Incest Baadshah ~ The Tales of Debauchery

[Werewolf]

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Latest Update ➢ Update 198 ​

 

[realfriend]

Okay guru we are waiting

 

[ashiq bhai]

Wait

 

[supersonic12345]

wolfy uncle update do

 

[Werewolf]

Update - 198 ~ Tug of War​

Ab tak...

Renshu ke honth sikude. Usne ek pal ke liye apni aankhein band kar li. Fir, unhe firse khol kuchh soch vichaar kar bas ek hi shabd bola.

Ek aisa shabd jisne unke aas-paas ki duniyaa ko thaam kar rakh diya.

Garofano : Bolo bhi!!!

Renshu : ...

Garofano : ???

Renshu : X!

Hawa jaise rukne ko ho gayi. Garofano ka jabda sakht ho gaya. Veer... bas ghoorta raha.

Ab gusse se nahi. Balki, sandeh se.

Ab aage...

Badi si SUV ke andar ka mahaul tanaav se bhara hua tha. Renshu, Erica, Ava samet sabhi peechhe SUV ki seats par virajmaan the jab Veer ki awaaz ne sannaate ko cheer diya.

Veer : Explain!

Uski teekhi aankhein saamne baithe Renshu par tiki hui thi. Kuchh derr pehle unn dono ke beech ek yuddh chhid hi gaya tha, wo to Garofano ka samay par hastakshep tha jisne unn dono ko rok diya. Wo SUV ke theek baahar hi khadi thi, apne haath baandhe, unn chaaro ko dhyaan se dekh rahi thi.

Renshu (sighs) : Jaisa ki maine tumhe bataaya, Veer. Wo meri skill nahi thi. X!! Usne mujhe bataya tha ki kitne system holders the total aur kitne bache hue hai.

Veer ki bauhe sikudi. Ava uske bagal me baithi thodi uski orr khiski. Saamne Renshu ke bagal se baithi Erica ka haath anjaane me armrest par kass raha tha. Bechaari ki aankhein kabhi apne pita to kabhi Veer par ghoom rahi thi.

Veer : Iska matlab... Ya to waqai me uss X ke paas aisi koi skill hai jo system holders ko count kar sakti hai. Ya fir...

Renshu : ???

Veer : Woh jhooth bol raha hai.

*Silence*

Veer (leans forward) : Crimson aur Jaw Long. Dono humaare saamne maare gaye. Agar, unke marrne se pehle count 18 tha, to ab ye 16 hona chahiye. Lekin, yaha do sawaal nikal kar aate hai.

Renshu : ??

Garofano : Hmm?

Veer : Pehla ye ki — iss number ko kam hota dekhne waale kya sirf hum hi hai? Aur, dusra ye ki kya humare knowledge ke baahar koi system holder aisa hai jo maara gaya ho?

Renshu (frowns) : Tumhara matlab hai ki-

Veer (nods) : Hmm! Mera matlab saaf hai. Ya to X ne jo count hume bataya wo galat hai. Ya fir... Zaroori nahi hai ki ye count abhi 16 hi ho.

Garofano : Mein samajh gayi tum kya kehna chaah rahe ho. Yahi na ki agar koi aisa system holder jo humaare knowledge ke baahar kahi maara gaya ho duniya me to ultimately count 16 ke aur bhi neeche aa jayega. To jaha hum ye assume kar ke chal rahe hai ki system holders ka count 16 hai. Wo 16 kaho ho hi na. Kyunki, ho sakta hai aur bhi alag system holders humaare radar ke baahar maare gaye ho? Right?

Veer (nods) : Exactly!

Renshu ke maathe par silvatein chhaa gayi. Use ehsaas hua.

Renshu : Matlab, abhi ye 16 ka count sahi nahi hai?

Veer : Ho bhi sakta hai aur nahi bhi. Kam bhi ho sakta hai, aur zyada bhi. Hum blindly yakeen nahi kar sakte iss count par.

Kuchh pal beetne ke baad, Renshu ne ek lambi saans li.

Renshu : Maine iss baare me itni gehraayi me nahi socha tha. Shayad, tum theek keh rahe ho-

Veer : Mujhe bas itna jaanana hai ki kya tum X ke saath mile hue ho?

Renshu : Huh? Tum pagal ho gaye ho kya, Veer? Mein khud anjaan hu. Mein tumhe pehle hi bata chuka hu. Pehli baar jab X ne mujhe call kiya tha tab usne mujhse yahi kaha tha ki ek system holder khatre me hai. Agar, use bachaana chaahte ho to bacha lo. Aur, wo awaaz ek modulated voice thi.

Veer : Huh?

Renshu : Wo jaise jaanta tha ki mein tumhaare jaise system holders ko bachaana chaahta tha. Aur, fir mein tumhare paas aaya. Humaari mulaqat hui.

Veer : Aur, dusri baar-!?

Renshu : Dusri baar jab call aaya tha to kisi female ki voice thi. Ye modulated voice nahi thi. Aur, isi awaaz ne mujhe Garofano ke baare me savdhaan kiya tha.

Garofano: What the-

Renshu : Haan! Usne kaha tha ki jald hi Korea aur China me ek lakeer khich sakti hai. Ek daraar paida ho sakti hai. Korea se tum thi, aur China me tumhare Mr. Nicholson jinhe tum maarne aayi thi. Isliye, mujhe tumhare case me interfere karna pada. Shukriya Veer ka jo usne ye case aur bhi asaani se suljha diya.

Garofano (frowns) : Akhir kaun hai woh?

Veer : To tum kehna kya chaah rahe ho, Renshu? Pehli awaaz modulated thi. Aur, dusri nahi. Kya tum ye assume kar rahe ho ki dono hi baar tumhe call X ne kiya? Agar, aisa hai... To X fir ek female honi chahiye, right?

Renshu : Call to X ki hi taraf se tha. Kyunki, uske alawa mujhe nahi lagta ye sab details kisi aur ko pata hongi. Lekin-

Veer : ?

Garofano : Lekin?

Renshu : Lekin, agar wo pehli baar me modulated voice ka istemal kar raha tha. To fir achanak se dusre call me apni asli awaaz kyu disclose karega?

Veer (frowns) : That's a fair point.

Garofano : Yaani ki X ka gender abhi hume nahi pata, right?

Renshu (nods) : Hmm! Jaha tak mujhe lagta hai... Wo pehli awaaz waala X tha. Isliye, usne awaaz badal ke baat ki thi. Aur, ye dusri awaaz waali ladki X nahi hai magar, ye X ke saath shayad mili hui hai.

Veer : Hmm! Aur, tumne ye confirm kaise kiya ki voice modulated thi?

Renshu : Mein tumhe bata chuka hu pehle bhi... Erica!

Erica ka naam aate hi Veer ki nazar uss par padi. Erica halka sa sharmaate hue apna haath hilaayi. Wahi thi jisne modulated voice ke baare me pata lagaaya tha.

Garofano (frowns) : Koi ladki X ke saath mili hai!? Ek system holder? Jise mere baare me pata tha?

Veer ko tabhi kuchh dhyaan aaya jiske chalte uski aankhein chaudi ho gayi.

Veer : Wait-! K-Kahi ye wahi to nahi?

Garofano : Kaun?

Veer (frowns) : Rebecca... Rebecca Elsher!

Garofano : Ahn! Th-That's right! She... I think shayad wahi hai. I agree.

Renshu : Rebecca huh!?

Veer (frowns) : Ek baat ki gaanth hum sabko abhi ke liye baandh leni chahiye. Aur, wo ye hai ki- Rebecca aur X shayad mile hue hai. Abhi ke liye hum yahi assume kar ke chalenge.

Renshu (nods) : Hmm!

Garofano : Bilkul! Aur, isliye- hume bhi ek alliance ki zaroorat hai. Tum sab... Yahi ek tareeka hai jis se hum ek dusre ka saath de sakenge. Agar, hum me se kisi ek par bhi khatra aata hai to hum sab milkar use face kar payenge.

Renshu (nods) : Mein bhi sehmat hu.

Kintu, Veer khamosh raha.

Ava ne uski taraf dekha. Erica bhi use hi dekh rahi thi, uski aankhein chup-chaap Veer se aagrah kar rahi thi ki kisi tarah wo raazi ho jaaye.

Lekin, Veer ab pehle jaisa nahi tha.

Usne unn sabhi ki orr dekha — Renshu, Erica, Garofano. Usne ek gehri saans li. Wo utar ke SUV ke baahar aaya. Aur, mudte hue bola.

Veer : Toh theek hai! Ek official alliance ke liye mein ready hu. Lekin, badle me mujhe chahiye-

Garofano : ??

Renshu : ??

Veer : Absolute transparency. Koi secrets nahi. Saari skills, cards, perks, scrolls, points, stats. Sab kuchh! Saamne rakhna hoga. Do we have a deal?

Fir se sannaata chhaa gaya. Yaha tak ki Garofano ki aankhein bhi thodi sikud gayi. Ava kuchh na boli. Woh pehle se hi jaanti thi ki ye kabhi na kabhi hona hi tha.

Erica ke haath uske ghutno par the. Uska mann ek taraf apne pita ki orr tha, jo nirnay woh lenge wahi nirnay use bhi lena hi hoga. Toh wahi dusri taraf wo naujavan tha jisne uske andar halchal si macha rakhi thi.

Erica : V-Veer-

Renshu ne apni beti ko dekha, fir sirr hilaaya.

Renshu : Mein samajh sakta hu ki tum aisa kyu kar rahe ho. Theek hai. *nods* Mujhe aur Erica ko ye manzoor hai. Absolute transperancy.

Veer ne haami bhar fir Garofano ki orr dekha.

Veer : What about you?

Woh halke se muskurayi.

Garofano : I don't mind transparency. But... Only if you share yours too.

Veer (nods) : Of course.

Garofano (smiles) : Then, it's settled.

Veer : Abhi nahi-

Uski nazar antim baar Ava par tiki. Ava aadhi muskaan liye boli.

Ava : Mujhe laga tumhe mera jawab pata hoga, Veer.

Veer (nods) : To tay raha. Hum 5 system holders yaani ki — Renshu, Erica, Garofano, Ava aur mein ab se ek official alliance ka hissa hai. Humaare beech absolute transparency rahegi. Hum me se koi bhi agar kisi bhi musibat me padta hai, to hum uske liye ekjut hoke madad karenge. Clear?

Garofano (smiles) : All good!

Renshu (nods) : Hmm!

Erica : Arey arey ek minute-

Renshu : ?? Kya hua Erica?

Erica : Arey humari alliance ka naam kya hoga? Kuchh naam to rakhna padega na?

Renshu : Hmm! Tumhari baat sahi hai.

Garofano : A name huh!?

Renshu : Choonki, alliance me Veer sabse skilled system holder hai. To kyu na naam hum uski hi pasand ka rakhe?

Garofano : Sabse skilled? And, how can you be so sure of that?

Renshu (smiles) : Tum dono ek spar kyu nahi kar lete? Pata lag jayega.

Garofano ki aankhein agle hi pal hare rang se chamak uthi. Wo apne hontho par jeebh firaate hue Veer ki orr mudi.

Garofano (grins) : Oh, I would love to have a spar with you, Veer.

Kintu-

*Ding*

Palak jhapakte hi Veer ki aankhein bhi laal rang se chamak uthi. Usne kuchh na kaha. Par, 'Beowulf's blessings' ka activate hona hi apne aap me ek sanket tha.

Garofano khil-khilaate hue hasi aur uski aankhon se hare rang ki chamak turant hi gayab ho gayi.

Garofano : I was just kidding. After all, tum already abhi wounded ho. Aur, aise me tumse ladna... I don't want any kind of fair advantage, you know. Maybe some other time. Rahi baat naam ki... To mujhe koi problem nahi hai. C'mon, pick one quick.

Ava : Mujhe bhi yahi lagta hai ki... Veer ke liye hona chahiye. How about... The first syllable of your name, Veer?

Erica : V???

Ava (nods) : Hmm!

Erica : Oh! I like it. Alliance V! Hehe!

Renshu : Hmm! Mujhe koi dikkat nahi.

Garofano (smiles) : Neither do I. To fir tay raha. Alliance ka naam hoga — V.

Veer : Whatever you guys see fit.

Uske baad sabhi ne ek dusre se apne stats, cards, skills, perks, points saajha kiye. Par, isi dauraan-

Veer : Erica! Tumne kaha ki tumne wo modulated voice ki pushti ki thi.

Erica : Haan!

Veer (frowns) : To fir tumne jitne bhi cards aur skills ginaaye, unme se koi bhi aisi kyu nahi hai jo ye kar sakti ho?

Erica : Ahn! W-Woh... Actually... Wo mere system ki ability hai. Meri Genie ki...!

Veer : What???

Erica : Genie!!! Meri system! Uski ability hai ye. Wo kisi bhi voice ko analyse kar sakti hai aur bata sakti hai ki voice usi insaan ki hai ya fir uske saath kuchh changes kiye gaye hai.

Veer : What the-!?

System ki ability? Aisa kuchh bhi tha kya? Veer ne Ava ko dekha. Badle me wo bhi sirr hilaayi.

Ava : It's true! Mere case me... My Lily... Uski ability luck hai.

Veer : Huh??

Ava : Tumhe yaad hai jab hum saath me ghoom rahe the. Unn alleys me. Humne saath me kuchh games khele the. Aur, mera har baar first prize nikla tha. But tumhara nahi-

Veer ko wo pal yaad aaya jab wo aur Ava uske dhoka dene se theek pehle unn alleys me ghuse the. Kaise Ava har baar unn machines me se prize jeet rahi thi aur kaise har baar wo haar raha tha. Iska matlab-

Ava (nods) : Lily, meri system... Mujhe allow karti hai ki luck mere favour me gire. Lekin, ye sirf gambling, lucky prizes, ya fir business opportunities, tak hi limited hai. Yahi reason hai ki mein kyu itne kam time me itni jaldi famous ho paayi thi. Because, Lily kept helping me.

Veer : Th-That's-

Par, agar aisa tha toh fir-

'Pari!'

[Mein jaanti hu aap kya poochhna chaah rahe hai, master. Mere case me... Meri ability hai mera intelligence.]

'Intelligence?'

[That's right. Koi bhi critical situation ho, mujhse behtar aapko aur koi sa bhi system guidance provide nahi kar sakta.]

'Toh tumne kabhi bataya kyu nahi mujhe ki ye tumhari ability hai?'

[Aapne kabhi poochha hi nahi.]

'What the-!?'

[Pichhli Pari yaad hai na aapko?]

'Woh... Sugar mommy Pari!? Wait-'

[Hmm! Samajh gaye na aap?]

'Iska matlab uski ability thi-! Meri body control karna???'

[Yes. Aur, isliye maine kaha tha. Ye sirf wahi kar sakti hai. Koi aur nahi. Ava ke paas Lily ke luck ko imitate karne waali aur bhi ho sakti hai. Par, mein aur wo pichhli Pari... Hum dono unique hai.]

'What the hell-!?

Veer ne fir Garofano aur Renshu ko dekha jo use hi ghoor rahe the.

Veer : Aur, tum dono kuchh bataane se rahe, right?

Renshu : Samay aane par wo bhi pata chal jaayega, Veer. Aakhir ab lagbhag sab kuchh hi to saamne rakh diya hai.

Veer (nods) : Hmm!

Veer fir aage badh Ava ke paas pahucha.

Veer : I'm sorry. Mujhe abhi jaana hoga. Tumhe rest lene ki zaroorat hai. Uske baad I promise... Tum mere saath chal sakti ho. Agar, tum chalna chaaho toh-

Kehte hue wo muda.

Veer : Take care of her for me.

Garofano : Tum kaha chal diye?

Veer : Mein kuchh din busy rahunga. Tum sab filhal jaha rukna chaaho waha ruk sakte ho. I will arrange things for you later.

Renshu : Hmm!

Aur, itna bol wo wapas hospital ki orr nikal gaya. Ava, Erica aur Garofano teeno use door se bas jaata hua dekhti rahi.

Uske jaate hi Garofano ne Renshu ko dekha aur uske haav-bhaav badal gaye.

Garofano : Come with me. I want to talk.

Renshu : Hmm? Kya hua?

Garofano (frowns) : Uss Dexter ka past dekha maine.

Renshu : Huh?? Kab?

Garofano : Veer ke aane se kuchh derr pehle.

Renshu : Kuchh mila?

Garofano (nods) : Hmm!

Renshu : Toh abhi jab Veer yahi tha tab kyu nahi bataaya?

Garofano : Are you dumb? Woh pehle hi itni pareshani me hai. He's already occupied. Use abhi aur unnecessary information dene ki zaroorat nahi hai. Let him rest for a while.

Renshu : Theek hai! Theek hai! Lead the way.

Aur, Garofano Renshu se baat karne ke liye thoda aage badh gayi.

---

Idhar hospital ke andar jaate-jaate Veer ke mann me uthal-puthal machi hui thi. Dada ji ko khone ke baad uske andar kayi saare sawaal system ko lekar paida ho chuke the.

'Pari!'

[Yes, master?]

'Tumne kaha ki system ki ability hoti hai.'

[Hmm! System ke assistant yaani ki humari bhi apni ability hoti hai, Master.]

'To iska matlab ye bhi hua ki jo Pari mujhse sabse pehle mili thi. Uski bhi koi na koi ability rahi hogi? Aur, uske baad waalo ki bhi?'

[Bilkul! Par, shayad lagta hai aapne kabhi bhi unka istemal hi nahi kiya. Ya ho sakta hai, unn Pariyo ne apni abilities ka use kiya ho, magar aapko na bataaya ho.]

'I see! Aur, ye mission ka kya Pari?'

[Mission? Kya hua mission ko?]

'System ne mujhe iss baar aisa mission kyu diya ki kisi ki jaan daanv par thi? Kisi mere apne ki. Kya ab system logo ki jaano ko control me rakhega?'

[System ne jo kuchh bhi kiya woh sahi tha, master.]

'Huh?'

[Aap ek samay par do alag-alag jagah nahi ho sakte, master. Disembowler se fight aur Prestige par humla. Ye dono events simultaneously nahi hue. Ek saath hue the.]

'...'

[Agar, aap Juhi aur Pihu ko bachaane nahi jaate to shayad aap prestige me bhale hi sabhi ko bacha lete, magar bechari Juhi aur Pihu apni jaane gawa deti.]

'!!?'

[Aur, agar aap Juhi aur Pihu ko bachaane gaye to 100% kisi na kisi ki jaan prestige me jaani hi thi.]

'K-Kyu-!?'

[Isliye, system ne aapko ek choice di, master. Aapke dada ji, yaha tak ki Ragini ki death bhi nishchit hi thi.]

'Wh-What!?'

[Lekin, system ne ise bhi aapke liye ek trade me badla. Ek fair trade. Jaan ke badle jaan. Agar, aap maut ke muh me jaa chuke apne dada ji aur Ragini ko bachaana chaahte the, to uske badle me Disembowler ki jaan zaroori thi. Aur, tabhi mission complete hota aur tabhi aap har kisi ko bachaane me qamyab hote.]

'Par-'

[System humesha aapke bhale ke liye hi kaam karta hai, master. Trust me.]

'Aur, wo... Wo Probability Manipulation ke waqt... Wo Pihu par kaise kaam kar gaya?'

[Good question. Probability Manipulation aapke luck ko suddenly change karta hai, Master. Koi bhi lethal blow, jo aapko lagne ke liye aayega, use 3 baar change kar sakta hai.]

'I know that.'

[Jab Pihu aapke peeth se latki hui thi. To kahi na na kahi 'Probability Manipulation' ke card ne use aapke khud ke ang ki tarah hi treat kiya tha. Isliye, Pihu Disembowler ke humle se bach paayi.]

'To uss samay kiski probability change hui, Pari? Meri ya fir Pihu ki?'

[Definitely aapki!]

'What? Par, Pihu toh-!'

'Pihu akhir latki to aapki hi peeth par thi na, master? Aapki probability change hui to ho sakta hai usi waqt Pihu ki pakad aapki uss shirt par slippery ho gayi ho? Aur, wo neeche fisal gayi?'

'Ah! To iss wajah se-!?'

[Hmm! Par, Disembowler ne ye turant hi catch kar liya tha, Master ki aap probability manipulation ka use kar rahe ho. Halanki, ye baat to use bhi pata nahi hogi ki Probability manipulation iss tarah se kisi aur insaan ke hit me bhi kaam kar sakta hai agar wo insaan aap ke saath juda hai toh. Aapke case me wo Pihu thi. It's like a hack. Ise yaad rakhiyega, Master.]

'I see! Mein yaad rakhunga.'

Mann hi mann sochte hue wo hospital ke andar chala gaya.

***

Hospital - 11:10 PM ~

Andhera. Khamoshi. Bas yahi do cheezein mujhe mehsoos ho rahi thi. Mein nahi jaanti thi mein kaha par thi. Mere ang...!? Mein unhe bhi mehsoos nahi kar paa rahi thi. Sab kuchh... Ekdum shoonya.

Aisa lag raha tha mein kisi gehre andhkaar se bhare samundar me terr rahi hu. Par, mera mann zinda tha. Wo soch paa raha tha.

Aur, tabhi kuchh puraane ateet ke drishya mere saamne daudne lage.

---

Mein humesha se hi ek hoshiyar bacchi thi. Papa kehte the ki meri aankhon me kisi aise vyakti ki chamak hai jo leader banane ke liye bana ho. Mummy ne mujhe kabhi apne upar doubt nahi karne diya. Mein jo bhi puruskaar ghar laati, har trophy, har chhoti jeet — ek tyohaar ki tarah manaaya jaata.

Mere bhi apne sapne the. Bade-bade. Lekin, sirf apne liye nahi — uss parivar ke liye bhi jiska mein ek din hissa banane waali thi.

Fir, college aaya aur fir... Vivek.

Wo charming tha. Ambitious aur confident bhi.

Usne mujhe aisa mehsoos karaaya jaise mein uski duniya thi. Aur, jab usne mujhe propose kiya, to maine bhi bina zyada kuchh soche-samjhe haan keh diya.

Mujhe uspe vishvas tha. Aur, wo mujhe pasand bhi tha.

Samay guzra. Maine uss parivar me shaadi ki... Aur, mein uss ghar me pyaar se apne bhare dil ke saath aur apne sapne liye chali gayi.

Magar, mujhe nahi pata tha ki mein uss yuddh kshetra me jaa rahi thi jaha ladaayi bhale hi zyada na ho, lekin zakhm gehre hote the.

---

Mujhe apni shaadi ke baad ka woh pehla din aaj bhi achhi tarah se yaad hai.

Mein muskurate hue living room me pravesh ki, chaaro orr dekhi, iss naye ghar ko apnaane ke liye khud ko samjha rahi thi. Aur, fir meri nazrein uss par gayi — Veer.

Kone ki kursi par baitha, shirt-jeans pehne, uski aankhein zameen par tiki hui thi. Saare reeti rivaazo ke baad mein muskuraate hue uske paas gayi.

"Hi, Veer!"

Maine dheere se use awaaz di. Lekin, usne meri taraf nahi dekha. Apna sirr bhi nahi uthaaya.

Bas halke se sarr hilaaya, jaise lagbhag maafi maang raha ho, jaise maano meri awaaz pehle se hi uske liye kisi bojh samaan thi.

Maine fir koshish ki, "Tumhe mujhse sharmaane ki zaroorat nahi hai. Ab toh mein tumhari bhabhi hu. Aur, bhabhi aur devar to achhe dost hote hai na?"

Fir bhi koi jawab nahi. Wo achanak utha aur kamre se baahar chala gaya, uske qadam tez the, lagbhag hatasha se bhare.

Mein wahi khadi reh gayi. Uljhan me. Sharminda. Ye kya hua? Kya mujhse koi galti ho gayi? Nahi!

Maine khud ko samjhaaya. Shayad wo bas sharmeela hai. Kabhi na kabhi ye sharm khatam ho hi jaayegi. Aur, wo zaroor ek na ek din mujhse aake baat karega.

Lekin...

Aisa kabhi na hua.

---

Din beetate gaye. Hafte guzarte gaye.

Har baar jab mein uss se baat karne ki koshish karti, to wo mujhe aise taalta jaise mein koi aag thi aur wo koi raakh.

Maine kuchh baatein notice ki. Woh kabhi meri aankhon se aankhein nahi milaata. Humaare saath kabhi bhi khaane ke liye saath nahi baithata.

Agar, sanyogvash mein aur wo kabhi kisi kamre me akele hote to wo koi na koi bahaana dhundh leta — koi bhi bahaana — waha se jaane ke liye.

Aur, fir... Mujhe samajh me aane laga.

Taane. Bebaak tippaniya.

Vivek, uske pita Brijesh, uska chhota bhai Pranjal — ve sab aisi baatein kehte jo resham me lipti hui suiyon ki tarah use chubhti.

"Kya tumhe sach me lagta hai wo kuchh paane ka haqdaar hai? Zara gaur se dekho use, Ragini. He doesn't deserve anything. Dada ji ko jald hi ehsaas ho jaayega ki Veer koi sahi vikalp nahi."

Pehle to mein virodh karti thi.

"Vivek, ye theek nahi hai. Wo bhi parivaar ka ek sadasya hai. Tum sab uske saath aise pesh aate ho jaise wo koi baahri vyakti ho."

Lekin, Vivek... Uske paas humesha shabdo ko istemaal karne ka ek alag hi andaaz hota tha.

"Ragini, suno. Hum use nuksaan thodi pahucha rahe hai, dear. Hum to sirf samajhdari se kaam le rahe hai. Sampatti usi ki hogi jo Dada ji ka bharosa jeetega. Ghar me cheezein aise hi chalti hai. Ye koi apraadh thodi hai. Agar, Veer chaahe to wo bhi iss daud me hissa lele. Kisi ne mana thodi kiya hai."

Aur, mein... Maine uski baaton par dheere-dheere vishvaas karna shuru kar diya.

Mein jawaan thi. Shaadi-shuda thi. Aur, pyaar me thi.

Woh mera haath thaamta, meri aankhon me dekhta aur kehta — "Khud ko unn cheezon me shaamil mat karo jo tumhe chinta me daalti hai, dear. Humaare future par dhyaan do. Just you and me. Right?"

Aur, shayad isliye... Mera dhyaan Veer par jaana band ho gaya.

Isliye nahi ki mein uss se nafrat karti thi.
Isliye nahi ki mujhe uski parvah nahi thi.
Balki, isliye ki mein kisi aur ke sahi hone par uss par vishvas karne me vyast thi.

Mein ghar ke kaamo, social events, business dinners ki uljhan me fass gayi, aur kahi na kahi uss dhundh me... Wo ladka jo humesha se khud ko humse door rakhta tha aur meri nazro se bachta tha, uss ghar ke kisi dhare hue furniture ke samaan ho gaya. Uski value bas utni hi thi.

Aur, fir woh raat aayi.

---

Mein use kabhi nahi bhool sakti.

Uss raat Pranjal ki wo ghinauni chaal. Kaise Veer ko Brijesh ji ki krodh ki seema tak pahuchaaya gaya aur kaise use ghar se baahar nikaala gaya.

Uss raat mausam bhi kharab tha. Mera dil andar hi andar dahal utha tha. Par, Vivek khush tha.

"Chalo! Chala gaya woh. Ek chapter khatam hua."

"V-Vivek tum-!"

"Dekho, Ragini. Mein jaanta hu tum kya bolne waali hu. Par, meri baat samjho. Use yaha se jaana hi tha. Aaj nahi to kal. Uski harqate dekho tum. Tau ji aur kitna bardasht karte ab? Aur, agar sach kahu? Toh yahi uske liye achha tha."

"Vivek tum sab pagal ho gaye ho kya? Y-Ye... Ye bahut zyada tha. Kaha jaayega woh? Baahar mausam dekha hai. Andhad chal rahi hai."

"Uff oh!! Ragini. Arey apne kisi dost ke paas chala jaayega. Aur, tumhe itni hi chinta hai toh mein kal jaa ke uske rehne ka bandobast kar aaunga, theek hai?"

"S-Sach?"

"Sacchi dear. I love you."

Par, mere mann me ek sawaal khatakta reh gaya. Kya uske koi dost the bhi? Mera dil ab bhi nahi maan raha tha.

"Ab meri kasam khao ki tum chup-chaap jaa ke ab so jaogi."

"K-Kyaaaaa???"

"Haan!"

"M-Mein-!"

Nahi! Veer ko iss tarah se ghar se nikaalne ke baad mein chenn ki neend kaise so sakti thi?

"Kasam khao, Ragini."

"N-Nahi, mein- tum... Tum fiqr mat karo. Mein kahi nahi jaungi. Mein so jaungi."

"Hmm! Theek hai. I love you, okay?"

"Mmm!"

Raat me mein bistar se uthi. Mere perr apne aap chalne lage. Maine khud ko humaare ghar ke ek chhote se mandir ke saamne khada paaya.

Chaand ki raushni me bhagwan ji ki peetal ki moortiyaan mand-mand chamak rahi thi. Maine haath jod kar aankhein band ki.

Aur, saalo me pehli baar... Maine safalta ke liye nahi, samriddhi ke liye nahi, yaha tak ki pyaar ke liye bhi nahi.

Maine uske liye praarthna ki — Veer ke liye.

"Hey bhagwan! Wo jaha bhi ho... Use bas surakshit rakhna."

"Woh iske laayak nahi tha. Ab mujhe iska ehsaas ho gaya hai. Nahi! Mujhe humesha se hi iska ehsaas tha, hai na? Lekin, maine ise hone diya. Maine apna muh fer liya."

"Maine Vivek ko jhooth aur aadhe-adhoore sach se apne kaan bharne diye, tab tak jab tak mein apni antar-aatma ki awaaz bhi sunn paane me naqamyab hone lagi."

"Aap jaante hai bhagwan ji, kayi baar maine use chup-chaap baithe *sniff* koi puraani kitaabein padhte *sniff* to kabhi use rote hue dekha hai. Mujhe har baar lagta ki mein uske paas jau... *sniff* Waha rahu. Bas uss se puchhu ki kaisa hai woh."

"Lekin, maine kabhi aisa nahi kiya. Har baar sochti ki... Mein kal karungi. Aur, wo kal kabhi nahi aaya."

Maine apni aankhein kholi. Aansuon ne mere saamne bhagwan ji ki moortiyon ko dhundhla kar diya.

"Mujhe maaf kar dena bhagwan! *sniff*"

"Jab mujhe uske liye khada hona chaahiye tha, tab khada na hone ke liye mujhe maaf karna."

"Mein selfish nahi thi... Pehle to nahi. Lekin, mein aisi bann gayi. Apni khud ki awaaz sunane ki bajaaye, mein Vivek ke behkaave me aa gayi."

"Bas use kuchh mat hone dena... *sniff*"

Mein haath jod wapas se jab apne kamre ke liye jaane lagi to paaya ki Arohi aur Kavya ke kamre ki light jali hui thi. Mein uss orr badhi.

Darwaza khula hua tha. Maine use dhakela to dekha ki meri sasu maa — Sumitra, Arohi aur Kavya ko behlaane me lagi hui thi.

Mein andar daakhil hui.

"Kya hua?"

Par, mujhe jawaab milne se pehle hi meri nazre Arohi ke gaal ki orr gayi jo ekdum chatak laal ho rakha tha.

"Kya hua ye? Arohi???"

Arohi ne muh fer liya. Magar, sasu maa ne mera haath thaam mujhe wahi baitha liya. Kavya unse lipat kar subak rahi thi.

"Inhone haath utha diya."

Bas. Unhone itna hi kaha.

"Arohi sawal jawab kar rahi thi unse ki Veer ke saath ye sab kyu kiya gaya. Isko shak hai ki iske bhaiya logo ne milke Veer ko nikalwaya hai. To ye apne papa ke paas gayi aur wahi par unhe gussa aa gaya aur-"

Mein chup thi.

"Papa gande hai. *sniff* N-Na dii ki baat suni... *sniff* Na meri... Aur, dii ko to maar bhi diya."

Ye sab kya ho raha tha iss ghar me? Maine Arohi ko apne seene se lagaaya. Wo chup thi. Ekdum khamosh. Ab sasu maa ko kaise mein batau ki Arohi ekdum sahi keh rahi thi. Lekin, darr ne mujhe maun bana diya. Aur, ek baar fir-

Mere honth nahi khul paaye.

---

Yaadein dhundhli ho jaati hai. Lekin, dard bana rehta hai.

Mujhe lagta hai... Apni achet avastha me bhi, mujhe pata tha ki mera ek hissa abhi bhi uss mandir ke saamne ghutne tek raha tha, haath jode hue, uss maafi ki prateeksha kar raha tha jise vyaktigat roop se maangne ka saahas mujhme kabhi hua hi nahi.

***

*Beep* *Beep* *Beep*

Mujhe ek shor sunaayi diya. Aur, uss shor ne mujhe aankhein kholne par majboor kar diya. Saamne ceiling ka nazaara tha. Raushni halki thi.

'Ye mein kaha hu?'

Aur, fir maine dekha. Mere bagal se lagi machines. Mera haatho se judi IV lines aur baaki naliyaan. Mera ek perr hawa me kisi sahaare ke zariye utha hua tha. Ang bhaari mehsoos ho rahe the. Gala sookh raha tha.

Maine palke jhapkayi, ek baar... do baar... Dhyaan kendrit karne ki koshish karte hue, yaad karne ki koshish karte hue.

Hospital. Apne aap mere mann me shabd aa gaya. Fir, meri nazar kahi aur gayi. Kamre ke theek baahar.

'Huh?'

Aur, fir maine use dekha.

Vivek!

Ye wo akhiri chehra tha jise mein hosh aane par shayad hi dekhna chaahti thi. Par, badqismat thi ye meri ki wo mere saamne khidki ke uss orr hi tha. Aur, jaise usne mujhe hosh me aate bhi dekh hi liya. Wo achanak hi andar aaya-

"Tum-" Meri awaaz fus-fusahat ki tarah nikli, fati hui aur tooti hui. "Tum yahaan? K-Kyu?"

Wo hairan dikh raha tha. "M-Mein bas dekhne aaya tha ki tum theek ho ya nahi."

Maine uthne ki koshish ki, lekin dard bijli ki tarah mere perr se hoke guzra. Mein dard se karaah ke reh gayi.

"Uh huh! Nahi!" Usne jaldi se meri orr badhte hue kaha aur wo mujhe pakadne hi waala tha jab maine-

Use haath dikha ke wahi rok diya. Aur, wapas se lait gayi. Kyu aaya tha ab ye yaha? Kis baat ki parvah?

"N-Nurse kaha hai? Exactly kya hua hai?" Mein apne hosh me thi. Mujhe yaad tha ki hotel me kya hua tha. Magar, uske baad ka sab kuchh dhundhla tha.

Kintu, mere sawaal par usne muh ferr liya.

"K-Kya hua tha?"

Uske honth kass gaye. Ek pal ke liye, mujhe laga ki wo baat nahi karega. Lekin, nahi-

"Nurse aa rahi hai. Humle ke waqt tumhe goli lagi thi. Doctors ne poori koshish ki. Unhone tumhe bacha bhi liya. P-Par-"

"P-Par? Par kya?" Mere dil ki dhadkane tez ho gayi.

"T-Tumhara perr... Firse pehle jaisa nahi rahega."

Meri saans atak ke reh gayi.

"M-Matlab?"

Wo jhijhka. Fir chup-chaap lagbhag kisi vichaar ke baad : "T-Tum ab pehle ki tarah nahi chal paogi."

Mere liye waqt jaise wahi tham gaya. Maine palke jhapkayi. Apne perr ko dekha. Ek kambal ke neeche tha. Aur, ek upar hawa me. Ek sust bhaaripann. Ek bejaan wazan.

"...oh..."

Bas, itna hi mein bol paayi.

Koi aansu nahi. Koi cheenkh nahi. Bas... Sannaata.

Mein apne perro ko hi dekhti rahi. Yaani mein apahij ho chuki thi? Ab mein pehle ki tarah nahi chal sakti? Pata nahi kyu par mujhe utna bada jhatka nahi laga.

Shayad iska asar mujhe par baad me padne waala tha. Maine use dekha.

"T-Tum yahaan kyu?"

"Maine bataaya toh-" Usne budbudaya. "Bas tumhe dekhne aaya tha."

"How generous of you."

Iss awastha me bhi maine ek tanj kasa. Wo kuchh na bola. Darwaza ek baar fir khula. Koi andar aaya. Aur, jaise hi mein mudi-

'Huhhh!?'

Mere dil ne jaise ek dhadkan phaand li.

Veer.

Maine dekha ki kaise wo darwaaze ki dehleez par hi ruk gaya, aankhein kamre ko scan kar rahi thi, fir mujh par tiki... Aur, fir uss par... Vivek.

Veer ke chehre par aayi halki si jhalak ne mujhe sab kuchh bata diya.

Usne hume ek saath dekh liya.

Maine nazrein ferr li. Pata nahi kyu par mein uski aankhon se aankhein nahi mila paayi.

"A-Aapko hosh aa gaya!? Theek ho na?" Uski awaaz komal thi. Bahut komal. Jaise maano mein koi naazuk si cheez thi. Koi kaanch ki gudiya. Jiska ang toota hua tha.

Maine bas haan me sirr hilaaya.

"M-Mein tumse baad me milta hu. Dhyaan rakhna apna."

Vivek itna kehte hue waha se nikal gaya. Aur, uske jaate hi-

"Woh yaha!? Woh yaha kyu the?" Veer ne mujhse sawaal kiya.

Maine apni nazar apne perro par tikaayi rakhi aur boli, "Woh yaha tha... Mere liye."

Pata nahi kyu, par maine ye jaan-boojh kar iss tarah kaha. Aur, apni aankhon ke kone se uski pratikriya dekhne lagi.

Uski saans me achanak se sookshm badlaav aaya. Maine dekha. Uske chehre ke haav-bhaav bahut kuchh keh gaye. Aur, mujhe ek ajeeb si santushti praapt hui. Kya wo jealous feel kar raha tha? Iss waqt? Mere liye?

"T-Tum theek ho jaogi, Ragini. Don't worry." Usne kaha. "Tumhe bas araam ki zaroorat hai aur bas-"

"Don't!!!" Maine zorr se kaha.

Vivek ke jaate hi uska 'aap' 'tum' me badal chuka tha. Lekin, maine use daant diya.

Wo avaak reh gaya. "K-Kya?"

"Mujhe pehle se hi pata hai," Maine jhatse kaha. "Mein ab apahij ho chuki hu. Jhoothi dilaasa dene ki koshish mat karo, Veer!!!"

Woh chaunk kar mere qareeb aaya, "Tumhe kisne-!?"

"Vivek ne mujhe bataaya," Maine apni awaaz me kampan ko dabaate hue kaha.

Uska chehra turant sakht ho gaya. "K-Kya? Unhone kya-??? Tum abhi-abhi surgery se baahar aayi aur unhone- tch-!!! How dare he-!"

"Don't!" Maine ab aur zorr se gurraate hue kaha. "Don't go acting like you suddenly care."

Wo ruka. "Kya matlab?"

"Tum naraaz ho ki usne mujhe sach bataaya? KYU??? Jab ye sab hua tab tum yaha the bhi nahi!!!" Meri awaaz fatt gayi. "KAHA THE TUM, VEER??? Kaha the tum jab MUJHE... hum sab ko tumhari sabse zyada zaroorat thi???"

"Mein-"

"Nahi-" Maine fir se use beech me roka. "Mujhe reasons mat do. Maine tumhara intezar kiya. *sniff* Jab maine tumhe apna pyaar dikhaaya to tumne mujhe chup rehne diya. Jab maine tumhare liye prem ke darwaaze khole to tumne unhe aadha band rakha. Aur, ab — ab jab mein pehle ki tarah nahi chal sakti — toh tum yahaan ho!?"

Usne sarr neeche kar liya. Ekdum chup.

Mein thoda hasi. "Kya isliye tum yaha ho? Haan? Out of guilt? Ya fir sympathy? Kyunki, agar yahi reason hai, Veer... Toh mujhe ye nahi chaahiye!"

"Ragini! *frowns* Tum jaanti ho ki aisa nahi hai. Tum jaanti ho ki ye sach nahi hai."

"Kya waqai?" Maine jhatse kaha. "Kyunki, lag to aisa hi raha hai, Veer!"

Uski aankhon me kuchh jhil-milaaya. Dard. Asli dard. Lekin, mein ruki nahi.

"Tum isliye naraaz ho ki Vivek yaha tha? Isliye, ki usne mujhe sach bataaya? KYU??? Isliye ki tumne mujhe apnaane me bahut derr kar di? Ya isliye ki ab tum mujhe khone se darr rahe ho... Uske haatho???"

Uski mutthiyaan bheench gayi.

"YOU ARE NOT GOING BACK TO HIM!"

Mere prashn se jaise uski nass par chot lagi.

"Oh? Aur, tum itna yakeen ke saath kaise keh sakte ho? Ho sakta hai ki usne mujhe ek baar dhoka diya ho, lekin kam se kam jab mein hosh me aayi to woh yaha tha."

Kamre me ek sannaata chhaa gaya.

Usne meri taraf badi-badi aankhon se dekha. Darr. Asli darr. Mere perr ke liye nahi.

Mere liye.

Aur, maine ye dekha.

Wo Veer Singh — jisne kabhi kisi aurat ko nahi khoya tha apne jeevan me — aaj pehli baar kisi aurat ko khone se darr raha tha.

Aur, woh aurat thi — mein.

Lekin, mein use asaani se nahi chhorne waali thi. Abhi nahi. Use mehsoos hona chaahiye. Use dard hona chaahiye. Jaise maine mehsoos kiya tha. Mein jaanti thi ye galat hai. Par, ab mujhpe mera control nahi tha.

Woh chup-chaap khada raha. Aur, fir ek pal ke liye... Mujhe apne aap par hi thodi ghin aayi ki uss lamhe me mein apne aap ko shaktishali mehsoos kar rahi thi.

Mujhe apne upar gussa aa raha tha ki kahi na kahi mein abhi bhi use usi tarah chot pahuchaana chaah rahi thi jaise usne mujhe pahuchaayi thi.

"Kya hua? Ab kyu nahi bol rahe, Veer?" Maine fus-fusaate hue kaha, ab thoda naram, fir bhi mere shabdo me zeher bhara hua tha. "Ya fir tum firse kahi gaayab ho jaoge? Jaise humesha hote ho?"

Usne apna muh khola, fir band kar liya. Uske chehre ki maanspeshiyaan fadakne lagi. Use samajh nahi aa raha tha ki use mujhe samjhaana chaahiye, maafi maangni chaahiye, ya fir jawaab dena chaahiye.

Akhirkar, usne kaha, "Ragini! Mujhe pata nahi tha ki tumhara saamna kaise karna hai... Itna sab ho jaane ke baad... Mujhe nahi lagta ki mujhe tumhare saamne bhi hona chaahiye...! I failed you, Ragini."

"Aur, fir bhi tum yaha ho." Maine uphaas me kaha.

"Kyunki, mein tumse door bhi nahi reh sakta."

*Badump*

Aur, iss baar- meri dhadkane tez ho gayi. Ye imaandaari thi. Mein ise mehsoos kar paa rahi thi. Lekin, ab? Itne lambe samay ki chuppi ke baad? Yahi imaandaari tab kaha thi?

"Ab jab mein toot chuki hu toh tumhe lagta hai... Mein tumhe accept kar lungi? Just because you're standing here with a guilty conscience?"

Usne apna ek qadam aage badhaaya, lekin maine apna haath upar utha diya.

"Don't!" Maine kaha, meri awaaz kaanp rahi thi. "Kareeb mat aao. Tab tak nahi jab tak ki mujhe pata na ho ki tum yaha mere liye ho... Ya fir apni khud ki galti sudhaarne ke liye."

Uski aankhein jhuk gayi, glaani use kisi zung ki tarah khaaye jaa rahi thi.

"Kya tumhe pata bhi hai?" Maine firse awaaz oonchi karte hue kaha, "Kaisa mehsoos hota hai? Mujhe to apni haalat par bhi gussa nahi aa raha. Mujhe tum par gussa aa raha hai. Tumhare liye mujhe sawaalo ke ghere me chhorna kitna asaan tha. Mere saath sona aur kabhi ek shabd bhi nahi kehna ki mein tumhare liye kya maayne rakhti hu. Humara future kuchh hai bhi ya nahi. Bas wait wait aur sirf wait...!"

Ek tez saans. Uske haath firse mutthi me bandh gaye.

"M-Mein darrta tha." Woh badbadaya.

"Toh mein bhi darrti thi." Maine bhi tapaak se kaha. "Harr din. Harr raat. Mein darrti thi. Tumhari life me bas ek aur aurat bann kar reh jaane se darrti thi. Lekin, fir bhi maine wait kiya. Aur, fir bhi maine harr baar tumhe hi chuna. Aur, tum... *sniff* Tum mujhe jawaab tak nahi de sake."

Aisa lag raha tha ki woh kuchh kehna chaahta tha, lekin meri baat abhi poori nahi hui thi.

"Aur, ab kyunki mein theek se chal nahi sakti, achanak tum meri parvah karna chaahte ho? Kya samajh rakha hai, tumne mujhe Veer? Ki ab jab mein helpless hu toh mein ab tumse lipat jaungi aur pyaar ki bheekh maangungi?"

"Aisa mat kaho, tum helpless nahi ho."

"Par, mein helpless feel karti hu, Veer!!!" Maine chillaate hue kaha. "Kyunki, mujhe nahi pata ki kis par vishvaas karna hai. Mujhe nahi pata ki ye — tumhari presence — pyaar hai, ya fir sympathy? Aur, agar ye sympathy hai, Veer... Abhi ke abhi baahar chale jao. JUST GO!!! Mein tumhari guilt ki wajah se tumhara haath thaamne ki bajaaye iss farsh par ek toote hue perr ke saath rengna pasand karungi."

Usne dheere-dheere humaare beech ki doori kam ki, aankhein meri aankhon se kabhi nahi hati.

"Mein yaha koi sympathy ke liye nahi hu." Usne kaha, uski awaaz kathor thi. "Mein yaha isliye hu kyunki, yaha na hone par meri saansein jeete jee ruk jaati."

*Badump*

Ek pal ke liye, mein uss par vishvas karna chaahti thi. Betaabi se. Lekin, mere andar ka ghaav bahut gehra tha.

"Ye tum ab keh rahe ho. Lekin, tumhare paas mauka tha Veer. Maine tumhe kitne mauke diye. Kitna kuchh diya."

Usne sirr haan me hilaaya. Koi virodh nahi. Koi bahaana nahi. Koi bachaav nahi.

"I know!" Usne kaha.

Hum chup rahe. Gusse se aur itna bolne se meri saans fool rahi thi. Machines ki beep-beep background me ab bhi shor kar rahi thi. Lekin, mein keval apne seene ke andar chal rahi tez dhadkano ko sunn paa rahi thi.

"I need time, Veer." Maine akhirkar kaha, ab awaaz dheemi ho gayi thi. "Mujhe time chaahiye. Nahi! Mere perr ki wajah se nahi. Na hi hospital me rehne ke liye. But because you broke something in me... long before this bullet ever did."

"I'll wait!" Usne fusfusaya.

"Answer ka wait mat karo, Veer. Mere firse tum par bharosa karne ka intezar karo."

Aur, bas aise maine apna chehra dusri orr ghuma liya. Mein nahi chaahti thi ki woh mere gaal par beh rahe aasuon ko aur bhi dekhe.

Mein nahi chaahti thi ki use pata chale... ki mere andar ka ek hissa uske liye abhi bhi jalta hai.

Maine aankhon ke kono se use dekha. Aur, dekhte hi mera dil dahal gaya. Uske gaalo par se mote-mote aasu beh rahe the. Hontho par udaasi bhari muskaan thi.

Kamre me tanaav itna zyada tha ki mein mushqil se saans le paa rahi thi. Veer wahi khada tha, uske chehre par laalsa aur saiyyam ka mishran tha, maano woh kuchh aur kehna chaahta ho — lekin use nahi pata tha ki kaise.

Lekin, iss se pehle ki hum dono me se koi kuchh aur bol paata, darwaza khul gaya.

"Chaliye!" Nurse andar aayi, uski awaaz me aadesh tha. "Chaliye, jaaiye ab. Bahut derr baat kar li na. Patient ke sone ka time ho gaya hai."

Veer ka sarr tezi se ghoom gaya. "Bas, ek minute, mein-"

"Koi ek minute, do minute nahi." Usne dridhta se kaha. "Aap shaam se yahi ho. Aapko bhi araam ki zaroorat hai. Agar aapko pateint ki itni hi parvah hai toh unhe araam karne dijiye. Chaliye! Baad me wapas aaiyega."

Veer ne meri taraf dekha. Par, maine nazre nahi milaayi.

Jab wo hich-kichaaya to mere seene me ek ajeeb sa dard utha — jaise wo chaahta tha ki mein nurse ko rok du. Kuchh kahu. Use rokne ke liye kahu.

Lekin, maine aisa nahi kiya. Mein nahi kar sakti thi.

Woh kuchh pal aur ruka, fir palta aur baahar chala gaya. Darwaaza band hone ki awaaz iss baar kuchh zyada hi zorr se sunaayi di.

Aur, achanak ye khamoshi asahneeya ho gayi.

Maine apni ungliyon ke neeche chaadar ko kass liya, aur apne hontho ko aapas me dabaate hue unhe kaanpne se roka. Mujhe nahi pata tha ki mein aisa kyu mehsoos kar rahi thi. Kyu uski gerr-maujoodgi ne kamre ko pehle se aur bhi thanda kar diya tha???

Nurse meri nabzo ki jaanch karne ke liye mere paas aayi. Maine use ek pal ke liye dekha, fir akhirkar poochh hi liya, "A-Aapne kaha wo shaam se yaha tha!?"

Woh muskurayi, IV line ko adjust karte hue, "Haan, shaam hi se toh hai yaha. Medicines abhi wahi laa ke diye the."

Mere honth thar-thara uthe. Iska matlab... Veer shaam se hi mere paas tha? Aur, mein soch rahi thi ki woh Vivek ke baad mujhe dekhne aaya!? Mein-

Ek aasu apne aap mere gaalo se behte hue neeche gir gaya.

Mein ab tak nazar-andaaz kar rahi thi. Par, maine dekha tha. Uske chehre par ghaav the. Kya hua tha? Wo chotil kyu tha? Mein uss se poochhna chaahti thi. Magar, mere ego ne mujhe ye karne na diya.

"W-Woh... theek toh hai na?" Maine nurse se hi poochha, koshish karte hue ki mujhe uski parvah nahi thi.

"Hmm? Haan! Tension me the. Dare hue the thode. Har thodi derr me aapko check karne aate the."

Mere honth fadakne lage. Mein aur sawal karna chaahti thi, lekin saath hi betaab bhi nahi dikhna chaahti thi.

"Thank you!" Maine dheere se kaha. "K-Kya koi aur bhi aaya tha? Mujhe dekhne?"

"Hmm? Aapke mata-pita aaye the. Din me. Par, shaam ke baad se koi nahi aaya siwae mister Veer ke."

Maine saans chhori. Seene me ek ajeeb si bhaavna panap rahi thi jiske baare me mein nahi jaanti thi.

Aur, nurse ke jaate hi mein wahi lait ke sone ki koshish karne lagi. Par, woh nurse ek aur nurse se baat kar rahi thi aur uski kuchh baatein mere dimaag me mandraane lagi.

"Bechaari ko abhi pata hi nahi hai."

"Haan na! Ab abhi kaise koi bata sakta hai. Perr waise hi bekaar ho gaya aur upar se wo khabar alag... Baad me pata lagega aur kya."

"Hmm! Iss condition me na hi bataaye to behtar hai."

"Haan!"

Khabar? Kaun si khabar? Mera perr kharab hone ke alawa aur kaun si khabar thi jis se mein vanchit thi?

Mein raat bhar isi baare me sochti rahi. Par, dawaiyo ke chalte mein kab behoshi me chali gayi, mujhe pata hi na laga.

---

Day 2 ~

Agli subah jaise hi meri aankh khuli, kuchh hi derr me mom dad bhi aa gaye.

"Ohh meri bacchi!!" Mummy subakte hue mere qareeb aayi. "Tumhe hosh aa gaya."

Mujhe galey se lagaate hue wo rone lagi. Papa ne bas kass kar mera haath thaam liya. Kuchh derr tak kuchh nahi bole, unki khamoshi shabdo se kahi zyada keh rahi thi.

"Abhi kaisa lag raha hai beta?" Unhone poochha.

"Abhi theek lag raha hai papa."

Unhone haami bhari.

"Kya aap log yaha raat bhar ruke the?"

"Mein ruka tha. Tumhari mummy kuchh khaayi pii nahi thi to Veer unhe ghar raat me chhor aaya tha. Unhe khaana khila ke fir wo raat me mere saath hi yaha ruka tha."

"W-Wo ruka tha?"

"Haan! Fir abhi subah mein ghar gaya, fresh hua aur abhi aaya. Ab wo gaya hai ghar. Maine use bhej diya. Bechaara subah se itni bhaag daud kar raha tha. Itni badi ghar me traasdi ho gayi uske bawajood wo yaha tha-"

"Traasdi? A-Aur kya hua?"

"Arey haan! Tumhe to pata hi nahi hoga."

Maine naa me sarr hilaaya.

"Woh beta-!" Unhone kehna shuru kiya ki mummy ne unka haath pakad liya aur unhe ishaaro me kuchh kehne lagi.

"K-Kya? Kya chhipa rahe ho aap log mujhse? Kal nurse bhi keh rahi thi ki bechaari ko kuchh pata hi nahi hai. Please mummy! Bataiye. Mujhe ab aur bechaini ho rahi hai."

Mere aagrah karne par akhirkar mummy maan hi gayi. Aur, fir papa ne dheere se kaha.

"Beta woh... Manorath ji... Woh chal basey."

Sunte hi maano mere kaan sunn pad gaye. Dada ji... Chal basey? Apne aap hi meri aankhon se aasu beh chale.

Mujhe kal ki wo baatein yaad aa gayi. Wo khari khoti jo maine Veer ko sunaayi thi. Woh kitna prem karta tha apne dada ji se. Kal uski kya haalat rahi hogi? Uske bawajood... Woh yaha mere paas...!!

"Sab kuchh shaam me wahi to karwaya tha. Koi takleef nahi hone di usne hum dono ko. Har kaam uth ke kar deta tha. Par, bhale hi woh bhi kitna hi jawaan kyu na ho, thakaan to ho hi gayi hogi. Isliye, humne use bhej diya."

Meri aankhein bhar aayi, lekin maine jaldi se palke jhapkayi.

Wo ab ye sab kyu kar raha tha?

Jab mein darwaaze par khade reh ke uska intezar karti thi, tab wo kaha tha? Jab mein uss se jawaab maangti thi, tab wo kaha tha?

Aur, ab jab wo mere paas abhi nahi hai... To mera dil kyu ro raha hai?

Jab wo Vivek se jal raha tha toh mujhe achha kyu lag raha tha?

KYU???

Shayad mein kroor thi? Shayad mein andar se tooti hui bhi thi? Shayad mere andar ka koi hissa iss baat ko pasand kar raha tha ki... ki wo mujhe Vivek ke saath dekh ke jaley.

Aur, use iss tarah se mere liye desperate dekh, mere dil ki dhadkane tez kyu ho gayi thi?

Nahi. Ye sahi nahi tha.

Mujhe aisa nahi karna chaahiye tha. Mujhe use jealous feel karwaane ki koshish nahi karni chaahiye thi. Lekin... Mein koshish nahi kar rahi thi. Sach me nahi. Mere shabd, mere haav-bhaav — ve bas baahar aa gaye.

Mujhe khud se nafrat ho rahi thi ki mein iska aanand le rahi thi.

Maine apni aankhein band ki aur sarr takiye ke upar rakha.

"Veer..." Maine khamoshi me fusfusate hue kaha, "Agar tum sach me mujhe chaahte ho, to dehleez par khade rehna band kar do."

---

Day 3 ~

Darwaza charmara kar khula, aur kisi taazi cheez ki khushbu meri naak me ghusi. Thodi si meethi.

Apples.

Maine upar nahi dekha. Aur, mujhe dekhne ki zaroorat bhi nahi thi. Use mehsoos kar sakti thi mein.

"Pareshan hone ki koi zaroorat nahi hai. Mujhe bhookh nahi hai." Maine bina dekhe kaha.

Koi jawab nahi aaya. Bas tray ko table par rakhne ki halki si awaaz. Uske baithne ki awaaz. Plastic thaili ki sarsarahat jab wo bag khol raha tha.

Par, inn sab cheezon ke liye bahut derr ho chuki hai Veer.

"Tumhe lagta hai ki tum mujhe seb kaat ke doge aur sab theek ho jaayega?" Maine uski orr muh kiye bina hi budbudaya.

Uska haath ruka, lekin sirf ek second ke liye.

"Mein wo karne ki soch hi nahi raha jo tum soch rahi ho." Usne shaanti se kaha.

Mein akhirkar uski orr mudi. Woh thaka hua lag raha tha. Uski aankhon ke neeche kaalapann tha. Aur, ek pal ke liye mera dil paseej gaya. Dada ji ki mrityu... Ek kshan ke liye mein poochhna chaahti thi ki usne khaana khaaya? Kya usne theek se araam kiya?

Lekin... Lekin, mein ab wapas apne qadam peechhe nahi le sakti. Warna, mere itne kehne ka kya matlab?

Aur, isliye... Mein chup rahi aur seb ke tukdo ko ghoorti rahi jo usne mere bagal me napkin ke upar rakhe the.

Mujhe nafrat thi ki mera dil abhi bhi uske liye itna jal raha tha. Kyu??? Kya mein ek baar use uski hi tarah dard nahi de sakti?

"M-Mummy aur papa ne bataaya ki tum yahi the!? Poori raat?" Maine ek lambi chuppi ke baad kaha.

Usne koi jawaab nahi diya.

"Unhone bataaya ki tumne staff se bhi thoda jhagda kiya tha? Doctors se bhi. Wo meri nigraani theek se nahi rakh rahe the isliye!? Kya ye sach hai?"

Fir bhi koi jawaab na aaya.

"Kyu???"

Akhirkar, usne meri taraf dekha.

"Kyunki, mein ab tumhe khona nahi chaahta."

Ek pal ke liye meri saans ruk gayi. Bas ek pal. Maine dusri taraf dekha. Mushqil se galey me jama thook nigla.

"Toh fir... Jab mujhe tumhari sabse zyada zaroorat thi, tab tumne mujhe apne se door kyu dhakela tha?"

Iss sawaal par wo chup reh gaya.

Aur, seb... Achhoota reh gaya.

---

Day 4 ~

Mere aas-paas ki lagatar machines ki awaaz ab dheere-dheere kam hone lagi thi. Mein ab yaha comfortable feel karne lagi thi. Mein theek ho rahi thi.

Kam se kam nurses to yahi bata rahi thi.

Subah-subah hi ek nurse aayi, haath me clipboard liye, "Acchi khabar hai, Ragini ji. Aapke vitals strong hai. Aur, aapko aaj ICU se recovery ward me shift kar diya jaayega."

Maine thoda sirr hilaaya. Maine ye nahi poochha ki recovery ward kaha hai. Maine ye nahi poochha ki mujhe kaun le jaayega. Maine sirf wahi sawaal poochha jo aaj subah uthne ke baad se meri zubaan par ghoom raha tha.

"K-Kya woh... woh ab bhi baahar hai?"

Woh ruki. Aur, dheere se muskurayi. "Wahi aapko shift karwaane ke liye subah se lage hue hai. Doctor ne bhi haan keh diya hai."

Ab toh nurse bhi jaan chuki thi ki mere aur Veer ke beech kuchh chal raha tha. Mere gaal halki sharm se laal ho gaye.

Aaj ghar ke sabhi log mujhe dekhne aaye. Tej, Arohi, Bhavna ji, Shweta tai, Aabha, Sonali, Ex sasu maa — yaani ki Sumitra ji. Par, Kavya... Wo to itni bhavuk thi ki poore samay mujhse lipti hui thi. Aisa lag raha tha kuchh kehna chaah rahi thi par keh nahi paa rahi thi.

Kuchh hi derr baad ward boys aaye, aur mere stretcher ko kheechte hue lift ki orr le jaane lage.

Jaise hi wo mujhe recovery ward me leke aaye, maine hallway ke ant me uski ek jhalak dekhi. Lift ke paas khada tha. Jeb me haath daale. Mujhe dekh raha tha.

Woh andar nahi aaya.

Na hi maine use andar aane ka ishaara kiya.

Lekin, jab mujhe ehsaas hua ki... wo ghanto se meri seva me laga hua tha, to seene me ek ajeeb si kasak uth gayi.

---

Day 5 ~

Aaj baarish ho rahi thi.

Mein naye kamre ki khidki se sheher ki busy life ke drishya dekh rahi thi.

Aaj mein akeli thi. Ya aisa maine socha.

Tabhi, mujhe darwaza khulne ki awaaz sunaayi di.

Veer bina kuchh kahe, ek naya takiya aur ek teh kiya hua shawl lekar andar aaya.

"Aise yuhi andar aana koi acchi baat nahi. Ye mera private ward nahi hai. Recovery ward hai." Maine pata nahi kyu par fir ek tanj kasa.

Usne takiya bistar ke kinaare rakh diya aur mere bagal se kursi par shawl tika diya, "Tumne kaha tha ki hospital ka bahut rough hai, isliye... Ye ghar se laaya hu."

Meri chhaati me dard utha. "T-Tum... Tumhe kaise pata chala?"

"Tumhari mummy ne bataya ki tum unse keh rahi thi."

"T-Toh tum ise ghar lene gaye?"

Usne seedhe jawaab nahi diya. Bas kursi par baith gaya, bahut paas, bahut shaant.

Mein uski taraf nahi dekh paa rahi thi.

"K-Kya tumhe yaad hai?" Maine shuru kiya, "Thand me yahi shawl mein odha karti hu."

Usne sarr hilaaya. "Mujhe yaad hai."

"Oh achha? Fir, to ye bhi yaad hoga ki jab tak mein 5 baar tumhe awaaz na du tab tak tumhare kaan me ju bhi nahi rengti." Maine fir ek tanj kasa.

"Par, mein humesha teesre ke baad sunn hi leta hu." Woh halke se muskuraya.

"N-Nahi! Tum aane me deri karte ho."

"Lekin, aata zaroor hu."

Mein ruk gayi. Mere haath kambal ke chaaro orr kass gaye. "T-Toh fir mujhe aisa kyu lagta hai ki tum sirf isliye yaha ho kyunki mein ab pehle ki tarah chal nahi sakti?"

Khamoshi... Fir se. Jisne poore kamre ko bhar diya.

"Kya tumhe waqai lagta hai ki mein sirf isi wajah se yaha hu?"

Maine jawab nahi diya. Mein jawab nahi de sakti thi.

Kahi na kahi mein jaanti thi.

Wo aage jhuka, kohni ghutno par rakhte hue, "Ragini! Mein door rehta tha kyunki mujhe lagta tha mein tum sab ko sahi salamat rakh sakunga. Mujhe nahi pata tha ki mein badle me aisa kar ke tum sab ko kitna dukh pahucha raha tha."

Mein dheere se uski orr mudi, mera gala kass gaya. "Aur, ab?? Ab jab mein iss tarah toot gayi hu? Achanak mein tumhari maujoodgi ke laayak bann gayi?"

Uska chehra peela pad gaya, "Tum theek ho. Tum tooti nahi ho."

"Dekho ise, Veer! Dekho iss perr ko. Mein toot chuki hu. Physically, mentally and emotionally as well. Tumhari aankhon me sympathy saaf dikhayi de rahi hai mujhe Veer."

"YE SYMPATHY NAHI HAI!" Usne jhapatta maara. "It's guilt... And, regret. Aur, tumhe-" usne khud ko rok liya.

"Aur? Aur mujhe kya? Bolo, Veer."

Lekin, usne kuchh nahi bola. Woh bas wahi baitha raha, muh band kar ke. Aur, maine apna chehra dusri orr ghuma liya.

"Get out!"

"Ragini-"

"Get out! Mujhe akela chhor do."

Woh chup-chaap khada raha. Darwaaze ki orr kuchh qadam badhaaye.

Lekin, jaane se pehle usne kuchh kaha — ekdum dheere se.

"Mein yahi rahunga...! Har wakt...!"

Darwaza band ho gaya.

Aur, mein chup-chaap wahi baithi rahi. Kaash... Kaash maine use jaane ke liye na kaha hota.

---

Day 6 ~

Aaj bhi shaanti thi.

Lekin, aaj baarish nahi hui. Veer bhi nahi aaya. Bas ek sannaata jo har guzarte din mere chaaro orr kassta jaa raha tha.

Mein shareerik roop se behtar mehsoos kar rahi thi — doctors ne bhi yahi bataaya tha. Mere perro ki sunnata dheere-dheere kam hokar ek sust bhaar me badal rahi thi aur maine nurse ke saath chhoti-chhoti therapy movements bhi shuru kar diye the.

Lekin, ye jakdan sirf mere shareer me hi nahi thi — ye meri aatma me samaayi hui thi.

Tabhi, ek halki si dastak hui.

'V-Veer!?'

Maine kuchh nahi kaha. Ye jaante hue ki shayad wahi hoga. Lekin, darwaza khula aur ek jaana-pehchaana chehra andar aaya — Suman.

Woh mere paas aayi. Unhone ek sadharan si hari saree pehni hui thi. Haath aapas me mude hue, aankhein wahi vinamra bhaav me jhuki hui jis se mein humesha se nafrat karti thi.

Isliye, nahi ki veh mera anaadar karti thi.

Balki, isliye ki veh bahut wafadar thi.

Uss shraap ke prati itni aagyakari jise maine kabhi sweekar hi nahi kiya tha. Aur, isliye... Mujhe unse nafrat thi.

Woh Veer ki naukrani thi. Ek sevika. Khud ko uski daasi bulaane waali. Tch!

Balki, aur bhi bahut kuchh.

Uski premika. Ek aisi aurat jisne uske saath apna shareerik sambandh rakha. Bilkul khud ki beti aur bahu ki tarah.

Bhala aur kitne?

Mujhe yaad aaya jab mujhe iske baare me pehli baar pata chala tha. Mera dil dukh gaya. Mein Veer par barsi thi. Raatein ro ro kar guzaari thi maine. Maine sabse zyada use hi doshi thehraaya tha.

Aur, ab ye bhi yaha thi.

"A-Aap yaha?"

Unhone mujhe dekha. "Hmm! Aapko dekhne aayi thi. Kaisi hai ab sthiti?"

Maine uphaas kiya, "Hmph! Kya Veer ne aapko bheja hai?"

"Nahi!" Unhone apna sarr hilaaya, "Maalik ne mujhe nahi bheja. Mein isliye aayi kyunki aap humare parivar ka hissa hai. Humari apni ho aap. Chinta to hogi hi na?"

"Chali jaaiye. Mera mood abhi aapse baat karne ka nahi hai."

"P-Par, mein-"

"Maine kaha na jaaiye yaha se."

Jab maine zorr se chillaaya to wahi khadi nurse ne ye sab sunn liya. Fir, usne gusse me thoda muh banaaya aur ek aisi baat kholi, jisey sunn mera shareer jhatka kha kar reh gaya.

"Arey!? Ye kya tareeka hai? Inhone hi aapko khoon diya tha. Kuchh pata bhi hai aapko?"

"K-Kyaaaa?" Maine palke jhapkayi.

"Haan! Ye kaho inka blood group aap se match ho gaya aur ye turant hi raazi ho gayi thi. Jiski wajah se samay rehte aapko blood mil gaya."

Maine seedhe baithne ki koshish ki, lekin nurse ki baat ka wazan meri chhaati par pattharo ki tarah gir gaya.

"Aap maalik ka parivar ho. Woh aapse bahut pyaar karte hai. *smiles* Aur, isliye... Ye meri bhi zimmedari hai ki mein aapki bhi seva karu. Mere parivar ka astitva hi isliye hai."

Maine unhe dekha. Mein dang thi. Unhone kitni hi asaani se sab kuchh keh diya tha.

Mein poore ek minute tak shaant rahi.

"A-Aapne mujhe blood diya? M-Mere liye? Uss din maine aapse itni badsalooki se baat ki thi uske bawajood bhi aapne- kyu???"

"Woh baat to mein kabka bhool gayi, Ragini ji. Fufu~ Parivar me aisi chhoti moti nok jhok to chalti rehti hai. Agar, aap haath bhi utha deti to bhi mein bura nahi maanti. Aap sab ki seva ka matlab hai maalik ki seva...! Agar, aap ab bhi nahi chaahti ki mein yaha rahu, to mein chali jaati hu."

Wo darwaze ki taraf thoda mudi, pehle se hi jaane ke liye taiyaar thi.

Par, fir bhi-

"Nahi-!" Maine unhe rok liya.

Aur, wo ruk gayi.

"I-Iski koi zaroorat nahi hai. B-Baithiye!"

Mujhe nahi pata maine unhe kyu roka. Shayad guilt? Ya confusion? Ya fir mere hi apne dil ke andar ki uthal-puthal thi?

Wo chup-chaap baithi rahi, shaleenta se. Mujhe kahi na kahi nafrat thi ki woh itni dayaalu thi.

Lekin, uss se bhi kahi zyada mujhe apne upar nafrat ho rahi thi ki mein itne lambe samay se jame hue iss gusse ko rok na saki.

Veer...

The fact that he touched her. All of them.

Jab jab mein inhe dekhti mere mann me anchaahe drishya ghoomne lagte. Kaha kaha usne inko chhiya hoga? Kaha kaha apne honth lagaaye honge? Kaha kaha... Tch!!! I hated it.

Maine shawl ko kass kar daboch liya.

WO MERA HAI!!!

TOH FIR KYU?? Suman aur baaki sab ko ye haq kyu???

"T-Toh aap mujhse nafrat nahi karti?" Maine poochha.

"Hmm? Mein aapse nafrat kyu karungi bhala? Aap maalik se pyaar karti ho, maalik aap se pyaar karte hai, aapne hum sab ko rehne ke liye ek chhat diya, aap ne humaare liye itna kuchh kiya to fir hum aapse nafrat kaise kar sakte hai? Sapne me bhi nahi-!!!"

Maine apna chehra khidki ki orr ghuma liya. Nafrat thi... Nafrat thi mujhe ki unka dil itna saaf tha.

Aur, pehli baar... Mujhe samajh nahi aaya ki mein kis par gussa thi? Unn par? Veer par? Ya apne hi dil par?

---

Day 7 ~

Aaj ki subah kuchh zyada hi niraali thi. Mein baahar pakshiyo ki chah-chahahat sunn paa rahi thi. Galiyaaro me pahiyo ki charmarahat.

Unhone kaha ki mujhe aaj chhutti de di jaayegi.

Meri jaangh par patti badal di gayi thi, taake theek ho rahe the. Mein ab sahaare ke saath qadam badha ke halka fulka chal sakti thi. Physiotherapist ne kaha ki mujhe kuchh hafto tak bahut dekhbhaal ki zaroorat hogi, lekin mein ghar jaa sakti hu.

Ghar.

Mummy aur papa andar aaye, unke chehre par raahat thi. Mummy ke haath mere sarr ko sehla rahe the jaise maano mein firse wahi paanch saal ki unki chhoti bacchi hu.

"Hum tumhe ghar le jaa rahe the par Veer ne kaha ki wo sab tumhara khayaal ghar par rakhenge. Fir, maine keh diya ki jaha uska mann karega waha chali jaayegi. Chalo! Ghar chalo, wahi rehna tum. Theek hai?"

Lekin, Veer ka zikr mere dimaag me khatak gaya.

"M-Mein apne wahi ghar jaana chaahti hu mummy."

"K-Kya? W-Waha? P-Par-"

"Waha woh sab hai. Zyada log hai. Wo mera dhyaan rakh lenge. Mein aap dono se iss umr me apni seva kaise karwa sakti hu?"

"Hatt pagli. Isme kya umr? Beti ko kuchh hoga to maa baap seva nahi karenge to aur kaun karega?"

"M-Mummy please! M-Mein... Wahi jaana chaahti hu."

Meri baat papa ne sunn li aur unhone mummy ko bhi samjha diya.

"Ek kaam karo, tum bhi wahi chali jao. Do teen din wahi reh lena." Papa ne unse kaha.

"H-Haan, ye theek rahega. P-Par, fir aap akele ghar pe?"

"Arey meri chinta mat karo. Pehle bitiya ka swaasth hai."

"Hmm!"

Aur, fir maine unhe kehte hue suna-

"Veer ne sab formalities karwa di hai. Billing ka mein dekh raha tha par usne mana kar diya. Kaisa karna hai?"

"Wo to chhota hai. Hum apni beti ke liye itna bhi nahi karenge kya? Aap ek kaam kariyega, baad me uske paise uske account me dalwa dijiyega."

"N-Nahi mummy!"

"Huh? Kya hua?"

"Wo paise nahi lega. Aisa mat kariyega." Main unhe roka.

Nahi! Kahi na kahi... Mein chaahti thi... ki Veer hi mere liye pay kare. Pata nahi kyu.

"Th-Theek hai beta."

"Veer jaisa ladka Vivek ki jagah tumhe mila hota to aaj kitna accha hota sab. Hai na?"

Mera dil fir dhadak utha. Veer... Jis par maine itna chillaaya.

Woh ab bhi meri parvah kar raha tha. Kyu???

Ab kyu???

Maine apne bekaar ho chuke perr ko ghoorte hue ek aah bhari.

'I don't know where we're going, Veer. But I know one thing... My heart still wants to be claimed. Even if my pride won't admit it.'

---

*Screech*

Car ruki.

Maine uss jaane-pehchaane ghar ko dekha. Mera apna ghar. Jaha mein ek baar dil tootne ke baad aayi thi. Jab maine Vivek se khud ko alag kar liya tha. Ye ghar... Jaha maine baad me Veer ko rehne diya, use aashray, garmjoshi, aur apne dukhte dil ka har wo hissa diya.

Aur, ab mein firse waapas aa chuki thi. Lekin, iss baar apne perro par nahi.

Aabha ne darwaza khola. Veer dusri taraf se dikhaayi diya, uska chehra padhna mushqil tha. Woh soya bhi tha ya nahi?

"Ek second-!" Mere paas aate hue usne kaha.

Maine anichha se sarr hilaaya. Mere haath apne aap uske kandhe par chale gaye aur usne mujhe dheere se apni baahon me bhar liya.

Oh god! This feeling.

Uski garm chhaati ne jaise hi mujhe apne aalingan me liya, mujhe humara ateet yaad aa gaya. Har sparsh. Har woh chumban. Har aasu. Aur, har baar uska mujhe yu apne se door kar dena.

Tsk!

Maine apna nichla honth daanto taley kass ke daba liya.

Usne mujhe aise uthaaya jaise mein kisi kaanch ki bani hui thi, dheere-dheere wo mujhe ghar ki orr le jaane laga.

Mujhe khud se nafrat thi ki mujhe ye pal itna achha kyu lag raha tha?

Ghar ke andar sab kuchh shaant tha. Lag raha tha jaise mein chhor ke gayi thi uske baad se kisi ne kuchh nahi chhua tha. Mera pasandeeda cup abhi bhi khidki ke paas tha.

Veer seedhe mujhe mere kamre me le gaya. Aur, mujhe bistar par lita diya.

Wo ek halki si patli chaadar laaya aur mere perro par udha diya. Woh savdhani barat raha tha. Bahut zyada savdhani. Aur, iss se mujhe chidh ho rahi thi.

"Aisa behave karna band kar do jaise ki mein toot ke bikhar jaungi."

"You're healing. Ye bas precautions hai."

"I'm still me."

Usne iska uttar nahi diya. Woh bas peechhe hatt gaya. Uski aankhein idhar-udhar ghoom rahi thi.

"Maine medicines stock karwa di hai. Physiotherapist har subah aayega. Aur, aunty ji... I mean tumhari mummy yaha par rukengi. Aur, mein yahi neeche bagal waale room me hi sounga kuchh din toh-"

"Maine tumhe rukne ke liye nahi kaha." Maine beech me hi kaha.

Shabd teekhe the. Katu.

Lekin, ve mere jaise nahi lage. Aisa laga mere andar se koi aur ye sab keh raha tha. Koi chotil, jalan se bhari hui Ragini.

Usne haami bhari. "Mujhe pata hai."

Aur, fir wahi khamoshi. Aisi khamoshi jo ghutan paida kar rahi thi.

Mein cheenkhna chaahti thi. Rona chaahti thi. Poochhna chaahti thi ki jab mein poori tarah se theek thi, tab usne mujhe kyu nahi apnaaya? Ab kyu???

Ab kyu jab mein iss tarah toot chuki thi???

Mein chaahti thi ki woh ghutno ke bal baithe, mera haath thaame, aur kahe - "Tum meri ho." Zorr se. Nidar hoke. Sabke saamne. Chappa-chappa uski goonj se bhar jaaye. Sabke kaano me uske bol goonj uthe.

Lekin, usne aisa nahi kiya.

Woh bas darwaaze ki orr chala gaya. Aur, jaane se pehle woh akhiri baar palta.

"Tumne kaha tha ki jab tumhe meri zaroorat thi, tab mein waha nahi tha. Aur, tum sahi thi. Maine tumhe niraash kiya."

Uski awaaz fati, "Lekin, mein ab yaha hu, Ragini. Isliye, nahi ki tum kamzor ho. Isliye, nahi ki tum pehle ki tarah chal nahi sakti. Balki, isliye... ki tum ab bhi mere liye bahut maayne rakhti ho."

Maine nazre ferr li. Meri aankhon se aasu beh rahe the.

KYU???

Kyu tum bhi mere liye ab bhi utna hi maayne rakhte ho?

Jab darwaza band hua, to mein use ghoorti rahi. Aur, khaali kamre me fusfusayi,

"Then why don't you fight for me??? You dumb, Veer!!! *sniff*"

---

"Ye-!" Usne mujhe coffee ka ek cup dete hue kaha, "Maine banaayi hai. Mujhe laga tumhe pasand aayegi."

Main ek pal ke liye uski taraf dekha, uske chehre ko dekha. Jis tarah se woh humesha cheezon ko theek karne ki koshish karta tha, usme kuchh aisa tha, lekin mein abhi khud ko naram nahi hone de sakti thi. Itna sab kuchh hone ke baad to bilkul bhi nahi.

Maine sarr hilaaya aur thoda badbadate hue uske haath se cup le liya. Maine apne perro ki orr dekha, chup-chaap apni kamzori ko koste hue. Abhi bhi yakeen nahi ho raha tha ki mein pehle ki tarah ab chal nahi sakti thi.

Woh mere bagal se wahi baith gaya, apna cup table par rakhne se pehle usne firse apna dhyaan meri orr lagaaya aur tabhi-

Woh hua.

Jaise hi woh mere peechhe ek cushion ko adjust karne ke liye aage badha, meri kohni uske cup se takra gayi. Coffee chhalki aur tez fufkaar ke saath uske haath par fel gayi.

"VEEEEER!!!" Mein chillaayi, ghabrayi hui, aur iske pehle ki mein khud ko rok paati, maine uski kalaayi kass kar pakad li.

Uska haath laal hota jaa raha tha, coffee ke chhalakne se garm ho chuka tha. Mein jaanti thi ki ye sirf haath ka jalna tha. Iss se zyada kuchh nahi. Lekin, mein ruki nahi. Uski kalaayi nahi chhori.

"Kya kar rahe ho, tum?? Pagal ho kya? Ssssss~" Maine jhalla kar kaha. Halanki, mujhe pata tha ki ye chot kuchh bhi nahi thi par fir bhi mera dil zoro se dhadak raha tha. Use itni si kharoch pahuchi thi aur mera ye haal tha.

"Pehle cup rakh dete uske baad ye sab karte na? Arey mujhse keh dete, mein apna cushion khud adjust kar sakti hu. Tumhe kya zaroorat thi?? Aur, woh bhi cup liye liye..."

Maine mehsoos kiya ki meri saansein aur tez ho chuki thi. Meri ungliyaan kaanp rahi thi. Uske haath par mandra rahi thi. Ek prashn ki — door hatu, ya thehri rahu?

Veer chup tha. Woh mujhe ghoor raha tha. Thoda ajeeb dhang se. Almost amused.

"Ragini-!!! It's fine. It's just a little burn."

Lekin, mein ye sunana nahi chaahti thi. Mein use iss baare me itna beparvah sunana nahi chaahti thi, jaise ki wo important nahi tha. Woh ab bhi... important tha, hai na?

"Just a little burn? Are you sure? Haath dekho apna!!"

Mujhe bahut derr se ehsaas hua ki mein abhi bhi uski kalaayi ko pakde hue thi. Humaare beech ek ajeeb si khamoshi chhaa gayi, aur mein apne chehre par garmahat mehsoos kar paa rahi thi.

Kyu? Kyu mujhe uski parvah ho rahi thi? Kyu mein aisa behave kar rahi thi?

Maine khud ko jaldi se use chhorne ke liye majboor kiya.

"I-I'm sorry... I- I-" Meri aankhein turant zameen par tik gayi, uske chehre ke alawa kahi aur.

Ek pal ke liye, mujhe laga ki woh abhi bhi mujhe dekh raha hai. Mein uski nazar se bachna chaahti thi.

Woh wahi baitha raha. Uske bhaav kuchh samajh nahi aa rahe the. Halanki, mein mehsoos kar paa rahi thi ki uski nazar mujhpar hi tiki thi.

"Tumhe aisa behave karne ki zaroorat nahi hai jaise ki ye kuchh nahi tha. Mein bas... Nahi chaahti ki tum khud ko chot pahuchao aur khud ki parvah bhi na karo."

Usne turant kuchh nahi kaha. Mujhe dekhta raha. Aur, fir-

"Tum ho na. Tum ab bhi toh meri parvah kar rahi ho."

*Badump*

Mein jamm ke reh gayi.

'N-No-!'

*Badump*

N-Nahi!

*Badump*

Ye maine kya kar diya? Mujhe parvah nahi karni chaahiye thi. Mujhe apni deewaro ko iss tarah se girne nahi dena chaahiye. Nahi nahi nahi! Ye kya kar diya maine?

*Badump*

Par, yaha mein thi. Moorkh ki tarah vyavhar karne waali. Halki si garm coffee ke girne jaisi bewakoofi bhari baat par uski madad karne par kood padi.

"Ye bas coffee thi... Mujhe tumhari parvah nahi."

Oh god.

Jhooth bhi nahi nikal paa raha tha mere muh se.

*Badump*

Ye toh mein bhi jaanti thi ki ye jhooth tha.

"Ragini-"

Maine jaldi se nazre ferr li aur cup ko apni ichha se thoda zyada zorr se wapas table par rakh diya.

"W-Wait, Veer! M-Meri taraf aise mat dekho. Don't read too much into this."

Lekin, andar hi andar mein jaanti thi. Mujhe parvah thi. Kahi zyada.

Agle hi pal-

"Huh!!?"

Usne mujhe apni orr kheencha. Meri aankhon me dekha. Aur, kuchh aisa kaha jisey sunane ke liye mere kaan taras chuke the.

"I know tum meri kitni parvah karti ho. Jhooth kehne ki zaroorat nahi. Mein sab jaanta hu. Aur, mein bhi... Tumhari bahut parvah karti hu. So, always remember this... YOU ARE MINE!"

Woh aage badha. Aur, agle hi kshan uske honth-

'Ahhh!'

Mere maathe par the. Woh garm ehsaas.

*Badump*

Mujhe pata hi nahi chala woh kab mere kamre se chala gaya. Mein moorti ki tarah jami hui wahi baithi hui thi. Uske baad, apne aap meri rulaayi foot padi.

*Sniff*

"I hate you... I hate you... I hate you..."

Kya hua meri unn deewaro ka jo maine inn beetein dino banaayi thi? Sab deh gayi. Mein bistar par haath maarte hue subakne lagi.

"I hate you... *sniff* I hate you so much!!!"

Par, mein jaanti thi ki-

I LOVE HIM!

I LOVE HIM SO MUCH!

***

Ek hafta guzar chuka tha.

Ek aalishaan hotel ke theek baahar SUV ke baahar Ava, Renshu, Erica aur Garofano khade hue the. Baarish ho rahi thi aur unn sabhi ke haatho me ek-ek chhaata tha.

Garofano : He's here!!

Jab ek limousine aake unke saamne ruki. Andar se Veer nikla aur saath hi uske bagal se do-chaar professional workers nikal kar ke aaye.

Uske liye chhaata haath me thaame hue the.

Veer ko iss tarah unhone pehle kabhi nahi dekha tha. Ava ki bauhe sikud gayi. Woh akeli nahi thi-

[Something... Something about him... has changed, dear.]

Na jaane uss ek hafte me kya kuchh badla tha, lekin badla toh zaroor tha. Bahut kuchh.

Veer ne uss worker ke haath se chhaata liya aur unhe wahi rukne ka ishaara dete hue woh ahista-ahista unki orr chalte hue aaya.

Aur, paas aate hue usne bas itna hi kaha-

"Humari alliance ka pehla mission ek hi hai — Summit!!!"
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Aaj ke liye itna hi guys.
This update consists of more than 12k words. It's a massive update. Yes. Ye poora update dedicated tha Ragini ko meri orr se. I have tried something which I did in my previous story, specifically in the last update of that story. Ragini ka PoV especially, ye script form me nahi tha. Maine ise novel form me likha hai. Aur, poore mann se Ragini ke POV ko time diya hai. Bahut samay baad kisi female ka PoV aaya hai. Uske PoV se humne kahani ko dekha hai. I know update me bahut kuchh reveal nahi hua hai, par jaisa ki maine kaha... Kuchh updates aise aate rahenge jo character aur kahani me foundation ko mazboot banaate hai.

Plot to aage badhega hi badhega. But ye bhi zaroori hai. I hope maine Ragini ke POV ke saath justice kiya hoga. Baaki, let me know ki ab ye PoV padhne ke baad Ragini ko lekar ju logo ke kya vichaar badle hai. Target apna wahi hai. 280. Toh, likes thokne ka aur reviews rakhne ka.
Dhanyavad.

 

[Werewolf]

Index has been updated guys.

 

[Werewolf]

I'm going to sleep. Notification mein kal quote karunga subah.

 

[Savi Malhotra]

 

[raghav_143]

Brilliant update

 

[umesh Rathod]

Iss update ke baad to Ragini sabhi readers ke dil mai alag se jagah banayegi ye to confirm hai baki update to kafi touch hua dil ko kyuki mere sath aisa hi similar incident ho chuka hai and thank you for this update

 

[jone964]

Update - 198 ~ Tug of War​

Ab tak...

Renshu ke honth sikude. Usne ek pal ke liye apni aankhein band kar li. Fir, unhe firse khol kuchh soch vichaar kar bas ek hi shabd bola.

Ek aisa shabd jisne unke aas-paas ki duniyaa ko thaam kar rakh diya.

Garofano : Bolo bhi!!!

Renshu : ...

Garofano : ???

Renshu : X!

Hawa jaise rukne ko ho gayi. Garofano ka jabda sakht ho gaya. Veer... bas ghoorta raha.

Ab gusse se nahi. Balki, sandeh se.

Ab aage...

Badi si SUV ke andar ka mahaul tanaav se bhara hua tha. Renshu, Erica, Ava samet sabhi peechhe SUV ki seats par virajmaan the jab Veer ki awaaz ne sannaate ko cheer diya.

Veer : Explain!

Uski teekhi aankhein saamne baithe Renshu par tiki hui thi. Kuchh derr pehle unn dono ke beech ek yuddh chhid hi gaya tha, wo to Garofano ka samay par hastakshep tha jisne unn dono ko rok diya. Wo SUV ke theek baahar hi khadi thi, apne haath baandhe, unn chaaro ko dhyaan se dekh rahi thi.

Renshu (sighs) : Jaisa ki maine tumhe bataaya, Veer. Wo meri skill nahi thi. X!! Usne mujhe bataya tha ki kitne system holders the total aur kitne bache hue hai.

Veer ki bauhe sikudi. Ava uske bagal me baithi thodi uski orr khiski. Saamne Renshu ke bagal se baithi Erica ka haath anjaane me armrest par kass raha tha. Bechaari ki aankhein kabhi apne pita to kabhi Veer par ghoom rahi thi.

Veer : Iska matlab... Ya to waqai me uss X ke paas aisi koi skill hai jo system holders ko count kar sakti hai. Ya fir...

Renshu : ???

Veer : Woh jhooth bol raha hai.

*Silence*

Veer (leans forward) : Crimson aur Jaw Long. Dono humaare saamne maare gaye. Agar, unke marrne se pehle count 18 tha, to ab ye 16 hona chahiye. Lekin, yaha do sawaal nikal kar aate hai.

Renshu : ??

Garofano : Hmm?

Veer : Pehla ye ki — iss number ko kam hota dekhne waale kya sirf hum hi hai? Aur, dusra ye ki kya humare knowledge ke baahar koi system holder aisa hai jo maara gaya ho?

Renshu (frowns) : Tumhara matlab hai ki-

Veer (nods) : Hmm! Mera matlab saaf hai. Ya to X ne jo count hume bataya wo galat hai. Ya fir... Zaroori nahi hai ki ye count abhi 16 hi ho.

Garofano : Mein samajh gayi tum kya kehna chaah rahe ho. Yahi na ki agar koi aisa system holder jo humaare knowledge ke baahar kahi maara gaya ho duniya me to ultimately count 16 ke aur bhi neeche aa jayega. To jaha hum ye assume kar ke chal rahe hai ki system holders ka count 16 hai. Wo 16 kaho ho hi na. Kyunki, ho sakta hai aur bhi alag system holders humaare radar ke baahar maare gaye ho? Right?

Veer (nods) : Exactly!

Renshu ke maathe par silvatein chhaa gayi. Use ehsaas hua.

Renshu : Matlab, abhi ye 16 ka count sahi nahi hai?

Veer : Ho bhi sakta hai aur nahi bhi. Kam bhi ho sakta hai, aur zyada bhi. Hum blindly yakeen nahi kar sakte iss count par.

Kuchh pal beetne ke baad, Renshu ne ek lambi saans li.

Renshu : Maine iss baare me itni gehraayi me nahi socha tha. Shayad, tum theek keh rahe ho-

Veer : Mujhe bas itna jaanana hai ki kya tum X ke saath mile hue ho?

Renshu : Huh? Tum pagal ho gaye ho kya, Veer? Mein khud anjaan hu. Mein tumhe pehle hi bata chuka hu. Pehli baar jab X ne mujhe call kiya tha tab usne mujhse yahi kaha tha ki ek system holder khatre me hai. Agar, use bachaana chaahte ho to bacha lo. Aur, wo awaaz ek modulated voice thi.

Veer : Huh?

Renshu : Wo jaise jaanta tha ki mein tumhaare jaise system holders ko bachaana chaahta tha. Aur, fir mein tumhare paas aaya. Humaari mulaqat hui.

Veer : Aur, dusri baar-!?

Renshu : Dusri baar jab call aaya tha to kisi female ki voice thi. Ye modulated voice nahi thi. Aur, isi awaaz ne mujhe Garofano ke baare me savdhaan kiya tha.

Garofano: What the-

Renshu : Haan! Usne kaha tha ki jald hi Korea aur China me ek lakeer khich sakti hai. Ek daraar paida ho sakti hai. Korea se tum thi, aur China me tumhare Mr. Nicholson jinhe tum maarne aayi thi. Isliye, mujhe tumhare case me interfere karna pada. Shukriya Veer ka jo usne ye case aur bhi asaani se suljha diya.

Garofano (frowns) : Akhir kaun hai woh?

Veer : To tum kehna kya chaah rahe ho, Renshu? Pehli awaaz modulated thi. Aur, dusri nahi. Kya tum ye assume kar rahe ho ki dono hi baar tumhe call X ne kiya? Agar, aisa hai... To X fir ek female honi chahiye, right?

Renshu : Call to X ki hi taraf se tha. Kyunki, uske alawa mujhe nahi lagta ye sab details kisi aur ko pata hongi. Lekin-

Veer : ?

Garofano : Lekin?

Renshu : Lekin, agar wo pehli baar me modulated voice ka istemal kar raha tha. To fir achanak se dusre call me apni asli awaaz kyu disclose karega?

Veer (frowns) : That's a fair point.

Garofano : Yaani ki X ka gender abhi hume nahi pata, right?

Renshu (nods) : Hmm! Jaha tak mujhe lagta hai... Wo pehli awaaz waala X tha. Isliye, usne awaaz badal ke baat ki thi. Aur, ye dusri awaaz waali ladki X nahi hai magar, ye X ke saath shayad mili hui hai.

Veer : Hmm! Aur, tumne ye confirm kaise kiya ki voice modulated thi?

Renshu : Mein tumhe bata chuka hu pehle bhi... Erica!

Erica ka naam aate hi Veer ki nazar uss par padi. Erica halka sa sharmaate hue apna haath hilaayi. Wahi thi jisne modulated voice ke baare me pata lagaaya tha.

Garofano (frowns) : Koi ladki X ke saath mili hai!? Ek system holder? Jise mere baare me pata tha?

Veer ko tabhi kuchh dhyaan aaya jiske chalte uski aankhein chaudi ho gayi.

Veer : Wait-! K-Kahi ye wahi to nahi?

Garofano : Kaun?

Veer (frowns) : Rebecca... Rebecca Elsher!

Garofano : Ahn! Th-That's right! She... I think shayad wahi hai. I agree.

Renshu : Rebecca huh!?

Veer (frowns) : Ek baat ki gaanth hum sabko abhi ke liye baandh leni chahiye. Aur, wo ye hai ki- Rebecca aur X shayad mile hue hai. Abhi ke liye hum yahi assume kar ke chalenge.

Renshu (nods) : Hmm!

Garofano : Bilkul! Aur, isliye- hume bhi ek alliance ki zaroorat hai. Tum sab... Yahi ek tareeka hai jis se hum ek dusre ka saath de sakenge. Agar, hum me se kisi ek par bhi khatra aata hai to hum sab milkar use face kar payenge.

Renshu (nods) : Mein bhi sehmat hu.

Kintu, Veer khamosh raha.

Ava ne uski taraf dekha. Erica bhi use hi dekh rahi thi, uski aankhein chup-chaap Veer se aagrah kar rahi thi ki kisi tarah wo raazi ho jaaye.

Lekin, Veer ab pehle jaisa nahi tha.

Usne unn sabhi ki orr dekha — Renshu, Erica, Garofano. Usne ek gehri saans li. Wo utar ke SUV ke baahar aaya. Aur, mudte hue bola.

Veer : Toh theek hai! Ek official alliance ke liye mein ready hu. Lekin, badle me mujhe chahiye-

Garofano : ??

Renshu : ??

Veer : Absolute transparency. Koi secrets nahi. Saari skills, cards, perks, scrolls, points, stats. Sab kuchh! Saamne rakhna hoga. Do we have a deal?

Fir se sannaata chhaa gaya. Yaha tak ki Garofano ki aankhein bhi thodi sikud gayi. Ava kuchh na boli. Woh pehle se hi jaanti thi ki ye kabhi na kabhi hona hi tha.

Erica ke haath uske ghutno par the. Uska mann ek taraf apne pita ki orr tha, jo nirnay woh lenge wahi nirnay use bhi lena hi hoga. Toh wahi dusri taraf wo naujavan tha jisne uske andar halchal si macha rakhi thi.

Erica : V-Veer-

Renshu ne apni beti ko dekha, fir sirr hilaaya.

Renshu : Mein samajh sakta hu ki tum aisa kyu kar rahe ho. Theek hai. *nods* Mujhe aur Erica ko ye manzoor hai. Absolute transperancy.

Veer ne haami bhar fir Garofano ki orr dekha.

Veer : What about you?

Woh halke se muskurayi.

Garofano : I don't mind transparency. But... Only if you share yours too.

Veer (nods) : Of course.

Garofano (smiles) : Then, it's settled.

Veer : Abhi nahi-

Uski nazar antim baar Ava par tiki. Ava aadhi muskaan liye boli.

Ava : Mujhe laga tumhe mera jawab pata hoga, Veer.

Veer (nods) : To tay raha. Hum 5 system holders yaani ki — Renshu, Erica, Garofano, Ava aur mein ab se ek official alliance ka hissa hai. Humaare beech absolute transparency rahegi. Hum me se koi bhi agar kisi bhi musibat me padta hai, to hum uske liye ekjut hoke madad karenge. Clear?

Garofano (smiles) : All good!

Renshu (nods) : Hmm!

Erica : Arey arey ek minute-

Renshu : ?? Kya hua Erica?

Erica : Arey humari alliance ka naam kya hoga? Kuchh naam to rakhna padega na?

Renshu : Hmm! Tumhari baat sahi hai.

Garofano : A name huh!?

Renshu : Choonki, alliance me Veer sabse skilled system holder hai. To kyu na naam hum uski hi pasand ka rakhe?

Garofano : Sabse skilled? And, how can you be so sure of that?

Renshu (smiles) : Tum dono ek spar kyu nahi kar lete? Pata lag jayega.

Garofano ki aankhein agle hi pal hare rang se chamak uthi. Wo apne hontho par jeebh firaate hue Veer ki orr mudi.

Garofano (grins) : Oh, I would love to have a spar with you, Veer.

Kintu-

*Ding*

Palak jhapakte hi Veer ki aankhein bhi laal rang se chamak uthi. Usne kuchh na kaha. Par, 'Beowulf's blessings' ka activate hona hi apne aap me ek sanket tha.

Garofano khil-khilaate hue hasi aur uski aankhon se hare rang ki chamak turant hi gayab ho gayi.

Garofano : I was just kidding. After all, tum already abhi wounded ho. Aur, aise me tumse ladna... I don't want any kind of fair advantage, you know. Maybe some other time. Rahi baat naam ki... To mujhe koi problem nahi hai. C'mon, pick one quick.

Ava : Mujhe bhi yahi lagta hai ki... Veer ke liye hona chahiye. How about... The first syllable of your name, Veer?

Erica : V???

Ava (nods) : Hmm!

Erica : Oh! I like it. Alliance V! Hehe!

Renshu : Hmm! Mujhe koi dikkat nahi.

Garofano (smiles) : Neither do I. To fir tay raha. Alliance ka naam hoga — V.

Veer : Whatever you guys see fit.

Uske baad sabhi ne ek dusre se apne stats, cards, skills, perks, points saajha kiye. Par, isi dauraan-

Veer : Erica! Tumne kaha ki tumne wo modulated voice ki pushti ki thi.

Erica : Haan!

Veer (frowns) : To fir tumne jitne bhi cards aur skills ginaaye, unme se koi bhi aisi kyu nahi hai jo ye kar sakti ho?

Erica : Ahn! W-Woh... Actually... Wo mere system ki ability hai. Meri Genie ki...!

Veer : What???

Erica : Genie!!! Meri system! Uski ability hai ye. Wo kisi bhi voice ko analyse kar sakti hai aur bata sakti hai ki voice usi insaan ki hai ya fir uske saath kuchh changes kiye gaye hai.

Veer : What the-!?

System ki ability? Aisa kuchh bhi tha kya? Veer ne Ava ko dekha. Badle me wo bhi sirr hilaayi.

Ava : It's true! Mere case me... My Lily... Uski ability luck hai.

Veer : Huh??

Ava : Tumhe yaad hai jab hum saath me ghoom rahe the. Unn alleys me. Humne saath me kuchh games khele the. Aur, mera har baar first prize nikla tha. But tumhara nahi-

Veer ko wo pal yaad aaya jab wo aur Ava uske dhoka dene se theek pehle unn alleys me ghuse the. Kaise Ava har baar unn machines me se prize jeet rahi thi aur kaise har baar wo haar raha tha. Iska matlab-

Ava (nods) : Lily, meri system... Mujhe allow karti hai ki luck mere favour me gire. Lekin, ye sirf gambling, lucky prizes, ya fir business opportunities, tak hi limited hai. Yahi reason hai ki mein kyu itne kam time me itni jaldi famous ho paayi thi. Because, Lily kept helping me.

Veer : Th-That's-

Par, agar aisa tha toh fir-

'Pari!'

[Mein jaanti hu aap kya poochhna chaah rahe hai, master. Mere case me... Meri ability hai mera intelligence.]

'Intelligence?'

[That's right. Koi bhi critical situation ho, mujhse behtar aapko aur koi sa bhi system guidance provide nahi kar sakta.]

'Toh tumne kabhi bataya kyu nahi mujhe ki ye tumhari ability hai?'

[Aapne kabhi poochha hi nahi.]

'What the-!?'

[Pichhli Pari yaad hai na aapko?]

'Woh... Sugar mommy Pari!? Wait-'

[Hmm! Samajh gaye na aap?]

'Iska matlab uski ability thi-! Meri body control karna???'

[Yes. Aur, isliye maine kaha tha. Ye sirf wahi kar sakti hai. Koi aur nahi. Ava ke paas Lily ke luck ko imitate karne waali aur bhi ho sakti hai. Par, mein aur wo pichhli Pari... Hum dono unique hai.]

'What the hell-!?

Veer ne fir Garofano aur Renshu ko dekha jo use hi ghoor rahe the.

Veer : Aur, tum dono kuchh bataane se rahe, right?

Renshu : Samay aane par wo bhi pata chal jaayega, Veer. Aakhir ab lagbhag sab kuchh hi to saamne rakh diya hai.

Veer (nods) : Hmm!

Veer fir aage badh Ava ke paas pahucha.

Veer : I'm sorry. Mujhe abhi jaana hoga. Tumhe rest lene ki zaroorat hai. Uske baad I promise... Tum mere saath chal sakti ho. Agar, tum chalna chaaho toh-

Kehte hue wo muda.

Veer : Take care of her for me.

Garofano : Tum kaha chal diye?

Veer : Mein kuchh din busy rahunga. Tum sab filhal jaha rukna chaaho waha ruk sakte ho. I will arrange things for you later.

Renshu : Hmm!

Aur, itna bol wo wapas hospital ki orr nikal gaya. Ava, Erica aur Garofano teeno use door se bas jaata hua dekhti rahi.

Uske jaate hi Garofano ne Renshu ko dekha aur uske haav-bhaav badal gaye.

Garofano : Come with me. I want to talk.

Renshu : Hmm? Kya hua?

Garofano (frowns) : Uss Dexter ka past dekha maine.

Renshu : Huh?? Kab?

Garofano : Veer ke aane se kuchh derr pehle.

Renshu : Kuchh mila?

Garofano (nods) : Hmm!

Renshu : Toh abhi jab Veer yahi tha tab kyu nahi bataaya?

Garofano : Are you dumb? Woh pehle hi itni pareshani me hai. He's already occupied. Use abhi aur unnecessary information dene ki zaroorat nahi hai. Let him rest for a while.

Renshu : Theek hai! Theek hai! Lead the way.

Aur, Garofano Renshu se baat karne ke liye thoda aage badh gayi.

---

Idhar hospital ke andar jaate-jaate Veer ke mann me uthal-puthal machi hui thi. Dada ji ko khone ke baad uske andar kayi saare sawaal system ko lekar paida ho chuke the.

'Pari!'

[Yes, master?]

'Tumne kaha ki system ki ability hoti hai.'

[Hmm! System ke assistant yaani ki humari bhi apni ability hoti hai, Master.]

'To iska matlab ye bhi hua ki jo Pari mujhse sabse pehle mili thi. Uski bhi koi na koi ability rahi hogi? Aur, uske baad waalo ki bhi?'

[Bilkul! Par, shayad lagta hai aapne kabhi bhi unka istemal hi nahi kiya. Ya ho sakta hai, unn Pariyo ne apni abilities ka use kiya ho, magar aapko na bataaya ho.]

'I see! Aur, ye mission ka kya Pari?'

[Mission? Kya hua mission ko?]

'System ne mujhe iss baar aisa mission kyu diya ki kisi ki jaan daanv par thi? Kisi mere apne ki. Kya ab system logo ki jaano ko control me rakhega?'

[System ne jo kuchh bhi kiya woh sahi tha, master.]

'Huh?'

[Aap ek samay par do alag-alag jagah nahi ho sakte, master. Disembowler se fight aur Prestige par humla. Ye dono events simultaneously nahi hue. Ek saath hue the.]

'...'

[Agar, aap Juhi aur Pihu ko bachaane nahi jaate to shayad aap prestige me bhale hi sabhi ko bacha lete, magar bechari Juhi aur Pihu apni jaane gawa deti.]

'!!?'

[Aur, agar aap Juhi aur Pihu ko bachaane gaye to 100% kisi na kisi ki jaan prestige me jaani hi thi.]

'K-Kyu-!?'

[Isliye, system ne aapko ek choice di, master. Aapke dada ji, yaha tak ki Ragini ki death bhi nishchit hi thi.]

'Wh-What!?'

[Lekin, system ne ise bhi aapke liye ek trade me badla. Ek fair trade. Jaan ke badle jaan. Agar, aap maut ke muh me jaa chuke apne dada ji aur Ragini ko bachaana chaahte the, to uske badle me Disembowler ki jaan zaroori thi. Aur, tabhi mission complete hota aur tabhi aap har kisi ko bachaane me qamyab hote.]

'Par-'

[System humesha aapke bhale ke liye hi kaam karta hai, master. Trust me.]

'Aur, wo... Wo Probability Manipulation ke waqt... Wo Pihu par kaise kaam kar gaya?'

[Good question. Probability Manipulation aapke luck ko suddenly change karta hai, Master. Koi bhi lethal blow, jo aapko lagne ke liye aayega, use 3 baar change kar sakta hai.]

'I know that.'

[Jab Pihu aapke peeth se latki hui thi. To kahi na na kahi 'Probability Manipulation' ke card ne use aapke khud ke ang ki tarah hi treat kiya tha. Isliye, Pihu Disembowler ke humle se bach paayi.]

'To uss samay kiski probability change hui, Pari? Meri ya fir Pihu ki?'

[Definitely aapki!]

'What? Par, Pihu toh-!'

'Pihu akhir latki to aapki hi peeth par thi na, master? Aapki probability change hui to ho sakta hai usi waqt Pihu ki pakad aapki uss shirt par slippery ho gayi ho? Aur, wo neeche fisal gayi?'

'Ah! To iss wajah se-!?'

[Hmm! Par, Disembowler ne ye turant hi catch kar liya tha, Master ki aap probability manipulation ka use kar rahe ho. Halanki, ye baat to use bhi pata nahi hogi ki Probability manipulation iss tarah se kisi aur insaan ke hit me bhi kaam kar sakta hai agar wo insaan aap ke saath juda hai toh. Aapke case me wo Pihu thi. It's like a hack. Ise yaad rakhiyega, Master.]

'I see! Mein yaad rakhunga.'

Mann hi mann sochte hue wo hospital ke andar chala gaya.

***

Hospital - 11:10 PM ~

Andhera. Khamoshi. Bas yahi do cheezein mujhe mehsoos ho rahi thi. Mein nahi jaanti thi mein kaha par thi. Mere ang...!? Mein unhe bhi mehsoos nahi kar paa rahi thi. Sab kuchh... Ekdum shoonya.

Aisa lag raha tha mein kisi gehre andhkaar se bhare samundar me terr rahi hu. Par, mera mann zinda tha. Wo soch paa raha tha.

Aur, tabhi kuchh puraane ateet ke drishya mere saamne daudne lage.

---

Mein humesha se hi ek hoshiyar bacchi thi. Papa kehte the ki meri aankhon me kisi aise vyakti ki chamak hai jo leader banane ke liye bana ho. Mummy ne mujhe kabhi apne upar doubt nahi karne diya. Mein jo bhi puruskaar ghar laati, har trophy, har chhoti jeet — ek tyohaar ki tarah manaaya jaata.

Mere bhi apne sapne the. Bade-bade. Lekin, sirf apne liye nahi — uss parivar ke liye bhi jiska mein ek din hissa banane waali thi.

Fir, college aaya aur fir... Vivek.

Wo charming tha. Ambitious aur confident bhi.

Usne mujhe aisa mehsoos karaaya jaise mein uski duniya thi. Aur, jab usne mujhe propose kiya, to maine bhi bina zyada kuchh soche-samjhe haan keh diya.

Mujhe uspe vishvas tha. Aur, wo mujhe pasand bhi tha.

Samay guzra. Maine uss parivar me shaadi ki... Aur, mein uss ghar me pyaar se apne bhare dil ke saath aur apne sapne liye chali gayi.

Magar, mujhe nahi pata tha ki mein uss yuddh kshetra me jaa rahi thi jaha ladaayi bhale hi zyada na ho, lekin zakhm gehre hote the.

---

Mujhe apni shaadi ke baad ka woh pehla din aaj bhi achhi tarah se yaad hai.

Mein muskurate hue living room me pravesh ki, chaaro orr dekhi, iss naye ghar ko apnaane ke liye khud ko samjha rahi thi. Aur, fir meri nazrein uss par gayi — Veer.

Kone ki kursi par baitha, shirt-jeans pehne, uski aankhein zameen par tiki hui thi. Saare reeti rivaazo ke baad mein muskuraate hue uske paas gayi.

"Hi, Veer!"

Maine dheere se use awaaz di. Lekin, usne meri taraf nahi dekha. Apna sirr bhi nahi uthaaya.

Bas halke se sarr hilaaya, jaise lagbhag maafi maang raha ho, jaise maano meri awaaz pehle se hi uske liye kisi bojh samaan thi.

Maine fir koshish ki, "Tumhe mujhse sharmaane ki zaroorat nahi hai. Ab toh mein tumhari bhabhi hu. Aur, bhabhi aur devar to achhe dost hote hai na?"

Fir bhi koi jawab nahi. Wo achanak utha aur kamre se baahar chala gaya, uske qadam tez the, lagbhag hatasha se bhare.

Mein wahi khadi reh gayi. Uljhan me. Sharminda. Ye kya hua? Kya mujhse koi galti ho gayi? Nahi!

Maine khud ko samjhaaya. Shayad wo bas sharmeela hai. Kabhi na kabhi ye sharm khatam ho hi jaayegi. Aur, wo zaroor ek na ek din mujhse aake baat karega.

Lekin...

Aisa kabhi na hua.

---

Din beetate gaye. Hafte guzarte gaye.

Har baar jab mein uss se baat karne ki koshish karti, to wo mujhe aise taalta jaise mein koi aag thi aur wo koi raakh.

Maine kuchh baatein notice ki. Woh kabhi meri aankhon se aankhein nahi milaata. Humaare saath kabhi bhi khaane ke liye saath nahi baithata.

Agar, sanyogvash mein aur wo kabhi kisi kamre me akele hote to wo koi na koi bahaana dhundh leta — koi bhi bahaana — waha se jaane ke liye.

Aur, fir... Mujhe samajh me aane laga.

Taane. Bebaak tippaniya.

Vivek, uske pita Brijesh, uska chhota bhai Pranjal — ve sab aisi baatein kehte jo resham me lipti hui suiyon ki tarah use chubhti.

"Kya tumhe sach me lagta hai wo kuchh paane ka haqdaar hai? Zara gaur se dekho use, Ragini. He doesn't deserve anything. Dada ji ko jald hi ehsaas ho jaayega ki Veer koi sahi vikalp nahi."

Pehle to mein virodh karti thi.

"Vivek, ye theek nahi hai. Wo bhi parivaar ka ek sadasya hai. Tum sab uske saath aise pesh aate ho jaise wo koi baahri vyakti ho."

Lekin, Vivek... Uske paas humesha shabdo ko istemaal karne ka ek alag hi andaaz hota tha.

"Ragini, suno. Hum use nuksaan thodi pahucha rahe hai, dear. Hum to sirf samajhdari se kaam le rahe hai. Sampatti usi ki hogi jo Dada ji ka bharosa jeetega. Ghar me cheezein aise hi chalti hai. Ye koi apraadh thodi hai. Agar, Veer chaahe to wo bhi iss daud me hissa lele. Kisi ne mana thodi kiya hai."

Aur, mein... Maine uski baaton par dheere-dheere vishvaas karna shuru kar diya.

Mein jawaan thi. Shaadi-shuda thi. Aur, pyaar me thi.

Woh mera haath thaamta, meri aankhon me dekhta aur kehta — "Khud ko unn cheezon me shaamil mat karo jo tumhe chinta me daalti hai, dear. Humaare future par dhyaan do. Just you and me. Right?"

Aur, shayad isliye... Mera dhyaan Veer par jaana band ho gaya.

Isliye nahi ki mein uss se nafrat karti thi.
Isliye nahi ki mujhe uski parvah nahi thi.
Balki, isliye ki mein kisi aur ke sahi hone par uss par vishvas karne me vyast thi.

Mein ghar ke kaamo, social events, business dinners ki uljhan me fass gayi, aur kahi na kahi uss dhundh me... Wo ladka jo humesha se khud ko humse door rakhta tha aur meri nazro se bachta tha, uss ghar ke kisi dhare hue furniture ke samaan ho gaya. Uski value bas utni hi thi.

Aur, fir woh raat aayi.

---

Mein use kabhi nahi bhool sakti.

Uss raat Pranjal ki wo ghinauni chaal. Kaise Veer ko Brijesh ji ki krodh ki seema tak pahuchaaya gaya aur kaise use ghar se baahar nikaala gaya.

Uss raat mausam bhi kharab tha. Mera dil andar hi andar dahal utha tha. Par, Vivek khush tha.

"Chalo! Chala gaya woh. Ek chapter khatam hua."

"V-Vivek tum-!"

"Dekho, Ragini. Mein jaanta hu tum kya bolne waali hu. Par, meri baat samjho. Use yaha se jaana hi tha. Aaj nahi to kal. Uski harqate dekho tum. Tau ji aur kitna bardasht karte ab? Aur, agar sach kahu? Toh yahi uske liye achha tha."

"Vivek tum sab pagal ho gaye ho kya? Y-Ye... Ye bahut zyada tha. Kaha jaayega woh? Baahar mausam dekha hai. Andhad chal rahi hai."

"Uff oh!! Ragini. Arey apne kisi dost ke paas chala jaayega. Aur, tumhe itni hi chinta hai toh mein kal jaa ke uske rehne ka bandobast kar aaunga, theek hai?"

"S-Sach?"

"Sacchi dear. I love you."

Par, mere mann me ek sawaal khatakta reh gaya. Kya uske koi dost the bhi? Mera dil ab bhi nahi maan raha tha.

"Ab meri kasam khao ki tum chup-chaap jaa ke ab so jaogi."

"K-Kyaaaaa???"

"Haan!"

"M-Mein-!"

Nahi! Veer ko iss tarah se ghar se nikaalne ke baad mein chenn ki neend kaise so sakti thi?

"Kasam khao, Ragini."

"N-Nahi, mein- tum... Tum fiqr mat karo. Mein kahi nahi jaungi. Mein so jaungi."

"Hmm! Theek hai. I love you, okay?"

"Mmm!"

Raat me mein bistar se uthi. Mere perr apne aap chalne lage. Maine khud ko humaare ghar ke ek chhote se mandir ke saamne khada paaya.

Chaand ki raushni me bhagwan ji ki peetal ki moortiyaan mand-mand chamak rahi thi. Maine haath jod kar aankhein band ki.

Aur, saalo me pehli baar... Maine safalta ke liye nahi, samriddhi ke liye nahi, yaha tak ki pyaar ke liye bhi nahi.

Maine uske liye praarthna ki — Veer ke liye.

"Hey bhagwan! Wo jaha bhi ho... Use bas surakshit rakhna."

"Woh iske laayak nahi tha. Ab mujhe iska ehsaas ho gaya hai. Nahi! Mujhe humesha se hi iska ehsaas tha, hai na? Lekin, maine ise hone diya. Maine apna muh fer liya."

"Maine Vivek ko jhooth aur aadhe-adhoore sach se apne kaan bharne diye, tab tak jab tak mein apni antar-aatma ki awaaz bhi sunn paane me naqamyab hone lagi."

"Aap jaante hai bhagwan ji, kayi baar maine use chup-chaap baithe *sniff* koi puraani kitaabein padhte *sniff* to kabhi use rote hue dekha hai. Mujhe har baar lagta ki mein uske paas jau... *sniff* Waha rahu. Bas uss se puchhu ki kaisa hai woh."

"Lekin, maine kabhi aisa nahi kiya. Har baar sochti ki... Mein kal karungi. Aur, wo kal kabhi nahi aaya."

Maine apni aankhein kholi. Aansuon ne mere saamne bhagwan ji ki moortiyon ko dhundhla kar diya.

"Mujhe maaf kar dena bhagwan! *sniff*"

"Jab mujhe uske liye khada hona chaahiye tha, tab khada na hone ke liye mujhe maaf karna."

"Mein selfish nahi thi... Pehle to nahi. Lekin, mein aisi bann gayi. Apni khud ki awaaz sunane ki bajaaye, mein Vivek ke behkaave me aa gayi."

"Bas use kuchh mat hone dena... *sniff*"

Mein haath jod wapas se jab apne kamre ke liye jaane lagi to paaya ki Arohi aur Kavya ke kamre ki light jali hui thi. Mein uss orr badhi.

Darwaza khula hua tha. Maine use dhakela to dekha ki meri sasu maa — Sumitra, Arohi aur Kavya ko behlaane me lagi hui thi.

Mein andar daakhil hui.

"Kya hua?"

Par, mujhe jawaab milne se pehle hi meri nazre Arohi ke gaal ki orr gayi jo ekdum chatak laal ho rakha tha.

"Kya hua ye? Arohi???"

Arohi ne muh fer liya. Magar, sasu maa ne mera haath thaam mujhe wahi baitha liya. Kavya unse lipat kar subak rahi thi.

"Inhone haath utha diya."

Bas. Unhone itna hi kaha.

"Arohi sawal jawab kar rahi thi unse ki Veer ke saath ye sab kyu kiya gaya. Isko shak hai ki iske bhaiya logo ne milke Veer ko nikalwaya hai. To ye apne papa ke paas gayi aur wahi par unhe gussa aa gaya aur-"

Mein chup thi.

"Papa gande hai. *sniff* N-Na dii ki baat suni... *sniff* Na meri... Aur, dii ko to maar bhi diya."

Ye sab kya ho raha tha iss ghar me? Maine Arohi ko apne seene se lagaaya. Wo chup thi. Ekdum khamosh. Ab sasu maa ko kaise mein batau ki Arohi ekdum sahi keh rahi thi. Lekin, darr ne mujhe maun bana diya. Aur, ek baar fir-

Mere honth nahi khul paaye.

---

Yaadein dhundhli ho jaati hai. Lekin, dard bana rehta hai.

Mujhe lagta hai... Apni achet avastha me bhi, mujhe pata tha ki mera ek hissa abhi bhi uss mandir ke saamne ghutne tek raha tha, haath jode hue, uss maafi ki prateeksha kar raha tha jise vyaktigat roop se maangne ka saahas mujhme kabhi hua hi nahi.

***

*Beep* *Beep* *Beep*

Mujhe ek shor sunaayi diya. Aur, uss shor ne mujhe aankhein kholne par majboor kar diya. Saamne ceiling ka nazaara tha. Raushni halki thi.

'Ye mein kaha hu?'

Aur, fir maine dekha. Mere bagal se lagi machines. Mera haatho se judi IV lines aur baaki naliyaan. Mera ek perr hawa me kisi sahaare ke zariye utha hua tha. Ang bhaari mehsoos ho rahe the. Gala sookh raha tha.

Maine palke jhapkayi, ek baar... do baar... Dhyaan kendrit karne ki koshish karte hue, yaad karne ki koshish karte hue.

Hospital. Apne aap mere mann me shabd aa gaya. Fir, meri nazar kahi aur gayi. Kamre ke theek baahar.

'Huh?'

Aur, fir maine use dekha.

Vivek!

Ye wo akhiri chehra tha jise mein hosh aane par shayad hi dekhna chaahti thi. Par, badqismat thi ye meri ki wo mere saamne khidki ke uss orr hi tha. Aur, jaise usne mujhe hosh me aate bhi dekh hi liya. Wo achanak hi andar aaya-

"Tum-" Meri awaaz fus-fusahat ki tarah nikli, fati hui aur tooti hui. "Tum yahaan? K-Kyu?"

Wo hairan dikh raha tha. "M-Mein bas dekhne aaya tha ki tum theek ho ya nahi."

Maine uthne ki koshish ki, lekin dard bijli ki tarah mere perr se hoke guzra. Mein dard se karaah ke reh gayi.

"Uh huh! Nahi!" Usne jaldi se meri orr badhte hue kaha aur wo mujhe pakadne hi waala tha jab maine-

Use haath dikha ke wahi rok diya. Aur, wapas se lait gayi. Kyu aaya tha ab ye yaha? Kis baat ki parvah?

"N-Nurse kaha hai? Exactly kya hua hai?" Mein apne hosh me thi. Mujhe yaad tha ki hotel me kya hua tha. Magar, uske baad ka sab kuchh dhundhla tha.

Kintu, mere sawaal par usne muh ferr liya.

"K-Kya hua tha?"

Uske honth kass gaye. Ek pal ke liye, mujhe laga ki wo baat nahi karega. Lekin, nahi-

"Nurse aa rahi hai. Humle ke waqt tumhe goli lagi thi. Doctors ne poori koshish ki. Unhone tumhe bacha bhi liya. P-Par-"

"P-Par? Par kya?" Mere dil ki dhadkane tez ho gayi.

"T-Tumhara perr... Firse jaisa nahi rahega."

Meri saans atak ke reh gayi.

"M-Matlab?"

Wo jhijhka. Fir chup-chaap lagbhag kisi vichaar ke baad : "T-Tum ab pehle ki tarah nahi chal paogi."

Mere liye waqt jaise wahi tham gaya. Maine palke jhapkayi. Apne perr ko dekha. Ek kambal ke neeche tha. Aur, ek upar hawa me. Ek sust bhaaripann. Ek bejaan wazan.

"...oh..."

Bas, itna hi mein bol paayi.

Koi aansu nahi. Koi cheenkh nahi. Bas... Sannaata.

Mein apne perro ko hi dekhti rahi. Yaani mein apahij ho chuki thi? Ab mein pehle ki tarah nahi chal sakti? Pata nahi kyu par mujhe utna bada jhatka nahi laga.

Shayad iska asar mujhe par baad me padne waala tha. Maine use dekha.

"T-Tum yahaan kyu?"

"Maine bataaya toh-" Usne budbudaya. "Bas tumhe dekhne aaya tha."

"How generous of you."

Iss awastha me bhi maine ek tanj kasa. Wo kuchh na bola. Darwaza ek baar fir khula. Koi andar aaya. Aur, jaise hi mein mudi-

'Huhhh!?'

Mere dil ne jaise ek dhadkan phaand li.

Veer.

Maine dekha ki kaise wo darwaaze ki dehleez par hi ruk gaya, aankhein kamre ko scan kar rahi thi, fir mujh par tiki... Aur, fir uss par... Vivek.

Veer ke chehre par aayi halki si jhalak ne mujhe sab kuchh bata diya.

Usne hume ek saath dekh liya.

Maine nazrein ferr li. Pata nahi kyu par mein uski aankhon se aankhein nahi mila paayi.

"A-Aapko hosh aa gaya!? Theek ho na?" Uski awaaz komal thi. Bahut komal. Jaise maano mein koi naazuk si cheez thi. Koi kaanch ki gudiya. Jiska ang toota hua tha.

Maine bas haan me sirr hilaaya.

"M-Mein tumse baad me milta hu. Dhyaan rakhna apna."

Vivek itna kehte hue waha se nikal gaya. Aur, uske jaate hi-

"Woh yaha!? Woh yaha kyu the?" Veer ne mujhse sawaal kiya.

Maine apni nazar apne perro par tikaayi rakhi aur boli, "Woh yaha tha... Mere liye."

Pata nahi kyu, par maine ye jaan-boojh kar iss tarah kaha. Aur, apni aankhon ke kone se uski pratikriya dekhne lagi.

Uski saans me achanak se sookshm badlaav aaya. Maine dekha. Uske chehre ke haav-bhaav bahut kuchh keh gaye. Aur, mujhe ek ajeeb si santushti praapt hui. Kya wo jealous feel kar raha tha? Iss waqt? Mere liye?

"T-Tum theek ho jaogi, Ragini. Don't worry." Usne kaha. "Tumhe bas araam ki zaroorat hai aur bas-"

"Don't!!!" Maine zorr se kaha.

Vivek ke jaate hi uska 'aap' 'tum' me badal chuka tha. Lekin, maine use daant diya.

Wo avaak reh gaya. "K-Kya?"

"Mujhe pehle se hi pata hai," Maine jhatse kaha. "Mein ab apahij ho chuki hu. Jhoothi dilaasa dene ki koshish mat karo, Veer!!!"

Woh chaunk kar mere qareeb aaya, "Tumhe kisne-!?"

"Vivek ne mujhe bataaya," Maine apni awaaz me kampan ko dabaate hue kaha.

Uska chehra turant sakht ho gaya. "K-Kya? Unhone kya-??? Tum abhi-abhi surgery se baahar aayi aur unhone- tch-!!! How dare he-!"

"Don't!" Maine ab aur zorr se gurraate hue kaha. "Don't go acting like you suddenly care."

Wo ruka. "Kya matlab?"

"Tum naraaz ho ki usne mujhe sach bataaya? KYU??? Jab ye sab hua tab tum yaha the bhi nahi!!!" Meri awaaz fatt gayi. "KAHA THE TUM, VEER??? Kaha the tum jab MUJHE... hum sab ko tumhari sabse zyada zaroorat thi???"

"Mein-"

"Nahi-" Maine fir se use beech me roka. "Mujhe reasons mat do. Maine tumhara intezar kiya. *sniff* Jab maine tumhe apna pyaar dikhaaya to tumne mujhe chup rehne diya. Jab maine tumhar liye prem ke darwaaze khole to tumne unhe aadha band rakha. Aur, ab — ab jab mein pehle ki tarah nahi chal sakti — toh tum yahaan ho!?"

Usne sarr neeche kar liya. Ekdum chup.

Mein thoda hasi. "Kya isliye tum yaha ho? Haan? Out of guilt? Ya fir sympathy? Kyunki, agar yahi reason hai, Veer... Toh mujhe ye nahi chaahiye!"

"Ragini! *frowns* Tum jaanti ho ki aisa nahi hai. Tum jaanti ho ki ye sach nahi hai."

"Kya waqai?" Maine jhatse kaha. "Kyunki, lag to aisa hi raha hai, Veer!"

Uski aankhon me kuchh jhil-milaaya. Dard. Asli dard. Lekin, mein ruki nahi.

"Tum isliye naraaz ho ki Vivek yaha tha? Isliye, ki usne mujhe sach bataaya? KYU??? Isliye ki tumne mujhe apnaane me bahut derr kar di? Ya isliye ki ab tum mujhe khone se darr rahe ho... Uske haatho???"

Uski mutthiyaan bheench gayi.

"YOU ARE NOT GOING BACK TO HIM!"

Mere prashn se jaise uski nass par chot lagi.

"Oh? Aur, tum itna yakeen ke saath kaise keh sakte ho? Ho sakta hai ki usne mujhe ek baar dhoka diya ho, lekin kam se kam jab mein hosh me aayi to woh yaha tha."

Kamre me ek sannaata chhaa gaya.

Usne meri taraf badi-badi aankhon se dekha. Darr. Asli darr. Mere perr ke liye nahi.

Mere liye.

Aur, maine ye dekha.

Wo Veer Singh — jisne kabhi kisi aurat ko nahi khoya tha apne jeevan me — aaj pehli baar kisi aurat ko khone se darr raha tha.

Aur, woh aurat thi — mein.

Lekin, mein use asaani se nahi chhorne waali thi. Abhi nahi. Use mehsoos hona chaahiye. Use dard hona chaahiye. Jaise maine mehsoos kiya tha. Mein jaanti thi ye galat hai. Par, ab mujhpe mera control nahi tha.

Woh chup-chaap khada raha. Aur, fir ek pal ke liye... Mujhe apne aap par hi thodi ghin aayi ki uss lamhe me mein apne aap ko shaktishali mehsoos kar rahi thi.

Mujhe apne upar gussa aa raha tha ki kahi na kahi mein abhi bhi use usi tarah chot pahuchaana chaah rahi thi jaise usne mujhe pahuchaayi thi.

"Kya hua? Ab kyu nahi bol rahe, Veer?" Maine fus-fusaate hue kaha, ab thoda naram, fir bhi mere shabdo me zeher bhara hua tha. "Ya fir tum firse kahi gaayab ho jaoge? Jaise humesha hote ho?"

Usne apna muh khola, fir band kar liya. Uske chehre ki maanspeshiyaan fadakne lagi. Use samajh nahi aa raha tha ki use mujhe samjhaana chaahiye, maafi maangni chaahiye, ya fir jawaab dena chaahiye.

Akhirkar, usne kaha, "Ragini! Mujhe pata nahi tha ki tumhara saamna kaise karna hai... Itna sab ho jaane ke baad... Mujhe nahi lagta ki mujhe tumhare saamne bhi hona chaahiye...! I failed you, Ragini."

"Aur, fir bhi tum yaha ho." Maine uphaas me kaha.

"Kyunki, mein tumse door bhi nahi reh sakta."

*Badump*

Aur, iss baar- meri dhadkane tez ho gayi. Ye imaandaari thi. Mein ise mehsoos kar paa rahi thi. Lekin, ab? Itne lambe samay ki chuppi ke baad? Yahi imaandaari tab kaha thi?

"Ab jab mein toot chuki hu toh tumhe lagta hai... Mein tumhe accept kar lungi? Just because you're standing here with a guilty conscience?"

Usne apna ek qadam aage badhaaya, lekin maine apna haath upar utha diya.

"Don't!" Maine kaha, meri awaaz kaanp rahi thi. "Kareeb mat aao. Tab tak nahi jab tak ki mujhe pata na ho ki tum yaha mere liye ho... Ya fir apni khud ki galti sudhaarne ke liye."

Uski aankhein jhuk gayi, glaani use kisi zung ki tarah khaaye jaa rahi thi.

"Kya tumhe pata bhi hai?" Maine firse awaaz oonchi karte hue kaha, "Kaisa mehsoos hota hai? Mujhe to apni haalat par bhi gussa nahi aa raha. Mujhe tum par gussa aa raha hai. Tumhare liye mujhe sawaalo ke ghere me chhorna kitna asaan tha. Mere saath sona aur kabhi ek shabd bhi nahi kehna ki mein tumhare liye kya maayne rakhti hu. Humara future kuchh hai bhi ya nahi. Bas wait wait aur sirf wait...!"

Ek tez saans. Uske haath firse mutthi me bandh gaye.

"M-Mein darrta tha." Woh badbadaya.

"Toh mein bhi darrti thi." Maine bhi tapaak se kaha. "Harr din. Harr raat. Mein darrti thi. Tumhari life me bas ek aur aurat bann kar reh jaane se darrti thi. Lekin, fir bhi maine wait kiya. Aur, fir bhi maine harr baar tumhe hi chuna. Aur, tum... *sniff* Tum mujhe jawaab tak nahi de sake."

Aisa lag raha tha ki woh kuchh kehna chaahta tha, lekin meri baat abhi poori nahi hui thi.

"Aur, ab kyunki mein theek se chal nahi sakti, achanak tum meri parvah karna chaahte ho? Kya samajh rakha hai, tumne mujhe Veer? Ki ab jab mein helpless hu toh mein ab tumse lipat jaungi aur pyaar ki bheekh maangungi?"

"Aisa mat kaho, tum helpless nahi ho."

"Par, mein helpless feel karti hu, Veer!!!" Maine chillaate hue kaha. "Kyunki, mujhe nahi pata ki kis par vishvaas karna hai. Mujhe nahi pata ki ye — tumhari presence — pyaar hai, ya fir sympathy? Aur, agar ye sympathy hai, Veer... Abhi ke abhi baahar chale jao. JUST GO!!! Mein tumhari guilt ki wajah se tumhara haath thaamne ki bajaaye iss farsh par ek toote hue perr ke saath rengna pasand karungi."

Usne dheere-dheere humaare beech ki doori kam ki, aankhein meri aankhon se kabhi nahi hati.

"Mein yaha koi sympathy ke liye nahi hu." Usne kaha, uski awaaz kathor thi. "Mein yaha isliye hu kyunki, yaha na hone par meri saansein jeete jee ruk jaati."

*Badump*

Ek pal ke liye, mein uss par vishvas karna chaahti thi. Betaabi se. Lekin, mere andar ka ghaav bahut gehra tha.

"Ye tum ab keh rahe ho. Lekin, tumhare paas mauka tha Veer. Maine tumhe kitne mauke diye. Kitna kuchh diya."

Usne sirr haan me hilaaya. Koi virodh nahi. Koi bahaana nahi. Koi bachaav nahi.

"I know!" Usne kaha.

Hum chup rahe. Gusse se aur itna bolne se meri saans fool rahi thi. Machines ki beep-beep background me ab bhi shor kar rahi thi. Lekin, mein keval apne seene ke andar chal rahi tez dhadkano ko sunn paa rahi thi.

"I need time, Veer." Maine akhirkar kaha, ab awaaz dheemi ho gayi thi. "Mujhe time chaahiye. Nahi! Mere perr ki wajah se nahi. Na hi hospital me rehne ke liye. But because you broke something in me... long before this bullet ever did."

"I'll wait!" Usne fusfusaya.

"Answer ka wait mat karo, Veer. Mere firse tum par bharosa karne ka intezar karo."

Aur, bas aise maine apna chehra dusri orr ghuma liya. Mein nahi chaahti thi ki woh mere gaal par beh rahe aasuon ko aur bhi dekhe.

Mein nahi chaahti thi ki use pata chale... ki mere andar ka ek hissa uske liye abhi bhi jalta hai.

Maine aankhon ke kono se use dekha. Aur, dekhte hi mera dil dahal gaya. Uske gaalo par se mote-mote aasu beh rahe the. Hontho par udaasi bhari muskaan thi.

Kamre me tanaav itna zyada tha ki mein mushqil se saans le paa rahi thi. Veer wahi khada tha, uske chehre par laalsa aur saiyyam ka mishran tha, maano woh kuchh aur kehna chaahta ho — lekin use nahi pata tha ki kaise.

Lekin, iss se pehle ki hum dono me se koi kuchh aur bol paata, darwaza khul gaya.

"Chaliye!" Nurse andar aayi, uski awaaz me aadesh tha. "Chaliye, jaaiye ab. Bahut derr baat kar li na. Patient ke sone ka time ho gaya hai."

Veer ka sarr tezi se ghoom gaya. "Bas, ek minute, mein-"

"Koi ek minute, do minute nahi." Usne dridhta se kaha. "Aap shaam se yahi ho. Aapko bhi araam ki zaroorat hai. Agar aapko pateint ki itni hi parvah hai toh unhe araam karne dijiye. Chaliye! Baad me wapas aaiyega."

Veer ne meri taraf dekha. Par, maine nazre nahi milaayi.

Jab wo hich-kichaaya to mere seene me ek ajeeb sa dard utha — jaise wo chaahta tha ki mein nurse ko rok du. Kuchh kahu. Use rokne ke liye kahu.

Lekin, maine aisa nahi kiya. Mein nahi kar sakti thi.

Woh kuchh pal aur ruka, fir palta aur baahar chala gaya. Darwaaza band hone ki awaaz iss baar kuchh zyada hi zorr se sunaayi di.

Aur, achanak ye khamoshi asahneeya ho gayi.

Maine apni ungliyon ke neeche chaadar ko kass liya, aur apne hontho ko aapas me dabaate hue unhe kaanpne se roka. Mujhe nahi pata tha ki mein aisa kyu mehsoos kar rahi thi. Kyu uski gerr-maujoodgi ne kamre ko pehle se aur bhi thanda kar diya tha???

Nurse meri nabzo ki jaanch karne ke liye mere paas aayi. Maine use ek pal ke liye dekha, fir akhirkar poochh hi liya, "A-Aapne kaha wo shaam se yaha tha!?"

Woh muskurayi, IV line ko adjust karte hue, "Haan, shaam hi se toh hai yaha. Medicines abhi wahi laa ke diye the."

Mere honth thar-thara uthe. Iska matlab... Veer shaam se hi mere paas tha? Aur, mein soch rahi thi ki woh Vivek ke baad mujhe dekhne aaya!? Mein-

Ek aasu apne aap mere gaalo se behte hue neeche gir gaya.

Mein ab tak nazar-andaaz kar rahi thi. Par, maine dekha tha. Uske chehre par ghaav the. Kya hua tha? Wo chotil kyu tha? Mein uss se poochhna chaahti thi. Magar, mere ego ne mujhe ye karne na diya.

"W-Woh... theek toh hai na?" Maine nurse se hi poochha, koshish karte hue ki mujhe uski parvah nahi thi.

"Hmm? Haan! Tension me the. Dare hue the thode. Har thodi derr me aapko check karne aate the."

Mere honth fadakne lage. Mein aur sawal karna chaahti thi, lekin saath hi betaab bhi nahi dikhna chaahti thi.

"Thank you!" Maine dheere se kaha. "K-Kya koi aur bhi aaya tha? Mujhe dekhne?"

"Hmm? Aapke mata-pita aaye the. Din me. Par, shaam ke baad se koi nahi aaya siwae mister Veer ke."

Maine saans chhori. Seene me ek ajeeb si bhaavna panap rahi thi jiske baare me mein nahi jaanti thi.

Aur, nurse ke jaate hi mein wahi lait ke sone ki koshish karne lagi. Par, woh nurse ek aur nurse se baat kar rahi thi aur uski kuchh baatein mere dimaag me mandraane lagi.

"Bechaari ko abhi pata hi nahi hai."

"Haan na! Ab abhi kaise koi bata sakta hai. Perr waise hi bekaar ho gaya aur upar se wo khabar alag... Baad me pata lagega aur kya."

"Hmm! Iss condition me na hi bataaye to behtar hai."

"Haan!"

Khabar? Kaun si khabar? Mera perr kharab hone ke alawa aur kaun si khabar thi jis se mein vanchit thi?

Mein raat bhar isi baare me sochti rahi. Par, dawaiyo ke chalte mein kab behoshi me chali gayi, mujhe pata hi na laga.

---

Day 2 ~

Agli subah jaise hi meri aankh khuli, kuchh hi derr me mom dad bhi aa gaye.

"Ohh meri bacchi!!" Mummy subakte hue mere qareeb aayi. "Tumhe hosh aa gaya."

Mujhe galey se lagaate hue wo rone lagi. Papa ne bas kass kar mera haath thaam liya. Kuchh derr tak kuchh nahi bole, unki khamoshi shabdo se kahi zyada keh rahi thi.

"Abhi kaisa lag raha hai beta?" Unhone poochha.

"Abhi theek lag raha hai papa."

Unhone haami bhari.

"Kya aap log yaha raat bhar ruke the?"

"Mein ruka tha. Tumhari mummy kuchh khaayi pii nahi thi to Veer unhe ghar raat me chhor aaya tha. Unhe khaana khila ke fir wo raat me mere saath hi yaha ruka tha."

"W-Wo ruka tha?"

"Haan! Fir abhi subah mein ghar gaya, fresh hua aur abhi aaya. Ab wo gaya hai ghar. Maine use bhej diya. Bechaara subah se itni bhaag daud kar raha tha. Itni badi ghar me traasdi ho gayi uske bawajood wo yaha tha-"

"Traasdi? A-Aur kya hua?"

"Arey haan! Tumhe to pata hi nahi hoga."

Maine naa me sarr hilaaya.

"Woh beta-!" Unhone kehna shuru kiya ki mummy ne unka haath pakad liya aur unhe ishaaro me kuchh kehne lagi.

"K-Kya? Kya chhipa rahe ho aap log mujhse? Kal nurse bhi keh rahi thi ki bechaari ko kuchh pata hi nahi hai. Please mummy! Bataiye. Mujhe ab aur bechaini ho rahi hai."

Mere aagrah karne par akhirkar mummy maan hi gayi. Aur, fir papa ne dheere se kaha.

"Beta woh... Manorath ji... Woh chal basey."

Sunte hi maano mere kaan sunn pad gaye. Dada ji... Chal basey? Apne aap hi meri aankhon se aasu beh chale.

Mujhe kal ki wo baatein yaad aa gayi. Wo khari khoti jo maine Veer ko sunaayi thi. Woh kitna prem karta tha apne dada ji se. Kal uski kya haalat rahi hogi? Uske bawajood... Woh yaha mere paas...!!

"Sab kuchh shaam me wahi to karwaya tha. Koi takleef nahi hone di usne hum dono ko. Har kaam uth ke kar deta tha. Par, bhale hi woh bhi kitna hi jawaan kyu na ho, thakaan to ho hi gayi hogi. Isliye, humne use bhej diya."

Meri aankhein bhar aayi, lekin maine jaldi se palke jhapkayi.

Wo ab ye sab kyu kar raha tha?

Jab mein darwaaze par khade reh ke uska intezar karti thi, tab wo kaha tha? Jab mein uss se jawaab maangti thi, tab wo kaha tha?

Aur, ab jab wo mere paas abhi nahi hai... To mera dil kyu ro raha hai?

Jab wo Vivek se jal raha tha toh mujhe achha kyu lag raha tha?

KYU???

Shayad mein kroor thi? Shayad mein andar se tooti hui bhi thi? Shayad mere andar ka koi hissa iss baat ko pasand kar raha tha ki... ki wo mujhe Vivek ke saath dekh ke jaley.

Aur, use iss tarah se mere liye desperate dekh, mere dil ki dhadkane tez kyu ho gayi thi?

Nahi. Ye sahi nahi tha.

Mujhe aisa nahi karna chaahiye tha. Mujhe use jealous feel karwaane ki koshish nahi karni chaahiye thi. Lekin... Mein koshish nahi kar rahi thi. Sach me nahi. Mere shabd, mere haav-bhaav — ve bas baahar aa gaye.

Mujhe khud se nafrat ho rahi thi ki mein iska aanand le rahi thi.

Maine apni aankhein band ki aur sarr takiye ke upar rakha.

"Veer..." Maine khamoshi me fusfusate hue kaha, "Agar tum sach me mujhe chaahte ho, to dehleez par khade rehne band kar do."

---

Day 3 ~

Darwaza charmara kar khula, aur kisi taazi cheez ki khushbu meri naak me ghusi. Thodi si meethi.

Apples.

Maine upar nahi dekha. Aur, mujhe dekhne ki zaroorat bhi nahi thi. Use mehsoos kar sakti thi mein.

"Pareshan hone ki koi zaroorat nahi hai. Mujhe bhookh nahi hai." Maine bina dekhe kaha.

Koi jawab nahi aaya. Bas tray ko table par rakhne ki halki si awaaz. Uske baithne ki awaaz. Plastic thaili ki sarsarahat jab wo bag khol raha tha.

Par, inn sab cheezon ke liye bahut derr ho chuki hai Veer.

"Tumhe lagta hai ki tum mujhe seb kaat ke doge aur sab theek ho jaayega?" Maine uski orr muh kiye bina hi budbudaya.

Uska haath ruka, lekin sirf ek second ke liye.

"Mein wo karne ki soch hi nahi raha jo tum soch rahi ho." Usne shaanti se kaha.

Mein akhirkar uski orr mudi. Woh thaka hua lag raha tha. Uski aankhon ke neeche kaalapann tha. Aur, ek pal ke liye mera dil paseej gaya. Dada ji ki mrityu... Ek kshan ke liye mein poochhna chaahti thi ki usne khaana khaaya? Kya usne theek se araam kiya?

Lekin... Lekin, mein ab wapas apne qadam peechhe nahi le sakti. Warna, mere itne kehne ka kya matlab?

Aur, isliye... Mein chup rahi aur seb ke tukdo ko ghoorti rahi jo usne mere bagal me napkin ke upar rakhe the.

Mujhe nafrat thi ki mera dil abhi bhi uske liye itna jal raha tha. Kyu??? Kya mein ek baar use uski hi tarah dard nahi de sakti?

"M-Mummy aur papa ne bataaya ki tum yahi the!? Poori raat?" Maine ek lambi chuppi ke baad kaha.

Usne koi jawaab nahi diya.

"Unhone bataaya ki tumne staff se bhi thoda jhagda kiya tha? Doctors se bhi. Wo meri nigraani theek se nahi rakh rahe the isliye!? Kya ye sach hai?"

Fir bhi koi jawaab na aaya.

"Kyu???"

Akhirkar, usne meri taraf dekha.

"Kyunki, mein ab tumhe khona nahi chaahta."

Ek pal ke liye meri saans ruk gayi. Bas ek pal. Maine dusri taraf dekha. Mushqil se galey me jama thook nigla.

"Toh fir... Jab mujhe tumhari sabse zaroorat thi, tab tumne mujhe apne se door kyu dhakela tha?"

Iss sawaal par wo chup reh gaya.

Aur, seb... Achhoota reh gaya.

---

Day 4 ~

Mere aas-paas ki lagatar machines ki awaaz ab dheere-dheere kam hone lagi thi. Mein ab yaha comfortable feel karne lagi thi. Mein theek ho rahi thi.

Kam se kam nurses to yahi bata rahi thi.

Subah-subah hi ek nurse aayi, haath me clipboard liye, "Acchi khabar hai, Ragini ji. Aapke vitals strong hai. Aur, aapko aaj ICU se recovery ward me shift kar diya jaayega."

Maine thoda sirr hilaaya. Maine ye nahi poochha ki recovery ward kaha hai. Maine ye nahi poochha ki mujhe kaun le jaayega. Maine sirf wahi sawaal poochha jo aaj subah uthne ke baad se meri zubaan par ghoom raha tha.

"K-Kya woh... woh ab bhi baahar hai?"

Woh ruki. Aur, dheere se muskurayi. "Wahi aapko shift karwaane ke liye subah se lage hue hai. Doctor ne bhi haan keh diya hai."

Ab toh nurse bhi jaan chuki thi ki mere aur Veer ke beech kuchh chal raha tha. Mere gaal halki sharm se laal ho gaye.

Aaj ghar ke sabhi log mujhe dekhne aaye. Tej, Arohi, Bhavna ji, Shweta tai, Aabha, Sonali, Ex sasu maa — yaani ki Sumitra ji. Par, Kavya... Wo to itni bhavuk thi ki poore samay mujhse lipti hui thi. Aisa lag raha tha kuchh kehna chaah rahi thi par keh nahi paa rahi thi.

Kuchh hi derr baad ward boys aaye, aur mere stretcher ko kheechte hue lift ki orr le jaane lage.

Jaise hi wo mujhe recovery ward me leke aaye, maine hallway ke ant me uski ek jhalak dekhi. Lift ke paas khada tha. Jeb me haath daale. Mujhe dekh raha tha.

Woh andar nahi aaya.

Na hi maine use andar aane ka ishaara kiya.

Lekin, jab mujhe ehsaas hua ki... wo ghanto se meri seva me laga hua tha, to seene me ek ajeeb si kasak uth gayi.

---

Day 5 ~

Aaj baarish ho rahi thi.

Mein naye kamre ki khidki se sheher ki busy life ke drishya dekh rahi thi.

Aaj mein akeli thi. Ya aisa maine socha.

Tabhi, mujhe darwaza khulne ki awaaz sunaayi di.

Veer bina kuchh kahe, ek naya takiya aur ek teh kiya hua shawl lekar andar aaya.

"Aise yuhi andar aana koi acchi baat nahi. Ye mera private ward nahi hai. Recovery ward hai." Maine pata nahi kyu par fir ek tanj kasa.

Usne takiya bistar ke kinaare rakh diya aur mere bagal se kursi par shawl tika diya, "Tumne kaha tha ki hospital ka bahut rough hai, isliye... Ye ghar se laaya hu."

Meri chhaati me dard utha. "T-Tum... Tumhe kaise pata chala?"

"Tumhari mummy ne bataya ki tum unse keh rahi thi."

"T-Toh tum ise ghar lene gaye?"

Usne seedhe jawaab nahi diya. Bas kursi par baith gaya, bahut paas, bahut shaant.

Mein uski taraf nahi dekh paa rahi thi.

"K-Kya tumhe yaad hai?" Maine shuru kiya, "Thand me yahi shawl mein odha karti hu."

Usne sarr hilaaya. "Mujhe yaad hai."

"Oh achha? Fir, to ye bhi yaad hoga ki jab tak mein 5 baar tumhe awaaz na du tab tak tumhare kaan me ju bhi nahi rengti." Maine fir ek tanj kasa.

"Par, mein humesha teesre ke baad sunn hi leta hu." Woh halke se muskuraya.

"N-Nahi! Tum aane me deri karte ho."

"Lekin, aata zaroor hu."

Mein ruk gayi. Mere haath kambal ke chaaro orr kass gaye. "T-Toh fir mujhe aisa kyu lagta hai ki tum sirf isliye yaha ho kyunki mein ab pehle ki tarah chal nahi sakti?"

Khamoshi... Fir se. Jisne poore kamre ko bhar diya.

"Kya tumhe waqai lagta hai ki mein sirf isi wajah se yaha hu?"

Maine jawab nahi diya. Mein jawab nahi de sakti thi.

Kahi na kahi mein jaanti thi.

Wo aage jhuka, kohni ghutno par rakhte hue, "Ragini! Mein door rehta tha kyunki mujhe lagta tha mein tum sab ko sahi salamat rakh sakunga. Mujhe nahi pata tha ki mein badle me aisa kar ke tum sab ko kitna dukh pahucha raha tha."

Mein dheere se uski orr mudi, mera gala kass gaya. "Aur, ab?? Ab jab mein iss tarah toot gayi hu? Achanak mein tumhari maujoodgi ke laayak bann gayi?"

Uska chehra peela pad gaya, "Tum theek ho. Tum tooti nahi ho."

"Dekho ise, Veer! Dekho iss perr ko. Mein toot chuki hu. Physically, mentally and emotionally as well. Tumhari aankhon me sympathy saaf dikhayi de rahi hai mujhe Veer."

"YE SYMPATHY NAHI HAI!" Usne jhapatta maara. "It's guilt... And, regret. Aur, tumhe-" usne khud ko rok liya.

"Aur? Aur mujhe kya? Bolo, Veer."

Lekin, usne kuchh nahi bola. Woh bas wahi baitha raha, muh band kar ke. Aur, maine apna chehra dusri orr ghuma liya.

"Get out!"

"Ragini-"

"Get out! Mujhe akela chhor do."

Woh chup-chaap khada raha. Darwaaze ki orr kuchh qadam badhaaye.

Lekin, jaane se pehle usne kuchh kaha — ekdum dheere se.

"Mein yahi rahunga...! Har wakt...!"

Darwaza band ho gaya.

Aur, mein chup-chaap wahi baithi rahi. Kaash... Kaash maine use jaane ke liye na kaha hota.

---

Day 6 ~

Aaj bhi shaanti thi.

Lekin, aaj baarish nahi hui. Veer bhi nahi aaya. Bas ek sannaata jo har guzarte din mere chaaro orr kassta jaa raha tha.

Mein shareerik roop se behtar mehsoos kar rahi thi — doctors ne bhi yahi bataaya tha. Mere perro ki sunnata dheere-dheere kam hokar ek sust bhaar me badal rahi thi aur maine nurse ke saath chhoti-chhoti therapy movements bhi shuru kar diye the.

Lekin, ye jakdan sirf mere shareer me hi nahi thi — ye meri aatma me samaayi hui thi.

Tabhi, ek halki si dastak hui.

'V-Veer!?'

Maine kuchh nahi kaha. Ye jaante hue ki shayad wahi hoga. Lekin, darwaza khula aur ek jaana-pehchaana chehra andar aaya — Suman.

Woh mere paas aayi. Unhone ek sadharan si hari saree pehni hui thi. Haath aapas me mude hue, aankhein wahi vinamra bhaav me jhuki hui jis se mein humesha se nafrat karti thi.

Isliye, nahi ki veh mera anaadar karti thi.

Balki, isliye ki veh bahut wafadar thi.

Uss shraap ke prati itni aagyakari jise maine kabhi sweekar hi nahi kiya tha. Aur, isliye... Mujhe unse nafrat thi.

Woh Veer ki naukrani thi. Ek sevika. Khud ko uski daasi bulaane waali. Tch!

Balki, aur bhi bahut kuchh.

Uski premika. Ek aisi aurat jisne uske saath apna shareerik sambandh rakha. Bilkul khud ki beti aur bahu ki tarah.

Bhala aur kitne?

Mujhe yaad aaya jab mujhe iske baare me pehli baar pata chala tha. Mera dil dukh gaya. Mein Veer par barsi thi. Raatein ro ro kar guzaari thi maine. Maine sabse zyada use hi doshi thehraaya tha.

Aur, ab ye bhi yaha thi.

"A-Aap yaha?"

Unhone mujhe dekha. "Hmm! Aapko dekhne aayi thi. Kaisi hai ab sthiti?"

Maine uphaas kiya, "Hmph! Kya Veer ne aapko bheja hai?"

"Nahi!" Unhone apna sarr hilaaya, "Maalik ne mujhe nahi bheja. Mein isliye aayi kyunki aap humare parivar ka hissa hai. Humari apni ho aap. Chinta to hogi hi na?"

"Chale jaaiye. Mera mood abhi aapse baat karne ka nahi hai."

"P-Par, mein-"

"Maine kaha na jaaiye yaha se."

Jab maine zorr se chillaaya to wahi khadi nurse ne ye sab sunn liya. Fir, usne gusse me thoda muh banaaya aur ek aisi baat kholi, jisey sunn mera shareer jhatka kha kar reh gaya.

"Arey!? Ye kya tareeka hai? Inhone hi aapko khoon diya tha. Kuchh pata bhi hai aapko?"

"K-Kyaaaa?" Maine palke jhapkayi.

"Haan! Ye kaho inka blood group aap se match ho gaya aur ye turant hi raazi ho gayi thi. Jiski wajah se samay rehte aapko blood mil gaya."

Maine seedhe baithne ki koshish ki, lekin nurse ki baat ka wazan meri chhaati par pattharo ki tarah gir gaya.

"Aap maalik ka parivar ho. Woh aapse bahut pyaar karte hai. *smiles* Aur, isliye... Ye meri bhi zimmedari hai ki mein aapki bhi seva karu. Mere parivar ka astitva hi isliye hai."

Maine unhe dekha. Mein dang thi. Unhone kitni hi asaani se sab kuchh keh diya tha.

Mein poore ek minute tak shaant rahi.

"A-Aapne mujhe blood diya? M-Mere liye? Uss din maine aapse itni badsalooki se baat ki thi uske bawajood bhi aapne- kyu???"

"Woh baat to mein kabka bhool gayi, Ragini ji. Fufu~ Parivar me aisi chhoti moti nok jhok to chalti rehti hai. Agar, aap haath bhi utha deti to bhi mein bura nahi maanti. Aap sab ki seva ka matlab hai maalik ki seva...! Agar, aap ab bhi nahi chaahti ki mein yaha rahu, to mein chali jaati hu."

Wo darwaze ki taraf thoda mudi, pehle se hi jaane ke liye taiyaar thi.

Par, fir bhi-

"Nahi-!" Maine unhe rok liya.

Aur, wo ruk gayi.

"I-Iski koi zaroorat nahi hai. B-Baithiye!"

Mujhe nahi pata maine unhe kyu roka. Shayad guilt? Ya confusion? Ya fir mere hi apne dil ke andar ki uthal-puthal thi?

Wo chup-chaap baithi rahi, shaleenta se. Mujhe kahi na kahi nafrat thi ki woh itni dayaalu thi.

Lekin, uss se bhi kahi zyada mujhe apne upar nafrat ho rahi thi ki mein itne lambe samay se jame hue iss gusse ko rok na saki.

Veer...

The fact that he touched her. All of them.

Jab jab mein inhe dekhti mere mann me anchaahe drishya ghoomne lagte. Kaha kaha usne inko chhiya hoga? Kaha kaha apne honth lagaaye honge? Kaha kaha... Tch!!! I hated it.

Maine shawl ko kass kar daboch liya.
WO MERA HAI!!!

TOH FIR KYU?? Suman aur baaki sab ko ye haq kyu???

"T-Toh aap mujhse nafrat nahi karti?" Maine poochha.

"Hmm? Mein aapse nafrat kyu karungi bhala? Aap maalik se pyaar karti ho, maalik aap se pyaar karte hai, aapne hum sab ko rehne ke liye ek chhat diya, aap ne humaare liye itna kuchh kiya to fir hum aapse nafrat kaise kar sakte hai? Sapne me bhi nahi-!!!"

Maine apna chehra khidki ki orr ghuma liya. Nafrat thi... Nafrat thi mujhe ki unka dil itna saaf tha.

Aur, pehli baar... Mujhe samajh nahi aaya ki mein kis par gussa thi? Unn par? Veer par? Ya apne hi dil par?

---

Day 7 ~

Aaj ki subah kuchh zyada hi niraali thi. Mein baahar pakshiyo ki chah-chahahat sunn paa rahi thi. Galiyaaro me pahiyo ki charmarahat.

Unhone kaha ki mujhe aaj chhutti de dj jaayegi.

Meri jaangh par patti badal di gayi thi, taake theek ho rahe the. Mein ab sahaare ke saath qadam badha ke halka fulka chal sakti thi. Physiotherapist ne kaha ki mujhe kuchh hafto tak bahut dekhbhaal ki zaroorat hogi, lekin mein ghar jaa sakti hu.

Ghar.

Mummy aur papa andar aaye, unke chehre par raahat thi. Mummy ke haath mere sare ko sehla rahe the jaise maano mein firse wahi paanch saal ki unki chhoti bacchi hu.

"Hum tumhe ghar le jaa rahe the par Veer ne kaha ki wo sab tumhara khayaal ghar par rakhenge. Fir, maine keh diya ki jaha uska mann karega waha chali jaayegi. Chalo! Ghar chalo, wahi rehna tum. Theek hai?"

Lekin, Veer ka zikr mere dimaag me khatak gaya.

"M-Mein apne wahi ghar jaana chaahti hu mummy."

"K-Kya? W-Waha? P-Par-"

"Waha woh sab hai. Zyada log hai. Wo mera dhyaan rakh lenge. Mein aap dono se iss umr me apni seva kaise karwa sakti hu?"

"Hatt pagli. Isme kya umr? Beti ko kuchh hoga to maa baap seva nahi karenge to aur kaun karega?"

"M-Mummy please! M-Mein... Wahi jaana chaahti hu."

Meri baat papa ne sunn li aur unhone mummy ko bhi samjha diya.

"Ek kaam karo, tum bhi wahi chali jao. Do teen din wahi reh lena." Papa ne unse kaha.

"H-Haan, ye theek rahega. P-Par, fir aap akele ghar pe?"

"Arey meri chinta mat karo. Pehle bitiya ka swaasth hai."

"Hmm!"

Aur, fir maine unhe kehte hue suna-

"Veer ne sab formalities karwa di hai. Billing ka mein dekh raha tha par usne mana kar diya. Kaisa karna hai?"

"Wo to chhota hai. Hum apni beti ke liye itna bhi nahi karenge kya? Aap ek kaam kariyega, baad me uske paise uske account me dalwa dijiyega."

"N-Nahi mummy!"

"Huh? Kya hua?"

"Wo paise nahi lega. Aisa mat kariyega." Main unhe roka.

Nahi! Kahi na kahi... Mein chaahti thi... ki Veer hi mere liye pay kare. Pata nahi kyu.

"Th-Theek hai beta."

"Veer jaisa ladka Vivek ki jagah tumhe mila hota to aaj kitna accha hota sab. Hai na?"

Mera dil fir dhadak utha. Veer... Jis par maine itna chillaaya.

Woh ab bhi meri parvah kar raha tha. Kyu???

Ab kyu???

Maine apne bekar ho chuke perr ko ghoorte hue ek aah bhari.

'I don't know where we're going, Veer. But I know one thing... My heart still wants to be claimed. Even if my pride won't admit it.'

---

*Screech*

Car ruki.

Maine uss jaane-pehchaane ghar ko dekha. Mera apna ghar. Jaha mein ek baar dil tootne ke baad aayi thi. Jab maine Vivek se khud ko alag kar liya tha. Ye ghar... Jaha maine baad me Veer ko rehne diya, use aashray, garmjoshi, aur apne dukhte dil har wo hissa diya.

Aur, ab mein firse waapas aa chuki thi. Lekin, iss baar apne perro par nahi.

Aabha ne darwaza khola. Veer dusri taraf se dikhaayi diya, uska chehra padhna mushqil tha. Woh soya bhi tha ya nahi?

"Ek second-!" Mere paas aate hue usne kaha.

Maine anichha se sarr hilaaya. Mere haath apne aap uske kandhe par chale gaye aur usne mujhe dheere se apni baahon me bhar liya.

Oh god! This feeling.

Uski garm chhaati ne jaise hi mujhe apne aalingan me liya, mujhe humara ateet yaad aa gaya. Har sparsh. Har woh chumban. Har aasu. Aur, har baar uska mujhe yu apne se door kar dena.

Tsk!

Maine apna nichla honth daanto taley kass ke daba liya.

Usne mujhe aise uthaaya jaise mein kisi kaanch ki bani hui thi, dheere-dheere wo mujhe ghar ki orr le jaane laga.

Mujhe khud se nafrat thi ki mujhe ye pal itna achha kyu lag raha tha?

Ghar ke andar sab kuchh shaant tha. Lag raha tha jaise mein chhor ke gayi thi uske baad se kisi ne kuchh nahi chhua tha. Mera pasandeeda cup abhi bhi khidki ke paas tha.

Veer seedhe mujhe mere kamre me le gaya. Aur, mujhe bistar par lita diya.

Wo ek halki si patli chaadar laaya aur mere perro par udha diya. Woh savdhani barat raha tha. Bahut zyada savdhani. Aur, iss se mujhe chidh ho rahi thi.

"Aisa behave karna band kar do jaise ki mein toot ke bikhar jaungi."

"You're healing. Ye bas precautions hai."

"I'm still me."

Usne iska uttar nahi diya. Woh bas peechhe hatt gaya. Uski aankhein idhar-udhar ghoom rahi thi.

"Maine medicines stock karwa di hai. Physiotherapist har subah aayega. Aur, aunty ji... I mean tumhari mummy yaha par rukengi. Aur, mein yahi neeche bagal waale room me hi sounga kuchh din toh-"

"Maine tumhe rukne ke liye nahi kaha." Maine beech me hi kaha.

Shabd teekhe the. Katu.

Lekin, ve mere jaise nahi lage. Aisa laga mere andar se koi aur ye sab keh raha tha. Koi chotil, jalan se bhari hui Ragini.

Usne haami bhari. "Mujhe pata hai."

Aur, fir wahi khamoshi. Aisi khamoshi jo ghutan paida kar rahi thi.

Mein cheenkhna chaahti thi. Rona chaahti thi. Poochhna chaahti thi ki jab mein poori tarah se theek thi, tab usne mujhe kyu nahi apnaaya? Ab kyu???

Ab kyu jab mein iss tarah toot chuki thi???

Mein chaahti thi ki woh ghutno ke bal baithe, mera haath thaame, aur kahe - "Tum meri ho." Zorr se. Nidar hoke. Sabke saamne. Chappa-chappa uski goonj se bhar jaaye. Sabke kaano me uske bol goonj uthe.

Lekin, usne aisa nahi kiya.

Woh bas darwaaze ki orr chala gaya. Aur, jaane se pehle woh akhiri baar palta.

"Tumne kaha tha ki jab tumhe meri zaroorat thi, tab mein waha nahi tha. Aur, tum sahi thi. Maine tumhe niraash kiya."

Uski awaaz fati, "Lekin, mein ab yaha hu, Ragini. Isliye, nahi ki tum kamzor ho. Isliye, nahi ki tum pehle ki tarah chal nahi sakti. Balki, isliye... ki tum ab bhi mere liye bahut maayne rakhti ho."

Maine nazre ferr li. Meri aankhon se aasu beh rahe the.

KYU???

Kyu tum bhi mere liye ab bhi utna hi maayne rakhte ho?

Jab darwaza band hua, to mein use ghoorti rahi. Aur, khaali kamre me fusfusayi,

"Then why don't you fight for me??? You dumb, Veer!!! *sniff*"

---

"Ye-!" Usne mujhe coffee ka ek cup dete hue kaha, "Maine banaayi hai. Mujhe laga tumhe pasand aayegi."

Main ek pal ke liye uski taraf dekha, uske chehre ko dekha. Jis tarah se woh humesha cheezon ko theek karne ki koshish karta tha, usme kuchh aisa tha, lekin mein abhi khud ko naram nahi hone de sakti thi. Itna sab kuchh hone ke baad to bilkul bhi nahi.

Maine sarr hilaaya aur thoda badbadate hue uske haath se cup le liya. Maine apne perro ki orr dekha, chup-chaap apni kamzori ko koste hue. Abhi bhi yakeen nahi ho raha tha ki mein pehle ki tarah ab chal nahi sakti.

Woh mere bagal se wahi baith gaya, apna cup table par rakhne se pehle usne firse apna dhyaan meri orr lagaaya aur tabhi-

Woh hua.

Jaise hi woh mere peechhe ek cushion ko adjust karne ke liye aage badha, meri kohni uske cup se takra gayi. Coffee chhalki aur tez fufkaar ke saath uske haath par fel gayi.

"VEEEEER!!!" Mein chillaayi, ghabrayi hui, aur iske pehle ki mein khud ko rok paati, maine uski kalaayi kass kar pakad li.

Uska haath laal hota jaa raha tha, coffee ke chhalakne se garm ho chuka tha. Mein jaanti thi ki ye sirf haath ka jalna tha. Iss se zyada kuchh nahi. Lekin, mein ruki nahi. Uski kalaayi nahi chhori.

"Kya kar rahe ho, tum?? Pagal ho kya? Ssssss~" Maine jhalla kar kaha. Halanki, mujhe pata tha ki ye chot kuchh bhi nahi thi par fir bhi mera dil zoro se dhadak raha tha. Use itni si kharoch pahuchi thi aur mera ye haal tha.

"Pehle cup rakh dete uske baad ye sab karte na? Arey mujhse keh dete, mein apna cushion khud adjust kar sakti hu. Tumhe kya zaroorat thi?? Aur, woh bhi cup liye liye..."

Maine mehsoos kiya ki meri saansein aur tez ho chuki thi. Meri ungliyaan kaanp rahi thi. Uske haath par mandra rahi thi. Ek prashn ki — door hatu, ya thehri rahu?

Veer chup tha. Woh mujhe ghoor raha tha. Thoda ajeeb dhang se. Almost amused.

"Ragini-!!! It's fine. It's just a little burn."

Lekin, mein ye sunana nahi chaahti thi. Mein use iss baare me itna beparvah sunana nahi chaahti thi, jaise ki wo important nahi tha. Woh ab bhi... important tha, hai na?

"Just a little burn? Are you sure? Haath dekho apna!!"

Mujhe bahut derr se ehsaas hua ki mein abhi bhi uski kalaayi ko pakde hue thi. Humaare beech ek ajeeb si khamoshi chhaa gayi, aur mein apne chehre par garmahat mehsoos kar paa rahi thi.

Kyu? Kyu mujhe uski parvah ho rahi thi? Kyu mein aisa behave kar rahi thi?

Maine khud ko jaldi se use chhorne ke liye majboor kiya.

"I-I'm sorry... I- I-" Meri aankhein turant zameen par tik gayi, uske chehre ke alawa kahi aur.

Ek pal ke liye, mujhe laga ki woh abhi bhi mujhe dekh raha hai. Mein uski nazar se bachna chaahti thi.

Woh wahi baitha raha. Uske bhaav kuchh samajh nahi aa rahe the. Halanki, mein mehsoos kar paa rahi thi ki uski nazar mujhpar hi tiki thi.

"Tumhe aisa behave karne ki zaroorat nahi hai jaise ki ye kuchh nahi tha. Mein bas... Nahi chaahti ki tum khud ko chot pahuchao aur khud ki parvah bhi na karo."

Usne turant kuchh nahi kaha. Mujhe dekhta raha. Aur, fir-

"Tum ho na. Tum ab bhi to meri parvah kar rahi ho."

*Badump*

Mein jamm ke reh gayi.

'N-No-!'

*Badump*

N-Nahi!

*Badump*

Ye maine kya kar diya? Mujhe parvah nahi karni chaahiye thi. Mujhe apni deewaro ko iss tarah se girne nahi dena chaahiye. Nahi nahi nahi! Ye kya kar diya maine?

*Badump*

Par, yaha mein thi. Moorkh ki tarah vyavhar karne waali. Halki si garm coffee ke girne jaisi bewakoofi bhari baat par uski madad karne par kood padi.

"Ye bas coffee thi... Mujhe tumhari parvah nahi."

Oh god.

Jhooth bhi nahi nikal paa raha tha mere muh se.

*Badump*

Ye toh mein bhi jaanti thi ki ye jhooth tha.

"Ragini-"

Maine jaldi se nazre ferr li aur cup ko apni ichha se thoda zyada zorr se wapas table par rakh diya.

"W-Wait, Veer! M-Meri taraf aise mat dekho. Don't read too much into this."

Lekin, andar hi andar mein jaanti thi. Mujhe parvah thi. Kahi zyada.

Agle hi pal-

"Huh!!?"

Usne mujhe apni orr kheencha. Meri aankhon me dekha. Aur, kuchh aisa kaha jisey sunane ke liye mere kaan taras chuke the.

"I know tum meri kitni parvah karti ho. Jhooth kehne ki zaroorat nahi. Mein sab jaanta hu. Aur, mein bhi... Tumhari bahut parvah karti hu. So, always remember this... YOU ARE MINE!"

Woh aage badha. Aur, agle hi kshan uske honth-

'Ahhh!'

Mere maathe par the. Woh garm ehsaas.

*Badump*

Mujhe pata hi nahi chala woh kab mere kamre se chala gaya. Mein moorti ki tarah jami hui wahi baithi hui thi. Uske baad, apne aap meri rulaayi foot padi.

*Sniff*

"I hate you... I hate you... I hate you..."

Kya hua meri unn deewaro ka jo maine inn beetein dino banaayi thi? Sab deh gayi. Mein bistar par haath maarte hue subakne lagi.

"I hate you... *sniff* I hate you so much!!!"

Par, mein jaanti thi ki-

I LOVE HIM!

I LOVE HIM SO MUCH!

***

Ek hafta guzar chuka tha.

Ek aalishaan hotel ke theek baahar SUV ke baahar Ava, Renshu, Erica aur Garofano khade hue the. Baarish ho rahi thi aur unn sabhi ke haatho me ek-5ek chhaata tha.

Garofano : He's here!!

Jab ek limousine aake unke saamne ruki. Andar se Veer nikla aur saath hi uske bagal se do-chaar professional workers nikal kar ke aaye.

Uske liye chhaata haath me thaame hue the.

Veer ko iss tarah unhone pehle kabhi nahi dekha tha. Ava ki bauhe sikud gayi. Woh akeli nahi thi-

[Something... Something about him... has changed, dear.]

Na jaane uss ek hafte me kya kuchh badla tha, lekin badla toh zaroor tha. Bahut kuchh.

Veer ne uss worker ke haath se chhaata liya aur unhe wahi rukne ka ishaara dete hue woh ahista-ahista unki orr chalte hue aaya.

Aur, paas aate hue usne bas itna hi kaha-

"Humari alliance ka pehla mission ek hi hai — Summit!!!"
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Aaj ke liye itna hi guys.
This update consists of more than 12k words. It's a massive update. Yes. Ye poora update dedicated tha Ragini ko meri orr se. I have tried something which I did in my previous story, specifically in the last update of that story. Ragini ka PoV especially, ye script form me nahi tha. Maine ise novel form me likha hai. Aur, poore mann se Ragini ke POV ko time diya hai. Bahut samay baad kisi female ka PoV aaya hai. Uske PoV se humne kahani ko dekha hai. I know update me bahut kuchh reveal nahi hua hai, par jaisa ki maine kaha... Kuchh updates aise aate rahenge jo character aur kahani me foundation ko mazboot banaate hai.

Plot to aage badhega hi badhega. But ye bhi zaroori hai. I hope maine Ragini ke POV ke saath justice kiya hoga. Baaki, let me know ki ab ye PoV padhne ke baad Ragini ko lekar ju logo ke kya vichaar badle hai. Target apna wahi hai. 280. Toh, likes thokne ka aur reviews rakhne ka.
Dhanyavad.

Nice update and her pov was perfect