Chapter 30 Qismat Ka Ghalat Faisla
Chapter 1 – Ghalat Nishana
Subah ke 6 baje the. Halki halki barish ke baad hawa mein thandak ghuli hui thi. Ghar ke andar sirf ek hi awaaz gunj rahi thi.
"Mahi! Abhi tak nashta tayyar nahi hua?" Chachi ki tez cheekh ne poora ghar hila diya.
Mahi jaldi se kitchen se bhaag kar bahar aayi.
"Ji Chachi... bas do minute."
Chachi ne bina kuch sune uske gaal par zor ka thappad maar diya.
"Har kaam mein dair! Pata nahi kis manhoos ghari mein tum hamare ghar aayi thi."
Mahi ki aankhon mein aansu aa gaye, lekin usne hamesha ki tarah chup rehna behtar samjha.
Uske maa-baap ka inteqal bachpan mein ho chuka tha. Tab se woh apne chacha aur chachi ke ghar rehti thi. Ghar mein naukar bhi the, phir bhi saara kaam Mahi se karwaya jata tha.
Nashta bana kar Mahi ghar se nikli. Raste mein ek budhi aurat bhaari saman uthane ki koshish kar rahi thi.
"Aunty, dijiye... main utha deti hoon."
Budhi aurat muskurayi.
"Allah tumhein hamesha khush rakhe, beti."
Mahi sirf halka sa muskura di. Dusron ki madad karna uski aadat thi, chahe khud kitne hi dard mein kyun na ho.
---
Shehar ke doosre kone mein...
Ek kaali SUV ek purani factory ke bahar ruki.
Usme se ek lamba, sakht chehre wala aadmi utara.
Zayan.
Uski ek nazar se hi log kaanp jate the.
Ek aadmi uske paas aaya.
"Boss, target ka pata chal gaya hai."
Zayan ne thandi awaaz mein kaha,
"Aaj koi ghalti nahi honi chahiye. Mujhe woh larki har haal mein chahiye."
"Don't worry, Boss."
Un logon ne door se ek larki ko dekha... safed dress, kandhe par bag aur sir jhukaye chalti hui.
"Boss, yehi hai."
Zayan ne bas ek nazar dali.
"Le aao."
Kisi ko andaaza bhi nahi tha...
...ke woh unka asli target nahi, balki Mahi thi.
Aur bas ek chhoti si pehchan ki ghalti...
Uski poori zindagi badalne wali thi.
Chapter 2 – Ghalat Pehchan
Mahi bazaar se ghar laut rahi thi. Chachi ne kuch samaan lane bheja tha. Uske haath mein shopping bags the aur dimagh mein sirf ye fikr thi ke agar thodi si bhi dair ho gayi to phir maar padegi.
Achanak ek kaali SUV uske bilkul paas aa kar ruki.
Mahi ghabra kar peeche hati.
"Ji... kya baat hai?"
Jawab dene ke bajaye do aadmi foran uski taraf badhe.
"Chhoro mujhe! Aap log kaun hain?"
Usne bhaagne ki koshish ki, lekin ek aadmi ne uska haath mazbooti se pakad liya.
"Mujhe jaane do! Main woh nahi hoon jise tum dhoond rahe ho!"
Uski cheekhein bheed mein dab kar reh gayin. Kisi ne himmat na ki ke un logon ke saamne aaye.
Mahi ne poori taqat se mukabla kiya. Ek aadmi ke haath par daant bhi maar diya.
"Aah! Boss, ye to kaafi ladh rahi hai."
Dusre ne gusse mein uske muh par kapra rakh diya.
Kuch hi lamhon mein Mahi ki aankhen bojhal hone lagin...
Aur sab kuch andhera ho gaya.
---
Jab uski aankh khuli to woh ek anjaan kamre mein thi. Darwaza bahar se band tha.
Mahi ne ghabra kar darwaza peetna shuru kar diya.
"Koi hai? Mujhe bahar nikalo! Main beqasoor hoon!"
Lekin koi jawab nahi aaya.
Thodi der baad darwaza khula.
Ek lamba, sakht chehre wala aadmi andar dakhil hua.
Uski thandi nazar seedha Mahi par tik gayi.
Ye tha...
Zayan.
Mahi foran uske paas aayi.
"Please... mujhe jaane dijiye. Aap logon ne ghalat larki ko utha liya hai."
Zayan ne bina kisi ehsaas ke uski baat suni.
Phir sirf itna kaha,
"Jhoot bolne se kuch nahi hoga."
Mahi ki aankhon se aansu nikal aaye.
"Main sach keh rahi hoon."
Lekin Zayan ne uski ek baat par bhi yaqeen nahi kiya.
Usne guards ki taraf dekha.
"Is par nazar rakho... aur yaad rahe, ye bhaagne ki koshish kare to bach kar na ja sake."
Mahi ka dil zor se dhadakne laga.
Usne usi waqt faisla kar liya...
Woh yahan se zaroor bhaagegi.
Chapter 3 – Pehli Raat
Kamre ka darwaza band hote hi Mahi deewar ke saath lag kar neeche baith gayi.
Uske haath kaanp rahe the.
"Ya Allah... maine kisi ka kya bigaara tha?"
Uski aankhon se aansu ruk hi nahi rahe the.
Use apni chachi ki maar se bhi zyada darr is baat ka tha ke pata nahi ye log uske saath kya karenge.
Usne poore kamre ko dekha. Ek badi si khidki thi... lekin us par lohe ki mazboot grill lagi hui thi.
Mahi ne himmat nahi haari.
Woh bed ko ghaseet kar khidki ke paas le gayi, us par chadhi aur grill hilaane lagi.
"Bas ek baar... sirf ek baar khul jao."
Lekin grill zara si bhi nahi hilli.
Usne zor lagaya... itna zor ke uske haath chhil gaye.
Tabhi...
Click!
Darwaza khul gaya.
Do guards andar aaye.
"Boss ne kaha tha... ye bhaagne ki koshish karegi."
Mahi ghabra kar bed se utri aur darwaze ki taraf daudi.
"Ruko!"
Woh corridor mein bhaagti chali gayi.
Uske nange paon thande marble par phisal rahe the, lekin woh ruki nahi.
"Bas bahar ka darwaza mil jaye..."
Uski saansen phool chuki thi.
Achanak saamne se ek lamba saya uske raste mein aa khada hua.
Zayan.
Uski aankhen gusse se bhar chuki thi.
Mahi ek dum ruk gayi.
"Please... mujhe jaane dijiye." Uski awaaz ro ro kar bhar chuki thi. "Main woh larki nahi hoon jise aap dhoond rahe hain. Khuda ke liye meri baat maan lijiye."
Zayan dheere dheere uske kareeb aaya.
"Tum samajhti ho main itna bewaqoof hoon ke tumhari kahani par yaqeen kar loon?"
"Main jhoot nahi bol rahi..."
"Bas!"
Uski garajti hui awaaz se Mahi ka jism laraz utha.
"Ek aur lafz bola... ya dobara bhaagne ki koshish ki... to anjaam bahut bura hoga."
Mahi ki aankhon se aansu behne lage.
Usne himmat karke phir kaha,
"Mere chacha chachi bhi nahi jaante ke main kahan hoon... koi mujhe dhoondne bhi nahi aayega... please..."
Ek pal ke liye Zayan ke chehre par halki si soch ubhri...
Lekin agle hi lamhe usne apni nazar pher li.
"Isse kamre mein band karo."
Guards Mahi ko wapas le gaye.
Kamre mein jaate hi woh toot kar zameen par baith gayi.
Usne apne ghutnon ko baahon mein bhar liya aur chup chaap rote hue sirf ek dua maangi...
"Ya Allah... agar meri koi sunne wala nahi... to Tu to hai na..."
Kamre ke bahar khada Zayan ek lamhe ke liye uski siskhiyan sunta raha...
Magar phir bina kuch kahe wahan se chala gaya.
Usse abhi bhi yakeen tha...
Mahi jhoot bol rahi hai.
Chapter 4 – Doosri Koshish
Subah ki pehli kiran kamre ki chhoti si khidki se andar aa rahi thi.
Mahi ne poori raat nahi soyi.
Rote rote uski aankhen soojh chuki thi.
Usne dheere se apne haath jod kar dua ki.
"Ya Allah... mujhe himmat de. Main yahan se nikalna chahti hoon."
Thodi der baad ek maid nashta rakh kar gayi.
Mahi ne plate ki taraf dekha bhi nahi.
Uska dimagh sirf ek baat soch raha tha...
"Aaj... mujhe bhaagna hai."
Kuch der baad guards darwaza khol kar use neeche le jaane lage.
Seedhiyan utarte waqt Mahi ne dekha ke ek guard ka phone neeche gir gaya.
Dono guards ek pal ke liye us taraf mud gaye.
Bas...
Yehi mauqa tha.
Mahi poori taqat se bhaagi.
"Pakro usse!"
Peeche se cheekhne ki awaazein aane lagin.
Mahi ne mud kar bhi nahi dekha.
Uske paon dard kar rahe the, saans phool chuki thi...
Magar azadi ki umeed usse daudaye ja rahi thi.
Aage bada sa gate nazar aaya.
Uski aankhon mein umeed chamki.
"Bas thoda sa aur..."
Lekin jaise hi woh gate ke paas pahunchi...
Ek mazboot haath ne uski kalai pakad li.
Mahi zor se peeche khinch gayi.
Usne ghabra kar dekha.
Zayan.
Uski aankhen gusse se surkh ho rahi thi.
"Chhoriye mujhe!" Mahi ne poori taqat se apna haath chhurane ki koshish ki.
"Main beqasoor hoon... aap ghalat kar rahe hain!"
Zayan ne uski baat ansuni kar di.
"Tumhe ek baar samjhaya tha."
"Aur main bhi ek baar nahi... hazaar baar kahungi! Main woh larki nahi hoon!"
Ye sunte hi Zayan ka sabr toot gaya.
Usne Mahi ko deewar ke paas rok kar sakht lehje mein kaha,
"Meri baat yaad rakhna... is haveli se meri marzi ke baghair koi bahar nahi ja sakta."
Mahi ki aankhon se aansu behne lage, lekin is baar usne nazar jhukai nahi.
"Phir bhi... main bhaagungi."
Ek pal ke liye dono ki nazrein takra gayin.
Zayan ne uski aankhon mein darr ke saath ek ajeeb si himmat dekhi.
Lekin usne apne jazbaat ko daba diya.
"Isse kamre mein band kar do."
Guards Mahi ko wapas le gaye.
Kamre ka darwaza band hote hi Mahi zameen par baith gayi.
Usne aansu pochhe...
Aur dheere se khud se kaha,
"Main haar nahi maanungi..."
Usse bilkul andaza nahi tha...
Ke bahar khada Zayan pehli baar uski baaton ke baare mein sochne laga tha.
Chapter 5 – Pehli Jaanch
Teen din guzar gaye.
Har din Mahi ek hi baat kehti...
"Main beqasoor hoon... aap ghalat larki ko utha laye hain."
Aur har din Zayan ka jawab ek hi hota...
"Jhoot."
---
Us raat Zayan apne office mein baitha files dekh raha tha.
Uska right-hand man, Hamza, andar aaya.
"Boss... ek baat kahun?"
Zayan ne bina sar uthaye kaha, "Bolo."
"Mujhe nahi lagta woh larki jhoot bol rahi hai."
Zayan ne file band ki aur uski taraf dekha.
"Tum kehna kya chahte ho?"
"Boss... asli target ki reports kuch aur kehti hain. Woh larki trained thi, lekin Mahi..." usne halki si saans li, "Mahi to darr ke maare theek se khana bhi nahi kha rahi."
Zayan ki aankhen tang ho gayin.
"Tum meri planning par shaq kar rahe ho?"
"Nahi, Boss."
"To phir dobara ye baat mat karna."
Hamza khamoshi se bahar nikal gaya.
Lekin uske jaane ke baad bhi Mahi ke aansuon bhare chehre ka tasawwur Zayan ke zehan se nahi nikla.
---
Usi waqt...
Mahi ne kamre ki khidki se bahar dekha.
Neeche sirf do guards khade the.
Usne chupke se bed ki chadar uthai.
Uski lambi lambi pattiyan banayi...
Aur unhein mazbooti se baandh diya.
"Agar Allah ne chaha... aaj main bach jaungi."
Usne chadar ka ek sirra khidki ki grill se baandha.
Dil itni zor se dhadak raha tha ke use apni saansen sunai de rahi thin.
Woh dheere dheere neeche utarne lagi.
Har inch ke saath uski umeed badh rahi thi.
Achanak...
Chrrr...!
Chadar phat gayi.
"Maaahhh!"
Mahi neeche zameen par zor se aa giri.
Uske takhne mein tez dard utha.
Cheekh ki awaaz sunte hi guards daud pade.
"Koi bhaag raha hai!"
Kuch hi lamhon mein Zayan bhi wahan aa gaya.
Usne dekha...
Mahi zameen par baithi thi, takhne ko pakde hue dard se ro rahi thi.
Uski aankhon mein aansu the...
Lekin phir bhi usne Zayan ko dekhte hi kaha,
"Please... mujhe jaane dijiye... meri baat maan lijiye... main woh larki nahi hoon."
Zayan ka chehra sakht hi raha.
Lekin is baar...
Usne pehli baar dekha ke Mahi ka darr naqli nahi tha.
Aur uske dil mein ek chhota sa sawal paida hua...
"Ya... kahin waqai humse ghalti to nahi ho gayi?"
Chapter 6 – Khauf Aur Khamoshi
Mahi ke zakhmi takhne par patti bandhi ja rahi thi. Woh dard se aansu rokne ki koshish kar rahi thi.
Darwaza khula.
Zayan andar aaya.
Uski thandi nazar seedha Mahi par tik gayi.
"Kitni baar bhaagne ki koshish karogi?"
Mahi ne himmat karke uski taraf dekha.
"Jab tak zinda hoon."
Zayan uske bilkul qareeb aa gaya. Itna qareeb ke Mahi ki saansein tez ho gayin.
Usne dheemi magar sakht awaaz mein kaha,
"Ek baat yaad rakhna... meri ijazat ke baghair is haveli se koi bahar nahi jata."
Mahi ne ghabra kar ek qadam peeche liya.
"Aur agar phir bhaagi..."
Zayan ki nazar uski aankhon mein tik gayi.
"...to is baar tumhe kamre mein nahi, aur bhi zyada mehfooz jagah band kar dunga."
Mahi ki aankhon mein aansu aa gaye, lekin usne nazar nahi jhukai.
"Main phir bhi bhaagungi."
Ek pal ke liye dono ki nazrein mili rahin.
Zayan ne pehli baar uski aankhon mein sirf darr nahi... himmat bhi dekhi.
Woh bina kuch kahe mud kar chala gaya.
Darwaza band hua to Mahi ne gehri saans li.
Use samajh nahi aa raha tha...
Ye aadmi itna sangdil kyun hai... aur phir bhi usne aaj us par haath kyun nahi uthaya?
Chapter 7 – Aakhri Mauqa
Raat ke 2 baje...
Poora mahal khamoshi mein dooba hua tha.
Mahi ne dheere se darwaze ki taraf dekha.
Aaj guard ne jaldi mein taala theek se band nahi kiya tha.
Uska dil zor zor se dhadakne laga.
"Ye mera mauqa hai..."
Usne dheere se handle ghumaya.
Click...
Darwaza khul gaya.
Uski aankhon mein umeed chamak uthi.
Nange paon woh dheere dheere corridor se guzri. Har qadam sambhal kar rakh rahi thi.
Seedhiyan utar kar woh pichhle gate ki taraf daudi.
Gate khula tha.
Mahi ki aankhon mein aansu aa gaye.
"Ya Allah... shukr hai."
Woh bahar nikalne hi wali thi...
Ke achanak andhere se ek awaaz gunji.
"Maine kaha tha na... tum nahi bhaag sakti."
Mahi ke qadam wahin jam gaye.
Dheere dheere woh palti.
Zayan dono haath pocket mein daale khada tha.
Lagta tha jaise use pehle se pata ho ke Mahi aaj bhaagne wali hai.
Mahi ne bina kuch soche ulte qadam bhaagna shuru kar diya.
Zayan ne chand hi lamhon mein uska rasta rok liya.
"Door rahiye!" Mahi cheekhi.
"Please... mujhe jaane dijiye. Main har roz yehi keh rahi hoon ke aap ghalat larki ko le aaye hain."
Zayan ki aankhon mein gussa chamka.
"Bas!"
Usne deewar par haath rakh kar Mahi ka rasta band kar diya.
Mahi ka dil itni zor se dhadak raha tha ke usse apni saansein sunai de rahi thi.
"Tumhari har baat ek jhoot lagti hai."
"Nahi... Khuda ki qasam, main sach keh rahi hoon."
"Qasmein mujhe mutasir nahi kartin."
Mahi ki aankhon se aansu beh nikle.
"Agar meri jagah aap hote... to kya aap bhaagne ki koshish nahi karte?"
Ye lafz sun kar Zayan ek pal ke liye khamosh ho gaya.
Usne pehli baar Mahi ke chehre ko gaur se dekha.
Uske gaal par purane thappadon ke nishan the...
Kalai par neele nishan...
Aur aankhon mein sirf khauf.
Lekin agle hi lamhe usne apni nazar hata li.
"Isse kamre mein le jao."
Guards aage badhe.
Mahi ne is baar koi muqabla nahi kiya.
Woh sirf itna boli...
"Ek din aapko apni ghalti ka ehsaas zaroor hoga."
Zayan ne koi jawab nahi diya...
Magar uske dil mein pehli baar bechaini utar chuki thi.
Aur usse khud samajh nahi aa raha tha...
Ye bechaini Mahi ki baaton ki wajah se thi... ya uski aansuon ki.
Ye scene suspense aur emotion ke saath is tarah ho sakta hai:
Chapter 8 – Jungle Ki Taraf
Subah ka waqt tha.
Haveli ke bahar security badli ja rahi thi. Isi bheed mein Mahi ko ek chhota sa mauqa mil gaya.
Usne bina peeche dekhe daud laga di.
"Roko usse!"
Guards ki cheekhein uske kaanon mein goonj rahi thin, lekin Mahi sirf bhaag rahi thi.
Samne ghana jungle tha.
Bina soche samjhe woh usi taraf daud gayi.
Kaanton ne uske haath aur paon zakhmi kar diye. Saans phool chuki thi, magar woh rukna nahi chahti thi.
"Bas... thoda aur... bas bach jaaun."
Achanak uska paon ek jad se takraya.
"Ahh!"
Woh zor se zameen par gir padi.
Uthne ki koshish ki, lekin takhne ka purana zakhm phir se dukhne laga.
Uski aankhon se aansu nikal aaye.
Door se ghodon aur gaadiyon ki awaaz aa rahi thi.
"Boss! Woh jungle ke andar gayi hai!"
Kuch hi der mein sab log alag alag simton mein talaash karne lage.
Zayan ne haath utha kar sab ko rok diya.
"Sab log peeche raho... main khud dekhunga."
Woh akela jungle ke andar chala gaya.
Idhar Mahi ek bade darakht ke peeche saans rok kar baithi thi.
Uska dil itni zor se dhadak raha tha ke use lag raha tha Zayan uski dhadkan sun lega.
Achanak...
Bhaari qadam uske bilkul qareeb ruk gaye.
"Bahut bhaag li tum."
Ye Zayan ki thandi awaaz thi.
Mahi dheere se darakht ke peeche se nikli. Uske chehre par mitti lagi thi aur aankhen aansuon se bhari hui thin.
"Please... mujhe mat le jaiye."
Zayan uske kareeb aaya.
"Tumhe lagta hai tum mujhse bach sakti ho?"
Mahi ne himmat karke peeche hatna chaha, lekin uska zakhmi paon saath na de saka.
Woh ladkhadai...
Aur girne hi wali thi ke Zayan ne foran uska bazu pakad kar sambhal liya.
Ek pal ke liye dono ki nazrein mili.
Mahi ne foran apna haath chhuda liya aur gusse se boli,
"Main aapse nafrat karti hoon!"
Zayan ka chehra sakht hi raha.
"Nafrat baad mein kar lena... pehle yahan se nikalna hoga."
Usi waqt jungle ke kisi kone se kisi jangli janwar ki zor daar dahaar sunai di.
Dono ek saath us awaaz ki taraf dekhne lage...
Aur pehli baar, jungle ka khatra unke beech ki dushmani se bhi bada lagne laga.
Chapter 9 – Andhere Jungle Ka Khauf
Jungle ki dahaar itni qareeb thi ke Mahi ka rang ud gaya.
Woh beikhtiyar do qadam peeche hati.
"Ye... ye kaisi awaaz thi?" usne kaampte hue poocha.
Zayan ne foran apni gun nikali aur charon taraf nazar daurayi.
"Khamosh."
Mahi ne aansuon se bhari aankhon ke saath uski taraf dekha.
"Please... mujhe bohot darr lag raha hai."
Zayan ne koi jawab nahi diya.
Achanak jhaadiyon mein zor ki harkat hui.
Mahi ghabra kar ulte qadam bhaagi.
"Mahi! Ruko!"
Lekin woh nahi ruki.
Uska zakhmi paon phisal gaya aur woh dhalan se neeche ludhak gayi.
"Ahhhh!"
Zayan foran uski taraf dauda.
Neeche pahunch kar usne dekha Mahi dard se karah rahi thi. Uske haath par gehri kharoch aa chuki thi aur takhne se khoon nikal raha tha.
"Uth sakti ho?"
Mahi ne aansuon ke saath sir hila diya.
"Nahi..."
Isi waqt dobara wohi dahaar sunai di... is baar pehle se bhi zyada qareeb.
Zayan ne aas-paas dekha.
"Yahan rukna theek nahi."
Usne bina ijazat Mahi ko apni baahon mein utha liya.
"Chh... chhoriye mujhe!" Mahi ne kamzor si koshish ki.
"Khamosh raho."
"Main aapke saath nahi jana chahti."
"Tum chal bhi nahi sakti."
Mahi ki aankhon se aansu beh nikle.
"Main mar jana pasand karungi... lekin wapas nahi jana chahti."
Ye lafz sun kar Zayan ke qadam ek pal ke liye ruk gaye.
Usne pehli baar mehsoos kiya...
Ye larki usse itna kyun darr rahi hai?
Lekin usne apne jazbaat zahir nahi kiye.
Woh Mahi ko lekar jungle ke andar ek purani, tooti hui lakri ki jhopri tak pahunch gaya.
Bahar tez barish shuru ho chuki thi.
"Barish rukne tak hum yahin rahenge."
Mahi chup chaap kamre ke kone mein baith gayi, apne ghutnon ko baahon mein bhar kar.
Zayan darwaze ke paas khada bahar dekh raha tha.
Dono ke darmiyan gehri khamoshi thi...
Lekin dono ke dilon mein toofan barpa tha.
Aur unhe bilkul andaza nahi tha...
Ke ye raat unki zindagi ka rukh badalne wali hai.Chapter 9 – Andhere Jungle Ka Khauf
Jungle ki dahaar itni qareeb thi ke Mahi ka rang ud gaya.
Woh beikhtiyar do qadam peeche hati.
"Ye... ye kaisi awaaz thi?" usne kaampte hue poocha.
Zayan ne foran apni gun nikali aur charon taraf nazar daurayi.
"Khamosh."
Mahi ne aansuon se bhari aankhon ke saath uski taraf dekha.
"Please... mujhe bohot darr lag raha hai."
Zayan ne koi jawab nahi diya.
Achanak jhaadiyon mein zor ki harkat hui.
Mahi ghabra kar ulte qadam bhaagi.
"Mahi! Ruko!"
Lekin woh nahi ruki.
Uska zakhmi paon phisal gaya aur woh dhalan se neeche ludhak gayi.
"Ahhhh!"
Zayan foran uski taraf dauda.
Neeche pahunch kar usne dekha Mahi dard se karah rahi thi. Uske haath par gehri kharoch aa chuki thi aur takhne se khoon nikal raha tha.
"Uth sakti ho?"
Mahi ne aansuon ke saath sir hila diya.
"Nahi..."
Isi waqt dobara wohi dahaar sunai di... is baar pehle se bhi zyada qareeb.
Zayan ne aas-paas dekha.
"Yahan rukna theek nahi."
Usne bina ijazat Mahi ko apni baahon mein utha liya.
"Chh... chhoriye mujhe!" Mahi ne kamzor si koshish ki.
"Khamosh raho."
"Main aapke saath nahi jana chahti."
"Tum chal bhi nahi sakti."
Mahi ki aankhon se aansu beh nikle.
"Main mar jana pasand karungi... lekin wapas nahi jana chahti."
Ye lafz sun kar Zayan ke qadam ek pal ke liye ruk gaye.
Usne pehli baar mehsoos kiya...
Ye larki usse itna kyun darr rahi hai?
Lekin usne apne jazbaat zahir nahi kiye.
Woh Mahi ko lekar jungle ke andar ek purani, tooti hui lakri ki jhopri tak pahunch gaya.
Bahar tez barish shuru ho chuki thi.
"Barish rukne tak hum yahin rahenge."
Mahi chup chaap kamre ke kone mein baith gayi, apne ghutnon ko baahon mein bhar kar.
Zayan darwaze ke paas khada bahar dekh raha tha.
Dono ke darmiyan gehri khamoshi thi...
Lekin dono ke dilon mein toofan barpa tha.
Aur unhe bilkul andaza nahi tha...
Ke ye raat unki zindagi ka rukh badalne wali hai.
Chapter 10 – Barish Ki Raat
Baarish itni tez ho chuki thi ke jhopri ki chhat se paani tapakne laga.
Bijli ki garaj se poora jungle kaanp uthta.
Mahi kone mein baithi apne ghutnon ko seene se lagaye kaanp rahi thi. Uske kapde bhi geele ho chuke the.
Zayan ne ek nazar us par dali, phir nazar hata li.
"Tumhare zakhm ka ilaaj karna hoga."
"Zarurat nahi."
"Ye hukm hai."
Mahi ki aankhon mein gussa bhar gaya.
"Main aapka koi hukm nahi maanti."
Zayan uske qareeb aaya.
"Mahi..."
Usne pehli baar uska naam liya.
Mahi ek pal ke liye hairan reh gayi.
"Tumhari zid tumhe aur takleef degi."
"Takleef?" Mahi ki aankhon se aansu nikal aaye. "Jis din aap mujhe utha kar laaye the, us din se meri poori zindagi takleef ban gayi hai."
Jhopri mein ek gehri khamoshi chha gayi.
Zayan ke paas us baat ka koi jawab nahi tha.
Usne first-aid box khola aur uske saamne rakh diya.
"Khud patti kar lo."
Mahi ne box ki taraf dekha, magar uske haath itne kaanp rahe the ke patti bhi theek se nahi pakdi ja rahi thi.
Kuch lamhon baad Zayan uske saamne ghutnon ke bal baith gaya.
"Bazu do."
"Nahi."
"Mahi."
"Nahi!"
Usne apna haath peeche kar liya.
Zayan ne gehri saans li.
"Main tumhe nuksan nahi pahuncha raha. Sirf zakhm saaf kar raha hoon."
Mahi dheere se chup ho gayi.
Usne kaampte hue apna haath aage kar diya.
Jaise hi dawa zakhm par lagi...
"Ahhh..."
Mahi dard se aankhen band kar baithi.
Beikhtiyar usne Zayan ki shirt ka kona mazbooti se pakad liya.
Ek pal ke liye dono khamosh ho gaye.
Zayan ne pehli baar uske chehre par itni qareeb se woh masoomiyat dekhi jo use har roz "main beqasoor hoon" kehte hue nazar aati thi.
Patti bandhne ke baad woh foran peeche hat gaya.
"Tayyar ho gayi."
Mahi ne dheere se apna haath chhuda liya.
Uski aankhon mein ab bhi darr tha...
Lekin pehli baar usne mehsoos kiya ke Zayan ne usse takleef dene ke bajaye uska zakhm bandha hai.
Bahar baarish ab bhi musalsal baras rahi thi...
Aur door jungle ke andhere mein kisi ki nazrein us jhopri par tik chuki thin.
Koi tha...
Jo un dono ka peecha kar raha tha.
Chapter 11 – Khamosh Khatra
Raat aur gehri ho chuki thi.
Baarish ab halki ho gayi thi, lekin jungle ki khamoshi aur bhi khaufnaak lag rahi thi.
Mahi ko neend nahi aa rahi thi.
Usne chupke se Zayan ki taraf dekha.
Woh jhopri ke darwaze ke paas khada tha, gun haath mein liye, har halki si aahat par nazar rakhe hue.
Achanak...
"Krrrch..."
Jhaadiyon mein kisi ke chalne ki awaaz aayi.
Zayan ki nazar foran us taraf gayi.
"Mahi..."
Uski awaaz dheemi magar sakht thi.
"Idhar aao."
Mahi ne darr kar sir hila diya.
"Nahi..."
"Main dobara nahi kahunga."
Uske lehje mein aisa hukm tha ke Mahi majbooran uth kar uske qareeb aa gayi.
Tabhi...
Dhannn!
Jhopri ki khidki ka sheesha toot gaya.
Ek goli andar aakar deewar mein ja lagi.
Mahi zor se cheekhi.
Zayan ne foran uska haath pakad kar use neeche jhuka diya.
"Sir neeche rakho!"
Bahar se lagataar firing shuru ho gayi.
"Mujhe... mujhe bohot darr lag raha hai..." Mahi ki awaaz kaanp rahi thi.
Zayan ne pehli baar uski taraf dekh kar kaha,
"Jab tak main zinda hoon... tumhe kuch nahi hoga."
Ye alfaaz Mahi ne saaf sune...
Magar use samajh nahi aaya ke jis aadmi se woh sabse zyada darti hai, wahi uski hifazat ki baat kyun kar raha hai.
Zayan ne phone nikala.
"Hamza!"
"Ji Boss!"
"Location trace karo. Aur aadhe ghante ke andar yahan pohncho."
"Yes, Boss."
Call khatam hote hi ek aur goli darwaze se takraai.
Zayan ne Mahi ki taraf dekha.
"Jab main kahun, tab mere peeche bhaagna."
"Main..."
"Darna baad mein. Ab sirf meri baat suno."
Mahi ne kaampte hue sir hila diya.
Uske dil mein ab bhi darr tha...
Lekin pehli baar usne Zayan ki aankhon mein sirf gussa nahi...
Apni hifazat ka irada bhi dekha.
Aur bahar...
Andhere jungle mein chhupe hue dushman un dono ka intezar kar rahe the.
Chapter 12 – Pehli Baar Bharosa?
Jhopri ke bahar lagataar firing ho rahi thi.
Lakri ki deewarein goliyon se kaanp rahi thin.
Mahi ne dono haathon se apne kaan band kar liye.
"Ya Allah..."
Zayan ne khidki se bahar jhaank kar dekha.
"Teen aadmi hain..."
Usne gehri saans li aur Mahi ki taraf mud gaya.
"Suno."
Mahi ne aansuon bhari aankhon se uski taraf dekha.
"Jab main kahun 'bhaago'... to bina peeche dekhe daudna."
"Lekin..."
"Meri baat mano."
Pehli baar Zayan ki awaaz mein sirf hukm nahi... fikr bhi thi.
Mahi ne dheere se sir hila diya.
Achanak...
Ek aadmi ne darwaza tod diya.
Zayan ne foran firing ki.
Dushman peeche hat gaye.
"Ab!"
Zayan ne Mahi ka haath pakda aur dono jhopri se bahar nikal kar jungle ki taraf daud pade.
Charon taraf andhera tha.
Barish ki wajah se zameen phisal rahi thi.
Mahi ka zakhmi paon baar baar ladkhada raha tha.
Achanak uska paon phisal gaya.
"Ahhh!"
Woh neeche girne lagi.
Zayan ne foran uski kamar se pakad kar use girne se bacha liya.
Ek pal ke liye dono ki nazrein mili.
Mahi ki saansein tez chal rahi thin.
Usne dheere se apna haath chhuda liya.
"Thank... you."
Ye pehli baar tha...
Jab usne Zayan se narmi se baat ki.
Zayan kuch lamhe use dekhta raha.
Magar usne kuch nahi kaha.
Door se Hamza ki awaaz aayi.
"Boss!"
Hamza aur baaki guards un tak pahunch chuke the.
"Boss, sab theek hain?"
Zayan ne sirf itna kaha,
"Gaadi nikalo."
Hamza ki nazar Mahi par padi.
Uske kapde mitti aur khoon se bhare hue the.
Usne dheere se Zayan se kaha,
"Boss... ye waqai darri hui lagti hai."
Zayan khamosh raha.
Usne Mahi ki taraf dekha.
Mahi ne himmat karke phir wahi baat kahi...
"Main ab bhi wahi keh rahi hoon... aap ghalat larki ko laaye hain."
Is baar...
Zayan ne foran use jhoota nahi kaha.
Bas gehri nazron se uski taraf dekhta raha.
Uske dil mein pehli baar shak paida ho chuka tha...
Kahin Mahi sach to nahi keh rahi?
Chapter 13 – Sach Ki Pehli Dastak
Subah hone lagi thi.
Gaadi haveli ke andar dakhil hui.
Mahi poore raste khamosh rahi. Jungle ki woh raat ab bhi uske zehan mein chal rahi thi.
Jaise hi woh gaadi se utri, usne achanak bhaagne ki koshish ki.
"Ruko!"
Do guards foran uske peeche bhaage.
Mahi tez daud rahi thi, lekin zakhmi takhna uska saath nahi de raha tha.
Woh ladkhadai...
Magar is baar girne se pehle hi Zayan ne uski kalai pakad li.
"Bas! Kitni baar bhaagogi?"
Mahi ne aansuon bhari aankhon se uski taraf dekha.
"Jab tak saans chal rahi hai."
Usne apni kalai chhudane ki poori koshish ki.
"Please... mujhe mere ghar jaane dijiye."
"Ghar?" Zayan ki awaaz sakht thi.
"Wahan koi mera intezar nahi kar raha... lekin phir bhi woh qaid se behtar hai."
Ye lafz sunkar Zayan kuch lamhon ke liye khamosh ho gaya.
Usne guards ko ishara kiya.
"Isse kamre mein le jao."
Mahi ne is baar cheekhna band kar diya.
Woh sirf chup-chaap chalti hui kamre mein chali gayi.
---
Dusri taraf...
Hamza ek file lekar Zayan ke office mein aaya.
"Boss... maine target ke baare mein dobara investigation karwai hai."
Zayan ne foran file uske haath se le li.
"Jo larki hum dhoond rahe the..."
Hamza ruk gaya.
"...uski nayi CCTV footage mil gayi hai."
Zayan ne tasveer dekhi...
Aur uska chehra ek dum sakht ho gaya.
Tasveer mein jo larki thi...
Woh Mahi nahi thi.
Kamre mein gehri khamoshi chha gayi.
Hamza ne dheere se kaha,
"Boss... lagta hai humse waqai ghalti ho gayi."
Zayan ki mutthi mazbooti se band ho gayi.
Uske zehan mein Mahi ke har lafz goonj rahe the...
> "Main woh larki nahi hoon..."
> "Aap ghalat insaan ko le aaye hain..."
> "Ek din aapko apni ghalti ka ehsaas zaroor hoga..."
Zayan ne aankhen band kar lein.
Usse pehli baar mehsoos hua...
Ke jis larki ko woh roz jhooti kehta raha...
Woh shayad shuru se hi sach bol rahi thi.
Lekin ab ek naya sawaal uske saamne tha...
Kya Mahi usse kabhi maaf kar payegi?
Is hissa ko is tarah likhna behtar hoga ke Mahi ki mayoosi aur dard nazar aaye, lekin khud ko nuqsan pahunchane ki tafseel na ho.
---
Chapter 14 – Wapsi
Subah ka waqt tha.
Kaali SUV dheere dheere shehar ki taraf badh rahi thi.
Puri journey mein Mahi ne ek lafz bhi nahi bola. Woh sirf khidki se bahar dekhti rahi.
Zayan ne ek nazar uski taraf dekha.
"Tum azaad ho."
Mahi ne uski taraf dekha, magar uski aankhon mein khushi nahi thi.
"Kya... waqai?"
"Haan."
Kuch hi der baad gaari us gali mein ruki jahan Mahi rehti thi.
Zayan ne darwaza khola.
"Utro."
Mahi foran gaari se utri aur bina peeche dekhe apne ghar ki taraf daud padi.
Zayan gaari ke saath khada door se sab dekhne laga.
Mahi ne darwaza zor zor se khatkhataya.
"Chachi! Darwaza kholiye... main Mahi hoon."
Kuch lamhon baad darwaza khula.
Chachi ne Mahi ko dekha to uska chehra gusse se bhar gaya.
"Ab yaad aaya ghar?"
"Chachi, meri baat suniye. Mujhe zabardasti utha kar le gaye the. Main sach keh rahi hoon."
"Bas! Ek hafte se zyada ghar se bahar rahi ho aur ab kahaniyan suna rahi ho?"
"Khuda ke liye meri baat maan lijiye..."
Chachi ne uski baat beech mein kaat di.
"Hamari izzat mitti mein mila di tumne. Is ghar mein tumhare liye koi jagah nahi."
Itna keh kar usne Mahi ka bag bahar phenk diya aur darwaza uske munh par band kar diya.
Mahi darwaze ko pakad kar rote hue kehti rahi,
"Chachi... sirf ek baar meri baat sun lijiye..."
Magar andar se koi jawab na aaya.
Door khada Zayan ye sab apni aankhon se dekh raha tha.
Uski mutthi apne aap band ho gayi.
Mahi dheere dheere sadak ki taraf chalne lagi. Uski chaal ladkhada rahi thi aur woh shiddat se ro rahi thi.
"Ab main kahan jaaun...?"
Zayan ne foran uski taraf qadam badhaye.
"Mahi..."
Lekin Mahi ne uski taraf dekhe baghair roti hui kaha,
"Please... mujhe akela chhod dijiye."
Uski saansein tez hone lagin.
"Tumhari wajah se sab kuch khatam ho gaya... mera ghar bhi chala gaya."
Woh itna hi keh saki.
Uski aankhon ke aage andhera chha gaya aur woh beikhtiyar girne lagi.
Zayan ne foran aage badh kar use sambhal liya.
"Mahi!"
Lekin woh behosh ho chuki thi.
Zayan ne use apni baahon mein uthaya aur ghabra kar Hamza ko awaaz di.
"Hamza! Gaari nikalo... abhi!"
Us lamhe Zayan ko pehli baar apni ghalti ka asli bojh mehsoos hua. Mahi ne sirf apni azaadi nahi, apna ghar bhi kho diya tha.
Chapter 15 – Ab Tum Kahan Jaogi?
SUV seedha hospital ke emergency gate ke saamne ja kar ruki.
"Doctor! Jaldi!" Zayan ne Mahi ko baahon mein uthaye andar daudte hue kaha.
Doctors ne foran Mahi ko check-up ke liye andar le liya.
Zayan bahar khamosh khada tha.
Hamza ne dheere se poocha,
"Boss... aap theek hain?"
Zayan ne pehli baar thaki hui awaaz mein kaha,
"Nahi... main theek nahi hoon."
Uski nazron ke saamne baar baar wohi manzar aa raha tha...
Mahi ka darwaze ke bahar rona...
Aur uska kehna...
"Ab main kahan jaaun?"
---
Kuch der baad doctor bahar aaye.
"Patient ko hosh aa jayega. Bohat zyada stress, thakan aur kamzori ki wajah se behosh hui hain. Filhal inhein aaram ki zarurat hai."
Zayan ne sirf itna poocha,
"Woh theek hain?"
"Ji. Lekin unhein kisi bhi qisam ka emotional stress nahi milna chahiye."
Doctor chala gaya.
---
Do ghante baad...
Mahi ki aankhen dheere dheere khulne lagi.
Usne kamre ko dekha.
Safed deewarein...
Hospital...
Aur phir...
Darwaze ke paas khada Zayan.
Uska chehra dekhte hi Mahi ki aankhon mein aansu aa gaye.
"Tum..."
Zayan dheere se uske paas aaya.
"Tum theek ho?"
Mahi ne foran apna chehra doosri taraf kar liya.
"Mujhse ye sawal mat kijiye."
Kamre mein khamoshi chha gayi.
Phir Mahi dheemi magar tooti hui awaaz mein boli,
"Aapko pata hai... mere paas sirf woh ghar tha."
"Woh bhi chala gaya."
"Ab mera koi nahi hai."
Ye sun kar Zayan ke paas koi jawab nahi tha.
Usne pehli baar narmi se kaha,
"Mahi... jo hua..."
Lekin Mahi ne uski baat kaat di.
"Nahi... kuch mat kahiye."
Usne aansu saaf kiye.
"Agar us din aap mujhe kidnap na karte..."
"...to shayad aaj mera ghar mere paas hota."
Har lafz Zayan ke dil par bojh ban kar gir raha tha.
Woh kuch lamhe khamosh raha.
Phir usne faisla karte hue kaha,
"Jab tak tumhare liye koi mehfooz jagah nahi milti... tum meri protection mein rahogi."
Mahi ne foran uski taraf dekha.
"Nahi!"
"Main dobara aapke saath nahi jaungi."
"Main qaid mein nahi rehna chahti."
Zayan ne gehri saans li.
"Is baar tum qaid nahi hogi."
"Main sirf apni ghalti theek karna chahta hoon."
Mahi ne aankhen band kar lein.
Uska dil ab bhi Zayan par bilkul bharosa nahi karta tha.
Aur Zayan jaanta tha...
Usne Mahi ka bharosa jeetne ke liye abhi bohot lamba safar tay karna hai.
Chapter 16 – Ek Naya Faisla
Hospital se discharge hone ka waqt aa gaya tha.
Nurse ne Mahi ko dawa aur discharge papers diye.
"Ab aap ghar ja sakti hain."
Ye lafz sunte hi Mahi ki aankhon mein nami aa gayi.
"Ghar..."
Ab uske paas koi ghar nahi tha.
Woh dheere dheere hospital ke bahar aayi.
Zayan ki kaali SUV pehle se khadi thi.
Zayan gaari ke saath tek laga kar khada tha.
"Baitho."
Mahi ne foran sir hila diya.
"Nahi."
"Main aapke saath nahi jaungi."
"Tumhare paas aur koi jagah hai?"
Mahi khamosh ho gayi.
Usne nazrein jhuka lein.
Zayan ne phir kaha,
"Main tumhe zabardasti nahi le jaunga."
"Faisla tumhara hai."
"Lekin is waqt tum akeli ho... aur mere dushman ab bhi tumhe dhoond sakte hain."
Mahi ne aankhen band kar lein.
Uske paas waqai koi jagah nahi thi.
Kuch lamhon baad woh khamoshi se gaari ka darwaza khol kar baith gayi.
Pura rasta dono mein se kisi ne ek lafz nahi bola.
---
Haveli ke gate khule.
Is baar Mahi ne haveli ko pehle jaisa nahi dekha.
Uski aankhon mein ab bhi darr tha.
Gaari rukte hi woh neeche utri.
"Tumhara kamra badal diya gaya hai."
Zayan ne seedhiyon ki taraf ishara kiya.
"Is baar kamre par taala nahi hoga."
Mahi ne hairani se uski taraf dekha.
"Sach?"
"Tum azaad ho."
"Agar bahar jana ho, guards ko bata dena."
"Magar security ki wajah se haveli se akeli bahar nahi ja sakti."
Mahi ke chehre par phir mayoosi aa gayi.
"Yaani... phir bhi qaid."
Zayan kuch nahi bola.
Usne sirf itna kaha,
"Ek din tum khud samajh jaogi ke main ye sab kyun kar raha hoon."
Mahi bina jawab diye kamre ki taraf chali gayi.
---
Raat ko...
Mahi ne balcony ka darwaza khola.
Thandi hawa uske chehre se takraayi.
Uski nazar haveli ke garden par padi.
Wahan Zayan akela khada tha.
Uske haath mein woh file thi jisme Mahi ki ghalat pehchan ki reports maujood thin.
Woh khud se dheemi awaaz mein bola,
"Maine tumse tumhari zindagi cheen li, Mahi..."
"...ab chahe jitna waqt lage, main tumhe woh zindagi wapas laaunga."
Balcony se Mahi ne ye alfaaz nahi sune...
Lekin usne pehli baar Zayan ke chehre par gussa nahi...
Pachtawa dekha.
Aur uske dil mein pehli baar ek chhota sa sawal paida hua...
"Kya ye wahi Zayan hai... jisse main itna darti thi?"
Chapter 17 – Pehla Bharosa
Subah ki dhoop haveli ke garden mein phel chuki thi.
Mahi ne kamre ka darwaza khola.
Is baar sach mein us par taala nahi tha.
Woh dheere dheere neeche aayi.
Dining hall mein sirf Zayan baitha coffee pee raha tha.
Jaise hi uski nazar Mahi par padi, usne maid se kaha,
"Breakfast serve karo."
Mahi foran boli,
"Mujhe bhook nahi hai."
Zayan ne uski taraf dekhe baghair kaha,
"Kal se tumne kuch theek se nahi khaya."
"Main theek hoon."
"Tum jhoot bol rahi ho."
Mahi ke chehre par dard bhari muskurahat aa gayi.
"Jhoot...? Ye lafz to aap hamesha se mujhe kehte aaye hain."
Ye sunkar Zayan khamosh ho gaya.
Uske paas koi jawab nahi tha.
Mahi mud kar wapas jaane lagi.
Tabhi achanak...
Ek maid ke haath se garam chai ka cup phisal gaya.
Cup seedha Mahi ki taraf gira.
Zayan ne foran uth kar Mahi ka haath pakda aur use apni taraf kheench liya.
Cup zameen par toot gaya.
Agar woh ek second bhi der karta...
To garam chai Mahi par girti.
Mahi ne hairani se uski taraf dekha.
"T... thank you."
Zayan ne foran uska haath chhod diya.
"Theek ho?"
Mahi ne dheere se sir hila diya.
"Hmm."
Ye pehli baar tha...
Jab un dono ke darmiyan khamoshi ajeeb nahi lagi.
---
Shaam ko...
Mahi garden mein akeli baithi aasman dekh rahi thi.
Uski aankhon mein udaasi saaf nazar aa rahi thi.
Zayan uske paas aaya.
"Tum yahan akeli kyun baithi ho?"
Mahi halki si hansi.
"Kyunke mera apna koi nahi."
Ye sun kar Zayan ka dil bhaari ho gaya.
Kuch lamhe dono khamosh rahe.
Phir Zayan ne dheemi awaaz mein kaha,
"Mahi..."
"Agar... us din main tumhe kidnap na karta..."
"...to shayad aaj tumhari zindagi kuch aur hoti."
Mahi ne uski taraf dekha.
"Aap sirf meri azaadi nahi le gaye..."
"...mera ghar bhi."
Ye keh kar woh uth kar chali gayi.
Zayan usse jaate hue dekhta raha.
Usne pehli baar mehsoos kiya...
Ke maafi maang lena aasaan hota hai... lekin kisi ka toota hua bharosa dobara jeetna sabse mushkil hota hai.
Aur usne dil hi dil mein faisla kar liya...
Chahe jitna waqt lage... woh Mahi ka bharosa zaroor jeetega.
Kyun ke unka rishta abhi kidnapping aur darr se shuru hua hai, is stage par romantic scene dena theek nahi hoga. Lekin soft emotional chemistry dikhai ja sakti hai jahan Zayan izzat aur care dikhana shuru kare.
Chapter 18 – Badalte Jazbaat
Shaam ka waqt tha.
Haveli ke garden mein thandi hawa chal rahi thi. Mahi akeli phoolon ke paas khadi aasman ko dekh rahi thi.
Achanak hawa ka tez jhonka aaya aur uska dupatta ud kar ek darakht ki shaakh mein ulajh gaya.
Mahi ne kai baar koshish ki, magar woh nikaal na saki.
"Rehne do."
Peeche se Zayan ki awaaz aayi.
Mahi foran ek qadam peeche hat gayi.
"Aap...?"
Zayan bina kuch kahe darakht ke paas gaya aur shaakh se dupatta aahista se nikaal kar uski taraf badha diya.
"Ye lo."
Mahi ne dheere se dupatta le liya.
"Shukriya."
Ye pehli baar tha jab usne bina gusse ke Zayan se baat ki.
Dono ke darmiyan kuch lamhon ki khamoshi chha gayi.
"Tumhe yahan koi takleef ho to mujhe bata dena," Zayan ne narmi se kaha.
Mahi ne uski taraf dekha.
"Takleef sirf jagah se nahi hoti... kuch zakhm dil mein bhi hote hain."
Ye sun kar Zayan ki nazrein jhuk gayin.
"Main jaanta hoon... aur main un zakhmon ka sabab hoon."
Mahi ne koi jawab nahi diya.
Woh mud kar chalne lagi.
Tabhi uska zakhmi takhna halka sa mud gaya.
"Aah..."
Woh girne hi wali thi ke Zayan ne foran uska bazu pakad kar sambhal liya.
"Mahi... sambhal kar."
Ek pal ke liye dono ki nazrein mili.
Is baar Mahi ne foran apna haath nahi chhudaya.
Usne sirf dheemi awaaz mein kaha,
"Main abhi bhi aapse darti hoon."
Zayan ne uska haath aahista se chhod diya.
"Main chahta hoon ke ek din tumhe mujhse darr na lage."
Ye keh kar woh peeche hat gaya, taake Mahi ko apni jagah aur apni marzi ka ehsaas rahe.
Mahi usse jaate hue dekhti rahi.
Pehli baar uske dil mein na mohabbat thi...
Na bharosa...
Bas ek chhota sa sawaal tha.
"Kya insaan waqai badal sakta hai?"
Chapter 19 – Adhoori Baat
Raat ke 11 baje the.
Haveli mein har taraf khamoshi thi.
Mahi ko neend nahi aa rahi thi. Woh balcony mein khadi chaand ko dekh rahi thi.
Achanak use neeche garden se kisi ke dheemi awaaz mein baat karne ki awaaz sunai di.
Woh thoda jhuk kar dekhne lagi.
Neeche...
Zayan phone par tha.
Uska chehra pehle se zyada sakht lag raha tha.
"Usse is baat ka pata nahi chalna chahiye..."
Mahi hairan reh gayi.
"Kis baat ka?"
Zayan ne call kaat di aur mudne laga.
Isi waqt Mahi ka paon balcony ke paas rakhe flower pot se takra gaya.
Crash!
Pot neeche gir kar toot gaya.
Zayan ne foran upar dekha.
Uski nazar seedha Mahi par padi.
Kuch hi lamhon mein woh seedhiyan chadh kar balcony tak pahunch gaya.
"Mahi..."
"Tum abhi tak soyi nahi?"
Mahi ne uski aankhon mein dekhte hue poocha,
"Aap kis se baat kar rahe the?"
Zayan kuch pal khamosh raha.
"Ye tumhare liye jaana zaroori nahi."
"Ya phir... koi naya jhoot hai?"
Ye sunte hi Zayan ka chehra badal gaya.
"Maine kaha na... is baat ko yahin chhodo."
Mahi uske paas se guzarna chahti thi.
Lekin hawa ke tez jhonke se balcony ka darwaza zor se band hua.
Mahi ghabra gayi.
Uska balance bigadne laga.
Balcony ki railing bilkul peeche thi.
Ek pal ke liye use laga woh neeche gir jayegi.
Magar agle hi lamhe...
Zayan ne foran uski kalai pakad kar apni taraf kheench liya.
Mahi seedha uske seene se takra gayi.
Uski saansein tez ho gayin.
Dono kuch lamhon tak khamosh rahe.
Sirf hawa ki awaaz aur dono ki dhadkanein mehsoos ho rahi thin.
Zayan ne dheemi awaaz mein kaha,
"Khud ka khayal rakha karo."
Mahi ne pehli baar uski aankhon mein gussa nahi...
Fikr dekhi.
Lekin usne foran ek qadam peeche le liya.
"Agar aapko meri itni fikr thi..."
"...to meri zindagi barbaad hi kyun ki?"
Ye lafz sunkar Zayan bilkul khamosh ho gaya.
Isi waqt...
Neeche se Hamza ki ghabraayi hui awaaz aayi.
"Boss! Problem ho gayi... woh log haveli tak pahunch gaye hain!"
Zayan ka chehra ek pal mein sakht ho gaya.
Usne foran Mahi ki taraf dekha.
"Apne kamre mein jao. Aur jab tak main na aaun, bahar mat nikalna."
Mahi kuch samajh paati, usse pehle hi Zayan neeche ki taraf daud chuka tha.
Aur haveli ke bahar...
Kaali gaadiyon ka ek qafila ruk chuka tha...
Chapter 19 – Adhoori Baat
Raat ke 11 baje the.
Haveli mein har taraf khamoshi thi.
Mahi ko neend nahi aa rahi thi. Woh balcony mein khadi chaand ko dekh rahi thi.
Achanak use neeche garden se kisi ke dheemi awaaz mein baat karne ki awaaz sunai di.
Woh thoda jhuk kar dekhne lagi.
Neeche...
Zayan phone par tha.
Uska chehra pehle se zyada sakht lag raha tha.
"Usse is baat ka pata nahi chalna chahiye..."
Mahi hairan reh gayi.
"Kis baat ka?"
Zayan ne call kaat di aur mudne laga.
Isi waqt Mahi ka paon balcony ke paas rakhe flower pot se takra gaya.
Crash!
Pot neeche gir kar toot gaya.
Zayan ne foran upar dekha.
Uski nazar seedha Mahi par padi.
Kuch hi lamhon mein woh seedhiyan chadh kar balcony tak pahunch gaya.
"Mahi..."
"Tum abhi tak soyi nahi?"
Mahi ne uski aankhon mein dekhte hue poocha,
"Aap kis se baat kar rahe the?"
Zayan kuch pal khamosh raha.
"Ye tumhare liye jaana zaroori nahi."
"Ya phir... koi naya jhoot hai?"
Ye sunte hi Zayan ka chehra badal gaya.
"Maine kaha na... is baat ko yahin chhodo."
Mahi uske paas se guzarna chahti thi.
Lekin hawa ke tez jhonke se balcony ka darwaza zor se band hua.
Mahi ghabra gayi.
Uska balance bigadne laga.
Balcony ki railing bilkul peeche thi.
Ek pal ke liye use laga woh neeche gir jayegi.
Magar agle hi lamhe...
Zayan ne foran uski kalai pakad kar apni taraf kheench liya.
Mahi seedha uske seene se takra gayi.
Uski saansein tez ho gayin.
Dono kuch lamhon tak khamosh rahe.
Sirf hawa ki awaaz aur dono ki dhadkanein mehsoos ho rahi thin.
Zayan ne dheemi awaaz mein kaha,
"Khud ka khayal rakha karo."
Mahi ne pehli baar uski aankhon mein gussa nahi...
Fikr dekhi.
Lekin usne foran ek qadam peeche le liya.
"Agar aapko meri itni fikr thi..."
"...to meri zindagi barbaad hi kyun ki?"
Ye lafz sunkar Zayan bilkul khamosh ho gaya.
Isi waqt...
Neeche se Hamza ki ghabraayi hui awaaz aayi.
"Boss! Problem ho gayi... woh log haveli tak pahunch gaye hain!"
Zayan ka chehra ek pal mein sakht ho gaya.
Usne foran Mahi ki taraf dekha.
"Apne kamre mein jao. Aur jab tak main na aaun, bahar mat nikalna."
Mahi kuch samajh paati, usse pehle hi Zayan neeche ki taraf daud chuka tha.
Aur haveli ke bahar...
Kaali gaadiyon ka ek qafila ruk chuka tha...
Chapter 21 – Basement Ka Raaz
Andhere basement mein sirf ek emergency light jal rahi thi.
Tap... Tap... Tap...
Qadam ki awaaz aur qareeb aati gayi.
Mahi ka haath beikhtiyar Zayan ki baazu ko mazbooti se pakad gaya.
Zayan ne dheemi awaaz mein kaha,
"Jo bhi ho... mere peeche rehna."
Agle hi pal andhere se ek aadmi bahar nikla.
"Hamza?"
Mahi ne hairani se dekha.
Hamza ne foran kaha,
"Boss, ghabrane ki baat nahi. Main hi hoon."
Zayan ne gun neeche kar di.
"Tum yahan?"
"Main secret tunnel check karne aaya tha. Dushman haveli ke andar ghus chuke hain."
Achanak upar se zor ka dhamaka hua.
Poora basement hil gaya.
Mahi darr kar aankhen band kar gayi.
Uska balance bigda.
Zayan ne foran uska haath pakad kar apni taraf kheench liya.
"Relax... tum theek ho."
Mahi ki saansein ab bhi tez chal rahi thin.
"Main... bohot darr rahi hoon."
Zayan ne pehli baar uski aankhon mein dekh kar narmi se kaha,
"Jab tak main saans le raha hoon... koi tum tak nahi pahunchega."
Mahi kuch lamhe uski aankhon mein dekhti rahi.
Pata nahi kyun...
Uski dhadkan pehle se zyada tez ho gayi.
Tabhi Hamza ki awaaz ne dono ko hosh mein la diya.
"Boss, humein abhi nikalna hoga."
Teeno secret tunnel ki taraf badhne lage.
Tunnel bohot purani thi.
Chhat se paani tapak raha tha.
Rasta tang tha, is liye Mahi baar baar phisal rahi thi.
Ek jagah uska paon phisal gaya.
"Ah!"
Girne se pehle hi Zayan ne uski kamar ke paas se sambhal liya.
"Tum kab seekhogi sambhal kar chalna?" usne halki si muskurahat ke saath kaha.
Mahi ne pehli baar uski aankhon mein dekh kar dheere se jawab diya,
"Jab meri zindagi mein musibat aana band ho jayegi."
Dono kuch pal ek dusre ko dekhte rahe.
Hamza ne jaan-boojh kar nazar doosri taraf kar li aur muskuraya.
Lekin usi waqt...
Tunnel ke doosre sire se kisi ne torch ki roshni un par daali.
Ek thandi awaaz goonji—
"Koi bhi apni jagah se nahi hilega... warna pehli goli Mahi ko lagegi."
Zayan ka chehra ek pal mein sakht ho gaya.
Usne foran Mahi ko apne peeche kar liya...
Aur andhere mein khada woh shakhs dheere dheere unki taraf badhne laga...Chapter 21 – Basement Ka Raaz
Andhere basement mein sirf ek emergency light jal rahi thi.
Tap... Tap... Tap...
Qadam ki awaaz aur qareeb aati gayi.
Mahi ka haath beikhtiyar Zayan ki baazu ko mazbooti se pakad gaya.
Zayan ne dheemi awaaz mein kaha,
"Jo bhi ho... mere peeche rehna."
Agle hi pal andhere se ek aadmi bahar nikla.
"Hamza?"
Mahi ne hairani se dekha.
Hamza ne foran kaha,
"Boss, ghabrane ki baat nahi. Main hi hoon."
Zayan ne gun neeche kar di.
"Tum yahan?"
"Main secret tunnel check karne aaya tha. Dushman haveli ke andar ghus chuke hain."
Achanak upar se zor ka dhamaka hua.
Poora basement hil gaya.
Mahi darr kar aankhen band kar gayi.
Uska balance bigda.
Zayan ne foran uska haath pakad kar apni taraf kheench liya.
"Relax... tum theek ho."
Mahi ki saansein ab bhi tez chal rahi thin.
"Main... bohot darr rahi hoon."
Zayan ne pehli baar uski aankhon mein dekh kar narmi se kaha,
"Jab tak main saans le raha hoon... koi tum tak nahi pahunchega."
Mahi kuch lamhe uski aankhon mein dekhti rahi.
Pata nahi kyun...
Uski dhadkan pehle se zyada tez ho gayi.
Tabhi Hamza ki awaaz ne dono ko hosh mein la diya.
"Boss, humein abhi nikalna hoga."
Teeno secret tunnel ki taraf badhne lage.
Tunnel bohot purani thi.
Chhat se paani tapak raha tha.
Rasta tang tha, is liye Mahi baar baar phisal rahi thi.
Ek jagah uska paon phisal gaya.
"Ah!"
Girne se pehle hi Zayan ne uski kamar ke paas se sambhal liya.
"Tum kab seekhogi sambhal kar chalna?" usne halki si muskurahat ke saath kaha.
Mahi ne pehli baar uski aankhon mein dekh kar dheere se jawab diya,
"Jab meri zindagi mein musibat aana band ho jayegi."
Dono kuch pal ek dusre ko dekhte rahe.
Hamza ne jaan-boojh kar nazar doosri taraf kar li aur muskuraya.
Lekin usi waqt...
Tunnel ke doosre sire se kisi ne torch ki roshni un par daali.
Ek thandi awaaz goonji—
"Koi bhi apni jagah se nahi hilega... warna pehli goli Mahi ko lagegi."
Zayan ka chehra ek pal mein sakht ho gaya.
Usne foran Mahi ko apne peeche kar liya...
Aur andhere mein khada woh shakhs dheere dheere unki taraf badhne laga...Chapter 21 – Basement Ka Raaz
Andhere basement mein sirf ek emergency light jal rahi thi.
Tap... Tap... Tap...
Qadam ki awaaz aur qareeb aati gayi.
Mahi ka haath beikhtiyar Zayan ki baazu ko mazbooti se pakad gaya.
Zayan ne dheemi awaaz mein kaha,
"Jo bhi ho... mere peeche rehna."
Agle hi pal andhere se ek aadmi bahar nikla.
"Hamza?"
Mahi ne hairani se dekha.
Hamza ne foran kaha,
"Boss, ghabrane ki baat nahi. Main hi hoon."
Zayan ne gun neeche kar di.
"Tum yahan?"
"Main secret tunnel check karne aaya tha. Dushman haveli ke andar ghus chuke hain."
Achanak upar se zor ka dhamaka hua.
Poora basement hil gaya.
Mahi darr kar aankhen band kar gayi.
Uska balance bigda.
Zayan ne foran uska haath pakad kar apni taraf kheench liya.
"Relax... tum theek ho."
Mahi ki saansein ab bhi tez chal rahi thin.
"Main... bohot darr rahi hoon."
Zayan ne pehli baar uski aankhon mein dekh kar narmi se kaha,
"Jab tak main saans le raha hoon... koi tum tak nahi pahunchega."
Mahi kuch lamhe uski aankhon mein dekhti rahi.
Pata nahi kyun...
Uski dhadkan pehle se zyada tez ho gayi.
Tabhi Hamza ki awaaz ne dono ko hosh mein la diya.
"Boss, humein abhi nikalna hoga."
Teeno secret tunnel ki taraf badhne lage.
Tunnel bohot purani thi.
Chhat se paani tapak raha tha.
Rasta tang tha, is liye Mahi baar baar phisal rahi thi.
Ek jagah uska paon phisal gaya.
"Ah!"
Girne se pehle hi Zayan ne uski kamar ke paas se sambhal liya.
"Tum kab seekhogi sambhal kar chalna?" usne halki si muskurahat ke saath kaha.
Mahi ne pehli baar uski aankhon mein dekh kar dheere se jawab diya,
"Jab meri zindagi mein musibat aana band ho jayegi."
Dono kuch pal ek dusre ko dekhte rahe.
Hamza ne jaan-boojh kar nazar doosri taraf kar li aur muskuraya.
Lekin usi waqt...
Tunnel ke doosre sire se kisi ne torch ki roshni un par daali.
Ek thandi awaaz goonji—
"Koi bhi apni jagah se nahi hilega... warna pehli goli Mahi ko lagegi."
Zayan ka chehra ek pal mein sakht ho gaya.
Usne foran Mahi ko apne peeche kar liya...
Aur andhere mein khada woh shakhs dheere dheere unki taraf badhne laga...Chapter 21 – Basement Ka Raaz
Andhere basement mein sirf ek emergency light jal rahi thi.
Tap... Tap... Tap...
Qadam ki awaaz aur qareeb aati gayi.
Mahi ka haath beikhtiyar Zayan ki baazu ko mazbooti se pakad gaya.
Zayan ne dheemi awaaz mein kaha,
"Jo bhi ho... mere peeche rehna."
Agle hi pal andhere se ek aadmi bahar nikla.
"Hamza?"
Mahi ne hairani se dekha.
Hamza ne foran kaha,
"Boss, ghabrane ki baat nahi. Main hi hoon."
Zayan ne gun neeche kar di.
"Tum yahan?"
"Main secret tunnel check karne aaya tha. Dushman haveli ke andar ghus chuke hain."
Achanak upar se zor ka dhamaka hua.
Poora basement hil gaya.
Mahi darr kar aankhen band kar gayi.
Uska balance bigda.
Zayan ne foran uska haath pakad kar apni taraf kheench liya.
"Relax... tum theek ho."
Mahi ki saansein ab bhi tez chal rahi thin.
"Main... bohot darr rahi hoon."
Zayan ne pehli baar uski aankhon mein dekh kar narmi se kaha,
"Jab tak main saans le raha hoon... koi tum tak nahi pahunchega."
Mahi kuch lamhe uski aankhon mein dekhti rahi.
Pata nahi kyun...
Uski dhadkan pehle se zyada tez ho gayi.
Tabhi Hamza ki awaaz ne dono ko hosh mein la diya.
"Boss, humein abhi nikalna hoga."
Teeno secret tunnel ki taraf badhne lage.
Tunnel bohot purani thi.
Chhat se paani tapak raha tha.
Rasta tang tha, is liye Mahi baar baar phisal rahi thi.
Ek jagah uska paon phisal gaya.
"Ah!"
Girne se pehle hi Zayan ne uski kamar ke paas se sambhal liya.
"Tum kab seekhogi sambhal kar chalna?" usne halki si muskurahat ke saath kaha.
Mahi ne pehli baar uski aankhon mein dekh kar dheere se jawab diya,
"Jab meri zindagi mein musibat aana band ho jayegi."
Dono kuch pal ek dusre ko dekhte rahe.
Hamza ne jaan-boojh kar nazar doosri taraf kar li aur muskuraya.
Lekin usi waqt...
Tunnel ke doosre sire se kisi ne torch ki roshni un par daali.
Ek thandi awaaz goonji—
"Koi bhi apni jagah se nahi hilega... warna pehli goli Mahi ko lagegi."
Zayan ka chehra ek pal mein sakht ho gaya.
Usne foran Mahi ko apne peeche kar liya...
Aur andhere mein khada woh shakhs dheere dheere unki taraf badhne laga...
Chapter 22 – Barish Mein Hamla
Tunnel se bahar nikalte hi tez baarish shuru ho gayi.
Aasmaan par bijli chamki.
Zayan ne Mahi ka haath pakda.
"Daudo!"
Teeno jungle ki taraf bhaage.
Peeche se firing ki awaaz goonj uthi.
Dhann! Dhann!
"Mahi, neeche!" Zayan zor se chillaaya.
Ek goli unke bilkul qareeb se guzri.
Mahi ghabra kar jhuk gayi.
Uske haath kaanp rahe the.
"Main... main nahi bhaag paa rahi."
Zayan ne uski taraf dekha. Uska zakhmi takhna phir dard kar raha tha.
Bina kuch kahe usne Mahi ka haath mazbooti se thaam liya.
"Meri taraf dekho."
Mahi ki nazar us par tik gayi.
"Darna mat... main hoon."
Pata nahi kyun, uski awaaz mein pehli baar woh sakoon tha jisne Mahi ki saansen kuch had tak theek kar di.
Tabhi...
Ek aadmi jhaadiyon se nikla aur seedha Mahi ki taraf nishana le liya.
"Boss!"
Hamza cheekha.
Zayan ne ek pal ki bhi dair na ki.
Usne Mahi ko apni taraf kheench kar uske saamne khud ko dhaal bana diya.
Goli uske bazu ko chheer kar nikal gayi.
"Zayan!"
Mahi ki cheekh nikal gayi.
Khoon uske bazu se behne laga.
"M-main theek hoon..." Zayan ne dard chhupate hue kaha.
"Lekin..."
Mahi ki aankhon se aansu behne lage.
"Ye sab meri wajah se hua."
Zayan halki si muskuraya.
"Nahi..."
"Tumhari hifazat meri zimmedari hai."
Ye alfaaz sunkar Mahi kuch pal ke liye uski aankhon mein dekhti reh gayi.
Uske dil ka darr pehli baar halka sa pighalne laga.
Lekin usi waqt Hamza bhaagta hua aaya.
"Boss! Humein abhi nikalna hoga. Ye sirf shuruaat thi."
Zayan ne apna zakhmi bazu pakda aur Mahi ki taraf dekha.
"Chalo."
Is baar...
Mahi ne bina hichkichahat uska haath thaam liya.
Lekin jungle ke doosre kinare par khada ek naqaabposh shakhs unhe door se dekh kar muskuraya.
Usne phone nikala aur dheemi awaaz mein kaha,
"Plan ka pehla hissa kamyab ho gaya... ab Mahi ko Zayan se alag karne ka waqt aa gaya hai."
Chapter 23 – Judai Ka Jaal
Tez baarish ab bhi ho rahi thi.
Zayan ka bazu zakhmi tha, lekin woh rukne ko tayyar nahi tha.
Hamza ne gaari jungle ke purane raste par la kar roki.
"Boss, jaldi!"
Zayan ne pehle Mahi ki taraf dekha.
"Tum pehle baitho."
Mahi ne uske bazu se behte khoon ko dekha.
"Aap..."
"Main theek hoon."
Mahi ne pehli baar uski baat nahi maani.
Usne apna dupatta phaada aur dheere se uske bazu par baandhne lagi.
Zayan usse khamoshi se dekhta raha.
"Tum khud itni zakhmi ho... phir bhi meri fikr kar rahi ho?"
Mahi ne nazrein jhuka kar kaha,
"Main kisi ko takleef mein nahi dekh sakti."
Ye jawab sunkar Zayan ke honton par halki si muskurahat aa gayi.
"Tum waqai bohot alag ho..."
Mahi ne foran uski taraf dekha.
"Aur aap?"
Zayan kuch kehne hi wala tha...
Ke achanak...
BOOM!
Gaari ke bilkul qareeb dhamaka hua.
Zameen zor se hilli.
"Mahi... neeche!"
Zayan ne foran Mahi ko apni baahon mein lekar zameen par gira diya.
Dhamake ki mitti aur dhuaan har taraf phail gaya.
Mahi ka chehra Zayan ke seene se laga hua tha.
Uski saansein itni tez chal rahi thin ke Zayan ko mehsoos ho rahi thin.
"Mahi..."
"Tum theek ho?"
Usne dheere se sir hila diya.
Magar uske haath ab bhi Zayan ki shirt ko mazbooti se pakde hue the.
Jab use ehsaas hua to woh sharma kar foran peeche hat gayi.
"S... sorry."
Zayan ne halki si muskurahat ke saath kaha,
"Is baar 'sorry' ki zarurat nahi thi."
Uski baat sunkar Mahi ke gaal halka sa surkh ho gaye.
Lekin isi pal...
Charon taraf se laal laser dots un dono ke jism par aa gire.
Hamza ki aankhen phail gayin.
"Boss... snipers!"
Zayan ne foran Mahi ka haath pakda.
"Mere peeche raho."
Jhaadiyon mein se ek naqaabposh aadmi bahar aaya.
Usne mask utara...
Zayan ka chehra sakht ho gaya.
"Tum...!"
Woh aadmi muskuraya.
"Maine kaha tha na, Zayan... tumhari sabse badi kamzori ek din tumhare saamne khadi hogi."
Usne seedha Mahi ki taraf ishara kiya.
Aur Mahi ko bilkul samajh nahi aa raha tha...
Ye aadmi kaun hai... aur isse mera kya lena-dena hai?
Chapter 24 – Asli Dushman
Jungle ki hawa ekdum suni si ho gayi.
Snipers ab bhi nishana lagaye khade the.
Naqaab utaarne wala aadmi halki si muskurahat ke saath Zayan ko dekh raha tha.
"Kaafi waqt baad mile hain... Zayan."
Zayan ki aankhen thandi pad gayin.
"Rashid."
Mahi ne dono ko hairani se dekha.
"Ye kaun hai?"
Rashid hans pada.
"Tumhe abhi tak kuch nahi bataya isne?"
Zayan ne sakht lehje mein kaha,
"Apna maqsad batao."
"Maqsad?" Rashid muskuraya. "Tumhari sabse badi kamzori ko tumse cheenna."
Ye keh kar usne seedha Mahi ki taraf dekha.
Mahi ghabra kar Zayan ke peeche ho gayi.
Zayan ne beikhtiyar apna bazu uske saamne kar diya, jaise deewar ban gaya ho.
"Uski taraf dekhna bhi mat."
Rashid ne taali bajai.
"Wah... jis larki ko tum ghalti se utha laaye the, aaj usi ke liye apni jaan dene ko tayyar ho."
Mahi ne Zayan ki taraf dekha.
Uske chehre par pehli baar usne sirf gussa nahi...
Khauf dekha.
Khauf is baat ka ke kahin Mahi ko kuch na ho jaye.
Rashid ne pistol nikali.
"Ek deal karte hain."
"Mahi ko mere hawale kar do..."
"...aur main tum sab ko zinda jaane dunga."
Mahi ka rang ud gaya.
Usne dheere se Zayan ki shirt ka bazu pakad liya.
"Please..."
Zayan ne uski taraf dekhe baghair kaha,
"Daro mat."
Phir usne Rashid ki aankhon mein dekhte hue jawab diya,
"Main apni hifazat se pehle Mahi ki hifazat karunga."
Ye alfaaz sunte hi Mahi ki aankhon mein aansu aa gaye.
Usne kabhi socha bhi nahi tha...
Ke jis aadmi se woh kabhi bach kar bhaagna chahti thi...
Aaj wahi uske liye sab ke saamne khada hoga.
Achanak...
Dhannn!
Ek goli chali.
Zayan ne foran Mahi ko neeche jhuka diya.
Hamza aur guards ne bhi firing shuru kar di.
Poora jungle goliyon ki awaazon se goonj utha.
Dhuein aur afra-tafri ke darmiyan...
Kisi ne peeche se Mahi ke munh par kapra rakha.
Woh cheekhna chahti thi...
Magar awaaz na nikal saki.
Uski aankhen dheere dheere band hone lagin.
Behosh hone se pehle usne sirf ek awaaz suni—
"Mahi!"
Ye Zayan ki cheekh thi...
Aur jab firing ruki...
Mahi wahan nahi thi.
Chapter 25 – Woh Ghayab Thi
"MAHI!"
Zayan ki awaaz poore jungle mein goonj uthi.
Usne paagalon ki tarah har taraf dekhna shuru kar diya.
"Mahi!"
Lekin har taraf sirf dhuaan tha.
Hamza bhaagta hua uske paas aaya.
"Boss... woh log Mahi ko le gaye!"
Zayan ka chehra gusse se laal ho gaya.
Usne zameen par pada Mahi ka dupatta uthaya.
Uski mutthi itni zor se band hui ke ungliyon se khoon nikal aaya.
Usne dheemi magar khaufnaak awaaz mein kaha,
"Rashid ne meri sabse badi ghalti ko... meri sabse badi kamzori bana diya."
Hamza khamosh khada tha.
Usne pehli baar Zayan ko itna bechain dekha tha.
"Boss... hum tracker se unka pata laga sakte hain."
Zayan ne foran sir uthaya.
"Gaari nikalo."
"Main Mahi ko wapas laaye baghair chain se nahi baithunga."
---
Dusri Taraf...
Mahi ki aankhen dheere dheere khulne lagin.
Uske haath kursi se bandhe hue the.
Samne ek purani factory thi.
Har taraf andhera aur khamoshi.
Usne ghabra kar idhar-udhar dekha.
"K... kaun hai?"
Tabhi andhere se Rashid bahar aaya.
"Neend achhi aayi?"
Mahi ne gusse se kaha,
"Mujhe yahan kyun laye ho?"
Rashid hans pada.
"Tum meri dushman nahi ho."
"Phir?"
"Tum sirf Zayan ki kamzori ho."
Mahi ne hairani se uski taraf dekha.
"Nahi..."
"Main uski kuch bhi nahi lagti."
Rashid zor se hans pada.
"Tumhe shayad khud nahi pata..."
"...lekin jis tarah woh tumhare liye goliyon ke saamne khada hua..."
"...uske baad mujhe sab samajh aa gaya."
Mahi khamosh ho gayi.
Uske zehan mein woh lamha ghoom gaya...
Jab Zayan ne bina soche uske saamne khud ko dhaal bana liya tha.
Uska dil bechain ho utha.
---
Usi Waqt...
Zayan ki gaari factory ke bahar rukti hai.
Hamza dheemi awaaz mein kehta hai,
"Boss... Mahi andar hai."
Zayan ne apni gun check ki.
Uski aankhen sirf ek cheez keh rahi thin...
"Is baar main Mahi ko kuch nahi hone dunga."
Woh factory ke andhere darwaze ki taraf qadam badhata hai...
Aur usse bilkul andaza nahi...
Ke andar Rashid uska intezar kar raha hai.
Chapter 26 – Mohlat Ya Mohabbat?
Purani factory ke andar andhera tha.
Paani ki boonden chhat se tapak rahi thi.
Zayan aur Hamza aahista aahista andar badhe.
"Boss... upar se awaaz aa rahi hai."
Zayan ne ishara kiya.
"Tum peeche ka rasta cover karo."
Hamza doosri taraf nikal gaya.
Zayan seedhiyan chadh kar upar pahuncha.
Darwaza aadha khula tha.
Andar...
Mahi kursi se bandhi baithi thi.
Uski aankhon mein aansu aa gaye.
"Zayan..."
Ye pehli baar tha jab usne uska naam pukara.
Zayan ki nazar us par padi to uske chehre ka tanav halka sa kam hua.
"Mahi... bas do minute."
Main tumhe yahan se nikal leta hoon."
Jaise hi woh uski taraf badha...
Click!
Peeche se gun cock hone ki awaaz aayi.
Rashid muskurata hua saamne aa gaya.
"Main jaanta tha... tum zaroor aaoge."
Zayan ne Mahi se nazar nahi hatayi.
"Usse chhod do."
"Badle mein?"
"Jo chahiye mujhse le lo."
Rashid hans pada.
"Yahi sunna chahta tha."
Usne Mahi ke kandhe par gun rakh di.
"Mujhe tumhari jaan chahiye."
Mahi ka rang ud gaya.
"Nahi!"
Uski awaaz toot gayi.
"Zayan... mat maaniye."
Rashid cheekha,
"Decision lo!"
Ek taraf Mahi...
Doosri taraf maut.
Kuch lamhon ki khamoshi ke baad...
Zayan ne dheere se apni gun zameen par rakh di.
Hamza, jo door se sab dekh raha tha, hairan reh gaya.
"Boss, nahi!"
Zayan ne bina Rashid se nazar hataye kaha,
"Mahi ko chhod do."
Mahi ki aankhon se aansu beh nikle.
"Aap aisa kyun kar rahe hain?"
Zayan halki si muskuraya.
"Kyuki... ek baar meri ghalti ki wajah se tumhari zindagi toot chuki hai."
"Main dobara tumhe takleef nahi dena chahta."
Mahi ke dil mein kuch badalne laga.
Usne pehli baar mehsoos kiya...
Ye sirf pachtawa nahi tha.
Ye uski hifazat ke liye sachchi fikr thi.
Lekin usi waqt...
Rashid zor se hans pada.
"Mujhe pata tha... tum isi kamzori ki wajah se haar jaoge."
Usne trigger dabane ke liye ungli hilai...
Aur usi lamhe...
Peeche se Hamza ne Rashid ka haath zor se dhakka diya.
Dhannn!
Goli chali...
Lekin kisi aur ko lagi.
Factory ek cheekh se goonj uthi.
"Aaaahhh!"
Mahi aur Zayan ek saath us taraf mude.
Aur dono ke chehron ka rang ud gaya...
Khoon zameen par tapak raha tha.
Chapter 27 – Ek Goli, Do Dhadkanein
Factory mein har taraf afra-tafri mach gayi.
Rashid ka nishana bigad gaya tha...
Lekin goli seedha Zayan ke kandhe mein ja lagi.
"Boss!" Hamza zor se cheekha.
Zayan ek ghutne par aa gira, magar uski nazar sirf Mahi par thi.
"Mahi... theek ho?"
Mahi ki aankhen phat gayin.
"Zayan!"
Usne poori taqat se kursi se bandhi rassi kholne ki koshish ki.
Hamza ne foran aakar uski rassi kaat di.
Jaise hi Mahi azaad hui, woh daud kar Zayan ke paas baith gayi.
Uske kandhe se lagataar khoon beh raha tha.
"Tumhe goli lag gayi..."
Uski awaaz kaanp rahi thi.
Zayan ne dard chhupate hue halka sa muskuraya.
"Tum theek ho... bas yehi kaafi hai."
Ye sunte hi Mahi ki aankhon se aansu beh nikle.
"Tum pagal ho?"
"Tumne meri wajah se apni jaan daav par laga di."
Zayan ne dheere se kaha,
"Shayad... kyunki ab tum meri zimmedari se badh kar ban chuki ho."
Mahi uski baat sun kar bilkul khamosh ho gayi.
Uska dil pehli baar ajeeb si dhadkan mehsoos kar raha tha.
Lekin ussi waqt...
Rashid ne zameen se doosri gun utha li.
"Khubsurat manzar hai..."
Sab ki nazar uski taraf gayi.
Woh muskuraya.
"Agar mohabbat itni gehri hai..."
"...to dekhte hain, kaun kis ke liye marta hai."
Usne seedha Mahi par gun taan di.
"Nahi!" Zayan garja.
Bina soche samjhe woh Mahi ke saamne aa khada hua.
Mahi ne uski shirt mazbooti se pakad li.
"Zayan... nahi!"
Rashid trigger dabane hi wala tha...
Ke achanak...
Police sirens ki awaaz factory ke bahar goonj uthi.
"Police! Hathiyar phenk do!"
Rashid ne gusse se daant peese.
"Ye baazi yahin khatam nahi hui, Zayan."
Usne smoke grenade phenka.
Poora hall dhuein se bhar gaya.
Jab dhuaan chhanta...
Rashid gaayab tha.
Aur Zayan, khoon behte kandhe ke saath, dheere dheere hosh khona shuru kar raha tha.
Girne se pehle usne sirf itna dekha...
Mahi roti hui uska chehra apne haathon mein liye baar baar pukaar rahi thi—
"Zayan... aankhen kholo... please!"
Chapter 28 – Dil Ki Dastak
Hospital ke emergency ward ke bahar Mahi bechaini se idhar-udhar chal rahi thi.
Uske kapdon par ab bhi Zayan ke khoon ke nishaan the.
Last Chapter – Qismat Ka Ghalat Faisla (Ending)
Teen mahine baad...
Rashid ka poora network tabah ho chuka tha. Aakhri muqablay mein Zayan aur uski team ne Rashid ko kanoon ke hawale kar diya.
Sab kuch khatam ho gaya tha...
Lekin Zayan ke dil mein ek darr ab bhi baqi tha.
"Kahin Mahi mujhe hamesha ke liye chhod na de."
---
Ek shaam...
Mahi haveli ke garden mein khadi doobte hue suraj ko dekh rahi thi.
Zayan aahista se uske paas aaya.
"Mahi..."
Woh uski taraf muri.
"Ab sab khatam ho chuka hai."
"Haan."
"Tum azaad ho."
Ye sunte hi Mahi ki aankhon mein aansu aa gaye.
"Tum jahan jana chaho... ja sakti ho."
"Aaj ke baad koi tumhe nahi rokega."
Ye keh kar Zayan mudne laga.
"Mujhe maaf kar dena."
Uski awaaz mein pehli baar ek tootapan tha.
"Maine tumse tumhara ghar cheena..."
"Tumhari muskurahat cheeni..."
"Aur tumhara bharosa bhi."
"Main sirf itna chahta hoon ke zindagi tumhe woh saari khushiyan de jo meri wajah se tumse cheen li gayin."
Ye keh kar woh chal diya.
"Mujhe rokogi nahi?"
Zayan ne peeche mud kar nahi dekha.
Usse laga...
Ab sab khatam ho gaya.
Tabhi...
"Mujhe akela chhod kar phir ja rahe ho?"
Zayan ke qadam ruk gaye.
Usne dheere se mud kar dekha.
Mahi ki aankhon mein aansu the...
Magar is baar un aansuon ke saath muskurahat bhi thi.
Woh dheere dheere uske paas aayi.
"Ek waqt tha jab main aapse nafrat karti thi."
"Phir ek waqt aaya jab main sirf aapse darti thi."
"Aur aaj..."
Uski awaaz bhar aayi.
"...aaj agar aap chale gaye na..."
"...to shayad main dobara kabhi muskura na paun."
Zayan ki aankhon mein bhi nami aa gayi.
"Mahi..."
Mahi ne halka sa muskura kar kaha,
"Aapki ek ghalti ne meri zindagi badal di thi..."
"Lekin aapke pachtawa, hifazat aur mohabbat ne us zindagi ko phir se jeena sikha diya."
Zayan ne dheere se poocha,
"To... kya tum mujhe maaf karti ho?"
Mahi ne aansuon ke saath sir hila diya.
"Haan."
"Lekin ek shart par."
"Kaunsi?"
"Ab kabhi mujhe akela mat chhodna."
Zayan muskuraya.
"Ye wada raha."
Usne aahista se Mahi ka haath thaam liya.
Is baar Mahi ne apna haath nahi chhudaya.
Doobte hue suraj ki roshni mein dono ek dusre ko dekh kar muskura diye.
Kabhi jo kahani ek ghalat pehchan aur nafrat se shuru hui thi...
Wahi kahani bharose, maafi aur mohabbat par khatam hui.
---
Epilogue
Ek saal baad...
Mahi ne apna chhota sa welfare center khola, jahan woh beghar aur mazloom larkiyon ki madad karti thi.
Zayan har qadam par uska saath deta tha.
Ek shaam, usi garden mein jahan unhone pehli baar apne dil ki baat kahi thi, Zayan ne Mahi ko ek angoothi pehnate hue kaha,
"Us din maine tumhe ghalti se apni zindagi mein laya tha..."
"...aaj apni marzi se hamesha ke liye apni zindagi ka hissa bana raha hoon."
Mahi muskurayi aur dheere se jawab diya,
"Kabhi kabhi qismat ke ghalat faisle hi insaan ki sabse khoobsurat taqdeer ban jaate hain."
Aur isi ke saath...
"Qismat Ka Ghalat Faisla"
✨ The End ✨
Written by Mahnoor Fatima
Chapter 29 – Iqraar Se Pehle
Subah ki pehli dhoop hospital ke kamre mein aa rahi thi.
Mahi kursi par hi baithi baithi so gayi thi.
Uska sar bed ke paas tikka hua tha aur uska haath ab bhi Zayan ke haath mein tha.
Zayan ki aankh khuli.
Sabse pehle uski nazar Mahi par padi.
Woh halki si muskuraya.
Itni der mein Mahi ki aankh bhi khul gayi.
Jaise hi usne dekha ke Zayan hosh mein hai, woh foran khadi ho gayi.
"Aap... aap theek hain?"
Zayan ne dheemi awaaz mein kaha,
"Tum poori raat yahin thi?"
Mahi ne nazrein chura lein.
"Woh... bas..."
"Tumhare jaane ke baad neend nahi aayi."
Ye sun kar Zayan ke honton par halki si muskurahat aa gayi.
"Lagta hai ab tum mujhse itna nahi darti."
Mahi kuch pal usse dekhti rahi.
"Dar to ab bhi lagta hai..."
"...lekin pehle jaisa nahi."
Kamre mein ek khamosh si muskurahat phel gayi.
Tabhi nurse andar aayi.
"Patient ko medicine deni hai."
Mahi peeche hatne lagi.
Lekin uska dupatta bed ke kone mein atak gaya.
Woh sambhal na saki aur aage ki taraf jhuk gayi.
Zayan ne foran uska haath pakad liya.
"Aram se."
Dono ki nazrein ek doosre se mili.
Kuch lamhon ke liye waqt jaise tham sa gaya.
Mahi ne dheere se apna haath chhudaya.
"Shukriya."
Zayan ne muskurate hue kaha,
"Lagta hai tum mujhe pehle se zyada 'thank you' kehne lagi ho."
Mahi ke honton par bhi halka sa muskurahat aa gayi.
Hamza darwaze se ye sab dekh kar dheere se hans pada.
"Lagta hai Boss ki recovery expected se tez ho rahi hai."
Dono foran ek doosre se door ho gaye.
Mahi sharma kar khidki ki taraf dekhne lagi.
Zayan ne pehli baar uske chehre par woh muskurahat dekhi jo dard se nahi, dil se nikli thi.
Lekin isi waqt...
Zayan ke phone par ek message aaya.
Usne screen dekhi.
Uski muskurahat ek pal mein gaayab ho gayi.
Message mein sirf ek line likhi thi:
"Ye mohabbat tum dono ki sabse badi kamzori banegi... aur agla nishana Mahi hai."
Zayan ne foran phone lock kar diya.
Usne Mahi ki taraf dekha...
Aur dil hi dil mein ek faisla kar liya.
Chahe Mahi usse nafrat hi kyun na karti rahe... woh uski hifazat har qeemat par karega.
Har guzarta hua lamha uske liye ek saal jaisa lag raha tha.
Hamza uske paas aaya.
"Mahi... baith jao."
Mahi ne aansu pochhte hue sir hila diya.
"Nahi... jab tak Zayan theek nahi ho jata, main nahi baithungi."
Hamza ne halki si muskurahat ke saath kaha,
"Boss bohot lucky hain."
Mahi ne hairani se uski taraf dekha.
"Kyun?"
"Kyuki maine unhe kabhi kisi ke liye itna pareshan nahi dekha... jitna tumhare liye dekha."
Mahi khamosh ho gayi.
Uske zehan mein har woh lamha ghoomne laga...
Jab Zayan ne jungle mein uski hifazat ki...
Jab usne goli apne kandhe par seh li...
Aur jab usne bina soche apni jaan daav par laga di.
Uski aankhon se aansu phir beh nikle.
"Ya Allah..."
"Bas unhein theek kar de."
---
Do ghante baad...
Operation theatre ka darwaza khula.
Doctor bahar aaye.
"Goli nikal di gayi hai. Patient ab khatre se bahar hain."
Ye sunte hi Mahi ne sukoon ki gehri saans li.
Uski aankhon se khushi ke aansu nikal pade.
---
Raat ke waqt...
Mahi chupke se Zayan ke kamre mein gayi.
Woh abhi tak behosh tha.
Uske kandhe par patti bandhi hui thi.
Mahi uske paas kursi par baith gayi.
Usne dheere se Zayan ka haath apne dono haathon mein le liya.
"Aap sun nahi sakte..."
"...lekin phir bhi kehna chahti hoon."
"Main aaj bhi aapko maaf nahi kar paayi..."
"...lekin jab aapko goli lagi na..."
"...to pehli baar mujhe laga ke agar aapko kuch ho jata..."
Uski awaaz bhar aayi.
"...to shayad main khud ko kabhi maaf na kar paati."
Itna keh kar usne aansu pochhe.
Usse bilkul andaza nahi tha...
Ke Zayan ko hosh aa chuka tha.
Uski aankhen dheere se khul chuki thin.
Aur usne Mahi ki har baat sun li thi.
Magar usne aankhen band hi rakhi...
Kyunki woh us lamhe ko todna nahi chahta tha.
Uske honton par halki si muskurahat aa gayi.
Usse pehli baar umeed hui...
Shayad Mahi ke dil ka darwaza ab dheere dheere khul raha tha.
Last Chapter – Qismat Ka Ghalat Faisla (Ending)
Teen mahine baad...
Rashid ka poora network tabah ho chuka tha. Aakhri muqablay mein Zayan aur uski team ne Rashid ko kanoon ke hawale kar diya.
Sab kuch khatam ho gaya tha...
Lekin Zayan ke dil mein ek darr ab bhi baqi tha.
"Kahin Mahi mujhe hamesha ke liye chhod na de."
---
Ek shaam...
Mahi haveli ke garden mein khadi doobte hue suraj ko dekh rahi thi.
Zayan aahista se uske paas aaya.
"Mahi..."
Woh uski taraf muri.
"Ab sab khatam ho chuka hai."
"Haan."
"Tum azaad ho."
Ye sunte hi Mahi ki aankhon mein aansu aa gaye.
"Tum jahan jana chaho... ja sakti ho."
"Aaj ke baad koi tumhe nahi rokega."
Ye keh kar Zayan mudne laga.
"Mujhe maaf kar dena."
Uski awaaz mein pehli baar ek tootapan tha.
"Maine tumse tumhara ghar cheena..."
"Tumhari muskurahat cheeni..."
"Aur tumhara bharosa bhi."
"Main sirf itna chahta hoon ke zindagi tumhe woh saari khushiyan de jo meri wajah se tumse cheen li gayin."
Ye keh kar woh chal diya.
"Mujhe rokogi nahi?"
Zayan ne peeche mud kar nahi dekha.
Usse laga...
Ab sab khatam ho gaya.
Tabhi...
"Mujhe akela chhod kar phir ja rahe ho?"
Zayan ke qadam ruk gaye.
Usne dheere se mud kar dekha.
Mahi ki aankhon mein aansu the...
Magar is baar un aansuon ke saath muskurahat bhi thi.
Woh dheere dheere uske paas aayi.
"Ek waqt tha jab main aapse nafrat karti thi."
"Phir ek waqt aaya jab main sirf aapse darti thi."
"Aur aaj..."
Uski awaaz bhar aayi.
"...aaj agar aap chale gaye na..."
"...to shayad main dobara kabhi muskura na paun."
Zayan ki aankhon mein bhi nami aa gayi.
"Mahi..."
Mahi ne halka sa muskura kar kaha,
"Aapki ek ghalti ne meri zindagi badal di thi..."
"Lekin aapke pachtawa, hifazat aur mohabbat ne us zindagi ko phir se jeena sikha diya."
Zayan ne dheere se poocha,
"To... kya tum mujhe maaf karti ho?"
Mahi ne aansuon ke saath sir hila diya.
"Haan."
"Lekin ek shart par."
"Kaunsi?"
"Ab kabhi mujhe akela mat chhodna."
Zayan muskuraya.
"Ye wada raha."
Usne aahista se Mahi ka haath thaam liya.
Is baar Mahi ne apna haath nahi chhudaya.
Doobte hue suraj ki roshni mein dono ek dusre ko dekh kar muskura diye.
Kabhi jo kahani ek ghalat pehchan aur nafrat se shuru hui thi...
Wahi kahani bharose, maafi aur mohabbat par khatam hui.
---
Epilogue
Ek saal baad...
Mahi ne apna chhota sa welfare center khola, jahan woh beghar aur mazloom larkiyon ki madad karti thi.
Zayan har qadam par uska saath deta tha.
Ek shaam, usi garden mein jahan unhone pehli baar apne dil ki baat kahi thi, Zayan ne Mahi ko ek angoothi pehnate hue kaha,
"Us din maine tumhe ghalti se apni zindagi mein laya tha..."
"...aaj apni marzi se hamesha ke liye apni zindagi ka hissa bana raha hoon."
Mahi muskurayi aur dheere se jawab diya,
"Kabhi kabhi qismat ke ghalat faisle hi insaan ki sabse khoobsurat taqdeer ban jaate hain."
Aur isi ke saath...
"Qismat Ka Ghalat Faisla"
✨ The End ✨
Written by Mahnoor Fatima
