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CHAPTER 2: THE UNPOSTED SACRIFICE (THE HEALING)
subah ki pehli kiran ne aakar Adi ke chehre ko chhua. Adi... jo ek 10x10 ki kholi mein zameen par bichi chatai pe so raha tha.
Archana ne dukh bhari nazaron se apne bete ko dekha. Nagpur mein Adi ke paas apna alag master bedroom tha, sagon (teakwood) ka palang tha, aur wo naram gaddon pe sota tha. Aaj wo apni maa ki zid ki wajah se is slum mein garmi mein so raha tha. Archana ne dhire se uske sar par haath pherte hue uske mathe ko chuma. Ye kiss sirf mamta bhari nahi thee , balki ek maafi thi—us narak ke liye jo usne apne bete ko dikhaya tha aapne zid ke vaajah se.
Archana ne purana sa paitila uthaya aur stove jalaya. Fridge ki aadat thi, par yahan sab kuch 'fresh' lana padta tha. Wo bahar nikli. Thane shatri nagar ki wo galliyan abhi puri tarah jaagi nahi thi, par naliyon se aati sadi hui boo ne uska swagat kiya.
Gupta Bhaiya ki dukan pe pahunch kar usne dekha, ek UP ka banda Bhaiya hai (Bombay me Noth indians ko bhaiya bollate hai ).
"gupata Bhaiya, dudh ka packet milega?" Archana ne pucha. Uska lehza ab bhi Nagpur ki us 'Officers Colony' wala tha.
Gupta Bhaiya ne hairani se use dekha. "Gilaas nahi layi taai?(Didi behan ) Yahan log khula dudh lete hain."
"Nahi bhaiya, poora packet de do," Archana ne kaha. Usne kuch Khari (puff) bhi li, ye soch kar ki Adi ko chai ke saath kuch chahiye hoga. Usne paise diye aur wapas aagayi.

Use lag raha tha ki har koi use ghoor raha hai, jaise uske chehre pe likha ho ki wo yahan ki nahi hai.
Ghar aakar Archana ne chai banayi. Adi ko uthaya aur dono ne wahi chatai pe baith kar chai-khari khayi. Archana ki nazar apne hathon pe thi. In hathon ne Maruti Esteem ka steering wheel pakda tha, aur aaj ye ek kaali ho chuki chai ki ketli pakde hue the.
Tabhi darwaze pe dastak hui. Salma khadi thi. Archana ne use pehchana—ye Faheem (wo taxi wala) ki biwi thi.
"Aap nayi aayi ho? Main Salma, pados mein rehti hoon," Salma ne muskura kar kaha.
Archana ke andar jaise bijli doudi. Faheem... wo darinda jisne kuch ghante pehle use louta tha. Par Salma kitni masoomiyat se baat kar rahi thi.
"Ji, main Angha... Nagpur se aayi hoon," Archana ne zhooti muskan pehni.
Salma ne bataya ki wo Apple Bar mein dancer hai. Archana ko dukh hua—ek ek 'padosan' jo naach ke aapna ghar chala rahi thi.
Asli imtehan tab shuru hua jab Salma ne bataya ki pani din mein do baar aata hai aur toilet ke liye 20 paise dene padte hain. Archana jab 'Tumrel' (mug) lekar us sarvajanik (public)
shouchalay (toilet) ki taraf badhi, toh uski aatma kaanp gayi.

Wahan ki gandagi, wo kide, aur wo teekhi badbu... Archana ka dam ghutne laga. Wo hospital se abhi-abhi aayi thi, uska badan pehle hi kamzor tha. Use vomiting (ometing) jaisa mehsoos
hua. Wo wahan nahi ruk saki. Wo bina kuch kiye, apni baalti lekar wapas bhag aayi. Ghar aakar wo zameen pe baith gayi, uski aankhon mein aansu aa gaye.
Ek pal ke liye uske mann me ajeeb sa khayal aaya.
Nagpur me wo ek bade ghar me rehti thi. AC, fridge, gaadi, servants…
Aur aaj…use toilet ke liye public toilet use karana paad raha hai ....
Adi ne use dekha aur hasne laga. "Kya hua maa? Maza aaya?
Archana gusse me boli—
“Bahut hasi aa rahi hai? Ja tu hi jaa phir!”
Adi phir bhi muskura raha tha.
“Maa… sach batao. Papa sahi bolte the na?”
“Unhone kya bola?”
Adi ne aankh marate huye .
“Ke tum 5 din me hi Nagpur wapas aa jaogi.”
Archana ko gussa toh aaya, par usne bus kaha kee vo letter post kaar dena .
Adi ne dheere se kaha—
“Chalo Maa… mere flat pe chalte hain. Fresh ho jao.”
Dono balti uthakar us chhote apartment ki taraf chal pade jahan Adi temporary rehta tha.
adi ne pucha maa us letter me he kya paar
Archana ne nazar chura li.
“Bas… office ka kaam hai.”
Usse kya pata tha… ki department ki nazar abhi bhi Archana par bani hui thi.
Adi bahar nikla
### Adi ki nazar se
Main gali se bahar nikla hi tha ki ek scooter mere paas aa kar ruk gaya.
“Adi!”
Maine mud kar dekha.
Scooter par ek ladki thi… chehre par scarf tha jo aksar marathi ladakiya pehanti hai bahar nikal ti hai taab.
“Pehchana?”
“Ji… nahi.”
Wo hans padi.
“Arre main Aliya… teri maa ki dost.”
yaad hai naa haam mile the Chandani baar me aur fir jaha ab teri mom rehati hai usi slum me me bhee rehati hu saath me
mene kaha haa paar aap ne scarf kyu pehana hai
Aliya : are koi dekh lega naa is liye
Phir mazaak me boli—
“Chal… bun maska khane chalte hain. Date pe.”
Mera chehra laal ho gaya.
Thodi der baad hum ek Irani cafe me baithe the.
Chai aur bun maska ke saath Aliya mujhse college, dost aur Mumbai ke baare me baat kar rahi thi.
Phir usne kaha—
“Chal… tujhe ek jagah dikhati hoon.”
Scooter Matunga station ke paas park ki gayi.
Hum taxi lekar Worli ki taraf gaye.
Ek purane se ghar ke andar ghuste hi ek teekhi badbu ne mujhe rok diya.
Andar ek budhi aurat baithi thi… bilkul khamosh.
Diwar par ek ladke ki photo lagi thi.
Mere jaisa hi lag raha tha.
Aliya ne dheere se kaha—
“Ye mera chhota bhai Sameer tha.”
“Mere jaisa?”
“Ha.”
Uski awaaz bhar gayi.
“Drugs ka shikar ho gaya… sirf 17 saal ka tha.”
Main chup khada raha.
Aliya ne meri taraf dekha.
“Jo gang tere college area me drugs bhejti hai… usi adat ne mera bhai ko bhee mara.”
Phir usne meri jeb se letter nikala.
“Ye teri maa ka resignation hai.”
Maine shock me uski taraf dekha.
Aliya ne dheere se kaha—
“Usne ek bahut gangster ko khatam kiya hai.”Raju ustara ko
“Par ab wo bhaag rahi hai.”
Room me khamoshi chha gayi.
Aliya ne meri aankhon me dekh kar poocha—
“Adi… agar teri maa ruk gayi… to shayad aur Sameer bach sakte hain.”
Mere haath me wo letter kaanp raha tha.
Post office bas kuch kadam door tha.
Maine letter ko dekha…
Aur sochne laga.
Kya main ise sach me post kar doon? yaa nahee
Kamre mein ek purani peeli builb jal raha hai . Bahar gali mein bachchon ki awaaz, kahin door se radio par purana gaana, aur upar se train ki halki si seeti — Bombai ki shaam apne roz ke shor ke saath zinda thi.
Archana jhuk kar apna samaan ek purani bag mein bhar rahi thi. Kapde bas thonse ja rahe the, jaise unhe theek se fold karne ki bhi himmat na ho.
Kone mein ek chamkili sasti saree padi thi… uske paas ek dark red lipstick.
Archana ne ek pal ke liye us taraf dekha, phir nazar hata li.
Jaise kisi mare hue insaan ki yaad ho… jise wapas zinda nahi karna.
“Adi… jaldi kar beta,” usne dheere se kaha, bag ka zip band karte hue.
“9 baje ki Vidarbha Express hai. Humein CST pahunchne mein waqt lagega.”
Darwaze par khada Adi chupchaap use dekh raha tha.
Subah wala masoom ladka jaise kahin gayab ho gaya tha. Uske chehre par ek ajeeb si gehraai thi.
Usne post office ka thaila chupchaap kamre ke kone mein phenka… aur andar aa gaya.
Archana ne palat kar dekha.
“Letter post kar diya na? Receipt dikha.”
Adi ne turant jawab nahi diya.
Bas dheere se bola —
“...Maa.”
Archana ruk gayi.
“Hmm?”
“Sach batao… kya Nagpur jaa kar sab theek ho jayega?”
Kamre mein ek pal ke liye khamoshi chha gayi.
Archana ne dheere se uski taraf dekha.
“Tu kya kehna chahta hai?”
Adi ki awaaz ab shaant thi, par andar kuch jal raha tha.
“Aliya mam ne mujhe sab dikhaya.”
Archana ka chehra ekdum sakht ho gaya.
“Aliya? Kya dikhaya usne?”
Adi ne dheere se kaha —
“Ek ghar… jahan ek maa pagal ho chuki hai.”
Pause.
“Uska beta drugs mein doob kar mar gaya.”
Archana ke haath se bag dheere se neeche gir gaya.
“Sameer naam tha uska.”
Archana chup.
Adi uske paas aaya.
“Aliya mam ne kaha… Bombai mein har roz ek naya Sameer mar raha hai.”
Archana ka sabr toot gaya.
“Chup!”
wo achanak zor se chilla uthi.
“Tu kya jaanta hai Adi? Tu sirf 18 saal ka hai!”
Uski awaaz kaanp rahi thi.
“Tu nahi jaanta maine kya dekha hai… wo jungle… wo raat… wo gandagi…!”
Uski saansein tez ho gayi.
“Mujhse meri izzat cheen li gayi… meri neend cheen li gayi… meri zindagi cheen li gayi!”
Uski aankhon se aansu girne lage.
“Main agent hone se pehle ek aurat hoon… ek maa hoon…”
Uska sharir kaamp raha tha.
“Main aur nahi lad sakti… samjha tu?”
Kamra khamosh ho gaya.
Adi dheere se aage badha.
Usne Archana ke kaampte huye haath apne haathon mein le liye.
Pehli baar… jaise beta maa ko sambhal raha ho.
“Papa hamesha kehte the… tum ghar ki izzat ho,” Adi ne dheere se kaha.
“Par aaj maine dekha… tum sirf hamari nahi… is shehar ki umeed ho.”
Archana ne aankhon mein aansu lekar uski taraf dekha.
Adi ki awaaz ab mazboot thi.
“Agar tum aaj chali gayi na… toh wo log jeet jayenge jinhone is city ko is desh ko todne ki koshish ki.”
Pause.
“Kya tum chahti ho ki kal phir koi Sameer mare?”
“Kya tum chahti ho Salma jaisi auratein hamesha darte hue jeeyin?”
Archana kuch bol nahi paayi.
Adi ne apni jeb se wo folded kagaz nikala.
Resignation Letter.
Usne wo Archana ke haath mein rakh diya.
“Maa… ye sacrifice kisi newspaper mein nahi likha jayega.”
“Tumhara naam kisi medal list mein nahi aayega.”
“Par main jaanta hoon meri maa kaun hai.”
Uski aankhon mein aansu the… par awaaz bilkul kisi shant sadhu kee jesi thee .
“Agar tum rukogi… toh main bhi tumhare saath khada rahunga.”
Archana ne dheere se kagaz khola.
Us par uski apni likhai thi.
“Resignation…”
Usne Adi ko dekha.
Uska beta… jo subah tak bachcha tha.
Ab uski aankhon mein darr nahi tha.
Sirf himmat thi.
Archana ne ek gehri saans li.
Phir dheere se… us kagaz ko beech se phaad diya.
Kagaz ke tukde neeche zameen par gir gaye.
Jaise Nagpur wapas jaane ka sapna wahi toot kar bikhar gaya ho.
Archana ne khidki ke bahar dekha.
Door Bombai ki roshni chamak rahi thi.
Usne mann mein kaha —
“Angha aaj sach mein mar gayi.”
“Ab sirf Archana bachi hai…”
“...aur wo darr jo mujhe rok raha tha.”
Tabhi —
**BEEP.**
Table par pada pager chamka.
Archana ne uthaya.
Screen par ek message blink kar raha tha.
**“MEET AT SAFE HOUSE – 10 PM.”**
**“TARGET: NEELYA.”**
Archana ki aankhon mein ek naya iraada ubhar aaya.
Usne pager band kiya.
Aur bag wapas khol diya.
Archana ne bag band kiya…
phir kuch pal chup khadi rahi.
Adi usko bas dekh raha tha.
Jaise hi usne resignation letter ke tukde zameen par girte dekhe…
Archana ne achanak bag wapas khol diya.
Agla hi pal…
Usne Adi ko zor se gale laga liya.
Pagalon ki tarah uske chehre par baar-baar kiss karne lagi.
Jaise usse chhod dene ka darr abhi bhi andar kahin baaki ho.
Uske dimaag me bas ek hi khayal tha—
kaash ise dobara apni kokh me chhupa sakti…
lekin ab ye bachcha uski kamzori nahi tha.
Adi uski taqat ban chuka tha.
Tabhi Adi ne dheere se apne bag se ek aur kagaz nikala.
“Ek aur cheez hai… tumhe dikhani thi.”
Archana ne hairani se uski taraf dekha.
Adi ne hospital ka letter uske haath me de diya.
Archana ne jaise hi dekha ki Adi ke haath mein wahi hospital ka letter hai—jis par uski 'Dilation and Evacuation' (abortion)
"Adi... wo... main..." Archana hichkiyan lete hue rone lagi.
Letter padhte hi Archana ke haath kaanp gaye.
Agle hi pal…
wo seedha zameen par baith gayi.
Phir toot kar ro padi.
Aisa royi jaise saalon ka dard ek saath bahar aa gaya ho.
Adi turant uske paas baith gaya.
“Maa… tu ro kyu rahi hai?”
Usne Archana ka chehra apne dono haathon me pakda.
“Chee… tu ek sherni hai.”
“Is duniya me tujhse zyada taqatwar koi nahi hai.”
Archana bas usko dekhti rahi.
Adi dheere se bola—
“Jo hua… wo sahi tha.”
“Ek masoom jaan ko humne paida hone se pehle hi rok diya… par tu darr mat.”
“Ye duniya kuch bhi bole… mere liye tu meri maa hai
“Tu galat nahi hai.”
“Tu ek devdasi hai… jo is desh ki seva kar rahi hai.”
“Bas itna yaad rakh.”
“Ab ro mat… jaa… teri team tera wait kar rahi hai.”
Kuch seconds khamoshi rahi.
Phir Archana ne aansu ponchhe…
khadi hui…
aur ek pyar bhara zhapad Adi ke gaal par laga diya.
“Bada aaya badi-badi baatein karne wala!”
“Yaad hai? 8th standard tak bed gila karta tha.”
“Light chali jaati thi to toilet ke bahar maa ko khada karta tha!”
“Ab dekho… mera baap ban kar gyaan de raha hai.”
Adi zor se hans pada.
“Haan maloom hai… aur tu bhi to toilet se bhaag ke aati thi!”
Dono kuch der tak hasne lage.
Ghar me pehli baar normal hawa mehsoos hui.
Thodi der baad…
Darwaze par halki si knock hui.
Salama khadi thi.
Aaj wo puri chamkili saree me thi.
Makeup tez tha… cleavage saaf dikh raha tha.
Wo thodi hichkichahat ke saath boli—
“Didi… ek help karoge?”
Archana ne haan me sir hilaya.
“Night me mere pati aayenge… taxi chalate hain.”
“Ye chavi unko de dena please.”
“Ghar me pankha kharab ho gaya hai… agar aap bura na mano to kya wo yahan khana kha sakte hain?”
“Waise bhi bechare taxi me hi so jate hain raat ko…”
Archana ka chehra thoda badal gaya.
Naam sunte hi uske andar ek darr sa utha—
Faheem.
Wo mana karne hi wali thi…
tabhi bahar rickshaw ka horn bajne laga.
Salama ko lene aaya tha.
“Main chalti hoon didi… please chavi de dena.”
Itna keh kar wo chavi palang par rakh kar jaldi se nikal gayi.
Archana kuch seconds tak chup khadi rahi.
Phir usne ghadi dekhi.
Usse safe house pahunchna tha.
Wo ghar se nikal gayi.
Safe House
Chhota sa kamra.
Andar sab already maujood the.
Vikas Tawade
Bhiku Mhatre
Sundari Akka
Reshma Gurumaa
Aur Aliya Shaikh.
Vikas Tawade ne cigarette bujhate hue kaha—
“Guru Satam pura pareshan hai.”
“Raju achanak gayab ho gaya.”
“Uske aadmi do din se Kamathipura me chakkar kaat rahe hain.”
Wo Archana ki taraf mudha.
Vikas: "Archana, Guru Satam pagal ho gaya hai Raju ki talash mein. Tumhe ab slum life mein puri tarah ghulna hoga.
Salma se dosti gehri karo, wahi tumhe bar dancing aur unka 'lehza' sikhayegi.
Wahan tumhe dhande wali auraton ki tarah chalna, bolna aur har ek ada seekhni hai. Hamein perfection chahiye."
Vikas aage bola—
“Dance… chalna… bolna… sab seekhna padega.”
“Gurumaa tumhe apni ek khaas ladki ke paas bhejengi.”
“30 din training.”
“Kamathipura me aurate kaise dhanda karti hain… sab.”
“Hamari galti ki gunjaish zero hai.”
Kamre me khamoshi chha gayi.
Phir Vikas ne dheere se kaha—
“Guru Satam ko lag raha hai Raju ko D-Gang ne maara.”
“Par hum doosra game khel rahe hain.”
Usne table par ek photo rakhi.
Photo me ek aadmi tha.
vahee aapna chocklet boy
“Anwar Hatela ka main sharpshooter.”
“Kaliya.”
“Jise log Nilya bhi bolte hain.”
“Real naam—Nilesh Sonawane.”
Vikas ne seedha Archana ki aankhon me dekha.
“Archana…”
“Tumhara next target ye hai.”
“Nilesh Sonawane.”
“Keep watch on him.”
Kamre me phir ek gehri khamoshi chha gayi.
Mission ab aur khatarnak ho chuka tha.
subah ki pehli kiran ne aakar Adi ke chehre ko chhua. Adi... jo ek 10x10 ki kholi mein zameen par bichi chatai pe so raha tha.
Archana ne dukh bhari nazaron se apne bete ko dekha. Nagpur mein Adi ke paas apna alag master bedroom tha, sagon (teakwood) ka palang tha, aur wo naram gaddon pe sota tha. Aaj wo apni maa ki zid ki wajah se is slum mein garmi mein so raha tha. Archana ne dhire se uske sar par haath pherte hue uske mathe ko chuma. Ye kiss sirf mamta bhari nahi thee , balki ek maafi thi—us narak ke liye jo usne apne bete ko dikhaya tha aapne zid ke vaajah se.
Archana ne purana sa paitila uthaya aur stove jalaya. Fridge ki aadat thi, par yahan sab kuch 'fresh' lana padta tha. Wo bahar nikli. Thane shatri nagar ki wo galliyan abhi puri tarah jaagi nahi thi, par naliyon se aati sadi hui boo ne uska swagat kiya.
Gupta Bhaiya ki dukan pe pahunch kar usne dekha, ek UP ka banda Bhaiya hai (Bombay me Noth indians ko bhaiya bollate hai ).
"gupata Bhaiya, dudh ka packet milega?" Archana ne pucha. Uska lehza ab bhi Nagpur ki us 'Officers Colony' wala tha.
Gupta Bhaiya ne hairani se use dekha. "Gilaas nahi layi taai?(Didi behan ) Yahan log khula dudh lete hain."
"Nahi bhaiya, poora packet de do," Archana ne kaha. Usne kuch Khari (puff) bhi li, ye soch kar ki Adi ko chai ke saath kuch chahiye hoga. Usne paise diye aur wapas aagayi.

Use lag raha tha ki har koi use ghoor raha hai, jaise uske chehre pe likha ho ki wo yahan ki nahi hai.
Ghar aakar Archana ne chai banayi. Adi ko uthaya aur dono ne wahi chatai pe baith kar chai-khari khayi. Archana ki nazar apne hathon pe thi. In hathon ne Maruti Esteem ka steering wheel pakda tha, aur aaj ye ek kaali ho chuki chai ki ketli pakde hue the.
Tabhi darwaze pe dastak hui. Salma khadi thi. Archana ne use pehchana—ye Faheem (wo taxi wala) ki biwi thi.
"Aap nayi aayi ho? Main Salma, pados mein rehti hoon," Salma ne muskura kar kaha.
Archana ke andar jaise bijli doudi. Faheem... wo darinda jisne kuch ghante pehle use louta tha. Par Salma kitni masoomiyat se baat kar rahi thi.
"Ji, main Angha... Nagpur se aayi hoon," Archana ne zhooti muskan pehni.
Salma ne bataya ki wo Apple Bar mein dancer hai. Archana ko dukh hua—ek ek 'padosan' jo naach ke aapna ghar chala rahi thi.
Asli imtehan tab shuru hua jab Salma ne bataya ki pani din mein do baar aata hai aur toilet ke liye 20 paise dene padte hain. Archana jab 'Tumrel' (mug) lekar us sarvajanik (public)
shouchalay (toilet) ki taraf badhi, toh uski aatma kaanp gayi.

Wahan ki gandagi, wo kide, aur wo teekhi badbu... Archana ka dam ghutne laga. Wo hospital se abhi-abhi aayi thi, uska badan pehle hi kamzor tha. Use vomiting (ometing) jaisa mehsoos
hua. Wo wahan nahi ruk saki. Wo bina kuch kiye, apni baalti lekar wapas bhag aayi. Ghar aakar wo zameen pe baith gayi, uski aankhon mein aansu aa gaye.
Ek pal ke liye uske mann me ajeeb sa khayal aaya.
Nagpur me wo ek bade ghar me rehti thi. AC, fridge, gaadi, servants…
Aur aaj…use toilet ke liye public toilet use karana paad raha hai ....
Adi ne use dekha aur hasne laga. "Kya hua maa? Maza aaya?
Archana gusse me boli—
“Bahut hasi aa rahi hai? Ja tu hi jaa phir!”
Adi phir bhi muskura raha tha.
“Maa… sach batao. Papa sahi bolte the na?”
“Unhone kya bola?”
Adi ne aankh marate huye .
“Ke tum 5 din me hi Nagpur wapas aa jaogi.”
Archana ko gussa toh aaya, par usne bus kaha kee vo letter post kaar dena .
Adi ne dheere se kaha—
“Chalo Maa… mere flat pe chalte hain. Fresh ho jao.”
Dono balti uthakar us chhote apartment ki taraf chal pade jahan Adi temporary rehta tha.
adi ne pucha maa us letter me he kya paar
Archana ne nazar chura li.
“Bas… office ka kaam hai.”
Usse kya pata tha… ki department ki nazar abhi bhi Archana par bani hui thi.
Adi bahar nikla
### Adi ki nazar se
Main gali se bahar nikla hi tha ki ek scooter mere paas aa kar ruk gaya.
“Adi!”
Maine mud kar dekha.
Scooter par ek ladki thi… chehre par scarf tha jo aksar marathi ladakiya pehanti hai bahar nikal ti hai taab.
“Pehchana?”
“Ji… nahi.”
Wo hans padi.
“Arre main Aliya… teri maa ki dost.”
yaad hai naa haam mile the Chandani baar me aur fir jaha ab teri mom rehati hai usi slum me me bhee rehati hu saath me
mene kaha haa paar aap ne scarf kyu pehana hai
Aliya : are koi dekh lega naa is liye
Phir mazaak me boli—
“Chal… bun maska khane chalte hain. Date pe.”
Mera chehra laal ho gaya.
Thodi der baad hum ek Irani cafe me baithe the.
Chai aur bun maska ke saath Aliya mujhse college, dost aur Mumbai ke baare me baat kar rahi thi.
Phir usne kaha—
“Chal… tujhe ek jagah dikhati hoon.”
Scooter Matunga station ke paas park ki gayi.
Hum taxi lekar Worli ki taraf gaye.
Ek purane se ghar ke andar ghuste hi ek teekhi badbu ne mujhe rok diya.
Andar ek budhi aurat baithi thi… bilkul khamosh.
Diwar par ek ladke ki photo lagi thi.
Mere jaisa hi lag raha tha.
Aliya ne dheere se kaha—
“Ye mera chhota bhai Sameer tha.”
“Mere jaisa?”
“Ha.”
Uski awaaz bhar gayi.
“Drugs ka shikar ho gaya… sirf 17 saal ka tha.”
Main chup khada raha.
Aliya ne meri taraf dekha.
“Jo gang tere college area me drugs bhejti hai… usi adat ne mera bhai ko bhee mara.”
Phir usne meri jeb se letter nikala.
“Ye teri maa ka resignation hai.”
Maine shock me uski taraf dekha.
Aliya ne dheere se kaha—
“Usne ek bahut gangster ko khatam kiya hai.”Raju ustara ko
“Par ab wo bhaag rahi hai.”
Room me khamoshi chha gayi.
Aliya ne meri aankhon me dekh kar poocha—
“Adi… agar teri maa ruk gayi… to shayad aur Sameer bach sakte hain.”
Mere haath me wo letter kaanp raha tha.
Post office bas kuch kadam door tha.
Maine letter ko dekha…
Aur sochne laga.
Kya main ise sach me post kar doon? yaa nahee
Kamre mein ek purani peeli builb jal raha hai . Bahar gali mein bachchon ki awaaz, kahin door se radio par purana gaana, aur upar se train ki halki si seeti — Bombai ki shaam apne roz ke shor ke saath zinda thi.
Archana jhuk kar apna samaan ek purani bag mein bhar rahi thi. Kapde bas thonse ja rahe the, jaise unhe theek se fold karne ki bhi himmat na ho.
Kone mein ek chamkili sasti saree padi thi… uske paas ek dark red lipstick.
Archana ne ek pal ke liye us taraf dekha, phir nazar hata li.
Jaise kisi mare hue insaan ki yaad ho… jise wapas zinda nahi karna.
“Adi… jaldi kar beta,” usne dheere se kaha, bag ka zip band karte hue.
“9 baje ki Vidarbha Express hai. Humein CST pahunchne mein waqt lagega.”
Darwaze par khada Adi chupchaap use dekh raha tha.
Subah wala masoom ladka jaise kahin gayab ho gaya tha. Uske chehre par ek ajeeb si gehraai thi.
Usne post office ka thaila chupchaap kamre ke kone mein phenka… aur andar aa gaya.
Archana ne palat kar dekha.
“Letter post kar diya na? Receipt dikha.”
Adi ne turant jawab nahi diya.
Bas dheere se bola —
“...Maa.”
Archana ruk gayi.
“Hmm?”
“Sach batao… kya Nagpur jaa kar sab theek ho jayega?”
Kamre mein ek pal ke liye khamoshi chha gayi.
Archana ne dheere se uski taraf dekha.
“Tu kya kehna chahta hai?”
Adi ki awaaz ab shaant thi, par andar kuch jal raha tha.
“Aliya mam ne mujhe sab dikhaya.”
Archana ka chehra ekdum sakht ho gaya.
“Aliya? Kya dikhaya usne?”
Adi ne dheere se kaha —
“Ek ghar… jahan ek maa pagal ho chuki hai.”
Pause.
“Uska beta drugs mein doob kar mar gaya.”
Archana ke haath se bag dheere se neeche gir gaya.
“Sameer naam tha uska.”
Archana chup.
Adi uske paas aaya.
“Aliya mam ne kaha… Bombai mein har roz ek naya Sameer mar raha hai.”
Archana ka sabr toot gaya.
“Chup!”
wo achanak zor se chilla uthi.
“Tu kya jaanta hai Adi? Tu sirf 18 saal ka hai!”
Uski awaaz kaanp rahi thi.
“Tu nahi jaanta maine kya dekha hai… wo jungle… wo raat… wo gandagi…!”
Uski saansein tez ho gayi.
“Mujhse meri izzat cheen li gayi… meri neend cheen li gayi… meri zindagi cheen li gayi!”
Uski aankhon se aansu girne lage.
“Main agent hone se pehle ek aurat hoon… ek maa hoon…”
Uska sharir kaamp raha tha.
“Main aur nahi lad sakti… samjha tu?”
Kamra khamosh ho gaya.
Adi dheere se aage badha.
Usne Archana ke kaampte huye haath apne haathon mein le liye.
Pehli baar… jaise beta maa ko sambhal raha ho.
“Papa hamesha kehte the… tum ghar ki izzat ho,” Adi ne dheere se kaha.
“Par aaj maine dekha… tum sirf hamari nahi… is shehar ki umeed ho.”
Archana ne aankhon mein aansu lekar uski taraf dekha.
Adi ki awaaz ab mazboot thi.
“Agar tum aaj chali gayi na… toh wo log jeet jayenge jinhone is city ko is desh ko todne ki koshish ki.”
Pause.
“Kya tum chahti ho ki kal phir koi Sameer mare?”
“Kya tum chahti ho Salma jaisi auratein hamesha darte hue jeeyin?”
Archana kuch bol nahi paayi.
Adi ne apni jeb se wo folded kagaz nikala.
Resignation Letter.
Usne wo Archana ke haath mein rakh diya.
“Maa… ye sacrifice kisi newspaper mein nahi likha jayega.”
“Tumhara naam kisi medal list mein nahi aayega.”
“Par main jaanta hoon meri maa kaun hai.”
Uski aankhon mein aansu the… par awaaz bilkul kisi shant sadhu kee jesi thee .
“Agar tum rukogi… toh main bhi tumhare saath khada rahunga.”
Archana ne dheere se kagaz khola.
Us par uski apni likhai thi.
“Resignation…”
Usne Adi ko dekha.
Uska beta… jo subah tak bachcha tha.
Ab uski aankhon mein darr nahi tha.
Sirf himmat thi.
Archana ne ek gehri saans li.
Phir dheere se… us kagaz ko beech se phaad diya.
Kagaz ke tukde neeche zameen par gir gaye.
Jaise Nagpur wapas jaane ka sapna wahi toot kar bikhar gaya ho.
Archana ne khidki ke bahar dekha.
Door Bombai ki roshni chamak rahi thi.
Usne mann mein kaha —
“Angha aaj sach mein mar gayi.”
“Ab sirf Archana bachi hai…”
“...aur wo darr jo mujhe rok raha tha.”
Tabhi —
**BEEP.**
Table par pada pager chamka.
Archana ne uthaya.
Screen par ek message blink kar raha tha.
**“MEET AT SAFE HOUSE – 10 PM.”**
**“TARGET: NEELYA.”**
Archana ki aankhon mein ek naya iraada ubhar aaya.
Usne pager band kiya.
Aur bag wapas khol diya.
Archana ne bag band kiya…
phir kuch pal chup khadi rahi.
Adi usko bas dekh raha tha.
Jaise hi usne resignation letter ke tukde zameen par girte dekhe…
Archana ne achanak bag wapas khol diya.
Agla hi pal…
Usne Adi ko zor se gale laga liya.
Pagalon ki tarah uske chehre par baar-baar kiss karne lagi.
Jaise usse chhod dene ka darr abhi bhi andar kahin baaki ho.
Uske dimaag me bas ek hi khayal tha—
kaash ise dobara apni kokh me chhupa sakti…
lekin ab ye bachcha uski kamzori nahi tha.
Adi uski taqat ban chuka tha.
Tabhi Adi ne dheere se apne bag se ek aur kagaz nikala.
“Ek aur cheez hai… tumhe dikhani thi.”
Archana ne hairani se uski taraf dekha.
Adi ne hospital ka letter uske haath me de diya.
Archana ne jaise hi dekha ki Adi ke haath mein wahi hospital ka letter hai—jis par uski 'Dilation and Evacuation' (abortion)
"Adi... wo... main..." Archana hichkiyan lete hue rone lagi.
Letter padhte hi Archana ke haath kaanp gaye.
Agle hi pal…
wo seedha zameen par baith gayi.
Phir toot kar ro padi.
Aisa royi jaise saalon ka dard ek saath bahar aa gaya ho.
Adi turant uske paas baith gaya.
“Maa… tu ro kyu rahi hai?”
Usne Archana ka chehra apne dono haathon me pakda.
“Chee… tu ek sherni hai.”
“Is duniya me tujhse zyada taqatwar koi nahi hai.”
Archana bas usko dekhti rahi.
Adi dheere se bola—
“Jo hua… wo sahi tha.”
“Ek masoom jaan ko humne paida hone se pehle hi rok diya… par tu darr mat.”
“Ye duniya kuch bhi bole… mere liye tu meri maa hai
“Tu galat nahi hai.”
“Tu ek devdasi hai… jo is desh ki seva kar rahi hai.”
“Bas itna yaad rakh.”
“Ab ro mat… jaa… teri team tera wait kar rahi hai.”
Kuch seconds khamoshi rahi.
Phir Archana ne aansu ponchhe…
khadi hui…
aur ek pyar bhara zhapad Adi ke gaal par laga diya.
“Bada aaya badi-badi baatein karne wala!”
“Yaad hai? 8th standard tak bed gila karta tha.”
“Light chali jaati thi to toilet ke bahar maa ko khada karta tha!”
“Ab dekho… mera baap ban kar gyaan de raha hai.”
Adi zor se hans pada.
“Haan maloom hai… aur tu bhi to toilet se bhaag ke aati thi!”
Dono kuch der tak hasne lage.
Ghar me pehli baar normal hawa mehsoos hui.
Thodi der baad…
Darwaze par halki si knock hui.
Salama khadi thi.
Aaj wo puri chamkili saree me thi.
Makeup tez tha… cleavage saaf dikh raha tha.
Wo thodi hichkichahat ke saath boli—
“Didi… ek help karoge?”
Archana ne haan me sir hilaya.
“Night me mere pati aayenge… taxi chalate hain.”
“Ye chavi unko de dena please.”
“Ghar me pankha kharab ho gaya hai… agar aap bura na mano to kya wo yahan khana kha sakte hain?”
“Waise bhi bechare taxi me hi so jate hain raat ko…”
Archana ka chehra thoda badal gaya.
Naam sunte hi uske andar ek darr sa utha—
Faheem.
Wo mana karne hi wali thi…
tabhi bahar rickshaw ka horn bajne laga.
Salama ko lene aaya tha.
“Main chalti hoon didi… please chavi de dena.”
Itna keh kar wo chavi palang par rakh kar jaldi se nikal gayi.
Archana kuch seconds tak chup khadi rahi.
Phir usne ghadi dekhi.
Usse safe house pahunchna tha.
Wo ghar se nikal gayi.
Safe House
Chhota sa kamra.
Andar sab already maujood the.
Vikas Tawade
Bhiku Mhatre
Sundari Akka
Reshma Gurumaa
Aur Aliya Shaikh.
Vikas Tawade ne cigarette bujhate hue kaha—
“Guru Satam pura pareshan hai.”
“Raju achanak gayab ho gaya.”
“Uske aadmi do din se Kamathipura me chakkar kaat rahe hain.”
Wo Archana ki taraf mudha.
Vikas: "Archana, Guru Satam pagal ho gaya hai Raju ki talash mein. Tumhe ab slum life mein puri tarah ghulna hoga.
Salma se dosti gehri karo, wahi tumhe bar dancing aur unka 'lehza' sikhayegi.
Wahan tumhe dhande wali auraton ki tarah chalna, bolna aur har ek ada seekhni hai. Hamein perfection chahiye."
Vikas aage bola—
“Dance… chalna… bolna… sab seekhna padega.”
“Gurumaa tumhe apni ek khaas ladki ke paas bhejengi.”
“30 din training.”
“Kamathipura me aurate kaise dhanda karti hain… sab.”
“Hamari galti ki gunjaish zero hai.”
Kamre me khamoshi chha gayi.
Phir Vikas ne dheere se kaha—
“Guru Satam ko lag raha hai Raju ko D-Gang ne maara.”
“Par hum doosra game khel rahe hain.”
Usne table par ek photo rakhi.
Photo me ek aadmi tha.
vahee aapna chocklet boy
“Anwar Hatela ka main sharpshooter.”
“Kaliya.”
“Jise log Nilya bhi bolte hain.”
“Real naam—Nilesh Sonawane.”
Vikas ne seedha Archana ki aankhon me dekha.
“Archana…”
“Tumhara next target ye hai.”
“Nilesh Sonawane.”
“Keep watch on him.”
Kamre me phir ek gehri khamoshi chha gayi.
Mission ab aur khatarnak ho chuka tha.















