17-08-2026, 11:45 PM
(This post was last modified: 18-08-2026, 12:55 AM by Celebrorn. Edited 9 times in total. Edited 9 times in total.)
Chapter 17
Gas par chadhe cooker ki seeti ne Shreya ko ek jhatke se wapas reality mein kheencha, aur woh fir wapas jaldi se apne kaam mein lag gayi. Kal raat bhi woh mushkil se sirf ek-do ghante hi so paayi thi.
Baar baar kal ke hi scenes uske dimaag mein play ho rahe they. Manish ka us par bhadakna, fir uska Rishabh ko buri tarah daatna, aur phir woh ladki - Aanya. Uske hi ghar mein, sofe par Rohit se chipak kar baithi hui. Sab kuch kitna uljha hua sa lag raha tha, jaise chaaro taraf ek jaal bun gaya ho.
"Mom?" Rohit ki aawaz ne uska dhyaan toda.
Rohit kitchen ke darwaze par khada tha. Woh apna bag taange aur shoes pehne, college ke liye bilkul ready khada tha, aaj kuch jyada hi jaldi.
"Mom... main college ke liye nikal raha hoon." Rohit ne dheere se kaha.
"Hmmm... lunch bas abhi 10 minute mein pack karti hoon..." Shreya ne bina uski taraf dekhe, ek mechanical sa reply kiya. Uske haath apne aap hi lunch box par pahuch gaye they aur jaldi jaldi lunch pack karne mein lag gaye they. Par dimaag mein abhi bhi yeh ghanti nahi baji thi ki Rohit aaj kuch jyada hi jaldi college jaa raha tha.
Rohit ne Shreya ki taraf dekha, jaise kuch kehna chahta ho. Uske face par abhi bhi kal wali guilty si look thi. Mom ne usse kuch poocha bhi nahi ki woh itni jaldi ghar se kyun nikal raha tha.
"Koi nahi... main canteen mein kuch khaa lunga." Rohit yeh bolte hue jaldi se muda aur ghar se bahar nikal gaya.
"Rohit.... Rohit..." Darwaza band hote hi Shreya jaise sach mein hosh mein aayi. Woh tezi se bahar bhaagte hue bahar aayi par tab tak Rohit seediyon se hi neeche nikal chuka tha. Shreya ne apni mutthiyan beenchte hue frustrated sa muh banaya.
Use realize ho raha tha ki kal shaam se usne Rohit se theek se do minute baat bhi nahi ki thi. Rohit umar ke aise mod par tha jahan use ek mom ke saath ek friend ki bhi jaroorat thi. Agar un dono ke beech ka faasla badta gaya toh shayad Rohit usse aur bhi baatein chhupane lagega. Aur phir itne saalo jo usne akele jhela tha, woh sab bekar hi chala jayega.
Shreya pareshaan hote hue ghar ke andar wapas ghusi aur darwaza band kiya. Bhaad mein jaye yeh job, uske andar ek cheekh nikli. Uske liye life mein sabse pehle Rohit jaroori tha, na ki uski yeh job.
Kuch der baad Shreya bhi bina lunch liye, apna bag uthaye office ke liye nikal padi thi. Raaste bhar chahe dimaag mein kitna hi gussa tha is situation ko lekar, andar hi andar woh sachai jaanti thi ki is job ke bina un logo ka ghar ka kharcha chalana kafi mushkil tha.
Parking mein gaadi lagate hue Shreya ne ek gehri saans bhari aur apni saree ka pallu adjust kiya. Woh bhaari kadam rakhte hue office pahunchi. Aisa lag raha tha jaise log uski taraf aaj kuch alag tareeke se dekh rahe ho.
Thoda andar aate hue uski nazar Rishabh par padi, jo printer ke paas khada kuch print out nikaal raha tha. Uski shakal dekh kar saaf pata chal raha tha ki woh bhi kal raat soya nahi tha. Usne Shreya ko dekhte hi apna sar sharm se jhuka liya.
Shreya aage badhte hue apne desk par pahunchi, par wahan baithne ki himmat nahi kar paayi. Tabhi office ka Peon Shreya ke paas aaya.
"Madam... aapko aur Rishabh ji ko Saab ne bade wale meeting room mein bulaya hai."
Shreya ne palat kar printer ki taraf dekha par Rishabh wahan nahi tha. Woh apna bag lekar meeting room ki taraf badh chali. Usne darwaza khola toh andar pehle se teen log baithe hue they. Unme se ek toh Manish hi tha, aur baaki do logon ko woh jaanti nahi thi. Ek umar mein thoda bada tha, shayad 40-45 ka, aur doosra thoda young, shayad 25-30 ke beech.
Shreya kamre mein ghusi hi thi ki Rishabh bhi theek uske peeche peeche andar aata hua uske kandhe se halka sa takra gaya.
![[Image: 91.jpg]](https://i.postimg.cc/WbWnB4c0/91.jpg)
Shreya ne palat kar use ghoora, par dekha ki uske haathon se kuch papers neeche gir gaye they aur woh unhe panic mein utha raha tha.
Woh uski madad karne ke liye jhuk hi rahi thi ki Manish ki sakht aawaz ne uska naam pukara, "Shreya!"
Shreya ne apne aap ko rokte hue Manish ki taraf dekha aur apne kadam table ki taraf badhaye.
"Yeh hain... Mr. Khan... internal audit se." Manish ne wahan baithe senior aadmi ki taraf ishaara karte hue kaha.
"Zaheer Khan..." Us aadmi ne khade hote hue apne coat ko adjust kiya aur apne haath apni jeb mein daal liye. Woh kam se kam 6 feet ka toh hoga, aur apni chhaudi chhaati aur broad shoulders se woh poore room ko dominate sa kar raha tha. Par saath hi uske daadi wale chehre par ek behad hi relaxed muskaan thi.
"Sorry, mujhe laga 9 baje meeting hai." Shreya ne Manish ki taraf dekhte hue ek halki si apology di.
"Aree koi nahi... hum to bas pitch report dekh rahe they. Bas opening batsmen ka intezaar tha." Zaheer ki aawaz mein kafi dam tha.
Shreya ne thoda sa puzzled hote hue uski taraf dekha.
"Zaheer Khan...?" Zaheer ne apni eyebrow uthate hue Shreya ki taraf dekha aur fir apne haath se bowling karne ka action kiya "Naam toh suna hi hoga aapne? Left arm swing..."
Shreya ne apna sar na mein hilaya, "Nahi... main actually..."
"Koi nahi... humne aapke baare mein bahut kuch suna hai Shreya ji..." Zaheer ki sharp nazar Shreya par tiki hui thi.
Tab tak Rishabh bhi apne kagaz samet kar wahan aa gaya tha aur Shreya ke saath aakar khada ho gaya.
"Aur yeh rahe hamare doosre khatarnaak opener... Rishabh Pant... jabardast." Zaheer ne halke se apne hands clap kiye.
"Sir..... Rishabh Trivedi..." Rishabh ne apna gala saaf karte hue dheere se clarify kiya.
"Got it Rishabh ji.. Aap baitheye..." Zaheer ne smile karte hue unhe baithne ka ishaara kiya aur apne junior ki taraf dekhte hue bola. "Gupta ji... aap notes le rahe hai na."
Uske junior ne haan mein sar hilaya aur Zaheer ne baithte hue ek moti si file Rishabh aur Shreya ke saamne kar di.
"Toh Manish Sir... aap toh inke coach hai... batting ke liye prepare kiya hai na?"
Manish ne Zaheer ki taraf dekha, use samajh nahi aaya ki woh kya jawab de.
"Khair koi baat nahi." Zaheer ne wapas apna dhyaan Rishabh ki taraf kiya, "Toh Rishabh ji, aap hi samjhaiye hame ki yeh claim aap kaise itni jaldi clear kar diya. Woh bhi bina kisi approval ke."
Rishabh ka gala sookh raha tha. Usne dabi aawaz mein kaha "Sir woh... client ki side se kafi pressure tha, kafi follow-ups aa rahe they aur procedure ke hisaab se maine... bas thoda sa expedite kar diya."
"Aahhhh... expedite kar diya. Sun rahe hai na aap Gupta ji?" Zaheer ne apne haathon se ek straight drive ka ishaara kiya, "Kya classy shabdon ka istemaal kiya hai Rishabh ji ne. Aap bhi thoda bahut seekhiye."
Zaheer ke assistant ke chehre par bas ek muskaan thi aur woh type kiye jaa raha tha.
Zaheer table par thoda aage ki aur jhuka, "Expedite ko hindi mein jaldbaazi kehte hai Rishabh ji... Angrezi aapki jitni toh achhi nahi hai meri... par itna zaroor pata hai ki jaldbaazi mein kabhi kabhi galti ho jaati hai. Par aap toh clean bowled hi ho gaye."
Rishabh ne ghabrate hue apna muh neeche kar liya.
Shreya Rishabh ko ghabrate dekh apne aap ko rok na saki, aur himmat jutate hue clear aawaz mein boli "Sir... Rishabh bahut hi honest aur sincere employee hai, woh daily 15-20 files clear karta hai. Agar koi operational oversight hua hai toh we should look at it rectify it, par yahan koi fraud nahi hua hai."
Shreya ke yeh bolte hi Rishabh aur Manish dono hi Shreya ko dekhte reh gaye they.
"Bilkul sahi kaha aapne Shreya ji," Zaheer ne bhi apna rukh Shreya ki taraf kiya, "Aapki team ka star hai Rishabh. Par hume toh jaanch karni hi padegi na, kahin koi match fixing toh nahi ho rahi."
"Sir... ek second." Rishabh ne kaanpte haathon se apne saamne rakhe papers ke beech mein se ek kagaz nikala. "Guidelines ke clause 11B ke accordingly... agar hospital confirm karta hai ki critical emergency hai... toh... provisional release diya jaa sakta hai."
Rishabh ki aawaz beech mein ladkhada si rahi thi par uski aankhon mein thodi si umeed wapas aa gayi thi.
Zaheer ne kuch sochte hue kaha, "Clause toh hai Rishabh ji, par iske liye ek exceptional approval chahiye hota hai manager se. Aur system mein n hi woh approval aur na hi hospital ki urgent request ke documents hai."
"Sir... us din... 2.15 par server down ho gaya tha... 45 minutes ke liye. Aur Manish sir bhi nahi they. Maine Shreya Ma'am ke sign physical paper par le liye they, par baad mein system mein upload nahi kar paa raha tha. Yeh papers mere drawer mein reh gaye they."
Rishabh ne kuch aur papers Zaheer ke aage kar diye. Zaheer ne papers uthaye aur unhe gaur se dekhne laga. Company ke ek emergency approval memo ka format tha, aur usme neeche Shreya ke signature they.
Zaheer ki body language ek dam change ho gayi thi. Uska relaxed confident approach thoda sa badal kar defensive sa ho gaya. Usne kuch pal kagaz ko dekhne ke baad Shreya ke saamne kiya.
"Shreya ji... zara dekhiye. Yeh aapke signature hai?"
Shreya ne aage jhuk kar papers par nazar daali. Uska dil tezi se dhadak raha tha. Woh yaad kar rahi thi ki us din kya hua tha. Servers crash hone ki baat sach thi, par use yaad nahi aa raha thi ki Rishabh ne usse kab is memo par sign karwaye they. Par roz uske desk se kam se kam 50 approvals nikalte they, aur kafi possible tha ki use yeh yaad na ho.
Shreya ne kuch seconds ke pause ke baad kaha, "Haan... yeh mere hi signature hai."
Zaheer ek-do pal Shreya ki taraf dekhta raha jaise uske pause ko samajhne ki koshish kar raha ho.
"Aur aap toh..." Zaheer ne ek nazar Manish ki taraf dekha, "Shayad Assistant Manager hain? Toh aapka approva.....?"
"Shreya ke paas approval authority hai, head office se approval liya hua hai iska." Manish ne clarify karte hue kaha.
"Bahut achhe... aap manager hi kyun nahi bana dete fir inko?" Zaheer ne muskurate hue kaha.
Manish yeh sunte hi thoda jhep sa gaya aur apni coffee ka mug utha kar use peene laga taaki use koi jawab nahi dena pade.
Zaheer ne chehre par thodi si kashmakash thi. Ek potentially interesting case ab bas paperwork aur documentation mein tabdeel hone wala tha, jo use karna bilkul pasand nahi tha.
"Gupta ji... jaiye zara Rishabh ji ke saath. Aur dekhiye inke desk mein aur kya khazane dabe pade hai?" Zaheer ne ek gehri saans chhodte hue papers ko table par chhod diya.
"Yes sir," Uska assistant yeh bolte hue khada ho gaya aur Rishabh uske saath chup chaap kamre se bahar chala gaya.
Manish baazi ko palat-te dekh kar apni chair par aaram se peeche ho kar baitha aur bola, "Zaheer ji, chaliye tab tak mere cabin mein coffee pee lete hai. Jab tak Gupta ji verify karke aate hai, main aapko baaki documentation bhi dikha dunga."
"Bilkul!" Zaheer apni aawaz mein fir se wohi garam joshi le aaya tha, "Aap chaliye, main yeh paper work samet kar do minute mein aata hoon."
Manish khada hota hue room se bahar nikal gaya aur meeting room mein achanak se ek sannata sa chhaa gaya tha. Bas AC ke vent se aati hui hawa ki aawaz.
Shreya ne apne dono haath apni lap mein rakhe hue they, unhe aapas mein kas ke pakde hue. Woh bas apne saamne pade ek kagaz ki taraf dekh rahi thi. Uska dimaag keh raha tha ki use bhi kisi bahane se uth kar bahar chale jaana chahiye, par uske jism mein jaise hilne ki taqat hi nahi thi.
![[Image: 90.jpg]](https://i.postimg.cc/fWV12195/90.jpg)
Zaheer ne table par bikhre hue documents ko sametna shuru kiya. Par woh sab kuch kafi dheere dheere kar raha tha. Shreya ne halke se nazar utha kar dekha toh paaya ki Zaheer ki nazar us par hi tiki hui thi.
Yeh koi aam casual nazar nahi thi. Zaheer ki aankhen Shreya ke chehre ko kafi gehrayi se scan kar rahi thi. Shreya ko uski sharp se nazar se aur bhi uncomfortable lag raha tha.
Jaisi hi uski nazar dubara Zaheer se mili, Zaheer ne ek dheemi si aawaz mein kaha, "Kafi loyalty lagti hai."
Uski aawaz mein woh pehle wala loud sa majak gayab ho chuka tha aur shayad yeh uski asli normal si aawaz thi.
"Jaise maine kaha tha, Rishabh kafi sincere ladka hai. Woh bas apna kaam kar raha tha. Woh rules ko follow karne walon mein se hai." Shreya ne nazre milate hue kaha. Woh Rishabh par khade hue kisi bhi sawalon ko yahin khatam karna chahti thi.
"Main Rishabh ki baat nahi kar raha," Zaheer ke chehre par ek halki si par jaan leva muskaan aa gayi.
Zaheer ne aage jhukte hue dheemi aawaz mein kaha, "Apne signature ko pehchanne mein aapko chaar second lag gaye. Agli baar thoda aur convincingly kar sakti hain."
Meeting room mein is tarah akele Zaheer jis tarah dheere se bol raha tha, Shreya ko uska maqsad samajh nahi aa raha tha. Par usne apna guard neeche nahi kiya, "Main roz bahut saari files approve karti hoon... bas yaad kar rahi thi ki yeh wali kab approve ki thi."
"Beshak." Zaheer apna folder band karte hue khada ho gaya. "Ek accha kaptaan wohi hota hai jo apni team ko bacha kar chale."
Zaheer kuch pal ke liye Shreya ko ghoorta khada raha. Shreya ne baithe hue uski taraf dekha toh uski nazar mein kuch bhi ganda nazar toh nahi aa raha tha. Par shayad ek recognition tha uski khoobsurati ka, aur saath hi uski kamzori ka bhi.
"Manish sir wait kar rahe honge," Zaheer ne apne coat ka button band kiya aur ek formal nod ke saath muskuraya. "Aapse milkar sach mein bohot achha laga."
Zaheer bina kuch aur bole meeting room se bahar nikal gaya. Shreya ne ek dabi hui saans chhodi aur apni sadhe hue shareer ko dheela chhod diya jaise itni der se apne aap ko rok kar baithi ho. Uske maathe par paseene ki boond saaf jhalak rahi thi.
Kareeb 3-4 ghante baad woh sab wapis usi meeting room mein ikhatta they.
Junior auditor Gupta ne bolna shuru kiya, "Sir, maine IT se us din ka server ka downtime verify karke log kar liya hai. Baaki 4-5 files bhi check kar li, no issues there. Copies file mein hai."
Gupta ne Zaheer ki taraf dekha jo bas apni ungliyaan desk par halke se tap kar raha tha, jaise kuch soch raha ho. Sab log uske bolne ka intezaar kar rahe they.
"So Rishabh ji," Aakhir kaar Zaheer ne apni wohi clear sharp aawaz mein kaha, "Manna padega, kafi achha yorker dig out kar liya aapne. Par yeh mat sochiye match aapne jeet liya. Aapki documentation mein thodi improvement ki zaroorat hai, I will let you off with a warning."
Rishabh ne halke se nod karte hue acknowledge kiya.
"I will keep my eyes and ears open for you," Zaheer ne Rishabh aur phir Shreya ki taraf dekhte hue kaha, aur phir Manish ki taraf dekha. "Manish Sir, main report bana kar head office mein submit kar dunga. Baaki abhi shaam ko milte hai."
Zaheer ek aakhri nazar Shreya par daalta hua Gupta ke saath kamre se bahar nikal gaya. Manish bhi khada ho kar jaane laga aur room ke door tak pahuncha tha.
Tabhi Rishabh ne dheere se Shreya se kaha, "Ma'am woh..."
"Rishabh!" Manish ki sakht aawaz ne use beech mein rok liya. "Apne desk par jao aur backlog clear karo. We are done here."
Rishabh hadbadate hue jaldi se khada hua aur meeting room se bahar nikal gaya. Room mein bas Manish aur Shreya hi bache they, aur Manish ne door ko band karte hue wapas Shreya ki taraf kadam badaye.
Shreya ne khade hote hue apni saree ka pallu adjust kiya aur Manish ki taraf dekha, "Toh... ab sab theek hai na? Report mein kya likhenge woh."
Manish Shreya ke paas aate hue table par sahara lete hue Shreya ke theek saamne aa kar baith gaya. "Dekhte hain. I think Rishabh ko ek formal warning mil jayegi, par koi bada issue nahi hoga. Aur tum par bhi koi blame nahi aayega."
Manish ne apne haath se Shreya ke latke hue pallu ko halke se pakad kar usse khelne laga.
Shreya ne apni saree ka pallu uski pakad se kheenchte hue poocha, "Aur... is sab se mere promotion... us par koi asar toh nahi padega na?"
Manish ek dam se khada ho gaya, "Maine kaha na... dekhte hain. Ab hai toh woh tumhari team mein hi na. Use warning milegi toh uska kuch toh asar tum par aayega na." Yeh sunte hi Shreya ke chehre par pareshaani fir se badh gayi. Manish ne turant use address karte hue kaha, "Par don't worry, I will try."
Shreya ko is kamre mein ab ek ajeeb si ghutan mehsoos ho rahi thi. Woh achhi tarah jaanti thi ki yeh Manish ka purana tareeka tha use daba kar rakhne ka. Woh bas hamesha yeh dikhana chahta tha ki usne Shreya par kitna bada ehsaan kiya hai.
"Waise," Manish ne thoda casual hote hue poocha, "Aaj shaam ko tum bhi chal rahi ho kya? Zaheer ne tumse bhi poocha hi hoga?"
"Kahan?" Shreya ko nahi pata tha Manish kis baare mein bol raha tha, "Mujhe toh aaj thoda jaldi ghar jaana hai. Ghar par kuch kaam hai."
Manish ke chehre par ekdam se ek satisfied si muskaan aa gayi, jaise woh yehi sunna chahta ho. "Haan haan... that's good... tum ghar jayo. Zaheer kuch jyada hi interest le raha tha tum mein, mujhe accha nahi laga. Tum nahi jaanti yeh log kaise hote hai. Tum usse jitna door raho utna hi behtar hai. "
Shreya ne Manish ki taraf ghoor kar dekha, use Manish ka yeh bolna bilkul bhi achha nahi laga tha, jaise woh uski property ho. Use Zaheer ka uski taraf dekhna ka tareeka thoda ajeeb toh laga tha, par usme koi gandagi mehsoos nahi hui thi. Kam se kam use toh lagta tha ki woh logo ko pehchanna seekh gayi thi.
"Ok... main nikal rahi hoon fir abhi." Shreya apna purse uthate hue kamre se bahar nikal gayi.
Woh apne aur Rishabh ke desk ke paas pahunchi aur uski nazrein Rishabh ko dhoond rahi thi. Usne idhar udhar dekha par Rishabh kahin nazar nahi aa raha tha. Uska bag abhi bhi wahin tha, par woh wahan nahi tha.
Shreya ne ek thaki hui si saans li. Woh usse baat toh karna chahti thi, par saath hi use ghar pahunch kar Rohit ke saath bhi sab kuch theek karna tha. Woh yahan aur nahi ruk sakti thi. Woh tez kadam lete hue office se bahar apni gaadi ki taraf chal padi.
Gas par chadhe cooker ki seeti ne Shreya ko ek jhatke se wapas reality mein kheencha, aur woh fir wapas jaldi se apne kaam mein lag gayi. Kal raat bhi woh mushkil se sirf ek-do ghante hi so paayi thi.
Baar baar kal ke hi scenes uske dimaag mein play ho rahe they. Manish ka us par bhadakna, fir uska Rishabh ko buri tarah daatna, aur phir woh ladki - Aanya. Uske hi ghar mein, sofe par Rohit se chipak kar baithi hui. Sab kuch kitna uljha hua sa lag raha tha, jaise chaaro taraf ek jaal bun gaya ho.
"Mom?" Rohit ki aawaz ne uska dhyaan toda.
Rohit kitchen ke darwaze par khada tha. Woh apna bag taange aur shoes pehne, college ke liye bilkul ready khada tha, aaj kuch jyada hi jaldi.
"Mom... main college ke liye nikal raha hoon." Rohit ne dheere se kaha.
"Hmmm... lunch bas abhi 10 minute mein pack karti hoon..." Shreya ne bina uski taraf dekhe, ek mechanical sa reply kiya. Uske haath apne aap hi lunch box par pahuch gaye they aur jaldi jaldi lunch pack karne mein lag gaye they. Par dimaag mein abhi bhi yeh ghanti nahi baji thi ki Rohit aaj kuch jyada hi jaldi college jaa raha tha.
Rohit ne Shreya ki taraf dekha, jaise kuch kehna chahta ho. Uske face par abhi bhi kal wali guilty si look thi. Mom ne usse kuch poocha bhi nahi ki woh itni jaldi ghar se kyun nikal raha tha.
"Koi nahi... main canteen mein kuch khaa lunga." Rohit yeh bolte hue jaldi se muda aur ghar se bahar nikal gaya.
"Rohit.... Rohit..." Darwaza band hote hi Shreya jaise sach mein hosh mein aayi. Woh tezi se bahar bhaagte hue bahar aayi par tab tak Rohit seediyon se hi neeche nikal chuka tha. Shreya ne apni mutthiyan beenchte hue frustrated sa muh banaya.
Use realize ho raha tha ki kal shaam se usne Rohit se theek se do minute baat bhi nahi ki thi. Rohit umar ke aise mod par tha jahan use ek mom ke saath ek friend ki bhi jaroorat thi. Agar un dono ke beech ka faasla badta gaya toh shayad Rohit usse aur bhi baatein chhupane lagega. Aur phir itne saalo jo usne akele jhela tha, woh sab bekar hi chala jayega.
Shreya pareshaan hote hue ghar ke andar wapas ghusi aur darwaza band kiya. Bhaad mein jaye yeh job, uske andar ek cheekh nikli. Uske liye life mein sabse pehle Rohit jaroori tha, na ki uski yeh job.
Kuch der baad Shreya bhi bina lunch liye, apna bag uthaye office ke liye nikal padi thi. Raaste bhar chahe dimaag mein kitna hi gussa tha is situation ko lekar, andar hi andar woh sachai jaanti thi ki is job ke bina un logo ka ghar ka kharcha chalana kafi mushkil tha.
Parking mein gaadi lagate hue Shreya ne ek gehri saans bhari aur apni saree ka pallu adjust kiya. Woh bhaari kadam rakhte hue office pahunchi. Aisa lag raha tha jaise log uski taraf aaj kuch alag tareeke se dekh rahe ho.
Thoda andar aate hue uski nazar Rishabh par padi, jo printer ke paas khada kuch print out nikaal raha tha. Uski shakal dekh kar saaf pata chal raha tha ki woh bhi kal raat soya nahi tha. Usne Shreya ko dekhte hi apna sar sharm se jhuka liya.
Shreya aage badhte hue apne desk par pahunchi, par wahan baithne ki himmat nahi kar paayi. Tabhi office ka Peon Shreya ke paas aaya.
"Madam... aapko aur Rishabh ji ko Saab ne bade wale meeting room mein bulaya hai."
Shreya ne palat kar printer ki taraf dekha par Rishabh wahan nahi tha. Woh apna bag lekar meeting room ki taraf badh chali. Usne darwaza khola toh andar pehle se teen log baithe hue they. Unme se ek toh Manish hi tha, aur baaki do logon ko woh jaanti nahi thi. Ek umar mein thoda bada tha, shayad 40-45 ka, aur doosra thoda young, shayad 25-30 ke beech.
Shreya kamre mein ghusi hi thi ki Rishabh bhi theek uske peeche peeche andar aata hua uske kandhe se halka sa takra gaya.
![[Image: 91.jpg]](https://i.postimg.cc/WbWnB4c0/91.jpg)
Shreya ne palat kar use ghoora, par dekha ki uske haathon se kuch papers neeche gir gaye they aur woh unhe panic mein utha raha tha.
Woh uski madad karne ke liye jhuk hi rahi thi ki Manish ki sakht aawaz ne uska naam pukara, "Shreya!"
Shreya ne apne aap ko rokte hue Manish ki taraf dekha aur apne kadam table ki taraf badhaye.
"Yeh hain... Mr. Khan... internal audit se." Manish ne wahan baithe senior aadmi ki taraf ishaara karte hue kaha.
"Zaheer Khan..." Us aadmi ne khade hote hue apne coat ko adjust kiya aur apne haath apni jeb mein daal liye. Woh kam se kam 6 feet ka toh hoga, aur apni chhaudi chhaati aur broad shoulders se woh poore room ko dominate sa kar raha tha. Par saath hi uske daadi wale chehre par ek behad hi relaxed muskaan thi.
"Sorry, mujhe laga 9 baje meeting hai." Shreya ne Manish ki taraf dekhte hue ek halki si apology di.
"Aree koi nahi... hum to bas pitch report dekh rahe they. Bas opening batsmen ka intezaar tha." Zaheer ki aawaz mein kafi dam tha.
Shreya ne thoda sa puzzled hote hue uski taraf dekha.
"Zaheer Khan...?" Zaheer ne apni eyebrow uthate hue Shreya ki taraf dekha aur fir apne haath se bowling karne ka action kiya "Naam toh suna hi hoga aapne? Left arm swing..."
Shreya ne apna sar na mein hilaya, "Nahi... main actually..."
"Koi nahi... humne aapke baare mein bahut kuch suna hai Shreya ji..." Zaheer ki sharp nazar Shreya par tiki hui thi.
Tab tak Rishabh bhi apne kagaz samet kar wahan aa gaya tha aur Shreya ke saath aakar khada ho gaya.
"Aur yeh rahe hamare doosre khatarnaak opener... Rishabh Pant... jabardast." Zaheer ne halke se apne hands clap kiye.
"Sir..... Rishabh Trivedi..." Rishabh ne apna gala saaf karte hue dheere se clarify kiya.
"Got it Rishabh ji.. Aap baitheye..." Zaheer ne smile karte hue unhe baithne ka ishaara kiya aur apne junior ki taraf dekhte hue bola. "Gupta ji... aap notes le rahe hai na."
Uske junior ne haan mein sar hilaya aur Zaheer ne baithte hue ek moti si file Rishabh aur Shreya ke saamne kar di.
"Toh Manish Sir... aap toh inke coach hai... batting ke liye prepare kiya hai na?"
Manish ne Zaheer ki taraf dekha, use samajh nahi aaya ki woh kya jawab de.
"Khair koi baat nahi." Zaheer ne wapas apna dhyaan Rishabh ki taraf kiya, "Toh Rishabh ji, aap hi samjhaiye hame ki yeh claim aap kaise itni jaldi clear kar diya. Woh bhi bina kisi approval ke."
Rishabh ka gala sookh raha tha. Usne dabi aawaz mein kaha "Sir woh... client ki side se kafi pressure tha, kafi follow-ups aa rahe they aur procedure ke hisaab se maine... bas thoda sa expedite kar diya."
"Aahhhh... expedite kar diya. Sun rahe hai na aap Gupta ji?" Zaheer ne apne haathon se ek straight drive ka ishaara kiya, "Kya classy shabdon ka istemaal kiya hai Rishabh ji ne. Aap bhi thoda bahut seekhiye."
Zaheer ke assistant ke chehre par bas ek muskaan thi aur woh type kiye jaa raha tha.
Zaheer table par thoda aage ki aur jhuka, "Expedite ko hindi mein jaldbaazi kehte hai Rishabh ji... Angrezi aapki jitni toh achhi nahi hai meri... par itna zaroor pata hai ki jaldbaazi mein kabhi kabhi galti ho jaati hai. Par aap toh clean bowled hi ho gaye."
Rishabh ne ghabrate hue apna muh neeche kar liya.
Shreya Rishabh ko ghabrate dekh apne aap ko rok na saki, aur himmat jutate hue clear aawaz mein boli "Sir... Rishabh bahut hi honest aur sincere employee hai, woh daily 15-20 files clear karta hai. Agar koi operational oversight hua hai toh we should look at it rectify it, par yahan koi fraud nahi hua hai."
Shreya ke yeh bolte hi Rishabh aur Manish dono hi Shreya ko dekhte reh gaye they.
"Bilkul sahi kaha aapne Shreya ji," Zaheer ne bhi apna rukh Shreya ki taraf kiya, "Aapki team ka star hai Rishabh. Par hume toh jaanch karni hi padegi na, kahin koi match fixing toh nahi ho rahi."
"Sir... ek second." Rishabh ne kaanpte haathon se apne saamne rakhe papers ke beech mein se ek kagaz nikala. "Guidelines ke clause 11B ke accordingly... agar hospital confirm karta hai ki critical emergency hai... toh... provisional release diya jaa sakta hai."
Rishabh ki aawaz beech mein ladkhada si rahi thi par uski aankhon mein thodi si umeed wapas aa gayi thi.
Zaheer ne kuch sochte hue kaha, "Clause toh hai Rishabh ji, par iske liye ek exceptional approval chahiye hota hai manager se. Aur system mein n hi woh approval aur na hi hospital ki urgent request ke documents hai."
"Sir... us din... 2.15 par server down ho gaya tha... 45 minutes ke liye. Aur Manish sir bhi nahi they. Maine Shreya Ma'am ke sign physical paper par le liye they, par baad mein system mein upload nahi kar paa raha tha. Yeh papers mere drawer mein reh gaye they."
Rishabh ne kuch aur papers Zaheer ke aage kar diye. Zaheer ne papers uthaye aur unhe gaur se dekhne laga. Company ke ek emergency approval memo ka format tha, aur usme neeche Shreya ke signature they.
Zaheer ki body language ek dam change ho gayi thi. Uska relaxed confident approach thoda sa badal kar defensive sa ho gaya. Usne kuch pal kagaz ko dekhne ke baad Shreya ke saamne kiya.
"Shreya ji... zara dekhiye. Yeh aapke signature hai?"
Shreya ne aage jhuk kar papers par nazar daali. Uska dil tezi se dhadak raha tha. Woh yaad kar rahi thi ki us din kya hua tha. Servers crash hone ki baat sach thi, par use yaad nahi aa raha thi ki Rishabh ne usse kab is memo par sign karwaye they. Par roz uske desk se kam se kam 50 approvals nikalte they, aur kafi possible tha ki use yeh yaad na ho.
Shreya ne kuch seconds ke pause ke baad kaha, "Haan... yeh mere hi signature hai."
Zaheer ek-do pal Shreya ki taraf dekhta raha jaise uske pause ko samajhne ki koshish kar raha ho.
"Aur aap toh..." Zaheer ne ek nazar Manish ki taraf dekha, "Shayad Assistant Manager hain? Toh aapka approva.....?"
"Shreya ke paas approval authority hai, head office se approval liya hua hai iska." Manish ne clarify karte hue kaha.
"Bahut achhe... aap manager hi kyun nahi bana dete fir inko?" Zaheer ne muskurate hue kaha.
Manish yeh sunte hi thoda jhep sa gaya aur apni coffee ka mug utha kar use peene laga taaki use koi jawab nahi dena pade.
Zaheer ne chehre par thodi si kashmakash thi. Ek potentially interesting case ab bas paperwork aur documentation mein tabdeel hone wala tha, jo use karna bilkul pasand nahi tha.
"Gupta ji... jaiye zara Rishabh ji ke saath. Aur dekhiye inke desk mein aur kya khazane dabe pade hai?" Zaheer ne ek gehri saans chhodte hue papers ko table par chhod diya.
"Yes sir," Uska assistant yeh bolte hue khada ho gaya aur Rishabh uske saath chup chaap kamre se bahar chala gaya.
Manish baazi ko palat-te dekh kar apni chair par aaram se peeche ho kar baitha aur bola, "Zaheer ji, chaliye tab tak mere cabin mein coffee pee lete hai. Jab tak Gupta ji verify karke aate hai, main aapko baaki documentation bhi dikha dunga."
"Bilkul!" Zaheer apni aawaz mein fir se wohi garam joshi le aaya tha, "Aap chaliye, main yeh paper work samet kar do minute mein aata hoon."
Manish khada hota hue room se bahar nikal gaya aur meeting room mein achanak se ek sannata sa chhaa gaya tha. Bas AC ke vent se aati hui hawa ki aawaz.
Shreya ne apne dono haath apni lap mein rakhe hue they, unhe aapas mein kas ke pakde hue. Woh bas apne saamne pade ek kagaz ki taraf dekh rahi thi. Uska dimaag keh raha tha ki use bhi kisi bahane se uth kar bahar chale jaana chahiye, par uske jism mein jaise hilne ki taqat hi nahi thi.
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Zaheer ne table par bikhre hue documents ko sametna shuru kiya. Par woh sab kuch kafi dheere dheere kar raha tha. Shreya ne halke se nazar utha kar dekha toh paaya ki Zaheer ki nazar us par hi tiki hui thi.
Yeh koi aam casual nazar nahi thi. Zaheer ki aankhen Shreya ke chehre ko kafi gehrayi se scan kar rahi thi. Shreya ko uski sharp se nazar se aur bhi uncomfortable lag raha tha.
Jaisi hi uski nazar dubara Zaheer se mili, Zaheer ne ek dheemi si aawaz mein kaha, "Kafi loyalty lagti hai."
Uski aawaz mein woh pehle wala loud sa majak gayab ho chuka tha aur shayad yeh uski asli normal si aawaz thi.
"Jaise maine kaha tha, Rishabh kafi sincere ladka hai. Woh bas apna kaam kar raha tha. Woh rules ko follow karne walon mein se hai." Shreya ne nazre milate hue kaha. Woh Rishabh par khade hue kisi bhi sawalon ko yahin khatam karna chahti thi.
"Main Rishabh ki baat nahi kar raha," Zaheer ke chehre par ek halki si par jaan leva muskaan aa gayi.
Zaheer ne aage jhukte hue dheemi aawaz mein kaha, "Apne signature ko pehchanne mein aapko chaar second lag gaye. Agli baar thoda aur convincingly kar sakti hain."
Meeting room mein is tarah akele Zaheer jis tarah dheere se bol raha tha, Shreya ko uska maqsad samajh nahi aa raha tha. Par usne apna guard neeche nahi kiya, "Main roz bahut saari files approve karti hoon... bas yaad kar rahi thi ki yeh wali kab approve ki thi."
"Beshak." Zaheer apna folder band karte hue khada ho gaya. "Ek accha kaptaan wohi hota hai jo apni team ko bacha kar chale."
Zaheer kuch pal ke liye Shreya ko ghoorta khada raha. Shreya ne baithe hue uski taraf dekha toh uski nazar mein kuch bhi ganda nazar toh nahi aa raha tha. Par shayad ek recognition tha uski khoobsurati ka, aur saath hi uski kamzori ka bhi.
"Manish sir wait kar rahe honge," Zaheer ne apne coat ka button band kiya aur ek formal nod ke saath muskuraya. "Aapse milkar sach mein bohot achha laga."
Zaheer bina kuch aur bole meeting room se bahar nikal gaya. Shreya ne ek dabi hui saans chhodi aur apni sadhe hue shareer ko dheela chhod diya jaise itni der se apne aap ko rok kar baithi ho. Uske maathe par paseene ki boond saaf jhalak rahi thi.
Kareeb 3-4 ghante baad woh sab wapis usi meeting room mein ikhatta they.
Junior auditor Gupta ne bolna shuru kiya, "Sir, maine IT se us din ka server ka downtime verify karke log kar liya hai. Baaki 4-5 files bhi check kar li, no issues there. Copies file mein hai."
Gupta ne Zaheer ki taraf dekha jo bas apni ungliyaan desk par halke se tap kar raha tha, jaise kuch soch raha ho. Sab log uske bolne ka intezaar kar rahe they.
"So Rishabh ji," Aakhir kaar Zaheer ne apni wohi clear sharp aawaz mein kaha, "Manna padega, kafi achha yorker dig out kar liya aapne. Par yeh mat sochiye match aapne jeet liya. Aapki documentation mein thodi improvement ki zaroorat hai, I will let you off with a warning."
Rishabh ne halke se nod karte hue acknowledge kiya.
"I will keep my eyes and ears open for you," Zaheer ne Rishabh aur phir Shreya ki taraf dekhte hue kaha, aur phir Manish ki taraf dekha. "Manish Sir, main report bana kar head office mein submit kar dunga. Baaki abhi shaam ko milte hai."
Zaheer ek aakhri nazar Shreya par daalta hua Gupta ke saath kamre se bahar nikal gaya. Manish bhi khada ho kar jaane laga aur room ke door tak pahuncha tha.
Tabhi Rishabh ne dheere se Shreya se kaha, "Ma'am woh..."
"Rishabh!" Manish ki sakht aawaz ne use beech mein rok liya. "Apne desk par jao aur backlog clear karo. We are done here."
Rishabh hadbadate hue jaldi se khada hua aur meeting room se bahar nikal gaya. Room mein bas Manish aur Shreya hi bache they, aur Manish ne door ko band karte hue wapas Shreya ki taraf kadam badaye.
Shreya ne khade hote hue apni saree ka pallu adjust kiya aur Manish ki taraf dekha, "Toh... ab sab theek hai na? Report mein kya likhenge woh."
Manish Shreya ke paas aate hue table par sahara lete hue Shreya ke theek saamne aa kar baith gaya. "Dekhte hain. I think Rishabh ko ek formal warning mil jayegi, par koi bada issue nahi hoga. Aur tum par bhi koi blame nahi aayega."
Manish ne apne haath se Shreya ke latke hue pallu ko halke se pakad kar usse khelne laga.
Shreya ne apni saree ka pallu uski pakad se kheenchte hue poocha, "Aur... is sab se mere promotion... us par koi asar toh nahi padega na?"
Manish ek dam se khada ho gaya, "Maine kaha na... dekhte hain. Ab hai toh woh tumhari team mein hi na. Use warning milegi toh uska kuch toh asar tum par aayega na." Yeh sunte hi Shreya ke chehre par pareshaani fir se badh gayi. Manish ne turant use address karte hue kaha, "Par don't worry, I will try."
Shreya ko is kamre mein ab ek ajeeb si ghutan mehsoos ho rahi thi. Woh achhi tarah jaanti thi ki yeh Manish ka purana tareeka tha use daba kar rakhne ka. Woh bas hamesha yeh dikhana chahta tha ki usne Shreya par kitna bada ehsaan kiya hai.
"Waise," Manish ne thoda casual hote hue poocha, "Aaj shaam ko tum bhi chal rahi ho kya? Zaheer ne tumse bhi poocha hi hoga?"
"Kahan?" Shreya ko nahi pata tha Manish kis baare mein bol raha tha, "Mujhe toh aaj thoda jaldi ghar jaana hai. Ghar par kuch kaam hai."
Manish ke chehre par ekdam se ek satisfied si muskaan aa gayi, jaise woh yehi sunna chahta ho. "Haan haan... that's good... tum ghar jayo. Zaheer kuch jyada hi interest le raha tha tum mein, mujhe accha nahi laga. Tum nahi jaanti yeh log kaise hote hai. Tum usse jitna door raho utna hi behtar hai. "
Shreya ne Manish ki taraf ghoor kar dekha, use Manish ka yeh bolna bilkul bhi achha nahi laga tha, jaise woh uski property ho. Use Zaheer ka uski taraf dekhna ka tareeka thoda ajeeb toh laga tha, par usme koi gandagi mehsoos nahi hui thi. Kam se kam use toh lagta tha ki woh logo ko pehchanna seekh gayi thi.
"Ok... main nikal rahi hoon fir abhi." Shreya apna purse uthate hue kamre se bahar nikal gayi.
Woh apne aur Rishabh ke desk ke paas pahunchi aur uski nazrein Rishabh ko dhoond rahi thi. Usne idhar udhar dekha par Rishabh kahin nazar nahi aa raha tha. Uska bag abhi bhi wahin tha, par woh wahan nahi tha.
Shreya ne ek thaki hui si saans li. Woh usse baat toh karna chahti thi, par saath hi use ghar pahunch kar Rohit ke saath bhi sab kuch theek karna tha. Woh yahan aur nahi ruk sakti thi. Woh tez kadam lete hue office se bahar apni gaadi ki taraf chal padi.


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