[Lusty_bOOz]

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       CHAPTER 7 — EK ANJAAN CHHAAON KA BULAWA
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Diwali ki us roshan shaam ko gujre do hafte se zyada ka waqt ho chuka tha.

Lekin us shaam aangan mein diyon ki roshni ke beech Vikram ke kahe hue lafz—"Aapki apni khushi bhi utni hi zaroori hai... main hoon na aapko yaad dilane ke liye"—Sonam ke dil aur dimag mein ek meethi aahat ki tarah gunjte rehte the.

Sonam rozmarra ke kamon mein uljhi rehti, lekin ab uski aankhon mein ek aisi shanti aur chehre par ek aisi halki muskaan rehti thi jo pehle kabhi nahi thi. Uske liye Vikram ab bas Papa ka ek dost ka beta ya ek sarkari afsar nahi tha, balki woh ek aisa shakhs ban chuka tha jo bina kahe uski khamoshi ko samajhta tha.

❖ ❖ ❖

Ghar mein sardi ki subah ki halchal shuru ho chuki thi.

Nana ji ko gaon se unke ek purane sathi ka phone aaya tha, jiske silsile mein unhe do din ke liye gaon lautna pada. Bada beta apne college ke tour par gaya hua tha, chhota beta dubara apne hostel laut chuka tha, aur Sonam ke pati ko office ke kisi zaroori project ke silsile mein subah hi doosre shehar ke liye nikalna pada tha.

Ghar mein sirf Sonam aur uski saas thi.

Dopehar ke kareeb ek baje, saas apni medicines lekar apne kamre mein so rahi thin. Poore ghar mein ek behad ajeeb aur gehri khamoshi phaili hui thi.

Sonam rasoi ka kaam samapt karke apne kamre mein baithi saree ke pallu ko theek kar rahi thi, tabhi uske phone par ek unknown number se message aaya:

"Sonam ji, main Vikram. Aaj main aapke shehar ke sarkari circuit house mein ek sarkari meeting ke silsile mein aaya hoon. Shaam char baje mujhe headquarters lautna hai. Agar aapko koi aaitraaz na ho... toh kya hum aangan ya ghar se door kisi shant jagah par 15 minute ke liye mil sakte hain? Aap se kuch baatein karni thin."

Sonam ne message padha aur uske haath ek pal ke liye kaanp gaye. Uski dhadkan achanak itni tezz ho gayi ki use khud apne seene mein uski aawaz sunai dene lagi.

Usne aaj tak kabhi ghar ke kisi sadasya ke bina, kisi paraye purush se alag se milne ka socha tak nahi tha. Uski maryada, uski parampara aur uski sharm ne use ek pal ke liye rokne ki koshish ki.

Lekin doosre hi pal, use Vikram ki woh izzat bhari aankhein aur uski narmi yaad aayi. Sonam ko pata tha ki Vikram koi aisa shakhs nahi tha jo kisi galat irade se use bulaye.

Sonam ne trembling fingers se type kiya:

"Ghar ke paas jo purana Shiv mandir aur jheel ka kinar hai... wahan char pehle ek shant banyan tree hai. Main wahan aati hoon."

Message bhejte hi Sonam ne phone seene se laga liya. Usko samajh nahi aa raha tha ki yeh darr tha ya ek aisi khushi jiska koi naam nahi tha.

❖ ❖ ❖

Kareeb teen baje, Sonam ne saas ko chai di aur unhe bata diya ki woh paas ke mandir mein darshan ke liye ja rahi hai.

Usne halki jamuni (purple) rang ki suti saree pehni. Maathe par chhoti si bindi lagayi aur baalon mein halka sa tel laga kar bun banaya. Woh bilkul saadha thin, lekin uske chehre par ek aisi rangini thi jo uske dil ke andar ke toofan ko bayan kar rahi thi.

Mandir ke peeche jheel ka rasta behad shant tha. Sardi ki dhoop paani par chamak rahi thi aur suke patte paon ke neeche sar-sarah rahe the.

Bargad ke ped ke neeche ek purani pathar ki bench bani hui thi.

Jab Sonam wahan pahunchi, toh Vikram pehle se wahan khada tha. Usne casual grey sweater aur trousers pehen rakhe the. Woh jheel ki taraf mooh karke khada tha, lekin paon ki aahat sunte hi turant muda.

Dono ki nazrein ek-doosre par tiki.

Hawa mein sardi ki thandak thi, lekin un dono ke beech ek behad garmahat bhara sannaata chha gaya.


Vikram ne aage badhkar behad adab se haath jode. "Namaste, Sonam ji."

Sonam ne apna aanchal sambhalte hue haath jode aur nazar jhukakar bola, "Namaste, Vikram ji."

Vikram ne bench ki taraf ishara kiya. "Aap baithiye na."

Sonam bench ke ek kone par baith gayi. Vikram ne uske ekdum paas na baith kar, thodi doori banaye rakhi taaki Sonam ko koi asuvidha ya jhijhak na ho. Vikram ki is izzat aur aadar ne Sonam ke dil ke darr ko pal bhar mein khatam kar diya.

Kuch der tak sirf jheel ke paani ki laherein kinare se takrane ki aawaz aati rahi.

"Aapne mujhe yahan kyun bulaya Vikram ji?" Sonam ne shuruat ki, uski awaaz mein halki si jhijhak abhi bhi thi.

Vikram ne jheel ki taraf dekhte hue ek gehri saans li.

"Sonam ji... main rozana sau tarah ke kanoon, afsaron aur apradhon ke beech rehta hoon. Meri zindagi mein farz aur kaanoon ke ilawa kabhi koi doosra jazba nahi raha. Lekin..."

Vikram ruka aur usne apna rukh Sonam ki taraf kiya. Uski aankhon mein aisi sachai thi jo seedhe dil par asar karti thi.

"...lekin jab se main aap se mila hoon, meri zindagi ka akelapan mujhe kaatne laga hai. Main roz shaam ko duty se wapas aakar apne khali bangley mein baithta hoon, toh mujhe aapki woh mand muskaan, aapke haath ki chai ki garmahat, aur aapki saadha baat yaad aati hai."

Sonam ke haath uski saree ke pallu ko jor se pakad chuke the. Uski saans thodi tezz ho gayi thi.

"Vikram ji..."

"Meri baat poori hone dijiye Sonam ji," Vikram ne behad narm awaaz mein aagrah kiya. "Main jaanta hoon aap ek maryadit parivaar ki bahu hain, ek maa hain, aur aapki apni ek izzat-dar duniya hai. Main aapki zindagi mein koi uthal-puthal nahi machana chahta. Na hi main aap se koi aisa vaada chahta hoon jo aapko dharamsankat mein daale."

Sonam ne apna sar uthaya aur Vikram ki aankhon mein dekha.

Vikram ne aage kaha, "Main bas aapko yeh batana chahta tha ki iss poori duniya mein ek aadmi aisa bhi hai... jo aapko sirf ek ghar ki zimmedar aurat ke roop mein nahi dekhata. Woh aapko 'Sonam' ke roop mein dekhta hai. Aapki pasand, aapke dard, aur aapki khushi ki izzat karta hai."

Sonam ke andar saalon se daba hua baandh achanak toot gaya.

Woh zindagi bhar sirf sabki zimmedariyan uthati aayi thi. Pati ki zarooratein, bachon ki padhai, saas-sasur ki sewa... sabhi ne usse pyaar kiya, lekin kisi ne use ek swatantra insaan ke roop mein nahi dekha tha. Kisi ne uske andar ke akelapan ko samajhne ki koshish nahi ki thi.

Sonam ki aankhon se ek aansu nikal kar uske gaal par beh gaya.

Vikram ne jab woh aansu dekha, toh uske chehre par pareshani aayi. Usne turant apni jeb se ek safed rumal nikal kar Sonam ki taraf badhaya.

"Maaf kijiyega Sonam ji... agar mere shabdon ne aapko takleef pahunchayi ho toh main abhi chala jata hoon—"

"Nahi!" Sonam ke muh se achanak yeh lafz nikal gaya.

Usne Vikram ki taraf dekha aur apna aansu ponchhte hue bola, "Nahi Vikram ji... aapne mujhe koi takleef nahi di."

Sonam ne ek gehri saans li aur jheel ki taraf dekhte hue apne dil ka haal bayan kiya—

"Zindagi mein sab kuch hote hue bhi... kabhi-kabhi lagta tha ki main kahin kho gayi hoon. Ghar ke kamon mein, bartano ki aawaz mein, tiffin ke dibbon mein... meri apni aawaz kahin dab gayi thi. Aapne jab pehli baar mere haath ki chai ki taarif ki thi, aur jab aapne Diwali par mere sath diye jalaye the... mujhe pehli baar laga ki koi mujhe bhi sun raha hai."

Sonam ne Vikram ki taraf muda, uski aankhon mein aadar aur ek gehra apnapan chamak raha tha.

"Main ek parivaar ki buniyaad hoon Vikram ji... main us buniyaad ko kabhi tod nahi sakti. Lekin mere dil ke ek kone mein aapke liye jo izzat aur sthan ban chuka hai... woh ab kabhi khatam nahi hoga. Aap mere akelapan ka woh sathi hain jise main kabhi khona nahi chahti."

Vikram ke chehre par ek behad sukoon bhari muskaan khil gayi. Usne mehsoos kiya ki use jawab mein koi jhute vaade ya samajik rishte nahi chahiye the—use bas Sonam ke dil mein yeh chhota sa sthan chahiye tha.

Vikram ne apna haath bench par rakha, aur Sonam ke haath ke behad paas laya... bina use sparsh kiye (touch kiye), sirf us garmahat ko mehsoos karte hue.

"Mere liye itna hi kaafi hai Sonam ji. Aap jahan bhi rahein, bas khush rahein. Jab bhi aapko lage ki duniya ka shor zyada ho gaya hai... yaad rakhna ki door ek afsar aapki shanti ke liye prarthna kar raha hai."

Sonam ne halki si muskaan ke saath sir jhukaya.

Dopehar ki dhoop ab dheere-dheere peeli pad rahi thi. Char bajne wale the.

Dono ek saath khade hue.

"Ab aapko nikalna chahiye," Vikram ne kaha.

"Aap bhi apna dhyan rakhna Vikram ji," Sonam ne behad sachi aawaz mein kaha.

Vikram ne haath jode, Sonam ne bhi haath jode. Dono ne ek-doosre ko aakhri baar ek gehri nazar se dekha.

Sonam mandir ki taraf wapas badh gayi, aur Vikram circuit house ki car ki taraf. Dono alag rasto par chal pade the... lekin unke dil ab kabhi alag nahi hone wale the.

[Lusty_bOOz]

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        CHAPTER 8 — GEHRA HOTA DHAGA AUR NAYA SAFAR
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Jheel ke kinare hue us milan ke baad zindagiyon mein ek ajeeb sa thahrav aur sukoon aa gaya tha.

Sonam ghar laut aayi thi, lekin ab uski aakho mein ek naye kism ka aatmanirbhar aur shant ujaal tha. Uske rozmarra ke kamon mein wahi saadhna thi, lekin ab woh kaam kisi bojh ki tarah nahi, balki ek bheetari khushi ke sath hote the. Zindagi ke us shant mod par use pata tha ki door kahin ek shakhs hai jo uski hasti aur uske dil ki izzat karta tha.

Dusri taraf, Vikram headquarters laut chuka tha. Lekin uski akeli zindagi mein ab akelapan ka darr nahi tha. Uski duty, uski files aur sarkari mashghuliyaton ke beech Sonam ki woh shant muskaan aur uske kahe hue lafz ek thandi chhaon ki tarah rehte the.

❖ ❖ ❖

Teen mahine beet gaye.

Mausam badal raha tha aur ab sardi ki jagah halki garmi ki aahat hone lagi thi. Nana ji gaon se wapas aa chuke the aur ghar mein sab kuch hamesha ki tarah regular routine par chal raha tha.

Iss beech, Vikram aur Sonam ke beech phone par baat nahi hoti thi—dono ne bina kahe ek-doosre ki maryada aur ghar ke mahaul ka sammaan kiya tha. Lekin Nana ji ke zariye dono ko ek-doosre ki khabar milti rehti thi. Nana ji hafte mein ek-do baar Vikram ko zaroor phone karte aur gaon-gharelu baatein karte, jismein Sonam chupchap rasoi se Nana ji ki baatein sunkar Vikram ka haal-chaal jaan leti thi.

Ek din subah, Nana ji ke phone par Vikram ka call aaya.

"Pranam Uncle ji! Kaise hain aap?"

"Arre Vikram beta! Main bilkul theek hoon. Tum batao, tumhari duty kaisey chal rahi hai?" Nana ji ne khush hokar pucha.

"Sab badhiya Uncle ji. Ek achhi khabar thi... mera transfer ab aapke hi shehar ke mukhya Security Headquarters mein senior superintendent ke roop mein ho gaya hai. Agle hafte se main yahin permanently shift ho raha hoon."

Nana ji yeh sunkar uchhal pade. "Yeh toh bohot hi achhi khabar hai beta! Ab toh tum hamare paas hi rahoge!"

Rasoi mein chai chhan rahi Sonam ke haath ek pal ke liye ruk gaye. Vikram ab usi ke shehar mein permanently rehne wala tha. Uski dhadkan ne ek baar phir wohi purani lay pakad li.

Vikram ke nayi posting par aane ke baad, woh pehle jaisa aam afsar nahi raha tha—ab us par pure district ki security ka zimma tha. Lekin itni vyastata ke bawajood, usne Nana ji se milne ka waqt nikal hi liya.

Ravivar ki shaam, Vikram ek baar phir Sonam ke ghar aaya.

Aaj woh formal sarkari dress mein nahi, balki ek aam light-green kurta pehen kar aaya tha. Jab woh ghar ke andar aaya, toh pure parivaar ne uska behad garmahat se swagat kiya.

Sonam ke pati ne aage badhkar kaha, "Vikram ji, ab toh aap humare hi shehar mein hain. Ab aapko akele rehne ki koi zaroorat nahi hai. Shaam ka khana ya weekend par aap jab chahein yahan aa sakte hain."

Vikram ne behad adab se kaha, "Aapka yeh apnapan hi mere liye sab kuch hai."

Sonam rasoi se tray lekar bahar aayi. Dono ki nazrein milin. Koi ghabrahat nahi thi, koi jhijhak nahi thi—bas ek behad gehra aadar aur samajh thi.

"Namaste Vikram ji," Sonam ne kaha.

"Namaste Sonam ji," Vikram ne haath jodh kar kaha.

❖ ❖ ❖

Khane ke baad, sabhi log verandah mein baith kar chai peene lage.

Nana ji ne achanak ek proposal rakha. "Vikram beta, tum yahan nayi jagah aaye ho. Tumhara sarkari bangla toh mil gaya hoga, lekin wahan ghar ka samaan sajane aur rasoi sambhalne ke liye kisi samajhdaar insaan ki zaroorat padegi. Sonam kal free hai, agar tum kaho toh yeh tumhare bangley par chalkar thoda samaan arrange karne mein madad kar de?"

Sonam ne chaunk kar Nana ji ki taraf dekha. Uske muh se bas itna hi nikla, "Papa... main?"

Vikram ne Sonam ki jhijhak ko turant mehsoos kar liya. Usne behad sanjhida awaaz mein kaha—

"Nahi Uncle ji, Sonam ji ko pareshan karne ki zaroorat nahi hai. Main kisi caretaker se karwa loonga."

Lekin Sonam ke pati ne bhi Nana ji ki baat ka samarthan kiya, "Nahi Vikram ji, ismein pareshani ki kya baat hai? Sonam toh ghar ke kamon mein mahir hai. Aap use le jaiye, do-teen ghante mein woh rasoi aur baki samaan ka setup dekh legi."

Sonam ne Vikram ki taraf dekha. Vikram ke chehre par ek aisi aashcharya aur izzat bhari nazar thi jo keh rahi thi ki decision poori tarah Sonam ka hai.

Sonam ne ek halki si saans li aur muskura kar bola—

"Agar aapko koi takleef na ho Vikram ji... toh main kal dopehar mein chalti hoon."

Vikram ne haath jodh kar dheere se kaha, "Yeh mera sobhagya hoga, Sonam ji."

Dono ke beech ka rishta ab ek naye safar par badh raha tha—ek aisa safar jahan samajik maryadaon ke daire mein rehkar bhi, do dil ek-doosre ka sahara ban rahe the.

[Lusty_bOOz]

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        CHAPTER 9 — SOONE AANGAN MEIN APNAPAN
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Agli dopehar kareeb do baje, Vikram ki sarkari gaadi Sonam ke ghar ke bahar aakar ruki.

Sonam ne ek sadharan, peele rang ki cotton saree pehen rakhi thi, jiske pallu par halki si embroidery thi. Usne apna chhota sa hand bag liya, saas aur Nana ji ko bata kar gaadi ki taraf badhi. Driver ne aage badhkar darwaza khola, aur Sonam peeche seat par baith gayi.

Vikram khud gaadi mein nahi tha—usne driver ko pehle hi bhej diya taaki Sonam ko koi jhijhak na ho.

Dus minute ke safar ke baad gaadi VIP area ke ek bade se sarkari bangley ke aangan mein dakhil hui. Bangla kafi bada tha, jiske aage hara-bhara bagicha tha, lekin andar se bilkul soona aur benoor lag raha tha. Samaan ke dabba yahan-wahan pade the, aur rasoi mein bartan abhi tak unbox bhi nahi hue the.

Vikram verandah mein khada intezaar kar raha tha. Usne ek aam white linen shirt aur trousers pehen rakha tha.

Gaadi se utarte hi Sonam ne aangan aur bangley ko dekha.

"Aaiye Sonam ji," Vikram ne aage badhkar behad aadar se kaha. "Pehle toh maaf kijiyega ki aapko iss bikhre hue ghar mein aana pada."

Sonam ne ek halki muskaan ke saath kaha, "Ismein maafi ki kya baat hai Vikram ji? Naye ghar mein shift hone par toh aisa hi hota hai. Chaliye, pehle rasoi se shuruat karte hain."

Sonam ne apna handbag ek taraf rakha, saree ke pallu ko kamar par lapata aur rasoi ki taraf badh gayi.

Bangley ki rasoi kafi badi thi, lekin har taraf dhool aur dabba ka dher tha. Vikram bhi uske peeche-peeche rasoi mein aaya aur dabba kholne mein madad karne laga.

"Aap yeh bhare hue dabba mat uthaiye Vikram ji, yeh bhaari hain," Sonam ne kaha.

"Aur aap akele yeh sab karengi? Yeh toh cheating hogi," Vikram ne muskura kar kaha.

Dono ne milkar rasoi ke bartan, masale ke dibbe aur khane-peene ka samaan racks par sajana shuru kiya. Vikram jo bade-bade afsaron aur apradhon ko control karta tha, aaj Sonam ke diye gaye chhote-chhote nirdeshon (instructions) ko behad obediently maan raha tha.

"Yeh namak ka dabba yahan rakhiye... aur woh chai patti ka dabba aage," Sonam batati gayi, aur Vikram wahi karta gaya.

Dono ke beech ek behad sahaj aur meethi jugalbandi chal rahi thi.

Kareeb do ghante ki mehnat ke baad rasoi bilkul chamak uthi thi. Har cheez apni sahi jagah par thi.

Sonam ne haath dhoye aur rasoi se bahar aayi. Usne dekha ki Vikram hall mein rakhi ek purani photo frame ko safai se poch kar meez par rakh raha tha. Woh photo Vikram ki late maa ki thi.

Sonam uske paas aakar khadi ho gayi.

"Aapki maa bohot khoobsurat thin," Sonam ne behad narm aawaz mein kaha.

Vikram ne photo frame ko dekha aur uske chehre par ek gehra bhav aaya. "Haan... unhe bhi ghar sajane ka bohot shauk tha. Unke jaane ke baad yeh sab soona ho gaya tha. Aaj saalon baad iss bangley mein kisi ke hone ka ehsaas hua hai."

Vikram ne Sonam ki taraf dekha. Sonam ke chehre par thakan ki vajah se pasine ki chhoti boondein thin.

"Aap thak gayin hain Sonam ji. Baithiye, main aapke liye paani laata hoon," Vikram ne aage badhkar hall ki sofa par se ek dabba hataya aur Sonam ko baithne ki jagah di.

Vikram rasoi mein gaya aur ek glass mein thanda paani aur kuch biscuits lekar aaya. Usne glass Sonam ko pakdaya.

Sonam ne paani peeya aur aas-paas dekha. "Ghar ab thoda saaf lag raha hai. Bas drawing room ke parde aur aangan mein kuch phoolon ke gamley laga denge toh yeh aur bhi jeevant lagne lagega."

Vikram ne Sonam ke paas hi sofa par thodi doori par baithte hue kaha, "Main yeh sab kar loonga Sonam ji. Lekin aapne aaj jo iss ghar ko apna waqt diya hai... uske liye mere paas shukriya ada karne ke liye lafz nahi hain."

Sonam ne Vikram ki taraf dekha. Dono ki nazrein ek-doosre par tiki thin.

"Vikram ji, shukriya kehne ki zaroorat nahi hai," Sonam ne behad shafaf aur gehri aawaz mein kaha. "Zindagi mein kabhi-kabhi doosron ke liye kuch karke jo sukoon milta hai, woh khud ke liye karke bhi nahi milta. Aap mere parivaar ke liye itna sab karte hain, kya main aapke iss soone ghar ko thoda sa saja bhi nahi sakti?"

Vikram ka dil inn shabdon se bhar aaya. Usne apna haath sofa ke armrest par rakha, aur Sonam ke haath ke behad paas laya—dono ke haath ek-doosre ko chhuye bina bhi ek behad gehra sparsh mehsoos kar rahe the.

"Sonam ji..." Vikram ne narm aawaz mein kaha, "Aapki yeh saadgi hi meri sabse badi taakat hai. Jab bhi mujhe apni duty mein thakan ya pareshani hoti hai, main bas aapki issi shanti ko yaad kar leta hoon."

Sonam ne halki si muskaan ke saath nazar jhuka li. Uske gaal par halki si surkhi aa gayi thi.

Shaam ke char baj chuke the. Aangan mein dhoop ab dhalne lagi thi.

"Ab mujhe nikalna chahiye Vikram ji, shaam ki chai ka waqt ho raha hai ghar par," Sonam ne khade hote hue kaha.

Vikram bhi khada ho gaya. "Main aapko gaadi se chhod dhar aata hoon."

"Nahi, driver chhod dega, aap aaram kijiye," Sonam ne rokna chaha.

"Nahi Sonam ji, yeh meri zidd hai," Vikram ne behad adab se kaha.

Dono gaadi mein baith kar Sonam ke ghar ki taraf nikal pade. Safar ke dauran zyada baatein nahi hui, lekin gaadi ke andar ka sannaata kisi bhi shabd se zyada gehra aur khubsoorat tha.

Jab gaadi Sonam ke ghar ke bahar ruki, toh Sonam ne utarte waqt mudkar kaha—

"Naye ghar ki bohot bohot badhai, Vikram ji."

Vikram ne haath jode aur halka sa sir jhukakar bola, "Yeh ghar ab sach mein ghar bana hai, Sonam ji. Shukriya."

Sonam apne ghar ke andar chali gayi. Uske dil mein ek naya sukoon tha—ek aisa sukoon jo usne doosre ke soone jeevan mein thodi si roshni bhar kar paaya tha.

[Lusty_bOOz]

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             CHAPTER 10 — ACHANEK AAYI VIPATTI
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Bangley ko sajane aur rasoi sambhalne wale din ko beete abhi do hi hafte hue the. Zindagi apni aam raftaar se chal rahi thi, lekin ek shaam iss shaanti par achanak musibat ki ek kaali chhaaya mandrane lagi.

Raat ke kareeb 11 baje the. Ghar ke sabhi log sone ki tayyari kar rahe the. Sonam rasoi ki aakhri safai karke apne kamre mein aayi, toh usne dekha ki uske pati bed par baithe hue the aur unka haath apne seene par tha. Unka chehra pasine se tar tha aur saans lene mein behad takleef ho rahi thi.

"Sonam... seene mein bohot tezz dard ho raha hai... saans nahi aa rahi," unke muh se adhoori aawaz nikli.

Sonam ke haath se kapda chhut gaya. Uske chehre ka rang ud gaya. Usne turant aage badhkar unhe sambhala, "Kya hua? Aap theek toh hain na? Suno! Bada beta! Jaldi aao!"

Sonam ki aawaz sunkar bada beta aur Nana ji daudte hue kamre mein aaye. Pati ki halat dekhkar ghar mein afra-tafri mach gayi. Bada beta turant pados ke doctor ko phone milane laga, lekin raat ke iss waqt koi phone nahi utha raha tha. Gali mein auto ya taxi milna bhi mushkil tha.

Pati ki halat har minute ke saath bigadti ja rahi thi. Nana ji ke haath kaanpne lage aur saas kamre ke kone mein baithkar rone lagi.

Sonam ka dil ghabrahat se zorse dhadak raha tha, lekin usne khud ko sambhala. Usne dekha ki waqt haath se nikal raha hai. Aise waqt mein use sirf ek hi cheez yaad aayi.

Usne turant apna phone uthaya aur kaanphte haathon se Vikram ka number dial kiya.

Phone par pehli hi ring mein Vikram ne call uthaya. Uske bolne ka tarika ekdum alert tha—

"Haan Sonam ji? Sab theek toh hai?"

Sonam ki awaaz ruyin se bhari thi, "Vikram ji... inki tabiyat bohot kharab ho gayi hai. Seene mein tezz dard hai, saans nahi mil rahi... humein samajh nahi aa raha kya karein..."

Vikram ne ek second bhi zaya nahi kiya. Uski awaaz ekdum gambhir aur aatmanirbhar ho gayi—

"Sonam ji, aap bilkul mat ghabraiye. Unhe seedha leta dijiye aur pankha chala dijiye. Main paanch minute mein ambulance aur sarkari hospital ki cardiac unit ko alert karke pahunch raha hoon. Aap bas shant rahiye."

Call cut hote hi Sonam ko ek aisi taakat ka ehsaas hua jaise koi majboot chatthan unke saath khadi ho.

Kareeb saat minute mein hi ghar ke bahar siren ki aawaz sunai di.

Vikram apni sarkari car ke saath advanced cardiac ambulance lekar pahunch chuka tha. Uske saath hospital ki trained medical team bhi thi. Vikram daudte hue andar aaya, uske chehre par zaroori gambhirta thi lekin koi pareshani nahi.

"Doctor, check timeline immediately!" Vikram ne order diya.

Paramedics ne turant Sonam ke pati ko stretcher par liya aur oxygen support lagaya. Vikram ne khud aage badhkar stretcher ko gaadi tak pahunchane mein madad ki.

"Uncle ji, aap aur bada beta mere saath gaadi mein baithiye. Sonam ji, aap ambulance mein inke paas baithiye," Vikram ne bohot hi tezz aur sateek faisle liye.

City ke sabse bade Heart Institute mein Vikram ne pehle se hi emergency ICU aur senior cardiologists ko tayyar rakha tha. Jaisey hi ambulance hospital pahunchi, medical team ne pati ko turant ICU mein shift kar diya.

❖ ❖ ❖

ICU ke bahar ka corridor behad shant tha.

Nana ji bench par baithe hue the aur bada beta unke paas khada tha. Sonam corridor ki khidki ke paas khadi aasmaan ki taraf dekh rahi thi, uske haath prarthna mein jude hue the. Uski saree ka pallu thoda bikhra hua tha aur chehre par gehri chinta thi.

Vikram doctor se baat karke Sonam ki taraf badha. Uske haath mein paani ki botal aur do cup garam chai thi.

Usne paani ki botal aur chai Nana ji ko di, aur phir ek cup chai lekar Sonam ke paas aaya.

"Sonam ji..." Vikram ne behad narm aawaz mein aawaz di.

Sonam ne mudkar dekha. Uski aankhon mein aansu thin.

"Doctor ne kya kaha Vikram ji?" Sonam ne kaanphti awaaz mein pucha.

Vikram ne chai ka cup meez par rakha aur behad aadar se kaha, "Minor attack tha Sonam ji. Time par hospital pahunchne ki wajah se koi gehra damage nahi hua hai. Doctor ne abhi medication de di hai, woh bilkul khatre se bahar hain."

Yeh sunte hi Sonam ke ghotne jaise jawab de gaye. Uski saans mein saans aayi aur woh khidki ke sahare tik gayi. Uske gaalon par se aansu beh nikle.

Vikram ne ek step aage badhaya, lekin apni maryada mein rehte hue ruk gaya. Usne behad gehri nazar se Sonam ko dekha.

"Aapne bohot himmat dikhayi Sonam ji. Agar aap sahi waqt par call nahi karti, toh mushkil ho sakti thi," Vikram ne kaha.

Sonam ne Vikram ki taraf dekha. Uski aankhon mein sirf shukriya nahi, balki ek aisa ehsaas tha jo lafzon se pare tha. Raat ke do baje, jab poori duniya so rahi thi, yeh aadmi unke parivaar ke liye ek dhal ban kar khada tha. Unke liye saari sarkari machinery, doctors aur ambulances ka intezaam karna... yeh sab sirf ek farz nahi tha, yeh uska gehra apnapan tha.

"Agar aaj aap nahi hote Vikram ji... toh pata nahi kya hota," Sonam ne rotay hue kaha.

Vikram ne apni jeb se rumal nikala aur Sonam ke haath par rakh diya—bina uske haath ko chhuye.

"Main hoon na Sonam ji... aapko kabhi akele nahi padne doonga. Main aakhir kis din kaam aaunga?"

Sonam ne rumal se apne aansu ponchhe aur Vikram ki taraf dekha. Unn dono ke beech koi prem-patra ya shabdon ka aada-pradan nahi hua tha, lekin iss sankat ki shaam ne unke rishte ko itna majboot aur pavitra bana diya tha ki duniya ki koi taakat use tod nahi sakti thi.

Subah ki pehli kiran hospital ki khidki se andar aayi, toh Sonam ke pati ko ICU se private ward mein shift kar diya gaya. Vikram poori raat corridor mein jaagti aakhon se khada raha, ek majboot chhaon ki tarah.

[Lusty_bOOz]

================================================== 
CHAPTER 11 — UNKAHE KHAYAL AUR EK KANP-TI AAHAT
================================================== 


Hospital se chhutti mile ek hafta beet chuka tha.

Ghar ka mahaul ab pehle se kaafi shant aur aatmiya ho gaya tha. Sonam ke pati ko doctor ne poora rest lene ki salah di thi, isliye woh drawing room mein lage sofa par relaxed baithte the. Sonam unki har choti-moti zaroorat ka dhyan rakhti—waqt par dawaiyaan dena, bina tel ka saadha khana banana, aur unke blood pressure ki jaanch karwana.

Iss pure hafte mein, Sonam ke pati ke dil mein ek baat behad gehri baith gayi thi: agar us raat Vikram sahi waqt par ambulance aur senior doctors ka intezaam nahi karta, toh shayad aaj woh iss parivaar ke beech zinda nahi hote.

"Sonam," pati ne dophar mein chai peete hue kaha, "Vikram ji ne humare liye jo kiya hai, uska ehsaan hum zindagi bhar nahi utar sakte. Unhe kisi din ghar par bulao, main unka shukriya ada karna chahta hoon."

Sonam ne plate mein biscuit rakhte hue behad halki si muskaan ke saath sir jhukaya. "Woh toh roz Nana ji se phone par aapki tabiyat ka haal poochte hain. Main unhe bol doongi."

Usne ussi shaam Nana ji ke zariye Vikram ko khabar bhijwayi. Vikram ne shaam aath baje aane ki haami bhar li.

❖ ❖ ❖

Vikram ke aane ki khabar sunte hi Sonam ne ghar ki safai aur khane ki tayyari shuru kar di. Usne aaj light peach rang ki suti saree pehni thi, jiske border par halki si resham ki patti thi.

Raat ke aath bajte hi bahar gaadi ke rukne ki aahat hui.

Bada beta daudkar gate kholne gaya. Vikram andar aaya—aaj usne bilkul simple cream color ka kurta aur white pyjama pehena tha. Uske haath mein taaza phoolon ka bouquet aur pati ke liye khas sugar-free juices aur fruits ka dabba tha.

"Pranam Uncle ji! Kaise hain aap ab?" Vikram ne aage badhkar pati ke paon chhoone ka prayas kiya, lekin pati ne turant use rokte hue gale laga liya.

"Arey Vikram ji! Aap mere paon mat chhuiye. Aapne toh meri jaan bachayi hai, aap mere liye kisi devta se kam nahi hain," pati ki aankhein bhar aayi thin.

Vikram ne behad adab aur namrata se kaha, "Aisa mat kahiye Uncle ji. Yeh toh mera farz tha. Aur waise bhi, aap toh mere apne parivaar jaise hain."

Nana ji aur saas bhi wahan aa gaye. Poora parivaar Vikram ki izzat aur aadar mein bichha ja raha tha. Subah se shaam tak kaam mein uljhi Sonam, rasoi ke kone se yeh sab dekh rahi thi. Vikram ka yeh badappan aur ghar ke logon ke prati uski sachhi shradha dekhkar Sonam ka dil ek anjaan garv aur aatmiyata se bhar utha.

Khane ke baad sabhi log verandah mein baith kar aam baatein karne lage. Pati thoda thak gaye the, isliye unhe kamre mein aaram karne ke liye bhej diya gaya. Nana ji aur saas bhi apne-apne kamron mein chale gaye.

Bada beta Vikram ke saath baten karte-karte unke sarkari laptop par kuch security applications ke baare mein pooch raha tha.

"Sonam ji, chai milegi?" Vikram ne rasoi ki taraf dekhkar aawaz di, lekin uski awaaz mein behad aadar aur narmi thi.

Sonam chai ke do cup lekar bahar aayi. Ek cup usne apne bete ko diya aur doosra cup Vikram ke paas rakha.

"Main uncle ke liye kuch papers lene kamre mein jata hoon," beta itna kehkar andar bhag gaya.

Verandah mein ek sudden sannaata chha gaya. Baahar halki saardiyon ki thandi hawa chal rahi thi aur aangan ke pedon ke patte sar-sarah rahe the.

Sonam verandah ke pillar ke paas khadi ho gayi. Vikram ne chai ka ek ghoont liya aur Sonam ki taraf dekha.

"Aap pehle se thodi kamzor lag rahi hain Sonam ji. Baar-baar hospital aur ghar ke kamon ne aapko thaka diya hai," Vikram ne behad aatmiya awaaz mein kaha.

Sonam ne Vikram ki taraf dekha. Uski aankhon mein rozmarra ke shor se pare, sirf aur sirf Sonam ke liye ek behad gehra dhyan (care) tha.

"Main theek hoon Vikram ji," Sonam ne aanchal ko ungliyon se pakadte hue kaha. "Aapne raat ko jaagkar jo hamari madad ki thi... main aaj tak aapko sahi se shukriya bhi nahi keh payi."

Vikram sofa se khada hua aur Sonam ke paas aakar ruka—thodi doori par, lekin itna paas ki dono ek-doosre ki saanson ki thandak aur garmahat ko mehsoos kar sakte the.

"Mujhe aapke shukriya ki zaroorat nahi hai Sonam ji," Vikram ne gehri aawaz mein kaha. "Jab aapne us raat mujhe phone kiya tha... toh mujhe laga ki poori duniya mein kisi ne mujhe apna samajhkar sabse pehle yaad kiya hai. Mere liye aapka woh vishwas hi sab kuch hai."

Sonam ne apna sar uthaya. Vikram ki aankhon mein koi samajik chaalaaki nahi thi, koi galat irada nahi tha—wahan sirf ek shuddh, pavitra aur aatmiya prem tha jo kisi maryada ko todna nahi chahta tha, balki use aur majboot banata tha.

Sonam ki palkein halki si jhuk gayin. Uski dhadkan tezz thi, lekin andar ek ajeeb sa sukoon tha.

"Vikram ji... aap hamare jeevan mein ek aisi chhaon ki tarah aaye hain jiska koi mol nahi hai," Sonam ne behad narm lafzon mein bola.

Vikram ne ek halki si muskaan ke saath apna haath hawa mein aage badhaya—aur Sonam ke haath ke behad paas rok diya. Haath chhuye nahi, lekin un dono ke beech ki tarang ne ek-doosre ke dil ko chhoo liya.

"Jab tak main iss shehar mein hoon... aapko kisi cheez se darrne ki zaroorat nahi hai Sonam ji," Vikram ne vaada kiya.

Tabhi andar se bete ke aane ki aahat hui. Vikram thoda peeche hat gaya aur Sonam ne muskurate hue apna rukh aangan ki taraf kar liya.

Unke beech koi vaada nahi hua tha, koi prem-samvaad nahi hua tha, lekin us shaam unke beech ka rishta shabdon se behad upar uthkar ek aisi aatmiya bhasha ban chuka tha jise sirf unka dil samajhta tha.

[Lusty_bOOz]

================================================== 
           CHAPTER 12 — EK ANJAANI YAAD AUR TAYYARI
================================================== 


Sardi ka mausam ab lagbhag jaan ko tha aur halki garmi ke sath shaam ko gulabi thandak ka ehsaas hota tha. Sonam ke pati ki tabiyat ab poori tarah theek ho chuki thi aur woh apne daily routine par wapas laut chuke the.

Ek din dophar mein, Nana ji aur Vikram ke beech phone par baat ho rahi thi. Nana ji ne phone loudspeaker par rakha hua tha kyunki unke haath mein chashma saaf karne ka kapda tha.

"Vikram beta, iss hafte tumhara birthday aane wala hai na? 25 tareek ko?" Nana ji ne pucha.

Vikram ne doosri taraf se ek halki muskaan ke sath kaha, "Arre Uncle ji, aapko abhi tak yaad hai? Haan, hai toh 25 tareek ko hi. Lekin main birthday waisa manaane mein vishwas nahi rakhta. Meri maa ke jaane ke baad se main uss din bas duty karta hoon aur shaam ko ghar par akela rehkar thodi shanti se waqt guzarta hoon."

Rasoi mein chai ke bartan dhoti hui Sonam ke haath ek pal ke liye ruk gaye.

25 tareek... parso hi toh hai.

Sonam ke dil mein ek ajeeb si kasak hui. Ek aisa shakhs jo poore shehar ke logon ke liye, aur unke parivaar ke liye ek majboot chatthan ki tarah khada rehta tha—woh apne hi janamdin par bilkul akela rehta tha. Uska soona bangla, uski akeli shaam... yeh khayal Sonam ke dil ko chhoo gaya.

Sonam ne socha ki woh koi bada jashn nahi banayegi, kyunki samajik maryadaon aur Vikram ki saadgi dono ka khayal rakhna zaroori tha. Lekin woh Vikram ko yeh zaroor ehsaas karwana chahti thi ki iss duniya mein koi hai jise uske honay se khushi milti hai.

❖ ❖ ❖

25 tareek ki dophar ko, Sonam ne ghar ke saare kaam jaldi nitaar liye. Usne pati ko bata diya ki woh Nana ji ke sath paas ke baazaar se kuch gharelu samaan lene ja rahi hai.

Sonam ne khud apne haath se Vikram ke liye khas kheer banayi—wohi kheer jo Vikram ne ek baar rasoi mein chai peete hue bataya tha ki uski maa har birthday par banaya karti thi. Usne kheer ko ek pyaare se tiffin dibbe mein pack kiya. Saath hi, usne ek sundar sa banyan leaf (bargad ka patta) le kar uspar ek chhotisi prarthna likhi aur use ek safed dhaage se baandh diya.

Nana ji ko Sonam ne pehle hi iss chhotey se surprise mein shaamil kar liya tha. Nana ji ne muskura kar kaha tha, "Sonam beta, tum bilkul sahi kar rahi ho. Vikram ne humare liye jo kiya hai, uske aage yeh kuch bhi nahi. Chalo, main tumhare sath chal doonga."

Dophar ke teen baje, jab Vikram apni office ki meetings mein vyast tha, Sonam aur Nana ji ek auto karke Vikram ke official bungalow pahunche.

Bangley ka caretaker Sonam aur Nana ji ko achhi tarah pehchanta tha. Usne turant darwaza khol diya.

"Sahab toh char baje tak aayenge ma'am," caretaker ne kaha.

"Koi baat nahi, hum unke aane se pehle bas unki dining table par kuch rakhne aaye hain," Nana ji ne kaha.

Sonam ne drawing room ki dining table ko saaf kiya. Usne tiffin table par rakha, uske paas do chhotey mitti ke diye sajaaye, aur woh bargad ke patte wali prarthna card tiffin ke bagal mein rakh di. Sonam ke haath kaanp rahe the, lekin uske chehre par ek behad pavitra khushi thi.

Sonam aur Nana ji shaam char baje se pehle hi wapas ghar laut aaye, taaki Vikram ko koi aashcharya na ho aur koi samajik sawaal bhi na uthe.

Shaam ke kareeb paanch baje, Vikram thaka-haara apne bangley par lauta. Din bhar office mein mubaarakbaad dene walon ki bheed thi, lekin uske dil mein wohi purana akelapan tha. Woh ghar ke andar aaya aur jaise hi drawing room mein dakhil hua, uski nazrein dining table par gayi.

Dining table par ek sundar sa tiffin rakha tha, aur uske sath mitti ke do diye aur ek bargad ka patta.

Vikram ke kadam wahan ruk gaye. Usne aage badhkar tiffin ka dhakkan khola. Andar taaza, ilaichi ki khushboo wali kheer thi.

Vikram ne us bargad ke patte ko uthaya. Uspar Sonam ki saaf aur khoobsurat hand-writing mein likha tha:

"Aapki zindagi hamesha roshan rahe, aur aapki shanti ko kabhi kisi ki nazar na lage. Janamdin bohot bohot mubaarak ho, Vikram ji."

Vikram uss chhotey se patrika aur kheer ke tiffin ko dekhta reh gaya. Saalon baad, kisi ne uske birthday par uski maa ki tarah kheer banayi thi. Uski aankhon mein achanak nami aa gayi. Woh afsar jo har mushkil mein shaant rehta tha, aaj iss sadharan se uphaar ko dekhkar emotional ho gaya.

Usne turant apna phone nikala aur Sonam ka number dial kiya.

❖ ❖ ❖

Sonam apne kamre mein khidki ke paas khadi thi, jab uska phone baja. Uski dhadkan tezz ho gayi. Usne phone uthaya.

"Hello... Vikram ji?" Sonam ne halki awaaz mein kaha.

Doosri taraf ek lambi saans ki aawaz aayi. Phir Vikram ki awaaz aayi—usme ek behad gehra aur bhara hua ehsaas tha.

"Sonam ji..." Vikram ne bas itna hi kaha. Uska gala bhar aaya tha.

"Aapko kheer kaisi lagi?" Sonam ne halki si muskaan ke sath pucha. Uski awaaz mein ek meethi aatmiyata thi.

"Yeh... yeh mere jeevan ka sabse khoobsurat janamdin hai, Sonam ji," Vikram ne behad dheemey se kaha. "Maa ke jaane ke baad aaj pehli baar laga ki koi mera bhi hai... jo mere akelapan ko samajhta hai."

Sonam ne khidki se bahar dhalati hui shaam ko dekha. Uske aansu uske gaal par beh nikle, lekin yeh aansu kisi dukh ke nahi, balki ek shuddh apnapan ke the.

"Aap kabhi akele nahi hain Vikram ji," Sonam ne kaha. "Bhagwan ne aapko itna sabko dene wala banaya hai... hum bas aapki khushi ke liye prarthna kar sakte hain."

Vikram ne phone ko kaan se lagaye rakha. "Main kheer khane ja raha hoon. Lagta hai jaise har ek chammach mein aapki dua aur shanti ghuli hui hai. Shukriya... iss soone ghar mein diye jalane ke liye."

"Aapna dhyan rakhna, Vikram ji. Janamdin mubaarak," Sonam ne kaha aur behad shanti se phone cut kar diya.

Sonam ne phone seene se laga liya. Unke beech koi physical touch nahi tha, koi samajik samjhauta nahi tha—lekin unke dil ke taar ek aisi dori se bandh chuke the jo samajik maryadaon ki har seema se upar aur pavitra thi.

[Lusty_bOOz]

================================================== 
          CHAPTER 13 — EK CHHATARI KE NEECHE KA SANNAATA
================================================== 


Mausam ne achanak apna mizaaj badal liya tha.

Shaam ke teen baje tak jahan halki dhoop khili hui thi, wahan chaar bajte-bajte aasmaan mein kaale baadal ghir aaye. Hawa mein ek ajeeb sa tezz rawani aur mitti ki sondhi khushboo ghulne lagi. Be-mausam ki iss aandhi aur aashanka ne shehar ke rasthon par halchal badha di thi.

Sonam ghar ke kisi zaroori kaam aur Nana ji ki dawaiyan lene ke liye paas ke baazaar gayi hui thi.

Usne halki neeli (light blue) suti saree pehen rakhi thi. Jab woh chemist ki dukaan se bahar nikli, toh aasmaan mein bijli kadak uthi aur agle hi pal musladaar baarish shuru ho gayi. Baarish itni tezz thi ki sadak par paani ka bahaav badhne laga aur sabhi log dukaanon ke chajjon ke neeche chhipne lage.

Sonam ne apne aanchal se dawaiyon ke thaili ko dhak liya aur mandir ke paas bani ek chhote se purane bus stop ke chhat ke neeche aakar khadi ho gayi.

Baarish ke thande thappad aur hawa ki wajha se Sonam ko halki si thandak lagne lagi. Uske paas na toh chhatari thi aur na hi koi auto mil raha tha. Sadak par gaadiyon ki aawajaahi lagbhag ruk si gayi thi.

Sonam ne sadak ki taraf dekha, uske haath mein pakdi dawaiyon ki thaili ko woh bachaane ki koshish kar rahi thi. Uski saari suti saree ke kinare baaris ki boondon se bheeg chuke the.

Tabhi door se ek kaali sarkari SUV dhandhalati hui aayi. Gaadi ki headlights ki roshni paani ki boondon mein chamak rahi thi.

Gaadi bus stop ke bilkul samne aakar ruk gayi.

Gaadi ka pichhla darwaza khula aur usmein se ek lambi chhaaya bahar nikli—hath mein ek badi kaali chhatari (umbrella) pakde hue.

Sonam ne hairani se dekha. Woh Vikram tha.

Vikram ne dark grey formal suit pehen rakha tha. Woh tezz baarish mein chhatari taane hue seedha Sonam ki taraf badha. Uski aankhon mein ek aisi fikar thi jise woh chahkar bhi nahi chhipa sakta tha.

"Sonam ji!" Vikram ne tezz baarish ki awaaz ke beech behad narm par gambhir awaaz mein kaha.

Sonam ne use dekha, uski dhadkan achanak ruk si gayi. "Vikram ji... aap yahan?"

"Main headquarters se laut raha tha, tabhi sadak par aapko dekha," Vikram ne chhatari ko Sonam ke sar ke upar is tarah failaya ki baarish ki ek bhi boond ab Sonam par na gire—bhale hi Vikram ka apna daaya kandha baarish mein bheeg raha tha.

"Aap poori bheeg rahi hain Sonam ji. Aaiye, main aapko gaadi mein chhod deta hoon," Vikram ne aagrah kiya.

Sonam ne sadak par bheed aur pados ke logon ka dhyan rakhte hue thodi jhijhak dikhayi. "Nahi Vikram ji... main thodi der mein auto pakad loongi. Aapki gaadi mein..."

Vikram ne Sonam ki aankhon mein dekha. Uski nazar mein koi samajik chaalaaki nahi thi, sirf ek shuddh aadar aur sanrakshan (protection) ka bhav tha.

"Aise mausam mein koi auto nahi milega Sonam ji. Aur aap mere parivaar jaisi hain, aapko iss tarah baarish mein chhodkar jana mere liye sambhav nahi hai. Kripya baithiye."

Vikram ki awaaz ke uss vishwas ne Sonam ke mann ke saare darr ko khatam kar diya.

Sonam ne halka sa sir jhukaya. Vikram use chhatari ki chhaon mein lekar gaadi tak aaya. Dono ek hi chhatari ke neeche bilkul paas chal rahe the. Baarish ki boondein chhatari ke kapde par tap-tap kar gir rahi thin, lekin uss chhoti si chhaon ke andar ek behad shaant aur garam duniya thi. Sonam ko Vikram ke shoulder se aati suti kapdon aur rain-drops ki khushboo mehsoos ho rahi thi.

Vikram ne gaadi ka pichhla darwaza khola. Sonam andar baith gayi. Vikram ne chhatari band ki aur aage ki seat par driver ke paas baith gaya.

"Ghar ki taraf chalo," Vikram ne driver ko nirdesh diya.

❖ ❖ ❖

Gaadi ki khidkiyon par paani ki boondein dhal rahi thin. Inside the car, it was warm and quiet.

Vikram ne mirror mein se Sonam ki taraf dekha. Usne apni jeb se ek safed, dry handkerchief nikala aur peeche Sonam ki taraf badhaya.

"Yeh lijiye... apne chehre aur haathon ko poch lijiye, warna sardi lag jayegi."

Sonam ne woh rumal thama. Rumal mein Vikram ka hi ek aatmiya ehsaas tha. Usne chupchap apne chehre aur haathon ki boondon ko pochha.

"Aapka kandha bheeg gaya hai Vikram ji," Sonam ne mirror mein Vikram ki taraf dekhkar dheere se kaha.

Vikram ne apne bheege hue kandhe ki taraf dekha aur muskura diya. "Yeh baarish toh thodi der mein sookh jayegi Sonam ji... lekin aapko sahi-salamat ghar pahunchana zaroori tha."

Sonam ne nazar jhuka li. Zindagi ke iss mod par, bina kisi adhikaar ya vaade ke, yeh aadmi uski chhotise chhoti takleef ka dhyan iss tarah rakhta tha jaise duniya ki sabse keemati cheez wohi ho.

Gaadi Sonam ke ghar ke gate par ruki. Baarish ab thodi dheemi ho chuki thi.

Vikram ne khud uthkar Sonam ke liye darwaza khola aur chhatari ko dubara unke upar taan diya taaki woh aangan tak safely pahunch sakein.

Verandah ke paas pahunchkar Sonam ruki aur mudkar Vikram ko dekha.

"Shukriya... aaj ke liye," Sonam ke muh se nikal.

Vikram ne chhatari ko thoda jhukate hue haath jode. "Apna dhyan rakhna Sonam ji. Garam chai peeyiyega."

Sonam ne muskurate hue haan mein sir hila diya.

Vikram gaadi mein baithkar rawana ho gaya. Sonam verandah mein khadi hokar uss kaali gaadi ko jaate dekhne lagi. Uske haath mein abhi bhi Vikram ka woh safed rumal tha—ek aisa rumal jo sirf kapda nahi tha, balki ek anjaan rishte ki woh aatmiya chhaon tha jo har toofan mein use sambhal leti thi.

[Lusty_bOOz]

================================================== 
         CHAPTER 14 — UNKAHA UPHAAR AUR PAVITRA EHSAAS
================================================== 


Sardi ki aakhri aahat ke baad ab basant ki thandi, suhaani dhoop aur shaam ko ek meethi rangini phailne lagi thi.

Sonam ke ghar mein aaj ek khas raunak thi. Sonam ke pati poori tarah swasth ho chuke the aur unhone apni company ke ek naye project ki safalta aur parivaar ke sabhi sankaton ke talne ki khushi mein ek chhotey se family dinner ka aayojan kiya tha.

Is dinner ke mukhya mehman zaroor Vikram hi the.

Khane ki tayyari dophar se hi shuru ho gayi thi. Sonam ne aaj apni pasand ki light teal-green rang ki silk saree pehni thi, jiske pallu par halka sa golden work tha. Usne maathe par ek chhoti si bindi lagayi aur baalon mein taaza mogre ki gajra sajaya tha. Uski aakhon mein ek aisi shanti aur chehre par rangini thi jo poore ghar ko roshan kar rahi thi.

Raat ke aath bajte hi Vikram ki gaadi bahar ruki.

Vikram ne aaj light cream color ka silk kurta aur white churidar pehena hua tha. Uske haath mein Nana ji ke liye gaon se aayi khas mithai, pati ke liye ek achhi kitaab, aur parivaar ke liye dry fruits ki basket thi.

"Aaiye, aaiye Vikram ji! Hum aapka hi intezaar kar rahe the," Sonam ke pati ne aage badhkar Vikram ka behad garmahat se swagat kiya.

Nana ji ne Vikram ke sar par haath rakhkar aashirwad diya. Saas ne bhi Vikram ko ek bete jaisa sneha dikhaya.

Sonam rasoi se sarbat ke glass tray mein lekar aayi. Dono ki nazrein milin. Vikram ne Sonam ko dekha—us teal-green saree aur mogre ki khushboo mein Sonam behad pavitra aur khoobsurat lag rahi thi.

"Namaste, Sonam ji," Vikram ne haath jodh kar kaha, uski awaaz mein ek anjaan narmi thi.

"Namaste Vikram ji," Sonam ne halka sa sir jhukakar javab diya. Uski gaalon par halki si surkhi aa gayi thi.

Khana behad shaandar tha. Sonam ne Vikram ki pasand ka khas dhyan rakhte hue saadha, masaledar se pare, behad swadisht khana banaya tha. Subah se shaam tak kaam karne ke bawajood, Sonam ke chehre par thakan ki jagah ek meethi muskaan thin.

Khane ke baad sabhi log courtyard (aangan) mein baith kar chai peene lage. Nana ji aur pati Vikram se shehar ke naye vikas aur security arrangements ke baare mein baat kar rahe the.

Kareeb das baje, Vikram ne jaane ki ijazat maangi.

"Accha Uncle ji, ab mujhe nikalna chahiye. Kal subah jaldi ek meeting hai," Vikram ne khade hote hue kaha.

Sabhi log use gate tak chhodne ke liye aaye. Vikram ne sabhi se bida li. Lekin jab woh gate ke paas pahuncha, toh usne apne kurta ke andar waali jeb se ek chhota sa, patla sa brown paper envelope nikala.

Usne behad sabhya tarike se woh envelope Nana ji aur pati ke samne Sonam ki taraf badhaya.

"Sonam ji... yeh ek chhota sa gift hai aapke liye. Kripya ise swikaar kijiyega," Vikram ne kaha.

Sonam thodi chaunk gayi. Ghar ke baki log bhi Vikram ki taraf dekhne lage.

Pati ne muskura kar kaha, "Arey Vikram ji, iski kya zaroorat thi? Aap aaye, humare sath waqt bitaya, wohi bohot hai."

Vikram ne behad adab se pati aur Nana ji ki taraf dekha aur bola, "Uncle ji, iss ghar ne mujhe jo apnapan aur vishwas diya hai, uska koi mol nahi hai. Parso main ek sarkari exhibition mein gaya tha, wahan yeh dekh kar mujhe laga ki yeh Sonam ji ke liye hi bana hai."

Sonam ne kaanpte haathon se woh envelope thama.

Vikram ne haath jode, sabhi ko pranam kiya aur apni gaadi mein baithkar rawana ho gaya.

❖ ❖ ❖

Ghar ke sabhi log apne-apne kamron mein chale gaye.

Sonam apne kamre mein aayi. Pati sone ki tayyari kar rahe the aur pehle hi bed par leta chuke the. Sonam ne kamre ki lights thodi dheemi ki aur dresser ke paas aakar woh envelope khola.

Envelope ke andar ek behad khoobsurat, haath se bani hui wooden bookmark thi. Uspar ek bargad ke ped ke neeche baithi hui ek stree ki chhaaya painter dwara banayi gayi thi, aur uske neeche behad baareek aksharon mein ek kavitayi panti (line) likhi thi:

"Jo sabko chhaon deti hai, uske dil ki shanti duniya ka sabse khoobsurat phool hai."

Bookmark ke saath ek chhoti si silver-embossed pen bhi thi.

Sonam uss uphaar ko dekhti reh gayi.

Vikram ne koi mehenga gehna ya kapda nahi diya tha—jo shayad samajik maryadaon ke khilaaf lagta ya ajeeb lag sakta tha. Usne ek aisa uphaar diya tha jo Sonam ki aatmanirbharta, uske shauk (reading/writing) aur uski bheetari shanti ki izzat karta tha. Yeh uphaar batata tha ki Vikram use kitna baareeki se samajhta tha.

Sonam ne bookmark aur pen ko apne seene se laga liya. Usne khidki se bahar aasmaan mein chamakte taaron ko dekha.

Unke beech koi rasmi rishta nahi tha, lekin iss chhoti si saughat ne unke beech ek aisa aatmiya aur pavitra dhora baandh diya tha jo kisi bhi lafz ya rishte ke naam se behad upar aur khoobsurat tha.

[Lusty_bOOz]

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         CHAPTER 15 — AAKHRI BIDAI AUR PAVITRA AMAR PREM
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Vaqt ki chaal hamesha ek jaisi nahi rehti. Jab zindagi mein sab kuch behad shant, khoobsurat aur ek meethi lay mein dhalne lagta hai, tabhi kismat koi aisa mod le aati hai jiska kisi ne gumaan bhi nahi kiya hota.

Basant ki dhalati hui shaam thin. Sonam ke ghar mein rozmarra ki aam halchal chal rahi thi.

Sonam verandah mein baithkar shaam ki sabzi kaat rahi thi aur uske paas rakhe wooden bookmark par uski nazar baar-baar chali jaati thi—wohi bookmark jo Vikram ne use dinner par diya tha. Us bookmark ko dekhkar hi uske andar ek anjaani shanti bhar jaati thi.

Tabhi ghar ke bahar tezz gaadi ke rukne ki aahat hui.

Lekin iss baar gaadi ki aawaz mein pehle jaisa thahrav nahi tha—usmein ek ajeeb sa ujaad aur jaldbazi thi.

Sonam ne plate ek taraf rakhi aur bahar aayi. Vikram gaadi se utar raha tha. Usne aaj apni formal IPS uniform pehen rakhi thi, lekin uska chehra behad gambhir, utara hua aur khamosh tha. Uski aankhon mein ek aisi udaasi thi jo Sonam ne aaj tak nahi dekhi thi.

Nana ji aur pati bhi bahar aa gaye.

"Arre Vikram beta! Iss waqt? Aur uniform mein? Sab theek toh hai na?" Nana ji ne chinta se pucha.

Vikram ne behad gambhirta se Nana ji ke paon chhue aur pati se haath milaya. Usne ek gehri saans li aur bola—

"Uncle ji... ek achanak emergency transfer order aaya hai. Home Ministry se order hai... mujhe kal subah hi North-East headquarters report karna hai. Border security ki emergency unit ki command mujhe di gayi hai."

Yeh sunte hi verandah mein ek sudden sannaata chha gaya.

Nana ji ka chehra utar gaya. "Kal subah? Itni jaldi beta? Abhi toh tum yahan shift hue the..."

Sonam pillar ke paas khadi thi. Vikram ke lafz sunte hi uske haath se saree ka pallu chhut gaya. Uska dil jaise ek pal ke liye rukh gaya ho. Vikram... iss shehar se... itni door ja raha hai?

Vikram ne Sonam ki taraf dekha. Dono ki nazrein milin. Uss ek nazar mein sau sawal the, hazaron unkahe lafz the, aur ek behad gehra dard tha.

"Senior officers ko turant move karna hota hai Uncle ji," Vikram ne apni awaaz ko sambhalte hue kaha. "Main kal subah ki flight se nikal raha hoon. Isliye bas aap sabhi se aakhri baar milne aur aashirwad lene aaya tha."

Ghar ke andar sabhi log baith gaye. Nana ji aur pati Vikram se uske naye assignment aur safety ke baare mein baat kar rahe the. Sonam rasoi mein chali gayi—usne chai ke liye paani chhadhaya, lekin uske haath itne kaanp rahe the ki bartan ki aawaz poori rasoi mein gunj rahi thi. Uski aankhon se aansu continuously beh rahe the.

Vikram ne rasoi se aati aawaz ko mehsoos kiya.

"Uncle ji, main rasoi se paani pi kar aata hoon," Vikram ne keh kar khada hua aur rasoi ki taraf badh gaya.

Rasoi ke darwaze par Vikram aakar ruka. Sonam slabh ke sahare khadi thi, uski peeth darwaze ki taraf thi aur uske shane (shoulders) halki si sisakiyo se hil rahe the.

"Sonam ji..." Vikram ne behad dheemi aur kaanphti awaaz mein bola.

Sonam ne mudkar dekha. Uske gaalon par aansuon ki lakirein thin. Uski aakhon mein Vikram ke jaane ka gehra dukh saaf jhalak raha tha.

"Aap... aap itni door ja rahe hain?" Sonam ne ruyin bhari awaaz mein pucha.

Vikram ne do kadam aage badhaye. Uski apni aankhein bhi nam thin. Usne afsar ki shaan ko ek taraf rakhkar, sirf ek sachhe prem ki nigaah se Sonam ko dekha.

"Farz aur kanoon mujhe door le ja rahe hain Sonam ji... lekin mera dil hamesha iss shehar mein, aapki uss shant muskaan ke paas hi rahega," Vikram ne behad aatmiya awaaz mein kaha.

Vikram ne apni jeb se ek chhota sa bargad ka patta aur ek shuddh chandi ki chhotisi flute (bansuri) ka pendant nikala. Usne ise slabh par rakha.

"Main jaata hoon... lekin main jaanta hoon ki humara rishta kisi samajik naam ya zaroorat ka mohataaj nahi tha. Aapne mujhe akelapan se nikala, mujhe ek aisi shanti di jo mujhe poori duniya mein kahin nahi mili," Vikram ne kaha.

Sonam ne uss pendant ko dekha aur phir Vikram ki aankhon mein dekha.

"Vikram ji..." Sonam ne apne aansu ponchhte hue behad majbooti se kaha, "Aap jahan bhi rahenge, meri prarthna aur mera vishwas hamesha aapke saath ek dhal ban kar chalega. Aap mere jeevan ka woh pavitra ehsaas hain... jise waqt ya doori kabhi kam nahi kar sakti."

Vikram ne Sonam ki taraf apna haath badhaya—aur pehli aur aakhri baar, un dono ke haath ek-doosre se mile. Vikram ke bheege hue, garam haath ne Sonam ke kaanpte haathon ko sirf teen second ke liye thama. Uss ek sparsh mein unhone saalon ki tapasya, samman aur prem ko mehsoos kar liya.

"Alvida, Sonam ji. Apna aur parivaar ka dhyan rakhna," Vikram ne haath jodh kar kaha.

"Aap bhi apna dhyan rakhna... Vikram ji," Sonam ne bhi haath jode.

Vikram rasoi se bahar nikal gaya. Usne Nana ji ke paon chhue, pati se gale mila, aur bina pichhe mude apni gaadi ki taraf badh gaya.

Gaadi ke rawana hote hi Sonam verandah mein aakar khadi ho gayi. Musladaar shaam ki dhalati roshni mein kaali gaadi door hoti gayi aur aakhirkar sadak ke mod par gayab ho gayi.

Sonam ne apne haath mein pakdi uss chandi ki bansuri ke pendant ko seene se laga liya. Uski aankhon se aansu beh rahe the, lekin chehre par ek ajeeb sa devik sukoon aur garv tha. Vikram chala gaya tha... lekin unka prem aazaad tha, pavitra tha, aur samaj ki har maryada ko banaye rakhte hue amar ho chuka tha.

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                                           THE END
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[Lusty_bOOz]

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      KAHANI KA EK PAVITRA VIRAAM — AUTHOR'S NOTE
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Priy Pathakon (Dear Readers),

Yeh kahani “Vikram aur Sonam” ab apne aakhri padav par pahunch chuki hai. Lekin kahani ke khatam hone ke baad, ek baat aap sabhi se dil se kehna behad zaroori hai.

Aaj ke iss dor mein, jab bhi hum internet ya sahitya (literature) mein do anjaan logon ke milne, unke beech ek anjaan koshish, aur unke gehrey rishte ki kahani padhte hain—toh aksar pathakon ke dimag mein ek hi khayal aata hai... “Aage chalkar inke beech koi najayaj rishta banega... yeh kahani jism ya havaz ke mod par jaakar rukegi.”

Aaj ki duniya ne rishton ki paribhasha ko behad chhota aur ganda bana diya hai. Log samajhte hain ki do logon ke beech ka aakarshan sirf jism (physicality) tak hi simit hai. Lekin iss kahani ka sabse bada maqsad aap sabhi ko yeh yaad dilana tha ki "Prem aur Aakarshan sirf jism ka nahi, balki Rooh (Soul) ka hota hai."

❖ ❖ ❖

Kyun Yeh Kahani Alag Thi?

1. Maryada aur Sammaan (Dignity & Respect):
   Sonam ek maryadit parivaar ki bahu thi, ek maa thi. Uski apni zimmedariyan thin. Vikram ek zimmedar sarkari afsar tha. Dono ne ek-doosre ke akelepan ko samjha, lekin kisi ne bhi apni maryada, samajik parampara aur sanskaron ki seema ko nahi toda.
   
   
2. Dohra Prem, Pavitra Bandhan:
   Rishta woh nahi hota jo samaj ki nazron mein chhipkar galti kare. Sachha rishta woh hota hai jo samne wale ki zaroorat mein uski dhal bane—jaise Vikram ne Sonam ke pati ki jaan bachayi, aur Sonam ne Vikram ke soone ghar mein diyo ki roshni bhari. Unka prem hawas (lust) par nahi, balki ek-doosre ke prati Izzat (Respect) par tikha hua tha.
   
   
3. Rooh ka Rishta (Spiritual Connection):
   Jism ka rishta toh waqt ke sath dhal jaata hai, lekin rooh ka rishta zindagi ke baad bhi amar rehta hai. Vikram aur Sonam ka milna koi paap nahi tha, woh do aisi aatmon ka milan tha jinhone bina kisi swarth ya vaade ke ek-doosre ke akelapan ko sahara diya.
   
   

❖ ❖ ❖

Zindagi Ka Sabse Bada Paath (Motivational Note):

Agar aapne iss kahani se kuch seekha hai, toh woh yeh hai ki:

"Prem ka matlab paana ya chhuna nahi hota... Prem ka sachha matlab hota hai kisi ke wajood ki izzat karna, uski khushi ki prarthna karna, aur use uski maryada mein rehkar aazad chhod dena."

Aapki zindagi mein bhi koi aisa shakhs ho sakta hai jise aap chhu nahi sakte, jisse aap shadi nahi kar sakte, jise aap samaj ke samne koi naam nahi de sakte—lekin agar aapke dil mein uske liye shuddh vishwas, izzat aur dua hai, toh woh rishta duniya ke har naam-dhari rishte se kahin zyada Pavitra (Holy) hai.

Har kahani ko jism ki gandagi par khatam hona zaroori nahi hota. Kuch kahaniyan dil ke un konon ko roshan kar jaati hain jahan sirf aur sirf shanti aur roohani sukoon hota hai.

Mujhe umeed hai ki Vikram aur Sonam ki yeh amar aur pavitra prem-gatha aapke dil mein hamesha ek meethi aahat bankar zinda rahegi.

Aap sabhi ka iss khoobsurat safar mein sath dene ke liye behad Shukriya!

[deepangshu]

Nice story.

[Waseem990]

isaka dusra 2 part ayega

[Lusty_bOOz]

DO YOU WANT TO SEE THE STORY OF SONAM CONTINUE ?

[Yash120]

Yes brother

[Lusty_bOOz]

ANY FEEDBACKS OR SUGGESTIONS FROM PREVIOUS STORY AND FOR FUTURE UPDATES

[Xossiy]

We want fucking session belteyal

[Lusty_bOOz]

❖ PARDAY KE PEECHE: RAAZ ABHI BAKI HAI... ❖

(Vikram aur Sonam — Sequel Teaser)

Aapne socha ki kahani khatam ho gayi? Aapne socha ki unka prem aakhri bidai ke sath amar ho gaya aur sab kuch shant ho gaya?

Lekin sachai woh nahi hoti jo hamesha samne dikhti hai...

Vikram ke jaane ke baad, Sonam ne socha tha ki woh apni purani aam zindagi mein laut aayegi. Uske paas Vikram ki yaadein thin, chandi ki woh bansuri thi, aur ek pavitra ehsaas tha. Lekin woh ek baat bhool gayi thi—iss duniya mein kuch bhi chhipa nahi rehta.

Dhalati shaam ke sannate mein, Sonam ke phone par ek anjaan notification bajti hai. Screen par ek anjaan social media account se aaya hua message chamakta hai:

"Pavitra prem... ya parivaar ke peeche dhokha? IPS Vikram ke sath rasoi ki woh akhri bidai behad khoobsurat thi, Sonam ji. Lekin kya aapka parivaar aur yeh samaj iss 'Pavitra Prem' ko wahi naam dega?"

Message ke saath ek tasveer attached thi—wohi 3 second ka sparsh, jo rasoi mein Vikram aur Sonam ke beech hua tha. Unki ek-ek mulaqat, ek-ek muskaan, aur ek-ek chhupkar milna kisi teesre ki nazron mein kaid ho chuka tha.

Ek taraf Sonam ki izzat, uska parivaar aur uski maryada daanv par hai... aur doosri taraf door border par desh ki suraksha mein tainaat Vikram ka IPS career aur uski jaan!

• Kaun hai yeh anjaan shaks jo Sonam ki har harkat par nazar rakhe hue tha?
  
  
• Kya Vikram door rehkar bhi Sonam ko iss daldal se nikal payega?
  
  
• Aur kya yeh pavitra rishta samaj ke iss gehre aag mein jalne se bach payega... ya sab kuch tabaah ho jayega?
  
  

"Kahani abhi khatam nahi hui hai... asal imtihan toh ab shuru hua hai!"

Jald hi aa raha hai: VIKRAM AUR SONAM — SEASON 2 (CHHUPA HUA SAAYA)

[Lusty_bOOz]

SEASON 2 — CHAPTER 1

[PART 1: VARTAMAN (PRESENT) — GUMNAAM PEHACHAAN]

Musladaar shaam ki dhalati roshni mein IPS Vikram ki kaali gaadi sadak ke mod par gayab ho chuki thi.

Sonam ne rasoi ke slabh par rakhi chandi ki bansuri ke uss chhote se pendant ko apni mutthi mein kas kar mitch liya. Uski aankhon se behate aansu ab shant ho chuke the. Uss 3-second ke sparsh ne unke rishte ko samaj ki har maryada ke andar rehte hue hamesha ke liye aatmik aur amar bana diya tha.

Sonam ne uss pendant ko ek chhotey se lal kapde mein lapeta aur rasoi ke sabse chhupaye hue kone mein rakhi wooden box mein mehfooz kar diya.

Do din beet gaye. Ghar ki aam halchal waisi hi thi. Nana ji aur pati apne kaam mein mashgool the. Sonam ke dimaag mein Vikram ki yaad aur unke rishte ka sukoon ek dhal bankar khada tha.

Teesre din ki shaam, lagbhag 5 baje, Sonam rasoi mein chai ke liye paani chhadha rahi thi. Uski nazar verandah ke pillar par gayi, jahan do din pehle Vikram uniform mein khada tha.

Tabhi uske phone par ek tezz vibration hui.

Sonam ne phone uthaya. Ek anjaan, bina kisi naam wale number se message aaya tha. Message kholte hi Sonam ke haath se phone chhut-te chhut-te bacha.

Screen par ek photo chamak rahi thi—Rasoi ke darwaze par Vikram aur Sonam ki judi hui hatheriyan, aur dono ke chehre par ek-doosre se bida hone ka gehra dard!

Photo ke neeche likha tha:

"Pavitra Prem... ya parivaar ke peechhe chhipa dhokha? IPS Vikram ke saath yeh aakhri 3 second ka sparsh kitna roohani tha na, Sonam ji? Par kya aapka parivaar aur IPS Headquarters iss 'Pavitra Prem' ko wahi izzat dega?"

Sonam ka rang safed pad gaya. Uska dil itni tezz dhadakne laga jaise seena phaad kar bahar aa jayega. Rasoi mein toh sirf woh aur Vikram the... yeh tasveer kisne khinchi?

Peechhe se ek aur message aaya:

"Mera jawab nahi dogi? Puraani aadat hai na aapki... jab bhi koi khatra samne aata hai, aap chupchaap sab sehti rehti hain aur akele mein ghabrati hain. Yaad hai na 6 saal pehle kya hua tha? Jab aapne pehli baar ek sach chhupaya tha?"

6 Saal Pehle?

Yeh lafz padhte hi Sonam ke pairon tale zameen nikal gayi. Uska rom-rom kaamp utha. Yeh blackmailer sirf Vikram ke saath hui mulaqat ko hi nahi jaanta tha... balki woh Sonam ke ateet (past) ke uss gehre raaz ko bhi jaanta tha jise Sonam ne apni aatma ke sabse chhupaye hue kone mein dafn kar diya tha!

Sonam ne rasoi ke slabh ko dono haathon se pakad liya. Uska saans phoolne laga.

[PART 2: ATEET (FLASHBACK) — PEHLA SAAYA, PEHLI CHUPPI]
(Saal 2020 — Sonam ke shaadi ke shuruati din)

Shaadi ke shuruati mahino mein, Sonam ke pati apne naye business ke silsile mein akstar shehar se bahar rehte the. Naye ghar mein Sonam akeli rehti thi. Uski sharmili tabiyat aur sanskaron ki wajah se woh padosiyon se bhi kam hi milti thi.

Uss din garmi ki dhalati shaam thi. Sonam apne ghar ke pichhle verandah mein kapde sukhane aayi thi. Pados mein bane ek purane, adhadhoore makan ki chhat par ek naya aaya hua kirayedar khada tha.

Sonam ne jaise hi kapde taar par daale, use mehsoos hua ki koi use lagatar ek-tak dekh raha hai. Usne nazrein uthayi. Uss aadmiki umar koi 30-32 saal rahi hogi. Uski aankhon mein ek aisi gandi aur ziddi chamak thi jisse Sonam ke andar ek anjaana darr bhar gaya.

Sonam ne turant dupatta sambhala aur andar jaane lagi.

"Suno..." chhat se ek dheemi, bhari aawaaz aayi.

Sonam ke kadam ruk gaye. Usne mud kar nahi dekha, lekin uske pair jaise zameen se chipak gaye the.

"Ghar mein akeli ho kya? Shaam ko jab tum verandah mein aati ho, toh mera poora din ban jata hai," uss aadmi ne bina kisi jhijhak ke kaha.

Sonam ka dil dhak-dhak karne laga. Uske sanskar aur uski maryada bol rahi thi ki woh palat kar usse daante ya shor machaye. Lekin uske andar ke darr aur jhijhak ne uske hoont sil diye. Woh bina kuch bole, jaldi se andar bhaag gayi aur darwaza band kar liya.

Wahi uski pehli "Chhoti Si Chuppi" thi.

Sonam ne socha tha ki agar woh kuch nahi bolegi toh woh aadmi khud chup ho jayega. Lekin uss aadmi ne Sonam ki chuppi ko uski kamzori samajh liya. Agle hi din se, jab bhi Sonam verandah mein aati, woh aadmi chhat par khada milta aur dheere-dheere apni seemayein laanghne laga—gandi baatein bolna, uske figure par comments karna, aur uske pichhe sadak tak aana.

Sonam darr ke maare roz akele mein roti thi, par usne apne pati ya parivaar ko kuch nahi bataya kyonki use darr tha ki kahin ilzaam usi par na aa jaaye. Wahi chuppi aage chal kar ek aise haadse mein badal gayi jise Sonam ne hamesha ke liye dafn kar diya tha.

[PART 3: VARTAMAN (PRESENT) — PARIKSHA KA SHURUAT]
(Wapas Present Mein)

Phone par ek tezz beep hui. Blackmailer ka agla message aaya:

"Yaad aa gaya na 6 saal purana woh saaya? Tab bhi aapne kisi ko nahi bataya tha, aur aaj IPS Vikram ke iss 3-second ke sparsh ko bhi aapne sabse chhupakar 'Pavitra' keh diya! Agar chahti ho ki yeh photo aur aapka woh ateet kal subah aapke pati aur Vikram ke Senior Ministry HQ tak na pahuche... toh kal dopahar 3 baje ghar ke pichhle darwaze par aakar milna. Warna aapka 'Pavitra Prem' aur 'Sanskari Bahu' ka naatak ek pal mein khatam ho jayega."

Sonam ne phone seene se laga liya aur rasoi ki deewar ke sahare neeche baith gayi. Uski aankhon se continuously aansu beh rahe the.

Ek taraf IPS Vikram ki izzat, unki uniform aur unka amar prem tha... aur doosri taraf Sonam ki apni maryada aur ateet ka woh khaufnaak raaz!

[Lusty_bOOz]

SEASON 2 — CHAPTER 2

[PART 1: VARTAMAN (PRESENT) — SHAAM KI CHUPPI AUR NAYA DHAMAKA]

Musladaar baarish ab shant ho chuki thi, par Sonam ke dimaag ka tufan thamne ka naam nahi le raha tha.

Rasoi ki deewar se tika hua uska sar dard se phat raha tha. Phone par aaya woh message aur IPS Vikram ke 3-second ke sparsh ki photo screen par chamak rahi thi. Blackmailer ne agle din dopahar 3 baje pichhle darwaze par aane ko kaha tha.

Sonam ne deep breath liya, apna chehra paani se dhoya aur pati ke aane se pehle phone ko silent karke safe lock mein daal diya.

"Sonam? Chai ban gayi kya?" verandah se pati ki aawaaz aayi.

"Haan, bas do minute mein laati hoon," Sonam ne apni aawaaz ki ghabrahat ko dabaate hue kaha.

Thali mein chai ke cups rakhte hue Sonam ki ungliyan kaamp rahi thi. Purane college ke dino ka woh Ashok peon wala incident aur uske baad ki ghatnayein uske dimaag mein tezz roshni ki tarah ghoomne lagin. Tab bhi usne apni maryada aur swabhimaan ke liye kadam uthaya tha... par aaj sawaal sirf uska nahi, IPS Vikram ke career aur unke pavitra rishte ka tha.

[PART 2: ATEET (FLASHBACK) — PEON ASHOK KE BAAD KA NAYA KHATRA]
(Saal 2020 — Shaadi ke pehle saal ka aakhri mahina)

College ke dino mein Ashok peon wale mamle ko apne advocate pita ki madad se khatam karwaane ke baad, Sonam ko laga tha ki uski zindagi mein ab sukoon hai. Par shaadi ke baad jab pati business trips par rehte the, tab ek doosra saaya uske pichhe pad gaya tha.

Ghar ke pichhle hissed mein bani jhariyon ke paas roz shaam ek anjaan ladka cycle khadi karke baithta tha. Woh Ashok ki tarah sidha saamne aakar badtameezi nahi karta tha, balki Sonam ke har chhotey kaam par nazar rakhta tha.

Ek shaam jab Sonam kachra phenkne bahar aayi, toh uss ladke ne dheere se ek kagaz ka tukda uske pairon ke paas pheka.

Kagaz par likha tha:

"Tumhare pati shehar mein nahi hain... aur tumhara yeh roz shaam ko khidki par aana bataata hai ki tum kitni akeli ho."

Sonam ne woh kagaz turant phad kar phenk diya tha. Usne soch tha ki agar woh dhyan nahi degi toh woh chala jayega. Woh uss raat ghar ke andar aakar chain ki saans lene lagi thi ki chalo, usne koi javab nahi diya aur darwaza band kar liya.

Par Sonam yeh nahi jaanti thi ki uski woh silence aur uss kagaz ko chupchaap phad kar phenkna hi uss saaye ko haunsla de gaya tha. Woh ladka jaan gaya tha ki Sonam shor nahi machayegi aur iss baat ko apne parivaar se chhupayegi!

[PART 3: VARTAMAN (PRESENT) — KAUN HAI WOH BLACKMAILER?]
(Wapas Present Mein)

Raat ke 10 baje. Ghar mein sab so chuke the.

Sonam apne kamre ki khidki ke paas khadi bahar andhere mein dekh rahi thi. Baarish ke baad ki thandi hawa chal rahi thi. Tabhi uske silent phone par ek aur vibration hui.

Sonam ne kaampte haathon se phone khola.

Message mein ek audio clip thi. Sonam ne earphone lagaya aur play kiya.

Audio mein Vikram ki aawaaz thi—woh 3 second ka sparsh karte waqt jo Vikram ne halki saans chhodte hue aatmik roop se kaha tha: "Sonam... yeh sparsh hamari aatmaon ka hai."

Audio ke baad ek text message aaya:

"Pehchana iss aawaaz ko? IPS Vikram ki yeh personal recording aur tumhari yeh photo... agar chahti ho ki kal yeh SP Office aur tumhare pati ke email par na jaye, toh kal 3 baje pichhle darwaze par aana. Aur haan, Vikram ko batane ki galti mat karna, warna uski uniform aur naukri dono ek pal mein saaf ho jayegi."

Sonam ki aankhon ke samne andhera chha gaya. Blackmailer koi aam banda nahi tha—woh Sonam ke past ke uss purane saaye aur vartaman ke Vikram ke movement, dono ko closely watch kar raha tha!

[Lusty_bOOz]

SEASON 2 — CHAPTER 3

[PART 1: VARTAMAN (PRESENT) — DELEMA AUR PAHLI SHART]

Dopahar ke 2:45 baj rahe the. Musladaar baarish ruk chuki thi, lekin aasmaan mein abhi bhi kaale badal ghire hue the.

Sonam ka dil seene mein tezz aawaz ke saath dhadak raha tha. Usne kitchen mein rakhe first-aid box ko dekha, fir door khidki ke bahar ghaas aur jhadiyon ke beech dekha. Blackmailer ka message saaf tha: 3 baje pichhle darwaze par aao, nahi toh Vikram ki photo aur audio clips public kar di jayengi.

Sonam ke dimaag mein ek taraf pati aur parivaar ke sanskar the, toh doosri taraf Vikram ke saath judaa woh 3-second ka aatmik sparsh aur unki duty-bound izzat.

"Sonam... tum zaroorat se zyada soch rahi ho. Darne se baat nahi banegi, ab samna karna hi hoga," Sonam ne khud se kaha aur deep breath liya.

Usne ek chhota sa metallic scale/knife apni saree ke pallu mein chhupaya—apni suraksha ke liye. 3 baje, woh chupke se ghar ke pichhle darwaze se bahar nikli.

[PART 2: PICHHLE DARWAZE PAR SAMNA — A NAYEE CHETAVANI]

Ghar ke pichhle hissed mein lambi-lambi jhadiyaan aur purana aam ka ped tha, jahan dhalati shaam mein hamesha andhera rehta tha.

Jab Sonam jhadiyon ko paar karke ped ke paas pahuche, toh wahan ek lambi height wala aadmi rain-coat pehne khada tha. Uska chehra hood se dhaka hua tha. Uski kamar par ek purana bag latak raha tha.

Sonam ne thode fasle par ruk kar, apni aawaz ko jitna ho sake dridhh banate hue kaha, "Kaun ho tum? Aur IPS Vikram ki tasveer ke sahare mujhe yahan bulane ki himmat kaise hui?"

Woh aadmi dheere se hasa. Uski aawaz mein ek aisi thandak thi jo reenh ki haddi tak mein shihan paida kar de.

"Vikram ki nahi, Sonam ji... aapki tasveer," woh aage badha. "Vikram toh apna kaam karke shehar se nikal gaya. Par aap? Aap iss ghar ki sanskari bahu hokar ek IPS officer ke sparsh par sharma rahi thi. Kya aapke pati ko pata hai ki jab Vikram aapki rasoi mein khada tha, tab aapke chehre par kya expressions the?"

Sonam ne mutthi bhichi. "Yeh bakwas band karo! Tumhe jo paise chahiye bolo, par Vikram aur mere parivaar ko beech mein mat lao."

"Paise?" Woh aadmi ek kadam aur paas aaya. "Mujhe paison ki bhookh nahi hai. Mujhe toh bas iss sanskari dhal ke peechhe chhipi uss ghabrahat ko dekhne mein maza aata hai. Vikram ne tumhe 3 second chhua... aur tumhare rom-rom mein aag lag gayi. Par tum akele mein kya sochti ho, woh sab mujhe pata hai."

Sonam ne aage badhkar kaha, "Tumhara dimag kharab hai. Main abhi security officer ko phone kar sakti hoon!"

"security officer ko?" Woh aadmi zor se hasa. "Phone karo. Pehla call IPS Vikram ke HQ par jayega. Unki reputation, unka medal, aur unki naukri teenon ek minute mein khatam. Aur tum? Tumhara pati tumhe issi ghar se bahar nikal dega."

Sonam freeze ho gayi. Woh aage kuch nahi bol saki.

[PART 3: NAYA SUSPENSE — EK ANJAAN CHIZ]
Woh aadmi apne jacket ki pocket se ek chhota sa Sealed Envelope (lifafa) nikalta hai aur zameen par phek deta hai.

"Isme ek purani memory chip hai," blackmailer ne kaha. "Isme Vikram ke aane se pehle ka bhi kuch aisa hai jo tumne hamesha ke liye bhulane ki koshish ki thi. Agar chahti ho ki Vikram safe rahe, toh iss lifafe ko kholo aur isme jo task likha hai, use 24 ghante mein poora karo."

Sonam ne kaampte haathon se lifafa uthaya. "Task? Kaisa task?"

"Kal shaam ko pata chal jayega. Aur haan... khidki par roz subah aakar bahar dekhna band mat karna. Kyonki main wahin se nazar rakhta hoon."

Yeh keh kar woh aadmi tezz kadmon se jhadiyon ke beech andhere mein gayab ho gaya.

Sonam wahan akeli khadi rahi. Uska dil darr se kaamp raha tha, lekin saath hi use yeh ehsaas ho raha tha ki Blackmailer unke rishte aur uske akelepan ka fayda uthana chahta hai.

Lifafa haath mein liye Sonam ghar ke andar aayi. Usne lifafa khola... andar memory chip ke saath ek kagaz tha jis par likha tha:

"Vikram ki uniform bachani hai, toh kal shaam ko 5 baje akele City Library ke basement mein aao."