Thriller RAAZ..... (Completed)

[The Immortal]

Very interesting. Bank locker ki chabhi hogi to wo 15 crore bank k locker mein hoga

Kya wo chabhi locker ki hai?
Kya wo 15 cr abhi bhi hai ya used ho chuke hai ?

 

[Rahul]

very painful update bhai bhai par kya kar sakte hain waise vampire bhai bhi story ma story ghusa diye ek raaz ka pata lagane aaya aur pata nahi kitne raaz dafan hain story me..wonderful updates

 

[Mr. Perfect]

Waah superrr duperrr bhai. Ab dhere dhere raaz khulne lage hain aur ye beech me jo jasoos ki story hai na ye bhi kamaal hai immo bhai. Apni biwi par shak hua tha ab wo shak aur bhi badh raha hai. But ho sakta hai ki baat wo na ho jo wo soch soch kar kudh raha hai____

Aage aur bhi majedaar hone wali hai story. So dekhte hain aur kya kya RAAZ khulte hain_____

 

[Casinar]

Chapter 10 - Pratap Rana

Agle din subah meri kuchh zyada hi jaldi aankh khul gayi. Kuchh der tak toh main bistar par leta karwaten leta raha, dobara sone ki koshish mein, par jab aankh lag kar nahi di toh main uthkar drawing room mein aa gaya.

Mausam mein halki thandak thi jo mujhe living room ki khidki kholte hi mehsoos hui. Bahar abhi tak andhera hi tha. Maine ghadi par nazar daali, subah ke 5 baj rahe the.

Main chaai banane ke iraade se kitchen ki taraf badha par phir irada badal kar apne joote pehne or early morning walk ke liye ghar se nikal gaya. Kamini abhi tak padi so rahi thi aur main janta tha ke morning walk ke naam par usko uthana bekaar tha. Vo marti mar jaati par itni subah bistar nahi chhodne wali thi.

Main bina koi jacket daale ek t-shirt aur pajama pehne bahar aa gaya tha. Bahar thodi door chal kar hi thandak ke ehsaas se mere haath kaanpne lage aur mujhe apni galti ka ehsaas hua. Haathoh ko seene par baandhkar main us pahadi subah ka aanand leta hue dheere dheere aage badha.

Kaafi farak hota hai hamari aam shehri aur pahadi zindagi mein. Jahan subah hote hi aksar shehron mein doodhwale, akhbaar wale bhaag daud karne lagte hain vahin yahan pahadon mein aisa kuchh bhi nahi tha. Yahan toh sadak par door door tak koi nahi tha, bas main hi akela tehal raha tha.

Kuchh der baad hi aasman mein halki roshni hone lagi aur pedon par chidiyon ke chehchehane ki aawazen aane lagi. Jaise is khamosh wadi mein kudrat ne apna hi ek saaz chhed diya ho.

Kuchh door chal kar main sadak kinare pade ek bade se patthar par beth gaya aur subah ke is khoobsurat aur khamosh nazare ko khamoshi se betha dekhta aur sunta raha.

Aur phir jaane kahan se is Khamoshi ko bhang karti hui ek dhamake ki aawaz hui.

Is tarah ke dhamake main pehle bhi sun chuka tha. Bandook maine khud bhi kayi baar chalai thi aur goli chalne ki aawaz se bakhubi wakif tha. Ye aawaz ek rifle se aayi thi par itni subah yahan goliyan kaun chala raha hai?

Hairat mein main khada hokar chaaron taraf dekhne laga. Phir se goli ki aawaz aayi, is baar thoda aur zor se.

Maine chaaron taraf nazar ghuma kar dekhne ki koshish karne laga ke goli chala kaun raha hai par roshni ab bhi kaafi halki thi aur pedon ke beech toh jaise ab bhi raat ka hi andhera phela hua tha. Lakh koshish ke baad bhi mujhe kuchh nazar nahi aaya.

Aur ek baar phir goli chalne ka dhamaka hua, aur is baar pehle dono baar ke muqable aawaz kaafi zordar thi yaani jo koi bhi goli chala raha tha vo dhere dheere mere kareeb aa raha tha. Aur achanak ek dhamaka mere dimag mein hua,

"Kahin ye goliyan mujh par hi toh nahi chalayi ja rahi?"

Ye khyaal aate hi main fauran us bade se patthar ke pichhe dubak gaya. Goli chalne ki aawaz se jo pehle aas paas pedon par bethe panchhi chehcheha rahe the ab udkar bhaag chuke the aur hawa mein phir se khamoshi chha gayi thi. Aur us khamoshi mein mujhe pedon ke beech neeche gire patton par kisi ke chalne ki aawaz saaf sunai dene lagi. Jo koi bhi tha, ab mere aa paas hi tha. Maine apni gardan halki si uper uthayi taaki patthar ke pichhe se dekh sakun ke kaun hai par tabhi us shaks ne zor se mera naam pukara.

Is baat ne mere is shak ki pushti kar di ke goliyon ka nishana main hi tha, par kyun?

Us aadmi ne ek baar phir mera naam pukara. Mujhe samajh nahi aa raha tha ke kya karun. Jahan uske haath mein bandook thi vahan mere paas toh ek chhota sa danda bhi nahi tha. Khaali haath us patthar ke pichhe chhipa betha tha.

"Kya vo janta hai ke main is patthar ke pichhe hoon?" Maine dil hi dil mein socha, "Kya dekha tha usne mujhe"

"Main janta hoon tum us patthar ke pichhe chhipe ho" Us aadmi ne jaise itni door se hi mere khyaal padh liye "Dekh liya tha maine tumhein. Bahar aa jao"

"Ab kya karun?" Main phir soch mein pad gaya, "Patthar ke pichh se nikla toh ye goli maar dega par yahan chhipa raha bhi toh kitni der tak, vo yahan aake goli maar dega. Bhaag loon kya? Par ye mujhpar goli chala kyun raha hai?"

"Arrey bhai tum par goli nahi chala raha hoon" Usne ek baar phir jaise mere khyaal sun liye, "Bahar aa jao, main toh chidiya maar raha tha, bird hunting. Ye dekho"

Maine patthar ke pichhe se gardan nikal kar dekha. Usne wakai haath mein mari hui do teen birds pakad rakhi thi. Maine rahat ki saans li aur patthar ke pichhe se uth kar khada hua.

"Hello " Vo aadmi muskurata hua meri taraf aaya. Vo koi 60 ke aas paas ka lamba chauda shakhs tha. Chehre par robdaar moonchhen, badi badi aankhen, gora rang. badi chhati, tandrust jism. All and all, ek raubdaar personality. Par pata nahi kyun usko dekhte hi pehli nazar mein hi main use na=pasand karne laga. Ek ajeeb sa gussa aa raha tha mujhe uspar, ajeeb chid si ho rahi thi. Shayad is vajah se ke thodi der pehle hi usne meri achhi khaasi subah ka satya-naash kar diya tha. Shayad isliye ke abhi thodi der pehle mujhe lag raha tha ke vo goliyan mujh par chala raha tha.

"Tum khamkhwah dar rahe ho yaar, main tumhein goli kyun maarunga" Vo mere kareeb aaya aur meri taraf haath badhaya.

"Aap mujhe kaise jaante hain?" Maine uska haath milaya.

"Sakshi ne bataya tha. Ek nazar mein dekhte hi pehchan gaya main tumhein" Usne is tarah se kaha ke mujhe pehchan kar jaane kaun sa bada teer maar liya.

"Aur aap?"

"Mujhe nahi pehchana?" Vo phir aise bola jaise ke ye mera farz tha ke mujhe uski pehchan ho. Paida hote hi mujhe maan shabd se pehle uska naam bolna chahiye tha. Jaise vo koi bahut bada superstar tha.

"Maaf kijiyega" Main thoda kheejte hue bola "Aapki koi film maine dekhi nahi"

"Ha ha ha" Vo zor se dil khol kar hasa "Pasand aaya mujhe tumhara sense of humor. Ham Pratap Rana hain"

Uske bolne ka andaaz aisa tha jaise ke mujhe ye sunte hi uske pairon mein gir jana chahiye tha.

"Sakshi ke Papa" Usne baat aage jaari rakhi.

"Ji haan, bataya tha usne mujhe aapke baare mein"

"Aur hamein tumhare baare mein bataya tha. Ham subah aksar aate hain idhar shikar par" Vo mujhe rifle dikhate hue bola.

"Chidimaar sala" Maine dil hi dil mein socha.

"Ham jaante hain tum kya soch rahe ho, chidimaar sala, hai na?" Use jaise phir se mere khyaal sunai de gaye.

"Nahi, aisa kuchh bhi nahi" Main nakli hasi hasta hua bola.

"Koi baat nahi, sab hamein dekhke yahi bolte hain"

"Toh kya galat bolte hain?" Maine phir dil mein socha.

"Aur nahi, galat nahi bolte" Usne jaise phir mera dimag padh liya.

Main andar tak kilas utha. Main sochta hoon toh koi aawaz aati hai kya?

"Haath mein bandook uthaye ek buddha pedon par chidiya maarta phir raha ho toh use chidimaar hi kahenge, kyun hai na?" Vo hasta hua bola.

Jawab mein main sirf muskura kar reh gaya.

"Kaisi lag rahi hai ye jagah?" Usne apne haath mein pakdi rifle ko ghuma kar apne kandhe par taang liya. Doosre haath mein uske 3 mari hui chidiyan thi jinhein usne pairon se pakad kar rakah tha. Shayad kabootar the par unse goli lagne ke baad aur khoon se sane hone ki vajah se pehchan pana zara mushkil tha.

"Khoobsurat hai" Maine mari hui chidiyon ki taraf dekhte hue kaha.

"Dont worry, inhein main paka kar khaoonga nahi" Usne jaise phir mera dimag padh liya kyunki main soch hi raha tha ke vo in kabooraton ko uthaye kyun ghoom raha hai, "come on, help me"

Usne thoda aage badhkar bandook ko usi patthar par rakh diya jiske pichhe main chhipa hua tha aur kabootaron ko neeche zameen par. Phir usne apni jeb se ek bada sa swiss knife nikala aur pairon se zameen ko daba daba kar dekhne laga.

"Aajkal thoda baarish ho rahi hai isliye aaram se dafnane ke liye jagah mil jaati hai" Vo zameen ka jaayza lete hue bina meri taraf dekhe kahe ja raha tha, "Varna aksar badi mushkil ho jaati hai aisi jagah dhoondhne mein jo aaram se khodi ja sake"

"I think i will leave" Maine uski baat ko ansuna karte hue kaha.

"Arrey ruko ek min" Vo ek jagah par ukdoon beth gaya aur swiss knife ki madad se zameen mein gaddha khodne laga, "Bas zara ye nipta loon"

"I am kind of getting hungry" Maine jawab diya, "Think i will go and grab a bite to eat"

"Yahan thoda aage hi chaai ki dukaan hai ek, khul jaati hai subah subah. Badi mazedaar chaai banata hai, aaloo ke paranthe bhi. Vahin chalke nashta karte hain. Main toh apni roz subah ki chaai vahin pita hoon"

"Matlab roz subah 3-4 kabootar shaheed karta hai sala" Maine dil hi dil mein socha.

"Nahi shikar par roz nahi aata" Usne ek baar phir usi baat ka jawab diya jo main soch raha tha, "Ye toh bas kabhi kabhi mood ki baat hai. Par haan roz subah ki chaai main usi dukaan par pita hoon"

Mere dimag mein kayi khyaal aaye par maine sabko door kar diya. Kuchh sochunga aur buddha sala phir taad jaayega.

"Nahi i dont really drink and eat outside" Maine bahana mara.

"Arrey Hindustan mein rehkar dhaabo par chaai nashta nahi kiya toh kya kiya. Ek baar saath chalo, phir kehna" Usne jawab diya toh mere paas kehne ko aur kuchh nahi bacha"

Agle 10 min tak main vahan khada use un kabootaron ko dafnate dekhta raha. Usne swiss knife ki madad se ek khasa gehra gaddha khoda aur dafnane ke baad aankh band karke jaane kya mantar se padhne laga.

"Chala jaaye?" Haathon se mitti jhadta hua vo utha aur mujhse bola.

Yun toh mujhe vo ek aankh bhi nahi bha raha tha aur shayad iski vajah ye thi ke abhi thodi der pehle mujhe ye lag raha tha ke vo mujh par goliyan chala raha hai. Kaha jata hai ke First impression is the last impression aur mujhpa uska pehla impression bandook liye ek sanki chidimaar ka tha.

"Khair, pehla impression galat bhi ho sakta hai" Maine khud se kaha aur dil hi dil mein ye sochkar uske saath ho liya ke shayad case se related koi information isse mil jaaye.

"Kaisa lag raha hai hamara chhota sa town?" Usne phir mujhse vahi sawal kiya.

"Khoobsurat jagah hai" Is baar jawab maine muskura kar diya.

"Listen i am sorry if i scared you back there" Mujhe muskurata dekh vo bhi muskura utha.

"No thats all right. Galti meri hi thi. Kuchh zyada hi jaldi dar gaya"

'Nahi aapki jagah koi bhi hota toh darr hi jata. Subah subah ka wat, halka andhera, sunsaan jagah aur agar aise mein achanak kahin nazdeek se goliyon ki aawaz aane lage toh koi bhi dar jaayega"

"Aap bhi yahin paas mein hi rehte hain na?"

"Haan yahan thoda aage hi hamara bhi ghar hai. Ravi ko dhoondhne mein koi progress ab tak?"

Uska sawal sunkar maine hairat se uski taraf dekha.

"Arrey bhai agar mujhe ye pata hai ke tum kaun ho toh zahir si baat hai ke ye bhi pata hoga ke tum yahan kya kar rahe ho"

"Yes, you are right" Maine jhenpte hue kaha "I am sorry"

"No dont worry. Sakshi ne bataya tha mujhe sab kuchh"

"And to answer your question, No. Kuchh khaas pata nahi chal paya hai"

"Aur chalega bhi nahi"

"Aap itna yaqeen se kaise keh sakte hain"

"Ravi ek hoshiyar ladka tha. Jo koi bhi vajah thi magar usne yahan se jana hi behtar samjha. Aur aisa gaya ke koi uska suraag tak nahi dhoondh saka 20 saal se. Ab tum hi batao, jo aadmi 20 saal se chhupa hua hai aur saamne nahi aana chahta, use dhoondh pana kya mumkin hai? 20 saal ek bahut lamba arsa hota hai, ab tak toh shakal bhi badal gayi hogi uski. Saamne se nikal jaayega aur pehchan mein nahi aayega"

"Shukar hai" Maine haste hue kaha.

"Kis baat ka?"

"Koi toh hai jo ye manta hai ke vo zinda hai varna yahan toh almost har koi yahi maan chuka hai ke vo mar chuka hai"

"20 saal tak koi bina bataye, bina kuchh kahe gayab rahe toh sabka aisa maan lena jayaz bhi hai"

"I agree. Mujhe toh kabhi kabhi aisa lagta hai ke mujhe Ravi ko nahi, uske murderer ko dhoondhne ke liye hire kiya gaya hai"

"There is no murderer. Ravi is alive somewhere. Or at least he was alive when he left here. Vo apni marzi se gaya hai kahin"

"Aap itna yakeen se kaise keh sakte hain?"

"Pehli baat toh ye ke agar mara hota toh der sawer laash zaroor milti uski"

"Zaroori nahi"

"Uske dost ki bhi toh mili thi"

"Kanha?"

"Yep"

"Phir bhi. Hamare desh mein hazaron log marte hain aur phir kabhi unke bodies nahi milte. Its not something new"

"Nahi, i think i know ke vo kyun gaya yahan se"

"Kyun?"

"Ek ladki ke chakkar mein"

"Kaun ladki"

"Sunanda"

"Vo jise prostitute kehte hain sab?"

"Oh so you do know about her. I am impressed"

"Thanks. Us ladki ka Ravi se kya lena dena?"

"Agar aap ladki ke baare mein jaante hain toh ye bhi jaante hain ke vo bhi Ravi ki tarah hi gayab hui thi"

"Yeah i know that"

"Dont you think its strange ke vo pehle khud gayab hui aur phir kuchh time baad Ravi lapata ho gaya?"

"It could be a co-incidence"

"No it was not. I am sure vo dono saath hi gayab hue hain"

"Aisa kyun?"

"Who knows. Maybe they were in love aur Mr. Rana kabhi is baat par na maante ke Ravi aisi ladki se shaadi kare. Isi liye vo lapata hua"

"Gayab hone ki kya zaroorat thi. Alag bhi toh ho sakta tha ghar se"

Good one. Goli chal rahi thi to pathar k puche chupne wala scene bhut funny tha

 

[Casinar]

Pratap Rana se milkar main vaapis Guest house pahuncha toh Kamini living room mein bethi TV dekh rahi thi.

"Uth gayi Maharani Sahiba?" Main uske saath sofe par bethta hua bola.

"Kahan mar gaye the subah subah?"

"Haan ek pal ke liye toh mujhe bhi yahi laga tha ke maara hi jaoonga"

"Kya matlab?"

Maine use Pratap Rana ke goli chalane wale incident ke baare mein bataya.

"Hmmmm, interesting fellow" Vo meri baat sunkar boli.

"Crazy is the word i was hoping for" Maine hairat se uski taraf dekhte hue kaha.

"Haan crazy bhi keh sakte ho. Vaise aaj ka kya plan hai?"

"Jo thodi bahut leads hain filhal haath mein unhi par kuchh aage ki taraf badhte hain"

"Jaise ke?"

"Jaise ke sabse pehle toh ye dekhna hai ke vo jo chaabi hamein mili hai vo kahin fit hoti hai ya nahi"

"Vo kaise pata karenge?"

"Chhota kasba hai Chail aur paas ka Shimla bhi koi khaasa bada shehar nahi aur Ravi Rana ek bada aadmi tha. Pata lagana hai ke kaun se bank 20 saal pehle bhi locker service available karate the"

"Bank hi kyun?"

"Shimla 20 saal pehle aur bhi chhota shehar raha hoga toh i am sure aaj se 20 saal pehle locker jaise suvidha Bank ke alawa kahin aur nahi milti hogi"

"Gym bhi toh ho sakta hai"

"20 saal pehle, i doubt it par pata kar sakte hain"

"Aur ye bhi toh ho sakta hai ke chaabi kisi locker ki ho hi na. Aise bhi toh chaabiyon par numbers likhe hote hain"

"Hone ko toh kuchh bhi ho sakta hai par check karne mein kya harj hai"

"Ok, what about the other leads?"

"Ravi ke finances par ek nazar daalni hai maine, balki Ravi ke kya poore Rana Khandaan ke 20 saal purane financials dekhne hain"

"Is that possible? Wouldnt they object?"

"I am sure they will but if Mrs. Rana expects me to find her any information about her son then she better co-operate"

"Co-operate toh main bhi karne ko taiyyar hoon vaise, magar tum try hi nahi karte" Vo bethi bethi thoda sa mere paas ko khiski.

"Bakwaas na kar" Maine use pichhe ko dhakela.

"Haan theek hai , theek hai, bhaav na khao zyada"

"Iske alawa Kanha ke baap se jakar baat karni hai"

"Kanha?"

"Haan Ravi ka best friend" Maine use Kanha se related poori kahani batayi.

"Hmmmm, this makes things even more interesting"

"And complicated too. Lets see if Kanha's father can tell us anything interesting. And then the last one is Sunanda"

"Ye Sunanda kaun hai?"

"Ek prostitute"

"Had karte ho yaar, mere rehte tumhein prostite ke paas jaane ki zaroorat pad rahi hai, sharam karo"

"Sharam main nahi tu kar, har baat ka ulta hi matlab nikalti hai. Ye bhi case se related hi hai"

"Is case mein ek prostitute bhi shaamil hai?"

"Yep"

"Porstitute ka kya angle hai?"

"Angle filhal assumption wala hai. Vo ye ke ye shayad Ravi ki lover bhi ho sakti thi aur vo iske saath bhaga hai kahin"

"Ye bhi gayab hai?"

"Haan, Ravi se ek hafta pehle ye gayab hui thi aur phir iske baad Ravi bhi gayab. Toh ek assumption ye nikal raha hai ke dono saath bhaage hain kahin because they were lovers and Ravi ke gharwale kabhi unhein saath na rehne dete"

"Agar sahi mein aisa hai toh sahi haath mara prostitute ne, just like old hindi movies ki tarah. Ek gareeb sundar kothe-wali aur ek ameer raees-zada uska chahne wala"

"Well, lets see what the fact is"

"Shuru kahan se karna hai?"

Kamini ne sawal kiya hi tha ke mera phone bajne laga, call Negi yani Inspector Falana Falana ki thi.

"Well i think its gonna be Sunanda" Maine muskura kar Kamini ki taraf dekha.

"Hows that?"

"Because over helpful and super active Inspector Falana Falana is calling me"

Cool. Ye kameeni kamini interesting character hai.

 

[Casinar]

Maine ghar mein nazar ghumayi. Khaas kuchh tha nahi, bas zaroorat bhar ka saman. Tabhi meri nazar deewar par tangi ek tasveer par padi.Vo ek lakdi ke photo mein framed photographed thi, black and white. Kursi se uthkar main us photo ke paas gaya aur gaur se dekha aur pal bhar mein hi meri soch ka rukh fauran badal gaya.

Maine ghar mein ek baar phir chaaro taraf dekha par aur kahin koi tasveer dikhai nahi di, bas vahi ek photo thi poore ghar mein. Tasveer ek ladki ki thi, face close up jaisa ke aksar ham passport size photographs khinchvate hain. Tasveer khinchne ka andaaz bhi passport size photograph wala hi tha. Ek ladki saamne camera ki taraf dekh kar muskura rahi thi aur pichhe background mein ek kala parda tanga hua tha jaisa ke photographers ki dukaan mein hota hai.

Maine tasveer mein bethi ladki ko gaur se dekha. Ek baat toh saaf thi ke yahi ladki Sunanda thi. Jis waqt ki ye tasveer thi us waqt uski umar koi 20 se 25 ke beech rahi hogi.

Aajkal toh digital photography aur photoshop jaise softwares ki aa jaane ke baad shakal kaisi bhi ho, photo kaise bhi karke achhi aa hi jaati hai par 20 saal pehle aisa nahi tha. Us waqt jaisi shakal vaisi tasveer wala funda hi tha. Yani ke ye ladki jaisi tasveer mein dikh rahi thi vaisi hi asal zindagi mein bhi dikhti hogi. Saanwla rang, aankhon mein kajal ke dore, kaan mein baaliyan, naak mein bhi ek chhoti si baali, baal khinch kar kamar par baandhi gayi choti aur baalon mein tel itna ke camera ka flash bhi sar pe pad kar chamak raha tha. Yun toh tasveer sirf seene tak thi par uske chehre ko dekh kar lagta tha ke ladki thodi si moti bhi thi. Shakal soort se bhi vo bas ek aam si hi ladki thi, koi khaas baat nahi thi usmein.

Ek baat aur jispar mera dhyaan gaya vo ye thi ke yun toh iski maan ko Sunanda ki maut par poora yakeen tha par na toh photo ke uper hi koi phool the aur na saamne.

"Ye meri beti Sunanda hai" Pichhe se aawaz aayi toh main palta. Vo aurat aur Kamini dono table par chaai rakh rahe the.

"Ji mujhe laga bhi tha" Main vaapis kursi par aakar bethta hua bola.

"Ab aap hi bataiye, us photo mein aapko ek sidhi saadi gharelu ladki dikhai di ya koi dhandha karne wali?"

Sawal itna sidha tha ke main ek pal ke liye baukhla utha.

"Oh" Agle hi pal sambhlata hua main bola, "Toh aap jaanti hain"

"Main kya poora gaon janta hai ke meri beti ke baare mein is tarah ki afwaah udi hui thi"

"Aur ye baat aapko kab pata chali?"

"Matlab?"

"Matlab kya aapki is baare mein kabhi Sunanda se baat hui koi?"

"Nahi ye baat mujhe uske jaane ke baad pata chali, jab main police station ke chakkar kaat rahi thi. Policewalo ka kehna tha ke ek dhandha karne wali ka kya bharosa. Bhaag gayi hogi apne kisi yaar ke saath. Mujhe toh iske baad pata chala ke policewale hi nahi, aas paas ke gaon ke log sab yahi kehte the meri beti ke baare mein"

"oh"

"Meri beti aisi nahi thi, bahut hi dhaarmik kism ki thi vo. Kaise kaise ilzaam lagaye in logon ne meri bechari bachchi par"

"Us din jab Sunanda ghar se nikli thi, toh kya kehkar gayi thi"

"Kuchh kapde lene the usne isliye Solan gayi thi. Subah nikli thi ye kehkar ke shaam tak aa jaayegi par aisi gayi ke aaj tak nahi lauti"

"Agar aap bura na maanen toh ek baat puchhun?"

"Puchhiye"

"Kya aapki beti kisi ko pasand karti thi?"

"Vo toh sab hi ko pasand karti thi, sab se has bol kar milti thi"

"Ji nahi, mera matlab koi ladka. Jise vo chahti ho, jisse shaadi karna chahti ho?"

"Koi tha toh"

"Kaun?"

"Ye mujhe pata nahi"

"Aapko kaise pata ke koi ladka tha?"

"Usne khud bataya tha ke ek ladka hai jise vo pasand karti hai aur shaadi karna chahti hai"

"Naam nahi bataya?"

"Maine puchha tha ke kaun hai, kai baar puchha par vo taal gayi. Kehti thi ke waqt aane par batayegi"

"Aisa kyun?"

"Ye toh bhagwan jaane. Kehti thi ke samaj shayad unke rishte ko manzoor na kare isliye vo abhi se baat nahi udana chahti thi"

"Aapka koi andaza ke kaun ho sakta tha?"

"Pata nahi par mujhe toh lagta tha ke shayad koi neechi jaati ka ladka hoga jise lekar itna jhijhak rahi hai"

"Agar hota toh aap mana karti?"

"Nahi, bilkul nahi. Ladka achha hota, khata kamata hota yahi kaafi tha mere liye"


"Aapne kabhi is baat par zor dene ki koshish ki ke aap us ladke se milna chahti hain? Mera matlab aap uski maan thi, kabhi aapko aisa laga ho ke is tarah kisi ladke se uska milna julna theek nahi tha, ya kabhi aapne use is tarah ka kuchh kaha ho?"

"Nahi kabhi rok tok toh nahi ki thi maine uske saath par haan, ek jawan ladki ki maan hone ke naate fikar toh lagi hi rehti thi. Jaane ladka kaun tha, kya karta tha, kaisa tha? Shaadi karna bhi chahta tha ya bas yun hi shaadi ki baatein karke uska fayda utha raha tha"

"Ye baat kabhi kahi thi aapne usse?"

"Haan kahi thi, kayi baar par use us ladke par poora bharosa tha. Kehti thi ke fayda uthane ki koshish karna toh door ki baar, us ladke ne kabhi use haath tak nahi lagaya tha"

"Bura na maanein toh ek baat aur puchhun?"

""Kahiye"

"Aapki beti us tarah ka kaam karti hai, kabhi aapne ye socha ke ye baat shuru kaise aur kyun hui?"

"Nahi, kabhi nahi socha kyunki mujhe pata tha ke ye baat kyun aur kaise shuru hui?"

"Kaise?"

Mera ye sawal sunkar vo ek pal ke liye chup ho gayi jaise apne aap mein ulajh rahi ho ke bataye ya na bataye. Uske chehre ke haav bhaav dekh kar uske batane se pehle hi mujhe andaza ho gaya ke vo ab aage kya kehne wali hai.

"Sach sunna chahenge ya jhooth?" Thodi der ki khamoshi ke baad vo boli.

"Is baat se koi farak nahi padta ke main kya sunna chahta hoon" Maine muskurate hue kaha, "Main sirf vo sununga aur maan loonga jo aap mujhe batayengi. Faisla aapne karna hai ke aap mujhe sach batana chahti hai ya jhooth"

"Toh phir sach hi sun lijiye" Usne ek lambi saans lete hue kaha, "Vaise bhi ab mere aage pichhe hai hi kaun jise mere sach bolne se koi farak pade"

"Shayad mujhe andaza hai ke aap kya kehne wali hain" Maine uski mushkil ko kuchh aasan karne ki koshish ki.

"Tab toh phir aap ye bhi jaante honge ke ek sharabi aur juanri ki biwi ko ghar chalane ke liye is tarah ka kaam bhi karna pad sakta hai"

"Bilkul janta hoon, is tarah ke kayi cases dekh bhi chuka hoon" Maine jawab diya.

"Main samjhi nahi" Kamini beech mein bol uthi.

"Mera pati ek sharabi aur juanri tha. Sharab pi pike mar gaya aur pichhe mere paas chhod gaya ek beti aur bahut sara karza jise chukate chukate sab kuchh bik gaya. Jab bechne ko aur kuchh nahi bacha toh majboor hoke apna aur beti ka pet paalne ke liye mujhe apne paas bachi aakhri cheez bhi bechni padi, apna jism"

"Oh" Jawab sunkar Kamini ne apni nazar neeche jhuka li, shayad apne sawal par hi sharminda ho rahi thi.

"Pata nahi kitne waqt tak maine ye kaam kiya par vo ek bahut lamba arsa tha. Jab kuchh paise jama ho gaye toh main yahan aakar bas gayi, chhoti si zameen kharid li"

"Sunanda jaanti thi ye baat?"

"Sach kabhi chhupta nahi aur aapka ateet aapka pichha kabhi chhodta nahi, aisa hi kuchh hua mere saath bhi. Yun toh main yahan is ummeed mein aake basi thi ke apni guzri zindagi se door aa jaoongi par mere ateet ne mujhe yahan bhi aakar pakad hi liya. Gaon mein aur aas paas ke saare gaon mein baat ud gayi ke main kis tarah ka kaam karti thi"

"Aur aapke saath logon ne Sunanda ka naam bhi isi mein jod diya"

"Haan, sabka yahi maanna tha ke maan agar dhandhe wali thi toh beti kaise shareef sidhi ho sakti hai par aisa tha nahi. Meri beti thi bahut shareef sidhi, ekdam paak pavitra"

"Jab Sunanda ko pata chali ye baat toh usne kya kaha?"

"Samajhdaar thi meri beti, jaanti thi ke maine jo kiya usi ke liye kiya"

"Aapki beti ki us waqt koi aur dost rahi ho jise pata ho us ladke ke baare mein?"

"Ek ladki jise sab dhandhe wali kehte the, aapko lagta hai ke kisi ladki ne use dosti ke kaabil samjha hoga?"

"Nahi i guess not, koi aur baat jo aap batana chahti hon? Jo kabhi kisi se aapne na kahi ho?"

"Maine toh sab usi waqt police ko bata diya tha, beti ko dhoondhne ki koshish mein par 20 saal se bas intezaar hi kar rahi hoon ke ya toh beti laut aaye ya koi aake bata de ke kya hua tha uske saath"

"Koshish karunga ke aapke sawal ka jawab aapko de sakun" Maine kaha, "Aapki beti school college vagerah kahin gayi thi?"

"Bas school hi padi thi, college nahi gayi kabhi"

"Us ladke se kahan mili thi vo?"

"Ye toh main khud bhi nahi jaanti"

"Aur vo dono kahan milte the? Zahir hai yahan gaon mein toh nahi milte honge"

"Nahi gaon mein toh nahi, bahar hi kahin milte the dono. Pehle toh bahana bana kar jaati thi par jab mujhe saari baat bata di toh mujhe bata kar hi jaati thi ke us ladke se milne ja rahi hai"

"Ek aakhri sawal, aapki beti ka sangeet mein koi interest tha? Gaati achha ho ya dance vagerah mein koi dilchaspi?"

"Gaati bada pyara thi, hamesha se filmon mein gana chahti thi. Lata Mangeshkar ki toh jaise pooja hi karti thi"

Is poori baat cheet ke dauran hamne chaai ko bilkul nazar andaaz kar diya tha jo ke ab tak rakhi rakhi thandi ho chuki thi. Chaai ek baar phir garam ki gayi aur kuchh der baad ham ghar se bahar nikle.

"Aapke paas Sunanda ki koi tasveer hai kya?" Jaate jaate maine Sunandi ki maan se puchha, "Koi aisi tasveer jo aap mujhe de sakti hon?"

"Ji zaroor" Kehkar vo andar gayi aur ek tasveer haath mein liye vaapis aayi.

"Ye uske lapata hone se kuchh din pehle ki tasveer hai"

Maine tasveer par nazar daali. Vo ek saade suit mein ek ped ka sahar liye khadi thi.

"Kisne li thi ye tasveer?"

"Jaanti nahi, shayad usi ladke ne jisse vo mil rahi thi

"Ok, thank you" Maine tasveer apni jeb mein rakhi aur apna card nikala, "Ye yahan uper mera mobile number likha hai. Aapko aur kuchh agar yaad aaye toh mujhe is number pe phone kar lijiyega"

Ham pagdandi par vaapis chalte hue us jagah tak aaye jahan Police ki gaadi khadi thi. Hamein aata dekh Negi gaadi se bahar nikla.

"I DID NOT like that woman" Hamein dekh vo thoda gusse mein bola aur meri aur Kamini ki hasi chhut padi.

Very interesting. Ab sunanda gaati thi aur ravi musician tha to donon zaroor ek dusre se attract hue the. Ye meri soch hai

 

[Rahul]

waiting 4 update

 

[The Immortal]

Uske agle hi din meri maan ke zor daalne par Renuka ne office se maternity leave le li. Halanki vo abhi sirf mushkil se ek mahina pregnant thi par meri maan ne use office jaane se saaf mana kar diya. Uske office wale bhi is shart par maan gaye ke vo rozana kuchh ghante ke liye ghar se kaam karegi.

Jahan mere maan baap is baat ko lekar behad khush the vahin mere toh jaise armano par pani phir gaya tha. Kahin apne dil mein main is baat par yakeen kar chuka tha ke Renuka ki kokh mein pal raha bachcha mera nahi tha. Hamare ghar mein ek naya member judne wala tha aur har koi bas usi ki taiyyari mein laga hua tha. Sara din ghar mein kabhi is baat par charcha rehti ke ladka hoga ya ladki toh kabhi is baat par ke bachche ka naam kya rakhenge. Jab bada ho jaayega toh kaun se school mein bhejenge, bada hokar vo kya banega vagerah vagerah. Par mere dimag mein in sabse hatkar ek alag hi soch badhti ja rahi thi.

Sabse badi baat jo mujhe pareshan kar rahi thi vo ye thi ke us din Renuka ke saath vo ladka kaun tha. Kaun tha jo meri bagal se meri biwi ko nikal le gaya aur mujhe khabar tak nahi hui. Peshe se main ek investigative journalist tha, is tarah ki baatein pata lagana mera kaam tha. Maine faisla kiya tha ke agle kuchh din tak Renuka par nazar rakhunga, uski har movement ka pata lagaoonga ke kahan jaati hai, kisse milti hai aur kitna waqt kahan guzarti hai. Par uske maternity leave lene ke baad mera ye plan fail ho gaya. Usne maternity leave kya li, ghar se toh usne jaise nikalna hi chhod diya. Bas sara din ghar par meri maan ke saath bethi baatein karti rehti thi aur agar ghar se nikalti bhi toh maan ke saath. Kayi baar chupke se maine un dono ka pichha kiya ye sochkar ke shayad vo maan ko kuchh bahana banakar chori se us ladke se mile par aisa kuchh hua nahi. Vo jis kaam se nikalte the nipta kar ghar vaapis aa jaate the. Na toh vo maan se alag hoti thi aur na hi beech mein kahin koi use milta tha.

Doosri baat ye ke main pata lagana chahta tha ke bachcha mera hai ya nahi. Yun toh mujhe yakeen tha ke bachche ka baap main nahi hoon par phir bhi apne dil ki tasalli ke liye ek baar confirm karna chahta tha. Kuchh doctors se maine pata kiya toh jawab ye mila ke is tarah ka test karne ke liye kuchh mahine wait karna padega. Pregnancy ke shuru ke dino mein is tarah ka koi test nahi kiya ja sakta.

Par pareshani ki baat ye thi ke aisa koi test karaya kaise jaaye. Zahir si baat thi ke main asal vajah toh Renuka ko bata nahi sakta tha. Jo bhi karna tha use bina bataye karna tha. Par phir iske liye kisi aise doctor ki bhi zaroorat thi jo is kaam merin khamoshi se mera saath de. Mere saath saath vo bhi Renuka se jhooth bole ke normal koi test kar raha hai aur baad mein nateeja chahe kuchh bhi ho, bachcha mera ho ya na ho, is baat ko bahar na nikalne de, sirf apne tak rakhe.

Renuka ki jasoosi karne ka ab mere paas sirf ek hi tareeka tha. Uske phone aur laptop ko track karna. Kayi baar maine uska phone utha kar contact list, call list aur inbox mein messages dekhe par aisa kuchh nahi mila jo mujhe uske aashiq ka naam aur pata bata sakta. Vo jo bhi kar rahi thi bahut hi hoshiyari se kar rahi thi aur mere paas sivaay uske phone aur laptop ko track karne ke aur koi rasta nahi bacha tha. Kaam mushkil nahi tha. Ek aadmi tha meri pehchan mein jo ye mere liye kar sakta tha, Akram Ballebaaz.

"Kya haal hain sarkar, bade din baad idhar ka rasta bhoole" Main Akram se milne gaya toh vo bahut hi garam joshi se mujhse mila.

Uska naam Akram Ballebaaz kyun tha ye koi nahi janta tha sivaay uske aur vo kisi ko batata nahi tha. Asli naam kya tha ye bhi koi nahi janta tha aur sab use bas Akram Ballebaaz hi keh kar bulate the. Yahan tak ke uske driving licence aur passport par bhi uska naam Akram Ballebaaz hi tha. Aage pichhe uska koi nahi tha aur koi nahi janta tha ke vo kaun tha, kahan se aaya tha par aadmi kaam ka tha. Bina kisi degree aur formal education ke computers aur electrical gadgets ki bahut hi zabardast knowledge thi use.

"Ek kaam tha yaar" Maine kaha.

"Bataiye kiski jasoosi karni hai ab" Vo bola, "Par pehle ye bataiye ke garam lenge ya thanda"

Ye bhi uski bahut purani aadat thi. Apne paas aane wale har insaan ko kuchh khila pila kar zaroor bhejta tha, bhale hi saamne wala lakh mana karta rahe. Isse pehle bhi jab bhi main usse mila toh kuchh kha pikar hi nikla, bhale hi mera dil ho ya na ho. Is waqt bhi main janta tha ke mana karke kuchh haasil nahi hoga isliye khamoshi se use kuchh thanda laane ke liye bol diya. Usne phone uthaya aur kisi ko 2 cold drinks aur samose laane ko kaha.

"Ek baat bata Akram"

"Kahiye"

"Tu sala sara din yahan betha khata rehta hai aur phir bhi hai single pasli?"

Aur ye haqeeqat bhi tha. Vo apne office mein betha sara din bhains ki tarah jugali karta rehta tha par phir bhi itna dubla tha ke agar hawa chale toh udne ka darr ho jaaye.

"Allah ka karam samajh lijiye bas" Usne haskar jawab diya.

"Achha ek toh mujhe ek sim ka clone chahiye" Main matlab ki baat par aate hue kaha.

"Ho jaayega"

"Aur doosra mujhe ek laptop mein koi aisa bug ya virus daalna hai jo us laptop se jaane wali har email ki ek copy mujhe forward kare. Agar Skype, Yahoo ya MSN jaisi kisi chat service ke zariye koi chat ki ja rahi ho toh vo chat save kare aur mujhe email kar de"

"Email wala toh aasan hai, vo toh mil jaayega par ye chat wala zara tricky hoga"

"Ho paayega?"

"Haan ho toh jaayega par ek do din lagenge"

"Uski tension nahi hai. Jab taiyyar ho jaaye toh bata dena main laptop leta aaoonga"

"Kiska laptop hai?"

"Hai kisi ka. Ek kaam aur karna hai, ek landline tap karna hai ke jo bhi call incoming ya outgoing us phone se ho vo kahin record ho jaaye"

"Haan ho jaayega par jaake ek chhota sa device phone ke andar bethana padega"

"Vo toh tu jab chaahe kar dena. Mera hi landline hai"

"Apna phone tap kar rahe ho?" Usne hairat se meri taraf dekhte hue puchha.

"Haan yaar" Maine jawab diya, "Karna padta hai kabhi kabhi aisa bhi?"

"Par kyun?" Usne hairani se mujhse puchha.

"Arrey aisa kuchh nahi hai, aajkal zara ajeeb ajeeb se phone aa rahe hain ghar par aur uper se mera kuchh kaam bhi aisa hai. Toh sochta hoon ke ghar par kuchh install kara loon aisa jisse ke ghar par aane wali calls track ki ja saken, conversation record ho sake"

"Haan ho jaayega, aap jab bolo main ghar aake laga jaoonga"

"Main phone kar doonga tujhe" Main nahi chahta tha ke vo ye kaam Renuka ke saamne aakar kare isliye use kisi aise time par bulana zaroori tha jab ghar par koi na ho, "Most probably kal ya parso hi"

"Ye emails aur chat ka kya chakkar hai?"

"Track kar raha hoon kisi ko, evidence chahiye hogi kuchh uska gunaah saabit karne ke liye"

"Email wala toh aasan sa hi kaam hai, ek chhota sa spyware dalna hai bas. Chat record karne wala bhi ho jaayega, thoda sa time chahiye hoga"

"Theek hai"

"Aur Bhabhi ji ke kya haal chaal hain?"Usne achanak sawal kiya.

"Theek hai vo bhi" Ek pal ke liye mere munh se nikalne hi wala tha ke vo pregnant hai par phir maine baat zubaan tak hi rok li.

Usi raat dinner ke baad jab main aur Renuka sone ke liye lete toh vo mere kareeb hokar let gayi. Maine bas ek baar uski taraf bedili se muskura kar dekha aur aankhen band kar li. Usne khud hi apna sar utha kar mere seene par rakhe aur aur meri ek bazu ko apne jism par lape-te hue mere baahon mein simat si gayi. Uska aisa karna mujhe bilkul pasand nahi aaya par man maarkar main chup chap aankhen band kiye leta raha.

"Ek baat puchhun?" Kuchh lamhon ki khamoshi ke baad vo boli.

"Hmmmm" Maine jawab mein sirf haami bhari.

"Naraz ho mujhse kya?"

"Nahi toh" Uske achanak is sawan ne mujhe aankhen khol kar uski taraf dekhne par majboor kar diya.

"Kuchh din se dekh rahi hoon ke bade kate kate se rehte ho, jaisa kuchh kehna chah rahe ho mujhse, kuchh puchhna chah rahe ho par keh nahi pa rahe. Sirf khamoshi se andar hi andar ghut rahe ho. Mujhse koi bhool ho gayi kya?"

Dil mein toh aaya ke keh doon ke tumse vo galti hui hai jiske baad har galti chhoti pad jaati hai.

"Nahi toh, aisa toh kuchh bhi nahi hai" Main sirf itna hi keh paya.

"Jaanti hoon main tumhein bahut achhi tarah" Vo vaise hi lete lete boli, "Tumhari aankhon mein dikhta hai mujhe ke koi baat pareshan kar rahi hai tumhein. Kya hua hai"

"Tumhein is tarah pareshan dekh kar jaan nikalti hai meri, please agar kuchh hai toh bata do"

"Main sach keh raha hoon aisa kuchh nahi hai" Maine jhoothi tasalli deni chahi, "Veham hai tumara. Thoda kaam vagerah ke chakkar mein phasa hua hoon isliye aisa lag raha hai tumhein"

"Is it because of the child?" Usne jaise meri baat suni hi nahi.

"Child? What do you mean?"

"Dekh rahi hoon ke jabse main bataya hai ke i am pregnant tum kuchh pareshan se ho. Maine vo ghadi lakar di thi, tumne ek baar bhi use nahi pehna. Pasand nahi aayi?"

Mujhe achanak yaad aaya ke uski laayi hui ghadi toh main bhool hi gaya tha.

"Nahi pasand toh bahut hai, you know i wanted to buy it" Mujhe samajh hi nahi aaya ke kya bahana banaoon ke main kyun ghadi ek baar bhi try nahi ki.

"If you dont want a baby right now then we dont have to do it" Usne phir baat ka rukh bachche ki taraf mod diya.

"Matlab?"

"Jabse main pregnant hoon khoye khoye se rehte ho, mere kareeb tak nahi aate. Agar bachche ko lekar pareshan ho toh we dont have to go through it. We can abort the baby"

"Kya bol rahi ho?" Mujhe uske andaaz se mehsoos hua ke vo serious thi toh main uthkar betha.

"There is nothing more imporant to me than you are. If you dont want this baby then i dont want it either" Aur ye kehte hue uski aankhen chhalak aayi. Do mote mote aansoon uski palkon se behkar uske gaalon par ludhak gaye.

Dil hi dil mein ye toh khud maine bhi kayi baar socha tha ke is bachche ko gira diya jaaye par Renuka se kaise kahun ye decide nahi kar paya. Aur ab jabki vo khud hi mere saamne bachcha girane ki baat kar rahi thi toh main ye decide nahi kar pa raha tha ke kaise react karun.

"Kuchh bolo na, kyun naraz ho?" Usne apna ek haath mere gaal par rakha.

"Main nahi hoon naraz, seriously"

"Jhooth bol rahe ho, chhupa rahe ho mujhse. Nahi batana toh mat batao par jo bhi galti hui mujhse, maaf to kar sakte ho. Please? I am sorry" Aur ye kehkar usne badi masoomiyat se kisi chhoti bachchi ki tarah apne dono kaan pakad liye.

Us ek lamhe main samajh nahi paya ke kya sahi hai aur kya galat. Hazar sawal ek baar phir dil mein umad pade. Kya mera shak sahi tha ya main bas yun hi baat ka batangad bana raha tha? Mere saamne bethi ye ladki jo bhaari palken liye apne kaan pakde mujhse maafi maang rahi thi, bina ye jaane ke vo kis baat ki maafi maang rahi hai, kya ye asal thi ya sirf ek natak? Kya is maafi mein sachchai thi ya apni bewafai ko chhupane ki koshish?

Kya vo mera pyaar tha jo use yun tadpa raha tha ya uska apna mujhe dhokha dene ka guilt jisne use is tarah maafi maangne par majboor kar diya tha? Ek pregnant aurat jo apna bachcha tak girane ko taiyyar thi meri khushi ke liye, meri mohabbat mein, kya ye haqeeat thi ya vo aurat haqeeat thi jo us din ek hotel ke band kamre mein kisi paraye mard ke saath kuchh ghante bita kar aayi thi? Kya vo bachcha isliye gira rahi thi kyunki use lagta tha main is baat se pareshan hoon aur bachcha nahi chahta? Ya isliye ke vo jaanti thi ke ye bachcha mera hai hi nahi?

Vo bachchon ki tarah kaan pakde mere saamne bethi ro rahi thi aur main bas uske chehre ki taraf dekhe ja raha tha.

 

[The Immortal]

Chapter 13 - The Day It Happened

Mujhe Chail aaye ek hafta ho chuka tha aur is beech mere haath koi bhi khaas information nahi aayi thi. Haan ek theroy zaroor maine bana li thi aur mujhe poora andesha tha ke aisa hi kuchh hua tha par vo theroy bhi abhi tak adhoori thi. Ab tak sirf itna hi mujhe samajh aaya tha ke Ravi aur Sunanda ka aapas mein affair tha. Dono ki shaadi na-mumkin thi aur iski vajah dono ke social status ke beech ka antar thi. Jo kuchh bhi dono ke saath hua tha uski vajah ye love affair hi tha par sabse bade jo sawal the unka jawab ab tak mere paas nahi tha.

Kya hua tha un dono ke saath?

Kya vo abhi zinda the ya mar chuke the?

Aur in sabse kahin badhke jo sawal tha vo ye tha ke jo information mujhe ek hafte mein pata lag gayi, Ravi aur Sunanda ke beech ki ye baat kahin bhi police files mein kyun nahi hai? Kya police aur CBI milkar is chhote se point ko dhoondh nahi paayi thi yar unhein is baat ko daba dene ke liye kaha tha? Aakhir kaun chahega ke unke khandan ke ladke ka naam kisi prostitute ki beti se joda jaaye?

"Kya soch rahe ho?" Main subah subah betha police files ki khaak chhan raha tha ke Kamini ek cup chaai bana laayi.

"Samajh nahi aa raha kuchh bhi"

"Matlab?"

"Matlab yaar ye ke aaj tak maine jo bhi cases investigate kiye hain vo ya toh kisi aise mamle se related hote the jo abhi bhi chal raha tha ya kisi aisi ghatna ko lekar jo abhi haal filhal mein hui hai. Had se had kuchh mahino pehle"

"Ok"

"Aise cases mein evidence ya toh fresh hoti hai aur agar fresh nahi hoti toh at least damaged ya khatam bhi nahi hoti. Logon ki yaad dasht taza hoti hai. Incidents ko jodne mein aasani rehti hai"

"Jo ki filhal is case mein nahi hai"

"Nahi bilkul nahi. Main 20 saal purani ek kabar khod raha hoon. 20 saal ek bahut lamba arsa hota hai Kamini. Us waqt is case mein involved kitne log toh shayad ab tak mar bhi chuke honge aur jo zinda hai unhein dhang se yaad nahi hoga"

"So toh hai"

"Aur koi nayi evidence dhoondhna toh almost impossible hi hai jaise. Jo kuchh bhi hai purani evidence hi hai aur vo yahan police files mein darj hai"

"Jo ke i am sure zyada helpful nahi hogi"

"Exactly. Ab samajh nahi aa raha ke is sabko lekar us 20 saal purani ghanta ko kaise samjhun"

"Why dont you recreate it?"

"What do you mean"

"You know like they show on the TV, on news channel"

"Yeah i know, i work for one"

"So i think a good place to start will be to recreate the incidents of that day, ke us din kya hua tha"

"Arrey vahi toh pata lagana hai par kaise"

"At least jitna pata laga sakte ho toh vo karo"

"I think you are right. Shaam ke baad jab Ravi ghar se nikla toh kya hua ye nahi pata par usse pehle ka toh pata chal hi sakta hai"





"Right"

"I mean jo us din hua of course there will be incidents for day prior to that, or maybe weeks or months which led to what happened to that day. Par in sab sawalon ka jawab is baat mein hai ke us din exactly hua kya tha"

"True" Kamini aise muskura rahi thi jaise pata nahi mera kaun sa bada marg-darshan kar diya ho.

"Samajhdaar ho gayi hai tu bhi mere saath reh rehke"

"Excuse me, main hamesha se hi bahut samajhdaar thi. Tumhein har thode waqt mein meri salah lete rehna chahiye, faayde mein rahoge"

"I agree," Maine apne baalon mein haath pherte hue kaha. "Kuchh saal pehle teri salah le leta toh aaj ye din dekhna nahi padta. Us din hospital mein hi teri baat maan li hoti Renuka ke baare mein toh aaj kahani kuchh aur hi hoti"

"Abhi bhi kuchh nahi bigda hai" Usne fauran mera haath apne haath mein liya, "Ab jo hua use bhool jao aur jo ja chuki hai use dosh nahi dete. Vo jaisi bhi thi, biwi thi tumhari. Bhale thode waqt ke liye hi sahi, ek bahut achha waqt saath guzara tum dono ne aur ek khoobsurat beta deke gayi hai vo tumhein. Ab vo ja chuki hai toh sabki behtari isi mein hai ke tum bhi ab har gile shikve ko dil se chale jaane do. Ek mari hui aurat ke khilaff apne dil mein nafrat paalkar tumhein kuchh haasil nahi hoga. Maaf kar do use. Apne gunaah ki saza usne khud hi apne aapko de di, khud apne haathon apni jaan le li. Ab tumhari baari hai use maaf kar dene ki"

"Yahi maafi agar vo zinda rehte mujhse maangti toh kya main maaf na karta use? Sirf ek baar mere saamne bethkar mujhse maafi ke do shabd kehne the, sab bhool jata main par usne mujhe is layak bhi nahi samjha. Maut ki saza usne sirf apne aapko nahi, apne pichhe apne chhote se bachche aur apne pati ko bhi di hai. Suicide was never the way out, all she needed to do was come back to her family, come back to me"

Mere is sawal ka jawab shayad Kamini ke paas bhi nahi tha. Vo kuchh pal ke liye bas chup chap dekhti rahi aur phir jab uski aankhen bhar aayi toh chehra doosri aur ghuma liya.

"I cant see you like this" Vo chehra doosri aur kiye boli, "Makes my heart break and my eyes water" You will have to let it go, if not for yourself then for your son and your family. And maybe for me"

Ek baar phir kamre mein khamishi chha gayi. Kuchh der baad ek baar phir khamoshi usi ne todi.

"So how are we gonna start" Apne chehre se baal hatate hue usne chehre par muskurahat bikheri aur meri taraf dekha.

"I think a good place to start will be to find out who Ravi spoke to that day, who he spent time with, where all did he go"

"We will have to talk to everyone about that"

"True"

"Who do you want to start with?"

"I think i have a name in mind"

"Who?"

"The same guy who takes care of the entire household, has been doing it for all his life"

"Liyaqat? Vo butler?"

"Right. Raat ko ghar ka main gate vahi lock karta hai aur subah vahi kholta bhi hai. Is ghar ke har insaan ki movement par uski nazar rehti hai. Usse maine pehle ek baar aur baat ki thi par tab koi zyada khaas information haasil nahi hui thi"

"Is baar bolega vo?"

"Nahi I am sure bolega toh abhi bhi kuchh khaas nahi vo. Kaafi ghunna type ka hai par at least mere paas puchhne ke liye behtar sawal hain"

"Do you think he has anything to do with it?"

"I dont think so really"

"Why not?"

"Sabse badi vajah ke aisa karne ka koi motive nahi tha uske paas and i dont think koi fayda bhi hua hai use. Aage pichhe i dont think ke koi hai use aur Ravi ke gayab hone ke baad bhi 20 saal se vo vahi same zindagi ji raha hai"

"Baat toh sahi hai"

"But still, i havent really checked him off my suspect list entirely. He is still on it"

"So when do you want to talk to him"

"Abhi bula leta hoon use. Meanwhile tu ek kaam kar"

"Kya?"

"Kanha ke baap se baat kar"

Main Kamini ko already Kanha ka kissa poora suna chuka tha, aur uske baap ke baare mein bhi.

"Main kya baat karungi usse?"

"Dekh agar koi information milti hai toh"

"You are asking me to go and investigate? Dont you think you will be better off doing it yourself? I wouldnt even know what to ask"

 

[The Immortal]

"See that is the point" Maine kaha

"What is?"

"Ke tu vahan investigate karne nahi, usse baat karne ja"

"Usse kya hoga?"

"Jis tarah se tune Sunanda ki maan ke saath bahave kiya tha , vaise hi kar. Usko baaton mein laga aur dekh kya bolta hai buddha"

"Aur usne mujhse puchha ke main kaun hoon aur kyun is baare mein soonghti phir rahi hoon?"

"Toh kehna ke tu is 20 saal pehle hui ghanta ke baare mein ek story likhne ki soch rahi hai"

"Reporter?"

"Nahi, reporter bolegi toh shayad bidak jaaye buddha"

"Phir?"

"Book writer bol. Author"

"Author?"

"Haan, kehna ke tu hamare desh mein hue unsolved cases ke uper ek book likh rahi hai. Aur since ye 20 saal pehle ka ek bahut bada aur famous unsolved case hai toh tu iske baare mein likhna chahti hai. Thoda senti maar, uske bete ko lekar ke tu uski kahani sabke saamne lana chahti hai blah blah"

"Isnt that kinda mean?"

"Could be but that is best choice"

"Do you think it will work?"

"Worth a shot"

Kamini ke jaane ke baad main Liyaqat ko bula bheja aur stove par chaai chadhayi. 10 minute baad main chaai ke cup lekar drawing room mein betha hi tha ke darwaze par knock hua. Khola toh bahar Liyaqat khada tha.

"Aapne bulaya tha?"

"Haan" Maine use andar aane ka ishara kiya," Aao betho"

"Nahi theek hai, kahiye" Usne khade khade hi kaha.

"Beth jao, thoda waqt lagega" Mere zor dene par vo beth gaya.

"Tumse kuchh case ke baare mein baat karni thi"

"Main jo janta tha vo bata chuka hoon aapko"

"Haan par main ek baar phir baat karna chahta tha"

"Jo us din maine bataya tha usse zyada kuchh pata nahi mujhe"

"Well then i need you to repeat what you said that day"

"Puchhiye" Vo hathyaar daalta hua bola.

"Apna poore din ka haal sunao ke kya kiya tha tumne us din, kahan the, kab the vagerah vagerah. Aur ye dialogue mat maarna ke main 20 saal purani baat puchh raha hoon, tumhein yaad nahi. Jo us din hua tha aur jitna hangama us din ke baad hua tha itna kuchh hone ke baad toh ek bachche ke dimaag par bhi us din ka poora naksha chhap jata hai"

"Jitna mujhe yaad hai utna main bata deta hoon" Mere mana karne ke baad bhi usne adiyal ghode ki tarah phir yaad-dasht ka hawala diya.

"Theek hai, batao"

"Subah 4.30 baje main utha"

"Itni subah uthne ki koi khaas vajah?"

"Subah ki namaz"

"Padhte ho?"

"5 waqt"

"Kahin masjid hai aas paas yahan?"

"Nahi thoda door hai isliye ghar par hi padhta hoon"

"Ok, phir?"

"Namaz padhi, ghar ka main gate khola aur phir jogging ke liye bahar nikal gaya"

"Jogging?" Maine hairat se use sar se paon tak dekha.

"Main buddha hi paida nahi hua tha" Usne mere bolne ke andaaz aur nazar ko taadte hue kaha, "Aaj se 20 saal pehle main 34 saal ka hua karta tha. Ab umar ho gayi hai par ab bhi main 10 kms bhaag loon aur mera haath tak na kaanpe"

Baat saaf thi, use mera is tarah se bolna bura laga tha. Aur vaise bhi use dekh kar andaza hota tha ke sehat ka khaas khyaal rakhta hai. Is umar mein bhi uska pet ek inch bhi bahar nahi tha aur jism poori tarah se tandrust aur kasrati lagta tha.

"I am sorry, phir?"

"Yahan se thodi door ek chaai ki dukaan hai, achhi chaai banata hai vo. Ek waqt par main subah roz vahan tak bhaag kar jata tha aur roz subah ki chaai vahin peeta tha."

"Haan jaanta hoon us dukaan ke baare mein, ja chuka hoon ek baar. Phir?"

"Vahan mujhe subah subah Rana Sahab mile"

"Mr. Rana?"

"Nahi hamare Sahab nahi, Pratap Rana Sahab"

"Oh, matlab unki bhi bahut purani aadat hai vahan jakar chaai pine ki?"

"Ji haan"

"Phir?"

"Maine chaai pi, kuchh khaya aur phir tehalta hua vaapis aa gaya"

"Mr. Rana se us din vahan koi baat hui?"

"Nahi koi khaas nahi, bas aise hi haal chaal puchha"

"Ok, phir?"

"Ek baat hui thi us din jo mere dimag se kabhi nikli nahi, mera bhram bhi ho sakta hai"

"Kya?"

"Jab main vaapis aa raha tha toh mujhe laga ke maine ek ladki dekhi"

"Ladki dekhi?"

"Haan"

"Koi khaas baat ismein?" Mujhe uski baat kuchh samajh nahi aayi,

"Us waqt toh koi khaas baat nahi lagi sivaay iske ke kuchh ghabrayi si lag rahi thi"

"Ghabrayi si?"

"Haan jaise kisi se bachke bhaag rahi ho"

"Tumhein aisa kyun laga?"

"Pedon ki aat lekar chal rahi thi, sadak se hatkar jaise darr rahi ho ke sadak par koi dekh na le aur kaafi tezi ke saath chal rahi thi, matlab lagbhag bhaag hi rahi thi"

"Ho sakta hai vo bhi tumhari tarah jogging kar rahi ho"

"Nahi"

"Kyun?"

"Kyunki Saree pehankar koi bevakoof aurat hi jogging karne jaayegi"

"Point, kahan dikhi thi tumhein vo?"

"Yahin ghar se thodi door. Main Bungalow ki taraf aa raha tha aur vo Bungalow ki taraf se Chail ki taraf ja rahi thi"

"Phir tumne kya kiya?"

"Ek pal ke liye toh samajh nahi aaya ke kya karun. Matlab socha ke rok kar puchh loon par is tarah subah subah sunsaan jagah par ladki ko rokna kuchh theek sa nahi laga. Maine socha ke hogi kisi baat ko leke pareshaan isliye maine kuchh nahi kaha"

"Us ladki ne tumhein dekha?"

"Haan bilkul. Mujhe door se aata dekh vo shayad thithak kar ped ke pichhe chhup gayi thi. Maine toh use dekha bhi tab jab main kareeb aaya aur vo ped ke pichhe se nikal kar aage chali gayi"

"Aur tum yahan aa gaye?"

"Haan subah subah ghar par vaise bhi kaafi kaam hota hai toh main ghar vaapis aa gaya"

"Koi idea kaun thi vo ladki?"

"Us waqt toh mujhe yaad nahi aaya haan par shakal kuchh pehchani si lagi. Ghar vaapis aaya aur phir apne kaam mein lag gaya aur phir Ravi Sahab ki gumshudgi ko lekar kuchh din tak hangama raha. Kuchh din baad ek din mere kamre mein rakha ek purana paper mere haath laga jismein us ladki ki tasveer thi. Tab mujhe samajh aaya ke kyun mujhe us ladki ki shakal pehchani si lag rahi thi"

"Kabka akhbaar tha?" Mujhe kuchh kuchh samajh aana shuru ho gaya tha ke vo kya kehne ja raha hai.

"Maine jis din us ladki ko dekha tha usse 3-4 din pehle ka. Us akhbaar mein uski photo chhapi thi aur likha tha ke vo lapata hai, 3 din se ghar nahi aayi hai aur agar kisi ko koi jaankar hai toh falana falana pate par ya police station mein jakar bata de"

"Aur vo ladki Sunanda thi?"

"Ji haan" Usne sar hila kar jawab diya.

"Jis din tumne use dekha vo usse ek hafta pehle se apne ghar se gayab thi"

"Ji haan"