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Incest Baadshah ~ The Tales of Debauchery
- Thread starterWerewolf
- Start date
- 15,672,121
No word mind blowing bhaiUpdate - 196 ~ The Fulfilled Promise
Ab tak...
Ye Veer ki qismat thi, ya kuchh aur-
Jo woh raasta dhundhne me saksham tha. Lair se baahar woh kooda. Mission complete ho chuka tha.
Parantu, Pari ne use iski soochna nahi di. Kyunk, notification tha-
[Mission Failed.]
[Due to the host's partial completion of the mission, all the three penalties of the mission won't be applied.]
[Due to the failure of not killing the Disembowler, one penalty will be applied to the host.]
[Mission penalty : Loss of loved ones.]
Ab aage...
Raat ke 12:05 baj rahe the. Aatishbaziyo ne Mumbai ke aasmaan ko jagmaga kar rakha hua tha, naye saal ke aagman ka har aadmi ullaas mana raha tha. Hawa me khushiyaan chhayi thi, log jashn mana rahe the, galey mil rahe the, iss nav varsh ka swagat karne ke liye khushi se chillaa rahe the. Lekin, isi sheher me iss shor ke beech kahi par maatam chhaaya hua tha.
News channels me prasaaran jaari the — Hotel Prestige ko lekar ek gambheer report. Kuchh bhayanak hua tha. Visfot. Khoon-kharaba. Jaano ka lutna.
Isliye, sheher ke kuchh hisso me jashn ka mahaul feeka pad chuka tha.
"Hotel Prestige par jaanlewa humla!"
"Kayi logo ke maare jaane ki khabar!"
"Suraksha guards maare gaye! Adhikariyo ko lakshit humle ka sandeh!"
Bars aur luxury clubs me TV screen par tabahi ke drishya dikhayi de rahe the — toote hue sheeshein, palte hue furniture, stretchers par le jaaye jaa rahe shav. Ek electronics showroom ke baahar ek chhoti bheed jama ho gayi thi, unki nazar andar rakhe display TV par tiki hui thi.
"Aaj ke din batao kya ho gaya. Tch tch!" Ek aadmi ne badbadate hue kaha.
"Hotel Prestige toh achha hotel tha. Hum toh gaye hai. Badhiya tha. Pata nahi kaise ho gaya ye sab. Mujhe lagta hai humla karwaya gaya hai." Ek mahila ne haami bharte hue kaha.
"Mumbai me crime badhta jaa raha hai. Tch! Tyohaaron me bhi ab-" ek raahgeer ne waha se nikalte hue fusfusaya.
Lekin, har koi shok nahi mana raha tha. Mumbai ke elite varg ke gharo me, oonchi-oonchi imaarato me glass takra rahe the aur dheemi baat-cheet me chhipi hui khushi thi.
Iss beech, Mumbai ki sabse shandar 7 star hotel — Casa Belle me patrakaro aur reporters ki bheed umdi hui thi. Cameramen apna camera liye hotel ke maalik — Aadesh Jaisinghani ke bayaan ka intezar kar rahe the.
Woh baahar aaya. Sleek hairstyle me geele baalo ko poori tarah peechhe kiye, Armani ki dress pehne, aisa lag raha tha maano woh abhi-abhi koi jashn mana ke aaya ho.
Aur, jaise hi woh saamne aaya, reporters uss par toot pade.
Reporter #1 : Mister Aadesh, Hotel Prestige par hue humle par aapke vichaar?
Reporter #2 : Hospitality industry me ek leading figure hone ke naate, aap uss suraksha chook ke baare me kya kehna chaahenge jiske chalte ye haadsa hua?
Reporter #3 : Casa Belle aur Hotel Prestige ke madhya shuru se hi oonch-neech hoti aayi hai. Kya aapko lagta hai ki ye humla kisi business conflict se juda hai?
Media ko chahiye tha masala. Kahani. Khabrein. Jo unhe police se utni maatra me nahi mil paayi thi. Aur, isliye khud Aadesh ne hi ye khabar media ke beech felwayi ki woh iss vishay ko lekar raat me apne vichaar rakhega. Media yaha aayi nahi thi. Unhe chalaaki se yaha laaya gaya tha.
Usne dheere se, kaafi baar abhyaas ki hui ek aah chhori, uski bauhe thodi si sikud gayi. Usne ek napa-tula qadam aage badhaya, yeh sunishchit karte hue ki camera uski aankhon me gehri suhanubhuti ko qaid kar raha hai ya nahi.
Aadesh (lagbhag shok me) : Dekhiye! Sabse pehle, mein peedito, unke parivaro aur iss bhayanak ghatna se prabhavit sabhi logo ke prati sanvedna vyakt karta hu. Aaj nav varsh ke shuru hote hi- yeh humla... Ye humla sirf Hotel Prestige par nahi hai. Ye humla saari hospitality industry par hai. Jab kisi hotel ko iss tarah se nishana banaaya jaata hai, toh ye harr atithi ke uss bharose ki neev ko hila deta hai jo woh hum par rakhte hai.
Reporters uske shabdo par sirr hilaate hue budbudaaye. Woh bilkul sahi baatein keh raha tha.
Aadesh ne aage bolne se pehle ek dramatic effect ke liye kuchh der viraam liya.
Aadesh : Dekhe... Maine humesha... Maine humesha se hi Hotel Prestige ko sammaan diya hai. Haan, mein sweekar karta hu ki humare beech competition chalta rehta hai. Lekin, ye ek healthy competition hota hai. Aur, competition ka matlab dushmani nahi hai. Business me ye sab aam baat hoti hai. Haal hi me, humaare Unicard ki launch ke dauran humne Hotel Prestige ko bhi aamantrit kiya tha. Mister Veer Singh, Miss Bhumika Singh, dono hi parivar jann ke saath padhaare the yaha. Aur, humaare mann me ek-dusre ke liye paraspar sammaan ke alawa kuchh nahi.
Uske hontho par ek dhoort muskaan ubhri, lekin usne badi hi chalaaki se ek aah bharte hue use chhipa liya.
Reporter #4 : Toh aap ko iss baare me koi idea nahi ki humle ke peechhe kaun ho sakta hai?
Aadesh ne asahaay bhaav se apna sarr hilaaya.
Aadesh (dheere se) : Ji, mein bhi Mumbai ke baaki logo ki tarah hairaan hu. Aisa kisne kiya hoga? Unka kya maqsad ho sakta hai? Ye aise sawal hai jinka jawab sirf police hi de sakti hai. Lekin, mein itna zaroor kehna chahunga ki — iss sankat ki ghadi me Casa Belle Hotel Prestige ke saath hai. Agar, hum unki madad ke liye kuchh bhi kar sakte hai, toh hum zaroor karenge.
Casa Belle aur Hotel Prestige ka samarthan? Sawal hi paida nahi hota. Yeh toh bas uski chaal thi.
Andar hi andar woh toh balki iss aapda ka aanand le raha tha.
Yarnia — Veer ka bhavya naya clothing brand, din ki raushni dekhne se pehle hi malbe me tabdeel ho chuka tha. Hotel Prestige, wahi hotel jisne uski Casa Belle ke saath bhidne ki koshish ki thi, ab ek crime scene ka sthal bann chuki thi.
Aisa lag raha tha jaise brahmaand ne swayam uski jholi me ye uphaar de diya tha.
Camera ke saamne usne fir se apna murjhaya hua chehra prastut kiya aur bola-
Aadesh : Kumar! Ye sab humare mehman hai. Inki khatirdari me kami nahi rehni chahiye.
Kumar (nods) : Ji, Sir!
Kehte hue woh wahi murjhayi awastha liye andar chala gaya. Aur, idhar news me uske charche hone lage. Jo uske kapti-pann se parichit nahi the, woh use saccha insaan maanane lage.
Iss traasdi ke bawajood, Mumbai ne rukne se inkaar kar diya tha.
Vyast sadko par, kuchh log shok mana rahe the, lekin kayi log bas aage badh gaye — kyunki, yahi Mumbai ka tareeka tha.
Kisi aspatal ke pareeksha kaksh me ek yuvti dheere-dheere ro rahi thi. Uska bhai, jo Hotel Prestige me security guard tha, mehmano ki suraksha karte hue maara jaa chuka tha. Duniya aage badh gayi, par uske liye uski duniya wahi khatm ho chuki thi.
***
Isi beech ghani raat me Disembowler ki lair ke theek upar sthit shamsan ke paas hi Erica aur Renshu khade hue the.
Renshu : Yahi jagah hai na?
Erica : Haan, dad! Usne toh yahi batayi thi. Kya mein-?
Renshu (nods) : Hmm! Shuru karo!
Erica (nods) : Okay!
Woh jhuki. Usne apna ek haath neeche shamshaan ki bhoomi par rakha aur fir-
'Basic Seer Vision!'
*Ding*
Agle hi pal alag-alag drishya uske mastishq me ghoomne lage. Woh bechari apni bauhe zorr se sikodi, kayi baar uska badan kaanp utha, magar woh waha se uthi nahi.
Renshu agal-bagal apni nazrein ghumaaye hue tha. Woh sunishchit kar raha tha ki kahi koi unhe dekh na le.
Yaha se woh khaali haath nahi laut sakte the.
Kuchh der pehle...
Ek mand raushni waali jagah. Medical equipment ki awaaz.
Ava ka shareer ek andheri sunsaan gali me khadi ek shandar kaali SUV ke andar ek asthayi operating table par laita hua tha. Uski saansein ab niyantran me aa rahi thi. Chehre ka rang wapas aa raha tha.
Uske pait par lagi goli ke ghaav ko pehle hi saaf kiya jaa chuka tha aur surgical precision ke saath sil diya gaya tha.
Garofano uske bagal se khadi thi. Usne zehreeli bullet ko badi hi kushalta se Ava ke shareer se nikaal diya tha. Uske haath sthir the, aur dimag gadna karne me laga hua tha.
Wahi thi jo Ava ko apne kandho par utha ke leke aayi thi. Uske theek peechhe Renshu, Erica ke saath khada hua tha.
Erica ki nigaahein Ava ke achetan roop ka adhyayan kar rahi thi. Uske dad ne humesha hi use iss aurat se satark rehne ko kaha tha. Magar, akhir kaun thi Natalia Martin? Ek bemisal worldwide famous singer aur celebrity. Kya waqai woh Veer ko dhoka deke use maarna chaahti thi? Woh dhyaan se Ava ko ghoorti rahi.
Aur, phir-
Renshu ne chuppi todi.
Renshu : Use hosh me aane me kitna samay lagega?
Garofano ne bina peechhe mude apne khoon se sane dastaane haath se nikaale aur apne haath me pehni ghadi dekhi.
Garofano : Bullet nikaale abhi mushqil se 15 minute hi hue hai. Zeher ki potency aur blood loss ko dhyaan me rakhte hue, ise kam se kam abhi 4 se 5 ghante toh-
"Ngh-!"
Uske shabd adhoore reh gaye jab ek dard bhari karaah ne use beech me hi rok diya.
Ava ka shareer jhatka khaaya, uski ungliyaan neeche seat ke leather par kassne lagi aur fir ek tez gati se, woh bhaari saans lete hue uth baithi.
Garofano ki aankhein avishvas me chaudi ho gayi.
Namumkin!
Ava ka ghaav gehra tha, zeher ke chalte use toh abhi ghanto tak behosh rehna chahiye tha. Magar, fir bhi woh kuchh hi minto me jaag chuki thi!?
[This girl... She has some sort of healing skill.]
Freya ki awaaz Garofano ke mann me goonj gayi.
Erica : Ah? Itni jaldi hosh bhi aa gaya?
Woh halka sa cheekhte hue boli. Yaha tak ki humesha shaant rehne waale Renshu ne bhi aankhein sikod li.
Ava (yells) : V-Veer!
Woh chillaate hue uthne ke liye aage badhi, lekin Garofano ne uske kandho par haath rakh use neeche baitha diya.
Garofano : Calm down!
Ava : Veer-!
Garofano : Sniper marr chuka hai. I have dealt with him. Ab koi khatra nahi hai. Don't worry! Take it easy!
Garofano ne fir apni jeb se ek kaagaz nikaalte hue Renshu ki orr kiya. Renshu ne use thaamte hue khola aur jab use dekha toh uski bauhe chinta me sikud gayi.
Garofano : Ye uss Dexter ke paas se mila. Kisi syndicate alliance ka member tha woh shayad. Check karne par toh yahi nazar aaya.
Ye wahi kaagaz tha jo Dexter ke paas tha. Veer ke parivar jann ke naam aur unki tasveerein iss kaagaz me maujood thi.
Veer ke parivar ka zikr aate hi Ava ki chhaati zoro se upar-neeche hone lagi. Aankhon me chinta abhi bhi barkarar thi.
Ava : Veer... *huff* Veer ki family! Mujhe- *cough* *cough*
Garofano (sternly) : Tumhe shaant rehne ki zaroorat hai!
Usne Ava ko beech me tokte hue kaha. Awaaz teekhi thi lekin nirdayi nahi. Aur, kahi na kahi woh Ava ka adhyayan bhi kar rahi thi. Bhala kis tarah ka system holder aisi chot ke baad itni jaldi hosh me aa sakta tha?
Garofano ki nazro me ek maun manzoori thi. Ava, sirf ek system holder nahi thi. Uske paas bhi uske trump cards the jinhe woh ujagar nahi kar rahi thi.
Erica aashcharya me uske qareeb aayi.
Erica : Itni jaldi kaise hosh aa gaya? Poison ki wajah se itni jaldi hosh nahi aana chahiye tha.
Ava : *huff* T-Tum... Tum sab... *huff*
Garofano : Calm down! Hum sab yaha Veer ke liye hi aaye hai. Aur, tumhe itni jaldi hosh aa gaya? Mein ye expect nahi kar rahi thi.
Ava maun rahi. Woh apne baare me kuchh bhi zaroori baatein nahi bataana chaahti thi.
Renshu : Humare paas samay barbaad karne ke liye nahi hai. Agar, hosh aa hi gaya hai toh kya tum Veer ki location ke baare me kuchh bata sakti ho? Kya tum jaanti ho woh kaha par hai iss waqt?
Ava wahi jamm ke reh gayi. Use yaad aaya. Woh ye kaise bhool sakti thi?
Usne Veer ko Death Flag se mark kar ke rakha hua tha. Bina kisi hich-kichahat ke usne apni aankhein band ki, Veer ki location par dhyaan kendrit kiya. Aur, kuchh hi palo me Veer ki asli location uske mastishq me aa gayi.
Usne apni aankhein kholi. Uska chehra peela pad gaya.
Ava (frowns) : W-Woh-! Woh shamshaan me hai! Uske neeche...! Underground...!
Renshu (frowns) : Shamshaan? Kaha par?
Ava ne use exact location batayi. Chaahe uska shareer kitna hi thaka hua kyu na ho, uske dimag me ek hi baat thi — Veer.
Garofano ne Renshu ko dekha. Dono ek baat jaan gaye the ki Ava ke paas Veer ko track karne ki koi na koi skill zaroor maujood thi. Dono ne hi mann me iss baat ki gaanth baandh li.
Garofano (turns) : Toh kya karna hai? Veer ke paas kaun jaa raha hai?
Renshu : Mumbai me tumhari maujoodgi ab koi rehesya nahi hai. Tum pehle bhi yaha sabke saamne aa chuki ho. Aur, haan- tum ek celebrity se kam bhi nahi. Poora Korea tumhare peechhe paagal hai. Isliye, tumhara Veer ke nazdeek jaana abhi faydemand nahi. Ye unwanted attention ko bulawa dega.
Garofano muskurayi. Apni ungliyon ko apne kaale reshmi baalo me firaayi.
Garofano (smirks) : Hmph! Thanks for the recognition- lekin, shayad tum bhool rahe ho ki mein stealth me maahir hu. Mujhe bas apne chehre par mask pehen'ne ki derr hai. That's it. But, haan! Abhi mein Natalia ko chhor ke yaha se nahi jaa sakti. Woh heal zaroor ho rahi hai but if trouble comes knocking, she won't be able to fight.
Renshu ne uski baat ko sweekar karte hue haami bhari.
Ava ne khud ko upar uthaaya, aur karkash awaaz me boli.
Ava : V-Veer ki family safe toh hai na? I... Usne mujhe- Usne mujhe zimmedari saunpi thi. *huff* M-Mein- Mein yaha aise nahi- *huff*
Renshu : Maine hotel me se ambulances ko nikalte hue dekha tha. Veer ki family ke kuchh logo ko check kiya tha maine. Hotel me ab koi nahi hai andar.
Ava (frowns) : K-Kya woh... Kya woh safe hai?
Renshu : Lagta toh hai. Police ne area ko takeover kar liya hai. Veer ki family shayad hospital gayi hai. Toh, uss hisaab se woh safe hone chahiye. Khatra hotel ke ird-gird hi tha.
Ava ne ek shaant saans chhori. Lekin, chinta zara bhi kam nahi hui.
Renshu (sighs) : Aur, agar mein chaahu bhi toh bhi hospital nahi jaa sakta.
Erica aur Ava dono ne hi use sawaaliya nazro se dekha.
Erica : Eh? Kyu dad?
Iske pehle ki Renshu jawab de paata, Garofano hasste hue jawab di.
Garofano (laughs) : Hahahaha! Because your dad is too damn big. Hospital me logo ko samajhne me hi ghante lag jayenge ki ye aadmi hai kaun? Itni badi qad-kaathi kaise hai? Kaha se aaya hai? Aur, Veer se uska kya sambandh hai? Hahaha! Samjhi?
Renshu : ...
Renshu ne uske chidhaane par koi pratikriya nahi di. Lekin, Erica kaha chup rehne waali thi?
Erica : Wh-What do you mean? Hmph! Mere dad ka matlab simple tha. Unka matlab hai ki Veer ko jald se jald dhundhna hai taaki problem ki asli jadd ka pata lag sake.
Garofano : Oh! Wow! Dekho toh humari Miss Erica ko. Smart banane ki kitni koshish kar rahi hai? But, you're still dumb. Fufu~
Erica : Who-? Who the hell are you calling dumb?
Garofano : Of course, you! Fufu~ Yaha par sirf tum hi dumb ho!
Erica : Y-You-!!
Usne apni mutthi bheenchi. Lekin, iske pehle ki woh jawab de paati, Renshu ki awaaz hawa me goonj uthi.
Renshu : ENOUGH!!!
Dono yuvtiyaan chup ho gayi. Par, Erica ka ghoorna khatam nahi hua.
Erica : Hmph!
Garofano : Fufu~
Renshu : Mein aur Erica Veer ki location par jayenge. Aur, tum yahi rahogi jab tak ki Natalia chalne ki condition me nahi aa jaati.
Garofano (nods) : Theek hai! Par, zyada derr mat lagaana. I don't like sitting on the sidelines.
Renshu ne koi jawab nahi diya. Woh bas apni car ki orr muda. Erica ne uska peechha kiya, aage badhne se pehle Garofano ko ek akhiri nazar se dekha.
Garofano muskurate hue unhe jaata dekhi. Fir, Ava ki orr ghoomi jo abhi bhi seat par laiti hui thi.
Garofano : Maine jitna socha tha, tum uss se kahi zyada mazboot nikli. You're hiding your cards too. Just like him. *smiles*
Ava ne koi jawab nahi diya, lekin uski aankhon ki chamak se Garofano ko pata chal gaya ki usne uski baatein sunn li thi.
Aur, isi tarah Renshu aur Erica Veer ki location par pahuch paaye the. Magar, jab tak ve yaha par pahuche, Veer underground lair se nikal chuka tha.
Kintu, Erica ki basic seer vision ye pata laga sakti thi ki yaha kuchh derr pehle kya kuchh hua tha.
Renshu : Erica!?
Erica apni palke khol uthi. Uske badan me rue khade hue the.
Erica : D-Dad!
Renshu : ??
Erica : V-Veer-!
Erica ne poore drishya toh nahi, lekin kaafi hadd tak kuchh derr pehle ki ghatna ko dekh liya tha. Veer ka ajeebo-gareeb system holder se bhidna, neeche ka bhayanak vatavaran, thandi sadti laashein, maans ke tukde, experiments, SHB, Veer ka haath katna aur uska Juhi aur Pihu ko bachaana.
Erica ne jaise hi Renshu ko sab batlaaya toh Renshu ke khud ke badan me ek sihran daud gayi.
Woh bina koi deri kiye, Erica se lair ka entry point poonchh seedhe neeche ki orr kood gaya.
Erica : D-Daaad???
Majbooran, Erica ko bhi neeche koodna hi pada. Na jaane neeche kaun se rehesya khulne ke liye unka intezar kar rahe the.
***
Carewell Hospital,
Morning - 12:10 AM ~
Hospital ke automatic doors achanak se khule, lekin kisi ka dhyaan uss orr nahi gaya.
Duty par maujood kuchh karmchari apne phone me vyast the, toh kuchh counter par sirr tikaaye hue the aur kuchh the jo aadhi neend me dol rahe the ki ve sab corridor me hui tez raftaar se halchal ko dekh paane me vifal reh gaye.
Veer kisi hawa ke jhonke ki tarah waha daakhil hua. Uska shareer dagmaga raha tha, har qadam par perr felne ke liye aatur ho rahe the. Uski baayi aasteen gehre laal khoon se sani hui thi, jisme se aadhi se zyada aasteen toh poori gaayab ho chuki thi.
Baah me abhi bhi woh janzeerein bandhi hui thi. Uski chhaati ukhadi hui saanson ke saath upar-neeche ho rahi thi.
Aur, uske seene se usi surgeon sheet ke sang bandhi hui thi — Juhi. Uska chhota sa shareer uske seene se chipka hua tha, chehra blazer ke andar chhipa hua tha. Veer uski garm saansein apne seene par mehsoos kar paa raha tha. Woh so rahi thi. Shaant. Aur, surakshit.
Pihu ko woh pehle hi surakshit haatho me de aaya tha. Bachi thi toh sirf uski apni Juhi.
Woh Nidhi ke kamre number 31 me pahucha aur darwaza khola. Waqt hi aisa tha ki duty par mushqil se kuchh hi nurses aur safayi karmchari the jo apne-apne kaamo me lage hue the. Nateeja? Veer ke tez raftar se andar aane par kisi ko bhanak tak nahi lagi.
Woh aage badha. Uski drishti ab dhundhli pad rahi thi. Uski nazar saamne bistar par laiti ek aurat par gayi — Nidhi. Woh so rahi thi. Chehre par abhi bhi shikan ke bhaav the.
Veer uske nazdeek aaya. Kamra hil raha tha kya? Nahi! Woh khud ladkhada raha tha. Iske pehle ki woh zameen par girta, usne wahi lagi bench dekh khud ko dheela chhor diya aur seat par gir pada. Shareer ne akhir haar maan hi li. Uski aankhein band ho gayi.
Akhiri cheez jo usne mehsoos ki — woh tha Juhi ka harqat karta hua haath jo uske blazer ko kass ke jakadne ka prayatn kar raha tha aur fir — andhera.
Kuchh kshan baad...
Ek halki si harqat.
Nidhi ki palke jhapki aur woh jaag uthi. Uska sarr dard se tadak raha tha, ghatna ki yaadein tatt par aati samudra ki lehro ki tarah wapas aane lagi.
"J-Juhi...!"
Woh ghabrayi. Uski bacchi. Uski bacchi ko aghwa kar liya gaya tha. Woh chhatpataate hue uthi aur jaise hi uth ke uski nazar saamne padi. Woh wahi jamm ke reh gayi.
Uski beti, uski duniya — wahi thi. Surakshit. Uske saamne. Uska haath apne khule muh par gaya aur woh ro padi. Aansu beqaabu ho kar behne lage.
Woh kaanpte hue dhadalle se uthi aur aage badhi. Uske haath me lagi IV needle aur uske sang laga drip stand bhi uske saath khichta chala gaya.
Woh Veer ke bagal me ghutno ke bal baithi, uska chehra peela pada hua tha. Usne pehle apni bitiya ko dekha. Chhaati upar-neeche ho rahi thi. Bina kisi chot ke. Surakshit.
Lekin, fir... Uski nazar Veer par gayi.
Uska chehra — sookhe khoon se sana hua — bejaan lag raha tha. Sarr kuchh geela sa tha. Baalo me halki barf jami thi jaise. Blazer ke sang shirt kayi jagaho se fati hui thi. Baah, chhaati aur kamar me gehre ghaav dikhayi pad rahe the. Uske kapde khoon se sane hue the. Par, Nidhi ko sabse zyada dang kiya unn janzeeron ne.
Jinhe dekh uska poora badan kaanp utha. Aankhein bhay ke maare chaudi ho uthi. Badi-badi janzeerein uski baaho me kass kar lipti hui thi.
Uska haath zor se thar-thara utha. Kuchh beeti yaadein wapas saamne aane lagi.
---
Lagbhag do saal pehle ka samay tha. Aaj Nidhi ko ek nayi class niyukt ki gayi thi. Yeh pehli baar nahi tha. Use students ko kis tarah se handle karna hai, ye achhi tarah se aata tha.
Iske pehle woh school me bhi ek shikshak reh chuki thi. Shiksha dena use bakhoobi aata tha. Magar, college aur school me kuchh farq toh hota tha.
College me bachhe ab bacche nahi the. Woh baalig the, sayaane the aur javani ke josh me udd rahe naye khiladi the.
Jaise hi Nidhi classroom me pravesh ki, pal bhar ke liye ek sannaata sa chhaa gaya. Students fir ikhatte khade hue-
"Good morning ma'am!"
"Settle down!"
Uski awaaz dridh lekin garmjoshi se bhari thi. Uske bolte hi sabhi chhaatra wapas se apni seats par baith gaye.
Woh bina students ki taraf dekhe blackboard ko rub karne lagi aur ek safed chalk uthaate hue apna naam likhne lagi.
Nidhi Mishra
Khubsoorat si likhawat me likhte hue usne apna parichay diya.
Aur, jaisa ki hona chahiye tha, waisa hi hua. Nayi-nayi 18 baras ki aayu poorn karne waale javan laundo ke mann me laddu phootne lage. Aur, charcha ka vishay tha — ?
"Behanchod kya maal hai bhai."
"Bhai bol de ki ab yahi apni class teacher hai."
"Bhai hai toh karraa yaar. Sahi me!"
"Iska matlab woh madarchod takla gaya? Kya naam tha bey uska?"
"Bhupinder Daruwala!"
"Bhupinder nahi. Guu pait ke andar! Hahahahaha!"
"Hahahahaha! Abey haan bey! Lawda saala dimaag kha jaata tha betichod."
"Daruwala ki bahut daru pee li... Ab Nidhi se Vidhi seekhenge hahahaha!"
"Kaaye ki bhosdiwaale? Hahahaha!"
"Ah! Madam! Ah! Wo waali vidhi! Aah! Uuh!"
"Hahahahahahaha! Madarchod!"
"Hahahahahahaha!"
Yahi baatein ladko ke alag-alag jhund me hone lagi. Par, kya Nidhi ko ye sab sunayi nahi de raha tha? De raha tha. Bilkul, de raha tha. Kintu, woh khamosh thi. Nirash bhi. Aur, chotil bhi.
"Abey pait kuchh fela-fela sa hai iska magar. Hai na?"
"Pregnant hai kya?"
"Nahi bey! Baccha ho chuka hai shayad. Dhyaan se dekh!"
"Abey toh shuru ka mahina bhi toh ho sakta hai?"
"Chutiye toh woh yaha thodi aati padhaane."
"Haan ye bhi hai!"
"Koi nahi-! Mein wazan kam karwa dunga iska hahahaha!"
"Mujhse toh sirf wazan badhaate aata hai hehehe!"
"Hahahahahaha!"
"Pregnancy ke baad bhi pait foola rehta hai kya?"
"Waisa nahi bey chutiye! Bas thode time tak rehta hai. Abhi madam ko apne asli figure me aane me time lagega."
"Waise... Aise bhi koi kam maal nahi hai."
"Hahahahaha!"
Eka-ek Nidhi ka haath na chaahte hue bhi apne pait par chala gaya. Ladke bhale hi dheere-dheere ye sab khuspusaaye, magar aksar unki baatein sabhi teachers ko sunayi de jaaya karti thi.
Jab Nidhi ko apne pait par haath rakhte unn students ne dekha toh iss baar thoda satark hote hue unn logo ne apni baat-cheet ko virham de diya.
Parantu, unki ek baat sahi thi. Nidhi ko bamushqil abhi dedh se do mahina hi hua tha jab uska apna navjaat uss se chheen liya gaya tha. Dhruv — uski apni amaanat.
Yahi woh samay tha jab Nidhi ke jeevan ka sabse kharab daur shuru hua tha. Ek prataadit karta pati, daayan samaan saas ki gaaliyaan, apne hi bacche ko kho dena, unse bhaag ke apne ek kiraaye ke flat me rehna, aas-pados me uth rahe charche, samaaj ka nazariya, aur jo rahi-sahi kasar baaki reh gayi thi woh inn besharam ladko ne uss par behuda tippani kar ke poori kar di thi.
Lekin, woh jaanti thi ki har ladke ek jaise nahi hote the. Uske apne pita. Uska ek bhai. Woh bhi toh mard the na? Woh jaanti thi ki iss classroom me abhi bhi woh ladke the jo waqai uss se padhna chaahte the — jinke mann me koi galat bhavnaaye nahi thi.
Yahi vishvas liye usne bolna shuru kiya.
"Students! Aaj se... Aaj se mein aapki class teacher rahungi. I will be teaching you Mathematics."
"Ye hui na baat behanchod! Ab maza aayega hahahaha"
"Badhayi ho bhai! Takla gaya hahahaha! Nayi phuljhadi aa gayi."
Unki baatein dobaara se shuru ho gayi. Nidhi ke pehle Bhupinder ji the jo iss kaksha ke class teacher the. Kareeban 7-8 maah tak unhone iss kaksha ko sambhala tha. First year ke bache hue 3-4 mahino ke liye Nidhi ab unki class teacher bann ke aayi thi. Aur, uska swagat kaise hua? Inn bhaddi tippaniyo se.
Himmat rakhte hue usne attendance sheet uthayi aur sabhi ke naam pukaarte hue pehle attendance lene lagi. Ek-ek kar ke jab woh akhiri bache kuchh baccho ke naam pukaarne ko aayi toh-
"Vamika Chauhan!"
"Present ma'am!"
"Vasu Mehta!"
"Present ma'am!"
"Veer Singh!"
*Silence*
'Hmm?'
Ek khamoshi si chhaa gayi. Koi jawab hi nahi aaya. Nidhi ne apna sarr uthaate hue sabhi ko dekha aur usne punah awaaz lagaayi.
"Veer Singh???"
Tabhi, uski nazar sabse side waali row par padi jaha aakhiri bench par ek ladka akele baitha hua tha. Bagal waali row se 2-4 ladke hasste hue use bula rahe the.
"Bhai tere ko bula rahi madam!"
"Chutiye haath utha ke present toh bol de hahahahaha!"
Woh ladka hadbadata hua apna kaam beech me rok upar dekha. Uski nazar Nidhi se jaa takrayi. Ek pal ke liye woh dara par fir ahista se haath uthaate hue bola-
"P-Present ma'am!"
Nidhi kuchh kshan ke liye avaak reh gayi. Woh nahi jaanti thi aisa kyu tha par kuchh pal woh bas Veer ko dekhti rahi. Usne fir aaj ka samay jaise-taise nikaala. Baccho ko padhaaya aur waha se nikal gayi.
Agla din. Wahi kaksha, wahi bacche, wahi harqate. Ladkiyaan hi thi jo kam se kam uss se achhe se pesh aati thi. Adhiktar ladke sirf use hawas ki nazro se hi ghoorte the.
Magar, aaj Nidhi ki nazre class me ghoom rahi thi. Maano jaise chehro se bhara ek samundar tha kamre ke andar — kuchh muskura rahe the, kuchh fusfusa rahe the, kuchh uub ke jhuke hue the. Fir bhi, ek student alag dikh raha tha.
Veer Singh.
Kal ki hi tarah aaj bhi woh sab se dur kone me akela baitha hua tha, uski desk hi baakiyo se dur thi. Uski aankhein apni notebook par tiki hui thi, maano likhte rehne se woh duniya se bach jayega. Uski patli si kaaya uski badi uniform ke andar alag hi maalum pad rahi thi.
Pata nahi kyu par use iss qadar dekh Nidhi ko ek samaanta si mehsoos hui. Attendance lene se pehle woh ruk gayi, uski nazre Veer par tiki rahi.
'Woh akela kyu baitha hai?'
Yeh vichaar kal se uske dimaag me atka hua tha. Jab usne attendance ke liye naam pukaarna shuru kiye, toh sabhi chhaatra baari-baari ek swar me 'present ma'am' chillaate chale gaye. Kaksha me hasi ki ek leher daud gayi, dost ek dusre ko dhakka deke hasi mazaak karne lage, aur unki khusur-pusur jaari ho gayi.
"Veer Singh?"
*Silence*
Aaj bhi wahi hua. Nidhi use hi dekh rahi thi. Veer ne apna haath dheere se upar uthaaya.
"Present ma'am!"
Maujood hoke bhi aisa lag raha tha jaise woh adrishya tha baaki logo ke liye. Shaant aur darpok.
Veer ka akelapann sirf samajik nahi tha — ye uske jeevan me samaya hua tha.
Ek baar project ke dauran, Nidhi ne class me baccho se ek-dusre se partners banaane ke liye kaha.
"Apna ek partner banaiye aur saath mil kar project complete karna hai. Theek hai? Class dismissed."
Chhaatra turant apne dosto ke paas bhaage — dekhte hi dekhte alag-alag pairs bann gaye.
Veer ko chhor kar.
Woh baitha raha, apni notebook ko ghoorta raha. Departure ho chuka tha aur sabhi project ke baare me baatein karte hue chale gaye.
Veer ne chup-chap apna bag uthaaya aur uski orr aaya.
"Ma'am!? Kya mein akele project bana sakta hu?"
"Kyu?"
"Mujhse kisi ne poochha hi nahi. Sabke pehle hi pairs bann gaye."
Usne itni saralta se kaha, maano jaise use aadat ho gayi ho bhulaaye jaane ki. Nidhi ka gala andar hi andar roondh gaya. Uski chhaati me jaise ek dard utha. Woh kuchh na bol saki.
Ek shaam woh class ke baad derr tak ruki hui thi. Usne dekha ki Veer parking area ke paas baitha hua farsh ko ghoor raha tha. Uski aankhein laal thi.
"Veer?"
Usne jawab nahi diya.
"Kya hua?"
Firse koi jawab nahi. Magar, jab usne Veer ke saamne dustbin me dekha toh uski aankhein chaudi hokar reh gayi. Dustbin me Veer ka bag dala hua tha.
Woh akasmat uske bagal se aake khadi hui.
"Kisne kiya ye?"
"Nahi pata. *sniff* Farq nahi padta. Koi nayi baat nahi."
"Tum ruko abhi- mein abhi jaa ke-"
"Nahi! Koi zaroorat nahi hai. Aapke jaane se... Woh baad me aur tang karenge. *sniff* Rehne dijiye."
"Par-"
"Maine kaha na, ma'am! Rehne dijiye!"
Nidhi ne aage kuchh nahi kaha. Usne use rona band karne ke liye bhi nahi kaha. Iski bajaaye, woh bas uske bagal se baith gayi.
Varsho me pehli baar, Veer ko laga ki koi tha... Jo uski parvah kar raha tha.
Din beetate gaye aur Nidhi 'Veer' naam ke iss ladke ko observe karti gayi. Usne jaana ki Veer kabhi kisi se baat nahi karta tha.
Recess ke dauran koi bhi uske saath nahi baithata tha, ladko ka koi bhi group use invite nahi karta tha. Lunch ke samay jab chhaatra apni-apni mandliyo me ikhatta hote, Veer chup-chap waha se gaayab ho jaata. Lunch laata bhi tha ya nahi? Iska bhi pata nahi tha.
Aur, isliye ek dopahar Nidhi recess ke theek baad yuhi uske peechhe-peechhe gayi. Veer library me jaa raha tha.
Nidhi ne dekha ki woh library me khidki ke paas baithe, sirr jhukaaye, notebook me kuchh bana raha tha.
'Hmm?'
Woh aage badhi.
"Iss waqt lunch kiya jaata hai, Veer. Koi aur kaam nahi."
Veer uski awaaz sunn jhep gaya. Woh chaunk gaya, use samajh nahi aa raha tha ki jawaab de ya andekha kar de?
"M-Maine lunch kar liya hai, ma'am." Uski awaaz mushqil se Nidhi ke kaano me pahuchi.
"Achha? 5 minute hue hai abhi recess hue aur tumne lunch bhi kar liya? Jhooth bolte ho?"
"M-Maine subah zyada khaaya tha. Isliye, abhi bhookh nahi hai. M-Mein theek hu, ma'am."
"Kya waqai?"
Veer ne hichkichaate hue apni pen aur kass ke pakad li. "H-Haan! M-Mujhe yaha achha lagta hai. Yaha shaanti rehti hai."
Nidhi ne ek pal ke liye use dekha, fir chali gayi. Veer ko laga ki uska peechha chhoot gaya lekin kuchh der baad hi woh waapas laut aayi — sandwich ki ek plate ke saath.
"Agar, tumhe yahi baithna hai toh yahi baitho. Par, kam se kam kuchh khaa toh liya karo."
Veer plate ko ghoorta raha. Dang reh gaya tha. Aisa pehle kabhi kisi ne uske liye nahi kiya tha.
"M-Mujhe bhookh nahi hai, ma'am."
"Of course, tumhe hai. Tum bas maanane ke liye ziddi ho. Tum lunch nahi laate kya? Mummy nahi deti ghar pe?"
Maa ka zikr aate hi Veer maun reh gaya aur Nidhi jaise samajh gayi ki kuchh baat hai. Usne iss vishay ko aage nahi badhaaya. Veer fir apne aap se hi kuchh kshan baad bola.
"M-Mein-! Mein aaj lunch box bhool gaya. Chachi ne bana ke rakha tha. Lekin- mein bhool gaya."
"Oh! Toh ab kha lo. Theek hai?"
"Nahi! Maine kaha na ma'am. Mujhe bhook nahi hai."
Veer ne mana toh kar diya. Lekin, jab Nidhi plate neeche rakh ke waha se chali gayi, toh Veer ne kuchh hi kshano baad khud ko plate ki taraf aage badhte hue paaya.
Ek din, jab Veer apni baahon aur chehre par chot ke saath class me aaya — ragging aur bullying ke kuchh saboot.
Nidhi ne dekha. Usne kuchh poochha nahi.
Lekin, agli hi subah, Veer ko apni desk ke neeche ek bandage kit rakhi mili — ek chhote se note ke saath.
'Take care of yourself. Some people care about you — even if you don't believe it yet.'
Uss din ke baad se Veer Nidhi ki upasthiti ko aur adhik mehsoos karne laga.
Class me, woh aksar uski desk ke aas-paas hi khadi rehti, aur uss se sawaal bhi poochha karti.
"Veer! Tum batao? Kya ye answer sahi hai?"
"Veer! Tumhari kya raay hai isme?"
Pehle toh woh jawab nahi de paata tha. Uski awaaz mushqil se uske muh se nikalti thi. Lekin, Nidhi ne apna prayas nahi chhora. Nidhi uske astitva ko poora karti thi. Lagne laga tha jaise ab woh adrishya nahi tha.
Ek din woh deri se aaya. Woh ghabrahat me darwaze ki dehleez par khada ho gaya.
"S-Sorry! Ma'am- mein..."
"Koi baat nahi!" Nidhi ne beech me hi tokte hue kaha, uski awaaz naram thi. "Ab aa gaye ho na? Baith jao!"
Zyadatar teachers use khari-kothi suna dete lekin, Nidhi... Woh muskurayi. Woh muskaan use shabdo se kahi zyada shaant kar deti.
Ek din Nidhi ne use apni notebook me kuchh banaate hue pakad liya.
"Tum drawing bhi karte ho??"
Veer ne jhepte hue jaldi se apni notebook band kar li. Uski drawing achhi nahi thi. Lekin, use banaane ka shauk tha.
"K-Kuchh nahi-! A-Aise hi bas..."
"Uff-Oh! Ab chalo bhi mujhe dekhne do."
Hichkichaate hue lekin bharosa kar, Veer ne dheere se notebook kholi. Andar alag-alag sketches the. Kuchh landscapes ke, kuchh chehro ke, aur ek kone me — Nidhi ka khud ka ek chhota sa chitr.
Nidhi ne aashcharya me palke jhapkayi. Fir, haule se hasi.
"Arey waah! Bahut khoob. Par, Veer-!? Mujhe nahi lagta ki meri naak itni badi hai. Hai na?"
Veer ka chehra sharm se laal pad gaya.
"Ye... Ye abhi poora nahi hua hai, ma'am." Usne haklaate hue kaha.
"Koi baat nahi... *smiles* Mein mazaak kar rahi thi. Tum talented ho. Ise chhipaane ki koi zaroorat nahi. Confidence rakha karo, Veer. Okay?"
"J-Ji!"
Jaise-jaise unka rishta aur mazboot hota gaya, unki baatein aur bhi sehej hoti chali gayi. Thodi chanchal bhi.
"Tum humesha ye notebook saath leke ghoomte ho." Woh ek baar use chidhaate hue boli. "Kya hai isme aisa? Hmm? Duniya par qabza karne ka master plan?"
"Haan!" Usne bebaaki se jawab diya. "Sabse pehla qadam — Ek aisa teacher dhundhna jo meri notebook ko lekar baar-baar na poochhe."
"Hahahahaha!" Aur, woh khil-khila ke hass padi.
Veer bhi badle me muskura diya. Shayad ye pehli baar tha jab Nidhi ne use muskurate hue dekha tha.
Class me ek baar questions ke dauran, Veer ne pehli baar koi galti pakdi thi.
"Ma'am, waha par... Waha par sin ki jagah cos aayega."
"Oh??" Nidhi ne bauhe chadhayi. "Mujhse galti ho gayi?"
"Haan!"
"Theek hai toh... Class! Agla question Veer solve karega blackboard pe. Chalo, Veer. Utho apni seat se!"
"Eh??? N-Nahi! Ma'am... Ek minute!"
"Hahahaha! Good luck!" Nidhi uski haalat par hasi.
Veer dara. Nidhi mazak nahi kar rahi thi. Woh blackboard ke saamne khada tha aur chalk se likhte samay uske perr kaanp rahe the. Lekin, fir Nidhi ne podium se fusfusate hue uss se kaha-
"Tum sahi kar rahe ho. Solve karte jao. Daro nahi!"
Jab ek baar Veer ko pehli baar assignment test me Maths me thode achhe marks mile toh usne dekha ki Nidhi ne uske test paper par kuchh likha hua tha — Told you you'd do great. ^_^ But you need to do even better.
Ek baar career ke lakshyo ke baare me charcha ke dauran, Nidhi ne Veer se akele me baat karte hue sehejta se tippani ki-
"Veer! Tumhe ek high goal rakhna chahiye. Tumhare jaise log... Tum apna potential barbaad kar rahe ho."
Magar, Veer ko — ek ladka jise uske parivar waale aksar ye keh dete ki woh apni zindagi me kuchh bhi nahi kar payega — uske shabd bahut chubh gaye.
"Aapko lagta hai ki mein apna samay barbaad kar raha hu???" Usne oonchi awaaz me poonchha. "Mein har din apni poori koshish karta hu, theek hai na? Aap jaanti bhi kya ho mere baare me?? *sniff* Koi nahi jaanta."
Nidhi ne palke jhapkayi. Woh achambhit thi. Veer pehli baar iss tarah se gusse me kuchh uss se bola tha.
"Mera matlab ye nahi tha, Veer. Mein-" Usne Veer ka kandha thaama.
"Rehne dijiye! *sniff* Aadat hai mujhe." Usne jhapatta maarte hue khud ko chhuraaya aur baahar nikal gaya.
Teen dino tak, Veer uss se bachta raha. Nazrein churaata raha. Lekin, chauthe din woh use library me mil hi gaya.
"Mera... Mera tumhara dil dukhane ka irada nahi tha, Veer." Usne dheere se kaha. "Mein bas... Mujhe tum pe vishvas hai. Bas itna hi."
"Hmm... Theek hai... Mujh par apna vishvas barbad mat kariye, ma'am." Woh badbadate hue bola.
"Uske liye ab bahut derr ho chuki hai. Mera paala ab tumse jo pad chuka hai." Woh muskurate hue boli.
Aur, iss baar-
Veer naraaz na reh saka. Woh sharmaate hue muskuraya aur apna muh ferr liya. Nidhi uske sharmaane par bas hasti reh gayi. Woh sahi thi. Aaj bhi kuchh ladke the jo uske prati galat bhavnaaye nahi rakhte the. Veer unme se ek tha. Ya yu kahe, unn sab me se sabse alag.
Aur, aise hi woh teen mahine kab guzar gaye, dono ko hi pata nahi chala. Veer vartalap me apna confidence dheere-dheere gain kar raha tha. Chhutiyaan padi aur uske baad shuru hua second year.
Pehla din tha. Naye juniors ko hall me baitha ke unka swagat kiya jaa raha tha. Classes lagni shuru ho chuki thi. Veer ki class ki teacher punah badal chuki thi lekin, Nidhi ko sabhi chaahne lage the aur isliye use wapas se class teacher banaane ki maang bhi rakhne lage.
Aur, fir aaya woh waqt-
Departure ke dauran. Veer ne jab Nidhi ko jaldbazi me jaate dekha toh usne use pukaara-
"Ma'am??"
Magar, Nidhi na ruki. Usne Veer ki awaaz hi nahi suni. Woh bahut hi jaldbazi me thi. Chehre par chinta bhi jhalak rahi thi.
Veer ne mann hi mann khud ko samjhaya ki har waqt koi uske liye haazir nahi reh sakta tha. Aur, fir woh pal aaya-
Jab uski nazar uss par padi. Pragya! Ek behad khubsoorat chehra. College ki jaani-maani sundar ladkiyo me se ek.
Aur, fir Ajay ka use dekhna, apne pantaro ko ishaara karna, Veer ka scooty uthaate hue ghar ki orr nikalna, Ajay aur uske saathiyo ka bikes se use gherna, use college ki peechhe waale raaste par le jaana, use buri tarah peetna, ghaayal karna, aur baarish hoti sooraj dhalti shaam me use sadak par chhor dena.
Yahi sab toh hua tha. Nahi! Yahi nahi! Uske baad use ghar se nikaal diya jaana, Uska aspataal me hona, marrne ki kagaar par hona, aur Nidhi ka waha par aana.
---
-Aur, aaj woh uske saamne tha.
'Aap chinta mat kariye!! Mein Juhi ko leke aaunga. Mein aapse vaada karta hu!'
Uske bol Nidhi ke kaano me goonj gaye. Usne apna vaada nibha diya tha.
Nidhi ka haath kaanp raha tha, woh uske bagal me ghutno par gir padi. Uski ungliyaan jhijhakte hue aage badhi aur fir usne Veer ki fati hui aasteen ko kass kar pakad liya.
Uski rone ki siskiyaan chhootne lagi. Ghutan bhari awaaz. Uske mote-mote aansu Veer ke khoon se sane haath par girne lage.
"*hic* Aaaaaaaaaa-!!! *hic*"
Woh royi. Kuchh bol nahi paa rahi thi. Iss sab ka bhaar use kuchal raha tha. Agar, Juhi ko kuchh ho jaata toh-
Iss vichaar ne uske shareer ko aur bhi zyada kaanpne par majboor kar diya. Usne apna chehra Veer ke perr se sataaya, uske perr kass ke pakde — maano use chhorne se Juhi fir se uss se dur chali jayegi. Aur, Veer bhi.
Mann hi mann woh Veer ko lagatar dhanyavad deti rahi. Kuchh pal beet gaye, fir usne apna sarr uthaaya.
Veer behosh tha. Usne apni ungliyon se Veer ke khoon se sane chehre ko chhiya, uske angoothe ne Veer ke maathe par fir ek ghaav ko chhiya.
"V-Veer-!" Uski awaaz toot gayi. Honth thar-thara uthe.
Aur, fir usne apni baahein uske kandho par rakhi, uske sirr ko dheere se uthaaya aur agle hi pal-
Use apni chhaati se laga liya. Veer ki garm saansein uske seene par padi. Magar, uska chehra poori tarah se thanda mehsoos ho raha tha.
Nidhi ke aansu ab khul kar gir rahe the. Woh bilakh-bilakh kar ro rahi thi. Veer ko apne aalingan me liye, use kass ke pakde woh khadi-khadi dahaad maar ke roti rahi. Jaise varsho se usne khud ko roke rakha tha aur ab uski bhavnaaye khul kar baahar nikal rahi thi.
"M-Maine tumhe apne se dur dhakela..." Woh fusfusayi. "Har baar... *hic* Har baar maine tumhe dur kiya."
Use yaad aaya jab usne Veer ko 1 lakh rupaye ki payment kar di thi. Kaise woh uss par bhadka tha.
Use ye bhi yaad aaya ki uski padosan Mrs. Tiwari kis tarah use Veer jaise ladko se dur rehne ki hidayat de rahi thi.
Ye sab yaad karte hi, usne Veer ko aur kass ke laga liya.
"Mujhe maaf kar do-!! *hic*" usne roondhi hui awaaz me budbudaya. "Mujhe maaf kardo, Veer!! Aaaaaaaa-!! Aaaaaaaaaa!! *hic* *sniff*"
Aur, firse usne uska sirr apni chhaati me aur bhi gehraayi me daba liya. Aur, inn teen saalo me aaj pehli baar — usne apni bhavnao se bhaagna band kar diya.
"Maine tumhe chaahna kabhi nahi chhora tha... Trust me... Mein bas... *hic* Mein bas darti thi."
"L-Lekin, *sniff* ab aur nahi bhaagungi."
Veer ke sang bitaaye use saare puraane pal yaad aane lage.
Har muskaan jo woh chhipaata tha.
Har aansu jo woh dabaata tha.
"Tum... *sniff* Tum akele the... M-Mujhe aur bhi bahut kuchh karna chahiye tha... *hic* Mujhe tumhare paas aur rehna chahiye tha."
"Par ab... *hic* Ab mein hu yaha. Aur, mein ab kahi nahi jaungi. *sniff* Kabhi bhi nahi."
Usne na jaane kab se inn bhavnao ko dabaaye rakha tha. Lekin, ab aur nahi.
Aasmaan me aatishbaziyo se fel rahe rang bikhre hue the, aur hospital ke iss kamre me ek mahila ne khoon se sane ek naujavan ko apni baaho me bhar rakha tha.
Aur, hospital ke saamne ki building ki terrace par khade do log ye sab kuchh dekh paa rahe the.
Erica : See, dad? Yahi woh Nidhi hai jinki beti ko Veer bacha ke laaya. But... I have never seen him so low.
Renshu : Low? He's the one who's the tallest among us. Na sirf usne unki jaan par khatra nahi aane diya, balki woh unhe chhuraane me bhi qamyab tha. Par, ab time nahi hai. Erica-!
Erica samajh gayi ki use kya karna tha. Garofano ko call connect kar ke Ava se poochhne ke baad dobara se Veer ki nayi location le li thi unhone.
Erica bina kuchh kahe waha se ek kshan me gaayab ho gayi.
Andar derr raat me hospital ka corridor shaant tha. Shreya ki bauhe sikudi aur palke jhapkaate hue woh kursi par se uthi. Sabhi resting area me so chuke the aur woh aur uske Ishaan bhaiya hi yaha kursi par baithe the.
Usne dekha ki uske bhaiya bhi baitha-baithe hi so rahe the. Apne phone ko dheele haath se pakdi woh Nidhi ko dekhne ke liye uske kamre ki orr badhi.
Lekin, Nidhi ke kamre ke paas pahuchte hi uske qadam wahi tham gaye.
Darwaaze ke sheeshein se... Usne dekha.
Veer.
Nidhi.
Juhi.
Nidhi ne Veer ke chehre ko apni chhaati se laga rakha tha — khoon se lathpath aur ghaayal.
Shreya bhauchakki reh gayi.
Drishya use umeed se zyada prabhavit kar gaya. Uski ungliyaan phone par kass gayi. Aur, vibhinn anubhutiyaan ek pal me mehsoos ho gayi.
Raahat — kyunki, Veer sahi salamat tha.
Khushi — kyunki, Juhi surakshit thi.
Irshya — kyunki, Veer kisi aur ki baaho me tha.
Glaani — kyunki, jiski baaho me tha woh uski apni badi behan hi thi. Ye sab uske mann me nahi aana chahiye tha.
Aur, dard — na jaane kyu.
*Click*
Darwaaze ki awaaz aate hi Nidhi chaunk kar tezi se mudi.
'Huh?'
Saamne koi ladki thi. Iske pehle ki woh kuchh keh paati-
"Shh! It won't hurt! Please! Sleep!"
Nidhi ko kuchh pata nahi chala. Uski aankhon ke saamne achanak se andhera chhaa gaya.
***
Ek ukhdi hui saans.
Veer ki aankhein fad-fada kar khuli. Chhat alag thi. Hawa me gandh toh wahi thi — antiseptic ki. Magar, uski chhaati par se woh bhaar gaayab tha.
Juhi.
Uski saans atakne ko hui, ghabrahat ne uske shareer ko jhakjhor diya. Uski baahein Juhi ko paane ke liye fadki. Kaha gayi woh?
Par, agle hi pal use mehsoos hua — uske dono taraf, daaye aur baaye koi uski baaho ko jakde hue tha.
'Huh?'
Uska sirr daayi orr muda.
Tej.
Uski Teju di ne use pakde rakha tha. Magar, nigaahein saamne ki orr ek band darwaaze par tiki thi.
Woh baayi orr muda.
Kavya.
Woh uss se chipki hui thi. Tej ki hi tarah, woh bhi saamne hi nazre gadaayi thi.
Uske haatho se bediyaan gaayab thi. Ye kaise hua? Janzeerein uski kalaayi par locked thi. Kaha chali gayi wo?
Kuchh gadbad thi. Tabhi-
“Veer!”
Ghane vatavaran me ek awaaz goonj gayi. Shweta! Use jaagta hua dekh uski aankhein chaudi ho gayi. Woh chillaati hui uske nazdeek aayi. Aur, kamre me maujood sabhi ki nigaahein Veer par pad gayi.
Badhi toh Bhavna bhi thi lekin, Shweta ne aate hi Veer ke chehre ko thaam liya aur use betaab apne seene se laga liya.
"Hosh aa gaya mere bete ko... Hey bhagwan!"
Veer akad ke reh gaya. Uske shareer ka har ang dard se tadak raha tha, lekin uljhan ka bojh dard se kahi zyada bhaari tha.
Ye sab yaha kyu the? Ye woh aspataal toh nahi tha jaha par Nidhi bharti thi.
Tej aur Kavya uss se lipti hui thi. Uski Shweta maa, aur uski maa — Bhavna. Sab ro rahi thi.
Usne dekha ki uske pita-
Brijesh!
'???'
Uske pita bhi kone me haath mode chintan me khade hue the. Uski behan Aarohi apni laal aankhein liye rote hue use hi dekh rahi thi.
Aabha aur Sonali bhi ek jagah par baithi use rote hue dekh rahi thi. Aur, na jaane kitne log the.
Uska sirr ghoom raha tha. Dhadkane tez ho rahi thi. Kuchh nahi, bahut kuchh galat lag raha tha.
'P-Pari? What the hell happened?'
Magar-
Sannaata. Koi jawab nahi.
'P-Pari? Juhi kaha hai? Ye sab kya chal raha hai?'
Fir bhi koi jawab nahi. Usne apne daant peese.
'Pariiii-!!'
Magar, kuchh nahi. Pari sleep mode me jaa chuki thi.
Uski saansein tez hui. Use Nidhi ke kamre me jaana yaad tha. Use yaad tha ki Juhi uske seene se hi lipti hui thi. Use ye bhi yaad tha ki woh seat par gira tha. Lekin, uske baad-!?
Use kuchh bhi yaad nahi tha. Kya hua tha? Veer ki nazar achanak baayi orr dur ek corridor me padi. Aur, usne dekha-
Kone ke paas, uske parivar se alag. Teen log khade hue the.
Renshu. Erica. Aur, Garofano.
Jo use hi dekh rahi thi.
System holders. Yaha par? Woh sab yaha kyu the? Use tabhi yaad aaya-
Yarnia's launch.
Woh toh aaj thi na? Toh kya hua? Sab yaha kyu the? Aur, ro kyu rahe the? Yarnia ka kya hua?
Aur, use yaad aa gaya.
Mission ki penalty. Ek sihran uske badan me daud gayi. Kahi isliye toh sab-?
Nahi! Aisa nahi ho sakta. Usne Juhi, Pihu ko bacha liya tha. Fir, akhir aur koi kaise khatre me ho sakta tha? Woh koi sawal kar paata ki itne me saamne ka darwaza khul gaya.
Ek doctor baahar nikal ke aaya. Sab achanak se khade ho gaye. Jis baat ko Veer ka darr tha, woh darr aur gehra ho gaya.
Doctor ne sabhi ko dekha aur fir Veer ko dekh ek haami bhar uski orr chalte hue nazdeek aaya jaise woh jaanta tha ki use kis se baat karni thi.
Veer Singh.
Yahi wo vyakti thi jise usko jawab dena chahiye. Doctor ne ek gehri saans li. Fir, ek asthir awaaz me bola-
"I'm very sorry, sir. Hum unhe bacha nahi sake. Mr. Manorath is no more."
*Badump*
Dhadalle se darwaza punah khula, stretcher par Manorath ji ka shav tha, upar se safed kapda dhaka hua tha.
Cheekhein goonj uthi. Parivar jano ke rone ki awaaz aspataal me goonjne lagi.
Veer ko kuchh samajh aata ki tabhi-
"Although, Miss Ragini ki situation kaafi critical thi. But, doctor ne mujhe khabar de di hai."
'Ragini' naam sunn woh wapas se hosh me aaya.
"She's out of danger now."
Raahat bamushqil ek kshan ke liye hi thi.
"But there's only one problem. I'm sorry to say but — woh ab pehle ki tarah kabhi nahi chal payengi."
Aur, aspatal ko ek gehre sannaate ne dhak liya.
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Aaj ke liya itna hi guys.
This update consists of 8.3k words. Jaan boojh ke around itni length ka rakha hai warna ye update 10k ke upar jaa raha tha. Too much info dump iss update me mujhe sahi nahi lagi because Nidhi ka aham hissa tha iss update me. So, I decided to post those sections in the later updates. This update also justifies why Nidhi took Veer to her house and sheltered him. Unke beech ka rishta ekdum naya nahi tha. They knew each other. Mehez 3 mahino ka hi rishta tha lekin, unn teen mahino ne bahut kuchh badal diya tha. Samay-samay par aise hi flashbacks ke zariye hum Nidhi aur Veer ke madhya aur bhi moments dekhenge. Yaha par past kaisa laga woh zaroor bataane ka. Baaki, target apna wahi hai. 300. Pahucha dene ka. Agle update se Post Disembowler arc shuru ho jayega.
Milte hai agle bhaag me.
Dhanyavad.
Nice and beautifulUpdate - 196 ~ The Fulfilled Promise
Ab tak...
Ye Veer ki qismat thi, ya kuchh aur-
Jo woh raasta dhundhne me saksham tha. Lair se baahar woh kooda. Mission complete ho chuka tha.
Parantu, Pari ne use iski soochna nahi di. Kyunk, notification tha-
[Mission Failed.]
[Due to the host's partial completion of the mission, all the three penalties of the mission won't be applied.]
[Due to the failure of not killing the Disembowler, one penalty will be applied to the host.]
[Mission penalty : Loss of loved ones.]
Ab aage...
Raat ke 12:05 baj rahe the. Aatishbaziyo ne Mumbai ke aasmaan ko jagmaga kar rakha hua tha, naye saal ke aagman ka har aadmi ullaas mana raha tha. Hawa me khushiyaan chhayi thi, log jashn mana rahe the, galey mil rahe the, iss nav varsh ka swagat karne ke liye khushi se chillaa rahe the. Lekin, isi sheher me iss shor ke beech kahi par maatam chhaaya hua tha.
News channels me prasaaran jaari the — Hotel Prestige ko lekar ek gambheer report. Kuchh bhayanak hua tha. Visfot. Khoon-kharaba. Jaano ka lutna.
Isliye, sheher ke kuchh hisso me jashn ka mahaul feeka pad chuka tha.
"Hotel Prestige par jaanlewa humla!"
"Kayi logo ke maare jaane ki khabar!"
"Suraksha guards maare gaye! Adhikariyo ko lakshit humle ka sandeh!"
Bars aur luxury clubs me TV screen par tabahi ke drishya dikhayi de rahe the — toote hue sheeshein, palte hue furniture, stretchers par le jaaye jaa rahe shav. Ek electronics showroom ke baahar ek chhoti bheed jama ho gayi thi, unki nazar andar rakhe display TV par tiki hui thi.
"Aaj ke din batao kya ho gaya. Tch tch!" Ek aadmi ne badbadate hue kaha.
"Hotel Prestige toh achha hotel tha. Hum toh gaye hai. Badhiya tha. Pata nahi kaise ho gaya ye sab. Mujhe lagta hai humla karwaya gaya hai." Ek mahila ne haami bharte hue kaha.
"Mumbai me crime badhta jaa raha hai. Tch! Tyohaaron me bhi ab-" ek raahgeer ne waha se nikalte hue fusfusaya.
Lekin, har koi shok nahi mana raha tha. Mumbai ke elite varg ke gharo me, oonchi-oonchi imaarato me glass takra rahe the aur dheemi baat-cheet me chhipi hui khushi thi.
Iss beech, Mumbai ki sabse shandar 7 star hotel — Casa Belle me patrakaro aur reporters ki bheed umdi hui thi. Cameramen apna camera liye hotel ke maalik — Aadesh Jaisinghani ke bayaan ka intezar kar rahe the.
Woh baahar aaya. Sleek hairstyle me geele baalo ko poori tarah peechhe kiye, Armani ki dress pehne, aisa lag raha tha maano woh abhi-abhi koi jashn mana ke aaya ho.
Aur, jaise hi woh saamne aaya, reporters uss par toot pade.
Reporter #1 : Mister Aadesh, Hotel Prestige par hue humle par aapke vichaar?
Reporter #2 : Hospitality industry me ek leading figure hone ke naate, aap uss suraksha chook ke baare me kya kehna chaahenge jiske chalte ye haadsa hua?
Reporter #3 : Casa Belle aur Hotel Prestige ke madhya shuru se hi oonch-neech hoti aayi hai. Kya aapko lagta hai ki ye humla kisi business conflict se juda hai?
Media ko chahiye tha masala. Kahani. Khabrein. Jo unhe police se utni maatra me nahi mil paayi thi. Aur, isliye khud Aadesh ne hi ye khabar media ke beech felwayi ki woh iss vishay ko lekar raat me apne vichaar rakhega. Media yaha aayi nahi thi. Unhe chalaaki se yaha laaya gaya tha.
Usne dheere se, kaafi baar abhyaas ki hui ek aah chhori, uski bauhe thodi si sikud gayi. Usne ek napa-tula qadam aage badhaya, yeh sunishchit karte hue ki camera uski aankhon me gehri suhanubhuti ko qaid kar raha hai ya nahi.
Aadesh (lagbhag shok me) : Dekhiye! Sabse pehle, mein peedito, unke parivaro aur iss bhayanak ghatna se prabhavit sabhi logo ke prati sanvedna vyakt karta hu. Aaj nav varsh ke shuru hote hi- yeh humla... Ye humla sirf Hotel Prestige par nahi hai. Ye humla saari hospitality industry par hai. Jab kisi hotel ko iss tarah se nishana banaaya jaata hai, toh ye harr atithi ke uss bharose ki neev ko hila deta hai jo woh hum par rakhte hai.
Reporters uske shabdo par sirr hilaate hue budbudaaye. Woh bilkul sahi baatein keh raha tha.
Aadesh ne aage bolne se pehle ek dramatic effect ke liye kuchh der viraam liya.
Aadesh : Dekhe... Maine humesha... Maine humesha se hi Hotel Prestige ko sammaan diya hai. Haan, mein sweekar karta hu ki humare beech competition chalta rehta hai. Lekin, ye ek healthy competition hota hai. Aur, competition ka matlab dushmani nahi hai. Business me ye sab aam baat hoti hai. Haal hi me, humaare Unicard ki launch ke dauran humne Hotel Prestige ko bhi aamantrit kiya tha. Mister Veer Singh, Miss Bhumika Singh, dono hi parivar jann ke saath padhaare the yaha. Aur, humaare mann me ek-dusre ke liye paraspar sammaan ke alawa kuchh nahi.
Uske hontho par ek dhoort muskaan ubhri, lekin usne badi hi chalaaki se ek aah bharte hue use chhipa liya.
Reporter #4 : Toh aap ko iss baare me koi idea nahi ki humle ke peechhe kaun ho sakta hai?
Aadesh ne asahaay bhaav se apna sarr hilaaya.
Aadesh (dheere se) : Ji, mein bhi Mumbai ke baaki logo ki tarah hairaan hu. Aisa kisne kiya hoga? Unka kya maqsad ho sakta hai? Ye aise sawal hai jinka jawab sirf police hi de sakti hai. Lekin, mein itna zaroor kehna chahunga ki — iss sankat ki ghadi me Casa Belle Hotel Prestige ke saath hai. Agar, hum unki madad ke liye kuchh bhi kar sakte hai, toh hum zaroor karenge.
Casa Belle aur Hotel Prestige ka samarthan? Sawal hi paida nahi hota. Yeh toh bas uski chaal thi.
Andar hi andar woh toh balki iss aapda ka aanand le raha tha.
Yarnia — Veer ka bhavya naya clothing brand, din ki raushni dekhne se pehle hi malbe me tabdeel ho chuka tha. Hotel Prestige, wahi hotel jisne uski Casa Belle ke saath bhidne ki koshish ki thi, ab ek crime scene ka sthal bann chuki thi.
Aisa lag raha tha jaise brahmaand ne swayam uski jholi me ye uphaar de diya tha.
Camera ke saamne usne fir se apna murjhaya hua chehra prastut kiya aur bola-
Aadesh : Kumar! Ye sab humare mehman hai. Inki khatirdari me kami nahi rehni chahiye.
Kumar (nods) : Ji, Sir!
Kehte hue woh wahi murjhayi awastha liye andar chala gaya. Aur, idhar news me uske charche hone lage. Jo uske kapti-pann se parichit nahi the, woh use saccha insaan maanane lage.
Iss traasdi ke bawajood, Mumbai ne rukne se inkaar kar diya tha.
Vyast sadko par, kuchh log shok mana rahe the, lekin kayi log bas aage badh gaye — kyunki, yahi Mumbai ka tareeka tha.
Kisi aspatal ke pareeksha kaksh me ek yuvti dheere-dheere ro rahi thi. Uska bhai, jo Hotel Prestige me security guard tha, mehmano ki suraksha karte hue maara jaa chuka tha. Duniya aage badh gayi, par uske liye uski duniya wahi khatm ho chuki thi.
***
Isi beech ghani raat me Disembowler ki lair ke theek upar sthit shamsan ke paas hi Erica aur Renshu khade hue the.
Renshu : Yahi jagah hai na?
Erica : Haan, dad! Usne toh yahi batayi thi. Kya mein-?
Renshu (nods) : Hmm! Shuru karo!
Erica (nods) : Okay!
Woh jhuki. Usne apna ek haath neeche shamshaan ki bhoomi par rakha aur fir-
'Basic Seer Vision!'
*Ding*
Agle hi pal alag-alag drishya uske mastishq me ghoomne lage. Woh bechari apni bauhe zorr se sikodi, kayi baar uska badan kaanp utha, magar woh waha se uthi nahi.
Renshu agal-bagal apni nazrein ghumaaye hue tha. Woh sunishchit kar raha tha ki kahi koi unhe dekh na le.
Yaha se woh khaali haath nahi laut sakte the.
Kuchh der pehle...
Ek mand raushni waali jagah. Medical equipment ki awaaz.
Ava ka shareer ek andheri sunsaan gali me khadi ek shandar kaali SUV ke andar ek asthayi operating table par laita hua tha. Uski saansein ab niyantran me aa rahi thi. Chehre ka rang wapas aa raha tha.
Uske pait par lagi goli ke ghaav ko pehle hi saaf kiya jaa chuka tha aur surgical precision ke saath sil diya gaya tha.
Garofano uske bagal se khadi thi. Usne zehreeli bullet ko badi hi kushalta se Ava ke shareer se nikaal diya tha. Uske haath sthir the, aur dimag gadna karne me laga hua tha.
Wahi thi jo Ava ko apne kandho par utha ke leke aayi thi. Uske theek peechhe Renshu, Erica ke saath khada hua tha.
Erica ki nigaahein Ava ke achetan roop ka adhyayan kar rahi thi. Uske dad ne humesha hi use iss aurat se satark rehne ko kaha tha. Magar, akhir kaun thi Natalia Martin? Ek bemisal worldwide famous singer aur celebrity. Kya waqai woh Veer ko dhoka deke use maarna chaahti thi? Woh dhyaan se Ava ko ghoorti rahi.
Aur, phir-
Renshu ne chuppi todi.
Renshu : Use hosh me aane me kitna samay lagega?
Garofano ne bina peechhe mude apne khoon se sane dastaane haath se nikaale aur apne haath me pehni ghadi dekhi.
Garofano : Bullet nikaale abhi mushqil se 15 minute hi hue hai. Zeher ki potency aur blood loss ko dhyaan me rakhte hue, ise kam se kam abhi 4 se 5 ghante toh-
"Ngh-!"
Uske shabd adhoore reh gaye jab ek dard bhari karaah ne use beech me hi rok diya.
Ava ka shareer jhatka khaaya, uski ungliyaan neeche seat ke leather par kassne lagi aur fir ek tez gati se, woh bhaari saans lete hue uth baithi.
Garofano ki aankhein avishvas me chaudi ho gayi.
Namumkin!
Ava ka ghaav gehra tha, zeher ke chalte use toh abhi ghanto tak behosh rehna chahiye tha. Magar, fir bhi woh kuchh hi minto me jaag chuki thi!?
[This girl... She has some sort of healing skill.]
Freya ki awaaz Garofano ke mann me goonj gayi.
Erica : Ah? Itni jaldi hosh bhi aa gaya?
Woh halka sa cheekhte hue boli. Yaha tak ki humesha shaant rehne waale Renshu ne bhi aankhein sikod li.
Ava (yells) : V-Veer!
Woh chillaate hue uthne ke liye aage badhi, lekin Garofano ne uske kandho par haath rakh use neeche baitha diya.
Garofano : Calm down!
Ava : Veer-!
Garofano : Sniper marr chuka hai. I have dealt with him. Ab koi khatra nahi hai. Don't worry! Take it easy!
Garofano ne fir apni jeb se ek kaagaz nikaalte hue Renshu ki orr kiya. Renshu ne use thaamte hue khola aur jab use dekha toh uski bauhe chinta me sikud gayi.
Garofano : Ye uss Dexter ke paas se mila. Kisi syndicate alliance ka member tha woh shayad. Check karne par toh yahi nazar aaya.
Ye wahi kaagaz tha jo Dexter ke paas tha. Veer ke parivar jann ke naam aur unki tasveerein iss kaagaz me maujood thi.
Veer ke parivar ka zikr aate hi Ava ki chhaati zoro se upar-neeche hone lagi. Aankhon me chinta abhi bhi barkarar thi.
Ava : Veer... *huff* Veer ki family! Mujhe- *cough* *cough*
Garofano (sternly) : Tumhe shaant rehne ki zaroorat hai!
Usne Ava ko beech me tokte hue kaha. Awaaz teekhi thi lekin nirdayi nahi. Aur, kahi na kahi woh Ava ka adhyayan bhi kar rahi thi. Bhala kis tarah ka system holder aisi chot ke baad itni jaldi hosh me aa sakta tha?
Garofano ki nazro me ek maun manzoori thi. Ava, sirf ek system holder nahi thi. Uske paas bhi uske trump cards the jinhe woh ujagar nahi kar rahi thi.
Erica aashcharya me uske qareeb aayi.
Erica : Itni jaldi kaise hosh aa gaya? Poison ki wajah se itni jaldi hosh nahi aana chahiye tha.
Ava : *huff* T-Tum... Tum sab... *huff*
Garofano : Calm down! Hum sab yaha Veer ke liye hi aaye hai. Aur, tumhe itni jaldi hosh aa gaya? Mein ye expect nahi kar rahi thi.
Ava maun rahi. Woh apne baare me kuchh bhi zaroori baatein nahi bataana chaahti thi.
Renshu : Humare paas samay barbaad karne ke liye nahi hai. Agar, hosh aa hi gaya hai toh kya tum Veer ki location ke baare me kuchh bata sakti ho? Kya tum jaanti ho woh kaha par hai iss waqt?
Ava wahi jamm ke reh gayi. Use yaad aaya. Woh ye kaise bhool sakti thi?
Usne Veer ko Death Flag se mark kar ke rakha hua tha. Bina kisi hich-kichahat ke usne apni aankhein band ki, Veer ki location par dhyaan kendrit kiya. Aur, kuchh hi palo me Veer ki asli location uske mastishq me aa gayi.
Usne apni aankhein kholi. Uska chehra peela pad gaya.
Ava (frowns) : W-Woh-! Woh shamshaan me hai! Uske neeche...! Underground...!
Renshu (frowns) : Shamshaan? Kaha par?
Ava ne use exact location batayi. Chaahe uska shareer kitna hi thaka hua kyu na ho, uske dimag me ek hi baat thi — Veer.
Garofano ne Renshu ko dekha. Dono ek baat jaan gaye the ki Ava ke paas Veer ko track karne ki koi na koi skill zaroor maujood thi. Dono ne hi mann me iss baat ki gaanth baandh li.
Garofano (turns) : Toh kya karna hai? Veer ke paas kaun jaa raha hai?
Renshu : Mumbai me tumhari maujoodgi ab koi rehesya nahi hai. Tum pehle bhi yaha sabke saamne aa chuki ho. Aur, haan- tum ek celebrity se kam bhi nahi. Poora Korea tumhare peechhe paagal hai. Isliye, tumhara Veer ke nazdeek jaana abhi faydemand nahi. Ye unwanted attention ko bulawa dega.
Garofano muskurayi. Apni ungliyon ko apne kaale reshmi baalo me firaayi.
Garofano (smirks) : Hmph! Thanks for the recognition- lekin, shayad tum bhool rahe ho ki mein stealth me maahir hu. Mujhe bas apne chehre par mask pehen'ne ki derr hai. That's it. But, haan! Abhi mein Natalia ko chhor ke yaha se nahi jaa sakti. Woh heal zaroor ho rahi hai but if trouble comes knocking, she won't be able to fight.
Renshu ne uski baat ko sweekar karte hue haami bhari.
Ava ne khud ko upar uthaaya, aur karkash awaaz me boli.
Ava : V-Veer ki family safe toh hai na? I... Usne mujhe- Usne mujhe zimmedari saunpi thi. *huff* M-Mein- Mein yaha aise nahi- *huff*
Renshu : Maine hotel me se ambulances ko nikalte hue dekha tha. Veer ki family ke kuchh logo ko check kiya tha maine. Hotel me ab koi nahi hai andar.
Ava (frowns) : K-Kya woh... Kya woh safe hai?
Renshu : Lagta toh hai. Police ne area ko takeover kar liya hai. Veer ki family shayad hospital gayi hai. Toh, uss hisaab se woh safe hone chahiye. Khatra hotel ke ird-gird hi tha.
Ava ne ek shaant saans chhori. Lekin, chinta zara bhi kam nahi hui.
Renshu (sighs) : Aur, agar mein chaahu bhi toh bhi hospital nahi jaa sakta.
Erica aur Ava dono ne hi use sawaaliya nazro se dekha.
Erica : Eh? Kyu dad?
Iske pehle ki Renshu jawab de paata, Garofano hasste hue jawab di.
Garofano (laughs) : Hahahaha! Because your dad is too damn big. Hospital me logo ko samajhne me hi ghante lag jayenge ki ye aadmi hai kaun? Itni badi qad-kaathi kaise hai? Kaha se aaya hai? Aur, Veer se uska kya sambandh hai? Hahaha! Samjhi?
Renshu : ...
Renshu ne uske chidhaane par koi pratikriya nahi di. Lekin, Erica kaha chup rehne waali thi?
Erica : Wh-What do you mean? Hmph! Mere dad ka matlab simple tha. Unka matlab hai ki Veer ko jald se jald dhundhna hai taaki problem ki asli jadd ka pata lag sake.
Garofano : Oh! Wow! Dekho toh humari Miss Erica ko. Smart banane ki kitni koshish kar rahi hai? But, you're still dumb. Fufu~
Erica : Who-? Who the hell are you calling dumb?
Garofano : Of course, you! Fufu~ Yaha par sirf tum hi dumb ho!
Erica : Y-You-!!
Usne apni mutthi bheenchi. Lekin, iske pehle ki woh jawab de paati, Renshu ki awaaz hawa me goonj uthi.
Renshu : ENOUGH!!!
Dono yuvtiyaan chup ho gayi. Par, Erica ka ghoorna khatam nahi hua.
Erica : Hmph!
Garofano : Fufu~
Renshu : Mein aur Erica Veer ki location par jayenge. Aur, tum yahi rahogi jab tak ki Natalia chalne ki condition me nahi aa jaati.
Garofano (nods) : Theek hai! Par, zyada derr mat lagaana. I don't like sitting on the sidelines.
Renshu ne koi jawab nahi diya. Woh bas apni car ki orr muda. Erica ne uska peechha kiya, aage badhne se pehle Garofano ko ek akhiri nazar se dekha.
Garofano muskurate hue unhe jaata dekhi. Fir, Ava ki orr ghoomi jo abhi bhi seat par laiti hui thi.
Garofano : Maine jitna socha tha, tum uss se kahi zyada mazboot nikli. You're hiding your cards too. Just like him. *smiles*
Ava ne koi jawab nahi diya, lekin uski aankhon ki chamak se Garofano ko pata chal gaya ki usne uski baatein sunn li thi.
Aur, isi tarah Renshu aur Erica Veer ki location par pahuch paaye the. Magar, jab tak ve yaha par pahuche, Veer underground lair se nikal chuka tha.
Kintu, Erica ki basic seer vision ye pata laga sakti thi ki yaha kuchh derr pehle kya kuchh hua tha.
Renshu : Erica!?
Erica apni palke khol uthi. Uske badan me rue khade hue the.
Erica : D-Dad!
Renshu : ??
Erica : V-Veer-!
Erica ne poore drishya toh nahi, lekin kaafi hadd tak kuchh derr pehle ki ghatna ko dekh liya tha. Veer ka ajeebo-gareeb system holder se bhidna, neeche ka bhayanak vatavaran, thandi sadti laashein, maans ke tukde, experiments, SHB, Veer ka haath katna aur uska Juhi aur Pihu ko bachaana.
Erica ne jaise hi Renshu ko sab batlaaya toh Renshu ke khud ke badan me ek sihran daud gayi.
Woh bina koi deri kiye, Erica se lair ka entry point poonchh seedhe neeche ki orr kood gaya.
Erica : D-Daaad???
Majbooran, Erica ko bhi neeche koodna hi pada. Na jaane neeche kaun se rehesya khulne ke liye unka intezar kar rahe the.
***
Carewell Hospital,
Morning - 12:10 AM ~
Hospital ke automatic doors achanak se khule, lekin kisi ka dhyaan uss orr nahi gaya.
Duty par maujood kuchh karmchari apne phone me vyast the, toh kuchh counter par sirr tikaaye hue the aur kuchh the jo aadhi neend me dol rahe the ki ve sab corridor me hui tez raftaar se halchal ko dekh paane me vifal reh gaye.
Veer kisi hawa ke jhonke ki tarah waha daakhil hua. Uska shareer dagmaga raha tha, har qadam par perr felne ke liye aatur ho rahe the. Uski baayi aasteen gehre laal khoon se sani hui thi, jisme se aadhi se zyada aasteen toh poori gaayab ho chuki thi.
Baah me abhi bhi woh janzeerein bandhi hui thi. Uski chhaati ukhadi hui saanson ke saath upar-neeche ho rahi thi.
Aur, uske seene se usi surgeon sheet ke sang bandhi hui thi — Juhi. Uska chhota sa shareer uske seene se chipka hua tha, chehra blazer ke andar chhipa hua tha. Veer uski garm saansein apne seene par mehsoos kar paa raha tha. Woh so rahi thi. Shaant. Aur, surakshit.
Pihu ko woh pehle hi surakshit haatho me de aaya tha. Bachi thi toh sirf uski apni Juhi.
Woh Nidhi ke kamre number 31 me pahucha aur darwaza khola. Waqt hi aisa tha ki duty par mushqil se kuchh hi nurses aur safayi karmchari the jo apne-apne kaamo me lage hue the. Nateeja? Veer ke tez raftar se andar aane par kisi ko bhanak tak nahi lagi.
Woh aage badha. Uski drishti ab dhundhli pad rahi thi. Uski nazar saamne bistar par laiti ek aurat par gayi — Nidhi. Woh so rahi thi. Chehre par abhi bhi shikan ke bhaav the.
Veer uske nazdeek aaya. Kamra hil raha tha kya? Nahi! Woh khud ladkhada raha tha. Iske pehle ki woh zameen par girta, usne wahi lagi bench dekh khud ko dheela chhor diya aur seat par gir pada. Shareer ne akhir haar maan hi li. Uski aankhein band ho gayi.
Akhiri cheez jo usne mehsoos ki — woh tha Juhi ka harqat karta hua haath jo uske blazer ko kass ke jakadne ka prayatn kar raha tha aur fir — andhera.
Kuchh kshan baad...
Ek halki si harqat.
Nidhi ki palke jhapki aur woh jaag uthi. Uska sarr dard se tadak raha tha, ghatna ki yaadein tatt par aati samudra ki lehro ki tarah wapas aane lagi.
"J-Juhi...!"
Woh ghabrayi. Uski bacchi. Uski bacchi ko aghwa kar liya gaya tha. Woh chhatpataate hue uthi aur jaise hi uth ke uski nazar saamne padi. Woh wahi jamm ke reh gayi.
Uski beti, uski duniya — wahi thi. Surakshit. Uske saamne. Uska haath apne khule muh par gaya aur woh ro padi. Aansu beqaabu ho kar behne lage.
Woh kaanpte hue dhadalle se uthi aur aage badhi. Uske haath me lagi IV needle aur uske sang laga drip stand bhi uske saath khichta chala gaya.
Woh Veer ke bagal me ghutno ke bal baithi, uska chehra peela pada hua tha. Usne pehle apni bitiya ko dekha. Chhaati upar-neeche ho rahi thi. Bina kisi chot ke. Surakshit.
Lekin, fir... Uski nazar Veer par gayi.
Uska chehra — sookhe khoon se sana hua — bejaan lag raha tha. Sarr kuchh geela sa tha. Baalo me halki barf jami thi jaise. Blazer ke sang shirt kayi jagaho se fati hui thi. Baah, chhaati aur kamar me gehre ghaav dikhayi pad rahe the. Uske kapde khoon se sane hue the. Par, Nidhi ko sabse zyada dang kiya unn janzeeron ne.
Jinhe dekh uska poora badan kaanp utha. Aankhein bhay ke maare chaudi ho uthi. Badi-badi janzeerein uski baaho me kass kar lipti hui thi.
Uska haath zor se thar-thara utha. Kuchh beeti yaadein wapas saamne aane lagi.
---
Lagbhag do saal pehle ka samay tha. Aaj Nidhi ko ek nayi class niyukt ki gayi thi. Yeh pehli baar nahi tha. Use students ko kis tarah se handle karna hai, ye achhi tarah se aata tha.
Iske pehle woh school me bhi ek shikshak reh chuki thi. Shiksha dena use bakhoobi aata tha. Magar, college aur school me kuchh farq toh hota tha.
College me bachhe ab bacche nahi the. Woh baalig the, sayaane the aur javani ke josh me udd rahe naye khiladi the.
Jaise hi Nidhi classroom me pravesh ki, pal bhar ke liye ek sannaata sa chhaa gaya. Students fir ikhatte khade hue-
"Good morning ma'am!"
"Settle down!"
Uski awaaz dridh lekin garmjoshi se bhari thi. Uske bolte hi sabhi chhaatra wapas se apni seats par baith gaye.
Woh bina students ki taraf dekhe blackboard ko rub karne lagi aur ek safed chalk uthaate hue apna naam likhne lagi.
Nidhi Mishra
Khubsoorat si likhawat me likhte hue usne apna parichay diya.
Aur, jaisa ki hona chahiye tha, waisa hi hua. Nayi-nayi 18 baras ki aayu poorn karne waale javan laundo ke mann me laddu phootne lage. Aur, charcha ka vishay tha — ?
"Behanchod kya maal hai bhai."
"Bhai bol de ki ab yahi apni class teacher hai."
"Bhai hai toh karraa yaar. Sahi me!"
"Iska matlab woh madarchod takla gaya? Kya naam tha bey uska?"
"Bhupinder Daruwala!"
"Bhupinder nahi. Guu pait ke andar! Hahahahaha!"
"Hahahahaha! Abey haan bey! Lawda saala dimaag kha jaata tha betichod."
"Daruwala ki bahut daru pee li... Ab Nidhi se Vidhi seekhenge hahahaha!"
"Kaaye ki bhosdiwaale? Hahahaha!"
"Ah! Madam! Ah! Wo waali vidhi! Aah! Uuh!"
"Hahahahahahaha! Madarchod!"
"Hahahahahahaha!"
Yahi baatein ladko ke alag-alag jhund me hone lagi. Par, kya Nidhi ko ye sab sunayi nahi de raha tha? De raha tha. Bilkul, de raha tha. Kintu, woh khamosh thi. Nirash bhi. Aur, chotil bhi.
"Abey pait kuchh fela-fela sa hai iska magar. Hai na?"
"Pregnant hai kya?"
"Nahi bey! Baccha ho chuka hai shayad. Dhyaan se dekh!"
"Abey toh shuru ka mahina bhi toh ho sakta hai?"
"Chutiye toh woh yaha thodi aati padhaane."
"Haan ye bhi hai!"
"Koi nahi-! Mein wazan kam karwa dunga iska hahahaha!"
"Mujhse toh sirf wazan badhaate aata hai hehehe!"
"Hahahahahaha!"
"Pregnancy ke baad bhi pait foola rehta hai kya?"
"Waisa nahi bey chutiye! Bas thode time tak rehta hai. Abhi madam ko apne asli figure me aane me time lagega."
"Waise... Aise bhi koi kam maal nahi hai."
"Hahahahaha!"
Eka-ek Nidhi ka haath na chaahte hue bhi apne pait par chala gaya. Ladke bhale hi dheere-dheere ye sab khuspusaaye, magar aksar unki baatein sabhi teachers ko sunayi de jaaya karti thi.
Jab Nidhi ko apne pait par haath rakhte unn students ne dekha toh iss baar thoda satark hote hue unn logo ne apni baat-cheet ko virham de diya.
Parantu, unki ek baat sahi thi. Nidhi ko bamushqil abhi dedh se do mahina hi hua tha jab uska apna navjaat uss se chheen liya gaya tha. Dhruv — uski apni amaanat.
Yahi woh samay tha jab Nidhi ke jeevan ka sabse kharab daur shuru hua tha. Ek prataadit karta pati, daayan samaan saas ki gaaliyaan, apne hi bacche ko kho dena, unse bhaag ke apne ek kiraaye ke flat me rehna, aas-pados me uth rahe charche, samaaj ka nazariya, aur jo rahi-sahi kasar baaki reh gayi thi woh inn besharam ladko ne uss par behuda tippani kar ke poori kar di thi.
Lekin, woh jaanti thi ki har ladke ek jaise nahi hote the. Uske apne pita. Uska ek bhai. Woh bhi toh mard the na? Woh jaanti thi ki iss classroom me abhi bhi woh ladke the jo waqai uss se padhna chaahte the — jinke mann me koi galat bhavnaaye nahi thi.
Yahi vishvas liye usne bolna shuru kiya.
"Students! Aaj se... Aaj se mein aapki class teacher rahungi. I will be teaching you Mathematics."
"Ye hui na baat behanchod! Ab maza aayega hahahaha"
"Badhayi ho bhai! Takla gaya hahahaha! Nayi phuljhadi aa gayi."
Unki baatein dobaara se shuru ho gayi. Nidhi ke pehle Bhupinder ji the jo iss kaksha ke class teacher the. Kareeban 7-8 maah tak unhone iss kaksha ko sambhala tha. First year ke bache hue 3-4 mahino ke liye Nidhi ab unki class teacher bann ke aayi thi. Aur, uska swagat kaise hua? Inn bhaddi tippaniyo se.
Himmat rakhte hue usne attendance sheet uthayi aur sabhi ke naam pukaarte hue pehle attendance lene lagi. Ek-ek kar ke jab woh akhiri bache kuchh baccho ke naam pukaarne ko aayi toh-
"Vamika Chauhan!"
"Present ma'am!"
"Vasu Mehta!"
"Present ma'am!"
"Veer Singh!"
*Silence*
'Hmm?'
Ek khamoshi si chhaa gayi. Koi jawab hi nahi aaya. Nidhi ne apna sarr uthaate hue sabhi ko dekha aur usne punah awaaz lagaayi.
"Veer Singh???"
Tabhi, uski nazar sabse side waali row par padi jaha aakhiri bench par ek ladka akele baitha hua tha. Bagal waali row se 2-4 ladke hasste hue use bula rahe the.
"Bhai tere ko bula rahi madam!"
"Chutiye haath utha ke present toh bol de hahahahaha!"
Woh ladka hadbadata hua apna kaam beech me rok upar dekha. Uski nazar Nidhi se jaa takrayi. Ek pal ke liye woh dara par fir ahista se haath uthaate hue bola-
"P-Present ma'am!"
Nidhi kuchh kshan ke liye avaak reh gayi. Woh nahi jaanti thi aisa kyu tha par kuchh pal woh bas Veer ko dekhti rahi. Usne fir aaj ka samay jaise-taise nikaala. Baccho ko padhaaya aur waha se nikal gayi.
Agla din. Wahi kaksha, wahi bacche, wahi harqate. Ladkiyaan hi thi jo kam se kam uss se achhe se pesh aati thi. Adhiktar ladke sirf use hawas ki nazro se hi ghoorte the.
Magar, aaj Nidhi ki nazre class me ghoom rahi thi. Maano jaise chehro se bhara ek samundar tha kamre ke andar — kuchh muskura rahe the, kuchh fusfusa rahe the, kuchh uub ke jhuke hue the. Fir bhi, ek student alag dikh raha tha.
Veer Singh.
Kal ki hi tarah aaj bhi woh sab se dur kone me akela baitha hua tha, uski desk hi baakiyo se dur thi. Uski aankhein apni notebook par tiki hui thi, maano likhte rehne se woh duniya se bach jayega. Uski patli si kaaya uski badi uniform ke andar alag hi maalum pad rahi thi.
Pata nahi kyu par use iss qadar dekh Nidhi ko ek samaanta si mehsoos hui. Attendance lene se pehle woh ruk gayi, uski nazre Veer par tiki rahi.
'Woh akela kyu baitha hai?'
Yeh vichaar kal se uske dimaag me atka hua tha. Jab usne attendance ke liye naam pukaarna shuru kiye, toh sabhi chhaatra baari-baari ek swar me 'present ma'am' chillaate chale gaye. Kaksha me hasi ki ek leher daud gayi, dost ek dusre ko dhakka deke hasi mazaak karne lage, aur unki khusur-pusur jaari ho gayi.
"Veer Singh?"
*Silence*
Aaj bhi wahi hua. Nidhi use hi dekh rahi thi. Veer ne apna haath dheere se upar uthaaya.
"Present ma'am!"
Maujood hoke bhi aisa lag raha tha jaise woh adrishya tha baaki logo ke liye. Shaant aur darpok.
Veer ka akelapann sirf samajik nahi tha — ye uske jeevan me samaya hua tha.
Ek baar project ke dauran, Nidhi ne class me baccho se ek-dusre se partners banaane ke liye kaha.
"Apna ek partner banaiye aur saath mil kar project complete karna hai. Theek hai? Class dismissed."
Chhaatra turant apne dosto ke paas bhaage — dekhte hi dekhte alag-alag pairs bann gaye.
Veer ko chhor kar.
Woh baitha raha, apni notebook ko ghoorta raha. Departure ho chuka tha aur sabhi project ke baare me baatein karte hue chale gaye.
Veer ne chup-chap apna bag uthaaya aur uski orr aaya.
"Ma'am!? Kya mein akele project bana sakta hu?"
"Kyu?"
"Mujhse kisi ne poochha hi nahi. Sabke pehle hi pairs bann gaye."
Usne itni saralta se kaha, maano jaise use aadat ho gayi ho bhulaaye jaane ki. Nidhi ka gala andar hi andar roondh gaya. Uski chhaati me jaise ek dard utha. Woh kuchh na bol saki.
Ek shaam woh class ke baad derr tak ruki hui thi. Usne dekha ki Veer parking area ke paas baitha hua farsh ko ghoor raha tha. Uski aankhein laal thi.
"Veer?"
Usne jawab nahi diya.
"Kya hua?"
Firse koi jawab nahi. Magar, jab usne Veer ke saamne dustbin me dekha toh uski aankhein chaudi hokar reh gayi. Dustbin me Veer ka bag dala hua tha.
Woh akasmat uske bagal se aake khadi hui.
"Kisne kiya ye?"
"Nahi pata. *sniff* Farq nahi padta. Koi nayi baat nahi."
"Tum ruko abhi- mein abhi jaa ke-"
"Nahi! Koi zaroorat nahi hai. Aapke jaane se... Woh baad me aur tang karenge. *sniff* Rehne dijiye."
"Par-"
"Maine kaha na, ma'am! Rehne dijiye!"
Nidhi ne aage kuchh nahi kaha. Usne use rona band karne ke liye bhi nahi kaha. Iski bajaaye, woh bas uske bagal se baith gayi.
Varsho me pehli baar, Veer ko laga ki koi tha... Jo uski parvah kar raha tha.
Din beetate gaye aur Nidhi 'Veer' naam ke iss ladke ko observe karti gayi. Usne jaana ki Veer kabhi kisi se baat nahi karta tha.
Recess ke dauran koi bhi uske saath nahi baithata tha, ladko ka koi bhi group use invite nahi karta tha. Lunch ke samay jab chhaatra apni-apni mandliyo me ikhatta hote, Veer chup-chap waha se gaayab ho jaata. Lunch laata bhi tha ya nahi? Iska bhi pata nahi tha.
Aur, isliye ek dopahar Nidhi recess ke theek baad yuhi uske peechhe-peechhe gayi. Veer library me jaa raha tha.
Nidhi ne dekha ki woh library me khidki ke paas baithe, sirr jhukaaye, notebook me kuchh bana raha tha.
'Hmm?'
Woh aage badhi.
"Iss waqt lunch kiya jaata hai, Veer. Koi aur kaam nahi."
Veer uski awaaz sunn jhep gaya. Woh chaunk gaya, use samajh nahi aa raha tha ki jawaab de ya andekha kar de?
"M-Maine lunch kar liya hai, ma'am." Uski awaaz mushqil se Nidhi ke kaano me pahuchi.
"Achha? 5 minute hue hai abhi recess hue aur tumne lunch bhi kar liya? Jhooth bolte ho?"
"M-Maine subah zyada khaaya tha. Isliye, abhi bhookh nahi hai. M-Mein theek hu, ma'am."
"Kya waqai?"
Veer ne hichkichaate hue apni pen aur kass ke pakad li. "H-Haan! M-Mujhe yaha achha lagta hai. Yaha shaanti rehti hai."
Nidhi ne ek pal ke liye use dekha, fir chali gayi. Veer ko laga ki uska peechha chhoot gaya lekin kuchh der baad hi woh waapas laut aayi — sandwich ki ek plate ke saath.
"Agar, tumhe yahi baithna hai toh yahi baitho. Par, kam se kam kuchh khaa toh liya karo."
Veer plate ko ghoorta raha. Dang reh gaya tha. Aisa pehle kabhi kisi ne uske liye nahi kiya tha.
"M-Mujhe bhookh nahi hai, ma'am."
"Of course, tumhe hai. Tum bas maanane ke liye ziddi ho. Tum lunch nahi laate kya? Mummy nahi deti ghar pe?"
Maa ka zikr aate hi Veer maun reh gaya aur Nidhi jaise samajh gayi ki kuchh baat hai. Usne iss vishay ko aage nahi badhaaya. Veer fir apne aap se hi kuchh kshan baad bola.
"M-Mein-! Mein aaj lunch box bhool gaya. Chachi ne bana ke rakha tha. Lekin- mein bhool gaya."
"Oh! Toh ab kha lo. Theek hai?"
"Nahi! Maine kaha na ma'am. Mujhe bhook nahi hai."
Veer ne mana toh kar diya. Lekin, jab Nidhi plate neeche rakh ke waha se chali gayi, toh Veer ne kuchh hi kshano baad khud ko plate ki taraf aage badhte hue paaya.
Ek din, jab Veer apni baahon aur chehre par chot ke saath class me aaya — ragging aur bullying ke kuchh saboot.
Nidhi ne dekha. Usne kuchh poochha nahi.
Lekin, agli hi subah, Veer ko apni desk ke neeche ek bandage kit rakhi mili — ek chhote se note ke saath.
'Take care of yourself. Some people care about you — even if you don't believe it yet.'
Uss din ke baad se Veer Nidhi ki upasthiti ko aur adhik mehsoos karne laga.
Class me, woh aksar uski desk ke aas-paas hi khadi rehti, aur uss se sawaal bhi poochha karti.
"Veer! Tum batao? Kya ye answer sahi hai?"
"Veer! Tumhari kya raay hai isme?"
Pehle toh woh jawab nahi de paata tha. Uski awaaz mushqil se uske muh se nikalti thi. Lekin, Nidhi ne apna prayas nahi chhora. Nidhi uske astitva ko poora karti thi. Lagne laga tha jaise ab woh adrishya nahi tha.
Ek din woh deri se aaya. Woh ghabrahat me darwaze ki dehleez par khada ho gaya.
"S-Sorry! Ma'am- mein..."
"Koi baat nahi!" Nidhi ne beech me hi tokte hue kaha, uski awaaz naram thi. "Ab aa gaye ho na? Baith jao!"
Zyadatar teachers use khari-kothi suna dete lekin, Nidhi... Woh muskurayi. Woh muskaan use shabdo se kahi zyada shaant kar deti.
Ek din Nidhi ne use apni notebook me kuchh banaate hue pakad liya.
"Tum drawing bhi karte ho??"
Veer ne jhepte hue jaldi se apni notebook band kar li. Uski drawing achhi nahi thi. Lekin, use banaane ka shauk tha.
"K-Kuchh nahi-! A-Aise hi bas..."
"Uff-Oh! Ab chalo bhi mujhe dekhne do."
Hichkichaate hue lekin bharosa kar, Veer ne dheere se notebook kholi. Andar alag-alag sketches the. Kuchh landscapes ke, kuchh chehro ke, aur ek kone me — Nidhi ka khud ka ek chhota sa chitr.
Nidhi ne aashcharya me palke jhapkayi. Fir, haule se hasi.
"Arey waah! Bahut khoob. Par, Veer-!? Mujhe nahi lagta ki meri naak itni badi hai. Hai na?"
Veer ka chehra sharm se laal pad gaya.
"Ye... Ye abhi poora nahi hua hai, ma'am." Usne haklaate hue kaha.
"Koi baat nahi... *smiles* Mein mazaak kar rahi thi. Tum talented ho. Ise chhipaane ki koi zaroorat nahi. Confidence rakha karo, Veer. Okay?"
"J-Ji!"
Jaise-jaise unka rishta aur mazboot hota gaya, unki baatein aur bhi sehej hoti chali gayi. Thodi chanchal bhi.
"Tum humesha ye notebook saath leke ghoomte ho." Woh ek baar use chidhaate hue boli. "Kya hai isme aisa? Hmm? Duniya par qabza karne ka master plan?"
"Haan!" Usne bebaaki se jawab diya. "Sabse pehla qadam — Ek aisa teacher dhundhna jo meri notebook ko lekar baar-baar na poochhe."
"Hahahahaha!" Aur, woh khil-khila ke hass padi.
Veer bhi badle me muskura diya. Shayad ye pehli baar tha jab Nidhi ne use muskurate hue dekha tha.
Class me ek baar questions ke dauran, Veer ne pehli baar koi galti pakdi thi.
"Ma'am, waha par... Waha par sin ki jagah cos aayega."
"Oh??" Nidhi ne bauhe chadhayi. "Mujhse galti ho gayi?"
"Haan!"
"Theek hai toh... Class! Agla question Veer solve karega blackboard pe. Chalo, Veer. Utho apni seat se!"
"Eh??? N-Nahi! Ma'am... Ek minute!"
"Hahahaha! Good luck!" Nidhi uski haalat par hasi.
Veer dara. Nidhi mazak nahi kar rahi thi. Woh blackboard ke saamne khada tha aur chalk se likhte samay uske perr kaanp rahe the. Lekin, fir Nidhi ne podium se fusfusate hue uss se kaha-
"Tum sahi kar rahe ho. Solve karte jao. Daro nahi!"
Jab ek baar Veer ko pehli baar assignment test me Maths me thode achhe marks mile toh usne dekha ki Nidhi ne uske test paper par kuchh likha hua tha — Told you you'd do great. ^_^ But you need to do even better.
Ek baar career ke lakshyo ke baare me charcha ke dauran, Nidhi ne Veer se akele me baat karte hue sehejta se tippani ki-
"Veer! Tumhe ek high goal rakhna chahiye. Tumhare jaise log... Tum apna potential barbaad kar rahe ho."
Magar, Veer ko — ek ladka jise uske parivar waale aksar ye keh dete ki woh apni zindagi me kuchh bhi nahi kar payega — uske shabd bahut chubh gaye.
"Aapko lagta hai ki mein apna samay barbaad kar raha hu???" Usne oonchi awaaz me poonchha. "Mein har din apni poori koshish karta hu, theek hai na? Aap jaanti bhi kya ho mere baare me?? *sniff* Koi nahi jaanta."
Nidhi ne palke jhapkayi. Woh achambhit thi. Veer pehli baar iss tarah se gusse me kuchh uss se bola tha.
"Mera matlab ye nahi tha, Veer. Mein-" Usne Veer ka kandha thaama.
"Rehne dijiye! *sniff* Aadat hai mujhe." Usne jhapatta maarte hue khud ko chhuraaya aur baahar nikal gaya.
Teen dino tak, Veer uss se bachta raha. Nazrein churaata raha. Lekin, chauthe din woh use library me mil hi gaya.
"Mera... Mera tumhara dil dukhane ka irada nahi tha, Veer." Usne dheere se kaha. "Mein bas... Mujhe tum pe vishvas hai. Bas itna hi."
"Hmm... Theek hai... Mujh par apna vishvas barbad mat kariye, ma'am." Woh badbadate hue bola.
"Uske liye ab bahut derr ho chuki hai. Mera paala ab tumse jo pad chuka hai." Woh muskurate hue boli.
Aur, iss baar-
Veer naraaz na reh saka. Woh sharmaate hue muskuraya aur apna muh ferr liya. Nidhi uske sharmaane par bas hasti reh gayi. Woh sahi thi. Aaj bhi kuchh ladke the jo uske prati galat bhavnaaye nahi rakhte the. Veer unme se ek tha. Ya yu kahe, unn sab me se sabse alag.
Aur, aise hi woh teen mahine kab guzar gaye, dono ko hi pata nahi chala. Veer vartalap me apna confidence dheere-dheere gain kar raha tha. Chhutiyaan padi aur uske baad shuru hua second year.
Pehla din tha. Naye juniors ko hall me baitha ke unka swagat kiya jaa raha tha. Classes lagni shuru ho chuki thi. Veer ki class ki teacher punah badal chuki thi lekin, Nidhi ko sabhi chaahne lage the aur isliye use wapas se class teacher banaane ki maang bhi rakhne lage.
Aur, fir aaya woh waqt-
Departure ke dauran. Veer ne jab Nidhi ko jaldbazi me jaate dekha toh usne use pukaara-
"Ma'am??"
Magar, Nidhi na ruki. Usne Veer ki awaaz hi nahi suni. Woh bahut hi jaldbazi me thi. Chehre par chinta bhi jhalak rahi thi.
Veer ne mann hi mann khud ko samjhaya ki har waqt koi uske liye haazir nahi reh sakta tha. Aur, fir woh pal aaya-
Jab uski nazar uss par padi. Pragya! Ek behad khubsoorat chehra. College ki jaani-maani sundar ladkiyo me se ek.
Aur, fir Ajay ka use dekhna, apne pantaro ko ishaara karna, Veer ka scooty uthaate hue ghar ki orr nikalna, Ajay aur uske saathiyo ka bikes se use gherna, use college ki peechhe waale raaste par le jaana, use buri tarah peetna, ghaayal karna, aur baarish hoti sooraj dhalti shaam me use sadak par chhor dena.
Yahi sab toh hua tha. Nahi! Yahi nahi! Uske baad use ghar se nikaal diya jaana, Uska aspataal me hona, marrne ki kagaar par hona, aur Nidhi ka waha par aana.
---
-Aur, aaj woh uske saamne tha.
'Aap chinta mat kariye!! Mein Juhi ko leke aaunga. Mein aapse vaada karta hu!'
Uske bol Nidhi ke kaano me goonj gaye. Usne apna vaada nibha diya tha.
Nidhi ka haath kaanp raha tha, woh uske bagal me ghutno par gir padi. Uski ungliyaan jhijhakte hue aage badhi aur fir usne Veer ki fati hui aasteen ko kass kar pakad liya.
Uski rone ki siskiyaan chhootne lagi. Ghutan bhari awaaz. Uske mote-mote aansu Veer ke khoon se sane haath par girne lage.
"*hic* Aaaaaaaaaa-!!! *hic*"
Woh royi. Kuchh bol nahi paa rahi thi. Iss sab ka bhaar use kuchal raha tha. Agar, Juhi ko kuchh ho jaata toh-
Iss vichaar ne uske shareer ko aur bhi zyada kaanpne par majboor kar diya. Usne apna chehra Veer ke perr se sataaya, uske perr kass ke pakde — maano use chhorne se Juhi fir se uss se dur chali jayegi. Aur, Veer bhi.
Mann hi mann woh Veer ko lagatar dhanyavad deti rahi. Kuchh pal beet gaye, fir usne apna sarr uthaaya.
Veer behosh tha. Usne apni ungliyon se Veer ke khoon se sane chehre ko chhiya, uske angoothe ne Veer ke maathe par fir ek ghaav ko chhiya.
"V-Veer-!" Uski awaaz toot gayi. Honth thar-thara uthe.
Aur, fir usne apni baahein uske kandho par rakhi, uske sirr ko dheere se uthaaya aur agle hi pal-
Use apni chhaati se laga liya. Veer ki garm saansein uske seene par padi. Magar, uska chehra poori tarah se thanda mehsoos ho raha tha.
Nidhi ke aansu ab khul kar gir rahe the. Woh bilakh-bilakh kar ro rahi thi. Veer ko apne aalingan me liye, use kass ke pakde woh khadi-khadi dahaad maar ke roti rahi. Jaise varsho se usne khud ko roke rakha tha aur ab uski bhavnaaye khul kar baahar nikal rahi thi.
"M-Maine tumhe apne se dur dhakela..." Woh fusfusayi. "Har baar... *hic* Har baar maine tumhe dur kiya."
Use yaad aaya jab usne Veer ko 1 lakh rupaye ki payment kar di thi. Kaise woh uss par bhadka tha.
Use ye bhi yaad aaya ki uski padosan Mrs. Tiwari kis tarah use Veer jaise ladko se dur rehne ki hidayat de rahi thi.
Ye sab yaad karte hi, usne Veer ko aur kass ke laga liya.
"Mujhe maaf kar do-!! *hic*" usne roondhi hui awaaz me budbudaya. "Mujhe maaf kardo, Veer!! Aaaaaaaa-!! Aaaaaaaaaa!! *hic* *sniff*"
Aur, firse usne uska sirr apni chhaati me aur bhi gehraayi me daba liya. Aur, inn teen saalo me aaj pehli baar — usne apni bhavnao se bhaagna band kar diya.
"Maine tumhe chaahna kabhi nahi chhora tha... Trust me... Mein bas... *hic* Mein bas darti thi."
"L-Lekin, *sniff* ab aur nahi bhaagungi."
Veer ke sang bitaaye use saare puraane pal yaad aane lage.
Har muskaan jo woh chhipaata tha.
Har aansu jo woh dabaata tha.
"Tum... *sniff* Tum akele the... M-Mujhe aur bhi bahut kuchh karna chahiye tha... *hic* Mujhe tumhare paas aur rehna chahiye tha."
"Par ab... *hic* Ab mein hu yaha. Aur, mein ab kahi nahi jaungi. *sniff* Kabhi bhi nahi."
Usne na jaane kab se inn bhavnao ko dabaaye rakha tha. Lekin, ab aur nahi.
Aasmaan me aatishbaziyo se fel rahe rang bikhre hue the, aur hospital ke iss kamre me ek mahila ne khoon se sane ek naujavan ko apni baaho me bhar rakha tha.
Aur, hospital ke saamne ki building ki terrace par khade do log ye sab kuchh dekh paa rahe the.
Erica : See, dad? Yahi woh Nidhi hai jinki beti ko Veer bacha ke laaya. But... I have never seen him so low.
Renshu : Low? He's the one who's the tallest among us. Na sirf usne unki jaan par khatra nahi aane diya, balki woh unhe chhuraane me bhi qamyab tha. Par, ab time nahi hai. Erica-!
Erica samajh gayi ki use kya karna tha. Garofano ko call connect kar ke Ava se poochhne ke baad dobara se Veer ki nayi location le li thi unhone.
Erica bina kuchh kahe waha se ek kshan me gaayab ho gayi.
Andar derr raat me hospital ka corridor shaant tha. Shreya ki bauhe sikudi aur palke jhapkaate hue woh kursi par se uthi. Sabhi resting area me so chuke the aur woh aur uske Ishaan bhaiya hi yaha kursi par baithe the.
Usne dekha ki uske bhaiya bhi baitha-baithe hi so rahe the. Apne phone ko dheele haath se pakdi woh Nidhi ko dekhne ke liye uske kamre ki orr badhi.
Lekin, Nidhi ke kamre ke paas pahuchte hi uske qadam wahi tham gaye.
Darwaaze ke sheeshein se... Usne dekha.
Veer.
Nidhi.
Juhi.
Nidhi ne Veer ke chehre ko apni chhaati se laga rakha tha — khoon se lathpath aur ghaayal.
Shreya bhauchakki reh gayi.
Drishya use umeed se zyada prabhavit kar gaya. Uski ungliyaan phone par kass gayi. Aur, vibhinn anubhutiyaan ek pal me mehsoos ho gayi.
Raahat — kyunki, Veer sahi salamat tha.
Khushi — kyunki, Juhi surakshit thi.
Irshya — kyunki, Veer kisi aur ki baaho me tha.
Glaani — kyunki, jiski baaho me tha woh uski apni badi behan hi thi. Ye sab uske mann me nahi aana chahiye tha.
Aur, dard — na jaane kyu.
*Click*
Darwaaze ki awaaz aate hi Nidhi chaunk kar tezi se mudi.
'Huh?'
Saamne koi ladki thi. Iske pehle ki woh kuchh keh paati-
"Shh! It won't hurt! Please! Sleep!"
Nidhi ko kuchh pata nahi chala. Uski aankhon ke saamne achanak se andhera chhaa gaya.
***
Ek ukhdi hui saans.
Veer ki aankhein fad-fada kar khuli. Chhat alag thi. Hawa me gandh toh wahi thi — antiseptic ki. Magar, uski chhaati par se woh bhaar gaayab tha.
Juhi.
Uski saans atakne ko hui, ghabrahat ne uske shareer ko jhakjhor diya. Uski baahein Juhi ko paane ke liye fadki. Kaha gayi woh?
Par, agle hi pal use mehsoos hua — uske dono taraf, daaye aur baaye koi uski baaho ko jakde hue tha.
'Huh?'
Uska sirr daayi orr muda.
Tej.
Uski Teju di ne use pakde rakha tha. Magar, nigaahein saamne ki orr ek band darwaaze par tiki thi.
Woh baayi orr muda.
Kavya.
Woh uss se chipki hui thi. Tej ki hi tarah, woh bhi saamne hi nazre gadaayi thi.
Uske haatho se bediyaan gaayab thi. Ye kaise hua? Janzeerein uski kalaayi par locked thi. Kaha chali gayi wo?
Kuchh gadbad thi. Tabhi-
“Veer!”
Ghane vatavaran me ek awaaz goonj gayi. Shweta! Use jaagta hua dekh uski aankhein chaudi ho gayi. Woh chillaati hui uske nazdeek aayi. Aur, kamre me maujood sabhi ki nigaahein Veer par pad gayi.
Badhi toh Bhavna bhi thi lekin, Shweta ne aate hi Veer ke chehre ko thaam liya aur use betaab apne seene se laga liya.
"Hosh aa gaya mere bete ko... Hey bhagwan!"
Veer akad ke reh gaya. Uske shareer ka har ang dard se tadak raha tha, lekin uljhan ka bojh dard se kahi zyada bhaari tha.
Ye sab yaha kyu the? Ye woh aspataal toh nahi tha jaha par Nidhi bharti thi.
Tej aur Kavya uss se lipti hui thi. Uski Shweta maa, aur uski maa — Bhavna. Sab ro rahi thi.
Usne dekha ki uske pita-
Brijesh!
'???'
Uske pita bhi kone me haath mode chintan me khade hue the. Uski behan Aarohi apni laal aankhein liye rote hue use hi dekh rahi thi.
Aabha aur Sonali bhi ek jagah par baithi use rote hue dekh rahi thi. Aur, na jaane kitne log the.
Uska sirr ghoom raha tha. Dhadkane tez ho rahi thi. Kuchh nahi, bahut kuchh galat lag raha tha.
'P-Pari? What the hell happened?'
Magar-
Sannaata. Koi jawab nahi.
'P-Pari? Juhi kaha hai? Ye sab kya chal raha hai?'
Fir bhi koi jawab nahi. Usne apne daant peese.
'Pariiii-!!'
Magar, kuchh nahi. Pari sleep mode me jaa chuki thi.
Uski saansein tez hui. Use Nidhi ke kamre me jaana yaad tha. Use yaad tha ki Juhi uske seene se hi lipti hui thi. Use ye bhi yaad tha ki woh seat par gira tha. Lekin, uske baad-!?
Use kuchh bhi yaad nahi tha. Kya hua tha? Veer ki nazar achanak baayi orr dur ek corridor me padi. Aur, usne dekha-
Kone ke paas, uske parivar se alag. Teen log khade hue the.
Renshu. Erica. Aur, Garofano.
Jo use hi dekh rahi thi.
System holders. Yaha par? Woh sab yaha kyu the? Use tabhi yaad aaya-
Yarnia's launch.
Woh toh aaj thi na? Toh kya hua? Sab yaha kyu the? Aur, ro kyu rahe the? Yarnia ka kya hua?
Aur, use yaad aa gaya.
Mission ki penalty. Ek sihran uske badan me daud gayi. Kahi isliye toh sab-?
Nahi! Aisa nahi ho sakta. Usne Juhi, Pihu ko bacha liya tha. Fir, akhir aur koi kaise khatre me ho sakta tha? Woh koi sawal kar paata ki itne me saamne ka darwaza khul gaya.
Ek doctor baahar nikal ke aaya. Sab achanak se khade ho gaye. Jis baat ko Veer ka darr tha, woh darr aur gehra ho gaya.
Doctor ne sabhi ko dekha aur fir Veer ko dekh ek haami bhar uski orr chalte hue nazdeek aaya jaise woh jaanta tha ki use kis se baat karni thi.
Veer Singh.
Yahi wo vyakti thi jise usko jawab dena chahiye. Doctor ne ek gehri saans li. Fir, ek asthir awaaz me bola-
"I'm very sorry, sir. Hum unhe bacha nahi sake. Mr. Manorath is no more."
*Badump*
Dhadalle se darwaza punah khula, stretcher par Manorath ji ka shav tha, upar se safed kapda dhaka hua tha.
Cheekhein goonj uthi. Parivar jano ke rone ki awaaz aspataal me goonjne lagi.
Veer ko kuchh samajh aata ki tabhi-
"Although, Miss Ragini ki situation kaafi critical thi. But, doctor ne mujhe khabar de di hai."
'Ragini' naam sunn woh wapas se hosh me aaya.
"She's out of danger now."
Raahat bamushqil ek kshan ke liye hi thi.
"But there's only one problem. I'm sorry to say but — woh ab pehle ki tarah kabhi nahi chal payengi."
Aur, aspatal ko ek gehre sannaate ne dhak liya.
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Aaj ke liya itna hi guys.
This update consists of 8.3k words. Jaan boojh ke around itni length ka rakha hai warna ye update 10k ke upar jaa raha tha. Too much info dump iss update me mujhe sahi nahi lagi because Nidhi ka aham hissa tha iss update me. So, I decided to post those sections in the later updates. This update also justifies why Nidhi took Veer to her house and sheltered him. Unke beech ka rishta ekdum naya nahi tha. They knew each other. Mehez 3 mahino ka hi rishta tha lekin, unn teen mahino ne bahut kuchh badal diya tha. Samay-samay par aise hi flashbacks ke zariye hum Nidhi aur Veer ke madhya aur bhi moments dekhenge. Yaha par past kaisa laga woh zaroor bataane ka. Baaki, target apna wahi hai. 300. Pahucha dene ka. Agle update se Post Disembowler arc shuru ho jayega.
Milte hai agle bhaag me.
Dhanyavad.
Sidd19
Active Member
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Mind blowing update bhaiUpdate - 196 ~ The Fulfilled Promise
Ab tak...
Ye Veer ki qismat thi, ya kuchh aur-
Jo woh raasta dhundhne me saksham tha. Lair se baahar woh kooda. Mission complete ho chuka tha.
Parantu, Pari ne use iski soochna nahi di. Kyunk, notification tha-
[Mission Failed.]
[Due to the host's partial completion of the mission, all the three penalties of the mission won't be applied.]
[Due to the failure of not killing the Disembowler, one penalty will be applied to the host.]
[Mission penalty : Loss of loved ones.]
Ab aage...
Raat ke 12:05 baj rahe the. Aatishbaziyo ne Mumbai ke aasmaan ko jagmaga kar rakha hua tha, naye saal ke aagman ka har aadmi ullaas mana raha tha. Hawa me khushiyaan chhayi thi, log jashn mana rahe the, galey mil rahe the, iss nav varsh ka swagat karne ke liye khushi se chillaa rahe the. Lekin, isi sheher me iss shor ke beech kahi par maatam chhaaya hua tha.
News channels me prasaaran jaari the — Hotel Prestige ko lekar ek gambheer report. Kuchh bhayanak hua tha. Visfot. Khoon-kharaba. Jaano ka lutna.
Isliye, sheher ke kuchh hisso me jashn ka mahaul feeka pad chuka tha.
"Hotel Prestige par jaanlewa humla!"
"Kayi logo ke maare jaane ki khabar!"
"Suraksha guards maare gaye! Adhikariyo ko lakshit humle ka sandeh!"
Bars aur luxury clubs me TV screen par tabahi ke drishya dikhayi de rahe the — toote hue sheeshein, palte hue furniture, stretchers par le jaaye jaa rahe shav. Ek electronics showroom ke baahar ek chhoti bheed jama ho gayi thi, unki nazar andar rakhe display TV par tiki hui thi.
"Aaj ke din batao kya ho gaya. Tch tch!" Ek aadmi ne badbadate hue kaha.
"Hotel Prestige toh achha hotel tha. Hum toh gaye hai. Badhiya tha. Pata nahi kaise ho gaya ye sab. Mujhe lagta hai humla karwaya gaya hai." Ek mahila ne haami bharte hue kaha.
"Mumbai me crime badhta jaa raha hai. Tch! Tyohaaron me bhi ab-" ek raahgeer ne waha se nikalte hue fusfusaya.
Lekin, har koi shok nahi mana raha tha. Mumbai ke elite varg ke gharo me, oonchi-oonchi imaarato me glass takra rahe the aur dheemi baat-cheet me chhipi hui khushi thi.
Iss beech, Mumbai ki sabse shandar 7 star hotel — Casa Belle me patrakaro aur reporters ki bheed umdi hui thi. Cameramen apna camera liye hotel ke maalik — Aadesh Jaisinghani ke bayaan ka intezar kar rahe the.
Woh baahar aaya. Sleek hairstyle me geele baalo ko poori tarah peechhe kiye, Armani ki dress pehne, aisa lag raha tha maano woh abhi-abhi koi jashn mana ke aaya ho.
Aur, jaise hi woh saamne aaya, reporters uss par toot pade.
Reporter #1 : Mister Aadesh, Hotel Prestige par hue humle par aapke vichaar?
Reporter #2 : Hospitality industry me ek leading figure hone ke naate, aap uss suraksha chook ke baare me kya kehna chaahenge jiske chalte ye haadsa hua?
Reporter #3 : Casa Belle aur Hotel Prestige ke madhya shuru se hi oonch-neech hoti aayi hai. Kya aapko lagta hai ki ye humla kisi business conflict se juda hai?
Media ko chahiye tha masala. Kahani. Khabrein. Jo unhe police se utni maatra me nahi mil paayi thi. Aur, isliye khud Aadesh ne hi ye khabar media ke beech felwayi ki woh iss vishay ko lekar raat me apne vichaar rakhega. Media yaha aayi nahi thi. Unhe chalaaki se yaha laaya gaya tha.
Usne dheere se, kaafi baar abhyaas ki hui ek aah chhori, uski bauhe thodi si sikud gayi. Usne ek napa-tula qadam aage badhaya, yeh sunishchit karte hue ki camera uski aankhon me gehri suhanubhuti ko qaid kar raha hai ya nahi.
Aadesh (lagbhag shok me) : Dekhiye! Sabse pehle, mein peedito, unke parivaro aur iss bhayanak ghatna se prabhavit sabhi logo ke prati sanvedna vyakt karta hu. Aaj nav varsh ke shuru hote hi- yeh humla... Ye humla sirf Hotel Prestige par nahi hai. Ye humla saari hospitality industry par hai. Jab kisi hotel ko iss tarah se nishana banaaya jaata hai, toh ye harr atithi ke uss bharose ki neev ko hila deta hai jo woh hum par rakhte hai.
Reporters uske shabdo par sirr hilaate hue budbudaaye. Woh bilkul sahi baatein keh raha tha.
Aadesh ne aage bolne se pehle ek dramatic effect ke liye kuchh der viraam liya.
Aadesh : Dekhe... Maine humesha... Maine humesha se hi Hotel Prestige ko sammaan diya hai. Haan, mein sweekar karta hu ki humare beech competition chalta rehta hai. Lekin, ye ek healthy competition hota hai. Aur, competition ka matlab dushmani nahi hai. Business me ye sab aam baat hoti hai. Haal hi me, humaare Unicard ki launch ke dauran humne Hotel Prestige ko bhi aamantrit kiya tha. Mister Veer Singh, Miss Bhumika Singh, dono hi parivar jann ke saath padhaare the yaha. Aur, humaare mann me ek-dusre ke liye paraspar sammaan ke alawa kuchh nahi.
Uske hontho par ek dhoort muskaan ubhri, lekin usne badi hi chalaaki se ek aah bharte hue use chhipa liya.
Reporter #4 : Toh aap ko iss baare me koi idea nahi ki humle ke peechhe kaun ho sakta hai?
Aadesh ne asahaay bhaav se apna sarr hilaaya.
Aadesh (dheere se) : Ji, mein bhi Mumbai ke baaki logo ki tarah hairaan hu. Aisa kisne kiya hoga? Unka kya maqsad ho sakta hai? Ye aise sawal hai jinka jawab sirf police hi de sakti hai. Lekin, mein itna zaroor kehna chahunga ki — iss sankat ki ghadi me Casa Belle Hotel Prestige ke saath hai. Agar, hum unki madad ke liye kuchh bhi kar sakte hai, toh hum zaroor karenge.
Casa Belle aur Hotel Prestige ka samarthan? Sawal hi paida nahi hota. Yeh toh bas uski chaal thi.
Andar hi andar woh toh balki iss aapda ka aanand le raha tha.
Yarnia — Veer ka bhavya naya clothing brand, din ki raushni dekhne se pehle hi malbe me tabdeel ho chuka tha. Hotel Prestige, wahi hotel jisne uski Casa Belle ke saath bhidne ki koshish ki thi, ab ek crime scene ka sthal bann chuki thi.
Aisa lag raha tha jaise brahmaand ne swayam uski jholi me ye uphaar de diya tha.
Camera ke saamne usne fir se apna murjhaya hua chehra prastut kiya aur bola-
Aadesh : Kumar! Ye sab humare mehman hai. Inki khatirdari me kami nahi rehni chahiye.
Kumar (nods) : Ji, Sir!
Kehte hue woh wahi murjhayi awastha liye andar chala gaya. Aur, idhar news me uske charche hone lage. Jo uske kapti-pann se parichit nahi the, woh use saccha insaan maanane lage.
Iss traasdi ke bawajood, Mumbai ne rukne se inkaar kar diya tha.
Vyast sadko par, kuchh log shok mana rahe the, lekin kayi log bas aage badh gaye — kyunki, yahi Mumbai ka tareeka tha.
Kisi aspatal ke pareeksha kaksh me ek yuvti dheere-dheere ro rahi thi. Uska bhai, jo Hotel Prestige me security guard tha, mehmano ki suraksha karte hue maara jaa chuka tha. Duniya aage badh gayi, par uske liye uski duniya wahi khatm ho chuki thi.
***
Isi beech ghani raat me Disembowler ki lair ke theek upar sthit shamsan ke paas hi Erica aur Renshu khade hue the.
Renshu : Yahi jagah hai na?
Erica : Haan, dad! Usne toh yahi batayi thi. Kya mein-?
Renshu (nods) : Hmm! Shuru karo!
Erica (nods) : Okay!
Woh jhuki. Usne apna ek haath neeche shamshaan ki bhoomi par rakha aur fir-
'Basic Seer Vision!'
*Ding*
Agle hi pal alag-alag drishya uske mastishq me ghoomne lage. Woh bechari apni bauhe zorr se sikodi, kayi baar uska badan kaanp utha, magar woh waha se uthi nahi.
Renshu agal-bagal apni nazrein ghumaaye hue tha. Woh sunishchit kar raha tha ki kahi koi unhe dekh na le.
Yaha se woh khaali haath nahi laut sakte the.
Kuchh der pehle...
Ek mand raushni waali jagah. Medical equipment ki awaaz.
Ava ka shareer ek andheri sunsaan gali me khadi ek shandar kaali SUV ke andar ek asthayi operating table par laita hua tha. Uski saansein ab niyantran me aa rahi thi. Chehre ka rang wapas aa raha tha.
Uske pait par lagi goli ke ghaav ko pehle hi saaf kiya jaa chuka tha aur surgical precision ke saath sil diya gaya tha.
Garofano uske bagal se khadi thi. Usne zehreeli bullet ko badi hi kushalta se Ava ke shareer se nikaal diya tha. Uske haath sthir the, aur dimag gadna karne me laga hua tha.
Wahi thi jo Ava ko apne kandho par utha ke leke aayi thi. Uske theek peechhe Renshu, Erica ke saath khada hua tha.
Erica ki nigaahein Ava ke achetan roop ka adhyayan kar rahi thi. Uske dad ne humesha hi use iss aurat se satark rehne ko kaha tha. Magar, akhir kaun thi Natalia Martin? Ek bemisal worldwide famous singer aur celebrity. Kya waqai woh Veer ko dhoka deke use maarna chaahti thi? Woh dhyaan se Ava ko ghoorti rahi.
Aur, phir-
Renshu ne chuppi todi.
Renshu : Use hosh me aane me kitna samay lagega?
Garofano ne bina peechhe mude apne khoon se sane dastaane haath se nikaale aur apne haath me pehni ghadi dekhi.
Garofano : Bullet nikaale abhi mushqil se 15 minute hi hue hai. Zeher ki potency aur blood loss ko dhyaan me rakhte hue, ise kam se kam abhi 4 se 5 ghante toh-
"Ngh-!"
Uske shabd adhoore reh gaye jab ek dard bhari karaah ne use beech me hi rok diya.
Ava ka shareer jhatka khaaya, uski ungliyaan neeche seat ke leather par kassne lagi aur fir ek tez gati se, woh bhaari saans lete hue uth baithi.
Garofano ki aankhein avishvas me chaudi ho gayi.
Namumkin!
Ava ka ghaav gehra tha, zeher ke chalte use toh abhi ghanto tak behosh rehna chahiye tha. Magar, fir bhi woh kuchh hi minto me jaag chuki thi!?
[This girl... She has some sort of healing skill.]
Freya ki awaaz Garofano ke mann me goonj gayi.
Erica : Ah? Itni jaldi hosh bhi aa gaya?
Woh halka sa cheekhte hue boli. Yaha tak ki humesha shaant rehne waale Renshu ne bhi aankhein sikod li.
Ava (yells) : V-Veer!
Woh chillaate hue uthne ke liye aage badhi, lekin Garofano ne uske kandho par haath rakh use neeche baitha diya.
Garofano : Calm down!
Ava : Veer-!
Garofano : Sniper marr chuka hai. I have dealt with him. Ab koi khatra nahi hai. Don't worry! Take it easy!
Garofano ne fir apni jeb se ek kaagaz nikaalte hue Renshu ki orr kiya. Renshu ne use thaamte hue khola aur jab use dekha toh uski bauhe chinta me sikud gayi.
Garofano : Ye uss Dexter ke paas se mila. Kisi syndicate alliance ka member tha woh shayad. Check karne par toh yahi nazar aaya.
Ye wahi kaagaz tha jo Dexter ke paas tha. Veer ke parivar jann ke naam aur unki tasveerein iss kaagaz me maujood thi.
Veer ke parivar ka zikr aate hi Ava ki chhaati zoro se upar-neeche hone lagi. Aankhon me chinta abhi bhi barkarar thi.
Ava : Veer... *huff* Veer ki family! Mujhe- *cough* *cough*
Garofano (sternly) : Tumhe shaant rehne ki zaroorat hai!
Usne Ava ko beech me tokte hue kaha. Awaaz teekhi thi lekin nirdayi nahi. Aur, kahi na kahi woh Ava ka adhyayan bhi kar rahi thi. Bhala kis tarah ka system holder aisi chot ke baad itni jaldi hosh me aa sakta tha?
Garofano ki nazro me ek maun manzoori thi. Ava, sirf ek system holder nahi thi. Uske paas bhi uske trump cards the jinhe woh ujagar nahi kar rahi thi.
Erica aashcharya me uske qareeb aayi.
Erica : Itni jaldi kaise hosh aa gaya? Poison ki wajah se itni jaldi hosh nahi aana chahiye tha.
Ava : *huff* T-Tum... Tum sab... *huff*
Garofano : Calm down! Hum sab yaha Veer ke liye hi aaye hai. Aur, tumhe itni jaldi hosh aa gaya? Mein ye expect nahi kar rahi thi.
Ava maun rahi. Woh apne baare me kuchh bhi zaroori baatein nahi bataana chaahti thi.
Renshu : Humare paas samay barbaad karne ke liye nahi hai. Agar, hosh aa hi gaya hai toh kya tum Veer ki location ke baare me kuchh bata sakti ho? Kya tum jaanti ho woh kaha par hai iss waqt?
Ava wahi jamm ke reh gayi. Use yaad aaya. Woh ye kaise bhool sakti thi?
Usne Veer ko Death Flag se mark kar ke rakha hua tha. Bina kisi hich-kichahat ke usne apni aankhein band ki, Veer ki location par dhyaan kendrit kiya. Aur, kuchh hi palo me Veer ki asli location uske mastishq me aa gayi.
Usne apni aankhein kholi. Uska chehra peela pad gaya.
Ava (frowns) : W-Woh-! Woh shamshaan me hai! Uske neeche...! Underground...!
Renshu (frowns) : Shamshaan? Kaha par?
Ava ne use exact location batayi. Chaahe uska shareer kitna hi thaka hua kyu na ho, uske dimag me ek hi baat thi — Veer.
Garofano ne Renshu ko dekha. Dono ek baat jaan gaye the ki Ava ke paas Veer ko track karne ki koi na koi skill zaroor maujood thi. Dono ne hi mann me iss baat ki gaanth baandh li.
Garofano (turns) : Toh kya karna hai? Veer ke paas kaun jaa raha hai?
Renshu : Mumbai me tumhari maujoodgi ab koi rehesya nahi hai. Tum pehle bhi yaha sabke saamne aa chuki ho. Aur, haan- tum ek celebrity se kam bhi nahi. Poora Korea tumhare peechhe paagal hai. Isliye, tumhara Veer ke nazdeek jaana abhi faydemand nahi. Ye unwanted attention ko bulawa dega.
Garofano muskurayi. Apni ungliyon ko apne kaale reshmi baalo me firaayi.
Garofano (smirks) : Hmph! Thanks for the recognition- lekin, shayad tum bhool rahe ho ki mein stealth me maahir hu. Mujhe bas apne chehre par mask pehen'ne ki derr hai. That's it. But, haan! Abhi mein Natalia ko chhor ke yaha se nahi jaa sakti. Woh heal zaroor ho rahi hai but if trouble comes knocking, she won't be able to fight.
Renshu ne uski baat ko sweekar karte hue haami bhari.
Ava ne khud ko upar uthaaya, aur karkash awaaz me boli.
Ava : V-Veer ki family safe toh hai na? I... Usne mujhe- Usne mujhe zimmedari saunpi thi. *huff* M-Mein- Mein yaha aise nahi- *huff*
Renshu : Maine hotel me se ambulances ko nikalte hue dekha tha. Veer ki family ke kuchh logo ko check kiya tha maine. Hotel me ab koi nahi hai andar.
Ava (frowns) : K-Kya woh... Kya woh safe hai?
Renshu : Lagta toh hai. Police ne area ko takeover kar liya hai. Veer ki family shayad hospital gayi hai. Toh, uss hisaab se woh safe hone chahiye. Khatra hotel ke ird-gird hi tha.
Ava ne ek shaant saans chhori. Lekin, chinta zara bhi kam nahi hui.
Renshu (sighs) : Aur, agar mein chaahu bhi toh bhi hospital nahi jaa sakta.
Erica aur Ava dono ne hi use sawaaliya nazro se dekha.
Erica : Eh? Kyu dad?
Iske pehle ki Renshu jawab de paata, Garofano hasste hue jawab di.
Garofano (laughs) : Hahahaha! Because your dad is too damn big. Hospital me logo ko samajhne me hi ghante lag jayenge ki ye aadmi hai kaun? Itni badi qad-kaathi kaise hai? Kaha se aaya hai? Aur, Veer se uska kya sambandh hai? Hahaha! Samjhi?
Renshu : ...
Renshu ne uske chidhaane par koi pratikriya nahi di. Lekin, Erica kaha chup rehne waali thi?
Erica : Wh-What do you mean? Hmph! Mere dad ka matlab simple tha. Unka matlab hai ki Veer ko jald se jald dhundhna hai taaki problem ki asli jadd ka pata lag sake.
Garofano : Oh! Wow! Dekho toh humari Miss Erica ko. Smart banane ki kitni koshish kar rahi hai? But, you're still dumb. Fufu~
Erica : Who-? Who the hell are you calling dumb?
Garofano : Of course, you! Fufu~ Yaha par sirf tum hi dumb ho!
Erica : Y-You-!!
Usne apni mutthi bheenchi. Lekin, iske pehle ki woh jawab de paati, Renshu ki awaaz hawa me goonj uthi.
Renshu : ENOUGH!!!
Dono yuvtiyaan chup ho gayi. Par, Erica ka ghoorna khatam nahi hua.
Erica : Hmph!
Garofano : Fufu~
Renshu : Mein aur Erica Veer ki location par jayenge. Aur, tum yahi rahogi jab tak ki Natalia chalne ki condition me nahi aa jaati.
Garofano (nods) : Theek hai! Par, zyada derr mat lagaana. I don't like sitting on the sidelines.
Renshu ne koi jawab nahi diya. Woh bas apni car ki orr muda. Erica ne uska peechha kiya, aage badhne se pehle Garofano ko ek akhiri nazar se dekha.
Garofano muskurate hue unhe jaata dekhi. Fir, Ava ki orr ghoomi jo abhi bhi seat par laiti hui thi.
Garofano : Maine jitna socha tha, tum uss se kahi zyada mazboot nikli. You're hiding your cards too. Just like him. *smiles*
Ava ne koi jawab nahi diya, lekin uski aankhon ki chamak se Garofano ko pata chal gaya ki usne uski baatein sunn li thi.
Aur, isi tarah Renshu aur Erica Veer ki location par pahuch paaye the. Magar, jab tak ve yaha par pahuche, Veer underground lair se nikal chuka tha.
Kintu, Erica ki basic seer vision ye pata laga sakti thi ki yaha kuchh derr pehle kya kuchh hua tha.
Renshu : Erica!?
Erica apni palke khol uthi. Uske badan me rue khade hue the.
Erica : D-Dad!
Renshu : ??
Erica : V-Veer-!
Erica ne poore drishya toh nahi, lekin kaafi hadd tak kuchh derr pehle ki ghatna ko dekh liya tha. Veer ka ajeebo-gareeb system holder se bhidna, neeche ka bhayanak vatavaran, thandi sadti laashein, maans ke tukde, experiments, SHB, Veer ka haath katna aur uska Juhi aur Pihu ko bachaana.
Erica ne jaise hi Renshu ko sab batlaaya toh Renshu ke khud ke badan me ek sihran daud gayi.
Woh bina koi deri kiye, Erica se lair ka entry point poonchh seedhe neeche ki orr kood gaya.
Erica : D-Daaad???
Majbooran, Erica ko bhi neeche koodna hi pada. Na jaane neeche kaun se rehesya khulne ke liye unka intezar kar rahe the.
***
Carewell Hospital,
Morning - 12:10 AM ~
Hospital ke automatic doors achanak se khule, lekin kisi ka dhyaan uss orr nahi gaya.
Duty par maujood kuchh karmchari apne phone me vyast the, toh kuchh counter par sirr tikaaye hue the aur kuchh the jo aadhi neend me dol rahe the ki ve sab corridor me hui tez raftaar se halchal ko dekh paane me vifal reh gaye.
Veer kisi hawa ke jhonke ki tarah waha daakhil hua. Uska shareer dagmaga raha tha, har qadam par perr felne ke liye aatur ho rahe the. Uski baayi aasteen gehre laal khoon se sani hui thi, jisme se aadhi se zyada aasteen toh poori gaayab ho chuki thi.
Baah me abhi bhi woh janzeerein bandhi hui thi. Uski chhaati ukhadi hui saanson ke saath upar-neeche ho rahi thi.
Aur, uske seene se usi surgeon sheet ke sang bandhi hui thi — Juhi. Uska chhota sa shareer uske seene se chipka hua tha, chehra blazer ke andar chhipa hua tha. Veer uski garm saansein apne seene par mehsoos kar paa raha tha. Woh so rahi thi. Shaant. Aur, surakshit.
Pihu ko woh pehle hi surakshit haatho me de aaya tha. Bachi thi toh sirf uski apni Juhi.
Woh Nidhi ke kamre number 31 me pahucha aur darwaza khola. Waqt hi aisa tha ki duty par mushqil se kuchh hi nurses aur safayi karmchari the jo apne-apne kaamo me lage hue the. Nateeja? Veer ke tez raftar se andar aane par kisi ko bhanak tak nahi lagi.
Woh aage badha. Uski drishti ab dhundhli pad rahi thi. Uski nazar saamne bistar par laiti ek aurat par gayi — Nidhi. Woh so rahi thi. Chehre par abhi bhi shikan ke bhaav the.
Veer uske nazdeek aaya. Kamra hil raha tha kya? Nahi! Woh khud ladkhada raha tha. Iske pehle ki woh zameen par girta, usne wahi lagi bench dekh khud ko dheela chhor diya aur seat par gir pada. Shareer ne akhir haar maan hi li. Uski aankhein band ho gayi.
Akhiri cheez jo usne mehsoos ki — woh tha Juhi ka harqat karta hua haath jo uske blazer ko kass ke jakadne ka prayatn kar raha tha aur fir — andhera.
Kuchh kshan baad...
Ek halki si harqat.
Nidhi ki palke jhapki aur woh jaag uthi. Uska sarr dard se tadak raha tha, ghatna ki yaadein tatt par aati samudra ki lehro ki tarah wapas aane lagi.
"J-Juhi...!"
Woh ghabrayi. Uski bacchi. Uski bacchi ko aghwa kar liya gaya tha. Woh chhatpataate hue uthi aur jaise hi uth ke uski nazar saamne padi. Woh wahi jamm ke reh gayi.
Uski beti, uski duniya — wahi thi. Surakshit. Uske saamne. Uska haath apne khule muh par gaya aur woh ro padi. Aansu beqaabu ho kar behne lage.
Woh kaanpte hue dhadalle se uthi aur aage badhi. Uske haath me lagi IV needle aur uske sang laga drip stand bhi uske saath khichta chala gaya.
Woh Veer ke bagal me ghutno ke bal baithi, uska chehra peela pada hua tha. Usne pehle apni bitiya ko dekha. Chhaati upar-neeche ho rahi thi. Bina kisi chot ke. Surakshit.
Lekin, fir... Uski nazar Veer par gayi.
Uska chehra — sookhe khoon se sana hua — bejaan lag raha tha. Sarr kuchh geela sa tha. Baalo me halki barf jami thi jaise. Blazer ke sang shirt kayi jagaho se fati hui thi. Baah, chhaati aur kamar me gehre ghaav dikhayi pad rahe the. Uske kapde khoon se sane hue the. Par, Nidhi ko sabse zyada dang kiya unn janzeeron ne.
Jinhe dekh uska poora badan kaanp utha. Aankhein bhay ke maare chaudi ho uthi. Badi-badi janzeerein uski baaho me kass kar lipti hui thi.
Uska haath zor se thar-thara utha. Kuchh beeti yaadein wapas saamne aane lagi.
---
Lagbhag do saal pehle ka samay tha. Aaj Nidhi ko ek nayi class niyukt ki gayi thi. Yeh pehli baar nahi tha. Use students ko kis tarah se handle karna hai, ye achhi tarah se aata tha.
Iske pehle woh school me bhi ek shikshak reh chuki thi. Shiksha dena use bakhoobi aata tha. Magar, college aur school me kuchh farq toh hota tha.
College me bachhe ab bacche nahi the. Woh baalig the, sayaane the aur javani ke josh me udd rahe naye khiladi the.
Jaise hi Nidhi classroom me pravesh ki, pal bhar ke liye ek sannaata sa chhaa gaya. Students fir ikhatte khade hue-
"Good morning ma'am!"
"Settle down!"
Uski awaaz dridh lekin garmjoshi se bhari thi. Uske bolte hi sabhi chhaatra wapas se apni seats par baith gaye.
Woh bina students ki taraf dekhe blackboard ko rub karne lagi aur ek safed chalk uthaate hue apna naam likhne lagi.
Nidhi Mishra
Khubsoorat si likhawat me likhte hue usne apna parichay diya.
Aur, jaisa ki hona chahiye tha, waisa hi hua. Nayi-nayi 18 baras ki aayu poorn karne waale javan laundo ke mann me laddu phootne lage. Aur, charcha ka vishay tha — ?
"Behanchod kya maal hai bhai."
"Bhai bol de ki ab yahi apni class teacher hai."
"Bhai hai toh karraa yaar. Sahi me!"
"Iska matlab woh madarchod takla gaya? Kya naam tha bey uska?"
"Bhupinder Daruwala!"
"Bhupinder nahi. Guu pait ke andar! Hahahahaha!"
"Hahahahaha! Abey haan bey! Lawda saala dimaag kha jaata tha betichod."
"Daruwala ki bahut daru pee li... Ab Nidhi se Vidhi seekhenge hahahaha!"
"Kaaye ki bhosdiwaale? Hahahaha!"
"Ah! Madam! Ah! Wo waali vidhi! Aah! Uuh!"
"Hahahahahahaha! Madarchod!"
"Hahahahahahaha!"
Yahi baatein ladko ke alag-alag jhund me hone lagi. Par, kya Nidhi ko ye sab sunayi nahi de raha tha? De raha tha. Bilkul, de raha tha. Kintu, woh khamosh thi. Nirash bhi. Aur, chotil bhi.
"Abey pait kuchh fela-fela sa hai iska magar. Hai na?"
"Pregnant hai kya?"
"Nahi bey! Baccha ho chuka hai shayad. Dhyaan se dekh!"
"Abey toh shuru ka mahina bhi toh ho sakta hai?"
"Chutiye toh woh yaha thodi aati padhaane."
"Haan ye bhi hai!"
"Koi nahi-! Mein wazan kam karwa dunga iska hahahaha!"
"Mujhse toh sirf wazan badhaate aata hai hehehe!"
"Hahahahahaha!"
"Pregnancy ke baad bhi pait foola rehta hai kya?"
"Waisa nahi bey chutiye! Bas thode time tak rehta hai. Abhi madam ko apne asli figure me aane me time lagega."
"Waise... Aise bhi koi kam maal nahi hai."
"Hahahahaha!"
Eka-ek Nidhi ka haath na chaahte hue bhi apne pait par chala gaya. Ladke bhale hi dheere-dheere ye sab khuspusaaye, magar aksar unki baatein sabhi teachers ko sunayi de jaaya karti thi.
Jab Nidhi ko apne pait par haath rakhte unn students ne dekha toh iss baar thoda satark hote hue unn logo ne apni baat-cheet ko virham de diya.
Parantu, unki ek baat sahi thi. Nidhi ko bamushqil abhi dedh se do mahina hi hua tha jab uska apna navjaat uss se chheen liya gaya tha. Dhruv — uski apni amaanat.
Yahi woh samay tha jab Nidhi ke jeevan ka sabse kharab daur shuru hua tha. Ek prataadit karta pati, daayan samaan saas ki gaaliyaan, apne hi bacche ko kho dena, unse bhaag ke apne ek kiraaye ke flat me rehna, aas-pados me uth rahe charche, samaaj ka nazariya, aur jo rahi-sahi kasar baaki reh gayi thi woh inn besharam ladko ne uss par behuda tippani kar ke poori kar di thi.
Lekin, woh jaanti thi ki har ladke ek jaise nahi hote the. Uske apne pita. Uska ek bhai. Woh bhi toh mard the na? Woh jaanti thi ki iss classroom me abhi bhi woh ladke the jo waqai uss se padhna chaahte the — jinke mann me koi galat bhavnaaye nahi thi.
Yahi vishvas liye usne bolna shuru kiya.
"Students! Aaj se... Aaj se mein aapki class teacher rahungi. I will be teaching you Mathematics."
"Ye hui na baat behanchod! Ab maza aayega hahahaha"
"Badhayi ho bhai! Takla gaya hahahaha! Nayi phuljhadi aa gayi."
Unki baatein dobaara se shuru ho gayi. Nidhi ke pehle Bhupinder ji the jo iss kaksha ke class teacher the. Kareeban 7-8 maah tak unhone iss kaksha ko sambhala tha. First year ke bache hue 3-4 mahino ke liye Nidhi ab unki class teacher bann ke aayi thi. Aur, uska swagat kaise hua? Inn bhaddi tippaniyo se.
Himmat rakhte hue usne attendance sheet uthayi aur sabhi ke naam pukaarte hue pehle attendance lene lagi. Ek-ek kar ke jab woh akhiri bache kuchh baccho ke naam pukaarne ko aayi toh-
"Vamika Chauhan!"
"Present ma'am!"
"Vasu Mehta!"
"Present ma'am!"
"Veer Singh!"
*Silence*
'Hmm?'
Ek khamoshi si chhaa gayi. Koi jawab hi nahi aaya. Nidhi ne apna sarr uthaate hue sabhi ko dekha aur usne punah awaaz lagaayi.
"Veer Singh???"
Tabhi, uski nazar sabse side waali row par padi jaha aakhiri bench par ek ladka akele baitha hua tha. Bagal waali row se 2-4 ladke hasste hue use bula rahe the.
"Bhai tere ko bula rahi madam!"
"Chutiye haath utha ke present toh bol de hahahahaha!"
Woh ladka hadbadata hua apna kaam beech me rok upar dekha. Uski nazar Nidhi se jaa takrayi. Ek pal ke liye woh dara par fir ahista se haath uthaate hue bola-
"P-Present ma'am!"
Nidhi kuchh kshan ke liye avaak reh gayi. Woh nahi jaanti thi aisa kyu tha par kuchh pal woh bas Veer ko dekhti rahi. Usne fir aaj ka samay jaise-taise nikaala. Baccho ko padhaaya aur waha se nikal gayi.
Agla din. Wahi kaksha, wahi bacche, wahi harqate. Ladkiyaan hi thi jo kam se kam uss se achhe se pesh aati thi. Adhiktar ladke sirf use hawas ki nazro se hi ghoorte the.
Magar, aaj Nidhi ki nazre class me ghoom rahi thi. Maano jaise chehro se bhara ek samundar tha kamre ke andar — kuchh muskura rahe the, kuchh fusfusa rahe the, kuchh uub ke jhuke hue the. Fir bhi, ek student alag dikh raha tha.
Veer Singh.
Kal ki hi tarah aaj bhi woh sab se dur kone me akela baitha hua tha, uski desk hi baakiyo se dur thi. Uski aankhein apni notebook par tiki hui thi, maano likhte rehne se woh duniya se bach jayega. Uski patli si kaaya uski badi uniform ke andar alag hi maalum pad rahi thi.
Pata nahi kyu par use iss qadar dekh Nidhi ko ek samaanta si mehsoos hui. Attendance lene se pehle woh ruk gayi, uski nazre Veer par tiki rahi.
'Woh akela kyu baitha hai?'
Yeh vichaar kal se uske dimaag me atka hua tha. Jab usne attendance ke liye naam pukaarna shuru kiye, toh sabhi chhaatra baari-baari ek swar me 'present ma'am' chillaate chale gaye. Kaksha me hasi ki ek leher daud gayi, dost ek dusre ko dhakka deke hasi mazaak karne lage, aur unki khusur-pusur jaari ho gayi.
"Veer Singh?"
*Silence*
Aaj bhi wahi hua. Nidhi use hi dekh rahi thi. Veer ne apna haath dheere se upar uthaaya.
"Present ma'am!"
Maujood hoke bhi aisa lag raha tha jaise woh adrishya tha baaki logo ke liye. Shaant aur darpok.
Veer ka akelapann sirf samajik nahi tha — ye uske jeevan me samaya hua tha.
Ek baar project ke dauran, Nidhi ne class me baccho se ek-dusre se partners banaane ke liye kaha.
"Apna ek partner banaiye aur saath mil kar project complete karna hai. Theek hai? Class dismissed."
Chhaatra turant apne dosto ke paas bhaage — dekhte hi dekhte alag-alag pairs bann gaye.
Veer ko chhor kar.
Woh baitha raha, apni notebook ko ghoorta raha. Departure ho chuka tha aur sabhi project ke baare me baatein karte hue chale gaye.
Veer ne chup-chap apna bag uthaaya aur uski orr aaya.
"Ma'am!? Kya mein akele project bana sakta hu?"
"Kyu?"
"Mujhse kisi ne poochha hi nahi. Sabke pehle hi pairs bann gaye."
Usne itni saralta se kaha, maano jaise use aadat ho gayi ho bhulaaye jaane ki. Nidhi ka gala andar hi andar roondh gaya. Uski chhaati me jaise ek dard utha. Woh kuchh na bol saki.
Ek shaam woh class ke baad derr tak ruki hui thi. Usne dekha ki Veer parking area ke paas baitha hua farsh ko ghoor raha tha. Uski aankhein laal thi.
"Veer?"
Usne jawab nahi diya.
"Kya hua?"
Firse koi jawab nahi. Magar, jab usne Veer ke saamne dustbin me dekha toh uski aankhein chaudi hokar reh gayi. Dustbin me Veer ka bag dala hua tha.
Woh akasmat uske bagal se aake khadi hui.
"Kisne kiya ye?"
"Nahi pata. *sniff* Farq nahi padta. Koi nayi baat nahi."
"Tum ruko abhi- mein abhi jaa ke-"
"Nahi! Koi zaroorat nahi hai. Aapke jaane se... Woh baad me aur tang karenge. *sniff* Rehne dijiye."
"Par-"
"Maine kaha na, ma'am! Rehne dijiye!"
Nidhi ne aage kuchh nahi kaha. Usne use rona band karne ke liye bhi nahi kaha. Iski bajaaye, woh bas uske bagal se baith gayi.
Varsho me pehli baar, Veer ko laga ki koi tha... Jo uski parvah kar raha tha.
Din beetate gaye aur Nidhi 'Veer' naam ke iss ladke ko observe karti gayi. Usne jaana ki Veer kabhi kisi se baat nahi karta tha.
Recess ke dauran koi bhi uske saath nahi baithata tha, ladko ka koi bhi group use invite nahi karta tha. Lunch ke samay jab chhaatra apni-apni mandliyo me ikhatta hote, Veer chup-chap waha se gaayab ho jaata. Lunch laata bhi tha ya nahi? Iska bhi pata nahi tha.
Aur, isliye ek dopahar Nidhi recess ke theek baad yuhi uske peechhe-peechhe gayi. Veer library me jaa raha tha.
Nidhi ne dekha ki woh library me khidki ke paas baithe, sirr jhukaaye, notebook me kuchh bana raha tha.
'Hmm?'
Woh aage badhi.
"Iss waqt lunch kiya jaata hai, Veer. Koi aur kaam nahi."
Veer uski awaaz sunn jhep gaya. Woh chaunk gaya, use samajh nahi aa raha tha ki jawaab de ya andekha kar de?
"M-Maine lunch kar liya hai, ma'am." Uski awaaz mushqil se Nidhi ke kaano me pahuchi.
"Achha? 5 minute hue hai abhi recess hue aur tumne lunch bhi kar liya? Jhooth bolte ho?"
"M-Maine subah zyada khaaya tha. Isliye, abhi bhookh nahi hai. M-Mein theek hu, ma'am."
"Kya waqai?"
Veer ne hichkichaate hue apni pen aur kass ke pakad li. "H-Haan! M-Mujhe yaha achha lagta hai. Yaha shaanti rehti hai."
Nidhi ne ek pal ke liye use dekha, fir chali gayi. Veer ko laga ki uska peechha chhoot gaya lekin kuchh der baad hi woh waapas laut aayi — sandwich ki ek plate ke saath.
"Agar, tumhe yahi baithna hai toh yahi baitho. Par, kam se kam kuchh khaa toh liya karo."
Veer plate ko ghoorta raha. Dang reh gaya tha. Aisa pehle kabhi kisi ne uske liye nahi kiya tha.
"M-Mujhe bhookh nahi hai, ma'am."
"Of course, tumhe hai. Tum bas maanane ke liye ziddi ho. Tum lunch nahi laate kya? Mummy nahi deti ghar pe?"
Maa ka zikr aate hi Veer maun reh gaya aur Nidhi jaise samajh gayi ki kuchh baat hai. Usne iss vishay ko aage nahi badhaaya. Veer fir apne aap se hi kuchh kshan baad bola.
"M-Mein-! Mein aaj lunch box bhool gaya. Chachi ne bana ke rakha tha. Lekin- mein bhool gaya."
"Oh! Toh ab kha lo. Theek hai?"
"Nahi! Maine kaha na ma'am. Mujhe bhook nahi hai."
Veer ne mana toh kar diya. Lekin, jab Nidhi plate neeche rakh ke waha se chali gayi, toh Veer ne kuchh hi kshano baad khud ko plate ki taraf aage badhte hue paaya.
Ek din, jab Veer apni baahon aur chehre par chot ke saath class me aaya — ragging aur bullying ke kuchh saboot.
Nidhi ne dekha. Usne kuchh poochha nahi.
Lekin, agli hi subah, Veer ko apni desk ke neeche ek bandage kit rakhi mili — ek chhote se note ke saath.
'Take care of yourself. Some people care about you — even if you don't believe it yet.'
Uss din ke baad se Veer Nidhi ki upasthiti ko aur adhik mehsoos karne laga.
Class me, woh aksar uski desk ke aas-paas hi khadi rehti, aur uss se sawaal bhi poochha karti.
"Veer! Tum batao? Kya ye answer sahi hai?"
"Veer! Tumhari kya raay hai isme?"
Pehle toh woh jawab nahi de paata tha. Uski awaaz mushqil se uske muh se nikalti thi. Lekin, Nidhi ne apna prayas nahi chhora. Nidhi uske astitva ko poora karti thi. Lagne laga tha jaise ab woh adrishya nahi tha.
Ek din woh deri se aaya. Woh ghabrahat me darwaze ki dehleez par khada ho gaya.
"S-Sorry! Ma'am- mein..."
"Koi baat nahi!" Nidhi ne beech me hi tokte hue kaha, uski awaaz naram thi. "Ab aa gaye ho na? Baith jao!"
Zyadatar teachers use khari-kothi suna dete lekin, Nidhi... Woh muskurayi. Woh muskaan use shabdo se kahi zyada shaant kar deti.
Ek din Nidhi ne use apni notebook me kuchh banaate hue pakad liya.
"Tum drawing bhi karte ho??"
Veer ne jhepte hue jaldi se apni notebook band kar li. Uski drawing achhi nahi thi. Lekin, use banaane ka shauk tha.
"K-Kuchh nahi-! A-Aise hi bas..."
"Uff-Oh! Ab chalo bhi mujhe dekhne do."
Hichkichaate hue lekin bharosa kar, Veer ne dheere se notebook kholi. Andar alag-alag sketches the. Kuchh landscapes ke, kuchh chehro ke, aur ek kone me — Nidhi ka khud ka ek chhota sa chitr.
Nidhi ne aashcharya me palke jhapkayi. Fir, haule se hasi.
"Arey waah! Bahut khoob. Par, Veer-!? Mujhe nahi lagta ki meri naak itni badi hai. Hai na?"
Veer ka chehra sharm se laal pad gaya.
"Ye... Ye abhi poora nahi hua hai, ma'am." Usne haklaate hue kaha.
"Koi baat nahi... *smiles* Mein mazaak kar rahi thi. Tum talented ho. Ise chhipaane ki koi zaroorat nahi. Confidence rakha karo, Veer. Okay?"
"J-Ji!"
Jaise-jaise unka rishta aur mazboot hota gaya, unki baatein aur bhi sehej hoti chali gayi. Thodi chanchal bhi.
"Tum humesha ye notebook saath leke ghoomte ho." Woh ek baar use chidhaate hue boli. "Kya hai isme aisa? Hmm? Duniya par qabza karne ka master plan?"
"Haan!" Usne bebaaki se jawab diya. "Sabse pehla qadam — Ek aisa teacher dhundhna jo meri notebook ko lekar baar-baar na poochhe."
"Hahahahaha!" Aur, woh khil-khila ke hass padi.
Veer bhi badle me muskura diya. Shayad ye pehli baar tha jab Nidhi ne use muskurate hue dekha tha.
Class me ek baar questions ke dauran, Veer ne pehli baar koi galti pakdi thi.
"Ma'am, waha par... Waha par sin ki jagah cos aayega."
"Oh??" Nidhi ne bauhe chadhayi. "Mujhse galti ho gayi?"
"Haan!"
"Theek hai toh... Class! Agla question Veer solve karega blackboard pe. Chalo, Veer. Utho apni seat se!"
"Eh??? N-Nahi! Ma'am... Ek minute!"
"Hahahaha! Good luck!" Nidhi uski haalat par hasi.
Veer dara. Nidhi mazak nahi kar rahi thi. Woh blackboard ke saamne khada tha aur chalk se likhte samay uske perr kaanp rahe the. Lekin, fir Nidhi ne podium se fusfusate hue uss se kaha-
"Tum sahi kar rahe ho. Solve karte jao. Daro nahi!"
Jab ek baar Veer ko pehli baar assignment test me Maths me thode achhe marks mile toh usne dekha ki Nidhi ne uske test paper par kuchh likha hua tha — Told you you'd do great. ^_^ But you need to do even better.
Ek baar career ke lakshyo ke baare me charcha ke dauran, Nidhi ne Veer se akele me baat karte hue sehejta se tippani ki-
"Veer! Tumhe ek high goal rakhna chahiye. Tumhare jaise log... Tum apna potential barbaad kar rahe ho."
Magar, Veer ko — ek ladka jise uske parivar waale aksar ye keh dete ki woh apni zindagi me kuchh bhi nahi kar payega — uske shabd bahut chubh gaye.
"Aapko lagta hai ki mein apna samay barbaad kar raha hu???" Usne oonchi awaaz me poonchha. "Mein har din apni poori koshish karta hu, theek hai na? Aap jaanti bhi kya ho mere baare me?? *sniff* Koi nahi jaanta."
Nidhi ne palke jhapkayi. Woh achambhit thi. Veer pehli baar iss tarah se gusse me kuchh uss se bola tha.
"Mera matlab ye nahi tha, Veer. Mein-" Usne Veer ka kandha thaama.
"Rehne dijiye! *sniff* Aadat hai mujhe." Usne jhapatta maarte hue khud ko chhuraaya aur baahar nikal gaya.
Teen dino tak, Veer uss se bachta raha. Nazrein churaata raha. Lekin, chauthe din woh use library me mil hi gaya.
"Mera... Mera tumhara dil dukhane ka irada nahi tha, Veer." Usne dheere se kaha. "Mein bas... Mujhe tum pe vishvas hai. Bas itna hi."
"Hmm... Theek hai... Mujh par apna vishvas barbad mat kariye, ma'am." Woh badbadate hue bola.
"Uske liye ab bahut derr ho chuki hai. Mera paala ab tumse jo pad chuka hai." Woh muskurate hue boli.
Aur, iss baar-
Veer naraaz na reh saka. Woh sharmaate hue muskuraya aur apna muh ferr liya. Nidhi uske sharmaane par bas hasti reh gayi. Woh sahi thi. Aaj bhi kuchh ladke the jo uske prati galat bhavnaaye nahi rakhte the. Veer unme se ek tha. Ya yu kahe, unn sab me se sabse alag.
Aur, aise hi woh teen mahine kab guzar gaye, dono ko hi pata nahi chala. Veer vartalap me apna confidence dheere-dheere gain kar raha tha. Chhutiyaan padi aur uske baad shuru hua second year.
Pehla din tha. Naye juniors ko hall me baitha ke unka swagat kiya jaa raha tha. Classes lagni shuru ho chuki thi. Veer ki class ki teacher punah badal chuki thi lekin, Nidhi ko sabhi chaahne lage the aur isliye use wapas se class teacher banaane ki maang bhi rakhne lage.
Aur, fir aaya woh waqt-
Departure ke dauran. Veer ne jab Nidhi ko jaldbazi me jaate dekha toh usne use pukaara-
"Ma'am??"
Magar, Nidhi na ruki. Usne Veer ki awaaz hi nahi suni. Woh bahut hi jaldbazi me thi. Chehre par chinta bhi jhalak rahi thi.
Veer ne mann hi mann khud ko samjhaya ki har waqt koi uske liye haazir nahi reh sakta tha. Aur, fir woh pal aaya-
Jab uski nazar uss par padi. Pragya! Ek behad khubsoorat chehra. College ki jaani-maani sundar ladkiyo me se ek.
Aur, fir Ajay ka use dekhna, apne pantaro ko ishaara karna, Veer ka scooty uthaate hue ghar ki orr nikalna, Ajay aur uske saathiyo ka bikes se use gherna, use college ki peechhe waale raaste par le jaana, use buri tarah peetna, ghaayal karna, aur baarish hoti sooraj dhalti shaam me use sadak par chhor dena.
Yahi sab toh hua tha. Nahi! Yahi nahi! Uske baad use ghar se nikaal diya jaana, Uska aspataal me hona, marrne ki kagaar par hona, aur Nidhi ka waha par aana.
---
-Aur, aaj woh uske saamne tha.
'Aap chinta mat kariye!! Mein Juhi ko leke aaunga. Mein aapse vaada karta hu!'
Uske bol Nidhi ke kaano me goonj gaye. Usne apna vaada nibha diya tha.
Nidhi ka haath kaanp raha tha, woh uske bagal me ghutno par gir padi. Uski ungliyaan jhijhakte hue aage badhi aur fir usne Veer ki fati hui aasteen ko kass kar pakad liya.
Uski rone ki siskiyaan chhootne lagi. Ghutan bhari awaaz. Uske mote-mote aansu Veer ke khoon se sane haath par girne lage.
"*hic* Aaaaaaaaaa-!!! *hic*"
Woh royi. Kuchh bol nahi paa rahi thi. Iss sab ka bhaar use kuchal raha tha. Agar, Juhi ko kuchh ho jaata toh-
Iss vichaar ne uske shareer ko aur bhi zyada kaanpne par majboor kar diya. Usne apna chehra Veer ke perr se sataaya, uske perr kass ke pakde — maano use chhorne se Juhi fir se uss se dur chali jayegi. Aur, Veer bhi.
Mann hi mann woh Veer ko lagatar dhanyavad deti rahi. Kuchh pal beet gaye, fir usne apna sarr uthaaya.
Veer behosh tha. Usne apni ungliyon se Veer ke khoon se sane chehre ko chhiya, uske angoothe ne Veer ke maathe par fir ek ghaav ko chhiya.
"V-Veer-!" Uski awaaz toot gayi. Honth thar-thara uthe.
Aur, fir usne apni baahein uske kandho par rakhi, uske sirr ko dheere se uthaaya aur agle hi pal-
Use apni chhaati se laga liya. Veer ki garm saansein uske seene par padi. Magar, uska chehra poori tarah se thanda mehsoos ho raha tha.
Nidhi ke aansu ab khul kar gir rahe the. Woh bilakh-bilakh kar ro rahi thi. Veer ko apne aalingan me liye, use kass ke pakde woh khadi-khadi dahaad maar ke roti rahi. Jaise varsho se usne khud ko roke rakha tha aur ab uski bhavnaaye khul kar baahar nikal rahi thi.
"M-Maine tumhe apne se dur dhakela..." Woh fusfusayi. "Har baar... *hic* Har baar maine tumhe dur kiya."
Use yaad aaya jab usne Veer ko 1 lakh rupaye ki payment kar di thi. Kaise woh uss par bhadka tha.
Use ye bhi yaad aaya ki uski padosan Mrs. Tiwari kis tarah use Veer jaise ladko se dur rehne ki hidayat de rahi thi.
Ye sab yaad karte hi, usne Veer ko aur kass ke laga liya.
"Mujhe maaf kar do-!! *hic*" usne roondhi hui awaaz me budbudaya. "Mujhe maaf kardo, Veer!! Aaaaaaaa-!! Aaaaaaaaaa!! *hic* *sniff*"
Aur, firse usne uska sirr apni chhaati me aur bhi gehraayi me daba liya. Aur, inn teen saalo me aaj pehli baar — usne apni bhavnao se bhaagna band kar diya.
"Maine tumhe chaahna kabhi nahi chhora tha... Trust me... Mein bas... *hic* Mein bas darti thi."
"L-Lekin, *sniff* ab aur nahi bhaagungi."
Veer ke sang bitaaye use saare puraane pal yaad aane lage.
Har muskaan jo woh chhipaata tha.
Har aansu jo woh dabaata tha.
"Tum... *sniff* Tum akele the... M-Mujhe aur bhi bahut kuchh karna chahiye tha... *hic* Mujhe tumhare paas aur rehna chahiye tha."
"Par ab... *hic* Ab mein hu yaha. Aur, mein ab kahi nahi jaungi. *sniff* Kabhi bhi nahi."
Usne na jaane kab se inn bhavnao ko dabaaye rakha tha. Lekin, ab aur nahi.
Aasmaan me aatishbaziyo se fel rahe rang bikhre hue the, aur hospital ke iss kamre me ek mahila ne khoon se sane ek naujavan ko apni baaho me bhar rakha tha.
Aur, hospital ke saamne ki building ki terrace par khade do log ye sab kuchh dekh paa rahe the.
Erica : See, dad? Yahi woh Nidhi hai jinki beti ko Veer bacha ke laaya. But... I have never seen him so low.
Renshu : Low? He's the one who's the tallest among us. Na sirf usne unki jaan par khatra nahi aane diya, balki woh unhe chhuraane me bhi qamyab tha. Par, ab time nahi hai. Erica-!
Erica samajh gayi ki use kya karna tha. Garofano ko call connect kar ke Ava se poochhne ke baad dobara se Veer ki nayi location le li thi unhone.
Erica bina kuchh kahe waha se ek kshan me gaayab ho gayi.
Andar derr raat me hospital ka corridor shaant tha. Shreya ki bauhe sikudi aur palke jhapkaate hue woh kursi par se uthi. Sabhi resting area me so chuke the aur woh aur uske Ishaan bhaiya hi yaha kursi par baithe the.
Usne dekha ki uske bhaiya bhi baitha-baithe hi so rahe the. Apne phone ko dheele haath se pakdi woh Nidhi ko dekhne ke liye uske kamre ki orr badhi.
Lekin, Nidhi ke kamre ke paas pahuchte hi uske qadam wahi tham gaye.
Darwaaze ke sheeshein se... Usne dekha.
Veer.
Nidhi.
Juhi.
Nidhi ne Veer ke chehre ko apni chhaati se laga rakha tha — khoon se lathpath aur ghaayal.
Shreya bhauchakki reh gayi.
Drishya use umeed se zyada prabhavit kar gaya. Uski ungliyaan phone par kass gayi. Aur, vibhinn anubhutiyaan ek pal me mehsoos ho gayi.
Raahat — kyunki, Veer sahi salamat tha.
Khushi — kyunki, Juhi surakshit thi.
Irshya — kyunki, Veer kisi aur ki baaho me tha.
Glaani — kyunki, jiski baaho me tha woh uski apni badi behan hi thi. Ye sab uske mann me nahi aana chahiye tha.
Aur, dard — na jaane kyu.
*Click*
Darwaaze ki awaaz aate hi Nidhi chaunk kar tezi se mudi.
'Huh?'
Saamne koi ladki thi. Iske pehle ki woh kuchh keh paati-
"Shh! It won't hurt! Please! Sleep!"
Nidhi ko kuchh pata nahi chala. Uski aankhon ke saamne achanak se andhera chhaa gaya.
***
Ek ukhdi hui saans.
Veer ki aankhein fad-fada kar khuli. Chhat alag thi. Hawa me gandh toh wahi thi — antiseptic ki. Magar, uski chhaati par se woh bhaar gaayab tha.
Juhi.
Uski saans atakne ko hui, ghabrahat ne uske shareer ko jhakjhor diya. Uski baahein Juhi ko paane ke liye fadki. Kaha gayi woh?
Par, agle hi pal use mehsoos hua — uske dono taraf, daaye aur baaye koi uski baaho ko jakde hue tha.
'Huh?'
Uska sirr daayi orr muda.
Tej.
Uski Teju di ne use pakde rakha tha. Magar, nigaahein saamne ki orr ek band darwaaze par tiki thi.
Woh baayi orr muda.
Kavya.
Woh uss se chipki hui thi. Tej ki hi tarah, woh bhi saamne hi nazre gadaayi thi.
Uske haatho se bediyaan gaayab thi. Ye kaise hua? Janzeerein uski kalaayi par locked thi. Kaha chali gayi wo?
Kuchh gadbad thi. Tabhi-
“Veer!”
Ghane vatavaran me ek awaaz goonj gayi. Shweta! Use jaagta hua dekh uski aankhein chaudi ho gayi. Woh chillaati hui uske nazdeek aayi. Aur, kamre me maujood sabhi ki nigaahein Veer par pad gayi.
Badhi toh Bhavna bhi thi lekin, Shweta ne aate hi Veer ke chehre ko thaam liya aur use betaab apne seene se laga liya.
"Hosh aa gaya mere bete ko... Hey bhagwan!"
Veer akad ke reh gaya. Uske shareer ka har ang dard se tadak raha tha, lekin uljhan ka bojh dard se kahi zyada bhaari tha.
Ye sab yaha kyu the? Ye woh aspataal toh nahi tha jaha par Nidhi bharti thi.
Tej aur Kavya uss se lipti hui thi. Uski Shweta maa, aur uski maa — Bhavna. Sab ro rahi thi.
Usne dekha ki uske pita-
Brijesh!
'???'
Uske pita bhi kone me haath mode chintan me khade hue the. Uski behan Aarohi apni laal aankhein liye rote hue use hi dekh rahi thi.
Aabha aur Sonali bhi ek jagah par baithi use rote hue dekh rahi thi. Aur, na jaane kitne log the.
Uska sirr ghoom raha tha. Dhadkane tez ho rahi thi. Kuchh nahi, bahut kuchh galat lag raha tha.
'P-Pari? What the hell happened?'
Magar-
Sannaata. Koi jawab nahi.
'P-Pari? Juhi kaha hai? Ye sab kya chal raha hai?'
Fir bhi koi jawab nahi. Usne apne daant peese.
'Pariiii-!!'
Magar, kuchh nahi. Pari sleep mode me jaa chuki thi.
Uski saansein tez hui. Use Nidhi ke kamre me jaana yaad tha. Use yaad tha ki Juhi uske seene se hi lipti hui thi. Use ye bhi yaad tha ki woh seat par gira tha. Lekin, uske baad-!?
Use kuchh bhi yaad nahi tha. Kya hua tha? Veer ki nazar achanak baayi orr dur ek corridor me padi. Aur, usne dekha-
Kone ke paas, uske parivar se alag. Teen log khade hue the.
Renshu. Erica. Aur, Garofano.
Jo use hi dekh rahi thi.
System holders. Yaha par? Woh sab yaha kyu the? Use tabhi yaad aaya-
Yarnia's launch.
Woh toh aaj thi na? Toh kya hua? Sab yaha kyu the? Aur, ro kyu rahe the? Yarnia ka kya hua?
Aur, use yaad aa gaya.
Mission ki penalty. Ek sihran uske badan me daud gayi. Kahi isliye toh sab-?
Nahi! Aisa nahi ho sakta. Usne Juhi, Pihu ko bacha liya tha. Fir, akhir aur koi kaise khatre me ho sakta tha? Woh koi sawal kar paata ki itne me saamne ka darwaza khul gaya.
Ek doctor baahar nikal ke aaya. Sab achanak se khade ho gaye. Jis baat ko Veer ka darr tha, woh darr aur gehra ho gaya.
Doctor ne sabhi ko dekha aur fir Veer ko dekh ek haami bhar uski orr chalte hue nazdeek aaya jaise woh jaanta tha ki use kis se baat karni thi.
Veer Singh.
Yahi wo vyakti thi jise usko jawab dena chahiye. Doctor ne ek gehri saans li. Fir, ek asthir awaaz me bola-
"I'm very sorry, sir. Hum unhe bacha nahi sake. Mr. Manorath is no more."
*Badump*
Dhadalle se darwaza punah khula, stretcher par Manorath ji ka shav tha, upar se safed kapda dhaka hua tha.
Cheekhein goonj uthi. Parivar jano ke rone ki awaaz aspataal me goonjne lagi.
Veer ko kuchh samajh aata ki tabhi-
"Although, Miss Ragini ki situation kaafi critical thi. But, doctor ne mujhe khabar de di hai."
'Ragini' naam sunn woh wapas se hosh me aaya.
"She's out of danger now."
Raahat bamushqil ek kshan ke liye hi thi.
"But there's only one problem. I'm sorry to say but — woh ab pehle ki tarah kabhi nahi chal payengi."
Aur, aspatal ko ek gehre sannaate ne dhak liya.
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Aaj ke liya itna hi guys.
This update consists of 8.3k words. Jaan boojh ke around itni length ka rakha hai warna ye update 10k ke upar jaa raha tha. Too much info dump iss update me mujhe sahi nahi lagi because Nidhi ka aham hissa tha iss update me. So, I decided to post those sections in the later updates. This update also justifies why Nidhi took Veer to her house and sheltered him. Unke beech ka rishta ekdum naya nahi tha. They knew each other. Mehez 3 mahino ka hi rishta tha lekin, unn teen mahino ne bahut kuchh badal diya tha. Samay-samay par aise hi flashbacks ke zariye hum Nidhi aur Veer ke madhya aur bhi moments dekhenge. Yaha par past kaisa laga woh zaroor bataane ka. Baaki, target apna wahi hai. 300. Pahucha dene ka. Agle update se Post Disembowler arc shuru ho jayega.
Milte hai agle bhaag me.
Dhanyavad.
Sidd19
Active Member
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Mind blowing update bhaiUpdate - 196 ~ The Fulfilled Promise
Ab tak...
Ye Veer ki qismat thi, ya kuchh aur-
Jo woh raasta dhundhne me saksham tha. Lair se baahar woh kooda. Mission complete ho chuka tha.
Parantu, Pari ne use iski soochna nahi di. Kyunk, notification tha-
[Mission Failed.]
[Due to the host's partial completion of the mission, all the three penalties of the mission won't be applied.]
[Due to the failure of not killing the Disembowler, one penalty will be applied to the host.]
[Mission penalty : Loss of loved ones.]
Ab aage...
Raat ke 12:05 baj rahe the. Aatishbaziyo ne Mumbai ke aasmaan ko jagmaga kar rakha hua tha, naye saal ke aagman ka har aadmi ullaas mana raha tha. Hawa me khushiyaan chhayi thi, log jashn mana rahe the, galey mil rahe the, iss nav varsh ka swagat karne ke liye khushi se chillaa rahe the. Lekin, isi sheher me iss shor ke beech kahi par maatam chhaaya hua tha.
News channels me prasaaran jaari the — Hotel Prestige ko lekar ek gambheer report. Kuchh bhayanak hua tha. Visfot. Khoon-kharaba. Jaano ka lutna.
Isliye, sheher ke kuchh hisso me jashn ka mahaul feeka pad chuka tha.
"Hotel Prestige par jaanlewa humla!"
"Kayi logo ke maare jaane ki khabar!"
"Suraksha guards maare gaye! Adhikariyo ko lakshit humle ka sandeh!"
Bars aur luxury clubs me TV screen par tabahi ke drishya dikhayi de rahe the — toote hue sheeshein, palte hue furniture, stretchers par le jaaye jaa rahe shav. Ek electronics showroom ke baahar ek chhoti bheed jama ho gayi thi, unki nazar andar rakhe display TV par tiki hui thi.
"Aaj ke din batao kya ho gaya. Tch tch!" Ek aadmi ne badbadate hue kaha.
"Hotel Prestige toh achha hotel tha. Hum toh gaye hai. Badhiya tha. Pata nahi kaise ho gaya ye sab. Mujhe lagta hai humla karwaya gaya hai." Ek mahila ne haami bharte hue kaha.
"Mumbai me crime badhta jaa raha hai. Tch! Tyohaaron me bhi ab-" ek raahgeer ne waha se nikalte hue fusfusaya.
Lekin, har koi shok nahi mana raha tha. Mumbai ke elite varg ke gharo me, oonchi-oonchi imaarato me glass takra rahe the aur dheemi baat-cheet me chhipi hui khushi thi.
Iss beech, Mumbai ki sabse shandar 7 star hotel — Casa Belle me patrakaro aur reporters ki bheed umdi hui thi. Cameramen apna camera liye hotel ke maalik — Aadesh Jaisinghani ke bayaan ka intezar kar rahe the.
Woh baahar aaya. Sleek hairstyle me geele baalo ko poori tarah peechhe kiye, Armani ki dress pehne, aisa lag raha tha maano woh abhi-abhi koi jashn mana ke aaya ho.
Aur, jaise hi woh saamne aaya, reporters uss par toot pade.
Reporter #1 : Mister Aadesh, Hotel Prestige par hue humle par aapke vichaar?
Reporter #2 : Hospitality industry me ek leading figure hone ke naate, aap uss suraksha chook ke baare me kya kehna chaahenge jiske chalte ye haadsa hua?
Reporter #3 : Casa Belle aur Hotel Prestige ke madhya shuru se hi oonch-neech hoti aayi hai. Kya aapko lagta hai ki ye humla kisi business conflict se juda hai?
Media ko chahiye tha masala. Kahani. Khabrein. Jo unhe police se utni maatra me nahi mil paayi thi. Aur, isliye khud Aadesh ne hi ye khabar media ke beech felwayi ki woh iss vishay ko lekar raat me apne vichaar rakhega. Media yaha aayi nahi thi. Unhe chalaaki se yaha laaya gaya tha.
Usne dheere se, kaafi baar abhyaas ki hui ek aah chhori, uski bauhe thodi si sikud gayi. Usne ek napa-tula qadam aage badhaya, yeh sunishchit karte hue ki camera uski aankhon me gehri suhanubhuti ko qaid kar raha hai ya nahi.
Aadesh (lagbhag shok me) : Dekhiye! Sabse pehle, mein peedito, unke parivaro aur iss bhayanak ghatna se prabhavit sabhi logo ke prati sanvedna vyakt karta hu. Aaj nav varsh ke shuru hote hi- yeh humla... Ye humla sirf Hotel Prestige par nahi hai. Ye humla saari hospitality industry par hai. Jab kisi hotel ko iss tarah se nishana banaaya jaata hai, toh ye harr atithi ke uss bharose ki neev ko hila deta hai jo woh hum par rakhte hai.
Reporters uske shabdo par sirr hilaate hue budbudaaye. Woh bilkul sahi baatein keh raha tha.
Aadesh ne aage bolne se pehle ek dramatic effect ke liye kuchh der viraam liya.
Aadesh : Dekhe... Maine humesha... Maine humesha se hi Hotel Prestige ko sammaan diya hai. Haan, mein sweekar karta hu ki humare beech competition chalta rehta hai. Lekin, ye ek healthy competition hota hai. Aur, competition ka matlab dushmani nahi hai. Business me ye sab aam baat hoti hai. Haal hi me, humaare Unicard ki launch ke dauran humne Hotel Prestige ko bhi aamantrit kiya tha. Mister Veer Singh, Miss Bhumika Singh, dono hi parivar jann ke saath padhaare the yaha. Aur, humaare mann me ek-dusre ke liye paraspar sammaan ke alawa kuchh nahi.
Uske hontho par ek dhoort muskaan ubhri, lekin usne badi hi chalaaki se ek aah bharte hue use chhipa liya.
Reporter #4 : Toh aap ko iss baare me koi idea nahi ki humle ke peechhe kaun ho sakta hai?
Aadesh ne asahaay bhaav se apna sarr hilaaya.
Aadesh (dheere se) : Ji, mein bhi Mumbai ke baaki logo ki tarah hairaan hu. Aisa kisne kiya hoga? Unka kya maqsad ho sakta hai? Ye aise sawal hai jinka jawab sirf police hi de sakti hai. Lekin, mein itna zaroor kehna chahunga ki — iss sankat ki ghadi me Casa Belle Hotel Prestige ke saath hai. Agar, hum unki madad ke liye kuchh bhi kar sakte hai, toh hum zaroor karenge.
Casa Belle aur Hotel Prestige ka samarthan? Sawal hi paida nahi hota. Yeh toh bas uski chaal thi.
Andar hi andar woh toh balki iss aapda ka aanand le raha tha.
Yarnia — Veer ka bhavya naya clothing brand, din ki raushni dekhne se pehle hi malbe me tabdeel ho chuka tha. Hotel Prestige, wahi hotel jisne uski Casa Belle ke saath bhidne ki koshish ki thi, ab ek crime scene ka sthal bann chuki thi.
Aisa lag raha tha jaise brahmaand ne swayam uski jholi me ye uphaar de diya tha.
Camera ke saamne usne fir se apna murjhaya hua chehra prastut kiya aur bola-
Aadesh : Kumar! Ye sab humare mehman hai. Inki khatirdari me kami nahi rehni chahiye.
Kumar (nods) : Ji, Sir!
Kehte hue woh wahi murjhayi awastha liye andar chala gaya. Aur, idhar news me uske charche hone lage. Jo uske kapti-pann se parichit nahi the, woh use saccha insaan maanane lage.
Iss traasdi ke bawajood, Mumbai ne rukne se inkaar kar diya tha.
Vyast sadko par, kuchh log shok mana rahe the, lekin kayi log bas aage badh gaye — kyunki, yahi Mumbai ka tareeka tha.
Kisi aspatal ke pareeksha kaksh me ek yuvti dheere-dheere ro rahi thi. Uska bhai, jo Hotel Prestige me security guard tha, mehmano ki suraksha karte hue maara jaa chuka tha. Duniya aage badh gayi, par uske liye uski duniya wahi khatm ho chuki thi.
***
Isi beech ghani raat me Disembowler ki lair ke theek upar sthit shamsan ke paas hi Erica aur Renshu khade hue the.
Renshu : Yahi jagah hai na?
Erica : Haan, dad! Usne toh yahi batayi thi. Kya mein-?
Renshu (nods) : Hmm! Shuru karo!
Erica (nods) : Okay!
Woh jhuki. Usne apna ek haath neeche shamshaan ki bhoomi par rakha aur fir-
'Basic Seer Vision!'
*Ding*
Agle hi pal alag-alag drishya uske mastishq me ghoomne lage. Woh bechari apni bauhe zorr se sikodi, kayi baar uska badan kaanp utha, magar woh waha se uthi nahi.
Renshu agal-bagal apni nazrein ghumaaye hue tha. Woh sunishchit kar raha tha ki kahi koi unhe dekh na le.
Yaha se woh khaali haath nahi laut sakte the.
Kuchh der pehle...
Ek mand raushni waali jagah. Medical equipment ki awaaz.
Ava ka shareer ek andheri sunsaan gali me khadi ek shandar kaali SUV ke andar ek asthayi operating table par laita hua tha. Uski saansein ab niyantran me aa rahi thi. Chehre ka rang wapas aa raha tha.
Uske pait par lagi goli ke ghaav ko pehle hi saaf kiya jaa chuka tha aur surgical precision ke saath sil diya gaya tha.
Garofano uske bagal se khadi thi. Usne zehreeli bullet ko badi hi kushalta se Ava ke shareer se nikaal diya tha. Uske haath sthir the, aur dimag gadna karne me laga hua tha.
Wahi thi jo Ava ko apne kandho par utha ke leke aayi thi. Uske theek peechhe Renshu, Erica ke saath khada hua tha.
Erica ki nigaahein Ava ke achetan roop ka adhyayan kar rahi thi. Uske dad ne humesha hi use iss aurat se satark rehne ko kaha tha. Magar, akhir kaun thi Natalia Martin? Ek bemisal worldwide famous singer aur celebrity. Kya waqai woh Veer ko dhoka deke use maarna chaahti thi? Woh dhyaan se Ava ko ghoorti rahi.
Aur, phir-
Renshu ne chuppi todi.
Renshu : Use hosh me aane me kitna samay lagega?
Garofano ne bina peechhe mude apne khoon se sane dastaane haath se nikaale aur apne haath me pehni ghadi dekhi.
Garofano : Bullet nikaale abhi mushqil se 15 minute hi hue hai. Zeher ki potency aur blood loss ko dhyaan me rakhte hue, ise kam se kam abhi 4 se 5 ghante toh-
"Ngh-!"
Uske shabd adhoore reh gaye jab ek dard bhari karaah ne use beech me hi rok diya.
Ava ka shareer jhatka khaaya, uski ungliyaan neeche seat ke leather par kassne lagi aur fir ek tez gati se, woh bhaari saans lete hue uth baithi.
Garofano ki aankhein avishvas me chaudi ho gayi.
Namumkin!
Ava ka ghaav gehra tha, zeher ke chalte use toh abhi ghanto tak behosh rehna chahiye tha. Magar, fir bhi woh kuchh hi minto me jaag chuki thi!?
[This girl... She has some sort of healing skill.]
Freya ki awaaz Garofano ke mann me goonj gayi.
Erica : Ah? Itni jaldi hosh bhi aa gaya?
Woh halka sa cheekhte hue boli. Yaha tak ki humesha shaant rehne waale Renshu ne bhi aankhein sikod li.
Ava (yells) : V-Veer!
Woh chillaate hue uthne ke liye aage badhi, lekin Garofano ne uske kandho par haath rakh use neeche baitha diya.
Garofano : Calm down!
Ava : Veer-!
Garofano : Sniper marr chuka hai. I have dealt with him. Ab koi khatra nahi hai. Don't worry! Take it easy!
Garofano ne fir apni jeb se ek kaagaz nikaalte hue Renshu ki orr kiya. Renshu ne use thaamte hue khola aur jab use dekha toh uski bauhe chinta me sikud gayi.
Garofano : Ye uss Dexter ke paas se mila. Kisi syndicate alliance ka member tha woh shayad. Check karne par toh yahi nazar aaya.
Ye wahi kaagaz tha jo Dexter ke paas tha. Veer ke parivar jann ke naam aur unki tasveerein iss kaagaz me maujood thi.
Veer ke parivar ka zikr aate hi Ava ki chhaati zoro se upar-neeche hone lagi. Aankhon me chinta abhi bhi barkarar thi.
Ava : Veer... *huff* Veer ki family! Mujhe- *cough* *cough*
Garofano (sternly) : Tumhe shaant rehne ki zaroorat hai!
Usne Ava ko beech me tokte hue kaha. Awaaz teekhi thi lekin nirdayi nahi. Aur, kahi na kahi woh Ava ka adhyayan bhi kar rahi thi. Bhala kis tarah ka system holder aisi chot ke baad itni jaldi hosh me aa sakta tha?
Garofano ki nazro me ek maun manzoori thi. Ava, sirf ek system holder nahi thi. Uske paas bhi uske trump cards the jinhe woh ujagar nahi kar rahi thi.
Erica aashcharya me uske qareeb aayi.
Erica : Itni jaldi kaise hosh aa gaya? Poison ki wajah se itni jaldi hosh nahi aana chahiye tha.
Ava : *huff* T-Tum... Tum sab... *huff*
Garofano : Calm down! Hum sab yaha Veer ke liye hi aaye hai. Aur, tumhe itni jaldi hosh aa gaya? Mein ye expect nahi kar rahi thi.
Ava maun rahi. Woh apne baare me kuchh bhi zaroori baatein nahi bataana chaahti thi.
Renshu : Humare paas samay barbaad karne ke liye nahi hai. Agar, hosh aa hi gaya hai toh kya tum Veer ki location ke baare me kuchh bata sakti ho? Kya tum jaanti ho woh kaha par hai iss waqt?
Ava wahi jamm ke reh gayi. Use yaad aaya. Woh ye kaise bhool sakti thi?
Usne Veer ko Death Flag se mark kar ke rakha hua tha. Bina kisi hich-kichahat ke usne apni aankhein band ki, Veer ki location par dhyaan kendrit kiya. Aur, kuchh hi palo me Veer ki asli location uske mastishq me aa gayi.
Usne apni aankhein kholi. Uska chehra peela pad gaya.
Ava (frowns) : W-Woh-! Woh shamshaan me hai! Uske neeche...! Underground...!
Renshu (frowns) : Shamshaan? Kaha par?
Ava ne use exact location batayi. Chaahe uska shareer kitna hi thaka hua kyu na ho, uske dimag me ek hi baat thi — Veer.
Garofano ne Renshu ko dekha. Dono ek baat jaan gaye the ki Ava ke paas Veer ko track karne ki koi na koi skill zaroor maujood thi. Dono ne hi mann me iss baat ki gaanth baandh li.
Garofano (turns) : Toh kya karna hai? Veer ke paas kaun jaa raha hai?
Renshu : Mumbai me tumhari maujoodgi ab koi rehesya nahi hai. Tum pehle bhi yaha sabke saamne aa chuki ho. Aur, haan- tum ek celebrity se kam bhi nahi. Poora Korea tumhare peechhe paagal hai. Isliye, tumhara Veer ke nazdeek jaana abhi faydemand nahi. Ye unwanted attention ko bulawa dega.
Garofano muskurayi. Apni ungliyon ko apne kaale reshmi baalo me firaayi.
Garofano (smirks) : Hmph! Thanks for the recognition- lekin, shayad tum bhool rahe ho ki mein stealth me maahir hu. Mujhe bas apne chehre par mask pehen'ne ki derr hai. That's it. But, haan! Abhi mein Natalia ko chhor ke yaha se nahi jaa sakti. Woh heal zaroor ho rahi hai but if trouble comes knocking, she won't be able to fight.
Renshu ne uski baat ko sweekar karte hue haami bhari.
Ava ne khud ko upar uthaaya, aur karkash awaaz me boli.
Ava : V-Veer ki family safe toh hai na? I... Usne mujhe- Usne mujhe zimmedari saunpi thi. *huff* M-Mein- Mein yaha aise nahi- *huff*
Renshu : Maine hotel me se ambulances ko nikalte hue dekha tha. Veer ki family ke kuchh logo ko check kiya tha maine. Hotel me ab koi nahi hai andar.
Ava (frowns) : K-Kya woh... Kya woh safe hai?
Renshu : Lagta toh hai. Police ne area ko takeover kar liya hai. Veer ki family shayad hospital gayi hai. Toh, uss hisaab se woh safe hone chahiye. Khatra hotel ke ird-gird hi tha.
Ava ne ek shaant saans chhori. Lekin, chinta zara bhi kam nahi hui.
Renshu (sighs) : Aur, agar mein chaahu bhi toh bhi hospital nahi jaa sakta.
Erica aur Ava dono ne hi use sawaaliya nazro se dekha.
Erica : Eh? Kyu dad?
Iske pehle ki Renshu jawab de paata, Garofano hasste hue jawab di.
Garofano (laughs) : Hahahaha! Because your dad is too damn big. Hospital me logo ko samajhne me hi ghante lag jayenge ki ye aadmi hai kaun? Itni badi qad-kaathi kaise hai? Kaha se aaya hai? Aur, Veer se uska kya sambandh hai? Hahaha! Samjhi?
Renshu : ...
Renshu ne uske chidhaane par koi pratikriya nahi di. Lekin, Erica kaha chup rehne waali thi?
Erica : Wh-What do you mean? Hmph! Mere dad ka matlab simple tha. Unka matlab hai ki Veer ko jald se jald dhundhna hai taaki problem ki asli jadd ka pata lag sake.
Garofano : Oh! Wow! Dekho toh humari Miss Erica ko. Smart banane ki kitni koshish kar rahi hai? But, you're still dumb. Fufu~
Erica : Who-? Who the hell are you calling dumb?
Garofano : Of course, you! Fufu~ Yaha par sirf tum hi dumb ho!
Erica : Y-You-!!
Usne apni mutthi bheenchi. Lekin, iske pehle ki woh jawab de paati, Renshu ki awaaz hawa me goonj uthi.
Renshu : ENOUGH!!!
Dono yuvtiyaan chup ho gayi. Par, Erica ka ghoorna khatam nahi hua.
Erica : Hmph!
Garofano : Fufu~
Renshu : Mein aur Erica Veer ki location par jayenge. Aur, tum yahi rahogi jab tak ki Natalia chalne ki condition me nahi aa jaati.
Garofano (nods) : Theek hai! Par, zyada derr mat lagaana. I don't like sitting on the sidelines.
Renshu ne koi jawab nahi diya. Woh bas apni car ki orr muda. Erica ne uska peechha kiya, aage badhne se pehle Garofano ko ek akhiri nazar se dekha.
Garofano muskurate hue unhe jaata dekhi. Fir, Ava ki orr ghoomi jo abhi bhi seat par laiti hui thi.
Garofano : Maine jitna socha tha, tum uss se kahi zyada mazboot nikli. You're hiding your cards too. Just like him. *smiles*
Ava ne koi jawab nahi diya, lekin uski aankhon ki chamak se Garofano ko pata chal gaya ki usne uski baatein sunn li thi.
Aur, isi tarah Renshu aur Erica Veer ki location par pahuch paaye the. Magar, jab tak ve yaha par pahuche, Veer underground lair se nikal chuka tha.
Kintu, Erica ki basic seer vision ye pata laga sakti thi ki yaha kuchh derr pehle kya kuchh hua tha.
Renshu : Erica!?
Erica apni palke khol uthi. Uske badan me rue khade hue the.
Erica : D-Dad!
Renshu : ??
Erica : V-Veer-!
Erica ne poore drishya toh nahi, lekin kaafi hadd tak kuchh derr pehle ki ghatna ko dekh liya tha. Veer ka ajeebo-gareeb system holder se bhidna, neeche ka bhayanak vatavaran, thandi sadti laashein, maans ke tukde, experiments, SHB, Veer ka haath katna aur uska Juhi aur Pihu ko bachaana.
Erica ne jaise hi Renshu ko sab batlaaya toh Renshu ke khud ke badan me ek sihran daud gayi.
Woh bina koi deri kiye, Erica se lair ka entry point poonchh seedhe neeche ki orr kood gaya.
Erica : D-Daaad???
Majbooran, Erica ko bhi neeche koodna hi pada. Na jaane neeche kaun se rehesya khulne ke liye unka intezar kar rahe the.
***
Carewell Hospital,
Morning - 12:10 AM ~
Hospital ke automatic doors achanak se khule, lekin kisi ka dhyaan uss orr nahi gaya.
Duty par maujood kuchh karmchari apne phone me vyast the, toh kuchh counter par sirr tikaaye hue the aur kuchh the jo aadhi neend me dol rahe the ki ve sab corridor me hui tez raftaar se halchal ko dekh paane me vifal reh gaye.
Veer kisi hawa ke jhonke ki tarah waha daakhil hua. Uska shareer dagmaga raha tha, har qadam par perr felne ke liye aatur ho rahe the. Uski baayi aasteen gehre laal khoon se sani hui thi, jisme se aadhi se zyada aasteen toh poori gaayab ho chuki thi.
Baah me abhi bhi woh janzeerein bandhi hui thi. Uski chhaati ukhadi hui saanson ke saath upar-neeche ho rahi thi.
Aur, uske seene se usi surgeon sheet ke sang bandhi hui thi — Juhi. Uska chhota sa shareer uske seene se chipka hua tha, chehra blazer ke andar chhipa hua tha. Veer uski garm saansein apne seene par mehsoos kar paa raha tha. Woh so rahi thi. Shaant. Aur, surakshit.
Pihu ko woh pehle hi surakshit haatho me de aaya tha. Bachi thi toh sirf uski apni Juhi.
Woh Nidhi ke kamre number 31 me pahucha aur darwaza khola. Waqt hi aisa tha ki duty par mushqil se kuchh hi nurses aur safayi karmchari the jo apne-apne kaamo me lage hue the. Nateeja? Veer ke tez raftar se andar aane par kisi ko bhanak tak nahi lagi.
Woh aage badha. Uski drishti ab dhundhli pad rahi thi. Uski nazar saamne bistar par laiti ek aurat par gayi — Nidhi. Woh so rahi thi. Chehre par abhi bhi shikan ke bhaav the.
Veer uske nazdeek aaya. Kamra hil raha tha kya? Nahi! Woh khud ladkhada raha tha. Iske pehle ki woh zameen par girta, usne wahi lagi bench dekh khud ko dheela chhor diya aur seat par gir pada. Shareer ne akhir haar maan hi li. Uski aankhein band ho gayi.
Akhiri cheez jo usne mehsoos ki — woh tha Juhi ka harqat karta hua haath jo uske blazer ko kass ke jakadne ka prayatn kar raha tha aur fir — andhera.
Kuchh kshan baad...
Ek halki si harqat.
Nidhi ki palke jhapki aur woh jaag uthi. Uska sarr dard se tadak raha tha, ghatna ki yaadein tatt par aati samudra ki lehro ki tarah wapas aane lagi.
"J-Juhi...!"
Woh ghabrayi. Uski bacchi. Uski bacchi ko aghwa kar liya gaya tha. Woh chhatpataate hue uthi aur jaise hi uth ke uski nazar saamne padi. Woh wahi jamm ke reh gayi.
Uski beti, uski duniya — wahi thi. Surakshit. Uske saamne. Uska haath apne khule muh par gaya aur woh ro padi. Aansu beqaabu ho kar behne lage.
Woh kaanpte hue dhadalle se uthi aur aage badhi. Uske haath me lagi IV needle aur uske sang laga drip stand bhi uske saath khichta chala gaya.
Woh Veer ke bagal me ghutno ke bal baithi, uska chehra peela pada hua tha. Usne pehle apni bitiya ko dekha. Chhaati upar-neeche ho rahi thi. Bina kisi chot ke. Surakshit.
Lekin, fir... Uski nazar Veer par gayi.
Uska chehra — sookhe khoon se sana hua — bejaan lag raha tha. Sarr kuchh geela sa tha. Baalo me halki barf jami thi jaise. Blazer ke sang shirt kayi jagaho se fati hui thi. Baah, chhaati aur kamar me gehre ghaav dikhayi pad rahe the. Uske kapde khoon se sane hue the. Par, Nidhi ko sabse zyada dang kiya unn janzeeron ne.
Jinhe dekh uska poora badan kaanp utha. Aankhein bhay ke maare chaudi ho uthi. Badi-badi janzeerein uski baaho me kass kar lipti hui thi.
Uska haath zor se thar-thara utha. Kuchh beeti yaadein wapas saamne aane lagi.
---
Lagbhag do saal pehle ka samay tha. Aaj Nidhi ko ek nayi class niyukt ki gayi thi. Yeh pehli baar nahi tha. Use students ko kis tarah se handle karna hai, ye achhi tarah se aata tha.
Iske pehle woh school me bhi ek shikshak reh chuki thi. Shiksha dena use bakhoobi aata tha. Magar, college aur school me kuchh farq toh hota tha.
College me bachhe ab bacche nahi the. Woh baalig the, sayaane the aur javani ke josh me udd rahe naye khiladi the.
Jaise hi Nidhi classroom me pravesh ki, pal bhar ke liye ek sannaata sa chhaa gaya. Students fir ikhatte khade hue-
"Good morning ma'am!"
"Settle down!"
Uski awaaz dridh lekin garmjoshi se bhari thi. Uske bolte hi sabhi chhaatra wapas se apni seats par baith gaye.
Woh bina students ki taraf dekhe blackboard ko rub karne lagi aur ek safed chalk uthaate hue apna naam likhne lagi.
Nidhi Mishra
Khubsoorat si likhawat me likhte hue usne apna parichay diya.
Aur, jaisa ki hona chahiye tha, waisa hi hua. Nayi-nayi 18 baras ki aayu poorn karne waale javan laundo ke mann me laddu phootne lage. Aur, charcha ka vishay tha — ?
"Behanchod kya maal hai bhai."
"Bhai bol de ki ab yahi apni class teacher hai."
"Bhai hai toh karraa yaar. Sahi me!"
"Iska matlab woh madarchod takla gaya? Kya naam tha bey uska?"
"Bhupinder Daruwala!"
"Bhupinder nahi. Guu pait ke andar! Hahahahaha!"
"Hahahahaha! Abey haan bey! Lawda saala dimaag kha jaata tha betichod."
"Daruwala ki bahut daru pee li... Ab Nidhi se Vidhi seekhenge hahahaha!"
"Kaaye ki bhosdiwaale? Hahahaha!"
"Ah! Madam! Ah! Wo waali vidhi! Aah! Uuh!"
"Hahahahahahaha! Madarchod!"
"Hahahahahahaha!"
Yahi baatein ladko ke alag-alag jhund me hone lagi. Par, kya Nidhi ko ye sab sunayi nahi de raha tha? De raha tha. Bilkul, de raha tha. Kintu, woh khamosh thi. Nirash bhi. Aur, chotil bhi.
"Abey pait kuchh fela-fela sa hai iska magar. Hai na?"
"Pregnant hai kya?"
"Nahi bey! Baccha ho chuka hai shayad. Dhyaan se dekh!"
"Abey toh shuru ka mahina bhi toh ho sakta hai?"
"Chutiye toh woh yaha thodi aati padhaane."
"Haan ye bhi hai!"
"Koi nahi-! Mein wazan kam karwa dunga iska hahahaha!"
"Mujhse toh sirf wazan badhaate aata hai hehehe!"
"Hahahahahaha!"
"Pregnancy ke baad bhi pait foola rehta hai kya?"
"Waisa nahi bey chutiye! Bas thode time tak rehta hai. Abhi madam ko apne asli figure me aane me time lagega."
"Waise... Aise bhi koi kam maal nahi hai."
"Hahahahaha!"
Eka-ek Nidhi ka haath na chaahte hue bhi apne pait par chala gaya. Ladke bhale hi dheere-dheere ye sab khuspusaaye, magar aksar unki baatein sabhi teachers ko sunayi de jaaya karti thi.
Jab Nidhi ko apne pait par haath rakhte unn students ne dekha toh iss baar thoda satark hote hue unn logo ne apni baat-cheet ko virham de diya.
Parantu, unki ek baat sahi thi. Nidhi ko bamushqil abhi dedh se do mahina hi hua tha jab uska apna navjaat uss se chheen liya gaya tha. Dhruv — uski apni amaanat.
Yahi woh samay tha jab Nidhi ke jeevan ka sabse kharab daur shuru hua tha. Ek prataadit karta pati, daayan samaan saas ki gaaliyaan, apne hi bacche ko kho dena, unse bhaag ke apne ek kiraaye ke flat me rehna, aas-pados me uth rahe charche, samaaj ka nazariya, aur jo rahi-sahi kasar baaki reh gayi thi woh inn besharam ladko ne uss par behuda tippani kar ke poori kar di thi.
Lekin, woh jaanti thi ki har ladke ek jaise nahi hote the. Uske apne pita. Uska ek bhai. Woh bhi toh mard the na? Woh jaanti thi ki iss classroom me abhi bhi woh ladke the jo waqai uss se padhna chaahte the — jinke mann me koi galat bhavnaaye nahi thi.
Yahi vishvas liye usne bolna shuru kiya.
"Students! Aaj se... Aaj se mein aapki class teacher rahungi. I will be teaching you Mathematics."
"Ye hui na baat behanchod! Ab maza aayega hahahaha"
"Badhayi ho bhai! Takla gaya hahahaha! Nayi phuljhadi aa gayi."
Unki baatein dobaara se shuru ho gayi. Nidhi ke pehle Bhupinder ji the jo iss kaksha ke class teacher the. Kareeban 7-8 maah tak unhone iss kaksha ko sambhala tha. First year ke bache hue 3-4 mahino ke liye Nidhi ab unki class teacher bann ke aayi thi. Aur, uska swagat kaise hua? Inn bhaddi tippaniyo se.
Himmat rakhte hue usne attendance sheet uthayi aur sabhi ke naam pukaarte hue pehle attendance lene lagi. Ek-ek kar ke jab woh akhiri bache kuchh baccho ke naam pukaarne ko aayi toh-
"Vamika Chauhan!"
"Present ma'am!"
"Vasu Mehta!"
"Present ma'am!"
"Veer Singh!"
*Silence*
'Hmm?'
Ek khamoshi si chhaa gayi. Koi jawab hi nahi aaya. Nidhi ne apna sarr uthaate hue sabhi ko dekha aur usne punah awaaz lagaayi.
"Veer Singh???"
Tabhi, uski nazar sabse side waali row par padi jaha aakhiri bench par ek ladka akele baitha hua tha. Bagal waali row se 2-4 ladke hasste hue use bula rahe the.
"Bhai tere ko bula rahi madam!"
"Chutiye haath utha ke present toh bol de hahahahaha!"
Woh ladka hadbadata hua apna kaam beech me rok upar dekha. Uski nazar Nidhi se jaa takrayi. Ek pal ke liye woh dara par fir ahista se haath uthaate hue bola-
"P-Present ma'am!"
Nidhi kuchh kshan ke liye avaak reh gayi. Woh nahi jaanti thi aisa kyu tha par kuchh pal woh bas Veer ko dekhti rahi. Usne fir aaj ka samay jaise-taise nikaala. Baccho ko padhaaya aur waha se nikal gayi.
Agla din. Wahi kaksha, wahi bacche, wahi harqate. Ladkiyaan hi thi jo kam se kam uss se achhe se pesh aati thi. Adhiktar ladke sirf use hawas ki nazro se hi ghoorte the.
Magar, aaj Nidhi ki nazre class me ghoom rahi thi. Maano jaise chehro se bhara ek samundar tha kamre ke andar — kuchh muskura rahe the, kuchh fusfusa rahe the, kuchh uub ke jhuke hue the. Fir bhi, ek student alag dikh raha tha.
Veer Singh.
Kal ki hi tarah aaj bhi woh sab se dur kone me akela baitha hua tha, uski desk hi baakiyo se dur thi. Uski aankhein apni notebook par tiki hui thi, maano likhte rehne se woh duniya se bach jayega. Uski patli si kaaya uski badi uniform ke andar alag hi maalum pad rahi thi.
Pata nahi kyu par use iss qadar dekh Nidhi ko ek samaanta si mehsoos hui. Attendance lene se pehle woh ruk gayi, uski nazre Veer par tiki rahi.
'Woh akela kyu baitha hai?'
Yeh vichaar kal se uske dimaag me atka hua tha. Jab usne attendance ke liye naam pukaarna shuru kiye, toh sabhi chhaatra baari-baari ek swar me 'present ma'am' chillaate chale gaye. Kaksha me hasi ki ek leher daud gayi, dost ek dusre ko dhakka deke hasi mazaak karne lage, aur unki khusur-pusur jaari ho gayi.
"Veer Singh?"
*Silence*
Aaj bhi wahi hua. Nidhi use hi dekh rahi thi. Veer ne apna haath dheere se upar uthaaya.
"Present ma'am!"
Maujood hoke bhi aisa lag raha tha jaise woh adrishya tha baaki logo ke liye. Shaant aur darpok.
Veer ka akelapann sirf samajik nahi tha — ye uske jeevan me samaya hua tha.
Ek baar project ke dauran, Nidhi ne class me baccho se ek-dusre se partners banaane ke liye kaha.
"Apna ek partner banaiye aur saath mil kar project complete karna hai. Theek hai? Class dismissed."
Chhaatra turant apne dosto ke paas bhaage — dekhte hi dekhte alag-alag pairs bann gaye.
Veer ko chhor kar.
Woh baitha raha, apni notebook ko ghoorta raha. Departure ho chuka tha aur sabhi project ke baare me baatein karte hue chale gaye.
Veer ne chup-chap apna bag uthaaya aur uski orr aaya.
"Ma'am!? Kya mein akele project bana sakta hu?"
"Kyu?"
"Mujhse kisi ne poochha hi nahi. Sabke pehle hi pairs bann gaye."
Usne itni saralta se kaha, maano jaise use aadat ho gayi ho bhulaaye jaane ki. Nidhi ka gala andar hi andar roondh gaya. Uski chhaati me jaise ek dard utha. Woh kuchh na bol saki.
Ek shaam woh class ke baad derr tak ruki hui thi. Usne dekha ki Veer parking area ke paas baitha hua farsh ko ghoor raha tha. Uski aankhein laal thi.
"Veer?"
Usne jawab nahi diya.
"Kya hua?"
Firse koi jawab nahi. Magar, jab usne Veer ke saamne dustbin me dekha toh uski aankhein chaudi hokar reh gayi. Dustbin me Veer ka bag dala hua tha.
Woh akasmat uske bagal se aake khadi hui.
"Kisne kiya ye?"
"Nahi pata. *sniff* Farq nahi padta. Koi nayi baat nahi."
"Tum ruko abhi- mein abhi jaa ke-"
"Nahi! Koi zaroorat nahi hai. Aapke jaane se... Woh baad me aur tang karenge. *sniff* Rehne dijiye."
"Par-"
"Maine kaha na, ma'am! Rehne dijiye!"
Nidhi ne aage kuchh nahi kaha. Usne use rona band karne ke liye bhi nahi kaha. Iski bajaaye, woh bas uske bagal se baith gayi.
Varsho me pehli baar, Veer ko laga ki koi tha... Jo uski parvah kar raha tha.
Din beetate gaye aur Nidhi 'Veer' naam ke iss ladke ko observe karti gayi. Usne jaana ki Veer kabhi kisi se baat nahi karta tha.
Recess ke dauran koi bhi uske saath nahi baithata tha, ladko ka koi bhi group use invite nahi karta tha. Lunch ke samay jab chhaatra apni-apni mandliyo me ikhatta hote, Veer chup-chap waha se gaayab ho jaata. Lunch laata bhi tha ya nahi? Iska bhi pata nahi tha.
Aur, isliye ek dopahar Nidhi recess ke theek baad yuhi uske peechhe-peechhe gayi. Veer library me jaa raha tha.
Nidhi ne dekha ki woh library me khidki ke paas baithe, sirr jhukaaye, notebook me kuchh bana raha tha.
'Hmm?'
Woh aage badhi.
"Iss waqt lunch kiya jaata hai, Veer. Koi aur kaam nahi."
Veer uski awaaz sunn jhep gaya. Woh chaunk gaya, use samajh nahi aa raha tha ki jawaab de ya andekha kar de?
"M-Maine lunch kar liya hai, ma'am." Uski awaaz mushqil se Nidhi ke kaano me pahuchi.
"Achha? 5 minute hue hai abhi recess hue aur tumne lunch bhi kar liya? Jhooth bolte ho?"
"M-Maine subah zyada khaaya tha. Isliye, abhi bhookh nahi hai. M-Mein theek hu, ma'am."
"Kya waqai?"
Veer ne hichkichaate hue apni pen aur kass ke pakad li. "H-Haan! M-Mujhe yaha achha lagta hai. Yaha shaanti rehti hai."
Nidhi ne ek pal ke liye use dekha, fir chali gayi. Veer ko laga ki uska peechha chhoot gaya lekin kuchh der baad hi woh waapas laut aayi — sandwich ki ek plate ke saath.
"Agar, tumhe yahi baithna hai toh yahi baitho. Par, kam se kam kuchh khaa toh liya karo."
Veer plate ko ghoorta raha. Dang reh gaya tha. Aisa pehle kabhi kisi ne uske liye nahi kiya tha.
"M-Mujhe bhookh nahi hai, ma'am."
"Of course, tumhe hai. Tum bas maanane ke liye ziddi ho. Tum lunch nahi laate kya? Mummy nahi deti ghar pe?"
Maa ka zikr aate hi Veer maun reh gaya aur Nidhi jaise samajh gayi ki kuchh baat hai. Usne iss vishay ko aage nahi badhaaya. Veer fir apne aap se hi kuchh kshan baad bola.
"M-Mein-! Mein aaj lunch box bhool gaya. Chachi ne bana ke rakha tha. Lekin- mein bhool gaya."
"Oh! Toh ab kha lo. Theek hai?"
"Nahi! Maine kaha na ma'am. Mujhe bhook nahi hai."
Veer ne mana toh kar diya. Lekin, jab Nidhi plate neeche rakh ke waha se chali gayi, toh Veer ne kuchh hi kshano baad khud ko plate ki taraf aage badhte hue paaya.
Ek din, jab Veer apni baahon aur chehre par chot ke saath class me aaya — ragging aur bullying ke kuchh saboot.
Nidhi ne dekha. Usne kuchh poochha nahi.
Lekin, agli hi subah, Veer ko apni desk ke neeche ek bandage kit rakhi mili — ek chhote se note ke saath.
'Take care of yourself. Some people care about you — even if you don't believe it yet.'
Uss din ke baad se Veer Nidhi ki upasthiti ko aur adhik mehsoos karne laga.
Class me, woh aksar uski desk ke aas-paas hi khadi rehti, aur uss se sawaal bhi poochha karti.
"Veer! Tum batao? Kya ye answer sahi hai?"
"Veer! Tumhari kya raay hai isme?"
Pehle toh woh jawab nahi de paata tha. Uski awaaz mushqil se uske muh se nikalti thi. Lekin, Nidhi ne apna prayas nahi chhora. Nidhi uske astitva ko poora karti thi. Lagne laga tha jaise ab woh adrishya nahi tha.
Ek din woh deri se aaya. Woh ghabrahat me darwaze ki dehleez par khada ho gaya.
"S-Sorry! Ma'am- mein..."
"Koi baat nahi!" Nidhi ne beech me hi tokte hue kaha, uski awaaz naram thi. "Ab aa gaye ho na? Baith jao!"
Zyadatar teachers use khari-kothi suna dete lekin, Nidhi... Woh muskurayi. Woh muskaan use shabdo se kahi zyada shaant kar deti.
Ek din Nidhi ne use apni notebook me kuchh banaate hue pakad liya.
"Tum drawing bhi karte ho??"
Veer ne jhepte hue jaldi se apni notebook band kar li. Uski drawing achhi nahi thi. Lekin, use banaane ka shauk tha.
"K-Kuchh nahi-! A-Aise hi bas..."
"Uff-Oh! Ab chalo bhi mujhe dekhne do."
Hichkichaate hue lekin bharosa kar, Veer ne dheere se notebook kholi. Andar alag-alag sketches the. Kuchh landscapes ke, kuchh chehro ke, aur ek kone me — Nidhi ka khud ka ek chhota sa chitr.
Nidhi ne aashcharya me palke jhapkayi. Fir, haule se hasi.
"Arey waah! Bahut khoob. Par, Veer-!? Mujhe nahi lagta ki meri naak itni badi hai. Hai na?"
Veer ka chehra sharm se laal pad gaya.
"Ye... Ye abhi poora nahi hua hai, ma'am." Usne haklaate hue kaha.
"Koi baat nahi... *smiles* Mein mazaak kar rahi thi. Tum talented ho. Ise chhipaane ki koi zaroorat nahi. Confidence rakha karo, Veer. Okay?"
"J-Ji!"
Jaise-jaise unka rishta aur mazboot hota gaya, unki baatein aur bhi sehej hoti chali gayi. Thodi chanchal bhi.
"Tum humesha ye notebook saath leke ghoomte ho." Woh ek baar use chidhaate hue boli. "Kya hai isme aisa? Hmm? Duniya par qabza karne ka master plan?"
"Haan!" Usne bebaaki se jawab diya. "Sabse pehla qadam — Ek aisa teacher dhundhna jo meri notebook ko lekar baar-baar na poochhe."
"Hahahahaha!" Aur, woh khil-khila ke hass padi.
Veer bhi badle me muskura diya. Shayad ye pehli baar tha jab Nidhi ne use muskurate hue dekha tha.
Class me ek baar questions ke dauran, Veer ne pehli baar koi galti pakdi thi.
"Ma'am, waha par... Waha par sin ki jagah cos aayega."
"Oh??" Nidhi ne bauhe chadhayi. "Mujhse galti ho gayi?"
"Haan!"
"Theek hai toh... Class! Agla question Veer solve karega blackboard pe. Chalo, Veer. Utho apni seat se!"
"Eh??? N-Nahi! Ma'am... Ek minute!"
"Hahahaha! Good luck!" Nidhi uski haalat par hasi.
Veer dara. Nidhi mazak nahi kar rahi thi. Woh blackboard ke saamne khada tha aur chalk se likhte samay uske perr kaanp rahe the. Lekin, fir Nidhi ne podium se fusfusate hue uss se kaha-
"Tum sahi kar rahe ho. Solve karte jao. Daro nahi!"
Jab ek baar Veer ko pehli baar assignment test me Maths me thode achhe marks mile toh usne dekha ki Nidhi ne uske test paper par kuchh likha hua tha — Told you you'd do great. ^_^ But you need to do even better.
Ek baar career ke lakshyo ke baare me charcha ke dauran, Nidhi ne Veer se akele me baat karte hue sehejta se tippani ki-
"Veer! Tumhe ek high goal rakhna chahiye. Tumhare jaise log... Tum apna potential barbaad kar rahe ho."
Magar, Veer ko — ek ladka jise uske parivar waale aksar ye keh dete ki woh apni zindagi me kuchh bhi nahi kar payega — uske shabd bahut chubh gaye.
"Aapko lagta hai ki mein apna samay barbaad kar raha hu???" Usne oonchi awaaz me poonchha. "Mein har din apni poori koshish karta hu, theek hai na? Aap jaanti bhi kya ho mere baare me?? *sniff* Koi nahi jaanta."
Nidhi ne palke jhapkayi. Woh achambhit thi. Veer pehli baar iss tarah se gusse me kuchh uss se bola tha.
"Mera matlab ye nahi tha, Veer. Mein-" Usne Veer ka kandha thaama.
"Rehne dijiye! *sniff* Aadat hai mujhe." Usne jhapatta maarte hue khud ko chhuraaya aur baahar nikal gaya.
Teen dino tak, Veer uss se bachta raha. Nazrein churaata raha. Lekin, chauthe din woh use library me mil hi gaya.
"Mera... Mera tumhara dil dukhane ka irada nahi tha, Veer." Usne dheere se kaha. "Mein bas... Mujhe tum pe vishvas hai. Bas itna hi."
"Hmm... Theek hai... Mujh par apna vishvas barbad mat kariye, ma'am." Woh badbadate hue bola.
"Uske liye ab bahut derr ho chuki hai. Mera paala ab tumse jo pad chuka hai." Woh muskurate hue boli.
Aur, iss baar-
Veer naraaz na reh saka. Woh sharmaate hue muskuraya aur apna muh ferr liya. Nidhi uske sharmaane par bas hasti reh gayi. Woh sahi thi. Aaj bhi kuchh ladke the jo uske prati galat bhavnaaye nahi rakhte the. Veer unme se ek tha. Ya yu kahe, unn sab me se sabse alag.
Aur, aise hi woh teen mahine kab guzar gaye, dono ko hi pata nahi chala. Veer vartalap me apna confidence dheere-dheere gain kar raha tha. Chhutiyaan padi aur uske baad shuru hua second year.
Pehla din tha. Naye juniors ko hall me baitha ke unka swagat kiya jaa raha tha. Classes lagni shuru ho chuki thi. Veer ki class ki teacher punah badal chuki thi lekin, Nidhi ko sabhi chaahne lage the aur isliye use wapas se class teacher banaane ki maang bhi rakhne lage.
Aur, fir aaya woh waqt-
Departure ke dauran. Veer ne jab Nidhi ko jaldbazi me jaate dekha toh usne use pukaara-
"Ma'am??"
Magar, Nidhi na ruki. Usne Veer ki awaaz hi nahi suni. Woh bahut hi jaldbazi me thi. Chehre par chinta bhi jhalak rahi thi.
Veer ne mann hi mann khud ko samjhaya ki har waqt koi uske liye haazir nahi reh sakta tha. Aur, fir woh pal aaya-
Jab uski nazar uss par padi. Pragya! Ek behad khubsoorat chehra. College ki jaani-maani sundar ladkiyo me se ek.
Aur, fir Ajay ka use dekhna, apne pantaro ko ishaara karna, Veer ka scooty uthaate hue ghar ki orr nikalna, Ajay aur uske saathiyo ka bikes se use gherna, use college ki peechhe waale raaste par le jaana, use buri tarah peetna, ghaayal karna, aur baarish hoti sooraj dhalti shaam me use sadak par chhor dena.
Yahi sab toh hua tha. Nahi! Yahi nahi! Uske baad use ghar se nikaal diya jaana, Uska aspataal me hona, marrne ki kagaar par hona, aur Nidhi ka waha par aana.
---
-Aur, aaj woh uske saamne tha.
'Aap chinta mat kariye!! Mein Juhi ko leke aaunga. Mein aapse vaada karta hu!'
Uske bol Nidhi ke kaano me goonj gaye. Usne apna vaada nibha diya tha.
Nidhi ka haath kaanp raha tha, woh uske bagal me ghutno par gir padi. Uski ungliyaan jhijhakte hue aage badhi aur fir usne Veer ki fati hui aasteen ko kass kar pakad liya.
Uski rone ki siskiyaan chhootne lagi. Ghutan bhari awaaz. Uske mote-mote aansu Veer ke khoon se sane haath par girne lage.
"*hic* Aaaaaaaaaa-!!! *hic*"
Woh royi. Kuchh bol nahi paa rahi thi. Iss sab ka bhaar use kuchal raha tha. Agar, Juhi ko kuchh ho jaata toh-
Iss vichaar ne uske shareer ko aur bhi zyada kaanpne par majboor kar diya. Usne apna chehra Veer ke perr se sataaya, uske perr kass ke pakde — maano use chhorne se Juhi fir se uss se dur chali jayegi. Aur, Veer bhi.
Mann hi mann woh Veer ko lagatar dhanyavad deti rahi. Kuchh pal beet gaye, fir usne apna sarr uthaaya.
Veer behosh tha. Usne apni ungliyon se Veer ke khoon se sane chehre ko chhiya, uske angoothe ne Veer ke maathe par fir ek ghaav ko chhiya.
"V-Veer-!" Uski awaaz toot gayi. Honth thar-thara uthe.
Aur, fir usne apni baahein uske kandho par rakhi, uske sirr ko dheere se uthaaya aur agle hi pal-
Use apni chhaati se laga liya. Veer ki garm saansein uske seene par padi. Magar, uska chehra poori tarah se thanda mehsoos ho raha tha.
Nidhi ke aansu ab khul kar gir rahe the. Woh bilakh-bilakh kar ro rahi thi. Veer ko apne aalingan me liye, use kass ke pakde woh khadi-khadi dahaad maar ke roti rahi. Jaise varsho se usne khud ko roke rakha tha aur ab uski bhavnaaye khul kar baahar nikal rahi thi.
"M-Maine tumhe apne se dur dhakela..." Woh fusfusayi. "Har baar... *hic* Har baar maine tumhe dur kiya."
Use yaad aaya jab usne Veer ko 1 lakh rupaye ki payment kar di thi. Kaise woh uss par bhadka tha.
Use ye bhi yaad aaya ki uski padosan Mrs. Tiwari kis tarah use Veer jaise ladko se dur rehne ki hidayat de rahi thi.
Ye sab yaad karte hi, usne Veer ko aur kass ke laga liya.
"Mujhe maaf kar do-!! *hic*" usne roondhi hui awaaz me budbudaya. "Mujhe maaf kardo, Veer!! Aaaaaaaa-!! Aaaaaaaaaa!! *hic* *sniff*"
Aur, firse usne uska sirr apni chhaati me aur bhi gehraayi me daba liya. Aur, inn teen saalo me aaj pehli baar — usne apni bhavnao se bhaagna band kar diya.
"Maine tumhe chaahna kabhi nahi chhora tha... Trust me... Mein bas... *hic* Mein bas darti thi."
"L-Lekin, *sniff* ab aur nahi bhaagungi."
Veer ke sang bitaaye use saare puraane pal yaad aane lage.
Har muskaan jo woh chhipaata tha.
Har aansu jo woh dabaata tha.
"Tum... *sniff* Tum akele the... M-Mujhe aur bhi bahut kuchh karna chahiye tha... *hic* Mujhe tumhare paas aur rehna chahiye tha."
"Par ab... *hic* Ab mein hu yaha. Aur, mein ab kahi nahi jaungi. *sniff* Kabhi bhi nahi."
Usne na jaane kab se inn bhavnao ko dabaaye rakha tha. Lekin, ab aur nahi.
Aasmaan me aatishbaziyo se fel rahe rang bikhre hue the, aur hospital ke iss kamre me ek mahila ne khoon se sane ek naujavan ko apni baaho me bhar rakha tha.
Aur, hospital ke saamne ki building ki terrace par khade do log ye sab kuchh dekh paa rahe the.
Erica : See, dad? Yahi woh Nidhi hai jinki beti ko Veer bacha ke laaya. But... I have never seen him so low.
Renshu : Low? He's the one who's the tallest among us. Na sirf usne unki jaan par khatra nahi aane diya, balki woh unhe chhuraane me bhi qamyab tha. Par, ab time nahi hai. Erica-!
Erica samajh gayi ki use kya karna tha. Garofano ko call connect kar ke Ava se poochhne ke baad dobara se Veer ki nayi location le li thi unhone.
Erica bina kuchh kahe waha se ek kshan me gaayab ho gayi.
Andar derr raat me hospital ka corridor shaant tha. Shreya ki bauhe sikudi aur palke jhapkaate hue woh kursi par se uthi. Sabhi resting area me so chuke the aur woh aur uske Ishaan bhaiya hi yaha kursi par baithe the.
Usne dekha ki uske bhaiya bhi baitha-baithe hi so rahe the. Apne phone ko dheele haath se pakdi woh Nidhi ko dekhne ke liye uske kamre ki orr badhi.
Lekin, Nidhi ke kamre ke paas pahuchte hi uske qadam wahi tham gaye.
Darwaaze ke sheeshein se... Usne dekha.
Veer.
Nidhi.
Juhi.
Nidhi ne Veer ke chehre ko apni chhaati se laga rakha tha — khoon se lathpath aur ghaayal.
Shreya bhauchakki reh gayi.
Drishya use umeed se zyada prabhavit kar gaya. Uski ungliyaan phone par kass gayi. Aur, vibhinn anubhutiyaan ek pal me mehsoos ho gayi.
Raahat — kyunki, Veer sahi salamat tha.
Khushi — kyunki, Juhi surakshit thi.
Irshya — kyunki, Veer kisi aur ki baaho me tha.
Glaani — kyunki, jiski baaho me tha woh uski apni badi behan hi thi. Ye sab uske mann me nahi aana chahiye tha.
Aur, dard — na jaane kyu.
*Click*
Darwaaze ki awaaz aate hi Nidhi chaunk kar tezi se mudi.
'Huh?'
Saamne koi ladki thi. Iske pehle ki woh kuchh keh paati-
"Shh! It won't hurt! Please! Sleep!"
Nidhi ko kuchh pata nahi chala. Uski aankhon ke saamne achanak se andhera chhaa gaya.
***
Ek ukhdi hui saans.
Veer ki aankhein fad-fada kar khuli. Chhat alag thi. Hawa me gandh toh wahi thi — antiseptic ki. Magar, uski chhaati par se woh bhaar gaayab tha.
Juhi.
Uski saans atakne ko hui, ghabrahat ne uske shareer ko jhakjhor diya. Uski baahein Juhi ko paane ke liye fadki. Kaha gayi woh?
Par, agle hi pal use mehsoos hua — uske dono taraf, daaye aur baaye koi uski baaho ko jakde hue tha.
'Huh?'
Uska sirr daayi orr muda.
Tej.
Uski Teju di ne use pakde rakha tha. Magar, nigaahein saamne ki orr ek band darwaaze par tiki thi.
Woh baayi orr muda.
Kavya.
Woh uss se chipki hui thi. Tej ki hi tarah, woh bhi saamne hi nazre gadaayi thi.
Uske haatho se bediyaan gaayab thi. Ye kaise hua? Janzeerein uski kalaayi par locked thi. Kaha chali gayi wo?
Kuchh gadbad thi. Tabhi-
“Veer!”
Ghane vatavaran me ek awaaz goonj gayi. Shweta! Use jaagta hua dekh uski aankhein chaudi ho gayi. Woh chillaati hui uske nazdeek aayi. Aur, kamre me maujood sabhi ki nigaahein Veer par pad gayi.
Badhi toh Bhavna bhi thi lekin, Shweta ne aate hi Veer ke chehre ko thaam liya aur use betaab apne seene se laga liya.
"Hosh aa gaya mere bete ko... Hey bhagwan!"
Veer akad ke reh gaya. Uske shareer ka har ang dard se tadak raha tha, lekin uljhan ka bojh dard se kahi zyada bhaari tha.
Ye sab yaha kyu the? Ye woh aspataal toh nahi tha jaha par Nidhi bharti thi.
Tej aur Kavya uss se lipti hui thi. Uski Shweta maa, aur uski maa — Bhavna. Sab ro rahi thi.
Usne dekha ki uske pita-
Brijesh!
'???'
Uske pita bhi kone me haath mode chintan me khade hue the. Uski behan Aarohi apni laal aankhein liye rote hue use hi dekh rahi thi.
Aabha aur Sonali bhi ek jagah par baithi use rote hue dekh rahi thi. Aur, na jaane kitne log the.
Uska sirr ghoom raha tha. Dhadkane tez ho rahi thi. Kuchh nahi, bahut kuchh galat lag raha tha.
'P-Pari? What the hell happened?'
Magar-
Sannaata. Koi jawab nahi.
'P-Pari? Juhi kaha hai? Ye sab kya chal raha hai?'
Fir bhi koi jawab nahi. Usne apne daant peese.
'Pariiii-!!'
Magar, kuchh nahi. Pari sleep mode me jaa chuki thi.
Uski saansein tez hui. Use Nidhi ke kamre me jaana yaad tha. Use yaad tha ki Juhi uske seene se hi lipti hui thi. Use ye bhi yaad tha ki woh seat par gira tha. Lekin, uske baad-!?
Use kuchh bhi yaad nahi tha. Kya hua tha? Veer ki nazar achanak baayi orr dur ek corridor me padi. Aur, usne dekha-
Kone ke paas, uske parivar se alag. Teen log khade hue the.
Renshu. Erica. Aur, Garofano.
Jo use hi dekh rahi thi.
System holders. Yaha par? Woh sab yaha kyu the? Use tabhi yaad aaya-
Yarnia's launch.
Woh toh aaj thi na? Toh kya hua? Sab yaha kyu the? Aur, ro kyu rahe the? Yarnia ka kya hua?
Aur, use yaad aa gaya.
Mission ki penalty. Ek sihran uske badan me daud gayi. Kahi isliye toh sab-?
Nahi! Aisa nahi ho sakta. Usne Juhi, Pihu ko bacha liya tha. Fir, akhir aur koi kaise khatre me ho sakta tha? Woh koi sawal kar paata ki itne me saamne ka darwaza khul gaya.
Ek doctor baahar nikal ke aaya. Sab achanak se khade ho gaye. Jis baat ko Veer ka darr tha, woh darr aur gehra ho gaya.
Doctor ne sabhi ko dekha aur fir Veer ko dekh ek haami bhar uski orr chalte hue nazdeek aaya jaise woh jaanta tha ki use kis se baat karni thi.
Veer Singh.
Yahi wo vyakti thi jise usko jawab dena chahiye. Doctor ne ek gehri saans li. Fir, ek asthir awaaz me bola-
"I'm very sorry, sir. Hum unhe bacha nahi sake. Mr. Manorath is no more."
*Badump*
Dhadalle se darwaza punah khula, stretcher par Manorath ji ka shav tha, upar se safed kapda dhaka hua tha.
Cheekhein goonj uthi. Parivar jano ke rone ki awaaz aspataal me goonjne lagi.
Veer ko kuchh samajh aata ki tabhi-
"Although, Miss Ragini ki situation kaafi critical thi. But, doctor ne mujhe khabar de di hai."
'Ragini' naam sunn woh wapas se hosh me aaya.
"She's out of danger now."
Raahat bamushqil ek kshan ke liye hi thi.
"But there's only one problem. I'm sorry to say but — woh ab pehle ki tarah kabhi nahi chal payengi."
Aur, aspatal ko ek gehre sannaate ne dhak liya.
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Aaj ke liya itna hi guys.
This update consists of 8.3k words. Jaan boojh ke around itni length ka rakha hai warna ye update 10k ke upar jaa raha tha. Too much info dump iss update me mujhe sahi nahi lagi because Nidhi ka aham hissa tha iss update me. So, I decided to post those sections in the later updates. This update also justifies why Nidhi took Veer to her house and sheltered him. Unke beech ka rishta ekdum naya nahi tha. They knew each other. Mehez 3 mahino ka hi rishta tha lekin, unn teen mahino ne bahut kuchh badal diya tha. Samay-samay par aise hi flashbacks ke zariye hum Nidhi aur Veer ke madhya aur bhi moments dekhenge. Yaha par past kaisa laga woh zaroor bataane ka. Baaki, target apna wahi hai. 300. Pahucha dene ka. Agle update se Post Disembowler arc shuru ho jayega.
Milte hai agle bhaag me.
Dhanyavad.
Once again very nice bohat acha likha aapne.
Lakin mission TU pora ho gya tha aur howa b mehnat se tha TU failed kyun howa mission kyunk diseblower TU mara gya na?
Agar nae mara Tu Kiya next b aye ga?
Agar mara gya TU mission fail kyun howa us k Kuch cards milny chahiye thy
Lakin mission TU pora ho gya tha aur howa b mehnat se tha TU failed kyun howa mission kyunk diseblower TU mara gya na?
Agar nae mara Tu Kiya next b aye ga?
Agar mara gya TU mission fail kyun howa us k Kuch cards milny chahiye thy
Disemblower k pass Kuch exceptional cards thy woh veer ko milny chahiye thy jaise crimson k cards mily thy veer ko
- 15,544
- 105,471
- 259
Disembowler nahi mara. Tabhi toh mission fail hua.
Jab Disembowler mara hi nahi toh cards kaise mil jayenge Veer ko?
Bahut hi mast tha update awesomeUpdate - 196 ~ The Fulfilled Promise
Ab tak...
Ye Veer ki qismat thi, ya kuchh aur-
Jo woh raasta dhundhne me saksham tha. Lair se baahar woh kooda. Mission complete ho chuka tha.
Parantu, Pari ne use iski soochna nahi di. Kyunk, notification tha-
[Mission Failed.]
[Due to the host's partial completion of the mission, all the three penalties of the mission won't be applied.]
[Due to the failure of not killing the Disembowler, one penalty will be applied to the host.]
[Mission penalty : Loss of loved ones.]
Ab aage...
Raat ke 12:05 baj rahe the. Aatishbaziyo ne Mumbai ke aasmaan ko jagmaga kar rakha hua tha, naye saal ke aagman ka har aadmi ullaas mana raha tha. Hawa me khushiyaan chhayi thi, log jashn mana rahe the, galey mil rahe the, iss nav varsh ka swagat karne ke liye khushi se chillaa rahe the. Lekin, isi sheher me iss shor ke beech kahi par maatam chhaaya hua tha.
News channels me prasaaran jaari the — Hotel Prestige ko lekar ek gambheer report. Kuchh bhayanak hua tha. Visfot. Khoon-kharaba. Jaano ka lutna.
Isliye, sheher ke kuchh hisso me jashn ka mahaul feeka pad chuka tha.
"Hotel Prestige par jaanlewa humla!"
"Kayi logo ke maare jaane ki khabar!"
"Suraksha guards maare gaye! Adhikariyo ko lakshit humle ka sandeh!"
Bars aur luxury clubs me TV screen par tabahi ke drishya dikhayi de rahe the — toote hue sheeshein, palte hue furniture, stretchers par le jaaye jaa rahe shav. Ek electronics showroom ke baahar ek chhoti bheed jama ho gayi thi, unki nazar andar rakhe display TV par tiki hui thi.
"Aaj ke din batao kya ho gaya. Tch tch!" Ek aadmi ne badbadate hue kaha.
"Hotel Prestige toh achha hotel tha. Hum toh gaye hai. Badhiya tha. Pata nahi kaise ho gaya ye sab. Mujhe lagta hai humla karwaya gaya hai." Ek mahila ne haami bharte hue kaha.
"Mumbai me crime badhta jaa raha hai. Tch! Tyohaaron me bhi ab-" ek raahgeer ne waha se nikalte hue fusfusaya.
Lekin, har koi shok nahi mana raha tha. Mumbai ke elite varg ke gharo me, oonchi-oonchi imaarato me glass takra rahe the aur dheemi baat-cheet me chhipi hui khushi thi.
Iss beech, Mumbai ki sabse shandar 7 star hotel — Casa Belle me patrakaro aur reporters ki bheed umdi hui thi. Cameramen apna camera liye hotel ke maalik — Aadesh Jaisinghani ke bayaan ka intezar kar rahe the.
Woh baahar aaya. Sleek hairstyle me geele baalo ko poori tarah peechhe kiye, Armani ki dress pehne, aisa lag raha tha maano woh abhi-abhi koi jashn mana ke aaya ho.
Aur, jaise hi woh saamne aaya, reporters uss par toot pade.
Reporter #1 : Mister Aadesh, Hotel Prestige par hue humle par aapke vichaar?
Reporter #2 : Hospitality industry me ek leading figure hone ke naate, aap uss suraksha chook ke baare me kya kehna chaahenge jiske chalte ye haadsa hua?
Reporter #3 : Casa Belle aur Hotel Prestige ke madhya shuru se hi oonch-neech hoti aayi hai. Kya aapko lagta hai ki ye humla kisi business conflict se juda hai?
Media ko chahiye tha masala. Kahani. Khabrein. Jo unhe police se utni maatra me nahi mil paayi thi. Aur, isliye khud Aadesh ne hi ye khabar media ke beech felwayi ki woh iss vishay ko lekar raat me apne vichaar rakhega. Media yaha aayi nahi thi. Unhe chalaaki se yaha laaya gaya tha.
Usne dheere se, kaafi baar abhyaas ki hui ek aah chhori, uski bauhe thodi si sikud gayi. Usne ek napa-tula qadam aage badhaya, yeh sunishchit karte hue ki camera uski aankhon me gehri suhanubhuti ko qaid kar raha hai ya nahi.
Aadesh (lagbhag shok me) : Dekhiye! Sabse pehle, mein peedito, unke parivaro aur iss bhayanak ghatna se prabhavit sabhi logo ke prati sanvedna vyakt karta hu. Aaj nav varsh ke shuru hote hi- yeh humla... Ye humla sirf Hotel Prestige par nahi hai. Ye humla saari hospitality industry par hai. Jab kisi hotel ko iss tarah se nishana banaaya jaata hai, toh ye harr atithi ke uss bharose ki neev ko hila deta hai jo woh hum par rakhte hai.
Reporters uske shabdo par sirr hilaate hue budbudaaye. Woh bilkul sahi baatein keh raha tha.
Aadesh ne aage bolne se pehle ek dramatic effect ke liye kuchh der viraam liya.
Aadesh : Dekhe... Maine humesha... Maine humesha se hi Hotel Prestige ko sammaan diya hai. Haan, mein sweekar karta hu ki humare beech competition chalta rehta hai. Lekin, ye ek healthy competition hota hai. Aur, competition ka matlab dushmani nahi hai. Business me ye sab aam baat hoti hai. Haal hi me, humaare Unicard ki launch ke dauran humne Hotel Prestige ko bhi aamantrit kiya tha. Mister Veer Singh, Miss Bhumika Singh, dono hi parivar jann ke saath padhaare the yaha. Aur, humaare mann me ek-dusre ke liye paraspar sammaan ke alawa kuchh nahi.
Uske hontho par ek dhoort muskaan ubhri, lekin usne badi hi chalaaki se ek aah bharte hue use chhipa liya.
Reporter #4 : Toh aap ko iss baare me koi idea nahi ki humle ke peechhe kaun ho sakta hai?
Aadesh ne asahaay bhaav se apna sarr hilaaya.
Aadesh (dheere se) : Ji, mein bhi Mumbai ke baaki logo ki tarah hairaan hu. Aisa kisne kiya hoga? Unka kya maqsad ho sakta hai? Ye aise sawal hai jinka jawab sirf police hi de sakti hai. Lekin, mein itna zaroor kehna chahunga ki — iss sankat ki ghadi me Casa Belle Hotel Prestige ke saath hai. Agar, hum unki madad ke liye kuchh bhi kar sakte hai, toh hum zaroor karenge.
Casa Belle aur Hotel Prestige ka samarthan? Sawal hi paida nahi hota. Yeh toh bas uski chaal thi.
Andar hi andar woh toh balki iss aapda ka aanand le raha tha.
Yarnia — Veer ka bhavya naya clothing brand, din ki raushni dekhne se pehle hi malbe me tabdeel ho chuka tha. Hotel Prestige, wahi hotel jisne uski Casa Belle ke saath bhidne ki koshish ki thi, ab ek crime scene ka sthal bann chuki thi.
Aisa lag raha tha jaise brahmaand ne swayam uski jholi me ye uphaar de diya tha.
Camera ke saamne usne fir se apna murjhaya hua chehra prastut kiya aur bola-
Aadesh : Kumar! Ye sab humare mehman hai. Inki khatirdari me kami nahi rehni chahiye.
Kumar (nods) : Ji, Sir!
Kehte hue woh wahi murjhayi awastha liye andar chala gaya. Aur, idhar news me uske charche hone lage. Jo uske kapti-pann se parichit nahi the, woh use saccha insaan maanane lage.
Iss traasdi ke bawajood, Mumbai ne rukne se inkaar kar diya tha.
Vyast sadko par, kuchh log shok mana rahe the, lekin kayi log bas aage badh gaye — kyunki, yahi Mumbai ka tareeka tha.
Kisi aspatal ke pareeksha kaksh me ek yuvti dheere-dheere ro rahi thi. Uska bhai, jo Hotel Prestige me security guard tha, mehmano ki suraksha karte hue maara jaa chuka tha. Duniya aage badh gayi, par uske liye uski duniya wahi khatm ho chuki thi.
***
Isi beech ghani raat me Disembowler ki lair ke theek upar sthit shamsan ke paas hi Erica aur Renshu khade hue the.
Renshu : Yahi jagah hai na?
Erica : Haan, dad! Usne toh yahi batayi thi. Kya mein-?
Renshu (nods) : Hmm! Shuru karo!
Erica (nods) : Okay!
Woh jhuki. Usne apna ek haath neeche shamshaan ki bhoomi par rakha aur fir-
'Basic Seer Vision!'
*Ding*
Agle hi pal alag-alag drishya uske mastishq me ghoomne lage. Woh bechari apni bauhe zorr se sikodi, kayi baar uska badan kaanp utha, magar woh waha se uthi nahi.
Renshu agal-bagal apni nazrein ghumaaye hue tha. Woh sunishchit kar raha tha ki kahi koi unhe dekh na le.
Yaha se woh khaali haath nahi laut sakte the.
Kuchh der pehle...
Ek mand raushni waali jagah. Medical equipment ki awaaz.
Ava ka shareer ek andheri sunsaan gali me khadi ek shandar kaali SUV ke andar ek asthayi operating table par laita hua tha. Uski saansein ab niyantran me aa rahi thi. Chehre ka rang wapas aa raha tha.
Uske pait par lagi goli ke ghaav ko pehle hi saaf kiya jaa chuka tha aur surgical precision ke saath sil diya gaya tha.
Garofano uske bagal se khadi thi. Usne zehreeli bullet ko badi hi kushalta se Ava ke shareer se nikaal diya tha. Uske haath sthir the, aur dimag gadna karne me laga hua tha.
Wahi thi jo Ava ko apne kandho par utha ke leke aayi thi. Uske theek peechhe Renshu, Erica ke saath khada hua tha.
Erica ki nigaahein Ava ke achetan roop ka adhyayan kar rahi thi. Uske dad ne humesha hi use iss aurat se satark rehne ko kaha tha. Magar, akhir kaun thi Natalia Martin? Ek bemisal worldwide famous singer aur celebrity. Kya waqai woh Veer ko dhoka deke use maarna chaahti thi? Woh dhyaan se Ava ko ghoorti rahi.
Aur, phir-
Renshu ne chuppi todi.
Renshu : Use hosh me aane me kitna samay lagega?
Garofano ne bina peechhe mude apne khoon se sane dastaane haath se nikaale aur apne haath me pehni ghadi dekhi.
Garofano : Bullet nikaale abhi mushqil se 15 minute hi hue hai. Zeher ki potency aur blood loss ko dhyaan me rakhte hue, ise kam se kam abhi 4 se 5 ghante toh-
"Ngh-!"
Uske shabd adhoore reh gaye jab ek dard bhari karaah ne use beech me hi rok diya.
Ava ka shareer jhatka khaaya, uski ungliyaan neeche seat ke leather par kassne lagi aur fir ek tez gati se, woh bhaari saans lete hue uth baithi.
Garofano ki aankhein avishvas me chaudi ho gayi.
Namumkin!
Ava ka ghaav gehra tha, zeher ke chalte use toh abhi ghanto tak behosh rehna chahiye tha. Magar, fir bhi woh kuchh hi minto me jaag chuki thi!?
[This girl... She has some sort of healing skill.]
Freya ki awaaz Garofano ke mann me goonj gayi.
Erica : Ah? Itni jaldi hosh bhi aa gaya?
Woh halka sa cheekhte hue boli. Yaha tak ki humesha shaant rehne waale Renshu ne bhi aankhein sikod li.
Ava (yells) : V-Veer!
Woh chillaate hue uthne ke liye aage badhi, lekin Garofano ne uske kandho par haath rakh use neeche baitha diya.
Garofano : Calm down!
Ava : Veer-!
Garofano : Sniper marr chuka hai. I have dealt with him. Ab koi khatra nahi hai. Don't worry! Take it easy!
Garofano ne fir apni jeb se ek kaagaz nikaalte hue Renshu ki orr kiya. Renshu ne use thaamte hue khola aur jab use dekha toh uski bauhe chinta me sikud gayi.
Garofano : Ye uss Dexter ke paas se mila. Kisi syndicate alliance ka member tha woh shayad. Check karne par toh yahi nazar aaya.
Ye wahi kaagaz tha jo Dexter ke paas tha. Veer ke parivar jann ke naam aur unki tasveerein iss kaagaz me maujood thi.
Veer ke parivar ka zikr aate hi Ava ki chhaati zoro se upar-neeche hone lagi. Aankhon me chinta abhi bhi barkarar thi.
Ava : Veer... *huff* Veer ki family! Mujhe- *cough* *cough*
Garofano (sternly) : Tumhe shaant rehne ki zaroorat hai!
Usne Ava ko beech me tokte hue kaha. Awaaz teekhi thi lekin nirdayi nahi. Aur, kahi na kahi woh Ava ka adhyayan bhi kar rahi thi. Bhala kis tarah ka system holder aisi chot ke baad itni jaldi hosh me aa sakta tha?
Garofano ki nazro me ek maun manzoori thi. Ava, sirf ek system holder nahi thi. Uske paas bhi uske trump cards the jinhe woh ujagar nahi kar rahi thi.
Erica aashcharya me uske qareeb aayi.
Erica : Itni jaldi kaise hosh aa gaya? Poison ki wajah se itni jaldi hosh nahi aana chahiye tha.
Ava : *huff* T-Tum... Tum sab... *huff*
Garofano : Calm down! Hum sab yaha Veer ke liye hi aaye hai. Aur, tumhe itni jaldi hosh aa gaya? Mein ye expect nahi kar rahi thi.
Ava maun rahi. Woh apne baare me kuchh bhi zaroori baatein nahi bataana chaahti thi.
Renshu : Humare paas samay barbaad karne ke liye nahi hai. Agar, hosh aa hi gaya hai toh kya tum Veer ki location ke baare me kuchh bata sakti ho? Kya tum jaanti ho woh kaha par hai iss waqt?
Ava wahi jamm ke reh gayi. Use yaad aaya. Woh ye kaise bhool sakti thi?
Usne Veer ko Death Flag se mark kar ke rakha hua tha. Bina kisi hich-kichahat ke usne apni aankhein band ki, Veer ki location par dhyaan kendrit kiya. Aur, kuchh hi palo me Veer ki asli location uske mastishq me aa gayi.
Usne apni aankhein kholi. Uska chehra peela pad gaya.
Ava (frowns) : W-Woh-! Woh shamshaan me hai! Uske neeche...! Underground...!
Renshu (frowns) : Shamshaan? Kaha par?
Ava ne use exact location batayi. Chaahe uska shareer kitna hi thaka hua kyu na ho, uske dimag me ek hi baat thi — Veer.
Garofano ne Renshu ko dekha. Dono ek baat jaan gaye the ki Ava ke paas Veer ko track karne ki koi na koi skill zaroor maujood thi. Dono ne hi mann me iss baat ki gaanth baandh li.
Garofano (turns) : Toh kya karna hai? Veer ke paas kaun jaa raha hai?
Renshu : Mumbai me tumhari maujoodgi ab koi rehesya nahi hai. Tum pehle bhi yaha sabke saamne aa chuki ho. Aur, haan- tum ek celebrity se kam bhi nahi. Poora Korea tumhare peechhe paagal hai. Isliye, tumhara Veer ke nazdeek jaana abhi faydemand nahi. Ye unwanted attention ko bulawa dega.
Garofano muskurayi. Apni ungliyon ko apne kaale reshmi baalo me firaayi.
Garofano (smirks) : Hmph! Thanks for the recognition- lekin, shayad tum bhool rahe ho ki mein stealth me maahir hu. Mujhe bas apne chehre par mask pehen'ne ki derr hai. That's it. But, haan! Abhi mein Natalia ko chhor ke yaha se nahi jaa sakti. Woh heal zaroor ho rahi hai but if trouble comes knocking, she won't be able to fight.
Renshu ne uski baat ko sweekar karte hue haami bhari.
Ava ne khud ko upar uthaaya, aur karkash awaaz me boli.
Ava : V-Veer ki family safe toh hai na? I... Usne mujhe- Usne mujhe zimmedari saunpi thi. *huff* M-Mein- Mein yaha aise nahi- *huff*
Renshu : Maine hotel me se ambulances ko nikalte hue dekha tha. Veer ki family ke kuchh logo ko check kiya tha maine. Hotel me ab koi nahi hai andar.
Ava (frowns) : K-Kya woh... Kya woh safe hai?
Renshu : Lagta toh hai. Police ne area ko takeover kar liya hai. Veer ki family shayad hospital gayi hai. Toh, uss hisaab se woh safe hone chahiye. Khatra hotel ke ird-gird hi tha.
Ava ne ek shaant saans chhori. Lekin, chinta zara bhi kam nahi hui.
Renshu (sighs) : Aur, agar mein chaahu bhi toh bhi hospital nahi jaa sakta.
Erica aur Ava dono ne hi use sawaaliya nazro se dekha.
Erica : Eh? Kyu dad?
Iske pehle ki Renshu jawab de paata, Garofano hasste hue jawab di.
Garofano (laughs) : Hahahaha! Because your dad is too damn big. Hospital me logo ko samajhne me hi ghante lag jayenge ki ye aadmi hai kaun? Itni badi qad-kaathi kaise hai? Kaha se aaya hai? Aur, Veer se uska kya sambandh hai? Hahaha! Samjhi?
Renshu : ...
Renshu ne uske chidhaane par koi pratikriya nahi di. Lekin, Erica kaha chup rehne waali thi?
Erica : Wh-What do you mean? Hmph! Mere dad ka matlab simple tha. Unka matlab hai ki Veer ko jald se jald dhundhna hai taaki problem ki asli jadd ka pata lag sake.
Garofano : Oh! Wow! Dekho toh humari Miss Erica ko. Smart banane ki kitni koshish kar rahi hai? But, you're still dumb. Fufu~
Erica : Who-? Who the hell are you calling dumb?
Garofano : Of course, you! Fufu~ Yaha par sirf tum hi dumb ho!
Erica : Y-You-!!
Usne apni mutthi bheenchi. Lekin, iske pehle ki woh jawab de paati, Renshu ki awaaz hawa me goonj uthi.
Renshu : ENOUGH!!!
Dono yuvtiyaan chup ho gayi. Par, Erica ka ghoorna khatam nahi hua.
Erica : Hmph!
Garofano : Fufu~
Renshu : Mein aur Erica Veer ki location par jayenge. Aur, tum yahi rahogi jab tak ki Natalia chalne ki condition me nahi aa jaati.
Garofano (nods) : Theek hai! Par, zyada derr mat lagaana. I don't like sitting on the sidelines.
Renshu ne koi jawab nahi diya. Woh bas apni car ki orr muda. Erica ne uska peechha kiya, aage badhne se pehle Garofano ko ek akhiri nazar se dekha.
Garofano muskurate hue unhe jaata dekhi. Fir, Ava ki orr ghoomi jo abhi bhi seat par laiti hui thi.
Garofano : Maine jitna socha tha, tum uss se kahi zyada mazboot nikli. You're hiding your cards too. Just like him. *smiles*
Ava ne koi jawab nahi diya, lekin uski aankhon ki chamak se Garofano ko pata chal gaya ki usne uski baatein sunn li thi.
Aur, isi tarah Renshu aur Erica Veer ki location par pahuch paaye the. Magar, jab tak ve yaha par pahuche, Veer underground lair se nikal chuka tha.
Kintu, Erica ki basic seer vision ye pata laga sakti thi ki yaha kuchh derr pehle kya kuchh hua tha.
Renshu : Erica!?
Erica apni palke khol uthi. Uske badan me rue khade hue the.
Erica : D-Dad!
Renshu : ??
Erica : V-Veer-!
Erica ne poore drishya toh nahi, lekin kaafi hadd tak kuchh derr pehle ki ghatna ko dekh liya tha. Veer ka ajeebo-gareeb system holder se bhidna, neeche ka bhayanak vatavaran, thandi sadti laashein, maans ke tukde, experiments, SHB, Veer ka haath katna aur uska Juhi aur Pihu ko bachaana.
Erica ne jaise hi Renshu ko sab batlaaya toh Renshu ke khud ke badan me ek sihran daud gayi.
Woh bina koi deri kiye, Erica se lair ka entry point poonchh seedhe neeche ki orr kood gaya.
Erica : D-Daaad???
Majbooran, Erica ko bhi neeche koodna hi pada. Na jaane neeche kaun se rehesya khulne ke liye unka intezar kar rahe the.
***
Carewell Hospital,
Morning - 12:10 AM ~
Hospital ke automatic doors achanak se khule, lekin kisi ka dhyaan uss orr nahi gaya.
Duty par maujood kuchh karmchari apne phone me vyast the, toh kuchh counter par sirr tikaaye hue the aur kuchh the jo aadhi neend me dol rahe the ki ve sab corridor me hui tez raftaar se halchal ko dekh paane me vifal reh gaye.
Veer kisi hawa ke jhonke ki tarah waha daakhil hua. Uska shareer dagmaga raha tha, har qadam par perr felne ke liye aatur ho rahe the. Uski baayi aasteen gehre laal khoon se sani hui thi, jisme se aadhi se zyada aasteen toh poori gaayab ho chuki thi.
Baah me abhi bhi woh janzeerein bandhi hui thi. Uski chhaati ukhadi hui saanson ke saath upar-neeche ho rahi thi.
Aur, uske seene se usi surgeon sheet ke sang bandhi hui thi — Juhi. Uska chhota sa shareer uske seene se chipka hua tha, chehra blazer ke andar chhipa hua tha. Veer uski garm saansein apne seene par mehsoos kar paa raha tha. Woh so rahi thi. Shaant. Aur, surakshit.
Pihu ko woh pehle hi surakshit haatho me de aaya tha. Bachi thi toh sirf uski apni Juhi.
Woh Nidhi ke kamre number 31 me pahucha aur darwaza khola. Waqt hi aisa tha ki duty par mushqil se kuchh hi nurses aur safayi karmchari the jo apne-apne kaamo me lage hue the. Nateeja? Veer ke tez raftar se andar aane par kisi ko bhanak tak nahi lagi.
Woh aage badha. Uski drishti ab dhundhli pad rahi thi. Uski nazar saamne bistar par laiti ek aurat par gayi — Nidhi. Woh so rahi thi. Chehre par abhi bhi shikan ke bhaav the.
Veer uske nazdeek aaya. Kamra hil raha tha kya? Nahi! Woh khud ladkhada raha tha. Iske pehle ki woh zameen par girta, usne wahi lagi bench dekh khud ko dheela chhor diya aur seat par gir pada. Shareer ne akhir haar maan hi li. Uski aankhein band ho gayi.
Akhiri cheez jo usne mehsoos ki — woh tha Juhi ka harqat karta hua haath jo uske blazer ko kass ke jakadne ka prayatn kar raha tha aur fir — andhera.
Kuchh kshan baad...
Ek halki si harqat.
Nidhi ki palke jhapki aur woh jaag uthi. Uska sarr dard se tadak raha tha, ghatna ki yaadein tatt par aati samudra ki lehro ki tarah wapas aane lagi.
"J-Juhi...!"
Woh ghabrayi. Uski bacchi. Uski bacchi ko aghwa kar liya gaya tha. Woh chhatpataate hue uthi aur jaise hi uth ke uski nazar saamne padi. Woh wahi jamm ke reh gayi.
Uski beti, uski duniya — wahi thi. Surakshit. Uske saamne. Uska haath apne khule muh par gaya aur woh ro padi. Aansu beqaabu ho kar behne lage.
Woh kaanpte hue dhadalle se uthi aur aage badhi. Uske haath me lagi IV needle aur uske sang laga drip stand bhi uske saath khichta chala gaya.
Woh Veer ke bagal me ghutno ke bal baithi, uska chehra peela pada hua tha. Usne pehle apni bitiya ko dekha. Chhaati upar-neeche ho rahi thi. Bina kisi chot ke. Surakshit.
Lekin, fir... Uski nazar Veer par gayi.
Uska chehra — sookhe khoon se sana hua — bejaan lag raha tha. Sarr kuchh geela sa tha. Baalo me halki barf jami thi jaise. Blazer ke sang shirt kayi jagaho se fati hui thi. Baah, chhaati aur kamar me gehre ghaav dikhayi pad rahe the. Uske kapde khoon se sane hue the. Par, Nidhi ko sabse zyada dang kiya unn janzeeron ne.
Jinhe dekh uska poora badan kaanp utha. Aankhein bhay ke maare chaudi ho uthi. Badi-badi janzeerein uski baaho me kass kar lipti hui thi.
Uska haath zor se thar-thara utha. Kuchh beeti yaadein wapas saamne aane lagi.
---
Lagbhag do saal pehle ka samay tha. Aaj Nidhi ko ek nayi class niyukt ki gayi thi. Yeh pehli baar nahi tha. Use students ko kis tarah se handle karna hai, ye achhi tarah se aata tha.
Iske pehle woh school me bhi ek shikshak reh chuki thi. Shiksha dena use bakhoobi aata tha. Magar, college aur school me kuchh farq toh hota tha.
College me bachhe ab bacche nahi the. Woh baalig the, sayaane the aur javani ke josh me udd rahe naye khiladi the.
Jaise hi Nidhi classroom me pravesh ki, pal bhar ke liye ek sannaata sa chhaa gaya. Students fir ikhatte khade hue-
"Good morning ma'am!"
"Settle down!"
Uski awaaz dridh lekin garmjoshi se bhari thi. Uske bolte hi sabhi chhaatra wapas se apni seats par baith gaye.
Woh bina students ki taraf dekhe blackboard ko rub karne lagi aur ek safed chalk uthaate hue apna naam likhne lagi.
Nidhi Mishra
Khubsoorat si likhawat me likhte hue usne apna parichay diya.
Aur, jaisa ki hona chahiye tha, waisa hi hua. Nayi-nayi 18 baras ki aayu poorn karne waale javan laundo ke mann me laddu phootne lage. Aur, charcha ka vishay tha — ?
"Behanchod kya maal hai bhai."
"Bhai bol de ki ab yahi apni class teacher hai."
"Bhai hai toh karraa yaar. Sahi me!"
"Iska matlab woh madarchod takla gaya? Kya naam tha bey uska?"
"Bhupinder Daruwala!"
"Bhupinder nahi. Guu pait ke andar! Hahahahaha!"
"Hahahahaha! Abey haan bey! Lawda saala dimaag kha jaata tha betichod."
"Daruwala ki bahut daru pee li... Ab Nidhi se Vidhi seekhenge hahahaha!"
"Kaaye ki bhosdiwaale? Hahahaha!"
"Ah! Madam! Ah! Wo waali vidhi! Aah! Uuh!"
"Hahahahahahaha! Madarchod!"
"Hahahahahahaha!"
Yahi baatein ladko ke alag-alag jhund me hone lagi. Par, kya Nidhi ko ye sab sunayi nahi de raha tha? De raha tha. Bilkul, de raha tha. Kintu, woh khamosh thi. Nirash bhi. Aur, chotil bhi.
"Abey pait kuchh fela-fela sa hai iska magar. Hai na?"
"Pregnant hai kya?"
"Nahi bey! Baccha ho chuka hai shayad. Dhyaan se dekh!"
"Abey toh shuru ka mahina bhi toh ho sakta hai?"
"Chutiye toh woh yaha thodi aati padhaane."
"Haan ye bhi hai!"
"Koi nahi-! Mein wazan kam karwa dunga iska hahahaha!"
"Mujhse toh sirf wazan badhaate aata hai hehehe!"
"Hahahahahaha!"
"Pregnancy ke baad bhi pait foola rehta hai kya?"
"Waisa nahi bey chutiye! Bas thode time tak rehta hai. Abhi madam ko apne asli figure me aane me time lagega."
"Waise... Aise bhi koi kam maal nahi hai."
"Hahahahaha!"
Eka-ek Nidhi ka haath na chaahte hue bhi apne pait par chala gaya. Ladke bhale hi dheere-dheere ye sab khuspusaaye, magar aksar unki baatein sabhi teachers ko sunayi de jaaya karti thi.
Jab Nidhi ko apne pait par haath rakhte unn students ne dekha toh iss baar thoda satark hote hue unn logo ne apni baat-cheet ko virham de diya.
Parantu, unki ek baat sahi thi. Nidhi ko bamushqil abhi dedh se do mahina hi hua tha jab uska apna navjaat uss se chheen liya gaya tha. Dhruv — uski apni amaanat.
Yahi woh samay tha jab Nidhi ke jeevan ka sabse kharab daur shuru hua tha. Ek prataadit karta pati, daayan samaan saas ki gaaliyaan, apne hi bacche ko kho dena, unse bhaag ke apne ek kiraaye ke flat me rehna, aas-pados me uth rahe charche, samaaj ka nazariya, aur jo rahi-sahi kasar baaki reh gayi thi woh inn besharam ladko ne uss par behuda tippani kar ke poori kar di thi.
Lekin, woh jaanti thi ki har ladke ek jaise nahi hote the. Uske apne pita. Uska ek bhai. Woh bhi toh mard the na? Woh jaanti thi ki iss classroom me abhi bhi woh ladke the jo waqai uss se padhna chaahte the — jinke mann me koi galat bhavnaaye nahi thi.
Yahi vishvas liye usne bolna shuru kiya.
"Students! Aaj se... Aaj se mein aapki class teacher rahungi. I will be teaching you Mathematics."
"Ye hui na baat behanchod! Ab maza aayega hahahaha"
"Badhayi ho bhai! Takla gaya hahahaha! Nayi phuljhadi aa gayi."
Unki baatein dobaara se shuru ho gayi. Nidhi ke pehle Bhupinder ji the jo iss kaksha ke class teacher the. Kareeban 7-8 maah tak unhone iss kaksha ko sambhala tha. First year ke bache hue 3-4 mahino ke liye Nidhi ab unki class teacher bann ke aayi thi. Aur, uska swagat kaise hua? Inn bhaddi tippaniyo se.
Himmat rakhte hue usne attendance sheet uthayi aur sabhi ke naam pukaarte hue pehle attendance lene lagi. Ek-ek kar ke jab woh akhiri bache kuchh baccho ke naam pukaarne ko aayi toh-
"Vamika Chauhan!"
"Present ma'am!"
"Vasu Mehta!"
"Present ma'am!"
"Veer Singh!"
*Silence*
'Hmm?'
Ek khamoshi si chhaa gayi. Koi jawab hi nahi aaya. Nidhi ne apna sarr uthaate hue sabhi ko dekha aur usne punah awaaz lagaayi.
"Veer Singh???"
Tabhi, uski nazar sabse side waali row par padi jaha aakhiri bench par ek ladka akele baitha hua tha. Bagal waali row se 2-4 ladke hasste hue use bula rahe the.
"Bhai tere ko bula rahi madam!"
"Chutiye haath utha ke present toh bol de hahahahaha!"
Woh ladka hadbadata hua apna kaam beech me rok upar dekha. Uski nazar Nidhi se jaa takrayi. Ek pal ke liye woh dara par fir ahista se haath uthaate hue bola-
"P-Present ma'am!"
Nidhi kuchh kshan ke liye avaak reh gayi. Woh nahi jaanti thi aisa kyu tha par kuchh pal woh bas Veer ko dekhti rahi. Usne fir aaj ka samay jaise-taise nikaala. Baccho ko padhaaya aur waha se nikal gayi.
Agla din. Wahi kaksha, wahi bacche, wahi harqate. Ladkiyaan hi thi jo kam se kam uss se achhe se pesh aati thi. Adhiktar ladke sirf use hawas ki nazro se hi ghoorte the.
Magar, aaj Nidhi ki nazre class me ghoom rahi thi. Maano jaise chehro se bhara ek samundar tha kamre ke andar — kuchh muskura rahe the, kuchh fusfusa rahe the, kuchh uub ke jhuke hue the. Fir bhi, ek student alag dikh raha tha.
Veer Singh.
Kal ki hi tarah aaj bhi woh sab se dur kone me akela baitha hua tha, uski desk hi baakiyo se dur thi. Uski aankhein apni notebook par tiki hui thi, maano likhte rehne se woh duniya se bach jayega. Uski patli si kaaya uski badi uniform ke andar alag hi maalum pad rahi thi.
Pata nahi kyu par use iss qadar dekh Nidhi ko ek samaanta si mehsoos hui. Attendance lene se pehle woh ruk gayi, uski nazre Veer par tiki rahi.
'Woh akela kyu baitha hai?'
Yeh vichaar kal se uske dimaag me atka hua tha. Jab usne attendance ke liye naam pukaarna shuru kiye, toh sabhi chhaatra baari-baari ek swar me 'present ma'am' chillaate chale gaye. Kaksha me hasi ki ek leher daud gayi, dost ek dusre ko dhakka deke hasi mazaak karne lage, aur unki khusur-pusur jaari ho gayi.
"Veer Singh?"
*Silence*
Aaj bhi wahi hua. Nidhi use hi dekh rahi thi. Veer ne apna haath dheere se upar uthaaya.
"Present ma'am!"
Maujood hoke bhi aisa lag raha tha jaise woh adrishya tha baaki logo ke liye. Shaant aur darpok.
Veer ka akelapann sirf samajik nahi tha — ye uske jeevan me samaya hua tha.
Ek baar project ke dauran, Nidhi ne class me baccho se ek-dusre se partners banaane ke liye kaha.
"Apna ek partner banaiye aur saath mil kar project complete karna hai. Theek hai? Class dismissed."
Chhaatra turant apne dosto ke paas bhaage — dekhte hi dekhte alag-alag pairs bann gaye.
Veer ko chhor kar.
Woh baitha raha, apni notebook ko ghoorta raha. Departure ho chuka tha aur sabhi project ke baare me baatein karte hue chale gaye.
Veer ne chup-chap apna bag uthaaya aur uski orr aaya.
"Ma'am!? Kya mein akele project bana sakta hu?"
"Kyu?"
"Mujhse kisi ne poochha hi nahi. Sabke pehle hi pairs bann gaye."
Usne itni saralta se kaha, maano jaise use aadat ho gayi ho bhulaaye jaane ki. Nidhi ka gala andar hi andar roondh gaya. Uski chhaati me jaise ek dard utha. Woh kuchh na bol saki.
Ek shaam woh class ke baad derr tak ruki hui thi. Usne dekha ki Veer parking area ke paas baitha hua farsh ko ghoor raha tha. Uski aankhein laal thi.
"Veer?"
Usne jawab nahi diya.
"Kya hua?"
Firse koi jawab nahi. Magar, jab usne Veer ke saamne dustbin me dekha toh uski aankhein chaudi hokar reh gayi. Dustbin me Veer ka bag dala hua tha.
Woh akasmat uske bagal se aake khadi hui.
"Kisne kiya ye?"
"Nahi pata. *sniff* Farq nahi padta. Koi nayi baat nahi."
"Tum ruko abhi- mein abhi jaa ke-"
"Nahi! Koi zaroorat nahi hai. Aapke jaane se... Woh baad me aur tang karenge. *sniff* Rehne dijiye."
"Par-"
"Maine kaha na, ma'am! Rehne dijiye!"
Nidhi ne aage kuchh nahi kaha. Usne use rona band karne ke liye bhi nahi kaha. Iski bajaaye, woh bas uske bagal se baith gayi.
Varsho me pehli baar, Veer ko laga ki koi tha... Jo uski parvah kar raha tha.
Din beetate gaye aur Nidhi 'Veer' naam ke iss ladke ko observe karti gayi. Usne jaana ki Veer kabhi kisi se baat nahi karta tha.
Recess ke dauran koi bhi uske saath nahi baithata tha, ladko ka koi bhi group use invite nahi karta tha. Lunch ke samay jab chhaatra apni-apni mandliyo me ikhatta hote, Veer chup-chap waha se gaayab ho jaata. Lunch laata bhi tha ya nahi? Iska bhi pata nahi tha.
Aur, isliye ek dopahar Nidhi recess ke theek baad yuhi uske peechhe-peechhe gayi. Veer library me jaa raha tha.
Nidhi ne dekha ki woh library me khidki ke paas baithe, sirr jhukaaye, notebook me kuchh bana raha tha.
'Hmm?'
Woh aage badhi.
"Iss waqt lunch kiya jaata hai, Veer. Koi aur kaam nahi."
Veer uski awaaz sunn jhep gaya. Woh chaunk gaya, use samajh nahi aa raha tha ki jawaab de ya andekha kar de?
"M-Maine lunch kar liya hai, ma'am." Uski awaaz mushqil se Nidhi ke kaano me pahuchi.
"Achha? 5 minute hue hai abhi recess hue aur tumne lunch bhi kar liya? Jhooth bolte ho?"
"M-Maine subah zyada khaaya tha. Isliye, abhi bhookh nahi hai. M-Mein theek hu, ma'am."
"Kya waqai?"
Veer ne hichkichaate hue apni pen aur kass ke pakad li. "H-Haan! M-Mujhe yaha achha lagta hai. Yaha shaanti rehti hai."
Nidhi ne ek pal ke liye use dekha, fir chali gayi. Veer ko laga ki uska peechha chhoot gaya lekin kuchh der baad hi woh waapas laut aayi — sandwich ki ek plate ke saath.
"Agar, tumhe yahi baithna hai toh yahi baitho. Par, kam se kam kuchh khaa toh liya karo."
Veer plate ko ghoorta raha. Dang reh gaya tha. Aisa pehle kabhi kisi ne uske liye nahi kiya tha.
"M-Mujhe bhookh nahi hai, ma'am."
"Of course, tumhe hai. Tum bas maanane ke liye ziddi ho. Tum lunch nahi laate kya? Mummy nahi deti ghar pe?"
Maa ka zikr aate hi Veer maun reh gaya aur Nidhi jaise samajh gayi ki kuchh baat hai. Usne iss vishay ko aage nahi badhaaya. Veer fir apne aap se hi kuchh kshan baad bola.
"M-Mein-! Mein aaj lunch box bhool gaya. Chachi ne bana ke rakha tha. Lekin- mein bhool gaya."
"Oh! Toh ab kha lo. Theek hai?"
"Nahi! Maine kaha na ma'am. Mujhe bhook nahi hai."
Veer ne mana toh kar diya. Lekin, jab Nidhi plate neeche rakh ke waha se chali gayi, toh Veer ne kuchh hi kshano baad khud ko plate ki taraf aage badhte hue paaya.
Ek din, jab Veer apni baahon aur chehre par chot ke saath class me aaya — ragging aur bullying ke kuchh saboot.
Nidhi ne dekha. Usne kuchh poochha nahi.
Lekin, agli hi subah, Veer ko apni desk ke neeche ek bandage kit rakhi mili — ek chhote se note ke saath.
'Take care of yourself. Some people care about you — even if you don't believe it yet.'
Uss din ke baad se Veer Nidhi ki upasthiti ko aur adhik mehsoos karne laga.
Class me, woh aksar uski desk ke aas-paas hi khadi rehti, aur uss se sawaal bhi poochha karti.
"Veer! Tum batao? Kya ye answer sahi hai?"
"Veer! Tumhari kya raay hai isme?"
Pehle toh woh jawab nahi de paata tha. Uski awaaz mushqil se uske muh se nikalti thi. Lekin, Nidhi ne apna prayas nahi chhora. Nidhi uske astitva ko poora karti thi. Lagne laga tha jaise ab woh adrishya nahi tha.
Ek din woh deri se aaya. Woh ghabrahat me darwaze ki dehleez par khada ho gaya.
"S-Sorry! Ma'am- mein..."
"Koi baat nahi!" Nidhi ne beech me hi tokte hue kaha, uski awaaz naram thi. "Ab aa gaye ho na? Baith jao!"
Zyadatar teachers use khari-kothi suna dete lekin, Nidhi... Woh muskurayi. Woh muskaan use shabdo se kahi zyada shaant kar deti.
Ek din Nidhi ne use apni notebook me kuchh banaate hue pakad liya.
"Tum drawing bhi karte ho??"
Veer ne jhepte hue jaldi se apni notebook band kar li. Uski drawing achhi nahi thi. Lekin, use banaane ka shauk tha.
"K-Kuchh nahi-! A-Aise hi bas..."
"Uff-Oh! Ab chalo bhi mujhe dekhne do."
Hichkichaate hue lekin bharosa kar, Veer ne dheere se notebook kholi. Andar alag-alag sketches the. Kuchh landscapes ke, kuchh chehro ke, aur ek kone me — Nidhi ka khud ka ek chhota sa chitr.
Nidhi ne aashcharya me palke jhapkayi. Fir, haule se hasi.
"Arey waah! Bahut khoob. Par, Veer-!? Mujhe nahi lagta ki meri naak itni badi hai. Hai na?"
Veer ka chehra sharm se laal pad gaya.
"Ye... Ye abhi poora nahi hua hai, ma'am." Usne haklaate hue kaha.
"Koi baat nahi... *smiles* Mein mazaak kar rahi thi. Tum talented ho. Ise chhipaane ki koi zaroorat nahi. Confidence rakha karo, Veer. Okay?"
"J-Ji!"
Jaise-jaise unka rishta aur mazboot hota gaya, unki baatein aur bhi sehej hoti chali gayi. Thodi chanchal bhi.
"Tum humesha ye notebook saath leke ghoomte ho." Woh ek baar use chidhaate hue boli. "Kya hai isme aisa? Hmm? Duniya par qabza karne ka master plan?"
"Haan!" Usne bebaaki se jawab diya. "Sabse pehla qadam — Ek aisa teacher dhundhna jo meri notebook ko lekar baar-baar na poochhe."
"Hahahahaha!" Aur, woh khil-khila ke hass padi.
Veer bhi badle me muskura diya. Shayad ye pehli baar tha jab Nidhi ne use muskurate hue dekha tha.
Class me ek baar questions ke dauran, Veer ne pehli baar koi galti pakdi thi.
"Ma'am, waha par... Waha par sin ki jagah cos aayega."
"Oh??" Nidhi ne bauhe chadhayi. "Mujhse galti ho gayi?"
"Haan!"
"Theek hai toh... Class! Agla question Veer solve karega blackboard pe. Chalo, Veer. Utho apni seat se!"
"Eh??? N-Nahi! Ma'am... Ek minute!"
"Hahahaha! Good luck!" Nidhi uski haalat par hasi.
Veer dara. Nidhi mazak nahi kar rahi thi. Woh blackboard ke saamne khada tha aur chalk se likhte samay uske perr kaanp rahe the. Lekin, fir Nidhi ne podium se fusfusate hue uss se kaha-
"Tum sahi kar rahe ho. Solve karte jao. Daro nahi!"
Jab ek baar Veer ko pehli baar assignment test me Maths me thode achhe marks mile toh usne dekha ki Nidhi ne uske test paper par kuchh likha hua tha — Told you you'd do great. ^_^ But you need to do even better.
Ek baar career ke lakshyo ke baare me charcha ke dauran, Nidhi ne Veer se akele me baat karte hue sehejta se tippani ki-
"Veer! Tumhe ek high goal rakhna chahiye. Tumhare jaise log... Tum apna potential barbaad kar rahe ho."
Magar, Veer ko — ek ladka jise uske parivar waale aksar ye keh dete ki woh apni zindagi me kuchh bhi nahi kar payega — uske shabd bahut chubh gaye.
"Aapko lagta hai ki mein apna samay barbaad kar raha hu???" Usne oonchi awaaz me poonchha. "Mein har din apni poori koshish karta hu, theek hai na? Aap jaanti bhi kya ho mere baare me?? *sniff* Koi nahi jaanta."
Nidhi ne palke jhapkayi. Woh achambhit thi. Veer pehli baar iss tarah se gusse me kuchh uss se bola tha.
"Mera matlab ye nahi tha, Veer. Mein-" Usne Veer ka kandha thaama.
"Rehne dijiye! *sniff* Aadat hai mujhe." Usne jhapatta maarte hue khud ko chhuraaya aur baahar nikal gaya.
Teen dino tak, Veer uss se bachta raha. Nazrein churaata raha. Lekin, chauthe din woh use library me mil hi gaya.
"Mera... Mera tumhara dil dukhane ka irada nahi tha, Veer." Usne dheere se kaha. "Mein bas... Mujhe tum pe vishvas hai. Bas itna hi."
"Hmm... Theek hai... Mujh par apna vishvas barbad mat kariye, ma'am." Woh badbadate hue bola.
"Uske liye ab bahut derr ho chuki hai. Mera paala ab tumse jo pad chuka hai." Woh muskurate hue boli.
Aur, iss baar-
Veer naraaz na reh saka. Woh sharmaate hue muskuraya aur apna muh ferr liya. Nidhi uske sharmaane par bas hasti reh gayi. Woh sahi thi. Aaj bhi kuchh ladke the jo uske prati galat bhavnaaye nahi rakhte the. Veer unme se ek tha. Ya yu kahe, unn sab me se sabse alag.
Aur, aise hi woh teen mahine kab guzar gaye, dono ko hi pata nahi chala. Veer vartalap me apna confidence dheere-dheere gain kar raha tha. Chhutiyaan padi aur uske baad shuru hua second year.
Pehla din tha. Naye juniors ko hall me baitha ke unka swagat kiya jaa raha tha. Classes lagni shuru ho chuki thi. Veer ki class ki teacher punah badal chuki thi lekin, Nidhi ko sabhi chaahne lage the aur isliye use wapas se class teacher banaane ki maang bhi rakhne lage.
Aur, fir aaya woh waqt-
Departure ke dauran. Veer ne jab Nidhi ko jaldbazi me jaate dekha toh usne use pukaara-
"Ma'am??"
Magar, Nidhi na ruki. Usne Veer ki awaaz hi nahi suni. Woh bahut hi jaldbazi me thi. Chehre par chinta bhi jhalak rahi thi.
Veer ne mann hi mann khud ko samjhaya ki har waqt koi uske liye haazir nahi reh sakta tha. Aur, fir woh pal aaya-
Jab uski nazar uss par padi. Pragya! Ek behad khubsoorat chehra. College ki jaani-maani sundar ladkiyo me se ek.
Aur, fir Ajay ka use dekhna, apne pantaro ko ishaara karna, Veer ka scooty uthaate hue ghar ki orr nikalna, Ajay aur uske saathiyo ka bikes se use gherna, use college ki peechhe waale raaste par le jaana, use buri tarah peetna, ghaayal karna, aur baarish hoti sooraj dhalti shaam me use sadak par chhor dena.
Yahi sab toh hua tha. Nahi! Yahi nahi! Uske baad use ghar se nikaal diya jaana, Uska aspataal me hona, marrne ki kagaar par hona, aur Nidhi ka waha par aana.
---
-Aur, aaj woh uske saamne tha.
'Aap chinta mat kariye!! Mein Juhi ko leke aaunga. Mein aapse vaada karta hu!'
Uske bol Nidhi ke kaano me goonj gaye. Usne apna vaada nibha diya tha.
Nidhi ka haath kaanp raha tha, woh uske bagal me ghutno par gir padi. Uski ungliyaan jhijhakte hue aage badhi aur fir usne Veer ki fati hui aasteen ko kass kar pakad liya.
Uski rone ki siskiyaan chhootne lagi. Ghutan bhari awaaz. Uske mote-mote aansu Veer ke khoon se sane haath par girne lage.
"*hic* Aaaaaaaaaa-!!! *hic*"
Woh royi. Kuchh bol nahi paa rahi thi. Iss sab ka bhaar use kuchal raha tha. Agar, Juhi ko kuchh ho jaata toh-
Iss vichaar ne uske shareer ko aur bhi zyada kaanpne par majboor kar diya. Usne apna chehra Veer ke perr se sataaya, uske perr kass ke pakde — maano use chhorne se Juhi fir se uss se dur chali jayegi. Aur, Veer bhi.
Mann hi mann woh Veer ko lagatar dhanyavad deti rahi. Kuchh pal beet gaye, fir usne apna sarr uthaaya.
Veer behosh tha. Usne apni ungliyon se Veer ke khoon se sane chehre ko chhiya, uske angoothe ne Veer ke maathe par fir ek ghaav ko chhiya.
"V-Veer-!" Uski awaaz toot gayi. Honth thar-thara uthe.
Aur, fir usne apni baahein uske kandho par rakhi, uske sirr ko dheere se uthaaya aur agle hi pal-
Use apni chhaati se laga liya. Veer ki garm saansein uske seene par padi. Magar, uska chehra poori tarah se thanda mehsoos ho raha tha.
Nidhi ke aansu ab khul kar gir rahe the. Woh bilakh-bilakh kar ro rahi thi. Veer ko apne aalingan me liye, use kass ke pakde woh khadi-khadi dahaad maar ke roti rahi. Jaise varsho se usne khud ko roke rakha tha aur ab uski bhavnaaye khul kar baahar nikal rahi thi.
"M-Maine tumhe apne se dur dhakela..." Woh fusfusayi. "Har baar... *hic* Har baar maine tumhe dur kiya."
Use yaad aaya jab usne Veer ko 1 lakh rupaye ki payment kar di thi. Kaise woh uss par bhadka tha.
Use ye bhi yaad aaya ki uski padosan Mrs. Tiwari kis tarah use Veer jaise ladko se dur rehne ki hidayat de rahi thi.
Ye sab yaad karte hi, usne Veer ko aur kass ke laga liya.
"Mujhe maaf kar do-!! *hic*" usne roondhi hui awaaz me budbudaya. "Mujhe maaf kardo, Veer!! Aaaaaaaa-!! Aaaaaaaaaa!! *hic* *sniff*"
Aur, firse usne uska sirr apni chhaati me aur bhi gehraayi me daba liya. Aur, inn teen saalo me aaj pehli baar — usne apni bhavnao se bhaagna band kar diya.
"Maine tumhe chaahna kabhi nahi chhora tha... Trust me... Mein bas... *hic* Mein bas darti thi."
"L-Lekin, *sniff* ab aur nahi bhaagungi."
Veer ke sang bitaaye use saare puraane pal yaad aane lage.
Har muskaan jo woh chhipaata tha.
Har aansu jo woh dabaata tha.
"Tum... *sniff* Tum akele the... M-Mujhe aur bhi bahut kuchh karna chahiye tha... *hic* Mujhe tumhare paas aur rehna chahiye tha."
"Par ab... *hic* Ab mein hu yaha. Aur, mein ab kahi nahi jaungi. *sniff* Kabhi bhi nahi."
Usne na jaane kab se inn bhavnao ko dabaaye rakha tha. Lekin, ab aur nahi.
Aasmaan me aatishbaziyo se fel rahe rang bikhre hue the, aur hospital ke iss kamre me ek mahila ne khoon se sane ek naujavan ko apni baaho me bhar rakha tha.
Aur, hospital ke saamne ki building ki terrace par khade do log ye sab kuchh dekh paa rahe the.
Erica : See, dad? Yahi woh Nidhi hai jinki beti ko Veer bacha ke laaya. But... I have never seen him so low.
Renshu : Low? He's the one who's the tallest among us. Na sirf usne unki jaan par khatra nahi aane diya, balki woh unhe chhuraane me bhi qamyab tha. Par, ab time nahi hai. Erica-!
Erica samajh gayi ki use kya karna tha. Garofano ko call connect kar ke Ava se poochhne ke baad dobara se Veer ki nayi location le li thi unhone.
Erica bina kuchh kahe waha se ek kshan me gaayab ho gayi.
Andar derr raat me hospital ka corridor shaant tha. Shreya ki bauhe sikudi aur palke jhapkaate hue woh kursi par se uthi. Sabhi resting area me so chuke the aur woh aur uske Ishaan bhaiya hi yaha kursi par baithe the.
Usne dekha ki uske bhaiya bhi baitha-baithe hi so rahe the. Apne phone ko dheele haath se pakdi woh Nidhi ko dekhne ke liye uske kamre ki orr badhi.
Lekin, Nidhi ke kamre ke paas pahuchte hi uske qadam wahi tham gaye.
Darwaaze ke sheeshein se... Usne dekha.
Veer.
Nidhi.
Juhi.
Nidhi ne Veer ke chehre ko apni chhaati se laga rakha tha — khoon se lathpath aur ghaayal.
Shreya bhauchakki reh gayi.
Drishya use umeed se zyada prabhavit kar gaya. Uski ungliyaan phone par kass gayi. Aur, vibhinn anubhutiyaan ek pal me mehsoos ho gayi.
Raahat — kyunki, Veer sahi salamat tha.
Khushi — kyunki, Juhi surakshit thi.
Irshya — kyunki, Veer kisi aur ki baaho me tha.
Glaani — kyunki, jiski baaho me tha woh uski apni badi behan hi thi. Ye sab uske mann me nahi aana chahiye tha.
Aur, dard — na jaane kyu.
*Click*
Darwaaze ki awaaz aate hi Nidhi chaunk kar tezi se mudi.
'Huh?'
Saamne koi ladki thi. Iske pehle ki woh kuchh keh paati-
"Shh! It won't hurt! Please! Sleep!"
Nidhi ko kuchh pata nahi chala. Uski aankhon ke saamne achanak se andhera chhaa gaya.
***
Ek ukhdi hui saans.
Veer ki aankhein fad-fada kar khuli. Chhat alag thi. Hawa me gandh toh wahi thi — antiseptic ki. Magar, uski chhaati par se woh bhaar gaayab tha.
Juhi.
Uski saans atakne ko hui, ghabrahat ne uske shareer ko jhakjhor diya. Uski baahein Juhi ko paane ke liye fadki. Kaha gayi woh?
Par, agle hi pal use mehsoos hua — uske dono taraf, daaye aur baaye koi uski baaho ko jakde hue tha.
'Huh?'
Uska sirr daayi orr muda.
Tej.
Uski Teju di ne use pakde rakha tha. Magar, nigaahein saamne ki orr ek band darwaaze par tiki thi.
Woh baayi orr muda.
Kavya.
Woh uss se chipki hui thi. Tej ki hi tarah, woh bhi saamne hi nazre gadaayi thi.
Uske haatho se bediyaan gaayab thi. Ye kaise hua? Janzeerein uski kalaayi par locked thi. Kaha chali gayi wo?
Kuchh gadbad thi. Tabhi-
“Veer!”
Ghane vatavaran me ek awaaz goonj gayi. Shweta! Use jaagta hua dekh uski aankhein chaudi ho gayi. Woh chillaati hui uske nazdeek aayi. Aur, kamre me maujood sabhi ki nigaahein Veer par pad gayi.
Badhi toh Bhavna bhi thi lekin, Shweta ne aate hi Veer ke chehre ko thaam liya aur use betaab apne seene se laga liya.
"Hosh aa gaya mere bete ko... Hey bhagwan!"
Veer akad ke reh gaya. Uske shareer ka har ang dard se tadak raha tha, lekin uljhan ka bojh dard se kahi zyada bhaari tha.
Ye sab yaha kyu the? Ye woh aspataal toh nahi tha jaha par Nidhi bharti thi.
Tej aur Kavya uss se lipti hui thi. Uski Shweta maa, aur uski maa — Bhavna. Sab ro rahi thi.
Usne dekha ki uske pita-
Brijesh!
'???'
Uske pita bhi kone me haath mode chintan me khade hue the. Uski behan Aarohi apni laal aankhein liye rote hue use hi dekh rahi thi.
Aabha aur Sonali bhi ek jagah par baithi use rote hue dekh rahi thi. Aur, na jaane kitne log the.
Uska sirr ghoom raha tha. Dhadkane tez ho rahi thi. Kuchh nahi, bahut kuchh galat lag raha tha.
'P-Pari? What the hell happened?'
Magar-
Sannaata. Koi jawab nahi.
'P-Pari? Juhi kaha hai? Ye sab kya chal raha hai?'
Fir bhi koi jawab nahi. Usne apne daant peese.
'Pariiii-!!'
Magar, kuchh nahi. Pari sleep mode me jaa chuki thi.
Uski saansein tez hui. Use Nidhi ke kamre me jaana yaad tha. Use yaad tha ki Juhi uske seene se hi lipti hui thi. Use ye bhi yaad tha ki woh seat par gira tha. Lekin, uske baad-!?
Use kuchh bhi yaad nahi tha. Kya hua tha? Veer ki nazar achanak baayi orr dur ek corridor me padi. Aur, usne dekha-
Kone ke paas, uske parivar se alag. Teen log khade hue the.
Renshu. Erica. Aur, Garofano.
Jo use hi dekh rahi thi.
System holders. Yaha par? Woh sab yaha kyu the? Use tabhi yaad aaya-
Yarnia's launch.
Woh toh aaj thi na? Toh kya hua? Sab yaha kyu the? Aur, ro kyu rahe the? Yarnia ka kya hua?
Aur, use yaad aa gaya.
Mission ki penalty. Ek sihran uske badan me daud gayi. Kahi isliye toh sab-?
Nahi! Aisa nahi ho sakta. Usne Juhi, Pihu ko bacha liya tha. Fir, akhir aur koi kaise khatre me ho sakta tha? Woh koi sawal kar paata ki itne me saamne ka darwaza khul gaya.
Ek doctor baahar nikal ke aaya. Sab achanak se khade ho gaye. Jis baat ko Veer ka darr tha, woh darr aur gehra ho gaya.
Doctor ne sabhi ko dekha aur fir Veer ko dekh ek haami bhar uski orr chalte hue nazdeek aaya jaise woh jaanta tha ki use kis se baat karni thi.
Veer Singh.
Yahi wo vyakti thi jise usko jawab dena chahiye. Doctor ne ek gehri saans li. Fir, ek asthir awaaz me bola-
"I'm very sorry, sir. Hum unhe bacha nahi sake. Mr. Manorath is no more."
*Badump*
Dhadalle se darwaza punah khula, stretcher par Manorath ji ka shav tha, upar se safed kapda dhaka hua tha.
Cheekhein goonj uthi. Parivar jano ke rone ki awaaz aspataal me goonjne lagi.
Veer ko kuchh samajh aata ki tabhi-
"Although, Miss Ragini ki situation kaafi critical thi. But, doctor ne mujhe khabar de di hai."
'Ragini' naam sunn woh wapas se hosh me aaya.
"She's out of danger now."
Raahat bamushqil ek kshan ke liye hi thi.
"But there's only one problem. I'm sorry to say but — woh ab pehle ki tarah kabhi nahi chal payengi."
Aur, aspatal ko ek gehre sannaate ne dhak liya.
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Aaj ke liya itna hi guys.
This update consists of 8.3k words. Jaan boojh ke around itni length ka rakha hai warna ye update 10k ke upar jaa raha tha. Too much info dump iss update me mujhe sahi nahi lagi because Nidhi ka aham hissa tha iss update me. So, I decided to post those sections in the later updates. This update also justifies why Nidhi took Veer to her house and sheltered him. Unke beech ka rishta ekdum naya nahi tha. They knew each other. Mehez 3 mahino ka hi rishta tha lekin, unn teen mahino ne bahut kuchh badal diya tha. Samay-samay par aise hi flashbacks ke zariye hum Nidhi aur Veer ke madhya aur bhi moments dekhenge. Yaha par past kaisa laga woh zaroor bataane ka. Baaki, target apna wahi hai. 300. Pahucha dene ka. Agle update se Post Disembowler arc shuru ho jayega.
Milte hai agle bhaag me.
Dhanyavad.
जबरदस्त शानदारUpdate - 196 ~ The Fulfilled Promise
Ab tak...
Ye Veer ki qismat thi, ya kuchh aur-
Jo woh raasta dhundhne me saksham tha. Lair se baahar woh kooda. Mission complete ho chuka tha.
Parantu, Pari ne use iski soochna nahi di. Kyunk, notification tha-
[Mission Failed.]
[Due to the host's partial completion of the mission, all the three penalties of the mission won't be applied.]
[Due to the failure of not killing the Disembowler, one penalty will be applied to the host.]
[Mission penalty : Loss of loved ones.]
Ab aage...
Raat ke 12:05 baj rahe the. Aatishbaziyo ne Mumbai ke aasmaan ko jagmaga kar rakha hua tha, naye saal ke aagman ka har aadmi ullaas mana raha tha. Hawa me khushiyaan chhayi thi, log jashn mana rahe the, galey mil rahe the, iss nav varsh ka swagat karne ke liye khushi se chillaa rahe the. Lekin, isi sheher me iss shor ke beech kahi par maatam chhaaya hua tha.
News channels me prasaaran jaari the — Hotel Prestige ko lekar ek gambheer report. Kuchh bhayanak hua tha. Visfot. Khoon-kharaba. Jaano ka lutna.
Isliye, sheher ke kuchh hisso me jashn ka mahaul feeka pad chuka tha.
"Hotel Prestige par jaanlewa humla!"
"Kayi logo ke maare jaane ki khabar!"
"Suraksha guards maare gaye! Adhikariyo ko lakshit humle ka sandeh!"
Bars aur luxury clubs me TV screen par tabahi ke drishya dikhayi de rahe the — toote hue sheeshein, palte hue furniture, stretchers par le jaaye jaa rahe shav. Ek electronics showroom ke baahar ek chhoti bheed jama ho gayi thi, unki nazar andar rakhe display TV par tiki hui thi.
"Aaj ke din batao kya ho gaya. Tch tch!" Ek aadmi ne badbadate hue kaha.
"Hotel Prestige toh achha hotel tha. Hum toh gaye hai. Badhiya tha. Pata nahi kaise ho gaya ye sab. Mujhe lagta hai humla karwaya gaya hai." Ek mahila ne haami bharte hue kaha.
"Mumbai me crime badhta jaa raha hai. Tch! Tyohaaron me bhi ab-" ek raahgeer ne waha se nikalte hue fusfusaya.
Lekin, har koi shok nahi mana raha tha. Mumbai ke elite varg ke gharo me, oonchi-oonchi imaarato me glass takra rahe the aur dheemi baat-cheet me chhipi hui khushi thi.
Iss beech, Mumbai ki sabse shandar 7 star hotel — Casa Belle me patrakaro aur reporters ki bheed umdi hui thi. Cameramen apna camera liye hotel ke maalik — Aadesh Jaisinghani ke bayaan ka intezar kar rahe the.
Woh baahar aaya. Sleek hairstyle me geele baalo ko poori tarah peechhe kiye, Armani ki dress pehne, aisa lag raha tha maano woh abhi-abhi koi jashn mana ke aaya ho.
Aur, jaise hi woh saamne aaya, reporters uss par toot pade.
Reporter #1 : Mister Aadesh, Hotel Prestige par hue humle par aapke vichaar?
Reporter #2 : Hospitality industry me ek leading figure hone ke naate, aap uss suraksha chook ke baare me kya kehna chaahenge jiske chalte ye haadsa hua?
Reporter #3 : Casa Belle aur Hotel Prestige ke madhya shuru se hi oonch-neech hoti aayi hai. Kya aapko lagta hai ki ye humla kisi business conflict se juda hai?
Media ko chahiye tha masala. Kahani. Khabrein. Jo unhe police se utni maatra me nahi mil paayi thi. Aur, isliye khud Aadesh ne hi ye khabar media ke beech felwayi ki woh iss vishay ko lekar raat me apne vichaar rakhega. Media yaha aayi nahi thi. Unhe chalaaki se yaha laaya gaya tha.
Usne dheere se, kaafi baar abhyaas ki hui ek aah chhori, uski bauhe thodi si sikud gayi. Usne ek napa-tula qadam aage badhaya, yeh sunishchit karte hue ki camera uski aankhon me gehri suhanubhuti ko qaid kar raha hai ya nahi.
Aadesh (lagbhag shok me) : Dekhiye! Sabse pehle, mein peedito, unke parivaro aur iss bhayanak ghatna se prabhavit sabhi logo ke prati sanvedna vyakt karta hu. Aaj nav varsh ke shuru hote hi- yeh humla... Ye humla sirf Hotel Prestige par nahi hai. Ye humla saari hospitality industry par hai. Jab kisi hotel ko iss tarah se nishana banaaya jaata hai, toh ye harr atithi ke uss bharose ki neev ko hila deta hai jo woh hum par rakhte hai.
Reporters uske shabdo par sirr hilaate hue budbudaaye. Woh bilkul sahi baatein keh raha tha.
Aadesh ne aage bolne se pehle ek dramatic effect ke liye kuchh der viraam liya.
Aadesh : Dekhe... Maine humesha... Maine humesha se hi Hotel Prestige ko sammaan diya hai. Haan, mein sweekar karta hu ki humare beech competition chalta rehta hai. Lekin, ye ek healthy competition hota hai. Aur, competition ka matlab dushmani nahi hai. Business me ye sab aam baat hoti hai. Haal hi me, humaare Unicard ki launch ke dauran humne Hotel Prestige ko bhi aamantrit kiya tha. Mister Veer Singh, Miss Bhumika Singh, dono hi parivar jann ke saath padhaare the yaha. Aur, humaare mann me ek-dusre ke liye paraspar sammaan ke alawa kuchh nahi.
Uske hontho par ek dhoort muskaan ubhri, lekin usne badi hi chalaaki se ek aah bharte hue use chhipa liya.
Reporter #4 : Toh aap ko iss baare me koi idea nahi ki humle ke peechhe kaun ho sakta hai?
Aadesh ne asahaay bhaav se apna sarr hilaaya.
Aadesh (dheere se) : Ji, mein bhi Mumbai ke baaki logo ki tarah hairaan hu. Aisa kisne kiya hoga? Unka kya maqsad ho sakta hai? Ye aise sawal hai jinka jawab sirf police hi de sakti hai. Lekin, mein itna zaroor kehna chahunga ki — iss sankat ki ghadi me Casa Belle Hotel Prestige ke saath hai. Agar, hum unki madad ke liye kuchh bhi kar sakte hai, toh hum zaroor karenge.
Casa Belle aur Hotel Prestige ka samarthan? Sawal hi paida nahi hota. Yeh toh bas uski chaal thi.
Andar hi andar woh toh balki iss aapda ka aanand le raha tha.
Yarnia — Veer ka bhavya naya clothing brand, din ki raushni dekhne se pehle hi malbe me tabdeel ho chuka tha. Hotel Prestige, wahi hotel jisne uski Casa Belle ke saath bhidne ki koshish ki thi, ab ek crime scene ka sthal bann chuki thi.
Aisa lag raha tha jaise brahmaand ne swayam uski jholi me ye uphaar de diya tha.
Camera ke saamne usne fir se apna murjhaya hua chehra prastut kiya aur bola-
Aadesh : Kumar! Ye sab humare mehman hai. Inki khatirdari me kami nahi rehni chahiye.
Kumar (nods) : Ji, Sir!
Kehte hue woh wahi murjhayi awastha liye andar chala gaya. Aur, idhar news me uske charche hone lage. Jo uske kapti-pann se parichit nahi the, woh use saccha insaan maanane lage.
Iss traasdi ke bawajood, Mumbai ne rukne se inkaar kar diya tha.
Vyast sadko par, kuchh log shok mana rahe the, lekin kayi log bas aage badh gaye — kyunki, yahi Mumbai ka tareeka tha.
Kisi aspatal ke pareeksha kaksh me ek yuvti dheere-dheere ro rahi thi. Uska bhai, jo Hotel Prestige me security guard tha, mehmano ki suraksha karte hue maara jaa chuka tha. Duniya aage badh gayi, par uske liye uski duniya wahi khatm ho chuki thi.
***
Isi beech ghani raat me Disembowler ki lair ke theek upar sthit shamsan ke paas hi Erica aur Renshu khade hue the.
Renshu : Yahi jagah hai na?
Erica : Haan, dad! Usne toh yahi batayi thi. Kya mein-?
Renshu (nods) : Hmm! Shuru karo!
Erica (nods) : Okay!
Woh jhuki. Usne apna ek haath neeche shamshaan ki bhoomi par rakha aur fir-
'Basic Seer Vision!'
*Ding*
Agle hi pal alag-alag drishya uske mastishq me ghoomne lage. Woh bechari apni bauhe zorr se sikodi, kayi baar uska badan kaanp utha, magar woh waha se uthi nahi.
Renshu agal-bagal apni nazrein ghumaaye hue tha. Woh sunishchit kar raha tha ki kahi koi unhe dekh na le.
Yaha se woh khaali haath nahi laut sakte the.
Kuchh der pehle...
Ek mand raushni waali jagah. Medical equipment ki awaaz.
Ava ka shareer ek andheri sunsaan gali me khadi ek shandar kaali SUV ke andar ek asthayi operating table par laita hua tha. Uski saansein ab niyantran me aa rahi thi. Chehre ka rang wapas aa raha tha.
Uske pait par lagi goli ke ghaav ko pehle hi saaf kiya jaa chuka tha aur surgical precision ke saath sil diya gaya tha.
Garofano uske bagal se khadi thi. Usne zehreeli bullet ko badi hi kushalta se Ava ke shareer se nikaal diya tha. Uske haath sthir the, aur dimag gadna karne me laga hua tha.
Wahi thi jo Ava ko apne kandho par utha ke leke aayi thi. Uske theek peechhe Renshu, Erica ke saath khada hua tha.
Erica ki nigaahein Ava ke achetan roop ka adhyayan kar rahi thi. Uske dad ne humesha hi use iss aurat se satark rehne ko kaha tha. Magar, akhir kaun thi Natalia Martin? Ek bemisal worldwide famous singer aur celebrity. Kya waqai woh Veer ko dhoka deke use maarna chaahti thi? Woh dhyaan se Ava ko ghoorti rahi.
Aur, phir-
Renshu ne chuppi todi.
Renshu : Use hosh me aane me kitna samay lagega?
Garofano ne bina peechhe mude apne khoon se sane dastaane haath se nikaale aur apne haath me pehni ghadi dekhi.
Garofano : Bullet nikaale abhi mushqil se 15 minute hi hue hai. Zeher ki potency aur blood loss ko dhyaan me rakhte hue, ise kam se kam abhi 4 se 5 ghante toh-
"Ngh-!"
Uske shabd adhoore reh gaye jab ek dard bhari karaah ne use beech me hi rok diya.
Ava ka shareer jhatka khaaya, uski ungliyaan neeche seat ke leather par kassne lagi aur fir ek tez gati se, woh bhaari saans lete hue uth baithi.
Garofano ki aankhein avishvas me chaudi ho gayi.
Namumkin!
Ava ka ghaav gehra tha, zeher ke chalte use toh abhi ghanto tak behosh rehna chahiye tha. Magar, fir bhi woh kuchh hi minto me jaag chuki thi!?
[This girl... She has some sort of healing skill.]
Freya ki awaaz Garofano ke mann me goonj gayi.
Erica : Ah? Itni jaldi hosh bhi aa gaya?
Woh halka sa cheekhte hue boli. Yaha tak ki humesha shaant rehne waale Renshu ne bhi aankhein sikod li.
Ava (yells) : V-Veer!
Woh chillaate hue uthne ke liye aage badhi, lekin Garofano ne uske kandho par haath rakh use neeche baitha diya.
Garofano : Calm down!
Ava : Veer-!
Garofano : Sniper marr chuka hai. I have dealt with him. Ab koi khatra nahi hai. Don't worry! Take it easy!
Garofano ne fir apni jeb se ek kaagaz nikaalte hue Renshu ki orr kiya. Renshu ne use thaamte hue khola aur jab use dekha toh uski bauhe chinta me sikud gayi.
Garofano : Ye uss Dexter ke paas se mila. Kisi syndicate alliance ka member tha woh shayad. Check karne par toh yahi nazar aaya.
Ye wahi kaagaz tha jo Dexter ke paas tha. Veer ke parivar jann ke naam aur unki tasveerein iss kaagaz me maujood thi.
Veer ke parivar ka zikr aate hi Ava ki chhaati zoro se upar-neeche hone lagi. Aankhon me chinta abhi bhi barkarar thi.
Ava : Veer... *huff* Veer ki family! Mujhe- *cough* *cough*
Garofano (sternly) : Tumhe shaant rehne ki zaroorat hai!
Usne Ava ko beech me tokte hue kaha. Awaaz teekhi thi lekin nirdayi nahi. Aur, kahi na kahi woh Ava ka adhyayan bhi kar rahi thi. Bhala kis tarah ka system holder aisi chot ke baad itni jaldi hosh me aa sakta tha?
Garofano ki nazro me ek maun manzoori thi. Ava, sirf ek system holder nahi thi. Uske paas bhi uske trump cards the jinhe woh ujagar nahi kar rahi thi.
Erica aashcharya me uske qareeb aayi.
Erica : Itni jaldi kaise hosh aa gaya? Poison ki wajah se itni jaldi hosh nahi aana chahiye tha.
Ava : *huff* T-Tum... Tum sab... *huff*
Garofano : Calm down! Hum sab yaha Veer ke liye hi aaye hai. Aur, tumhe itni jaldi hosh aa gaya? Mein ye expect nahi kar rahi thi.
Ava maun rahi. Woh apne baare me kuchh bhi zaroori baatein nahi bataana chaahti thi.
Renshu : Humare paas samay barbaad karne ke liye nahi hai. Agar, hosh aa hi gaya hai toh kya tum Veer ki location ke baare me kuchh bata sakti ho? Kya tum jaanti ho woh kaha par hai iss waqt?
Ava wahi jamm ke reh gayi. Use yaad aaya. Woh ye kaise bhool sakti thi?
Usne Veer ko Death Flag se mark kar ke rakha hua tha. Bina kisi hich-kichahat ke usne apni aankhein band ki, Veer ki location par dhyaan kendrit kiya. Aur, kuchh hi palo me Veer ki asli location uske mastishq me aa gayi.
Usne apni aankhein kholi. Uska chehra peela pad gaya.
Ava (frowns) : W-Woh-! Woh shamshaan me hai! Uske neeche...! Underground...!
Renshu (frowns) : Shamshaan? Kaha par?
Ava ne use exact location batayi. Chaahe uska shareer kitna hi thaka hua kyu na ho, uske dimag me ek hi baat thi — Veer.
Garofano ne Renshu ko dekha. Dono ek baat jaan gaye the ki Ava ke paas Veer ko track karne ki koi na koi skill zaroor maujood thi. Dono ne hi mann me iss baat ki gaanth baandh li.
Garofano (turns) : Toh kya karna hai? Veer ke paas kaun jaa raha hai?
Renshu : Mumbai me tumhari maujoodgi ab koi rehesya nahi hai. Tum pehle bhi yaha sabke saamne aa chuki ho. Aur, haan- tum ek celebrity se kam bhi nahi. Poora Korea tumhare peechhe paagal hai. Isliye, tumhara Veer ke nazdeek jaana abhi faydemand nahi. Ye unwanted attention ko bulawa dega.
Garofano muskurayi. Apni ungliyon ko apne kaale reshmi baalo me firaayi.
Garofano (smirks) : Hmph! Thanks for the recognition- lekin, shayad tum bhool rahe ho ki mein stealth me maahir hu. Mujhe bas apne chehre par mask pehen'ne ki derr hai. That's it. But, haan! Abhi mein Natalia ko chhor ke yaha se nahi jaa sakti. Woh heal zaroor ho rahi hai but if trouble comes knocking, she won't be able to fight.
Renshu ne uski baat ko sweekar karte hue haami bhari.
Ava ne khud ko upar uthaaya, aur karkash awaaz me boli.
Ava : V-Veer ki family safe toh hai na? I... Usne mujhe- Usne mujhe zimmedari saunpi thi. *huff* M-Mein- Mein yaha aise nahi- *huff*
Renshu : Maine hotel me se ambulances ko nikalte hue dekha tha. Veer ki family ke kuchh logo ko check kiya tha maine. Hotel me ab koi nahi hai andar.
Ava (frowns) : K-Kya woh... Kya woh safe hai?
Renshu : Lagta toh hai. Police ne area ko takeover kar liya hai. Veer ki family shayad hospital gayi hai. Toh, uss hisaab se woh safe hone chahiye. Khatra hotel ke ird-gird hi tha.
Ava ne ek shaant saans chhori. Lekin, chinta zara bhi kam nahi hui.
Renshu (sighs) : Aur, agar mein chaahu bhi toh bhi hospital nahi jaa sakta.
Erica aur Ava dono ne hi use sawaaliya nazro se dekha.
Erica : Eh? Kyu dad?
Iske pehle ki Renshu jawab de paata, Garofano hasste hue jawab di.
Garofano (laughs) : Hahahaha! Because your dad is too damn big. Hospital me logo ko samajhne me hi ghante lag jayenge ki ye aadmi hai kaun? Itni badi qad-kaathi kaise hai? Kaha se aaya hai? Aur, Veer se uska kya sambandh hai? Hahaha! Samjhi?
Renshu : ...
Renshu ne uske chidhaane par koi pratikriya nahi di. Lekin, Erica kaha chup rehne waali thi?
Erica : Wh-What do you mean? Hmph! Mere dad ka matlab simple tha. Unka matlab hai ki Veer ko jald se jald dhundhna hai taaki problem ki asli jadd ka pata lag sake.
Garofano : Oh! Wow! Dekho toh humari Miss Erica ko. Smart banane ki kitni koshish kar rahi hai? But, you're still dumb. Fufu~
Erica : Who-? Who the hell are you calling dumb?
Garofano : Of course, you! Fufu~ Yaha par sirf tum hi dumb ho!
Erica : Y-You-!!
Usne apni mutthi bheenchi. Lekin, iske pehle ki woh jawab de paati, Renshu ki awaaz hawa me goonj uthi.
Renshu : ENOUGH!!!
Dono yuvtiyaan chup ho gayi. Par, Erica ka ghoorna khatam nahi hua.
Erica : Hmph!
Garofano : Fufu~
Renshu : Mein aur Erica Veer ki location par jayenge. Aur, tum yahi rahogi jab tak ki Natalia chalne ki condition me nahi aa jaati.
Garofano (nods) : Theek hai! Par, zyada derr mat lagaana. I don't like sitting on the sidelines.
Renshu ne koi jawab nahi diya. Woh bas apni car ki orr muda. Erica ne uska peechha kiya, aage badhne se pehle Garofano ko ek akhiri nazar se dekha.
Garofano muskurate hue unhe jaata dekhi. Fir, Ava ki orr ghoomi jo abhi bhi seat par laiti hui thi.
Garofano : Maine jitna socha tha, tum uss se kahi zyada mazboot nikli. You're hiding your cards too. Just like him. *smiles*
Ava ne koi jawab nahi diya, lekin uski aankhon ki chamak se Garofano ko pata chal gaya ki usne uski baatein sunn li thi.
Aur, isi tarah Renshu aur Erica Veer ki location par pahuch paaye the. Magar, jab tak ve yaha par pahuche, Veer underground lair se nikal chuka tha.
Kintu, Erica ki basic seer vision ye pata laga sakti thi ki yaha kuchh derr pehle kya kuchh hua tha.
Renshu : Erica!?
Erica apni palke khol uthi. Uske badan me rue khade hue the.
Erica : D-Dad!
Renshu : ??
Erica : V-Veer-!
Erica ne poore drishya toh nahi, lekin kaafi hadd tak kuchh derr pehle ki ghatna ko dekh liya tha. Veer ka ajeebo-gareeb system holder se bhidna, neeche ka bhayanak vatavaran, thandi sadti laashein, maans ke tukde, experiments, SHB, Veer ka haath katna aur uska Juhi aur Pihu ko bachaana.
Erica ne jaise hi Renshu ko sab batlaaya toh Renshu ke khud ke badan me ek sihran daud gayi.
Woh bina koi deri kiye, Erica se lair ka entry point poonchh seedhe neeche ki orr kood gaya.
Erica : D-Daaad???
Majbooran, Erica ko bhi neeche koodna hi pada. Na jaane neeche kaun se rehesya khulne ke liye unka intezar kar rahe the.
***
Carewell Hospital,
Morning - 12:10 AM ~
Hospital ke automatic doors achanak se khule, lekin kisi ka dhyaan uss orr nahi gaya.
Duty par maujood kuchh karmchari apne phone me vyast the, toh kuchh counter par sirr tikaaye hue the aur kuchh the jo aadhi neend me dol rahe the ki ve sab corridor me hui tez raftaar se halchal ko dekh paane me vifal reh gaye.
Veer kisi hawa ke jhonke ki tarah waha daakhil hua. Uska shareer dagmaga raha tha, har qadam par perr felne ke liye aatur ho rahe the. Uski baayi aasteen gehre laal khoon se sani hui thi, jisme se aadhi se zyada aasteen toh poori gaayab ho chuki thi.
Baah me abhi bhi woh janzeerein bandhi hui thi. Uski chhaati ukhadi hui saanson ke saath upar-neeche ho rahi thi.
Aur, uske seene se usi surgeon sheet ke sang bandhi hui thi — Juhi. Uska chhota sa shareer uske seene se chipka hua tha, chehra blazer ke andar chhipa hua tha. Veer uski garm saansein apne seene par mehsoos kar paa raha tha. Woh so rahi thi. Shaant. Aur, surakshit.
Pihu ko woh pehle hi surakshit haatho me de aaya tha. Bachi thi toh sirf uski apni Juhi.
Woh Nidhi ke kamre number 31 me pahucha aur darwaza khola. Waqt hi aisa tha ki duty par mushqil se kuchh hi nurses aur safayi karmchari the jo apne-apne kaamo me lage hue the. Nateeja? Veer ke tez raftar se andar aane par kisi ko bhanak tak nahi lagi.
Woh aage badha. Uski drishti ab dhundhli pad rahi thi. Uski nazar saamne bistar par laiti ek aurat par gayi — Nidhi. Woh so rahi thi. Chehre par abhi bhi shikan ke bhaav the.
Veer uske nazdeek aaya. Kamra hil raha tha kya? Nahi! Woh khud ladkhada raha tha. Iske pehle ki woh zameen par girta, usne wahi lagi bench dekh khud ko dheela chhor diya aur seat par gir pada. Shareer ne akhir haar maan hi li. Uski aankhein band ho gayi.
Akhiri cheez jo usne mehsoos ki — woh tha Juhi ka harqat karta hua haath jo uske blazer ko kass ke jakadne ka prayatn kar raha tha aur fir — andhera.
Kuchh kshan baad...
Ek halki si harqat.
Nidhi ki palke jhapki aur woh jaag uthi. Uska sarr dard se tadak raha tha, ghatna ki yaadein tatt par aati samudra ki lehro ki tarah wapas aane lagi.
"J-Juhi...!"
Woh ghabrayi. Uski bacchi. Uski bacchi ko aghwa kar liya gaya tha. Woh chhatpataate hue uthi aur jaise hi uth ke uski nazar saamne padi. Woh wahi jamm ke reh gayi.
Uski beti, uski duniya — wahi thi. Surakshit. Uske saamne. Uska haath apne khule muh par gaya aur woh ro padi. Aansu beqaabu ho kar behne lage.
Woh kaanpte hue dhadalle se uthi aur aage badhi. Uske haath me lagi IV needle aur uske sang laga drip stand bhi uske saath khichta chala gaya.
Woh Veer ke bagal me ghutno ke bal baithi, uska chehra peela pada hua tha. Usne pehle apni bitiya ko dekha. Chhaati upar-neeche ho rahi thi. Bina kisi chot ke. Surakshit.
Lekin, fir... Uski nazar Veer par gayi.
Uska chehra — sookhe khoon se sana hua — bejaan lag raha tha. Sarr kuchh geela sa tha. Baalo me halki barf jami thi jaise. Blazer ke sang shirt kayi jagaho se fati hui thi. Baah, chhaati aur kamar me gehre ghaav dikhayi pad rahe the. Uske kapde khoon se sane hue the. Par, Nidhi ko sabse zyada dang kiya unn janzeeron ne.
Jinhe dekh uska poora badan kaanp utha. Aankhein bhay ke maare chaudi ho uthi. Badi-badi janzeerein uski baaho me kass kar lipti hui thi.
Uska haath zor se thar-thara utha. Kuchh beeti yaadein wapas saamne aane lagi.
---
Lagbhag do saal pehle ka samay tha. Aaj Nidhi ko ek nayi class niyukt ki gayi thi. Yeh pehli baar nahi tha. Use students ko kis tarah se handle karna hai, ye achhi tarah se aata tha.
Iske pehle woh school me bhi ek shikshak reh chuki thi. Shiksha dena use bakhoobi aata tha. Magar, college aur school me kuchh farq toh hota tha.
College me bachhe ab bacche nahi the. Woh baalig the, sayaane the aur javani ke josh me udd rahe naye khiladi the.
Jaise hi Nidhi classroom me pravesh ki, pal bhar ke liye ek sannaata sa chhaa gaya. Students fir ikhatte khade hue-
"Good morning ma'am!"
"Settle down!"
Uski awaaz dridh lekin garmjoshi se bhari thi. Uske bolte hi sabhi chhaatra wapas se apni seats par baith gaye.
Woh bina students ki taraf dekhe blackboard ko rub karne lagi aur ek safed chalk uthaate hue apna naam likhne lagi.
Nidhi Mishra
Khubsoorat si likhawat me likhte hue usne apna parichay diya.
Aur, jaisa ki hona chahiye tha, waisa hi hua. Nayi-nayi 18 baras ki aayu poorn karne waale javan laundo ke mann me laddu phootne lage. Aur, charcha ka vishay tha — ?
"Behanchod kya maal hai bhai."
"Bhai bol de ki ab yahi apni class teacher hai."
"Bhai hai toh karraa yaar. Sahi me!"
"Iska matlab woh madarchod takla gaya? Kya naam tha bey uska?"
"Bhupinder Daruwala!"
"Bhupinder nahi. Guu pait ke andar! Hahahahaha!"
"Hahahahaha! Abey haan bey! Lawda saala dimaag kha jaata tha betichod."
"Daruwala ki bahut daru pee li... Ab Nidhi se Vidhi seekhenge hahahaha!"
"Kaaye ki bhosdiwaale? Hahahaha!"
"Ah! Madam! Ah! Wo waali vidhi! Aah! Uuh!"
"Hahahahahahaha! Madarchod!"
"Hahahahahahaha!"
Yahi baatein ladko ke alag-alag jhund me hone lagi. Par, kya Nidhi ko ye sab sunayi nahi de raha tha? De raha tha. Bilkul, de raha tha. Kintu, woh khamosh thi. Nirash bhi. Aur, chotil bhi.
"Abey pait kuchh fela-fela sa hai iska magar. Hai na?"
"Pregnant hai kya?"
"Nahi bey! Baccha ho chuka hai shayad. Dhyaan se dekh!"
"Abey toh shuru ka mahina bhi toh ho sakta hai?"
"Chutiye toh woh yaha thodi aati padhaane."
"Haan ye bhi hai!"
"Koi nahi-! Mein wazan kam karwa dunga iska hahahaha!"
"Mujhse toh sirf wazan badhaate aata hai hehehe!"
"Hahahahahaha!"
"Pregnancy ke baad bhi pait foola rehta hai kya?"
"Waisa nahi bey chutiye! Bas thode time tak rehta hai. Abhi madam ko apne asli figure me aane me time lagega."
"Waise... Aise bhi koi kam maal nahi hai."
"Hahahahaha!"
Eka-ek Nidhi ka haath na chaahte hue bhi apne pait par chala gaya. Ladke bhale hi dheere-dheere ye sab khuspusaaye, magar aksar unki baatein sabhi teachers ko sunayi de jaaya karti thi.
Jab Nidhi ko apne pait par haath rakhte unn students ne dekha toh iss baar thoda satark hote hue unn logo ne apni baat-cheet ko virham de diya.
Parantu, unki ek baat sahi thi. Nidhi ko bamushqil abhi dedh se do mahina hi hua tha jab uska apna navjaat uss se chheen liya gaya tha. Dhruv — uski apni amaanat.
Yahi woh samay tha jab Nidhi ke jeevan ka sabse kharab daur shuru hua tha. Ek prataadit karta pati, daayan samaan saas ki gaaliyaan, apne hi bacche ko kho dena, unse bhaag ke apne ek kiraaye ke flat me rehna, aas-pados me uth rahe charche, samaaj ka nazariya, aur jo rahi-sahi kasar baaki reh gayi thi woh inn besharam ladko ne uss par behuda tippani kar ke poori kar di thi.
Lekin, woh jaanti thi ki har ladke ek jaise nahi hote the. Uske apne pita. Uska ek bhai. Woh bhi toh mard the na? Woh jaanti thi ki iss classroom me abhi bhi woh ladke the jo waqai uss se padhna chaahte the — jinke mann me koi galat bhavnaaye nahi thi.
Yahi vishvas liye usne bolna shuru kiya.
"Students! Aaj se... Aaj se mein aapki class teacher rahungi. I will be teaching you Mathematics."
"Ye hui na baat behanchod! Ab maza aayega hahahaha"
"Badhayi ho bhai! Takla gaya hahahaha! Nayi phuljhadi aa gayi."
Unki baatein dobaara se shuru ho gayi. Nidhi ke pehle Bhupinder ji the jo iss kaksha ke class teacher the. Kareeban 7-8 maah tak unhone iss kaksha ko sambhala tha. First year ke bache hue 3-4 mahino ke liye Nidhi ab unki class teacher bann ke aayi thi. Aur, uska swagat kaise hua? Inn bhaddi tippaniyo se.
Himmat rakhte hue usne attendance sheet uthayi aur sabhi ke naam pukaarte hue pehle attendance lene lagi. Ek-ek kar ke jab woh akhiri bache kuchh baccho ke naam pukaarne ko aayi toh-
"Vamika Chauhan!"
"Present ma'am!"
"Vasu Mehta!"
"Present ma'am!"
"Veer Singh!"
*Silence*
'Hmm?'
Ek khamoshi si chhaa gayi. Koi jawab hi nahi aaya. Nidhi ne apna sarr uthaate hue sabhi ko dekha aur usne punah awaaz lagaayi.
"Veer Singh???"
Tabhi, uski nazar sabse side waali row par padi jaha aakhiri bench par ek ladka akele baitha hua tha. Bagal waali row se 2-4 ladke hasste hue use bula rahe the.
"Bhai tere ko bula rahi madam!"
"Chutiye haath utha ke present toh bol de hahahahaha!"
Woh ladka hadbadata hua apna kaam beech me rok upar dekha. Uski nazar Nidhi se jaa takrayi. Ek pal ke liye woh dara par fir ahista se haath uthaate hue bola-
"P-Present ma'am!"
Nidhi kuchh kshan ke liye avaak reh gayi. Woh nahi jaanti thi aisa kyu tha par kuchh pal woh bas Veer ko dekhti rahi. Usne fir aaj ka samay jaise-taise nikaala. Baccho ko padhaaya aur waha se nikal gayi.
Agla din. Wahi kaksha, wahi bacche, wahi harqate. Ladkiyaan hi thi jo kam se kam uss se achhe se pesh aati thi. Adhiktar ladke sirf use hawas ki nazro se hi ghoorte the.
Magar, aaj Nidhi ki nazre class me ghoom rahi thi. Maano jaise chehro se bhara ek samundar tha kamre ke andar — kuchh muskura rahe the, kuchh fusfusa rahe the, kuchh uub ke jhuke hue the. Fir bhi, ek student alag dikh raha tha.
Veer Singh.
Kal ki hi tarah aaj bhi woh sab se dur kone me akela baitha hua tha, uski desk hi baakiyo se dur thi. Uski aankhein apni notebook par tiki hui thi, maano likhte rehne se woh duniya se bach jayega. Uski patli si kaaya uski badi uniform ke andar alag hi maalum pad rahi thi.
Pata nahi kyu par use iss qadar dekh Nidhi ko ek samaanta si mehsoos hui. Attendance lene se pehle woh ruk gayi, uski nazre Veer par tiki rahi.
'Woh akela kyu baitha hai?'
Yeh vichaar kal se uske dimaag me atka hua tha. Jab usne attendance ke liye naam pukaarna shuru kiye, toh sabhi chhaatra baari-baari ek swar me 'present ma'am' chillaate chale gaye. Kaksha me hasi ki ek leher daud gayi, dost ek dusre ko dhakka deke hasi mazaak karne lage, aur unki khusur-pusur jaari ho gayi.
"Veer Singh?"
*Silence*
Aaj bhi wahi hua. Nidhi use hi dekh rahi thi. Veer ne apna haath dheere se upar uthaaya.
"Present ma'am!"
Maujood hoke bhi aisa lag raha tha jaise woh adrishya tha baaki logo ke liye. Shaant aur darpok.
Veer ka akelapann sirf samajik nahi tha — ye uske jeevan me samaya hua tha.
Ek baar project ke dauran, Nidhi ne class me baccho se ek-dusre se partners banaane ke liye kaha.
"Apna ek partner banaiye aur saath mil kar project complete karna hai. Theek hai? Class dismissed."
Chhaatra turant apne dosto ke paas bhaage — dekhte hi dekhte alag-alag pairs bann gaye.
Veer ko chhor kar.
Woh baitha raha, apni notebook ko ghoorta raha. Departure ho chuka tha aur sabhi project ke baare me baatein karte hue chale gaye.
Veer ne chup-chap apna bag uthaaya aur uski orr aaya.
"Ma'am!? Kya mein akele project bana sakta hu?"
"Kyu?"
"Mujhse kisi ne poochha hi nahi. Sabke pehle hi pairs bann gaye."
Usne itni saralta se kaha, maano jaise use aadat ho gayi ho bhulaaye jaane ki. Nidhi ka gala andar hi andar roondh gaya. Uski chhaati me jaise ek dard utha. Woh kuchh na bol saki.
Ek shaam woh class ke baad derr tak ruki hui thi. Usne dekha ki Veer parking area ke paas baitha hua farsh ko ghoor raha tha. Uski aankhein laal thi.
"Veer?"
Usne jawab nahi diya.
"Kya hua?"
Firse koi jawab nahi. Magar, jab usne Veer ke saamne dustbin me dekha toh uski aankhein chaudi hokar reh gayi. Dustbin me Veer ka bag dala hua tha.
Woh akasmat uske bagal se aake khadi hui.
"Kisne kiya ye?"
"Nahi pata. *sniff* Farq nahi padta. Koi nayi baat nahi."
"Tum ruko abhi- mein abhi jaa ke-"
"Nahi! Koi zaroorat nahi hai. Aapke jaane se... Woh baad me aur tang karenge. *sniff* Rehne dijiye."
"Par-"
"Maine kaha na, ma'am! Rehne dijiye!"
Nidhi ne aage kuchh nahi kaha. Usne use rona band karne ke liye bhi nahi kaha. Iski bajaaye, woh bas uske bagal se baith gayi.
Varsho me pehli baar, Veer ko laga ki koi tha... Jo uski parvah kar raha tha.
Din beetate gaye aur Nidhi 'Veer' naam ke iss ladke ko observe karti gayi. Usne jaana ki Veer kabhi kisi se baat nahi karta tha.
Recess ke dauran koi bhi uske saath nahi baithata tha, ladko ka koi bhi group use invite nahi karta tha. Lunch ke samay jab chhaatra apni-apni mandliyo me ikhatta hote, Veer chup-chap waha se gaayab ho jaata. Lunch laata bhi tha ya nahi? Iska bhi pata nahi tha.
Aur, isliye ek dopahar Nidhi recess ke theek baad yuhi uske peechhe-peechhe gayi. Veer library me jaa raha tha.
Nidhi ne dekha ki woh library me khidki ke paas baithe, sirr jhukaaye, notebook me kuchh bana raha tha.
'Hmm?'
Woh aage badhi.
"Iss waqt lunch kiya jaata hai, Veer. Koi aur kaam nahi."
Veer uski awaaz sunn jhep gaya. Woh chaunk gaya, use samajh nahi aa raha tha ki jawaab de ya andekha kar de?
"M-Maine lunch kar liya hai, ma'am." Uski awaaz mushqil se Nidhi ke kaano me pahuchi.
"Achha? 5 minute hue hai abhi recess hue aur tumne lunch bhi kar liya? Jhooth bolte ho?"
"M-Maine subah zyada khaaya tha. Isliye, abhi bhookh nahi hai. M-Mein theek hu, ma'am."
"Kya waqai?"
Veer ne hichkichaate hue apni pen aur kass ke pakad li. "H-Haan! M-Mujhe yaha achha lagta hai. Yaha shaanti rehti hai."
Nidhi ne ek pal ke liye use dekha, fir chali gayi. Veer ko laga ki uska peechha chhoot gaya lekin kuchh der baad hi woh waapas laut aayi — sandwich ki ek plate ke saath.
"Agar, tumhe yahi baithna hai toh yahi baitho. Par, kam se kam kuchh khaa toh liya karo."
Veer plate ko ghoorta raha. Dang reh gaya tha. Aisa pehle kabhi kisi ne uske liye nahi kiya tha.
"M-Mujhe bhookh nahi hai, ma'am."
"Of course, tumhe hai. Tum bas maanane ke liye ziddi ho. Tum lunch nahi laate kya? Mummy nahi deti ghar pe?"
Maa ka zikr aate hi Veer maun reh gaya aur Nidhi jaise samajh gayi ki kuchh baat hai. Usne iss vishay ko aage nahi badhaaya. Veer fir apne aap se hi kuchh kshan baad bola.
"M-Mein-! Mein aaj lunch box bhool gaya. Chachi ne bana ke rakha tha. Lekin- mein bhool gaya."
"Oh! Toh ab kha lo. Theek hai?"
"Nahi! Maine kaha na ma'am. Mujhe bhook nahi hai."
Veer ne mana toh kar diya. Lekin, jab Nidhi plate neeche rakh ke waha se chali gayi, toh Veer ne kuchh hi kshano baad khud ko plate ki taraf aage badhte hue paaya.
Ek din, jab Veer apni baahon aur chehre par chot ke saath class me aaya — ragging aur bullying ke kuchh saboot.
Nidhi ne dekha. Usne kuchh poochha nahi.
Lekin, agli hi subah, Veer ko apni desk ke neeche ek bandage kit rakhi mili — ek chhote se note ke saath.
'Take care of yourself. Some people care about you — even if you don't believe it yet.'
Uss din ke baad se Veer Nidhi ki upasthiti ko aur adhik mehsoos karne laga.
Class me, woh aksar uski desk ke aas-paas hi khadi rehti, aur uss se sawaal bhi poochha karti.
"Veer! Tum batao? Kya ye answer sahi hai?"
"Veer! Tumhari kya raay hai isme?"
Pehle toh woh jawab nahi de paata tha. Uski awaaz mushqil se uske muh se nikalti thi. Lekin, Nidhi ne apna prayas nahi chhora. Nidhi uske astitva ko poora karti thi. Lagne laga tha jaise ab woh adrishya nahi tha.
Ek din woh deri se aaya. Woh ghabrahat me darwaze ki dehleez par khada ho gaya.
"S-Sorry! Ma'am- mein..."
"Koi baat nahi!" Nidhi ne beech me hi tokte hue kaha, uski awaaz naram thi. "Ab aa gaye ho na? Baith jao!"
Zyadatar teachers use khari-kothi suna dete lekin, Nidhi... Woh muskurayi. Woh muskaan use shabdo se kahi zyada shaant kar deti.
Ek din Nidhi ne use apni notebook me kuchh banaate hue pakad liya.
"Tum drawing bhi karte ho??"
Veer ne jhepte hue jaldi se apni notebook band kar li. Uski drawing achhi nahi thi. Lekin, use banaane ka shauk tha.
"K-Kuchh nahi-! A-Aise hi bas..."
"Uff-Oh! Ab chalo bhi mujhe dekhne do."
Hichkichaate hue lekin bharosa kar, Veer ne dheere se notebook kholi. Andar alag-alag sketches the. Kuchh landscapes ke, kuchh chehro ke, aur ek kone me — Nidhi ka khud ka ek chhota sa chitr.
Nidhi ne aashcharya me palke jhapkayi. Fir, haule se hasi.
"Arey waah! Bahut khoob. Par, Veer-!? Mujhe nahi lagta ki meri naak itni badi hai. Hai na?"
Veer ka chehra sharm se laal pad gaya.
"Ye... Ye abhi poora nahi hua hai, ma'am." Usne haklaate hue kaha.
"Koi baat nahi... *smiles* Mein mazaak kar rahi thi. Tum talented ho. Ise chhipaane ki koi zaroorat nahi. Confidence rakha karo, Veer. Okay?"
"J-Ji!"
Jaise-jaise unka rishta aur mazboot hota gaya, unki baatein aur bhi sehej hoti chali gayi. Thodi chanchal bhi.
"Tum humesha ye notebook saath leke ghoomte ho." Woh ek baar use chidhaate hue boli. "Kya hai isme aisa? Hmm? Duniya par qabza karne ka master plan?"
"Haan!" Usne bebaaki se jawab diya. "Sabse pehla qadam — Ek aisa teacher dhundhna jo meri notebook ko lekar baar-baar na poochhe."
"Hahahahaha!" Aur, woh khil-khila ke hass padi.
Veer bhi badle me muskura diya. Shayad ye pehli baar tha jab Nidhi ne use muskurate hue dekha tha.
Class me ek baar questions ke dauran, Veer ne pehli baar koi galti pakdi thi.
"Ma'am, waha par... Waha par sin ki jagah cos aayega."
"Oh??" Nidhi ne bauhe chadhayi. "Mujhse galti ho gayi?"
"Haan!"
"Theek hai toh... Class! Agla question Veer solve karega blackboard pe. Chalo, Veer. Utho apni seat se!"
"Eh??? N-Nahi! Ma'am... Ek minute!"
"Hahahaha! Good luck!" Nidhi uski haalat par hasi.
Veer dara. Nidhi mazak nahi kar rahi thi. Woh blackboard ke saamne khada tha aur chalk se likhte samay uske perr kaanp rahe the. Lekin, fir Nidhi ne podium se fusfusate hue uss se kaha-
"Tum sahi kar rahe ho. Solve karte jao. Daro nahi!"
Jab ek baar Veer ko pehli baar assignment test me Maths me thode achhe marks mile toh usne dekha ki Nidhi ne uske test paper par kuchh likha hua tha — Told you you'd do great. ^_^ But you need to do even better.
Ek baar career ke lakshyo ke baare me charcha ke dauran, Nidhi ne Veer se akele me baat karte hue sehejta se tippani ki-
"Veer! Tumhe ek high goal rakhna chahiye. Tumhare jaise log... Tum apna potential barbaad kar rahe ho."
Magar, Veer ko — ek ladka jise uske parivar waale aksar ye keh dete ki woh apni zindagi me kuchh bhi nahi kar payega — uske shabd bahut chubh gaye.
"Aapko lagta hai ki mein apna samay barbaad kar raha hu???" Usne oonchi awaaz me poonchha. "Mein har din apni poori koshish karta hu, theek hai na? Aap jaanti bhi kya ho mere baare me?? *sniff* Koi nahi jaanta."
Nidhi ne palke jhapkayi. Woh achambhit thi. Veer pehli baar iss tarah se gusse me kuchh uss se bola tha.
"Mera matlab ye nahi tha, Veer. Mein-" Usne Veer ka kandha thaama.
"Rehne dijiye! *sniff* Aadat hai mujhe." Usne jhapatta maarte hue khud ko chhuraaya aur baahar nikal gaya.
Teen dino tak, Veer uss se bachta raha. Nazrein churaata raha. Lekin, chauthe din woh use library me mil hi gaya.
"Mera... Mera tumhara dil dukhane ka irada nahi tha, Veer." Usne dheere se kaha. "Mein bas... Mujhe tum pe vishvas hai. Bas itna hi."
"Hmm... Theek hai... Mujh par apna vishvas barbad mat kariye, ma'am." Woh badbadate hue bola.
"Uske liye ab bahut derr ho chuki hai. Mera paala ab tumse jo pad chuka hai." Woh muskurate hue boli.
Aur, iss baar-
Veer naraaz na reh saka. Woh sharmaate hue muskuraya aur apna muh ferr liya. Nidhi uske sharmaane par bas hasti reh gayi. Woh sahi thi. Aaj bhi kuchh ladke the jo uske prati galat bhavnaaye nahi rakhte the. Veer unme se ek tha. Ya yu kahe, unn sab me se sabse alag.
Aur, aise hi woh teen mahine kab guzar gaye, dono ko hi pata nahi chala. Veer vartalap me apna confidence dheere-dheere gain kar raha tha. Chhutiyaan padi aur uske baad shuru hua second year.
Pehla din tha. Naye juniors ko hall me baitha ke unka swagat kiya jaa raha tha. Classes lagni shuru ho chuki thi. Veer ki class ki teacher punah badal chuki thi lekin, Nidhi ko sabhi chaahne lage the aur isliye use wapas se class teacher banaane ki maang bhi rakhne lage.
Aur, fir aaya woh waqt-
Departure ke dauran. Veer ne jab Nidhi ko jaldbazi me jaate dekha toh usne use pukaara-
"Ma'am??"
Magar, Nidhi na ruki. Usne Veer ki awaaz hi nahi suni. Woh bahut hi jaldbazi me thi. Chehre par chinta bhi jhalak rahi thi.
Veer ne mann hi mann khud ko samjhaya ki har waqt koi uske liye haazir nahi reh sakta tha. Aur, fir woh pal aaya-
Jab uski nazar uss par padi. Pragya! Ek behad khubsoorat chehra. College ki jaani-maani sundar ladkiyo me se ek.
Aur, fir Ajay ka use dekhna, apne pantaro ko ishaara karna, Veer ka scooty uthaate hue ghar ki orr nikalna, Ajay aur uske saathiyo ka bikes se use gherna, use college ki peechhe waale raaste par le jaana, use buri tarah peetna, ghaayal karna, aur baarish hoti sooraj dhalti shaam me use sadak par chhor dena.
Yahi sab toh hua tha. Nahi! Yahi nahi! Uske baad use ghar se nikaal diya jaana, Uska aspataal me hona, marrne ki kagaar par hona, aur Nidhi ka waha par aana.
---
-Aur, aaj woh uske saamne tha.
'Aap chinta mat kariye!! Mein Juhi ko leke aaunga. Mein aapse vaada karta hu!'
Uske bol Nidhi ke kaano me goonj gaye. Usne apna vaada nibha diya tha.
Nidhi ka haath kaanp raha tha, woh uske bagal me ghutno par gir padi. Uski ungliyaan jhijhakte hue aage badhi aur fir usne Veer ki fati hui aasteen ko kass kar pakad liya.
Uski rone ki siskiyaan chhootne lagi. Ghutan bhari awaaz. Uske mote-mote aansu Veer ke khoon se sane haath par girne lage.
"*hic* Aaaaaaaaaa-!!! *hic*"
Woh royi. Kuchh bol nahi paa rahi thi. Iss sab ka bhaar use kuchal raha tha. Agar, Juhi ko kuchh ho jaata toh-
Iss vichaar ne uske shareer ko aur bhi zyada kaanpne par majboor kar diya. Usne apna chehra Veer ke perr se sataaya, uske perr kass ke pakde — maano use chhorne se Juhi fir se uss se dur chali jayegi. Aur, Veer bhi.
Mann hi mann woh Veer ko lagatar dhanyavad deti rahi. Kuchh pal beet gaye, fir usne apna sarr uthaaya.
Veer behosh tha. Usne apni ungliyon se Veer ke khoon se sane chehre ko chhiya, uske angoothe ne Veer ke maathe par fir ek ghaav ko chhiya.
"V-Veer-!" Uski awaaz toot gayi. Honth thar-thara uthe.
Aur, fir usne apni baahein uske kandho par rakhi, uske sirr ko dheere se uthaaya aur agle hi pal-
Use apni chhaati se laga liya. Veer ki garm saansein uske seene par padi. Magar, uska chehra poori tarah se thanda mehsoos ho raha tha.
Nidhi ke aansu ab khul kar gir rahe the. Woh bilakh-bilakh kar ro rahi thi. Veer ko apne aalingan me liye, use kass ke pakde woh khadi-khadi dahaad maar ke roti rahi. Jaise varsho se usne khud ko roke rakha tha aur ab uski bhavnaaye khul kar baahar nikal rahi thi.
"M-Maine tumhe apne se dur dhakela..." Woh fusfusayi. "Har baar... *hic* Har baar maine tumhe dur kiya."
Use yaad aaya jab usne Veer ko 1 lakh rupaye ki payment kar di thi. Kaise woh uss par bhadka tha.
Use ye bhi yaad aaya ki uski padosan Mrs. Tiwari kis tarah use Veer jaise ladko se dur rehne ki hidayat de rahi thi.
Ye sab yaad karte hi, usne Veer ko aur kass ke laga liya.
"Mujhe maaf kar do-!! *hic*" usne roondhi hui awaaz me budbudaya. "Mujhe maaf kardo, Veer!! Aaaaaaaa-!! Aaaaaaaaaa!! *hic* *sniff*"
Aur, firse usne uska sirr apni chhaati me aur bhi gehraayi me daba liya. Aur, inn teen saalo me aaj pehli baar — usne apni bhavnao se bhaagna band kar diya.
"Maine tumhe chaahna kabhi nahi chhora tha... Trust me... Mein bas... *hic* Mein bas darti thi."
"L-Lekin, *sniff* ab aur nahi bhaagungi."
Veer ke sang bitaaye use saare puraane pal yaad aane lage.
Har muskaan jo woh chhipaata tha.
Har aansu jo woh dabaata tha.
"Tum... *sniff* Tum akele the... M-Mujhe aur bhi bahut kuchh karna chahiye tha... *hic* Mujhe tumhare paas aur rehna chahiye tha."
"Par ab... *hic* Ab mein hu yaha. Aur, mein ab kahi nahi jaungi. *sniff* Kabhi bhi nahi."
Usne na jaane kab se inn bhavnao ko dabaaye rakha tha. Lekin, ab aur nahi.
Aasmaan me aatishbaziyo se fel rahe rang bikhre hue the, aur hospital ke iss kamre me ek mahila ne khoon se sane ek naujavan ko apni baaho me bhar rakha tha.
Aur, hospital ke saamne ki building ki terrace par khade do log ye sab kuchh dekh paa rahe the.
Erica : See, dad? Yahi woh Nidhi hai jinki beti ko Veer bacha ke laaya. But... I have never seen him so low.
Renshu : Low? He's the one who's the tallest among us. Na sirf usne unki jaan par khatra nahi aane diya, balki woh unhe chhuraane me bhi qamyab tha. Par, ab time nahi hai. Erica-!
Erica samajh gayi ki use kya karna tha. Garofano ko call connect kar ke Ava se poochhne ke baad dobara se Veer ki nayi location le li thi unhone.
Erica bina kuchh kahe waha se ek kshan me gaayab ho gayi.
Andar derr raat me hospital ka corridor shaant tha. Shreya ki bauhe sikudi aur palke jhapkaate hue woh kursi par se uthi. Sabhi resting area me so chuke the aur woh aur uske Ishaan bhaiya hi yaha kursi par baithe the.
Usne dekha ki uske bhaiya bhi baitha-baithe hi so rahe the. Apne phone ko dheele haath se pakdi woh Nidhi ko dekhne ke liye uske kamre ki orr badhi.
Lekin, Nidhi ke kamre ke paas pahuchte hi uske qadam wahi tham gaye.
Darwaaze ke sheeshein se... Usne dekha.
Veer.
Nidhi.
Juhi.
Nidhi ne Veer ke chehre ko apni chhaati se laga rakha tha — khoon se lathpath aur ghaayal.
Shreya bhauchakki reh gayi.
Drishya use umeed se zyada prabhavit kar gaya. Uski ungliyaan phone par kass gayi. Aur, vibhinn anubhutiyaan ek pal me mehsoos ho gayi.
Raahat — kyunki, Veer sahi salamat tha.
Khushi — kyunki, Juhi surakshit thi.
Irshya — kyunki, Veer kisi aur ki baaho me tha.
Glaani — kyunki, jiski baaho me tha woh uski apni badi behan hi thi. Ye sab uske mann me nahi aana chahiye tha.
Aur, dard — na jaane kyu.
*Click*
Darwaaze ki awaaz aate hi Nidhi chaunk kar tezi se mudi.
'Huh?'
Saamne koi ladki thi. Iske pehle ki woh kuchh keh paati-
"Shh! It won't hurt! Please! Sleep!"
Nidhi ko kuchh pata nahi chala. Uski aankhon ke saamne achanak se andhera chhaa gaya.
***
Ek ukhdi hui saans.
Veer ki aankhein fad-fada kar khuli. Chhat alag thi. Hawa me gandh toh wahi thi — antiseptic ki. Magar, uski chhaati par se woh bhaar gaayab tha.
Juhi.
Uski saans atakne ko hui, ghabrahat ne uske shareer ko jhakjhor diya. Uski baahein Juhi ko paane ke liye fadki. Kaha gayi woh?
Par, agle hi pal use mehsoos hua — uske dono taraf, daaye aur baaye koi uski baaho ko jakde hue tha.
'Huh?'
Uska sirr daayi orr muda.
Tej.
Uski Teju di ne use pakde rakha tha. Magar, nigaahein saamne ki orr ek band darwaaze par tiki thi.
Woh baayi orr muda.
Kavya.
Woh uss se chipki hui thi. Tej ki hi tarah, woh bhi saamne hi nazre gadaayi thi.
Uske haatho se bediyaan gaayab thi. Ye kaise hua? Janzeerein uski kalaayi par locked thi. Kaha chali gayi wo?
Kuchh gadbad thi. Tabhi-
“Veer!”
Ghane vatavaran me ek awaaz goonj gayi. Shweta! Use jaagta hua dekh uski aankhein chaudi ho gayi. Woh chillaati hui uske nazdeek aayi. Aur, kamre me maujood sabhi ki nigaahein Veer par pad gayi.
Badhi toh Bhavna bhi thi lekin, Shweta ne aate hi Veer ke chehre ko thaam liya aur use betaab apne seene se laga liya.
"Hosh aa gaya mere bete ko... Hey bhagwan!"
Veer akad ke reh gaya. Uske shareer ka har ang dard se tadak raha tha, lekin uljhan ka bojh dard se kahi zyada bhaari tha.
Ye sab yaha kyu the? Ye woh aspataal toh nahi tha jaha par Nidhi bharti thi.
Tej aur Kavya uss se lipti hui thi. Uski Shweta maa, aur uski maa — Bhavna. Sab ro rahi thi.
Usne dekha ki uske pita-
Brijesh!
'???'
Uske pita bhi kone me haath mode chintan me khade hue the. Uski behan Aarohi apni laal aankhein liye rote hue use hi dekh rahi thi.
Aabha aur Sonali bhi ek jagah par baithi use rote hue dekh rahi thi. Aur, na jaane kitne log the.
Uska sirr ghoom raha tha. Dhadkane tez ho rahi thi. Kuchh nahi, bahut kuchh galat lag raha tha.
'P-Pari? What the hell happened?'
Magar-
Sannaata. Koi jawab nahi.
'P-Pari? Juhi kaha hai? Ye sab kya chal raha hai?'
Fir bhi koi jawab nahi. Usne apne daant peese.
'Pariiii-!!'
Magar, kuchh nahi. Pari sleep mode me jaa chuki thi.
Uski saansein tez hui. Use Nidhi ke kamre me jaana yaad tha. Use yaad tha ki Juhi uske seene se hi lipti hui thi. Use ye bhi yaad tha ki woh seat par gira tha. Lekin, uske baad-!?
Use kuchh bhi yaad nahi tha. Kya hua tha? Veer ki nazar achanak baayi orr dur ek corridor me padi. Aur, usne dekha-
Kone ke paas, uske parivar se alag. Teen log khade hue the.
Renshu. Erica. Aur, Garofano.
Jo use hi dekh rahi thi.
System holders. Yaha par? Woh sab yaha kyu the? Use tabhi yaad aaya-
Yarnia's launch.
Woh toh aaj thi na? Toh kya hua? Sab yaha kyu the? Aur, ro kyu rahe the? Yarnia ka kya hua?
Aur, use yaad aa gaya.
Mission ki penalty. Ek sihran uske badan me daud gayi. Kahi isliye toh sab-?
Nahi! Aisa nahi ho sakta. Usne Juhi, Pihu ko bacha liya tha. Fir, akhir aur koi kaise khatre me ho sakta tha? Woh koi sawal kar paata ki itne me saamne ka darwaza khul gaya.
Ek doctor baahar nikal ke aaya. Sab achanak se khade ho gaye. Jis baat ko Veer ka darr tha, woh darr aur gehra ho gaya.
Doctor ne sabhi ko dekha aur fir Veer ko dekh ek haami bhar uski orr chalte hue nazdeek aaya jaise woh jaanta tha ki use kis se baat karni thi.
Veer Singh.
Yahi wo vyakti thi jise usko jawab dena chahiye. Doctor ne ek gehri saans li. Fir, ek asthir awaaz me bola-
"I'm very sorry, sir. Hum unhe bacha nahi sake. Mr. Manorath is no more."
*Badump*
Dhadalle se darwaza punah khula, stretcher par Manorath ji ka shav tha, upar se safed kapda dhaka hua tha.
Cheekhein goonj uthi. Parivar jano ke rone ki awaaz aspataal me goonjne lagi.
Veer ko kuchh samajh aata ki tabhi-
"Although, Miss Ragini ki situation kaafi critical thi. But, doctor ne mujhe khabar de di hai."
'Ragini' naam sunn woh wapas se hosh me aaya.
"She's out of danger now."
Raahat bamushqil ek kshan ke liye hi thi.
"But there's only one problem. I'm sorry to say but — woh ab pehle ki tarah kabhi nahi chal payengi."
Aur, aspatal ko ek gehre sannaate ne dhak liya.
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Aaj ke liya itna hi guys.
This update consists of 8.3k words. Jaan boojh ke around itni length ka rakha hai warna ye update 10k ke upar jaa raha tha. Too much info dump iss update me mujhe sahi nahi lagi because Nidhi ka aham hissa tha iss update me. So, I decided to post those sections in the later updates. This update also justifies why Nidhi took Veer to her house and sheltered him. Unke beech ka rishta ekdum naya nahi tha. They knew each other. Mehez 3 mahino ka hi rishta tha lekin, unn teen mahino ne bahut kuchh badal diya tha. Samay-samay par aise hi flashbacks ke zariye hum Nidhi aur Veer ke madhya aur bhi moments dekhenge. Yaha par past kaisa laga woh zaroor bataane ka. Baaki, target apna wahi hai. 300. Pahucha dene ka. Agle update se Post Disembowler arc shuru ho jayega.
Milte hai agle bhaag me.
Dhanyavad.
Update - 196 ~ The Fulfilled Promise
Ab tak...
Ye Veer ki qismat thi, ya kuchh aur-
Jo woh raasta dhundhne me saksham tha. Lair se baahar woh kooda. Mission complete ho chuka tha.
Parantu, Pari ne use iski soochna nahi di. Kyunk, notification tha-
[Mission Failed.]
[Due to the host's partial completion of the mission, all the three penalties of the mission won't be applied.]
[Due to the failure of not killing the Disembowler, one penalty will be applied to the host.]
[Mission penalty : Loss of loved ones.]
Ab aage...
Raat ke 12:05 baj rahe the. Aatishbaziyo ne Mumbai ke aasmaan ko jagmaga kar rakha hua tha, naye saal ke aagman ka har aadmi ullaas mana raha tha. Hawa me khushiyaan chhayi thi, log jashn mana rahe the, galey mil rahe the, iss nav varsh ka swagat karne ke liye khushi se chillaa rahe the. Lekin, isi sheher me iss shor ke beech kahi par maatam chhaaya hua tha.
News channels me prasaaran jaari the — Hotel Prestige ko lekar ek gambheer report. Kuchh bhayanak hua tha. Visfot. Khoon-kharaba. Jaano ka lutna.
Isliye, sheher ke kuchh hisso me jashn ka mahaul feeka pad chuka tha.
"Hotel Prestige par jaanlewa humla!"
"Kayi logo ke maare jaane ki khabar!"
"Suraksha guards maare gaye! Adhikariyo ko lakshit humle ka sandeh!"
Bars aur luxury clubs me TV screen par tabahi ke drishya dikhayi de rahe the — toote hue sheeshein, palte hue furniture, stretchers par le jaaye jaa rahe shav. Ek electronics showroom ke baahar ek chhoti bheed jama ho gayi thi, unki nazar andar rakhe display TV par tiki hui thi.
"Aaj ke din batao kya ho gaya. Tch tch!" Ek aadmi ne badbadate hue kaha.
"Hotel Prestige toh achha hotel tha. Hum toh gaye hai. Badhiya tha. Pata nahi kaise ho gaya ye sab. Mujhe lagta hai humla karwaya gaya hai." Ek mahila ne haami bharte hue kaha.
"Mumbai me crime badhta jaa raha hai. Tch! Tyohaaron me bhi ab-" ek raahgeer ne waha se nikalte hue fusfusaya.
Lekin, har koi shok nahi mana raha tha. Mumbai ke elite varg ke gharo me, oonchi-oonchi imaarato me glass takra rahe the aur dheemi baat-cheet me chhipi hui khushi thi.
Iss beech, Mumbai ki sabse shandar 7 star hotel — Casa Belle me patrakaro aur reporters ki bheed umdi hui thi. Cameramen apna camera liye hotel ke maalik — Aadesh Jaisinghani ke bayaan ka intezar kar rahe the.
Woh baahar aaya. Sleek hairstyle me geele baalo ko poori tarah peechhe kiye, Armani ki dress pehne, aisa lag raha tha maano woh abhi-abhi koi jashn mana ke aaya ho.
Aur, jaise hi woh saamne aaya, reporters uss par toot pade.
Reporter #1 : Mister Aadesh, Hotel Prestige par hue humle par aapke vichaar?
Reporter #2 : Hospitality industry me ek leading figure hone ke naate, aap uss suraksha chook ke baare me kya kehna chaahenge jiske chalte ye haadsa hua?
Reporter #3 : Casa Belle aur Hotel Prestige ke madhya shuru se hi oonch-neech hoti aayi hai. Kya aapko lagta hai ki ye humla kisi business conflict se juda hai?
Media ko chahiye tha masala. Kahani. Khabrein. Jo unhe police se utni maatra me nahi mil paayi thi. Aur, isliye khud Aadesh ne hi ye khabar media ke beech felwayi ki woh iss vishay ko lekar raat me apne vichaar rakhega. Media yaha aayi nahi thi. Unhe chalaaki se yaha laaya gaya tha.
Usne dheere se, kaafi baar abhyaas ki hui ek aah chhori, uski bauhe thodi si sikud gayi. Usne ek napa-tula qadam aage badhaya, yeh sunishchit karte hue ki camera uski aankhon me gehri suhanubhuti ko qaid kar raha hai ya nahi.
Aadesh (lagbhag shok me) : Dekhiye! Sabse pehle, mein peedito, unke parivaro aur iss bhayanak ghatna se prabhavit sabhi logo ke prati sanvedna vyakt karta hu. Aaj nav varsh ke shuru hote hi- yeh humla... Ye humla sirf Hotel Prestige par nahi hai. Ye humla saari hospitality industry par hai. Jab kisi hotel ko iss tarah se nishana banaaya jaata hai, toh ye harr atithi ke uss bharose ki neev ko hila deta hai jo woh hum par rakhte hai.
Reporters uske shabdo par sirr hilaate hue budbudaaye. Woh bilkul sahi baatein keh raha tha.
Aadesh ne aage bolne se pehle ek dramatic effect ke liye kuchh der viraam liya.
Aadesh : Dekhe... Maine humesha... Maine humesha se hi Hotel Prestige ko sammaan diya hai. Haan, mein sweekar karta hu ki humare beech competition chalta rehta hai. Lekin, ye ek healthy competition hota hai. Aur, competition ka matlab dushmani nahi hai. Business me ye sab aam baat hoti hai. Haal hi me, humaare Unicard ki launch ke dauran humne Hotel Prestige ko bhi aamantrit kiya tha. Mister Veer Singh, Miss Bhumika Singh, dono hi parivar jann ke saath padhaare the yaha. Aur, humaare mann me ek-dusre ke liye paraspar sammaan ke alawa kuchh nahi.
Uske hontho par ek dhoort muskaan ubhri, lekin usne badi hi chalaaki se ek aah bharte hue use chhipa liya.
Reporter #4 : Toh aap ko iss baare me koi idea nahi ki humle ke peechhe kaun ho sakta hai?
Aadesh ne asahaay bhaav se apna sarr hilaaya.
Aadesh (dheere se) : Ji, mein bhi Mumbai ke baaki logo ki tarah hairaan hu. Aisa kisne kiya hoga? Unka kya maqsad ho sakta hai? Ye aise sawal hai jinka jawab sirf police hi de sakti hai. Lekin, mein itna zaroor kehna chahunga ki — iss sankat ki ghadi me Casa Belle Hotel Prestige ke saath hai. Agar, hum unki madad ke liye kuchh bhi kar sakte hai, toh hum zaroor karenge.
Casa Belle aur Hotel Prestige ka samarthan? Sawal hi paida nahi hota. Yeh toh bas uski chaal thi.
Andar hi andar woh toh balki iss aapda ka aanand le raha tha.
Yarnia — Veer ka bhavya naya clothing brand, din ki raushni dekhne se pehle hi malbe me tabdeel ho chuka tha. Hotel Prestige, wahi hotel jisne uski Casa Belle ke saath bhidne ki koshish ki thi, ab ek crime scene ka sthal bann chuki thi.
Aisa lag raha tha jaise brahmaand ne swayam uski jholi me ye uphaar de diya tha.
Camera ke saamne usne fir se apna murjhaya hua chehra prastut kiya aur bola-
Aadesh : Kumar! Ye sab humare mehman hai. Inki khatirdari me kami nahi rehni chahiye.
Kumar (nods) : Ji, Sir!
Kehte hue woh wahi murjhayi awastha liye andar chala gaya. Aur, idhar news me uske charche hone lage. Jo uske kapti-pann se parichit nahi the, woh use saccha insaan maanane lage.
Iss traasdi ke bawajood, Mumbai ne rukne se inkaar kar diya tha.
Vyast sadko par, kuchh log shok mana rahe the, lekin kayi log bas aage badh gaye — kyunki, yahi Mumbai ka tareeka tha.
Kisi aspatal ke pareeksha kaksh me ek yuvti dheere-dheere ro rahi thi. Uska bhai, jo Hotel Prestige me security guard tha, mehmano ki suraksha karte hue maara jaa chuka tha. Duniya aage badh gayi, par uske liye uski duniya wahi khatm ho chuki thi.
***
Isi beech ghani raat me Disembowler ki lair ke theek upar sthit shamsan ke paas hi Erica aur Renshu khade hue the.
Renshu : Yahi jagah hai na?
Erica : Haan, dad! Usne toh yahi batayi thi. Kya mein-?
Renshu (nods) : Hmm! Shuru karo!
Erica (nods) : Okay!
Woh jhuki. Usne apna ek haath neeche shamshaan ki bhoomi par rakha aur fir-
'Basic Seer Vision!'
*Ding*
Agle hi pal alag-alag drishya uske mastishq me ghoomne lage. Woh bechari apni bauhe zorr se sikodi, kayi baar uska badan kaanp utha, magar woh waha se uthi nahi.
Renshu agal-bagal apni nazrein ghumaaye hue tha. Woh sunishchit kar raha tha ki kahi koi unhe dekh na le.
Yaha se woh khaali haath nahi laut sakte the.
Kuchh der pehle...
Ek mand raushni waali jagah. Medical equipment ki awaaz.
Ava ka shareer ek andheri sunsaan gali me khadi ek shandar kaali SUV ke andar ek asthayi operating table par laita hua tha. Uski saansein ab niyantran me aa rahi thi. Chehre ka rang wapas aa raha tha.
Uske pait par lagi goli ke ghaav ko pehle hi saaf kiya jaa chuka tha aur surgical precision ke saath sil diya gaya tha.
Garofano uske bagal se khadi thi. Usne zehreeli bullet ko badi hi kushalta se Ava ke shareer se nikaal diya tha. Uske haath sthir the, aur dimag gadna karne me laga hua tha.
Wahi thi jo Ava ko apne kandho par utha ke leke aayi thi. Uske theek peechhe Renshu, Erica ke saath khada hua tha.
Erica ki nigaahein Ava ke achetan roop ka adhyayan kar rahi thi. Uske dad ne humesha hi use iss aurat se satark rehne ko kaha tha. Magar, akhir kaun thi Natalia Martin? Ek bemisal worldwide famous singer aur celebrity. Kya waqai woh Veer ko dhoka deke use maarna chaahti thi? Woh dhyaan se Ava ko ghoorti rahi.
Aur, phir-
Renshu ne chuppi todi.
Renshu : Use hosh me aane me kitna samay lagega?
Garofano ne bina peechhe mude apne khoon se sane dastaane haath se nikaale aur apne haath me pehni ghadi dekhi.
Garofano : Bullet nikaale abhi mushqil se 15 minute hi hue hai. Zeher ki potency aur blood loss ko dhyaan me rakhte hue, ise kam se kam abhi 4 se 5 ghante toh-
"Ngh-!"
Uske shabd adhoore reh gaye jab ek dard bhari karaah ne use beech me hi rok diya.
Ava ka shareer jhatka khaaya, uski ungliyaan neeche seat ke leather par kassne lagi aur fir ek tez gati se, woh bhaari saans lete hue uth baithi.
Garofano ki aankhein avishvas me chaudi ho gayi.
Namumkin!
Ava ka ghaav gehra tha, zeher ke chalte use toh abhi ghanto tak behosh rehna chahiye tha. Magar, fir bhi woh kuchh hi minto me jaag chuki thi!?
[This girl... She has some sort of healing skill.]
Freya ki awaaz Garofano ke mann me goonj gayi.
Erica : Ah? Itni jaldi hosh bhi aa gaya?
Woh halka sa cheekhte hue boli. Yaha tak ki humesha shaant rehne waale Renshu ne bhi aankhein sikod li.
Ava (yells) : V-Veer!
Woh chillaate hue uthne ke liye aage badhi, lekin Garofano ne uske kandho par haath rakh use neeche baitha diya.
Garofano : Calm down!
Ava : Veer-!
Garofano : Sniper marr chuka hai. I have dealt with him. Ab koi khatra nahi hai. Don't worry! Take it easy!
Garofano ne fir apni jeb se ek kaagaz nikaalte hue Renshu ki orr kiya. Renshu ne use thaamte hue khola aur jab use dekha toh uski bauhe chinta me sikud gayi.
Garofano : Ye uss Dexter ke paas se mila. Kisi syndicate alliance ka member tha woh shayad. Check karne par toh yahi nazar aaya.
Ye wahi kaagaz tha jo Dexter ke paas tha. Veer ke parivar jann ke naam aur unki tasveerein iss kaagaz me maujood thi.
Veer ke parivar ka zikr aate hi Ava ki chhaati zoro se upar-neeche hone lagi. Aankhon me chinta abhi bhi barkarar thi.
Ava : Veer... *huff* Veer ki family! Mujhe- *cough* *cough*
Garofano (sternly) : Tumhe shaant rehne ki zaroorat hai!
Usne Ava ko beech me tokte hue kaha. Awaaz teekhi thi lekin nirdayi nahi. Aur, kahi na kahi woh Ava ka adhyayan bhi kar rahi thi. Bhala kis tarah ka system holder aisi chot ke baad itni jaldi hosh me aa sakta tha?
Garofano ki nazro me ek maun manzoori thi. Ava, sirf ek system holder nahi thi. Uske paas bhi uske trump cards the jinhe woh ujagar nahi kar rahi thi.
Erica aashcharya me uske qareeb aayi.
Erica : Itni jaldi kaise hosh aa gaya? Poison ki wajah se itni jaldi hosh nahi aana chahiye tha.
Ava : *huff* T-Tum... Tum sab... *huff*
Garofano : Calm down! Hum sab yaha Veer ke liye hi aaye hai. Aur, tumhe itni jaldi hosh aa gaya? Mein ye expect nahi kar rahi thi.
Ava maun rahi. Woh apne baare me kuchh bhi zaroori baatein nahi bataana chaahti thi.
Renshu : Humare paas samay barbaad karne ke liye nahi hai. Agar, hosh aa hi gaya hai toh kya tum Veer ki location ke baare me kuchh bata sakti ho? Kya tum jaanti ho woh kaha par hai iss waqt?
Ava wahi jamm ke reh gayi. Use yaad aaya. Woh ye kaise bhool sakti thi?
Usne Veer ko Death Flag se mark kar ke rakha hua tha. Bina kisi hich-kichahat ke usne apni aankhein band ki, Veer ki location par dhyaan kendrit kiya. Aur, kuchh hi palo me Veer ki asli location uske mastishq me aa gayi.
Usne apni aankhein kholi. Uska chehra peela pad gaya.
Ava (frowns) : W-Woh-! Woh shamshaan me hai! Uske neeche...! Underground...!
Renshu (frowns) : Shamshaan? Kaha par?
Ava ne use exact location batayi. Chaahe uska shareer kitna hi thaka hua kyu na ho, uske dimag me ek hi baat thi — Veer.
Garofano ne Renshu ko dekha. Dono ek baat jaan gaye the ki Ava ke paas Veer ko track karne ki koi na koi skill zaroor maujood thi. Dono ne hi mann me iss baat ki gaanth baandh li.
Garofano (turns) : Toh kya karna hai? Veer ke paas kaun jaa raha hai?
Renshu : Mumbai me tumhari maujoodgi ab koi rehesya nahi hai. Tum pehle bhi yaha sabke saamne aa chuki ho. Aur, haan- tum ek celebrity se kam bhi nahi. Poora Korea tumhare peechhe paagal hai. Isliye, tumhara Veer ke nazdeek jaana abhi faydemand nahi. Ye unwanted attention ko bulawa dega.
Garofano muskurayi. Apni ungliyon ko apne kaale reshmi baalo me firaayi.
Garofano (smirks) : Hmph! Thanks for the recognition- lekin, shayad tum bhool rahe ho ki mein stealth me maahir hu. Mujhe bas apne chehre par mask pehen'ne ki derr hai. That's it. But, haan! Abhi mein Natalia ko chhor ke yaha se nahi jaa sakti. Woh heal zaroor ho rahi hai but if trouble comes knocking, she won't be able to fight.
Renshu ne uski baat ko sweekar karte hue haami bhari.
Ava ne khud ko upar uthaaya, aur karkash awaaz me boli.
Ava : V-Veer ki family safe toh hai na? I... Usne mujhe- Usne mujhe zimmedari saunpi thi. *huff* M-Mein- Mein yaha aise nahi- *huff*
Renshu : Maine hotel me se ambulances ko nikalte hue dekha tha. Veer ki family ke kuchh logo ko check kiya tha maine. Hotel me ab koi nahi hai andar.
Ava (frowns) : K-Kya woh... Kya woh safe hai?
Renshu : Lagta toh hai. Police ne area ko takeover kar liya hai. Veer ki family shayad hospital gayi hai. Toh, uss hisaab se woh safe hone chahiye. Khatra hotel ke ird-gird hi tha.
Ava ne ek shaant saans chhori. Lekin, chinta zara bhi kam nahi hui.
Renshu (sighs) : Aur, agar mein chaahu bhi toh bhi hospital nahi jaa sakta.
Erica aur Ava dono ne hi use sawaaliya nazro se dekha.
Erica : Eh? Kyu dad?
Iske pehle ki Renshu jawab de paata, Garofano hasste hue jawab di.
Garofano (laughs) : Hahahaha! Because your dad is too damn big. Hospital me logo ko samajhne me hi ghante lag jayenge ki ye aadmi hai kaun? Itni badi qad-kaathi kaise hai? Kaha se aaya hai? Aur, Veer se uska kya sambandh hai? Hahaha! Samjhi?
Renshu : ...
Renshu ne uske chidhaane par koi pratikriya nahi di. Lekin, Erica kaha chup rehne waali thi?
Erica : Wh-What do you mean? Hmph! Mere dad ka matlab simple tha. Unka matlab hai ki Veer ko jald se jald dhundhna hai taaki problem ki asli jadd ka pata lag sake.
Garofano : Oh! Wow! Dekho toh humari Miss Erica ko. Smart banane ki kitni koshish kar rahi hai? But, you're still dumb. Fufu~
Erica : Who-? Who the hell are you calling dumb?
Garofano : Of course, you! Fufu~ Yaha par sirf tum hi dumb ho!
Erica : Y-You-!!
Usne apni mutthi bheenchi. Lekin, iske pehle ki woh jawab de paati, Renshu ki awaaz hawa me goonj uthi.
Renshu : ENOUGH!!!
Dono yuvtiyaan chup ho gayi. Par, Erica ka ghoorna khatam nahi hua.
Erica : Hmph!
Garofano : Fufu~
Renshu : Mein aur Erica Veer ki location par jayenge. Aur, tum yahi rahogi jab tak ki Natalia chalne ki condition me nahi aa jaati.
Garofano (nods) : Theek hai! Par, zyada derr mat lagaana. I don't like sitting on the sidelines.
Renshu ne koi jawab nahi diya. Woh bas apni car ki orr muda. Erica ne uska peechha kiya, aage badhne se pehle Garofano ko ek akhiri nazar se dekha.
Garofano muskurate hue unhe jaata dekhi. Fir, Ava ki orr ghoomi jo abhi bhi seat par laiti hui thi.
Garofano : Maine jitna socha tha, tum uss se kahi zyada mazboot nikli. You're hiding your cards too. Just like him. *smiles*
Ava ne koi jawab nahi diya, lekin uski aankhon ki chamak se Garofano ko pata chal gaya ki usne uski baatein sunn li thi.
Aur, isi tarah Renshu aur Erica Veer ki location par pahuch paaye the. Magar, jab tak ve yaha par pahuche, Veer underground lair se nikal chuka tha.
Kintu, Erica ki basic seer vision ye pata laga sakti thi ki yaha kuchh derr pehle kya kuchh hua tha.
Renshu : Erica!?
Erica apni palke khol uthi. Uske badan me rue khade hue the.
Erica : D-Dad!
Renshu : ??
Erica : V-Veer-!
Erica ne poore drishya toh nahi, lekin kaafi hadd tak kuchh derr pehle ki ghatna ko dekh liya tha. Veer ka ajeebo-gareeb system holder se bhidna, neeche ka bhayanak vatavaran, thandi sadti laashein, maans ke tukde, experiments, SHB, Veer ka haath katna aur uska Juhi aur Pihu ko bachaana.
Erica ne jaise hi Renshu ko sab batlaaya toh Renshu ke khud ke badan me ek sihran daud gayi.
Woh bina koi deri kiye, Erica se lair ka entry point poonchh seedhe neeche ki orr kood gaya.
Erica : D-Daaad???
Majbooran, Erica ko bhi neeche koodna hi pada. Na jaane neeche kaun se rehesya khulne ke liye unka intezar kar rahe the.
***
Carewell Hospital,
Morning - 12:10 AM ~
Hospital ke automatic doors achanak se khule, lekin kisi ka dhyaan uss orr nahi gaya.
Duty par maujood kuchh karmchari apne phone me vyast the, toh kuchh counter par sirr tikaaye hue the aur kuchh the jo aadhi neend me dol rahe the ki ve sab corridor me hui tez raftaar se halchal ko dekh paane me vifal reh gaye.
Veer kisi hawa ke jhonke ki tarah waha daakhil hua. Uska shareer dagmaga raha tha, har qadam par perr felne ke liye aatur ho rahe the. Uski baayi aasteen gehre laal khoon se sani hui thi, jisme se aadhi se zyada aasteen toh poori gaayab ho chuki thi.
Baah me abhi bhi woh janzeerein bandhi hui thi. Uski chhaati ukhadi hui saanson ke saath upar-neeche ho rahi thi.
Aur, uske seene se usi surgeon sheet ke sang bandhi hui thi — Juhi. Uska chhota sa shareer uske seene se chipka hua tha, chehra blazer ke andar chhipa hua tha. Veer uski garm saansein apne seene par mehsoos kar paa raha tha. Woh so rahi thi. Shaant. Aur, surakshit.
Pihu ko woh pehle hi surakshit haatho me de aaya tha. Bachi thi toh sirf uski apni Juhi.
Woh Nidhi ke kamre number 31 me pahucha aur darwaza khola. Waqt hi aisa tha ki duty par mushqil se kuchh hi nurses aur safayi karmchari the jo apne-apne kaamo me lage hue the. Nateeja? Veer ke tez raftar se andar aane par kisi ko bhanak tak nahi lagi.
Woh aage badha. Uski drishti ab dhundhli pad rahi thi. Uski nazar saamne bistar par laiti ek aurat par gayi — Nidhi. Woh so rahi thi. Chehre par abhi bhi shikan ke bhaav the.
Veer uske nazdeek aaya. Kamra hil raha tha kya? Nahi! Woh khud ladkhada raha tha. Iske pehle ki woh zameen par girta, usne wahi lagi bench dekh khud ko dheela chhor diya aur seat par gir pada. Shareer ne akhir haar maan hi li. Uski aankhein band ho gayi.
Akhiri cheez jo usne mehsoos ki — woh tha Juhi ka harqat karta hua haath jo uske blazer ko kass ke jakadne ka prayatn kar raha tha aur fir — andhera.
Kuchh kshan baad...
Ek halki si harqat.
Nidhi ki palke jhapki aur woh jaag uthi. Uska sarr dard se tadak raha tha, ghatna ki yaadein tatt par aati samudra ki lehro ki tarah wapas aane lagi.
"J-Juhi...!"
Woh ghabrayi. Uski bacchi. Uski bacchi ko aghwa kar liya gaya tha. Woh chhatpataate hue uthi aur jaise hi uth ke uski nazar saamne padi. Woh wahi jamm ke reh gayi.
Uski beti, uski duniya — wahi thi. Surakshit. Uske saamne. Uska haath apne khule muh par gaya aur woh ro padi. Aansu beqaabu ho kar behne lage.
Woh kaanpte hue dhadalle se uthi aur aage badhi. Uske haath me lagi IV needle aur uske sang laga drip stand bhi uske saath khichta chala gaya.
Woh Veer ke bagal me ghutno ke bal baithi, uska chehra peela pada hua tha. Usne pehle apni bitiya ko dekha. Chhaati upar-neeche ho rahi thi. Bina kisi chot ke. Surakshit.
Lekin, fir... Uski nazar Veer par gayi.
Uska chehra — sookhe khoon se sana hua — bejaan lag raha tha. Sarr kuchh geela sa tha. Baalo me halki barf jami thi jaise. Blazer ke sang shirt kayi jagaho se fati hui thi. Baah, chhaati aur kamar me gehre ghaav dikhayi pad rahe the. Uske kapde khoon se sane hue the. Par, Nidhi ko sabse zyada dang kiya unn janzeeron ne.
Jinhe dekh uska poora badan kaanp utha. Aankhein bhay ke maare chaudi ho uthi. Badi-badi janzeerein uski baaho me kass kar lipti hui thi.
Uska haath zor se thar-thara utha. Kuchh beeti yaadein wapas saamne aane lagi.
---
Lagbhag do saal pehle ka samay tha. Aaj Nidhi ko ek nayi class niyukt ki gayi thi. Yeh pehli baar nahi tha. Use students ko kis tarah se handle karna hai, ye achhi tarah se aata tha.
Iske pehle woh school me bhi ek shikshak reh chuki thi. Shiksha dena use bakhoobi aata tha. Magar, college aur school me kuchh farq toh hota tha.
College me bachhe ab bacche nahi the. Woh baalig the, sayaane the aur javani ke josh me udd rahe naye khiladi the.
Jaise hi Nidhi classroom me pravesh ki, pal bhar ke liye ek sannaata sa chhaa gaya. Students fir ikhatte khade hue-
"Good morning ma'am!"
"Settle down!"
Uski awaaz dridh lekin garmjoshi se bhari thi. Uske bolte hi sabhi chhaatra wapas se apni seats par baith gaye.
Woh bina students ki taraf dekhe blackboard ko rub karne lagi aur ek safed chalk uthaate hue apna naam likhne lagi.
Nidhi Mishra
Khubsoorat si likhawat me likhte hue usne apna parichay diya.
Aur, jaisa ki hona chahiye tha, waisa hi hua. Nayi-nayi 18 baras ki aayu poorn karne waale javan laundo ke mann me laddu phootne lage. Aur, charcha ka vishay tha — ?
"Behanchod kya maal hai bhai."
"Bhai bol de ki ab yahi apni class teacher hai."
"Bhai hai toh karraa yaar. Sahi me!"
"Iska matlab woh madarchod takla gaya? Kya naam tha bey uska?"
"Bhupinder Daruwala!"
"Bhupinder nahi. Guu pait ke andar! Hahahahaha!"
"Hahahahaha! Abey haan bey! Lawda saala dimaag kha jaata tha betichod."
"Daruwala ki bahut daru pee li... Ab Nidhi se Vidhi seekhenge hahahaha!"
"Kaaye ki bhosdiwaale? Hahahaha!"
"Ah! Madam! Ah! Wo waali vidhi! Aah! Uuh!"
"Hahahahahahaha! Madarchod!"
"Hahahahahahaha!"
Yahi baatein ladko ke alag-alag jhund me hone lagi. Par, kya Nidhi ko ye sab sunayi nahi de raha tha? De raha tha. Bilkul, de raha tha. Kintu, woh khamosh thi. Nirash bhi. Aur, chotil bhi.
"Abey pait kuchh fela-fela sa hai iska magar. Hai na?"
"Pregnant hai kya?"
"Nahi bey! Baccha ho chuka hai shayad. Dhyaan se dekh!"
"Abey toh shuru ka mahina bhi toh ho sakta hai?"
"Chutiye toh woh yaha thodi aati padhaane."
"Haan ye bhi hai!"
"Koi nahi-! Mein wazan kam karwa dunga iska hahahaha!"
"Mujhse toh sirf wazan badhaate aata hai hehehe!"
"Hahahahahaha!"
"Pregnancy ke baad bhi pait foola rehta hai kya?"
"Waisa nahi bey chutiye! Bas thode time tak rehta hai. Abhi madam ko apne asli figure me aane me time lagega."
"Waise... Aise bhi koi kam maal nahi hai."
"Hahahahaha!"
Eka-ek Nidhi ka haath na chaahte hue bhi apne pait par chala gaya. Ladke bhale hi dheere-dheere ye sab khuspusaaye, magar aksar unki baatein sabhi teachers ko sunayi de jaaya karti thi.
Jab Nidhi ko apne pait par haath rakhte unn students ne dekha toh iss baar thoda satark hote hue unn logo ne apni baat-cheet ko virham de diya.
Parantu, unki ek baat sahi thi. Nidhi ko bamushqil abhi dedh se do mahina hi hua tha jab uska apna navjaat uss se chheen liya gaya tha. Dhruv — uski apni amaanat.
Yahi woh samay tha jab Nidhi ke jeevan ka sabse kharab daur shuru hua tha. Ek prataadit karta pati, daayan samaan saas ki gaaliyaan, apne hi bacche ko kho dena, unse bhaag ke apne ek kiraaye ke flat me rehna, aas-pados me uth rahe charche, samaaj ka nazariya, aur jo rahi-sahi kasar baaki reh gayi thi woh inn besharam ladko ne uss par behuda tippani kar ke poori kar di thi.
Lekin, woh jaanti thi ki har ladke ek jaise nahi hote the. Uske apne pita. Uska ek bhai. Woh bhi toh mard the na? Woh jaanti thi ki iss classroom me abhi bhi woh ladke the jo waqai uss se padhna chaahte the — jinke mann me koi galat bhavnaaye nahi thi.
Yahi vishvas liye usne bolna shuru kiya.
"Students! Aaj se... Aaj se mein aapki class teacher rahungi. I will be teaching you Mathematics."
"Ye hui na baat behanchod! Ab maza aayega hahahaha"
"Badhayi ho bhai! Takla gaya hahahaha! Nayi phuljhadi aa gayi."
Unki baatein dobaara se shuru ho gayi. Nidhi ke pehle Bhupinder ji the jo iss kaksha ke class teacher the. Kareeban 7-8 maah tak unhone iss kaksha ko sambhala tha. First year ke bache hue 3-4 mahino ke liye Nidhi ab unki class teacher bann ke aayi thi. Aur, uska swagat kaise hua? Inn bhaddi tippaniyo se.
Himmat rakhte hue usne attendance sheet uthayi aur sabhi ke naam pukaarte hue pehle attendance lene lagi. Ek-ek kar ke jab woh akhiri bache kuchh baccho ke naam pukaarne ko aayi toh-
"Vamika Chauhan!"
"Present ma'am!"
"Vasu Mehta!"
"Present ma'am!"
"Veer Singh!"
*Silence*
'Hmm?'
Ek khamoshi si chhaa gayi. Koi jawab hi nahi aaya. Nidhi ne apna sarr uthaate hue sabhi ko dekha aur usne punah awaaz lagaayi.
"Veer Singh???"
Tabhi, uski nazar sabse side waali row par padi jaha aakhiri bench par ek ladka akele baitha hua tha. Bagal waali row se 2-4 ladke hasste hue use bula rahe the.
"Bhai tere ko bula rahi madam!"
"Chutiye haath utha ke present toh bol de hahahahaha!"
Woh ladka hadbadata hua apna kaam beech me rok upar dekha. Uski nazar Nidhi se jaa takrayi. Ek pal ke liye woh dara par fir ahista se haath uthaate hue bola-
"P-Present ma'am!"
Nidhi kuchh kshan ke liye avaak reh gayi. Woh nahi jaanti thi aisa kyu tha par kuchh pal woh bas Veer ko dekhti rahi. Usne fir aaj ka samay jaise-taise nikaala. Baccho ko padhaaya aur waha se nikal gayi.
Agla din. Wahi kaksha, wahi bacche, wahi harqate. Ladkiyaan hi thi jo kam se kam uss se achhe se pesh aati thi. Adhiktar ladke sirf use hawas ki nazro se hi ghoorte the.
Magar, aaj Nidhi ki nazre class me ghoom rahi thi. Maano jaise chehro se bhara ek samundar tha kamre ke andar — kuchh muskura rahe the, kuchh fusfusa rahe the, kuchh uub ke jhuke hue the. Fir bhi, ek student alag dikh raha tha.
Veer Singh.
Kal ki hi tarah aaj bhi woh sab se dur kone me akela baitha hua tha, uski desk hi baakiyo se dur thi. Uski aankhein apni notebook par tiki hui thi, maano likhte rehne se woh duniya se bach jayega. Uski patli si kaaya uski badi uniform ke andar alag hi maalum pad rahi thi.
Pata nahi kyu par use iss qadar dekh Nidhi ko ek samaanta si mehsoos hui. Attendance lene se pehle woh ruk gayi, uski nazre Veer par tiki rahi.
'Woh akela kyu baitha hai?'
Yeh vichaar kal se uske dimaag me atka hua tha. Jab usne attendance ke liye naam pukaarna shuru kiye, toh sabhi chhaatra baari-baari ek swar me 'present ma'am' chillaate chale gaye. Kaksha me hasi ki ek leher daud gayi, dost ek dusre ko dhakka deke hasi mazaak karne lage, aur unki khusur-pusur jaari ho gayi.
"Veer Singh?"
*Silence*
Aaj bhi wahi hua. Nidhi use hi dekh rahi thi. Veer ne apna haath dheere se upar uthaaya.
"Present ma'am!"
Maujood hoke bhi aisa lag raha tha jaise woh adrishya tha baaki logo ke liye. Shaant aur darpok.
Veer ka akelapann sirf samajik nahi tha — ye uske jeevan me samaya hua tha.
Ek baar project ke dauran, Nidhi ne class me baccho se ek-dusre se partners banaane ke liye kaha.
"Apna ek partner banaiye aur saath mil kar project complete karna hai. Theek hai? Class dismissed."
Chhaatra turant apne dosto ke paas bhaage — dekhte hi dekhte alag-alag pairs bann gaye.
Veer ko chhor kar.
Woh baitha raha, apni notebook ko ghoorta raha. Departure ho chuka tha aur sabhi project ke baare me baatein karte hue chale gaye.
Veer ne chup-chap apna bag uthaaya aur uski orr aaya.
"Ma'am!? Kya mein akele project bana sakta hu?"
"Kyu?"
"Mujhse kisi ne poochha hi nahi. Sabke pehle hi pairs bann gaye."
Usne itni saralta se kaha, maano jaise use aadat ho gayi ho bhulaaye jaane ki. Nidhi ka gala andar hi andar roondh gaya. Uski chhaati me jaise ek dard utha. Woh kuchh na bol saki.
Ek shaam woh class ke baad derr tak ruki hui thi. Usne dekha ki Veer parking area ke paas baitha hua farsh ko ghoor raha tha. Uski aankhein laal thi.
"Veer?"
Usne jawab nahi diya.
"Kya hua?"
Firse koi jawab nahi. Magar, jab usne Veer ke saamne dustbin me dekha toh uski aankhein chaudi hokar reh gayi. Dustbin me Veer ka bag dala hua tha.
Woh akasmat uske bagal se aake khadi hui.
"Kisne kiya ye?"
"Nahi pata. *sniff* Farq nahi padta. Koi nayi baat nahi."
"Tum ruko abhi- mein abhi jaa ke-"
"Nahi! Koi zaroorat nahi hai. Aapke jaane se... Woh baad me aur tang karenge. *sniff* Rehne dijiye."
"Par-"
"Maine kaha na, ma'am! Rehne dijiye!"
Nidhi ne aage kuchh nahi kaha. Usne use rona band karne ke liye bhi nahi kaha. Iski bajaaye, woh bas uske bagal se baith gayi.
Varsho me pehli baar, Veer ko laga ki koi tha... Jo uski parvah kar raha tha.
Din beetate gaye aur Nidhi 'Veer' naam ke iss ladke ko observe karti gayi. Usne jaana ki Veer kabhi kisi se baat nahi karta tha.
Recess ke dauran koi bhi uske saath nahi baithata tha, ladko ka koi bhi group use invite nahi karta tha. Lunch ke samay jab chhaatra apni-apni mandliyo me ikhatta hote, Veer chup-chap waha se gaayab ho jaata. Lunch laata bhi tha ya nahi? Iska bhi pata nahi tha.
Aur, isliye ek dopahar Nidhi recess ke theek baad yuhi uske peechhe-peechhe gayi. Veer library me jaa raha tha.
Nidhi ne dekha ki woh library me khidki ke paas baithe, sirr jhukaaye, notebook me kuchh bana raha tha.
'Hmm?'
Woh aage badhi.
"Iss waqt lunch kiya jaata hai, Veer. Koi aur kaam nahi."
Veer uski awaaz sunn jhep gaya. Woh chaunk gaya, use samajh nahi aa raha tha ki jawaab de ya andekha kar de?
"M-Maine lunch kar liya hai, ma'am." Uski awaaz mushqil se Nidhi ke kaano me pahuchi.
"Achha? 5 minute hue hai abhi recess hue aur tumne lunch bhi kar liya? Jhooth bolte ho?"
"M-Maine subah zyada khaaya tha. Isliye, abhi bhookh nahi hai. M-Mein theek hu, ma'am."
"Kya waqai?"
Veer ne hichkichaate hue apni pen aur kass ke pakad li. "H-Haan! M-Mujhe yaha achha lagta hai. Yaha shaanti rehti hai."
Nidhi ne ek pal ke liye use dekha, fir chali gayi. Veer ko laga ki uska peechha chhoot gaya lekin kuchh der baad hi woh waapas laut aayi — sandwich ki ek plate ke saath.
"Agar, tumhe yahi baithna hai toh yahi baitho. Par, kam se kam kuchh khaa toh liya karo."
Veer plate ko ghoorta raha. Dang reh gaya tha. Aisa pehle kabhi kisi ne uske liye nahi kiya tha.
"M-Mujhe bhookh nahi hai, ma'am."
"Of course, tumhe hai. Tum bas maanane ke liye ziddi ho. Tum lunch nahi laate kya? Mummy nahi deti ghar pe?"
Maa ka zikr aate hi Veer maun reh gaya aur Nidhi jaise samajh gayi ki kuchh baat hai. Usne iss vishay ko aage nahi badhaaya. Veer fir apne aap se hi kuchh kshan baad bola.
"M-Mein-! Mein aaj lunch box bhool gaya. Chachi ne bana ke rakha tha. Lekin- mein bhool gaya."
"Oh! Toh ab kha lo. Theek hai?"
"Nahi! Maine kaha na ma'am. Mujhe bhook nahi hai."
Veer ne mana toh kar diya. Lekin, jab Nidhi plate neeche rakh ke waha se chali gayi, toh Veer ne kuchh hi kshano baad khud ko plate ki taraf aage badhte hue paaya.
Ek din, jab Veer apni baahon aur chehre par chot ke saath class me aaya — ragging aur bullying ke kuchh saboot.
Nidhi ne dekha. Usne kuchh poochha nahi.
Lekin, agli hi subah, Veer ko apni desk ke neeche ek bandage kit rakhi mili — ek chhote se note ke saath.
'Take care of yourself. Some people care about you — even if you don't believe it yet.'
Uss din ke baad se Veer Nidhi ki upasthiti ko aur adhik mehsoos karne laga.
Class me, woh aksar uski desk ke aas-paas hi khadi rehti, aur uss se sawaal bhi poochha karti.
"Veer! Tum batao? Kya ye answer sahi hai?"
"Veer! Tumhari kya raay hai isme?"
Pehle toh woh jawab nahi de paata tha. Uski awaaz mushqil se uske muh se nikalti thi. Lekin, Nidhi ne apna prayas nahi chhora. Nidhi uske astitva ko poora karti thi. Lagne laga tha jaise ab woh adrishya nahi tha.
Ek din woh deri se aaya. Woh ghabrahat me darwaze ki dehleez par khada ho gaya.
"S-Sorry! Ma'am- mein..."
"Koi baat nahi!" Nidhi ne beech me hi tokte hue kaha, uski awaaz naram thi. "Ab aa gaye ho na? Baith jao!"
Zyadatar teachers use khari-kothi suna dete lekin, Nidhi... Woh muskurayi. Woh muskaan use shabdo se kahi zyada shaant kar deti.
Ek din Nidhi ne use apni notebook me kuchh banaate hue pakad liya.
"Tum drawing bhi karte ho??"
Veer ne jhepte hue jaldi se apni notebook band kar li. Uski drawing achhi nahi thi. Lekin, use banaane ka shauk tha.
"K-Kuchh nahi-! A-Aise hi bas..."
"Uff-Oh! Ab chalo bhi mujhe dekhne do."
Hichkichaate hue lekin bharosa kar, Veer ne dheere se notebook kholi. Andar alag-alag sketches the. Kuchh landscapes ke, kuchh chehro ke, aur ek kone me — Nidhi ka khud ka ek chhota sa chitr.
Nidhi ne aashcharya me palke jhapkayi. Fir, haule se hasi.
"Arey waah! Bahut khoob. Par, Veer-!? Mujhe nahi lagta ki meri naak itni badi hai. Hai na?"
Veer ka chehra sharm se laal pad gaya.
"Ye... Ye abhi poora nahi hua hai, ma'am." Usne haklaate hue kaha.
"Koi baat nahi... *smiles* Mein mazaak kar rahi thi. Tum talented ho. Ise chhipaane ki koi zaroorat nahi. Confidence rakha karo, Veer. Okay?"
"J-Ji!"
Jaise-jaise unka rishta aur mazboot hota gaya, unki baatein aur bhi sehej hoti chali gayi. Thodi chanchal bhi.
"Tum humesha ye notebook saath leke ghoomte ho." Woh ek baar use chidhaate hue boli. "Kya hai isme aisa? Hmm? Duniya par qabza karne ka master plan?"
"Haan!" Usne bebaaki se jawab diya. "Sabse pehla qadam — Ek aisa teacher dhundhna jo meri notebook ko lekar baar-baar na poochhe."
"Hahahahaha!" Aur, woh khil-khila ke hass padi.
Veer bhi badle me muskura diya. Shayad ye pehli baar tha jab Nidhi ne use muskurate hue dekha tha.
Class me ek baar questions ke dauran, Veer ne pehli baar koi galti pakdi thi.
"Ma'am, waha par... Waha par sin ki jagah cos aayega."
"Oh??" Nidhi ne bauhe chadhayi. "Mujhse galti ho gayi?"
"Haan!"
"Theek hai toh... Class! Agla question Veer solve karega blackboard pe. Chalo, Veer. Utho apni seat se!"
"Eh??? N-Nahi! Ma'am... Ek minute!"
"Hahahaha! Good luck!" Nidhi uski haalat par hasi.
Veer dara. Nidhi mazak nahi kar rahi thi. Woh blackboard ke saamne khada tha aur chalk se likhte samay uske perr kaanp rahe the. Lekin, fir Nidhi ne podium se fusfusate hue uss se kaha-
"Tum sahi kar rahe ho. Solve karte jao. Daro nahi!"
Jab ek baar Veer ko pehli baar assignment test me Maths me thode achhe marks mile toh usne dekha ki Nidhi ne uske test paper par kuchh likha hua tha — Told you you'd do great. ^_^ But you need to do even better.
Ek baar career ke lakshyo ke baare me charcha ke dauran, Nidhi ne Veer se akele me baat karte hue sehejta se tippani ki-
"Veer! Tumhe ek high goal rakhna chahiye. Tumhare jaise log... Tum apna potential barbaad kar rahe ho."
Magar, Veer ko — ek ladka jise uske parivar waale aksar ye keh dete ki woh apni zindagi me kuchh bhi nahi kar payega — uske shabd bahut chubh gaye.
"Aapko lagta hai ki mein apna samay barbaad kar raha hu???" Usne oonchi awaaz me poonchha. "Mein har din apni poori koshish karta hu, theek hai na? Aap jaanti bhi kya ho mere baare me?? *sniff* Koi nahi jaanta."
Nidhi ne palke jhapkayi. Woh achambhit thi. Veer pehli baar iss tarah se gusse me kuchh uss se bola tha.
"Mera matlab ye nahi tha, Veer. Mein-" Usne Veer ka kandha thaama.
"Rehne dijiye! *sniff* Aadat hai mujhe." Usne jhapatta maarte hue khud ko chhuraaya aur baahar nikal gaya.
Teen dino tak, Veer uss se bachta raha. Nazrein churaata raha. Lekin, chauthe din woh use library me mil hi gaya.
"Mera... Mera tumhara dil dukhane ka irada nahi tha, Veer." Usne dheere se kaha. "Mein bas... Mujhe tum pe vishvas hai. Bas itna hi."
"Hmm... Theek hai... Mujh par apna vishvas barbad mat kariye, ma'am." Woh badbadate hue bola.
"Uske liye ab bahut derr ho chuki hai. Mera paala ab tumse jo pad chuka hai." Woh muskurate hue boli.
Aur, iss baar-
Veer naraaz na reh saka. Woh sharmaate hue muskuraya aur apna muh ferr liya. Nidhi uske sharmaane par bas hasti reh gayi. Woh sahi thi. Aaj bhi kuchh ladke the jo uske prati galat bhavnaaye nahi rakhte the. Veer unme se ek tha. Ya yu kahe, unn sab me se sabse alag.
Aur, aise hi woh teen mahine kab guzar gaye, dono ko hi pata nahi chala. Veer vartalap me apna confidence dheere-dheere gain kar raha tha. Chhutiyaan padi aur uske baad shuru hua second year.
Pehla din tha. Naye juniors ko hall me baitha ke unka swagat kiya jaa raha tha. Classes lagni shuru ho chuki thi. Veer ki class ki teacher punah badal chuki thi lekin, Nidhi ko sabhi chaahne lage the aur isliye use wapas se class teacher banaane ki maang bhi rakhne lage.
Aur, fir aaya woh waqt-
Departure ke dauran. Veer ne jab Nidhi ko jaldbazi me jaate dekha toh usne use pukaara-
"Ma'am??"
Magar, Nidhi na ruki. Usne Veer ki awaaz hi nahi suni. Woh bahut hi jaldbazi me thi. Chehre par chinta bhi jhalak rahi thi.
Veer ne mann hi mann khud ko samjhaya ki har waqt koi uske liye haazir nahi reh sakta tha. Aur, fir woh pal aaya-
Jab uski nazar uss par padi. Pragya! Ek behad khubsoorat chehra. College ki jaani-maani sundar ladkiyo me se ek.
Aur, fir Ajay ka use dekhna, apne pantaro ko ishaara karna, Veer ka scooty uthaate hue ghar ki orr nikalna, Ajay aur uske saathiyo ka bikes se use gherna, use college ki peechhe waale raaste par le jaana, use buri tarah peetna, ghaayal karna, aur baarish hoti sooraj dhalti shaam me use sadak par chhor dena.
Yahi sab toh hua tha. Nahi! Yahi nahi! Uske baad use ghar se nikaal diya jaana, Uska aspataal me hona, marrne ki kagaar par hona, aur Nidhi ka waha par aana.
---
-Aur, aaj woh uske saamne tha.
'Aap chinta mat kariye!! Mein Juhi ko leke aaunga. Mein aapse vaada karta hu!'
Uske bol Nidhi ke kaano me goonj gaye. Usne apna vaada nibha diya tha.
Nidhi ka haath kaanp raha tha, woh uske bagal me ghutno par gir padi. Uski ungliyaan jhijhakte hue aage badhi aur fir usne Veer ki fati hui aasteen ko kass kar pakad liya.
Uski rone ki siskiyaan chhootne lagi. Ghutan bhari awaaz. Uske mote-mote aansu Veer ke khoon se sane haath par girne lage.
"*hic* Aaaaaaaaaa-!!! *hic*"
Woh royi. Kuchh bol nahi paa rahi thi. Iss sab ka bhaar use kuchal raha tha. Agar, Juhi ko kuchh ho jaata toh-
Iss vichaar ne uske shareer ko aur bhi zyada kaanpne par majboor kar diya. Usne apna chehra Veer ke perr se sataaya, uske perr kass ke pakde — maano use chhorne se Juhi fir se uss se dur chali jayegi. Aur, Veer bhi.
Mann hi mann woh Veer ko lagatar dhanyavad deti rahi. Kuchh pal beet gaye, fir usne apna sarr uthaaya.
Veer behosh tha. Usne apni ungliyon se Veer ke khoon se sane chehre ko chhiya, uske angoothe ne Veer ke maathe par fir ek ghaav ko chhiya.
"V-Veer-!" Uski awaaz toot gayi. Honth thar-thara uthe.
Aur, fir usne apni baahein uske kandho par rakhi, uske sirr ko dheere se uthaaya aur agle hi pal-
Use apni chhaati se laga liya. Veer ki garm saansein uske seene par padi. Magar, uska chehra poori tarah se thanda mehsoos ho raha tha.
Nidhi ke aansu ab khul kar gir rahe the. Woh bilakh-bilakh kar ro rahi thi. Veer ko apne aalingan me liye, use kass ke pakde woh khadi-khadi dahaad maar ke roti rahi. Jaise varsho se usne khud ko roke rakha tha aur ab uski bhavnaaye khul kar baahar nikal rahi thi.
"M-Maine tumhe apne se dur dhakela..." Woh fusfusayi. "Har baar... *hic* Har baar maine tumhe dur kiya."
Use yaad aaya jab usne Veer ko 1 lakh rupaye ki payment kar di thi. Kaise woh uss par bhadka tha.
Use ye bhi yaad aaya ki uski padosan Mrs. Tiwari kis tarah use Veer jaise ladko se dur rehne ki hidayat de rahi thi.
Ye sab yaad karte hi, usne Veer ko aur kass ke laga liya.
"Mujhe maaf kar do-!! *hic*" usne roondhi hui awaaz me budbudaya. "Mujhe maaf kardo, Veer!! Aaaaaaaa-!! Aaaaaaaaaa!! *hic* *sniff*"
Aur, firse usne uska sirr apni chhaati me aur bhi gehraayi me daba liya. Aur, inn teen saalo me aaj pehli baar — usne apni bhavnao se bhaagna band kar diya.
"Maine tumhe chaahna kabhi nahi chhora tha... Trust me... Mein bas... *hic* Mein bas darti thi."
"L-Lekin, *sniff* ab aur nahi bhaagungi."
Veer ke sang bitaaye use saare puraane pal yaad aane lage.
Har muskaan jo woh chhipaata tha.
Har aansu jo woh dabaata tha.
"Tum... *sniff* Tum akele the... M-Mujhe aur bhi bahut kuchh karna chahiye tha... *hic* Mujhe tumhare paas aur rehna chahiye tha."
"Par ab... *hic* Ab mein hu yaha. Aur, mein ab kahi nahi jaungi. *sniff* Kabhi bhi nahi."
Usne na jaane kab se inn bhavnao ko dabaaye rakha tha. Lekin, ab aur nahi.
Aasmaan me aatishbaziyo se fel rahe rang bikhre hue the, aur hospital ke iss kamre me ek mahila ne khoon se sane ek naujavan ko apni baaho me bhar rakha tha.
Aur, hospital ke saamne ki building ki terrace par khade do log ye sab kuchh dekh paa rahe the.
Erica : See, dad? Yahi woh Nidhi hai jinki beti ko Veer bacha ke laaya. But... I have never seen him so low.
Renshu : Low? He's the one who's the tallest among us. Na sirf usne unki jaan par khatra nahi aane diya, balki woh unhe chhuraane me bhi qamyab tha. Par, ab time nahi hai. Erica-!
Erica samajh gayi ki use kya karna tha. Garofano ko call connect kar ke Ava se poochhne ke baad dobara se Veer ki nayi location le li thi unhone.
Erica bina kuchh kahe waha se ek kshan me gaayab ho gayi.
Andar derr raat me hospital ka corridor shaant tha. Shreya ki bauhe sikudi aur palke jhapkaate hue woh kursi par se uthi. Sabhi resting area me so chuke the aur woh aur uske Ishaan bhaiya hi yaha kursi par baithe the.
Usne dekha ki uske bhaiya bhi baitha-baithe hi so rahe the. Apne phone ko dheele haath se pakdi woh Nidhi ko dekhne ke liye uske kamre ki orr badhi.
Lekin, Nidhi ke kamre ke paas pahuchte hi uske qadam wahi tham gaye.
Darwaaze ke sheeshein se... Usne dekha.
Veer.
Nidhi.
Juhi.
Nidhi ne Veer ke chehre ko apni chhaati se laga rakha tha — khoon se lathpath aur ghaayal.
Shreya bhauchakki reh gayi.
Drishya use umeed se zyada prabhavit kar gaya. Uski ungliyaan phone par kass gayi. Aur, vibhinn anubhutiyaan ek pal me mehsoos ho gayi.
Raahat — kyunki, Veer sahi salamat tha.
Khushi — kyunki, Juhi surakshit thi.
Irshya — kyunki, Veer kisi aur ki baaho me tha.
Glaani — kyunki, jiski baaho me tha woh uski apni badi behan hi thi. Ye sab uske mann me nahi aana chahiye tha.
Aur, dard — na jaane kyu.
*Click*
Darwaaze ki awaaz aate hi Nidhi chaunk kar tezi se mudi.
'Huh?'
Saamne koi ladki thi. Iske pehle ki woh kuchh keh paati-
"Shh! It won't hurt! Please! Sleep!"
Nidhi ko kuchh pata nahi chala. Uski aankhon ke saamne achanak se andhera chhaa gaya.
***
Ek ukhdi hui saans.
Veer ki aankhein fad-fada kar khuli. Chhat alag thi. Hawa me gandh toh wahi thi — antiseptic ki. Magar, uski chhaati par se woh bhaar gaayab tha.
Juhi.
Uski saans atakne ko hui, ghabrahat ne uske shareer ko jhakjhor diya. Uski baahein Juhi ko paane ke liye fadki. Kaha gayi woh?
Par, agle hi pal use mehsoos hua — uske dono taraf, daaye aur baaye koi uski baaho ko jakde hue tha.
'Huh?'
Uska sirr daayi orr muda.
Tej.
Uski Teju di ne use pakde rakha tha. Magar, nigaahein saamne ki orr ek band darwaaze par tiki thi.
Woh baayi orr muda.
Kavya.
Woh uss se chipki hui thi. Tej ki hi tarah, woh bhi saamne hi nazre gadaayi thi.
Uske haatho se bediyaan gaayab thi. Ye kaise hua? Janzeerein uski kalaayi par locked thi. Kaha chali gayi wo?
Kuchh gadbad thi. Tabhi-
“Veer!”
Ghane vatavaran me ek awaaz goonj gayi. Shweta! Use jaagta hua dekh uski aankhein chaudi ho gayi. Woh chillaati hui uske nazdeek aayi. Aur, kamre me maujood sabhi ki nigaahein Veer par pad gayi.
Badhi toh Bhavna bhi thi lekin, Shweta ne aate hi Veer ke chehre ko thaam liya aur use betaab apne seene se laga liya.
"Hosh aa gaya mere bete ko... Hey bhagwan!"
Veer akad ke reh gaya. Uske shareer ka har ang dard se tadak raha tha, lekin uljhan ka bojh dard se kahi zyada bhaari tha.
Ye sab yaha kyu the? Ye woh aspataal toh nahi tha jaha par Nidhi bharti thi.
Tej aur Kavya uss se lipti hui thi. Uski Shweta maa, aur uski maa — Bhavna. Sab ro rahi thi.
Usne dekha ki uske pita-
Brijesh!
'???'
Uske pita bhi kone me haath mode chintan me khade hue the. Uski behan Aarohi apni laal aankhein liye rote hue use hi dekh rahi thi.
Aabha aur Sonali bhi ek jagah par baithi use rote hue dekh rahi thi. Aur, na jaane kitne log the.
Uska sirr ghoom raha tha. Dhadkane tez ho rahi thi. Kuchh nahi, bahut kuchh galat lag raha tha.
'P-Pari? What the hell happened?'
Magar-
Sannaata. Koi jawab nahi.
'P-Pari? Juhi kaha hai? Ye sab kya chal raha hai?'
Fir bhi koi jawab nahi. Usne apne daant peese.
'Pariiii-!!'
Magar, kuchh nahi. Pari sleep mode me jaa chuki thi.
Uski saansein tez hui. Use Nidhi ke kamre me jaana yaad tha. Use yaad tha ki Juhi uske seene se hi lipti hui thi. Use ye bhi yaad tha ki woh seat par gira tha. Lekin, uske baad-!?
Use kuchh bhi yaad nahi tha. Kya hua tha? Veer ki nazar achanak baayi orr dur ek corridor me padi. Aur, usne dekha-
Kone ke paas, uske parivar se alag. Teen log khade hue the.
Renshu. Erica. Aur, Garofano.
Jo use hi dekh rahi thi.
System holders. Yaha par? Woh sab yaha kyu the? Use tabhi yaad aaya-
Yarnia's launch.
Woh toh aaj thi na? Toh kya hua? Sab yaha kyu the? Aur, ro kyu rahe the? Yarnia ka kya hua?
Aur, use yaad aa gaya.
Mission ki penalty. Ek sihran uske badan me daud gayi. Kahi isliye toh sab-?
Nahi! Aisa nahi ho sakta. Usne Juhi, Pihu ko bacha liya tha. Fir, akhir aur koi kaise khatre me ho sakta tha? Woh koi sawal kar paata ki itne me saamne ka darwaza khul gaya.
Ek doctor baahar nikal ke aaya. Sab achanak se khade ho gaye. Jis baat ko Veer ka darr tha, woh darr aur gehra ho gaya.
Doctor ne sabhi ko dekha aur fir Veer ko dekh ek haami bhar uski orr chalte hue nazdeek aaya jaise woh jaanta tha ki use kis se baat karni thi.
Veer Singh.
Yahi wo vyakti thi jise usko jawab dena chahiye. Doctor ne ek gehri saans li. Fir, ek asthir awaaz me bola-
"I'm very sorry, sir. Hum unhe bacha nahi sake. Mr. Manorath is no more."
*Badump*
Dhadalle se darwaza punah khula, stretcher par Manorath ji ka shav tha, upar se safed kapda dhaka hua tha.
Cheekhein goonj uthi. Parivar jano ke rone ki awaaz aspataal me goonjne lagi.
Veer ko kuchh samajh aata ki tabhi-
"Although, Miss Ragini ki situation kaafi critical thi. But, doctor ne mujhe khabar de di hai."
'Ragini' naam sunn woh wapas se hosh me aaya.
"She's out of danger now."
Raahat bamushqil ek kshan ke liye hi thi.
"But there's only one problem. I'm sorry to say but — woh ab pehle ki tarah kabhi nahi chal payengi."
Aur, aspatal ko ek gehre sannaate ne dhak liya.
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Aaj ke liya itna hi guys.
This update consists of 8.3k words. Jaan boojh ke around itni length ka rakha hai warna ye update 10k ke upar jaa raha tha. Too much info dump iss update me mujhe sahi nahi lagi because Nidhi ka aham hissa tha iss update me. So, I decided to post those sections in the later updates. This update also justifies why Nidhi took Veer to her house and sheltered him. Unke beech ka rishta ekdum naya nahi tha. They knew each other. Mehez 3 mahino ka hi rishta tha lekin, unn teen mahino ne bahut kuchh badal diya tha. Samay-samay par aise hi flashbacks ke zariye hum Nidhi aur Veer ke madhya aur bhi moments dekhenge. Yaha par past kaisa laga woh zaroor bataane ka. Baaki, target apna wahi hai. 300. Pahucha dene ka. Agle update se Post Disembowler arc shuru ho jayega.
Milte hai agle bhaag me.
Dhanyavad.
