HUMA AUR PANTY CHOR
Huma ke college mein aaj chhutti thi, aur wo poore din relax karne ke mood mein thi—Netflix dekhna, thoda late tak sohna, aur bas chill mode on rakhna. Lekin uski ammi ke plans kuch aur hi the. Subah-subah unhone Huma ko uthake bola, “Beta, aaj ghar ke saare gadde dhone aur sukhane hain. Tum madad karogi na?”
Huma ka relax mode instantly crash ho gaya. Wo apne aap se sochi, "College ki chhutti ke naam pe maine yeh toh nahi sign kiya tha!" Par ammi ke dikhte plans aur uski neend bhari aankhon ke beech, wo bechari kuch bol bhi nahi paayi.
Huma ne kaam se bachne ke liye har tarah ka bahan banane ki koshish ki—kabhi dard ka drama, kabhi “important” phone call. Lekin uski ammi ko pehle hi pata tha ki aaj uski chhutti hai. Ammi ekdum strict tone mein boli, "Mujhe pata hai ki tumhare college ka koi kaam nahi hai. Chup-chaap madad karo, baaki sab baad mein."
Badi kharab mood mein Huma ne haath lagaya gadde uthane mein. Uska chehra aise latka hua tha jaise kisi ne uski Sunday ki biryani ka plate le liya ho. Har gadde ke saath wo ek "Haye rabba!" ya "Main kaunse gunah kar ke aayi hoon?" ke dialogue maar rahi thi.
Huma ne apna zyada se zyada kaam jaldi nipta ke chill karne ki sochi thi, lekin ammi ke "Ek kaam aur hai" ke signature dialogue ne uska sab plan kharaab kar diya. Gadde dhone ke baad, ab ammi ne usse kapde sukhane ka kaam de diya, jo pehle hi dhul chuke the.
Huma (apne mann mein): "Yeh kabhi khatam hone wala nahi lagta. Ab lagta hai ki apni chhutti bhi chhutti nahi rahi."
Wo badi hi bezari se kapde uthakar terrace ki taraf chal padti hai. Raste mein har ek kapde ko dekh kar commentary karte hue bolti ja rahi thi, "Itna bada towel? Yeh kaunsa circus ka tent hai? Aur yeh? Ammi itne purane kapde kyun rakh rahi ho, National Museum bhej do!"
Ammi peeche se awaaz lagati hain, "Bak bak bandh kar aur jaldi kar!"
Terrace par kapde sukhate-sukhate Huma ka dhyan ghoom gaya. Thodi der ke liye wo apne khayalon mein kho gayi, soch rahi thi ki uski life itni boring kyun ho gayi hai. Tabhi neeche se ammi chillai, "Jaldi aa, aur kaam hai!" Huma ka mooh ban gaya, jaise kisi ne uski favorite movie ka spoiler de diya ho.
Akhir kar, poore din ka kaam nipta kar Huma ne ek bada sa sigh liya. Wo itni thak chuki thi ki uska bas chalta toh wahin bistar bana leti. Ammi ne uska mood thoda behtar karne ke liye apne haathon se bani fish curry aur garma-garam chawal plate mein laga diya.
Huma (khush hokar): "Bas yeh ek cheez hai jo tumhare kaam karwane ki saari frustration ko balance kar deti hai."
Ammi (halki muskaan ke saath): "Aur kya, maa ke haath ka khana hai, isse behtar aur kya hoga?"
Huma bina kuch bole curry aur chawal mein apna dhyan laga leti hai, jaise saari duniya wahi thi. "Wah, Ammi, is curry mein jaadu hai ya tumne extra masala dala hai?"
Khane ke baad wo seedha apne bistar par ja girti. Uska dimaag aur sharir dono aaj ke din ke baad full shutdown mode mein the. Thodi hi der mein gehri neend us par chha gayi, jaise poore din ki saza ab ek peaceful neend dekar khatam hui ho.
Shaam ko Huma ki neend khuli, toh uska sharir ab tak kaam ke thakan ke asar mein tha. Wo apne bed se uthti hai aur apni ammi ko dhundhne lagti hai, lekin ghar ekdam suna suna lag raha tha. "Ammi? Kahan gayi?" Huma ne idhar-udhar awaz lagai, par koi jawab nahi mila.
Tabhi uski nazar dining table pe rakhe ek chhote se note par padti hai:
"Huma, saare kapde andar le aana. Main zaruri kaam se ja rahi hoon."
Huma ne note padha aur ek second ke liye ruk ke socha. Uska chehra thoda bigad gaya. "Zaruri kaam? Samajh gayi main! Zaruri kaam ka matlab wohi kameena hai!" Huma ne apni aankhon mein thoda annoyance aur thoda sarcastic expression lekar apna sar hila diya.
Lekin mood toh pehle hi kaam ke wajah se kharab tha, aur yeh note business ne usse aur chidhwa diya. "Main koi maid hoon kya? Subah se kaam kara ke ab kapde bhi andar le aao! Wah, Ammi!"
Apne chhote-chhote grumbles ke saath Huma pehle chhat pe gayi aur gadde utha ke neeche laai. Phir bade kapdon ki taraf badhi, jo ab tak dhup mein sukh rahe the. Wo ek-ek kapda uthate waqt andar hi andar commentary chalati rahi:
"Haan, Ammi toh maze kar rahi hongi, aur yahan main poora laundry department sambhal rahi hoon. Ek din ki chhutti mein bhi aaraam naseeb nahi hota!"
Bhar-bhar ke sare kapde andar laate hue, Huma apne bad mood ko vent out karte hue bas apna kaam nipta rahi thi.
Ant mein, Huma badi mushkil se sare bade kapde andar le aati hai aur sochti hai ki ab bas apne chhote kapde uthane hain. Thodi si thakaan ke saath wo chhat ke kone mein latke apne undergarments ki taraf badhti hai. "Ek din mein hi duniya bhar ka kaam, aur upar se yeh..." wo mann hi mann mein bolti hai.
Lekin jaise hi wo kapdon ki ginti karti hai, uske chehre par confusion ka saaya chha jata hai. "Ruko zara... ek... do... yeh teesra kahan gaya?" Uske undergarments mein se kam se kam do chhoti chhoti chaddiyan gayab thi.
Huma ka confusion ab halki tension mein badal gaya. Usne idhar-udhar dekhna shuru kiya, chhat ke kone, railing ke paas, aur us jagah jahan kapde latke the. "Kahin hawa se ud gaye honge," usne khud ko tasalli dene ki koshish ki, lekin halki si asha mein usne railing ke neeche bhi jhank ke dekha, shayad neeche aangan mein gir gaye ho.
Lekin sab jagah dhundhne ke baad bhi wo nahi mile. Huma ne ek gehri saans li aur apne shoulders uthakar bola, "Chhodo, shayad hawa mein ud gaye honge ya kisi kaat pe gaye honge. Kis chhoti si chaddi ke peeche chhati pe bhaagoon kya ab!"
Yeh sochte hue wo thoda irritate toh thi, lekin usne apne dimaag se baat nikal di aur baaki kapde samet kar neeche chali gayi.
Kuch der baad Huma ki ammi ghar lautti, poore pasine se lathpath, lekin chehre par ajeeb si sukoon bhari muskaan thi. Huma ne unhe dekha aur turant samajh gayi, "Madam apni setting se mil kar aa rahi hain." Uska gussa chehre par saaf dikh raha tha, lekin andar hi andar wo irritate aur thoda jalan bhi mehsoos kar rahi thi.
Ammi ki halat dekhte hi Huma ne taana maara, "Waah, aapki life toh bade maze mein chal rahi hai. Idhar main bandhua majdoor bani hui hoon, aur aap… aap toh hawa mein udd rahi hain!"
Ammi ne ek halka sa smile diya aur casually boli, "Arre, kapde dhone ka stress tha na, thoda walk kar aayi thi."
Huma ne aankhein ghoomate hue kaha, "Walk? Yeh walk thi ya race? Pasina toh dekh ke lag raha hai ki marathon jeet kar aayi hain!"
Ammi ne bas muskurate hue kaha, "Zyada soch mat. Tu bata, kapde andar le liye?"
Huma ke pet se zor-zor ki awaazein aane lagi, toh usne roothi si awaaz mein kaha, "Ammi, mujhe bhook lagi hai! Chai aur maggi chahiye abhi ke abhi."
Ammi, jo khud fresh hone ke mood mein thi, ne thoda irritate hoke bola, "Mujhe ek minute ka sukoon bhi nahi milta tumhare chakkar mein. Thik hai, abhi banati hoon, meri rajkumari!"
Jab tak maggi aur chai tayar hui, Huma apne ghusse ke saath chair par girti ja rahi thi. Ammi ne plate rakhi aur maggi aur chai pados diya.
Huma ki ammi bathroom mein fresh up aur clean up karne chali gayi, apne sauhar ke aane se pehle. Wahin Huma apne snacks ke saath couch par baithi, phone haath mein liye, aur YouTube pe koi random video dekhne lag gayi. Uska poora dhyan ab apne snacks aur video mein tha. Wo ek hand mein chips ka packet liye hui thi aur doosre haath se video scroll kar rahi thi. Video mein koi funny cat compilation chal raha tha, aur Huma hans-hans ke apni maggi aur chai ka maza le rahi thi.
---
Agle hafte, Huma ko phir se apne underwear gayab hone ka ehsaas hua. Usne apne drawer ko ulta-pulta kiya, har ek kapde ko check kiya, lekin do chhoti chhoti chaddiyan phir se gayab thi. Uska chehra confusion aur irritation se bhara hua tha. "Yeh kya ho raha hai? Phir se?" wo apne aap se boli, aur apne mann mein kuch shak paalne lagi.
Tabhi uski ammi kamre mein aayi aur Huma ke chehre par confusion dekhte hi puchi, "Kya hua, Huma? Itni pareshan kyun lag rahi ho?"
Huma ne apni ammi ki taraf dekha aur kaha, "Ammi, meri chaddiyan phir se gayab hain. Pehle bhi do gayab hui thi, aur ab phir se. Mujhe samajh nahi aa raha ki yeh kya ho raha hai."
Ammi ka chehra bhi thoda serious ho gaya. "Meri bhi do chaddiyan kal se gayab hain. Maine socha shayad maine kahi rakhi hongi, lekin ab tum bhi yehi keh rahi ho toh lagta hai kuch gadbad hai."
Dono ne ek doosre ki taraf dekha, aur ek hi sawal unke dimaag mein aaya—"Yeh kaun hai jo humari chaddiyan chura raha hai?"
Ammi ne faisla kiya, "Bas, ab isse ignore nahi kar sakte. Yeh koi mazak nahi hai. Hum police ko report karenge."
Huma ne halka sa sar hila kar kaha, "Ammi, police ko yeh report karenge? Panty thief ke liye? Yeh thoda awkward nahi hoga?"
Ammi ne gusse se jawab diya, "Awkward toh hai, lekin agar hum chup rahe toh yeh choriyan badhti rahengi. Hum apni safety ke liye yeh karna hi padega."
Huma ne kuch nahi kaha, lekin uske mann mein ek halki si sharm aur gussa dono tha. Wo soch rahi thi, "Kaun hai yeh harami jo humari chaddiyan chura raha hai? Aur kyun?"
Ammi ne phone uthaya aur police station ko call kiya. "Hello, humein ek complaint file karni hai. Humare ghar se underwear chori ho rahe hain..."
Call khatam hone ke baad, ammi ne Huma ki taraf dekha aur kaha, "Ab humein thoda cautious rehna hoga. Aur haan, Huma, terrace par kapde sukhate waft extra dhyan dena. Kisi ko shak hone par turant mujhe batana."
Huma ne sar hila kar haan mein jawab diya, lekin uske mann mein ek bechaini thi. "Yeh kaun hai jo humari privacy invade kar raha hai? Aur kya uska maksad hai?" wo apne aap se soch rahi thi.
Police ne agle din ghar aakar report file ki aur kuch sawal pooche. Huma aur uski ammi ne unhe sab kuch bataya, lekin koi solid clue nahi mila. Police ne kaha, "Hum investigation karenge, lekin aap log bhi alert rahiye. Kisi bhi suspicious activity par turant humein inform kijiye."
Jab police chali gayi, toh Huma aur uski ammi ne ek doosre ki taraf dekha. Ammi ne kaha, "Ab humein apni safety ka khayal rakhna hoga. Aur haan, Huma, terrace par akeli mat jaana. Agar kuch bhi shak ho toh turant mujhe batana."
Huma ne haan mein sar hila diya, lekin uske mann mein ek darr aur gussa dono tha. Wo soch rahi thi, "Yeh kaun hai jo humari zindagi mein itna disturbance paida kar raha hai? Aur kya uska maksad hai?"
---
Huma apni best friend Farzana (Farzu) ke ghar pahunchi aur apni problem share ki. "Farzu, humare ghar se chaddiyan chori ho rahi hain! Police bhi aa chuki hai, lekin kuch pata nahi chal raha."
Farzu ne pehle toh serious face banaya, lekin phir hansi nahi rok paayi. "Panty thief? Seriously? Yeh toh ekdum filmy lag raha hai!"
Huma ne gusse se dekha, "Farzu, yeh mazak ki baat nahi hai. Mujhe sach mein pareshani ho rahi hai."
Farzu ne apni hansi ko rokne ki koshish ki aur kaha, "Theek hai, theek hai. Suno, mujhe ek plan aaya hai. Tum ek guard dog le lo. Aur haan, usko chaddi ka scent de dena. Woh chor ko track kar lega!"
Huma ne confused look diya, "Scent? Kaun sa scent? Aur mujhe kahan se milega woh dog?"
Farzu ne confidently kaha, "Arre, mujhe ek aadmi pata hai. Uske paas trained dogs hote hain. Bas ek call kar do, aur dog tumhara ho jayega. Aur scent ke liye... tum apni ek chaddi dog ko sniff kara dena. Woh sabse behtar clue hoga!"
Huma ka chehra bigad gaya, "Farzu, yeh sab kitna ridiculous lag raha hai. Guard dog ko chaddi sniff karaungi? Seriously?"
Farzu ne hans kar jawab diya, "Huma, tumhe kuch bhi try karna padega. Aur socho na, agar dog chor ko pakad lega, toh tumhari hero entry ho jayegi! Social media pe hit ho jayegi tum!"
Huma ne apna sar hila diya, "Tumhe har cheez mein mazak hi dikhta hai. Lekin theek hai, mujhe us aadmi ka number de do. Dekhti hoon kya ho sakta hai."
Farzu ne number diya aur kaha, "Yeh lo, uska number. Uska naam ye hai. Bas use bata dena ki tumhe ek strong guard dog chahiye jo chaddi chor ko track kar sake."
Huma ne number liya aur apne mann mein socha, "Yeh sab kitna weird ho raha hai. Lekin ab kya hi kar sakte hain? Kuch toh karna padega."
Farzu ne Huma ko tasalli di, "Tension mat lo, Huma. Yeh plan kaam karega. Aur haan, agar dog tumhe pasand nahi aaya toh usse Farzu ke ghar bhej dena. Main use apna bodyguard bana lungi!"
Huma ne hansi mein haan mein sar hila diya, lekin uske mann mein abhi bhi shak tha. "Guard dog ko chaddi sniff karaungi? Yeh sab kitna filmy lag raha hai," wo apne aap se soch rahi thi.
---
Huma ne agle kuch dino tak extra cautious rehne ki koshish ki. Wo har roz apne kapde check karti, terrace par extra dhyan deti, aur hamesha alert rehti. Lekin kuch bhi nahi hua—na koi suspicious activity, na koi chor ka nishaan. Huma ne socha, shayad sab theek ho gaya hai.
Lekin nazar hatate hi, do aur panty gayab ho gayi. Huma ka patience ab poora khatam ho chuka tha. "Yeh kya ho raha hai? Police bhi kuch nahi kar rahi, aur ab yeh chor phir se active ho gaya hai!" wo apne aap se gusse se boli.
Usne apne phone ko uthaya aur Farzu ke diye hue number par call kiya. Phone par ek aadmi ne jawab diya, "Hello, Ravi bol raha hoon."
Huma ne apni awaaz ko steady rakhte hue kaha, "Hello, mujhe ek guard dog chahiye. Mera friend Farzana ne bataya ki aap trained dogs provide karte hain."
Ravi ne confidently jawab diya, "Haan, bilkul. Humare paas bahut ache trained dogs hain. Aapko kis tarah ka dog chahiye?"
Huma ne socha, "Ab yeh bhi pooch raha hai kis tarah ka dog chahiye?" Lekin wo seedhe mudde par aayi, "Mujhe ek aisa dog chahiye jo thief ko track kar sake. Aur haan, usko scent bhi de sakte hain na?"
Ravi ne hans kar kaha, "Haan, bilkul. Humare dogs specially trained hote hain tracking ke liye. Aapko scent dena hai toh woh bhi ho jayega. Bas ek baat bataiye, kya track karna hai?"
Huma thodi awkward ho gayi, lekin wo janti thi ki ab piche hatne ka waqt nahi hai. "Actually, humare ghar se... underwear chori ho rahe hain. Mujhe lagta hai koi panty thief active hai."
Ravi ne kuch der ke liye silence mein liya, lekin phir professionally jawab diya, "Theek hai, koi problem nahi. Humare dogs is tarah ke cases ke liye bhi trained hote hain. Aapko ek strong aur smart dog mil jayega."
Huma ne sigh liya aur kaha, "Theek hai, kab dog mil sakta hai?"
Ravi ne kaha, "Kal subah tak dog ready ho jayega. Aap address bata dijiye, hum dog deliver kar denge."
Huma ne address diya aur phone rakh diya. Uske mann mein ek ajeeb sa mix tha—thoda relief, thoda shak, aur thoda gussa. "Guard dog? Yeh sab kitna weird ho raha hai," wo apne aap se soch rahi thi. Lekin ab uske paas aur koi option nahi tha.
---
Agle din subah, guard dog Huma ke ghar pahunch gaya. Wo ek bada, strong German shepherd tha, jiska naam Ravi ne "Tiger" bataya tha. Huma ne apni ammi ko kuch nahi bataya ki wo khud investigation kar rahi hai. Usne socha, "Pehle dekhte hain kya hota hai, phir ammi ko batayenge."
Huma ne Tiger ko terrace par le gaya aur apne wardrobe se ek panty nikalkar uske saamne rakhi. "Yeh lo, Tiger. Isko sniff karo aur chor ko dhoondho," wo boli, jaise dog ko samjha sakti ho.
Tiger ne panty ko sniff kiya, lekin kuch khaas reaction nahi diya. Wo bas apni tail hila kar Huma ki taraf dekhta raha. Huma frustrated ho gayi. "Kya yaar, yeh dog bhi kuch nahi kar raha hai!"
Usne turant Farzu ko call kiya. "Farzu, yeh dog kuch nahi kar raha hai! Maine usko panty sniff karayi, lekin woh bas mujhe ghoor raha hai. Kya karoon?"
Farzu ne hans kar jawab diya, "Arre Huma, tumne usko purani panty di hogi na? Usme scent nahi hoga. Dog ko fresh scent chahiye. Tum apni abhi ki hui panty sniff karao. Aur haan, agar possible ho toh... usko tumhari chut bhi sniff kara do. Woh sabse strong scent hoga!"
Huma ka chehra laal ho gaya. "Farzu, tum pagal ho kya? Yeh sab kitna weird hai!"
Farzu ne hans kar kaha, "Huma, desperate times call for desperate measures. Agar tumhe panty thief pakadna hai, toh yeh sab karna padega."
Huma ne apna sar hila diya, lekin uske paas aur koi option nahi tha. Wo terrace par akeli thi, aur Tiger use expectantly dekh raha tha. "Bas kar lo, Huma. Yeh sab khatam karo," wo apne aap se boli.
Usne apne pajami aur panty niche utari aur Tiger ko sniff karaya. Tiger ne thoda interest dikhaya, lekin phir bhi kuch khaas nahi hua. Farzu ka agla suggestion yaad aate hi Huma ka chehra aur bhi laal ho gaya. "Yeh sab kitna awkward hai," wo apne aap se soch rahi thi.
Lekin ab uske paas aur koi choice nahi tha. Usne apni chut ko Tiger ke saamne kiya aur usse sniff karaya. Tiger ne thoda zyada interest dikhaya, aur uski nose Huma ki taraf ghumni. Huma ka chehra embarrassment se laal ho gaya, lekin usne apne aap ko sambhala. "Bas, ab ho gaya na? Ab toh pakad le isko chor ko," wo boli, jaise dog ko samjha sakti ho.
Tiger ne apni tail hila di aur Huma ki taraf dekha, jaise keh raha ho, "Theek hai, main try karunga."
Huma ne apne kapde pehne aur Farzu ko call kiya. "Farzu, maine woh sab kar diya jo tumne kaha. Ab dekhte hain kya hota hai."
Farzu ne hans kar jawab diya, "Huma, tum hero ho! Ab bas wait karo. Tiger zaroor chor ko pakad lega."
Huma ne apna sar hila diya aur apne mann mein socha, "Yeh sab kitna ridiculous hai. Lekin ab kya hi kar sakte hain? Bas yeh khatam ho jaye."
---
Tiger, the guard dog, suddenly tezi se chalne laga. Huma ne apne kapde theek karne hi the ki dog ghar se bahar nikal pada, aur uski leash ko kheenchte hue Huma ko bhi apne saath le gaya. "Arre, ruk! Kahan ja raha hai?" Huma chillayi, uski saans phool rahi thi aur wo mushkil se dog ke saath keep up kar pa rahi thi.
Tiger poore speed mein bhag raha tha, apni nose zameen ke saath chipkaye hue, jaise usne koi strong scent pakad li ho. Huma, jo barely apna balance bana pa rahi thi, uske peeche-piche latakti hui bhag rahi thi. "Yaar, yeh dog toh mujhe ghaseet ke le ja raha hai!" wo apne aap se gusse se boli.
Aakhir mein, Tiger ek bade ped ke paas ruka. Huma, haanphati hui aur thak kar, ped ko ghoomne lagi. "Yeh kya hai? Yeh ped ke paas kyun le aaya hai?" wo boli, dog ki taraf gusse se dekhte hue.
Usne ped ko kareeb se dekha, koi clue dhoondhne ki koshish ki—shayad chori hui underwear ka koi hidden stash ya chor ka koi nishaan. Lekin kuch nahi tha. Bas ek sadha, normal sa ped. Huma ka gussa aur bhi badh gaya. "Yeh kya bakwas hai? Maine itna sab kiya, aur yeh dog mujhe ek ped ke paas le aaya hai?"
Tiger, jo Huma ke gusse ko dekh raha tha, ekdum se apni tail hila kar bhag gaya. Huma ne use pakadne ki koshish ki, lekin dog tezi se nikal pada. "Arre, ruk! Wapas aa!" wo chillayi, lekin Tiger kaha sunne wala tha. Wo door tak bhag gaya aur nazar se oojhal ho gaya.
Huma apna sar pakad kar wahin baith gayi. "Ab kya hoga? Maine dog ko kho diya hai. Aur yeh sab karke bhi kuch nahi mila," wo apne aap se gusse se boli. Uska dimaag chakkar kha raha tha, aur wo soch rahi thi ki ab agla step kya hoga.
Farzu ko call karte hue usne kaha, "Farzu, tumhare brilliant idea ne mujhe aur bhi mushkil mein daal diya hai. Dog ne mujhe ek ped ke paas le jake chhod diya, aur ab woh bhag gaya hai. Ab kya karoon?"
Farzu ne hans kar jawab diya, "Huma, tumhe apni life ka thriller movie bana diya hai! Lekin tension mat lo, dog wapas aa jayega. Aur haan, ped ke paas kuch toh hoga hi. Tumne achhe se check kiya hai kya?"
Huma ne apni aankhein roll karte hue kaha, "Haan, Farzu, maine check kiya hai. Yeh bas ek ped hai. Aur ab mujhe dog ko dhoondhna padega. Tumhare ideas se zyada problem ho rahi hai, solution nahi."
Farzu ne hans kar kaha, "Theek hai, Huma. Abhi main tumhare paas aati hoon. Hum milkar dog ko dhoondhenge. Aur haan, shayad ped ke paas kuch clue mil jaye."
Huma ne sigh liya aur phone rakh diya. Wo ped ke paas baithi hui soch rahi thi, "Yeh sab kitna ridiculous hai. Lekin ab kya hi kar sakte hain? Bas yeh khatam ho jaye."
---
Huma ne ped ko ek baar phir ghoom kar dekha, lekin kuch bhi suspicious ya clue nahi mila. Wo apne aap se gusse se boli, "Yeh sab kya ho raha hai? Maine itna sab kiya, aur ab yeh dog bhi kho gaya. Ab main kya karoon?"
Haar maan kar, wo ghar wapas laut aayi. Uska chehra frustration aur thakaan se bhara hua tha. Ghar ke andar jaate hi uski ammi ne dekha aur pucha, "Huma, tum theek ho? Tumhara chehra itna udaas kyun hai?"
Huma ne apni ammi ko kuch nahi bataya ki wo khud investigation kar rahi hai. Wo bas muskurate hue boli, "Kuch nahi, Ammi. Bas thak gayi hoon."
Lekin andar hi andar, Huma ka dimaag tezi se soch raha tha. "Ab main Ravi ko kya jawab doongi? Maine uska dog kho diya hai. Aur yeh sab karke bhi kuch nahi mila." Usne socha ki shayad Farzu ko call karke advice le, lekin usse lag raha tha ki Farzu ke ideas se zyada problem ho rahi hai, solution nahi.
---
Shaam ko Huma TV ke saamne baithi hui thi, apni chai ki chuski le rahi thi, jab achanak ek breaking news flash hui. Reporter ne excited awaaz mein bola, "Aaj ek khatarnak kutta sheher mein terror faila raha hai! Isne karib 20-22 logo ke lund pe hamla kar diya hai. Sabhi victims ne police ko complaint kari hai, aur ab yeh dog police ki talash mein hai."
Huma ki chai ka cup haath se fisal kar gir gaya. Uska chehra shock aur confusion se bhara hua tha. TV par pictures aur videos dikhaye ja rahe the, aur Huma ne pehchaan liya—wo dog Tiger hi tha! Uske mann mein ek ajeeb sa mix tha—shock, gussa, aur thoda sa mazak bhi.
Reporter ne continue kiya, "Sabhi victims ka kehna hai ki yeh dog unhe suddenly kisi park ya gali mein mila, aur usne unke private parts ko target kiya. Police ka kehna hai ki yeh dog trained lag raha hai, kyunki usne sirf specific areas ko hi target kiya hai."
Huma ka dimaag tezi se sochne laga. "20-22 logo ke lund pe hamla? Aur yeh Tiger hai? Matlab... yeh sab victims kaun hain?" Tabhi uski nazar TV par dikhaye gaye victims ke blurry pictures par gayi. Usne unhe gaur se dekha, aur ek ek karke pehchaan liya.
"Arre yeh toh woh hai jo meri college ka tha... aur yeh woh jo gym mein mila tha... aur yeh toh woh hai jiske saath maine ek date pe gayi thi!" Huma ka chehra embarrassment aur shock se laal ho gaya. "Yeh sab mere past sexual partners hain! Matlab Tiger ne unhe sniff kiya aur phir unke lund pe hamla kar diya? Yeh kya bakwas hai?"
Usne apne phone ko uthaya aur Farzu ko call kiya. Farzu ne phone uthate hi hans kar kaha, "Huma, kya hua? Tiger ne chor pakad liya kya?"
Huma ne gusse se jawab diya, "Chor nahi, Farzu! Usne mere past sexual partners ke lund pe hamla kar diya hai! Ab yeh breaking news hai!"
---
Farzu hansane lag gayi aur mazak udate hue boli, "Huma, lagta hai tere chut ki mehak abhi bhi unke auzaar par hai! Tiger ne unhe sniff kiya aur phir unke lund pe hamla kar diya. Wah!!"
Huma ka gussa aur bhi badh gaya. "Farzu, yeh mazak ki baat nahi hai! Ab police bhi isme involved hai, aur mujhe pata nahi kya karoon," wo chillayi, aur gusse mein phone kaat diya.
Kuch der baad, darwaza pe dastak hui. Huma ka dil tez dhadakne laga. "Shayad police Tiger ki wajah se aayi hai," wo apne aap se boli. Darwaza kholte hi do police officers khade the.
Inspector ne kaha, "Madam, hum aapko ek update dene aaye hain. Panty chor ka pata chal gaya hai."
Huma ka chehra confusion se bhara hua tha. "Panty chor? Matlab?"
Inspector ne muskurate hue kaha, "Haan, madam. Yeh sab kuch bandaron ka atank tha. Paas ke ped unka aada tha, aur woh log kapde chura kar wahin le jaate the."
Huma ko yaad aaya ki Tiger use ped ke paas le gaya tha, aur usne kuch bhi suspicious nahi dekha tha. "Matlab yeh sab bandaron ne kiya tha? Aur main soch rahi thi ki koi insaan hai!"
Inspector ne haan mein sar hila kar kaha, "Haan, madam. Humne ped ke paas se kuch kapde bhi recover kiye hain. Yeh lo, aapke kapde." Usne Huma ko ek plastic bag diya, jismein kate/fate hue panties the.
Huma ne bag ko dekha aur apne aap se boli, "Yeh sab bandaron ne kiya? Matlab yeh sab kate/fate hue kapde bandaron ki wajah se hain?"
Inspector ne kaha, "Haan, madam. Bandar kapde ko kheenchte hain, aur kabhi-kabhi unhe phaad dete hain. Aapke kapde bhi wahin se mile hain."
Huma ne sigh liya aur kaha, "Shukriya, inspector sahab. Ab mujhe samajh mein aaya ki kya hua tha."
---
Huma darate darate kutte ke malik, Ravi, ko phone lagati hai. Uska dil tez-tez dhadak raha tha, kyunki usne Tiger ko kho diya tha. Phone ring hote hi Ravi ne uthaya, "Hello, Ravi bol raha hoon."
Huma ne apni awaaz ko steady rakhte hue kaha, "Hello, Ravi ji. Main Huma bol rahi hoon. Aapne mujhe Tiger dog diya tha na? Mujhe maaf karna, lekin... maine use kho diya hai."
Ravi ne calmly jawab diya, "Huma ji, tension mat lo. Tiger pehle hi kennel mein wapas aa chuka hai. Woh trained hai, isliye khud hi wapas aa gaya."
Huma ka chehra relief se bhara hua tha. "Woh wapas aa gaya? Kaise?"
Ravi ne muskurate hue kaha, "Huma ji, Tiger highly trained hai. Woh apne aap ko track kar sakta hai aur wapas aa sakta hai. Aap tension mat lo, woh safe hai."
Huma ne sigh liya aur kaha, "Shukriya, Ravi ji. Mujhe laga ki maine use kho diya hai. Ab mujhe samajh mein aaya ki woh trained hai."
Ravi ne kaha, "Koi baat nahi, Huma ji. Agar aapko kisi aur help ki zarurat ho toh mujhe batana."
Huma ne kaha, "Haan, zaroor. Shukriya phir se." Aur phone rakh diya.
Phone rakhne ke baad, Huma ne apne aap se kaha, "Yeh dog toh ekdum professional hai. Maine socha tha ki woh bhag gaya hai, lekin woh khud hi wapas aa gaya. Ab mujhe ammi ko sab batana hoga."
---
Huma ne apni ammi ko bulaya aur kaha, "Ammi, police ne bataya ki panty chor bandar hain. Woh paas ke ped se kapde chura kar le jaate hain. Unhone bas humein careful rehne ko kaha hai."
Ammi ne kaha, "Bandar? Police ne kuch kiya?"
Huma ne kaha, "Nahi, Ammi. Police ka bandar se kya lena-dena? Unhone bas humein inform kiya hai."
Ammi ne socha aur kaha, "Theek hai, hum terrace par jaali lagwa denge. Bandar andar nahi aa payenge."
Shaam ko, Huma ke abbu ghar aaye toh ammi ne unhe sab bataya. "Bandar kapde chura kar le ja rahe hain. Humein terrace par jaali lagwani hai."
Abbu ne kaha, "Theek hai, main kal thekedaar ko bulata hoon. Woh jaali laga dega."
Huma ne apne mann mein socha, "Ab bandar ka problem solve ho jayega. Jaali lagne ke baad humein koi tension nahi lena padegi."