Nice updateChapter 27
The Hollowed Mansion
Raat ke kuch 9:30 baj chuke the jiske wajah se charon taraf andhera cha hua tha. Karan Riddhi ke ghar mein chuke se andar aa toh chuka tha par asli challenge uske andar Jana tha...Zahir se baat hai itne bade Ghar ke kuch toh security hoge hi.
Karan bhagte hue andar ek ped ke peeche chup gaya. Usse pehle andar tak Ridhhi tak bina awaz kiye pahuchna tha. Guards samay samay par andar checks ke liye aate the, man liya ke Riddhi ke dad shehar ke sabse ameer logon mein se the par fir bhi itne jayda security woh uske man mein khtake....yeh sab kuch azeeb tha.
Itne mein usko kise ke kadon ke chalne ke awaaz aaye. Ek guard dusre ke saath batiyata hua aa rha tha, Karan ped ke peeche chupa aur kuch der ke liye apne saans rokne ke koshish ke. Usse neeche unke peeche dekha toh unke parion ke nishan neeche jameen par bane hue the, sab guards ek dusre se kahin ka kahin toh milte hi honge....Karan ke dimag mein aaya ke woh dono ka peecha karke...aise saare jagahon ko check kar skta hai jahan se bhi guards duty dene jate the.
Bina awaz kiye thodi dur unke peeche chalne ke baad usne dekha ke dono alag alag raate pe jaane lage hai...usne unmein se ek guard ka peecha karna jaari rkha. Aur jaise hi woh dusre se milta tha woh uske peeche kuch dur tak chalne lagta tha. Ant mein jab woh ghum fir ke use ped ke paas pahuch gaya toh usse kuch idea toh mil gaya uss Mansion ke security ke baare mein. Pure Ghar mein kuch hi aise jagah thein jahan se woh bina kisi ko dikhe andar jaa skta tha, jahan se hoke guards nhi guzarte the. Sawal Riddhi ke suraksha tha isliye woh koi nhi kadam jaldibaazi mein nhi uthana chata tha agar uske hi baat hote toh kab tak woh seedhe andar jaa chuka hota. Par abhi ke liye isse badhiya koi kadam nhi tha.
Kuch der pure Ghar ke structure ko apne dimag mein gaur karne ke baad usko pata chala ke Ghar ka Garden hi ek aise jagah thi jahan security sabse kam thi, sabse kam guards udhar se hoke guzarte the. Whi se hoke usse andar Jana hoga. Garden ke paas se usse aaya ke woh kitchen se hote hue andar jaa skta hai. Raat ko shayd hi koi kitchen mein ho. Ridhhi ne bataya tha ke uske ghar pe dinner jaldi kar lete hai sab...agar ek aadh koi naukar usko wahan pe dikh bhi jata hai kaam karta hua toh Karan kuch der peedon aur jhadiyon mein chukpkar uske jaane ka intezar kar skta hai.
Agle baar jaise hi agla guard wahan se guzra woh uske jane ke baad....uske peeche chalte hue garden tak bina koi awaaz karte hue pahuch gaya. Kachi meeti mein jaise hi usne pair rkhe uske ek pair galti se ek Rat ke upar chad gaya, uske awaaz se saamne wala gaurd bhagte hue aaya, itne mein Karan upar ped pe chupke baith chuka tha. Use aur satark rhene ke jarurat the, guards ko chordke bhi bahut saare cheeze hote hai jisse
woh pakda jaa skta hai. Neeche utakar usne dekha ke kuch statues jo ke dekhne mein bahut mehnge lag rhe the. Aise purane statutes toh usne bas filmon mein hi dekhe the inhe wahan pe rkhne ke kya jarurat thi.
In statues mein kuch toh azeeb tha...ek ek karke woh sabko check karne laga...last wale statue ke paas jaise hi woh pahucha usne dekha ke uske kandhe ke upar ek girgit chal rha tha....usne use apne haath mein uthaya, peele rang ka girgit? Jaydtar usne dekha hai girgiton ka rang uske renhe wale jagah se milta hai...ghaas mein hara aur jameen mitti mein bhura lekin yeh toh pure tarah se sone jaisa peela tha. Kuch toh azeeb tha...usne uss girgit ko neeche chorda aur aage badhne laga.
Jaise hi Karan thoda aage nikal gaya. Us statue ke ne apne dheere se apni mundi modi aur apne sunhere aankhe kholte hue Karan ko jate hue dekha.
Ant mein woh kitchen ke neeche wale diwar ke paas pahuch gaya lights abhi bhi jal rhe the aur bartanon ke awaaz abhi bhi baj rhe the matlab ke whi bhi koi na koi kitchen mein laga hua tha usko thode der aur intezaar karna hoga. Kitchen pehle manzil pe tha aur wahan tak pahuchne ke liye usko upar tha pahuchna tha...uske dekha ke kitchen wala room do deewaron ke beech mein bana tha... aur unkke aapas mein jayda doori nhi thein...agar woh koshish kare toh in dono deewaron mein apas mein jaldi jaldi kood kar woh upar pahuch kar khidki ke liye chalang laga skta hai.
Karan ne ek baar apne haathon ke taraf dekha, aur Agni ko yaad karne ke koshish ke par kuch nhi hua, "Envy?" Karan ke awaaz lagane ke bavjood bhi koi jawab nhi aaya woh smh gaya tha ke woh isliye chup the ke dusre taraf ke logo ko un dono ke koi bhi bhanak na lag paye.
Kuch samay baad usne dekha ke kitchen ke lights band ho chuke hai...
Yhi samay tha bas...Karan ne ek lambe saans le aur baany taraf ke deewar ke taraf bhaga aur uspe zor lagakar apne sarir ke disha dusri taraf badli....jab usne agle pair ne baay taraf ke diwar chue vapas se dusri taraf ke deewar ke taraf chalang lagaye.
Ant mein Karan ne jaldi se ek aur baar kooda aur apna right hand aage kar ke khule hue window ke rim ko pakad ke latak gya.
Usne pehle ek baar andar jhank ke dekha ke koi hai toh nhi. Fir andar Kitchen mein kood gaya.
Dheere dheere woh kitchen se corridor ke taraf bahar aaya...woh 1st floor tha pe tha ab. Karan ko yaad tha ke Riddhi se jitni baar bhi uske videocall pe baat hue hai...use kidhki ke bahar kuch nhi aata tha jo ke neechle manzil se nazar aana chaiye...iska matlab ho na ho Riddhi ka room bhi isse manzil pe hona chaiye. Corridor mein jaise hi usne bahar ke taraf dekha usne paye ke Riddhi apne room ke bahar khade hai aur ek naukar usse kuch bol rha hai.
โRiddhi!โ
Naukar ke chale jaane ke baad Riddhi chalte hue seediyon ke paas gye aur neeche utarte hue ek kamre ke paas jane lage. Karan ne apne nazar uspe banaye hue the. Usne do baar door knock kiya toh andar se awaaz aaye.
"Aa jao Riddhi aur door fer dena" Riddhi ne haa mein sir hilaya aur kamre ke andar dhaakhil ho gye.
Karan bhagte hue gaya aur door se chipak gaya, andar keyhole mein se woh andar dekhte ke koshish karne laga.
Saamne dekha toh usne paya ke aadmi jiske umar jayda nhi lag rhe the ek sofe pe baitha hai.
"Dad?" Riddhi bole.
"Ridhhi, kahan the tum aaj itne der tak...meine bola hai naa agar tum jayda der bahar tha karo toh mujhe khabar kar diya karo."
Riddhi ne ek haath apne maathe par rkha, "Sorry Dad...agle baar se dhyan rkhungi...aaj mera woh bas ek meet-up the college ka khuch khas nhi."
"Riddhi, tumhe pata hai na ke tumhare alawa mera koi nhi hai iss duniya mein aur tum raat ko itne der tak bahar rhete ho kya tumhe apne boode baap hi itne bhi fikar nhi. Har baar tum bas yhi bol ke nikal lete ho. Agle hafte tum 20 saal ke bhi ho jaoge. Kab bade hoge tum?"
"Dad. Dad. Dad. Aap kyu itna mere ko leke over possessive hai mere bhi ek khudke zindagi hai...mujhe bhi aapki fikar rhete hai par aap mujhe aise kaid karke thode rkh skte hai. I need to have my own space?!"
Riddhi ke dad khade hue, "hahaha...tumhe dekh ke mujhe apne din yaad aa gye ek time pe mein bhi aise hi ziddi hua karta tha aur tumhare dadaji hamesha mujhe aise hi daante the. Yeh mat karo...woh mat karo. Tum mujh par hi gye ho. Chalo chordo ab tumhe pata hai mein tumhe kuch nhi hone dunga vaise bhi."
Riddhi ne apna sir agal bagal hilaya, "Dad! Why can't you be normal? Kya hoga mujhe mein koi rajkumari thodi hoon...jo koi mujhe aayega raat ke andere mein-"
Riddhi ke dad ne sunke apne daant daba liye "Sssshhhh....agle baar se kabhi mat bolna yeh. Tum nhi jaanti tum kisi rajkumari se kam nhi ho. Aage chalke pata chalega tumhe woh."
"Woh kaise Dad? Mujhe kyu lagta hai aap mujhse har baar kuch chupate aaye ho...aisa kya hai jo aap mujhe aaj tak nhi bata paye?"
Riddhi ke dad ne wine ka glass uthaya, "sabse khud ke apne secrets hote hai, young lady"
โHmm.โ Riddhi ne muh fultate hue jawab diya, "mat batao fir"
Riddhi ke dad ne wine ka glass apne muh se lagaya..."vaise ek secret tha jo mein tumhe tumhare birthday pe batana cha rha tha. Tum janana chaoge?"
Karan aur Riddhi dono ke yeh baat sunke kaan khade ho gye kahin yeh whi toh nhi tha jiske liye Karan uske ghar mein chori chupe ghus aaya tha.
"Ha"
Riddhi ke dad ne usko sofa pe baithe ne liye bola, "Dekho...Riddhi lekin uske liye tumhe mujhe pehla apna ek secret batana hoga? Fair deal okay?"
Riddhi ke kuch smjh nhi aa rha tha ke woh kiske baat kar rhe hai.
Riddhi ke dad uthke Riddhi ke bagal mein baith gye, "Riddhi, tumhe nhi pata tumhe bachne ke liye meine tumhare bachpan se hi kya kya nhi kiya. Tum soch bhi nhi skte. Bas ab itne saalon baad ek cheez sach batana mujhe....woh tumhare saath jo ladka tha woh kon hai?"
Riddhi ke yeh sunke vismay mein bhar gye, "Kon? Kiske baat kar rhe ho aap?!? Kon ladka?!"
Karan yeh sab sunkar apne saanse rook kar baitha tha, "Dekho Riddhi, tumhe pata na ho par mere nazar tum par hamesha rhete hai. Agar koi aam aadmi hota toh abhi mein tumhe iss baat ke taklif bhi nhi de rha hota..."
Riddhi ne apne dad ke aanko mein dekha, "Kyaa baar hai...Dad aajse pehle toh aapne aise koi baat nhi ke fir aaj kyu?"
Riddhi ke dad ne ek lambi saans le aur fir upar dekhte hue pucha, "Khair chordo yeh batao pehle tumhe bata hai meine tumhara naam Riddhi kyu rkha?"
Riddhi ne apne dono haath dikha diye.
"Woh isliye kyuki uska matlab hota hai wealth ...and you're my biggest wealth. Ab tum samjh rhe ho...mein tumse kyu puch rha hoon kuch.... pehle baar mujhe lag rha hai ke koi mere Riddhi ko mujhse cheen skta hai...."
Riddhi ghabra gye aur apne dad ke dono haath par apne haath rkhe, "Dad...mein khin nhi jaa rhe....aap kuch chupa rhe hai naa...bataiye kya baat hai?"
"Riddhi will you ever hate me?", Uske dad ne uske aanko mein dekhte hue pucha....Riddhi ne apna sar naa mein hilaya.
Riddhi ke dad muskraye. Okay. Ab iske aage jo bhi ho tumhe darne ke jarurat nhi hai. Mein bas yhi sunna chata tha.
Riddhi ke kuch samajh mein nhi aa rha tha aakhir chal kya rha hai. Riddhi ke dad ne ek baar apne aankhe band ke...aur agle hi pal unke aankhe Peele sunhere rang se chamkne lage.
Riddhi ne haath chorde aur darke peeche gir gye.
"Riddhi darne ke koi jarurat nhi...hamare ghar mein mein chuha ghus aaya hai. Tumhare dad bas usse ko pakadne wale hai aaj."
Karan ke maathe par pasine the...usne ab tak safed aur laal tarah ke aankhe hi dekhe the...sunheri ab?
Itne mein Riddhi ke dad ne apne jeeb se do sone ke sikke nikale aur unhe zameen pe fenk ke mera. Unmein se do gilded shades...unke saamne prastut ho gye.
Riddhi ab jo dekh rhe the uske wajah se kuch bol nhi paa rhe the.
"Suno... mein abhi apne beti ke saath hoon...jo abhi door ke bahar baith ke hamare baatein sun rha hai usse kheech ke mere saamne lao. Jald."
Dono gilded shades ne haa mein sar hilaya.
Itne mein Envy jo ab tak chup the Karan ke dimag mein chillaye, "Bhago, Karan...tum kaise bhi yahan inke haath nhi aa skte...agar tum yahan fas gye toh yaad rkhna vapas nhi jaa paoge."
Karan ne uske baat sunte hi apne kadam uthaye, "Par ke hai kon?"
Envy ne zor se jawab diya, "Greed!!!...ab bhago yahan se....tumhare paas koi bhi hathiyar nhi hai tum inse nhi lad skte."
***
Karan bhagte hue beech mein hall mein rkhe hue table pe se kuda.
"BAM!!!" uske peeche mudke dekha toh ek shade door ko todte hue uske bahut paas pahuch chuka tha. Karan ne bina kuch soche table ki beech mein utha diya...aur wapas se bhage laga...saamne se dusra shade uske taraf bhagte hue aaya....Karan ko pata tha yhi uska sabse acha chance tha.
Dono ke dusre ke taraf pure gate se bhag rhe. Jaise ke woh shades Karan pe hamla karne ke liye neeche jhuka, Karan ne ek jhatke mein uske kandhe pe haath rkha aur ek dhakke ke saath upar wale chandelier se latka gaya...jisse woh joron se agal bagal mein hilne laga. Usse pata tha usse shi time pe jump karke kitchen tak pahuchna hi hoga...jaise hi woh corridor ke sabse paas pahucha usne dekha ke kitchen ke aage aake khada ho gaya hai.
Wtf!!!
Ab usne bas apne instincts par hi bahrosha karna tha...jaise hi hawa mein woh uske paas pahucha uske hamla se pehle uske dono haath padke aur apne dono taango ke beech uske sar ko faste hue ek baar hawa mein apne seedha ghumya aur shade ko pehle manzil se neeche fenk diye...Karan zoron se saanse lete hue kitchen ke paas land kar gaya.
Par usne dekha ke itne mein dusra shade uske saamne aake kitchen ke khidki ke bahar khadaka ho chuka tha.
Karan ne peeche mudke dekha toh neeche gira hua shade bhi dubara hamle ke liye taiyri ho rha tha. Uske paas dusra aur koi raasta nhi tha. Aage kitchen ke window ke taraf bhagte hue...usne shade ke hamale ko apne haath se roka aur uske dono haath peeche baanthe hue usko lekar saath mein khdhiki ke bahar kood gaya.
Hawa ke beech mein bhi Karan use chere pe baar baar punches kare jaa rha tha. Karan ko pata tha neeche girte waqt use shade ko apne neeche hi rkhna hoga...isliye kuch nhi karke woh usse apne upar nhi aane de rha tha.
*Dham!!!*
Dono saath mein neeche garden mein gire... Karan neeche tute hue shades ke upar se utha aur charon taraf usne dekha ke guards bhagte hue aa rhe hai....
Itne mein Envy ke awaaz uske uske kano mein pade, "Karan...mein tumhe vapas bula the hoon ab....Greed ke pahuch ghar ke andar tak hi thi..."
Karan ne apna sir hilaya aur aankhe band kar lein.
***
Jalraj ke chaaron taraf shanti thi. Jaise ke chaaron taraf se jeev jantu hi khtm ho gye hoon.
Upar se guards ne neeche dekha toh kadmon ke saath chalne ke awaaz unke kaano mein goonz rhe the. Deeware kampan se hil rhe the. Neeche dkhne par unhe kaale rang ke mutant jalayaks ke sena ka ek tukda unke aur badhte hue dikha. Unhon deewar ke ek taraf se mehel ko gher liya tha.
"Taiyaar ho jao!" Mesaka ke hi sena mein se ek adhikaari, Varak ne chillate hue tiranddaazon ko awaaz lagayai, "Aaj inme se koi yahan bachke nhi jaane paye!"
Saamne ke sena ke jalyakon ke beech se tukdi ke se unke sabse khatrank yodha nikal ke bahar aaye...jinke sharir ghodon jaise make ke body ka tha aur aadha trolls jaise ke bhi lambe the..., unka pura sharir kaale rang ke kavach jaise kisi vastu se dhaka hua tha. Unke jabdon mein se hare rang ka teezab (acid) tapak rha tha.
Varak ne neeche dekha toh usko yeh sab kuch theek nhi laga. Mutant spiders the woh isliye Mesaka se sabse bade dushman bhi thi woh...kya unhone fir se apne shaktiyon ko evolve kar liya.
Varak ne der kiye bina upar se teer chalane ka aadesh diya....teeron ke guche ek ke baad ke neeche keher barsane lage. Lekin baaki ke jalaykon ne beech wale mutant ko gher liya aur acid wale Jalyak beech se teezi se bhagte hue deewaron ke taraf bhad rhe the.
Apne pair neeche jameen mein gadane ke baad unhone ek saath acid mehel ke deewar ke neechle hisson par chordna chalu kar diya. Deewar ke paththar hisss ke awaaz aur bubbles ke saath pighlne lage.
Varak ne jaise hi neeche dekha ke deewar ke neechle hisson mein acid fail rha hai, woh chillaya, "Sabhi jaake kahin se bhi mitti lao, aur usse dabao jaldi!!!"
Lekin Mesaka ke mehel ke deeware jo ke itne saalon se khde the, unmein dararein padne chalu ho chuke thein.
---
Dono paksh apne pure zooron se lad rhe the. Upar se neeche teeron ke guche ek ke baad ek bina koi gap ke hamla kar rhe the. Kuch teer neeche unke kavach se takra ke whi gir jaate toh kuch kavach ke kamjor hisson mein se cheer ke andar nikal jati.
"DADHAM!!!"
Neeche dekha toh deewar mein ek ched ban chuka tha...aur saamne ke sena ke dushman mehel ke andar pravesh karne mein safal ho chuke the.
Aur fir saamne ke sena andar bina ruke dhaakil ho gye.
---
Courtyard mein afra tafri mach gye. Mesaka ke pehle senakon ke samuh ne apne kavach uthaye...jisse saamne wale dushmo ko aage badhne se rokne ke liye ke deewar banaye ja ske.
"Me saka! Me saka! Me saka!" Unhe sipahyi saath mein chilate hue apna pure zor se saamne aage dhakka dene lage.
Saamne se bhale kisi ke chere mein ja ghuse, toh kise ke per mein ched kar gye. Par acid ka unke paas koi jawab nhi tha. Jaise hi unke kavach acid se pighatle saame wale Jalyak unpe hawi ho jate.
Varak ko smjh nhi aa rha tha ke woh kya kare...itne mein achank peeche ek yodha deewar se andar kuda, aur apne silk ke web charon taraf faila diya usne unn dhagon ko fir andar keecha, jo bhi Jalyak usmein fase the sab cut kar neeche gir gye.
Vayak whi jaanein par neeche gir gaya...lekin agle hi pal saamne wale yodha ke silk ke threads ke uske sharir ko pure tarah se dhak liya....
"Mesaka...ka kshya kidhar hai?" Usne apne bhayvah awaaz mein pucha.
Varak ne bas ek haath she ishar kiye aur agle hi pal uska sharir ke chote chote tukde deewar se bahar ke taraf neeche gir gye.
---
Singhasan kshya mein Mesaka khadi hue the.
"Maharani...Mesaka woh kisi naye tarah ke teezab ka prayog kar rhe hai...usse hamare deeware bhi nhi jhel paa rhe..." Ek sainik ne uske khabar de.
Mesaka ke gulabi aanke sankre ho gye. Uske chere par ek bhayavah muskurahat aa gye.
"Toh iss baar mujhe khud yud mein utarna hoga. Hahahaha"
Woh khade hue aur apne aathon pair bahar nikale. Dar ke maare baaki saare sevak bhi usse dur ho gye.
Usne apne guards ko peeche aane ke liye kaha jinke cheron par masks lage hue the.
---
Bahar corridors mein hi Mesaka ke nazar Viyali par pade.
Viyali ne jhukar Mesaka ko pranam kiya.
Mesaka se ne apna sir teda karke uske taraf dekha, "Karan ko gye hue pura ek din beet chuka hai uske lautne ke koi khabar?"
Viyali ne kuch der baad jawab diya, "Jis dut ko meine unke saath bheja tha usse baat ke meine abhi. Abhi tak unke lautne ke koi khabar nhi."
Mesaka ke chere par ek kroor muskan aa gye, "Toh iska matlab kya woh ab kabhi laut ke nhi aayenge?"
"Maharani aap itne kush kyu hai...mujhe laga tha ke aap Karan ke taraf hain..."
Mesaka yeh baat sunke hase, use awaaz gonz rhe the, "Uske taraf? Nhi Viyali. Tum hi galat smjh rhe ho. Woh altar inn jalyakon ke kshetr mein aata hai. Itne saalon se mujhe khud inko leke pareshan the."
Uske aanke chamke, "Woh log...kisi ko andar aane se rokte nhi hai....woh jaante hai ke koi unke altar ko nuksaan nhi pahucha skta. Lekin wahan se koi aajtak laut ke nhi aaya. Isliye meine Karan ko wahan par bheja tha."
"Mere jaise padon mein tumhe dimag se kaam lena padta hai. Agar Karan wahan se wapas lauta bhi toh mera ek sardardi se peecha toh chutega hi. Or agar woh mara jaata hai toh ismein bhii mera fayda hi hai"
Viyali ke aanke bade ho gye, "Woh kaise...Maharani?"
Mesaka ne apne peeche ke guards ko apne chere par se masks hatane ko kaha.
Uske baad jo Viyali ne dekha usse woh dang reh gye, unke chere par kahli kankal hi bacha hua tha....woh sab jalayk toh kabke mar chuke the?!?!
Mesaka ke hasi pure corridor mein goonjne lage.
Aage badhne se pehle Mesaka bole, "Karan ka ek din aur intezar karo bas....agar fir bhi woh nhi milte hai toh hum dusre padav pe jayenge..."
Viyali neeche jhuke lekin uska sar fata jaa rha tha. Aise hi saink toh usne Vanrajya mein hi dekhe the...?!?"
Mesaka aakhri kiski taraf the?
***
Karan ke aakhee khule toh usne wapas apne aap ko ridge ke beech mein paya. Woh waapas Vanrajya mein tha.
"Toh tum aakhirkaar bach hi gye?" Bagal mein khade Envy ke awaaz uske kaano mein pade.
Karan khada hua, "Wahan woh aadmi kon tha? Riddhi ka dad?"
Karan ne haami bhari...un dono ko yaad karte hue jinhone uska peecha Riddhi ke ghar mein kiya tha.
Envy ke awaaz ghambheerta se bhar gye, "Woh saath immortals mein se ek hi immortal ke sevak ho skte hai jaise mere paas wraiths hai jo ke tumne Vasura ke paas dekhe the. Aur woh aadmi pakka Greed ka Apsotle tha."
Karan vismay mein bhar gaya, "Tha? Tha se kya matlab tumhara...?"
"Greed saare immortals se thoda alag hai. Woh seedhe apne agle apostle ko nhi dhundta. Uske apostle ke bache hi uske agle apostle bante hai. Riddhi...ko lekar woh isliye itna dhayan rkhta tha. Uske pita ko ek din apne zimmedari use saupne hi thi."
Karan ka jabda jakda gaya, "Toh fir Riddhi ko bachane ke liye usne khud mujhpar hamla kyu nhi kiya."
Envy ne neeche Pani mein dekha, "Karan uska jawab tumhare paas hai bas tumhe khud se puchne ke jarurat hote hai...uska naam Greed hai. Jab tak uske saamne uske sabse keemti vastu khatre mein hai...woh usse chord ke kahin bhi nhi jaane wala tha. Agar wahan pe aur koi apostle hota toh tumhara aaj bach ke aa pana mushkil tha."
Lekin Karan ko smjh nhi aa rha tha ke woh bhagyshali tha ke uske jaan bach gye yaar firse usne Riddhi ko kho diya.
---
Envy ka peeche karte karte Karan wapas se usse jagah altar mein pahuch gaya.
Vasura wahan neeche ek khambe ke paas peenth laga ke baitha hua tha.
Uske paas jane se Karan ko abhi bhi ghutan hote the.
Envy ke taraf dekhte hue Vasura khada hua, "Toh kya faisla hai aapka Lady Envy?"
Envy aage badhe, uske chere par halki mushkhurat the, "Karan...mere agla apostle hoga."
Vasura ke aankhe sankre pad gye, "par uske paas Wrath ke talwar hai. Dono ek saath kaise kaam kar skte hai?"
Par Envy ke chere ke bhaav mein koi badlav nhi aaya, "Har shshtr apna master khud chunta hai. Uske apostle hone se koi lena dena nhi hota. Aur mein chate hoon ke ek din aisa bhi aaye ke mere apostle ke paas saare immortals ke shshtr hoon." Envy itna soch ke hi man mein khush ho rhe the.
Karan ne unke baatein sun ke agal bagal sir hilaya, sach mein Envy ka naam bhi kisi kaaran se hi tha.
Vasura ne dark sword ko bagal mein se saamne laya, "Magar Kairav kabhi Wrath ke blade ke saath nhi chalega. Woh maanega hi nhi."
Envy ke muskurat aur tez ho gye...Kairav bas chata hai uske master mein mere shaktiyon ko jhelne ke khstma ho...aur meine thodi der pehle Karan ke andar ek chota ka ansh chord diya tha.
Vasura yeh sunke chauk gaya, "Aur yeh abhi tak zinda hai?"
Envy ke use Karan ke taraf dekhne ko kaha. Karan ko yaad aaya ke jab usne knife ke blade mein dekha tha toh uske aankhe lal pad gye thein....
"Woh tumhare kaaran tha Envy? Par tumne woh sab kyu dikhaya tha par?"
Envy ke bhaav ghambeer pad gye, "Dekho, Karan abosulte kuch nhi hota...agar mujhe tumhare andar apna thoda sa bhi ek ansh dena tha toh mujhe tumhare andar ke Envy ko jagana hi tha. Uske bina mein bhi kuch nhi kar pati. Woh tum jhel paaye woh tumhari kabiliyat the."
Karan ne sabkuch suna aur kaafi had tak uske baatein use samjh aa rhe thein.
"Toh uska matlab hai Riddhi ko aakhri baar uske dad ne bachaya tha sach mein?"
Envy ne haa mein sir hilaya, "Jabtak uske peeche Greed hai usko kuch nhi hone wala tha. Par tumhare wajah se unhone Riddhi ko bahar fir kabhi nhi nikala. Iss baar tumhe usme pehle hi garden mein dekh liya tha...magar woh pure tarah se nishchit nhi tha ke tum kon hai isliye tumhe itna andar aane diya ke usko bhi kuch samay mil ske. Mujhe lagta hai uske bhanak lag chuke hai ke tumhare andar ke Envy ke baare mein..."
Vasura halka sa hasa, "Mere gairmaujodgi mein bahut kuch ho gaya. Greed ke apostle se mile hue mujhe kitne saalon beet gye. Bas Lady Envy hi hai jo abhi bhi itne saalon se mujhe aage nhi badhe hai? Ab mila bhi toh kon yeh wrath ke sword wala.... hahahaha"
Meher ke awaaz Karan ke kano mein teer ke tarah padi, "Masster...isse toh mein nhi chordhungi. Bas ek baar isko harana hai mujhe!"
Meher ke awaaz itne samay ke baad Karan ko acha laga, lekin woh man hi man fusfusaya, "Sssh...Chup rho tumne dekha na abhi hum usko nhi hara skte?!"
Vasura ne Envy ke taraf dekha, "toh aapka yhi antim aadesh hai mere liye...mujhe bhi itne saalo bad ab mukti mil skti hai."
Vasura ne dark sword ko aage pakda aur apne dono aankhe band ke.
Envy ke apne dono haath cross kar liye, "Karan aage badho...iss baar koi wraiths nhi aayenge"
Jaise hi Karan ke apne dono haath dark sword par rkhe, agle hi pal dono ke bodies se kaale rang ke roshini nikalne lage... wraiths ne Vasura ke body se nikal kar Karan par hamla karne ke koshish ke par Envy ne unhe bandh diya.
Kuch der baad Vasura ka sharir raakh ke tarah bikhar ke wahan gir gaya aur Karan ke haath mein dark sword reh gye.
"Masster?" Karan ke kaano mein awaaz pade
"Meher?" Nhi par woh awwaz iss baar Meher ke nhi thi.
"Nhi....mein Kairav...tum mujhe Kai bula skte ho?"
Itne mein meher ke awaaz aaye, "Nhi Masster Kairav hi bulayo isse..."
"Haha...abhi thodi der pehle kon haar rha tha...suno Meher...Zeher jo bhi tumhara naam ho....yahan pe Masster ke baad mere chalegi smjhe kyuki tum mujhe kuch der pehle haar chuke ho. Smhji Zeher"
"Hmpf...suno Kai Kai ke bache tumse pehle se mein hoon yaha...toh mere chalegi idhar...apne aukkad mein rehna."
Karan soch rha tha yeh kya sardardi usne apne sar le le. Iske baare mein toh usne socha hi nhi tha. Usne apna sar pakad liya.
Envy uske chere ke haal dekhar has padi, "Lagta hai Karan do dost kaafi saal baad mile hai. Chalo mujhe ab jana hoga. Ek time aayega jab hum bina kise contact ke bhi baat kar payenge jald hi. Tab tak ke liye...alvida."
Envy void mein se wapas chale gye aur woh crack band ho gaya.
***
Karan altar se bahar nikla dono talwarein uske peeche thein ab. Raat dhal chuke the uss waqt tak. Saamne dekhe pe usne Akansha ko dhundha par woh kahin dihke nhi usse.
"Mausi!" Usne zor je awaz lagayi. Use ab ghabrahat ho rhe the. Usne khin unko yahan akele chord ke koi galti toh nhi kar de the.
Peeche se koi jawab nhi aaya.
Bhagte bhagte woh idhar udhar Chand ke roshini ke beech Akansha ko dhundne laga.
Kuch dur chalne ke baar uske dekha ke ek bada sa makdi ka jaal Chand ke rohini mein chamk rha hai. Aur.....uske beech mein Akansha fase hue hai!
Uske saare ek side se halki se fate hue the. Aur sir ek taraf muda hua tha.
Meher ko haath mein lete hue Karan bhagte bhagte uske paas gaya.
"Mausi?!?" Karan ne ek door awaaz lagye aur unke saare theek ke aur saamne se kuch jaal kaate.
Kuch der baad apne palkein jhapkate hue usne kholi, "Karan....?"
Dheeme awaaz mein woh boli...neeche usne apne saare par dekha toh uske gaal sharm se laal ho gye. Apne saare ko apne dono haathon se dhkte hue woh boli, "Yeh sab?"
Karan ne apna gala saaf kiya, "Mausi aap chinta mat kijiye aap theek hai ab. Usne Meher ko pakadar saare jaale kaat diye, "Aakhir hua kya tha...mere jaane ke baad aapke saath jo aap iss haalth mein aa gyein?"
Akansha wahan pe neeche baith gye Karan saamne jhuk ke uske saamne baith gaya.
"Karan...pata nhi...jab tum ander chale gye the kuch ghanto baad mein apne aage ek parchaye dekhe aur uske baad se mujhe kuch yaad nhi."
Usne upar sir karke Karan ne kandhe ke peeche dekha toh uske dil ke dhakne ruk gye.
"Karan!!!" Apne pure zoron ke saath woh chillayi.
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Aaj ke liye itna hi guys milte hai next mein jaldi.
Nice updateChapter 27
The Hollowed Mansion
Raat ke kuch 9:30 baj chuke the jiske wajah se charon taraf andhera cha hua tha. Karan Riddhi ke ghar mein chuke se andar aa toh chuka tha par asli challenge uske andar Jana tha...Zahir se baat hai itne bade Ghar ke kuch toh security hoge hi.
Karan bhagte hue andar ek ped ke peeche chup gaya. Usse pehle andar tak Ridhhi tak bina awaz kiye pahuchna tha. Guards samay samay par andar checks ke liye aate the, man liya ke Riddhi ke dad shehar ke sabse ameer logon mein se the par fir bhi itne jayda security woh uske man mein khtake....yeh sab kuch azeeb tha.
Itne mein usko kise ke kadon ke chalne ke awaaz aaye. Ek guard dusre ke saath batiyata hua aa rha tha, Karan ped ke peeche chupa aur kuch der ke liye apne saans rokne ke koshish ke. Usse neeche unke peeche dekha toh unke parion ke nishan neeche jameen par bane hue the, sab guards ek dusre se kahin ka kahin toh milte hi honge....Karan ke dimag mein aaya ke woh dono ka peecha karke...aise saare jagahon ko check kar skta hai jahan se bhi guards duty dene jate the.
Bina awaz kiye thodi dur unke peeche chalne ke baad usne dekha ke dono alag alag raate pe jaane lage hai...usne unmein se ek guard ka peecha karna jaari rkha. Aur jaise hi woh dusre se milta tha woh uske peeche kuch dur tak chalne lagta tha. Ant mein jab woh ghum fir ke use ped ke paas pahuch gaya toh usse kuch idea toh mil gaya uss Mansion ke security ke baare mein. Pure Ghar mein kuch hi aise jagah thein jahan se woh bina kisi ko dikhe andar jaa skta tha, jahan se hoke guards nhi guzarte the. Sawal Riddhi ke suraksha tha isliye woh koi nhi kadam jaldibaazi mein nhi uthana chata tha agar uske hi baat hote toh kab tak woh seedhe andar jaa chuka hota. Par abhi ke liye isse badhiya koi kadam nhi tha.
Kuch der pure Ghar ke structure ko apne dimag mein gaur karne ke baad usko pata chala ke Ghar ka Garden hi ek aise jagah thi jahan security sabse kam thi, sabse kam guards udhar se hoke guzarte the. Whi se hoke usse andar Jana hoga. Garden ke paas se usse aaya ke woh kitchen se hote hue andar jaa skta hai. Raat ko shayd hi koi kitchen mein ho. Ridhhi ne bataya tha ke uske ghar pe dinner jaldi kar lete hai sab...agar ek aadh koi naukar usko wahan pe dikh bhi jata hai kaam karta hua toh Karan kuch der peedon aur jhadiyon mein chukpkar uske jaane ka intezar kar skta hai.
Agle baar jaise hi agla guard wahan se guzra woh uske jane ke baad....uske peeche chalte hue garden tak bina koi awaaz karte hue pahuch gaya. Kachi meeti mein jaise hi usne pair rkhe uske ek pair galti se ek Rat ke upar chad gaya, uske awaaz se saamne wala gaurd bhagte hue aaya, itne mein Karan upar ped pe chupke baith chuka tha. Use aur satark rhene ke jarurat the, guards ko chordke bhi bahut saare cheeze hote hai jisse
woh pakda jaa skta hai. Neeche utakar usne dekha ke kuch statues jo ke dekhne mein bahut mehnge lag rhe the. Aise purane statutes toh usne bas filmon mein hi dekhe the inhe wahan pe rkhne ke kya jarurat thi.
In statues mein kuch toh azeeb tha...ek ek karke woh sabko check karne laga...last wale statue ke paas jaise hi woh pahucha usne dekha ke uske kandhe ke upar ek girgit chal rha tha....usne use apne haath mein uthaya, peele rang ka girgit? Jaydtar usne dekha hai girgiton ka rang uske renhe wale jagah se milta hai...ghaas mein hara aur jameen mitti mein bhura lekin yeh toh pure tarah se sone jaisa peela tha. Kuch toh azeeb tha...usne uss girgit ko neeche chorda aur aage badhne laga.
Jaise hi Karan thoda aage nikal gaya. Us statue ke ne apne dheere se apni mundi modi aur apne sunhere aankhe kholte hue Karan ko jate hue dekha.
Ant mein woh kitchen ke neeche wale diwar ke paas pahuch gaya lights abhi bhi jal rhe the aur bartanon ke awaaz abhi bhi baj rhe the matlab ke whi bhi koi na koi kitchen mein laga hua tha usko thode der aur intezaar karna hoga. Kitchen pehle manzil pe tha aur wahan tak pahuchne ke liye usko upar tha pahuchna tha...uske dekha ke kitchen wala room do deewaron ke beech mein bana tha... aur unkke aapas mein jayda doori nhi thein...agar woh koshish kare toh in dono deewaron mein apas mein jaldi jaldi kood kar woh upar pahuch kar khidki ke liye chalang laga skta hai.
Karan ne ek baar apne haathon ke taraf dekha, aur Agni ko yaad karne ke koshish ke par kuch nhi hua, "Envy?" Karan ke awaaz lagane ke bavjood bhi koi jawab nhi aaya woh smh gaya tha ke woh isliye chup the ke dusre taraf ke logo ko un dono ke koi bhi bhanak na lag paye.
Kuch samay baad usne dekha ke kitchen ke lights band ho chuke hai...
Yhi samay tha bas...Karan ne ek lambe saans le aur baany taraf ke deewar ke taraf bhaga aur uspe zor lagakar apne sarir ke disha dusri taraf badli....jab usne agle pair ne baay taraf ke diwar chue vapas se dusri taraf ke deewar ke taraf chalang lagaye.
Ant mein Karan ne jaldi se ek aur baar kooda aur apna right hand aage kar ke khule hue window ke rim ko pakad ke latak gya.
Usne pehle ek baar andar jhank ke dekha ke koi hai toh nhi. Fir andar Kitchen mein kood gaya.
Dheere dheere woh kitchen se corridor ke taraf bahar aaya...woh 1st floor tha pe tha ab. Karan ko yaad tha ke Riddhi se jitni baar bhi uske videocall pe baat hue hai...use kidhki ke bahar kuch nhi aata tha jo ke neechle manzil se nazar aana chaiye...iska matlab ho na ho Riddhi ka room bhi isse manzil pe hona chaiye. Corridor mein jaise hi usne bahar ke taraf dekha usne paye ke Riddhi apne room ke bahar khade hai aur ek naukar usse kuch bol rha hai.
โRiddhi!โ
Naukar ke chale jaane ke baad Riddhi chalte hue seediyon ke paas gye aur neeche utarte hue ek kamre ke paas jane lage. Karan ne apne nazar uspe banaye hue the. Usne do baar door knock kiya toh andar se awaaz aaye.
"Aa jao Riddhi aur door fer dena" Riddhi ne haa mein sir hilaya aur kamre ke andar dhaakhil ho gye.
Karan bhagte hue gaya aur door se chipak gaya, andar keyhole mein se woh andar dekhte ke koshish karne laga.
Saamne dekha toh usne paya ke aadmi jiske umar jayda nhi lag rhe the ek sofe pe baitha hai.
"Dad?" Riddhi bole.
"Ridhhi, kahan the tum aaj itne der tak...meine bola hai naa agar tum jayda der bahar tha karo toh mujhe khabar kar diya karo."
Riddhi ne ek haath apne maathe par rkha, "Sorry Dad...agle baar se dhyan rkhungi...aaj mera woh bas ek meet-up the college ka khuch khas nhi."
"Riddhi, tumhe pata hai na ke tumhare alawa mera koi nhi hai iss duniya mein aur tum raat ko itne der tak bahar rhete ho kya tumhe apne boode baap hi itne bhi fikar nhi. Har baar tum bas yhi bol ke nikal lete ho. Agle hafte tum 20 saal ke bhi ho jaoge. Kab bade hoge tum?"
"Dad. Dad. Dad. Aap kyu itna mere ko leke over possessive hai mere bhi ek khudke zindagi hai...mujhe bhi aapki fikar rhete hai par aap mujhe aise kaid karke thode rkh skte hai. I need to have my own space?!"
Riddhi ke dad khade hue, "hahaha...tumhe dekh ke mujhe apne din yaad aa gye ek time pe mein bhi aise hi ziddi hua karta tha aur tumhare dadaji hamesha mujhe aise hi daante the. Yeh mat karo...woh mat karo. Tum mujh par hi gye ho. Chalo chordo ab tumhe pata hai mein tumhe kuch nhi hone dunga vaise bhi."
Riddhi ne apna sir agal bagal hilaya, "Dad! Why can't you be normal? Kya hoga mujhe mein koi rajkumari thodi hoon...jo koi mujhe aayega raat ke andere mein-"
Riddhi ke dad ne sunke apne daant daba liye "Sssshhhh....agle baar se kabhi mat bolna yeh. Tum nhi jaanti tum kisi rajkumari se kam nhi ho. Aage chalke pata chalega tumhe woh."
"Woh kaise Dad? Mujhe kyu lagta hai aap mujhse har baar kuch chupate aaye ho...aisa kya hai jo aap mujhe aaj tak nhi bata paye?"
Riddhi ke dad ne wine ka glass uthaya, "sabse khud ke apne secrets hote hai, young lady"
โHmm.โ Riddhi ne muh fultate hue jawab diya, "mat batao fir"
Riddhi ke dad ne wine ka glass apne muh se lagaya..."vaise ek secret tha jo mein tumhe tumhare birthday pe batana cha rha tha. Tum janana chaoge?"
Karan aur Riddhi dono ke yeh baat sunke kaan khade ho gye kahin yeh whi toh nhi tha jiske liye Karan uske ghar mein chori chupe ghus aaya tha.
"Ha"
Riddhi ke dad ne usko sofa pe baithe ne liye bola, "Dekho...Riddhi lekin uske liye tumhe mujhe pehla apna ek secret batana hoga? Fair deal okay?"
Riddhi ke kuch smjh nhi aa rha tha ke woh kiske baat kar rhe hai.
Riddhi ke dad uthke Riddhi ke bagal mein baith gye, "Riddhi, tumhe nhi pata tumhe bachne ke liye meine tumhare bachpan se hi kya kya nhi kiya. Tum soch bhi nhi skte. Bas ab itne saalon baad ek cheez sach batana mujhe....woh tumhare saath jo ladka tha woh kon hai?"
Riddhi ke yeh sunke vismay mein bhar gye, "Kon? Kiske baat kar rhe ho aap?!? Kon ladka?!"
Karan yeh sab sunkar apne saanse rook kar baitha tha, "Dekho Riddhi, tumhe pata na ho par mere nazar tum par hamesha rhete hai. Agar koi aam aadmi hota toh abhi mein tumhe iss baat ke taklif bhi nhi de rha hota..."
Riddhi ne apne dad ke aanko mein dekha, "Kyaa baar hai...Dad aajse pehle toh aapne aise koi baat nhi ke fir aaj kyu?"
Riddhi ke dad ne ek lambi saans le aur fir upar dekhte hue pucha, "Khair chordo yeh batao pehle tumhe bata hai meine tumhara naam Riddhi kyu rkha?"
Riddhi ne apne dono haath dikha diye.
"Woh isliye kyuki uska matlab hota hai wealth ...and you're my biggest wealth. Ab tum samjh rhe ho...mein tumse kyu puch rha hoon kuch.... pehle baar mujhe lag rha hai ke koi mere Riddhi ko mujhse cheen skta hai...."
Riddhi ghabra gye aur apne dad ke dono haath par apne haath rkhe, "Dad...mein khin nhi jaa rhe....aap kuch chupa rhe hai naa...bataiye kya baat hai?"
"Riddhi will you ever hate me?", Uske dad ne uske aanko mein dekhte hue pucha....Riddhi ne apna sar naa mein hilaya.
Riddhi ke dad muskraye. Okay. Ab iske aage jo bhi ho tumhe darne ke jarurat nhi hai. Mein bas yhi sunna chata tha.
Riddhi ke kuch samajh mein nhi aa rha tha aakhir chal kya rha hai. Riddhi ke dad ne ek baar apne aankhe band ke...aur agle hi pal unke aankhe Peele sunhere rang se chamkne lage.
Riddhi ne haath chorde aur darke peeche gir gye.
"Riddhi darne ke koi jarurat nhi...hamare ghar mein mein chuha ghus aaya hai. Tumhare dad bas usse ko pakadne wale hai aaj."
Karan ke maathe par pasine the...usne ab tak safed aur laal tarah ke aankhe hi dekhe the...sunheri ab?
Itne mein Riddhi ke dad ne apne jeeb se do sone ke sikke nikale aur unhe zameen pe fenk ke mera. Unmein se do gilded shades...unke saamne prastut ho gye.
Riddhi ab jo dekh rhe the uske wajah se kuch bol nhi paa rhe the.
"Suno... mein abhi apne beti ke saath hoon...jo abhi door ke bahar baith ke hamare baatein sun rha hai usse kheech ke mere saamne lao. Jald."
Dono gilded shades ne haa mein sar hilaya.
Itne mein Envy jo ab tak chup the Karan ke dimag mein chillaye, "Bhago, Karan...tum kaise bhi yahan inke haath nhi aa skte...agar tum yahan fas gye toh yaad rkhna vapas nhi jaa paoge."
Karan ne uske baat sunte hi apne kadam uthaye, "Par ke hai kon?"
Envy ne zor se jawab diya, "Greed!!!...ab bhago yahan se....tumhare paas koi bhi hathiyar nhi hai tum inse nhi lad skte."
***
Karan bhagte hue beech mein hall mein rkhe hue table pe se kuda.
"BAM!!!" uske peeche mudke dekha toh ek shade door ko todte hue uske bahut paas pahuch chuka tha. Karan ne bina kuch soche table ki beech mein utha diya...aur wapas se bhage laga...saamne se dusra shade uske taraf bhagte hue aaya....Karan ko pata tha yhi uska sabse acha chance tha.
Dono ke dusre ke taraf pure gate se bhag rhe. Jaise ke woh shades Karan pe hamla karne ke liye neeche jhuka, Karan ne ek jhatke mein uske kandhe pe haath rkha aur ek dhakke ke saath upar wale chandelier se latka gaya...jisse woh joron se agal bagal mein hilne laga. Usse pata tha usse shi time pe jump karke kitchen tak pahuchna hi hoga...jaise hi woh corridor ke sabse paas pahucha usne dekha ke kitchen ke aage aake khada ho gaya hai.
Wtf!!!
Ab usne bas apne instincts par hi bahrosha karna tha...jaise hi hawa mein woh uske paas pahucha uske hamla se pehle uske dono haath padke aur apne dono taango ke beech uske sar ko faste hue ek baar hawa mein apne seedha ghumya aur shade ko pehle manzil se neeche fenk diye...Karan zoron se saanse lete hue kitchen ke paas land kar gaya.
Par usne dekha ke itne mein dusra shade uske saamne aake kitchen ke khidki ke bahar khadaka ho chuka tha.
Karan ne peeche mudke dekha toh neeche gira hua shade bhi dubara hamle ke liye taiyri ho rha tha. Uske paas dusra aur koi raasta nhi tha. Aage kitchen ke window ke taraf bhagte hue...usne shade ke hamale ko apne haath se roka aur uske dono haath peeche baanthe hue usko lekar saath mein khdhiki ke bahar kood gaya.
Hawa ke beech mein bhi Karan use chere pe baar baar punches kare jaa rha tha. Karan ko pata tha neeche girte waqt use shade ko apne neeche hi rkhna hoga...isliye kuch nhi karke woh usse apne upar nhi aane de rha tha.
*Dham!!!*
Dono saath mein neeche garden mein gire... Karan neeche tute hue shades ke upar se utha aur charon taraf usne dekha ke guards bhagte hue aa rhe hai....
Itne mein Envy ke awaaz uske uske kano mein pade, "Karan...mein tumhe vapas bula the hoon ab....Greed ke pahuch ghar ke andar tak hi thi..."
Karan ne apna sir hilaya aur aankhe band kar lein.
***
Jalraj ke chaaron taraf shanti thi. Jaise ke chaaron taraf se jeev jantu hi khtm ho gye hoon.
Upar se guards ne neeche dekha toh kadmon ke saath chalne ke awaaz unke kaano mein goonz rhe the. Deeware kampan se hil rhe the. Neeche dkhne par unhe kaale rang ke mutant jalayaks ke sena ka ek tukda unke aur badhte hue dikha. Unhon deewar ke ek taraf se mehel ko gher liya tha.
"Taiyaar ho jao!" Mesaka ke hi sena mein se ek adhikaari, Varak ne chillate hue tiranddaazon ko awaaz lagayai, "Aaj inme se koi yahan bachke nhi jaane paye!"
Saamne ke sena ke jalyakon ke beech se tukdi ke se unke sabse khatrank yodha nikal ke bahar aaye...jinke sharir ghodon jaise make ke body ka tha aur aadha trolls jaise ke bhi lambe the..., unka pura sharir kaale rang ke kavach jaise kisi vastu se dhaka hua tha. Unke jabdon mein se hare rang ka teezab (acid) tapak rha tha.
Varak ne neeche dekha toh usko yeh sab kuch theek nhi laga. Mutant spiders the woh isliye Mesaka se sabse bade dushman bhi thi woh...kya unhone fir se apne shaktiyon ko evolve kar liya.
Varak ne der kiye bina upar se teer chalane ka aadesh diya....teeron ke guche ek ke baad ke neeche keher barsane lage. Lekin baaki ke jalaykon ne beech wale mutant ko gher liya aur acid wale Jalyak beech se teezi se bhagte hue deewaron ke taraf bhad rhe the.
Apne pair neeche jameen mein gadane ke baad unhone ek saath acid mehel ke deewar ke neechle hisson par chordna chalu kar diya. Deewar ke paththar hisss ke awaaz aur bubbles ke saath pighlne lage.
Varak ne jaise hi neeche dekha ke deewar ke neechle hisson mein acid fail rha hai, woh chillaya, "Sabhi jaake kahin se bhi mitti lao, aur usse dabao jaldi!!!"
Lekin Mesaka ke mehel ke deeware jo ke itne saalon se khde the, unmein dararein padne chalu ho chuke thein.
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Dono paksh apne pure zooron se lad rhe the. Upar se neeche teeron ke guche ek ke baad ek bina koi gap ke hamla kar rhe the. Kuch teer neeche unke kavach se takra ke whi gir jaate toh kuch kavach ke kamjor hisson mein se cheer ke andar nikal jati.
"DADHAM!!!"
Neeche dekha toh deewar mein ek ched ban chuka tha...aur saamne ke sena ke dushman mehel ke andar pravesh karne mein safal ho chuke the.
Aur fir saamne ke sena andar bina ruke dhaakil ho gye.
---
Courtyard mein afra tafri mach gye. Mesaka ke pehle senakon ke samuh ne apne kavach uthaye...jisse saamne wale dushmo ko aage badhne se rokne ke liye ke deewar banaye ja ske.
"Me saka! Me saka! Me saka!" Unhe sipahyi saath mein chilate hue apna pure zor se saamne aage dhakka dene lage.
Saamne se bhale kisi ke chere mein ja ghuse, toh kise ke per mein ched kar gye. Par acid ka unke paas koi jawab nhi tha. Jaise hi unke kavach acid se pighatle saame wale Jalyak unpe hawi ho jate.
Varak ko smjh nhi aa rha tha ke woh kya kare...itne mein achank peeche ek yodha deewar se andar kuda, aur apne silk ke web charon taraf faila diya usne unn dhagon ko fir andar keecha, jo bhi Jalyak usmein fase the sab cut kar neeche gir gye.
Vayak whi jaanein par neeche gir gaya...lekin agle hi pal saamne wale yodha ke silk ke threads ke uske sharir ko pure tarah se dhak liya....
"Mesaka...ka kshya kidhar hai?" Usne apne bhayvah awaaz mein pucha.
Varak ne bas ek haath she ishar kiye aur agle hi pal uska sharir ke chote chote tukde deewar se bahar ke taraf neeche gir gye.
---
Singhasan kshya mein Mesaka khadi hue the.
"Maharani...Mesaka woh kisi naye tarah ke teezab ka prayog kar rhe hai...usse hamare deeware bhi nhi jhel paa rhe..." Ek sainik ne uske khabar de.
Mesaka ke gulabi aanke sankre ho gye. Uske chere par ek bhayavah muskurahat aa gye.
"Toh iss baar mujhe khud yud mein utarna hoga. Hahahaha"
Woh khade hue aur apne aathon pair bahar nikale. Dar ke maare baaki saare sevak bhi usse dur ho gye.
Usne apne guards ko peeche aane ke liye kaha jinke cheron par masks lage hue the.
---
Bahar corridors mein hi Mesaka ke nazar Viyali par pade.
Viyali ne jhukar Mesaka ko pranam kiya.
Mesaka se ne apna sir teda karke uske taraf dekha, "Karan ko gye hue pura ek din beet chuka hai uske lautne ke koi khabar?"
Viyali ne kuch der baad jawab diya, "Jis dut ko meine unke saath bheja tha usse baat ke meine abhi. Abhi tak unke lautne ke koi khabar nhi."
Mesaka ke chere par ek kroor muskan aa gye, "Toh iska matlab kya woh ab kabhi laut ke nhi aayenge?"
"Maharani aap itne kush kyu hai...mujhe laga tha ke aap Karan ke taraf hain..."
Mesaka yeh baat sunke hase, use awaaz gonz rhe the, "Uske taraf? Nhi Viyali. Tum hi galat smjh rhe ho. Woh altar inn jalyakon ke kshetr mein aata hai. Itne saalon se mujhe khud inko leke pareshan the."
Uske aanke chamke, "Woh log...kisi ko andar aane se rokte nhi hai....woh jaante hai ke koi unke altar ko nuksaan nhi pahucha skta. Lekin wahan se koi aajtak laut ke nhi aaya. Isliye meine Karan ko wahan par bheja tha."
"Mere jaise padon mein tumhe dimag se kaam lena padta hai. Agar Karan wahan se wapas lauta bhi toh mera ek sardardi se peecha toh chutega hi. Or agar woh mara jaata hai toh ismein bhii mera fayda hi hai"
Viyali ke aanke bade ho gye, "Woh kaise...Maharani?"
Mesaka ne apne peeche ke guards ko apne chere par se masks hatane ko kaha.
Uske baad jo Viyali ne dekha usse woh dang reh gye, unke chere par kahli kankal hi bacha hua tha....woh sab jalayk toh kabke mar chuke the?!?!
Mesaka ke hasi pure corridor mein goonjne lage.
Aage badhne se pehle Mesaka bole, "Karan ka ek din aur intezar karo bas....agar fir bhi woh nhi milte hai toh hum dusre padav pe jayenge..."
Viyali neeche jhuke lekin uska sar fata jaa rha tha. Aise hi saink toh usne Vanrajya mein hi dekhe the...?!?"
Mesaka aakhri kiski taraf the?
***
Karan ke aakhee khule toh usne wapas apne aap ko ridge ke beech mein paya. Woh waapas Vanrajya mein tha.
"Toh tum aakhirkaar bach hi gye?" Bagal mein khade Envy ke awaaz uske kaano mein pade.
Karan khada hua, "Wahan woh aadmi kon tha? Riddhi ka dad?"
Karan ne haami bhari...un dono ko yaad karte hue jinhone uska peecha Riddhi ke ghar mein kiya tha.
Envy ke awaaz ghambheerta se bhar gye, "Woh saath immortals mein se ek hi immortal ke sevak ho skte hai jaise mere paas wraiths hai jo ke tumne Vasura ke paas dekhe the. Aur woh aadmi pakka Greed ka Apsotle tha."
Karan vismay mein bhar gaya, "Tha? Tha se kya matlab tumhara...?"
"Greed saare immortals se thoda alag hai. Woh seedhe apne agle apostle ko nhi dhundta. Uske apostle ke bache hi uske agle apostle bante hai. Riddhi...ko lekar woh isliye itna dhayan rkhta tha. Uske pita ko ek din apne zimmedari use saupne hi thi."
Karan ka jabda jakda gaya, "Toh fir Riddhi ko bachane ke liye usne khud mujhpar hamla kyu nhi kiya."
Envy ne neeche Pani mein dekha, "Karan uska jawab tumhare paas hai bas tumhe khud se puchne ke jarurat hote hai...uska naam Greed hai. Jab tak uske saamne uske sabse keemti vastu khatre mein hai...woh usse chord ke kahin bhi nhi jaane wala tha. Agar wahan pe aur koi apostle hota toh tumhara aaj bach ke aa pana mushkil tha."
Lekin Karan ko smjh nhi aa rha tha ke woh bhagyshali tha ke uske jaan bach gye yaar firse usne Riddhi ko kho diya.
---
Envy ka peeche karte karte Karan wapas se usse jagah altar mein pahuch gaya.
Vasura wahan neeche ek khambe ke paas peenth laga ke baitha hua tha.
Uske paas jane se Karan ko abhi bhi ghutan hote the.
Envy ke taraf dekhte hue Vasura khada hua, "Toh kya faisla hai aapka Lady Envy?"
Envy aage badhe, uske chere par halki mushkhurat the, "Karan...mere agla apostle hoga."
Vasura ke aankhe sankre pad gye, "par uske paas Wrath ke talwar hai. Dono ek saath kaise kaam kar skte hai?"
Par Envy ke chere ke bhaav mein koi badlav nhi aaya, "Har shshtr apna master khud chunta hai. Uske apostle hone se koi lena dena nhi hota. Aur mein chate hoon ke ek din aisa bhi aaye ke mere apostle ke paas saare immortals ke shshtr hoon." Envy itna soch ke hi man mein khush ho rhe the.
Karan ne unke baatein sun ke agal bagal sir hilaya, sach mein Envy ka naam bhi kisi kaaran se hi tha.
Vasura ne dark sword ko bagal mein se saamne laya, "Magar Kairav kabhi Wrath ke blade ke saath nhi chalega. Woh maanega hi nhi."
Envy ke muskurat aur tez ho gye...Kairav bas chata hai uske master mein mere shaktiyon ko jhelne ke khstma ho...aur meine thodi der pehle Karan ke andar ek chota ka ansh chord diya tha.
Vasura yeh sunke chauk gaya, "Aur yeh abhi tak zinda hai?"
Envy ke use Karan ke taraf dekhne ko kaha. Karan ko yaad aaya ke jab usne knife ke blade mein dekha tha toh uske aankhe lal pad gye thein....
"Woh tumhare kaaran tha Envy? Par tumne woh sab kyu dikhaya tha par?"
Envy ke bhaav ghambeer pad gye, "Dekho, Karan abosulte kuch nhi hota...agar mujhe tumhare andar apna thoda sa bhi ek ansh dena tha toh mujhe tumhare andar ke Envy ko jagana hi tha. Uske bina mein bhi kuch nhi kar pati. Woh tum jhel paaye woh tumhari kabiliyat the."
Karan ne sabkuch suna aur kaafi had tak uske baatein use samjh aa rhe thein.
"Toh uska matlab hai Riddhi ko aakhri baar uske dad ne bachaya tha sach mein?"
Envy ne haa mein sir hilaya, "Jabtak uske peeche Greed hai usko kuch nhi hone wala tha. Par tumhare wajah se unhone Riddhi ko bahar fir kabhi nhi nikala. Iss baar tumhe usme pehle hi garden mein dekh liya tha...magar woh pure tarah se nishchit nhi tha ke tum kon hai isliye tumhe itna andar aane diya ke usko bhi kuch samay mil ske. Mujhe lagta hai uske bhanak lag chuke hai ke tumhare andar ke Envy ke baare mein..."
Vasura halka sa hasa, "Mere gairmaujodgi mein bahut kuch ho gaya. Greed ke apostle se mile hue mujhe kitne saalon beet gye. Bas Lady Envy hi hai jo abhi bhi itne saalon se mujhe aage nhi badhe hai? Ab mila bhi toh kon yeh wrath ke sword wala.... hahahaha"
Meher ke awaaz Karan ke kano mein teer ke tarah padi, "Masster...isse toh mein nhi chordhungi. Bas ek baar isko harana hai mujhe!"
Meher ke awaaz itne samay ke baad Karan ko acha laga, lekin woh man hi man fusfusaya, "Sssh...Chup rho tumne dekha na abhi hum usko nhi hara skte?!"
Vasura ne Envy ke taraf dekha, "toh aapka yhi antim aadesh hai mere liye...mujhe bhi itne saalo bad ab mukti mil skti hai."
Vasura ne dark sword ko aage pakda aur apne dono aankhe band ke.
Envy ke apne dono haath cross kar liye, "Karan aage badho...iss baar koi wraiths nhi aayenge"
Jaise hi Karan ke apne dono haath dark sword par rkhe, agle hi pal dono ke bodies se kaale rang ke roshini nikalne lage... wraiths ne Vasura ke body se nikal kar Karan par hamla karne ke koshish ke par Envy ne unhe bandh diya.
Kuch der baad Vasura ka sharir raakh ke tarah bikhar ke wahan gir gaya aur Karan ke haath mein dark sword reh gye.
"Masster?" Karan ke kaano mein awaaz pade
"Meher?" Nhi par woh awwaz iss baar Meher ke nhi thi.
"Nhi....mein Kairav...tum mujhe Kai bula skte ho?"
Itne mein meher ke awaaz aaye, "Nhi Masster Kairav hi bulayo isse..."
"Haha...abhi thodi der pehle kon haar rha tha...suno Meher...Zeher jo bhi tumhara naam ho....yahan pe Masster ke baad mere chalegi smjhe kyuki tum mujhe kuch der pehle haar chuke ho. Smhji Zeher"
"Hmpf...suno Kai Kai ke bache tumse pehle se mein hoon yaha...toh mere chalegi idhar...apne aukkad mein rehna."
Karan soch rha tha yeh kya sardardi usne apne sar le le. Iske baare mein toh usne socha hi nhi tha. Usne apna sar pakad liya.
Envy uske chere ke haal dekhar has padi, "Lagta hai Karan do dost kaafi saal baad mile hai. Chalo mujhe ab jana hoga. Ek time aayega jab hum bina kise contact ke bhi baat kar payenge jald hi. Tab tak ke liye...alvida."
Envy void mein se wapas chale gye aur woh crack band ho gaya.
***
Karan altar se bahar nikla dono talwarein uske peeche thein ab. Raat dhal chuke the uss waqt tak. Saamne dekhe pe usne Akansha ko dhundha par woh kahin dihke nhi usse.
"Mausi!" Usne zor je awaz lagayi. Use ab ghabrahat ho rhe the. Usne khin unko yahan akele chord ke koi galti toh nhi kar de the.
Peeche se koi jawab nhi aaya.
Bhagte bhagte woh idhar udhar Chand ke roshini ke beech Akansha ko dhundne laga.
Kuch dur chalne ke baar uske dekha ke ek bada sa makdi ka jaal Chand ke rohini mein chamk rha hai. Aur.....uske beech mein Akansha fase hue hai!
Uske saare ek side se halki se fate hue the. Aur sir ek taraf muda hua tha.
Meher ko haath mein lete hue Karan bhagte bhagte uske paas gaya.
"Mausi?!?" Karan ne ek door awaaz lagye aur unke saare theek ke aur saamne se kuch jaal kaate.
Kuch der baad apne palkein jhapkate hue usne kholi, "Karan....?"
Dheeme awaaz mein woh boli...neeche usne apne saare par dekha toh uske gaal sharm se laal ho gye. Apne saare ko apne dono haathon se dhkte hue woh boli, "Yeh sab?"
Karan ne apna gala saaf kiya, "Mausi aap chinta mat kijiye aap theek hai ab. Usne Meher ko pakadar saare jaale kaat diye, "Aakhir hua kya tha...mere jaane ke baad aapke saath jo aap iss haalth mein aa gyein?"
Akansha wahan pe neeche baith gye Karan saamne jhuk ke uske saamne baith gaya.
"Karan...pata nhi...jab tum ander chale gye the kuch ghanto baad mein apne aage ek parchaye dekhe aur uske baad se mujhe kuch yaad nhi."
Usne upar sir karke Karan ne kandhe ke peeche dekha toh uske dil ke dhakne ruk gye.
"Karan!!!" Apne pure zoron ke saath woh chillayi.
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Aaj ke liye itna hi guys milte hai next mein jaldi.
par fir bhi. Acha lagta hai...
