Chapter 1 Jungle ka musafir
Chapter 1 – Tanha Safar
Subah ki halki dhoop khidki se kamre mein aa rahi thi, lekin Mahi ke chehre par koi roshni nahi thi. Aaj bhi uski aankh alarm se pehle khul gayi. Kuch aadatein dard sikha deta hai—aur dard kabhi der tak sone nahi deta.
Kuch mahine pehle ek road accident ne usse uske maa-baap se hamesha ke liye juda kar diya tha. Us din ke baad uski duniya bilkul badal gayi. Ab wo apne rishtedaron ke ghar rehti thi, jahan sirf rehne ki jagah thi, apnapan nahi.
"Jaldi uth jao, ghar ke kaam bhi karne hote hain!" uski phuphi ki sakht awaaz ne use khayalon se bahar nikala.
Mahi ne chup-chaap sar jhuka kar kaam shuru kar diya. Wo hamesha muskurane ki koshish karti, lekin uski muskurahat ke peeche kitna dard chhupa tha, ye koi nahi jaanta tha.
Shaam hote hi, jaise roz karti thi, wo ghar se nikal padi. Uske qadam bina soche jungle ki taraf badhne lage. Jungle ke beech ek purana lakri ka ghar tha. Na jaane kyun, us jagah par baith kar use sukoon milta tha.
Jaise hi wo ghar ke paas pahunchi, ek safed aur bhoora kutta daudta hua uske paas aaya.
"Arre... tum aa gaye?" Mahi hans padi aur uske sar par pyaar se haath pherne lagi.
Kutta khushi se dum hilane laga. Ab ye un dono ki roz ki mulaqat ban chuki thi.
Mahi seedhiyon par baith kar aasman ki taraf dekhne lagi.
"Kaash Ammi... Abbu... aap dono wapas aa jaate..."
Uski aankhon se aansu khamoshi se girne lage.
Use bilkul andaza nahi tha ke us purane ghar ki ek khidki ke parde ke peeche koi usse khamoshi se dekh raha tha...
Aur uski zindagi ka sabse anokha safar bas shuru hone wala tha.
Chapter 2 – Pehli Mulaqat
Agli shaam Mahi phir usi jungle ki taraf chal padi. Jaise hi wo purane ghar ke paas pahunchi, wahi kutta khushi se uski taraf daudta hua aaya.
"Haye, Buddy! Mujhe laga aaj tum naraz ho jaoge." Mahi hans kar uske saath khelne lagi.
Achanak ghar ka darwaza zor se khula.
"Buddy!"
Ek thandi aur sakht awaaz goonji.
Mahi ne ghabra kar peeche dekha.
Darwaze par ek lamba qad, kaale kapron mein ek jawan khara tha. Uski aankhen thandi aur chehra bilkul be-ehsaas tha. Ye tha Aahil.
Usne ek nazar Mahi ko dekha, phir sakht lehje mein bola,
"Tum yahan kya kar rahi ho?"
Mahi ek pal ke liye chup reh gayi, phir muskura kar boli,
"Main... bas isse milne aati hoon."
"Ye mera kutta hai. Aur ye meri property hai. Aaj ke baad yahan mat aana."
Uski baat sunkar Mahi ka chehra utar gaya.
"Lekin maine kya kiya?"
"Tumhein jitna poocha gaya hai utna jawab do."
Mahi bhi thodi ziddi thi.
"Waise aap hamesha itne gusse mein rehte hain ya aaj special mood hai?"
Aahil ne ghur kar dekha.
"Get out."
"Theek hai, ja rahi hoon. Itna gussa sehat ke liye achha nahi hota."
Ye keh kar Mahi mud gayi.
Lekin jaise hi wo kuch qadam chali, Buddy uske peeche daud gaya aur uska haath chatne laga.
Mahi hans padi.
"Dekha? Isse to main pasand hoon."
Aahil ne Buddy ko awaaz di.
"Buddy!"
Buddy foran Aahil ke paas chala gaya, lekin jaate jaate ek baar phir Mahi ki taraf dekhne laga.
Mahi muskurate hue wahan se chali gayi.
Aahil der tak uski jaati hui shakal ko dekhta raha.
Na jaane kyun... us ladki ki muskurahat uske zehen mein reh gayi thi, aur usse ye baat bilkul pasand nahi aayi.
Chapter 3 – Zid
Do din tak Mahi jungle nahi aayi.
Na Buddy ne kisi ke saath khela, na Aahil ko ghar ke bahar uski awaaz sunai di.
Teesre din shaam ko Aahil baramde mein khara tha jab usne door se kisi ko aate dekha.
"Assalam-o-Alaikum, Buddy!"
Mahi ki hansi bhari awaaz sunte hi Buddy khushi se uski taraf daud gaya.
"Dekha? Main aa hi gayi."
Wo uske liye biscuits lekar aayi thi. Buddy maze se khane laga.
Aahil dheere dheere un dono ke paas aaya.
"Maine tumse kaha tha na... yahan mat aana."
Mahi ne kandhe ucha diye.
"Maine socha tha... lekin phir Buddy ki yaad aa gayi."
"Tum meri baat kyun nahi samajhti?"
"Kyunkay mujhe kisi ko tang karna achha lagta hai." Mahi ne shararti muskurahat ke saath kaha.
Aahil ne gehri saans li.
"Tum ajeeb ho."
"Ye to sab kehte hain."
Itne mein ghar ke andar se ek buzurg khatoon bahar aayin.
"Beta, kis se baat kar rahe ho?"
Unki nazar Mahi par padi.
"Assalam-o-Alaikum, aunty."
"Wa-Alaikum-Assalam, beta."
Aahil ne sakht lehje mein kaha, "Aya, andar chaliye."
Lekin buzurg muskurayin.
"Kitni pyari bachi hai."
Mahi ne foran unke haath se sabziyon ka thaila le liya.
"Main madad kar deti hoon."
"Nahi, zarurat nahi." Aahil ne rokna chaha.
Lekin Aya ne pyaar se kaha, "Rehne do, beta."
Mahi unke saath andar chali gayi.
Aahil ne bechaini se aankhen band kar lein.
Usne saalon se kisi ajnabi ko apne ghar ke andar qadam rakhne nahi diya tha...
Aur aaj pata nahi kyun, wo us chulbuli ladki ko rok nahi paaya. Ye baat usse khud bhi samajh nahi aa rahi thi.
Chapter 4 – Ek Anjaana Dard
Mahi kitchen se bahar nikli hi thi ke Aahil uske saamne aa khara hua. Uske chehre par narazgi saaf nazar aa rahi thi.
"Maine tumse kitni baar kaha hai... mere ghar se door raho."
Mahi ne hansi dabate hue kaha, "Aap har baar yahi dialogue bolte hain."
"Tum mazaak samajh rahi ho?"
"Nahi... lekin itna gussa bhi achha nahi hota."
Ye sunte hi Aahil ka sabr toot gaya. Usne aage badh kar Mahi ka rasta rok diya aur uske dono taraf deewar par apne haath rakh diye, taake wo nikal na sake.
"Ek baar samajh nahi aati tumhe?"
Mahi ki hansi dheere dheere gayab ho gayi. Wo pehli baar uski itni qareeb maujoodgi se ghabra gayi.
"A... Aahil... rasta dijiye."
"Tum kal se yahan nazar nahi aani chahiye."
Isi beech Mahi peeche hatne ki koshish mein deewar ke ubhre hue lakri ke kinare se takra gayi. Uske sar ko halki si chot lagi.
"Ahh..."
Usne foran aankhen zor se band kar lein aur beikhtiyar uske honton se nikla,
"Mama..."
Ye ek lafz sunte hi Aahil ka chehra badal gaya.
Uska gussa ek pal mein thanda pad gaya.
Mahi ne aankhen band hi rakhi hui thin. Aansu uske gaalon par behne lage. Wo dheemi awaaz mein bas itna keh saki,
"Mama... bohat dard ho raha hai..."
Aahil ne foran ek qadam peeche hata liya. Usne pehli baar Mahi ko itna bebas dekha tha.
"Tum... theek ho?"
Mahi ne koi jawab nahi diya. Usne jaldi se apne aansu ponchhe, nazrein jhuka kar uske paas se guzri aur bina peeche dekhe ghar se bahar nikal gayi.
Darwaza band hone ki awaaz ke baad poore ghar mein khamoshi chha gayi.
Aahil wahi khada reh gaya.
Uske zehen mein sirf ek hi lafz goonj raha tha...
"Mama..."
Aur pehli baar use apne gusse par afsos mehsoos hua.
Chapter 5 – Ek Majboori
Do din tak Mahi jungle nahi aayi.
Buddy ghar ke bahar baith kar baar baar raste ki taraf dekhta rehta. Aahil ne bhi ye baat mehsoos ki, lekin kuch nahi kaha.
Teesre din shaam ko darwaze par halki si dastak hui.
Aahil ne darwaza khola.
Samne Mahi khadi thi.
Uske haath mein Buddy ki pasandida biscuits ka packet tha.
"M... main Buddy ko dekhne aayi thi."
Aahil ka chehra sakht ho gaya.
"Ya mujhe pareshan karne?"
Mahi ne gehri saans li.
"Har baat ka matlab ek jaisa nahi hota."
Wo neeche baith kar Buddy ke saath khelne lagi. Buddy khushi se uske ird-gird ghoomne laga.
Aahil door khada un dono ko dekhta raha.
"Kahin ye ladki mere ghar mein jagah banane ki koshish to nahi kar rahi?" usne socha.
Thodi der baad Mahi khadi hui.
"Aahil... mujhe aapse ek madad chahiye."
"Main tumhari koi madad nahi karunga."
"Kam az kam meri baat to sun lijiye."
Mahi ne dheemi awaaz mein kaha,
"Mere rishtedaar shehar se bahar ja rahe hain. Mujhe unhone saaf keh diya hai ke main unke saath nahi ja sakti... aur ghar mein akeli bhi nahi reh sakti. Mere paas jaane ki koi jagah nahi."
Aahil ne thandi nazar se uski taraf dekha.
"Toh?"
"Mujhe sirf kuch din ke liye rehne ki jagah chahiye."
"Impossible."
Mahi ki aankhon mein nami aa gayi, lekin usne aansu rok liye.
"Theek hai... maaf kijiye."
Wo mud kar chalne lagi.
Isi waqt achanak tez bijli chamki aur zor ki barish shuru ho gayi.
Mahi bheegti hui jungle ke raste par chalne lagi.
Aahil ne ek pal ke liye aankhen band ki.
Phir beikhtiyar awaaz di,
"Ruko."
Mahi ruk gayi.
"Sirf jab tak barish aur tumhara masla khatam nahi ho jata... tab tak."
Mahi ne hairani se uski taraf dekha.
"Sach?"
Aahil ne nazrein pherte hue kaha,
"Iska ye matlab mat samajhna ke tum meri mehmaan ho."
Mahi ke honton par halki si muskurahat aa gayi.
"Shukriya..."
Us pal na Aahil ko andaza tha...
Aur na hi Mahi ko...
...ke ye "kuch din" un dono ki poori zindagi badal denge.
Chapter 6 – Naye Ghar Ki Pehli Raat
Barish ab bhi zor se ho rahi thi. Mahi ne hichkichate hue ghar ke andar qadam rakha. Uske kapron se pani tapak raha tha.
Buddy khushi se uske ird-gird ghoomne laga.
"Buddy... bas!" Aahil ne sakht lehje mein kaha.
Buddy foran chup ho gaya.
Aahil almari ki taraf gaya aur ek towel uski taraf badha diya.
"Kapde geele hain. Sardi lag jayegi."
Mahi ne towel lete hue dheere se kaha, "Thank you."
"Isse aadat mat bana lena."
Mahi halki si muskura di.
"Tum har achhi baat ke baad koi na koi buri baat zaroor bol dete ho."
Aahil ne koi jawab nahi diya.
Raat ko Mahi ne kitchen mein ja kar khana banana shuru kar diya.
"Tum kya kar rahi ho?" Aahil ne poocha.
"Khana."
"Kisne kaha?"
"Kisi ne nahi... lekin ghar mein rehna hai to sirf bojh ban kar nahi rehna chahti."
Aahil chup raha.
Kuch der baad khane ki khushboo poore ghar mein phail gayi.
Mahi ne table par khana laga diya.
"Aaiye... khana thanda ho jayega."
Aahil ne ek niwala khaya.
Wo kuch pal ke liye ruk gaya.
Saalon baad kisi ne uske liye itne dil se khana banaya tha.
"Lagta hai itna bura nahi bana?" Mahi ne shararat se poocha.
"Theek hai."
"Theek? Bas?"
"Haan."
Mahi ne muh bana liya.
"Kitne kanjoos hain tareef karne mein."
Buddy dono ko dekh kar dum hilane laga, jaise usse ghar mein pehli baar hansi sunai di ho.
Lekin Aahil ki nazar achanak Mahi ke haath par padi.
Uski kalai par purane neele nishan the... jaise kisi ne zor se pakda ho.
Aahil ka chehra sanjeeda ho gaya.
"Ye nishan kaise lage?"
Mahi ne foran apni sleeve neeche kar li.
"Kuch nahi... bas gir gayi thi."
Aahil ko uski baat par yaqeen nahi aaya.
Usne pehli baar mehsoos kiya...
Mahi sirf muskurati hui ladki nahi thi.
Wo apne andar bahut sa dard chhupa kar jee rahi thi.
Chapter 7 – Chhupa Hua Dard
Subah ki pehli kirnein khidki se andar aa rahi thin. Mahi jaldi uth kar kitchen mein chali gayi. Kuch hi der mein chai aur nashtay ki khushboo poore ghar mein phail gayi.
Aahil bahar aaya aur table par nashta dekh kar ruk gaya.
"Maine kaha tha na, itni takleef karne ki zarurat nahi."
Mahi ne muskurate hue jawab diya, "Mujhe achha lagta hai."
Aahil bina kuch kahe baith gaya.
Nashta khatam hua hi tha ke Mahi bartan uthane lagi. Achanak uske haath se plate phisal gayi.
Crash!
Plate toot gayi.
Mahi ekdam ghabra gayi.
"I-I'm sorry... meri wajah se..."
Aahil ne uski taraf dekha. Mahi ke chehre par itna darr tha jaise abhi koi use daantne ya maarne wala ho.
Wo beikhtiyar ek qadam peeche hat gayi aur apni aankhen band kar li.
Aahil ne hairani se kaha,
"Mahi..."
Lekin Mahi ki saansen tez ho chuki thin.
"Please... main dobara nahi karungi..."
Ye alfaaz sun kar Aahil ka dil ajeeb si kasak se bhar gaya.
Usne kabhi use daraaya nahi tha... phir bhi wo itni sehmi hui kyun thi?
Usne neeche jhuk kar toote hue bartan uthaye aur sirf itna kaha,
"Bas... dhyan rakhna. Haath kat jayega."
Mahi ne dheere se aankhen kholi.
"Bas... itna hi?"
Aahil ne uski taraf dekha.
"Tumhein laga tha main tum par chillaunga?"
Mahi ne nazrein jhuka kar halka sa sar hila diya.
Aahil kuch pal tak use dekhta raha.
Usse ehsaas ho gaya tha...
Mahi ko kisi ne sirf tanha hi nahi chhoda tha.
Uske dil par bhi gehre zakhm the, jinhen wo har muskurahat ke peeche chhupane ki koshish karti thi.
Aur Aahil ne pehli baar dil hi dil mein faisla kiya...
Jab tak Mahi is ghar mein hai, koi use dara nahi sakega.
Chapter 8 – Barish Aur Bukhar
Shaam hote hi aasman par siyah badal chha gaye. Thandi hawa chalne lagi.
"Mahi, bahar mat jana," Aahil ne sakht lehje mein kaha.
"Main bas Buddy ko thodi der ghumakar aati hoon."
Jawab ka intezar kiye bina Mahi bahar nikal gayi.
Kuch hi der baad tez barish shuru ho gayi.
Aahil ne khidki se bahar dekha.
"Mahi..."
Wo foran chhata uthakar jungle ki taraf nikla.
Door Mahi Buddy ke saath bheeg rahi thi. Wo bachon ki tarah barish mein ghoom kar hans rahi thi.
"Tum pagal ho?" Aahil gusse se uske paas aaya.
Mahi hans kar boli, "Barish kitni pyari hai."
"Tumhein bukhar ho jayega."
"Thoda sa bheegne se kuch nahi hota."
Aahil ne bina kuch kahe uska haath pakda aur use ghar ki taraf le gaya.
"Arre... dheere! Main chal rahi hoon."
Lekin Aahil ne uski ek na suni.
Ghar pahunchte hi usne towel uski taraf badhaya.
"Jao... kapde badlo."
Mahi ne zaban bahar nikal kar use chidhaya.
"Kitne gusse wale ho."
Aahil ne sirf ek gehri saans li.
Raat ke beech achanak Mahi ki halki si karahne ki awaaz aayi.
Aahil ne uske kamre ka darwaza khatkhataya.
"Mahi?"
Koi jawab nahi aaya.
Wo andar gaya.
Mahi neend mein jal rahi thi. Uska chehra bukhar se tap raha tha.
Aahil ne uske maathe par haath rakha.
"Bukhar..."
Usne foran thande pani ki patti rakhi aur dawa nikaali.
Neend ki halat mein Mahi dheemi awaaz mein boli,
"Mama... mujhe chhod kar mat jaiye..."
Aahil ka haath ek pal ke liye ruk gaya.
Usne khamoshi se uski taraf dekha.
Mahi ke aansu band aankhon se nikal kar takiye par gir rahe the.
Aahil ne pehli baar itni narmi se uske sar par haath phera.
"Main yahin hoon... aaram se so jao."
Ye lafz shayad Mahi ne neend mein na sune hon...
Lekin Aahil khud samajh gaya tha ke uske dil ki sakhti dheere dheere pighalne lagi hai.
Chapter 9 – Pehli Muskurahat
Subah ki dhoop khidki se andar aa rahi thi. Mahi ne dheere dheere aankhen kholi.
Usne dekha, uske paas wali kursi par Aahil baitha hua tha. Uske haath mein kitab thi, lekin aankhen kitab par nahi... Mahi par thi.
"Good morning..." Mahi ne kamzor si muskurahat ke saath kaha.
Aahil ne foran nazrein hata lein.
"Bukhar kam hai."
Mahi uthne lagi, lekin chakkar aane ki wajah se ladkhada gayi.
Aahil ne foran uska bazu pakad liya.
"Sambhal kar."
Dono ki nazrein ek doosre se milin.
Kuch lamhon ke liye kamre mein sirf khamoshi thi.
Mahi ne halki si muskurahat ke saath kaha,
"Aap... meri wajah se poori raat nahi soye?"
"Tum zyada sochti ho."
"Yani jawab 'haan' hai."
Aahil ne koi jawab nahi diya.
Mahi hans padi.
"Aaj pehli baar aapka gussa thoda kam laga."
"Tumhara bukhar utar gaya hai... isliye zyada baatein kar rahi ho."
"Matlab pehle se behtar hoon."
Aahil ke honton par beikhtiyar halki si muskurahat aa gayi.
Mahi ki aankhen hairani se badi ho gayin.
"Aap... muskura bhi lete hain?"
Aahil ko ehsaas hua ke wo waqai muskura diya tha.
Usne foran apna chehra sanjeeda kar liya.
"Maine nahi muskuraya."
"Jhoot."
"Mahi..."
"Theek hai, theek hai... nahi chhedti."
Buddy dono ke paas aa kar dum hilane laga.
Mahi ne hans kar kaha,
"Lagta hai Buddy bhi chahta hai ke aap thoda aur hasa karein."
Aahil ne Buddy ko dekha, phir Mahi ko.
Na jaane kitne arse baad...
Us ghar mein khamoshi ki jagah hansi ki halki si goonj sunai dene lagi thi.
Chapter 10 – Purani Tasveerein
Dopahar ka waqt tha. Aahil kisi kaam se bahar gaya hua tha aur Buddy aangan mein so raha tha.
Bore hote hote Mahi ki nazar study room par padi.
"Bas dekh hi leti hoon... chhoongi kuch nahi."
Wo dheere se andar gayi. Kamre mein kitabon ki almariyan lagi hui thin.
Mahi ek kitab nikal kar dekhne lagi. Jaise hi usne doosri kitab uthai, uske beech se ek purani tasveer neeche gir gayi.
"Arre..."
Usne tasveer uthai.
Usme chhota sa Aahil tha. Gaal gol, chehre par pyari si muskurahat aur haath mein chhota sa football.
Mahi zor se hans padi.
"Ya Allah! Ye Mr. Angry itne cute bhi the?"
Wo tasveer ko dekh kar muskurati hi rahi.
Tabhi peeche se ek thandi awaaz aayi.
"Woh photo mujhe do."
Mahi ekdam palti.
Darwaze par Aahil khada tha.
Uski nazar seedha us photo par thi.
"Nahi..."
Mahi ne photo apni peeth ke peeche chhupa li.
"Kitne pyare lag rahe ho isme."
"Mahi... photo do."
"Pehle ek baar muskurao."
Aahil ek qadam aage badha.
"Mahi."
Wo peeche hati.
"Nahi."
Aahil ne photo lene ke liye haath badhaya.
Mahi phir peeche hati...
Lekin uska paon farsh par padi chhoti si rug se ulajh gaya.
"Ahh!"
Wo santulan kho baithi.
Girne se pehle hi Aahil ne use pakadne ki koshish ki...
Lekin dono ka balance bigad gaya.
Dhup!
Mahi seedha Aahil ke upar gir padi.
Ek pal ke liye dono bilkul khamosh reh gaye.
Mahi ki ek zulf Aahil ke chehre par aa giri thi.
Dono ki saansein tez chal rahi thin.
Buddy bhaagta hua kamre mein aaya aur un dono ko dekh kar dum hilane laga.
Mahi ne dheere se aankhen utha kar Aahil ko dekha...
Aur phir hansi rok na saki.
"Ab bhi... photo nahi dungi."
Aahil ne gehri saans li, lekin is baar uski aankhon mein pehli baar gusse se zyada bebasi nazar aa rahi thi.
Chapter 11 – Dil Ki Dhadkan
Mahi abhi bhi Aahil ke upar thi. Dono kuch lamhon tak ek doosre ko bas dekhte rahe.
"Tum... uthogi?" Aahil ne dheemi lekin sanjeeda awaaz mein kaha.
Mahi ko tab ehsaas hua ke wo kis halat mein hai.
Uska chehra ekdum laal ho gaya.
"Wo... main..."
Jaldi se uthne ki koshish ki, lekin phir se uska balance bigad gaya.
Is baar uska haath seedha Aahil ke seene par ja laga.
Dono ki nazrein phir mil gayin.
Mahi ne foran apna haath peeche kar liya aur ghabra kar khadi ho gayi.
"I-I'm sorry..."
Aahil bhi uth kar khada hua aur apne kapron ki gard saaf karne laga.
"Tum sach mein chalti kam aur girti zyada ho."
Mahi ne muh bana kar kaha,
"Sab aap ki wajah se hua."
"Meri wajah se?"
"Haan! Agar aap photo cheenne ki koshish na karte to main girti hi nahi."
Aahil ne halka sa sar hila diya.
"Photo."
"Nahi."
"Mahi..."
"Ek condition par."
Aahil ne bhaen chadhai.
"Kya?"
"Ye bataiye... bachpan mein aap itna haste kyun the aur ab itne khadoos kyun ban gaye?"
Kamre mein ekdum khamoshi chha gayi.
Aahil ke chehre ki halki si muskurahat gayab ho gayi.
Uski aankhon mein phir wahi purani udaasi utar aayi.
"Har sawal ka jawab zaroori nahi hota."
Ye keh kar wo mud gaya.
Mahi ne uske chehre ki udaasi pehli baar itni kareeb se dekhi.
Usne dheere se photo table par rakh di.
"Sorry... mera maqsad aapko hurt karna nahi tha."
Aahil bina kuch kahe kamre se bahar nikal gaya.
Mahi khidki ke paas khadi usse jaate dekhti rahi.
Usse mehsoos hua...
Aahil ke dil mein koi aisa zakhm tha jise wo aaj tak kisi ko dikhana nahi chahta tha.
Chapter 12 – Barish Ki Raat
Shaam tak aasman par phir siyah badal chha gaye. Kuch hi der mein tez barish shuru ho gayi.
Mahi balcony mein khadi boondon ko dekh rahi thi.
"Pata hai, mujhe barish bohat pasand hai..." usne dheere se kaha.
Aahil ne kitab se nazar uthai.
"Kal hi bukhar utara hai. Bahar mat jana."
Mahi ne uski baat ansuni kar di aur haath aage badha kar barish ki boonden pakadne lagi.
"Tum meri baat kabhi sunti bhi ho?"
"Nahi."
Aahil ne gehri saans li.
"Tum bilkul bachchi ho."
Mahi hans padi.
"Toh aap bohat buddhe ho."
Aahil ne uski taraf ghur kar dekha.
Mahi foran bhaag kar lawn ki taraf nikal gayi.
"Areh, Mahi!"
Barish aur tez ho gayi.
Mahi bachon ki tarah ghoom rahi thi, hans rahi thi.
Aahil majbooran uske peeche gaya.
Jaise hi Mahi phisli, Aahil ne foran uski kalai pakad kar apni taraf kheench liya.
Mahi seedha uske seene se ja lagi.
Dono kuch lamhon tak usi tarah khade rahe.
Barish un dono ko poori tarah bhigo chuki thi.
Mahi ne dheere se sar uthaya.
"Thank you..."
Aahil ki nazrein uske chehre par tik gayin.
Barish ki boonden uske baalon se phisal kar gaalon par gir rahi thin.
Ek pal ke liye waqt jaise tham sa gaya.
Phir Aahil ne halki si khansi ki aur nazrein hata lein.
"Andar chalo."
"Abhi thodi der aur..."
"Mahi."
Uske lehje mein pehle jaisi sakhti nahi thi.
Sirf fikr thi.
Mahi muskura di.
"Theek hai... sir."
Wo dono saath saath ghar ki taraf chal diye.
Aur pehli baar...
Na Aahil ko Mahi ki baaton se chidh ho rahi thi...
Aur na Mahi ko Aahil ki khamoshi buri lag rahi thi.
Chapter 13 – Ajnabi Ehsaas
Barish ruk chuki thi, lekin thandi hawa ab bhi chal rahi thi.
Mahi kitchen mein chai bana rahi thi. Aahil khidki ke paas khamoshi se khara bahar dekh raha tha.
"Kya soch rahe hain?" Mahi ne do cups table par rakhte hue poocha.
"Kuch nahi."
"Jhoot."
Aahil ne uski taraf dekha.
"Tumhein har baat ka jawab chahiye hota hai?"
"Haan."
"Tang karti ho."
"Aur aap phir bhi bardasht kar lete hain."
Aahil kuch na bola.
Mahi chai ka cup lekar sofa par baith gayi. Buddy uske paas aa kar let gaya.
"Tum dono ki dosti din ba din gehri hoti ja rahi hai." Aahil ne Buddy ki taraf dekhte hue kaha.
Buddy ne dum hilai, jaise usne baat samajh li ho.
"Kyunkay isse pata hai main buri nahi hoon." Mahi ne hans kar jawab diya.
Aahil ne cup uthaya.
"Kabhi kabhi... Buddy insaanon se behtar pehchan leta hai."
Mahi uski baat sun kar kuch pal ke liye chup ho gayi.
"Aahil..."
"Hmm?"
"Jab main yahan se chali jaungi..."
Aahil ka haath cup par hi ruk gaya.
"...toh kya aap mujhe yaad karenge?"
Kamre mein gehri khamoshi chha gayi.
Aahil ne jawab dene ke bajaye khidki ke bahar dekhna shuru kar diya.
Mahi ne zabardasti muskurane ki koshish ki.
"Chaliye... jawab mil gaya."
Wo uth kar jaane lagi.
Tabhi peeche se Aahil ki dheemi awaaz aayi,
"Mahi..."
Wo ruk gayi.
"Buddy... tumhein bohat miss karega."
Mahi halki si hans padi.
"Sirf Buddy?"
Aahil ne uski taraf dekha...
Lekin is baar bhi usne apne dil ki baat zubaan par nahi laayi.
Mahi kamre se bahar chali gayi.
Aur Aahil ne pehli baar khud se ek sawal poocha...
"Kya waqai sirf Buddy hi use miss karega... ya main bhi?"
Chapter 14 – Mulaqat
Shaam ka waqt tha. Aasmaan par narangi rang bikhra hua tha. Mahi aur Aahil lawn mein khamoshi se baithe the. Buddy unke qareeb leta hua tha.
Kuch der ki khamoshi ke baad Aahil ne poocha,
"Mahi... ek baat poochun?"
Mahi ne muskurakar sar hila diya.
"Poochiye."
"Tumhare parents... tumhein apne saath kyun nahi le gaye? Kya wo kisi aur shehar mein rehte hain?"
Ye sunte hi Mahi ki muskurahat ek pal mein gayab ho gayi.
Uski aankhen jhuk gayin.
Kaafi der tak wo kuch na boli.
Aahil ko apni baat ka ehsaas hua.
"Sorry... agar tum nahi batana chahti to..."
Mahi ne dheemi si muskurahat laane ki koshish ki.
"Nahi... aaiye."
"Kahan?"
"Main aapko apne Mama aur Baba se milwati hoon."
Aahil hairan hua, lekin bina kuch kahe uske saath chal diya.
Dono jungle ke raste se guzarte hue ek qabristan ke paas ruk gaye.
Mahi dheere dheere do qabrain ke saamne ja kar baith gayi.
Usne pyaar se qabr par haath phera.
"Mama..."
Uski awaaz bharra gayi.
"Dekhiye... aaj kaun aaya hai."
Aahil ki saansein ek pal ke liye tham gayin.
Mahi ne aansu ponchte hue muskurane ki koshish ki.
"Mama... ye Aahil hain. Bohat gusse wale hain... lekin dil ke bure nahi."
Usne doosri qabr ki taraf dekha.
"Baba... aap kehte the na ek din koi mujhe samjhega..."
"Aaj shayad koi meri khamoshi samajhne laga hai."
Aahil bilkul be-harkat khada tha.
Usse bilkul andaza nahi tha...
Ke Mahi ke maa-baap is duniya mein hi nahi hain.
Mahi qabr ke paas baith kar dheere se boli,
"Main roz aap dono ko bohat yaad karti hoon..."
Uski aankhon se aansu behne lage.
Aahil dheere se uske qareeb aaya.
Bina kuch kahe usne apna rumal uski taraf badha diya.
Is baar Mahi ne rumal le liya...
Aur Aahil khamoshi se uske paas khada raha.
Kabhi kabhi alfaaz tasalli nahi dete...
Sirf kisi ka saath hi kaafi hota hai.
Chapter 15 – Main Hoon Na
Qabristan se wapas aate hue poora rasta khamoshi mein guzra.
Na Mahi ne kuch kaha...
Na Aahil ne.
Ghar pahunchte hi Mahi seedha apne kamre mein chali gayi.
Aaj uske chehre ki muskurahat kahin kho gayi thi.
Raat ko Buddy uske kamre ke bahar baitha tha. Mahi khidki ke paas baithi aasman ko dekh rahi thi.
"Hamesha lagta hai... Mama aur Baba kisi taare ki tarah mujhe dekh rahe hain."
Uski aankhon se aansu beh nikle.
Tabhi darwaze par halki si dastak hui.
"Mahi..."
Aahil tha.
Wo andar aaya. Kuch lamhe dono khamosh rahe.
Phir Aahil ne dheemi awaaz mein kaha,
"Mujhe maaf kar do."
Mahi ne hairani se uski taraf dekha.
"Kis baat ke liye?"
"Mujhe nahi pata tha..."
Mahi ne aansu ponch kar halka sa muskuraane ki koshish ki.
"Aapko kaise pata hota?"
Aahil uske qareeb aaya.
"Tum jab bhi 'Mama' kehti thi... mujhe samajh jana chahiye tha."
Mahi ki aankhen phir bhar aayin.
"Unke jaane ke baad... kisi ne kabhi ye nahi poocha ke main kaisi hoon."
Ye sun kar Aahil ka dil bhar aaya.
Usne pehli baar hichkichate hue Mahi ke sar par pyaar se haath rakha.
"Mahi..."
Wo uski taraf dekhne lagi.
"Tum akeli nahi ho."
Ye chaar lafz sunte hi Mahi ke sabr ka bandh toot gaya.
Wo roti hui Aahil ke seene se lag gayi.
"Main bohat thak gayi hoon... bohat."
Aahil ne bina kuch kahe uske kandhe par haath rakh kar use sambhale rakha.
"Kabhi kabhi mazboot log bhi toot jaate hain," usne dheemi awaaz mein kaha.
"Magar ab... jab tak main hoon, tumhein apne aansu akele nahi bahaane dunga."
Mahi ne aansuon ke beech halki si muskurahat di.
Usse saalon baad pehli baar laga...
Shayad usne apna ghar nahi...
Apna apna insaan dhoond liya tha.
Chapter 16 – Sach Ka Pehla Parda
Subah Aahil ne bike ki chaabi uthai.
"Chalo, ghar ka kuch shopping karni hai."
Mahi ki aankhen chamak uthin.
"Bike par?"
"Haan."
"Yay!"
Kuch hi der baad dono Aahil ki black sports bike par market ki taraf ja rahe the. Buddy ghar par hi reh gaya.
Shopping khatam hui to Mahi achanak chup ho gayi.
"Aahil... ek request karun?"
"Hmm?"
"Kya hum mere rishtedaron ke ghar ja sakte hain? Wahan mera kuch samaan reh gaya tha... Ammi aur Baba ki kuch cheezen bhi."
Aahil ne uski taraf dekha aur bina kuch kahe bike us taraf mod di.
...
Bike ek bade se ghar ke bahar ruki.
Darwaza khula hua tha.
Mahi ke chehre par halki si muskurahat aayi.
"Lagta hai... sab wapas aa gaye."
Wo jaldi se andar chali gayi.
"Phuphi... aap log aa gaye?"
Achanak uski phuphi bahar aayi aur uska chehra sakht ho gaya.
"Tum phir aa gayi?"
"Main sirf apna samaan lene aayi hoon."
"Yahan tumhara koi samaan nahi."
"Lekin Ammi ki yaadein..."
"Humne kaha na, nikal jao!"
Itna keh kar unhone Mahi ko zor se dhakka de diya.
Mahi peeche ki taraf ladkhada gayi...
Lekin is baar Aahil ne foran uska haath pakad kar use girne se bacha liya.
Usne Mahi ko apne peeche kar diya.
Uski aankhon mein khamosh gussa tha.
"Ye kis baat ka tareeqa hai?"
Mahi ke chacha gusse mein bole,
"Tum hote kaun ho beech mein bolne wale?"
Aahil ne ek qadam aage badhaya.
"Main kaun hoon... ye baad mein bataunga. Pehle ye batao, Mahi ko dhakka kisne diya?"
Jaise hi un sab ki nazar bahar khadi black superbike par padi... phir Aahil ke chehre par...
Sab ke chehre ka rang ud gaya.
"Y... ye to..."
Phuphi ki awaaz laraz gayi.
"Aahil... Aahil Shah..."
Ekdam se sab khamosh ho gaye.
Mahi hairani se kabhi unhe dekh rahi thi, kabhi Aahil ko.
"Ye log itna kyun darr rahe hain?" usne dil hi dil mein socha.
Chacha ne foran apna lehja badal liya.
"Aahil sahab... humein nahi pata tha ke aap..."
Aahil ne unki baat kaat di.
"Mujhe safai nahi chahiye."
Usne Mahi ki taraf dekha.
"Jao. Jo tumhara samaan hai, le aao."
Is baar kisi ki himmat nahi hui use rokne ki.
Mahi apne kamre mein gayi aur ek purana box lekar bahar aa gayi. Usne use seene se laga rakha tha.
Bike ki taraf jaate hue usne dheere se poocha,
"Aahil... ye sab aapse itna darte kyun hain?"
Aahil ne helmet pehna aur sirf itna kaha,
"Fuzool baaton par waqt zaya mat karo."
Mahi ne muh bana liya.
"Theek hai, Mr. Angry."
Aahil ke honton par halki si muskurahat aayi, jo helmet ke peeche chhup gayi.
Mahi ko abhi tak ye nahi pata tha...
Ke Aahil ek bohat ameer aur mashhoor business family ka beta tha, jisne saalon pehle apna aalishan ghar, daulat aur aish-o-aaraam chhod kar sirf Buddy ke saath jungle mein tanha zindagi chun li thi.
Aur uske is faisle ke peeche bhi ek aisa raaz tha... jise abhi koi nahi jaanta tha.
Chapter 17 – Chhupa Hua Naam
Ghar wapas aate hue poore raste Mahi khamosh thi.
Uske zehen mein bas ek hi sawal ghoom raha tha.
"Aakhir Aahil hai kaun?"
Jab bike ghar ke bahar ruki to Mahi se raha na gaya.
"Aahil..."
"Hmm?"
"Aap waqai hain kaun?"
Aahil ne shopping ke bags uthaye aur seedha ghar ke andar chala gaya.
"Koi nahi."
"Ye bhi koi jawab hua?"
"Tumhare liye itna kaafi hai."
Mahi ne naraz hokar muh phula liya.
"Kitne ajeeb insaan hain."
Raat ko Aahil kisi kaam se bahar chala gaya.
Mahi kitchen mein paani lene aayi hi thi ke uski nazar table par rakhe ek wallet par padi.
"Ye shayad Aahil ka hai."
Wo use uthane lagi taake kamre mein rakh de.
Tabhi wallet se ek black credit card aur ek VIP membership card neeche gir gaye.
Mahi ne hairani se card uthaya.
Us par likha tha:
Aahil Shah
Aur neeche ek mashhoor business group ka naam.
"Shah...?"
Mahi kuch samajh na saki.
Tabhi bahar se ek luxury black SUV ghar ke bahar aa kar ruki.
Do security guards aur ek pachaas saal ke aas-paas ka shaks gaari se utara.
Wo seedha darwaze ki taraf badha.
Mahi ne darwaza khola.
"Ji... aap?"
"Young lady, Aahil sir ghar par hain?"
"Ji... nahi."
Unhone halki si muskurahat ke saath kaha,
"Jab woh aayen to keh dijiyega... Mr. Salman Shah unse milne aaye the."
Ye keh kar wo chale gaye.
Mahi darwaze par hi khadi reh gayi.
Uske dil mein bechaini badhne lagi.
Thodi der baad Aahil wapas aaya.
"Mahi, koi aaya tha?"
"Haan..."
"Kaun?"
"...Salman Shah."
Ye naam sunte hi Aahil ka chehra sakht ho gaya.
Uski mutthi apne aap band ho gayi.
"Maine kitni baar kaha hai... unhe yahan aane ki zarurat nahi."
Mahi ne hairani se poocha,
"Aap unhe jaante hain?"
Aahil ne gehri saans li.
"Wo..."
Kuch pal khamosh rehne ke baad usne dheemi awaaz mein kaha,
"Wo mere father hain."
Mahi ekdam chup ho gayi.
Usse pehli baar ehsaas hua...
Aahil sirf ek tanha insaan nahi tha.
Wo ek aise ameer khandaan ka waaris tha...
Jisne apna sab kuch chhod kar tanha zindagi jeena chun li thi.
Chapter 18 – Tum Chali Jao
Shaam ka waqt tha.
Darwaze par gaari rukne ki awaaz aayi.
Mahi ne darwaza khola.
Bahar ek buzurg shaks khade the.
"Assalam-o-Alaikum, beta."
"Wa-Alaikum-Assalam... andar aaiye."
"Mera naam Salman Shah hai."
Mahi ne muskurate hue unhe baithne ko kaha.
"Main chai bana kar laati hoon."
Kuch der baad Mahi chai rakh hi rahi thi ke darwaza zor se khula.
Aahil andar aaya.
Uski nazar seedha Salman Shah par padi.
Ek pal mein uska chehra sakht ho gaya.
Phir uski nazar Mahi par gayi.
"Tumne inhe andar aane diya?"
Mahi ghabra gayi.
"Wo... bahar khade the, isliye..."
"Maine tumse kaha tha na... meri zindagi ke maamle mein dakhal mat diya karo!"
"Aahil... meri baat to suniye..."
"Lekin tumne meri baat nahi suni!"
Gusse mein Aahil ne Mahi ki kalai zor se pakad li.
"Aah...!"
"Mujhe dard ho raha hai, Aahil..."
Lekin us waqt Aahil ka gussa itna tha ke usne uski baat na suni.
"Bas! Nikal jao mere ghar se."
Mahi ki aankhon mein aansu aa gaye.
"Aahil... meri baat..."
"I said... GET OUT!"
Salman Shah ne beech mein aana chaha.
"Aahil, beta..."
"Please... aap bhi chale jaiye."
Mahi ne aansu ponchhe.
Usne ek baar Aahil ki taraf dekha...
Shayad use umeed thi ke wo rok lega.
Magar Aahil ne nazrein pher lein.
Bahar musaladhar barish ho rahi thi.
Mahi dheere dheere us ghar se bahar nikal gayi.
Barish uske aansuon ko chhupa rahi thi.
Wo mud mud kar ghar ko dekhti rahi...
Lekin darwaza band ho chuka tha.
...
Ek ghante baad...
Aahil ka gussa dheere dheere thanda hone laga.
Uski nazar table par padi.
Wahin Mahi ka chhota sa hair clip pada tha.
Usne use uthaya...
Aur achanak Mahi ke aansu yaad aa gaye.
"Mujhe dard ho raha hai, Aahil..."
Uska dil zor se dhadka.
"Ye maine kya kar diya..."
Wo foran bike ki chaabi uthakar bahar nikla.
Sabse pehle Mahi ke rishtedaron ke ghar gaya.
"Wo yahan nahi aayi."
Jawab sunte hi uski bechaini aur badh gayi.
Usne poora shehar dhoond dala...
Lekin Mahi ka koi pata nahi chala.
Achanak uske zehen mein ek khayal aaya.
Qabristan...
Wo bina ek pal gawaye bike usi taraf dauda di.
Barish ab bhi baras rahi thi.
Door se usne dekha...
Mahi apne maa-baap ki qabr ke paas ghutnon ke bal baithi thi.
Uske kapde poori tarah bheeg chuke the.
Wo qabr se lipat kar ro rahi thi.
"Mama..."
"Mujhe bhi apne saath le jaate..."
"Mujhe kyun akela chhod diya?"
"Main bohat thak gayi hoon..."
"Ab kisi ko meri zarurat nahi..."
Ye alfaaz sunte hi Aahil ke qadam wahi ruk gaye.
Uske dil par aisa bojh pada...
Jaisa usne pehle kabhi mehsoos nahi kiya tha.
Usse samajh aa gaya...
Aaj usne gusse mein us insaan ka dil tod diya tha...
Jo us par sabse zyada bharosa karne lagi thi.
Chapter 19 – Mujhe Maaf Kar Do
Barish ab bhi lagataar baras rahi thi.
Aahil dheere dheere Mahi ke paas gaya.
"Mahi..."
Mahi ne uski awaaz suni, lekin mud kar nahi dekha.
Wo ab bhi qabr ke paas baithi ro rahi thi.
"Mama... dekha? Main phir akeli ho gayi..."
Aahil ki aankhen bhar aayin.
Usne dheere se apni jacket utar kar Mahi ke kandhon par rakh di.
Mahi ne foran jacket hata di.
"Mujhe aapki koi cheez nahi chahiye."
Uski awaaz toot rahi thi.
Aahil uske saamne ghutnon ke bal baith gaya.
"Mahi... meri taraf dekho."
"Nahi."
"Please..."
Mahi ne aansuon se bhari aankhon ke saath uski taraf dekha.
"Aapne bhi sab ki tarah mujhe ghar se nikal diya."
"Main gusse mein tha."
"Toh kya gusse mein kisi ka dil tod dena theek hota hai?"
Aahil ke paas is baat ka koi jawab nahi tha.
Mahi ne apni kalai uske saamne kar di.
Us par Aahil ki ungliyon ke laal nishaan ab bhi saaf nazar aa rahe the.
"Dekhiye..."
"Ye sirf meri kalai par nishaan nahi hain..."
"Ye us bharose ke nishaan hain jo maine aap par kiya tha."
Ye alfaaz sun kar Aahil ne dheere se uski kalai apne haathon mein li.
Is baar bohot ehtiyaat se...
Jaise use aur takleef dene se dar raha ho.
Uski awaaz bharra gayi.
"I'm sorry... Mahi."
"Main kabhi kisi se maafi nahi maangta..."
"Lekin aaj... tumse maang raha hoon."
Mahi chup rahi.
Aahil ne qabr ki taraf dekha.
"Aunty... Uncle..."
"Agar aap mujhe sun sakte hain..."
"Main wada karta hoon..."
"Jab tak meri saans chal rahi hai..."
"Mahi ko kabhi akela nahi chhodunga."
Mahi ne hairani se uski taraf dekha.
Aahil ki aankhon mein pehli baar aansu the.
Wo dheere se bola,
"Chalo ghar chalte hain..."
"Mujhe apni galti sudharne ka ek mauka de do."
Mahi ne kuch lamhe khamoshi se uski aankhon mein dekha.
Phir dheere se apna haath uske haath mein rakh diya.
"Theek hai..."
"Bas... dobara kabhi mujhe mat kehna ke tumhare ghar se nikal jao."
Aahil ne uska haath mazbooti se thaam liya.
"Kabhi nahi."
Us raat...
Barish to ruk gayi thi...
Magar do toote hue dil pehli baar ek doosre ke zakhmon ka sahara ban gaye.
Chapter 20 – Sach Jo Chhup Gaya Tha
Subah ka waqt tha.
Mahi ki aankh khuli to usne dekha, uski kalai par patti bandhi hui thi.
Wo hairan hui.
"Aahil... ye kisne ki?"
Aahil kitchen se chai lekar aaya.
"Maine."
Mahi halki si muskura di.
"Toh Mr. Angry first aid bhi kar lete hain?"
Aahil ne cup uske saamne rakh diya.
"Zyada baatein mat karo."
Mahi hans padi.
Nashta khatam hi hua tha ke bahar se kai gaariyon ke rukne ki awaaz aayi.
Mahi ne parde se jhaank kar dekha.
Teen luxury SUVs ghar ke bahar khadi thin.
Kaale suits pehne security guards bahar utar rahe the.
"Aahil... lagta hai koi aaya hai."
Aahil ka chehra ekdum sanjeeda ho gaya.
"Tum andar hi rehna."
Lekin Mahi ki curiosity zyada thi.
Wo chupke se darwaze ke paas aa kar khadi ho gayi.
Bahar wahi buzurg shaks, Salman Shah, khade the.
"Beta, bohot ho gaya. Ghar wapas aa jao."
Aahil ne thandi nazron se unhe dekha.
"Mera ghar yehi hai."
"Ye jungle nahi... tumhara ghar Shah Mansion hai."
"Maine wo ghar bohot pehle chhod diya."
"Kab tak khud ko saza dete rahoge?"
Mahi ye sab sun kar hairan reh gayi.
Shah Mansion...?
Salman Shah ki nazar Mahi par padi.
Wo halki si muskura diye.
"Tum hi Mahi ho?"
Mahi ne dheere se sar hila diya.
Salman Shah bole,
"Beta... tum shayad nahi jaanti."
"Aahil bachpan se kisi cheez ki kami mein nahi raha."
"Uske paas daulat, shohrat, business... sab kuch hai."
"Ye jo bike bahar khadi hai... ye bhi uske collection ka sirf ek hissa hai. Iske garage mein isse bhi zyada mehngi bikes hain."
Mahi ne hairani se Aahil ko dekha.
Usse to lagta tha...
Wo bas ek tanha aadmi hai jo jungle mein rehta hai.
Salman Shah ne phir kaha,
"Lekin isne sab kuch chhod diya."
"Kyun?"
Mahi ke muh se beikhtiyar nikla.
Aahil ne foran sakht lehje mein kaha,
"Bas."
"Purani baatein dobara mat chhediye."
Ye keh kar wo mud gaya.
Mahi uski peeth ko dekhti reh gayi.
Aaj usne Aahil ka ek aur chehra dekha tha...
Ek ameer ghar ka waaris...
Jo apni marzi se tanha zindagi jee raha tha.
Lekin uske dil mein ab sirf ek hi sawal tha...
Aakhir aisa kya hua tha ke Aahil ne sab kuch chhod diya?
Chapter 21 – Shah Mansion Ki Party
Do din baad Aahil ko ek invitation mila.
Shah Mansion – Annual Business Gala
Mahi ne card dekhte hue poocha,
"Aap ja rahe hain?"
Aahil kuch lamhe khamosh raha.
"Is baar jana zaroori hai."
"Kyun?"
"Ek purana hisaab baqi hai."
Mahi ne zyada sawaal nahi kiye.
"Theek hai... main bhi chalun?"
Aahil ne pehli baar bina behas ke kaha,
"Haan."
---
Shaam ko Mahi ne halka sa sky-blue dress pehna. Aahil black suit mein hamesha ki tarah sanjeeda lag raha tha.
Jab unki bike Shah Mansion ke bahar ruki to har taraf luxury cars, roshniyan aur mehmaan hi mehmaan the.
Mahi hairani se sab dekhne lagi.
"Ye sab..."
Aahil ne bas itna kaha,
"Chalo."
Jaise hi dono andar dakhil hue, sab ki nazrein un par tik gayin.
"Ye Aahil Shah hai..."
"Wo wapas aa gaya..."
Log aapas mein dheemi awaaz mein baatein karne lage.
Mahi ko ajeeb sa mehsoos hua.
---
Salman Shah unke paas aaye.
"Aakhir tum aa hi gaye."
Phir unki nazar Mahi par padi.
"Toh ye hai wo larki..."
Unhone halki si muskurahat ke saath kaha,
"Aahil, tumhari zindagi badalne wali."
Aahil ne thande lehje mein jawab diya,
"Meri zindagi ke faisle main khud karta hoon."
Salman Shah ka chehra sakht ho gaya.
"Dekho Aahil... isi larki ki wajah se tum us jungle mein reh rahe ho. Log kya kahenge?"
Mahi ne foran kaha,
"Uncle, meri wajah se—"
Aahil ne uski baat kaat di.
"Bas."
"Isme Mahi ki koi galti nahi."
Uske lehje mein itni mazbooti thi ke kuch der ke liye sab khamosh ho gaye.
---
Party shuru ho gayi.
Mahi ek corner mein khadi juice pi rahi thi. Bheed mein kisi ne uska glass badal diya. Mahi ko is baat ka ehsaas hi na hua.
Kuch der baad uska sar bhaari hone laga.
"Aahil..."
Uski awaaz dheemi pad gayi.
"Ajeeb sa lag raha hai..."
Wo ladkhada gayi.
Aahil ne foran uska bazu thaam liya.
"Mahi?"
Uski aankhen theek se khul bhi nahi rahi thin.
"Chalo... ghar chalte hain."
Salman Shah ne rokna chaha.
"Party abhi khatam nahi hui."
Aahil ne sakht nazron se unhe dekha.
"Mahi ki tabiyat theek nahi hai."
Usne Mahi ko sambhal kar apne saath bahar le gaya.
---
Bike tak pahunchte hi Mahi dheemi si hansi.
"Aahil..."
"Hmm?"
"Aap... itne bure bhi nahi ho."
Aahil ne helmet uske sar par pehnaya.
"Tum abhi hosh mein nahi ho."
Mahi ne bachon ki tarah uski coat ki sleeve pakad li.
"Mujhe chhodna mat..."
Ye alfaaz sun kar Aahil ka dil bhar aaya.
Usne narmi se kaha,
"Kabhi nahi."
Mahi ne apna sar uske kandhe par rakh diya.
Aahil ne use ehtiyaat se sambhala, phir ek baar Shah Mansion ki taraf mud kar dekha.
Uski nazar mehmaanon ke beech khade ek anjaan aadmi par ja tikki.
Wo aadmi unhe jaate hue ghour se dekh raha tha.
Aahil ke dil mein shak paida hua.
"Kahin ye wahi shaks to nahi... jisne saalon pehle Mahi ke maa-baap ki gaadi ko takkar maari thi?"
Ye sawal uske zehen mein goonjta raha, jabke bike andheri sadak par ghar ki taraf daud rahi thi.
Chapter 21 – Shah Mansion Ki Party
Do din baad Aahil ko ek invitation mila.
Shah Mansion – Annual Business Gala
Mahi ne card dekhte hue poocha,
"Aap ja rahe hain?"
Aahil kuch lamhe khamosh raha.
"Is baar jana zaroori hai."
"Kyun?"
"Ek purana hisaab baqi hai."
Mahi ne zyada sawaal nahi kiye.
"Theek hai... main bhi chalun?"
Aahil ne pehli baar bina behas ke kaha,
"Haan."
---
Shaam ko Mahi ne halka sa sky-blue dress pehna. Aahil black suit mein hamesha ki tarah sanjeeda lag raha tha.
Jab unki bike Shah Mansion ke bahar ruki to har taraf luxury cars, roshniyan aur mehmaan hi mehmaan the.
Mahi hairani se sab dekhne lagi.
"Ye sab..."
Aahil ne bas itna kaha,
"Chalo."
Jaise hi dono andar dakhil hue, sab ki nazrein un par tik gayin.
"Ye Aahil Shah hai..."
"Wo wapas aa gaya..."
Log aapas mein dheemi awaaz mein baatein karne lage.
Mahi ko ajeeb sa mehsoos hua.
---
Salman Shah unke paas aaye.
"Aakhir tum aa hi gaye."
Phir unki nazar Mahi par padi.
"Toh ye hai wo larki..."
Unhone halki si muskurahat ke saath kaha,
"Aahil, tumhari zindagi badalne wali."
Aahil ne thande lehje mein jawab diya,
"Meri zindagi ke faisle main khud karta hoon."
Salman Shah ka chehra sakht ho gaya.
"Dekho Aahil... isi larki ki wajah se tum us jungle mein reh rahe ho. Log kya kahenge?"
Mahi ne foran kaha,
"Uncle, meri wajah se—"
Aahil ne uski baat kaat di.
"Bas."
"Isme Mahi ki koi galti nahi."
Uske lehje mein itni mazbooti thi ke kuch der ke liye sab khamosh ho gaye.
---
Party shuru ho gayi.
Mahi ek corner mein khadi juice pi rahi thi. Bheed mein kisi ne uska glass badal diya. Mahi ko is baat ka ehsaas hi na hua.
Kuch der baad uska sar bhaari hone laga.
"Aahil..."
Uski awaaz dheemi pad gayi.
"Ajeeb sa lag raha hai..."
Wo ladkhada gayi.
Aahil ne foran uska bazu thaam liya.
"Mahi?"
Uski aankhen theek se khul bhi nahi rahi thin.
"Chalo... ghar chalte hain."
Salman Shah ne rokna chaha.
"Party abhi khatam nahi hui."
Aahil ne sakht nazron se unhe dekha.
"Mahi ki tabiyat theek nahi hai."
Usne Mahi ko sambhal kar apne saath bahar le gaya.
---
Bike tak pahunchte hi Mahi dheemi si hansi.
"Aahil..."
"Hmm?"
"Aap... itne bure bhi nahi ho."
Aahil ne helmet uske sar par pehnaya.
"Tum abhi hosh mein nahi ho."
Mahi ne bachon ki tarah uski coat ki sleeve pakad li.
"Mujhe chhodna mat..."
Ye alfaaz sun kar Aahil ka dil bhar aaya.
Usne narmi se kaha,
"Kabhi nahi."
Mahi ne apna sar uske kandhe par rakh diya.
Aahil ne use ehtiyaat se sambhala, phir ek baar Shah Mansion ki taraf mud kar dekha.
Uski nazar mehmaanon ke beech khade ek anjaan aadmi par ja tikki.
Wo aadmi unhe jaate hue ghour se dekh raha tha.
Aahil ke dil mein shak paida hua.
"Kahin ye wahi shaks to nahi... jisne saalon pehle Mahi ke maa-baap ki gaadi ko takkar maari thi?"
Ye sawal uske zehen mein goonjta raha, jabke bike andheri sadak par ghar ki taraf daud rahi thi.
Chapter 23 – Haq
Subah ki dhoop khidki se kamre mein aa rahi thi.
Mahi ne dheere dheere aankhen kholin. Sar ab bhi halka bhaari tha.
Wo bahar aayi to Aahil kitchen mein coffee bana raha tha.
"Good morning..."
Aahil ne uski taraf dekha.
"Kaisi tabiyat hai?"
"Ab theek hoon... lekin kal hua kya tha?"
"Tumhari drink mein kisi ne kuch milaya tha."
Mahi ka chehra ekdum safed pad gaya.
"Kya...?"
Aahil ne uski taraf coffee ka mug badhaya.
"Ab is baare mein zyada mat socho."
"Lekin kisne?"
"Ye main pata lagaunga."
Mahi chup ho gayi.
Usne pehli baar Aahil ke chehre par itna gussa dekha tha.
---
Dopehar ko Aahil ka phone baja.
"Ji..."
Dusri taraf Salman Shah the.
"Kal raat jo hua uske liye afsos hai. Aaj ghar aa jao, baat karni hai."
Aahil ne thande lehje mein kaha,
"Main aa raha hoon."
Phone rakhte hi Mahi boli,
"Main bhi chalun?"
Aahil ne kuch socha.
"Haan... lekin is baar ek pal ke liye bhi mujhse door mat hona."
Mahi muskura di.
"Promise."
---
Shah Mansion pahunchte hi sab ki nazrein phir un dono par tik gayin.
Ek larka, jo nashe mein lag raha tha, Mahi ke paas aaya.
"Hello, beautiful."
Mahi ne ek qadam peeche liya.
"Excuse me."
Lekin usne Mahi ka rasta rok liya.
"Itni jaldi kya hai?"
Usne Mahi ka haath pakadne ki koshish ki.
Agla hi lamha...
Aahil ne uska haath itni zor se jhatka ke wo peeche hat gaya.
"Apni hadd mein raho."
Larka hans pada.
"Kaun ho tum? Iske bodyguard?"
Aahil ki aankhon mein gussa utar aaya.
"Iska naam bhi zubaan par lane ki ijazat nahi hai tumhe."
Itne mein Salman Shah aur baqi log bhi wahan aa gaye.
"Aahil!"
Lekin Aahil ki nazar us larke se nahi hatti.
"Kal raat jisne Mahi ki drink ko haath lagaya tha..."
"Uska naam mujhe chahiye."
Hall mein ekdam khamoshi chha gayi.
Sab ek doosre ka chehra dekhne lage.
Mahi hairani se Aahil ko dekh rahi thi.
Usne pehli baar mehsoos kiya...
Aahil sirf uski hifazat nahi kar raha tha...
Wo uske liye lad raha tha.
Aur Aahil ke dil mein pehli baar ek ehsaas saaf ho chuka tha...
Mahi sirf uski zimmedari nahi... uska haq banne lagi thi.
Chapter 21 – Shah Mansion Ki Party
Do din baad Aahil ko ek invitation mila.
Shah Mansion – Annual Business Gala
Mahi ne card dekhte hue poocha,
"Aap ja rahe hain?"
Aahil kuch lamhe khamosh raha.
"Is baar jana zaroori hai."
"Kyun?"
"Ek purana hisaab baqi hai."
Mahi ne zyada sawaal nahi kiye.
"Theek hai... main bhi chalun?"
Aahil ne pehli baar bina behas ke kaha,
"Haan."
---
Shaam ko Mahi ne halka sa sky-blue dress pehna. Aahil black suit mein hamesha ki tarah sanjeeda lag raha tha.
Jab unki bike Shah Mansion ke bahar ruki to har taraf luxury cars, roshniyan aur mehmaan hi mehmaan the.
Mahi hairani se sab dekhne lagi.
"Ye sab..."
Aahil ne bas itna kaha,
"Chalo."
Jaise hi dono andar dakhil hue, sab ki nazrein un par tik gayin.
"Ye Aahil Shah hai..."
"Wo wapas aa gaya..."
Log aapas mein dheemi awaaz mein baatein karne lage.
Mahi ko ajeeb sa mehsoos hua.
---
Salman Shah unke paas aaye.
"Aakhir tum aa hi gaye."
Phir unki nazar Mahi par padi.
"Toh ye hai wo larki..."
Unhone halki si muskurahat ke saath kaha,
"Aahil, tumhari zindagi badalne wali."
Aahil ne thande lehje mein jawab diya,
"Meri zindagi ke faisle main khud karta hoon."
Salman Shah ka chehra sakht ho gaya.
"Dekho Aahil... isi larki ki wajah se tum us jungle mein reh rahe ho. Log kya kahenge?"
Mahi ne foran kaha,
"Uncle, meri wajah se—"
Aahil ne uski baat kaat di.
"Bas."
"Isme Mahi ki koi galti nahi."
Uske lehje mein itni mazbooti thi ke kuch der ke liye sab khamosh ho gaye.
---
Party shuru ho gayi.
Mahi ek corner mein khadi juice pi rahi thi. Bheed mein kisi ne uska glass badal diya. Mahi ko is baat ka ehsaas hi na hua.
Kuch der baad uska sar bhaari hone laga.
"Aahil..."
Uski awaaz dheemi pad gayi.
"Ajeeb sa lag raha hai..."
Wo ladkhada gayi.
Aahil ne foran uska bazu thaam liya.
"Mahi?"
Uski aankhen theek se khul bhi nahi rahi thin.
"Chalo... ghar chalte hain."
Salman Shah ne rokna chaha.
"Party abhi khatam nahi hui."
Aahil ne sakht nazron se unhe dekha.
"Mahi ki tabiyat theek nahi hai."
Usne Mahi ko sambhal kar apne saath bahar le gaya.
---
Bike tak pahunchte hi Mahi dheemi si hansi.
"Aahil..."
"Hmm?"
"Aap... itne bure bhi nahi ho."
Aahil ne helmet uske sar par pehnaya.
"Tum abhi hosh mein nahi ho."
Mahi ne bachon ki tarah uski coat ki sleeve pakad li.
"Mujhe chhodna mat..."
Ye alfaaz sun kar Aahil ka dil bhar aaya.
Usne narmi se kaha,
"Kabhi nahi."
Mahi ne apna sar uske kandhe par rakh diya.
Aahil ne use ehtiyaat se sambhala, phir ek baar Shah Mansion ki taraf mud kar dekha.
Uski nazar mehmaanon ke beech khade ek anjaan aadmi par ja tikki.
Wo aadmi unhe jaate hue ghour se dekh raha tha.
Aahil ke dil mein shak paida hua.
"Kahin ye wahi shaks to nahi... jisne saalon pehle Mahi ke maa-baap ki gaadi ko takkar maari thi?"
Ye sawal uske zehen mein goonjta raha, jabke bike andheri sadak par ghar ki taraf daud rahi thi.
Chapter 23 – Haq
Subah ki dhoop khidki se kamre mein aa rahi thi.
Mahi ne dheere dheere aankhen kholin. Sar ab bhi halka bhaari tha.
Wo bahar aayi to Aahil kitchen mein coffee bana raha tha.
"Good morning..."
Aahil ne uski taraf dekha.
"Kaisi tabiyat hai?"
"Ab theek hoon... lekin kal hua kya tha?"
"Tumhari drink mein kisi ne kuch milaya tha."
Mahi ka chehra ekdum safed pad gaya.
"Kya...?"
Aahil ne uski taraf coffee ka mug badhaya.
"Ab is baare mein zyada mat socho."
"Lekin kisne?"
"Ye main pata lagaunga."
Mahi chup ho gayi.
Usne pehli baar Aahil ke chehre par itna gussa dekha tha.
---
Dopehar ko Aahil ka phone baja.
"Ji..."
Dusri taraf Salman Shah the.
"Kal raat jo hua uske liye afsos hai. Aaj ghar aa jao, baat karni hai."
Aahil ne thande lehje mein kaha,
"Main aa raha hoon."
Phone rakhte hi Mahi boli,
"Main bhi chalun?"
Aahil ne kuch socha.
"Haan... lekin is baar ek pal ke liye bhi mujhse door mat hona."
Mahi muskura di.
"Promise."
---
Shah Mansion pahunchte hi sab ki nazrein phir un dono par tik gayin.
Ek larka, jo nashe mein lag raha tha, Mahi ke paas aaya.
"Hello, beautiful."
Mahi ne ek qadam peeche liya.
"Excuse me."
Lekin usne Mahi ka rasta rok liya.
"Itni jaldi kya hai?"
Usne Mahi ka haath pakadne ki koshish ki.
Agla hi lamha...
Aahil ne uska haath itni zor se jhatka ke wo peeche hat gaya.
"Apni hadd mein raho."
Larka hans pada.
"Kaun ho tum? Iske bodyguard?"
Aahil ki aankhon mein gussa utar aaya.
"Iska naam bhi zubaan par lane ki ijazat nahi hai tumhe."
Itne mein Salman Shah aur baqi log bhi wahan aa gaye.
"Aahil!"
Lekin Aahil ki nazar us larke se nahi hatti.
"Kal raat jisne Mahi ki drink ko haath lagaya tha..."
"Uska naam mujhe chahiye."
Hall mein ekdam khamoshi chha gayi.
Sab ek doosre ka chehra dekhne lage.
Mahi hairani se Aahil ko dekh rahi thi.
Usne pehli baar mehsoos kiya...
Aahil sirf uski hifazat nahi kar raha tha...
Wo uske liye lad raha tha.
Aur Aahil ke dil mein pehli baar ek ehsaas saaf ho chuka tha...
Mahi sirf uski zimmedari nahi... uska haq banne lagi thi.
Chapter 24 – Iqraar Bina Alfaaz Ke
Hall mein gehri khamoshi chhayi hui thi.
Kisi ki himmat nahi ho rahi thi ke Aahil ki aankhon mein aankhen daal kar baat kare.
Chapter 32 – Iqraar Se Pehle
Hamle ko do din guzar chuke the.
Aahil ne Mahi ko ek pal ke liye bhi akela nahi chhoda.
Jab Mahi kitchen mein hoti, Aahil wahin dining table par laptop lekar baith jata.
Jab Mahi bahar phoolon ko paani dene jati, Aahil kuch hi qadam door khada rehta.
Aakhir ek din Mahi hans padi.
"Aap meri bodyguard ban gaye hain kya?"
Aahil ne bina nazar uthaye kaha,
"Agar zarurat padi... to woh bhi ban jaunga."
Mahi uske saamne aa kar khadi ho gayi.
"Itni fikr kyun karte hain meri?"
Aahil ne laptop band kar diya.
"Kyunki tum apni hifazat khud nahi kar sakti."
"Haww! Main itni bhi kamzor nahi."
Ye keh kar Mahi gusse ka natak karte hue bahar chali gayi.
Aahil uske peeche gaya.
"Mahi... ruko."
"Nahi."
Wo tez tez chalne lagi.
Jungle ke raste par chalte hue achanak uska paon ek pathar se takraya.
"Aah!"
Is baar girne se pehle Aahil ne uski kamar thaam kar apni taraf kheench liya.
Mahi seedha uske seene se aa lagi.
Dono ki saansein ek pal ke liye tham gayin.
"Tum kabhi meri baat kyun nahi sunti?" Aahil ne dheemi lekin naraz awaaz mein poocha.
Mahi ne uski taraf dekha.
"Aur agar na sunun to?"
Aahil ne uski kamar par apni pakad thodi mazboot kar di.
"To mujhe gussa aa jata hai."
Mahi muskura di.
"Nahi..."
"Aapko gussa nahi..."
"Meri fikr hoti hai."
Aahil kuch bol na saka.
Uski khamoshi hi jawab ban gayi.
Mahi ne dheere se apna haath uske zakhmi bazu par rakha.
"Ab dard kaisa hai?"
"Tum theek ho... to dard kam lagta hai."
Ye lafz Aahil ke muh se beikhtiyar nikal gaye.
Mahi ki aankhen uske chehre par tik gayin.
Dono ek doosre ko dekhte rahe...
Jaise waqt wahi ruk gaya ho.
Tabhi...
Aahil ka phone baja.
Usne call receive ki.
Dusri taraf se ek aadmi ki ghabraai hui awaaz aayi,
"Sir... humein us truck driver ka pata chal gaya hai jisne saalon pehle Mahi ke parents ki gaadi ko takkar maari thi... lekin woh keh raha hai ke ye sirf accident nahi tha."
Aahil ka chehra sakht ho gaya.
"Main abhi aa raha hoon."
Call katte hi Mahi ne poocha,
"Kya hua?"
Aahil ne uski taraf dekha...
Aur dil hi dil mein socha,
"Ab waqt aa gaya hai us sach ka saamna karne ka... jis se Mahi ki poori zindagi badal jayegi."
Chapter 33 – Woh Accident Nahi Tha
Aahil ne phone jeb mein rakha.
"Mujhe zaroori kaam se jana hoga."
Mahi foran uske saamne aa gayi.
"Main bhi chalungi."
"Nahi."
"Kyun?"
"Kyunki ye jagah tumhare liye safe nahi hai."
Mahi ne naraz hokar baazu baandh liye.
"Har baat par 'nahi'."
Aahil uske qareeb aaya aur narmi se bola,
"Bas meri baat maan lo."
Uski awaaz mein itni fikr thi ke Mahi ne aakhir sar hila diya.
"Theek hai... jaldi wapas aaiyega."
Aahil halki si muskurahat ke saath bola,
"Promise."
Jaate jaate usne Buddy ke sar par haath phera.
"Iska khayal rakhna."
Buddy jaise baat samajh gaya.
---
Do ghante baad...
Aahil shehar ke ek purane warehouse mein tha.
Uske saamne ek boodha truck driver kursi par baitha kaanp raha tha.
Aahil ne seedha sawaal kiya.
"Mahi ke parents ki maut wale din kya hua tha?"
Boodhe aadmi ki aankhon mein aansu aa gaye.
"Woh... accident nahi tha."
Aahil ki mutthi band ho gayi.
"Sach bolo."
"Mujhe paise diye gaye the..."
"...taake main unki gaadi ko takkar maarun."
Aahil ki aankhon mein gussa utar aaya.
"Kisne?"
Driver ne darte darte ek naam liya.
"Lekin... main uska naam nahi bata sakta."
"Kyun?"
"Kyunki woh aadmi aaj bhi bohot taqatwar hai."
Itna keh kar usne jeb se ek purani chain nikali.
"Accident ke baad ye gaadi ke paas gir gayi thi."
Aahil ne chain haath mein li.
Us chain par ek S bana hua tha.
Uska chehra ekdam badal gaya.
"Ye to..."
Usne foran chain apni jeb mein rakh li.
---
Usi waqt...
Jungle wale ghar mein Mahi khidki ke paas baithi Aahil ka intezar kar rahi thi.
Buddy achanak zor zor se bhonkne laga.
Mahi ne darwaza khola.
Bahar koi nahi tha.
Lekin zameen par ek chhota sa gift box pada tha.
Usne box uthaya.
Jaise hi khola...
Andar ek chhoti bachpan ki tasveer thi.
Tasveer mein chhoti si Mahi...
Aur uske saath ek 10–11 saal ka larka muskura raha tha.
Tasveer ke peeche sirf ek jumla likha tha...
"Apne bachpan ke dost ko pehchano... wahi tumhare maa-baap ki maut ka raaz jaanta hai."
Mahi ke haath kaanpne lage.
"Aakhir... ye larka kaun tha?"
Chapter 34 – Aakhri Lamhe Tak
Mahi ke haath se tasveer gir gayi.
Uska dil zor zor se dhadak raha tha.
"Ye... kaun hai?"
Usne foran Aahil ko phone milaya.
Lekin network kamzor tha.
Call connect hi nahi hui.
Bahar achanak Buddy zor zor se bhonkne laga.
Mahi ne khidki se dekha.
Jungle ke darakhton ke beech ek siyah kapron mein lipta hua shaks khada tha.
Wo dheere se muskura raha tha.
Mahi ka dil ghabra gaya.
Usne foran darwaza lock kar diya.
Tabhi...
Dhamm!
Kisi ne darwaze par zor se laat maari.
Mahi ek qadam peeche hat gayi.
"Kaun hai?"
Koi jawab nahi aaya.
Phir doosri laat.
Darwaza hil gaya.
Buddy gusse se bhonkta hua darwaze ke saamne khada ho gaya.
Mahi ne kaanpte haathon se Aahil ko dobara phone kiya.
Is baar call lag gayi.
"A... Aahil..."
Dusri taraf se Aahil ki awaaz aayi,
"Mahi? Kya hua?"
"Ko... koi ghar ke bahar hai."
Aahil ka chehra safed pad gaya.
"Darwaza mat kholna! Main bas das minute mein pahunch raha hoon."
Call katte hi...
Crash!
Khidki ka sheesha toot gaya.
Do naqabposh aadmi andar kood aaye.
"Mujhe chhodo!"
Mahi bhaag kar kitchen ki taraf daudi.
Ek aadmi ne uska haath pakadne ki koshish ki.
Mahi ne himmat karke table par rakha glass uske chehre par de maara.
"Aah!"
Wo aadmi peeche hat gaya.
Lekin doosre ne Mahi ka rasta rok liya.
Usne Mahi ka bazu itni zor se pakda ke uski cheekh nikal gayi.
"Chalo hamare saath!"
"Main kahin nahi jaungi!"
Mahi ne poori taqat se uske haath par kaata.
Aadmi gusse mein aa gaya.
Usne Mahi ko zor se dhakka diya.
Mahi deewar se takra kar neeche gir padi.
Uske maathe se khoon behne laga.
Uski nazar dhundhli hone lagi.
Isi waqt...
Bahar se bike ki awaaz goonji.
Aahil aa chuka tha.
Wo bijli ki tarah ghar ke andar dauda.
"Mahi!"
Usne dekha Mahi zameen par zakhmi padi thi.
Aahil ka gussa phoot pada.
Usne pehle aadmi ko itna zor se mukka maara ke wo deewar se ja takraya.
Doosra bhaagne laga, lekin jaate jaate usne mud kar kaha,
> "Is baar bach gayi... agli baar nahi bachegi."
Wo dono jungle ke andhere mein gaayab ho gaye.
Aahil foran Mahi ke paas ghutnon ke bal baith gaya.
Usne kaanpte haathon se Mahi ka chehra uthaya.
"Mahi... aankhen kholo."
Mahi ne mushkil se aankhen kholin.
"Aahil..."
Uski awaaz bohot kamzor thi.
Aahil ne use apni baahon mein utha liya.
"Kuch nahi hoga tumhein."
Mahi ne dard ke bawajood uski shirt mazbooti se pakad li.
"Mujhe... chhodna mat."
Aahil ki aankhon mein aansu aa gaye.
"Kabhi nahi."
Usne Mahi ko seene se lagaya aur dil hi dil mein kasam khai...
Ab jo bhi Mahi ki jaan ka dushman hai, usse chupne ki jagah bhi nahi milegi.
Chapter 35 – Zindagi Aur Maut Ke Darmiyan
Aahil ne Mahi ko foran apni bike par bithaya aur poori raftaar se shehar ke hospital ki taraf nikal gaya.
"Mahi... aankhen band mat karna."
Mahi mushkil se muskuraai.
"Aap... itna darr kyun rahe hain?"
Aahil ki awaaz bharra gayi.
"Kyunki mujhe tumhein kuch nahi hone dena."
Mahi ne kamzor si awaaz mein kaha,
"Main theek ho jaungi..."
Lekin uski aankhen dheere dheere band hone lagin.
"Mahi!"
Aahil ne bike aur tez chala di.
---
Hospital pahunchte hi doctors Mahi ko emergency mein le gaye.
Aahil bahar bechaini se idhar-udhar chal raha tha.
Uske kapdon par Mahi ka khoon laga hua tha.
Usne pehli baar itni bebasi mehsoos ki.
Kuch der baad Salman Shah bhi hospital pahunch gaye.
"Aahil..."
Aahil ne unki taraf dekha bhi nahi.
Salman Shah ne dheere se kaha,
"Beta, fikr mat karo."
Aahil ki aankhen laal ho gayin.
"Fikr na karun?"
"Jis ladki ne meri zindagi mein dobara jeena sikhaya..."
"...aaj woh andar zindagi aur maut se lad rahi hai."
Salman Shah khamosh ho gaye.
Ye pehli baar tha...
Jab Aahil ne kisi ke saamne Mahi ki ahmiyat qabool ki.
---
Do ghante baad doctor bahar aaye.
"Patient ab khatre se bahar hai."
Aahil ne gehri saans li.
Lekin doctor ne agla jumla kaha,
"Lekin sir ke zakhm ki wajah se unhein kuch din aaram ki zarurat hogi."
Aahil foran Mahi ke kamre ki taraf dauda.
---
Mahi ki aankhen dheere dheere khulin.
Sabse pehla chehra jo usne dekha...
Wo Aahil ka tha.
Uski aankhen laal thin, jaise wo kaafi der se roya ho.
Mahi ne halki si muskurahat ke saath kaha,
"Aap... roye?"
Aahil ne foran nazrein pher lein.
"Nahi."
"Phir aankhen laal kyun hain?"
"Tum bohot bolti ho."
Mahi dheere se hans padi.
Dard ki wajah se uski halki si siski nikal gayi.
Aahil foran uske qareeb aaya.
"Dard ho raha hai?"
Mahi ne dheere se sar hila diya.
Aahil ne bohot ehtiyaat se uska haath apne haath mein le liya.
"Mahi..."
"Hmm?"
"Ab bas."
"Ab main tumhein apni nazron se bhi door nahi hone dunga."
Mahi ne uski ungliyan mazbooti se thaam lein.
"Theek hai..."
"Waise bhi..."
"...meri safest place hamesha aapke paas hi hoti hai."
Aahil ne pehli baar bina kuch kahe uske maathe ko bohot narmi se chuma.
"Rest karo."
Lekin kamre ke bahar...
Ek aadmi hospital ki khidki se un dono ko dekh raha tha.
Usne phone nikala aur sirf itna kaha...
"Mahi bach gayi... ab plan badalna padega."
Salman Shah ne baat sambhalne ki koshish ki.
"Aahil... ye party hai. Tamasha mat banao."
Chapter 36 – Doosra Hamla
Hospital mein raat ka sannata tha.
Mahi so rahi thi.
Aahil uske bed ke paas kursi par baitha tha. Uski aankhen neend se bojhal thin, lekin wo ek pal ke liye bhi Mahi ko akela chhodna nahi chahta tha.
Tabhi nurse kamre mein aayi.
"Sir, patient ki medicine ka time ho gaya hai."
Aahil ne sar hila diya.
Nurse ne injection nikala...
Lekin jaise hi wo Mahi ke qareeb gayi, Aahil ki nazar uske haath par padi.
Uske haath par wahi "S" ka tattoo tha jo usne truck driver ki chain par dekha tha.
Aahil foran khada ho gaya.
"Ek minute..."
Nurse ghabra gayi.
"A... kya hua?"
"Tum hospital ki nurse nahi ho."
Itna sunte hi us aurat ne syringe seedha Mahi ki taraf badhaya.
"Mahi!"
Aahil ne uska haath zor se pakad liya.
Syringe zameen par gir gayi.
Aurat ne Aahil ko dhakka diya aur bhaagne lagi.
Aahil uske peeche dauda.
Hospital ke corridor mein dono ke darmiyan jhapatta hua.
Aakhir Aahil ne uska rasta rok liya.
"Batao! Kisne bheja tumhein?"
Aurat hans padi.
"Tum kabhi us tak nahi pahunch sakte."
Usne apni jeb se dhuaan nikalne wala chhota canister zameen par phenka.
Poora corridor dhuaan se bhar gaya.
Jab tak dhuaan hata...
Wo gayab ho chuki thi.
Aahil foran Mahi ke kamre ki taraf bhaaga.
Darwaza khula hua tha.
"Mahi!"
Mahi bed par baithi kaanp rahi thi.
"Aahil..."
Wo foran uske paas gaya.
"Theek ho?"
Mahi ne ro kar uska haath pakad liya.
"Wo... wo mujhe maarna chahti thi."
Aahil ne use apni baahon mein samet liya.
"Bas..."
"Main aa gaya hoon."
Mahi uske seene se lag kar roti rahi.
"Agar aap thodi der aur late ho jaate..."
Aahil ne uske baal sehlaye.
"Aisa kabhi nahi hoga."
Usne uski aankhon mein dekh kar kaha,
"Ab koi tum tak tab tak nahi pahunch sakta..."
"...jab tak Aahil zinda hai."
Lekin usi waqt...
Hospital ke CCTV room mein ek anjaan aadmi monitors dekh kar muskura raha tha.
Usne phone par kaha,
"Pehla plan fail ho gaya..."
"Ab agla hamla Aahil aur Mahi... dono par ek saath hoga."
Chapter 37 – Aag Ka Ghera
Do din baad doctor ne Mahi ko hospital se discharge kar diya.
Aahil use ghar le aaya, lekin ab wo pehle se bhi zyada hoshiyar tha.
Har darwaza check karta...
Har awaaz par ruk jata.
Mahi ne hans kar kaha,
"Aap sach mein bodyguard ban gaye hain."
Aahil ne seedha jawab diya,
"Agar tum safe raho... to mujhe koi problem nahi."
Mahi muskurayi.
"Theek hai, Mr. Angry."
Us raat...
Bijli achanak chali gayi.
Poora jungle andhere mein doob gaya.
"Mahi, mere paas hi rehna."
"Theek hai."
Tabhi Buddy zor zor se bhonkne laga.
Achanak...
Whooosh!
Ghar ke pichhle hisse se aag ki laptein uthne lagin.
"Mahi!"
Aahil ne khidki se dekha.
"Kisi ne ghar ko aag laga di hai!"
Dhuaan tezi se andar bharne laga.
Mahi ko zor zor se khansi aane lagi.
"Aahil... mujhe saans nahi aa rahi."
Aahil ne foran apni shirt geeli ki aur Mahi ke muh par rakh di.
"Isse saans lo."
Wo uska haath pakad kar pichhle darwaze ki taraf bhaaga.
Lekin...
Darwaza bahar se lock tha.
Aahil ki aankhon mein gussa utar aaya.
"Ye sab plan tha..."
Usne poori taqat se darwaze ko laat maari.
Ek...
Do...
Teesri laat par darwaza toot gaya.
Dono bahar nikle hi the ke...
Bang!
Jungle ki taraf se goli chali.
Aahil ne foran Mahi ko apni taraf kheench kar zameen par gira diya.
Goli unke bilkul upar se guzri.
"Mere peeche raho!"
Aahil ne Mahi ko apne peeche kar liya.
Darakhton ke peeche se teen naqabposh aadmi bahar aaye.
Ek ne cheekh kar kaha,
"Is baar bach kar dikhao!"
Aahil ne Mahi se dheemi awaaz mein kaha,
"Jo bhi ho... bhaagna mat. Sirf mere saath rehna."
Mahi ne uska haath mazbooti se pakad liya.
"Aapko kuch ho gaya to...?"
Aahil ne uski taraf dekha.
Phir halki si muskurahat ke saath bola,
"To pehle unhein mujhse guzarna hoga."
Teenon aadmi dheere dheere unki taraf badhne lage...
Aur Aahil ne Mahi ka haath aur mazbooti se thaam liya, tayyar tha uski hifazat ke liye, chahe uske liye apni jaan hi kyun na deni pade.
Chapter 38 – Jaan Se Barh Kar
Naqabposh aadmi dheere dheere unki taraf badh rahe the.
Jungle mein sirf aag ki laptein aur hawa ki awaaz sunai de rahi thi.
Aahil ne Mahi ko apne peeche kar diya.
"Jo bhi ho... mera haath mat chhodna."
Mahi ne uski ungliyan mazbooti se thaam lein.
"Kabhi nahi."
Ek naqabposh ne pistol Aahil ki taraf taan di.
"Side ho jao... humein sirf Mahi chahiye."
Aahil ki aankhen thandi ho gayin.
"Meri laash se guzarna padega."
Dusra aadmi gusse mein Aahil par toot pada.
Aahil ne ek zor ka mukka maara.
Wo aadmi zameen par ja gira.
Teesra peeche se hamla karne laga, lekin Buddy daudta hua us par jhapta.
"Buddy!"
Mahi cheekh uthi.
Isi dauran pehla aadmi phir se pistol uthata hai.
Uska nishana...
Mahi.
"Aahil!"
Goli chalti hai.
Bina ek pal soche Aahil Mahi ke saamne aa khada hota hai.
Bang!
Goli Aahil ke kandhe ke paas lagti hai.
Wo dard se peeche ladkhada jata hai.
"Aahil!"
Mahi daud kar uske paas pahunchti hai.
Uske haath khoon se bhar jaate hain.
"Aap...!"
Aahil dard ke bawajood uske aansu ponchne ki koshish karta hai.
"Main theek hoon..."
Lekin uski awaaz kamzor pad rahi thi.
Door se police siren ki awaaz sunai dene lagi.
Naqabposh aadmi ek doosre ko dekhte hain.
"Police!"
Wo jungle ki taraf bhaag jaate hain.
Mahi rote hue Aahil ka sar apni god mein rakh leti hai.
"Please... aankhen band mat kijiye."
Aahil mushkil se muskuraata hai.
"Tum roti hui... bilkul achi nahi lagti."
"Mazaak mat kijiye!"
Uski awaaz toot chuki thi.
"Mujhe darr lag raha hai."
Aahil ne bohot mushkil se apna haath uthaya aur Mahi ke gaal ko chhua.
"Mahi..."
"Hmm?"
"Agar mujhe kuch ho jaye..."
Mahi ne foran uske honton par apna haath rakh diya.
"Nahi."
"Aisa dobara mat kehna."
Uski aankhon se aansu lagataar beh rahe the.
"Main aapke bina nahi reh sakti..."
Ye alfaaz Mahi ke muh se beikhtiyar nikal gaye.
Aahil uski aankhon mein dekhta reh gaya.
Uske honton par dard ke bawajood ek halki si muskurahat aa gayi.
"Phir..."
"...mujhe kuch nahi hoga."
Door se ambulance ki awaaz qareeb aati gayi...
Lekin darakhton ke peeche khada ek anjaan shaks un dono ko dekh kar sirf itna bola,
"Ab waqt aa gaya hai... asli khel shuru karne ka."
Chapter 39 – Dil Ki Baat
Ambulance tez raftaar se hospital ki taraf ja rahi thi.
Mahi ne Aahil ka haath mazbooti se pakda hua tha.
"Aankhen band mat kijiye... please."
Aahil dard mein bhi halka sa muskura diya.
"Itna darr gayi?"
Mahi ki aankhon se aansu beh nikle.
"Darr...? Main to mar hi gayi thi."
Aahil ne dheere se uske aansu ponchne ki koshish ki.
"Pagal ladki..."
"Tum theek ho... bas mere liye yehi kaafi hai."
Hospital pahunchte hi doctors Aahil ko operation theatre le gaye.
Mahi bahar baithi lagataar dua kar rahi thi.
"Ya Allah... meri zindagi se meri har khushi le lena..."
"...lekin Aahil ko kuch mat hone dena."
Salman Shah bhi hospital pahunch gaye.
Unhone pehli baar Mahi ko itna toot kar rote dekha.
Unhone uske sar par haath rakha.
"Beta... Aahil mazboot hai."
Mahi ne aansuon bhari aankhon se unki taraf dekha.
"Uncle..."
"Agar Aahil ko kuch ho gaya..."
"...to main khud ko kabhi maaf nahi kar paungi."
Teen ghante baad...
Operation theatre ka darwaza khula.
Doctor bahar aaye.
"Operation successful raha."
Ye sunte hi Mahi ki aankhon se sukoon ke aansu nikal pade.
---
Shaam ko Aahil ko hosh aa gaya.
Usne aankhen kholin...
To dekha Mahi uska haath pakde kursi par baithi baithi hi so gayi thi.
Uski palkon par sookhe aansuon ke nishaan the.
Aahil ne kamzor si muskurahat ke saath uske baal kaan ke peeche kiye.
Isi lamhe Mahi ki aankh khul gayi.
"Aahil!"
Wo foran uske qareeb aa gayi.
"Aap theek hain?"
"Haan..."
"Ab rogi to nahi?"
Mahi hansne ki koshish karte hue boli,
"Aapko goli lagi aur mana mujhe kar rahe hain?"
Aahil ne uska haath thaam liya.
"Mahi..."
"Hmm?"
"Us din tumne kaha tha..."
"...tum mere bina nahi reh sakti."
Mahi sharma kar nazrein jhuka gayi.
"Wo..."
Aahil ne dheere se uski thodi upar ki.
"Main bhi nahi reh sakta."
Kamre mein khamoshi chha gayi.
Dono ki aankhen ek doosre se mili hui thin.
Aahil ne dheere se kaha,
"I think..."
"...I love you."
Mahi ki aankhon mein aansu aa gaye.
Wo muskura kar boli,
"Mujhe 'think' nahi..."
"...poora yaqeen hai."
Aahil hans pada.
Usne narmi se Mahi ka maatha chuma.
"I love you, Mahi."
Mahi ne uska haath apne gaal se laga liya.
"I love you too... Mr. Angry."
Kamre ke bahar khada Salman Shah ye sab dekh kar muskura diya.
Lekin usi waqt...
Hospital ke parking area mein khadi ek kaali gaari ke andar baitha aadmi phone par bola,
"Dono ek doosre se mohabbat karne lage hain... ab unhe alag karna aur bhi zaroori ho gaya hai."
Aur usne phone kaat diya.
Aahil ne thandi nazar un par daali.
"Tamasha us waqt bana tha... jab kisi ne Mahi ki drink mein kuch milaya."
Mahi ne dheere se uski baazu ko chhua.
"Aahil... please."
Aahil ne uski taraf dekha. Mahi ki aankhon mein sirf ek hi guzarish thi...
"Bas, chaliye yahan se."
Aahil ne gehri saans li.
"Theek hai."
Wo Mahi ka haath pakad kar hall se bahar nikal gaya.
---
Bahar thandi hawa chal rahi thi.
Mahi ne dheere se apna haath chhudaya.
"Sab ke saamne itna gussa karne ki kya zarurat thi?"
Aahil uske saamne aa kar ruk gaya.
"Zarurat thi."
"Kyun?"
"Kyuki mujhe pasand nahi ke koi tumhari taraf buri niyat se dekhe."
Mahi uski baat sun kar chup ho gayi.
Kuch lamhon baad usne shararat se poocha,
"Matlab... aap jealous ho gaye the?"
Aahil ne nazrein chura lein.
"Bakwas mat karo."
Mahi hans padi.
"Aapke kaan laal ho rahe hain."
"Chup."
"Theek hai... Mr. Angry."
Aahil bhi is baar halka sa muskura diya.
---
Jab dono bike ke paas pahunche to Mahi ruk gayi.
"Aahil..."
"Hmm?"
"Thank you."
"Kis liye?"
"Har baar meri hifazat karne ke liye."
Aahil kuch pal use dekhta raha.
Phir dheere se bola,
"Mahi..."
"Agar kabhi bhi koi tumhe takleef de..."
"...to sabse pehle mujhe batana."
"Kyun?"
Aahil ne uski aankhon mein dekhte hue kaha,
"Kyuki tumhare aansu... ab mujhse bardasht nahi hote."
Mahi ki saansein ek pal ke liye tham gayin.
Uske honton par halki si muskurahat aa gayi.
"Theek hai..."
"Promise."
Aahil ne bike start ki.
Mahi peeche baith kar dheere se uske kandhe par apna sar rakh diya.
Is baar...
Aahil ne use hataya nahi.
Bas khamoshi se bike andheri sadak par chala di.
Aur dono ke dil...
Chapter 40 – Mohabbat Ki Kasam
Teen din baad Aahil ko hospital se discharge mil gaya.
Uske kandhe par ab bhi patti bandhi hui thi.
Ghar pahunchte hi Buddy khushi se un dono ke paas daud aaya.
Mahi hans padi.
"Dekhiye... kisi ko aapki bohot yaad aa rahi thi."
Aahil ne Buddy ke sar par haath phera.
"Lagta hai isse tumse zyada meri yaad aayi."
Mahi ne nakhre se kaha,
"Ji nahi... Buddy sirf mera hai."
"Achha?"
Aahil halka sa muskuraaya.
"Phir main chala jaata hoon."
Wo jaise hi mudne laga, Mahi ne foran uska haath pakad liya.
"Sorry..."
Aahil uski taraf mud kar dekhne laga.
Mahi ne dheere se kaha,
"Aapko mazaak bhi samajh nahi aata."
Aahil ek qadam uske qareeb aaya.
"Tumhari wajah se goli kha chuka hoon..."
"...ab mazaak bhi tumhara hi sununga."
Mahi ki aankhen bhar aayin.
Usne bohot ehtiyaat se Aahil ke zakhmi kandhe ke paas haath rakha.
"Ab dard kaisa hai?"
"Tum paas hoti ho..."
"...to kam lagta hai."
Mahi sharma kar muskura di.
---
Shaam ko dono jungle ke usi purane talab ke paas baithe the jahan Mahi pehli baar Buddy se mili thi.
Hawa thandi chal rahi thi.
Mahi ne apna sar Aahil ke kandhe par rakh diya.
"Aahil..."
"Hmm?"
"Agar us din main yahan na aati..."
"...to shayad kabhi aapse na milti."
Aahil ne uski taraf dekha.
"Shayad taqdeer ko yehi manzoor tha."
Mahi muskura di.
"Ab ek promise kijiye."
"Kya?"
"Chahe jo bhi ho..."
"...mujhe kabhi akela mat chhodiyega."
Aahil ne uski ungliyon mein apni ungliyan piro di.
"Kasam hai..."
"Jab tak meri saans chalegi..."
"...main tumhara saath nahi chhodunga."
Mahi ne aankhen band kar ke sukoon ki saans li.
---
Lekin un dono ko bina bataye...
Door pahaadi ke upar ek aadmi binocular se unhe dekh raha tha.
Usne apne phone par ek photo kheechi.
Phir muskurate hue bola,
"Bas kuch aur din..."
"Phir Mahi ko pata chalega..."
"...ke uske maa-baap ki maut ka raaz Aahil ke khandaan se juda hua hai."
Wo aadmi andhere mein gaayab ho gaya.
Aur hawa ke saath ek naya toofan un dono ki zindagi ki taraf badhne laga.
Chapter 41 – Raaz Ki Dastak
Subah ka sukoon zyada der na tik saka.
Aahil kitchen mein coffee bana raha tha, jabke Mahi Buddy ke saath lawn mein khel rahi thi.
Tabhi gate ke bahar ek black SUV aa kar ruki.
Usmein se Salman Shah utare.
"Mujhe Aahil se zaroori baat karni hai."
Aahil bahar aaya.
"Aap phir yahan?"
Salman Shah ne idhar-udhar dekha, phir dheemi awaaz mein bole,
"Humein akele mein baat karni hogi."
Dono kuch door chale gaye.
Mahi door se unhe dekh rahi thi.
Usse sirf Salman Shah ki aakhri baat sunai di...
"Woh log wapas aa gaye hain."
Aahil ka chehra ek pal mein sakht ho gaya.
"Impossible..."
"Ye sach hai."
"Maine unhe khud dekha."
Mahi ko kuch samajh nahi aa raha tha.
---
Salman Shah ke jaate hi Mahi Aahil ke paas aayi.
"Kya hua?"
"Kuch nahi."
"Aap phir jhoot bol rahe hain."
Aahil ne gehri saans li.
"Mahi..."
"Ho sakta hai kuch din ke liye humein ye ghar chhodna pade."
Mahi hairan reh gayi.
"Kya? Lekin kyun?"
"Kyunki ab ye jagah safe nahi rahi."
Mahi ne foran uska haath pakad liya.
"Jahan aap honge... wahi mera ghar hoga."
Aahil ke honton par halki si muskurahat aa gayi.
Usne narmi se Mahi ke maathe ko chhua.
"Pagal ladki..."
---
Dono ghar ke andar samaan pack karne lage.
Mahi almari se kapde nikaal rahi thi ke achanak ek purana wooden box neeche gir gaya.
"Ye kya hai?"
Aahil ne mud kar dekha.
Uska chehra ekdum badal gaya.
"Mahi... ise mat kholo."
Lekin der ho chuki thi.
Mahi ne box khol diya.
Andar purani files, kuch tasveeren...
Aur ek family photograph thi.
Tasveer mein...
Chhota sa Aahil apne parents ke saath khada tha.
Aur unke bilkul paas...
Mahi ke Mama aur Baba muskura rahe the.
Mahi ka rang udd gaya.
"Ye..."
"Aapke parents..."
"...mere Mama Baba ko jaante the?"
Aahil bilkul khamosh khada tha.
Uski aankhen band ho gayin.
Usse samajh aa gaya...
Wo raaz... jise wo itne saalon se chhupa raha tha... ab dheere dheere Mahi ke saamne aane laga tha.
Bina izhaar kiye hi ek doosre ke aur qareeb aa chuke the.
Chapter 25 – Gussa Aur Fikr
Raat kaafi ho chuki thi. Jungle ke raste se bike dheere dheere ghar ki taraf badh rahi thi.
Mahi ne aadat ke mutabiq apna sar Aahil ke kandhe par rakh diya.
Aahil ne kuch nahi kaha.
Lekin uski grip handle par aur mazboot ho gayi.
Ghar pahunchte hi Mahi bike se utarne lagi, magar uska paon phisal gaya.
"Aah..."
Aahil ne foran uski kamar thaam kar use girne se bacha liya.
"Tum kab sambhal kar chala karogi?"
Mahi ne masoom sa chehra bana liya.
"Main gir hi to rahi thi..."
"Gir jaati to?"
"Aap pakad lete."
Aahil ne uski taraf ghur kar dekha.
"Tumhein har baat mazaak lagti hai."
Mahi hans di.
"Kyunki mujhe pata hai... aap mujhe girne nahi denge."
Ye sun kar Aahil kuch pal ke liye khamosh ho gaya.
Phir usne dheere se uski kalai pakdi aur ghar ke andar le gaya.
"Tum kal se kahin akeli nahi jaogi."
Mahi ruk gayi.
"Kya?"
"Jo party mein hua... uske baad bilkul nahi."
"Aap mujhe order de rahe hain?"
"Haan."
"Mujhe orders pasand nahi."
"Mujhe tumhari zid pasand nahi."
Dono ek doosre ko dekhte rahe.
Mahi ne nakhre se apne haath baandh liye.
"Main phir bhi jaungi."
Aahil ek qadam aur qareeb aa gaya.
"Ek baar keh diya na..."
"...nahi jaogi."
Uski awaaz dheemi thi, magar usmein wohi purana rob tha.
Mahi ka dil zor se dhadakne laga.
"Aap... itne qareeb kyun khade hain?"
Aahil ko tab ehsaas hua ke dono ke darmiyan sirf kuch inch ka faasla tha.
Wo peeche hatne hi wala tha ke Mahi ne dheere se uski shirt ka sleeve pakad li.
"Gussa khatam hua?"
Aahil ne uski aankhon mein dekha.
"Tum mujhe pagal kar dogi."
Mahi halki si muskura di.
"Phir bhi... chhodoge to nahi?"
Aahil ne beikhtiyar uske maathe se ek bikhri hui zulf hatai.
"Nahi."
"Kabhi bhi nahi."
Mahi ki aankhon mein chamak aa gayi.
"Theek hai, Mr. Angry."
Aahil ne halka sa muskura kar uske sar par ungli se halki si tap di.
"Ab jao... aur so jao."
"Good night."
"Good night... Mahi."
Us raat pehli baar...
Mahi ko mehsoos hua ke Aahil ka gussa sirf gussa nahi tha...
Us gusse ke peeche uske liye bepanah fikr chhupi hui thi.
Chapter 26 – Khauf Ki Aahat
Raat ke kareeb do baje the.
Bahar tez hawa chal rahi thi. Jungle ki khamoshi aur gehri hoti ja rahi thi.
Achanak Mahi ki neend ek bure khwab se toot gayi.
"Nahi... Mama... Baba...!"
Wo zor se saans leti hui uth baithi. Uska poora jism paseene mein bheeg chuka tha.
Aahil ne uski cheekh sun li.
Wo foran uske kamre ki taraf dauda.
"Mahi!"
Usne darwaza khola to dekha Mahi buri tarah kaanp rahi thi.
Aahil uske paas baith gaya.
"Kya hua?"
Mahi ki aankhon se aansu beh nikle.
"Maine... phir wohi accident dekha."
Uski saansein itni tez chal rahi thin ke wo theek se bol bhi nahi paa rahi thi.
Aahil ne dheere se uske kandhe pakde.
"Meri taraf dekho."
Mahi ne mushkil se uski taraf dekha.
"Sab theek hai... tum safe ho."
Mahi ne beikhtiyar uska haath mazbooti se pakad liya.
"Mujhe akela mat chhodiye."
Aahil ne uski ungliyon ko narmi se thaam liya.
"Kahin nahi ja raha."
Kuch der baad Mahi ka sar dheere se Aahil ke kandhe par aa tik gaya.
Uski saansein ab normal hone lagi thin.
"Tumhari dhadkan abhi bhi bohot tez hai." Aahil ne fikr se kaha.
"Mujhe andhere se dar lag raha hai."
Aahil bina kuch kahe uth kar kamre ka chhota lamp jala diya.
Phir wapas aa kar uske paas baith gaya.
"Mahi..."
"Hmm?"
"Aaj ke baad agar kabhi bura khwab aaye..."
"...to mujhe awaaz de dena."
Mahi ne halki si muskurahat ke saath poocha,
"Har baar aa jayenge?"
Aahil ne bina soche jawab diya,
"Har baar."
Mahi ki aankhon mein sukoon utar aaya.
Usne dheere se kaha,
"Thank you..."
Aahil uske maathe par giri hui zulf hata hi raha tha ke...
Bahaar kisi cheez ke tootne ki zor se awaaz aayi!
Crash!
Dono ek saath darwaze ki taraf dekhne lage.
Aahil ka chehra foran sanjeeda ho gaya.
Usne khidki se bahar jhaanka...
Lekin andhere mein sirf hilte hue darakht nazar aa rahe the.
Usne dheemi awaaz mein kaha,
"Tum yahin rehna."
"Aur aap?"
"Bas do minute."
Aahil bahar nikal gaya.
Mahi ne bechaini se darwaze ki taraf dekha.
Jungle ki gehri khamoshi mein...
Aisa lag raha tha jaise koi unke ghar par nazar rakhe hue tha.
Chapter 27 – Saaya
Aahil dheere dheere ghar ke bahar nikla.
Haath mein torch thi aur nazrein har taraf ghoom rahi thin.
Tez hawa darakhton ko hila rahi thi.
Achanak uski nazar zameen par padi.
Ek phooldan toota hua tha...
Aur uske paas geele mitti mein jooton ke nishaan saaf dikh rahe the.
"Koi yahan tha..."
Usne dheemi awaaz mein kaha.
Wo nishanon ka peecha karte karte jungle ki taraf gaya.
Lekin kuch door ja kar wo nishaan ghaas mein gayab ho gaye.
Aahil ne aas-paas dekha.
Khamoshi...
Sirf hawa ki awaaz.
Uska dil keh raha tha...
Koi un par nazar rakhe hue hai.
Wo foran ghar ki taraf laut aaya.
---
Ghar ke andar aate hi uska dil zor se dhadka.
"Mahi!"
Kamra khaali tha.
Bistar bhi khaali.
"Mahi!"
Uski awaaz poore ghar mein goonj uthi.
Achanak kitchen ki light jali.
Aahil daudta hua wahan gaya.
Mahi wahan khadi paani pee rahi thi.
Aahil ne bina soche uske dono kandhe pakad liye.
"Tum yahan kya kar rahi thi?"
Mahi ghabra gayi.
"Main... paani lene aayi thi."
"Tumhe kaha tha na kamre se bahar mat nikalna!"
Uski awaaz mein gussa kam...
Dar zyada tha.
Mahi ne pehli baar Aahil ki aankhon mein itni bechaini dekhi.
Wo dheere se boli,
"Aap... itna dar gaye the?"
Aahil kuch pal chup raha.
Phir usne dheere se Mahi ko apni baahon mein le liya.
"Pagal ladki..."
"Tum kamre mein nahi thi..."
"...ek pal ke liye laga maine tumhe kho diya."
Mahi bilkul khamosh reh gayi.
Usne pehli baar Aahil ki dhadkan itni tez mehsoos ki.
Wo dheere se boli,
"Main kahin nahi jaungi."
Aahil ne uske sar par apni thodi tikayi aur aankhen band kar lein.
"Promise?"
"Promise."
Tabhi...
Aahil ka phone baj utha.
Screen par ek Unknown Number flash ho raha tha.
Usne call receive ki.
Dusri taraf se sirf ek thandi si awaaz aayi...
"Jis din sach jaan jaoge... Mahi ko hamesha ke liye kho doge."
Call foran cut ho gayi.
Aahil ka chehra ekdum safed pad gaya.
Usne foran Mahi ki taraf dekha...
Aur dil hi dil mein socha,
"Kya un logon ko Mahi ke baare mein pata chal gaya hai?"
Chapter 28 – Chhupa Hua Khauf
Call katte hi Aahil kuch lamhon tak phone ko dekhta reh gaya.
"Mahi..."
"Hmm?"
"Tum aaj se meri ijazat ke baghair ghar se bahar nahi jaogi."
Mahi ne bhaen chadhai.
"Phir se wahi orders?"
Aahil ne is baar mazaak nahi kiya.
"Mahi... main serious hoon."
Uske lehje mein aisi sakhti thi ke Mahi bhi khamosh ho gayi.
"Theek hai..."
Subah hui.
Mahi kitchen mein nashta bana rahi thi.
Aahil bahar khidki ke paas khada baar baar jungle ki taraf dekh raha tha.
Mahi uske paas aayi.
"Ab bataiye bhi... raat ko phone kis ka tha?"
"Kisi ka nahi."
"Aahil..."
"Maine kaha na, kuch nahi."
Mahi ne uska chehra apni taraf karne ki koshish ki.
"Aap mujhse kuch chhupa rahe hain."
Aahil ne uska haath narmi se hata diya.
"Main sirf tumhari hifazat kar raha hoon."
"Toh mujhe bhi sach jaanne ka haq hai."
Aahil jawab dene hi wala tha ke...
Ding Dong...
Darwaze ki ghanti baji.
Aahil ne darwaza khola.
Bahar ek courier boy khada tha.
"Sir... aapke naam parcel."
Aahil ne parcel liya aur darwaza band kar diya.
Mahi curiosity se uske paas aa gayi.
"Isme kya hai?"
Aahil ne parcel khola.
Andar ek chhota sa gift box tha.
Usne dheere se box khola...
Aur dono ke chehre ka rang udd gaya.
Box ke andar...
Mahi aur uske maa-baap ki purani family photo thi.
Photo ke peeche laal syahi se sirf ek jumla likha tha...
"Agla number Mahi ka hai."
Mahi ke haath kaanpne lage.
"Ye... ye kisne bheja?"
Aahil ne foran photo uske haath se le li.
Uski aankhon mein pehli baar sirf gussa nahi...
Khauf tha.
Wo Mahi ke bilkul qareeb aaya.
"Aaj se..."
"...ek pal ke liye bhi mujhse door mat hona."
Mahi ne uski aankhon mein dekha.
Usse samajh aa gaya tha...
Ye sirf ek dhamki nahi thi.
Koi tha...
Jo un dono ki har harkat par nazar rakhe baitha tha.
Chapter 29 – Tum Meri Zimmedari Nahi...
Poora din Aahil ek ajeeb si bechaini mein guzarta raha.
Usne ghar ke tamam darwaze aur khidkiyan dobara check ki.
Mahi door se use dekhti rahi.
"Aap subah se itne pareshan kyun hain?"
"Kuch nahi."
"Aap phir jhoot bol rahe hain."
Aahil ne gehri saans li.
"Mahi... please meri baat maan liya karo."
"Maan leti hoon."
"Toh phir bina bataye kahin mat jana."
Mahi uske saamne aa kar khadi ho gayi.
"Aakhir itna darr kis baat ka hai?"
Aahil kuch der tak use dekhta raha.
Phir usne dheemi awaaz mein kaha,
"Kyunki agar tumhe kuch ho gaya..."
"...to main khud ko kabhi maaf nahi kar paunga."
Mahi ki aankhen uske chehre par tik gayin.
"Main itni important hoon?"
Aahil ne foran nazrein chura lein.
"Tum bohot sawaal karti ho."
Mahi muskura di.
"Jawab bhi to nahi dete."
Wo mud kar jaane lagi.
Tabhi uska paon carpet mein ulajh gaya.
"Aah!"
Is baar girne se pehle hi Aahil ne use apni baahon mein thaam liya.
Dono ek doosre ke bilkul qareeb the.
Mahi ki saansein tez ho gayin.
"Aap..."
Aahil ki nazar uski aankhon se hatti hi nahi.
Usne dheere se kaha,
"Tum sach mein sambhal kar kyun nahi chalti?"
Mahi halki si hansi.
"Kyunki mujhe pata hota hai..."
"...aap pakad lenge."
Aahil ke honton par beikhtiyar muskurahat aa gayi.
Usne dheere se Mahi ke maathe se ek uljhi hui zulf hatai.
"Mahi..."
"Hmm?"
"Tum sirf meri zimmedari nahi rahi..."
Mahi ka dil zor se dhadakne laga.
"Phir...?"
Aahil uski aankhon mein dekhte hue dheere se bola,
"...tum meri fikr ban chuki ho."
Mahi ke gaalon par halki si laali aa gayi.
Wo sharma kar nazrein jhuka gayi.
Tabhi...
Dhaam!
Ghar ke bahar goli chalne ki awaaz goonji.
Aahil ka chehra ek pal mein badal gaya.
Usne foran Mahi ko apne peeche kar liya.
"Neeche jhuk jao!"
Mahi ka dil ghabra gaya.
"Aahil... bahar kaun hai?"
Aahil ki nazar darwaze par jami hui thi.
Usne dheemi awaaz mein kaha,
"Lagta hai..."
"...hamara dushman ab sirf dhamkiyan nahi de raha."
Chapter 30 – Nishana
Goli ki awaaz ke baad poora ghar khamosh ho gaya.
Aahil ne dheere se parda hata kar bahar dekha.
Koi nazar nahi aaya.
Lekin darwaze ke paas ek chhota sa lifafa pada tha.
Wo ehtiyaat se bahar gaya aur lifafa utha laya.
Mahi bechaini se uske paas aa gayi.
"Kya hai?"
Aahil ne lifafa khola.
Andar sirf ek photo thi...
Wo photo Mahi ki thi.
Us par laal marker se ek bada sa ❌ bana hua tha.
Neeche likha tha:
"Is baar bach gayi... agli baar nahi bachegi."
Mahi ke haath kaanp gaye.
"Aahil..."
Usne foran photo chhupa di.
"Kuch nahi hoga tumhein."
---
Agle din Aahil kisi zaroori kaam se bahar ja raha tha.
"Mahi, darwaza kisi ke liye mat kholna."
"Theek hai."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
Aahil bike par nikal gaya.
Ek ghante baad...
Darwaze ki ghanti baji.
Mahi ne khidki se dekha.
Ek buzurg aurat bahar khadi thi.
"Beta... meri tabiyat bohat kharab hai. Thoda paani milega?"
Mahi ko us par taras aa gaya.
Usne darwaza khol diya.
Jaise hi wo paani lane ke liye palti...
Do naqabposh aadmi andar ghus aaye.
"Mujhe chhodiye!"
Ek ne uska muh daba diya.
Dusre ne uske haath pakad liye.
Mahi zor zor se unse bachne ki koshish karne lagi.
Uski aankhon se aansu behne lage.
Isi waqt...
Buddy zor zor se bhonkne laga.
Ek aadmi ne Buddy ko laat marne ki koshish ki.
Lekin Buddy ne uski taang par zor se kaat liya.
"Aahhh!"
Wo aadmi dard se cheekh utha.
Isi dauran Mahi ne poori taqat se us aadmi ko dhakka diya aur bhaagne lagi.
Magar doosre aadmi ne uska dupatta pakad liya.
Mahi zor se cheekhi...
"Aahil...!"
Usi lamhe bahar se bike ke brakes ki tez awaaz aayi.
Screeeech!
Darwaza zor se khula.
Aahil andar dauda.
Usne dekha...
Ek naqabposh Mahi ka haath pakde hue tha.
Aahil ki aankhon mein khoon utar aaya.
"Usse haath mat lagana!"
Wo bijli ki tarah un par toot pada.
Ek mukke se pehla aadmi zameen par gir gaya.
Doosra bhaagne laga.
Lekin jaate jaate usne Mahi ki taraf chaku phenka.
"Aahil!"
Aahil ne bina soche Mahi ko apni taraf kheench liya.
Chaku uske bazu ko cheer gaya.
Khoon behne laga.
Mahi ki cheekh nikal gayi.
"Aahil...!"
Aahil ne dard ko nazarandaz karte hue Mahi ko apni baahon mein le liya.
"Kahin lagi to nahi?"
Mahi rote hue sirf uska zakhmi bazu dekh rahi thi.
"Aap... mere liye..."
Aahil ne uske aansu ponchhe.
"Tumhein kuch ho jata..."
"...to main zinda nahi reh pata."
Ye sunte hi Mahi uske seene se lag kar zor zor se rone lagi.
Aur pehli baar...
Aahil ne use itni mazbooti se apni baahon mein thaama, jaise ab kabhi use khud se door nahi hone dega.
Chapter 31 – Dil Ka Faisla
Mahi kaanpte haathon se Aahil ke zakhmi bazu ko pakde hue thi.
"Khoon... bohot nikal raha hai."
Uski awaaz ro ro kar bhar chuki thi.
Aahil ne halki si muskurahat laane ki koshish ki.
"Bas chhota sa zakhm hai."
"Jhoot mat boliye."
Mahi ki aankhon se aansu ruk hi nahi rahe the.
Wo foran first aid box lekar aayi.
"Aaram se..."
Usne bahut ehtiyaat se Aahil ke bazu ka khoon saaf kiya.
Jab antiseptic lagaya to Aahil ne dard se aankhen band kar lein.
"Dard ho raha hai?"
"Nahi."
"Phir se jhoot."
Mahi ne uski taraf ghoor kar dekha.
Aahil halka sa hans diya.
"Tum psychologist banogi ya doctor?"
"Abhi sirf... woh insaan hoon jo aapki fikr kar rahi hai."
Ye sunte hi Aahil khamosh ho gaya.
Mahi ne patti baandh di.
Phir uska haath apne dono haathon mein lekar dheere se boli,
"Aaj agar aapko kuch ho jata..."
"...to main khud ko kabhi maaf nahi karti."
Aahil uski aankhon mein dekhne laga.
"Tum ro kyun rahi ho?"
"Kyunki mujhe darr lag gaya tha."
"Kis baat ka?"
Mahi ne nazrein jhuka lein.
"...aapko kho dene ka."
Kamre mein gehri khamoshi chha gayi.
Aahil dheere se uske qareeb aaya.
Apne theek haath se usne Mahi ke gaal par behte aansu ponchhe.
"Mahi..."
"Hmm?"
"Ab meri baat dhyan se suno."
Mahi ne uski taraf dekha.
"Jab tak main zinda hoon..."
"...koi tum tak nahi pahunch sakta."
Mahi ki aankhon mein phir aansu aa gaye.
Wo beikhtiyar Aahil ke seene se lag gayi.
Aahil ne bhi is baar bina jhijhak use apni baahon mein samet liya.
"Ab bas..."
"Main yahin hoon."
Us waqt bahar khidki ke paas...
Darakhton ke peeche khada ek saaya un dono ko dekh raha tha.
Usne apna phone nikala aur kisi ko call ki.
"Hamla nakaam ho gaya..."
"Lekin fikr mat karo..."
"Agli baar nishana sirf Mahi nahi..."
"...Aahil bhi hoga."
Door khada wo shaks muskuraya...
Aur andhere mein gayab ho gaya.
Chapter 42 – Adhoora Sach
Mahi ke haath mein ab bhi woh purani tasveer thi.
Uski nazar baar baar apne Mama-Baba aur Aahil ke parents par ja rahi thi.
"Aahil..."
Uski awaaz kaanp rahi thi.
"Aap... pehle se mere parents ko jaante the?"
Aahil ne aankhen band kar ke gehri saans li.
"Haan..."
Mahi ek pal ke liye bilkul khamosh ho gayi.
"Haan...?"
"Toh aapne mujhe bataya kyun nahi?"
Aahil uske qareeb aaya.
"Mahi, main sab batana chahta tha."
"Phir chup kyun rahe?"
"Kyunki main tumhe khona nahi chahta tha."
Mahi ki aankhon mein aansu aa gaye.
"Khona...?"
Aahil ne dheere se kaha,
"Tumhare Baba... mere Baba ke sabse qareebi dost the."
Mahi hairani se uski baat sunti rahi.
"Hamari families ek doosre ko bohot achhi tarah jaanti thi."
"Bachpan mein..."
"...hum ek doosre se mil bhi chuke hain."
Mahi ko achanak woh purani photo yaad aa gayi jo kisi ne parcel mein bheji thi.
"Woh bachpan wala larka..."
"...wo aap the?"
Aahil ne dheere se sar jhuka diya.
"Haan."
Mahi ki aankhon se aansu beh nikle.
"Itne saal..."
"...aur mujhe kuch yaad hi nahi."
Aahil ne uske aansu ponchhne ke liye haath badhaya.
Lekin Mahi ek qadam peeche hat gayi.
"Aur kya chhupa rahe hain aap mujhse?"
Ye sawaal sun kar Aahil khamosh ho gaya.
Usi waqt...
Bahar se ek gaari ke brakes ki tez awaaz aayi.
Screeeech...
Aahil foran khidki ki taraf bhaaga.
Gate ke bahar ek kaali SUV khadi thi.
Usmein se ek aadmi utara.
Usne gate ke bahar ek lifafa rakha...
Aur bina kuch kahe wapas gaari mein baith kar chala gaya.
Aahil ne lifafa uthaya.
Andar sirf ek line likhi thi...
> "Agar Mahi ko poora sach jaan na hai... to kal raat 10 baje purani factory mein aana. Warna agla janaza uska hoga."
Mahi ne woh kagaz padh liya.
Usne Aahil ki taraf dekha.
"Main jaungi."
Aahil ne foran sakht lehje mein kaha,
"Bilkul nahi."
"Mujhe apne Mama-Baba ke qaatil ka sach jaan na hai."
"Main tumhari jaan khatre mein nahi daal sakta."
Mahi ne pehli baar uski aankhon mein aankhen daal kar kaha,
"Aur main poori zindagi jhoot ke saath nahi jee sakti."
Dono ek doosre ke saamne khade the...
Ek taraf mohabbat...
Aur doosri taraf sach.
Aur dono ki keemat bahut zyada thi.
Chapter 43 – Purani Factory
Raat ke 10 bajne mein kuch hi minute baqi the.
Aahil ne bike start ki.
"Mahi... jo bhi ho, tum mere peeche hi rehna."
Mahi ne sir hila diya.
"Promise."
Dono purani, veeran factory ke bahar pahunche.
Har taraf andhera tha.
Toote hue sheeshe, zang lagi machines aur hawa ki sarsarahat mahaul ko aur bhi khaufnaak bana rahi thi.
Achanak andhere se taaliyon ki awaaz goonji.
Clap... Clap... Clap...
Ek aadmi saaye se bahar nikla.
Uske chehre par mask tha.
"Aakhir tum dono aa hi gaye."
Aahil foran Mahi ke saamne aa khada hua.
"Jo kehna hai, mujhse kaho."
Aadmi hans pada.
"Tum ab bhi iski hifazat kar rahe ho... bilkul bachpan ki tarah."
Mahi hairan reh gayi.
"Bachpan...?"
Mask pehne aadmi ne ek purani file zameen par phenki.
"Mahi... tumhare parents ka accident nahi hua tha."
"...unka qatl hua tha."
Mahi ke pairon tale zameen khisak gayi.
"Q... kya?"
"Unhone ek bohot bade business scam ka sach jaan liya tha."
"Isliye unhe hamesha ke liye khamosh kar diya gaya."
Mahi ki aankhon se aansu behne lage.
"Kisne?"
Aadmi muskuraya.
"Ye jaanne ke liye tumhe pehle Aahil se poochna hoga..."
"...ke us raat woh kahan tha."
Mahi ne hairani se Aahil ki taraf dekha.
"Aahil...?"
Aahil ki mutthi mazboot ho gayi.
"Iski baat mat suno."
"Lekin jawab dijiye!"
Aahil ne dheere se aankhen band kar lein.
"Main..."
"...us raat wahan tha."
Mahi ka dil zor se dhadka.
"Kya...?"
"Main tumhare parents ki gaadi ke peeche wali gaadi mein tha."
Mahi ki aankhon mein shock saaf nazar aa raha tha.
"Lekin main unka qaatil nahi tha."
Achanak...
Bang!
Factory ke upar wale floor se goli chali.
Aahil ne bina soche Mahi ko zor se neeche dhakka diya.
Goli Aahil ke peeche deewar mein ja lagi.
"Sniper!"
Aahil cheekha.
Har taraf afra-tafri mach gayi.
Mask wala aadmi bhaagne laga.
Aahil uske peeche dauda.
Lekin usne bhaagte bhaagte sirf ek jumla kaha...
> "Agar poora sach chahiye... to Salman Shah se poochna!"
Ye keh kar wo andhere mein gaayab ho gaya.
Mahi zameen par baithi kaanp rahi thi.
Uske zehen mein sirf ek baat goonj rahi thi...
"Aahil us raat wahan tha..."
Aur pehli baar...
Uske dil mein Aahil ke liye bharose ke saath ek chhota sa shak bhi paida ho gaya.
Chapter 44 – Bharosa Ya Shak
Factory se wapas aate hue poora rasta khamoshi mein guzra.
Na Mahi ne kuch kaha...
Na Aahil ne.
Ghar pahunchte hi Mahi bike se utri aur bina peeche dekhe andar chali gayi.
Aahil uske peeche aaya.
"Mahi..."
Wo ruk gayi, lekin mudi nahi.
"Ek baat poochun?"
"Poocho."
"Us raat..."
"...aap waqai mere Mama aur Baba ke saath the?"
Aahil ne dheere se jawab diya,
"Haan."
"Aur aapne mujhe itne din ye baat chhupayi?"
"Maine tumhe bachane ke liye..."
Mahi foran uski taraf mudi.
"Ya khud ko bachane ke liye?"
Ye lafz teer ki tarah Aahil ke dil mein lage.
"Mahi..."
"Mujhe sirf sach chahiye."
Aahil ki aankhon mein dard tha.
"Main unka qaatil nahi hoon."
"Phir us raat hua kya tha?"
Aahil kuch bolne hi wala tha...
Tabhi uska phone baj utha.
Screen par naam tha:
Salman Shah
Aahil ne call receive ki.
Dusri taraf se ghabrahat bhari awaaz aayi,
"Aahil! Abhi ke abhi hospital aao... mujh par hamla hua hai."
Call kat gayi.
Aahil ka chehra badal gaya.
"Mujhe jana hoga."
Mahi ne uska haath pakad liya.
"Main bhi chalungi."
"Nahi."
"Is baar main peeche nahi rahungi."
Aakhir dono hospital ki taraf nikal pade.
---
Hospital pahunchte hi Salman Shah ICU ke bahar doctors se ghire hue the.
Unke kandhe par goli lagi thi.
Mahi hairan reh gayi.
Ye kisne kiya?
Salman Shah ne mushkil se aankhen kholin.
"Aahil..."
Aahil unke qareeb gaya.
"Ji."
Salman Shah ne kaanpte haath se uska haath pakda.
"Woh... diary..."
"Study room..."
"...usme sab sach likha hai."
Ye keh kar unki aankhen band ho gayin.
Doctor foran unhe operation theatre le gaye.
Mahi ne dheere se poocha,
"Kaunsi diary?"
Aahil khamosh ho gaya.
Usne sirf itna kaha,
"Ek aisi diary..."
"...jo ham sab ki zindagi badal degi."
Aur usse bilkul andaza nahi tha...
Ke hospital ke corridor ke doosre kinare par khada ek aadmi unki har baat sun chuka tha.
Usne muskurate hue phone milaya.
"Diary tak ye log nahi pahunchne chahiye..."
Chapter 45 – Chori Hui Diary
Subah hote hi Aahil aur Mahi seedha Salman Shah ki haveli pahunche.
Poora ghar sunsaan tha.
Naukar ghabraye hue idhar-udhar khade the.
Aahil seedha study room ki taraf dauda.
Usne almari kholi...
Drawer khola...
Lekin diary kahin nahi thi.
"Nahi..."
Mahi ne bechaini se poocha,
"Mili?"
Aahil ne gusse mein drawer zor se band kar diya.
"Kisi ne humse pehle diary chura li."
Tabhi Buddy zor zor se bhonkne laga.
Mahi ki nazar zameen par padi.
Table ke neeche ek khoon ka chhota sa qatra tha.
"Aahil... yeh dekhiye."
Aahil neeche jhuka.
Khoon ke nishan study room ki pichhli khidki tak ja rahe the.
Usne khidki kholi.
Bahar mitti mein kisi ke jooton ke nishan saaf dikh rahe the.
"Koi raat ko yahan aaya tha."
Achanak...
Click!
Peechhe se kisi ne bandook ka safety lock khola.
Aahil foran mudha.
Ek naqabposh aadmi ne pistol seedha Mahi ki taraf taan rakhi thi.
"Hilna mat!"
Mahi ki saansein ruk gayin.
Aahil dheere dheere uske saamne aa gaya.
"Usse chhod do."
Aadmi hans pada.
"Tum har baar iske saamne kyun aa jaate ho?"
"Kyunki is tak pahunchne ke liye pehle tumhe mujhse guzarna padega."
Naqabposh ne goli chalane ke liye trigger dabaya...
Lekin usi waqt Mahi ne paas rakha hua flower vase uthaya aur poori taqat se us aadmi ki taraf phenka.
Crash!
Aadmi ka nishana bigad gaya.
Goli deewar mein ja lagi.
Aahil foran us par toot pada.
Dono ke darmiyan zabardast haathapai shuru ho gayi.
Lekin naqabposh dhakka de kar khidki se bahar kood gaya.
Bhagte bhagte usne ek lifafa andar phenka.
Aahil ne lifafa uthaya.
Uske andar sirf ek purani photo thi...
Us photo mein Salman Shah...
Aahil ke walid...
Aur Mahi ke walid ek saath khade the.
Peechhe laal syahi se likha tha:
"Teen dost... lekin unmein se ek hi asli gaddar tha."
Mahi ka dil zor se dhadka.
Usne dheere se kaha,
"...Kya mere Mama-Baba ke qaatil un teenon mein se koi ek tha?"
Aahil ne photo ko ghur kar dekha.
Uske dil mein bhi wahi sawaal goonj raha tha...
Aakhir gaddar kaun tha?
Chapter 46 – Sach Ka Aakhri Safar
Us photo ke baad Aahil ne faisla kar liya.
"Ab aur nahi. Aaj har raaz se parda uth kar rahega."
Mahi ne uska haath mazbooti se pakad liya.
"Main bhi aapke saath hoon."
Dono Salman Shah ke hosh mein aane ka intezar karne lage.
Kuch ghanton baad Salman Shah ne aankhen kholin.
Unki aankhon mein pachtawa tha.
"Mujhe maaf kar dena..."
Mahi ki saansein tez ho gayin.
"Uncle... mere Mama aur Baba ke qaatil kaun the?"
Salman Shah ki aankhon se aansu nikal aaye.
"Tumhare Baba aur Aahil ke Baba imaandaar the."
"Hum teeno business partners the."
"Ek chautha partner bhi tha..."
Raza Mir.
"Usne bohot bada fraud kiya tha."
"Tumhare Baba ko saboot mil gaye the."
"Jab unhone police ke paas jaane ka faisla kiya..."
"...Raza Mir ne unki gaadi ka accident karwa diya."
Mahi ki aankhon se aansu behne lage.
"Aur Aahil...?"
"Aahil us din sirf unke peeche aa raha tha."
"Usne sab apni aankhon se dekha..."
"...lekin woh bachcha tha. Kuch kar nahi saka."
Aahil ne nazrein jhuka lein.
"Isi liye main itne saalon se khud ko maaf nahi kar paaya."
Mahi dheere dheere uske paas aayi.
Usne Aahil ka chehra apne dono haathon mein liya.
"Ye aapki ghalti nahi thi."
"Us waqt aap sirf ek bachche the."
Aahil ki aankhon mein aansu aa gaye.
Mahi ne use gale laga liya.
"Ab khud ko saza dena band kijiye."
---
Isi waqt hospital ke bahar...
Raza Mir bhaagne ki koshish kar raha tha.
Police ne uski gaadi ko gher liya.
"Raza Mir! Tum giraftar ho."
Raza bhaagne laga.
Lekin Aahil uske saamne aa khada hua.
"Ye un aansuon ka hisaab hai..."
"...jo Mahi ne itne saalon tak bahaaye."
Police ne Raza Mir ko hathkadi laga di.
Saboot aur diary ki copies ki wajah se uska jurm sabit ho gaya.
---
Epilogue – Ek Nayi Subah
Chhe mahine baad...
Jungle wala ghar phir se hansi se bhar gaya tha.
Buddy lawn mein bhaag raha tha.
Mahi phoolon ko paani de rahi thi.
Aahil peeche se aaya aur dheere se uska haath thaam liya.
"Ab bhi akela mehsoos karti ho?"
Mahi muskura di.
"Nahi."
"Kyun?"
"Kyunki ab mera ghar koi jagah nahi..."
"...mera ghar aap hain."
Aahil ne muskura kar uske maathe ko chuma.
"Miss Mahi..."
"Kya tum hamesha ke liye Mrs. Aahil banna pasand karogi?"
Mahi ki aankhon mein khushi ke aansu aa gaye.
"Ye bhi koi poochne wali baat hai?"
Dono hans pade.
Door aasman par suraj nikal raha tha.
Ek nayi subah...
Ek nayi zindagi...
Aur do dil, jo bohot dard sehne ke baad aakhir ek ho gaye.
— The End —
