Incest Baadshah ~ The Tales of Debauchery

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Latest Update ➢ Update 193 ​

 

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Mega Update

Update - 193 ~ Pandemonium (2)
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Shreya's house,
Evening - 7:40 PM ~

Aaj Yarnia ki launch ke liye sajne sawarne me sabhi lage hue the, aur inhi me se ek thi — Shreya. Singapore se laut aane ke baad, Shreya bhi iss waqt aaine ke saamne khadi, dhyaan se apne aap ko jaanch rahi thi. Lamba chamakdar designer gown uss par behad khubsoorat lag raha tha.




Uska makeup bhi halka tha jo uski komal, yuva visheshtao ko ujagar kar raha tha. Usne apne baalo ki ek latt ko adjust kiya jo uske sirr ke peechhe bandhe jatil joode se nikal kar bhaag rahi thi.

Usne ghoomte hue khud ko sheeshe me punah dekha. Kya yeh kaafi tha? Woh mann hi mann sochi. Veer ko itne samay baad dobara dekhne ke vichar maatra se hi uska dil zoro se dhadak raha tha.

Kuchh mahine beet chuke the jab usne akhiri baar Veer ko dekha tha. Uski zindagi ab badal chuki thi. Food show ke liye Tamanna aur Aabha ke saath travel karna uske liye kisi sapne se kam nahi tha. Vibrant cities ko explore karna, exotic cuisines ka swaad lena, aur apne channel aur social media ki profile par followers ka badhna, ye sab kuchh mumkin ho paaya tha sirf aur sirf ek shaks ke kaaran, jo tha — Veer!

Woh insaan jisne chupchap, bina kisi maang ke, uske liye uski safalta ka maarg khola tha. Na sirf Veer ne use ye avsar pradaan kiya balki usne unhe sponsor bhi kar rakha tha.

'Usne mujhe sirf ek chance hi nahi diya. Meri life ko ek purpose diya hai.'

Sochte hue woh halka sa muskurayi. Use toh aaj ke iss event ke baare me koi jankari bhi nahi thi. Kintu, jab Nidhi Dhruv ko chhorne ke liye apne mata-pita ke ghar aayi tab jaake use apni badi behan ke zariye iss baat ka pata chala.

Nidhi bhi use achanak se ghar lauta paa kar hairan thi magar khush bhi. Fir, usi ne Yarnia ki launch ki saari jankari use di. Aur, choonki Nidhi ye jaanti thi ki Veer aur Shreya aapas me achhe dost hai, usne Shreya ko bhi saath chalne ke liye kaha — ek avsar jise Shreya hargiz nahi gawana chaahti thi.

Usne ghadi ki orr dekha, jaane ka samay ho raha tha. Apna clutch uthaate hue usne ek akhiri baar khud ko nihaara.

'Umeed hai woh mujhe notice karega.'

Sochte hue woh apne kamre se baahar nikal gayi. Seedhiya utarte hue, woh apne mata-pita ke paas se guzri, jo chhote se Dhruv ko lita ke use khilaane me lage hue the.

"Arey waah, aaj toh bahut khubsurat lag rahi ho iss dress me. Ho gaya time jaane ka??"

Uski maa, Hema ki awaaz peechhe se aayi jab unhone use jaate hue dekha.

Shreya (smiles) : Haan maa! Time ho gaya hai. Ab nikalti hu mein. Aur, mere hisse ka khaana mat banana. Mein wahi se kha ke aaungi.

Pita ji, Ramandeep jo wahi baithe chai pee rahe the woh bhi apni chhoti bitiya ko jaate hue dekh bina bole reh na sake.

Ramandeep : Itna saj dhaj ke kaha jaa rahi ho bhai? Ye dekho! Na upar chunri hai, na kuchh. Sab khula khula ekdum.

Shreya (embarrassedly) : P-Papa! Maa, samjhao na.

Hema : Theek hai! Ab badi ho gayi hai bitiya. Roz roz thode hi pehenti hai.

Ramandeep : Arey par-

Shreya : Aur, Veer ke yaha event hai. Hotel Prestige me. Waha koi tension ki baat hi nahi. Sab security hai waha. Celebrities, models log bhi aayenge waha.

Ramandeep : Tum aur Nidhi dono ye Veer-Veer karti rehti ho. Kaun hai Veer? Hume toh aaj tak nahi milwaya tum dono ne.

Shreya : News me jiske baare me aapne dekha tha na, wahi hai Veer. Ab jaa rahi hu. Ab mat tokna.

Kehte hue woh waha se kisi hawa ke jhonke ki tarah nikal gayi. Aur, andar uske maa-baap aur kitchen se aati bhabhi uske alhadpann par bas muskurate reh gaye.

Ramandeep : Dipti beta, ye chai ka cup le jaana zara.

Dipti : Ji papa ji! Chali gayi Shreya?

Hema : Haan chali gayi. *smiles* Lagta hai Veer se uski kuchh zyada hi patt rahi hai. Kyu? Kya kehte ho aap? Dekhne jaana hai ladke ko? News me dekha toh tha humne uske baare me. Ab ladki byaah karne yogya ho gayi hai.

Ramandeep : Bhai mein wahi purani galti nahi dohrana chaahta. Bechari Nidhi bitiya ke saath jo kuchh bhi hua, woh humne dekh liya hai. Agar, Shreya uss ladke ko pasand karti hai toh ek baar jaa ke mil lenge parivar jano se. Agar sab kuchh theek laga toh koi baat hi nahi.

Dipti : Shreya ne bataya tha ki Veer ne hi use ye opportunity dilwayi thi maa ji — Foreign me travel karne ki. Woh celebrity Tamanna ji ke saath.

Hema : Sach? Hume toh usne iss baare me kuchh nahi bataya tha. Mujhse keh rahi thi ki usko mauka mila hai baahar jaane ka. Veer ka toh naam hi nahi liya tha usne. Abhi humari bitiya kayi baatein chhupa rahi hai. Ek baar pehle use bitha ke sab kuchh jaan le ki uske mann me kya hai. Fir, aage badhte hai. Kyu theek kaha na?

Ramandeep : Haan haan bilkul!

Idhar Shreya jaise hi shaam ki taaza hawa me baahar nikli, uski nervousness aur badh gayi. Usne fauran hi ek cab bulayi aur driver ko Hotel Prestige ke liye disha-nirdesh dete hue waha se nikal gayi.

Woh soch rahi thi ki woh Veer ko surprise degi, magar ek baat jo woh nahi jaanti thi woh yeh thi ki Veer ne hi uski ghar waapsi karwayi thi. Veer ne jaan-boojh ke use Yarnia ki launch ke liye invite nahi kiya tha kyunki Aadesh se woh abhi Tamanna aur baaki sab ko dur rakhna chaahta tha.

Lekin, Shreya yeh baat bhala kaha jaanti thi? Woh toh theek wahi jaa rahi thi jaha se Veer use dur rakhna chaah raha tha.

8:20 hi hue the abhi cab me baithe-baithe, woh traffic me fasi hui thi jab achanak se use ek call aaya. Clutch se apna phone nikaalte hue usne screen dekhi toh uske hontho par muskaan aa gayi.

'Di ka call? Lagta hai pahuch gayi!'

Aur, usne call uthaate hue apne kaan se lagaya-

"Hello? Haan di? Pahuch gayi ky-"

Magar, agle hi pal woh wahi jamm ke reh gayi. Aankhein phati ki phati, jaise uske shareer se rooh nikal gayi ho. Aur, phone uske haath se chhutak ke neeche jaa gira.

***

At the same time,
Somewhere in Mumbai ~

*Slap*

"M-Maaf kar do! Maaf kar do, b-boss! *sniff* Mujhse galti ho gayi. Mein bewakoof hu."

Balhaar kisi ek zarzar warehouse ke mand raushni waale basement me khada tha, upar tim-timaata light bulb farsh par feli khoon se lathpath aakriti par peeli chamak bikher raha tha.



Paseene aur khoon se mishrit namm concrete ki durgandh hawa me bhari hui thi, ekdum dum ghotne waali. Aur, neeche pada gid-gidaata vyakti koi aur nahi balki — Jai tha.

Jai, jo kabhi uski gang ka ek bharosemand sadasya tha, ab neeche past pade, kaanp raha tha. Uske chehre par dard aur bhay ke bhaav the. Ye wahi Jai tha jiske paas se Trisha ne jaa ke woh footage baramad ki thi.

Balhaar neeche jhuka, usne ek haath se Jai ke baal kass kar pakde, aur uska chehra upar ki orr kiya. Uski awaaz maddham thi — ek toofan se pehle ki shaanti.

Balhaar : Kameene!!! Tujhe kya laga tha? Tu mujhe dhoka dega aur mujhe pata nahi lagega???

Jai : B-Boss... *sniff* H-Hic-! M-Mujhe maaf kar do. Mujhse galti ho gayi. *sniff* M-Mein bewakoof tha jo aapke khilaaf gaya.

Uski maafi ne Balhaar ke gusse ko aur bhadka diya. Usne Jai ke baal chhore aur apni taang uthaate hue zorr se-

*Slaaaaaaaammmmm*

"Aaaaaaarrrghhhhhh-!!!"

Uski paslio me de maari. Kamre me Jai ki ek dardnak cheekh goonj uthi. Itna hi nahi, Balhaar ne uske baalo ko dobaara pakad uske chehre ko zorr se zameen par de maara jiske chalte Jai ke muh aur naak se khoon behne laga.

Balhaar : Tujhe lagta hai ki tu maafi maang lega aur mein tujhe maaf kar dunga? Haan? Maaadarchoood!!!!

Woh dahada, uski awaaz deewaro se takra ke wahi basement me goonj gayi. Usne raseed ke ek chaata Jai ko firse maara.

*Slaaaaaaappp*

Jai : H-Hiiiiiiiii- *sniff* *hic*

Balhaar (growls) : Bhosdike!!! Tune meri information police ko bechi, mere do hideouts ki location leak kar di, aur ab tu mujhse maafi ki umeed rakh raha hai? Madarchod!!! Shukra mana jo maine tera sarr abhi tak salamat rakha hai. Bata ab! Tune peeth peechhe chhura kyu maara? Bol, haramzaade!!!

Jai ne Balhaar ke do hideouts ki location police ko leak kar di thi. Yahi wajah thi ki police uske aadmiyon ke peechhe padi thi aur unhe surveillance me rakh rahi thi jiske chalte use underground hona pada tha.

Magar, Balhaar akhir Mumbai ka don tha. Koi aera gera nahi. Jaha ek taraf police uske aadmiyon par nazre banaye hui thi, toh wahi Balhaar bhi police me unhi afsaro ko apne surveillance me rakha hua tha jo uske aadmiyon ke peechhe lagi thi, jinme se ek thi — Trisha. Yaani ki surveillance ke upar surveillance.

Udhar Trisha Jai ke adde pe jaake uss se mili, aur idhar Balhaar ko Jai ke adde ki location praapt ho gayi. Uske baad tabiyat se Jai ki khatirdari hui aur ab woh neeche dale apni jaan ki bheekh maang raha tha.

Ek aur jhapad padte hi Jai dard se karaahte hue zorr-zorr se khaansa, uske muh se khoon nikalne laga. Woh ghabraate hue bola.

Jai : M-Mein sab bataata hu... Please... M-Mujhe mat maaro. *sniff* M-Mein sab bata dunga. *cough*

Balhaar apne haath modte hue peechhe hua, uski aankhein Jai par kisi baaj ki tarah tiki hui thi.

Balhaar : Bolna shuru kar! Aur, agar mujhe kahi bhi laga ki tu jhooth bol raha hai-

Usne apna sirr kamre ke ek kone ki orr moda jaha uske aadmi chupchap khade the, aur unke haatho me hathiyar halki raushni me chamak rahe the.

Balhaar : -toh teri laash police tak ko bhi nahi mil payegi. Samjha gaandu?

Jai : N-Nahi-!!! *cough* Nahi boss!! M-Mein... Mein akela nahi tha. *cough* Ek aadmi... Muh par kapda baandhe... Naqab-posh! Woh-!! Woh mere paas aaya tha.

Balhaar (frowns) : Naqab-posh?? Kaun naqab-posh??

Jai ne apne gale me atka thook nigla, khoon ka kadwa swaad uski jeebh ko laga.

Jai : K-Koi tha... U-Usne kaha tha ki woh meri madad karega. M-Mujhe apni gang banaane me, agar... agar maine aapko dhoka diya toh- par, mein bewakoof tha, boss. Mein chutiya tha. *cough* M-Mujhe usne bataya tha ki kya karna hai aur k-kaise karna hai.

Balhaar ka muh andar hi andar kass gaya. Uska mann Jai ke kahe gaye har shabd par vichaar karte hue manthan karne laga.

Balhaar : Tha kaun woh??

Jai : M-Mujhe nahi pata. *sniff*

Usne rote hue kaha. Uske sooje hue chehre par se aasu beh rahe the.

Jai : K-Koi jawan sa ladka tha... Lekin, uska chehra... Mein nahi dekh saka. W-Woh- Woh poore samay muh par kapda baandha hua tha.

Balhaar : Aur, teri mulaqat iss naqab-posh se kaise hui??

Jai : W-Woh khud aaya tha. Jaise shayad use aapke aur mere baare me sab pata tha. A-Aur, isliye- isliye mein uski baaton me jaldi aa gaya.

Balhaar ne zorr se apni mutthi bheenchi, paseene ki ek thandi boond uski kanpati se fisalti hui neeche giri. Uske dimag me ye shabd baar-baar ghoomne lage.

Jawan... Naqab-posh... Planning... Vishvasghaat...

Aisa toh uske zehen me koi nahi aa raha tha. Par, tabhi use kisi ka khayal aaya jiske baare me sochte hi uske poore badan me sihran daud gayi.

'K-Kahi woh toh nahi!? V-Veer!!!?'

Sochte hi uska poora badan thanda pad gaya. Yeh vichar hi akalpaneeya tha, lekin iski sambhavna... Isne use bhaybheet kar diya.

Veer ne ateet me use har mod par maat di thi aur baar-baar yeh saabit kiya tha ki woh kyu unn sabka boss tha. Yadi Veer vastav me uski wafadari ya kshamta ki pareeksha lena chaah raha tha, toh aisa karne ka yeh sabse sahi tareeqa tha. Iss se behtar mauka aur kya hi ho sakta tha?

Use tabhi ye bhi dhyan aaya ki haal hi me Veer ne use Casa Belle ke owner Aadesh Jaisinghani ko ek aur dose dene ke liye kaha tha, kintu sheher me ho rahe murders ke chalte Balhaar khud underground ho rakha tha. Aur, usne Veer ke iss kaam ko apni majboori jata kar taal diya tha.

'K-Kahi woh mujhe test toh nahi kar raha???'

Ek sansani macha dene waala vichar uske mann me aaya. Woh jaanta tha ki Veer kitna shaatir tha. Aatish aur Slogan ko jo vyakti maar ke baitha ho, woh bhala kya kuchh nahi kar sakta?

Kahi aisa toh nahi ki Veer ne hi yeh sab kaand karwaya tha? Baad me fir usne madad maangi aur yaha pe use Veer ki madad ke liye aage badhna chaahiye tha lekin woh nahi badha. Sochte hi Balhaar ke badan ke rue khade ho gaye.

Balhaar : A-Aur kya kaha uss naqab-posh ne?

Jai jhijhka, uska chehra peela pad chuka tha.

Jai : W-Woh kuchh badbada raha tha, boss. Koi bade se event ke baare me kuchh keh raha tha... 31 december ki raat ko... Hotel Prestige me shayad... Kuchh badhiya sa...

Balhaar ka badan ye sunte hi wahi jamm gaya. Uski chhati gyan-indri chillaa chillaakar use khatre ki chetavni de rahi thi. Usne apne maathe se paseena pochha, aur uska dimag tezi se daudne laga.

Hotel Prestige?? Yeh toh Veer ki hotel thi. 31 tareekh?? Yaani ki aaj ki raat. Kuchh badhiya??

Balhaar (mutters) : Y-Yarnia ka launch event!

Jai : H-Huh!?

Samay kuchh zyada hi sateek tha, kuchh zyada hi sanyogpoorna. Uska shaq gehra hota chala gaya. Bhala Yarnia ke launch event ke baare me Veer ke alawa aur kaun jaanta tha?

'Kya waqai me woh mujhe-!? Ye dekhne ke liye ki mein uske liye khada hota hu ya nahi? K-Kahi aisa toh nahi ki woh mujhe hata kar kisi aur ko-! Huh!!?'

Woh Jai se dur hua aur kamre me wahi ghoomne laga, uske bhaari jooto ki awaaz waha goonjne lagi. Woh humesha se hi ek satark vyakti tha, lekin aaj darr ne use jakad liya tha. Use ab action lene ki zaroorat thi aur woh bhi abhi ke abhi.

Usne gurraate hue apne ek aadmi ko dekh use aadesh diya.

Balhaar : Ladke ikhatta karo! Hotel Prestige me ek team bhejo. Duri bana ke rakhna lekin har cheez par nazre bhi gadaaye rakhna. Agar, koi kuchh galat karne ki koshish kare tabhi beech me koodna. Tumhara asli maqsad hai waha ke logo ki safety. Samajh gaye?

Uske aadmiyon ne ek dusre ko dekha, fir haami bhar, aagya ka paalan karte hue waha se nikal gaye. Balhaar wapas Jai ki orr muda, uske chehre par thoda sandeh tha.

Balhaar : Bahut keh liya tune. Ise baandho! Ye tab tak yaha rahega jab tak mein iski teh tak nahi pahuch jaata!

Jai punah maafi ke liye gid-gidaya, lekin Balhaar ke ghoorne par woh chup ho gaya. Balhaar neeche jhuka, uska chehra Jai se maatr ek inch ki duri par tha.

Balhaar (mutters) : Jo tune bola, agar woh jhooth nikla toh pata hai na? Tera naam gaddaro ki soochi me sabse pehle yaad kiya jayega. Aisi saza dunga mein tujhe-! Samjha?

Iske saath hi woh wapas khada hua, apne coat ko theek kar usne apne bikhre hue baalo me haath firaaya. Uske dimaag me toofan umad raha tha, dher saare sawaal kisi bhawar ki tarah uske andar ghoom rahe the. Kya inn sab ke peechhe Veer tha? Kya woh use parakh raha tha? Ya fir koi aur taaqat iske peechhe thi?

Kya use seedhe Veer se baat kar ke iss baare me poochhna chahiye? Nahi! Aise me agar woh uske test me kahi fail ho gaya toh? Veer agar bura maan gaya toh? Kahi woh Mumbai ke don ko replace karne ki yojna toh nahi bana raha? Kahi usne Veer ko kisi tarah niraash toh nahi kar diya? Ye saare sawaal uske dimag me paida hone lage.

Jaise hi woh raat ke andhere me baahar nikla, uska sankalp mazboot ho gaya. Woh iss sach ka pata laga ke rahega, aur agar Veer hi iss dor ko kheech raha hai, toh woh apni wafadari use saabit karega — bhale hi iske liye use thoda bahut tyaag hi kyu na karna pade.

***

The Outskirts of Mumbai,
Night - 8:20 PM ~

Sunsaan sadak par Divya ki car tezi se aake ruki. Raushni thi toh sirf aasmaan me chamakte chaand aur gaadi ki headlights ki. Ek sleek black sedan unka raasta beech me roke hue khadi hui thi. Aur sedan ke theek peechhe ek aur car thi jis se chaar bade hatte-katte bouncers tik ke khade the, lekin jo aadmi unke saamne khada tha, usne saara dhyaan apni orr kheech liya.

Nik!!!




Divya ka badan apni seat par baithe jamm gaya, saamne khade vyakti ko dekh uski saansein jaise atak ke reh gayi. Driver seat par baithi Ava ne apni bauhe kasste hue steering ko thaam rakha. Peechhe ki seat par Veer ne bhi apni gardan modte hue saamne dekha. Uske chehre par koi bhaav nahi the.

Divya darwaza khol baahar nikli, uske haath kaanp rahe the. Nik ke chehre par muskan thi - ek ajeeb si muskan.




Divya (frowns) : N-Nik-!? Y-You? What are you doing here?

Puchhte samay uski awaaz ladkhada gayi. Nik dheere se hasa, uske haath uske trench coat ke andar the.

Nik : Enjoying yourself, are you, Divya??? Running off to India from China, climbing the ranks of FBCC, leaving your man to handle those pathetic cases back in Las Vegas?? Eh!?

Divya ka darr ye sunte hi gusse me badal gaya.

Divya (yells) : Enjoying??? You think I was fuckin' enjoying??? I didn't run off!!! You knew I was going to China for an operation. I work for FBCC now, Nik!! Not for Las Vegas' investigation department. A real international agency, Nik. Do you even know the risks I put myself into???

Nik (sneers) : Oh, I know, alright! I know everything, my lovely wife. Did you really think I wouldn’t? Your phone’s been tapped since the day you left for China. I know where you went and where not. I know whom you called and whom not. *grins*

Divya ka muh hairat me khul gaya. Woh poori tarah stabdh thi.

Divya : Y-You- You tapped my phone???

Nik ne haivani muskan liye Veer ko ghoora jo car se baahar aake theek Divya ke peechhe khada hua tha.

Nik : Of course I did. Someone has to keep you on a leash, Divya. *grins* God knows what kind of wild dogs you might decide to cozy up to.

Usne Veer ki orr dekhte hue kaha. Wild dogs??? Kya woh use junglee kutta thehra raha tha? Magar, jaha Veer shaant tha toh wahi Divya ka gussa ye sunn bhadak utha.

Divya (yells) : How dare you, Nik??? Are you out of your fucking mind???

Nik ne koi pratikriya nahi di. Aisa lag raha tha jaise Divya ko iss haalat me dekh use ek alag hi sukh praapt ho raha tha. Uski patni, auhde me uss se upar, tankhwa me uss se upar, kaushal me uss se upar, magar fir bhi woh saamne khade use dekh ghabra rahi thi. Aur, yahi Nik ko sukhad ehsaas dilwa raha tha. Ye niyantran jo woh uske upar banaye hue tha — yahi tha uske sukh ka kaaran.

Nik : You’ve been out of line for far too long, Divya. Someone had to remind you where you belong.

Divya : Where I belong??? With a manipulative bastard who blackmailed me into a marriage I never wanted?!

Iss baar Nik ki muskan gaayab ho gayi.

Nik : You talk too much, bitch!!! Come here!!! RIGHT NOW!!!

Divya (yells) : FUCK OFF!!! I WON'T!!!

Nik : Then... take care of him for me.

Usne apne aadmiyon ko fir bina dekhe hi unse kaha. Aur, Divya ka dil ye sunn baith gaya. Woh Veer ko iss maamle me nahi ghaseet sakti thi.

Divya : What? N-Nik, don’t do this!

Woh chillaate hue do qadam aage aayi.

Nik : I don't care. Be quick guys!

Magar, woh bouncers Veer ki orr badhne lage. Divya jaanti thi ki Veer combat me achha tha. Lekin, 3-4 bouncers ko ek saath handle karna?? Woh Veer ko iss mushqil me nahi daal sakti thi. Hargiz nahi. Ye sab use ghaayal kar sakte the. Aur, jaise hi woh aadhe raaste pahuche-

Divya (screams) : Stoooooopppp!!!!

Woh zorr se chillaayi. Uski awaaz toot rahi thi.

Divya : I'll... I'll come with you. Just... Just leave him alone. P-Please!

Nik (smirks) : Good girl. I knew you’d see sense.

Divya be-mann majbooran dheere-dheere aage badhi. Woh aadhe raaste pahuchi hi thi jab Veer ki peechhe se aati awaaz ne use wahi rok diya.

"Don't."

Woh ruki. Usne peechhe mud kar hairani me use dekha. Veer khamosh khada hua tha. Ava bhi mask pehne Veer ke bagal se aashcharya me use dekh rahi thi.

Itni derr me Veer ne Nik ki badsalooki bhi dekh li thi, Divya ka uske liye tyaag bhi, aur ye bhi ki ye bouncers akhir kiske dwara uplabdh karwaye gaye the — Gaurav.

Veer : Ava...!

Ava : H-Huh???

Veer ne dheere se pukara. Magar, uski awaaz ekdum aadesh dene waali thi.

Veer : Prestige pahucho! Abhi! Sab ka dhyaan rakhna. Mujhe aane me kuchh samay lag sakta hai. Take the car!

Ava : Wh-What?

Veer : Tum chaahti thi na ki mein tum par dobara bharosa jatau?

Ava : !!!?

Veer : Toh mein tumhe ye mauka de raha hu. Go!!! Waha hum dono me se ek ka rehna zaroori hai. Waha ki zimmedari mein tumhare upar saunpta hu. Hope, iss baar tum mujhe niraash nahi karogi.

Ava : Kya??? Veer, mein tumhe yaha akela chhor ke kaise jaa sakti hu??? Baat inn goons ki nahi hai. Ye tumhara baal bhi baaka nahi kar sakte, lekin-

Veer : Kyunki, tum waha rahogi, isliye mein yaha reh sakta hu, Ava!!!

Ava : !!!?

Veer : I'm trusting you with things on that side. *smiles* Capisce???

Ava : F-Fine!!!

Woh jaana toh nahi chaahti thi, lekin Veer ne use ek aham zimmedari saunpi thi. Iss baar woh uska kandha bann ke uska saath nibhaana chaahti thi. Woh use yakeen dilana chaahti thi ki woh uss par bharosa kar sakta hai. Woh fauran hi car me baithi aur waha se Hotel Prestige ke liye ravana ho gayi.

Veer : Divya!

Divya : H-Huhh??

Veer (smiles) : Mere liye zara ye phone tab tak apni pocket me rakhna.

Divya : ???

Uska bina pehel kiye hi Veer ne apna phone nikaala aur Divya ki jacket ke upar waale jeb me khos diya.

Veer : Bas yahi rehna. Tab tak mein- Inse nipat lu zara.

Nik (yells) : What the hell are you guys waiting for??? Fuck him up!!!

Bouncers apni mutthi kass achanak hi Veer ki orr lapke. Veer ne Divya ko apne peechhe kiya aur woh ek jhatke me apni jagah se gayab ho gaya. Jo insaan Crimson, Jaw Long jaise dhurindar system holders ko maar ke baitha ho, uske liye ye teen bouncers bhala kya cheez the?

Divya aur Nik ki palke do se teen baar hi bas jhapki hongi aur teeno ke teeno bouncers zameen par dher pade hue the. Ek ke muh se jhaag nikal raha tha toh dusra dard se karah kar roye jaa raha tha. Aur, teesra toh behoshi ke aalam me tha.

Nik ki aankhein phati ki phati reh gayi. Woh akela nahi tha. Peechhe khadi Divya ko bhi apni aankhon par vishwas nahi ho raha tha. Itni jaldi sab kuchh hua ki woh ye sab process hi nahi kar paaye.

Veer apni jeb me dono haath daale dheere-dheere Nik ke qareeb badhne laga.

*Ding*

['Beowulf’s Blessings' has been activated.]

Gehra laal rang. Mand chaandni me uski aankhein ek shikaari ki tarah chamak uthi jo maano apne shikaar ka peechha kar raha ho. Aisa lag raha tha ki koi bhooka sher ahista-ahista bakre ko dabochne ke liye aage aa raha tha.

Veer ki aankhein dekh Nik ki pant me peshab ki kuchh boondein chhoot gayi. Nahi! Ye sapna nahi tha. Woh laal rang. Woh dekh paa raha tha. Woh ladkhadate hue kuchh qadam peechhe ki orr chala gaya.

Usne apne bouncers ko dekha, uski saansein ukhadne lagi. Uska dimag chakra gaya - teen hatte-katte aadmi, aur palak jhapakte hi teeno neeche? Apne maathe par ikhatte paseene ko pochh usne apne kaapte hue haatho se apni handgun nikaali.

Nik (yells) : Wh-What are you!!?? S-Stay back!!!

*Ding*

['Intimidating Presence' has been equipped.]

Uska gala sookhne laga, lekin usne khud ko chillaane ke liye majboor kiya.

Nik : D-Don’t you dare, kid!!! I’ll shoot-!!!

Kintu, Veer ne koi jawab na diya, uski khamoshi apne aap me ek bayaan de rahi thi.

*Ding*

['Beowulf's Blessings' has been deactivated.]

Nik : I-I swear I’ll shoot… you fucker-!!

Usne kaanpti awaaz me chetavni di. Magar, jaise hi Veer aadhe raaste aaya, Nik ne samay zaaya nahi kiya.

Nik (screams) : Die-!!! You motherfucker

Divya (screams) : Nooooooo-!!! Veeeeeerrrr!!!

*Bang*

Par-!

Nik : H-Huh-!!???

Nik saamne ghatit hue drishya ko pacha nahi paaya. Usne goli theek Veer par hi chalayi thi. Use poora yakeen tha, magar woh goli-

Woh goli hawa me hi kahi dur nikal gayi. Veer ne itni asaani se apna rukh badla ki woh goli ke aane se pehle hi uss sthaan se hatt gaya.

Nik ne dekha ki Veer ke hontho par ek ajeeb si muskaan thi. Iss baar woh ghabraya-

Nik : Y-You-!!! You little-

Usne dobaara apni bandook taani aur jaise hi woh trigger dabaane ke liye hua-

*Ding*

HAWKEYE

Neeche pade ek chhote se patthar par Veer ne zorr se laat maari, patthar hawa me udd kar seedhe Nik ke haath ki taraf aaya — gati kisi bullet se kam nahi thi.

*Crack*

"Aaaaaaaaarrrrggghhhhh-!!!!"

Ek dard bhari cheenkh uss sunsaan sadak me goonj gayi. Nik ke haath par patthar aake zorr se laga aur uski handgun uske haath se chhutak kar peechhe kayi feet dur jaa giri. Isme koi shaq nahi tha ki uske haath ki haddi fracture ho chuki thi.

Dekhte hi dekhte, Veer theek uske saamne tha.

Nik (shivers) : Y-You-!!!

Lag raha tha jaise Veer use yaha maar hi daalega. Veer ne apna haath jeb se nikaala.

Nik : N-Nooo-!!! S-Stop!!!

*Slaaaaaaappp*

Aur, ek zordaar tamacha aake Nik ko gaal par pada. Bal itna ki Nik ka poora shareer do chakkar gol ghoom kar neeche gir pada. Veer ne use collar pakad ke uthaaya aur agle hi kshan-

*Craaaaashhhhhhh*

"Uuurrghhhhhh!!!!"

Uska sarr seedhe car ki front window me me de maara. Khoon se lathpath, Nik kuchh bhi karne aur bolne ki haalat me nahi tha. Veer ne use dobaara pakad ke neeche zameen par feka.

Usne apni laat uthayi. Aur, iske pehle ki woh Nik ke muh pe apne joote ki chhaap chhorta-

"Veeeeeerrr!!! Nahi-!!!!!!"

Veer : Huh!!??

Uski taang beech me hawa me hi ruk gayi. Divya ki awaaz ne use rok diya. Usne peechhe mud ke use dekha. Uski aankhon me sawaal saaf-saaf nazar aa rahe the.

Veer : !!?

Divya daud ke uske samaksh aayi. Uski baah ko pakdi, uske haath darr ke maare thar-thara rahe the.

Divya : P-Please-!!! *shivers* N-No more-!!! *sniff*



Gusse me Veer ne apni mutthi kass li. Divya iss aadmi ke liye use rok rahi thi??

Divya : P-Please!! G-Go-!!!

Veer (frowns) : Tum...

Mann toh kar raha tha ki woh Divya ko bhi do chamaat laga de. Itna gussa aa raha tha use abhi. Magar, khud ko qaabu me kar, usne chupchap Divya ki jacket se apna phone nikaala. Dekha toh paaya ki battery keval 2% bachi hui thi.

'Shit-!!!!'

Upar se network bhi gaayab tha. Usne ek baar apna phone airplane mode par daal ke network reset kiya. Aur, itna karte hi dhadalle se ek-ek kar ke saare piled up notifications aane shuru ho gaye.

Ghar waalo ke dhero missed calls pade hue the.

'Damn it!!! Mere phone ka charger toh Divya ki car me hi reh gaya jo Ava le gayi.'

Iske pehle ki woh Tej ko phone laga paata, uska phone baj utha.

'Hmm? Shreya!!?'

Call Shreya ka tha. Call uthaate hue phone usne apne kaan par lagaya aur tabhi-

"Veeeeeeeeeeeeeerrrrr-!!!! *sniff*"

Veer : Huh???

Uss orr se Shreya ki zorr se pukaar use sunayi padi.

Veer : Sh-Shreya!!??

Ek sihran uske badan me fel gayi. Shreya ro rahi thi? Kahi aisa toh nahi ki Aadesh ke gundo ne use-!?

Shreya : Veeeeeerrr-!!! *sniff* Veeeeeer suno!!!!

Veer : Shreya? Kaha ho tum? Ro kyu rahi ho???

Shreya (cries) : Veeeeeerrr!! Jaldi!!! *sniff* Jaldi!!! Carewell hospital ho jao. Please-!!! *sniff* Jaldi!!!

Veer : Wh-What??? Hospital!? K-Kya hua? Hello??? Shreya???? Sh-Shreyaaa???

Shreya : *sniff* T-Tum jaldi aa jao!! P-Please!!! *sniff* Jaldi! Mein sab batati hu fir. *sniff* P-Please!!!

Veer : Hello?? Shreyaaa??? Par-

Shreya : Veer mein-

*Call ends*

'Huh???'

Veer ne dekha ki uske phone ki battery dead ho chuki thi. Baat adhoori hi reh gayi.

'Damn it!!!'

Mann toh kar raha tha yahi apna phone patak de. Uske haath gusse me zorr se kampan kar rahe the. Divya ne Shreya ki guhaar Veer ke nazdeek khade hone ke chalte phone ke zariye sunn li thi.

Divya : J-Jao Veer!!!

Veer : ??? Tumhe yaha aise chhor ke?? Pagal ho gayi kya??? Come! Be quick!! Gaadi me baitho!! Aur, mein-

Divya : N-Nahi!!!

Veer : ???

Divya : Y-Ye maamla mere niji jeevan ka hai, Veer. Mein tumhe isme nahi ghaseet sakti.

Veer : Divya-

Divya : Shhh!!!

Woh uske hontho par apne haath rakh uske qareeb aayi.

Divya : Mujhe kuchh nahi hoga. Mein jaanti hu mujhe kya karna hai. J-Jao, Veer. Logo ko tumhari zaroorat hai. Bhulo nahi ki mein FBCC ki special agent hu. Nik chaah ke bhi mujhe nuksan nahi pahucha sakta. T-Trust me! Now go!!!

Use dhakelte hue Divya do qadam peechhe ho gayi. Agar, Shreya ka woh call na aaya hota toh Veer yu iss tarah Divya ko chhor ke kabhi nahi jaata.

Kintu, woh jaanta tha ki kuchh gadbad hui hai. Kuchh anhoni hui hai. Aur, yahi uski chinta ka kaaran thi.

Woh unn bouncers ki gaadi me baitha aur usne zorr se car ghumayi. Ek akhiri baar dono ki nazre aapas me takrayi.

Veer : Mein pahuch ke Ava ko tumhare paas bhejta hu.

Divya : Don't worry!!! I'll be fine! Go now!!!

Aur, Veer ne accelerator par perr rakh gaadi waha se bhaga di. Peechhe khadi Divya ke labb khule aur bas ahista se uske muh se yahi nikla-

"Thank you... Veer!!!"

---

*Vroooooooom*

Veer ki gaadi tez raftaar pakde Mumbai ke liye bhaagti jaa rahi thi. Woh apne event ke liye late hota jaa raha tha.

Lekin, Shreya ne jis tarah se use pukaara, woh jaanta tha ki kuchh badi baat hai. Phone band hone ke chalte use alag kheej uth rahi thi.

Event ke liye woh kitni utsukta se taiyaar tha. 'Yarnia' ka usne swayam Louis dwara banaya gaya blazer daal rakha tha. Magar, harr mod pe ek nayi musibat uske liye taiyaar khadi thi jo use Prestige pahuchne se rok rahi thi.

[Aapne waha jo kiya aisa dobaara mat karna, Master.]

Pari ki awaaz uske mann me goonj gayi.

'Huh?'

['Beowulf's Blessings' ke samay aapki aankhein laal ho jaati hai. Aur, aapne Nik ke saamne ye istemal kiya. Aap jaante hai na ki Nik ek aam insaan hai?]

'Yeah!!!'

[System ke baare me kisi ko nahi pata chalna chahiye, Master. *mutters* At least for now...!!]

'H-Huh? What do you mean-!?'

[Anyways, mission ke liye around 4 hours bache hai. Aap jaante hai na penalty?]

'Pari! Tum mujhe dara rahi ho ya madad kar rahi ho?'

[Mein aapko dara nahi rahi, Master! Kya pata? Shreya ka ye bulawa? Shayad hume uss murderer tak pahucha de!?]

'!!!?'

Chaurahe par aate hi Veer ki car Carewell hospital ke route ke liye mud gayi. Koi nahi jaanta tha ki aage kya hone waala tha.

***

Hotel Prestige,
Night - 8:20 PM ~

Hotel Prestige ka ballroom badi hi bhavyata se jagmagati lights se jhilmila raha tha. Hall aane waale mehmano se bharta jaa raha tha — Business VIPs, mashoor celebrities, social media influencers, aur fashion enthusiasts. Sabhi Veer ke naye clothing brand, Yarnia ke launch ka besabri se intezar kar rahe the. Raat ke 8:20 baj rahe the aur Veer ke parivar jann bechain the. Veer ka koi ata-pata jo nahi tha.

Tej stage ke kinare khadi hui thi aur uske haath ghabrahat me podium ko kass kar pakde hue the. Uske kabhi shaant chehre par iss waqt tanaav jhalak raha tha. Woh wahi khadi Bhumika ki orr mudi, jo apni dress ko theek karne me lagi hui thi.

Tej : Hume aur time nikaalna padega. Ramp walk bas 10 minutes me shuru hone ko hai. Aur, Veer ab tak yaha nahi pahucha hai.

Bhumika ne badhti bheed ki orr dekhte hue haami bhari.

Bhumika : Ab time nikalna mushqil hai, Tejal! Mein hosting me tumhara saath de dungi. Hum iss waqt ab koi galti nahi kar sakte. Veer ki reputation daav par hai.

Tej (nods) : I know!!!! Damn it!!!

Bhumika : Tumne use call kiya???

Tej : Aapko lagta hai maine use call nahi kiya? Pichhle dus minute se lagatar use call laga rahi hu. Unreachable bata raha hai.

Bhumika : Par, ab hum bina koi reason late nahi kar sakte.

Tej : I know!! Tsk!!! Theek hai! Mein initial speech sambhal lungi. Kya uske baad-?

Bhumika (nods) : Don't worry! Uske baad ka mein dekh lungi.

Tej : Thanks!!!

---

Idhar pravesh dwar ke paas Aabha aur Suman aane waale mehmano ke swagat me juti thi. Unki aankhein ghadi aur darwaze ke beech ghoom rahi thi. Aabha ne ek jaane-maane udyogpati ke haatho se uska invitation card lete hue garmjoshi se kaha.

Aabha : Aane ke liye aapka bahut-bahut dhanyavad Mr. Khurana! Please, aaiye!!

Mr. Khurana ke andar jaate hi Aabha apni saasu maa ki orr palti aur fusfusate hue poochhi.

Aabha : Maa ji! Kya aapko lagta hai ki maalik samay se aa payenge???

Suman ne apni muskan barkarar rakhte hue halka sa sir hilaaya aur boli.

Suman : Maalik aate hi honge beta! Tum bas mehmano ke swagat par dhyan do. Mein jaanti hu tum unse milne ke liye vyakul ho par abhi- jo zimmedari hume di gayi hai woh nibhani zaroori hai. Samajh gayi na?

Aabha (nods) : Ji maa ji!!

---

Refreshment tables par, Sonali apni nazre gadayi hui thi. Usne champagne le jaate ek waiter ko tokte hue roka.

Sonali : Pehle jo aage baithe hai unhe serve karna hai. Theek hai na?? Aur, koi bhi tray khaali le kar mat jaana waha.

Waiter : Ji madam!!

'Na jaane kaha reh gaya ye? Hmph! Aane do use! Bataungi baad me!!'

Woh mann hi mann Veer ke baare me soch muh fulaayi.

---

Poore hall me, Ragini hi ek sundar kaala designer gown pehne hue thi, VIP mehmano se woh iss qadar mil rahi thi jaise maano woh kisi badi conglomerate ki CEO ho. Yeh aura tha uska.

VIP : Everything looks promising... I must say.

Ragini (smiles) : Absolutely!! We're excited for you to see the collection. It's unique. A combination of French and Indian designs.

VIP (smiles) : I'm looking forward to it.

Baaton hi baaton me apni aankhon ke kone se usne dekha ki uska ex-husband, Vivek use hi ghoor raha tha. Vivek ko hawa ki tarah nazar-andaz karte hue uske vichaar Veer ki orr chale gaye.

'Kaha ho tum? Sab tumhara intezar kar rahe hai aur tum ho ki- Jaldi aao Veer! Please!'

---

Galti Vivek ki nahi thi. Aaj Ragini dikh hi itni bemisal rahi thi ki koi bhi mard use dekhe bina nahi reh paa raha tha. Kahi na kahi Vivek ko ye gussa bhi dila raha tha aur use Ragini jaisi biwi ko gawaane ka pachhtava bhi ho raha tha.

Woh toh yaha aana hi nahi chaahta tha, magar Manorath, Sumitra ko laane ke liye use yaha majbooran aana pada. Aur, upar se Hotel Prestige ki chamak aur vilasita dekh jalan alag uske andar janm le rahi thi. Akhir, Veer ne itni jaldi itna sab praapt kaise kar liya?

Woh Shweta, Sumitra, Manorath, Purvi aur Arun ke saath hi waha baitha tha. Na aane waale logo ki soochi me the — Karunesh, Brijesh aur Pranjal. Aur, charcha ka vishay bhi yahi the.

Manorath : Apne hi bete ki tarakki me agar ek baap uska saath nahi dega toh kaun dega?

Unhone gusse me aate hue apni chhadi ko wahi patakte hue kaha. Yaha aane ke poorv apne bete se hua sanvad unhe yaad aaya.

Uss sanvaad ko yaad kar unka sarr abhi bhi hataasha se neeche jhuka hua tha, kintu Shweta, Sumitra aur Purvi ki maujoodgi ne jaise unhe thodi raahat di.

Sumitra : Zyada mat sochiye, papa ji! Ek na ek din jeth ji aapki baatein samajh jayenge. *smiles* Aur, umeed hai sab pehle jaisa ho jayega.

Manorath : Umeed par hi toh duniya qayam hai bitiya! Khair, mera pota kaha hai? Ab tak aaya nahi!

Purvi : Mein kab se use talaash rahi hu. Uska phone bhi nahi lag raha hai. Bhavna boli toh hai ki woh raaste me hai aur aata hi hoga.

Arun : Ab zyada late nahi kar sakte. Dekho! Mehman badhte jaa rahe hai. Kaha gaya kaha hai, Veer?

Shweta : Use... Use important kaam tha ek. Aata hi hoga.

---

Veer ki gerr-maujoodgi sabko ghabrahat me daal ke rakhi hui thi. Aur, Louis toh sabse zyada ghabraya hua tha. Stage ke peechhe uski awaaz ko suna jaa sakta tha. Woh tension me idhar se udhar chalte hue kaafi bechain lag raha tha.

"Louis!!!"

Tej ne andar aate hue use pukaara. Stage ke peechhe sabhi models apne-apne designer outfits pehne ekdum taiyaar the. Kuchh ke make-up ko retouch diya jaa raha tha toh kuchh sheeshein me apne aap ko ek akhiri baar dekh rahe the ki sab sahi hai ya nahi.

Tej : Louis, I need you to stay calm!! You are being too loud! The event will go on, and Veer will be here soon. Don't worry!!!

Louis : But zis is unacceptable!!! A launch without ze creator??? What will ze investors think??? Where is my friend, Veer???

Tej : Trust me!!!

Usne Louis ke kandho par haath rakh use aashvasan diya.

Tej : We'll handle it! Just focus on making sure the models are ready.

---

Iss orr Bhavna, Ragini ke mata-pita ke saath vartalap me lagi hui thi.

Dinesh : Mujhe toh poora vishvas tha ki ye ladka aage chal ke kuchh zaroor bada karega. Bahut honhar hai!

Rohini (smiles) : Haan! Jis tareeke se usne kathin samay me humari Ragini ka dhyan rakha aur saath hi jab usne humare poore parivar ko bachaya tabhi mein samajh gayi thi ki chaahe uss ghar se aapke liye kitne hi katu shabd kyu na kahe gaye ho, ek buri maa apni kokh se aisi santaan ko janm de hi nahi sakti. Koi mahaan mahila hi iske peechhe ho sakti hai. Aur, mein sahi thi. Achhi baat hai ki humari Ragini ne bhi uss ghar se peechha chhura liya.

Bhavna : Isme galti ghar ki nahi. Bas... Kuchh logo ki mansiktao, unke iraade aur unki naqamyabio ki rahi hai. Ghar toh ghar hota hai. Ab jab log hi use ek asli grahasti banaane me naqamyab rahe, toh isme ghar ka kya kasoor? *smiles* Hai na?

Dinesh : Ni ni bilkul theek kaha aapne.

Rohini : Waise, kaha hai Veer? Bahut samay ho gaya uss se mile.

Bhavna : Bas... Aata hi hoga.

---

Kinaare me Kavya, Arohi aur Kritika teeno ek saath baithi hui thi. Arohi baar-baar apne phone ki taraf dekh rahi thi. Uske chehre par nirasha saaf jhalak rahi thi.

Arohi (frowns) : Phone abhi bhi nahi lag raha hai.

Kritika : Kahi Veer bhaiya koi grand entrance ki taiyari toh nahi kar rahe?? Kyunki, unki aadat hai sabko surprise karne ki. Haha!

Usne mahaul halka karne ki koshish karte hue kaha.

Kavya : Haan, shayad! Ho sakta hai.

Arohi (frowns) : Nahi! This isn't like him! Kuchh gadbad hai. I can feel it. Warna ab tak toh woh-

Kehte hue woh ruk gayi kyunki shor achanak se badh chuka tha. Kisi ka aagman hua tha.

Nahi! Veer nahi! Koi aur tha. Koi aisa jiske chalte waha maujood saare photographers paagal se ho pade. Dhakka-mukki hone lagi aur woh jhund me waha padhaare athiti ko apne camera me qaid karne ke liye tadapne lage.

Veer se bhi do badi hastiyaan waha padhaar chuki thi jinke darshan maatra ke liye log baukhla rahe the. India ke do sabse bade conglomerate ki owners. Koi aur nahi balki trinity ki do deviyaan waha ek saath pahuch chuki thi.

Nexacom ki — Kaera.



Aur, Elite Group ki — Sonia.



*Click* *Click*

Unn dono ki grand entrance ne Hotel Prestige me upasthit logo ko hairat me daal diya. Photographers do jhund me batt gaye. Ek jhund jaha Kaera ki khubsoorti ko qaid karne me jutt gaya toh wahi dusra Sonia ko apni magazines aur akhbaaro ke glamour section me taaza khabar bana ke chhaapne ke liye taiyaar ho gaya.

Unn dono ke aagman ki kisi ne umeed nahi ki thi. Nexacom aur Elite Group, India me corporate ke do sabse bade shikhar the, unka competition hi janta ke liye kisi aakarshan se kam nahi tha.

Kaera aur Sonia ko ek hi kamre me ek saath dekhna hi apne aap me ek event tha. Aur, upar se ye sambhav ho paaya tha business ki duniya me qadam rakh rahe ek naye khiladi ke dwara — Veer.

Waha maujood hoshiyar businessman logo ne turant hi iska mahatva pehchaan liya.

“Veer Singh,” Unme se ek samajh me sirr hilaate hue fusfusaya. “Agar, woh inn dono ko ek saath event me bula sakta hai, toh iska matlab zaroor woh koi khaas hai.”

Kaera ne kuchh poses dene ke baad andar qadam rakha. Uski tez peni nazre bheed ko aise scan kar rahi thi jaise maano woh dekhne maatra se unki kshamtao ko jaan rahi ho.

Uske bagal se uska chhota bhai, Karan bhi poore confidence se chal raha tha. Secretary Ruchika apne peshevar aacharan ka paalan kar ek haath me tab liye theek uske peechhe-peechhe aa rahi thi. Aur, unn sab ke theek aage the — Raghu aur Jassi, Kaera ke do personal bodyguards, jo kuchh aur bouncers ke saath unhe aage peechhe se gher ke janta sa bachaate hue aage badh rahe the.

Aur, fir thi Sonia jo apni golden black dress me kuchh kam nahi lag rahi thi. Uski secretary, Suchika theek uske peechhe chal rahi thi, uska chehra mask se chhupa hua tha jo use aur bhi rehesyamayi bana raha tha. Sonia ke parivar ke bharosemand salahkar aur vishvaspaatra, Uncle Prakash bhi unke saath-saath chal rahe the. Magar, yahi nahi — Suhana, Sonia ki badi behan bhi uske saath thi. Uski upasthiti Sonia ke dal par ek adrishya bhaar daal rahi thi.



Stage par khadi Tej ko sab kuchh nazar aaya jaise hi dono dal andar pravesh kiye. Uski nigaahein sabse pehle uss mahila par jaa kar tiki. Aur, jaise uss mahila ne bhi Tej ki nazro ko apne upar mehsoos kar liya. Dono ki nazre aapas me takrayi.



Tej (mumbles) : It’s her…!!!

Bhumika : Huh??? Tejal!! 8:30 ho chuka hai!! Ramp walk aur delay nahi kar sakte.

Tej : P-Par, Veer ab tak nahi aaya hai. Humein aur delay karna hoga!!

Bhumika : Par, kaise???

Tej ne wapas Suhana ko dekha. Kuchh soch-vichar kar woh stage se neeche utri aur Suhana ki orr badhne lagi.

Bhumika : T-Tejal?? Kaha jaa rahi ho??

Magar, Tej jaa chuki thi. Na jaane uske mann me kya tha. Bhumika bas stage se yahi dekh paayi ki Tej Suhana se jaake kuchh baat kar rahi thi.

‘Kya woh dono… Ek dusre ko jaanti hai??’

Idhar Sonia jaise hi hall ke andar aayi, woh ek pal ke liye ruki, uski nazar kamre me Kaera se mili. Unke beech ka vatavaran adrishya tanaav se bhar gaya, hawa ka bhaar jaise badh gaya. Koi bhi shabd ka adaan-pradaan nahi hua, magar bheed uss tanaav ko mehsoos kar paa rahi thi — ek jung, jo bina kisi hathyar ke, keval apni upasthiti se ladi jaa rahi thi.

Dono hi apne-apne sthaan par aake baithi. Kaera ki nazre Veer ko talaash rahi thi.



Use apni maid, Julia se hua sanvaad yaad aa gaya.

Julia : Miss, aap pareshan lag rahi hai!

Kaera (sighs and turns) : Mein event ke liye perfect dikhna chaahti hu, Julia. Sirf perfect hi nahi — special. Kuchh aisa jis se uska dhyaan sirf mujh par rahe.

Julia : Aapka matlab, Young Master Veer?

Veer ke naam par Kaera ke gaalo ka tapmaan badh gaya, lekin usne iss se inkaar nahi kiya aur dheere se ek haami bhari.

Kaera : Samajh nahi aa raha kya pehnu. Western dresses? Ya fir designer gown? They all feel... very ordinary.

Julia use dekh uske qareeb aayi.

Julia : Toh, kuchh traditional kyu nahi? Ek saree???

Kaera : Saree? Mere upar? Kya tumhe lagta hai... Kya tumhe lagta hai Veer ko wo pasand aayegi?

Julia (nods) : Unki personality ko dekhte hue — haan, bilkul! He strikes me as someone who would appreciate elegance over boldness. Ek saree, samay se pare hai, Miss. Woh kabhi trend se baahar nahi jaane waali. It's timeless. And, it would highlight your natural beauty.

Kaera : Tumhari hindi din-ba-din achhi hoti jaa rahi, Julia.

Julia (smiles) : Thank you, miss. Fufu~

Kaera : But-

Julia : Hmm?

Kaera : Mujhe toh... uska favourite color bhi nahi pata. Agar, mein saree pehenti hu toh woh logically usi color ki honi chahiye jo use pasand hai, hai na? Otherwise, what's the point?

Julia (chuckles) : You think of every detail, don’t you?

Kaera : Veer... alag hai, Julia. Woh baakiyo ki tarah nahi hai jinse mein ab tak milti aayi hu. I want to make sure that when he looks at me, he only sees me. His eyes should never wander away from me.

Julia uski baat par bas muskurayi.

Kaera : It's decided then. Mein aaj raat event me uss se uske favorite color ke baare me poochhungi. And, when the time comes, I'll wear a saree in that color for him.

Julia (smiles) : That's right, Miss. Capture him before anyone else does.

Kaera : Capture?

Julia (grins) : Yes!

Kaera : But I wanted him to claim-

Julia : Only a princess waits for her charming prince, miss. Queens don't.

Kaera : !!?

Julia (smiles) : Queens make their own opportunities and capture their kings before anyone else. Check-mate him, Miss.



'Check mate, huh???' Woh apne khayalo me kahi ghum ho gayi.

Isi beech Sonia, Prakash Uncle se vartalap me lagi hui thi.

Sonia : Impressive! Veer ne waqai bahut mehnat ki hai. Mein dekh paa rahi hu. Kya kehte ho aap?

Prakash Uncle : Hmm! Sirf event nahi hai ye... Yaha ke businessmen ke liye ye ek mauka bhi hai. Aur, aapne idhar aake uss chingari ko aag me badal diya hai.

Tabhi, Suhana ne jhuk ke Sonia ke kaan me kuchh kaha jise sunn Sonia ne dheere se haami bhari.

Jaha businessmen logo ke liye Yarnia ek invest karne laayak brand tha toh wahi Nexacom aur Elite Group iss bhaag daud me sabse aage tha.

Ek-ek karke dekhte hi dekhte Kaera aur Sonia ke ird-gird businessman chaaploosi kar ikhatta hone shuru ho gaye.

Yeh ek sunehra avsar tha unke liye. Roz-roz bhala kaha Nexacom aur Elite Group saath aate the?

Bhumika : Ohh!! Toh ye plan tha tumhara???

Usne stage par wapas aati Tej ko dekh bola.

Tej (nods) : Hmm! Deals ke chakkar me ab thodi der saara focus Miss Kaera aur Miss Sonia par bana rahega. Aur, koi complaint bhi nahi karega. Hope tab tak Veer aa jaaye.

Isi beech Karan apni jagah se uth Kritika, Arohi aur Kavya ke paas pahucha. Use apni orr aata dekh Kritika ke gaalo ka tapman badh gaya.

Karan (smiles) : H-Hey!! Aaj tum... *blushes* bahut beautiful lag rahi ho.

Kritika (blushes) : Th-Thank you! Tum bhi-!!

Karan : Huh?? M-Mein bhi beautiful lag raha hu???

Kavya : Ahahahaha!!! Pagli! Ladko ko beautiful thodi kehte hai.

Kritika : Tu chup kar!! P-Pata hai mujhe. Mere kehna ka matlab tha... *blushes* Tum bhi... Handsome lag rahe ho.

Karan : Ahaha! Thank you! Waise... Veer kaha hai? Mujhe kahi dikhayi nahi diya.

Arohi (frowns) : Woh ab tak yaha nahi aaya hai.

Karan : Kya??? Ab tak nahi aaya? Mein call karta hu ek minute-

Arohi : Phone unreachable aa raha hai, Karan. It's no use.

Karan (frowns) : Strange!

Arohi : I know! Woh aise gaayab nahi hota. Kuchh baat zaroor hogi.

Kavya : Di! Tejal didi ne bataya tha na ki woh kisi Divya ma'am ke saath gaye hai? Unka number hai kya aapke paas?

Arohi : Nahi, Kavya! Unka number-! Huh??? Arey haan!!! Unka number Tejal di ke paas zaroor hoga shayad. Good work, Kavya!!! Mein jaa ke zara poochh ke aati hu.

Kavya : Okie~

Arohi unn teeno ko aapas me chhor Tej ki taraf chal di.

Hall ke hi ek aur kone me Niharika bhi saj-dhaj ke wahi baith ke champagne pee rahi thi. Aaj kuchh zyada hi saji hui thi woh. Uske agal-bagal se uski dono colleagues-cum-slaves, Ayushi aur Ishani bhi baithi thi.

Ayushi : Wow! Itna grand welcome? Mein toh pehli baar kisi aise event me hissa le rahi hu.

Ishani (nods) : Same! Par, ye har baat pe wow bolna band karo. Tumne dekha nahi? Miss Kaera aur Miss Sonia tak aayi hai. Aur, toh aur Miss Suhana bhi aayi hai. Nexacom aur Elite Group saath-saath. Woh bhi ek hi jagah pe-!!!

Ayushi : Wooowww~

Ishani : ...

Dono apni baato me magn thi, lekin idhar Niharika ke mann me kuchh aur hi chal raha tha.

'Agar tum mere liye kaam karti ho, toh mein tumhe 'Globerays' ki tankhwa se bhi zyada dene taiyar hu. Basharte... Tumhe mere prati loyal rehna hoga. Aur, kuchh loyal employees bhi dhundhne honge.'

Pehle Niharika ne Veer ke ye bol ek kaan se sunn ke dusre se nikaal diye the. Magar, ab... Nexacom aur Elite Group ko ek saath dekh ke hi uska dimag manthan karne me jutt chuka tha.

'Kya mujhe aage badhna chahiye-!? Magar, usne mere saath... Tch!!! Let's just see where this goes.'

---

*Screeeeeeeeeechh*

Baahar ek aur car aake ruki. Ek aur khubsoorat ladki mask pehne andar hall me pravesh ki. Agar, woh mask na hota toh shayad photographers baukhla chuke hote.

Trinity ki akhiri sadasya, Ava waha padhaar chuki thi. Par, mask ke peechhe woh bas ek aam ladki prateet ho rahi thi.

Ghuste hi use Sonia aur Kaera dono alag-alag baithi hui mili aur uske qadam entrance par hi tham gaye.

'Kaera.... S-Sonia...!!!'

Dil ke bheetar chhupi kuchh feelings baahar sateh par aane lagi. Nahi! Ye sahi waqt nahi tha. Khud ko samjhaate hue usne ek kinara pakad liya. Par, nazre baar-baar unn dono par jaa ke tik hi jaati.

---

Ghadi par 8:45 baj chuke the.

Samay hote hi Tej ne stage par punah qadam rakha. Uske upar aate hi bheed shaant ho gayi aur sabhi ki nigaahein uss par tik gayi.

Tej : Ladies and gentlemen!! First of all, thank you for joining us tonight for the launch of Yarnia, a brand that promises to redefine fashion. My dear brother, Veer Singh, the visionary behind Yarnia, will join us shortly. In the meantime, let me introduce you to the genius who brought these designs to life — our esteemed designer coming straight from France, Louis Dumont!! The ramp walk will begin now.

Louis ke aate hi taaliyon ki gadgadahat waha goonj uthi. Ab ramp walk shuru karwaane ki zimmedari uski thi. Parde ke peechhe models apne outfits ko sahi karne me lage hue the. Bhumika tezi se Tej ke paas daudte hue aayi.

Bhumika : Ab humein shuru karna hi hoga, Tejal!

Tej : Haan! Miss Suhana ne 15 minutes nikalwa diye. Mujhe nahi lagta ab aur late kar payenge.

Bhumika : Aur karna bhi nahi hai Tejal! Bhulo mat ki aaj 31st hai. Inn VIPs ke apne plans hai new year ko celebrate karne ke. Woh hume aur waqt nahi de payenge.

Tej (nods) : Sahi kaha! Par, agar hum unke liye yahi pe new year celebrate karwa de toh-?

Bhumika : Aisa nahi hota, Tejal! Inn sab ke appointments hote hai. Kaha kis waqt jaana hai, inka schedule pehle se hi fix rehta hai. Ye sab aenn waqt par humare liye apne plans cancel nahi kar sakte. Aur, na hi hume ye karwana chahiye.

Tej : God!!! Kaha ho tum, Veer???

Bhumika : Veer kisi musibat me fass gaya hoga. Yaha humein apna kaam nahi bhulna chahiye. Let's do this!

Tej (nods) : Mmm!

Stage par Louis mic ko qareeb rakhe apni speech de raha tha. Magar, kisi ko nahi pata tha ki hotel ke baahar kya kuchh ghatit ho raha tha.

Theek baahar wahi anjaan aadmi apne upar shawl lapete baar-baar andar jhaak ke dekhne ki koshish kar raha tha.



Aur, jaise hi Louis ne apni speech dena shuru ki-

Uss anjaan aadmi ke qadam achanak se tez ho gaye. Mann me uske uss naqab-posh aadmi ke woh bol goonj gaye.

'Tch tch tch!!! Ek qaabil vakeel, fir ek divorcee, fir ek aaropi, fir ek bhikaari aur ab ek chhoti si basti me rehne waala sharab-khor aadmi.'

'Veer-!!! Yahi naam tha na??? Isi ladke ne tumhe tabaah kiya. Hai na? Mein tumhe ek mauka deta hu. 31st December!!! Yaad rakhna tareekh.'

'Ye lo! Ek akhiri taufa!!! Tumhe pata hai iske saath kya karna chahiye, hai na?'

Woh bhaaga. Zorr se entrance ki orr dauda. Security ne use aata hua dekha aur unme se do use rokne ke liye aage aaye.

Security guard 1 : Aye!!! Oye rukk!!! Kaha ghus raha hai, saale??

Do guards uske andar ghusne se pehle uss par jhapat pade. Kintu, woh nahi jaante the ki woh apne shawl ke andar kya chhipaaya hua tha.

*Click*

Security guard 2 : Huh??

Ek pin neeche giri.

Security guard 1 : ????

Aur, agle hi kshan usne andar entrance ki orr zorr se kuchh feka.

Andar, Louis ramp walk ke liye speech de hi raha tha jab-

Louis : Fashion is not just about clothing, it's-

*Boooooooooooooommmmm*

Ek garjanapoorna visfot ne pravesh dwar ko tod diya. Zordaar dhamake se chandeliers kaanp gaye. Dhamake ki leher ne darwaze par khadi security ke chithde uda diye, unke shareer marble ke farsh par bikhar gaye. Sheeshein toote, dhool aur aag ki lapto ne sundar si entrance ko apne aalingan me nigal liya.



"Aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!!!!"

Cheekhein goonj gayi. Poore hall me dehshat fel gayi. Ugr hoti aag ki lapte felti chali gayi. Baahar lage event ke banners aag pakad liye. Yarnia ka khubsoorat logo aag ki chapet me aake neeche gir ke dhwast ho gaya.

"Haha!!! Hahahahahahaha!!!!"

Woh anjaan aadmi hasa. Woh koi aur nahi, Rajat hi tha.

"Hahahahahahahahahaha!!!!! Jwaaaaalaaa ka prakop!!! Hahahahaha!!!! Bhasm ho jayega sab!!! Tu maregaaa... veeeeeeeeeeeeeerrrr!!!! Hahahahaha!!! Tum sab marogeeee!!!!"

Jo security guards use pakde hue the, woh darr ke maare pehle toh use peete, fir use baandh ke rakh liye. Police ko turant hi unhone inform kar diya tha.

Shuruwati jhatke ne sabhi ko stabdh kar diya. Kaera aur Sonia — business industry ki do diggaj shaktiyaan wahi jamm ke reh gayi, unka saiyyam aaj raat pehli baar dagmaga gaya. Lekin, sirf chand pal ke liye. Ruchika aur Suchika, unki secretaries visfot ki awaaz sunn aage badhi.

Jassi (yells) : Raghuuuuu-!!!!!

Raghu (nods) : Haaaaa!!!

Prakash Uncle : Madam!!! Jaldi-!!!

Suhana (nods) : Sonuuuu-!!! Quick!!!

Raghu aur Jassi ne apne bouncers ke saath Kaera ke ird-gird ek gola banaaya aur use leke hotel ke andar ek protective space ki orr badhe.

Iss beech Tej aur Bhumika, jo stage par khadi thi, baahar ke dhamake ko sunte hi ek dusre ke haatho ko thaam li.

Bhumika : K-Kya hua???

Tej (frowns) : Oh my goood!!! Mooooommm!!!!

"Bhaaaagooooooo!!!!"

"Bhaaagoooooo!!!!"

"Hamlaaa!!! Hamlaa hua hai!!! Bhaaagoooo!!!"

"Aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!"

"Eaaaarrrgghhhhhh!!! Mummmaaaaa!!!!"

"Baahar niklo!! Baahar!!!"

Chaaro taraf afra-tafri mach gayi. Logo ki cheekhein aur unki pukaar poore hall me goonjne lagi.

Bhavna ne darrte hue apne agal-bagal dekha. Uski aankhein apne parivar jano ko dhundh rahi thi.

Bhavna : Suman-!!! Aabha!!! Idhar aao!! Jaldiiiii!!!

Shweta (yells) : Sab log!! Jaldi!!! Peechhe ke gate se baahar nikloooo!!! Abhiiii!!!

Suman haami bhar aage badhi. Parijat ki sabhi aurto ko ikhatta kar, woh peechhe ke gate ke liye bhaagi. Niharika, Ayushi aur Ishani bhi Suman ke peechhe-peechhe bhaagi.

Bhavna (yells) : Papa ji!!! Jaldiiiii-!!! Uthiyeeeee-!!!

Arun Purvi ko pakde aage badha.

Arun (yells) : Didiiiiii!!! Chaliye yaha se!!!

Bhavna : Purvi ko leke jao, Arun!!! Pehle baahar nikalna zaroori hai.

Woh haami bhar waha se nikla. Shyam aur uski patni bhi uske sang ho liye.

---

Jaise hi dhamaka hua, Prestige ke saamne sthit uss abandoned building ki terrace par khada vyakti sab kuchh ghatit hote dekh raha tha.

'What the hell!??'

Use laga tha ki hamla woh karne aaya tha. Magar, yaha kisi aur ne hi pehle hamla kar diya tha.

'Whatever! But it's tough now-!!'

Muh se ek gehri saans chhorte hue usne wahi cheez uthayi jise kaafi der se woh assemble kar raha tha — sniper!!!

Kinaare se use tikaate hue woh bhaag-daud karte logo ko crosshair se dekhne laga.

Uss naqab-posh ke shabd uske dimaag me goonj gaye.

'Veer-!!!! Don't you have some business with him? *grins* Take this. I hope you will comply... Mister... Dexter-!!!!!'

Usne use ek envelope thamaya tha. Uss envelope me... Veer ke samast parivar-jann ke naam the, yaha tak ki unki photos bhi.

'You took my friend away from me, Veer!!! You killed Matthew!!! Syndicate Alliance never forgets to take revenge... I'll start first... Your family tree... Time to kill!'



Usne crosshair ko adjust kiya. Target uske aim par tha-!!! Aur, palak jhapakte hi-

*Splurt*

"Eaaaarrrgghhhhhh!!!!!"

Halchal ke beech ek tez cheekh goonj uthi. Ek vyakti achanak hi waha neeche gir pada.

Chamakte farsh par laal-laal khoon behne laga, aur uski dhaans hawa me fel gayi.

Yaha Karan ne fauran hi Kritika ko apni baaho me bhar liya. Woh behad dari hui thi.

Kritika (shivers) : M-Mom!?? Dad-!??

Karan : Shhh!! Kuchh nahi hoga unhe. Woh dekho! Woh nikal rahe hai. Aao mere saath!! Jaldi!!! Arohi di??? Kavya??? Jaldi!!! Chalo, mere saaaathhh!!!

Neeche pade insaan ko dekh Arohi aur Kavya wahi jamm ke reh gayi.

Arohi (shivers) : N-Nahi-!!!

Kavya (shivers) : D-Didi-!!?

Suhana pichhle gate ke paas sabhi ko baahar karwa rahi thi. Uske chehre par darr aur chinta saaf-saaf jhalak rahi thi.

Suhana (screams) : Veeeeeerr?!! Veer kaha hai???

Sonia (gasps) : What-!!! What just happened???

Prachi (panics) : Uhhh!! V-Veer bhaiya-!! Veer bhaiya nahi aaye!!!

Suhana (yells) : Kya matlab??? Damnnnn itt!!! Uncle Prakaaaashhhh!!!

Uncle Prakash (comes to a halt) : J-Ji!!

Suhana : Veer ke parivar ke log andar hai abhi bhi!!! Jaldiiii!!! Bouncers bhejiye!!! Quickkkk!!!

Uncle Prakash : J-Ji, mein bhejta hu!!

---

Dexter ne dobaara aim liya. Ek gehri saans chhorte hue usne apne aap ko niyantrit kiya.

Aur, palak jhapakte hi ek baar firse — trigger dabb gaya.

Kavya (screams) : Didiiiiii!!! Didi jaldi yaha se... huh-!!!???

*Splurt*

Kisi ne use achanak dhakel diya. Aur, punah khoon farsh par bikhar gaya.

Kavya (gasps) : !!!!!!?????

Idhar, Dexter ne wapas se bolt action ko operate kar use reload kiya. Woh gurraaya. Uske targeted aim ke beech koi aur aa gaya tha.

'Well... It's still good anyways...!!!'

Ek baar fir se usne aim lagaya.

Tej (screams) : Baahar!!! Peechhe ke gate se sabhi baahar jaaiye!!! Jaldiiii!!!

Bachi hui security bhi sabki madad karwa ke unhe peechhe ke raaste baahar nikaalne me lagi hui thi. Saare photographers, models, fashion enthusiasts waha se faraar ho chuke the.

Police apni siren bajti gaadi leke police station se nikal chuki thi aur hotel prestige pahuch rahi thi.

Tej (screams) : Jaldiiii!!! *sniff* Louiiiiisss!!! Goooooo!!!! Aur-

Dexter ne agla target chuna. Aur, trigger daba diya.

*Splurt*

Tej (gasps) : !!!!!??????

Tej ka shareer neeche gir gaya. Kisi ne use dhakka diya tha. Par, kaun??? Dekha toh paaya ki ek anjaan ladki muh par mask baandhe hue thi. Usi ne use dhakka diya tha.

"Nnnghhh-!!!"

[Dear-?!!!!]

Ava ne apna pait pakda, uska badan kaanp utha, uska haath ghaav par zorr se dabb gaya. Uski ungliyon ke beech se khoon ris raha tha, ekdum garm aur chipchipa.

Tej (shivers) : K-Kaun-!!?

Halanki, Ava ki peni aankhon ne apna tej nahi khoya. Iss hamle ke beech usne toote hue sheeshein se seedhe saamne ki orr upar dekha. Seedhe Dexter ko...

Uski gussail aankhein Dexter ki aankhon se jaa takrayi. Dexter ek pal ke liye hadbadaya. Koi insaan itni dur se use kaise spot kar sakta tha?

Ek paseene ki boond uske maathe se fisal ke neeche giri. Usko kuchh aisa mehsoos hua jo usne varsho se mehsoos nahi kiya tha — darr!!!

Lekin, woh yaha nahi rukk sakta tha. Khel toh abhi shuru hua tha. Usne punah aim lagaya, apni ungliyon ko sthir kiya.

Usne crosshair me Ava ko liya — kintu, Ava pehle se hi aage badh rahi thi, seedhe entrance ki orr.

Dexter ne jab use chalta paaya toh turant hi usne sniper ko thoda aage kar, trigger daba diya. Magar-

*Swoooooooossshhhhhh*

Ava apni jagah se gaayab ho gayi. Uski aakriti dhundhli pad gayi. Woh main road me tez raftar se aati cars ko bhaagte hue cross kar uski building ki orr aane lagi.

"Fuck!!!" Dexter ke badan ke rue khade ho gaye. Woh apni sniper chhor terrace ke pichhle bhaag ki orr bhaaga jaha usne pehle se hi faraar hone ki taiyari kar rakhi thi. Jaldbazi me uske perr ladkhada gaye, uski saansein ukhad rahi thi. Woh neeche utarne ki taiyaari karte hue rassi ko harness me fasaane laga.

---

Toh wahi Hotel Prestige ke chaaro orr fele Dhananjay ke aadmi bhi iss achanak hue hamle se stabdh the.

Aadmi : Sarkar!!! Yaha toh kisi ne bomb fek diya entrance par.

Aadmiyon ke leader ne Dhananjay ko call karte hue soochna di.

Dhananjay (frowns) : Ke matlab ba???

Aadmi : Chaaro taraf afra-tafri machi hai sarkar, saare raees log peechhe ke gate se bhaag rahe hai.

Dhananjay : Arey to maai ke chode, kya dekhat ba re tu??? Sasuri, andar ghus ke bhoon daal saalo ke...!!! Veer ke parivar ko pakad!!! Samjhe ki nahi??? Aur, uu sasuri Veer ko daboch ke humra paas lao!!! Uu ki jaan humre haath me hai!!! Hahahahahahaha!!!

Dhananjay ke aadmi aadesh milte hi ikhatte hue aur entrance se andar ghusne lage.

Magar, tabhi akasmat hi ek-ek karke aur kayi gaadiyaan aana shuru ho gayi. Drishya dekhte hi cars se dher saare aadmi utre aur Dhananjay ke aadmiyon ke saath bhid gaye.

Ye Balhaar dwara bheje gaye aadmi the. Aur, dekhe hi dekhte waha ek maha yuddhh chidh gaya.



Aas-pados ki buildings se sab nazara dekh rahe the, lekin ek surakshit doori bhi banaye hue the. Kisi ki himmat nahi pad rahi thi waha jaa ke ye sab rokne ki, aur na hi ye unke bas ki baat thi.

---

Yaha Dexter neeche ke naye chidhe yuddh se anibhigya harness ko fasa ke waha se bhaagne hi wala tha jab-

Achanak... Ek dard hua...

Ek nukeeli, thandi, lambi blade uski chaathi se baahar aayi. Uski saansein atak gayi. Uski ungliyaan kaapne lagi, uska muh khula par koi shabd na nikle. Aur, turant hi uska bejaan shareer wahi neeche gir gaya.

*Thud*

Tabhi, terrace ka darwaaza khula, haafti hui Ava waha pahuchi. Usne apne pait ko zorr se bheench rakha tha. Andhere me uske saamne ek aakriti khadi hui thi.

'!???'

Iske pehle ki woh kuchh action le paati. Woh ladkhadayi, aur kisi hawa ke jhonke ki tarah woh aakriti uske nazdeek aayi aur use girne se bacha liya.

***

Carewell Hospital,
Night - 9:00 PM ~

Antiseptic ki bhaari gandh ne hospital ko bhar rakha tha. Jagah-jagah log baithe hue the toh wahi kuchh nurse idhar se udhar bhaag rahi thi. Aur, tabhi-

Corridor me tez raftaar se koi andar aaya, uska coat raftar ke chalte hawa me uchhla, aur woh ek mod lete hue upar first floor ki orr bhaaga. Uske swayam ke dil ki dhadkan itni tez thi ki hospital ka shor dabb chuka tha.

Phone par Shreya ki awaaz ruwasi thi, woh uss se turant hospital pahuchne ki vinti kar rahi thi. Koi spashtikaran nahi. Bas roye jaa rahi thi.

Aur, ab jaise hi woh upar pahucha, uski nazar saamne khadi Shreya par jaa tiki.

Jaise hi Shreya ne aate hue shaks ko dekha, uski aankhein, jo lagatar aansuo se laal aur sooji hui thi, wo chaudi ho gayi. Agli hi saans me woh ladkhada ke aage badhi aur khud ko uski chhaati se laga di.

Shreya : V-Veeeer!!! Ack-!! *sniff*

Uske gale se ghuti hui siskiyaan foot padi, uska kamzor shareer buri tarah kaanp raha tha, mutthiyaan Veer ke coat ko kass ke jakde hue thi jaise use darr tha ki agar usne inhe chhora toh woh kahi gaayab ho jayega.

Veer : Sh-Shreya??? Kya hua?

Usne Shreya ko sthir kar poochha. Lekin, Shreya ne keval apna sarr hilaaya, uske shabd hichkiyo ke beech dabb gaye.

Aur, fir Veer ne suna-

“Nahhhhhiiiiiiiiiiiii-!!!!”

Andar se aati cheenkh jo aspatal ke shor me Veer ke dil me khanjar ki tarah aake chubhi. Paas ke hi kamre se kisi ke vilaap ki awaaz. Woh ye awaaz pehchaanta tha.

Nidhi!!!

Veer ka shareer wahi akad gaya.

‘N-Nahi!!’

Dimag ko signal dene ka samay hi na mila jab uske perr apne aap uss disha ki orr aage badh gaye. Usne Shreya ko halke se apne se dur kiya. Kahi Nidhi ko kuchh ho toh nahi gaya? Woh andar kamre me pravesh kiya.

Aur, woh waha thi.

Nidhi! Uski Nidhi!

Uske baal bikhre hue the, uske paseene se geele maathe par chipke hue the. Uske sarr par patti bandhi hui thi.

Uski aankhon se aasu unn komal gaalo se fisal ke nadi ki tarah beh rahe the. Jaise hi uski nazar Veer par padi, andar se jaise koi dorr toot gayi. Woh aage badhi, aur seedhe aake uski chhaati se takrayi, apni baaho ko uske sarr ke chaaro orr lapet li, aur itni kass kar lapeti ki Veer ki jagah agar koi aam insaan hota toh use dard mehsoos ho jaata.

Veer wahi jamm gaya. Uske haath Nidhi ko pakadne ke liye kuchh seconds tak hawa me hi ghoomte rahe. Uske baad usne utni hi zorr se Nidhi ko apni baaho me kass liya. Nidhi uske coat ke andar sisakne lagi, uski cheenkh peeda se bhari hui thi.

Veer : M-Ma’am-!?

Veer ne use sambhaal ke seedha karne ki koshish ki, lekin Nidhi ke shabdo ne use bhauchakka chhor diya.

Nidhi : J-Juhiiii-!! Juhi chali gayi!!! *sniff*

Uski awaaz fattne lagi aur usne Veer ko zorr se pakad liya.

Nidhi (gasps) : Woh use le gaya *sniff* Woh le gaya…!!! Meri bacchi…!! Veeeerrr-!!! Woh le gaya-!!!!

Aur, fir sab kuchh jaise ruk gaya. Samay wahi tham gaya. Veer ko ye khabar pachaane me jaise samay lagne waala tha.

Juhi!

Uski nanhi Juhi! Uski pyaari pari jaisi Juhi!

Rago me khoon achanak jaise thanda padne laga. Veer ki chhaati upar-neeche hone lagi, use saans lene me taqleef hone lagi.

Nahi. Nahi. Nahi.

Veer : K-Kaun?

Uski awaaz bahut hi dheemi thi — khatarnak roop se. Lagbhag pehchan me nahi aa rahi thi.

“Wahi Veer!!! Wahi!!”

Ek jaani-pehchaani awaaz kamre ke kone se aayi. Veer tezi se muda, uski nazar Madhuri par padi.

Veer : Madhuri?

Woh akeli nahi thi. Pranjal theek uske bagal se baitha hua tha. Madhuri ne apne kurte ka kinaara bheencha rakha tha, uske haath kaanp rahe the. Aur, Pranjal apne pait par ek hot water bag liye sikaayi kar raha tha.

Madhuri : H-Humne dekha tha, Veer!! Wahi unhe utha ke le gaya. Juhi aur Pihu dono ko!! Wahi murderer… Jiske peechhe police padi hai. Sab kuchh humari aankhon ke saamne hua. Pranjal ne uss se bhidne ki koshish ki thi-

Uske shabd beech me adhoore hi reh gaye jab agle hi second Veer achanak se Pranjal ke paas aaya. Usne Pranjal ko uski collar se pakda aur use kursi se upar kheench liya.

Veer (growls) : T-Tu??? Tu yaha-!!? Mujhse keh mat dena ki inn sab ke peechhe-

Pranjal : Chhor mujhe-!! Urghhh!! M-Maine koshish ki thi- P-Par, woh-

Tabhi, Veer ko jaise kuchh yaad aaya.

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

'Kya hua Veer?'

'Dijiye toh-'

'O-Okay!'

'Haan maamu~'

Juhi apna sarr mode use prashn bhari nazro se dekh rahi thi. Par, Veer jaanta tha ki usne uss ek pal me kya kiya tha.

'Pari!!! Kya tracer phone ke through kisi par mark ho sakta hai?'

[H-Huh? Haan, shayad! Try kar ke dekhiye.]

'Mark the tracer on Juhi!!!'

*Ding*

[Do you want to remove the tracer from Ragini?]

Veer ko yaad aaya ki usne Tracer Sonali se hata ke Ragini par lagaya tha.

'Yes!'

*Ding*

[Do you want to mark the tracer on Juhi?]

'Yes!'

*Ding*

[Tracer has been marked on Juhi.]

'Maaaamu???'

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

'O-Okyy! Mumma-!!!'

Ye sab hua tha. Veer ne apne mann me Tracer ka istemal kar Juhi ki location dekhi, aur location dekhte hi-

Usne ek gehri saans li. Location sthir thi.

Tabhi, Pranjal ne use kuchh thamaaya. Ek gift tha. Veer ne jaise hi use dekha ki uski aankhon me aasu aa gaye.

Gift Juhi ka hi tha. Uss par uski handwriting me uska naam likha hua tha.

Uski nanhi Juhi uske liye tohfa laayi thi. Magar, ab woh jaa chuki thi. Ye samay ab sochne ka nahi tha.

Veer turant muda aur usne Nidhi ke gaalo ko apni hatheli me bhar liya, apne anguthe se usne Nidhi ke aasu pochhe. Aur, ekdum dheemi awaaz me woh bola.

Veer : Aap chinta mat kariye!! Mein Juhi ko leke aaunga. Mein aapse vaada karta hu!!! *smiles*

Par, iske pehle ki Nidhi kuchh keh paati-

*Whoooooooooooshhh*

Veer waha se gaayab ho gaya.

Uski car uss location ki taraf saaye-saaye bhaag rahi thi. Na jaane kitne traffic signals ko woh tod chuka tha. Use ek dar samaaya — Agar, usne Juhi ko uss pal mark na kiya hota. Toh, kya hota???

Juhi ke shabd uske mann me uski ho awaaz me mandra rahe the.

'Maaaaaamuuuuu~'

'Maamu, mein bhi aaungi!!!'

'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.'

'Sacchi maamu???'

'Aur, nahi toh kya...'

'Yaaaayyyyy!!! P-Par, maamu aap kidhal ho???'

'Mein bas ghar laut raha hu. Kyu? Kya hua?'

'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.'

'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.'

'Hehehehe~ I love you maamu~ *muah*'

Veer ki aankhon se mote-mote aasu beh kar gir rahe the. Juhi ko kuchh hua, toh woh kabhi apne aap ko maaf nahi kar payega. Woh toh iss baat se bhi anibhigya tha ki Hotel Prestige me kya kuchh ghatit ho raha tha.

Jisne bhi Juhi ko agwa kiya, Veer use nahi chhorne waala tha. Woh jaan gaya tha ki iske peechhe koi system holder hi tha. Par, kaun? Sawal ka jawab use jald hi milne waala tha.

***

The Underground Lair,
Night - 9:15 PM ~

Juhi aur Pihu ke shareer ek-ek bed par bandhe hue the. Woh dono cheekh rahi thi, chillaa rahi thi par unki pukaar sunane waala koi nahi tha.

Wahi anjaan pagal sa aadmi unki cheekhein sunn lutf le raha tha.

?? : Ohhh! Don't worry, little ones. I'll be very gentle-!! Ehehehe-!! Tum dono ko bilkul dard nahi hoga. Ehehehehe!!! Shayad... Thoda sa...!!! Hehehe!!!

Par, tabhi uski underground lair me achanak se andar koi aaya.

*Splash*

Neeche paani aedi tak bhara hua tha. Chhapaak ki awaaz ke saath land karte hue Veer ki aankhein laal rang se chamak uthi.



Aur, udhar hi andar kahi... Uss paagal insaan ko Veer ke aane ka ehsaas ho gaya.

Woh haivani muskaan liye muskuraaya.

?? : Well... My food got delivered already. Ahahahahahaha!!! The main dish has come-!!! You will have to wait for a while, young ones. *Slurp* Ohhh!!! I'll come back soon. Don't worry!!! Ehehehehehehe!!! Yahahahahaha! Now... Shall we get started????


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Aaj ke liye itna hi guys.
I broke the limit.



Blame Damha for that.
250+ likes. Remember!

Nice update

Yani k Yarnia ki launch honi he nhi thi

Ava ko kon le gaya
Kya Ava zinda rahegi


Waise January bhi khatam ho gaya lekin 31ist December ki night abhi baki hai



Next update mein Veer ko pagal scientist ki bhidant honi hai
Dekhte hai kon kon Marta hai

 

[king4love]

Never wrote a comment...you made me.do it...no words to describe your story... werewolf..you are awesome writer

 

[Werewolf]

Never wrote a comment...you made me.do it...no words to describe your story... werewolf..you are awesome writer

Swagat hai thread me.

 

[Rajurajkr]

Jabardast mind-blowing update hai bhai

 

[Talha Sajjawal]

Bro aag laga di. System phad diya apnay. Zabardast update bro raungte khaaray hogay update par ke. Desperately waiting for next update. Bro next update thora aldi denay ki koshish kariay ga please.

 

[king10]

रौंगटे खड़े कर देने वाला अपडेट

 

[kris123h]

I think ragini died in the shooting bu Dexter

 

[kisanlal]

Mega Update

Update - 193 ~ Pandemonium (2)
​

Shreya's house,
Evening - 7:40 PM ~

Aaj Yarnia ki launch ke liye sajne sawarne me sabhi lage hue the, aur inhi me se ek thi — Shreya. Singapore se laut aane ke baad, Shreya bhi iss waqt aaine ke saamne khadi, dhyaan se apne aap ko jaanch rahi thi. Lamba chamakdar designer gown uss par behad khubsoorat lag raha tha.




Uska makeup bhi halka tha jo uski komal, yuva visheshtao ko ujagar kar raha tha. Usne apne baalo ki ek latt ko adjust kiya jo uske sirr ke peechhe bandhe jatil joode se nikal kar bhaag rahi thi.

Usne ghoomte hue khud ko sheeshe me punah dekha. Kya yeh kaafi tha? Woh mann hi mann sochi. Veer ko itne samay baad dobara dekhne ke vichar maatra se hi uska dil zoro se dhadak raha tha.

Kuchh mahine beet chuke the jab usne akhiri baar Veer ko dekha tha. Uski zindagi ab badal chuki thi. Food show ke liye Tamanna aur Aabha ke saath travel karna uske liye kisi sapne se kam nahi tha. Vibrant cities ko explore karna, exotic cuisines ka swaad lena, aur apne channel aur social media ki profile par followers ka badhna, ye sab kuchh mumkin ho paaya tha sirf aur sirf ek shaks ke kaaran, jo tha — Veer!

Woh insaan jisne chupchap, bina kisi maang ke, uske liye uski safalta ka maarg khola tha. Na sirf Veer ne use ye avsar pradaan kiya balki usne unhe sponsor bhi kar rakha tha.

'Usne mujhe sirf ek chance hi nahi diya. Meri life ko ek purpose diya hai.'

Sochte hue woh halka sa muskurayi. Use toh aaj ke iss event ke baare me koi jankari bhi nahi thi. Kintu, jab Nidhi Dhruv ko chhorne ke liye apne mata-pita ke ghar aayi tab jaake use apni badi behan ke zariye iss baat ka pata chala.

Nidhi bhi use achanak se ghar lauta paa kar hairan thi magar khush bhi. Fir, usi ne Yarnia ki launch ki saari jankari use di. Aur, choonki Nidhi ye jaanti thi ki Veer aur Shreya aapas me achhe dost hai, usne Shreya ko bhi saath chalne ke liye kaha — ek avsar jise Shreya hargiz nahi gawana chaahti thi.

Usne ghadi ki orr dekha, jaane ka samay ho raha tha. Apna clutch uthaate hue usne ek akhiri baar khud ko nihaara.

'Umeed hai woh mujhe notice karega.'

Sochte hue woh apne kamre se baahar nikal gayi. Seedhiya utarte hue, woh apne mata-pita ke paas se guzri, jo chhote se Dhruv ko lita ke use khilaane me lage hue the.

"Arey waah, aaj toh bahut khubsurat lag rahi ho iss dress me. Ho gaya time jaane ka??"

Uski maa, Hema ki awaaz peechhe se aayi jab unhone use jaate hue dekha.

Shreya (smiles) : Haan maa! Time ho gaya hai. Ab nikalti hu mein. Aur, mere hisse ka khaana mat banana. Mein wahi se kha ke aaungi.

Pita ji, Ramandeep jo wahi baithe chai pee rahe the woh bhi apni chhoti bitiya ko jaate hue dekh bina bole reh na sake.

Ramandeep : Itna saj dhaj ke kaha jaa rahi ho bhai? Ye dekho! Na upar chunri hai, na kuchh. Sab khula khula ekdum.

Shreya (embarrassedly) : P-Papa! Maa, samjhao na.

Hema : Theek hai! Ab badi ho gayi hai bitiya. Roz roz thode hi pehenti hai.

Ramandeep : Arey par-

Shreya : Aur, Veer ke yaha event hai. Hotel Prestige me. Waha koi tension ki baat hi nahi. Sab security hai waha. Celebrities, models log bhi aayenge waha.

Ramandeep : Tum aur Nidhi dono ye Veer-Veer karti rehti ho. Kaun hai Veer? Hume toh aaj tak nahi milwaya tum dono ne.

Shreya : News me jiske baare me aapne dekha tha na, wahi hai Veer. Ab jaa rahi hu. Ab mat tokna.

Kehte hue woh waha se kisi hawa ke jhonke ki tarah nikal gayi. Aur, andar uske maa-baap aur kitchen se aati bhabhi uske alhadpann par bas muskurate reh gaye.

Ramandeep : Dipti beta, ye chai ka cup le jaana zara.

Dipti : Ji papa ji! Chali gayi Shreya?

Hema : Haan chali gayi. *smiles* Lagta hai Veer se uski kuchh zyada hi patt rahi hai. Kyu? Kya kehte ho aap? Dekhne jaana hai ladke ko? News me dekha toh tha humne uske baare me. Ab ladki byaah karne yogya ho gayi hai.

Ramandeep : Bhai mein wahi purani galti nahi dohrana chaahta. Bechari Nidhi bitiya ke saath jo kuchh bhi hua, woh humne dekh liya hai. Agar, Shreya uss ladke ko pasand karti hai toh ek baar jaa ke mil lenge parivar jano se. Agar sab kuchh theek laga toh koi baat hi nahi.

Dipti : Shreya ne bataya tha ki Veer ne hi use ye opportunity dilwayi thi maa ji — Foreign me travel karne ki. Woh celebrity Tamanna ji ke saath.

Hema : Sach? Hume toh usne iss baare me kuchh nahi bataya tha. Mujhse keh rahi thi ki usko mauka mila hai baahar jaane ka. Veer ka toh naam hi nahi liya tha usne. Abhi humari bitiya kayi baatein chhupa rahi hai. Ek baar pehle use bitha ke sab kuchh jaan le ki uske mann me kya hai. Fir, aage badhte hai. Kyu theek kaha na?

Ramandeep : Haan haan bilkul!

Idhar Shreya jaise hi shaam ki taaza hawa me baahar nikli, uski nervousness aur badh gayi. Usne fauran hi ek cab bulayi aur driver ko Hotel Prestige ke liye disha-nirdesh dete hue waha se nikal gayi.

Woh soch rahi thi ki woh Veer ko surprise degi, magar ek baat jo woh nahi jaanti thi woh yeh thi ki Veer ne hi uski ghar waapsi karwayi thi. Veer ne jaan-boojh ke use Yarnia ki launch ke liye invite nahi kiya tha kyunki Aadesh se woh abhi Tamanna aur baaki sab ko dur rakhna chaahta tha.

Lekin, Shreya yeh baat bhala kaha jaanti thi? Woh toh theek wahi jaa rahi thi jaha se Veer use dur rakhna chaah raha tha.

8:20 hi hue the abhi cab me baithe-baithe, woh traffic me fasi hui thi jab achanak se use ek call aaya. Clutch se apna phone nikaalte hue usne screen dekhi toh uske hontho par muskaan aa gayi.

'Di ka call? Lagta hai pahuch gayi!'

Aur, usne call uthaate hue apne kaan se lagaya-

"Hello? Haan di? Pahuch gayi ky-"

Magar, agle hi pal woh wahi jamm ke reh gayi. Aankhein phati ki phati, jaise uske shareer se rooh nikal gayi ho. Aur, phone uske haath se chhutak ke neeche jaa gira.

***

At the same time,
Somewhere in Mumbai ~

*Slap*

"M-Maaf kar do! Maaf kar do, b-boss! *sniff* Mujhse galti ho gayi. Mein bewakoof hu."

Balhaar kisi ek zarzar warehouse ke mand raushni waale basement me khada tha, upar tim-timaata light bulb farsh par feli khoon se lathpath aakriti par peeli chamak bikher raha tha.



Paseene aur khoon se mishrit namm concrete ki durgandh hawa me bhari hui thi, ekdum dum ghotne waali. Aur, neeche pada gid-gidaata vyakti koi aur nahi balki — Jai tha.

Jai, jo kabhi uski gang ka ek bharosemand sadasya tha, ab neeche past pade, kaanp raha tha. Uske chehre par dard aur bhay ke bhaav the. Ye wahi Jai tha jiske paas se Trisha ne jaa ke woh footage baramad ki thi.

Balhaar neeche jhuka, usne ek haath se Jai ke baal kass kar pakde, aur uska chehra upar ki orr kiya. Uski awaaz maddham thi — ek toofan se pehle ki shaanti.

Balhaar : Kameene!!! Tujhe kya laga tha? Tu mujhe dhoka dega aur mujhe pata nahi lagega???

Jai : B-Boss... *sniff* H-Hic-! M-Mujhe maaf kar do. Mujhse galti ho gayi. *sniff* M-Mein bewakoof tha jo aapke khilaaf gaya.

Uski maafi ne Balhaar ke gusse ko aur bhadka diya. Usne Jai ke baal chhore aur apni taang uthaate hue zorr se-

*Slaaaaaaaammmmm*

"Aaaaaaarrrghhhhhh-!!!"

Uski paslio me de maari. Kamre me Jai ki ek dardnak cheekh goonj uthi. Itna hi nahi, Balhaar ne uske baalo ko dobaara pakad uske chehre ko zorr se zameen par de maara jiske chalte Jai ke muh aur naak se khoon behne laga.

Balhaar : Tujhe lagta hai ki tu maafi maang lega aur mein tujhe maaf kar dunga? Haan? Maaadarchoood!!!!

Woh dahada, uski awaaz deewaro se takra ke wahi basement me goonj gayi. Usne raseed ke ek chaata Jai ko firse maara.

*Slaaaaaaappp*

Jai : H-Hiiiiiiiii- *sniff* *hic*

Balhaar (growls) : Bhosdike!!! Tune meri information police ko bechi, mere do hideouts ki location leak kar di, aur ab tu mujhse maafi ki umeed rakh raha hai? Madarchod!!! Shukra mana jo maine tera sarr abhi tak salamat rakha hai. Bata ab! Tune peeth peechhe chhura kyu maara? Bol, haramzaade!!!

Jai ne Balhaar ke do hideouts ki location police ko leak kar di thi. Yahi wajah thi ki police uske aadmiyon ke peechhe padi thi aur unhe surveillance me rakh rahi thi jiske chalte use underground hona pada tha.

Magar, Balhaar akhir Mumbai ka don tha. Koi aera gera nahi. Jaha ek taraf police uske aadmiyon par nazre banaye hui thi, toh wahi Balhaar bhi police me unhi afsaro ko apne surveillance me rakha hua tha jo uske aadmiyon ke peechhe lagi thi, jinme se ek thi — Trisha. Yaani ki surveillance ke upar surveillance.

Udhar Trisha Jai ke adde pe jaake uss se mili, aur idhar Balhaar ko Jai ke adde ki location praapt ho gayi. Uske baad tabiyat se Jai ki khatirdari hui aur ab woh neeche dale apni jaan ki bheekh maang raha tha.

Ek aur jhapad padte hi Jai dard se karaahte hue zorr-zorr se khaansa, uske muh se khoon nikalne laga. Woh ghabraate hue bola.

Jai : M-Mein sab bataata hu... Please... M-Mujhe mat maaro. *sniff* M-Mein sab bata dunga. *cough*

Balhaar apne haath modte hue peechhe hua, uski aankhein Jai par kisi baaj ki tarah tiki hui thi.

Balhaar : Bolna shuru kar! Aur, agar mujhe kahi bhi laga ki tu jhooth bol raha hai-

Usne apna sirr kamre ke ek kone ki orr moda jaha uske aadmi chupchap khade the, aur unke haatho me hathiyar halki raushni me chamak rahe the.

Balhaar : -toh teri laash police tak ko bhi nahi mil payegi. Samjha gaandu?

Jai : N-Nahi-!!! *cough* Nahi boss!! M-Mein... Mein akela nahi tha. *cough* Ek aadmi... Muh par kapda baandhe... Naqab-posh! Woh-!! Woh mere paas aaya tha.

Balhaar (frowns) : Naqab-posh?? Kaun naqab-posh??

Jai ne apne gale me atka thook nigla, khoon ka kadwa swaad uski jeebh ko laga.

Jai : K-Koi tha... U-Usne kaha tha ki woh meri madad karega. M-Mujhe apni gang banaane me, agar... agar maine aapko dhoka diya toh- par, mein bewakoof tha, boss. Mein chutiya tha. *cough* M-Mujhe usne bataya tha ki kya karna hai aur k-kaise karna hai.

Balhaar ka muh andar hi andar kass gaya. Uska mann Jai ke kahe gaye har shabd par vichaar karte hue manthan karne laga.

Balhaar : Tha kaun woh??

Jai : M-Mujhe nahi pata. *sniff*

Usne rote hue kaha. Uske sooje hue chehre par se aasu beh rahe the.

Jai : K-Koi jawan sa ladka tha... Lekin, uska chehra... Mein nahi dekh saka. W-Woh- Woh poore samay muh par kapda baandha hua tha.

Balhaar : Aur, teri mulaqat iss naqab-posh se kaise hui??

Jai : W-Woh khud aaya tha. Jaise shayad use aapke aur mere baare me sab pata tha. A-Aur, isliye- isliye mein uski baaton me jaldi aa gaya.

Balhaar ne zorr se apni mutthi bheenchi, paseene ki ek thandi boond uski kanpati se fisalti hui neeche giri. Uske dimag me ye shabd baar-baar ghoomne lage.

Jawan... Naqab-posh... Planning... Vishvasghaat...

Aisa toh uske zehen me koi nahi aa raha tha. Par, tabhi use kisi ka khayal aaya jiske baare me sochte hi uske poore badan me sihran daud gayi.

'K-Kahi woh toh nahi!? V-Veer!!!?'

Sochte hi uska poora badan thanda pad gaya. Yeh vichar hi akalpaneeya tha, lekin iski sambhavna... Isne use bhaybheet kar diya.

Veer ne ateet me use har mod par maat di thi aur baar-baar yeh saabit kiya tha ki woh kyu unn sabka boss tha. Yadi Veer vastav me uski wafadari ya kshamta ki pareeksha lena chaah raha tha, toh aisa karne ka yeh sabse sahi tareeqa tha. Iss se behtar mauka aur kya hi ho sakta tha?

Use tabhi ye bhi dhyan aaya ki haal hi me Veer ne use Casa Belle ke owner Aadesh Jaisinghani ko ek aur dose dene ke liye kaha tha, kintu sheher me ho rahe murders ke chalte Balhaar khud underground ho rakha tha. Aur, usne Veer ke iss kaam ko apni majboori jata kar taal diya tha.

'K-Kahi woh mujhe test toh nahi kar raha???'

Ek sansani macha dene waala vichar uske mann me aaya. Woh jaanta tha ki Veer kitna shaatir tha. Aatish aur Slogan ko jo vyakti maar ke baitha ho, woh bhala kya kuchh nahi kar sakta?

Kahi aisa toh nahi ki Veer ne hi yeh sab kaand karwaya tha? Baad me fir usne madad maangi aur yaha pe use Veer ki madad ke liye aage badhna chaahiye tha lekin woh nahi badha. Sochte hi Balhaar ke badan ke rue khade ho gaye.

Balhaar : A-Aur kya kaha uss naqab-posh ne?

Jai jhijhka, uska chehra peela pad chuka tha.

Jai : W-Woh kuchh badbada raha tha, boss. Koi bade se event ke baare me kuchh keh raha tha... 31 december ki raat ko... Hotel Prestige me shayad... Kuchh badhiya sa...

Balhaar ka badan ye sunte hi wahi jamm gaya. Uski chhati gyan-indri chillaa chillaakar use khatre ki chetavni de rahi thi. Usne apne maathe se paseena pochha, aur uska dimag tezi se daudne laga.

Hotel Prestige?? Yeh toh Veer ki hotel thi. 31 tareekh?? Yaani ki aaj ki raat. Kuchh badhiya??

Balhaar (mutters) : Y-Yarnia ka launch event!

Jai : H-Huh!?

Samay kuchh zyada hi sateek tha, kuchh zyada hi sanyogpoorna. Uska shaq gehra hota chala gaya. Bhala Yarnia ke launch event ke baare me Veer ke alawa aur kaun jaanta tha?

'Kya waqai me woh mujhe-!? Ye dekhne ke liye ki mein uske liye khada hota hu ya nahi? K-Kahi aisa toh nahi ki woh mujhe hata kar kisi aur ko-! Huh!!?'

Woh Jai se dur hua aur kamre me wahi ghoomne laga, uske bhaari jooto ki awaaz waha goonjne lagi. Woh humesha se hi ek satark vyakti tha, lekin aaj darr ne use jakad liya tha. Use ab action lene ki zaroorat thi aur woh bhi abhi ke abhi.

Usne gurraate hue apne ek aadmi ko dekh use aadesh diya.

Balhaar : Ladke ikhatta karo! Hotel Prestige me ek team bhejo. Duri bana ke rakhna lekin har cheez par nazre bhi gadaaye rakhna. Agar, koi kuchh galat karne ki koshish kare tabhi beech me koodna. Tumhara asli maqsad hai waha ke logo ki safety. Samajh gaye?

Uske aadmiyon ne ek dusre ko dekha, fir haami bhar, aagya ka paalan karte hue waha se nikal gaye. Balhaar wapas Jai ki orr muda, uske chehre par thoda sandeh tha.

Balhaar : Bahut keh liya tune. Ise baandho! Ye tab tak yaha rahega jab tak mein iski teh tak nahi pahuch jaata!

Jai punah maafi ke liye gid-gidaya, lekin Balhaar ke ghoorne par woh chup ho gaya. Balhaar neeche jhuka, uska chehra Jai se maatr ek inch ki duri par tha.

Balhaar (mutters) : Jo tune bola, agar woh jhooth nikla toh pata hai na? Tera naam gaddaro ki soochi me sabse pehle yaad kiya jayega. Aisi saza dunga mein tujhe-! Samjha?

Iske saath hi woh wapas khada hua, apne coat ko theek kar usne apne bikhre hue baalo me haath firaaya. Uske dimaag me toofan umad raha tha, dher saare sawaal kisi bhawar ki tarah uske andar ghoom rahe the. Kya inn sab ke peechhe Veer tha? Kya woh use parakh raha tha? Ya fir koi aur taaqat iske peechhe thi?

Kya use seedhe Veer se baat kar ke iss baare me poochhna chahiye? Nahi! Aise me agar woh uske test me kahi fail ho gaya toh? Veer agar bura maan gaya toh? Kahi woh Mumbai ke don ko replace karne ki yojna toh nahi bana raha? Kahi usne Veer ko kisi tarah niraash toh nahi kar diya? Ye saare sawaal uske dimag me paida hone lage.

Jaise hi woh raat ke andhere me baahar nikla, uska sankalp mazboot ho gaya. Woh iss sach ka pata laga ke rahega, aur agar Veer hi iss dor ko kheech raha hai, toh woh apni wafadari use saabit karega — bhale hi iske liye use thoda bahut tyaag hi kyu na karna pade.

***

The Outskirts of Mumbai,
Night - 8:20 PM ~

Sunsaan sadak par Divya ki car tezi se aake ruki. Raushni thi toh sirf aasmaan me chamakte chaand aur gaadi ki headlights ki. Ek sleek black sedan unka raasta beech me roke hue khadi hui thi. Aur sedan ke theek peechhe ek aur car thi jis se chaar bade hatte-katte bouncers tik ke khade the, lekin jo aadmi unke saamne khada tha, usne saara dhyaan apni orr kheech liya.

Nik!!!




Divya ka badan apni seat par baithe jamm gaya, saamne khade vyakti ko dekh uski saansein jaise atak ke reh gayi. Driver seat par baithi Ava ne apni bauhe kasste hue steering ko thaam rakha. Peechhe ki seat par Veer ne bhi apni gardan modte hue saamne dekha. Uske chehre par koi bhaav nahi the.

Divya darwaza khol baahar nikli, uske haath kaanp rahe the. Nik ke chehre par muskan thi - ek ajeeb si muskan.




Divya (frowns) : N-Nik-!? Y-You? What are you doing here?

Puchhte samay uski awaaz ladkhada gayi. Nik dheere se hasa, uske haath uske trench coat ke andar the.

Nik : Enjoying yourself, are you, Divya??? Running off to India from China, climbing the ranks of FBCC, leaving your man to handle those pathetic cases back in Las Vegas?? Eh!?

Divya ka darr ye sunte hi gusse me badal gaya.

Divya (yells) : Enjoying??? You think I was fuckin' enjoying??? I didn't run off!!! You knew I was going to China for an operation. I work for FBCC now, Nik!! Not for Las Vegas' investigation department. A real international agency, Nik. Do you even know the risks I put myself into???

Nik (sneers) : Oh, I know, alright! I know everything, my lovely wife. Did you really think I wouldn’t? Your phone’s been tapped since the day you left for China. I know where you went and where not. I know whom you called and whom not. *grins*

Divya ka muh hairat me khul gaya. Woh poori tarah stabdh thi.

Divya : Y-You- You tapped my phone???

Nik ne haivani muskan liye Veer ko ghoora jo car se baahar aake theek Divya ke peechhe khada hua tha.

Nik : Of course I did. Someone has to keep you on a leash, Divya. *grins* God knows what kind of wild dogs you might decide to cozy up to.

Usne Veer ki orr dekhte hue kaha. Wild dogs??? Kya woh use junglee kutta thehra raha tha? Magar, jaha Veer shaant tha toh wahi Divya ka gussa ye sunn bhadak utha.

Divya (yells) : How dare you, Nik??? Are you out of your fucking mind???

Nik ne koi pratikriya nahi di. Aisa lag raha tha jaise Divya ko iss haalat me dekh use ek alag hi sukh praapt ho raha tha. Uski patni, auhde me uss se upar, tankhwa me uss se upar, kaushal me uss se upar, magar fir bhi woh saamne khade use dekh ghabra rahi thi. Aur, yahi Nik ko sukhad ehsaas dilwa raha tha. Ye niyantran jo woh uske upar banaye hue tha — yahi tha uske sukh ka kaaran.

Nik : You’ve been out of line for far too long, Divya. Someone had to remind you where you belong.

Divya : Where I belong??? With a manipulative bastard who blackmailed me into a marriage I never wanted?!

Iss baar Nik ki muskan gaayab ho gayi.

Nik : You talk too much, bitch!!! Come here!!! RIGHT NOW!!!

Divya (yells) : FUCK OFF!!! I WON'T!!!

Nik : Then... take care of him for me.

Usne apne aadmiyon ko fir bina dekhe hi unse kaha. Aur, Divya ka dil ye sunn baith gaya. Woh Veer ko iss maamle me nahi ghaseet sakti thi.

Divya : What? N-Nik, don’t do this!

Woh chillaate hue do qadam aage aayi.

Nik : I don't care. Be quick guys!

Magar, woh bouncers Veer ki orr badhne lage. Divya jaanti thi ki Veer combat me achha tha. Lekin, 3-4 bouncers ko ek saath handle karna?? Woh Veer ko iss mushqil me nahi daal sakti thi. Hargiz nahi. Ye sab use ghaayal kar sakte the. Aur, jaise hi woh aadhe raaste pahuche-

Divya (screams) : Stoooooopppp!!!!

Woh zorr se chillaayi. Uski awaaz toot rahi thi.

Divya : I'll... I'll come with you. Just... Just leave him alone. P-Please!

Nik (smirks) : Good girl. I knew you’d see sense.

Divya be-mann majbooran dheere-dheere aage badhi. Woh aadhe raaste pahuchi hi thi jab Veer ki peechhe se aati awaaz ne use wahi rok diya.

"Don't."

Woh ruki. Usne peechhe mud kar hairani me use dekha. Veer khamosh khada hua tha. Ava bhi mask pehne Veer ke bagal se aashcharya me use dekh rahi thi.

Itni derr me Veer ne Nik ki badsalooki bhi dekh li thi, Divya ka uske liye tyaag bhi, aur ye bhi ki ye bouncers akhir kiske dwara uplabdh karwaye gaye the — Gaurav.

Veer : Ava...!

Ava : H-Huh???

Veer ne dheere se pukara. Magar, uski awaaz ekdum aadesh dene waali thi.

Veer : Prestige pahucho! Abhi! Sab ka dhyaan rakhna. Mujhe aane me kuchh samay lag sakta hai. Take the car!

Ava : Wh-What?

Veer : Tum chaahti thi na ki mein tum par dobara bharosa jatau?

Ava : !!!?

Veer : Toh mein tumhe ye mauka de raha hu. Go!!! Waha hum dono me se ek ka rehna zaroori hai. Waha ki zimmedari mein tumhare upar saunpta hu. Hope, iss baar tum mujhe niraash nahi karogi.

Ava : Kya??? Veer, mein tumhe yaha akela chhor ke kaise jaa sakti hu??? Baat inn goons ki nahi hai. Ye tumhara baal bhi baaka nahi kar sakte, lekin-

Veer : Kyunki, tum waha rahogi, isliye mein yaha reh sakta hu, Ava!!!

Ava : !!!?

Veer : I'm trusting you with things on that side. *smiles* Capisce???

Ava : F-Fine!!!

Woh jaana toh nahi chaahti thi, lekin Veer ne use ek aham zimmedari saunpi thi. Iss baar woh uska kandha bann ke uska saath nibhaana chaahti thi. Woh use yakeen dilana chaahti thi ki woh uss par bharosa kar sakta hai. Woh fauran hi car me baithi aur waha se Hotel Prestige ke liye ravana ho gayi.

Veer : Divya!

Divya : H-Huhh??

Veer (smiles) : Mere liye zara ye phone tab tak apni pocket me rakhna.

Divya : ???

Uska bina pehel kiye hi Veer ne apna phone nikaala aur Divya ki jacket ke upar waale jeb me khos diya.

Veer : Bas yahi rehna. Tab tak mein- Inse nipat lu zara.

Nik (yells) : What the hell are you guys waiting for??? Fuck him up!!!

Bouncers apni mutthi kass achanak hi Veer ki orr lapke. Veer ne Divya ko apne peechhe kiya aur woh ek jhatke me apni jagah se gayab ho gaya. Jo insaan Crimson, Jaw Long jaise dhurindar system holders ko maar ke baitha ho, uske liye ye teen bouncers bhala kya cheez the?

Divya aur Nik ki palke do se teen baar hi bas jhapki hongi aur teeno ke teeno bouncers zameen par dher pade hue the. Ek ke muh se jhaag nikal raha tha toh dusra dard se karah kar roye jaa raha tha. Aur, teesra toh behoshi ke aalam me tha.

Nik ki aankhein phati ki phati reh gayi. Woh akela nahi tha. Peechhe khadi Divya ko bhi apni aankhon par vishwas nahi ho raha tha. Itni jaldi sab kuchh hua ki woh ye sab process hi nahi kar paaye.

Veer apni jeb me dono haath daale dheere-dheere Nik ke qareeb badhne laga.

*Ding*

['Beowulf’s Blessings' has been activated.]

Gehra laal rang. Mand chaandni me uski aankhein ek shikaari ki tarah chamak uthi jo maano apne shikaar ka peechha kar raha ho. Aisa lag raha tha ki koi bhooka sher ahista-ahista bakre ko dabochne ke liye aage aa raha tha.

Veer ki aankhein dekh Nik ki pant me peshab ki kuchh boondein chhoot gayi. Nahi! Ye sapna nahi tha. Woh laal rang. Woh dekh paa raha tha. Woh ladkhadate hue kuchh qadam peechhe ki orr chala gaya.

Usne apne bouncers ko dekha, uski saansein ukhadne lagi. Uska dimag chakra gaya - teen hatte-katte aadmi, aur palak jhapakte hi teeno neeche? Apne maathe par ikhatte paseene ko pochh usne apne kaapte hue haatho se apni handgun nikaali.

Nik (yells) : Wh-What are you!!?? S-Stay back!!!

*Ding*

['Intimidating Presence' has been equipped.]

Uska gala sookhne laga, lekin usne khud ko chillaane ke liye majboor kiya.

Nik : D-Don’t you dare, kid!!! I’ll shoot-!!!

Kintu, Veer ne koi jawab na diya, uski khamoshi apne aap me ek bayaan de rahi thi.

*Ding*

['Beowulf's Blessings' has been deactivated.]

Nik : I-I swear I’ll shoot… you fucker-!!

Usne kaanpti awaaz me chetavni di. Magar, jaise hi Veer aadhe raaste aaya, Nik ne samay zaaya nahi kiya.

Nik (screams) : Die-!!! You motherfucker

Divya (screams) : Nooooooo-!!! Veeeeeerrrr!!!

*Bang*

Par-!

Nik : H-Huh-!!???

Nik saamne ghatit hue drishya ko pacha nahi paaya. Usne goli theek Veer par hi chalayi thi. Use poora yakeen tha, magar woh goli-

Woh goli hawa me hi kahi dur nikal gayi. Veer ne itni asaani se apna rukh badla ki woh goli ke aane se pehle hi uss sthaan se hatt gaya.

Nik ne dekha ki Veer ke hontho par ek ajeeb si muskaan thi. Iss baar woh ghabraya-

Nik : Y-You-!!! You little-

Usne dobaara apni bandook taani aur jaise hi woh trigger dabaane ke liye hua-

*Ding*

HAWKEYE

Neeche pade ek chhote se patthar par Veer ne zorr se laat maari, patthar hawa me udd kar seedhe Nik ke haath ki taraf aaya — gati kisi bullet se kam nahi thi.

*Crack*

"Aaaaaaaaarrrrggghhhhh-!!!!"

Ek dard bhari cheenkh uss sunsaan sadak me goonj gayi. Nik ke haath par patthar aake zorr se laga aur uski handgun uske haath se chhutak kar peechhe kayi feet dur jaa giri. Isme koi shaq nahi tha ki uske haath ki haddi fracture ho chuki thi.

Dekhte hi dekhte, Veer theek uske saamne tha.

Nik (shivers) : Y-You-!!!

Lag raha tha jaise Veer use yaha maar hi daalega. Veer ne apna haath jeb se nikaala.

Nik : N-Nooo-!!! S-Stop!!!

*Slaaaaaaappp*

Aur, ek zordaar tamacha aake Nik ko gaal par pada. Bal itna ki Nik ka poora shareer do chakkar gol ghoom kar neeche gir pada. Veer ne use collar pakad ke uthaaya aur agle hi kshan-

*Craaaaashhhhhhh*

"Uuurrghhhhhh!!!!"

Uska sarr seedhe car ki front window me me de maara. Khoon se lathpath, Nik kuchh bhi karne aur bolne ki haalat me nahi tha. Veer ne use dobaara pakad ke neeche zameen par feka.

Usne apni laat uthayi. Aur, iske pehle ki woh Nik ke muh pe apne joote ki chhaap chhorta-

"Veeeeeerrr!!! Nahi-!!!!!!"

Veer : Huh!!??

Uski taang beech me hawa me hi ruk gayi. Divya ki awaaz ne use rok diya. Usne peechhe mud ke use dekha. Uski aankhon me sawaal saaf-saaf nazar aa rahe the.

Veer : !!?

Divya daud ke uske samaksh aayi. Uski baah ko pakdi, uske haath darr ke maare thar-thara rahe the.

Divya : P-Please-!!! *shivers* N-No more-!!! *sniff*



Gusse me Veer ne apni mutthi kass li. Divya iss aadmi ke liye use rok rahi thi??

Divya : P-Please!! G-Go-!!!

Veer (frowns) : Tum...

Mann toh kar raha tha ki woh Divya ko bhi do chamaat laga de. Itna gussa aa raha tha use abhi. Magar, khud ko qaabu me kar, usne chupchap Divya ki jacket se apna phone nikaala. Dekha toh paaya ki battery keval 2% bachi hui thi.

'Shit-!!!!'

Upar se network bhi gaayab tha. Usne ek baar apna phone airplane mode par daal ke network reset kiya. Aur, itna karte hi dhadalle se ek-ek kar ke saare piled up notifications aane shuru ho gaye.

Ghar waalo ke dhero missed calls pade hue the.

'Damn it!!! Mere phone ka charger toh Divya ki car me hi reh gaya jo Ava le gayi.'

Iske pehle ki woh Tej ko phone laga paata, uska phone baj utha.

'Hmm? Shreya!!?'

Call Shreya ka tha. Call uthaate hue phone usne apne kaan par lagaya aur tabhi-

"Veeeeeeeeeeeeeerrrrr-!!!! *sniff*"

Veer : Huh???

Uss orr se Shreya ki zorr se pukaar use sunayi padi.

Veer : Sh-Shreya!!??

Ek sihran uske badan me fel gayi. Shreya ro rahi thi? Kahi aisa toh nahi ki Aadesh ke gundo ne use-!?

Shreya : Veeeeeerrr-!!! *sniff* Veeeeeer suno!!!!

Veer : Shreya? Kaha ho tum? Ro kyu rahi ho???

Shreya (cries) : Veeeeeerrr!! Jaldi!!! *sniff* Jaldi!!! Carewell hospital ho jao. Please-!!! *sniff* Jaldi!!!

Veer : Wh-What??? Hospital!? K-Kya hua? Hello??? Shreya???? Sh-Shreyaaa???

Shreya : *sniff* T-Tum jaldi aa jao!! P-Please!!! *sniff* Jaldi! Mein sab batati hu fir. *sniff* P-Please!!!

Veer : Hello?? Shreyaaa??? Par-

Shreya : Veer mein-

*Call ends*

'Huh???'

Veer ne dekha ki uske phone ki battery dead ho chuki thi. Baat adhoori hi reh gayi.

'Damn it!!!'

Mann toh kar raha tha yahi apna phone patak de. Uske haath gusse me zorr se kampan kar rahe the. Divya ne Shreya ki guhaar Veer ke nazdeek khade hone ke chalte phone ke zariye sunn li thi.

Divya : J-Jao Veer!!!

Veer : ??? Tumhe yaha aise chhor ke?? Pagal ho gayi kya??? Come! Be quick!! Gaadi me baitho!! Aur, mein-

Divya : N-Nahi!!!

Veer : ???

Divya : Y-Ye maamla mere niji jeevan ka hai, Veer. Mein tumhe isme nahi ghaseet sakti.

Veer : Divya-

Divya : Shhh!!!

Woh uske hontho par apne haath rakh uske qareeb aayi.

Divya : Mujhe kuchh nahi hoga. Mein jaanti hu mujhe kya karna hai. J-Jao, Veer. Logo ko tumhari zaroorat hai. Bhulo nahi ki mein FBCC ki special agent hu. Nik chaah ke bhi mujhe nuksan nahi pahucha sakta. T-Trust me! Now go!!!

Use dhakelte hue Divya do qadam peechhe ho gayi. Agar, Shreya ka woh call na aaya hota toh Veer yu iss tarah Divya ko chhor ke kabhi nahi jaata.

Kintu, woh jaanta tha ki kuchh gadbad hui hai. Kuchh anhoni hui hai. Aur, yahi uski chinta ka kaaran thi.

Woh unn bouncers ki gaadi me baitha aur usne zorr se car ghumayi. Ek akhiri baar dono ki nazre aapas me takrayi.

Veer : Mein pahuch ke Ava ko tumhare paas bhejta hu.

Divya : Don't worry!!! I'll be fine! Go now!!!

Aur, Veer ne accelerator par perr rakh gaadi waha se bhaga di. Peechhe khadi Divya ke labb khule aur bas ahista se uske muh se yahi nikla-

"Thank you... Veer!!!"

---

*Vroooooooom*

Veer ki gaadi tez raftaar pakde Mumbai ke liye bhaagti jaa rahi thi. Woh apne event ke liye late hota jaa raha tha.

Lekin, Shreya ne jis tarah se use pukaara, woh jaanta tha ki kuchh badi baat hai. Phone band hone ke chalte use alag kheej uth rahi thi.

Event ke liye woh kitni utsukta se taiyaar tha. 'Yarnia' ka usne swayam Louis dwara banaya gaya blazer daal rakha tha. Magar, harr mod pe ek nayi musibat uske liye taiyaar khadi thi jo use Prestige pahuchne se rok rahi thi.

[Aapne waha jo kiya aisa dobaara mat karna, Master.]

Pari ki awaaz uske mann me goonj gayi.

'Huh?'

['Beowulf's Blessings' ke samay aapki aankhein laal ho jaati hai. Aur, aapne Nik ke saamne ye istemal kiya. Aap jaante hai na ki Nik ek aam insaan hai?]

'Yeah!!!'

[System ke baare me kisi ko nahi pata chalna chahiye, Master. *mutters* At least for now...!!]

'H-Huh? What do you mean-!?'

[Anyways, mission ke liye around 4 hours bache hai. Aap jaante hai na penalty?]

'Pari! Tum mujhe dara rahi ho ya madad kar rahi ho?'

[Mein aapko dara nahi rahi, Master! Kya pata? Shreya ka ye bulawa? Shayad hume uss murderer tak pahucha de!?]

'!!!?'

Chaurahe par aate hi Veer ki car Carewell hospital ke route ke liye mud gayi. Koi nahi jaanta tha ki aage kya hone waala tha.

***

Hotel Prestige,
Night - 8:20 PM ~

Hotel Prestige ka ballroom badi hi bhavyata se jagmagati lights se jhilmila raha tha. Hall aane waale mehmano se bharta jaa raha tha — Business VIPs, mashoor celebrities, social media influencers, aur fashion enthusiasts. Sabhi Veer ke naye clothing brand, Yarnia ke launch ka besabri se intezar kar rahe the. Raat ke 8:20 baj rahe the aur Veer ke parivar jann bechain the. Veer ka koi ata-pata jo nahi tha.

Tej stage ke kinare khadi hui thi aur uske haath ghabrahat me podium ko kass kar pakde hue the. Uske kabhi shaant chehre par iss waqt tanaav jhalak raha tha. Woh wahi khadi Bhumika ki orr mudi, jo apni dress ko theek karne me lagi hui thi.

Tej : Hume aur time nikaalna padega. Ramp walk bas 10 minutes me shuru hone ko hai. Aur, Veer ab tak yaha nahi pahucha hai.

Bhumika ne badhti bheed ki orr dekhte hue haami bhari.

Bhumika : Ab time nikalna mushqil hai, Tejal! Mein hosting me tumhara saath de dungi. Hum iss waqt ab koi galti nahi kar sakte. Veer ki reputation daav par hai.

Tej (nods) : I know!!!! Damn it!!!

Bhumika : Tumne use call kiya???

Tej : Aapko lagta hai maine use call nahi kiya? Pichhle dus minute se lagatar use call laga rahi hu. Unreachable bata raha hai.

Bhumika : Par, ab hum bina koi reason late nahi kar sakte.

Tej : I know!! Tsk!!! Theek hai! Mein initial speech sambhal lungi. Kya uske baad-?

Bhumika (nods) : Don't worry! Uske baad ka mein dekh lungi.

Tej : Thanks!!!

---

Idhar pravesh dwar ke paas Aabha aur Suman aane waale mehmano ke swagat me juti thi. Unki aankhein ghadi aur darwaze ke beech ghoom rahi thi. Aabha ne ek jaane-maane udyogpati ke haatho se uska invitation card lete hue garmjoshi se kaha.

Aabha : Aane ke liye aapka bahut-bahut dhanyavad Mr. Khurana! Please, aaiye!!

Mr. Khurana ke andar jaate hi Aabha apni saasu maa ki orr palti aur fusfusate hue poochhi.

Aabha : Maa ji! Kya aapko lagta hai ki maalik samay se aa payenge???

Suman ne apni muskan barkarar rakhte hue halka sa sir hilaaya aur boli.

Suman : Maalik aate hi honge beta! Tum bas mehmano ke swagat par dhyan do. Mein jaanti hu tum unse milne ke liye vyakul ho par abhi- jo zimmedari hume di gayi hai woh nibhani zaroori hai. Samajh gayi na?

Aabha (nods) : Ji maa ji!!

---

Refreshment tables par, Sonali apni nazre gadayi hui thi. Usne champagne le jaate ek waiter ko tokte hue roka.

Sonali : Pehle jo aage baithe hai unhe serve karna hai. Theek hai na?? Aur, koi bhi tray khaali le kar mat jaana waha.

Waiter : Ji madam!!

'Na jaane kaha reh gaya ye? Hmph! Aane do use! Bataungi baad me!!'

Woh mann hi mann Veer ke baare me soch muh fulaayi.

---

Poore hall me, Ragini hi ek sundar kaala designer gown pehne hue thi, VIP mehmano se woh iss qadar mil rahi thi jaise maano woh kisi badi conglomerate ki CEO ho. Yeh aura tha uska.

VIP : Everything looks promising... I must say.

Ragini (smiles) : Absolutely!! We're excited for you to see the collection. It's unique. A combination of French and Indian designs.

VIP (smiles) : I'm looking forward to it.

Baaton hi baaton me apni aankhon ke kone se usne dekha ki uska ex-husband, Vivek use hi ghoor raha tha. Vivek ko hawa ki tarah nazar-andaz karte hue uske vichaar Veer ki orr chale gaye.

'Kaha ho tum? Sab tumhara intezar kar rahe hai aur tum ho ki- Jaldi aao Veer! Please!'

---

Galti Vivek ki nahi thi. Aaj Ragini dikh hi itni bemisal rahi thi ki koi bhi mard use dekhe bina nahi reh paa raha tha. Kahi na kahi Vivek ko ye gussa bhi dila raha tha aur use Ragini jaisi biwi ko gawaane ka pachhtava bhi ho raha tha.

Woh toh yaha aana hi nahi chaahta tha, magar Manorath, Sumitra ko laane ke liye use yaha majbooran aana pada. Aur, upar se Hotel Prestige ki chamak aur vilasita dekh jalan alag uske andar janm le rahi thi. Akhir, Veer ne itni jaldi itna sab praapt kaise kar liya?

Woh Shweta, Sumitra, Manorath, Purvi aur Arun ke saath hi waha baitha tha. Na aane waale logo ki soochi me the — Karunesh, Brijesh aur Pranjal. Aur, charcha ka vishay bhi yahi the.

Manorath : Apne hi bete ki tarakki me agar ek baap uska saath nahi dega toh kaun dega?

Unhone gusse me aate hue apni chhadi ko wahi patakte hue kaha. Yaha aane ke poorv apne bete se hua sanvad unhe yaad aaya.

Uss sanvaad ko yaad kar unka sarr abhi bhi hataasha se neeche jhuka hua tha, kintu Shweta, Sumitra aur Purvi ki maujoodgi ne jaise unhe thodi raahat di.

Sumitra : Zyada mat sochiye, papa ji! Ek na ek din jeth ji aapki baatein samajh jayenge. *smiles* Aur, umeed hai sab pehle jaisa ho jayega.

Manorath : Umeed par hi toh duniya qayam hai bitiya! Khair, mera pota kaha hai? Ab tak aaya nahi!

Purvi : Mein kab se use talaash rahi hu. Uska phone bhi nahi lag raha hai. Bhavna boli toh hai ki woh raaste me hai aur aata hi hoga.

Arun : Ab zyada late nahi kar sakte. Dekho! Mehman badhte jaa rahe hai. Kaha gaya kaha hai, Veer?

Shweta : Use... Use important kaam tha ek. Aata hi hoga.

---

Veer ki gerr-maujoodgi sabko ghabrahat me daal ke rakhi hui thi. Aur, Louis toh sabse zyada ghabraya hua tha. Stage ke peechhe uski awaaz ko suna jaa sakta tha. Woh tension me idhar se udhar chalte hue kaafi bechain lag raha tha.

"Louis!!!"

Tej ne andar aate hue use pukaara. Stage ke peechhe sabhi models apne-apne designer outfits pehne ekdum taiyaar the. Kuchh ke make-up ko retouch diya jaa raha tha toh kuchh sheeshein me apne aap ko ek akhiri baar dekh rahe the ki sab sahi hai ya nahi.

Tej : Louis, I need you to stay calm!! You are being too loud! The event will go on, and Veer will be here soon. Don't worry!!!

Louis : But zis is unacceptable!!! A launch without ze creator??? What will ze investors think??? Where is my friend, Veer???

Tej : Trust me!!!

Usne Louis ke kandho par haath rakh use aashvasan diya.

Tej : We'll handle it! Just focus on making sure the models are ready.

---

Iss orr Bhavna, Ragini ke mata-pita ke saath vartalap me lagi hui thi.

Dinesh : Mujhe toh poora vishvas tha ki ye ladka aage chal ke kuchh zaroor bada karega. Bahut honhar hai!

Rohini (smiles) : Haan! Jis tareeke se usne kathin samay me humari Ragini ka dhyan rakha aur saath hi jab usne humare poore parivar ko bachaya tabhi mein samajh gayi thi ki chaahe uss ghar se aapke liye kitne hi katu shabd kyu na kahe gaye ho, ek buri maa apni kokh se aisi santaan ko janm de hi nahi sakti. Koi mahaan mahila hi iske peechhe ho sakti hai. Aur, mein sahi thi. Achhi baat hai ki humari Ragini ne bhi uss ghar se peechha chhura liya.

Bhavna : Isme galti ghar ki nahi. Bas... Kuchh logo ki mansiktao, unke iraade aur unki naqamyabio ki rahi hai. Ghar toh ghar hota hai. Ab jab log hi use ek asli grahasti banaane me naqamyab rahe, toh isme ghar ka kya kasoor? *smiles* Hai na?

Dinesh : Ni ni bilkul theek kaha aapne.

Rohini : Waise, kaha hai Veer? Bahut samay ho gaya uss se mile.

Bhavna : Bas... Aata hi hoga.

---

Kinaare me Kavya, Arohi aur Kritika teeno ek saath baithi hui thi. Arohi baar-baar apne phone ki taraf dekh rahi thi. Uske chehre par nirasha saaf jhalak rahi thi.

Arohi (frowns) : Phone abhi bhi nahi lag raha hai.

Kritika : Kahi Veer bhaiya koi grand entrance ki taiyari toh nahi kar rahe?? Kyunki, unki aadat hai sabko surprise karne ki. Haha!

Usne mahaul halka karne ki koshish karte hue kaha.

Kavya : Haan, shayad! Ho sakta hai.

Arohi (frowns) : Nahi! This isn't like him! Kuchh gadbad hai. I can feel it. Warna ab tak toh woh-

Kehte hue woh ruk gayi kyunki shor achanak se badh chuka tha. Kisi ka aagman hua tha.

Nahi! Veer nahi! Koi aur tha. Koi aisa jiske chalte waha maujood saare photographers paagal se ho pade. Dhakka-mukki hone lagi aur woh jhund me waha padhaare athiti ko apne camera me qaid karne ke liye tadapne lage.

Veer se bhi do badi hastiyaan waha padhaar chuki thi jinke darshan maatra ke liye log baukhla rahe the. India ke do sabse bade conglomerate ki owners. Koi aur nahi balki trinity ki do deviyaan waha ek saath pahuch chuki thi.

Nexacom ki — Kaera.



Aur, Elite Group ki — Sonia.



*Click* *Click*

Unn dono ki grand entrance ne Hotel Prestige me upasthit logo ko hairat me daal diya. Photographers do jhund me batt gaye. Ek jhund jaha Kaera ki khubsoorti ko qaid karne me jutt gaya toh wahi dusra Sonia ko apni magazines aur akhbaaro ke glamour section me taaza khabar bana ke chhaapne ke liye taiyaar ho gaya.

Unn dono ke aagman ki kisi ne umeed nahi ki thi. Nexacom aur Elite Group, India me corporate ke do sabse bade shikhar the, unka competition hi janta ke liye kisi aakarshan se kam nahi tha.

Kaera aur Sonia ko ek hi kamre me ek saath dekhna hi apne aap me ek event tha. Aur, upar se ye sambhav ho paaya tha business ki duniya me qadam rakh rahe ek naye khiladi ke dwara — Veer.

Waha maujood hoshiyar businessman logo ne turant hi iska mahatva pehchaan liya.

“Veer Singh,” Unme se ek samajh me sirr hilaate hue fusfusaya. “Agar, woh inn dono ko ek saath event me bula sakta hai, toh iska matlab zaroor woh koi khaas hai.”

Kaera ne kuchh poses dene ke baad andar qadam rakha. Uski tez peni nazre bheed ko aise scan kar rahi thi jaise maano woh dekhne maatra se unki kshamtao ko jaan rahi ho.

Uske bagal se uska chhota bhai, Karan bhi poore confidence se chal raha tha. Secretary Ruchika apne peshevar aacharan ka paalan kar ek haath me tab liye theek uske peechhe-peechhe aa rahi thi. Aur, unn sab ke theek aage the — Raghu aur Jassi, Kaera ke do personal bodyguards, jo kuchh aur bouncers ke saath unhe aage peechhe se gher ke janta sa bachaate hue aage badh rahe the.

Aur, fir thi Sonia jo apni golden black dress me kuchh kam nahi lag rahi thi. Uski secretary, Suchika theek uske peechhe chal rahi thi, uska chehra mask se chhupa hua tha jo use aur bhi rehesyamayi bana raha tha. Sonia ke parivar ke bharosemand salahkar aur vishvaspaatra, Uncle Prakash bhi unke saath-saath chal rahe the. Magar, yahi nahi — Suhana, Sonia ki badi behan bhi uske saath thi. Uski upasthiti Sonia ke dal par ek adrishya bhaar daal rahi thi.



Stage par khadi Tej ko sab kuchh nazar aaya jaise hi dono dal andar pravesh kiye. Uski nigaahein sabse pehle uss mahila par jaa kar tiki. Aur, jaise uss mahila ne bhi Tej ki nazro ko apne upar mehsoos kar liya. Dono ki nazre aapas me takrayi.



Tej (mumbles) : It’s her…!!!

Bhumika : Huh??? Tejal!! 8:30 ho chuka hai!! Ramp walk aur delay nahi kar sakte.

Tej : P-Par, Veer ab tak nahi aaya hai. Humein aur delay karna hoga!!

Bhumika : Par, kaise???

Tej ne wapas Suhana ko dekha. Kuchh soch-vichar kar woh stage se neeche utri aur Suhana ki orr badhne lagi.

Bhumika : T-Tejal?? Kaha jaa rahi ho??

Magar, Tej jaa chuki thi. Na jaane uske mann me kya tha. Bhumika bas stage se yahi dekh paayi ki Tej Suhana se jaake kuchh baat kar rahi thi.

‘Kya woh dono… Ek dusre ko jaanti hai??’

Idhar Sonia jaise hi hall ke andar aayi, woh ek pal ke liye ruki, uski nazar kamre me Kaera se mili. Unke beech ka vatavaran adrishya tanaav se bhar gaya, hawa ka bhaar jaise badh gaya. Koi bhi shabd ka adaan-pradaan nahi hua, magar bheed uss tanaav ko mehsoos kar paa rahi thi — ek jung, jo bina kisi hathyar ke, keval apni upasthiti se ladi jaa rahi thi.

Dono hi apne-apne sthaan par aake baithi. Kaera ki nazre Veer ko talaash rahi thi.



Use apni maid, Julia se hua sanvaad yaad aa gaya.

Julia : Miss, aap pareshan lag rahi hai!

Kaera (sighs and turns) : Mein event ke liye perfect dikhna chaahti hu, Julia. Sirf perfect hi nahi — special. Kuchh aisa jis se uska dhyaan sirf mujh par rahe.

Julia : Aapka matlab, Young Master Veer?

Veer ke naam par Kaera ke gaalo ka tapmaan badh gaya, lekin usne iss se inkaar nahi kiya aur dheere se ek haami bhari.

Kaera : Samajh nahi aa raha kya pehnu. Western dresses? Ya fir designer gown? They all feel... very ordinary.

Julia use dekh uske qareeb aayi.

Julia : Toh, kuchh traditional kyu nahi? Ek saree???

Kaera : Saree? Mere upar? Kya tumhe lagta hai... Kya tumhe lagta hai Veer ko wo pasand aayegi?

Julia (nods) : Unki personality ko dekhte hue — haan, bilkul! He strikes me as someone who would appreciate elegance over boldness. Ek saree, samay se pare hai, Miss. Woh kabhi trend se baahar nahi jaane waali. It's timeless. And, it would highlight your natural beauty.

Kaera : Tumhari hindi din-ba-din achhi hoti jaa rahi, Julia.

Julia (smiles) : Thank you, miss. Fufu~

Kaera : But-

Julia : Hmm?

Kaera : Mujhe toh... uska favourite color bhi nahi pata. Agar, mein saree pehenti hu toh woh logically usi color ki honi chahiye jo use pasand hai, hai na? Otherwise, what's the point?

Julia (chuckles) : You think of every detail, don’t you?

Kaera : Veer... alag hai, Julia. Woh baakiyo ki tarah nahi hai jinse mein ab tak milti aayi hu. I want to make sure that when he looks at me, he only sees me. His eyes should never wander away from me.

Julia uski baat par bas muskurayi.

Kaera : It's decided then. Mein aaj raat event me uss se uske favorite color ke baare me poochhungi. And, when the time comes, I'll wear a saree in that color for him.

Julia (smiles) : That's right, Miss. Capture him before anyone else does.

Kaera : Capture?

Julia (grins) : Yes!

Kaera : But I wanted him to claim-

Julia : Only a princess waits for her charming prince, miss. Queens don't.

Kaera : !!?

Julia (smiles) : Queens make their own opportunities and capture their kings before anyone else. Check-mate him, Miss.



'Check mate, huh???' Woh apne khayalo me kahi ghum ho gayi.

Isi beech Sonia, Prakash Uncle se vartalap me lagi hui thi.

Sonia : Impressive! Veer ne waqai bahut mehnat ki hai. Mein dekh paa rahi hu. Kya kehte ho aap?

Prakash Uncle : Hmm! Sirf event nahi hai ye... Yaha ke businessmen ke liye ye ek mauka bhi hai. Aur, aapne idhar aake uss chingari ko aag me badal diya hai.

Tabhi, Suhana ne jhuk ke Sonia ke kaan me kuchh kaha jise sunn Sonia ne dheere se haami bhari.

Jaha businessmen logo ke liye Yarnia ek invest karne laayak brand tha toh wahi Nexacom aur Elite Group iss bhaag daud me sabse aage tha.

Ek-ek karke dekhte hi dekhte Kaera aur Sonia ke ird-gird businessman chaaploosi kar ikhatta hone shuru ho gaye.

Yeh ek sunehra avsar tha unke liye. Roz-roz bhala kaha Nexacom aur Elite Group saath aate the?

Bhumika : Ohh!! Toh ye plan tha tumhara???

Usne stage par wapas aati Tej ko dekh bola.

Tej (nods) : Hmm! Deals ke chakkar me ab thodi der saara focus Miss Kaera aur Miss Sonia par bana rahega. Aur, koi complaint bhi nahi karega. Hope tab tak Veer aa jaaye.

Isi beech Karan apni jagah se uth Kritika, Arohi aur Kavya ke paas pahucha. Use apni orr aata dekh Kritika ke gaalo ka tapman badh gaya.

Karan (smiles) : H-Hey!! Aaj tum... *blushes* bahut beautiful lag rahi ho.

Kritika (blushes) : Th-Thank you! Tum bhi-!!

Karan : Huh?? M-Mein bhi beautiful lag raha hu???

Kavya : Ahahahaha!!! Pagli! Ladko ko beautiful thodi kehte hai.

Kritika : Tu chup kar!! P-Pata hai mujhe. Mere kehna ka matlab tha... *blushes* Tum bhi... Handsome lag rahe ho.

Karan : Ahaha! Thank you! Waise... Veer kaha hai? Mujhe kahi dikhayi nahi diya.

Arohi (frowns) : Woh ab tak yaha nahi aaya hai.

Karan : Kya??? Ab tak nahi aaya? Mein call karta hu ek minute-

Arohi : Phone unreachable aa raha hai, Karan. It's no use.

Karan (frowns) : Strange!

Arohi : I know! Woh aise gaayab nahi hota. Kuchh baat zaroor hogi.

Kavya : Di! Tejal didi ne bataya tha na ki woh kisi Divya ma'am ke saath gaye hai? Unka number hai kya aapke paas?

Arohi : Nahi, Kavya! Unka number-! Huh??? Arey haan!!! Unka number Tejal di ke paas zaroor hoga shayad. Good work, Kavya!!! Mein jaa ke zara poochh ke aati hu.

Kavya : Okie~

Arohi unn teeno ko aapas me chhor Tej ki taraf chal di.

Hall ke hi ek aur kone me Niharika bhi saj-dhaj ke wahi baith ke champagne pee rahi thi. Aaj kuchh zyada hi saji hui thi woh. Uske agal-bagal se uski dono colleagues-cum-slaves, Ayushi aur Ishani bhi baithi thi.

Ayushi : Wow! Itna grand welcome? Mein toh pehli baar kisi aise event me hissa le rahi hu.

Ishani (nods) : Same! Par, ye har baat pe wow bolna band karo. Tumne dekha nahi? Miss Kaera aur Miss Sonia tak aayi hai. Aur, toh aur Miss Suhana bhi aayi hai. Nexacom aur Elite Group saath-saath. Woh bhi ek hi jagah pe-!!!

Ayushi : Wooowww~

Ishani : ...

Dono apni baato me magn thi, lekin idhar Niharika ke mann me kuchh aur hi chal raha tha.

'Agar tum mere liye kaam karti ho, toh mein tumhe 'Globerays' ki tankhwa se bhi zyada dene taiyar hu. Basharte... Tumhe mere prati loyal rehna hoga. Aur, kuchh loyal employees bhi dhundhne honge.'

Pehle Niharika ne Veer ke ye bol ek kaan se sunn ke dusre se nikaal diye the. Magar, ab... Nexacom aur Elite Group ko ek saath dekh ke hi uska dimag manthan karne me jutt chuka tha.

'Kya mujhe aage badhna chahiye-!? Magar, usne mere saath... Tch!!! Let's just see where this goes.'

---

*Screeeeeeeeeechh*

Baahar ek aur car aake ruki. Ek aur khubsoorat ladki mask pehne andar hall me pravesh ki. Agar, woh mask na hota toh shayad photographers baukhla chuke hote.

Trinity ki akhiri sadasya, Ava waha padhaar chuki thi. Par, mask ke peechhe woh bas ek aam ladki prateet ho rahi thi.

Ghuste hi use Sonia aur Kaera dono alag-alag baithi hui mili aur uske qadam entrance par hi tham gaye.

'Kaera.... S-Sonia...!!!'

Dil ke bheetar chhupi kuchh feelings baahar sateh par aane lagi. Nahi! Ye sahi waqt nahi tha. Khud ko samjhaate hue usne ek kinara pakad liya. Par, nazre baar-baar unn dono par jaa ke tik hi jaati.

---

Ghadi par 8:45 baj chuke the.

Samay hote hi Tej ne stage par punah qadam rakha. Uske upar aate hi bheed shaant ho gayi aur sabhi ki nigaahein uss par tik gayi.

Tej : Ladies and gentlemen!! First of all, thank you for joining us tonight for the launch of Yarnia, a brand that promises to redefine fashion. My dear brother, Veer Singh, the visionary behind Yarnia, will join us shortly. In the meantime, let me introduce you to the genius who brought these designs to life — our esteemed designer coming straight from France, Louis Dumont!! The ramp walk will begin now.

Louis ke aate hi taaliyon ki gadgadahat waha goonj uthi. Ab ramp walk shuru karwaane ki zimmedari uski thi. Parde ke peechhe models apne outfits ko sahi karne me lage hue the. Bhumika tezi se Tej ke paas daudte hue aayi.

Bhumika : Ab humein shuru karna hi hoga, Tejal!

Tej : Haan! Miss Suhana ne 15 minutes nikalwa diye. Mujhe nahi lagta ab aur late kar payenge.

Bhumika : Aur karna bhi nahi hai Tejal! Bhulo mat ki aaj 31st hai. Inn VIPs ke apne plans hai new year ko celebrate karne ke. Woh hume aur waqt nahi de payenge.

Tej (nods) : Sahi kaha! Par, agar hum unke liye yahi pe new year celebrate karwa de toh-?

Bhumika : Aisa nahi hota, Tejal! Inn sab ke appointments hote hai. Kaha kis waqt jaana hai, inka schedule pehle se hi fix rehta hai. Ye sab aenn waqt par humare liye apne plans cancel nahi kar sakte. Aur, na hi hume ye karwana chahiye.

Tej : God!!! Kaha ho tum, Veer???

Bhumika : Veer kisi musibat me fass gaya hoga. Yaha humein apna kaam nahi bhulna chahiye. Let's do this!

Tej (nods) : Mmm!

Stage par Louis mic ko qareeb rakhe apni speech de raha tha. Magar, kisi ko nahi pata tha ki hotel ke baahar kya kuchh ghatit ho raha tha.

Theek baahar wahi anjaan aadmi apne upar shawl lapete baar-baar andar jhaak ke dekhne ki koshish kar raha tha.



Aur, jaise hi Louis ne apni speech dena shuru ki-

Uss anjaan aadmi ke qadam achanak se tez ho gaye. Mann me uske uss naqab-posh aadmi ke woh bol goonj gaye.

'Tch tch tch!!! Ek qaabil vakeel, fir ek divorcee, fir ek aaropi, fir ek bhikaari aur ab ek chhoti si basti me rehne waala sharab-khor aadmi.'

'Veer-!!! Yahi naam tha na??? Isi ladke ne tumhe tabaah kiya. Hai na? Mein tumhe ek mauka deta hu. 31st December!!! Yaad rakhna tareekh.'

'Ye lo! Ek akhiri taufa!!! Tumhe pata hai iske saath kya karna chahiye, hai na?'

Woh bhaaga. Zorr se entrance ki orr dauda. Security ne use aata hua dekha aur unme se do use rokne ke liye aage aaye.

Security guard 1 : Aye!!! Oye rukk!!! Kaha ghus raha hai, saale??

Do guards uske andar ghusne se pehle uss par jhapat pade. Kintu, woh nahi jaante the ki woh apne shawl ke andar kya chhipaaya hua tha.

*Click*

Security guard 2 : Huh??

Ek pin neeche giri.

Security guard 1 : ????

Aur, agle hi kshan usne andar entrance ki orr zorr se kuchh feka.

Andar, Louis ramp walk ke liye speech de hi raha tha jab-

Louis : Fashion is not just about clothing, it's-

*Boooooooooooooommmmm*

Ek garjanapoorna visfot ne pravesh dwar ko tod diya. Zordaar dhamake se chandeliers kaanp gaye. Dhamake ki leher ne darwaze par khadi security ke chithde uda diye, unke shareer marble ke farsh par bikhar gaye. Sheeshein toote, dhool aur aag ki lapto ne sundar si entrance ko apne aalingan me nigal liya.



"Aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!!!!"

Cheekhein goonj gayi. Poore hall me dehshat fel gayi. Ugr hoti aag ki lapte felti chali gayi. Baahar lage event ke banners aag pakad liye. Yarnia ka khubsoorat logo aag ki chapet me aake neeche gir ke dhwast ho gaya.

"Haha!!! Hahahahahahaha!!!!"

Woh anjaan aadmi hasa. Woh koi aur nahi, Rajat hi tha.

"Hahahahahahahahahaha!!!!! Jwaaaaalaaa ka prakop!!! Hahahahaha!!!! Bhasm ho jayega sab!!! Tu maregaaa... veeeeeeeeeeeeeerrrr!!!! Hahahahaha!!! Tum sab marogeeee!!!!"

Jo security guards use pakde hue the, woh darr ke maare pehle toh use peete, fir use baandh ke rakh liye. Police ko turant hi unhone inform kar diya tha.

Shuruwati jhatke ne sabhi ko stabdh kar diya. Kaera aur Sonia — business industry ki do diggaj shaktiyaan wahi jamm ke reh gayi, unka saiyyam aaj raat pehli baar dagmaga gaya. Lekin, sirf chand pal ke liye. Ruchika aur Suchika, unki secretaries visfot ki awaaz sunn aage badhi.

Jassi (yells) : Raghuuuuu-!!!!!

Raghu (nods) : Haaaaa!!!

Prakash Uncle : Madam!!! Jaldi-!!!

Suhana (nods) : Sonuuuu-!!! Quick!!!

Raghu aur Jassi ne apne bouncers ke saath Kaera ke ird-gird ek gola banaaya aur use leke hotel ke andar ek protective space ki orr badhe.

Iss beech Tej aur Bhumika, jo stage par khadi thi, baahar ke dhamake ko sunte hi ek dusre ke haatho ko thaam li.

Bhumika : K-Kya hua???

Tej (frowns) : Oh my goood!!! Mooooommm!!!!

"Bhaaaagooooooo!!!!"

"Bhaaagoooooo!!!!"

"Hamlaaa!!! Hamlaa hua hai!!! Bhaaagoooo!!!"

"Aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!"

"Eaaaarrrgghhhhhh!!! Mummmaaaaa!!!!"

"Baahar niklo!! Baahar!!!"

Chaaro taraf afra-tafri mach gayi. Logo ki cheekhein aur unki pukaar poore hall me goonjne lagi.

Bhavna ne darrte hue apne agal-bagal dekha. Uski aankhein apne parivar jano ko dhundh rahi thi.

Bhavna : Suman-!!! Aabha!!! Idhar aao!! Jaldiiiii!!!

Shweta (yells) : Sab log!! Jaldi!!! Peechhe ke gate se baahar nikloooo!!! Abhiiii!!!

Suman haami bhar aage badhi. Parijat ki sabhi aurto ko ikhatta kar, woh peechhe ke gate ke liye bhaagi. Niharika, Ayushi aur Ishani bhi Suman ke peechhe-peechhe bhaagi.

Bhavna (yells) : Papa ji!!! Jaldiiiii-!!! Uthiyeeeee-!!!

Arun Purvi ko pakde aage badha.

Arun (yells) : Didiiiiii!!! Chaliye yaha se!!!

Bhavna : Purvi ko leke jao, Arun!!! Pehle baahar nikalna zaroori hai.

Woh haami bhar waha se nikla. Shyam aur uski patni bhi uske sang ho liye.

---

Jaise hi dhamaka hua, Prestige ke saamne sthit uss abandoned building ki terrace par khada vyakti sab kuchh ghatit hote dekh raha tha.

'What the hell!??'

Use laga tha ki hamla woh karne aaya tha. Magar, yaha kisi aur ne hi pehle hamla kar diya tha.

'Whatever! But it's tough now-!!'

Muh se ek gehri saans chhorte hue usne wahi cheez uthayi jise kaafi der se woh assemble kar raha tha — sniper!!!

Kinaare se use tikaate hue woh bhaag-daud karte logo ko crosshair se dekhne laga.

Uss naqab-posh ke shabd uske dimaag me goonj gaye.

'Veer-!!!! Don't you have some business with him? *grins* Take this. I hope you will comply... Mister... Dexter-!!!!!'

Usne use ek envelope thamaya tha. Uss envelope me... Veer ke samast parivar-jann ke naam the, yaha tak ki unki photos bhi.

'You took my friend away from me, Veer!!! You killed Matthew!!! Syndicate Alliance never forgets to take revenge... I'll start first... Your family tree... Time to kill!'



Usne crosshair ko adjust kiya. Target uske aim par tha-!!! Aur, palak jhapakte hi-

*Splurt*

"Eaaaarrrgghhhhhh!!!!!"

Halchal ke beech ek tez cheekh goonj uthi. Ek vyakti achanak hi waha neeche gir pada.

Chamakte farsh par laal-laal khoon behne laga, aur uski dhaans hawa me fel gayi.

Yaha Karan ne fauran hi Kritika ko apni baaho me bhar liya. Woh behad dari hui thi.

Kritika (shivers) : M-Mom!?? Dad-!??

Karan : Shhh!! Kuchh nahi hoga unhe. Woh dekho! Woh nikal rahe hai. Aao mere saath!! Jaldi!!! Arohi di??? Kavya??? Jaldi!!! Chalo, mere saaaathhh!!!

Neeche pade insaan ko dekh Arohi aur Kavya wahi jamm ke reh gayi.

Arohi (shivers) : N-Nahi-!!!

Kavya (shivers) : D-Didi-!!?

Suhana pichhle gate ke paas sabhi ko baahar karwa rahi thi. Uske chehre par darr aur chinta saaf-saaf jhalak rahi thi.

Suhana (screams) : Veeeeeerr?!! Veer kaha hai???

Sonia (gasps) : What-!!! What just happened???

Prachi (panics) : Uhhh!! V-Veer bhaiya-!! Veer bhaiya nahi aaye!!!

Suhana (yells) : Kya matlab??? Damnnnn itt!!! Uncle Prakaaaashhhh!!!

Uncle Prakash (comes to a halt) : J-Ji!!

Suhana : Veer ke parivar ke log andar hai abhi bhi!!! Jaldiiii!!! Bouncers bhejiye!!! Quickkkk!!!

Uncle Prakash : J-Ji, mein bhejta hu!!

---

Dexter ne dobaara aim liya. Ek gehri saans chhorte hue usne apne aap ko niyantrit kiya.

Aur, palak jhapakte hi ek baar firse — trigger dabb gaya.

Kavya (screams) : Didiiiiii!!! Didi jaldi yaha se... huh-!!!???

*Splurt*

Kisi ne use achanak dhakel diya. Aur, punah khoon farsh par bikhar gaya.

Kavya (gasps) : !!!!!!?????

Idhar, Dexter ne wapas se bolt action ko operate kar use reload kiya. Woh gurraaya. Uske targeted aim ke beech koi aur aa gaya tha.

'Well... It's still good anyways...!!!'

Ek baar fir se usne aim lagaya.

Tej (screams) : Baahar!!! Peechhe ke gate se sabhi baahar jaaiye!!! Jaldiiii!!!

Bachi hui security bhi sabki madad karwa ke unhe peechhe ke raaste baahar nikaalne me lagi hui thi. Saare photographers, models, fashion enthusiasts waha se faraar ho chuke the.

Police apni siren bajti gaadi leke police station se nikal chuki thi aur hotel prestige pahuch rahi thi.

Tej (screams) : Jaldiiii!!! *sniff* Louiiiiisss!!! Goooooo!!!! Aur-

Dexter ne agla target chuna. Aur, trigger daba diya.

*Splurt*

Tej (gasps) : !!!!!??????

Tej ka shareer neeche gir gaya. Kisi ne use dhakka diya tha. Par, kaun??? Dekha toh paaya ki ek anjaan ladki muh par mask baandhe hue thi. Usi ne use dhakka diya tha.

"Nnnghhh-!!!"

[Dear-?!!!!]

Ava ne apna pait pakda, uska badan kaanp utha, uska haath ghaav par zorr se dabb gaya. Uski ungliyon ke beech se khoon ris raha tha, ekdum garm aur chipchipa.

Tej (shivers) : K-Kaun-!!?

Halanki, Ava ki peni aankhon ne apna tej nahi khoya. Iss hamle ke beech usne toote hue sheeshein se seedhe saamne ki orr upar dekha. Seedhe Dexter ko...

Uski gussail aankhein Dexter ki aankhon se jaa takrayi. Dexter ek pal ke liye hadbadaya. Koi insaan itni dur se use kaise spot kar sakta tha?

Ek paseene ki boond uske maathe se fisal ke neeche giri. Usko kuchh aisa mehsoos hua jo usne varsho se mehsoos nahi kiya tha — darr!!!

Lekin, woh yaha nahi rukk sakta tha. Khel toh abhi shuru hua tha. Usne punah aim lagaya, apni ungliyon ko sthir kiya.

Usne crosshair me Ava ko liya — kintu, Ava pehle se hi aage badh rahi thi, seedhe entrance ki orr.

Dexter ne jab use chalta paaya toh turant hi usne sniper ko thoda aage kar, trigger daba diya. Magar-

*Swoooooooossshhhhhh*

Ava apni jagah se gaayab ho gayi. Uski aakriti dhundhli pad gayi. Woh main road me tez raftar se aati cars ko bhaagte hue cross kar uski building ki orr aane lagi.

"Fuck!!!" Dexter ke badan ke rue khade ho gaye. Woh apni sniper chhor terrace ke pichhle bhaag ki orr bhaaga jaha usne pehle se hi faraar hone ki taiyari kar rakhi thi. Jaldbazi me uske perr ladkhada gaye, uski saansein ukhad rahi thi. Woh neeche utarne ki taiyaari karte hue rassi ko harness me fasaane laga.

---

Toh wahi Hotel Prestige ke chaaro orr fele Dhananjay ke aadmi bhi iss achanak hue hamle se stabdh the.

Aadmi : Sarkar!!! Yaha toh kisi ne bomb fek diya entrance par.

Aadmiyon ke leader ne Dhananjay ko call karte hue soochna di.

Dhananjay (frowns) : Ke matlab ba???

Aadmi : Chaaro taraf afra-tafri machi hai sarkar, saare raees log peechhe ke gate se bhaag rahe hai.

Dhananjay : Arey to maai ke chode, kya dekhat ba re tu??? Sasuri, andar ghus ke bhoon daal saalo ke...!!! Veer ke parivar ko pakad!!! Samjhe ki nahi??? Aur, uu sasuri Veer ko daboch ke humra paas lao!!! Uu ki jaan humre haath me hai!!! Hahahahahahaha!!!

Dhananjay ke aadmi aadesh milte hi ikhatte hue aur entrance se andar ghusne lage.

Magar, tabhi akasmat hi ek-ek karke aur kayi gaadiyaan aana shuru ho gayi. Drishya dekhte hi cars se dher saare aadmi utre aur Dhananjay ke aadmiyon ke saath bhid gaye.

Ye Balhaar dwara bheje gaye aadmi the. Aur, dekhe hi dekhte waha ek maha yuddhh chidh gaya.



Aas-pados ki buildings se sab nazara dekh rahe the, lekin ek surakshit doori bhi banaye hue the. Kisi ki himmat nahi pad rahi thi waha jaa ke ye sab rokne ki, aur na hi ye unke bas ki baat thi.

---

Yaha Dexter neeche ke naye chidhe yuddh se anibhigya harness ko fasa ke waha se bhaagne hi wala tha jab-

Achanak... Ek dard hua...

Ek nukeeli, thandi, lambi blade uski chaathi se baahar aayi. Uski saansein atak gayi. Uski ungliyaan kaapne lagi, uska muh khula par koi shabd na nikle. Aur, turant hi uska bejaan shareer wahi neeche gir gaya.

*Thud*

Tabhi, terrace ka darwaaza khula, haafti hui Ava waha pahuchi. Usne apne pait ko zorr se bheench rakha tha. Andhere me uske saamne ek aakriti khadi hui thi.

'!???'

Iske pehle ki woh kuchh action le paati. Woh ladkhadayi, aur kisi hawa ke jhonke ki tarah woh aakriti uske nazdeek aayi aur use girne se bacha liya.

***

Carewell Hospital,
Night - 9:00 PM ~

Antiseptic ki bhaari gandh ne hospital ko bhar rakha tha. Jagah-jagah log baithe hue the toh wahi kuchh nurse idhar se udhar bhaag rahi thi. Aur, tabhi-

Corridor me tez raftaar se koi andar aaya, uska coat raftar ke chalte hawa me uchhla, aur woh ek mod lete hue upar first floor ki orr bhaaga. Uske swayam ke dil ki dhadkan itni tez thi ki hospital ka shor dabb chuka tha.

Phone par Shreya ki awaaz ruwasi thi, woh uss se turant hospital pahuchne ki vinti kar rahi thi. Koi spashtikaran nahi. Bas roye jaa rahi thi.

Aur, ab jaise hi woh upar pahucha, uski nazar saamne khadi Shreya par jaa tiki.

Jaise hi Shreya ne aate hue shaks ko dekha, uski aankhein, jo lagatar aansuo se laal aur sooji hui thi, wo chaudi ho gayi. Agli hi saans me woh ladkhada ke aage badhi aur khud ko uski chhaati se laga di.

Shreya : V-Veeeer!!! Ack-!! *sniff*

Uske gale se ghuti hui siskiyaan foot padi, uska kamzor shareer buri tarah kaanp raha tha, mutthiyaan Veer ke coat ko kass ke jakde hue thi jaise use darr tha ki agar usne inhe chhora toh woh kahi gaayab ho jayega.

Veer : Sh-Shreya??? Kya hua?

Usne Shreya ko sthir kar poochha. Lekin, Shreya ne keval apna sarr hilaaya, uske shabd hichkiyo ke beech dabb gaye.

Aur, fir Veer ne suna-

“Nahhhhhiiiiiiiiiiiii-!!!!”

Andar se aati cheenkh jo aspatal ke shor me Veer ke dil me khanjar ki tarah aake chubhi. Paas ke hi kamre se kisi ke vilaap ki awaaz. Woh ye awaaz pehchaanta tha.

Nidhi!!!

Veer ka shareer wahi akad gaya.

‘N-Nahi!!’

Dimag ko signal dene ka samay hi na mila jab uske perr apne aap uss disha ki orr aage badh gaye. Usne Shreya ko halke se apne se dur kiya. Kahi Nidhi ko kuchh ho toh nahi gaya? Woh andar kamre me pravesh kiya.

Aur, woh waha thi.

Nidhi! Uski Nidhi!

Uske baal bikhre hue the, uske paseene se geele maathe par chipke hue the. Uske sarr par patti bandhi hui thi.

Uski aankhon se aasu unn komal gaalo se fisal ke nadi ki tarah beh rahe the. Jaise hi uski nazar Veer par padi, andar se jaise koi dorr toot gayi. Woh aage badhi, aur seedhe aake uski chhaati se takrayi, apni baaho ko uske sarr ke chaaro orr lapet li, aur itni kass kar lapeti ki Veer ki jagah agar koi aam insaan hota toh use dard mehsoos ho jaata.

Veer wahi jamm gaya. Uske haath Nidhi ko pakadne ke liye kuchh seconds tak hawa me hi ghoomte rahe. Uske baad usne utni hi zorr se Nidhi ko apni baaho me kass liya. Nidhi uske coat ke andar sisakne lagi, uski cheenkh peeda se bhari hui thi.

Veer : M-Ma’am-!?

Veer ne use sambhaal ke seedha karne ki koshish ki, lekin Nidhi ke shabdo ne use bhauchakka chhor diya.

Nidhi : J-Juhiiii-!! Juhi chali gayi!!! *sniff*

Uski awaaz fattne lagi aur usne Veer ko zorr se pakad liya.

Nidhi (gasps) : Woh use le gaya *sniff* Woh le gaya…!!! Meri bacchi…!! Veeeerrr-!!! Woh le gaya-!!!!

Aur, fir sab kuchh jaise ruk gaya. Samay wahi tham gaya. Veer ko ye khabar pachaane me jaise samay lagne waala tha.

Juhi!

Uski nanhi Juhi! Uski pyaari pari jaisi Juhi!

Rago me khoon achanak jaise thanda padne laga. Veer ki chhaati upar-neeche hone lagi, use saans lene me taqleef hone lagi.

Nahi. Nahi. Nahi.

Veer : K-Kaun?

Uski awaaz bahut hi dheemi thi — khatarnak roop se. Lagbhag pehchan me nahi aa rahi thi.

“Wahi Veer!!! Wahi!!”

Ek jaani-pehchaani awaaz kamre ke kone se aayi. Veer tezi se muda, uski nazar Madhuri par padi.

Veer : Madhuri?

Woh akeli nahi thi. Pranjal theek uske bagal se baitha hua tha. Madhuri ne apne kurte ka kinaara bheencha rakha tha, uske haath kaanp rahe the. Aur, Pranjal apne pait par ek hot water bag liye sikaayi kar raha tha.

Madhuri : H-Humne dekha tha, Veer!! Wahi unhe utha ke le gaya. Juhi aur Pihu dono ko!! Wahi murderer… Jiske peechhe police padi hai. Sab kuchh humari aankhon ke saamne hua. Pranjal ne uss se bhidne ki koshish ki thi-

Uske shabd beech me adhoore hi reh gaye jab agle hi second Veer achanak se Pranjal ke paas aaya. Usne Pranjal ko uski collar se pakda aur use kursi se upar kheench liya.

Veer (growls) : T-Tu??? Tu yaha-!!? Mujhse keh mat dena ki inn sab ke peechhe-

Pranjal : Chhor mujhe-!! Urghhh!! M-Maine koshish ki thi- P-Par, woh-

Tabhi, Veer ko jaise kuchh yaad aaya.

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

'Kya hua Veer?'

'Dijiye toh-'

'O-Okay!'

'Haan maamu~'

Juhi apna sarr mode use prashn bhari nazro se dekh rahi thi. Par, Veer jaanta tha ki usne uss ek pal me kya kiya tha.

'Pari!!! Kya tracer phone ke through kisi par mark ho sakta hai?'

[H-Huh? Haan, shayad! Try kar ke dekhiye.]

'Mark the tracer on Juhi!!!'

*Ding*

[Do you want to remove the tracer from Ragini?]

Veer ko yaad aaya ki usne Tracer Sonali se hata ke Ragini par lagaya tha.

'Yes!'

*Ding*

[Do you want to mark the tracer on Juhi?]

'Yes!'

*Ding*

[Tracer has been marked on Juhi.]

'Maaaamu???'

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

'O-Okyy! Mumma-!!!'

Ye sab hua tha. Veer ne apne mann me Tracer ka istemal kar Juhi ki location dekhi, aur location dekhte hi-

Usne ek gehri saans li. Location sthir thi.

Tabhi, Pranjal ne use kuchh thamaaya. Ek gift tha. Veer ne jaise hi use dekha ki uski aankhon me aasu aa gaye.

Gift Juhi ka hi tha. Uss par uski handwriting me uska naam likha hua tha.

Uski nanhi Juhi uske liye tohfa laayi thi. Magar, ab woh jaa chuki thi. Ye samay ab sochne ka nahi tha.

Veer turant muda aur usne Nidhi ke gaalo ko apni hatheli me bhar liya, apne anguthe se usne Nidhi ke aasu pochhe. Aur, ekdum dheemi awaaz me woh bola.

Veer : Aap chinta mat kariye!! Mein Juhi ko leke aaunga. Mein aapse vaada karta hu!!! *smiles*

Par, iske pehle ki Nidhi kuchh keh paati-

*Whoooooooooooshhh*

Veer waha se gaayab ho gaya.

Uski car uss location ki taraf saaye-saaye bhaag rahi thi. Na jaane kitne traffic signals ko woh tod chuka tha. Use ek dar samaaya — Agar, usne Juhi ko uss pal mark na kiya hota. Toh, kya hota???

Juhi ke shabd uske mann me uski ho awaaz me mandra rahe the.

'Maaaaaamuuuuu~'

'Maamu, mein bhi aaungi!!!'

'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.'

'Sacchi maamu???'

'Aur, nahi toh kya...'

'Yaaaayyyyy!!! P-Par, maamu aap kidhal ho???'

'Mein bas ghar laut raha hu. Kyu? Kya hua?'

'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.'

'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.'

'Hehehehe~ I love you maamu~ *muah*'

Veer ki aankhon se mote-mote aasu beh kar gir rahe the. Juhi ko kuchh hua, toh woh kabhi apne aap ko maaf nahi kar payega. Woh toh iss baat se bhi anibhigya tha ki Hotel Prestige me kya kuchh ghatit ho raha tha.

Jisne bhi Juhi ko agwa kiya, Veer use nahi chhorne waala tha. Woh jaan gaya tha ki iske peechhe koi system holder hi tha. Par, kaun? Sawal ka jawab use jald hi milne waala tha.

***

The Underground Lair,
Night - 9:15 PM ~

Juhi aur Pihu ke shareer ek-ek bed par bandhe hue the. Woh dono cheekh rahi thi, chillaa rahi thi par unki pukaar sunane waala koi nahi tha.

Wahi anjaan pagal sa aadmi unki cheekhein sunn lutf le raha tha.

?? : Ohhh! Don't worry, little ones. I'll be very gentle-!! Ehehehe-!! Tum dono ko bilkul dard nahi hoga. Ehehehehe!!! Shayad... Thoda sa...!!! Hehehe!!!

Par, tabhi uski underground lair me achanak se andar koi aaya.

*Splash*

Neeche paani aedi tak bhara hua tha. Chhapaak ki awaaz ke saath land karte hue Veer ki aankhein laal rang se chamak uthi.



Aur, udhar hi andar kahi... Uss paagal insaan ko Veer ke aane ka ehsaas ho gaya.

Woh haivani muskaan liye muskuraaya.

?? : Well... My food got delivered already. Ahahahahahaha!!! The main dish has come-!!! You will have to wait for a while, young ones. *Slurp* Ohhh!!! I'll come back soon. Don't worry!!! Ehehehehehehe!!! Yahahahahaha! Now... Shall we get started????


.
.
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.
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Werewolf sbse phle toh bahut bada wala sorry bhai mene kosis toh bahut ki khudko apki story ko padhne se rokne ki pr nhi kr paaya pr yrr itne dino baad itna khatrnak mtlb words nhi h mere paas apki writing ko appreciate krne k liee or last m wo jo suspense h bhai pr bhai dekhete hn aage ye fight kesi hoti h apb tk jitne bhi villains aaye hn sb ek se badh kr ek the toh us is hisab se ye bhi unsb m sbse khtrnaak hoga or abh bhai bss contrl nhi ho rha us fight seen ko dekhne ka

 

[kisanlal]

Is forum pr or jitni bhi stories hn un sb ko log padhte hn kuch stories hn unko imagine krte hn pr is story ko log feel krte hn

 

[Rookingstar12]

Mega Update

Update - 193 ~ Pandemonium (2)
​

Shreya's house,
Evening - 7:40 PM ~

Aaj Yarnia ki launch ke liye sajne sawarne me sabhi lage hue the, aur inhi me se ek thi — Shreya. Singapore se laut aane ke baad, Shreya bhi iss waqt aaine ke saamne khadi, dhyaan se apne aap ko jaanch rahi thi. Lamba chamakdar designer gown uss par behad khubsoorat lag raha tha.




Uska makeup bhi halka tha jo uski komal, yuva visheshtao ko ujagar kar raha tha. Usne apne baalo ki ek latt ko adjust kiya jo uske sirr ke peechhe bandhe jatil joode se nikal kar bhaag rahi thi.

Usne ghoomte hue khud ko sheeshe me punah dekha. Kya yeh kaafi tha? Woh mann hi mann sochi. Veer ko itne samay baad dobara dekhne ke vichar maatra se hi uska dil zoro se dhadak raha tha.

Kuchh mahine beet chuke the jab usne akhiri baar Veer ko dekha tha. Uski zindagi ab badal chuki thi. Food show ke liye Tamanna aur Aabha ke saath travel karna uske liye kisi sapne se kam nahi tha. Vibrant cities ko explore karna, exotic cuisines ka swaad lena, aur apne channel aur social media ki profile par followers ka badhna, ye sab kuchh mumkin ho paaya tha sirf aur sirf ek shaks ke kaaran, jo tha — Veer!

Woh insaan jisne chupchap, bina kisi maang ke, uske liye uski safalta ka maarg khola tha. Na sirf Veer ne use ye avsar pradaan kiya balki usne unhe sponsor bhi kar rakha tha.

'Usne mujhe sirf ek chance hi nahi diya. Meri life ko ek purpose diya hai.'

Sochte hue woh halka sa muskurayi. Use toh aaj ke iss event ke baare me koi jankari bhi nahi thi. Kintu, jab Nidhi Dhruv ko chhorne ke liye apne mata-pita ke ghar aayi tab jaake use apni badi behan ke zariye iss baat ka pata chala.

Nidhi bhi use achanak se ghar lauta paa kar hairan thi magar khush bhi. Fir, usi ne Yarnia ki launch ki saari jankari use di. Aur, choonki Nidhi ye jaanti thi ki Veer aur Shreya aapas me achhe dost hai, usne Shreya ko bhi saath chalne ke liye kaha — ek avsar jise Shreya hargiz nahi gawana chaahti thi.

Usne ghadi ki orr dekha, jaane ka samay ho raha tha. Apna clutch uthaate hue usne ek akhiri baar khud ko nihaara.

'Umeed hai woh mujhe notice karega.'

Sochte hue woh apne kamre se baahar nikal gayi. Seedhiya utarte hue, woh apne mata-pita ke paas se guzri, jo chhote se Dhruv ko lita ke use khilaane me lage hue the.

"Arey waah, aaj toh bahut khubsurat lag rahi ho iss dress me. Ho gaya time jaane ka??"

Uski maa, Hema ki awaaz peechhe se aayi jab unhone use jaate hue dekha.

Shreya (smiles) : Haan maa! Time ho gaya hai. Ab nikalti hu mein. Aur, mere hisse ka khaana mat banana. Mein wahi se kha ke aaungi.

Pita ji, Ramandeep jo wahi baithe chai pee rahe the woh bhi apni chhoti bitiya ko jaate hue dekh bina bole reh na sake.

Ramandeep : Itna saj dhaj ke kaha jaa rahi ho bhai? Ye dekho! Na upar chunri hai, na kuchh. Sab khula khula ekdum.

Shreya (embarrassedly) : P-Papa! Maa, samjhao na.

Hema : Theek hai! Ab badi ho gayi hai bitiya. Roz roz thode hi pehenti hai.

Ramandeep : Arey par-

Shreya : Aur, Veer ke yaha event hai. Hotel Prestige me. Waha koi tension ki baat hi nahi. Sab security hai waha. Celebrities, models log bhi aayenge waha.

Ramandeep : Tum aur Nidhi dono ye Veer-Veer karti rehti ho. Kaun hai Veer? Hume toh aaj tak nahi milwaya tum dono ne.

Shreya : News me jiske baare me aapne dekha tha na, wahi hai Veer. Ab jaa rahi hu. Ab mat tokna.

Kehte hue woh waha se kisi hawa ke jhonke ki tarah nikal gayi. Aur, andar uske maa-baap aur kitchen se aati bhabhi uske alhadpann par bas muskurate reh gaye.

Ramandeep : Dipti beta, ye chai ka cup le jaana zara.

Dipti : Ji papa ji! Chali gayi Shreya?

Hema : Haan chali gayi. *smiles* Lagta hai Veer se uski kuchh zyada hi patt rahi hai. Kyu? Kya kehte ho aap? Dekhne jaana hai ladke ko? News me dekha toh tha humne uske baare me. Ab ladki byaah karne yogya ho gayi hai.

Ramandeep : Bhai mein wahi purani galti nahi dohrana chaahta. Bechari Nidhi bitiya ke saath jo kuchh bhi hua, woh humne dekh liya hai. Agar, Shreya uss ladke ko pasand karti hai toh ek baar jaa ke mil lenge parivar jano se. Agar sab kuchh theek laga toh koi baat hi nahi.

Dipti : Shreya ne bataya tha ki Veer ne hi use ye opportunity dilwayi thi maa ji — Foreign me travel karne ki. Woh celebrity Tamanna ji ke saath.

Hema : Sach? Hume toh usne iss baare me kuchh nahi bataya tha. Mujhse keh rahi thi ki usko mauka mila hai baahar jaane ka. Veer ka toh naam hi nahi liya tha usne. Abhi humari bitiya kayi baatein chhupa rahi hai. Ek baar pehle use bitha ke sab kuchh jaan le ki uske mann me kya hai. Fir, aage badhte hai. Kyu theek kaha na?

Ramandeep : Haan haan bilkul!

Idhar Shreya jaise hi shaam ki taaza hawa me baahar nikli, uski nervousness aur badh gayi. Usne fauran hi ek cab bulayi aur driver ko Hotel Prestige ke liye disha-nirdesh dete hue waha se nikal gayi.

Woh soch rahi thi ki woh Veer ko surprise degi, magar ek baat jo woh nahi jaanti thi woh yeh thi ki Veer ne hi uski ghar waapsi karwayi thi. Veer ne jaan-boojh ke use Yarnia ki launch ke liye invite nahi kiya tha kyunki Aadesh se woh abhi Tamanna aur baaki sab ko dur rakhna chaahta tha.

Lekin, Shreya yeh baat bhala kaha jaanti thi? Woh toh theek wahi jaa rahi thi jaha se Veer use dur rakhna chaah raha tha.

8:20 hi hue the abhi cab me baithe-baithe, woh traffic me fasi hui thi jab achanak se use ek call aaya. Clutch se apna phone nikaalte hue usne screen dekhi toh uske hontho par muskaan aa gayi.

'Di ka call? Lagta hai pahuch gayi!'

Aur, usne call uthaate hue apne kaan se lagaya-

"Hello? Haan di? Pahuch gayi ky-"

Magar, agle hi pal woh wahi jamm ke reh gayi. Aankhein phati ki phati, jaise uske shareer se rooh nikal gayi ho. Aur, phone uske haath se chhutak ke neeche jaa gira.

***

At the same time,
Somewhere in Mumbai ~

*Slap*

"M-Maaf kar do! Maaf kar do, b-boss! *sniff* Mujhse galti ho gayi. Mein bewakoof hu."

Balhaar kisi ek zarzar warehouse ke mand raushni waale basement me khada tha, upar tim-timaata light bulb farsh par feli khoon se lathpath aakriti par peeli chamak bikher raha tha.



Paseene aur khoon se mishrit namm concrete ki durgandh hawa me bhari hui thi, ekdum dum ghotne waali. Aur, neeche pada gid-gidaata vyakti koi aur nahi balki — Jai tha.

Jai, jo kabhi uski gang ka ek bharosemand sadasya tha, ab neeche past pade, kaanp raha tha. Uske chehre par dard aur bhay ke bhaav the. Ye wahi Jai tha jiske paas se Trisha ne jaa ke woh footage baramad ki thi.

Balhaar neeche jhuka, usne ek haath se Jai ke baal kass kar pakde, aur uska chehra upar ki orr kiya. Uski awaaz maddham thi — ek toofan se pehle ki shaanti.

Balhaar : Kameene!!! Tujhe kya laga tha? Tu mujhe dhoka dega aur mujhe pata nahi lagega???

Jai : B-Boss... *sniff* H-Hic-! M-Mujhe maaf kar do. Mujhse galti ho gayi. *sniff* M-Mein bewakoof tha jo aapke khilaaf gaya.

Uski maafi ne Balhaar ke gusse ko aur bhadka diya. Usne Jai ke baal chhore aur apni taang uthaate hue zorr se-

*Slaaaaaaaammmmm*

"Aaaaaaarrrghhhhhh-!!!"

Uski paslio me de maari. Kamre me Jai ki ek dardnak cheekh goonj uthi. Itna hi nahi, Balhaar ne uske baalo ko dobaara pakad uske chehre ko zorr se zameen par de maara jiske chalte Jai ke muh aur naak se khoon behne laga.

Balhaar : Tujhe lagta hai ki tu maafi maang lega aur mein tujhe maaf kar dunga? Haan? Maaadarchoood!!!!

Woh dahada, uski awaaz deewaro se takra ke wahi basement me goonj gayi. Usne raseed ke ek chaata Jai ko firse maara.

*Slaaaaaaappp*

Jai : H-Hiiiiiiiii- *sniff* *hic*

Balhaar (growls) : Bhosdike!!! Tune meri information police ko bechi, mere do hideouts ki location leak kar di, aur ab tu mujhse maafi ki umeed rakh raha hai? Madarchod!!! Shukra mana jo maine tera sarr abhi tak salamat rakha hai. Bata ab! Tune peeth peechhe chhura kyu maara? Bol, haramzaade!!!

Jai ne Balhaar ke do hideouts ki location police ko leak kar di thi. Yahi wajah thi ki police uske aadmiyon ke peechhe padi thi aur unhe surveillance me rakh rahi thi jiske chalte use underground hona pada tha.

Magar, Balhaar akhir Mumbai ka don tha. Koi aera gera nahi. Jaha ek taraf police uske aadmiyon par nazre banaye hui thi, toh wahi Balhaar bhi police me unhi afsaro ko apne surveillance me rakha hua tha jo uske aadmiyon ke peechhe lagi thi, jinme se ek thi — Trisha. Yaani ki surveillance ke upar surveillance.

Udhar Trisha Jai ke adde pe jaake uss se mili, aur idhar Balhaar ko Jai ke adde ki location praapt ho gayi. Uske baad tabiyat se Jai ki khatirdari hui aur ab woh neeche dale apni jaan ki bheekh maang raha tha.

Ek aur jhapad padte hi Jai dard se karaahte hue zorr-zorr se khaansa, uske muh se khoon nikalne laga. Woh ghabraate hue bola.

Jai : M-Mein sab bataata hu... Please... M-Mujhe mat maaro. *sniff* M-Mein sab bata dunga. *cough*

Balhaar apne haath modte hue peechhe hua, uski aankhein Jai par kisi baaj ki tarah tiki hui thi.

Balhaar : Bolna shuru kar! Aur, agar mujhe kahi bhi laga ki tu jhooth bol raha hai-

Usne apna sirr kamre ke ek kone ki orr moda jaha uske aadmi chupchap khade the, aur unke haatho me hathiyar halki raushni me chamak rahe the.

Balhaar : -toh teri laash police tak ko bhi nahi mil payegi. Samjha gaandu?

Jai : N-Nahi-!!! *cough* Nahi boss!! M-Mein... Mein akela nahi tha. *cough* Ek aadmi... Muh par kapda baandhe... Naqab-posh! Woh-!! Woh mere paas aaya tha.

Balhaar (frowns) : Naqab-posh?? Kaun naqab-posh??

Jai ne apne gale me atka thook nigla, khoon ka kadwa swaad uski jeebh ko laga.

Jai : K-Koi tha... U-Usne kaha tha ki woh meri madad karega. M-Mujhe apni gang banaane me, agar... agar maine aapko dhoka diya toh- par, mein bewakoof tha, boss. Mein chutiya tha. *cough* M-Mujhe usne bataya tha ki kya karna hai aur k-kaise karna hai.

Balhaar ka muh andar hi andar kass gaya. Uska mann Jai ke kahe gaye har shabd par vichaar karte hue manthan karne laga.

Balhaar : Tha kaun woh??

Jai : M-Mujhe nahi pata. *sniff*

Usne rote hue kaha. Uske sooje hue chehre par se aasu beh rahe the.

Jai : K-Koi jawan sa ladka tha... Lekin, uska chehra... Mein nahi dekh saka. W-Woh- Woh poore samay muh par kapda baandha hua tha.

Balhaar : Aur, teri mulaqat iss naqab-posh se kaise hui??

Jai : W-Woh khud aaya tha. Jaise shayad use aapke aur mere baare me sab pata tha. A-Aur, isliye- isliye mein uski baaton me jaldi aa gaya.

Balhaar ne zorr se apni mutthi bheenchi, paseene ki ek thandi boond uski kanpati se fisalti hui neeche giri. Uske dimag me ye shabd baar-baar ghoomne lage.

Jawan... Naqab-posh... Planning... Vishvasghaat...

Aisa toh uske zehen me koi nahi aa raha tha. Par, tabhi use kisi ka khayal aaya jiske baare me sochte hi uske poore badan me sihran daud gayi.

'K-Kahi woh toh nahi!? V-Veer!!!?'

Sochte hi uska poora badan thanda pad gaya. Yeh vichar hi akalpaneeya tha, lekin iski sambhavna... Isne use bhaybheet kar diya.

Veer ne ateet me use har mod par maat di thi aur baar-baar yeh saabit kiya tha ki woh kyu unn sabka boss tha. Yadi Veer vastav me uski wafadari ya kshamta ki pareeksha lena chaah raha tha, toh aisa karne ka yeh sabse sahi tareeqa tha. Iss se behtar mauka aur kya hi ho sakta tha?

Use tabhi ye bhi dhyan aaya ki haal hi me Veer ne use Casa Belle ke owner Aadesh Jaisinghani ko ek aur dose dene ke liye kaha tha, kintu sheher me ho rahe murders ke chalte Balhaar khud underground ho rakha tha. Aur, usne Veer ke iss kaam ko apni majboori jata kar taal diya tha.

'K-Kahi woh mujhe test toh nahi kar raha???'

Ek sansani macha dene waala vichar uske mann me aaya. Woh jaanta tha ki Veer kitna shaatir tha. Aatish aur Slogan ko jo vyakti maar ke baitha ho, woh bhala kya kuchh nahi kar sakta?

Kahi aisa toh nahi ki Veer ne hi yeh sab kaand karwaya tha? Baad me fir usne madad maangi aur yaha pe use Veer ki madad ke liye aage badhna chaahiye tha lekin woh nahi badha. Sochte hi Balhaar ke badan ke rue khade ho gaye.

Balhaar : A-Aur kya kaha uss naqab-posh ne?

Jai jhijhka, uska chehra peela pad chuka tha.

Jai : W-Woh kuchh badbada raha tha, boss. Koi bade se event ke baare me kuchh keh raha tha... 31 december ki raat ko... Hotel Prestige me shayad... Kuchh badhiya sa...

Balhaar ka badan ye sunte hi wahi jamm gaya. Uski chhati gyan-indri chillaa chillaakar use khatre ki chetavni de rahi thi. Usne apne maathe se paseena pochha, aur uska dimag tezi se daudne laga.

Hotel Prestige?? Yeh toh Veer ki hotel thi. 31 tareekh?? Yaani ki aaj ki raat. Kuchh badhiya??

Balhaar (mutters) : Y-Yarnia ka launch event!

Jai : H-Huh!?

Samay kuchh zyada hi sateek tha, kuchh zyada hi sanyogpoorna. Uska shaq gehra hota chala gaya. Bhala Yarnia ke launch event ke baare me Veer ke alawa aur kaun jaanta tha?

'Kya waqai me woh mujhe-!? Ye dekhne ke liye ki mein uske liye khada hota hu ya nahi? K-Kahi aisa toh nahi ki woh mujhe hata kar kisi aur ko-! Huh!!?'

Woh Jai se dur hua aur kamre me wahi ghoomne laga, uske bhaari jooto ki awaaz waha goonjne lagi. Woh humesha se hi ek satark vyakti tha, lekin aaj darr ne use jakad liya tha. Use ab action lene ki zaroorat thi aur woh bhi abhi ke abhi.

Usne gurraate hue apne ek aadmi ko dekh use aadesh diya.

Balhaar : Ladke ikhatta karo! Hotel Prestige me ek team bhejo. Duri bana ke rakhna lekin har cheez par nazre bhi gadaaye rakhna. Agar, koi kuchh galat karne ki koshish kare tabhi beech me koodna. Tumhara asli maqsad hai waha ke logo ki safety. Samajh gaye?

Uske aadmiyon ne ek dusre ko dekha, fir haami bhar, aagya ka paalan karte hue waha se nikal gaye. Balhaar wapas Jai ki orr muda, uske chehre par thoda sandeh tha.

Balhaar : Bahut keh liya tune. Ise baandho! Ye tab tak yaha rahega jab tak mein iski teh tak nahi pahuch jaata!

Jai punah maafi ke liye gid-gidaya, lekin Balhaar ke ghoorne par woh chup ho gaya. Balhaar neeche jhuka, uska chehra Jai se maatr ek inch ki duri par tha.

Balhaar (mutters) : Jo tune bola, agar woh jhooth nikla toh pata hai na? Tera naam gaddaro ki soochi me sabse pehle yaad kiya jayega. Aisi saza dunga mein tujhe-! Samjha?

Iske saath hi woh wapas khada hua, apne coat ko theek kar usne apne bikhre hue baalo me haath firaaya. Uske dimaag me toofan umad raha tha, dher saare sawaal kisi bhawar ki tarah uske andar ghoom rahe the. Kya inn sab ke peechhe Veer tha? Kya woh use parakh raha tha? Ya fir koi aur taaqat iske peechhe thi?

Kya use seedhe Veer se baat kar ke iss baare me poochhna chahiye? Nahi! Aise me agar woh uske test me kahi fail ho gaya toh? Veer agar bura maan gaya toh? Kahi woh Mumbai ke don ko replace karne ki yojna toh nahi bana raha? Kahi usne Veer ko kisi tarah niraash toh nahi kar diya? Ye saare sawaal uske dimag me paida hone lage.

Jaise hi woh raat ke andhere me baahar nikla, uska sankalp mazboot ho gaya. Woh iss sach ka pata laga ke rahega, aur agar Veer hi iss dor ko kheech raha hai, toh woh apni wafadari use saabit karega — bhale hi iske liye use thoda bahut tyaag hi kyu na karna pade.

***

The Outskirts of Mumbai,
Night - 8:20 PM ~

Sunsaan sadak par Divya ki car tezi se aake ruki. Raushni thi toh sirf aasmaan me chamakte chaand aur gaadi ki headlights ki. Ek sleek black sedan unka raasta beech me roke hue khadi hui thi. Aur sedan ke theek peechhe ek aur car thi jis se chaar bade hatte-katte bouncers tik ke khade the, lekin jo aadmi unke saamne khada tha, usne saara dhyaan apni orr kheech liya.

Nik!!!




Divya ka badan apni seat par baithe jamm gaya, saamne khade vyakti ko dekh uski saansein jaise atak ke reh gayi. Driver seat par baithi Ava ne apni bauhe kasste hue steering ko thaam rakha. Peechhe ki seat par Veer ne bhi apni gardan modte hue saamne dekha. Uske chehre par koi bhaav nahi the.

Divya darwaza khol baahar nikli, uske haath kaanp rahe the. Nik ke chehre par muskan thi - ek ajeeb si muskan.




Divya (frowns) : N-Nik-!? Y-You? What are you doing here?

Puchhte samay uski awaaz ladkhada gayi. Nik dheere se hasa, uske haath uske trench coat ke andar the.

Nik : Enjoying yourself, are you, Divya??? Running off to India from China, climbing the ranks of FBCC, leaving your man to handle those pathetic cases back in Las Vegas?? Eh!?

Divya ka darr ye sunte hi gusse me badal gaya.

Divya (yells) : Enjoying??? You think I was fuckin' enjoying??? I didn't run off!!! You knew I was going to China for an operation. I work for FBCC now, Nik!! Not for Las Vegas' investigation department. A real international agency, Nik. Do you even know the risks I put myself into???

Nik (sneers) : Oh, I know, alright! I know everything, my lovely wife. Did you really think I wouldn’t? Your phone’s been tapped since the day you left for China. I know where you went and where not. I know whom you called and whom not. *grins*

Divya ka muh hairat me khul gaya. Woh poori tarah stabdh thi.

Divya : Y-You- You tapped my phone???

Nik ne haivani muskan liye Veer ko ghoora jo car se baahar aake theek Divya ke peechhe khada hua tha.

Nik : Of course I did. Someone has to keep you on a leash, Divya. *grins* God knows what kind of wild dogs you might decide to cozy up to.

Usne Veer ki orr dekhte hue kaha. Wild dogs??? Kya woh use junglee kutta thehra raha tha? Magar, jaha Veer shaant tha toh wahi Divya ka gussa ye sunn bhadak utha.

Divya (yells) : How dare you, Nik??? Are you out of your fucking mind???

Nik ne koi pratikriya nahi di. Aisa lag raha tha jaise Divya ko iss haalat me dekh use ek alag hi sukh praapt ho raha tha. Uski patni, auhde me uss se upar, tankhwa me uss se upar, kaushal me uss se upar, magar fir bhi woh saamne khade use dekh ghabra rahi thi. Aur, yahi Nik ko sukhad ehsaas dilwa raha tha. Ye niyantran jo woh uske upar banaye hue tha — yahi tha uske sukh ka kaaran.

Nik : You’ve been out of line for far too long, Divya. Someone had to remind you where you belong.

Divya : Where I belong??? With a manipulative bastard who blackmailed me into a marriage I never wanted?!

Iss baar Nik ki muskan gaayab ho gayi.

Nik : You talk too much, bitch!!! Come here!!! RIGHT NOW!!!

Divya (yells) : FUCK OFF!!! I WON'T!!!

Nik : Then... take care of him for me.

Usne apne aadmiyon ko fir bina dekhe hi unse kaha. Aur, Divya ka dil ye sunn baith gaya. Woh Veer ko iss maamle me nahi ghaseet sakti thi.

Divya : What? N-Nik, don’t do this!

Woh chillaate hue do qadam aage aayi.

Nik : I don't care. Be quick guys!

Magar, woh bouncers Veer ki orr badhne lage. Divya jaanti thi ki Veer combat me achha tha. Lekin, 3-4 bouncers ko ek saath handle karna?? Woh Veer ko iss mushqil me nahi daal sakti thi. Hargiz nahi. Ye sab use ghaayal kar sakte the. Aur, jaise hi woh aadhe raaste pahuche-

Divya (screams) : Stoooooopppp!!!!

Woh zorr se chillaayi. Uski awaaz toot rahi thi.

Divya : I'll... I'll come with you. Just... Just leave him alone. P-Please!

Nik (smirks) : Good girl. I knew you’d see sense.

Divya be-mann majbooran dheere-dheere aage badhi. Woh aadhe raaste pahuchi hi thi jab Veer ki peechhe se aati awaaz ne use wahi rok diya.

"Don't."

Woh ruki. Usne peechhe mud kar hairani me use dekha. Veer khamosh khada hua tha. Ava bhi mask pehne Veer ke bagal se aashcharya me use dekh rahi thi.

Itni derr me Veer ne Nik ki badsalooki bhi dekh li thi, Divya ka uske liye tyaag bhi, aur ye bhi ki ye bouncers akhir kiske dwara uplabdh karwaye gaye the — Gaurav.

Veer : Ava...!

Ava : H-Huh???

Veer ne dheere se pukara. Magar, uski awaaz ekdum aadesh dene waali thi.

Veer : Prestige pahucho! Abhi! Sab ka dhyaan rakhna. Mujhe aane me kuchh samay lag sakta hai. Take the car!

Ava : Wh-What?

Veer : Tum chaahti thi na ki mein tum par dobara bharosa jatau?

Ava : !!!?

Veer : Toh mein tumhe ye mauka de raha hu. Go!!! Waha hum dono me se ek ka rehna zaroori hai. Waha ki zimmedari mein tumhare upar saunpta hu. Hope, iss baar tum mujhe niraash nahi karogi.

Ava : Kya??? Veer, mein tumhe yaha akela chhor ke kaise jaa sakti hu??? Baat inn goons ki nahi hai. Ye tumhara baal bhi baaka nahi kar sakte, lekin-

Veer : Kyunki, tum waha rahogi, isliye mein yaha reh sakta hu, Ava!!!

Ava : !!!?

Veer : I'm trusting you with things on that side. *smiles* Capisce???

Ava : F-Fine!!!

Woh jaana toh nahi chaahti thi, lekin Veer ne use ek aham zimmedari saunpi thi. Iss baar woh uska kandha bann ke uska saath nibhaana chaahti thi. Woh use yakeen dilana chaahti thi ki woh uss par bharosa kar sakta hai. Woh fauran hi car me baithi aur waha se Hotel Prestige ke liye ravana ho gayi.

Veer : Divya!

Divya : H-Huhh??

Veer (smiles) : Mere liye zara ye phone tab tak apni pocket me rakhna.

Divya : ???

Uska bina pehel kiye hi Veer ne apna phone nikaala aur Divya ki jacket ke upar waale jeb me khos diya.

Veer : Bas yahi rehna. Tab tak mein- Inse nipat lu zara.

Nik (yells) : What the hell are you guys waiting for??? Fuck him up!!!

Bouncers apni mutthi kass achanak hi Veer ki orr lapke. Veer ne Divya ko apne peechhe kiya aur woh ek jhatke me apni jagah se gayab ho gaya. Jo insaan Crimson, Jaw Long jaise dhurindar system holders ko maar ke baitha ho, uske liye ye teen bouncers bhala kya cheez the?

Divya aur Nik ki palke do se teen baar hi bas jhapki hongi aur teeno ke teeno bouncers zameen par dher pade hue the. Ek ke muh se jhaag nikal raha tha toh dusra dard se karah kar roye jaa raha tha. Aur, teesra toh behoshi ke aalam me tha.

Nik ki aankhein phati ki phati reh gayi. Woh akela nahi tha. Peechhe khadi Divya ko bhi apni aankhon par vishwas nahi ho raha tha. Itni jaldi sab kuchh hua ki woh ye sab process hi nahi kar paaye.

Veer apni jeb me dono haath daale dheere-dheere Nik ke qareeb badhne laga.

*Ding*

['Beowulf’s Blessings' has been activated.]

Gehra laal rang. Mand chaandni me uski aankhein ek shikaari ki tarah chamak uthi jo maano apne shikaar ka peechha kar raha ho. Aisa lag raha tha ki koi bhooka sher ahista-ahista bakre ko dabochne ke liye aage aa raha tha.

Veer ki aankhein dekh Nik ki pant me peshab ki kuchh boondein chhoot gayi. Nahi! Ye sapna nahi tha. Woh laal rang. Woh dekh paa raha tha. Woh ladkhadate hue kuchh qadam peechhe ki orr chala gaya.

Usne apne bouncers ko dekha, uski saansein ukhadne lagi. Uska dimag chakra gaya - teen hatte-katte aadmi, aur palak jhapakte hi teeno neeche? Apne maathe par ikhatte paseene ko pochh usne apne kaapte hue haatho se apni handgun nikaali.

Nik (yells) : Wh-What are you!!?? S-Stay back!!!

*Ding*

['Intimidating Presence' has been equipped.]

Uska gala sookhne laga, lekin usne khud ko chillaane ke liye majboor kiya.

Nik : D-Don’t you dare, kid!!! I’ll shoot-!!!

Kintu, Veer ne koi jawab na diya, uski khamoshi apne aap me ek bayaan de rahi thi.

*Ding*

['Beowulf's Blessings' has been deactivated.]

Nik : I-I swear I’ll shoot… you fucker-!!

Usne kaanpti awaaz me chetavni di. Magar, jaise hi Veer aadhe raaste aaya, Nik ne samay zaaya nahi kiya.

Nik (screams) : Die-!!! You motherfucker

Divya (screams) : Nooooooo-!!! Veeeeeerrrr!!!

*Bang*

Par-!

Nik : H-Huh-!!???

Nik saamne ghatit hue drishya ko pacha nahi paaya. Usne goli theek Veer par hi chalayi thi. Use poora yakeen tha, magar woh goli-

Woh goli hawa me hi kahi dur nikal gayi. Veer ne itni asaani se apna rukh badla ki woh goli ke aane se pehle hi uss sthaan se hatt gaya.

Nik ne dekha ki Veer ke hontho par ek ajeeb si muskaan thi. Iss baar woh ghabraya-

Nik : Y-You-!!! You little-

Usne dobaara apni bandook taani aur jaise hi woh trigger dabaane ke liye hua-

*Ding*

HAWKEYE

Neeche pade ek chhote se patthar par Veer ne zorr se laat maari, patthar hawa me udd kar seedhe Nik ke haath ki taraf aaya — gati kisi bullet se kam nahi thi.

*Crack*

"Aaaaaaaaarrrrggghhhhh-!!!!"

Ek dard bhari cheenkh uss sunsaan sadak me goonj gayi. Nik ke haath par patthar aake zorr se laga aur uski handgun uske haath se chhutak kar peechhe kayi feet dur jaa giri. Isme koi shaq nahi tha ki uske haath ki haddi fracture ho chuki thi.

Dekhte hi dekhte, Veer theek uske saamne tha.

Nik (shivers) : Y-You-!!!

Lag raha tha jaise Veer use yaha maar hi daalega. Veer ne apna haath jeb se nikaala.

Nik : N-Nooo-!!! S-Stop!!!

*Slaaaaaaappp*

Aur, ek zordaar tamacha aake Nik ko gaal par pada. Bal itna ki Nik ka poora shareer do chakkar gol ghoom kar neeche gir pada. Veer ne use collar pakad ke uthaaya aur agle hi kshan-

*Craaaaashhhhhhh*

"Uuurrghhhhhh!!!!"

Uska sarr seedhe car ki front window me me de maara. Khoon se lathpath, Nik kuchh bhi karne aur bolne ki haalat me nahi tha. Veer ne use dobaara pakad ke neeche zameen par feka.

Usne apni laat uthayi. Aur, iske pehle ki woh Nik ke muh pe apne joote ki chhaap chhorta-

"Veeeeeerrr!!! Nahi-!!!!!!"

Veer : Huh!!??

Uski taang beech me hawa me hi ruk gayi. Divya ki awaaz ne use rok diya. Usne peechhe mud ke use dekha. Uski aankhon me sawaal saaf-saaf nazar aa rahe the.

Veer : !!?

Divya daud ke uske samaksh aayi. Uski baah ko pakdi, uske haath darr ke maare thar-thara rahe the.

Divya : P-Please-!!! *shivers* N-No more-!!! *sniff*



Gusse me Veer ne apni mutthi kass li. Divya iss aadmi ke liye use rok rahi thi??

Divya : P-Please!! G-Go-!!!

Veer (frowns) : Tum...

Mann toh kar raha tha ki woh Divya ko bhi do chamaat laga de. Itna gussa aa raha tha use abhi. Magar, khud ko qaabu me kar, usne chupchap Divya ki jacket se apna phone nikaala. Dekha toh paaya ki battery keval 2% bachi hui thi.

'Shit-!!!!'

Upar se network bhi gaayab tha. Usne ek baar apna phone airplane mode par daal ke network reset kiya. Aur, itna karte hi dhadalle se ek-ek kar ke saare piled up notifications aane shuru ho gaye.

Ghar waalo ke dhero missed calls pade hue the.

'Damn it!!! Mere phone ka charger toh Divya ki car me hi reh gaya jo Ava le gayi.'

Iske pehle ki woh Tej ko phone laga paata, uska phone baj utha.

'Hmm? Shreya!!?'

Call Shreya ka tha. Call uthaate hue phone usne apne kaan par lagaya aur tabhi-

"Veeeeeeeeeeeeeerrrrr-!!!! *sniff*"

Veer : Huh???

Uss orr se Shreya ki zorr se pukaar use sunayi padi.

Veer : Sh-Shreya!!??

Ek sihran uske badan me fel gayi. Shreya ro rahi thi? Kahi aisa toh nahi ki Aadesh ke gundo ne use-!?

Shreya : Veeeeeerrr-!!! *sniff* Veeeeeer suno!!!!

Veer : Shreya? Kaha ho tum? Ro kyu rahi ho???

Shreya (cries) : Veeeeeerrr!! Jaldi!!! *sniff* Jaldi!!! Carewell hospital ho jao. Please-!!! *sniff* Jaldi!!!

Veer : Wh-What??? Hospital!? K-Kya hua? Hello??? Shreya???? Sh-Shreyaaa???

Shreya : *sniff* T-Tum jaldi aa jao!! P-Please!!! *sniff* Jaldi! Mein sab batati hu fir. *sniff* P-Please!!!

Veer : Hello?? Shreyaaa??? Par-

Shreya : Veer mein-

*Call ends*

'Huh???'

Veer ne dekha ki uske phone ki battery dead ho chuki thi. Baat adhoori hi reh gayi.

'Damn it!!!'

Mann toh kar raha tha yahi apna phone patak de. Uske haath gusse me zorr se kampan kar rahe the. Divya ne Shreya ki guhaar Veer ke nazdeek khade hone ke chalte phone ke zariye sunn li thi.

Divya : J-Jao Veer!!!

Veer : ??? Tumhe yaha aise chhor ke?? Pagal ho gayi kya??? Come! Be quick!! Gaadi me baitho!! Aur, mein-

Divya : N-Nahi!!!

Veer : ???

Divya : Y-Ye maamla mere niji jeevan ka hai, Veer. Mein tumhe isme nahi ghaseet sakti.

Veer : Divya-

Divya : Shhh!!!

Woh uske hontho par apne haath rakh uske qareeb aayi.

Divya : Mujhe kuchh nahi hoga. Mein jaanti hu mujhe kya karna hai. J-Jao, Veer. Logo ko tumhari zaroorat hai. Bhulo nahi ki mein FBCC ki special agent hu. Nik chaah ke bhi mujhe nuksan nahi pahucha sakta. T-Trust me! Now go!!!

Use dhakelte hue Divya do qadam peechhe ho gayi. Agar, Shreya ka woh call na aaya hota toh Veer yu iss tarah Divya ko chhor ke kabhi nahi jaata.

Kintu, woh jaanta tha ki kuchh gadbad hui hai. Kuchh anhoni hui hai. Aur, yahi uski chinta ka kaaran thi.

Woh unn bouncers ki gaadi me baitha aur usne zorr se car ghumayi. Ek akhiri baar dono ki nazre aapas me takrayi.

Veer : Mein pahuch ke Ava ko tumhare paas bhejta hu.

Divya : Don't worry!!! I'll be fine! Go now!!!

Aur, Veer ne accelerator par perr rakh gaadi waha se bhaga di. Peechhe khadi Divya ke labb khule aur bas ahista se uske muh se yahi nikla-

"Thank you... Veer!!!"

---

*Vroooooooom*

Veer ki gaadi tez raftaar pakde Mumbai ke liye bhaagti jaa rahi thi. Woh apne event ke liye late hota jaa raha tha.

Lekin, Shreya ne jis tarah se use pukaara, woh jaanta tha ki kuchh badi baat hai. Phone band hone ke chalte use alag kheej uth rahi thi.

Event ke liye woh kitni utsukta se taiyaar tha. 'Yarnia' ka usne swayam Louis dwara banaya gaya blazer daal rakha tha. Magar, harr mod pe ek nayi musibat uske liye taiyaar khadi thi jo use Prestige pahuchne se rok rahi thi.

[Aapne waha jo kiya aisa dobaara mat karna, Master.]

Pari ki awaaz uske mann me goonj gayi.

'Huh?'

['Beowulf's Blessings' ke samay aapki aankhein laal ho jaati hai. Aur, aapne Nik ke saamne ye istemal kiya. Aap jaante hai na ki Nik ek aam insaan hai?]

'Yeah!!!'

[System ke baare me kisi ko nahi pata chalna chahiye, Master. *mutters* At least for now...!!]

'H-Huh? What do you mean-!?'

[Anyways, mission ke liye around 4 hours bache hai. Aap jaante hai na penalty?]

'Pari! Tum mujhe dara rahi ho ya madad kar rahi ho?'

[Mein aapko dara nahi rahi, Master! Kya pata? Shreya ka ye bulawa? Shayad hume uss murderer tak pahucha de!?]

'!!!?'

Chaurahe par aate hi Veer ki car Carewell hospital ke route ke liye mud gayi. Koi nahi jaanta tha ki aage kya hone waala tha.

***

Hotel Prestige,
Night - 8:20 PM ~

Hotel Prestige ka ballroom badi hi bhavyata se jagmagati lights se jhilmila raha tha. Hall aane waale mehmano se bharta jaa raha tha — Business VIPs, mashoor celebrities, social media influencers, aur fashion enthusiasts. Sabhi Veer ke naye clothing brand, Yarnia ke launch ka besabri se intezar kar rahe the. Raat ke 8:20 baj rahe the aur Veer ke parivar jann bechain the. Veer ka koi ata-pata jo nahi tha.

Tej stage ke kinare khadi hui thi aur uske haath ghabrahat me podium ko kass kar pakde hue the. Uske kabhi shaant chehre par iss waqt tanaav jhalak raha tha. Woh wahi khadi Bhumika ki orr mudi, jo apni dress ko theek karne me lagi hui thi.

Tej : Hume aur time nikaalna padega. Ramp walk bas 10 minutes me shuru hone ko hai. Aur, Veer ab tak yaha nahi pahucha hai.

Bhumika ne badhti bheed ki orr dekhte hue haami bhari.

Bhumika : Ab time nikalna mushqil hai, Tejal! Mein hosting me tumhara saath de dungi. Hum iss waqt ab koi galti nahi kar sakte. Veer ki reputation daav par hai.

Tej (nods) : I know!!!! Damn it!!!

Bhumika : Tumne use call kiya???

Tej : Aapko lagta hai maine use call nahi kiya? Pichhle dus minute se lagatar use call laga rahi hu. Unreachable bata raha hai.

Bhumika : Par, ab hum bina koi reason late nahi kar sakte.

Tej : I know!! Tsk!!! Theek hai! Mein initial speech sambhal lungi. Kya uske baad-?

Bhumika (nods) : Don't worry! Uske baad ka mein dekh lungi.

Tej : Thanks!!!

---

Idhar pravesh dwar ke paas Aabha aur Suman aane waale mehmano ke swagat me juti thi. Unki aankhein ghadi aur darwaze ke beech ghoom rahi thi. Aabha ne ek jaane-maane udyogpati ke haatho se uska invitation card lete hue garmjoshi se kaha.

Aabha : Aane ke liye aapka bahut-bahut dhanyavad Mr. Khurana! Please, aaiye!!

Mr. Khurana ke andar jaate hi Aabha apni saasu maa ki orr palti aur fusfusate hue poochhi.

Aabha : Maa ji! Kya aapko lagta hai ki maalik samay se aa payenge???

Suman ne apni muskan barkarar rakhte hue halka sa sir hilaaya aur boli.

Suman : Maalik aate hi honge beta! Tum bas mehmano ke swagat par dhyan do. Mein jaanti hu tum unse milne ke liye vyakul ho par abhi- jo zimmedari hume di gayi hai woh nibhani zaroori hai. Samajh gayi na?

Aabha (nods) : Ji maa ji!!

---

Refreshment tables par, Sonali apni nazre gadayi hui thi. Usne champagne le jaate ek waiter ko tokte hue roka.

Sonali : Pehle jo aage baithe hai unhe serve karna hai. Theek hai na?? Aur, koi bhi tray khaali le kar mat jaana waha.

Waiter : Ji madam!!

'Na jaane kaha reh gaya ye? Hmph! Aane do use! Bataungi baad me!!'

Woh mann hi mann Veer ke baare me soch muh fulaayi.

---

Poore hall me, Ragini hi ek sundar kaala designer gown pehne hue thi, VIP mehmano se woh iss qadar mil rahi thi jaise maano woh kisi badi conglomerate ki CEO ho. Yeh aura tha uska.

VIP : Everything looks promising... I must say.

Ragini (smiles) : Absolutely!! We're excited for you to see the collection. It's unique. A combination of French and Indian designs.

VIP (smiles) : I'm looking forward to it.

Baaton hi baaton me apni aankhon ke kone se usne dekha ki uska ex-husband, Vivek use hi ghoor raha tha. Vivek ko hawa ki tarah nazar-andaz karte hue uske vichaar Veer ki orr chale gaye.

'Kaha ho tum? Sab tumhara intezar kar rahe hai aur tum ho ki- Jaldi aao Veer! Please!'

---

Galti Vivek ki nahi thi. Aaj Ragini dikh hi itni bemisal rahi thi ki koi bhi mard use dekhe bina nahi reh paa raha tha. Kahi na kahi Vivek ko ye gussa bhi dila raha tha aur use Ragini jaisi biwi ko gawaane ka pachhtava bhi ho raha tha.

Woh toh yaha aana hi nahi chaahta tha, magar Manorath, Sumitra ko laane ke liye use yaha majbooran aana pada. Aur, upar se Hotel Prestige ki chamak aur vilasita dekh jalan alag uske andar janm le rahi thi. Akhir, Veer ne itni jaldi itna sab praapt kaise kar liya?

Woh Shweta, Sumitra, Manorath, Purvi aur Arun ke saath hi waha baitha tha. Na aane waale logo ki soochi me the — Karunesh, Brijesh aur Pranjal. Aur, charcha ka vishay bhi yahi the.

Manorath : Apne hi bete ki tarakki me agar ek baap uska saath nahi dega toh kaun dega?

Unhone gusse me aate hue apni chhadi ko wahi patakte hue kaha. Yaha aane ke poorv apne bete se hua sanvad unhe yaad aaya.

Uss sanvaad ko yaad kar unka sarr abhi bhi hataasha se neeche jhuka hua tha, kintu Shweta, Sumitra aur Purvi ki maujoodgi ne jaise unhe thodi raahat di.

Sumitra : Zyada mat sochiye, papa ji! Ek na ek din jeth ji aapki baatein samajh jayenge. *smiles* Aur, umeed hai sab pehle jaisa ho jayega.

Manorath : Umeed par hi toh duniya qayam hai bitiya! Khair, mera pota kaha hai? Ab tak aaya nahi!

Purvi : Mein kab se use talaash rahi hu. Uska phone bhi nahi lag raha hai. Bhavna boli toh hai ki woh raaste me hai aur aata hi hoga.

Arun : Ab zyada late nahi kar sakte. Dekho! Mehman badhte jaa rahe hai. Kaha gaya kaha hai, Veer?

Shweta : Use... Use important kaam tha ek. Aata hi hoga.

---

Veer ki gerr-maujoodgi sabko ghabrahat me daal ke rakhi hui thi. Aur, Louis toh sabse zyada ghabraya hua tha. Stage ke peechhe uski awaaz ko suna jaa sakta tha. Woh tension me idhar se udhar chalte hue kaafi bechain lag raha tha.

"Louis!!!"

Tej ne andar aate hue use pukaara. Stage ke peechhe sabhi models apne-apne designer outfits pehne ekdum taiyaar the. Kuchh ke make-up ko retouch diya jaa raha tha toh kuchh sheeshein me apne aap ko ek akhiri baar dekh rahe the ki sab sahi hai ya nahi.

Tej : Louis, I need you to stay calm!! You are being too loud! The event will go on, and Veer will be here soon. Don't worry!!!

Louis : But zis is unacceptable!!! A launch without ze creator??? What will ze investors think??? Where is my friend, Veer???

Tej : Trust me!!!

Usne Louis ke kandho par haath rakh use aashvasan diya.

Tej : We'll handle it! Just focus on making sure the models are ready.

---

Iss orr Bhavna, Ragini ke mata-pita ke saath vartalap me lagi hui thi.

Dinesh : Mujhe toh poora vishvas tha ki ye ladka aage chal ke kuchh zaroor bada karega. Bahut honhar hai!

Rohini (smiles) : Haan! Jis tareeke se usne kathin samay me humari Ragini ka dhyan rakha aur saath hi jab usne humare poore parivar ko bachaya tabhi mein samajh gayi thi ki chaahe uss ghar se aapke liye kitne hi katu shabd kyu na kahe gaye ho, ek buri maa apni kokh se aisi santaan ko janm de hi nahi sakti. Koi mahaan mahila hi iske peechhe ho sakti hai. Aur, mein sahi thi. Achhi baat hai ki humari Ragini ne bhi uss ghar se peechha chhura liya.

Bhavna : Isme galti ghar ki nahi. Bas... Kuchh logo ki mansiktao, unke iraade aur unki naqamyabio ki rahi hai. Ghar toh ghar hota hai. Ab jab log hi use ek asli grahasti banaane me naqamyab rahe, toh isme ghar ka kya kasoor? *smiles* Hai na?

Dinesh : Ni ni bilkul theek kaha aapne.

Rohini : Waise, kaha hai Veer? Bahut samay ho gaya uss se mile.

Bhavna : Bas... Aata hi hoga.

---

Kinaare me Kavya, Arohi aur Kritika teeno ek saath baithi hui thi. Arohi baar-baar apne phone ki taraf dekh rahi thi. Uske chehre par nirasha saaf jhalak rahi thi.

Arohi (frowns) : Phone abhi bhi nahi lag raha hai.

Kritika : Kahi Veer bhaiya koi grand entrance ki taiyari toh nahi kar rahe?? Kyunki, unki aadat hai sabko surprise karne ki. Haha!

Usne mahaul halka karne ki koshish karte hue kaha.

Kavya : Haan, shayad! Ho sakta hai.

Arohi (frowns) : Nahi! This isn't like him! Kuchh gadbad hai. I can feel it. Warna ab tak toh woh-

Kehte hue woh ruk gayi kyunki shor achanak se badh chuka tha. Kisi ka aagman hua tha.

Nahi! Veer nahi! Koi aur tha. Koi aisa jiske chalte waha maujood saare photographers paagal se ho pade. Dhakka-mukki hone lagi aur woh jhund me waha padhaare athiti ko apne camera me qaid karne ke liye tadapne lage.

Veer se bhi do badi hastiyaan waha padhaar chuki thi jinke darshan maatra ke liye log baukhla rahe the. India ke do sabse bade conglomerate ki owners. Koi aur nahi balki trinity ki do deviyaan waha ek saath pahuch chuki thi.

Nexacom ki — Kaera.



Aur, Elite Group ki — Sonia.



*Click* *Click*

Unn dono ki grand entrance ne Hotel Prestige me upasthit logo ko hairat me daal diya. Photographers do jhund me batt gaye. Ek jhund jaha Kaera ki khubsoorti ko qaid karne me jutt gaya toh wahi dusra Sonia ko apni magazines aur akhbaaro ke glamour section me taaza khabar bana ke chhaapne ke liye taiyaar ho gaya.

Unn dono ke aagman ki kisi ne umeed nahi ki thi. Nexacom aur Elite Group, India me corporate ke do sabse bade shikhar the, unka competition hi janta ke liye kisi aakarshan se kam nahi tha.

Kaera aur Sonia ko ek hi kamre me ek saath dekhna hi apne aap me ek event tha. Aur, upar se ye sambhav ho paaya tha business ki duniya me qadam rakh rahe ek naye khiladi ke dwara — Veer.

Waha maujood hoshiyar businessman logo ne turant hi iska mahatva pehchaan liya.

“Veer Singh,” Unme se ek samajh me sirr hilaate hue fusfusaya. “Agar, woh inn dono ko ek saath event me bula sakta hai, toh iska matlab zaroor woh koi khaas hai.”

Kaera ne kuchh poses dene ke baad andar qadam rakha. Uski tez peni nazre bheed ko aise scan kar rahi thi jaise maano woh dekhne maatra se unki kshamtao ko jaan rahi ho.

Uske bagal se uska chhota bhai, Karan bhi poore confidence se chal raha tha. Secretary Ruchika apne peshevar aacharan ka paalan kar ek haath me tab liye theek uske peechhe-peechhe aa rahi thi. Aur, unn sab ke theek aage the — Raghu aur Jassi, Kaera ke do personal bodyguards, jo kuchh aur bouncers ke saath unhe aage peechhe se gher ke janta sa bachaate hue aage badh rahe the.

Aur, fir thi Sonia jo apni golden black dress me kuchh kam nahi lag rahi thi. Uski secretary, Suchika theek uske peechhe chal rahi thi, uska chehra mask se chhupa hua tha jo use aur bhi rehesyamayi bana raha tha. Sonia ke parivar ke bharosemand salahkar aur vishvaspaatra, Uncle Prakash bhi unke saath-saath chal rahe the. Magar, yahi nahi — Suhana, Sonia ki badi behan bhi uske saath thi. Uski upasthiti Sonia ke dal par ek adrishya bhaar daal rahi thi.



Stage par khadi Tej ko sab kuchh nazar aaya jaise hi dono dal andar pravesh kiye. Uski nigaahein sabse pehle uss mahila par jaa kar tiki. Aur, jaise uss mahila ne bhi Tej ki nazro ko apne upar mehsoos kar liya. Dono ki nazre aapas me takrayi.



Tej (mumbles) : It’s her…!!!

Bhumika : Huh??? Tejal!! 8:30 ho chuka hai!! Ramp walk aur delay nahi kar sakte.

Tej : P-Par, Veer ab tak nahi aaya hai. Humein aur delay karna hoga!!

Bhumika : Par, kaise???

Tej ne wapas Suhana ko dekha. Kuchh soch-vichar kar woh stage se neeche utri aur Suhana ki orr badhne lagi.

Bhumika : T-Tejal?? Kaha jaa rahi ho??

Magar, Tej jaa chuki thi. Na jaane uske mann me kya tha. Bhumika bas stage se yahi dekh paayi ki Tej Suhana se jaake kuchh baat kar rahi thi.

‘Kya woh dono… Ek dusre ko jaanti hai??’

Idhar Sonia jaise hi hall ke andar aayi, woh ek pal ke liye ruki, uski nazar kamre me Kaera se mili. Unke beech ka vatavaran adrishya tanaav se bhar gaya, hawa ka bhaar jaise badh gaya. Koi bhi shabd ka adaan-pradaan nahi hua, magar bheed uss tanaav ko mehsoos kar paa rahi thi — ek jung, jo bina kisi hathyar ke, keval apni upasthiti se ladi jaa rahi thi.

Dono hi apne-apne sthaan par aake baithi. Kaera ki nazre Veer ko talaash rahi thi.



Use apni maid, Julia se hua sanvaad yaad aa gaya.

Julia : Miss, aap pareshan lag rahi hai!

Kaera (sighs and turns) : Mein event ke liye perfect dikhna chaahti hu, Julia. Sirf perfect hi nahi — special. Kuchh aisa jis se uska dhyaan sirf mujh par rahe.

Julia : Aapka matlab, Young Master Veer?

Veer ke naam par Kaera ke gaalo ka tapmaan badh gaya, lekin usne iss se inkaar nahi kiya aur dheere se ek haami bhari.

Kaera : Samajh nahi aa raha kya pehnu. Western dresses? Ya fir designer gown? They all feel... very ordinary.

Julia use dekh uske qareeb aayi.

Julia : Toh, kuchh traditional kyu nahi? Ek saree???

Kaera : Saree? Mere upar? Kya tumhe lagta hai... Kya tumhe lagta hai Veer ko wo pasand aayegi?

Julia (nods) : Unki personality ko dekhte hue — haan, bilkul! He strikes me as someone who would appreciate elegance over boldness. Ek saree, samay se pare hai, Miss. Woh kabhi trend se baahar nahi jaane waali. It's timeless. And, it would highlight your natural beauty.

Kaera : Tumhari hindi din-ba-din achhi hoti jaa rahi, Julia.

Julia (smiles) : Thank you, miss. Fufu~

Kaera : But-

Julia : Hmm?

Kaera : Mujhe toh... uska favourite color bhi nahi pata. Agar, mein saree pehenti hu toh woh logically usi color ki honi chahiye jo use pasand hai, hai na? Otherwise, what's the point?

Julia (chuckles) : You think of every detail, don’t you?

Kaera : Veer... alag hai, Julia. Woh baakiyo ki tarah nahi hai jinse mein ab tak milti aayi hu. I want to make sure that when he looks at me, he only sees me. His eyes should never wander away from me.

Julia uski baat par bas muskurayi.

Kaera : It's decided then. Mein aaj raat event me uss se uske favorite color ke baare me poochhungi. And, when the time comes, I'll wear a saree in that color for him.

Julia (smiles) : That's right, Miss. Capture him before anyone else does.

Kaera : Capture?

Julia (grins) : Yes!

Kaera : But I wanted him to claim-

Julia : Only a princess waits for her charming prince, miss. Queens don't.

Kaera : !!?

Julia (smiles) : Queens make their own opportunities and capture their kings before anyone else. Check-mate him, Miss.



'Check mate, huh???' Woh apne khayalo me kahi ghum ho gayi.

Isi beech Sonia, Prakash Uncle se vartalap me lagi hui thi.

Sonia : Impressive! Veer ne waqai bahut mehnat ki hai. Mein dekh paa rahi hu. Kya kehte ho aap?

Prakash Uncle : Hmm! Sirf event nahi hai ye... Yaha ke businessmen ke liye ye ek mauka bhi hai. Aur, aapne idhar aake uss chingari ko aag me badal diya hai.

Tabhi, Suhana ne jhuk ke Sonia ke kaan me kuchh kaha jise sunn Sonia ne dheere se haami bhari.

Jaha businessmen logo ke liye Yarnia ek invest karne laayak brand tha toh wahi Nexacom aur Elite Group iss bhaag daud me sabse aage tha.

Ek-ek karke dekhte hi dekhte Kaera aur Sonia ke ird-gird businessman chaaploosi kar ikhatta hone shuru ho gaye.

Yeh ek sunehra avsar tha unke liye. Roz-roz bhala kaha Nexacom aur Elite Group saath aate the?

Bhumika : Ohh!! Toh ye plan tha tumhara???

Usne stage par wapas aati Tej ko dekh bola.

Tej (nods) : Hmm! Deals ke chakkar me ab thodi der saara focus Miss Kaera aur Miss Sonia par bana rahega. Aur, koi complaint bhi nahi karega. Hope tab tak Veer aa jaaye.

Isi beech Karan apni jagah se uth Kritika, Arohi aur Kavya ke paas pahucha. Use apni orr aata dekh Kritika ke gaalo ka tapman badh gaya.

Karan (smiles) : H-Hey!! Aaj tum... *blushes* bahut beautiful lag rahi ho.

Kritika (blushes) : Th-Thank you! Tum bhi-!!

Karan : Huh?? M-Mein bhi beautiful lag raha hu???

Kavya : Ahahahaha!!! Pagli! Ladko ko beautiful thodi kehte hai.

Kritika : Tu chup kar!! P-Pata hai mujhe. Mere kehna ka matlab tha... *blushes* Tum bhi... Handsome lag rahe ho.

Karan : Ahaha! Thank you! Waise... Veer kaha hai? Mujhe kahi dikhayi nahi diya.

Arohi (frowns) : Woh ab tak yaha nahi aaya hai.

Karan : Kya??? Ab tak nahi aaya? Mein call karta hu ek minute-

Arohi : Phone unreachable aa raha hai, Karan. It's no use.

Karan (frowns) : Strange!

Arohi : I know! Woh aise gaayab nahi hota. Kuchh baat zaroor hogi.

Kavya : Di! Tejal didi ne bataya tha na ki woh kisi Divya ma'am ke saath gaye hai? Unka number hai kya aapke paas?

Arohi : Nahi, Kavya! Unka number-! Huh??? Arey haan!!! Unka number Tejal di ke paas zaroor hoga shayad. Good work, Kavya!!! Mein jaa ke zara poochh ke aati hu.

Kavya : Okie~

Arohi unn teeno ko aapas me chhor Tej ki taraf chal di.

Hall ke hi ek aur kone me Niharika bhi saj-dhaj ke wahi baith ke champagne pee rahi thi. Aaj kuchh zyada hi saji hui thi woh. Uske agal-bagal se uski dono colleagues-cum-slaves, Ayushi aur Ishani bhi baithi thi.

Ayushi : Wow! Itna grand welcome? Mein toh pehli baar kisi aise event me hissa le rahi hu.

Ishani (nods) : Same! Par, ye har baat pe wow bolna band karo. Tumne dekha nahi? Miss Kaera aur Miss Sonia tak aayi hai. Aur, toh aur Miss Suhana bhi aayi hai. Nexacom aur Elite Group saath-saath. Woh bhi ek hi jagah pe-!!!

Ayushi : Wooowww~

Ishani : ...

Dono apni baato me magn thi, lekin idhar Niharika ke mann me kuchh aur hi chal raha tha.

'Agar tum mere liye kaam karti ho, toh mein tumhe 'Globerays' ki tankhwa se bhi zyada dene taiyar hu. Basharte... Tumhe mere prati loyal rehna hoga. Aur, kuchh loyal employees bhi dhundhne honge.'

Pehle Niharika ne Veer ke ye bol ek kaan se sunn ke dusre se nikaal diye the. Magar, ab... Nexacom aur Elite Group ko ek saath dekh ke hi uska dimag manthan karne me jutt chuka tha.

'Kya mujhe aage badhna chahiye-!? Magar, usne mere saath... Tch!!! Let's just see where this goes.'

---

*Screeeeeeeeeechh*

Baahar ek aur car aake ruki. Ek aur khubsoorat ladki mask pehne andar hall me pravesh ki. Agar, woh mask na hota toh shayad photographers baukhla chuke hote.

Trinity ki akhiri sadasya, Ava waha padhaar chuki thi. Par, mask ke peechhe woh bas ek aam ladki prateet ho rahi thi.

Ghuste hi use Sonia aur Kaera dono alag-alag baithi hui mili aur uske qadam entrance par hi tham gaye.

'Kaera.... S-Sonia...!!!'

Dil ke bheetar chhupi kuchh feelings baahar sateh par aane lagi. Nahi! Ye sahi waqt nahi tha. Khud ko samjhaate hue usne ek kinara pakad liya. Par, nazre baar-baar unn dono par jaa ke tik hi jaati.

---

Ghadi par 8:45 baj chuke the.

Samay hote hi Tej ne stage par punah qadam rakha. Uske upar aate hi bheed shaant ho gayi aur sabhi ki nigaahein uss par tik gayi.

Tej : Ladies and gentlemen!! First of all, thank you for joining us tonight for the launch of Yarnia, a brand that promises to redefine fashion. My dear brother, Veer Singh, the visionary behind Yarnia, will join us shortly. In the meantime, let me introduce you to the genius who brought these designs to life — our esteemed designer coming straight from France, Louis Dumont!! The ramp walk will begin now.

Louis ke aate hi taaliyon ki gadgadahat waha goonj uthi. Ab ramp walk shuru karwaane ki zimmedari uski thi. Parde ke peechhe models apne outfits ko sahi karne me lage hue the. Bhumika tezi se Tej ke paas daudte hue aayi.

Bhumika : Ab humein shuru karna hi hoga, Tejal!

Tej : Haan! Miss Suhana ne 15 minutes nikalwa diye. Mujhe nahi lagta ab aur late kar payenge.

Bhumika : Aur karna bhi nahi hai Tejal! Bhulo mat ki aaj 31st hai. Inn VIPs ke apne plans hai new year ko celebrate karne ke. Woh hume aur waqt nahi de payenge.

Tej (nods) : Sahi kaha! Par, agar hum unke liye yahi pe new year celebrate karwa de toh-?

Bhumika : Aisa nahi hota, Tejal! Inn sab ke appointments hote hai. Kaha kis waqt jaana hai, inka schedule pehle se hi fix rehta hai. Ye sab aenn waqt par humare liye apne plans cancel nahi kar sakte. Aur, na hi hume ye karwana chahiye.

Tej : God!!! Kaha ho tum, Veer???

Bhumika : Veer kisi musibat me fass gaya hoga. Yaha humein apna kaam nahi bhulna chahiye. Let's do this!

Tej (nods) : Mmm!

Stage par Louis mic ko qareeb rakhe apni speech de raha tha. Magar, kisi ko nahi pata tha ki hotel ke baahar kya kuchh ghatit ho raha tha.

Theek baahar wahi anjaan aadmi apne upar shawl lapete baar-baar andar jhaak ke dekhne ki koshish kar raha tha.



Aur, jaise hi Louis ne apni speech dena shuru ki-

Uss anjaan aadmi ke qadam achanak se tez ho gaye. Mann me uske uss naqab-posh aadmi ke woh bol goonj gaye.

'Tch tch tch!!! Ek qaabil vakeel, fir ek divorcee, fir ek aaropi, fir ek bhikaari aur ab ek chhoti si basti me rehne waala sharab-khor aadmi.'

'Veer-!!! Yahi naam tha na??? Isi ladke ne tumhe tabaah kiya. Hai na? Mein tumhe ek mauka deta hu. 31st December!!! Yaad rakhna tareekh.'

'Ye lo! Ek akhiri taufa!!! Tumhe pata hai iske saath kya karna chahiye, hai na?'

Woh bhaaga. Zorr se entrance ki orr dauda. Security ne use aata hua dekha aur unme se do use rokne ke liye aage aaye.

Security guard 1 : Aye!!! Oye rukk!!! Kaha ghus raha hai, saale??

Do guards uske andar ghusne se pehle uss par jhapat pade. Kintu, woh nahi jaante the ki woh apne shawl ke andar kya chhipaaya hua tha.

*Click*

Security guard 2 : Huh??

Ek pin neeche giri.

Security guard 1 : ????

Aur, agle hi kshan usne andar entrance ki orr zorr se kuchh feka.

Andar, Louis ramp walk ke liye speech de hi raha tha jab-

Louis : Fashion is not just about clothing, it's-

*Boooooooooooooommmmm*

Ek garjanapoorna visfot ne pravesh dwar ko tod diya. Zordaar dhamake se chandeliers kaanp gaye. Dhamake ki leher ne darwaze par khadi security ke chithde uda diye, unke shareer marble ke farsh par bikhar gaye. Sheeshein toote, dhool aur aag ki lapto ne sundar si entrance ko apne aalingan me nigal liya.



"Aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!!!!"

Cheekhein goonj gayi. Poore hall me dehshat fel gayi. Ugr hoti aag ki lapte felti chali gayi. Baahar lage event ke banners aag pakad liye. Yarnia ka khubsoorat logo aag ki chapet me aake neeche gir ke dhwast ho gaya.

"Haha!!! Hahahahahahaha!!!!"

Woh anjaan aadmi hasa. Woh koi aur nahi, Rajat hi tha.

"Hahahahahahahahahaha!!!!! Jwaaaaalaaa ka prakop!!! Hahahahaha!!!! Bhasm ho jayega sab!!! Tu maregaaa... veeeeeeeeeeeeeerrrr!!!! Hahahahaha!!! Tum sab marogeeee!!!!"

Jo security guards use pakde hue the, woh darr ke maare pehle toh use peete, fir use baandh ke rakh liye. Police ko turant hi unhone inform kar diya tha.

Shuruwati jhatke ne sabhi ko stabdh kar diya. Kaera aur Sonia — business industry ki do diggaj shaktiyaan wahi jamm ke reh gayi, unka saiyyam aaj raat pehli baar dagmaga gaya. Lekin, sirf chand pal ke liye. Ruchika aur Suchika, unki secretaries visfot ki awaaz sunn aage badhi.

Jassi (yells) : Raghuuuuu-!!!!!

Raghu (nods) : Haaaaa!!!

Prakash Uncle : Madam!!! Jaldi-!!!

Suhana (nods) : Sonuuuu-!!! Quick!!!

Raghu aur Jassi ne apne bouncers ke saath Kaera ke ird-gird ek gola banaaya aur use leke hotel ke andar ek protective space ki orr badhe.

Iss beech Tej aur Bhumika, jo stage par khadi thi, baahar ke dhamake ko sunte hi ek dusre ke haatho ko thaam li.

Bhumika : K-Kya hua???

Tej (frowns) : Oh my goood!!! Mooooommm!!!!

"Bhaaaagooooooo!!!!"

"Bhaaagoooooo!!!!"

"Hamlaaa!!! Hamlaa hua hai!!! Bhaaagoooo!!!"

"Aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!"

"Eaaaarrrgghhhhhh!!! Mummmaaaaa!!!!"

"Baahar niklo!! Baahar!!!"

Chaaro taraf afra-tafri mach gayi. Logo ki cheekhein aur unki pukaar poore hall me goonjne lagi.

Bhavna ne darrte hue apne agal-bagal dekha. Uski aankhein apne parivar jano ko dhundh rahi thi.

Bhavna : Suman-!!! Aabha!!! Idhar aao!! Jaldiiiii!!!

Shweta (yells) : Sab log!! Jaldi!!! Peechhe ke gate se baahar nikloooo!!! Abhiiii!!!

Suman haami bhar aage badhi. Parijat ki sabhi aurto ko ikhatta kar, woh peechhe ke gate ke liye bhaagi. Niharika, Ayushi aur Ishani bhi Suman ke peechhe-peechhe bhaagi.

Bhavna (yells) : Papa ji!!! Jaldiiiii-!!! Uthiyeeeee-!!!

Arun Purvi ko pakde aage badha.

Arun (yells) : Didiiiiii!!! Chaliye yaha se!!!

Bhavna : Purvi ko leke jao, Arun!!! Pehle baahar nikalna zaroori hai.

Woh haami bhar waha se nikla. Shyam aur uski patni bhi uske sang ho liye.

---

Jaise hi dhamaka hua, Prestige ke saamne sthit uss abandoned building ki terrace par khada vyakti sab kuchh ghatit hote dekh raha tha.

'What the hell!??'

Use laga tha ki hamla woh karne aaya tha. Magar, yaha kisi aur ne hi pehle hamla kar diya tha.

'Whatever! But it's tough now-!!'

Muh se ek gehri saans chhorte hue usne wahi cheez uthayi jise kaafi der se woh assemble kar raha tha — sniper!!!

Kinaare se use tikaate hue woh bhaag-daud karte logo ko crosshair se dekhne laga.

Uss naqab-posh ke shabd uske dimaag me goonj gaye.

'Veer-!!!! Don't you have some business with him? *grins* Take this. I hope you will comply... Mister... Dexter-!!!!!'

Usne use ek envelope thamaya tha. Uss envelope me... Veer ke samast parivar-jann ke naam the, yaha tak ki unki photos bhi.

'You took my friend away from me, Veer!!! You killed Matthew!!! Syndicate Alliance never forgets to take revenge... I'll start first... Your family tree... Time to kill!'



Usne crosshair ko adjust kiya. Target uske aim par tha-!!! Aur, palak jhapakte hi-

*Splurt*

"Eaaaarrrgghhhhhh!!!!!"

Halchal ke beech ek tez cheekh goonj uthi. Ek vyakti achanak hi waha neeche gir pada.

Chamakte farsh par laal-laal khoon behne laga, aur uski dhaans hawa me fel gayi.

Yaha Karan ne fauran hi Kritika ko apni baaho me bhar liya. Woh behad dari hui thi.

Kritika (shivers) : M-Mom!?? Dad-!??

Karan : Shhh!! Kuchh nahi hoga unhe. Woh dekho! Woh nikal rahe hai. Aao mere saath!! Jaldi!!! Arohi di??? Kavya??? Jaldi!!! Chalo, mere saaaathhh!!!

Neeche pade insaan ko dekh Arohi aur Kavya wahi jamm ke reh gayi.

Arohi (shivers) : N-Nahi-!!!

Kavya (shivers) : D-Didi-!!?

Suhana pichhle gate ke paas sabhi ko baahar karwa rahi thi. Uske chehre par darr aur chinta saaf-saaf jhalak rahi thi.

Suhana (screams) : Veeeeeerr?!! Veer kaha hai???

Sonia (gasps) : What-!!! What just happened???

Prachi (panics) : Uhhh!! V-Veer bhaiya-!! Veer bhaiya nahi aaye!!!

Suhana (yells) : Kya matlab??? Damnnnn itt!!! Uncle Prakaaaashhhh!!!

Uncle Prakash (comes to a halt) : J-Ji!!

Suhana : Veer ke parivar ke log andar hai abhi bhi!!! Jaldiiii!!! Bouncers bhejiye!!! Quickkkk!!!

Uncle Prakash : J-Ji, mein bhejta hu!!

---

Dexter ne dobaara aim liya. Ek gehri saans chhorte hue usne apne aap ko niyantrit kiya.

Aur, palak jhapakte hi ek baar firse — trigger dabb gaya.

Kavya (screams) : Didiiiiii!!! Didi jaldi yaha se... huh-!!!???

*Splurt*

Kisi ne use achanak dhakel diya. Aur, punah khoon farsh par bikhar gaya.

Kavya (gasps) : !!!!!!?????

Idhar, Dexter ne wapas se bolt action ko operate kar use reload kiya. Woh gurraaya. Uske targeted aim ke beech koi aur aa gaya tha.

'Well... It's still good anyways...!!!'

Ek baar fir se usne aim lagaya.

Tej (screams) : Baahar!!! Peechhe ke gate se sabhi baahar jaaiye!!! Jaldiiii!!!

Bachi hui security bhi sabki madad karwa ke unhe peechhe ke raaste baahar nikaalne me lagi hui thi. Saare photographers, models, fashion enthusiasts waha se faraar ho chuke the.

Police apni siren bajti gaadi leke police station se nikal chuki thi aur hotel prestige pahuch rahi thi.

Tej (screams) : Jaldiiii!!! *sniff* Louiiiiisss!!! Goooooo!!!! Aur-

Dexter ne agla target chuna. Aur, trigger daba diya.

*Splurt*

Tej (gasps) : !!!!!??????

Tej ka shareer neeche gir gaya. Kisi ne use dhakka diya tha. Par, kaun??? Dekha toh paaya ki ek anjaan ladki muh par mask baandhe hue thi. Usi ne use dhakka diya tha.

"Nnnghhh-!!!"

[Dear-?!!!!]

Ava ne apna pait pakda, uska badan kaanp utha, uska haath ghaav par zorr se dabb gaya. Uski ungliyon ke beech se khoon ris raha tha, ekdum garm aur chipchipa.

Tej (shivers) : K-Kaun-!!?

Halanki, Ava ki peni aankhon ne apna tej nahi khoya. Iss hamle ke beech usne toote hue sheeshein se seedhe saamne ki orr upar dekha. Seedhe Dexter ko...

Uski gussail aankhein Dexter ki aankhon se jaa takrayi. Dexter ek pal ke liye hadbadaya. Koi insaan itni dur se use kaise spot kar sakta tha?

Ek paseene ki boond uske maathe se fisal ke neeche giri. Usko kuchh aisa mehsoos hua jo usne varsho se mehsoos nahi kiya tha — darr!!!

Lekin, woh yaha nahi rukk sakta tha. Khel toh abhi shuru hua tha. Usne punah aim lagaya, apni ungliyon ko sthir kiya.

Usne crosshair me Ava ko liya — kintu, Ava pehle se hi aage badh rahi thi, seedhe entrance ki orr.

Dexter ne jab use chalta paaya toh turant hi usne sniper ko thoda aage kar, trigger daba diya. Magar-

*Swoooooooossshhhhhh*

Ava apni jagah se gaayab ho gayi. Uski aakriti dhundhli pad gayi. Woh main road me tez raftar se aati cars ko bhaagte hue cross kar uski building ki orr aane lagi.

"Fuck!!!" Dexter ke badan ke rue khade ho gaye. Woh apni sniper chhor terrace ke pichhle bhaag ki orr bhaaga jaha usne pehle se hi faraar hone ki taiyari kar rakhi thi. Jaldbazi me uske perr ladkhada gaye, uski saansein ukhad rahi thi. Woh neeche utarne ki taiyaari karte hue rassi ko harness me fasaane laga.

---

Toh wahi Hotel Prestige ke chaaro orr fele Dhananjay ke aadmi bhi iss achanak hue hamle se stabdh the.

Aadmi : Sarkar!!! Yaha toh kisi ne bomb fek diya entrance par.

Aadmiyon ke leader ne Dhananjay ko call karte hue soochna di.

Dhananjay (frowns) : Ke matlab ba???

Aadmi : Chaaro taraf afra-tafri machi hai sarkar, saare raees log peechhe ke gate se bhaag rahe hai.

Dhananjay : Arey to maai ke chode, kya dekhat ba re tu??? Sasuri, andar ghus ke bhoon daal saalo ke...!!! Veer ke parivar ko pakad!!! Samjhe ki nahi??? Aur, uu sasuri Veer ko daboch ke humra paas lao!!! Uu ki jaan humre haath me hai!!! Hahahahahahaha!!!

Dhananjay ke aadmi aadesh milte hi ikhatte hue aur entrance se andar ghusne lage.

Magar, tabhi akasmat hi ek-ek karke aur kayi gaadiyaan aana shuru ho gayi. Drishya dekhte hi cars se dher saare aadmi utre aur Dhananjay ke aadmiyon ke saath bhid gaye.

Ye Balhaar dwara bheje gaye aadmi the. Aur, dekhe hi dekhte waha ek maha yuddhh chidh gaya.



Aas-pados ki buildings se sab nazara dekh rahe the, lekin ek surakshit doori bhi banaye hue the. Kisi ki himmat nahi pad rahi thi waha jaa ke ye sab rokne ki, aur na hi ye unke bas ki baat thi.

---

Yaha Dexter neeche ke naye chidhe yuddh se anibhigya harness ko fasa ke waha se bhaagne hi wala tha jab-

Achanak... Ek dard hua...

Ek nukeeli, thandi, lambi blade uski chaathi se baahar aayi. Uski saansein atak gayi. Uski ungliyaan kaapne lagi, uska muh khula par koi shabd na nikle. Aur, turant hi uska bejaan shareer wahi neeche gir gaya.

*Thud*

Tabhi, terrace ka darwaaza khula, haafti hui Ava waha pahuchi. Usne apne pait ko zorr se bheench rakha tha. Andhere me uske saamne ek aakriti khadi hui thi.

'!???'

Iske pehle ki woh kuchh action le paati. Woh ladkhadayi, aur kisi hawa ke jhonke ki tarah woh aakriti uske nazdeek aayi aur use girne se bacha liya.

***

Carewell Hospital,
Night - 9:00 PM ~

Antiseptic ki bhaari gandh ne hospital ko bhar rakha tha. Jagah-jagah log baithe hue the toh wahi kuchh nurse idhar se udhar bhaag rahi thi. Aur, tabhi-

Corridor me tez raftaar se koi andar aaya, uska coat raftar ke chalte hawa me uchhla, aur woh ek mod lete hue upar first floor ki orr bhaaga. Uske swayam ke dil ki dhadkan itni tez thi ki hospital ka shor dabb chuka tha.

Phone par Shreya ki awaaz ruwasi thi, woh uss se turant hospital pahuchne ki vinti kar rahi thi. Koi spashtikaran nahi. Bas roye jaa rahi thi.

Aur, ab jaise hi woh upar pahucha, uski nazar saamne khadi Shreya par jaa tiki.

Jaise hi Shreya ne aate hue shaks ko dekha, uski aankhein, jo lagatar aansuo se laal aur sooji hui thi, wo chaudi ho gayi. Agli hi saans me woh ladkhada ke aage badhi aur khud ko uski chhaati se laga di.

Shreya : V-Veeeer!!! Ack-!! *sniff*

Uske gale se ghuti hui siskiyaan foot padi, uska kamzor shareer buri tarah kaanp raha tha, mutthiyaan Veer ke coat ko kass ke jakde hue thi jaise use darr tha ki agar usne inhe chhora toh woh kahi gaayab ho jayega.

Veer : Sh-Shreya??? Kya hua?

Usne Shreya ko sthir kar poochha. Lekin, Shreya ne keval apna sarr hilaaya, uske shabd hichkiyo ke beech dabb gaye.

Aur, fir Veer ne suna-

“Nahhhhhiiiiiiiiiiiii-!!!!”

Andar se aati cheenkh jo aspatal ke shor me Veer ke dil me khanjar ki tarah aake chubhi. Paas ke hi kamre se kisi ke vilaap ki awaaz. Woh ye awaaz pehchaanta tha.

Nidhi!!!

Veer ka shareer wahi akad gaya.

‘N-Nahi!!’

Dimag ko signal dene ka samay hi na mila jab uske perr apne aap uss disha ki orr aage badh gaye. Usne Shreya ko halke se apne se dur kiya. Kahi Nidhi ko kuchh ho toh nahi gaya? Woh andar kamre me pravesh kiya.

Aur, woh waha thi.

Nidhi! Uski Nidhi!

Uske baal bikhre hue the, uske paseene se geele maathe par chipke hue the. Uske sarr par patti bandhi hui thi.

Uski aankhon se aasu unn komal gaalo se fisal ke nadi ki tarah beh rahe the. Jaise hi uski nazar Veer par padi, andar se jaise koi dorr toot gayi. Woh aage badhi, aur seedhe aake uski chhaati se takrayi, apni baaho ko uske sarr ke chaaro orr lapet li, aur itni kass kar lapeti ki Veer ki jagah agar koi aam insaan hota toh use dard mehsoos ho jaata.

Veer wahi jamm gaya. Uske haath Nidhi ko pakadne ke liye kuchh seconds tak hawa me hi ghoomte rahe. Uske baad usne utni hi zorr se Nidhi ko apni baaho me kass liya. Nidhi uske coat ke andar sisakne lagi, uski cheenkh peeda se bhari hui thi.

Veer : M-Ma’am-!?

Veer ne use sambhaal ke seedha karne ki koshish ki, lekin Nidhi ke shabdo ne use bhauchakka chhor diya.

Nidhi : J-Juhiiii-!! Juhi chali gayi!!! *sniff*

Uski awaaz fattne lagi aur usne Veer ko zorr se pakad liya.

Nidhi (gasps) : Woh use le gaya *sniff* Woh le gaya…!!! Meri bacchi…!! Veeeerrr-!!! Woh le gaya-!!!!

Aur, fir sab kuchh jaise ruk gaya. Samay wahi tham gaya. Veer ko ye khabar pachaane me jaise samay lagne waala tha.

Juhi!

Uski nanhi Juhi! Uski pyaari pari jaisi Juhi!

Rago me khoon achanak jaise thanda padne laga. Veer ki chhaati upar-neeche hone lagi, use saans lene me taqleef hone lagi.

Nahi. Nahi. Nahi.

Veer : K-Kaun?

Uski awaaz bahut hi dheemi thi — khatarnak roop se. Lagbhag pehchan me nahi aa rahi thi.

“Wahi Veer!!! Wahi!!”

Ek jaani-pehchaani awaaz kamre ke kone se aayi. Veer tezi se muda, uski nazar Madhuri par padi.

Veer : Madhuri?

Woh akeli nahi thi. Pranjal theek uske bagal se baitha hua tha. Madhuri ne apne kurte ka kinaara bheencha rakha tha, uske haath kaanp rahe the. Aur, Pranjal apne pait par ek hot water bag liye sikaayi kar raha tha.

Madhuri : H-Humne dekha tha, Veer!! Wahi unhe utha ke le gaya. Juhi aur Pihu dono ko!! Wahi murderer… Jiske peechhe police padi hai. Sab kuchh humari aankhon ke saamne hua. Pranjal ne uss se bhidne ki koshish ki thi-

Uske shabd beech me adhoore hi reh gaye jab agle hi second Veer achanak se Pranjal ke paas aaya. Usne Pranjal ko uski collar se pakda aur use kursi se upar kheench liya.

Veer (growls) : T-Tu??? Tu yaha-!!? Mujhse keh mat dena ki inn sab ke peechhe-

Pranjal : Chhor mujhe-!! Urghhh!! M-Maine koshish ki thi- P-Par, woh-

Tabhi, Veer ko jaise kuchh yaad aaya.

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

'Kya hua Veer?'

'Dijiye toh-'

'O-Okay!'

'Haan maamu~'

Juhi apna sarr mode use prashn bhari nazro se dekh rahi thi. Par, Veer jaanta tha ki usne uss ek pal me kya kiya tha.

'Pari!!! Kya tracer phone ke through kisi par mark ho sakta hai?'

[H-Huh? Haan, shayad! Try kar ke dekhiye.]

'Mark the tracer on Juhi!!!'

*Ding*

[Do you want to remove the tracer from Ragini?]

Veer ko yaad aaya ki usne Tracer Sonali se hata ke Ragini par lagaya tha.

'Yes!'

*Ding*

[Do you want to mark the tracer on Juhi?]

'Yes!'

*Ding*

[Tracer has been marked on Juhi.]

'Maaaamu???'

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

'O-Okyy! Mumma-!!!'

Ye sab hua tha. Veer ne apne mann me Tracer ka istemal kar Juhi ki location dekhi, aur location dekhte hi-

Usne ek gehri saans li. Location sthir thi.

Tabhi, Pranjal ne use kuchh thamaaya. Ek gift tha. Veer ne jaise hi use dekha ki uski aankhon me aasu aa gaye.

Gift Juhi ka hi tha. Uss par uski handwriting me uska naam likha hua tha.

Uski nanhi Juhi uske liye tohfa laayi thi. Magar, ab woh jaa chuki thi. Ye samay ab sochne ka nahi tha.

Veer turant muda aur usne Nidhi ke gaalo ko apni hatheli me bhar liya, apne anguthe se usne Nidhi ke aasu pochhe. Aur, ekdum dheemi awaaz me woh bola.

Veer : Aap chinta mat kariye!! Mein Juhi ko leke aaunga. Mein aapse vaada karta hu!!! *smiles*

Par, iske pehle ki Nidhi kuchh keh paati-

*Whoooooooooooshhh*

Veer waha se gaayab ho gaya.

Uski car uss location ki taraf saaye-saaye bhaag rahi thi. Na jaane kitne traffic signals ko woh tod chuka tha. Use ek dar samaaya — Agar, usne Juhi ko uss pal mark na kiya hota. Toh, kya hota???

Juhi ke shabd uske mann me uski ho awaaz me mandra rahe the.

'Maaaaaamuuuuu~'

'Maamu, mein bhi aaungi!!!'

'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.'

'Sacchi maamu???'

'Aur, nahi toh kya...'

'Yaaaayyyyy!!! P-Par, maamu aap kidhal ho???'

'Mein bas ghar laut raha hu. Kyu? Kya hua?'

'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.'

'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.'

'Hehehehe~ I love you maamu~ *muah*'

Veer ki aankhon se mote-mote aasu beh kar gir rahe the. Juhi ko kuchh hua, toh woh kabhi apne aap ko maaf nahi kar payega. Woh toh iss baat se bhi anibhigya tha ki Hotel Prestige me kya kuchh ghatit ho raha tha.

Jisne bhi Juhi ko agwa kiya, Veer use nahi chhorne waala tha. Woh jaan gaya tha ki iske peechhe koi system holder hi tha. Par, kaun? Sawal ka jawab use jald hi milne waala tha.

***

The Underground Lair,
Night - 9:15 PM ~

Juhi aur Pihu ke shareer ek-ek bed par bandhe hue the. Woh dono cheekh rahi thi, chillaa rahi thi par unki pukaar sunane waala koi nahi tha.

Wahi anjaan pagal sa aadmi unki cheekhein sunn lutf le raha tha.

?? : Ohhh! Don't worry, little ones. I'll be very gentle-!! Ehehehe-!! Tum dono ko bilkul dard nahi hoga. Ehehehehe!!! Shayad... Thoda sa...!!! Hehehe!!!

Par, tabhi uski underground lair me achanak se andar koi aaya.

*Splash*

Neeche paani aedi tak bhara hua tha. Chhapaak ki awaaz ke saath land karte hue Veer ki aankhein laal rang se chamak uthi.



Aur, udhar hi andar kahi... Uss paagal insaan ko Veer ke aane ka ehsaas ho gaya.

Woh haivani muskaan liye muskuraaya.

?? : Well... My food got delivered already. Ahahahahahaha!!! The main dish has come-!!! You will have to wait for a while, young ones. *Slurp* Ohhh!!! I'll come back soon. Don't worry!!! Ehehehehehehe!!! Yahahahahaha! Now... Shall we get started????


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Aaj ke liye itna hi guys.
I broke the limit.



Blame Damha for that.
250+ likes. Remember!