Chapter 15 Taqdeer Ki Parwaaz

Taqdeer Ki Parwaaz ✈️♥️

Chapter 1 – Pehli Udaan

Subah ke 7 baj rahe the. Airport ki roshni, logon ki bheer aur announcements ki awaaz har taraf goonj rahi thi.

Mahi ne apna boarding pass mazbooti se pakra hua tha. Uske chehre par muskurahat thi, lekin dil buri tarah ghabra raha tha.

"Ya Allah... pehli baar plane mein baith rahi hoon. Bas sab theek ho."

Usse bachpan se hi height se bohot dar lagta tha. Lift mein bhi mushkil se jaati thi, aur aaj to aasman mein udna tha.

Gate khula aur passengers ek ek karke plane mein dakhil hone lage.

Mahi apni seat dhoondhte hue aage badhi.

23A.

Lekin window seat par pehle hi ek lamba, khamosh aur sakht chehre wala naujawan baitha hua tha. Kaale kapde, ghadi, aur aankhon mein ajeeb si thandak.

Mahi ne hichkichate hue kaha,

"Excuse me... shayad ye meri seat hai."

Usne boarding pass dekha, phir bina kuch kahe uth kar side wali seat par baith gaya.

"Thank you..." Mahi muskurayi.

Magar usne koi jawab nahi diya.

"Kitne rude hain..." Mahi ne dil hi dil mein socha.

Thodi der baad Mahi ne phir baat karne ki koshish ki.

"Waise... main Mahi hoon. Aur aap?"

Khamoshi.

"Achha... baat nahi karni to koi baat nahi."

Mahi ne muh bana kar bahar dekhna shuru kar diya.

Plane runway ki taraf badhne laga.

Captain ki awaaz aayi,

"Ladies and gentlemen, please fasten your seat belts..."

Mahi ke haath thande padne lage.

"Ya Allah..."

Plane ne raftaar pakri.

Jab plane zameen se utha, Mahi ka dil zor zor se dhadakne laga.

Dar ke maare usne aankhen band kar li aur bina soche samjhe apne paas baithe us ajnabi ka haath kas kar pakad liya.

Uski saansein tez chal rahi thi.

"Please... mujhe bohot dar lag raha hai..."

Naujawan ne pehli baar uski taraf dekha.

Uski aankhon mein na gussa tha, na hamdardi... bas gehri khamoshi.

Do pal baad usne dheere se apna haath chhuda liya.

Mahi ne sharminda hokar foran kaha,

"Sorry... main bas bohot dar gayi thi."

Is baar usne sirf itna kaha...

"Relax."

Ye uska pehla aur akhri lafz tha.

Mahi ne hairani se uski taraf dekha.

"Achha... bol bhi lete hain."

Plane ab baadalon ke upar tha.

Sab kuch bilkul normal lag raha tha...

Lekin kisi ko andaza nahi tha...

Ke agle kuch minute un sab ki zindagi hamesha ke liye badalne wale the.

Chapter 2 – Khauf Ka Aaghaz

Plane apni normal speed se ud raha tha.

Cabin crew muskurate hue passengers ko drinks serve kar rahe the. Bachche khidki se baadal dekh kar khush ho rahe the.

Mahi ne gehri saans li.

"Lagta hai... ab main theek hoon."

Usne halki si muskurahat ke saath apne paas baithe ajnabi ki taraf dekha.

"Thank you... agar aap na hote to shayad main behosh hi ho jaati."

Usne koi jawab nahi diya.

Mahi ne muh bana liya.

"Hadd hai... itna serious kaun hota hai?"

Achanak...

"Dhamm!"

Plane ke pichhle hisse se zor ki awaaz aayi.

Sab log ghabra kar khade ho gaye.

Do aadmi mask pehne cabin ke beech aa gaye.

Unke haathon mein hathiyaar the.

"Sab apni jagah baith jao! Koi hila to anjaam bura hoga!"

Poore plane mein cheekhen goonj uthin.

Ek chhota bachcha zor zor se rone laga.

Mahi ka rang udd gaya.

"Ya Allah... ye kya ho raha hai?"

Usne foran apne paas baithe aadmi ki taraf dekha...

Lekin woh seat par nahi tha.

Mahi ki saansein ruk gayin.

Woh dheere dheere aisle ki taraf badha.

Mask pehne aadmiyon ne usse dekhte hi sir jhuka diya.

"Boss..."

Mahi ki aankhen phat gayin.

"Ye... ye inka leader hai?"

Us aadmi ne apni jacket se ek pistol nikali aur poore cabin par nazar daali.

Ab uska chehra bilkul alag lag raha tha.

Na woh aam musafir tha...

Na hi woh sirf ek khamosh insaan.

Uski aankhon mein sakhti thi.

Mahi ka dil zor zor se dhadakne laga.

"Ye... ye wahi hai jiska haath main kuch der pehle pakad kar baithi thi..."

Isi dauran ek buzurg musafir ghabrahat mein apni seat se uth kar aage badhne lage.

Hijackers mein se ek ne unhe zor se dhakka de diya.

Buzurg ka sir seat se takraya aur woh zakhmi ho gaye.

Log cheekhne lage.

Sab dar ke maare apni jagah jam gaye...

Lekin Mahi nahi.

Woh foran apni seat belt khol kar buzurg ki taraf daudi.

"Uncle... aap theek hain?"

Usne unke zakhm par apna dupatta rakh kar khoon rokne ki koshish ki.

"Please koi first aid box laye!"

Poore cabin mein sirf uski awaaz goonj rahi thi.

Zayan ne ye sab dekha.

Usne sakht lehje mein kaha,

"Wapas apni seat par jao."

Mahi ne uski taraf dekha.

"Nahi... pehle inka khoon rokna zaroori hai."

Uski baat khatam hi hui thi ke ek hijacker ne gusse mein uski taraf bandook taan di.

Cabin mein ek dam sannata chha gaya...

Aur Zayan ki nazar pehli baar Mahi par thehar gayi.

Chapter 3 – Qaid

Plane runway par utar chuka tha.

Bahar police aur rescue teams ne poore airport ko gher liya tha.

Cabin ke andar khauf ka mahaul tha.

Police ne operation shuru kiya aur dheere dheere zyada tar passengers ko bacha liya.

Achanak operation tez ho gaya.

Zayan ke do saathi muqable mein mare gaye.

Ab sirf Zayan bacha tha.

Usne ek nazar bahar khadi police par daali, phir Mahi ki taraf dekha.

Ek pal mein woh uske paas aaya aur uska bazu mazbooti se pakad liya.

"Chalo."

Mahi ne foran apna haath chhurane ki koshish ki.

"Mujhe chhoro!"

Zayan ne koi jawab nahi diya.

Usne apni pistol Mahi ke sar ke paas rakh di.

Police foran ruk gayi.

"Us ladki ko chhor do!" ek officer ne loudspeaker par kaha.

Zayan ki awaaz bilkul thandi thi.

"Koi ek qadam bhi aage badha... to pehle ye maregi."

Mahi ka dil zor zor se dhadak raha tha, lekin usne himmat nahi haari.

Usne dheere se kaha,

"Tum waise bhi mujhe marne wale ho..."

Zayan ne uski taraf dekha.

Mahi ki aankhon mein aansu the, magar awaaz mazboot thi.

Phir woh halki si muskurayi aur boli,

"Maarna hai to maar do... ya goli chalane ke liye bhi permission loge?"

Ek lamhe ke liye waqt jaise ruk gaya.

Zayan ki ungli trigger par thi...

Magar woh goli na chala saka.

Usne bas Mahi ko ghur kar dekha.

Pehli baar kisi ne usse is andaaz mein jawab diya tha.

Door khadi police bhi hairan thi...

Aur Mahi ko khud samajh nahi aa raha tha ke usne itni himmat kahan se laayi.

Chapter 4 – Aakhri Chalang

Private plane aasman ki taraf tezi se badh raha tha.

Cabin mein sirf teen log the...

Zayan... Rafay... aur Mahi.

Mahi ne foran darwaze ki taraf bhaagne ki koshish ki.

"Lagta hai tumhein samajh nahi aa rahi."

Zayan ne uska bazu mazbooti se pakad kar usse peeche kheench liya.

Mahi ka santulan bigda aur woh seat ke kone se takra kar zameen par gir gayi.

Uske maathay par chot aa gayi aur khoon ki patli si lakeer behne lagi.

"Tum pagal ho?" Mahi dard se boli.

Zayan ne ek pal ke liye uski chot dekhi, magar foran nazar hata li.

Isi dauran cockpit se alarm baj utha.

"Warning! Engine failure!"

Rafay ghabra gaya.

"Plane hit ho chuka hai!"

Dono cockpit ki taraf daude.

"Tumhari wajah se hum yahan tak pahunche!" Rafay garja.

"Khud ko sambhalo!" Zayan ne jawab diya.

Dono ke darmiyan behas shuru ho gayi.

Storage compartment khola gaya.

Andar sirf do parachutes the.

Rafay ki aankhon mein khauf tha.

"Main yahan marne wala nahi!"

Usne ek parachute uthaya aur bina kisi ki parwah kiye plane ka emergency door khol kar neeche chalang laga di.

Ab sirf ek parachute bacha tha...

Aur do log.

Mahi ne bahar dekha.

Neeche sirf baadal aur gehri khai jaisa manzar tha.

Uske haath kaanpne lage.

"Nahi... main jump nahi kar sakti."

Zayan uske paas aaya.

Mahi foran ek qadam peeche hatti.

"Door raho... mere paas mat aana."

Zayan ne parachute pehente hue sakht lehje mein kaha,

"Khamosh raho."

"Main nahi kudungi!"

"Mahi..."

Uski awaaz pehli baar thodi naram hui.

"Hamare paas waqt nahi hai."

Plane buri tarah hil raha tha.

Red warning lights jal chuki thi.

Zayan ne parachute ka doosra harness Mahi ke gird bandh diya.

Mahi ne ghabra kar uske haath hataane ki koshish ki.

"Ye kya kar rahe ho?"

"Apni jaan bacha raha hoon... aur tumhari bhi."

Mahi ki nazar khule darwaze par padi.

Neeche ki unchai dekhte hi uski saansein ruk gayin.

"Nahi... mujhe bohot dar lag raha hai."

Zayan ne uska haath mazbooti se pakda.

"Meri taraf dekho."

Lekin Mahi ne aankhen zor se band kar li.

Agla hi pal...

Zayan ne use apni taraf kheench kar mazbooti se pakda...

Aur dono ne aasman ki taraf chalang laga di.

Dar ke maare Mahi ne beikhtiyar Zayan ko kas kar pakad liya aur apni aankhen band kar lein.

Neeche sirf baadal the...

Aur un dono ki taqdeer ka naya imtehan shuru ho chuka tha.

Chapter 6 – Jungle Ka Raaz

Jungle mein halki halki barish shuru ho chuki thi.

Mahi ne foran apna haath Zayan ki giraft se chhuraya.

"Mujhe jaane do! Rescue team bas yahin hai."

Zayan ne uski taraf dekha.

"Awaaz neeche."

"Main kyun tumhari baat sunun? Tumne plane hijack kiya... sab ko dara diya!"

Uski baat sunkar Zayan kuch lamhon ke liye khamosh ho gaya.

Door se logon ki awaaz aur qareeb aati ja rahi thi.

"Idhar dekho!"

"Kisi ke footprints hain!"

Mahi ne zor se chillane ke liye muh khola.

"Help—"

Is se pehle ke awaaz nikalti, Zayan ne foran uske muh par haath rakh diya.

"Chup."

Mahi gusse se uske haath par zor zor se mukke marne lagi.

"Mmm...!"

Zayan ne dheemi awaaz mein kaha,

"Bas do minute... sirf do minute."

Mahi ki aankhon mein aansu aa gaye.

Usne haath hata diya.

"Mujhse daro mat... bas awaaz mat lagana."

Mahi ne gusse se jawab diya,

"Main tumse darti nahi."

"Tumhein darna chahiye."

"Bilkul nahi."

Zayan uski himmat dekh kar bas usse dekhta reh gaya.

Tabhi uske zakhmi kandhe se dobara khoon behne laga.

Woh dard ki wajah se deewar ki tarah ek darakht ke saath tek laga kar baith gaya.

Mahi ne dekha...

"Khoon..."

Usne foran nazar hata li.

"Nahi... ye mera dushman hai."

Magar phir usse plane wala zakhmi buzurg yaad aa gaya.

Uski fitrat kisi ko takleef mein chhorne wali nahi thi.

Woh dheere dheere Zayan ke paas aayi.

"Agar patti na ki to khoon nahi rukega."

"Zarurat nahi."

"Tum bohot ziddi ho."

"Tum bhi."

Mahi ne apna dupatta phaad kar uske kandhe par bandhna shuru kar diya.

Zayan hairani se usse dekhta raha.

"Tum meri madad kyun kar rahi ho?"

Mahi ne patti baandhte hue kaha,

"Main insaan ki madad karti hoon... uske gunahon ki nahi."

Ye alfaaz sunkar Zayan bilkul khamosh ho gaya.

Pehli baar kisi ne usse is tarah jawab diya tha.

Usi waqt...

Jhaadiyon ke peeche se kisi ke qadam ki awaaz aayi.

Zayan foran khada ho gaya aur Mahi ko apne peeche kar diya.

Dono ki nazrein us taraf jam gayin...

Jhaadiyan zor se hileen...

Aur koi unki taraf badhne laga.

Chapter 7 – Ajnabi Saya

Jhaadiyan zor se hileen...

Zayan ne foran apni pistol nikaal li.

Mahi ghabra kar ek qadam peeche hatti.

Dono ki nazrein usi taraf jam gayin.

Achanak...

Ek hiran jhaadiyon se nikal kar jungle ki taraf bhaag gaya.

Mahi ne gehri saans li.

"Allah ka shukar..."

Zayan ne pistol wapas rakh di.

"Yahan zyada der rukna theek nahi."

"Mujhe kahin nahi jana."

"Tumhare paas choice nahi hai."

Mahi gusse se uski taraf badhi.

"Choice nahi? Tum samajhte kya ho khud ko?"

Zayan khamosh raha.

Mahi ne uske seene par zor se mukka mara.

"Sab kuch tumhari wajah se hua! Agar tum plane hijack na karte to main aaj apne ghar walon ke paas hoti."

Zayan ne koi jawab nahi diya.

Mahi ki aankhon se aansu behne lage.

"Meri Ammi... woh kitni pareshan hongi."

Pehli baar Zayan ke chehre par halka sa afsos nazar aaya.

Lekin usne kuch nahi kaha.

Tabhi door se helicopter ki awaaz sunai di.

Mahi ke chehre par umeed aa gayi.

"Rescue team!"

Woh bhaagne lagi.

Lekin Zayan ne foran uska haath pakad liya.

"Mujhe chhoro!"

"Mahi, ruk jao."

"Nahi!"

Usne poori taqat se apna haath chhuraya aur jungle ki taraf bhaagne lagi.

Lekin zameen geeli thi.

Uska paon phisla...

"Ahh!"

Woh dhalan se phisalti hui neeche girne lagi.

"Mahi!"

Zayan bina soche uske peeche bhaaga.

Usne waqt par uska haath pakad liya.

Mahi aadhi khai ke kinare latak rahi thi.

Neeche tez behne wala dariya tha.

Uski aankhon mein khauf tha.

"Z... Zayan..."

Uski ungliyan dheere dheere phisal rahi thi.

Zayan ne apni poori taqat laga di.

"Haath mat chhorna!"

Mahi ro padi.

"Main gir jaungi..."

"Tum nahi girogi."

Ek zor lagakar Zayan ne use upar kheench liya.

Dono zameen par gir pade.

Kuch lamhon tak dono sirf apni tez saansein sunte rahe.

Mahi ne hairani se Zayan ko dekha.

"Tum... mujhe bachane kyun aaye?"

Zayan ne nazar pher li.

"Main kisi begunah ko apni aankhon ke saamne marte nahi dekh sakta."

Mahi uske jawab ko samajhne ki koshish hi kar rahi thi...

Ke achanak...

"Freeze!"

Jungle ke doosri taraf se kai armed officers un par nishana saadh kar khade the.

Chapter 8 – Bach Kar Nikalna

"Freeze! Hands up!"

Jungle mein goonjti hui awaaz ne dono ko rok diya.

Chaaron taraf se commandos unki taraf badh rahe the.

Mahi ke chehre par umeed aa gayi.

"Hum bach gaye..."

Lekin Zayan ne ek nazar idhar-udhar daali.

Uski nazar jungle ke beech ek purani, tang si ghati par padi.

Usne foran Mahi ka haath pakda.

"Chalo."

"Mujhe chhoro! Police aa gayi hai."

"Chupchap chalo."

Officer chillaya,

"Ruko! Warna firing hogi!"

Zayan ne bina ruke Mahi ko saath le kar bhaagna shuru kar diya.

Peeche se commandos unka peecha karne lage.

Jungle mein goliyon ki awaazein goonj rahi thi.

Mahi bhaagte bhaagte thak gayi.

"Main... aur nahi bhaag sakti."

Zayan ne uski taraf dekha.

"Bas thoda aur."

Achanak Mahi ka paon jad se takra gaya.

"Ahhh!"

Woh zameen par gir gayi.

Uska pehle se zakhmi maatha dobara pathar se takra gaya.

Khoon behne laga.

Zayan foran uske paas ghutnon ke bal baith gaya.

"Mahi!"

Usne pehli baar uska naam liya.

Mahi dard se aankhen band kar chuki thi.

Door se commandos ki awaaz qareeb aa rahi thi.

"Udhar! Woh log yahin hain!"

Zayan ne ek pal ke liye socha...

Phir Mahi ko apni baahon mein uthaya.

"Tum pagal ho..." Mahi ne kamzor si awaaz mein kaha.

Zayan ne koi jawab nahi diya.

Woh Mahi ko uthaye ghane jungle ki taraf daud pada.

Kuch hi der baad dono ek purani, tooti hui lakri ki jhopri tak pahunch gaye.

Zayan ne darwaza band kiya.

Bahar commandos unhe dhoondh rahe the...

Magar filhaal...

Zayan aur Mahi unki nazron se bach chuke the.

Chapter 9 – Toofan Se Pehle

Raat dheere dheere jungle par utar rahi thi.

Baarish tez ho chuki thi.

Tooti hui jhopri ke andar sirf ek purani lantern jal rahi thi.

Mahi deewar ke saath baithi thi. Uska maatha ab bhi dard kar raha tha.

Zayan darwaze ke paas khada bahar ka jaiza le raha tha.

"Kahin bhaagne ki koshish mat karna."

Mahi ne gusse se uski taraf dekha.

"Tumhein lagta hai main khushi se tumhare saath hoon?"

Zayan ne koi jawab nahi diya.

"Tum jaise logon ki wajah se kitne logon ki zindagi barbaad hoti hai."

Jhopri mein sannata chha gaya.

Kuch der baad Mahi ne dheere se uth kar darwaze ki taraf qadam badhaye.

Zayan ne uski aahat sun li.

"Kahan ja rahi ho?"

"Jahan meri marzi."

"Bahaar andhera hai."

"Tumse behtar hai."

Mahi ne darwaza khol diya.

Do qadam hi aage badhi thi ke achanak...

Grrrrrr...

Jhaadiyon se kisi jangli janwar ki zor daar gharrahat sunai di.

Mahi ka rang udd gaya.

Woh beikhtiyar do qadam peeche hati.

Zayan foran uske aur jungle ke darmiyan aa khada hua.

Dono ki nazrein andhere par jam gayin.

Kuch pal baad awaaz band ho gayi.

"Lagta hai chala gaya."

Mahi ne halki saans li.

Lekin usne foran khud ko sambhala.

"Mujhe tumhari hifazat ki zarurat nahi."

"Achha."

Zayan phir darwaze ke paas ja kar khada ho gaya.

Mahi ne gusse mein muh pher liya.

Uske dil mein sirf ek hi baat chal rahi thi...

"Mujhe yahan se nikalna hai... chahe kuch bhi ho."

Aur Zayan ke zehan mein sirf ek hi soch thi...

"Subah hone se pehle humein ye jungle chhorna hoga."

Dono ek hi jhopri mein the...

Lekin dono ke darmiyan sirf nafrat, khamoshi aur beaitbaari thi.

Chapter 10 – Bhagna Mumkin Nahi

Raat ke do baj chuke the.

Jungle mein sirf baarish ki boonden aur jhinguron ki awaaz sunai de rahi thi.

Mahi ne dheere se aankhen kholi.

Zayan deewar ke saath baitha tha, lekin uski aankhen band nahi thi. Woh har chhoti si aahat par nazar rakhe hue tha.

Mahi ne dil hi dil mein socha.

"Yehi mauka hai."

Woh bina awaaz kiye uthi aur dheere dheere darwaze ki taraf badhne lagi.

Bas ek qadam aur...

"Tum bhaag rahi ho?"

Zayan ki thandi awaaz sunte hi Mahi jam si gayi.

Usne palat kar gusse se dekha.

"Haan! Bhaag rahi hoon. Aur kya tumhare saath hamesha rehna hai mujhe?"

Zayan aahista se khada hua.

"Bahaar ka raasta tumhein nahi pata."

"Toh kya hua?"

"Jungle mein kho jaogi."

"Mar bhi gayi to tumhare saath rehne se behtar hoga."

Ye sunte hi Zayan ka chehra sakht ho gaya.

"Theek hai."

Usne darwaza khol diya.

"Jao."

Mahi ek pal ke liye hairan reh gayi.

Usne socha tha woh rokega.

Magar woh bas side par khada tha.

Mahi gusse mein bahar nikal gayi.

Tez baarish ho rahi thi.

Andhera itna tha ke kuch nazar nahi aa raha tha.

Paanch minute guzre...

Das minute...

Achanak...

"Ahhh!"

Mahi ka paon geeli mitti mein phisal gaya aur woh ek chhoti si dhalan se neeche gir padi.

Uske takhne mein tez moch aa gayi.

Woh uthne ki koshish kar rahi thi, magar dard ki wajah se chal nahi pa rahi thi.

Uski aankhon mein aansu aa gaye.

"Koi hai...?"

Door se torch ki roshni nazar aayi.

Ek pal ke liye usse laga rescue team aa gayi hai.

Lekin agle hi lamhe...

Wahi torch lekar Zayan uske saamne aa khada hua.

Usne Mahi ke zakhmi paon ki taraf dekha.

"Maine kaha tha... jungle ko halke mein mat lo."

Mahi ne gusse se muh pher liya.

"Mujhe tumhari madad nahi chahiye."

Zayan ne thandi saans li.

"Ye baat tab kehna jab khud chal pao."

Mahi ne uthne ki koshish ki...

Magar dard se dobara baith gayi.

Zayan kuch lamhe usse dekhta raha.

Phir bina kuch kahe uske saamne ghutnon ke bal baith gaya.

Mahi foran peeche hati.

"Door raho."

Zayan ne sakht lehje mein kaha,

"Tum chal nahi sakti... aur main tumhein yahan chhod kar nahi jaunga."

Mahi ne gusse se uski taraf dekha.

"Tum ho kaun meri fikr karne wale?"

Zayan ne koi jawab nahi diya.

Baarish aur tez ho chuki thi...

Aur un dono ko bilkul andaza nahi tha...

Ke jungle ke doosre kinare par kuch log unke qadmon ke nishan dhoondh chuke the.

Chapter 11 – Ajnabi Log

Baarish rukne ka naam hi nahi le rahi thi.

Mahi dard se apna takhna pakde zameen par baithi thi.

Zayan uske saamne khada tha.

"Khud chal sakti ho?"

Mahi ne gusse se jawab diya,

"Tumhein kya?"

"Jawab do."

"Nahi."

Zayan ne bina kuch kahe uska haath pakda.

"Mera haath chhoro!"

Usne zor se apna haath chhuraya.

"Main tumhare saath nahi jaungi."

Zayan ne sard lehje mein kaha,

"Yahan rukogi to subah tak zinda nahi rahogi."

"Mujhe farq nahi padta."

Achanak...

Jhaadiyon ke peeche se awaazein aane lagi.

"Lagta hai koi idhar hai."

"Footprints yahin tak aaye hain."

Mahi ke chehre par umeed chamki.

"Police!"

Woh zor se chillane lagi.

"Help! Main—"

Zayan ne foran uska muh band kar diya.

"Pagal ho gayi ho?"

Mahi uske haath par zor zor se mukke marne lagi.

Usi waqt teen aadmi torches lekar jhaadiyon se bahar nikle.

Lekin...

Woh police nahi the.

Unke kapde phate hue the aur haathon mein shikari rifles thi.

Ek ne dheemi awaaz mein kaha,

"Idhar kisi ki awaaz aayi thi."

Dusra muskuraya.

"Dhoondo... shayad koi musafir bhatak gaya ho."

Mahi ki saansein ruk gayin.

Zayan ne uske kaan ke paas dheemi awaaz mein kaha,

"Isliye mana kar raha tha."

Teesra aadmi seedha us jhopri ki taraf badhne laga.

Bas kuch hi qadam door...

Agar usne darwaza khol diya...

To Mahi aur Zayan dono uske saamne honge.

Mahi ne ghabra kar beikhtiyar Zayan ki shirt mazbooti se pakad li.

Zayan ne pehli baar uski taraf dekha...

Phir usne dheere se apni pistol nikali.

Jhopri ke bahar qadam aur qareeb aane lage...

Knock... Knock...

Darwaze par dastak hui.

Ek bhaari awaaz goonji,

"Andar jo bhi hai... bahar nikal aao!"

Chapter 12 – Ghairon Ke Darmiyan

"Andar jo bhi hai... bahar nikal aao!"

Darwaze par zor ki laat maari gayi.

Dhadd!

Mahi ka dil itni zor se dhadak raha tha ke usse laga bahar walon ko bhi sunai de raha hoga.

Zayan ne dheere se uski taraf dekha aur honton par ungli rakh kar ishara kiya.

"Khamosh."

Bahar se dobara awaaz aayi.

"Lagta hai koi nahi hai."

"Nahi... mujhe yaqeen hai koi andar chhupa hua hai."

Teesra aadmi khidki ke paas aaya aur andar jhaankne ki koshish ki.

Mahi ki saansein ruk gayin.

Agar usne dekh liya...

Sab khatam.

Zayan ne foran Mahi ka haath pakda aur use jhopri ke pichhle hisse ki taraf le gaya.

Wahan lakriyon ke peeche ek chhota sa trapdoor tha.

Usne dheere se use khola.

Neeche ek tang si surang thi.

Mahi ne hairani se dekha.

"Ye...?"

"Chalo."

"Main kahin nahi jaungi."

Zayan ne uski aankhon mein dekhte hue sakht lehje mein kaha,

"Ya to mere saath chalo... ya bahar walon ke haath lag jao."

Mahi majbooran surang mein utar gayi.

Zayan bhi uske peeche aa gaya aur trapdoor band kar diya.

Upar se...

Dhadd!

Darwaza toot gaya.

"Talaash karo!"

Teenon aadmi jhopri mein ghus aaye.

Mahi ne apni saansein rok li.

Surang itni tang thi ke woh aur Zayan ek doosre ke bilkul qareeb khade the.

Mahi ne dheere se kaha,

"Ye log kaun hain?"

"Pata nahi... lekin hamare dost nahi."

Upar se qadam ki awaazein goonj rahi thi.

Ek aadmi bola,

"Yahan to koi nahi."

Dusra garja,

"Phir awaaz kahan se aayi thi?"

Achaanak...

Ek bhaari lakri seedha trapdoor ke upar giri.

Dhamm!

Surang ki mitti hilne lagi.

Mahi dar ke maare apna santulan kho baithi.

Woh phisal kar seedha Zayan se takra gayi.

Zayan ne foran usse sambhal liya.

"Maine kaha tha... sambhal kar."

Mahi ne foran khud ko alag kiya.

"Main khud sambhal sakti hoon."

Zayan kuch bolne hi wala tha...

Ke surang ke doosre sire se halki si roshni nazar aayi.

Aur us roshni ke saath...

Kisi ke qadam unki taraf badhne lage.

Chapter 13 – Aankhon Ka Dhoka

Jungle ki hawa aur bhi thandi ho chuki thi.

Mahi aur Zayan gufa se bahar nikle hi the ke door se logon ki baatein sunai dene lagi.

"Mujhe lagta hai woh log yahin kahin hain."

Mahi ghabra gayi.

"Phir se wohi log?"

Zayan ne aas-paas nazar daali.

"Chalo."

"Main tumhare saath nahi jaungi."

"Tumhare paas waqt nahi hai."

Mahi ne gusse se uski taraf dekha.

"Tum har baat hukm ki tarah kyun bolte ho?"

Zayan ne jawab nahi diya.

Woh aage badha hi tha ke achanak...

"Ahhh!"

Mahi ka zakhmi takhna phir mud gaya aur woh dard se baith gayi.

"Tch..."

Zayan ne ek gehri saans li.

"Uth sakti ho?"

"Nahi."

"Phir koshish karo."

"Kar rahi hoon!"

Mahi ne uthne ki koshish ki magar dard ki wajah se dobara gir gayi.

Isi waqt...

Door se torches ki roshni unki taraf badhne lagi.

"Udhar dekho!"

"Kisi ki awaaz aayi thi!"

Mahi ka chehra safed pad gaya.

"Ab kya hoga?"

Zayan ne foran uska haath pakda aur use ek bade pathar ke peeche bitha diya.

"Ek awaaz bhi mat nikalna."

"Tum?"

"Main yahin hoon."

Chaar aadmi unke bilkul qareeb aa gaye.

Ek ne torch seedha pathar ki taraf ghumayi.

Bas kuch inch aur...

To Mahi nazar aa jaati.

Mahi ne dar ke maare apni saansein rok lein.

Uska haath beikhtiyar Zayan ki shirt ko mazbooti se pakad chuka tha.

Zayan bilkul hila tak nahi.

Torch ki roshni unke chehron ke qareeb se guzri...

Lekin usi waqt door jhaadiyon mein zor ki awaaz hui.

"Kaun hai wahan?"

Saare aadmi us taraf bhaag gaye.

Mahi ne gehri saans chhodi.

"Bach gaye..."

Zayan ne dheere se kaha,

"Abhi nahi."

Achanak uske phone ki screen jal uthi.

Ek encrypted message aaya.

"Mission failed. Target location compromised. Leave immediately."

Mahi ne screen ki ek jhalak dekh li.

Usne hairani se Zayan ki taraf dekha.

"Tum... aakhir ho kaun?"

Zayan ne phone band kiya.

Uski aankhon mein pehli baar bechaini saaf nazar aa rahi thi.

Lekin usne phir bhi koi jawab nahi diya.

Chapter 14 – Raaz Aur Rasta

Mahi ki nazar ab bhi Zayan ke phone par thi.

"Tum... aakhir ho kaun?"

Zayan ne phone apni jeb mein rakha.

"Tum jitna kam jaano, utna behtar hai."

Mahi gusse se khadi ho gayi.

"Main tumhare saath ek pal bhi nahi rehna chahti."

"Achha?"

"Haan."

"To jao."

Mahi ne bina kuch kahe doosri taraf chalna shuru kar diya.

Kuch hi qadam chali thi ke achanak...

Dhadd!

Ek goli uske bilkul qareeb darakht par lagi.

Mahi dar ke maare jhuk gayi.

Door se awaaz aayi.

"Woh dono udhar hain!"

Chaar aadmi hathiyaar liye unki taraf daud rahe the.

Zayan ne foran Mahi ka haath pakda.

"Bhaago!"

"Mera haath chhoro!"

"Mahi!"

Usne pehli baar zor se uska naam pukara.

"Ye log police nahi hain."

Dono ghane jungle ki taraf bhaagne lage.

Mahi ke zakhmi paon ki wajah se uski raftaar dheemi pad gayi.

"Main... aur nahi bhaag sakti."

Peeche se qadam aur qareeb aa rahe the.

Zayan ne aas-paas dekha.

Samne ek tez behne wala dariya tha.

Uske upar ek purana lakri ka pul bana hua tha.

"Pul paar karo."

Mahi ne neeche dekhte hi sar hila diya.

"Nahi... mujhe unchai se dar lagta hai."

"Tumhare paas sirf do raaste hain."

"Main nahi kar sakti."

Peeche se awaaz aayi.

"Pakdo unhe!"

Zayan ne ek gehri saans li.

"Apni aankhen band karo."

Mahi ne gusse se kaha,

"Har baar aankhen band karne ko kyun kehte ho?"

"Kyuki tum neeche dekhogi to ruk jaogi."

Mahi ke haath kaanp rahe the.

Usne dheere se aankhen band kar lein.

Zayan ne uska haath mazbooti se pakda.

"Bas meri awaaz suno."

Dono dheere dheere pul paar karne lage.

Lakriyan unke qadam ke neeche chir-chir ki awaaz kar rahi thi.

Mahi ki saansein tez ho gayin.

Usne beikhtiyar Zayan ka haath aur mazbooti se pakad liya.

Aadha pul paar hi kiya tha...

Ke peeche se ek aadmi ne pul par qadam rakh diya.

Purana pul zor se hila...

Aur ek lakri toot kar neeche dariya mein ja giri.

Chapter 15 – Pul Ke Darmiyan

Purana lakri ka pul zor zor se hil raha tha.

Neeche behta hua dariya dekh kar Mahi ki saansein ruk si gayin.

"Z... Zayan..."

Uske qadam wahin jam gaye.

"Main nahi chal sakti."

Peeche se aadmiyon ki awaazein qareeb aa rahi thi.

"Jaldi! Woh pul par hain!"

Zayan ne gusse se uski taraf dekha.

"Mahi, meri taraf dekho."

Mahi ne sir zor se hila diya.

"Nahi... neeche mat dekhne ko kehna... mujhe bohot dar lag raha hai."

"Tum neeche nahi... meri taraf dekho."

Mahi ne dheere se uski aankhon mein dekha.

Pehli baar uski awaaz mein gussa kam aur sanjeedgi zyada thi.

"Mera haath mazbooti se pakdo."

Mahi ke kaampte hue haath uske haath mein aa gaye.

"Main gir jaungi..."

"Tum nahi girogi."

"Yaqeen kaise karun?"

"Kyunki jab tak main khada hoon... tumhein kuch nahi hoga."

Mahi kuch pal usse dekhti reh gayi.

Uske dil ki dhadkan pehli baar sirf dar ki wajah se nahi thi.

Achanak...

Dhadd!

Pul ki ek aur lakri toot gayi.

Mahi cheekh uthi aur beikhtiyar Zayan se lipat gayi.

Usne aankhen zor se band kar li.

"Please... mujhe mat chhorna."

Zayan ne uske kandhon ko sambhala.

"Khud ko sambhalo."

Usne Mahi ka haath aur mazbooti se pakda aur dheere dheere use pul ke doosre kinare ki taraf le gaya.

Jaise hi dono pul paar karke zameen par pahunche...

Peeche se zor ki awaaz aayi.

Crash!

Purana pul toot kar dariya mein gir gaya.

Peecha karne wale doosri taraf hi reh gaye.

Mahi ne gehri saans li aur dheere se Zayan se alag ho gayi.

Usse ehsaas hua ke woh abhi tak uska haath pakde hue thi.

Usne foran haath chhod diya.

"Main... main sirf dar gayi thi."

Zayan ne uski taraf dekha aur bas itna kaha,

"Mujhe pata hai."

Itna keh kar woh aage chal diya.

Mahi uski peeth ko dekhti reh gayi.

Usse samajh nahi aa raha tha ke ye aadmi waqai itna sakht hai... ya uske andar koi aur kahani chhupi hui hai.

Bilkul, lekin romance ko dheere dheere build karte hain taake natural lage.

Pul tootne ke baad dono kuch der tak bina kuch kahe chalte rahe.

Mahi ke qadam ladkhada rahe the.

Uska zakhmi takhna har qadam par dard kar raha tha.

"Mujhse... ab nahi chala ja raha."

Zayan ne peeche mud kar dekha.

Usne aas-paas nazar daudai.

Kuch door pahadi ke darmiyan ek purana lakri ka cabin nazar aaya.

"Udhar."

Dono dheere dheere cabin tak pahunche.

Darwaza aadha khula tha.

Andar purana furniture, ek sofa, lakri ka table aur kone mein fireplace thi.

Zayan ne pehle poori jagah check ki.

Jab yaqeen ho gaya ke wahan koi nahi hai to usne darwaza andar se band kar diya.

Mahi thak kar sofa par baith gayi.

Uske maathay ki chot aur takhne ka dard badhta ja raha tha.

Zayan ne first aid box nikala jo emergency kit se bach gaya tha.

Mahi ne foran kaha,

"Mujhe tumhari madad ki zarurat nahi."

Zayan ne uski baat ansuni kar di.

"Idhar baitho."

"Nahi."

"Mahi."

Uski awaaz itni sakht thi ke Mahi majbooran chup ho gayi.

Zayan ghutnon ke bal baitha aur cotton par antiseptic lagaya.

"Thoda jalega."

"Main khud kar lungi."

"Tumhare haath kaanp rahe hain."

Mahi ne kuch nahi kaha.

Jaise hi dawa zakhm par lagi...

"Ahhh!"

Mahi ne foran Zayan ki kalai pakad li.

"Dheere!"

Zayan ke honton par halki si muskurahat aayi.

"Tum to bahadur thi."

Mahi ne gusse se uski taraf dekha.

"Bahadur hoon... pathar nahi."

Pehli baar Zayan halka sa muskura diya.

Mahi hairan reh gayi.

"Tum haste bhi ho?"

"Tum bohot sawaal karti ho."

Patti baandh kar Zayan khada hua aur fireplace mein lakriyan jala di.

Thodi hi der mein cabin garam hone laga.

Baarish ki boonden chhat par gir rahi thi.

Mahi ki aankhen bojhal hone lagi.

Woh sofa par baithi baithi hi so gayi.

Sote hue uska sar dheere se ek taraf jhukne laga.

Zayan ne dekha ke woh girne wali hai.

Usne aage badh kar uska sar sambhal liya.

Behoshi mein Mahi ne beikhtiyar uske kandhe par apna sar rakh diya.

Zayan ek pal ke liye bilkul khamosh reh gaya.

Usne dheere se Mahi ki taraf dekha.

Uske chehre par pehli baar sukoon tha...

Na gussa...

Na zid...

Sirf masoomiyat.

Zayan ne dheemi awaaz mein khud se kaha,

"Tum waqai ajeeb larki ho..."

Bahar tez baarish ho rahi thi.

Aur cabin ke andhere mein...

Chapter 16 – Khamosh Lamhe ❤️

Cabin mein sirf fireplace ki halki si roshni thi.

Bahar baarish ab dheemi ho chuki thi.

Mahi gehri neend mein thi. Sote sote uska sar dheere se Zayan ke kandhe par aa tik gaya.

Zayan ek pal ke liye bilkul be-harkat baitha raha.

Usne dheere se Mahi ki taraf dekha.

Uske chehre par bachon jaisi masoomiyat thi.

Maathay par bandhi patti aur bikhre hue baal uske chehre par aa rahe the.

Zayan ne kuch pal use dekha...

Phir aahista se uske baal uske chehre se hata diye.

Neend mein hi Mahi ne halki si karwat badli aur aur bhi qareeb aa gayi.

Zayan ne halki si saans chhodi.

"Kitni pareshan karti ho tum..."

Neend mein Mahi dheere se boli,

"Ammi... main theek hoon..."

Ye sun kar Zayan ka chehra ek pal ke liye naram pad gaya.

Usne dheemi awaaz mein kaha,

"Tum waqai theek ho..."

Cabin mein thand badhne lagi.

Zayan ne paas pada kambal uthaya aur aahista se Mahi par odha diya.

Neend mein Mahi ne kambal pakda aur beikhtiyar Zayan ki jacket ka kona bhi thaam liya.

Zayan ne apni jacket chhurane ki koshish ki.

Mahi ne aankhen khole baghair hi aur mazbooti se pakad li.

"Hmm... mat jao..."

Zayan hairan reh gaya.

Uske honton par halki si muskurahat aa gayi.

"Theek hai... nahi ja raha."

Kuch der baad Mahi ki aankh khul gayi.

Usne dekha ke uska sar Zayan ke kandhe par tha.

Woh foran seedhi baith gayi.

"Oh my God!"

Uske gaal sharm se laal ho gaye.

"Main... main so gayi thi."

Zayan ne halka sa sir hila diya.

"Haan."

"Tumne uthaya kyun nahi?"

"Tum bohot sukoon se so rahi thi."

Mahi ne nazrein jhuka lein.

"Sorry..."

"Har baat par sorry bolna zaroori hota hai?"

Mahi ne dheere se muskura kar kaha,

"Tum har waqt itne serious kyun rehte ho?"

Zayan ne pehli baar uski taraf dekh kar halka sa jawab diya,

"Shayad... aadat hai."

Mahi uske chehre ko dekh kar muskurayi.

"Tum haste hue zyada achhe lagte ho."

Ye sunkar Zayan kuch nahi bola...

Lekin is baar usne nazrein bhi nahi hatayin.

Cabin ki khamoshi mein dono pehli baar bina lade ek doosre ke saath baithe rahe. ❤️

Chapter 17 – Pehli Muskurahat ❤️

Subah ki pehli kirnein cabin ki khidki se andar aa rahi thi.

Mahi ki aankh dheere dheere khuli.

Usne idhar-udhar dekha.

Fireplace ki aag bujh chuki thi.

Zayan cabin ke bahar khada aas-paas ka jaiza le raha tha.

Mahi dheere se bahar aayi.

"Tum poori raat soye nahi?"

Zayan ne uski taraf dekhe baghair jawab diya.

"Neend nahi thi."

Mahi ne uske kandhe ki patti dekhi.

Us par dobara khoon nazar aa raha tha.

"Tumhari patti khul gayi hai."

"Main theek hoon."

"Tum hamesha yahi kehte ho."

Mahi cabin ke andar gayi aur first aid box le aayi.

"Baitho."

"Zarurat nahi."

"Baitho."

Is baar Mahi ki awaaz mein zid thi.

Zayan ne uski taraf dekha...

Phir chupchaap lakri ke stool par baith gaya.

Mahi ne dheere se uski purani patti kholi.

"Tumhein dard ho raha hai?"

"Nahi."

Mahi muskura di.

"Jhoot bolna bhi nahi aata tumhein."

Zayan ne halki si bhaein chadhayi.

"Tum psychologist ho?"

Mahi hans padi.

"Nahi... bas chehre padhna aata hai."

Woh bohot ehtiyaat se uske kandhe par dawa lagane lagi.

Zayan kabhi Mahi ko dekh raha tha, kabhi uske kaampte hue haathon ko.

"Tum khud zakhmi ho..."

"...phir bhi meri fikr kar rahi ho."

Mahi ne patti baandhte hue dheere se kaha,

"Meri Ammi kehti hain... agar kisi ko takleef mein dekho aur madad kar sako, to zaroor karni chahiye."

Ye sun kar Zayan kuch pal khamosh ho gaya.

Patti baandhne ke baad Mahi ne muskurate hue kaha,

"Ho gaya."

"Thank you."

Mahi ki aankhen thodi si badi ho gayin.

"Tumne... thank you bola?"

"Haan."

"Wah! Aaj to suraj west se nikla hai."

Zayan ke honton par beikhtiyar halki si muskurahat aa gayi.

Mahi foran hans padi.

"Bas! Aise hi muskuraaya karo. Itne bure bhi nahi lagte."

Zayan ne nazrein jhuka kar sir hila diya.

"Tum bohot bolti ho."

"Tum bohot kam."

Dono ek doosre ko dekh kar halki si muskura diye.

Cabin ke bahar thandi hawa chal rahi thi...

Aur pehli baar un dono ke darmiyan khamoshi bojh nahi lag rahi thi. ❤️

Chapter 18 – Dil Ki Baat ❤️

Cabin ke bahar halki dhoop nikal aayi thi.

Kai dinon baad pehli baar mausam suhana lag raha tha.

Mahi cabin ke bahar lakri ke chhote se bench par baithi aasman ko dekh rahi thi.

Zayan do mugs mein garam coffee lekar bahar aaya.

Ek mug uski taraf badhaya.

"Lo."

Mahi ne hairani se uski taraf dekha.

"Tumne banayi?"

"Haan."

Mahi ne ek sip li aur foran muh bana liya.

"Ye coffee hai ya kadwi dawa?"

Zayan ne pehli baar khul kar halki si hansi chhodi.

"Pasand nahi aayi?"

"Bilkul nahi."

"Phir bhi pee lo."

Mahi muskura kar boli,

"Tum order diye bina baat nahi kar sakte?"

"Nahi."

Dono hans pade.

Kuch der baad dono khamoshi se baith kar saamne ke pahadon ko dekhne lage.

Mahi ne dheere se poocha,

"Ek baat poochun?"

"Poocho."

"Tum pehle bhi aise hi the... ya kisi ne tumhein itna khamosh bana diya?"

Zayan ka chehra ekdum sanjeeda ho gaya.

Usne nazar aasman ki taraf kar li.

"Kuch sawalon ke jawab nahi hote."

Mahi ne mehsoos kar liya ke woh uska maazi yaad nahi karna chahta.

Usne foran baat badal di.

"Theek hai... nahi poochti."

Zayan ne uski taraf dekha.

"Tum har baat par hans kaise leti ho?"

Mahi muskura di.

"Agar har mushkil mein roti rahun... to jeena aur mushkil ho jayega."

Ye baat sunkar Zayan usse dekhta reh gaya.

Usne pehli baar mehsoos kiya...

Ye larki sirf masoom hi nahi, bohot mazboot bhi hai.

Hawa ka tez jhonka aaya.

Mahi ke baal uske chehre par bikhar gaye.

Woh unhe hatane lagi, magar hawa baar baar unhe wapas uda deti.

Zayan ne kuch lamhe use dekha...

Phir bina kuch kahe aage badha aur bohot ehtiyaat se uske baal uske chehre se hata diye.

Mahi ki saansein ek pal ke liye tham si gayin.

Dono ki nazrein mil gayin.

Kisi ne kuch nahi kaha.

Sirf hawa chal rahi thi.

Mahi ne dheere se nazrein jhuka lein.

"Tum... pehle se alag lag rahe ho."

Zayan ne halki si muskurahat ke saath jawab diya,

"Shayad tumhari wajah se."

Ye sunte hi Mahi ka dil zor se dhadka.

Usne foran baat badalne ke liye coffee ka mug uthaya.

"Lekin coffee banana abhi bhi nahi aayi."

Zayan hans pada.

"Kal se tum bana lena."

Mahi bhi muskura di.

Us cabin mein pehli baar dono ki hansi ek saath goonji.

Un dono ko abhi bhi apne mustaqbil ka pata nahi tha...

Lekin itna zaroor tha...

Unke darmiyan ki dooriyan pehle se kuch kam ho chuki thi. ❤️

Epilogue – Do Saal Baad ❤️

Do saal baad...

Subah ki halki dhoop balcony mein phel rahi thi.

Mahi chai ka cup haath mein liye phoolon ko paani de rahi thi.

Peechhe se kisi ne dheere se uski kamar ke gird baahen daal di.

"Subah subah kya soch rahi ho?"

Mahi muskura kar boli,

"Taqdeer..."

Zayan ne uske kandhe par apni thodi rakh di.

"Aaj bhi us flight ko yaad karti ho?"

Mahi halki si hans padi.

"Kaise bhool sakti hoon? Main tumhein duniya ka sabse rude insaan samajhti thi."

"Tum aaj bhi bohot bolti ho."

"Aur tum aaj bhi kam."

Dono hans pade.

Mahi mud kar uske saamne khadi ho gayi.

"Pata hai..."

"Hmm?"

"Agar us din main tumhara haath na pakadti..."

"To shayad meri zindagi kabhi na badalti."

Zayan ne uska haath apne honton se lagaya.

"Us din tumne sirf mera haath nahi pakda tha...

...meri zindagi bhi pakad li thi."

Mahi sharma kar uske seene se lag gayi.

"Tum na..."

"Hmm?"

"Ab pehle wale Zayan bilkul nahi rahe."

"Tumhari wajah se."

Door pahadon ke peeche se suraj nikal raha tha.

Dono ek doosre ka haath thaame usse dekhte rahe.

Kabhi kabhi...

Mohabbat sabse ajeeb jagah se shuru hoti hai.

Ek plane...

Ek hijack...

Aur do ajnabi dil...

Jo taqdeer ne hamesha ke liye ek kar diye.

❤️ The End ❤️