, Dhananjay ne firse apni cognac se bhari glass uthayi aur ghooth lagaane laga.

'Veer…! Tanne laga tu humaar jeevan ujaad ke chenn se jee lega? Tuhaar har sapna ab hum apni ee perro tale kuchalne waala hu.'

***

Ballroom, Casa Belle,
Night - 8:25 PM ~

Aaj ki hi raat Casa Belle ke ballroom ka nazara kuchh asadharan tha. Vishal, jagmagate mehnge jhoomaro ne kamre ko sunehri raushni se bhar rakha tha, aur resham se lipti mejo par taaze orchids saje hue the.




Designer suits aur cham-chamaate gowns me mehman vintage champagne ki chuski lete hue, uniformed waitstaff dwara parose gaye hors d'oeuvres ka aanand lete hue idhar-udhar ghoom rahe the. Raat ki theme — "A Night in Versailles" thi aur hotel ke har kone ko french mahal ki bhavyata jaisa banaya gaya tha — painted fresco backdrops, gold accented décor, aur royalty ke liye upyukt symphony bajaane waala ek live orchestra.




Aadesh Jaisinghani haath me scotch ka glass liye bar ke paas khada tha aur ek santusht muskaan ke saath sthal ka nireekshan kar raha tha. Sab kuchh ekdum sahi lag raha tha ki tabhi uska project manager, Kumar, ek tab haath me lekar jhijakte hue uske paas aaya.

Kumar : S-Sir, hume budget ke baare me charcha karne ki zaroorat hai.

Woh bola. Uski awaaz dheemi thi lekin bheed ke shor me sunane laayak paryapt dridhta rakhi hui thi. Kintu, Aadesh ne uski orr dekhne ki zehmat bhi nahi uthayi.

Aadesh : Budget? Hum sheher me sabse exclusive event host kar rahe hai. Chaaro orr dekho, Kumar. Kya yeh aisi jagah lagti hai jaha budget maayne rakhta hai??

Kumar : S-Sir-!!

Usne bhavya parivesh ki orr ghabrate hue dekhte hue kaha.

Kumar : Akele iss event ka kharcha humaare anumaan se 30% zyada ho chuka hai. Hum free-flowing champagne, michelin-star chefs, aur live orchestra ki peshkash kar rahe hai. Imported decorations aur staff ke extra bonuses jode aur-

Aadesh : Bas!!!!

Woh apna haath uthaate hue akhirkar uski orr muda. Uski teekhi nazar ne Kumar ko chup rehne par majboor kar diya.

Aadesh : Kya tum jaante ho ki yeh event kya darshata hai? Prestige ki strategy ka chori hona aur perfectionism ke saath execute hona. Hum sheher ko dikha rahe hai ki ye kaise kiya jaata hai, Kumar!!! Agar, mein yaha unke ideas ko kuchal du, toh kaun unke hotel me kadam rakhne ki himmat karega??

Kumar : L-Lekin, sir- Humari kamayi kharche ke barabar nahi ho rahi hai. Iss event ki ticket bikri se mushqil se aadhi laagat hi nikaal paayi hai. Aur, 31st December ka gala qareeb aa-

Aadesh : Safalta ke qareeb aa raha hai, Kumar! Safalta ke qareeb!!!

Usne thodi uphaaspoorna hasi ke saath beech me kaha. Uski awaaz dheemi thi lekin shor ko kaat rahi thi.

Aadesh : Kumar!!! Maine tumhe yaha aakdo ke baare me shikayat karne ke liye nahi rakha hai. Maine apne vision ko execute karne ke liye tumhe kaam par rakha hai. Jab kisi raajya ko jeetna ho toh ye chillare nahi ginte — shaasan karte hai!!!

Kumar ke honth sikud gaye, aur usne peechhe hatate hue anichha se sarr hilaaya.

Kumar : Samajh gaya, Sir!!!

Aadesh ne use jhatak kar kharij kar diya, lekin jaise hi Kumar bheed me gaayab hua, uske mann me ek sandeh ka beej ankurit hone laga. Usne apna jabda kasste hue scotch ko nigla.

'Kumar ki baat kahi sahi toh nahi-!? N-Nahi-!!! Maine itna kharcha kiya hai. Fund khatam hone ke bawajood bhi mujhe hazaro firms se investments mil jayegi. M-Magar, ye Veer-!!! Ye haram-khor ab tak khamosh kyu baitha hai???'

Yeh vichaar uske mann me kisi anchaahe mehmaan ki tarah aaya. Usne pichhle dino 25th December ke baare me socha jab Kumar ne cash flow ki giravat ke baare me bataya tha. Christmas ki raat bahut kharcha hua tha. Isme koi shaq nahi tha ki aakdo ne use pareshan kar rakha tha. Magar, woh ye chinta apne staff ke saamne nahi dikha sakta tha.

Upar se uske dwara bheja gaya spy — Ankit, Hotel Prestige me head chef ko barkhast karne ki tarqeeb me bhi vifal ho chuka tha. Aur, kyu na hota? Prestige ki head chef akhir Mukta thi jo Veer ki sewa karne ke liye hi baithi thi. Majbooran, Aadesh ko bas Prestige ki strategies aur plans ko execute karne ki tarqeeb me hi nirbhar hona pad raha tha.

'N-Nahi-!!!'

Usne apne glass ko zorr se bheench liya. Usne inn vichaaro ko apne mann se jhatkaya. Casa Belle, Mumbai ka crown jewel tha. Badi se badi companies yaha invest karne ke liye taiyaar baithi thi. Aaj paisa khatam bhi ho gaya toh kya ho gaya? Ye sab toh sirf temporary tha. Aane waale samay me woh raaj karega.

Aisa soch usne fir se ballroom ke chaaro orr dekha, khud ko vijayee dekhne ke liye majboor kiya. Fir bhi, uski aatmvishvas se bhari muskaan ke peechhe, uske dimag ne Kumar ke shabd ek baar fir dohra diye.

Iss lavish luxury ke peechhe chhipe Casa Belle naamak — ek doobte jahaaj se anibhigya, mehmaano dwara taaliyaan bajaate samay orchestra ka crescendo lagbhag mazakiya sa lag raha tha. Unn bechaaro ko pata hi nahi tha ki iss vilaasita ke peechhe kya chhipa hua tha.

Shayad aane waali daridrita aur diwala?

***

Hotel Prestige,
Night - 10:10 PM ~




Jaise Veer ke virodhi uske liye jaal bichha kar use dhakelne ki tarqeeb bana rahe the, waise hi uske apne parivar jann uske liye uska kandha bann rahe the.

Hotel Prestige ka vishal banquet hall gatividhiyo se gulzar tha. 'Yarnia' ke bhavya launch ki ulti ginti chal rahi thi, aur hall ka har kona tez qadmo, chillaate hue nirdesho aur beech-beech me hilte-dulte equipment ki gad-gadahat se goonj raha tha.

Parivar ne uss sthaan ko rachnatmakta aur arajakta ke kendra me badal diya tha, pratyek sadasya poori tarah se apni zimmedariyo me laga hua tha.

'Yarnia' ko launch karne ke liye Veer ne koi aur venue nahi balki khud Hotel Prestige ko hi chuna tha. Iss se behtar jagah aur kya ho sakti thi? Na sirf hotel ki apni aamdani badhne waali thi balki saath hi saath 'Yarnia' ke liye alag se sthaan ka kharcha karne ki bhi zaroorat nahi thi. Ek teer se do nishaane.

Aur, ye sab staff ki gerr haziri me khud parivar sadasya crew members ke saath karwa rahe the.

Event ki blueprints se dhaki ek badi mej ke paas khadi Bhavna iss toofan ke beech shaanti ka prateek lag rahi thi. Uski paarkhi tez nazro ne baithne ke jatil seating arrangement, aur entrance ki design ko scan kiya. Usne apna bareek aksharo ko padhne waala chashma theek kiya aur oonchi awaaz me boli.

Bhavna (firmly) : Ragini!!! Stage lights ko hume collection ke centerpiece par focus karne ki zaroorat hai. Ye sirf visibility ke baare me nahi hai — it's about making a statement. Mere bete ka naam hoga waha. Uski har detail perfect honi chahiye.

Ragini, jo lighting crew ki dekh-rekh me lagi thi, usne apna sarr hilaya aur baalo ki ek latt kaan ke peechhe le jaate hue boli.

Ragini : Woh toh theek hai, lekin ye Louis ka kya? Uski demands sunn ke doubt ho raha hai ki hum sab ek hi project pe kaam kar rahe hai ya nahi?

Maano jaise apna naam sunte hi, French Designer Louis wahi kamre me hi ghus aaya. Woh Yarnia ke hi khud ke liye banaye gaye kapde aur ek chamakdar scarf pehna hua tha. Bolte samay uske haath naatkeeya dhang se ishara kar rahe the.

Louis : Madame Bhumika!!! Ze fabrics for ze final lineup—zey are not 'ere! I asked for perfection, and zis is what I get?!

Mukhya display rack ke paas khadi Bhumika uski orr mudi, uske bhaav me chidh-chidhahat spasht thi.

Bhumika : Y-Ye kya bol raha hai? Meri kuchh samajh nahi aa raha-!!! Veeeeeerrr!!! Oh god!!!

Louis : Ooo madame!!!! I want ze fabrics!! Fabriccccsss!!!! For ze final line-up!!! Zey are not here!!!!

Jab Bhumika ko samajh aaya ki Louis final line-up ke fabrics ke baare me baat kar raha hai toh usne use samjhaate hue kaha.

Bhumika : H-Hey!! Relax. I’ve already sent the team to pick up the remaining fabrics. It’s Mumbai, not Paris, Louis. Traffic exists here too. *mutters* Aur yahan drama bhi free milta hai.

Tej, jo ek haath me clipboard aur dusre me apna phone pakdi hui thi, woh apni bauhe sikodi aage aayi.

Tej : Louis, calm down. Veeru hired you because you're the best!!!

Louis : Veeru???

Tej (blushes) : Ahh! I-I mean, Veer!!!

Louis : Ohhh!

Tej : If you panic then what about the team? Please, go and ensure that all the social media models are ready for their walk on 31st. Leave the fabrics to me.

Louis thoda jhijhka, par fir ek gehri saans lete hue waha se chala gaya.

---

Wahi hall ke dur ke chhor par, Shweta unn workers ko manage kar rahi thi jo welcoming arch ke paas khade hoke swagat karne waale the. Uske shaant swabhav ke bawajood, uski harqato me thodi ghabrahat nazar aa rahi thi. Ye sab kaam kiye use ab kayi saal ho chuke the. Keval Veer ke liye hi woh isme shaamil ho rahi thi.

'Agar, use pata chalega ki maine kitni madad karwayi hai, toh woh kitna khush hoga na. Bas, yahi toh dekhna hai mujhe. Uski khushi!!!'

Woh apne mann me sochi, ki tabhi unn workers me se ek ne ladkhadaate hue sajavat ka ek hissa gira diya.

Shweta (snaps) : Areyyy?? Savdhani se!!! Ye sirf saaj sajja ke liye nahi hai. Mere bete ki izzat ka sawal hai. Koi bhi galti nahi honi chahiye!!!

Uski narazgi sunn, Bhumika uske paas aayi.

Bhumika (teasingly) : Mom!!! Thoda chill! Yeh log Paris ke nahi hai. Thoda adjust karna seekho!

Shweta : Adjust meri jutti!!! Mere bete ka business hai. Koi truti bardasht nahi karungi mein, Bhumi! Hmph!

Shweta ne apni bitiya ko dekha, par mand-mand wo muskura rahi thi. Yeh sab kuchh Veer ke liye ho raha tha.

---

Isi beech Ragini tech booth par thi, digital screen ke liye simulations run kar rahi thi. Jab usne Veer ke naam aur 'Yarnia' ke brand logo ko pradarshit karne waale display ko dekha toh uska seena garv se chauda ho gaya. Aur, dimag pal bhar ke liye bhatak gaya.

'Kaash, tum yaha hote!!! Jab tum paas hote ho toh sab kuchh kitna asaan lagta hai. Lekin, mein tumse naraz bhi hu!!! Ab tootati jaa rahi hu. Iske pehle ki mein bikhar jau, mujhe jawab dedo Veer-!!!'

Uska dhyaan ek takneeki kharabi ke chalte bhang ho gaya. Saamne display ki screen glitch ke chalte flicker ho rahi thi.

Ragini : Arey? Yeh kya ho raha hai?! Abhi ke abhi fix karo!

Ladka : Ji madam!!!

---

Hungaame ke beech, Tej ne sabhi ka dhyaan kheechne ke liye ek podium par qadam rakha.

Tej (claps) : Suniye, sab log!! Humare paas sirf 48 ghante bache hai. Nahi! Balki, uss se bhi kam! Mom, please zara dekhiye ki guest list seating chart se match ho rahi hai ya nahi? Aur, bhabhi aap-

Ragini : Bhabhi nahi hu mein ab Tejal!!! Bhabhi thi!! I'm a divorcee now!!

Tej : Ugh! P-Par-

Ragini : Didi keh ke bula sakti ho tum. Par, bhabhi nahi. *mutters* Kam se kam tab tak nahi jab tak Veer aur mein-

Tej : Huh? Aapne kuchh kaha kya?

Ragini : N-Nahi! Just call me didi!

Tej : O-Okay! Toh, Ragini didi, aap zara please technical setup ko double check kar lijiye.

Ragini (nods) : Hmm!

Tej : A-Aur, aap-

Shweta (glances) : Hmm?

Tej : Please, chefs ke saath ek baar menu finalize kar lijiye. Aur, Bhumika-

Bhumika : Hmm? Kya hua Tejal?

Tej : VIP entries ko aap dekh lena. Veer ne kaha tha kayi saare VIPs honge. Galtiyo ki koi gunzaish na ho. Ye sab Veer ke liye hum kar rahe hai.

Bhumika : Don't worry! I know!

Kamre me oorja badal gayi, har kisi ko ek naye uddeshya ki anubhooti mehsoos hone lagi.

---

Jaise-jaise raat gehri hoti gayi, afra-tafri ke beech parivar jaldi-jaldi chai peene ke liye ikhatta hua. Suman aur Sonali badi hi lagan se sabke khaane peene ka dhyan rakhne me lagi hui thi. Woh dono baaki kaamo me toh maahir nahi thi, isliye khaan-paan ka zimma unhone hi utha liya.

Bhavna (sips) : Chai bahut achhi bani hai, Suman! *smiles*

Suman (smiles) : Dhanyavad didi!

Sonali : Biscuits aur namkeen bhi hai. Lijiye na!!!

Bhavna : Haan haan! Bilkul!

Tej (smiles) : Veeru yaha hota toh sab kuchh dekh ke khush ho jaata na?

Bhavna : Filhal woh yaha nahi hai. Aur, sab hume hi sambhalna hai.

Bhumika (nods) : Right!

Tej : Woh toh mujhse bas keh ke gaya tha ki, "Teju di! Sambhal lena." Usne itne bharose se kaha tha. Mein uski har umeed par khadi utarna chaahti hu.

Bhumika (whispers) : Aisa lagta hai uski har chhoti baat pe dhyan dena meri zimmedari bann gayi hai. Jab woh yahaan nahi hota, sab kuchh adhura lagta hai.

Tej : Eh? Aapne kuchh kaha kya?

Bhumika (fumbles) : Wh-What?? Ahn! N-Nahi!!! *blushes* M-Mein bhi wahi soch rahi thi jo tum soch rahi thi.

Tej : O-Oh!

Shweta : Mein toh bas yahi chaahti hu ki woh mujhe maa maane.

Bhavna (smirks) : Maanta toh hai! Shweta maa keh ke pukara jo tha usne!

Shweta : Hmph! Aise nahi-!! Jis din tumse zyada woh mujhe maanega, mere liye wahi sabse bada launch hoga.

Bhavna (giggles) : Fufu~

Shweta : Kya hass kya rahi ho?

Bhavna (smiles) : Kuchh nahi! Bas yuhi!!

Shweta : Aayega ek din. Dekh lena tum!

Bhavna (smiles) : Zaroor!

Asamanya roop se chup, Ragini ne apni chai ki orr dekha, uske vichaar niji the lekin Veer ke liye uska pyaar spasht tha. Woh uss se naraz thi magar fir bhi woh yaha apni jee-jaan laga ke mehnat kar rahi thi. Veer ke liye woh kuchh bhi kar sakti thi. Aur, ye toh kuchh bhi nahi tha.

Aadhi raat ho chuki thi aur hall me abhi bhi hal-chal jaari thi. Lekin, har kone, har kaarya aur har vichar me Veer ki upasthiti thi jo unhe aage badhte rehne ke liye prerna de rahi thi.

***

Idhar kareeban raat ke 11 baj rahe the aur car Lonavla ki orr jaane waali ghumaavdar sadko par tezi se aage badh rahi thi, raat ki halki thandi hawa ardh khuli khidkiyo se fisal kar andar aa rahi thi.

Satara me ki gayi investigation se unhe zyada kuchh haath nahi laga tha aur ab woh sabhi Lonavla ki orr nikal rahe the.

Veer driver seat par baitha drive kar raha tha, uski aankhein saamne sadak par kendrit thi, aur engine ki gadgadahat iss sannaate ko dur kar rahi thi.




Divya, passenger seat par baithi thi, apne phone par bina soche samjhe scroll karti jaa rahi thi, jabki Ava peechhe baithi khidki se baahar dekh rahi thi, halanki uska dimag guzarte drishyo se koso dur tha.

Veer (chuppi todte hue) : Toh, Divya! Miss Suhana ko kya pasand hai?

Iss achanak se aaye sawal ne dono mahilao ko chaunka diya. Divya ne bauhe upar uthaate hue apne phone se upar dekha, jabki Ava ka sarr ek jhatke me aage ki orr muda, uska dhyan turant hi iss baat-cheet ki orr aakarshit ho utha.

Divya (carefully) : Suhana? Kyu? Tum kyu poochh rahe ho ye?

Veer ne yuhi apne kandhe uchkaye, lekin uske swar me kuchh soch-vichar ki jhalak thi.

Veer : Unka birthday next month aa raha hai. Mein iss baar unhe kuchh khaas gift karna chaahta hu. Tum unki closest friend ho. Toh, laga ki tum sabse behtar jaanti hogi.

Divya ne palke jhapkayi, shan bhar ke liye use samajh hi nahi aaya ki woh kaisi pratikriya de. Toh, wahi peechhe chup-chaap baithi Ava ne apni mutthi bheench li, uske dil ki dhadkane tez ho gayi.

Divya (curiously) : Hmm? Tum kab se logo ke birthdays ki parvah karne lage, Veer? Mere liye toh kabhi aise gifts nahi laaye. Ek minute! Tumhe mera b'day pata bhi hai kab aata hai???

Veer : Ahem-!!! Umm-

Divya (yells) : What the hell, Veer? Seriously???

Veer : Wait!!! Tumne mujhe kabhi bataya hi nahi!!!

Divya : Arey, toh poochhoge toh bataungi na? Aise gaati thodi firungi, ki ye raha mera b'day. Ye lo dimaag me chipka lo. Ye iss din aata hai. Iss din mein manaati hu.

Veer : Alright! Alright! Ahem! Hey, calm down! Samajh gaya. Toh-

Divya : ??

Veer : Kab hai birthday???

Divya : ...

Veer : ...

[Oh, master!!!]

Divya (screams) : For fuck sake, it's 30th March, Veer!!! Yaad rakhna!! 30th March!! You got it???

Veer : Haan haan! Chill! I got it!!!

Divya : And, you better bring a gift for me.

Veer (chuckles) : Zaroor!!!

Woh dheere se muskuraya.

Divya : Wait! T-Tumhara b'day kab tha?

Veer : Wow~

Divya (blushes) : Seedhe-seedhe batao, jaldi.

Veer : 24th October.

Achanak hi ek khamoshi chhaa gayi. Kyunki, Divya ko ye gyaat hi nahi tha ki Veer ka 24 tareekh ko janmdin tha aur usne woh miss kar diya.

Divya : Oh god! Oh god, no! I'm so sorry-!!! Tumhare b'day par maine tumhe wish bhi nahi kiya aur-

Tabhi, use yaad aaya ki usne Veer ko haal hi me ek blowjob di thi.

Divya (blushes) : But, hey- At least, maine tumhe ek gift toh de hi diya. So, that compensates for everything.

Veer bhi halka sa sharma gaya. Woh jaanta tha Divya kis gift ki baat kar rahi thi.

Veer : Ahem! *smiles* Waise- Rahi baat birthdays ki toh mein aam taur par aisa nahi karta. I'm not a 'celebration' type, you know. Lekin, Miss Suhana... Unhone mere liye bahut kuchh kiya hai. I want her to feel appreciated, that's all!

Ye shabd jaise kisi chhuri ki tarah dono mahilao ke dilo par jaa ke lage. Divya ko kisi aisi cheez ki peeda mehsoos hui jise veh spasht roop se samajh na saki — kya yeh jalan thi? Ya bechaini? Toh wahi, Ava ki chinta gambheer roop se badh gayi.

Divya (teasingly, but probing) : Appreciated, huh? What exactly are you planning, Mr. Thoughtful?

Veer (smiles) : Kuchh nahi, seriously. Isliye, toh tumse poochh raha hu. Any ideas?

Divya vichar karte hue peechhe ko jhuk gayi.

Divya (thoughtfully) : Suhana ko art pasand hai, Veer. Woh rare paintings ikhatta karti hai — mostly abstract. Aur, woh classical music instruments ki deewani hai, khaas kar live orchestra ki. Lekin... *pauses, looks at him* Tum kuchh bada karne ke baare me soch rahe ho, hai na?

Veer (eyes still on the road) : Ho sakta hai!

Veer ye baat jaanta tha ki Suhana art paintings ki shaukeen thi. Uske kamre me jab woh pehli dafa daakhil hua tha toh usne interior decoration me kayi abstract paintings ko dekha tha. Lekin, woh iss se kuchh badhiya use dena chaahta tha.

Idhar peechhe Ava, apni jigyasa ko rok paane me asamarth thi, thoda aage ki orr jhukte hue usne akhir poochh hi liya.

Ava (hesitates) : Suhana… she seems important to you.

Veer ne use rear view mirror me dekha, uske bhaav ko padh paana mushqil tha.

Veer : She is!!! She's been through hell aur uske bawajood woh ab tak khadi hui hai. I admire that!

Ye sunte hi Ava ko apne seene me ek ajeeb sa dard mehsoos hua. Veer ki awaaz me Suhana ke liye prashansa bahut vyaktigat, bahut gehri lag rahi thi.

Divya : Iske pehle Suhana ko lekar tumne mujhse toh koi charcha nahi ki. Aur, ab ye achanak se. Kuchh chal raha hai kya tum dono ke beech me jiske baare me mujhe pata hona chaahiye? Heh!?

Usne muskuraate hue kaha, halanki uske swar me irshya saaf-saaf jhalak rahi thi.

Veer (chuckles) : Faaltu baatein imagine mat karo. She's married for fuck sake, Divya. Woh meri sabse khaas dost hai. *smiles* Humara rishta... Thoda complicated hai, lekin woh meri achhi dost hai isme koi shaq nahi.

Relationship complicated? Aur, friends? Ye dono shabd theek se sahi nahi baith rahe the. Divya ka mann Veer ke saath bitaaye apne palo me ghoom gaya — saath me hassna, lambe samay tak chalne waala sparsh, woh lamhe, aur ek ankaha bandhan.

Woh akeli nahi thi. Ava ke khud ke vichar bhi ghoomne lage, usne Veer aur Suhana ke beech ke lamho ko yaad kiya, unki har baat-cheet ko dohraya, aur ab woh iss sandeh par aa gayi ki jitna usne socha tha uss se kahi adhik Veer aur Suhana ke beech kuchh chal raha tha.

Ava (tentatively) : Kis tarah ke gift ke baare me soch rahe ho, Veer? Aisa har din nahi hota ki tum iss tarah ki kisi cheez par advice maango.

Veer ne steering wheel par apni ungliyaan thap-thapayi, uska swar vicharpoorna tha.

Veer : Kuchh meaningful. Kuchh aisa jo unhe yaad dilaaye ki woh akeli nahi hai.

Uttar Ava ki expectation se bhi baahar nikla. Woh apni seat par waapas tik gayi, uske haath uski jacket ke kinaare ko jakde hue the. Iss beech, Divya ne bhi apni bechaini chhupayi aur boli.

Divya : Well, good luck aisa kuchh dhoondhne ke liye jo tumhari demands me fit baithe. Suhana ko impress karna next to impossible hai, tum jaante ho na?

Veer ne ek halki si muskaan dete hue use dekha.

Veer : It's okay! Koi baat nahi! I’ll manage. *mutters* I always do.

Ava apne seene me ek gaath kasti hui mehsoos karne se khud ko na rok paayi. Woh uss se cheenkh ke poochhna chaahti thi — Kyu Suhana??? Koi aur kyu nahi?? Woh kyu nahi? Lekin, shabdo ne baahar aane se inkaar kar diya.

Bhala kis muh se poochhti? Usne ateet me jo kuchh kiya, uske baad Veer use apne ird-gird rehne ki anumati de raha tha yahi bahut tha uske liye. Lekin, peeda toh ho rahi thi. Woh chhoti si muskan bikherne par majboor ho gayi. Uska mann bechain vicharo se joojhne laga.

Car me thodi der ke liye ek sannata chhaa gaya, tanaav itna gehra tha ki uska bhaar mehsoos ho raha tha. Divya ne khidki se baahar dekha, uski ungliyaan uske phone par thirak rahi thi kyunki uske dimag me Suhana ki chhavi umad rahi thi. Usne abhi ye Suhana se ujagar bhi nahi kiya tha ki woh Mumbai me kayi dino se bani hui hai.

Divya (softly) : Use samajhna asaan nahi hai, Veer. Suhana... bahut complicated hai. Aur, naazuk bhi. Bhale hi woh ise accept na kare. Par, yahi sach hai.

Veer : I know!! Isliye, mein unke liye iss baar kuchh karna chaahta hu.

Divya ne haath modte hue ek aah bhari.

Divya (murmurs) : Just be careful, Veer! She's been hurt enough.

Ava ne Divya ke shabdo ke wazan ko mehsoos kar khidki se baahar dekha, uski chhaati me dard aur adhik badh gaya.

Akhir, Suhana me aisa kya tha jo Veer ko uske prati itna caring bana raha tha?

[You have fallen for him, Miss.]

'I-'

[Please, ab accept kar lijiye. You love him!]

'A-Aisa nahi hai, Lily! Mein bas-'

[Toh, kya aapko ye sunn ke achha lag raha hai? Achha lagta hai ki woh Suhana ke liye itni parvah karta hai? Achha laga tha jab maine uss din bataya tha ki woh aur Divya petrol pump par ek saath kahi dur gaye the?? Achha laga tha???]

'Nahiiiiiii-!!!!!!'

Woh mann me hi cheenkhi.

[Toh, fir? Qubool kyu nahi kar leti ki aap Veer se-!!]

'Haan!! Haan, mein uss se pyaar karti hu. Ho gaya hai mujhe uss se pyaar!!! Yahi sunana tha na tumhe, Lily!?? I love him!! Haan, maine use betray kiya tha. Haan, maine use maut ke muh me dhakela tha. Aur, haan uske baad bhi mein besharmo ki tarah uss se pyaar karne lagi hu. Aur, badle me uss se pyaar ki umeed bhi karti hu. I'm shameless!!! Yahi sunana tha na tumhe, Lily?? Toh suno!! I LOVE HIM!!! I WANT HIM!!! AND, IT FUCKING HURTS EVERYTIME I SEE HIM WITH ANY OTHER GIRL!!! IT HURTS!!!'

[...]

'Ab khamosh kyu ho gayi ho tum? Tumhe yahi toh sunana tha na? Kar liya maine accept. I love him!!! Aur, isliye nahi ki mein guilt feel karti hu uske liye. Balki, isliye kyunki woh ekmaatra ladka tha jo meri life me aaya aur jisne mujhe ek aam insaan ke roop me dekha.'

[??]

'Uske mann me koi chhal-kapat nahi tha, koi grudge nahi, koi ego nahi aur na hi koi lust. Woh pehli baar tha jab Dad ko khone ke baad maine apna din kisi ladke ke saath itna enjoy kiya tha. He was the first man!!! The first man to make my heart race!!! That night- I remember-!! But, guess what? Mein waha use frame karne ke liye thi. I framed him!!! He almost died!!'

[...]

'But thank god he came back. Seeing him come back was the happiest moment of my life. Mom ko khone ka dukh hua. Lekin, woh dukh dheere-dheere fir acceptance me badal gaya. Dil ne maan liya ki duniya se gaya hua insaan wapas nahi aa sakta. Par, Veer??? Uss betrayal ka dar meri neend haram kiye hue hai. It's a nightmare for me!!!'

[...]

'Aur, iss sab ke bawajood woh mujhpe bharosa kar mujhe yaha leke aaya. Mujhe apne paas rakhe hue hai. Kaun ho sakta hai aisa?? Tell me!!! Kaise maang rakhu uss se ab ki woh mujhe pyaar kare?? Kya mera haq hai? Kya mein hu uss auhde pe? Kya hai meri haisiyat?? Kaise???'

Ek aasu ki boond uski aankhon se fisalte hue giri. Usne fauran hi apni palke jhapka ke aankhein band kar li.

[Finally!]

'???'

[You accepted. *smiles* Aur, ab jab aapne accept kar liya hai my dear, then allow me to help you.]

'Huh?'

[Mein madad karungi. Lekin, abhi ke liye. Iss jalan ko dur karo. Mujhe yaha tak mehsoos ho rahi hai.]

'Shut up *sniff*!!!'

[Haha!]

Aur, isi tarah shesh yaatra chhoti-moti baat-cheet ke saath jaari rahi, lekin ankaha tanaav bana raha. Dono mahilaaye alag-alag kaarano se, Suhana ke baare me sochne par majboor thi —aur yeh ki Veer ke dil me uski kya jagah thi.

---

Car Lonavla ki halki dhundh bhari pahadiyo ke beech sthit ek shandar boutique hotel ke driveway me chali gayi. Imaarat garm, sunehri raushni se chamak rahi thi.




Veer ne gaadi park ki aur Divya aur Ava ki orr mudne se pehle khud ko thoda sa stretch karte hue baahar nikla.

Veer : Let's call it a night here. Hum subah fresh tareeke se shuruwat karenge.

Divya (glances at the elegant facade of the hotel) : Tum iske baare me sure ho na?? You know, thoda... Mehnga lag raha hai sirf ek raat rukne ke liye.




Veer (smiles) : Samajh lo ki meri belated b'day party ki treat hai. Aur, agar nahi chahiye, toh mein iska kharcha tumhare FBCC ke investigation fund me daal sakta hu.




Ava (smirks & steps out) : Investigation ya vacation fund???

Veer ne hasste hue unn dono ke bags peechhe boot space se nikaale.

Veer : Come! Raat bahut ho gayi hai.

Wo hotel ki lobby me daakhil hue, jaha ek bhavya jhoomar ne uss sthaan ko mand raushni se raushan kar rakha tha. Receptionist, ek aakarshak yuvak, tailored suit pehne, peshevar muskan liye unka swagat kiya.

Receptionist : Hillcrest me aapka swagat hai. Mein iss waqt aapki kya sahayta kar sakta hu?

Veer : Hume aaj ki raat ke liye teen rooms chahiye.

Receptionist (checks the system) : Bilkul, sir. Humare paas premium rooms available hai. Kya aapko rooms agal-bagal me chahiye?

Divya (interjects) : Ji! Ye ho jayega toh achha hoga.




Receptionist : Bilkul! Koi issue nahi. Kya mujhe booking ke liye aapki details mil sakti hai?

Veer sabhi formalities complete karne me lag gaya aur Ava poori lobby ko scan karne lagi, uski tez nazre har detail par nazar rakh rahi thi. Hotel premiumness se ot-prot thi.

Jaise hi unhe apne kamro ki chaabiyaan mili toh wo lift ki orr chal diye. Unke beech ka tang mahaul ab halka ho chuka tha.

Veer : Alright! Toh, plan ye hai ki — abhi araam se so jao, subah hum sab naashte ke liye ikhatta honge aur fir last investigation ke liye chalenge.

Divya (leaning against the elevator wall) : Sounds good! Lekin, kaash beds utne hi aramdayak nikle jitna ki yeh jagah dikh rahi hai.

Ava : Aur, agar nahi nikle toh mein saara blame Veer par daalne waali hu. Tum hi yaha leke aaye hume.

Veer : Oh, come on. Since when have I let you down?

Ava : Want the list alphabetically or chronologically?

Divya hasi, aur Veer bhi hasey bina na reh saka. Magar, jaise hi woh lift se baahar nikle toh Veer dabi awaaz me ye kehne se na choonka.

Veer (whispers) : Oh really? Jaw Long ko kisne head on engage kiya tha?

Ava (smiles) : Jab tum so rahe the tab kaun uss se ladd raha tha?

Veer (smiles) : So, we got each other's back?

Ava : I only know one thing.

Veer : Hmm??

Ava : I've got your back!!!

Veer : *smiles*

Woh sabhi shaant corridor se hote hue apne kamro ki orr gaye. Alag hone ke baad, Veer ne apna bag apne kamre ke bed par fek diya. Khidki ke saamne jhuk kar dhundh se dhaki pahadiyo ko usne ek baar dekha. Sab kuchh shaant tha.

---

Toh wahi, Divya apne bistar ke kinaare par baithi thi, uska phone haath me tha. Usne apna WhatsApp khola lekin kuchh bhi type karne me jhijak rahi thi. Car me hui baat-cheet uske dimaag me ghoom rahi thi aur uske chehre par ek ajeeb si udaasi chhayi hui thi.

'Veer, Suhana ke birthday ko lekar itna invested kyu hai? Usne pehle toh kabhi aisa nahi kiya. Fir, ye achanak se kyu-?'

Usne apna sarr hilaate hue phone neeche rakh diya.

'Zyada sochna band karo, Divya!!! You're better than this.'

Lekin, andar hi andar woh bechaini ki bhavna ko dur na kar saki.

---

Idhar, Ava bhi apne kamre me daaye se baaye, baaye se daaye ghoom rahi thi.

'Suhana... Just how close are they??? It's bothering me so much!!!'

Woh baithi, apne baalo me haath firayi. Baat jab Veer ki ho toh uski aisi haalat ho jaati thi.

'Get it together, Ava!! Mission par dhyaan do!!'

Lekin, uski laakh koshisho ke baad bhi, Suhana ka naam lete waqt Veer ki woh muskan ki chhavi uske dimaag se na hatt saki.

---

Back in Veer’s Room~

Veer desk par baitha tha aur uska laptop khula hua tha. Satara investigation ek nirasha-janak jaanch-padtal saabit hui thi. Woh abhi sone hi jaa raha tha jab uske phone ke notification ki ghanti baji. Aur, jab usne dekha toh paaya ki ghar se hi use messages aaye hue the.

Tej ke kayi saare messages dale hue the. Unhe dekhte hi usne reply dena shuru kiya.







Jab Tej se baat-cheet samapt hui ki tabhi itne me Arohi ka use message aa gaya. Aur, kuchh shano ke liye Veer uss se vartalap karne lag gaya.










Veer ne ek aah bhar phone alag rakha. Aur, mission par dhyaan diya.

'Pari!! Mission ki time limit kitni bachi hai?'

*Ding*

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

Mission failure penalty : Loss of loved ones.]

'Do din!! Kya do din me kuchh ho bhi payega? Mein ye mission hargiz fail nahi hone de sakta.'

[Yes, master. Shayad kal tak hume koi bada clue mil jaaye.]

'Hope so!'

***

Ministry of Food and Health,
Conference Room,
New Delhi,
Morning - 9:00 AM ~

Conference room me sooraj ki kirane chaudi khidki se chhan kar polished oak table par pad rahi thi. Officials, nutritionists, aur health experts ka ek samooh apni-apni seat par baith kar reports chhaan raha tha. Aaj unki charcha ka mudda tha — Veer Singh ka Hourglass Method!

Dr. Mehta (Senior Nutritionist) : Toh, iss naujavan, Veer Singh ne apni Hourglass Method se ek toofan khada kar diya hai. Social media pe viral ho rakhi hai video. Lekin, kya yaha koi vastav me jaanta hai ki yeh ladka hai kaun?

Ms. Kapoor (Junior Official) : Mujhe jo pata chala hai woh ye hai ki woh Mumbai me food trucks ki chain — 'Chef on wheels' ka maalik hai. Zahir taur par, uske food trucks fast food ke healthier versions ko serve karne ke liye jaane jaate hai, aur woh ek local celebrity bhi hai. Fufu~

Mr. Sharma (Panel Head) : Food trucks? Aur, ab woh desh ko dietary habits par salaah de raha hai? *smirks* Not sure how qualified he is for that.

Dr. Rao (Epidemiologist) : Iske pehle ki hum ise kharij kare, aao na ek baar iss method par nazar daalte hai. Hourglass method humari Indian dietary habits ko balance karne par focused hai — subah bharpet naashta, dopahar me halka khaana aur controlled lekin fulfilling dinner. Japanese inverted triangle ke vipreet, yeh humare culture ke anuroop hai. Yeh aisi cheez hai jiski hume varsho se talaash thi.

Dr. Mehta : Lekin, 'execution' woh jagah hai jaha par yeh method ladkhada jaati hai. Jo mujhe dikh raha hai, uske anusaar — hourglass ka nichla hissa ye suggest kar raha hai ki jitna vyakti ne breakfast me bhojan liya hai, utna hi woh raat me le sakta hai. Jo ki bilkul galat hai. Yeh tabhi mumkin hai jab har aadmi swasth ho. Par, har aadmi ke saath aisa nahi hai. Bahut se logo ko raat me kam khaane ki salaah doctors dete hai. Kya ek average Indian ko pata bhi hai ki 'healthy' ka matlab kya hota hai?

Ms. Kapoor : Usne apne social media post par ise define kiya hai — whole grains, lentils, vegetables, fruits, nuts. Koi bhi fried or processed food nahi.

Mr. Sharma : Fir bhi, log iski apni tarah se vyakhya kar lenge. Woh ye bhi soch sakte hai ki dher saare makkhan ke saath daba ke dher saare parathe khaana bhi healthy hai.

Dr. Rao (chuckles) : Hahahaha! Ekdum sahi kaha, Sharmaji! Lekin, yahi par toh awareness campaigns kaam me aate hai.

Ms. Kapoor : Bilkul! Uske food trucks pehle se hi aise meals ko promote kar rahe hai. Woh breads ki jagah millet-based wraps ka istemal kar rahe hai, fried snacks ko baked alternatives se badal rahe hai. Uska influence bahut kuchh change laa sakta hai.

Dr. Rao : Logo ka toh pata nahi, par lagta hai aap kaafi influenced hai, Miss Kapoor. Hahaha!!!

Ms. Kapoor : Ah! Fufu~ Shayad?

Dr. Rao : Waise aapko itna kaise pata iske food trucks ke baare me?

Ms. Kapoor : I think maine Tamanna ke ek episode me dekha tha. She's very talented.

Dr. Rao : Ah! Tamanna! That host- Right! Right!

Mr. Khurana (Policy Analyst) : Woh sab toh theek hai par economic impact ka kya? Uske trucks ek specific area ko hi cover karte hai. Urban middle-class, right? Kya yahi model rural areas aur low-income groups ke beech work karega?

Dr. Rao : Hum scalability ke liye ise modify kar sakte hai — regional food items, cheaper alternatives. Millet instead of quinoa. Concept solid hai, bas thoda fer-badal karne ki zaroorat hai.

Mr. Sharma : Aur, criticism ka kya? Yeh ek trend jaisa hai. And, trends fade. Kya hum kisi aisi cheez ka samarthan karne ka jokhim utha sakte hai jo bhavishya me shayad tikne hi nahi waali?

Dr. Mehta : True. Lekin, hume iske positive points ko ignore nahi karna chahiye. Isne badhte motaape aur diabetes se joojh rahe desh me swasth khaan-paan ki aadato ke baare me pehle hi charcha shuru kar di hai. Yeh koi chhoti baat nahi hai.

Ms. Kapoor : Exactly! Aur, janta Veer Singh par bharosa karti hai — he's relatable not some distant health guru. Hume policies aur logo ke beech ki doori ko kam karne ke liye Veer jaise logo ki hi zaroorat hai.

Mr. Sharma (leans back) : Toh, faisla kya hai? Approve it as it is? Or make amendments?

Dr. Rao : Amendments. Let’s make it inclusive — grameen ahaar ko apnaaye, portion control par zor de, 'health' ke liye clear guidelines set kare. Fir, nationwide ise test karne se pehle, regional area me test kare.

Ms. Kapoor : Aur, hume iss Veer Singh se milna hoga. Woh iss poore method ka chehra hai. Uska perspective maayne rakhta hai.

Mr. Sharma : Agreed! Use ek official invite bheji jaaye. I'd like to hear from the man himself.

Jaise hi meeting samapt hui, panel ke sadasyo ne ek sur me sarr hilaaya. Unhe thodi bahut aapatti thi, lekin woh Hourglass Method ke prabhav se inkaar nahi kar sakte the. Veer Singh, iss method ko unke darwaze tak laa diya tha, aur wo avashyak badlavo ke saath ise aage le jaana chaahte the.

Jaise hi ek junior official nimantran ka ek draft taiyar karne ke liye conference room ke baahar dauda, sabhi sadasya bhi waha se vida le liye. Iss poore prakran me Tamanna ek adrishya zor bann ke aayi thi.

Kintu, wahi adrishya zor iss waqt khud kisi musibat me phasi hui thi, ye koi na jaanta tha.

***

Universal Studios, Singapore,
Noon - 2:34 PM ~




Theme park ka shor infectious tha. Baccho ki hasi carnival sangeet ki jhankaar ke saath mili hui thi, aur cotton candy, popcorn ki sugandh hawa me bhar rakhi thi.

"Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaa~"

"Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaa~"

Shreya aur Aabha ek roller coaster par sawar thi, jaisi hi sawari neeche giri aur patri par ghoomi, unki khushi aur thodi dar se mishrit cheenkhein goonj uthi.




Tamanna ride ke kinaare neeche khadi hui thi, unki orr haath hilaate hue uske hontho par halki si muskaan thi.

Beetein mahino me woh Aabha aur Shreya itne qareeb aa gaye the ki ab teeno ek dusre se alag hone ke baare me vichaar bhi nahi kar sakte the. Tamanna ke saath-saath Aabha aur Shreya ke followers bhi social media par din-ba-din badhte jaa rahe the.

Tamanna khush thi, lekin andar hi andar uske mann me tanaav ka bhavar bana hua tha. Usne khud ko yeh samjhaane me kayi hafte laga diye ki woh Aadesh ki chhaaya se mukt ho chuki hai.

Parantu, jaise hi uski aankhein bheed ke ek samooh par ghoomi, uske hontho se muskaan gayab ho gayi. Ek vyakti, kayi feet dur khada hua tha, uska sarr jhuka hua tha, jaise ki woh bheed ka adhyayan kar raha ho. Magar, Tamanna ne use turant hi pehchan liya — sharp jawline, uski jacket ke collar ke neeche se baahar aata tattoo. Aadesh ke aadmiyon me se ek!

Uska dil uske pait me aa gaya, ghabrahat ke maare uski chhati upar-neeche hone lagi, lekin usne apne bhaav tatasth rakhe.

'N-Nahi! Yaha nahi! Abhi nahi! Please!'

Usne dusri orr dekha, uska dimag tezi se daud raha tha.

'Y-Ye aadmi yaha kaise?? K-Kahi, Aadesh ko pata toh nahi chal gaya? N-Noo!'

Uss aadmi ne koi halchal nahi ki, lekin uski nazre bheed par tiki hui thi aur kahi aur dekhne ke naatak karne se pehle, shan bhar ke liye Tamanna par tik gayi.

*Badump*

Tamanna ko laga jaise woh abhi wahi ladkhada ke gir jayegi. Woh turant mudi, uske haath-perr kaanp rahe the, woh apne phone ko dekhne ke bahaane park ke ek shaant kone ki orr chali gayi.

Ek baar seedhi drishti se baahar nikalne ke baad, usne turant hi contact list me se Veer ke naam par tap kiya aur video call shuru kar di. Uska chehra screen par dar se peela aur tana hua dikhayi de raha tha.

Shan bhar baad hi Veer ka chehra saamne aaya, uski bauhe sikud gayi.

Veer (frowns) : Tamanna? Kya hua?

Tamanna : V-Veer-!!! M-Mujhe lagta hai use pata chal gaya, Veer. Use pata chal gaya. *huff* Aadesh ne mere peechhe aadmi bheje hai. Maine abhi-abhi uske ek aadmi ko yaha dekha.

Uski awaaz kaanp rahi thi. Usne apne kandhe par nazar daali, uski saansein atak ke reh gayi jab usne uss aadmi ko bheed ke beech se guzarte uski disha ki orr aate dekha.

Tamanna (panics) : Ahhhhh!!! W-Woh mera peechha kar raha hai, Veer. Woh mere direction me aa raha hai. Mein wapas se Aadesh ke qabze me nahi jaana chaahti, Veer. Save me! Please, I beg you!!! Save me!!!

Veer ke bhaav ye sunte hi badal gaye. Uske shaant vyavhar me achanak se teevrata aa gayi.

Veer : Shreya aur Aabha kaha hai?

Tamanna (murmurs) : Woh roller coaster par hai. Ride par. Unhe nahi pata. Veer, mein unhe isme fassne nahi de sakti. Mujhe ye bhi nahi pata ki woh mere saath kya karenge. Tumne kaha tha ki tum mujhe uske changul se bacha ke rakhoge. Veer-!! Please!!! Mein haath jodti hu. Save me!!

Veer : Security kaha hai tumhari?

Tamanna : Yaha nahi hai. Naya episode Singapore me shoot hona tha aur iski details kisi ko nahi batayi gayi hai. Ye jankari sirf shooting crew ko hi pata hai. Aur, isliye mein nishchint hoke Aabha aur Shreya ko leke aa gayi.

Veer : Iska matlab tum bina security ke ghoom rahi ho?

Tamanna (nods) : H-Haan!

Veer : Y-You-!!!

Tamanna (sobs) : I-I'm sorry! I know! Sab meri galti hai. *sniff* Please! Mein tumhare haath jodti hu. Mein vaada karti hu mein tumhara har kaam karungi. I don't want to go into that hellhole again. *sniff* Please, Veer!!

Veer : Fine! Fine!! Pehle, lambi saans lo!! Panic karna band karo! Agar, woh tumhe dekh bhi raha hai toh koi dikkat nahi. Act normal! Ab ye batao Aabha aur Shreya se tum kitni dur ho?

Tamanna : W-Woh dono ride par hai. Mein unhe dekh sakti hu.

Usne fusfusaate hue kaha, uski aankhein roller coaster ki orr ghoom rahi thi, jaha Shreya aur Aabha khatre se anjaan hokar has rahi thi.

Veer : Good! Ab jaisa mein kahu, tumhe theek waisa hi karna hai. Ride khatam hote hi Shreya aur Aabha ke paas jao, zyada explain karne ki zaroorat nahi hai, bas itna kehna ki emergency hai aur tum sabko jaana hoga. Sab kuchh casually karna. Don't panic! Seedhe apne hotel ke liye niklo aur kahi bhi nahi rukna. Kuchh khareedne ke liye bhi nahi. Crew ko samjhao ki tum sab ab Mumbai laut rahi ho. Kuchh bhi reason do, woh mein tumhare upar chhorta hu. Kal raat se pehle tum Mumbai aa jaana. Mein apne kuchh aadmi tumhe pick karne bhej dunga.

Tamanna : P-Par, Veer- Usne mujhe dhoondha kaise? Mein Singapore me hi ye jankari siwae crew members ke alawa aur kisi ko nahi pata thi. Use kaise pata chala ki mein yaha hu?

Veer (frowns) : Yahi toh mujhe pata lagana hai. Filhal, tum apni safety par dhyaan do. Iske pehle ki woh aadmi koi qadam uthaaye, use chakma deke waha se nikal jao. Samajh gayi?

Tamanna (nods) : H-Haan! Mein abhi unhe laati hu.

Veer : Aur, Tamanna-

Tamanna : ???

Veer (softly) : Tum akeli nahi ho. Aadesh ko mujhpe chhor do, use mein sambhal lunga. Mujh par bharosa rakho.

Tamanna ne haami bhari, call kaatate samay uski aankhon me aansu aa gaye. Apni ghabrahat ko hataate hue, usne khud ko sambhaala aur wapas roller coaster ki orr mud gayi, uski aankhein Shreya aur Aabha ko talaash rahi thi.

Woh aadmi abhi bhi wahi tha, lekin Tamanna ne uski orr nahi dekha, ye dikhava karte hue ki woh apne vatavaran me poori tarah se khoyi hui hai.

Jaise hi ride ruki, Shreya aur Aabha hasste hue apne hawa me ude baalo ko peechhe ki orr karte hue utar gayi. Tamanna ne dabi muskaan liye unhe ishara kiya.

Tamanna : Change of plans. Hume nikalna hoga. Ek emergency hai.

Shreya (frowns) : Kya hua?

Tamanna : Arey, zyada kuchh nahi. Mein baad me samjhaungi.

Usne apne kandhe par nazar daalte hue kaha. Aadmi abhi bhi ruka hua tha, uski nazre unka peechha kar rahi thi. Tamanna ne Shreya ki baah halke se pakad li.

Tamanna : Chalo chale! Fir samjhaati hu sab kuchh.

Shreya : O-Okay!

Jaise hi wo baahar nikalne ke liye tezi se chale, uska dil zoro se dhadakne laga, har qadam par aisa mehsoos ho raha tha jaise koi rassi uske chaaro orr kassti jaa rahi ho. Usne praarthana ki, ki Veer ki yojna kaam kar jaaye, Aadesh dwara bheja gaya fanda aur kassne se pehle woh usme se baahar nikal jaaye.

***

Somewhere in Mumbai...




Tim-timaate fluorescent bulb ki mand raushni ne ek prayogshala ki thandi, metallic deewaro ko raushan kar rakha tha. Kamra avyavastha ko darsha raha tha. Surgical tools taaza khoon se chamak rahe the, gaadhe laal rang ke taral ki sheeshiyaan almaariyaan par feli hui thi, aur antiseptic ki badbu waha ke decay ke saath mishrit ho rakhi thi.

Inn sab ke beech me, ek aadmi stainless steel ki mej ke ird-gird mandra raha tha, uske dastaane pehne haath nirasha aur thodi uttejna ke ek ajeeb mishran se kaanp rahe the.

Uske latest subject ka nirjeev shareer bina harqat kiye, peela aur sookha pada hua tha. Laash me se atadiya baahar ko nikli hui thi.

Uss aadmi ne nirash hote hue apne khoon se lathpath dastaane ko utaara.

*Plop*

Jis se veh kisi geele thappad ki awaaz kar neeche zameen par gira. Usne apna sarr jhuka kar neeche shav ko aise dekha jaise koi baccha apne toote hue khilaune ko dekhta ho.

Aadmi (softly, almost tender) : Tum bechaare... Naazuk cheez... Maine tumhe kitna kuchh diya, aur tumne sab barbaad kar diya. Kyu??? Kya tumhe mera tohfa pasand nahi aaya? Jawab do!!!

Magar, mrat shareer bhala kaha se jawab de?? Jab pade hue shav ne koi harqat nahi ki toh woh aadmi achanak se jhunjhla gaya. Usne apne bagal se rakha ek kulhada uthaaya aur-

*Squelch* *Squelch*

*Squelch* *Squelch*

Dana-dan woh mrat shareer ki khuli hui chhaati par barsaata gaya.

Aadmi (screams) : JAWAAAAB DOOOO!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! JAWAAAB DOOO!!! KYUUUU???? MERA GIFT TUMNE REJECT KYU KIYA??? BOLOOOOO!!!!

*Squelch* *Squelch*

Khoon ke chheete udte hue uske muh aur shareer ko bhigo diye. Sirf khoon hi nahi, uss mrat shareer ke ang ke parchhatte bhi udte hue idhar-udhar bikhar gaye.

Woh ek qadam peechhe hua, apne bikhre hue safed baalo me apni ungliyon ko ghumaane laga, jis se uske maathe aur baalo me khoon chhap gaya. Uske honth ek vyangya me badle, fir ek ajeebo-gareeb mudi hui muskaan hontho par fel gayi.

'Hehe~ Ye meri wajah se nahi hai!! Haan!! Hehehehe! Ye meri wajah se nahi hai. Meri calculations... Mere ratios... Perfect hai!!! Tum sab... Tum sab kamzor ho!!! Hahahahahaha!!! Weak mongrels!!! Hehehehe!'

*Slaaaaaaaammmmm*

Usne apni mutthi mej par patki, jis se waha rakhi sheeshiyaan baj uthi. Uski saansein ukhadne lagi, uske kandhe upar-neeche ho rahe the aur chaudi baahar ko aati aankhein kamre me ghoomne lagi.

Woh pin kiye gaye charts, anatomical diagrams, aur uske pichhle peedito ki photographs se bhari deewar ki orr muda, jin par laal syaahi se kuchh notes likhe hue the.

'Tum sab choohe ke bacche... Ehehe... Hastey ho na mujhpe? hehe... Par... Par, mein sabko shaant kar dunga... Dekhna!'

Woh idhar-udhar ghoomta raha, uska coat lehra raha tha, aur kamre ke ek andhere kone ki orr woh badha. Waha ek bada sa glass chamber rakha hua tha, jo gaadhe, bulbulate laal taral se bhara hua tha. Andar kayi chhoti aspasht aakritiya terr rahi thi.

Usne glass par haath rakha, uske bhaav achanak se komal ho gaye.

"Don’t worry, my darlings. You’ll be better... stronger. You’ll succeed where the others failed. I promise you that. Ehehehehe~"

Jaise hi woh mukhya mej ki orr muda, kamre me ek haivani hasi goonj uthi.

'They’ll never understand... But soon... oh, so very soon... they’ll all see. Ehehehehehe-!!! I need fresh blood. Hehehehehe!!!'

*Click*

Usne zor se switch dabaate hue overhead light ko bujha diya, jis se kamra andhere me doob gaya. Sab kuchh khatam hote hi, uski machines ki halki, bhayanak gadgadahat hi ekmaatra dhwani thi, jo waha goonjti rahi.
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Aaj ke liye itna hi guys.
This update consists of 10k words. Isme bahut se sequences hai, jaisa ki dekh hi liya hoga. Title se hi pata chal raha hai ki on pins and needles hai sab kuchh. So, next update hi chaos machaane waala hoga. The killer has presented himself for the first time in the scene. Bahut si cheezein ek saath ghatit ho rahi hai, jo mujhe hi manage karna hai. This is why it takes a lot of time to set them and phrase them. Padh ke quality ka bhi andaza lag hi gaya hoga. Tej aur Arohi ki chat waala idea, ye first time kiya hai maine aisa kuchh. Let me know if you like it. Usme alag se kaafi samay gaya hai mera.

Fun fact : When Tej says I love you to Veer in the chat, see the time difference for each messages. Also, don't forget to notice Veer's phone battery percentage. Itni minute details ka dhyaan rakhta hu, isliye update time leta hai.

Target apna wahi hai, 200 likes. Like thokne ka aur revos rakhna ka. Next update se target thoda badh jayega kyunki, arc peak par jaane waala hai aur quality aur badhne waali hai. Baaki, saath bane rehne ka.
Dhanyavad.

gazab .. dha diye bhai

 

[Ek anjaan humsafar]

Update - 191 ~ On Pins & Needles​

Ab tak...

Ek viman apne niyamit samay ka paalan karte hue airstrip par utra. Baari-baari usme se attendants baahar nikalte gaye aur ek shaks apna ek suitcase leke baahar ko aaya.

Baahar aate hi usne sabse pehle formalities kar apna phone chaalu karwaya aur fir ek call lagaya.

Aur, call pe usne bas itna hi kaha-

"I'm in Mumbai, my friend. Yes! Yes!! Send me the address of your villa. That would be good. Why so suddenly?? Hahaha! No! No!!! It's because my bitch ass wife is roaming here-!!! I need to settle some scores with her!!"

Ab aage...

29th December,
Thane Police Station,
Mumbai, Morning - 10:20 AM ~

*Clack* *Clack*
*Clack* *Clack*

Dur se typewriter ki laybaddh khad-khadahat mand raushni waale police station me goonj rahi thi. DSP Trisha apni avyavasthit kursi par baithi thi, aur subah ki dhoop ke chalte halki garmi me upar chal raha pankha bhi shor me apna yogdaan de raha tha.

Yahi tha Mumbai ka mausam. Subah halki garmi, din me kaho AC bhi chalana pad jaaye aur raat me halki-fulki maamuli si thand jo shayad shareer ki agar garam taseer ho toh samajh bhi na aaye.

Thandi chai ka ek cup uske bagal me achhoota pada hua tha, chai se sana hua table ka kinara subah se chal rahe bechain kaam ka ek pramaan tha.

Trisha ki aankhein apne haath me liye hue phone par tiki hui thi. Uski bauhe ekagrata se sikud gayi. Hatyaare ka varnan usne halke swar me dohraya.

"Chaudi baahar ko aati aankhein... Safed lamba coat... Safed kandhe tak aate baal... Bhayanak muskaan..."

Uska haath phone ke chaaro orr kass gaya.

"Iss se toh ye case aur ulajh gaya. Kya musibat hai!!! Shittt-!!!!"

*Baaaaammmmm*

Usne apne dono haath zor se mej par patke. Eye witness — Deepu se jo bhi gawahi mili thi woh Divya ne sabhi police stations me notes bana kar aage forward kar di thi. Aur, uske itna karte hi sabhi thaano me ek sansani si mach chuki thi. Trisha bhi unn chintit jano me se ek thi.

Trisha : Ye toh aam insaan ka description lag hi nahi raha. Aur, uska ye kehna ki ye manav shareer itna dilchasp hai. Kahi hum kisi paagal se toh deal nahi kar rahe? Ya woh Deepu jhooth toh nahi bol raha?

Paas me hi control room me baitha Shekhar, Trisha ki baat sunn keyboard par apni ungliyaan chalaate hue bola.

Shekhar : Agar, use jhooth bolna hota toh woh pehle hi bol deta, madam. Khair, woh jo bhi ho par aapko ek baat toh maanani padegi. Ye FBCC waale badi hi jaldi results de rahe hai. Hai na?

Trisha (smirks) : Hmph! Kam se kam kuchh kaam toh aa rahe hai. Achha hua jo maine unhe iss kaam me laga diya.

Kehte hue woh ek gehri saans chhor apni kursi par peechhe jhuk gayi. Upar bulb ki raushni timtima rahi thi, kuchh halke drafts ke kaagaz uski mej par rakhe hawa se sarsara uthe. Uski nazar deewar par lage ast-vyast pinboard par padi — ansuljhe maamle, feeki puraani tasveerein aur kuchh haath likhe noto ka ek jaal.

Woh abhi baithi soch hi rahi thi jab darwaza khula aur baahar se ek sub-inspector andar jhaankte hue bola.

Sub-inspector : M-Madam-!! W-Woh-

Trisha : Hmm? Kya hua?

Sub-inspector : Woh ek aur laapata vyakti ki complaint aayi hai.

Trisha (frowns) : Kya-!!?? Idhar pehle hi inn murders se poora pradesh pareshan hai aur idhar gumshuda logo ki reports aa rahi hai? Kaun kho gaya??

Sub-inspector : Koi mahila hai. Uska pati aur kuchh aas-pados ke log aaye hai.

Trisha : 24 ghante ho gaye?

Sub-inspector : 24 ghante ke upar ho gaye hai, madam.

Trisha (frowns) : Tch-!!!

Sub-inspector : Toh mein- likh du na?

Trisha (nods) : Hmm! Report taiyar karo aur unse kaho ki hum talashi shuru kar rahe hai jald hi.

Sub-inspector : J-Ji!

Kehte hue woh wapas baahar nikal gaya. Lekin, idhar Trisha pehle se aur bhi zyada chinta me aa gayi.

'Yaha ek toh woh murderer nahi mil raha hai aur ye log upar se police ko aur gumshuda vyaktiyo ki report lekar aa rahe hai. Tsk-!! Ghar ka ek sadasya nahi sambhala jaa raha inse.'

Trisha (glances) : Shekhar, tumhe kuchh mila kya?

Shekhar : Hmm? Iss case ka toh nahi pata madam, lekin mujhe pichhle case ke baare me kuchh pata laga hai.

Trisha : Huh??

Woh mudi aur prashn bhari nigaaho se use dekhi. Shekhar ne use jab ishaare se apne paas bulaya toh woh fauran hi uth ke uske paas aayi.

Shekhar : Ye dekhiye...! Lagbhag dedh-do saal pehle Kora Kendra Ground par ek event hua tha.

Trisha (leans in) : Event???

Shekhar : Aur, iss event ke aas-paas Slogan ko dekha gaya tha.

Trisha : Kya!!?

Shekhar ne agle hi pal social media se chhaatate hue ek photo, jo kisi anjaan vyakti dwara kheenchi gayi thi use khol ke saamne screen par dikhaya.

Photo aam taur par uss event ki saaj-sajja ke liye kheenchi gayi thi magar, uss photo me Slogan bhi ittefaq se capture ho chuka tha.

Trisha (frowns) : Y-Ye-

Shekhar (nods) : Mirror gallery!!! Ek fake event.

Trisha : Fake event???

Shekhar : Ji madam! Agar, hum iss mirror gallery ke hashtag par jaaye aur iss se sambandhit posts sirf Mumbai me dekhe- *Click* *Click* Toh, ye dekhiye — Aap padh sakti hai ki kitne logo ne shikayatein rakhi hai ki event me unhe jaane hi nahi diya gaya tha.

Trisha : Waqai!! Ek minute! Par, kuchh logo ne positive reviews bhi chhore hai. Dekho!

Shekhar : Hmm! Lekin, ratio dekhiye na madam. 10 me se 8 logo ne yahi kaha hai ki unhe andar jaane tak nahi diya gaya. Unhe waha se bhaga diya gaya tha.

Trisha (frowns) : Hmm!!!

Shekhar : Aur, ek kamaal ki cheez aapko dikhata hu.

Trisha : ???

Shekhar : Ye padhiye! Mirror gallery me jo samagri ka istemal hua tha woh official dealers dwara bheji hi nahi gayi thi. Inhone khud confirm kiya hai, social media par. Kehne ka matlab ye hai ki ye event official organisers dwara nahi set kiya gaya tha.

Trisha : Aur, aise me uss Slogan ka waha hona. Kya tum ye kehna chaah rahe ho ki iss sab ke peechhe wahi tha?

Shekhar : Ho sakta hai!

Trisha : Lekin, iss se uski maut ka kya sambandh?

Shekhar : Ho sakta hai ki ye mirror gallery ki ghatna se hi kuchh shuru hua ho?

Trisha : Ye mirror gallery akhir hai kya?

Shekhar : Maine inhe officially dhoondh liya hai. Kuchh photos dikhata hu aapko. Ye dekhiye-!!! Kisi prakar ki pradarshni hoti hai jaha par alag-alag prakar ke mirrors hote hai. Arey, woh movie wagarah me dekhte hai na hum-

Trisha : Tumhara matlab fun house? Carnival wagarah me jo hote hai?

Shekhar (nods) : Haan!! Jinme humara akaar badla hua nazar aata hai. Kuchh me hum mote dikhte hai, kuchh me patle.

Trisha : Samajh gayi! Lekin, Slogan ka waha hona ek ittefaq bhi toh ho sakta hai.

Shekhar : Par, saath hi me iss Mirror Gallery ka illegal tareeke se organise hona? Kya woh bhi ek ittefaq tha madam?

Trisha (nods) : Hmm! Tumne sahi kaha, Shekhar! Kuchh gadbad toh zaroor hai. Mujhe iske baare me aur chhaan-been chaahiye. Mirror gallery se sambandhit sab kuchh chhaan maaro. Aur, Slogan ko iske theek baad kaha-kaha dekha gaya, uska bhi pata lagao.

Shekhar : Ji madam!!

Trisha (mutters) : Chaahe ye murder ke cases ho ya fir Slogan Aatish ki rehesyamayi maut. Mein inn dono raazo par se parda utha ke rahungi!!!

Apne aap se yeh dridh nishchay kar, woh kamre se baahar nikal gayi.

***

Casa Belle,
Unicard accessed suite,
Morning - 10:40 AM ~

Unicard dwara praapt kiye gaye iss aalishan suite me fizool-kharchi ki gandh aa rahi thi. Crystals ke jhoomaro ne kamre ko sunehri chamak se bhar rakha tha, jo polish kiye gaye sangmarmar ke farsh aur alankrit furniture par pratibimb ho rahi thi.

Resham ka kurta pehne aur makhmali shawl lapete — Dhananjay Singh, ek chamde ki kursi par baitha hua tha aur mehngi cognac se bhara glass halke-halke chalan me ghuma raha tha. Uske sone ke kangan har harqat ke saath baj rahe the, jo uski virasat me mili sampatti aur shakti ka prateek tha.

Deewar par lage vishal se TV screen par mand awaaz me samachar chal rahe the, jiski tim-timaati raushni uske teekhe nain-naksh par chamak rahi thi. Unn aankhon me shaant krodh ubaal le raha tha. Kamre ka mahaul ekdum tanaav-poorn tha.

Bhale hi Veer ne Harikiran aur Bhanu Partap Singh ko maut ke ghaat utaar ke unka ghar gaav waalo ki nigrani me saunp diya tha. Kintu, Dhananjay ke lautne ke baad halaat thode badal chuke the. Beetein barso me kamaya gaya saara kaala dhan aaj bhi uski hi jebo me tha. Kul milake, aaj ki tareekh me uske paas atyadhik paisa tha.

*Knock* *Knock*

Darwaze par achanak hui dastak ne shaanti todi. Dhananjay ne jhunjhla kar apni bauhe chadhaayi.

Dhananjay : Kaun hai bey???

Darwaza jhijhakte hue ek aadmi ne khola aur thodi ukhdi hui saans ke saath usne andar jhaaka. Prateet ho raha tha jaise woh bhaag ke aaya tha.

Dhananjay : Achha! Tu? Saala, maai ka chode theek se peene bhi na det tumre log!!! Aa!! Andar, aa!!!

Woh aadmi andar aaya. Dikhne me toh hatta-katta par apne sarkar ke saamne aate hi uski hekdi nikal chuki thi aur kaafi ghabraya hua bhi lag raha tha.

Aadmi : S-Sarkar-!!! Ek badi khabar mili hai.

Dhananjay ne dheere se glass ko mej par rakha aur apni kursi par seedha ho gaya.

Dhananjay (coldly) : Agar, khabar humra samay ka barbaadi karan waali hui, toh uu ka nateeja tum jaani na???

Aadmi ne apne gale me atke hue thook ko nigla aur himmat kar haan me sarr hilaaya.

Aadmi : H-Humne pata laga liya hai, Sarkar! Jisne saahab aur bade saahab ko maara tha. Uss Veer ka karobar yaha Mumbai me hi hai.

Dhananjay : Hmm??

Aadmi : Ek hotel hai — Prestige naam se. Udhar use aate-jaate kayi baar dekha gaya hai. Aur, kuchh khaane ke trucks bhi chalwata hai woh. Aur, ek aur khabar mili hai sarkar... 31 december ko koi naya karobar bhi shuru karne waala hai shayad.

Dhananjay : Ee ka matlab uu sasuri phone waala banda sach bol raha tha.

Dhananjay ka dhyaan turant hi Damian ke dwara kiye gaye phone call par gaya. Damian ne hi use jataya tha ki Veer ek businessman hai jo Mumbai me apna vyavsay dekhta hai. Usne ye bhi bataya tha ki uski ek hotel hai.

Use chidhaate hue Damian ne use poora sach nahi bataya aur chhaan-been ka kaam Dhananjay ko saunp diya tha. Kintu, aaj Dhananjay ke itne dino se talashi kar rahe pantaro ki mehnat rang laayi. Aur, ye siddh ho gaya ki Damian ne phone par jo baatein kahi thi — woh sach thi.

Baaki, Veer ka naam toh use apni maa se hi pata chal gaya tha. Jab Veer ne Harikiran aur Bhanu Pratap ka safaya kiya tha, tab uski maa ghar par hi thi.

Kamre me khamoshi chhaa hui thi. Dhananjay ke hontho par achanak ek kutil muskaan fel gayi, lekin uski aankhon me siwae dwesh ke alawa aur kuchh nazar nahi aa raha tha.

Dhananjay : Naya karobaar huh??? *grins* Bahut badhiya!!! Ee kutta shayad sochat ba ki humra se khilwad kar ke uu apna jindagi me aage badh jayega? Hahaha!

Woh apni kursi se utha, uski prabhavshali upasthiti ne uske aadmi ko anechhik roop se peechhe hatne par majboor kar diya.

Dhananjay : Hum ee kutte ko uu ki haisiyat yaad dilaaib. Lekin, abhi naahi. Abhi ee sochne do ki uu ka naya karobar ka udghatan bhavya hogi. Humni ke tab hamla karab jab jaa ke har choti, har sapna ke nasht kare ke samay aayi.

Wo kamre ki bhavya khidki ki orr gaya, uski chhaaya kamre me lambi fel gayi. Usne apne haath apni peeth ke peechhe kiye aur bola.

Dhananjay : Sabaas!!! Aisa hi kaam chahiye humka. Jaa!! Aur, har jagah log ke baitha di. Humra har pal ke khabar chaahi — udhghatan kaha hoi, ke aayi, parivar se ke hoi, kaun samay se karyakram shuru hoi, aur kaun samay uu kutta sabse jyada byast aur kamjor hoi. Humra sab kuchh chaahi!

Aadmi ne tezi se sarr hilaaya, uski raahat spasht thi.

Aadmi : J-Jaisa aap kahe, sarkar. Hum har jagah log bitha denge. Aapko ek-ek pal ki khabar milti rahegi.

Dhananjay (turns) : Aur, sunn… Humra ke nirash na kari, hai na? Tum toh jaani ki ee jo abhi chal raha hai na, uu khel naahi hai. Ee to bas shuruwaat hai. Aur, ee lo!!! Humaar taraf se chhota sa tohfa!! Maja kari, pantaro ke saath. Haha!

Kehte hue usne ek 500 ki gaddi mej par patak di. Aadmi ne darte hue haath jod kar rakam uthayi aur haami bhar, salaam thok baahar nikal gaya. Jaise hi darwaza band hua, Dhananjay ne firse apni cognac se bhari glass uthayi aur ghooth lagaane laga.

'Veer…! Tanne laga tu humaar jeevan ujaad ke chenn se jee lega? Tuhaar har sapna ab hum apni ee perro tale kuchalne waala hu.'

***

Ballroom, Casa Belle,
Night - 8:25 PM ~

Aaj ki hi raat Casa Belle ke ballroom ka nazara kuchh asadharan tha. Vishal, jagmagate mehnge jhoomaro ne kamre ko sunehri raushni se bhar rakha tha, aur resham se lipti mejo par taaze orchids saje hue the.




Designer suits aur cham-chamaate gowns me mehman vintage champagne ki chuski lete hue, uniformed waitstaff dwara parose gaye hors d'oeuvres ka aanand lete hue idhar-udhar ghoom rahe the. Raat ki theme — "A Night in Versailles" thi aur hotel ke har kone ko french mahal ki bhavyata jaisa banaya gaya tha — painted fresco backdrops, gold accented décor, aur royalty ke liye upyukt symphony bajaane waala ek live orchestra.




Aadesh Jaisinghani haath me scotch ka glass liye bar ke paas khada tha aur ek santusht muskaan ke saath sthal ka nireekshan kar raha tha. Sab kuchh ekdum sahi lag raha tha ki tabhi uska project manager, Kumar, ek tab haath me lekar jhijakte hue uske paas aaya.

Kumar : S-Sir, hume budget ke baare me charcha karne ki zaroorat hai.

Woh bola. Uski awaaz dheemi thi lekin bheed ke shor me sunane laayak paryapt dridhta rakhi hui thi. Kintu, Aadesh ne uski orr dekhne ki zehmat bhi nahi uthayi.

Aadesh : Budget? Hum sheher me sabse exclusive event host kar rahe hai. Chaaro orr dekho, Kumar. Kya yeh aisi jagah lagti hai jaha budget maayne rakhta hai??

Kumar : S-Sir-!!

Usne bhavya parivesh ki orr ghabrate hue dekhte hue kaha.

Kumar : Akele iss event ka kharcha humaare anumaan se 30% zyada ho chuka hai. Hum free-flowing champagne, michelin-star chefs, aur live orchestra ki peshkash kar rahe hai. Imported decorations aur staff ke extra bonuses jode aur-

Aadesh : Bas!!!!

Woh apna haath uthaate hue akhirkar uski orr muda. Uski teekhi nazar ne Kumar ko chup rehne par majboor kar diya.

Aadesh : Kya tum jaante ho ki yeh event kya darshata hai? Prestige ki strategy ka chori hona aur perfectionism ke saath execute hona. Hum sheher ko dikha rahe hai ki ye kaise kiya jaata hai, Kumar!!! Agar, mein yaha unke ideas ko kuchal du, toh kaun unke hotel me kadam rakhne ki himmat karega??

Kumar : L-Lekin, sir- Humari kamayi kharche ke barabar nahi ho rahi hai. Iss event ki ticket bikri se mushqil se aadhi laagat hi nikaal paayi hai. Aur, 31st December ka gala qareeb aa-

Aadesh : Safalta ke qareeb aa raha hai, Kumar! Safalta ke qareeb!!!

Usne thodi uphaaspoorna hasi ke saath beech me kaha. Uski awaaz dheemi thi lekin shor ko kaat rahi thi.

Aadesh : Kumar!!! Maine tumhe yaha aakdo ke baare me shikayat karne ke liye nahi rakha hai. Maine apne vision ko execute karne ke liye tumhe kaam par rakha hai. Jab kisi raajya ko jeetna ho toh ye chillare nahi ginte — shaasan karte hai!!!

Kumar ke honth sikud gaye, aur usne peechhe hatate hue anichha se sarr hilaaya.

Kumar : Samajh gaya, Sir!!!

Aadesh ne use jhatak kar kharij kar diya, lekin jaise hi Kumar bheed me gaayab hua, uske mann me ek sandeh ka beej ankurit hone laga. Usne apna jabda kasste hue scotch ko nigla.

'Kumar ki baat kahi sahi toh nahi-!? N-Nahi-!!! Maine itna kharcha kiya hai. Fund khatam hone ke bawajood bhi mujhe hazaro firms se investments mil jayegi. M-Magar, ye Veer-!!! Ye haram-khor ab tak khamosh kyu baitha hai???'

Yeh vichaar uske mann me kisi anchaahe mehmaan ki tarah aaya. Usne pichhle dino 25th December ke baare me socha jab Kumar ne cash flow ki giravat ke baare me bataya tha. Christmas ki raat bahut kharcha hua tha. Isme koi shaq nahi tha ki aakdo ne use pareshan kar rakha tha. Magar, woh ye chinta apne staff ke saamne nahi dikha sakta tha.

Upar se uske dwara bheja gaya spy — Ankit, Hotel Prestige me head chef ko barkhast karne ki tarqeeb me bhi vifal ho chuka tha. Aur, kyu na hota? Prestige ki head chef akhir Mukta thi jo Veer ki sewa karne ke liye hi baithi thi. Majbooran, Aadesh ko bas Prestige ki strategies aur plans ko execute karne ki tarqeeb me hi nirbhar hona pad raha tha.

'N-Nahi-!!!'

Usne apne glass ko zorr se bheench liya. Usne inn vichaaro ko apne mann se jhatkaya. Casa Belle, Mumbai ka crown jewel tha. Badi se badi companies yaha invest karne ke liye taiyaar baithi thi. Aaj paisa khatam bhi ho gaya toh kya ho gaya? Ye sab toh sirf temporary tha. Aane waale samay me woh raaj karega.

Aisa soch usne fir se ballroom ke chaaro orr dekha, khud ko vijayee dekhne ke liye majboor kiya. Fir bhi, uski aatmvishvas se bhari muskaan ke peechhe, uske dimag ne Kumar ke shabd ek baar fir dohra diye.

Iss lavish luxury ke peechhe chhipe Casa Belle naamak — ek doobte jahaaj se anibhigya, mehmaano dwara taaliyaan bajaate samay orchestra ka crescendo lagbhag mazakiya sa lag raha tha. Unn bechaaro ko pata hi nahi tha ki iss vilaasita ke peechhe kya chhipa hua tha.

Shayad aane waali daridrita aur diwala?

***

Hotel Prestige,
Night - 10:10 PM ~




Jaise Veer ke virodhi uske liye jaal bichha kar use dhakelne ki tarqeeb bana rahe the, waise hi uske apne parivar jann uske liye uska kandha bann rahe the.

Hotel Prestige ka vishal banquet hall gatividhiyo se gulzar tha. 'Yarnia' ke bhavya launch ki ulti ginti chal rahi thi, aur hall ka har kona tez qadmo, chillaate hue nirdesho aur beech-beech me hilte-dulte equipment ki gad-gadahat se goonj raha tha.

Parivar ne uss sthaan ko rachnatmakta aur arajakta ke kendra me badal diya tha, pratyek sadasya poori tarah se apni zimmedariyo me laga hua tha.

'Yarnia' ko launch karne ke liye Veer ne koi aur venue nahi balki khud Hotel Prestige ko hi chuna tha. Iss se behtar jagah aur kya ho sakti thi? Na sirf hotel ki apni aamdani badhne waali thi balki saath hi saath 'Yarnia' ke liye alag se sthaan ka kharcha karne ki bhi zaroorat nahi thi. Ek teer se do nishaane.

Aur, ye sab staff ki gerr haziri me khud parivar sadasya crew members ke saath karwa rahe the.

Event ki blueprints se dhaki ek badi mej ke paas khadi Bhavna iss toofan ke beech shaanti ka prateek lag rahi thi. Uski paarkhi tez nazro ne baithne ke jatil seating arrangement, aur entrance ki design ko scan kiya. Usne apna bareek aksharo ko padhne waala chashma theek kiya aur oonchi awaaz me boli.

Bhavna (firmly) : Ragini!!! Stage lights ko hume collection ke centerpiece par focus karne ki zaroorat hai. Ye sirf visibility ke baare me nahi hai — it's about making a statement. Mere bete ka naam hoga waha. Uski har detail perfect honi chahiye.

Ragini, jo lighting crew ki dekh-rekh me lagi thi, usne apna sarr hilaya aur baalo ki ek latt kaan ke peechhe le jaate hue boli.

Ragini : Woh toh theek hai, lekin ye Louis ka kya? Uski demands sunn ke doubt ho raha hai ki hum sab ek hi project pe kaam kar rahe hai ya nahi?

Maano jaise apna naam sunte hi, French Designer Louis wahi kamre me hi ghus aaya. Woh Yarnia ke hi khud ke liye banaye gaye kapde aur ek chamakdar scarf pehna hua tha. Bolte samay uske haath naatkeeya dhang se ishara kar rahe the.

Louis : Madame Bhumika!!! Ze fabrics for ze final lineup—zey are not 'ere! I asked for perfection, and zis is what I get?!

Mukhya display rack ke paas khadi Bhumika uski orr mudi, uske bhaav me chidh-chidhahat spasht thi.

Bhumika : Y-Ye kya bol raha hai? Meri kuchh samajh nahi aa raha-!!! Veeeeeerrr!!! Oh god!!!

Louis : Ooo madame!!!! I want ze fabrics!! Fabriccccsss!!!! For ze final line-up!!! Zey are not here!!!!

Jab Bhumika ko samajh aaya ki Louis final line-up ke fabrics ke baare me baat kar raha hai toh usne use samjhaate hue kaha.

Bhumika : H-Hey!! Relax. I’ve already sent the team to pick up the remaining fabrics. It’s Mumbai, not Paris, Louis. Traffic exists here too. *mutters* Aur yahan drama bhi free milta hai.

Tej, jo ek haath me clipboard aur dusre me apna phone pakdi hui thi, woh apni bauhe sikodi aage aayi.

Tej : Louis, calm down. Veeru hired you because you're the best!!!

Louis : Veeru???

Tej (blushes) : Ahh! I-I mean, Veer!!!

Louis : Ohhh!

Tej : If you panic then what about the team? Please, go and ensure that all the social media models are ready for their walk on 31st. Leave the fabrics to me.

Louis thoda jhijhka, par fir ek gehri saans lete hue waha se chala gaya.

---

Wahi hall ke dur ke chhor par, Shweta unn workers ko manage kar rahi thi jo welcoming arch ke paas khade hoke swagat karne waale the. Uske shaant swabhav ke bawajood, uski harqato me thodi ghabrahat nazar aa rahi thi. Ye sab kaam kiye use ab kayi saal ho chuke the. Keval Veer ke liye hi woh isme shaamil ho rahi thi.

'Agar, use pata chalega ki maine kitni madad karwayi hai, toh woh kitna khush hoga na. Bas, yahi toh dekhna hai mujhe. Uski khushi!!!'

Woh apne mann me sochi, ki tabhi unn workers me se ek ne ladkhadaate hue sajavat ka ek hissa gira diya.

Shweta (snaps) : Areyyy?? Savdhani se!!! Ye sirf saaj sajja ke liye nahi hai. Mere bete ki izzat ka sawal hai. Koi bhi galti nahi honi chahiye!!!

Uski narazgi sunn, Bhumika uske paas aayi.

Bhumika (teasingly) : Mom!!! Thoda chill! Yeh log Paris ke nahi hai. Thoda adjust karna seekho!

Shweta : Adjust meri jutti!!! Mere bete ka business hai. Koi truti bardasht nahi karungi mein, Bhumi! Hmph!

Shweta ne apni bitiya ko dekha, par mand-mand wo muskura rahi thi. Yeh sab kuchh Veer ke liye ho raha tha.

---

Isi beech Ragini tech booth par thi, digital screen ke liye simulations run kar rahi thi. Jab usne Veer ke naam aur 'Yarnia' ke brand logo ko pradarshit karne waale display ko dekha toh uska seena garv se chauda ho gaya. Aur, dimag pal bhar ke liye bhatak gaya.

'Kaash, tum yaha hote!!! Jab tum paas hote ho toh sab kuchh kitna asaan lagta hai. Lekin, mein tumse naraz bhi hu!!! Ab tootati jaa rahi hu. Iske pehle ki mein bikhar jau, mujhe jawab dedo Veer-!!!'

Uska dhyaan ek takneeki kharabi ke chalte bhang ho gaya. Saamne display ki screen glitch ke chalte flicker ho rahi thi.

Ragini : Arey? Yeh kya ho raha hai?! Abhi ke abhi fix karo!

Ladka : Ji madam!!!

---

Hungaame ke beech, Tej ne sabhi ka dhyaan kheechne ke liye ek podium par qadam rakha.

Tej (claps) : Suniye, sab log!! Humare paas sirf 48 ghante bache hai. Nahi! Balki, uss se bhi kam! Mom, please zara dekhiye ki guest list seating chart se match ho rahi hai ya nahi? Aur, bhabhi aap-

Ragini : Bhabhi nahi hu mein ab Tejal!!! Bhabhi thi!! I'm a divorcee now!!

Tej : Ugh! P-Par-

Ragini : Didi keh ke bula sakti ho tum. Par, bhabhi nahi. *mutters* Kam se kam tab tak nahi jab tak Veer aur mein-

Tej : Huh? Aapne kuchh kaha kya?

Ragini : N-Nahi! Just call me didi!

Tej : O-Okay! Toh, Ragini didi, aap zara please technical setup ko double check kar lijiye.

Ragini (nods) : Hmm!

Tej : A-Aur, aap-

Shweta (glances) : Hmm?

Tej : Please, chefs ke saath ek baar menu finalize kar lijiye. Aur, Bhumika-

Bhumika : Hmm? Kya hua Tejal?

Tej : VIP entries ko aap dekh lena. Veer ne kaha tha kayi saare VIPs honge. Galtiyo ki koi gunzaish na ho. Ye sab Veer ke liye hum kar rahe hai.

Bhumika : Don't worry! I know!

Kamre me oorja badal gayi, har kisi ko ek naye uddeshya ki anubhooti mehsoos hone lagi.

---

Jaise-jaise raat gehri hoti gayi, afra-tafri ke beech parivar jaldi-jaldi chai peene ke liye ikhatta hua. Suman aur Sonali badi hi lagan se sabke khaane peene ka dhyan rakhne me lagi hui thi. Woh dono baaki kaamo me toh maahir nahi thi, isliye khaan-paan ka zimma unhone hi utha liya.

Bhavna (sips) : Chai bahut achhi bani hai, Suman! *smiles*

Suman (smiles) : Dhanyavad didi!

Sonali : Biscuits aur namkeen bhi hai. Lijiye na!!!

Bhavna : Haan haan! Bilkul!

Tej (smiles) : Veeru yaha hota toh sab kuchh dekh ke khush ho jaata na?

Bhavna : Filhal woh yaha nahi hai. Aur, sab hume hi sambhalna hai.

Bhumika (nods) : Right!

Tej : Woh toh mujhse bas keh ke gaya tha ki, "Teju di! Sambhal lena." Usne itne bharose se kaha tha. Mein uski har umeed par khadi utarna chaahti hu.

Bhumika (whispers) : Aisa lagta hai uski har chhoti baat pe dhyan dena meri zimmedari bann gayi hai. Jab woh yahaan nahi hota, sab kuchh adhura lagta hai.

Tej : Eh? Aapne kuchh kaha kya?

Bhumika (fumbles) : Wh-What?? Ahn! N-Nahi!!! *blushes* M-Mein bhi wahi soch rahi thi jo tum soch rahi thi.

Tej : O-Oh!

Shweta : Mein toh bas yahi chaahti hu ki woh mujhe maa maane.

Bhavna (smirks) : Maanta toh hai! Shweta maa keh ke pukara jo tha usne!

Shweta : Hmph! Aise nahi-!! Jis din tumse zyada woh mujhe maanega, mere liye wahi sabse bada launch hoga.

Bhavna (giggles) : Fufu~

Shweta : Kya hass kya rahi ho?

Bhavna (smiles) : Kuchh nahi! Bas yuhi!!

Shweta : Aayega ek din. Dekh lena tum!

Bhavna (smiles) : Zaroor!

Asamanya roop se chup, Ragini ne apni chai ki orr dekha, uske vichaar niji the lekin Veer ke liye uska pyaar spasht tha. Woh uss se naraz thi magar fir bhi woh yaha apni jee-jaan laga ke mehnat kar rahi thi. Veer ke liye woh kuchh bhi kar sakti thi. Aur, ye toh kuchh bhi nahi tha.

Aadhi raat ho chuki thi aur hall me abhi bhi hal-chal jaari thi. Lekin, har kone, har kaarya aur har vichar me Veer ki upasthiti thi jo unhe aage badhte rehne ke liye prerna de rahi thi.

***

Idhar kareeban raat ke 11 baj rahe the aur car Lonavla ki orr jaane waali ghumaavdar sadko par tezi se aage badh rahi thi, raat ki halki thandi hawa ardh khuli khidkiyo se fisal kar andar aa rahi thi.

Satara me ki gayi investigation se unhe zyada kuchh haath nahi laga tha aur ab woh sabhi Lonavla ki orr nikal rahe the.

Veer driver seat par baitha drive kar raha tha, uski aankhein saamne sadak par kendrit thi, aur engine ki gadgadahat iss sannaate ko dur kar rahi thi.




Divya, passenger seat par baithi thi, apne phone par bina soche samjhe scroll karti jaa rahi thi, jabki Ava peechhe baithi khidki se baahar dekh rahi thi, halanki uska dimag guzarte drishyo se koso dur tha.

Veer (chuppi todte hue) : Toh, Divya! Miss Suhana ko kya pasand hai?

Iss achanak se aaye sawal ne dono mahilao ko chaunka diya. Divya ne bauhe upar uthaate hue apne phone se upar dekha, jabki Ava ka sarr ek jhatke me aage ki orr muda, uska dhyan turant hi iss baat-cheet ki orr aakarshit ho utha.

Divya (carefully) : Suhana? Kyu? Tum kyu poochh rahe ho ye?

Veer ne yuhi apne kandhe uchkaye, lekin uske swar me kuchh soch-vichar ki jhalak thi.

Veer : Unka birthday next month aa raha hai. Mein iss baar unhe kuchh khaas gift karna chaahta hu. Tum unki closest friend ho. Toh, laga ki tum sabse behtar jaanti hogi.

Divya ne palke jhapkayi, shan bhar ke liye use samajh hi nahi aaya ki woh kaisi pratikriya de. Toh, wahi peechhe chup-chaap baithi Ava ne apni mutthi bheench li, uske dil ki dhadkane tez ho gayi.

Divya (curiously) : Hmm? Tum kab se logo ke birthdays ki parvah karne lage, Veer? Mere liye toh kabhi aise gifts nahi laaye. Ek minute! Tumhe mera b'day pata bhi hai kab aata hai???

Veer : Ahem-!!! Umm-

Divya (yells) : What the hell, Veer? Seriously???

Veer : Wait!!! Tumne mujhe kabhi bataya hi nahi!!!

Divya : Arey, toh poochhoge toh bataungi na? Aise gaati thodi firungi, ki ye raha mera b'day. Ye lo dimaag me chipka lo. Ye iss din aata hai. Iss din mein manaati hu.

Veer : Alright! Alright! Ahem! Hey, calm down! Samajh gaya. Toh-

Divya : ??

Veer : Kab hai birthday???

Divya : ...

Veer : ...

[Oh, master!!!]

Divya (screams) : For fuck sake, it's 30th March, Veer!!! Yaad rakhna!! 30th March!! You got it???

Veer : Haan haan! Chill! I got it!!!

Divya : And, you better bring a gift for me.

Veer (chuckles) : Zaroor!!!

Woh dheere se muskuraya.

Divya : Wait! T-Tumhara b'day kab tha?

Veer : Wow~

Divya (blushes) : Seedhe-seedhe batao, jaldi.

Veer : 24th October.

Achanak hi ek khamoshi chhaa gayi. Kyunki, Divya ko ye gyaat hi nahi tha ki Veer ka 24 tareekh ko janmdin tha aur usne woh miss kar diya.

Divya : Oh god! Oh god, no! I'm so sorry-!!! Tumhare b'day par maine tumhe wish bhi nahi kiya aur-

Tabhi, use yaad aaya ki usne Veer ko haal hi me ek blowjob di thi.

Divya (blushes) : But, hey- At least, maine tumhe ek gift toh de hi diya. So, that compensates for everything.

Veer bhi halka sa sharma gaya. Woh jaanta tha Divya kis gift ki baat kar rahi thi.

Veer : Ahem! *smiles* Waise- Rahi baat birthdays ki toh mein aam taur par aisa nahi karta. I'm not a 'celebration' type, you know. Lekin, Miss Suhana... Unhone mere liye bahut kuchh kiya hai. I want her to feel appreciated, that's all!

Ye shabd jaise kisi chhuri ki tarah dono mahilao ke dilo par jaa ke lage. Divya ko kisi aisi cheez ki peeda mehsoos hui jise veh spasht roop se samajh na saki — kya yeh jalan thi? Ya bechaini? Toh wahi, Ava ki chinta gambheer roop se badh gayi.

Divya (teasingly, but probing) : Appreciated, huh? What exactly are you planning, Mr. Thoughtful?

Veer (smiles) : Kuchh nahi, seriously. Isliye, toh tumse poochh raha hu. Any ideas?

Divya vichar karte hue peechhe ko jhuk gayi.

Divya (thoughtfully) : Suhana ko art pasand hai, Veer. Woh rare paintings ikhatta karti hai — mostly abstract. Aur, woh classical music instruments ki deewani hai, khaas kar live orchestra ki. Lekin... *pauses, looks at him* Tum kuchh bada karne ke baare me soch rahe ho, hai na?

Veer (eyes still on the road) : Ho sakta hai!

Veer ye baat jaanta tha ki Suhana art paintings ki shaukeen thi. Uske kamre me jab woh pehli dafa daakhil hua tha toh usne interior decoration me kayi abstract paintings ko dekha tha. Lekin, woh iss se kuchh badhiya use dena chaahta tha.

Idhar peechhe Ava, apni jigyasa ko rok paane me asamarth thi, thoda aage ki orr jhukte hue usne akhir poochh hi liya.

Ava (hesitates) : Suhana… she seems important to you.

Veer ne use rear view mirror me dekha, uske bhaav ko padh paana mushqil tha.

Veer : She is!!! She's been through hell aur uske bawajood woh ab tak khadi hui hai. I admire that!

Ye sunte hi Ava ko apne seene me ek ajeeb sa dard mehsoos hua. Veer ki awaaz me Suhana ke liye prashansa bahut vyaktigat, bahut gehri lag rahi thi.

Divya : Iske pehle Suhana ko lekar tumne mujhse toh koi charcha nahi ki. Aur, ab ye achanak se. Kuchh chal raha hai kya tum dono ke beech me jiske baare me mujhe pata hona chaahiye? Heh!?

Usne muskuraate hue kaha, halanki uske swar me irshya saaf-saaf jhalak rahi thi.

Veer (chuckles) : Faaltu baatein imagine mat karo. She's married for fuck sake, Divya. Woh meri sabse khaas dost hai. *smiles* Humara rishta... Thoda complicated hai, lekin woh meri achhi dost hai isme koi shaq nahi.

Relationship complicated? Aur, friends? Ye dono shabd theek se sahi nahi baith rahe the. Divya ka mann Veer ke saath bitaaye apne palo me ghoom gaya — saath me hassna, lambe samay tak chalne waala sparsh, woh lamhe, aur ek ankaha bandhan.

Woh akeli nahi thi. Ava ke khud ke vichar bhi ghoomne lage, usne Veer aur Suhana ke beech ke lamho ko yaad kiya, unki har baat-cheet ko dohraya, aur ab woh iss sandeh par aa gayi ki jitna usne socha tha uss se kahi adhik Veer aur Suhana ke beech kuchh chal raha tha.

Ava (tentatively) : Kis tarah ke gift ke baare me soch rahe ho, Veer? Aisa har din nahi hota ki tum iss tarah ki kisi cheez par advice maango.

Veer ne steering wheel par apni ungliyaan thap-thapayi, uska swar vicharpoorna tha.

Veer : Kuchh meaningful. Kuchh aisa jo unhe yaad dilaaye ki woh akeli nahi hai.

Uttar Ava ki expectation se bhi baahar nikla. Woh apni seat par waapas tik gayi, uske haath uski jacket ke kinaare ko jakde hue the. Iss beech, Divya ne bhi apni bechaini chhupayi aur boli.

Divya : Well, good luck aisa kuchh dhoondhne ke liye jo tumhari demands me fit baithe. Suhana ko impress karna next to impossible hai, tum jaante ho na?

Veer ne ek halki si muskaan dete hue use dekha.

Veer : It's okay! Koi baat nahi! I’ll manage. *mutters* I always do.

Ava apne seene me ek gaath kasti hui mehsoos karne se khud ko na rok paayi. Woh uss se cheenkh ke poochhna chaahti thi — Kyu Suhana??? Koi aur kyu nahi?? Woh kyu nahi? Lekin, shabdo ne baahar aane se inkaar kar diya.

Bhala kis muh se poochhti? Usne ateet me jo kuchh kiya, uske baad Veer use apne ird-gird rehne ki anumati de raha tha yahi bahut tha uske liye. Lekin, peeda toh ho rahi thi. Woh chhoti si muskan bikherne par majboor ho gayi. Uska mann bechain vicharo se joojhne laga.

Car me thodi der ke liye ek sannata chhaa gaya, tanaav itna gehra tha ki uska bhaar mehsoos ho raha tha. Divya ne khidki se baahar dekha, uski ungliyaan uske phone par thirak rahi thi kyunki uske dimag me Suhana ki chhavi umad rahi thi. Usne abhi ye Suhana se ujagar bhi nahi kiya tha ki woh Mumbai me kayi dino se bani hui hai.

Divya (softly) : Use samajhna asaan nahi hai, Veer. Suhana... bahut complicated hai. Aur, naazuk bhi. Bhale hi woh ise accept na kare. Par, yahi sach hai.

Veer : I know!! Isliye, mein unke liye iss baar kuchh karna chaahta hu.

Divya ne haath modte hue ek aah bhari.

Divya (murmurs) : Just be careful, Veer! She's been hurt enough.

Ava ne Divya ke shabdo ke wazan ko mehsoos kar khidki se baahar dekha, uski chhaati me dard aur adhik badh gaya.

Akhir, Suhana me aisa kya tha jo Veer ko uske prati itna caring bana raha tha?

[You have fallen for him, Miss.]

'I-'

[Please, ab accept kar lijiye. You love him!]

'A-Aisa nahi hai, Lily! Mein bas-'

[Toh, kya aapko ye sunn ke achha lag raha hai? Achha lagta hai ki woh Suhana ke liye itni parvah karta hai? Achha laga tha jab maine uss din bataya tha ki woh aur Divya petrol pump par ek saath kahi dur gaye the?? Achha laga tha???]

'Nahiiiiiii-!!!!!!'

Woh mann me hi cheenkhi.

[Toh, fir? Qubool kyu nahi kar leti ki aap Veer se-!!]

'Haan!! Haan, mein uss se pyaar karti hu. Ho gaya hai mujhe uss se pyaar!!! Yahi sunana tha na tumhe, Lily!?? I love him!! Haan, maine use betray kiya tha. Haan, maine use maut ke muh me dhakela tha. Aur, haan uske baad bhi mein besharmo ki tarah uss se pyaar karne lagi hu. Aur, badle me uss se pyaar ki umeed bhi karti hu. I'm shameless!!! Yahi sunana tha na tumhe, Lily?? Toh suno!! I LOVE HIM!!! I WANT HIM!!! AND, IT FUCKING HURTS EVERYTIME I SEE HIM WITH ANY OTHER GIRL!!! IT HURTS!!!'

[...]

'Ab khamosh kyu ho gayi ho tum? Tumhe yahi toh sunana tha na? Kar liya maine accept. I love him!!! Aur, isliye nahi ki mein guilt feel karti hu uske liye. Balki, isliye kyunki woh ekmaatra ladka tha jo meri life me aaya aur jisne mujhe ek aam insaan ke roop me dekha.'

[??]

'Uske mann me koi chhal-kapat nahi tha, koi grudge nahi, koi ego nahi aur na hi koi lust. Woh pehli baar tha jab Dad ko khone ke baad maine apna din kisi ladke ke saath itna enjoy kiya tha. He was the first man!!! The first man to make my heart race!!! That night- I remember-!! But, guess what? Mein waha use frame karne ke liye thi. I framed him!!! He almost died!!'

[...]

'But thank god he came back. Seeing him come back was the happiest moment of my life. Mom ko khone ka dukh hua. Lekin, woh dukh dheere-dheere fir acceptance me badal gaya. Dil ne maan liya ki duniya se gaya hua insaan wapas nahi aa sakta. Par, Veer??? Uss betrayal ka dar meri neend haram kiye hue hai. It's a nightmare for me!!!'

[...]

'Aur, iss sab ke bawajood woh mujhpe bharosa kar mujhe yaha leke aaya. Mujhe apne paas rakhe hue hai. Kaun ho sakta hai aisa?? Tell me!!! Kaise maang rakhu uss se ab ki woh mujhe pyaar kare?? Kya mera haq hai? Kya mein hu uss auhde pe? Kya hai meri haisiyat?? Kaise???'

Ek aasu ki boond uski aankhon se fisalte hue giri. Usne fauran hi apni palke jhapka ke aankhein band kar li.

[Finally!]

'???'

[You accepted. *smiles* Aur, ab jab aapne accept kar liya hai my dear, then allow me to help you.]

'Huh?'

[Mein madad karungi. Lekin, abhi ke liye. Iss jalan ko dur karo. Mujhe yaha tak mehsoos ho rahi hai.]

'Shut up *sniff*!!!'

[Haha!]

Aur, isi tarah shesh yaatra chhoti-moti baat-cheet ke saath jaari rahi, lekin ankaha tanaav bana raha. Dono mahilaaye alag-alag kaarano se, Suhana ke baare me sochne par majboor thi —aur yeh ki Veer ke dil me uski kya jagah thi.

---

Car Lonavla ki halki dhundh bhari pahadiyo ke beech sthit ek shandar boutique hotel ke driveway me chali gayi. Imaarat garm, sunehri raushni se chamak rahi thi.




Veer ne gaadi park ki aur Divya aur Ava ki orr mudne se pehle khud ko thoda sa stretch karte hue baahar nikla.

Veer : Let's call it a night here. Hum subah fresh tareeke se shuruwat karenge.

Divya (glances at the elegant facade of the hotel) : Tum iske baare me sure ho na?? You know, thoda... Mehnga lag raha hai sirf ek raat rukne ke liye.




Veer (smiles) : Samajh lo ki meri belated b'day party ki treat hai. Aur, agar nahi chahiye, toh mein iska kharcha tumhare FBCC ke investigation fund me daal sakta hu.




Ava (smirks & steps out) : Investigation ya vacation fund???

Veer ne hasste hue unn dono ke bags peechhe boot space se nikaale.

Veer : Come! Raat bahut ho gayi hai.

Wo hotel ki lobby me daakhil hue, jaha ek bhavya jhoomar ne uss sthaan ko mand raushni se raushan kar rakha tha. Receptionist, ek aakarshak yuvak, tailored suit pehne, peshevar muskan liye unka swagat kiya.

Receptionist : Hillcrest me aapka swagat hai. Mein iss waqt aapki kya sahayta kar sakta hu?

Veer : Hume aaj ki raat ke liye teen rooms chahiye.

Receptionist (checks the system) : Bilkul, sir. Humare paas premium rooms available hai. Kya aapko rooms agal-bagal me chahiye?

Divya (interjects) : Ji! Ye ho jayega toh achha hoga.




Receptionist : Bilkul! Koi issue nahi. Kya mujhe booking ke liye aapki details mil sakti hai?

Veer sabhi formalities complete karne me lag gaya aur Ava poori lobby ko scan karne lagi, uski tez nazre har detail par nazar rakh rahi thi. Hotel premiumness se ot-prot thi.

Jaise hi unhe apne kamro ki chaabiyaan mili toh wo lift ki orr chal diye. Unke beech ka tang mahaul ab halka ho chuka tha.

Veer : Alright! Toh, plan ye hai ki — abhi araam se so jao, subah hum sab naashte ke liye ikhatta honge aur fir last investigation ke liye chalenge.

Divya (leaning against the elevator wall) : Sounds good! Lekin, kaash beds utne hi aramdayak nikle jitna ki yeh jagah dikh rahi hai.

Ava : Aur, agar nahi nikle toh mein saara blame Veer par daalne waali hu. Tum hi yaha leke aaye hume.

Veer : Oh, come on. Since when have I let you down?

Ava : Want the list alphabetically or chronologically?

Divya hasi, aur Veer bhi hasey bina na reh saka. Magar, jaise hi woh lift se baahar nikle toh Veer dabi awaaz me ye kehne se na choonka.

Veer (whispers) : Oh really? Jaw Long ko kisne head on engage kiya tha?

Ava (smiles) : Jab tum so rahe the tab kaun uss se ladd raha tha?

Veer (smiles) : So, we got each other's back?

Ava : I only know one thing.

Veer : Hmm??

Ava : I've got your back!!!

Veer : *smiles*

Woh sabhi shaant corridor se hote hue apne kamro ki orr gaye. Alag hone ke baad, Veer ne apna bag apne kamre ke bed par fek diya. Khidki ke saamne jhuk kar dhundh se dhaki pahadiyo ko usne ek baar dekha. Sab kuchh shaant tha.

---

Toh wahi, Divya apne bistar ke kinaare par baithi thi, uska phone haath me tha. Usne apna WhatsApp khola lekin kuchh bhi type karne me jhijak rahi thi. Car me hui baat-cheet uske dimaag me ghoom rahi thi aur uske chehre par ek ajeeb si udaasi chhayi hui thi.

'Veer, Suhana ke birthday ko lekar itna invested kyu hai? Usne pehle toh kabhi aisa nahi kiya. Fir, ye achanak se kyu-?'

Usne apna sarr hilaate hue phone neeche rakh diya.

'Zyada sochna band karo, Divya!!! You're better than this.'

Lekin, andar hi andar woh bechaini ki bhavna ko dur na kar saki.

---

Idhar, Ava bhi apne kamre me daaye se baaye, baaye se daaye ghoom rahi thi.

'Suhana... Just how close are they??? It's bothering me so much!!!'

Woh baithi, apne baalo me haath firayi. Baat jab Veer ki ho toh uski aisi haalat ho jaati thi.

'Get it together, Ava!! Mission par dhyaan do!!'

Lekin, uski laakh koshisho ke baad bhi, Suhana ka naam lete waqt Veer ki woh muskan ki chhavi uske dimaag se na hatt saki.

---

Back in Veer’s Room~

Veer desk par baitha tha aur uska laptop khula hua tha. Satara investigation ek nirasha-janak jaanch-padtal saabit hui thi. Woh abhi sone hi jaa raha tha jab uske phone ke notification ki ghanti baji. Aur, jab usne dekha toh paaya ki ghar se hi use messages aaye hue the.

Tej ke kayi saare messages dale hue the. Unhe dekhte hi usne reply dena shuru kiya.







Jab Tej se baat-cheet samapt hui ki tabhi itne me Arohi ka use message aa gaya. Aur, kuchh shano ke liye Veer uss se vartalap karne lag gaya.










Veer ne ek aah bhar phone alag rakha. Aur, mission par dhyaan diya.

'Pari!! Mission ki time limit kitni bachi hai?'

*Ding*

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

Mission failure penalty : Loss of loved ones.]

'Do din!! Kya do din me kuchh ho bhi payega? Mein ye mission hargiz fail nahi hone de sakta.'

[Yes, master. Shayad kal tak hume koi bada clue mil jaaye.]

'Hope so!'

***

Ministry of Food and Health,
Conference Room,
New Delhi,
Morning - 9:00 AM ~

Conference room me sooraj ki kirane chaudi khidki se chhan kar polished oak table par pad rahi thi. Officials, nutritionists, aur health experts ka ek samooh apni-apni seat par baith kar reports chhaan raha tha. Aaj unki charcha ka mudda tha — Veer Singh ka Hourglass Method!

Dr. Mehta (Senior Nutritionist) : Toh, iss naujavan, Veer Singh ne apni Hourglass Method se ek toofan khada kar diya hai. Social media pe viral ho rakhi hai video. Lekin, kya yaha koi vastav me jaanta hai ki yeh ladka hai kaun?

Ms. Kapoor (Junior Official) : Mujhe jo pata chala hai woh ye hai ki woh Mumbai me food trucks ki chain — 'Chef on wheels' ka maalik hai. Zahir taur par, uske food trucks fast food ke healthier versions ko serve karne ke liye jaane jaate hai, aur woh ek local celebrity bhi hai. Fufu~

Mr. Sharma (Panel Head) : Food trucks? Aur, ab woh desh ko dietary habits par salaah de raha hai? *smirks* Not sure how qualified he is for that.

Dr. Rao (Epidemiologist) : Iske pehle ki hum ise kharij kare, aao na ek baar iss method par nazar daalte hai. Hourglass method humari Indian dietary habits ko balance karne par focused hai — subah bharpet naashta, dopahar me halka khaana aur controlled lekin fulfilling dinner. Japanese inverted triangle ke vipreet, yeh humare culture ke anuroop hai. Yeh aisi cheez hai jiski hume varsho se talaash thi.

Dr. Mehta : Lekin, 'execution' woh jagah hai jaha par yeh method ladkhada jaati hai. Jo mujhe dikh raha hai, uske anusaar — hourglass ka nichla hissa ye suggest kar raha hai ki jitna vyakti ne breakfast me bhojan liya hai, utna hi woh raat me le sakta hai. Jo ki bilkul galat hai. Yeh tabhi mumkin hai jab har aadmi swasth ho. Par, har aadmi ke saath aisa nahi hai. Bahut se logo ko raat me kam khaane ki salaah doctors dete hai. Kya ek average Indian ko pata bhi hai ki 'healthy' ka matlab kya hota hai?

Ms. Kapoor : Usne apne social media post par ise define kiya hai — whole grains, lentils, vegetables, fruits, nuts. Koi bhi fried or processed food nahi.

Mr. Sharma : Fir bhi, log iski apni tarah se vyakhya kar lenge. Woh ye bhi soch sakte hai ki dher saare makkhan ke saath daba ke dher saare parathe khaana bhi healthy hai.

Dr. Rao (chuckles) : Hahahaha! Ekdum sahi kaha, Sharmaji! Lekin, yahi par toh awareness campaigns kaam me aate hai.

Ms. Kapoor : Bilkul! Uske food trucks pehle se hi aise meals ko promote kar rahe hai. Woh breads ki jagah millet-based wraps ka istemal kar rahe hai, fried snacks ko baked alternatives se badal rahe hai. Uska influence bahut kuchh change laa sakta hai.

Dr. Rao : Logo ka toh pata nahi, par lagta hai aap kaafi influenced hai, Miss Kapoor. Hahaha!!!

Ms. Kapoor : Ah! Fufu~ Shayad?

Dr. Rao : Waise aapko itna kaise pata iske food trucks ke baare me?

Ms. Kapoor : I think maine Tamanna ke ek episode me dekha tha. She's very talented.

Dr. Rao : Ah! Tamanna! That host- Right! Right!

Mr. Khurana (Policy Analyst) : Woh sab toh theek hai par economic impact ka kya? Uske trucks ek specific area ko hi cover karte hai. Urban middle-class, right? Kya yahi model rural areas aur low-income groups ke beech work karega?

Dr. Rao : Hum scalability ke liye ise modify kar sakte hai — regional food items, cheaper alternatives. Millet instead of quinoa. Concept solid hai, bas thoda fer-badal karne ki zaroorat hai.

Mr. Sharma : Aur, criticism ka kya? Yeh ek trend jaisa hai. And, trends fade. Kya hum kisi aisi cheez ka samarthan karne ka jokhim utha sakte hai jo bhavishya me shayad tikne hi nahi waali?

Dr. Mehta : True. Lekin, hume iske positive points ko ignore nahi karna chahiye. Isne badhte motaape aur diabetes se joojh rahe desh me swasth khaan-paan ki aadato ke baare me pehle hi charcha shuru kar di hai. Yeh koi chhoti baat nahi hai.

Ms. Kapoor : Exactly! Aur, janta Veer Singh par bharosa karti hai — he's relatable not some distant health guru. Hume policies aur logo ke beech ki doori ko kam karne ke liye Veer jaise logo ki hi zaroorat hai.

Mr. Sharma (leans back) : Toh, faisla kya hai? Approve it as it is? Or make amendments?

Dr. Rao : Amendments. Let’s make it inclusive — grameen ahaar ko apnaaye, portion control par zor de, 'health' ke liye clear guidelines set kare. Fir, nationwide ise test karne se pehle, regional area me test kare.

Ms. Kapoor : Aur, hume iss Veer Singh se milna hoga. Woh iss poore method ka chehra hai. Uska perspective maayne rakhta hai.

Mr. Sharma : Agreed! Use ek official invite bheji jaaye. I'd like to hear from the man himself.

Jaise hi meeting samapt hui, panel ke sadasyo ne ek sur me sarr hilaaya. Unhe thodi bahut aapatti thi, lekin woh Hourglass Method ke prabhav se inkaar nahi kar sakte the. Veer Singh, iss method ko unke darwaze tak laa diya tha, aur wo avashyak badlavo ke saath ise aage le jaana chaahte the.

Jaise hi ek junior official nimantran ka ek draft taiyar karne ke liye conference room ke baahar dauda, sabhi sadasya bhi waha se vida le liye. Iss poore prakran me Tamanna ek adrishya zor bann ke aayi thi.

Kintu, wahi adrishya zor iss waqt khud kisi musibat me phasi hui thi, ye koi na jaanta tha.

***

Universal Studios, Singapore,
Noon - 2:34 PM ~




Theme park ka shor infectious tha. Baccho ki hasi carnival sangeet ki jhankaar ke saath mili hui thi, aur cotton candy, popcorn ki sugandh hawa me bhar rakhi thi.

"Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaa~"

"Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaa~"

Shreya aur Aabha ek roller coaster par sawar thi, jaisi hi sawari neeche giri aur patri par ghoomi, unki khushi aur thodi dar se mishrit cheenkhein goonj uthi.




Tamanna ride ke kinaare neeche khadi hui thi, unki orr haath hilaate hue uske hontho par halki si muskaan thi.

Beetein mahino me woh Aabha aur Shreya itne qareeb aa gaye the ki ab teeno ek dusre se alag hone ke baare me vichaar bhi nahi kar sakte the. Tamanna ke saath-saath Aabha aur Shreya ke followers bhi social media par din-ba-din badhte jaa rahe the.

Tamanna khush thi, lekin andar hi andar uske mann me tanaav ka bhavar bana hua tha. Usne khud ko yeh samjhaane me kayi hafte laga diye ki woh Aadesh ki chhaaya se mukt ho chuki hai.

Parantu, jaise hi uski aankhein bheed ke ek samooh par ghoomi, uske hontho se muskaan gayab ho gayi. Ek vyakti, kayi feet dur khada hua tha, uska sarr jhuka hua tha, jaise ki woh bheed ka adhyayan kar raha ho. Magar, Tamanna ne use turant hi pehchan liya — sharp jawline, uski jacket ke collar ke neeche se baahar aata tattoo. Aadesh ke aadmiyon me se ek!

Uska dil uske pait me aa gaya, ghabrahat ke maare uski chhati upar-neeche hone lagi, lekin usne apne bhaav tatasth rakhe.

'N-Nahi! Yaha nahi! Abhi nahi! Please!'

Usne dusri orr dekha, uska dimag tezi se daud raha tha.

'Y-Ye aadmi yaha kaise?? K-Kahi, Aadesh ko pata toh nahi chal gaya? N-Noo!'

Uss aadmi ne koi halchal nahi ki, lekin uski nazre bheed par tiki hui thi aur kahi aur dekhne ke naatak karne se pehle, shan bhar ke liye Tamanna par tik gayi.

*Badump*

Tamanna ko laga jaise woh abhi wahi ladkhada ke gir jayegi. Woh turant mudi, uske haath-perr kaanp rahe the, woh apne phone ko dekhne ke bahaane park ke ek shaant kone ki orr chali gayi.

Ek baar seedhi drishti se baahar nikalne ke baad, usne turant hi contact list me se Veer ke naam par tap kiya aur video call shuru kar di. Uska chehra screen par dar se peela aur tana hua dikhayi de raha tha.

Shan bhar baad hi Veer ka chehra saamne aaya, uski bauhe sikud gayi.

Veer (frowns) : Tamanna? Kya hua?

Tamanna : V-Veer-!!! M-Mujhe lagta hai use pata chal gaya, Veer. Use pata chal gaya. *huff* Aadesh ne mere peechhe aadmi bheje hai. Maine abhi-abhi uske ek aadmi ko yaha dekha.

Uski awaaz kaanp rahi thi. Usne apne kandhe par nazar daali, uski saansein atak ke reh gayi jab usne uss aadmi ko bheed ke beech se guzarte uski disha ki orr aate dekha.

Tamanna (panics) : Ahhhhh!!! W-Woh mera peechha kar raha hai, Veer. Woh mere direction me aa raha hai. Mein wapas se Aadesh ke qabze me nahi jaana chaahti, Veer. Save me! Please, I beg you!!! Save me!!!

Veer ke bhaav ye sunte hi badal gaye. Uske shaant vyavhar me achanak se teevrata aa gayi.

Veer : Shreya aur Aabha kaha hai?

Tamanna (murmurs) : Woh roller coaster par hai. Ride par. Unhe nahi pata. Veer, mein unhe isme fassne nahi de sakti. Mujhe ye bhi nahi pata ki woh mere saath kya karenge. Tumne kaha tha ki tum mujhe uske changul se bacha ke rakhoge. Veer-!! Please!!! Mein haath jodti hu. Save me!!

Veer : Security kaha hai tumhari?

Tamanna : Yaha nahi hai. Naya episode Singapore me shoot hona tha aur iski details kisi ko nahi batayi gayi hai. Ye jankari sirf shooting crew ko hi pata hai. Aur, isliye mein nishchint hoke Aabha aur Shreya ko leke aa gayi.

Veer : Iska matlab tum bina security ke ghoom rahi ho?

Tamanna (nods) : H-Haan!

Veer : Y-You-!!!

Tamanna (sobs) : I-I'm sorry! I know! Sab meri galti hai. *sniff* Please! Mein tumhare haath jodti hu. Mein vaada karti hu mein tumhara har kaam karungi. I don't want to go into that hellhole again. *sniff* Please, Veer!!

Veer : Fine! Fine!! Pehle, lambi saans lo!! Panic karna band karo! Agar, woh tumhe dekh bhi raha hai toh koi dikkat nahi. Act normal! Ab ye batao Aabha aur Shreya se tum kitni dur ho?

Tamanna : W-Woh dono ride par hai. Mein unhe dekh sakti hu.

Usne fusfusaate hue kaha, uski aankhein roller coaster ki orr ghoom rahi thi, jaha Shreya aur Aabha khatre se anjaan hokar has rahi thi.

Veer : Good! Ab jaisa mein kahu, tumhe theek waisa hi karna hai. Ride khatam hote hi Shreya aur Aabha ke paas jao, zyada explain karne ki zaroorat nahi hai, bas itna kehna ki emergency hai aur tum sabko jaana hoga. Sab kuchh casually karna. Don't panic! Seedhe apne hotel ke liye niklo aur kahi bhi nahi rukna. Kuchh khareedne ke liye bhi nahi. Crew ko samjhao ki tum sab ab Mumbai laut rahi ho. Kuchh bhi reason do, woh mein tumhare upar chhorta hu. Kal raat se pehle tum Mumbai aa jaana. Mein apne kuchh aadmi tumhe pick karne bhej dunga.

Tamanna : P-Par, Veer- Usne mujhe dhoondha kaise? Mein Singapore me hi ye jankari siwae crew members ke alawa aur kisi ko nahi pata thi. Use kaise pata chala ki mein yaha hu?

Veer (frowns) : Yahi toh mujhe pata lagana hai. Filhal, tum apni safety par dhyaan do. Iske pehle ki woh aadmi koi qadam uthaaye, use chakma deke waha se nikal jao. Samajh gayi?

Tamanna (nods) : H-Haan! Mein abhi unhe laati hu.

Veer : Aur, Tamanna-

Tamanna : ???

Veer (softly) : Tum akeli nahi ho. Aadesh ko mujhpe chhor do, use mein sambhal lunga. Mujh par bharosa rakho.

Tamanna ne haami bhari, call kaatate samay uski aankhon me aansu aa gaye. Apni ghabrahat ko hataate hue, usne khud ko sambhaala aur wapas roller coaster ki orr mud gayi, uski aankhein Shreya aur Aabha ko talaash rahi thi.

Woh aadmi abhi bhi wahi tha, lekin Tamanna ne uski orr nahi dekha, ye dikhava karte hue ki woh apne vatavaran me poori tarah se khoyi hui hai.

Jaise hi ride ruki, Shreya aur Aabha hasste hue apne hawa me ude baalo ko peechhe ki orr karte hue utar gayi. Tamanna ne dabi muskaan liye unhe ishara kiya.

Tamanna : Change of plans. Hume nikalna hoga. Ek emergency hai.

Shreya (frowns) : Kya hua?

Tamanna : Arey, zyada kuchh nahi. Mein baad me samjhaungi.

Usne apne kandhe par nazar daalte hue kaha. Aadmi abhi bhi ruka hua tha, uski nazre unka peechha kar rahi thi. Tamanna ne Shreya ki baah halke se pakad li.

Tamanna : Chalo chale! Fir samjhaati hu sab kuchh.

Shreya : O-Okay!

Jaise hi wo baahar nikalne ke liye tezi se chale, uska dil zoro se dhadakne laga, har qadam par aisa mehsoos ho raha tha jaise koi rassi uske chaaro orr kassti jaa rahi ho. Usne praarthana ki, ki Veer ki yojna kaam kar jaaye, Aadesh dwara bheja gaya fanda aur kassne se pehle woh usme se baahar nikal jaaye.

***

Somewhere in Mumbai...




Tim-timaate fluorescent bulb ki mand raushni ne ek prayogshala ki thandi, metallic deewaro ko raushan kar rakha tha. Kamra avyavastha ko darsha raha tha. Surgical tools taaza khoon se chamak rahe the, gaadhe laal rang ke taral ki sheeshiyaan almaariyaan par feli hui thi, aur antiseptic ki badbu waha ke decay ke saath mishrit ho rakhi thi.

Inn sab ke beech me, ek aadmi stainless steel ki mej ke ird-gird mandra raha tha, uske dastaane pehne haath nirasha aur thodi uttejna ke ek ajeeb mishran se kaanp rahe the.

Uske latest subject ka nirjeev shareer bina harqat kiye, peela aur sookha pada hua tha. Laash me se atadiya baahar ko nikli hui thi.

Uss aadmi ne nirash hote hue apne khoon se lathpath dastaane ko utaara.

*Plop*

Jis se veh kisi geele thappad ki awaaz kar neeche zameen par gira. Usne apna sarr jhuka kar neeche shav ko aise dekha jaise koi baccha apne toote hue khilaune ko dekhta ho.

Aadmi (softly, almost tender) : Tum bechaare... Naazuk cheez... Maine tumhe kitna kuchh diya, aur tumne sab barbaad kar diya. Kyu??? Kya tumhe mera tohfa pasand nahi aaya? Jawab do!!!

Magar, mrat shareer bhala kaha se jawab de?? Jab pade hue shav ne koi harqat nahi ki toh woh aadmi achanak se jhunjhla gaya. Usne apne bagal se rakha ek kulhada uthaaya aur-

*Squelch* *Squelch*

*Squelch* *Squelch*

Dana-dan woh mrat shareer ki khuli hui chhaati par barsaata gaya.

Aadmi (screams) : JAWAAAAB DOOOO!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! JAWAAAB DOOO!!! KYUUUU???? MERA GIFT TUMNE REJECT KYU KIYA??? BOLOOOOO!!!!

*Squelch* *Squelch*

Khoon ke chheete udte hue uske muh aur shareer ko bhigo diye. Sirf khoon hi nahi, uss mrat shareer ke ang ke parchhatte bhi udte hue idhar-udhar bikhar gaye.

Woh ek qadam peechhe hua, apne bikhre hue safed baalo me apni ungliyon ko ghumaane laga, jis se uske maathe aur baalo me khoon chhap gaya. Uske honth ek vyangya me badle, fir ek ajeebo-gareeb mudi hui muskaan hontho par fel gayi.

'Hehe~ Ye meri wajah se nahi hai!! Haan!! Hehehehe! Ye meri wajah se nahi hai. Meri calculations... Mere ratios... Perfect hai!!! Tum sab... Tum sab kamzor ho!!! Hahahahahaha!!! Weak mongrels!!! Hehehehe!'

*Slaaaaaaaammmmm*

Usne apni mutthi mej par patki, jis se waha rakhi sheeshiyaan baj uthi. Uski saansein ukhadne lagi, uske kandhe upar-neeche ho rahe the aur chaudi baahar ko aati aankhein kamre me ghoomne lagi.

Woh pin kiye gaye charts, anatomical diagrams, aur uske pichhle peedito ki photographs se bhari deewar ki orr muda, jin par laal syaahi se kuchh notes likhe hue the.

'Tum sab choohe ke bacche... Ehehe... Hastey ho na mujhpe? hehe... Par... Par, mein sabko shaant kar dunga... Dekhna!'

Woh idhar-udhar ghoomta raha, uska coat lehra raha tha, aur kamre ke ek andhere kone ki orr woh badha. Waha ek bada sa glass chamber rakha hua tha, jo gaadhe, bulbulate laal taral se bhara hua tha. Andar kayi chhoti aspasht aakritiya terr rahi thi.

Usne glass par haath rakha, uske bhaav achanak se komal ho gaye.

"Don’t worry, my darlings. You’ll be better... stronger. You’ll succeed where the others failed. I promise you that. Ehehehehe~"

Jaise hi woh mukhya mej ki orr muda, kamre me ek haivani hasi goonj uthi.

'They’ll never understand... But soon... oh, so very soon... they’ll all see. Ehehehehehe-!!! I need fresh blood. Hehehehehe!!!'

*Click*

Usne zor se switch dabaate hue overhead light ko bujha diya, jis se kamra andhere me doob gaya. Sab kuchh khatam hote hi, uski machines ki halki, bhayanak gadgadahat hi ekmaatra dhwani thi, jo waha goonjti rahi.
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Aaj ke liye itna hi guys.
This update consists of 10k words. Isme bahut se sequences hai, jaisa ki dekh hi liya hoga. Title se hi pata chal raha hai ki on pins and needles hai sab kuchh. So, next update hi chaos machaane waala hoga. The killer has presented himself for the first time in the scene. Bahut si cheezein ek saath ghatit ho rahi hai, jo mujhe hi manage karna hai. This is why it takes a lot of time to set them and phrase them. Padh ke quality ka bhi andaza lag hi gaya hoga. Tej aur Arohi ki chat waala idea, ye first time kiya hai maine aisa kuchh. Let me know if you like it. Usme alag se kaafi samay gaya hai mera.

Fun fact : When Tej says I love you to Veer in the chat, see the time difference for each messages. Also, don't forget to notice Veer's phone battery percentage. Itni minute details ka dhyaan rakhta hu, isliye update time leta hai.

Target apna wahi hai, 200 likes. Like thokne ka aur revos rakhna ka. Next update se target thoda badh jayega kyunki, arc peak par jaane waala hai aur quality aur badhne waali hai. Baaki, saath bane rehne ka.
Dhanyavad.

Scintillating update dear bro thank you. Awaiting your upcoming suspense laden update anxiously with abated breath, dear bro.

 

[Ek anjaan humsafar]

 

[Ek anjaan humsafar]

Exhaustive and minute detailing

 

[Rexd]

Update - 191 ~ On Pins & Needles​

Ab tak...

Ek viman apne niyamit samay ka paalan karte hue airstrip par utra. Baari-baari usme se attendants baahar nikalte gaye aur ek shaks apna ek suitcase leke baahar ko aaya.

Baahar aate hi usne sabse pehle formalities kar apna phone chaalu karwaya aur fir ek call lagaya.

Aur, call pe usne bas itna hi kaha-

"I'm in Mumbai, my friend. Yes! Yes!! Send me the address of your villa. That would be good. Why so suddenly?? Hahaha! No! No!!! It's because my bitch ass wife is roaming here-!!! I need to settle some scores with her!!"

Ab aage...

29th December,
Thane Police Station,
Mumbai, Morning - 10:20 AM ~

*Clack* *Clack*
*Clack* *Clack*

Dur se typewriter ki laybaddh khad-khadahat mand raushni waale police station me goonj rahi thi. DSP Trisha apni avyavasthit kursi par baithi thi, aur subah ki dhoop ke chalte halki garmi me upar chal raha pankha bhi shor me apna yogdaan de raha tha.

Yahi tha Mumbai ka mausam. Subah halki garmi, din me kaho AC bhi chalana pad jaaye aur raat me halki-fulki maamuli si thand jo shayad shareer ki agar garam taseer ho toh samajh bhi na aaye.

Thandi chai ka ek cup uske bagal me achhoota pada hua tha, chai se sana hua table ka kinara subah se chal rahe bechain kaam ka ek pramaan tha.

Trisha ki aankhein apne haath me liye hue phone par tiki hui thi. Uski bauhe ekagrata se sikud gayi. Hatyaare ka varnan usne halke swar me dohraya.

"Chaudi baahar ko aati aankhein... Safed lamba coat... Safed kandhe tak aate baal... Bhayanak muskaan..."

Uska haath phone ke chaaro orr kass gaya.

"Iss se toh ye case aur ulajh gaya. Kya musibat hai!!! Shittt-!!!!"

*Baaaaammmmm*

Usne apne dono haath zor se mej par patke. Eye witness — Deepu se jo bhi gawahi mili thi woh Divya ne sabhi police stations me notes bana kar aage forward kar di thi. Aur, uske itna karte hi sabhi thaano me ek sansani si mach chuki thi. Trisha bhi unn chintit jano me se ek thi.

Trisha : Ye toh aam insaan ka description lag hi nahi raha. Aur, uska ye kehna ki ye manav shareer itna dilchasp hai. Kahi hum kisi paagal se toh deal nahi kar rahe? Ya woh Deepu jhooth toh nahi bol raha?

Paas me hi control room me baitha Shekhar, Trisha ki baat sunn keyboard par apni ungliyaan chalaate hue bola.

Shekhar : Agar, use jhooth bolna hota toh woh pehle hi bol deta, madam. Khair, woh jo bhi ho par aapko ek baat toh maanani padegi. Ye FBCC waale badi hi jaldi results de rahe hai. Hai na?

Trisha (smirks) : Hmph! Kam se kam kuchh kaam toh aa rahe hai. Achha hua jo maine unhe iss kaam me laga diya.

Kehte hue woh ek gehri saans chhor apni kursi par peechhe jhuk gayi. Upar bulb ki raushni timtima rahi thi, kuchh halke drafts ke kaagaz uski mej par rakhe hawa se sarsara uthe. Uski nazar deewar par lage ast-vyast pinboard par padi — ansuljhe maamle, feeki puraani tasveerein aur kuchh haath likhe noto ka ek jaal.

Woh abhi baithi soch hi rahi thi jab darwaza khula aur baahar se ek sub-inspector andar jhaankte hue bola.

Sub-inspector : M-Madam-!! W-Woh-

Trisha : Hmm? Kya hua?

Sub-inspector : Woh ek aur laapata vyakti ki complaint aayi hai.

Trisha (frowns) : Kya-!!?? Idhar pehle hi inn murders se poora pradesh pareshan hai aur idhar gumshuda logo ki reports aa rahi hai? Kaun kho gaya??

Sub-inspector : Koi mahila hai. Uska pati aur kuchh aas-pados ke log aaye hai.

Trisha : 24 ghante ho gaye?

Sub-inspector : 24 ghante ke upar ho gaye hai, madam.

Trisha (frowns) : Tch-!!!

Sub-inspector : Toh mein- likh du na?

Trisha (nods) : Hmm! Report taiyar karo aur unse kaho ki hum talashi shuru kar rahe hai jald hi.

Sub-inspector : J-Ji!

Kehte hue woh wapas baahar nikal gaya. Lekin, idhar Trisha pehle se aur bhi zyada chinta me aa gayi.

'Yaha ek toh woh murderer nahi mil raha hai aur ye log upar se police ko aur gumshuda vyaktiyo ki report lekar aa rahe hai. Tsk-!! Ghar ka ek sadasya nahi sambhala jaa raha inse.'

Trisha (glances) : Shekhar, tumhe kuchh mila kya?

Shekhar : Hmm? Iss case ka toh nahi pata madam, lekin mujhe pichhle case ke baare me kuchh pata laga hai.

Trisha : Huh??

Woh mudi aur prashn bhari nigaaho se use dekhi. Shekhar ne use jab ishaare se apne paas bulaya toh woh fauran hi uth ke uske paas aayi.

Shekhar : Ye dekhiye...! Lagbhag dedh-do saal pehle Kora Kendra Ground par ek event hua tha.

Trisha (leans in) : Event???

Shekhar : Aur, iss event ke aas-paas Slogan ko dekha gaya tha.

Trisha : Kya!!?

Shekhar ne agle hi pal social media se chhaatate hue ek photo, jo kisi anjaan vyakti dwara kheenchi gayi thi use khol ke saamne screen par dikhaya.

Photo aam taur par uss event ki saaj-sajja ke liye kheenchi gayi thi magar, uss photo me Slogan bhi ittefaq se capture ho chuka tha.

Trisha (frowns) : Y-Ye-

Shekhar (nods) : Mirror gallery!!! Ek fake event.

Trisha : Fake event???

Shekhar : Ji madam! Agar, hum iss mirror gallery ke hashtag par jaaye aur iss se sambandhit posts sirf Mumbai me dekhe- *Click* *Click* Toh, ye dekhiye — Aap padh sakti hai ki kitne logo ne shikayatein rakhi hai ki event me unhe jaane hi nahi diya gaya tha.

Trisha : Waqai!! Ek minute! Par, kuchh logo ne positive reviews bhi chhore hai. Dekho!

Shekhar : Hmm! Lekin, ratio dekhiye na madam. 10 me se 8 logo ne yahi kaha hai ki unhe andar jaane tak nahi diya gaya. Unhe waha se bhaga diya gaya tha.

Trisha (frowns) : Hmm!!!

Shekhar : Aur, ek kamaal ki cheez aapko dikhata hu.

Trisha : ???

Shekhar : Ye padhiye! Mirror gallery me jo samagri ka istemal hua tha woh official dealers dwara bheji hi nahi gayi thi. Inhone khud confirm kiya hai, social media par. Kehne ka matlab ye hai ki ye event official organisers dwara nahi set kiya gaya tha.

Trisha : Aur, aise me uss Slogan ka waha hona. Kya tum ye kehna chaah rahe ho ki iss sab ke peechhe wahi tha?

Shekhar : Ho sakta hai!

Trisha : Lekin, iss se uski maut ka kya sambandh?

Shekhar : Ho sakta hai ki ye mirror gallery ki ghatna se hi kuchh shuru hua ho?

Trisha : Ye mirror gallery akhir hai kya?

Shekhar : Maine inhe officially dhoondh liya hai. Kuchh photos dikhata hu aapko. Ye dekhiye-!!! Kisi prakar ki pradarshni hoti hai jaha par alag-alag prakar ke mirrors hote hai. Arey, woh movie wagarah me dekhte hai na hum-

Trisha : Tumhara matlab fun house? Carnival wagarah me jo hote hai?

Shekhar (nods) : Haan!! Jinme humara akaar badla hua nazar aata hai. Kuchh me hum mote dikhte hai, kuchh me patle.

Trisha : Samajh gayi! Lekin, Slogan ka waha hona ek ittefaq bhi toh ho sakta hai.

Shekhar : Par, saath hi me iss Mirror Gallery ka illegal tareeke se organise hona? Kya woh bhi ek ittefaq tha madam?

Trisha (nods) : Hmm! Tumne sahi kaha, Shekhar! Kuchh gadbad toh zaroor hai. Mujhe iske baare me aur chhaan-been chaahiye. Mirror gallery se sambandhit sab kuchh chhaan maaro. Aur, Slogan ko iske theek baad kaha-kaha dekha gaya, uska bhi pata lagao.

Shekhar : Ji madam!!

Trisha (mutters) : Chaahe ye murder ke cases ho ya fir Slogan Aatish ki rehesyamayi maut. Mein inn dono raazo par se parda utha ke rahungi!!!

Apne aap se yeh dridh nishchay kar, woh kamre se baahar nikal gayi.

***

Casa Belle,
Unicard accessed suite,
Morning - 10:40 AM ~

Unicard dwara praapt kiye gaye iss aalishan suite me fizool-kharchi ki gandh aa rahi thi. Crystals ke jhoomaro ne kamre ko sunehri chamak se bhar rakha tha, jo polish kiye gaye sangmarmar ke farsh aur alankrit furniture par pratibimb ho rahi thi.

Resham ka kurta pehne aur makhmali shawl lapete — Dhananjay Singh, ek chamde ki kursi par baitha hua tha aur mehngi cognac se bhara glass halke-halke chalan me ghuma raha tha. Uske sone ke kangan har harqat ke saath baj rahe the, jo uski virasat me mili sampatti aur shakti ka prateek tha.

Deewar par lage vishal se TV screen par mand awaaz me samachar chal rahe the, jiski tim-timaati raushni uske teekhe nain-naksh par chamak rahi thi. Unn aankhon me shaant krodh ubaal le raha tha. Kamre ka mahaul ekdum tanaav-poorn tha.

Bhale hi Veer ne Harikiran aur Bhanu Partap Singh ko maut ke ghaat utaar ke unka ghar gaav waalo ki nigrani me saunp diya tha. Kintu, Dhananjay ke lautne ke baad halaat thode badal chuke the. Beetein barso me kamaya gaya saara kaala dhan aaj bhi uski hi jebo me tha. Kul milake, aaj ki tareekh me uske paas atyadhik paisa tha.

*Knock* *Knock*

Darwaze par achanak hui dastak ne shaanti todi. Dhananjay ne jhunjhla kar apni bauhe chadhaayi.

Dhananjay : Kaun hai bey???

Darwaza jhijhakte hue ek aadmi ne khola aur thodi ukhdi hui saans ke saath usne andar jhaaka. Prateet ho raha tha jaise woh bhaag ke aaya tha.

Dhananjay : Achha! Tu? Saala, maai ka chode theek se peene bhi na det tumre log!!! Aa!! Andar, aa!!!

Woh aadmi andar aaya. Dikhne me toh hatta-katta par apne sarkar ke saamne aate hi uski hekdi nikal chuki thi aur kaafi ghabraya hua bhi lag raha tha.

Aadmi : S-Sarkar-!!! Ek badi khabar mili hai.

Dhananjay ne dheere se glass ko mej par rakha aur apni kursi par seedha ho gaya.

Dhananjay (coldly) : Agar, khabar humra samay ka barbaadi karan waali hui, toh uu ka nateeja tum jaani na???

Aadmi ne apne gale me atke hue thook ko nigla aur himmat kar haan me sarr hilaaya.

Aadmi : H-Humne pata laga liya hai, Sarkar! Jisne saahab aur bade saahab ko maara tha. Uss Veer ka karobar yaha Mumbai me hi hai.

Dhananjay : Hmm??

Aadmi : Ek hotel hai — Prestige naam se. Udhar use aate-jaate kayi baar dekha gaya hai. Aur, kuchh khaane ke trucks bhi chalwata hai woh. Aur, ek aur khabar mili hai sarkar... 31 december ko koi naya karobar bhi shuru karne waala hai shayad.

Dhananjay : Ee ka matlab uu sasuri phone waala banda sach bol raha tha.

Dhananjay ka dhyaan turant hi Damian ke dwara kiye gaye phone call par gaya. Damian ne hi use jataya tha ki Veer ek businessman hai jo Mumbai me apna vyavsay dekhta hai. Usne ye bhi bataya tha ki uski ek hotel hai.

Use chidhaate hue Damian ne use poora sach nahi bataya aur chhaan-been ka kaam Dhananjay ko saunp diya tha. Kintu, aaj Dhananjay ke itne dino se talashi kar rahe pantaro ki mehnat rang laayi. Aur, ye siddh ho gaya ki Damian ne phone par jo baatein kahi thi — woh sach thi.

Baaki, Veer ka naam toh use apni maa se hi pata chal gaya tha. Jab Veer ne Harikiran aur Bhanu Pratap ka safaya kiya tha, tab uski maa ghar par hi thi.

Kamre me khamoshi chhaa hui thi. Dhananjay ke hontho par achanak ek kutil muskaan fel gayi, lekin uski aankhon me siwae dwesh ke alawa aur kuchh nazar nahi aa raha tha.

Dhananjay : Naya karobaar huh??? *grins* Bahut badhiya!!! Ee kutta shayad sochat ba ki humra se khilwad kar ke uu apna jindagi me aage badh jayega? Hahaha!

Woh apni kursi se utha, uski prabhavshali upasthiti ne uske aadmi ko anechhik roop se peechhe hatne par majboor kar diya.

Dhananjay : Hum ee kutte ko uu ki haisiyat yaad dilaaib. Lekin, abhi naahi. Abhi ee sochne do ki uu ka naya karobar ka udghatan bhavya hogi. Humni ke tab hamla karab jab jaa ke har choti, har sapna ke nasht kare ke samay aayi.

Wo kamre ki bhavya khidki ki orr gaya, uski chhaaya kamre me lambi fel gayi. Usne apne haath apni peeth ke peechhe kiye aur bola.

Dhananjay : Sabaas!!! Aisa hi kaam chahiye humka. Jaa!! Aur, har jagah log ke baitha di. Humra har pal ke khabar chaahi — udhghatan kaha hoi, ke aayi, parivar se ke hoi, kaun samay se karyakram shuru hoi, aur kaun samay uu kutta sabse jyada byast aur kamjor hoi. Humra sab kuchh chaahi!

Aadmi ne tezi se sarr hilaaya, uski raahat spasht thi.

Aadmi : J-Jaisa aap kahe, sarkar. Hum har jagah log bitha denge. Aapko ek-ek pal ki khabar milti rahegi.

Dhananjay (turns) : Aur, sunn… Humra ke nirash na kari, hai na? Tum toh jaani ki ee jo abhi chal raha hai na, uu khel naahi hai. Ee to bas shuruwaat hai. Aur, ee lo!!! Humaar taraf se chhota sa tohfa!! Maja kari, pantaro ke saath. Haha!

Kehte hue usne ek 500 ki gaddi mej par patak di. Aadmi ne darte hue haath jod kar rakam uthayi aur haami bhar, salaam thok baahar nikal gaya. Jaise hi darwaza band hua, Dhananjay ne firse apni cognac se bhari glass uthayi aur ghooth lagaane laga.

'Veer…! Tanne laga tu humaar jeevan ujaad ke chenn se jee lega? Tuhaar har sapna ab hum apni ee perro tale kuchalne waala hu.'

***

Ballroom, Casa Belle,
Night - 8:25 PM ~

Aaj ki hi raat Casa Belle ke ballroom ka nazara kuchh asadharan tha. Vishal, jagmagate mehnge jhoomaro ne kamre ko sunehri raushni se bhar rakha tha, aur resham se lipti mejo par taaze orchids saje hue the.




Designer suits aur cham-chamaate gowns me mehman vintage champagne ki chuski lete hue, uniformed waitstaff dwara parose gaye hors d'oeuvres ka aanand lete hue idhar-udhar ghoom rahe the. Raat ki theme — "A Night in Versailles" thi aur hotel ke har kone ko french mahal ki bhavyata jaisa banaya gaya tha — painted fresco backdrops, gold accented décor, aur royalty ke liye upyukt symphony bajaane waala ek live orchestra.




Aadesh Jaisinghani haath me scotch ka glass liye bar ke paas khada tha aur ek santusht muskaan ke saath sthal ka nireekshan kar raha tha. Sab kuchh ekdum sahi lag raha tha ki tabhi uska project manager, Kumar, ek tab haath me lekar jhijakte hue uske paas aaya.

Kumar : S-Sir, hume budget ke baare me charcha karne ki zaroorat hai.

Woh bola. Uski awaaz dheemi thi lekin bheed ke shor me sunane laayak paryapt dridhta rakhi hui thi. Kintu, Aadesh ne uski orr dekhne ki zehmat bhi nahi uthayi.

Aadesh : Budget? Hum sheher me sabse exclusive event host kar rahe hai. Chaaro orr dekho, Kumar. Kya yeh aisi jagah lagti hai jaha budget maayne rakhta hai??

Kumar : S-Sir-!!

Usne bhavya parivesh ki orr ghabrate hue dekhte hue kaha.

Kumar : Akele iss event ka kharcha humaare anumaan se 30% zyada ho chuka hai. Hum free-flowing champagne, michelin-star chefs, aur live orchestra ki peshkash kar rahe hai. Imported decorations aur staff ke extra bonuses jode aur-

Aadesh : Bas!!!!

Woh apna haath uthaate hue akhirkar uski orr muda. Uski teekhi nazar ne Kumar ko chup rehne par majboor kar diya.

Aadesh : Kya tum jaante ho ki yeh event kya darshata hai? Prestige ki strategy ka chori hona aur perfectionism ke saath execute hona. Hum sheher ko dikha rahe hai ki ye kaise kiya jaata hai, Kumar!!! Agar, mein yaha unke ideas ko kuchal du, toh kaun unke hotel me kadam rakhne ki himmat karega??

Kumar : L-Lekin, sir- Humari kamayi kharche ke barabar nahi ho rahi hai. Iss event ki ticket bikri se mushqil se aadhi laagat hi nikaal paayi hai. Aur, 31st December ka gala qareeb aa-

Aadesh : Safalta ke qareeb aa raha hai, Kumar! Safalta ke qareeb!!!

Usne thodi uphaaspoorna hasi ke saath beech me kaha. Uski awaaz dheemi thi lekin shor ko kaat rahi thi.

Aadesh : Kumar!!! Maine tumhe yaha aakdo ke baare me shikayat karne ke liye nahi rakha hai. Maine apne vision ko execute karne ke liye tumhe kaam par rakha hai. Jab kisi raajya ko jeetna ho toh ye chillare nahi ginte — shaasan karte hai!!!

Kumar ke honth sikud gaye, aur usne peechhe hatate hue anichha se sarr hilaaya.

Kumar : Samajh gaya, Sir!!!

Aadesh ne use jhatak kar kharij kar diya, lekin jaise hi Kumar bheed me gaayab hua, uske mann me ek sandeh ka beej ankurit hone laga. Usne apna jabda kasste hue scotch ko nigla.

'Kumar ki baat kahi sahi toh nahi-!? N-Nahi-!!! Maine itna kharcha kiya hai. Fund khatam hone ke bawajood bhi mujhe hazaro firms se investments mil jayegi. M-Magar, ye Veer-!!! Ye haram-khor ab tak khamosh kyu baitha hai???'

Yeh vichaar uske mann me kisi anchaahe mehmaan ki tarah aaya. Usne pichhle dino 25th December ke baare me socha jab Kumar ne cash flow ki giravat ke baare me bataya tha. Christmas ki raat bahut kharcha hua tha. Isme koi shaq nahi tha ki aakdo ne use pareshan kar rakha tha. Magar, woh ye chinta apne staff ke saamne nahi dikha sakta tha.

Upar se uske dwara bheja gaya spy — Ankit, Hotel Prestige me head chef ko barkhast karne ki tarqeeb me bhi vifal ho chuka tha. Aur, kyu na hota? Prestige ki head chef akhir Mukta thi jo Veer ki sewa karne ke liye hi baithi thi. Majbooran, Aadesh ko bas Prestige ki strategies aur plans ko execute karne ki tarqeeb me hi nirbhar hona pad raha tha.

'N-Nahi-!!!'

Usne apne glass ko zorr se bheench liya. Usne inn vichaaro ko apne mann se jhatkaya. Casa Belle, Mumbai ka crown jewel tha. Badi se badi companies yaha invest karne ke liye taiyaar baithi thi. Aaj paisa khatam bhi ho gaya toh kya ho gaya? Ye sab toh sirf temporary tha. Aane waale samay me woh raaj karega.

Aisa soch usne fir se ballroom ke chaaro orr dekha, khud ko vijayee dekhne ke liye majboor kiya. Fir bhi, uski aatmvishvas se bhari muskaan ke peechhe, uske dimag ne Kumar ke shabd ek baar fir dohra diye.

Iss lavish luxury ke peechhe chhipe Casa Belle naamak — ek doobte jahaaj se anibhigya, mehmaano dwara taaliyaan bajaate samay orchestra ka crescendo lagbhag mazakiya sa lag raha tha. Unn bechaaro ko pata hi nahi tha ki iss vilaasita ke peechhe kya chhipa hua tha.

Shayad aane waali daridrita aur diwala?

***

Hotel Prestige,
Night - 10:10 PM ~




Jaise Veer ke virodhi uske liye jaal bichha kar use dhakelne ki tarqeeb bana rahe the, waise hi uske apne parivar jann uske liye uska kandha bann rahe the.

Hotel Prestige ka vishal banquet hall gatividhiyo se gulzar tha. 'Yarnia' ke bhavya launch ki ulti ginti chal rahi thi, aur hall ka har kona tez qadmo, chillaate hue nirdesho aur beech-beech me hilte-dulte equipment ki gad-gadahat se goonj raha tha.

Parivar ne uss sthaan ko rachnatmakta aur arajakta ke kendra me badal diya tha, pratyek sadasya poori tarah se apni zimmedariyo me laga hua tha.

'Yarnia' ko launch karne ke liye Veer ne koi aur venue nahi balki khud Hotel Prestige ko hi chuna tha. Iss se behtar jagah aur kya ho sakti thi? Na sirf hotel ki apni aamdani badhne waali thi balki saath hi saath 'Yarnia' ke liye alag se sthaan ka kharcha karne ki bhi zaroorat nahi thi. Ek teer se do nishaane.

Aur, ye sab staff ki gerr haziri me khud parivar sadasya crew members ke saath karwa rahe the.

Event ki blueprints se dhaki ek badi mej ke paas khadi Bhavna iss toofan ke beech shaanti ka prateek lag rahi thi. Uski paarkhi tez nazro ne baithne ke jatil seating arrangement, aur entrance ki design ko scan kiya. Usne apna bareek aksharo ko padhne waala chashma theek kiya aur oonchi awaaz me boli.

Bhavna (firmly) : Ragini!!! Stage lights ko hume collection ke centerpiece par focus karne ki zaroorat hai. Ye sirf visibility ke baare me nahi hai — it's about making a statement. Mere bete ka naam hoga waha. Uski har detail perfect honi chahiye.

Ragini, jo lighting crew ki dekh-rekh me lagi thi, usne apna sarr hilaya aur baalo ki ek latt kaan ke peechhe le jaate hue boli.

Ragini : Woh toh theek hai, lekin ye Louis ka kya? Uski demands sunn ke doubt ho raha hai ki hum sab ek hi project pe kaam kar rahe hai ya nahi?

Maano jaise apna naam sunte hi, French Designer Louis wahi kamre me hi ghus aaya. Woh Yarnia ke hi khud ke liye banaye gaye kapde aur ek chamakdar scarf pehna hua tha. Bolte samay uske haath naatkeeya dhang se ishara kar rahe the.

Louis : Madame Bhumika!!! Ze fabrics for ze final lineup—zey are not 'ere! I asked for perfection, and zis is what I get?!

Mukhya display rack ke paas khadi Bhumika uski orr mudi, uske bhaav me chidh-chidhahat spasht thi.

Bhumika : Y-Ye kya bol raha hai? Meri kuchh samajh nahi aa raha-!!! Veeeeeerrr!!! Oh god!!!

Louis : Ooo madame!!!! I want ze fabrics!! Fabriccccsss!!!! For ze final line-up!!! Zey are not here!!!!

Jab Bhumika ko samajh aaya ki Louis final line-up ke fabrics ke baare me baat kar raha hai toh usne use samjhaate hue kaha.

Bhumika : H-Hey!! Relax. I’ve already sent the team to pick up the remaining fabrics. It’s Mumbai, not Paris, Louis. Traffic exists here too. *mutters* Aur yahan drama bhi free milta hai.

Tej, jo ek haath me clipboard aur dusre me apna phone pakdi hui thi, woh apni bauhe sikodi aage aayi.

Tej : Louis, calm down. Veeru hired you because you're the best!!!

Louis : Veeru???

Tej (blushes) : Ahh! I-I mean, Veer!!!

Louis : Ohhh!

Tej : If you panic then what about the team? Please, go and ensure that all the social media models are ready for their walk on 31st. Leave the fabrics to me.

Louis thoda jhijhka, par fir ek gehri saans lete hue waha se chala gaya.

---

Wahi hall ke dur ke chhor par, Shweta unn workers ko manage kar rahi thi jo welcoming arch ke paas khade hoke swagat karne waale the. Uske shaant swabhav ke bawajood, uski harqato me thodi ghabrahat nazar aa rahi thi. Ye sab kaam kiye use ab kayi saal ho chuke the. Keval Veer ke liye hi woh isme shaamil ho rahi thi.

'Agar, use pata chalega ki maine kitni madad karwayi hai, toh woh kitna khush hoga na. Bas, yahi toh dekhna hai mujhe. Uski khushi!!!'

Woh apne mann me sochi, ki tabhi unn workers me se ek ne ladkhadaate hue sajavat ka ek hissa gira diya.

Shweta (snaps) : Areyyy?? Savdhani se!!! Ye sirf saaj sajja ke liye nahi hai. Mere bete ki izzat ka sawal hai. Koi bhi galti nahi honi chahiye!!!

Uski narazgi sunn, Bhumika uske paas aayi.

Bhumika (teasingly) : Mom!!! Thoda chill! Yeh log Paris ke nahi hai. Thoda adjust karna seekho!

Shweta : Adjust meri jutti!!! Mere bete ka business hai. Koi truti bardasht nahi karungi mein, Bhumi! Hmph!

Shweta ne apni bitiya ko dekha, par mand-mand wo muskura rahi thi. Yeh sab kuchh Veer ke liye ho raha tha.

---

Isi beech Ragini tech booth par thi, digital screen ke liye simulations run kar rahi thi. Jab usne Veer ke naam aur 'Yarnia' ke brand logo ko pradarshit karne waale display ko dekha toh uska seena garv se chauda ho gaya. Aur, dimag pal bhar ke liye bhatak gaya.

'Kaash, tum yaha hote!!! Jab tum paas hote ho toh sab kuchh kitna asaan lagta hai. Lekin, mein tumse naraz bhi hu!!! Ab tootati jaa rahi hu. Iske pehle ki mein bikhar jau, mujhe jawab dedo Veer-!!!'

Uska dhyaan ek takneeki kharabi ke chalte bhang ho gaya. Saamne display ki screen glitch ke chalte flicker ho rahi thi.

Ragini : Arey? Yeh kya ho raha hai?! Abhi ke abhi fix karo!

Ladka : Ji madam!!!

---

Hungaame ke beech, Tej ne sabhi ka dhyaan kheechne ke liye ek podium par qadam rakha.

Tej (claps) : Suniye, sab log!! Humare paas sirf 48 ghante bache hai. Nahi! Balki, uss se bhi kam! Mom, please zara dekhiye ki guest list seating chart se match ho rahi hai ya nahi? Aur, bhabhi aap-

Ragini : Bhabhi nahi hu mein ab Tejal!!! Bhabhi thi!! I'm a divorcee now!!

Tej : Ugh! P-Par-

Ragini : Didi keh ke bula sakti ho tum. Par, bhabhi nahi. *mutters* Kam se kam tab tak nahi jab tak Veer aur mein-

Tej : Huh? Aapne kuchh kaha kya?

Ragini : N-Nahi! Just call me didi!

Tej : O-Okay! Toh, Ragini didi, aap zara please technical setup ko double check kar lijiye.

Ragini (nods) : Hmm!

Tej : A-Aur, aap-

Shweta (glances) : Hmm?

Tej : Please, chefs ke saath ek baar menu finalize kar lijiye. Aur, Bhumika-

Bhumika : Hmm? Kya hua Tejal?

Tej : VIP entries ko aap dekh lena. Veer ne kaha tha kayi saare VIPs honge. Galtiyo ki koi gunzaish na ho. Ye sab Veer ke liye hum kar rahe hai.

Bhumika : Don't worry! I know!

Kamre me oorja badal gayi, har kisi ko ek naye uddeshya ki anubhooti mehsoos hone lagi.

---

Jaise-jaise raat gehri hoti gayi, afra-tafri ke beech parivar jaldi-jaldi chai peene ke liye ikhatta hua. Suman aur Sonali badi hi lagan se sabke khaane peene ka dhyan rakhne me lagi hui thi. Woh dono baaki kaamo me toh maahir nahi thi, isliye khaan-paan ka zimma unhone hi utha liya.

Bhavna (sips) : Chai bahut achhi bani hai, Suman! *smiles*

Suman (smiles) : Dhanyavad didi!

Sonali : Biscuits aur namkeen bhi hai. Lijiye na!!!

Bhavna : Haan haan! Bilkul!

Tej (smiles) : Veeru yaha hota toh sab kuchh dekh ke khush ho jaata na?

Bhavna : Filhal woh yaha nahi hai. Aur, sab hume hi sambhalna hai.

Bhumika (nods) : Right!

Tej : Woh toh mujhse bas keh ke gaya tha ki, "Teju di! Sambhal lena." Usne itne bharose se kaha tha. Mein uski har umeed par khadi utarna chaahti hu.

Bhumika (whispers) : Aisa lagta hai uski har chhoti baat pe dhyan dena meri zimmedari bann gayi hai. Jab woh yahaan nahi hota, sab kuchh adhura lagta hai.

Tej : Eh? Aapne kuchh kaha kya?

Bhumika (fumbles) : Wh-What?? Ahn! N-Nahi!!! *blushes* M-Mein bhi wahi soch rahi thi jo tum soch rahi thi.

Tej : O-Oh!

Shweta : Mein toh bas yahi chaahti hu ki woh mujhe maa maane.

Bhavna (smirks) : Maanta toh hai! Shweta maa keh ke pukara jo tha usne!

Shweta : Hmph! Aise nahi-!! Jis din tumse zyada woh mujhe maanega, mere liye wahi sabse bada launch hoga.

Bhavna (giggles) : Fufu~

Shweta : Kya hass kya rahi ho?

Bhavna (smiles) : Kuchh nahi! Bas yuhi!!

Shweta : Aayega ek din. Dekh lena tum!

Bhavna (smiles) : Zaroor!

Asamanya roop se chup, Ragini ne apni chai ki orr dekha, uske vichaar niji the lekin Veer ke liye uska pyaar spasht tha. Woh uss se naraz thi magar fir bhi woh yaha apni jee-jaan laga ke mehnat kar rahi thi. Veer ke liye woh kuchh bhi kar sakti thi. Aur, ye toh kuchh bhi nahi tha.

Aadhi raat ho chuki thi aur hall me abhi bhi hal-chal jaari thi. Lekin, har kone, har kaarya aur har vichar me Veer ki upasthiti thi jo unhe aage badhte rehne ke liye prerna de rahi thi.

***

Idhar kareeban raat ke 11 baj rahe the aur car Lonavla ki orr jaane waali ghumaavdar sadko par tezi se aage badh rahi thi, raat ki halki thandi hawa ardh khuli khidkiyo se fisal kar andar aa rahi thi.

Satara me ki gayi investigation se unhe zyada kuchh haath nahi laga tha aur ab woh sabhi Lonavla ki orr nikal rahe the.

Veer driver seat par baitha drive kar raha tha, uski aankhein saamne sadak par kendrit thi, aur engine ki gadgadahat iss sannaate ko dur kar rahi thi.




Divya, passenger seat par baithi thi, apne phone par bina soche samjhe scroll karti jaa rahi thi, jabki Ava peechhe baithi khidki se baahar dekh rahi thi, halanki uska dimag guzarte drishyo se koso dur tha.

Veer (chuppi todte hue) : Toh, Divya! Miss Suhana ko kya pasand hai?

Iss achanak se aaye sawal ne dono mahilao ko chaunka diya. Divya ne bauhe upar uthaate hue apne phone se upar dekha, jabki Ava ka sarr ek jhatke me aage ki orr muda, uska dhyan turant hi iss baat-cheet ki orr aakarshit ho utha.

Divya (carefully) : Suhana? Kyu? Tum kyu poochh rahe ho ye?

Veer ne yuhi apne kandhe uchkaye, lekin uske swar me kuchh soch-vichar ki jhalak thi.

Veer : Unka birthday next month aa raha hai. Mein iss baar unhe kuchh khaas gift karna chaahta hu. Tum unki closest friend ho. Toh, laga ki tum sabse behtar jaanti hogi.

Divya ne palke jhapkayi, shan bhar ke liye use samajh hi nahi aaya ki woh kaisi pratikriya de. Toh, wahi peechhe chup-chaap baithi Ava ne apni mutthi bheench li, uske dil ki dhadkane tez ho gayi.

Divya (curiously) : Hmm? Tum kab se logo ke birthdays ki parvah karne lage, Veer? Mere liye toh kabhi aise gifts nahi laaye. Ek minute! Tumhe mera b'day pata bhi hai kab aata hai???

Veer : Ahem-!!! Umm-

Divya (yells) : What the hell, Veer? Seriously???

Veer : Wait!!! Tumne mujhe kabhi bataya hi nahi!!!

Divya : Arey, toh poochhoge toh bataungi na? Aise gaati thodi firungi, ki ye raha mera b'day. Ye lo dimaag me chipka lo. Ye iss din aata hai. Iss din mein manaati hu.

Veer : Alright! Alright! Ahem! Hey, calm down! Samajh gaya. Toh-

Divya : ??

Veer : Kab hai birthday???

Divya : ...

Veer : ...

[Oh, master!!!]

Divya (screams) : For fuck sake, it's 30th March, Veer!!! Yaad rakhna!! 30th March!! You got it???

Veer : Haan haan! Chill! I got it!!!

Divya : And, you better bring a gift for me.

Veer (chuckles) : Zaroor!!!

Woh dheere se muskuraya.

Divya : Wait! T-Tumhara b'day kab tha?

Veer : Wow~

Divya (blushes) : Seedhe-seedhe batao, jaldi.

Veer : 24th October.

Achanak hi ek khamoshi chhaa gayi. Kyunki, Divya ko ye gyaat hi nahi tha ki Veer ka 24 tareekh ko janmdin tha aur usne woh miss kar diya.

Divya : Oh god! Oh god, no! I'm so sorry-!!! Tumhare b'day par maine tumhe wish bhi nahi kiya aur-

Tabhi, use yaad aaya ki usne Veer ko haal hi me ek blowjob di thi.

Divya (blushes) : But, hey- At least, maine tumhe ek gift toh de hi diya. So, that compensates for everything.

Veer bhi halka sa sharma gaya. Woh jaanta tha Divya kis gift ki baat kar rahi thi.

Veer : Ahem! *smiles* Waise- Rahi baat birthdays ki toh mein aam taur par aisa nahi karta. I'm not a 'celebration' type, you know. Lekin, Miss Suhana... Unhone mere liye bahut kuchh kiya hai. I want her to feel appreciated, that's all!

Ye shabd jaise kisi chhuri ki tarah dono mahilao ke dilo par jaa ke lage. Divya ko kisi aisi cheez ki peeda mehsoos hui jise veh spasht roop se samajh na saki — kya yeh jalan thi? Ya bechaini? Toh wahi, Ava ki chinta gambheer roop se badh gayi.

Divya (teasingly, but probing) : Appreciated, huh? What exactly are you planning, Mr. Thoughtful?

Veer (smiles) : Kuchh nahi, seriously. Isliye, toh tumse poochh raha hu. Any ideas?

Divya vichar karte hue peechhe ko jhuk gayi.

Divya (thoughtfully) : Suhana ko art pasand hai, Veer. Woh rare paintings ikhatta karti hai — mostly abstract. Aur, woh classical music instruments ki deewani hai, khaas kar live orchestra ki. Lekin... *pauses, looks at him* Tum kuchh bada karne ke baare me soch rahe ho, hai na?

Veer (eyes still on the road) : Ho sakta hai!

Veer ye baat jaanta tha ki Suhana art paintings ki shaukeen thi. Uske kamre me jab woh pehli dafa daakhil hua tha toh usne interior decoration me kayi abstract paintings ko dekha tha. Lekin, woh iss se kuchh badhiya use dena chaahta tha.

Idhar peechhe Ava, apni jigyasa ko rok paane me asamarth thi, thoda aage ki orr jhukte hue usne akhir poochh hi liya.

Ava (hesitates) : Suhana… she seems important to you.

Veer ne use rear view mirror me dekha, uske bhaav ko padh paana mushqil tha.

Veer : She is!!! She's been through hell aur uske bawajood woh ab tak khadi hui hai. I admire that!

Ye sunte hi Ava ko apne seene me ek ajeeb sa dard mehsoos hua. Veer ki awaaz me Suhana ke liye prashansa bahut vyaktigat, bahut gehri lag rahi thi.

Divya : Iske pehle Suhana ko lekar tumne mujhse toh koi charcha nahi ki. Aur, ab ye achanak se. Kuchh chal raha hai kya tum dono ke beech me jiske baare me mujhe pata hona chaahiye? Heh!?

Usne muskuraate hue kaha, halanki uske swar me irshya saaf-saaf jhalak rahi thi.

Veer (chuckles) : Faaltu baatein imagine mat karo. She's married for fuck sake, Divya. Woh meri sabse khaas dost hai. *smiles* Humara rishta... Thoda complicated hai, lekin woh meri achhi dost hai isme koi shaq nahi.

Relationship complicated? Aur, friends? Ye dono shabd theek se sahi nahi baith rahe the. Divya ka mann Veer ke saath bitaaye apne palo me ghoom gaya — saath me hassna, lambe samay tak chalne waala sparsh, woh lamhe, aur ek ankaha bandhan.

Woh akeli nahi thi. Ava ke khud ke vichar bhi ghoomne lage, usne Veer aur Suhana ke beech ke lamho ko yaad kiya, unki har baat-cheet ko dohraya, aur ab woh iss sandeh par aa gayi ki jitna usne socha tha uss se kahi adhik Veer aur Suhana ke beech kuchh chal raha tha.

Ava (tentatively) : Kis tarah ke gift ke baare me soch rahe ho, Veer? Aisa har din nahi hota ki tum iss tarah ki kisi cheez par advice maango.

Veer ne steering wheel par apni ungliyaan thap-thapayi, uska swar vicharpoorna tha.

Veer : Kuchh meaningful. Kuchh aisa jo unhe yaad dilaaye ki woh akeli nahi hai.

Uttar Ava ki expectation se bhi baahar nikla. Woh apni seat par waapas tik gayi, uske haath uski jacket ke kinaare ko jakde hue the. Iss beech, Divya ne bhi apni bechaini chhupayi aur boli.

Divya : Well, good luck aisa kuchh dhoondhne ke liye jo tumhari demands me fit baithe. Suhana ko impress karna next to impossible hai, tum jaante ho na?

Veer ne ek halki si muskaan dete hue use dekha.

Veer : It's okay! Koi baat nahi! I’ll manage. *mutters* I always do.

Ava apne seene me ek gaath kasti hui mehsoos karne se khud ko na rok paayi. Woh uss se cheenkh ke poochhna chaahti thi — Kyu Suhana??? Koi aur kyu nahi?? Woh kyu nahi? Lekin, shabdo ne baahar aane se inkaar kar diya.

Bhala kis muh se poochhti? Usne ateet me jo kuchh kiya, uske baad Veer use apne ird-gird rehne ki anumati de raha tha yahi bahut tha uske liye. Lekin, peeda toh ho rahi thi. Woh chhoti si muskan bikherne par majboor ho gayi. Uska mann bechain vicharo se joojhne laga.

Car me thodi der ke liye ek sannata chhaa gaya, tanaav itna gehra tha ki uska bhaar mehsoos ho raha tha. Divya ne khidki se baahar dekha, uski ungliyaan uske phone par thirak rahi thi kyunki uske dimag me Suhana ki chhavi umad rahi thi. Usne abhi ye Suhana se ujagar bhi nahi kiya tha ki woh Mumbai me kayi dino se bani hui hai.

Divya (softly) : Use samajhna asaan nahi hai, Veer. Suhana... bahut complicated hai. Aur, naazuk bhi. Bhale hi woh ise accept na kare. Par, yahi sach hai.

Veer : I know!! Isliye, mein unke liye iss baar kuchh karna chaahta hu.

Divya ne haath modte hue ek aah bhari.

Divya (murmurs) : Just be careful, Veer! She's been hurt enough.

Ava ne Divya ke shabdo ke wazan ko mehsoos kar khidki se baahar dekha, uski chhaati me dard aur adhik badh gaya.

Akhir, Suhana me aisa kya tha jo Veer ko uske prati itna caring bana raha tha?

[You have fallen for him, Miss.]

'I-'

[Please, ab accept kar lijiye. You love him!]

'A-Aisa nahi hai, Lily! Mein bas-'

[Toh, kya aapko ye sunn ke achha lag raha hai? Achha lagta hai ki woh Suhana ke liye itni parvah karta hai? Achha laga tha jab maine uss din bataya tha ki woh aur Divya petrol pump par ek saath kahi dur gaye the?? Achha laga tha???]

'Nahiiiiiii-!!!!!!'

Woh mann me hi cheenkhi.

[Toh, fir? Qubool kyu nahi kar leti ki aap Veer se-!!]

'Haan!! Haan, mein uss se pyaar karti hu. Ho gaya hai mujhe uss se pyaar!!! Yahi sunana tha na tumhe, Lily!?? I love him!! Haan, maine use betray kiya tha. Haan, maine use maut ke muh me dhakela tha. Aur, haan uske baad bhi mein besharmo ki tarah uss se pyaar karne lagi hu. Aur, badle me uss se pyaar ki umeed bhi karti hu. I'm shameless!!! Yahi sunana tha na tumhe, Lily?? Toh suno!! I LOVE HIM!!! I WANT HIM!!! AND, IT FUCKING HURTS EVERYTIME I SEE HIM WITH ANY OTHER GIRL!!! IT HURTS!!!'

[...]

'Ab khamosh kyu ho gayi ho tum? Tumhe yahi toh sunana tha na? Kar liya maine accept. I love him!!! Aur, isliye nahi ki mein guilt feel karti hu uske liye. Balki, isliye kyunki woh ekmaatra ladka tha jo meri life me aaya aur jisne mujhe ek aam insaan ke roop me dekha.'

[??]

'Uske mann me koi chhal-kapat nahi tha, koi grudge nahi, koi ego nahi aur na hi koi lust. Woh pehli baar tha jab Dad ko khone ke baad maine apna din kisi ladke ke saath itna enjoy kiya tha. He was the first man!!! The first man to make my heart race!!! That night- I remember-!! But, guess what? Mein waha use frame karne ke liye thi. I framed him!!! He almost died!!'

[...]

'But thank god he came back. Seeing him come back was the happiest moment of my life. Mom ko khone ka dukh hua. Lekin, woh dukh dheere-dheere fir acceptance me badal gaya. Dil ne maan liya ki duniya se gaya hua insaan wapas nahi aa sakta. Par, Veer??? Uss betrayal ka dar meri neend haram kiye hue hai. It's a nightmare for me!!!'

[...]

'Aur, iss sab ke bawajood woh mujhpe bharosa kar mujhe yaha leke aaya. Mujhe apne paas rakhe hue hai. Kaun ho sakta hai aisa?? Tell me!!! Kaise maang rakhu uss se ab ki woh mujhe pyaar kare?? Kya mera haq hai? Kya mein hu uss auhde pe? Kya hai meri haisiyat?? Kaise???'

Ek aasu ki boond uski aankhon se fisalte hue giri. Usne fauran hi apni palke jhapka ke aankhein band kar li.

[Finally!]

'???'

[You accepted. *smiles* Aur, ab jab aapne accept kar liya hai my dear, then allow me to help you.]

'Huh?'

[Mein madad karungi. Lekin, abhi ke liye. Iss jalan ko dur karo. Mujhe yaha tak mehsoos ho rahi hai.]

'Shut up *sniff*!!!'

[Haha!]

Aur, isi tarah shesh yaatra chhoti-moti baat-cheet ke saath jaari rahi, lekin ankaha tanaav bana raha. Dono mahilaaye alag-alag kaarano se, Suhana ke baare me sochne par majboor thi —aur yeh ki Veer ke dil me uski kya jagah thi.

---

Car Lonavla ki halki dhundh bhari pahadiyo ke beech sthit ek shandar boutique hotel ke driveway me chali gayi. Imaarat garm, sunehri raushni se chamak rahi thi.




Veer ne gaadi park ki aur Divya aur Ava ki orr mudne se pehle khud ko thoda sa stretch karte hue baahar nikla.

Veer : Let's call it a night here. Hum subah fresh tareeke se shuruwat karenge.

Divya (glances at the elegant facade of the hotel) : Tum iske baare me sure ho na?? You know, thoda... Mehnga lag raha hai sirf ek raat rukne ke liye.




Veer (smiles) : Samajh lo ki meri belated b'day party ki treat hai. Aur, agar nahi chahiye, toh mein iska kharcha tumhare FBCC ke investigation fund me daal sakta hu.




Ava (smirks & steps out) : Investigation ya vacation fund???

Veer ne hasste hue unn dono ke bags peechhe boot space se nikaale.

Veer : Come! Raat bahut ho gayi hai.

Wo hotel ki lobby me daakhil hue, jaha ek bhavya jhoomar ne uss sthaan ko mand raushni se raushan kar rakha tha. Receptionist, ek aakarshak yuvak, tailored suit pehne, peshevar muskan liye unka swagat kiya.

Receptionist : Hillcrest me aapka swagat hai. Mein iss waqt aapki kya sahayta kar sakta hu?

Veer : Hume aaj ki raat ke liye teen rooms chahiye.

Receptionist (checks the system) : Bilkul, sir. Humare paas premium rooms available hai. Kya aapko rooms agal-bagal me chahiye?

Divya (interjects) : Ji! Ye ho jayega toh achha hoga.




Receptionist : Bilkul! Koi issue nahi. Kya mujhe booking ke liye aapki details mil sakti hai?

Veer sabhi formalities complete karne me lag gaya aur Ava poori lobby ko scan karne lagi, uski tez nazre har detail par nazar rakh rahi thi. Hotel premiumness se ot-prot thi.

Jaise hi unhe apne kamro ki chaabiyaan mili toh wo lift ki orr chal diye. Unke beech ka tang mahaul ab halka ho chuka tha.

Veer : Alright! Toh, plan ye hai ki — abhi araam se so jao, subah hum sab naashte ke liye ikhatta honge aur fir last investigation ke liye chalenge.

Divya (leaning against the elevator wall) : Sounds good! Lekin, kaash beds utne hi aramdayak nikle jitna ki yeh jagah dikh rahi hai.

Ava : Aur, agar nahi nikle toh mein saara blame Veer par daalne waali hu. Tum hi yaha leke aaye hume.

Veer : Oh, come on. Since when have I let you down?

Ava : Want the list alphabetically or chronologically?

Divya hasi, aur Veer bhi hasey bina na reh saka. Magar, jaise hi woh lift se baahar nikle toh Veer dabi awaaz me ye kehne se na choonka.

Veer (whispers) : Oh really? Jaw Long ko kisne head on engage kiya tha?

Ava (smiles) : Jab tum so rahe the tab kaun uss se ladd raha tha?

Veer (smiles) : So, we got each other's back?

Ava : I only know one thing.

Veer : Hmm??

Ava : I've got your back!!!

Veer : *smiles*

Woh sabhi shaant corridor se hote hue apne kamro ki orr gaye. Alag hone ke baad, Veer ne apna bag apne kamre ke bed par fek diya. Khidki ke saamne jhuk kar dhundh se dhaki pahadiyo ko usne ek baar dekha. Sab kuchh shaant tha.

---

Toh wahi, Divya apne bistar ke kinaare par baithi thi, uska phone haath me tha. Usne apna WhatsApp khola lekin kuchh bhi type karne me jhijak rahi thi. Car me hui baat-cheet uske dimaag me ghoom rahi thi aur uske chehre par ek ajeeb si udaasi chhayi hui thi.

'Veer, Suhana ke birthday ko lekar itna invested kyu hai? Usne pehle toh kabhi aisa nahi kiya. Fir, ye achanak se kyu-?'

Usne apna sarr hilaate hue phone neeche rakh diya.

'Zyada sochna band karo, Divya!!! You're better than this.'

Lekin, andar hi andar woh bechaini ki bhavna ko dur na kar saki.

---

Idhar, Ava bhi apne kamre me daaye se baaye, baaye se daaye ghoom rahi thi.

'Suhana... Just how close are they??? It's bothering me so much!!!'

Woh baithi, apne baalo me haath firayi. Baat jab Veer ki ho toh uski aisi haalat ho jaati thi.

'Get it together, Ava!! Mission par dhyaan do!!'

Lekin, uski laakh koshisho ke baad bhi, Suhana ka naam lete waqt Veer ki woh muskan ki chhavi uske dimaag se na hatt saki.

---

Back in Veer’s Room~

Veer desk par baitha tha aur uska laptop khula hua tha. Satara investigation ek nirasha-janak jaanch-padtal saabit hui thi. Woh abhi sone hi jaa raha tha jab uske phone ke notification ki ghanti baji. Aur, jab usne dekha toh paaya ki ghar se hi use messages aaye hue the.

Tej ke kayi saare messages dale hue the. Unhe dekhte hi usne reply dena shuru kiya.







Jab Tej se baat-cheet samapt hui ki tabhi itne me Arohi ka use message aa gaya. Aur, kuchh shano ke liye Veer uss se vartalap karne lag gaya.










Veer ne ek aah bhar phone alag rakha. Aur, mission par dhyaan diya.

'Pari!! Mission ki time limit kitni bachi hai?'

*Ding*

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

Mission failure penalty : Loss of loved ones.]

'Do din!! Kya do din me kuchh ho bhi payega? Mein ye mission hargiz fail nahi hone de sakta.'

[Yes, master. Shayad kal tak hume koi bada clue mil jaaye.]

'Hope so!'

***

Ministry of Food and Health,
Conference Room,
New Delhi,
Morning - 9:00 AM ~

Conference room me sooraj ki kirane chaudi khidki se chhan kar polished oak table par pad rahi thi. Officials, nutritionists, aur health experts ka ek samooh apni-apni seat par baith kar reports chhaan raha tha. Aaj unki charcha ka mudda tha — Veer Singh ka Hourglass Method!

Dr. Mehta (Senior Nutritionist) : Toh, iss naujavan, Veer Singh ne apni Hourglass Method se ek toofan khada kar diya hai. Social media pe viral ho rakhi hai video. Lekin, kya yaha koi vastav me jaanta hai ki yeh ladka hai kaun?

Ms. Kapoor (Junior Official) : Mujhe jo pata chala hai woh ye hai ki woh Mumbai me food trucks ki chain — 'Chef on wheels' ka maalik hai. Zahir taur par, uske food trucks fast food ke healthier versions ko serve karne ke liye jaane jaate hai, aur woh ek local celebrity bhi hai. Fufu~

Mr. Sharma (Panel Head) : Food trucks? Aur, ab woh desh ko dietary habits par salaah de raha hai? *smirks* Not sure how qualified he is for that.

Dr. Rao (Epidemiologist) : Iske pehle ki hum ise kharij kare, aao na ek baar iss method par nazar daalte hai. Hourglass method humari Indian dietary habits ko balance karne par focused hai — subah bharpet naashta, dopahar me halka khaana aur controlled lekin fulfilling dinner. Japanese inverted triangle ke vipreet, yeh humare culture ke anuroop hai. Yeh aisi cheez hai jiski hume varsho se talaash thi.

Dr. Mehta : Lekin, 'execution' woh jagah hai jaha par yeh method ladkhada jaati hai. Jo mujhe dikh raha hai, uske anusaar — hourglass ka nichla hissa ye suggest kar raha hai ki jitna vyakti ne breakfast me bhojan liya hai, utna hi woh raat me le sakta hai. Jo ki bilkul galat hai. Yeh tabhi mumkin hai jab har aadmi swasth ho. Par, har aadmi ke saath aisa nahi hai. Bahut se logo ko raat me kam khaane ki salaah doctors dete hai. Kya ek average Indian ko pata bhi hai ki 'healthy' ka matlab kya hota hai?

Ms. Kapoor : Usne apne social media post par ise define kiya hai — whole grains, lentils, vegetables, fruits, nuts. Koi bhi fried or processed food nahi.

Mr. Sharma : Fir bhi, log iski apni tarah se vyakhya kar lenge. Woh ye bhi soch sakte hai ki dher saare makkhan ke saath daba ke dher saare parathe khaana bhi healthy hai.

Dr. Rao (chuckles) : Hahahaha! Ekdum sahi kaha, Sharmaji! Lekin, yahi par toh awareness campaigns kaam me aate hai.

Ms. Kapoor : Bilkul! Uske food trucks pehle se hi aise meals ko promote kar rahe hai. Woh breads ki jagah millet-based wraps ka istemal kar rahe hai, fried snacks ko baked alternatives se badal rahe hai. Uska influence bahut kuchh change laa sakta hai.

Dr. Rao : Logo ka toh pata nahi, par lagta hai aap kaafi influenced hai, Miss Kapoor. Hahaha!!!

Ms. Kapoor : Ah! Fufu~ Shayad?

Dr. Rao : Waise aapko itna kaise pata iske food trucks ke baare me?

Ms. Kapoor : I think maine Tamanna ke ek episode me dekha tha. She's very talented.

Dr. Rao : Ah! Tamanna! That host- Right! Right!

Mr. Khurana (Policy Analyst) : Woh sab toh theek hai par economic impact ka kya? Uske trucks ek specific area ko hi cover karte hai. Urban middle-class, right? Kya yahi model rural areas aur low-income groups ke beech work karega?

Dr. Rao : Hum scalability ke liye ise modify kar sakte hai — regional food items, cheaper alternatives. Millet instead of quinoa. Concept solid hai, bas thoda fer-badal karne ki zaroorat hai.

Mr. Sharma : Aur, criticism ka kya? Yeh ek trend jaisa hai. And, trends fade. Kya hum kisi aisi cheez ka samarthan karne ka jokhim utha sakte hai jo bhavishya me shayad tikne hi nahi waali?

Dr. Mehta : True. Lekin, hume iske positive points ko ignore nahi karna chahiye. Isne badhte motaape aur diabetes se joojh rahe desh me swasth khaan-paan ki aadato ke baare me pehle hi charcha shuru kar di hai. Yeh koi chhoti baat nahi hai.

Ms. Kapoor : Exactly! Aur, janta Veer Singh par bharosa karti hai — he's relatable not some distant health guru. Hume policies aur logo ke beech ki doori ko kam karne ke liye Veer jaise logo ki hi zaroorat hai.

Mr. Sharma (leans back) : Toh, faisla kya hai? Approve it as it is? Or make amendments?

Dr. Rao : Amendments. Let’s make it inclusive — grameen ahaar ko apnaaye, portion control par zor de, 'health' ke liye clear guidelines set kare. Fir, nationwide ise test karne se pehle, regional area me test kare.

Ms. Kapoor : Aur, hume iss Veer Singh se milna hoga. Woh iss poore method ka chehra hai. Uska perspective maayne rakhta hai.

Mr. Sharma : Agreed! Use ek official invite bheji jaaye. I'd like to hear from the man himself.

Jaise hi meeting samapt hui, panel ke sadasyo ne ek sur me sarr hilaaya. Unhe thodi bahut aapatti thi, lekin woh Hourglass Method ke prabhav se inkaar nahi kar sakte the. Veer Singh, iss method ko unke darwaze tak laa diya tha, aur wo avashyak badlavo ke saath ise aage le jaana chaahte the.

Jaise hi ek junior official nimantran ka ek draft taiyar karne ke liye conference room ke baahar dauda, sabhi sadasya bhi waha se vida le liye. Iss poore prakran me Tamanna ek adrishya zor bann ke aayi thi.

Kintu, wahi adrishya zor iss waqt khud kisi musibat me phasi hui thi, ye koi na jaanta tha.

***

Universal Studios, Singapore,
Noon - 2:34 PM ~




Theme park ka shor infectious tha. Baccho ki hasi carnival sangeet ki jhankaar ke saath mili hui thi, aur cotton candy, popcorn ki sugandh hawa me bhar rakhi thi.

"Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaa~"

"Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaa~"

Shreya aur Aabha ek roller coaster par sawar thi, jaisi hi sawari neeche giri aur patri par ghoomi, unki khushi aur thodi dar se mishrit cheenkhein goonj uthi.




Tamanna ride ke kinaare neeche khadi hui thi, unki orr haath hilaate hue uske hontho par halki si muskaan thi.

Beetein mahino me woh Aabha aur Shreya itne qareeb aa gaye the ki ab teeno ek dusre se alag hone ke baare me vichaar bhi nahi kar sakte the. Tamanna ke saath-saath Aabha aur Shreya ke followers bhi social media par din-ba-din badhte jaa rahe the.

Tamanna khush thi, lekin andar hi andar uske mann me tanaav ka bhavar bana hua tha. Usne khud ko yeh samjhaane me kayi hafte laga diye ki woh Aadesh ki chhaaya se mukt ho chuki hai.

Parantu, jaise hi uski aankhein bheed ke ek samooh par ghoomi, uske hontho se muskaan gayab ho gayi. Ek vyakti, kayi feet dur khada hua tha, uska sarr jhuka hua tha, jaise ki woh bheed ka adhyayan kar raha ho. Magar, Tamanna ne use turant hi pehchan liya — sharp jawline, uski jacket ke collar ke neeche se baahar aata tattoo. Aadesh ke aadmiyon me se ek!

Uska dil uske pait me aa gaya, ghabrahat ke maare uski chhati upar-neeche hone lagi, lekin usne apne bhaav tatasth rakhe.

'N-Nahi! Yaha nahi! Abhi nahi! Please!'

Usne dusri orr dekha, uska dimag tezi se daud raha tha.

'Y-Ye aadmi yaha kaise?? K-Kahi, Aadesh ko pata toh nahi chal gaya? N-Noo!'

Uss aadmi ne koi halchal nahi ki, lekin uski nazre bheed par tiki hui thi aur kahi aur dekhne ke naatak karne se pehle, shan bhar ke liye Tamanna par tik gayi.

*Badump*

Tamanna ko laga jaise woh abhi wahi ladkhada ke gir jayegi. Woh turant mudi, uske haath-perr kaanp rahe the, woh apne phone ko dekhne ke bahaane park ke ek shaant kone ki orr chali gayi.

Ek baar seedhi drishti se baahar nikalne ke baad, usne turant hi contact list me se Veer ke naam par tap kiya aur video call shuru kar di. Uska chehra screen par dar se peela aur tana hua dikhayi de raha tha.

Shan bhar baad hi Veer ka chehra saamne aaya, uski bauhe sikud gayi.

Veer (frowns) : Tamanna? Kya hua?

Tamanna : V-Veer-!!! M-Mujhe lagta hai use pata chal gaya, Veer. Use pata chal gaya. *huff* Aadesh ne mere peechhe aadmi bheje hai. Maine abhi-abhi uske ek aadmi ko yaha dekha.

Uski awaaz kaanp rahi thi. Usne apne kandhe par nazar daali, uski saansein atak ke reh gayi jab usne uss aadmi ko bheed ke beech se guzarte uski disha ki orr aate dekha.

Tamanna (panics) : Ahhhhh!!! W-Woh mera peechha kar raha hai, Veer. Woh mere direction me aa raha hai. Mein wapas se Aadesh ke qabze me nahi jaana chaahti, Veer. Save me! Please, I beg you!!! Save me!!!

Veer ke bhaav ye sunte hi badal gaye. Uske shaant vyavhar me achanak se teevrata aa gayi.

Veer : Shreya aur Aabha kaha hai?

Tamanna (murmurs) : Woh roller coaster par hai. Ride par. Unhe nahi pata. Veer, mein unhe isme fassne nahi de sakti. Mujhe ye bhi nahi pata ki woh mere saath kya karenge. Tumne kaha tha ki tum mujhe uske changul se bacha ke rakhoge. Veer-!! Please!!! Mein haath jodti hu. Save me!!

Veer : Security kaha hai tumhari?

Tamanna : Yaha nahi hai. Naya episode Singapore me shoot hona tha aur iski details kisi ko nahi batayi gayi hai. Ye jankari sirf shooting crew ko hi pata hai. Aur, isliye mein nishchint hoke Aabha aur Shreya ko leke aa gayi.

Veer : Iska matlab tum bina security ke ghoom rahi ho?

Tamanna (nods) : H-Haan!

Veer : Y-You-!!!

Tamanna (sobs) : I-I'm sorry! I know! Sab meri galti hai. *sniff* Please! Mein tumhare haath jodti hu. Mein vaada karti hu mein tumhara har kaam karungi. I don't want to go into that hellhole again. *sniff* Please, Veer!!

Veer : Fine! Fine!! Pehle, lambi saans lo!! Panic karna band karo! Agar, woh tumhe dekh bhi raha hai toh koi dikkat nahi. Act normal! Ab ye batao Aabha aur Shreya se tum kitni dur ho?

Tamanna : W-Woh dono ride par hai. Mein unhe dekh sakti hu.

Usne fusfusaate hue kaha, uski aankhein roller coaster ki orr ghoom rahi thi, jaha Shreya aur Aabha khatre se anjaan hokar has rahi thi.

Veer : Good! Ab jaisa mein kahu, tumhe theek waisa hi karna hai. Ride khatam hote hi Shreya aur Aabha ke paas jao, zyada explain karne ki zaroorat nahi hai, bas itna kehna ki emergency hai aur tum sabko jaana hoga. Sab kuchh casually karna. Don't panic! Seedhe apne hotel ke liye niklo aur kahi bhi nahi rukna. Kuchh khareedne ke liye bhi nahi. Crew ko samjhao ki tum sab ab Mumbai laut rahi ho. Kuchh bhi reason do, woh mein tumhare upar chhorta hu. Kal raat se pehle tum Mumbai aa jaana. Mein apne kuchh aadmi tumhe pick karne bhej dunga.

Tamanna : P-Par, Veer- Usne mujhe dhoondha kaise? Mein Singapore me hi ye jankari siwae crew members ke alawa aur kisi ko nahi pata thi. Use kaise pata chala ki mein yaha hu?

Veer (frowns) : Yahi toh mujhe pata lagana hai. Filhal, tum apni safety par dhyaan do. Iske pehle ki woh aadmi koi qadam uthaaye, use chakma deke waha se nikal jao. Samajh gayi?

Tamanna (nods) : H-Haan! Mein abhi unhe laati hu.

Veer : Aur, Tamanna-

Tamanna : ???

Veer (softly) : Tum akeli nahi ho. Aadesh ko mujhpe chhor do, use mein sambhal lunga. Mujh par bharosa rakho.

Tamanna ne haami bhari, call kaatate samay uski aankhon me aansu aa gaye. Apni ghabrahat ko hataate hue, usne khud ko sambhaala aur wapas roller coaster ki orr mud gayi, uski aankhein Shreya aur Aabha ko talaash rahi thi.

Woh aadmi abhi bhi wahi tha, lekin Tamanna ne uski orr nahi dekha, ye dikhava karte hue ki woh apne vatavaran me poori tarah se khoyi hui hai.

Jaise hi ride ruki, Shreya aur Aabha hasste hue apne hawa me ude baalo ko peechhe ki orr karte hue utar gayi. Tamanna ne dabi muskaan liye unhe ishara kiya.

Tamanna : Change of plans. Hume nikalna hoga. Ek emergency hai.

Shreya (frowns) : Kya hua?

Tamanna : Arey, zyada kuchh nahi. Mein baad me samjhaungi.

Usne apne kandhe par nazar daalte hue kaha. Aadmi abhi bhi ruka hua tha, uski nazre unka peechha kar rahi thi. Tamanna ne Shreya ki baah halke se pakad li.

Tamanna : Chalo chale! Fir samjhaati hu sab kuchh.

Shreya : O-Okay!

Jaise hi wo baahar nikalne ke liye tezi se chale, uska dil zoro se dhadakne laga, har qadam par aisa mehsoos ho raha tha jaise koi rassi uske chaaro orr kassti jaa rahi ho. Usne praarthana ki, ki Veer ki yojna kaam kar jaaye, Aadesh dwara bheja gaya fanda aur kassne se pehle woh usme se baahar nikal jaaye.

***

Somewhere in Mumbai...




Tim-timaate fluorescent bulb ki mand raushni ne ek prayogshala ki thandi, metallic deewaro ko raushan kar rakha tha. Kamra avyavastha ko darsha raha tha. Surgical tools taaza khoon se chamak rahe the, gaadhe laal rang ke taral ki sheeshiyaan almaariyaan par feli hui thi, aur antiseptic ki badbu waha ke decay ke saath mishrit ho rakhi thi.

Inn sab ke beech me, ek aadmi stainless steel ki mej ke ird-gird mandra raha tha, uske dastaane pehne haath nirasha aur thodi uttejna ke ek ajeeb mishran se kaanp rahe the.

Uske latest subject ka nirjeev shareer bina harqat kiye, peela aur sookha pada hua tha. Laash me se atadiya baahar ko nikli hui thi.

Uss aadmi ne nirash hote hue apne khoon se lathpath dastaane ko utaara.

*Plop*

Jis se veh kisi geele thappad ki awaaz kar neeche zameen par gira. Usne apna sarr jhuka kar neeche shav ko aise dekha jaise koi baccha apne toote hue khilaune ko dekhta ho.

Aadmi (softly, almost tender) : Tum bechaare... Naazuk cheez... Maine tumhe kitna kuchh diya, aur tumne sab barbaad kar diya. Kyu??? Kya tumhe mera tohfa pasand nahi aaya? Jawab do!!!

Magar, mrat shareer bhala kaha se jawab de?? Jab pade hue shav ne koi harqat nahi ki toh woh aadmi achanak se jhunjhla gaya. Usne apne bagal se rakha ek kulhada uthaaya aur-

*Squelch* *Squelch*

*Squelch* *Squelch*

Dana-dan woh mrat shareer ki khuli hui chhaati par barsaata gaya.

Aadmi (screams) : JAWAAAAB DOOOO!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! JAWAAAB DOOO!!! KYUUUU???? MERA GIFT TUMNE REJECT KYU KIYA??? BOLOOOOO!!!!

*Squelch* *Squelch*

Khoon ke chheete udte hue uske muh aur shareer ko bhigo diye. Sirf khoon hi nahi, uss mrat shareer ke ang ke parchhatte bhi udte hue idhar-udhar bikhar gaye.

Woh ek qadam peechhe hua, apne bikhre hue safed baalo me apni ungliyon ko ghumaane laga, jis se uske maathe aur baalo me khoon chhap gaya. Uske honth ek vyangya me badle, fir ek ajeebo-gareeb mudi hui muskaan hontho par fel gayi.

'Hehe~ Ye meri wajah se nahi hai!! Haan!! Hehehehe! Ye meri wajah se nahi hai. Meri calculations... Mere ratios... Perfect hai!!! Tum sab... Tum sab kamzor ho!!! Hahahahahaha!!! Weak mongrels!!! Hehehehe!'

*Slaaaaaaaammmmm*

Usne apni mutthi mej par patki, jis se waha rakhi sheeshiyaan baj uthi. Uski saansein ukhadne lagi, uske kandhe upar-neeche ho rahe the aur chaudi baahar ko aati aankhein kamre me ghoomne lagi.

Woh pin kiye gaye charts, anatomical diagrams, aur uske pichhle peedito ki photographs se bhari deewar ki orr muda, jin par laal syaahi se kuchh notes likhe hue the.

'Tum sab choohe ke bacche... Ehehe... Hastey ho na mujhpe? hehe... Par... Par, mein sabko shaant kar dunga... Dekhna!'

Woh idhar-udhar ghoomta raha, uska coat lehra raha tha, aur kamre ke ek andhere kone ki orr woh badha. Waha ek bada sa glass chamber rakha hua tha, jo gaadhe, bulbulate laal taral se bhara hua tha. Andar kayi chhoti aspasht aakritiya terr rahi thi.

Usne glass par haath rakha, uske bhaav achanak se komal ho gaye.

"Don’t worry, my darlings. You’ll be better... stronger. You’ll succeed where the others failed. I promise you that. Ehehehehe~"

Jaise hi woh mukhya mej ki orr muda, kamre me ek haivani hasi goonj uthi.

'They’ll never understand... But soon... oh, so very soon... they’ll all see. Ehehehehehe-!!! I need fresh blood. Hehehehehe!!!'

*Click*

Usne zor se switch dabaate hue overhead light ko bujha diya, jis se kamra andhere me doob gaya. Sab kuchh khatam hote hi, uski machines ki halki, bhayanak gadgadahat hi ekmaatra dhwani thi, jo waha goonjti rahi.
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Aaj ke liye itna hi guys.
This update consists of 10k words. Isme bahut se sequences hai, jaisa ki dekh hi liya hoga. Title se hi pata chal raha hai ki on pins and needles hai sab kuchh. So, next update hi chaos machaane waala hoga. The killer has presented himself for the first time in the scene. Bahut si cheezein ek saath ghatit ho rahi hai, jo mujhe hi manage karna hai. This is why it takes a lot of time to set them and phrase them. Padh ke quality ka bhi andaza lag hi gaya hoga. Tej aur Arohi ki chat waala idea, ye first time kiya hai maine aisa kuchh. Let me know if you like it. Usme alag se kaafi samay gaya hai mera.

Fun fact : When Tej says I love you to Veer in the chat, see the time difference for each messages. Also, don't forget to notice Veer's phone battery percentage. Itni minute details ka dhyaan rakhta hu, isliye update time leta hai.

Target apna wahi hai, 200 likes. Like thokne ka aur revos rakhna ka. Next update se target thoda badh jayega kyunki, arc peak par jaane waala hai aur quality aur badhne waali hai. Baaki, saath bane rehne ka.
Dhanyavad.

Great update!

Chat snippets are cool, please continue them. So much detail! Oh man - as expected, this was a nice chapter! 2 days remain for Dec 31st; what will happen to veer and his loved ones!?

Can’t wait to read the next chapter!