Chapter 20 Andero ka qaidi
Chapter 1 – Veeran Haveli Ka Raaz
"Us haveli ke qareeb mat jana... wahan maut rehti hai."
Ye jumla Mahi bachpan se sunti aa rahi thi. Gaon ke buzurg jab bhi us purani haveli ka zikr karte, unki aankhon mein khauf saaf nazar aata.
Kehte thay us haveli mein ek monster rehta hai... itna khaufnaak ke jis ne bhi uska chehra dekha, kabhi wapas zinda nahi aaya. Logon ke mutabiq usne chaar logon ka qatl kiya tha aur tab se woh veeran khandar uska ghar ban chuka tha.
Mahi ko bachpan se hi mystery stories aur purani kahaniyan padhne ka bohot shoq tha. Jitna log us haveli se darte thay, utna hi uska dil uske raaz jaanne ko chahta tha.
Ek din university mein professor ne research project announce kiya.
"Har student kisi historical place ya mysterious location par research karega."
Project list dekhte hi Mahi ki nazar ek naam par ja kar ruk gayi...
"Noor Manzil Haveli."
Uske honton par halki si muskurahat aa gayi.
"Yahi project karungi."
Uski dost foran ghabra gayi.
"Mahi, pagal ho? Wahan koi nahi jata."
Mahi hansi.
"Monster waghera kuch nahi hota. Ye sirf logon ki banai hui kahaniyan hain."
Usay bilkul andaza nahi tha ke uska ye faisla uski poori zindagi badalne wala hai...
Aur shayad... usay ek aise insaan se mila dega jise duniya sirf monster ke naam se jaanti thi.
Chapter 2 – Haveli Ki Taraf Safar
Subah ka waqt tha. Aasman par halkay badal chhaye huay thay aur thandi hawa chal rahi thi. Mahi apne kamre mein khari apna bag tayyar kar rahi thi. Us bag mein uska camera, notebook, kuch history books aur ek torch thi.
Uski maa darwaze par khari usay dekh rahi thi.
"Mahi, tum waqai us haveli ja rahi ho?"
Mahi ne muskurate huay kaha, "Ammi, sirf research project ke liye ja rahi hoon. Do din mein wapas aa jaungi."
Maa ke chehre par fikr thi.
"Beta, har kahani sirf kahani nahi hoti. Kuch jagahon ke apne raaz hotay hain."
Mahi ne unki baat suni, magar uska yaqeen ab bhi mazboot tha.
"Ammi, main sach jaanne ja rahi hoon. Logon ke dar ki wajah se haqeeqat nahi badal sakti."
Wo ghar se nikal gayi, lekin usay nahi pata tha ke wo jis sach ki talaash mein ja rahi hai, wo sach uski soch se kahin zyada gehra hai.
---
Kai ghanton ke safar ke baad gaari ek sunsaan raste par ruk gayi.
Driver ne peeche mur kar dekha.
"Madam, aagay main nahi ja sakta."
Mahi ne hairani se poocha, "Kyun?"
Driver ki awaaz dheemi ho gayi.
"Us haveli ke baare mein suna nahi? Log kehte hain wahan se koi mehfooz wapas nahi aata."
Mahi ne gehri saans li aur apna bag uthaya.
"Main wapas aa jaungi."
Driver ne bas itna kaha:
"Allah hifazat kare."
Mahi akele us purane raste par chalne lagi.
Jitna wo haveli ke qareeb ja rahi thi, utna hi mahaul badalta ja raha tha. Darakht zyada ghane ho gaye thay, hawa thandi aur khamoshi ajeeb si lagne lagi thi.
Phir achanak...
Uski nazar us haveli par pari.
Noor Manzil.
Ek purani, toot-ti hui imarat... jiski deewaron par waqt ke nishaan thay. Khirkiyan toot chuki thin aur darwaza aadha khula hua tha.
Mahi ne camera nikala aur tasveer leni shuru ki.
"To ye hai wo jagah jahan ek monster rehta hai..."
Usne khud se kaha.
Lekin jaise hi wo darwaze ke qareeb pohanchi...
Darwaza khud ba khud zor se khul gaya.
Mahi ek dum ruk gayi.
"Hello?"
Uski awaaz haveli ke andar goonj uthi.
Koi jawab nahi aaya.
Wo dheere dheere andar chali gayi.
Andar har taraf andhera tha. Purane furniture par dhool jami thi. Deewaron par ajeeb tasveerain lagi hui thin.
Mahi apni torch jalane lagi.
Tabhi...
Upar wali manzil se kisi ke chalne ki awaaz aayi.
Thak... thak... thak...
Mahi ka dil tez dharakne laga.
"Kya yahan koi hai?"
Achanak ek bhaari aur khaufnaak awaaz andhere se goonji...
"Yahan se chali jao..."
Mahi ke haath se torch gir gayi.
Uska rang udd gaya.
Kyun ke wo awaaz kisi insaan jaisi nahi thi...
Wo awaaz usi monster ki thi jiski kahaniyan usne bachpan se suni thin.
Chapter 3 – Haveli Ke Andar Ka Andhera
Mahi kuch lamhon tak wahi khari rahi. Uska dil zor zor se dharak raha tha, lekin aas paas sirf khamoshi thi.
"Shayad... mera waham tha."
Usne khud ko tasalli di aur torch uthai.
Wo dheere dheere haveli ke andar mazeed barhne lagi. Har qadam ke saath zameen se purani lakri ki awaaz aati.
Charr... charr...
Haveli andar se bahar se bhi zyada khaufnaak thi. Deewaron par purane portraits lage thay jin ki aankhen jaise uska peecha kar rahi hon. Har taraf dhool, jaale aur saalon purani cheezen pari thin.
Mahi ne apni notebook nikali aur likhna shuru kiya.
"Noor Manzil Haveli... lagbhag sau saal purani. Log is jagah ko monster ki wajah se khaufnaak samajhte hain, lekin abhi tak koi saboot nahi mila."
Wo ek kamre mein dakhil hui.
Kamre ke andar ek purani almari, ek tootay huay sheeshe aur ek bohat purani diary pari thi.
Mahi ki aankhon mein chamak aa gayi.
"Diary..."
Usne jaldi se diary uthai. Dhool hata kar usay khola.
Pehle kuch panne phate huay thay, lekin jo likha tha wo hairan kar dene wala tha.
"Is haveli ke raaz ko har koi samajh nahi sakta. Jo log sach jaante hain, wo khamosh kar diye jate hain..."
Mahi ka chehra serious ho gaya.
"Ye kis ki diary hai?"
Wo mazeed parhne lagi, magar achanak hawa ka tez jhonka aaya aur kamre ki khirki zor se band ho gayi.
Mahi ghabra kar peeche hati.
"Yahan hawa itni tez kaise..."
Usne khirki kholne ki koshish ki, magar wo bilkul nahi hili.
Phir uski nazar kamre ke ek kone par pari.
Wahan ek purani tasveer rakhi thi.
Tasveer mein ek jawan larka tha... magar uska chehra aadha andhere mein chhupa hua tha.
Mahi ne tasveer uthai.
"Ye kaun hai?"
Usay nahi pata tha ke ye tasveer us haveli ke sab se bade raaz ka hissa hai.
Achanak neeche se kisi cheez ke girne ki awaaz aayi.
Dharram!
Mahi ka jism kaanp gaya.
Wo torch lekar bahar nikli.
Lekin corridor mein koi nahi tha.
Sirf ek ajeeb si khamoshi...
Aur deewar par likhe hue kuch alfaaz:
"Har sach dekhne walay ke liye nahi hota."
Mahi ne un alfaaz ko dekha aur pehli baar uske dil mein halka sa darr paida hua.
Lekin phir bhi usne apni notebook band ki aur kaha:
"Main yahan tak aayi hoon... ab sach jaan kar hi jaungi."
Usay nahi pata tha ke haveli usay sirf apne raaz nahi dikhane wali...
Balki apne andar qaid bhi karne wali hai.
Chapter 4 – Qadam Jo Wapas Na Le Sake
Mahi ne apni notebook band ki aur gehri saans li. Uska dil ab pehle jaisa pur-aitemad nahi tha. Haveli ke andar kuch aisa zaroor tha jo uski samajh se bahar tha.
Lekin uski aadat thi... wo kisi bhi raaz ko adhoora nahi chhorti thi.
Wo corridor mein aage barhne lagi.
Har taraf andhera tha. Torch ki halki roshni purani deewaron par pad rahi thi. Kabhi kisi kamre ka darwaza hawa se hilta, kabhi zameen par pari purani cheezen uske qadam ke neeche aa jatin.
Mahi ne ek aur kamra khola.
Ye kamra baaki kamron se bilkul alag tha.
Yahan safai thi.
Ek purani mez, kuch kitaabein aur ek kursi rakhi thi jaise koi abhi bhi yahan aata ho.
Mahi hairan ho gayi.
"Is veeran haveli mein koi rehta hai?"
Usne mez par rakhi ek kitaab uthai.
Wo kisi purane khandan ki history thi.
Pages palatte huay uski nazar ek naam par ruk gayi.
"Azaan..."
Neeche likha tha:
"Azaan, is khandan ka aakhri waris tha. Logon ne uski kahani ko badal diya, usay ek darawni kahani bana diya..."
Mahi ne hairani se kitab ko dekha.
"Aakhir tum kaun thay, Azaan?"
Wo mazeed parhna chahti thi ke achanak haveli ki lights nahi, balki purani lantern jo kone mein rakhi thi, khud jal uthin.
Mahi ek dum peeche hati.
"Ye kaise ho sakta hai?"
Uske haath thanday par gaye.
Phir usay mehsoos hua...
Jaise koi usay door se dekh raha ho.
Mahi ne foran peeche mur kar dekha.
Lekin wahan koi nahi tha.
Sirf ek lamba sa andhera corridor.
Wo khud ko himmat dene lagi.
"Main darrungi nahi."
Lekin jaise hi wo bahar nikalne lagi, haveli ka bada darwaza zor se band hone ki awaaz aayi.
Dharram!
Mahi bhaag kar entrance ki taraf gayi.
Usne darwaza kholne ki koshish ki.
Ek baar...
Do baar...
Magar darwaza nahi khula.
Uski aankhon mein pehli baar sach ka darr nazar aaya.
"Ye band kaise ho gaya?"
Bahar nikalne ka koi rasta nahi tha.
Mahi ab is haveli ke andar thi...
Aur shayad pehli baar usay ehsaas hua ke log kyun kehte thay:
"Noor Manzil mein jo jata hai... wo aasani se wapas nahi aata."
Us raat Mahi ko abhi monster ka saamna nahi hua tha...
Magar haveli ne usay apna pehla qaid kar liya tha.
Chapter 5 – Pehli Raat Haveli Mein
Mahi ne darwaze ko aakhri baar zor se dhakka diya, lekin wo bilkul nahi khula.
Uski saansen tez ho gayin.
"Ye nahi ho sakta... mujhe bahar jana hoga."
Wo ghabrahat mein poori haveli mein wapas rasta dhoondne lagi. Har kamra, har khirki check ki, magar sab band thay.
Bahar andhera gehra hota ja raha tha.
Shaam kab raat mein badal gayi, Mahi ko pata hi nahi chala.
Usne apni torch dekhi. Battery bhi kam reh gayi thi.
"Great... bas ye hi reh gaya tha."
Usne apne aap ko sambhala aur ek kamra chuna jahan wo kuch der araam kar sake.
Kamra chhota tha, lekin baaki jagahon se zyada mehfooz lag raha tha. Usne apna bag rakha aur zameen par baith gayi.
Ab usay bhook mehsoos hone lagi thi.
Subah se usne kuch nahi khaya tha.
Usne bag khola, lekin us mein sirf ek bottle pani aur kuch biscuits thay.
"Kal subah nikal jaungi..."
Usne khud ko tasalli di.
Lekin andar hi andar ek ajeeb sa darr barhta ja raha tha.
Raat aur gehri hoti gayi.
Haveli ki khamoshi aur bhi darawni lagne lagi.
Phir achanak...
Thak... thak... thak...
Kisi ke chalne ki awaaz aayi.
Mahi ek dum seedhi baith gayi.
Uski nazar darwaze par jam gayi.
Awaaz dheere dheere qareeb aa rahi thi.
Usne saans rok li.
Darwaze ke bahar koi ruk gaya.
Kuch lamhon tak sirf khamoshi thi.
Phir...
Darwaze ke neeche se kisi ka saya guzra.
Mahi ka dil zor se dharka.
"Kaun hai?"
Koi jawab nahi aaya.
Wo dheere se uth kar darwaze ke qareeb gayi, lekin uske haath kaanp rahe thay.
Jaise hi usne darwaza kholne ke liye haath barhaya...
Achanak bahar se ek zor ki awaaz aayi.
"Wahan se door raho."
Mahi dar ke maare peeche girte girte bachi.
Ye awaaz pehle wali awaaz se bhi zyada gehri thi.
Lekin is baar...
Us mein gusse se zyada ek warning thi.
Mahi ne darwaze ko dekha.
"K... kaun ho tum?"
Kuch seconds tak khamoshi rahi.
Phir jawab aaya:
"Jis sach ko tum dhoondne aayi ho... us se door raho."
Mahi ki aankhon mein darr aur sawal dono thay.
Pehli baar usay yaqeen hua...
Ke haveli sirf khaali khandar nahi thi.
Yahan koi tha.
Koi jo usay dekh raha tha...
Koi jo uski har harkat se waqif tha.
Aur wo abhi tak uska chehra nahi dekh pai thi.
Chapter 6 – Pehli Mulaqat
Raat ki khamoshi mein Mahi abhi tak darwaze ko dekhti reh gayi thi. Uska dil zor zor se dharak raha tha.
Wo samajh nahi pa rahi thi ke wo awaaz kis ki thi.
Kya ye wahi monster tha?
Jiski kahaniyan poora ilaqa sunata tha?
Mahi ne himmat kar ke torch uthai aur dheere se darwaza khola.
Corridor mein andhera tha.
"Kaun ho tum?"
Uski awaaz halki si kaanp rahi thi.
Koi jawab nahi aaya.
Bas door kahin se kisi ke qadam ki awaaz sunai di.
Thak... thak... thak...
Mahi ne torch ki roshni aage ki.
Aur phir...
Andhere mein ek lamba sa saya nazar aaya.
Mahi ki saansen ruk gayin.
Wo shakhs dheere dheere roshni mein aaya.
Lamba qad, sakht chehra, gehri aankhen aur aisi khamoshi jo khauf paida kar rahi thi.
Mahi ke haath se torch girte girte bachi.
"Tu... tum..."
Uski awaaz kaanp gayi.
Samne khara shakhs wahi tha jise duniya monster ke naam se jaanti thi.
Azaan.
Usne Mahi ko dekha, uski aankhon mein gussa nahi balki ek ajeeb si udaasi thi.
"Tumhein yahan nahi aana chahiye tha."
Mahi ka darr aur barh gaya.
Wo dheere dheere peeche hone lagi.
"N... nahi... mere qareeb mat aana."
Azaan wahi ruk gaya.
"Maine kaha tha... wapas chali jao."
Mahi ki nazar uske chehre par thi. Usay sirf wo saari kahaniyan yaad aa rahi thin jo usne bachpan se suni thin.
Chaar qatl...
Monster...
Haveli...
Uske qadam peeche hote gaye.
Lekin usay pata nahi chala ke wo haveli ke purane, kamzor hisse ke qareeb aa gayi thi.
Achanak...
Crack...
Zameen ki lakri tootne ki awaaz aayi.
Mahi ka rang udd gaya.
Uska paon phisal gaya.
"Ahh!"
Wo neeche girne lagi.
Lekin girne se pehle ek mazboot haath ne uska haath pakar liya.
Mahi ne aankhen band kar li thin.
Kuch lamhon baad usay mehsoos hua ke wo zameen par nahi giri.
Usne aankhen kholin.
Azaan ne usay sambhala hua tha.
Mahi ki saansen tez thin.
Wo foran us se door hui.
Azaan ne bas itna kaha:
"Main tumhein nuksan nahi pohanchana chahta."
Mahi ne uski taraf dekha.
Pehli baar uske zehan mein ek sawal paida hua...
Agar wo waqai monster tha...
To phir usne uski jaan kyun bachai?
Lekin darr abhi bhi zinda tha.
Mahi kuch bole baghair peeche hati.
Aur Azaan andhere mein wapas chala gaya...
Apne peeche aur bhi zyada raaz chhor kar.
Chapter 7 – Khauf Ka Saya
Mahi abhi tak us lamhe ko bhula nahi pa rahi thi.
Wo mazboot haath...
Wo gehri aankhen...
Aur wo shakhs jise poori duniya monster kehti thi.
Mahi kamre ke kone mein baithi thi. Uske haath abhi bhi kaanp rahe thay.
"Ye insaan nahi ho sakta..."
Usne dheemi awaaz mein kaha.
Uske zehan mein bachpan ki wo saari kahaniyan ghoom rahi thin.
"Haveli ka monster... jo logon ko maar deta hai."
Mahi ne apna bag uthaya.
"Nahi... mujhe yahan se nikalna hoga. Main ek pal bhi yahan nahi reh sakti."
Wo jaldi se darwaze ki taraf gayi.
Haveli ka har kona andhera tha. Uski saansen tez ho rahi thin, lekin wo rukna nahi chahti thi.
"Main us monster ke saath yahan qaid nahi reh sakti."
Wo entrance ki taraf bhaagi.
Usne darwaza kholne ki poori koshish ki.
Lekin darwaza bilkul nahi hila.
"Nahi... nahi... khul jao!"
Usne aansuon ke qareeb hoti aankhon se darwaze ko dhakka diya.
Phir wo khirkiyon ki taraf gayi.
Har rasta band tha.
Wo ek kamre se doosre kamre mein bhaagti rahi.
Kabhi purani deewaron se takrati, kabhi andhere mein dar kar ruk jati.
Lekin haveli jaise usay bahar jane hi nahi de rahi thi.
Achanak uske peeche awaaz aayi.
"Tum jitni koshish karogi... utna hi khud ko takleef dogi."
Mahi ek dum palti.
Azaan andhere mein khara tha.
Mahi ka chehra darr se safed par gaya.
"Tum... tum wahi monster ho na?"
Azaan ki aankhon mein ek pal ke liye dard ubhra.
"Lagta hai tumne bhi baaki sab ki tarah sirf kahaniyan suni hain."
Mahi peeche hoti gayi.
"Door raho mujhse! Mujhe nahi pata tumne kitne logon ko nuksan pohanchaya hai."
Azaan ne kuch nahi kaha.
Bas khamoshi se usay dekhta raha.
Mahi peeche hote hote purani seedhiyon ke qareeb aa gayi.
Uska paon phir se phisalne laga.
Azaan foran aage barha.
Lekin Mahi ne darr kar apna haath peeche kar liya.
"Mat chhoona mujhe!"
Azaan ruk gaya.
Kuch lamhon tak dono ke darmiyan sirf khamoshi thi.
Phir Azaan ne dheemi awaaz mein kaha:
"Main tumhara dushman nahi hoon, Mahi."
Mahi ki aankhon mein darr tha.
"Lekin meri nazar mein tum abhi bhi monster ho."
Ye lafz sun kar Azaan ka chehra sakht ho gaya.
Wo kuch bole baghair wahan se chala gaya.
Aur Mahi...
Pehli baar sochne lagi.
Agar wo itna hi khatarnak tha...
To phir usne ab tak usay nuksan kyun nahi pohanchaya?
Magar darr abhi bhi uske dil par haavi tha.
Aur wo nahi jaanti thi ke is haveli mein uska sab se bada khauf hi uski hifazat banne wala hai.
Chapter 8 – Darr Aur Sach Ke Darmiyan
Mahi poori raat so nahi saki.
Har baar jab aankhen band karti, usay Azaan ka chehra yaad aa jata. Wo gehri aankhen, wo khamosh andaaz aur wo awaaz...
Lekin sab se zyada usay ek baat pareshan kar rahi thi.
Agar Azaan waqai monster tha...
To phir usne uski jaan kyun bachai?
Subah ki halki roshni haveli ki purani khirkiyon se andar aa rahi thi. Mahi ne dheere se aankhen kholin.
Uska gala khushk tha aur bhook se uski halat kharab ho rahi thi.
Usne apna bag dekha.
Sirf thoda sa pani aur kuch biscuits bachay thay.
"Yahan se nikalna hoga..."
Usne khud se kaha.
Mahi ne dobara darwaza aur khirkiyan check karni shuru kar di. Wo har mumkin rasta dhoond rahi thi.
Achanak uski nazar zameen par pari ek purani chabi par gayi.
"Chabi?"
Usne uthai.
Shayad ye kisi darwaze ki thi.
Mahi us chabi ko lekar haveli ke purane hisse ki taraf chali gayi.
Lekin jaise hi wo ek band kamre ke qareeb pohanchi...
Peeche se awaaz aayi.
"Us darwaze ko mat kholo."
Mahi ka jism kaanp gaya.
Wo dheere se palti.
Azaan wahan khara tha.
Mahi phir peeche hatne lagi.
"Tum phir aa gaye..."
Azaan ne uski taraf dekha.
"Main tumhein bachane ki koshish kar raha hoon."
Mahi ne gusse aur darr se kaha:
"Mujhe tumhari madad nahi chahiye. Mujhe sirf yahan se bahar jana hai."
Azaan kuch der khamosh raha.
Phir bola:
"Tumhe lagta hai main tumhara dushman hoon... lekin tum nahi jaanti ke is haveli mein kuch cheezen aisi hain jo mujh se bhi zyada khatarnak hain."
Mahi uski baat sun kar chup ho gayi.
Pehli baar usne Azaan ki awaaz mein gussa nahi... balki fikr mehsoos ki.
Lekin darr abhi bhi tha.
"Main tum par bharosa nahi kar sakti."
Azaan ne nazar jhuka li.
"Shayad tumhein haq hai."
Wo wahan se chala gaya.
Mahi ne us band darwaze ko dekha.
Uske dil mein ek ajeeb si jang chal rahi thi.
Ek taraf wo Azaan se dar rahi thi...
Aur doosri taraf usay lag raha tha ke us monster ke peeche koi aisi kahani chhupi hai jo duniya nahi jaanti.
Usne chabi apni mutthi mein band ki.
"Main sach jaan kar rahungi."
Lekin usay nahi pata tha...
Ke ye chabi sirf ek kamra nahi kholne wali thi.
Ye us raaz ka darwaza kholne wali thi jis ne Azaan ki zindagi tabah kar di thi.
Chapter 9 – Dard Aur Hifazat
Mahi ne chabi ko mazbooti se pakra hua tha. Uske dil mein ab bhi darr tha, lekin us darr ke saath ek ajeeb si curiosity bhi thi.
Wo haveli ke purane hisse ki taraf gayi jahan wo band darwaza tha.
"Bas ek baar dekh leti hoon..."
Usne chabi tala mein lagai.
Jaise hi darwaza khula, andar se purani dhool hawa mein phail gayi. Mahi ne torch jalai aur dheere dheere andar jane lagi.
Kamra bohat purana tha. Har taraf purani kitaabein aur tooti hui cheezen pari thin.
Lekin achanak uska paon ek kamzor lakri par aa gaya.
Crack...
Mahi kuch samajh pati, us se pehle zameen ka hissa toot gaya.
"Ahh!"
Wo neeche girne lagi.
Lekin girne se pehle kisi ne uska haath pakar liya.
Azaan.
Usne Mahi ko kheench kar apni taraf kar liya, magar Mahi ka paon zakhmi ho gaya tha.
Mahi dard se karah uthi.
Azaan ki aankhon mein foran gussa aa gaya.
"Tumne meri baat kyun nahi suni?"
Uski awaaz haveli mein goonj uthi.
Mahi pehli baar uska itna gussa dekh kar darr gayi.
Lekin us gusse ke peeche ek aur ehsaas tha...
Fikr.
Azaan ne uska zakhmi paon dekha.
"Tumhein andaza bhi hai agar main waqt par na aata to kya hota?"
Mahi chup rahi.
Usne dheemi awaaz mein kaha:
"Main sirf sach jaan-na chahti thi..."
Azaan ka gussa thoda kam hua.
"Sach kabhi kabhi bohat dard deta hai, Mahi."
Wo usay sambhal kar kamre se bahar le aaya.
Mahi hairan thi ke jis shakhs se wo itna darti thi...
Aaj wahi uski hifazat kar raha tha.
Azaan ne usay ek purani kursi par bithaya aur uske zakhm ko dekha.
"Mujhe apna paon dikhao."
Mahi ne foran kaha:
"Nahi... main khud kar lungi."
Azaan ne uski taraf dekha.
"Zid mat karo."
Uski awaaz sakht thi, lekin andaaz mein narami thi.
Mahi khamosh ho gayi.
Azaan ne uski madad ki.
Kuch lamhon ke liye dono ke darmiyan sirf khamoshi thi.
Mahi pehli baar uske qareeb thi aur usay mehsoos hua...
Ye woh khaufnaak monster nahi tha jaisa logon ne bataya tha.
Lekin phir bhi...
Uske dil mein ek sawal tha.
"Azaan... tum asal mein ho kaun?"
Azaan ne uski taraf dekha.
Magar jawab dene ke bajaye sirf itna kaha:
"Jis din tum meri kahani jaanogi... shayad tum bhi mujhse nafrat karne lago gi."
Mahi uski baat sun kar chup ho gayi.
Usay nahi pata tha ke jis insaan se wo bachne ki koshish kar rahi thi...
Wohi dheere dheere uski sab se badi hifazat ban raha tha.
Chapter 10 – Nazdeekiyan Aur Chhupe Raaz
Mahi chup chap baithi Azaan ko dekhti rahi.
Kal tak jis shakhs ko wo sirf ek khaufnaak monster samajh rahi thi, aaj wahi uske zakhmi paon ki fikr kar raha tha.
Lekin dil abhi bhi confuse tha.
"Ye kaise ho sakta hai..." Mahi ne khud se kaha.
Azaan ne uski taraf dekha.
"Kya soch rahi ho?"
Mahi foran nazrein hata gayi.
"Kuch nahi."
Azaan halki si muskurahat ke saath bola:
"Tum jhoot bolna nahi jaanti."
Mahi ne hairani se uski taraf dekha.
"Pehle to tum mujhse itna darti thi ke meri awaaz sun kar bhi kaanp jati thi."
Mahi khamosh ho gayi.
"Main abhi bhi darti hoon."
Azaan ki aankhon mein ek pal ke liye udaasi aa gayi.
"Shayad main isi ka haqdar hoon."
Mahi uski baat samajh nahi pai.
"Aisa kyun kehte ho?"
Azaan ne jawab nahi diya.
Wo uth kar jaane laga, lekin Mahi ne pehli baar usay roka.
"Azaan..."
Wo ruk gaya.
Mahi khud bhi hairan thi ke usne pehli baar uska naam itni normal awaaz mein liya tha.
"Tum... mujhe sach mein nuksan nahi pohanchana chahte?"
Azaan ne palat kar dekha.
"Nahi."
Uska jawab chhota tha, lekin us mein sachai thi.
---
Raat ko Mahi apne kamre mein thi. Paon ki chot ki wajah se chalna mushkil tha.
Usne bahar jane ki koshish ki, lekin dard ki wajah se wapas baith gayi.
Achanak darwaza khula.
Azaan andar aaya aur uske haath mein khana tha.
Mahi hairan reh gayi.
"Tum?"
Azaan ne khana mez par rakha.
"Tumne subah se kuch nahi khaya."
Mahi ne dheemi awaaz mein kaha:
"Mujhe laga... tumhe meri parwah nahi."
Azaan kuch lamhon tak khamosh raha.
"Parwah hai."
Ye do lafz sun kar Mahi ek dum chup ho gayi.
Azaan ne foran nazar hata li.
"Khud ka khayal rakho."
Wo jane laga.
Lekin Mahi ke dil mein pehli baar us monster ke liye darr ke saath ek aur ehsaas paida hua...
Ek chhoti si umeed.
Ke shayad...
Is andheri haveli mein sab kuch waisa nahi tha jaisa duniya samajhti thi.
Aur shayad Azaan ke andar chhupa insaan...
Us monster se zyada sach tha jo logon ne bana diya tha.
Chapter 11 – Khauf Ka Imtehaan
Raat ka andhera haveli par chhaya hua tha.
Mahi apne kamre mein baithi thi. Uska zakhmi paon abhi bhi dard kar raha tha, lekin dil mein pehli baar Azaan ke liye thodi si samajh paida hui thi.
Achanak...
Dharram!
Haveli ka bada darwaza zor se khula.
Mahi ek dum ghabra kar khari ho gayi.
Bahar se logon ki awaazein aa rahi thin.
"Har kamra check karo!"
"Wo yahin kahin hoga!"
Mahi ka chehra badal gaya.
"Ye kaun log hain?"
Wo dheere se darwaze ke paas gayi aur bahar dekhne lagi.
Kuch log hathyar liye haveli ke andar aa chuke thay.
Unki awaazon mein nafrat thi.
"Us monster ko aaj nahi chhorna."
Mahi ka dil zor se dharka.
Usay samajh aa gaya ke wo log Azaan ke liye aaye hain.
Phir achanak haveli ke doosre hisse se ek zor ki awaaz goonji.
Azaan.
Uski awaaz mein gussa aur warning dono thay.
Mahi dar ke maare peeche hat gayi.
Usay bahar se shor, bhaagne ki awaazein aur cheezon ke girne ki awaazein sunai dene lagin.
Wo pehli baar Azaan ko itne gusse mein mehsoos kar rahi thi.
"Ye kya ho raha hai..."
Mahi ka darr wapas aa gaya.
Uske zehan mein purani kahaniyan ghoomne lagin.
"Monster..."
Usne dheemi awaaz mein kaha.
Wo apna bag uthakar chupke se bahar nikalne lagi.
Uska zakhmi paon har qadam par dard kar raha tha, magar darr us dard se zyada tha.
"Abhi mauqa hai... mujhe yahan se jana hoga."
Lekin jaise hi wo corridor mein pohanchi...
Azaan samne aa gaya.
Uska chehra sakht tha aur aankhon mein gussa tha.
Mahi usay dekh kar ruk gayi.
"Azaan..."
Usne pehli baar usay itna khatarnak dekha tha.
Azaan ne uski taraf dekha.
"Tum yahan kya kar rahi ho?"
Mahi peeche hone lagi.
"Mujhe jana hai..."
Azaan ki nazar uske zakhmi paon par gayi.
"Tum bhaag nahi sakti."
"Mujhe tum par bharosa nahi!"
Ye sun kar Azaan ki aankhon mein dard aaya, lekin gussa bhi tha.
"Bahar jo log hain... unse tum zyada khatre mein ho."
Mahi ne baat nahi suni aur aage barhne lagi.
Lekin zakhmi paon ki wajah se wo ladkhara gayi.
Azaan ne foran usay sambhal liya.
Mahi dar kar peeche hati.
Azaan ki awaaz sakht thi:
"Ab meri baat mano."
Usne Mahi ko haveli ke ek purane hisse mein le gaya jahan ek chhota sa kamra tha.
Purani deewarein, andhera aur zanjeeron ki awaaz...
Mahi ki aankhon mein darr aa gaya.
"Azaan... ye kya hai?"
Azaan ne darwaza band kar diya.
"Mujhe majbooran karna par raha hai."
Mahi ne ghabra kar darwaze ko pakra.
"Nahi! Mujhe yahan band mat karo!"
Lekin Azaan ne sirf itna kaha:
"Jab tak ye log yahan hain, tumhara yahan mehfooz rehna zaroori hai."
Darwaza band ho gaya.
Mahi andhere kamre mein akeli reh gayi.
Uski aankhon mein aansu aa gaye.
Wo samajh nahi pa rahi thi...
Kya Azaan ne usay bachane ke liye qaid kiya tha?
Ya phir wo waqai wahi monster tha jiske baare mein duniya batati thi?
Aur bahar...
Azaan gusse mein usay dhoondne walon ka saamna kar raha tha.
Chapter 12 – Zanjeeron Ke Peeche Sach
Andhera kamra...
Mahi zameen par baithi thi. Uske haath zanjeer se bandhe nahi thay, lekin purani zanjeeren deewar se latak rahi thin aur unki awaaz uske darr ko aur barha rahi thi.
Uska zakhmi paon dard kar raha tha.
"Azaan ne mujhe yahan kyun band kiya?"
Uski aankhon mein aansu aa gaye.
"Main to sirf yahan se jana chahti thi..."
Bahar se abhi bhi shor ki halki awaazein aa rahi thin.
Gusse bhari awaazein...
Aur kabhi kabhi Azaan ki garajti hui awaaz.
Mahi ne darwaze ke qareeb ja kar sunne ki koshish ki.
"Tum sab yahan se chale jao."
Azaan ki awaaz goonji.
Ek aadmi hans kar bola:
"Ab bhi apne aap ko hero samajhta hai? Poore ilaqe ko pata hai tum kya ho."
Mahi ka dil ruk sa gaya.
Wo khamoshi se sunti rahi.
Azaan ne sakht lehje mein kaha:
"Jo kahani tum logon ne suni hai... wo poori sach nahi."
Mahi hairan ho gayi.
Pehli baar usne mehsoos kiya ke Azaan ke andar koi aisa dard hai jo wo kisi ko nahi dikhata.
---
Kuch der baad darwaza khula.
Mahi foran peeche hat gayi.
Azaan andar aaya.
Uska chehra gusse mein tha, lekin jaise hi uski nazar Mahi par pari, uska gussa kam ho gaya.
"Tum theek ho?"
Mahi ne uski taraf dekha.
"Tumne mujhe qaid kyun kiya?"
Azaan kuch pal khamosh raha.
"Kyun ke main tumhein khone ka risk nahi le sakta tha."
Mahi chup ho gayi.
Ye jumla usne bilkul expect nahi kiya tha.
"Lekin tum samajhti kyun nahi, Mahi... bahar jo log hain wo tumhari kahani nahi jaante. Wo sirf mujhe khatam karna chahte hain."
Mahi ki aankhon mein ab bhi darr tha.
"Phir mujhe sach batao..."
Azaan ne nazar jhuka li.
"Kuch sach aise hote hain jo kisi ki zindagi badal dete hain."
Mahi ne dheemi awaaz mein kaha:
"Meri zindagi to pehle hi badal chuki hai."
Azaan ne uski taraf dekha.
Pehli baar uske chehre par gusse ki jagah naramiyat thi.
Wo aage barha aur Mahi ke zakhmi paon ko dekha.
"Dard ho raha hai?"
Mahi ne nazrein hata kar kaha:
"Thoda."
Azaan ne dheemi awaaz mein kaha:
"Tum bohat zid karti ho."
Mahi ne halki si narazgi se dekha.
"Aur tum bohat darawne ho."
Pehli baar Azaan ke honton par halki si muskurahat aayi.
"Shayad."
Kuch lamhon ke liye dono khamosh rahe.
Phir bahar se dobara awaaz aayi.
Azaan ka chehra phir sakht ho gaya.
"Mujhe jana hoga."
Mahi ne foran uska haath pakar liya.
Khud bhi hairan ho gayi ke usne aisa kyun kiya.
"Azaan..."
Wo ruk gaya.
"Pata nahi kyun... lekin mujhe lagta hai tum waise nahi ho jaise log kehte hain."
Azaan ne uski taraf dekha.
Aur pehli baar...
Mahi ke lafzon ne uske saalon purane dard ko thoda kam kar dia.
Chapter 13 – Mana Ki Hui Jagah
Mahi ke dil mein ab bhi bohat se sawal thay.
Azaan ki baatein, uska gussa, uski hifazat... sab kuch uske liye ek paheli ban chuka tha.
Lekin ek baat usay zaroor mehsoos hone lagi thi...
Azaan jitna khaufnaak dikhai deta tha, shayad utna tha nahi.
Ek din jab Azaan haveli ke doosre hisse mein gaya hua tha, Mahi dheere dheere chalti hui haveli ke purane corridor mein aa gayi.
Uski nazar ek bade se band darwaze par pari.
Darwaze par purane naqsh bane huay thay.
Mahi ne haath barha kar darwaza khola.
Jaise hi wo andar gayi...
Uski aankhen hairani se khul gayin.
Ye kamra baaki haveli se bilkul alag tha.
Yahan purani kitaabein, tasveerain aur kuch aisi cheezen rakhi thin jo bohat qeemti lag rahi thin.
Mahi dheere dheere aage barhi.
"Yahan aisa kya hai jo Azaan mujhe nahi dikhana chahta?"
Usne ek purani almari kholi.
Andar kuch purani files aur ek sheeshe ki bottle rakhi thi.
Mahi ne bottle uthai.
Us par kuch likha hua tha, magar dhundla tha.
Achanak...
Peeche se ek bhaari awaaz goonji.
"Tum yahan kya kar rahi ho?"
Mahi ka rang udd gaya.
Uske haath kaanp gaye.
Bottle uske haath se chhoot gayi.
Channnn!
Kaanch zameen par toot gaya.
Mahi ne foran peeche mur kar dekha.
Azaan darwaze par khara tha.
Uski aankhon mein gussa tha.
"Maine mana kiya tha is jagah aane se."
Mahi ghabra gayi.
"Main... main sirf dekhna chahti thi. Mujhe nahi pata tha..."
"Lekin tumne koshish ki."
Azaan ki awaaz sakht thi.
Mahi ne pehli baar usay itna pareshan dekha.
"Please meri baat suno..."
Lekin Azaan us waqt kuch sunne ki halat mein nahi tha.
Usne darwaza band kar diya.
"Tumhein samajhna hoga ke kuch jagahon se door rehna hi behtar hota hai."
Mahi ki aankhon mein aansu aa gaye.
"Azaan..."
Magar wo chala gaya.
---
Us raat mausam achanak kharab ho gaya.
Aasman par kaale badal chha gaye.
Tez hawaon ke saath baarish shuru ho gayi.
Mahi ka kamra band tha, lekin uska dil ghabra raha tha.
Usne socha thodi hawa lene ke liye chhat par chali jaye.
Wo dheere dheere seedhiyan charhne lagi.
Zakhmi paon ki wajah se har qadam mushkil tha.
Chhat par pohanch kar usne aasman ki taraf dekha.
Baarish bohat tez thi.
Thandi hawa uske chehre se takra rahi thi.
Neeche haveli mein Azaan gusse mein tha, lekin jab usay pata chala ke Mahi kamre mein nahi hai...
Uska gussa foran fikr mein badal gaya.
"Mahi..."
Wo poori haveli mein usay dhoondne laga.
Phir uski nazar chhat ki taraf gayi.
Wo foran upar gaya.
Aur wahan...
Baarish mein bheegi hui Mahi zameen par behosh pari thi.
Azaan ka chehra ek pal mein badal gaya.
Uska gussa kahin kho gaya.
Wo foran uske paas gaya.
"Mahi!"
Usne usay apni baahon mein uthaya.
Pehli baar uski awaaz mein darr tha.
"Apni aankhen kholo..."
Lekin Mahi be-hosh thi.
Aur us andheri raat mein...
Jis monster se sab darte thay...
Wo sirf ek ladki ki zindagi bachane ke liye pareshan khara tha.
Chapter 14 – Monster Ki Fikr
Baarish abhi bhi bohat tez ho rahi thi.
Azaan ne Mahi ko apni baahon mein uthaya hua tha. Uska chehra pehle jaisa sakht nahi tha... aaj uski aankhon mein sirf fikr thi.
"Mahi... aankhen kholo."
Lekin Mahi bilkul be-hosh thi.
Azaan usay jaldi se kamre mein le aaya. Usne ek kambal uske upar rakha aur doctor ki purani kit nikal kar uski tabiyat check karne laga.
Uske kapray baarish se bheeg chuke thay aur thand ki wajah se uska jism kaanp raha tha.
Azaan ne dheemi awaaz mein kaha:
"Tum itni zid kyun karti ho, Mahi?"
Uski awaaz mein gussa nahi tha... sirf dard tha.
Kuch der baad Mahi ki aankhen halki si khulne lagin.
Usne dhundli nazron se dekha.
Samne Azaan baitha tha.
Wo foran ghabra gayi.
"Tum..."
Azaan ne sakoon se kaha:
"Chup raho. Tumhari tabiyat kharab hai."
Mahi ne uthne ki koshish ki, lekin kamzori ki wajah se wapas let gayi.
"Mujhe laga tum mujhse naraz ho..."
Azaan kuch pal khamosh raha.
"Naraz tha."
Mahi ne nazar jhuka li.
"Phir meri madad kyun kar rahe ho?"
Azaan ne uski taraf dekha.
"Kyun ke tumhari jaan mere gusse se zyada zaroori hai."
Mahi chup ho gayi.
Ye alfaaz uske dil ko chhoo gaye.
Jis shakhs ko wo monster samajhti thi...
Aaj wahi uski sab se zyada fikr kar raha tha.
---
Subah jab Mahi ki aankh khuli to baarish ruk chuki thi.
Usne dekha ke mez par garam khana rakha tha.
Aur paas hi ek chhota sa note tha.
"Dawai waqt par lena."
Mahi ne note ko dekha.
Uske honton par halki si muskurahat aa gayi.
"Lagta hai monster ko bhi fikr karni aati hai..."
Phir wo khud hi apni baat par hairan ho gayi.
Kyun ke pehli baar usne Azaan ko monster nahi kaha tha.
---
Lekin haveli ke bahar ek naya toofan aa raha tha.
Wo log jo Azaan ko dhoondne aaye thay...
Ab dobara wapas aane wale thay.
Aur is baar...
Unka nishana sirf Azaan nahi tha.
Balki Mahi bhi thi.
Chapter 15 – Bharosa Ka Pehla Qadam
Mahi khirki ke paas baithi bahar ke jungle ko dekh rahi thi.
Kal tak jo haveli usay sirf khaufnaak lagti thi, aaj usi jagah mein kuch aur mehsoos hone laga tha.
Ek ajeeb sa sukoon...
Lekin uske zehan mein ab bhi sawal thay.
Azaan kaun tha?
Usne apni zindagi kyun is andheri haveli mein qaid kar li?
Aur sab log usse itni nafrat kyun karte thay?
Mahi ne socha ke ab wo sach jaan kar rahegi.
---
Achanak darwaza khula.
Azaan andar aaya.
Mahi usay dekh kar thodi sambhal kar baith gayi.
"Tumhari tabiyat kaisi hai?"
Mahi ne dheemi awaaz mein kaha:
"Behtar hai."
Kuch pal dono khamosh rahe.
Phir Mahi ne himmat kar ke poocha:
"Azaan... wo kamra itna khaas kyun tha?"
Azaan ka chehra ek dum badal gaya.
Uski aankhon mein purana dard wapas aa gaya.
"Maine kaha tha na, kuch sach dard dete hain."
Mahi ne uski taraf dekha.
"Lekin main ab sirf darrna nahi chahti. Main samajhna chahti hoon."
Azaan uski baat sun kar chup ho gaya.
Pehli baar kisi ne uske khaufnaak chehre ke peeche chhupe insaan ko dekhne ki koshish ki thi.
---
Shaam ko Mahi haveli ke garden mein baithi thi.
Uska paon abhi bhi zakhmi tha, is liye wo zyada chal nahi sakti thi.
Achanak uska balance bigra aur wo girne lagi.
Lekin is se pehle ke wo zameen par girti...
Azaan ne usay sambhal liya.
Kuch lamhon ke liye dono bilkul qareeb thay.
Mahi ki saansen tez ho gayin.
Wo foran peeche hati.
"Pehle tumse darr lagta tha..."
Azaan ne poocha:
"Aur ab?"
Mahi ne nazrein jhuka kar kaha:
"Ab bhi lagta hai..."
Phir ek chhoti si muskurahat ke saath boli:
"Lekin shayad utna nahi."
Azaan ne pehli baar halki si muskurahat di.
---
Lekin un dono ko nahi pata tha ke haveli ke bahar koi un par nazar rakhe hue tha.
Ek awaaz goonji:
"To monster ne kisi ko apne kareeb aane diya hai..."
Aur is baar khatra sirf Azaan ke raaz ko nahi...
Balki Mahi ki zindagi ko bhi tha.
Chapter 16 – Chhupe Hue Dushman
Raat ka sannata haveli par chhaya hua tha.
Mahi apne kamre mein baithi Azaan ke baare mein soch rahi thi.
Kuch din pehle tak wo uska naam sun kar bhi dar jati thi, lekin ab usay samajh aa raha tha ke har kahani ka ek doosra pehlu bhi hota hai.
"Shayad logon ne usay samjha hi nahi..."
Mahi ne dheemi awaaz mein kaha.
Achanak khirki se thandi hawa andar aayi.
Mahi ne palat kar dekha.
Kuch bhi nahi tha.
Lekin uska dil ajeeb si bechaini mehsoos kar raha tha.
---
Dusri taraf Azaan haveli ke purane hisse mein khara tha.
Uski nazar bahar andhere jungle par thi.
Usay pata tha...
Koi wapas aa gaya hai.
Kuch der baad ek purana aadmi haveli ke bahar nazar aaya.
"Aakhir tumne kisi par bharosa kar hi liya, Azaan."
Azaan ka chehra sakht ho gaya.
"Yahan se chale jao."
Wo aadmi hansne laga.
"Ab bhi apne aap ko mazboot samajhte ho? Tumhari sab se badi kamzori ab tumhare andar aa chuki hai."
Azaan ki aankhon mein gussa aa gaya.
"Mahi ko is sab mein mat lana."
Us aadmi ki muskurahat gehri ho gayi.
"To us ladki ka naam Mahi hai..."
---
Subah Mahi ne mehsoos kiya ke Azaan kuch pareshan hai.
"Tum theek ho?"
Azaan ne foran jawab nahi diya.
"Kal se tum mere qareeb hi rehna."
Mahi hairan hui.
"Kyun?"
Azaan ne uski taraf dekha.
"Kyun ke ab haveli ka khatra sirf andar nahi hai."
Mahi ka chehra badal gaya.
"Kya matlab?"
Azaan ne kuch nahi kaha.
Lekin uski khamoshi ne Mahi ko aur dara diya.
---
Shaam ko Mahi library mein purani kitaabein dekh rahi thi ke achanak ek kitab neeche gir gayi.
Uske andar ek purani tasveer thi.
Tasveer mein ek jawan Azaan tha...
Magar uske chehre par aaj wala dard nahi tha.
Uske saath ek chhoti si family khari thi.
Mahi ne tasveer ko dekha.
"Ye tumhari asli kahani hai na, Azaan?"
Tabhi peeche se awaaz aayi.
"Maine kaha tha na... sach har kisi ke liye nahi hota."
Mahi ne dheere se palat kar dekha.
Azaan khara tha.
Aur uski aankhon mein saalon purana dard tha.
Chapter 17 – Sach Aur Hamla
Library mein gehri khamoshi thi.
Mahi ke haath mein woh purani tasveer thi. Uski nazar Azaan par thi.
"Azaan... ye sab kaun hain?"
Azaan kuch der tak khamosh raha.
Phir dheere se aage barha.
"Ye mera guzra hua waqt hai, Mahi."
Mahi ne tasveer ko dekha.
"Tum pehle aise nahi thay na?"
Azaan ki aankhon mein dard ubhar aaya.
"Nahi... pehle main bhi ek aam insaan tha."
Wo khirki ke paas ja kar khara ho gaya.
"Ye haveli kabhi mera ghar thi. Yahan khushiyan thin... log thay... zindagi thi."
Mahi chup chap sunti rahi.
"Phir ek din sab kuch badal gaya. Kuch logon ne apne faide ke liye jhooti kahaniyan bana di. Mujh par aise ilzaam lagaye gaye jo mere nahi thay."
Mahi ki aankhon mein hairani thi.
"To phir chaar logon ki kahani?"
Azaan ne nazrein jhuka li.
"Wo sach poora nahi bataya gaya."
Mahi kuch poochne hi wali thi ke...
Achanak!
Dharram!
Library ki khirki toot gayi.
Dono ek dum ghabra kar peeche hate.
Bahar se kuch log haveli ke andar aa rahe thay.
"Wo log aa gaye..."
Azaan ki awaaz sakht ho gayi.
Mahi ka chehra udd gaya.
"Kaun log?"
Azaan ne uski taraf dekha.
"Jinhon ne meri zindagi barbaad ki."
Achanak darwaza zor se khula.
Kuch aadmi andar aa gaye.
Unke haath mein hathyar thay.
"Is baar tum bach nahi paoge, Azaan."
Azaan foran Mahi ke samne aa gaya.
"Iska tumse koi lena dena nahi. Isay chhor do."
Un mein se ek aadmi hansne laga.
"Ab samajh aaya tumhari kamzori kya hai."
Mahi ka dil tez dharakne laga.
Azaan ka gussa barhta ja raha tha.
"Lekin Mahi ko kuch hua to..."
Uski awaaz mein warning thi.
---
Achanak ek aadmi ne Mahi ki taraf qadam barhaya.
Mahi peeche hati, lekin uska zakhmi paon dard kar raha tha.
Azaan ne foran usay apne peeche kar liya.
"Us ke qareeb mat aana."
Us pal Mahi ne pehli baar dekha...
Ke duniya jis shakhs ko monster kehti hai...
Wo uski hifazat ke liye khara tha.
Lekin hamla abhi khatam nahi hua tha.
Haveli mein shor, tootne ki awaazein aur khauf phail gaya.
Aur is sab ke darmiyan...
Chapter 18 – Mahi Ka Khauf
Haveli mein har taraf shor tha.
Toot'ti hui cheezen, tez awaazein aur bahar chalti hui aandhi...
Mahi ek kone mein khari thi aur uska jism darr se kaanp raha tha.
Usne kabhi socha nahi tha ke uska ek research project itna khatarnak mod le lega.
Ab usay samajh aa raha tha ke log is haveli se kyun darte thay.
Azaan uske samne khara tha, lekin Mahi ki aankhon mein ab bhi khauf tha.
"Azaan..."
Uski awaaz kaanp rahi thi.
"Mujhe yahan se jana hai."
Azaan ne uski taraf dekha.
Usne mehsoos kiya ke Mahi sirf un logon se nahi... balki poori situation se darr gayi hai.
"Mahi, meri baat suno. Tumhe kuch nahi hoga."
Lekin Mahi ne apna sar hila diya.
"Main nahi kar sakti... ye sab bohat zyada hai."
Uski aankhon mein aansu aa gaye.
"Main sirf ek project ke liye yahan aayi thi... mujhe nahi pata tha ke ye sab hoga."
Azaan kuch pal chup raha.
Phir dheemi awaaz mein bola:
"Mujhe afsos hai ke tum is sab ka hissa ban gayi."
---
Achanak bahar se dobara awaaz aayi.
Mahi ghabra kar peeche hati.
Uska paon dard ki wajah se ladkhara gaya.
Azaan foran usay sambhalne ke liye aage barha.
Mahi ne aankhen band kar lin.
Lekin is baar wo us se door nahi hui.
Azaan ne dheere se kaha:
"Tumhein mujhse darr lagta hai?"
Mahi ne sach bol diya.
"Haan..."
Phir kuch der ruk kar boli:
"Lekin mujhe pata hai tum un logon jaise nahi ho."
Azaan ki aankhon mein halki si hairani aayi.
---
Kuch der baad Azaan Mahi ko haveli ke ek mehfooz kamre mein le gaya.
"Yahan raho. Jab tak main wapas nahi aata, darwaza mat kholna."
Mahi ne foran uska haath pakar liya.
"Azaan... tum wapas aoge na?"
Ye sawal sun kar Azaan ruk gaya.
Pehli baar Mahi ki awaaz mein sirf darr nahi...
Bharosa bhi tha.
Azaan ne dheemi awaaz mein kaha:
"Main aaunga."
Wo chala gaya.
Mahi darwaze ke peeche khari reh gayi.
Uska dil ab bhi ghabra raha tha...
Lekin ab wo sirf apni jaan ke liye nahi darr rahi thi.
Wo Azaan ke liye bhi darr rahi thi.
Aur shayad...
Ye darr hi pehli nishani thi ke uska dil us "monster" ko samajhne laga tha.
Chapter 19 – Wapas Aane Ka Wada
Mahi us kamre mein akeli baithi thi.
Bahar se aati hui awaazein uske darr ko aur barha rahi thin. Kabhi kisi ke qadam sunai dete, kabhi koi cheez tootne ki awaaz aati.
Usne apne zakhmi paon ko dekha aur aankhon mein aansu aa gaye.
"Main itni kamzor kyun mehsoos kar rahi hoon..."
Kal tak wo sirf apni jaan bachane ke baare mein soch rahi thi, lekin aaj uska dil sirf ek hi shakhs ke liye bechain tha.
Azaan.
Usne wada kiya tha ke wo wapas aayega.
Lekin waqt guzarta ja raha tha.
---
Dusri taraf Azaan un logon ka saamna kar raha tha.
Uski aankhon mein gussa tha, lekin dimagh mein sirf ek baat chal rahi thi...
Mahi mehfooz honi chahiye.
Ek aadmi ne kaha:
"Ab samajh aaya... tum itne saalon baad kyun badal gaye. Wo ladki tumhari kamzori ban gayi hai."
Azaan ne sakht nazron se dekha.
"Nahi... wo meri kamzori nahi hai."
Wo ek pal ke liye khamosh hua.
"Wo meri wajah hai ke main ab bhi insaan hoon."
---
Kuch der baad haveli mein khamoshi chha gayi.
Mahi ne dheere se darwaza khola.
"Azaan?"
Koi jawab nahi aaya.
Uska dil aur tez dharakne laga.
Phir corridor ke andhere se ek saya nazar aaya.
Mahi ek dum ruk gayi.
Lekin is baar wo bhaagi nahi.
Wo dheere se boli:
"Azaan..."
Azaan roshni mein aaya.
Uske chehre par thakan thi aur ek chot bhi lagi hui thi.
Mahi ki aankhen phail gayin.
"Tum zakhmi ho..."
Azaan ne nazar hata li.
"Ye kuch nahi."
Mahi pehli baar uske dard ko mehsoos kar rahi thi.
"Sab ke liye tum monster ho..."
Usne dheemi awaaz mein kaha.
"Lekin tumne meri itni baar hifazat ki."
Azaan chup raha.
Mahi ne pehli baar usay darr ke baghair dekha.
"Shayad main tumhein samajhna chahti hoon."
Azaan ki aankhon mein halki si hairani aayi.
Lekin jawab dene se pehle...
Haveli ke purane hisse se ek ajeeb awaaz goonji.
Dono ne ek dusre ki taraf dekha.
Azaan ka chehra phir sakht ho gaya.
"Kuch theek nahi hai."
Mahi ka dil phir se ghabra gaya.
Kyun ke ab khatra sirf bahar ke log nahi thay...
Haveli ka sab se bada raaz ab jaagne wala tha.
Chapter 20 – Darr Ke Darmiyan Mohabbat
Haveli ke purane hisse se aane wali awaaz ne dono ko khamosh kar diya.
Mahi ka chehra phir se darr se badal gaya.
"Azaan... mujhe darr lag raha hai."
Ye pehli baar tha jab Mahi ne bina jhijhak apna darr uske saamne kaha tha.
Azaan ne uski taraf dekha.
Pehle wo ladki jo uski ek awaaz se bhi kaanp jati thi... aaj uske saamne khari thi.
Usne dheemi awaaz mein kaha:
"Jab tak main hoon, tumhein kuch nahi hoga."
Mahi ne uski aankhon mein dekha.
Pehli baar usay uski aankhon mein khauf nahi... sirf apne liye fikr nazar aayi.
---
Dono haveli ke purane corridor se guzrne lage.
Andhera bohat tha aur Mahi ka zakhmi paon abhi bhi dard kar raha tha.
Ek qadam par wo ladkhara gayi.
Azaan ne foran uska haath pakar liya.
"Dhyan se."
Mahi kuch pal uska haath dekhti rahi.
Phir halki si muskurahat ke saath boli:
"Pehle mujhe lagta tha tum sirf darr ho..."
Azaan ne poocha:
"Aur ab?"
Mahi ne nazrein jhuka li.
"Ab lagta hai... tumhare andar ek acha insaan bhi hai."
Azaan khamosh ho gaya.
Shayad saalon baad kisi ne uske chehre ke peeche chhupe insaan ko dekha tha.
---
Achanak tez hawa chali aur Mahi ka balance bigar gaya.
Azaan ne usay apni baahon mein sambhal liya.
Kuch lamhon ke liye dono bilkul qareeb thay.
Mahi ki saansen tez ho gayin.
Wo foran peeche hatne lagi.
"Lagta hai... main ab bhi tumse thoda darti hoon."
Azaan ke honton par halki si muskurahat aayi.
"Thoda?"
Mahi ne pehli baar uski baat par halki si hansi.
"Shayad thoda zyada."
Dono ke darmiyan pehli baar darr ki jagah ek ajeeb si apnayat thi.
---
Raat ko Azaan ne Mahi ke liye garam chai banayi.
Mahi hairan reh gayi.
"Tum chai bhi bana lete ho?"
Azaan ne kandhe uchkaye.
"Monster ke paas bhi kuch hunar hotay hain."
Mahi ne uski taraf dekha.
"Khud ko monster kehna band karo."
Azaan ki muskurahat dheemi ho gayi.
"Kyun?"
"Kyun ke maine ab tak jo dekha hai... wo monster nahi tha."
Ye lafz Azaan ke dil ko chhoo gaye.
Lekin dono nahi jaante thay...
Ke is badalte rishte ke saath unke saamne ek aur imtehaan khara tha.
Kyun ke haveli ka sab se bada raaz abhi baqi tha...
Chapter 21 – Dil Ka Badalta Ehsaas
Subah ki roshni purani haveli ki khirkiyon se andar aa rahi thi.
Mahi ki aankh khuli to kuch lamhon ke liye wo bhool gayi ke wo kahan hai. Phir uski nazar purani deewaron par pari aur sab yaad aa gaya.
Haveli...
Azaan...
Aur wo saare raaz jo abhi tak chhupe huay thay.
Wo dheere se uthne lagi, lekin zakhmi paon ki wajah se dard hua.
"Aah..."
Awaaz sun kar Azaan foran kamre mein aaya.
"Kya hua?"
Mahi ne hairani se dekha.
"Tum abhi bhi meri fikr karte ho?"
Azaan kuch pal khamosh raha.
"Shayad..."
Mahi ne halki si muskurahat ke saath kaha:
"Shayad?"
Azaan ne nazrein hata li.
"Tum bohat sawal karti ho."
Mahi hans di.
Aur ye chhoti si hansi sun kar Azaan ke chehre par bhi halki si muskurahat aa gayi.
---
Azaan ne Mahi ko haveli ke ek purane garden mein le gaya jahan phool ab bhi khile huay thay.
Mahi hairan ho gayi.
"Mujhe laga tha ye haveli sirf andheri aur darawni hai."
Azaan ne dheemi awaaz mein kaha:
"Har andheri jagah ke andar kuch roshni bhi hoti hai... bas log dekhna nahi chahte."
Mahi ne uski taraf dekha.
Usay mehsoos hua ke Azaan sirf haveli ki baat nahi kar raha tha...
Wo apni zindagi ki baat kar raha tha.
---
Kuch der dono khamosh baithe rahe.
Phir Mahi ne poocha:
"Azaan... agar log tumhare baare mein galat thay, to tumne kabhi sach sab ke saamne kyun nahi rakha?"
Azaan ne door aasman ki taraf dekha.
"Kyun ke kabhi kabhi insaan itna thak jata hai ke wo safai dena chhor deta hai."
Mahi ki aankhon mein udaasi aa gayi.
"Kitna akelay rahe ho tum..."
Azaan ne uski taraf dekha.
"Lekin ab..."
Wo ruk gaya.
Mahi ne dheemi awaaz mein poocha:
"Ab?"
Azaan kuch kehna chahta tha, lekin chup ho gaya.
Bas itna bola:
"Ab shayad haveli pehle jaisi khamosh nahi lagti."
Mahi ka dil halkasa dharak utha.
---
Lekin usi waqt...
Haveli ke bahar se ek awaaz aayi.
"Wo ladki ab bhi zinda hai..."
Azaan ka chehra ek dum badal gaya.
Mahi ne uski aankhon mein dobara wohi khauf dekha.
"Azaan... kya hua?"
Azaan ne uski taraf dekha.
"Is baar khatra aur kareeb hai."
Aur pehli baar...
Mahi ko darr haveli se nahi...
Balki Azaan ko khone se laga.
Chapter 22 – Khamosh Iqraar
Shaam dhal chuki thi.
Tez hawa purani haveli ki tooti hui khirkiyon se takra rahi thi. Mahi balcony mein khari door jungle ko dekh rahi thi.
Peechhe se qadam ki aahat aayi.
"Akele kyun khari ho?"
Mahi ne mud kar dekha.
Azaan tha.
Wo halki si muskurayi.
"Bas... soch rahi thi."
"Kya?"
"Ke agar main us din is haveli na aati... to shayad kabhi tumse na milti."
Azaan kuch lamhon tak usay dekhta raha.
"Shayad ye behtar hota."
Mahi ki muskurahat halki si feeki pad gayi.
"Kyun?"
Azaan ne gehri saans li.
"Kyun ke jo bhi mere qareeb aata hai... uski zindagi mushkil ho jati hai."
Mahi dheere se uske qareeb aa kar khari ho gayi.
"Har baar tum mujhe door bhejte ho... aur har baar meri hifazat bhi tum hi karte ho."
Azaan ne nazrein chura li.
"Mujhe aadat hai... akela rehne ki."
Mahi ne narmi se kaha,
"Har aadat badli bhi to ja sakti hai."
Dono ke darmiyan kuch lamhon ki khamoshi chha gayi.
Tez hawa se Mahi ke baal uske chehre par aa gaye.
Azaan ne beikhtiyar haath badhaya aur uske chehre se baalon ki lat hata di.
Mahi ek pal ke liye bilkul khamosh reh gayi.
Uska dil itni zor se dharak raha tha ke usay laga Azaan bhi sun lega.
Azaan ko bhi ehsaas hua ke usne kya kar diya hai.
Wo foran peeche hat gaya.
"Maaf karna..."
Mahi ne dheemi si muskurahat ke saath sar hila diya.
"Koi baat nahi."
Us pal dono ke darmiyan koi lafz nahi thay...
Sirf dhadkanein thi.
Achanak aasman mein bijli chamki.
Dhaarr!
Usi ke saath haveli ke bahar se goli chalne ki awaaz goonji.
Azaan ka chehra foran sakht ho gaya.
"Mahi... andar jao!"
"Lekin—"
"Mahi!"
Is baar uski awaaz hukm dene wali thi.
Mahi foran andar ki taraf bhaagi.
Azaan balcony se neeche jungle ki taraf dekhne laga.
Door andhere mein kuch saaye haveli ki taraf badh rahe thay.
Azaan ne dheemi awaaz mein kaha,
"Woh log phir aa gaye..."
Aur is baar...
Unka maqsad sirf Azaan ko maarna nahi tha.
Wo Mahi ko bhi us se cheen lena chahte thay.
Chapter 23 – Tumhein Kuch Nahi Hone Dunga
Haveli ke bahar qadam ki awaazein tez hoti ja rahi thin.
Mahi ka dil ghabra raha tha. Wo khirki ke paas khari bahar dekhne ki koshish kar rahi thi.
"Azaan..."
Uski awaaz mein bechaini thi.
Azaan ne foran khirki ke parde gira diye.
"Yahan se door ho jao."
"Lekin bahar kaun hai?"
"Jitna kam jano gi... utna mehfooz raho gi."
Mahi ne uski aankhon mein dekha.
"Tum hamesha mujhe bachane ki baat kyun karte ho?"
Azaan ne halki si muskurahat di.
"Kyun ke agar tumhein kuch ho gaya... to main khud ko kabhi maaf nahi karunga."
Mahi ye sun kar chup ho gayi.
Uske dil ki dhadkan aur tez ho gayi.
---
Achanak...
Dharram!
Haveli ka purana darwaza zor se hila.
Ek aur zor ka dhakka.
Phir teesra...
Lakri tootne ki awaaz goonj uthi.
"Mahi!"
Azaan ne uska haath mazbooti se pakad liya.
"Mere saath raho."
Pehli baar Mahi ne bina kuch kahe uska haath mazbooti se thaam liya.
Uske haath thande thay aur darr se kaanp rahe thay.
Azaan ne uski taraf dekha.
"Darr rahi ho?"
Mahi ki aankhon mein aansu aa gaye.
"Bohat..."
Azaan ne uske haath par apni girift aur mazboot kar di.
"Darro mat."
"Main tumhein kuch nahi hone dunga."
Mahi ne uski taraf dekha.
Us ek jumle ne uske dil ko ajeeb sa sukoon diya.
---
Azaan usay haveli ke ek purane raaste se neeche le gaya.
Ye ek chhupa hua raasta tha jiska pata shayad kisi aur ko nahi tha.
"Mahi, agar main kahun to isi jagah chup jana."
Mahi ne foran sar hila diya.
"Nahi."
Azaan hairan hua.
"Nahi?"
"Main tumhein akela chhod kar nahi jaungi."
Azaan kuch lamhon tak usay dekhta raha.
"Tum pagal ho."
Mahi halki si muskurayi.
"Shayad..."
Azaan ke honton par bhi muskurahat aa gayi.
Lekin agle hi pal...
Ek goli deewar se takra kar guzri.
Dhannn!
Mahi darr ke maare cheekh uthi aur beikhtiyar Azaan ke seene se lag gayi.
Uska poora jism kaanp raha tha.
Azaan ne foran uske gird apna bazu rakh kar usay sambhala.
"Theek hai..."
Usne dheemi awaaz mein kaha.
"Main hoon na."
Mahi ne uske kurte ko mazbooti se pakad liya.
Pehli baar usay uske qareeb khud ko mehfooz mehsoos hua.
Lekin un dono ko andaza nahi tha...
Ke asli imtehaan abhi shuru hua tha.
Chapter 24 – Ek Dil, Do Dhadkanein
Mahi abhi bhi Azaan ke seene se lagi hui thi.
Uski saansen be-tarteeb thin aur poora jism darr se kaanp raha tha.
Azaan ne dheere se uske sar par haath rakha.
"Mahi..."
Usne narmi se pukara.
"Khud ko sambhalo."
Mahi ne dheere se sar uthaya. Uski aankhen aansuon se bhari hui thin.
"Mujhe... mujhe bohat darr lag raha hai."
Azaan ne uski aankhon mein dekha.
"Darrna buri baat nahi hoti."
"Bas... us darr ko khud par haavi mat hone do."
Mahi ne kamzor si muskurahat ki.
"Ye baat kehna aasan hai."
Azaan bhi halka sa muskuraya.
"Haan... nibhana mushkil."
Ek pal ke liye dono ki nazrein ek doosre سے mili rahin.
Jaise waqt wahin tham gaya ho.
Lekin achanak...
Dharram!
Haveli ka ek purana hissa zor se hil gaya.
Upar se mitti aur pathar girne lage.
"Mahi, neeche!"
Azaan ne foran Mahi ko apni taraf kheench kar deewar ke saath chhupa liya.
Ek bada pathar bilkul us jagah gira jahan kuch lamhe pehle Mahi khari thi.
Mahi ka rang udd gaya.
"Agar tum na hote..."
Azaan ne uski baat kaat di.
"Kuch nahi hota."
"Tumhari hifazat meri zimmedari hai."
Mahi uski taraf dekhti reh gayi.
"Tum har baar meri jaan kyun bacha lete ho?"
Azaan ne halki si saans chhodi.
"Kyun ke..."
Wo ruk gaya.
Mahi ne dheemi awaaz mein poocha.
"Kyun ke...?"
Azaan ne nazrein jhuka kar kaha,
"Kyun ke tumhein khone ka khayal bhi bardasht nahi hota."
Ye lafz sunte hi Mahi ka dil ek pal ke liye ruk sa gaya.
Usne kabhi nahi socha tha ke Azaan itni seedhi baat keh dega.
Uski aankhon mein aansu aa gaye.
"Azaan..."
Lekin uske alfaaz adhoore reh gaye.
Bahar se kisi ki cheekh goonji.
"Woh dono neeche hain... dhoondo unhein!"
Azaan ka chehra foran sakht ho gaya.
Usne Mahi ka haath thaama.
"Humein yahan se nikalna hoga."
Mahi ne is baar bina kisi darr ya hichkichahat ke uska haath mazbooti se pakad liya.
Aur dono haveli ke andhere raaston ki taraf daud pade...
Jahan unka intezar sirf dushman nahi...
Balki ek aur purana raaz kar raha tha.
Chapter 25 – Mohabbat Ka Ehsaas
Azaan ne Mahi ka haath mazbooti se pakda hua tha.
Dono haveli ke purane tehkhane ki taraf bhaag rahe thay. Peechhe se un logon ke qadam ki awaazein qareeb aati ja rahi thin.
"Jaldi, Mahi!"
Mahi ka zakhmi paon uska saath nahi de raha tha.
"Aah..."
Wo achanak ladkhara kar girne lagi.
Azaan foran uske paas ghutnon ke bal baith gaya.
"Mahi!"
Usne dekha ke purani chot se phir khoon nikalna shuru ho gaya tha.
Azaan ki aankhon mein gussa aur fikr ek saath aa gaye.
"Maine kaha tha itna mat bhaago!"
Mahi ki aankhon mein aansu aa gaye.
"Main... main koshish kar rahi thi."
Uski kaanpti hui awaaz sun kar Azaan ka gussa ek pal mein pighal gaya.
Usne dheere se uske aansu pochhe.
"Shhh..."
"Rona mat."
"Mujhe tumhare aansu bilkul pasand nahi."
Mahi uski taraf dekhne lagi.
"Tumhein... meri itni fikr kyun hoti hai?"
Azaan kuch lamhe khamosh raha.
Phir usne bina nazrein hataye kaha,
"Kyun ke tum meri zindagi ka woh hissa ban chuki ho... jise main khona nahi chahta."
Mahi ki dhadkan tez ho gayi.
Haveli ka shor jaise ek pal ke liye khatam ho gaya.
Sirf un dono ki saansen sunai de rahi thin.
Mahi ne dheere se apna haath Azaan ke haath par rakh diya.
"Aur agar... main kabhi tumhein chhod kar na jaun to?"
Azaan ke honton par halki si muskurahat aayi.
"To shayad ye veeran haveli pehli baar ghar lagne lage."
Mahi ki aankhon mein aansu aa gaye, magar is baar ye darr ke nahi thay.
Achanak...
Dhannn!
Ek goli tehkhane ki deewar se takraai.
Azaan ne foran Mahi ko apni taraf kheench kar apni baahon mein chhupa liya.
"Koi bahar nahi niklega!"
Ek aadmi ki garajti hui awaaz goonji.
Azaan ne Mahi ke kaan ke paas dheemi awaaz mein kaha,
"Jo bhi ho jaye... mera haath mat chhodna."
Mahi ne uski shirt ko mazbooti se pakad liya.
"Ab kabhi nahi."
Dono ek dusre ki aankhon mein dekh hi rahe thay...
Ke tehkhane ka purana lohe ka darwaza zor se hilne laga.
Kisi ne bahar se usay todna shuru kar diya tha...
Chapter 26 – Aakhri Hifazat
Dharr...! Dharr...!
Tehkhane ka purana lohe ka darwaza baar baar zor se hil raha tha.
"Mujhe pata hai tum dono andar ho!" bahar se ek aadmi cheekha.
Mahi ka chehra safed pad gaya.
Usne beikhtiyar Azaan ka haath aur mazbooti se pakad liya.
"Azaan... woh andar aa jayenge."
Azaan ne uski taraf dekha.
"Jab tak main zinda hoon... koi tum tak nahi pohnch sakta."
Usne tehkhane ki deewar ke peechhe chhupa hua ek purana raasta khola.
"Mahi, is raste se nikal jao."
Mahi ne foran sar hila diya.
"Nahi!"
Azaan hairan hua.
"Mahi..."
"Main tumhein chhod kar nahi jaungi."
Azaan ne uske dono kandhon ko pakda.
"Meri baat suno."
"Ye hukm hai."
Mahi ki aankhon mein aansu aa gaye.
"Tumhein har baat hukm ki tarah kehni zaroori hoti hai?"
Azaan halka sa muskuraya.
"Nahi..."
"Bas jab baat tumhari jaan ki ho."
Mahi kuch kehne hi wali thi ke...
Dharrraaam!
Lohe ka darwaza toot kar gir gaya.
Paanch aadmi hathyar lekar andar ghus aaye.
"Mil gaye!"
Ek ne cheekh kar kaha.
Azaan foran Mahi ke samne aa khada hua.
"Khabardar...!"
Uski garajti hui awaaz poore tehkhane mein goonj uthi.
Ek aadmi ne Mahi ki taraf qadam badhaya.
"Tum hato!"
Azaan ne uska haath zor se dhakka diya.
"Tum mein se koi bhi iske qareeb nahi aayega."
Mahi ka dil zor zor se dhadak raha tha.
Usne pehli baar Azaan ke chehre par wohi "monster" wala roop dekha...
Lekin ab usay us chehre se darr nahi lag raha tha.
Usay pata tha...
Ye gussa uske liye tha.
Ek aadmi ne gusse mein lakri ka mota danda uthaya aur Azaan par vaar kiya.
Azaan ne bachne ki koshish ki, magar danda uske kandhe par lag gaya.
"Azaan!"
Mahi ki cheekh nikal gayi.
Wo dard se halka sa jhuka, lekin agle hi pal dobara seedha khara ho gaya.
Usne peeche dekhe baghair kaha,
"Mahi... peeche raho."
Lekin Mahi is baar nahi ruki.
Wo daud kar uske paas aa gayi aur uska bazu pakad liya.
"Nahi... tum akelay nahi."
Azaan ne uski taraf dekha.
Uski aankhon mein pehli baar sukoon tha.
Usne dheere se Mahi ka haath thaama.
"Ab mujhe kisi baat ka darr nahi."
Tehkhane mein khamoshi chha gayi.
Dushman bhi ek pal ke liye un dono ko dekhte reh gaye.
Un mein se ek aadmi hans kar bola,
"Lagta hai... monster ko mohabbat ho gayi."
Azaan ne bina jhijhak jawab diya.
"Haan."
"Ho gayi."
Mahi ne hairani se uski taraf dekha.
Uske gaal sharam se surkh ho gaye.
Aur usi lamhe...
Tehkhane ke bahar se police siren ki awaaz goonjne lagi.
Wee... Woo... Wee... Woo...
Sab log ek doosre ki taraf dekhne lage.
Kahani ka rukh ek baar phir badalne wala tha.
Chapter 27 – Sach Ka Saamna
Tehkhane ke bahar police ki siren ki awaaz tez hoti ja rahi thi.
Jo log kuch der pehle Azaan ko gher kar kharay thay, unke chehron ka rang udd gaya.
"Police...?"
Ek aadmi ghabra kar bola.
"Yahan police kaise aa gayi?"
Mahi ne hairani se Azaan ki taraf dekha.
"Tumne police bulayi?"
Azaan ne dheere se sar hila diya.
"Nahi."
Is se pehle ke koi kuch samajh pata...
Tehkhane ka doosra darwaza zor se khula.
"Sab log apne hathyar neeche phenko!"
Police officers andar dakhil ho gaye.
Do aadmiyon ne bhaagne ki koshish ki, lekin foran pakde gaye.
Mahi ne sukoon ka saans liya.
Usne socha sab khatam ho gaya...
Lekin tabhi...
Ek aadmi jo sab se peeche khara tha, chupke se apni jeb se chhoti si pistol nikalta hai.
Uski nazar seedhi Mahi par thi.
"Sab meri wajah se barbaad hua hai..."
Wo dheemi awaaz mein bola.
Azaan ne uski harkat dekh li.
"Mahi... neeche!"
Mahi kuch samajh nahi pai.
Dhann!
Goli chal gayi.
Azaan ne foran Mahi ko apni taraf kheench liya.
Goli uske bazu ko chheer kar nikal gayi.
"Azaan!"
Mahi ki cheekh poore tehkhane mein goonj uthi.
Police ne foran us aadmi ko qaboo kar liya.
Tehkhane mein dobara khamoshi chha gayi.
Mahi ki aankhon se aansu behne lage.
Usne Azaan ka bazu pakda, jahan se khoon beh raha tha.
"Tum pagal ho?"
"Tumne mere liye goli kyun khai?"
Azaan dard ke bawajood halki si muskuraya.
"Tumhein lagta hai... main tumhein kuch hone deta?"
Mahi ro padi.
"Nahi..."
Usne Azaan ko zor se gale laga liya.
"Mujhe dobara aise mat darana."
Azaan ne dheere se uske sar par haath rakha.
"Ab sab theek ho jayega."
Police officers un dono ki taraf dekh rahe thay.
Ek officer ne kaha,
"Ab aap dono mehfooz hain."
Lekin Mahi ko pata tha...
Asal jang sirf dushmanon se nahi thi.
Ab Azaan ko apna naam bhi saaf karna tha, taake duniya usay hamesha ke liye monster kehna band kar de.
Chapter 28 – Naya Subah
Police ke jaane ke baad haveli mein saalon baad sukoon tha.
Baarish ruk chuki thi.
Khirkiyon se dhoop ki halki kirnein andar aa rahi thin.
Mahi balcony mein khari jungle ko dekh rahi thi.
Usay yakeen hi nahi aa raha tha ke kuch din pehle wo isi haveli se bhaagne ke liye har mumkin koshish kar rahi thi.
Aur aaj...
Uska dil is jagah ko chhorne par udaas ho raha tha.
Peechhe se qadam ki aahat aayi.
"Tum phir khayalon mein kho gayi."
Mahi ne muskurate hue mud kar dekha.
Azaan ka bazu patti se bandha hua tha.
"Tumhein aaram karna chahiye."
Azaan hans pada.
"Tum doctor kab se ban gayi?"
Mahi uske qareeb aayi.
"Jab se ek ziddi insaan meri baat sunna band kar chuka hai."
Azaan ne halki si muskurahat ke saath uski taraf dekha.
"Kya ab bhi mujhse darr lagta hai?"
Mahi ne kuch lamhe uski aankhon mein dekha.
Phir dheere se sar hila diya.
"Nahi."
Azaan hairan hua.
"Nahi?"
Mahi muskurayi.
"Pehle main tumhein monster samajhti thi..."
"Lekin ab mujhe sirf Azaan nazar aata hai."
Ye sun kar Azaan ki aankhen nam si ho gayin.
Saalon baad kisi ne usay uske naam se dekha tha...
Uske ilzaam se nahi.
Azaan ne dheere se Mahi ka haath thaam liya.
"Shukriya."
"Kis liye?"
"Mujh par yaqeen karne ke liye."
Mahi ne uska haath aur mazbooti se pakad liya.
"Har insaan ek kahani hota hai, Azaan."
"Maine sirf tumhari kahani sunne ki koshish ki."
Halka sa hawa ka jhonka aaya.
Mahi ke baal phir uske chehre par aa gaye.
Is baar Azaan ne muskurate hue unhein uske kaan ke peeche kar diya.
Dono ek doosre ko dekh kar muskuraye.
Veeran haveli, jo kabhi sirf khauf ki nishani thi...
Aaj pehli baar kisi ghar jaisi mehsoos ho rahi thi.
Lekin balcony se door jungle ke andhere mein...
Ek anjaan saya un dono ko dekh raha tha.
Usne dheemi awaaz mein kaha,
"Ye kahani abhi khatam nahi hui..."
Aur phir wo andhere mein gaayab ho gaya.
Final Chapter – Hamesha Ke Liye
Kai mahine guzar chuke thay.
Noor Manzil Haveli ab veeran nahi lagti thi. Deewaron ki safai ho chuki thi, toote hue kamre theek kar diye gaye thay aur garden phir se phoolon se bhar gaya tha.
Azaan ka naam bhi saaf ho chuka tha.
Haqeeqat sab ke saamne aa gayi thi ke us par lagaye gaye ilzaam jhoote thay. Jin logon ne uski zindagi barbaad ki thi, unhein apne jurm ki saza mil chuki thi.
Jo log kabhi usay "monster" kehte thay...
Aaj usay izzat ki nazar se dekhte thay.
---
Ek shaam Mahi haveli ki chhat par khari suraj doobta dekh rahi thi.
Peechhe se Azaan aaya.
"Phir se khayalon mein kho gayi?"
Mahi muskurayi.
"Yaad hai... pehli baar isi chhat par main behosh ho gayi thi."
Azaan hans pada.
"Aur meri jaan nikal gayi thi."
Dono zor se hans diye.
Kuch der baad khamoshi chha gayi.
Azaan ne apni jeb se ek chhota sa velvet box nikala.
"Mahi..."
Mahi ne hairani se uski taraf dekha.
Azaan uske saamne ghutnon ke bal baith gaya.
"Jab tum pehli baar is haveli mein aayi thi, mujhe laga tha meri tanha zindagi mein koi kabhi nahi aayega."
"Phir tum aayi..."
"Pehle mujhe monster kaha..."
"Phir meri dost bani..."
"Aur kab meri zindagi ban gayi... pata hi nahi chala."
Usne box khola.
Andar ek khoobsurat si anguthi thi.
"Mahi... kya tum hamesha ke liye meri humsafar banogi?"
Mahi ki aankhon se aansu beh nikle.
Wo muskurate hue sirf itna keh saki...
"Haan..."
Azaan ne uski ungli mein anguthi pehna di.
Mahi ne foran usay gale laga liya.
"Ab kabhi mujhe akela mat chhorna."
Azaan ne usay mazbooti se apni baahon mein bhar liya.
"Kabhi nahi."
---
Kuch mahine baad...
Noor Manzil Haveli mein roshniyan hi roshniyan thin.
Poora ilaqa us haveli mein jama tha.
Jahan kabhi khauf ki kahaniyan sunai jati thin...
Aaj wahi mohabbat ki duaen di ja rahi thin.
Mahi surkh jore mein bohat khoobsurat lag rahi thi.
Aur Azaan uski taraf dekh kar muskurana nahi rok pa raha tha.
Qazi ne poocha:
"Qubool hai?"
Azaan ne muskurate hue kaha,
"Qubool hai."
Mahi ki aankhon mein khushi ke aansu aa gaye.
"Qubool hai."
"Qubool hai."
Nikah ke baad Azaan ne Mahi ka haath thaama aur dheere se kaha,
"Dekha... monster se mohabbat itni buri bhi nahi thi."
Mahi hans padi.
"Tum mere monster ho... aur hamesha rahoge."
Dono hans diye.
Us din ke baad Noor Manzil ki pehchaan khauf nahi...
Mohabbat ban gayi.
The End 🖤
