Incest Baadshah ~ The Tales of Debauchery

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Latest Update ➢ Update 192 ​

 

[Neerav]

Update - 192 ~ Pandemonium (1)​

Ab tak...

"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.

Ab aage...

31st December,
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
International Airport, Mumbai,
Morning - 10:45 AM ~




Flight ke utarte hi teen khubsoorat mahilaaye lobby me aake ruki. Tamanna ne apna carry-on bag kass kar pakad rakha tha, uski ungliyaan thodi kaanp rahi thi. Uski aankhein kisi khatre ke sanket ki talaash me ek kone se dusre kone tak ghoom rahi thi. Kandho me tanaav spasht tha, aur uske saiyyam rakhne ke bawajood, bhay uske chehre par saaf-saaf jhalak raha tha.

'Thank god, filhal toh sab sahi lag raha hai.'

Woh ghabrayi hui chaaro orr jagah ka jaayza le rahi thi. Toh wahi ek casual hoodie aur sneakers pehne Shreya ne apna backpack theek kiya, uski nigaahein Tamanna par tik gayi.

Shreya : A-Aap theek toh ho na? Singapore se nikalne ke baad se hi aap bahut pareshan si lag rahi ho. Kahi kuchh aisa hai kya jo aap humein bata nahi rahi?

Aabha humesha ki tarah shaant, Shreya ke bagal se khadi thi. Usne Tamanna ke chehre ka adhyayan kiya, halki thand ke bawajood uske chehre par paseene ki boondein jhalak rahi thi.

Tamanna ne tezi se saans chhori aur zabardasti ek muskaan hontho par bikherte hue boli.

Tamanna : M-Mein theek hu! Trust me! Really! Anyways, tum dono dhyaan se suno. Humein ab alag hona padega, filhaal ke liye.

Shreya (frowns) : Alag hona padega? Hum abhi wapas aaye hai aur ekdum se aise- kuchh gadbad hai kya?

Uske sawaal par Tamanna ne aage badh uski baahein pakad li.

Tamanna : N-Nahi-!!! Inn akhiri kuchh hafto me tum dono kamaal ki thi. Sach me!! Tum dono ne hi experience liya and I feel so proud of you. Really! Lekin, ab mein chaahti hu ki tum dono abhi mujhpe thoda bharosa dikhao.

Aabha : H-Hum kuchh samjhe nahi, didi. Saaf-saaf keh dijiye jo bhi hai.

Tamanna (anxiously) : Tum dono ab apne-apne ghar lautogi. Uske baad kya karna hai woh mein tumhe bata dungi. Lekin, abhi ke liye humara plan yahi hai. Shreya, tum wapas se apne ghar jaogi. Aur, Aabha- tum Veer ke saath rehti ho na? Toh tum bhi wahi lautogi. Woh bhi tumhari raah dekh raha hoga. Theek hai?

Virodh karne ke liye Shreya ke honth khule, lekin Tamanna ne haath uthaate hue use pehle hi chup rehne ka ishaara de diya.

Tamanna : -aur jaha tak meri baat hai, mujhe kuchh personal matters settle karne hai. Toh, ab zyada sawaal mat karna. Bas jaisa kehti jaa rahi hu, waisa karo. Okay?

Tamanna ke swar ne tarq karne ke liye koi sambhavna na chhori, lekin Shreya ki jigyasa badhti jaa rahi thi. Aur, akhirkar usne poonchh hi liya.

Shreya : Aap kuchh chhipa rahi ho humse. Hai na? Mein jaanti hu. Aap bata kyu nahi rahi?

Aabha ne tanaav ko bhaanpte hue Shreya ke kandhe par haath rakh ek qadam aage badhaya.

Aabha : Shreya didi, jaane do! Agar, didi keh rahi hai ki abhi yahi karna uchit hai toh woh uchit hi hoga. Unhone kuchh soch samajh ke hi kaha hoga. Woh jo bhi humse chhupaaye, humara unke jeevan me taaka-jhaaki karna sahi nahi. Hum toh unke shukra-guzar hai, jo unhone humein ye mauka diya. Humein unn par bharosa dikhaane ki zaroorat hai.

Uski baat par Shreya ka sarr neeche jhuk gaya, toh wahi Tamanna ka dil unn dono ke liye paseej utha. Woh batana toh chaahti thi lekin unhe musibat me bhi nahi daalna chaahti thi. Inn beetein dino woh sabhi ek dusre ke itne qareeb aa chuki thi ki lag hi nahi raha tha ki woh sab abhi-abhi hi mili hai.

Tamanna (smiles weakly) : Thank you, Aabha! Hum apna safar khatam nahi kar rahe. Bas, hold par rakh rahe hai. Jab tak ki kuchh cheezein sahi nahi ho jaati. Tum dono bahut himmat waali ho, talented ho aur aane waale samay me aur upar jaogi. Abhi toh bas humari shuruwat hai. Kuchh hafto me hi humne kitni popularity gain ki hai ye tum bhi jaanti ho. Aur, uska ek main reason tum dono hi ho. So, don't let anything hold you back. Mujhe yahi energy baad me bhi chahiye. But for now— we need to leave before it gets too late.

Shreya jhijhki, uski bauhe aapas me kasi. Use iss tarah se adhoori baat par chhore jaane se sakht nafrat thi, lekin Aabha ki shaanti aur sehmati ne use mana liya.

Shreya (softly) : Th-Theek hai! Par, agar aapko kisi bhi cheez ki zaroorat ho toh seedha humein call kar lena. We owe you that much.

Tamanna (nods) : Zaroor!!! *smiles*

Par, jaise hi woh waha se nikalne ke liye hue toh Tamanna ke chehre se uska rang udd gaya. Uske haath kaanpne lage, aur usne apna bag kass ke jakad liya.

'N-No-!! N-Not now!!!'

Uski nazre baahar entrance gate par tiki jaha se teen ladke use ghoorte hue andar aa rahe the.

Uski jeb me tabhi phone ki ghanti baji jise sunn uska dil zoro se uchhal pada. Darte hue usne apna phone baahar nikaala aur screen par dekha. Ek sandesh tha. Aur, sandesh padhne ke baad hi uski jaan me jaan aayi.

Screen par Veer ka message jhalak raha tha - "Keep calm! Stay alert! I have sent my men. They will escort you all. Don't worry. I'll end this soon!"

Tamanna ne ek raahat ki saans li. 'I'll end this soon!' Ye vaakya uske andar ek bharosa jaga gaya ki woh iss ladai me ab akeli nahi thi. Uski abhi ki manzil tay thi. Woh apne ghar nahi, balki Lalita aur Madhuri waale flat me hi unke saath rukne waali thi, jiska address use praapt ho chuka tha. Aur, yahi Veer ka nirdesh bhi tha.

Singapore se woh shoot adhoora chhor ke aayi thi. Beshaq — show ke director aur producers ke sang uski thodi bahut behas bhi hui. Woh ye tour adhoora chhorne ki firaaq me nahi the. Lekin, majbooran Tamanna ko toh waapas lautna hi tha. Aur, isi beech behas bhi chhid gayi. Halanki, Tamanna, Aabha aur Shreya ki badhti popularity ko dekh jaise-taise director aur producers filhal ke liye toh raazi ho gaye. Magar, aane waale dino me jald se jald use waapas Singapore prasthan karne ki zaroorat thi.

Aur, ye tab hi mumkin hone waala tha jab Veer uski pareshaniyo ko uske jeevan se dur kar sake.

'I'm counting on you, Veer! Please-!!!'

Ek aas jagi ki shayad Veer use inn sab jhamelo se baahar nikaalne me safal hoga.

Woh teen ladke jaise hi Tamanna ke paas aaye toh use pata chala ye Veer dwara hi bheje gaye ladke the. Ek baar fir, usne apni dhadkano ko qaabu me kiya. Aur, teeno apne-apne ghar ki orr nikal gaye. Shreya apne mata-pita ke ghar chali gayi, Aabha Veer ke ghar toh wahi Tamanna Madhuri waale flat ki orr. Filhal ke liye, Aadesh ke aadmiyon ke changul se Tamanna aur baki sab bach kar nikalne me qamyab the.

***

Control room,
Thane police station,
Mumbai ~

Kamre me computers ke keyboards ki gadgadahat aur data ke dher ko chhanane waale adhikariyo ki badbadahat goonj rahi thi. Trisha, ek kursi par baithi haal hi me hui hatyao aur saath hi saath Slogan-Aatish ki rehesyamayi maut ko lekar pareshan thi.

Aur, ye sab bhi kaafi nahi tha jab ab logo ke laapata hone ki khabro ne police station ke darwaze par dastak dena shuru kar diya. Subah-subah hi dusri FIR kisi laapata vyakti ke liye darj ho chuki thi.

'Pehle ye murders aur ab logo ka laapata hona... Kahi ye-!? Huh-!!?'

Ek sansani macha dena waala vichaar uske mastishk se hoke guzra. Paas me hi tainaat Shekhar, ek haath me ek file aur dusre me ek laptop liye khada hua tha aur Trisha ke paas jaane se jhijak raha tha. Par, kuchh der ki shaanti ke baad woh aage badha.

Shekhar : Madam, mujhe pichhle case ke baare me aur kuchh jankaari haath lagi hai.

Trisha (bina upar dekhe) : Kya? Jaldi bolo Shekhar, mein waise hi pehle se bahut pareshan hu.

Shekhar ne apne gale ki kharaash dur ki aur file mej par rakhte hue bola.

Shekhar : Mirror Gallery ke baare me humne discuss kiya tha. Aur, humne maana tha ki Slogan ka uss se kuchh lena dena ho sakta hai.

Trisha (glances) : Haan! Toh? Uske baare me kya?

Shekhar : Bahut chhaan-been ke baad social media se mujhe uss raat ki kuchh aur tasveerein mili hai.

Woh Trisha ki pratikriya jaanane ke liye ruka.

Trisha (impatiently) : Jaldi bolo, Shekhar!! Paheliyaan mat bujhao.

Shekhar : Kuchh aur log bhi kuchh photos me qaid hue hai. Lekin, ek shaks hai jiske baare me shayad aap jaanana chaahogi.

Trisha : Shekhar-!!!!

Shekhar : Veer Singh!!

Kamre me ek shaanti chhaa gayi. Trisha ki teekhi nigaahein Shekhar par tik gayi.

Trisha : Veer Singh? Ye kaun hai?

Shekhar (apna laptop kholte hue) : Aap Veer Singh ke baare me nahi jaanti? Aisa ho hi nahi sakta. Aapne news me suna hi hoga. Ye dekhiye! Veer Singh... Ek dilchasp ladka hai. Ek student jo peshe se ek businessman bhi hai. 'Chef on Wheels' naam se uske kuchh food trucks sheher me daudte hai. Yaha tak ki shayad woh 5 star hotel — Prestige ka maalik bhi hai. Lekin, sirf itna hi nahi-

Screen par Veer ki tasveerein dekh Trisha apne haath mod aage ko jhuki.

Shekhar : Abhi haal hi me kuchh samay pehle ki baat hai — Veer, France me ek gambheer paristhithi me fass gaya tha. Uss par criminal activities ka blame lagaya gaya tha. Yaha tak ki France ki investigation bureau ne toh use terrorist bhi ghoshit kar diya tha. Lekin, woh apni begunahi saabit karne me qamyab raha aur India wapas laut aaya, sabhi aaropo se mukt. Celebrity aur singer Natalia Martin ne khud uske liye news channels ke saamne gawahi di thi ki Veer hi woh insaan tha jisne unki jaan bachayi.

Trisha : Veer Singh, huh? Haan! Ye naam suna toh tha maine news me. Maine padha tha ki ek naujavan France me kanooni galat-fehmi se bach ke wapas desh lauta tha.

Shekhar (nods) : Bilkul! Wahi Veer Singh!

Trisha (frowns) : Toh kehne ka matlab ye hai ki... Veer... That guy has a history with law enforcement!!!

Shekhar : Ji madam!! Lekin, uska kisi gerr-kanooni kaam me shaamil hone ka koi thos saboot nahi hai. Jaha tak uske police records ka sawaal hai, woh saaf-suthre hai... Filhal...!! Aur, kuchh log toh use ab celebrity bhi maanane lage hai.

Trisha ne jankari ko hazam karte hue apne sarr ko mala.

Trisha : Hmm! Veer...!!

Usne laptop par uss tasveer ko dekha jaha Veer bheed me ek photo me nazar aa raha tha. Dhyaan se photo ko kuchh der dekhte hi uski aankhein aashcharya ke maare chaudi ho gayi aur woh akasmat hi khadi ho gayi jiske chalte uske peechhe rakhi kursi dhakke se dur khisak gayi.

Trisha : E-Ek minute-!!! Ye-

Shekhar : Hmm?

Trisha baukhla chuki thi. Kyunki, photo me jo kuchh bhi nazar aa raha tha woh kahi se bhi sadharan nahi tha.

Trisha : Y-Ye toh wahi hai!!!

Shekhar : Wahi? Kaun wahi???

Trisha : Wahi-!!! Jo mujhe Skylight me dikha tha!!!

Shekhar : Skylight?

Trisha : Arey wo... Mister Kishore Adarsh ka skyscraper. Nexacom ke owner ka ghar!!!

Shekhar : Arey haan! Haan! Samajh gaya!

Trisha : Y-Ye... Ye toh wahi... Ye toh wahi Jassi hai!!

Kishore ke ghar me jab woh uss blue mulsanne ke owner ko pakadne ke vaaste gayi thi tab Jassi ke upar hi uski shaq ki sui tiki hui thi. Kyunki, Jassi ke mutabik Slogan ki maut waali raat ko woh blue mulsanne gaadi wahi chala raha tha aur hamlawar ka peechha kar raha tha. Aur, ab yahi Jassi iss photo me theek Veer ke peechhe khada hua tha, usi event me jaha Slogan khud dekha gaya tha.

Trisha ki nazar tabhi Veer ke bagal se khadi ek ladki par padi.

Trisha : Ruko-!!! Y-Ye ladki- Ye ladki kaun hai iske aage? Veer ke saath... bagal se...

Shekhar : Uski sirf peeth hi nazar aa rahi hai, madam!

Trisha : Kuchh gadbad hai... I swear... damn it!!!

Aur, akasmat Trisha ke mann me kuchh baatein goonj gayi.

'Uss raat humaare Sir musibat me the. Humari Miss Kaera par attack hua tha aur hum sirf gaadi ka peechha kar hamla karne waale ko rokne ki koshish kar rahe the.'

'Miss Kaera Nexacom ki owner hai. Aur, unhe rokne ke liye rival companies buri se buri saazishein rachti hai. Ab hume ye toh nahi pata lag paaya ki hamla kisne karwaya tha lekin, ek wahi gaadi thi jis se hamla hua tha.'

Jassi ke dwara kahe gaye ye bol uske mann me mandraane lage. Usne kheejte hue apne haath mej par patke.

*Slam*

Trisha : Damn it! Damn it!!!

Shekhar : K-Kya hua, madam??

Kintu, Trisha ne koi jawaab nahi diya. Woh maun rahi. Apne daant meeste hue, uska dhyaan kahi aur hi tha.

'Shit-!! Ye mirror gallery event toh Slogan ki maut se kaafi pehle hua tha. Iska matlab... Iska matlab iss Jassi ka kuchh lena dena zaroor hai Slogan se. Kahi Slogan hi toh woh hamlavar nahi jiska peechha Jassi kar raha tha?? Aur, apni miss ko bachaane ke liye... Huh?? Miss... Miss...!? Nexacom ke owner ki beti... Wait...!!! K-Kaera Adarsh-!!!!'

Bodh hote hi Trisha ka muh khula ka khula reh gaya. Aur, tabhi uski nazar photo par dobaara padi jaha Veer ke bagal se ek ladki khadi hui thi jiski sirf peeth hi nazar aa rahi thi. Trisha ki aankhein fatne ko aa gayi.

'N-No way-!!! K-Kahi ye-!??'

Usne turant hi desk par rakhe pen holder me se ek pen nikaala aur saamne ek notepad ka panna khol uss par bade aksharo me likha-

Veer Singh!!!
Jassi!!!

Sach baat toh yeh thi ki Mirror Gallery Slogan dwara hi aayojit kiya gaya tha. Pehle 50 logo ki entries free thi aur uske baad entry lene ke liye kuchh raashi dena hoti thi.

Gallery me keval aur keval vyakti akele ya fir kisi ek aur vyakti ke saath hi andar jaa sakta tha. Veer aur Kaera 49th aur 50th yaani ki akhiri couple the jinke liye free entry allowed thi.

Par, sahi maayno me ye kuchh nahi balki Slogan ke dwara bichhaaya gaya bas ek jaal tha. Veer ke theek peechhe khade Jassi aur Raghu entry nahi le paaye the kyunki, Veer aur Kaera ke ghusne ke baad hi event ke liye entries band kar di gayi thi.

Aur, isi ke chalte logo ne fir aakrosh me aake social media par kharab reviews chhore the, apna dukh jataaya tha jo Shekhar ne hashtag ki madad se akhirkar khoj nikaala.

'Koi bhi detail... Koi bhi detail haath se jaane na paaye. Veer Singh... Jassi... Kaera Adarsh... Inka zaroor Slogan se kuchh lena dena hai. Kya Slogan aur Kaera ke beech koi dushmani thi? Ya mein hi kuchh zyada soch rahi hu???'

Iske pehle ki woh kuchh aur soch paati, udhar desk par phone ki ghanti baji jis se uska dhyaan bhatak gaya. Wahi baithe ek officer ne call uthaya aur fir baat karte hue Trisha ko dekh bola.

Officer : Madam ek call aaya hai. Kisi ne daawa kiya hai ki unhone humare dwara jaari kiye gaye sketch me maujood sandigdh aadmi ko dekha hai.

Trisha (abruptly) : K-Kya??? Kidhar???

Officer : Bhandup ke paas. Ek mahila ne use apni building ke peechhe ek gali me se guzarte hue dekha hai.

Itna sunte hi Trisha ne apna coat uthaaya, upar daala, aur handgun ko holster kar woh aage badh Shekhar se boli.

Trisha : Veer Singh ke baare me mujhe saari details chahiye. Mujhe woh sab chaahiye jo khoja jaa sakta hai. Lekin, abhi hume iss suraag ka peechhe karne ki zaroorat hai. Samajh gaye na?

Shekhar : J-Ji madam!

Woh team ko aadesh dete hue waha se chali gayi.

Trisha : Mujhe abhi Bhandup me ek team chahiye. Humari pakad se bhaag ke woh jaane na paaye. Akhir hoga toh wahi kahi hi... Aur baaki thaano me bhi information forward kar do. Abhi!

Uski command par sabhi police karmachari waha se nikalne ke liye taiyaar ho gaye. Trisha ke dil ki dhadkane bhi tez thi, uska dimaag maamle ke dabaav aur Veer Singh ke chaaro orr ghoom rahe sandeh ke dhaage ke beech badi mushqil se santulan banaya hua tha.

Woh apni car me baithi aur sthaan ki orr tezi se badhi, usne mann me hi budbudaya.

'Agar, Veer hi iss case ki woh kadi hai, toh achha hai. Mein kaise bhi kar ke sab kuchh chhaan maarungi. Lekin, agar aisa nahi hai... Toh behtar hoga ki Veer Singh mehez ek sanyog se zyada aur kuchh na nikle. Mere paas samay gawaane ke liye nahi bacha hai ab.'

***

Evening - 5:08 PM ~

Samay tezi se guzar raha tha. Jaha ek taraf naye varsh ke jashn ki taiyaari chal rahi thi toh wahi dusri orr Veer ke 'Yarnia' ki launch ki bhi zoro se taiyariyaan ho rahi thi.

Aur, idhar car Lonavla ki sadko se hote hue Mumbai ke liye prasthaan kar rahi thi. Veer peechhe ki seat par baitha hua tha, uska phone haath me tha, aur uska dimaag tanaav me ghoom raha tha.

Divya aage passenger seat par virajman thi toh wahi aaj car chalaane ki zimmedari Ava ke kandho par saunp di gayi thi jo rear view mirror ke madhyam se Veer par baari-baari nazre chura rahi thi.




Veer ko yu iss tarah chinta me dekh, Pari ki awaaz uske mann me goonj uthi.

[Abhi tak koi suraag haath nahi laga hai, Master.]

'Aur, yahi meri chinta ka kaaran hai, Pari!'

[Lonavla me bhi kuchh khaas haasil nahi hua. Mission ki time limit bas 9 ghante hi bachi hai.]

'Damn it!!! 9 ghante?? Yaha pe ek clue bhi nahi mila hai. 9 ghante me bhala kaise uss murderer tak pahuchenge hum?'

[I'm sorry, Master. Mujhe laga tha Divya ke saath investigation par jaane se humaare haath kuchh lag jayega lekin-]

'Nahi, Pari! Isme tumhari koi galti nahi. Ye jo koi bhi hai bahut shaatir hai. Koi clue hi nahi chhor raha. Zaahir hai koi na koi system holder hi iske peechhe hai. Par akhir kaun-!? Kahi woh toh nahi jo Renshu se lada tha?'

[Hmm?]

'Lekin, woh bhala yaha kya karega? Nahi-!!! Rebecca??? Nahi!!! Woh iss tarah se apni chaale nahi chalti. Agar, woh hoti toh hypnosis ke traces mujhe kahi na kahi logo me samajh aa jaate.'

[Kahi X toh nahi?]

'Hmm? Mujhe nahi lagta. Woh bhala befaltu me random logo ko kyu maarega? Meri samajh nahi aata. Maharashtra ke region se log maare gaye hai. Kis system holder ki inn logo se dushmani ho sakti hai? Mujhe toh laga tha apne desh se sirf mein hi ek system holder hu. Kya mere alawa aur koi bhi-!?'

[Mujhe nahi lagta, master. Agar aisa hota toh ab tak aap ek dusre ke contact me kam se kam ek baar toh aa hi chuke hote.]

'Toh fir kaun ho sakta hai? Fuck! It's annoying me so much!!'

Time limit dheere-dheere ghatati jaa rahi thi. Aur, mission ki penalty ka dar Veer ke zehen me mandra raha tha — woh nakaam nahi ho sakta tha. Uske apno ka jeevan iss par nirbhar tha.

Dono striyo — Ava aur Divya ne Veer ke chintit vyavhar ko notice kiya, lekin filhal dono hi shaant rahi. Pari ne hi fir uski dikkat ka samadhan nikaala.

[It's okay, master! Pareshan mat hoiye. Abhi 9 ghante baaki hai. Bhuliye mat ki aaj 'Yarnia' ki launching hai. Aur, aap uske owner ho. Agar, owner hi iss tarah se udaas rahega toh launch ka kya hoga?]

'Pari, mein-'

[Aapke invitation cards logo tak pahuch bhi gaye honge. It's time to cope up.]

Pari ki baat maan Veer ne apne seene se wazan hataane ki koshish karte hue apna phone khola aur contacts list ko scroll karte hue uski ungli Nidhi ke naam par ruk gayi. Aur, kuchh sochte hue usne Nidhi ko video call kar diya.

---

Shan bhar ki rings ke baad hi call uth gaya. Nidhi apne living room me hi thi aur thodi chaunki hui si prateet ho rahi thi, uske bhaav humesha ki tarah saiyyamit the lekin Veer ko dekhte hi aankhon me ek adrishya chamak aa uthi.

Veer : N-Nidhi-

Nidhi : Huh???

Veer : I- I mean... Hello, ma'am!

Nidhi : V-Veer? Hello! K-Kya hua?

Veer : Kyu? Kya mein yuhi aapko call nahi kar sakta?

Nidhi : N-Nahi! Umm... Mera matlab hai... Iss waqt aise...? Video call? Kuchh baat thi kya?

Veer : Maine poochhne ke liye call kiya tha ki aapko 'Yarnia' ka invitation card mil gaya na? Aaj raat hi hai event. Aapko aana hai.

Nidhi : H-Haan! Mujhe mil gaya tha. Congratulations! T-Tumhari iss new brand ke liye. Kaha ho tum?

Veer : Bas laut hi raha hu. Kuchh der me Mumbai pahuch jaunga.

Nidhi : Oh! T-Tumne bas iske liye video call kiya tha?

Veer : Nahi! Aapko dekhna bhi tha.

Nidhi : Huh!? *blushes* M-Mujhe???

Akasmat hi Nidhi anjaane me apne baalo ko sahi karne lagi.

Veer : Ji!

Nidhi : O-Okay! M-Mein aa jaungi samay se, Veer!

Pal bhar ke liye Nidhi ke mann me pados waali aunty ki baatein ghoomi jo unhone Veer ko lekar kahi thi. Lekin, unhe apne dimaag me se nikaalte hue woh Veer se wapas se vartalap me lag gayi.

Nidhi ki awaaz me ek ajeeb si jhijhak thi. Use aise private video calls ki aadat nahi thi. Na hi use kabhi video calls aate the aur na hi woh khud kabhi kisi ko zyada calls karti thi. Shreya hi ekmaatra thi jo foreign se use kabhi-kabhi video calls kar liya karti thi. Par, Veer? Ye pehli baar tha. Woh iske liye taiyaar nahi thi.

Car ki driver seat se Ava ne rear view mirror me se Veer ki phone screen me jhaakne ki koshish ki, toh wahi Divya apni seatbelt theek karne ka naatak karte hue thoda peechhe ko jhuki lekin unn dono ko hi Veer ki phone screen nahi nazar aayi. Iss beech dono striyo ki nazre aapas me takrayi magar dono ne ek dusre se kuchh na kaha.

Veer : Bas aapse yahi kehna tha. Mein nahi chaahunga ki aap ise miss kare. Y-You know... It's... important to me. I want you to be there.

Nidhi : ...

Iske pehle ki Nidhi jawaab de paati ek khilkhilaati hui awaaz beech me sunayi padi. Ek chhota sa haath upar pahucha aur phone ko pakad liya. Juhi ka pyaara, chulbula sa chehra achanak saamne aaya.

"Maaaaaamuuuuu~"

Uski awaaz na sirf Nidhi ke kamre me balki idhar car me bhi goonj gayi.

Aur, 'maamu' shabd sunte hi Ava aur Divya ne ek raahat ki saans li. Unke hontho par halki si muskaan bikhar gayi.

Nidhi (peechhe se) : Juhi! Juhi, phone wapas do. Mein baat kar rahi hu na-

Juhi (ignores) : Maamu, mein bhi aaungi!!!

Veer hasa, Juhi ki awaaz uske chehre par tanaav ki rekhao ko kam kar gayi.

Veer : Bilkul, meri pyaari Juhi! Tumhare bagerr waha kuchh bhi shuru nahi hoga. Aur, tumhare liye waha maine dher sari chocolates bhi mangwa ke rakhi hai.

Juhi : Sacchi maamu???

Veer : Aur, nahi toh kya...

Juhi : Yaaaayyyyy!!! P-Par, maamu aap kidhal ho???

Veer : Mein bas ghar laut raha hu. Kyu? Kya hua?

Juhi : Ye mumma bol rahi ki agar raat ko jyada der ghumo toh bhoot aake utha le jaata hai. Aur... Aur... Bhoot logo ko pakad ke chhupa deta hai.

Veer : Kya matlab? Tumhari mummy ne kaha ye?

Juhi (nods) : H-Haan! Y-Ye dekho... Dekho maamu TV pe... Log gaayab ho gaye. Bhoot pakad ke le gaya unko.

Juhi ne phone ko ghuma ke TV ki orr kiya. Channel me haal hi me rehesyamayi dhang se gaayab ho rahe logo ke baare me breaking news chal rahi thi.

"Laapata hone ke maamlo me abhi tak koi suraag nahi!"

Shabd screen par gehre laal rang se chamak rahe the. Khabar dekhte hi Veer ki bechaini badh gayi.

Juhi : Dekha na maamu-!! Bhoot sabko pakad raha hai!!! Isliye aap jaldi-jaldi aa jao. Kahi bhoot humko pakad liya toh???

Veer : Haan! Mein jaldi aa jaunga, Juhi! Aur, bhoot tumhe nahi pakdega. Tumhare paas aane se pehle use pehle maamu ke paas aane padega. Aur, tumhare maamu bhoot ki band baja denge.

Juhi (giggles) : Hehehehe~ I love you maamu~ *muah*

Veer muskuraya ki itne me tabhi Nidhi ne Juhi ke haath se phone chhina liya.

Nidhi : Juhi tum bhi na... Jao!! Jao jaake padhayi karo.

Juhi : Waaaaa-!!! Abhi to ki thi na...!!

Veer : E-Ek minute! Ma'am, Juhi ko phone dijiye na!

Nidhi : Kya hua Veer?

Veer : Dijiye toh-

Nidhi : O-Okay!

Nidhi ne punah Juhi ko phone thamaaya.

Juhi : Haan maamu~

Kuchh der yuhi shaanti si chhaayi rahi. Veer ne kuchh na kaha. Toh wahi bechari Juhi apna sarr mode Veer ke kuchh bolne ka intezar kar rahi thi. Ant me uska dhairya toot hi gaya.

Juhi : Maaaamu???

Veer : Ahem! Kuchh nahi, Juhi! Phone apni mumma ko dedo.

Juhi : O-Okyy! Mumma-!!!

Nidhi ne phone Juhi ke haatho se liya aur woh prashn bhari nazro se Veer ko dekhi jaise poochhna chaah rahi ho ki yeh sab kya tha?

Nidhi : K-Kya baat hai?

Veer : Kuchh nahi! Juhi ko leke sahi time par aa jaana aap, please.

Nidhi (nods) : Mmm!

Aur, thodi hich-kichihat ke baad Nidhi ne call cut kar diya.

---

Call cut hote hi Veer ne apna phone apni goad me rakh liya. Usne khidki se baahar dekha, uska dimaag tezi se daud raha tha.

Murders... Logo ka laapata hona... System holder... Mission timer... Juhi ki masoom chetavni...

Ye sab uske andar ek dar ki gaanth baandh raha tha. Kuchh pal baad akhirkar Divya ne apna muh khola aur car me maujood khamoshi ko toda.

Divya : Kya jaan sakti hu ki woh kaun thi?




Veer ne turant koi jawaab na diya, bas kisi soch me dooba raha.

Ava : Shayad... Koi important person!?

Iss baar Veer ne unn dono ki orr dekha. Uske bhaav padh paana mushqil tha.

Veer : Ye... Nidhi ma'am thi. Meri... College ki professor aur...

Divya : Aur???

Veer : Aur, jaisa ki Ava ne kaha... Ek important person.

Divya ne uske jawab par bauhe uthayi, lekin baat aage nahi kheenchi. Halanki, uski jigyasa uske andar ubaal le rahi thi parantu Ava se nazre milaane ke baad woh chup reh gayi. Dono striyo ke mastishq me ek hi sawaal ghoomta reh gaya — Akhir, woh aurat Veer ke kitne qareeb thi?

Jaise-jaise car Mumbai ki orr badh rahi thi, sabhi ke andar ki bechaini bhi badhti jaa rahi thi. Ava aur Veer ki nazre aapas me takrayi — ek maun samajh ki kuchh unki nazro se zaroor choonk raha tha.

***

Zenith, Elite Group, Mumbai,
Evening - 5:30 PM ~




'Yarnia' ka invitation jagah-jagah mehatvpoorn logo ko bheja gaya tha. Aur, inme se ek invitation yaha bhi aaya tha.

Zenith! Elite group ke sadasyo ka ek vishal skyscraper. Halanki, ye Kaera ke ghar - Skylight se thoda sa chhota tha. Magar, iski bhi apni ek alag shaan thi poore Mumbai me.

Ghar ka aalishaan living room doobte sooraj ki garm kirano se nahaya hua tha. Sonia ek plush leather couch par baithi thi, aur uske manicured haatho me ek khubsurat sa envelope tha.

Sonia : You are cordially invited to the grand launch of Yarnia, a premium clothing brand by Veer Singh, at Hotel Prestige this evening, 8 PM.

Invitation ko dohraate hue Sonia ki awaaz narm pad gayi.

Sonia (mutters) : Casa Belle me jo kuchh bhi hua, uske baad se toh shayad woh mujhse bahut naraaz hoga. I'm surprised ki usne mujhe invite kiya-

Woh dheere se budbudate hue boli, magar uske shabd theek peechhe khidki ke paas khadi Suhana ne sunn liye. Veer ka zikr aate hi uska badan thitak gaya. Sheeshein me uske reflection se pata lagaya jaa sakta tha ki uski aankhon me toofan umda hua tha.




Woh dheere se ghoomi, uski awaaz na zyada oonchi, na zyada kam thi.

Suhana : Tumne sahi kaha! Aur, uske paas tumse naraaz hone ka har woh reason hai! Tumhari galti thi, sonu!!! And, you better accept it.

Sonia ne sarr upar kar apni badi behan ko dekha, uski bauhe aashcharya se upar chadhi hui thi. Suhana ne shayad hi kabhi use galat thehraya tha.

Sonia : K-Kya hua aapko? Mein jaanti hu ki uss raat cheezein badal sakti thi lekin-

Suhana (yells) : Tum galat thi, Sonu!!!



Iss baar woh chillaayi. Aur, Sonia bhauchakki si uski oonchi awaaz sunn use ghoorti reh gayi. Suhana ne kabhi bhi iss tarah se apni bhavnaye nahi dikhayi thi, parivar se baahri vyakti ke liye toh hargiz nahi.

Sonia (frowns) : What happened to you? Aap Veer ki itni parvah kab se karne lag gayi?

Suhana ne apni baahein modi, uski mudra kathor aur swar me aaropo ki teekhi dhaar thi.

Suhana : Kyu? Kya tumhe yaad nahi? Tumne uske saath Casa Belle me kitna bhadda behave kiya tha? Kya laga tha tumhe? Ki tum mujhe nahi bataogi toh mujhe iss baare me kuchh pata nahi chalega? Do kaudi ke Aadesh Jaisinghani ne sabke saamne uska mazaak udaaya, aur tum waha khadi rahi??? Kis ke liye?? Sirf ek deal ke liye? Ek deal, Sonu??? Agar, mein waha hoti... toh majaal hai kisi ki... ki koi uske baare me ek galat shabd bhi muh se nikaal paata.

Iske pehle ki woh khud ko rok paati, shabd kisi dhanush se chhore gaye teer ki tarah uske muh se nikal chuke the. Sonia stabdh ho kar bas apni badi behan ki orr dekhti reh gayi.

Yeh wo ghamandi Suhana nahi thi jis se woh parichit thi. Yeh koi aur hi thi — koi spashtatah hili hui, aur apni aadh me chhek kar kisi ko bachaati hui.

Sonia : Wh-What-!? Hua kya hai aapko?? Do kaudi ka Aadesh Jaisinghani??? Di, aapko pata hai na ki Casa Belle ka maalik hai woh.

Suhana : Aur? Aur, kya? Tumne uski tulna akhir Veer se kar kaise di? Uss deal ke liye tumne-

Sonia : Di, what's wrong with you??? Woh ek business decision tha. Mere paas aur koi choice nahi thi. Aap jaanti ho na ki woh deal Elite Group ke liye kitni zaroori thi? Autoshield ke owner Mister Tanishq ke saath woh deal thi meri. Aap jaanti ho na ki Kaera kaise humesha humse ek qadam aage chalti hai? Agar, mein woh deal nahi leti toh-

Magar, Suhana ne uski baat beech me hi kaat di, uski awaaz gusse se kaanp rahi thi.

Suhana : Tumhare paas choice thi, Sonu!!! Tumne Veer ke saath apni dosti ki bajaaye apne faayde ko chuna. Kya tumhe iss baat ka zara sa bhi ehsaas hai ki tumne kis aadmi se apna muh mod liya? Jab tum deals ko chase karne me lagi hui thi tab woh logo ke liye ek bridge ki tarah kaam kar raha tha, unki madad kar raha tha badle me kuchh bhi maange bina. Lekin, jab sabse zyada maayne rakhta tha tab tum uske liye waha khadi tak nahi ho saki!!! It explains why you're still single!!!

Sonia ka muh achambhav me khula, par shabd baahar na nikle. Usne Suhana ko kabhi bhi iss tarah nahi dekha tha. Badi behan jo kabhi bhavnao ko kamzori keh kar kharij kar diya karti thi, aaj wahi itni bhavnaaye liye bol rahi thi ki Sonia use samajh tak nahi paa rahi thi. Kya yeh wahi Suhana thi? Aur, ye single hone ka vaar kis liye??

Apni galti ka ehsaas hote hi Suhana ka dil baith gaya. Usne apni bhavnao ko apni icchha se kahi adhik ujagar kar diya tha, usne apni mutthi kasi aur dusri orr ghoom gayi. Aur, awaaz dheemi hoke fusfusahat me badal gayi.

Suhana : M-Maine sirf wahi kaha jo sahi tha. Agar, tumhe sach me koi pachhtaava hai, toh tumhe use phone karna chahiye. Uss se maafi maangni chaahiye. Maafi maangne se koi chhota nahi ho jaata, sonu. Use batao ki aaj raat tum waha maujood rahogi. Shayad, woh tumhe maaf kar de.

Sonia ki bauhe sikud gayi, uske chehre par sandeh jhalka.

Sonia : You're unusually invested in this, di. Kyu??? Aap mujhse kuchh chhipa rahi ho kya??? Answer me!!!!



Suhana ka dil zoro se dhadak utha. Woh Sonia ki peni nazre, uske ankahe sawaalo ke bhaar ko apne upar mehsoos kar paa rahi thi. Kintu, chehre se saare bhaav mitaate hue woh darwaaze ki orr mud gayi.

Suhana : Mujhe tumhe kuchh bhi samjhaane ki zaroorat nahi. Bas wahi karo jo tumhe sahi lage. Har baar dimag ki nahi suni jaati, sonu. Kabhi-kabhi dil ki bhi sunani chahiye.

Itna bol woh waha se nikalne ke liye aage badhi, darwaaze ki dehleez tak pahuchi hi thi jab peechhe se Sonia ne use rok diya.

Sonia : Wait-!!!!

Aur, Suhana ke qadam wahi tham gaye. Lekin, woh peechhe na mudi.

Sonia : Aap toh aisi nahi thi, di! In fact, jaha tak mujhe yaad hai, Veer aur meri pehli mulaqat ke waqt woh aap hi thi na jo use paise de kar uska muh band rakhwana chaahti thi? Fir, akhir itna antar kaise aa gaya? Yeh sab kab hua? Mein bewakoof nahi hu. I can tell that you're favouring him. I just want to know why???

Suhana ke honth khule, thar-tharaye aur fir band ho gaye. Kuchh shan baad usne jawaab diya.

Suhana : Haan! Haan, maine uss waqt use paise se chup karwana chaaha tha. Aur, mein galat thi!

Sonia : !!???

Suhana : Mein galat thi jo maine use ek aam laalchi insaan samjha. Lekin, ab mein jaanti hu ki woh kaisa hai aur kaisa nahi.

Sonia : Aur, uske liye aapne mujhe itna kuchh suna diya, di??? Jawab dijiye!! Kis way me meri aur Veer ki dosti mujhe business me aage le jaa sakti hai? Kaera se bhi aage. Kya Veer ke paas abhi Autoshield jitna bada koi business hai? Kya woh Elite group ke saath hazaaro karodo ki deal sign kar sakta hai??? Jawaab dijiye!!!

Suhana : ...

Sonia : Aapki khamoshi ne mujhe mere sawaal ka jawaab de diya, di. Aapne aaj mera itna dil dukhaya hai ki aap soch bhi nahi sakti.

Suhana : Agar, tumhe itna hi bura laga hai toh aaj ke baad mein kabhi interfere nahi karungi, Sonu.

Sonia : ???

Suhana (mutters) : If only you knew...

Sonia : Wh-What???

Jawaab ki prateeksha kiye bina hi, Suhana tezi se kamre se baahar chali gayi. Sonia ki nazro se ojhal hote hi uske qadam ladkhada gaye aur haath kaanpne lage.

'Kya ho raha hai mujhe??? Why can't I control myself for him anymore??'

Living room me idhar Sonia ne apni behan ko jaate hue dekha, uska sandeh aur gehra hota jaa raha tha. Apna sarr hilaate hue woh apne phone ki orr badhi, uski ungliyaan Veer ke naam par aake ruk gayi.

Sonia (mutters) : This better not backfire.

Usne call kiya aur ghanti bajne ka intezar karne lagi.

Call uthate hi Sonia ka dil ek dhadkan phaand gaya. Woh jaanti thi ki use Casa Belle me hui ghatna ke dauran apni anupasthiti ke liye maafi maangna zaroori tha. Aur, itne me dusri orr se Veer ki awaaz aayi.

Veer : Miss Sonia... It's been a while!

Sonia ne ek gehri saans li, ankahe shabdo ka bojh unke beech hawa me bhaari tha.

Sonia : C-Congratulations, Veer!

Veer : Oh? Thank you!

Sonia : Y-Yeah!

Veer : Kya bas isliye hi call kiya tha aapne?

Sonia : H-Huh? N-Nahi-! Veer, mein- woh mein... Mujhe tumse kuchh baat karni thi. Casa Belle waale incident ko lekar.

Veer : Hmm? Oh! Nahi, koi baat nahi! I understand. Business deal comes first.

Veer ke shabd Sonia ke dil par kisi khanjar ki tarah jaake lage.

Sonia : N-Nahi, Veer! A-Aisa nahi hai. M-Mujhe tumhare liye waha hona chaahiye tha. I should have been there.

Uske baad Veer ne kuchh aisa kaha jise sunn bechari Sonia ka dil baith gaya.

Veer : Aap thi waha, Miss Sonia!! Aap wahi thi. You were there!!!

Sonia : I-I know... I-

Lekin, na jaane kyu uske muh se maafi ke shabd nahi nikle. Kya usne kuchh galat kiya tha? Agar, woh Autoshield ke sang woh deal nahi karti toh poore Elite group ko bhaari nuksaan ho sakta tha. Maana ki Veer ek achha ladka tha. Par, kya woh itna zaroori tha ki Mister Tanishq ke sang woh deal chhori jaaye?

Veer : Action speaks louder than words, Miss Sonia. Anyways, mein thoda sa busy hu abhi. I hope aap event me aayengi.

Sonia : Veer-! No, listen-

Kintu, Veer ne call cut kar diya. Aur, woh bhi Sonia ka call. Sonia ko yakeen nahi ho raha tha ki Veer ne uska call cut kar diya tha. Kaun thi woh? — Elite group ki owner. Maana ki uski thodi galti thi lekin, apni jagah woh sahi bhi toh thi. Nichle honth ko daanto tale meeste hue woh apne puraane andaaz me wapas aa gayi.

***

Hotel Prestige,
Evening - 7:30 PM ~

Hotel Prestige aaj aasmaan ke neeche kisi anmol ratn ki tarah chamak rahi thi. Har kona raushni se jagmaga raha tha, aur hotel aaj apni vilaasita aur bhavyata ka namoona dikha rahi thi.

Pravesh dwaar par red carpet bichha hua tha jiske chaaro orr khubsurat phoolo ki sajavat ki gayi thi.

Cameras ki clicking ki gadgadahat, patrakaro ki live reporting, aur paparazzi ke beech baat-cheet, unka shor poore vatavaran me fela hua tha.

Andar ki hawa hone waale event ki prateeksha aur orchids, jasmine ki halki sugandh se bhari hui thi. Toh wahi, peechhe instrumental sangeet halki dhun me bajaaya jaa raha tha jo bheed ke kolahal ke saath badi sahajta se mishrit ho gaya.

Sajavat me sundarta jhalak rahi thi — crystals ke jhoomar, satin linen aur golden-rimmed glasses se saji meje aur Yarnia ka logo jo vishal LED screen par garv se prakashit ho raha tha.

---

Suman aur Shweta bhavya pravesh dwaar par welcoming team ke saath khadi hui thi. Dono ne hi behad khubsoorat designer saariyaan pehni hui thi jo kisi aur ki nahi balki, Yarnia dwara hi nirmit thi.

Woh dono pratyek mehman ka garmjoshi, bhari muskan, aur trutiheen shishtachaar ke saath swagat kar rahi thi.

Jaha ek taraf Suman shuddh hindi aur paramparagat tareeke se athitiyo ka swagat kar rahi thi toh wahi Shweta angrezi me sanvaad karte hue angrezi ki chaatne waale mehmano ke swagat me lagi thi.

Suman (smiles) : Mehra ji! Aaiye! Suswagatam! Aapko kaun nahi jaanta? Mahila mandal ke paudharopan abhiyaan me aapne bahut sahayta ki thi.

Mehra ji : Arey! Aap toh wahi hai na? Mahila mandal ke saath thi jo. Arey namaste namaste!!! Hahaha!!

Suman (smiles) : Ji! Aaiye!

'Maalik kidhar ho aap? Mehmaan aana shuru kar diye hai. Umeed hai aap samay se aa jaoge.'

Woh mann me sochi toh wahi Shweta uske bagal se alag se aadar satkar me lagi hui thi.

Shweta : Mister Chhabra!!! It's so nice to have you here. Please! Welcome!!!

Mister Chhabra : Thank you! Thank you! I won't spare any opportunity if there's anything for partnership, Miss Shweta. Haha!

Shweta (smiles) : You won't regret coming here tonight.

'Bas, ab mera betu aur aa jaaye. Aur, ye event safal ho jaaye. Aur, kuchh nahi chahiye mujhe filhal.'

Usne guests se haath jodte hue mann me ek khwaish rakhi. Veer ko ab tak aa jaana chaahiye tha.

---

Toh, andar hall me Tej woh shaant shakti thi jo sabhi coordination ko badi hi saralta se baitha rahi thi. Uski peni nazro ne kamre ka nireekshan kiya, yeh sunishchit karte hue ki har cheez sahi jagah par thi aur sahi dhang se kaam kar rahi thi.




Laal rang ki dress me woh behad hi khubsoorat lag rahi thi. Ye pehli baar tha jab usne laal rang sirf Veer ke liye aaj pehna hua tha.

Saara staff idhar-udhar tezi se bhaag kar kaamo me laga hua tha, har cheez ko vyavasthit kiya jaa raha tha, aur wo last-minute requests ko bhi poora kar rahe the.

Tej (to a staff member) : Table 7 par champagne flutes theek se align nahi hai. Please, unhe theek karo. Aur, dhyaan do ki appetizers turant ke turant refill ho rahe hai ya nahi?

Staff Member : Ji, ma’am!

Itne me hi uska phone vibrate hua. Veer ka message tha : "Everything okay?" Usne turant hi uttar diya : "Under control. Just get here already!"

---

Wahi Kavya, ek khubsurat yellow dress me, Kritika ke sang khadi hui thi aur use event ki bareek details samjha rahi thi.

Kavya : Woh dekh! Woh LED screens hai na... Bhumika di ne unhe custom design karwaya hai. A-Aur, ye meri dress... Ye Yarnia ki hi hai. Hehe~ Kaisi hai?

Kritika : Wow~ Kamaal hai yaar! Bahut badhiya lag rahi hai. Fabric bhi bahut pyaara hai. Oye, rates ke baare me toh bata. Brand mehngi hi hogi, I guess.

Kavya : Of course! Lekin, initial stage pe discounts bhi milenge. Aur, tere liye toh mein humesha discounts dilwa dungi. Hehe~

Kritika : Ye hui na baat!!! *grins* Sach me!! Ye launch event toh bahut grand lag raha hai yaar. Maine abhi-abhi baahar kayi saare influencers ko dekha. Sab photo khichwaane me lage hai.

Kavya : Arey, yeh toh kuchh bhi nahi. Abhi tum dekhna... Celebrities bhi aayenge. Veer bhaiya ke itne connections hai ki poochho mat. Aur, tere papa mummy kaha hai? Aaye ki nahi?

Kritika : Haan haan! Aaye hai na! Woh rahe... Oh god!!! Ye dad seedhe khaane me kyu lag gaye???

Kavya : Hehehehe~ Unhe khaane do.

Kritika : Y-Yeah! By the way, Veer bhaiya kaha hai? Woh toh kahi nazar hi nahi aa rahe.

Veer ka naam aate hi Kavya gambheer ho gayi. Woh na jaane kab ka ghar se gaya hua tha aur ab tak nahi lauta tha.

Kavya : Bhaiya... Bhaiya bas aate hi honge.




Kritika : O-Okay!

Kavya : Par, tum idhar-udhar kya dekhne me lagi ho? Decoration hi dekh rahi ho ya fir kisi ka intezar ho raha hai? Agar, intezar ho raha hai toh bata deti hu ki Karan bhaiya bhi aayenge. *winks*

Kritika (blushes) : Wh-What?? Chal hatt! T-Tu bhi kuchh bhi-!!! Mein toh bas decoration hi dekh rahi thi.

Kavya : Hehehe~ Toh chal!! Tujhe aur bhi bahut kuchh dikhaati hu.

Aur, woh Kritika ka haath thaame use Hotel Prestige ki luxury dikhaane aur andar le gayi.

---

Idhar shandaar kaale rang ki saree pehne aaj Ragini bhi kuchh kam nahi lag rahi thi. Security screenings ki jaanch woh badi hi sateekta se kar rahi thi. Uski aankhein monitors aur aane waale mehmaano ke beech ghoom rahi thi.

Ragini : Guest list dobaara check karo. Koi bhi bina invitation ke ghusna nahi chaahiye. Aur, VIP section par bhi dhyaan dete rehna — waha koi camera nahi hai.

Uske professionalism se security team khud impressed thi. Lekin, Ragini ke vichaaro me toh Veer samaya hua tha.

'Use ab tak yaha aa jaana chaahiye tha. Kaha hai woh?? Kya call karu?'

---

Bhumika aur Louis saath-saath khade the. Louis ne Yarnia ke vision ko haqeeqat banaane me ek aham bhoomika nibhaayi thi.

Louis (in french accent) : Ah, Madame Bhumika, zis is magnifique! Your brother’s vision, combined with my designs... tonight will be unforgettable.

Bhumika (smiles) : We couldn’t have done it without you, Louis. I hope you enjoy the evening. It’s as much your night as it is Veer’s.

Louis ne wine ka glass upar uthaate hue toast kiya.

Louis : To Yarnia. And to ze future of fashion. Hahaha~

Bhumika (smiles) : The ramp is ready and so are the models. Have you checked them?

Louis : Oh, yes yes madame-!! Everything is ready!! We just need to wait and watch. Where is my friend, Veer???

Bhumika : He'll be here soon! Don't worry! *smiles*

Kehte hue Bhumika ka dhyaan Veer ki orr chala gaya. Aur, usne ek jaldi aane ka message use bhej hi diya.

---

Bhavna bhi humesha ki tarah shaant guests ke sang formalities nibha rahi thi. Aur, woh khadi hi thi jab peechhe se kisi ne use pukaara —

"Bhavna!!!"

Woh mudi aur aaye hue mehmano ko dekhte hi uske hontho par ek badi si muskaan saj gayi.

Purvi aur Arun saath aaye hue the. Sirf wahi nahi, Bhavna ke gaav se Shyaam aur uski patni bhi aaye hue the.

Bhavna (smiles) : Purvi!?? Shyaam?? Aa gaye tum sab!!

Purvi ne aage badh use apni baaho me bhara. Toh wahi Shyaam aur uski patni ne uske perr chhuye.

Purvi (smiles) : Tum toh bhool hi gayi mujhe, hai na?

Bhavna (smiles) : Achha? Kya tumhe dikh nahi raha ki kitni vyast thi mein? Ek baar bhi tumne mujhse pooncha ki koi madad ki zaroorat hai ya nahi?

Purvi : Oh achha? Aur humaare saahab-zaade kaha hai? Ek baar bhi yaad nahi aayi use meri? Na mere ghar aaya? Mahino ho gaye use dekhe! Usne poonchha mere se kuchh?

Bhavna : Bhai, ye shikayat toh tum usi se karna jab woh aa jayega. *smiles* Mujhe dosh mat do.

Purvi (laughs) : Theek hai, theek hai! Waise... Kaha hai woh?

Bhavna : Baahar gaya tha kaam se. Kuchh der me aa jayega.

Purvi : Lo kar lo baat. Jiska yaha hona sabse zyada zaroori hai, wahi yaha nahi hai.

Bhavna : Aa jayega!!! Arun, kaise ho?

Arun (smiles) : Badhiya didi!

Uske bolne par Purvi ki muskaan thodi murjha gayi.

Bhavna (smiles) : Chalo, achha hai! Andar chalo na tum log. Mein bhi aati hu.

Arun : Ji!!!

Aur, woh dono pati-patni andar ki orr prasthan kar gaye.

Bhavna : Shyaam!! Kaise ho???

Shyaam (smiles) : Bas didi! Aapka aashirvaad!!

Bhavna (nods) : Aao! Andar aao, shyaam!

Baari-baari mehmano ki sankhya badhti jaa rahi thi. Parijaat ghar ki aurtein Varsha, Saili, Mukta, Sudha bhi aa chuki thi.

Mahila mandal se Sarika toh wahi Niharika aur uske under kaam karne waali dono ladkiya — Ayushi aur Ishani bhi aayi hui thi.

Hotel Prestige ki manager — Nandini, Veer ke food truck me kaam karne waali Prachi aur baaki sabhi staff ko bhi aamantrit kiya gaya tha.

Ragini ke mata-pita, Rohini aur Dinesh bhi aaye hue the. Toh Aabha wahi baithi Shreya ka intezar kar rahi thi, uss bechari ko iss sab ke baare me kuchh der pehle hi pata chala tha.

Aur, Ahemdabad se laut kar Arohi bhi Vivek, Manorath aur apni maa Sumitra ke sang aa chuki thi.



Har baar ki tarah woh behad khubsoorat lag rahi thi. Jo log anupasthit the woh the — Brijesh, Karunesh aur Pranjal.

Ragini ki nazre jab Vivek se takrayi toh usne eka-ek apna muh fer liya. Uske mata-pita Bhavna se vartalap me lag gaye aur Veer ki tareefo ke pul baandhne lage. Akhir, Veer hi toh tha jisne unko gundo se bachaaya tha.

Wahi, Arohi Kavya aur Kritika se jaake mili aur baat-cheet me lag gayi.

Arohi : Kavya! Veer ab tak lauta nahi?

Kavya : N-Nahi, di!

Arohi (frowns) : Kaha reh gaya hoga?

Ghadi ki sui tik tik karte hue 8 baje ke qareeb pahuch rahi thi aur mahaul utsaah se bharta jaa raha tha.

Aadesh dwara bheje gaye spy, Ankit ko gumraah karte hue Bhumika ne ye event uski naak ke neeche rakh diya tha aur Aadesh ko iski kaano kaan khabar tak nahi lag paayi thi. Ab achanak se iske baare me pata lagte hi woh aag baboola ho chuka tha.

Waiters cham-chamaati champagne ki trays lekar ghoom rahe the, mehmaan aapas me mil rahe the aur launch ki prateeksha kar rahe the.



Har koi iss shaam ke sitaare — Veer Singh ka intezar kar raha tha. Uski anupasthiti pehle se hi iss romanchak mahaul me ek rehesya ki parat chadha ke rakhi hui thi.

***

Ye tha andar ka haal. Kintu, andar maujood log baahar ho rahi gatividhiyo se anibhigya the.

Halke fate hue shawl me lipti hui ek aakriti asthir roop se waha mandra rahi thi. Uska chehra dhaka hua tha siwae uski do aankhon ke jo street lights ki mand raushni me chamak rahi thi.



Aane waali luxury cars ki gehma-gehmi, sundar kapde pehne mehmaano ki hasi, aur kabhi-kabhar paparazzi ke cameras ki chamak se jaise woh vyakti ab upar uth chuka tha. Woh ek pal ke liye sthir khada raha jaise ki woh kisi cheez ko dhyaan se dekh raha ho.

Fir, woh apni jagah se hila aur hotel ke mukhya pravesh dwaar ke paas pahucha, uska sarr jhuka hua tha aur vishal phoolo ke vases ki chhaaya me woh andhere me kahi lupt sa ho gaya.

Jaise hi woh red carpet ke paas pahucha, woh logo ki nazar me aa gaya. Ek security guard ne use dekha aur aage badha.

Security Guard 1 : Oye!!! Oye, tum!!! Chalo, peechhe hato! Yeh jagah bhikaariyo ke liye nahi hai. Chalo niklo yahaan se.

Vyakti ruka. Uska sarr dheere-dheere guard ki nazro se milne ke liye upar utha. Aankhein khaali, lekin teevra — uss guard par tik gayi, jis se ek pal ke liye guard bhi sihar gaya.

Security Guard 2 (steps in) : Kya re tujhe sunayi nahi diya? Iske pehle ki tujhe bhagaya jaaye, nikal yahaan se.

Usne kuchh na kaha. Koi pratikriya nahi di. Woh bas wahi khada raha, uski maujoodgi har guzarte pal bhaari hoti jaa rahi thi.

Security Guard 2 : Iski toh-

Chidhate hue usne aage badh zorr se uss vyakti ko dhakela, woh aadmi thoda ladkhadaya lekin gira nahi.

Security Guard 2 : Bhaag yahaan se! Chal bhag!!! Bhag!!!

Uska shawl halka sa hata jiske chalte uska ek haath guard ko nazar aaya. Magar, turant hi vyakti ne shawl tezi se wapas odh liya.

Woh chhaaya me peechhe hatt gaya, uski harkatein ekdum ajeeb thi. Paas ke hi lamppost ke paas khade hokar woh wahi se logo ko ghoor raha tha. Uski nigaahein cheel ki tarah pravesh dwaar par tiki hui thi. Maano jaise kisi ka intezar kar raha ho.

***

Woh akela nahi tha. Hotel ke theek baahar saamne kuchh doori par ek aadmi ek building ki seedhiyaan chadh raha tha. Uske qadam satark the aur hawa sadan aur fafundi ki gandh se bhari hui thi. Lag raha tha building kaafi saalo se khaali padi hui thi.

Usne apne gloves pehne haatho me ek bada sa case le rakha tha. Use apne saath upar chadhaate hue uski saansein fool rahi thi.

'Fuck... It's heavy!!!'

Upar chhat par pahuchte hi usne ek zang lage darwaaze ko dhakka de kar khola aur ek thandi hawa ke jhonke ne uska swagat kiya, jis se uski kaali jacket ka hood neeche sarak gaya.

Woh aage badha. Uske theek saamne hotel prestige ka saamne ka hissa tha, jo raat me abhooshan ki tarah chamak raha tha.

Woh aadmi chhat ke kinaare par ruka. Usne case ko dheere se zameen par rakha aur apna hood kheechte hue upar se daal liya. Uski nazre aas-paas ka jayza lene ke liye tezi se idhar-udhar daud gayi — Dur se aa rahe traffic ka shor, hotel se aa rahi halki-halki awaazein, neeche mehmaano ka aata jhund, aur security guards ki badalti hui positions.

Apni jagah se santusht hokar, woh kinaare se peechhe hatt gaya aur-

*Click*

Awaaz ke saath usne apna case khola. Andar foam padding me, kayi components rakhe hue the. Aur, fatafat uske haath unn parts ko jodne me lag gaye.

Jab usne saare parts jod liye toh usne uss cheez ko uthaaya, uski lambayi, uske wazan aur uske santulan ka woh nireekshan karne laga. Lag raha tha jaise woh yeh kaam pehle kayi baar kar chuka tha.

'Alright...!'

Usne apni peeth par khusa hua ek upkaran nikaala aur uski button dabaate hue woh use apni aankhon par le gaya. Hotel Prestige ki ek-ek gatividhi use spasht roop se nazar aa rahi thi.

'This shouldn't take long...!'

Woh jaanch karne laga jab uski nazar kuchh ajeebo-gareeb logo par padi jo hotel prestige ke ird-gird andhere me chhipe hue the.

'What the hell-!?'

---

Neeche, 20-22 aadmi alag-alag jagaho par fele hue the. Sabke haath me unka apna mobile tha aur sabhi andhere me idhar-udhar chhipe bas aate-jaate logo ko dekh rahe the.

Unme se ek ne apne phone par call lagaya aur phone ko kaan se laga kar khus-pusaate hue bola.

Aadmi : Sarkar!! Abhi mehman aate jaa rahe hai.

Dusri taraf se Dhananjay ki mardana awaaz sunayi padi.

Dhananjay : Woh Veer kahaan ba??? Sasuri darr gaya kay???

Aadmi : Abhi tak woh kahi dikhayi nahi diya.

Dhananjay : Uu kahi bheetar toh nahi chhipa??

Aadmi : Lagta nahi, sarkar! Kyunki, humaare aadmi din bhar se yahi khade hai. Agar woh aata toh ek na ek baar kisi ke nazro me toh aa hi jaata. Ab toh uski shaqal bhi jaante hai hum.

Dhananjay : Hmm! Jaise hi uu nazar aaye humra ke bata dii! Theek?

Aadmi : J-Ji, sarkar!!

Kehte hue usne phone cut kar nigraani rakhni shuru kar di. Yarnia ke logo ke saath-saath Veer ki ek photo bhi wahi baahar pradarshit ho rakhi thi.

Andar maujood koi bhi ye nahi jaanta tha ki baahar kya kuchh ghat raha tha aur aage kya-kya hone waala tha.

***

Bhandup, Mumbai,
Evening - 7:45 PM ~

*Slam*

"Arey shayad se tumhara kya matlab hai????"

Trisha ki awaaz itni oonchi thi ki waha khadi saari janta uss par nazre gada ke ek jagah khadi ho gayi. Uski aankhein gusse se laal ho rakhi thi.

Trisha : Din bhar se police yahaan paagalo ki tarah chhaan-been kar rahi hai aur ab tum keh rahi ho ki tumne use shayad dekha tha?? Shayad???

Mahila : M-Madam!! M-Maine toh pakke se dekha tha. P-Par, ab tak woh mila nahi hai. T-Toh ho sakta hai mera veham ho.

Trisha (growls) : T-Tum-!!!

Jeetu kaaka : Madam! Jaane dijiye! Khamakha public ikhatta ho rahi hai.

Trisha : Kaaka ye-

*Buzz*

Beech me aaye call ne uss mahila ko Trisha ki aur daant se bacha liya.

Trisha : Tch-!!!

Call uske pati, Rohan yaani ki Maharastra ke DGP ka tha.

Trisha : Haan!?

Rohan : Pihu ko uski friend ki b'day party ke liye le jaana hai. Kya tum use drop kar dogi? Use gift bhi dilwa dena kahi shop se.

Trisha (nods) : Haan! Mein jaati hu. Tumne lunch kar liya tha na?

Rohan : Haan! Woh chhoro aur ye batao ki case ka kya hua?

Trisha (frowns) : Samay barbaad ho gaya aaj ka. Mat puchho!

Rohan : It's okay! Tum jaake pehle Pihu ko drop kar do, fir milte hai.

Trisha (nods) : Hmm!!!

Trisha ne phone kaatate hue wapas se uss sketch ko ghoor ke dekha.




Yahi tha woh sandigdh. Yahi tha woh vyakti jiske baare me Deepu ne Divya aur Veer ko apni zubaani di thi. Ab isme kitni sacchaayi thi ye toh waqt hi bataane waala tha.

Trisha ne sketch ko fold kiya aur woh jeep me baith waha se apni beti Pihu ko lene ke liye nikal gayi.

---

Night - 8:10 PM ~

Gift shop par tarah-tarah ke gift items aur mej par colorful papers lade hue the. Nidhi wahi khadi hoke gifts dekh rahi thi toh wahi Juhi peechhe ek seat par baithi hui thi. Woh utsahit hoke seat par se apne perr latkaate hue unhe hila rahi thi aur haath me ek chhota sa gift pakde uske ribbon ko marod rahi thi.

Nidhi : Juhiiii-!!!! Ribbon khul jayega aise me.

Nidhi ne use samjhaate hue kaha. Fir, muskuraate hue uske sarr par haath fera. Khushi sirf Juhi ko hi nahi thi. Andar se woh khud bhi Veer ke liye behad khush thi.

Aaj teal colour ki saree me woh atyant hi khubsoorat lag rahi thi. Aur, uski pyaari bitiya Juhi bhi kisi princess se kam nahi lag rahi thi. White colour ki frock me woh bhi bahut pyaari lag rahi thi.

Juhi : Mumma?? Maamu ko ye pasand aayega na??

Nidhi (smiles) : Bilkul aayega!

Tabhi, dukaan ke darwaze par lagi ghanti baji. Ek lambi si khaaki wardi pehni mahila ne pravesh kiya. Uske name tag par 'Trisha Bakshi, DSP' likha hua tha. Usne apni beti Pihu ka haath pakad rakha tha, jo ek haath me ek box pakdi hui thi.

Trisha : Pihu, lao mujhe gift do. Mein pack karwa deti hu.

Kehte hue usne Nidhi ko dekh ek muskaan di. Nidhi ne uski wardi par uska badge dekh muskaan wapas di aur garmjoshi se boli.

Nidhi : Police me kisi mahila karmchari ko uchh padd par dekh achha lagta hai. *smiles* Aur, ye jaante hue ki woh bhi hum aam insaan ki tarah ye sab bhaag-daud me lage rehte hai.

Trisha (smiles) : Ji! Special occasions duty ki zimmedari ka intezar nahi karte. Woh kabhi bhi aa jaate hai. Aur, inhe bhi samay dena hi hota hai.

Nidhi (nods) : Ji!

Trisha : Meri beti ki dost ka janmdin hai. Aur, aapka-!?

Nidhi : Mere bhi... Mere student ne naya business shuru kiya hai. Uske launch ke liye event rakha hai.

Trisha : Oh! Badi achhi baat hai.

Inki baat-cheet shuru hote hi wahi peechhe dono chhoti bacchiyo ke beech bhi sanvaad shuru ho gaya. Juhi, Pihu ko apna chamakdar ribbon dikhaate hue khil-khilayi aur jald hi dono me dosti ho gayi, dono darwaze ki orr baahar khelne ke liye bhaagi.

"Kahi jaana mat!"

"Yahi ruko-!!!"

Dono matao ne ek hi swar me apni-apni betiyo ko awaaz laga kar chetavni di. Magar, dono hi bacchiyaan khelne ke liye baahar chali gayi.

Baahar, sheher aam jeevan se gulzar tha. Saal ki akhiri raat thi toh har jagah naye saal ke aane ka naya josh bhara hua tha. Sadak par samaan bechne waale aur aas-paas ke samaroh ke mand sangeet ne har jagah ullaas ka mahaul bana rakha tha.

Kintu, ek gali me ek parchhayi aswabhavik roop se badal gayi. Ek aakriti tezi se aage badhi.

---

Paas ki hi ek aur andheri gali me Madhuri aur Pranjal chalte hue aa rahe the. Pranjal ke haatho me do-teen thailiya thi jinme ration ka samaan bhara hua tha.

Aaj woh Madhuri ki madad karne ke liye hi aaya tha. Aur, saath me shopping karne ke baad dono Madhuri ke thehre hue flat ki orr prasthaan kar rahe the.

Madhuri : Toh... Kya tum nahi jaa rahe uss karyakram me? Veer ke yaha?

Pranjal (shrugs) : Bulaya nahi gaya. Aur, agar bulaaya bhi jaata toh bhi mein nahi jaata.

Uske swar me kadwahat mehsoos karte hue, Madhuri ne bauhe sikodi.

Madhuri : Mein sahi thi. Tum dono bhaiyo ke beech zaroor kuchh vivaad chal raha hai. Hai na?

Pranjal : Hmph-! *sighs* Rehne do!

Madhuri aage kuchh na boli, usne chup rehne me hi bhalayi samjhi. Ye vishay sanvedansheel tha.

*Rustle*

Woh ek gali se nikle hi the ki tabhi ek tez awaaz — jaise patto ki sarsarahat — ne unka dhyaan kheencha. Dono thitak ke reh gaye.

Madhuri : K-Kya tha woh? Tumne suna?

Pranjal ne gali ke andhere kono ko chhaana lekin kuchh nahi dikha.

Pranjal (mutters) : Shayad koi kutta ya billi hogi.

Woh budbudaya. Halanki, uski awaaz me thodi bechaini zaroor thi. Kutta ya billi itni raftaar se nahi bhaagte. Aisa laga jaise maano koi palak jhapakte waha se guzra tha.

---

Isi beech Juhi aur Pihu, dukaan se kaafi aage aa chuki thi. Gubbaare waale ne unhe dekh ek gubbaara muft me jo de diya tha. Toh, dono uske sang khelte-khelte aage badhti jaa rahi thi.

"Ahahahahaha!!!"

Juhi ek haath se gubbaare ko maarte hue use hawa me uchhaalti, fir hassti aur dusri orr se Pihu use maar ke uchhaalti.

"Hahahaha! Ab... Ab mein maarungi!!"

Chand palo me hi dono ek gali me pravesh kar gayi aur poori gali unki hasi aur karkash awaaz se goonj uthi.

Tabhi, unke peechhe se ek awaaz aayi —

“Well, aren’t you two of the sweetest little things? Mm?”

Juhi : ???



Ek aadmi andhere se baahar aaya. Usne badan par ek safed coat odh rakha tha aur uski aankhein ajeeb dhang se chamak rahi thi. Jaisi hi woh unke starr par jhuka, uski jeebh uske hontho par fir gayi.

?? : Tumhara naam kya hai, pyaari bacchiyo???

Usne iss baar hindi me poonchha. Dono ladkiyaan thoda jhijhki, ek dusre ki orr dekhi. Lekin, uss vyakti ki muskaan aur chanchal swar ne unhe aashvasan de diya.

Juhi (smiles) : Mein Juhi hu-! A-Aur, ye meri new friend — Pihu hai!

Usne masoomiyat se bhari awaaz me uttar diya.

?? : Juhi... Pihu... Kitne pyaare naam hai. Kya tum dono jaadu dekhogi?

Juhi : Jaadu?? Haan!

Usne tabhi haath ki safayi dikhaate hue apne haath me achanak se do lollipop prakat kar di.

Juhi : Waaaaaa-!! Ahahahaha! *claps* Aur, dikhao! Aur...

Pihu (giggles) : Haan! Uncle... Aur...

?? : Ohh! *drools* Bahut se jaadu dikhaunga mein bacchiyo.

Uski lambi ungliyaan tabhi Juhi ke haath ko thaami aur uske haath ko ahista-ahista malne lagi.

?? (mutters) : Young blood...!!!!

Juhi : Mmm???

?? : It’ll all be over soon, my dear. *slurp*




Uska itna kehna hi tha ki tabhi usi gali me Madhuri aur Pranjal nikle, aur uss ajeeb se aadmi ko dono bacchiyo ke saamne jhuka dekhte hi woh dono jaise wahi jamm ke reh gaye.

Madhuri ghabrayi aur usne ek jhatke me Pranjal ki baah kass ke thaam li.

Madhuri : P-Pranjal-

Pranjal : O-Oyeee-!!!

Pranjal bhi jaise Madhuri ka ishaara samajh gaya. Woh thailiya neeche rakh chillaate hue aage badha.

Pranjal ki awaaz par uss aadmi ne dheere se apna sarr peechhe ghumaya, uski muskaan abhi bhi barkarar thi.

Aur, jaise hi woh muda, maano Madhuri ke badan se uski aatma baahar nikal gayi. Ye wahi tha. Jiska sketch police dwara saare sheher me chhapwaya gaya tha.

?? : Oh!! Bacchiyaan toh sirf khel rahi thi.

Madhuri (yells) : Ch-Chhoro unhe!! Hato!! Hato waha se-!!!

Woh kaanpti awaaz me chillaayi.

?? : Ehe~

Madhuri : ????

?? : Ehehehehe~

Pranjal : O-Oyeee!! Peechhe hatt!!

?? : Ehehehehehehe~ Yahahahaha~

Uski hasi ne Pranjal aur Madhuri ke badan par raungte khade kar diye. Juhi aur Pihu ko jab kuchh theek na laga toh woh dono hi waha se daudne ke liye hui par tabhi-

Ek pal me usne dono ladkiyo ko pakda aur unke muh ko apne bade haatho se dhak liya. Pranjal fauran hi aage badha, lekin woh aadmi atyadhik gati se aage aaya aur-

*Baaammmmmmm*

Ek hi laat me Pranjal peechhe ki orr gira aur deewar se jaa takraaya. Muh se khoon khaaste hue usne uthne ka prayas kiya.

Pranjal : O-Oye-!! *cough* Madarchod-!!! Chhor unhe-!! Urggghhh!!! *cough*

Uski haalat dekh Madhuri chillaati hui uski taraf daudi. Use sahara dete hue jaise hi woh peechhe mudi toh woh aadmi ladkiyon ke saath faraar ho chuka tha.

'N-Nahi-!!!'

Ek sihran uske badan me fel gayi.

---

Dukaan ke andar Nidhi aur Trisha ki hasi bhi chinta me badal gayi jab unhe ehsaas hua ki ladkiyaan kitni der se baahar thi. Woh dono hi apna-apna gift leke waha se baahar nikal unke naam ko pukaari.

"Juhiiiiiiii-!!!!"

"Pihuuuuuu-!!!!"

Unki awaazein sadak par goonji, lekin koi pratikriya nahi. Dono yahi toh thi. Akhir, achanak se kaha gaayab ho sakti thi? Dehshat, unke andar fel gayi.

Unhone raahgeero aur wahi khade aas-paas ek do aadmiyon se poonchha ki kya unhone bacchiyon ko dekha hai?

"Woh uss gali me gayi thi. Kuchh der pehle-" Ek dukandar ne jhijakte hue kaha.

"Juhiiiiiii-!!!!!"

"Pihuuuuuu-!!!"

Dono tezi se uss gali me ghusi, Nidhi ki aedi footpath se takrayi aur woh zorr se neeche ko giri. Trisha ne use jaldbazi me uthaaya aur punah dono andar ko bhaagi.

Jaise hi woh dono ek kone me mudi, unhone dekha ki ek ladki unki hi taraf ghabraate hue daud kar aa rahi thi. Uska chehra darr ke maare peela pad chuka tha.

Madhuri ne jaise hi Trisha ki wardi dekhi uski aankhon me ek chamak aa uthi.

Madhuri (yells) : B-Bachao-!! Bachao!!

Trisha ki baah pakad use jhanjhorte hue woh ro padi.

Madhuri : W-Woh aadmi... *sniff* Wahi aadmi... W-Woh le gaya unhe... Unn dono bacchiyo ko... *sniff*

Trisha (yells) : K-Kyaaaaa??? K-Kaun??? Kidhar???

Madhuri ne andhere ki orr ishaara kiya, uske chehre se lagatar aansu beh rahe the.

Madhuri : W-Woh yaha tha... *sniff* Aur, fir achanak kahi gaayab ho gaya. M-Mera dost... Use madad ki zaroorat hai!

Trisha : Kaun le gaya?? Saaf-saaf... Saaf-saaf batao!!!

Madhuri : W-Wahi, madam!! Wahi... *sniff* Mein galat nahi ho sakti. *sniff* Woh wahi tha. Wahi jiska poster sheher me jagah-jagah chhapa hua hai. Wahi sandigdh jiske peechhe police padi hai. Woh do bacchiyo ko utha ke mere saamne le gaya. *sniff*

Aur, ye sunte hi Trisha sakpaka ke reh gayi. Nidhi ke perr ladkhadaye aur woh ghutno ke bal gir padi.

Nidhi : J-Juhi-!!! Juhi, meri bacchi...!!! *screams* Juhiiiiiiiiii-!!!!

Awaaz sunn log andar gali me ghusne lage. Trisha ka dimaag kaam karna band kar chuka tha. Uski apni beti gaayab hui thi. Uske haath perr kaanp rahe the.

Usne sabse pehle chotil Pranjal ko logo dwara waha se uthwaaya. Apna radio ka istemal kar usne ek SOS bheja - "Code red. Child abduction. Request immediate backup."

Iss beech Nidhi na ruki, woh uthi aur cheekhte chillaate hue Juhi ko khojne lagi. Woh akeli nahi thi. Trisha bhi ek maa thi. Uske sang-sang Trisha bhi awaazein lagaate hue galiyon me apni beti ko dhoondhne lagi.

Nidhi (screams) : Juhiiiiiiiii-!!!!!

Trisha (screams) : Pihuuuuuuu-!!!!

Par, koi jawaab nahi!!! Jitne logo se ve poonchhti, sab naa me sarr hila dete. Bechari Nidhi paagalo ki tarah bhaagi jaa rahi thi, uski achhi bhali hasti khelti ladki, uski jaan, uski laadli yu uski aankhon ke saamne se gaayab ho chuki thi. Woh khud ko andar hi andar dosh deti jaa rahi thi.

Uska makeup uske rone se poori tarah kharab ho chuka tha. Woh behaal ho chuki thi. Juhi ki ratt lagaaye woh bas idhar-udhar bhaagti jaa rahi thi. Juhi ke akhiri bol uske mann me goonj rahe the ~

"Mumma, Maamu ko ye pasand aayega na?"

"Veer maamu aap jaldi aao na. Ye mumma roj roj mujhe padhati hai. Sunday ko bhi...!"

Apni bitiya ki awaaz mann me liye woh bhaagti rahi, uska perr achanak se neeche ek patthar se takraya aur woh seedhe jaake ek khambe se jaa bhidi. Sarr par chot lagte hi woh wahi behosh ho gayi. Peechhe se aa rahi Trisha ne use ghabraate hue uthaaya aur madad ki pukaar ki.

Wahi kahi dur, uss aadmi ki hasi galiyon me goonj uthi.

***

At the outskirts of Mumbai,
Night - 8:20 PM ~

Veer, Divya aur Ava ki toli car me aage badhti jaa rahi thi. Mumbai woh lagbhag pahuch hi chuke the. Yahaan se bas kuchh minto ki hi ab duri bachi thi. Lekin, achanak hi Ava ne saamne aadhi khadi car dekh kar brake laga diya.

Ava (frowns) : Veer!!!

Woh haule se boli. Peechhe baithe Veer ne jab saamne dekha toh uski bauhe bhi Ava ki bauho ki tarah sikud gayi.

Magar, sabse zyada jhatka jo laga tha woh tha Divya ko. Woh bhauchakki si saamne car me se nikle insaan ko dekh rahi thi.




Woh ghabraate hue car ke baahar nikli aur uske honth thar-thara gaye.

Divya : N-Nik???
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Aaj ke liye itna hi guys.
This update consists of 11.3k words. Yes! It's a long one. Itne dino baad itna toh banta hi tha. Ye sab ek sitting ka kaam nahi hota. Multiple sittings lagti hai aur isliye itna time bhi le jaati hai aisi kuchh updates. Iss update ne tone ko set kar diya hai. Now you get the idea of what may happen next.

This update touched a lot of aspects which were ignored back then. Such as — Suhana and Sonia's conversation about Veer's treatment at Casa Belle, the sketch released by the police, Pranjal and Madhuri's role, Purvi's absence, etc.

I have grinded my ass to paint this picture as vividly as I can. It's a long ass update. Read it when you get time so as not to get exhausted. Agla update bahut khatarnak hone waala hai. You guys know it very well.

Thanks a lot. Target apna iss baar waise toh 250 hai. Par, 220 tak bhi mein khush ho jaunga. Aur, iss baar mein bolunga nahi. Toh apna apna kaam karne ka. Revos aate rehne chahiye.

Dhanyavad!

Bhai next level update
Jitna likhu utna Kamm h
But is update me next update ke kaffi hints h
And still chije kesi ho pae gi ye nhi pta

Upr se ye nick chutiya isko bhi abhi hi Ana tha kya?

And moreover Veer ka mission uske l lge h
But villan ne khud juhi ko utha kr
Uska kaam asan kr dia h
Ab dekhna ye hoga
Ki Veer kese juhi ko bache ga
Kese apna mission pura kre ga
And kese Yarina ka lunch success kr pae ga

Launch me to vo phele se hi late h
But ab aur late hoga
Agr late na Hua to baki dono chije hath se jae gi
And juhi ki vo warning se hi kuch glt hoga ye hint veer ko Milla hi h

Kul Mila kr kya likha h bhai
Next update me full action hoga
Mzza aye ga bc

Hopefully jitna wait is update ka kia h utna next ka na krne pde

Keep going bro

 

[mooni]

Update - 192 ~ Pandemonium (1)​

Ab tak...

"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.

Ab aage...

31st December,
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
International Airport, Mumbai,
Morning - 10:45 AM ~




Flight ke utarte hi teen khubsoorat mahilaaye lobby me aake ruki. Tamanna ne apna carry-on bag kass kar pakad rakha tha, uski ungliyaan thodi kaanp rahi thi. Uski aankhein kisi khatre ke sanket ki talaash me ek kone se dusre kone tak ghoom rahi thi. Kandho me tanaav spasht tha, aur uske saiyyam rakhne ke bawajood, bhay uske chehre par saaf-saaf jhalak raha tha.

'Thank god, filhal toh sab sahi lag raha hai.'

Woh ghabrayi hui chaaro orr jagah ka jaayza le rahi thi. Toh wahi ek casual hoodie aur sneakers pehne Shreya ne apna backpack theek kiya, uski nigaahein Tamanna par tik gayi.

Shreya : A-Aap theek toh ho na? Singapore se nikalne ke baad se hi aap bahut pareshan si lag rahi ho. Kahi kuchh aisa hai kya jo aap humein bata nahi rahi?

Aabha humesha ki tarah shaant, Shreya ke bagal se khadi thi. Usne Tamanna ke chehre ka adhyayan kiya, halki thand ke bawajood uske chehre par paseene ki boondein jhalak rahi thi.

Tamanna ne tezi se saans chhori aur zabardasti ek muskaan hontho par bikherte hue boli.

Tamanna : M-Mein theek hu! Trust me! Really! Anyways, tum dono dhyaan se suno. Humein ab alag hona padega, filhaal ke liye.

Shreya (frowns) : Alag hona padega? Hum abhi wapas aaye hai aur ekdum se aise- kuchh gadbad hai kya?

Uske sawaal par Tamanna ne aage badh uski baahein pakad li.

Tamanna : N-Nahi-!!! Inn akhiri kuchh hafto me tum dono kamaal ki thi. Sach me!! Tum dono ne hi experience liya and I feel so proud of you. Really! Lekin, ab mein chaahti hu ki tum dono abhi mujhpe thoda bharosa dikhao.

Aabha : H-Hum kuchh samjhe nahi, didi. Saaf-saaf keh dijiye jo bhi hai.

Tamanna (anxiously) : Tum dono ab apne-apne ghar lautogi. Uske baad kya karna hai woh mein tumhe bata dungi. Lekin, abhi ke liye humara plan yahi hai. Shreya, tum wapas se apne ghar jaogi. Aur, Aabha- tum Veer ke saath rehti ho na? Toh tum bhi wahi lautogi. Woh bhi tumhari raah dekh raha hoga. Theek hai?

Virodh karne ke liye Shreya ke honth khule, lekin Tamanna ne haath uthaate hue use pehle hi chup rehne ka ishaara de diya.

Tamanna : -aur jaha tak meri baat hai, mujhe kuchh personal matters settle karne hai. Toh, ab zyada sawaal mat karna. Bas jaisa kehti jaa rahi hu, waisa karo. Okay?

Tamanna ke swar ne tarq karne ke liye koi sambhavna na chhori, lekin Shreya ki jigyasa badhti jaa rahi thi. Aur, akhirkar usne poonchh hi liya.

Shreya : Aap kuchh chhipa rahi ho humse. Hai na? Mein jaanti hu. Aap bata kyu nahi rahi?

Aabha ne tanaav ko bhaanpte hue Shreya ke kandhe par haath rakh ek qadam aage badhaya.

Aabha : Shreya didi, jaane do! Agar, didi keh rahi hai ki abhi yahi karna uchit hai toh woh uchit hi hoga. Unhone kuchh soch samajh ke hi kaha hoga. Woh jo bhi humse chhupaaye, humara unke jeevan me taaka-jhaaki karna sahi nahi. Hum toh unke shukra-guzar hai, jo unhone humein ye mauka diya. Humein unn par bharosa dikhaane ki zaroorat hai.

Uski baat par Shreya ka sarr neeche jhuk gaya, toh wahi Tamanna ka dil unn dono ke liye paseej utha. Woh batana toh chaahti thi lekin unhe musibat me bhi nahi daalna chaahti thi. Inn beetein dino woh sabhi ek dusre ke itne qareeb aa chuki thi ki lag hi nahi raha tha ki woh sab abhi-abhi hi mili hai.

Tamanna (smiles weakly) : Thank you, Aabha! Hum apna safar khatam nahi kar rahe. Bas, hold par rakh rahe hai. Jab tak ki kuchh cheezein sahi nahi ho jaati. Tum dono bahut himmat waali ho, talented ho aur aane waale samay me aur upar jaogi. Abhi toh bas humari shuruwat hai. Kuchh hafto me hi humne kitni popularity gain ki hai ye tum bhi jaanti ho. Aur, uska ek main reason tum dono hi ho. So, don't let anything hold you back. Mujhe yahi energy baad me bhi chahiye. But for now— we need to leave before it gets too late.

Shreya jhijhki, uski bauhe aapas me kasi. Use iss tarah se adhoori baat par chhore jaane se sakht nafrat thi, lekin Aabha ki shaanti aur sehmati ne use mana liya.

Shreya (softly) : Th-Theek hai! Par, agar aapko kisi bhi cheez ki zaroorat ho toh seedha humein call kar lena. We owe you that much.

Tamanna (nods) : Zaroor!!! *smiles*

Par, jaise hi woh waha se nikalne ke liye hue toh Tamanna ke chehre se uska rang udd gaya. Uske haath kaanpne lage, aur usne apna bag kass ke jakad liya.

'N-No-!! N-Not now!!!'

Uski nazre baahar entrance gate par tiki jaha se teen ladke use ghoorte hue andar aa rahe the.

Uski jeb me tabhi phone ki ghanti baji jise sunn uska dil zoro se uchhal pada. Darte hue usne apna phone baahar nikaala aur screen par dekha. Ek sandesh tha. Aur, sandesh padhne ke baad hi uski jaan me jaan aayi.

Screen par Veer ka message jhalak raha tha - "Keep calm! Stay alert! I have sent my men. They will escort you all. Don't worry. I'll end this soon!"

Tamanna ne ek raahat ki saans li. 'I'll end this soon!' Ye vaakya uske andar ek bharosa jaga gaya ki woh iss ladai me ab akeli nahi thi. Uski abhi ki manzil tay thi. Woh apne ghar nahi, balki Lalita aur Madhuri waale flat me hi unke saath rukne waali thi, jiska address use praapt ho chuka tha. Aur, yahi Veer ka nirdesh bhi tha.

Singapore se woh shoot adhoora chhor ke aayi thi. Beshaq — show ke director aur producers ke sang uski thodi bahut behas bhi hui. Woh ye tour adhoora chhorne ki firaaq me nahi the. Lekin, majbooran Tamanna ko toh waapas lautna hi tha. Aur, isi beech behas bhi chhid gayi. Halanki, Tamanna, Aabha aur Shreya ki badhti popularity ko dekh jaise-taise director aur producers filhal ke liye toh raazi ho gaye. Magar, aane waale dino me jald se jald use waapas Singapore prasthan karne ki zaroorat thi.

Aur, ye tab hi mumkin hone waala tha jab Veer uski pareshaniyo ko uske jeevan se dur kar sake.

'I'm counting on you, Veer! Please-!!!'

Ek aas jagi ki shayad Veer use inn sab jhamelo se baahar nikaalne me safal hoga.

Woh teen ladke jaise hi Tamanna ke paas aaye toh use pata chala ye Veer dwara hi bheje gaye ladke the. Ek baar fir, usne apni dhadkano ko qaabu me kiya. Aur, teeno apne-apne ghar ki orr nikal gaye. Shreya apne mata-pita ke ghar chali gayi, Aabha Veer ke ghar toh wahi Tamanna Madhuri waale flat ki orr. Filhal ke liye, Aadesh ke aadmiyon ke changul se Tamanna aur baki sab bach kar nikalne me qamyab the.

***

Control room,
Thane police station,
Mumbai ~

Kamre me computers ke keyboards ki gadgadahat aur data ke dher ko chhanane waale adhikariyo ki badbadahat goonj rahi thi. Trisha, ek kursi par baithi haal hi me hui hatyao aur saath hi saath Slogan-Aatish ki rehesyamayi maut ko lekar pareshan thi.

Aur, ye sab bhi kaafi nahi tha jab ab logo ke laapata hone ki khabro ne police station ke darwaze par dastak dena shuru kar diya. Subah-subah hi dusri FIR kisi laapata vyakti ke liye darj ho chuki thi.

'Pehle ye murders aur ab logo ka laapata hona... Kahi ye-!? Huh-!!?'

Ek sansani macha dena waala vichaar uske mastishk se hoke guzra. Paas me hi tainaat Shekhar, ek haath me ek file aur dusre me ek laptop liye khada hua tha aur Trisha ke paas jaane se jhijak raha tha. Par, kuchh der ki shaanti ke baad woh aage badha.

Shekhar : Madam, mujhe pichhle case ke baare me aur kuchh jankaari haath lagi hai.

Trisha (bina upar dekhe) : Kya? Jaldi bolo Shekhar, mein waise hi pehle se bahut pareshan hu.

Shekhar ne apne gale ki kharaash dur ki aur file mej par rakhte hue bola.

Shekhar : Mirror Gallery ke baare me humne discuss kiya tha. Aur, humne maana tha ki Slogan ka uss se kuchh lena dena ho sakta hai.

Trisha (glances) : Haan! Toh? Uske baare me kya?

Shekhar : Bahut chhaan-been ke baad social media se mujhe uss raat ki kuchh aur tasveerein mili hai.

Woh Trisha ki pratikriya jaanane ke liye ruka.

Trisha (impatiently) : Jaldi bolo, Shekhar!! Paheliyaan mat bujhao.

Shekhar : Kuchh aur log bhi kuchh photos me qaid hue hai. Lekin, ek shaks hai jiske baare me shayad aap jaanana chaahogi.

Trisha : Shekhar-!!!!

Shekhar : Veer Singh!!

Kamre me ek shaanti chhaa gayi. Trisha ki teekhi nigaahein Shekhar par tik gayi.

Trisha : Veer Singh? Ye kaun hai?

Shekhar (apna laptop kholte hue) : Aap Veer Singh ke baare me nahi jaanti? Aisa ho hi nahi sakta. Aapne news me suna hi hoga. Ye dekhiye! Veer Singh... Ek dilchasp ladka hai. Ek student jo peshe se ek businessman bhi hai. 'Chef on Wheels' naam se uske kuchh food trucks sheher me daudte hai. Yaha tak ki shayad woh 5 star hotel — Prestige ka maalik bhi hai. Lekin, sirf itna hi nahi-

Screen par Veer ki tasveerein dekh Trisha apne haath mod aage ko jhuki.

Shekhar : Abhi haal hi me kuchh samay pehle ki baat hai — Veer, France me ek gambheer paristhithi me fass gaya tha. Uss par criminal activities ka blame lagaya gaya tha. Yaha tak ki France ki investigation bureau ne toh use terrorist bhi ghoshit kar diya tha. Lekin, woh apni begunahi saabit karne me qamyab raha aur India wapas laut aaya, sabhi aaropo se mukt. Celebrity aur singer Natalia Martin ne khud uske liye news channels ke saamne gawahi di thi ki Veer hi woh insaan tha jisne unki jaan bachayi.

Trisha : Veer Singh, huh? Haan! Ye naam suna toh tha maine news me. Maine padha tha ki ek naujavan France me kanooni galat-fehmi se bach ke wapas desh lauta tha.

Shekhar (nods) : Bilkul! Wahi Veer Singh!

Trisha (frowns) : Toh kehne ka matlab ye hai ki... Veer... That guy has a history with law enforcement!!!

Shekhar : Ji madam!! Lekin, uska kisi gerr-kanooni kaam me shaamil hone ka koi thos saboot nahi hai. Jaha tak uske police records ka sawaal hai, woh saaf-suthre hai... Filhal...!! Aur, kuchh log toh use ab celebrity bhi maanane lage hai.

Trisha ne jankari ko hazam karte hue apne sarr ko mala.

Trisha : Hmm! Veer...!!

Usne laptop par uss tasveer ko dekha jaha Veer bheed me ek photo me nazar aa raha tha. Dhyaan se photo ko kuchh der dekhte hi uski aankhein aashcharya ke maare chaudi ho gayi aur woh akasmat hi khadi ho gayi jiske chalte uske peechhe rakhi kursi dhakke se dur khisak gayi.

Trisha : E-Ek minute-!!! Ye-

Shekhar : Hmm?

Trisha baukhla chuki thi. Kyunki, photo me jo kuchh bhi nazar aa raha tha woh kahi se bhi sadharan nahi tha.

Trisha : Y-Ye toh wahi hai!!!

Shekhar : Wahi? Kaun wahi???

Trisha : Wahi-!!! Jo mujhe Skylight me dikha tha!!!

Shekhar : Skylight?

Trisha : Arey wo... Mister Kishore Adarsh ka skyscraper. Nexacom ke owner ka ghar!!!

Shekhar : Arey haan! Haan! Samajh gaya!

Trisha : Y-Ye... Ye toh wahi... Ye toh wahi Jassi hai!!

Kishore ke ghar me jab woh uss blue mulsanne ke owner ko pakadne ke vaaste gayi thi tab Jassi ke upar hi uski shaq ki sui tiki hui thi. Kyunki, Jassi ke mutabik Slogan ki maut waali raat ko woh blue mulsanne gaadi wahi chala raha tha aur hamlawar ka peechha kar raha tha. Aur, ab yahi Jassi iss photo me theek Veer ke peechhe khada hua tha, usi event me jaha Slogan khud dekha gaya tha.

Trisha ki nazar tabhi Veer ke bagal se khadi ek ladki par padi.

Trisha : Ruko-!!! Y-Ye ladki- Ye ladki kaun hai iske aage? Veer ke saath... bagal se...

Shekhar : Uski sirf peeth hi nazar aa rahi hai, madam!

Trisha : Kuchh gadbad hai... I swear... damn it!!!

Aur, akasmat Trisha ke mann me kuchh baatein goonj gayi.

'Uss raat humaare Sir musibat me the. Humari Miss Kaera par attack hua tha aur hum sirf gaadi ka peechha kar hamla karne waale ko rokne ki koshish kar rahe the.'

'Miss Kaera Nexacom ki owner hai. Aur, unhe rokne ke liye rival companies buri se buri saazishein rachti hai. Ab hume ye toh nahi pata lag paaya ki hamla kisne karwaya tha lekin, ek wahi gaadi thi jis se hamla hua tha.'

Jassi ke dwara kahe gaye ye bol uske mann me mandraane lage. Usne kheejte hue apne haath mej par patke.

*Slam*

Trisha : Damn it! Damn it!!!

Shekhar : K-Kya hua, madam??

Kintu, Trisha ne koi jawaab nahi diya. Woh maun rahi. Apne daant meeste hue, uska dhyaan kahi aur hi tha.

'Shit-!! Ye mirror gallery event toh Slogan ki maut se kaafi pehle hua tha. Iska matlab... Iska matlab iss Jassi ka kuchh lena dena zaroor hai Slogan se. Kahi Slogan hi toh woh hamlavar nahi jiska peechha Jassi kar raha tha?? Aur, apni miss ko bachaane ke liye... Huh?? Miss... Miss...!? Nexacom ke owner ki beti... Wait...!!! K-Kaera Adarsh-!!!!'

Bodh hote hi Trisha ka muh khula ka khula reh gaya. Aur, tabhi uski nazar photo par dobaara padi jaha Veer ke bagal se ek ladki khadi hui thi jiski sirf peeth hi nazar aa rahi thi. Trisha ki aankhein fatne ko aa gayi.

'N-No way-!!! K-Kahi ye-!??'

Usne turant hi desk par rakhe pen holder me se ek pen nikaala aur saamne ek notepad ka panna khol uss par bade aksharo me likha-

Veer Singh!!!
Jassi!!!

Sach baat toh yeh thi ki Mirror Gallery Slogan dwara hi aayojit kiya gaya tha. Pehle 50 logo ki entries free thi aur uske baad entry lene ke liye kuchh raashi dena hoti thi.

Gallery me keval aur keval vyakti akele ya fir kisi ek aur vyakti ke saath hi andar jaa sakta tha. Veer aur Kaera 49th aur 50th yaani ki akhiri couple the jinke liye free entry allowed thi.

Par, sahi maayno me ye kuchh nahi balki Slogan ke dwara bichhaaya gaya bas ek jaal tha. Veer ke theek peechhe khade Jassi aur Raghu entry nahi le paaye the kyunki, Veer aur Kaera ke ghusne ke baad hi event ke liye entries band kar di gayi thi.

Aur, isi ke chalte logo ne fir aakrosh me aake social media par kharab reviews chhore the, apna dukh jataaya tha jo Shekhar ne hashtag ki madad se akhirkar khoj nikaala.

'Koi bhi detail... Koi bhi detail haath se jaane na paaye. Veer Singh... Jassi... Kaera Adarsh... Inka zaroor Slogan se kuchh lena dena hai. Kya Slogan aur Kaera ke beech koi dushmani thi? Ya mein hi kuchh zyada soch rahi hu???'

Iske pehle ki woh kuchh aur soch paati, udhar desk par phone ki ghanti baji jis se uska dhyaan bhatak gaya. Wahi baithe ek officer ne call uthaya aur fir baat karte hue Trisha ko dekh bola.

Officer : Madam ek call aaya hai. Kisi ne daawa kiya hai ki unhone humare dwara jaari kiye gaye sketch me maujood sandigdh aadmi ko dekha hai.

Trisha (abruptly) : K-Kya??? Kidhar???

Officer : Bhandup ke paas. Ek mahila ne use apni building ke peechhe ek gali me se guzarte hue dekha hai.

Itna sunte hi Trisha ne apna coat uthaaya, upar daala, aur handgun ko holster kar woh aage badh Shekhar se boli.

Trisha : Veer Singh ke baare me mujhe saari details chahiye. Mujhe woh sab chaahiye jo khoja jaa sakta hai. Lekin, abhi hume iss suraag ka peechhe karne ki zaroorat hai. Samajh gaye na?

Shekhar : J-Ji madam!

Woh team ko aadesh dete hue waha se chali gayi.

Trisha : Mujhe abhi Bhandup me ek team chahiye. Humari pakad se bhaag ke woh jaane na paaye. Akhir hoga toh wahi kahi hi... Aur baaki thaano me bhi information forward kar do. Abhi!

Uski command par sabhi police karmachari waha se nikalne ke liye taiyaar ho gaye. Trisha ke dil ki dhadkane bhi tez thi, uska dimaag maamle ke dabaav aur Veer Singh ke chaaro orr ghoom rahe sandeh ke dhaage ke beech badi mushqil se santulan banaya hua tha.

Woh apni car me baithi aur sthaan ki orr tezi se badhi, usne mann me hi budbudaya.

'Agar, Veer hi iss case ki woh kadi hai, toh achha hai. Mein kaise bhi kar ke sab kuchh chhaan maarungi. Lekin, agar aisa nahi hai... Toh behtar hoga ki Veer Singh mehez ek sanyog se zyada aur kuchh na nikle. Mere paas samay gawaane ke liye nahi bacha hai ab.'

***

Evening - 5:08 PM ~

Samay tezi se guzar raha tha. Jaha ek taraf naye varsh ke jashn ki taiyaari chal rahi thi toh wahi dusri orr Veer ke 'Yarnia' ki launch ki bhi zoro se taiyariyaan ho rahi thi.

Aur, idhar car Lonavla ki sadko se hote hue Mumbai ke liye prasthaan kar rahi thi. Veer peechhe ki seat par baitha hua tha, uska phone haath me tha, aur uska dimaag tanaav me ghoom raha tha.

Divya aage passenger seat par virajman thi toh wahi aaj car chalaane ki zimmedari Ava ke kandho par saunp di gayi thi jo rear view mirror ke madhyam se Veer par baari-baari nazre chura rahi thi.




Veer ko yu iss tarah chinta me dekh, Pari ki awaaz uske mann me goonj uthi.

[Abhi tak koi suraag haath nahi laga hai, Master.]

'Aur, yahi meri chinta ka kaaran hai, Pari!'

[Lonavla me bhi kuchh khaas haasil nahi hua. Mission ki time limit bas 9 ghante hi bachi hai.]

'Damn it!!! 9 ghante?? Yaha pe ek clue bhi nahi mila hai. 9 ghante me bhala kaise uss murderer tak pahuchenge hum?'

[I'm sorry, Master. Mujhe laga tha Divya ke saath investigation par jaane se humaare haath kuchh lag jayega lekin-]

'Nahi, Pari! Isme tumhari koi galti nahi. Ye jo koi bhi hai bahut shaatir hai. Koi clue hi nahi chhor raha. Zaahir hai koi na koi system holder hi iske peechhe hai. Par akhir kaun-!? Kahi woh toh nahi jo Renshu se lada tha?'

[Hmm?]

'Lekin, woh bhala yaha kya karega? Nahi-!!! Rebecca??? Nahi!!! Woh iss tarah se apni chaale nahi chalti. Agar, woh hoti toh hypnosis ke traces mujhe kahi na kahi logo me samajh aa jaate.'

[Kahi X toh nahi?]

'Hmm? Mujhe nahi lagta. Woh bhala befaltu me random logo ko kyu maarega? Meri samajh nahi aata. Maharashtra ke region se log maare gaye hai. Kis system holder ki inn logo se dushmani ho sakti hai? Mujhe toh laga tha apne desh se sirf mein hi ek system holder hu. Kya mere alawa aur koi bhi-!?'

[Mujhe nahi lagta, master. Agar aisa hota toh ab tak aap ek dusre ke contact me kam se kam ek baar toh aa hi chuke hote.]

'Toh fir kaun ho sakta hai? Fuck! It's annoying me so much!!'

Time limit dheere-dheere ghatati jaa rahi thi. Aur, mission ki penalty ka dar Veer ke zehen me mandra raha tha — woh nakaam nahi ho sakta tha. Uske apno ka jeevan iss par nirbhar tha.

Dono striyo — Ava aur Divya ne Veer ke chintit vyavhar ko notice kiya, lekin filhal dono hi shaant rahi. Pari ne hi fir uski dikkat ka samadhan nikaala.

[It's okay, master! Pareshan mat hoiye. Abhi 9 ghante baaki hai. Bhuliye mat ki aaj 'Yarnia' ki launching hai. Aur, aap uske owner ho. Agar, owner hi iss tarah se udaas rahega toh launch ka kya hoga?]

'Pari, mein-'

[Aapke invitation cards logo tak pahuch bhi gaye honge. It's time to cope up.]

Pari ki baat maan Veer ne apne seene se wazan hataane ki koshish karte hue apna phone khola aur contacts list ko scroll karte hue uski ungli Nidhi ke naam par ruk gayi. Aur, kuchh sochte hue usne Nidhi ko video call kar diya.

---

Shan bhar ki rings ke baad hi call uth gaya. Nidhi apne living room me hi thi aur thodi chaunki hui si prateet ho rahi thi, uske bhaav humesha ki tarah saiyyamit the lekin Veer ko dekhte hi aankhon me ek adrishya chamak aa uthi.

Veer : N-Nidhi-

Nidhi : Huh???

Veer : I- I mean... Hello, ma'am!

Nidhi : V-Veer? Hello! K-Kya hua?

Veer : Kyu? Kya mein yuhi aapko call nahi kar sakta?

Nidhi : N-Nahi! Umm... Mera matlab hai... Iss waqt aise...? Video call? Kuchh baat thi kya?

Veer : Maine poochhne ke liye call kiya tha ki aapko 'Yarnia' ka invitation card mil gaya na? Aaj raat hi hai event. Aapko aana hai.

Nidhi : H-Haan! Mujhe mil gaya tha. Congratulations! T-Tumhari iss new brand ke liye. Kaha ho tum?

Veer : Bas laut hi raha hu. Kuchh der me Mumbai pahuch jaunga.

Nidhi : Oh! T-Tumne bas iske liye video call kiya tha?

Veer : Nahi! Aapko dekhna bhi tha.

Nidhi : Huh!? *blushes* M-Mujhe???

Akasmat hi Nidhi anjaane me apne baalo ko sahi karne lagi.

Veer : Ji!

Nidhi : O-Okay! M-Mein aa jaungi samay se, Veer!

Pal bhar ke liye Nidhi ke mann me pados waali aunty ki baatein ghoomi jo unhone Veer ko lekar kahi thi. Lekin, unhe apne dimaag me se nikaalte hue woh Veer se wapas se vartalap me lag gayi.

Nidhi ki awaaz me ek ajeeb si jhijhak thi. Use aise private video calls ki aadat nahi thi. Na hi use kabhi video calls aate the aur na hi woh khud kabhi kisi ko zyada calls karti thi. Shreya hi ekmaatra thi jo foreign se use kabhi-kabhi video calls kar liya karti thi. Par, Veer? Ye pehli baar tha. Woh iske liye taiyaar nahi thi.

Car ki driver seat se Ava ne rear view mirror me se Veer ki phone screen me jhaakne ki koshish ki, toh wahi Divya apni seatbelt theek karne ka naatak karte hue thoda peechhe ko jhuki lekin unn dono ko hi Veer ki phone screen nahi nazar aayi. Iss beech dono striyo ki nazre aapas me takrayi magar dono ne ek dusre se kuchh na kaha.

Veer : Bas aapse yahi kehna tha. Mein nahi chaahunga ki aap ise miss kare. Y-You know... It's... important to me. I want you to be there.

Nidhi : ...

Iske pehle ki Nidhi jawaab de paati ek khilkhilaati hui awaaz beech me sunayi padi. Ek chhota sa haath upar pahucha aur phone ko pakad liya. Juhi ka pyaara, chulbula sa chehra achanak saamne aaya.

"Maaaaaamuuuuu~"

Uski awaaz na sirf Nidhi ke kamre me balki idhar car me bhi goonj gayi.

Aur, 'maamu' shabd sunte hi Ava aur Divya ne ek raahat ki saans li. Unke hontho par halki si muskaan bikhar gayi.

Nidhi (peechhe se) : Juhi! Juhi, phone wapas do. Mein baat kar rahi hu na-

Juhi (ignores) : Maamu, mein bhi aaungi!!!

Veer hasa, Juhi ki awaaz uske chehre par tanaav ki rekhao ko kam kar gayi.

Veer : Bilkul, meri pyaari Juhi! Tumhare bagerr waha kuchh bhi shuru nahi hoga. Aur, tumhare liye waha maine dher sari chocolates bhi mangwa ke rakhi hai.

Juhi : Sacchi maamu???

Veer : Aur, nahi toh kya...

Juhi : Yaaaayyyyy!!! P-Par, maamu aap kidhal ho???

Veer : Mein bas ghar laut raha hu. Kyu? Kya hua?

Juhi : Ye mumma bol rahi ki agar raat ko jyada der ghumo toh bhoot aake utha le jaata hai. Aur... Aur... Bhoot logo ko pakad ke chhupa deta hai.

Veer : Kya matlab? Tumhari mummy ne kaha ye?

Juhi (nods) : H-Haan! Y-Ye dekho... Dekho maamu TV pe... Log gaayab ho gaye. Bhoot pakad ke le gaya unko.

Juhi ne phone ko ghuma ke TV ki orr kiya. Channel me haal hi me rehesyamayi dhang se gaayab ho rahe logo ke baare me breaking news chal rahi thi.

"Laapata hone ke maamlo me abhi tak koi suraag nahi!"

Shabd screen par gehre laal rang se chamak rahe the. Khabar dekhte hi Veer ki bechaini badh gayi.

Juhi : Dekha na maamu-!! Bhoot sabko pakad raha hai!!! Isliye aap jaldi-jaldi aa jao. Kahi bhoot humko pakad liya toh???

Veer : Haan! Mein jaldi aa jaunga, Juhi! Aur, bhoot tumhe nahi pakdega. Tumhare paas aane se pehle use pehle maamu ke paas aane padega. Aur, tumhare maamu bhoot ki band baja denge.

Juhi (giggles) : Hehehehe~ I love you maamu~ *muah*

Veer muskuraya ki itne me tabhi Nidhi ne Juhi ke haath se phone chhina liya.

Nidhi : Juhi tum bhi na... Jao!! Jao jaake padhayi karo.

Juhi : Waaaaa-!!! Abhi to ki thi na...!!

Veer : E-Ek minute! Ma'am, Juhi ko phone dijiye na!

Nidhi : Kya hua Veer?

Veer : Dijiye toh-

Nidhi : O-Okay!

Nidhi ne punah Juhi ko phone thamaaya.

Juhi : Haan maamu~

Kuchh der yuhi shaanti si chhaayi rahi. Veer ne kuchh na kaha. Toh wahi bechari Juhi apna sarr mode Veer ke kuchh bolne ka intezar kar rahi thi. Ant me uska dhairya toot hi gaya.

Juhi : Maaaamu???

Veer : Ahem! Kuchh nahi, Juhi! Phone apni mumma ko dedo.

Juhi : O-Okyy! Mumma-!!!

Nidhi ne phone Juhi ke haatho se liya aur woh prashn bhari nazro se Veer ko dekhi jaise poochhna chaah rahi ho ki yeh sab kya tha?

Nidhi : K-Kya baat hai?

Veer : Kuchh nahi! Juhi ko leke sahi time par aa jaana aap, please.

Nidhi (nods) : Mmm!

Aur, thodi hich-kichihat ke baad Nidhi ne call cut kar diya.

---

Call cut hote hi Veer ne apna phone apni goad me rakh liya. Usne khidki se baahar dekha, uska dimaag tezi se daud raha tha.

Murders... Logo ka laapata hona... System holder... Mission timer... Juhi ki masoom chetavni...

Ye sab uske andar ek dar ki gaanth baandh raha tha. Kuchh pal baad akhirkar Divya ne apna muh khola aur car me maujood khamoshi ko toda.

Divya : Kya jaan sakti hu ki woh kaun thi?




Veer ne turant koi jawaab na diya, bas kisi soch me dooba raha.

Ava : Shayad... Koi important person!?

Iss baar Veer ne unn dono ki orr dekha. Uske bhaav padh paana mushqil tha.

Veer : Ye... Nidhi ma'am thi. Meri... College ki professor aur...

Divya : Aur???

Veer : Aur, jaisa ki Ava ne kaha... Ek important person.

Divya ne uske jawab par bauhe uthayi, lekin baat aage nahi kheenchi. Halanki, uski jigyasa uske andar ubaal le rahi thi parantu Ava se nazre milaane ke baad woh chup reh gayi. Dono striyo ke mastishq me ek hi sawaal ghoomta reh gaya — Akhir, woh aurat Veer ke kitne qareeb thi?

Jaise-jaise car Mumbai ki orr badh rahi thi, sabhi ke andar ki bechaini bhi badhti jaa rahi thi. Ava aur Veer ki nazre aapas me takrayi — ek maun samajh ki kuchh unki nazro se zaroor choonk raha tha.

***

Zenith, Elite Group, Mumbai,
Evening - 5:30 PM ~




'Yarnia' ka invitation jagah-jagah mehatvpoorn logo ko bheja gaya tha. Aur, inme se ek invitation yaha bhi aaya tha.

Zenith! Elite group ke sadasyo ka ek vishal skyscraper. Halanki, ye Kaera ke ghar - Skylight se thoda sa chhota tha. Magar, iski bhi apni ek alag shaan thi poore Mumbai me.

Ghar ka aalishaan living room doobte sooraj ki garm kirano se nahaya hua tha. Sonia ek plush leather couch par baithi thi, aur uske manicured haatho me ek khubsurat sa envelope tha.

Sonia : You are cordially invited to the grand launch of Yarnia, a premium clothing brand by Veer Singh, at Hotel Prestige this evening, 8 PM.

Invitation ko dohraate hue Sonia ki awaaz narm pad gayi.

Sonia (mutters) : Casa Belle me jo kuchh bhi hua, uske baad se toh shayad woh mujhse bahut naraaz hoga. I'm surprised ki usne mujhe invite kiya-

Woh dheere se budbudate hue boli, magar uske shabd theek peechhe khidki ke paas khadi Suhana ne sunn liye. Veer ka zikr aate hi uska badan thitak gaya. Sheeshein me uske reflection se pata lagaya jaa sakta tha ki uski aankhon me toofan umda hua tha.




Woh dheere se ghoomi, uski awaaz na zyada oonchi, na zyada kam thi.

Suhana : Tumne sahi kaha! Aur, uske paas tumse naraaz hone ka har woh reason hai! Tumhari galti thi, sonu!!! And, you better accept it.

Sonia ne sarr upar kar apni badi behan ko dekha, uski bauhe aashcharya se upar chadhi hui thi. Suhana ne shayad hi kabhi use galat thehraya tha.

Sonia : K-Kya hua aapko? Mein jaanti hu ki uss raat cheezein badal sakti thi lekin-

Suhana (yells) : Tum galat thi, Sonu!!!



Iss baar woh chillaayi. Aur, Sonia bhauchakki si uski oonchi awaaz sunn use ghoorti reh gayi. Suhana ne kabhi bhi iss tarah se apni bhavnaye nahi dikhayi thi, parivar se baahri vyakti ke liye toh hargiz nahi.

Sonia (frowns) : What happened to you? Aap Veer ki itni parvah kab se karne lag gayi?

Suhana ne apni baahein modi, uski mudra kathor aur swar me aaropo ki teekhi dhaar thi.

Suhana : Kyu? Kya tumhe yaad nahi? Tumne uske saath Casa Belle me kitna bhadda behave kiya tha? Kya laga tha tumhe? Ki tum mujhe nahi bataogi toh mujhe iss baare me kuchh pata nahi chalega? Do kaudi ke Aadesh Jaisinghani ne sabke saamne uska mazaak udaaya, aur tum waha khadi rahi??? Kis ke liye?? Sirf ek deal ke liye? Ek deal, Sonu??? Agar, mein waha hoti... toh majaal hai kisi ki... ki koi uske baare me ek galat shabd bhi muh se nikaal paata.

Iske pehle ki woh khud ko rok paati, shabd kisi dhanush se chhore gaye teer ki tarah uske muh se nikal chuke the. Sonia stabdh ho kar bas apni badi behan ki orr dekhti reh gayi.

Yeh wo ghamandi Suhana nahi thi jis se woh parichit thi. Yeh koi aur hi thi — koi spashtatah hili hui, aur apni aadh me chhek kar kisi ko bachaati hui.

Sonia : Wh-What-!? Hua kya hai aapko?? Do kaudi ka Aadesh Jaisinghani??? Di, aapko pata hai na ki Casa Belle ka maalik hai woh.

Suhana : Aur? Aur, kya? Tumne uski tulna akhir Veer se kar kaise di? Uss deal ke liye tumne-

Sonia : Di, what's wrong with you??? Woh ek business decision tha. Mere paas aur koi choice nahi thi. Aap jaanti ho na ki woh deal Elite Group ke liye kitni zaroori thi? Autoshield ke owner Mister Tanishq ke saath woh deal thi meri. Aap jaanti ho na ki Kaera kaise humesha humse ek qadam aage chalti hai? Agar, mein woh deal nahi leti toh-

Magar, Suhana ne uski baat beech me hi kaat di, uski awaaz gusse se kaanp rahi thi.

Suhana : Tumhare paas choice thi, Sonu!!! Tumne Veer ke saath apni dosti ki bajaaye apne faayde ko chuna. Kya tumhe iss baat ka zara sa bhi ehsaas hai ki tumne kis aadmi se apna muh mod liya? Jab tum deals ko chase karne me lagi hui thi tab woh logo ke liye ek bridge ki tarah kaam kar raha tha, unki madad kar raha tha badle me kuchh bhi maange bina. Lekin, jab sabse zyada maayne rakhta tha tab tum uske liye waha khadi tak nahi ho saki!!! It explains why you're still single!!!

Sonia ka muh achambhav me khula, par shabd baahar na nikle. Usne Suhana ko kabhi bhi iss tarah nahi dekha tha. Badi behan jo kabhi bhavnao ko kamzori keh kar kharij kar diya karti thi, aaj wahi itni bhavnaaye liye bol rahi thi ki Sonia use samajh tak nahi paa rahi thi. Kya yeh wahi Suhana thi? Aur, ye single hone ka vaar kis liye??

Apni galti ka ehsaas hote hi Suhana ka dil baith gaya. Usne apni bhavnao ko apni icchha se kahi adhik ujagar kar diya tha, usne apni mutthi kasi aur dusri orr ghoom gayi. Aur, awaaz dheemi hoke fusfusahat me badal gayi.

Suhana : M-Maine sirf wahi kaha jo sahi tha. Agar, tumhe sach me koi pachhtaava hai, toh tumhe use phone karna chahiye. Uss se maafi maangni chaahiye. Maafi maangne se koi chhota nahi ho jaata, sonu. Use batao ki aaj raat tum waha maujood rahogi. Shayad, woh tumhe maaf kar de.

Sonia ki bauhe sikud gayi, uske chehre par sandeh jhalka.

Sonia : You're unusually invested in this, di. Kyu??? Aap mujhse kuchh chhipa rahi ho kya??? Answer me!!!!



Suhana ka dil zoro se dhadak utha. Woh Sonia ki peni nazre, uske ankahe sawaalo ke bhaar ko apne upar mehsoos kar paa rahi thi. Kintu, chehre se saare bhaav mitaate hue woh darwaaze ki orr mud gayi.

Suhana : Mujhe tumhe kuchh bhi samjhaane ki zaroorat nahi. Bas wahi karo jo tumhe sahi lage. Har baar dimag ki nahi suni jaati, sonu. Kabhi-kabhi dil ki bhi sunani chahiye.

Itna bol woh waha se nikalne ke liye aage badhi, darwaaze ki dehleez tak pahuchi hi thi jab peechhe se Sonia ne use rok diya.

Sonia : Wait-!!!!

Aur, Suhana ke qadam wahi tham gaye. Lekin, woh peechhe na mudi.

Sonia : Aap toh aisi nahi thi, di! In fact, jaha tak mujhe yaad hai, Veer aur meri pehli mulaqat ke waqt woh aap hi thi na jo use paise de kar uska muh band rakhwana chaahti thi? Fir, akhir itna antar kaise aa gaya? Yeh sab kab hua? Mein bewakoof nahi hu. I can tell that you're favouring him. I just want to know why???

Suhana ke honth khule, thar-tharaye aur fir band ho gaye. Kuchh shan baad usne jawaab diya.

Suhana : Haan! Haan, maine uss waqt use paise se chup karwana chaaha tha. Aur, mein galat thi!

Sonia : !!???

Suhana : Mein galat thi jo maine use ek aam laalchi insaan samjha. Lekin, ab mein jaanti hu ki woh kaisa hai aur kaisa nahi.

Sonia : Aur, uske liye aapne mujhe itna kuchh suna diya, di??? Jawab dijiye!! Kis way me meri aur Veer ki dosti mujhe business me aage le jaa sakti hai? Kaera se bhi aage. Kya Veer ke paas abhi Autoshield jitna bada koi business hai? Kya woh Elite group ke saath hazaaro karodo ki deal sign kar sakta hai??? Jawaab dijiye!!!

Suhana : ...

Sonia : Aapki khamoshi ne mujhe mere sawaal ka jawaab de diya, di. Aapne aaj mera itna dil dukhaya hai ki aap soch bhi nahi sakti.

Suhana : Agar, tumhe itna hi bura laga hai toh aaj ke baad mein kabhi interfere nahi karungi, Sonu.

Sonia : ???

Suhana (mutters) : If only you knew...

Sonia : Wh-What???

Jawaab ki prateeksha kiye bina hi, Suhana tezi se kamre se baahar chali gayi. Sonia ki nazro se ojhal hote hi uske qadam ladkhada gaye aur haath kaanpne lage.

'Kya ho raha hai mujhe??? Why can't I control myself for him anymore??'

Living room me idhar Sonia ne apni behan ko jaate hue dekha, uska sandeh aur gehra hota jaa raha tha. Apna sarr hilaate hue woh apne phone ki orr badhi, uski ungliyaan Veer ke naam par aake ruk gayi.

Sonia (mutters) : This better not backfire.

Usne call kiya aur ghanti bajne ka intezar karne lagi.

Call uthate hi Sonia ka dil ek dhadkan phaand gaya. Woh jaanti thi ki use Casa Belle me hui ghatna ke dauran apni anupasthiti ke liye maafi maangna zaroori tha. Aur, itne me dusri orr se Veer ki awaaz aayi.

Veer : Miss Sonia... It's been a while!

Sonia ne ek gehri saans li, ankahe shabdo ka bojh unke beech hawa me bhaari tha.

Sonia : C-Congratulations, Veer!

Veer : Oh? Thank you!

Sonia : Y-Yeah!

Veer : Kya bas isliye hi call kiya tha aapne?

Sonia : H-Huh? N-Nahi-! Veer, mein- woh mein... Mujhe tumse kuchh baat karni thi. Casa Belle waale incident ko lekar.

Veer : Hmm? Oh! Nahi, koi baat nahi! I understand. Business deal comes first.

Veer ke shabd Sonia ke dil par kisi khanjar ki tarah jaake lage.

Sonia : N-Nahi, Veer! A-Aisa nahi hai. M-Mujhe tumhare liye waha hona chaahiye tha. I should have been there.

Uske baad Veer ne kuchh aisa kaha jise sunn bechari Sonia ka dil baith gaya.

Veer : Aap thi waha, Miss Sonia!! Aap wahi thi. You were there!!!

Sonia : I-I know... I-

Lekin, na jaane kyu uske muh se maafi ke shabd nahi nikle. Kya usne kuchh galat kiya tha? Agar, woh Autoshield ke sang woh deal nahi karti toh poore Elite group ko bhaari nuksaan ho sakta tha. Maana ki Veer ek achha ladka tha. Par, kya woh itna zaroori tha ki Mister Tanishq ke sang woh deal chhori jaaye?

Veer : Action speaks louder than words, Miss Sonia. Anyways, mein thoda sa busy hu abhi. I hope aap event me aayengi.

Sonia : Veer-! No, listen-

Kintu, Veer ne call cut kar diya. Aur, woh bhi Sonia ka call. Sonia ko yakeen nahi ho raha tha ki Veer ne uska call cut kar diya tha. Kaun thi woh? — Elite group ki owner. Maana ki uski thodi galti thi lekin, apni jagah woh sahi bhi toh thi. Nichle honth ko daanto tale meeste hue woh apne puraane andaaz me wapas aa gayi.

***

Hotel Prestige,
Evening - 7:30 PM ~

Hotel Prestige aaj aasmaan ke neeche kisi anmol ratn ki tarah chamak rahi thi. Har kona raushni se jagmaga raha tha, aur hotel aaj apni vilaasita aur bhavyata ka namoona dikha rahi thi.

Pravesh dwaar par red carpet bichha hua tha jiske chaaro orr khubsurat phoolo ki sajavat ki gayi thi.

Cameras ki clicking ki gadgadahat, patrakaro ki live reporting, aur paparazzi ke beech baat-cheet, unka shor poore vatavaran me fela hua tha.

Andar ki hawa hone waale event ki prateeksha aur orchids, jasmine ki halki sugandh se bhari hui thi. Toh wahi, peechhe instrumental sangeet halki dhun me bajaaya jaa raha tha jo bheed ke kolahal ke saath badi sahajta se mishrit ho gaya.

Sajavat me sundarta jhalak rahi thi — crystals ke jhoomar, satin linen aur golden-rimmed glasses se saji meje aur Yarnia ka logo jo vishal LED screen par garv se prakashit ho raha tha.

---

Suman aur Shweta bhavya pravesh dwaar par welcoming team ke saath khadi hui thi. Dono ne hi behad khubsoorat designer saariyaan pehni hui thi jo kisi aur ki nahi balki, Yarnia dwara hi nirmit thi.

Woh dono pratyek mehman ka garmjoshi, bhari muskan, aur trutiheen shishtachaar ke saath swagat kar rahi thi.

Jaha ek taraf Suman shuddh hindi aur paramparagat tareeke se athitiyo ka swagat kar rahi thi toh wahi Shweta angrezi me sanvaad karte hue angrezi ki chaatne waale mehmano ke swagat me lagi thi.

Suman (smiles) : Mehra ji! Aaiye! Suswagatam! Aapko kaun nahi jaanta? Mahila mandal ke paudharopan abhiyaan me aapne bahut sahayta ki thi.

Mehra ji : Arey! Aap toh wahi hai na? Mahila mandal ke saath thi jo. Arey namaste namaste!!! Hahaha!!

Suman (smiles) : Ji! Aaiye!

'Maalik kidhar ho aap? Mehmaan aana shuru kar diye hai. Umeed hai aap samay se aa jaoge.'

Woh mann me sochi toh wahi Shweta uske bagal se alag se aadar satkar me lagi hui thi.

Shweta : Mister Chhabra!!! It's so nice to have you here. Please! Welcome!!!

Mister Chhabra : Thank you! Thank you! I won't spare any opportunity if there's anything for partnership, Miss Shweta. Haha!

Shweta (smiles) : You won't regret coming here tonight.

'Bas, ab mera betu aur aa jaaye. Aur, ye event safal ho jaaye. Aur, kuchh nahi chahiye mujhe filhal.'

Usne guests se haath jodte hue mann me ek khwaish rakhi. Veer ko ab tak aa jaana chaahiye tha.

---

Toh, andar hall me Tej woh shaant shakti thi jo sabhi coordination ko badi hi saralta se baitha rahi thi. Uski peni nazro ne kamre ka nireekshan kiya, yeh sunishchit karte hue ki har cheez sahi jagah par thi aur sahi dhang se kaam kar rahi thi.




Laal rang ki dress me woh behad hi khubsoorat lag rahi thi. Ye pehli baar tha jab usne laal rang sirf Veer ke liye aaj pehna hua tha.

Saara staff idhar-udhar tezi se bhaag kar kaamo me laga hua tha, har cheez ko vyavasthit kiya jaa raha tha, aur wo last-minute requests ko bhi poora kar rahe the.

Tej (to a staff member) : Table 7 par champagne flutes theek se align nahi hai. Please, unhe theek karo. Aur, dhyaan do ki appetizers turant ke turant refill ho rahe hai ya nahi?

Staff Member : Ji, ma’am!

Itne me hi uska phone vibrate hua. Veer ka message tha : "Everything okay?" Usne turant hi uttar diya : "Under control. Just get here already!"

---

Wahi Kavya, ek khubsurat yellow dress me, Kritika ke sang khadi hui thi aur use event ki bareek details samjha rahi thi.

Kavya : Woh dekh! Woh LED screens hai na... Bhumika di ne unhe custom design karwaya hai. A-Aur, ye meri dress... Ye Yarnia ki hi hai. Hehe~ Kaisi hai?

Kritika : Wow~ Kamaal hai yaar! Bahut badhiya lag rahi hai. Fabric bhi bahut pyaara hai. Oye, rates ke baare me toh bata. Brand mehngi hi hogi, I guess.

Kavya : Of course! Lekin, initial stage pe discounts bhi milenge. Aur, tere liye toh mein humesha discounts dilwa dungi. Hehe~

Kritika : Ye hui na baat!!! *grins* Sach me!! Ye launch event toh bahut grand lag raha hai yaar. Maine abhi-abhi baahar kayi saare influencers ko dekha. Sab photo khichwaane me lage hai.

Kavya : Arey, yeh toh kuchh bhi nahi. Abhi tum dekhna... Celebrities bhi aayenge. Veer bhaiya ke itne connections hai ki poochho mat. Aur, tere papa mummy kaha hai? Aaye ki nahi?

Kritika : Haan haan! Aaye hai na! Woh rahe... Oh god!!! Ye dad seedhe khaane me kyu lag gaye???

Kavya : Hehehehe~ Unhe khaane do.

Kritika : Y-Yeah! By the way, Veer bhaiya kaha hai? Woh toh kahi nazar hi nahi aa rahe.

Veer ka naam aate hi Kavya gambheer ho gayi. Woh na jaane kab ka ghar se gaya hua tha aur ab tak nahi lauta tha.

Kavya : Bhaiya... Bhaiya bas aate hi honge.




Kritika : O-Okay!

Kavya : Par, tum idhar-udhar kya dekhne me lagi ho? Decoration hi dekh rahi ho ya fir kisi ka intezar ho raha hai? Agar, intezar ho raha hai toh bata deti hu ki Karan bhaiya bhi aayenge. *winks*

Kritika (blushes) : Wh-What?? Chal hatt! T-Tu bhi kuchh bhi-!!! Mein toh bas decoration hi dekh rahi thi.

Kavya : Hehehe~ Toh chal!! Tujhe aur bhi bahut kuchh dikhaati hu.

Aur, woh Kritika ka haath thaame use Hotel Prestige ki luxury dikhaane aur andar le gayi.

---

Idhar shandaar kaale rang ki saree pehne aaj Ragini bhi kuchh kam nahi lag rahi thi. Security screenings ki jaanch woh badi hi sateekta se kar rahi thi. Uski aankhein monitors aur aane waale mehmaano ke beech ghoom rahi thi.

Ragini : Guest list dobaara check karo. Koi bhi bina invitation ke ghusna nahi chaahiye. Aur, VIP section par bhi dhyaan dete rehna — waha koi camera nahi hai.

Uske professionalism se security team khud impressed thi. Lekin, Ragini ke vichaaro me toh Veer samaya hua tha.

'Use ab tak yaha aa jaana chaahiye tha. Kaha hai woh?? Kya call karu?'

---

Bhumika aur Louis saath-saath khade the. Louis ne Yarnia ke vision ko haqeeqat banaane me ek aham bhoomika nibhaayi thi.

Louis (in french accent) : Ah, Madame Bhumika, zis is magnifique! Your brother’s vision, combined with my designs... tonight will be unforgettable.

Bhumika (smiles) : We couldn’t have done it without you, Louis. I hope you enjoy the evening. It’s as much your night as it is Veer’s.

Louis ne wine ka glass upar uthaate hue toast kiya.

Louis : To Yarnia. And to ze future of fashion. Hahaha~

Bhumika (smiles) : The ramp is ready and so are the models. Have you checked them?

Louis : Oh, yes yes madame-!! Everything is ready!! We just need to wait and watch. Where is my friend, Veer???

Bhumika : He'll be here soon! Don't worry! *smiles*

Kehte hue Bhumika ka dhyaan Veer ki orr chala gaya. Aur, usne ek jaldi aane ka message use bhej hi diya.

---

Bhavna bhi humesha ki tarah shaant guests ke sang formalities nibha rahi thi. Aur, woh khadi hi thi jab peechhe se kisi ne use pukaara —

"Bhavna!!!"

Woh mudi aur aaye hue mehmano ko dekhte hi uske hontho par ek badi si muskaan saj gayi.

Purvi aur Arun saath aaye hue the. Sirf wahi nahi, Bhavna ke gaav se Shyaam aur uski patni bhi aaye hue the.

Bhavna (smiles) : Purvi!?? Shyaam?? Aa gaye tum sab!!

Purvi ne aage badh use apni baaho me bhara. Toh wahi Shyaam aur uski patni ne uske perr chhuye.

Purvi (smiles) : Tum toh bhool hi gayi mujhe, hai na?

Bhavna (smiles) : Achha? Kya tumhe dikh nahi raha ki kitni vyast thi mein? Ek baar bhi tumne mujhse pooncha ki koi madad ki zaroorat hai ya nahi?

Purvi : Oh achha? Aur humaare saahab-zaade kaha hai? Ek baar bhi yaad nahi aayi use meri? Na mere ghar aaya? Mahino ho gaye use dekhe! Usne poonchha mere se kuchh?

Bhavna : Bhai, ye shikayat toh tum usi se karna jab woh aa jayega. *smiles* Mujhe dosh mat do.

Purvi (laughs) : Theek hai, theek hai! Waise... Kaha hai woh?

Bhavna : Baahar gaya tha kaam se. Kuchh der me aa jayega.

Purvi : Lo kar lo baat. Jiska yaha hona sabse zyada zaroori hai, wahi yaha nahi hai.

Bhavna : Aa jayega!!! Arun, kaise ho?

Arun (smiles) : Badhiya didi!

Uske bolne par Purvi ki muskaan thodi murjha gayi.

Bhavna (smiles) : Chalo, achha hai! Andar chalo na tum log. Mein bhi aati hu.

Arun : Ji!!!

Aur, woh dono pati-patni andar ki orr prasthan kar gaye.

Bhavna : Shyaam!! Kaise ho???

Shyaam (smiles) : Bas didi! Aapka aashirvaad!!

Bhavna (nods) : Aao! Andar aao, shyaam!

Baari-baari mehmano ki sankhya badhti jaa rahi thi. Parijaat ghar ki aurtein Varsha, Saili, Mukta, Sudha bhi aa chuki thi.

Mahila mandal se Sarika toh wahi Niharika aur uske under kaam karne waali dono ladkiya — Ayushi aur Ishani bhi aayi hui thi.

Hotel Prestige ki manager — Nandini, Veer ke food truck me kaam karne waali Prachi aur baaki sabhi staff ko bhi aamantrit kiya gaya tha.

Ragini ke mata-pita, Rohini aur Dinesh bhi aaye hue the. Toh Aabha wahi baithi Shreya ka intezar kar rahi thi, uss bechari ko iss sab ke baare me kuchh der pehle hi pata chala tha.

Aur, Ahemdabad se laut kar Arohi bhi Vivek, Manorath aur apni maa Sumitra ke sang aa chuki thi.



Har baar ki tarah woh behad khubsoorat lag rahi thi. Jo log anupasthit the woh the — Brijesh, Karunesh aur Pranjal.

Ragini ki nazre jab Vivek se takrayi toh usne eka-ek apna muh fer liya. Uske mata-pita Bhavna se vartalap me lag gaye aur Veer ki tareefo ke pul baandhne lage. Akhir, Veer hi toh tha jisne unko gundo se bachaaya tha.

Wahi, Arohi Kavya aur Kritika se jaake mili aur baat-cheet me lag gayi.

Arohi : Kavya! Veer ab tak lauta nahi?

Kavya : N-Nahi, di!

Arohi (frowns) : Kaha reh gaya hoga?

Ghadi ki sui tik tik karte hue 8 baje ke qareeb pahuch rahi thi aur mahaul utsaah se bharta jaa raha tha.

Aadesh dwara bheje gaye spy, Ankit ko gumraah karte hue Bhumika ne ye event uski naak ke neeche rakh diya tha aur Aadesh ko iski kaano kaan khabar tak nahi lag paayi thi. Ab achanak se iske baare me pata lagte hi woh aag baboola ho chuka tha.

Waiters cham-chamaati champagne ki trays lekar ghoom rahe the, mehmaan aapas me mil rahe the aur launch ki prateeksha kar rahe the.



Har koi iss shaam ke sitaare — Veer Singh ka intezar kar raha tha. Uski anupasthiti pehle se hi iss romanchak mahaul me ek rehesya ki parat chadha ke rakhi hui thi.

***

Ye tha andar ka haal. Kintu, andar maujood log baahar ho rahi gatividhiyo se anibhigya the.

Halke fate hue shawl me lipti hui ek aakriti asthir roop se waha mandra rahi thi. Uska chehra dhaka hua tha siwae uski do aankhon ke jo street lights ki mand raushni me chamak rahi thi.



Aane waali luxury cars ki gehma-gehmi, sundar kapde pehne mehmaano ki hasi, aur kabhi-kabhar paparazzi ke cameras ki chamak se jaise woh vyakti ab upar uth chuka tha. Woh ek pal ke liye sthir khada raha jaise ki woh kisi cheez ko dhyaan se dekh raha ho.

Fir, woh apni jagah se hila aur hotel ke mukhya pravesh dwaar ke paas pahucha, uska sarr jhuka hua tha aur vishal phoolo ke vases ki chhaaya me woh andhere me kahi lupt sa ho gaya.

Jaise hi woh red carpet ke paas pahucha, woh logo ki nazar me aa gaya. Ek security guard ne use dekha aur aage badha.

Security Guard 1 : Oye!!! Oye, tum!!! Chalo, peechhe hato! Yeh jagah bhikaariyo ke liye nahi hai. Chalo niklo yahaan se.

Vyakti ruka. Uska sarr dheere-dheere guard ki nazro se milne ke liye upar utha. Aankhein khaali, lekin teevra — uss guard par tik gayi, jis se ek pal ke liye guard bhi sihar gaya.

Security Guard 2 (steps in) : Kya re tujhe sunayi nahi diya? Iske pehle ki tujhe bhagaya jaaye, nikal yahaan se.

Usne kuchh na kaha. Koi pratikriya nahi di. Woh bas wahi khada raha, uski maujoodgi har guzarte pal bhaari hoti jaa rahi thi.

Security Guard 2 : Iski toh-

Chidhate hue usne aage badh zorr se uss vyakti ko dhakela, woh aadmi thoda ladkhadaya lekin gira nahi.

Security Guard 2 : Bhaag yahaan se! Chal bhag!!! Bhag!!!

Uska shawl halka sa hata jiske chalte uska ek haath guard ko nazar aaya. Magar, turant hi vyakti ne shawl tezi se wapas odh liya.

Woh chhaaya me peechhe hatt gaya, uski harkatein ekdum ajeeb thi. Paas ke hi lamppost ke paas khade hokar woh wahi se logo ko ghoor raha tha. Uski nigaahein cheel ki tarah pravesh dwaar par tiki hui thi. Maano jaise kisi ka intezar kar raha ho.

***

Woh akela nahi tha. Hotel ke theek baahar saamne kuchh doori par ek aadmi ek building ki seedhiyaan chadh raha tha. Uske qadam satark the aur hawa sadan aur fafundi ki gandh se bhari hui thi. Lag raha tha building kaafi saalo se khaali padi hui thi.

Usne apne gloves pehne haatho me ek bada sa case le rakha tha. Use apne saath upar chadhaate hue uski saansein fool rahi thi.

'Fuck... It's heavy!!!'

Upar chhat par pahuchte hi usne ek zang lage darwaaze ko dhakka de kar khola aur ek thandi hawa ke jhonke ne uska swagat kiya, jis se uski kaali jacket ka hood neeche sarak gaya.

Woh aage badha. Uske theek saamne hotel prestige ka saamne ka hissa tha, jo raat me abhooshan ki tarah chamak raha tha.

Woh aadmi chhat ke kinaare par ruka. Usne case ko dheere se zameen par rakha aur apna hood kheechte hue upar se daal liya. Uski nazre aas-paas ka jayza lene ke liye tezi se idhar-udhar daud gayi — Dur se aa rahe traffic ka shor, hotel se aa rahi halki-halki awaazein, neeche mehmaano ka aata jhund, aur security guards ki badalti hui positions.

Apni jagah se santusht hokar, woh kinaare se peechhe hatt gaya aur-

*Click*

Awaaz ke saath usne apna case khola. Andar foam padding me, kayi components rakhe hue the. Aur, fatafat uske haath unn parts ko jodne me lag gaye.

Jab usne saare parts jod liye toh usne uss cheez ko uthaaya, uski lambayi, uske wazan aur uske santulan ka woh nireekshan karne laga. Lag raha tha jaise woh yeh kaam pehle kayi baar kar chuka tha.

'Alright...!'

Usne apni peeth par khusa hua ek upkaran nikaala aur uski button dabaate hue woh use apni aankhon par le gaya. Hotel Prestige ki ek-ek gatividhi use spasht roop se nazar aa rahi thi.

'This shouldn't take long...!'

Woh jaanch karne laga jab uski nazar kuchh ajeebo-gareeb logo par padi jo hotel prestige ke ird-gird andhere me chhipe hue the.

'What the hell-!?'

---

Neeche, 20-22 aadmi alag-alag jagaho par fele hue the. Sabke haath me unka apna mobile tha aur sabhi andhere me idhar-udhar chhipe bas aate-jaate logo ko dekh rahe the.

Unme se ek ne apne phone par call lagaya aur phone ko kaan se laga kar khus-pusaate hue bola.

Aadmi : Sarkar!! Abhi mehman aate jaa rahe hai.

Dusri taraf se Dhananjay ki mardana awaaz sunayi padi.

Dhananjay : Woh Veer kahaan ba??? Sasuri darr gaya kay???

Aadmi : Abhi tak woh kahi dikhayi nahi diya.

Dhananjay : Uu kahi bheetar toh nahi chhipa??

Aadmi : Lagta nahi, sarkar! Kyunki, humaare aadmi din bhar se yahi khade hai. Agar woh aata toh ek na ek baar kisi ke nazro me toh aa hi jaata. Ab toh uski shaqal bhi jaante hai hum.

Dhananjay : Hmm! Jaise hi uu nazar aaye humra ke bata dii! Theek?

Aadmi : J-Ji, sarkar!!

Kehte hue usne phone cut kar nigraani rakhni shuru kar di. Yarnia ke logo ke saath-saath Veer ki ek photo bhi wahi baahar pradarshit ho rakhi thi.

Andar maujood koi bhi ye nahi jaanta tha ki baahar kya kuchh ghat raha tha aur aage kya-kya hone waala tha.

***

Bhandup, Mumbai,
Evening - 7:45 PM ~

*Slam*

"Arey shayad se tumhara kya matlab hai????"

Trisha ki awaaz itni oonchi thi ki waha khadi saari janta uss par nazre gada ke ek jagah khadi ho gayi. Uski aankhein gusse se laal ho rakhi thi.

Trisha : Din bhar se police yahaan paagalo ki tarah chhaan-been kar rahi hai aur ab tum keh rahi ho ki tumne use shayad dekha tha?? Shayad???

Mahila : M-Madam!! M-Maine toh pakke se dekha tha. P-Par, ab tak woh mila nahi hai. T-Toh ho sakta hai mera veham ho.

Trisha (growls) : T-Tum-!!!

Jeetu kaaka : Madam! Jaane dijiye! Khamakha public ikhatta ho rahi hai.

Trisha : Kaaka ye-

*Buzz*

Beech me aaye call ne uss mahila ko Trisha ki aur daant se bacha liya.

Trisha : Tch-!!!

Call uske pati, Rohan yaani ki Maharastra ke DGP ka tha.

Trisha : Haan!?

Rohan : Pihu ko uski friend ki b'day party ke liye le jaana hai. Kya tum use drop kar dogi? Use gift bhi dilwa dena kahi shop se.

Trisha (nods) : Haan! Mein jaati hu. Tumne lunch kar liya tha na?

Rohan : Haan! Woh chhoro aur ye batao ki case ka kya hua?

Trisha (frowns) : Samay barbaad ho gaya aaj ka. Mat puchho!

Rohan : It's okay! Tum jaake pehle Pihu ko drop kar do, fir milte hai.

Trisha (nods) : Hmm!!!

Trisha ne phone kaatate hue wapas se uss sketch ko ghoor ke dekha.




Yahi tha woh sandigdh. Yahi tha woh vyakti jiske baare me Deepu ne Divya aur Veer ko apni zubaani di thi. Ab isme kitni sacchaayi thi ye toh waqt hi bataane waala tha.

Trisha ne sketch ko fold kiya aur woh jeep me baith waha se apni beti Pihu ko lene ke liye nikal gayi.

---

Night - 8:10 PM ~

Gift shop par tarah-tarah ke gift items aur mej par colorful papers lade hue the. Nidhi wahi khadi hoke gifts dekh rahi thi toh wahi Juhi peechhe ek seat par baithi hui thi. Woh utsahit hoke seat par se apne perr latkaate hue unhe hila rahi thi aur haath me ek chhota sa gift pakde uske ribbon ko marod rahi thi.

Nidhi : Juhiiii-!!!! Ribbon khul jayega aise me.

Nidhi ne use samjhaate hue kaha. Fir, muskuraate hue uske sarr par haath fera. Khushi sirf Juhi ko hi nahi thi. Andar se woh khud bhi Veer ke liye behad khush thi.

Aaj teal colour ki saree me woh atyant hi khubsoorat lag rahi thi. Aur, uski pyaari bitiya Juhi bhi kisi princess se kam nahi lag rahi thi. White colour ki frock me woh bhi bahut pyaari lag rahi thi.

Juhi : Mumma?? Maamu ko ye pasand aayega na??

Nidhi (smiles) : Bilkul aayega!

Tabhi, dukaan ke darwaze par lagi ghanti baji. Ek lambi si khaaki wardi pehni mahila ne pravesh kiya. Uske name tag par 'Trisha Bakshi, DSP' likha hua tha. Usne apni beti Pihu ka haath pakad rakha tha, jo ek haath me ek box pakdi hui thi.

Trisha : Pihu, lao mujhe gift do. Mein pack karwa deti hu.

Kehte hue usne Nidhi ko dekh ek muskaan di. Nidhi ne uski wardi par uska badge dekh muskaan wapas di aur garmjoshi se boli.

Nidhi : Police me kisi mahila karmchari ko uchh padd par dekh achha lagta hai. *smiles* Aur, ye jaante hue ki woh bhi hum aam insaan ki tarah ye sab bhaag-daud me lage rehte hai.

Trisha (smiles) : Ji! Special occasions duty ki zimmedari ka intezar nahi karte. Woh kabhi bhi aa jaate hai. Aur, inhe bhi samay dena hi hota hai.

Nidhi (nods) : Ji!

Trisha : Meri beti ki dost ka janmdin hai. Aur, aapka-!?

Nidhi : Mere bhi... Mere student ne naya business shuru kiya hai. Uske launch ke liye event rakha hai.

Trisha : Oh! Badi achhi baat hai.

Inki baat-cheet shuru hote hi wahi peechhe dono chhoti bacchiyo ke beech bhi sanvaad shuru ho gaya. Juhi, Pihu ko apna chamakdar ribbon dikhaate hue khil-khilayi aur jald hi dono me dosti ho gayi, dono darwaze ki orr baahar khelne ke liye bhaagi.

"Kahi jaana mat!"

"Yahi ruko-!!!"

Dono matao ne ek hi swar me apni-apni betiyo ko awaaz laga kar chetavni di. Magar, dono hi bacchiyaan khelne ke liye baahar chali gayi.

Baahar, sheher aam jeevan se gulzar tha. Saal ki akhiri raat thi toh har jagah naye saal ke aane ka naya josh bhara hua tha. Sadak par samaan bechne waale aur aas-paas ke samaroh ke mand sangeet ne har jagah ullaas ka mahaul bana rakha tha.

Kintu, ek gali me ek parchhayi aswabhavik roop se badal gayi. Ek aakriti tezi se aage badhi.

---

Paas ki hi ek aur andheri gali me Madhuri aur Pranjal chalte hue aa rahe the. Pranjal ke haatho me do-teen thailiya thi jinme ration ka samaan bhara hua tha.

Aaj woh Madhuri ki madad karne ke liye hi aaya tha. Aur, saath me shopping karne ke baad dono Madhuri ke thehre hue flat ki orr prasthaan kar rahe the.

Madhuri : Toh... Kya tum nahi jaa rahe uss karyakram me? Veer ke yaha?

Pranjal (shrugs) : Bulaya nahi gaya. Aur, agar bulaaya bhi jaata toh bhi mein nahi jaata.

Uske swar me kadwahat mehsoos karte hue, Madhuri ne bauhe sikodi.

Madhuri : Mein sahi thi. Tum dono bhaiyo ke beech zaroor kuchh vivaad chal raha hai. Hai na?

Pranjal : Hmph-! *sighs* Rehne do!

Madhuri aage kuchh na boli, usne chup rehne me hi bhalayi samjhi. Ye vishay sanvedansheel tha.

*Rustle*

Woh ek gali se nikle hi the ki tabhi ek tez awaaz — jaise patto ki sarsarahat — ne unka dhyaan kheencha. Dono thitak ke reh gaye.

Madhuri : K-Kya tha woh? Tumne suna?

Pranjal ne gali ke andhere kono ko chhaana lekin kuchh nahi dikha.

Pranjal (mutters) : Shayad koi kutta ya billi hogi.

Woh budbudaya. Halanki, uski awaaz me thodi bechaini zaroor thi. Kutta ya billi itni raftaar se nahi bhaagte. Aisa laga jaise maano koi palak jhapakte waha se guzra tha.

---

Isi beech Juhi aur Pihu, dukaan se kaafi aage aa chuki thi. Gubbaare waale ne unhe dekh ek gubbaara muft me jo de diya tha. Toh, dono uske sang khelte-khelte aage badhti jaa rahi thi.

"Ahahahahaha!!!"

Juhi ek haath se gubbaare ko maarte hue use hawa me uchhaalti, fir hassti aur dusri orr se Pihu use maar ke uchhaalti.

"Hahahaha! Ab... Ab mein maarungi!!"

Chand palo me hi dono ek gali me pravesh kar gayi aur poori gali unki hasi aur karkash awaaz se goonj uthi.

Tabhi, unke peechhe se ek awaaz aayi —

“Well, aren’t you two of the sweetest little things? Mm?”

Juhi : ???



Ek aadmi andhere se baahar aaya. Usne badan par ek safed coat odh rakha tha aur uski aankhein ajeeb dhang se chamak rahi thi. Jaisi hi woh unke starr par jhuka, uski jeebh uske hontho par fir gayi.

?? : Tumhara naam kya hai, pyaari bacchiyo???

Usne iss baar hindi me poonchha. Dono ladkiyaan thoda jhijhki, ek dusre ki orr dekhi. Lekin, uss vyakti ki muskaan aur chanchal swar ne unhe aashvasan de diya.

Juhi (smiles) : Mein Juhi hu-! A-Aur, ye meri new friend — Pihu hai!

Usne masoomiyat se bhari awaaz me uttar diya.

?? : Juhi... Pihu... Kitne pyaare naam hai. Kya tum dono jaadu dekhogi?

Juhi : Jaadu?? Haan!

Usne tabhi haath ki safayi dikhaate hue apne haath me achanak se do lollipop prakat kar di.

Juhi : Waaaaaa-!! Ahahahaha! *claps* Aur, dikhao! Aur...

Pihu (giggles) : Haan! Uncle... Aur...

?? : Ohh! *drools* Bahut se jaadu dikhaunga mein bacchiyo.

Uski lambi ungliyaan tabhi Juhi ke haath ko thaami aur uske haath ko ahista-ahista malne lagi.

?? (mutters) : Young blood...!!!!

Juhi : Mmm???

?? : It’ll all be over soon, my dear. *slurp*




Uska itna kehna hi tha ki tabhi usi gali me Madhuri aur Pranjal nikle, aur uss ajeeb se aadmi ko dono bacchiyo ke saamne jhuka dekhte hi woh dono jaise wahi jamm ke reh gaye.

Madhuri ghabrayi aur usne ek jhatke me Pranjal ki baah kass ke thaam li.

Madhuri : P-Pranjal-

Pranjal : O-Oyeee-!!!

Pranjal bhi jaise Madhuri ka ishaara samajh gaya. Woh thailiya neeche rakh chillaate hue aage badha.

Pranjal ki awaaz par uss aadmi ne dheere se apna sarr peechhe ghumaya, uski muskaan abhi bhi barkarar thi.

Aur, jaise hi woh muda, maano Madhuri ke badan se uski aatma baahar nikal gayi. Ye wahi tha. Jiska sketch police dwara saare sheher me chhapwaya gaya tha.

?? : Oh!! Bacchiyaan toh sirf khel rahi thi.

Madhuri (yells) : Ch-Chhoro unhe!! Hato!! Hato waha se-!!!

Woh kaanpti awaaz me chillaayi.

?? : Ehe~

Madhuri : ????

?? : Ehehehehe~

Pranjal : O-Oyeee!! Peechhe hatt!!

?? : Ehehehehehehe~ Yahahahaha~

Uski hasi ne Pranjal aur Madhuri ke badan par raungte khade kar diye. Juhi aur Pihu ko jab kuchh theek na laga toh woh dono hi waha se daudne ke liye hui par tabhi-

Ek pal me usne dono ladkiyo ko pakda aur unke muh ko apne bade haatho se dhak liya. Pranjal fauran hi aage badha, lekin woh aadmi atyadhik gati se aage aaya aur-

*Baaammmmmmm*

Ek hi laat me Pranjal peechhe ki orr gira aur deewar se jaa takraaya. Muh se khoon khaaste hue usne uthne ka prayas kiya.

Pranjal : O-Oye-!! *cough* Madarchod-!!! Chhor unhe-!! Urggghhh!!! *cough*

Uski haalat dekh Madhuri chillaati hui uski taraf daudi. Use sahara dete hue jaise hi woh peechhe mudi toh woh aadmi ladkiyon ke saath faraar ho chuka tha.

'N-Nahi-!!!'

Ek sihran uske badan me fel gayi.

---

Dukaan ke andar Nidhi aur Trisha ki hasi bhi chinta me badal gayi jab unhe ehsaas hua ki ladkiyaan kitni der se baahar thi. Woh dono hi apna-apna gift leke waha se baahar nikal unke naam ko pukaari.

"Juhiiiiiiii-!!!!"

"Pihuuuuuu-!!!!"

Unki awaazein sadak par goonji, lekin koi pratikriya nahi. Dono yahi toh thi. Akhir, achanak se kaha gaayab ho sakti thi? Dehshat, unke andar fel gayi.

Unhone raahgeero aur wahi khade aas-paas ek do aadmiyon se poonchha ki kya unhone bacchiyon ko dekha hai?

"Woh uss gali me gayi thi. Kuchh der pehle-" Ek dukandar ne jhijakte hue kaha.

"Juhiiiiiii-!!!!!"

"Pihuuuuuu-!!!"

Dono tezi se uss gali me ghusi, Nidhi ki aedi footpath se takrayi aur woh zorr se neeche ko giri. Trisha ne use jaldbazi me uthaaya aur punah dono andar ko bhaagi.

Jaise hi woh dono ek kone me mudi, unhone dekha ki ek ladki unki hi taraf ghabraate hue daud kar aa rahi thi. Uska chehra darr ke maare peela pad chuka tha.

Madhuri ne jaise hi Trisha ki wardi dekhi uski aankhon me ek chamak aa uthi.

Madhuri (yells) : B-Bachao-!! Bachao!!

Trisha ki baah pakad use jhanjhorte hue woh ro padi.

Madhuri : W-Woh aadmi... *sniff* Wahi aadmi... W-Woh le gaya unhe... Unn dono bacchiyo ko... *sniff*

Trisha (yells) : K-Kyaaaaa??? K-Kaun??? Kidhar???

Madhuri ne andhere ki orr ishaara kiya, uske chehre se lagatar aansu beh rahe the.

Madhuri : W-Woh yaha tha... *sniff* Aur, fir achanak kahi gaayab ho gaya. M-Mera dost... Use madad ki zaroorat hai!

Trisha : Kaun le gaya?? Saaf-saaf... Saaf-saaf batao!!!

Madhuri : W-Wahi, madam!! Wahi... *sniff* Mein galat nahi ho sakti. *sniff* Woh wahi tha. Wahi jiska poster sheher me jagah-jagah chhapa hua hai. Wahi sandigdh jiske peechhe police padi hai. Woh do bacchiyo ko utha ke mere saamne le gaya. *sniff*

Aur, ye sunte hi Trisha sakpaka ke reh gayi. Nidhi ke perr ladkhadaye aur woh ghutno ke bal gir padi.

Nidhi : J-Juhi-!!! Juhi, meri bacchi...!!! *screams* Juhiiiiiiiiii-!!!!

Awaaz sunn log andar gali me ghusne lage. Trisha ka dimaag kaam karna band kar chuka tha. Uski apni beti gaayab hui thi. Uske haath perr kaanp rahe the.

Usne sabse pehle chotil Pranjal ko logo dwara waha se uthwaaya. Apna radio ka istemal kar usne ek SOS bheja - "Code red. Child abduction. Request immediate backup."

Iss beech Nidhi na ruki, woh uthi aur cheekhte chillaate hue Juhi ko khojne lagi. Woh akeli nahi thi. Trisha bhi ek maa thi. Uske sang-sang Trisha bhi awaazein lagaate hue galiyon me apni beti ko dhoondhne lagi.

Nidhi (screams) : Juhiiiiiiiii-!!!!!

Trisha (screams) : Pihuuuuuuu-!!!!

Par, koi jawaab nahi!!! Jitne logo se ve poonchhti, sab naa me sarr hila dete. Bechari Nidhi paagalo ki tarah bhaagi jaa rahi thi, uski achhi bhali hasti khelti ladki, uski jaan, uski laadli yu uski aankhon ke saamne se gaayab ho chuki thi. Woh khud ko andar hi andar dosh deti jaa rahi thi.

Uska makeup uske rone se poori tarah kharab ho chuka tha. Woh behaal ho chuki thi. Juhi ki ratt lagaaye woh bas idhar-udhar bhaagti jaa rahi thi. Juhi ke akhiri bol uske mann me goonj rahe the ~

"Mumma, Maamu ko ye pasand aayega na?"

"Veer maamu aap jaldi aao na. Ye mumma roj roj mujhe padhati hai. Sunday ko bhi...!"

Apni bitiya ki awaaz mann me liye woh bhaagti rahi, uska perr achanak se neeche ek patthar se takraya aur woh seedhe jaake ek khambe se jaa bhidi. Sarr par chot lagte hi woh wahi behosh ho gayi. Peechhe se aa rahi Trisha ne use ghabraate hue uthaaya aur madad ki pukaar ki.

Wahi kahi dur, uss aadmi ki hasi galiyon me goonj uthi.

***

At the outskirts of Mumbai,
Night - 8:20 PM ~

Veer, Divya aur Ava ki toli car me aage badhti jaa rahi thi. Mumbai woh lagbhag pahuch hi chuke the. Yahaan se bas kuchh minto ki hi ab duri bachi thi. Lekin, achanak hi Ava ne saamne aadhi khadi car dekh kar brake laga diya.

Ava (frowns) : Veer!!!

Woh haule se boli. Peechhe baithe Veer ne jab saamne dekha toh uski bauhe bhi Ava ki bauho ki tarah sikud gayi.

Magar, sabse zyada jhatka jo laga tha woh tha Divya ko. Woh bhauchakki si saamne car me se nikle insaan ko dekh rahi thi.




Woh ghabraate hue car ke baahar nikli aur uske honth thar-thara gaye.

Divya : N-Nik???
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Aaj ke liye itna hi guys.
This update consists of 11.3k words. Yes! It's a long one. Itne dino baad itna toh banta hi tha. Ye sab ek sitting ka kaam nahi hota. Multiple sittings lagti hai aur isliye itna time bhi le jaati hai aisi kuchh updates. Iss update ne tone ko set kar diya hai. Now you get the idea of what may happen next.

This update touched a lot of aspects which were ignored back then. Such as — Suhana and Sonia's conversation about Veer's treatment at Casa Belle, the sketch released by the police, Pranjal and Madhuri's role, Purvi's absence, etc.

I have grinded my ass to paint this picture as vividly as I can. It's a long ass update. Read it when you get time so as not to get exhausted. Agla update bahut khatarnak hone waala hai. You guys know it very well.

Thanks a lot. Target apna iss baar waise toh 250 hai. Par, 220 tak bhi mein khush ho jaunga. Aur, iss baar mein bolunga nahi. Toh apna apna kaam karne ka. Revos aate rehne chahiye.

Dhanyavad!

What a storie man too good
Awesome update
Superb update! Absolutely exciting writing

 

[Rihanna]

Werewolf sir ka koi bharosa nahi hai kabhi raat ke 12 baje hi update post karde..

Aur kahe yeh lo new year ka gift meri taraf se..

Kya kaha tha maine???

 

[Fuckingkiller23]

Nice update waiting for next

 

[Rihanna]

Even my goosebumps got goosebumps... Review later on... I need some time to process a few scenes....

 

[Gmlove]

Oooooo my god . Kia update tha bro...
Aur kitny suspense pe khatam kar dia ..
Bhaio jaldi jaldi 220 ka mark complete karo.. is shandar update ke bad wait nahi hona .

 

[Gmlove]

Iss update ke bad to lagta hai fake ids bana kar like karna parna hai...

Kia bataon bhai abhi tak goosebumps hain

 

[edm_rahul_rockk]

Update - 192 ~ Pandemonium (1)​

Ab tak...

"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.

Ab aage...

31st December,
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
International Airport, Mumbai,
Morning - 10:45 AM ~




Flight ke utarte hi teen khubsoorat mahilaaye lobby me aake ruki. Tamanna ne apna carry-on bag kass kar pakad rakha tha, uski ungliyaan thodi kaanp rahi thi. Uski aankhein kisi khatre ke sanket ki talaash me ek kone se dusre kone tak ghoom rahi thi. Kandho me tanaav spasht tha, aur uske saiyyam rakhne ke bawajood, bhay uske chehre par saaf-saaf jhalak raha tha.

'Thank god, filhal toh sab sahi lag raha hai.'

Woh ghabrayi hui chaaro orr jagah ka jaayza le rahi thi. Toh wahi ek casual hoodie aur sneakers pehne Shreya ne apna backpack theek kiya, uski nigaahein Tamanna par tik gayi.

Shreya : A-Aap theek toh ho na? Singapore se nikalne ke baad se hi aap bahut pareshan si lag rahi ho. Kahi kuchh aisa hai kya jo aap humein bata nahi rahi?

Aabha humesha ki tarah shaant, Shreya ke bagal se khadi thi. Usne Tamanna ke chehre ka adhyayan kiya, halki thand ke bawajood uske chehre par paseene ki boondein jhalak rahi thi.

Tamanna ne tezi se saans chhori aur zabardasti ek muskaan hontho par bikherte hue boli.

Tamanna : M-Mein theek hu! Trust me! Really! Anyways, tum dono dhyaan se suno. Humein ab alag hona padega, filhaal ke liye.

Shreya (frowns) : Alag hona padega? Hum abhi wapas aaye hai aur ekdum se aise- kuchh gadbad hai kya?

Uske sawaal par Tamanna ne aage badh uski baahein pakad li.

Tamanna : N-Nahi-!!! Inn akhiri kuchh hafto me tum dono kamaal ki thi. Sach me!! Tum dono ne hi experience liya and I feel so proud of you. Really! Lekin, ab mein chaahti hu ki tum dono abhi mujhpe thoda bharosa dikhao.

Aabha : H-Hum kuchh samjhe nahi, didi. Saaf-saaf keh dijiye jo bhi hai.

Tamanna (anxiously) : Tum dono ab apne-apne ghar lautogi. Uske baad kya karna hai woh mein tumhe bata dungi. Lekin, abhi ke liye humara plan yahi hai. Shreya, tum wapas se apne ghar jaogi. Aur, Aabha- tum Veer ke saath rehti ho na? Toh tum bhi wahi lautogi. Woh bhi tumhari raah dekh raha hoga. Theek hai?

Virodh karne ke liye Shreya ke honth khule, lekin Tamanna ne haath uthaate hue use pehle hi chup rehne ka ishaara de diya.

Tamanna : -aur jaha tak meri baat hai, mujhe kuchh personal matters settle karne hai. Toh, ab zyada sawaal mat karna. Bas jaisa kehti jaa rahi hu, waisa karo. Okay?

Tamanna ke swar ne tarq karne ke liye koi sambhavna na chhori, lekin Shreya ki jigyasa badhti jaa rahi thi. Aur, akhirkar usne poonchh hi liya.

Shreya : Aap kuchh chhipa rahi ho humse. Hai na? Mein jaanti hu. Aap bata kyu nahi rahi?

Aabha ne tanaav ko bhaanpte hue Shreya ke kandhe par haath rakh ek qadam aage badhaya.

Aabha : Shreya didi, jaane do! Agar, didi keh rahi hai ki abhi yahi karna uchit hai toh woh uchit hi hoga. Unhone kuchh soch samajh ke hi kaha hoga. Woh jo bhi humse chhupaaye, humara unke jeevan me taaka-jhaaki karna sahi nahi. Hum toh unke shukra-guzar hai, jo unhone humein ye mauka diya. Humein unn par bharosa dikhaane ki zaroorat hai.

Uski baat par Shreya ka sarr neeche jhuk gaya, toh wahi Tamanna ka dil unn dono ke liye paseej utha. Woh batana toh chaahti thi lekin unhe musibat me bhi nahi daalna chaahti thi. Inn beetein dino woh sabhi ek dusre ke itne qareeb aa chuki thi ki lag hi nahi raha tha ki woh sab abhi-abhi hi mili hai.

Tamanna (smiles weakly) : Thank you, Aabha! Hum apna safar khatam nahi kar rahe. Bas, hold par rakh rahe hai. Jab tak ki kuchh cheezein sahi nahi ho jaati. Tum dono bahut himmat waali ho, talented ho aur aane waale samay me aur upar jaogi. Abhi toh bas humari shuruwat hai. Kuchh hafto me hi humne kitni popularity gain ki hai ye tum bhi jaanti ho. Aur, uska ek main reason tum dono hi ho. So, don't let anything hold you back. Mujhe yahi energy baad me bhi chahiye. But for now— we need to leave before it gets too late.

Shreya jhijhki, uski bauhe aapas me kasi. Use iss tarah se adhoori baat par chhore jaane se sakht nafrat thi, lekin Aabha ki shaanti aur sehmati ne use mana liya.

Shreya (softly) : Th-Theek hai! Par, agar aapko kisi bhi cheez ki zaroorat ho toh seedha humein call kar lena. We owe you that much.

Tamanna (nods) : Zaroor!!! *smiles*

Par, jaise hi woh waha se nikalne ke liye hue toh Tamanna ke chehre se uska rang udd gaya. Uske haath kaanpne lage, aur usne apna bag kass ke jakad liya.

'N-No-!! N-Not now!!!'

Uski nazre baahar entrance gate par tiki jaha se teen ladke use ghoorte hue andar aa rahe the.

Uski jeb me tabhi phone ki ghanti baji jise sunn uska dil zoro se uchhal pada. Darte hue usne apna phone baahar nikaala aur screen par dekha. Ek sandesh tha. Aur, sandesh padhne ke baad hi uski jaan me jaan aayi.

Screen par Veer ka message jhalak raha tha - "Keep calm! Stay alert! I have sent my men. They will escort you all. Don't worry. I'll end this soon!"

Tamanna ne ek raahat ki saans li. 'I'll end this soon!' Ye vaakya uske andar ek bharosa jaga gaya ki woh iss ladai me ab akeli nahi thi. Uski abhi ki manzil tay thi. Woh apne ghar nahi, balki Lalita aur Madhuri waale flat me hi unke saath rukne waali thi, jiska address use praapt ho chuka tha. Aur, yahi Veer ka nirdesh bhi tha.

Singapore se woh shoot adhoora chhor ke aayi thi. Beshaq — show ke director aur producers ke sang uski thodi bahut behas bhi hui. Woh ye tour adhoora chhorne ki firaaq me nahi the. Lekin, majbooran Tamanna ko toh waapas lautna hi tha. Aur, isi beech behas bhi chhid gayi. Halanki, Tamanna, Aabha aur Shreya ki badhti popularity ko dekh jaise-taise director aur producers filhal ke liye toh raazi ho gaye. Magar, aane waale dino me jald se jald use waapas Singapore prasthan karne ki zaroorat thi.

Aur, ye tab hi mumkin hone waala tha jab Veer uski pareshaniyo ko uske jeevan se dur kar sake.

'I'm counting on you, Veer! Please-!!!'

Ek aas jagi ki shayad Veer use inn sab jhamelo se baahar nikaalne me safal hoga.

Woh teen ladke jaise hi Tamanna ke paas aaye toh use pata chala ye Veer dwara hi bheje gaye ladke the. Ek baar fir, usne apni dhadkano ko qaabu me kiya. Aur, teeno apne-apne ghar ki orr nikal gaye. Shreya apne mata-pita ke ghar chali gayi, Aabha Veer ke ghar toh wahi Tamanna Madhuri waale flat ki orr. Filhal ke liye, Aadesh ke aadmiyon ke changul se Tamanna aur baki sab bach kar nikalne me qamyab the.

***

Control room,
Thane police station,
Mumbai ~

Kamre me computers ke keyboards ki gadgadahat aur data ke dher ko chhanane waale adhikariyo ki badbadahat goonj rahi thi. Trisha, ek kursi par baithi haal hi me hui hatyao aur saath hi saath Slogan-Aatish ki rehesyamayi maut ko lekar pareshan thi.

Aur, ye sab bhi kaafi nahi tha jab ab logo ke laapata hone ki khabro ne police station ke darwaze par dastak dena shuru kar diya. Subah-subah hi dusri FIR kisi laapata vyakti ke liye darj ho chuki thi.

'Pehle ye murders aur ab logo ka laapata hona... Kahi ye-!? Huh-!!?'

Ek sansani macha dena waala vichaar uske mastishk se hoke guzra. Paas me hi tainaat Shekhar, ek haath me ek file aur dusre me ek laptop liye khada hua tha aur Trisha ke paas jaane se jhijak raha tha. Par, kuchh der ki shaanti ke baad woh aage badha.

Shekhar : Madam, mujhe pichhle case ke baare me aur kuchh jankaari haath lagi hai.

Trisha (bina upar dekhe) : Kya? Jaldi bolo Shekhar, mein waise hi pehle se bahut pareshan hu.

Shekhar ne apne gale ki kharaash dur ki aur file mej par rakhte hue bola.

Shekhar : Mirror Gallery ke baare me humne discuss kiya tha. Aur, humne maana tha ki Slogan ka uss se kuchh lena dena ho sakta hai.

Trisha (glances) : Haan! Toh? Uske baare me kya?

Shekhar : Bahut chhaan-been ke baad social media se mujhe uss raat ki kuchh aur tasveerein mili hai.

Woh Trisha ki pratikriya jaanane ke liye ruka.

Trisha (impatiently) : Jaldi bolo, Shekhar!! Paheliyaan mat bujhao.

Shekhar : Kuchh aur log bhi kuchh photos me qaid hue hai. Lekin, ek shaks hai jiske baare me shayad aap jaanana chaahogi.

Trisha : Shekhar-!!!!

Shekhar : Veer Singh!!

Kamre me ek shaanti chhaa gayi. Trisha ki teekhi nigaahein Shekhar par tik gayi.

Trisha : Veer Singh? Ye kaun hai?

Shekhar (apna laptop kholte hue) : Aap Veer Singh ke baare me nahi jaanti? Aisa ho hi nahi sakta. Aapne news me suna hi hoga. Ye dekhiye! Veer Singh... Ek dilchasp ladka hai. Ek student jo peshe se ek businessman bhi hai. 'Chef on Wheels' naam se uske kuchh food trucks sheher me daudte hai. Yaha tak ki shayad woh 5 star hotel — Prestige ka maalik bhi hai. Lekin, sirf itna hi nahi-

Screen par Veer ki tasveerein dekh Trisha apne haath mod aage ko jhuki.

Shekhar : Abhi haal hi me kuchh samay pehle ki baat hai — Veer, France me ek gambheer paristhithi me fass gaya tha. Uss par criminal activities ka blame lagaya gaya tha. Yaha tak ki France ki investigation bureau ne toh use terrorist bhi ghoshit kar diya tha. Lekin, woh apni begunahi saabit karne me qamyab raha aur India wapas laut aaya, sabhi aaropo se mukt. Celebrity aur singer Natalia Martin ne khud uske liye news channels ke saamne gawahi di thi ki Veer hi woh insaan tha jisne unki jaan bachayi.

Trisha : Veer Singh, huh? Haan! Ye naam suna toh tha maine news me. Maine padha tha ki ek naujavan France me kanooni galat-fehmi se bach ke wapas desh lauta tha.

Shekhar (nods) : Bilkul! Wahi Veer Singh!

Trisha (frowns) : Toh kehne ka matlab ye hai ki... Veer... That guy has a history with law enforcement!!!

Shekhar : Ji madam!! Lekin, uska kisi gerr-kanooni kaam me shaamil hone ka koi thos saboot nahi hai. Jaha tak uske police records ka sawaal hai, woh saaf-suthre hai... Filhal...!! Aur, kuchh log toh use ab celebrity bhi maanane lage hai.

Trisha ne jankari ko hazam karte hue apne sarr ko mala.

Trisha : Hmm! Veer...!!

Usne laptop par uss tasveer ko dekha jaha Veer bheed me ek photo me nazar aa raha tha. Dhyaan se photo ko kuchh der dekhte hi uski aankhein aashcharya ke maare chaudi ho gayi aur woh akasmat hi khadi ho gayi jiske chalte uske peechhe rakhi kursi dhakke se dur khisak gayi.

Trisha : E-Ek minute-!!! Ye-

Shekhar : Hmm?

Trisha baukhla chuki thi. Kyunki, photo me jo kuchh bhi nazar aa raha tha woh kahi se bhi sadharan nahi tha.

Trisha : Y-Ye toh wahi hai!!!

Shekhar : Wahi? Kaun wahi???

Trisha : Wahi-!!! Jo mujhe Skylight me dikha tha!!!

Shekhar : Skylight?

Trisha : Arey wo... Mister Kishore Adarsh ka skyscraper. Nexacom ke owner ka ghar!!!

Shekhar : Arey haan! Haan! Samajh gaya!

Trisha : Y-Ye... Ye toh wahi... Ye toh wahi Jassi hai!!

Kishore ke ghar me jab woh uss blue mulsanne ke owner ko pakadne ke vaaste gayi thi tab Jassi ke upar hi uski shaq ki sui tiki hui thi. Kyunki, Jassi ke mutabik Slogan ki maut waali raat ko woh blue mulsanne gaadi wahi chala raha tha aur hamlawar ka peechha kar raha tha. Aur, ab yahi Jassi iss photo me theek Veer ke peechhe khada hua tha, usi event me jaha Slogan khud dekha gaya tha.

Trisha ki nazar tabhi Veer ke bagal se khadi ek ladki par padi.

Trisha : Ruko-!!! Y-Ye ladki- Ye ladki kaun hai iske aage? Veer ke saath... bagal se...

Shekhar : Uski sirf peeth hi nazar aa rahi hai, madam!

Trisha : Kuchh gadbad hai... I swear... damn it!!!

Aur, akasmat Trisha ke mann me kuchh baatein goonj gayi.

'Uss raat humaare Sir musibat me the. Humari Miss Kaera par attack hua tha aur hum sirf gaadi ka peechha kar hamla karne waale ko rokne ki koshish kar rahe the.'

'Miss Kaera Nexacom ki owner hai. Aur, unhe rokne ke liye rival companies buri se buri saazishein rachti hai. Ab hume ye toh nahi pata lag paaya ki hamla kisne karwaya tha lekin, ek wahi gaadi thi jis se hamla hua tha.'

Jassi ke dwara kahe gaye ye bol uske mann me mandraane lage. Usne kheejte hue apne haath mej par patke.

*Slam*

Trisha : Damn it! Damn it!!!

Shekhar : K-Kya hua, madam??

Kintu, Trisha ne koi jawaab nahi diya. Woh maun rahi. Apne daant meeste hue, uska dhyaan kahi aur hi tha.

'Shit-!! Ye mirror gallery event toh Slogan ki maut se kaafi pehle hua tha. Iska matlab... Iska matlab iss Jassi ka kuchh lena dena zaroor hai Slogan se. Kahi Slogan hi toh woh hamlavar nahi jiska peechha Jassi kar raha tha?? Aur, apni miss ko bachaane ke liye... Huh?? Miss... Miss...!? Nexacom ke owner ki beti... Wait...!!! K-Kaera Adarsh-!!!!'

Bodh hote hi Trisha ka muh khula ka khula reh gaya. Aur, tabhi uski nazar photo par dobaara padi jaha Veer ke bagal se ek ladki khadi hui thi jiski sirf peeth hi nazar aa rahi thi. Trisha ki aankhein fatne ko aa gayi.

'N-No way-!!! K-Kahi ye-!??'

Usne turant hi desk par rakhe pen holder me se ek pen nikaala aur saamne ek notepad ka panna khol uss par bade aksharo me likha-

Veer Singh!!!
Jassi!!!

Sach baat toh yeh thi ki Mirror Gallery Slogan dwara hi aayojit kiya gaya tha. Pehle 50 logo ki entries free thi aur uske baad entry lene ke liye kuchh raashi dena hoti thi.

Gallery me keval aur keval vyakti akele ya fir kisi ek aur vyakti ke saath hi andar jaa sakta tha. Veer aur Kaera 49th aur 50th yaani ki akhiri couple the jinke liye free entry allowed thi.

Par, sahi maayno me ye kuchh nahi balki Slogan ke dwara bichhaaya gaya bas ek jaal tha. Veer ke theek peechhe khade Jassi aur Raghu entry nahi le paaye the kyunki, Veer aur Kaera ke ghusne ke baad hi event ke liye entries band kar di gayi thi.

Aur, isi ke chalte logo ne fir aakrosh me aake social media par kharab reviews chhore the, apna dukh jataaya tha jo Shekhar ne hashtag ki madad se akhirkar khoj nikaala.

'Koi bhi detail... Koi bhi detail haath se jaane na paaye. Veer Singh... Jassi... Kaera Adarsh... Inka zaroor Slogan se kuchh lena dena hai. Kya Slogan aur Kaera ke beech koi dushmani thi? Ya mein hi kuchh zyada soch rahi hu???'

Iske pehle ki woh kuchh aur soch paati, udhar desk par phone ki ghanti baji jis se uska dhyaan bhatak gaya. Wahi baithe ek officer ne call uthaya aur fir baat karte hue Trisha ko dekh bola.

Officer : Madam ek call aaya hai. Kisi ne daawa kiya hai ki unhone humare dwara jaari kiye gaye sketch me maujood sandigdh aadmi ko dekha hai.

Trisha (abruptly) : K-Kya??? Kidhar???

Officer : Bhandup ke paas. Ek mahila ne use apni building ke peechhe ek gali me se guzarte hue dekha hai.

Itna sunte hi Trisha ne apna coat uthaaya, upar daala, aur handgun ko holster kar woh aage badh Shekhar se boli.

Trisha : Veer Singh ke baare me mujhe saari details chahiye. Mujhe woh sab chaahiye jo khoja jaa sakta hai. Lekin, abhi hume iss suraag ka peechhe karne ki zaroorat hai. Samajh gaye na?

Shekhar : J-Ji madam!

Woh team ko aadesh dete hue waha se chali gayi.

Trisha : Mujhe abhi Bhandup me ek team chahiye. Humari pakad se bhaag ke woh jaane na paaye. Akhir hoga toh wahi kahi hi... Aur baaki thaano me bhi information forward kar do. Abhi!

Uski command par sabhi police karmachari waha se nikalne ke liye taiyaar ho gaye. Trisha ke dil ki dhadkane bhi tez thi, uska dimaag maamle ke dabaav aur Veer Singh ke chaaro orr ghoom rahe sandeh ke dhaage ke beech badi mushqil se santulan banaya hua tha.

Woh apni car me baithi aur sthaan ki orr tezi se badhi, usne mann me hi budbudaya.

'Agar, Veer hi iss case ki woh kadi hai, toh achha hai. Mein kaise bhi kar ke sab kuchh chhaan maarungi. Lekin, agar aisa nahi hai... Toh behtar hoga ki Veer Singh mehez ek sanyog se zyada aur kuchh na nikle. Mere paas samay gawaane ke liye nahi bacha hai ab.'

***

Evening - 5:08 PM ~

Samay tezi se guzar raha tha. Jaha ek taraf naye varsh ke jashn ki taiyaari chal rahi thi toh wahi dusri orr Veer ke 'Yarnia' ki launch ki bhi zoro se taiyariyaan ho rahi thi.

Aur, idhar car Lonavla ki sadko se hote hue Mumbai ke liye prasthaan kar rahi thi. Veer peechhe ki seat par baitha hua tha, uska phone haath me tha, aur uska dimaag tanaav me ghoom raha tha.

Divya aage passenger seat par virajman thi toh wahi aaj car chalaane ki zimmedari Ava ke kandho par saunp di gayi thi jo rear view mirror ke madhyam se Veer par baari-baari nazre chura rahi thi.




Veer ko yu iss tarah chinta me dekh, Pari ki awaaz uske mann me goonj uthi.

[Abhi tak koi suraag haath nahi laga hai, Master.]

'Aur, yahi meri chinta ka kaaran hai, Pari!'

[Lonavla me bhi kuchh khaas haasil nahi hua. Mission ki time limit bas 9 ghante hi bachi hai.]

'Damn it!!! 9 ghante?? Yaha pe ek clue bhi nahi mila hai. 9 ghante me bhala kaise uss murderer tak pahuchenge hum?'

[I'm sorry, Master. Mujhe laga tha Divya ke saath investigation par jaane se humaare haath kuchh lag jayega lekin-]

'Nahi, Pari! Isme tumhari koi galti nahi. Ye jo koi bhi hai bahut shaatir hai. Koi clue hi nahi chhor raha. Zaahir hai koi na koi system holder hi iske peechhe hai. Par akhir kaun-!? Kahi woh toh nahi jo Renshu se lada tha?'

[Hmm?]

'Lekin, woh bhala yaha kya karega? Nahi-!!! Rebecca??? Nahi!!! Woh iss tarah se apni chaale nahi chalti. Agar, woh hoti toh hypnosis ke traces mujhe kahi na kahi logo me samajh aa jaate.'

[Kahi X toh nahi?]

'Hmm? Mujhe nahi lagta. Woh bhala befaltu me random logo ko kyu maarega? Meri samajh nahi aata. Maharashtra ke region se log maare gaye hai. Kis system holder ki inn logo se dushmani ho sakti hai? Mujhe toh laga tha apne desh se sirf mein hi ek system holder hu. Kya mere alawa aur koi bhi-!?'

[Mujhe nahi lagta, master. Agar aisa hota toh ab tak aap ek dusre ke contact me kam se kam ek baar toh aa hi chuke hote.]

'Toh fir kaun ho sakta hai? Fuck! It's annoying me so much!!'

Time limit dheere-dheere ghatati jaa rahi thi. Aur, mission ki penalty ka dar Veer ke zehen me mandra raha tha — woh nakaam nahi ho sakta tha. Uske apno ka jeevan iss par nirbhar tha.

Dono striyo — Ava aur Divya ne Veer ke chintit vyavhar ko notice kiya, lekin filhal dono hi shaant rahi. Pari ne hi fir uski dikkat ka samadhan nikaala.

[It's okay, master! Pareshan mat hoiye. Abhi 9 ghante baaki hai. Bhuliye mat ki aaj 'Yarnia' ki launching hai. Aur, aap uske owner ho. Agar, owner hi iss tarah se udaas rahega toh launch ka kya hoga?]

'Pari, mein-'

[Aapke invitation cards logo tak pahuch bhi gaye honge. It's time to cope up.]

Pari ki baat maan Veer ne apne seene se wazan hataane ki koshish karte hue apna phone khola aur contacts list ko scroll karte hue uski ungli Nidhi ke naam par ruk gayi. Aur, kuchh sochte hue usne Nidhi ko video call kar diya.

---

Shan bhar ki rings ke baad hi call uth gaya. Nidhi apne living room me hi thi aur thodi chaunki hui si prateet ho rahi thi, uske bhaav humesha ki tarah saiyyamit the lekin Veer ko dekhte hi aankhon me ek adrishya chamak aa uthi.

Veer : N-Nidhi-

Nidhi : Huh???

Veer : I- I mean... Hello, ma'am!

Nidhi : V-Veer? Hello! K-Kya hua?

Veer : Kyu? Kya mein yuhi aapko call nahi kar sakta?

Nidhi : N-Nahi! Umm... Mera matlab hai... Iss waqt aise...? Video call? Kuchh baat thi kya?

Veer : Maine poochhne ke liye call kiya tha ki aapko 'Yarnia' ka invitation card mil gaya na? Aaj raat hi hai event. Aapko aana hai.

Nidhi : H-Haan! Mujhe mil gaya tha. Congratulations! T-Tumhari iss new brand ke liye. Kaha ho tum?

Veer : Bas laut hi raha hu. Kuchh der me Mumbai pahuch jaunga.

Nidhi : Oh! T-Tumne bas iske liye video call kiya tha?

Veer : Nahi! Aapko dekhna bhi tha.

Nidhi : Huh!? *blushes* M-Mujhe???

Akasmat hi Nidhi anjaane me apne baalo ko sahi karne lagi.

Veer : Ji!

Nidhi : O-Okay! M-Mein aa jaungi samay se, Veer!

Pal bhar ke liye Nidhi ke mann me pados waali aunty ki baatein ghoomi jo unhone Veer ko lekar kahi thi. Lekin, unhe apne dimaag me se nikaalte hue woh Veer se wapas se vartalap me lag gayi.

Nidhi ki awaaz me ek ajeeb si jhijhak thi. Use aise private video calls ki aadat nahi thi. Na hi use kabhi video calls aate the aur na hi woh khud kabhi kisi ko zyada calls karti thi. Shreya hi ekmaatra thi jo foreign se use kabhi-kabhi video calls kar liya karti thi. Par, Veer? Ye pehli baar tha. Woh iske liye taiyaar nahi thi.

Car ki driver seat se Ava ne rear view mirror me se Veer ki phone screen me jhaakne ki koshish ki, toh wahi Divya apni seatbelt theek karne ka naatak karte hue thoda peechhe ko jhuki lekin unn dono ko hi Veer ki phone screen nahi nazar aayi. Iss beech dono striyo ki nazre aapas me takrayi magar dono ne ek dusre se kuchh na kaha.

Veer : Bas aapse yahi kehna tha. Mein nahi chaahunga ki aap ise miss kare. Y-You know... It's... important to me. I want you to be there.

Nidhi : ...

Iske pehle ki Nidhi jawaab de paati ek khilkhilaati hui awaaz beech me sunayi padi. Ek chhota sa haath upar pahucha aur phone ko pakad liya. Juhi ka pyaara, chulbula sa chehra achanak saamne aaya.

"Maaaaaamuuuuu~"

Uski awaaz na sirf Nidhi ke kamre me balki idhar car me bhi goonj gayi.

Aur, 'maamu' shabd sunte hi Ava aur Divya ne ek raahat ki saans li. Unke hontho par halki si muskaan bikhar gayi.

Nidhi (peechhe se) : Juhi! Juhi, phone wapas do. Mein baat kar rahi hu na-

Juhi (ignores) : Maamu, mein bhi aaungi!!!

Veer hasa, Juhi ki awaaz uske chehre par tanaav ki rekhao ko kam kar gayi.

Veer : Bilkul, meri pyaari Juhi! Tumhare bagerr waha kuchh bhi shuru nahi hoga. Aur, tumhare liye waha maine dher sari chocolates bhi mangwa ke rakhi hai.

Juhi : Sacchi maamu???

Veer : Aur, nahi toh kya...

Juhi : Yaaaayyyyy!!! P-Par, maamu aap kidhal ho???

Veer : Mein bas ghar laut raha hu. Kyu? Kya hua?

Juhi : Ye mumma bol rahi ki agar raat ko jyada der ghumo toh bhoot aake utha le jaata hai. Aur... Aur... Bhoot logo ko pakad ke chhupa deta hai.

Veer : Kya matlab? Tumhari mummy ne kaha ye?

Juhi (nods) : H-Haan! Y-Ye dekho... Dekho maamu TV pe... Log gaayab ho gaye. Bhoot pakad ke le gaya unko.

Juhi ne phone ko ghuma ke TV ki orr kiya. Channel me haal hi me rehesyamayi dhang se gaayab ho rahe logo ke baare me breaking news chal rahi thi.

"Laapata hone ke maamlo me abhi tak koi suraag nahi!"

Shabd screen par gehre laal rang se chamak rahe the. Khabar dekhte hi Veer ki bechaini badh gayi.

Juhi : Dekha na maamu-!! Bhoot sabko pakad raha hai!!! Isliye aap jaldi-jaldi aa jao. Kahi bhoot humko pakad liya toh???

Veer : Haan! Mein jaldi aa jaunga, Juhi! Aur, bhoot tumhe nahi pakdega. Tumhare paas aane se pehle use pehle maamu ke paas aane padega. Aur, tumhare maamu bhoot ki band baja denge.

Juhi (giggles) : Hehehehe~ I love you maamu~ *muah*

Veer muskuraya ki itne me tabhi Nidhi ne Juhi ke haath se phone chhina liya.

Nidhi : Juhi tum bhi na... Jao!! Jao jaake padhayi karo.

Juhi : Waaaaa-!!! Abhi to ki thi na...!!

Veer : E-Ek minute! Ma'am, Juhi ko phone dijiye na!

Nidhi : Kya hua Veer?

Veer : Dijiye toh-

Nidhi : O-Okay!

Nidhi ne punah Juhi ko phone thamaaya.

Juhi : Haan maamu~

Kuchh der yuhi shaanti si chhaayi rahi. Veer ne kuchh na kaha. Toh wahi bechari Juhi apna sarr mode Veer ke kuchh bolne ka intezar kar rahi thi. Ant me uska dhairya toot hi gaya.

Juhi : Maaaamu???

Veer : Ahem! Kuchh nahi, Juhi! Phone apni mumma ko dedo.

Juhi : O-Okyy! Mumma-!!!

Nidhi ne phone Juhi ke haatho se liya aur woh prashn bhari nazro se Veer ko dekhi jaise poochhna chaah rahi ho ki yeh sab kya tha?

Nidhi : K-Kya baat hai?

Veer : Kuchh nahi! Juhi ko leke sahi time par aa jaana aap, please.

Nidhi (nods) : Mmm!

Aur, thodi hich-kichihat ke baad Nidhi ne call cut kar diya.

---

Call cut hote hi Veer ne apna phone apni goad me rakh liya. Usne khidki se baahar dekha, uska dimaag tezi se daud raha tha.

Murders... Logo ka laapata hona... System holder... Mission timer... Juhi ki masoom chetavni...

Ye sab uske andar ek dar ki gaanth baandh raha tha. Kuchh pal baad akhirkar Divya ne apna muh khola aur car me maujood khamoshi ko toda.

Divya : Kya jaan sakti hu ki woh kaun thi?




Veer ne turant koi jawaab na diya, bas kisi soch me dooba raha.

Ava : Shayad... Koi important person!?

Iss baar Veer ne unn dono ki orr dekha. Uske bhaav padh paana mushqil tha.

Veer : Ye... Nidhi ma'am thi. Meri... College ki professor aur...

Divya : Aur???

Veer : Aur, jaisa ki Ava ne kaha... Ek important person.

Divya ne uske jawab par bauhe uthayi, lekin baat aage nahi kheenchi. Halanki, uski jigyasa uske andar ubaal le rahi thi parantu Ava se nazre milaane ke baad woh chup reh gayi. Dono striyo ke mastishq me ek hi sawaal ghoomta reh gaya — Akhir, woh aurat Veer ke kitne qareeb thi?

Jaise-jaise car Mumbai ki orr badh rahi thi, sabhi ke andar ki bechaini bhi badhti jaa rahi thi. Ava aur Veer ki nazre aapas me takrayi — ek maun samajh ki kuchh unki nazro se zaroor choonk raha tha.

***

Zenith, Elite Group, Mumbai,
Evening - 5:30 PM ~




'Yarnia' ka invitation jagah-jagah mehatvpoorn logo ko bheja gaya tha. Aur, inme se ek invitation yaha bhi aaya tha.

Zenith! Elite group ke sadasyo ka ek vishal skyscraper. Halanki, ye Kaera ke ghar - Skylight se thoda sa chhota tha. Magar, iski bhi apni ek alag shaan thi poore Mumbai me.

Ghar ka aalishaan living room doobte sooraj ki garm kirano se nahaya hua tha. Sonia ek plush leather couch par baithi thi, aur uske manicured haatho me ek khubsurat sa envelope tha.

Sonia : You are cordially invited to the grand launch of Yarnia, a premium clothing brand by Veer Singh, at Hotel Prestige this evening, 8 PM.

Invitation ko dohraate hue Sonia ki awaaz narm pad gayi.

Sonia (mutters) : Casa Belle me jo kuchh bhi hua, uske baad se toh shayad woh mujhse bahut naraaz hoga. I'm surprised ki usne mujhe invite kiya-

Woh dheere se budbudate hue boli, magar uske shabd theek peechhe khidki ke paas khadi Suhana ne sunn liye. Veer ka zikr aate hi uska badan thitak gaya. Sheeshein me uske reflection se pata lagaya jaa sakta tha ki uski aankhon me toofan umda hua tha.




Woh dheere se ghoomi, uski awaaz na zyada oonchi, na zyada kam thi.

Suhana : Tumne sahi kaha! Aur, uske paas tumse naraaz hone ka har woh reason hai! Tumhari galti thi, sonu!!! And, you better accept it.

Sonia ne sarr upar kar apni badi behan ko dekha, uski bauhe aashcharya se upar chadhi hui thi. Suhana ne shayad hi kabhi use galat thehraya tha.

Sonia : K-Kya hua aapko? Mein jaanti hu ki uss raat cheezein badal sakti thi lekin-

Suhana (yells) : Tum galat thi, Sonu!!!



Iss baar woh chillaayi. Aur, Sonia bhauchakki si uski oonchi awaaz sunn use ghoorti reh gayi. Suhana ne kabhi bhi iss tarah se apni bhavnaye nahi dikhayi thi, parivar se baahri vyakti ke liye toh hargiz nahi.

Sonia (frowns) : What happened to you? Aap Veer ki itni parvah kab se karne lag gayi?

Suhana ne apni baahein modi, uski mudra kathor aur swar me aaropo ki teekhi dhaar thi.

Suhana : Kyu? Kya tumhe yaad nahi? Tumne uske saath Casa Belle me kitna bhadda behave kiya tha? Kya laga tha tumhe? Ki tum mujhe nahi bataogi toh mujhe iss baare me kuchh pata nahi chalega? Do kaudi ke Aadesh Jaisinghani ne sabke saamne uska mazaak udaaya, aur tum waha khadi rahi??? Kis ke liye?? Sirf ek deal ke liye? Ek deal, Sonu??? Agar, mein waha hoti... toh majaal hai kisi ki... ki koi uske baare me ek galat shabd bhi muh se nikaal paata.

Iske pehle ki woh khud ko rok paati, shabd kisi dhanush se chhore gaye teer ki tarah uske muh se nikal chuke the. Sonia stabdh ho kar bas apni badi behan ki orr dekhti reh gayi.

Yeh wo ghamandi Suhana nahi thi jis se woh parichit thi. Yeh koi aur hi thi — koi spashtatah hili hui, aur apni aadh me chhek kar kisi ko bachaati hui.

Sonia : Wh-What-!? Hua kya hai aapko?? Do kaudi ka Aadesh Jaisinghani??? Di, aapko pata hai na ki Casa Belle ka maalik hai woh.

Suhana : Aur? Aur, kya? Tumne uski tulna akhir Veer se kar kaise di? Uss deal ke liye tumne-

Sonia : Di, what's wrong with you??? Woh ek business decision tha. Mere paas aur koi choice nahi thi. Aap jaanti ho na ki woh deal Elite Group ke liye kitni zaroori thi? Autoshield ke owner Mister Tanishq ke saath woh deal thi meri. Aap jaanti ho na ki Kaera kaise humesha humse ek qadam aage chalti hai? Agar, mein woh deal nahi leti toh-

Magar, Suhana ne uski baat beech me hi kaat di, uski awaaz gusse se kaanp rahi thi.

Suhana : Tumhare paas choice thi, Sonu!!! Tumne Veer ke saath apni dosti ki bajaaye apne faayde ko chuna. Kya tumhe iss baat ka zara sa bhi ehsaas hai ki tumne kis aadmi se apna muh mod liya? Jab tum deals ko chase karne me lagi hui thi tab woh logo ke liye ek bridge ki tarah kaam kar raha tha, unki madad kar raha tha badle me kuchh bhi maange bina. Lekin, jab sabse zyada maayne rakhta tha tab tum uske liye waha khadi tak nahi ho saki!!! It explains why you're still single!!!

Sonia ka muh achambhav me khula, par shabd baahar na nikle. Usne Suhana ko kabhi bhi iss tarah nahi dekha tha. Badi behan jo kabhi bhavnao ko kamzori keh kar kharij kar diya karti thi, aaj wahi itni bhavnaaye liye bol rahi thi ki Sonia use samajh tak nahi paa rahi thi. Kya yeh wahi Suhana thi? Aur, ye single hone ka vaar kis liye??

Apni galti ka ehsaas hote hi Suhana ka dil baith gaya. Usne apni bhavnao ko apni icchha se kahi adhik ujagar kar diya tha, usne apni mutthi kasi aur dusri orr ghoom gayi. Aur, awaaz dheemi hoke fusfusahat me badal gayi.

Suhana : M-Maine sirf wahi kaha jo sahi tha. Agar, tumhe sach me koi pachhtaava hai, toh tumhe use phone karna chahiye. Uss se maafi maangni chaahiye. Maafi maangne se koi chhota nahi ho jaata, sonu. Use batao ki aaj raat tum waha maujood rahogi. Shayad, woh tumhe maaf kar de.

Sonia ki bauhe sikud gayi, uske chehre par sandeh jhalka.

Sonia : You're unusually invested in this, di. Kyu??? Aap mujhse kuchh chhipa rahi ho kya??? Answer me!!!!



Suhana ka dil zoro se dhadak utha. Woh Sonia ki peni nazre, uske ankahe sawaalo ke bhaar ko apne upar mehsoos kar paa rahi thi. Kintu, chehre se saare bhaav mitaate hue woh darwaaze ki orr mud gayi.

Suhana : Mujhe tumhe kuchh bhi samjhaane ki zaroorat nahi. Bas wahi karo jo tumhe sahi lage. Har baar dimag ki nahi suni jaati, sonu. Kabhi-kabhi dil ki bhi sunani chahiye.

Itna bol woh waha se nikalne ke liye aage badhi, darwaaze ki dehleez tak pahuchi hi thi jab peechhe se Sonia ne use rok diya.

Sonia : Wait-!!!!

Aur, Suhana ke qadam wahi tham gaye. Lekin, woh peechhe na mudi.

Sonia : Aap toh aisi nahi thi, di! In fact, jaha tak mujhe yaad hai, Veer aur meri pehli mulaqat ke waqt woh aap hi thi na jo use paise de kar uska muh band rakhwana chaahti thi? Fir, akhir itna antar kaise aa gaya? Yeh sab kab hua? Mein bewakoof nahi hu. I can tell that you're favouring him. I just want to know why???

Suhana ke honth khule, thar-tharaye aur fir band ho gaye. Kuchh shan baad usne jawaab diya.

Suhana : Haan! Haan, maine uss waqt use paise se chup karwana chaaha tha. Aur, mein galat thi!

Sonia : !!???

Suhana : Mein galat thi jo maine use ek aam laalchi insaan samjha. Lekin, ab mein jaanti hu ki woh kaisa hai aur kaisa nahi.

Sonia : Aur, uske liye aapne mujhe itna kuchh suna diya, di??? Jawab dijiye!! Kis way me meri aur Veer ki dosti mujhe business me aage le jaa sakti hai? Kaera se bhi aage. Kya Veer ke paas abhi Autoshield jitna bada koi business hai? Kya woh Elite group ke saath hazaaro karodo ki deal sign kar sakta hai??? Jawaab dijiye!!!

Suhana : ...

Sonia : Aapki khamoshi ne mujhe mere sawaal ka jawaab de diya, di. Aapne aaj mera itna dil dukhaya hai ki aap soch bhi nahi sakti.

Suhana : Agar, tumhe itna hi bura laga hai toh aaj ke baad mein kabhi interfere nahi karungi, Sonu.

Sonia : ???

Suhana (mutters) : If only you knew...

Sonia : Wh-What???

Jawaab ki prateeksha kiye bina hi, Suhana tezi se kamre se baahar chali gayi. Sonia ki nazro se ojhal hote hi uske qadam ladkhada gaye aur haath kaanpne lage.

'Kya ho raha hai mujhe??? Why can't I control myself for him anymore??'

Living room me idhar Sonia ne apni behan ko jaate hue dekha, uska sandeh aur gehra hota jaa raha tha. Apna sarr hilaate hue woh apne phone ki orr badhi, uski ungliyaan Veer ke naam par aake ruk gayi.

Sonia (mutters) : This better not backfire.

Usne call kiya aur ghanti bajne ka intezar karne lagi.

Call uthate hi Sonia ka dil ek dhadkan phaand gaya. Woh jaanti thi ki use Casa Belle me hui ghatna ke dauran apni anupasthiti ke liye maafi maangna zaroori tha. Aur, itne me dusri orr se Veer ki awaaz aayi.

Veer : Miss Sonia... It's been a while!

Sonia ne ek gehri saans li, ankahe shabdo ka bojh unke beech hawa me bhaari tha.

Sonia : C-Congratulations, Veer!

Veer : Oh? Thank you!

Sonia : Y-Yeah!

Veer : Kya bas isliye hi call kiya tha aapne?

Sonia : H-Huh? N-Nahi-! Veer, mein- woh mein... Mujhe tumse kuchh baat karni thi. Casa Belle waale incident ko lekar.

Veer : Hmm? Oh! Nahi, koi baat nahi! I understand. Business deal comes first.

Veer ke shabd Sonia ke dil par kisi khanjar ki tarah jaake lage.

Sonia : N-Nahi, Veer! A-Aisa nahi hai. M-Mujhe tumhare liye waha hona chaahiye tha. I should have been there.

Uske baad Veer ne kuchh aisa kaha jise sunn bechari Sonia ka dil baith gaya.

Veer : Aap thi waha, Miss Sonia!! Aap wahi thi. You were there!!!

Sonia : I-I know... I-

Lekin, na jaane kyu uske muh se maafi ke shabd nahi nikle. Kya usne kuchh galat kiya tha? Agar, woh Autoshield ke sang woh deal nahi karti toh poore Elite group ko bhaari nuksaan ho sakta tha. Maana ki Veer ek achha ladka tha. Par, kya woh itna zaroori tha ki Mister Tanishq ke sang woh deal chhori jaaye?

Veer : Action speaks louder than words, Miss Sonia. Anyways, mein thoda sa busy hu abhi. I hope aap event me aayengi.

Sonia : Veer-! No, listen-

Kintu, Veer ne call cut kar diya. Aur, woh bhi Sonia ka call. Sonia ko yakeen nahi ho raha tha ki Veer ne uska call cut kar diya tha. Kaun thi woh? — Elite group ki owner. Maana ki uski thodi galti thi lekin, apni jagah woh sahi bhi toh thi. Nichle honth ko daanto tale meeste hue woh apne puraane andaaz me wapas aa gayi.

***

Hotel Prestige,
Evening - 7:30 PM ~

Hotel Prestige aaj aasmaan ke neeche kisi anmol ratn ki tarah chamak rahi thi. Har kona raushni se jagmaga raha tha, aur hotel aaj apni vilaasita aur bhavyata ka namoona dikha rahi thi.

Pravesh dwaar par red carpet bichha hua tha jiske chaaro orr khubsurat phoolo ki sajavat ki gayi thi.

Cameras ki clicking ki gadgadahat, patrakaro ki live reporting, aur paparazzi ke beech baat-cheet, unka shor poore vatavaran me fela hua tha.

Andar ki hawa hone waale event ki prateeksha aur orchids, jasmine ki halki sugandh se bhari hui thi. Toh wahi, peechhe instrumental sangeet halki dhun me bajaaya jaa raha tha jo bheed ke kolahal ke saath badi sahajta se mishrit ho gaya.

Sajavat me sundarta jhalak rahi thi — crystals ke jhoomar, satin linen aur golden-rimmed glasses se saji meje aur Yarnia ka logo jo vishal LED screen par garv se prakashit ho raha tha.

---

Suman aur Shweta bhavya pravesh dwaar par welcoming team ke saath khadi hui thi. Dono ne hi behad khubsoorat designer saariyaan pehni hui thi jo kisi aur ki nahi balki, Yarnia dwara hi nirmit thi.

Woh dono pratyek mehman ka garmjoshi, bhari muskan, aur trutiheen shishtachaar ke saath swagat kar rahi thi.

Jaha ek taraf Suman shuddh hindi aur paramparagat tareeke se athitiyo ka swagat kar rahi thi toh wahi Shweta angrezi me sanvaad karte hue angrezi ki chaatne waale mehmano ke swagat me lagi thi.

Suman (smiles) : Mehra ji! Aaiye! Suswagatam! Aapko kaun nahi jaanta? Mahila mandal ke paudharopan abhiyaan me aapne bahut sahayta ki thi.

Mehra ji : Arey! Aap toh wahi hai na? Mahila mandal ke saath thi jo. Arey namaste namaste!!! Hahaha!!

Suman (smiles) : Ji! Aaiye!

'Maalik kidhar ho aap? Mehmaan aana shuru kar diye hai. Umeed hai aap samay se aa jaoge.'

Woh mann me sochi toh wahi Shweta uske bagal se alag se aadar satkar me lagi hui thi.

Shweta : Mister Chhabra!!! It's so nice to have you here. Please! Welcome!!!

Mister Chhabra : Thank you! Thank you! I won't spare any opportunity if there's anything for partnership, Miss Shweta. Haha!

Shweta (smiles) : You won't regret coming here tonight.

'Bas, ab mera betu aur aa jaaye. Aur, ye event safal ho jaaye. Aur, kuchh nahi chahiye mujhe filhal.'

Usne guests se haath jodte hue mann me ek khwaish rakhi. Veer ko ab tak aa jaana chaahiye tha.

---

Toh, andar hall me Tej woh shaant shakti thi jo sabhi coordination ko badi hi saralta se baitha rahi thi. Uski peni nazro ne kamre ka nireekshan kiya, yeh sunishchit karte hue ki har cheez sahi jagah par thi aur sahi dhang se kaam kar rahi thi.




Laal rang ki dress me woh behad hi khubsoorat lag rahi thi. Ye pehli baar tha jab usne laal rang sirf Veer ke liye aaj pehna hua tha.

Saara staff idhar-udhar tezi se bhaag kar kaamo me laga hua tha, har cheez ko vyavasthit kiya jaa raha tha, aur wo last-minute requests ko bhi poora kar rahe the.

Tej (to a staff member) : Table 7 par champagne flutes theek se align nahi hai. Please, unhe theek karo. Aur, dhyaan do ki appetizers turant ke turant refill ho rahe hai ya nahi?

Staff Member : Ji, ma’am!

Itne me hi uska phone vibrate hua. Veer ka message tha : "Everything okay?" Usne turant hi uttar diya : "Under control. Just get here already!"

---

Wahi Kavya, ek khubsurat yellow dress me, Kritika ke sang khadi hui thi aur use event ki bareek details samjha rahi thi.

Kavya : Woh dekh! Woh LED screens hai na... Bhumika di ne unhe custom design karwaya hai. A-Aur, ye meri dress... Ye Yarnia ki hi hai. Hehe~ Kaisi hai?

Kritika : Wow~ Kamaal hai yaar! Bahut badhiya lag rahi hai. Fabric bhi bahut pyaara hai. Oye, rates ke baare me toh bata. Brand mehngi hi hogi, I guess.

Kavya : Of course! Lekin, initial stage pe discounts bhi milenge. Aur, tere liye toh mein humesha discounts dilwa dungi. Hehe~

Kritika : Ye hui na baat!!! *grins* Sach me!! Ye launch event toh bahut grand lag raha hai yaar. Maine abhi-abhi baahar kayi saare influencers ko dekha. Sab photo khichwaane me lage hai.

Kavya : Arey, yeh toh kuchh bhi nahi. Abhi tum dekhna... Celebrities bhi aayenge. Veer bhaiya ke itne connections hai ki poochho mat. Aur, tere papa mummy kaha hai? Aaye ki nahi?

Kritika : Haan haan! Aaye hai na! Woh rahe... Oh god!!! Ye dad seedhe khaane me kyu lag gaye???

Kavya : Hehehehe~ Unhe khaane do.

Kritika : Y-Yeah! By the way, Veer bhaiya kaha hai? Woh toh kahi nazar hi nahi aa rahe.

Veer ka naam aate hi Kavya gambheer ho gayi. Woh na jaane kab ka ghar se gaya hua tha aur ab tak nahi lauta tha.

Kavya : Bhaiya... Bhaiya bas aate hi honge.




Kritika : O-Okay!

Kavya : Par, tum idhar-udhar kya dekhne me lagi ho? Decoration hi dekh rahi ho ya fir kisi ka intezar ho raha hai? Agar, intezar ho raha hai toh bata deti hu ki Karan bhaiya bhi aayenge. *winks*

Kritika (blushes) : Wh-What?? Chal hatt! T-Tu bhi kuchh bhi-!!! Mein toh bas decoration hi dekh rahi thi.

Kavya : Hehehe~ Toh chal!! Tujhe aur bhi bahut kuchh dikhaati hu.

Aur, woh Kritika ka haath thaame use Hotel Prestige ki luxury dikhaane aur andar le gayi.

---

Idhar shandaar kaale rang ki saree pehne aaj Ragini bhi kuchh kam nahi lag rahi thi. Security screenings ki jaanch woh badi hi sateekta se kar rahi thi. Uski aankhein monitors aur aane waale mehmaano ke beech ghoom rahi thi.

Ragini : Guest list dobaara check karo. Koi bhi bina invitation ke ghusna nahi chaahiye. Aur, VIP section par bhi dhyaan dete rehna — waha koi camera nahi hai.

Uske professionalism se security team khud impressed thi. Lekin, Ragini ke vichaaro me toh Veer samaya hua tha.

'Use ab tak yaha aa jaana chaahiye tha. Kaha hai woh?? Kya call karu?'

---

Bhumika aur Louis saath-saath khade the. Louis ne Yarnia ke vision ko haqeeqat banaane me ek aham bhoomika nibhaayi thi.

Louis (in french accent) : Ah, Madame Bhumika, zis is magnifique! Your brother’s vision, combined with my designs... tonight will be unforgettable.

Bhumika (smiles) : We couldn’t have done it without you, Louis. I hope you enjoy the evening. It’s as much your night as it is Veer’s.

Louis ne wine ka glass upar uthaate hue toast kiya.

Louis : To Yarnia. And to ze future of fashion. Hahaha~

Bhumika (smiles) : The ramp is ready and so are the models. Have you checked them?

Louis : Oh, yes yes madame-!! Everything is ready!! We just need to wait and watch. Where is my friend, Veer???

Bhumika : He'll be here soon! Don't worry! *smiles*

Kehte hue Bhumika ka dhyaan Veer ki orr chala gaya. Aur, usne ek jaldi aane ka message use bhej hi diya.

---

Bhavna bhi humesha ki tarah shaant guests ke sang formalities nibha rahi thi. Aur, woh khadi hi thi jab peechhe se kisi ne use pukaara —

"Bhavna!!!"

Woh mudi aur aaye hue mehmano ko dekhte hi uske hontho par ek badi si muskaan saj gayi.

Purvi aur Arun saath aaye hue the. Sirf wahi nahi, Bhavna ke gaav se Shyaam aur uski patni bhi aaye hue the.

Bhavna (smiles) : Purvi!?? Shyaam?? Aa gaye tum sab!!

Purvi ne aage badh use apni baaho me bhara. Toh wahi Shyaam aur uski patni ne uske perr chhuye.

Purvi (smiles) : Tum toh bhool hi gayi mujhe, hai na?

Bhavna (smiles) : Achha? Kya tumhe dikh nahi raha ki kitni vyast thi mein? Ek baar bhi tumne mujhse pooncha ki koi madad ki zaroorat hai ya nahi?

Purvi : Oh achha? Aur humaare saahab-zaade kaha hai? Ek baar bhi yaad nahi aayi use meri? Na mere ghar aaya? Mahino ho gaye use dekhe! Usne poonchha mere se kuchh?

Bhavna : Bhai, ye shikayat toh tum usi se karna jab woh aa jayega. *smiles* Mujhe dosh mat do.

Purvi (laughs) : Theek hai, theek hai! Waise... Kaha hai woh?

Bhavna : Baahar gaya tha kaam se. Kuchh der me aa jayega.

Purvi : Lo kar lo baat. Jiska yaha hona sabse zyada zaroori hai, wahi yaha nahi hai.

Bhavna : Aa jayega!!! Arun, kaise ho?

Arun (smiles) : Badhiya didi!

Uske bolne par Purvi ki muskaan thodi murjha gayi.

Bhavna (smiles) : Chalo, achha hai! Andar chalo na tum log. Mein bhi aati hu.

Arun : Ji!!!

Aur, woh dono pati-patni andar ki orr prasthan kar gaye.

Bhavna : Shyaam!! Kaise ho???

Shyaam (smiles) : Bas didi! Aapka aashirvaad!!

Bhavna (nods) : Aao! Andar aao, shyaam!

Baari-baari mehmano ki sankhya badhti jaa rahi thi. Parijaat ghar ki aurtein Varsha, Saili, Mukta, Sudha bhi aa chuki thi.

Mahila mandal se Sarika toh wahi Niharika aur uske under kaam karne waali dono ladkiya — Ayushi aur Ishani bhi aayi hui thi.

Hotel Prestige ki manager — Nandini, Veer ke food truck me kaam karne waali Prachi aur baaki sabhi staff ko bhi aamantrit kiya gaya tha.

Ragini ke mata-pita, Rohini aur Dinesh bhi aaye hue the. Toh Aabha wahi baithi Shreya ka intezar kar rahi thi, uss bechari ko iss sab ke baare me kuchh der pehle hi pata chala tha.

Aur, Ahemdabad se laut kar Arohi bhi Vivek, Manorath aur apni maa Sumitra ke sang aa chuki thi.



Har baar ki tarah woh behad khubsoorat lag rahi thi. Jo log anupasthit the woh the — Brijesh, Karunesh aur Pranjal.

Ragini ki nazre jab Vivek se takrayi toh usne eka-ek apna muh fer liya. Uske mata-pita Bhavna se vartalap me lag gaye aur Veer ki tareefo ke pul baandhne lage. Akhir, Veer hi toh tha jisne unko gundo se bachaaya tha.

Wahi, Arohi Kavya aur Kritika se jaake mili aur baat-cheet me lag gayi.

Arohi : Kavya! Veer ab tak lauta nahi?

Kavya : N-Nahi, di!

Arohi (frowns) : Kaha reh gaya hoga?

Ghadi ki sui tik tik karte hue 8 baje ke qareeb pahuch rahi thi aur mahaul utsaah se bharta jaa raha tha.

Aadesh dwara bheje gaye spy, Ankit ko gumraah karte hue Bhumika ne ye event uski naak ke neeche rakh diya tha aur Aadesh ko iski kaano kaan khabar tak nahi lag paayi thi. Ab achanak se iske baare me pata lagte hi woh aag baboola ho chuka tha.

Waiters cham-chamaati champagne ki trays lekar ghoom rahe the, mehmaan aapas me mil rahe the aur launch ki prateeksha kar rahe the.



Har koi iss shaam ke sitaare — Veer Singh ka intezar kar raha tha. Uski anupasthiti pehle se hi iss romanchak mahaul me ek rehesya ki parat chadha ke rakhi hui thi.

***

Ye tha andar ka haal. Kintu, andar maujood log baahar ho rahi gatividhiyo se anibhigya the.

Halke fate hue shawl me lipti hui ek aakriti asthir roop se waha mandra rahi thi. Uska chehra dhaka hua tha siwae uski do aankhon ke jo street lights ki mand raushni me chamak rahi thi.



Aane waali luxury cars ki gehma-gehmi, sundar kapde pehne mehmaano ki hasi, aur kabhi-kabhar paparazzi ke cameras ki chamak se jaise woh vyakti ab upar uth chuka tha. Woh ek pal ke liye sthir khada raha jaise ki woh kisi cheez ko dhyaan se dekh raha ho.

Fir, woh apni jagah se hila aur hotel ke mukhya pravesh dwaar ke paas pahucha, uska sarr jhuka hua tha aur vishal phoolo ke vases ki chhaaya me woh andhere me kahi lupt sa ho gaya.

Jaise hi woh red carpet ke paas pahucha, woh logo ki nazar me aa gaya. Ek security guard ne use dekha aur aage badha.

Security Guard 1 : Oye!!! Oye, tum!!! Chalo, peechhe hato! Yeh jagah bhikaariyo ke liye nahi hai. Chalo niklo yahaan se.

Vyakti ruka. Uska sarr dheere-dheere guard ki nazro se milne ke liye upar utha. Aankhein khaali, lekin teevra — uss guard par tik gayi, jis se ek pal ke liye guard bhi sihar gaya.

Security Guard 2 (steps in) : Kya re tujhe sunayi nahi diya? Iske pehle ki tujhe bhagaya jaaye, nikal yahaan se.

Usne kuchh na kaha. Koi pratikriya nahi di. Woh bas wahi khada raha, uski maujoodgi har guzarte pal bhaari hoti jaa rahi thi.

Security Guard 2 : Iski toh-

Chidhate hue usne aage badh zorr se uss vyakti ko dhakela, woh aadmi thoda ladkhadaya lekin gira nahi.

Security Guard 2 : Bhaag yahaan se! Chal bhag!!! Bhag!!!

Uska shawl halka sa hata jiske chalte uska ek haath guard ko nazar aaya. Magar, turant hi vyakti ne shawl tezi se wapas odh liya.

Woh chhaaya me peechhe hatt gaya, uski harkatein ekdum ajeeb thi. Paas ke hi lamppost ke paas khade hokar woh wahi se logo ko ghoor raha tha. Uski nigaahein cheel ki tarah pravesh dwaar par tiki hui thi. Maano jaise kisi ka intezar kar raha ho.

***

Woh akela nahi tha. Hotel ke theek baahar saamne kuchh doori par ek aadmi ek building ki seedhiyaan chadh raha tha. Uske qadam satark the aur hawa sadan aur fafundi ki gandh se bhari hui thi. Lag raha tha building kaafi saalo se khaali padi hui thi.

Usne apne gloves pehne haatho me ek bada sa case le rakha tha. Use apne saath upar chadhaate hue uski saansein fool rahi thi.

'Fuck... It's heavy!!!'

Upar chhat par pahuchte hi usne ek zang lage darwaaze ko dhakka de kar khola aur ek thandi hawa ke jhonke ne uska swagat kiya, jis se uski kaali jacket ka hood neeche sarak gaya.

Woh aage badha. Uske theek saamne hotel prestige ka saamne ka hissa tha, jo raat me abhooshan ki tarah chamak raha tha.

Woh aadmi chhat ke kinaare par ruka. Usne case ko dheere se zameen par rakha aur apna hood kheechte hue upar se daal liya. Uski nazre aas-paas ka jayza lene ke liye tezi se idhar-udhar daud gayi — Dur se aa rahe traffic ka shor, hotel se aa rahi halki-halki awaazein, neeche mehmaano ka aata jhund, aur security guards ki badalti hui positions.

Apni jagah se santusht hokar, woh kinaare se peechhe hatt gaya aur-

*Click*

Awaaz ke saath usne apna case khola. Andar foam padding me, kayi components rakhe hue the. Aur, fatafat uske haath unn parts ko jodne me lag gaye.

Jab usne saare parts jod liye toh usne uss cheez ko uthaaya, uski lambayi, uske wazan aur uske santulan ka woh nireekshan karne laga. Lag raha tha jaise woh yeh kaam pehle kayi baar kar chuka tha.

'Alright...!'

Usne apni peeth par khusa hua ek upkaran nikaala aur uski button dabaate hue woh use apni aankhon par le gaya. Hotel Prestige ki ek-ek gatividhi use spasht roop se nazar aa rahi thi.

'This shouldn't take long...!'

Woh jaanch karne laga jab uski nazar kuchh ajeebo-gareeb logo par padi jo hotel prestige ke ird-gird andhere me chhipe hue the.

'What the hell-!?'

---

Neeche, 20-22 aadmi alag-alag jagaho par fele hue the. Sabke haath me unka apna mobile tha aur sabhi andhere me idhar-udhar chhipe bas aate-jaate logo ko dekh rahe the.

Unme se ek ne apne phone par call lagaya aur phone ko kaan se laga kar khus-pusaate hue bola.

Aadmi : Sarkar!! Abhi mehman aate jaa rahe hai.

Dusri taraf se Dhananjay ki mardana awaaz sunayi padi.

Dhananjay : Woh Veer kahaan ba??? Sasuri darr gaya kay???

Aadmi : Abhi tak woh kahi dikhayi nahi diya.

Dhananjay : Uu kahi bheetar toh nahi chhipa??

Aadmi : Lagta nahi, sarkar! Kyunki, humaare aadmi din bhar se yahi khade hai. Agar woh aata toh ek na ek baar kisi ke nazro me toh aa hi jaata. Ab toh uski shaqal bhi jaante hai hum.

Dhananjay : Hmm! Jaise hi uu nazar aaye humra ke bata dii! Theek?

Aadmi : J-Ji, sarkar!!

Kehte hue usne phone cut kar nigraani rakhni shuru kar di. Yarnia ke logo ke saath-saath Veer ki ek photo bhi wahi baahar pradarshit ho rakhi thi.

Andar maujood koi bhi ye nahi jaanta tha ki baahar kya kuchh ghat raha tha aur aage kya-kya hone waala tha.

***

Bhandup, Mumbai,
Evening - 7:45 PM ~

*Slam*

"Arey shayad se tumhara kya matlab hai????"

Trisha ki awaaz itni oonchi thi ki waha khadi saari janta uss par nazre gada ke ek jagah khadi ho gayi. Uski aankhein gusse se laal ho rakhi thi.

Trisha : Din bhar se police yahaan paagalo ki tarah chhaan-been kar rahi hai aur ab tum keh rahi ho ki tumne use shayad dekha tha?? Shayad???

Mahila : M-Madam!! M-Maine toh pakke se dekha tha. P-Par, ab tak woh mila nahi hai. T-Toh ho sakta hai mera veham ho.

Trisha (growls) : T-Tum-!!!

Jeetu kaaka : Madam! Jaane dijiye! Khamakha public ikhatta ho rahi hai.

Trisha : Kaaka ye-

*Buzz*

Beech me aaye call ne uss mahila ko Trisha ki aur daant se bacha liya.

Trisha : Tch-!!!

Call uske pati, Rohan yaani ki Maharastra ke DGP ka tha.

Trisha : Haan!?

Rohan : Pihu ko uski friend ki b'day party ke liye le jaana hai. Kya tum use drop kar dogi? Use gift bhi dilwa dena kahi shop se.

Trisha (nods) : Haan! Mein jaati hu. Tumne lunch kar liya tha na?

Rohan : Haan! Woh chhoro aur ye batao ki case ka kya hua?

Trisha (frowns) : Samay barbaad ho gaya aaj ka. Mat puchho!

Rohan : It's okay! Tum jaake pehle Pihu ko drop kar do, fir milte hai.

Trisha (nods) : Hmm!!!

Trisha ne phone kaatate hue wapas se uss sketch ko ghoor ke dekha.




Yahi tha woh sandigdh. Yahi tha woh vyakti jiske baare me Deepu ne Divya aur Veer ko apni zubaani di thi. Ab isme kitni sacchaayi thi ye toh waqt hi bataane waala tha.

Trisha ne sketch ko fold kiya aur woh jeep me baith waha se apni beti Pihu ko lene ke liye nikal gayi.

---

Night - 8:10 PM ~

Gift shop par tarah-tarah ke gift items aur mej par colorful papers lade hue the. Nidhi wahi khadi hoke gifts dekh rahi thi toh wahi Juhi peechhe ek seat par baithi hui thi. Woh utsahit hoke seat par se apne perr latkaate hue unhe hila rahi thi aur haath me ek chhota sa gift pakde uske ribbon ko marod rahi thi.

Nidhi : Juhiiii-!!!! Ribbon khul jayega aise me.

Nidhi ne use samjhaate hue kaha. Fir, muskuraate hue uske sarr par haath fera. Khushi sirf Juhi ko hi nahi thi. Andar se woh khud bhi Veer ke liye behad khush thi.

Aaj teal colour ki saree me woh atyant hi khubsoorat lag rahi thi. Aur, uski pyaari bitiya Juhi bhi kisi princess se kam nahi lag rahi thi. White colour ki frock me woh bhi bahut pyaari lag rahi thi.

Juhi : Mumma?? Maamu ko ye pasand aayega na??

Nidhi (smiles) : Bilkul aayega!

Tabhi, dukaan ke darwaze par lagi ghanti baji. Ek lambi si khaaki wardi pehni mahila ne pravesh kiya. Uske name tag par 'Trisha Bakshi, DSP' likha hua tha. Usne apni beti Pihu ka haath pakad rakha tha, jo ek haath me ek box pakdi hui thi.

Trisha : Pihu, lao mujhe gift do. Mein pack karwa deti hu.

Kehte hue usne Nidhi ko dekh ek muskaan di. Nidhi ne uski wardi par uska badge dekh muskaan wapas di aur garmjoshi se boli.

Nidhi : Police me kisi mahila karmchari ko uchh padd par dekh achha lagta hai. *smiles* Aur, ye jaante hue ki woh bhi hum aam insaan ki tarah ye sab bhaag-daud me lage rehte hai.

Trisha (smiles) : Ji! Special occasions duty ki zimmedari ka intezar nahi karte. Woh kabhi bhi aa jaate hai. Aur, inhe bhi samay dena hi hota hai.

Nidhi (nods) : Ji!

Trisha : Meri beti ki dost ka janmdin hai. Aur, aapka-!?

Nidhi : Mere bhi... Mere student ne naya business shuru kiya hai. Uske launch ke liye event rakha hai.

Trisha : Oh! Badi achhi baat hai.

Inki baat-cheet shuru hote hi wahi peechhe dono chhoti bacchiyo ke beech bhi sanvaad shuru ho gaya. Juhi, Pihu ko apna chamakdar ribbon dikhaate hue khil-khilayi aur jald hi dono me dosti ho gayi, dono darwaze ki orr baahar khelne ke liye bhaagi.

"Kahi jaana mat!"

"Yahi ruko-!!!"

Dono matao ne ek hi swar me apni-apni betiyo ko awaaz laga kar chetavni di. Magar, dono hi bacchiyaan khelne ke liye baahar chali gayi.

Baahar, sheher aam jeevan se gulzar tha. Saal ki akhiri raat thi toh har jagah naye saal ke aane ka naya josh bhara hua tha. Sadak par samaan bechne waale aur aas-paas ke samaroh ke mand sangeet ne har jagah ullaas ka mahaul bana rakha tha.

Kintu, ek gali me ek parchhayi aswabhavik roop se badal gayi. Ek aakriti tezi se aage badhi.

---

Paas ki hi ek aur andheri gali me Madhuri aur Pranjal chalte hue aa rahe the. Pranjal ke haatho me do-teen thailiya thi jinme ration ka samaan bhara hua tha.

Aaj woh Madhuri ki madad karne ke liye hi aaya tha. Aur, saath me shopping karne ke baad dono Madhuri ke thehre hue flat ki orr prasthaan kar rahe the.

Madhuri : Toh... Kya tum nahi jaa rahe uss karyakram me? Veer ke yaha?

Pranjal (shrugs) : Bulaya nahi gaya. Aur, agar bulaaya bhi jaata toh bhi mein nahi jaata.

Uske swar me kadwahat mehsoos karte hue, Madhuri ne bauhe sikodi.

Madhuri : Mein sahi thi. Tum dono bhaiyo ke beech zaroor kuchh vivaad chal raha hai. Hai na?

Pranjal : Hmph-! *sighs* Rehne do!

Madhuri aage kuchh na boli, usne chup rehne me hi bhalayi samjhi. Ye vishay sanvedansheel tha.

*Rustle*

Woh ek gali se nikle hi the ki tabhi ek tez awaaz — jaise patto ki sarsarahat — ne unka dhyaan kheencha. Dono thitak ke reh gaye.

Madhuri : K-Kya tha woh? Tumne suna?

Pranjal ne gali ke andhere kono ko chhaana lekin kuchh nahi dikha.

Pranjal (mutters) : Shayad koi kutta ya billi hogi.

Woh budbudaya. Halanki, uski awaaz me thodi bechaini zaroor thi. Kutta ya billi itni raftaar se nahi bhaagte. Aisa laga jaise maano koi palak jhapakte waha se guzra tha.

---

Isi beech Juhi aur Pihu, dukaan se kaafi aage aa chuki thi. Gubbaare waale ne unhe dekh ek gubbaara muft me jo de diya tha. Toh, dono uske sang khelte-khelte aage badhti jaa rahi thi.

"Ahahahahaha!!!"

Juhi ek haath se gubbaare ko maarte hue use hawa me uchhaalti, fir hassti aur dusri orr se Pihu use maar ke uchhaalti.

"Hahahaha! Ab... Ab mein maarungi!!"

Chand palo me hi dono ek gali me pravesh kar gayi aur poori gali unki hasi aur karkash awaaz se goonj uthi.

Tabhi, unke peechhe se ek awaaz aayi —

“Well, aren’t you two of the sweetest little things? Mm?”

Juhi : ???



Ek aadmi andhere se baahar aaya. Usne badan par ek safed coat odh rakha tha aur uski aankhein ajeeb dhang se chamak rahi thi. Jaisi hi woh unke starr par jhuka, uski jeebh uske hontho par fir gayi.

?? : Tumhara naam kya hai, pyaari bacchiyo???

Usne iss baar hindi me poonchha. Dono ladkiyaan thoda jhijhki, ek dusre ki orr dekhi. Lekin, uss vyakti ki muskaan aur chanchal swar ne unhe aashvasan de diya.

Juhi (smiles) : Mein Juhi hu-! A-Aur, ye meri new friend — Pihu hai!

Usne masoomiyat se bhari awaaz me uttar diya.

?? : Juhi... Pihu... Kitne pyaare naam hai. Kya tum dono jaadu dekhogi?

Juhi : Jaadu?? Haan!

Usne tabhi haath ki safayi dikhaate hue apne haath me achanak se do lollipop prakat kar di.

Juhi : Waaaaaa-!! Ahahahaha! *claps* Aur, dikhao! Aur...

Pihu (giggles) : Haan! Uncle... Aur...

?? : Ohh! *drools* Bahut se jaadu dikhaunga mein bacchiyo.

Uski lambi ungliyaan tabhi Juhi ke haath ko thaami aur uske haath ko ahista-ahista malne lagi.

?? (mutters) : Young blood...!!!!

Juhi : Mmm???

?? : It’ll all be over soon, my dear. *slurp*




Uska itna kehna hi tha ki tabhi usi gali me Madhuri aur Pranjal nikle, aur uss ajeeb se aadmi ko dono bacchiyo ke saamne jhuka dekhte hi woh dono jaise wahi jamm ke reh gaye.

Madhuri ghabrayi aur usne ek jhatke me Pranjal ki baah kass ke thaam li.

Madhuri : P-Pranjal-

Pranjal : O-Oyeee-!!!

Pranjal bhi jaise Madhuri ka ishaara samajh gaya. Woh thailiya neeche rakh chillaate hue aage badha.

Pranjal ki awaaz par uss aadmi ne dheere se apna sarr peechhe ghumaya, uski muskaan abhi bhi barkarar thi.

Aur, jaise hi woh muda, maano Madhuri ke badan se uski aatma baahar nikal gayi. Ye wahi tha. Jiska sketch police dwara saare sheher me chhapwaya gaya tha.

?? : Oh!! Bacchiyaan toh sirf khel rahi thi.

Madhuri (yells) : Ch-Chhoro unhe!! Hato!! Hato waha se-!!!

Woh kaanpti awaaz me chillaayi.

?? : Ehe~

Madhuri : ????

?? : Ehehehehe~

Pranjal : O-Oyeee!! Peechhe hatt!!

?? : Ehehehehehehe~ Yahahahaha~

Uski hasi ne Pranjal aur Madhuri ke badan par raungte khade kar diye. Juhi aur Pihu ko jab kuchh theek na laga toh woh dono hi waha se daudne ke liye hui par tabhi-

Ek pal me usne dono ladkiyo ko pakda aur unke muh ko apne bade haatho se dhak liya. Pranjal fauran hi aage badha, lekin woh aadmi atyadhik gati se aage aaya aur-

*Baaammmmmmm*

Ek hi laat me Pranjal peechhe ki orr gira aur deewar se jaa takraaya. Muh se khoon khaaste hue usne uthne ka prayas kiya.

Pranjal : O-Oye-!! *cough* Madarchod-!!! Chhor unhe-!! Urggghhh!!! *cough*

Uski haalat dekh Madhuri chillaati hui uski taraf daudi. Use sahara dete hue jaise hi woh peechhe mudi toh woh aadmi ladkiyon ke saath faraar ho chuka tha.

'N-Nahi-!!!'

Ek sihran uske badan me fel gayi.

---

Dukaan ke andar Nidhi aur Trisha ki hasi bhi chinta me badal gayi jab unhe ehsaas hua ki ladkiyaan kitni der se baahar thi. Woh dono hi apna-apna gift leke waha se baahar nikal unke naam ko pukaari.

"Juhiiiiiiii-!!!!"

"Pihuuuuuu-!!!!"

Unki awaazein sadak par goonji, lekin koi pratikriya nahi. Dono yahi toh thi. Akhir, achanak se kaha gaayab ho sakti thi? Dehshat, unke andar fel gayi.

Unhone raahgeero aur wahi khade aas-paas ek do aadmiyon se poonchha ki kya unhone bacchiyon ko dekha hai?

"Woh uss gali me gayi thi. Kuchh der pehle-" Ek dukandar ne jhijakte hue kaha.

"Juhiiiiiii-!!!!!"

"Pihuuuuuu-!!!"

Dono tezi se uss gali me ghusi, Nidhi ki aedi footpath se takrayi aur woh zorr se neeche ko giri. Trisha ne use jaldbazi me uthaaya aur punah dono andar ko bhaagi.

Jaise hi woh dono ek kone me mudi, unhone dekha ki ek ladki unki hi taraf ghabraate hue daud kar aa rahi thi. Uska chehra darr ke maare peela pad chuka tha.

Madhuri ne jaise hi Trisha ki wardi dekhi uski aankhon me ek chamak aa uthi.

Madhuri (yells) : B-Bachao-!! Bachao!!

Trisha ki baah pakad use jhanjhorte hue woh ro padi.

Madhuri : W-Woh aadmi... *sniff* Wahi aadmi... W-Woh le gaya unhe... Unn dono bacchiyo ko... *sniff*

Trisha (yells) : K-Kyaaaaa??? K-Kaun??? Kidhar???

Madhuri ne andhere ki orr ishaara kiya, uske chehre se lagatar aansu beh rahe the.

Madhuri : W-Woh yaha tha... *sniff* Aur, fir achanak kahi gaayab ho gaya. M-Mera dost... Use madad ki zaroorat hai!

Trisha : Kaun le gaya?? Saaf-saaf... Saaf-saaf batao!!!

Madhuri : W-Wahi, madam!! Wahi... *sniff* Mein galat nahi ho sakti. *sniff* Woh wahi tha. Wahi jiska poster sheher me jagah-jagah chhapa hua hai. Wahi sandigdh jiske peechhe police padi hai. Woh do bacchiyo ko utha ke mere saamne le gaya. *sniff*

Aur, ye sunte hi Trisha sakpaka ke reh gayi. Nidhi ke perr ladkhadaye aur woh ghutno ke bal gir padi.

Nidhi : J-Juhi-!!! Juhi, meri bacchi...!!! *screams* Juhiiiiiiiiii-!!!!

Awaaz sunn log andar gali me ghusne lage. Trisha ka dimaag kaam karna band kar chuka tha. Uski apni beti gaayab hui thi. Uske haath perr kaanp rahe the.

Usne sabse pehle chotil Pranjal ko logo dwara waha se uthwaaya. Apna radio ka istemal kar usne ek SOS bheja - "Code red. Child abduction. Request immediate backup."

Iss beech Nidhi na ruki, woh uthi aur cheekhte chillaate hue Juhi ko khojne lagi. Woh akeli nahi thi. Trisha bhi ek maa thi. Uske sang-sang Trisha bhi awaazein lagaate hue galiyon me apni beti ko dhoondhne lagi.

Nidhi (screams) : Juhiiiiiiiii-!!!!!

Trisha (screams) : Pihuuuuuuu-!!!!

Par, koi jawaab nahi!!! Jitne logo se ve poonchhti, sab naa me sarr hila dete. Bechari Nidhi paagalo ki tarah bhaagi jaa rahi thi, uski achhi bhali hasti khelti ladki, uski jaan, uski laadli yu uski aankhon ke saamne se gaayab ho chuki thi. Woh khud ko andar hi andar dosh deti jaa rahi thi.

Uska makeup uske rone se poori tarah kharab ho chuka tha. Woh behaal ho chuki thi. Juhi ki ratt lagaaye woh bas idhar-udhar bhaagti jaa rahi thi. Juhi ke akhiri bol uske mann me goonj rahe the ~

"Mumma, Maamu ko ye pasand aayega na?"

"Veer maamu aap jaldi aao na. Ye mumma roj roj mujhe padhati hai. Sunday ko bhi...!"

Apni bitiya ki awaaz mann me liye woh bhaagti rahi, uska perr achanak se neeche ek patthar se takraya aur woh seedhe jaake ek khambe se jaa bhidi. Sarr par chot lagte hi woh wahi behosh ho gayi. Peechhe se aa rahi Trisha ne use ghabraate hue uthaaya aur madad ki pukaar ki.

Wahi kahi dur, uss aadmi ki hasi galiyon me goonj uthi.

***

At the outskirts of Mumbai,
Night - 8:20 PM ~

Veer, Divya aur Ava ki toli car me aage badhti jaa rahi thi. Mumbai woh lagbhag pahuch hi chuke the. Yahaan se bas kuchh minto ki hi ab duri bachi thi. Lekin, achanak hi Ava ne saamne aadhi khadi car dekh kar brake laga diya.

Ava (frowns) : Veer!!!

Woh haule se boli. Peechhe baithe Veer ne jab saamne dekha toh uski bauhe bhi Ava ki bauho ki tarah sikud gayi.

Magar, sabse zyada jhatka jo laga tha woh tha Divya ko. Woh bhauchakki si saamne car me se nikle insaan ko dekh rahi thi.




Woh ghabraate hue car ke baahar nikli aur uske honth thar-thara gaye.

Divya : N-Nik???
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Aaj ke liye itna hi guys.
This update consists of 11.3k words. Yes! It's a long one. Itne dino baad itna toh banta hi tha. Ye sab ek sitting ka kaam nahi hota. Multiple sittings lagti hai aur isliye itna time bhi le jaati hai aisi kuchh updates. Iss update ne tone ko set kar diya hai. Now you get the idea of what may happen next.

This update touched a lot of aspects which were ignored back then. Such as — Suhana and Sonia's conversation about Veer's treatment at Casa Belle, the sketch released by the police, Pranjal and Madhuri's role, Purvi's absence, etc.

I have grinded my ass to paint this picture as vividly as I can. It's a long ass update. Read it when you get time so as not to get exhausted. Agla update bahut khatarnak hone waala hai. You guys know it very well.

Thanks a lot. Target apna iss baar waise toh 250 hai. Par, 220 tak bhi mein khush ho jaunga. Aur, iss baar mein bolunga nahi. Toh apna apna kaam karne ka. Revos aate rehne chahiye.

Dhanyavad!

Mind Blowing Update

 

[muhammadfaridkhan]

Update - 192 ~ Pandemonium (1)​

Ab tak...

"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.

Ab aage...

31st December,
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
International Airport, Mumbai,
Morning - 10:45 AM ~




Flight ke utarte hi teen khubsoorat mahilaaye lobby me aake ruki. Tamanna ne apna carry-on bag kass kar pakad rakha tha, uski ungliyaan thodi kaanp rahi thi. Uski aankhein kisi khatre ke sanket ki talaash me ek kone se dusre kone tak ghoom rahi thi. Kandho me tanaav spasht tha, aur uske saiyyam rakhne ke bawajood, bhay uske chehre par saaf-saaf jhalak raha tha.

'Thank god, filhal toh sab sahi lag raha hai.'

Woh ghabrayi hui chaaro orr jagah ka jaayza le rahi thi. Toh wahi ek casual hoodie aur sneakers pehne Shreya ne apna backpack theek kiya, uski nigaahein Tamanna par tik gayi.

Shreya : A-Aap theek toh ho na? Singapore se nikalne ke baad se hi aap bahut pareshan si lag rahi ho. Kahi kuchh aisa hai kya jo aap humein bata nahi rahi?

Aabha humesha ki tarah shaant, Shreya ke bagal se khadi thi. Usne Tamanna ke chehre ka adhyayan kiya, halki thand ke bawajood uske chehre par paseene ki boondein jhalak rahi thi.

Tamanna ne tezi se saans chhori aur zabardasti ek muskaan hontho par bikherte hue boli.

Tamanna : M-Mein theek hu! Trust me! Really! Anyways, tum dono dhyaan se suno. Humein ab alag hona padega, filhaal ke liye.

Shreya (frowns) : Alag hona padega? Hum abhi wapas aaye hai aur ekdum se aise- kuchh gadbad hai kya?

Uske sawaal par Tamanna ne aage badh uski baahein pakad li.

Tamanna : N-Nahi-!!! Inn akhiri kuchh hafto me tum dono kamaal ki thi. Sach me!! Tum dono ne hi experience liya and I feel so proud of you. Really! Lekin, ab mein chaahti hu ki tum dono abhi mujhpe thoda bharosa dikhao.

Aabha : H-Hum kuchh samjhe nahi, didi. Saaf-saaf keh dijiye jo bhi hai.

Tamanna (anxiously) : Tum dono ab apne-apne ghar lautogi. Uske baad kya karna hai woh mein tumhe bata dungi. Lekin, abhi ke liye humara plan yahi hai. Shreya, tum wapas se apne ghar jaogi. Aur, Aabha- tum Veer ke saath rehti ho na? Toh tum bhi wahi lautogi. Woh bhi tumhari raah dekh raha hoga. Theek hai?

Virodh karne ke liye Shreya ke honth khule, lekin Tamanna ne haath uthaate hue use pehle hi chup rehne ka ishaara de diya.

Tamanna : -aur jaha tak meri baat hai, mujhe kuchh personal matters settle karne hai. Toh, ab zyada sawaal mat karna. Bas jaisa kehti jaa rahi hu, waisa karo. Okay?

Tamanna ke swar ne tarq karne ke liye koi sambhavna na chhori, lekin Shreya ki jigyasa badhti jaa rahi thi. Aur, akhirkar usne poonchh hi liya.

Shreya : Aap kuchh chhipa rahi ho humse. Hai na? Mein jaanti hu. Aap bata kyu nahi rahi?

Aabha ne tanaav ko bhaanpte hue Shreya ke kandhe par haath rakh ek qadam aage badhaya.

Aabha : Shreya didi, jaane do! Agar, didi keh rahi hai ki abhi yahi karna uchit hai toh woh uchit hi hoga. Unhone kuchh soch samajh ke hi kaha hoga. Woh jo bhi humse chhupaaye, humara unke jeevan me taaka-jhaaki karna sahi nahi. Hum toh unke shukra-guzar hai, jo unhone humein ye mauka diya. Humein unn par bharosa dikhaane ki zaroorat hai.

Uski baat par Shreya ka sarr neeche jhuk gaya, toh wahi Tamanna ka dil unn dono ke liye paseej utha. Woh batana toh chaahti thi lekin unhe musibat me bhi nahi daalna chaahti thi. Inn beetein dino woh sabhi ek dusre ke itne qareeb aa chuki thi ki lag hi nahi raha tha ki woh sab abhi-abhi hi mili hai.

Tamanna (smiles weakly) : Thank you, Aabha! Hum apna safar khatam nahi kar rahe. Bas, hold par rakh rahe hai. Jab tak ki kuchh cheezein sahi nahi ho jaati. Tum dono bahut himmat waali ho, talented ho aur aane waale samay me aur upar jaogi. Abhi toh bas humari shuruwat hai. Kuchh hafto me hi humne kitni popularity gain ki hai ye tum bhi jaanti ho. Aur, uska ek main reason tum dono hi ho. So, don't let anything hold you back. Mujhe yahi energy baad me bhi chahiye. But for now— we need to leave before it gets too late.

Shreya jhijhki, uski bauhe aapas me kasi. Use iss tarah se adhoori baat par chhore jaane se sakht nafrat thi, lekin Aabha ki shaanti aur sehmati ne use mana liya.

Shreya (softly) : Th-Theek hai! Par, agar aapko kisi bhi cheez ki zaroorat ho toh seedha humein call kar lena. We owe you that much.

Tamanna (nods) : Zaroor!!! *smiles*

Par, jaise hi woh waha se nikalne ke liye hue toh Tamanna ke chehre se uska rang udd gaya. Uske haath kaanpne lage, aur usne apna bag kass ke jakad liya.

'N-No-!! N-Not now!!!'

Uski nazre baahar entrance gate par tiki jaha se teen ladke use ghoorte hue andar aa rahe the.

Uski jeb me tabhi phone ki ghanti baji jise sunn uska dil zoro se uchhal pada. Darte hue usne apna phone baahar nikaala aur screen par dekha. Ek sandesh tha. Aur, sandesh padhne ke baad hi uski jaan me jaan aayi.

Screen par Veer ka message jhalak raha tha - "Keep calm! Stay alert! I have sent my men. They will escort you all. Don't worry. I'll end this soon!"

Tamanna ne ek raahat ki saans li. 'I'll end this soon!' Ye vaakya uske andar ek bharosa jaga gaya ki woh iss ladai me ab akeli nahi thi. Uski abhi ki manzil tay thi. Woh apne ghar nahi, balki Lalita aur Madhuri waale flat me hi unke saath rukne waali thi, jiska address use praapt ho chuka tha. Aur, yahi Veer ka nirdesh bhi tha.

Singapore se woh shoot adhoora chhor ke aayi thi. Beshaq — show ke director aur producers ke sang uski thodi bahut behas bhi hui. Woh ye tour adhoora chhorne ki firaaq me nahi the. Lekin, majbooran Tamanna ko toh waapas lautna hi tha. Aur, isi beech behas bhi chhid gayi. Halanki, Tamanna, Aabha aur Shreya ki badhti popularity ko dekh jaise-taise director aur producers filhal ke liye toh raazi ho gaye. Magar, aane waale dino me jald se jald use waapas Singapore prasthan karne ki zaroorat thi.

Aur, ye tab hi mumkin hone waala tha jab Veer uski pareshaniyo ko uske jeevan se dur kar sake.

'I'm counting on you, Veer! Please-!!!'

Ek aas jagi ki shayad Veer use inn sab jhamelo se baahar nikaalne me safal hoga.

Woh teen ladke jaise hi Tamanna ke paas aaye toh use pata chala ye Veer dwara hi bheje gaye ladke the. Ek baar fir, usne apni dhadkano ko qaabu me kiya. Aur, teeno apne-apne ghar ki orr nikal gaye. Shreya apne mata-pita ke ghar chali gayi, Aabha Veer ke ghar toh wahi Tamanna Madhuri waale flat ki orr. Filhal ke liye, Aadesh ke aadmiyon ke changul se Tamanna aur baki sab bach kar nikalne me qamyab the.

***

Control room,
Thane police station,
Mumbai ~

Kamre me computers ke keyboards ki gadgadahat aur data ke dher ko chhanane waale adhikariyo ki badbadahat goonj rahi thi. Trisha, ek kursi par baithi haal hi me hui hatyao aur saath hi saath Slogan-Aatish ki rehesyamayi maut ko lekar pareshan thi.

Aur, ye sab bhi kaafi nahi tha jab ab logo ke laapata hone ki khabro ne police station ke darwaze par dastak dena shuru kar diya. Subah-subah hi dusri FIR kisi laapata vyakti ke liye darj ho chuki thi.

'Pehle ye murders aur ab logo ka laapata hona... Kahi ye-!? Huh-!!?'

Ek sansani macha dena waala vichaar uske mastishk se hoke guzra. Paas me hi tainaat Shekhar, ek haath me ek file aur dusre me ek laptop liye khada hua tha aur Trisha ke paas jaane se jhijak raha tha. Par, kuchh der ki shaanti ke baad woh aage badha.

Shekhar : Madam, mujhe pichhle case ke baare me aur kuchh jankaari haath lagi hai.

Trisha (bina upar dekhe) : Kya? Jaldi bolo Shekhar, mein waise hi pehle se bahut pareshan hu.

Shekhar ne apne gale ki kharaash dur ki aur file mej par rakhte hue bola.

Shekhar : Mirror Gallery ke baare me humne discuss kiya tha. Aur, humne maana tha ki Slogan ka uss se kuchh lena dena ho sakta hai.

Trisha (glances) : Haan! Toh? Uske baare me kya?

Shekhar : Bahut chhaan-been ke baad social media se mujhe uss raat ki kuchh aur tasveerein mili hai.

Woh Trisha ki pratikriya jaanane ke liye ruka.

Trisha (impatiently) : Jaldi bolo, Shekhar!! Paheliyaan mat bujhao.

Shekhar : Kuchh aur log bhi kuchh photos me qaid hue hai. Lekin, ek shaks hai jiske baare me shayad aap jaanana chaahogi.

Trisha : Shekhar-!!!!

Shekhar : Veer Singh!!

Kamre me ek shaanti chhaa gayi. Trisha ki teekhi nigaahein Shekhar par tik gayi.

Trisha : Veer Singh? Ye kaun hai?

Shekhar (apna laptop kholte hue) : Aap Veer Singh ke baare me nahi jaanti? Aisa ho hi nahi sakta. Aapne news me suna hi hoga. Ye dekhiye! Veer Singh... Ek dilchasp ladka hai. Ek student jo peshe se ek businessman bhi hai. 'Chef on Wheels' naam se uske kuchh food trucks sheher me daudte hai. Yaha tak ki shayad woh 5 star hotel — Prestige ka maalik bhi hai. Lekin, sirf itna hi nahi-

Screen par Veer ki tasveerein dekh Trisha apne haath mod aage ko jhuki.

Shekhar : Abhi haal hi me kuchh samay pehle ki baat hai — Veer, France me ek gambheer paristhithi me fass gaya tha. Uss par criminal activities ka blame lagaya gaya tha. Yaha tak ki France ki investigation bureau ne toh use terrorist bhi ghoshit kar diya tha. Lekin, woh apni begunahi saabit karne me qamyab raha aur India wapas laut aaya, sabhi aaropo se mukt. Celebrity aur singer Natalia Martin ne khud uske liye news channels ke saamne gawahi di thi ki Veer hi woh insaan tha jisne unki jaan bachayi.

Trisha : Veer Singh, huh? Haan! Ye naam suna toh tha maine news me. Maine padha tha ki ek naujavan France me kanooni galat-fehmi se bach ke wapas desh lauta tha.

Shekhar (nods) : Bilkul! Wahi Veer Singh!

Trisha (frowns) : Toh kehne ka matlab ye hai ki... Veer... That guy has a history with law enforcement!!!

Shekhar : Ji madam!! Lekin, uska kisi gerr-kanooni kaam me shaamil hone ka koi thos saboot nahi hai. Jaha tak uske police records ka sawaal hai, woh saaf-suthre hai... Filhal...!! Aur, kuchh log toh use ab celebrity bhi maanane lage hai.

Trisha ne jankari ko hazam karte hue apne sarr ko mala.

Trisha : Hmm! Veer...!!

Usne laptop par uss tasveer ko dekha jaha Veer bheed me ek photo me nazar aa raha tha. Dhyaan se photo ko kuchh der dekhte hi uski aankhein aashcharya ke maare chaudi ho gayi aur woh akasmat hi khadi ho gayi jiske chalte uske peechhe rakhi kursi dhakke se dur khisak gayi.

Trisha : E-Ek minute-!!! Ye-

Shekhar : Hmm?

Trisha baukhla chuki thi. Kyunki, photo me jo kuchh bhi nazar aa raha tha woh kahi se bhi sadharan nahi tha.

Trisha : Y-Ye toh wahi hai!!!

Shekhar : Wahi? Kaun wahi???

Trisha : Wahi-!!! Jo mujhe Skylight me dikha tha!!!

Shekhar : Skylight?

Trisha : Arey wo... Mister Kishore Adarsh ka skyscraper. Nexacom ke owner ka ghar!!!

Shekhar : Arey haan! Haan! Samajh gaya!

Trisha : Y-Ye... Ye toh wahi... Ye toh wahi Jassi hai!!

Kishore ke ghar me jab woh uss blue mulsanne ke owner ko pakadne ke vaaste gayi thi tab Jassi ke upar hi uski shaq ki sui tiki hui thi. Kyunki, Jassi ke mutabik Slogan ki maut waali raat ko woh blue mulsanne gaadi wahi chala raha tha aur hamlawar ka peechha kar raha tha. Aur, ab yahi Jassi iss photo me theek Veer ke peechhe khada hua tha, usi event me jaha Slogan khud dekha gaya tha.

Trisha ki nazar tabhi Veer ke bagal se khadi ek ladki par padi.

Trisha : Ruko-!!! Y-Ye ladki- Ye ladki kaun hai iske aage? Veer ke saath... bagal se...

Shekhar : Uski sirf peeth hi nazar aa rahi hai, madam!

Trisha : Kuchh gadbad hai... I swear... damn it!!!

Aur, akasmat Trisha ke mann me kuchh baatein goonj gayi.

'Uss raat humaare Sir musibat me the. Humari Miss Kaera par attack hua tha aur hum sirf gaadi ka peechha kar hamla karne waale ko rokne ki koshish kar rahe the.'

'Miss Kaera Nexacom ki owner hai. Aur, unhe rokne ke liye rival companies buri se buri saazishein rachti hai. Ab hume ye toh nahi pata lag paaya ki hamla kisne karwaya tha lekin, ek wahi gaadi thi jis se hamla hua tha.'

Jassi ke dwara kahe gaye ye bol uske mann me mandraane lage. Usne kheejte hue apne haath mej par patke.

*Slam*

Trisha : Damn it! Damn it!!!

Shekhar : K-Kya hua, madam??

Kintu, Trisha ne koi jawaab nahi diya. Woh maun rahi. Apne daant meeste hue, uska dhyaan kahi aur hi tha.

'Shit-!! Ye mirror gallery event toh Slogan ki maut se kaafi pehle hua tha. Iska matlab... Iska matlab iss Jassi ka kuchh lena dena zaroor hai Slogan se. Kahi Slogan hi toh woh hamlavar nahi jiska peechha Jassi kar raha tha?? Aur, apni miss ko bachaane ke liye... Huh?? Miss... Miss...!? Nexacom ke owner ki beti... Wait...!!! K-Kaera Adarsh-!!!!'

Bodh hote hi Trisha ka muh khula ka khula reh gaya. Aur, tabhi uski nazar photo par dobaara padi jaha Veer ke bagal se ek ladki khadi hui thi jiski sirf peeth hi nazar aa rahi thi. Trisha ki aankhein fatne ko aa gayi.

'N-No way-!!! K-Kahi ye-!??'

Usne turant hi desk par rakhe pen holder me se ek pen nikaala aur saamne ek notepad ka panna khol uss par bade aksharo me likha-

Veer Singh!!!
Jassi!!!

Sach baat toh yeh thi ki Mirror Gallery Slogan dwara hi aayojit kiya gaya tha. Pehle 50 logo ki entries free thi aur uske baad entry lene ke liye kuchh raashi dena hoti thi.

Gallery me keval aur keval vyakti akele ya fir kisi ek aur vyakti ke saath hi andar jaa sakta tha. Veer aur Kaera 49th aur 50th yaani ki akhiri couple the jinke liye free entry allowed thi.

Par, sahi maayno me ye kuchh nahi balki Slogan ke dwara bichhaaya gaya bas ek jaal tha. Veer ke theek peechhe khade Jassi aur Raghu entry nahi le paaye the kyunki, Veer aur Kaera ke ghusne ke baad hi event ke liye entries band kar di gayi thi.

Aur, isi ke chalte logo ne fir aakrosh me aake social media par kharab reviews chhore the, apna dukh jataaya tha jo Shekhar ne hashtag ki madad se akhirkar khoj nikaala.

'Koi bhi detail... Koi bhi detail haath se jaane na paaye. Veer Singh... Jassi... Kaera Adarsh... Inka zaroor Slogan se kuchh lena dena hai. Kya Slogan aur Kaera ke beech koi dushmani thi? Ya mein hi kuchh zyada soch rahi hu???'

Iske pehle ki woh kuchh aur soch paati, udhar desk par phone ki ghanti baji jis se uska dhyaan bhatak gaya. Wahi baithe ek officer ne call uthaya aur fir baat karte hue Trisha ko dekh bola.

Officer : Madam ek call aaya hai. Kisi ne daawa kiya hai ki unhone humare dwara jaari kiye gaye sketch me maujood sandigdh aadmi ko dekha hai.

Trisha (abruptly) : K-Kya??? Kidhar???

Officer : Bhandup ke paas. Ek mahila ne use apni building ke peechhe ek gali me se guzarte hue dekha hai.

Itna sunte hi Trisha ne apna coat uthaaya, upar daala, aur handgun ko holster kar woh aage badh Shekhar se boli.

Trisha : Veer Singh ke baare me mujhe saari details chahiye. Mujhe woh sab chaahiye jo khoja jaa sakta hai. Lekin, abhi hume iss suraag ka peechhe karne ki zaroorat hai. Samajh gaye na?

Shekhar : J-Ji madam!

Woh team ko aadesh dete hue waha se chali gayi.

Trisha : Mujhe abhi Bhandup me ek team chahiye. Humari pakad se bhaag ke woh jaane na paaye. Akhir hoga toh wahi kahi hi... Aur baaki thaano me bhi information forward kar do. Abhi!

Uski command par sabhi police karmachari waha se nikalne ke liye taiyaar ho gaye. Trisha ke dil ki dhadkane bhi tez thi, uska dimaag maamle ke dabaav aur Veer Singh ke chaaro orr ghoom rahe sandeh ke dhaage ke beech badi mushqil se santulan banaya hua tha.

Woh apni car me baithi aur sthaan ki orr tezi se badhi, usne mann me hi budbudaya.

'Agar, Veer hi iss case ki woh kadi hai, toh achha hai. Mein kaise bhi kar ke sab kuchh chhaan maarungi. Lekin, agar aisa nahi hai... Toh behtar hoga ki Veer Singh mehez ek sanyog se zyada aur kuchh na nikle. Mere paas samay gawaane ke liye nahi bacha hai ab.'

***

Evening - 5:08 PM ~

Samay tezi se guzar raha tha. Jaha ek taraf naye varsh ke jashn ki taiyaari chal rahi thi toh wahi dusri orr Veer ke 'Yarnia' ki launch ki bhi zoro se taiyariyaan ho rahi thi.

Aur, idhar car Lonavla ki sadko se hote hue Mumbai ke liye prasthaan kar rahi thi. Veer peechhe ki seat par baitha hua tha, uska phone haath me tha, aur uska dimaag tanaav me ghoom raha tha.

Divya aage passenger seat par virajman thi toh wahi aaj car chalaane ki zimmedari Ava ke kandho par saunp di gayi thi jo rear view mirror ke madhyam se Veer par baari-baari nazre chura rahi thi.




Veer ko yu iss tarah chinta me dekh, Pari ki awaaz uske mann me goonj uthi.

[Abhi tak koi suraag haath nahi laga hai, Master.]

'Aur, yahi meri chinta ka kaaran hai, Pari!'

[Lonavla me bhi kuchh khaas haasil nahi hua. Mission ki time limit bas 9 ghante hi bachi hai.]

'Damn it!!! 9 ghante?? Yaha pe ek clue bhi nahi mila hai. 9 ghante me bhala kaise uss murderer tak pahuchenge hum?'

[I'm sorry, Master. Mujhe laga tha Divya ke saath investigation par jaane se humaare haath kuchh lag jayega lekin-]

'Nahi, Pari! Isme tumhari koi galti nahi. Ye jo koi bhi hai bahut shaatir hai. Koi clue hi nahi chhor raha. Zaahir hai koi na koi system holder hi iske peechhe hai. Par akhir kaun-!? Kahi woh toh nahi jo Renshu se lada tha?'

[Hmm?]

'Lekin, woh bhala yaha kya karega? Nahi-!!! Rebecca??? Nahi!!! Woh iss tarah se apni chaale nahi chalti. Agar, woh hoti toh hypnosis ke traces mujhe kahi na kahi logo me samajh aa jaate.'

[Kahi X toh nahi?]

'Hmm? Mujhe nahi lagta. Woh bhala befaltu me random logo ko kyu maarega? Meri samajh nahi aata. Maharashtra ke region se log maare gaye hai. Kis system holder ki inn logo se dushmani ho sakti hai? Mujhe toh laga tha apne desh se sirf mein hi ek system holder hu. Kya mere alawa aur koi bhi-!?'

[Mujhe nahi lagta, master. Agar aisa hota toh ab tak aap ek dusre ke contact me kam se kam ek baar toh aa hi chuke hote.]

'Toh fir kaun ho sakta hai? Fuck! It's annoying me so much!!'

Time limit dheere-dheere ghatati jaa rahi thi. Aur, mission ki penalty ka dar Veer ke zehen me mandra raha tha — woh nakaam nahi ho sakta tha. Uske apno ka jeevan iss par nirbhar tha.

Dono striyo — Ava aur Divya ne Veer ke chintit vyavhar ko notice kiya, lekin filhal dono hi shaant rahi. Pari ne hi fir uski dikkat ka samadhan nikaala.

[It's okay, master! Pareshan mat hoiye. Abhi 9 ghante baaki hai. Bhuliye mat ki aaj 'Yarnia' ki launching hai. Aur, aap uske owner ho. Agar, owner hi iss tarah se udaas rahega toh launch ka kya hoga?]

'Pari, mein-'

[Aapke invitation cards logo tak pahuch bhi gaye honge. It's time to cope up.]

Pari ki baat maan Veer ne apne seene se wazan hataane ki koshish karte hue apna phone khola aur contacts list ko scroll karte hue uski ungli Nidhi ke naam par ruk gayi. Aur, kuchh sochte hue usne Nidhi ko video call kar diya.

---

Shan bhar ki rings ke baad hi call uth gaya. Nidhi apne living room me hi thi aur thodi chaunki hui si prateet ho rahi thi, uske bhaav humesha ki tarah saiyyamit the lekin Veer ko dekhte hi aankhon me ek adrishya chamak aa uthi.

Veer : N-Nidhi-

Nidhi : Huh???

Veer : I- I mean... Hello, ma'am!

Nidhi : V-Veer? Hello! K-Kya hua?

Veer : Kyu? Kya mein yuhi aapko call nahi kar sakta?

Nidhi : N-Nahi! Umm... Mera matlab hai... Iss waqt aise...? Video call? Kuchh baat thi kya?

Veer : Maine poochhne ke liye call kiya tha ki aapko 'Yarnia' ka invitation card mil gaya na? Aaj raat hi hai event. Aapko aana hai.

Nidhi : H-Haan! Mujhe mil gaya tha. Congratulations! T-Tumhari iss new brand ke liye. Kaha ho tum?

Veer : Bas laut hi raha hu. Kuchh der me Mumbai pahuch jaunga.

Nidhi : Oh! T-Tumne bas iske liye video call kiya tha?

Veer : Nahi! Aapko dekhna bhi tha.

Nidhi : Huh!? *blushes* M-Mujhe???

Akasmat hi Nidhi anjaane me apne baalo ko sahi karne lagi.

Veer : Ji!

Nidhi : O-Okay! M-Mein aa jaungi samay se, Veer!

Pal bhar ke liye Nidhi ke mann me pados waali aunty ki baatein ghoomi jo unhone Veer ko lekar kahi thi. Lekin, unhe apne dimaag me se nikaalte hue woh Veer se wapas se vartalap me lag gayi.

Nidhi ki awaaz me ek ajeeb si jhijhak thi. Use aise private video calls ki aadat nahi thi. Na hi use kabhi video calls aate the aur na hi woh khud kabhi kisi ko zyada calls karti thi. Shreya hi ekmaatra thi jo foreign se use kabhi-kabhi video calls kar liya karti thi. Par, Veer? Ye pehli baar tha. Woh iske liye taiyaar nahi thi.

Car ki driver seat se Ava ne rear view mirror me se Veer ki phone screen me jhaakne ki koshish ki, toh wahi Divya apni seatbelt theek karne ka naatak karte hue thoda peechhe ko jhuki lekin unn dono ko hi Veer ki phone screen nahi nazar aayi. Iss beech dono striyo ki nazre aapas me takrayi magar dono ne ek dusre se kuchh na kaha.

Veer : Bas aapse yahi kehna tha. Mein nahi chaahunga ki aap ise miss kare. Y-You know... It's... important to me. I want you to be there.

Nidhi : ...

Iske pehle ki Nidhi jawaab de paati ek khilkhilaati hui awaaz beech me sunayi padi. Ek chhota sa haath upar pahucha aur phone ko pakad liya. Juhi ka pyaara, chulbula sa chehra achanak saamne aaya.

"Maaaaaamuuuuu~"

Uski awaaz na sirf Nidhi ke kamre me balki idhar car me bhi goonj gayi.

Aur, 'maamu' shabd sunte hi Ava aur Divya ne ek raahat ki saans li. Unke hontho par halki si muskaan bikhar gayi.

Nidhi (peechhe se) : Juhi! Juhi, phone wapas do. Mein baat kar rahi hu na-

Juhi (ignores) : Maamu, mein bhi aaungi!!!

Veer hasa, Juhi ki awaaz uske chehre par tanaav ki rekhao ko kam kar gayi.

Veer : Bilkul, meri pyaari Juhi! Tumhare bagerr waha kuchh bhi shuru nahi hoga. Aur, tumhare liye waha maine dher sari chocolates bhi mangwa ke rakhi hai.

Juhi : Sacchi maamu???

Veer : Aur, nahi toh kya...

Juhi : Yaaaayyyyy!!! P-Par, maamu aap kidhal ho???

Veer : Mein bas ghar laut raha hu. Kyu? Kya hua?

Juhi : Ye mumma bol rahi ki agar raat ko jyada der ghumo toh bhoot aake utha le jaata hai. Aur... Aur... Bhoot logo ko pakad ke chhupa deta hai.

Veer : Kya matlab? Tumhari mummy ne kaha ye?

Juhi (nods) : H-Haan! Y-Ye dekho... Dekho maamu TV pe... Log gaayab ho gaye. Bhoot pakad ke le gaya unko.

Juhi ne phone ko ghuma ke TV ki orr kiya. Channel me haal hi me rehesyamayi dhang se gaayab ho rahe logo ke baare me breaking news chal rahi thi.

"Laapata hone ke maamlo me abhi tak koi suraag nahi!"

Shabd screen par gehre laal rang se chamak rahe the. Khabar dekhte hi Veer ki bechaini badh gayi.

Juhi : Dekha na maamu-!! Bhoot sabko pakad raha hai!!! Isliye aap jaldi-jaldi aa jao. Kahi bhoot humko pakad liya toh???

Veer : Haan! Mein jaldi aa jaunga, Juhi! Aur, bhoot tumhe nahi pakdega. Tumhare paas aane se pehle use pehle maamu ke paas aane padega. Aur, tumhare maamu bhoot ki band baja denge.

Juhi (giggles) : Hehehehe~ I love you maamu~ *muah*

Veer muskuraya ki itne me tabhi Nidhi ne Juhi ke haath se phone chhina liya.

Nidhi : Juhi tum bhi na... Jao!! Jao jaake padhayi karo.

Juhi : Waaaaa-!!! Abhi to ki thi na...!!

Veer : E-Ek minute! Ma'am, Juhi ko phone dijiye na!

Nidhi : Kya hua Veer?

Veer : Dijiye toh-

Nidhi : O-Okay!

Nidhi ne punah Juhi ko phone thamaaya.

Juhi : Haan maamu~

Kuchh der yuhi shaanti si chhaayi rahi. Veer ne kuchh na kaha. Toh wahi bechari Juhi apna sarr mode Veer ke kuchh bolne ka intezar kar rahi thi. Ant me uska dhairya toot hi gaya.

Juhi : Maaaamu???

Veer : Ahem! Kuchh nahi, Juhi! Phone apni mumma ko dedo.

Juhi : O-Okyy! Mumma-!!!

Nidhi ne phone Juhi ke haatho se liya aur woh prashn bhari nazro se Veer ko dekhi jaise poochhna chaah rahi ho ki yeh sab kya tha?

Nidhi : K-Kya baat hai?

Veer : Kuchh nahi! Juhi ko leke sahi time par aa jaana aap, please.

Nidhi (nods) : Mmm!

Aur, thodi hich-kichihat ke baad Nidhi ne call cut kar diya.

---

Call cut hote hi Veer ne apna phone apni goad me rakh liya. Usne khidki se baahar dekha, uska dimaag tezi se daud raha tha.

Murders... Logo ka laapata hona... System holder... Mission timer... Juhi ki masoom chetavni...

Ye sab uske andar ek dar ki gaanth baandh raha tha. Kuchh pal baad akhirkar Divya ne apna muh khola aur car me maujood khamoshi ko toda.

Divya : Kya jaan sakti hu ki woh kaun thi?




Veer ne turant koi jawaab na diya, bas kisi soch me dooba raha.

Ava : Shayad... Koi important person!?

Iss baar Veer ne unn dono ki orr dekha. Uske bhaav padh paana mushqil tha.

Veer : Ye... Nidhi ma'am thi. Meri... College ki professor aur...

Divya : Aur???

Veer : Aur, jaisa ki Ava ne kaha... Ek important person.

Divya ne uske jawab par bauhe uthayi, lekin baat aage nahi kheenchi. Halanki, uski jigyasa uske andar ubaal le rahi thi parantu Ava se nazre milaane ke baad woh chup reh gayi. Dono striyo ke mastishq me ek hi sawaal ghoomta reh gaya — Akhir, woh aurat Veer ke kitne qareeb thi?

Jaise-jaise car Mumbai ki orr badh rahi thi, sabhi ke andar ki bechaini bhi badhti jaa rahi thi. Ava aur Veer ki nazre aapas me takrayi — ek maun samajh ki kuchh unki nazro se zaroor choonk raha tha.

***

Zenith, Elite Group, Mumbai,
Evening - 5:30 PM ~




'Yarnia' ka invitation jagah-jagah mehatvpoorn logo ko bheja gaya tha. Aur, inme se ek invitation yaha bhi aaya tha.

Zenith! Elite group ke sadasyo ka ek vishal skyscraper. Halanki, ye Kaera ke ghar - Skylight se thoda sa chhota tha. Magar, iski bhi apni ek alag shaan thi poore Mumbai me.

Ghar ka aalishaan living room doobte sooraj ki garm kirano se nahaya hua tha. Sonia ek plush leather couch par baithi thi, aur uske manicured haatho me ek khubsurat sa envelope tha.

Sonia : You are cordially invited to the grand launch of Yarnia, a premium clothing brand by Veer Singh, at Hotel Prestige this evening, 8 PM.

Invitation ko dohraate hue Sonia ki awaaz narm pad gayi.

Sonia (mutters) : Casa Belle me jo kuchh bhi hua, uske baad se toh shayad woh mujhse bahut naraaz hoga. I'm surprised ki usne mujhe invite kiya-

Woh dheere se budbudate hue boli, magar uske shabd theek peechhe khidki ke paas khadi Suhana ne sunn liye. Veer ka zikr aate hi uska badan thitak gaya. Sheeshein me uske reflection se pata lagaya jaa sakta tha ki uski aankhon me toofan umda hua tha.




Woh dheere se ghoomi, uski awaaz na zyada oonchi, na zyada kam thi.

Suhana : Tumne sahi kaha! Aur, uske paas tumse naraaz hone ka har woh reason hai! Tumhari galti thi, sonu!!! And, you better accept it.

Sonia ne sarr upar kar apni badi behan ko dekha, uski bauhe aashcharya se upar chadhi hui thi. Suhana ne shayad hi kabhi use galat thehraya tha.

Sonia : K-Kya hua aapko? Mein jaanti hu ki uss raat cheezein badal sakti thi lekin-

Suhana (yells) : Tum galat thi, Sonu!!!



Iss baar woh chillaayi. Aur, Sonia bhauchakki si uski oonchi awaaz sunn use ghoorti reh gayi. Suhana ne kabhi bhi iss tarah se apni bhavnaye nahi dikhayi thi, parivar se baahri vyakti ke liye toh hargiz nahi.

Sonia (frowns) : What happened to you? Aap Veer ki itni parvah kab se karne lag gayi?

Suhana ne apni baahein modi, uski mudra kathor aur swar me aaropo ki teekhi dhaar thi.

Suhana : Kyu? Kya tumhe yaad nahi? Tumne uske saath Casa Belle me kitna bhadda behave kiya tha? Kya laga tha tumhe? Ki tum mujhe nahi bataogi toh mujhe iss baare me kuchh pata nahi chalega? Do kaudi ke Aadesh Jaisinghani ne sabke saamne uska mazaak udaaya, aur tum waha khadi rahi??? Kis ke liye?? Sirf ek deal ke liye? Ek deal, Sonu??? Agar, mein waha hoti... toh majaal hai kisi ki... ki koi uske baare me ek galat shabd bhi muh se nikaal paata.

Iske pehle ki woh khud ko rok paati, shabd kisi dhanush se chhore gaye teer ki tarah uske muh se nikal chuke the. Sonia stabdh ho kar bas apni badi behan ki orr dekhti reh gayi.

Yeh wo ghamandi Suhana nahi thi jis se woh parichit thi. Yeh koi aur hi thi — koi spashtatah hili hui, aur apni aadh me chhek kar kisi ko bachaati hui.

Sonia : Wh-What-!? Hua kya hai aapko?? Do kaudi ka Aadesh Jaisinghani??? Di, aapko pata hai na ki Casa Belle ka maalik hai woh.

Suhana : Aur? Aur, kya? Tumne uski tulna akhir Veer se kar kaise di? Uss deal ke liye tumne-

Sonia : Di, what's wrong with you??? Woh ek business decision tha. Mere paas aur koi choice nahi thi. Aap jaanti ho na ki woh deal Elite Group ke liye kitni zaroori thi? Autoshield ke owner Mister Tanishq ke saath woh deal thi meri. Aap jaanti ho na ki Kaera kaise humesha humse ek qadam aage chalti hai? Agar, mein woh deal nahi leti toh-

Magar, Suhana ne uski baat beech me hi kaat di, uski awaaz gusse se kaanp rahi thi.

Suhana : Tumhare paas choice thi, Sonu!!! Tumne Veer ke saath apni dosti ki bajaaye apne faayde ko chuna. Kya tumhe iss baat ka zara sa bhi ehsaas hai ki tumne kis aadmi se apna muh mod liya? Jab tum deals ko chase karne me lagi hui thi tab woh logo ke liye ek bridge ki tarah kaam kar raha tha, unki madad kar raha tha badle me kuchh bhi maange bina. Lekin, jab sabse zyada maayne rakhta tha tab tum uske liye waha khadi tak nahi ho saki!!! It explains why you're still single!!!

Sonia ka muh achambhav me khula, par shabd baahar na nikle. Usne Suhana ko kabhi bhi iss tarah nahi dekha tha. Badi behan jo kabhi bhavnao ko kamzori keh kar kharij kar diya karti thi, aaj wahi itni bhavnaaye liye bol rahi thi ki Sonia use samajh tak nahi paa rahi thi. Kya yeh wahi Suhana thi? Aur, ye single hone ka vaar kis liye??

Apni galti ka ehsaas hote hi Suhana ka dil baith gaya. Usne apni bhavnao ko apni icchha se kahi adhik ujagar kar diya tha, usne apni mutthi kasi aur dusri orr ghoom gayi. Aur, awaaz dheemi hoke fusfusahat me badal gayi.

Suhana : M-Maine sirf wahi kaha jo sahi tha. Agar, tumhe sach me koi pachhtaava hai, toh tumhe use phone karna chahiye. Uss se maafi maangni chaahiye. Maafi maangne se koi chhota nahi ho jaata, sonu. Use batao ki aaj raat tum waha maujood rahogi. Shayad, woh tumhe maaf kar de.

Sonia ki bauhe sikud gayi, uske chehre par sandeh jhalka.

Sonia : You're unusually invested in this, di. Kyu??? Aap mujhse kuchh chhipa rahi ho kya??? Answer me!!!!



Suhana ka dil zoro se dhadak utha. Woh Sonia ki peni nazre, uske ankahe sawaalo ke bhaar ko apne upar mehsoos kar paa rahi thi. Kintu, chehre se saare bhaav mitaate hue woh darwaaze ki orr mud gayi.

Suhana : Mujhe tumhe kuchh bhi samjhaane ki zaroorat nahi. Bas wahi karo jo tumhe sahi lage. Har baar dimag ki nahi suni jaati, sonu. Kabhi-kabhi dil ki bhi sunani chahiye.

Itna bol woh waha se nikalne ke liye aage badhi, darwaaze ki dehleez tak pahuchi hi thi jab peechhe se Sonia ne use rok diya.

Sonia : Wait-!!!!

Aur, Suhana ke qadam wahi tham gaye. Lekin, woh peechhe na mudi.

Sonia : Aap toh aisi nahi thi, di! In fact, jaha tak mujhe yaad hai, Veer aur meri pehli mulaqat ke waqt woh aap hi thi na jo use paise de kar uska muh band rakhwana chaahti thi? Fir, akhir itna antar kaise aa gaya? Yeh sab kab hua? Mein bewakoof nahi hu. I can tell that you're favouring him. I just want to know why???

Suhana ke honth khule, thar-tharaye aur fir band ho gaye. Kuchh shan baad usne jawaab diya.

Suhana : Haan! Haan, maine uss waqt use paise se chup karwana chaaha tha. Aur, mein galat thi!

Sonia : !!???

Suhana : Mein galat thi jo maine use ek aam laalchi insaan samjha. Lekin, ab mein jaanti hu ki woh kaisa hai aur kaisa nahi.

Sonia : Aur, uske liye aapne mujhe itna kuchh suna diya, di??? Jawab dijiye!! Kis way me meri aur Veer ki dosti mujhe business me aage le jaa sakti hai? Kaera se bhi aage. Kya Veer ke paas abhi Autoshield jitna bada koi business hai? Kya woh Elite group ke saath hazaaro karodo ki deal sign kar sakta hai??? Jawaab dijiye!!!

Suhana : ...

Sonia : Aapki khamoshi ne mujhe mere sawaal ka jawaab de diya, di. Aapne aaj mera itna dil dukhaya hai ki aap soch bhi nahi sakti.

Suhana : Agar, tumhe itna hi bura laga hai toh aaj ke baad mein kabhi interfere nahi karungi, Sonu.

Sonia : ???

Suhana (mutters) : If only you knew...

Sonia : Wh-What???

Jawaab ki prateeksha kiye bina hi, Suhana tezi se kamre se baahar chali gayi. Sonia ki nazro se ojhal hote hi uske qadam ladkhada gaye aur haath kaanpne lage.

'Kya ho raha hai mujhe??? Why can't I control myself for him anymore??'

Living room me idhar Sonia ne apni behan ko jaate hue dekha, uska sandeh aur gehra hota jaa raha tha. Apna sarr hilaate hue woh apne phone ki orr badhi, uski ungliyaan Veer ke naam par aake ruk gayi.

Sonia (mutters) : This better not backfire.

Usne call kiya aur ghanti bajne ka intezar karne lagi.

Call uthate hi Sonia ka dil ek dhadkan phaand gaya. Woh jaanti thi ki use Casa Belle me hui ghatna ke dauran apni anupasthiti ke liye maafi maangna zaroori tha. Aur, itne me dusri orr se Veer ki awaaz aayi.

Veer : Miss Sonia... It's been a while!

Sonia ne ek gehri saans li, ankahe shabdo ka bojh unke beech hawa me bhaari tha.

Sonia : C-Congratulations, Veer!

Veer : Oh? Thank you!

Sonia : Y-Yeah!

Veer : Kya bas isliye hi call kiya tha aapne?

Sonia : H-Huh? N-Nahi-! Veer, mein- woh mein... Mujhe tumse kuchh baat karni thi. Casa Belle waale incident ko lekar.

Veer : Hmm? Oh! Nahi, koi baat nahi! I understand. Business deal comes first.

Veer ke shabd Sonia ke dil par kisi khanjar ki tarah jaake lage.

Sonia : N-Nahi, Veer! A-Aisa nahi hai. M-Mujhe tumhare liye waha hona chaahiye tha. I should have been there.

Uske baad Veer ne kuchh aisa kaha jise sunn bechari Sonia ka dil baith gaya.

Veer : Aap thi waha, Miss Sonia!! Aap wahi thi. You were there!!!

Sonia : I-I know... I-

Lekin, na jaane kyu uske muh se maafi ke shabd nahi nikle. Kya usne kuchh galat kiya tha? Agar, woh Autoshield ke sang woh deal nahi karti toh poore Elite group ko bhaari nuksaan ho sakta tha. Maana ki Veer ek achha ladka tha. Par, kya woh itna zaroori tha ki Mister Tanishq ke sang woh deal chhori jaaye?

Veer : Action speaks louder than words, Miss Sonia. Anyways, mein thoda sa busy hu abhi. I hope aap event me aayengi.

Sonia : Veer-! No, listen-

Kintu, Veer ne call cut kar diya. Aur, woh bhi Sonia ka call. Sonia ko yakeen nahi ho raha tha ki Veer ne uska call cut kar diya tha. Kaun thi woh? — Elite group ki owner. Maana ki uski thodi galti thi lekin, apni jagah woh sahi bhi toh thi. Nichle honth ko daanto tale meeste hue woh apne puraane andaaz me wapas aa gayi.

***

Hotel Prestige,
Evening - 7:30 PM ~

Hotel Prestige aaj aasmaan ke neeche kisi anmol ratn ki tarah chamak rahi thi. Har kona raushni se jagmaga raha tha, aur hotel aaj apni vilaasita aur bhavyata ka namoona dikha rahi thi.

Pravesh dwaar par red carpet bichha hua tha jiske chaaro orr khubsurat phoolo ki sajavat ki gayi thi.

Cameras ki clicking ki gadgadahat, patrakaro ki live reporting, aur paparazzi ke beech baat-cheet, unka shor poore vatavaran me fela hua tha.

Andar ki hawa hone waale event ki prateeksha aur orchids, jasmine ki halki sugandh se bhari hui thi. Toh wahi, peechhe instrumental sangeet halki dhun me bajaaya jaa raha tha jo bheed ke kolahal ke saath badi sahajta se mishrit ho gaya.

Sajavat me sundarta jhalak rahi thi — crystals ke jhoomar, satin linen aur golden-rimmed glasses se saji meje aur Yarnia ka logo jo vishal LED screen par garv se prakashit ho raha tha.

---

Suman aur Shweta bhavya pravesh dwaar par welcoming team ke saath khadi hui thi. Dono ne hi behad khubsoorat designer saariyaan pehni hui thi jo kisi aur ki nahi balki, Yarnia dwara hi nirmit thi.

Woh dono pratyek mehman ka garmjoshi, bhari muskan, aur trutiheen shishtachaar ke saath swagat kar rahi thi.

Jaha ek taraf Suman shuddh hindi aur paramparagat tareeke se athitiyo ka swagat kar rahi thi toh wahi Shweta angrezi me sanvaad karte hue angrezi ki chaatne waale mehmano ke swagat me lagi thi.

Suman (smiles) : Mehra ji! Aaiye! Suswagatam! Aapko kaun nahi jaanta? Mahila mandal ke paudharopan abhiyaan me aapne bahut sahayta ki thi.

Mehra ji : Arey! Aap toh wahi hai na? Mahila mandal ke saath thi jo. Arey namaste namaste!!! Hahaha!!

Suman (smiles) : Ji! Aaiye!

'Maalik kidhar ho aap? Mehmaan aana shuru kar diye hai. Umeed hai aap samay se aa jaoge.'

Woh mann me sochi toh wahi Shweta uske bagal se alag se aadar satkar me lagi hui thi.

Shweta : Mister Chhabra!!! It's so nice to have you here. Please! Welcome!!!

Mister Chhabra : Thank you! Thank you! I won't spare any opportunity if there's anything for partnership, Miss Shweta. Haha!

Shweta (smiles) : You won't regret coming here tonight.

'Bas, ab mera betu aur aa jaaye. Aur, ye event safal ho jaaye. Aur, kuchh nahi chahiye mujhe filhal.'

Usne guests se haath jodte hue mann me ek khwaish rakhi. Veer ko ab tak aa jaana chaahiye tha.

---

Toh, andar hall me Tej woh shaant shakti thi jo sabhi coordination ko badi hi saralta se baitha rahi thi. Uski peni nazro ne kamre ka nireekshan kiya, yeh sunishchit karte hue ki har cheez sahi jagah par thi aur sahi dhang se kaam kar rahi thi.




Laal rang ki dress me woh behad hi khubsoorat lag rahi thi. Ye pehli baar tha jab usne laal rang sirf Veer ke liye aaj pehna hua tha.

Saara staff idhar-udhar tezi se bhaag kar kaamo me laga hua tha, har cheez ko vyavasthit kiya jaa raha tha, aur wo last-minute requests ko bhi poora kar rahe the.

Tej (to a staff member) : Table 7 par champagne flutes theek se align nahi hai. Please, unhe theek karo. Aur, dhyaan do ki appetizers turant ke turant refill ho rahe hai ya nahi?

Staff Member : Ji, ma’am!

Itne me hi uska phone vibrate hua. Veer ka message tha : "Everything okay?" Usne turant hi uttar diya : "Under control. Just get here already!"

---

Wahi Kavya, ek khubsurat yellow dress me, Kritika ke sang khadi hui thi aur use event ki bareek details samjha rahi thi.

Kavya : Woh dekh! Woh LED screens hai na... Bhumika di ne unhe custom design karwaya hai. A-Aur, ye meri dress... Ye Yarnia ki hi hai. Hehe~ Kaisi hai?

Kritika : Wow~ Kamaal hai yaar! Bahut badhiya lag rahi hai. Fabric bhi bahut pyaara hai. Oye, rates ke baare me toh bata. Brand mehngi hi hogi, I guess.

Kavya : Of course! Lekin, initial stage pe discounts bhi milenge. Aur, tere liye toh mein humesha discounts dilwa dungi. Hehe~

Kritika : Ye hui na baat!!! *grins* Sach me!! Ye launch event toh bahut grand lag raha hai yaar. Maine abhi-abhi baahar kayi saare influencers ko dekha. Sab photo khichwaane me lage hai.

Kavya : Arey, yeh toh kuchh bhi nahi. Abhi tum dekhna... Celebrities bhi aayenge. Veer bhaiya ke itne connections hai ki poochho mat. Aur, tere papa mummy kaha hai? Aaye ki nahi?

Kritika : Haan haan! Aaye hai na! Woh rahe... Oh god!!! Ye dad seedhe khaane me kyu lag gaye???

Kavya : Hehehehe~ Unhe khaane do.

Kritika : Y-Yeah! By the way, Veer bhaiya kaha hai? Woh toh kahi nazar hi nahi aa rahe.

Veer ka naam aate hi Kavya gambheer ho gayi. Woh na jaane kab ka ghar se gaya hua tha aur ab tak nahi lauta tha.

Kavya : Bhaiya... Bhaiya bas aate hi honge.




Kritika : O-Okay!

Kavya : Par, tum idhar-udhar kya dekhne me lagi ho? Decoration hi dekh rahi ho ya fir kisi ka intezar ho raha hai? Agar, intezar ho raha hai toh bata deti hu ki Karan bhaiya bhi aayenge. *winks*

Kritika (blushes) : Wh-What?? Chal hatt! T-Tu bhi kuchh bhi-!!! Mein toh bas decoration hi dekh rahi thi.

Kavya : Hehehe~ Toh chal!! Tujhe aur bhi bahut kuchh dikhaati hu.

Aur, woh Kritika ka haath thaame use Hotel Prestige ki luxury dikhaane aur andar le gayi.

---

Idhar shandaar kaale rang ki saree pehne aaj Ragini bhi kuchh kam nahi lag rahi thi. Security screenings ki jaanch woh badi hi sateekta se kar rahi thi. Uski aankhein monitors aur aane waale mehmaano ke beech ghoom rahi thi.

Ragini : Guest list dobaara check karo. Koi bhi bina invitation ke ghusna nahi chaahiye. Aur, VIP section par bhi dhyaan dete rehna — waha koi camera nahi hai.

Uske professionalism se security team khud impressed thi. Lekin, Ragini ke vichaaro me toh Veer samaya hua tha.

'Use ab tak yaha aa jaana chaahiye tha. Kaha hai woh?? Kya call karu?'

---

Bhumika aur Louis saath-saath khade the. Louis ne Yarnia ke vision ko haqeeqat banaane me ek aham bhoomika nibhaayi thi.

Louis (in french accent) : Ah, Madame Bhumika, zis is magnifique! Your brother’s vision, combined with my designs... tonight will be unforgettable.

Bhumika (smiles) : We couldn’t have done it without you, Louis. I hope you enjoy the evening. It’s as much your night as it is Veer’s.

Louis ne wine ka glass upar uthaate hue toast kiya.

Louis : To Yarnia. And to ze future of fashion. Hahaha~

Bhumika (smiles) : The ramp is ready and so are the models. Have you checked them?

Louis : Oh, yes yes madame-!! Everything is ready!! We just need to wait and watch. Where is my friend, Veer???

Bhumika : He'll be here soon! Don't worry! *smiles*

Kehte hue Bhumika ka dhyaan Veer ki orr chala gaya. Aur, usne ek jaldi aane ka message use bhej hi diya.

---

Bhavna bhi humesha ki tarah shaant guests ke sang formalities nibha rahi thi. Aur, woh khadi hi thi jab peechhe se kisi ne use pukaara —

"Bhavna!!!"

Woh mudi aur aaye hue mehmano ko dekhte hi uske hontho par ek badi si muskaan saj gayi.

Purvi aur Arun saath aaye hue the. Sirf wahi nahi, Bhavna ke gaav se Shyaam aur uski patni bhi aaye hue the.

Bhavna (smiles) : Purvi!?? Shyaam?? Aa gaye tum sab!!

Purvi ne aage badh use apni baaho me bhara. Toh wahi Shyaam aur uski patni ne uske perr chhuye.

Purvi (smiles) : Tum toh bhool hi gayi mujhe, hai na?

Bhavna (smiles) : Achha? Kya tumhe dikh nahi raha ki kitni vyast thi mein? Ek baar bhi tumne mujhse pooncha ki koi madad ki zaroorat hai ya nahi?

Purvi : Oh achha? Aur humaare saahab-zaade kaha hai? Ek baar bhi yaad nahi aayi use meri? Na mere ghar aaya? Mahino ho gaye use dekhe! Usne poonchha mere se kuchh?

Bhavna : Bhai, ye shikayat toh tum usi se karna jab woh aa jayega. *smiles* Mujhe dosh mat do.

Purvi (laughs) : Theek hai, theek hai! Waise... Kaha hai woh?

Bhavna : Baahar gaya tha kaam se. Kuchh der me aa jayega.

Purvi : Lo kar lo baat. Jiska yaha hona sabse zyada zaroori hai, wahi yaha nahi hai.

Bhavna : Aa jayega!!! Arun, kaise ho?

Arun (smiles) : Badhiya didi!

Uske bolne par Purvi ki muskaan thodi murjha gayi.

Bhavna (smiles) : Chalo, achha hai! Andar chalo na tum log. Mein bhi aati hu.

Arun : Ji!!!

Aur, woh dono pati-patni andar ki orr prasthan kar gaye.

Bhavna : Shyaam!! Kaise ho???

Shyaam (smiles) : Bas didi! Aapka aashirvaad!!

Bhavna (nods) : Aao! Andar aao, shyaam!

Baari-baari mehmano ki sankhya badhti jaa rahi thi. Parijaat ghar ki aurtein Varsha, Saili, Mukta, Sudha bhi aa chuki thi.

Mahila mandal se Sarika toh wahi Niharika aur uske under kaam karne waali dono ladkiya — Ayushi aur Ishani bhi aayi hui thi.

Hotel Prestige ki manager — Nandini, Veer ke food truck me kaam karne waali Prachi aur baaki sabhi staff ko bhi aamantrit kiya gaya tha.

Ragini ke mata-pita, Rohini aur Dinesh bhi aaye hue the. Toh Aabha wahi baithi Shreya ka intezar kar rahi thi, uss bechari ko iss sab ke baare me kuchh der pehle hi pata chala tha.

Aur, Ahemdabad se laut kar Arohi bhi Vivek, Manorath aur apni maa Sumitra ke sang aa chuki thi.



Har baar ki tarah woh behad khubsoorat lag rahi thi. Jo log anupasthit the woh the — Brijesh, Karunesh aur Pranjal.

Ragini ki nazre jab Vivek se takrayi toh usne eka-ek apna muh fer liya. Uske mata-pita Bhavna se vartalap me lag gaye aur Veer ki tareefo ke pul baandhne lage. Akhir, Veer hi toh tha jisne unko gundo se bachaaya tha.

Wahi, Arohi Kavya aur Kritika se jaake mili aur baat-cheet me lag gayi.

Arohi : Kavya! Veer ab tak lauta nahi?

Kavya : N-Nahi, di!

Arohi (frowns) : Kaha reh gaya hoga?

Ghadi ki sui tik tik karte hue 8 baje ke qareeb pahuch rahi thi aur mahaul utsaah se bharta jaa raha tha.

Aadesh dwara bheje gaye spy, Ankit ko gumraah karte hue Bhumika ne ye event uski naak ke neeche rakh diya tha aur Aadesh ko iski kaano kaan khabar tak nahi lag paayi thi. Ab achanak se iske baare me pata lagte hi woh aag baboola ho chuka tha.

Waiters cham-chamaati champagne ki trays lekar ghoom rahe the, mehmaan aapas me mil rahe the aur launch ki prateeksha kar rahe the.



Har koi iss shaam ke sitaare — Veer Singh ka intezar kar raha tha. Uski anupasthiti pehle se hi iss romanchak mahaul me ek rehesya ki parat chadha ke rakhi hui thi.

***

Ye tha andar ka haal. Kintu, andar maujood log baahar ho rahi gatividhiyo se anibhigya the.

Halke fate hue shawl me lipti hui ek aakriti asthir roop se waha mandra rahi thi. Uska chehra dhaka hua tha siwae uski do aankhon ke jo street lights ki mand raushni me chamak rahi thi.



Aane waali luxury cars ki gehma-gehmi, sundar kapde pehne mehmaano ki hasi, aur kabhi-kabhar paparazzi ke cameras ki chamak se jaise woh vyakti ab upar uth chuka tha. Woh ek pal ke liye sthir khada raha jaise ki woh kisi cheez ko dhyaan se dekh raha ho.

Fir, woh apni jagah se hila aur hotel ke mukhya pravesh dwaar ke paas pahucha, uska sarr jhuka hua tha aur vishal phoolo ke vases ki chhaaya me woh andhere me kahi lupt sa ho gaya.

Jaise hi woh red carpet ke paas pahucha, woh logo ki nazar me aa gaya. Ek security guard ne use dekha aur aage badha.

Security Guard 1 : Oye!!! Oye, tum!!! Chalo, peechhe hato! Yeh jagah bhikaariyo ke liye nahi hai. Chalo niklo yahaan se.

Vyakti ruka. Uska sarr dheere-dheere guard ki nazro se milne ke liye upar utha. Aankhein khaali, lekin teevra — uss guard par tik gayi, jis se ek pal ke liye guard bhi sihar gaya.

Security Guard 2 (steps in) : Kya re tujhe sunayi nahi diya? Iske pehle ki tujhe bhagaya jaaye, nikal yahaan se.

Usne kuchh na kaha. Koi pratikriya nahi di. Woh bas wahi khada raha, uski maujoodgi har guzarte pal bhaari hoti jaa rahi thi.

Security Guard 2 : Iski toh-

Chidhate hue usne aage badh zorr se uss vyakti ko dhakela, woh aadmi thoda ladkhadaya lekin gira nahi.

Security Guard 2 : Bhaag yahaan se! Chal bhag!!! Bhag!!!

Uska shawl halka sa hata jiske chalte uska ek haath guard ko nazar aaya. Magar, turant hi vyakti ne shawl tezi se wapas odh liya.

Woh chhaaya me peechhe hatt gaya, uski harkatein ekdum ajeeb thi. Paas ke hi lamppost ke paas khade hokar woh wahi se logo ko ghoor raha tha. Uski nigaahein cheel ki tarah pravesh dwaar par tiki hui thi. Maano jaise kisi ka intezar kar raha ho.

***

Woh akela nahi tha. Hotel ke theek baahar saamne kuchh doori par ek aadmi ek building ki seedhiyaan chadh raha tha. Uske qadam satark the aur hawa sadan aur fafundi ki gandh se bhari hui thi. Lag raha tha building kaafi saalo se khaali padi hui thi.

Usne apne gloves pehne haatho me ek bada sa case le rakha tha. Use apne saath upar chadhaate hue uski saansein fool rahi thi.

'Fuck... It's heavy!!!'

Upar chhat par pahuchte hi usne ek zang lage darwaaze ko dhakka de kar khola aur ek thandi hawa ke jhonke ne uska swagat kiya, jis se uski kaali jacket ka hood neeche sarak gaya.

Woh aage badha. Uske theek saamne hotel prestige ka saamne ka hissa tha, jo raat me abhooshan ki tarah chamak raha tha.

Woh aadmi chhat ke kinaare par ruka. Usne case ko dheere se zameen par rakha aur apna hood kheechte hue upar se daal liya. Uski nazre aas-paas ka jayza lene ke liye tezi se idhar-udhar daud gayi — Dur se aa rahe traffic ka shor, hotel se aa rahi halki-halki awaazein, neeche mehmaano ka aata jhund, aur security guards ki badalti hui positions.

Apni jagah se santusht hokar, woh kinaare se peechhe hatt gaya aur-

*Click*

Awaaz ke saath usne apna case khola. Andar foam padding me, kayi components rakhe hue the. Aur, fatafat uske haath unn parts ko jodne me lag gaye.

Jab usne saare parts jod liye toh usne uss cheez ko uthaaya, uski lambayi, uske wazan aur uske santulan ka woh nireekshan karne laga. Lag raha tha jaise woh yeh kaam pehle kayi baar kar chuka tha.

'Alright...!'

Usne apni peeth par khusa hua ek upkaran nikaala aur uski button dabaate hue woh use apni aankhon par le gaya. Hotel Prestige ki ek-ek gatividhi use spasht roop se nazar aa rahi thi.

'This shouldn't take long...!'

Woh jaanch karne laga jab uski nazar kuchh ajeebo-gareeb logo par padi jo hotel prestige ke ird-gird andhere me chhipe hue the.

'What the hell-!?'

---

Neeche, 20-22 aadmi alag-alag jagaho par fele hue the. Sabke haath me unka apna mobile tha aur sabhi andhere me idhar-udhar chhipe bas aate-jaate logo ko dekh rahe the.

Unme se ek ne apne phone par call lagaya aur phone ko kaan se laga kar khus-pusaate hue bola.

Aadmi : Sarkar!! Abhi mehman aate jaa rahe hai.

Dusri taraf se Dhananjay ki mardana awaaz sunayi padi.

Dhananjay : Woh Veer kahaan ba??? Sasuri darr gaya kay???

Aadmi : Abhi tak woh kahi dikhayi nahi diya.

Dhananjay : Uu kahi bheetar toh nahi chhipa??

Aadmi : Lagta nahi, sarkar! Kyunki, humaare aadmi din bhar se yahi khade hai. Agar woh aata toh ek na ek baar kisi ke nazro me toh aa hi jaata. Ab toh uski shaqal bhi jaante hai hum.

Dhananjay : Hmm! Jaise hi uu nazar aaye humra ke bata dii! Theek?

Aadmi : J-Ji, sarkar!!

Kehte hue usne phone cut kar nigraani rakhni shuru kar di. Yarnia ke logo ke saath-saath Veer ki ek photo bhi wahi baahar pradarshit ho rakhi thi.

Andar maujood koi bhi ye nahi jaanta tha ki baahar kya kuchh ghat raha tha aur aage kya-kya hone waala tha.

***

Bhandup, Mumbai,
Evening - 7:45 PM ~

*Slam*

"Arey shayad se tumhara kya matlab hai????"

Trisha ki awaaz itni oonchi thi ki waha khadi saari janta uss par nazre gada ke ek jagah khadi ho gayi. Uski aankhein gusse se laal ho rakhi thi.

Trisha : Din bhar se police yahaan paagalo ki tarah chhaan-been kar rahi hai aur ab tum keh rahi ho ki tumne use shayad dekha tha?? Shayad???

Mahila : M-Madam!! M-Maine toh pakke se dekha tha. P-Par, ab tak woh mila nahi hai. T-Toh ho sakta hai mera veham ho.

Trisha (growls) : T-Tum-!!!

Jeetu kaaka : Madam! Jaane dijiye! Khamakha public ikhatta ho rahi hai.

Trisha : Kaaka ye-

*Buzz*

Beech me aaye call ne uss mahila ko Trisha ki aur daant se bacha liya.

Trisha : Tch-!!!

Call uske pati, Rohan yaani ki Maharastra ke DGP ka tha.

Trisha : Haan!?

Rohan : Pihu ko uski friend ki b'day party ke liye le jaana hai. Kya tum use drop kar dogi? Use gift bhi dilwa dena kahi shop se.

Trisha (nods) : Haan! Mein jaati hu. Tumne lunch kar liya tha na?

Rohan : Haan! Woh chhoro aur ye batao ki case ka kya hua?

Trisha (frowns) : Samay barbaad ho gaya aaj ka. Mat puchho!

Rohan : It's okay! Tum jaake pehle Pihu ko drop kar do, fir milte hai.

Trisha (nods) : Hmm!!!

Trisha ne phone kaatate hue wapas se uss sketch ko ghoor ke dekha.




Yahi tha woh sandigdh. Yahi tha woh vyakti jiske baare me Deepu ne Divya aur Veer ko apni zubaani di thi. Ab isme kitni sacchaayi thi ye toh waqt hi bataane waala tha.

Trisha ne sketch ko fold kiya aur woh jeep me baith waha se apni beti Pihu ko lene ke liye nikal gayi.

---

Night - 8:10 PM ~

Gift shop par tarah-tarah ke gift items aur mej par colorful papers lade hue the. Nidhi wahi khadi hoke gifts dekh rahi thi toh wahi Juhi peechhe ek seat par baithi hui thi. Woh utsahit hoke seat par se apne perr latkaate hue unhe hila rahi thi aur haath me ek chhota sa gift pakde uske ribbon ko marod rahi thi.

Nidhi : Juhiiii-!!!! Ribbon khul jayega aise me.

Nidhi ne use samjhaate hue kaha. Fir, muskuraate hue uske sarr par haath fera. Khushi sirf Juhi ko hi nahi thi. Andar se woh khud bhi Veer ke liye behad khush thi.

Aaj teal colour ki saree me woh atyant hi khubsoorat lag rahi thi. Aur, uski pyaari bitiya Juhi bhi kisi princess se kam nahi lag rahi thi. White colour ki frock me woh bhi bahut pyaari lag rahi thi.

Juhi : Mumma?? Maamu ko ye pasand aayega na??

Nidhi (smiles) : Bilkul aayega!

Tabhi, dukaan ke darwaze par lagi ghanti baji. Ek lambi si khaaki wardi pehni mahila ne pravesh kiya. Uske name tag par 'Trisha Bakshi, DSP' likha hua tha. Usne apni beti Pihu ka haath pakad rakha tha, jo ek haath me ek box pakdi hui thi.

Trisha : Pihu, lao mujhe gift do. Mein pack karwa deti hu.

Kehte hue usne Nidhi ko dekh ek muskaan di. Nidhi ne uski wardi par uska badge dekh muskaan wapas di aur garmjoshi se boli.

Nidhi : Police me kisi mahila karmchari ko uchh padd par dekh achha lagta hai. *smiles* Aur, ye jaante hue ki woh bhi hum aam insaan ki tarah ye sab bhaag-daud me lage rehte hai.

Trisha (smiles) : Ji! Special occasions duty ki zimmedari ka intezar nahi karte. Woh kabhi bhi aa jaate hai. Aur, inhe bhi samay dena hi hota hai.

Nidhi (nods) : Ji!

Trisha : Meri beti ki dost ka janmdin hai. Aur, aapka-!?

Nidhi : Mere bhi... Mere student ne naya business shuru kiya hai. Uske launch ke liye event rakha hai.

Trisha : Oh! Badi achhi baat hai.

Inki baat-cheet shuru hote hi wahi peechhe dono chhoti bacchiyo ke beech bhi sanvaad shuru ho gaya. Juhi, Pihu ko apna chamakdar ribbon dikhaate hue khil-khilayi aur jald hi dono me dosti ho gayi, dono darwaze ki orr baahar khelne ke liye bhaagi.

"Kahi jaana mat!"

"Yahi ruko-!!!"

Dono matao ne ek hi swar me apni-apni betiyo ko awaaz laga kar chetavni di. Magar, dono hi bacchiyaan khelne ke liye baahar chali gayi.

Baahar, sheher aam jeevan se gulzar tha. Saal ki akhiri raat thi toh har jagah naye saal ke aane ka naya josh bhara hua tha. Sadak par samaan bechne waale aur aas-paas ke samaroh ke mand sangeet ne har jagah ullaas ka mahaul bana rakha tha.

Kintu, ek gali me ek parchhayi aswabhavik roop se badal gayi. Ek aakriti tezi se aage badhi.

---

Paas ki hi ek aur andheri gali me Madhuri aur Pranjal chalte hue aa rahe the. Pranjal ke haatho me do-teen thailiya thi jinme ration ka samaan bhara hua tha.

Aaj woh Madhuri ki madad karne ke liye hi aaya tha. Aur, saath me shopping karne ke baad dono Madhuri ke thehre hue flat ki orr prasthaan kar rahe the.

Madhuri : Toh... Kya tum nahi jaa rahe uss karyakram me? Veer ke yaha?

Pranjal (shrugs) : Bulaya nahi gaya. Aur, agar bulaaya bhi jaata toh bhi mein nahi jaata.

Uske swar me kadwahat mehsoos karte hue, Madhuri ne bauhe sikodi.

Madhuri : Mein sahi thi. Tum dono bhaiyo ke beech zaroor kuchh vivaad chal raha hai. Hai na?

Pranjal : Hmph-! *sighs* Rehne do!

Madhuri aage kuchh na boli, usne chup rehne me hi bhalayi samjhi. Ye vishay sanvedansheel tha.

*Rustle*

Woh ek gali se nikle hi the ki tabhi ek tez awaaz — jaise patto ki sarsarahat — ne unka dhyaan kheencha. Dono thitak ke reh gaye.

Madhuri : K-Kya tha woh? Tumne suna?

Pranjal ne gali ke andhere kono ko chhaana lekin kuchh nahi dikha.

Pranjal (mutters) : Shayad koi kutta ya billi hogi.

Woh budbudaya. Halanki, uski awaaz me thodi bechaini zaroor thi. Kutta ya billi itni raftaar se nahi bhaagte. Aisa laga jaise maano koi palak jhapakte waha se guzra tha.

---

Isi beech Juhi aur Pihu, dukaan se kaafi aage aa chuki thi. Gubbaare waale ne unhe dekh ek gubbaara muft me jo de diya tha. Toh, dono uske sang khelte-khelte aage badhti jaa rahi thi.

"Ahahahahaha!!!"

Juhi ek haath se gubbaare ko maarte hue use hawa me uchhaalti, fir hassti aur dusri orr se Pihu use maar ke uchhaalti.

"Hahahaha! Ab... Ab mein maarungi!!"

Chand palo me hi dono ek gali me pravesh kar gayi aur poori gali unki hasi aur karkash awaaz se goonj uthi.

Tabhi, unke peechhe se ek awaaz aayi —

“Well, aren’t you two of the sweetest little things? Mm?”

Juhi : ???



Ek aadmi andhere se baahar aaya. Usne badan par ek safed coat odh rakha tha aur uski aankhein ajeeb dhang se chamak rahi thi. Jaisi hi woh unke starr par jhuka, uski jeebh uske hontho par fir gayi.

?? : Tumhara naam kya hai, pyaari bacchiyo???

Usne iss baar hindi me poonchha. Dono ladkiyaan thoda jhijhki, ek dusre ki orr dekhi. Lekin, uss vyakti ki muskaan aur chanchal swar ne unhe aashvasan de diya.

Juhi (smiles) : Mein Juhi hu-! A-Aur, ye meri new friend — Pihu hai!

Usne masoomiyat se bhari awaaz me uttar diya.

?? : Juhi... Pihu... Kitne pyaare naam hai. Kya tum dono jaadu dekhogi?

Juhi : Jaadu?? Haan!

Usne tabhi haath ki safayi dikhaate hue apne haath me achanak se do lollipop prakat kar di.

Juhi : Waaaaaa-!! Ahahahaha! *claps* Aur, dikhao! Aur...

Pihu (giggles) : Haan! Uncle... Aur...

?? : Ohh! *drools* Bahut se jaadu dikhaunga mein bacchiyo.

Uski lambi ungliyaan tabhi Juhi ke haath ko thaami aur uske haath ko ahista-ahista malne lagi.

?? (mutters) : Young blood...!!!!

Juhi : Mmm???

?? : It’ll all be over soon, my dear. *slurp*




Uska itna kehna hi tha ki tabhi usi gali me Madhuri aur Pranjal nikle, aur uss ajeeb se aadmi ko dono bacchiyo ke saamne jhuka dekhte hi woh dono jaise wahi jamm ke reh gaye.

Madhuri ghabrayi aur usne ek jhatke me Pranjal ki baah kass ke thaam li.

Madhuri : P-Pranjal-

Pranjal : O-Oyeee-!!!

Pranjal bhi jaise Madhuri ka ishaara samajh gaya. Woh thailiya neeche rakh chillaate hue aage badha.

Pranjal ki awaaz par uss aadmi ne dheere se apna sarr peechhe ghumaya, uski muskaan abhi bhi barkarar thi.

Aur, jaise hi woh muda, maano Madhuri ke badan se uski aatma baahar nikal gayi. Ye wahi tha. Jiska sketch police dwara saare sheher me chhapwaya gaya tha.

?? : Oh!! Bacchiyaan toh sirf khel rahi thi.

Madhuri (yells) : Ch-Chhoro unhe!! Hato!! Hato waha se-!!!

Woh kaanpti awaaz me chillaayi.

?? : Ehe~

Madhuri : ????

?? : Ehehehehe~

Pranjal : O-Oyeee!! Peechhe hatt!!

?? : Ehehehehehehe~ Yahahahaha~

Uski hasi ne Pranjal aur Madhuri ke badan par raungte khade kar diye. Juhi aur Pihu ko jab kuchh theek na laga toh woh dono hi waha se daudne ke liye hui par tabhi-

Ek pal me usne dono ladkiyo ko pakda aur unke muh ko apne bade haatho se dhak liya. Pranjal fauran hi aage badha, lekin woh aadmi atyadhik gati se aage aaya aur-

*Baaammmmmmm*

Ek hi laat me Pranjal peechhe ki orr gira aur deewar se jaa takraaya. Muh se khoon khaaste hue usne uthne ka prayas kiya.

Pranjal : O-Oye-!! *cough* Madarchod-!!! Chhor unhe-!! Urggghhh!!! *cough*

Uski haalat dekh Madhuri chillaati hui uski taraf daudi. Use sahara dete hue jaise hi woh peechhe mudi toh woh aadmi ladkiyon ke saath faraar ho chuka tha.

'N-Nahi-!!!'

Ek sihran uske badan me fel gayi.

---

Dukaan ke andar Nidhi aur Trisha ki hasi bhi chinta me badal gayi jab unhe ehsaas hua ki ladkiyaan kitni der se baahar thi. Woh dono hi apna-apna gift leke waha se baahar nikal unke naam ko pukaari.

"Juhiiiiiiii-!!!!"

"Pihuuuuuu-!!!!"

Unki awaazein sadak par goonji, lekin koi pratikriya nahi. Dono yahi toh thi. Akhir, achanak se kaha gaayab ho sakti thi? Dehshat, unke andar fel gayi.

Unhone raahgeero aur wahi khade aas-paas ek do aadmiyon se poonchha ki kya unhone bacchiyon ko dekha hai?

"Woh uss gali me gayi thi. Kuchh der pehle-" Ek dukandar ne jhijakte hue kaha.

"Juhiiiiiii-!!!!!"

"Pihuuuuuu-!!!"

Dono tezi se uss gali me ghusi, Nidhi ki aedi footpath se takrayi aur woh zorr se neeche ko giri. Trisha ne use jaldbazi me uthaaya aur punah dono andar ko bhaagi.

Jaise hi woh dono ek kone me mudi, unhone dekha ki ek ladki unki hi taraf ghabraate hue daud kar aa rahi thi. Uska chehra darr ke maare peela pad chuka tha.

Madhuri ne jaise hi Trisha ki wardi dekhi uski aankhon me ek chamak aa uthi.

Madhuri (yells) : B-Bachao-!! Bachao!!

Trisha ki baah pakad use jhanjhorte hue woh ro padi.

Madhuri : W-Woh aadmi... *sniff* Wahi aadmi... W-Woh le gaya unhe... Unn dono bacchiyo ko... *sniff*

Trisha (yells) : K-Kyaaaaa??? K-Kaun??? Kidhar???

Madhuri ne andhere ki orr ishaara kiya, uske chehre se lagatar aansu beh rahe the.

Madhuri : W-Woh yaha tha... *sniff* Aur, fir achanak kahi gaayab ho gaya. M-Mera dost... Use madad ki zaroorat hai!

Trisha : Kaun le gaya?? Saaf-saaf... Saaf-saaf batao!!!

Madhuri : W-Wahi, madam!! Wahi... *sniff* Mein galat nahi ho sakti. *sniff* Woh wahi tha. Wahi jiska poster sheher me jagah-jagah chhapa hua hai. Wahi sandigdh jiske peechhe police padi hai. Woh do bacchiyo ko utha ke mere saamne le gaya. *sniff*

Aur, ye sunte hi Trisha sakpaka ke reh gayi. Nidhi ke perr ladkhadaye aur woh ghutno ke bal gir padi.

Nidhi : J-Juhi-!!! Juhi, meri bacchi...!!! *screams* Juhiiiiiiiiii-!!!!

Awaaz sunn log andar gali me ghusne lage. Trisha ka dimaag kaam karna band kar chuka tha. Uski apni beti gaayab hui thi. Uske haath perr kaanp rahe the.

Usne sabse pehle chotil Pranjal ko logo dwara waha se uthwaaya. Apna radio ka istemal kar usne ek SOS bheja - "Code red. Child abduction. Request immediate backup."

Iss beech Nidhi na ruki, woh uthi aur cheekhte chillaate hue Juhi ko khojne lagi. Woh akeli nahi thi. Trisha bhi ek maa thi. Uske sang-sang Trisha bhi awaazein lagaate hue galiyon me apni beti ko dhoondhne lagi.

Nidhi (screams) : Juhiiiiiiiii-!!!!!

Trisha (screams) : Pihuuuuuuu-!!!!

Par, koi jawaab nahi!!! Jitne logo se ve poonchhti, sab naa me sarr hila dete. Bechari Nidhi paagalo ki tarah bhaagi jaa rahi thi, uski achhi bhali hasti khelti ladki, uski jaan, uski laadli yu uski aankhon ke saamne se gaayab ho chuki thi. Woh khud ko andar hi andar dosh deti jaa rahi thi.

Uska makeup uske rone se poori tarah kharab ho chuka tha. Woh behaal ho chuki thi. Juhi ki ratt lagaaye woh bas idhar-udhar bhaagti jaa rahi thi. Juhi ke akhiri bol uske mann me goonj rahe the ~

"Mumma, Maamu ko ye pasand aayega na?"

"Veer maamu aap jaldi aao na. Ye mumma roj roj mujhe padhati hai. Sunday ko bhi...!"

Apni bitiya ki awaaz mann me liye woh bhaagti rahi, uska perr achanak se neeche ek patthar se takraya aur woh seedhe jaake ek khambe se jaa bhidi. Sarr par chot lagte hi woh wahi behosh ho gayi. Peechhe se aa rahi Trisha ne use ghabraate hue uthaaya aur madad ki pukaar ki.

Wahi kahi dur, uss aadmi ki hasi galiyon me goonj uthi.

***

At the outskirts of Mumbai,
Night - 8:20 PM ~

Veer, Divya aur Ava ki toli car me aage badhti jaa rahi thi. Mumbai woh lagbhag pahuch hi chuke the. Yahaan se bas kuchh minto ki hi ab duri bachi thi. Lekin, achanak hi Ava ne saamne aadhi khadi car dekh kar brake laga diya.

Ava (frowns) : Veer!!!

Woh haule se boli. Peechhe baithe Veer ne jab saamne dekha toh uski bauhe bhi Ava ki bauho ki tarah sikud gayi.

Magar, sabse zyada jhatka jo laga tha woh tha Divya ko. Woh bhauchakki si saamne car me se nikle insaan ko dekh rahi thi.




Woh ghabraate hue car ke baahar nikli aur uske honth thar-thara gaye.

Divya : N-Nik???
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Aaj ke liye itna hi guys.
This update consists of 11.3k words. Yes! It's a long one. Itne dino baad itna toh banta hi tha. Ye sab ek sitting ka kaam nahi hota. Multiple sittings lagti hai aur isliye itna time bhi le jaati hai aisi kuchh updates. Iss update ne tone ko set kar diya hai. Now you get the idea of what may happen next.

This update touched a lot of aspects which were ignored back then. Such as — Suhana and Sonia's conversation about Veer's treatment at Casa Belle, the sketch released by the police, Pranjal and Madhuri's role, Purvi's absence, etc.

I have grinded my ass to paint this picture as vividly as I can. It's a long ass update. Read it when you get time so as not to get exhausted. Agla update bahut khatarnak hone waala hai. You guys know it very well.

Thanks a lot. Target apna iss baar waise toh 250 hai. Par, 220 tak bhi mein khush ho jaunga. Aur, iss baar mein bolunga nahi. Toh apna apna kaam karne ka. Revos aate rehne chahiye.

Dhanyavad!

Nice Update Dear but itna late K Pichhly episode Ka end Kiya Tha w0 bhi bh0ol gaye