Incest Baadshah ~ The Tales of Debauchery

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Latest Update ➢ Update 198 ​

 

[kisanlal]

Update - 197 ~ Despondency ​

Ab tak...

Veer ko kuchh samajh aata ki tabhi-

"Although, Miss Ragini ki situation kaafi critical thi. But, doctor ne mujhe khabar de di hai."

'Ragini' naam sunn woh wapas se hosh me aaya.

"She's out of danger now."

Raahat bamushqil ek kshan ke liye hi thi.

"But there's only one problem. I'm sorry to say but — woh ab pehle ki tarah kabhi nahi chal payengi."

Aur, aspatal ko ek gehre sannaate ne dhak liya.

Ab aage...

Mukhya hall safed chaadron se dhaka hua tha. Pooja ki samagri aur phoolo ki mehek ek mishran me hawa me ghuli hui thi.

Beech me Manorath ji ka shav aise pada hua tha jaise maano wo bas kisi gehri neend me so rahe ho. Koi shikan nahi. Bas bejaan.

"Papaaaaaaa jiiiii!"

Brijesh rota hua unki chhaati se lipatne ki koshish kiya, magar Arun aur Shyaam ne use pakad kar peechhe kheench liya.

Karunesh, Pranjal aur Vivek bhi wahi the. Teeno ke sirr neeche jhuke hue the. Hairani ki baat yeh thi ki Karunesh ki aankhon me bhi aasu the.

Aur, kone me khadi Bhavna ki aankhein bhi namm thi. Manorath ji jaise bhi the, unhone kabhi bhi uska bura nahi chaaha tha. Isliye, humesha se hi uske mann me unke liye aadar aur sammaan hi tha. Unhe iss tarah se jaata dekh, aaj uska dil bhi chotil tha.

“Mummaaa-!”

Kavya sisakte hue apni maa, Sumitra se lipat gayi jiski khud ki aankhein aasuon se bheegi hui thi. Sumitra ne bhi kass ke use apne aalingan me bhar liya.

Shweta khud kuchh kehne laayak nahi thi. Bhale hi Manorath se uska rishta behad mazboot nahi tha par itne saal se ek chhat ke neeche hi wo sab ke saath rehti aayi thi. Kahi na kahi Manorath ji ki mrityu ka asar uss par bhi pada tha. Bhumika ki bhi haalat yahi thi — niraasha se paripoorn.

Purvi wahi thoda door baithi sab kuchh dekh rahi thi. Bauhe sikudi hui thi aur mann vichlit.

Shyaam, Gauri, aur Parijaat ki aurtein, ye sabhi gaanv ki aatma the. Uski reedh. Ve ekjut, maun khade the, toofan ke khilaf puraane pedo ki tarah dard ko sehte hue. Aane waali zimmedariyon ke liye poori tarah se taiyaar.

Suhana apni behan Sonia ke saath thi, dono ke ird-gird suit pehne unke bodyguards khade hue the. Apne haath baandhe, sunglasses pehne, Sonia ek kursi par wahi baahar baithi hui thi. Itna gamgeen mahaul dekh wo sehem si gayi thi.

Toh wahi, Suhana thoda kaanp rahi thi. Raat bhar ke jaagne se uski aankhein laal ho rakhi thi. Apne phone par nazre gadaaye wo sandesho ko padhti jaa rahi thi.

Usne andar hall me baithe Veer ko dekha. Uske honth khule, par fir thar-thara ke band ho gaye.

Kya use haq tha uske paas jaane ka? Aise waqt par? Wo wahi khadi yeh sochti rahi.

Idhar Kaera kuchh feet door khadi thi, uska bhai Karan kuchh logo se baat-cheet kar raha tha. Shuru se ant tak, Kaera ki nazrein ek hi shaks par tiki hui thi — Veer.

Woh uske paas jaana chaahti thi. Use galey se lagaana chaahti thi. Use samjhaana chaahti thi. Lekin, uske perr hilne me asamarth reh gaye.

Uski bhavnaaye jo haal hi me jaagrit hui thi — aaj ek aur nayi anubhooti se guzar rahi thi. Aaj wo wahi mehsoos kar paa rahi thi jo usne tab mehsoos kiya tha jab usne apni maa, Archana ko khoya tha.

Dukh. Peeda. Udaasi.

Wo saare bhoole gaye emotions waapas sateh par aa rahe the.

Aabha bhi ek jagah apna ghoonghat odhe dheere-dheere ro rahi thi. Manorath se uska lagaav nahi tha. Ye aansu kal raat jo bhayanak drishya hue aur jis tarah se sab kuchh ujda, uske liye the. Apne maalik ko iss tarah dekh uska dil andar hi andar dehel raha tha.

Sonali use apne se laga ke sambhaalne ki koshish kar rahi thi, kintu woh swayam hi bheetar se ghabrayi hui thi.

Magar, Veer ka kya-!?

Tej ne use dekha. Wo chup-chaap Manorath ke saamne baitha hua tha. Jaise maano uss se abhi bhi ye khabar nahi pachaayi jaa rahi thi. Par, wo uss se kuchh na boli. Balki, wo to nazrein hi nahi mila paa rahi thi.

Ek chhota sa kaam tha. Apne bhai ki gerr-maujoodgi me Yarnia ka udhghatan karna. Bas! Iss ek chhote se kaam ko karne me wo naqamyab thi. Na sirf hotel ko nuksaan pahucha, balki Yarnia ka sampoorn karyakram bhi barbaad ho gaya. Logo ki jaane chali gayi aur upar se humle me gharwalo ne bhi apni jaan gawa di.

Aur, ye sab kuchh hua — Naye saal ki lagne waali raat me. Naya saal unke liye khushiyaan nahi, balki barbaadiyaan leke aaya. To aise me Tej akhir kaise apne bhai se nazrein mila sakti thi?

Veer ke bagal se hi Arohi bhi thi. Honth thar-thara rahe the aur bechaari ka poora chehra aansuon se bheega hua tha.

Wo uski orr jhuki. Usne Veer ke kandhe par haath rakha-

Arohi : V-Veer!

Par, koi jawab nahi.

Bas — khamoshi.

Arohi ne uske haath ko apne haath me lete hue baandha aur ek baar fir se use jhunjhlaaya.

Arohi : V-Veeeer! *sniff*

Kintu, punah koi jawab nahi. Wo hila hi nahi. Ekdum sthir — bina koi palke jhapkaaye. Jaise samay sirf uske liye ruk gaya ho. Arohi ne ek baar aur koshish ki.

Arohi : Veeeeer! M-Mujhe aise darao mat, please. *sniff* Kuchh bolo. Veeeer?

Magar, abhi bhi koi pratikriya nahi.

---

Kuchh der pehle...

Yeh woh waqt tha jab Veer Juhi aur Pihu ko apne badan par laade Disembowler ki lair se baahar nikla tha.

Uski har saans fool rahi thi, drishti dhundhli pad rahi thi, lekin woh rukne ko taiyaar nahi tha.

Juhi uski chhaati se bandhi hui thi, uska kamzor shareer thakaan ke chalte neend me upar-neeche ho raha tha. To, wahi Pihu peechhe uski peeth par behosh thi.

Baah me bhayanak tez dard uthne ke bawajood Veer use thaam ke rakha hua tha — ekdum adig.

Pari ki awaaz tabhi uske dimaag me goonji.

[Master! Aapka haath. You need to rest right now. 'Limb Substitution' ki madad se kaafi hadd tak uss waqt haath position me aa gaya tha, lekin aapne-]

Pari shikayat kar rahi thi. Veer ka haath 'Limb Substitution' ke equip karte hi sahi dhang se position me aa chuka tha. Zaroorat thi toh bas kuchh dino ke araam ki, jiske chalte uska haath wapas se pehle ki tarah ho jaane waala tha.

Magar, usne kya kiya-!?

Disembowler se bhidte waqt, usne jhatke se liquid nitrogen ke cylinder ko kheencha tha, jiske parinam swaroop uska haath wapas se lachakte hue ukhad chuka tha.

Na keval dobara use jodne ke liye shareer ki urja ka istemal hua, balki haath ke ukhadte hi ek baar fir use bloodloss se guzarna pada.

Ab agar samay rehte haath ko araam nahi diya gaya, to ye samasya aur bhi gambheer mod le sakti thi. Aur, isliye Pari chintit thi. Kyunki, iss waqt bhi — Veer ka haath Pihu ko peechhe se thaame hue tha. Haath par zor pad raha tha.

Veer ne bamushqil hi koi pratikriya di. Uska dimag ek hi cheez par kendrit tha — kaise bhi karke dono bacchiyo ko surakshit unke apno tak pahuchaaya jaaye.

Woh waha se bhaaga. Pari ki baat par usne kuchh derr baad jawab diya.

'Yeah! I- I know, Pari. Lekin, mere paas rukne ka koi option nahi hai. I must move on.'

Sadke street lights aur aasmaan aatishbaziyo se jagmaga raha tha. Police ki jeeps sadko par daud rahi thi, adhikaari hatyaare aur laapata ladkiyon ki talaash me har kone, har gali ko chhaan rahe the.

Aur, unhi jeep me se ek jeep me — Trisha thi.

Uski aankhein sooji hui thi, dashboard ko pakde hue uske haath kaanp rahe the.

"Tez chalo!!!"

Usne driver ko aadesh diya, ghanto chillaane se uski ab awaaz bhi fatt rahi thi. Bahut lamba samay ho gaya tha. Bahut saare ghante guzar chuke the — koi suraag nahi, koi sanket nahi, koi ummeed nahi. Bebasi ka bojh ab use ghutan de raha tha, magar usne tootne se inkaar kar diya.

Woh iss tarah, iss samay nahi toot sakti thi. Apni beti ko dhundhne se pehle to hargiz nahi.

Rohan, uska pati bhi wahi kahi sadko par tha. Beti ki khoj me paagalo ki tarah sheher me bhaag raha tha. Parantu, ye sab vyarth jaane waala tha agar unhe unki beti na mili toh.

Fir, jeep ne ek mod liya.

Aur, koi waha par tha.

Sadak ke beech me ek akela shaks, khoon se lathpath. Uski shirt fati hui thi, chehra ghaavo aur khoon ke kaaran bamushqil se pehchaana jaa sakta tha.

Woh waha khada tha, haanf raha tha, kaanp raha tha — lekin, sirf wahi nahi tha.

Uske seene se kuchh bandha hua tha. Koi tha. Nahi! Sirf seene se hi nahi, peeth par bhi koi tha.

Trisha ke dil ki dhadkane maano wahi tham gayi.

"Rukooooo!" Veh chillaayi.

Jeep ghisatate hue achanak ruk gayi. Jaise hi usne darwaza khola, kaanpte haatho se usne turant bandook nikaali aur seedhe saamne khade shaks par nishaana saadh diya.

"Theher jao!"

Woh chillaayi. Uski awaaz teekhi thi, ghabrahat ke bawajood usne apne aap ko sthir rakha hua tha. Jeep ki headlights jaise hi uss shaks ke peechhe ladi nanhi si bacchi ke chehre par padi, to Trisha ki aankhein bhay ke maare fel gayi.

Pihu!

Uski aankhein khoon se saney uss shaks ke chehre par ghoomi aur fir apni bacchi par.

Kaun tha ye vyakti?

Aur, uski beti uski peeth par?

Upar se wo kahi se bhi dara hua nahi prateet ho raha tha.

Idhar, Veer ne Trisha ko dekh apni gati dheemi nahi ki, balki woh chalta raha — seedhe uski orr.

Trisha ki pakad trigger par mazboot ho gayi.

"Maine kaha ruk jao!"

Woh darr rahi thi. Kya yahi wo serial killer tha? Kya isi ne uski bacchi aur Juhi ko agwa kiya tha?

Kya kare woh? Kahi woh vyakti uski chetavni ka bura maan bacchiyo ko kuchh kar diya to? Kya use bandook neeche kar leni chahiye? Kya kare? Use kuchh nahi soojh raha tha.

Lekin, tabhi veh bola.

"Tumhari beti... Surakshit hai!"

'Huh?'

Uski awaaz halanki karkash thi, lekin usme koi darr nahi tha. Koi hich-kichaahat nahi. Keval nishchitata.

Trisha ki saansein atakne lagi. Uska dimaag kaam karna band kar raha tha.

Jaise hi Veer ne uske aur apne beech doori kam ki, jeep me baithe baaki police karmiyo ne turant hi qadam uthaaya, apne-apne hathyaar liye unn sabhi ne Veer par bandooke taan di. Unki ungliyaan bhi trigger par mandra rahi thi, thodi si bhi galat harqat par goliyaan chalaane ke liye ekdum taiyaar.

Lekin, Trisha abhi bhi Veer ko ghoor rahi thi. Usne apna haath ghabraate hue uthaaya.

"Nahiiiiii!"

Woh chillaayi aur usne sabhi police karmiyo ko goli chalaane se rok diya.

Woh nahi jaanti thi ki usne aisa kyu kiya. Kya ye darr tha? Ya fir kuchh aur? Lekin, use itna zaroor samajh aaya ki bandook ko iss shaks par taanana iss sthiti ka hal nahi tha.

Veer ahista-ahista uske paas aaya. Aur, fir apne badan par gathaan bandhi, khoon se sani chaadar ko usne dheere se khola.

Pihu.

Uske nanhe se chehre par shaanti ke bhaav the. Na koi chot, na koi ghaav. Ekdum achhoot.

Trisha ki bandook uske kaanpte haatho se chhoot kar fisal gayi. Woh dhadalle se bina koi parvah kiye aage badhi-

"Madam!!!"

Police karmiyo ne use savdhan karne ki koshish ki, parantu Trisha ko apni bacchi ke siwa aur koi nazar na aaya.

Usne Pihu ko apne dono haatho me lete hue sambhaala aur apne seene se lagaaya aur apni beti ko galey se lagaate hi uski rulaayi chhoot gayi.

"Woh sirf behosh hai. Thaki hui hai. Aur, kuchh nahi. Use kuchh derr me hosh aa jaayega." Veer ne samjhaate hue kaha.

Trisha bilakhte hue apni beti ke chehre ko bas choomti chali gayi. Use saans bhi badi mushqil se aa rahi thi. Uski ungliyaan Pihu ke komal chehre par daud gayi.

Veer, jiska kaam abhi bhi aadha-adhoora tha, thoda sa Trisha se alag hua. Woh waha se nikalne ke liye hua.

"Ab mujhe Juhi ko ma'am ke paas le jaana hoga. Aur, tum..."

"Huh?" Trisha use hairat me dekhi.

"Jaldi! Shamshaan ke neeche. Akele nahi. Poori force leke jao. Jaldi! Warna woh- *huff*"

"K-Kya?" Trisha ne sarr uthaate hue use aashcharya me ghoora.

"Samay kam hai. J-Jaldi- *huff* Iske pehle ki derr ho jaaye."

Uske perr mushqil se seedhe khade ho paa rahe the. Woh jaanta tha ki Disembowler buri tarah ghaayal tha. Police ki full force use takedown kar sakti thi. SHB ka raaz khul paana bhi lagbhag namumkin tha kyunki, woh hawa ke sampark me aate hi oxidise ho jaata tha.

Aur to aur, police ko Disembowler jaise serial killer aur uske kaale karnaamo se avgat karaana bhi zaroori tha. Yahi soch ke usne ye nirnay liya.

Trisha kuchh soch-samajh nahi paa rahi thi. Lekin, uski sahej pravatti Veer ki baat maanane ke liye chillaa rahi thi.

Wahi iss orr, Veer ne apna muh fera. Usne Juhi ko kass kar pakda aur ek qadam aage badha jab-

"R-Ruko! K-Kaun ho tum? Kaha jaa rahe ho? Mein tumhe yaha se kahi nahi jaane dungi."

Veer ne koi jawab nahi diya.

Trisha ne dekha ki Veer ke harr qadam me thakavat thi, blood loss use har pal kamzor kar raha tha. Magar, iske bawajood — woh aage badhne ke liye tatpar tha.

"Nidhi ma'am... Juhi ko unke paas pahuchaana hoga."

'Nidhi' ka naam uske muh se sunte hi Trisha chaunk uthi. Aur, kuchh ghante pehle ki kuchh baatein use yaad aa gayi. Gift shop par Nidhi ke sang uski pehli mulaqat aur wo baatein—

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

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

"T-Tum..." Trisha bhauchakki apna muh khole avaak Veer ko ghoori.

Yeh ladka.

Veer ke ek aur qadam aage lete hi police karmiyo ne uska raasta rok liya.

"Wahi ruk jao!" Unme se ek ne aadesh diya.

Veer ne mushqil se unn par koi nazar daali. Uska shareer bhalayi iss samay kamzor tha, lekin uska sankalp atal tha. Wo ab kisi bhi haalat me nahi ruk sakta tha.

Iske pehle ki police waale kuchh kar paate, Trisha ki awaaz ne unhe hairangi me daal diya.

"Jaane do use!" Woh ahista se boli.

Ve sab chaunkte hue uski orr mude.

"M-Madam?" Unme se ek hich-kichaaya. "M-Madam, aap ye kya keh rahi hai? Hum iss anjaan ko aise kaise jaane de sakte hai? Hum ise bilkul bhi-"

"Maine kaha na use jaane do!!!" Usne iss baar aur bhi dridhta se dohraaya.

Police karmiyo me sankoch bana raha, lekin Trisha apne nirnay par dagmagayi nahi.

Dheere-dheere wo sabhi ek taraf hatt gaye.

Agar, koi Nidhi ko jaanta tha, bacchiyo ko apne shareer par laad kar unhe bina chotil hue wapas leke aaya tha, to isme koi shaq nahi tha ki woh insaan koi serial killer nahi, balki ek shubhchintak tha.

Veer Trisha ke bagal se nikalte hue aage badha. Trisha ne ek akhiri sawaal uss se poochha—

"Kaun ho tum?"

Veer iss baar ruka. Woh peechhe muda. Uski nazar Trisha par tiki.

Ek pal ki khamoshi.

Aur, fir usne jawaab diya-

"Veer Singh!!!"

Trisha ke badan me sihran daud gayi. Veer bas itna bol, waha se chal diya.

Yeh naam. Inn beetein dino me woh iss naam se bhali bhaanti parichit thi. Yahi toh woh naam tha. Yahi wo insaan tha jiski use talaash thi. Wo aadmi jiske peechhe wo na jaane kab se padi hui thi.

Lekin, kabhi uss tak thos saboot ke saath pahuch na saki.

Aur, aaj wahi insaan-

Uski beti ko bacha ke uske paas laaya tha. Dimaag sawaalo ke bawandar me fassta jaa raha tha. Lekin, usne khud ko iss bawandar se baahar nikaala.

Abhi jo maayne rakhta tha — wo tha uski beti ka surakshit hona.

Usne apne mann me chal rahe toofan ko door karte hue, apna radio uthaaya.

"Rohan!!!"

Aur, bas... Wo punah toot ke reh gayi. Uss orr se Rohan ki bhi raahat ki saans lene ki awaaz use sunaayi di. Upar waale ko dhanyavad dete hue usne gaadi Trisha ke ilaake ki orr ghuma di.

Aur, aise hi Veer Pihu ko surakshit haatho me pahuchaate hue Nidhi ke paas pahucha tha.

Yahi woh waqt bhi tha jab Renshu aur Erica Disembowler ki lair me jaa kar, chhaan-been kar ke waha se nikal chuke the. Aur, unke nikalte hi police force ne poore shamshan ko under surveillance rakh liya tha.

Yahi woh waqt tha jab Renshu ne Erica ko ishaara kiya, Erica Veer ko Nidhi ke kamre se apne kandho par utha kar leke aayi. Wahi thi, jisne Nidhi aur Shreya dono ko neutralise kiya tha.

Renshu ne fir behosh Veer ko apne kandhe par uthaaya aur seedha Garofano ke paas le gaya.

Use car me hi Ava ke bagal se litaate hue usne Garofano ki orr dekha.

Behosh Veer aur Ava dono ek dusre ke bagal se laite hue the. Behoshi me bhi dono ke haath ek dusre se lage hue the.

Ek pal ke liye Garofano ki bauhe sikudi. Usne kuchh sochte hue Veer ka haath Ava ke haath se dur kar diya aur uske ghaavo ka ilaaj karne me jutt gayi.

Na sirf usne Veer ko apna ek vitality serum aur antiserum diya, balki uske ghaavo ka ilaaj kar uske haatho ko chains se azaad bhi kar diya.

Renshu, Erica aur Garofano, fir Veer ko leke hospital pahuche jaha parivar jann Veer ko iss awastha me dekh hakke-bakke reh gaye the.

Aur, fir Veer ka hosh aana aur use Manorath ki mrityu ki khabar ka praapt hona. Yahi sab toh hua tha.

Uske baad Garofano hospital se seedhe wapas car par pahuchi jaha Ava pehle se hi hosh me baithi hui thi.

Garofano : You are awake!

Ava : ...

Garofano : !!? Kuchh nahi kehna?

Ava : V-Veer! K-Kaha hai woh?

Garofano (smiles) : Kuchh derr pehle tumhare bagal se hi tha.

Ava : K-Kyaaaaa??

Wo hadbadaate hue idhar-udhar dekhi.

Ava : K-Kaha? Kaha hai woh? No! Wait!

Agle hi pal jaise use khud hi Veer ki location 'Death Flag' ke zariye maalum pad gayi.

Ava (mutters) : H-Hospital!

Garofano : Hmm! Uske dada ji nahi rahe. The other lady... What was her name again? Ragini! Hmm! Wo out of danger hai, lekin ab chal nahi sakti.

Ava ka sarr ye sunte hi neeche jhuk gaya. Usne apne dono perr mod apna chehra ghutno ke peechhe chhupa liya. Woh apne aap ko dosh de rahi thi. Use ek zimmedari di gayi thi. Aur, woh bhi wo theek se nahi nibha paayi.

Garofano (glances) : You don't have to feel bad about it. Although, mein waha nahi thi, aur mujhe nahi pata exactly kya hua tha lekin-

Ava : ???

Garofano : Erica ne sab kuchh bata diya hai. You took a bullet for someone else. Aur, agar tum nahi hoti- there was no way that girl would have survived that shot.

Ava : M-Mein- *sniff*

Garofano ne aage kuchh na kaha. Kuchh derr baad Ava ne uss se sawaal kiya.

Ava : Tumne aisa kyu kaha tha?

Garofano : Hmm? Kya?

Ava : Yahi ki... You are hiding your cards. Just like him.

Garofano : Woh? *smiles* Well, kya ye sach nahi? Tum apne cards chhipaaye hue ho. Just like him. Usne bhi mujhe apne saare cards ke baare me nahi bataaya. Hey! Now, I feel really bad you know.

Ava : ??

Garofano : Mein akeli hi hu jisne apne saare cards ke baare me tum sabko bataya hua hai. Aur, tum sab ho ki-

Ava : I don't feel the need to tell you.

Garofano : Wow! So, much for the help, right?

Ava : Kisi na kisi din mein ye favor chuka dungi. Cards ki details share karne ki koi zaroorat nahi mujhe.

Garofano : Chill, pretty girl. So cold, damn! *sighs* To kya mein wo favor abhi maang sakti hu?

Ava : Huh?

Garofano : Bolo?

Ava (nods) : Ask!

Garofano (grins) : Apne aap ko Veer se door kar do!

Ava (yells) : KABHI BHI NAHIIIIII-!!!

Wo itni zorr se chillaayi ki Garofano khud aashcharya me reh gayi. Ava ke gaal agle hi pal fir gulaabi ho chale. Aur, Garofano ke hontho par ek muskaan bikhar gayi. Woh bina kuchh kahe, waha se nikal gayi par jaate-jaate uske shabd Ava ke kaano tak pahuchne se na choonke.

"Tumhare favor chukaane ka intezar rahega, mujhe."

Kehte hue wo waha se chali gayi aur Ava pichhli ghatit vardaato ke baare me soch-vichaar kar leen ho gayi.

---

Veer's old house...

Antim sanskar ki taiyaari shuru ho chuki thi. Ghar ki mahilaaye, bagal se khadi ho kar sab dekh rahi thi. Aankhein laal thi aur sarr dhake hue.

Purush shaiyaa ki samagri ka prabandhan karne me lage hue the. Bhaar sirf Manorath ji ke shareer ka nahi uthaana tha, uske saath unki yaadon ka bhi bhaar juda hua tha.

Shaiyaa ko taiyaar karne ke liye baans ki lakdiyaan, rassiyaan aur safed kapda aa chuka tha.

Karunesh, Vivek aur Brijesh mil kar lakdiyaan baandhne ka kaam kar rahe the.

Ghar ke ird-gird aas-pados ki bheed-bhaad bhi jama ho chuki thi. Log aapas me charcha kar rahe the.

"Kaise? Ghatna kaise hui ye?"

"News me aaya to raha. Humla ho gaya na."

"Haan? Kaha?"

"Wai apna... Prestige hotel. Bahut bada humla tha."

"To humle me maare gaye?"

"Haan! Abhi poora clear nahi pata chala hai, par baaki log to yahi bata rahe ki humle me jaan chali gayi."

"Accha! Tch! Tch! Tch! Bechaare buzurg hoke aisi ghatna ka shikaar ho gaye."

"Kya kar sakte hai ab."

Veer Manorath ji ke perr ke paas hi baitha hua tha. Peeth jhuki, haath ghutno par tike hue, aur aankhein khaali.

Kavya aur Arohi use awaaz deti rahi, magar usne ek baar bhi nahi suna. Shyaam ne jab use paani ka glass diya tab bhi usne apni palkein tak nahi jhapkayi.

Uski nazrein sirf apne dada ji ke chehre par tiki hui thi. Aur, jaise hi Manorath ji ke shareer ko farsh se uthaaya gaya, Veer ki tandra bhang ho gayi.

'Huh?'

Usne mud ke dekha. Ek baar palak jhapki. Fir, dobaara.

Qadmo ki chehel-pehel, shorgul, sab kuchh ek saath uss par toot pada. Wo bina kuchh samjhe khada hua, dheere-dheere uske perr dada ji ke shav ki disha ki orr badhne lage.

Manorath ji ke shav ko baahar laa kar rakh diya gaya tha.

Rassi baandhte hue Brijesh ne sarr upar kar Veer ko dekha. Uske haath me bhi rassi thi.

Wo baans ke dhaanche ko aise dekh raha tha jaise maano wo koi suljhaane waali paheli ho. Kabhi uski nazrein apne haath me li hui rassi par tikti to kabhi baans ke dhaanche par.

Jeevan me pehli baar wo apne kisi qareebi ki maut me iss tarah se shaamil ho raha tha. Inn reeti-rivaaz me itna sammilit hone ka avsar use pehle kabhi praapt nahi hua tha.

Ek khamoshi kuchh derr chhaayi rahi.

Fir, aaj saalo me pehli baar-

"Ise iss tarah se baandho, Veer. Meri tarah...!"

Brijesh ne Veer se kaha. Awaaz naram thi. Na hi aagya se bhari hui aur na hi katu. Ekdum — vinamra.

Veer ne use dekha. Wo chup-chaap neeche baitha, apne pita ko dekhte hue usne rassi ko baandhna seekha, aur baans ki lakdiyo me wo rassi ki gathaane lagaane laga.

Ek pal ke liye — saara gussa, saare gile-shikve, sab kuchh ek taraf ho gaya. Dono baap-bete ke haath shaiyaa banaane me chal rahe the. Karunesh aur Vivek ne jab ye dekha to dono hi ahista se unn dono ke beech se alag ho gaye.

Ek ke baad ek gaanth.
Ek ke baad ek saans.
Saath-saath.

Kuchh door khadi, Bhavna ne jab yeh dekha to usne apne haath se apne muh ko dhak liya. Bagal se khadi, Purvi ne uske kandhe ko thaama.

Brijesh ko tabhi, apne pita ji ke akhir bol yaad aa gaye.

Wo Yarnia ke udhghatan me nahi gaya tha. Parantu, jab TV par samachar se use khabar lagi. Uske perr apne aap chal pade.

Use wo drishya yaad aaya. Wo pal jab uske pita ji use Hotel Prestige me chalne ke liye anurodh kar rahe the. Use nahi pata tha ki wo uska apne pita ke saath akhiri sanvaad hone waala tha —

---

"Toh tum nahi chaloge??"

"Jab mujhe bulaya hi nahi gaya toh bhala mein kaise jaa sakta hu, papa ji?"

"Murkh ho kya tum? Veer ne ek nyota bheja hai. Kya itni bhi samajh nahi tumhe ki ye sabke liye hai?"

"Aapko Veer ka phone aaya tha?"

"Haan!"

"Sumitra ko bhi aaya tha. Usne bataya mujhe. Lekin, mujhe nahi! Iska kya matlab hua? Kya aap samjhe nahi? Ya aap samajhna nahi chaahte?"

"Tum paagal ho sach me, Brijesh! Tumne jo kuchh bhi kiya hai uske baad bhala woh kaise tumse aake upat ke baat kar sakta hai? Jaise tum hich-kicha rahe ho waise hi toh woh bhi hich-kicha raha hoga na?"

"Kya waqai, papa ji? Mujhe nahi lagta! Balki, mujhe waha na paa kar use khushi hi hogi."

"Tum bawle ho gaye ho, Brijesh! Beta hai tumhara! Aur, tum baap ho uske. Ek baap apne bete ke sukh me uske nyota dene ka intezar nahi karta."

"Ye uss baap ke liye hai jo dukh me bhi apne bete ke saath khada rahe, jo mein nibha na saka. Mujhe waha paa ke sab uncomfortable ho jayenge. Rehne dijiye! Aap bhuliye mat ki Shweta aur... Bhavna bhi waha hongi. Aapke liye kehna asaan hai. Par, mere liye waha jaana itna asaan nahi."

"Tumhari dikkat kya hai tumhe pata hai Brijesh? Tum log kya sochenge iss baare me zyada sochte ho aur iss baare me kam ki kya karna chahiye. Arey bhai ye toh zahir si baat hai ki tumhare waha hone se baatein pehle ki tarah nahi hongi. Par, kya Veer ko iss se farq padega?"

"???"

"Nahi! Maayne ye rakhega ki uska baap jisne use ghar se baahar nikaal diya tha, aaj woh waha uske saamne uske liye khada hai."

"Nahi! Nahi papa ji! Ye toh wahi baat ho gayi ki sukh me sab kaam aate hai par dukh me-? Koi nahi! Mein ab maafi ke laayak nahi papa ji! Ab bahut bigaad liya maine apna aur baakiyo ka jeevan. Ab aur nahi-!"

"Tumne sahi kaha. Tum maafi ke laayak nahi! Lekin, maafi ke laayak koi bhi nahi hota, Brijesh!"

"???"

"Maafi ke laayak koi nahi hota. Use ye kamaana padta hai. Uss laayak banana padta hai ki vyakti aap ko maaf kar sake. Aur, tumhara waha pahuchna maafi maangne ka pehla qadam hoga."

"N-Nahi, papa ji! M-Mein-"

"Tum iss liye nahi jaana chaahte kyunki tumhe lagta hai ki woh log kya sochenge? Tum unse aankh se aankh milaane par ghabra rahe ho. Par, yahi toh pehla padaav hai, Brijesh. Chalo! Ghabrao nahi! Ek baar samay haath se nikal gaya toh dobaara nahi aata."

"Papa ji, samajhiye baat ko-"

"Tumhe pata hai? Kabhi-kabhi ek baap apne bacche ko jo sabse bada tohfa de sakta hai woh kya hai? Woh hai uski - maujoodgi! Agar, Veer ka phone nahi aaya toh kya hua? Woh toh chhota hai, par tum toh bade ho na? Pehel toh tumhe hi karni hogi na? Bhale hi tumhe kaisa bhi mehsoos ho par chalo, kyunki iss sthiti me andar se har baccha yahi chaahega ki uske pita saamne aaye. Veer bhi-!"

"M-Mein... Mein sochunga, Papa ji! Par, aaj mujhe apni mann-maani kar lene dijiye! Jaiye aap! Samay ho raha hai!"

Manorath ke lakh manaane par bhi jab Brijesh na maana toh woh narazgi me waha se jaane lage. Unke qadam darwaze ki dehleez par aake ruke.

"Meri seekh yaad rakhna Brijesh! Samay ek baar haath se nikal gaya, toh dobaara nahi aata."

Aur, woh waha se nikal gaye.

---

Akhiri lapte ek ajeeb si shaanti ke saath naach rahi thi — dheemi, aur bhasm karne waali.

Veer jalti hui chita se kuchh hi feet door khada hua tha. Manorath ji ka shav agni me sama chuka tha. Hawa ne rukh badla aur dhue ko ek taraf uda diya, apne saath na keval raakh, balki unki kahaniyaan, gyaan, aur uss vyakti ki antim garmjoshi bhi le gaya jisne kabhi Veer ko uska ekmaatra surakshit aashray diya tha.

Uski mutthiyaan bandhi rahi. Saansein kamzor. Aur, aankhein — bina moonde ek jagah sthir.

Mann shaant tha. Bahut derr tak. Jab tak ki-

[Master...]

Pari ki awaaz na goonj gayi.

Kintu, koi pratikriya nahi.

Uski aankhein abhi bhi aag ki lapto par tiki hui thi, maano jaise uske sawaalo ka jawaab ye laptein hi dene waali thi.

Lekin, Pari kahi nahi gayi.

[Master... I'm here.]

Veh jhijhki. Fir, aage boli. Uski awaaz dheemi thi, ek asamaanya komalta se bhari hui. Aur, fir kuchh sochte hue usne-

*Ding*

['Mission : A Knight's Stand' failed.]

System ki window ne Veer ki chetna me roop liya. Usme se aani waali neeli raushni tim-tima rahi thi. Iss baar, Veer ne dhyaan diya.

*Ding*

[The host was not able to get rid of the Disembowler.]

[The host did succeed in rescuing Juhi and Pihu.]

[The host also succeeded in keeping the experiment’s secret a secret from the general public.]

[The host will not be penalized for the secret being publicized.]

[The host will not be placed under police surveillance.]

[The mission failed because not all the conditions were fulfilled.]

[Mission failure penalty applied.]

[Penalty : Loss of loved ones.]

[Rewards have been granted.]

*Ding*

[You have been rewarded 20,000 Points.]

[You have been rewarded 5000 Fame Points.]

[Since the mission wasn’t completed, Perk Hunt will not be activated. Hence, no perks can be selected.]

Khamoshi.

Veer ne unn notifications ko suna. Magar, uska dhyaan abhi bhi kahi aur hi tha.

Usne ek gehri saans li. Aur, fir-

'M-Maine unhe kho diya, Pari. Mein unhe bacha nahi saka. Mere karan wo-'

Wo ek qadam aage badha. Aankhein ekdum laal.

'Maine maut ko dekha hai. Mere inn haatho ne logo ko maut bhi di hai. P-Par, kabhi bhi... kabhi bhi maine iss tarah mehsoos nahi kiya. Ye mujhe andar se jala raha hai, Pari.'

[...]

'Wo sirf mere dada ji nahi the. Wo mera ghar the. Uss puraane ghar se agar koi mujhe jod ke rakhe hue tha to woh wahi the... W-Wahi...!'

Uski mutthiyaan dheeli pad gayi.

'I was too late, Pari. Too weak. Too distracted. Aur, ab mere paas kuchh bacha hai toh woh hai — ye dhua, ye raakh, aur ye... glaani. Asahaneeya glaani.'

'Agar, mein aur taqatvar hota, hoshiyar hota, toh shayad mein-'

[Maaasterrrr, Nooooo-!]

'???'

[Master! Aapne wo kiya jo aur koi nahi kar sakta tha. Aapne uss Disembowler se do bacchiyon ki jaan bachaayi. Aapne SHB ke rehesya ko duniyaa ke saamne aane se roka.]

'M-Mein-'

[Aap unprepared the. Aap uski territory me the. Aur, fir bhi aapne haar nahi maani. Kya aapko lagta hai aap kamzor ho???]

Uski awaaz kaanp uthi. Aur, fir-

Dusri baar. Veer ko apne mann me wahi anubhooti mehsoos hui.

Aansu. Lekin, uske nahi. Pari ke.

'Pari, tum-'

Pari ki chetna se uski chetna me ek udaasi ki jhalak.

[Aap bhool kyu jaate ho ki mein wo sab kuchh mehsoos kar sakti hu jo aap karte ho. *sniff* Aapki har dhadkan... Mujhe goonjti hui sunaayi deti hai. Har aansu jo aap girne nahi dete... Unhe mein andar se mehsoos karti hu.]

'!!?'

[You didn't fail him, Master. You carried his name through fire. Through war. Through hell.]

'Pari!'

[Aur, ab bhi aap mazbooti se khade hue ho. Tab bhi jab aap andar se toot rahe ho. They can't see it. But I can. I can feel it.]

Veer wahi chita ke paas dhool bhari zameen par apne ghutno ke bal gir pada.

*Sniff*

Usne apni chhaati ko kass ke jakda. Dard se nahi, balki apne andar bachi hui cheezon ko sambhaalne ki ek betaab koshish me.

Usne ghutate hue kaha,

'P-Par, unhone mujhpe vishvas kiya tha, Pari. Kitne bharose se wo aaye honge aur unke saath- Ek akhiri baar mein unhe dekh tak na saka. I-'

[Aap humesha unke pasandeeda rahoge, Master. Humesha.]

Ek lambi khamoshi chhaa gayi. Veer ke aansu akhirkar gir pade.

'Itna dard kyu ho raha hai, Pari? *sniff*'

[Kyunki, aap unse itna pyaar karte the jitna aap khud nahi jaante the, Master.]

'!!!'

[And love, Master… is the only thing in this world more powerful than death.]

Woh muda. Uske peechhe ki aag ek antim baar bhadak uthi aur fir dheere-dheere feeki padne lagi.

Aur, aaj mann ki gehraayi me, jaha aam taur par notifications aur pari ke bol goonjte rehte the, ek durlabh tarah ki khamoshi chhaa gayi — khaalipann se nahi, balki do chetnao se, jo ek saath shok mana rahi thi.

***

Antim sanskar samapt hua hi tha, aag abhi bujh hi rahi thi, jab-

Baahar ek alag tarah ki aag ne apna janm le liya.

Veer, apne parivar sang jaise hi mukti dham se baahar nikla, toh uska swagat khamoshi se nahi, balki shor se hua.

Ek toofan.

Cameras chamak uthe. Microphones kinhi bhaale ki tarah aage badhe. Awaazein — unme se hazaaron — jwaar ki leher ki tarah aake uske kaano me takraayi.

"Mister, Veer Singh! Kya Hotel Prestige ki tragedy aapki zimmedari thi?"

"Humle ke dauran aap kaha the? Aapko kahi dekha hi nahi gaya."

"Aapki nigraani me bekasoor security guards maare gaye. Iska dosh kis par hai?"

"Kya aap ye soch rahe hai kya ki fame hone se aap inn sab se bach sakte hai?"

"Kya aap aaj raat so bhi paayenge? Ye jaante hue ki aapki sampatti ki suraksha karte hue nirdosh log maare gaye?"

"Jawab dijiye, Mister Veer!"

"Tune mere bhai ko maar daala, haram khor!! Mein tujhe chhorunga nahi!"

"Khooni!! Khooni ho tum!"

"Tumhare hotel ne mere pita ji ko zinda kha liya."

"Kya hoga humaara?"

Mratak security guards ke parivar ke kuchh sadasya bhi journalists ki bheed me ghus gaye. Wo barricades ko dukh, gusse aur aakrosh me paar kar gaye.

Unme se ek Veer par lagbhag jhapatne hi waala tha, lekin kuchh dayaalu ajnabiyon ne use rok liya.

Veer wahi khada raha. Uska shareer jamm sa gaya. Isliye, nahi ki woh darr gaya tha, balki isliye kyunki Hotel Prestige ka samachar ab vistaar se use sunane mil raha tha.

Wo jaanta tha humla hua tha. Hospital me hosh aane ke baad, Arohi ne use zaroori khabar de di thi. Yahi ki Hotel Prestige me humla hua tha. Golibaari. Jisme uske dada ji chal base.

Manorath ji ki maut bloodloss aur pain se hi hui thi. Sniper ki bullet koi aam bullet nahi hoti thi. Aur, na hi sniper koi aam bandook thi.

Manorath ji ke kandhe par bullet lagi thi. Jab tak ve hospital pahuche, unka ilaaj shuru hua, tab tak unhone dum tod diya tha.

Veer yeh jaanta tha. Magar, ye sab kya tha? Security guards ki jaan jaana? Arohi ne uske bhale ke liye poori sachaayi nahi bataayi thi.

Uski aankhein chaudi ho gayi. Glaani, sadma, aur kuchh agyaat anubhutiyaan uske andar toofan ki tarah ghoomne lagi.

Aur, fir-

Bheed ke beech se.

"VEEEEEEER!!!"

Ek awaaz. Ek cheenkh. Ek pukaar — iss araajakta ko cheerti hui.

Tej. Wo aayi.

Uske baal bikhre hue the. Chehra aasuon se bheega hua tha. Bheed uske liye alag nahi hui — lekin, usne sangharsh kar ke apna raasta banaaya.

Logo ki kohniyaan use lagi, dhakke lage, cameras use lage, woh lagbhag girte-girte bachi, lekin ruki nahi.

Wo bhaagi. Tezi se. Jaise uska dil fatne ko aa gaya ho-

Aur, tamaam bheed ko alag karte hue wo uske paas pahuchi. Waha khadi ho gayi — Veer aur saari duniyaa ke madhya.

Wo haanf rahi thi. Uske baal, paseene se geele ho chuke uske gaalo se chipke hue the.

Tej (screams) : BAS KAROOOOO!!!!

Shor kam ho gaya. Awaazein shaant pad gayi.

Tej ne mud kar media ka saamne kiya, uske kandhe kaanp rahe the, lekin uski awaaz bheed ke shor se bhi zyada tez thi.

Tej : Aap logo ko jawaab chaahiye na??? Mein dungi jawaab! Kyunki, hotel prestige ko sambhaalne waale Mister Veer nahi. Mein thi.

Ek virham. Ek sannaata sa chhaa gaya.

Tej (shaking but firm) : Mein Tejal Singh. Mister Veer Singh ki badi behan. Mein hi in charge thi. Mein hi thi jo new year eve ko sambhaal rahi thi.

Journalists : !!?

Tej : Aur, mein... Mein hu doshi. Haan, mein galat hu. Maine khatre par dhyaan nahi diya. Mein galat hu jo guests par dhyaan de rahi thi aur hazar saalo me kabhi ye khayal mujhe nahi aane waala tha ki koi sarfira uss waqt humari hotel ke andar bomb fek sakta hai.

Journalists : *mutters*

Tej (eyes flaring) : Haan, mein galat hu. Par, kya aap me se kisi ko aisi ummeed ho sakti thi? Kya aapko ummeed thi ki celebration ki raat me bandook liye naqab-posh gunde logo par goliyaan barsaane lagenge?

Kisi ne jawaab nahi diya. Microphones dheere-dheere neeche ho gaye. Kuchh cameras bhi neeche jhuk gaye.

Tej : Mein ise rok nahi saki. Mein iska anumaan bhi nahi laga saki...! Lekin, mein ise jitna ho sakta hai, utna theek karne ki koshish karungi. Har parivar jisne kisi ko khoya hai, mein unse milungi. Jo kuchh bhi bann padega, wo mein karungi. Wo sab humari hotel ke sadasya the.

Door khadi, Bhumika ki aankhon me ye sab dekh aansu umad aaye. Hotel uski thi. Magar, kavach bann ke Tej unhe inn sab se bacha rahi thi.

'T-Tejal, tum-!!'

Ho na ho, aaj Bhumika ke mann se Tejal ko leke saare berr samapt ho chuke the.

Tej : Madad, chaahe aarthik ho, ya kaisi bhi. Mein sab karungi. Guzre hue logo ko waapas nahi laaya jaa sakta. M-Mein jaanti hu ki ye sab ek jaan ke badle kisi kaam ke nahi-! M-Magar, fir bhi-! Mein har wo koshish karungi, jo cheezein theek kar sakti hai.

Journalists : *nods*

Tej : But don't you dare... DON'T YOU DARE come after him.

Wo ek pal ke liye mudi. Veer ko dekhi, jo aashcharya me use hi ghoor raha tha. Aur, fir waapas bheed ka saamna karne me lag gayi.

Tej : Usne bhi aaj kisi ko khoya hai. Maine bhi. Humaare poore parivar ne. Aap sab akele nahi ho. Humaare parivaar ka kya? H-Humaare nuksaan ki bharpaayi kaun karega? *sniff* Huh? Jawaab do!!!

*Silence*

Tej : Sirf, isliye ki mera bhai chup hai, use kamzor samajhna aur kisi dushman ki tarah treat karna band karo! *sniff* Sirf, isliye ki wo famous hai. Sirf isliye ki wo umr me adhiktar logo se chhota hai. Aur, sirf isliye kyunki aap sab mann marzi muh chala sakte ho...! BAND KAR DO!!

*Silence*

Veer ka haath utha. Aur, dheere se usne apna haath — kaanpte hue — Tej ke kandhe par rakh diya.

Woh chaunki. Fir, palti.

Unki aankhein mili.

Koi shabd nahi.

Sirf wo bandhan. Unke beech ka — ankaha aur achal.

Veer (mutters) : Thank you! Teju di!

Aur, wo bechaari toot gayi. Uske gaalo se aasu behte hue girne lage, magar honth muskura uthe.

Uss ek pal, Veer ko ehsaas ho gaya ki-

Yeh... Yeh ek badi behan thi.

Sansaar agar talwaar liye tha to woh kavach thi.

Khud ki awaaz na ho to woh uski awaaz thi.

Doobta hua toofan me ho to woh uska kinaara thi.

Aur, girte hue ko ek haath ka sahaara.

Veer ne apni ungliyaan Tej ki ungliyon ke ird-gird lapeti. Use kass kar pakda. Aur, fir use door le jaane laga. Bheed, shor aur sawaalo se door.

Ek bhai. Ek behan. Ek dard. Ek vaada.

Tej ne na sirf fir saari vardaat ka vishleshan diya, balki apni chintaaye aur aane waale jokhim ke baare me bhi vyakt kiya.

Jiski wajah se, Veer ko ek aur shaks ka dhyaan aaya. Akhir, wo use akela chhor ke kaise aa sakta tha?

***

Baahar sheher abhi bhi araajakta me tha. Lekin, Veer ki manzil filhal ek hi thi — hospital.

Tej ke bataane par wo ek shabd bhi nahi bola. Bas, mukti dham se car uthaata hua seedhe yaha chala aaya.

Kaise naye saal ka jashn narsanhaar me badal gaya.

Kaise naqab-posh bandook-dhaariyo ne Hotel Prestige me pravesh kiya.

Kaise ek sniper ki goli, jo darasal Kavya ke liye thi — Ragini ko jaa kar lagi.

Veer ki saans ukhdi-ukhdi aa rahi thi. Woh bas bhaagta raha. Bheed ke beech se. Dukh ke beech se. Pagalpann ke beech se.

Uske joote farsh par shor macha rahe the, pattiyaan uski pasliyon par dabi hui thi, jo abhi bhi khoon se sani hui thi.

"Ragini...!"

Wo ICU me daakhil hua. Nurses ko dhakka dete hue aage badha — jab tak ki ek doctor ne use rok na diya.

Doctor : Sir! Rukiye, ek minute. Ragini ji abhi-abhi surgery se baahar aayi hai. Aur, hum unhe jald hi shift bhi kar denge. Tab tak ke liye please aap baahar hi rahiye.

Veer : R-Ragini...!

Veer ki haalat dekh, doctor haami bhar aage aaya.

Doctor : Dekhiye! Woh theek hai. Gambheer khatre se woh baahar hai, lekin-

Veer : !!?

Lekin, kya? Veer jaanta tha. Magar, dobara sunana nahi chaahta tha.

Usne Ragini ko dekha. Wo wahi laiti hui thi. Haatho me alag-alag naliyaan lagi hui thi. Ek perr thoda upar utha hua tha aur jatil surgical braces se bandha hua tha.

Uski saansein kamzor thi, lekin wo jeevit thi. Yahi! Uske paas.

Veer uske nazdeek aaya. Har qadam pehle se adhik bhaari. Uska haath bistar ki steel ki railing ko chhua aur Ragini ke chehre ko dekha.

Uske honth sookhe hue the. Maathe par halki si jhurriyaan jo shikan ko darsha rahi thi.

Doctor chalte hue Veer ke paas aaya.

Doctor : Mujhe sab pata chala. Dekhiye, mein jaanta hu ye kaafi mushqil hai. Par, aap sabko ye hazam karna padega.

Veer ne doctor ko na dekha. Wo bas Ragini ko dekhta raha.

Doctor : Ragini ji ko sniper round se nikli high velocity bullet ne chotil kiya tha. Goli ne femur ko chaknachoor kar diya aur tibial nerve bhi damage ho chuki hai. Aap samajh rahe hai na?

Veer : ???

Doctor : Humne femur ko reconstruct karne ke liye rods aur bone grafts ka istemal kiya hai. Lekin, nerve damage irreversible hai.

Veer : M-Matlab...

Doctor : Matlab, ye ki- unka perr to theek hai, lekin wo firse nahi chal payengi. Kam se kam, pehle ki tarah to nahi.

*Silence*

Doctor (continuing) : Intensive rehab ke chalte unhe thodi mobility mil sakti hai. Lekin, neuromuscular ka jo ek coordination hota hai, woh jaa chuka hai. Brain se signals nichle ang tak pehle ki tarah nahi pahuchenge.

Veer : ...

Doctor : Dekhiye, humne wo sab kiya jo hum kar sakte the. Fracture ko stabilise kiya, nerve pressure ko decompress kiya, haemorrhage ko roka. Par, aghaat bahut gehra tha, Mister Veer. Bahut sateek. Isliye- *sighs* Anyways, this is the best outcome.

Shabd Veer ke dimaag me mandraane lage. Laga jaise woh abhi yahi ladkhada ke gir jayega.

Ragini pehle jaise nahi chal paayegi. Kabhi bhi nahi.

Doctor to chala gaya, magar Veer wahi ghutno ke bal Ragini ke bagal se baith gaya. Uska haath ahista se aage badha.

Komalta se usne Ragini ke baalon ka ek dheela latka hua latt kaan ke peechhe kiya. Ungliyaan Ragini ki twacha se sparsh hote hi kaanp rahi thi.

Aur, fir uske jaane bina-

Uske aansu punah binn marzi beh chale.

'Kyu???'

'Mein tumhe kabhi sahi jawab na de saka.'

Ragini ne use panaah di thi jab uske paas koi thikaana nahi tha. Jab woh khud ke liye muskura nahi sakta tha tab woh uske liye muskuraati thi. Usne uski raksha ki, uss se pyaar kiya. Apne poore astitva ke saath.

Usne kabhi kuchh nahi maanga — siwae uske dil ke.

Par, Veer humesha use intezar karwaata raha. Aur, aaj woh yaha iss haal me laiti thi. Chotil. Tooti hui. Apahij. Uski wajah se.

Veer ne uska haath thaama.

'Tumne mujhe kya kuchh nahi diya, Ragini. Pyaar, Panaah, Khushiyaan. Tumne mujhe apna tann, mann, dhan sab kuchh luta diya. Aur, badle me maine tumhe kya diya? Sirf, mera maun jawaab.'

Usne apna haath, uske maathe par rakha.

'Mein... tumhe deserve nahi karta, Ragini.'

Woh jhuka. Aur, uske maathe ko usne dheere se choom liya.

'But, I'll earn you now.'

'Mein yahi rahunga. Ab kahi nahi bhaagunga. Ab aur koi chuppi nahi.'

'I'll be your legs... Your strength... Your everything.'

'Bas jaag jao. Please... Ragini! Jaag jao.'

Akhiri guhaar par uski awaaz andar hi andar toot gayi. Aaj pehli baar, use andar se mazbooti mehsoos nahi hui. Ek system holder jaisa mehsoos nahi hua. Bas, ek sadharan aadmi. Jo duniyaa se pareshan ho chuka tha.

Woh khada hua. Usne apne aansu pochhe. Ragini ke sote chehre par ek akhiri nazar daali. Fir, muda...

Aur, darwaaze ki orr chal diya.

Jaane se pehle — usne peechhe mud kar dekha.

'I promise, Ragini. When you wake up... You won't find me missing again.'

Aur, wo chala gaya.

ICU se baahar aate hi uski nazar ek aur ward me padi, jaha Suman laiti hui so rahi thi. Uske haath me bandage lagi hui thi. Veer ko samajhne me derr na lagi ki Suman hi thi — jisne Ragini ko khoon diya tha.

***

Aspataal se neeche aate waqt, Veer ke mann me Tej ke bol goonj rahe the.

"Mein shayad nahi bachti, Veer- A-Agar woh na hoti. Wo lady. Mask pehni hui. Pata nahi kaun thi. Usne mujhe dhakela aur fir- wo apna pait pakad ke dard se karaah rahi thi. Lekin, iss se pehle ki mein use pakad paati wo hotel ke baahar bhaag gayi. Kasam se...! Agar, wo na hoti to shayad aaj mein yaha tumhare saamne nahi hoti, Veeru."

A masked woman?

Veer samajh chuka tha.

Ava.

Uske dimag ke chalne se pehle hi uske perr chal diye. Hospital ki parking ke paas — mukhya dwaar ke theek baahar.

Do jaani pehchaani aakritiya ek kaali badi si SUV ke paas khadi thi.

Renshu aur Erica.

Erica ne use sabse pehle dekha.

'V-Veer!'

Woh ladka jisne Jaw Long ke maidaan me ghus ke poore yuddh ko apne paksh me kar liya tha.

Wahi Veer jis se dobaara milne ke liye wo itna lalcha rahi thi. Woh uske saamne tha.

Par, Veer kuchh bhi kehne ke liye nahi ruka. Renshu ne use dekh saath chalne ka ishaara kiya. Woh aage badha.

Ava car me peechhe ki foldable seat par baithi hui thi. Wo baahar hi dekh rahi thi jab kisi ke aane ka use ehsaas hua. Uska sarr uss disha ki orr muda aur-

Woh waha tha.

Veer.

Ava ki saans atak gayi. Uska badan kaanp gaya.

Veer ne hi use zimmedari saunpi thi. Hotel Prestige aur parivar ko surakshit rakhne ki.

Aur, wo vifal rahi.

Veer ke dada ji jaa chuke the. Hotel par humla hua. Ragini ghaayal hui. Sab kuchh bikhar gaya.

Ava ka dil baith gaya.

Glaani ka bhaar itna badh gaya ki veh khud ko rok na paayi. Aasu behne lage. Pehle to chupke se... Fir lagatar.

Ava : M-Mein... V-Veer...

Usne uthne ki koshish ki-

Ava : I-I'm... I'm sorry, Veer. I-

Parantu, iske pehle ki woh aur kuchh bolti, Veer aage ki aur dauda. Aur, usne Ava ko apni baahon me bhar liya.

Kass kar. Poori tarah se.

Uski mazboot pakad se Ava ke ghaav dabb gaye, woh halka sa karaah uthi.

Lekin, ye dard kuchh bhi nahi tha. Tab nahi jab woh uski baahon me thi.

Tab nahi, jab woh apne aap se use apne aalingan me bhar raha tha. Fir, bhale hi uski chot kyu na dukhe, aise hazaro dard uthaane ke liye khushi-khushi raazi thi woh.

Ava ne apna chehra uske seene me daba liya. Uske haath dheere-dheere Veer ki shirt ke peechhe kass gaye. Uski awaaz siskiyon me badal gayi.

Ava (barely breathing) : V-Veer, mein-

Veer (softly) : I know...

Ava : ??

Veer : Tumne Teju di ko bachaaya. Tumne wo bullet apne upar li. Mujhe sab pata hai.

Ava jamm ke reh gayi. Uske aasu behna dheeme ho gaye.

Ava (confused) : B-But, I failed... Tumhare dada ji...

Veer : Nahi!

Ava : Huh!!?

Veer : You fulfilled your duty, Ava. Bhale hi tum na maano. Par, mein maan gaya hu.

Woh stabdh thi.

Veer (smiles) : Thank you, Ava!

Ava : Ahh!!!?

Aur, Veer ne use apne gale se laga liya. Ava ke aasu jhar-jhar kar behne lage.

Kuchh qadam door, ye drishya dekh kar Garofano ka haath mutthi me simat gaya. Uske honth ek patli rekha samaan dabb gaye. Woh aalingan... Jis tarah se Veer ne Ava ko pakad rakha tha.

Usne Garofano ke andar kuchh jala kar rakh diya.

Woh mudi aur bina kuchh kahe waha se door chali gayi.

Renshu : Huh? Kya hua tumhe?

Erica ka haal bhi kuchh aisa hi tha. Use ehsaas hua ki sirf wahi nahi thi. Ek ajeeb sa dard uske seene me utha aur woh bhi Garofano ki taraf chal di.

Renshu : Huh? Erica???

***

SUV ke baahar Veer dheere se aaya.

Ava andar hi thi. Laal aankhein liye use dekh rahi thi. Woh hug abhi bhi uske mann me ghoom rahi thi, saath hi Veer ke seene ki garmahat.

Veer ka sarr jhuka hua tha, aankhein uske kaale baalon ke parde ke peechhe chhipi hui thi.

Woh aage badha — Erica ya Garofano ki orr nahi, balki Renshu ki orr.

Koi greetings nahi. Koi emotions nahi.

Bas... Sannaata.

Uske ird-gird ka aura badla hua tha. Thanda. Mapa hua. Ab dard nahi jhalak raha tha. Ek toofan ke pehle ki shaanti.

Garofano ne sabse pehle notice kiya. Veer ki ungliyon ki halki si thar-tharahat. Erica ne uske baad dekha — Veer ke chalne ka ek alag dhang.

Veer ruka. Renshu se bas ek qadam ki doori par.

Veer (without raising head) : Renshu! Tumhare paas kitni aur kaun-kaun si skills hai?

'Huh?'

Prashn aise aaya jaise maano shaant jheel me kisi ne bahut bada patthar fek diya ho. Renshu ki bauhe sikud gayi.

Hawa ke chalte Veer ke kapde aise fadfada rahe the jaise maano koi khamosh toofan paida hone ka intezar kar raha tha.

'Ye Veer... Iss tarah ka sawaal kyu kar raha hai achanak se?'

[Apni skills, kisi aur ko bataana. Ye khatarnak hai, Renshu.]

'Lloyd!'

[Kya hoga agar wo hume dhoka dede?]

'Mujhe nahi lagta.'

Veer ne dheere se apna sarr uthaaya. Ab uski aankhon me dard nahi jhalak raha tha. Kuchh aur hi tha. Koi uddeshya.

Veer : Aura Vision, Hawkeye, advanced martial arts, limbo, basic enemy tracker, detoxification, copycat, radio protective, aquatic breathing, tracer. Ye meri kuchh important skills hai. The rest are pretty much useless.

'Huh?'

Renshu ne apni aankhein sikodi. Skills kaafi thi. Sab ki sab ek se badh ke ek. Aur, Veer ne use iske baare me aise bata diya jaise maano woh mausam ka haal-chaal bata raha ho.

Kuchh badla hua tha. Ye Veer ko kya ho gaya tha achanak se?

Renshu ne ek aah bhari.

Renshu (nods) : Theek hai. To suno. Lance of Blaze, Prime Venture Specialist, Rapid Reaction, Commando, Strong Core, Chi Perception, Wushu, Toxin Sleuth, Pigeon Whisperer. Ye hai meri kuchh important skills.

Veer : Are you sure?

Renshu : Kya matlab?

Veer : Kya bas itni hi hai?

Renshu (nods) : Haan! Zaroori waali yahi hai.

Veer : Koi legendary skill nahi?

Renshu : Nahi!

Ek sannaata chhaa gaya.

Aur, fir bina kisi chetaavni ke-

*Whoooooooooooshhh*

'???'

Bijli ki raftaar se ek tez roundhouse kick, Renshu ke chehre ki orr aayi.

Agle hi pal, Renshu ki Rapid Reaction activate hui aur uska shareer sahaj roop se peechhe ki orr jhuk gaya. Veer ki laat ki hawa uski naak pe paas se guzri.

Peechhe khadi Erica ye dekh dang reh gayi. Uske muh se ek ghuti hui cheenkh nikli. Kya tha ye? Kya hua?

Wo dono abhi toh baatein kar rahe the. Fir achanak se ye kya?

Garofano ki aankhon me hari chamak bikhri. Usne ek qadam aage badhaaya.

Idhar, Veer ka perr wapas se zameen par land hua aur land hote hi-

*Ding*

HAWKEYE

Usne apni aedi ke jhatke se ek patthar ko seedha Renshu ki aankh ki orr uchhaal diya.

Renshu ne ek jhatke me apna haath aage kar uss patthar ko pakda. Magar, aankh ki orr aa rahe uss patthar ne ek blind spot bana diya.

Baayi orr se, Veer ka ek mukka tezi se aaya. Lagbhag adrishya.

Renshu ne use pakadne ke liye haath badhaaya.

Lekin,

'Huh?'

Wo nahi aaya.

'Nahi!'

Renshu ki aankhein chaudi ho gayi. Wo ek feint attack tha. Asli humla-

Daayi orr se aa raha mukka. Par, derr ho chuki thi.

Lekin, iske pehle ki Veer apna blow land kar paata, uski kalaayi kisi ne kass kar thaam li.

Garofano.

Garofano (yells) : VEER!!! KYA HO GAYA HAI, TUMHE?

Veer ne dheere se apna sarr ghumaya. Pehli baar usne use dekha. Garofano ne dekha ki uski aankhon me krodh tha.

Veer (yells) : Puchho Renshu se Violet. Isne mujhe bataaya tha. Kitne system holders zinda bache hue hai. Aur, sansaar me total kitne the. Isne mujhe bataaya tha...! Total 30 the. Aur, uss waqt 18! Jaw Long aur Crimson ke jaane ke baad ab shayad 16.

Garofano : ???

Veer : Par, mujhe ye batao...! Kaun si skills system holders ki ginti kar ke deti hai? Iske paas aisi koi si bhi skill nahi hai, Violet.

Garofano ka chehra peela pad gaya. Use bhi iska ehsaas hua. Woh tezi se Renshu ki orr mudi.

Erica vichlit unke paas bhaagte hue aayi.

Erica (panicked) : Rukoooo! Bas, ruk jaaaoo!! Pleeaasee!! Aap dono kyu ladd rahe ho? K-Kya hua??? Dad-!!!

Bechaari ki awaaz fatt rahi thi. Lekin, unme se koi bhi nahi hila. Garofano ne abhi bhi Veer ke haath ko jakda hua tha. Toh wahi, Renshu sthir khada hua tha.

Veer ke haath ne dheere dheere apni mazbooti dheeli ki.

Veer (yells) : JAWAAB DO, RENSHU!

Ek bhaari virham.

Renshu ne ek gehri saans li.

Renshu : Mere paas aisi koi skill nahi hai jo ye kar sakti hai.

Sab wahi jamm ke reh gaye. Siwae, Erica ke. Jisne nazrein glaani ke chalte ferr li.

Garofano : T-To, fir... kaise?

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.
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Aaj ke liye itna hi guys.
This update consists of 9.2k words. Jo kuchh bikhra hua tha, use sameta jayega. Ek ek karke saare puzzles ke pieces ko lagaya jayega. Kuchh leftovers rahenge jinhe aage ke arcs me lagaya jayega. Lekin, kaafi hadd tak clarity mil jayegi iss arc me. Post Disembowler shuru ho chuka hai. Next update bhi isi month ke end me aa jayega. Target mein ab halka sa ghata raha hu, because I know inme zyada kuchh action nahi hai aur na hi ye peak updates hai. So, target is 280 for now. Baaki, keep supporting.
Dhanyavad.

Sbse phle toh bahut khubsurat update dukh drd peeda bhavnaye hr trh k deep emotions promises is update m dekhne ko mile accha update h brother is update ko padhne k baad dil m sukun sa agya h ki chalo veer ne ragni or ava pr dhyaan diaa ese hi updates ek writer Ko THE GREAT WRITER WEREWOLF banate hn nhi toh bheedh toh is forum pr bahut h or Werewolf brother wese m apke kaam ki ijjat hmesha se hi krta ayaa hu pr aj personally apki ijjat or badh gyi h koi insaan itna humble... Dil jeet lia bhaai apne...nhi kuch bhen k lode ese bhi ynha jo arrogance or attitude m mare jaa rhe hn.... khair tum ese hi rhna brother insaan ko fame milne k baad agr uska lahja vinamr h toh wo koi aam admi nhi h that's why you are a gentleman....

 

[genger123]

Update - 197 ~ Despondency ​

Ab tak...

Veer ko kuchh samajh aata ki tabhi-

"Although, Miss Ragini ki situation kaafi critical thi. But, doctor ne mujhe khabar de di hai."

'Ragini' naam sunn woh wapas se hosh me aaya.

"She's out of danger now."

Raahat bamushqil ek kshan ke liye hi thi.

"But there's only one problem. I'm sorry to say but — woh ab pehle ki tarah kabhi nahi chal payengi."

Aur, aspatal ko ek gehre sannaate ne dhak liya.

Ab aage...

Mukhya hall safed chaadron se dhaka hua tha. Pooja ki samagri aur phoolo ki mehek ek mishran me hawa me ghuli hui thi.

Beech me Manorath ji ka shav aise pada hua tha jaise maano wo bas kisi gehri neend me so rahe ho. Koi shikan nahi. Bas bejaan.

"Papaaaaaaa jiiiii!"

Brijesh rota hua unki chhaati se lipatne ki koshish kiya, magar Arun aur Shyaam ne use pakad kar peechhe kheench liya.

Karunesh, Pranjal aur Vivek bhi wahi the. Teeno ke sirr neeche jhuke hue the. Hairani ki baat yeh thi ki Karunesh ki aankhon me bhi aasu the.

Aur, kone me khadi Bhavna ki aankhein bhi namm thi. Manorath ji jaise bhi the, unhone kabhi bhi uska bura nahi chaaha tha. Isliye, humesha se hi uske mann me unke liye aadar aur sammaan hi tha. Unhe iss tarah se jaata dekh, aaj uska dil bhi chotil tha.

“Mummaaa-!”

Kavya sisakte hue apni maa, Sumitra se lipat gayi jiski khud ki aankhein aasuon se bheegi hui thi. Sumitra ne bhi kass ke use apne aalingan me bhar liya.

Shweta khud kuchh kehne laayak nahi thi. Bhale hi Manorath se uska rishta behad mazboot nahi tha par itne saal se ek chhat ke neeche hi wo sab ke saath rehti aayi thi. Kahi na kahi Manorath ji ki mrityu ka asar uss par bhi pada tha. Bhumika ki bhi haalat yahi thi — niraasha se paripoorn.

Purvi wahi thoda door baithi sab kuchh dekh rahi thi. Bauhe sikudi hui thi aur mann vichlit.

Shyaam, Gauri, aur Parijaat ki aurtein, ye sabhi gaanv ki aatma the. Uski reedh. Ve ekjut, maun khade the, toofan ke khilaf puraane pedo ki tarah dard ko sehte hue. Aane waali zimmedariyon ke liye poori tarah se taiyaar.

Suhana apni behan Sonia ke saath thi, dono ke ird-gird suit pehne unke bodyguards khade hue the. Apne haath baandhe, sunglasses pehne, Sonia ek kursi par wahi baahar baithi hui thi. Itna gamgeen mahaul dekh wo sehem si gayi thi.

Toh wahi, Suhana thoda kaanp rahi thi. Raat bhar ke jaagne se uski aankhein laal ho rakhi thi. Apne phone par nazre gadaaye wo sandesho ko padhti jaa rahi thi.

Usne andar hall me baithe Veer ko dekha. Uske honth khule, par fir thar-thara ke band ho gaye.

Kya use haq tha uske paas jaane ka? Aise waqt par? Wo wahi khadi yeh sochti rahi.

Idhar Kaera kuchh feet door khadi thi, uska bhai Karan kuchh logo se baat-cheet kar raha tha. Shuru se ant tak, Kaera ki nazrein ek hi shaks par tiki hui thi — Veer.

Woh uske paas jaana chaahti thi. Use galey se lagaana chaahti thi. Use samjhaana chaahti thi. Lekin, uske perr hilne me asamarth reh gaye.

Uski bhavnaaye jo haal hi me jaagrit hui thi — aaj ek aur nayi anubhooti se guzar rahi thi. Aaj wo wahi mehsoos kar paa rahi thi jo usne tab mehsoos kiya tha jab usne apni maa, Archana ko khoya tha.

Dukh. Peeda. Udaasi.

Wo saare bhoole gaye emotions waapas sateh par aa rahe the.

Aabha bhi ek jagah apna ghoonghat odhe dheere-dheere ro rahi thi. Manorath se uska lagaav nahi tha. Ye aansu kal raat jo bhayanak drishya hue aur jis tarah se sab kuchh ujda, uske liye the. Apne maalik ko iss tarah dekh uska dil andar hi andar dehel raha tha.

Sonali use apne se laga ke sambhaalne ki koshish kar rahi thi, kintu woh swayam hi bheetar se ghabrayi hui thi.

Magar, Veer ka kya-!?

Tej ne use dekha. Wo chup-chaap Manorath ke saamne baitha hua tha. Jaise maano uss se abhi bhi ye khabar nahi pachaayi jaa rahi thi. Par, wo uss se kuchh na boli. Balki, wo to nazrein hi nahi mila paa rahi thi.

Ek chhota sa kaam tha. Apne bhai ki gerr-maujoodgi me Yarnia ka udhghatan karna. Bas! Iss ek chhote se kaam ko karne me wo naqamyab thi. Na sirf hotel ko nuksaan pahucha, balki Yarnia ka sampoorn karyakram bhi barbaad ho gaya. Logo ki jaane chali gayi aur upar se humle me gharwalo ne bhi apni jaan gawa di.

Aur, ye sab kuchh hua — Naye saal ki lagne waali raat me. Naya saal unke liye khushiyaan nahi, balki barbaadiyaan leke aaya. To aise me Tej akhir kaise apne bhai se nazrein mila sakti thi?

Veer ke bagal se hi Arohi bhi thi. Honth thar-thara rahe the aur bechaari ka poora chehra aansuon se bheega hua tha.

Wo uski orr jhuki. Usne Veer ke kandhe par haath rakha-

Arohi : V-Veer!

Par, koi jawab nahi.

Bas — khamoshi.

Arohi ne uske haath ko apne haath me lete hue baandha aur ek baar fir se use jhunjhlaaya.

Arohi : V-Veeeer! *sniff*

Kintu, punah koi jawab nahi. Wo hila hi nahi. Ekdum sthir — bina koi palke jhapkaaye. Jaise samay sirf uske liye ruk gaya ho. Arohi ne ek baar aur koshish ki.

Arohi : Veeeeer! M-Mujhe aise darao mat, please. *sniff* Kuchh bolo. Veeeer?

Magar, abhi bhi koi pratikriya nahi.

---

Kuchh der pehle...

Yeh woh waqt tha jab Veer Juhi aur Pihu ko apne badan par laade Disembowler ki lair se baahar nikla tha.

Uski har saans fool rahi thi, drishti dhundhli pad rahi thi, lekin woh rukne ko taiyaar nahi tha.

Juhi uski chhaati se bandhi hui thi, uska kamzor shareer thakaan ke chalte neend me upar-neeche ho raha tha. To, wahi Pihu peechhe uski peeth par behosh thi.

Baah me bhayanak tez dard uthne ke bawajood Veer use thaam ke rakha hua tha — ekdum adig.

Pari ki awaaz tabhi uske dimaag me goonji.

[Master! Aapka haath. You need to rest right now. 'Limb Substitution' ki madad se kaafi hadd tak uss waqt haath position me aa gaya tha, lekin aapne-]

Pari shikayat kar rahi thi. Veer ka haath 'Limb Substitution' ke equip karte hi sahi dhang se position me aa chuka tha. Zaroorat thi toh bas kuchh dino ke araam ki, jiske chalte uska haath wapas se pehle ki tarah ho jaane waala tha.

Magar, usne kya kiya-!?

Disembowler se bhidte waqt, usne jhatke se liquid nitrogen ke cylinder ko kheencha tha, jiske parinam swaroop uska haath wapas se lachakte hue ukhad chuka tha.

Na keval dobara use jodne ke liye shareer ki urja ka istemal hua, balki haath ke ukhadte hi ek baar fir use bloodloss se guzarna pada.

Ab agar samay rehte haath ko araam nahi diya gaya, to ye samasya aur bhi gambheer mod le sakti thi. Aur, isliye Pari chintit thi. Kyunki, iss waqt bhi — Veer ka haath Pihu ko peechhe se thaame hue tha. Haath par zor pad raha tha.

Veer ne bamushqil hi koi pratikriya di. Uska dimag ek hi cheez par kendrit tha — kaise bhi karke dono bacchiyo ko surakshit unke apno tak pahuchaaya jaaye.

Woh waha se bhaaga. Pari ki baat par usne kuchh derr baad jawab diya.

'Yeah! I- I know, Pari. Lekin, mere paas rukne ka koi option nahi hai. I must move on.'

Sadke street lights aur aasmaan aatishbaziyo se jagmaga raha tha. Police ki jeeps sadko par daud rahi thi, adhikaari hatyaare aur laapata ladkiyon ki talaash me har kone, har gali ko chhaan rahe the.

Aur, unhi jeep me se ek jeep me — Trisha thi.

Uski aankhein sooji hui thi, dashboard ko pakde hue uske haath kaanp rahe the.

"Tez chalo!!!"

Usne driver ko aadesh diya, ghanto chillaane se uski ab awaaz bhi fatt rahi thi. Bahut lamba samay ho gaya tha. Bahut saare ghante guzar chuke the — koi suraag nahi, koi sanket nahi, koi ummeed nahi. Bebasi ka bojh ab use ghutan de raha tha, magar usne tootne se inkaar kar diya.

Woh iss tarah, iss samay nahi toot sakti thi. Apni beti ko dhundhne se pehle to hargiz nahi.

Rohan, uska pati bhi wahi kahi sadko par tha. Beti ki khoj me paagalo ki tarah sheher me bhaag raha tha. Parantu, ye sab vyarth jaane waala tha agar unhe unki beti na mili toh.

Fir, jeep ne ek mod liya.

Aur, koi waha par tha.

Sadak ke beech me ek akela shaks, khoon se lathpath. Uski shirt fati hui thi, chehra ghaavo aur khoon ke kaaran bamushqil se pehchaana jaa sakta tha.

Woh waha khada tha, haanf raha tha, kaanp raha tha — lekin, sirf wahi nahi tha.

Uske seene se kuchh bandha hua tha. Koi tha. Nahi! Sirf seene se hi nahi, peeth par bhi koi tha.

Trisha ke dil ki dhadkane maano wahi tham gayi.

"Rukooooo!" Veh chillaayi.

Jeep ghisatate hue achanak ruk gayi. Jaise hi usne darwaza khola, kaanpte haatho se usne turant bandook nikaali aur seedhe saamne khade shaks par nishaana saadh diya.

"Theher jao!"

Woh chillaayi. Uski awaaz teekhi thi, ghabrahat ke bawajood usne apne aap ko sthir rakha hua tha. Jeep ki headlights jaise hi uss shaks ke peechhe ladi nanhi si bacchi ke chehre par padi, to Trisha ki aankhein bhay ke maare fel gayi.

Pihu!

Uski aankhein khoon se saney uss shaks ke chehre par ghoomi aur fir apni bacchi par.

Kaun tha ye vyakti?

Aur, uski beti uski peeth par?

Upar se wo kahi se bhi dara hua nahi prateet ho raha tha.

Idhar, Veer ne Trisha ko dekh apni gati dheemi nahi ki, balki woh chalta raha — seedhe uski orr.

Trisha ki pakad trigger par mazboot ho gayi.

"Maine kaha ruk jao!"

Woh darr rahi thi. Kya yahi wo serial killer tha? Kya isi ne uski bacchi aur Juhi ko agwa kiya tha?

Kya kare woh? Kahi woh vyakti uski chetavni ka bura maan bacchiyo ko kuchh kar diya to? Kya use bandook neeche kar leni chahiye? Kya kare? Use kuchh nahi soojh raha tha.

Lekin, tabhi veh bola.

"Tumhari beti... Surakshit hai!"

'Huh?'

Uski awaaz halanki karkash thi, lekin usme koi darr nahi tha. Koi hich-kichaahat nahi. Keval nishchitata.

Trisha ki saansein atakne lagi. Uska dimaag kaam karna band kar raha tha.

Jaise hi Veer ne uske aur apne beech doori kam ki, jeep me baithe baaki police karmiyo ne turant hi qadam uthaaya, apne-apne hathyaar liye unn sabhi ne Veer par bandooke taan di. Unki ungliyaan bhi trigger par mandra rahi thi, thodi si bhi galat harqat par goliyaan chalaane ke liye ekdum taiyaar.

Lekin, Trisha abhi bhi Veer ko ghoor rahi thi. Usne apna haath ghabraate hue uthaaya.

"Nahiiiiii!"

Woh chillaayi aur usne sabhi police karmiyo ko goli chalaane se rok diya.

Woh nahi jaanti thi ki usne aisa kyu kiya. Kya ye darr tha? Ya fir kuchh aur? Lekin, use itna zaroor samajh aaya ki bandook ko iss shaks par taanana iss sthiti ka hal nahi tha.

Veer ahista-ahista uske paas aaya. Aur, fir apne badan par gathaan bandhi, khoon se sani chaadar ko usne dheere se khola.

Pihu.

Uske nanhe se chehre par shaanti ke bhaav the. Na koi chot, na koi ghaav. Ekdum achhoot.

Trisha ki bandook uske kaanpte haatho se chhoot kar fisal gayi. Woh dhadalle se bina koi parvah kiye aage badhi-

"Madam!!!"

Police karmiyo ne use savdhan karne ki koshish ki, parantu Trisha ko apni bacchi ke siwa aur koi nazar na aaya.

Usne Pihu ko apne dono haatho me lete hue sambhaala aur apne seene se lagaaya aur apni beti ko galey se lagaate hi uski rulaayi chhoot gayi.

"Woh sirf behosh hai. Thaki hui hai. Aur, kuchh nahi. Use kuchh derr me hosh aa jaayega." Veer ne samjhaate hue kaha.

Trisha bilakhte hue apni beti ke chehre ko bas choomti chali gayi. Use saans bhi badi mushqil se aa rahi thi. Uski ungliyaan Pihu ke komal chehre par daud gayi.

Veer, jiska kaam abhi bhi aadha-adhoora tha, thoda sa Trisha se alag hua. Woh waha se nikalne ke liye hua.

"Ab mujhe Juhi ko ma'am ke paas le jaana hoga. Aur, tum..."

"Huh?" Trisha use hairat me dekhi.

"Jaldi! Shamshaan ke neeche. Akele nahi. Poori force leke jao. Jaldi! Warna woh- *huff*"

"K-Kya?" Trisha ne sarr uthaate hue use aashcharya me ghoora.

"Samay kam hai. J-Jaldi- *huff* Iske pehle ki derr ho jaaye."

Uske perr mushqil se seedhe khade ho paa rahe the. Woh jaanta tha ki Disembowler buri tarah ghaayal tha. Police ki full force use takedown kar sakti thi. SHB ka raaz khul paana bhi lagbhag namumkin tha kyunki, woh hawa ke sampark me aate hi oxidise ho jaata tha.

Aur to aur, police ko Disembowler jaise serial killer aur uske kaale karnaamo se avgat karaana bhi zaroori tha. Yahi soch ke usne ye nirnay liya.

Trisha kuchh soch-samajh nahi paa rahi thi. Lekin, uski sahej pravatti Veer ki baat maanane ke liye chillaa rahi thi.

Wahi iss orr, Veer ne apna muh fera. Usne Juhi ko kass kar pakda aur ek qadam aage badha jab-

"R-Ruko! K-Kaun ho tum? Kaha jaa rahe ho? Mein tumhe yaha se kahi nahi jaane dungi."

Veer ne koi jawab nahi diya.

Trisha ne dekha ki Veer ke harr qadam me thakavat thi, blood loss use har pal kamzor kar raha tha. Magar, iske bawajood — woh aage badhne ke liye tatpar tha.

"Nidhi ma'am... Juhi ko unke paas pahuchaana hoga."

'Nidhi' ka naam uske muh se sunte hi Trisha chaunk uthi. Aur, kuchh ghante pehle ki kuchh baatein use yaad aa gayi. Gift shop par Nidhi ke sang uski pehli mulaqat aur wo baatein—

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

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

"T-Tum..." Trisha bhauchakki apna muh khole avaak Veer ko ghoori.

Yeh ladka.

Veer ke ek aur qadam aage lete hi police karmiyo ne uska raasta rok liya.

"Wahi ruk jao!" Unme se ek ne aadesh diya.

Veer ne mushqil se unn par koi nazar daali. Uska shareer bhalayi iss samay kamzor tha, lekin uska sankalp atal tha. Wo ab kisi bhi haalat me nahi ruk sakta tha.

Iske pehle ki police waale kuchh kar paate, Trisha ki awaaz ne unhe hairangi me daal diya.

"Jaane do use!" Woh ahista se boli.

Ve sab chaunkte hue uski orr mude.

"M-Madam?" Unme se ek hich-kichaaya. "M-Madam, aap ye kya keh rahi hai? Hum iss anjaan ko aise kaise jaane de sakte hai? Hum ise bilkul bhi-"

"Maine kaha na use jaane do!!!" Usne iss baar aur bhi dridhta se dohraaya.

Police karmiyo me sankoch bana raha, lekin Trisha apne nirnay par dagmagayi nahi.

Dheere-dheere wo sabhi ek taraf hatt gaye.

Agar, koi Nidhi ko jaanta tha, bacchiyo ko apne shareer par laad kar unhe bina chotil hue wapas leke aaya tha, to isme koi shaq nahi tha ki woh insaan koi serial killer nahi, balki ek shubhchintak tha.

Veer Trisha ke bagal se nikalte hue aage badha. Trisha ne ek akhiri sawaal uss se poochha—

"Kaun ho tum?"

Veer iss baar ruka. Woh peechhe muda. Uski nazar Trisha par tiki.

Ek pal ki khamoshi.

Aur, fir usne jawaab diya-

"Veer Singh!!!"

Trisha ke badan me sihran daud gayi. Veer bas itna bol, waha se chal diya.

Yeh naam. Inn beetein dino me woh iss naam se bhali bhaanti parichit thi. Yahi toh woh naam tha. Yahi wo insaan tha jiski use talaash thi. Wo aadmi jiske peechhe wo na jaane kab se padi hui thi.

Lekin, kabhi uss tak thos saboot ke saath pahuch na saki.

Aur, aaj wahi insaan-

Uski beti ko bacha ke uske paas laaya tha. Dimaag sawaalo ke bawandar me fassta jaa raha tha. Lekin, usne khud ko iss bawandar se baahar nikaala.

Abhi jo maayne rakhta tha — wo tha uski beti ka surakshit hona.

Usne apne mann me chal rahe toofan ko door karte hue, apna radio uthaaya.

"Rohan!!!"

Aur, bas... Wo punah toot ke reh gayi. Uss orr se Rohan ki bhi raahat ki saans lene ki awaaz use sunaayi di. Upar waale ko dhanyavad dete hue usne gaadi Trisha ke ilaake ki orr ghuma di.

Aur, aise hi Veer Pihu ko surakshit haatho me pahuchaate hue Nidhi ke paas pahucha tha.

Yahi woh waqt bhi tha jab Renshu aur Erica Disembowler ki lair me jaa kar, chhaan-been kar ke waha se nikal chuke the. Aur, unke nikalte hi police force ne poore shamshan ko under surveillance rakh liya tha.

Yahi woh waqt tha jab Renshu ne Erica ko ishaara kiya, Erica Veer ko Nidhi ke kamre se apne kandho par utha kar leke aayi. Wahi thi, jisne Nidhi aur Shreya dono ko neutralise kiya tha.

Renshu ne fir behosh Veer ko apne kandhe par uthaaya aur seedha Garofano ke paas le gaya.

Use car me hi Ava ke bagal se litaate hue usne Garofano ki orr dekha.

Behosh Veer aur Ava dono ek dusre ke bagal se laite hue the. Behoshi me bhi dono ke haath ek dusre se lage hue the.

Ek pal ke liye Garofano ki bauhe sikudi. Usne kuchh sochte hue Veer ka haath Ava ke haath se dur kar diya aur uske ghaavo ka ilaaj karne me jutt gayi.

Na sirf usne Veer ko apna ek vitality serum aur antiserum diya, balki uske ghaavo ka ilaaj kar uske haatho ko chains se azaad bhi kar diya.

Renshu, Erica aur Garofano, fir Veer ko leke hospital pahuche jaha parivar jann Veer ko iss awastha me dekh hakke-bakke reh gaye the.

Aur, fir Veer ka hosh aana aur use Manorath ki mrityu ki khabar ka praapt hona. Yahi sab toh hua tha.

Uske baad Garofano hospital se seedhe wapas car par pahuchi jaha Ava pehle se hi hosh me baithi hui thi.

Garofano : You are awake!

Ava : ...

Garofano : !!? Kuchh nahi kehna?

Ava : V-Veer! K-Kaha hai woh?

Garofano (smiles) : Kuchh derr pehle tumhare bagal se hi tha.

Ava : K-Kyaaaaa??

Wo hadbadaate hue idhar-udhar dekhi.

Ava : K-Kaha? Kaha hai woh? No! Wait!

Agle hi pal jaise use khud hi Veer ki location 'Death Flag' ke zariye maalum pad gayi.

Ava (mutters) : H-Hospital!

Garofano : Hmm! Uske dada ji nahi rahe. The other lady... What was her name again? Ragini! Hmm! Wo out of danger hai, lekin ab chal nahi sakti.

Ava ka sarr ye sunte hi neeche jhuk gaya. Usne apne dono perr mod apna chehra ghutno ke peechhe chhupa liya. Woh apne aap ko dosh de rahi thi. Use ek zimmedari di gayi thi. Aur, woh bhi wo theek se nahi nibha paayi.

Garofano (glances) : You don't have to feel bad about it. Although, mein waha nahi thi, aur mujhe nahi pata exactly kya hua tha lekin-

Ava : ???

Garofano : Erica ne sab kuchh bata diya hai. You took a bullet for someone else. Aur, agar tum nahi hoti- there was no way that girl would have survived that shot.

Ava : M-Mein- *sniff*

Garofano ne aage kuchh na kaha. Kuchh derr baad Ava ne uss se sawaal kiya.

Ava : Tumne aisa kyu kaha tha?

Garofano : Hmm? Kya?

Ava : Yahi ki... You are hiding your cards. Just like him.

Garofano : Woh? *smiles* Well, kya ye sach nahi? Tum apne cards chhipaaye hue ho. Just like him. Usne bhi mujhe apne saare cards ke baare me nahi bataaya. Hey! Now, I feel really bad you know.

Ava : ??

Garofano : Mein akeli hi hu jisne apne saare cards ke baare me tum sabko bataya hua hai. Aur, tum sab ho ki-

Ava : I don't feel the need to tell you.

Garofano : Wow! So, much for the help, right?

Ava : Kisi na kisi din mein ye favor chuka dungi. Cards ki details share karne ki koi zaroorat nahi mujhe.

Garofano : Chill, pretty girl. So cold, damn! *sighs* To kya mein wo favor abhi maang sakti hu?

Ava : Huh?

Garofano : Bolo?

Ava (nods) : Ask!

Garofano (grins) : Apne aap ko Veer se door kar do!

Ava (yells) : KABHI BHI NAHIIIIII-!!!

Wo itni zorr se chillaayi ki Garofano khud aashcharya me reh gayi. Ava ke gaal agle hi pal fir gulaabi ho chale. Aur, Garofano ke hontho par ek muskaan bikhar gayi. Woh bina kuchh kahe, waha se nikal gayi par jaate-jaate uske shabd Ava ke kaano tak pahuchne se na choonke.

"Tumhare favor chukaane ka intezar rahega, mujhe."

Kehte hue wo waha se chali gayi aur Ava pichhli ghatit vardaato ke baare me soch-vichaar kar leen ho gayi.

---

Veer's old house...

Antim sanskar ki taiyaari shuru ho chuki thi. Ghar ki mahilaaye, bagal se khadi ho kar sab dekh rahi thi. Aankhein laal thi aur sarr dhake hue.

Purush shaiyaa ki samagri ka prabandhan karne me lage hue the. Bhaar sirf Manorath ji ke shareer ka nahi uthaana tha, uske saath unki yaadon ka bhi bhaar juda hua tha.

Shaiyaa ko taiyaar karne ke liye baans ki lakdiyaan, rassiyaan aur safed kapda aa chuka tha.

Karunesh, Vivek aur Brijesh mil kar lakdiyaan baandhne ka kaam kar rahe the.

Ghar ke ird-gird aas-pados ki bheed-bhaad bhi jama ho chuki thi. Log aapas me charcha kar rahe the.

"Kaise? Ghatna kaise hui ye?"

"News me aaya to raha. Humla ho gaya na."

"Haan? Kaha?"

"Wai apna... Prestige hotel. Bahut bada humla tha."

"To humle me maare gaye?"

"Haan! Abhi poora clear nahi pata chala hai, par baaki log to yahi bata rahe ki humle me jaan chali gayi."

"Accha! Tch! Tch! Tch! Bechaare buzurg hoke aisi ghatna ka shikaar ho gaye."

"Kya kar sakte hai ab."

Veer Manorath ji ke perr ke paas hi baitha hua tha. Peeth jhuki, haath ghutno par tike hue, aur aankhein khaali.

Kavya aur Arohi use awaaz deti rahi, magar usne ek baar bhi nahi suna. Shyaam ne jab use paani ka glass diya tab bhi usne apni palkein tak nahi jhapkayi.

Uski nazrein sirf apne dada ji ke chehre par tiki hui thi. Aur, jaise hi Manorath ji ke shareer ko farsh se uthaaya gaya, Veer ki tandra bhang ho gayi.

'Huh?'

Usne mud ke dekha. Ek baar palak jhapki. Fir, dobaara.

Qadmo ki chehel-pehel, shorgul, sab kuchh ek saath uss par toot pada. Wo bina kuchh samjhe khada hua, dheere-dheere uske perr dada ji ke shav ki disha ki orr badhne lage.

Manorath ji ke shav ko baahar laa kar rakh diya gaya tha.

Rassi baandhte hue Brijesh ne sarr upar kar Veer ko dekha. Uske haath me bhi rassi thi.

Wo baans ke dhaanche ko aise dekh raha tha jaise maano wo koi suljhaane waali paheli ho. Kabhi uski nazrein apne haath me li hui rassi par tikti to kabhi baans ke dhaanche par.

Jeevan me pehli baar wo apne kisi qareebi ki maut me iss tarah se shaamil ho raha tha. Inn reeti-rivaaz me itna sammilit hone ka avsar use pehle kabhi praapt nahi hua tha.

Ek khamoshi kuchh derr chhaayi rahi.

Fir, aaj saalo me pehli baar-

"Ise iss tarah se baandho, Veer. Meri tarah...!"

Brijesh ne Veer se kaha. Awaaz naram thi. Na hi aagya se bhari hui aur na hi katu. Ekdum — vinamra.

Veer ne use dekha. Wo chup-chaap neeche baitha, apne pita ko dekhte hue usne rassi ko baandhna seekha, aur baans ki lakdiyo me wo rassi ki gathaane lagaane laga.

Ek pal ke liye — saara gussa, saare gile-shikve, sab kuchh ek taraf ho gaya. Dono baap-bete ke haath shaiyaa banaane me chal rahe the. Karunesh aur Vivek ne jab ye dekha to dono hi ahista se unn dono ke beech se alag ho gaye.

Ek ke baad ek gaanth.
Ek ke baad ek saans.
Saath-saath.

Kuchh door khadi, Bhavna ne jab yeh dekha to usne apne haath se apne muh ko dhak liya. Bagal se khadi, Purvi ne uske kandhe ko thaama.

Brijesh ko tabhi, apne pita ji ke akhir bol yaad aa gaye.

Wo Yarnia ke udhghatan me nahi gaya tha. Parantu, jab TV par samachar se use khabar lagi. Uske perr apne aap chal pade.

Use wo drishya yaad aaya. Wo pal jab uske pita ji use Hotel Prestige me chalne ke liye anurodh kar rahe the. Use nahi pata tha ki wo uska apne pita ke saath akhiri sanvaad hone waala tha —

---

"Toh tum nahi chaloge??"

"Jab mujhe bulaya hi nahi gaya toh bhala mein kaise jaa sakta hu, papa ji?"

"Murkh ho kya tum? Veer ne ek nyota bheja hai. Kya itni bhi samajh nahi tumhe ki ye sabke liye hai?"

"Aapko Veer ka phone aaya tha?"

"Haan!"

"Sumitra ko bhi aaya tha. Usne bataya mujhe. Lekin, mujhe nahi! Iska kya matlab hua? Kya aap samjhe nahi? Ya aap samajhna nahi chaahte?"

"Tum paagal ho sach me, Brijesh! Tumne jo kuchh bhi kiya hai uske baad bhala woh kaise tumse aake upat ke baat kar sakta hai? Jaise tum hich-kicha rahe ho waise hi toh woh bhi hich-kicha raha hoga na?"

"Kya waqai, papa ji? Mujhe nahi lagta! Balki, mujhe waha na paa kar use khushi hi hogi."

"Tum bawle ho gaye ho, Brijesh! Beta hai tumhara! Aur, tum baap ho uske. Ek baap apne bete ke sukh me uske nyota dene ka intezar nahi karta."

"Ye uss baap ke liye hai jo dukh me bhi apne bete ke saath khada rahe, jo mein nibha na saka. Mujhe waha paa ke sab uncomfortable ho jayenge. Rehne dijiye! Aap bhuliye mat ki Shweta aur... Bhavna bhi waha hongi. Aapke liye kehna asaan hai. Par, mere liye waha jaana itna asaan nahi."

"Tumhari dikkat kya hai tumhe pata hai Brijesh? Tum log kya sochenge iss baare me zyada sochte ho aur iss baare me kam ki kya karna chahiye. Arey bhai ye toh zahir si baat hai ki tumhare waha hone se baatein pehle ki tarah nahi hongi. Par, kya Veer ko iss se farq padega?"

"???"

"Nahi! Maayne ye rakhega ki uska baap jisne use ghar se baahar nikaal diya tha, aaj woh waha uske saamne uske liye khada hai."

"Nahi! Nahi papa ji! Ye toh wahi baat ho gayi ki sukh me sab kaam aate hai par dukh me-? Koi nahi! Mein ab maafi ke laayak nahi papa ji! Ab bahut bigaad liya maine apna aur baakiyo ka jeevan. Ab aur nahi-!"

"Tumne sahi kaha. Tum maafi ke laayak nahi! Lekin, maafi ke laayak koi bhi nahi hota, Brijesh!"

"???"

"Maafi ke laayak koi nahi hota. Use ye kamaana padta hai. Uss laayak banana padta hai ki vyakti aap ko maaf kar sake. Aur, tumhara waha pahuchna maafi maangne ka pehla qadam hoga."

"N-Nahi, papa ji! M-Mein-"

"Tum iss liye nahi jaana chaahte kyunki tumhe lagta hai ki woh log kya sochenge? Tum unse aankh se aankh milaane par ghabra rahe ho. Par, yahi toh pehla padaav hai, Brijesh. Chalo! Ghabrao nahi! Ek baar samay haath se nikal gaya toh dobaara nahi aata."

"Papa ji, samajhiye baat ko-"

"Tumhe pata hai? Kabhi-kabhi ek baap apne bacche ko jo sabse bada tohfa de sakta hai woh kya hai? Woh hai uski - maujoodgi! Agar, Veer ka phone nahi aaya toh kya hua? Woh toh chhota hai, par tum toh bade ho na? Pehel toh tumhe hi karni hogi na? Bhale hi tumhe kaisa bhi mehsoos ho par chalo, kyunki iss sthiti me andar se har baccha yahi chaahega ki uske pita saamne aaye. Veer bhi-!"

"M-Mein... Mein sochunga, Papa ji! Par, aaj mujhe apni mann-maani kar lene dijiye! Jaiye aap! Samay ho raha hai!"

Manorath ke lakh manaane par bhi jab Brijesh na maana toh woh narazgi me waha se jaane lage. Unke qadam darwaze ki dehleez par aake ruke.

"Meri seekh yaad rakhna Brijesh! Samay ek baar haath se nikal gaya, toh dobaara nahi aata."

Aur, woh waha se nikal gaye.

---

Akhiri lapte ek ajeeb si shaanti ke saath naach rahi thi — dheemi, aur bhasm karne waali.

Veer jalti hui chita se kuchh hi feet door khada hua tha. Manorath ji ka shav agni me sama chuka tha. Hawa ne rukh badla aur dhue ko ek taraf uda diya, apne saath na keval raakh, balki unki kahaniyaan, gyaan, aur uss vyakti ki antim garmjoshi bhi le gaya jisne kabhi Veer ko uska ekmaatra surakshit aashray diya tha.

Uski mutthiyaan bandhi rahi. Saansein kamzor. Aur, aankhein — bina moonde ek jagah sthir.

Mann shaant tha. Bahut derr tak. Jab tak ki-

[Master...]

Pari ki awaaz na goonj gayi.

Kintu, koi pratikriya nahi.

Uski aankhein abhi bhi aag ki lapto par tiki hui thi, maano jaise uske sawaalo ka jawaab ye laptein hi dene waali thi.

Lekin, Pari kahi nahi gayi.

[Master... I'm here.]

Veh jhijhki. Fir, aage boli. Uski awaaz dheemi thi, ek asamaanya komalta se bhari hui. Aur, fir kuchh sochte hue usne-

*Ding*

['Mission : A Knight's Stand' failed.]

System ki window ne Veer ki chetna me roop liya. Usme se aani waali neeli raushni tim-tima rahi thi. Iss baar, Veer ne dhyaan diya.

*Ding*

[The host was not able to get rid of the Disembowler.]

[The host did succeed in rescuing Juhi and Pihu.]

[The host also succeeded in keeping the experiment’s secret a secret from the general public.]

[The host will not be penalized for the secret being publicized.]

[The host will not be placed under police surveillance.]

[The mission failed because not all the conditions were fulfilled.]

[Mission failure penalty applied.]

[Penalty : Loss of loved ones.]

[Rewards have been granted.]

*Ding*

[You have been rewarded 20,000 Points.]

[You have been rewarded 5000 Fame Points.]

[Since the mission wasn’t completed, Perk Hunt will not be activated. Hence, no perks can be selected.]

Khamoshi.

Veer ne unn notifications ko suna. Magar, uska dhyaan abhi bhi kahi aur hi tha.

Usne ek gehri saans li. Aur, fir-

'M-Maine unhe kho diya, Pari. Mein unhe bacha nahi saka. Mere karan wo-'

Wo ek qadam aage badha. Aankhein ekdum laal.

'Maine maut ko dekha hai. Mere inn haatho ne logo ko maut bhi di hai. P-Par, kabhi bhi... kabhi bhi maine iss tarah mehsoos nahi kiya. Ye mujhe andar se jala raha hai, Pari.'

[...]

'Wo sirf mere dada ji nahi the. Wo mera ghar the. Uss puraane ghar se agar koi mujhe jod ke rakhe hue tha to woh wahi the... W-Wahi...!'

Uski mutthiyaan dheeli pad gayi.

'I was too late, Pari. Too weak. Too distracted. Aur, ab mere paas kuchh bacha hai toh woh hai — ye dhua, ye raakh, aur ye... glaani. Asahaneeya glaani.'

'Agar, mein aur taqatvar hota, hoshiyar hota, toh shayad mein-'

[Maaasterrrr, Nooooo-!]

'???'

[Master! Aapne wo kiya jo aur koi nahi kar sakta tha. Aapne uss Disembowler se do bacchiyon ki jaan bachaayi. Aapne SHB ke rehesya ko duniyaa ke saamne aane se roka.]

'M-Mein-'

[Aap unprepared the. Aap uski territory me the. Aur, fir bhi aapne haar nahi maani. Kya aapko lagta hai aap kamzor ho???]

Uski awaaz kaanp uthi. Aur, fir-

Dusri baar. Veer ko apne mann me wahi anubhooti mehsoos hui.

Aansu. Lekin, uske nahi. Pari ke.

'Pari, tum-'

Pari ki chetna se uski chetna me ek udaasi ki jhalak.

[Aap bhool kyu jaate ho ki mein wo sab kuchh mehsoos kar sakti hu jo aap karte ho. *sniff* Aapki har dhadkan... Mujhe goonjti hui sunaayi deti hai. Har aansu jo aap girne nahi dete... Unhe mein andar se mehsoos karti hu.]

'!!?'

[You didn't fail him, Master. You carried his name through fire. Through war. Through hell.]

'Pari!'

[Aur, ab bhi aap mazbooti se khade hue ho. Tab bhi jab aap andar se toot rahe ho. They can't see it. But I can. I can feel it.]

Veer wahi chita ke paas dhool bhari zameen par apne ghutno ke bal gir pada.

*Sniff*

Usne apni chhaati ko kass ke jakda. Dard se nahi, balki apne andar bachi hui cheezon ko sambhaalne ki ek betaab koshish me.

Usne ghutate hue kaha,

'P-Par, unhone mujhpe vishvas kiya tha, Pari. Kitne bharose se wo aaye honge aur unke saath- Ek akhiri baar mein unhe dekh tak na saka. I-'

[Aap humesha unke pasandeeda rahoge, Master. Humesha.]

Ek lambi khamoshi chhaa gayi. Veer ke aansu akhirkar gir pade.

'Itna dard kyu ho raha hai, Pari? *sniff*'

[Kyunki, aap unse itna pyaar karte the jitna aap khud nahi jaante the, Master.]

'!!!'

[And love, Master… is the only thing in this world more powerful than death.]

Woh muda. Uske peechhe ki aag ek antim baar bhadak uthi aur fir dheere-dheere feeki padne lagi.

Aur, aaj mann ki gehraayi me, jaha aam taur par notifications aur pari ke bol goonjte rehte the, ek durlabh tarah ki khamoshi chhaa gayi — khaalipann se nahi, balki do chetnao se, jo ek saath shok mana rahi thi.

***

Antim sanskar samapt hua hi tha, aag abhi bujh hi rahi thi, jab-

Baahar ek alag tarah ki aag ne apna janm le liya.

Veer, apne parivar sang jaise hi mukti dham se baahar nikla, toh uska swagat khamoshi se nahi, balki shor se hua.

Ek toofan.

Cameras chamak uthe. Microphones kinhi bhaale ki tarah aage badhe. Awaazein — unme se hazaaron — jwaar ki leher ki tarah aake uske kaano me takraayi.

"Mister, Veer Singh! Kya Hotel Prestige ki tragedy aapki zimmedari thi?"

"Humle ke dauran aap kaha the? Aapko kahi dekha hi nahi gaya."

"Aapki nigraani me bekasoor security guards maare gaye. Iska dosh kis par hai?"

"Kya aap ye soch rahe hai kya ki fame hone se aap inn sab se bach sakte hai?"

"Kya aap aaj raat so bhi paayenge? Ye jaante hue ki aapki sampatti ki suraksha karte hue nirdosh log maare gaye?"

"Jawab dijiye, Mister Veer!"

"Tune mere bhai ko maar daala, haram khor!! Mein tujhe chhorunga nahi!"

"Khooni!! Khooni ho tum!"

"Tumhare hotel ne mere pita ji ko zinda kha liya."

"Kya hoga humaara?"

Mratak security guards ke parivar ke kuchh sadasya bhi journalists ki bheed me ghus gaye. Wo barricades ko dukh, gusse aur aakrosh me paar kar gaye.

Unme se ek Veer par lagbhag jhapatne hi waala tha, lekin kuchh dayaalu ajnabiyon ne use rok liya.

Veer wahi khada raha. Uska shareer jamm sa gaya. Isliye, nahi ki woh darr gaya tha, balki isliye kyunki Hotel Prestige ka samachar ab vistaar se use sunane mil raha tha.

Wo jaanta tha humla hua tha. Hospital me hosh aane ke baad, Arohi ne use zaroori khabar de di thi. Yahi ki Hotel Prestige me humla hua tha. Golibaari. Jisme uske dada ji chal base.

Manorath ji ki maut bloodloss aur pain se hi hui thi. Sniper ki bullet koi aam bullet nahi hoti thi. Aur, na hi sniper koi aam bandook thi.

Manorath ji ke kandhe par bullet lagi thi. Jab tak ve hospital pahuche, unka ilaaj shuru hua, tab tak unhone dum tod diya tha.

Veer yeh jaanta tha. Magar, ye sab kya tha? Security guards ki jaan jaana? Arohi ne uske bhale ke liye poori sachaayi nahi bataayi thi.

Uski aankhein chaudi ho gayi. Glaani, sadma, aur kuchh agyaat anubhutiyaan uske andar toofan ki tarah ghoomne lagi.

Aur, fir-

Bheed ke beech se.

"VEEEEEEER!!!"

Ek awaaz. Ek cheenkh. Ek pukaar — iss araajakta ko cheerti hui.

Tej. Wo aayi.

Uske baal bikhre hue the. Chehra aasuon se bheega hua tha. Bheed uske liye alag nahi hui — lekin, usne sangharsh kar ke apna raasta banaaya.

Logo ki kohniyaan use lagi, dhakke lage, cameras use lage, woh lagbhag girte-girte bachi, lekin ruki nahi.

Wo bhaagi. Tezi se. Jaise uska dil fatne ko aa gaya ho-

Aur, tamaam bheed ko alag karte hue wo uske paas pahuchi. Waha khadi ho gayi — Veer aur saari duniyaa ke madhya.

Wo haanf rahi thi. Uske baal, paseene se geele ho chuke uske gaalo se chipke hue the.

Tej (screams) : BAS KAROOOOO!!!!

Shor kam ho gaya. Awaazein shaant pad gayi.

Tej ne mud kar media ka saamne kiya, uske kandhe kaanp rahe the, lekin uski awaaz bheed ke shor se bhi zyada tez thi.

Tej : Aap logo ko jawaab chaahiye na??? Mein dungi jawaab! Kyunki, hotel prestige ko sambhaalne waale Mister Veer nahi. Mein thi.

Ek virham. Ek sannaata sa chhaa gaya.

Tej (shaking but firm) : Mein Tejal Singh. Mister Veer Singh ki badi behan. Mein hi in charge thi. Mein hi thi jo new year eve ko sambhaal rahi thi.

Journalists : !!?

Tej : Aur, mein... Mein hu doshi. Haan, mein galat hu. Maine khatre par dhyaan nahi diya. Mein galat hu jo guests par dhyaan de rahi thi aur hazar saalo me kabhi ye khayal mujhe nahi aane waala tha ki koi sarfira uss waqt humari hotel ke andar bomb fek sakta hai.

Journalists : *mutters*

Tej (eyes flaring) : Haan, mein galat hu. Par, kya aap me se kisi ko aisi ummeed ho sakti thi? Kya aapko ummeed thi ki celebration ki raat me bandook liye naqab-posh gunde logo par goliyaan barsaane lagenge?

Kisi ne jawaab nahi diya. Microphones dheere-dheere neeche ho gaye. Kuchh cameras bhi neeche jhuk gaye.

Tej : Mein ise rok nahi saki. Mein iska anumaan bhi nahi laga saki...! Lekin, mein ise jitna ho sakta hai, utna theek karne ki koshish karungi. Har parivar jisne kisi ko khoya hai, mein unse milungi. Jo kuchh bhi bann padega, wo mein karungi. Wo sab humari hotel ke sadasya the.

Door khadi, Bhumika ki aankhon me ye sab dekh aansu umad aaye. Hotel uski thi. Magar, kavach bann ke Tej unhe inn sab se bacha rahi thi.

'T-Tejal, tum-!!'

Ho na ho, aaj Bhumika ke mann se Tejal ko leke saare berr samapt ho chuke the.

Tej : Madad, chaahe aarthik ho, ya kaisi bhi. Mein sab karungi. Guzre hue logo ko waapas nahi laaya jaa sakta. M-Mein jaanti hu ki ye sab ek jaan ke badle kisi kaam ke nahi-! M-Magar, fir bhi-! Mein har wo koshish karungi, jo cheezein theek kar sakti hai.

Journalists : *nods*

Tej : But don't you dare... DON'T YOU DARE come after him.

Wo ek pal ke liye mudi. Veer ko dekhi, jo aashcharya me use hi ghoor raha tha. Aur, fir waapas bheed ka saamna karne me lag gayi.

Tej : Usne bhi aaj kisi ko khoya hai. Maine bhi. Humaare poore parivar ne. Aap sab akele nahi ho. Humaare parivaar ka kya? H-Humaare nuksaan ki bharpaayi kaun karega? *sniff* Huh? Jawaab do!!!

*Silence*

Tej : Sirf, isliye ki mera bhai chup hai, use kamzor samajhna aur kisi dushman ki tarah treat karna band karo! *sniff* Sirf, isliye ki wo famous hai. Sirf isliye ki wo umr me adhiktar logo se chhota hai. Aur, sirf isliye kyunki aap sab mann marzi muh chala sakte ho...! BAND KAR DO!!

*Silence*

Veer ka haath utha. Aur, dheere se usne apna haath — kaanpte hue — Tej ke kandhe par rakh diya.

Woh chaunki. Fir, palti.

Unki aankhein mili.

Koi shabd nahi.

Sirf wo bandhan. Unke beech ka — ankaha aur achal.

Veer (mutters) : Thank you! Teju di!

Aur, wo bechaari toot gayi. Uske gaalo se aasu behte hue girne lage, magar honth muskura uthe.

Uss ek pal, Veer ko ehsaas ho gaya ki-

Yeh... Yeh ek badi behan thi.

Sansaar agar talwaar liye tha to woh kavach thi.

Khud ki awaaz na ho to woh uski awaaz thi.

Doobta hua toofan me ho to woh uska kinaara thi.

Aur, girte hue ko ek haath ka sahaara.

Veer ne apni ungliyaan Tej ki ungliyon ke ird-gird lapeti. Use kass kar pakda. Aur, fir use door le jaane laga. Bheed, shor aur sawaalo se door.

Ek bhai. Ek behan. Ek dard. Ek vaada.

Tej ne na sirf fir saari vardaat ka vishleshan diya, balki apni chintaaye aur aane waale jokhim ke baare me bhi vyakt kiya.

Jiski wajah se, Veer ko ek aur shaks ka dhyaan aaya. Akhir, wo use akela chhor ke kaise aa sakta tha?

***

Baahar sheher abhi bhi araajakta me tha. Lekin, Veer ki manzil filhal ek hi thi — hospital.

Tej ke bataane par wo ek shabd bhi nahi bola. Bas, mukti dham se car uthaata hua seedhe yaha chala aaya.

Kaise naye saal ka jashn narsanhaar me badal gaya.

Kaise naqab-posh bandook-dhaariyo ne Hotel Prestige me pravesh kiya.

Kaise ek sniper ki goli, jo darasal Kavya ke liye thi — Ragini ko jaa kar lagi.

Veer ki saans ukhdi-ukhdi aa rahi thi. Woh bas bhaagta raha. Bheed ke beech se. Dukh ke beech se. Pagalpann ke beech se.

Uske joote farsh par shor macha rahe the, pattiyaan uski pasliyon par dabi hui thi, jo abhi bhi khoon se sani hui thi.

"Ragini...!"

Wo ICU me daakhil hua. Nurses ko dhakka dete hue aage badha — jab tak ki ek doctor ne use rok na diya.

Doctor : Sir! Rukiye, ek minute. Ragini ji abhi-abhi surgery se baahar aayi hai. Aur, hum unhe jald hi shift bhi kar denge. Tab tak ke liye please aap baahar hi rahiye.

Veer : R-Ragini...!

Veer ki haalat dekh, doctor haami bhar aage aaya.

Doctor : Dekhiye! Woh theek hai. Gambheer khatre se woh baahar hai, lekin-

Veer : !!?

Lekin, kya? Veer jaanta tha. Magar, dobara sunana nahi chaahta tha.

Usne Ragini ko dekha. Wo wahi laiti hui thi. Haatho me alag-alag naliyaan lagi hui thi. Ek perr thoda upar utha hua tha aur jatil surgical braces se bandha hua tha.

Uski saansein kamzor thi, lekin wo jeevit thi. Yahi! Uske paas.

Veer uske nazdeek aaya. Har qadam pehle se adhik bhaari. Uska haath bistar ki steel ki railing ko chhua aur Ragini ke chehre ko dekha.

Uske honth sookhe hue the. Maathe par halki si jhurriyaan jo shikan ko darsha rahi thi.

Doctor chalte hue Veer ke paas aaya.

Doctor : Mujhe sab pata chala. Dekhiye, mein jaanta hu ye kaafi mushqil hai. Par, aap sabko ye hazam karna padega.

Veer ne doctor ko na dekha. Wo bas Ragini ko dekhta raha.

Doctor : Ragini ji ko sniper round se nikli high velocity bullet ne chotil kiya tha. Goli ne femur ko chaknachoor kar diya aur tibial nerve bhi damage ho chuki hai. Aap samajh rahe hai na?

Veer : ???

Doctor : Humne femur ko reconstruct karne ke liye rods aur bone grafts ka istemal kiya hai. Lekin, nerve damage irreversible hai.

Veer : M-Matlab...

Doctor : Matlab, ye ki- unka perr to theek hai, lekin wo firse nahi chal payengi. Kam se kam, pehle ki tarah to nahi.

*Silence*

Doctor (continuing) : Intensive rehab ke chalte unhe thodi mobility mil sakti hai. Lekin, neuromuscular ka jo ek coordination hota hai, woh jaa chuka hai. Brain se signals nichle ang tak pehle ki tarah nahi pahuchenge.

Veer : ...

Doctor : Dekhiye, humne wo sab kiya jo hum kar sakte the. Fracture ko stabilise kiya, nerve pressure ko decompress kiya, haemorrhage ko roka. Par, aghaat bahut gehra tha, Mister Veer. Bahut sateek. Isliye- *sighs* Anyways, this is the best outcome.

Shabd Veer ke dimaag me mandraane lage. Laga jaise woh abhi yahi ladkhada ke gir jayega.

Ragini pehle jaise nahi chal paayegi. Kabhi bhi nahi.

Doctor to chala gaya, magar Veer wahi ghutno ke bal Ragini ke bagal se baith gaya. Uska haath ahista se aage badha.

Komalta se usne Ragini ke baalon ka ek dheela latka hua latt kaan ke peechhe kiya. Ungliyaan Ragini ki twacha se sparsh hote hi kaanp rahi thi.

Aur, fir uske jaane bina-

Uske aansu punah binn marzi beh chale.

'Kyu???'

'Mein tumhe kabhi sahi jawab na de saka.'

Ragini ne use panaah di thi jab uske paas koi thikaana nahi tha. Jab woh khud ke liye muskura nahi sakta tha tab woh uske liye muskuraati thi. Usne uski raksha ki, uss se pyaar kiya. Apne poore astitva ke saath.

Usne kabhi kuchh nahi maanga — siwae uske dil ke.

Par, Veer humesha use intezar karwaata raha. Aur, aaj woh yaha iss haal me laiti thi. Chotil. Tooti hui. Apahij. Uski wajah se.

Veer ne uska haath thaama.

'Tumne mujhe kya kuchh nahi diya, Ragini. Pyaar, Panaah, Khushiyaan. Tumne mujhe apna tann, mann, dhan sab kuchh luta diya. Aur, badle me maine tumhe kya diya? Sirf, mera maun jawaab.'

Usne apna haath, uske maathe par rakha.

'Mein... tumhe deserve nahi karta, Ragini.'

Woh jhuka. Aur, uske maathe ko usne dheere se choom liya.

'But, I'll earn you now.'

'Mein yahi rahunga. Ab kahi nahi bhaagunga. Ab aur koi chuppi nahi.'

'I'll be your legs... Your strength... Your everything.'

'Bas jaag jao. Please... Ragini! Jaag jao.'

Akhiri guhaar par uski awaaz andar hi andar toot gayi. Aaj pehli baar, use andar se mazbooti mehsoos nahi hui. Ek system holder jaisa mehsoos nahi hua. Bas, ek sadharan aadmi. Jo duniyaa se pareshan ho chuka tha.

Woh khada hua. Usne apne aansu pochhe. Ragini ke sote chehre par ek akhiri nazar daali. Fir, muda...

Aur, darwaaze ki orr chal diya.

Jaane se pehle — usne peechhe mud kar dekha.

'I promise, Ragini. When you wake up... You won't find me missing again.'

Aur, wo chala gaya.

ICU se baahar aate hi uski nazar ek aur ward me padi, jaha Suman laiti hui so rahi thi. Uske haath me bandage lagi hui thi. Veer ko samajhne me derr na lagi ki Suman hi thi — jisne Ragini ko khoon diya tha.

***

Aspataal se neeche aate waqt, Veer ke mann me Tej ke bol goonj rahe the.

"Mein shayad nahi bachti, Veer- A-Agar woh na hoti. Wo lady. Mask pehni hui. Pata nahi kaun thi. Usne mujhe dhakela aur fir- wo apna pait pakad ke dard se karaah rahi thi. Lekin, iss se pehle ki mein use pakad paati wo hotel ke baahar bhaag gayi. Kasam se...! Agar, wo na hoti to shayad aaj mein yaha tumhare saamne nahi hoti, Veeru."

A masked woman?

Veer samajh chuka tha.

Ava.

Uske dimag ke chalne se pehle hi uske perr chal diye. Hospital ki parking ke paas — mukhya dwaar ke theek baahar.

Do jaani pehchaani aakritiya ek kaali badi si SUV ke paas khadi thi.

Renshu aur Erica.

Erica ne use sabse pehle dekha.

'V-Veer!'

Woh ladka jisne Jaw Long ke maidaan me ghus ke poore yuddh ko apne paksh me kar liya tha.

Wahi Veer jis se dobaara milne ke liye wo itna lalcha rahi thi. Woh uske saamne tha.

Par, Veer kuchh bhi kehne ke liye nahi ruka. Renshu ne use dekh saath chalne ka ishaara kiya. Woh aage badha.

Ava car me peechhe ki foldable seat par baithi hui thi. Wo baahar hi dekh rahi thi jab kisi ke aane ka use ehsaas hua. Uska sarr uss disha ki orr muda aur-

Woh waha tha.

Veer.

Ava ki saans atak gayi. Uska badan kaanp gaya.

Veer ne hi use zimmedari saunpi thi. Hotel Prestige aur parivar ko surakshit rakhne ki.

Aur, wo vifal rahi.

Veer ke dada ji jaa chuke the. Hotel par humla hua. Ragini ghaayal hui. Sab kuchh bikhar gaya.

Ava ka dil baith gaya.

Glaani ka bhaar itna badh gaya ki veh khud ko rok na paayi. Aasu behne lage. Pehle to chupke se... Fir lagatar.

Ava : M-Mein... V-Veer...

Usne uthne ki koshish ki-

Ava : I-I'm... I'm sorry, Veer. I-

Parantu, iske pehle ki woh aur kuchh bolti, Veer aage ki aur dauda. Aur, usne Ava ko apni baahon me bhar liya.

Kass kar. Poori tarah se.

Uski mazboot pakad se Ava ke ghaav dabb gaye, woh halka sa karaah uthi.

Lekin, ye dard kuchh bhi nahi tha. Tab nahi jab woh uski baahon me thi.

Tab nahi, jab woh apne aap se use apne aalingan me bhar raha tha. Fir, bhale hi uski chot kyu na dukhe, aise hazaro dard uthaane ke liye khushi-khushi raazi thi woh.

Ava ne apna chehra uske seene me daba liya. Uske haath dheere-dheere Veer ki shirt ke peechhe kass gaye. Uski awaaz siskiyon me badal gayi.

Ava (barely breathing) : V-Veer, mein-

Veer (softly) : I know...

Ava : ??

Veer : Tumne Teju di ko bachaaya. Tumne wo bullet apne upar li. Mujhe sab pata hai.

Ava jamm ke reh gayi. Uske aasu behna dheeme ho gaye.

Ava (confused) : B-But, I failed... Tumhare dada ji...

Veer : Nahi!

Ava : Huh!!?

Veer : You fulfilled your duty, Ava. Bhale hi tum na maano. Par, mein maan gaya hu.

Woh stabdh thi.

Veer (smiles) : Thank you, Ava!

Ava : Ahh!!!?

Aur, Veer ne use apne gale se laga liya. Ava ke aasu jhar-jhar kar behne lage.

Kuchh qadam door, ye drishya dekh kar Garofano ka haath mutthi me simat gaya. Uske honth ek patli rekha samaan dabb gaye. Woh aalingan... Jis tarah se Veer ne Ava ko pakad rakha tha.

Usne Garofano ke andar kuchh jala kar rakh diya.

Woh mudi aur bina kuchh kahe waha se door chali gayi.

Renshu : Huh? Kya hua tumhe?

Erica ka haal bhi kuchh aisa hi tha. Use ehsaas hua ki sirf wahi nahi thi. Ek ajeeb sa dard uske seene me utha aur woh bhi Garofano ki taraf chal di.

Renshu : Huh? Erica???

***

SUV ke baahar Veer dheere se aaya.

Ava andar hi thi. Laal aankhein liye use dekh rahi thi. Woh hug abhi bhi uske mann me ghoom rahi thi, saath hi Veer ke seene ki garmahat.

Veer ka sarr jhuka hua tha, aankhein uske kaale baalon ke parde ke peechhe chhipi hui thi.

Woh aage badha — Erica ya Garofano ki orr nahi, balki Renshu ki orr.

Koi greetings nahi. Koi emotions nahi.

Bas... Sannaata.

Uske ird-gird ka aura badla hua tha. Thanda. Mapa hua. Ab dard nahi jhalak raha tha. Ek toofan ke pehle ki shaanti.

Garofano ne sabse pehle notice kiya. Veer ki ungliyon ki halki si thar-tharahat. Erica ne uske baad dekha — Veer ke chalne ka ek alag dhang.

Veer ruka. Renshu se bas ek qadam ki doori par.

Veer (without raising head) : Renshu! Tumhare paas kitni aur kaun-kaun si skills hai?

'Huh?'

Prashn aise aaya jaise maano shaant jheel me kisi ne bahut bada patthar fek diya ho. Renshu ki bauhe sikud gayi.

Hawa ke chalte Veer ke kapde aise fadfada rahe the jaise maano koi khamosh toofan paida hone ka intezar kar raha tha.

'Ye Veer... Iss tarah ka sawaal kyu kar raha hai achanak se?'

[Apni skills, kisi aur ko bataana. Ye khatarnak hai, Renshu.]

'Lloyd!'

[Kya hoga agar wo hume dhoka dede?]

'Mujhe nahi lagta.'

Veer ne dheere se apna sarr uthaaya. Ab uski aankhon me dard nahi jhalak raha tha. Kuchh aur hi tha. Koi uddeshya.

Veer : Aura Vision, Hawkeye, advanced martial arts, limbo, basic enemy tracker, detoxification, copycat, radio protective, aquatic breathing, tracer. Ye meri kuchh important skills hai. The rest are pretty much useless.

'Huh?'

Renshu ne apni aankhein sikodi. Skills kaafi thi. Sab ki sab ek se badh ke ek. Aur, Veer ne use iske baare me aise bata diya jaise maano woh mausam ka haal-chaal bata raha ho.

Kuchh badla hua tha. Ye Veer ko kya ho gaya tha achanak se?

Renshu ne ek aah bhari.

Renshu (nods) : Theek hai. To suno. Lance of Blaze, Prime Venture Specialist, Rapid Reaction, Commando, Strong Core, Chi Perception, Wushu, Toxin Sleuth, Pigeon Whisperer. Ye hai meri kuchh important skills.

Veer : Are you sure?

Renshu : Kya matlab?

Veer : Kya bas itni hi hai?

Renshu (nods) : Haan! Zaroori waali yahi hai.

Veer : Koi legendary skill nahi?

Renshu : Nahi!

Ek sannaata chhaa gaya.

Aur, fir bina kisi chetaavni ke-

*Whoooooooooooshhh*

'???'

Bijli ki raftaar se ek tez roundhouse kick, Renshu ke chehre ki orr aayi.

Agle hi pal, Renshu ki Rapid Reaction activate hui aur uska shareer sahaj roop se peechhe ki orr jhuk gaya. Veer ki laat ki hawa uski naak pe paas se guzri.

Peechhe khadi Erica ye dekh dang reh gayi. Uske muh se ek ghuti hui cheenkh nikli. Kya tha ye? Kya hua?

Wo dono abhi toh baatein kar rahe the. Fir achanak se ye kya?

Garofano ki aankhon me hari chamak bikhri. Usne ek qadam aage badhaaya.

Idhar, Veer ka perr wapas se zameen par land hua aur land hote hi-

*Ding*

HAWKEYE

Usne apni aedi ke jhatke se ek patthar ko seedha Renshu ki aankh ki orr uchhaal diya.

Renshu ne ek jhatke me apna haath aage kar uss patthar ko pakda. Magar, aankh ki orr aa rahe uss patthar ne ek blind spot bana diya.

Baayi orr se, Veer ka ek mukka tezi se aaya. Lagbhag adrishya.

Renshu ne use pakadne ke liye haath badhaaya.

Lekin,

'Huh?'

Wo nahi aaya.

'Nahi!'

Renshu ki aankhein chaudi ho gayi. Wo ek feint attack tha. Asli humla-

Daayi orr se aa raha mukka. Par, derr ho chuki thi.

Lekin, iske pehle ki Veer apna blow land kar paata, uski kalaayi kisi ne kass kar thaam li.

Garofano.

Garofano (yells) : VEER!!! KYA HO GAYA HAI, TUMHE?

Veer ne dheere se apna sarr ghumaya. Pehli baar usne use dekha. Garofano ne dekha ki uski aankhon me krodh tha.

Veer (yells) : Puchho Renshu se Violet. Isne mujhe bataaya tha. Kitne system holders zinda bache hue hai. Aur, sansaar me total kitne the. Isne mujhe bataaya tha...! Total 30 the. Aur, uss waqt 18! Jaw Long aur Crimson ke jaane ke baad ab shayad 16.

Garofano : ???

Veer : Par, mujhe ye batao...! Kaun si skills system holders ki ginti kar ke deti hai? Iske paas aisi koi si bhi skill nahi hai, Violet.

Garofano ka chehra peela pad gaya. Use bhi iska ehsaas hua. Woh tezi se Renshu ki orr mudi.

Erica vichlit unke paas bhaagte hue aayi.

Erica (panicked) : Rukoooo! Bas, ruk jaaaoo!! Pleeaasee!! Aap dono kyu ladd rahe ho? K-Kya hua??? Dad-!!!

Bechaari ki awaaz fatt rahi thi. Lekin, unme se koi bhi nahi hila. Garofano ne abhi bhi Veer ke haath ko jakda hua tha. Toh wahi, Renshu sthir khada hua tha.

Veer ke haath ne dheere dheere apni mazbooti dheeli ki.

Veer (yells) : JAWAAB DO, RENSHU!

Ek bhaari virham.

Renshu ne ek gehri saans li.

Renshu : Mere paas aisi koi skill nahi hai jo ye kar sakti hai.

Sab wahi jamm ke reh gaye. Siwae, Erica ke. Jisne nazrein glaani ke chalte ferr li.

Garofano : T-To, fir... kaise?

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.
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Aaj ke liye itna hi guys.
This update consists of 9.2k words. Jo kuchh bikhra hua tha, use sameta jayega. Ek ek karke saare puzzles ke pieces ko lagaya jayega. Kuchh leftovers rahenge jinhe aage ke arcs me lagaya jayega. Lekin, kaafi hadd tak clarity mil jayegi iss arc me. Post Disembowler shuru ho chuka hai. Next update bhi isi month ke end me aa jayega. Target mein ab halka sa ghata raha hu, because I know inme zyada kuchh action nahi hai aur na hi ye peak updates hai. So, target is 280 for now. Baaki, keep supporting.
Dhanyavad.

Bhai thoda Nidhi OR mam ka or unke beti ka bhi reaction add kr do na

 

[ravisharma00143]

Wolfy bhai aap doctor ho kya ?
Mera bhi tabiyat bahut jyada kharab hai mujhe bhi theek kar doge kya

Dekhe bhai mano ya nhi pr write sahab jo chahhae ga wahi hoga

 

[Utkarsh awasthi]

Bhai mst update
Full emotional tha
Ab sayad Brijesh aur Veer ka samband acche ho
Abhi Veer ki santi kisi tufan ke phle ki santi hai abhi Veer ko Dhananjay ke baare me pta hi nhi chala
Disembowler abhi jinda hai ya nhi clear nhi hua kyuki Erica aur Renshu ke jaane ke baad kuch bataya nhi gaya
Renshu kis ke prati samrpit hai Mr X ya Veer ?
I'm dame sure that Mr.X is not a System holder because He is System His body Controlled by System

 

[Utkarsh awasthi]

Bhai Ragini wala part bhut emotional tha aur abhi Nidhi ko bhi pta nhi chala ki Veer ke dada ji nhi rahe

 

[6hum6tum]

Update - 197 ~ Despondency ​

Ab tak...

Veer ko kuchh samajh aata ki tabhi-

"Although, Miss Ragini ki situation kaafi critical thi. But, doctor ne mujhe khabar de di hai."

'Ragini' naam sunn woh wapas se hosh me aaya.

"She's out of danger now."

Raahat bamushqil ek kshan ke liye hi thi.

"But there's only one problem. I'm sorry to say but — woh ab pehle ki tarah kabhi nahi chal payengi."

Aur, aspatal ko ek gehre sannaate ne dhak liya.

Ab aage...

Mukhya hall safed chaadron se dhaka hua tha. Pooja ki samagri aur phoolo ki mehek ek mishran me hawa me ghuli hui thi.

Beech me Manorath ji ka shav aise pada hua tha jaise maano wo bas kisi gehri neend me so rahe ho. Koi shikan nahi. Bas bejaan.

"Papaaaaaaa jiiiii!"

Brijesh rota hua unki chhaati se lipatne ki koshish kiya, magar Arun aur Shyaam ne use pakad kar peechhe kheench liya.

Karunesh, Pranjal aur Vivek bhi wahi the. Teeno ke sirr neeche jhuke hue the. Hairani ki baat yeh thi ki Karunesh ki aankhon me bhi aasu the.

Aur, kone me khadi Bhavna ki aankhein bhi namm thi. Manorath ji jaise bhi the, unhone kabhi bhi uska bura nahi chaaha tha. Isliye, humesha se hi uske mann me unke liye aadar aur sammaan hi tha. Unhe iss tarah se jaata dekh, aaj uska dil bhi chotil tha.

“Mummaaa-!”

Kavya sisakte hue apni maa, Sumitra se lipat gayi jiski khud ki aankhein aasuon se bheegi hui thi. Sumitra ne bhi kass ke use apne aalingan me bhar liya.

Shweta khud kuchh kehne laayak nahi thi. Bhale hi Manorath se uska rishta behad mazboot nahi tha par itne saal se ek chhat ke neeche hi wo sab ke saath rehti aayi thi. Kahi na kahi Manorath ji ki mrityu ka asar uss par bhi pada tha. Bhumika ki bhi haalat yahi thi — niraasha se paripoorn.

Purvi wahi thoda door baithi sab kuchh dekh rahi thi. Bauhe sikudi hui thi aur mann vichlit.

Shyaam, Gauri, aur Parijaat ki aurtein, ye sabhi gaanv ki aatma the. Uski reedh. Ve ekjut, maun khade the, toofan ke khilaf puraane pedo ki tarah dard ko sehte hue. Aane waali zimmedariyon ke liye poori tarah se taiyaar.

Suhana apni behan Sonia ke saath thi, dono ke ird-gird suit pehne unke bodyguards khade hue the. Apne haath baandhe, sunglasses pehne, Sonia ek kursi par wahi baahar baithi hui thi. Itna gamgeen mahaul dekh wo sehem si gayi thi.

Toh wahi, Suhana thoda kaanp rahi thi. Raat bhar ke jaagne se uski aankhein laal ho rakhi thi. Apne phone par nazre gadaaye wo sandesho ko padhti jaa rahi thi.

Usne andar hall me baithe Veer ko dekha. Uske honth khule, par fir thar-thara ke band ho gaye.

Kya use haq tha uske paas jaane ka? Aise waqt par? Wo wahi khadi yeh sochti rahi.

Idhar Kaera kuchh feet door khadi thi, uska bhai Karan kuchh logo se baat-cheet kar raha tha. Shuru se ant tak, Kaera ki nazrein ek hi shaks par tiki hui thi — Veer.

Woh uske paas jaana chaahti thi. Use galey se lagaana chaahti thi. Use samjhaana chaahti thi. Lekin, uske perr hilne me asamarth reh gaye.

Uski bhavnaaye jo haal hi me jaagrit hui thi — aaj ek aur nayi anubhooti se guzar rahi thi. Aaj wo wahi mehsoos kar paa rahi thi jo usne tab mehsoos kiya tha jab usne apni maa, Archana ko khoya tha.

Dukh. Peeda. Udaasi.

Wo saare bhoole gaye emotions waapas sateh par aa rahe the.

Aabha bhi ek jagah apna ghoonghat odhe dheere-dheere ro rahi thi. Manorath se uska lagaav nahi tha. Ye aansu kal raat jo bhayanak drishya hue aur jis tarah se sab kuchh ujda, uske liye the. Apne maalik ko iss tarah dekh uska dil andar hi andar dehel raha tha.

Sonali use apne se laga ke sambhaalne ki koshish kar rahi thi, kintu woh swayam hi bheetar se ghabrayi hui thi.

Magar, Veer ka kya-!?

Tej ne use dekha. Wo chup-chaap Manorath ke saamne baitha hua tha. Jaise maano uss se abhi bhi ye khabar nahi pachaayi jaa rahi thi. Par, wo uss se kuchh na boli. Balki, wo to nazrein hi nahi mila paa rahi thi.

Ek chhota sa kaam tha. Apne bhai ki gerr-maujoodgi me Yarnia ka udhghatan karna. Bas! Iss ek chhote se kaam ko karne me wo naqamyab thi. Na sirf hotel ko nuksaan pahucha, balki Yarnia ka sampoorn karyakram bhi barbaad ho gaya. Logo ki jaane chali gayi aur upar se humle me gharwalo ne bhi apni jaan gawa di.

Aur, ye sab kuchh hua — Naye saal ki lagne waali raat me. Naya saal unke liye khushiyaan nahi, balki barbaadiyaan leke aaya. To aise me Tej akhir kaise apne bhai se nazrein mila sakti thi?

Veer ke bagal se hi Arohi bhi thi. Honth thar-thara rahe the aur bechaari ka poora chehra aansuon se bheega hua tha.

Wo uski orr jhuki. Usne Veer ke kandhe par haath rakha-

Arohi : V-Veer!

Par, koi jawab nahi.

Bas — khamoshi.

Arohi ne uske haath ko apne haath me lete hue baandha aur ek baar fir se use jhunjhlaaya.

Arohi : V-Veeeer! *sniff*

Kintu, punah koi jawab nahi. Wo hila hi nahi. Ekdum sthir — bina koi palke jhapkaaye. Jaise samay sirf uske liye ruk gaya ho. Arohi ne ek baar aur koshish ki.

Arohi : Veeeeer! M-Mujhe aise darao mat, please. *sniff* Kuchh bolo. Veeeer?

Magar, abhi bhi koi pratikriya nahi.

---

Kuchh der pehle...

Yeh woh waqt tha jab Veer Juhi aur Pihu ko apne badan par laade Disembowler ki lair se baahar nikla tha.

Uski har saans fool rahi thi, drishti dhundhli pad rahi thi, lekin woh rukne ko taiyaar nahi tha.

Juhi uski chhaati se bandhi hui thi, uska kamzor shareer thakaan ke chalte neend me upar-neeche ho raha tha. To, wahi Pihu peechhe uski peeth par behosh thi.

Baah me bhayanak tez dard uthne ke bawajood Veer use thaam ke rakha hua tha — ekdum adig.

Pari ki awaaz tabhi uske dimaag me goonji.

[Master! Aapka haath. You need to rest right now. 'Limb Substitution' ki madad se kaafi hadd tak uss waqt haath position me aa gaya tha, lekin aapne-]

Pari shikayat kar rahi thi. Veer ka haath 'Limb Substitution' ke equip karte hi sahi dhang se position me aa chuka tha. Zaroorat thi toh bas kuchh dino ke araam ki, jiske chalte uska haath wapas se pehle ki tarah ho jaane waala tha.

Magar, usne kya kiya-!?

Disembowler se bhidte waqt, usne jhatke se liquid nitrogen ke cylinder ko kheencha tha, jiske parinam swaroop uska haath wapas se lachakte hue ukhad chuka tha.

Na keval dobara use jodne ke liye shareer ki urja ka istemal hua, balki haath ke ukhadte hi ek baar fir use bloodloss se guzarna pada.

Ab agar samay rehte haath ko araam nahi diya gaya, to ye samasya aur bhi gambheer mod le sakti thi. Aur, isliye Pari chintit thi. Kyunki, iss waqt bhi — Veer ka haath Pihu ko peechhe se thaame hue tha. Haath par zor pad raha tha.

Veer ne bamushqil hi koi pratikriya di. Uska dimag ek hi cheez par kendrit tha — kaise bhi karke dono bacchiyo ko surakshit unke apno tak pahuchaaya jaaye.

Woh waha se bhaaga. Pari ki baat par usne kuchh derr baad jawab diya.

'Yeah! I- I know, Pari. Lekin, mere paas rukne ka koi option nahi hai. I must move on.'

Sadke street lights aur aasmaan aatishbaziyo se jagmaga raha tha. Police ki jeeps sadko par daud rahi thi, adhikaari hatyaare aur laapata ladkiyon ki talaash me har kone, har gali ko chhaan rahe the.

Aur, unhi jeep me se ek jeep me — Trisha thi.

Uski aankhein sooji hui thi, dashboard ko pakde hue uske haath kaanp rahe the.

"Tez chalo!!!"

Usne driver ko aadesh diya, ghanto chillaane se uski ab awaaz bhi fatt rahi thi. Bahut lamba samay ho gaya tha. Bahut saare ghante guzar chuke the — koi suraag nahi, koi sanket nahi, koi ummeed nahi. Bebasi ka bojh ab use ghutan de raha tha, magar usne tootne se inkaar kar diya.

Woh iss tarah, iss samay nahi toot sakti thi. Apni beti ko dhundhne se pehle to hargiz nahi.

Rohan, uska pati bhi wahi kahi sadko par tha. Beti ki khoj me paagalo ki tarah sheher me bhaag raha tha. Parantu, ye sab vyarth jaane waala tha agar unhe unki beti na mili toh.

Fir, jeep ne ek mod liya.

Aur, koi waha par tha.

Sadak ke beech me ek akela shaks, khoon se lathpath. Uski shirt fati hui thi, chehra ghaavo aur khoon ke kaaran bamushqil se pehchaana jaa sakta tha.

Woh waha khada tha, haanf raha tha, kaanp raha tha — lekin, sirf wahi nahi tha.

Uske seene se kuchh bandha hua tha. Koi tha. Nahi! Sirf seene se hi nahi, peeth par bhi koi tha.

Trisha ke dil ki dhadkane maano wahi tham gayi.

"Rukooooo!" Veh chillaayi.

Jeep ghisatate hue achanak ruk gayi. Jaise hi usne darwaza khola, kaanpte haatho se usne turant bandook nikaali aur seedhe saamne khade shaks par nishaana saadh diya.

"Theher jao!"

Woh chillaayi. Uski awaaz teekhi thi, ghabrahat ke bawajood usne apne aap ko sthir rakha hua tha. Jeep ki headlights jaise hi uss shaks ke peechhe ladi nanhi si bacchi ke chehre par padi, to Trisha ki aankhein bhay ke maare fel gayi.

Pihu!

Uski aankhein khoon se saney uss shaks ke chehre par ghoomi aur fir apni bacchi par.

Kaun tha ye vyakti?

Aur, uski beti uski peeth par?

Upar se wo kahi se bhi dara hua nahi prateet ho raha tha.

Idhar, Veer ne Trisha ko dekh apni gati dheemi nahi ki, balki woh chalta raha — seedhe uski orr.

Trisha ki pakad trigger par mazboot ho gayi.

"Maine kaha ruk jao!"

Woh darr rahi thi. Kya yahi wo serial killer tha? Kya isi ne uski bacchi aur Juhi ko agwa kiya tha?

Kya kare woh? Kahi woh vyakti uski chetavni ka bura maan bacchiyo ko kuchh kar diya to? Kya use bandook neeche kar leni chahiye? Kya kare? Use kuchh nahi soojh raha tha.

Lekin, tabhi veh bola.

"Tumhari beti... Surakshit hai!"

'Huh?'

Uski awaaz halanki karkash thi, lekin usme koi darr nahi tha. Koi hich-kichaahat nahi. Keval nishchitata.

Trisha ki saansein atakne lagi. Uska dimaag kaam karna band kar raha tha.

Jaise hi Veer ne uske aur apne beech doori kam ki, jeep me baithe baaki police karmiyo ne turant hi qadam uthaaya, apne-apne hathyaar liye unn sabhi ne Veer par bandooke taan di. Unki ungliyaan bhi trigger par mandra rahi thi, thodi si bhi galat harqat par goliyaan chalaane ke liye ekdum taiyaar.

Lekin, Trisha abhi bhi Veer ko ghoor rahi thi. Usne apna haath ghabraate hue uthaaya.

"Nahiiiiii!"

Woh chillaayi aur usne sabhi police karmiyo ko goli chalaane se rok diya.

Woh nahi jaanti thi ki usne aisa kyu kiya. Kya ye darr tha? Ya fir kuchh aur? Lekin, use itna zaroor samajh aaya ki bandook ko iss shaks par taanana iss sthiti ka hal nahi tha.

Veer ahista-ahista uske paas aaya. Aur, fir apne badan par gathaan bandhi, khoon se sani chaadar ko usne dheere se khola.

Pihu.

Uske nanhe se chehre par shaanti ke bhaav the. Na koi chot, na koi ghaav. Ekdum achhoot.

Trisha ki bandook uske kaanpte haatho se chhoot kar fisal gayi. Woh dhadalle se bina koi parvah kiye aage badhi-

"Madam!!!"

Police karmiyo ne use savdhan karne ki koshish ki, parantu Trisha ko apni bacchi ke siwa aur koi nazar na aaya.

Usne Pihu ko apne dono haatho me lete hue sambhaala aur apne seene se lagaaya aur apni beti ko galey se lagaate hi uski rulaayi chhoot gayi.

"Woh sirf behosh hai. Thaki hui hai. Aur, kuchh nahi. Use kuchh derr me hosh aa jaayega." Veer ne samjhaate hue kaha.

Trisha bilakhte hue apni beti ke chehre ko bas choomti chali gayi. Use saans bhi badi mushqil se aa rahi thi. Uski ungliyaan Pihu ke komal chehre par daud gayi.

Veer, jiska kaam abhi bhi aadha-adhoora tha, thoda sa Trisha se alag hua. Woh waha se nikalne ke liye hua.

"Ab mujhe Juhi ko ma'am ke paas le jaana hoga. Aur, tum..."

"Huh?" Trisha use hairat me dekhi.

"Jaldi! Shamshaan ke neeche. Akele nahi. Poori force leke jao. Jaldi! Warna woh- *huff*"

"K-Kya?" Trisha ne sarr uthaate hue use aashcharya me ghoora.

"Samay kam hai. J-Jaldi- *huff* Iske pehle ki derr ho jaaye."

Uske perr mushqil se seedhe khade ho paa rahe the. Woh jaanta tha ki Disembowler buri tarah ghaayal tha. Police ki full force use takedown kar sakti thi. SHB ka raaz khul paana bhi lagbhag namumkin tha kyunki, woh hawa ke sampark me aate hi oxidise ho jaata tha.

Aur to aur, police ko Disembowler jaise serial killer aur uske kaale karnaamo se avgat karaana bhi zaroori tha. Yahi soch ke usne ye nirnay liya.

Trisha kuchh soch-samajh nahi paa rahi thi. Lekin, uski sahej pravatti Veer ki baat maanane ke liye chillaa rahi thi.

Wahi iss orr, Veer ne apna muh fera. Usne Juhi ko kass kar pakda aur ek qadam aage badha jab-

"R-Ruko! K-Kaun ho tum? Kaha jaa rahe ho? Mein tumhe yaha se kahi nahi jaane dungi."

Veer ne koi jawab nahi diya.

Trisha ne dekha ki Veer ke harr qadam me thakavat thi, blood loss use har pal kamzor kar raha tha. Magar, iske bawajood — woh aage badhne ke liye tatpar tha.

"Nidhi ma'am... Juhi ko unke paas pahuchaana hoga."

'Nidhi' ka naam uske muh se sunte hi Trisha chaunk uthi. Aur, kuchh ghante pehle ki kuchh baatein use yaad aa gayi. Gift shop par Nidhi ke sang uski pehli mulaqat aur wo baatein—

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

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

"T-Tum..." Trisha bhauchakki apna muh khole avaak Veer ko ghoori.

Yeh ladka.

Veer ke ek aur qadam aage lete hi police karmiyo ne uska raasta rok liya.

"Wahi ruk jao!" Unme se ek ne aadesh diya.

Veer ne mushqil se unn par koi nazar daali. Uska shareer bhalayi iss samay kamzor tha, lekin uska sankalp atal tha. Wo ab kisi bhi haalat me nahi ruk sakta tha.

Iske pehle ki police waale kuchh kar paate, Trisha ki awaaz ne unhe hairangi me daal diya.

"Jaane do use!" Woh ahista se boli.

Ve sab chaunkte hue uski orr mude.

"M-Madam?" Unme se ek hich-kichaaya. "M-Madam, aap ye kya keh rahi hai? Hum iss anjaan ko aise kaise jaane de sakte hai? Hum ise bilkul bhi-"

"Maine kaha na use jaane do!!!" Usne iss baar aur bhi dridhta se dohraaya.

Police karmiyo me sankoch bana raha, lekin Trisha apne nirnay par dagmagayi nahi.

Dheere-dheere wo sabhi ek taraf hatt gaye.

Agar, koi Nidhi ko jaanta tha, bacchiyo ko apne shareer par laad kar unhe bina chotil hue wapas leke aaya tha, to isme koi shaq nahi tha ki woh insaan koi serial killer nahi, balki ek shubhchintak tha.

Veer Trisha ke bagal se nikalte hue aage badha. Trisha ne ek akhiri sawaal uss se poochha—

"Kaun ho tum?"

Veer iss baar ruka. Woh peechhe muda. Uski nazar Trisha par tiki.

Ek pal ki khamoshi.

Aur, fir usne jawaab diya-

"Veer Singh!!!"

Trisha ke badan me sihran daud gayi. Veer bas itna bol, waha se chal diya.

Yeh naam. Inn beetein dino me woh iss naam se bhali bhaanti parichit thi. Yahi toh woh naam tha. Yahi wo insaan tha jiski use talaash thi. Wo aadmi jiske peechhe wo na jaane kab se padi hui thi.

Lekin, kabhi uss tak thos saboot ke saath pahuch na saki.

Aur, aaj wahi insaan-

Uski beti ko bacha ke uske paas laaya tha. Dimaag sawaalo ke bawandar me fassta jaa raha tha. Lekin, usne khud ko iss bawandar se baahar nikaala.

Abhi jo maayne rakhta tha — wo tha uski beti ka surakshit hona.

Usne apne mann me chal rahe toofan ko door karte hue, apna radio uthaaya.

"Rohan!!!"

Aur, bas... Wo punah toot ke reh gayi. Uss orr se Rohan ki bhi raahat ki saans lene ki awaaz use sunaayi di. Upar waale ko dhanyavad dete hue usne gaadi Trisha ke ilaake ki orr ghuma di.

Aur, aise hi Veer Pihu ko surakshit haatho me pahuchaate hue Nidhi ke paas pahucha tha.

Yahi woh waqt bhi tha jab Renshu aur Erica Disembowler ki lair me jaa kar, chhaan-been kar ke waha se nikal chuke the. Aur, unke nikalte hi police force ne poore shamshan ko under surveillance rakh liya tha.

Yahi woh waqt tha jab Renshu ne Erica ko ishaara kiya, Erica Veer ko Nidhi ke kamre se apne kandho par utha kar leke aayi. Wahi thi, jisne Nidhi aur Shreya dono ko neutralise kiya tha.

Renshu ne fir behosh Veer ko apne kandhe par uthaaya aur seedha Garofano ke paas le gaya.

Use car me hi Ava ke bagal se litaate hue usne Garofano ki orr dekha.

Behosh Veer aur Ava dono ek dusre ke bagal se laite hue the. Behoshi me bhi dono ke haath ek dusre se lage hue the.

Ek pal ke liye Garofano ki bauhe sikudi. Usne kuchh sochte hue Veer ka haath Ava ke haath se dur kar diya aur uske ghaavo ka ilaaj karne me jutt gayi.

Na sirf usne Veer ko apna ek vitality serum aur antiserum diya, balki uske ghaavo ka ilaaj kar uske haatho ko chains se azaad bhi kar diya.

Renshu, Erica aur Garofano, fir Veer ko leke hospital pahuche jaha parivar jann Veer ko iss awastha me dekh hakke-bakke reh gaye the.

Aur, fir Veer ka hosh aana aur use Manorath ki mrityu ki khabar ka praapt hona. Yahi sab toh hua tha.

Uske baad Garofano hospital se seedhe wapas car par pahuchi jaha Ava pehle se hi hosh me baithi hui thi.

Garofano : You are awake!

Ava : ...

Garofano : !!? Kuchh nahi kehna?

Ava : V-Veer! K-Kaha hai woh?

Garofano (smiles) : Kuchh derr pehle tumhare bagal se hi tha.

Ava : K-Kyaaaaa??

Wo hadbadaate hue idhar-udhar dekhi.

Ava : K-Kaha? Kaha hai woh? No! Wait!

Agle hi pal jaise use khud hi Veer ki location 'Death Flag' ke zariye maalum pad gayi.

Ava (mutters) : H-Hospital!

Garofano : Hmm! Uske dada ji nahi rahe. The other lady... What was her name again? Ragini! Hmm! Wo out of danger hai, lekin ab chal nahi sakti.

Ava ka sarr ye sunte hi neeche jhuk gaya. Usne apne dono perr mod apna chehra ghutno ke peechhe chhupa liya. Woh apne aap ko dosh de rahi thi. Use ek zimmedari di gayi thi. Aur, woh bhi wo theek se nahi nibha paayi.

Garofano (glances) : You don't have to feel bad about it. Although, mein waha nahi thi, aur mujhe nahi pata exactly kya hua tha lekin-

Ava : ???

Garofano : Erica ne sab kuchh bata diya hai. You took a bullet for someone else. Aur, agar tum nahi hoti- there was no way that girl would have survived that shot.

Ava : M-Mein- *sniff*

Garofano ne aage kuchh na kaha. Kuchh derr baad Ava ne uss se sawaal kiya.

Ava : Tumne aisa kyu kaha tha?

Garofano : Hmm? Kya?

Ava : Yahi ki... You are hiding your cards. Just like him.

Garofano : Woh? *smiles* Well, kya ye sach nahi? Tum apne cards chhipaaye hue ho. Just like him. Usne bhi mujhe apne saare cards ke baare me nahi bataaya. Hey! Now, I feel really bad you know.

Ava : ??

Garofano : Mein akeli hi hu jisne apne saare cards ke baare me tum sabko bataya hua hai. Aur, tum sab ho ki-

Ava : I don't feel the need to tell you.

Garofano : Wow! So, much for the help, right?

Ava : Kisi na kisi din mein ye favor chuka dungi. Cards ki details share karne ki koi zaroorat nahi mujhe.

Garofano : Chill, pretty girl. So cold, damn! *sighs* To kya mein wo favor abhi maang sakti hu?

Ava : Huh?

Garofano : Bolo?

Ava (nods) : Ask!

Garofano (grins) : Apne aap ko Veer se door kar do!

Ava (yells) : KABHI BHI NAHIIIIII-!!!

Wo itni zorr se chillaayi ki Garofano khud aashcharya me reh gayi. Ava ke gaal agle hi pal fir gulaabi ho chale. Aur, Garofano ke hontho par ek muskaan bikhar gayi. Woh bina kuchh kahe, waha se nikal gayi par jaate-jaate uske shabd Ava ke kaano tak pahuchne se na choonke.

"Tumhare favor chukaane ka intezar rahega, mujhe."

Kehte hue wo waha se chali gayi aur Ava pichhli ghatit vardaato ke baare me soch-vichaar kar leen ho gayi.

---

Veer's old house...

Antim sanskar ki taiyaari shuru ho chuki thi. Ghar ki mahilaaye, bagal se khadi ho kar sab dekh rahi thi. Aankhein laal thi aur sarr dhake hue.

Purush shaiyaa ki samagri ka prabandhan karne me lage hue the. Bhaar sirf Manorath ji ke shareer ka nahi uthaana tha, uske saath unki yaadon ka bhi bhaar juda hua tha.

Shaiyaa ko taiyaar karne ke liye baans ki lakdiyaan, rassiyaan aur safed kapda aa chuka tha.

Karunesh, Vivek aur Brijesh mil kar lakdiyaan baandhne ka kaam kar rahe the.

Ghar ke ird-gird aas-pados ki bheed-bhaad bhi jama ho chuki thi. Log aapas me charcha kar rahe the.

"Kaise? Ghatna kaise hui ye?"

"News me aaya to raha. Humla ho gaya na."

"Haan? Kaha?"

"Wai apna... Prestige hotel. Bahut bada humla tha."

"To humle me maare gaye?"

"Haan! Abhi poora clear nahi pata chala hai, par baaki log to yahi bata rahe ki humle me jaan chali gayi."

"Accha! Tch! Tch! Tch! Bechaare buzurg hoke aisi ghatna ka shikaar ho gaye."

"Kya kar sakte hai ab."

Veer Manorath ji ke perr ke paas hi baitha hua tha. Peeth jhuki, haath ghutno par tike hue, aur aankhein khaali.

Kavya aur Arohi use awaaz deti rahi, magar usne ek baar bhi nahi suna. Shyaam ne jab use paani ka glass diya tab bhi usne apni palkein tak nahi jhapkayi.

Uski nazrein sirf apne dada ji ke chehre par tiki hui thi. Aur, jaise hi Manorath ji ke shareer ko farsh se uthaaya gaya, Veer ki tandra bhang ho gayi.

'Huh?'

Usne mud ke dekha. Ek baar palak jhapki. Fir, dobaara.

Qadmo ki chehel-pehel, shorgul, sab kuchh ek saath uss par toot pada. Wo bina kuchh samjhe khada hua, dheere-dheere uske perr dada ji ke shav ki disha ki orr badhne lage.

Manorath ji ke shav ko baahar laa kar rakh diya gaya tha.

Rassi baandhte hue Brijesh ne sarr upar kar Veer ko dekha. Uske haath me bhi rassi thi.

Wo baans ke dhaanche ko aise dekh raha tha jaise maano wo koi suljhaane waali paheli ho. Kabhi uski nazrein apne haath me li hui rassi par tikti to kabhi baans ke dhaanche par.

Jeevan me pehli baar wo apne kisi qareebi ki maut me iss tarah se shaamil ho raha tha. Inn reeti-rivaaz me itna sammilit hone ka avsar use pehle kabhi praapt nahi hua tha.

Ek khamoshi kuchh derr chhaayi rahi.

Fir, aaj saalo me pehli baar-

"Ise iss tarah se baandho, Veer. Meri tarah...!"

Brijesh ne Veer se kaha. Awaaz naram thi. Na hi aagya se bhari hui aur na hi katu. Ekdum — vinamra.

Veer ne use dekha. Wo chup-chaap neeche baitha, apne pita ko dekhte hue usne rassi ko baandhna seekha, aur baans ki lakdiyo me wo rassi ki gathaane lagaane laga.

Ek pal ke liye — saara gussa, saare gile-shikve, sab kuchh ek taraf ho gaya. Dono baap-bete ke haath shaiyaa banaane me chal rahe the. Karunesh aur Vivek ne jab ye dekha to dono hi ahista se unn dono ke beech se alag ho gaye.

Ek ke baad ek gaanth.
Ek ke baad ek saans.
Saath-saath.

Kuchh door khadi, Bhavna ne jab yeh dekha to usne apne haath se apne muh ko dhak liya. Bagal se khadi, Purvi ne uske kandhe ko thaama.

Brijesh ko tabhi, apne pita ji ke akhir bol yaad aa gaye.

Wo Yarnia ke udhghatan me nahi gaya tha. Parantu, jab TV par samachar se use khabar lagi. Uske perr apne aap chal pade.

Use wo drishya yaad aaya. Wo pal jab uske pita ji use Hotel Prestige me chalne ke liye anurodh kar rahe the. Use nahi pata tha ki wo uska apne pita ke saath akhiri sanvaad hone waala tha —

---

"Toh tum nahi chaloge??"

"Jab mujhe bulaya hi nahi gaya toh bhala mein kaise jaa sakta hu, papa ji?"

"Murkh ho kya tum? Veer ne ek nyota bheja hai. Kya itni bhi samajh nahi tumhe ki ye sabke liye hai?"

"Aapko Veer ka phone aaya tha?"

"Haan!"

"Sumitra ko bhi aaya tha. Usne bataya mujhe. Lekin, mujhe nahi! Iska kya matlab hua? Kya aap samjhe nahi? Ya aap samajhna nahi chaahte?"

"Tum paagal ho sach me, Brijesh! Tumne jo kuchh bhi kiya hai uske baad bhala woh kaise tumse aake upat ke baat kar sakta hai? Jaise tum hich-kicha rahe ho waise hi toh woh bhi hich-kicha raha hoga na?"

"Kya waqai, papa ji? Mujhe nahi lagta! Balki, mujhe waha na paa kar use khushi hi hogi."

"Tum bawle ho gaye ho, Brijesh! Beta hai tumhara! Aur, tum baap ho uske. Ek baap apne bete ke sukh me uske nyota dene ka intezar nahi karta."

"Ye uss baap ke liye hai jo dukh me bhi apne bete ke saath khada rahe, jo mein nibha na saka. Mujhe waha paa ke sab uncomfortable ho jayenge. Rehne dijiye! Aap bhuliye mat ki Shweta aur... Bhavna bhi waha hongi. Aapke liye kehna asaan hai. Par, mere liye waha jaana itna asaan nahi."

"Tumhari dikkat kya hai tumhe pata hai Brijesh? Tum log kya sochenge iss baare me zyada sochte ho aur iss baare me kam ki kya karna chahiye. Arey bhai ye toh zahir si baat hai ki tumhare waha hone se baatein pehle ki tarah nahi hongi. Par, kya Veer ko iss se farq padega?"

"???"

"Nahi! Maayne ye rakhega ki uska baap jisne use ghar se baahar nikaal diya tha, aaj woh waha uske saamne uske liye khada hai."

"Nahi! Nahi papa ji! Ye toh wahi baat ho gayi ki sukh me sab kaam aate hai par dukh me-? Koi nahi! Mein ab maafi ke laayak nahi papa ji! Ab bahut bigaad liya maine apna aur baakiyo ka jeevan. Ab aur nahi-!"

"Tumne sahi kaha. Tum maafi ke laayak nahi! Lekin, maafi ke laayak koi bhi nahi hota, Brijesh!"

"???"

"Maafi ke laayak koi nahi hota. Use ye kamaana padta hai. Uss laayak banana padta hai ki vyakti aap ko maaf kar sake. Aur, tumhara waha pahuchna maafi maangne ka pehla qadam hoga."

"N-Nahi, papa ji! M-Mein-"

"Tum iss liye nahi jaana chaahte kyunki tumhe lagta hai ki woh log kya sochenge? Tum unse aankh se aankh milaane par ghabra rahe ho. Par, yahi toh pehla padaav hai, Brijesh. Chalo! Ghabrao nahi! Ek baar samay haath se nikal gaya toh dobaara nahi aata."

"Papa ji, samajhiye baat ko-"

"Tumhe pata hai? Kabhi-kabhi ek baap apne bacche ko jo sabse bada tohfa de sakta hai woh kya hai? Woh hai uski - maujoodgi! Agar, Veer ka phone nahi aaya toh kya hua? Woh toh chhota hai, par tum toh bade ho na? Pehel toh tumhe hi karni hogi na? Bhale hi tumhe kaisa bhi mehsoos ho par chalo, kyunki iss sthiti me andar se har baccha yahi chaahega ki uske pita saamne aaye. Veer bhi-!"

"M-Mein... Mein sochunga, Papa ji! Par, aaj mujhe apni mann-maani kar lene dijiye! Jaiye aap! Samay ho raha hai!"

Manorath ke lakh manaane par bhi jab Brijesh na maana toh woh narazgi me waha se jaane lage. Unke qadam darwaze ki dehleez par aake ruke.

"Meri seekh yaad rakhna Brijesh! Samay ek baar haath se nikal gaya, toh dobaara nahi aata."

Aur, woh waha se nikal gaye.

---

Akhiri lapte ek ajeeb si shaanti ke saath naach rahi thi — dheemi, aur bhasm karne waali.

Veer jalti hui chita se kuchh hi feet door khada hua tha. Manorath ji ka shav agni me sama chuka tha. Hawa ne rukh badla aur dhue ko ek taraf uda diya, apne saath na keval raakh, balki unki kahaniyaan, gyaan, aur uss vyakti ki antim garmjoshi bhi le gaya jisne kabhi Veer ko uska ekmaatra surakshit aashray diya tha.

Uski mutthiyaan bandhi rahi. Saansein kamzor. Aur, aankhein — bina moonde ek jagah sthir.

Mann shaant tha. Bahut derr tak. Jab tak ki-

[Master...]

Pari ki awaaz na goonj gayi.

Kintu, koi pratikriya nahi.

Uski aankhein abhi bhi aag ki lapto par tiki hui thi, maano jaise uske sawaalo ka jawaab ye laptein hi dene waali thi.

Lekin, Pari kahi nahi gayi.

[Master... I'm here.]

Veh jhijhki. Fir, aage boli. Uski awaaz dheemi thi, ek asamaanya komalta se bhari hui. Aur, fir kuchh sochte hue usne-

*Ding*

['Mission : A Knight's Stand' failed.]

System ki window ne Veer ki chetna me roop liya. Usme se aani waali neeli raushni tim-tima rahi thi. Iss baar, Veer ne dhyaan diya.

*Ding*

[The host was not able to get rid of the Disembowler.]

[The host did succeed in rescuing Juhi and Pihu.]

[The host also succeeded in keeping the experiment’s secret a secret from the general public.]

[The host will not be penalized for the secret being publicized.]

[The host will not be placed under police surveillance.]

[The mission failed because not all the conditions were fulfilled.]

[Mission failure penalty applied.]

[Penalty : Loss of loved ones.]

[Rewards have been granted.]

*Ding*

[You have been rewarded 20,000 Points.]

[You have been rewarded 5000 Fame Points.]

[Since the mission wasn’t completed, Perk Hunt will not be activated. Hence, no perks can be selected.]

Khamoshi.

Veer ne unn notifications ko suna. Magar, uska dhyaan abhi bhi kahi aur hi tha.

Usne ek gehri saans li. Aur, fir-

'M-Maine unhe kho diya, Pari. Mein unhe bacha nahi saka. Mere karan wo-'

Wo ek qadam aage badha. Aankhein ekdum laal.

'Maine maut ko dekha hai. Mere inn haatho ne logo ko maut bhi di hai. P-Par, kabhi bhi... kabhi bhi maine iss tarah mehsoos nahi kiya. Ye mujhe andar se jala raha hai, Pari.'

[...]

'Wo sirf mere dada ji nahi the. Wo mera ghar the. Uss puraane ghar se agar koi mujhe jod ke rakhe hue tha to woh wahi the... W-Wahi...!'

Uski mutthiyaan dheeli pad gayi.

'I was too late, Pari. Too weak. Too distracted. Aur, ab mere paas kuchh bacha hai toh woh hai — ye dhua, ye raakh, aur ye... glaani. Asahaneeya glaani.'

'Agar, mein aur taqatvar hota, hoshiyar hota, toh shayad mein-'

[Maaasterrrr, Nooooo-!]

'???'

[Master! Aapne wo kiya jo aur koi nahi kar sakta tha. Aapne uss Disembowler se do bacchiyon ki jaan bachaayi. Aapne SHB ke rehesya ko duniyaa ke saamne aane se roka.]

'M-Mein-'

[Aap unprepared the. Aap uski territory me the. Aur, fir bhi aapne haar nahi maani. Kya aapko lagta hai aap kamzor ho???]

Uski awaaz kaanp uthi. Aur, fir-

Dusri baar. Veer ko apne mann me wahi anubhooti mehsoos hui.

Aansu. Lekin, uske nahi. Pari ke.

'Pari, tum-'

Pari ki chetna se uski chetna me ek udaasi ki jhalak.

[Aap bhool kyu jaate ho ki mein wo sab kuchh mehsoos kar sakti hu jo aap karte ho. *sniff* Aapki har dhadkan... Mujhe goonjti hui sunaayi deti hai. Har aansu jo aap girne nahi dete... Unhe mein andar se mehsoos karti hu.]

'!!?'

[You didn't fail him, Master. You carried his name through fire. Through war. Through hell.]

'Pari!'

[Aur, ab bhi aap mazbooti se khade hue ho. Tab bhi jab aap andar se toot rahe ho. They can't see it. But I can. I can feel it.]

Veer wahi chita ke paas dhool bhari zameen par apne ghutno ke bal gir pada.

*Sniff*

Usne apni chhaati ko kass ke jakda. Dard se nahi, balki apne andar bachi hui cheezon ko sambhaalne ki ek betaab koshish me.

Usne ghutate hue kaha,

'P-Par, unhone mujhpe vishvas kiya tha, Pari. Kitne bharose se wo aaye honge aur unke saath- Ek akhiri baar mein unhe dekh tak na saka. I-'

[Aap humesha unke pasandeeda rahoge, Master. Humesha.]

Ek lambi khamoshi chhaa gayi. Veer ke aansu akhirkar gir pade.

'Itna dard kyu ho raha hai, Pari? *sniff*'

[Kyunki, aap unse itna pyaar karte the jitna aap khud nahi jaante the, Master.]

'!!!'

[And love, Master… is the only thing in this world more powerful than death.]

Woh muda. Uske peechhe ki aag ek antim baar bhadak uthi aur fir dheere-dheere feeki padne lagi.

Aur, aaj mann ki gehraayi me, jaha aam taur par notifications aur pari ke bol goonjte rehte the, ek durlabh tarah ki khamoshi chhaa gayi — khaalipann se nahi, balki do chetnao se, jo ek saath shok mana rahi thi.

***

Antim sanskar samapt hua hi tha, aag abhi bujh hi rahi thi, jab-

Baahar ek alag tarah ki aag ne apna janm le liya.

Veer, apne parivar sang jaise hi mukti dham se baahar nikla, toh uska swagat khamoshi se nahi, balki shor se hua.

Ek toofan.

Cameras chamak uthe. Microphones kinhi bhaale ki tarah aage badhe. Awaazein — unme se hazaaron — jwaar ki leher ki tarah aake uske kaano me takraayi.

"Mister, Veer Singh! Kya Hotel Prestige ki tragedy aapki zimmedari thi?"

"Humle ke dauran aap kaha the? Aapko kahi dekha hi nahi gaya."

"Aapki nigraani me bekasoor security guards maare gaye. Iska dosh kis par hai?"

"Kya aap ye soch rahe hai kya ki fame hone se aap inn sab se bach sakte hai?"

"Kya aap aaj raat so bhi paayenge? Ye jaante hue ki aapki sampatti ki suraksha karte hue nirdosh log maare gaye?"

"Jawab dijiye, Mister Veer!"

"Tune mere bhai ko maar daala, haram khor!! Mein tujhe chhorunga nahi!"

"Khooni!! Khooni ho tum!"

"Tumhare hotel ne mere pita ji ko zinda kha liya."

"Kya hoga humaara?"

Mratak security guards ke parivar ke kuchh sadasya bhi journalists ki bheed me ghus gaye. Wo barricades ko dukh, gusse aur aakrosh me paar kar gaye.

Unme se ek Veer par lagbhag jhapatne hi waala tha, lekin kuchh dayaalu ajnabiyon ne use rok liya.

Veer wahi khada raha. Uska shareer jamm sa gaya. Isliye, nahi ki woh darr gaya tha, balki isliye kyunki Hotel Prestige ka samachar ab vistaar se use sunane mil raha tha.

Wo jaanta tha humla hua tha. Hospital me hosh aane ke baad, Arohi ne use zaroori khabar de di thi. Yahi ki Hotel Prestige me humla hua tha. Golibaari. Jisme uske dada ji chal base.

Manorath ji ki maut bloodloss aur pain se hi hui thi. Sniper ki bullet koi aam bullet nahi hoti thi. Aur, na hi sniper koi aam bandook thi.

Manorath ji ke kandhe par bullet lagi thi. Jab tak ve hospital pahuche, unka ilaaj shuru hua, tab tak unhone dum tod diya tha.

Veer yeh jaanta tha. Magar, ye sab kya tha? Security guards ki jaan jaana? Arohi ne uske bhale ke liye poori sachaayi nahi bataayi thi.

Uski aankhein chaudi ho gayi. Glaani, sadma, aur kuchh agyaat anubhutiyaan uske andar toofan ki tarah ghoomne lagi.

Aur, fir-

Bheed ke beech se.

"VEEEEEEER!!!"

Ek awaaz. Ek cheenkh. Ek pukaar — iss araajakta ko cheerti hui.

Tej. Wo aayi.

Uske baal bikhre hue the. Chehra aasuon se bheega hua tha. Bheed uske liye alag nahi hui — lekin, usne sangharsh kar ke apna raasta banaaya.

Logo ki kohniyaan use lagi, dhakke lage, cameras use lage, woh lagbhag girte-girte bachi, lekin ruki nahi.

Wo bhaagi. Tezi se. Jaise uska dil fatne ko aa gaya ho-

Aur, tamaam bheed ko alag karte hue wo uske paas pahuchi. Waha khadi ho gayi — Veer aur saari duniyaa ke madhya.

Wo haanf rahi thi. Uske baal, paseene se geele ho chuke uske gaalo se chipke hue the.

Tej (screams) : BAS KAROOOOO!!!!

Shor kam ho gaya. Awaazein shaant pad gayi.

Tej ne mud kar media ka saamne kiya, uske kandhe kaanp rahe the, lekin uski awaaz bheed ke shor se bhi zyada tez thi.

Tej : Aap logo ko jawaab chaahiye na??? Mein dungi jawaab! Kyunki, hotel prestige ko sambhaalne waale Mister Veer nahi. Mein thi.

Ek virham. Ek sannaata sa chhaa gaya.

Tej (shaking but firm) : Mein Tejal Singh. Mister Veer Singh ki badi behan. Mein hi in charge thi. Mein hi thi jo new year eve ko sambhaal rahi thi.

Journalists : !!?

Tej : Aur, mein... Mein hu doshi. Haan, mein galat hu. Maine khatre par dhyaan nahi diya. Mein galat hu jo guests par dhyaan de rahi thi aur hazar saalo me kabhi ye khayal mujhe nahi aane waala tha ki koi sarfira uss waqt humari hotel ke andar bomb fek sakta hai.

Journalists : *mutters*

Tej (eyes flaring) : Haan, mein galat hu. Par, kya aap me se kisi ko aisi ummeed ho sakti thi? Kya aapko ummeed thi ki celebration ki raat me bandook liye naqab-posh gunde logo par goliyaan barsaane lagenge?

Kisi ne jawaab nahi diya. Microphones dheere-dheere neeche ho gaye. Kuchh cameras bhi neeche jhuk gaye.

Tej : Mein ise rok nahi saki. Mein iska anumaan bhi nahi laga saki...! Lekin, mein ise jitna ho sakta hai, utna theek karne ki koshish karungi. Har parivar jisne kisi ko khoya hai, mein unse milungi. Jo kuchh bhi bann padega, wo mein karungi. Wo sab humari hotel ke sadasya the.

Door khadi, Bhumika ki aankhon me ye sab dekh aansu umad aaye. Hotel uski thi. Magar, kavach bann ke Tej unhe inn sab se bacha rahi thi.

'T-Tejal, tum-!!'

Ho na ho, aaj Bhumika ke mann se Tejal ko leke saare berr samapt ho chuke the.

Tej : Madad, chaahe aarthik ho, ya kaisi bhi. Mein sab karungi. Guzre hue logo ko waapas nahi laaya jaa sakta. M-Mein jaanti hu ki ye sab ek jaan ke badle kisi kaam ke nahi-! M-Magar, fir bhi-! Mein har wo koshish karungi, jo cheezein theek kar sakti hai.

Journalists : *nods*

Tej : But don't you dare... DON'T YOU DARE come after him.

Wo ek pal ke liye mudi. Veer ko dekhi, jo aashcharya me use hi ghoor raha tha. Aur, fir waapas bheed ka saamna karne me lag gayi.

Tej : Usne bhi aaj kisi ko khoya hai. Maine bhi. Humaare poore parivar ne. Aap sab akele nahi ho. Humaare parivaar ka kya? H-Humaare nuksaan ki bharpaayi kaun karega? *sniff* Huh? Jawaab do!!!

*Silence*

Tej : Sirf, isliye ki mera bhai chup hai, use kamzor samajhna aur kisi dushman ki tarah treat karna band karo! *sniff* Sirf, isliye ki wo famous hai. Sirf isliye ki wo umr me adhiktar logo se chhota hai. Aur, sirf isliye kyunki aap sab mann marzi muh chala sakte ho...! BAND KAR DO!!

*Silence*

Veer ka haath utha. Aur, dheere se usne apna haath — kaanpte hue — Tej ke kandhe par rakh diya.

Woh chaunki. Fir, palti.

Unki aankhein mili.

Koi shabd nahi.

Sirf wo bandhan. Unke beech ka — ankaha aur achal.

Veer (mutters) : Thank you! Teju di!

Aur, wo bechaari toot gayi. Uske gaalo se aasu behte hue girne lage, magar honth muskura uthe.

Uss ek pal, Veer ko ehsaas ho gaya ki-

Yeh... Yeh ek badi behan thi.

Sansaar agar talwaar liye tha to woh kavach thi.

Khud ki awaaz na ho to woh uski awaaz thi.

Doobta hua toofan me ho to woh uska kinaara thi.

Aur, girte hue ko ek haath ka sahaara.

Veer ne apni ungliyaan Tej ki ungliyon ke ird-gird lapeti. Use kass kar pakda. Aur, fir use door le jaane laga. Bheed, shor aur sawaalo se door.

Ek bhai. Ek behan. Ek dard. Ek vaada.

Tej ne na sirf fir saari vardaat ka vishleshan diya, balki apni chintaaye aur aane waale jokhim ke baare me bhi vyakt kiya.

Jiski wajah se, Veer ko ek aur shaks ka dhyaan aaya. Akhir, wo use akela chhor ke kaise aa sakta tha?

***

Baahar sheher abhi bhi araajakta me tha. Lekin, Veer ki manzil filhal ek hi thi — hospital.

Tej ke bataane par wo ek shabd bhi nahi bola. Bas, mukti dham se car uthaata hua seedhe yaha chala aaya.

Kaise naye saal ka jashn narsanhaar me badal gaya.

Kaise naqab-posh bandook-dhaariyo ne Hotel Prestige me pravesh kiya.

Kaise ek sniper ki goli, jo darasal Kavya ke liye thi — Ragini ko jaa kar lagi.

Veer ki saans ukhdi-ukhdi aa rahi thi. Woh bas bhaagta raha. Bheed ke beech se. Dukh ke beech se. Pagalpann ke beech se.

Uske joote farsh par shor macha rahe the, pattiyaan uski pasliyon par dabi hui thi, jo abhi bhi khoon se sani hui thi.

"Ragini...!"

Wo ICU me daakhil hua. Nurses ko dhakka dete hue aage badha — jab tak ki ek doctor ne use rok na diya.

Doctor : Sir! Rukiye, ek minute. Ragini ji abhi-abhi surgery se baahar aayi hai. Aur, hum unhe jald hi shift bhi kar denge. Tab tak ke liye please aap baahar hi rahiye.

Veer : R-Ragini...!

Veer ki haalat dekh, doctor haami bhar aage aaya.

Doctor : Dekhiye! Woh theek hai. Gambheer khatre se woh baahar hai, lekin-

Veer : !!?

Lekin, kya? Veer jaanta tha. Magar, dobara sunana nahi chaahta tha.

Usne Ragini ko dekha. Wo wahi laiti hui thi. Haatho me alag-alag naliyaan lagi hui thi. Ek perr thoda upar utha hua tha aur jatil surgical braces se bandha hua tha.

Uski saansein kamzor thi, lekin wo jeevit thi. Yahi! Uske paas.

Veer uske nazdeek aaya. Har qadam pehle se adhik bhaari. Uska haath bistar ki steel ki railing ko chhua aur Ragini ke chehre ko dekha.

Uske honth sookhe hue the. Maathe par halki si jhurriyaan jo shikan ko darsha rahi thi.

Doctor chalte hue Veer ke paas aaya.

Doctor : Mujhe sab pata chala. Dekhiye, mein jaanta hu ye kaafi mushqil hai. Par, aap sabko ye hazam karna padega.

Veer ne doctor ko na dekha. Wo bas Ragini ko dekhta raha.

Doctor : Ragini ji ko sniper round se nikli high velocity bullet ne chotil kiya tha. Goli ne femur ko chaknachoor kar diya aur tibial nerve bhi damage ho chuki hai. Aap samajh rahe hai na?

Veer : ???

Doctor : Humne femur ko reconstruct karne ke liye rods aur bone grafts ka istemal kiya hai. Lekin, nerve damage irreversible hai.

Veer : M-Matlab...

Doctor : Matlab, ye ki- unka perr to theek hai, lekin wo firse nahi chal payengi. Kam se kam, pehle ki tarah to nahi.

*Silence*

Doctor (continuing) : Intensive rehab ke chalte unhe thodi mobility mil sakti hai. Lekin, neuromuscular ka jo ek coordination hota hai, woh jaa chuka hai. Brain se signals nichle ang tak pehle ki tarah nahi pahuchenge.

Veer : ...

Doctor : Dekhiye, humne wo sab kiya jo hum kar sakte the. Fracture ko stabilise kiya, nerve pressure ko decompress kiya, haemorrhage ko roka. Par, aghaat bahut gehra tha, Mister Veer. Bahut sateek. Isliye- *sighs* Anyways, this is the best outcome.

Shabd Veer ke dimaag me mandraane lage. Laga jaise woh abhi yahi ladkhada ke gir jayega.

Ragini pehle jaise nahi chal paayegi. Kabhi bhi nahi.

Doctor to chala gaya, magar Veer wahi ghutno ke bal Ragini ke bagal se baith gaya. Uska haath ahista se aage badha.

Komalta se usne Ragini ke baalon ka ek dheela latka hua latt kaan ke peechhe kiya. Ungliyaan Ragini ki twacha se sparsh hote hi kaanp rahi thi.

Aur, fir uske jaane bina-

Uske aansu punah binn marzi beh chale.

'Kyu???'

'Mein tumhe kabhi sahi jawab na de saka.'

Ragini ne use panaah di thi jab uske paas koi thikaana nahi tha. Jab woh khud ke liye muskura nahi sakta tha tab woh uske liye muskuraati thi. Usne uski raksha ki, uss se pyaar kiya. Apne poore astitva ke saath.

Usne kabhi kuchh nahi maanga — siwae uske dil ke.

Par, Veer humesha use intezar karwaata raha. Aur, aaj woh yaha iss haal me laiti thi. Chotil. Tooti hui. Apahij. Uski wajah se.

Veer ne uska haath thaama.

'Tumne mujhe kya kuchh nahi diya, Ragini. Pyaar, Panaah, Khushiyaan. Tumne mujhe apna tann, mann, dhan sab kuchh luta diya. Aur, badle me maine tumhe kya diya? Sirf, mera maun jawaab.'

Usne apna haath, uske maathe par rakha.

'Mein... tumhe deserve nahi karta, Ragini.'

Woh jhuka. Aur, uske maathe ko usne dheere se choom liya.

'But, I'll earn you now.'

'Mein yahi rahunga. Ab kahi nahi bhaagunga. Ab aur koi chuppi nahi.'

'I'll be your legs... Your strength... Your everything.'

'Bas jaag jao. Please... Ragini! Jaag jao.'

Akhiri guhaar par uski awaaz andar hi andar toot gayi. Aaj pehli baar, use andar se mazbooti mehsoos nahi hui. Ek system holder jaisa mehsoos nahi hua. Bas, ek sadharan aadmi. Jo duniyaa se pareshan ho chuka tha.

Woh khada hua. Usne apne aansu pochhe. Ragini ke sote chehre par ek akhiri nazar daali. Fir, muda...

Aur, darwaaze ki orr chal diya.

Jaane se pehle — usne peechhe mud kar dekha.

'I promise, Ragini. When you wake up... You won't find me missing again.'

Aur, wo chala gaya.

ICU se baahar aate hi uski nazar ek aur ward me padi, jaha Suman laiti hui so rahi thi. Uske haath me bandage lagi hui thi. Veer ko samajhne me derr na lagi ki Suman hi thi — jisne Ragini ko khoon diya tha.

***

Aspataal se neeche aate waqt, Veer ke mann me Tej ke bol goonj rahe the.

"Mein shayad nahi bachti, Veer- A-Agar woh na hoti. Wo lady. Mask pehni hui. Pata nahi kaun thi. Usne mujhe dhakela aur fir- wo apna pait pakad ke dard se karaah rahi thi. Lekin, iss se pehle ki mein use pakad paati wo hotel ke baahar bhaag gayi. Kasam se...! Agar, wo na hoti to shayad aaj mein yaha tumhare saamne nahi hoti, Veeru."

A masked woman?

Veer samajh chuka tha.

Ava.

Uske dimag ke chalne se pehle hi uske perr chal diye. Hospital ki parking ke paas — mukhya dwaar ke theek baahar.

Do jaani pehchaani aakritiya ek kaali badi si SUV ke paas khadi thi.

Renshu aur Erica.

Erica ne use sabse pehle dekha.

'V-Veer!'

Woh ladka jisne Jaw Long ke maidaan me ghus ke poore yuddh ko apne paksh me kar liya tha.

Wahi Veer jis se dobaara milne ke liye wo itna lalcha rahi thi. Woh uske saamne tha.

Par, Veer kuchh bhi kehne ke liye nahi ruka. Renshu ne use dekh saath chalne ka ishaara kiya. Woh aage badha.

Ava car me peechhe ki foldable seat par baithi hui thi. Wo baahar hi dekh rahi thi jab kisi ke aane ka use ehsaas hua. Uska sarr uss disha ki orr muda aur-

Woh waha tha.

Veer.

Ava ki saans atak gayi. Uska badan kaanp gaya.

Veer ne hi use zimmedari saunpi thi. Hotel Prestige aur parivar ko surakshit rakhne ki.

Aur, wo vifal rahi.

Veer ke dada ji jaa chuke the. Hotel par humla hua. Ragini ghaayal hui. Sab kuchh bikhar gaya.

Ava ka dil baith gaya.

Glaani ka bhaar itna badh gaya ki veh khud ko rok na paayi. Aasu behne lage. Pehle to chupke se... Fir lagatar.

Ava : M-Mein... V-Veer...

Usne uthne ki koshish ki-

Ava : I-I'm... I'm sorry, Veer. I-

Parantu, iske pehle ki woh aur kuchh bolti, Veer aage ki aur dauda. Aur, usne Ava ko apni baahon me bhar liya.

Kass kar. Poori tarah se.

Uski mazboot pakad se Ava ke ghaav dabb gaye, woh halka sa karaah uthi.

Lekin, ye dard kuchh bhi nahi tha. Tab nahi jab woh uski baahon me thi.

Tab nahi, jab woh apne aap se use apne aalingan me bhar raha tha. Fir, bhale hi uski chot kyu na dukhe, aise hazaro dard uthaane ke liye khushi-khushi raazi thi woh.

Ava ne apna chehra uske seene me daba liya. Uske haath dheere-dheere Veer ki shirt ke peechhe kass gaye. Uski awaaz siskiyon me badal gayi.

Ava (barely breathing) : V-Veer, mein-

Veer (softly) : I know...

Ava : ??

Veer : Tumne Teju di ko bachaaya. Tumne wo bullet apne upar li. Mujhe sab pata hai.

Ava jamm ke reh gayi. Uske aasu behna dheeme ho gaye.

Ava (confused) : B-But, I failed... Tumhare dada ji...

Veer : Nahi!

Ava : Huh!!?

Veer : You fulfilled your duty, Ava. Bhale hi tum na maano. Par, mein maan gaya hu.

Woh stabdh thi.

Veer (smiles) : Thank you, Ava!

Ava : Ahh!!!?

Aur, Veer ne use apne gale se laga liya. Ava ke aasu jhar-jhar kar behne lage.

Kuchh qadam door, ye drishya dekh kar Garofano ka haath mutthi me simat gaya. Uske honth ek patli rekha samaan dabb gaye. Woh aalingan... Jis tarah se Veer ne Ava ko pakad rakha tha.

Usne Garofano ke andar kuchh jala kar rakh diya.

Woh mudi aur bina kuchh kahe waha se door chali gayi.

Renshu : Huh? Kya hua tumhe?

Erica ka haal bhi kuchh aisa hi tha. Use ehsaas hua ki sirf wahi nahi thi. Ek ajeeb sa dard uske seene me utha aur woh bhi Garofano ki taraf chal di.

Renshu : Huh? Erica???

***

SUV ke baahar Veer dheere se aaya.

Ava andar hi thi. Laal aankhein liye use dekh rahi thi. Woh hug abhi bhi uske mann me ghoom rahi thi, saath hi Veer ke seene ki garmahat.

Veer ka sarr jhuka hua tha, aankhein uske kaale baalon ke parde ke peechhe chhipi hui thi.

Woh aage badha — Erica ya Garofano ki orr nahi, balki Renshu ki orr.

Koi greetings nahi. Koi emotions nahi.

Bas... Sannaata.

Uske ird-gird ka aura badla hua tha. Thanda. Mapa hua. Ab dard nahi jhalak raha tha. Ek toofan ke pehle ki shaanti.

Garofano ne sabse pehle notice kiya. Veer ki ungliyon ki halki si thar-tharahat. Erica ne uske baad dekha — Veer ke chalne ka ek alag dhang.

Veer ruka. Renshu se bas ek qadam ki doori par.

Veer (without raising head) : Renshu! Tumhare paas kitni aur kaun-kaun si skills hai?

'Huh?'

Prashn aise aaya jaise maano shaant jheel me kisi ne bahut bada patthar fek diya ho. Renshu ki bauhe sikud gayi.

Hawa ke chalte Veer ke kapde aise fadfada rahe the jaise maano koi khamosh toofan paida hone ka intezar kar raha tha.

'Ye Veer... Iss tarah ka sawaal kyu kar raha hai achanak se?'

[Apni skills, kisi aur ko bataana. Ye khatarnak hai, Renshu.]

'Lloyd!'

[Kya hoga agar wo hume dhoka dede?]

'Mujhe nahi lagta.'

Veer ne dheere se apna sarr uthaaya. Ab uski aankhon me dard nahi jhalak raha tha. Kuchh aur hi tha. Koi uddeshya.

Veer : Aura Vision, Hawkeye, advanced martial arts, limbo, basic enemy tracker, detoxification, copycat, radio protective, aquatic breathing, tracer. Ye meri kuchh important skills hai. The rest are pretty much useless.

'Huh?'

Renshu ne apni aankhein sikodi. Skills kaafi thi. Sab ki sab ek se badh ke ek. Aur, Veer ne use iske baare me aise bata diya jaise maano woh mausam ka haal-chaal bata raha ho.

Kuchh badla hua tha. Ye Veer ko kya ho gaya tha achanak se?

Renshu ne ek aah bhari.

Renshu (nods) : Theek hai. To suno. Lance of Blaze, Prime Venture Specialist, Rapid Reaction, Commando, Strong Core, Chi Perception, Wushu, Toxin Sleuth, Pigeon Whisperer. Ye hai meri kuchh important skills.

Veer : Are you sure?

Renshu : Kya matlab?

Veer : Kya bas itni hi hai?

Renshu (nods) : Haan! Zaroori waali yahi hai.

Veer : Koi legendary skill nahi?

Renshu : Nahi!

Ek sannaata chhaa gaya.

Aur, fir bina kisi chetaavni ke-

*Whoooooooooooshhh*

'???'

Bijli ki raftaar se ek tez roundhouse kick, Renshu ke chehre ki orr aayi.

Agle hi pal, Renshu ki Rapid Reaction activate hui aur uska shareer sahaj roop se peechhe ki orr jhuk gaya. Veer ki laat ki hawa uski naak pe paas se guzri.

Peechhe khadi Erica ye dekh dang reh gayi. Uske muh se ek ghuti hui cheenkh nikli. Kya tha ye? Kya hua?

Wo dono abhi toh baatein kar rahe the. Fir achanak se ye kya?

Garofano ki aankhon me hari chamak bikhri. Usne ek qadam aage badhaaya.

Idhar, Veer ka perr wapas se zameen par land hua aur land hote hi-

*Ding*

HAWKEYE

Usne apni aedi ke jhatke se ek patthar ko seedha Renshu ki aankh ki orr uchhaal diya.

Renshu ne ek jhatke me apna haath aage kar uss patthar ko pakda. Magar, aankh ki orr aa rahe uss patthar ne ek blind spot bana diya.

Baayi orr se, Veer ka ek mukka tezi se aaya. Lagbhag adrishya.

Renshu ne use pakadne ke liye haath badhaaya.

Lekin,

'Huh?'

Wo nahi aaya.

'Nahi!'

Renshu ki aankhein chaudi ho gayi. Wo ek feint attack tha. Asli humla-

Daayi orr se aa raha mukka. Par, derr ho chuki thi.

Lekin, iske pehle ki Veer apna blow land kar paata, uski kalaayi kisi ne kass kar thaam li.

Garofano.

Garofano (yells) : VEER!!! KYA HO GAYA HAI, TUMHE?

Veer ne dheere se apna sarr ghumaya. Pehli baar usne use dekha. Garofano ne dekha ki uski aankhon me krodh tha.

Veer (yells) : Puchho Renshu se Violet. Isne mujhe bataaya tha. Kitne system holders zinda bache hue hai. Aur, sansaar me total kitne the. Isne mujhe bataaya tha...! Total 30 the. Aur, uss waqt 18! Jaw Long aur Crimson ke jaane ke baad ab shayad 16.

Garofano : ???

Veer : Par, mujhe ye batao...! Kaun si skills system holders ki ginti kar ke deti hai? Iske paas aisi koi si bhi skill nahi hai, Violet.

Garofano ka chehra peela pad gaya. Use bhi iska ehsaas hua. Woh tezi se Renshu ki orr mudi.

Erica vichlit unke paas bhaagte hue aayi.

Erica (panicked) : Rukoooo! Bas, ruk jaaaoo!! Pleeaasee!! Aap dono kyu ladd rahe ho? K-Kya hua??? Dad-!!!

Bechaari ki awaaz fatt rahi thi. Lekin, unme se koi bhi nahi hila. Garofano ne abhi bhi Veer ke haath ko jakda hua tha. Toh wahi, Renshu sthir khada hua tha.

Veer ke haath ne dheere dheere apni mazbooti dheeli ki.

Veer (yells) : JAWAAB DO, RENSHU!

Ek bhaari virham.

Renshu ne ek gehri saans li.

Renshu : Mere paas aisi koi skill nahi hai jo ye kar sakti hai.

Sab wahi jamm ke reh gaye. Siwae, Erica ke. Jisne nazrein glaani ke chalte ferr li.

Garofano : T-To, fir... kaise?

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.
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Aaj ke liye itna hi guys.
This update consists of 9.2k words. Jo kuchh bikhra hua tha, use sameta jayega. Ek ek karke saare puzzles ke pieces ko lagaya jayega. Kuchh leftovers rahenge jinhe aage ke arcs me lagaya jayega. Lekin, kaafi hadd tak clarity mil jayegi iss arc me. Post Disembowler shuru ho chuka hai. Next update bhi isi month ke end me aa jayega. Target mein ab halka sa ghata raha hu, because I know inme zyada kuchh action nahi hai aur na hi ye peak updates hai. So, target is 280 for now. Baaki, keep supporting.
Dhanyavad.

काफि बयतरीन

 

[pyarandlund]

Update - 197 ~ Despondency ​

Ab tak...

Veer ko kuchh samajh aata ki tabhi-

"Although, Miss Ragini ki situation kaafi critical thi. But, doctor ne mujhe khabar de di hai."

'Ragini' naam sunn woh wapas se hosh me aaya.

"She's out of danger now."

Raahat bamushqil ek kshan ke liye hi thi.

"But there's only one problem. I'm sorry to say but — woh ab pehle ki tarah kabhi nahi chal payengi."

Aur, aspatal ko ek gehre sannaate ne dhak liya.

Ab aage...

Mukhya hall safed chaadron se dhaka hua tha. Pooja ki samagri aur phoolo ki mehek ek mishran me hawa me ghuli hui thi.

Beech me Manorath ji ka shav aise pada hua tha jaise maano wo bas kisi gehri neend me so rahe ho. Koi shikan nahi. Bas bejaan.

"Papaaaaaaa jiiiii!"

Brijesh rota hua unki chhaati se lipatne ki koshish kiya, magar Arun aur Shyaam ne use pakad kar peechhe kheench liya.

Karunesh, Pranjal aur Vivek bhi wahi the. Teeno ke sirr neeche jhuke hue the. Hairani ki baat yeh thi ki Karunesh ki aankhon me bhi aasu the.

Aur, kone me khadi Bhavna ki aankhein bhi namm thi. Manorath ji jaise bhi the, unhone kabhi bhi uska bura nahi chaaha tha. Isliye, humesha se hi uske mann me unke liye aadar aur sammaan hi tha. Unhe iss tarah se jaata dekh, aaj uska dil bhi chotil tha.

“Mummaaa-!”

Kavya sisakte hue apni maa, Sumitra se lipat gayi jiski khud ki aankhein aasuon se bheegi hui thi. Sumitra ne bhi kass ke use apne aalingan me bhar liya.

Shweta khud kuchh kehne laayak nahi thi. Bhale hi Manorath se uska rishta behad mazboot nahi tha par itne saal se ek chhat ke neeche hi wo sab ke saath rehti aayi thi. Kahi na kahi Manorath ji ki mrityu ka asar uss par bhi pada tha. Bhumika ki bhi haalat yahi thi — niraasha se paripoorn.

Purvi wahi thoda door baithi sab kuchh dekh rahi thi. Bauhe sikudi hui thi aur mann vichlit.

Shyaam, Gauri, aur Parijaat ki aurtein, ye sabhi gaanv ki aatma the. Uski reedh. Ve ekjut, maun khade the, toofan ke khilaf puraane pedo ki tarah dard ko sehte hue. Aane waali zimmedariyon ke liye poori tarah se taiyaar.

Suhana apni behan Sonia ke saath thi, dono ke ird-gird suit pehne unke bodyguards khade hue the. Apne haath baandhe, sunglasses pehne, Sonia ek kursi par wahi baahar baithi hui thi. Itna gamgeen mahaul dekh wo sehem si gayi thi.

Toh wahi, Suhana thoda kaanp rahi thi. Raat bhar ke jaagne se uski aankhein laal ho rakhi thi. Apne phone par nazre gadaaye wo sandesho ko padhti jaa rahi thi.

Usne andar hall me baithe Veer ko dekha. Uske honth khule, par fir thar-thara ke band ho gaye.

Kya use haq tha uske paas jaane ka? Aise waqt par? Wo wahi khadi yeh sochti rahi.

Idhar Kaera kuchh feet door khadi thi, uska bhai Karan kuchh logo se baat-cheet kar raha tha. Shuru se ant tak, Kaera ki nazrein ek hi shaks par tiki hui thi — Veer.

Woh uske paas jaana chaahti thi. Use galey se lagaana chaahti thi. Use samjhaana chaahti thi. Lekin, uske perr hilne me asamarth reh gaye.

Uski bhavnaaye jo haal hi me jaagrit hui thi — aaj ek aur nayi anubhooti se guzar rahi thi. Aaj wo wahi mehsoos kar paa rahi thi jo usne tab mehsoos kiya tha jab usne apni maa, Archana ko khoya tha.

Dukh. Peeda. Udaasi.

Wo saare bhoole gaye emotions waapas sateh par aa rahe the.

Aabha bhi ek jagah apna ghoonghat odhe dheere-dheere ro rahi thi. Manorath se uska lagaav nahi tha. Ye aansu kal raat jo bhayanak drishya hue aur jis tarah se sab kuchh ujda, uske liye the. Apne maalik ko iss tarah dekh uska dil andar hi andar dehel raha tha.

Sonali use apne se laga ke sambhaalne ki koshish kar rahi thi, kintu woh swayam hi bheetar se ghabrayi hui thi.

Magar, Veer ka kya-!?

Tej ne use dekha. Wo chup-chaap Manorath ke saamne baitha hua tha. Jaise maano uss se abhi bhi ye khabar nahi pachaayi jaa rahi thi. Par, wo uss se kuchh na boli. Balki, wo to nazrein hi nahi mila paa rahi thi.

Ek chhota sa kaam tha. Apne bhai ki gerr-maujoodgi me Yarnia ka udhghatan karna. Bas! Iss ek chhote se kaam ko karne me wo naqamyab thi. Na sirf hotel ko nuksaan pahucha, balki Yarnia ka sampoorn karyakram bhi barbaad ho gaya. Logo ki jaane chali gayi aur upar se humle me gharwalo ne bhi apni jaan gawa di.

Aur, ye sab kuchh hua — Naye saal ki lagne waali raat me. Naya saal unke liye khushiyaan nahi, balki barbaadiyaan leke aaya. To aise me Tej akhir kaise apne bhai se nazrein mila sakti thi?

Veer ke bagal se hi Arohi bhi thi. Honth thar-thara rahe the aur bechaari ka poora chehra aansuon se bheega hua tha.

Wo uski orr jhuki. Usne Veer ke kandhe par haath rakha-

Arohi : V-Veer!

Par, koi jawab nahi.

Bas — khamoshi.

Arohi ne uske haath ko apne haath me lete hue baandha aur ek baar fir se use jhunjhlaaya.

Arohi : V-Veeeer! *sniff*

Kintu, punah koi jawab nahi. Wo hila hi nahi. Ekdum sthir — bina koi palke jhapkaaye. Jaise samay sirf uske liye ruk gaya ho. Arohi ne ek baar aur koshish ki.

Arohi : Veeeeer! M-Mujhe aise darao mat, please. *sniff* Kuchh bolo. Veeeer?

Magar, abhi bhi koi pratikriya nahi.

---

Kuchh der pehle...

Yeh woh waqt tha jab Veer Juhi aur Pihu ko apne badan par laade Disembowler ki lair se baahar nikla tha.

Uski har saans fool rahi thi, drishti dhundhli pad rahi thi, lekin woh rukne ko taiyaar nahi tha.

Juhi uski chhaati se bandhi hui thi, uska kamzor shareer thakaan ke chalte neend me upar-neeche ho raha tha. To, wahi Pihu peechhe uski peeth par behosh thi.

Baah me bhayanak tez dard uthne ke bawajood Veer use thaam ke rakha hua tha — ekdum adig.

Pari ki awaaz tabhi uske dimaag me goonji.

[Master! Aapka haath. You need to rest right now. 'Limb Substitution' ki madad se kaafi hadd tak uss waqt haath position me aa gaya tha, lekin aapne-]

Pari shikayat kar rahi thi. Veer ka haath 'Limb Substitution' ke equip karte hi sahi dhang se position me aa chuka tha. Zaroorat thi toh bas kuchh dino ke araam ki, jiske chalte uska haath wapas se pehle ki tarah ho jaane waala tha.

Magar, usne kya kiya-!?

Disembowler se bhidte waqt, usne jhatke se liquid nitrogen ke cylinder ko kheencha tha, jiske parinam swaroop uska haath wapas se lachakte hue ukhad chuka tha.

Na keval dobara use jodne ke liye shareer ki urja ka istemal hua, balki haath ke ukhadte hi ek baar fir use bloodloss se guzarna pada.

Ab agar samay rehte haath ko araam nahi diya gaya, to ye samasya aur bhi gambheer mod le sakti thi. Aur, isliye Pari chintit thi. Kyunki, iss waqt bhi — Veer ka haath Pihu ko peechhe se thaame hue tha. Haath par zor pad raha tha.

Veer ne bamushqil hi koi pratikriya di. Uska dimag ek hi cheez par kendrit tha — kaise bhi karke dono bacchiyo ko surakshit unke apno tak pahuchaaya jaaye.

Woh waha se bhaaga. Pari ki baat par usne kuchh derr baad jawab diya.

'Yeah! I- I know, Pari. Lekin, mere paas rukne ka koi option nahi hai. I must move on.'

Sadke street lights aur aasmaan aatishbaziyo se jagmaga raha tha. Police ki jeeps sadko par daud rahi thi, adhikaari hatyaare aur laapata ladkiyon ki talaash me har kone, har gali ko chhaan rahe the.

Aur, unhi jeep me se ek jeep me — Trisha thi.

Uski aankhein sooji hui thi, dashboard ko pakde hue uske haath kaanp rahe the.

"Tez chalo!!!"

Usne driver ko aadesh diya, ghanto chillaane se uski ab awaaz bhi fatt rahi thi. Bahut lamba samay ho gaya tha. Bahut saare ghante guzar chuke the — koi suraag nahi, koi sanket nahi, koi ummeed nahi. Bebasi ka bojh ab use ghutan de raha tha, magar usne tootne se inkaar kar diya.

Woh iss tarah, iss samay nahi toot sakti thi. Apni beti ko dhundhne se pehle to hargiz nahi.

Rohan, uska pati bhi wahi kahi sadko par tha. Beti ki khoj me paagalo ki tarah sheher me bhaag raha tha. Parantu, ye sab vyarth jaane waala tha agar unhe unki beti na mili toh.

Fir, jeep ne ek mod liya.

Aur, koi waha par tha.

Sadak ke beech me ek akela shaks, khoon se lathpath. Uski shirt fati hui thi, chehra ghaavo aur khoon ke kaaran bamushqil se pehchaana jaa sakta tha.

Woh waha khada tha, haanf raha tha, kaanp raha tha — lekin, sirf wahi nahi tha.

Uske seene se kuchh bandha hua tha. Koi tha. Nahi! Sirf seene se hi nahi, peeth par bhi koi tha.

Trisha ke dil ki dhadkane maano wahi tham gayi.

"Rukooooo!" Veh chillaayi.

Jeep ghisatate hue achanak ruk gayi. Jaise hi usne darwaza khola, kaanpte haatho se usne turant bandook nikaali aur seedhe saamne khade shaks par nishaana saadh diya.

"Theher jao!"

Woh chillaayi. Uski awaaz teekhi thi, ghabrahat ke bawajood usne apne aap ko sthir rakha hua tha. Jeep ki headlights jaise hi uss shaks ke peechhe ladi nanhi si bacchi ke chehre par padi, to Trisha ki aankhein bhay ke maare fel gayi.

Pihu!

Uski aankhein khoon se saney uss shaks ke chehre par ghoomi aur fir apni bacchi par.

Kaun tha ye vyakti?

Aur, uski beti uski peeth par?

Upar se wo kahi se bhi dara hua nahi prateet ho raha tha.

Idhar, Veer ne Trisha ko dekh apni gati dheemi nahi ki, balki woh chalta raha — seedhe uski orr.

Trisha ki pakad trigger par mazboot ho gayi.

"Maine kaha ruk jao!"

Woh darr rahi thi. Kya yahi wo serial killer tha? Kya isi ne uski bacchi aur Juhi ko agwa kiya tha?

Kya kare woh? Kahi woh vyakti uski chetavni ka bura maan bacchiyo ko kuchh kar diya to? Kya use bandook neeche kar leni chahiye? Kya kare? Use kuchh nahi soojh raha tha.

Lekin, tabhi veh bola.

"Tumhari beti... Surakshit hai!"

'Huh?'

Uski awaaz halanki karkash thi, lekin usme koi darr nahi tha. Koi hich-kichaahat nahi. Keval nishchitata.

Trisha ki saansein atakne lagi. Uska dimaag kaam karna band kar raha tha.

Jaise hi Veer ne uske aur apne beech doori kam ki, jeep me baithe baaki police karmiyo ne turant hi qadam uthaaya, apne-apne hathyaar liye unn sabhi ne Veer par bandooke taan di. Unki ungliyaan bhi trigger par mandra rahi thi, thodi si bhi galat harqat par goliyaan chalaane ke liye ekdum taiyaar.

Lekin, Trisha abhi bhi Veer ko ghoor rahi thi. Usne apna haath ghabraate hue uthaaya.

"Nahiiiiii!"

Woh chillaayi aur usne sabhi police karmiyo ko goli chalaane se rok diya.

Woh nahi jaanti thi ki usne aisa kyu kiya. Kya ye darr tha? Ya fir kuchh aur? Lekin, use itna zaroor samajh aaya ki bandook ko iss shaks par taanana iss sthiti ka hal nahi tha.

Veer ahista-ahista uske paas aaya. Aur, fir apne badan par gathaan bandhi, khoon se sani chaadar ko usne dheere se khola.

Pihu.

Uske nanhe se chehre par shaanti ke bhaav the. Na koi chot, na koi ghaav. Ekdum achhoot.

Trisha ki bandook uske kaanpte haatho se chhoot kar fisal gayi. Woh dhadalle se bina koi parvah kiye aage badhi-

"Madam!!!"

Police karmiyo ne use savdhan karne ki koshish ki, parantu Trisha ko apni bacchi ke siwa aur koi nazar na aaya.

Usne Pihu ko apne dono haatho me lete hue sambhaala aur apne seene se lagaaya aur apni beti ko galey se lagaate hi uski rulaayi chhoot gayi.

"Woh sirf behosh hai. Thaki hui hai. Aur, kuchh nahi. Use kuchh derr me hosh aa jaayega." Veer ne samjhaate hue kaha.

Trisha bilakhte hue apni beti ke chehre ko bas choomti chali gayi. Use saans bhi badi mushqil se aa rahi thi. Uski ungliyaan Pihu ke komal chehre par daud gayi.

Veer, jiska kaam abhi bhi aadha-adhoora tha, thoda sa Trisha se alag hua. Woh waha se nikalne ke liye hua.

"Ab mujhe Juhi ko ma'am ke paas le jaana hoga. Aur, tum..."

"Huh?" Trisha use hairat me dekhi.

"Jaldi! Shamshaan ke neeche. Akele nahi. Poori force leke jao. Jaldi! Warna woh- *huff*"

"K-Kya?" Trisha ne sarr uthaate hue use aashcharya me ghoora.

"Samay kam hai. J-Jaldi- *huff* Iske pehle ki derr ho jaaye."

Uske perr mushqil se seedhe khade ho paa rahe the. Woh jaanta tha ki Disembowler buri tarah ghaayal tha. Police ki full force use takedown kar sakti thi. SHB ka raaz khul paana bhi lagbhag namumkin tha kyunki, woh hawa ke sampark me aate hi oxidise ho jaata tha.

Aur to aur, police ko Disembowler jaise serial killer aur uske kaale karnaamo se avgat karaana bhi zaroori tha. Yahi soch ke usne ye nirnay liya.

Trisha kuchh soch-samajh nahi paa rahi thi. Lekin, uski sahej pravatti Veer ki baat maanane ke liye chillaa rahi thi.

Wahi iss orr, Veer ne apna muh fera. Usne Juhi ko kass kar pakda aur ek qadam aage badha jab-

"R-Ruko! K-Kaun ho tum? Kaha jaa rahe ho? Mein tumhe yaha se kahi nahi jaane dungi."

Veer ne koi jawab nahi diya.

Trisha ne dekha ki Veer ke harr qadam me thakavat thi, blood loss use har pal kamzor kar raha tha. Magar, iske bawajood — woh aage badhne ke liye tatpar tha.

"Nidhi ma'am... Juhi ko unke paas pahuchaana hoga."

'Nidhi' ka naam uske muh se sunte hi Trisha chaunk uthi. Aur, kuchh ghante pehle ki kuchh baatein use yaad aa gayi. Gift shop par Nidhi ke sang uski pehli mulaqat aur wo baatein—

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

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

"T-Tum..." Trisha bhauchakki apna muh khole avaak Veer ko ghoori.

Yeh ladka.

Veer ke ek aur qadam aage lete hi police karmiyo ne uska raasta rok liya.

"Wahi ruk jao!" Unme se ek ne aadesh diya.

Veer ne mushqil se unn par koi nazar daali. Uska shareer bhalayi iss samay kamzor tha, lekin uska sankalp atal tha. Wo ab kisi bhi haalat me nahi ruk sakta tha.

Iske pehle ki police waale kuchh kar paate, Trisha ki awaaz ne unhe hairangi me daal diya.

"Jaane do use!" Woh ahista se boli.

Ve sab chaunkte hue uski orr mude.

"M-Madam?" Unme se ek hich-kichaaya. "M-Madam, aap ye kya keh rahi hai? Hum iss anjaan ko aise kaise jaane de sakte hai? Hum ise bilkul bhi-"

"Maine kaha na use jaane do!!!" Usne iss baar aur bhi dridhta se dohraaya.

Police karmiyo me sankoch bana raha, lekin Trisha apne nirnay par dagmagayi nahi.

Dheere-dheere wo sabhi ek taraf hatt gaye.

Agar, koi Nidhi ko jaanta tha, bacchiyo ko apne shareer par laad kar unhe bina chotil hue wapas leke aaya tha, to isme koi shaq nahi tha ki woh insaan koi serial killer nahi, balki ek shubhchintak tha.

Veer Trisha ke bagal se nikalte hue aage badha. Trisha ne ek akhiri sawaal uss se poochha—

"Kaun ho tum?"

Veer iss baar ruka. Woh peechhe muda. Uski nazar Trisha par tiki.

Ek pal ki khamoshi.

Aur, fir usne jawaab diya-

"Veer Singh!!!"

Trisha ke badan me sihran daud gayi. Veer bas itna bol, waha se chal diya.

Yeh naam. Inn beetein dino me woh iss naam se bhali bhaanti parichit thi. Yahi toh woh naam tha. Yahi wo insaan tha jiski use talaash thi. Wo aadmi jiske peechhe wo na jaane kab se padi hui thi.

Lekin, kabhi uss tak thos saboot ke saath pahuch na saki.

Aur, aaj wahi insaan-

Uski beti ko bacha ke uske paas laaya tha. Dimaag sawaalo ke bawandar me fassta jaa raha tha. Lekin, usne khud ko iss bawandar se baahar nikaala.

Abhi jo maayne rakhta tha — wo tha uski beti ka surakshit hona.

Usne apne mann me chal rahe toofan ko door karte hue, apna radio uthaaya.

"Rohan!!!"

Aur, bas... Wo punah toot ke reh gayi. Uss orr se Rohan ki bhi raahat ki saans lene ki awaaz use sunaayi di. Upar waale ko dhanyavad dete hue usne gaadi Trisha ke ilaake ki orr ghuma di.

Aur, aise hi Veer Pihu ko surakshit haatho me pahuchaate hue Nidhi ke paas pahucha tha.

Yahi woh waqt bhi tha jab Renshu aur Erica Disembowler ki lair me jaa kar, chhaan-been kar ke waha se nikal chuke the. Aur, unke nikalte hi police force ne poore shamshan ko under surveillance rakh liya tha.

Yahi woh waqt tha jab Renshu ne Erica ko ishaara kiya, Erica Veer ko Nidhi ke kamre se apne kandho par utha kar leke aayi. Wahi thi, jisne Nidhi aur Shreya dono ko neutralise kiya tha.

Renshu ne fir behosh Veer ko apne kandhe par uthaaya aur seedha Garofano ke paas le gaya.

Use car me hi Ava ke bagal se litaate hue usne Garofano ki orr dekha.

Behosh Veer aur Ava dono ek dusre ke bagal se laite hue the. Behoshi me bhi dono ke haath ek dusre se lage hue the.

Ek pal ke liye Garofano ki bauhe sikudi. Usne kuchh sochte hue Veer ka haath Ava ke haath se dur kar diya aur uske ghaavo ka ilaaj karne me jutt gayi.

Na sirf usne Veer ko apna ek vitality serum aur antiserum diya, balki uske ghaavo ka ilaaj kar uske haatho ko chains se azaad bhi kar diya.

Renshu, Erica aur Garofano, fir Veer ko leke hospital pahuche jaha parivar jann Veer ko iss awastha me dekh hakke-bakke reh gaye the.

Aur, fir Veer ka hosh aana aur use Manorath ki mrityu ki khabar ka praapt hona. Yahi sab toh hua tha.

Uske baad Garofano hospital se seedhe wapas car par pahuchi jaha Ava pehle se hi hosh me baithi hui thi.

Garofano : You are awake!

Ava : ...

Garofano : !!? Kuchh nahi kehna?

Ava : V-Veer! K-Kaha hai woh?

Garofano (smiles) : Kuchh derr pehle tumhare bagal se hi tha.

Ava : K-Kyaaaaa??

Wo hadbadaate hue idhar-udhar dekhi.

Ava : K-Kaha? Kaha hai woh? No! Wait!

Agle hi pal jaise use khud hi Veer ki location 'Death Flag' ke zariye maalum pad gayi.

Ava (mutters) : H-Hospital!

Garofano : Hmm! Uske dada ji nahi rahe. The other lady... What was her name again? Ragini! Hmm! Wo out of danger hai, lekin ab chal nahi sakti.

Ava ka sarr ye sunte hi neeche jhuk gaya. Usne apne dono perr mod apna chehra ghutno ke peechhe chhupa liya. Woh apne aap ko dosh de rahi thi. Use ek zimmedari di gayi thi. Aur, woh bhi wo theek se nahi nibha paayi.

Garofano (glances) : You don't have to feel bad about it. Although, mein waha nahi thi, aur mujhe nahi pata exactly kya hua tha lekin-

Ava : ???

Garofano : Erica ne sab kuchh bata diya hai. You took a bullet for someone else. Aur, agar tum nahi hoti- there was no way that girl would have survived that shot.

Ava : M-Mein- *sniff*

Garofano ne aage kuchh na kaha. Kuchh derr baad Ava ne uss se sawaal kiya.

Ava : Tumne aisa kyu kaha tha?

Garofano : Hmm? Kya?

Ava : Yahi ki... You are hiding your cards. Just like him.

Garofano : Woh? *smiles* Well, kya ye sach nahi? Tum apne cards chhipaaye hue ho. Just like him. Usne bhi mujhe apne saare cards ke baare me nahi bataaya. Hey! Now, I feel really bad you know.

Ava : ??

Garofano : Mein akeli hi hu jisne apne saare cards ke baare me tum sabko bataya hua hai. Aur, tum sab ho ki-

Ava : I don't feel the need to tell you.

Garofano : Wow! So, much for the help, right?

Ava : Kisi na kisi din mein ye favor chuka dungi. Cards ki details share karne ki koi zaroorat nahi mujhe.

Garofano : Chill, pretty girl. So cold, damn! *sighs* To kya mein wo favor abhi maang sakti hu?

Ava : Huh?

Garofano : Bolo?

Ava (nods) : Ask!

Garofano (grins) : Apne aap ko Veer se door kar do!

Ava (yells) : KABHI BHI NAHIIIIII-!!!

Wo itni zorr se chillaayi ki Garofano khud aashcharya me reh gayi. Ava ke gaal agle hi pal fir gulaabi ho chale. Aur, Garofano ke hontho par ek muskaan bikhar gayi. Woh bina kuchh kahe, waha se nikal gayi par jaate-jaate uske shabd Ava ke kaano tak pahuchne se na choonke.

"Tumhare favor chukaane ka intezar rahega, mujhe."

Kehte hue wo waha se chali gayi aur Ava pichhli ghatit vardaato ke baare me soch-vichaar kar leen ho gayi.

---

Veer's old house...

Antim sanskar ki taiyaari shuru ho chuki thi. Ghar ki mahilaaye, bagal se khadi ho kar sab dekh rahi thi. Aankhein laal thi aur sarr dhake hue.

Purush shaiyaa ki samagri ka prabandhan karne me lage hue the. Bhaar sirf Manorath ji ke shareer ka nahi uthaana tha, uske saath unki yaadon ka bhi bhaar juda hua tha.

Shaiyaa ko taiyaar karne ke liye baans ki lakdiyaan, rassiyaan aur safed kapda aa chuka tha.

Karunesh, Vivek aur Brijesh mil kar lakdiyaan baandhne ka kaam kar rahe the.

Ghar ke ird-gird aas-pados ki bheed-bhaad bhi jama ho chuki thi. Log aapas me charcha kar rahe the.

"Kaise? Ghatna kaise hui ye?"

"News me aaya to raha. Humla ho gaya na."

"Haan? Kaha?"

"Wai apna... Prestige hotel. Bahut bada humla tha."

"To humle me maare gaye?"

"Haan! Abhi poora clear nahi pata chala hai, par baaki log to yahi bata rahe ki humle me jaan chali gayi."

"Accha! Tch! Tch! Tch! Bechaare buzurg hoke aisi ghatna ka shikaar ho gaye."

"Kya kar sakte hai ab."

Veer Manorath ji ke perr ke paas hi baitha hua tha. Peeth jhuki, haath ghutno par tike hue, aur aankhein khaali.

Kavya aur Arohi use awaaz deti rahi, magar usne ek baar bhi nahi suna. Shyaam ne jab use paani ka glass diya tab bhi usne apni palkein tak nahi jhapkayi.

Uski nazrein sirf apne dada ji ke chehre par tiki hui thi. Aur, jaise hi Manorath ji ke shareer ko farsh se uthaaya gaya, Veer ki tandra bhang ho gayi.

'Huh?'

Usne mud ke dekha. Ek baar palak jhapki. Fir, dobaara.

Qadmo ki chehel-pehel, shorgul, sab kuchh ek saath uss par toot pada. Wo bina kuchh samjhe khada hua, dheere-dheere uske perr dada ji ke shav ki disha ki orr badhne lage.

Manorath ji ke shav ko baahar laa kar rakh diya gaya tha.

Rassi baandhte hue Brijesh ne sarr upar kar Veer ko dekha. Uske haath me bhi rassi thi.

Wo baans ke dhaanche ko aise dekh raha tha jaise maano wo koi suljhaane waali paheli ho. Kabhi uski nazrein apne haath me li hui rassi par tikti to kabhi baans ke dhaanche par.

Jeevan me pehli baar wo apne kisi qareebi ki maut me iss tarah se shaamil ho raha tha. Inn reeti-rivaaz me itna sammilit hone ka avsar use pehle kabhi praapt nahi hua tha.

Ek khamoshi kuchh derr chhaayi rahi.

Fir, aaj saalo me pehli baar-

"Ise iss tarah se baandho, Veer. Meri tarah...!"

Brijesh ne Veer se kaha. Awaaz naram thi. Na hi aagya se bhari hui aur na hi katu. Ekdum — vinamra.

Veer ne use dekha. Wo chup-chaap neeche baitha, apne pita ko dekhte hue usne rassi ko baandhna seekha, aur baans ki lakdiyo me wo rassi ki gathaane lagaane laga.

Ek pal ke liye — saara gussa, saare gile-shikve, sab kuchh ek taraf ho gaya. Dono baap-bete ke haath shaiyaa banaane me chal rahe the. Karunesh aur Vivek ne jab ye dekha to dono hi ahista se unn dono ke beech se alag ho gaye.

Ek ke baad ek gaanth.
Ek ke baad ek saans.
Saath-saath.

Kuchh door khadi, Bhavna ne jab yeh dekha to usne apne haath se apne muh ko dhak liya. Bagal se khadi, Purvi ne uske kandhe ko thaama.

Brijesh ko tabhi, apne pita ji ke akhir bol yaad aa gaye.

Wo Yarnia ke udhghatan me nahi gaya tha. Parantu, jab TV par samachar se use khabar lagi. Uske perr apne aap chal pade.

Use wo drishya yaad aaya. Wo pal jab uske pita ji use Hotel Prestige me chalne ke liye anurodh kar rahe the. Use nahi pata tha ki wo uska apne pita ke saath akhiri sanvaad hone waala tha —

---

"Toh tum nahi chaloge??"

"Jab mujhe bulaya hi nahi gaya toh bhala mein kaise jaa sakta hu, papa ji?"

"Murkh ho kya tum? Veer ne ek nyota bheja hai. Kya itni bhi samajh nahi tumhe ki ye sabke liye hai?"

"Aapko Veer ka phone aaya tha?"

"Haan!"

"Sumitra ko bhi aaya tha. Usne bataya mujhe. Lekin, mujhe nahi! Iska kya matlab hua? Kya aap samjhe nahi? Ya aap samajhna nahi chaahte?"

"Tum paagal ho sach me, Brijesh! Tumne jo kuchh bhi kiya hai uske baad bhala woh kaise tumse aake upat ke baat kar sakta hai? Jaise tum hich-kicha rahe ho waise hi toh woh bhi hich-kicha raha hoga na?"

"Kya waqai, papa ji? Mujhe nahi lagta! Balki, mujhe waha na paa kar use khushi hi hogi."

"Tum bawle ho gaye ho, Brijesh! Beta hai tumhara! Aur, tum baap ho uske. Ek baap apne bete ke sukh me uske nyota dene ka intezar nahi karta."

"Ye uss baap ke liye hai jo dukh me bhi apne bete ke saath khada rahe, jo mein nibha na saka. Mujhe waha paa ke sab uncomfortable ho jayenge. Rehne dijiye! Aap bhuliye mat ki Shweta aur... Bhavna bhi waha hongi. Aapke liye kehna asaan hai. Par, mere liye waha jaana itna asaan nahi."

"Tumhari dikkat kya hai tumhe pata hai Brijesh? Tum log kya sochenge iss baare me zyada sochte ho aur iss baare me kam ki kya karna chahiye. Arey bhai ye toh zahir si baat hai ki tumhare waha hone se baatein pehle ki tarah nahi hongi. Par, kya Veer ko iss se farq padega?"

"???"

"Nahi! Maayne ye rakhega ki uska baap jisne use ghar se baahar nikaal diya tha, aaj woh waha uske saamne uske liye khada hai."

"Nahi! Nahi papa ji! Ye toh wahi baat ho gayi ki sukh me sab kaam aate hai par dukh me-? Koi nahi! Mein ab maafi ke laayak nahi papa ji! Ab bahut bigaad liya maine apna aur baakiyo ka jeevan. Ab aur nahi-!"

"Tumne sahi kaha. Tum maafi ke laayak nahi! Lekin, maafi ke laayak koi bhi nahi hota, Brijesh!"

"???"

"Maafi ke laayak koi nahi hota. Use ye kamaana padta hai. Uss laayak banana padta hai ki vyakti aap ko maaf kar sake. Aur, tumhara waha pahuchna maafi maangne ka pehla qadam hoga."

"N-Nahi, papa ji! M-Mein-"

"Tum iss liye nahi jaana chaahte kyunki tumhe lagta hai ki woh log kya sochenge? Tum unse aankh se aankh milaane par ghabra rahe ho. Par, yahi toh pehla padaav hai, Brijesh. Chalo! Ghabrao nahi! Ek baar samay haath se nikal gaya toh dobaara nahi aata."

"Papa ji, samajhiye baat ko-"

"Tumhe pata hai? Kabhi-kabhi ek baap apne bacche ko jo sabse bada tohfa de sakta hai woh kya hai? Woh hai uski - maujoodgi! Agar, Veer ka phone nahi aaya toh kya hua? Woh toh chhota hai, par tum toh bade ho na? Pehel toh tumhe hi karni hogi na? Bhale hi tumhe kaisa bhi mehsoos ho par chalo, kyunki iss sthiti me andar se har baccha yahi chaahega ki uske pita saamne aaye. Veer bhi-!"

"M-Mein... Mein sochunga, Papa ji! Par, aaj mujhe apni mann-maani kar lene dijiye! Jaiye aap! Samay ho raha hai!"

Manorath ke lakh manaane par bhi jab Brijesh na maana toh woh narazgi me waha se jaane lage. Unke qadam darwaze ki dehleez par aake ruke.

"Meri seekh yaad rakhna Brijesh! Samay ek baar haath se nikal gaya, toh dobaara nahi aata."

Aur, woh waha se nikal gaye.

---

Akhiri lapte ek ajeeb si shaanti ke saath naach rahi thi — dheemi, aur bhasm karne waali.

Veer jalti hui chita se kuchh hi feet door khada hua tha. Manorath ji ka shav agni me sama chuka tha. Hawa ne rukh badla aur dhue ko ek taraf uda diya, apne saath na keval raakh, balki unki kahaniyaan, gyaan, aur uss vyakti ki antim garmjoshi bhi le gaya jisne kabhi Veer ko uska ekmaatra surakshit aashray diya tha.

Uski mutthiyaan bandhi rahi. Saansein kamzor. Aur, aankhein — bina moonde ek jagah sthir.

Mann shaant tha. Bahut derr tak. Jab tak ki-

[Master...]

Pari ki awaaz na goonj gayi.

Kintu, koi pratikriya nahi.

Uski aankhein abhi bhi aag ki lapto par tiki hui thi, maano jaise uske sawaalo ka jawaab ye laptein hi dene waali thi.

Lekin, Pari kahi nahi gayi.

[Master... I'm here.]

Veh jhijhki. Fir, aage boli. Uski awaaz dheemi thi, ek asamaanya komalta se bhari hui. Aur, fir kuchh sochte hue usne-

*Ding*

['Mission : A Knight's Stand' failed.]

System ki window ne Veer ki chetna me roop liya. Usme se aani waali neeli raushni tim-tima rahi thi. Iss baar, Veer ne dhyaan diya.

*Ding*

[The host was not able to get rid of the Disembowler.]

[The host did succeed in rescuing Juhi and Pihu.]

[The host also succeeded in keeping the experiment’s secret a secret from the general public.]

[The host will not be penalized for the secret being publicized.]

[The host will not be placed under police surveillance.]

[The mission failed because not all the conditions were fulfilled.]

[Mission failure penalty applied.]

[Penalty : Loss of loved ones.]

[Rewards have been granted.]

*Ding*

[You have been rewarded 20,000 Points.]

[You have been rewarded 5000 Fame Points.]

[Since the mission wasn’t completed, Perk Hunt will not be activated. Hence, no perks can be selected.]

Khamoshi.

Veer ne unn notifications ko suna. Magar, uska dhyaan abhi bhi kahi aur hi tha.

Usne ek gehri saans li. Aur, fir-

'M-Maine unhe kho diya, Pari. Mein unhe bacha nahi saka. Mere karan wo-'

Wo ek qadam aage badha. Aankhein ekdum laal.

'Maine maut ko dekha hai. Mere inn haatho ne logo ko maut bhi di hai. P-Par, kabhi bhi... kabhi bhi maine iss tarah mehsoos nahi kiya. Ye mujhe andar se jala raha hai, Pari.'

[...]

'Wo sirf mere dada ji nahi the. Wo mera ghar the. Uss puraane ghar se agar koi mujhe jod ke rakhe hue tha to woh wahi the... W-Wahi...!'

Uski mutthiyaan dheeli pad gayi.

'I was too late, Pari. Too weak. Too distracted. Aur, ab mere paas kuchh bacha hai toh woh hai — ye dhua, ye raakh, aur ye... glaani. Asahaneeya glaani.'

'Agar, mein aur taqatvar hota, hoshiyar hota, toh shayad mein-'

[Maaasterrrr, Nooooo-!]

'???'

[Master! Aapne wo kiya jo aur koi nahi kar sakta tha. Aapne uss Disembowler se do bacchiyon ki jaan bachaayi. Aapne SHB ke rehesya ko duniyaa ke saamne aane se roka.]

'M-Mein-'

[Aap unprepared the. Aap uski territory me the. Aur, fir bhi aapne haar nahi maani. Kya aapko lagta hai aap kamzor ho???]

Uski awaaz kaanp uthi. Aur, fir-

Dusri baar. Veer ko apne mann me wahi anubhooti mehsoos hui.

Aansu. Lekin, uske nahi. Pari ke.

'Pari, tum-'

Pari ki chetna se uski chetna me ek udaasi ki jhalak.

[Aap bhool kyu jaate ho ki mein wo sab kuchh mehsoos kar sakti hu jo aap karte ho. *sniff* Aapki har dhadkan... Mujhe goonjti hui sunaayi deti hai. Har aansu jo aap girne nahi dete... Unhe mein andar se mehsoos karti hu.]

'!!?'

[You didn't fail him, Master. You carried his name through fire. Through war. Through hell.]

'Pari!'

[Aur, ab bhi aap mazbooti se khade hue ho. Tab bhi jab aap andar se toot rahe ho. They can't see it. But I can. I can feel it.]

Veer wahi chita ke paas dhool bhari zameen par apne ghutno ke bal gir pada.

*Sniff*

Usne apni chhaati ko kass ke jakda. Dard se nahi, balki apne andar bachi hui cheezon ko sambhaalne ki ek betaab koshish me.

Usne ghutate hue kaha,

'P-Par, unhone mujhpe vishvas kiya tha, Pari. Kitne bharose se wo aaye honge aur unke saath- Ek akhiri baar mein unhe dekh tak na saka. I-'

[Aap humesha unke pasandeeda rahoge, Master. Humesha.]

Ek lambi khamoshi chhaa gayi. Veer ke aansu akhirkar gir pade.

'Itna dard kyu ho raha hai, Pari? *sniff*'

[Kyunki, aap unse itna pyaar karte the jitna aap khud nahi jaante the, Master.]

'!!!'

[And love, Master… is the only thing in this world more powerful than death.]

Woh muda. Uske peechhe ki aag ek antim baar bhadak uthi aur fir dheere-dheere feeki padne lagi.

Aur, aaj mann ki gehraayi me, jaha aam taur par notifications aur pari ke bol goonjte rehte the, ek durlabh tarah ki khamoshi chhaa gayi — khaalipann se nahi, balki do chetnao se, jo ek saath shok mana rahi thi.

***

Antim sanskar samapt hua hi tha, aag abhi bujh hi rahi thi, jab-

Baahar ek alag tarah ki aag ne apna janm le liya.

Veer, apne parivar sang jaise hi mukti dham se baahar nikla, toh uska swagat khamoshi se nahi, balki shor se hua.

Ek toofan.

Cameras chamak uthe. Microphones kinhi bhaale ki tarah aage badhe. Awaazein — unme se hazaaron — jwaar ki leher ki tarah aake uske kaano me takraayi.

"Mister, Veer Singh! Kya Hotel Prestige ki tragedy aapki zimmedari thi?"

"Humle ke dauran aap kaha the? Aapko kahi dekha hi nahi gaya."

"Aapki nigraani me bekasoor security guards maare gaye. Iska dosh kis par hai?"

"Kya aap ye soch rahe hai kya ki fame hone se aap inn sab se bach sakte hai?"

"Kya aap aaj raat so bhi paayenge? Ye jaante hue ki aapki sampatti ki suraksha karte hue nirdosh log maare gaye?"

"Jawab dijiye, Mister Veer!"

"Tune mere bhai ko maar daala, haram khor!! Mein tujhe chhorunga nahi!"

"Khooni!! Khooni ho tum!"

"Tumhare hotel ne mere pita ji ko zinda kha liya."

"Kya hoga humaara?"

Mratak security guards ke parivar ke kuchh sadasya bhi journalists ki bheed me ghus gaye. Wo barricades ko dukh, gusse aur aakrosh me paar kar gaye.

Unme se ek Veer par lagbhag jhapatne hi waala tha, lekin kuchh dayaalu ajnabiyon ne use rok liya.

Veer wahi khada raha. Uska shareer jamm sa gaya. Isliye, nahi ki woh darr gaya tha, balki isliye kyunki Hotel Prestige ka samachar ab vistaar se use sunane mil raha tha.

Wo jaanta tha humla hua tha. Hospital me hosh aane ke baad, Arohi ne use zaroori khabar de di thi. Yahi ki Hotel Prestige me humla hua tha. Golibaari. Jisme uske dada ji chal base.

Manorath ji ki maut bloodloss aur pain se hi hui thi. Sniper ki bullet koi aam bullet nahi hoti thi. Aur, na hi sniper koi aam bandook thi.

Manorath ji ke kandhe par bullet lagi thi. Jab tak ve hospital pahuche, unka ilaaj shuru hua, tab tak unhone dum tod diya tha.

Veer yeh jaanta tha. Magar, ye sab kya tha? Security guards ki jaan jaana? Arohi ne uske bhale ke liye poori sachaayi nahi bataayi thi.

Uski aankhein chaudi ho gayi. Glaani, sadma, aur kuchh agyaat anubhutiyaan uske andar toofan ki tarah ghoomne lagi.

Aur, fir-

Bheed ke beech se.

"VEEEEEEER!!!"

Ek awaaz. Ek cheenkh. Ek pukaar — iss araajakta ko cheerti hui.

Tej. Wo aayi.

Uske baal bikhre hue the. Chehra aasuon se bheega hua tha. Bheed uske liye alag nahi hui — lekin, usne sangharsh kar ke apna raasta banaaya.

Logo ki kohniyaan use lagi, dhakke lage, cameras use lage, woh lagbhag girte-girte bachi, lekin ruki nahi.

Wo bhaagi. Tezi se. Jaise uska dil fatne ko aa gaya ho-

Aur, tamaam bheed ko alag karte hue wo uske paas pahuchi. Waha khadi ho gayi — Veer aur saari duniyaa ke madhya.

Wo haanf rahi thi. Uske baal, paseene se geele ho chuke uske gaalo se chipke hue the.

Tej (screams) : BAS KAROOOOO!!!!

Shor kam ho gaya. Awaazein shaant pad gayi.

Tej ne mud kar media ka saamne kiya, uske kandhe kaanp rahe the, lekin uski awaaz bheed ke shor se bhi zyada tez thi.

Tej : Aap logo ko jawaab chaahiye na??? Mein dungi jawaab! Kyunki, hotel prestige ko sambhaalne waale Mister Veer nahi. Mein thi.

Ek virham. Ek sannaata sa chhaa gaya.

Tej (shaking but firm) : Mein Tejal Singh. Mister Veer Singh ki badi behan. Mein hi in charge thi. Mein hi thi jo new year eve ko sambhaal rahi thi.

Journalists : !!?

Tej : Aur, mein... Mein hu doshi. Haan, mein galat hu. Maine khatre par dhyaan nahi diya. Mein galat hu jo guests par dhyaan de rahi thi aur hazar saalo me kabhi ye khayal mujhe nahi aane waala tha ki koi sarfira uss waqt humari hotel ke andar bomb fek sakta hai.

Journalists : *mutters*

Tej (eyes flaring) : Haan, mein galat hu. Par, kya aap me se kisi ko aisi ummeed ho sakti thi? Kya aapko ummeed thi ki celebration ki raat me bandook liye naqab-posh gunde logo par goliyaan barsaane lagenge?

Kisi ne jawaab nahi diya. Microphones dheere-dheere neeche ho gaye. Kuchh cameras bhi neeche jhuk gaye.

Tej : Mein ise rok nahi saki. Mein iska anumaan bhi nahi laga saki...! Lekin, mein ise jitna ho sakta hai, utna theek karne ki koshish karungi. Har parivar jisne kisi ko khoya hai, mein unse milungi. Jo kuchh bhi bann padega, wo mein karungi. Wo sab humari hotel ke sadasya the.

Door khadi, Bhumika ki aankhon me ye sab dekh aansu umad aaye. Hotel uski thi. Magar, kavach bann ke Tej unhe inn sab se bacha rahi thi.

'T-Tejal, tum-!!'

Ho na ho, aaj Bhumika ke mann se Tejal ko leke saare berr samapt ho chuke the.

Tej : Madad, chaahe aarthik ho, ya kaisi bhi. Mein sab karungi. Guzre hue logo ko waapas nahi laaya jaa sakta. M-Mein jaanti hu ki ye sab ek jaan ke badle kisi kaam ke nahi-! M-Magar, fir bhi-! Mein har wo koshish karungi, jo cheezein theek kar sakti hai.

Journalists : *nods*

Tej : But don't you dare... DON'T YOU DARE come after him.

Wo ek pal ke liye mudi. Veer ko dekhi, jo aashcharya me use hi ghoor raha tha. Aur, fir waapas bheed ka saamna karne me lag gayi.

Tej : Usne bhi aaj kisi ko khoya hai. Maine bhi. Humaare poore parivar ne. Aap sab akele nahi ho. Humaare parivaar ka kya? H-Humaare nuksaan ki bharpaayi kaun karega? *sniff* Huh? Jawaab do!!!

*Silence*

Tej : Sirf, isliye ki mera bhai chup hai, use kamzor samajhna aur kisi dushman ki tarah treat karna band karo! *sniff* Sirf, isliye ki wo famous hai. Sirf isliye ki wo umr me adhiktar logo se chhota hai. Aur, sirf isliye kyunki aap sab mann marzi muh chala sakte ho...! BAND KAR DO!!

*Silence*

Veer ka haath utha. Aur, dheere se usne apna haath — kaanpte hue — Tej ke kandhe par rakh diya.

Woh chaunki. Fir, palti.

Unki aankhein mili.

Koi shabd nahi.

Sirf wo bandhan. Unke beech ka — ankaha aur achal.

Veer (mutters) : Thank you! Teju di!

Aur, wo bechaari toot gayi. Uske gaalo se aasu behte hue girne lage, magar honth muskura uthe.

Uss ek pal, Veer ko ehsaas ho gaya ki-

Yeh... Yeh ek badi behan thi.

Sansaar agar talwaar liye tha to woh kavach thi.

Khud ki awaaz na ho to woh uski awaaz thi.

Doobta hua toofan me ho to woh uska kinaara thi.

Aur, girte hue ko ek haath ka sahaara.

Veer ne apni ungliyaan Tej ki ungliyon ke ird-gird lapeti. Use kass kar pakda. Aur, fir use door le jaane laga. Bheed, shor aur sawaalo se door.

Ek bhai. Ek behan. Ek dard. Ek vaada.

Tej ne na sirf fir saari vardaat ka vishleshan diya, balki apni chintaaye aur aane waale jokhim ke baare me bhi vyakt kiya.

Jiski wajah se, Veer ko ek aur shaks ka dhyaan aaya. Akhir, wo use akela chhor ke kaise aa sakta tha?

***

Baahar sheher abhi bhi araajakta me tha. Lekin, Veer ki manzil filhal ek hi thi — hospital.

Tej ke bataane par wo ek shabd bhi nahi bola. Bas, mukti dham se car uthaata hua seedhe yaha chala aaya.

Kaise naye saal ka jashn narsanhaar me badal gaya.

Kaise naqab-posh bandook-dhaariyo ne Hotel Prestige me pravesh kiya.

Kaise ek sniper ki goli, jo darasal Kavya ke liye thi — Ragini ko jaa kar lagi.

Veer ki saans ukhdi-ukhdi aa rahi thi. Woh bas bhaagta raha. Bheed ke beech se. Dukh ke beech se. Pagalpann ke beech se.

Uske joote farsh par shor macha rahe the, pattiyaan uski pasliyon par dabi hui thi, jo abhi bhi khoon se sani hui thi.

"Ragini...!"

Wo ICU me daakhil hua. Nurses ko dhakka dete hue aage badha — jab tak ki ek doctor ne use rok na diya.

Doctor : Sir! Rukiye, ek minute. Ragini ji abhi-abhi surgery se baahar aayi hai. Aur, hum unhe jald hi shift bhi kar denge. Tab tak ke liye please aap baahar hi rahiye.

Veer : R-Ragini...!

Veer ki haalat dekh, doctor haami bhar aage aaya.

Doctor : Dekhiye! Woh theek hai. Gambheer khatre se woh baahar hai, lekin-

Veer : !!?

Lekin, kya? Veer jaanta tha. Magar, dobara sunana nahi chaahta tha.

Usne Ragini ko dekha. Wo wahi laiti hui thi. Haatho me alag-alag naliyaan lagi hui thi. Ek perr thoda upar utha hua tha aur jatil surgical braces se bandha hua tha.

Uski saansein kamzor thi, lekin wo jeevit thi. Yahi! Uske paas.

Veer uske nazdeek aaya. Har qadam pehle se adhik bhaari. Uska haath bistar ki steel ki railing ko chhua aur Ragini ke chehre ko dekha.

Uske honth sookhe hue the. Maathe par halki si jhurriyaan jo shikan ko darsha rahi thi.

Doctor chalte hue Veer ke paas aaya.

Doctor : Mujhe sab pata chala. Dekhiye, mein jaanta hu ye kaafi mushqil hai. Par, aap sabko ye hazam karna padega.

Veer ne doctor ko na dekha. Wo bas Ragini ko dekhta raha.

Doctor : Ragini ji ko sniper round se nikli high velocity bullet ne chotil kiya tha. Goli ne femur ko chaknachoor kar diya aur tibial nerve bhi damage ho chuki hai. Aap samajh rahe hai na?

Veer : ???

Doctor : Humne femur ko reconstruct karne ke liye rods aur bone grafts ka istemal kiya hai. Lekin, nerve damage irreversible hai.

Veer : M-Matlab...

Doctor : Matlab, ye ki- unka perr to theek hai, lekin wo firse nahi chal payengi. Kam se kam, pehle ki tarah to nahi.

*Silence*

Doctor (continuing) : Intensive rehab ke chalte unhe thodi mobility mil sakti hai. Lekin, neuromuscular ka jo ek coordination hota hai, woh jaa chuka hai. Brain se signals nichle ang tak pehle ki tarah nahi pahuchenge.

Veer : ...

Doctor : Dekhiye, humne wo sab kiya jo hum kar sakte the. Fracture ko stabilise kiya, nerve pressure ko decompress kiya, haemorrhage ko roka. Par, aghaat bahut gehra tha, Mister Veer. Bahut sateek. Isliye- *sighs* Anyways, this is the best outcome.

Shabd Veer ke dimaag me mandraane lage. Laga jaise woh abhi yahi ladkhada ke gir jayega.

Ragini pehle jaise nahi chal paayegi. Kabhi bhi nahi.

Doctor to chala gaya, magar Veer wahi ghutno ke bal Ragini ke bagal se baith gaya. Uska haath ahista se aage badha.

Komalta se usne Ragini ke baalon ka ek dheela latka hua latt kaan ke peechhe kiya. Ungliyaan Ragini ki twacha se sparsh hote hi kaanp rahi thi.

Aur, fir uske jaane bina-

Uske aansu punah binn marzi beh chale.

'Kyu???'

'Mein tumhe kabhi sahi jawab na de saka.'

Ragini ne use panaah di thi jab uske paas koi thikaana nahi tha. Jab woh khud ke liye muskura nahi sakta tha tab woh uske liye muskuraati thi. Usne uski raksha ki, uss se pyaar kiya. Apne poore astitva ke saath.

Usne kabhi kuchh nahi maanga — siwae uske dil ke.

Par, Veer humesha use intezar karwaata raha. Aur, aaj woh yaha iss haal me laiti thi. Chotil. Tooti hui. Apahij. Uski wajah se.

Veer ne uska haath thaama.

'Tumne mujhe kya kuchh nahi diya, Ragini. Pyaar, Panaah, Khushiyaan. Tumne mujhe apna tann, mann, dhan sab kuchh luta diya. Aur, badle me maine tumhe kya diya? Sirf, mera maun jawaab.'

Usne apna haath, uske maathe par rakha.

'Mein... tumhe deserve nahi karta, Ragini.'

Woh jhuka. Aur, uske maathe ko usne dheere se choom liya.

'But, I'll earn you now.'

'Mein yahi rahunga. Ab kahi nahi bhaagunga. Ab aur koi chuppi nahi.'

'I'll be your legs... Your strength... Your everything.'

'Bas jaag jao. Please... Ragini! Jaag jao.'

Akhiri guhaar par uski awaaz andar hi andar toot gayi. Aaj pehli baar, use andar se mazbooti mehsoos nahi hui. Ek system holder jaisa mehsoos nahi hua. Bas, ek sadharan aadmi. Jo duniyaa se pareshan ho chuka tha.

Woh khada hua. Usne apne aansu pochhe. Ragini ke sote chehre par ek akhiri nazar daali. Fir, muda...

Aur, darwaaze ki orr chal diya.

Jaane se pehle — usne peechhe mud kar dekha.

'I promise, Ragini. When you wake up... You won't find me missing again.'

Aur, wo chala gaya.

ICU se baahar aate hi uski nazar ek aur ward me padi, jaha Suman laiti hui so rahi thi. Uske haath me bandage lagi hui thi. Veer ko samajhne me derr na lagi ki Suman hi thi — jisne Ragini ko khoon diya tha.

***

Aspataal se neeche aate waqt, Veer ke mann me Tej ke bol goonj rahe the.

"Mein shayad nahi bachti, Veer- A-Agar woh na hoti. Wo lady. Mask pehni hui. Pata nahi kaun thi. Usne mujhe dhakela aur fir- wo apna pait pakad ke dard se karaah rahi thi. Lekin, iss se pehle ki mein use pakad paati wo hotel ke baahar bhaag gayi. Kasam se...! Agar, wo na hoti to shayad aaj mein yaha tumhare saamne nahi hoti, Veeru."

A masked woman?

Veer samajh chuka tha.

Ava.

Uske dimag ke chalne se pehle hi uske perr chal diye. Hospital ki parking ke paas — mukhya dwaar ke theek baahar.

Do jaani pehchaani aakritiya ek kaali badi si SUV ke paas khadi thi.

Renshu aur Erica.

Erica ne use sabse pehle dekha.

'V-Veer!'

Woh ladka jisne Jaw Long ke maidaan me ghus ke poore yuddh ko apne paksh me kar liya tha.

Wahi Veer jis se dobaara milne ke liye wo itna lalcha rahi thi. Woh uske saamne tha.

Par, Veer kuchh bhi kehne ke liye nahi ruka. Renshu ne use dekh saath chalne ka ishaara kiya. Woh aage badha.

Ava car me peechhe ki foldable seat par baithi hui thi. Wo baahar hi dekh rahi thi jab kisi ke aane ka use ehsaas hua. Uska sarr uss disha ki orr muda aur-

Woh waha tha.

Veer.

Ava ki saans atak gayi. Uska badan kaanp gaya.

Veer ne hi use zimmedari saunpi thi. Hotel Prestige aur parivar ko surakshit rakhne ki.

Aur, wo vifal rahi.

Veer ke dada ji jaa chuke the. Hotel par humla hua. Ragini ghaayal hui. Sab kuchh bikhar gaya.

Ava ka dil baith gaya.

Glaani ka bhaar itna badh gaya ki veh khud ko rok na paayi. Aasu behne lage. Pehle to chupke se... Fir lagatar.

Ava : M-Mein... V-Veer...

Usne uthne ki koshish ki-

Ava : I-I'm... I'm sorry, Veer. I-

Parantu, iske pehle ki woh aur kuchh bolti, Veer aage ki aur dauda. Aur, usne Ava ko apni baahon me bhar liya.

Kass kar. Poori tarah se.

Uski mazboot pakad se Ava ke ghaav dabb gaye, woh halka sa karaah uthi.

Lekin, ye dard kuchh bhi nahi tha. Tab nahi jab woh uski baahon me thi.

Tab nahi, jab woh apne aap se use apne aalingan me bhar raha tha. Fir, bhale hi uski chot kyu na dukhe, aise hazaro dard uthaane ke liye khushi-khushi raazi thi woh.

Ava ne apna chehra uske seene me daba liya. Uske haath dheere-dheere Veer ki shirt ke peechhe kass gaye. Uski awaaz siskiyon me badal gayi.

Ava (barely breathing) : V-Veer, mein-

Veer (softly) : I know...

Ava : ??

Veer : Tumne Teju di ko bachaaya. Tumne wo bullet apne upar li. Mujhe sab pata hai.

Ava jamm ke reh gayi. Uske aasu behna dheeme ho gaye.

Ava (confused) : B-But, I failed... Tumhare dada ji...

Veer : Nahi!

Ava : Huh!!?

Veer : You fulfilled your duty, Ava. Bhale hi tum na maano. Par, mein maan gaya hu.

Woh stabdh thi.

Veer (smiles) : Thank you, Ava!

Ava : Ahh!!!?

Aur, Veer ne use apne gale se laga liya. Ava ke aasu jhar-jhar kar behne lage.

Kuchh qadam door, ye drishya dekh kar Garofano ka haath mutthi me simat gaya. Uske honth ek patli rekha samaan dabb gaye. Woh aalingan... Jis tarah se Veer ne Ava ko pakad rakha tha.

Usne Garofano ke andar kuchh jala kar rakh diya.

Woh mudi aur bina kuchh kahe waha se door chali gayi.

Renshu : Huh? Kya hua tumhe?

Erica ka haal bhi kuchh aisa hi tha. Use ehsaas hua ki sirf wahi nahi thi. Ek ajeeb sa dard uske seene me utha aur woh bhi Garofano ki taraf chal di.

Renshu : Huh? Erica???

***

SUV ke baahar Veer dheere se aaya.

Ava andar hi thi. Laal aankhein liye use dekh rahi thi. Woh hug abhi bhi uske mann me ghoom rahi thi, saath hi Veer ke seene ki garmahat.

Veer ka sarr jhuka hua tha, aankhein uske kaale baalon ke parde ke peechhe chhipi hui thi.

Woh aage badha — Erica ya Garofano ki orr nahi, balki Renshu ki orr.

Koi greetings nahi. Koi emotions nahi.

Bas... Sannaata.

Uske ird-gird ka aura badla hua tha. Thanda. Mapa hua. Ab dard nahi jhalak raha tha. Ek toofan ke pehle ki shaanti.

Garofano ne sabse pehle notice kiya. Veer ki ungliyon ki halki si thar-tharahat. Erica ne uske baad dekha — Veer ke chalne ka ek alag dhang.

Veer ruka. Renshu se bas ek qadam ki doori par.

Veer (without raising head) : Renshu! Tumhare paas kitni aur kaun-kaun si skills hai?

'Huh?'

Prashn aise aaya jaise maano shaant jheel me kisi ne bahut bada patthar fek diya ho. Renshu ki bauhe sikud gayi.

Hawa ke chalte Veer ke kapde aise fadfada rahe the jaise maano koi khamosh toofan paida hone ka intezar kar raha tha.

'Ye Veer... Iss tarah ka sawaal kyu kar raha hai achanak se?'

[Apni skills, kisi aur ko bataana. Ye khatarnak hai, Renshu.]

'Lloyd!'

[Kya hoga agar wo hume dhoka dede?]

'Mujhe nahi lagta.'

Veer ne dheere se apna sarr uthaaya. Ab uski aankhon me dard nahi jhalak raha tha. Kuchh aur hi tha. Koi uddeshya.

Veer : Aura Vision, Hawkeye, advanced martial arts, limbo, basic enemy tracker, detoxification, copycat, radio protective, aquatic breathing, tracer. Ye meri kuchh important skills hai. The rest are pretty much useless.

'Huh?'

Renshu ne apni aankhein sikodi. Skills kaafi thi. Sab ki sab ek se badh ke ek. Aur, Veer ne use iske baare me aise bata diya jaise maano woh mausam ka haal-chaal bata raha ho.

Kuchh badla hua tha. Ye Veer ko kya ho gaya tha achanak se?

Renshu ne ek aah bhari.

Renshu (nods) : Theek hai. To suno. Lance of Blaze, Prime Venture Specialist, Rapid Reaction, Commando, Strong Core, Chi Perception, Wushu, Toxin Sleuth, Pigeon Whisperer. Ye hai meri kuchh important skills.

Veer : Are you sure?

Renshu : Kya matlab?

Veer : Kya bas itni hi hai?

Renshu (nods) : Haan! Zaroori waali yahi hai.

Veer : Koi legendary skill nahi?

Renshu : Nahi!

Ek sannaata chhaa gaya.

Aur, fir bina kisi chetaavni ke-

*Whoooooooooooshhh*

'???'

Bijli ki raftaar se ek tez roundhouse kick, Renshu ke chehre ki orr aayi.

Agle hi pal, Renshu ki Rapid Reaction activate hui aur uska shareer sahaj roop se peechhe ki orr jhuk gaya. Veer ki laat ki hawa uski naak pe paas se guzri.

Peechhe khadi Erica ye dekh dang reh gayi. Uske muh se ek ghuti hui cheenkh nikli. Kya tha ye? Kya hua?

Wo dono abhi toh baatein kar rahe the. Fir achanak se ye kya?

Garofano ki aankhon me hari chamak bikhri. Usne ek qadam aage badhaaya.

Idhar, Veer ka perr wapas se zameen par land hua aur land hote hi-

*Ding*

HAWKEYE

Usne apni aedi ke jhatke se ek patthar ko seedha Renshu ki aankh ki orr uchhaal diya.

Renshu ne ek jhatke me apna haath aage kar uss patthar ko pakda. Magar, aankh ki orr aa rahe uss patthar ne ek blind spot bana diya.

Baayi orr se, Veer ka ek mukka tezi se aaya. Lagbhag adrishya.

Renshu ne use pakadne ke liye haath badhaaya.

Lekin,

'Huh?'

Wo nahi aaya.

'Nahi!'

Renshu ki aankhein chaudi ho gayi. Wo ek feint attack tha. Asli humla-

Daayi orr se aa raha mukka. Par, derr ho chuki thi.

Lekin, iske pehle ki Veer apna blow land kar paata, uski kalaayi kisi ne kass kar thaam li.

Garofano.

Garofano (yells) : VEER!!! KYA HO GAYA HAI, TUMHE?

Veer ne dheere se apna sarr ghumaya. Pehli baar usne use dekha. Garofano ne dekha ki uski aankhon me krodh tha.

Veer (yells) : Puchho Renshu se Violet. Isne mujhe bataaya tha. Kitne system holders zinda bache hue hai. Aur, sansaar me total kitne the. Isne mujhe bataaya tha...! Total 30 the. Aur, uss waqt 18! Jaw Long aur Crimson ke jaane ke baad ab shayad 16.

Garofano : ???

Veer : Par, mujhe ye batao...! Kaun si skills system holders ki ginti kar ke deti hai? Iske paas aisi koi si bhi skill nahi hai, Violet.

Garofano ka chehra peela pad gaya. Use bhi iska ehsaas hua. Woh tezi se Renshu ki orr mudi.

Erica vichlit unke paas bhaagte hue aayi.

Erica (panicked) : Rukoooo! Bas, ruk jaaaoo!! Pleeaasee!! Aap dono kyu ladd rahe ho? K-Kya hua??? Dad-!!!

Bechaari ki awaaz fatt rahi thi. Lekin, unme se koi bhi nahi hila. Garofano ne abhi bhi Veer ke haath ko jakda hua tha. Toh wahi, Renshu sthir khada hua tha.

Veer ke haath ne dheere dheere apni mazbooti dheeli ki.

Veer (yells) : JAWAAB DO, RENSHU!

Ek bhaari virham.

Renshu ne ek gehri saans li.

Renshu : Mere paas aisi koi skill nahi hai jo ye kar sakti hai.

Sab wahi jamm ke reh gaye. Siwae, Erica ke. Jisne nazrein glaani ke chalte ferr li.

Garofano : T-To, fir... kaise?

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.
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Aaj ke liye itna hi guys.
This update consists of 9.2k words. Jo kuchh bikhra hua tha, use sameta jayega. Ek ek karke saare puzzles ke pieces ko lagaya jayega. Kuchh leftovers rahenge jinhe aage ke arcs me lagaya jayega. Lekin, kaafi hadd tak clarity mil jayegi iss arc me. Post Disembowler shuru ho chuka hai. Next update bhi isi month ke end me aa jayega. Target mein ab halka sa ghata raha hu, because I know inme zyada kuchh action nahi hai aur na hi ye peak updates hai. So, target is 280 for now. Baaki, keep supporting.
Dhanyavad.

Brilliant veer ne sari skills batai pr kuch main cards nhi bataye

 

[Taigr]

Update - 197 ~ Despondency ​

Ab tak...

Veer ko kuchh samajh aata ki tabhi-

"Although, Miss Ragini ki situation kaafi critical thi. But, doctor ne mujhe khabar de di hai."

'Ragini' naam sunn woh wapas se hosh me aaya.

"She's out of danger now."

Raahat bamushqil ek kshan ke liye hi thi.

"But there's only one problem. I'm sorry to say but — woh ab pehle ki tarah kabhi nahi chal payengi."

Aur, aspatal ko ek gehre sannaate ne dhak liya.

Ab aage...

Mukhya hall safed chaadron se dhaka hua tha. Pooja ki samagri aur phoolo ki mehek ek mishran me hawa me ghuli hui thi.

Beech me Manorath ji ka shav aise pada hua tha jaise maano wo bas kisi gehri neend me so rahe ho. Koi shikan nahi. Bas bejaan.

"Papaaaaaaa jiiiii!"

Brijesh rota hua unki chhaati se lipatne ki koshish kiya, magar Arun aur Shyaam ne use pakad kar peechhe kheench liya.

Karunesh, Pranjal aur Vivek bhi wahi the. Teeno ke sirr neeche jhuke hue the. Hairani ki baat yeh thi ki Karunesh ki aankhon me bhi aasu the.

Aur, kone me khadi Bhavna ki aankhein bhi namm thi. Manorath ji jaise bhi the, unhone kabhi bhi uska bura nahi chaaha tha. Isliye, humesha se hi uske mann me unke liye aadar aur sammaan hi tha. Unhe iss tarah se jaata dekh, aaj uska dil bhi chotil tha.

“Mummaaa-!”

Kavya sisakte hue apni maa, Sumitra se lipat gayi jiski khud ki aankhein aasuon se bheegi hui thi. Sumitra ne bhi kass ke use apne aalingan me bhar liya.

Shweta khud kuchh kehne laayak nahi thi. Bhale hi Manorath se uska rishta behad mazboot nahi tha par itne saal se ek chhat ke neeche hi wo sab ke saath rehti aayi thi. Kahi na kahi Manorath ji ki mrityu ka asar uss par bhi pada tha. Bhumika ki bhi haalat yahi thi — niraasha se paripoorn.

Purvi wahi thoda door baithi sab kuchh dekh rahi thi. Bauhe sikudi hui thi aur mann vichlit.

Shyaam, Gauri, aur Parijaat ki aurtein, ye sabhi gaanv ki aatma the. Uski reedh. Ve ekjut, maun khade the, toofan ke khilaf puraane pedo ki tarah dard ko sehte hue. Aane waali zimmedariyon ke liye poori tarah se taiyaar.

Suhana apni behan Sonia ke saath thi, dono ke ird-gird suit pehne unke bodyguards khade hue the. Apne haath baandhe, sunglasses pehne, Sonia ek kursi par wahi baahar baithi hui thi. Itna gamgeen mahaul dekh wo sehem si gayi thi.

Toh wahi, Suhana thoda kaanp rahi thi. Raat bhar ke jaagne se uski aankhein laal ho rakhi thi. Apne phone par nazre gadaaye wo sandesho ko padhti jaa rahi thi.

Usne andar hall me baithe Veer ko dekha. Uske honth khule, par fir thar-thara ke band ho gaye.

Kya use haq tha uske paas jaane ka? Aise waqt par? Wo wahi khadi yeh sochti rahi.

Idhar Kaera kuchh feet door khadi thi, uska bhai Karan kuchh logo se baat-cheet kar raha tha. Shuru se ant tak, Kaera ki nazrein ek hi shaks par tiki hui thi — Veer.

Woh uske paas jaana chaahti thi. Use galey se lagaana chaahti thi. Use samjhaana chaahti thi. Lekin, uske perr hilne me asamarth reh gaye.

Uski bhavnaaye jo haal hi me jaagrit hui thi — aaj ek aur nayi anubhooti se guzar rahi thi. Aaj wo wahi mehsoos kar paa rahi thi jo usne tab mehsoos kiya tha jab usne apni maa, Archana ko khoya tha.

Dukh. Peeda. Udaasi.

Wo saare bhoole gaye emotions waapas sateh par aa rahe the.

Aabha bhi ek jagah apna ghoonghat odhe dheere-dheere ro rahi thi. Manorath se uska lagaav nahi tha. Ye aansu kal raat jo bhayanak drishya hue aur jis tarah se sab kuchh ujda, uske liye the. Apne maalik ko iss tarah dekh uska dil andar hi andar dehel raha tha.

Sonali use apne se laga ke sambhaalne ki koshish kar rahi thi, kintu woh swayam hi bheetar se ghabrayi hui thi.

Magar, Veer ka kya-!?

Tej ne use dekha. Wo chup-chaap Manorath ke saamne baitha hua tha. Jaise maano uss se abhi bhi ye khabar nahi pachaayi jaa rahi thi. Par, wo uss se kuchh na boli. Balki, wo to nazrein hi nahi mila paa rahi thi.

Ek chhota sa kaam tha. Apne bhai ki gerr-maujoodgi me Yarnia ka udhghatan karna. Bas! Iss ek chhote se kaam ko karne me wo naqamyab thi. Na sirf hotel ko nuksaan pahucha, balki Yarnia ka sampoorn karyakram bhi barbaad ho gaya. Logo ki jaane chali gayi aur upar se humle me gharwalo ne bhi apni jaan gawa di.

Aur, ye sab kuchh hua — Naye saal ki lagne waali raat me. Naya saal unke liye khushiyaan nahi, balki barbaadiyaan leke aaya. To aise me Tej akhir kaise apne bhai se nazrein mila sakti thi?

Veer ke bagal se hi Arohi bhi thi. Honth thar-thara rahe the aur bechaari ka poora chehra aansuon se bheega hua tha.

Wo uski orr jhuki. Usne Veer ke kandhe par haath rakha-

Arohi : V-Veer!

Par, koi jawab nahi.

Bas — khamoshi.

Arohi ne uske haath ko apne haath me lete hue baandha aur ek baar fir se use jhunjhlaaya.

Arohi : V-Veeeer! *sniff*

Kintu, punah koi jawab nahi. Wo hila hi nahi. Ekdum sthir — bina koi palke jhapkaaye. Jaise samay sirf uske liye ruk gaya ho. Arohi ne ek baar aur koshish ki.

Arohi : Veeeeer! M-Mujhe aise darao mat, please. *sniff* Kuchh bolo. Veeeer?

Magar, abhi bhi koi pratikriya nahi.

---

Kuchh der pehle...

Yeh woh waqt tha jab Veer Juhi aur Pihu ko apne badan par laade Disembowler ki lair se baahar nikla tha.

Uski har saans fool rahi thi, drishti dhundhli pad rahi thi, lekin woh rukne ko taiyaar nahi tha.

Juhi uski chhaati se bandhi hui thi, uska kamzor shareer thakaan ke chalte neend me upar-neeche ho raha tha. To, wahi Pihu peechhe uski peeth par behosh thi.

Baah me bhayanak tez dard uthne ke bawajood Veer use thaam ke rakha hua tha — ekdum adig.

Pari ki awaaz tabhi uske dimaag me goonji.

[Master! Aapka haath. You need to rest right now. 'Limb Substitution' ki madad se kaafi hadd tak uss waqt haath position me aa gaya tha, lekin aapne-]

Pari shikayat kar rahi thi. Veer ka haath 'Limb Substitution' ke equip karte hi sahi dhang se position me aa chuka tha. Zaroorat thi toh bas kuchh dino ke araam ki, jiske chalte uska haath wapas se pehle ki tarah ho jaane waala tha.

Magar, usne kya kiya-!?

Disembowler se bhidte waqt, usne jhatke se liquid nitrogen ke cylinder ko kheencha tha, jiske parinam swaroop uska haath wapas se lachakte hue ukhad chuka tha.

Na keval dobara use jodne ke liye shareer ki urja ka istemal hua, balki haath ke ukhadte hi ek baar fir use bloodloss se guzarna pada.

Ab agar samay rehte haath ko araam nahi diya gaya, to ye samasya aur bhi gambheer mod le sakti thi. Aur, isliye Pari chintit thi. Kyunki, iss waqt bhi — Veer ka haath Pihu ko peechhe se thaame hue tha. Haath par zor pad raha tha.

Veer ne bamushqil hi koi pratikriya di. Uska dimag ek hi cheez par kendrit tha — kaise bhi karke dono bacchiyo ko surakshit unke apno tak pahuchaaya jaaye.

Woh waha se bhaaga. Pari ki baat par usne kuchh derr baad jawab diya.

'Yeah! I- I know, Pari. Lekin, mere paas rukne ka koi option nahi hai. I must move on.'

Sadke street lights aur aasmaan aatishbaziyo se jagmaga raha tha. Police ki jeeps sadko par daud rahi thi, adhikaari hatyaare aur laapata ladkiyon ki talaash me har kone, har gali ko chhaan rahe the.

Aur, unhi jeep me se ek jeep me — Trisha thi.

Uski aankhein sooji hui thi, dashboard ko pakde hue uske haath kaanp rahe the.

"Tez chalo!!!"

Usne driver ko aadesh diya, ghanto chillaane se uski ab awaaz bhi fatt rahi thi. Bahut lamba samay ho gaya tha. Bahut saare ghante guzar chuke the — koi suraag nahi, koi sanket nahi, koi ummeed nahi. Bebasi ka bojh ab use ghutan de raha tha, magar usne tootne se inkaar kar diya.

Woh iss tarah, iss samay nahi toot sakti thi. Apni beti ko dhundhne se pehle to hargiz nahi.

Rohan, uska pati bhi wahi kahi sadko par tha. Beti ki khoj me paagalo ki tarah sheher me bhaag raha tha. Parantu, ye sab vyarth jaane waala tha agar unhe unki beti na mili toh.

Fir, jeep ne ek mod liya.

Aur, koi waha par tha.

Sadak ke beech me ek akela shaks, khoon se lathpath. Uski shirt fati hui thi, chehra ghaavo aur khoon ke kaaran bamushqil se pehchaana jaa sakta tha.

Woh waha khada tha, haanf raha tha, kaanp raha tha — lekin, sirf wahi nahi tha.

Uske seene se kuchh bandha hua tha. Koi tha. Nahi! Sirf seene se hi nahi, peeth par bhi koi tha.

Trisha ke dil ki dhadkane maano wahi tham gayi.

"Rukooooo!" Veh chillaayi.

Jeep ghisatate hue achanak ruk gayi. Jaise hi usne darwaza khola, kaanpte haatho se usne turant bandook nikaali aur seedhe saamne khade shaks par nishaana saadh diya.

"Theher jao!"

Woh chillaayi. Uski awaaz teekhi thi, ghabrahat ke bawajood usne apne aap ko sthir rakha hua tha. Jeep ki headlights jaise hi uss shaks ke peechhe ladi nanhi si bacchi ke chehre par padi, to Trisha ki aankhein bhay ke maare fel gayi.

Pihu!

Uski aankhein khoon se saney uss shaks ke chehre par ghoomi aur fir apni bacchi par.

Kaun tha ye vyakti?

Aur, uski beti uski peeth par?

Upar se wo kahi se bhi dara hua nahi prateet ho raha tha.

Idhar, Veer ne Trisha ko dekh apni gati dheemi nahi ki, balki woh chalta raha — seedhe uski orr.

Trisha ki pakad trigger par mazboot ho gayi.

"Maine kaha ruk jao!"

Woh darr rahi thi. Kya yahi wo serial killer tha? Kya isi ne uski bacchi aur Juhi ko agwa kiya tha?

Kya kare woh? Kahi woh vyakti uski chetavni ka bura maan bacchiyo ko kuchh kar diya to? Kya use bandook neeche kar leni chahiye? Kya kare? Use kuchh nahi soojh raha tha.

Lekin, tabhi veh bola.

"Tumhari beti... Surakshit hai!"

'Huh?'

Uski awaaz halanki karkash thi, lekin usme koi darr nahi tha. Koi hich-kichaahat nahi. Keval nishchitata.

Trisha ki saansein atakne lagi. Uska dimaag kaam karna band kar raha tha.

Jaise hi Veer ne uske aur apne beech doori kam ki, jeep me baithe baaki police karmiyo ne turant hi qadam uthaaya, apne-apne hathyaar liye unn sabhi ne Veer par bandooke taan di. Unki ungliyaan bhi trigger par mandra rahi thi, thodi si bhi galat harqat par goliyaan chalaane ke liye ekdum taiyaar.

Lekin, Trisha abhi bhi Veer ko ghoor rahi thi. Usne apna haath ghabraate hue uthaaya.

"Nahiiiiii!"

Woh chillaayi aur usne sabhi police karmiyo ko goli chalaane se rok diya.

Woh nahi jaanti thi ki usne aisa kyu kiya. Kya ye darr tha? Ya fir kuchh aur? Lekin, use itna zaroor samajh aaya ki bandook ko iss shaks par taanana iss sthiti ka hal nahi tha.

Veer ahista-ahista uske paas aaya. Aur, fir apne badan par gathaan bandhi, khoon se sani chaadar ko usne dheere se khola.

Pihu.

Uske nanhe se chehre par shaanti ke bhaav the. Na koi chot, na koi ghaav. Ekdum achhoot.

Trisha ki bandook uske kaanpte haatho se chhoot kar fisal gayi. Woh dhadalle se bina koi parvah kiye aage badhi-

"Madam!!!"

Police karmiyo ne use savdhan karne ki koshish ki, parantu Trisha ko apni bacchi ke siwa aur koi nazar na aaya.

Usne Pihu ko apne dono haatho me lete hue sambhaala aur apne seene se lagaaya aur apni beti ko galey se lagaate hi uski rulaayi chhoot gayi.

"Woh sirf behosh hai. Thaki hui hai. Aur, kuchh nahi. Use kuchh derr me hosh aa jaayega." Veer ne samjhaate hue kaha.

Trisha bilakhte hue apni beti ke chehre ko bas choomti chali gayi. Use saans bhi badi mushqil se aa rahi thi. Uski ungliyaan Pihu ke komal chehre par daud gayi.

Veer, jiska kaam abhi bhi aadha-adhoora tha, thoda sa Trisha se alag hua. Woh waha se nikalne ke liye hua.

"Ab mujhe Juhi ko ma'am ke paas le jaana hoga. Aur, tum..."

"Huh?" Trisha use hairat me dekhi.

"Jaldi! Shamshaan ke neeche. Akele nahi. Poori force leke jao. Jaldi! Warna woh- *huff*"

"K-Kya?" Trisha ne sarr uthaate hue use aashcharya me ghoora.

"Samay kam hai. J-Jaldi- *huff* Iske pehle ki derr ho jaaye."

Uske perr mushqil se seedhe khade ho paa rahe the. Woh jaanta tha ki Disembowler buri tarah ghaayal tha. Police ki full force use takedown kar sakti thi. SHB ka raaz khul paana bhi lagbhag namumkin tha kyunki, woh hawa ke sampark me aate hi oxidise ho jaata tha.

Aur to aur, police ko Disembowler jaise serial killer aur uske kaale karnaamo se avgat karaana bhi zaroori tha. Yahi soch ke usne ye nirnay liya.

Trisha kuchh soch-samajh nahi paa rahi thi. Lekin, uski sahej pravatti Veer ki baat maanane ke liye chillaa rahi thi.

Wahi iss orr, Veer ne apna muh fera. Usne Juhi ko kass kar pakda aur ek qadam aage badha jab-

"R-Ruko! K-Kaun ho tum? Kaha jaa rahe ho? Mein tumhe yaha se kahi nahi jaane dungi."

Veer ne koi jawab nahi diya.

Trisha ne dekha ki Veer ke harr qadam me thakavat thi, blood loss use har pal kamzor kar raha tha. Magar, iske bawajood — woh aage badhne ke liye tatpar tha.

"Nidhi ma'am... Juhi ko unke paas pahuchaana hoga."

'Nidhi' ka naam uske muh se sunte hi Trisha chaunk uthi. Aur, kuchh ghante pehle ki kuchh baatein use yaad aa gayi. Gift shop par Nidhi ke sang uski pehli mulaqat aur wo baatein—

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

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

"T-Tum..." Trisha bhauchakki apna muh khole avaak Veer ko ghoori.

Yeh ladka.

Veer ke ek aur qadam aage lete hi police karmiyo ne uska raasta rok liya.

"Wahi ruk jao!" Unme se ek ne aadesh diya.

Veer ne mushqil se unn par koi nazar daali. Uska shareer bhalayi iss samay kamzor tha, lekin uska sankalp atal tha. Wo ab kisi bhi haalat me nahi ruk sakta tha.

Iske pehle ki police waale kuchh kar paate, Trisha ki awaaz ne unhe hairangi me daal diya.

"Jaane do use!" Woh ahista se boli.

Ve sab chaunkte hue uski orr mude.

"M-Madam?" Unme se ek hich-kichaaya. "M-Madam, aap ye kya keh rahi hai? Hum iss anjaan ko aise kaise jaane de sakte hai? Hum ise bilkul bhi-"

"Maine kaha na use jaane do!!!" Usne iss baar aur bhi dridhta se dohraaya.

Police karmiyo me sankoch bana raha, lekin Trisha apne nirnay par dagmagayi nahi.

Dheere-dheere wo sabhi ek taraf hatt gaye.

Agar, koi Nidhi ko jaanta tha, bacchiyo ko apne shareer par laad kar unhe bina chotil hue wapas leke aaya tha, to isme koi shaq nahi tha ki woh insaan koi serial killer nahi, balki ek shubhchintak tha.

Veer Trisha ke bagal se nikalte hue aage badha. Trisha ne ek akhiri sawaal uss se poochha—

"Kaun ho tum?"

Veer iss baar ruka. Woh peechhe muda. Uski nazar Trisha par tiki.

Ek pal ki khamoshi.

Aur, fir usne jawaab diya-

"Veer Singh!!!"

Trisha ke badan me sihran daud gayi. Veer bas itna bol, waha se chal diya.

Yeh naam. Inn beetein dino me woh iss naam se bhali bhaanti parichit thi. Yahi toh woh naam tha. Yahi wo insaan tha jiski use talaash thi. Wo aadmi jiske peechhe wo na jaane kab se padi hui thi.

Lekin, kabhi uss tak thos saboot ke saath pahuch na saki.

Aur, aaj wahi insaan-

Uski beti ko bacha ke uske paas laaya tha. Dimaag sawaalo ke bawandar me fassta jaa raha tha. Lekin, usne khud ko iss bawandar se baahar nikaala.

Abhi jo maayne rakhta tha — wo tha uski beti ka surakshit hona.

Usne apne mann me chal rahe toofan ko door karte hue, apna radio uthaaya.

"Rohan!!!"

Aur, bas... Wo punah toot ke reh gayi. Uss orr se Rohan ki bhi raahat ki saans lene ki awaaz use sunaayi di. Upar waale ko dhanyavad dete hue usne gaadi Trisha ke ilaake ki orr ghuma di.

Aur, aise hi Veer Pihu ko surakshit haatho me pahuchaate hue Nidhi ke paas pahucha tha.

Yahi woh waqt bhi tha jab Renshu aur Erica Disembowler ki lair me jaa kar, chhaan-been kar ke waha se nikal chuke the. Aur, unke nikalte hi police force ne poore shamshan ko under surveillance rakh liya tha.

Yahi woh waqt tha jab Renshu ne Erica ko ishaara kiya, Erica Veer ko Nidhi ke kamre se apne kandho par utha kar leke aayi. Wahi thi, jisne Nidhi aur Shreya dono ko neutralise kiya tha.

Renshu ne fir behosh Veer ko apne kandhe par uthaaya aur seedha Garofano ke paas le gaya.

Use car me hi Ava ke bagal se litaate hue usne Garofano ki orr dekha.

Behosh Veer aur Ava dono ek dusre ke bagal se laite hue the. Behoshi me bhi dono ke haath ek dusre se lage hue the.

Ek pal ke liye Garofano ki bauhe sikudi. Usne kuchh sochte hue Veer ka haath Ava ke haath se dur kar diya aur uske ghaavo ka ilaaj karne me jutt gayi.

Na sirf usne Veer ko apna ek vitality serum aur antiserum diya, balki uske ghaavo ka ilaaj kar uske haatho ko chains se azaad bhi kar diya.

Renshu, Erica aur Garofano, fir Veer ko leke hospital pahuche jaha parivar jann Veer ko iss awastha me dekh hakke-bakke reh gaye the.

Aur, fir Veer ka hosh aana aur use Manorath ki mrityu ki khabar ka praapt hona. Yahi sab toh hua tha.

Uske baad Garofano hospital se seedhe wapas car par pahuchi jaha Ava pehle se hi hosh me baithi hui thi.

Garofano : You are awake!

Ava : ...

Garofano : !!? Kuchh nahi kehna?

Ava : V-Veer! K-Kaha hai woh?

Garofano (smiles) : Kuchh derr pehle tumhare bagal se hi tha.

Ava : K-Kyaaaaa??

Wo hadbadaate hue idhar-udhar dekhi.

Ava : K-Kaha? Kaha hai woh? No! Wait!

Agle hi pal jaise use khud hi Veer ki location 'Death Flag' ke zariye maalum pad gayi.

Ava (mutters) : H-Hospital!

Garofano : Hmm! Uske dada ji nahi rahe. The other lady... What was her name again? Ragini! Hmm! Wo out of danger hai, lekin ab chal nahi sakti.

Ava ka sarr ye sunte hi neeche jhuk gaya. Usne apne dono perr mod apna chehra ghutno ke peechhe chhupa liya. Woh apne aap ko dosh de rahi thi. Use ek zimmedari di gayi thi. Aur, woh bhi wo theek se nahi nibha paayi.

Garofano (glances) : You don't have to feel bad about it. Although, mein waha nahi thi, aur mujhe nahi pata exactly kya hua tha lekin-

Ava : ???

Garofano : Erica ne sab kuchh bata diya hai. You took a bullet for someone else. Aur, agar tum nahi hoti- there was no way that girl would have survived that shot.

Ava : M-Mein- *sniff*

Garofano ne aage kuchh na kaha. Kuchh derr baad Ava ne uss se sawaal kiya.

Ava : Tumne aisa kyu kaha tha?

Garofano : Hmm? Kya?

Ava : Yahi ki... You are hiding your cards. Just like him.

Garofano : Woh? *smiles* Well, kya ye sach nahi? Tum apne cards chhipaaye hue ho. Just like him. Usne bhi mujhe apne saare cards ke baare me nahi bataaya. Hey! Now, I feel really bad you know.

Ava : ??

Garofano : Mein akeli hi hu jisne apne saare cards ke baare me tum sabko bataya hua hai. Aur, tum sab ho ki-

Ava : I don't feel the need to tell you.

Garofano : Wow! So, much for the help, right?

Ava : Kisi na kisi din mein ye favor chuka dungi. Cards ki details share karne ki koi zaroorat nahi mujhe.

Garofano : Chill, pretty girl. So cold, damn! *sighs* To kya mein wo favor abhi maang sakti hu?

Ava : Huh?

Garofano : Bolo?

Ava (nods) : Ask!

Garofano (grins) : Apne aap ko Veer se door kar do!

Ava (yells) : KABHI BHI NAHIIIIII-!!!

Wo itni zorr se chillaayi ki Garofano khud aashcharya me reh gayi. Ava ke gaal agle hi pal fir gulaabi ho chale. Aur, Garofano ke hontho par ek muskaan bikhar gayi. Woh bina kuchh kahe, waha se nikal gayi par jaate-jaate uske shabd Ava ke kaano tak pahuchne se na choonke.

"Tumhare favor chukaane ka intezar rahega, mujhe."

Kehte hue wo waha se chali gayi aur Ava pichhli ghatit vardaato ke baare me soch-vichaar kar leen ho gayi.

---

Veer's old house...

Antim sanskar ki taiyaari shuru ho chuki thi. Ghar ki mahilaaye, bagal se khadi ho kar sab dekh rahi thi. Aankhein laal thi aur sarr dhake hue.

Purush shaiyaa ki samagri ka prabandhan karne me lage hue the. Bhaar sirf Manorath ji ke shareer ka nahi uthaana tha, uske saath unki yaadon ka bhi bhaar juda hua tha.

Shaiyaa ko taiyaar karne ke liye baans ki lakdiyaan, rassiyaan aur safed kapda aa chuka tha.

Karunesh, Vivek aur Brijesh mil kar lakdiyaan baandhne ka kaam kar rahe the.

Ghar ke ird-gird aas-pados ki bheed-bhaad bhi jama ho chuki thi. Log aapas me charcha kar rahe the.

"Kaise? Ghatna kaise hui ye?"

"News me aaya to raha. Humla ho gaya na."

"Haan? Kaha?"

"Wai apna... Prestige hotel. Bahut bada humla tha."

"To humle me maare gaye?"

"Haan! Abhi poora clear nahi pata chala hai, par baaki log to yahi bata rahe ki humle me jaan chali gayi."

"Accha! Tch! Tch! Tch! Bechaare buzurg hoke aisi ghatna ka shikaar ho gaye."

"Kya kar sakte hai ab."

Veer Manorath ji ke perr ke paas hi baitha hua tha. Peeth jhuki, haath ghutno par tike hue, aur aankhein khaali.

Kavya aur Arohi use awaaz deti rahi, magar usne ek baar bhi nahi suna. Shyaam ne jab use paani ka glass diya tab bhi usne apni palkein tak nahi jhapkayi.

Uski nazrein sirf apne dada ji ke chehre par tiki hui thi. Aur, jaise hi Manorath ji ke shareer ko farsh se uthaaya gaya, Veer ki tandra bhang ho gayi.

'Huh?'

Usne mud ke dekha. Ek baar palak jhapki. Fir, dobaara.

Qadmo ki chehel-pehel, shorgul, sab kuchh ek saath uss par toot pada. Wo bina kuchh samjhe khada hua, dheere-dheere uske perr dada ji ke shav ki disha ki orr badhne lage.

Manorath ji ke shav ko baahar laa kar rakh diya gaya tha.

Rassi baandhte hue Brijesh ne sarr upar kar Veer ko dekha. Uske haath me bhi rassi thi.

Wo baans ke dhaanche ko aise dekh raha tha jaise maano wo koi suljhaane waali paheli ho. Kabhi uski nazrein apne haath me li hui rassi par tikti to kabhi baans ke dhaanche par.

Jeevan me pehli baar wo apne kisi qareebi ki maut me iss tarah se shaamil ho raha tha. Inn reeti-rivaaz me itna sammilit hone ka avsar use pehle kabhi praapt nahi hua tha.

Ek khamoshi kuchh derr chhaayi rahi.

Fir, aaj saalo me pehli baar-

"Ise iss tarah se baandho, Veer. Meri tarah...!"

Brijesh ne Veer se kaha. Awaaz naram thi. Na hi aagya se bhari hui aur na hi katu. Ekdum — vinamra.

Veer ne use dekha. Wo chup-chaap neeche baitha, apne pita ko dekhte hue usne rassi ko baandhna seekha, aur baans ki lakdiyo me wo rassi ki gathaane lagaane laga.

Ek pal ke liye — saara gussa, saare gile-shikve, sab kuchh ek taraf ho gaya. Dono baap-bete ke haath shaiyaa banaane me chal rahe the. Karunesh aur Vivek ne jab ye dekha to dono hi ahista se unn dono ke beech se alag ho gaye.

Ek ke baad ek gaanth.
Ek ke baad ek saans.
Saath-saath.

Kuchh door khadi, Bhavna ne jab yeh dekha to usne apne haath se apne muh ko dhak liya. Bagal se khadi, Purvi ne uske kandhe ko thaama.

Brijesh ko tabhi, apne pita ji ke akhir bol yaad aa gaye.

Wo Yarnia ke udhghatan me nahi gaya tha. Parantu, jab TV par samachar se use khabar lagi. Uske perr apne aap chal pade.

Use wo drishya yaad aaya. Wo pal jab uske pita ji use Hotel Prestige me chalne ke liye anurodh kar rahe the. Use nahi pata tha ki wo uska apne pita ke saath akhiri sanvaad hone waala tha —

---

"Toh tum nahi chaloge??"

"Jab mujhe bulaya hi nahi gaya toh bhala mein kaise jaa sakta hu, papa ji?"

"Murkh ho kya tum? Veer ne ek nyota bheja hai. Kya itni bhi samajh nahi tumhe ki ye sabke liye hai?"

"Aapko Veer ka phone aaya tha?"

"Haan!"

"Sumitra ko bhi aaya tha. Usne bataya mujhe. Lekin, mujhe nahi! Iska kya matlab hua? Kya aap samjhe nahi? Ya aap samajhna nahi chaahte?"

"Tum paagal ho sach me, Brijesh! Tumne jo kuchh bhi kiya hai uske baad bhala woh kaise tumse aake upat ke baat kar sakta hai? Jaise tum hich-kicha rahe ho waise hi toh woh bhi hich-kicha raha hoga na?"

"Kya waqai, papa ji? Mujhe nahi lagta! Balki, mujhe waha na paa kar use khushi hi hogi."

"Tum bawle ho gaye ho, Brijesh! Beta hai tumhara! Aur, tum baap ho uske. Ek baap apne bete ke sukh me uske nyota dene ka intezar nahi karta."

"Ye uss baap ke liye hai jo dukh me bhi apne bete ke saath khada rahe, jo mein nibha na saka. Mujhe waha paa ke sab uncomfortable ho jayenge. Rehne dijiye! Aap bhuliye mat ki Shweta aur... Bhavna bhi waha hongi. Aapke liye kehna asaan hai. Par, mere liye waha jaana itna asaan nahi."

"Tumhari dikkat kya hai tumhe pata hai Brijesh? Tum log kya sochenge iss baare me zyada sochte ho aur iss baare me kam ki kya karna chahiye. Arey bhai ye toh zahir si baat hai ki tumhare waha hone se baatein pehle ki tarah nahi hongi. Par, kya Veer ko iss se farq padega?"

"???"

"Nahi! Maayne ye rakhega ki uska baap jisne use ghar se baahar nikaal diya tha, aaj woh waha uske saamne uske liye khada hai."

"Nahi! Nahi papa ji! Ye toh wahi baat ho gayi ki sukh me sab kaam aate hai par dukh me-? Koi nahi! Mein ab maafi ke laayak nahi papa ji! Ab bahut bigaad liya maine apna aur baakiyo ka jeevan. Ab aur nahi-!"

"Tumne sahi kaha. Tum maafi ke laayak nahi! Lekin, maafi ke laayak koi bhi nahi hota, Brijesh!"

"???"

"Maafi ke laayak koi nahi hota. Use ye kamaana padta hai. Uss laayak banana padta hai ki vyakti aap ko maaf kar sake. Aur, tumhara waha pahuchna maafi maangne ka pehla qadam hoga."

"N-Nahi, papa ji! M-Mein-"

"Tum iss liye nahi jaana chaahte kyunki tumhe lagta hai ki woh log kya sochenge? Tum unse aankh se aankh milaane par ghabra rahe ho. Par, yahi toh pehla padaav hai, Brijesh. Chalo! Ghabrao nahi! Ek baar samay haath se nikal gaya toh dobaara nahi aata."

"Papa ji, samajhiye baat ko-"

"Tumhe pata hai? Kabhi-kabhi ek baap apne bacche ko jo sabse bada tohfa de sakta hai woh kya hai? Woh hai uski - maujoodgi! Agar, Veer ka phone nahi aaya toh kya hua? Woh toh chhota hai, par tum toh bade ho na? Pehel toh tumhe hi karni hogi na? Bhale hi tumhe kaisa bhi mehsoos ho par chalo, kyunki iss sthiti me andar se har baccha yahi chaahega ki uske pita saamne aaye. Veer bhi-!"

"M-Mein... Mein sochunga, Papa ji! Par, aaj mujhe apni mann-maani kar lene dijiye! Jaiye aap! Samay ho raha hai!"

Manorath ke lakh manaane par bhi jab Brijesh na maana toh woh narazgi me waha se jaane lage. Unke qadam darwaze ki dehleez par aake ruke.

"Meri seekh yaad rakhna Brijesh! Samay ek baar haath se nikal gaya, toh dobaara nahi aata."

Aur, woh waha se nikal gaye.

---

Akhiri lapte ek ajeeb si shaanti ke saath naach rahi thi — dheemi, aur bhasm karne waali.

Veer jalti hui chita se kuchh hi feet door khada hua tha. Manorath ji ka shav agni me sama chuka tha. Hawa ne rukh badla aur dhue ko ek taraf uda diya, apne saath na keval raakh, balki unki kahaniyaan, gyaan, aur uss vyakti ki antim garmjoshi bhi le gaya jisne kabhi Veer ko uska ekmaatra surakshit aashray diya tha.

Uski mutthiyaan bandhi rahi. Saansein kamzor. Aur, aankhein — bina moonde ek jagah sthir.

Mann shaant tha. Bahut derr tak. Jab tak ki-

[Master...]

Pari ki awaaz na goonj gayi.

Kintu, koi pratikriya nahi.

Uski aankhein abhi bhi aag ki lapto par tiki hui thi, maano jaise uske sawaalo ka jawaab ye laptein hi dene waali thi.

Lekin, Pari kahi nahi gayi.

[Master... I'm here.]

Veh jhijhki. Fir, aage boli. Uski awaaz dheemi thi, ek asamaanya komalta se bhari hui. Aur, fir kuchh sochte hue usne-

*Ding*

['Mission : A Knight's Stand' failed.]

System ki window ne Veer ki chetna me roop liya. Usme se aani waali neeli raushni tim-tima rahi thi. Iss baar, Veer ne dhyaan diya.

*Ding*

[The host was not able to get rid of the Disembowler.]

[The host did succeed in rescuing Juhi and Pihu.]

[The host also succeeded in keeping the experiment’s secret a secret from the general public.]

[The host will not be penalized for the secret being publicized.]

[The host will not be placed under police surveillance.]

[The mission failed because not all the conditions were fulfilled.]

[Mission failure penalty applied.]

[Penalty : Loss of loved ones.]

[Rewards have been granted.]

*Ding*

[You have been rewarded 20,000 Points.]

[You have been rewarded 5000 Fame Points.]

[Since the mission wasn’t completed, Perk Hunt will not be activated. Hence, no perks can be selected.]

Khamoshi.

Veer ne unn notifications ko suna. Magar, uska dhyaan abhi bhi kahi aur hi tha.

Usne ek gehri saans li. Aur, fir-

'M-Maine unhe kho diya, Pari. Mein unhe bacha nahi saka. Mere karan wo-'

Wo ek qadam aage badha. Aankhein ekdum laal.

'Maine maut ko dekha hai. Mere inn haatho ne logo ko maut bhi di hai. P-Par, kabhi bhi... kabhi bhi maine iss tarah mehsoos nahi kiya. Ye mujhe andar se jala raha hai, Pari.'

[...]

'Wo sirf mere dada ji nahi the. Wo mera ghar the. Uss puraane ghar se agar koi mujhe jod ke rakhe hue tha to woh wahi the... W-Wahi...!'

Uski mutthiyaan dheeli pad gayi.

'I was too late, Pari. Too weak. Too distracted. Aur, ab mere paas kuchh bacha hai toh woh hai — ye dhua, ye raakh, aur ye... glaani. Asahaneeya glaani.'

'Agar, mein aur taqatvar hota, hoshiyar hota, toh shayad mein-'

[Maaasterrrr, Nooooo-!]

'???'

[Master! Aapne wo kiya jo aur koi nahi kar sakta tha. Aapne uss Disembowler se do bacchiyon ki jaan bachaayi. Aapne SHB ke rehesya ko duniyaa ke saamne aane se roka.]

'M-Mein-'

[Aap unprepared the. Aap uski territory me the. Aur, fir bhi aapne haar nahi maani. Kya aapko lagta hai aap kamzor ho???]

Uski awaaz kaanp uthi. Aur, fir-

Dusri baar. Veer ko apne mann me wahi anubhooti mehsoos hui.

Aansu. Lekin, uske nahi. Pari ke.

'Pari, tum-'

Pari ki chetna se uski chetna me ek udaasi ki jhalak.

[Aap bhool kyu jaate ho ki mein wo sab kuchh mehsoos kar sakti hu jo aap karte ho. *sniff* Aapki har dhadkan... Mujhe goonjti hui sunaayi deti hai. Har aansu jo aap girne nahi dete... Unhe mein andar se mehsoos karti hu.]

'!!?'

[You didn't fail him, Master. You carried his name through fire. Through war. Through hell.]

'Pari!'

[Aur, ab bhi aap mazbooti se khade hue ho. Tab bhi jab aap andar se toot rahe ho. They can't see it. But I can. I can feel it.]

Veer wahi chita ke paas dhool bhari zameen par apne ghutno ke bal gir pada.

*Sniff*

Usne apni chhaati ko kass ke jakda. Dard se nahi, balki apne andar bachi hui cheezon ko sambhaalne ki ek betaab koshish me.

Usne ghutate hue kaha,

'P-Par, unhone mujhpe vishvas kiya tha, Pari. Kitne bharose se wo aaye honge aur unke saath- Ek akhiri baar mein unhe dekh tak na saka. I-'

[Aap humesha unke pasandeeda rahoge, Master. Humesha.]

Ek lambi khamoshi chhaa gayi. Veer ke aansu akhirkar gir pade.

'Itna dard kyu ho raha hai, Pari? *sniff*'

[Kyunki, aap unse itna pyaar karte the jitna aap khud nahi jaante the, Master.]

'!!!'

[And love, Master… is the only thing in this world more powerful than death.]

Woh muda. Uske peechhe ki aag ek antim baar bhadak uthi aur fir dheere-dheere feeki padne lagi.

Aur, aaj mann ki gehraayi me, jaha aam taur par notifications aur pari ke bol goonjte rehte the, ek durlabh tarah ki khamoshi chhaa gayi — khaalipann se nahi, balki do chetnao se, jo ek saath shok mana rahi thi.

***

Antim sanskar samapt hua hi tha, aag abhi bujh hi rahi thi, jab-

Baahar ek alag tarah ki aag ne apna janm le liya.

Veer, apne parivar sang jaise hi mukti dham se baahar nikla, toh uska swagat khamoshi se nahi, balki shor se hua.

Ek toofan.

Cameras chamak uthe. Microphones kinhi bhaale ki tarah aage badhe. Awaazein — unme se hazaaron — jwaar ki leher ki tarah aake uske kaano me takraayi.

"Mister, Veer Singh! Kya Hotel Prestige ki tragedy aapki zimmedari thi?"

"Humle ke dauran aap kaha the? Aapko kahi dekha hi nahi gaya."

"Aapki nigraani me bekasoor security guards maare gaye. Iska dosh kis par hai?"

"Kya aap ye soch rahe hai kya ki fame hone se aap inn sab se bach sakte hai?"

"Kya aap aaj raat so bhi paayenge? Ye jaante hue ki aapki sampatti ki suraksha karte hue nirdosh log maare gaye?"

"Jawab dijiye, Mister Veer!"

"Tune mere bhai ko maar daala, haram khor!! Mein tujhe chhorunga nahi!"

"Khooni!! Khooni ho tum!"

"Tumhare hotel ne mere pita ji ko zinda kha liya."

"Kya hoga humaara?"

Mratak security guards ke parivar ke kuchh sadasya bhi journalists ki bheed me ghus gaye. Wo barricades ko dukh, gusse aur aakrosh me paar kar gaye.

Unme se ek Veer par lagbhag jhapatne hi waala tha, lekin kuchh dayaalu ajnabiyon ne use rok liya.

Veer wahi khada raha. Uska shareer jamm sa gaya. Isliye, nahi ki woh darr gaya tha, balki isliye kyunki Hotel Prestige ka samachar ab vistaar se use sunane mil raha tha.

Wo jaanta tha humla hua tha. Hospital me hosh aane ke baad, Arohi ne use zaroori khabar de di thi. Yahi ki Hotel Prestige me humla hua tha. Golibaari. Jisme uske dada ji chal base.

Manorath ji ki maut bloodloss aur pain se hi hui thi. Sniper ki bullet koi aam bullet nahi hoti thi. Aur, na hi sniper koi aam bandook thi.

Manorath ji ke kandhe par bullet lagi thi. Jab tak ve hospital pahuche, unka ilaaj shuru hua, tab tak unhone dum tod diya tha.

Veer yeh jaanta tha. Magar, ye sab kya tha? Security guards ki jaan jaana? Arohi ne uske bhale ke liye poori sachaayi nahi bataayi thi.

Uski aankhein chaudi ho gayi. Glaani, sadma, aur kuchh agyaat anubhutiyaan uske andar toofan ki tarah ghoomne lagi.

Aur, fir-

Bheed ke beech se.

"VEEEEEEER!!!"

Ek awaaz. Ek cheenkh. Ek pukaar — iss araajakta ko cheerti hui.

Tej. Wo aayi.

Uske baal bikhre hue the. Chehra aasuon se bheega hua tha. Bheed uske liye alag nahi hui — lekin, usne sangharsh kar ke apna raasta banaaya.

Logo ki kohniyaan use lagi, dhakke lage, cameras use lage, woh lagbhag girte-girte bachi, lekin ruki nahi.

Wo bhaagi. Tezi se. Jaise uska dil fatne ko aa gaya ho-

Aur, tamaam bheed ko alag karte hue wo uske paas pahuchi. Waha khadi ho gayi — Veer aur saari duniyaa ke madhya.

Wo haanf rahi thi. Uske baal, paseene se geele ho chuke uske gaalo se chipke hue the.

Tej (screams) : BAS KAROOOOO!!!!

Shor kam ho gaya. Awaazein shaant pad gayi.

Tej ne mud kar media ka saamne kiya, uske kandhe kaanp rahe the, lekin uski awaaz bheed ke shor se bhi zyada tez thi.

Tej : Aap logo ko jawaab chaahiye na??? Mein dungi jawaab! Kyunki, hotel prestige ko sambhaalne waale Mister Veer nahi. Mein thi.

Ek virham. Ek sannaata sa chhaa gaya.

Tej (shaking but firm) : Mein Tejal Singh. Mister Veer Singh ki badi behan. Mein hi in charge thi. Mein hi thi jo new year eve ko sambhaal rahi thi.

Journalists : !!?

Tej : Aur, mein... Mein hu doshi. Haan, mein galat hu. Maine khatre par dhyaan nahi diya. Mein galat hu jo guests par dhyaan de rahi thi aur hazar saalo me kabhi ye khayal mujhe nahi aane waala tha ki koi sarfira uss waqt humari hotel ke andar bomb fek sakta hai.

Journalists : *mutters*

Tej (eyes flaring) : Haan, mein galat hu. Par, kya aap me se kisi ko aisi ummeed ho sakti thi? Kya aapko ummeed thi ki celebration ki raat me bandook liye naqab-posh gunde logo par goliyaan barsaane lagenge?

Kisi ne jawaab nahi diya. Microphones dheere-dheere neeche ho gaye. Kuchh cameras bhi neeche jhuk gaye.

Tej : Mein ise rok nahi saki. Mein iska anumaan bhi nahi laga saki...! Lekin, mein ise jitna ho sakta hai, utna theek karne ki koshish karungi. Har parivar jisne kisi ko khoya hai, mein unse milungi. Jo kuchh bhi bann padega, wo mein karungi. Wo sab humari hotel ke sadasya the.

Door khadi, Bhumika ki aankhon me ye sab dekh aansu umad aaye. Hotel uski thi. Magar, kavach bann ke Tej unhe inn sab se bacha rahi thi.

'T-Tejal, tum-!!'

Ho na ho, aaj Bhumika ke mann se Tejal ko leke saare berr samapt ho chuke the.

Tej : Madad, chaahe aarthik ho, ya kaisi bhi. Mein sab karungi. Guzre hue logo ko waapas nahi laaya jaa sakta. M-Mein jaanti hu ki ye sab ek jaan ke badle kisi kaam ke nahi-! M-Magar, fir bhi-! Mein har wo koshish karungi, jo cheezein theek kar sakti hai.

Journalists : *nods*

Tej : But don't you dare... DON'T YOU DARE come after him.

Wo ek pal ke liye mudi. Veer ko dekhi, jo aashcharya me use hi ghoor raha tha. Aur, fir waapas bheed ka saamna karne me lag gayi.

Tej : Usne bhi aaj kisi ko khoya hai. Maine bhi. Humaare poore parivar ne. Aap sab akele nahi ho. Humaare parivaar ka kya? H-Humaare nuksaan ki bharpaayi kaun karega? *sniff* Huh? Jawaab do!!!

*Silence*

Tej : Sirf, isliye ki mera bhai chup hai, use kamzor samajhna aur kisi dushman ki tarah treat karna band karo! *sniff* Sirf, isliye ki wo famous hai. Sirf isliye ki wo umr me adhiktar logo se chhota hai. Aur, sirf isliye kyunki aap sab mann marzi muh chala sakte ho...! BAND KAR DO!!

*Silence*

Veer ka haath utha. Aur, dheere se usne apna haath — kaanpte hue — Tej ke kandhe par rakh diya.

Woh chaunki. Fir, palti.

Unki aankhein mili.

Koi shabd nahi.

Sirf wo bandhan. Unke beech ka — ankaha aur achal.

Veer (mutters) : Thank you! Teju di!

Aur, wo bechaari toot gayi. Uske gaalo se aasu behte hue girne lage, magar honth muskura uthe.

Uss ek pal, Veer ko ehsaas ho gaya ki-

Yeh... Yeh ek badi behan thi.

Sansaar agar talwaar liye tha to woh kavach thi.

Khud ki awaaz na ho to woh uski awaaz thi.

Doobta hua toofan me ho to woh uska kinaara thi.

Aur, girte hue ko ek haath ka sahaara.

Veer ne apni ungliyaan Tej ki ungliyon ke ird-gird lapeti. Use kass kar pakda. Aur, fir use door le jaane laga. Bheed, shor aur sawaalo se door.

Ek bhai. Ek behan. Ek dard. Ek vaada.

Tej ne na sirf fir saari vardaat ka vishleshan diya, balki apni chintaaye aur aane waale jokhim ke baare me bhi vyakt kiya.

Jiski wajah se, Veer ko ek aur shaks ka dhyaan aaya. Akhir, wo use akela chhor ke kaise aa sakta tha?

***

Baahar sheher abhi bhi araajakta me tha. Lekin, Veer ki manzil filhal ek hi thi — hospital.

Tej ke bataane par wo ek shabd bhi nahi bola. Bas, mukti dham se car uthaata hua seedhe yaha chala aaya.

Kaise naye saal ka jashn narsanhaar me badal gaya.

Kaise naqab-posh bandook-dhaariyo ne Hotel Prestige me pravesh kiya.

Kaise ek sniper ki goli, jo darasal Kavya ke liye thi — Ragini ko jaa kar lagi.

Veer ki saans ukhdi-ukhdi aa rahi thi. Woh bas bhaagta raha. Bheed ke beech se. Dukh ke beech se. Pagalpann ke beech se.

Uske joote farsh par shor macha rahe the, pattiyaan uski pasliyon par dabi hui thi, jo abhi bhi khoon se sani hui thi.

"Ragini...!"

Wo ICU me daakhil hua. Nurses ko dhakka dete hue aage badha — jab tak ki ek doctor ne use rok na diya.

Doctor : Sir! Rukiye, ek minute. Ragini ji abhi-abhi surgery se baahar aayi hai. Aur, hum unhe jald hi shift bhi kar denge. Tab tak ke liye please aap baahar hi rahiye.

Veer : R-Ragini...!

Veer ki haalat dekh, doctor haami bhar aage aaya.

Doctor : Dekhiye! Woh theek hai. Gambheer khatre se woh baahar hai, lekin-

Veer : !!?

Lekin, kya? Veer jaanta tha. Magar, dobara sunana nahi chaahta tha.

Usne Ragini ko dekha. Wo wahi laiti hui thi. Haatho me alag-alag naliyaan lagi hui thi. Ek perr thoda upar utha hua tha aur jatil surgical braces se bandha hua tha.

Uski saansein kamzor thi, lekin wo jeevit thi. Yahi! Uske paas.

Veer uske nazdeek aaya. Har qadam pehle se adhik bhaari. Uska haath bistar ki steel ki railing ko chhua aur Ragini ke chehre ko dekha.

Uske honth sookhe hue the. Maathe par halki si jhurriyaan jo shikan ko darsha rahi thi.

Doctor chalte hue Veer ke paas aaya.

Doctor : Mujhe sab pata chala. Dekhiye, mein jaanta hu ye kaafi mushqil hai. Par, aap sabko ye hazam karna padega.

Veer ne doctor ko na dekha. Wo bas Ragini ko dekhta raha.

Doctor : Ragini ji ko sniper round se nikli high velocity bullet ne chotil kiya tha. Goli ne femur ko chaknachoor kar diya aur tibial nerve bhi damage ho chuki hai. Aap samajh rahe hai na?

Veer : ???

Doctor : Humne femur ko reconstruct karne ke liye rods aur bone grafts ka istemal kiya hai. Lekin, nerve damage irreversible hai.

Veer : M-Matlab...

Doctor : Matlab, ye ki- unka perr to theek hai, lekin wo firse nahi chal payengi. Kam se kam, pehle ki tarah to nahi.

*Silence*

Doctor (continuing) : Intensive rehab ke chalte unhe thodi mobility mil sakti hai. Lekin, neuromuscular ka jo ek coordination hota hai, woh jaa chuka hai. Brain se signals nichle ang tak pehle ki tarah nahi pahuchenge.

Veer : ...

Doctor : Dekhiye, humne wo sab kiya jo hum kar sakte the. Fracture ko stabilise kiya, nerve pressure ko decompress kiya, haemorrhage ko roka. Par, aghaat bahut gehra tha, Mister Veer. Bahut sateek. Isliye- *sighs* Anyways, this is the best outcome.

Shabd Veer ke dimaag me mandraane lage. Laga jaise woh abhi yahi ladkhada ke gir jayega.

Ragini pehle jaise nahi chal paayegi. Kabhi bhi nahi.

Doctor to chala gaya, magar Veer wahi ghutno ke bal Ragini ke bagal se baith gaya. Uska haath ahista se aage badha.

Komalta se usne Ragini ke baalon ka ek dheela latka hua latt kaan ke peechhe kiya. Ungliyaan Ragini ki twacha se sparsh hote hi kaanp rahi thi.

Aur, fir uske jaane bina-

Uske aansu punah binn marzi beh chale.

'Kyu???'

'Mein tumhe kabhi sahi jawab na de saka.'

Ragini ne use panaah di thi jab uske paas koi thikaana nahi tha. Jab woh khud ke liye muskura nahi sakta tha tab woh uske liye muskuraati thi. Usne uski raksha ki, uss se pyaar kiya. Apne poore astitva ke saath.

Usne kabhi kuchh nahi maanga — siwae uske dil ke.

Par, Veer humesha use intezar karwaata raha. Aur, aaj woh yaha iss haal me laiti thi. Chotil. Tooti hui. Apahij. Uski wajah se.

Veer ne uska haath thaama.

'Tumne mujhe kya kuchh nahi diya, Ragini. Pyaar, Panaah, Khushiyaan. Tumne mujhe apna tann, mann, dhan sab kuchh luta diya. Aur, badle me maine tumhe kya diya? Sirf, mera maun jawaab.'

Usne apna haath, uske maathe par rakha.

'Mein... tumhe deserve nahi karta, Ragini.'

Woh jhuka. Aur, uske maathe ko usne dheere se choom liya.

'But, I'll earn you now.'

'Mein yahi rahunga. Ab kahi nahi bhaagunga. Ab aur koi chuppi nahi.'

'I'll be your legs... Your strength... Your everything.'

'Bas jaag jao. Please... Ragini! Jaag jao.'

Akhiri guhaar par uski awaaz andar hi andar toot gayi. Aaj pehli baar, use andar se mazbooti mehsoos nahi hui. Ek system holder jaisa mehsoos nahi hua. Bas, ek sadharan aadmi. Jo duniyaa se pareshan ho chuka tha.

Woh khada hua. Usne apne aansu pochhe. Ragini ke sote chehre par ek akhiri nazar daali. Fir, muda...

Aur, darwaaze ki orr chal diya.

Jaane se pehle — usne peechhe mud kar dekha.

'I promise, Ragini. When you wake up... You won't find me missing again.'

Aur, wo chala gaya.

ICU se baahar aate hi uski nazar ek aur ward me padi, jaha Suman laiti hui so rahi thi. Uske haath me bandage lagi hui thi. Veer ko samajhne me derr na lagi ki Suman hi thi — jisne Ragini ko khoon diya tha.

***

Aspataal se neeche aate waqt, Veer ke mann me Tej ke bol goonj rahe the.

"Mein shayad nahi bachti, Veer- A-Agar woh na hoti. Wo lady. Mask pehni hui. Pata nahi kaun thi. Usne mujhe dhakela aur fir- wo apna pait pakad ke dard se karaah rahi thi. Lekin, iss se pehle ki mein use pakad paati wo hotel ke baahar bhaag gayi. Kasam se...! Agar, wo na hoti to shayad aaj mein yaha tumhare saamne nahi hoti, Veeru."

A masked woman?

Veer samajh chuka tha.

Ava.

Uske dimag ke chalne se pehle hi uske perr chal diye. Hospital ki parking ke paas — mukhya dwaar ke theek baahar.

Do jaani pehchaani aakritiya ek kaali badi si SUV ke paas khadi thi.

Renshu aur Erica.

Erica ne use sabse pehle dekha.

'V-Veer!'

Woh ladka jisne Jaw Long ke maidaan me ghus ke poore yuddh ko apne paksh me kar liya tha.

Wahi Veer jis se dobaara milne ke liye wo itna lalcha rahi thi. Woh uske saamne tha.

Par, Veer kuchh bhi kehne ke liye nahi ruka. Renshu ne use dekh saath chalne ka ishaara kiya. Woh aage badha.

Ava car me peechhe ki foldable seat par baithi hui thi. Wo baahar hi dekh rahi thi jab kisi ke aane ka use ehsaas hua. Uska sarr uss disha ki orr muda aur-

Woh waha tha.

Veer.

Ava ki saans atak gayi. Uska badan kaanp gaya.

Veer ne hi use zimmedari saunpi thi. Hotel Prestige aur parivar ko surakshit rakhne ki.

Aur, wo vifal rahi.

Veer ke dada ji jaa chuke the. Hotel par humla hua. Ragini ghaayal hui. Sab kuchh bikhar gaya.

Ava ka dil baith gaya.

Glaani ka bhaar itna badh gaya ki veh khud ko rok na paayi. Aasu behne lage. Pehle to chupke se... Fir lagatar.

Ava : M-Mein... V-Veer...

Usne uthne ki koshish ki-

Ava : I-I'm... I'm sorry, Veer. I-

Parantu, iske pehle ki woh aur kuchh bolti, Veer aage ki aur dauda. Aur, usne Ava ko apni baahon me bhar liya.

Kass kar. Poori tarah se.

Uski mazboot pakad se Ava ke ghaav dabb gaye, woh halka sa karaah uthi.

Lekin, ye dard kuchh bhi nahi tha. Tab nahi jab woh uski baahon me thi.

Tab nahi, jab woh apne aap se use apne aalingan me bhar raha tha. Fir, bhale hi uski chot kyu na dukhe, aise hazaro dard uthaane ke liye khushi-khushi raazi thi woh.

Ava ne apna chehra uske seene me daba liya. Uske haath dheere-dheere Veer ki shirt ke peechhe kass gaye. Uski awaaz siskiyon me badal gayi.

Ava (barely breathing) : V-Veer, mein-

Veer (softly) : I know...

Ava : ??

Veer : Tumne Teju di ko bachaaya. Tumne wo bullet apne upar li. Mujhe sab pata hai.

Ava jamm ke reh gayi. Uske aasu behna dheeme ho gaye.

Ava (confused) : B-But, I failed... Tumhare dada ji...

Veer : Nahi!

Ava : Huh!!?

Veer : You fulfilled your duty, Ava. Bhale hi tum na maano. Par, mein maan gaya hu.

Woh stabdh thi.

Veer (smiles) : Thank you, Ava!

Ava : Ahh!!!?

Aur, Veer ne use apne gale se laga liya. Ava ke aasu jhar-jhar kar behne lage.

Kuchh qadam door, ye drishya dekh kar Garofano ka haath mutthi me simat gaya. Uske honth ek patli rekha samaan dabb gaye. Woh aalingan... Jis tarah se Veer ne Ava ko pakad rakha tha.

Usne Garofano ke andar kuchh jala kar rakh diya.

Woh mudi aur bina kuchh kahe waha se door chali gayi.

Renshu : Huh? Kya hua tumhe?

Erica ka haal bhi kuchh aisa hi tha. Use ehsaas hua ki sirf wahi nahi thi. Ek ajeeb sa dard uske seene me utha aur woh bhi Garofano ki taraf chal di.

Renshu : Huh? Erica???

***

SUV ke baahar Veer dheere se aaya.

Ava andar hi thi. Laal aankhein liye use dekh rahi thi. Woh hug abhi bhi uske mann me ghoom rahi thi, saath hi Veer ke seene ki garmahat.

Veer ka sarr jhuka hua tha, aankhein uske kaale baalon ke parde ke peechhe chhipi hui thi.

Woh aage badha — Erica ya Garofano ki orr nahi, balki Renshu ki orr.

Koi greetings nahi. Koi emotions nahi.

Bas... Sannaata.

Uske ird-gird ka aura badla hua tha. Thanda. Mapa hua. Ab dard nahi jhalak raha tha. Ek toofan ke pehle ki shaanti.

Garofano ne sabse pehle notice kiya. Veer ki ungliyon ki halki si thar-tharahat. Erica ne uske baad dekha — Veer ke chalne ka ek alag dhang.

Veer ruka. Renshu se bas ek qadam ki doori par.

Veer (without raising head) : Renshu! Tumhare paas kitni aur kaun-kaun si skills hai?

'Huh?'

Prashn aise aaya jaise maano shaant jheel me kisi ne bahut bada patthar fek diya ho. Renshu ki bauhe sikud gayi.

Hawa ke chalte Veer ke kapde aise fadfada rahe the jaise maano koi khamosh toofan paida hone ka intezar kar raha tha.

'Ye Veer... Iss tarah ka sawaal kyu kar raha hai achanak se?'

[Apni skills, kisi aur ko bataana. Ye khatarnak hai, Renshu.]

'Lloyd!'

[Kya hoga agar wo hume dhoka dede?]

'Mujhe nahi lagta.'

Veer ne dheere se apna sarr uthaaya. Ab uski aankhon me dard nahi jhalak raha tha. Kuchh aur hi tha. Koi uddeshya.

Veer : Aura Vision, Hawkeye, advanced martial arts, limbo, basic enemy tracker, detoxification, copycat, radio protective, aquatic breathing, tracer. Ye meri kuchh important skills hai. The rest are pretty much useless.

'Huh?'

Renshu ne apni aankhein sikodi. Skills kaafi thi. Sab ki sab ek se badh ke ek. Aur, Veer ne use iske baare me aise bata diya jaise maano woh mausam ka haal-chaal bata raha ho.

Kuchh badla hua tha. Ye Veer ko kya ho gaya tha achanak se?

Renshu ne ek aah bhari.

Renshu (nods) : Theek hai. To suno. Lance of Blaze, Prime Venture Specialist, Rapid Reaction, Commando, Strong Core, Chi Perception, Wushu, Toxin Sleuth, Pigeon Whisperer. Ye hai meri kuchh important skills.

Veer : Are you sure?

Renshu : Kya matlab?

Veer : Kya bas itni hi hai?

Renshu (nods) : Haan! Zaroori waali yahi hai.

Veer : Koi legendary skill nahi?

Renshu : Nahi!

Ek sannaata chhaa gaya.

Aur, fir bina kisi chetaavni ke-

*Whoooooooooooshhh*

'???'

Bijli ki raftaar se ek tez roundhouse kick, Renshu ke chehre ki orr aayi.

Agle hi pal, Renshu ki Rapid Reaction activate hui aur uska shareer sahaj roop se peechhe ki orr jhuk gaya. Veer ki laat ki hawa uski naak pe paas se guzri.

Peechhe khadi Erica ye dekh dang reh gayi. Uske muh se ek ghuti hui cheenkh nikli. Kya tha ye? Kya hua?

Wo dono abhi toh baatein kar rahe the. Fir achanak se ye kya?

Garofano ki aankhon me hari chamak bikhri. Usne ek qadam aage badhaaya.

Idhar, Veer ka perr wapas se zameen par land hua aur land hote hi-

*Ding*

HAWKEYE

Usne apni aedi ke jhatke se ek patthar ko seedha Renshu ki aankh ki orr uchhaal diya.

Renshu ne ek jhatke me apna haath aage kar uss patthar ko pakda. Magar, aankh ki orr aa rahe uss patthar ne ek blind spot bana diya.

Baayi orr se, Veer ka ek mukka tezi se aaya. Lagbhag adrishya.

Renshu ne use pakadne ke liye haath badhaaya.

Lekin,

'Huh?'

Wo nahi aaya.

'Nahi!'

Renshu ki aankhein chaudi ho gayi. Wo ek feint attack tha. Asli humla-

Daayi orr se aa raha mukka. Par, derr ho chuki thi.

Lekin, iske pehle ki Veer apna blow land kar paata, uski kalaayi kisi ne kass kar thaam li.

Garofano.

Garofano (yells) : VEER!!! KYA HO GAYA HAI, TUMHE?

Veer ne dheere se apna sarr ghumaya. Pehli baar usne use dekha. Garofano ne dekha ki uski aankhon me krodh tha.

Veer (yells) : Puchho Renshu se Violet. Isne mujhe bataaya tha. Kitne system holders zinda bache hue hai. Aur, sansaar me total kitne the. Isne mujhe bataaya tha...! Total 30 the. Aur, uss waqt 18! Jaw Long aur Crimson ke jaane ke baad ab shayad 16.

Garofano : ???

Veer : Par, mujhe ye batao...! Kaun si skills system holders ki ginti kar ke deti hai? Iske paas aisi koi si bhi skill nahi hai, Violet.

Garofano ka chehra peela pad gaya. Use bhi iska ehsaas hua. Woh tezi se Renshu ki orr mudi.

Erica vichlit unke paas bhaagte hue aayi.

Erica (panicked) : Rukoooo! Bas, ruk jaaaoo!! Pleeaasee!! Aap dono kyu ladd rahe ho? K-Kya hua??? Dad-!!!

Bechaari ki awaaz fatt rahi thi. Lekin, unme se koi bhi nahi hila. Garofano ne abhi bhi Veer ke haath ko jakda hua tha. Toh wahi, Renshu sthir khada hua tha.

Veer ke haath ne dheere dheere apni mazbooti dheeli ki.

Veer (yells) : JAWAAB DO, RENSHU!

Ek bhaari virham.

Renshu ne ek gehri saans li.

Renshu : Mere paas aisi koi skill nahi hai jo ye kar sakti hai.

Sab wahi jamm ke reh gaye. Siwae, Erica ke. Jisne nazrein glaani ke chalte ferr li.

Garofano : T-To, fir... kaise?

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.
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Aaj ke liye itna hi guys.
This update consists of 9.2k words. Jo kuchh bikhra hua tha, use sameta jayega. Ek ek karke saare puzzles ke pieces ko lagaya jayega. Kuchh leftovers rahenge jinhe aage ke arcs me lagaya jayega. Lekin, kaafi hadd tak clarity mil jayegi iss arc me. Post Disembowler shuru ho chuka hai. Next update bhi isi month ke end me aa jayega. Target mein ab halka sa ghata raha hu, because I know inme zyada kuchh action nahi hai aur na hi ye peak updates hai. So, target is 280 for now. Baaki, keep supporting.
Dhanyavad.

Fantastic and mind blowing update bro Maza a gya Kamal kr Diya ap ny bro

 

[Sushil@10]

Update - 197 ~ Despondency ​

Ab tak...

Veer ko kuchh samajh aata ki tabhi-

"Although, Miss Ragini ki situation kaafi critical thi. But, doctor ne mujhe khabar de di hai."

'Ragini' naam sunn woh wapas se hosh me aaya.

"She's out of danger now."

Raahat bamushqil ek kshan ke liye hi thi.

"But there's only one problem. I'm sorry to say but — woh ab pehle ki tarah kabhi nahi chal payengi."

Aur, aspatal ko ek gehre sannaate ne dhak liya.

Ab aage...

Mukhya hall safed chaadron se dhaka hua tha. Pooja ki samagri aur phoolo ki mehek ek mishran me hawa me ghuli hui thi.

Beech me Manorath ji ka shav aise pada hua tha jaise maano wo bas kisi gehri neend me so rahe ho. Koi shikan nahi. Bas bejaan.

"Papaaaaaaa jiiiii!"

Brijesh rota hua unki chhaati se lipatne ki koshish kiya, magar Arun aur Shyaam ne use pakad kar peechhe kheench liya.

Karunesh, Pranjal aur Vivek bhi wahi the. Teeno ke sirr neeche jhuke hue the. Hairani ki baat yeh thi ki Karunesh ki aankhon me bhi aasu the.

Aur, kone me khadi Bhavna ki aankhein bhi namm thi. Manorath ji jaise bhi the, unhone kabhi bhi uska bura nahi chaaha tha. Isliye, humesha se hi uske mann me unke liye aadar aur sammaan hi tha. Unhe iss tarah se jaata dekh, aaj uska dil bhi chotil tha.

“Mummaaa-!”

Kavya sisakte hue apni maa, Sumitra se lipat gayi jiski khud ki aankhein aasuon se bheegi hui thi. Sumitra ne bhi kass ke use apne aalingan me bhar liya.

Shweta khud kuchh kehne laayak nahi thi. Bhale hi Manorath se uska rishta behad mazboot nahi tha par itne saal se ek chhat ke neeche hi wo sab ke saath rehti aayi thi. Kahi na kahi Manorath ji ki mrityu ka asar uss par bhi pada tha. Bhumika ki bhi haalat yahi thi — niraasha se paripoorn.

Purvi wahi thoda door baithi sab kuchh dekh rahi thi. Bauhe sikudi hui thi aur mann vichlit.

Shyaam, Gauri, aur Parijaat ki aurtein, ye sabhi gaanv ki aatma the. Uski reedh. Ve ekjut, maun khade the, toofan ke khilaf puraane pedo ki tarah dard ko sehte hue. Aane waali zimmedariyon ke liye poori tarah se taiyaar.

Suhana apni behan Sonia ke saath thi, dono ke ird-gird suit pehne unke bodyguards khade hue the. Apne haath baandhe, sunglasses pehne, Sonia ek kursi par wahi baahar baithi hui thi. Itna gamgeen mahaul dekh wo sehem si gayi thi.

Toh wahi, Suhana thoda kaanp rahi thi. Raat bhar ke jaagne se uski aankhein laal ho rakhi thi. Apne phone par nazre gadaaye wo sandesho ko padhti jaa rahi thi.

Usne andar hall me baithe Veer ko dekha. Uske honth khule, par fir thar-thara ke band ho gaye.

Kya use haq tha uske paas jaane ka? Aise waqt par? Wo wahi khadi yeh sochti rahi.

Idhar Kaera kuchh feet door khadi thi, uska bhai Karan kuchh logo se baat-cheet kar raha tha. Shuru se ant tak, Kaera ki nazrein ek hi shaks par tiki hui thi — Veer.

Woh uske paas jaana chaahti thi. Use galey se lagaana chaahti thi. Use samjhaana chaahti thi. Lekin, uske perr hilne me asamarth reh gaye.

Uski bhavnaaye jo haal hi me jaagrit hui thi — aaj ek aur nayi anubhooti se guzar rahi thi. Aaj wo wahi mehsoos kar paa rahi thi jo usne tab mehsoos kiya tha jab usne apni maa, Archana ko khoya tha.

Dukh. Peeda. Udaasi.

Wo saare bhoole gaye emotions waapas sateh par aa rahe the.

Aabha bhi ek jagah apna ghoonghat odhe dheere-dheere ro rahi thi. Manorath se uska lagaav nahi tha. Ye aansu kal raat jo bhayanak drishya hue aur jis tarah se sab kuchh ujda, uske liye the. Apne maalik ko iss tarah dekh uska dil andar hi andar dehel raha tha.

Sonali use apne se laga ke sambhaalne ki koshish kar rahi thi, kintu woh swayam hi bheetar se ghabrayi hui thi.

Magar, Veer ka kya-!?

Tej ne use dekha. Wo chup-chaap Manorath ke saamne baitha hua tha. Jaise maano uss se abhi bhi ye khabar nahi pachaayi jaa rahi thi. Par, wo uss se kuchh na boli. Balki, wo to nazrein hi nahi mila paa rahi thi.

Ek chhota sa kaam tha. Apne bhai ki gerr-maujoodgi me Yarnia ka udhghatan karna. Bas! Iss ek chhote se kaam ko karne me wo naqamyab thi. Na sirf hotel ko nuksaan pahucha, balki Yarnia ka sampoorn karyakram bhi barbaad ho gaya. Logo ki jaane chali gayi aur upar se humle me gharwalo ne bhi apni jaan gawa di.

Aur, ye sab kuchh hua — Naye saal ki lagne waali raat me. Naya saal unke liye khushiyaan nahi, balki barbaadiyaan leke aaya. To aise me Tej akhir kaise apne bhai se nazrein mila sakti thi?

Veer ke bagal se hi Arohi bhi thi. Honth thar-thara rahe the aur bechaari ka poora chehra aansuon se bheega hua tha.

Wo uski orr jhuki. Usne Veer ke kandhe par haath rakha-

Arohi : V-Veer!

Par, koi jawab nahi.

Bas — khamoshi.

Arohi ne uske haath ko apne haath me lete hue baandha aur ek baar fir se use jhunjhlaaya.

Arohi : V-Veeeer! *sniff*

Kintu, punah koi jawab nahi. Wo hila hi nahi. Ekdum sthir — bina koi palke jhapkaaye. Jaise samay sirf uske liye ruk gaya ho. Arohi ne ek baar aur koshish ki.

Arohi : Veeeeer! M-Mujhe aise darao mat, please. *sniff* Kuchh bolo. Veeeer?

Magar, abhi bhi koi pratikriya nahi.

---

Kuchh der pehle...

Yeh woh waqt tha jab Veer Juhi aur Pihu ko apne badan par laade Disembowler ki lair se baahar nikla tha.

Uski har saans fool rahi thi, drishti dhundhli pad rahi thi, lekin woh rukne ko taiyaar nahi tha.

Juhi uski chhaati se bandhi hui thi, uska kamzor shareer thakaan ke chalte neend me upar-neeche ho raha tha. To, wahi Pihu peechhe uski peeth par behosh thi.

Baah me bhayanak tez dard uthne ke bawajood Veer use thaam ke rakha hua tha — ekdum adig.

Pari ki awaaz tabhi uske dimaag me goonji.

[Master! Aapka haath. You need to rest right now. 'Limb Substitution' ki madad se kaafi hadd tak uss waqt haath position me aa gaya tha, lekin aapne-]

Pari shikayat kar rahi thi. Veer ka haath 'Limb Substitution' ke equip karte hi sahi dhang se position me aa chuka tha. Zaroorat thi toh bas kuchh dino ke araam ki, jiske chalte uska haath wapas se pehle ki tarah ho jaane waala tha.

Magar, usne kya kiya-!?

Disembowler se bhidte waqt, usne jhatke se liquid nitrogen ke cylinder ko kheencha tha, jiske parinam swaroop uska haath wapas se lachakte hue ukhad chuka tha.

Na keval dobara use jodne ke liye shareer ki urja ka istemal hua, balki haath ke ukhadte hi ek baar fir use bloodloss se guzarna pada.

Ab agar samay rehte haath ko araam nahi diya gaya, to ye samasya aur bhi gambheer mod le sakti thi. Aur, isliye Pari chintit thi. Kyunki, iss waqt bhi — Veer ka haath Pihu ko peechhe se thaame hue tha. Haath par zor pad raha tha.

Veer ne bamushqil hi koi pratikriya di. Uska dimag ek hi cheez par kendrit tha — kaise bhi karke dono bacchiyo ko surakshit unke apno tak pahuchaaya jaaye.

Woh waha se bhaaga. Pari ki baat par usne kuchh derr baad jawab diya.

'Yeah! I- I know, Pari. Lekin, mere paas rukne ka koi option nahi hai. I must move on.'

Sadke street lights aur aasmaan aatishbaziyo se jagmaga raha tha. Police ki jeeps sadko par daud rahi thi, adhikaari hatyaare aur laapata ladkiyon ki talaash me har kone, har gali ko chhaan rahe the.

Aur, unhi jeep me se ek jeep me — Trisha thi.

Uski aankhein sooji hui thi, dashboard ko pakde hue uske haath kaanp rahe the.

"Tez chalo!!!"

Usne driver ko aadesh diya, ghanto chillaane se uski ab awaaz bhi fatt rahi thi. Bahut lamba samay ho gaya tha. Bahut saare ghante guzar chuke the — koi suraag nahi, koi sanket nahi, koi ummeed nahi. Bebasi ka bojh ab use ghutan de raha tha, magar usne tootne se inkaar kar diya.

Woh iss tarah, iss samay nahi toot sakti thi. Apni beti ko dhundhne se pehle to hargiz nahi.

Rohan, uska pati bhi wahi kahi sadko par tha. Beti ki khoj me paagalo ki tarah sheher me bhaag raha tha. Parantu, ye sab vyarth jaane waala tha agar unhe unki beti na mili toh.

Fir, jeep ne ek mod liya.

Aur, koi waha par tha.

Sadak ke beech me ek akela shaks, khoon se lathpath. Uski shirt fati hui thi, chehra ghaavo aur khoon ke kaaran bamushqil se pehchaana jaa sakta tha.

Woh waha khada tha, haanf raha tha, kaanp raha tha — lekin, sirf wahi nahi tha.

Uske seene se kuchh bandha hua tha. Koi tha. Nahi! Sirf seene se hi nahi, peeth par bhi koi tha.

Trisha ke dil ki dhadkane maano wahi tham gayi.

"Rukooooo!" Veh chillaayi.

Jeep ghisatate hue achanak ruk gayi. Jaise hi usne darwaza khola, kaanpte haatho se usne turant bandook nikaali aur seedhe saamne khade shaks par nishaana saadh diya.

"Theher jao!"

Woh chillaayi. Uski awaaz teekhi thi, ghabrahat ke bawajood usne apne aap ko sthir rakha hua tha. Jeep ki headlights jaise hi uss shaks ke peechhe ladi nanhi si bacchi ke chehre par padi, to Trisha ki aankhein bhay ke maare fel gayi.

Pihu!

Uski aankhein khoon se saney uss shaks ke chehre par ghoomi aur fir apni bacchi par.

Kaun tha ye vyakti?

Aur, uski beti uski peeth par?

Upar se wo kahi se bhi dara hua nahi prateet ho raha tha.

Idhar, Veer ne Trisha ko dekh apni gati dheemi nahi ki, balki woh chalta raha — seedhe uski orr.

Trisha ki pakad trigger par mazboot ho gayi.

"Maine kaha ruk jao!"

Woh darr rahi thi. Kya yahi wo serial killer tha? Kya isi ne uski bacchi aur Juhi ko agwa kiya tha?

Kya kare woh? Kahi woh vyakti uski chetavni ka bura maan bacchiyo ko kuchh kar diya to? Kya use bandook neeche kar leni chahiye? Kya kare? Use kuchh nahi soojh raha tha.

Lekin, tabhi veh bola.

"Tumhari beti... Surakshit hai!"

'Huh?'

Uski awaaz halanki karkash thi, lekin usme koi darr nahi tha. Koi hich-kichaahat nahi. Keval nishchitata.

Trisha ki saansein atakne lagi. Uska dimaag kaam karna band kar raha tha.

Jaise hi Veer ne uske aur apne beech doori kam ki, jeep me baithe baaki police karmiyo ne turant hi qadam uthaaya, apne-apne hathyaar liye unn sabhi ne Veer par bandooke taan di. Unki ungliyaan bhi trigger par mandra rahi thi, thodi si bhi galat harqat par goliyaan chalaane ke liye ekdum taiyaar.

Lekin, Trisha abhi bhi Veer ko ghoor rahi thi. Usne apna haath ghabraate hue uthaaya.

"Nahiiiiii!"

Woh chillaayi aur usne sabhi police karmiyo ko goli chalaane se rok diya.

Woh nahi jaanti thi ki usne aisa kyu kiya. Kya ye darr tha? Ya fir kuchh aur? Lekin, use itna zaroor samajh aaya ki bandook ko iss shaks par taanana iss sthiti ka hal nahi tha.

Veer ahista-ahista uske paas aaya. Aur, fir apne badan par gathaan bandhi, khoon se sani chaadar ko usne dheere se khola.

Pihu.

Uske nanhe se chehre par shaanti ke bhaav the. Na koi chot, na koi ghaav. Ekdum achhoot.

Trisha ki bandook uske kaanpte haatho se chhoot kar fisal gayi. Woh dhadalle se bina koi parvah kiye aage badhi-

"Madam!!!"

Police karmiyo ne use savdhan karne ki koshish ki, parantu Trisha ko apni bacchi ke siwa aur koi nazar na aaya.

Usne Pihu ko apne dono haatho me lete hue sambhaala aur apne seene se lagaaya aur apni beti ko galey se lagaate hi uski rulaayi chhoot gayi.

"Woh sirf behosh hai. Thaki hui hai. Aur, kuchh nahi. Use kuchh derr me hosh aa jaayega." Veer ne samjhaate hue kaha.

Trisha bilakhte hue apni beti ke chehre ko bas choomti chali gayi. Use saans bhi badi mushqil se aa rahi thi. Uski ungliyaan Pihu ke komal chehre par daud gayi.

Veer, jiska kaam abhi bhi aadha-adhoora tha, thoda sa Trisha se alag hua. Woh waha se nikalne ke liye hua.

"Ab mujhe Juhi ko ma'am ke paas le jaana hoga. Aur, tum..."

"Huh?" Trisha use hairat me dekhi.

"Jaldi! Shamshaan ke neeche. Akele nahi. Poori force leke jao. Jaldi! Warna woh- *huff*"

"K-Kya?" Trisha ne sarr uthaate hue use aashcharya me ghoora.

"Samay kam hai. J-Jaldi- *huff* Iske pehle ki derr ho jaaye."

Uske perr mushqil se seedhe khade ho paa rahe the. Woh jaanta tha ki Disembowler buri tarah ghaayal tha. Police ki full force use takedown kar sakti thi. SHB ka raaz khul paana bhi lagbhag namumkin tha kyunki, woh hawa ke sampark me aate hi oxidise ho jaata tha.

Aur to aur, police ko Disembowler jaise serial killer aur uske kaale karnaamo se avgat karaana bhi zaroori tha. Yahi soch ke usne ye nirnay liya.

Trisha kuchh soch-samajh nahi paa rahi thi. Lekin, uski sahej pravatti Veer ki baat maanane ke liye chillaa rahi thi.

Wahi iss orr, Veer ne apna muh fera. Usne Juhi ko kass kar pakda aur ek qadam aage badha jab-

"R-Ruko! K-Kaun ho tum? Kaha jaa rahe ho? Mein tumhe yaha se kahi nahi jaane dungi."

Veer ne koi jawab nahi diya.

Trisha ne dekha ki Veer ke harr qadam me thakavat thi, blood loss use har pal kamzor kar raha tha. Magar, iske bawajood — woh aage badhne ke liye tatpar tha.

"Nidhi ma'am... Juhi ko unke paas pahuchaana hoga."

'Nidhi' ka naam uske muh se sunte hi Trisha chaunk uthi. Aur, kuchh ghante pehle ki kuchh baatein use yaad aa gayi. Gift shop par Nidhi ke sang uski pehli mulaqat aur wo baatein—

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

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

"T-Tum..." Trisha bhauchakki apna muh khole avaak Veer ko ghoori.

Yeh ladka.

Veer ke ek aur qadam aage lete hi police karmiyo ne uska raasta rok liya.

"Wahi ruk jao!" Unme se ek ne aadesh diya.

Veer ne mushqil se unn par koi nazar daali. Uska shareer bhalayi iss samay kamzor tha, lekin uska sankalp atal tha. Wo ab kisi bhi haalat me nahi ruk sakta tha.

Iske pehle ki police waale kuchh kar paate, Trisha ki awaaz ne unhe hairangi me daal diya.

"Jaane do use!" Woh ahista se boli.

Ve sab chaunkte hue uski orr mude.

"M-Madam?" Unme se ek hich-kichaaya. "M-Madam, aap ye kya keh rahi hai? Hum iss anjaan ko aise kaise jaane de sakte hai? Hum ise bilkul bhi-"

"Maine kaha na use jaane do!!!" Usne iss baar aur bhi dridhta se dohraaya.

Police karmiyo me sankoch bana raha, lekin Trisha apne nirnay par dagmagayi nahi.

Dheere-dheere wo sabhi ek taraf hatt gaye.

Agar, koi Nidhi ko jaanta tha, bacchiyo ko apne shareer par laad kar unhe bina chotil hue wapas leke aaya tha, to isme koi shaq nahi tha ki woh insaan koi serial killer nahi, balki ek shubhchintak tha.

Veer Trisha ke bagal se nikalte hue aage badha. Trisha ne ek akhiri sawaal uss se poochha—

"Kaun ho tum?"

Veer iss baar ruka. Woh peechhe muda. Uski nazar Trisha par tiki.

Ek pal ki khamoshi.

Aur, fir usne jawaab diya-

"Veer Singh!!!"

Trisha ke badan me sihran daud gayi. Veer bas itna bol, waha se chal diya.

Yeh naam. Inn beetein dino me woh iss naam se bhali bhaanti parichit thi. Yahi toh woh naam tha. Yahi wo insaan tha jiski use talaash thi. Wo aadmi jiske peechhe wo na jaane kab se padi hui thi.

Lekin, kabhi uss tak thos saboot ke saath pahuch na saki.

Aur, aaj wahi insaan-

Uski beti ko bacha ke uske paas laaya tha. Dimaag sawaalo ke bawandar me fassta jaa raha tha. Lekin, usne khud ko iss bawandar se baahar nikaala.

Abhi jo maayne rakhta tha — wo tha uski beti ka surakshit hona.

Usne apne mann me chal rahe toofan ko door karte hue, apna radio uthaaya.

"Rohan!!!"

Aur, bas... Wo punah toot ke reh gayi. Uss orr se Rohan ki bhi raahat ki saans lene ki awaaz use sunaayi di. Upar waale ko dhanyavad dete hue usne gaadi Trisha ke ilaake ki orr ghuma di.

Aur, aise hi Veer Pihu ko surakshit haatho me pahuchaate hue Nidhi ke paas pahucha tha.

Yahi woh waqt bhi tha jab Renshu aur Erica Disembowler ki lair me jaa kar, chhaan-been kar ke waha se nikal chuke the. Aur, unke nikalte hi police force ne poore shamshan ko under surveillance rakh liya tha.

Yahi woh waqt tha jab Renshu ne Erica ko ishaara kiya, Erica Veer ko Nidhi ke kamre se apne kandho par utha kar leke aayi. Wahi thi, jisne Nidhi aur Shreya dono ko neutralise kiya tha.

Renshu ne fir behosh Veer ko apne kandhe par uthaaya aur seedha Garofano ke paas le gaya.

Use car me hi Ava ke bagal se litaate hue usne Garofano ki orr dekha.

Behosh Veer aur Ava dono ek dusre ke bagal se laite hue the. Behoshi me bhi dono ke haath ek dusre se lage hue the.

Ek pal ke liye Garofano ki bauhe sikudi. Usne kuchh sochte hue Veer ka haath Ava ke haath se dur kar diya aur uske ghaavo ka ilaaj karne me jutt gayi.

Na sirf usne Veer ko apna ek vitality serum aur antiserum diya, balki uske ghaavo ka ilaaj kar uske haatho ko chains se azaad bhi kar diya.

Renshu, Erica aur Garofano, fir Veer ko leke hospital pahuche jaha parivar jann Veer ko iss awastha me dekh hakke-bakke reh gaye the.

Aur, fir Veer ka hosh aana aur use Manorath ki mrityu ki khabar ka praapt hona. Yahi sab toh hua tha.

Uske baad Garofano hospital se seedhe wapas car par pahuchi jaha Ava pehle se hi hosh me baithi hui thi.

Garofano : You are awake!

Ava : ...

Garofano : !!? Kuchh nahi kehna?

Ava : V-Veer! K-Kaha hai woh?

Garofano (smiles) : Kuchh derr pehle tumhare bagal se hi tha.

Ava : K-Kyaaaaa??

Wo hadbadaate hue idhar-udhar dekhi.

Ava : K-Kaha? Kaha hai woh? No! Wait!

Agle hi pal jaise use khud hi Veer ki location 'Death Flag' ke zariye maalum pad gayi.

Ava (mutters) : H-Hospital!

Garofano : Hmm! Uske dada ji nahi rahe. The other lady... What was her name again? Ragini! Hmm! Wo out of danger hai, lekin ab chal nahi sakti.

Ava ka sarr ye sunte hi neeche jhuk gaya. Usne apne dono perr mod apna chehra ghutno ke peechhe chhupa liya. Woh apne aap ko dosh de rahi thi. Use ek zimmedari di gayi thi. Aur, woh bhi wo theek se nahi nibha paayi.

Garofano (glances) : You don't have to feel bad about it. Although, mein waha nahi thi, aur mujhe nahi pata exactly kya hua tha lekin-

Ava : ???

Garofano : Erica ne sab kuchh bata diya hai. You took a bullet for someone else. Aur, agar tum nahi hoti- there was no way that girl would have survived that shot.

Ava : M-Mein- *sniff*

Garofano ne aage kuchh na kaha. Kuchh derr baad Ava ne uss se sawaal kiya.

Ava : Tumne aisa kyu kaha tha?

Garofano : Hmm? Kya?

Ava : Yahi ki... You are hiding your cards. Just like him.

Garofano : Woh? *smiles* Well, kya ye sach nahi? Tum apne cards chhipaaye hue ho. Just like him. Usne bhi mujhe apne saare cards ke baare me nahi bataaya. Hey! Now, I feel really bad you know.

Ava : ??

Garofano : Mein akeli hi hu jisne apne saare cards ke baare me tum sabko bataya hua hai. Aur, tum sab ho ki-

Ava : I don't feel the need to tell you.

Garofano : Wow! So, much for the help, right?

Ava : Kisi na kisi din mein ye favor chuka dungi. Cards ki details share karne ki koi zaroorat nahi mujhe.

Garofano : Chill, pretty girl. So cold, damn! *sighs* To kya mein wo favor abhi maang sakti hu?

Ava : Huh?

Garofano : Bolo?

Ava (nods) : Ask!

Garofano (grins) : Apne aap ko Veer se door kar do!

Ava (yells) : KABHI BHI NAHIIIIII-!!!

Wo itni zorr se chillaayi ki Garofano khud aashcharya me reh gayi. Ava ke gaal agle hi pal fir gulaabi ho chale. Aur, Garofano ke hontho par ek muskaan bikhar gayi. Woh bina kuchh kahe, waha se nikal gayi par jaate-jaate uske shabd Ava ke kaano tak pahuchne se na choonke.

"Tumhare favor chukaane ka intezar rahega, mujhe."

Kehte hue wo waha se chali gayi aur Ava pichhli ghatit vardaato ke baare me soch-vichaar kar leen ho gayi.

---

Veer's old house...

Antim sanskar ki taiyaari shuru ho chuki thi. Ghar ki mahilaaye, bagal se khadi ho kar sab dekh rahi thi. Aankhein laal thi aur sarr dhake hue.

Purush shaiyaa ki samagri ka prabandhan karne me lage hue the. Bhaar sirf Manorath ji ke shareer ka nahi uthaana tha, uske saath unki yaadon ka bhi bhaar juda hua tha.

Shaiyaa ko taiyaar karne ke liye baans ki lakdiyaan, rassiyaan aur safed kapda aa chuka tha.

Karunesh, Vivek aur Brijesh mil kar lakdiyaan baandhne ka kaam kar rahe the.

Ghar ke ird-gird aas-pados ki bheed-bhaad bhi jama ho chuki thi. Log aapas me charcha kar rahe the.

"Kaise? Ghatna kaise hui ye?"

"News me aaya to raha. Humla ho gaya na."

"Haan? Kaha?"

"Wai apna... Prestige hotel. Bahut bada humla tha."

"To humle me maare gaye?"

"Haan! Abhi poora clear nahi pata chala hai, par baaki log to yahi bata rahe ki humle me jaan chali gayi."

"Accha! Tch! Tch! Tch! Bechaare buzurg hoke aisi ghatna ka shikaar ho gaye."

"Kya kar sakte hai ab."

Veer Manorath ji ke perr ke paas hi baitha hua tha. Peeth jhuki, haath ghutno par tike hue, aur aankhein khaali.

Kavya aur Arohi use awaaz deti rahi, magar usne ek baar bhi nahi suna. Shyaam ne jab use paani ka glass diya tab bhi usne apni palkein tak nahi jhapkayi.

Uski nazrein sirf apne dada ji ke chehre par tiki hui thi. Aur, jaise hi Manorath ji ke shareer ko farsh se uthaaya gaya, Veer ki tandra bhang ho gayi.

'Huh?'

Usne mud ke dekha. Ek baar palak jhapki. Fir, dobaara.

Qadmo ki chehel-pehel, shorgul, sab kuchh ek saath uss par toot pada. Wo bina kuchh samjhe khada hua, dheere-dheere uske perr dada ji ke shav ki disha ki orr badhne lage.

Manorath ji ke shav ko baahar laa kar rakh diya gaya tha.

Rassi baandhte hue Brijesh ne sarr upar kar Veer ko dekha. Uske haath me bhi rassi thi.

Wo baans ke dhaanche ko aise dekh raha tha jaise maano wo koi suljhaane waali paheli ho. Kabhi uski nazrein apne haath me li hui rassi par tikti to kabhi baans ke dhaanche par.

Jeevan me pehli baar wo apne kisi qareebi ki maut me iss tarah se shaamil ho raha tha. Inn reeti-rivaaz me itna sammilit hone ka avsar use pehle kabhi praapt nahi hua tha.

Ek khamoshi kuchh derr chhaayi rahi.

Fir, aaj saalo me pehli baar-

"Ise iss tarah se baandho, Veer. Meri tarah...!"

Brijesh ne Veer se kaha. Awaaz naram thi. Na hi aagya se bhari hui aur na hi katu. Ekdum — vinamra.

Veer ne use dekha. Wo chup-chaap neeche baitha, apne pita ko dekhte hue usne rassi ko baandhna seekha, aur baans ki lakdiyo me wo rassi ki gathaane lagaane laga.

Ek pal ke liye — saara gussa, saare gile-shikve, sab kuchh ek taraf ho gaya. Dono baap-bete ke haath shaiyaa banaane me chal rahe the. Karunesh aur Vivek ne jab ye dekha to dono hi ahista se unn dono ke beech se alag ho gaye.

Ek ke baad ek gaanth.
Ek ke baad ek saans.
Saath-saath.

Kuchh door khadi, Bhavna ne jab yeh dekha to usne apne haath se apne muh ko dhak liya. Bagal se khadi, Purvi ne uske kandhe ko thaama.

Brijesh ko tabhi, apne pita ji ke akhir bol yaad aa gaye.

Wo Yarnia ke udhghatan me nahi gaya tha. Parantu, jab TV par samachar se use khabar lagi. Uske perr apne aap chal pade.

Use wo drishya yaad aaya. Wo pal jab uske pita ji use Hotel Prestige me chalne ke liye anurodh kar rahe the. Use nahi pata tha ki wo uska apne pita ke saath akhiri sanvaad hone waala tha —

---

"Toh tum nahi chaloge??"

"Jab mujhe bulaya hi nahi gaya toh bhala mein kaise jaa sakta hu, papa ji?"

"Murkh ho kya tum? Veer ne ek nyota bheja hai. Kya itni bhi samajh nahi tumhe ki ye sabke liye hai?"

"Aapko Veer ka phone aaya tha?"

"Haan!"

"Sumitra ko bhi aaya tha. Usne bataya mujhe. Lekin, mujhe nahi! Iska kya matlab hua? Kya aap samjhe nahi? Ya aap samajhna nahi chaahte?"

"Tum paagal ho sach me, Brijesh! Tumne jo kuchh bhi kiya hai uske baad bhala woh kaise tumse aake upat ke baat kar sakta hai? Jaise tum hich-kicha rahe ho waise hi toh woh bhi hich-kicha raha hoga na?"

"Kya waqai, papa ji? Mujhe nahi lagta! Balki, mujhe waha na paa kar use khushi hi hogi."

"Tum bawle ho gaye ho, Brijesh! Beta hai tumhara! Aur, tum baap ho uske. Ek baap apne bete ke sukh me uske nyota dene ka intezar nahi karta."

"Ye uss baap ke liye hai jo dukh me bhi apne bete ke saath khada rahe, jo mein nibha na saka. Mujhe waha paa ke sab uncomfortable ho jayenge. Rehne dijiye! Aap bhuliye mat ki Shweta aur... Bhavna bhi waha hongi. Aapke liye kehna asaan hai. Par, mere liye waha jaana itna asaan nahi."

"Tumhari dikkat kya hai tumhe pata hai Brijesh? Tum log kya sochenge iss baare me zyada sochte ho aur iss baare me kam ki kya karna chahiye. Arey bhai ye toh zahir si baat hai ki tumhare waha hone se baatein pehle ki tarah nahi hongi. Par, kya Veer ko iss se farq padega?"

"???"

"Nahi! Maayne ye rakhega ki uska baap jisne use ghar se baahar nikaal diya tha, aaj woh waha uske saamne uske liye khada hai."

"Nahi! Nahi papa ji! Ye toh wahi baat ho gayi ki sukh me sab kaam aate hai par dukh me-? Koi nahi! Mein ab maafi ke laayak nahi papa ji! Ab bahut bigaad liya maine apna aur baakiyo ka jeevan. Ab aur nahi-!"

"Tumne sahi kaha. Tum maafi ke laayak nahi! Lekin, maafi ke laayak koi bhi nahi hota, Brijesh!"

"???"

"Maafi ke laayak koi nahi hota. Use ye kamaana padta hai. Uss laayak banana padta hai ki vyakti aap ko maaf kar sake. Aur, tumhara waha pahuchna maafi maangne ka pehla qadam hoga."

"N-Nahi, papa ji! M-Mein-"

"Tum iss liye nahi jaana chaahte kyunki tumhe lagta hai ki woh log kya sochenge? Tum unse aankh se aankh milaane par ghabra rahe ho. Par, yahi toh pehla padaav hai, Brijesh. Chalo! Ghabrao nahi! Ek baar samay haath se nikal gaya toh dobaara nahi aata."

"Papa ji, samajhiye baat ko-"

"Tumhe pata hai? Kabhi-kabhi ek baap apne bacche ko jo sabse bada tohfa de sakta hai woh kya hai? Woh hai uski - maujoodgi! Agar, Veer ka phone nahi aaya toh kya hua? Woh toh chhota hai, par tum toh bade ho na? Pehel toh tumhe hi karni hogi na? Bhale hi tumhe kaisa bhi mehsoos ho par chalo, kyunki iss sthiti me andar se har baccha yahi chaahega ki uske pita saamne aaye. Veer bhi-!"

"M-Mein... Mein sochunga, Papa ji! Par, aaj mujhe apni mann-maani kar lene dijiye! Jaiye aap! Samay ho raha hai!"

Manorath ke lakh manaane par bhi jab Brijesh na maana toh woh narazgi me waha se jaane lage. Unke qadam darwaze ki dehleez par aake ruke.

"Meri seekh yaad rakhna Brijesh! Samay ek baar haath se nikal gaya, toh dobaara nahi aata."

Aur, woh waha se nikal gaye.

---

Akhiri lapte ek ajeeb si shaanti ke saath naach rahi thi — dheemi, aur bhasm karne waali.

Veer jalti hui chita se kuchh hi feet door khada hua tha. Manorath ji ka shav agni me sama chuka tha. Hawa ne rukh badla aur dhue ko ek taraf uda diya, apne saath na keval raakh, balki unki kahaniyaan, gyaan, aur uss vyakti ki antim garmjoshi bhi le gaya jisne kabhi Veer ko uska ekmaatra surakshit aashray diya tha.

Uski mutthiyaan bandhi rahi. Saansein kamzor. Aur, aankhein — bina moonde ek jagah sthir.

Mann shaant tha. Bahut derr tak. Jab tak ki-

[Master...]

Pari ki awaaz na goonj gayi.

Kintu, koi pratikriya nahi.

Uski aankhein abhi bhi aag ki lapto par tiki hui thi, maano jaise uske sawaalo ka jawaab ye laptein hi dene waali thi.

Lekin, Pari kahi nahi gayi.

[Master... I'm here.]

Veh jhijhki. Fir, aage boli. Uski awaaz dheemi thi, ek asamaanya komalta se bhari hui. Aur, fir kuchh sochte hue usne-

*Ding*

['Mission : A Knight's Stand' failed.]

System ki window ne Veer ki chetna me roop liya. Usme se aani waali neeli raushni tim-tima rahi thi. Iss baar, Veer ne dhyaan diya.

*Ding*

[The host was not able to get rid of the Disembowler.]

[The host did succeed in rescuing Juhi and Pihu.]

[The host also succeeded in keeping the experiment’s secret a secret from the general public.]

[The host will not be penalized for the secret being publicized.]

[The host will not be placed under police surveillance.]

[The mission failed because not all the conditions were fulfilled.]

[Mission failure penalty applied.]

[Penalty : Loss of loved ones.]

[Rewards have been granted.]

*Ding*

[You have been rewarded 20,000 Points.]

[You have been rewarded 5000 Fame Points.]

[Since the mission wasn’t completed, Perk Hunt will not be activated. Hence, no perks can be selected.]

Khamoshi.

Veer ne unn notifications ko suna. Magar, uska dhyaan abhi bhi kahi aur hi tha.

Usne ek gehri saans li. Aur, fir-

'M-Maine unhe kho diya, Pari. Mein unhe bacha nahi saka. Mere karan wo-'

Wo ek qadam aage badha. Aankhein ekdum laal.

'Maine maut ko dekha hai. Mere inn haatho ne logo ko maut bhi di hai. P-Par, kabhi bhi... kabhi bhi maine iss tarah mehsoos nahi kiya. Ye mujhe andar se jala raha hai, Pari.'

[...]

'Wo sirf mere dada ji nahi the. Wo mera ghar the. Uss puraane ghar se agar koi mujhe jod ke rakhe hue tha to woh wahi the... W-Wahi...!'

Uski mutthiyaan dheeli pad gayi.

'I was too late, Pari. Too weak. Too distracted. Aur, ab mere paas kuchh bacha hai toh woh hai — ye dhua, ye raakh, aur ye... glaani. Asahaneeya glaani.'

'Agar, mein aur taqatvar hota, hoshiyar hota, toh shayad mein-'

[Maaasterrrr, Nooooo-!]

'???'

[Master! Aapne wo kiya jo aur koi nahi kar sakta tha. Aapne uss Disembowler se do bacchiyon ki jaan bachaayi. Aapne SHB ke rehesya ko duniyaa ke saamne aane se roka.]

'M-Mein-'

[Aap unprepared the. Aap uski territory me the. Aur, fir bhi aapne haar nahi maani. Kya aapko lagta hai aap kamzor ho???]

Uski awaaz kaanp uthi. Aur, fir-

Dusri baar. Veer ko apne mann me wahi anubhooti mehsoos hui.

Aansu. Lekin, uske nahi. Pari ke.

'Pari, tum-'

Pari ki chetna se uski chetna me ek udaasi ki jhalak.

[Aap bhool kyu jaate ho ki mein wo sab kuchh mehsoos kar sakti hu jo aap karte ho. *sniff* Aapki har dhadkan... Mujhe goonjti hui sunaayi deti hai. Har aansu jo aap girne nahi dete... Unhe mein andar se mehsoos karti hu.]

'!!?'

[You didn't fail him, Master. You carried his name through fire. Through war. Through hell.]

'Pari!'

[Aur, ab bhi aap mazbooti se khade hue ho. Tab bhi jab aap andar se toot rahe ho. They can't see it. But I can. I can feel it.]

Veer wahi chita ke paas dhool bhari zameen par apne ghutno ke bal gir pada.

*Sniff*

Usne apni chhaati ko kass ke jakda. Dard se nahi, balki apne andar bachi hui cheezon ko sambhaalne ki ek betaab koshish me.

Usne ghutate hue kaha,

'P-Par, unhone mujhpe vishvas kiya tha, Pari. Kitne bharose se wo aaye honge aur unke saath- Ek akhiri baar mein unhe dekh tak na saka. I-'

[Aap humesha unke pasandeeda rahoge, Master. Humesha.]

Ek lambi khamoshi chhaa gayi. Veer ke aansu akhirkar gir pade.

'Itna dard kyu ho raha hai, Pari? *sniff*'

[Kyunki, aap unse itna pyaar karte the jitna aap khud nahi jaante the, Master.]

'!!!'

[And love, Master… is the only thing in this world more powerful than death.]

Woh muda. Uske peechhe ki aag ek antim baar bhadak uthi aur fir dheere-dheere feeki padne lagi.

Aur, aaj mann ki gehraayi me, jaha aam taur par notifications aur pari ke bol goonjte rehte the, ek durlabh tarah ki khamoshi chhaa gayi — khaalipann se nahi, balki do chetnao se, jo ek saath shok mana rahi thi.

***

Antim sanskar samapt hua hi tha, aag abhi bujh hi rahi thi, jab-

Baahar ek alag tarah ki aag ne apna janm le liya.

Veer, apne parivar sang jaise hi mukti dham se baahar nikla, toh uska swagat khamoshi se nahi, balki shor se hua.

Ek toofan.

Cameras chamak uthe. Microphones kinhi bhaale ki tarah aage badhe. Awaazein — unme se hazaaron — jwaar ki leher ki tarah aake uske kaano me takraayi.

"Mister, Veer Singh! Kya Hotel Prestige ki tragedy aapki zimmedari thi?"

"Humle ke dauran aap kaha the? Aapko kahi dekha hi nahi gaya."

"Aapki nigraani me bekasoor security guards maare gaye. Iska dosh kis par hai?"

"Kya aap ye soch rahe hai kya ki fame hone se aap inn sab se bach sakte hai?"

"Kya aap aaj raat so bhi paayenge? Ye jaante hue ki aapki sampatti ki suraksha karte hue nirdosh log maare gaye?"

"Jawab dijiye, Mister Veer!"

"Tune mere bhai ko maar daala, haram khor!! Mein tujhe chhorunga nahi!"

"Khooni!! Khooni ho tum!"

"Tumhare hotel ne mere pita ji ko zinda kha liya."

"Kya hoga humaara?"

Mratak security guards ke parivar ke kuchh sadasya bhi journalists ki bheed me ghus gaye. Wo barricades ko dukh, gusse aur aakrosh me paar kar gaye.

Unme se ek Veer par lagbhag jhapatne hi waala tha, lekin kuchh dayaalu ajnabiyon ne use rok liya.

Veer wahi khada raha. Uska shareer jamm sa gaya. Isliye, nahi ki woh darr gaya tha, balki isliye kyunki Hotel Prestige ka samachar ab vistaar se use sunane mil raha tha.

Wo jaanta tha humla hua tha. Hospital me hosh aane ke baad, Arohi ne use zaroori khabar de di thi. Yahi ki Hotel Prestige me humla hua tha. Golibaari. Jisme uske dada ji chal base.

Manorath ji ki maut bloodloss aur pain se hi hui thi. Sniper ki bullet koi aam bullet nahi hoti thi. Aur, na hi sniper koi aam bandook thi.

Manorath ji ke kandhe par bullet lagi thi. Jab tak ve hospital pahuche, unka ilaaj shuru hua, tab tak unhone dum tod diya tha.

Veer yeh jaanta tha. Magar, ye sab kya tha? Security guards ki jaan jaana? Arohi ne uske bhale ke liye poori sachaayi nahi bataayi thi.

Uski aankhein chaudi ho gayi. Glaani, sadma, aur kuchh agyaat anubhutiyaan uske andar toofan ki tarah ghoomne lagi.

Aur, fir-

Bheed ke beech se.

"VEEEEEEER!!!"

Ek awaaz. Ek cheenkh. Ek pukaar — iss araajakta ko cheerti hui.

Tej. Wo aayi.

Uske baal bikhre hue the. Chehra aasuon se bheega hua tha. Bheed uske liye alag nahi hui — lekin, usne sangharsh kar ke apna raasta banaaya.

Logo ki kohniyaan use lagi, dhakke lage, cameras use lage, woh lagbhag girte-girte bachi, lekin ruki nahi.

Wo bhaagi. Tezi se. Jaise uska dil fatne ko aa gaya ho-

Aur, tamaam bheed ko alag karte hue wo uske paas pahuchi. Waha khadi ho gayi — Veer aur saari duniyaa ke madhya.

Wo haanf rahi thi. Uske baal, paseene se geele ho chuke uske gaalo se chipke hue the.

Tej (screams) : BAS KAROOOOO!!!!

Shor kam ho gaya. Awaazein shaant pad gayi.

Tej ne mud kar media ka saamne kiya, uske kandhe kaanp rahe the, lekin uski awaaz bheed ke shor se bhi zyada tez thi.

Tej : Aap logo ko jawaab chaahiye na??? Mein dungi jawaab! Kyunki, hotel prestige ko sambhaalne waale Mister Veer nahi. Mein thi.

Ek virham. Ek sannaata sa chhaa gaya.

Tej (shaking but firm) : Mein Tejal Singh. Mister Veer Singh ki badi behan. Mein hi in charge thi. Mein hi thi jo new year eve ko sambhaal rahi thi.

Journalists : !!?

Tej : Aur, mein... Mein hu doshi. Haan, mein galat hu. Maine khatre par dhyaan nahi diya. Mein galat hu jo guests par dhyaan de rahi thi aur hazar saalo me kabhi ye khayal mujhe nahi aane waala tha ki koi sarfira uss waqt humari hotel ke andar bomb fek sakta hai.

Journalists : *mutters*

Tej (eyes flaring) : Haan, mein galat hu. Par, kya aap me se kisi ko aisi ummeed ho sakti thi? Kya aapko ummeed thi ki celebration ki raat me bandook liye naqab-posh gunde logo par goliyaan barsaane lagenge?

Kisi ne jawaab nahi diya. Microphones dheere-dheere neeche ho gaye. Kuchh cameras bhi neeche jhuk gaye.

Tej : Mein ise rok nahi saki. Mein iska anumaan bhi nahi laga saki...! Lekin, mein ise jitna ho sakta hai, utna theek karne ki koshish karungi. Har parivar jisne kisi ko khoya hai, mein unse milungi. Jo kuchh bhi bann padega, wo mein karungi. Wo sab humari hotel ke sadasya the.

Door khadi, Bhumika ki aankhon me ye sab dekh aansu umad aaye. Hotel uski thi. Magar, kavach bann ke Tej unhe inn sab se bacha rahi thi.

'T-Tejal, tum-!!'

Ho na ho, aaj Bhumika ke mann se Tejal ko leke saare berr samapt ho chuke the.

Tej : Madad, chaahe aarthik ho, ya kaisi bhi. Mein sab karungi. Guzre hue logo ko waapas nahi laaya jaa sakta. M-Mein jaanti hu ki ye sab ek jaan ke badle kisi kaam ke nahi-! M-Magar, fir bhi-! Mein har wo koshish karungi, jo cheezein theek kar sakti hai.

Journalists : *nods*

Tej : But don't you dare... DON'T YOU DARE come after him.

Wo ek pal ke liye mudi. Veer ko dekhi, jo aashcharya me use hi ghoor raha tha. Aur, fir waapas bheed ka saamna karne me lag gayi.

Tej : Usne bhi aaj kisi ko khoya hai. Maine bhi. Humaare poore parivar ne. Aap sab akele nahi ho. Humaare parivaar ka kya? H-Humaare nuksaan ki bharpaayi kaun karega? *sniff* Huh? Jawaab do!!!

*Silence*

Tej : Sirf, isliye ki mera bhai chup hai, use kamzor samajhna aur kisi dushman ki tarah treat karna band karo! *sniff* Sirf, isliye ki wo famous hai. Sirf isliye ki wo umr me adhiktar logo se chhota hai. Aur, sirf isliye kyunki aap sab mann marzi muh chala sakte ho...! BAND KAR DO!!

*Silence*

Veer ka haath utha. Aur, dheere se usne apna haath — kaanpte hue — Tej ke kandhe par rakh diya.

Woh chaunki. Fir, palti.

Unki aankhein mili.

Koi shabd nahi.

Sirf wo bandhan. Unke beech ka — ankaha aur achal.

Veer (mutters) : Thank you! Teju di!

Aur, wo bechaari toot gayi. Uske gaalo se aasu behte hue girne lage, magar honth muskura uthe.

Uss ek pal, Veer ko ehsaas ho gaya ki-

Yeh... Yeh ek badi behan thi.

Sansaar agar talwaar liye tha to woh kavach thi.

Khud ki awaaz na ho to woh uski awaaz thi.

Doobta hua toofan me ho to woh uska kinaara thi.

Aur, girte hue ko ek haath ka sahaara.

Veer ne apni ungliyaan Tej ki ungliyon ke ird-gird lapeti. Use kass kar pakda. Aur, fir use door le jaane laga. Bheed, shor aur sawaalo se door.

Ek bhai. Ek behan. Ek dard. Ek vaada.

Tej ne na sirf fir saari vardaat ka vishleshan diya, balki apni chintaaye aur aane waale jokhim ke baare me bhi vyakt kiya.

Jiski wajah se, Veer ko ek aur shaks ka dhyaan aaya. Akhir, wo use akela chhor ke kaise aa sakta tha?

***

Baahar sheher abhi bhi araajakta me tha. Lekin, Veer ki manzil filhal ek hi thi — hospital.

Tej ke bataane par wo ek shabd bhi nahi bola. Bas, mukti dham se car uthaata hua seedhe yaha chala aaya.

Kaise naye saal ka jashn narsanhaar me badal gaya.

Kaise naqab-posh bandook-dhaariyo ne Hotel Prestige me pravesh kiya.

Kaise ek sniper ki goli, jo darasal Kavya ke liye thi — Ragini ko jaa kar lagi.

Veer ki saans ukhdi-ukhdi aa rahi thi. Woh bas bhaagta raha. Bheed ke beech se. Dukh ke beech se. Pagalpann ke beech se.

Uske joote farsh par shor macha rahe the, pattiyaan uski pasliyon par dabi hui thi, jo abhi bhi khoon se sani hui thi.

"Ragini...!"

Wo ICU me daakhil hua. Nurses ko dhakka dete hue aage badha — jab tak ki ek doctor ne use rok na diya.

Doctor : Sir! Rukiye, ek minute. Ragini ji abhi-abhi surgery se baahar aayi hai. Aur, hum unhe jald hi shift bhi kar denge. Tab tak ke liye please aap baahar hi rahiye.

Veer : R-Ragini...!

Veer ki haalat dekh, doctor haami bhar aage aaya.

Doctor : Dekhiye! Woh theek hai. Gambheer khatre se woh baahar hai, lekin-

Veer : !!?

Lekin, kya? Veer jaanta tha. Magar, dobara sunana nahi chaahta tha.

Usne Ragini ko dekha. Wo wahi laiti hui thi. Haatho me alag-alag naliyaan lagi hui thi. Ek perr thoda upar utha hua tha aur jatil surgical braces se bandha hua tha.

Uski saansein kamzor thi, lekin wo jeevit thi. Yahi! Uske paas.

Veer uske nazdeek aaya. Har qadam pehle se adhik bhaari. Uska haath bistar ki steel ki railing ko chhua aur Ragini ke chehre ko dekha.

Uske honth sookhe hue the. Maathe par halki si jhurriyaan jo shikan ko darsha rahi thi.

Doctor chalte hue Veer ke paas aaya.

Doctor : Mujhe sab pata chala. Dekhiye, mein jaanta hu ye kaafi mushqil hai. Par, aap sabko ye hazam karna padega.

Veer ne doctor ko na dekha. Wo bas Ragini ko dekhta raha.

Doctor : Ragini ji ko sniper round se nikli high velocity bullet ne chotil kiya tha. Goli ne femur ko chaknachoor kar diya aur tibial nerve bhi damage ho chuki hai. Aap samajh rahe hai na?

Veer : ???

Doctor : Humne femur ko reconstruct karne ke liye rods aur bone grafts ka istemal kiya hai. Lekin, nerve damage irreversible hai.

Veer : M-Matlab...

Doctor : Matlab, ye ki- unka perr to theek hai, lekin wo firse nahi chal payengi. Kam se kam, pehle ki tarah to nahi.

*Silence*

Doctor (continuing) : Intensive rehab ke chalte unhe thodi mobility mil sakti hai. Lekin, neuromuscular ka jo ek coordination hota hai, woh jaa chuka hai. Brain se signals nichle ang tak pehle ki tarah nahi pahuchenge.

Veer : ...

Doctor : Dekhiye, humne wo sab kiya jo hum kar sakte the. Fracture ko stabilise kiya, nerve pressure ko decompress kiya, haemorrhage ko roka. Par, aghaat bahut gehra tha, Mister Veer. Bahut sateek. Isliye- *sighs* Anyways, this is the best outcome.

Shabd Veer ke dimaag me mandraane lage. Laga jaise woh abhi yahi ladkhada ke gir jayega.

Ragini pehle jaise nahi chal paayegi. Kabhi bhi nahi.

Doctor to chala gaya, magar Veer wahi ghutno ke bal Ragini ke bagal se baith gaya. Uska haath ahista se aage badha.

Komalta se usne Ragini ke baalon ka ek dheela latka hua latt kaan ke peechhe kiya. Ungliyaan Ragini ki twacha se sparsh hote hi kaanp rahi thi.

Aur, fir uske jaane bina-

Uske aansu punah binn marzi beh chale.

'Kyu???'

'Mein tumhe kabhi sahi jawab na de saka.'

Ragini ne use panaah di thi jab uske paas koi thikaana nahi tha. Jab woh khud ke liye muskura nahi sakta tha tab woh uske liye muskuraati thi. Usne uski raksha ki, uss se pyaar kiya. Apne poore astitva ke saath.

Usne kabhi kuchh nahi maanga — siwae uske dil ke.

Par, Veer humesha use intezar karwaata raha. Aur, aaj woh yaha iss haal me laiti thi. Chotil. Tooti hui. Apahij. Uski wajah se.

Veer ne uska haath thaama.

'Tumne mujhe kya kuchh nahi diya, Ragini. Pyaar, Panaah, Khushiyaan. Tumne mujhe apna tann, mann, dhan sab kuchh luta diya. Aur, badle me maine tumhe kya diya? Sirf, mera maun jawaab.'

Usne apna haath, uske maathe par rakha.

'Mein... tumhe deserve nahi karta, Ragini.'

Woh jhuka. Aur, uske maathe ko usne dheere se choom liya.

'But, I'll earn you now.'

'Mein yahi rahunga. Ab kahi nahi bhaagunga. Ab aur koi chuppi nahi.'

'I'll be your legs... Your strength... Your everything.'

'Bas jaag jao. Please... Ragini! Jaag jao.'

Akhiri guhaar par uski awaaz andar hi andar toot gayi. Aaj pehli baar, use andar se mazbooti mehsoos nahi hui. Ek system holder jaisa mehsoos nahi hua. Bas, ek sadharan aadmi. Jo duniyaa se pareshan ho chuka tha.

Woh khada hua. Usne apne aansu pochhe. Ragini ke sote chehre par ek akhiri nazar daali. Fir, muda...

Aur, darwaaze ki orr chal diya.

Jaane se pehle — usne peechhe mud kar dekha.

'I promise, Ragini. When you wake up... You won't find me missing again.'

Aur, wo chala gaya.

ICU se baahar aate hi uski nazar ek aur ward me padi, jaha Suman laiti hui so rahi thi. Uske haath me bandage lagi hui thi. Veer ko samajhne me derr na lagi ki Suman hi thi — jisne Ragini ko khoon diya tha.

***

Aspataal se neeche aate waqt, Veer ke mann me Tej ke bol goonj rahe the.

"Mein shayad nahi bachti, Veer- A-Agar woh na hoti. Wo lady. Mask pehni hui. Pata nahi kaun thi. Usne mujhe dhakela aur fir- wo apna pait pakad ke dard se karaah rahi thi. Lekin, iss se pehle ki mein use pakad paati wo hotel ke baahar bhaag gayi. Kasam se...! Agar, wo na hoti to shayad aaj mein yaha tumhare saamne nahi hoti, Veeru."

A masked woman?

Veer samajh chuka tha.

Ava.

Uske dimag ke chalne se pehle hi uske perr chal diye. Hospital ki parking ke paas — mukhya dwaar ke theek baahar.

Do jaani pehchaani aakritiya ek kaali badi si SUV ke paas khadi thi.

Renshu aur Erica.

Erica ne use sabse pehle dekha.

'V-Veer!'

Woh ladka jisne Jaw Long ke maidaan me ghus ke poore yuddh ko apne paksh me kar liya tha.

Wahi Veer jis se dobaara milne ke liye wo itna lalcha rahi thi. Woh uske saamne tha.

Par, Veer kuchh bhi kehne ke liye nahi ruka. Renshu ne use dekh saath chalne ka ishaara kiya. Woh aage badha.

Ava car me peechhe ki foldable seat par baithi hui thi. Wo baahar hi dekh rahi thi jab kisi ke aane ka use ehsaas hua. Uska sarr uss disha ki orr muda aur-

Woh waha tha.

Veer.

Ava ki saans atak gayi. Uska badan kaanp gaya.

Veer ne hi use zimmedari saunpi thi. Hotel Prestige aur parivar ko surakshit rakhne ki.

Aur, wo vifal rahi.

Veer ke dada ji jaa chuke the. Hotel par humla hua. Ragini ghaayal hui. Sab kuchh bikhar gaya.

Ava ka dil baith gaya.

Glaani ka bhaar itna badh gaya ki veh khud ko rok na paayi. Aasu behne lage. Pehle to chupke se... Fir lagatar.

Ava : M-Mein... V-Veer...

Usne uthne ki koshish ki-

Ava : I-I'm... I'm sorry, Veer. I-

Parantu, iske pehle ki woh aur kuchh bolti, Veer aage ki aur dauda. Aur, usne Ava ko apni baahon me bhar liya.

Kass kar. Poori tarah se.

Uski mazboot pakad se Ava ke ghaav dabb gaye, woh halka sa karaah uthi.

Lekin, ye dard kuchh bhi nahi tha. Tab nahi jab woh uski baahon me thi.

Tab nahi, jab woh apne aap se use apne aalingan me bhar raha tha. Fir, bhale hi uski chot kyu na dukhe, aise hazaro dard uthaane ke liye khushi-khushi raazi thi woh.

Ava ne apna chehra uske seene me daba liya. Uske haath dheere-dheere Veer ki shirt ke peechhe kass gaye. Uski awaaz siskiyon me badal gayi.

Ava (barely breathing) : V-Veer, mein-

Veer (softly) : I know...

Ava : ??

Veer : Tumne Teju di ko bachaaya. Tumne wo bullet apne upar li. Mujhe sab pata hai.

Ava jamm ke reh gayi. Uske aasu behna dheeme ho gaye.

Ava (confused) : B-But, I failed... Tumhare dada ji...

Veer : Nahi!

Ava : Huh!!?

Veer : You fulfilled your duty, Ava. Bhale hi tum na maano. Par, mein maan gaya hu.

Woh stabdh thi.

Veer (smiles) : Thank you, Ava!

Ava : Ahh!!!?

Aur, Veer ne use apne gale se laga liya. Ava ke aasu jhar-jhar kar behne lage.

Kuchh qadam door, ye drishya dekh kar Garofano ka haath mutthi me simat gaya. Uske honth ek patli rekha samaan dabb gaye. Woh aalingan... Jis tarah se Veer ne Ava ko pakad rakha tha.

Usne Garofano ke andar kuchh jala kar rakh diya.

Woh mudi aur bina kuchh kahe waha se door chali gayi.

Renshu : Huh? Kya hua tumhe?

Erica ka haal bhi kuchh aisa hi tha. Use ehsaas hua ki sirf wahi nahi thi. Ek ajeeb sa dard uske seene me utha aur woh bhi Garofano ki taraf chal di.

Renshu : Huh? Erica???

***

SUV ke baahar Veer dheere se aaya.

Ava andar hi thi. Laal aankhein liye use dekh rahi thi. Woh hug abhi bhi uske mann me ghoom rahi thi, saath hi Veer ke seene ki garmahat.

Veer ka sarr jhuka hua tha, aankhein uske kaale baalon ke parde ke peechhe chhipi hui thi.

Woh aage badha — Erica ya Garofano ki orr nahi, balki Renshu ki orr.

Koi greetings nahi. Koi emotions nahi.

Bas... Sannaata.

Uske ird-gird ka aura badla hua tha. Thanda. Mapa hua. Ab dard nahi jhalak raha tha. Ek toofan ke pehle ki shaanti.

Garofano ne sabse pehle notice kiya. Veer ki ungliyon ki halki si thar-tharahat. Erica ne uske baad dekha — Veer ke chalne ka ek alag dhang.

Veer ruka. Renshu se bas ek qadam ki doori par.

Veer (without raising head) : Renshu! Tumhare paas kitni aur kaun-kaun si skills hai?

'Huh?'

Prashn aise aaya jaise maano shaant jheel me kisi ne bahut bada patthar fek diya ho. Renshu ki bauhe sikud gayi.

Hawa ke chalte Veer ke kapde aise fadfada rahe the jaise maano koi khamosh toofan paida hone ka intezar kar raha tha.

'Ye Veer... Iss tarah ka sawaal kyu kar raha hai achanak se?'

[Apni skills, kisi aur ko bataana. Ye khatarnak hai, Renshu.]

'Lloyd!'

[Kya hoga agar wo hume dhoka dede?]

'Mujhe nahi lagta.'

Veer ne dheere se apna sarr uthaaya. Ab uski aankhon me dard nahi jhalak raha tha. Kuchh aur hi tha. Koi uddeshya.

Veer : Aura Vision, Hawkeye, advanced martial arts, limbo, basic enemy tracker, detoxification, copycat, radio protective, aquatic breathing, tracer. Ye meri kuchh important skills hai. The rest are pretty much useless.

'Huh?'

Renshu ne apni aankhein sikodi. Skills kaafi thi. Sab ki sab ek se badh ke ek. Aur, Veer ne use iske baare me aise bata diya jaise maano woh mausam ka haal-chaal bata raha ho.

Kuchh badla hua tha. Ye Veer ko kya ho gaya tha achanak se?

Renshu ne ek aah bhari.

Renshu (nods) : Theek hai. To suno. Lance of Blaze, Prime Venture Specialist, Rapid Reaction, Commando, Strong Core, Chi Perception, Wushu, Toxin Sleuth, Pigeon Whisperer. Ye hai meri kuchh important skills.

Veer : Are you sure?

Renshu : Kya matlab?

Veer : Kya bas itni hi hai?

Renshu (nods) : Haan! Zaroori waali yahi hai.

Veer : Koi legendary skill nahi?

Renshu : Nahi!

Ek sannaata chhaa gaya.

Aur, fir bina kisi chetaavni ke-

*Whoooooooooooshhh*

'???'

Bijli ki raftaar se ek tez roundhouse kick, Renshu ke chehre ki orr aayi.

Agle hi pal, Renshu ki Rapid Reaction activate hui aur uska shareer sahaj roop se peechhe ki orr jhuk gaya. Veer ki laat ki hawa uski naak pe paas se guzri.

Peechhe khadi Erica ye dekh dang reh gayi. Uske muh se ek ghuti hui cheenkh nikli. Kya tha ye? Kya hua?

Wo dono abhi toh baatein kar rahe the. Fir achanak se ye kya?

Garofano ki aankhon me hari chamak bikhri. Usne ek qadam aage badhaaya.

Idhar, Veer ka perr wapas se zameen par land hua aur land hote hi-

*Ding*

HAWKEYE

Usne apni aedi ke jhatke se ek patthar ko seedha Renshu ki aankh ki orr uchhaal diya.

Renshu ne ek jhatke me apna haath aage kar uss patthar ko pakda. Magar, aankh ki orr aa rahe uss patthar ne ek blind spot bana diya.

Baayi orr se, Veer ka ek mukka tezi se aaya. Lagbhag adrishya.

Renshu ne use pakadne ke liye haath badhaaya.

Lekin,

'Huh?'

Wo nahi aaya.

'Nahi!'

Renshu ki aankhein chaudi ho gayi. Wo ek feint attack tha. Asli humla-

Daayi orr se aa raha mukka. Par, derr ho chuki thi.

Lekin, iske pehle ki Veer apna blow land kar paata, uski kalaayi kisi ne kass kar thaam li.

Garofano.

Garofano (yells) : VEER!!! KYA HO GAYA HAI, TUMHE?

Veer ne dheere se apna sarr ghumaya. Pehli baar usne use dekha. Garofano ne dekha ki uski aankhon me krodh tha.

Veer (yells) : Puchho Renshu se Violet. Isne mujhe bataaya tha. Kitne system holders zinda bache hue hai. Aur, sansaar me total kitne the. Isne mujhe bataaya tha...! Total 30 the. Aur, uss waqt 18! Jaw Long aur Crimson ke jaane ke baad ab shayad 16.

Garofano : ???

Veer : Par, mujhe ye batao...! Kaun si skills system holders ki ginti kar ke deti hai? Iske paas aisi koi si bhi skill nahi hai, Violet.

Garofano ka chehra peela pad gaya. Use bhi iska ehsaas hua. Woh tezi se Renshu ki orr mudi.

Erica vichlit unke paas bhaagte hue aayi.

Erica (panicked) : Rukoooo! Bas, ruk jaaaoo!! Pleeaasee!! Aap dono kyu ladd rahe ho? K-Kya hua??? Dad-!!!

Bechaari ki awaaz fatt rahi thi. Lekin, unme se koi bhi nahi hila. Garofano ne abhi bhi Veer ke haath ko jakda hua tha. Toh wahi, Renshu sthir khada hua tha.

Veer ke haath ne dheere dheere apni mazbooti dheeli ki.

Veer (yells) : JAWAAB DO, RENSHU!

Ek bhaari virham.

Renshu ne ek gehri saans li.

Renshu : Mere paas aisi koi skill nahi hai jo ye kar sakti hai.

Sab wahi jamm ke reh gaye. Siwae, Erica ke. Jisne nazrein glaani ke chalte ferr li.

Garofano : T-To, fir... kaise?

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.
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Aaj ke liye itna hi guys.
This update consists of 9.2k words. Jo kuchh bikhra hua tha, use sameta jayega. Ek ek karke saare puzzles ke pieces ko lagaya jayega. Kuchh leftovers rahenge jinhe aage ke arcs me lagaya jayega. Lekin, kaafi hadd tak clarity mil jayegi iss arc me. Post Disembowler shuru ho chuka hai. Next update bhi isi month ke end me aa jayega. Target mein ab halka sa ghata raha hu, because I know inme zyada kuchh action nahi hai aur na hi ye peak updates hai. So, target is 280 for now. Baaki, keep supporting.
Dhanyavad.

Superb update

 

[Submissive lover]

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