Incest Baadshah ~ The Tales of Debauchery

[Werewolf]

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Latest Update ➢ Update 192 ​

 

[Silent_killer]

Iska matlab ki next update me Juhi ki exact location Veer ko nahi pata lagegi. Means next update ke last me yaa 194 me hi Veer Juhi tak pahuch payega.
Next update me jyada focus Yarnia aur Veer ke Juhi ko cluelessly dhudhne par hoga.
Nik ki kutai bhi karwa dena next update me hi.

Bas ho gaya mera......
Rest in peace for cutee dear Juhi in Advance

Bhai ju dhadkane na badhao dil ki yaar

 

[Sushilnkt]

Ab KB tk ummid hai

 

[Samar_Singh]

Bhai ju dhadkane na badhao dil ki yaar

सत्य को जितनी जल्दी स्वीकार कर लो उतनी कम पीड़ा होती है।

 

[jone964]

Update - 191 ~ On Pins & Needles​

Ab tak...

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

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

Aur, call pe usne bas itna hi kaha-

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

Ab aage...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Uska haath phone ke chaaro orr kass gaya.

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

*Baaaaammmmm*

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Trisha : Hmm? Kya hua?

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

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

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

Trisha : 24 ghante ho gaye?

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

Trisha (frowns) : Tch-!!!

Sub-inspector : Toh mein- likh du na?

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

Sub-inspector : J-Ji!

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

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

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

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

Trisha : Huh??

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

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

Trisha (leans in) : Event???

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

Trisha : Kya!!?

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

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

Trisha (frowns) : Y-Ye-

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

Trisha : Fake event???

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

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

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

Trisha (frowns) : Hmm!!!

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

Trisha : ???

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

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

Shekhar : Ho sakta hai!

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

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

Trisha : Ye mirror gallery akhir hai kya?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Shekhar : Ji madam!!

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

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

***

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

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

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

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

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

*Knock* *Knock*

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

Dhananjay : Kaun hai bey???

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dhananjay : Hmm??

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

***

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

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




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




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

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

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

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

Kumar : S-Sir-!!

Usne bhavya parivesh ki orr ghabrate hue dekhte hue kaha.

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

Aadesh : Bas!!!!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kumar : Samajh gaya, Sir!!!

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

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

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

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

'N-Nahi-!!!'

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

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

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

Shayad aane waali daridrita aur diwala?

***

Hotel Prestige,
Night - 10:10 PM ~




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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Louis : Veeru???

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

Louis : Ohhh!

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

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

---

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

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

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

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

Uski narazgi sunn, Bhumika uske paas aayi.

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

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

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

---

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

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

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

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

Ladka : Ji madam!!!

---

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

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

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

Tej : Ugh! P-Par-

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

Tej : Huh? Aapne kuchh kaha kya?

Ragini : N-Nahi! Just call me didi!

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

Ragini (nods) : Hmm!

Tej : A-Aur, aap-

Shweta (glances) : Hmm?

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

Bhumika : Hmm? Kya hua Tejal?

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

Bhumika : Don't worry! I know!

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

---

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

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

Suman (smiles) : Dhanyavad didi!

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

Bhavna : Haan haan! Bilkul!

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

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

Bhumika (nods) : Right!

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

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

Tej : Eh? Aapne kuchh kaha kya?

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

Tej : O-Oh!

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

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

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

Bhavna (giggles) : Fufu~

Shweta : Kya hass kya rahi ho?

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

Shweta : Aayega ek din. Dekh lena tum!

Bhavna (smiles) : Zaroor!

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

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

***

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

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

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




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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Veer : Ahem-!!! Umm-

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

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

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

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

Divya : ??

Veer : Kab hai birthday???

Divya : ...

Veer : ...

[Oh, master!!!]

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

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

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

Veer (chuckles) : Zaroor!!!

Woh dheere se muskuraya.

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

Veer : Wow~

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

Veer : 24th October.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Divya vichar karte hue peechhe ko jhuk gayi.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Veer ne ek halki si muskaan dete hue use dekha.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Divya ne haath modte hue ek aah bhari.

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

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

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

[You have fallen for him, Miss.]

'I-'

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

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

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

'Nahiiiiiii-!!!!!!'

Woh mann me hi cheenkhi.

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

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

[...]

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

[??]

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

[...]

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

[...]

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

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

[Finally!]

'???'

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

'Huh?'

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

'Shut up *sniff*!!!'

[Haha!]

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

---

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




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

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

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




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




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

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

Veer : Come! Raat bahut ho gayi hai.

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

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

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

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

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




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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ava : Want the list alphabetically or chronologically?

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

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

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

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

Ava : I only know one thing.

Veer : Hmm??

Ava : I've got your back!!!

Veer : *smiles*

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

---

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

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

Usne apna sarr hilaate hue phone neeche rakh diya.

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

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

---

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

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

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

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

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

---

Back in Veer’s Room~

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

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







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










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

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

*Ding*

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

Mission failure penalty : Loss of loved ones.]

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

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

'Hope so!'

***

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ms. Kapoor : Ah! Fufu~ Shayad?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

***

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




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

"Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaa~"

"Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaa~"

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




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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

*Badump*

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

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

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

Veer (frowns) : Tamanna? Kya hua?

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

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

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

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

Veer : Shreya aur Aabha kaha hai?

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

Veer : Security kaha hai tumhari?

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

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

Tamanna (nods) : H-Haan!

Veer : Y-You-!!!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Veer : Aur, Tamanna-

Tamanna : ???

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

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

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

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

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

Shreya (frowns) : Kya hua?

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

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

Tamanna : Chalo chale! Fir samjhaati hu sab kuchh.

Shreya : O-Okay!

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

***

Somewhere in Mumbai...




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

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

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

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

*Plop*

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

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

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

*Squelch* *Squelch*

*Squelch* *Squelch*

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

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

*Squelch* *Squelch*

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

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

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

*Slaaaaaaaammmmm*

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

*Click*

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

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

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

Nice update bro

 

[jone964]

Update - 191 ~ On Pins & Needles​

Ab tak...

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

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

Aur, call pe usne bas itna hi kaha-

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

Ab aage...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Uska haath phone ke chaaro orr kass gaya.

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

*Baaaaammmmm*

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Trisha : Hmm? Kya hua?

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

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

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

Trisha : 24 ghante ho gaye?

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

Trisha (frowns) : Tch-!!!

Sub-inspector : Toh mein- likh du na?

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

Sub-inspector : J-Ji!

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

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

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

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

Trisha : Huh??

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

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

Trisha (leans in) : Event???

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

Trisha : Kya!!?

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

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

Trisha (frowns) : Y-Ye-

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

Trisha : Fake event???

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

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

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

Trisha (frowns) : Hmm!!!

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

Trisha : ???

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

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

Shekhar : Ho sakta hai!

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

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

Trisha : Ye mirror gallery akhir hai kya?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Shekhar : Ji madam!!

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

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

***

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

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

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

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

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

*Knock* *Knock*

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

Dhananjay : Kaun hai bey???

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dhananjay : Hmm??

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

***

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

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




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




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

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

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

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

Kumar : S-Sir-!!

Usne bhavya parivesh ki orr ghabrate hue dekhte hue kaha.

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

Aadesh : Bas!!!!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kumar : Samajh gaya, Sir!!!

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

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

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

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

'N-Nahi-!!!'

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

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

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

Shayad aane waali daridrita aur diwala?

***

Hotel Prestige,
Night - 10:10 PM ~




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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Louis : Veeru???

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

Louis : Ohhh!

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

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

---

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

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

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

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

Uski narazgi sunn, Bhumika uske paas aayi.

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

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

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

---

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

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

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

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

Ladka : Ji madam!!!

---

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

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

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

Tej : Ugh! P-Par-

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

Tej : Huh? Aapne kuchh kaha kya?

Ragini : N-Nahi! Just call me didi!

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

Ragini (nods) : Hmm!

Tej : A-Aur, aap-

Shweta (glances) : Hmm?

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

Bhumika : Hmm? Kya hua Tejal?

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

Bhumika : Don't worry! I know!

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

---

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

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

Suman (smiles) : Dhanyavad didi!

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

Bhavna : Haan haan! Bilkul!

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

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

Bhumika (nods) : Right!

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

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

Tej : Eh? Aapne kuchh kaha kya?

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

Tej : O-Oh!

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

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

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

Bhavna (giggles) : Fufu~

Shweta : Kya hass kya rahi ho?

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

Shweta : Aayega ek din. Dekh lena tum!

Bhavna (smiles) : Zaroor!

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

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

***

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

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

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




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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Veer : Ahem-!!! Umm-

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

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

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

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

Divya : ??

Veer : Kab hai birthday???

Divya : ...

Veer : ...

[Oh, master!!!]

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

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

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

Veer (chuckles) : Zaroor!!!

Woh dheere se muskuraya.

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

Veer : Wow~

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

Veer : 24th October.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Divya vichar karte hue peechhe ko jhuk gayi.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Veer ne ek halki si muskaan dete hue use dekha.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Divya ne haath modte hue ek aah bhari.

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

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

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

[You have fallen for him, Miss.]

'I-'

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

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

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

'Nahiiiiiii-!!!!!!'

Woh mann me hi cheenkhi.

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

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

[...]

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

[??]

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

[...]

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

[...]

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

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

[Finally!]

'???'

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

'Huh?'

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

'Shut up *sniff*!!!'

[Haha!]

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

---

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




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

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

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




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




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

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

Veer : Come! Raat bahut ho gayi hai.

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

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

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

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

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




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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ava : Want the list alphabetically or chronologically?

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

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

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

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

Ava : I only know one thing.

Veer : Hmm??

Ava : I've got your back!!!

Veer : *smiles*

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

---

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

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

Usne apna sarr hilaate hue phone neeche rakh diya.

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

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

---

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

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

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

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

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

---

Back in Veer’s Room~

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

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







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










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

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

*Ding*

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

Mission failure penalty : Loss of loved ones.]

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

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

'Hope so!'

***

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ms. Kapoor : Ah! Fufu~ Shayad?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

***

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




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

"Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaa~"

"Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaa~"

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




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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

*Badump*

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

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

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

Veer (frowns) : Tamanna? Kya hua?

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

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

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

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

Veer : Shreya aur Aabha kaha hai?

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

Veer : Security kaha hai tumhari?

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

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

Tamanna (nods) : H-Haan!

Veer : Y-You-!!!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Veer : Aur, Tamanna-

Tamanna : ???

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

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

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

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

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

Shreya (frowns) : Kya hua?

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

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

Tamanna : Chalo chale! Fir samjhaati hu sab kuchh.

Shreya : O-Okay!

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

***

Somewhere in Mumbai...




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

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

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

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

*Plop*

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

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

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

*Squelch* *Squelch*

*Squelch* *Squelch*

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

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

*Squelch* *Squelch*

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

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

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

*Slaaaaaaaammmmm*

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

*Click*

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

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

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

Nice update bro

 

[Dtheduck]

Update - 65 ~ Rush Hour!
​

Ab tak...

Steve : Jii Dada!

Aur muskuraate hue Slogan Veer ke paas aaya aur uska chehra uthaate hue dekhte hue bola,

"Ab mein nahi... Tu khud laega usse yaha. Hahahaha~"

Par usse kya pata tha ki jis baat ke liye wo khush ho raha tha. Veer ko yaha kuch alag hi praapt ho chuka tha. Kuch aisa jis se shayad Slogan ki khud ki dhajjiya udd sakti thi.

Ab aage...

*Slam*

"Mene kaha na mein yaha ruk sakti hu."

Ye awaaz thi Ragini ki jo zorr se table par haath patak kar saamne baithe police officer se baat kar rahi thi.

Sonali ke saath Ragini Veer ko dhundne nikal chuki thi aur Veer ke baare me saari details bhi officer ko saajha kar dii thi usne. Par jaisa ki harr police officer iss waqt suggest karta, wahi kaam iss police officer ne bhi kiya, wo tha ki Ragini ko ghar bhejna aur police team ke saath khud search par nikalna.

Raat ke 12 baj rahe the aur aise me ek aurat ka police station me hona sahi nahi baith raha tha. Halaki wo yaha safe thi parantu uski yaha koi zaroorat hi nahi thi. Veer ko dhundna police ka kaam tha, isliye Ragini se details lene ke baad aur complaint likhne ke baad unhone Ragini ko ghar jaane ke liye suggest kar diya.

Officer : Dekhiye madam! Aapki yaha filhaal koi zaroorat nahi hai. Humne details likh lii hai. Hum search jaari karte hai. Yadi kuch pata chalta hai, ya aapki zaroorat padti hai toh hum aapko contact karenge. Abhi aap jaa sakti hai.

Ragini : P-Par...

Sonali : Bhabhi jii! Police uncle keh rahe hai toh sahi hi keh rahe hai. Hamaare yaha rehne se kuch badlega nahi.

Ragini : Par Sonali...

Officer : Dekhiye, bacchi theek keh rahi hai. Aap jaaiye aur thoda araam kariye. Kyuki ho sakta hai hume aapki kisi bhi waqt madad ki zaroorat pade.

Ragini : Hmm...

Na chaahte hue bhi mann maarke Ragini aakhir maan hi gayi. Uska mann yahi rukk kar Veer ke baare me kuch khabar sunn'ne ka tha. Kaash uske baare me bas kuch pata chal jaaye. Kyuki ab Ragini ko andar se waqai ghabraahat hone lagi thi. Raat kaafi ho chuki thi ab. Na jaane kya hua hoga Veer ke saath? Theek bhi hai ya nahi? Kuch inhi sawaalo ki beech ghiri hui thi woh.

Sonali ke saath lautate hue Ragini dobaara se apne ghar chali gayi. Arohi aur Nidhi ke phone nirantar aa rahe the uss se Veer ki khabar jaan'ne ke liye, yaha tak ki dono hi ghar aane bhi taiyaar thi lekin Ragini ne khud unn dono ko hi mana kar diya tha. Itni raat me unhe bulaana theek nahi tha. Aur wese bhi Ragini ke saath Suman samet baaki sabhi thi.

Toh koi chinta waali baat nahi thi. Bas aas thi toh Veer ki kuch khabar jaan'ne ki.

Wahi dusri orr, Kaera apne kamre me band hoke bistar par laiti hui aaj ki vardaat ke baare me soch rahi thi. Aur uske haatho me ek jaani pehchaani sii cheez thi.

Veer ka diya ho wahi chota sa teddy.

'He cannot die! He will come back!'

'Why did he do that for me? Saving me? With his own life?'

Kaera ko aaj se pehle kisi ke liye aisi feelings kabhi nahi aayi thi. Wo Veer ko potential danger me dekhne se darr rahi thi. Kese bhi kar ke wo Veer ko sahi salaamat waapas dekhna chaahti thi.

***

*Vroooooooooooommmm*

Yaha apni car ko repte hue iss samay Karan Raghu ki car ko follow kar raha tha. Dono hi car ke pahiye tezz raftaar me ghoomte hue apni manzil tak aage badh rahe the. Aadhi raat me jaha log sone lagte hai wahi duniya me baahar na jaane kya kya chalta rehta hai iski khabar unn andar reh rahe logo ko nahi rehti. Kuch aisa hi haal yaha abhi tha.

Karan abhi apni Mercedes drive kar hi raha tha jab achanak hi car ki front desk par rakha Kaera ka phone baj utha.

*Beep* *Beep*

'Huh!?'

Usne apne left hand se Kaera ka phone check kar jaise hi dekha toh paaya ki kisi unknown number se usse message aaya hua tha.

'Message!?'

Kuch soch ke usne wo message khol diya, aur uske aisa karte hi usse ek photo nazar aayi. Par wo downloaded nahi thi.

Jaise hi usne download kar uss photo ko dekha toh maano perro tale zameen khisak gayi thi uske.

Uss photo me Veer ek chair se khoon se lathpat bandha hua tha. Aadhi phati hui uski white shirt, bikhre hue baal, twacha me cuts aur kayi jagah gehre ghaav. Aur khaaskar uske chest ka wo khoon se sana hua wound jo shirt ke andar tha.

'Shiiiittttttt!!!!'

Photo dekhte hi Karan ko jis baat ka darr tha wahi hua. Veer kabze me tha aur unn logo ne koi kasar nahi chorri thi Veer ki khaatirdaari karne me.

Aur uss photo ke theek neeche ye bhi likha hua tha ki Veer ko bachaana hai toh akeli aa jao. Dhyaan rahe koi police ya hoshiyaari nahi, akeli matlab akeli.

'Fuck! I knew it!'

*Slam*

Kheejte hue Karan ne apne steering pe zorr se haath patka.

Usne Kaera se uska phone keval isliye maanga tha kyuki usse laga tha ki shayad...

Shayad uski behan ko threats pohuchaane waala aadmi, yaani ki Slogan kaho firse koi threat uski behan ko bheje. Bas issi ko soch ke usne Kaera se uska phone maanga tha.

Aur wahi hua, threat toh aaya hi tha par uss se bhi tension waali baat ye thi ki unke paas Veer tha. Yaani ki abhi palda unka bhaari tha.

'Mujhe pretend karna hoga ki mein Dii hu.'

Usne sochte hue Kaera ke h phone se ussi number par message likhe ke bheja, "K-Kaha!? Kaha aana hai mujhe?"

Aur jaise uski ye tarqeeb kaam kar gayi. Kyuki waha se agle hi pal ek address likh ke aa chuka tha.

'Bingo!'

Bina fir koi pal gavaate hue Karan ne aage chal rahe Raghu ko phone lagaaya aur usse saari baat bata dii.

Raghu : Bohut badhiya! Kuch nahi se toh kam se kam ye accha hai ki hume unke hideout ke baare me pata lag gaya. Ab bas hume approach bohut hi savdhaani se karna hoga.

Karan : Haan!

Aur kuch hi shan me wo dono Mirror Gallery ke sthaan par pohuch chuke the. Dono Raghu aur Karan ki mulaqaat Jassi se hui jo wahi thehre apni team ke aane ka wait kar raha tha. Ki shayad kisi ko Veer ke baare me kuch pata chala hoga.

Par koi fayda nahi, na hi Jassi ki team aur na hi Kishor ki team ko kuch pata laga tha. Kishor ki team toh bas timepass karne ke liye gayi thi shayad. Kyuki Kishor ne khud keh ke rakha tha, dur dur se bas wahi bane raho, baaki Veer ko bachaane ki zaroorat nahi hai.

Par Karan ki khabar ne jaise ek nayi aas jaga dii thi unme.

Jassi : Bohut acche! Par tum yaha kyu aa gaye?

Karan : Wo abhi important nahi hai. Important ye hai ki... Ab hum aage kaise badhe?

Jassi : Hmm~ Follow me! Everyone!!!! Mein aage aage chalunga... Aur tum sab... Mere peeche peeche aaoge. Clear hai?

"Haaaannnn!" Sabhi ke ek saath chillaane ki awaaz aayi toh jese ek naya josh sa bhar gaya tha waha unn aadmiyo me.

Jassi : Hume kisi bhi haalat me Veer ko bachaana hai. Okayyy??

"Haaaannn!!!" Ek baar fir, uchi awaaz me unka shorr waha goonj gaya.

Yadi aaj Veer ne Kaera ko na bachaaya hota toh Jassi shayad itna tatpar nahi rehta apne kaam me. Par Veer do baar Kaera ki madad kar chuka tha. Insaaniyat naam ki bhi koi cheez hoti hai jisse Jassi bhali bhaati jaanta tha. Aaj Veer ko bachaana zaroori tha.

Aur isliye, ye sabhi Jassi ko follow karte hue nikal pade. Par issi beech Suhana ke jo aadmi the, yaani ke Divya dwara bheje gaye aadmi. Jab unhone dekha ki Jassi aur baaki sabhi kahi jaa rahe hai toh wo bhi unke peeche peeche chal diye.

Slogan ko yaha nahi pata tha ki na jaane kitne log uske adde ki taraf badh rahe the.

Slogan's Hideout...

Idhar Slogan ne apne hideout par Veer ki chand tasveere kheech kar unhe Kaera ke phone par bhej toh diya tha par...

Par Kaera ka phone iss waqt Kaera ke nahi balki uske chote bhai ke paas tha. Aur iss baat se Slogan bekhabar tha.

Wo sabhi Veer ko akela chorr thodi derr Veer se dur baith apni baato me lage hue the.

Aur idhar Veer kisi aur hi state me jaane ki taiyaari kar raha tha.

[Mein... Mein ON kar rahi hu. Okay!?]

Pari Beowulf's Blessings ko ON karne ki bol rahi thi. Veer ne bas ek behad hi halki sii nod dii.

Aur...

Switch toggle hua aur Beowulf's Blessings ON ho gaya.

Uske ON hote hi, Veer ki saasein aur tezz ho gayi, ekdum se uska shareer garmaane laga aur aankhein laal sii hone lagi. Maano jese wo kayi dino se soya na ho.

[Your breathing has increased drastically... Blood flow is increased too, Body heat ho rahi hai boht tezz, Redness in eyes... Bas thodi derr... Dekho, timer chal raha hai. Tum ye state keval 25 minutes ke liye maintain kar sakte ho. Uske baad ye cooldown hone lagega.]

Par Veer toh ab jese response dene ki haalat me bhi nahi tha. Uska seene jaldi jaldi itni zorr zorr se upar neeche ho raha tha jaise maano wo koi aspataal me aaya mareez ho.

Jab wahi khade ek aadmi ne Veer ko dekha toh bauhe sikod ke wo Veer ke nazdeek aaya aur haath se uske shareer ko dhakel ke uss se bola,
"Aye? Kya kar raha hai ye? Huh? Lambi lambi saasein kyu le raha hai?"

Fir jaise usse kuch soojha toh Veer ke shareer par haath laga ke usne dekha aur itna garam shareer ka taapmaan paate hi uske haath jhatke se peeche ho gaye.

Wo apne saathiyo ki orr mudte hue chillaaya,
"Abe iska toh poora shareer jal raha hai!"

"Jalne de!! Saale ko batti dii hai na toh pit pit ke uska shareer garma gaya hai. Hahahaha~"

"Hahahahahah~"

Aur wo thahaake laga ke hassne lage.

[These bastards...]

Ek baar aur uss aadmi ne Veer ko dhakela, par jss baar uske chehre ko upar uthaaya toh Veer ki ekdum khoon ke samaan laal aankhein dekh uski gaand hi phat gayi. Wo firse palat ke bola,
"Abey! Abey iski aankhein toh ekdum laal ho rakhi hai."

"Haan toh bane rehne de. Saale ko sone nahi de rahe hai na toh laal toh hoengi hi. Aur abhi kuch derr me kuch peela bhi hone waala hai uska. Hahahaha~"

"Hahahahahaha~"

Aur wo sabhi ek baar fir zorr zorr se hassne lage. Par tabhi...

*Khaaaachhhhhhhh*

Aadmi : !???

*Whoooooooooooooooshhhhhh*

*Thuuuuudddddddd*

"Huh!??"

Achanak kuch hua. Kuch aisa jisse bas uss aadmi ne dekha hote hue aur uske baad wo kuch karne ki sthiti me hi nahi bach paaya tha.

Peeche maujood logo ko toh bas sunaayi diya. Achanak se aayi awaaz par dhyaan dete hue jaise hi unhone mud ke dekha toh ab unki reedh ki haddi tak badan me raungte khade ho chuke the.

Jidhar Veer pehle kursi me bandha hua tha. Udhar ab keval wo kursi zameen par padi hui thi. Upar wire se jo LED bulb latak raha tha wo zorr zorr se wire ke sang idhar se udhar ho raha tha.

Aur jo aadmi Veer ke paas usse check karne gaya tha. Wo zameen par pade idhar se udhar ho raha tha. Aur uske haath uske gale par the.

Dhyaan dene par pata chala ki..

Uske gale me wahi rassi bandhi hui thi jisne Veer ko baandh rakha tha. Par...

Veer gaayab tha.

Ye drishya dekh ke unhe pal bhar ke liye aisa laga jaise maano unn sabhi ne kisi bhoot ko dekh liya ho.

Pal bhar pehle hi unka dushman waha kursi me bandhe hue tha aur pal bhar baad hi...

Wo gaayab tha, aur waha par unka saathi jo apni jaan bachaane ki koshish kar raha tha keval wahi dikhaayi diya unhe. Raungte toh khade hone hi the.

Aisa laga jaise maano ek hawa ka jhoka aaya aur sab kuch badal diya. Ab unhe kya pata tha ki ye hawa ka jhoka nahi tha balki aandhi thi...

Jo khud Veer tha!

"Abeeeeyyyy!!!"

Unme se ek chillaaya aur uske saathi sabhi bhaagte hue apna saara kaam chorr uss gire hue aadmi ke paas aaye.

Ek ne aake sabse pehle hawa me jhool rahe bulb ko roka aur uske baad unn sabhi ne uske gale me tight bandhi rassi ko loose kiya.

"Oyeee! Kya hua? Kaha gaya wo behanchod? Ayeee!!! Tum sab dhundo re, yahi kahi luka hoga. Samaano ke peeche check karo! Haraam khor bhaagne na paaye!"

Unme se ek ne kaha. Jo gira hua tha wo rassi khulte hi zorr zorr se saasein lene laga. Pal bhar me maut dikhaayi de gayi thi usse apni.

Aadmi : Kya hua betichod kuch bol!!!

Par wo aadmi toh kuch bol hi nahi raha tha. Usne jaise bhoot dekh liya tha. Usse yaad tha ki wo Veer ke chehre ko utha ke uski laal aankho ke baare me mazaak sunn hass raha tha aur tabhi...

Tabhi na jaane kya hua tha...

Par Veer uss par ekdum se uchakte hue jhapta aur seedha uski peeth par chadh uske gale me wahi rassi kassi aur yu agle hi shan usse dhakel ke kahi chhup gaya.

Usse kya pata tha ki jab sab Veer ka mazaak udaa rahe the tab Veer apne haatho ko adjust karke unn rassiyo ke loops ko ek ek karke baahar nikaal raha tha.

Aur jab bas aakhiri loop bacha hua tha toh usne wo nikaala nahi, balki apne sheer force ke saath jhatke se uss rassi ko hi ghacch se cheer ke tod diya tha.

Ye sab kuch itni tezz hua tha ki wo aadmi kuch keh hi nahi paaya tha. Aur ab toh maano jaise wo sadme me jaa chuka tha. Wo drishya uske liye boht hi bhayankar tha. Laal aankh liye ek banda aapke upar uchak ke jhapat jaaye toh aadmi darr hi jaega.

Yaha unke ek leader ne sabhi ko Veer ko dhundne ke aadesh de diye the.

Hideout bada tha. Aur jagah jagah kuch na kuch samaan rakha hua tha. Kahi dherr saare bade bade containers toh kahi khule me kuch boriyaa rakhi hui thi. Kahi badi badi kuch machines toh kahi lakdiyo ki silliyaa. Kul milaake chhupne ke liye kayi jagah thi.

Aur wo apne apne hathiyaar nikaal Veer ko unn jagaho me dhundne lage. Par ab toh jese game palat chuka tha.

Yaha ek akela banda rush kar raha tha unpe. Aur wo bhi straight on nahi balki dimaag se.

Bhale hi Veer dimaag se rush maar raha tha par...

Uska dimaag jese kuch sunn hi nahi raha tha iss waqt. Kyuki Pari kaafi derr se usse chillaaye jaa rahi thi ki yahi sahi mauka hai bhaagne ka. Bhaago!

Par Veer ke iraade kuch aur hi lag rahe the. Na hi wo kuch bol raha tha, na hi kuch sunn raha tha.

Aur Pari bechaari bas kismat ko hi dosh de sakti thi.

[Damn ittt!!! Yadi Card me +50% healing nahi hoti toh tum behosh ho gaye hote pakke se. Ussi ke kaaran tumhaari bleeding ruki hui hai. Wo balance kiye hue hai. Par Card ke OFF hote hi... Noooo! You have to run Veer!!!!!!]

Lekin Veer par Pari ki koi bhi baat ka asar nahi ho raha tha.

[Shiiiittt!!! He's not listening to me!]

Aur uske baad...

*Thuuuuuddddd*

"Huhhh!?"

Ek aur awaaz aayi aur jaise hi aadmiyo ne uss awaaz ki orr dekha toh paaya ki unka ek aur saathi neeche pada hua tha aur apna sarr pakad idhar se udhar chillaa raha tha.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh"

Iss baar fir, Veer ka koi ata pata nahi tha. Wo toh jaise andhere me se nikal nikal ke ek ek ko gira raha tha.

Aur nateeja, unke leader ka gussa badhna.

"Madarchod! Baahar nikal haraami! Kaha chhupa hai?? Tum sab me se koi ek... Boss aur Steve Bhai ko jaldi bata ke aao."

"H-Haan bhai!!!"

Aur ek baahar nikal gaya. Kyuki Steve aur Slogan baahar ke area me the. Iss baat se bekhabar ki andar kis type ka rush chal raha tha.

Par jaise abhi toh unhe aur bhi kuch dekhna baaki tha.

*Click*

"Huhhhh?"

Na jaane waha kaun sii machines rakhi hui thi. Par unke side me boht bade bade fans lage hue the.

Aur jaise hi wo on hui, unke side me lage fans ghumne lage. Ek nahi, aisi kayi machines thi waha jo baari baari ON ho chuki thi.

Wo iss qadar se rakhi hui thi ki beech me table par jo khule taaza taaza noto ki gaddiya rakhi hui thi ginn'ne ke liye. Ek baar me tezz tarraar hawa ka jhoka unn fans me se aaya aur table par rakhe saare paise ya panne jo bhi kaagaz ka tha sab hawa me udd chule.

Machines iss qadar jami hui thi ki wo udte hue paise ek hi jagah par gol gol ghumne lage.

Jaise maano koi bawandar sa aa gaya ho.

"Abeeeeeyyyyyyy!!!"

Unka Leader chillaaya aur sabhi ke saamne hawa me bas udte hue paise hi dikhaayi de rahe the.

Jaise maano wo paise nahi, madhumakkhi thi jo unke aas paas mandra rahi thi.

Apne haatho se vyarth hi prayaas karte hue wo paise hataane lage. Par Veer ke liye jaise kaam asaan ho chuka tha.

Wo ek ke paas jaata aur...

*Poooooooowwwww*

*Thud*

*Pooooooowwww*

Ek back fist punch seedha aadmi ki naabhi par...

"Guhhhh!!!!"

180° degree turn lete hue dusra back fist punch uske nichle jabde par...

"Gwaaakkkhhh"

Aur fir ek shandaar inside crescent kick jisme uska daaya perr ghumta hua aaya aur ussi jabde par firse vaar kiya.

"Aaaaaaaaghhhhh"

Teen combo me hi wo banda dherr tha. Iss baar Veer combos delivery kar raha tha. He wanted to make sure ki unme se ek bhi uthne na paaye.

Veer par jaise koi bhoot sawaar ho gaya tha. Wo ek jagah se dusri jagah itni tezzi se switch kar raha tha. Upar se koi bhi wasted move nahi tha. Sabhi ekdum sateek aur potentially harmful the.

"Teri behanchod...."

*Bang*

*Bang*

*Bang*

Jinke paas guns thi wo ruke nahi, aur ussi paiso ke bawandar me unhone Veer ko jaha dekha waha fire kar diya. Par...

Veer ki agility 50% badh chuki thi. Unke reaction time se, Veer ki khud ki speed zyaada tha.

Fire karne ka koi fayda nahi tha. Veer sthir nahi tha. Wo toh jaise ek bande se dusre bande par apne haath saaf kar raha tha. Aur zyaada derr wo ek bande ke paas reh hi nahi raha tha.

"Madarchodo... Ughhh!!! Ye... Ye machines band karo chutiyo...."

Chalo, kisi ko toh dhyaan aaya.

Idhar baahar Slogan aur Steve kuch baat kar rahe the jab andar se ek daudte hue aaya...

Aadmi : Dada... Dada... Wo... Wo...

Par iske pehle ki wo kuch keh paata Slogan ne usse ishaare se shaant rehne ko keh diya.

Slogan : Tumne suna Steve?

Steve : Jii Dada!

Slogan : Gaadi ki awaaz.... Rukne kii...

Steve : Jii! Mein dekhta hu, aap andar jaiye.

Slogan : Police!?

Steve : Nahi Dada! Police yaha nahi aaegi. Aane hi nahi denge hamaare aadmi unhe. Mein dekhta hu...

Aadmi : Dada wo... Wo...

Slogan (kheejte hue) : Kya huaaa!??

Aadmi : Wo ladka hamaare changul se chooth gaya.

Bas! Slogan ka itna sunn'na tha ki usne saamne rakhi table par itni zorr se gusse me laat maari ki wo poori table hi palat gayi.

Slogan : Madarchodo!!!! Kar kya rahe the tum sab andar??? Kaha gaya wo?????

Aadmi : W-Wo... Dada... Wo... Wo maar raha hai.

Slogan : Huh!??

Aisa laga jaise Slogan ne koi chutkula suna tha.

Slogan : Kya kaha?

Aadmi (darrte hue) : Wo... Wo... Wo ek ladka hum sab par bhaari pad raha hai Dada. Pata nahi kya hua... Par achanak se hi uski rassi khul gayi aur wo hum sab par jhapat pada. Aur wo paise achanak se hawa me...

Slogan (gusse me) : Kya badbada raha hai...!?

Par abhi wo apna vaakya poora rakhta tabhi uske kaano me wo awaaz padi...

Copter ki awaaz...

Aur Slogan ka muh gusse me aur bhi bhayanak ho chala.

Slogan : KISHORRRRR!!!!!!

Uski samajh me nahi aa raha tha ki jab Kaera ko address bheja gaya tha toh bhala Kishor ka copter yaha kese aa gaya? Wo Kaera ko bhali bhaata jaanta tha. Wo jaanta tha ki Kaera kisi ko bhi nahi bataegi aur akeli hi aa jaegi.

Kya gadbad ho gayi? Kaha galat reh gaya wo? Kya usse dii gayi information galat thi? Ki Kaera Veer ke prati attracted hai? Ya Kaera ne hi sabhi ko bata diya tha?

Usse koi bhi baat samajh nahi aa rahi thi. Aati bhi kese? Kaera ka phone toh Karan ke paas tha, jis se Slogan ka poora plan palat chuka tha bina uske pata lage hi.

Par ye samay unn vyarth prashno par ab joojhne ka nahi tha. Samay tha action lene ka.

'Iss baar mein tumhe bataata hu Kishor. Ek jhatka lagega aaj tumhe.'

Slogan ne bas ek call kiya aur fir uss aadmi ke saath andar chala gaya.

Steve baahar aaya toh usse jis baat ka darr tha wahi hua. Dherr saari gaadiya aake lagti jaa rahi thi. Aur unme se dherr saare bande nikalte jaa rahe the.

Uski hawa toh jab tight hui jab copter ko hawa me udte hue dekha usne.

"Iski... Dada ko yaha se le jaana padega. Jald hi..."

Idhar Jassi ne full on attack karne bol diya tha. Usse pata tha ki ye move boht hi rash tha par shayad aaj uski kismat uske saath thi.

Kyuki...

Kyuki Veer iss waqt unke qabze me nahi tha. Wo toh alag hi dhoom machaaye hue tha andar.

Aur aise time par baahar se rush maarna andar ki orr... Ye jaise perfect strategy bann gayi thi apne aap.

Off guard catch kar liya tha Slogan aur unke saathiyo ko unn sabhi ne. Slogan ki poori team iss achanak hamle ke liye ready nahi thi. Naa hi Veer ke hamle ke liye.

Par...

*Whooooooooooooossssshhhhh*

Anhoni hona jaise likha hua tha. Hawa me jo copter udd raha tha wo...

*Kaboooooooooooooommmmm*

Ek tezz dhamaka hua aur uss copter ke chithde udte hue palak jhapakte hi zameen par girne lage.

Raghu : Nahiiiii!!!!

Jassi : Damnnnn ittt!!! Inke paas ye kaha se...!?? Shitt! Illegal weapon.... Damn you Slogan!!!

Karan : Shitttt!!! Wo log andar...

Raghu : Wo... Wo gaye Karan.

Karan : Damn it!!! Dad... Dad boht gussa hone waale hai. Fir bhi... Please! Koi waha jao... Sambhal ke... Shayad wo zinda ho...

Hawa me jo copter udd raha tha. Uske liye Slogan ne shayad yahi prabandh kiya hua tha.

Rocket launcher!

Jii haan, abhi abhi copter ko jisne udaaya tha wo ek rocket launcher ki missile hi thi. Missile hideout ke upari chorr se launch kii gayi thi. Aur ye missile...

Helicopter ke paas jaise hi aayi, uske andar se nikalti heat ki taraf attract hote hue seedha helicopter se jaa bhidi.

Aur fir dhamaaka....

Jaise maano aatishbaazi sii ho rahi thi aasmaan me. Ye kehna toh mushqil hi tha ki andar maujood pilot bache bhi honge ya nahi? Obviously, wo shayad marr chuke the.

Ye weapon illegal tha. Aur Slogan ke paas iski access thi, ye baat khud bata rahi thi ki uski pohuch kaha kaha thi. Ye bataane ki bhi zaroorat nahi ki uska main base toh foreign me tha. Aur yaha wo saalo baad laut ke aaya tha. Uske bawajood wo itni dum rakhta tha ki Kishor jaise powerful aadmi ko bhi hila ke rakh de.

Yadi yahi ladaayi Slogan ke apne adde jo ki videsh me tha usme ho rahi hoti toh Kishor ke jeetne ka sawaal hi nahi tha.

Jassi kya, waha maujood sabhi ye baat jaante the ki Rocket launcher kis kism ka weapon tha. Wo toh accha hua ki Slogan ka hideout aisi jagah tha jaha dur dur tak kisi ko ye khabar bhi nahi thi ki ek udta hua helicopter yu tehes mehes ho chuka tha.

Jassi : Yadi iske paas aur missiles hui toh hum dikkat me pad jaengi. Aur yadi isne ek bhi hum pe aim kari... Toh...

Raghu (gulps) : Toh ab!?

Jassi : Hum wese hi aage badhenge. Sabhi log... Follow me!!! Risk hai but... Dekha jaega...

Aur ek baar fir Jassi ka order sunn aage badhe. Dono hi taraf se aadmi bhidh pade. Jinke paas guns thi wo guns se firing shuru kar diye. Ek full scale rush tha ye.

Aur unki ladaayi ke beech, Raghu, Jassi aur Karan andar ki orr jaate jaa rahe the.

Jassi : Tumhe pata hai na?

Raghu : Haan!

Jassi ne kuch pucha toh Raghu uska ishaara samajh gaya aur Karan ke sameep hoke chalne laga. Karan ke paas koi weapon nahi tha. Plus Veer se bhi zyaada zaroori abhi uski safety thi.

***

Idhar andar Veer apne kaam me lage hue tha jab machines band hui aur hawa me udte paise, kaagaz zameen par gire toh Veer sabse pehle unke leader par jhapta.

Aur usse pakad ke 360° turn lete hue full force ke saath uss aadmi ko saamne ki deewaar me bhed diya.

*Craaaaaaaasssssshhhhh*

Wo aadmi deewaar me lage hue kuch racks me jaa ke bhida aur lohe ki wo pattiya seedhe uski naak me jaakar lagi toh poore room me uski dard bhari cheenkh goonj uthi.

"Aaaaaaaarrrrrgghhhhhhhhh..."

Sab kuch ast vyast kar ke rakh diya tha Veer ne. Wo ek jagah theher hi nahi raha tha jis kaaran se uss par aim karna faaltu hi tha.

Jese hi Slogan andar aaya, andar ki haalat dekh usse bada jhatka laga par uss se pehle ki wo iss haalat par apne vichaar rakh paata tabhi...

Tabhi side se uske upar koi kooda aur usse zameen par roll karwaate hue uske upar baith gaya.

Aur ab...

Slogan ke saamne Veer ka chehra tha. Wo bhayankar chehra jis par ek badi hi khaufnaak sii shaitaano waali muskaan thi. Aankhein ekdum khoon ke maafiq laal, jaise kisi ka khoon hote hue dekhne ka intezaar kar rahi ho.

[Found him... This bastard!!! Don't kill him! Tumhe koi mission nahi mila hai. So...]

Par Pari ki baat Veer kaha sunn raha tha?

Veer ne Slogan ke gale ko zorr se bheencha jaise usse wahi dam ghot ke usse maar dega.

Aur Slogan achanak se iss sthiti se bachne ke liye apne haatho se Veer ke haath churraane laga.

"Ughhh...'"

[Noooooooo!!! D-Don't..... Don't.....]

Wo chillaayi...

Aur shayad uski pukaar kisi ne sunn lii.

Kyuki agle hi pal Veer ke upar peeche se Steve kooda aur dono hi zameen par roll karte hue ek dusre ko jakad ke ek dusre par haawi hone ki koshish karne lagi.

Hadbadi me Slogan utha aur jeb se revolver nikaala usne...

Slogan : Steeeveee!! Pakad ke rakh madarjaat ko... Saala ek chhachundar me itni himmat aa gayi aaj? Aaj toh ye yahi marrega... Pakad ke rakh haram khor ko...

Steve koshish toh poori kar raha tha lekin...

Veer jaise uske saare tries fail karta jaa raha tha.

Aur tabhi...

*Ding*

[2 minutes left before turn OFF.]

Jis baat ka darr tha wahi hua. Keval 2 minute hi bache hue the card ko turn OFF hone me.

[Noooooo.... Shitttt!!! Aise me... No no noooooo!!! Jaldi se... Jaldi se isse hata ke Slogan pe focus karo. He has the gun.]

Slogan idhar intezaar kar raha tha Steve ka. Ki Steve Veer ko aisi position me laaye jis se goli maarne me asaani ho. Kahi Steve ko goli na lag jaaye.

Aur Steve shayad kamayaab ho raha tha.

Wo Veer ke neeche the aur peeche se uske gale me deadlock maare hue tha. Aas paas ke bande dard se karaah ke uthe aur madad ke liye aage badh rahe the.

Slogan ke chehre par ek kaatil muskaan aa chuki thi, kyuki Veer ki wahi chotil chhaathi ab uski nazro ke theek saamne thi.

Bas trigger dabaane ki derr thi.

Slogan : Goodbye Veeeeeerrrrr!!!

Aur trigger dab gaya...

*BAAAAAANNNGGGGGGG*

"Aaaaaaaaargghhhhhhhh"

Khoon nikalna shuru ho gaya.

Slogan : T-Tummmm.... !!!?

"Haan mein!!!" Aur tabhi wahi se awaaz aayi Jassi ki.

Jiske haath me revolver tha. Aur wo khoon Veer ka nahi balki Slogan ke haath se beh raha tha kyuki Jassi ne enter hote hi Slogan ko dekh uss par nishaana laga ke gun chala dii thi. Par nishaana thoda chooka aur wo bullet jaake Slogan ki baah me jaa ghusii.

Karan : Veeeeeerrr!!!

Ab Slogan ka khel khatam tha ye soch Jassi aur Raghu poori team samet aage badhe par...

*Shuuuuuttttt*

"Huhhhhh!?"

Achaanak hi ghapp andhera ho gaya. Kisi ne Lever gira ke poori electric supply hi band kar dii thi.

Aur jese Slogan ko apna raasta mil gaya tha. Wo chillaaya...

"Steeeeveeeee!!!"

Steve kuch nahi bola. Usse pata tha kya karna hai.

Veer ko wahi chorr wo bhaaga. Unhe toh jese andhere me bhi raasta rata hua tha.

Aur idhar andhere me Jassi samet baaki sabhi Veer ke paas pohuche.

Karan : Veeeeeeerrrr!

*Ding*

[Beowulf's Blessings Turning OFF.]

*Ding*

[Beowulf's Blessings has been turned OFF.]

*Ding*

[You cannot activate Beowulf's Blessings for the next 24 hours.]

Aur issi ke saath Veer ki aankho me se wo laali hattne lagi. Saasein thamne lagi...

Aur...

Uski aankhein band hone lagi. Zaahir tha ki uska behosh hona banta hi tha.

Akhiri shabd usse jo sunnaayi diye wo the...

Karan ki awaaz, "Veeeeeeerrrrrr!!!"

Aur Pari ki awaaz, "Listennnn... Don't go into the..."

Par unn baato ko poori sunn'ne se pehle hi wo gehri behoshi me chala gaya.
.
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Aaj ke liye itna hi guys!
Raat me jaag jaag ke kaafi kuch changes karte hue likha hai. Like thok ke jaane ka aur apne views rakhne ka. Famiglia arc ki shuruaat ho chuki hai. Parallel me Slogan Arc chalega aur saath hi khatam bhi hoega.
Dhanyavaad!

Mza agya

 

[Dtheduck]

Update - 65 ~ Rush Hour!
​

Ab tak...

Steve : Jii Dada!

Aur muskuraate hue Slogan Veer ke paas aaya aur uska chehra uthaate hue dekhte hue bola,

"Ab mein nahi... Tu khud laega usse yaha. Hahahaha~"

Par usse kya pata tha ki jis baat ke liye wo khush ho raha tha. Veer ko yaha kuch alag hi praapt ho chuka tha. Kuch aisa jis se shayad Slogan ki khud ki dhajjiya udd sakti thi.

Ab aage...

*Slam*

"Mene kaha na mein yaha ruk sakti hu."

Ye awaaz thi Ragini ki jo zorr se table par haath patak kar saamne baithe police officer se baat kar rahi thi.

Sonali ke saath Ragini Veer ko dhundne nikal chuki thi aur Veer ke baare me saari details bhi officer ko saajha kar dii thi usne. Par jaisa ki harr police officer iss waqt suggest karta, wahi kaam iss police officer ne bhi kiya, wo tha ki Ragini ko ghar bhejna aur police team ke saath khud search par nikalna.

Raat ke 12 baj rahe the aur aise me ek aurat ka police station me hona sahi nahi baith raha tha. Halaki wo yaha safe thi parantu uski yaha koi zaroorat hi nahi thi. Veer ko dhundna police ka kaam tha, isliye Ragini se details lene ke baad aur complaint likhne ke baad unhone Ragini ko ghar jaane ke liye suggest kar diya.

Officer : Dekhiye madam! Aapki yaha filhaal koi zaroorat nahi hai. Humne details likh lii hai. Hum search jaari karte hai. Yadi kuch pata chalta hai, ya aapki zaroorat padti hai toh hum aapko contact karenge. Abhi aap jaa sakti hai.

Ragini : P-Par...

Sonali : Bhabhi jii! Police uncle keh rahe hai toh sahi hi keh rahe hai. Hamaare yaha rehne se kuch badlega nahi.

Ragini : Par Sonali...

Officer : Dekhiye, bacchi theek keh rahi hai. Aap jaaiye aur thoda araam kariye. Kyuki ho sakta hai hume aapki kisi bhi waqt madad ki zaroorat pade.

Ragini : Hmm...

Na chaahte hue bhi mann maarke Ragini aakhir maan hi gayi. Uska mann yahi rukk kar Veer ke baare me kuch khabar sunn'ne ka tha. Kaash uske baare me bas kuch pata chal jaaye. Kyuki ab Ragini ko andar se waqai ghabraahat hone lagi thi. Raat kaafi ho chuki thi ab. Na jaane kya hua hoga Veer ke saath? Theek bhi hai ya nahi? Kuch inhi sawaalo ki beech ghiri hui thi woh.

Sonali ke saath lautate hue Ragini dobaara se apne ghar chali gayi. Arohi aur Nidhi ke phone nirantar aa rahe the uss se Veer ki khabar jaan'ne ke liye, yaha tak ki dono hi ghar aane bhi taiyaar thi lekin Ragini ne khud unn dono ko hi mana kar diya tha. Itni raat me unhe bulaana theek nahi tha. Aur wese bhi Ragini ke saath Suman samet baaki sabhi thi.

Toh koi chinta waali baat nahi thi. Bas aas thi toh Veer ki kuch khabar jaan'ne ki.

Wahi dusri orr, Kaera apne kamre me band hoke bistar par laiti hui aaj ki vardaat ke baare me soch rahi thi. Aur uske haatho me ek jaani pehchaani sii cheez thi.

Veer ka diya ho wahi chota sa teddy.

'He cannot die! He will come back!'

'Why did he do that for me? Saving me? With his own life?'

Kaera ko aaj se pehle kisi ke liye aisi feelings kabhi nahi aayi thi. Wo Veer ko potential danger me dekhne se darr rahi thi. Kese bhi kar ke wo Veer ko sahi salaamat waapas dekhna chaahti thi.

***

*Vroooooooooooommmm*

Yaha apni car ko repte hue iss samay Karan Raghu ki car ko follow kar raha tha. Dono hi car ke pahiye tezz raftaar me ghoomte hue apni manzil tak aage badh rahe the. Aadhi raat me jaha log sone lagte hai wahi duniya me baahar na jaane kya kya chalta rehta hai iski khabar unn andar reh rahe logo ko nahi rehti. Kuch aisa hi haal yaha abhi tha.

Karan abhi apni Mercedes drive kar hi raha tha jab achanak hi car ki front desk par rakha Kaera ka phone baj utha.

*Beep* *Beep*

'Huh!?'

Usne apne left hand se Kaera ka phone check kar jaise hi dekha toh paaya ki kisi unknown number se usse message aaya hua tha.

'Message!?'

Kuch soch ke usne wo message khol diya, aur uske aisa karte hi usse ek photo nazar aayi. Par wo downloaded nahi thi.

Jaise hi usne download kar uss photo ko dekha toh maano perro tale zameen khisak gayi thi uske.

Uss photo me Veer ek chair se khoon se lathpat bandha hua tha. Aadhi phati hui uski white shirt, bikhre hue baal, twacha me cuts aur kayi jagah gehre ghaav. Aur khaaskar uske chest ka wo khoon se sana hua wound jo shirt ke andar tha.

'Shiiiittttttt!!!!'

Photo dekhte hi Karan ko jis baat ka darr tha wahi hua. Veer kabze me tha aur unn logo ne koi kasar nahi chorri thi Veer ki khaatirdaari karne me.

Aur uss photo ke theek neeche ye bhi likha hua tha ki Veer ko bachaana hai toh akeli aa jao. Dhyaan rahe koi police ya hoshiyaari nahi, akeli matlab akeli.

'Fuck! I knew it!'

*Slam*

Kheejte hue Karan ne apne steering pe zorr se haath patka.

Usne Kaera se uska phone keval isliye maanga tha kyuki usse laga tha ki shayad...

Shayad uski behan ko threats pohuchaane waala aadmi, yaani ki Slogan kaho firse koi threat uski behan ko bheje. Bas issi ko soch ke usne Kaera se uska phone maanga tha.

Aur wahi hua, threat toh aaya hi tha par uss se bhi tension waali baat ye thi ki unke paas Veer tha. Yaani ki abhi palda unka bhaari tha.

'Mujhe pretend karna hoga ki mein Dii hu.'

Usne sochte hue Kaera ke h phone se ussi number par message likhe ke bheja, "K-Kaha!? Kaha aana hai mujhe?"

Aur jaise uski ye tarqeeb kaam kar gayi. Kyuki waha se agle hi pal ek address likh ke aa chuka tha.

'Bingo!'

Bina fir koi pal gavaate hue Karan ne aage chal rahe Raghu ko phone lagaaya aur usse saari baat bata dii.

Raghu : Bohut badhiya! Kuch nahi se toh kam se kam ye accha hai ki hume unke hideout ke baare me pata lag gaya. Ab bas hume approach bohut hi savdhaani se karna hoga.

Karan : Haan!

Aur kuch hi shan me wo dono Mirror Gallery ke sthaan par pohuch chuke the. Dono Raghu aur Karan ki mulaqaat Jassi se hui jo wahi thehre apni team ke aane ka wait kar raha tha. Ki shayad kisi ko Veer ke baare me kuch pata chala hoga.

Par koi fayda nahi, na hi Jassi ki team aur na hi Kishor ki team ko kuch pata laga tha. Kishor ki team toh bas timepass karne ke liye gayi thi shayad. Kyuki Kishor ne khud keh ke rakha tha, dur dur se bas wahi bane raho, baaki Veer ko bachaane ki zaroorat nahi hai.

Par Karan ki khabar ne jaise ek nayi aas jaga dii thi unme.

Jassi : Bohut acche! Par tum yaha kyu aa gaye?

Karan : Wo abhi important nahi hai. Important ye hai ki... Ab hum aage kaise badhe?

Jassi : Hmm~ Follow me! Everyone!!!! Mein aage aage chalunga... Aur tum sab... Mere peeche peeche aaoge. Clear hai?

"Haaaannnn!" Sabhi ke ek saath chillaane ki awaaz aayi toh jese ek naya josh sa bhar gaya tha waha unn aadmiyo me.

Jassi : Hume kisi bhi haalat me Veer ko bachaana hai. Okayyy??

"Haaaannn!!!" Ek baar fir, uchi awaaz me unka shorr waha goonj gaya.

Yadi aaj Veer ne Kaera ko na bachaaya hota toh Jassi shayad itna tatpar nahi rehta apne kaam me. Par Veer do baar Kaera ki madad kar chuka tha. Insaaniyat naam ki bhi koi cheez hoti hai jisse Jassi bhali bhaati jaanta tha. Aaj Veer ko bachaana zaroori tha.

Aur isliye, ye sabhi Jassi ko follow karte hue nikal pade. Par issi beech Suhana ke jo aadmi the, yaani ke Divya dwara bheje gaye aadmi. Jab unhone dekha ki Jassi aur baaki sabhi kahi jaa rahe hai toh wo bhi unke peeche peeche chal diye.

Slogan ko yaha nahi pata tha ki na jaane kitne log uske adde ki taraf badh rahe the.

Slogan's Hideout...

Idhar Slogan ne apne hideout par Veer ki chand tasveere kheech kar unhe Kaera ke phone par bhej toh diya tha par...

Par Kaera ka phone iss waqt Kaera ke nahi balki uske chote bhai ke paas tha. Aur iss baat se Slogan bekhabar tha.

Wo sabhi Veer ko akela chorr thodi derr Veer se dur baith apni baato me lage hue the.

Aur idhar Veer kisi aur hi state me jaane ki taiyaari kar raha tha.

[Mein... Mein ON kar rahi hu. Okay!?]

Pari Beowulf's Blessings ko ON karne ki bol rahi thi. Veer ne bas ek behad hi halki sii nod dii.

Aur...

Switch toggle hua aur Beowulf's Blessings ON ho gaya.

Uske ON hote hi, Veer ki saasein aur tezz ho gayi, ekdum se uska shareer garmaane laga aur aankhein laal sii hone lagi. Maano jese wo kayi dino se soya na ho.

[Your breathing has increased drastically... Blood flow is increased too, Body heat ho rahi hai boht tezz, Redness in eyes... Bas thodi derr... Dekho, timer chal raha hai. Tum ye state keval 25 minutes ke liye maintain kar sakte ho. Uske baad ye cooldown hone lagega.]

Par Veer toh ab jese response dene ki haalat me bhi nahi tha. Uska seene jaldi jaldi itni zorr zorr se upar neeche ho raha tha jaise maano wo koi aspataal me aaya mareez ho.

Jab wahi khade ek aadmi ne Veer ko dekha toh bauhe sikod ke wo Veer ke nazdeek aaya aur haath se uske shareer ko dhakel ke uss se bola,
"Aye? Kya kar raha hai ye? Huh? Lambi lambi saasein kyu le raha hai?"

Fir jaise usse kuch soojha toh Veer ke shareer par haath laga ke usne dekha aur itna garam shareer ka taapmaan paate hi uske haath jhatke se peeche ho gaye.

Wo apne saathiyo ki orr mudte hue chillaaya,
"Abe iska toh poora shareer jal raha hai!"

"Jalne de!! Saale ko batti dii hai na toh pit pit ke uska shareer garma gaya hai. Hahahaha~"

"Hahahahahah~"

Aur wo thahaake laga ke hassne lage.

[These bastards...]

Ek baar aur uss aadmi ne Veer ko dhakela, par jss baar uske chehre ko upar uthaaya toh Veer ki ekdum khoon ke samaan laal aankhein dekh uski gaand hi phat gayi. Wo firse palat ke bola,
"Abey! Abey iski aankhein toh ekdum laal ho rakhi hai."

"Haan toh bane rehne de. Saale ko sone nahi de rahe hai na toh laal toh hoengi hi. Aur abhi kuch derr me kuch peela bhi hone waala hai uska. Hahahaha~"

"Hahahahahaha~"

Aur wo sabhi ek baar fir zorr zorr se hassne lage. Par tabhi...

*Khaaaachhhhhhhh*

Aadmi : !???

*Whoooooooooooooooshhhhhh*

*Thuuuuudddddddd*

"Huh!??"

Achanak kuch hua. Kuch aisa jisse bas uss aadmi ne dekha hote hue aur uske baad wo kuch karne ki sthiti me hi nahi bach paaya tha.

Peeche maujood logo ko toh bas sunaayi diya. Achanak se aayi awaaz par dhyaan dete hue jaise hi unhone mud ke dekha toh ab unki reedh ki haddi tak badan me raungte khade ho chuke the.

Jidhar Veer pehle kursi me bandha hua tha. Udhar ab keval wo kursi zameen par padi hui thi. Upar wire se jo LED bulb latak raha tha wo zorr zorr se wire ke sang idhar se udhar ho raha tha.

Aur jo aadmi Veer ke paas usse check karne gaya tha. Wo zameen par pade idhar se udhar ho raha tha. Aur uske haath uske gale par the.

Dhyaan dene par pata chala ki..

Uske gale me wahi rassi bandhi hui thi jisne Veer ko baandh rakha tha. Par...

Veer gaayab tha.

Ye drishya dekh ke unhe pal bhar ke liye aisa laga jaise maano unn sabhi ne kisi bhoot ko dekh liya ho.

Pal bhar pehle hi unka dushman waha kursi me bandhe hue tha aur pal bhar baad hi...

Wo gaayab tha, aur waha par unka saathi jo apni jaan bachaane ki koshish kar raha tha keval wahi dikhaayi diya unhe. Raungte toh khade hone hi the.

Aisa laga jaise maano ek hawa ka jhoka aaya aur sab kuch badal diya. Ab unhe kya pata tha ki ye hawa ka jhoka nahi tha balki aandhi thi...

Jo khud Veer tha!

"Abeeeeyyyy!!!"

Unme se ek chillaaya aur uske saathi sabhi bhaagte hue apna saara kaam chorr uss gire hue aadmi ke paas aaye.

Ek ne aake sabse pehle hawa me jhool rahe bulb ko roka aur uske baad unn sabhi ne uske gale me tight bandhi rassi ko loose kiya.

"Oyeee! Kya hua? Kaha gaya wo behanchod? Ayeee!!! Tum sab dhundo re, yahi kahi luka hoga. Samaano ke peeche check karo! Haraam khor bhaagne na paaye!"

Unme se ek ne kaha. Jo gira hua tha wo rassi khulte hi zorr zorr se saasein lene laga. Pal bhar me maut dikhaayi de gayi thi usse apni.

Aadmi : Kya hua betichod kuch bol!!!

Par wo aadmi toh kuch bol hi nahi raha tha. Usne jaise bhoot dekh liya tha. Usse yaad tha ki wo Veer ke chehre ko utha ke uski laal aankho ke baare me mazaak sunn hass raha tha aur tabhi...

Tabhi na jaane kya hua tha...

Par Veer uss par ekdum se uchakte hue jhapta aur seedha uski peeth par chadh uske gale me wahi rassi kassi aur yu agle hi shan usse dhakel ke kahi chhup gaya.

Usse kya pata tha ki jab sab Veer ka mazaak udaa rahe the tab Veer apne haatho ko adjust karke unn rassiyo ke loops ko ek ek karke baahar nikaal raha tha.

Aur jab bas aakhiri loop bacha hua tha toh usne wo nikaala nahi, balki apne sheer force ke saath jhatke se uss rassi ko hi ghacch se cheer ke tod diya tha.

Ye sab kuch itni tezz hua tha ki wo aadmi kuch keh hi nahi paaya tha. Aur ab toh maano jaise wo sadme me jaa chuka tha. Wo drishya uske liye boht hi bhayankar tha. Laal aankh liye ek banda aapke upar uchak ke jhapat jaaye toh aadmi darr hi jaega.

Yaha unke ek leader ne sabhi ko Veer ko dhundne ke aadesh de diye the.

Hideout bada tha. Aur jagah jagah kuch na kuch samaan rakha hua tha. Kahi dherr saare bade bade containers toh kahi khule me kuch boriyaa rakhi hui thi. Kahi badi badi kuch machines toh kahi lakdiyo ki silliyaa. Kul milaake chhupne ke liye kayi jagah thi.

Aur wo apne apne hathiyaar nikaal Veer ko unn jagaho me dhundne lage. Par ab toh jese game palat chuka tha.

Yaha ek akela banda rush kar raha tha unpe. Aur wo bhi straight on nahi balki dimaag se.

Bhale hi Veer dimaag se rush maar raha tha par...

Uska dimaag jese kuch sunn hi nahi raha tha iss waqt. Kyuki Pari kaafi derr se usse chillaaye jaa rahi thi ki yahi sahi mauka hai bhaagne ka. Bhaago!

Par Veer ke iraade kuch aur hi lag rahe the. Na hi wo kuch bol raha tha, na hi kuch sunn raha tha.

Aur Pari bechaari bas kismat ko hi dosh de sakti thi.

[Damn ittt!!! Yadi Card me +50% healing nahi hoti toh tum behosh ho gaye hote pakke se. Ussi ke kaaran tumhaari bleeding ruki hui hai. Wo balance kiye hue hai. Par Card ke OFF hote hi... Noooo! You have to run Veer!!!!!!]

Lekin Veer par Pari ki koi bhi baat ka asar nahi ho raha tha.

[Shiiiittt!!! He's not listening to me!]

Aur uske baad...

*Thuuuuuddddd*

"Huhhh!?"

Ek aur awaaz aayi aur jaise hi aadmiyo ne uss awaaz ki orr dekha toh paaya ki unka ek aur saathi neeche pada hua tha aur apna sarr pakad idhar se udhar chillaa raha tha.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh"

Iss baar fir, Veer ka koi ata pata nahi tha. Wo toh jaise andhere me se nikal nikal ke ek ek ko gira raha tha.

Aur nateeja, unke leader ka gussa badhna.

"Madarchod! Baahar nikal haraami! Kaha chhupa hai?? Tum sab me se koi ek... Boss aur Steve Bhai ko jaldi bata ke aao."

"H-Haan bhai!!!"

Aur ek baahar nikal gaya. Kyuki Steve aur Slogan baahar ke area me the. Iss baat se bekhabar ki andar kis type ka rush chal raha tha.

Par jaise abhi toh unhe aur bhi kuch dekhna baaki tha.

*Click*

"Huhhhh?"

Na jaane waha kaun sii machines rakhi hui thi. Par unke side me boht bade bade fans lage hue the.

Aur jaise hi wo on hui, unke side me lage fans ghumne lage. Ek nahi, aisi kayi machines thi waha jo baari baari ON ho chuki thi.

Wo iss qadar se rakhi hui thi ki beech me table par jo khule taaza taaza noto ki gaddiya rakhi hui thi ginn'ne ke liye. Ek baar me tezz tarraar hawa ka jhoka unn fans me se aaya aur table par rakhe saare paise ya panne jo bhi kaagaz ka tha sab hawa me udd chule.

Machines iss qadar jami hui thi ki wo udte hue paise ek hi jagah par gol gol ghumne lage.

Jaise maano koi bawandar sa aa gaya ho.

"Abeeeeeyyyyyyy!!!"

Unka Leader chillaaya aur sabhi ke saamne hawa me bas udte hue paise hi dikhaayi de rahe the.

Jaise maano wo paise nahi, madhumakkhi thi jo unke aas paas mandra rahi thi.

Apne haatho se vyarth hi prayaas karte hue wo paise hataane lage. Par Veer ke liye jaise kaam asaan ho chuka tha.

Wo ek ke paas jaata aur...

*Poooooooowwwww*

*Thud*

*Pooooooowwww*

Ek back fist punch seedha aadmi ki naabhi par...

"Guhhhh!!!!"

180° degree turn lete hue dusra back fist punch uske nichle jabde par...

"Gwaaakkkhhh"

Aur fir ek shandaar inside crescent kick jisme uska daaya perr ghumta hua aaya aur ussi jabde par firse vaar kiya.

"Aaaaaaaaghhhhh"

Teen combo me hi wo banda dherr tha. Iss baar Veer combos delivery kar raha tha. He wanted to make sure ki unme se ek bhi uthne na paaye.

Veer par jaise koi bhoot sawaar ho gaya tha. Wo ek jagah se dusri jagah itni tezzi se switch kar raha tha. Upar se koi bhi wasted move nahi tha. Sabhi ekdum sateek aur potentially harmful the.

"Teri behanchod...."

*Bang*

*Bang*

*Bang*

Jinke paas guns thi wo ruke nahi, aur ussi paiso ke bawandar me unhone Veer ko jaha dekha waha fire kar diya. Par...

Veer ki agility 50% badh chuki thi. Unke reaction time se, Veer ki khud ki speed zyaada tha.

Fire karne ka koi fayda nahi tha. Veer sthir nahi tha. Wo toh jaise ek bande se dusre bande par apne haath saaf kar raha tha. Aur zyaada derr wo ek bande ke paas reh hi nahi raha tha.

"Madarchodo... Ughhh!!! Ye... Ye machines band karo chutiyo...."

Chalo, kisi ko toh dhyaan aaya.

Idhar baahar Slogan aur Steve kuch baat kar rahe the jab andar se ek daudte hue aaya...

Aadmi : Dada... Dada... Wo... Wo...

Par iske pehle ki wo kuch keh paata Slogan ne usse ishaare se shaant rehne ko keh diya.

Slogan : Tumne suna Steve?

Steve : Jii Dada!

Slogan : Gaadi ki awaaz.... Rukne kii...

Steve : Jii! Mein dekhta hu, aap andar jaiye.

Slogan : Police!?

Steve : Nahi Dada! Police yaha nahi aaegi. Aane hi nahi denge hamaare aadmi unhe. Mein dekhta hu...

Aadmi : Dada wo... Wo...

Slogan (kheejte hue) : Kya huaaa!??

Aadmi : Wo ladka hamaare changul se chooth gaya.

Bas! Slogan ka itna sunn'na tha ki usne saamne rakhi table par itni zorr se gusse me laat maari ki wo poori table hi palat gayi.

Slogan : Madarchodo!!!! Kar kya rahe the tum sab andar??? Kaha gaya wo?????

Aadmi : W-Wo... Dada... Wo... Wo maar raha hai.

Slogan : Huh!??

Aisa laga jaise Slogan ne koi chutkula suna tha.

Slogan : Kya kaha?

Aadmi (darrte hue) : Wo... Wo... Wo ek ladka hum sab par bhaari pad raha hai Dada. Pata nahi kya hua... Par achanak se hi uski rassi khul gayi aur wo hum sab par jhapat pada. Aur wo paise achanak se hawa me...

Slogan (gusse me) : Kya badbada raha hai...!?

Par abhi wo apna vaakya poora rakhta tabhi uske kaano me wo awaaz padi...

Copter ki awaaz...

Aur Slogan ka muh gusse me aur bhi bhayanak ho chala.

Slogan : KISHORRRRR!!!!!!

Uski samajh me nahi aa raha tha ki jab Kaera ko address bheja gaya tha toh bhala Kishor ka copter yaha kese aa gaya? Wo Kaera ko bhali bhaata jaanta tha. Wo jaanta tha ki Kaera kisi ko bhi nahi bataegi aur akeli hi aa jaegi.

Kya gadbad ho gayi? Kaha galat reh gaya wo? Kya usse dii gayi information galat thi? Ki Kaera Veer ke prati attracted hai? Ya Kaera ne hi sabhi ko bata diya tha?

Usse koi bhi baat samajh nahi aa rahi thi. Aati bhi kese? Kaera ka phone toh Karan ke paas tha, jis se Slogan ka poora plan palat chuka tha bina uske pata lage hi.

Par ye samay unn vyarth prashno par ab joojhne ka nahi tha. Samay tha action lene ka.

'Iss baar mein tumhe bataata hu Kishor. Ek jhatka lagega aaj tumhe.'

Slogan ne bas ek call kiya aur fir uss aadmi ke saath andar chala gaya.

Steve baahar aaya toh usse jis baat ka darr tha wahi hua. Dherr saari gaadiya aake lagti jaa rahi thi. Aur unme se dherr saare bande nikalte jaa rahe the.

Uski hawa toh jab tight hui jab copter ko hawa me udte hue dekha usne.

"Iski... Dada ko yaha se le jaana padega. Jald hi..."

Idhar Jassi ne full on attack karne bol diya tha. Usse pata tha ki ye move boht hi rash tha par shayad aaj uski kismat uske saath thi.

Kyuki...

Kyuki Veer iss waqt unke qabze me nahi tha. Wo toh alag hi dhoom machaaye hue tha andar.

Aur aise time par baahar se rush maarna andar ki orr... Ye jaise perfect strategy bann gayi thi apne aap.

Off guard catch kar liya tha Slogan aur unke saathiyo ko unn sabhi ne. Slogan ki poori team iss achanak hamle ke liye ready nahi thi. Naa hi Veer ke hamle ke liye.

Par...

*Whooooooooooooossssshhhhh*

Anhoni hona jaise likha hua tha. Hawa me jo copter udd raha tha wo...

*Kaboooooooooooooommmmm*

Ek tezz dhamaka hua aur uss copter ke chithde udte hue palak jhapakte hi zameen par girne lage.

Raghu : Nahiiiii!!!!

Jassi : Damnnnn ittt!!! Inke paas ye kaha se...!?? Shitt! Illegal weapon.... Damn you Slogan!!!

Karan : Shitttt!!! Wo log andar...

Raghu : Wo... Wo gaye Karan.

Karan : Damn it!!! Dad... Dad boht gussa hone waale hai. Fir bhi... Please! Koi waha jao... Sambhal ke... Shayad wo zinda ho...

Hawa me jo copter udd raha tha. Uske liye Slogan ne shayad yahi prabandh kiya hua tha.

Rocket launcher!

Jii haan, abhi abhi copter ko jisne udaaya tha wo ek rocket launcher ki missile hi thi. Missile hideout ke upari chorr se launch kii gayi thi. Aur ye missile...

Helicopter ke paas jaise hi aayi, uske andar se nikalti heat ki taraf attract hote hue seedha helicopter se jaa bhidi.

Aur fir dhamaaka....

Jaise maano aatishbaazi sii ho rahi thi aasmaan me. Ye kehna toh mushqil hi tha ki andar maujood pilot bache bhi honge ya nahi? Obviously, wo shayad marr chuke the.

Ye weapon illegal tha. Aur Slogan ke paas iski access thi, ye baat khud bata rahi thi ki uski pohuch kaha kaha thi. Ye bataane ki bhi zaroorat nahi ki uska main base toh foreign me tha. Aur yaha wo saalo baad laut ke aaya tha. Uske bawajood wo itni dum rakhta tha ki Kishor jaise powerful aadmi ko bhi hila ke rakh de.

Yadi yahi ladaayi Slogan ke apne adde jo ki videsh me tha usme ho rahi hoti toh Kishor ke jeetne ka sawaal hi nahi tha.

Jassi kya, waha maujood sabhi ye baat jaante the ki Rocket launcher kis kism ka weapon tha. Wo toh accha hua ki Slogan ka hideout aisi jagah tha jaha dur dur tak kisi ko ye khabar bhi nahi thi ki ek udta hua helicopter yu tehes mehes ho chuka tha.

Jassi : Yadi iske paas aur missiles hui toh hum dikkat me pad jaengi. Aur yadi isne ek bhi hum pe aim kari... Toh...

Raghu (gulps) : Toh ab!?

Jassi : Hum wese hi aage badhenge. Sabhi log... Follow me!!! Risk hai but... Dekha jaega...

Aur ek baar fir Jassi ka order sunn aage badhe. Dono hi taraf se aadmi bhidh pade. Jinke paas guns thi wo guns se firing shuru kar diye. Ek full scale rush tha ye.

Aur unki ladaayi ke beech, Raghu, Jassi aur Karan andar ki orr jaate jaa rahe the.

Jassi : Tumhe pata hai na?

Raghu : Haan!

Jassi ne kuch pucha toh Raghu uska ishaara samajh gaya aur Karan ke sameep hoke chalne laga. Karan ke paas koi weapon nahi tha. Plus Veer se bhi zyaada zaroori abhi uski safety thi.

***

Idhar andar Veer apne kaam me lage hue tha jab machines band hui aur hawa me udte paise, kaagaz zameen par gire toh Veer sabse pehle unke leader par jhapta.

Aur usse pakad ke 360° turn lete hue full force ke saath uss aadmi ko saamne ki deewaar me bhed diya.

*Craaaaaaaasssssshhhhh*

Wo aadmi deewaar me lage hue kuch racks me jaa ke bhida aur lohe ki wo pattiya seedhe uski naak me jaakar lagi toh poore room me uski dard bhari cheenkh goonj uthi.

"Aaaaaaaarrrrrgghhhhhhhhh..."

Sab kuch ast vyast kar ke rakh diya tha Veer ne. Wo ek jagah theher hi nahi raha tha jis kaaran se uss par aim karna faaltu hi tha.

Jese hi Slogan andar aaya, andar ki haalat dekh usse bada jhatka laga par uss se pehle ki wo iss haalat par apne vichaar rakh paata tabhi...

Tabhi side se uske upar koi kooda aur usse zameen par roll karwaate hue uske upar baith gaya.

Aur ab...

Slogan ke saamne Veer ka chehra tha. Wo bhayankar chehra jis par ek badi hi khaufnaak sii shaitaano waali muskaan thi. Aankhein ekdum khoon ke maafiq laal, jaise kisi ka khoon hote hue dekhne ka intezaar kar rahi ho.

[Found him... This bastard!!! Don't kill him! Tumhe koi mission nahi mila hai. So...]

Par Pari ki baat Veer kaha sunn raha tha?

Veer ne Slogan ke gale ko zorr se bheencha jaise usse wahi dam ghot ke usse maar dega.

Aur Slogan achanak se iss sthiti se bachne ke liye apne haatho se Veer ke haath churraane laga.

"Ughhh...'"

[Noooooooo!!! D-Don't..... Don't.....]

Wo chillaayi...

Aur shayad uski pukaar kisi ne sunn lii.

Kyuki agle hi pal Veer ke upar peeche se Steve kooda aur dono hi zameen par roll karte hue ek dusre ko jakad ke ek dusre par haawi hone ki koshish karne lagi.

Hadbadi me Slogan utha aur jeb se revolver nikaala usne...

Slogan : Steeeveee!! Pakad ke rakh madarjaat ko... Saala ek chhachundar me itni himmat aa gayi aaj? Aaj toh ye yahi marrega... Pakad ke rakh haram khor ko...

Steve koshish toh poori kar raha tha lekin...

Veer jaise uske saare tries fail karta jaa raha tha.

Aur tabhi...

*Ding*

[2 minutes left before turn OFF.]

Jis baat ka darr tha wahi hua. Keval 2 minute hi bache hue the card ko turn OFF hone me.

[Noooooo.... Shitttt!!! Aise me... No no noooooo!!! Jaldi se... Jaldi se isse hata ke Slogan pe focus karo. He has the gun.]

Slogan idhar intezaar kar raha tha Steve ka. Ki Steve Veer ko aisi position me laaye jis se goli maarne me asaani ho. Kahi Steve ko goli na lag jaaye.

Aur Steve shayad kamayaab ho raha tha.

Wo Veer ke neeche the aur peeche se uske gale me deadlock maare hue tha. Aas paas ke bande dard se karaah ke uthe aur madad ke liye aage badh rahe the.

Slogan ke chehre par ek kaatil muskaan aa chuki thi, kyuki Veer ki wahi chotil chhaathi ab uski nazro ke theek saamne thi.

Bas trigger dabaane ki derr thi.

Slogan : Goodbye Veeeeeerrrrr!!!

Aur trigger dab gaya...

*BAAAAAANNNGGGGGGG*

"Aaaaaaaaargghhhhhhhh"

Khoon nikalna shuru ho gaya.

Slogan : T-Tummmm.... !!!?

"Haan mein!!!" Aur tabhi wahi se awaaz aayi Jassi ki.

Jiske haath me revolver tha. Aur wo khoon Veer ka nahi balki Slogan ke haath se beh raha tha kyuki Jassi ne enter hote hi Slogan ko dekh uss par nishaana laga ke gun chala dii thi. Par nishaana thoda chooka aur wo bullet jaake Slogan ki baah me jaa ghusii.

Karan : Veeeeeerrr!!!

Ab Slogan ka khel khatam tha ye soch Jassi aur Raghu poori team samet aage badhe par...

*Shuuuuuttttt*

"Huhhhhh!?"

Achaanak hi ghapp andhera ho gaya. Kisi ne Lever gira ke poori electric supply hi band kar dii thi.

Aur jese Slogan ko apna raasta mil gaya tha. Wo chillaaya...

"Steeeeveeeee!!!"

Steve kuch nahi bola. Usse pata tha kya karna hai.

Veer ko wahi chorr wo bhaaga. Unhe toh jese andhere me bhi raasta rata hua tha.

Aur idhar andhere me Jassi samet baaki sabhi Veer ke paas pohuche.

Karan : Veeeeeeerrrr!

*Ding*

[Beowulf's Blessings Turning OFF.]

*Ding*

[Beowulf's Blessings has been turned OFF.]

*Ding*

[You cannot activate Beowulf's Blessings for the next 24 hours.]

Aur issi ke saath Veer ki aankho me se wo laali hattne lagi. Saasein thamne lagi...

Aur...

Uski aankhein band hone lagi. Zaahir tha ki uska behosh hona banta hi tha.

Akhiri shabd usse jo sunnaayi diye wo the...

Karan ki awaaz, "Veeeeeeerrrrrr!!!"

Aur Pari ki awaaz, "Listennnn... Don't go into the..."

Par unn baato ko poori sunn'ne se pehle hi wo gehri behoshi me chala gaya.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Aaj ke liye itna hi guys!
Raat me jaag jaag ke kaafi kuch changes karte hue likha hai. Like thok ke jaane ka aur apne views rakhne ka. Famiglia arc ki shuruaat ho chuki hai. Parallel me Slogan Arc chalega aur saath hi khatam bhi hoega.
Dhanyavaad!

Mza agya

 

[jone964]

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!

Fantastic update bro maza aagya

 

[Ek anjaan humsafar]

 

[Ek anjaan humsafar]