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Incest Baadshah ~ The Tales of Debauchery
- Thread starterWerewolf
- Start date
- 14,404,627
NiceDiwali BonusAb tak...
Update - 189 ~ Exchange at Perth & Pune
Ye ek prakar ka guest house tha jo sarkaar ne filhaal ke liye Madhuri aur uski maa ke liye rent-free niyukt kiya tha.
Par, yaha aate hi Veer ki nazar baahar khade jis shaks par pehle padi, use dekh woh taajub me reh gaya. Aur, Veer hi nahi woh shaks bhi Veer ko dekh bhauchakka reh gaya.
Veer : Tum-!???
Saamne koi aur nahi — Pranjal tha. Jisne Veer ko mask pehna dekh ke bhi pehchaan liya.
Pranjal : Huh??? V-Veer?? Tum-!!!?
Ab aage...
Perth, Australia,
2 years ago ~
"Captain, humne naya base dhoondh liya hai."
Ek ladki haafte hue kamre ke andar aayi aur sofe par baithi apni captain ko dekh boli. Uski aankhon me ek chamak thi. Toh wahi captain lambi-lambi gehri saansein le rahi thi. Uski black leather jacket par ghaav saaf-saaf dikhaayi nahi pad raha tha, magar khoon ki gandh se sab jaayaz tha ki chot kitni gambheer thi.
*Cough* *Cough*
"C-Captain-!!!"
Woh ladki ghabrate hue aage aayi aur usne captain ko sofe se girte-girte bachaate hue apni baahon me thaam liya.
"M-Mein theek hu! Chhoro mujhe-!"
Captain ne ladki ke haath ko hataane ka prayatn kiya lekin, woh ladki na maani. Chot ka jaayza lete hi woh bechain ho uthi.
"N-Nahi! Aap theek nahi ho, Captain! Aap theek nahi ho. Aapki chot gehri hai. Hume hospital chalna hoga."
Tabhi, ek aur ladki andar pravesh ki aur Captain ki haalat dekh uski bauhe sikud gayi.
"Captain! Hume jald se jald ye jagah khaali karni hogi." Woh boli.
"Hmm!" Captain ne haami bhari.
"Mia, tum paagal ho gayi ho kya? Captain ki haalat dekho." Captain ko thaami hui woh pehli ladki chillaayi. "Captain iss haalat me kaise kahi jaa sakti hai?"
"Rosella-!!! Tum jaanti ho na ki humne 'Black Fangs' ke bas 10% gang members ka hi khaatma kiya hai. Jald hi baaki gang members yaha aate hi honge."
Darwaze par khadi Mia ne sthiti ki gambheerta ko samajhte hue kaha.
Rosella : Toh? Toh tum kehna kya chaahti ho? Hum captain ko iss haalat me leke jaaye? Bolo-!!! Agar, humne ek minute bhi ab deri kari na toh-
Mia (frowns) : Tum jaanti ho ki hum hospital nahi jaa sakte. Janta aur government ki nazro me hum ek evil syndicate hai. Bhulo nahi, Rosella! Hospital me jaana matlab apni maut ko bulaava dena. Captain ka treatment Daisy karegi. Jaise woh har baar karti aayi hai.
Rosella (yells) : Captain ka wound gehra hai, stupid Mia. Tum meri baat samajhti kyu nahi ho? Hume jald se jald-
Aur, usne abhi kaha hi tha ki Daisy kamre ke andar bhaagti hui pravesh ki. Uske haatho me ek bada sa suitcase tha jisme medical aid ke liye saari zaroori saamagri rakhi hui thi. Apni captain ki haalat ko dekhte hi Daisy ke honth thar-thara gaye.
Woh daudate hue Rosella aur captain ke nazdeek aayi. Captain ke pait par bade hi ahista se haath ferte hue usne chot ka jaayza liya. Aur, khoon ki maatra aur wound ke gap ko dekhte hi Daisy ki aankhein bhay ke maare fel gayi.
Daisy : Th-This is bad!!! Mia-!! Rosella-!! Jaldi! Jaldi! Captain ko bed par litao. We have no time!!
Aur, Daisy ko ghabrata dekh pehli baar aaj Mia ki dhadkane tez ho gayi. Use gyaat ho gaya ki sthiti kitni gambheer thi. Iske pehle bhi usne apni captain ko ghaayal hote dekha tha. Aur, Daisy hi unn sab ka ilaaj kiya karti thi. Woh unke group ki paramedic thi. Lekin, usne kabhi bhi Daisy ko iss tarah captain ke liye jaldbazi karte nahi dekha tha. Iska matlab saaf tha ki unke captain ki jaan khatre me thi.
Mia (frowns) : Wh-Why did you-!??
Woh apna nichla honth daanto tale zor se kaatate hue captain ko gusse me dekh boli. Captain ne bhi jaise uske iss virodh ko sunn liya. Woh muskurayi aur ahista se boli-
Captain : What? *smiles* Captain hone ke naate ye meri zimmedari thi ki mein group ko lead karu.
Mia (shivers) : Y-You-!!! Why are you always-??? Agar, risk zyada tha toh fall back kar sakte the. Humare paas advantage tha!!! Toh fir kyu???
Captain (grins) : Heh-!
Mia (yells) : Don't laugh, you fucking idiot!!!
Woh apni captain par baras zaroor rahi thi. Lekin, andar hi andar woh kaanp rahi thi. Dar se, gusse se aur bechaini se.
Captain (smiles) : -Kyunki, maine Daisy se promise kiya tha... Ki mein 'Black Fangs' ko uske liye khatm kar ke rahungi.
Daisy jiski aankhon me pehle se hi captain ke ghaav ko dekh aasu umad aaye the, woh ye sunte hi apna sarr utha ke captain ko dekhi, aur aasu uske gaalo se behte hue jhar-jhar kar neeche girne lage.
Daisy (yells) : Idiot, captain-!!! Aap bewakoof ho!!! *sniff* Nahi chaahiye mujhe kuchh bhi. Nahi chaahiye mujhe koi badla. I just want... I just want everyone to be safe.
Unn sab ke yaha hone ka kaaran aaj Daisy hi thi. 'Black Fangs' Australia ki teen sabse badi gangs me se ek thi jo underground mafia ki duniya me mashoor thi. Daisy ka parivar 'Black Fangs' ke kuchh sadasyo dwara hi ujaada gaya tha.
Aur, tab se hi Daisy ek orphan bann ke reh gayi thi. Antatah jab tak ki captain ki nazar uss par na pad gayi. Uss samay jab koi nahi tha, jab woh jeene ki ichha bhi chhor chuki thi, jab woh poori tarah se andhkaar me doob chuki thi. Raushni ki ek akhiri kiran me se ek haath aage badh uski orr aaya.
"Kya tum 'Orphana' se judna chaahogi?"
Aur, iske baad sab kuchh itihaas bann gaya. Daisy ko samajh aaya ki ye faction sirf aur sirf ladkiyo se bhara hua tha. Use ye bhi samajh aaya ki bhala iss group ka naam 'Orphana' kyu tha. Kyunki, sabhi ladkiyaan jo iss group ki sadasya thi — woh anaath thi. Bilkul, uski tarah.
Captain ne use ek naya jeevan diya. 'Orphana' woh group tha jo raasta kho chuki ladkiyo ko unke uddeshya tak pahuchne me madad karta tha. Fir chaahe woh uddeshya unke jeevan ka badla ho, ayyaashi bhari zindagi jeena ho, ya fir kuchh aur. Group ki tamam ladkiyaan ek dusre ke liye samarpit rehti thi aur unke liye apni jaan bhi daav par laga deti thi. Woh sab aapas me hi ek dusre ke liye apna parivar thi.
Daisy ke ateet se poora 'Orphana' waqif tha. Sabhi ye bhi jaante the ki ek na ek din unhe 'Black Fangs' se bhidna hi tha. Aur, aaj wahi din tha.
Unki captain ne aaj bhi leader hone ke naate group ko lead kiya. Gang members ko dher kiya aur unke hideout ko poori tarah se khaali kar diya. Ek bhi 'Orphana' ki sadasya ki jaan nahi gayi. Kyunki, lead karne waali unki captain thi. Na sirf woh ek trained ring boxer thi balki ek honhar sharp-shooter bhi thi, jo adhiktar jokhim aksar apne upar hi leke chalti thi. Aur, isi wajah se aaj — woh ek bullet ka shikaar ho gayi.
Rosella aur Mia ne fatafat Captain ko bed par litaaya aur Daisy turant hi Captain ke emergency treatment par lag gayi. Daisy ke nirdesh anusaar Mia aur Rosella dono hi kamre ke baahar nikal gayi.
Jaha Rosella theek darwaze ke baahar khadi ho gayi toh wahi Mia baahar ki orr chal di. Daisy ko agar kisi bhi cheez ki avashyakta padi toh waha uske liye Rosella thi.
Group me second-in-command hone ke chalte Mia baahar aayi. Ye jagah waqai khatre se khaali nahi thi. Kuchh der pehle hi bheeshan ladaayi ke baad sab kuchh abhi ke liye shaant ho chuka tha. Magar, ye shaanti bas kuchh der ke liye hi thi.
Captain aur tamaam ladkiyon ne vijay toh praapt kar li thi lekin, iss jagah par unka haq nahi tha. Kyunki, woh jaanti thi ki ye ladaayi bas ek shuruat thi.
Kamre ke baahar aate hi Mia ko aadmiyon ki laashe dali hui dikhayi di jinhe thodi der pehle hi unn sab ne milke dher kiya tha. Uske baahar aate hi baaki ladkiyaan uske ird-gird ikhatti ho gayi aur uss par sawaalo ke hamle kar shuru ho gayi.
"Captain kaha hai, Mia? Woh theek toh hai na?"
"Haan? Hum jeet gaye na? Ab yaha se kya?"
"Captain waqai theek hai na? Unhe kuchh hua toh nahi? Aap sab kamre me kyu the? Kuchh batao na!!!"
Mia ne unse kuchh bhi nahi chhipaaya. Unke sawaal khatam hote hi usne vistaar se unhe sab kuchh bataya jiske chalte unn sab ki chintaaye badh gayi.
Mia : Captain kaafi injured hai. Lekin, Daisy unka treatment kar rahi hai. Temporary treatment hote hi hum captain ko leke nazdeek ke hideout me shift honge. Tum sab ne Daisy ke liye medical room hideout me set kar diya?
Ladki 1 : Humne call kar diya hai. Woh sab saara samaan ambulance me rakh kar kuchh der me hideout pahuchti hi hongi.
Mia (nods) : Good-!
Ladki 2 : Par, hume naye hideout me jaane ki kya zaroorat hai, didi? Kya hum sab yaha nahi reh sakte? Ab toh humne inhe thikaane laga hi diya hai na?
Mia : Ye captain ke orders hai. Aur, har baar hum yahi karte hue aaye hai. Yaha hum isliye nahi ruk sakte kyunki ye 'Black Fangs' ka hideout hai. Baaki gang members ko inn logo ne inform kar diya gaya hoga aur woh sab yaha kuchh ghanto me pahuchte hi honge.
Ladki 2 : Humaare puraane hideout ka kya?
Mia : Maine bataya na — Captain ke orders. Kabhi bhi ek hi jagah par zyada der nahi theherna chaahiye.
Ladki 1 : Umm- Mia? Yaha ke resources ka kya?
Mia : Kya kya mila hai?
Ladki 1 : Guns, kuchh explosives, ammunitions, drugs, cash, aur kuchh vehicles.
Mia (nods) : Sab transport karwao. We are taking everything.
Ladki 1 : Hmm!
30 se 40 ye 'Orphana' ki ladkiyaan sab ki sab physical fights aur shooting me trained thi. Na sirf ye combats me maahir thi balki alag-alag kaamo me bhi nipud thi. Koi heavy vehicles chalaane me maahir thi toh koi drug dealings aur smugglings me. Toh wahi 50 se bhi upar jawan nayi ladkiyaan thi jo abhi under-training period me thi. Aane waale samay me 'Orphana' mazboot hone waala tha. Aur, ye tab hi mumkin tha jab-
'Don't you dare die on me... Captain-!!!'
Unke captain ki saansein chalti rahe.
Kuchh hi samay me woh sabhi naye hideout par shift ho chuke the. Captain ke temporary treatment ke baad medical room me Daisy ne surgery bhi kar di thi. Lekin, captain ki haalat abhi bhi gambheer thi. Pehle hi kaafi blood loss ho chuka tha. Mia ne apna blood donate toh kar diya tha magar, captain ki recovery uske weak state ke chalte bahut hi dheemi pad chuki thi.
Daisy rote hue captain ke maathe ko sehla rahi thi. 'Orphana' ke har ek sadasya ke liye unki captain ne kya kuchh nahi kiya tha. Sab ke badle ke liye Captain khushi-khushi apni jaan daav par laga deti thi. Aur, aaj woh sab agar yaha zinda thi toh uska kaaran tha unki — captain. Kintu, unme se koi bhi captain ki swayam ki kahani nahi jaanta tha.
Kyu tha ye 'Orphana group?' Kisne shuru kiya tha? Kya thi unki captain ki kahani? Kya tha unka maqsad? Unme se koi bhi kuchh nahi jaanta tha. Yaha tak ki Mia bhi nahi jo 'Orphana' ki sabse pehli sadasya thi jo captain dwara recruit ki gayi thi.
'What story are you hiding captain? Please!!! Get well soon! Aap yu hume chhor ke nahi jaa sakti. Recover! Please!'
Daisy ne apna kaam kar diya tha. Blood vessels aur organs buri tarah wounded the aur pneumothorax ke chalte oxygen level lagatar ghatata jaa raha tha. Ab sab kuchh recovery ke upar tha. Woh apni taraf se har woh prayas kar rahi thi jo mumkin tha. Lekin-
*Beep* *Beep*
*Beep* *Beep*
Achanak hi ECG monitor me heart rate kaafi kam hota chala gaya. Daisy ghabra ke uth ke baith gayi.
"N-Nooo-!! Captain-!!! Captain-!!!"
Agar, aisa hi chalta raha toh captain shayad aaj apni aakhiri saansein lene waali thi. Captain ko khone ke dar se Daisy itna ghabra gayi ki woh turant ke turant treatment me jutt gayi.
Heart ko temporary pacemaker se connect karne ki zaroorat thi jis se captain ke heart tak low electricity ke jhatke diye jaa sake taaki heart beat karta rahe. Aur, low heart rate ke chalte apna dum na tod de.
Ek ghante ke andar-andar hi Daisy ne temporary pacemaker bhi connect kar diya tha. Woh zoro se haaf rahi thi. Uss bechaari ne apni jee jaan laga di thi.
Ye medical equipment, ye tools, ye machines sab kuchh 'Orphana' ne zaroorat ke waqt ke liye khareede the. Par, agar aaj ye sab unki captain ko bachaane ke kaam na aaye, toh ye sab kis kaam ke reh jaane waale the?
'Don't die-!! Don't die, captain-!!!'
Iske pehle aaj tak Daisy ne kabhi bhi itni shiddat se kisi ke liye dua shayad hi maangi thi. Lekin, uparwaala jaise aaj kuchh aur hi chaahta tha.
*Beeeeeeeeeeeeeepppppp*
"Noooooooooooooo-!!!!!"
Woh itni zorr se cheenkhi ki baahar baithi kuchh ladkiyaan medical room me daakhil ho gayi. Aur, jab woh andar aayi toh unhone dekha ki — ECG monitor me straight line bann ke aa chuki thi.
Mia wahi apne ghutno par gir gayi. Rosella apna muh dhaake kaanpte hue gir padi. Toh wahi Daisy ki cheenkhein kamre me goonjti chali gayi.
*Beeeeeeeeeeeeeepppppp*
Captain ki aankhein humesha-humesha ke liye band ho chuki thi.
***
"Captain!!! Mia aaj bhi aapki Porsche chori chhipe le gayi thi."
"What? N-No way! Bakwas mat karo. Mere paas khud ki BMW hai. Why would I drive her car?"
"Kyunki, tumhe ab Porsche zyada pasand hai. Aur, ab tum woh khareedna chaahti ho. Lekin, captain ko bataane se darrti ho. Haha!"
"Rosella-!! Tum-!! Fine then! Captain! Kal raat aap poochh rahi thi na ki strawberry pie ka last piece kisne khatam kiya? Toh woh ye Rosella hi thi."
"Wh-What?? N-N-No no no no! Captain! Ye jhooth bol rahi hai. Maine toh woh park me ghoomne waali uss cat ko diya tha. I swearrrr-!!!"
"Hey, captain! Kya hum sach me movie dekhne chal rahe hai? Like... Really? Hum sab? Thanks so much!"
"Captain! Daisy ne flower vase tod diya."
"Ahhhn~ N-No! Captain! Woh galti se mera haath lag gaya tha. I'm sorry. Please! M-Mein pay back kar dungi. I promise."
"Lexi aaj bhi drill training ke liye late thi captain. Kya aaj bhi use cars saaf karne ki saza milegi? Waise kuchh dump trucks bahar gande pade hue hai. Hahahahaha-!"
"C-Captain-! W-Woh refrigerator kharab ho gaya hai toh-! Huh? Wait! Aap naya le aayi? Kab?? No wayyyy-!!!"
"Thank you, captain! Aapne mere kehne par unn logo ki madad ki. Jabki woh aapke kuchh lagte bhi nahi the. I'll always remember this."
"Captain! Please, mujhe bhi beauty tips dijiye na. Aapki skin itni achhi kyu hai???"
"Ehh? Y-Ye mere liye? *blushes* P-Par, ye dress toh bahut mehngi hai, captain. O-Ohh! Mera birthday gift? M-Mujhe toh yaad bhi nahi tha. Th-Thank you, captain!"
'Am I... Am I dead?'
'Ye sab yaadein... Mujhe kyu yaad aa rahi hai? Kya isliye ki ab mera waqt aa chuka hai? Mein maut ke qareeb hu isliye? P-Par-!'
'I don't want to die right now. Mujhe abhi bahut kuchh karna tha. Mujhe-'
'I guess... This is the end. I'm sorry, Mia. Mein tumhare liye tumhara maqsad poora nahi karwa paayi. Well, mere baad tum hi 'Orphana' ko aage leke jaogi. And, I believe it will flourish beautifully under your care. I believe in you.'
'This is it... It's time for me to leave now.'
Captain apni zindagi se poorn tarah se santusht toh nahi thi. Lekin, woh khush thi. Kam se kam usne ek neev toh rakh di thi jiske chalte 'Orphana' aage badh sake.
Aur, woh khushi-khushi iss duniya se alvida kehne waali thi jab-
Achanak hi kuchh hua. Uske shareer ne jhatka khaaya aur-
*Ding*
[System has been activated.]
*Beep* *Beep*
*Beep* *Beep*
"A-Ahhhn-!!!"
Daisy hadbadaate hue uthi aur ECG monitor ko check kar Captain ko dekhne lagi. Baaki, sab ka bhi yahi haal tha.
Aur, jab unhe samajh aaya ki unki captain ne unka saath nahi chhora hai toh sabhi khushi ke aasu bahaate hue ek dusre se lipat kar rone lagi.
Par, woh sab ye nahi jaanti thi ki unki captain ki kahani ke raazo me ab ek aur naya raaz jud chuka tha.
Sabse zyada khush thi toh woh thi — Mia. Bhale hi woh ek sakht bartaav rakhne waali sadasya ke roop me jaani jaati thi magar, woh Captain ki sabse qareebi aur sabse puraani sakha thi. 'Orphana' ki pehli sadasya.
Use Captain ki kahi gayi woh baat yaad aa gayi.
"Remember, Mia. Strength is not a weapon. It's a promise — to stand when no one else will."
Aur, aaj use iska arth samajh aa chuka tha. Captain kyu har baar unke liye khadi hoti thi. Kyunki, kabhi woh bhi akeli thi.
'You made it. You made it you idiot...! Thank God!!
***
Back to present,
Somewhere in Perth, Australia,
Evening - 5:05 PM ~
Puraani inhi kuchh yaadon ko yaad kar Captain ghane ped-paudho waale ilaaqo me akele aaj sair kar rahi thi. Inn beetein do saalo me usne lagbhag woh sab kuchh paa liya tha jo woh paana chaahti thi.
'Black Fangs' ka naam-o-nishaan mit chuka tha. 'Orphana' ka naam ab poore Australia me mashoor tha aur sabse badi aur powerful gang ke roop me jaana jaata tha.
Mia se leke aur bhi sadasyo ke jeevan ke uddeshyo ko paane me 'Orphana' ne unki poori sahaayta ki thi. Har guzarte din unka faction taqatvar hota jaa raha tha aur ye sab mumkin ho paaya tha sirf aur sirf unki captain ki wajah se.
System ke aane ke baad, captain poora risk apne upar leke chalti thi. Na sirf sadasyo me uski izzat badh chuki thi balki unke beech aapas me ab pehle se zyada ekta aur nidarta jhalakti thi.
Kintu, captain ek cheez se abhi anibhigya thi. Aur, woh thi-
*Tocotocotocotocotocotoco*
Captain ke kshetra se kuchh hi kilometres door ek helicopter hawa me mandraata hua uske nazdeek badh raha tha. Aur, uske gate par khada ek vyakti apni nazre neeche gadaaye kshetra ka jaayza le raha tha.
Uska chehra kapde se dhaka hua tha aur peeth par teer se bhara ek tarkas latka hua tha.
"Neeche lo!"
Usne pilot ko bina dekhe hi nirdesh diya. Aur, pilot ne haami bhar helicopter ek khaali jagah dekh neeche utaarna shuru kar diya. Helicopter abhi zameen par aaya bhi nahi tha ki woh vyakti helicopter se kooda aur seedhe zameen par land kiya.
Pilot ne copter ko wapas se hawa me upar kiya aur woh waha se nikal gaya. Aur, neeche utarne waala yeh vyakti koi aur nahi — Damian hi tha.
'Remember, Damian! Tumhara kaam uss ladki ko ghaayal karna hai. Stall her! That's it. Behtar hoga agar tum use humari side karne me qamyab hote ho. Lekin, woh nahi aayegi. I can tell. So, just stick to the plan. Aur, agar maamla tumhare haath se nikal jaaye, then you must escape. It's not a death fight. Go now!'
Rebecca ki kahi gayi baat use yaad aayi. Australia ke liye nikalne se pehle yahi baatein Rebecca ne use samjhayi thi. Unhe dhyaan me rakhte hue woh dabe paav aage badha.
Idhar, Captain jangal me ped paudho ke beech apna samay vyateet kar rahi thi. Aksar woh chaandni raato me yaha aasmaan me taaro ke neeche ghaas par laite shaanti mehsoos kiya karti. Use jaanvaro se lagaav tha — vishesh roop se bhediyo se. Aur, aksar yaha woh unke ird-gird hi paayi jaati thi, unse baatein karte hue, unhe khilaate hue, unke saath daudate hue. Use toofano se bhi ek ajeeb sa lagaav tha. Woh unki arajak taaqat me bhi sundarta dhoondhti thi.
Abhi woh jangal ki sundarta ko nihaar hi rahi thi jab-
*Swoosh* *Swoosh* *Swoosh*
Hawa ko cheerte hue kisi cheez ke aane ki dhwani ne use ahaat kiya aur-
*Ding*
HYPER REFLEXIA
Ek jhatke me palatate hue usne apni taraf chhore gaye do teero ko apne haatho se jakad liya.
Door khade uss anjaan vyakti aur uske muh par lipte kapde ko dekhte hi Captain ki aankhein chaudi ho gayi.
Captain (growls) : Y-You-!!! It's you...!
Aur, woh abhi Damian par hamla karne hi waali thi jab Damian ne swayam bolna shuru kiya.
Damian : Captain of the Orphana!!! We meet again-
Captain (growls) : Tumhari himmat kaise hui mere hi continent me aake mujh par peeth peechhe vaar karne ki??
Damian : Mein yaha kuchh samjhaute ke liye hu. I mean no harm!
Captain (yells) : Fuck you!!!
Damian : Kya hum ek dusre se baat kar-
Captain (growls) : SHUT THE FUCK UP! AND, TELL ME... WHERE... IS... THAT... BITCH!!?
Woh gurraate hue boli. Aur, agle hi shan uski aankhon par golden color ki parat chadh gayi.
Captain (growls) : WHERE... IS... SHE???
Damian : Mein yaha sirf baat karne ke liye hu. Uske alawa mein koi bhi details share nahi kar sakta. Par-
Captain : Well, then it doesn't matter. Tumhe qaid me karne ke baad woh bhi yaha daudi-daudi chali aayegi.
Damian : Mujhe nahi lagta ye sahi approach hogi. After all, I'm just a pawn. Agar, mein yaha maara bhi jaata hu toh bhi tumhe kuchh nahi milega.
Captain (sneers) : Hmph! A lapdog indeed. Lekin, tumhara past shayad sab kuchh baya kar dega.
Damian : That'll depend on your capability.
*Whoooosh*
Agle hi shan Captain apni jagah se gaayab hui aur palak jhapakte hi woh Damian ke theek peechhe thi. Uski raftaar dekhte hi Damian ki aankhein hairaani me fel gayi. Captain ka perr Damian ke sarr ko dhad se alag karne ke liye hawa ko cheerte hue aaya.
Magar, Damian ne turant hi duck kar liya. Laat uske baalo ko chhoote hue nikli. Damian ne jhukte hi apni kamar par khusi ek knife blade nikaali aur bina peechhe dekhe hi usne apna haath chala diya. Magar, Captain blade dekhte hi peechhe ko hatt gayi.
[He's an agile assassin.]
Captain ke mann me ek aadmi ki awaaz goonji. Zaahir hai ye uske system ki awaaz thi.
'Agile assassin?'
[Hmm! Woh assassin jo aksar apni speed par rely karta hai. Dusre shabdo me, woh tumse physically weak ho sakta hai. Lekin, speed me tumse aage ho sakta hai. Isliye, sambhal ke-]
'Hmm!'
Haami bharte hue iss baar Captain Damian ko upar se neeche tak parakhne lagi. Damian chup-chaap utha aur palatate hue usne firse wahi kaha.
Damian : I mean no harm captain. Mujhe sirf aur sirf baat karni hai.
Iss baar Captain ne apni aankhon se sunehre rang ki parat ko hataaya aur woh kuchh sochte hue boli.
Captain : State your purpose.
Damian : Join us!
Captain : Huh?
Damian : Tum meri senior se milna chaahti ho. Hai na? Toh hume join kyu nahi karti? Mein tumhe vachan deta hu ki agar tum hume join karti ho toh mein tumhari meeting senior se zaroor karwaunga.
Captain (sneers) : That bitch?? Hmph! Shayad, tum abhi bhi theek se samjhe nahi. I'm a free bird. Duniya ki koi bhi taaqat mujhe apne ishaare par nachaane ke liye majboor nahi kar sakti. Woh aurat aur tum aapas me mile hue ho ye toh mein jaan gayi hu. Lekin, mujhe ye jaanana hai ki woh bitch uss raat waha kar kya rahi thi???
Damian : ...
Captain : Heh! Toh tumhare paas iska koi jawaab nahi?
Damian : ...
Captain : Mein jaanti thi ye conversation fizool hi hai. Jab tak mein tumhe apna bandhi nahi bana leti tab tak mere haath kuchh bhi nahi lagega.
Kehte hue uski aankhein punah sunehre rang se chamak uthi.
Damian : Humara yaha ladna faydemand saabit nahi hoga, Captain.
Captain (takes stance) : Time will tell.
Damian : Mein jaanta hu ki tum itni powerful kaise ho paayi ho. 'Orphana' ke sadasyo ki wajah se.
Sunte hi pal bhar ke liye Captain ki bauhe sikudi.
Damian : Jitne zyada orphans tumhe mile, utne hi zyada missions bhi tumhe mile honge. Jinhe baari-baari tum complete karti gayi aur 'Orphana' ke saath-saath tum bhi taqatvar hoti chali gayi. Mein sahi keh raha hu na?
Captain : Tch-!!
Woh gusse me Damian ko dekhi. Iss ladke ko bahut kuchh pata tha.
Damian : Par, kya hoga agar wahi 'Orphana' ke sadasyo ka khaatma kar diya jaaye?
*Booooooooooooooommmmm*
Palak jhapakte hi jidhar Damian khada hua tha waha ki dharti ke chithde udd gaye aur Damian sahi samay par peechhe kood gaya warna ye vaar use sach me ghaayal kar diya hota.
Captain ki laat zameen ke andar dhas chuki thi. Aur, aas paas ki zameen ke chithde bikhar chuke the.
Gussail aankhon se usne apna sarr upar kar Damian ko ghoora.
Captain (growls) : YOU DARE?
Damian : I WOUL-
*Booooooooooooooommmmm*
Damian ke bagal se laga ped beech se hi ukhad gaya aur vishaal vraksh badi hi asaani se do tukdo me batt ke neeche dharashayi ho gaya.
Pakshiyo ka shor ho utha aur aas paas ke jeev jantu khatra mehsoos kar waha se bhaag uthe. Aur, iss baar Damian ko bodh hua. Bodh ki woh apne saamne khadi iss captain se bhidne ke liye taiyaar nahi tha. Agar, woh bhida toh use apne qamyab hone ke koi bhi asaar nazar nahi aa rahe the.
Par, yahi uska maqsad bhi tha. Rebecca ne use Captain ko vyast rakhne ke liye kaha tha. Aur, ho sake toh ghayal karne ke liye.
Damian yaha se khaali haath nahi laut sakta tha. Aur, uske baad shuru hua waha ek ghamasan yuddh. Do system holders aapas me takraaye.
Woh sundar jagah tabaah hoti chali gayi. Ped paudhe nasht hote gaye toh wahi zameen ujadti chali gayi. Unn dono ki ladaayi waha ke jeevan ko khatam kar rahi thi.
Magar, Captain ke upar gussa sawaar tha. Damian ke explosive arrows ho ya fir feint attacks. Captain ne woh sab kuchh apne upar liya. Zaahir hai woh kayi hamlo ka shikaar ho chuki thi.
Uske badan se jagah-jagah se khoon beh raha tha aur pait me kaafi gehri chot bhi aayi thi. Lekin, iss se bura haal tha Damian ka.
Jiska sarr zameen ke andar dhasa hua tha aur Captain ka joota jo theek uski khopdi ke upar rakha hua tha. Captain lambi-lambi gehri saansein le rahi thi. Magar, woh iss ladke ko haraane me qamyab thi.
Usne jhukte hue Damian ke sarr ke baal pakde aur ek haath se hi uske shareer ko baalo se jakadte hue uthaaya. Woh dusre haath se uske muh par se woh naqaab hataane jaa rahi thi jab-
Damian : I told you...!
Captain : ???
Damian : It wouldn't end well if we fought. You forced me to do this-
Captain : Huh-!???
Turant hi Captain ko khatra mehsoos hua. Aur, jis hisaab se Renshu kabhi Damian ki hidden blades ka shikaar hua tha. Wahi Captain ke saath bhi hua.
Teen badi blades jo pattiyo ke neeche bikhri chhipi hui dali thi. Shan bhar me hi Damian ne unhe hidden wires se kheencha aur-
'Shit-!!!'
Par, bahut der ho chuki thi.
*Squelch* *Squelch* *Squelch*
Iske pehle ki Captain waha se hatt paati. Woh teeno blades peechhe se uske shareer me aake dhas gayi.
"Blurgh-!!!"
Captain ke muh se dher saara khoon beh ke neeche gira. Internal bleeding.
[It's critical. End this quickly.]
Captain ke mann me uske system ki awaaz aayi. Aur, Damian jo soch raha tha ki ab Captain kamzor pad ke gir jayegi toh uske armaano par paani fir gaya. Aur, maathe par pehli baar ab shikan ke chalte paseene ki boondein umad aayi.
"YOU MOTHERFUCKER-!!!!"
Captain ne itni zor se dahaad lagaayi ki Damian ke baal uski awaaz maatra se lehra gaye. Woh Captain ki jakdan me abhi bhi tha. Aur, iska bodh hote hi woh bhaagne ki koshish kiya. Magar, sab fizool. Pehli baar aaj use dar mehsoos hua.
Agle hi pal Captain ka daaya haath zor se thar-tharaane laga. Damian ne dekha ki Captain ke haath ki nasey achanak hi foolne lagi thi. Ek bura sanket. Lag raha tha jaise maano khoon ka sanchaar tezi se mutthi ki orr ho raha tha. Captain ki kasi hui mutthi itni laal pad chuki thi aisa lag raha tha maano use gehre laal rang se pot diya gaya ho.
Damian ghabraya. Teen-teen blades ke shareer me khuse hone ke bawajood Captain aakhir use chhor kyu nahi rahi thi? Inn sab ke baad bhi uske andar itni urja kaise bachi hui thi?
Lekin, ye sab woh zyada der na soch paaya. Kyunki, palak jhapakte hi-
Captain ki kasi hui mutthi seedhe uske chehre ki orr aayi aur-
*Ding*
BANE BLAST
*Booooooooooooooommmmm*
Aur, uske baad Damian ko kuchh na samajh aaya. Use halka mehsoos ho raha tha. Drishya badi hi tezi se uske saamne se badalte jaa rahe the. Use samajh aaya ki woh hawa me udd raha tha.
Uske muh ke baayi orr garam sa ehsaas use ho raha tha. Hawa me hi udte hue usne apna haath le jaate hue udhar chhiya toh paaya ki-
Uske chehre ka kuchh hissa gayab ho chuka tha. Darr! Jo pehli baar usne kaafi samay baad mehsoos kiya. Chehre par se 15% maans udhad ke nikal chuka tha. Woh apne gaal ki haddi ko bhi chhee paa raha tha.
Aur, iske pehle ki woh kuchh aur soch paata, uska shareer ek ped se bhidte hue dhadaam se neeche gir gaya. Uska system turant hi blood loss ko rokne ke liye kaam par lag gaya.
Woh jaanta tha ki agar woh yaha ruka toh uski maut nishchit thi. Khoon ke rukte hi woh waha se uth palta aur jaise-taise kar waha se bhaaga. Toh wahi jangal ke andar Captain ki haalat bhi kuchh theek nahi thi.
Teen-teen blades uske shareer me dhasi hui thi. Woh jaanti thi ki agar usne blades nikaali toh blood loss bahut zyada ho jayega. Woh apne ghutno par giri. Ab exhaustion hit kar raha tha.
Jhatse phone nikaalte hue usne ek SOS signal bheja. Aur, 'Orphana' ki second-in-command leader, Mia ko jaise hi ye message mila woh Daisy aur ek team leke seedhe uss location ke liye ravaana ho gayi.
[You did well. Rest. I will help you to alleviate the pain.]
Behoshi me jaane se pehle, Captain bas halke se muskurayi. Aur, ahista se mann me hi boli-
'Thanks... Zero...!'
[Don't mention it.]
***
Government allotted ward,
Pune, Afternoon - 12:30 PM ~
Sarkari ward ki shaanti tab bhang hui jab ek zor ki awaaz uske aangan me goonj gayi.
Pranjal itni zor se ladkhadaya ki paani se bhare containers se jaake jaa bhida. Woh zor se zameen par gira aur unme bhara thanda paani uske poore badan ko bhigo diya. Uski peeth dard aur thand ke maare kaanpne lagi aur usne ek karaah bhari.
"Aarghh!"
Woh chillaaya, baithne ke liye sangharsh karte hue, apni bagal thaame, uska gussa ubaal maarne laga.
Pranjal : Tujhe kya lagta hai ki mein tujhe jaanta nahi? Haan, Veer??? Tujhe lagta hai ki tu uss mask ke peechhe apne chehre ko chhipa sakta hai?? Mujhe pata hai ki ye tu hai!!
Woh gurraaya. Uski awaaz me krodh aur hataasha mishrit thi.
Kuchh hi qadam ki doori par khade Veer ne koi jawaab nahi diya. Uska lamba sudol, prabhavshali shareer aur uske chehre ko chhipaaya hua kaala mask ek khatre ki anubhooti de raha tha. Woh Pranjal ko badi hi khamoshi se dekh raha tha.
Yaha aate hi Pranjal ne ek shan me use pehchaan liya tha. Woh sab kuchh bhool sakta tha par Veer ki shaqal nahi. Mask ke peechhe bhi usne Veer ko yuhi pehchaan liya tha. Woh bhadka aur Veer ki beizzati kar uss par shabdo ke vaar kar shuru ho gaya. Kintu, jaise hi uske muh se gaali nikli, nateeja saamne tha.
Pranjal ko uska apmaan yaad aa gaya. Kaise Veer ne uska sarr commode me ghusedte hue use peeta tha.
Pranjal (yells) : Tu... Teri hi wajah se aaj mera ye haal hai. Teri hi wajah se mujhe ghar se nikaal diya gaya. Tune meri zindagi barbaad kar di.
Usne uthate hue neeche zameen par thooka. Uski awaaz aakrosh se kaanp rahi thi.
Pranjal (screams) : Tujhe yaad hai na? Bhosdike-!!! Tu... Tune mujhe humiliate kiya tha. Yaad hai na tujhe?? Mein bhoola nahi hu. Ek na ek din, mein tujhe uska dus guna chukaunga, Veer-!!!
Shor ke chalte, dekhte hi dekhte waha bheed ikhatta ho gayi. Ward me panaah le rahe log bhi baahar nikal kar aake tamasha dekhne lage. Par, kisi ne dakhal dene ki himmat nahi ki.
Pranjal ke bol sunn peeche door khadi Ava Veer ko dekhti rahi. Usne Pranjal ko check kar ye toh pata laga liya tha ki ye Veer ka cousin bhai tha. Aur, ye bhi ki unn dono ke beech shuru se hi bair thi. Magar, asal kahani kya thi? Iss se Ava anibhigya thi. Veer ke baare me woh sab kuchh jaanana chaahti thi. Kya soch raha tha woh iss waqt? Kya chal raha hoga uske mann me abhi?
Kintu, Veer khamosh tha. Mask ke peechhe uske chehre par koi bhaav nahi the. Uski nazre Pranjal par hi tiki hui thi. Aur, uski yahi khamoshi Pranjal ko aur bhi zyada bhadka rahi thi.
Pranjal (yells) : Jawaab de mujhe-!!! Tu yaha kya kar raha hai?? Tujhe kya lagta hai ki tu jab chaahe mere raaste ke beech aake meri zindagi barbaad kar sakta hai? Aur, mein bas khade-khade tamasha dekhta rahunga?? Nahi Veer! Nahi! Ye teri galat fehmi hai! Tu... Kuchh nahi. Tu kuchh bhi nahi! Tu sirf ek panoti hai, Veer. Sirf aur sirf ek panoti!!!
[ENOUUUGHHHH-!!!! ENOUGH!!! I'LL SKIN HIM ALIVE!!! HOW DARE HE DISRESPECT YOU?? ISS DO KAUDI KE LADKE KI AUKAAT KAISE HUI MERE SAAMNE MASTER KI BEIZZATI KARNE KI? I'LL KILL HIM! KILL HIM, MASTER!! LET'S KILL THIS BASTARD GERM!!!]
Aur, hamesha ki tarah shaant rehne waali Pari ne bhi apna aapa kho diya. Woh sab kuchh bardaasht kar sakti thi par apne master ki beizzati nahi. Crimson se bhidte waqt jab Veer apna balidaan dene jaa raha tha, uss shan se hi Pari ki iss personality ke dil me Veer ke liye ek alag hi jagah bann chuki thi. Toh aise me agar koi aera-gaira vyakti uske hi saamne uske master ki beizzati kare, toh woh bhala kaise bardaasht kar sakti thi?
Pranjal (yells) : Jawaab de gaandu! Kyu aaya tu yaha-
Veer ka rukh badla. Uski maanspeshiyo me tanaav spasht hua, aur ek akasmat, tez chaal ke saath, usne uske aur Pranjal ke beech ki doori ko kam kar diya. Pranjal ko samajh hi nahi ki kab aur kaise, par uske jabde par ek tez jhatka laga aur agle hi pal woh keechad me tha.
"Argh-!! Kameene-!!!"
Woh zorr se cheenkha. Jaise hi woh uthne ko hua toh Veer ke ek aur tez aur nirdayi prahaar se uske shabd uske muh me hi reh gaye. Woh waapas zameen par gir pada. Aur, ab poore shareer me dard fel chuka tha.
Wahi khadi Divya bhi ye sab kuchh dekhte hue hairat me thi. Veer ke ateet aur uski family ke baare me use koi jankaari nahi thi. Pranjal jis tarah se Veer par aarop par aarop lagaate hue use gaaliyaan bak raha tha woh jaan chuki thi ki unn dono ke beech 36 ki aakda tha. Lekin, woh ab iss ghatna ko aur aage badhne nahi de sakti thi.
Divya (yells) : Enough!!!
Usne apni ID nikaalte hue Pranjal ko peechhe rehne ka ishaara kiya. Woh yaha Madhuri aur uski maa se milne ke liye aayi thi. Na ki kisi ke personal matters handle karne. Aur, Divya ko ye zara bhi pasand nahi aaya ki Veer ko koi iss tarah se sab ke saamne beizzat kare.
Divya : Divya Dhawan, a special agent from FBCC. Iske pehle ki mein action lu, lower your guard and leave this place as soon as possible.
Magar, ID se bina prabhavit hue hi Pranjal iss baar Divya par bhi bhadak utha.
Pranjal : Special agent? Lawde ki special agent!!! Behanchod! Tumhe lagta hai mujhe FBCC Ya LGCC se koi matlab hai?
Usne apni aasteen ko jhatkaar kar saaf karte hue kaha.
Pranjal : Tum sab Veer ke saath mili ho. Kyu be, Veer? Hai na? Bol kitne me khareeda tune ise? Iss baar tu kya karne ki soch raha hai? Jawaab de-!!!
Divya ki aankhein sikudi aur usne tezi se apni handgun nikaal Pranjal par taan di.
Divya : Say another word, and I promise you, you'll regret it.
Iss baar Pranjal ke muh se kuchh na nikla. Handgun dekhte hi woh stabdh reh gaya. Aur, bas wahi nahi tha. Waha maujood tamaam log Divya ke haath me handgun dekhte hi sakpaka ke reh gaye.
Toh wahi iss shor-sharaabe ke chalte, pehli manzil ki balcony me Madhuri aur uski maa, Lalita apne kamre se baahar nikal kar aayi. Jab Madhuri ne neeche dekha toh uski aankhein chaudi ho gayi. Neeche, Divya apni bandook liye nishaana saadhe hue thi; Veer, naqabposh aur khamosh, uski chhavi sthir thi; Aur Pranjal, bheega hua, ast-vyast aur chotil.
Madhuri (murmurs) : K-Kaun...!?
Woh fus-fusayi. Neeche khade shakso me se use Veer ki chhavi dekh ek ajeeb sa apnapann sa mehsoos hua. Uski maa ne dheere se uske kandhe par haath rakha, anishchit, ki unhe neeche jaana chaahiye ya nahi?
Aur, idhar Madhuri ke saamne aate hi Pranjal ki nazre uss par tik gayi. Uska gussa jaise kahi gaayab ho gaya, uski jagah ek narm aur laalsa bhara bhaav janm le liya.
Pranjal (murmurs) : M-Madhuri...
Woh budbudaya, uski awaaz bamushqil hi sunane laayak thi. Divya aur Veer ko nazar-andaaz kar woh ek qadam ladkhadate hue aage badha.
Madhuri, Veer ko uske mask ke kaaran pehchanane me asamarth thi. Uski nigaahein teen logo ke beech ghoom rahi thi. Jaise hi woh punaah Veer ko dekhi, use laga jaise usne pehle kahi iss shaks ko dekha hai, kintu yaddaasht dhundhli ho rakhi thi. Woh yaad karne ke liye bechain thi, magar woh yaddasht beetein varsho ki yaado ke neeche kahi dabi hui thi.
Madhuri : M-Maa-! Maa, neeche chalo! Jaldi!
Woh agle hi shan neeche ko bhaagi, use uss shaks ke baare me jaanana tha aur uski maa use neeche jaata dekh ghabra uthi.
Lalita : Madhu!!! Madhu, ruk! Madhu!!
Kuchh hi palo me sab ek-dusre ke saamne the. Veer ke saamne jaise hi Madhuri aayi, uski aankhein use dekh narm pad gayi. Iss ladki se use kaafi pehle hi maafi maang leni chaahiye thi. Par, use kabhi iska mauka nahi mil paaya.
Na uss din Veer Madhuri par bhadakta, na woh ro ke bhaagti, na Pranjal aur Madhuri ke beech ki dosti tootati aur na hi Pranjal uske prati ye bhavnaaye rakhta.
[Oh, achha? Aur, fir aap mujhe kaise milte?]
Pari ne jaise uske mann ki baatein ko padh liya. Veer mann hi mann muskuraya. Pari sahi thi. Jo hona tha woh ho gaya. Ab yaha se cheezon ko kaise sambhaalna tha ye uske haath me tha.
Divya ne jab Madhuri aur Lalita ko neeche aate dekha toh woh Madhuri ko dekh ke hi pehchaan gayi. Yaha aane se pehle report me usne sab kuchh padha tha aur victim ke parivar jano ki photos uske dimaag me baithi hui thi.
Divya : Madhuri?
Madhuri : Ahn?? J-Ji??
Divya (holsters gun) : Mein Divya Dhawan, ek special agent FBCC se. Mujhe aap se aur aapki maa se aapke pita ki hatya ko leke kuchh zaroori baat-cheet karni hai.
Madhuri (nods) : J-Ji-! A-Aaiye!
Madhuri ke mann me kayi sawaal the. Woh Veer aur Pranjal ke baare me poochhna chaahti thi. Lekin, uski himmat nahi hui kuchh bhi kehne ki.
Jab Veer aur Divya Madhuri ke peechhe-peechhe jaane lage toh Pranjal bhi unke peechhe aane laga lekin Divya turant hi ruki aur uski orr dekhi, jaise poochhna chaah rahi ho ki tum bhala kaha chale aa rahe ho?
Pranjal iske pehle ki kuchh keh paata ki itne me Veer ne Divya ko rok diya.
Veer : Let him...!
Divya : Huh?? P-Par, Veer? Ye serious matter hai aur-
Veer : It's okay! Mein zimmedari leta hu.
Divya (sighs) : Agar, tum kehte ho toh... Theek hai!
Divya ek aur paini nazar Pranjal par maarte hue upar ko chali gayi. Pranjal ne bhi iss baar Veer ki peeth ko dekha. Na jaane kya soch raha tha woh. Ava uske theek bagal se nikli lekin, achanak hi-
*Swish*
"Aaaaaaahhh!"
Ava ne apni hidden knife nikaalte hue hawa me ghumaayi toh Pranjal dar ke maare ek qadam peechhe ho gaya. Upar se neeche tak Ava ne use ek pal ke liye dekha, jaise use kisi prakaar se savdhaan kar rahi thi. Aur, fir woh bhi upar chali gayi.
Sabhi Madhuri ke iss niwaas sthaan ke andar baithe hue the siwae Ava ke jo kamre ke theek baahar apne haath mode deewar se tik ke khadi hui thi aur sab kuchh sunn paa rahi thi. Pranjal ki zimmedari Veer ne le li thi toh Divya ko uski chinta karne ki zaroorat hi nahi thi. Aur, fir shuru hua sawaalo ka silsila.
Divya : Waise toh police ne saari jankaari le hi li hogi. Par, fir bhi mein ek baar aap dono se personally baat karna chaahti thi. Aap ko koi aitraaz toh nahi?
Madhuri : J-Ji nahi! Poochhiye na!
Woh boli. Ek sarsari nigaah usne Veer par maari jo khidki ke paas apne haath mode khada hua tha. Ek aasha jaagi ki kaash woh uske mask ke peechhe ke uss chehre ko dekh paati.
Divya : Dekhiye! Mein sadharan police karmchari nahi hu. Mein FBCC se hu. Ek International crime control agency. Toh aap jitna mujhe khul kar sab kuchh batayengi, cheezein utni hi aapke liye behtar saabit ho sakti hai.
Madhuri : M-Mein kuchh samjhi nahi.
Divya : Matlab ye ki, jo kaam police nahi kar sakti, woh mein chutkiyo me karwa sakti hu. Toh, aap ko kuchh bhi chhipaane ki zaroorat nahi hai.
Madhuri aur Lalita, dono ne ek dusre ko dekha.
Madhuri : J-Ji! Poochhiye!
Uske baad Madhuri ne woh sab kuchh bataaya jo woh bataana chaahti thi. Aur, jo pehle bhi bata chuki thi.
Divya : Hmm! Toh aapka kehna hai ki Prabhakar ji ki pehle kisi se bair thi aur usi ke kaaran unhe kaafi nuksaan bhi hua tha, right?
Madhuri (nods) : J-Ji! Lekin, uss aadmi ka haath iske peechhe nahi hai. Police ne iski chhaan-been kar li hai.
Divya : Hmm! Toh, fir? Aapko kya lagta hai?
Madhuri : Pita ji ki iske alawa aur koi dushmani nahi thi. Toh, mera anumaan do cheezon par hai.
Divya : Aur, kya hai woh?
Madhuri : Pehla toh yahi ki- ho sakta hai police ko uss aadmi ne paise khila ke chup kara diya ho. Aur, wahi iss sab ke peechhe ho?
Divya : Hmm! Interesting! Aur, dusra anumaan?
Madhuri : Mujhe nahi pata.
Divya : Hmm?
Madhuri : Mera matlab hai, ho sakta hai ki inn sab ke peechhe kuchh aur hi ho. Kisi aur ka hi haath ho jiske baare me mein aur maa nahi jaante.
Divya : Ohh?
Divya ne ek pal Veer ko dekha. Fir, jaise use kuchh yaad aaya aur usne apna sawaal ghumaate hue poochha.
Divya : Kya aapke pita koi medical condition ka shikaar the kya? I mean, koi beemari? Ya koi tests wagarah karwaate the?
Madhuri : Huh? N-Nahi! Pita ji poori tarah se swasth the. Unhe koi beemari nahi thi.
Divya : Abhi unhone kabhi koi blood tests wagarah karwaaye the kya?
Madhuri : N-Nahi! Agar, woh karwaate toh hume iss baare me zaroor pata hota.
Divya : Kisi doctor se unka koi sampark?
Madhuri : N-Nahi! Jaha tak mujhe yaad hai, humara koi family doctor nahi tha. Pita ji doctors ke paas kabhi jaate hi nahi the. Beemaar padte the toh aksar medical ki shops se mein hi unke liye dawayi laaya karti thi. P-Par, kya hua? Aap ye sab-
Divya : Nahi! Kuchh nahi! Bas yuhi poochha.
Ek baar fir Divya ne Veer ko dekha. Veer ne haami bhari. Aur, Madhuri iss baar apni ichhaa daba nahi paayi.
Madhuri (glances) : K-Kya, maine aapko pehle kahi dekha hai? K-Kya hum ek dusre se kabhi mile hai?
Veer : Hmm?
Divya : ???
Madhuri : Kya mein aapka chehra dekh sakti hu?
Divya : I-I'm sorry lekin woh mere saath hai. Aur, undercover agents ko-
Par, pata nahi Veer ko kya soojha usne bina kuchh kahe hi apna mask utaar diya. Jaha Pranjal Veer ka chehre dekhte hi mann hi mann apne sahi anumaan par garv kar raha tha toh wahi Madhuri Veer ka chehra dekhte hi ek gehri saans kheechne par majboor ho gayi.
Use fauran hi yaad aa gaya ki usne Veer ko kaha dekha tha. Woh sahi thi. Woh uss se mili thi. Delhi me... Jab woh ek ladke ke saath uski girlfriend ka naatak kar ke uske saath dinner par gayi thi. Tab, uski mulaqat Veer se hui thi.
Madhuri (stands up) : Ahn! A-Aap toh wahi-!!!
Pranjal ne jab ye dekha toh woh taajub me reh gaya. Yahi haal Divya aur Lalita ka bhi tha.
Madhuri : M-Mujhe yaad hai. Mujhe yaad hai. Aapne hi mujhe apna woh coat diya tha na? Aapko yaad aaya kuchh? M-Mein wahi ladki hu. Kuchh yaad aaya.
Veer uski masoom si bholi soorat dekh use niraash nahi karna chaahta tha. Toh, usne haami bhari.
Veer (nods) : Bilkul! Mujhe yaad hai.
Madhuri : Ahhn-!! M-Maa-!!!
Lalita : K-Kya hua beta??
Mauka dekhte hi Pranjal bhi uth khada hua.
Pranjal : M-Madhuri...! T-Tumhe Veer yaad hai???
Madhuri : Huhh? V-Veer???
Akasmat hi ye naam Madhuri ke dimag me khatka.
Pranjal : M-Mein Pranjal, Madhuri! T-Tumhe kuchh yaad aaya? Pranjal! Mein, Pranjal! Yaad karo! Bachpan me hum saath khela karte the. Yaad aaya? Tum mere ghar aati thi. Tum boycut rakhti thi tab. Kuchh... Kuchh yaad aaya?
Madhuri unn yaadon ko kabhi nahi bhool sakti thi. Kyunki, wahi shayad uske jeevan ki aakhiri achhi yaadein thi. Woh samay jab uska parivar khush tha, ghar me shaanti, samridhhi aur daulat barkarar thi. Unn palo ko woh chaah ke bhi nahi bhool sakti thi. Use yaad aaya ki uske saamne khada ye ladka wahi Pranjal thi. Par, ek minute-!?
Pranjal ke kuchh shan pehle kahe gaye shabd uske mann me goonje. Tumhe Veer yaad hai? Iska matlab-
Woh jhatse Veer ki orr palti. Bachpan se hi woh Veer se dosti karna chaahti thi lekin, Veer kabhi uss se baat nahi karta tha. Akhiri baar jab usne use ladka samajhte hue dhutkaar ke bura bhala kaha tha toh woh ro ke bhaag aayi thi.
Uss bechari ko khud ko nahi pata tha ki woh Veer se dobaara kabhi nahi mil paayegi. Agle kayi dino tak woh ro ro ke apni raatein guzara karti. Aur, aaj wahi Veer aur Pranjal uske saamne the.
Par, kaise waqt pe? Jab uska parivar ek taaza khabar bann chuka tha. Uske pita ka qatl kar diya gaya tha, police ka aana jaana laga tha, aur rehne ke liye khud ka ghar tak nahi tha.
Uski aankhon se aasu jhar-jhar kar behne lage.
Madhuri : T-Tum...!? Tum wahi V-Veer ho?
Veer : *smiles*
Madhuri : M-Mujhe pehchaana? *sniff* M-Mein Madhuri-!! Wahi-!! Tum jis se door bhaagte the. *sniff* Y-Yaad hai na?
Veer (nods) : Mujhe yaad hai. Mujhe maaf kar dena, Madhuri. Maine tumhe uss waqt ladka samajh ke-
Par, uske bol adhoore reh gaye jab achanak hi Madhuri seedhe uske seene se aa lagi. Aur, Pranjal ki aankhein ye dekhte hi phatne ko baahar aa gayi.
[That's what you get you bastard!!! Master! Make her yours! Kiss her!!!]
Veer jitna Madhuri ki hug se hairaan tha, uss se kahi zyada woh Pari ke iss agressive behaviour se taajub me tha. Ye Pari ko kya ho gaya tha?
Par, Pranjal ko apne daant meesne ka mauka hi nahi mila kyunki, Madhuri turant hi Veer ke haath ko apne haath me daal uski orr aayi aur dusre haath se uske haath ko bhi apne haath me daal li.
Lalita : M-Madhu? Y-Ye sab kya???
Madhuri : M-Maa! *sniff* Tumhe yaad hai na jab hum Mumbai me rehte the? Tab mein pados me bade se ghar me khelne jaaya karti thi?
Lalita ko kuchh dhundhli yaadein yaad aayi.
Madhuri : Inke yaha bihi ka ek bada sa ped bhi tha aangan me. Yaad karo?
Aur, Lalita ko sab kuchh yaad aa gaya.
Lalita : H-Haan! Yaad aaya. Manorath ji karke rehte the waha ek. Bahut hi sajjan log the.
Madhuri : Y-Ye usi ghar se hai, maa. Y-Ye Pranjal! A-Aur, ye Veer. Mein aake tumhare saamne roti thi na? Tumko bataati thi ki Veer mujhse dosti nahi karta. *sniff* Y-Ye wahi Veer hai.
Use dekh ke samajh nahi aa raha tha ki kya kahe. Uski aankhon se aasu beh rahe the par hontho par muskaan bhi saji hui thi. Lalita ko jab sab yaad aaya toh woh bhi aage badh ke aayi aur unn dono ke sarr sehlaane lagi.
Divya aur Ava dono hi hairat me bas sab kuchh ghatit hota hua dekh rahi thi. Pranjal aur Veer ki nazre aapas me takrayi. Par, jis tarah se Madhuri unke beech me hoke unhe thaami hui thi woh dono hi khamosh rahe. Pranjal toh iss ehsaas me kho chuka tha. Madhuri uske bagal se thi. Baar-baar uski nazre unn dono ke bandhe hue haath par jaa rahi thi.
Uske baad sab kuchh vistaar se bataya gaya. Pranjal ne bataya ki woh yaha par kyu aaya tha. Inn beetein dino me usne kuchh paiso ka jugaad kiya tha. Woh yaha pehle hi aa chuka hota. Magar, Karunesh ne use paise dene se inkaar kar diya tha.
Majbooran, use idhar-udhar se paise jugaadne pade. Aur, isi chakkar me use kayi din lag gaye. Aaj ki tareekh me bhi uske paas 30-40 hazaar hi the bas. Aur, woh ye sab Madhuri ke liye laaya tha.
Jab Madhuri ne neeche hui ghatna ka zikra kiya toh uss vishay par dono Veer aur Pranjal khamosh reh gaye.
Madhuri : B-Batao na! Y-Ye neeche kya chal raha tha? Tumhare kapde itne gande kaise ho gaye? A-Aur, aap iss par bandook kyu taani hui thi?
Divya : Aap iss se hi kyu nahi poochhti?
Madhuri : P-Pranjal! Jawab do! Kya hua tha?
Pranjal : K-Kuchh nahi, Madhuri! Y-Ye humare beech ka maamla hai. Mein tumhe fursat se sab bataunga. Abhi yaha se chalo. Tumne bataya na abhi ki ye sthaan tumhe bas kuchh dino ke liye mila hai? Toh chalo yaha se. Mumbai chalo mere saath.
Lalita : Mumbai? Beta, Pune me hi hume ghar nahi mil paa raha hai. Hum Mumbai me kaha rukenge?
Pranjal : M-Mein uski vyavastha karta hu, aunty. Aap fiqr mat kijiye. Aur, aap bhi toh dar rahi ho na? Aapne bataya tha thodi der pehle ki aapko jis aadmi par shaq hai, woh aapko nuksaan pahucha sakta hai. Yaha rehna khatre se khaali nahi hai. Aap chaliye mere saath.
Lalita : Par, beta rehna, khaana, ye sab-
Pranjal : M-Mein dekh lunga na, aunty. Aap chaliye toh-
Madhuri : N-Nahi Pranjal! Shukriya. Lekin, h-hum aise bina kisi guarantee ke kaise-
Veer : Uski zaroorat nahi hai.
Madhuri : ???
Veer : Mere paas aap sab ke liye ghar bhi hai. Aur, aapko jeevan bhar, bhar-pait khaana khila saku utni meri haisiyat bhi hai. Toh, apna beta samajhte hue, aap Mumbai aaiye, aunty.
Lalita : P-Par-
Veer : Bachpan me maine Madhuri ka kaafi dil dukhaya hai. Samajh lijiye mera uss se ye maafi maangne ka tareeka hai. Aap aur Madhuri dono surakshit bhi rahengi. Aur, choonki mein iss case se juda hua hu toh aapko pal-pal iski khabar bhi deta rahunga.
Pranjal muh khole Veer ko dekh raha tha. Woh Madhuri ki madad karne ke liye tatpar tha. Lekin, jab use paiso ki sabse zyada zaroorat thi tab uske khud ke baap ne use paise dene se inkaar kar diya tha. Parantu, Veer ne bejhijhak madad ka haath aage badha diya.
Veer ki baat sunte hi idhar Lalita ka hriday parivartan hua. Woh yaha se nikalne ke liye taiyaar thi. Usne apni beti ko dekha jo aas liye use hi ghoor rahi thi. Aur, fir usne haami bhar di.
Toh ye tay ho chuka tha ki Madhuri Mumbai laut rahi thi. Aur, dono maa beti apna-apna samaan baandhne me bhi lag gayi. Iss poore prakran me kaafi samay guzar chuka tha. Madhuri ke mann me kayi sawaal the. Veer FBCC ke saath kya kar raha tha? Woh yaha kyu aaya tha? Ab tak usne kya kuchh kiya? Wagarah wagarah! Yahi sawal Pranjal ke liye bhi uske mann me the. Lekin, usne filhal apne mann ko shaant rakha.
Veer ward ki terrace kar khade doobte hue sooraj ko dekh cigarette ka ek kash laga raha tha jab upar Pranjal aa dhamka. Kaafi der tak ek sannaata chhaaya raha. Aur, fir Pranjal ne bolna shuru kiya.
Pranjal : Tum... Tum kab se cigarette peene lage?
Veer (side eyes) : Batana zaroori nahi samajhta mein.
Pranjal (grits) : Tsk! Tumne... Tumne unki madad kyu ki?
Veer : Kyunki, mujhe laga ki mujhe unki madad karni chahiye. Simple! Ya mujhe tumhari permission leni hogi iske liye?
Pranjal : That's it?
Veer : What?
Pranjal : Mera matlab hai... Bas yahi? Bas yahi kaaran tha? Ya kuchh aur kaaran bhi hai madad karne ke peechhe?
Veer : Obviously! Aur, kya kaaran ho sakta hai? *smokes* Mein tumhari tarah schemer nahi!
Pranjal : Tum kuchh chhipa toh nahi rahe na?
Veer : Fuck off!
Kahi na kahi, iss baar Veer ke ye kehne se Pranjal ko zara bhi bura nahi laga.
Veer (smokes) : Take them with you.
Pranjal : ??? Kyu? Kya tum nahi jaa rahe?
Veer : I have some work to attend to-! *smokes* Address already unhe pata hai. Tumhe bas unhe waha tak sahi salamat le jaana hai. Baaki ka kaam mere workers waha dekh lenge. You do have money, right?
Pranjal : Hmph!
Veer ne apni jeb se ek note ki gaddi hawa me Pranjal ki orr feki.
Veer : Take it! Mein nahi chaahta ki tum Madhuri aur uske parivar par udhaari waale paiso ka istemal karo. Mein unhe aur musibat me nahi dekhna chaahta.
Pranjal (grits) : Tch-!!!
Par, Pranjal ne agle hi pal woh gaddi wapas Veer ki orr fek di jo usne haatho me pakad kar thaam li.
Pranjal : Fuck you! Tumhe kya lagta hai? Ki mein apni wajah se unhe pareshani me daalunga? I'll have money... *murmurs* I'll arrange it.
Aur, woh ladkhadaate hue waha se waapas chala gaya. Na jaane aage kya kuchh hone waala tha. Madhuri aur uski maa ki samasya toh door ho chuki thi. Lekin, ye murder ke raaz par se parda uthaana abhi bhi baaki tha. Aur, uske liye, Veer ki agli destination thi — Panchgani!!!
***
Nexacom's HQ, Mumbai,
Evening - 6:50 PM ~
Kaera lakshya ke saath chal rahi thi, gati tez aur chaal ekdum truti-heen. Uss se ek aise vyakti ki prabhavshali upasthiti jhalak rahi thi jisne kabhi asafalta dekhi hi na ho.
Ruchika, uski secretary theek uske peechhe uske qadam se qadam milaane ke liye sangharsh kar rahi thi. Uske haath me ek tablet notifications se bhara hua tha — urgent emails, financial reports, messages jo vibhinn vibhaago se the. Jaise hi Kaera meeting room se baahar nikli, Ruchika ne turant hi zaroori muddo ko sahi soonchi me rakh bolna shuru kar diya.
Ruchika : Ah! M-Miss! Humare Mumbai ke ports me strike ki wajah se humare textile devision me supply chain ko bahut nuksaan hua hai. Logistics team samajh nahi paa rahi ki kaise aage badhe?
Kaera : Shipments ko southern ports ki taraf divert karo.
Usne turant ke turant jawab diya. Uske sochne ki speed fraction of seconds thi.
Kaera : Transportation ko tez banaaye rakhne ke liye railways se jo humara contract hai uska istemal karo. Jo workers strike kar rahe hai unhe secretly bonus package do — industry standard se 10% upar — taaki woh kaam jaari rakhe. Have HR handle the negotiations. Transportation rukna nahi chahiye kisi bhi haalat me.
Ruchika ne apne tablet par sab note kar, tap karte hue sarr hilaaya.
Ruchika : M-Miss! Casa Belle luxury hotel budget overrun face kar rahi hai. Unka project manager additonal funds ki demand kar raha hai.
Kaera : Budget overrun?
Ruchika : Sh-Shayad, woh out of budget hai. Kuchh bada plan kar rahe hai? Maybe? Ya fir renovations? New materials? Maybe?
Kaera : Come to think of it. Veer... He has a hotel too, right? The name...! What was it? Right! Hotel Prestige!
Ruchika : E-Ehh?
Kaera : Make a call at Hotel Prestige!
Ruchika : Ahnn! R-Right away!
Chalte-chalte hi Ruchika ne Hotel Prestige par call lagaya. Aur, udhar se manager - Nandini ne call uthaaya. Jaise hi Nandini ko pata chala ki Nexacom ki taraf se call tha woh hadbada gayi. Turant hi usne call Bhumika ki orr forward kiya aur bechari Bhumika ki bhi yahi haalat thi.
Kaera : Ask them that if they need any fund? Any kind of investment?
Ruchika ne theek waisa hi kiya. Jab Bhumika ko pata chala ki Nexacom hotel prestige me invest karne ke liye interested hai toh uski khushi ka koi thikana na raha. Bina soche samjhe hi usne haan kar di. Ye sunehra mauka woh haath se bhala kaise jaane de sakti thi?
Ruchika : M-Miss! Wo-Woh ready hai!
Kaera (smiles) : Then give them the fund which you were supposed to give to Casa Belle.
Ruchika : O-Okay! P-Par, Casa Belle ke project manager ko kya jawab du, Miss?
Kaera : Keh do ki humne thodi der pehle hi apne marketing budget me extra 15% invest kiya hai. Hum yaha invest karne ke liye hai. Liquidity gap bharne ke liye nahi.
Ruchika : Samajh gayi!
Woh boli. Uski awaaz me sammaan saaf-saaf jhalak raha tha.
Ruchika (hurriedly) : E-Ek potential legal issue bhi hai, Miss. Humaare pharmaceutical division ka jo latest product hai woh mushqil me hai. Regulatory body uski jaanch kar rahi hai aur woh humari clinical trial data ki validity par sawal utha rahe hai.
Kaera achanak ruk gayi. Uski nazre paini ho chali.
Kaera : Trials ki ek comprehensive report taiyaar karo. Woh saare regulations highlight karo jinka hum paalan sahi se kar rahe hai. Koi bhi data jo misinterpret ho sakta hai, uska khaas khayal rakho. Have the legal team frame it properly. Meanwhile, ek private meeting schedule karo meri uss regulatory body ke head ke saath. Shayad mujhe unhe yaad dilaane ki zaroorat hai ki humare innovative products ke chalte public sector ko kitna fayda hua hai. I'll personally oversee the negotiations.
Jitni gati se Kaera pratyek samasya ka samadhan pradan kar rahi thi, bechari Ruchika badi hi mushqil se uski gati ke saath apni gati barkarar rakh paa rahi thi. Kaera ke shabdo me koi jhijak nahi thi, koi anumaan nahi — bas ek adig nirnay karne ki kshamta jaha galti ke liye koi sthaan nahi tha.
Jaise hi woh ek kamre ke paas pahuchne lage toh Ruchika ne ek akhiri mudde ka zikra kiya.
Ruchika : M-Miss, TechUnion ke saath merger ke discussion me delay hua hai. Unka board iss saude par sehmat hone se pehle kuchh aur concessions maang raha hai.
Kaera ke hontho par halki si muskaan bikhri.
Kaera : Then call their bluff. Unhe batao ki hum alternative partners ko consider kar rahe hai. That should remind them of their place in this negotiation. If they don't come back to the table within 48 hours, pull the plug and move on to our next target.
Ruchika poori tarah se avaak reh gayi thi. Ekdum bhauchakki. Usne tamaam hastiyaan dekhi thi par aisi? Koi nahi. Kya Kaera ko duniya ka aathwa ajooba kehna sahi tha? Ruchika se agar ye poochhe, toh uska uttar — haan tha.
Kaera : Next year bahut badi deal aane waali hai. ICONGLOBE India aa rahi hai aur top company me invest karne ki soch rahi hai. That deal... will be mine!!!
***
"That deal... is mine!!!"
Apne ghar ke kamre me maujood Sonia ne apni mutthi kaste hue kaha. Uske theek peechhe Suchika darwaze par khadi hui thi. Usne halka sa mud use dekha.
Sonia : Suchika-!!!
Suchika : ???
Sonia : Tum meri help karogi na?
Suchika : Yes, Miss!
Sonia : Good! Toh iss baar mujhe ye deal seal karne se koi nahi rok sakta. We'll move according to the plan. No one can stop us. Tum bhi nahi... Kaera!!!
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Aaj ke liye itna hi guys.
This update consists of around 10.1k words. Thoda sa late hai par umeed hai ju logo ko pasand aayega. Target ise diwali ke pehle dene ka tha but I was too occupied with my personal works. So, consider this as a Diwali bonus. Pichhle update me monotonous scene ko leke kaafi log keh rahe the. So, this time it's a 4 scene update. Baaki, Target apna wahi hai. 200. Toh, like thokne ka aur revos rakhne ka.
Dhanyavad.
NiceDiwali BonusAb tak...
Update - 189 ~ Exchange at Perth & Pune
Ye ek prakar ka guest house tha jo sarkaar ne filhaal ke liye Madhuri aur uski maa ke liye rent-free niyukt kiya tha.
Par, yaha aate hi Veer ki nazar baahar khade jis shaks par pehle padi, use dekh woh taajub me reh gaya. Aur, Veer hi nahi woh shaks bhi Veer ko dekh bhauchakka reh gaya.
Veer : Tum-!???
Saamne koi aur nahi — Pranjal tha. Jisne Veer ko mask pehna dekh ke bhi pehchaan liya.
Pranjal : Huh??? V-Veer?? Tum-!!!?
Ab aage...
Perth, Australia,
2 years ago ~
"Captain, humne naya base dhoondh liya hai."
Ek ladki haafte hue kamre ke andar aayi aur sofe par baithi apni captain ko dekh boli. Uski aankhon me ek chamak thi. Toh wahi captain lambi-lambi gehri saansein le rahi thi. Uski black leather jacket par ghaav saaf-saaf dikhaayi nahi pad raha tha, magar khoon ki gandh se sab jaayaz tha ki chot kitni gambheer thi.
*Cough* *Cough*
"C-Captain-!!!"
Woh ladki ghabrate hue aage aayi aur usne captain ko sofe se girte-girte bachaate hue apni baahon me thaam liya.
"M-Mein theek hu! Chhoro mujhe-!"
Captain ne ladki ke haath ko hataane ka prayatn kiya lekin, woh ladki na maani. Chot ka jaayza lete hi woh bechain ho uthi.
"N-Nahi! Aap theek nahi ho, Captain! Aap theek nahi ho. Aapki chot gehri hai. Hume hospital chalna hoga."
Tabhi, ek aur ladki andar pravesh ki aur Captain ki haalat dekh uski bauhe sikud gayi.
"Captain! Hume jald se jald ye jagah khaali karni hogi." Woh boli.
"Hmm!" Captain ne haami bhari.
"Mia, tum paagal ho gayi ho kya? Captain ki haalat dekho." Captain ko thaami hui woh pehli ladki chillaayi. "Captain iss haalat me kaise kahi jaa sakti hai?"
"Rosella-!!! Tum jaanti ho na ki humne 'Black Fangs' ke bas 10% gang members ka hi khaatma kiya hai. Jald hi baaki gang members yaha aate hi honge."
Darwaze par khadi Mia ne sthiti ki gambheerta ko samajhte hue kaha.
Rosella : Toh? Toh tum kehna kya chaahti ho? Hum captain ko iss haalat me leke jaaye? Bolo-!!! Agar, humne ek minute bhi ab deri kari na toh-
Mia (frowns) : Tum jaanti ho ki hum hospital nahi jaa sakte. Janta aur government ki nazro me hum ek evil syndicate hai. Bhulo nahi, Rosella! Hospital me jaana matlab apni maut ko bulaava dena. Captain ka treatment Daisy karegi. Jaise woh har baar karti aayi hai.
Rosella (yells) : Captain ka wound gehra hai, stupid Mia. Tum meri baat samajhti kyu nahi ho? Hume jald se jald-
Aur, usne abhi kaha hi tha ki Daisy kamre ke andar bhaagti hui pravesh ki. Uske haatho me ek bada sa suitcase tha jisme medical aid ke liye saari zaroori saamagri rakhi hui thi. Apni captain ki haalat ko dekhte hi Daisy ke honth thar-thara gaye.
Woh daudate hue Rosella aur captain ke nazdeek aayi. Captain ke pait par bade hi ahista se haath ferte hue usne chot ka jaayza liya. Aur, khoon ki maatra aur wound ke gap ko dekhte hi Daisy ki aankhein bhay ke maare fel gayi.
Daisy : Th-This is bad!!! Mia-!! Rosella-!! Jaldi! Jaldi! Captain ko bed par litao. We have no time!!
Aur, Daisy ko ghabrata dekh pehli baar aaj Mia ki dhadkane tez ho gayi. Use gyaat ho gaya ki sthiti kitni gambheer thi. Iske pehle bhi usne apni captain ko ghaayal hote dekha tha. Aur, Daisy hi unn sab ka ilaaj kiya karti thi. Woh unke group ki paramedic thi. Lekin, usne kabhi bhi Daisy ko iss tarah captain ke liye jaldbazi karte nahi dekha tha. Iska matlab saaf tha ki unke captain ki jaan khatre me thi.
Mia (frowns) : Wh-Why did you-!??
Woh apna nichla honth daanto tale zor se kaatate hue captain ko gusse me dekh boli. Captain ne bhi jaise uske iss virodh ko sunn liya. Woh muskurayi aur ahista se boli-
Captain : What? *smiles* Captain hone ke naate ye meri zimmedari thi ki mein group ko lead karu.
Mia (shivers) : Y-You-!!! Why are you always-??? Agar, risk zyada tha toh fall back kar sakte the. Humare paas advantage tha!!! Toh fir kyu???
Captain (grins) : Heh-!
Mia (yells) : Don't laugh, you fucking idiot!!!
Woh apni captain par baras zaroor rahi thi. Lekin, andar hi andar woh kaanp rahi thi. Dar se, gusse se aur bechaini se.
Captain (smiles) : -Kyunki, maine Daisy se promise kiya tha... Ki mein 'Black Fangs' ko uske liye khatm kar ke rahungi.
Daisy jiski aankhon me pehle se hi captain ke ghaav ko dekh aasu umad aaye the, woh ye sunte hi apna sarr utha ke captain ko dekhi, aur aasu uske gaalo se behte hue jhar-jhar kar neeche girne lage.
Daisy (yells) : Idiot, captain-!!! Aap bewakoof ho!!! *sniff* Nahi chaahiye mujhe kuchh bhi. Nahi chaahiye mujhe koi badla. I just want... I just want everyone to be safe.
Unn sab ke yaha hone ka kaaran aaj Daisy hi thi. 'Black Fangs' Australia ki teen sabse badi gangs me se ek thi jo underground mafia ki duniya me mashoor thi. Daisy ka parivar 'Black Fangs' ke kuchh sadasyo dwara hi ujaada gaya tha.
Aur, tab se hi Daisy ek orphan bann ke reh gayi thi. Antatah jab tak ki captain ki nazar uss par na pad gayi. Uss samay jab koi nahi tha, jab woh jeene ki ichha bhi chhor chuki thi, jab woh poori tarah se andhkaar me doob chuki thi. Raushni ki ek akhiri kiran me se ek haath aage badh uski orr aaya.
"Kya tum 'Orphana' se judna chaahogi?"
Aur, iske baad sab kuchh itihaas bann gaya. Daisy ko samajh aaya ki ye faction sirf aur sirf ladkiyo se bhara hua tha. Use ye bhi samajh aaya ki bhala iss group ka naam 'Orphana' kyu tha. Kyunki, sabhi ladkiyaan jo iss group ki sadasya thi — woh anaath thi. Bilkul, uski tarah.
Captain ne use ek naya jeevan diya. 'Orphana' woh group tha jo raasta kho chuki ladkiyo ko unke uddeshya tak pahuchne me madad karta tha. Fir chaahe woh uddeshya unke jeevan ka badla ho, ayyaashi bhari zindagi jeena ho, ya fir kuchh aur. Group ki tamam ladkiyaan ek dusre ke liye samarpit rehti thi aur unke liye apni jaan bhi daav par laga deti thi. Woh sab aapas me hi ek dusre ke liye apna parivar thi.
Daisy ke ateet se poora 'Orphana' waqif tha. Sabhi ye bhi jaante the ki ek na ek din unhe 'Black Fangs' se bhidna hi tha. Aur, aaj wahi din tha.
Unki captain ne aaj bhi leader hone ke naate group ko lead kiya. Gang members ko dher kiya aur unke hideout ko poori tarah se khaali kar diya. Ek bhi 'Orphana' ki sadasya ki jaan nahi gayi. Kyunki, lead karne waali unki captain thi. Na sirf woh ek trained ring boxer thi balki ek honhar sharp-shooter bhi thi, jo adhiktar jokhim aksar apne upar hi leke chalti thi. Aur, isi wajah se aaj — woh ek bullet ka shikaar ho gayi.
Rosella aur Mia ne fatafat Captain ko bed par litaaya aur Daisy turant hi Captain ke emergency treatment par lag gayi. Daisy ke nirdesh anusaar Mia aur Rosella dono hi kamre ke baahar nikal gayi.
Jaha Rosella theek darwaze ke baahar khadi ho gayi toh wahi Mia baahar ki orr chal di. Daisy ko agar kisi bhi cheez ki avashyakta padi toh waha uske liye Rosella thi.
Group me second-in-command hone ke chalte Mia baahar aayi. Ye jagah waqai khatre se khaali nahi thi. Kuchh der pehle hi bheeshan ladaayi ke baad sab kuchh abhi ke liye shaant ho chuka tha. Magar, ye shaanti bas kuchh der ke liye hi thi.
Captain aur tamaam ladkiyon ne vijay toh praapt kar li thi lekin, iss jagah par unka haq nahi tha. Kyunki, woh jaanti thi ki ye ladaayi bas ek shuruat thi.
Kamre ke baahar aate hi Mia ko aadmiyon ki laashe dali hui dikhayi di jinhe thodi der pehle hi unn sab ne milke dher kiya tha. Uske baahar aate hi baaki ladkiyaan uske ird-gird ikhatti ho gayi aur uss par sawaalo ke hamle kar shuru ho gayi.
"Captain kaha hai, Mia? Woh theek toh hai na?"
"Haan? Hum jeet gaye na? Ab yaha se kya?"
"Captain waqai theek hai na? Unhe kuchh hua toh nahi? Aap sab kamre me kyu the? Kuchh batao na!!!"
Mia ne unse kuchh bhi nahi chhipaaya. Unke sawaal khatam hote hi usne vistaar se unhe sab kuchh bataya jiske chalte unn sab ki chintaaye badh gayi.
Mia : Captain kaafi injured hai. Lekin, Daisy unka treatment kar rahi hai. Temporary treatment hote hi hum captain ko leke nazdeek ke hideout me shift honge. Tum sab ne Daisy ke liye medical room hideout me set kar diya?
Ladki 1 : Humne call kar diya hai. Woh sab saara samaan ambulance me rakh kar kuchh der me hideout pahuchti hi hongi.
Mia (nods) : Good-!
Ladki 2 : Par, hume naye hideout me jaane ki kya zaroorat hai, didi? Kya hum sab yaha nahi reh sakte? Ab toh humne inhe thikaane laga hi diya hai na?
Mia : Ye captain ke orders hai. Aur, har baar hum yahi karte hue aaye hai. Yaha hum isliye nahi ruk sakte kyunki ye 'Black Fangs' ka hideout hai. Baaki gang members ko inn logo ne inform kar diya gaya hoga aur woh sab yaha kuchh ghanto me pahuchte hi honge.
Ladki 2 : Humaare puraane hideout ka kya?
Mia : Maine bataya na — Captain ke orders. Kabhi bhi ek hi jagah par zyada der nahi theherna chaahiye.
Ladki 1 : Umm- Mia? Yaha ke resources ka kya?
Mia : Kya kya mila hai?
Ladki 1 : Guns, kuchh explosives, ammunitions, drugs, cash, aur kuchh vehicles.
Mia (nods) : Sab transport karwao. We are taking everything.
Ladki 1 : Hmm!
30 se 40 ye 'Orphana' ki ladkiyaan sab ki sab physical fights aur shooting me trained thi. Na sirf ye combats me maahir thi balki alag-alag kaamo me bhi nipud thi. Koi heavy vehicles chalaane me maahir thi toh koi drug dealings aur smugglings me. Toh wahi 50 se bhi upar jawan nayi ladkiyaan thi jo abhi under-training period me thi. Aane waale samay me 'Orphana' mazboot hone waala tha. Aur, ye tab hi mumkin tha jab-
'Don't you dare die on me... Captain-!!!'
Unke captain ki saansein chalti rahe.
Kuchh hi samay me woh sabhi naye hideout par shift ho chuke the. Captain ke temporary treatment ke baad medical room me Daisy ne surgery bhi kar di thi. Lekin, captain ki haalat abhi bhi gambheer thi. Pehle hi kaafi blood loss ho chuka tha. Mia ne apna blood donate toh kar diya tha magar, captain ki recovery uske weak state ke chalte bahut hi dheemi pad chuki thi.
Daisy rote hue captain ke maathe ko sehla rahi thi. 'Orphana' ke har ek sadasya ke liye unki captain ne kya kuchh nahi kiya tha. Sab ke badle ke liye Captain khushi-khushi apni jaan daav par laga deti thi. Aur, aaj woh sab agar yaha zinda thi toh uska kaaran tha unki — captain. Kintu, unme se koi bhi captain ki swayam ki kahani nahi jaanta tha.
Kyu tha ye 'Orphana group?' Kisne shuru kiya tha? Kya thi unki captain ki kahani? Kya tha unka maqsad? Unme se koi bhi kuchh nahi jaanta tha. Yaha tak ki Mia bhi nahi jo 'Orphana' ki sabse pehli sadasya thi jo captain dwara recruit ki gayi thi.
'What story are you hiding captain? Please!!! Get well soon! Aap yu hume chhor ke nahi jaa sakti. Recover! Please!'
Daisy ne apna kaam kar diya tha. Blood vessels aur organs buri tarah wounded the aur pneumothorax ke chalte oxygen level lagatar ghatata jaa raha tha. Ab sab kuchh recovery ke upar tha. Woh apni taraf se har woh prayas kar rahi thi jo mumkin tha. Lekin-
*Beep* *Beep*
*Beep* *Beep*
Achanak hi ECG monitor me heart rate kaafi kam hota chala gaya. Daisy ghabra ke uth ke baith gayi.
"N-Nooo-!! Captain-!!! Captain-!!!"
Agar, aisa hi chalta raha toh captain shayad aaj apni aakhiri saansein lene waali thi. Captain ko khone ke dar se Daisy itna ghabra gayi ki woh turant ke turant treatment me jutt gayi.
Heart ko temporary pacemaker se connect karne ki zaroorat thi jis se captain ke heart tak low electricity ke jhatke diye jaa sake taaki heart beat karta rahe. Aur, low heart rate ke chalte apna dum na tod de.
Ek ghante ke andar-andar hi Daisy ne temporary pacemaker bhi connect kar diya tha. Woh zoro se haaf rahi thi. Uss bechaari ne apni jee jaan laga di thi.
Ye medical equipment, ye tools, ye machines sab kuchh 'Orphana' ne zaroorat ke waqt ke liye khareede the. Par, agar aaj ye sab unki captain ko bachaane ke kaam na aaye, toh ye sab kis kaam ke reh jaane waale the?
'Don't die-!! Don't die, captain-!!!'
Iske pehle aaj tak Daisy ne kabhi bhi itni shiddat se kisi ke liye dua shayad hi maangi thi. Lekin, uparwaala jaise aaj kuchh aur hi chaahta tha.
*Beeeeeeeeeeeeeepppppp*
"Noooooooooooooo-!!!!!"
Woh itni zorr se cheenkhi ki baahar baithi kuchh ladkiyaan medical room me daakhil ho gayi. Aur, jab woh andar aayi toh unhone dekha ki — ECG monitor me straight line bann ke aa chuki thi.
Mia wahi apne ghutno par gir gayi. Rosella apna muh dhaake kaanpte hue gir padi. Toh wahi Daisy ki cheenkhein kamre me goonjti chali gayi.
*Beeeeeeeeeeeeeepppppp*
Captain ki aankhein humesha-humesha ke liye band ho chuki thi.
***
"Captain!!! Mia aaj bhi aapki Porsche chori chhipe le gayi thi."
"What? N-No way! Bakwas mat karo. Mere paas khud ki BMW hai. Why would I drive her car?"
"Kyunki, tumhe ab Porsche zyada pasand hai. Aur, ab tum woh khareedna chaahti ho. Lekin, captain ko bataane se darrti ho. Haha!"
"Rosella-!! Tum-!! Fine then! Captain! Kal raat aap poochh rahi thi na ki strawberry pie ka last piece kisne khatam kiya? Toh woh ye Rosella hi thi."
"Wh-What?? N-N-No no no no! Captain! Ye jhooth bol rahi hai. Maine toh woh park me ghoomne waali uss cat ko diya tha. I swearrrr-!!!"
"Hey, captain! Kya hum sach me movie dekhne chal rahe hai? Like... Really? Hum sab? Thanks so much!"
"Captain! Daisy ne flower vase tod diya."
"Ahhhn~ N-No! Captain! Woh galti se mera haath lag gaya tha. I'm sorry. Please! M-Mein pay back kar dungi. I promise."
"Lexi aaj bhi drill training ke liye late thi captain. Kya aaj bhi use cars saaf karne ki saza milegi? Waise kuchh dump trucks bahar gande pade hue hai. Hahahahaha-!"
"C-Captain-! W-Woh refrigerator kharab ho gaya hai toh-! Huh? Wait! Aap naya le aayi? Kab?? No wayyyy-!!!"
"Thank you, captain! Aapne mere kehne par unn logo ki madad ki. Jabki woh aapke kuchh lagte bhi nahi the. I'll always remember this."
"Captain! Please, mujhe bhi beauty tips dijiye na. Aapki skin itni achhi kyu hai???"
"Ehh? Y-Ye mere liye? *blushes* P-Par, ye dress toh bahut mehngi hai, captain. O-Ohh! Mera birthday gift? M-Mujhe toh yaad bhi nahi tha. Th-Thank you, captain!"
'Am I... Am I dead?'
'Ye sab yaadein... Mujhe kyu yaad aa rahi hai? Kya isliye ki ab mera waqt aa chuka hai? Mein maut ke qareeb hu isliye? P-Par-!'
'I don't want to die right now. Mujhe abhi bahut kuchh karna tha. Mujhe-'
'I guess... This is the end. I'm sorry, Mia. Mein tumhare liye tumhara maqsad poora nahi karwa paayi. Well, mere baad tum hi 'Orphana' ko aage leke jaogi. And, I believe it will flourish beautifully under your care. I believe in you.'
'This is it... It's time for me to leave now.'
Captain apni zindagi se poorn tarah se santusht toh nahi thi. Lekin, woh khush thi. Kam se kam usne ek neev toh rakh di thi jiske chalte 'Orphana' aage badh sake.
Aur, woh khushi-khushi iss duniya se alvida kehne waali thi jab-
Achanak hi kuchh hua. Uske shareer ne jhatka khaaya aur-
*Ding*
[System has been activated.]
*Beep* *Beep*
*Beep* *Beep*
"A-Ahhhn-!!!"
Daisy hadbadaate hue uthi aur ECG monitor ko check kar Captain ko dekhne lagi. Baaki, sab ka bhi yahi haal tha.
Aur, jab unhe samajh aaya ki unki captain ne unka saath nahi chhora hai toh sabhi khushi ke aasu bahaate hue ek dusre se lipat kar rone lagi.
Par, woh sab ye nahi jaanti thi ki unki captain ki kahani ke raazo me ab ek aur naya raaz jud chuka tha.
Sabse zyada khush thi toh woh thi — Mia. Bhale hi woh ek sakht bartaav rakhne waali sadasya ke roop me jaani jaati thi magar, woh Captain ki sabse qareebi aur sabse puraani sakha thi. 'Orphana' ki pehli sadasya.
Use Captain ki kahi gayi woh baat yaad aa gayi.
"Remember, Mia. Strength is not a weapon. It's a promise — to stand when no one else will."
Aur, aaj use iska arth samajh aa chuka tha. Captain kyu har baar unke liye khadi hoti thi. Kyunki, kabhi woh bhi akeli thi.
'You made it. You made it you idiot...! Thank God!!
***
Back to present,
Somewhere in Perth, Australia,
Evening - 5:05 PM ~
Puraani inhi kuchh yaadon ko yaad kar Captain ghane ped-paudho waale ilaaqo me akele aaj sair kar rahi thi. Inn beetein do saalo me usne lagbhag woh sab kuchh paa liya tha jo woh paana chaahti thi.
'Black Fangs' ka naam-o-nishaan mit chuka tha. 'Orphana' ka naam ab poore Australia me mashoor tha aur sabse badi aur powerful gang ke roop me jaana jaata tha.
Mia se leke aur bhi sadasyo ke jeevan ke uddeshyo ko paane me 'Orphana' ne unki poori sahaayta ki thi. Har guzarte din unka faction taqatvar hota jaa raha tha aur ye sab mumkin ho paaya tha sirf aur sirf unki captain ki wajah se.
System ke aane ke baad, captain poora risk apne upar leke chalti thi. Na sirf sadasyo me uski izzat badh chuki thi balki unke beech aapas me ab pehle se zyada ekta aur nidarta jhalakti thi.
Kintu, captain ek cheez se abhi anibhigya thi. Aur, woh thi-
*Tocotocotocotocotocotoco*
Captain ke kshetra se kuchh hi kilometres door ek helicopter hawa me mandraata hua uske nazdeek badh raha tha. Aur, uske gate par khada ek vyakti apni nazre neeche gadaaye kshetra ka jaayza le raha tha.
Uska chehra kapde se dhaka hua tha aur peeth par teer se bhara ek tarkas latka hua tha.
"Neeche lo!"
Usne pilot ko bina dekhe hi nirdesh diya. Aur, pilot ne haami bhar helicopter ek khaali jagah dekh neeche utaarna shuru kar diya. Helicopter abhi zameen par aaya bhi nahi tha ki woh vyakti helicopter se kooda aur seedhe zameen par land kiya.
Pilot ne copter ko wapas se hawa me upar kiya aur woh waha se nikal gaya. Aur, neeche utarne waala yeh vyakti koi aur nahi — Damian hi tha.
'Remember, Damian! Tumhara kaam uss ladki ko ghaayal karna hai. Stall her! That's it. Behtar hoga agar tum use humari side karne me qamyab hote ho. Lekin, woh nahi aayegi. I can tell. So, just stick to the plan. Aur, agar maamla tumhare haath se nikal jaaye, then you must escape. It's not a death fight. Go now!'
Rebecca ki kahi gayi baat use yaad aayi. Australia ke liye nikalne se pehle yahi baatein Rebecca ne use samjhayi thi. Unhe dhyaan me rakhte hue woh dabe paav aage badha.
Idhar, Captain jangal me ped paudho ke beech apna samay vyateet kar rahi thi. Aksar woh chaandni raato me yaha aasmaan me taaro ke neeche ghaas par laite shaanti mehsoos kiya karti. Use jaanvaro se lagaav tha — vishesh roop se bhediyo se. Aur, aksar yaha woh unke ird-gird hi paayi jaati thi, unse baatein karte hue, unhe khilaate hue, unke saath daudate hue. Use toofano se bhi ek ajeeb sa lagaav tha. Woh unki arajak taaqat me bhi sundarta dhoondhti thi.
Abhi woh jangal ki sundarta ko nihaar hi rahi thi jab-
*Swoosh* *Swoosh* *Swoosh*
Hawa ko cheerte hue kisi cheez ke aane ki dhwani ne use ahaat kiya aur-
*Ding*
HYPER REFLEXIA
Ek jhatke me palatate hue usne apni taraf chhore gaye do teero ko apne haatho se jakad liya.
Door khade uss anjaan vyakti aur uske muh par lipte kapde ko dekhte hi Captain ki aankhein chaudi ho gayi.
Captain (growls) : Y-You-!!! It's you...!
Aur, woh abhi Damian par hamla karne hi waali thi jab Damian ne swayam bolna shuru kiya.
Damian : Captain of the Orphana!!! We meet again-
Captain (growls) : Tumhari himmat kaise hui mere hi continent me aake mujh par peeth peechhe vaar karne ki??
Damian : Mein yaha kuchh samjhaute ke liye hu. I mean no harm!
Captain (yells) : Fuck you!!!
Damian : Kya hum ek dusre se baat kar-
Captain (growls) : SHUT THE FUCK UP! AND, TELL ME... WHERE... IS... THAT... BITCH!!?
Woh gurraate hue boli. Aur, agle hi shan uski aankhon par golden color ki parat chadh gayi.
Captain (growls) : WHERE... IS... SHE???
Damian : Mein yaha sirf baat karne ke liye hu. Uske alawa mein koi bhi details share nahi kar sakta. Par-
Captain : Well, then it doesn't matter. Tumhe qaid me karne ke baad woh bhi yaha daudi-daudi chali aayegi.
Damian : Mujhe nahi lagta ye sahi approach hogi. After all, I'm just a pawn. Agar, mein yaha maara bhi jaata hu toh bhi tumhe kuchh nahi milega.
Captain (sneers) : Hmph! A lapdog indeed. Lekin, tumhara past shayad sab kuchh baya kar dega.
Damian : That'll depend on your capability.
*Whoooosh*
Agle hi shan Captain apni jagah se gaayab hui aur palak jhapakte hi woh Damian ke theek peechhe thi. Uski raftaar dekhte hi Damian ki aankhein hairaani me fel gayi. Captain ka perr Damian ke sarr ko dhad se alag karne ke liye hawa ko cheerte hue aaya.
Magar, Damian ne turant hi duck kar liya. Laat uske baalo ko chhoote hue nikli. Damian ne jhukte hi apni kamar par khusi ek knife blade nikaali aur bina peechhe dekhe hi usne apna haath chala diya. Magar, Captain blade dekhte hi peechhe ko hatt gayi.
[He's an agile assassin.]
Captain ke mann me ek aadmi ki awaaz goonji. Zaahir hai ye uske system ki awaaz thi.
'Agile assassin?'
[Hmm! Woh assassin jo aksar apni speed par rely karta hai. Dusre shabdo me, woh tumse physically weak ho sakta hai. Lekin, speed me tumse aage ho sakta hai. Isliye, sambhal ke-]
'Hmm!'
Haami bharte hue iss baar Captain Damian ko upar se neeche tak parakhne lagi. Damian chup-chaap utha aur palatate hue usne firse wahi kaha.
Damian : I mean no harm captain. Mujhe sirf aur sirf baat karni hai.
Iss baar Captain ne apni aankhon se sunehre rang ki parat ko hataaya aur woh kuchh sochte hue boli.
Captain : State your purpose.
Damian : Join us!
Captain : Huh?
Damian : Tum meri senior se milna chaahti ho. Hai na? Toh hume join kyu nahi karti? Mein tumhe vachan deta hu ki agar tum hume join karti ho toh mein tumhari meeting senior se zaroor karwaunga.
Captain (sneers) : That bitch?? Hmph! Shayad, tum abhi bhi theek se samjhe nahi. I'm a free bird. Duniya ki koi bhi taaqat mujhe apne ishaare par nachaane ke liye majboor nahi kar sakti. Woh aurat aur tum aapas me mile hue ho ye toh mein jaan gayi hu. Lekin, mujhe ye jaanana hai ki woh bitch uss raat waha kar kya rahi thi???
Damian : ...
Captain : Heh! Toh tumhare paas iska koi jawaab nahi?
Damian : ...
Captain : Mein jaanti thi ye conversation fizool hi hai. Jab tak mein tumhe apna bandhi nahi bana leti tab tak mere haath kuchh bhi nahi lagega.
Kehte hue uski aankhein punah sunehre rang se chamak uthi.
Damian : Humara yaha ladna faydemand saabit nahi hoga, Captain.
Captain (takes stance) : Time will tell.
Damian : Mein jaanta hu ki tum itni powerful kaise ho paayi ho. 'Orphana' ke sadasyo ki wajah se.
Sunte hi pal bhar ke liye Captain ki bauhe sikudi.
Damian : Jitne zyada orphans tumhe mile, utne hi zyada missions bhi tumhe mile honge. Jinhe baari-baari tum complete karti gayi aur 'Orphana' ke saath-saath tum bhi taqatvar hoti chali gayi. Mein sahi keh raha hu na?
Captain : Tch-!!
Woh gusse me Damian ko dekhi. Iss ladke ko bahut kuchh pata tha.
Damian : Par, kya hoga agar wahi 'Orphana' ke sadasyo ka khaatma kar diya jaaye?
*Booooooooooooooommmmm*
Palak jhapakte hi jidhar Damian khada hua tha waha ki dharti ke chithde udd gaye aur Damian sahi samay par peechhe kood gaya warna ye vaar use sach me ghaayal kar diya hota.
Captain ki laat zameen ke andar dhas chuki thi. Aur, aas paas ki zameen ke chithde bikhar chuke the.
Gussail aankhon se usne apna sarr upar kar Damian ko ghoora.
Captain (growls) : YOU DARE?
Damian : I WOUL-
*Booooooooooooooommmmm*
Damian ke bagal se laga ped beech se hi ukhad gaya aur vishaal vraksh badi hi asaani se do tukdo me batt ke neeche dharashayi ho gaya.
Pakshiyo ka shor ho utha aur aas paas ke jeev jantu khatra mehsoos kar waha se bhaag uthe. Aur, iss baar Damian ko bodh hua. Bodh ki woh apne saamne khadi iss captain se bhidne ke liye taiyaar nahi tha. Agar, woh bhida toh use apne qamyab hone ke koi bhi asaar nazar nahi aa rahe the.
Par, yahi uska maqsad bhi tha. Rebecca ne use Captain ko vyast rakhne ke liye kaha tha. Aur, ho sake toh ghayal karne ke liye.
Damian yaha se khaali haath nahi laut sakta tha. Aur, uske baad shuru hua waha ek ghamasan yuddh. Do system holders aapas me takraaye.
Woh sundar jagah tabaah hoti chali gayi. Ped paudhe nasht hote gaye toh wahi zameen ujadti chali gayi. Unn dono ki ladaayi waha ke jeevan ko khatam kar rahi thi.
Magar, Captain ke upar gussa sawaar tha. Damian ke explosive arrows ho ya fir feint attacks. Captain ne woh sab kuchh apne upar liya. Zaahir hai woh kayi hamlo ka shikaar ho chuki thi.
Uske badan se jagah-jagah se khoon beh raha tha aur pait me kaafi gehri chot bhi aayi thi. Lekin, iss se bura haal tha Damian ka.
Jiska sarr zameen ke andar dhasa hua tha aur Captain ka joota jo theek uski khopdi ke upar rakha hua tha. Captain lambi-lambi gehri saansein le rahi thi. Magar, woh iss ladke ko haraane me qamyab thi.
Usne jhukte hue Damian ke sarr ke baal pakde aur ek haath se hi uske shareer ko baalo se jakadte hue uthaaya. Woh dusre haath se uske muh par se woh naqaab hataane jaa rahi thi jab-
Damian : I told you...!
Captain : ???
Damian : It wouldn't end well if we fought. You forced me to do this-
Captain : Huh-!???
Turant hi Captain ko khatra mehsoos hua. Aur, jis hisaab se Renshu kabhi Damian ki hidden blades ka shikaar hua tha. Wahi Captain ke saath bhi hua.
Teen badi blades jo pattiyo ke neeche bikhri chhipi hui dali thi. Shan bhar me hi Damian ne unhe hidden wires se kheencha aur-
'Shit-!!!'
Par, bahut der ho chuki thi.
*Squelch* *Squelch* *Squelch*
Iske pehle ki Captain waha se hatt paati. Woh teeno blades peechhe se uske shareer me aake dhas gayi.
"Blurgh-!!!"
Captain ke muh se dher saara khoon beh ke neeche gira. Internal bleeding.
[It's critical. End this quickly.]
Captain ke mann me uske system ki awaaz aayi. Aur, Damian jo soch raha tha ki ab Captain kamzor pad ke gir jayegi toh uske armaano par paani fir gaya. Aur, maathe par pehli baar ab shikan ke chalte paseene ki boondein umad aayi.
"YOU MOTHERFUCKER-!!!!"
Captain ne itni zor se dahaad lagaayi ki Damian ke baal uski awaaz maatra se lehra gaye. Woh Captain ki jakdan me abhi bhi tha. Aur, iska bodh hote hi woh bhaagne ki koshish kiya. Magar, sab fizool. Pehli baar aaj use dar mehsoos hua.
Agle hi pal Captain ka daaya haath zor se thar-tharaane laga. Damian ne dekha ki Captain ke haath ki nasey achanak hi foolne lagi thi. Ek bura sanket. Lag raha tha jaise maano khoon ka sanchaar tezi se mutthi ki orr ho raha tha. Captain ki kasi hui mutthi itni laal pad chuki thi aisa lag raha tha maano use gehre laal rang se pot diya gaya ho.
Damian ghabraya. Teen-teen blades ke shareer me khuse hone ke bawajood Captain aakhir use chhor kyu nahi rahi thi? Inn sab ke baad bhi uske andar itni urja kaise bachi hui thi?
Lekin, ye sab woh zyada der na soch paaya. Kyunki, palak jhapakte hi-
Captain ki kasi hui mutthi seedhe uske chehre ki orr aayi aur-
*Ding*
BANE BLAST
*Booooooooooooooommmmm*
Aur, uske baad Damian ko kuchh na samajh aaya. Use halka mehsoos ho raha tha. Drishya badi hi tezi se uske saamne se badalte jaa rahe the. Use samajh aaya ki woh hawa me udd raha tha.
Uske muh ke baayi orr garam sa ehsaas use ho raha tha. Hawa me hi udte hue usne apna haath le jaate hue udhar chhiya toh paaya ki-
Uske chehre ka kuchh hissa gayab ho chuka tha. Darr! Jo pehli baar usne kaafi samay baad mehsoos kiya. Chehre par se 15% maans udhad ke nikal chuka tha. Woh apne gaal ki haddi ko bhi chhee paa raha tha.
Aur, iske pehle ki woh kuchh aur soch paata, uska shareer ek ped se bhidte hue dhadaam se neeche gir gaya. Uska system turant hi blood loss ko rokne ke liye kaam par lag gaya.
Woh jaanta tha ki agar woh yaha ruka toh uski maut nishchit thi. Khoon ke rukte hi woh waha se uth palta aur jaise-taise kar waha se bhaaga. Toh wahi jangal ke andar Captain ki haalat bhi kuchh theek nahi thi.
Teen-teen blades uske shareer me dhasi hui thi. Woh jaanti thi ki agar usne blades nikaali toh blood loss bahut zyada ho jayega. Woh apne ghutno par giri. Ab exhaustion hit kar raha tha.
Jhatse phone nikaalte hue usne ek SOS signal bheja. Aur, 'Orphana' ki second-in-command leader, Mia ko jaise hi ye message mila woh Daisy aur ek team leke seedhe uss location ke liye ravaana ho gayi.
[You did well. Rest. I will help you to alleviate the pain.]
Behoshi me jaane se pehle, Captain bas halke se muskurayi. Aur, ahista se mann me hi boli-
'Thanks... Zero...!'
[Don't mention it.]
***
Government allotted ward,
Pune, Afternoon - 12:30 PM ~
Sarkari ward ki shaanti tab bhang hui jab ek zor ki awaaz uske aangan me goonj gayi.
Pranjal itni zor se ladkhadaya ki paani se bhare containers se jaake jaa bhida. Woh zor se zameen par gira aur unme bhara thanda paani uske poore badan ko bhigo diya. Uski peeth dard aur thand ke maare kaanpne lagi aur usne ek karaah bhari.
"Aarghh!"
Woh chillaaya, baithne ke liye sangharsh karte hue, apni bagal thaame, uska gussa ubaal maarne laga.
Pranjal : Tujhe kya lagta hai ki mein tujhe jaanta nahi? Haan, Veer??? Tujhe lagta hai ki tu uss mask ke peechhe apne chehre ko chhipa sakta hai?? Mujhe pata hai ki ye tu hai!!
Woh gurraaya. Uski awaaz me krodh aur hataasha mishrit thi.
Kuchh hi qadam ki doori par khade Veer ne koi jawaab nahi diya. Uska lamba sudol, prabhavshali shareer aur uske chehre ko chhipaaya hua kaala mask ek khatre ki anubhooti de raha tha. Woh Pranjal ko badi hi khamoshi se dekh raha tha.
Yaha aate hi Pranjal ne ek shan me use pehchaan liya tha. Woh sab kuchh bhool sakta tha par Veer ki shaqal nahi. Mask ke peechhe bhi usne Veer ko yuhi pehchaan liya tha. Woh bhadka aur Veer ki beizzati kar uss par shabdo ke vaar kar shuru ho gaya. Kintu, jaise hi uske muh se gaali nikli, nateeja saamne tha.
Pranjal ko uska apmaan yaad aa gaya. Kaise Veer ne uska sarr commode me ghusedte hue use peeta tha.
Pranjal (yells) : Tu... Teri hi wajah se aaj mera ye haal hai. Teri hi wajah se mujhe ghar se nikaal diya gaya. Tune meri zindagi barbaad kar di.
Usne uthate hue neeche zameen par thooka. Uski awaaz aakrosh se kaanp rahi thi.
Pranjal (screams) : Tujhe yaad hai na? Bhosdike-!!! Tu... Tune mujhe humiliate kiya tha. Yaad hai na tujhe?? Mein bhoola nahi hu. Ek na ek din, mein tujhe uska dus guna chukaunga, Veer-!!!
Shor ke chalte, dekhte hi dekhte waha bheed ikhatta ho gayi. Ward me panaah le rahe log bhi baahar nikal kar aake tamasha dekhne lage. Par, kisi ne dakhal dene ki himmat nahi ki.
Pranjal ke bol sunn peeche door khadi Ava Veer ko dekhti rahi. Usne Pranjal ko check kar ye toh pata laga liya tha ki ye Veer ka cousin bhai tha. Aur, ye bhi ki unn dono ke beech shuru se hi bair thi. Magar, asal kahani kya thi? Iss se Ava anibhigya thi. Veer ke baare me woh sab kuchh jaanana chaahti thi. Kya soch raha tha woh iss waqt? Kya chal raha hoga uske mann me abhi?
Kintu, Veer khamosh tha. Mask ke peechhe uske chehre par koi bhaav nahi the. Uski nazre Pranjal par hi tiki hui thi. Aur, uski yahi khamoshi Pranjal ko aur bhi zyada bhadka rahi thi.
Pranjal (yells) : Jawaab de mujhe-!!! Tu yaha kya kar raha hai?? Tujhe kya lagta hai ki tu jab chaahe mere raaste ke beech aake meri zindagi barbaad kar sakta hai? Aur, mein bas khade-khade tamasha dekhta rahunga?? Nahi Veer! Nahi! Ye teri galat fehmi hai! Tu... Kuchh nahi. Tu kuchh bhi nahi! Tu sirf ek panoti hai, Veer. Sirf aur sirf ek panoti!!!
[ENOUUUGHHHH-!!!! ENOUGH!!! I'LL SKIN HIM ALIVE!!! HOW DARE HE DISRESPECT YOU?? ISS DO KAUDI KE LADKE KI AUKAAT KAISE HUI MERE SAAMNE MASTER KI BEIZZATI KARNE KI? I'LL KILL HIM! KILL HIM, MASTER!! LET'S KILL THIS BASTARD GERM!!!]
Aur, hamesha ki tarah shaant rehne waali Pari ne bhi apna aapa kho diya. Woh sab kuchh bardaasht kar sakti thi par apne master ki beizzati nahi. Crimson se bhidte waqt jab Veer apna balidaan dene jaa raha tha, uss shan se hi Pari ki iss personality ke dil me Veer ke liye ek alag hi jagah bann chuki thi. Toh aise me agar koi aera-gaira vyakti uske hi saamne uske master ki beizzati kare, toh woh bhala kaise bardaasht kar sakti thi?
Pranjal (yells) : Jawaab de gaandu! Kyu aaya tu yaha-
Veer ka rukh badla. Uski maanspeshiyo me tanaav spasht hua, aur ek akasmat, tez chaal ke saath, usne uske aur Pranjal ke beech ki doori ko kam kar diya. Pranjal ko samajh hi nahi ki kab aur kaise, par uske jabde par ek tez jhatka laga aur agle hi pal woh keechad me tha.
"Argh-!! Kameene-!!!"
Woh zorr se cheenkha. Jaise hi woh uthne ko hua toh Veer ke ek aur tez aur nirdayi prahaar se uske shabd uske muh me hi reh gaye. Woh waapas zameen par gir pada. Aur, ab poore shareer me dard fel chuka tha.
Wahi khadi Divya bhi ye sab kuchh dekhte hue hairat me thi. Veer ke ateet aur uski family ke baare me use koi jankaari nahi thi. Pranjal jis tarah se Veer par aarop par aarop lagaate hue use gaaliyaan bak raha tha woh jaan chuki thi ki unn dono ke beech 36 ki aakda tha. Lekin, woh ab iss ghatna ko aur aage badhne nahi de sakti thi.
Divya (yells) : Enough!!!
Usne apni ID nikaalte hue Pranjal ko peechhe rehne ka ishaara kiya. Woh yaha Madhuri aur uski maa se milne ke liye aayi thi. Na ki kisi ke personal matters handle karne. Aur, Divya ko ye zara bhi pasand nahi aaya ki Veer ko koi iss tarah se sab ke saamne beizzat kare.
Divya : Divya Dhawan, a special agent from FBCC. Iske pehle ki mein action lu, lower your guard and leave this place as soon as possible.
Magar, ID se bina prabhavit hue hi Pranjal iss baar Divya par bhi bhadak utha.
Pranjal : Special agent? Lawde ki special agent!!! Behanchod! Tumhe lagta hai mujhe FBCC Ya LGCC se koi matlab hai?
Usne apni aasteen ko jhatkaar kar saaf karte hue kaha.
Pranjal : Tum sab Veer ke saath mili ho. Kyu be, Veer? Hai na? Bol kitne me khareeda tune ise? Iss baar tu kya karne ki soch raha hai? Jawaab de-!!!
Divya ki aankhein sikudi aur usne tezi se apni handgun nikaal Pranjal par taan di.
Divya : Say another word, and I promise you, you'll regret it.
Iss baar Pranjal ke muh se kuchh na nikla. Handgun dekhte hi woh stabdh reh gaya. Aur, bas wahi nahi tha. Waha maujood tamaam log Divya ke haath me handgun dekhte hi sakpaka ke reh gaye.
Toh wahi iss shor-sharaabe ke chalte, pehli manzil ki balcony me Madhuri aur uski maa, Lalita apne kamre se baahar nikal kar aayi. Jab Madhuri ne neeche dekha toh uski aankhein chaudi ho gayi. Neeche, Divya apni bandook liye nishaana saadhe hue thi; Veer, naqabposh aur khamosh, uski chhavi sthir thi; Aur Pranjal, bheega hua, ast-vyast aur chotil.
Madhuri (murmurs) : K-Kaun...!?
Woh fus-fusayi. Neeche khade shakso me se use Veer ki chhavi dekh ek ajeeb sa apnapann sa mehsoos hua. Uski maa ne dheere se uske kandhe par haath rakha, anishchit, ki unhe neeche jaana chaahiye ya nahi?
Aur, idhar Madhuri ke saamne aate hi Pranjal ki nazre uss par tik gayi. Uska gussa jaise kahi gaayab ho gaya, uski jagah ek narm aur laalsa bhara bhaav janm le liya.
Pranjal (murmurs) : M-Madhuri...
Woh budbudaya, uski awaaz bamushqil hi sunane laayak thi. Divya aur Veer ko nazar-andaaz kar woh ek qadam ladkhadate hue aage badha.
Madhuri, Veer ko uske mask ke kaaran pehchanane me asamarth thi. Uski nigaahein teen logo ke beech ghoom rahi thi. Jaise hi woh punaah Veer ko dekhi, use laga jaise usne pehle kahi iss shaks ko dekha hai, kintu yaddaasht dhundhli ho rakhi thi. Woh yaad karne ke liye bechain thi, magar woh yaddasht beetein varsho ki yaado ke neeche kahi dabi hui thi.
Madhuri : M-Maa-! Maa, neeche chalo! Jaldi!
Woh agle hi shan neeche ko bhaagi, use uss shaks ke baare me jaanana tha aur uski maa use neeche jaata dekh ghabra uthi.
Lalita : Madhu!!! Madhu, ruk! Madhu!!
Kuchh hi palo me sab ek-dusre ke saamne the. Veer ke saamne jaise hi Madhuri aayi, uski aankhein use dekh narm pad gayi. Iss ladki se use kaafi pehle hi maafi maang leni chaahiye thi. Par, use kabhi iska mauka nahi mil paaya.
Na uss din Veer Madhuri par bhadakta, na woh ro ke bhaagti, na Pranjal aur Madhuri ke beech ki dosti tootati aur na hi Pranjal uske prati ye bhavnaaye rakhta.
[Oh, achha? Aur, fir aap mujhe kaise milte?]
Pari ne jaise uske mann ki baatein ko padh liya. Veer mann hi mann muskuraya. Pari sahi thi. Jo hona tha woh ho gaya. Ab yaha se cheezon ko kaise sambhaalna tha ye uske haath me tha.
Divya ne jab Madhuri aur Lalita ko neeche aate dekha toh woh Madhuri ko dekh ke hi pehchaan gayi. Yaha aane se pehle report me usne sab kuchh padha tha aur victim ke parivar jano ki photos uske dimaag me baithi hui thi.
Divya : Madhuri?
Madhuri : Ahn?? J-Ji??
Divya (holsters gun) : Mein Divya Dhawan, ek special agent FBCC se. Mujhe aap se aur aapki maa se aapke pita ki hatya ko leke kuchh zaroori baat-cheet karni hai.
Madhuri (nods) : J-Ji-! A-Aaiye!
Madhuri ke mann me kayi sawaal the. Woh Veer aur Pranjal ke baare me poochhna chaahti thi. Lekin, uski himmat nahi hui kuchh bhi kehne ki.
Jab Veer aur Divya Madhuri ke peechhe-peechhe jaane lage toh Pranjal bhi unke peechhe aane laga lekin Divya turant hi ruki aur uski orr dekhi, jaise poochhna chaah rahi ho ki tum bhala kaha chale aa rahe ho?
Pranjal iske pehle ki kuchh keh paata ki itne me Veer ne Divya ko rok diya.
Veer : Let him...!
Divya : Huh?? P-Par, Veer? Ye serious matter hai aur-
Veer : It's okay! Mein zimmedari leta hu.
Divya (sighs) : Agar, tum kehte ho toh... Theek hai!
Divya ek aur paini nazar Pranjal par maarte hue upar ko chali gayi. Pranjal ne bhi iss baar Veer ki peeth ko dekha. Na jaane kya soch raha tha woh. Ava uske theek bagal se nikli lekin, achanak hi-
*Swish*
"Aaaaaaahhh!"
Ava ne apni hidden knife nikaalte hue hawa me ghumaayi toh Pranjal dar ke maare ek qadam peechhe ho gaya. Upar se neeche tak Ava ne use ek pal ke liye dekha, jaise use kisi prakaar se savdhaan kar rahi thi. Aur, fir woh bhi upar chali gayi.
Sabhi Madhuri ke iss niwaas sthaan ke andar baithe hue the siwae Ava ke jo kamre ke theek baahar apne haath mode deewar se tik ke khadi hui thi aur sab kuchh sunn paa rahi thi. Pranjal ki zimmedari Veer ne le li thi toh Divya ko uski chinta karne ki zaroorat hi nahi thi. Aur, fir shuru hua sawaalo ka silsila.
Divya : Waise toh police ne saari jankaari le hi li hogi. Par, fir bhi mein ek baar aap dono se personally baat karna chaahti thi. Aap ko koi aitraaz toh nahi?
Madhuri : J-Ji nahi! Poochhiye na!
Woh boli. Ek sarsari nigaah usne Veer par maari jo khidki ke paas apne haath mode khada hua tha. Ek aasha jaagi ki kaash woh uske mask ke peechhe ke uss chehre ko dekh paati.
Divya : Dekhiye! Mein sadharan police karmchari nahi hu. Mein FBCC se hu. Ek International crime control agency. Toh aap jitna mujhe khul kar sab kuchh batayengi, cheezein utni hi aapke liye behtar saabit ho sakti hai.
Madhuri : M-Mein kuchh samjhi nahi.
Divya : Matlab ye ki, jo kaam police nahi kar sakti, woh mein chutkiyo me karwa sakti hu. Toh, aap ko kuchh bhi chhipaane ki zaroorat nahi hai.
Madhuri aur Lalita, dono ne ek dusre ko dekha.
Madhuri : J-Ji! Poochhiye!
Uske baad Madhuri ne woh sab kuchh bataaya jo woh bataana chaahti thi. Aur, jo pehle bhi bata chuki thi.
Divya : Hmm! Toh aapka kehna hai ki Prabhakar ji ki pehle kisi se bair thi aur usi ke kaaran unhe kaafi nuksaan bhi hua tha, right?
Madhuri (nods) : J-Ji! Lekin, uss aadmi ka haath iske peechhe nahi hai. Police ne iski chhaan-been kar li hai.
Divya : Hmm! Toh, fir? Aapko kya lagta hai?
Madhuri : Pita ji ki iske alawa aur koi dushmani nahi thi. Toh, mera anumaan do cheezon par hai.
Divya : Aur, kya hai woh?
Madhuri : Pehla toh yahi ki- ho sakta hai police ko uss aadmi ne paise khila ke chup kara diya ho. Aur, wahi iss sab ke peechhe ho?
Divya : Hmm! Interesting! Aur, dusra anumaan?
Madhuri : Mujhe nahi pata.
Divya : Hmm?
Madhuri : Mera matlab hai, ho sakta hai ki inn sab ke peechhe kuchh aur hi ho. Kisi aur ka hi haath ho jiske baare me mein aur maa nahi jaante.
Divya : Ohh?
Divya ne ek pal Veer ko dekha. Fir, jaise use kuchh yaad aaya aur usne apna sawaal ghumaate hue poochha.
Divya : Kya aapke pita koi medical condition ka shikaar the kya? I mean, koi beemari? Ya koi tests wagarah karwaate the?
Madhuri : Huh? N-Nahi! Pita ji poori tarah se swasth the. Unhe koi beemari nahi thi.
Divya : Abhi unhone kabhi koi blood tests wagarah karwaaye the kya?
Madhuri : N-Nahi! Agar, woh karwaate toh hume iss baare me zaroor pata hota.
Divya : Kisi doctor se unka koi sampark?
Madhuri : N-Nahi! Jaha tak mujhe yaad hai, humara koi family doctor nahi tha. Pita ji doctors ke paas kabhi jaate hi nahi the. Beemaar padte the toh aksar medical ki shops se mein hi unke liye dawayi laaya karti thi. P-Par, kya hua? Aap ye sab-
Divya : Nahi! Kuchh nahi! Bas yuhi poochha.
Ek baar fir Divya ne Veer ko dekha. Veer ne haami bhari. Aur, Madhuri iss baar apni ichhaa daba nahi paayi.
Madhuri (glances) : K-Kya, maine aapko pehle kahi dekha hai? K-Kya hum ek dusre se kabhi mile hai?
Veer : Hmm?
Divya : ???
Madhuri : Kya mein aapka chehra dekh sakti hu?
Divya : I-I'm sorry lekin woh mere saath hai. Aur, undercover agents ko-
Par, pata nahi Veer ko kya soojha usne bina kuchh kahe hi apna mask utaar diya. Jaha Pranjal Veer ka chehre dekhte hi mann hi mann apne sahi anumaan par garv kar raha tha toh wahi Madhuri Veer ka chehra dekhte hi ek gehri saans kheechne par majboor ho gayi.
Use fauran hi yaad aa gaya ki usne Veer ko kaha dekha tha. Woh sahi thi. Woh uss se mili thi. Delhi me... Jab woh ek ladke ke saath uski girlfriend ka naatak kar ke uske saath dinner par gayi thi. Tab, uski mulaqat Veer se hui thi.
Madhuri (stands up) : Ahn! A-Aap toh wahi-!!!
Pranjal ne jab ye dekha toh woh taajub me reh gaya. Yahi haal Divya aur Lalita ka bhi tha.
Madhuri : M-Mujhe yaad hai. Mujhe yaad hai. Aapne hi mujhe apna woh coat diya tha na? Aapko yaad aaya kuchh? M-Mein wahi ladki hu. Kuchh yaad aaya.
Veer uski masoom si bholi soorat dekh use niraash nahi karna chaahta tha. Toh, usne haami bhari.
Veer (nods) : Bilkul! Mujhe yaad hai.
Madhuri : Ahhn-!! M-Maa-!!!
Lalita : K-Kya hua beta??
Mauka dekhte hi Pranjal bhi uth khada hua.
Pranjal : M-Madhuri...! T-Tumhe Veer yaad hai???
Madhuri : Huhh? V-Veer???
Akasmat hi ye naam Madhuri ke dimag me khatka.
Pranjal : M-Mein Pranjal, Madhuri! T-Tumhe kuchh yaad aaya? Pranjal! Mein, Pranjal! Yaad karo! Bachpan me hum saath khela karte the. Yaad aaya? Tum mere ghar aati thi. Tum boycut rakhti thi tab. Kuchh... Kuchh yaad aaya?
Madhuri unn yaadon ko kabhi nahi bhool sakti thi. Kyunki, wahi shayad uske jeevan ki aakhiri achhi yaadein thi. Woh samay jab uska parivar khush tha, ghar me shaanti, samridhhi aur daulat barkarar thi. Unn palo ko woh chaah ke bhi nahi bhool sakti thi. Use yaad aaya ki uske saamne khada ye ladka wahi Pranjal thi. Par, ek minute-!?
Pranjal ke kuchh shan pehle kahe gaye shabd uske mann me goonje. Tumhe Veer yaad hai? Iska matlab-
Woh jhatse Veer ki orr palti. Bachpan se hi woh Veer se dosti karna chaahti thi lekin, Veer kabhi uss se baat nahi karta tha. Akhiri baar jab usne use ladka samajhte hue dhutkaar ke bura bhala kaha tha toh woh ro ke bhaag aayi thi.
Uss bechari ko khud ko nahi pata tha ki woh Veer se dobaara kabhi nahi mil paayegi. Agle kayi dino tak woh ro ro ke apni raatein guzara karti. Aur, aaj wahi Veer aur Pranjal uske saamne the.
Par, kaise waqt pe? Jab uska parivar ek taaza khabar bann chuka tha. Uske pita ka qatl kar diya gaya tha, police ka aana jaana laga tha, aur rehne ke liye khud ka ghar tak nahi tha.
Uski aankhon se aasu jhar-jhar kar behne lage.
Madhuri : T-Tum...!? Tum wahi V-Veer ho?
Veer : *smiles*
Madhuri : M-Mujhe pehchaana? *sniff* M-Mein Madhuri-!! Wahi-!! Tum jis se door bhaagte the. *sniff* Y-Yaad hai na?
Veer (nods) : Mujhe yaad hai. Mujhe maaf kar dena, Madhuri. Maine tumhe uss waqt ladka samajh ke-
Par, uske bol adhoore reh gaye jab achanak hi Madhuri seedhe uske seene se aa lagi. Aur, Pranjal ki aankhein ye dekhte hi phatne ko baahar aa gayi.
[That's what you get you bastard!!! Master! Make her yours! Kiss her!!!]
Veer jitna Madhuri ki hug se hairaan tha, uss se kahi zyada woh Pari ke iss agressive behaviour se taajub me tha. Ye Pari ko kya ho gaya tha?
Par, Pranjal ko apne daant meesne ka mauka hi nahi mila kyunki, Madhuri turant hi Veer ke haath ko apne haath me daal uski orr aayi aur dusre haath se uske haath ko bhi apne haath me daal li.
Lalita : M-Madhu? Y-Ye sab kya???
Madhuri : M-Maa! *sniff* Tumhe yaad hai na jab hum Mumbai me rehte the? Tab mein pados me bade se ghar me khelne jaaya karti thi?
Lalita ko kuchh dhundhli yaadein yaad aayi.
Madhuri : Inke yaha bihi ka ek bada sa ped bhi tha aangan me. Yaad karo?
Aur, Lalita ko sab kuchh yaad aa gaya.
Lalita : H-Haan! Yaad aaya. Manorath ji karke rehte the waha ek. Bahut hi sajjan log the.
Madhuri : Y-Ye usi ghar se hai, maa. Y-Ye Pranjal! A-Aur, ye Veer. Mein aake tumhare saamne roti thi na? Tumko bataati thi ki Veer mujhse dosti nahi karta. *sniff* Y-Ye wahi Veer hai.
Use dekh ke samajh nahi aa raha tha ki kya kahe. Uski aankhon se aasu beh rahe the par hontho par muskaan bhi saji hui thi. Lalita ko jab sab yaad aaya toh woh bhi aage badh ke aayi aur unn dono ke sarr sehlaane lagi.
Divya aur Ava dono hi hairat me bas sab kuchh ghatit hota hua dekh rahi thi. Pranjal aur Veer ki nazre aapas me takrayi. Par, jis tarah se Madhuri unke beech me hoke unhe thaami hui thi woh dono hi khamosh rahe. Pranjal toh iss ehsaas me kho chuka tha. Madhuri uske bagal se thi. Baar-baar uski nazre unn dono ke bandhe hue haath par jaa rahi thi.
Uske baad sab kuchh vistaar se bataya gaya. Pranjal ne bataya ki woh yaha par kyu aaya tha. Inn beetein dino me usne kuchh paiso ka jugaad kiya tha. Woh yaha pehle hi aa chuka hota. Magar, Karunesh ne use paise dene se inkaar kar diya tha.
Majbooran, use idhar-udhar se paise jugaadne pade. Aur, isi chakkar me use kayi din lag gaye. Aaj ki tareekh me bhi uske paas 30-40 hazaar hi the bas. Aur, woh ye sab Madhuri ke liye laaya tha.
Jab Madhuri ne neeche hui ghatna ka zikra kiya toh uss vishay par dono Veer aur Pranjal khamosh reh gaye.
Madhuri : B-Batao na! Y-Ye neeche kya chal raha tha? Tumhare kapde itne gande kaise ho gaye? A-Aur, aap iss par bandook kyu taani hui thi?
Divya : Aap iss se hi kyu nahi poochhti?
Madhuri : P-Pranjal! Jawab do! Kya hua tha?
Pranjal : K-Kuchh nahi, Madhuri! Y-Ye humare beech ka maamla hai. Mein tumhe fursat se sab bataunga. Abhi yaha se chalo. Tumne bataya na abhi ki ye sthaan tumhe bas kuchh dino ke liye mila hai? Toh chalo yaha se. Mumbai chalo mere saath.
Lalita : Mumbai? Beta, Pune me hi hume ghar nahi mil paa raha hai. Hum Mumbai me kaha rukenge?
Pranjal : M-Mein uski vyavastha karta hu, aunty. Aap fiqr mat kijiye. Aur, aap bhi toh dar rahi ho na? Aapne bataya tha thodi der pehle ki aapko jis aadmi par shaq hai, woh aapko nuksaan pahucha sakta hai. Yaha rehna khatre se khaali nahi hai. Aap chaliye mere saath.
Lalita : Par, beta rehna, khaana, ye sab-
Pranjal : M-Mein dekh lunga na, aunty. Aap chaliye toh-
Madhuri : N-Nahi Pranjal! Shukriya. Lekin, h-hum aise bina kisi guarantee ke kaise-
Veer : Uski zaroorat nahi hai.
Madhuri : ???
Veer : Mere paas aap sab ke liye ghar bhi hai. Aur, aapko jeevan bhar, bhar-pait khaana khila saku utni meri haisiyat bhi hai. Toh, apna beta samajhte hue, aap Mumbai aaiye, aunty.
Lalita : P-Par-
Veer : Bachpan me maine Madhuri ka kaafi dil dukhaya hai. Samajh lijiye mera uss se ye maafi maangne ka tareeka hai. Aap aur Madhuri dono surakshit bhi rahengi. Aur, choonki mein iss case se juda hua hu toh aapko pal-pal iski khabar bhi deta rahunga.
Pranjal muh khole Veer ko dekh raha tha. Woh Madhuri ki madad karne ke liye tatpar tha. Lekin, jab use paiso ki sabse zyada zaroorat thi tab uske khud ke baap ne use paise dene se inkaar kar diya tha. Parantu, Veer ne bejhijhak madad ka haath aage badha diya.
Veer ki baat sunte hi idhar Lalita ka hriday parivartan hua. Woh yaha se nikalne ke liye taiyaar thi. Usne apni beti ko dekha jo aas liye use hi ghoor rahi thi. Aur, fir usne haami bhar di.
Toh ye tay ho chuka tha ki Madhuri Mumbai laut rahi thi. Aur, dono maa beti apna-apna samaan baandhne me bhi lag gayi. Iss poore prakran me kaafi samay guzar chuka tha. Madhuri ke mann me kayi sawaal the. Veer FBCC ke saath kya kar raha tha? Woh yaha kyu aaya tha? Ab tak usne kya kuchh kiya? Wagarah wagarah! Yahi sawal Pranjal ke liye bhi uske mann me the. Lekin, usne filhal apne mann ko shaant rakha.
Veer ward ki terrace kar khade doobte hue sooraj ko dekh cigarette ka ek kash laga raha tha jab upar Pranjal aa dhamka. Kaafi der tak ek sannaata chhaaya raha. Aur, fir Pranjal ne bolna shuru kiya.
Pranjal : Tum... Tum kab se cigarette peene lage?
Veer (side eyes) : Batana zaroori nahi samajhta mein.
Pranjal (grits) : Tsk! Tumne... Tumne unki madad kyu ki?
Veer : Kyunki, mujhe laga ki mujhe unki madad karni chahiye. Simple! Ya mujhe tumhari permission leni hogi iske liye?
Pranjal : That's it?
Veer : What?
Pranjal : Mera matlab hai... Bas yahi? Bas yahi kaaran tha? Ya kuchh aur kaaran bhi hai madad karne ke peechhe?
Veer : Obviously! Aur, kya kaaran ho sakta hai? *smokes* Mein tumhari tarah schemer nahi!
Pranjal : Tum kuchh chhipa toh nahi rahe na?
Veer : Fuck off!
Kahi na kahi, iss baar Veer ke ye kehne se Pranjal ko zara bhi bura nahi laga.
Veer (smokes) : Take them with you.
Pranjal : ??? Kyu? Kya tum nahi jaa rahe?
Veer : I have some work to attend to-! *smokes* Address already unhe pata hai. Tumhe bas unhe waha tak sahi salamat le jaana hai. Baaki ka kaam mere workers waha dekh lenge. You do have money, right?
Pranjal : Hmph!
Veer ne apni jeb se ek note ki gaddi hawa me Pranjal ki orr feki.
Veer : Take it! Mein nahi chaahta ki tum Madhuri aur uske parivar par udhaari waale paiso ka istemal karo. Mein unhe aur musibat me nahi dekhna chaahta.
Pranjal (grits) : Tch-!!!
Par, Pranjal ne agle hi pal woh gaddi wapas Veer ki orr fek di jo usne haatho me pakad kar thaam li.
Pranjal : Fuck you! Tumhe kya lagta hai? Ki mein apni wajah se unhe pareshani me daalunga? I'll have money... *murmurs* I'll arrange it.
Aur, woh ladkhadaate hue waha se waapas chala gaya. Na jaane aage kya kuchh hone waala tha. Madhuri aur uski maa ki samasya toh door ho chuki thi. Lekin, ye murder ke raaz par se parda uthaana abhi bhi baaki tha. Aur, uske liye, Veer ki agli destination thi — Panchgani!!!
***
Nexacom's HQ, Mumbai,
Evening - 6:50 PM ~
Kaera lakshya ke saath chal rahi thi, gati tez aur chaal ekdum truti-heen. Uss se ek aise vyakti ki prabhavshali upasthiti jhalak rahi thi jisne kabhi asafalta dekhi hi na ho.
Ruchika, uski secretary theek uske peechhe uske qadam se qadam milaane ke liye sangharsh kar rahi thi. Uske haath me ek tablet notifications se bhara hua tha — urgent emails, financial reports, messages jo vibhinn vibhaago se the. Jaise hi Kaera meeting room se baahar nikli, Ruchika ne turant hi zaroori muddo ko sahi soonchi me rakh bolna shuru kar diya.
Ruchika : Ah! M-Miss! Humare Mumbai ke ports me strike ki wajah se humare textile devision me supply chain ko bahut nuksaan hua hai. Logistics team samajh nahi paa rahi ki kaise aage badhe?
Kaera : Shipments ko southern ports ki taraf divert karo.
Usne turant ke turant jawab diya. Uske sochne ki speed fraction of seconds thi.
Kaera : Transportation ko tez banaaye rakhne ke liye railways se jo humara contract hai uska istemal karo. Jo workers strike kar rahe hai unhe secretly bonus package do — industry standard se 10% upar — taaki woh kaam jaari rakhe. Have HR handle the negotiations. Transportation rukna nahi chahiye kisi bhi haalat me.
Ruchika ne apne tablet par sab note kar, tap karte hue sarr hilaaya.
Ruchika : M-Miss! Casa Belle luxury hotel budget overrun face kar rahi hai. Unka project manager additonal funds ki demand kar raha hai.
Kaera : Budget overrun?
Ruchika : Sh-Shayad, woh out of budget hai. Kuchh bada plan kar rahe hai? Maybe? Ya fir renovations? New materials? Maybe?
Kaera : Come to think of it. Veer... He has a hotel too, right? The name...! What was it? Right! Hotel Prestige!
Ruchika : E-Ehh?
Kaera : Make a call at Hotel Prestige!
Ruchika : Ahnn! R-Right away!
Chalte-chalte hi Ruchika ne Hotel Prestige par call lagaya. Aur, udhar se manager - Nandini ne call uthaaya. Jaise hi Nandini ko pata chala ki Nexacom ki taraf se call tha woh hadbada gayi. Turant hi usne call Bhumika ki orr forward kiya aur bechari Bhumika ki bhi yahi haalat thi.
Kaera : Ask them that if they need any fund? Any kind of investment?
Ruchika ne theek waisa hi kiya. Jab Bhumika ko pata chala ki Nexacom hotel prestige me invest karne ke liye interested hai toh uski khushi ka koi thikana na raha. Bina soche samjhe hi usne haan kar di. Ye sunehra mauka woh haath se bhala kaise jaane de sakti thi?
Ruchika : M-Miss! Wo-Woh ready hai!
Kaera (smiles) : Then give them the fund which you were supposed to give to Casa Belle.
Ruchika : O-Okay! P-Par, Casa Belle ke project manager ko kya jawab du, Miss?
Kaera : Keh do ki humne thodi der pehle hi apne marketing budget me extra 15% invest kiya hai. Hum yaha invest karne ke liye hai. Liquidity gap bharne ke liye nahi.
Ruchika : Samajh gayi!
Woh boli. Uski awaaz me sammaan saaf-saaf jhalak raha tha.
Ruchika (hurriedly) : E-Ek potential legal issue bhi hai, Miss. Humaare pharmaceutical division ka jo latest product hai woh mushqil me hai. Regulatory body uski jaanch kar rahi hai aur woh humari clinical trial data ki validity par sawal utha rahe hai.
Kaera achanak ruk gayi. Uski nazre paini ho chali.
Kaera : Trials ki ek comprehensive report taiyaar karo. Woh saare regulations highlight karo jinka hum paalan sahi se kar rahe hai. Koi bhi data jo misinterpret ho sakta hai, uska khaas khayal rakho. Have the legal team frame it properly. Meanwhile, ek private meeting schedule karo meri uss regulatory body ke head ke saath. Shayad mujhe unhe yaad dilaane ki zaroorat hai ki humare innovative products ke chalte public sector ko kitna fayda hua hai. I'll personally oversee the negotiations.
Jitni gati se Kaera pratyek samasya ka samadhan pradan kar rahi thi, bechari Ruchika badi hi mushqil se uski gati ke saath apni gati barkarar rakh paa rahi thi. Kaera ke shabdo me koi jhijak nahi thi, koi anumaan nahi — bas ek adig nirnay karne ki kshamta jaha galti ke liye koi sthaan nahi tha.
Jaise hi woh ek kamre ke paas pahuchne lage toh Ruchika ne ek akhiri mudde ka zikra kiya.
Ruchika : M-Miss, TechUnion ke saath merger ke discussion me delay hua hai. Unka board iss saude par sehmat hone se pehle kuchh aur concessions maang raha hai.
Kaera ke hontho par halki si muskaan bikhri.
Kaera : Then call their bluff. Unhe batao ki hum alternative partners ko consider kar rahe hai. That should remind them of their place in this negotiation. If they don't come back to the table within 48 hours, pull the plug and move on to our next target.
Ruchika poori tarah se avaak reh gayi thi. Ekdum bhauchakki. Usne tamaam hastiyaan dekhi thi par aisi? Koi nahi. Kya Kaera ko duniya ka aathwa ajooba kehna sahi tha? Ruchika se agar ye poochhe, toh uska uttar — haan tha.
Kaera : Next year bahut badi deal aane waali hai. ICONGLOBE India aa rahi hai aur top company me invest karne ki soch rahi hai. That deal... will be mine!!!
***
"That deal... is mine!!!"
Apne ghar ke kamre me maujood Sonia ne apni mutthi kaste hue kaha. Uske theek peechhe Suchika darwaze par khadi hui thi. Usne halka sa mud use dekha.
Sonia : Suchika-!!!
Suchika : ???
Sonia : Tum meri help karogi na?
Suchika : Yes, Miss!
Sonia : Good! Toh iss baar mujhe ye deal seal karne se koi nahi rok sakta. We'll move according to the plan. No one can stop us. Tum bhi nahi... Kaera!!!
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Aaj ke liye itna hi guys.
This update consists of around 10.1k words. Thoda sa late hai par umeed hai ju logo ko pasand aayega. Target ise diwali ke pehle dene ka tha but I was too occupied with my personal works. So, consider this as a Diwali bonus. Pichhle update me monotonous scene ko leke kaafi log keh rahe the. So, this time it's a 4 scene update. Baaki, Target apna wahi hai. 200. Toh, like thokne ka aur revos rakhne ka.
Dhanyavad.
raghav_143
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raghav_143
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Rajesh
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Awesome update bro maza aa gaya haiDiwali BonusAb tak...
Update - 189 ~ Exchange at Perth & Pune
Ye ek prakar ka guest house tha jo sarkaar ne filhaal ke liye Madhuri aur uski maa ke liye rent-free niyukt kiya tha.
Par, yaha aate hi Veer ki nazar baahar khade jis shaks par pehle padi, use dekh woh taajub me reh gaya. Aur, Veer hi nahi woh shaks bhi Veer ko dekh bhauchakka reh gaya.
Veer : Tum-!???
Saamne koi aur nahi — Pranjal tha. Jisne Veer ko mask pehna dekh ke bhi pehchaan liya.
Pranjal : Huh??? V-Veer?? Tum-!!!?
Ab aage...
Perth, Australia,
2 years ago ~
"Captain, humne naya base dhoondh liya hai."
Ek ladki haafte hue kamre ke andar aayi aur sofe par baithi apni captain ko dekh boli. Uski aankhon me ek chamak thi. Toh wahi captain lambi-lambi gehri saansein le rahi thi. Uski black leather jacket par ghaav saaf-saaf dikhaayi nahi pad raha tha, magar khoon ki gandh se sab jaayaz tha ki chot kitni gambheer thi.
*Cough* *Cough*
"C-Captain-!!!"
Woh ladki ghabrate hue aage aayi aur usne captain ko sofe se girte-girte bachaate hue apni baahon me thaam liya.
"M-Mein theek hu! Chhoro mujhe-!"
Captain ne ladki ke haath ko hataane ka prayatn kiya lekin, woh ladki na maani. Chot ka jaayza lete hi woh bechain ho uthi.
"N-Nahi! Aap theek nahi ho, Captain! Aap theek nahi ho. Aapki chot gehri hai. Hume hospital chalna hoga."
Tabhi, ek aur ladki andar pravesh ki aur Captain ki haalat dekh uski bauhe sikud gayi.
"Captain! Hume jald se jald ye jagah khaali karni hogi." Woh boli.
"Hmm!" Captain ne haami bhari.
"Mia, tum paagal ho gayi ho kya? Captain ki haalat dekho." Captain ko thaami hui woh pehli ladki chillaayi. "Captain iss haalat me kaise kahi jaa sakti hai?"
"Rosella-!!! Tum jaanti ho na ki humne 'Black Fangs' ke bas 10% gang members ka hi khaatma kiya hai. Jald hi baaki gang members yaha aate hi honge."
Darwaze par khadi Mia ne sthiti ki gambheerta ko samajhte hue kaha.
Rosella : Toh? Toh tum kehna kya chaahti ho? Hum captain ko iss haalat me leke jaaye? Bolo-!!! Agar, humne ek minute bhi ab deri kari na toh-
Mia (frowns) : Tum jaanti ho ki hum hospital nahi jaa sakte. Janta aur government ki nazro me hum ek evil syndicate hai. Bhulo nahi, Rosella! Hospital me jaana matlab apni maut ko bulaava dena. Captain ka treatment Daisy karegi. Jaise woh har baar karti aayi hai.
Rosella (yells) : Captain ka wound gehra hai, stupid Mia. Tum meri baat samajhti kyu nahi ho? Hume jald se jald-
Aur, usne abhi kaha hi tha ki Daisy kamre ke andar bhaagti hui pravesh ki. Uske haatho me ek bada sa suitcase tha jisme medical aid ke liye saari zaroori saamagri rakhi hui thi. Apni captain ki haalat ko dekhte hi Daisy ke honth thar-thara gaye.
Woh daudate hue Rosella aur captain ke nazdeek aayi. Captain ke pait par bade hi ahista se haath ferte hue usne chot ka jaayza liya. Aur, khoon ki maatra aur wound ke gap ko dekhte hi Daisy ki aankhein bhay ke maare fel gayi.
Daisy : Th-This is bad!!! Mia-!! Rosella-!! Jaldi! Jaldi! Captain ko bed par litao. We have no time!!
Aur, Daisy ko ghabrata dekh pehli baar aaj Mia ki dhadkane tez ho gayi. Use gyaat ho gaya ki sthiti kitni gambheer thi. Iske pehle bhi usne apni captain ko ghaayal hote dekha tha. Aur, Daisy hi unn sab ka ilaaj kiya karti thi. Woh unke group ki paramedic thi. Lekin, usne kabhi bhi Daisy ko iss tarah captain ke liye jaldbazi karte nahi dekha tha. Iska matlab saaf tha ki unke captain ki jaan khatre me thi.
Mia (frowns) : Wh-Why did you-!??
Woh apna nichla honth daanto tale zor se kaatate hue captain ko gusse me dekh boli. Captain ne bhi jaise uske iss virodh ko sunn liya. Woh muskurayi aur ahista se boli-
Captain : What? *smiles* Captain hone ke naate ye meri zimmedari thi ki mein group ko lead karu.
Mia (shivers) : Y-You-!!! Why are you always-??? Agar, risk zyada tha toh fall back kar sakte the. Humare paas advantage tha!!! Toh fir kyu???
Captain (grins) : Heh-!
Mia (yells) : Don't laugh, you fucking idiot!!!
Woh apni captain par baras zaroor rahi thi. Lekin, andar hi andar woh kaanp rahi thi. Dar se, gusse se aur bechaini se.
Captain (smiles) : -Kyunki, maine Daisy se promise kiya tha... Ki mein 'Black Fangs' ko uske liye khatm kar ke rahungi.
Daisy jiski aankhon me pehle se hi captain ke ghaav ko dekh aasu umad aaye the, woh ye sunte hi apna sarr utha ke captain ko dekhi, aur aasu uske gaalo se behte hue jhar-jhar kar neeche girne lage.
Daisy (yells) : Idiot, captain-!!! Aap bewakoof ho!!! *sniff* Nahi chaahiye mujhe kuchh bhi. Nahi chaahiye mujhe koi badla. I just want... I just want everyone to be safe.
Unn sab ke yaha hone ka kaaran aaj Daisy hi thi. 'Black Fangs' Australia ki teen sabse badi gangs me se ek thi jo underground mafia ki duniya me mashoor thi. Daisy ka parivar 'Black Fangs' ke kuchh sadasyo dwara hi ujaada gaya tha.
Aur, tab se hi Daisy ek orphan bann ke reh gayi thi. Antatah jab tak ki captain ki nazar uss par na pad gayi. Uss samay jab koi nahi tha, jab woh jeene ki ichha bhi chhor chuki thi, jab woh poori tarah se andhkaar me doob chuki thi. Raushni ki ek akhiri kiran me se ek haath aage badh uski orr aaya.
"Kya tum 'Orphana' se judna chaahogi?"
Aur, iske baad sab kuchh itihaas bann gaya. Daisy ko samajh aaya ki ye faction sirf aur sirf ladkiyo se bhara hua tha. Use ye bhi samajh aaya ki bhala iss group ka naam 'Orphana' kyu tha. Kyunki, sabhi ladkiyaan jo iss group ki sadasya thi — woh anaath thi. Bilkul, uski tarah.
Captain ne use ek naya jeevan diya. 'Orphana' woh group tha jo raasta kho chuki ladkiyo ko unke uddeshya tak pahuchne me madad karta tha. Fir chaahe woh uddeshya unke jeevan ka badla ho, ayyaashi bhari zindagi jeena ho, ya fir kuchh aur. Group ki tamam ladkiyaan ek dusre ke liye samarpit rehti thi aur unke liye apni jaan bhi daav par laga deti thi. Woh sab aapas me hi ek dusre ke liye apna parivar thi.
Daisy ke ateet se poora 'Orphana' waqif tha. Sabhi ye bhi jaante the ki ek na ek din unhe 'Black Fangs' se bhidna hi tha. Aur, aaj wahi din tha.
Unki captain ne aaj bhi leader hone ke naate group ko lead kiya. Gang members ko dher kiya aur unke hideout ko poori tarah se khaali kar diya. Ek bhi 'Orphana' ki sadasya ki jaan nahi gayi. Kyunki, lead karne waali unki captain thi. Na sirf woh ek trained ring boxer thi balki ek honhar sharp-shooter bhi thi, jo adhiktar jokhim aksar apne upar hi leke chalti thi. Aur, isi wajah se aaj — woh ek bullet ka shikaar ho gayi.
Rosella aur Mia ne fatafat Captain ko bed par litaaya aur Daisy turant hi Captain ke emergency treatment par lag gayi. Daisy ke nirdesh anusaar Mia aur Rosella dono hi kamre ke baahar nikal gayi.
Jaha Rosella theek darwaze ke baahar khadi ho gayi toh wahi Mia baahar ki orr chal di. Daisy ko agar kisi bhi cheez ki avashyakta padi toh waha uske liye Rosella thi.
Group me second-in-command hone ke chalte Mia baahar aayi. Ye jagah waqai khatre se khaali nahi thi. Kuchh der pehle hi bheeshan ladaayi ke baad sab kuchh abhi ke liye shaant ho chuka tha. Magar, ye shaanti bas kuchh der ke liye hi thi.
Captain aur tamaam ladkiyon ne vijay toh praapt kar li thi lekin, iss jagah par unka haq nahi tha. Kyunki, woh jaanti thi ki ye ladaayi bas ek shuruat thi.
Kamre ke baahar aate hi Mia ko aadmiyon ki laashe dali hui dikhayi di jinhe thodi der pehle hi unn sab ne milke dher kiya tha. Uske baahar aate hi baaki ladkiyaan uske ird-gird ikhatti ho gayi aur uss par sawaalo ke hamle kar shuru ho gayi.
"Captain kaha hai, Mia? Woh theek toh hai na?"
"Haan? Hum jeet gaye na? Ab yaha se kya?"
"Captain waqai theek hai na? Unhe kuchh hua toh nahi? Aap sab kamre me kyu the? Kuchh batao na!!!"
Mia ne unse kuchh bhi nahi chhipaaya. Unke sawaal khatam hote hi usne vistaar se unhe sab kuchh bataya jiske chalte unn sab ki chintaaye badh gayi.
Mia : Captain kaafi injured hai. Lekin, Daisy unka treatment kar rahi hai. Temporary treatment hote hi hum captain ko leke nazdeek ke hideout me shift honge. Tum sab ne Daisy ke liye medical room hideout me set kar diya?
Ladki 1 : Humne call kar diya hai. Woh sab saara samaan ambulance me rakh kar kuchh der me hideout pahuchti hi hongi.
Mia (nods) : Good-!
Ladki 2 : Par, hume naye hideout me jaane ki kya zaroorat hai, didi? Kya hum sab yaha nahi reh sakte? Ab toh humne inhe thikaane laga hi diya hai na?
Mia : Ye captain ke orders hai. Aur, har baar hum yahi karte hue aaye hai. Yaha hum isliye nahi ruk sakte kyunki ye 'Black Fangs' ka hideout hai. Baaki gang members ko inn logo ne inform kar diya gaya hoga aur woh sab yaha kuchh ghanto me pahuchte hi honge.
Ladki 2 : Humaare puraane hideout ka kya?
Mia : Maine bataya na — Captain ke orders. Kabhi bhi ek hi jagah par zyada der nahi theherna chaahiye.
Ladki 1 : Umm- Mia? Yaha ke resources ka kya?
Mia : Kya kya mila hai?
Ladki 1 : Guns, kuchh explosives, ammunitions, drugs, cash, aur kuchh vehicles.
Mia (nods) : Sab transport karwao. We are taking everything.
Ladki 1 : Hmm!
30 se 40 ye 'Orphana' ki ladkiyaan sab ki sab physical fights aur shooting me trained thi. Na sirf ye combats me maahir thi balki alag-alag kaamo me bhi nipud thi. Koi heavy vehicles chalaane me maahir thi toh koi drug dealings aur smugglings me. Toh wahi 50 se bhi upar jawan nayi ladkiyaan thi jo abhi under-training period me thi. Aane waale samay me 'Orphana' mazboot hone waala tha. Aur, ye tab hi mumkin tha jab-
'Don't you dare die on me... Captain-!!!'
Unke captain ki saansein chalti rahe.
Kuchh hi samay me woh sabhi naye hideout par shift ho chuke the. Captain ke temporary treatment ke baad medical room me Daisy ne surgery bhi kar di thi. Lekin, captain ki haalat abhi bhi gambheer thi. Pehle hi kaafi blood loss ho chuka tha. Mia ne apna blood donate toh kar diya tha magar, captain ki recovery uske weak state ke chalte bahut hi dheemi pad chuki thi.
Daisy rote hue captain ke maathe ko sehla rahi thi. 'Orphana' ke har ek sadasya ke liye unki captain ne kya kuchh nahi kiya tha. Sab ke badle ke liye Captain khushi-khushi apni jaan daav par laga deti thi. Aur, aaj woh sab agar yaha zinda thi toh uska kaaran tha unki — captain. Kintu, unme se koi bhi captain ki swayam ki kahani nahi jaanta tha.
Kyu tha ye 'Orphana group?' Kisne shuru kiya tha? Kya thi unki captain ki kahani? Kya tha unka maqsad? Unme se koi bhi kuchh nahi jaanta tha. Yaha tak ki Mia bhi nahi jo 'Orphana' ki sabse pehli sadasya thi jo captain dwara recruit ki gayi thi.
'What story are you hiding captain? Please!!! Get well soon! Aap yu hume chhor ke nahi jaa sakti. Recover! Please!'
Daisy ne apna kaam kar diya tha. Blood vessels aur organs buri tarah wounded the aur pneumothorax ke chalte oxygen level lagatar ghatata jaa raha tha. Ab sab kuchh recovery ke upar tha. Woh apni taraf se har woh prayas kar rahi thi jo mumkin tha. Lekin-
*Beep* *Beep*
*Beep* *Beep*
Achanak hi ECG monitor me heart rate kaafi kam hota chala gaya. Daisy ghabra ke uth ke baith gayi.
"N-Nooo-!! Captain-!!! Captain-!!!"
Agar, aisa hi chalta raha toh captain shayad aaj apni aakhiri saansein lene waali thi. Captain ko khone ke dar se Daisy itna ghabra gayi ki woh turant ke turant treatment me jutt gayi.
Heart ko temporary pacemaker se connect karne ki zaroorat thi jis se captain ke heart tak low electricity ke jhatke diye jaa sake taaki heart beat karta rahe. Aur, low heart rate ke chalte apna dum na tod de.
Ek ghante ke andar-andar hi Daisy ne temporary pacemaker bhi connect kar diya tha. Woh zoro se haaf rahi thi. Uss bechaari ne apni jee jaan laga di thi.
Ye medical equipment, ye tools, ye machines sab kuchh 'Orphana' ne zaroorat ke waqt ke liye khareede the. Par, agar aaj ye sab unki captain ko bachaane ke kaam na aaye, toh ye sab kis kaam ke reh jaane waale the?
'Don't die-!! Don't die, captain-!!!'
Iske pehle aaj tak Daisy ne kabhi bhi itni shiddat se kisi ke liye dua shayad hi maangi thi. Lekin, uparwaala jaise aaj kuchh aur hi chaahta tha.
*Beeeeeeeeeeeeeepppppp*
"Noooooooooooooo-!!!!!"
Woh itni zorr se cheenkhi ki baahar baithi kuchh ladkiyaan medical room me daakhil ho gayi. Aur, jab woh andar aayi toh unhone dekha ki — ECG monitor me straight line bann ke aa chuki thi.
Mia wahi apne ghutno par gir gayi. Rosella apna muh dhaake kaanpte hue gir padi. Toh wahi Daisy ki cheenkhein kamre me goonjti chali gayi.
*Beeeeeeeeeeeeeepppppp*
Captain ki aankhein humesha-humesha ke liye band ho chuki thi.
***
"Captain!!! Mia aaj bhi aapki Porsche chori chhipe le gayi thi."
"What? N-No way! Bakwas mat karo. Mere paas khud ki BMW hai. Why would I drive her car?"
"Kyunki, tumhe ab Porsche zyada pasand hai. Aur, ab tum woh khareedna chaahti ho. Lekin, captain ko bataane se darrti ho. Haha!"
"Rosella-!! Tum-!! Fine then! Captain! Kal raat aap poochh rahi thi na ki strawberry pie ka last piece kisne khatam kiya? Toh woh ye Rosella hi thi."
"Wh-What?? N-N-No no no no! Captain! Ye jhooth bol rahi hai. Maine toh woh park me ghoomne waali uss cat ko diya tha. I swearrrr-!!!"
"Hey, captain! Kya hum sach me movie dekhne chal rahe hai? Like... Really? Hum sab? Thanks so much!"
"Captain! Daisy ne flower vase tod diya."
"Ahhhn~ N-No! Captain! Woh galti se mera haath lag gaya tha. I'm sorry. Please! M-Mein pay back kar dungi. I promise."
"Lexi aaj bhi drill training ke liye late thi captain. Kya aaj bhi use cars saaf karne ki saza milegi? Waise kuchh dump trucks bahar gande pade hue hai. Hahahahaha-!"
"C-Captain-! W-Woh refrigerator kharab ho gaya hai toh-! Huh? Wait! Aap naya le aayi? Kab?? No wayyyy-!!!"
"Thank you, captain! Aapne mere kehne par unn logo ki madad ki. Jabki woh aapke kuchh lagte bhi nahi the. I'll always remember this."
"Captain! Please, mujhe bhi beauty tips dijiye na. Aapki skin itni achhi kyu hai???"
"Ehh? Y-Ye mere liye? *blushes* P-Par, ye dress toh bahut mehngi hai, captain. O-Ohh! Mera birthday gift? M-Mujhe toh yaad bhi nahi tha. Th-Thank you, captain!"
'Am I... Am I dead?'
'Ye sab yaadein... Mujhe kyu yaad aa rahi hai? Kya isliye ki ab mera waqt aa chuka hai? Mein maut ke qareeb hu isliye? P-Par-!'
'I don't want to die right now. Mujhe abhi bahut kuchh karna tha. Mujhe-'
'I guess... This is the end. I'm sorry, Mia. Mein tumhare liye tumhara maqsad poora nahi karwa paayi. Well, mere baad tum hi 'Orphana' ko aage leke jaogi. And, I believe it will flourish beautifully under your care. I believe in you.'
'This is it... It's time for me to leave now.'
Captain apni zindagi se poorn tarah se santusht toh nahi thi. Lekin, woh khush thi. Kam se kam usne ek neev toh rakh di thi jiske chalte 'Orphana' aage badh sake.
Aur, woh khushi-khushi iss duniya se alvida kehne waali thi jab-
Achanak hi kuchh hua. Uske shareer ne jhatka khaaya aur-
*Ding*
[System has been activated.]
*Beep* *Beep*
*Beep* *Beep*
"A-Ahhhn-!!!"
Daisy hadbadaate hue uthi aur ECG monitor ko check kar Captain ko dekhne lagi. Baaki, sab ka bhi yahi haal tha.
Aur, jab unhe samajh aaya ki unki captain ne unka saath nahi chhora hai toh sabhi khushi ke aasu bahaate hue ek dusre se lipat kar rone lagi.
Par, woh sab ye nahi jaanti thi ki unki captain ki kahani ke raazo me ab ek aur naya raaz jud chuka tha.
Sabse zyada khush thi toh woh thi — Mia. Bhale hi woh ek sakht bartaav rakhne waali sadasya ke roop me jaani jaati thi magar, woh Captain ki sabse qareebi aur sabse puraani sakha thi. 'Orphana' ki pehli sadasya.
Use Captain ki kahi gayi woh baat yaad aa gayi.
"Remember, Mia. Strength is not a weapon. It's a promise — to stand when no one else will."
Aur, aaj use iska arth samajh aa chuka tha. Captain kyu har baar unke liye khadi hoti thi. Kyunki, kabhi woh bhi akeli thi.
'You made it. You made it you idiot...! Thank God!!
***
Back to present,
Somewhere in Perth, Australia,
Evening - 5:05 PM ~
Puraani inhi kuchh yaadon ko yaad kar Captain ghane ped-paudho waale ilaaqo me akele aaj sair kar rahi thi. Inn beetein do saalo me usne lagbhag woh sab kuchh paa liya tha jo woh paana chaahti thi.
'Black Fangs' ka naam-o-nishaan mit chuka tha. 'Orphana' ka naam ab poore Australia me mashoor tha aur sabse badi aur powerful gang ke roop me jaana jaata tha.
Mia se leke aur bhi sadasyo ke jeevan ke uddeshyo ko paane me 'Orphana' ne unki poori sahaayta ki thi. Har guzarte din unka faction taqatvar hota jaa raha tha aur ye sab mumkin ho paaya tha sirf aur sirf unki captain ki wajah se.
System ke aane ke baad, captain poora risk apne upar leke chalti thi. Na sirf sadasyo me uski izzat badh chuki thi balki unke beech aapas me ab pehle se zyada ekta aur nidarta jhalakti thi.
Kintu, captain ek cheez se abhi anibhigya thi. Aur, woh thi-
*Tocotocotocotocotocotoco*
Captain ke kshetra se kuchh hi kilometres door ek helicopter hawa me mandraata hua uske nazdeek badh raha tha. Aur, uske gate par khada ek vyakti apni nazre neeche gadaaye kshetra ka jaayza le raha tha.
Uska chehra kapde se dhaka hua tha aur peeth par teer se bhara ek tarkas latka hua tha.
"Neeche lo!"
Usne pilot ko bina dekhe hi nirdesh diya. Aur, pilot ne haami bhar helicopter ek khaali jagah dekh neeche utaarna shuru kar diya. Helicopter abhi zameen par aaya bhi nahi tha ki woh vyakti helicopter se kooda aur seedhe zameen par land kiya.
Pilot ne copter ko wapas se hawa me upar kiya aur woh waha se nikal gaya. Aur, neeche utarne waala yeh vyakti koi aur nahi — Damian hi tha.
'Remember, Damian! Tumhara kaam uss ladki ko ghaayal karna hai. Stall her! That's it. Behtar hoga agar tum use humari side karne me qamyab hote ho. Lekin, woh nahi aayegi. I can tell. So, just stick to the plan. Aur, agar maamla tumhare haath se nikal jaaye, then you must escape. It's not a death fight. Go now!'
Rebecca ki kahi gayi baat use yaad aayi. Australia ke liye nikalne se pehle yahi baatein Rebecca ne use samjhayi thi. Unhe dhyaan me rakhte hue woh dabe paav aage badha.
Idhar, Captain jangal me ped paudho ke beech apna samay vyateet kar rahi thi. Aksar woh chaandni raato me yaha aasmaan me taaro ke neeche ghaas par laite shaanti mehsoos kiya karti. Use jaanvaro se lagaav tha — vishesh roop se bhediyo se. Aur, aksar yaha woh unke ird-gird hi paayi jaati thi, unse baatein karte hue, unhe khilaate hue, unke saath daudate hue. Use toofano se bhi ek ajeeb sa lagaav tha. Woh unki arajak taaqat me bhi sundarta dhoondhti thi.
Abhi woh jangal ki sundarta ko nihaar hi rahi thi jab-
*Swoosh* *Swoosh* *Swoosh*
Hawa ko cheerte hue kisi cheez ke aane ki dhwani ne use ahaat kiya aur-
*Ding*
HYPER REFLEXIA
Ek jhatke me palatate hue usne apni taraf chhore gaye do teero ko apne haatho se jakad liya.
Door khade uss anjaan vyakti aur uske muh par lipte kapde ko dekhte hi Captain ki aankhein chaudi ho gayi.
Captain (growls) : Y-You-!!! It's you...!
Aur, woh abhi Damian par hamla karne hi waali thi jab Damian ne swayam bolna shuru kiya.
Damian : Captain of the Orphana!!! We meet again-
Captain (growls) : Tumhari himmat kaise hui mere hi continent me aake mujh par peeth peechhe vaar karne ki??
Damian : Mein yaha kuchh samjhaute ke liye hu. I mean no harm!
Captain (yells) : Fuck you!!!
Damian : Kya hum ek dusre se baat kar-
Captain (growls) : SHUT THE FUCK UP! AND, TELL ME... WHERE... IS... THAT... BITCH!!?
Woh gurraate hue boli. Aur, agle hi shan uski aankhon par golden color ki parat chadh gayi.
Captain (growls) : WHERE... IS... SHE???
Damian : Mein yaha sirf baat karne ke liye hu. Uske alawa mein koi bhi details share nahi kar sakta. Par-
Captain : Well, then it doesn't matter. Tumhe qaid me karne ke baad woh bhi yaha daudi-daudi chali aayegi.
Damian : Mujhe nahi lagta ye sahi approach hogi. After all, I'm just a pawn. Agar, mein yaha maara bhi jaata hu toh bhi tumhe kuchh nahi milega.
Captain (sneers) : Hmph! A lapdog indeed. Lekin, tumhara past shayad sab kuchh baya kar dega.
Damian : That'll depend on your capability.
*Whoooosh*
Agle hi shan Captain apni jagah se gaayab hui aur palak jhapakte hi woh Damian ke theek peechhe thi. Uski raftaar dekhte hi Damian ki aankhein hairaani me fel gayi. Captain ka perr Damian ke sarr ko dhad se alag karne ke liye hawa ko cheerte hue aaya.
Magar, Damian ne turant hi duck kar liya. Laat uske baalo ko chhoote hue nikli. Damian ne jhukte hi apni kamar par khusi ek knife blade nikaali aur bina peechhe dekhe hi usne apna haath chala diya. Magar, Captain blade dekhte hi peechhe ko hatt gayi.
[He's an agile assassin.]
Captain ke mann me ek aadmi ki awaaz goonji. Zaahir hai ye uske system ki awaaz thi.
'Agile assassin?'
[Hmm! Woh assassin jo aksar apni speed par rely karta hai. Dusre shabdo me, woh tumse physically weak ho sakta hai. Lekin, speed me tumse aage ho sakta hai. Isliye, sambhal ke-]
'Hmm!'
Haami bharte hue iss baar Captain Damian ko upar se neeche tak parakhne lagi. Damian chup-chaap utha aur palatate hue usne firse wahi kaha.
Damian : I mean no harm captain. Mujhe sirf aur sirf baat karni hai.
Iss baar Captain ne apni aankhon se sunehre rang ki parat ko hataaya aur woh kuchh sochte hue boli.
Captain : State your purpose.
Damian : Join us!
Captain : Huh?
Damian : Tum meri senior se milna chaahti ho. Hai na? Toh hume join kyu nahi karti? Mein tumhe vachan deta hu ki agar tum hume join karti ho toh mein tumhari meeting senior se zaroor karwaunga.
Captain (sneers) : That bitch?? Hmph! Shayad, tum abhi bhi theek se samjhe nahi. I'm a free bird. Duniya ki koi bhi taaqat mujhe apne ishaare par nachaane ke liye majboor nahi kar sakti. Woh aurat aur tum aapas me mile hue ho ye toh mein jaan gayi hu. Lekin, mujhe ye jaanana hai ki woh bitch uss raat waha kar kya rahi thi???
Damian : ...
Captain : Heh! Toh tumhare paas iska koi jawaab nahi?
Damian : ...
Captain : Mein jaanti thi ye conversation fizool hi hai. Jab tak mein tumhe apna bandhi nahi bana leti tab tak mere haath kuchh bhi nahi lagega.
Kehte hue uski aankhein punah sunehre rang se chamak uthi.
Damian : Humara yaha ladna faydemand saabit nahi hoga, Captain.
Captain (takes stance) : Time will tell.
Damian : Mein jaanta hu ki tum itni powerful kaise ho paayi ho. 'Orphana' ke sadasyo ki wajah se.
Sunte hi pal bhar ke liye Captain ki bauhe sikudi.
Damian : Jitne zyada orphans tumhe mile, utne hi zyada missions bhi tumhe mile honge. Jinhe baari-baari tum complete karti gayi aur 'Orphana' ke saath-saath tum bhi taqatvar hoti chali gayi. Mein sahi keh raha hu na?
Captain : Tch-!!
Woh gusse me Damian ko dekhi. Iss ladke ko bahut kuchh pata tha.
Damian : Par, kya hoga agar wahi 'Orphana' ke sadasyo ka khaatma kar diya jaaye?
*Booooooooooooooommmmm*
Palak jhapakte hi jidhar Damian khada hua tha waha ki dharti ke chithde udd gaye aur Damian sahi samay par peechhe kood gaya warna ye vaar use sach me ghaayal kar diya hota.
Captain ki laat zameen ke andar dhas chuki thi. Aur, aas paas ki zameen ke chithde bikhar chuke the.
Gussail aankhon se usne apna sarr upar kar Damian ko ghoora.
Captain (growls) : YOU DARE?
Damian : I WOUL-
*Booooooooooooooommmmm*
Damian ke bagal se laga ped beech se hi ukhad gaya aur vishaal vraksh badi hi asaani se do tukdo me batt ke neeche dharashayi ho gaya.
Pakshiyo ka shor ho utha aur aas paas ke jeev jantu khatra mehsoos kar waha se bhaag uthe. Aur, iss baar Damian ko bodh hua. Bodh ki woh apne saamne khadi iss captain se bhidne ke liye taiyaar nahi tha. Agar, woh bhida toh use apne qamyab hone ke koi bhi asaar nazar nahi aa rahe the.
Par, yahi uska maqsad bhi tha. Rebecca ne use Captain ko vyast rakhne ke liye kaha tha. Aur, ho sake toh ghayal karne ke liye.
Damian yaha se khaali haath nahi laut sakta tha. Aur, uske baad shuru hua waha ek ghamasan yuddh. Do system holders aapas me takraaye.
Woh sundar jagah tabaah hoti chali gayi. Ped paudhe nasht hote gaye toh wahi zameen ujadti chali gayi. Unn dono ki ladaayi waha ke jeevan ko khatam kar rahi thi.
Magar, Captain ke upar gussa sawaar tha. Damian ke explosive arrows ho ya fir feint attacks. Captain ne woh sab kuchh apne upar liya. Zaahir hai woh kayi hamlo ka shikaar ho chuki thi.
Uske badan se jagah-jagah se khoon beh raha tha aur pait me kaafi gehri chot bhi aayi thi. Lekin, iss se bura haal tha Damian ka.
Jiska sarr zameen ke andar dhasa hua tha aur Captain ka joota jo theek uski khopdi ke upar rakha hua tha. Captain lambi-lambi gehri saansein le rahi thi. Magar, woh iss ladke ko haraane me qamyab thi.
Usne jhukte hue Damian ke sarr ke baal pakde aur ek haath se hi uske shareer ko baalo se jakadte hue uthaaya. Woh dusre haath se uske muh par se woh naqaab hataane jaa rahi thi jab-
Damian : I told you...!
Captain : ???
Damian : It wouldn't end well if we fought. You forced me to do this-
Captain : Huh-!???
Turant hi Captain ko khatra mehsoos hua. Aur, jis hisaab se Renshu kabhi Damian ki hidden blades ka shikaar hua tha. Wahi Captain ke saath bhi hua.
Teen badi blades jo pattiyo ke neeche bikhri chhipi hui dali thi. Shan bhar me hi Damian ne unhe hidden wires se kheencha aur-
'Shit-!!!'
Par, bahut der ho chuki thi.
*Squelch* *Squelch* *Squelch*
Iske pehle ki Captain waha se hatt paati. Woh teeno blades peechhe se uske shareer me aake dhas gayi.
"Blurgh-!!!"
Captain ke muh se dher saara khoon beh ke neeche gira. Internal bleeding.
[It's critical. End this quickly.]
Captain ke mann me uske system ki awaaz aayi. Aur, Damian jo soch raha tha ki ab Captain kamzor pad ke gir jayegi toh uske armaano par paani fir gaya. Aur, maathe par pehli baar ab shikan ke chalte paseene ki boondein umad aayi.
"YOU MOTHERFUCKER-!!!!"
Captain ne itni zor se dahaad lagaayi ki Damian ke baal uski awaaz maatra se lehra gaye. Woh Captain ki jakdan me abhi bhi tha. Aur, iska bodh hote hi woh bhaagne ki koshish kiya. Magar, sab fizool. Pehli baar aaj use dar mehsoos hua.
Agle hi pal Captain ka daaya haath zor se thar-tharaane laga. Damian ne dekha ki Captain ke haath ki nasey achanak hi foolne lagi thi. Ek bura sanket. Lag raha tha jaise maano khoon ka sanchaar tezi se mutthi ki orr ho raha tha. Captain ki kasi hui mutthi itni laal pad chuki thi aisa lag raha tha maano use gehre laal rang se pot diya gaya ho.
Damian ghabraya. Teen-teen blades ke shareer me khuse hone ke bawajood Captain aakhir use chhor kyu nahi rahi thi? Inn sab ke baad bhi uske andar itni urja kaise bachi hui thi?
Lekin, ye sab woh zyada der na soch paaya. Kyunki, palak jhapakte hi-
Captain ki kasi hui mutthi seedhe uske chehre ki orr aayi aur-
*Ding*
BANE BLAST
*Booooooooooooooommmmm*
Aur, uske baad Damian ko kuchh na samajh aaya. Use halka mehsoos ho raha tha. Drishya badi hi tezi se uske saamne se badalte jaa rahe the. Use samajh aaya ki woh hawa me udd raha tha.
Uske muh ke baayi orr garam sa ehsaas use ho raha tha. Hawa me hi udte hue usne apna haath le jaate hue udhar chhiya toh paaya ki-
Uske chehre ka kuchh hissa gayab ho chuka tha. Darr! Jo pehli baar usne kaafi samay baad mehsoos kiya. Chehre par se 15% maans udhad ke nikal chuka tha. Woh apne gaal ki haddi ko bhi chhee paa raha tha.
Aur, iske pehle ki woh kuchh aur soch paata, uska shareer ek ped se bhidte hue dhadaam se neeche gir gaya. Uska system turant hi blood loss ko rokne ke liye kaam par lag gaya.
Woh jaanta tha ki agar woh yaha ruka toh uski maut nishchit thi. Khoon ke rukte hi woh waha se uth palta aur jaise-taise kar waha se bhaaga. Toh wahi jangal ke andar Captain ki haalat bhi kuchh theek nahi thi.
Teen-teen blades uske shareer me dhasi hui thi. Woh jaanti thi ki agar usne blades nikaali toh blood loss bahut zyada ho jayega. Woh apne ghutno par giri. Ab exhaustion hit kar raha tha.
Jhatse phone nikaalte hue usne ek SOS signal bheja. Aur, 'Orphana' ki second-in-command leader, Mia ko jaise hi ye message mila woh Daisy aur ek team leke seedhe uss location ke liye ravaana ho gayi.
[You did well. Rest. I will help you to alleviate the pain.]
Behoshi me jaane se pehle, Captain bas halke se muskurayi. Aur, ahista se mann me hi boli-
'Thanks... Zero...!'
[Don't mention it.]
***
Government allotted ward,
Pune, Afternoon - 12:30 PM ~
Sarkari ward ki shaanti tab bhang hui jab ek zor ki awaaz uske aangan me goonj gayi.
Pranjal itni zor se ladkhadaya ki paani se bhare containers se jaake jaa bhida. Woh zor se zameen par gira aur unme bhara thanda paani uske poore badan ko bhigo diya. Uski peeth dard aur thand ke maare kaanpne lagi aur usne ek karaah bhari.
"Aarghh!"
Woh chillaaya, baithne ke liye sangharsh karte hue, apni bagal thaame, uska gussa ubaal maarne laga.
Pranjal : Tujhe kya lagta hai ki mein tujhe jaanta nahi? Haan, Veer??? Tujhe lagta hai ki tu uss mask ke peechhe apne chehre ko chhipa sakta hai?? Mujhe pata hai ki ye tu hai!!
Woh gurraaya. Uski awaaz me krodh aur hataasha mishrit thi.
Kuchh hi qadam ki doori par khade Veer ne koi jawaab nahi diya. Uska lamba sudol, prabhavshali shareer aur uske chehre ko chhipaaya hua kaala mask ek khatre ki anubhooti de raha tha. Woh Pranjal ko badi hi khamoshi se dekh raha tha.
Yaha aate hi Pranjal ne ek shan me use pehchaan liya tha. Woh sab kuchh bhool sakta tha par Veer ki shaqal nahi. Mask ke peechhe bhi usne Veer ko yuhi pehchaan liya tha. Woh bhadka aur Veer ki beizzati kar uss par shabdo ke vaar kar shuru ho gaya. Kintu, jaise hi uske muh se gaali nikli, nateeja saamne tha.
Pranjal ko uska apmaan yaad aa gaya. Kaise Veer ne uska sarr commode me ghusedte hue use peeta tha.
Pranjal (yells) : Tu... Teri hi wajah se aaj mera ye haal hai. Teri hi wajah se mujhe ghar se nikaal diya gaya. Tune meri zindagi barbaad kar di.
Usne uthate hue neeche zameen par thooka. Uski awaaz aakrosh se kaanp rahi thi.
Pranjal (screams) : Tujhe yaad hai na? Bhosdike-!!! Tu... Tune mujhe humiliate kiya tha. Yaad hai na tujhe?? Mein bhoola nahi hu. Ek na ek din, mein tujhe uska dus guna chukaunga, Veer-!!!
Shor ke chalte, dekhte hi dekhte waha bheed ikhatta ho gayi. Ward me panaah le rahe log bhi baahar nikal kar aake tamasha dekhne lage. Par, kisi ne dakhal dene ki himmat nahi ki.
Pranjal ke bol sunn peeche door khadi Ava Veer ko dekhti rahi. Usne Pranjal ko check kar ye toh pata laga liya tha ki ye Veer ka cousin bhai tha. Aur, ye bhi ki unn dono ke beech shuru se hi bair thi. Magar, asal kahani kya thi? Iss se Ava anibhigya thi. Veer ke baare me woh sab kuchh jaanana chaahti thi. Kya soch raha tha woh iss waqt? Kya chal raha hoga uske mann me abhi?
Kintu, Veer khamosh tha. Mask ke peechhe uske chehre par koi bhaav nahi the. Uski nazre Pranjal par hi tiki hui thi. Aur, uski yahi khamoshi Pranjal ko aur bhi zyada bhadka rahi thi.
Pranjal (yells) : Jawaab de mujhe-!!! Tu yaha kya kar raha hai?? Tujhe kya lagta hai ki tu jab chaahe mere raaste ke beech aake meri zindagi barbaad kar sakta hai? Aur, mein bas khade-khade tamasha dekhta rahunga?? Nahi Veer! Nahi! Ye teri galat fehmi hai! Tu... Kuchh nahi. Tu kuchh bhi nahi! Tu sirf ek panoti hai, Veer. Sirf aur sirf ek panoti!!!
[ENOUUUGHHHH-!!!! ENOUGH!!! I'LL SKIN HIM ALIVE!!! HOW DARE HE DISRESPECT YOU?? ISS DO KAUDI KE LADKE KI AUKAAT KAISE HUI MERE SAAMNE MASTER KI BEIZZATI KARNE KI? I'LL KILL HIM! KILL HIM, MASTER!! LET'S KILL THIS BASTARD GERM!!!]
Aur, hamesha ki tarah shaant rehne waali Pari ne bhi apna aapa kho diya. Woh sab kuchh bardaasht kar sakti thi par apne master ki beizzati nahi. Crimson se bhidte waqt jab Veer apna balidaan dene jaa raha tha, uss shan se hi Pari ki iss personality ke dil me Veer ke liye ek alag hi jagah bann chuki thi. Toh aise me agar koi aera-gaira vyakti uske hi saamne uske master ki beizzati kare, toh woh bhala kaise bardaasht kar sakti thi?
Pranjal (yells) : Jawaab de gaandu! Kyu aaya tu yaha-
Veer ka rukh badla. Uski maanspeshiyo me tanaav spasht hua, aur ek akasmat, tez chaal ke saath, usne uske aur Pranjal ke beech ki doori ko kam kar diya. Pranjal ko samajh hi nahi ki kab aur kaise, par uske jabde par ek tez jhatka laga aur agle hi pal woh keechad me tha.
"Argh-!! Kameene-!!!"
Woh zorr se cheenkha. Jaise hi woh uthne ko hua toh Veer ke ek aur tez aur nirdayi prahaar se uske shabd uske muh me hi reh gaye. Woh waapas zameen par gir pada. Aur, ab poore shareer me dard fel chuka tha.
Wahi khadi Divya bhi ye sab kuchh dekhte hue hairat me thi. Veer ke ateet aur uski family ke baare me use koi jankaari nahi thi. Pranjal jis tarah se Veer par aarop par aarop lagaate hue use gaaliyaan bak raha tha woh jaan chuki thi ki unn dono ke beech 36 ki aakda tha. Lekin, woh ab iss ghatna ko aur aage badhne nahi de sakti thi.
Divya (yells) : Enough!!!
Usne apni ID nikaalte hue Pranjal ko peechhe rehne ka ishaara kiya. Woh yaha Madhuri aur uski maa se milne ke liye aayi thi. Na ki kisi ke personal matters handle karne. Aur, Divya ko ye zara bhi pasand nahi aaya ki Veer ko koi iss tarah se sab ke saamne beizzat kare.
Divya : Divya Dhawan, a special agent from FBCC. Iske pehle ki mein action lu, lower your guard and leave this place as soon as possible.
Magar, ID se bina prabhavit hue hi Pranjal iss baar Divya par bhi bhadak utha.
Pranjal : Special agent? Lawde ki special agent!!! Behanchod! Tumhe lagta hai mujhe FBCC Ya LGCC se koi matlab hai?
Usne apni aasteen ko jhatkaar kar saaf karte hue kaha.
Pranjal : Tum sab Veer ke saath mili ho. Kyu be, Veer? Hai na? Bol kitne me khareeda tune ise? Iss baar tu kya karne ki soch raha hai? Jawaab de-!!!
Divya ki aankhein sikudi aur usne tezi se apni handgun nikaal Pranjal par taan di.
Divya : Say another word, and I promise you, you'll regret it.
Iss baar Pranjal ke muh se kuchh na nikla. Handgun dekhte hi woh stabdh reh gaya. Aur, bas wahi nahi tha. Waha maujood tamaam log Divya ke haath me handgun dekhte hi sakpaka ke reh gaye.
Toh wahi iss shor-sharaabe ke chalte, pehli manzil ki balcony me Madhuri aur uski maa, Lalita apne kamre se baahar nikal kar aayi. Jab Madhuri ne neeche dekha toh uski aankhein chaudi ho gayi. Neeche, Divya apni bandook liye nishaana saadhe hue thi; Veer, naqabposh aur khamosh, uski chhavi sthir thi; Aur Pranjal, bheega hua, ast-vyast aur chotil.
Madhuri (murmurs) : K-Kaun...!?
Woh fus-fusayi. Neeche khade shakso me se use Veer ki chhavi dekh ek ajeeb sa apnapann sa mehsoos hua. Uski maa ne dheere se uske kandhe par haath rakha, anishchit, ki unhe neeche jaana chaahiye ya nahi?
Aur, idhar Madhuri ke saamne aate hi Pranjal ki nazre uss par tik gayi. Uska gussa jaise kahi gaayab ho gaya, uski jagah ek narm aur laalsa bhara bhaav janm le liya.
Pranjal (murmurs) : M-Madhuri...
Woh budbudaya, uski awaaz bamushqil hi sunane laayak thi. Divya aur Veer ko nazar-andaaz kar woh ek qadam ladkhadate hue aage badha.
Madhuri, Veer ko uske mask ke kaaran pehchanane me asamarth thi. Uski nigaahein teen logo ke beech ghoom rahi thi. Jaise hi woh punaah Veer ko dekhi, use laga jaise usne pehle kahi iss shaks ko dekha hai, kintu yaddaasht dhundhli ho rakhi thi. Woh yaad karne ke liye bechain thi, magar woh yaddasht beetein varsho ki yaado ke neeche kahi dabi hui thi.
Madhuri : M-Maa-! Maa, neeche chalo! Jaldi!
Woh agle hi shan neeche ko bhaagi, use uss shaks ke baare me jaanana tha aur uski maa use neeche jaata dekh ghabra uthi.
Lalita : Madhu!!! Madhu, ruk! Madhu!!
Kuchh hi palo me sab ek-dusre ke saamne the. Veer ke saamne jaise hi Madhuri aayi, uski aankhein use dekh narm pad gayi. Iss ladki se use kaafi pehle hi maafi maang leni chaahiye thi. Par, use kabhi iska mauka nahi mil paaya.
Na uss din Veer Madhuri par bhadakta, na woh ro ke bhaagti, na Pranjal aur Madhuri ke beech ki dosti tootati aur na hi Pranjal uske prati ye bhavnaaye rakhta.
[Oh, achha? Aur, fir aap mujhe kaise milte?]
Pari ne jaise uske mann ki baatein ko padh liya. Veer mann hi mann muskuraya. Pari sahi thi. Jo hona tha woh ho gaya. Ab yaha se cheezon ko kaise sambhaalna tha ye uske haath me tha.
Divya ne jab Madhuri aur Lalita ko neeche aate dekha toh woh Madhuri ko dekh ke hi pehchaan gayi. Yaha aane se pehle report me usne sab kuchh padha tha aur victim ke parivar jano ki photos uske dimaag me baithi hui thi.
Divya : Madhuri?
Madhuri : Ahn?? J-Ji??
Divya (holsters gun) : Mein Divya Dhawan, ek special agent FBCC se. Mujhe aap se aur aapki maa se aapke pita ki hatya ko leke kuchh zaroori baat-cheet karni hai.
Madhuri (nods) : J-Ji-! A-Aaiye!
Madhuri ke mann me kayi sawaal the. Woh Veer aur Pranjal ke baare me poochhna chaahti thi. Lekin, uski himmat nahi hui kuchh bhi kehne ki.
Jab Veer aur Divya Madhuri ke peechhe-peechhe jaane lage toh Pranjal bhi unke peechhe aane laga lekin Divya turant hi ruki aur uski orr dekhi, jaise poochhna chaah rahi ho ki tum bhala kaha chale aa rahe ho?
Pranjal iske pehle ki kuchh keh paata ki itne me Veer ne Divya ko rok diya.
Veer : Let him...!
Divya : Huh?? P-Par, Veer? Ye serious matter hai aur-
Veer : It's okay! Mein zimmedari leta hu.
Divya (sighs) : Agar, tum kehte ho toh... Theek hai!
Divya ek aur paini nazar Pranjal par maarte hue upar ko chali gayi. Pranjal ne bhi iss baar Veer ki peeth ko dekha. Na jaane kya soch raha tha woh. Ava uske theek bagal se nikli lekin, achanak hi-
*Swish*
"Aaaaaaahhh!"
Ava ne apni hidden knife nikaalte hue hawa me ghumaayi toh Pranjal dar ke maare ek qadam peechhe ho gaya. Upar se neeche tak Ava ne use ek pal ke liye dekha, jaise use kisi prakaar se savdhaan kar rahi thi. Aur, fir woh bhi upar chali gayi.
Sabhi Madhuri ke iss niwaas sthaan ke andar baithe hue the siwae Ava ke jo kamre ke theek baahar apne haath mode deewar se tik ke khadi hui thi aur sab kuchh sunn paa rahi thi. Pranjal ki zimmedari Veer ne le li thi toh Divya ko uski chinta karne ki zaroorat hi nahi thi. Aur, fir shuru hua sawaalo ka silsila.
Divya : Waise toh police ne saari jankaari le hi li hogi. Par, fir bhi mein ek baar aap dono se personally baat karna chaahti thi. Aap ko koi aitraaz toh nahi?
Madhuri : J-Ji nahi! Poochhiye na!
Woh boli. Ek sarsari nigaah usne Veer par maari jo khidki ke paas apne haath mode khada hua tha. Ek aasha jaagi ki kaash woh uske mask ke peechhe ke uss chehre ko dekh paati.
Divya : Dekhiye! Mein sadharan police karmchari nahi hu. Mein FBCC se hu. Ek International crime control agency. Toh aap jitna mujhe khul kar sab kuchh batayengi, cheezein utni hi aapke liye behtar saabit ho sakti hai.
Madhuri : M-Mein kuchh samjhi nahi.
Divya : Matlab ye ki, jo kaam police nahi kar sakti, woh mein chutkiyo me karwa sakti hu. Toh, aap ko kuchh bhi chhipaane ki zaroorat nahi hai.
Madhuri aur Lalita, dono ne ek dusre ko dekha.
Madhuri : J-Ji! Poochhiye!
Uske baad Madhuri ne woh sab kuchh bataaya jo woh bataana chaahti thi. Aur, jo pehle bhi bata chuki thi.
Divya : Hmm! Toh aapka kehna hai ki Prabhakar ji ki pehle kisi se bair thi aur usi ke kaaran unhe kaafi nuksaan bhi hua tha, right?
Madhuri (nods) : J-Ji! Lekin, uss aadmi ka haath iske peechhe nahi hai. Police ne iski chhaan-been kar li hai.
Divya : Hmm! Toh, fir? Aapko kya lagta hai?
Madhuri : Pita ji ki iske alawa aur koi dushmani nahi thi. Toh, mera anumaan do cheezon par hai.
Divya : Aur, kya hai woh?
Madhuri : Pehla toh yahi ki- ho sakta hai police ko uss aadmi ne paise khila ke chup kara diya ho. Aur, wahi iss sab ke peechhe ho?
Divya : Hmm! Interesting! Aur, dusra anumaan?
Madhuri : Mujhe nahi pata.
Divya : Hmm?
Madhuri : Mera matlab hai, ho sakta hai ki inn sab ke peechhe kuchh aur hi ho. Kisi aur ka hi haath ho jiske baare me mein aur maa nahi jaante.
Divya : Ohh?
Divya ne ek pal Veer ko dekha. Fir, jaise use kuchh yaad aaya aur usne apna sawaal ghumaate hue poochha.
Divya : Kya aapke pita koi medical condition ka shikaar the kya? I mean, koi beemari? Ya koi tests wagarah karwaate the?
Madhuri : Huh? N-Nahi! Pita ji poori tarah se swasth the. Unhe koi beemari nahi thi.
Divya : Abhi unhone kabhi koi blood tests wagarah karwaaye the kya?
Madhuri : N-Nahi! Agar, woh karwaate toh hume iss baare me zaroor pata hota.
Divya : Kisi doctor se unka koi sampark?
Madhuri : N-Nahi! Jaha tak mujhe yaad hai, humara koi family doctor nahi tha. Pita ji doctors ke paas kabhi jaate hi nahi the. Beemaar padte the toh aksar medical ki shops se mein hi unke liye dawayi laaya karti thi. P-Par, kya hua? Aap ye sab-
Divya : Nahi! Kuchh nahi! Bas yuhi poochha.
Ek baar fir Divya ne Veer ko dekha. Veer ne haami bhari. Aur, Madhuri iss baar apni ichhaa daba nahi paayi.
Madhuri (glances) : K-Kya, maine aapko pehle kahi dekha hai? K-Kya hum ek dusre se kabhi mile hai?
Veer : Hmm?
Divya : ???
Madhuri : Kya mein aapka chehra dekh sakti hu?
Divya : I-I'm sorry lekin woh mere saath hai. Aur, undercover agents ko-
Par, pata nahi Veer ko kya soojha usne bina kuchh kahe hi apna mask utaar diya. Jaha Pranjal Veer ka chehre dekhte hi mann hi mann apne sahi anumaan par garv kar raha tha toh wahi Madhuri Veer ka chehra dekhte hi ek gehri saans kheechne par majboor ho gayi.
Use fauran hi yaad aa gaya ki usne Veer ko kaha dekha tha. Woh sahi thi. Woh uss se mili thi. Delhi me... Jab woh ek ladke ke saath uski girlfriend ka naatak kar ke uske saath dinner par gayi thi. Tab, uski mulaqat Veer se hui thi.
Madhuri (stands up) : Ahn! A-Aap toh wahi-!!!
Pranjal ne jab ye dekha toh woh taajub me reh gaya. Yahi haal Divya aur Lalita ka bhi tha.
Madhuri : M-Mujhe yaad hai. Mujhe yaad hai. Aapne hi mujhe apna woh coat diya tha na? Aapko yaad aaya kuchh? M-Mein wahi ladki hu. Kuchh yaad aaya.
Veer uski masoom si bholi soorat dekh use niraash nahi karna chaahta tha. Toh, usne haami bhari.
Veer (nods) : Bilkul! Mujhe yaad hai.
Madhuri : Ahhn-!! M-Maa-!!!
Lalita : K-Kya hua beta??
Mauka dekhte hi Pranjal bhi uth khada hua.
Pranjal : M-Madhuri...! T-Tumhe Veer yaad hai???
Madhuri : Huhh? V-Veer???
Akasmat hi ye naam Madhuri ke dimag me khatka.
Pranjal : M-Mein Pranjal, Madhuri! T-Tumhe kuchh yaad aaya? Pranjal! Mein, Pranjal! Yaad karo! Bachpan me hum saath khela karte the. Yaad aaya? Tum mere ghar aati thi. Tum boycut rakhti thi tab. Kuchh... Kuchh yaad aaya?
Madhuri unn yaadon ko kabhi nahi bhool sakti thi. Kyunki, wahi shayad uske jeevan ki aakhiri achhi yaadein thi. Woh samay jab uska parivar khush tha, ghar me shaanti, samridhhi aur daulat barkarar thi. Unn palo ko woh chaah ke bhi nahi bhool sakti thi. Use yaad aaya ki uske saamne khada ye ladka wahi Pranjal thi. Par, ek minute-!?
Pranjal ke kuchh shan pehle kahe gaye shabd uske mann me goonje. Tumhe Veer yaad hai? Iska matlab-
Woh jhatse Veer ki orr palti. Bachpan se hi woh Veer se dosti karna chaahti thi lekin, Veer kabhi uss se baat nahi karta tha. Akhiri baar jab usne use ladka samajhte hue dhutkaar ke bura bhala kaha tha toh woh ro ke bhaag aayi thi.
Uss bechari ko khud ko nahi pata tha ki woh Veer se dobaara kabhi nahi mil paayegi. Agle kayi dino tak woh ro ro ke apni raatein guzara karti. Aur, aaj wahi Veer aur Pranjal uske saamne the.
Par, kaise waqt pe? Jab uska parivar ek taaza khabar bann chuka tha. Uske pita ka qatl kar diya gaya tha, police ka aana jaana laga tha, aur rehne ke liye khud ka ghar tak nahi tha.
Uski aankhon se aasu jhar-jhar kar behne lage.
Madhuri : T-Tum...!? Tum wahi V-Veer ho?
Veer : *smiles*
Madhuri : M-Mujhe pehchaana? *sniff* M-Mein Madhuri-!! Wahi-!! Tum jis se door bhaagte the. *sniff* Y-Yaad hai na?
Veer (nods) : Mujhe yaad hai. Mujhe maaf kar dena, Madhuri. Maine tumhe uss waqt ladka samajh ke-
Par, uske bol adhoore reh gaye jab achanak hi Madhuri seedhe uske seene se aa lagi. Aur, Pranjal ki aankhein ye dekhte hi phatne ko baahar aa gayi.
[That's what you get you bastard!!! Master! Make her yours! Kiss her!!!]
Veer jitna Madhuri ki hug se hairaan tha, uss se kahi zyada woh Pari ke iss agressive behaviour se taajub me tha. Ye Pari ko kya ho gaya tha?
Par, Pranjal ko apne daant meesne ka mauka hi nahi mila kyunki, Madhuri turant hi Veer ke haath ko apne haath me daal uski orr aayi aur dusre haath se uske haath ko bhi apne haath me daal li.
Lalita : M-Madhu? Y-Ye sab kya???
Madhuri : M-Maa! *sniff* Tumhe yaad hai na jab hum Mumbai me rehte the? Tab mein pados me bade se ghar me khelne jaaya karti thi?
Lalita ko kuchh dhundhli yaadein yaad aayi.
Madhuri : Inke yaha bihi ka ek bada sa ped bhi tha aangan me. Yaad karo?
Aur, Lalita ko sab kuchh yaad aa gaya.
Lalita : H-Haan! Yaad aaya. Manorath ji karke rehte the waha ek. Bahut hi sajjan log the.
Madhuri : Y-Ye usi ghar se hai, maa. Y-Ye Pranjal! A-Aur, ye Veer. Mein aake tumhare saamne roti thi na? Tumko bataati thi ki Veer mujhse dosti nahi karta. *sniff* Y-Ye wahi Veer hai.
Use dekh ke samajh nahi aa raha tha ki kya kahe. Uski aankhon se aasu beh rahe the par hontho par muskaan bhi saji hui thi. Lalita ko jab sab yaad aaya toh woh bhi aage badh ke aayi aur unn dono ke sarr sehlaane lagi.
Divya aur Ava dono hi hairat me bas sab kuchh ghatit hota hua dekh rahi thi. Pranjal aur Veer ki nazre aapas me takrayi. Par, jis tarah se Madhuri unke beech me hoke unhe thaami hui thi woh dono hi khamosh rahe. Pranjal toh iss ehsaas me kho chuka tha. Madhuri uske bagal se thi. Baar-baar uski nazre unn dono ke bandhe hue haath par jaa rahi thi.
Uske baad sab kuchh vistaar se bataya gaya. Pranjal ne bataya ki woh yaha par kyu aaya tha. Inn beetein dino me usne kuchh paiso ka jugaad kiya tha. Woh yaha pehle hi aa chuka hota. Magar, Karunesh ne use paise dene se inkaar kar diya tha.
Majbooran, use idhar-udhar se paise jugaadne pade. Aur, isi chakkar me use kayi din lag gaye. Aaj ki tareekh me bhi uske paas 30-40 hazaar hi the bas. Aur, woh ye sab Madhuri ke liye laaya tha.
Jab Madhuri ne neeche hui ghatna ka zikra kiya toh uss vishay par dono Veer aur Pranjal khamosh reh gaye.
Madhuri : B-Batao na! Y-Ye neeche kya chal raha tha? Tumhare kapde itne gande kaise ho gaye? A-Aur, aap iss par bandook kyu taani hui thi?
Divya : Aap iss se hi kyu nahi poochhti?
Madhuri : P-Pranjal! Jawab do! Kya hua tha?
Pranjal : K-Kuchh nahi, Madhuri! Y-Ye humare beech ka maamla hai. Mein tumhe fursat se sab bataunga. Abhi yaha se chalo. Tumne bataya na abhi ki ye sthaan tumhe bas kuchh dino ke liye mila hai? Toh chalo yaha se. Mumbai chalo mere saath.
Lalita : Mumbai? Beta, Pune me hi hume ghar nahi mil paa raha hai. Hum Mumbai me kaha rukenge?
Pranjal : M-Mein uski vyavastha karta hu, aunty. Aap fiqr mat kijiye. Aur, aap bhi toh dar rahi ho na? Aapne bataya tha thodi der pehle ki aapko jis aadmi par shaq hai, woh aapko nuksaan pahucha sakta hai. Yaha rehna khatre se khaali nahi hai. Aap chaliye mere saath.
Lalita : Par, beta rehna, khaana, ye sab-
Pranjal : M-Mein dekh lunga na, aunty. Aap chaliye toh-
Madhuri : N-Nahi Pranjal! Shukriya. Lekin, h-hum aise bina kisi guarantee ke kaise-
Veer : Uski zaroorat nahi hai.
Madhuri : ???
Veer : Mere paas aap sab ke liye ghar bhi hai. Aur, aapko jeevan bhar, bhar-pait khaana khila saku utni meri haisiyat bhi hai. Toh, apna beta samajhte hue, aap Mumbai aaiye, aunty.
Lalita : P-Par-
Veer : Bachpan me maine Madhuri ka kaafi dil dukhaya hai. Samajh lijiye mera uss se ye maafi maangne ka tareeka hai. Aap aur Madhuri dono surakshit bhi rahengi. Aur, choonki mein iss case se juda hua hu toh aapko pal-pal iski khabar bhi deta rahunga.
Pranjal muh khole Veer ko dekh raha tha. Woh Madhuri ki madad karne ke liye tatpar tha. Lekin, jab use paiso ki sabse zyada zaroorat thi tab uske khud ke baap ne use paise dene se inkaar kar diya tha. Parantu, Veer ne bejhijhak madad ka haath aage badha diya.
Veer ki baat sunte hi idhar Lalita ka hriday parivartan hua. Woh yaha se nikalne ke liye taiyaar thi. Usne apni beti ko dekha jo aas liye use hi ghoor rahi thi. Aur, fir usne haami bhar di.
Toh ye tay ho chuka tha ki Madhuri Mumbai laut rahi thi. Aur, dono maa beti apna-apna samaan baandhne me bhi lag gayi. Iss poore prakran me kaafi samay guzar chuka tha. Madhuri ke mann me kayi sawaal the. Veer FBCC ke saath kya kar raha tha? Woh yaha kyu aaya tha? Ab tak usne kya kuchh kiya? Wagarah wagarah! Yahi sawal Pranjal ke liye bhi uske mann me the. Lekin, usne filhal apne mann ko shaant rakha.
Veer ward ki terrace kar khade doobte hue sooraj ko dekh cigarette ka ek kash laga raha tha jab upar Pranjal aa dhamka. Kaafi der tak ek sannaata chhaaya raha. Aur, fir Pranjal ne bolna shuru kiya.
Pranjal : Tum... Tum kab se cigarette peene lage?
Veer (side eyes) : Batana zaroori nahi samajhta mein.
Pranjal (grits) : Tsk! Tumne... Tumne unki madad kyu ki?
Veer : Kyunki, mujhe laga ki mujhe unki madad karni chahiye. Simple! Ya mujhe tumhari permission leni hogi iske liye?
Pranjal : That's it?
Veer : What?
Pranjal : Mera matlab hai... Bas yahi? Bas yahi kaaran tha? Ya kuchh aur kaaran bhi hai madad karne ke peechhe?
Veer : Obviously! Aur, kya kaaran ho sakta hai? *smokes* Mein tumhari tarah schemer nahi!
Pranjal : Tum kuchh chhipa toh nahi rahe na?
Veer : Fuck off!
Kahi na kahi, iss baar Veer ke ye kehne se Pranjal ko zara bhi bura nahi laga.
Veer (smokes) : Take them with you.
Pranjal : ??? Kyu? Kya tum nahi jaa rahe?
Veer : I have some work to attend to-! *smokes* Address already unhe pata hai. Tumhe bas unhe waha tak sahi salamat le jaana hai. Baaki ka kaam mere workers waha dekh lenge. You do have money, right?
Pranjal : Hmph!
Veer ne apni jeb se ek note ki gaddi hawa me Pranjal ki orr feki.
Veer : Take it! Mein nahi chaahta ki tum Madhuri aur uske parivar par udhaari waale paiso ka istemal karo. Mein unhe aur musibat me nahi dekhna chaahta.
Pranjal (grits) : Tch-!!!
Par, Pranjal ne agle hi pal woh gaddi wapas Veer ki orr fek di jo usne haatho me pakad kar thaam li.
Pranjal : Fuck you! Tumhe kya lagta hai? Ki mein apni wajah se unhe pareshani me daalunga? I'll have money... *murmurs* I'll arrange it.
Aur, woh ladkhadaate hue waha se waapas chala gaya. Na jaane aage kya kuchh hone waala tha. Madhuri aur uski maa ki samasya toh door ho chuki thi. Lekin, ye murder ke raaz par se parda uthaana abhi bhi baaki tha. Aur, uske liye, Veer ki agli destination thi — Panchgani!!!
***
Nexacom's HQ, Mumbai,
Evening - 6:50 PM ~
Kaera lakshya ke saath chal rahi thi, gati tez aur chaal ekdum truti-heen. Uss se ek aise vyakti ki prabhavshali upasthiti jhalak rahi thi jisne kabhi asafalta dekhi hi na ho.
Ruchika, uski secretary theek uske peechhe uske qadam se qadam milaane ke liye sangharsh kar rahi thi. Uske haath me ek tablet notifications se bhara hua tha — urgent emails, financial reports, messages jo vibhinn vibhaago se the. Jaise hi Kaera meeting room se baahar nikli, Ruchika ne turant hi zaroori muddo ko sahi soonchi me rakh bolna shuru kar diya.
Ruchika : Ah! M-Miss! Humare Mumbai ke ports me strike ki wajah se humare textile devision me supply chain ko bahut nuksaan hua hai. Logistics team samajh nahi paa rahi ki kaise aage badhe?
Kaera : Shipments ko southern ports ki taraf divert karo.
Usne turant ke turant jawab diya. Uske sochne ki speed fraction of seconds thi.
Kaera : Transportation ko tez banaaye rakhne ke liye railways se jo humara contract hai uska istemal karo. Jo workers strike kar rahe hai unhe secretly bonus package do — industry standard se 10% upar — taaki woh kaam jaari rakhe. Have HR handle the negotiations. Transportation rukna nahi chahiye kisi bhi haalat me.
Ruchika ne apne tablet par sab note kar, tap karte hue sarr hilaaya.
Ruchika : M-Miss! Casa Belle luxury hotel budget overrun face kar rahi hai. Unka project manager additonal funds ki demand kar raha hai.
Kaera : Budget overrun?
Ruchika : Sh-Shayad, woh out of budget hai. Kuchh bada plan kar rahe hai? Maybe? Ya fir renovations? New materials? Maybe?
Kaera : Come to think of it. Veer... He has a hotel too, right? The name...! What was it? Right! Hotel Prestige!
Ruchika : E-Ehh?
Kaera : Make a call at Hotel Prestige!
Ruchika : Ahnn! R-Right away!
Chalte-chalte hi Ruchika ne Hotel Prestige par call lagaya. Aur, udhar se manager - Nandini ne call uthaaya. Jaise hi Nandini ko pata chala ki Nexacom ki taraf se call tha woh hadbada gayi. Turant hi usne call Bhumika ki orr forward kiya aur bechari Bhumika ki bhi yahi haalat thi.
Kaera : Ask them that if they need any fund? Any kind of investment?
Ruchika ne theek waisa hi kiya. Jab Bhumika ko pata chala ki Nexacom hotel prestige me invest karne ke liye interested hai toh uski khushi ka koi thikana na raha. Bina soche samjhe hi usne haan kar di. Ye sunehra mauka woh haath se bhala kaise jaane de sakti thi?
Ruchika : M-Miss! Wo-Woh ready hai!
Kaera (smiles) : Then give them the fund which you were supposed to give to Casa Belle.
Ruchika : O-Okay! P-Par, Casa Belle ke project manager ko kya jawab du, Miss?
Kaera : Keh do ki humne thodi der pehle hi apne marketing budget me extra 15% invest kiya hai. Hum yaha invest karne ke liye hai. Liquidity gap bharne ke liye nahi.
Ruchika : Samajh gayi!
Woh boli. Uski awaaz me sammaan saaf-saaf jhalak raha tha.
Ruchika (hurriedly) : E-Ek potential legal issue bhi hai, Miss. Humaare pharmaceutical division ka jo latest product hai woh mushqil me hai. Regulatory body uski jaanch kar rahi hai aur woh humari clinical trial data ki validity par sawal utha rahe hai.
Kaera achanak ruk gayi. Uski nazre paini ho chali.
Kaera : Trials ki ek comprehensive report taiyaar karo. Woh saare regulations highlight karo jinka hum paalan sahi se kar rahe hai. Koi bhi data jo misinterpret ho sakta hai, uska khaas khayal rakho. Have the legal team frame it properly. Meanwhile, ek private meeting schedule karo meri uss regulatory body ke head ke saath. Shayad mujhe unhe yaad dilaane ki zaroorat hai ki humare innovative products ke chalte public sector ko kitna fayda hua hai. I'll personally oversee the negotiations.
Jitni gati se Kaera pratyek samasya ka samadhan pradan kar rahi thi, bechari Ruchika badi hi mushqil se uski gati ke saath apni gati barkarar rakh paa rahi thi. Kaera ke shabdo me koi jhijak nahi thi, koi anumaan nahi — bas ek adig nirnay karne ki kshamta jaha galti ke liye koi sthaan nahi tha.
Jaise hi woh ek kamre ke paas pahuchne lage toh Ruchika ne ek akhiri mudde ka zikra kiya.
Ruchika : M-Miss, TechUnion ke saath merger ke discussion me delay hua hai. Unka board iss saude par sehmat hone se pehle kuchh aur concessions maang raha hai.
Kaera ke hontho par halki si muskaan bikhri.
Kaera : Then call their bluff. Unhe batao ki hum alternative partners ko consider kar rahe hai. That should remind them of their place in this negotiation. If they don't come back to the table within 48 hours, pull the plug and move on to our next target.
Ruchika poori tarah se avaak reh gayi thi. Ekdum bhauchakki. Usne tamaam hastiyaan dekhi thi par aisi? Koi nahi. Kya Kaera ko duniya ka aathwa ajooba kehna sahi tha? Ruchika se agar ye poochhe, toh uska uttar — haan tha.
Kaera : Next year bahut badi deal aane waali hai. ICONGLOBE India aa rahi hai aur top company me invest karne ki soch rahi hai. That deal... will be mine!!!
***
"That deal... is mine!!!"
Apne ghar ke kamre me maujood Sonia ne apni mutthi kaste hue kaha. Uske theek peechhe Suchika darwaze par khadi hui thi. Usne halka sa mud use dekha.
Sonia : Suchika-!!!
Suchika : ???
Sonia : Tum meri help karogi na?
Suchika : Yes, Miss!
Sonia : Good! Toh iss baar mujhe ye deal seal karne se koi nahi rok sakta. We'll move according to the plan. No one can stop us. Tum bhi nahi... Kaera!!!
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Aaj ke liye itna hi guys.
This update consists of around 10.1k words. Thoda sa late hai par umeed hai ju logo ko pasand aayega. Target ise diwali ke pehle dene ka tha but I was too occupied with my personal works. So, consider this as a Diwali bonus. Pichhle update me monotonous scene ko leke kaafi log keh rahe the. So, this time it's a 4 scene update. Baaki, Target apna wahi hai. 200. Toh, like thokne ka aur revos rakhne ka.
Dhanyavad.
raghav_143
New Member
- 13
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Intresting update.Diwali BonusAb tak...
Update - 189 ~ Exchange at Perth & Pune
Ye ek prakar ka guest house tha jo sarkaar ne filhaal ke liye Madhuri aur uski maa ke liye rent-free niyukt kiya tha.
Par, yaha aate hi Veer ki nazar baahar khade jis shaks par pehle padi, use dekh woh taajub me reh gaya. Aur, Veer hi nahi woh shaks bhi Veer ko dekh bhauchakka reh gaya.
Veer : Tum-!???
Saamne koi aur nahi — Pranjal tha. Jisne Veer ko mask pehna dekh ke bhi pehchaan liya.
Pranjal : Huh??? V-Veer?? Tum-!!!?
Ab aage...
Perth, Australia,
2 years ago ~
"Captain, humne naya base dhoondh liya hai."
Ek ladki haafte hue kamre ke andar aayi aur sofe par baithi apni captain ko dekh boli. Uski aankhon me ek chamak thi. Toh wahi captain lambi-lambi gehri saansein le rahi thi. Uski black leather jacket par ghaav saaf-saaf dikhaayi nahi pad raha tha, magar khoon ki gandh se sab jaayaz tha ki chot kitni gambheer thi.
*Cough* *Cough*
"C-Captain-!!!"
Woh ladki ghabrate hue aage aayi aur usne captain ko sofe se girte-girte bachaate hue apni baahon me thaam liya.
"M-Mein theek hu! Chhoro mujhe-!"
Captain ne ladki ke haath ko hataane ka prayatn kiya lekin, woh ladki na maani. Chot ka jaayza lete hi woh bechain ho uthi.
"N-Nahi! Aap theek nahi ho, Captain! Aap theek nahi ho. Aapki chot gehri hai. Hume hospital chalna hoga."
Tabhi, ek aur ladki andar pravesh ki aur Captain ki haalat dekh uski bauhe sikud gayi.
"Captain! Hume jald se jald ye jagah khaali karni hogi." Woh boli.
"Hmm!" Captain ne haami bhari.
"Mia, tum paagal ho gayi ho kya? Captain ki haalat dekho." Captain ko thaami hui woh pehli ladki chillaayi. "Captain iss haalat me kaise kahi jaa sakti hai?"
"Rosella-!!! Tum jaanti ho na ki humne 'Black Fangs' ke bas 10% gang members ka hi khaatma kiya hai. Jald hi baaki gang members yaha aate hi honge."
Darwaze par khadi Mia ne sthiti ki gambheerta ko samajhte hue kaha.
Rosella : Toh? Toh tum kehna kya chaahti ho? Hum captain ko iss haalat me leke jaaye? Bolo-!!! Agar, humne ek minute bhi ab deri kari na toh-
Mia (frowns) : Tum jaanti ho ki hum hospital nahi jaa sakte. Janta aur government ki nazro me hum ek evil syndicate hai. Bhulo nahi, Rosella! Hospital me jaana matlab apni maut ko bulaava dena. Captain ka treatment Daisy karegi. Jaise woh har baar karti aayi hai.
Rosella (yells) : Captain ka wound gehra hai, stupid Mia. Tum meri baat samajhti kyu nahi ho? Hume jald se jald-
Aur, usne abhi kaha hi tha ki Daisy kamre ke andar bhaagti hui pravesh ki. Uske haatho me ek bada sa suitcase tha jisme medical aid ke liye saari zaroori saamagri rakhi hui thi. Apni captain ki haalat ko dekhte hi Daisy ke honth thar-thara gaye.
Woh daudate hue Rosella aur captain ke nazdeek aayi. Captain ke pait par bade hi ahista se haath ferte hue usne chot ka jaayza liya. Aur, khoon ki maatra aur wound ke gap ko dekhte hi Daisy ki aankhein bhay ke maare fel gayi.
Daisy : Th-This is bad!!! Mia-!! Rosella-!! Jaldi! Jaldi! Captain ko bed par litao. We have no time!!
Aur, Daisy ko ghabrata dekh pehli baar aaj Mia ki dhadkane tez ho gayi. Use gyaat ho gaya ki sthiti kitni gambheer thi. Iske pehle bhi usne apni captain ko ghaayal hote dekha tha. Aur, Daisy hi unn sab ka ilaaj kiya karti thi. Woh unke group ki paramedic thi. Lekin, usne kabhi bhi Daisy ko iss tarah captain ke liye jaldbazi karte nahi dekha tha. Iska matlab saaf tha ki unke captain ki jaan khatre me thi.
Mia (frowns) : Wh-Why did you-!??
Woh apna nichla honth daanto tale zor se kaatate hue captain ko gusse me dekh boli. Captain ne bhi jaise uske iss virodh ko sunn liya. Woh muskurayi aur ahista se boli-
Captain : What? *smiles* Captain hone ke naate ye meri zimmedari thi ki mein group ko lead karu.
Mia (shivers) : Y-You-!!! Why are you always-??? Agar, risk zyada tha toh fall back kar sakte the. Humare paas advantage tha!!! Toh fir kyu???
Captain (grins) : Heh-!
Mia (yells) : Don't laugh, you fucking idiot!!!
Woh apni captain par baras zaroor rahi thi. Lekin, andar hi andar woh kaanp rahi thi. Dar se, gusse se aur bechaini se.
Captain (smiles) : -Kyunki, maine Daisy se promise kiya tha... Ki mein 'Black Fangs' ko uske liye khatm kar ke rahungi.
Daisy jiski aankhon me pehle se hi captain ke ghaav ko dekh aasu umad aaye the, woh ye sunte hi apna sarr utha ke captain ko dekhi, aur aasu uske gaalo se behte hue jhar-jhar kar neeche girne lage.
Daisy (yells) : Idiot, captain-!!! Aap bewakoof ho!!! *sniff* Nahi chaahiye mujhe kuchh bhi. Nahi chaahiye mujhe koi badla. I just want... I just want everyone to be safe.
Unn sab ke yaha hone ka kaaran aaj Daisy hi thi. 'Black Fangs' Australia ki teen sabse badi gangs me se ek thi jo underground mafia ki duniya me mashoor thi. Daisy ka parivar 'Black Fangs' ke kuchh sadasyo dwara hi ujaada gaya tha.
Aur, tab se hi Daisy ek orphan bann ke reh gayi thi. Antatah jab tak ki captain ki nazar uss par na pad gayi. Uss samay jab koi nahi tha, jab woh jeene ki ichha bhi chhor chuki thi, jab woh poori tarah se andhkaar me doob chuki thi. Raushni ki ek akhiri kiran me se ek haath aage badh uski orr aaya.
"Kya tum 'Orphana' se judna chaahogi?"
Aur, iske baad sab kuchh itihaas bann gaya. Daisy ko samajh aaya ki ye faction sirf aur sirf ladkiyo se bhara hua tha. Use ye bhi samajh aaya ki bhala iss group ka naam 'Orphana' kyu tha. Kyunki, sabhi ladkiyaan jo iss group ki sadasya thi — woh anaath thi. Bilkul, uski tarah.
Captain ne use ek naya jeevan diya. 'Orphana' woh group tha jo raasta kho chuki ladkiyo ko unke uddeshya tak pahuchne me madad karta tha. Fir chaahe woh uddeshya unke jeevan ka badla ho, ayyaashi bhari zindagi jeena ho, ya fir kuchh aur. Group ki tamam ladkiyaan ek dusre ke liye samarpit rehti thi aur unke liye apni jaan bhi daav par laga deti thi. Woh sab aapas me hi ek dusre ke liye apna parivar thi.
Daisy ke ateet se poora 'Orphana' waqif tha. Sabhi ye bhi jaante the ki ek na ek din unhe 'Black Fangs' se bhidna hi tha. Aur, aaj wahi din tha.
Unki captain ne aaj bhi leader hone ke naate group ko lead kiya. Gang members ko dher kiya aur unke hideout ko poori tarah se khaali kar diya. Ek bhi 'Orphana' ki sadasya ki jaan nahi gayi. Kyunki, lead karne waali unki captain thi. Na sirf woh ek trained ring boxer thi balki ek honhar sharp-shooter bhi thi, jo adhiktar jokhim aksar apne upar hi leke chalti thi. Aur, isi wajah se aaj — woh ek bullet ka shikaar ho gayi.
Rosella aur Mia ne fatafat Captain ko bed par litaaya aur Daisy turant hi Captain ke emergency treatment par lag gayi. Daisy ke nirdesh anusaar Mia aur Rosella dono hi kamre ke baahar nikal gayi.
Jaha Rosella theek darwaze ke baahar khadi ho gayi toh wahi Mia baahar ki orr chal di. Daisy ko agar kisi bhi cheez ki avashyakta padi toh waha uske liye Rosella thi.
Group me second-in-command hone ke chalte Mia baahar aayi. Ye jagah waqai khatre se khaali nahi thi. Kuchh der pehle hi bheeshan ladaayi ke baad sab kuchh abhi ke liye shaant ho chuka tha. Magar, ye shaanti bas kuchh der ke liye hi thi.
Captain aur tamaam ladkiyon ne vijay toh praapt kar li thi lekin, iss jagah par unka haq nahi tha. Kyunki, woh jaanti thi ki ye ladaayi bas ek shuruat thi.
Kamre ke baahar aate hi Mia ko aadmiyon ki laashe dali hui dikhayi di jinhe thodi der pehle hi unn sab ne milke dher kiya tha. Uske baahar aate hi baaki ladkiyaan uske ird-gird ikhatti ho gayi aur uss par sawaalo ke hamle kar shuru ho gayi.
"Captain kaha hai, Mia? Woh theek toh hai na?"
"Haan? Hum jeet gaye na? Ab yaha se kya?"
"Captain waqai theek hai na? Unhe kuchh hua toh nahi? Aap sab kamre me kyu the? Kuchh batao na!!!"
Mia ne unse kuchh bhi nahi chhipaaya. Unke sawaal khatam hote hi usne vistaar se unhe sab kuchh bataya jiske chalte unn sab ki chintaaye badh gayi.
Mia : Captain kaafi injured hai. Lekin, Daisy unka treatment kar rahi hai. Temporary treatment hote hi hum captain ko leke nazdeek ke hideout me shift honge. Tum sab ne Daisy ke liye medical room hideout me set kar diya?
Ladki 1 : Humne call kar diya hai. Woh sab saara samaan ambulance me rakh kar kuchh der me hideout pahuchti hi hongi.
Mia (nods) : Good-!
Ladki 2 : Par, hume naye hideout me jaane ki kya zaroorat hai, didi? Kya hum sab yaha nahi reh sakte? Ab toh humne inhe thikaane laga hi diya hai na?
Mia : Ye captain ke orders hai. Aur, har baar hum yahi karte hue aaye hai. Yaha hum isliye nahi ruk sakte kyunki ye 'Black Fangs' ka hideout hai. Baaki gang members ko inn logo ne inform kar diya gaya hoga aur woh sab yaha kuchh ghanto me pahuchte hi honge.
Ladki 2 : Humaare puraane hideout ka kya?
Mia : Maine bataya na — Captain ke orders. Kabhi bhi ek hi jagah par zyada der nahi theherna chaahiye.
Ladki 1 : Umm- Mia? Yaha ke resources ka kya?
Mia : Kya kya mila hai?
Ladki 1 : Guns, kuchh explosives, ammunitions, drugs, cash, aur kuchh vehicles.
Mia (nods) : Sab transport karwao. We are taking everything.
Ladki 1 : Hmm!
30 se 40 ye 'Orphana' ki ladkiyaan sab ki sab physical fights aur shooting me trained thi. Na sirf ye combats me maahir thi balki alag-alag kaamo me bhi nipud thi. Koi heavy vehicles chalaane me maahir thi toh koi drug dealings aur smugglings me. Toh wahi 50 se bhi upar jawan nayi ladkiyaan thi jo abhi under-training period me thi. Aane waale samay me 'Orphana' mazboot hone waala tha. Aur, ye tab hi mumkin tha jab-
'Don't you dare die on me... Captain-!!!'
Unke captain ki saansein chalti rahe.
Kuchh hi samay me woh sabhi naye hideout par shift ho chuke the. Captain ke temporary treatment ke baad medical room me Daisy ne surgery bhi kar di thi. Lekin, captain ki haalat abhi bhi gambheer thi. Pehle hi kaafi blood loss ho chuka tha. Mia ne apna blood donate toh kar diya tha magar, captain ki recovery uske weak state ke chalte bahut hi dheemi pad chuki thi.
Daisy rote hue captain ke maathe ko sehla rahi thi. 'Orphana' ke har ek sadasya ke liye unki captain ne kya kuchh nahi kiya tha. Sab ke badle ke liye Captain khushi-khushi apni jaan daav par laga deti thi. Aur, aaj woh sab agar yaha zinda thi toh uska kaaran tha unki — captain. Kintu, unme se koi bhi captain ki swayam ki kahani nahi jaanta tha.
Kyu tha ye 'Orphana group?' Kisne shuru kiya tha? Kya thi unki captain ki kahani? Kya tha unka maqsad? Unme se koi bhi kuchh nahi jaanta tha. Yaha tak ki Mia bhi nahi jo 'Orphana' ki sabse pehli sadasya thi jo captain dwara recruit ki gayi thi.
'What story are you hiding captain? Please!!! Get well soon! Aap yu hume chhor ke nahi jaa sakti. Recover! Please!'
Daisy ne apna kaam kar diya tha. Blood vessels aur organs buri tarah wounded the aur pneumothorax ke chalte oxygen level lagatar ghatata jaa raha tha. Ab sab kuchh recovery ke upar tha. Woh apni taraf se har woh prayas kar rahi thi jo mumkin tha. Lekin-
*Beep* *Beep*
*Beep* *Beep*
Achanak hi ECG monitor me heart rate kaafi kam hota chala gaya. Daisy ghabra ke uth ke baith gayi.
"N-Nooo-!! Captain-!!! Captain-!!!"
Agar, aisa hi chalta raha toh captain shayad aaj apni aakhiri saansein lene waali thi. Captain ko khone ke dar se Daisy itna ghabra gayi ki woh turant ke turant treatment me jutt gayi.
Heart ko temporary pacemaker se connect karne ki zaroorat thi jis se captain ke heart tak low electricity ke jhatke diye jaa sake taaki heart beat karta rahe. Aur, low heart rate ke chalte apna dum na tod de.
Ek ghante ke andar-andar hi Daisy ne temporary pacemaker bhi connect kar diya tha. Woh zoro se haaf rahi thi. Uss bechaari ne apni jee jaan laga di thi.
Ye medical equipment, ye tools, ye machines sab kuchh 'Orphana' ne zaroorat ke waqt ke liye khareede the. Par, agar aaj ye sab unki captain ko bachaane ke kaam na aaye, toh ye sab kis kaam ke reh jaane waale the?
'Don't die-!! Don't die, captain-!!!'
Iske pehle aaj tak Daisy ne kabhi bhi itni shiddat se kisi ke liye dua shayad hi maangi thi. Lekin, uparwaala jaise aaj kuchh aur hi chaahta tha.
*Beeeeeeeeeeeeeepppppp*
"Noooooooooooooo-!!!!!"
Woh itni zorr se cheenkhi ki baahar baithi kuchh ladkiyaan medical room me daakhil ho gayi. Aur, jab woh andar aayi toh unhone dekha ki — ECG monitor me straight line bann ke aa chuki thi.
Mia wahi apne ghutno par gir gayi. Rosella apna muh dhaake kaanpte hue gir padi. Toh wahi Daisy ki cheenkhein kamre me goonjti chali gayi.
*Beeeeeeeeeeeeeepppppp*
Captain ki aankhein humesha-humesha ke liye band ho chuki thi.
***
"Captain!!! Mia aaj bhi aapki Porsche chori chhipe le gayi thi."
"What? N-No way! Bakwas mat karo. Mere paas khud ki BMW hai. Why would I drive her car?"
"Kyunki, tumhe ab Porsche zyada pasand hai. Aur, ab tum woh khareedna chaahti ho. Lekin, captain ko bataane se darrti ho. Haha!"
"Rosella-!! Tum-!! Fine then! Captain! Kal raat aap poochh rahi thi na ki strawberry pie ka last piece kisne khatam kiya? Toh woh ye Rosella hi thi."
"Wh-What?? N-N-No no no no! Captain! Ye jhooth bol rahi hai. Maine toh woh park me ghoomne waali uss cat ko diya tha. I swearrrr-!!!"
"Hey, captain! Kya hum sach me movie dekhne chal rahe hai? Like... Really? Hum sab? Thanks so much!"
"Captain! Daisy ne flower vase tod diya."
"Ahhhn~ N-No! Captain! Woh galti se mera haath lag gaya tha. I'm sorry. Please! M-Mein pay back kar dungi. I promise."
"Lexi aaj bhi drill training ke liye late thi captain. Kya aaj bhi use cars saaf karne ki saza milegi? Waise kuchh dump trucks bahar gande pade hue hai. Hahahahaha-!"
"C-Captain-! W-Woh refrigerator kharab ho gaya hai toh-! Huh? Wait! Aap naya le aayi? Kab?? No wayyyy-!!!"
"Thank you, captain! Aapne mere kehne par unn logo ki madad ki. Jabki woh aapke kuchh lagte bhi nahi the. I'll always remember this."
"Captain! Please, mujhe bhi beauty tips dijiye na. Aapki skin itni achhi kyu hai???"
"Ehh? Y-Ye mere liye? *blushes* P-Par, ye dress toh bahut mehngi hai, captain. O-Ohh! Mera birthday gift? M-Mujhe toh yaad bhi nahi tha. Th-Thank you, captain!"
'Am I... Am I dead?'
'Ye sab yaadein... Mujhe kyu yaad aa rahi hai? Kya isliye ki ab mera waqt aa chuka hai? Mein maut ke qareeb hu isliye? P-Par-!'
'I don't want to die right now. Mujhe abhi bahut kuchh karna tha. Mujhe-'
'I guess... This is the end. I'm sorry, Mia. Mein tumhare liye tumhara maqsad poora nahi karwa paayi. Well, mere baad tum hi 'Orphana' ko aage leke jaogi. And, I believe it will flourish beautifully under your care. I believe in you.'
'This is it... It's time for me to leave now.'
Captain apni zindagi se poorn tarah se santusht toh nahi thi. Lekin, woh khush thi. Kam se kam usne ek neev toh rakh di thi jiske chalte 'Orphana' aage badh sake.
Aur, woh khushi-khushi iss duniya se alvida kehne waali thi jab-
Achanak hi kuchh hua. Uske shareer ne jhatka khaaya aur-
*Ding*
[System has been activated.]
*Beep* *Beep*
*Beep* *Beep*
"A-Ahhhn-!!!"
Daisy hadbadaate hue uthi aur ECG monitor ko check kar Captain ko dekhne lagi. Baaki, sab ka bhi yahi haal tha.
Aur, jab unhe samajh aaya ki unki captain ne unka saath nahi chhora hai toh sabhi khushi ke aasu bahaate hue ek dusre se lipat kar rone lagi.
Par, woh sab ye nahi jaanti thi ki unki captain ki kahani ke raazo me ab ek aur naya raaz jud chuka tha.
Sabse zyada khush thi toh woh thi — Mia. Bhale hi woh ek sakht bartaav rakhne waali sadasya ke roop me jaani jaati thi magar, woh Captain ki sabse qareebi aur sabse puraani sakha thi. 'Orphana' ki pehli sadasya.
Use Captain ki kahi gayi woh baat yaad aa gayi.
"Remember, Mia. Strength is not a weapon. It's a promise — to stand when no one else will."
Aur, aaj use iska arth samajh aa chuka tha. Captain kyu har baar unke liye khadi hoti thi. Kyunki, kabhi woh bhi akeli thi.
'You made it. You made it you idiot...! Thank God!!
***
Back to present,
Somewhere in Perth, Australia,
Evening - 5:05 PM ~
Puraani inhi kuchh yaadon ko yaad kar Captain ghane ped-paudho waale ilaaqo me akele aaj sair kar rahi thi. Inn beetein do saalo me usne lagbhag woh sab kuchh paa liya tha jo woh paana chaahti thi.
'Black Fangs' ka naam-o-nishaan mit chuka tha. 'Orphana' ka naam ab poore Australia me mashoor tha aur sabse badi aur powerful gang ke roop me jaana jaata tha.
Mia se leke aur bhi sadasyo ke jeevan ke uddeshyo ko paane me 'Orphana' ne unki poori sahaayta ki thi. Har guzarte din unka faction taqatvar hota jaa raha tha aur ye sab mumkin ho paaya tha sirf aur sirf unki captain ki wajah se.
System ke aane ke baad, captain poora risk apne upar leke chalti thi. Na sirf sadasyo me uski izzat badh chuki thi balki unke beech aapas me ab pehle se zyada ekta aur nidarta jhalakti thi.
Kintu, captain ek cheez se abhi anibhigya thi. Aur, woh thi-
*Tocotocotocotocotocotoco*
Captain ke kshetra se kuchh hi kilometres door ek helicopter hawa me mandraata hua uske nazdeek badh raha tha. Aur, uske gate par khada ek vyakti apni nazre neeche gadaaye kshetra ka jaayza le raha tha.
Uska chehra kapde se dhaka hua tha aur peeth par teer se bhara ek tarkas latka hua tha.
"Neeche lo!"
Usne pilot ko bina dekhe hi nirdesh diya. Aur, pilot ne haami bhar helicopter ek khaali jagah dekh neeche utaarna shuru kar diya. Helicopter abhi zameen par aaya bhi nahi tha ki woh vyakti helicopter se kooda aur seedhe zameen par land kiya.
Pilot ne copter ko wapas se hawa me upar kiya aur woh waha se nikal gaya. Aur, neeche utarne waala yeh vyakti koi aur nahi — Damian hi tha.
'Remember, Damian! Tumhara kaam uss ladki ko ghaayal karna hai. Stall her! That's it. Behtar hoga agar tum use humari side karne me qamyab hote ho. Lekin, woh nahi aayegi. I can tell. So, just stick to the plan. Aur, agar maamla tumhare haath se nikal jaaye, then you must escape. It's not a death fight. Go now!'
Rebecca ki kahi gayi baat use yaad aayi. Australia ke liye nikalne se pehle yahi baatein Rebecca ne use samjhayi thi. Unhe dhyaan me rakhte hue woh dabe paav aage badha.
Idhar, Captain jangal me ped paudho ke beech apna samay vyateet kar rahi thi. Aksar woh chaandni raato me yaha aasmaan me taaro ke neeche ghaas par laite shaanti mehsoos kiya karti. Use jaanvaro se lagaav tha — vishesh roop se bhediyo se. Aur, aksar yaha woh unke ird-gird hi paayi jaati thi, unse baatein karte hue, unhe khilaate hue, unke saath daudate hue. Use toofano se bhi ek ajeeb sa lagaav tha. Woh unki arajak taaqat me bhi sundarta dhoondhti thi.
Abhi woh jangal ki sundarta ko nihaar hi rahi thi jab-
*Swoosh* *Swoosh* *Swoosh*
Hawa ko cheerte hue kisi cheez ke aane ki dhwani ne use ahaat kiya aur-
*Ding*
HYPER REFLEXIA
Ek jhatke me palatate hue usne apni taraf chhore gaye do teero ko apne haatho se jakad liya.
Door khade uss anjaan vyakti aur uske muh par lipte kapde ko dekhte hi Captain ki aankhein chaudi ho gayi.
Captain (growls) : Y-You-!!! It's you...!
Aur, woh abhi Damian par hamla karne hi waali thi jab Damian ne swayam bolna shuru kiya.
Damian : Captain of the Orphana!!! We meet again-
Captain (growls) : Tumhari himmat kaise hui mere hi continent me aake mujh par peeth peechhe vaar karne ki??
Damian : Mein yaha kuchh samjhaute ke liye hu. I mean no harm!
Captain (yells) : Fuck you!!!
Damian : Kya hum ek dusre se baat kar-
Captain (growls) : SHUT THE FUCK UP! AND, TELL ME... WHERE... IS... THAT... BITCH!!?
Woh gurraate hue boli. Aur, agle hi shan uski aankhon par golden color ki parat chadh gayi.
Captain (growls) : WHERE... IS... SHE???
Damian : Mein yaha sirf baat karne ke liye hu. Uske alawa mein koi bhi details share nahi kar sakta. Par-
Captain : Well, then it doesn't matter. Tumhe qaid me karne ke baad woh bhi yaha daudi-daudi chali aayegi.
Damian : Mujhe nahi lagta ye sahi approach hogi. After all, I'm just a pawn. Agar, mein yaha maara bhi jaata hu toh bhi tumhe kuchh nahi milega.
Captain (sneers) : Hmph! A lapdog indeed. Lekin, tumhara past shayad sab kuchh baya kar dega.
Damian : That'll depend on your capability.
*Whoooosh*
Agle hi shan Captain apni jagah se gaayab hui aur palak jhapakte hi woh Damian ke theek peechhe thi. Uski raftaar dekhte hi Damian ki aankhein hairaani me fel gayi. Captain ka perr Damian ke sarr ko dhad se alag karne ke liye hawa ko cheerte hue aaya.
Magar, Damian ne turant hi duck kar liya. Laat uske baalo ko chhoote hue nikli. Damian ne jhukte hi apni kamar par khusi ek knife blade nikaali aur bina peechhe dekhe hi usne apna haath chala diya. Magar, Captain blade dekhte hi peechhe ko hatt gayi.
[He's an agile assassin.]
Captain ke mann me ek aadmi ki awaaz goonji. Zaahir hai ye uske system ki awaaz thi.
'Agile assassin?'
[Hmm! Woh assassin jo aksar apni speed par rely karta hai. Dusre shabdo me, woh tumse physically weak ho sakta hai. Lekin, speed me tumse aage ho sakta hai. Isliye, sambhal ke-]
'Hmm!'
Haami bharte hue iss baar Captain Damian ko upar se neeche tak parakhne lagi. Damian chup-chaap utha aur palatate hue usne firse wahi kaha.
Damian : I mean no harm captain. Mujhe sirf aur sirf baat karni hai.
Iss baar Captain ne apni aankhon se sunehre rang ki parat ko hataaya aur woh kuchh sochte hue boli.
Captain : State your purpose.
Damian : Join us!
Captain : Huh?
Damian : Tum meri senior se milna chaahti ho. Hai na? Toh hume join kyu nahi karti? Mein tumhe vachan deta hu ki agar tum hume join karti ho toh mein tumhari meeting senior se zaroor karwaunga.
Captain (sneers) : That bitch?? Hmph! Shayad, tum abhi bhi theek se samjhe nahi. I'm a free bird. Duniya ki koi bhi taaqat mujhe apne ishaare par nachaane ke liye majboor nahi kar sakti. Woh aurat aur tum aapas me mile hue ho ye toh mein jaan gayi hu. Lekin, mujhe ye jaanana hai ki woh bitch uss raat waha kar kya rahi thi???
Damian : ...
Captain : Heh! Toh tumhare paas iska koi jawaab nahi?
Damian : ...
Captain : Mein jaanti thi ye conversation fizool hi hai. Jab tak mein tumhe apna bandhi nahi bana leti tab tak mere haath kuchh bhi nahi lagega.
Kehte hue uski aankhein punah sunehre rang se chamak uthi.
Damian : Humara yaha ladna faydemand saabit nahi hoga, Captain.
Captain (takes stance) : Time will tell.
Damian : Mein jaanta hu ki tum itni powerful kaise ho paayi ho. 'Orphana' ke sadasyo ki wajah se.
Sunte hi pal bhar ke liye Captain ki bauhe sikudi.
Damian : Jitne zyada orphans tumhe mile, utne hi zyada missions bhi tumhe mile honge. Jinhe baari-baari tum complete karti gayi aur 'Orphana' ke saath-saath tum bhi taqatvar hoti chali gayi. Mein sahi keh raha hu na?
Captain : Tch-!!
Woh gusse me Damian ko dekhi. Iss ladke ko bahut kuchh pata tha.
Damian : Par, kya hoga agar wahi 'Orphana' ke sadasyo ka khaatma kar diya jaaye?
*Booooooooooooooommmmm*
Palak jhapakte hi jidhar Damian khada hua tha waha ki dharti ke chithde udd gaye aur Damian sahi samay par peechhe kood gaya warna ye vaar use sach me ghaayal kar diya hota.
Captain ki laat zameen ke andar dhas chuki thi. Aur, aas paas ki zameen ke chithde bikhar chuke the.
Gussail aankhon se usne apna sarr upar kar Damian ko ghoora.
Captain (growls) : YOU DARE?
Damian : I WOUL-
*Booooooooooooooommmmm*
Damian ke bagal se laga ped beech se hi ukhad gaya aur vishaal vraksh badi hi asaani se do tukdo me batt ke neeche dharashayi ho gaya.
Pakshiyo ka shor ho utha aur aas paas ke jeev jantu khatra mehsoos kar waha se bhaag uthe. Aur, iss baar Damian ko bodh hua. Bodh ki woh apne saamne khadi iss captain se bhidne ke liye taiyaar nahi tha. Agar, woh bhida toh use apne qamyab hone ke koi bhi asaar nazar nahi aa rahe the.
Par, yahi uska maqsad bhi tha. Rebecca ne use Captain ko vyast rakhne ke liye kaha tha. Aur, ho sake toh ghayal karne ke liye.
Damian yaha se khaali haath nahi laut sakta tha. Aur, uske baad shuru hua waha ek ghamasan yuddh. Do system holders aapas me takraaye.
Woh sundar jagah tabaah hoti chali gayi. Ped paudhe nasht hote gaye toh wahi zameen ujadti chali gayi. Unn dono ki ladaayi waha ke jeevan ko khatam kar rahi thi.
Magar, Captain ke upar gussa sawaar tha. Damian ke explosive arrows ho ya fir feint attacks. Captain ne woh sab kuchh apne upar liya. Zaahir hai woh kayi hamlo ka shikaar ho chuki thi.
Uske badan se jagah-jagah se khoon beh raha tha aur pait me kaafi gehri chot bhi aayi thi. Lekin, iss se bura haal tha Damian ka.
Jiska sarr zameen ke andar dhasa hua tha aur Captain ka joota jo theek uski khopdi ke upar rakha hua tha. Captain lambi-lambi gehri saansein le rahi thi. Magar, woh iss ladke ko haraane me qamyab thi.
Usne jhukte hue Damian ke sarr ke baal pakde aur ek haath se hi uske shareer ko baalo se jakadte hue uthaaya. Woh dusre haath se uske muh par se woh naqaab hataane jaa rahi thi jab-
Damian : I told you...!
Captain : ???
Damian : It wouldn't end well if we fought. You forced me to do this-
Captain : Huh-!???
Turant hi Captain ko khatra mehsoos hua. Aur, jis hisaab se Renshu kabhi Damian ki hidden blades ka shikaar hua tha. Wahi Captain ke saath bhi hua.
Teen badi blades jo pattiyo ke neeche bikhri chhipi hui dali thi. Shan bhar me hi Damian ne unhe hidden wires se kheencha aur-
'Shit-!!!'
Par, bahut der ho chuki thi.
*Squelch* *Squelch* *Squelch*
Iske pehle ki Captain waha se hatt paati. Woh teeno blades peechhe se uske shareer me aake dhas gayi.
"Blurgh-!!!"
Captain ke muh se dher saara khoon beh ke neeche gira. Internal bleeding.
[It's critical. End this quickly.]
Captain ke mann me uske system ki awaaz aayi. Aur, Damian jo soch raha tha ki ab Captain kamzor pad ke gir jayegi toh uske armaano par paani fir gaya. Aur, maathe par pehli baar ab shikan ke chalte paseene ki boondein umad aayi.
"YOU MOTHERFUCKER-!!!!"
Captain ne itni zor se dahaad lagaayi ki Damian ke baal uski awaaz maatra se lehra gaye. Woh Captain ki jakdan me abhi bhi tha. Aur, iska bodh hote hi woh bhaagne ki koshish kiya. Magar, sab fizool. Pehli baar aaj use dar mehsoos hua.
Agle hi pal Captain ka daaya haath zor se thar-tharaane laga. Damian ne dekha ki Captain ke haath ki nasey achanak hi foolne lagi thi. Ek bura sanket. Lag raha tha jaise maano khoon ka sanchaar tezi se mutthi ki orr ho raha tha. Captain ki kasi hui mutthi itni laal pad chuki thi aisa lag raha tha maano use gehre laal rang se pot diya gaya ho.
Damian ghabraya. Teen-teen blades ke shareer me khuse hone ke bawajood Captain aakhir use chhor kyu nahi rahi thi? Inn sab ke baad bhi uske andar itni urja kaise bachi hui thi?
Lekin, ye sab woh zyada der na soch paaya. Kyunki, palak jhapakte hi-
Captain ki kasi hui mutthi seedhe uske chehre ki orr aayi aur-
*Ding*
BANE BLAST
*Booooooooooooooommmmm*
Aur, uske baad Damian ko kuchh na samajh aaya. Use halka mehsoos ho raha tha. Drishya badi hi tezi se uske saamne se badalte jaa rahe the. Use samajh aaya ki woh hawa me udd raha tha.
Uske muh ke baayi orr garam sa ehsaas use ho raha tha. Hawa me hi udte hue usne apna haath le jaate hue udhar chhiya toh paaya ki-
Uske chehre ka kuchh hissa gayab ho chuka tha. Darr! Jo pehli baar usne kaafi samay baad mehsoos kiya. Chehre par se 15% maans udhad ke nikal chuka tha. Woh apne gaal ki haddi ko bhi chhee paa raha tha.
Aur, iske pehle ki woh kuchh aur soch paata, uska shareer ek ped se bhidte hue dhadaam se neeche gir gaya. Uska system turant hi blood loss ko rokne ke liye kaam par lag gaya.
Woh jaanta tha ki agar woh yaha ruka toh uski maut nishchit thi. Khoon ke rukte hi woh waha se uth palta aur jaise-taise kar waha se bhaaga. Toh wahi jangal ke andar Captain ki haalat bhi kuchh theek nahi thi.
Teen-teen blades uske shareer me dhasi hui thi. Woh jaanti thi ki agar usne blades nikaali toh blood loss bahut zyada ho jayega. Woh apne ghutno par giri. Ab exhaustion hit kar raha tha.
Jhatse phone nikaalte hue usne ek SOS signal bheja. Aur, 'Orphana' ki second-in-command leader, Mia ko jaise hi ye message mila woh Daisy aur ek team leke seedhe uss location ke liye ravaana ho gayi.
[You did well. Rest. I will help you to alleviate the pain.]
Behoshi me jaane se pehle, Captain bas halke se muskurayi. Aur, ahista se mann me hi boli-
'Thanks... Zero...!'
[Don't mention it.]
***
Government allotted ward,
Pune, Afternoon - 12:30 PM ~
Sarkari ward ki shaanti tab bhang hui jab ek zor ki awaaz uske aangan me goonj gayi.
Pranjal itni zor se ladkhadaya ki paani se bhare containers se jaake jaa bhida. Woh zor se zameen par gira aur unme bhara thanda paani uske poore badan ko bhigo diya. Uski peeth dard aur thand ke maare kaanpne lagi aur usne ek karaah bhari.
"Aarghh!"
Woh chillaaya, baithne ke liye sangharsh karte hue, apni bagal thaame, uska gussa ubaal maarne laga.
Pranjal : Tujhe kya lagta hai ki mein tujhe jaanta nahi? Haan, Veer??? Tujhe lagta hai ki tu uss mask ke peechhe apne chehre ko chhipa sakta hai?? Mujhe pata hai ki ye tu hai!!
Woh gurraaya. Uski awaaz me krodh aur hataasha mishrit thi.
Kuchh hi qadam ki doori par khade Veer ne koi jawaab nahi diya. Uska lamba sudol, prabhavshali shareer aur uske chehre ko chhipaaya hua kaala mask ek khatre ki anubhooti de raha tha. Woh Pranjal ko badi hi khamoshi se dekh raha tha.
Yaha aate hi Pranjal ne ek shan me use pehchaan liya tha. Woh sab kuchh bhool sakta tha par Veer ki shaqal nahi. Mask ke peechhe bhi usne Veer ko yuhi pehchaan liya tha. Woh bhadka aur Veer ki beizzati kar uss par shabdo ke vaar kar shuru ho gaya. Kintu, jaise hi uske muh se gaali nikli, nateeja saamne tha.
Pranjal ko uska apmaan yaad aa gaya. Kaise Veer ne uska sarr commode me ghusedte hue use peeta tha.
Pranjal (yells) : Tu... Teri hi wajah se aaj mera ye haal hai. Teri hi wajah se mujhe ghar se nikaal diya gaya. Tune meri zindagi barbaad kar di.
Usne uthate hue neeche zameen par thooka. Uski awaaz aakrosh se kaanp rahi thi.
Pranjal (screams) : Tujhe yaad hai na? Bhosdike-!!! Tu... Tune mujhe humiliate kiya tha. Yaad hai na tujhe?? Mein bhoola nahi hu. Ek na ek din, mein tujhe uska dus guna chukaunga, Veer-!!!
Shor ke chalte, dekhte hi dekhte waha bheed ikhatta ho gayi. Ward me panaah le rahe log bhi baahar nikal kar aake tamasha dekhne lage. Par, kisi ne dakhal dene ki himmat nahi ki.
Pranjal ke bol sunn peeche door khadi Ava Veer ko dekhti rahi. Usne Pranjal ko check kar ye toh pata laga liya tha ki ye Veer ka cousin bhai tha. Aur, ye bhi ki unn dono ke beech shuru se hi bair thi. Magar, asal kahani kya thi? Iss se Ava anibhigya thi. Veer ke baare me woh sab kuchh jaanana chaahti thi. Kya soch raha tha woh iss waqt? Kya chal raha hoga uske mann me abhi?
Kintu, Veer khamosh tha. Mask ke peechhe uske chehre par koi bhaav nahi the. Uski nazre Pranjal par hi tiki hui thi. Aur, uski yahi khamoshi Pranjal ko aur bhi zyada bhadka rahi thi.
Pranjal (yells) : Jawaab de mujhe-!!! Tu yaha kya kar raha hai?? Tujhe kya lagta hai ki tu jab chaahe mere raaste ke beech aake meri zindagi barbaad kar sakta hai? Aur, mein bas khade-khade tamasha dekhta rahunga?? Nahi Veer! Nahi! Ye teri galat fehmi hai! Tu... Kuchh nahi. Tu kuchh bhi nahi! Tu sirf ek panoti hai, Veer. Sirf aur sirf ek panoti!!!
[ENOUUUGHHHH-!!!! ENOUGH!!! I'LL SKIN HIM ALIVE!!! HOW DARE HE DISRESPECT YOU?? ISS DO KAUDI KE LADKE KI AUKAAT KAISE HUI MERE SAAMNE MASTER KI BEIZZATI KARNE KI? I'LL KILL HIM! KILL HIM, MASTER!! LET'S KILL THIS BASTARD GERM!!!]
Aur, hamesha ki tarah shaant rehne waali Pari ne bhi apna aapa kho diya. Woh sab kuchh bardaasht kar sakti thi par apne master ki beizzati nahi. Crimson se bhidte waqt jab Veer apna balidaan dene jaa raha tha, uss shan se hi Pari ki iss personality ke dil me Veer ke liye ek alag hi jagah bann chuki thi. Toh aise me agar koi aera-gaira vyakti uske hi saamne uske master ki beizzati kare, toh woh bhala kaise bardaasht kar sakti thi?
Pranjal (yells) : Jawaab de gaandu! Kyu aaya tu yaha-
Veer ka rukh badla. Uski maanspeshiyo me tanaav spasht hua, aur ek akasmat, tez chaal ke saath, usne uske aur Pranjal ke beech ki doori ko kam kar diya. Pranjal ko samajh hi nahi ki kab aur kaise, par uske jabde par ek tez jhatka laga aur agle hi pal woh keechad me tha.
"Argh-!! Kameene-!!!"
Woh zorr se cheenkha. Jaise hi woh uthne ko hua toh Veer ke ek aur tez aur nirdayi prahaar se uske shabd uske muh me hi reh gaye. Woh waapas zameen par gir pada. Aur, ab poore shareer me dard fel chuka tha.
Wahi khadi Divya bhi ye sab kuchh dekhte hue hairat me thi. Veer ke ateet aur uski family ke baare me use koi jankaari nahi thi. Pranjal jis tarah se Veer par aarop par aarop lagaate hue use gaaliyaan bak raha tha woh jaan chuki thi ki unn dono ke beech 36 ki aakda tha. Lekin, woh ab iss ghatna ko aur aage badhne nahi de sakti thi.
Divya (yells) : Enough!!!
Usne apni ID nikaalte hue Pranjal ko peechhe rehne ka ishaara kiya. Woh yaha Madhuri aur uski maa se milne ke liye aayi thi. Na ki kisi ke personal matters handle karne. Aur, Divya ko ye zara bhi pasand nahi aaya ki Veer ko koi iss tarah se sab ke saamne beizzat kare.
Divya : Divya Dhawan, a special agent from FBCC. Iske pehle ki mein action lu, lower your guard and leave this place as soon as possible.
Magar, ID se bina prabhavit hue hi Pranjal iss baar Divya par bhi bhadak utha.
Pranjal : Special agent? Lawde ki special agent!!! Behanchod! Tumhe lagta hai mujhe FBCC Ya LGCC se koi matlab hai?
Usne apni aasteen ko jhatkaar kar saaf karte hue kaha.
Pranjal : Tum sab Veer ke saath mili ho. Kyu be, Veer? Hai na? Bol kitne me khareeda tune ise? Iss baar tu kya karne ki soch raha hai? Jawaab de-!!!
Divya ki aankhein sikudi aur usne tezi se apni handgun nikaal Pranjal par taan di.
Divya : Say another word, and I promise you, you'll regret it.
Iss baar Pranjal ke muh se kuchh na nikla. Handgun dekhte hi woh stabdh reh gaya. Aur, bas wahi nahi tha. Waha maujood tamaam log Divya ke haath me handgun dekhte hi sakpaka ke reh gaye.
Toh wahi iss shor-sharaabe ke chalte, pehli manzil ki balcony me Madhuri aur uski maa, Lalita apne kamre se baahar nikal kar aayi. Jab Madhuri ne neeche dekha toh uski aankhein chaudi ho gayi. Neeche, Divya apni bandook liye nishaana saadhe hue thi; Veer, naqabposh aur khamosh, uski chhavi sthir thi; Aur Pranjal, bheega hua, ast-vyast aur chotil.
Madhuri (murmurs) : K-Kaun...!?
Woh fus-fusayi. Neeche khade shakso me se use Veer ki chhavi dekh ek ajeeb sa apnapann sa mehsoos hua. Uski maa ne dheere se uske kandhe par haath rakha, anishchit, ki unhe neeche jaana chaahiye ya nahi?
Aur, idhar Madhuri ke saamne aate hi Pranjal ki nazre uss par tik gayi. Uska gussa jaise kahi gaayab ho gaya, uski jagah ek narm aur laalsa bhara bhaav janm le liya.
Pranjal (murmurs) : M-Madhuri...
Woh budbudaya, uski awaaz bamushqil hi sunane laayak thi. Divya aur Veer ko nazar-andaaz kar woh ek qadam ladkhadate hue aage badha.
Madhuri, Veer ko uske mask ke kaaran pehchanane me asamarth thi. Uski nigaahein teen logo ke beech ghoom rahi thi. Jaise hi woh punaah Veer ko dekhi, use laga jaise usne pehle kahi iss shaks ko dekha hai, kintu yaddaasht dhundhli ho rakhi thi. Woh yaad karne ke liye bechain thi, magar woh yaddasht beetein varsho ki yaado ke neeche kahi dabi hui thi.
Madhuri : M-Maa-! Maa, neeche chalo! Jaldi!
Woh agle hi shan neeche ko bhaagi, use uss shaks ke baare me jaanana tha aur uski maa use neeche jaata dekh ghabra uthi.
Lalita : Madhu!!! Madhu, ruk! Madhu!!
Kuchh hi palo me sab ek-dusre ke saamne the. Veer ke saamne jaise hi Madhuri aayi, uski aankhein use dekh narm pad gayi. Iss ladki se use kaafi pehle hi maafi maang leni chaahiye thi. Par, use kabhi iska mauka nahi mil paaya.
Na uss din Veer Madhuri par bhadakta, na woh ro ke bhaagti, na Pranjal aur Madhuri ke beech ki dosti tootati aur na hi Pranjal uske prati ye bhavnaaye rakhta.
[Oh, achha? Aur, fir aap mujhe kaise milte?]
Pari ne jaise uske mann ki baatein ko padh liya. Veer mann hi mann muskuraya. Pari sahi thi. Jo hona tha woh ho gaya. Ab yaha se cheezon ko kaise sambhaalna tha ye uske haath me tha.
Divya ne jab Madhuri aur Lalita ko neeche aate dekha toh woh Madhuri ko dekh ke hi pehchaan gayi. Yaha aane se pehle report me usne sab kuchh padha tha aur victim ke parivar jano ki photos uske dimaag me baithi hui thi.
Divya : Madhuri?
Madhuri : Ahn?? J-Ji??
Divya (holsters gun) : Mein Divya Dhawan, ek special agent FBCC se. Mujhe aap se aur aapki maa se aapke pita ki hatya ko leke kuchh zaroori baat-cheet karni hai.
Madhuri (nods) : J-Ji-! A-Aaiye!
Madhuri ke mann me kayi sawaal the. Woh Veer aur Pranjal ke baare me poochhna chaahti thi. Lekin, uski himmat nahi hui kuchh bhi kehne ki.
Jab Veer aur Divya Madhuri ke peechhe-peechhe jaane lage toh Pranjal bhi unke peechhe aane laga lekin Divya turant hi ruki aur uski orr dekhi, jaise poochhna chaah rahi ho ki tum bhala kaha chale aa rahe ho?
Pranjal iske pehle ki kuchh keh paata ki itne me Veer ne Divya ko rok diya.
Veer : Let him...!
Divya : Huh?? P-Par, Veer? Ye serious matter hai aur-
Veer : It's okay! Mein zimmedari leta hu.
Divya (sighs) : Agar, tum kehte ho toh... Theek hai!
Divya ek aur paini nazar Pranjal par maarte hue upar ko chali gayi. Pranjal ne bhi iss baar Veer ki peeth ko dekha. Na jaane kya soch raha tha woh. Ava uske theek bagal se nikli lekin, achanak hi-
*Swish*
"Aaaaaaahhh!"
Ava ne apni hidden knife nikaalte hue hawa me ghumaayi toh Pranjal dar ke maare ek qadam peechhe ho gaya. Upar se neeche tak Ava ne use ek pal ke liye dekha, jaise use kisi prakaar se savdhaan kar rahi thi. Aur, fir woh bhi upar chali gayi.
Sabhi Madhuri ke iss niwaas sthaan ke andar baithe hue the siwae Ava ke jo kamre ke theek baahar apne haath mode deewar se tik ke khadi hui thi aur sab kuchh sunn paa rahi thi. Pranjal ki zimmedari Veer ne le li thi toh Divya ko uski chinta karne ki zaroorat hi nahi thi. Aur, fir shuru hua sawaalo ka silsila.
Divya : Waise toh police ne saari jankaari le hi li hogi. Par, fir bhi mein ek baar aap dono se personally baat karna chaahti thi. Aap ko koi aitraaz toh nahi?
Madhuri : J-Ji nahi! Poochhiye na!
Woh boli. Ek sarsari nigaah usne Veer par maari jo khidki ke paas apne haath mode khada hua tha. Ek aasha jaagi ki kaash woh uske mask ke peechhe ke uss chehre ko dekh paati.
Divya : Dekhiye! Mein sadharan police karmchari nahi hu. Mein FBCC se hu. Ek International crime control agency. Toh aap jitna mujhe khul kar sab kuchh batayengi, cheezein utni hi aapke liye behtar saabit ho sakti hai.
Madhuri : M-Mein kuchh samjhi nahi.
Divya : Matlab ye ki, jo kaam police nahi kar sakti, woh mein chutkiyo me karwa sakti hu. Toh, aap ko kuchh bhi chhipaane ki zaroorat nahi hai.
Madhuri aur Lalita, dono ne ek dusre ko dekha.
Madhuri : J-Ji! Poochhiye!
Uske baad Madhuri ne woh sab kuchh bataaya jo woh bataana chaahti thi. Aur, jo pehle bhi bata chuki thi.
Divya : Hmm! Toh aapka kehna hai ki Prabhakar ji ki pehle kisi se bair thi aur usi ke kaaran unhe kaafi nuksaan bhi hua tha, right?
Madhuri (nods) : J-Ji! Lekin, uss aadmi ka haath iske peechhe nahi hai. Police ne iski chhaan-been kar li hai.
Divya : Hmm! Toh, fir? Aapko kya lagta hai?
Madhuri : Pita ji ki iske alawa aur koi dushmani nahi thi. Toh, mera anumaan do cheezon par hai.
Divya : Aur, kya hai woh?
Madhuri : Pehla toh yahi ki- ho sakta hai police ko uss aadmi ne paise khila ke chup kara diya ho. Aur, wahi iss sab ke peechhe ho?
Divya : Hmm! Interesting! Aur, dusra anumaan?
Madhuri : Mujhe nahi pata.
Divya : Hmm?
Madhuri : Mera matlab hai, ho sakta hai ki inn sab ke peechhe kuchh aur hi ho. Kisi aur ka hi haath ho jiske baare me mein aur maa nahi jaante.
Divya : Ohh?
Divya ne ek pal Veer ko dekha. Fir, jaise use kuchh yaad aaya aur usne apna sawaal ghumaate hue poochha.
Divya : Kya aapke pita koi medical condition ka shikaar the kya? I mean, koi beemari? Ya koi tests wagarah karwaate the?
Madhuri : Huh? N-Nahi! Pita ji poori tarah se swasth the. Unhe koi beemari nahi thi.
Divya : Abhi unhone kabhi koi blood tests wagarah karwaaye the kya?
Madhuri : N-Nahi! Agar, woh karwaate toh hume iss baare me zaroor pata hota.
Divya : Kisi doctor se unka koi sampark?
Madhuri : N-Nahi! Jaha tak mujhe yaad hai, humara koi family doctor nahi tha. Pita ji doctors ke paas kabhi jaate hi nahi the. Beemaar padte the toh aksar medical ki shops se mein hi unke liye dawayi laaya karti thi. P-Par, kya hua? Aap ye sab-
Divya : Nahi! Kuchh nahi! Bas yuhi poochha.
Ek baar fir Divya ne Veer ko dekha. Veer ne haami bhari. Aur, Madhuri iss baar apni ichhaa daba nahi paayi.
Madhuri (glances) : K-Kya, maine aapko pehle kahi dekha hai? K-Kya hum ek dusre se kabhi mile hai?
Veer : Hmm?
Divya : ???
Madhuri : Kya mein aapka chehra dekh sakti hu?
Divya : I-I'm sorry lekin woh mere saath hai. Aur, undercover agents ko-
Par, pata nahi Veer ko kya soojha usne bina kuchh kahe hi apna mask utaar diya. Jaha Pranjal Veer ka chehre dekhte hi mann hi mann apne sahi anumaan par garv kar raha tha toh wahi Madhuri Veer ka chehra dekhte hi ek gehri saans kheechne par majboor ho gayi.
Use fauran hi yaad aa gaya ki usne Veer ko kaha dekha tha. Woh sahi thi. Woh uss se mili thi. Delhi me... Jab woh ek ladke ke saath uski girlfriend ka naatak kar ke uske saath dinner par gayi thi. Tab, uski mulaqat Veer se hui thi.
Madhuri (stands up) : Ahn! A-Aap toh wahi-!!!
Pranjal ne jab ye dekha toh woh taajub me reh gaya. Yahi haal Divya aur Lalita ka bhi tha.
Madhuri : M-Mujhe yaad hai. Mujhe yaad hai. Aapne hi mujhe apna woh coat diya tha na? Aapko yaad aaya kuchh? M-Mein wahi ladki hu. Kuchh yaad aaya.
Veer uski masoom si bholi soorat dekh use niraash nahi karna chaahta tha. Toh, usne haami bhari.
Veer (nods) : Bilkul! Mujhe yaad hai.
Madhuri : Ahhn-!! M-Maa-!!!
Lalita : K-Kya hua beta??
Mauka dekhte hi Pranjal bhi uth khada hua.
Pranjal : M-Madhuri...! T-Tumhe Veer yaad hai???
Madhuri : Huhh? V-Veer???
Akasmat hi ye naam Madhuri ke dimag me khatka.
Pranjal : M-Mein Pranjal, Madhuri! T-Tumhe kuchh yaad aaya? Pranjal! Mein, Pranjal! Yaad karo! Bachpan me hum saath khela karte the. Yaad aaya? Tum mere ghar aati thi. Tum boycut rakhti thi tab. Kuchh... Kuchh yaad aaya?
Madhuri unn yaadon ko kabhi nahi bhool sakti thi. Kyunki, wahi shayad uske jeevan ki aakhiri achhi yaadein thi. Woh samay jab uska parivar khush tha, ghar me shaanti, samridhhi aur daulat barkarar thi. Unn palo ko woh chaah ke bhi nahi bhool sakti thi. Use yaad aaya ki uske saamne khada ye ladka wahi Pranjal thi. Par, ek minute-!?
Pranjal ke kuchh shan pehle kahe gaye shabd uske mann me goonje. Tumhe Veer yaad hai? Iska matlab-
Woh jhatse Veer ki orr palti. Bachpan se hi woh Veer se dosti karna chaahti thi lekin, Veer kabhi uss se baat nahi karta tha. Akhiri baar jab usne use ladka samajhte hue dhutkaar ke bura bhala kaha tha toh woh ro ke bhaag aayi thi.
Uss bechari ko khud ko nahi pata tha ki woh Veer se dobaara kabhi nahi mil paayegi. Agle kayi dino tak woh ro ro ke apni raatein guzara karti. Aur, aaj wahi Veer aur Pranjal uske saamne the.
Par, kaise waqt pe? Jab uska parivar ek taaza khabar bann chuka tha. Uske pita ka qatl kar diya gaya tha, police ka aana jaana laga tha, aur rehne ke liye khud ka ghar tak nahi tha.
Uski aankhon se aasu jhar-jhar kar behne lage.
Madhuri : T-Tum...!? Tum wahi V-Veer ho?
Veer : *smiles*
Madhuri : M-Mujhe pehchaana? *sniff* M-Mein Madhuri-!! Wahi-!! Tum jis se door bhaagte the. *sniff* Y-Yaad hai na?
Veer (nods) : Mujhe yaad hai. Mujhe maaf kar dena, Madhuri. Maine tumhe uss waqt ladka samajh ke-
Par, uske bol adhoore reh gaye jab achanak hi Madhuri seedhe uske seene se aa lagi. Aur, Pranjal ki aankhein ye dekhte hi phatne ko baahar aa gayi.
[That's what you get you bastard!!! Master! Make her yours! Kiss her!!!]
Veer jitna Madhuri ki hug se hairaan tha, uss se kahi zyada woh Pari ke iss agressive behaviour se taajub me tha. Ye Pari ko kya ho gaya tha?
Par, Pranjal ko apne daant meesne ka mauka hi nahi mila kyunki, Madhuri turant hi Veer ke haath ko apne haath me daal uski orr aayi aur dusre haath se uske haath ko bhi apne haath me daal li.
Lalita : M-Madhu? Y-Ye sab kya???
Madhuri : M-Maa! *sniff* Tumhe yaad hai na jab hum Mumbai me rehte the? Tab mein pados me bade se ghar me khelne jaaya karti thi?
Lalita ko kuchh dhundhli yaadein yaad aayi.
Madhuri : Inke yaha bihi ka ek bada sa ped bhi tha aangan me. Yaad karo?
Aur, Lalita ko sab kuchh yaad aa gaya.
Lalita : H-Haan! Yaad aaya. Manorath ji karke rehte the waha ek. Bahut hi sajjan log the.
Madhuri : Y-Ye usi ghar se hai, maa. Y-Ye Pranjal! A-Aur, ye Veer. Mein aake tumhare saamne roti thi na? Tumko bataati thi ki Veer mujhse dosti nahi karta. *sniff* Y-Ye wahi Veer hai.
Use dekh ke samajh nahi aa raha tha ki kya kahe. Uski aankhon se aasu beh rahe the par hontho par muskaan bhi saji hui thi. Lalita ko jab sab yaad aaya toh woh bhi aage badh ke aayi aur unn dono ke sarr sehlaane lagi.
Divya aur Ava dono hi hairat me bas sab kuchh ghatit hota hua dekh rahi thi. Pranjal aur Veer ki nazre aapas me takrayi. Par, jis tarah se Madhuri unke beech me hoke unhe thaami hui thi woh dono hi khamosh rahe. Pranjal toh iss ehsaas me kho chuka tha. Madhuri uske bagal se thi. Baar-baar uski nazre unn dono ke bandhe hue haath par jaa rahi thi.
Uske baad sab kuchh vistaar se bataya gaya. Pranjal ne bataya ki woh yaha par kyu aaya tha. Inn beetein dino me usne kuchh paiso ka jugaad kiya tha. Woh yaha pehle hi aa chuka hota. Magar, Karunesh ne use paise dene se inkaar kar diya tha.
Majbooran, use idhar-udhar se paise jugaadne pade. Aur, isi chakkar me use kayi din lag gaye. Aaj ki tareekh me bhi uske paas 30-40 hazaar hi the bas. Aur, woh ye sab Madhuri ke liye laaya tha.
Jab Madhuri ne neeche hui ghatna ka zikra kiya toh uss vishay par dono Veer aur Pranjal khamosh reh gaye.
Madhuri : B-Batao na! Y-Ye neeche kya chal raha tha? Tumhare kapde itne gande kaise ho gaye? A-Aur, aap iss par bandook kyu taani hui thi?
Divya : Aap iss se hi kyu nahi poochhti?
Madhuri : P-Pranjal! Jawab do! Kya hua tha?
Pranjal : K-Kuchh nahi, Madhuri! Y-Ye humare beech ka maamla hai. Mein tumhe fursat se sab bataunga. Abhi yaha se chalo. Tumne bataya na abhi ki ye sthaan tumhe bas kuchh dino ke liye mila hai? Toh chalo yaha se. Mumbai chalo mere saath.
Lalita : Mumbai? Beta, Pune me hi hume ghar nahi mil paa raha hai. Hum Mumbai me kaha rukenge?
Pranjal : M-Mein uski vyavastha karta hu, aunty. Aap fiqr mat kijiye. Aur, aap bhi toh dar rahi ho na? Aapne bataya tha thodi der pehle ki aapko jis aadmi par shaq hai, woh aapko nuksaan pahucha sakta hai. Yaha rehna khatre se khaali nahi hai. Aap chaliye mere saath.
Lalita : Par, beta rehna, khaana, ye sab-
Pranjal : M-Mein dekh lunga na, aunty. Aap chaliye toh-
Madhuri : N-Nahi Pranjal! Shukriya. Lekin, h-hum aise bina kisi guarantee ke kaise-
Veer : Uski zaroorat nahi hai.
Madhuri : ???
Veer : Mere paas aap sab ke liye ghar bhi hai. Aur, aapko jeevan bhar, bhar-pait khaana khila saku utni meri haisiyat bhi hai. Toh, apna beta samajhte hue, aap Mumbai aaiye, aunty.
Lalita : P-Par-
Veer : Bachpan me maine Madhuri ka kaafi dil dukhaya hai. Samajh lijiye mera uss se ye maafi maangne ka tareeka hai. Aap aur Madhuri dono surakshit bhi rahengi. Aur, choonki mein iss case se juda hua hu toh aapko pal-pal iski khabar bhi deta rahunga.
Pranjal muh khole Veer ko dekh raha tha. Woh Madhuri ki madad karne ke liye tatpar tha. Lekin, jab use paiso ki sabse zyada zaroorat thi tab uske khud ke baap ne use paise dene se inkaar kar diya tha. Parantu, Veer ne bejhijhak madad ka haath aage badha diya.
Veer ki baat sunte hi idhar Lalita ka hriday parivartan hua. Woh yaha se nikalne ke liye taiyaar thi. Usne apni beti ko dekha jo aas liye use hi ghoor rahi thi. Aur, fir usne haami bhar di.
Toh ye tay ho chuka tha ki Madhuri Mumbai laut rahi thi. Aur, dono maa beti apna-apna samaan baandhne me bhi lag gayi. Iss poore prakran me kaafi samay guzar chuka tha. Madhuri ke mann me kayi sawaal the. Veer FBCC ke saath kya kar raha tha? Woh yaha kyu aaya tha? Ab tak usne kya kuchh kiya? Wagarah wagarah! Yahi sawal Pranjal ke liye bhi uske mann me the. Lekin, usne filhal apne mann ko shaant rakha.
Veer ward ki terrace kar khade doobte hue sooraj ko dekh cigarette ka ek kash laga raha tha jab upar Pranjal aa dhamka. Kaafi der tak ek sannaata chhaaya raha. Aur, fir Pranjal ne bolna shuru kiya.
Pranjal : Tum... Tum kab se cigarette peene lage?
Veer (side eyes) : Batana zaroori nahi samajhta mein.
Pranjal (grits) : Tsk! Tumne... Tumne unki madad kyu ki?
Veer : Kyunki, mujhe laga ki mujhe unki madad karni chahiye. Simple! Ya mujhe tumhari permission leni hogi iske liye?
Pranjal : That's it?
Veer : What?
Pranjal : Mera matlab hai... Bas yahi? Bas yahi kaaran tha? Ya kuchh aur kaaran bhi hai madad karne ke peechhe?
Veer : Obviously! Aur, kya kaaran ho sakta hai? *smokes* Mein tumhari tarah schemer nahi!
Pranjal : Tum kuchh chhipa toh nahi rahe na?
Veer : Fuck off!
Kahi na kahi, iss baar Veer ke ye kehne se Pranjal ko zara bhi bura nahi laga.
Veer (smokes) : Take them with you.
Pranjal : ??? Kyu? Kya tum nahi jaa rahe?
Veer : I have some work to attend to-! *smokes* Address already unhe pata hai. Tumhe bas unhe waha tak sahi salamat le jaana hai. Baaki ka kaam mere workers waha dekh lenge. You do have money, right?
Pranjal : Hmph!
Veer ne apni jeb se ek note ki gaddi hawa me Pranjal ki orr feki.
Veer : Take it! Mein nahi chaahta ki tum Madhuri aur uske parivar par udhaari waale paiso ka istemal karo. Mein unhe aur musibat me nahi dekhna chaahta.
Pranjal (grits) : Tch-!!!
Par, Pranjal ne agle hi pal woh gaddi wapas Veer ki orr fek di jo usne haatho me pakad kar thaam li.
Pranjal : Fuck you! Tumhe kya lagta hai? Ki mein apni wajah se unhe pareshani me daalunga? I'll have money... *murmurs* I'll arrange it.
Aur, woh ladkhadaate hue waha se waapas chala gaya. Na jaane aage kya kuchh hone waala tha. Madhuri aur uski maa ki samasya toh door ho chuki thi. Lekin, ye murder ke raaz par se parda uthaana abhi bhi baaki tha. Aur, uske liye, Veer ki agli destination thi — Panchgani!!!
***
Nexacom's HQ, Mumbai,
Evening - 6:50 PM ~
Kaera lakshya ke saath chal rahi thi, gati tez aur chaal ekdum truti-heen. Uss se ek aise vyakti ki prabhavshali upasthiti jhalak rahi thi jisne kabhi asafalta dekhi hi na ho.
Ruchika, uski secretary theek uske peechhe uske qadam se qadam milaane ke liye sangharsh kar rahi thi. Uske haath me ek tablet notifications se bhara hua tha — urgent emails, financial reports, messages jo vibhinn vibhaago se the. Jaise hi Kaera meeting room se baahar nikli, Ruchika ne turant hi zaroori muddo ko sahi soonchi me rakh bolna shuru kar diya.
Ruchika : Ah! M-Miss! Humare Mumbai ke ports me strike ki wajah se humare textile devision me supply chain ko bahut nuksaan hua hai. Logistics team samajh nahi paa rahi ki kaise aage badhe?
Kaera : Shipments ko southern ports ki taraf divert karo.
Usne turant ke turant jawab diya. Uske sochne ki speed fraction of seconds thi.
Kaera : Transportation ko tez banaaye rakhne ke liye railways se jo humara contract hai uska istemal karo. Jo workers strike kar rahe hai unhe secretly bonus package do — industry standard se 10% upar — taaki woh kaam jaari rakhe. Have HR handle the negotiations. Transportation rukna nahi chahiye kisi bhi haalat me.
Ruchika ne apne tablet par sab note kar, tap karte hue sarr hilaaya.
Ruchika : M-Miss! Casa Belle luxury hotel budget overrun face kar rahi hai. Unka project manager additonal funds ki demand kar raha hai.
Kaera : Budget overrun?
Ruchika : Sh-Shayad, woh out of budget hai. Kuchh bada plan kar rahe hai? Maybe? Ya fir renovations? New materials? Maybe?
Kaera : Come to think of it. Veer... He has a hotel too, right? The name...! What was it? Right! Hotel Prestige!
Ruchika : E-Ehh?
Kaera : Make a call at Hotel Prestige!
Ruchika : Ahnn! R-Right away!
Chalte-chalte hi Ruchika ne Hotel Prestige par call lagaya. Aur, udhar se manager - Nandini ne call uthaaya. Jaise hi Nandini ko pata chala ki Nexacom ki taraf se call tha woh hadbada gayi. Turant hi usne call Bhumika ki orr forward kiya aur bechari Bhumika ki bhi yahi haalat thi.
Kaera : Ask them that if they need any fund? Any kind of investment?
Ruchika ne theek waisa hi kiya. Jab Bhumika ko pata chala ki Nexacom hotel prestige me invest karne ke liye interested hai toh uski khushi ka koi thikana na raha. Bina soche samjhe hi usne haan kar di. Ye sunehra mauka woh haath se bhala kaise jaane de sakti thi?
Ruchika : M-Miss! Wo-Woh ready hai!
Kaera (smiles) : Then give them the fund which you were supposed to give to Casa Belle.
Ruchika : O-Okay! P-Par, Casa Belle ke project manager ko kya jawab du, Miss?
Kaera : Keh do ki humne thodi der pehle hi apne marketing budget me extra 15% invest kiya hai. Hum yaha invest karne ke liye hai. Liquidity gap bharne ke liye nahi.
Ruchika : Samajh gayi!
Woh boli. Uski awaaz me sammaan saaf-saaf jhalak raha tha.
Ruchika (hurriedly) : E-Ek potential legal issue bhi hai, Miss. Humaare pharmaceutical division ka jo latest product hai woh mushqil me hai. Regulatory body uski jaanch kar rahi hai aur woh humari clinical trial data ki validity par sawal utha rahe hai.
Kaera achanak ruk gayi. Uski nazre paini ho chali.
Kaera : Trials ki ek comprehensive report taiyaar karo. Woh saare regulations highlight karo jinka hum paalan sahi se kar rahe hai. Koi bhi data jo misinterpret ho sakta hai, uska khaas khayal rakho. Have the legal team frame it properly. Meanwhile, ek private meeting schedule karo meri uss regulatory body ke head ke saath. Shayad mujhe unhe yaad dilaane ki zaroorat hai ki humare innovative products ke chalte public sector ko kitna fayda hua hai. I'll personally oversee the negotiations.
Jitni gati se Kaera pratyek samasya ka samadhan pradan kar rahi thi, bechari Ruchika badi hi mushqil se uski gati ke saath apni gati barkarar rakh paa rahi thi. Kaera ke shabdo me koi jhijak nahi thi, koi anumaan nahi — bas ek adig nirnay karne ki kshamta jaha galti ke liye koi sthaan nahi tha.
Jaise hi woh ek kamre ke paas pahuchne lage toh Ruchika ne ek akhiri mudde ka zikra kiya.
Ruchika : M-Miss, TechUnion ke saath merger ke discussion me delay hua hai. Unka board iss saude par sehmat hone se pehle kuchh aur concessions maang raha hai.
Kaera ke hontho par halki si muskaan bikhri.
Kaera : Then call their bluff. Unhe batao ki hum alternative partners ko consider kar rahe hai. That should remind them of their place in this negotiation. If they don't come back to the table within 48 hours, pull the plug and move on to our next target.
Ruchika poori tarah se avaak reh gayi thi. Ekdum bhauchakki. Usne tamaam hastiyaan dekhi thi par aisi? Koi nahi. Kya Kaera ko duniya ka aathwa ajooba kehna sahi tha? Ruchika se agar ye poochhe, toh uska uttar — haan tha.
Kaera : Next year bahut badi deal aane waali hai. ICONGLOBE India aa rahi hai aur top company me invest karne ki soch rahi hai. That deal... will be mine!!!
***
"That deal... is mine!!!"
Apne ghar ke kamre me maujood Sonia ne apni mutthi kaste hue kaha. Uske theek peechhe Suchika darwaze par khadi hui thi. Usne halka sa mud use dekha.
Sonia : Suchika-!!!
Suchika : ???
Sonia : Tum meri help karogi na?
Suchika : Yes, Miss!
Sonia : Good! Toh iss baar mujhe ye deal seal karne se koi nahi rok sakta. We'll move according to the plan. No one can stop us. Tum bhi nahi... Kaera!!!
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Aaj ke liye itna hi guys.
This update consists of around 10.1k words. Thoda sa late hai par umeed hai ju logo ko pasand aayega. Target ise diwali ke pehle dene ka tha but I was too occupied with my personal works. So, consider this as a Diwali bonus. Pichhle update me monotonous scene ko leke kaafi log keh rahe the. So, this time it's a 4 scene update. Baaki, Target apna wahi hai. 200. Toh, like thokne ka aur revos rakhne ka.
Dhanyavad.
raghav_143
New Member
- 13
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Thanks update dene ke liye.Diwali BonusAb tak...
Update - 189 ~ Exchange at Perth & Pune
Ye ek prakar ka guest house tha jo sarkaar ne filhaal ke liye Madhuri aur uski maa ke liye rent-free niyukt kiya tha.
Par, yaha aate hi Veer ki nazar baahar khade jis shaks par pehle padi, use dekh woh taajub me reh gaya. Aur, Veer hi nahi woh shaks bhi Veer ko dekh bhauchakka reh gaya.
Veer : Tum-!???
Saamne koi aur nahi — Pranjal tha. Jisne Veer ko mask pehna dekh ke bhi pehchaan liya.
Pranjal : Huh??? V-Veer?? Tum-!!!?
Ab aage...
Perth, Australia,
2 years ago ~
"Captain, humne naya base dhoondh liya hai."
Ek ladki haafte hue kamre ke andar aayi aur sofe par baithi apni captain ko dekh boli. Uski aankhon me ek chamak thi. Toh wahi captain lambi-lambi gehri saansein le rahi thi. Uski black leather jacket par ghaav saaf-saaf dikhaayi nahi pad raha tha, magar khoon ki gandh se sab jaayaz tha ki chot kitni gambheer thi.
*Cough* *Cough*
"C-Captain-!!!"
Woh ladki ghabrate hue aage aayi aur usne captain ko sofe se girte-girte bachaate hue apni baahon me thaam liya.
"M-Mein theek hu! Chhoro mujhe-!"
Captain ne ladki ke haath ko hataane ka prayatn kiya lekin, woh ladki na maani. Chot ka jaayza lete hi woh bechain ho uthi.
"N-Nahi! Aap theek nahi ho, Captain! Aap theek nahi ho. Aapki chot gehri hai. Hume hospital chalna hoga."
Tabhi, ek aur ladki andar pravesh ki aur Captain ki haalat dekh uski bauhe sikud gayi.
"Captain! Hume jald se jald ye jagah khaali karni hogi." Woh boli.
"Hmm!" Captain ne haami bhari.
"Mia, tum paagal ho gayi ho kya? Captain ki haalat dekho." Captain ko thaami hui woh pehli ladki chillaayi. "Captain iss haalat me kaise kahi jaa sakti hai?"
"Rosella-!!! Tum jaanti ho na ki humne 'Black Fangs' ke bas 10% gang members ka hi khaatma kiya hai. Jald hi baaki gang members yaha aate hi honge."
Darwaze par khadi Mia ne sthiti ki gambheerta ko samajhte hue kaha.
Rosella : Toh? Toh tum kehna kya chaahti ho? Hum captain ko iss haalat me leke jaaye? Bolo-!!! Agar, humne ek minute bhi ab deri kari na toh-
Mia (frowns) : Tum jaanti ho ki hum hospital nahi jaa sakte. Janta aur government ki nazro me hum ek evil syndicate hai. Bhulo nahi, Rosella! Hospital me jaana matlab apni maut ko bulaava dena. Captain ka treatment Daisy karegi. Jaise woh har baar karti aayi hai.
Rosella (yells) : Captain ka wound gehra hai, stupid Mia. Tum meri baat samajhti kyu nahi ho? Hume jald se jald-
Aur, usne abhi kaha hi tha ki Daisy kamre ke andar bhaagti hui pravesh ki. Uske haatho me ek bada sa suitcase tha jisme medical aid ke liye saari zaroori saamagri rakhi hui thi. Apni captain ki haalat ko dekhte hi Daisy ke honth thar-thara gaye.
Woh daudate hue Rosella aur captain ke nazdeek aayi. Captain ke pait par bade hi ahista se haath ferte hue usne chot ka jaayza liya. Aur, khoon ki maatra aur wound ke gap ko dekhte hi Daisy ki aankhein bhay ke maare fel gayi.
Daisy : Th-This is bad!!! Mia-!! Rosella-!! Jaldi! Jaldi! Captain ko bed par litao. We have no time!!
Aur, Daisy ko ghabrata dekh pehli baar aaj Mia ki dhadkane tez ho gayi. Use gyaat ho gaya ki sthiti kitni gambheer thi. Iske pehle bhi usne apni captain ko ghaayal hote dekha tha. Aur, Daisy hi unn sab ka ilaaj kiya karti thi. Woh unke group ki paramedic thi. Lekin, usne kabhi bhi Daisy ko iss tarah captain ke liye jaldbazi karte nahi dekha tha. Iska matlab saaf tha ki unke captain ki jaan khatre me thi.
Mia (frowns) : Wh-Why did you-!??
Woh apna nichla honth daanto tale zor se kaatate hue captain ko gusse me dekh boli. Captain ne bhi jaise uske iss virodh ko sunn liya. Woh muskurayi aur ahista se boli-
Captain : What? *smiles* Captain hone ke naate ye meri zimmedari thi ki mein group ko lead karu.
Mia (shivers) : Y-You-!!! Why are you always-??? Agar, risk zyada tha toh fall back kar sakte the. Humare paas advantage tha!!! Toh fir kyu???
Captain (grins) : Heh-!
Mia (yells) : Don't laugh, you fucking idiot!!!
Woh apni captain par baras zaroor rahi thi. Lekin, andar hi andar woh kaanp rahi thi. Dar se, gusse se aur bechaini se.
Captain (smiles) : -Kyunki, maine Daisy se promise kiya tha... Ki mein 'Black Fangs' ko uske liye khatm kar ke rahungi.
Daisy jiski aankhon me pehle se hi captain ke ghaav ko dekh aasu umad aaye the, woh ye sunte hi apna sarr utha ke captain ko dekhi, aur aasu uske gaalo se behte hue jhar-jhar kar neeche girne lage.
Daisy (yells) : Idiot, captain-!!! Aap bewakoof ho!!! *sniff* Nahi chaahiye mujhe kuchh bhi. Nahi chaahiye mujhe koi badla. I just want... I just want everyone to be safe.
Unn sab ke yaha hone ka kaaran aaj Daisy hi thi. 'Black Fangs' Australia ki teen sabse badi gangs me se ek thi jo underground mafia ki duniya me mashoor thi. Daisy ka parivar 'Black Fangs' ke kuchh sadasyo dwara hi ujaada gaya tha.
Aur, tab se hi Daisy ek orphan bann ke reh gayi thi. Antatah jab tak ki captain ki nazar uss par na pad gayi. Uss samay jab koi nahi tha, jab woh jeene ki ichha bhi chhor chuki thi, jab woh poori tarah se andhkaar me doob chuki thi. Raushni ki ek akhiri kiran me se ek haath aage badh uski orr aaya.
"Kya tum 'Orphana' se judna chaahogi?"
Aur, iske baad sab kuchh itihaas bann gaya. Daisy ko samajh aaya ki ye faction sirf aur sirf ladkiyo se bhara hua tha. Use ye bhi samajh aaya ki bhala iss group ka naam 'Orphana' kyu tha. Kyunki, sabhi ladkiyaan jo iss group ki sadasya thi — woh anaath thi. Bilkul, uski tarah.
Captain ne use ek naya jeevan diya. 'Orphana' woh group tha jo raasta kho chuki ladkiyo ko unke uddeshya tak pahuchne me madad karta tha. Fir chaahe woh uddeshya unke jeevan ka badla ho, ayyaashi bhari zindagi jeena ho, ya fir kuchh aur. Group ki tamam ladkiyaan ek dusre ke liye samarpit rehti thi aur unke liye apni jaan bhi daav par laga deti thi. Woh sab aapas me hi ek dusre ke liye apna parivar thi.
Daisy ke ateet se poora 'Orphana' waqif tha. Sabhi ye bhi jaante the ki ek na ek din unhe 'Black Fangs' se bhidna hi tha. Aur, aaj wahi din tha.
Unki captain ne aaj bhi leader hone ke naate group ko lead kiya. Gang members ko dher kiya aur unke hideout ko poori tarah se khaali kar diya. Ek bhi 'Orphana' ki sadasya ki jaan nahi gayi. Kyunki, lead karne waali unki captain thi. Na sirf woh ek trained ring boxer thi balki ek honhar sharp-shooter bhi thi, jo adhiktar jokhim aksar apne upar hi leke chalti thi. Aur, isi wajah se aaj — woh ek bullet ka shikaar ho gayi.
Rosella aur Mia ne fatafat Captain ko bed par litaaya aur Daisy turant hi Captain ke emergency treatment par lag gayi. Daisy ke nirdesh anusaar Mia aur Rosella dono hi kamre ke baahar nikal gayi.
Jaha Rosella theek darwaze ke baahar khadi ho gayi toh wahi Mia baahar ki orr chal di. Daisy ko agar kisi bhi cheez ki avashyakta padi toh waha uske liye Rosella thi.
Group me second-in-command hone ke chalte Mia baahar aayi. Ye jagah waqai khatre se khaali nahi thi. Kuchh der pehle hi bheeshan ladaayi ke baad sab kuchh abhi ke liye shaant ho chuka tha. Magar, ye shaanti bas kuchh der ke liye hi thi.
Captain aur tamaam ladkiyon ne vijay toh praapt kar li thi lekin, iss jagah par unka haq nahi tha. Kyunki, woh jaanti thi ki ye ladaayi bas ek shuruat thi.
Kamre ke baahar aate hi Mia ko aadmiyon ki laashe dali hui dikhayi di jinhe thodi der pehle hi unn sab ne milke dher kiya tha. Uske baahar aate hi baaki ladkiyaan uske ird-gird ikhatti ho gayi aur uss par sawaalo ke hamle kar shuru ho gayi.
"Captain kaha hai, Mia? Woh theek toh hai na?"
"Haan? Hum jeet gaye na? Ab yaha se kya?"
"Captain waqai theek hai na? Unhe kuchh hua toh nahi? Aap sab kamre me kyu the? Kuchh batao na!!!"
Mia ne unse kuchh bhi nahi chhipaaya. Unke sawaal khatam hote hi usne vistaar se unhe sab kuchh bataya jiske chalte unn sab ki chintaaye badh gayi.
Mia : Captain kaafi injured hai. Lekin, Daisy unka treatment kar rahi hai. Temporary treatment hote hi hum captain ko leke nazdeek ke hideout me shift honge. Tum sab ne Daisy ke liye medical room hideout me set kar diya?
Ladki 1 : Humne call kar diya hai. Woh sab saara samaan ambulance me rakh kar kuchh der me hideout pahuchti hi hongi.
Mia (nods) : Good-!
Ladki 2 : Par, hume naye hideout me jaane ki kya zaroorat hai, didi? Kya hum sab yaha nahi reh sakte? Ab toh humne inhe thikaane laga hi diya hai na?
Mia : Ye captain ke orders hai. Aur, har baar hum yahi karte hue aaye hai. Yaha hum isliye nahi ruk sakte kyunki ye 'Black Fangs' ka hideout hai. Baaki gang members ko inn logo ne inform kar diya gaya hoga aur woh sab yaha kuchh ghanto me pahuchte hi honge.
Ladki 2 : Humaare puraane hideout ka kya?
Mia : Maine bataya na — Captain ke orders. Kabhi bhi ek hi jagah par zyada der nahi theherna chaahiye.
Ladki 1 : Umm- Mia? Yaha ke resources ka kya?
Mia : Kya kya mila hai?
Ladki 1 : Guns, kuchh explosives, ammunitions, drugs, cash, aur kuchh vehicles.
Mia (nods) : Sab transport karwao. We are taking everything.
Ladki 1 : Hmm!
30 se 40 ye 'Orphana' ki ladkiyaan sab ki sab physical fights aur shooting me trained thi. Na sirf ye combats me maahir thi balki alag-alag kaamo me bhi nipud thi. Koi heavy vehicles chalaane me maahir thi toh koi drug dealings aur smugglings me. Toh wahi 50 se bhi upar jawan nayi ladkiyaan thi jo abhi under-training period me thi. Aane waale samay me 'Orphana' mazboot hone waala tha. Aur, ye tab hi mumkin tha jab-
'Don't you dare die on me... Captain-!!!'
Unke captain ki saansein chalti rahe.
Kuchh hi samay me woh sabhi naye hideout par shift ho chuke the. Captain ke temporary treatment ke baad medical room me Daisy ne surgery bhi kar di thi. Lekin, captain ki haalat abhi bhi gambheer thi. Pehle hi kaafi blood loss ho chuka tha. Mia ne apna blood donate toh kar diya tha magar, captain ki recovery uske weak state ke chalte bahut hi dheemi pad chuki thi.
Daisy rote hue captain ke maathe ko sehla rahi thi. 'Orphana' ke har ek sadasya ke liye unki captain ne kya kuchh nahi kiya tha. Sab ke badle ke liye Captain khushi-khushi apni jaan daav par laga deti thi. Aur, aaj woh sab agar yaha zinda thi toh uska kaaran tha unki — captain. Kintu, unme se koi bhi captain ki swayam ki kahani nahi jaanta tha.
Kyu tha ye 'Orphana group?' Kisne shuru kiya tha? Kya thi unki captain ki kahani? Kya tha unka maqsad? Unme se koi bhi kuchh nahi jaanta tha. Yaha tak ki Mia bhi nahi jo 'Orphana' ki sabse pehli sadasya thi jo captain dwara recruit ki gayi thi.
'What story are you hiding captain? Please!!! Get well soon! Aap yu hume chhor ke nahi jaa sakti. Recover! Please!'
Daisy ne apna kaam kar diya tha. Blood vessels aur organs buri tarah wounded the aur pneumothorax ke chalte oxygen level lagatar ghatata jaa raha tha. Ab sab kuchh recovery ke upar tha. Woh apni taraf se har woh prayas kar rahi thi jo mumkin tha. Lekin-
*Beep* *Beep*
*Beep* *Beep*
Achanak hi ECG monitor me heart rate kaafi kam hota chala gaya. Daisy ghabra ke uth ke baith gayi.
"N-Nooo-!! Captain-!!! Captain-!!!"
Agar, aisa hi chalta raha toh captain shayad aaj apni aakhiri saansein lene waali thi. Captain ko khone ke dar se Daisy itna ghabra gayi ki woh turant ke turant treatment me jutt gayi.
Heart ko temporary pacemaker se connect karne ki zaroorat thi jis se captain ke heart tak low electricity ke jhatke diye jaa sake taaki heart beat karta rahe. Aur, low heart rate ke chalte apna dum na tod de.
Ek ghante ke andar-andar hi Daisy ne temporary pacemaker bhi connect kar diya tha. Woh zoro se haaf rahi thi. Uss bechaari ne apni jee jaan laga di thi.
Ye medical equipment, ye tools, ye machines sab kuchh 'Orphana' ne zaroorat ke waqt ke liye khareede the. Par, agar aaj ye sab unki captain ko bachaane ke kaam na aaye, toh ye sab kis kaam ke reh jaane waale the?
'Don't die-!! Don't die, captain-!!!'
Iske pehle aaj tak Daisy ne kabhi bhi itni shiddat se kisi ke liye dua shayad hi maangi thi. Lekin, uparwaala jaise aaj kuchh aur hi chaahta tha.
*Beeeeeeeeeeeeeepppppp*
"Noooooooooooooo-!!!!!"
Woh itni zorr se cheenkhi ki baahar baithi kuchh ladkiyaan medical room me daakhil ho gayi. Aur, jab woh andar aayi toh unhone dekha ki — ECG monitor me straight line bann ke aa chuki thi.
Mia wahi apne ghutno par gir gayi. Rosella apna muh dhaake kaanpte hue gir padi. Toh wahi Daisy ki cheenkhein kamre me goonjti chali gayi.
*Beeeeeeeeeeeeeepppppp*
Captain ki aankhein humesha-humesha ke liye band ho chuki thi.
***
"Captain!!! Mia aaj bhi aapki Porsche chori chhipe le gayi thi."
"What? N-No way! Bakwas mat karo. Mere paas khud ki BMW hai. Why would I drive her car?"
"Kyunki, tumhe ab Porsche zyada pasand hai. Aur, ab tum woh khareedna chaahti ho. Lekin, captain ko bataane se darrti ho. Haha!"
"Rosella-!! Tum-!! Fine then! Captain! Kal raat aap poochh rahi thi na ki strawberry pie ka last piece kisne khatam kiya? Toh woh ye Rosella hi thi."
"Wh-What?? N-N-No no no no! Captain! Ye jhooth bol rahi hai. Maine toh woh park me ghoomne waali uss cat ko diya tha. I swearrrr-!!!"
"Hey, captain! Kya hum sach me movie dekhne chal rahe hai? Like... Really? Hum sab? Thanks so much!"
"Captain! Daisy ne flower vase tod diya."
"Ahhhn~ N-No! Captain! Woh galti se mera haath lag gaya tha. I'm sorry. Please! M-Mein pay back kar dungi. I promise."
"Lexi aaj bhi drill training ke liye late thi captain. Kya aaj bhi use cars saaf karne ki saza milegi? Waise kuchh dump trucks bahar gande pade hue hai. Hahahahaha-!"
"C-Captain-! W-Woh refrigerator kharab ho gaya hai toh-! Huh? Wait! Aap naya le aayi? Kab?? No wayyyy-!!!"
"Thank you, captain! Aapne mere kehne par unn logo ki madad ki. Jabki woh aapke kuchh lagte bhi nahi the. I'll always remember this."
"Captain! Please, mujhe bhi beauty tips dijiye na. Aapki skin itni achhi kyu hai???"
"Ehh? Y-Ye mere liye? *blushes* P-Par, ye dress toh bahut mehngi hai, captain. O-Ohh! Mera birthday gift? M-Mujhe toh yaad bhi nahi tha. Th-Thank you, captain!"
'Am I... Am I dead?'
'Ye sab yaadein... Mujhe kyu yaad aa rahi hai? Kya isliye ki ab mera waqt aa chuka hai? Mein maut ke qareeb hu isliye? P-Par-!'
'I don't want to die right now. Mujhe abhi bahut kuchh karna tha. Mujhe-'
'I guess... This is the end. I'm sorry, Mia. Mein tumhare liye tumhara maqsad poora nahi karwa paayi. Well, mere baad tum hi 'Orphana' ko aage leke jaogi. And, I believe it will flourish beautifully under your care. I believe in you.'
'This is it... It's time for me to leave now.'
Captain apni zindagi se poorn tarah se santusht toh nahi thi. Lekin, woh khush thi. Kam se kam usne ek neev toh rakh di thi jiske chalte 'Orphana' aage badh sake.
Aur, woh khushi-khushi iss duniya se alvida kehne waali thi jab-
Achanak hi kuchh hua. Uske shareer ne jhatka khaaya aur-
*Ding*
[System has been activated.]
*Beep* *Beep*
*Beep* *Beep*
"A-Ahhhn-!!!"
Daisy hadbadaate hue uthi aur ECG monitor ko check kar Captain ko dekhne lagi. Baaki, sab ka bhi yahi haal tha.
Aur, jab unhe samajh aaya ki unki captain ne unka saath nahi chhora hai toh sabhi khushi ke aasu bahaate hue ek dusre se lipat kar rone lagi.
Par, woh sab ye nahi jaanti thi ki unki captain ki kahani ke raazo me ab ek aur naya raaz jud chuka tha.
Sabse zyada khush thi toh woh thi — Mia. Bhale hi woh ek sakht bartaav rakhne waali sadasya ke roop me jaani jaati thi magar, woh Captain ki sabse qareebi aur sabse puraani sakha thi. 'Orphana' ki pehli sadasya.
Use Captain ki kahi gayi woh baat yaad aa gayi.
"Remember, Mia. Strength is not a weapon. It's a promise — to stand when no one else will."
Aur, aaj use iska arth samajh aa chuka tha. Captain kyu har baar unke liye khadi hoti thi. Kyunki, kabhi woh bhi akeli thi.
'You made it. You made it you idiot...! Thank God!!
***
Back to present,
Somewhere in Perth, Australia,
Evening - 5:05 PM ~
Puraani inhi kuchh yaadon ko yaad kar Captain ghane ped-paudho waale ilaaqo me akele aaj sair kar rahi thi. Inn beetein do saalo me usne lagbhag woh sab kuchh paa liya tha jo woh paana chaahti thi.
'Black Fangs' ka naam-o-nishaan mit chuka tha. 'Orphana' ka naam ab poore Australia me mashoor tha aur sabse badi aur powerful gang ke roop me jaana jaata tha.
Mia se leke aur bhi sadasyo ke jeevan ke uddeshyo ko paane me 'Orphana' ne unki poori sahaayta ki thi. Har guzarte din unka faction taqatvar hota jaa raha tha aur ye sab mumkin ho paaya tha sirf aur sirf unki captain ki wajah se.
System ke aane ke baad, captain poora risk apne upar leke chalti thi. Na sirf sadasyo me uski izzat badh chuki thi balki unke beech aapas me ab pehle se zyada ekta aur nidarta jhalakti thi.
Kintu, captain ek cheez se abhi anibhigya thi. Aur, woh thi-
*Tocotocotocotocotocotoco*
Captain ke kshetra se kuchh hi kilometres door ek helicopter hawa me mandraata hua uske nazdeek badh raha tha. Aur, uske gate par khada ek vyakti apni nazre neeche gadaaye kshetra ka jaayza le raha tha.
Uska chehra kapde se dhaka hua tha aur peeth par teer se bhara ek tarkas latka hua tha.
"Neeche lo!"
Usne pilot ko bina dekhe hi nirdesh diya. Aur, pilot ne haami bhar helicopter ek khaali jagah dekh neeche utaarna shuru kar diya. Helicopter abhi zameen par aaya bhi nahi tha ki woh vyakti helicopter se kooda aur seedhe zameen par land kiya.
Pilot ne copter ko wapas se hawa me upar kiya aur woh waha se nikal gaya. Aur, neeche utarne waala yeh vyakti koi aur nahi — Damian hi tha.
'Remember, Damian! Tumhara kaam uss ladki ko ghaayal karna hai. Stall her! That's it. Behtar hoga agar tum use humari side karne me qamyab hote ho. Lekin, woh nahi aayegi. I can tell. So, just stick to the plan. Aur, agar maamla tumhare haath se nikal jaaye, then you must escape. It's not a death fight. Go now!'
Rebecca ki kahi gayi baat use yaad aayi. Australia ke liye nikalne se pehle yahi baatein Rebecca ne use samjhayi thi. Unhe dhyaan me rakhte hue woh dabe paav aage badha.
Idhar, Captain jangal me ped paudho ke beech apna samay vyateet kar rahi thi. Aksar woh chaandni raato me yaha aasmaan me taaro ke neeche ghaas par laite shaanti mehsoos kiya karti. Use jaanvaro se lagaav tha — vishesh roop se bhediyo se. Aur, aksar yaha woh unke ird-gird hi paayi jaati thi, unse baatein karte hue, unhe khilaate hue, unke saath daudate hue. Use toofano se bhi ek ajeeb sa lagaav tha. Woh unki arajak taaqat me bhi sundarta dhoondhti thi.
Abhi woh jangal ki sundarta ko nihaar hi rahi thi jab-
*Swoosh* *Swoosh* *Swoosh*
Hawa ko cheerte hue kisi cheez ke aane ki dhwani ne use ahaat kiya aur-
*Ding*
HYPER REFLEXIA
Ek jhatke me palatate hue usne apni taraf chhore gaye do teero ko apne haatho se jakad liya.
Door khade uss anjaan vyakti aur uske muh par lipte kapde ko dekhte hi Captain ki aankhein chaudi ho gayi.
Captain (growls) : Y-You-!!! It's you...!
Aur, woh abhi Damian par hamla karne hi waali thi jab Damian ne swayam bolna shuru kiya.
Damian : Captain of the Orphana!!! We meet again-
Captain (growls) : Tumhari himmat kaise hui mere hi continent me aake mujh par peeth peechhe vaar karne ki??
Damian : Mein yaha kuchh samjhaute ke liye hu. I mean no harm!
Captain (yells) : Fuck you!!!
Damian : Kya hum ek dusre se baat kar-
Captain (growls) : SHUT THE FUCK UP! AND, TELL ME... WHERE... IS... THAT... BITCH!!?
Woh gurraate hue boli. Aur, agle hi shan uski aankhon par golden color ki parat chadh gayi.
Captain (growls) : WHERE... IS... SHE???
Damian : Mein yaha sirf baat karne ke liye hu. Uske alawa mein koi bhi details share nahi kar sakta. Par-
Captain : Well, then it doesn't matter. Tumhe qaid me karne ke baad woh bhi yaha daudi-daudi chali aayegi.
Damian : Mujhe nahi lagta ye sahi approach hogi. After all, I'm just a pawn. Agar, mein yaha maara bhi jaata hu toh bhi tumhe kuchh nahi milega.
Captain (sneers) : Hmph! A lapdog indeed. Lekin, tumhara past shayad sab kuchh baya kar dega.
Damian : That'll depend on your capability.
*Whoooosh*
Agle hi shan Captain apni jagah se gaayab hui aur palak jhapakte hi woh Damian ke theek peechhe thi. Uski raftaar dekhte hi Damian ki aankhein hairaani me fel gayi. Captain ka perr Damian ke sarr ko dhad se alag karne ke liye hawa ko cheerte hue aaya.
Magar, Damian ne turant hi duck kar liya. Laat uske baalo ko chhoote hue nikli. Damian ne jhukte hi apni kamar par khusi ek knife blade nikaali aur bina peechhe dekhe hi usne apna haath chala diya. Magar, Captain blade dekhte hi peechhe ko hatt gayi.
[He's an agile assassin.]
Captain ke mann me ek aadmi ki awaaz goonji. Zaahir hai ye uske system ki awaaz thi.
'Agile assassin?'
[Hmm! Woh assassin jo aksar apni speed par rely karta hai. Dusre shabdo me, woh tumse physically weak ho sakta hai. Lekin, speed me tumse aage ho sakta hai. Isliye, sambhal ke-]
'Hmm!'
Haami bharte hue iss baar Captain Damian ko upar se neeche tak parakhne lagi. Damian chup-chaap utha aur palatate hue usne firse wahi kaha.
Damian : I mean no harm captain. Mujhe sirf aur sirf baat karni hai.
Iss baar Captain ne apni aankhon se sunehre rang ki parat ko hataaya aur woh kuchh sochte hue boli.
Captain : State your purpose.
Damian : Join us!
Captain : Huh?
Damian : Tum meri senior se milna chaahti ho. Hai na? Toh hume join kyu nahi karti? Mein tumhe vachan deta hu ki agar tum hume join karti ho toh mein tumhari meeting senior se zaroor karwaunga.
Captain (sneers) : That bitch?? Hmph! Shayad, tum abhi bhi theek se samjhe nahi. I'm a free bird. Duniya ki koi bhi taaqat mujhe apne ishaare par nachaane ke liye majboor nahi kar sakti. Woh aurat aur tum aapas me mile hue ho ye toh mein jaan gayi hu. Lekin, mujhe ye jaanana hai ki woh bitch uss raat waha kar kya rahi thi???
Damian : ...
Captain : Heh! Toh tumhare paas iska koi jawaab nahi?
Damian : ...
Captain : Mein jaanti thi ye conversation fizool hi hai. Jab tak mein tumhe apna bandhi nahi bana leti tab tak mere haath kuchh bhi nahi lagega.
Kehte hue uski aankhein punah sunehre rang se chamak uthi.
Damian : Humara yaha ladna faydemand saabit nahi hoga, Captain.
Captain (takes stance) : Time will tell.
Damian : Mein jaanta hu ki tum itni powerful kaise ho paayi ho. 'Orphana' ke sadasyo ki wajah se.
Sunte hi pal bhar ke liye Captain ki bauhe sikudi.
Damian : Jitne zyada orphans tumhe mile, utne hi zyada missions bhi tumhe mile honge. Jinhe baari-baari tum complete karti gayi aur 'Orphana' ke saath-saath tum bhi taqatvar hoti chali gayi. Mein sahi keh raha hu na?
Captain : Tch-!!
Woh gusse me Damian ko dekhi. Iss ladke ko bahut kuchh pata tha.
Damian : Par, kya hoga agar wahi 'Orphana' ke sadasyo ka khaatma kar diya jaaye?
*Booooooooooooooommmmm*
Palak jhapakte hi jidhar Damian khada hua tha waha ki dharti ke chithde udd gaye aur Damian sahi samay par peechhe kood gaya warna ye vaar use sach me ghaayal kar diya hota.
Captain ki laat zameen ke andar dhas chuki thi. Aur, aas paas ki zameen ke chithde bikhar chuke the.
Gussail aankhon se usne apna sarr upar kar Damian ko ghoora.
Captain (growls) : YOU DARE?
Damian : I WOUL-
*Booooooooooooooommmmm*
Damian ke bagal se laga ped beech se hi ukhad gaya aur vishaal vraksh badi hi asaani se do tukdo me batt ke neeche dharashayi ho gaya.
Pakshiyo ka shor ho utha aur aas paas ke jeev jantu khatra mehsoos kar waha se bhaag uthe. Aur, iss baar Damian ko bodh hua. Bodh ki woh apne saamne khadi iss captain se bhidne ke liye taiyaar nahi tha. Agar, woh bhida toh use apne qamyab hone ke koi bhi asaar nazar nahi aa rahe the.
Par, yahi uska maqsad bhi tha. Rebecca ne use Captain ko vyast rakhne ke liye kaha tha. Aur, ho sake toh ghayal karne ke liye.
Damian yaha se khaali haath nahi laut sakta tha. Aur, uske baad shuru hua waha ek ghamasan yuddh. Do system holders aapas me takraaye.
Woh sundar jagah tabaah hoti chali gayi. Ped paudhe nasht hote gaye toh wahi zameen ujadti chali gayi. Unn dono ki ladaayi waha ke jeevan ko khatam kar rahi thi.
Magar, Captain ke upar gussa sawaar tha. Damian ke explosive arrows ho ya fir feint attacks. Captain ne woh sab kuchh apne upar liya. Zaahir hai woh kayi hamlo ka shikaar ho chuki thi.
Uske badan se jagah-jagah se khoon beh raha tha aur pait me kaafi gehri chot bhi aayi thi. Lekin, iss se bura haal tha Damian ka.
Jiska sarr zameen ke andar dhasa hua tha aur Captain ka joota jo theek uski khopdi ke upar rakha hua tha. Captain lambi-lambi gehri saansein le rahi thi. Magar, woh iss ladke ko haraane me qamyab thi.
Usne jhukte hue Damian ke sarr ke baal pakde aur ek haath se hi uske shareer ko baalo se jakadte hue uthaaya. Woh dusre haath se uske muh par se woh naqaab hataane jaa rahi thi jab-
Damian : I told you...!
Captain : ???
Damian : It wouldn't end well if we fought. You forced me to do this-
Captain : Huh-!???
Turant hi Captain ko khatra mehsoos hua. Aur, jis hisaab se Renshu kabhi Damian ki hidden blades ka shikaar hua tha. Wahi Captain ke saath bhi hua.
Teen badi blades jo pattiyo ke neeche bikhri chhipi hui dali thi. Shan bhar me hi Damian ne unhe hidden wires se kheencha aur-
'Shit-!!!'
Par, bahut der ho chuki thi.
*Squelch* *Squelch* *Squelch*
Iske pehle ki Captain waha se hatt paati. Woh teeno blades peechhe se uske shareer me aake dhas gayi.
"Blurgh-!!!"
Captain ke muh se dher saara khoon beh ke neeche gira. Internal bleeding.
[It's critical. End this quickly.]
Captain ke mann me uske system ki awaaz aayi. Aur, Damian jo soch raha tha ki ab Captain kamzor pad ke gir jayegi toh uske armaano par paani fir gaya. Aur, maathe par pehli baar ab shikan ke chalte paseene ki boondein umad aayi.
"YOU MOTHERFUCKER-!!!!"
Captain ne itni zor se dahaad lagaayi ki Damian ke baal uski awaaz maatra se lehra gaye. Woh Captain ki jakdan me abhi bhi tha. Aur, iska bodh hote hi woh bhaagne ki koshish kiya. Magar, sab fizool. Pehli baar aaj use dar mehsoos hua.
Agle hi pal Captain ka daaya haath zor se thar-tharaane laga. Damian ne dekha ki Captain ke haath ki nasey achanak hi foolne lagi thi. Ek bura sanket. Lag raha tha jaise maano khoon ka sanchaar tezi se mutthi ki orr ho raha tha. Captain ki kasi hui mutthi itni laal pad chuki thi aisa lag raha tha maano use gehre laal rang se pot diya gaya ho.
Damian ghabraya. Teen-teen blades ke shareer me khuse hone ke bawajood Captain aakhir use chhor kyu nahi rahi thi? Inn sab ke baad bhi uske andar itni urja kaise bachi hui thi?
Lekin, ye sab woh zyada der na soch paaya. Kyunki, palak jhapakte hi-
Captain ki kasi hui mutthi seedhe uske chehre ki orr aayi aur-
*Ding*
BANE BLAST
*Booooooooooooooommmmm*
Aur, uske baad Damian ko kuchh na samajh aaya. Use halka mehsoos ho raha tha. Drishya badi hi tezi se uske saamne se badalte jaa rahe the. Use samajh aaya ki woh hawa me udd raha tha.
Uske muh ke baayi orr garam sa ehsaas use ho raha tha. Hawa me hi udte hue usne apna haath le jaate hue udhar chhiya toh paaya ki-
Uske chehre ka kuchh hissa gayab ho chuka tha. Darr! Jo pehli baar usne kaafi samay baad mehsoos kiya. Chehre par se 15% maans udhad ke nikal chuka tha. Woh apne gaal ki haddi ko bhi chhee paa raha tha.
Aur, iske pehle ki woh kuchh aur soch paata, uska shareer ek ped se bhidte hue dhadaam se neeche gir gaya. Uska system turant hi blood loss ko rokne ke liye kaam par lag gaya.
Woh jaanta tha ki agar woh yaha ruka toh uski maut nishchit thi. Khoon ke rukte hi woh waha se uth palta aur jaise-taise kar waha se bhaaga. Toh wahi jangal ke andar Captain ki haalat bhi kuchh theek nahi thi.
Teen-teen blades uske shareer me dhasi hui thi. Woh jaanti thi ki agar usne blades nikaali toh blood loss bahut zyada ho jayega. Woh apne ghutno par giri. Ab exhaustion hit kar raha tha.
Jhatse phone nikaalte hue usne ek SOS signal bheja. Aur, 'Orphana' ki second-in-command leader, Mia ko jaise hi ye message mila woh Daisy aur ek team leke seedhe uss location ke liye ravaana ho gayi.
[You did well. Rest. I will help you to alleviate the pain.]
Behoshi me jaane se pehle, Captain bas halke se muskurayi. Aur, ahista se mann me hi boli-
'Thanks... Zero...!'
[Don't mention it.]
***
Government allotted ward,
Pune, Afternoon - 12:30 PM ~
Sarkari ward ki shaanti tab bhang hui jab ek zor ki awaaz uske aangan me goonj gayi.
Pranjal itni zor se ladkhadaya ki paani se bhare containers se jaake jaa bhida. Woh zor se zameen par gira aur unme bhara thanda paani uske poore badan ko bhigo diya. Uski peeth dard aur thand ke maare kaanpne lagi aur usne ek karaah bhari.
"Aarghh!"
Woh chillaaya, baithne ke liye sangharsh karte hue, apni bagal thaame, uska gussa ubaal maarne laga.
Pranjal : Tujhe kya lagta hai ki mein tujhe jaanta nahi? Haan, Veer??? Tujhe lagta hai ki tu uss mask ke peechhe apne chehre ko chhipa sakta hai?? Mujhe pata hai ki ye tu hai!!
Woh gurraaya. Uski awaaz me krodh aur hataasha mishrit thi.
Kuchh hi qadam ki doori par khade Veer ne koi jawaab nahi diya. Uska lamba sudol, prabhavshali shareer aur uske chehre ko chhipaaya hua kaala mask ek khatre ki anubhooti de raha tha. Woh Pranjal ko badi hi khamoshi se dekh raha tha.
Yaha aate hi Pranjal ne ek shan me use pehchaan liya tha. Woh sab kuchh bhool sakta tha par Veer ki shaqal nahi. Mask ke peechhe bhi usne Veer ko yuhi pehchaan liya tha. Woh bhadka aur Veer ki beizzati kar uss par shabdo ke vaar kar shuru ho gaya. Kintu, jaise hi uske muh se gaali nikli, nateeja saamne tha.
Pranjal ko uska apmaan yaad aa gaya. Kaise Veer ne uska sarr commode me ghusedte hue use peeta tha.
Pranjal (yells) : Tu... Teri hi wajah se aaj mera ye haal hai. Teri hi wajah se mujhe ghar se nikaal diya gaya. Tune meri zindagi barbaad kar di.
Usne uthate hue neeche zameen par thooka. Uski awaaz aakrosh se kaanp rahi thi.
Pranjal (screams) : Tujhe yaad hai na? Bhosdike-!!! Tu... Tune mujhe humiliate kiya tha. Yaad hai na tujhe?? Mein bhoola nahi hu. Ek na ek din, mein tujhe uska dus guna chukaunga, Veer-!!!
Shor ke chalte, dekhte hi dekhte waha bheed ikhatta ho gayi. Ward me panaah le rahe log bhi baahar nikal kar aake tamasha dekhne lage. Par, kisi ne dakhal dene ki himmat nahi ki.
Pranjal ke bol sunn peeche door khadi Ava Veer ko dekhti rahi. Usne Pranjal ko check kar ye toh pata laga liya tha ki ye Veer ka cousin bhai tha. Aur, ye bhi ki unn dono ke beech shuru se hi bair thi. Magar, asal kahani kya thi? Iss se Ava anibhigya thi. Veer ke baare me woh sab kuchh jaanana chaahti thi. Kya soch raha tha woh iss waqt? Kya chal raha hoga uske mann me abhi?
Kintu, Veer khamosh tha. Mask ke peechhe uske chehre par koi bhaav nahi the. Uski nazre Pranjal par hi tiki hui thi. Aur, uski yahi khamoshi Pranjal ko aur bhi zyada bhadka rahi thi.
Pranjal (yells) : Jawaab de mujhe-!!! Tu yaha kya kar raha hai?? Tujhe kya lagta hai ki tu jab chaahe mere raaste ke beech aake meri zindagi barbaad kar sakta hai? Aur, mein bas khade-khade tamasha dekhta rahunga?? Nahi Veer! Nahi! Ye teri galat fehmi hai! Tu... Kuchh nahi. Tu kuchh bhi nahi! Tu sirf ek panoti hai, Veer. Sirf aur sirf ek panoti!!!
[ENOUUUGHHHH-!!!! ENOUGH!!! I'LL SKIN HIM ALIVE!!! HOW DARE HE DISRESPECT YOU?? ISS DO KAUDI KE LADKE KI AUKAAT KAISE HUI MERE SAAMNE MASTER KI BEIZZATI KARNE KI? I'LL KILL HIM! KILL HIM, MASTER!! LET'S KILL THIS BASTARD GERM!!!]
Aur, hamesha ki tarah shaant rehne waali Pari ne bhi apna aapa kho diya. Woh sab kuchh bardaasht kar sakti thi par apne master ki beizzati nahi. Crimson se bhidte waqt jab Veer apna balidaan dene jaa raha tha, uss shan se hi Pari ki iss personality ke dil me Veer ke liye ek alag hi jagah bann chuki thi. Toh aise me agar koi aera-gaira vyakti uske hi saamne uske master ki beizzati kare, toh woh bhala kaise bardaasht kar sakti thi?
Pranjal (yells) : Jawaab de gaandu! Kyu aaya tu yaha-
Veer ka rukh badla. Uski maanspeshiyo me tanaav spasht hua, aur ek akasmat, tez chaal ke saath, usne uske aur Pranjal ke beech ki doori ko kam kar diya. Pranjal ko samajh hi nahi ki kab aur kaise, par uske jabde par ek tez jhatka laga aur agle hi pal woh keechad me tha.
"Argh-!! Kameene-!!!"
Woh zorr se cheenkha. Jaise hi woh uthne ko hua toh Veer ke ek aur tez aur nirdayi prahaar se uske shabd uske muh me hi reh gaye. Woh waapas zameen par gir pada. Aur, ab poore shareer me dard fel chuka tha.
Wahi khadi Divya bhi ye sab kuchh dekhte hue hairat me thi. Veer ke ateet aur uski family ke baare me use koi jankaari nahi thi. Pranjal jis tarah se Veer par aarop par aarop lagaate hue use gaaliyaan bak raha tha woh jaan chuki thi ki unn dono ke beech 36 ki aakda tha. Lekin, woh ab iss ghatna ko aur aage badhne nahi de sakti thi.
Divya (yells) : Enough!!!
Usne apni ID nikaalte hue Pranjal ko peechhe rehne ka ishaara kiya. Woh yaha Madhuri aur uski maa se milne ke liye aayi thi. Na ki kisi ke personal matters handle karne. Aur, Divya ko ye zara bhi pasand nahi aaya ki Veer ko koi iss tarah se sab ke saamne beizzat kare.
Divya : Divya Dhawan, a special agent from FBCC. Iske pehle ki mein action lu, lower your guard and leave this place as soon as possible.
Magar, ID se bina prabhavit hue hi Pranjal iss baar Divya par bhi bhadak utha.
Pranjal : Special agent? Lawde ki special agent!!! Behanchod! Tumhe lagta hai mujhe FBCC Ya LGCC se koi matlab hai?
Usne apni aasteen ko jhatkaar kar saaf karte hue kaha.
Pranjal : Tum sab Veer ke saath mili ho. Kyu be, Veer? Hai na? Bol kitne me khareeda tune ise? Iss baar tu kya karne ki soch raha hai? Jawaab de-!!!
Divya ki aankhein sikudi aur usne tezi se apni handgun nikaal Pranjal par taan di.
Divya : Say another word, and I promise you, you'll regret it.
Iss baar Pranjal ke muh se kuchh na nikla. Handgun dekhte hi woh stabdh reh gaya. Aur, bas wahi nahi tha. Waha maujood tamaam log Divya ke haath me handgun dekhte hi sakpaka ke reh gaye.
Toh wahi iss shor-sharaabe ke chalte, pehli manzil ki balcony me Madhuri aur uski maa, Lalita apne kamre se baahar nikal kar aayi. Jab Madhuri ne neeche dekha toh uski aankhein chaudi ho gayi. Neeche, Divya apni bandook liye nishaana saadhe hue thi; Veer, naqabposh aur khamosh, uski chhavi sthir thi; Aur Pranjal, bheega hua, ast-vyast aur chotil.
Madhuri (murmurs) : K-Kaun...!?
Woh fus-fusayi. Neeche khade shakso me se use Veer ki chhavi dekh ek ajeeb sa apnapann sa mehsoos hua. Uski maa ne dheere se uske kandhe par haath rakha, anishchit, ki unhe neeche jaana chaahiye ya nahi?
Aur, idhar Madhuri ke saamne aate hi Pranjal ki nazre uss par tik gayi. Uska gussa jaise kahi gaayab ho gaya, uski jagah ek narm aur laalsa bhara bhaav janm le liya.
Pranjal (murmurs) : M-Madhuri...
Woh budbudaya, uski awaaz bamushqil hi sunane laayak thi. Divya aur Veer ko nazar-andaaz kar woh ek qadam ladkhadate hue aage badha.
Madhuri, Veer ko uske mask ke kaaran pehchanane me asamarth thi. Uski nigaahein teen logo ke beech ghoom rahi thi. Jaise hi woh punaah Veer ko dekhi, use laga jaise usne pehle kahi iss shaks ko dekha hai, kintu yaddaasht dhundhli ho rakhi thi. Woh yaad karne ke liye bechain thi, magar woh yaddasht beetein varsho ki yaado ke neeche kahi dabi hui thi.
Madhuri : M-Maa-! Maa, neeche chalo! Jaldi!
Woh agle hi shan neeche ko bhaagi, use uss shaks ke baare me jaanana tha aur uski maa use neeche jaata dekh ghabra uthi.
Lalita : Madhu!!! Madhu, ruk! Madhu!!
Kuchh hi palo me sab ek-dusre ke saamne the. Veer ke saamne jaise hi Madhuri aayi, uski aankhein use dekh narm pad gayi. Iss ladki se use kaafi pehle hi maafi maang leni chaahiye thi. Par, use kabhi iska mauka nahi mil paaya.
Na uss din Veer Madhuri par bhadakta, na woh ro ke bhaagti, na Pranjal aur Madhuri ke beech ki dosti tootati aur na hi Pranjal uske prati ye bhavnaaye rakhta.
[Oh, achha? Aur, fir aap mujhe kaise milte?]
Pari ne jaise uske mann ki baatein ko padh liya. Veer mann hi mann muskuraya. Pari sahi thi. Jo hona tha woh ho gaya. Ab yaha se cheezon ko kaise sambhaalna tha ye uske haath me tha.
Divya ne jab Madhuri aur Lalita ko neeche aate dekha toh woh Madhuri ko dekh ke hi pehchaan gayi. Yaha aane se pehle report me usne sab kuchh padha tha aur victim ke parivar jano ki photos uske dimaag me baithi hui thi.
Divya : Madhuri?
Madhuri : Ahn?? J-Ji??
Divya (holsters gun) : Mein Divya Dhawan, ek special agent FBCC se. Mujhe aap se aur aapki maa se aapke pita ki hatya ko leke kuchh zaroori baat-cheet karni hai.
Madhuri (nods) : J-Ji-! A-Aaiye!
Madhuri ke mann me kayi sawaal the. Woh Veer aur Pranjal ke baare me poochhna chaahti thi. Lekin, uski himmat nahi hui kuchh bhi kehne ki.
Jab Veer aur Divya Madhuri ke peechhe-peechhe jaane lage toh Pranjal bhi unke peechhe aane laga lekin Divya turant hi ruki aur uski orr dekhi, jaise poochhna chaah rahi ho ki tum bhala kaha chale aa rahe ho?
Pranjal iske pehle ki kuchh keh paata ki itne me Veer ne Divya ko rok diya.
Veer : Let him...!
Divya : Huh?? P-Par, Veer? Ye serious matter hai aur-
Veer : It's okay! Mein zimmedari leta hu.
Divya (sighs) : Agar, tum kehte ho toh... Theek hai!
Divya ek aur paini nazar Pranjal par maarte hue upar ko chali gayi. Pranjal ne bhi iss baar Veer ki peeth ko dekha. Na jaane kya soch raha tha woh. Ava uske theek bagal se nikli lekin, achanak hi-
*Swish*
"Aaaaaaahhh!"
Ava ne apni hidden knife nikaalte hue hawa me ghumaayi toh Pranjal dar ke maare ek qadam peechhe ho gaya. Upar se neeche tak Ava ne use ek pal ke liye dekha, jaise use kisi prakaar se savdhaan kar rahi thi. Aur, fir woh bhi upar chali gayi.
Sabhi Madhuri ke iss niwaas sthaan ke andar baithe hue the siwae Ava ke jo kamre ke theek baahar apne haath mode deewar se tik ke khadi hui thi aur sab kuchh sunn paa rahi thi. Pranjal ki zimmedari Veer ne le li thi toh Divya ko uski chinta karne ki zaroorat hi nahi thi. Aur, fir shuru hua sawaalo ka silsila.
Divya : Waise toh police ne saari jankaari le hi li hogi. Par, fir bhi mein ek baar aap dono se personally baat karna chaahti thi. Aap ko koi aitraaz toh nahi?
Madhuri : J-Ji nahi! Poochhiye na!
Woh boli. Ek sarsari nigaah usne Veer par maari jo khidki ke paas apne haath mode khada hua tha. Ek aasha jaagi ki kaash woh uske mask ke peechhe ke uss chehre ko dekh paati.
Divya : Dekhiye! Mein sadharan police karmchari nahi hu. Mein FBCC se hu. Ek International crime control agency. Toh aap jitna mujhe khul kar sab kuchh batayengi, cheezein utni hi aapke liye behtar saabit ho sakti hai.
Madhuri : M-Mein kuchh samjhi nahi.
Divya : Matlab ye ki, jo kaam police nahi kar sakti, woh mein chutkiyo me karwa sakti hu. Toh, aap ko kuchh bhi chhipaane ki zaroorat nahi hai.
Madhuri aur Lalita, dono ne ek dusre ko dekha.
Madhuri : J-Ji! Poochhiye!
Uske baad Madhuri ne woh sab kuchh bataaya jo woh bataana chaahti thi. Aur, jo pehle bhi bata chuki thi.
Divya : Hmm! Toh aapka kehna hai ki Prabhakar ji ki pehle kisi se bair thi aur usi ke kaaran unhe kaafi nuksaan bhi hua tha, right?
Madhuri (nods) : J-Ji! Lekin, uss aadmi ka haath iske peechhe nahi hai. Police ne iski chhaan-been kar li hai.
Divya : Hmm! Toh, fir? Aapko kya lagta hai?
Madhuri : Pita ji ki iske alawa aur koi dushmani nahi thi. Toh, mera anumaan do cheezon par hai.
Divya : Aur, kya hai woh?
Madhuri : Pehla toh yahi ki- ho sakta hai police ko uss aadmi ne paise khila ke chup kara diya ho. Aur, wahi iss sab ke peechhe ho?
Divya : Hmm! Interesting! Aur, dusra anumaan?
Madhuri : Mujhe nahi pata.
Divya : Hmm?
Madhuri : Mera matlab hai, ho sakta hai ki inn sab ke peechhe kuchh aur hi ho. Kisi aur ka hi haath ho jiske baare me mein aur maa nahi jaante.
Divya : Ohh?
Divya ne ek pal Veer ko dekha. Fir, jaise use kuchh yaad aaya aur usne apna sawaal ghumaate hue poochha.
Divya : Kya aapke pita koi medical condition ka shikaar the kya? I mean, koi beemari? Ya koi tests wagarah karwaate the?
Madhuri : Huh? N-Nahi! Pita ji poori tarah se swasth the. Unhe koi beemari nahi thi.
Divya : Abhi unhone kabhi koi blood tests wagarah karwaaye the kya?
Madhuri : N-Nahi! Agar, woh karwaate toh hume iss baare me zaroor pata hota.
Divya : Kisi doctor se unka koi sampark?
Madhuri : N-Nahi! Jaha tak mujhe yaad hai, humara koi family doctor nahi tha. Pita ji doctors ke paas kabhi jaate hi nahi the. Beemaar padte the toh aksar medical ki shops se mein hi unke liye dawayi laaya karti thi. P-Par, kya hua? Aap ye sab-
Divya : Nahi! Kuchh nahi! Bas yuhi poochha.
Ek baar fir Divya ne Veer ko dekha. Veer ne haami bhari. Aur, Madhuri iss baar apni ichhaa daba nahi paayi.
Madhuri (glances) : K-Kya, maine aapko pehle kahi dekha hai? K-Kya hum ek dusre se kabhi mile hai?
Veer : Hmm?
Divya : ???
Madhuri : Kya mein aapka chehra dekh sakti hu?
Divya : I-I'm sorry lekin woh mere saath hai. Aur, undercover agents ko-
Par, pata nahi Veer ko kya soojha usne bina kuchh kahe hi apna mask utaar diya. Jaha Pranjal Veer ka chehre dekhte hi mann hi mann apne sahi anumaan par garv kar raha tha toh wahi Madhuri Veer ka chehra dekhte hi ek gehri saans kheechne par majboor ho gayi.
Use fauran hi yaad aa gaya ki usne Veer ko kaha dekha tha. Woh sahi thi. Woh uss se mili thi. Delhi me... Jab woh ek ladke ke saath uski girlfriend ka naatak kar ke uske saath dinner par gayi thi. Tab, uski mulaqat Veer se hui thi.
Madhuri (stands up) : Ahn! A-Aap toh wahi-!!!
Pranjal ne jab ye dekha toh woh taajub me reh gaya. Yahi haal Divya aur Lalita ka bhi tha.
Madhuri : M-Mujhe yaad hai. Mujhe yaad hai. Aapne hi mujhe apna woh coat diya tha na? Aapko yaad aaya kuchh? M-Mein wahi ladki hu. Kuchh yaad aaya.
Veer uski masoom si bholi soorat dekh use niraash nahi karna chaahta tha. Toh, usne haami bhari.
Veer (nods) : Bilkul! Mujhe yaad hai.
Madhuri : Ahhn-!! M-Maa-!!!
Lalita : K-Kya hua beta??
Mauka dekhte hi Pranjal bhi uth khada hua.
Pranjal : M-Madhuri...! T-Tumhe Veer yaad hai???
Madhuri : Huhh? V-Veer???
Akasmat hi ye naam Madhuri ke dimag me khatka.
Pranjal : M-Mein Pranjal, Madhuri! T-Tumhe kuchh yaad aaya? Pranjal! Mein, Pranjal! Yaad karo! Bachpan me hum saath khela karte the. Yaad aaya? Tum mere ghar aati thi. Tum boycut rakhti thi tab. Kuchh... Kuchh yaad aaya?
Madhuri unn yaadon ko kabhi nahi bhool sakti thi. Kyunki, wahi shayad uske jeevan ki aakhiri achhi yaadein thi. Woh samay jab uska parivar khush tha, ghar me shaanti, samridhhi aur daulat barkarar thi. Unn palo ko woh chaah ke bhi nahi bhool sakti thi. Use yaad aaya ki uske saamne khada ye ladka wahi Pranjal thi. Par, ek minute-!?
Pranjal ke kuchh shan pehle kahe gaye shabd uske mann me goonje. Tumhe Veer yaad hai? Iska matlab-
Woh jhatse Veer ki orr palti. Bachpan se hi woh Veer se dosti karna chaahti thi lekin, Veer kabhi uss se baat nahi karta tha. Akhiri baar jab usne use ladka samajhte hue dhutkaar ke bura bhala kaha tha toh woh ro ke bhaag aayi thi.
Uss bechari ko khud ko nahi pata tha ki woh Veer se dobaara kabhi nahi mil paayegi. Agle kayi dino tak woh ro ro ke apni raatein guzara karti. Aur, aaj wahi Veer aur Pranjal uske saamne the.
Par, kaise waqt pe? Jab uska parivar ek taaza khabar bann chuka tha. Uske pita ka qatl kar diya gaya tha, police ka aana jaana laga tha, aur rehne ke liye khud ka ghar tak nahi tha.
Uski aankhon se aasu jhar-jhar kar behne lage.
Madhuri : T-Tum...!? Tum wahi V-Veer ho?
Veer : *smiles*
Madhuri : M-Mujhe pehchaana? *sniff* M-Mein Madhuri-!! Wahi-!! Tum jis se door bhaagte the. *sniff* Y-Yaad hai na?
Veer (nods) : Mujhe yaad hai. Mujhe maaf kar dena, Madhuri. Maine tumhe uss waqt ladka samajh ke-
Par, uske bol adhoore reh gaye jab achanak hi Madhuri seedhe uske seene se aa lagi. Aur, Pranjal ki aankhein ye dekhte hi phatne ko baahar aa gayi.
[That's what you get you bastard!!! Master! Make her yours! Kiss her!!!]
Veer jitna Madhuri ki hug se hairaan tha, uss se kahi zyada woh Pari ke iss agressive behaviour se taajub me tha. Ye Pari ko kya ho gaya tha?
Par, Pranjal ko apne daant meesne ka mauka hi nahi mila kyunki, Madhuri turant hi Veer ke haath ko apne haath me daal uski orr aayi aur dusre haath se uske haath ko bhi apne haath me daal li.
Lalita : M-Madhu? Y-Ye sab kya???
Madhuri : M-Maa! *sniff* Tumhe yaad hai na jab hum Mumbai me rehte the? Tab mein pados me bade se ghar me khelne jaaya karti thi?
Lalita ko kuchh dhundhli yaadein yaad aayi.
Madhuri : Inke yaha bihi ka ek bada sa ped bhi tha aangan me. Yaad karo?
Aur, Lalita ko sab kuchh yaad aa gaya.
Lalita : H-Haan! Yaad aaya. Manorath ji karke rehte the waha ek. Bahut hi sajjan log the.
Madhuri : Y-Ye usi ghar se hai, maa. Y-Ye Pranjal! A-Aur, ye Veer. Mein aake tumhare saamne roti thi na? Tumko bataati thi ki Veer mujhse dosti nahi karta. *sniff* Y-Ye wahi Veer hai.
Use dekh ke samajh nahi aa raha tha ki kya kahe. Uski aankhon se aasu beh rahe the par hontho par muskaan bhi saji hui thi. Lalita ko jab sab yaad aaya toh woh bhi aage badh ke aayi aur unn dono ke sarr sehlaane lagi.
Divya aur Ava dono hi hairat me bas sab kuchh ghatit hota hua dekh rahi thi. Pranjal aur Veer ki nazre aapas me takrayi. Par, jis tarah se Madhuri unke beech me hoke unhe thaami hui thi woh dono hi khamosh rahe. Pranjal toh iss ehsaas me kho chuka tha. Madhuri uske bagal se thi. Baar-baar uski nazre unn dono ke bandhe hue haath par jaa rahi thi.
Uske baad sab kuchh vistaar se bataya gaya. Pranjal ne bataya ki woh yaha par kyu aaya tha. Inn beetein dino me usne kuchh paiso ka jugaad kiya tha. Woh yaha pehle hi aa chuka hota. Magar, Karunesh ne use paise dene se inkaar kar diya tha.
Majbooran, use idhar-udhar se paise jugaadne pade. Aur, isi chakkar me use kayi din lag gaye. Aaj ki tareekh me bhi uske paas 30-40 hazaar hi the bas. Aur, woh ye sab Madhuri ke liye laaya tha.
Jab Madhuri ne neeche hui ghatna ka zikra kiya toh uss vishay par dono Veer aur Pranjal khamosh reh gaye.
Madhuri : B-Batao na! Y-Ye neeche kya chal raha tha? Tumhare kapde itne gande kaise ho gaye? A-Aur, aap iss par bandook kyu taani hui thi?
Divya : Aap iss se hi kyu nahi poochhti?
Madhuri : P-Pranjal! Jawab do! Kya hua tha?
Pranjal : K-Kuchh nahi, Madhuri! Y-Ye humare beech ka maamla hai. Mein tumhe fursat se sab bataunga. Abhi yaha se chalo. Tumne bataya na abhi ki ye sthaan tumhe bas kuchh dino ke liye mila hai? Toh chalo yaha se. Mumbai chalo mere saath.
Lalita : Mumbai? Beta, Pune me hi hume ghar nahi mil paa raha hai. Hum Mumbai me kaha rukenge?
Pranjal : M-Mein uski vyavastha karta hu, aunty. Aap fiqr mat kijiye. Aur, aap bhi toh dar rahi ho na? Aapne bataya tha thodi der pehle ki aapko jis aadmi par shaq hai, woh aapko nuksaan pahucha sakta hai. Yaha rehna khatre se khaali nahi hai. Aap chaliye mere saath.
Lalita : Par, beta rehna, khaana, ye sab-
Pranjal : M-Mein dekh lunga na, aunty. Aap chaliye toh-
Madhuri : N-Nahi Pranjal! Shukriya. Lekin, h-hum aise bina kisi guarantee ke kaise-
Veer : Uski zaroorat nahi hai.
Madhuri : ???
Veer : Mere paas aap sab ke liye ghar bhi hai. Aur, aapko jeevan bhar, bhar-pait khaana khila saku utni meri haisiyat bhi hai. Toh, apna beta samajhte hue, aap Mumbai aaiye, aunty.
Lalita : P-Par-
Veer : Bachpan me maine Madhuri ka kaafi dil dukhaya hai. Samajh lijiye mera uss se ye maafi maangne ka tareeka hai. Aap aur Madhuri dono surakshit bhi rahengi. Aur, choonki mein iss case se juda hua hu toh aapko pal-pal iski khabar bhi deta rahunga.
Pranjal muh khole Veer ko dekh raha tha. Woh Madhuri ki madad karne ke liye tatpar tha. Lekin, jab use paiso ki sabse zyada zaroorat thi tab uske khud ke baap ne use paise dene se inkaar kar diya tha. Parantu, Veer ne bejhijhak madad ka haath aage badha diya.
Veer ki baat sunte hi idhar Lalita ka hriday parivartan hua. Woh yaha se nikalne ke liye taiyaar thi. Usne apni beti ko dekha jo aas liye use hi ghoor rahi thi. Aur, fir usne haami bhar di.
Toh ye tay ho chuka tha ki Madhuri Mumbai laut rahi thi. Aur, dono maa beti apna-apna samaan baandhne me bhi lag gayi. Iss poore prakran me kaafi samay guzar chuka tha. Madhuri ke mann me kayi sawaal the. Veer FBCC ke saath kya kar raha tha? Woh yaha kyu aaya tha? Ab tak usne kya kuchh kiya? Wagarah wagarah! Yahi sawal Pranjal ke liye bhi uske mann me the. Lekin, usne filhal apne mann ko shaant rakha.
Veer ward ki terrace kar khade doobte hue sooraj ko dekh cigarette ka ek kash laga raha tha jab upar Pranjal aa dhamka. Kaafi der tak ek sannaata chhaaya raha. Aur, fir Pranjal ne bolna shuru kiya.
Pranjal : Tum... Tum kab se cigarette peene lage?
Veer (side eyes) : Batana zaroori nahi samajhta mein.
Pranjal (grits) : Tsk! Tumne... Tumne unki madad kyu ki?
Veer : Kyunki, mujhe laga ki mujhe unki madad karni chahiye. Simple! Ya mujhe tumhari permission leni hogi iske liye?
Pranjal : That's it?
Veer : What?
Pranjal : Mera matlab hai... Bas yahi? Bas yahi kaaran tha? Ya kuchh aur kaaran bhi hai madad karne ke peechhe?
Veer : Obviously! Aur, kya kaaran ho sakta hai? *smokes* Mein tumhari tarah schemer nahi!
Pranjal : Tum kuchh chhipa toh nahi rahe na?
Veer : Fuck off!
Kahi na kahi, iss baar Veer ke ye kehne se Pranjal ko zara bhi bura nahi laga.
Veer (smokes) : Take them with you.
Pranjal : ??? Kyu? Kya tum nahi jaa rahe?
Veer : I have some work to attend to-! *smokes* Address already unhe pata hai. Tumhe bas unhe waha tak sahi salamat le jaana hai. Baaki ka kaam mere workers waha dekh lenge. You do have money, right?
Pranjal : Hmph!
Veer ne apni jeb se ek note ki gaddi hawa me Pranjal ki orr feki.
Veer : Take it! Mein nahi chaahta ki tum Madhuri aur uske parivar par udhaari waale paiso ka istemal karo. Mein unhe aur musibat me nahi dekhna chaahta.
Pranjal (grits) : Tch-!!!
Par, Pranjal ne agle hi pal woh gaddi wapas Veer ki orr fek di jo usne haatho me pakad kar thaam li.
Pranjal : Fuck you! Tumhe kya lagta hai? Ki mein apni wajah se unhe pareshani me daalunga? I'll have money... *murmurs* I'll arrange it.
Aur, woh ladkhadaate hue waha se waapas chala gaya. Na jaane aage kya kuchh hone waala tha. Madhuri aur uski maa ki samasya toh door ho chuki thi. Lekin, ye murder ke raaz par se parda uthaana abhi bhi baaki tha. Aur, uske liye, Veer ki agli destination thi — Panchgani!!!
***
Nexacom's HQ, Mumbai,
Evening - 6:50 PM ~
Kaera lakshya ke saath chal rahi thi, gati tez aur chaal ekdum truti-heen. Uss se ek aise vyakti ki prabhavshali upasthiti jhalak rahi thi jisne kabhi asafalta dekhi hi na ho.
Ruchika, uski secretary theek uske peechhe uske qadam se qadam milaane ke liye sangharsh kar rahi thi. Uske haath me ek tablet notifications se bhara hua tha — urgent emails, financial reports, messages jo vibhinn vibhaago se the. Jaise hi Kaera meeting room se baahar nikli, Ruchika ne turant hi zaroori muddo ko sahi soonchi me rakh bolna shuru kar diya.
Ruchika : Ah! M-Miss! Humare Mumbai ke ports me strike ki wajah se humare textile devision me supply chain ko bahut nuksaan hua hai. Logistics team samajh nahi paa rahi ki kaise aage badhe?
Kaera : Shipments ko southern ports ki taraf divert karo.
Usne turant ke turant jawab diya. Uske sochne ki speed fraction of seconds thi.
Kaera : Transportation ko tez banaaye rakhne ke liye railways se jo humara contract hai uska istemal karo. Jo workers strike kar rahe hai unhe secretly bonus package do — industry standard se 10% upar — taaki woh kaam jaari rakhe. Have HR handle the negotiations. Transportation rukna nahi chahiye kisi bhi haalat me.
Ruchika ne apne tablet par sab note kar, tap karte hue sarr hilaaya.
Ruchika : M-Miss! Casa Belle luxury hotel budget overrun face kar rahi hai. Unka project manager additonal funds ki demand kar raha hai.
Kaera : Budget overrun?
Ruchika : Sh-Shayad, woh out of budget hai. Kuchh bada plan kar rahe hai? Maybe? Ya fir renovations? New materials? Maybe?
Kaera : Come to think of it. Veer... He has a hotel too, right? The name...! What was it? Right! Hotel Prestige!
Ruchika : E-Ehh?
Kaera : Make a call at Hotel Prestige!
Ruchika : Ahnn! R-Right away!
Chalte-chalte hi Ruchika ne Hotel Prestige par call lagaya. Aur, udhar se manager - Nandini ne call uthaaya. Jaise hi Nandini ko pata chala ki Nexacom ki taraf se call tha woh hadbada gayi. Turant hi usne call Bhumika ki orr forward kiya aur bechari Bhumika ki bhi yahi haalat thi.
Kaera : Ask them that if they need any fund? Any kind of investment?
Ruchika ne theek waisa hi kiya. Jab Bhumika ko pata chala ki Nexacom hotel prestige me invest karne ke liye interested hai toh uski khushi ka koi thikana na raha. Bina soche samjhe hi usne haan kar di. Ye sunehra mauka woh haath se bhala kaise jaane de sakti thi?
Ruchika : M-Miss! Wo-Woh ready hai!
Kaera (smiles) : Then give them the fund which you were supposed to give to Casa Belle.
Ruchika : O-Okay! P-Par, Casa Belle ke project manager ko kya jawab du, Miss?
Kaera : Keh do ki humne thodi der pehle hi apne marketing budget me extra 15% invest kiya hai. Hum yaha invest karne ke liye hai. Liquidity gap bharne ke liye nahi.
Ruchika : Samajh gayi!
Woh boli. Uski awaaz me sammaan saaf-saaf jhalak raha tha.
Ruchika (hurriedly) : E-Ek potential legal issue bhi hai, Miss. Humaare pharmaceutical division ka jo latest product hai woh mushqil me hai. Regulatory body uski jaanch kar rahi hai aur woh humari clinical trial data ki validity par sawal utha rahe hai.
Kaera achanak ruk gayi. Uski nazre paini ho chali.
Kaera : Trials ki ek comprehensive report taiyaar karo. Woh saare regulations highlight karo jinka hum paalan sahi se kar rahe hai. Koi bhi data jo misinterpret ho sakta hai, uska khaas khayal rakho. Have the legal team frame it properly. Meanwhile, ek private meeting schedule karo meri uss regulatory body ke head ke saath. Shayad mujhe unhe yaad dilaane ki zaroorat hai ki humare innovative products ke chalte public sector ko kitna fayda hua hai. I'll personally oversee the negotiations.
Jitni gati se Kaera pratyek samasya ka samadhan pradan kar rahi thi, bechari Ruchika badi hi mushqil se uski gati ke saath apni gati barkarar rakh paa rahi thi. Kaera ke shabdo me koi jhijak nahi thi, koi anumaan nahi — bas ek adig nirnay karne ki kshamta jaha galti ke liye koi sthaan nahi tha.
Jaise hi woh ek kamre ke paas pahuchne lage toh Ruchika ne ek akhiri mudde ka zikra kiya.
Ruchika : M-Miss, TechUnion ke saath merger ke discussion me delay hua hai. Unka board iss saude par sehmat hone se pehle kuchh aur concessions maang raha hai.
Kaera ke hontho par halki si muskaan bikhri.
Kaera : Then call their bluff. Unhe batao ki hum alternative partners ko consider kar rahe hai. That should remind them of their place in this negotiation. If they don't come back to the table within 48 hours, pull the plug and move on to our next target.
Ruchika poori tarah se avaak reh gayi thi. Ekdum bhauchakki. Usne tamaam hastiyaan dekhi thi par aisi? Koi nahi. Kya Kaera ko duniya ka aathwa ajooba kehna sahi tha? Ruchika se agar ye poochhe, toh uska uttar — haan tha.
Kaera : Next year bahut badi deal aane waali hai. ICONGLOBE India aa rahi hai aur top company me invest karne ki soch rahi hai. That deal... will be mine!!!
***
"That deal... is mine!!!"
Apne ghar ke kamre me maujood Sonia ne apni mutthi kaste hue kaha. Uske theek peechhe Suchika darwaze par khadi hui thi. Usne halka sa mud use dekha.
Sonia : Suchika-!!!
Suchika : ???
Sonia : Tum meri help karogi na?
Suchika : Yes, Miss!
Sonia : Good! Toh iss baar mujhe ye deal seal karne se koi nahi rok sakta. We'll move according to the plan. No one can stop us. Tum bhi nahi... Kaera!!!
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Aaj ke liye itna hi guys.
This update consists of around 10.1k words. Thoda sa late hai par umeed hai ju logo ko pasand aayega. Target ise diwali ke pehle dene ka tha but I was too occupied with my personal works. So, consider this as a Diwali bonus. Pichhle update me monotonous scene ko leke kaafi log keh rahe the. So, this time it's a 4 scene update. Baaki, Target apna wahi hai. 200. Toh, like thokne ka aur revos rakhne ka.
Dhanyavad.
Surya_021
Active Member
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Awesome Jabardast UpdateDiwali BonusAb tak...
Update - 189 ~ Exchange at Perth & Pune
Ye ek prakar ka guest house tha jo sarkaar ne filhaal ke liye Madhuri aur uski maa ke liye rent-free niyukt kiya tha.
Par, yaha aate hi Veer ki nazar baahar khade jis shaks par pehle padi, use dekh woh taajub me reh gaya. Aur, Veer hi nahi woh shaks bhi Veer ko dekh bhauchakka reh gaya.
Veer : Tum-!???
Saamne koi aur nahi — Pranjal tha. Jisne Veer ko mask pehna dekh ke bhi pehchaan liya.
Pranjal : Huh??? V-Veer?? Tum-!!!?
Ab aage...
Perth, Australia,
2 years ago ~
"Captain, humne naya base dhoondh liya hai."
Ek ladki haafte hue kamre ke andar aayi aur sofe par baithi apni captain ko dekh boli. Uski aankhon me ek chamak thi. Toh wahi captain lambi-lambi gehri saansein le rahi thi. Uski black leather jacket par ghaav saaf-saaf dikhaayi nahi pad raha tha, magar khoon ki gandh se sab jaayaz tha ki chot kitni gambheer thi.
*Cough* *Cough*
"C-Captain-!!!"
Woh ladki ghabrate hue aage aayi aur usne captain ko sofe se girte-girte bachaate hue apni baahon me thaam liya.
"M-Mein theek hu! Chhoro mujhe-!"
Captain ne ladki ke haath ko hataane ka prayatn kiya lekin, woh ladki na maani. Chot ka jaayza lete hi woh bechain ho uthi.
"N-Nahi! Aap theek nahi ho, Captain! Aap theek nahi ho. Aapki chot gehri hai. Hume hospital chalna hoga."
Tabhi, ek aur ladki andar pravesh ki aur Captain ki haalat dekh uski bauhe sikud gayi.
"Captain! Hume jald se jald ye jagah khaali karni hogi." Woh boli.
"Hmm!" Captain ne haami bhari.
"Mia, tum paagal ho gayi ho kya? Captain ki haalat dekho." Captain ko thaami hui woh pehli ladki chillaayi. "Captain iss haalat me kaise kahi jaa sakti hai?"
"Rosella-!!! Tum jaanti ho na ki humne 'Black Fangs' ke bas 10% gang members ka hi khaatma kiya hai. Jald hi baaki gang members yaha aate hi honge."
Darwaze par khadi Mia ne sthiti ki gambheerta ko samajhte hue kaha.
Rosella : Toh? Toh tum kehna kya chaahti ho? Hum captain ko iss haalat me leke jaaye? Bolo-!!! Agar, humne ek minute bhi ab deri kari na toh-
Mia (frowns) : Tum jaanti ho ki hum hospital nahi jaa sakte. Janta aur government ki nazro me hum ek evil syndicate hai. Bhulo nahi, Rosella! Hospital me jaana matlab apni maut ko bulaava dena. Captain ka treatment Daisy karegi. Jaise woh har baar karti aayi hai.
Rosella (yells) : Captain ka wound gehra hai, stupid Mia. Tum meri baat samajhti kyu nahi ho? Hume jald se jald-
Aur, usne abhi kaha hi tha ki Daisy kamre ke andar bhaagti hui pravesh ki. Uske haatho me ek bada sa suitcase tha jisme medical aid ke liye saari zaroori saamagri rakhi hui thi. Apni captain ki haalat ko dekhte hi Daisy ke honth thar-thara gaye.
Woh daudate hue Rosella aur captain ke nazdeek aayi. Captain ke pait par bade hi ahista se haath ferte hue usne chot ka jaayza liya. Aur, khoon ki maatra aur wound ke gap ko dekhte hi Daisy ki aankhein bhay ke maare fel gayi.
Daisy : Th-This is bad!!! Mia-!! Rosella-!! Jaldi! Jaldi! Captain ko bed par litao. We have no time!!
Aur, Daisy ko ghabrata dekh pehli baar aaj Mia ki dhadkane tez ho gayi. Use gyaat ho gaya ki sthiti kitni gambheer thi. Iske pehle bhi usne apni captain ko ghaayal hote dekha tha. Aur, Daisy hi unn sab ka ilaaj kiya karti thi. Woh unke group ki paramedic thi. Lekin, usne kabhi bhi Daisy ko iss tarah captain ke liye jaldbazi karte nahi dekha tha. Iska matlab saaf tha ki unke captain ki jaan khatre me thi.
Mia (frowns) : Wh-Why did you-!??
Woh apna nichla honth daanto tale zor se kaatate hue captain ko gusse me dekh boli. Captain ne bhi jaise uske iss virodh ko sunn liya. Woh muskurayi aur ahista se boli-
Captain : What? *smiles* Captain hone ke naate ye meri zimmedari thi ki mein group ko lead karu.
Mia (shivers) : Y-You-!!! Why are you always-??? Agar, risk zyada tha toh fall back kar sakte the. Humare paas advantage tha!!! Toh fir kyu???
Captain (grins) : Heh-!
Mia (yells) : Don't laugh, you fucking idiot!!!
Woh apni captain par baras zaroor rahi thi. Lekin, andar hi andar woh kaanp rahi thi. Dar se, gusse se aur bechaini se.
Captain (smiles) : -Kyunki, maine Daisy se promise kiya tha... Ki mein 'Black Fangs' ko uske liye khatm kar ke rahungi.
Daisy jiski aankhon me pehle se hi captain ke ghaav ko dekh aasu umad aaye the, woh ye sunte hi apna sarr utha ke captain ko dekhi, aur aasu uske gaalo se behte hue jhar-jhar kar neeche girne lage.
Daisy (yells) : Idiot, captain-!!! Aap bewakoof ho!!! *sniff* Nahi chaahiye mujhe kuchh bhi. Nahi chaahiye mujhe koi badla. I just want... I just want everyone to be safe.
Unn sab ke yaha hone ka kaaran aaj Daisy hi thi. 'Black Fangs' Australia ki teen sabse badi gangs me se ek thi jo underground mafia ki duniya me mashoor thi. Daisy ka parivar 'Black Fangs' ke kuchh sadasyo dwara hi ujaada gaya tha.
Aur, tab se hi Daisy ek orphan bann ke reh gayi thi. Antatah jab tak ki captain ki nazar uss par na pad gayi. Uss samay jab koi nahi tha, jab woh jeene ki ichha bhi chhor chuki thi, jab woh poori tarah se andhkaar me doob chuki thi. Raushni ki ek akhiri kiran me se ek haath aage badh uski orr aaya.
"Kya tum 'Orphana' se judna chaahogi?"
Aur, iske baad sab kuchh itihaas bann gaya. Daisy ko samajh aaya ki ye faction sirf aur sirf ladkiyo se bhara hua tha. Use ye bhi samajh aaya ki bhala iss group ka naam 'Orphana' kyu tha. Kyunki, sabhi ladkiyaan jo iss group ki sadasya thi — woh anaath thi. Bilkul, uski tarah.
Captain ne use ek naya jeevan diya. 'Orphana' woh group tha jo raasta kho chuki ladkiyo ko unke uddeshya tak pahuchne me madad karta tha. Fir chaahe woh uddeshya unke jeevan ka badla ho, ayyaashi bhari zindagi jeena ho, ya fir kuchh aur. Group ki tamam ladkiyaan ek dusre ke liye samarpit rehti thi aur unke liye apni jaan bhi daav par laga deti thi. Woh sab aapas me hi ek dusre ke liye apna parivar thi.
Daisy ke ateet se poora 'Orphana' waqif tha. Sabhi ye bhi jaante the ki ek na ek din unhe 'Black Fangs' se bhidna hi tha. Aur, aaj wahi din tha.
Unki captain ne aaj bhi leader hone ke naate group ko lead kiya. Gang members ko dher kiya aur unke hideout ko poori tarah se khaali kar diya. Ek bhi 'Orphana' ki sadasya ki jaan nahi gayi. Kyunki, lead karne waali unki captain thi. Na sirf woh ek trained ring boxer thi balki ek honhar sharp-shooter bhi thi, jo adhiktar jokhim aksar apne upar hi leke chalti thi. Aur, isi wajah se aaj — woh ek bullet ka shikaar ho gayi.
Rosella aur Mia ne fatafat Captain ko bed par litaaya aur Daisy turant hi Captain ke emergency treatment par lag gayi. Daisy ke nirdesh anusaar Mia aur Rosella dono hi kamre ke baahar nikal gayi.
Jaha Rosella theek darwaze ke baahar khadi ho gayi toh wahi Mia baahar ki orr chal di. Daisy ko agar kisi bhi cheez ki avashyakta padi toh waha uske liye Rosella thi.
Group me second-in-command hone ke chalte Mia baahar aayi. Ye jagah waqai khatre se khaali nahi thi. Kuchh der pehle hi bheeshan ladaayi ke baad sab kuchh abhi ke liye shaant ho chuka tha. Magar, ye shaanti bas kuchh der ke liye hi thi.
Captain aur tamaam ladkiyon ne vijay toh praapt kar li thi lekin, iss jagah par unka haq nahi tha. Kyunki, woh jaanti thi ki ye ladaayi bas ek shuruat thi.
Kamre ke baahar aate hi Mia ko aadmiyon ki laashe dali hui dikhayi di jinhe thodi der pehle hi unn sab ne milke dher kiya tha. Uske baahar aate hi baaki ladkiyaan uske ird-gird ikhatti ho gayi aur uss par sawaalo ke hamle kar shuru ho gayi.
"Captain kaha hai, Mia? Woh theek toh hai na?"
"Haan? Hum jeet gaye na? Ab yaha se kya?"
"Captain waqai theek hai na? Unhe kuchh hua toh nahi? Aap sab kamre me kyu the? Kuchh batao na!!!"
Mia ne unse kuchh bhi nahi chhipaaya. Unke sawaal khatam hote hi usne vistaar se unhe sab kuchh bataya jiske chalte unn sab ki chintaaye badh gayi.
Mia : Captain kaafi injured hai. Lekin, Daisy unka treatment kar rahi hai. Temporary treatment hote hi hum captain ko leke nazdeek ke hideout me shift honge. Tum sab ne Daisy ke liye medical room hideout me set kar diya?
Ladki 1 : Humne call kar diya hai. Woh sab saara samaan ambulance me rakh kar kuchh der me hideout pahuchti hi hongi.
Mia (nods) : Good-!
Ladki 2 : Par, hume naye hideout me jaane ki kya zaroorat hai, didi? Kya hum sab yaha nahi reh sakte? Ab toh humne inhe thikaane laga hi diya hai na?
Mia : Ye captain ke orders hai. Aur, har baar hum yahi karte hue aaye hai. Yaha hum isliye nahi ruk sakte kyunki ye 'Black Fangs' ka hideout hai. Baaki gang members ko inn logo ne inform kar diya gaya hoga aur woh sab yaha kuchh ghanto me pahuchte hi honge.
Ladki 2 : Humaare puraane hideout ka kya?
Mia : Maine bataya na — Captain ke orders. Kabhi bhi ek hi jagah par zyada der nahi theherna chaahiye.
Ladki 1 : Umm- Mia? Yaha ke resources ka kya?
Mia : Kya kya mila hai?
Ladki 1 : Guns, kuchh explosives, ammunitions, drugs, cash, aur kuchh vehicles.
Mia (nods) : Sab transport karwao. We are taking everything.
Ladki 1 : Hmm!
30 se 40 ye 'Orphana' ki ladkiyaan sab ki sab physical fights aur shooting me trained thi. Na sirf ye combats me maahir thi balki alag-alag kaamo me bhi nipud thi. Koi heavy vehicles chalaane me maahir thi toh koi drug dealings aur smugglings me. Toh wahi 50 se bhi upar jawan nayi ladkiyaan thi jo abhi under-training period me thi. Aane waale samay me 'Orphana' mazboot hone waala tha. Aur, ye tab hi mumkin tha jab-
'Don't you dare die on me... Captain-!!!'
Unke captain ki saansein chalti rahe.
Kuchh hi samay me woh sabhi naye hideout par shift ho chuke the. Captain ke temporary treatment ke baad medical room me Daisy ne surgery bhi kar di thi. Lekin, captain ki haalat abhi bhi gambheer thi. Pehle hi kaafi blood loss ho chuka tha. Mia ne apna blood donate toh kar diya tha magar, captain ki recovery uske weak state ke chalte bahut hi dheemi pad chuki thi.
Daisy rote hue captain ke maathe ko sehla rahi thi. 'Orphana' ke har ek sadasya ke liye unki captain ne kya kuchh nahi kiya tha. Sab ke badle ke liye Captain khushi-khushi apni jaan daav par laga deti thi. Aur, aaj woh sab agar yaha zinda thi toh uska kaaran tha unki — captain. Kintu, unme se koi bhi captain ki swayam ki kahani nahi jaanta tha.
Kyu tha ye 'Orphana group?' Kisne shuru kiya tha? Kya thi unki captain ki kahani? Kya tha unka maqsad? Unme se koi bhi kuchh nahi jaanta tha. Yaha tak ki Mia bhi nahi jo 'Orphana' ki sabse pehli sadasya thi jo captain dwara recruit ki gayi thi.
'What story are you hiding captain? Please!!! Get well soon! Aap yu hume chhor ke nahi jaa sakti. Recover! Please!'
Daisy ne apna kaam kar diya tha. Blood vessels aur organs buri tarah wounded the aur pneumothorax ke chalte oxygen level lagatar ghatata jaa raha tha. Ab sab kuchh recovery ke upar tha. Woh apni taraf se har woh prayas kar rahi thi jo mumkin tha. Lekin-
*Beep* *Beep*
*Beep* *Beep*
Achanak hi ECG monitor me heart rate kaafi kam hota chala gaya. Daisy ghabra ke uth ke baith gayi.
"N-Nooo-!! Captain-!!! Captain-!!!"
Agar, aisa hi chalta raha toh captain shayad aaj apni aakhiri saansein lene waali thi. Captain ko khone ke dar se Daisy itna ghabra gayi ki woh turant ke turant treatment me jutt gayi.
Heart ko temporary pacemaker se connect karne ki zaroorat thi jis se captain ke heart tak low electricity ke jhatke diye jaa sake taaki heart beat karta rahe. Aur, low heart rate ke chalte apna dum na tod de.
Ek ghante ke andar-andar hi Daisy ne temporary pacemaker bhi connect kar diya tha. Woh zoro se haaf rahi thi. Uss bechaari ne apni jee jaan laga di thi.
Ye medical equipment, ye tools, ye machines sab kuchh 'Orphana' ne zaroorat ke waqt ke liye khareede the. Par, agar aaj ye sab unki captain ko bachaane ke kaam na aaye, toh ye sab kis kaam ke reh jaane waale the?
'Don't die-!! Don't die, captain-!!!'
Iske pehle aaj tak Daisy ne kabhi bhi itni shiddat se kisi ke liye dua shayad hi maangi thi. Lekin, uparwaala jaise aaj kuchh aur hi chaahta tha.
*Beeeeeeeeeeeeeepppppp*
"Noooooooooooooo-!!!!!"
Woh itni zorr se cheenkhi ki baahar baithi kuchh ladkiyaan medical room me daakhil ho gayi. Aur, jab woh andar aayi toh unhone dekha ki — ECG monitor me straight line bann ke aa chuki thi.
Mia wahi apne ghutno par gir gayi. Rosella apna muh dhaake kaanpte hue gir padi. Toh wahi Daisy ki cheenkhein kamre me goonjti chali gayi.
*Beeeeeeeeeeeeeepppppp*
Captain ki aankhein humesha-humesha ke liye band ho chuki thi.
***
"Captain!!! Mia aaj bhi aapki Porsche chori chhipe le gayi thi."
"What? N-No way! Bakwas mat karo. Mere paas khud ki BMW hai. Why would I drive her car?"
"Kyunki, tumhe ab Porsche zyada pasand hai. Aur, ab tum woh khareedna chaahti ho. Lekin, captain ko bataane se darrti ho. Haha!"
"Rosella-!! Tum-!! Fine then! Captain! Kal raat aap poochh rahi thi na ki strawberry pie ka last piece kisne khatam kiya? Toh woh ye Rosella hi thi."
"Wh-What?? N-N-No no no no! Captain! Ye jhooth bol rahi hai. Maine toh woh park me ghoomne waali uss cat ko diya tha. I swearrrr-!!!"
"Hey, captain! Kya hum sach me movie dekhne chal rahe hai? Like... Really? Hum sab? Thanks so much!"
"Captain! Daisy ne flower vase tod diya."
"Ahhhn~ N-No! Captain! Woh galti se mera haath lag gaya tha. I'm sorry. Please! M-Mein pay back kar dungi. I promise."
"Lexi aaj bhi drill training ke liye late thi captain. Kya aaj bhi use cars saaf karne ki saza milegi? Waise kuchh dump trucks bahar gande pade hue hai. Hahahahaha-!"
"C-Captain-! W-Woh refrigerator kharab ho gaya hai toh-! Huh? Wait! Aap naya le aayi? Kab?? No wayyyy-!!!"
"Thank you, captain! Aapne mere kehne par unn logo ki madad ki. Jabki woh aapke kuchh lagte bhi nahi the. I'll always remember this."
"Captain! Please, mujhe bhi beauty tips dijiye na. Aapki skin itni achhi kyu hai???"
"Ehh? Y-Ye mere liye? *blushes* P-Par, ye dress toh bahut mehngi hai, captain. O-Ohh! Mera birthday gift? M-Mujhe toh yaad bhi nahi tha. Th-Thank you, captain!"
'Am I... Am I dead?'
'Ye sab yaadein... Mujhe kyu yaad aa rahi hai? Kya isliye ki ab mera waqt aa chuka hai? Mein maut ke qareeb hu isliye? P-Par-!'
'I don't want to die right now. Mujhe abhi bahut kuchh karna tha. Mujhe-'
'I guess... This is the end. I'm sorry, Mia. Mein tumhare liye tumhara maqsad poora nahi karwa paayi. Well, mere baad tum hi 'Orphana' ko aage leke jaogi. And, I believe it will flourish beautifully under your care. I believe in you.'
'This is it... It's time for me to leave now.'
Captain apni zindagi se poorn tarah se santusht toh nahi thi. Lekin, woh khush thi. Kam se kam usne ek neev toh rakh di thi jiske chalte 'Orphana' aage badh sake.
Aur, woh khushi-khushi iss duniya se alvida kehne waali thi jab-
Achanak hi kuchh hua. Uske shareer ne jhatka khaaya aur-
*Ding*
[System has been activated.]
*Beep* *Beep*
*Beep* *Beep*
"A-Ahhhn-!!!"
Daisy hadbadaate hue uthi aur ECG monitor ko check kar Captain ko dekhne lagi. Baaki, sab ka bhi yahi haal tha.
Aur, jab unhe samajh aaya ki unki captain ne unka saath nahi chhora hai toh sabhi khushi ke aasu bahaate hue ek dusre se lipat kar rone lagi.
Par, woh sab ye nahi jaanti thi ki unki captain ki kahani ke raazo me ab ek aur naya raaz jud chuka tha.
Sabse zyada khush thi toh woh thi — Mia. Bhale hi woh ek sakht bartaav rakhne waali sadasya ke roop me jaani jaati thi magar, woh Captain ki sabse qareebi aur sabse puraani sakha thi. 'Orphana' ki pehli sadasya.
Use Captain ki kahi gayi woh baat yaad aa gayi.
"Remember, Mia. Strength is not a weapon. It's a promise — to stand when no one else will."
Aur, aaj use iska arth samajh aa chuka tha. Captain kyu har baar unke liye khadi hoti thi. Kyunki, kabhi woh bhi akeli thi.
'You made it. You made it you idiot...! Thank God!!
***
Back to present,
Somewhere in Perth, Australia,
Evening - 5:05 PM ~
Puraani inhi kuchh yaadon ko yaad kar Captain ghane ped-paudho waale ilaaqo me akele aaj sair kar rahi thi. Inn beetein do saalo me usne lagbhag woh sab kuchh paa liya tha jo woh paana chaahti thi.
'Black Fangs' ka naam-o-nishaan mit chuka tha. 'Orphana' ka naam ab poore Australia me mashoor tha aur sabse badi aur powerful gang ke roop me jaana jaata tha.
Mia se leke aur bhi sadasyo ke jeevan ke uddeshyo ko paane me 'Orphana' ne unki poori sahaayta ki thi. Har guzarte din unka faction taqatvar hota jaa raha tha aur ye sab mumkin ho paaya tha sirf aur sirf unki captain ki wajah se.
System ke aane ke baad, captain poora risk apne upar leke chalti thi. Na sirf sadasyo me uski izzat badh chuki thi balki unke beech aapas me ab pehle se zyada ekta aur nidarta jhalakti thi.
Kintu, captain ek cheez se abhi anibhigya thi. Aur, woh thi-
*Tocotocotocotocotocotoco*
Captain ke kshetra se kuchh hi kilometres door ek helicopter hawa me mandraata hua uske nazdeek badh raha tha. Aur, uske gate par khada ek vyakti apni nazre neeche gadaaye kshetra ka jaayza le raha tha.
Uska chehra kapde se dhaka hua tha aur peeth par teer se bhara ek tarkas latka hua tha.
"Neeche lo!"
Usne pilot ko bina dekhe hi nirdesh diya. Aur, pilot ne haami bhar helicopter ek khaali jagah dekh neeche utaarna shuru kar diya. Helicopter abhi zameen par aaya bhi nahi tha ki woh vyakti helicopter se kooda aur seedhe zameen par land kiya.
Pilot ne copter ko wapas se hawa me upar kiya aur woh waha se nikal gaya. Aur, neeche utarne waala yeh vyakti koi aur nahi — Damian hi tha.
'Remember, Damian! Tumhara kaam uss ladki ko ghaayal karna hai. Stall her! That's it. Behtar hoga agar tum use humari side karne me qamyab hote ho. Lekin, woh nahi aayegi. I can tell. So, just stick to the plan. Aur, agar maamla tumhare haath se nikal jaaye, then you must escape. It's not a death fight. Go now!'
Rebecca ki kahi gayi baat use yaad aayi. Australia ke liye nikalne se pehle yahi baatein Rebecca ne use samjhayi thi. Unhe dhyaan me rakhte hue woh dabe paav aage badha.
Idhar, Captain jangal me ped paudho ke beech apna samay vyateet kar rahi thi. Aksar woh chaandni raato me yaha aasmaan me taaro ke neeche ghaas par laite shaanti mehsoos kiya karti. Use jaanvaro se lagaav tha — vishesh roop se bhediyo se. Aur, aksar yaha woh unke ird-gird hi paayi jaati thi, unse baatein karte hue, unhe khilaate hue, unke saath daudate hue. Use toofano se bhi ek ajeeb sa lagaav tha. Woh unki arajak taaqat me bhi sundarta dhoondhti thi.
Abhi woh jangal ki sundarta ko nihaar hi rahi thi jab-
*Swoosh* *Swoosh* *Swoosh*
Hawa ko cheerte hue kisi cheez ke aane ki dhwani ne use ahaat kiya aur-
*Ding*
HYPER REFLEXIA
Ek jhatke me palatate hue usne apni taraf chhore gaye do teero ko apne haatho se jakad liya.
Door khade uss anjaan vyakti aur uske muh par lipte kapde ko dekhte hi Captain ki aankhein chaudi ho gayi.
Captain (growls) : Y-You-!!! It's you...!
Aur, woh abhi Damian par hamla karne hi waali thi jab Damian ne swayam bolna shuru kiya.
Damian : Captain of the Orphana!!! We meet again-
Captain (growls) : Tumhari himmat kaise hui mere hi continent me aake mujh par peeth peechhe vaar karne ki??
Damian : Mein yaha kuchh samjhaute ke liye hu. I mean no harm!
Captain (yells) : Fuck you!!!
Damian : Kya hum ek dusre se baat kar-
Captain (growls) : SHUT THE FUCK UP! AND, TELL ME... WHERE... IS... THAT... BITCH!!?
Woh gurraate hue boli. Aur, agle hi shan uski aankhon par golden color ki parat chadh gayi.
Captain (growls) : WHERE... IS... SHE???
Damian : Mein yaha sirf baat karne ke liye hu. Uske alawa mein koi bhi details share nahi kar sakta. Par-
Captain : Well, then it doesn't matter. Tumhe qaid me karne ke baad woh bhi yaha daudi-daudi chali aayegi.
Damian : Mujhe nahi lagta ye sahi approach hogi. After all, I'm just a pawn. Agar, mein yaha maara bhi jaata hu toh bhi tumhe kuchh nahi milega.
Captain (sneers) : Hmph! A lapdog indeed. Lekin, tumhara past shayad sab kuchh baya kar dega.
Damian : That'll depend on your capability.
*Whoooosh*
Agle hi shan Captain apni jagah se gaayab hui aur palak jhapakte hi woh Damian ke theek peechhe thi. Uski raftaar dekhte hi Damian ki aankhein hairaani me fel gayi. Captain ka perr Damian ke sarr ko dhad se alag karne ke liye hawa ko cheerte hue aaya.
Magar, Damian ne turant hi duck kar liya. Laat uske baalo ko chhoote hue nikli. Damian ne jhukte hi apni kamar par khusi ek knife blade nikaali aur bina peechhe dekhe hi usne apna haath chala diya. Magar, Captain blade dekhte hi peechhe ko hatt gayi.
[He's an agile assassin.]
Captain ke mann me ek aadmi ki awaaz goonji. Zaahir hai ye uske system ki awaaz thi.
'Agile assassin?'
[Hmm! Woh assassin jo aksar apni speed par rely karta hai. Dusre shabdo me, woh tumse physically weak ho sakta hai. Lekin, speed me tumse aage ho sakta hai. Isliye, sambhal ke-]
'Hmm!'
Haami bharte hue iss baar Captain Damian ko upar se neeche tak parakhne lagi. Damian chup-chaap utha aur palatate hue usne firse wahi kaha.
Damian : I mean no harm captain. Mujhe sirf aur sirf baat karni hai.
Iss baar Captain ne apni aankhon se sunehre rang ki parat ko hataaya aur woh kuchh sochte hue boli.
Captain : State your purpose.
Damian : Join us!
Captain : Huh?
Damian : Tum meri senior se milna chaahti ho. Hai na? Toh hume join kyu nahi karti? Mein tumhe vachan deta hu ki agar tum hume join karti ho toh mein tumhari meeting senior se zaroor karwaunga.
Captain (sneers) : That bitch?? Hmph! Shayad, tum abhi bhi theek se samjhe nahi. I'm a free bird. Duniya ki koi bhi taaqat mujhe apne ishaare par nachaane ke liye majboor nahi kar sakti. Woh aurat aur tum aapas me mile hue ho ye toh mein jaan gayi hu. Lekin, mujhe ye jaanana hai ki woh bitch uss raat waha kar kya rahi thi???
Damian : ...
Captain : Heh! Toh tumhare paas iska koi jawaab nahi?
Damian : ...
Captain : Mein jaanti thi ye conversation fizool hi hai. Jab tak mein tumhe apna bandhi nahi bana leti tab tak mere haath kuchh bhi nahi lagega.
Kehte hue uski aankhein punah sunehre rang se chamak uthi.
Damian : Humara yaha ladna faydemand saabit nahi hoga, Captain.
Captain (takes stance) : Time will tell.
Damian : Mein jaanta hu ki tum itni powerful kaise ho paayi ho. 'Orphana' ke sadasyo ki wajah se.
Sunte hi pal bhar ke liye Captain ki bauhe sikudi.
Damian : Jitne zyada orphans tumhe mile, utne hi zyada missions bhi tumhe mile honge. Jinhe baari-baari tum complete karti gayi aur 'Orphana' ke saath-saath tum bhi taqatvar hoti chali gayi. Mein sahi keh raha hu na?
Captain : Tch-!!
Woh gusse me Damian ko dekhi. Iss ladke ko bahut kuchh pata tha.
Damian : Par, kya hoga agar wahi 'Orphana' ke sadasyo ka khaatma kar diya jaaye?
*Booooooooooooooommmmm*
Palak jhapakte hi jidhar Damian khada hua tha waha ki dharti ke chithde udd gaye aur Damian sahi samay par peechhe kood gaya warna ye vaar use sach me ghaayal kar diya hota.
Captain ki laat zameen ke andar dhas chuki thi. Aur, aas paas ki zameen ke chithde bikhar chuke the.
Gussail aankhon se usne apna sarr upar kar Damian ko ghoora.
Captain (growls) : YOU DARE?
Damian : I WOUL-
*Booooooooooooooommmmm*
Damian ke bagal se laga ped beech se hi ukhad gaya aur vishaal vraksh badi hi asaani se do tukdo me batt ke neeche dharashayi ho gaya.
Pakshiyo ka shor ho utha aur aas paas ke jeev jantu khatra mehsoos kar waha se bhaag uthe. Aur, iss baar Damian ko bodh hua. Bodh ki woh apne saamne khadi iss captain se bhidne ke liye taiyaar nahi tha. Agar, woh bhida toh use apne qamyab hone ke koi bhi asaar nazar nahi aa rahe the.
Par, yahi uska maqsad bhi tha. Rebecca ne use Captain ko vyast rakhne ke liye kaha tha. Aur, ho sake toh ghayal karne ke liye.
Damian yaha se khaali haath nahi laut sakta tha. Aur, uske baad shuru hua waha ek ghamasan yuddh. Do system holders aapas me takraaye.
Woh sundar jagah tabaah hoti chali gayi. Ped paudhe nasht hote gaye toh wahi zameen ujadti chali gayi. Unn dono ki ladaayi waha ke jeevan ko khatam kar rahi thi.
Magar, Captain ke upar gussa sawaar tha. Damian ke explosive arrows ho ya fir feint attacks. Captain ne woh sab kuchh apne upar liya. Zaahir hai woh kayi hamlo ka shikaar ho chuki thi.
Uske badan se jagah-jagah se khoon beh raha tha aur pait me kaafi gehri chot bhi aayi thi. Lekin, iss se bura haal tha Damian ka.
Jiska sarr zameen ke andar dhasa hua tha aur Captain ka joota jo theek uski khopdi ke upar rakha hua tha. Captain lambi-lambi gehri saansein le rahi thi. Magar, woh iss ladke ko haraane me qamyab thi.
Usne jhukte hue Damian ke sarr ke baal pakde aur ek haath se hi uske shareer ko baalo se jakadte hue uthaaya. Woh dusre haath se uske muh par se woh naqaab hataane jaa rahi thi jab-
Damian : I told you...!
Captain : ???
Damian : It wouldn't end well if we fought. You forced me to do this-
Captain : Huh-!???
Turant hi Captain ko khatra mehsoos hua. Aur, jis hisaab se Renshu kabhi Damian ki hidden blades ka shikaar hua tha. Wahi Captain ke saath bhi hua.
Teen badi blades jo pattiyo ke neeche bikhri chhipi hui dali thi. Shan bhar me hi Damian ne unhe hidden wires se kheencha aur-
'Shit-!!!'
Par, bahut der ho chuki thi.
*Squelch* *Squelch* *Squelch*
Iske pehle ki Captain waha se hatt paati. Woh teeno blades peechhe se uske shareer me aake dhas gayi.
"Blurgh-!!!"
Captain ke muh se dher saara khoon beh ke neeche gira. Internal bleeding.
[It's critical. End this quickly.]
Captain ke mann me uske system ki awaaz aayi. Aur, Damian jo soch raha tha ki ab Captain kamzor pad ke gir jayegi toh uske armaano par paani fir gaya. Aur, maathe par pehli baar ab shikan ke chalte paseene ki boondein umad aayi.
"YOU MOTHERFUCKER-!!!!"
Captain ne itni zor se dahaad lagaayi ki Damian ke baal uski awaaz maatra se lehra gaye. Woh Captain ki jakdan me abhi bhi tha. Aur, iska bodh hote hi woh bhaagne ki koshish kiya. Magar, sab fizool. Pehli baar aaj use dar mehsoos hua.
Agle hi pal Captain ka daaya haath zor se thar-tharaane laga. Damian ne dekha ki Captain ke haath ki nasey achanak hi foolne lagi thi. Ek bura sanket. Lag raha tha jaise maano khoon ka sanchaar tezi se mutthi ki orr ho raha tha. Captain ki kasi hui mutthi itni laal pad chuki thi aisa lag raha tha maano use gehre laal rang se pot diya gaya ho.
Damian ghabraya. Teen-teen blades ke shareer me khuse hone ke bawajood Captain aakhir use chhor kyu nahi rahi thi? Inn sab ke baad bhi uske andar itni urja kaise bachi hui thi?
Lekin, ye sab woh zyada der na soch paaya. Kyunki, palak jhapakte hi-
Captain ki kasi hui mutthi seedhe uske chehre ki orr aayi aur-
*Ding*
BANE BLAST
*Booooooooooooooommmmm*
Aur, uske baad Damian ko kuchh na samajh aaya. Use halka mehsoos ho raha tha. Drishya badi hi tezi se uske saamne se badalte jaa rahe the. Use samajh aaya ki woh hawa me udd raha tha.
Uske muh ke baayi orr garam sa ehsaas use ho raha tha. Hawa me hi udte hue usne apna haath le jaate hue udhar chhiya toh paaya ki-
Uske chehre ka kuchh hissa gayab ho chuka tha. Darr! Jo pehli baar usne kaafi samay baad mehsoos kiya. Chehre par se 15% maans udhad ke nikal chuka tha. Woh apne gaal ki haddi ko bhi chhee paa raha tha.
Aur, iske pehle ki woh kuchh aur soch paata, uska shareer ek ped se bhidte hue dhadaam se neeche gir gaya. Uska system turant hi blood loss ko rokne ke liye kaam par lag gaya.
Woh jaanta tha ki agar woh yaha ruka toh uski maut nishchit thi. Khoon ke rukte hi woh waha se uth palta aur jaise-taise kar waha se bhaaga. Toh wahi jangal ke andar Captain ki haalat bhi kuchh theek nahi thi.
Teen-teen blades uske shareer me dhasi hui thi. Woh jaanti thi ki agar usne blades nikaali toh blood loss bahut zyada ho jayega. Woh apne ghutno par giri. Ab exhaustion hit kar raha tha.
Jhatse phone nikaalte hue usne ek SOS signal bheja. Aur, 'Orphana' ki second-in-command leader, Mia ko jaise hi ye message mila woh Daisy aur ek team leke seedhe uss location ke liye ravaana ho gayi.
[You did well. Rest. I will help you to alleviate the pain.]
Behoshi me jaane se pehle, Captain bas halke se muskurayi. Aur, ahista se mann me hi boli-
'Thanks... Zero...!'
[Don't mention it.]
***
Government allotted ward,
Pune, Afternoon - 12:30 PM ~
Sarkari ward ki shaanti tab bhang hui jab ek zor ki awaaz uske aangan me goonj gayi.
Pranjal itni zor se ladkhadaya ki paani se bhare containers se jaake jaa bhida. Woh zor se zameen par gira aur unme bhara thanda paani uske poore badan ko bhigo diya. Uski peeth dard aur thand ke maare kaanpne lagi aur usne ek karaah bhari.
"Aarghh!"
Woh chillaaya, baithne ke liye sangharsh karte hue, apni bagal thaame, uska gussa ubaal maarne laga.
Pranjal : Tujhe kya lagta hai ki mein tujhe jaanta nahi? Haan, Veer??? Tujhe lagta hai ki tu uss mask ke peechhe apne chehre ko chhipa sakta hai?? Mujhe pata hai ki ye tu hai!!
Woh gurraaya. Uski awaaz me krodh aur hataasha mishrit thi.
Kuchh hi qadam ki doori par khade Veer ne koi jawaab nahi diya. Uska lamba sudol, prabhavshali shareer aur uske chehre ko chhipaaya hua kaala mask ek khatre ki anubhooti de raha tha. Woh Pranjal ko badi hi khamoshi se dekh raha tha.
Yaha aate hi Pranjal ne ek shan me use pehchaan liya tha. Woh sab kuchh bhool sakta tha par Veer ki shaqal nahi. Mask ke peechhe bhi usne Veer ko yuhi pehchaan liya tha. Woh bhadka aur Veer ki beizzati kar uss par shabdo ke vaar kar shuru ho gaya. Kintu, jaise hi uske muh se gaali nikli, nateeja saamne tha.
Pranjal ko uska apmaan yaad aa gaya. Kaise Veer ne uska sarr commode me ghusedte hue use peeta tha.
Pranjal (yells) : Tu... Teri hi wajah se aaj mera ye haal hai. Teri hi wajah se mujhe ghar se nikaal diya gaya. Tune meri zindagi barbaad kar di.
Usne uthate hue neeche zameen par thooka. Uski awaaz aakrosh se kaanp rahi thi.
Pranjal (screams) : Tujhe yaad hai na? Bhosdike-!!! Tu... Tune mujhe humiliate kiya tha. Yaad hai na tujhe?? Mein bhoola nahi hu. Ek na ek din, mein tujhe uska dus guna chukaunga, Veer-!!!
Shor ke chalte, dekhte hi dekhte waha bheed ikhatta ho gayi. Ward me panaah le rahe log bhi baahar nikal kar aake tamasha dekhne lage. Par, kisi ne dakhal dene ki himmat nahi ki.
Pranjal ke bol sunn peeche door khadi Ava Veer ko dekhti rahi. Usne Pranjal ko check kar ye toh pata laga liya tha ki ye Veer ka cousin bhai tha. Aur, ye bhi ki unn dono ke beech shuru se hi bair thi. Magar, asal kahani kya thi? Iss se Ava anibhigya thi. Veer ke baare me woh sab kuchh jaanana chaahti thi. Kya soch raha tha woh iss waqt? Kya chal raha hoga uske mann me abhi?
Kintu, Veer khamosh tha. Mask ke peechhe uske chehre par koi bhaav nahi the. Uski nazre Pranjal par hi tiki hui thi. Aur, uski yahi khamoshi Pranjal ko aur bhi zyada bhadka rahi thi.
Pranjal (yells) : Jawaab de mujhe-!!! Tu yaha kya kar raha hai?? Tujhe kya lagta hai ki tu jab chaahe mere raaste ke beech aake meri zindagi barbaad kar sakta hai? Aur, mein bas khade-khade tamasha dekhta rahunga?? Nahi Veer! Nahi! Ye teri galat fehmi hai! Tu... Kuchh nahi. Tu kuchh bhi nahi! Tu sirf ek panoti hai, Veer. Sirf aur sirf ek panoti!!!
[ENOUUUGHHHH-!!!! ENOUGH!!! I'LL SKIN HIM ALIVE!!! HOW DARE HE DISRESPECT YOU?? ISS DO KAUDI KE LADKE KI AUKAAT KAISE HUI MERE SAAMNE MASTER KI BEIZZATI KARNE KI? I'LL KILL HIM! KILL HIM, MASTER!! LET'S KILL THIS BASTARD GERM!!!]
Aur, hamesha ki tarah shaant rehne waali Pari ne bhi apna aapa kho diya. Woh sab kuchh bardaasht kar sakti thi par apne master ki beizzati nahi. Crimson se bhidte waqt jab Veer apna balidaan dene jaa raha tha, uss shan se hi Pari ki iss personality ke dil me Veer ke liye ek alag hi jagah bann chuki thi. Toh aise me agar koi aera-gaira vyakti uske hi saamne uske master ki beizzati kare, toh woh bhala kaise bardaasht kar sakti thi?
Pranjal (yells) : Jawaab de gaandu! Kyu aaya tu yaha-
Veer ka rukh badla. Uski maanspeshiyo me tanaav spasht hua, aur ek akasmat, tez chaal ke saath, usne uske aur Pranjal ke beech ki doori ko kam kar diya. Pranjal ko samajh hi nahi ki kab aur kaise, par uske jabde par ek tez jhatka laga aur agle hi pal woh keechad me tha.
"Argh-!! Kameene-!!!"
Woh zorr se cheenkha. Jaise hi woh uthne ko hua toh Veer ke ek aur tez aur nirdayi prahaar se uske shabd uske muh me hi reh gaye. Woh waapas zameen par gir pada. Aur, ab poore shareer me dard fel chuka tha.
Wahi khadi Divya bhi ye sab kuchh dekhte hue hairat me thi. Veer ke ateet aur uski family ke baare me use koi jankaari nahi thi. Pranjal jis tarah se Veer par aarop par aarop lagaate hue use gaaliyaan bak raha tha woh jaan chuki thi ki unn dono ke beech 36 ki aakda tha. Lekin, woh ab iss ghatna ko aur aage badhne nahi de sakti thi.
Divya (yells) : Enough!!!
Usne apni ID nikaalte hue Pranjal ko peechhe rehne ka ishaara kiya. Woh yaha Madhuri aur uski maa se milne ke liye aayi thi. Na ki kisi ke personal matters handle karne. Aur, Divya ko ye zara bhi pasand nahi aaya ki Veer ko koi iss tarah se sab ke saamne beizzat kare.
Divya : Divya Dhawan, a special agent from FBCC. Iske pehle ki mein action lu, lower your guard and leave this place as soon as possible.
Magar, ID se bina prabhavit hue hi Pranjal iss baar Divya par bhi bhadak utha.
Pranjal : Special agent? Lawde ki special agent!!! Behanchod! Tumhe lagta hai mujhe FBCC Ya LGCC se koi matlab hai?
Usne apni aasteen ko jhatkaar kar saaf karte hue kaha.
Pranjal : Tum sab Veer ke saath mili ho. Kyu be, Veer? Hai na? Bol kitne me khareeda tune ise? Iss baar tu kya karne ki soch raha hai? Jawaab de-!!!
Divya ki aankhein sikudi aur usne tezi se apni handgun nikaal Pranjal par taan di.
Divya : Say another word, and I promise you, you'll regret it.
Iss baar Pranjal ke muh se kuchh na nikla. Handgun dekhte hi woh stabdh reh gaya. Aur, bas wahi nahi tha. Waha maujood tamaam log Divya ke haath me handgun dekhte hi sakpaka ke reh gaye.
Toh wahi iss shor-sharaabe ke chalte, pehli manzil ki balcony me Madhuri aur uski maa, Lalita apne kamre se baahar nikal kar aayi. Jab Madhuri ne neeche dekha toh uski aankhein chaudi ho gayi. Neeche, Divya apni bandook liye nishaana saadhe hue thi; Veer, naqabposh aur khamosh, uski chhavi sthir thi; Aur Pranjal, bheega hua, ast-vyast aur chotil.
Madhuri (murmurs) : K-Kaun...!?
Woh fus-fusayi. Neeche khade shakso me se use Veer ki chhavi dekh ek ajeeb sa apnapann sa mehsoos hua. Uski maa ne dheere se uske kandhe par haath rakha, anishchit, ki unhe neeche jaana chaahiye ya nahi?
Aur, idhar Madhuri ke saamne aate hi Pranjal ki nazre uss par tik gayi. Uska gussa jaise kahi gaayab ho gaya, uski jagah ek narm aur laalsa bhara bhaav janm le liya.
Pranjal (murmurs) : M-Madhuri...
Woh budbudaya, uski awaaz bamushqil hi sunane laayak thi. Divya aur Veer ko nazar-andaaz kar woh ek qadam ladkhadate hue aage badha.
Madhuri, Veer ko uske mask ke kaaran pehchanane me asamarth thi. Uski nigaahein teen logo ke beech ghoom rahi thi. Jaise hi woh punaah Veer ko dekhi, use laga jaise usne pehle kahi iss shaks ko dekha hai, kintu yaddaasht dhundhli ho rakhi thi. Woh yaad karne ke liye bechain thi, magar woh yaddasht beetein varsho ki yaado ke neeche kahi dabi hui thi.
Madhuri : M-Maa-! Maa, neeche chalo! Jaldi!
Woh agle hi shan neeche ko bhaagi, use uss shaks ke baare me jaanana tha aur uski maa use neeche jaata dekh ghabra uthi.
Lalita : Madhu!!! Madhu, ruk! Madhu!!
Kuchh hi palo me sab ek-dusre ke saamne the. Veer ke saamne jaise hi Madhuri aayi, uski aankhein use dekh narm pad gayi. Iss ladki se use kaafi pehle hi maafi maang leni chaahiye thi. Par, use kabhi iska mauka nahi mil paaya.
Na uss din Veer Madhuri par bhadakta, na woh ro ke bhaagti, na Pranjal aur Madhuri ke beech ki dosti tootati aur na hi Pranjal uske prati ye bhavnaaye rakhta.
[Oh, achha? Aur, fir aap mujhe kaise milte?]
Pari ne jaise uske mann ki baatein ko padh liya. Veer mann hi mann muskuraya. Pari sahi thi. Jo hona tha woh ho gaya. Ab yaha se cheezon ko kaise sambhaalna tha ye uske haath me tha.
Divya ne jab Madhuri aur Lalita ko neeche aate dekha toh woh Madhuri ko dekh ke hi pehchaan gayi. Yaha aane se pehle report me usne sab kuchh padha tha aur victim ke parivar jano ki photos uske dimaag me baithi hui thi.
Divya : Madhuri?
Madhuri : Ahn?? J-Ji??
Divya (holsters gun) : Mein Divya Dhawan, ek special agent FBCC se. Mujhe aap se aur aapki maa se aapke pita ki hatya ko leke kuchh zaroori baat-cheet karni hai.
Madhuri (nods) : J-Ji-! A-Aaiye!
Madhuri ke mann me kayi sawaal the. Woh Veer aur Pranjal ke baare me poochhna chaahti thi. Lekin, uski himmat nahi hui kuchh bhi kehne ki.
Jab Veer aur Divya Madhuri ke peechhe-peechhe jaane lage toh Pranjal bhi unke peechhe aane laga lekin Divya turant hi ruki aur uski orr dekhi, jaise poochhna chaah rahi ho ki tum bhala kaha chale aa rahe ho?
Pranjal iske pehle ki kuchh keh paata ki itne me Veer ne Divya ko rok diya.
Veer : Let him...!
Divya : Huh?? P-Par, Veer? Ye serious matter hai aur-
Veer : It's okay! Mein zimmedari leta hu.
Divya (sighs) : Agar, tum kehte ho toh... Theek hai!
Divya ek aur paini nazar Pranjal par maarte hue upar ko chali gayi. Pranjal ne bhi iss baar Veer ki peeth ko dekha. Na jaane kya soch raha tha woh. Ava uske theek bagal se nikli lekin, achanak hi-
*Swish*
"Aaaaaaahhh!"
Ava ne apni hidden knife nikaalte hue hawa me ghumaayi toh Pranjal dar ke maare ek qadam peechhe ho gaya. Upar se neeche tak Ava ne use ek pal ke liye dekha, jaise use kisi prakaar se savdhaan kar rahi thi. Aur, fir woh bhi upar chali gayi.
Sabhi Madhuri ke iss niwaas sthaan ke andar baithe hue the siwae Ava ke jo kamre ke theek baahar apne haath mode deewar se tik ke khadi hui thi aur sab kuchh sunn paa rahi thi. Pranjal ki zimmedari Veer ne le li thi toh Divya ko uski chinta karne ki zaroorat hi nahi thi. Aur, fir shuru hua sawaalo ka silsila.
Divya : Waise toh police ne saari jankaari le hi li hogi. Par, fir bhi mein ek baar aap dono se personally baat karna chaahti thi. Aap ko koi aitraaz toh nahi?
Madhuri : J-Ji nahi! Poochhiye na!
Woh boli. Ek sarsari nigaah usne Veer par maari jo khidki ke paas apne haath mode khada hua tha. Ek aasha jaagi ki kaash woh uske mask ke peechhe ke uss chehre ko dekh paati.
Divya : Dekhiye! Mein sadharan police karmchari nahi hu. Mein FBCC se hu. Ek International crime control agency. Toh aap jitna mujhe khul kar sab kuchh batayengi, cheezein utni hi aapke liye behtar saabit ho sakti hai.
Madhuri : M-Mein kuchh samjhi nahi.
Divya : Matlab ye ki, jo kaam police nahi kar sakti, woh mein chutkiyo me karwa sakti hu. Toh, aap ko kuchh bhi chhipaane ki zaroorat nahi hai.
Madhuri aur Lalita, dono ne ek dusre ko dekha.
Madhuri : J-Ji! Poochhiye!
Uske baad Madhuri ne woh sab kuchh bataaya jo woh bataana chaahti thi. Aur, jo pehle bhi bata chuki thi.
Divya : Hmm! Toh aapka kehna hai ki Prabhakar ji ki pehle kisi se bair thi aur usi ke kaaran unhe kaafi nuksaan bhi hua tha, right?
Madhuri (nods) : J-Ji! Lekin, uss aadmi ka haath iske peechhe nahi hai. Police ne iski chhaan-been kar li hai.
Divya : Hmm! Toh, fir? Aapko kya lagta hai?
Madhuri : Pita ji ki iske alawa aur koi dushmani nahi thi. Toh, mera anumaan do cheezon par hai.
Divya : Aur, kya hai woh?
Madhuri : Pehla toh yahi ki- ho sakta hai police ko uss aadmi ne paise khila ke chup kara diya ho. Aur, wahi iss sab ke peechhe ho?
Divya : Hmm! Interesting! Aur, dusra anumaan?
Madhuri : Mujhe nahi pata.
Divya : Hmm?
Madhuri : Mera matlab hai, ho sakta hai ki inn sab ke peechhe kuchh aur hi ho. Kisi aur ka hi haath ho jiske baare me mein aur maa nahi jaante.
Divya : Ohh?
Divya ne ek pal Veer ko dekha. Fir, jaise use kuchh yaad aaya aur usne apna sawaal ghumaate hue poochha.
Divya : Kya aapke pita koi medical condition ka shikaar the kya? I mean, koi beemari? Ya koi tests wagarah karwaate the?
Madhuri : Huh? N-Nahi! Pita ji poori tarah se swasth the. Unhe koi beemari nahi thi.
Divya : Abhi unhone kabhi koi blood tests wagarah karwaaye the kya?
Madhuri : N-Nahi! Agar, woh karwaate toh hume iss baare me zaroor pata hota.
Divya : Kisi doctor se unka koi sampark?
Madhuri : N-Nahi! Jaha tak mujhe yaad hai, humara koi family doctor nahi tha. Pita ji doctors ke paas kabhi jaate hi nahi the. Beemaar padte the toh aksar medical ki shops se mein hi unke liye dawayi laaya karti thi. P-Par, kya hua? Aap ye sab-
Divya : Nahi! Kuchh nahi! Bas yuhi poochha.
Ek baar fir Divya ne Veer ko dekha. Veer ne haami bhari. Aur, Madhuri iss baar apni ichhaa daba nahi paayi.
Madhuri (glances) : K-Kya, maine aapko pehle kahi dekha hai? K-Kya hum ek dusre se kabhi mile hai?
Veer : Hmm?
Divya : ???
Madhuri : Kya mein aapka chehra dekh sakti hu?
Divya : I-I'm sorry lekin woh mere saath hai. Aur, undercover agents ko-
Par, pata nahi Veer ko kya soojha usne bina kuchh kahe hi apna mask utaar diya. Jaha Pranjal Veer ka chehre dekhte hi mann hi mann apne sahi anumaan par garv kar raha tha toh wahi Madhuri Veer ka chehra dekhte hi ek gehri saans kheechne par majboor ho gayi.
Use fauran hi yaad aa gaya ki usne Veer ko kaha dekha tha. Woh sahi thi. Woh uss se mili thi. Delhi me... Jab woh ek ladke ke saath uski girlfriend ka naatak kar ke uske saath dinner par gayi thi. Tab, uski mulaqat Veer se hui thi.
Madhuri (stands up) : Ahn! A-Aap toh wahi-!!!
Pranjal ne jab ye dekha toh woh taajub me reh gaya. Yahi haal Divya aur Lalita ka bhi tha.
Madhuri : M-Mujhe yaad hai. Mujhe yaad hai. Aapne hi mujhe apna woh coat diya tha na? Aapko yaad aaya kuchh? M-Mein wahi ladki hu. Kuchh yaad aaya.
Veer uski masoom si bholi soorat dekh use niraash nahi karna chaahta tha. Toh, usne haami bhari.
Veer (nods) : Bilkul! Mujhe yaad hai.
Madhuri : Ahhn-!! M-Maa-!!!
Lalita : K-Kya hua beta??
Mauka dekhte hi Pranjal bhi uth khada hua.
Pranjal : M-Madhuri...! T-Tumhe Veer yaad hai???
Madhuri : Huhh? V-Veer???
Akasmat hi ye naam Madhuri ke dimag me khatka.
Pranjal : M-Mein Pranjal, Madhuri! T-Tumhe kuchh yaad aaya? Pranjal! Mein, Pranjal! Yaad karo! Bachpan me hum saath khela karte the. Yaad aaya? Tum mere ghar aati thi. Tum boycut rakhti thi tab. Kuchh... Kuchh yaad aaya?
Madhuri unn yaadon ko kabhi nahi bhool sakti thi. Kyunki, wahi shayad uske jeevan ki aakhiri achhi yaadein thi. Woh samay jab uska parivar khush tha, ghar me shaanti, samridhhi aur daulat barkarar thi. Unn palo ko woh chaah ke bhi nahi bhool sakti thi. Use yaad aaya ki uske saamne khada ye ladka wahi Pranjal thi. Par, ek minute-!?
Pranjal ke kuchh shan pehle kahe gaye shabd uske mann me goonje. Tumhe Veer yaad hai? Iska matlab-
Woh jhatse Veer ki orr palti. Bachpan se hi woh Veer se dosti karna chaahti thi lekin, Veer kabhi uss se baat nahi karta tha. Akhiri baar jab usne use ladka samajhte hue dhutkaar ke bura bhala kaha tha toh woh ro ke bhaag aayi thi.
Uss bechari ko khud ko nahi pata tha ki woh Veer se dobaara kabhi nahi mil paayegi. Agle kayi dino tak woh ro ro ke apni raatein guzara karti. Aur, aaj wahi Veer aur Pranjal uske saamne the.
Par, kaise waqt pe? Jab uska parivar ek taaza khabar bann chuka tha. Uske pita ka qatl kar diya gaya tha, police ka aana jaana laga tha, aur rehne ke liye khud ka ghar tak nahi tha.
Uski aankhon se aasu jhar-jhar kar behne lage.
Madhuri : T-Tum...!? Tum wahi V-Veer ho?
Veer : *smiles*
Madhuri : M-Mujhe pehchaana? *sniff* M-Mein Madhuri-!! Wahi-!! Tum jis se door bhaagte the. *sniff* Y-Yaad hai na?
Veer (nods) : Mujhe yaad hai. Mujhe maaf kar dena, Madhuri. Maine tumhe uss waqt ladka samajh ke-
Par, uske bol adhoore reh gaye jab achanak hi Madhuri seedhe uske seene se aa lagi. Aur, Pranjal ki aankhein ye dekhte hi phatne ko baahar aa gayi.
[That's what you get you bastard!!! Master! Make her yours! Kiss her!!!]
Veer jitna Madhuri ki hug se hairaan tha, uss se kahi zyada woh Pari ke iss agressive behaviour se taajub me tha. Ye Pari ko kya ho gaya tha?
Par, Pranjal ko apne daant meesne ka mauka hi nahi mila kyunki, Madhuri turant hi Veer ke haath ko apne haath me daal uski orr aayi aur dusre haath se uske haath ko bhi apne haath me daal li.
Lalita : M-Madhu? Y-Ye sab kya???
Madhuri : M-Maa! *sniff* Tumhe yaad hai na jab hum Mumbai me rehte the? Tab mein pados me bade se ghar me khelne jaaya karti thi?
Lalita ko kuchh dhundhli yaadein yaad aayi.
Madhuri : Inke yaha bihi ka ek bada sa ped bhi tha aangan me. Yaad karo?
Aur, Lalita ko sab kuchh yaad aa gaya.
Lalita : H-Haan! Yaad aaya. Manorath ji karke rehte the waha ek. Bahut hi sajjan log the.
Madhuri : Y-Ye usi ghar se hai, maa. Y-Ye Pranjal! A-Aur, ye Veer. Mein aake tumhare saamne roti thi na? Tumko bataati thi ki Veer mujhse dosti nahi karta. *sniff* Y-Ye wahi Veer hai.
Use dekh ke samajh nahi aa raha tha ki kya kahe. Uski aankhon se aasu beh rahe the par hontho par muskaan bhi saji hui thi. Lalita ko jab sab yaad aaya toh woh bhi aage badh ke aayi aur unn dono ke sarr sehlaane lagi.
Divya aur Ava dono hi hairat me bas sab kuchh ghatit hota hua dekh rahi thi. Pranjal aur Veer ki nazre aapas me takrayi. Par, jis tarah se Madhuri unke beech me hoke unhe thaami hui thi woh dono hi khamosh rahe. Pranjal toh iss ehsaas me kho chuka tha. Madhuri uske bagal se thi. Baar-baar uski nazre unn dono ke bandhe hue haath par jaa rahi thi.
Uske baad sab kuchh vistaar se bataya gaya. Pranjal ne bataya ki woh yaha par kyu aaya tha. Inn beetein dino me usne kuchh paiso ka jugaad kiya tha. Woh yaha pehle hi aa chuka hota. Magar, Karunesh ne use paise dene se inkaar kar diya tha.
Majbooran, use idhar-udhar se paise jugaadne pade. Aur, isi chakkar me use kayi din lag gaye. Aaj ki tareekh me bhi uske paas 30-40 hazaar hi the bas. Aur, woh ye sab Madhuri ke liye laaya tha.
Jab Madhuri ne neeche hui ghatna ka zikra kiya toh uss vishay par dono Veer aur Pranjal khamosh reh gaye.
Madhuri : B-Batao na! Y-Ye neeche kya chal raha tha? Tumhare kapde itne gande kaise ho gaye? A-Aur, aap iss par bandook kyu taani hui thi?
Divya : Aap iss se hi kyu nahi poochhti?
Madhuri : P-Pranjal! Jawab do! Kya hua tha?
Pranjal : K-Kuchh nahi, Madhuri! Y-Ye humare beech ka maamla hai. Mein tumhe fursat se sab bataunga. Abhi yaha se chalo. Tumne bataya na abhi ki ye sthaan tumhe bas kuchh dino ke liye mila hai? Toh chalo yaha se. Mumbai chalo mere saath.
Lalita : Mumbai? Beta, Pune me hi hume ghar nahi mil paa raha hai. Hum Mumbai me kaha rukenge?
Pranjal : M-Mein uski vyavastha karta hu, aunty. Aap fiqr mat kijiye. Aur, aap bhi toh dar rahi ho na? Aapne bataya tha thodi der pehle ki aapko jis aadmi par shaq hai, woh aapko nuksaan pahucha sakta hai. Yaha rehna khatre se khaali nahi hai. Aap chaliye mere saath.
Lalita : Par, beta rehna, khaana, ye sab-
Pranjal : M-Mein dekh lunga na, aunty. Aap chaliye toh-
Madhuri : N-Nahi Pranjal! Shukriya. Lekin, h-hum aise bina kisi guarantee ke kaise-
Veer : Uski zaroorat nahi hai.
Madhuri : ???
Veer : Mere paas aap sab ke liye ghar bhi hai. Aur, aapko jeevan bhar, bhar-pait khaana khila saku utni meri haisiyat bhi hai. Toh, apna beta samajhte hue, aap Mumbai aaiye, aunty.
Lalita : P-Par-
Veer : Bachpan me maine Madhuri ka kaafi dil dukhaya hai. Samajh lijiye mera uss se ye maafi maangne ka tareeka hai. Aap aur Madhuri dono surakshit bhi rahengi. Aur, choonki mein iss case se juda hua hu toh aapko pal-pal iski khabar bhi deta rahunga.
Pranjal muh khole Veer ko dekh raha tha. Woh Madhuri ki madad karne ke liye tatpar tha. Lekin, jab use paiso ki sabse zyada zaroorat thi tab uske khud ke baap ne use paise dene se inkaar kar diya tha. Parantu, Veer ne bejhijhak madad ka haath aage badha diya.
Veer ki baat sunte hi idhar Lalita ka hriday parivartan hua. Woh yaha se nikalne ke liye taiyaar thi. Usne apni beti ko dekha jo aas liye use hi ghoor rahi thi. Aur, fir usne haami bhar di.
Toh ye tay ho chuka tha ki Madhuri Mumbai laut rahi thi. Aur, dono maa beti apna-apna samaan baandhne me bhi lag gayi. Iss poore prakran me kaafi samay guzar chuka tha. Madhuri ke mann me kayi sawaal the. Veer FBCC ke saath kya kar raha tha? Woh yaha kyu aaya tha? Ab tak usne kya kuchh kiya? Wagarah wagarah! Yahi sawal Pranjal ke liye bhi uske mann me the. Lekin, usne filhal apne mann ko shaant rakha.
Veer ward ki terrace kar khade doobte hue sooraj ko dekh cigarette ka ek kash laga raha tha jab upar Pranjal aa dhamka. Kaafi der tak ek sannaata chhaaya raha. Aur, fir Pranjal ne bolna shuru kiya.
Pranjal : Tum... Tum kab se cigarette peene lage?
Veer (side eyes) : Batana zaroori nahi samajhta mein.
Pranjal (grits) : Tsk! Tumne... Tumne unki madad kyu ki?
Veer : Kyunki, mujhe laga ki mujhe unki madad karni chahiye. Simple! Ya mujhe tumhari permission leni hogi iske liye?
Pranjal : That's it?
Veer : What?
Pranjal : Mera matlab hai... Bas yahi? Bas yahi kaaran tha? Ya kuchh aur kaaran bhi hai madad karne ke peechhe?
Veer : Obviously! Aur, kya kaaran ho sakta hai? *smokes* Mein tumhari tarah schemer nahi!
Pranjal : Tum kuchh chhipa toh nahi rahe na?
Veer : Fuck off!
Kahi na kahi, iss baar Veer ke ye kehne se Pranjal ko zara bhi bura nahi laga.
Veer (smokes) : Take them with you.
Pranjal : ??? Kyu? Kya tum nahi jaa rahe?
Veer : I have some work to attend to-! *smokes* Address already unhe pata hai. Tumhe bas unhe waha tak sahi salamat le jaana hai. Baaki ka kaam mere workers waha dekh lenge. You do have money, right?
Pranjal : Hmph!
Veer ne apni jeb se ek note ki gaddi hawa me Pranjal ki orr feki.
Veer : Take it! Mein nahi chaahta ki tum Madhuri aur uske parivar par udhaari waale paiso ka istemal karo. Mein unhe aur musibat me nahi dekhna chaahta.
Pranjal (grits) : Tch-!!!
Par, Pranjal ne agle hi pal woh gaddi wapas Veer ki orr fek di jo usne haatho me pakad kar thaam li.
Pranjal : Fuck you! Tumhe kya lagta hai? Ki mein apni wajah se unhe pareshani me daalunga? I'll have money... *murmurs* I'll arrange it.
Aur, woh ladkhadaate hue waha se waapas chala gaya. Na jaane aage kya kuchh hone waala tha. Madhuri aur uski maa ki samasya toh door ho chuki thi. Lekin, ye murder ke raaz par se parda uthaana abhi bhi baaki tha. Aur, uske liye, Veer ki agli destination thi — Panchgani!!!
***
Nexacom's HQ, Mumbai,
Evening - 6:50 PM ~
Kaera lakshya ke saath chal rahi thi, gati tez aur chaal ekdum truti-heen. Uss se ek aise vyakti ki prabhavshali upasthiti jhalak rahi thi jisne kabhi asafalta dekhi hi na ho.
Ruchika, uski secretary theek uske peechhe uske qadam se qadam milaane ke liye sangharsh kar rahi thi. Uske haath me ek tablet notifications se bhara hua tha — urgent emails, financial reports, messages jo vibhinn vibhaago se the. Jaise hi Kaera meeting room se baahar nikli, Ruchika ne turant hi zaroori muddo ko sahi soonchi me rakh bolna shuru kar diya.
Ruchika : Ah! M-Miss! Humare Mumbai ke ports me strike ki wajah se humare textile devision me supply chain ko bahut nuksaan hua hai. Logistics team samajh nahi paa rahi ki kaise aage badhe?
Kaera : Shipments ko southern ports ki taraf divert karo.
Usne turant ke turant jawab diya. Uske sochne ki speed fraction of seconds thi.
Kaera : Transportation ko tez banaaye rakhne ke liye railways se jo humara contract hai uska istemal karo. Jo workers strike kar rahe hai unhe secretly bonus package do — industry standard se 10% upar — taaki woh kaam jaari rakhe. Have HR handle the negotiations. Transportation rukna nahi chahiye kisi bhi haalat me.
Ruchika ne apne tablet par sab note kar, tap karte hue sarr hilaaya.
Ruchika : M-Miss! Casa Belle luxury hotel budget overrun face kar rahi hai. Unka project manager additonal funds ki demand kar raha hai.
Kaera : Budget overrun?
Ruchika : Sh-Shayad, woh out of budget hai. Kuchh bada plan kar rahe hai? Maybe? Ya fir renovations? New materials? Maybe?
Kaera : Come to think of it. Veer... He has a hotel too, right? The name...! What was it? Right! Hotel Prestige!
Ruchika : E-Ehh?
Kaera : Make a call at Hotel Prestige!
Ruchika : Ahnn! R-Right away!
Chalte-chalte hi Ruchika ne Hotel Prestige par call lagaya. Aur, udhar se manager - Nandini ne call uthaaya. Jaise hi Nandini ko pata chala ki Nexacom ki taraf se call tha woh hadbada gayi. Turant hi usne call Bhumika ki orr forward kiya aur bechari Bhumika ki bhi yahi haalat thi.
Kaera : Ask them that if they need any fund? Any kind of investment?
Ruchika ne theek waisa hi kiya. Jab Bhumika ko pata chala ki Nexacom hotel prestige me invest karne ke liye interested hai toh uski khushi ka koi thikana na raha. Bina soche samjhe hi usne haan kar di. Ye sunehra mauka woh haath se bhala kaise jaane de sakti thi?
Ruchika : M-Miss! Wo-Woh ready hai!
Kaera (smiles) : Then give them the fund which you were supposed to give to Casa Belle.
Ruchika : O-Okay! P-Par, Casa Belle ke project manager ko kya jawab du, Miss?
Kaera : Keh do ki humne thodi der pehle hi apne marketing budget me extra 15% invest kiya hai. Hum yaha invest karne ke liye hai. Liquidity gap bharne ke liye nahi.
Ruchika : Samajh gayi!
Woh boli. Uski awaaz me sammaan saaf-saaf jhalak raha tha.
Ruchika (hurriedly) : E-Ek potential legal issue bhi hai, Miss. Humaare pharmaceutical division ka jo latest product hai woh mushqil me hai. Regulatory body uski jaanch kar rahi hai aur woh humari clinical trial data ki validity par sawal utha rahe hai.
Kaera achanak ruk gayi. Uski nazre paini ho chali.
Kaera : Trials ki ek comprehensive report taiyaar karo. Woh saare regulations highlight karo jinka hum paalan sahi se kar rahe hai. Koi bhi data jo misinterpret ho sakta hai, uska khaas khayal rakho. Have the legal team frame it properly. Meanwhile, ek private meeting schedule karo meri uss regulatory body ke head ke saath. Shayad mujhe unhe yaad dilaane ki zaroorat hai ki humare innovative products ke chalte public sector ko kitna fayda hua hai. I'll personally oversee the negotiations.
Jitni gati se Kaera pratyek samasya ka samadhan pradan kar rahi thi, bechari Ruchika badi hi mushqil se uski gati ke saath apni gati barkarar rakh paa rahi thi. Kaera ke shabdo me koi jhijak nahi thi, koi anumaan nahi — bas ek adig nirnay karne ki kshamta jaha galti ke liye koi sthaan nahi tha.
Jaise hi woh ek kamre ke paas pahuchne lage toh Ruchika ne ek akhiri mudde ka zikra kiya.
Ruchika : M-Miss, TechUnion ke saath merger ke discussion me delay hua hai. Unka board iss saude par sehmat hone se pehle kuchh aur concessions maang raha hai.
Kaera ke hontho par halki si muskaan bikhri.
Kaera : Then call their bluff. Unhe batao ki hum alternative partners ko consider kar rahe hai. That should remind them of their place in this negotiation. If they don't come back to the table within 48 hours, pull the plug and move on to our next target.
Ruchika poori tarah se avaak reh gayi thi. Ekdum bhauchakki. Usne tamaam hastiyaan dekhi thi par aisi? Koi nahi. Kya Kaera ko duniya ka aathwa ajooba kehna sahi tha? Ruchika se agar ye poochhe, toh uska uttar — haan tha.
Kaera : Next year bahut badi deal aane waali hai. ICONGLOBE India aa rahi hai aur top company me invest karne ki soch rahi hai. That deal... will be mine!!!
***
"That deal... is mine!!!"
Apne ghar ke kamre me maujood Sonia ne apni mutthi kaste hue kaha. Uske theek peechhe Suchika darwaze par khadi hui thi. Usne halka sa mud use dekha.
Sonia : Suchika-!!!
Suchika : ???
Sonia : Tum meri help karogi na?
Suchika : Yes, Miss!
Sonia : Good! Toh iss baar mujhe ye deal seal karne se koi nahi rok sakta. We'll move according to the plan. No one can stop us. Tum bhi nahi... Kaera!!!
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Aaj ke liye itna hi guys.
This update consists of around 10.1k words. Thoda sa late hai par umeed hai ju logo ko pasand aayega. Target ise diwali ke pehle dene ka tha but I was too occupied with my personal works. So, consider this as a Diwali bonus. Pichhle update me monotonous scene ko leke kaafi log keh rahe the. So, this time it's a 4 scene update. Baaki, Target apna wahi hai. 200. Toh, like thokne ka aur revos rakhne ka.
Dhanyavad.
