Adultery My wife become Mirzapur ki Malika

[Joker44]

Soham ghar laut aaya tha—andar se poora raat ka weight leke, lekin bahar se ek shaant pati ka mask pehne hue. Haveli ke sab log so rahe the. Ghar mein ek eeri si shanti thi… sirf clock ki tik-tik aur uske jooton ki halki awaaz.

Bedroom ka darwaza khula. Pranali bed pe leti thi, apni usual side mein, ek haath thoda bahar latakta hua, aur aankhon ke aas paas halka sa laalpan... jaise aansuon ka nishaan ho.
Soham kuch nahi bola.
Woh bas quietly uske paas gaya, apne shoes nikale, aur uske side se bed mein ghus gaya. Dheere se, bina usse jagaye, uske piche se uski kamar pakad kar usse hug kiya—apna sar uske baalon mein chhupa liya. Woh ek moment ke liye saans lena bhool gaya.
Pranali ne halki movement ki. Woh poori nahi jagi thi, bas neend ke us daayre mein thi jahan dil truth bolta hai par dimaag censor nahi karta.
Usne dheere se apne haathon se Soham ko feel kiya… aur fir bina kuch soche, rotate hokar uske gale lag gayi.
Tight. Jaise koi toofan ke baad jhaad pakadta hai.
Pranali (sleepy, whisper mein):
"Love… I love you… so so much…"
Soham ne kuch nahi kaha. Bas apni aankhon ko band kiya… aur uss raat ke saare jism, paisa, plan… sab kuch ek pal ke liye bhool gaya. Uski baahon mein ab woh aurat thi jiske emotions real the. Aur jiske bharose ko todna... plan ka hissa tha.
Par us waqt, woh sirf ek pati tha… aur woh sirf ek tooti-biwi jo samajhti thi uski baahon mein hi uski duniya hai.
Chaadar ke neeche sirf ek jism ka garmapan nahi tha… ek sach tha, jo ab jhooth se lipta hua tha.




Naye din ki subah, ek nayi chaadar ke saath ugi. Pranali ki aankhein khuliin, kuch seconds tak woh bas ceiling ko dekhti rahi—jaise uss safed uparwale canvas pe raat ka sab kuch dobara chal raha ho. Par phir... usne aankhon se ek baar blink kiya, aur poore jazbaat ko andar dafn kar diya.

Woh uth gayi, silently, aur ghar ki wo pativrata bahu wali routine chalu ho gayi—jaise kal raat koi bhoot tha jo sirf neend mein aata hai.
Kitchen mein woh apron baandh kar khadi thi, chulhe pe tawa garm ho raha tha. Paratha banaate waqt uske haath automatic chal rahe the—mind kahin aur tha. Piche se Aryan bhaagta hua aaya.

Aryan (giggling):

"Mumma! Aaj mujhe chocolate wali roti chahiye!"

Pranali (fake bright smile ke saath):

"Aaj meri jaan ko sab milega. Chocolate bhi, roti bhi aur kiss bhi!"

Usne Aryan ko utha liya, uske cheek pe kiss kiya aur usse hug kiya. Woh maa thi—aur maa banne mein kabhi break nahi lagta, chahe raat ka guilt kitna bhi bhari ho.

Soham living room mein akhbar le kar baitha tha, lekin uske aankhon ke kone se woh Pranali ko quietly observe kar raha tha. Jaise woh khud haar gaya ho apne hi chaal mein, jab usne dekha ki yeh aurat jise usne tod diya... woh aaj bhi sab kuch jod ke chal rahi hai.

Soham (casual tone mein):

"Tumhari aankhon mein thakaan hai… sab thik hai?"

Pranali (without missing a beat, dahi ka tadka lagate hue):

"Haan, bas neend kam hui kal. Aryan ne raat ko do baar jagaya."

Soham kuch nahi bola. Woh reason usse zyada jaanta tha.

Sasumaa kitchen ke pass aayi, smiling:

"Beta, aaj toh poore ghar mein khushboo chhayi hai. Bahut achha laga tumhara bana khana."

Pranali (sweetly):

"Aap sab ke liye toh roz mann se banati hoon, maa ji."

Sab kuch perfect lag raha tha. Ghar ke har kone mein wohi Pranali thi—banker, maa, bahu, biwi. Jo nahi tha, woh tha uske andar ka toofan, jise usne masterfully chhupa liya tha.

Usne tiffin pack kiya, Aryan ko kiss kiya, Soham se aankh milaayi... ek second ke liye guilt phir se aankhon mein ubhar aaya, lekin usne woh bhi blink kar ke bhaga diya.

Pranali (softly):

"Main bank ja rahi hoon. Shaam ko jaldi aa jaungi."

Soham (watching her go):

"Haan... apna khayal rakhna."

Narration (her inner voice):

"Munna... teen baar maang chuka hai. Usne kaha tha teen favors… ab khatam. Ab woh disturb nahi karega. Ab sab normal ho jaayega... hona hi chahiye."
Par uski chaal mein jo ek extra thehraav tha… woh dikh raha tha. Jaise har kadam pe woh yaad dilaa raha ho—normal kabhi normal nahi hota… jab andar kuch mar gaya ho.


AC ki halki humming, keyboard ke taps, aur customers ke soft murmurs ke beech... Pranali Sharma apne desk pe baithi thi. Saree perfectly pleated, hair tied in a neat bun, spectacles perched on her nose—poori tarah se ek disciplined banker. Lekin andar… andar sab kuch ulta chal raha tha.

Woh file ke pages palat rahi thi, lekin aankhon ke saamne kuch aur hi tasveerin dikh rahi thi—Munna Tripathi ka chehra, uska wild smirk, aur woh dominant raat... jisme usne usse tod diya tha, fir jod diya... apne hisaab se.

Tabhi phone vibrate hua—Shubha Kubal calling.

Pranali ne deep breath li, aur call receive kiya.

Pranali (low voice):

"Haan Shubha… bol."

Shubha (playful tone):

"Mirzapur ki malika bank mein bethi hai ya ab bhi Munna ke raat wale thought mein khoi hai?"

Pranali ki ungli file ke ek corner pe ruki, thodi kas gayi.

Pranali (sharply):

"Shubha… please. Bank mein hoon."

Shubha (laughs):

"Haan, bank mein toh ho... par kya mann bhi wahi hai? Ya abhi bhi yaad aa raha hai jab usne tujhe table pe uthake—"

Pranali (interrupting, whispering, flustered):

"Shubha! Band kar na… tu jaanti hai main kya feel kar rahi hoon."

Shubha (soft, seductive teasing):

"Haan jaanu, sab jaanti hoon. Usne tujhe waise chhua jaisa tujhe Soham ne kabhi nahi chhua hoga… tum moan kar rahi thi uske naam se… aur tujhe dard bhi pasand aa raha tha, na?"

Pranali ki aankhon mein guilt ki lehar uth gayi, par uske thighs ek dusre ke against press ho gaye, jaise kuch andar se response de raha ho.

Uski aankhon ke saamne flashback chalu ho gaya—

Munna, apne kamar pakad ke use wall se jor se takraata, ek haath se uska gale pakde hue, dusre se blouse ke andar jaata…

“Tu sirf mera maal hai, samjhi?”

Aur woh… chup thi. Hilti thi. Bhigti thi.

Moaning. Submitting. Wanting it, despite everything.

Pranali (whispering, eyes moist):

"Main buri aurat nahi hoon, Shubha… main sirf... uss pal mein kamzor ho gayi thi."

Shubha (softer now):

"Tum kamzor nahi thi, Pranu… bas Munna zyada strong tha. Par yaad rakh—tumne kaha tha teen baar. Ab khatam. Ab Munna khud peeche hatega, right?"

Pranali ne aankh band karke sir hilaaya. Par andar ek aur sawaal uth raha tha—“Kya Munna jaise aadmi kabhi peeche hat-te hain?”

Phone cut hua. Pranali ne aankh kholi. Ek customer ke sign lene ka kaam tha, par haath thoda kaanp raha tha.
Woh banking kar rahi thi… lekin dil ab bhi Munna ke talon mein pada tha.

Roti ka last tukda Aryan ki plate mein jaa chuka tha, uska muh daal mein liptawa, aur uske cute haathon se chutney ke designs table pe ban rahe the. Pranali thoda hassi, thoda thak gaye expression ke saath plates uthaa rahi thi.

Tabhi Soham, ek casual tone mein, jaise koi random update de raha ho, bol padta hai:
Soham:

"Arey haan... yaad aaya. Iss Saturday ko mere college ka dost hai, Sharad—Jonpur mein rehta hai. Uska phone aaya tha, dinner pe bula raha tha. Bahut dino baad milenge."

Pranali ne ek second ke liye hand stop kiya, naam sunte hi kuch trigger hua. Sharad… Jonpur… wohi Sharad jiska naam Munna ke aas paas ghoomta tha. Uska mann andar se tight ho gaya, lekin usne kuch nahi bola.

Soham (casually continuing):

"Ek din ruk ke aayenge. Thoda change bhi ho jaayega. Tu kuch acha pehen lena... tu waise bhi jab ready hoti hai na, toh bas kya hi kahu..."

Usne flirt karte hue wink kiya.

Pranali (force smile ke saath):

"Hmm… kya pehen lun? Saree chalegi ya kuch aur?"

Soham (shrugging):

"Jo tujhe acha lage, par classy lagna chahiye. Sharad ke ghar mein proper log milenge. Tumhari wali graceful saree pehn lena... jo pehli baar Delhi wale function mein pehni thi, yaad hai?"

Pranali bas lightly muskurayi, lekin andar se kuch ulta hone laga tha. Usse yaad tha Sharad ka naam Munna ke saath kaise juda tha. Uska dil keh raha tha—yeh sirf dinner nahi hai. Yeh koi aur chaal ho sakti hai.

Usne plate wash karte waqt khud se bola:

“Sharad Shukla... Jonpur... dinner nahi hai yeh. Yeh trailer hai trip ke pehle. Aur agar Munna wahan hua… toh main bhi tayyar hoon.”
Us raat, usne apni almirah kholi. Saree nikali—vohi graceful, elegant silk wali. Lekin blouse tight fit wala choose kiya. Aankhon mein kajal thoda gehra socha. Yeh dar ke liye nahi… yeh warning dene ke liye tha.



Sunrise ne Mirzapur ki galliyon ko halka sona sa rang diya tha, lekin Pranali Sharma ke kamre mein ek aur hi glow tha. Aaj woh tayyar ho rahi thi—ek “casual dinner” ke liye, lekin uske liye yeh ek armor wearing ritual tha.

Woh almirah ke samne khadi thi, usne vohi saree nikali thi jo kabhi ek Delhi ke elegant function mein pehni thi—Royal blue silk, deep back-cut blouse, golden zari border. Saree ka kapda thoda heavy tha, lekin jab usne usse pehna, toh woh ek queen jaisi lag rahi thi—ek aise queen jo battle ke liye ja rahi ho.
Blouse thoda tight tha, jisme uska upper body ka graceful curve clearly ubhar ke aa raha tha. Deep back ke neeche usne golden dori bandhi thi, jisme thode moti latak rahe the. Her waist was perfectly hugged by the pallu fold, and her round hips moved with just the right sway when she walked.

Usne apne baal loose chhode, ek taraf se pin kiya, aur aankhon mein kajal deep rakha. Chashma ab bhi tha… but that just made her look sharper—like a beautiful weapon.

Soham (entering the room, whistling):

"Wow... tum toh full Maharani lag rahi ho aaj. Lagta hai Sharad tujhe dekhte hi flat ho jaayega."
Pranali ne halki smile di, par uske andar kuch aur hi chal raha tha. Woh ready thi… har nazar, har comment, aur har silent threat ko face karne ke liye.

As they approached, Pranali ki aankhon ke saamne Sharad Shukla ki haveli aayi—ek shaandar, heritage-style mansion, jiska ek-ik pillar, ek-ik jharokha status aur influence ka symbol tha. Mirzapur ke simple homes se bilkul alag.

Pranali ki aankhon ne thoda widen hua, she couldn't help but whisper to Soham:
Pranali (low tone):

"Yeh ghar… itna bada? Sharad sirf tumhara dost hai ya koi king hai Jonpur ka?"

Soham (chuckling):

"Told you na, pura legacy wala banda hai. Thoda purana style ka, but full power mein."

Gaadi rukti hai. Door open hota hai.

Aur saamne… Sharad Shukla khud. Kurta-pajama mein, light stole dale, lekin aankhon mein woh usual Jonpuri arrogance. Par jaise hi uski nazar Pranali pe padti hai… uska expression ek second ke liye freeze ho jaata hai.

Woh aankh bhar ke dekhta hai—pehle uske chehre ko, phir uski aankhon mein chhupi ek unsaid warning ko… phir dheere se uski nazar neeche jaati hai. Pallu ke neeche se jo waistline aur blouse ka deep curve dikh raha tha, us par rukti hai. Uski aankhon mein ek raw hunger ka flicker aata hai—lekin woh turant usse mask kar leta hai.

Sharad (slight smirk ke saath):

"Arey wah, Soham… tumhari choice toh… kamaal hai. Welcome to Jonpur. Haveli mein pehli baar koi itni shaan se aaya hai."

Pranali (confidently):

"Shaan sirf kapdon mein nahi hoti, Sharad ji. Nazar ka fark hota hai."

Sharad ek pal ke liye uski aankhon mein direct dekhta hai. Woh line sunke thoda surprise hota hai—yeh koi easy prey nahi thi.

Soham (laughing):

"Chalo andar chalte hain, khaana bhi ready hoga."

Sharad unhe andar le jaata hai… lekin uski nazar baar-baar Pranali ke peechhe hilti kamar par, aur uske blouse ke nange back pe padti rehti hai. Pranali sab mehsoos karti hai—aur uska har kadam, uski har chaal, sirf ek message de rahi thi:
"Aaj jo dekh rahe ho, uske kareeb aana asaan nahi hai, Sharad."


Haveli ke dining hall mein ek royal dinner set-up tha—white tablecloth, brass cutlery, silver thalis, aur aangan ke kone mein ek slow-burning ittar diffuser, jo hawa mein ek lavender-sandalwood ka heavy mix ghola hua tha.

Pranali, Soham, and Sharad ke alawa 2-3 aur guests the—local political faces, friendly smiles ke peeche agendas chhupaye hue. Sab log casual talks mein busy the, lekin Sharad ka focus ek jagah tha—Pranali Sharma.
Woh uske saamne nahi, diagonally left mein baitha tha—perfect angle jahan se woh uski saree ke folds, blouse ka deep back, aur uska calm but alert chehra clearly dekh sakta tha.

Sharad (smiling, pouring wine for others):

"Aur Pranali ji… suna hai Mirzapur ke bank mein aapka kaafi naam hai. Bahut hi graceful banker ho aap."

Pranali (with a poised smile):

"Shukriya. Kaam ko serious lena padta hai jab logon ka paisa zimmedaari ho."

Sharad (leaning slightly forward, voice smooth):

"Zimmedaari toh bahut cheezon ki hoti hai… kabhi paison ki, kabhi rishton ki… kabhi khud ke secrets ki."

Uska tone halka tha, magar lafzon ke niche ek thanda zehar tha. Pranali ki nazar uske aankhon mein gayi. Woh samajh gayi—Sharad indirectly reference de raha tha us raat ka, us deal ka, Munna ko.

Soham, happily munching beside, bilkul clueless. Baaki guests bhi laugh kar rahe the. Koi bhi nahi samajh raha tha ki Sharad ek mental chess khel raha tha.

Sharad (light chuckle ke saath):

"Aap jaanti ho, Pranali ji… aap jaise log kaam ke alawa bhi kaafi impactful hote hain. Aapke presence se... khaas logon ke decisions badalte hain."

Pranali ke haath ne glass thoda tight pakad liya. Uska chehra composed tha, lekin andar se ek ek word uske nerves ke strings kheench raha tha. Sharad ki tone, uska expression—ek calculated calmness thi, jisme wo use slowly manipulate kar raha tha, sabke samne… bina kisi ko samjhe.

Pranali (soft, direct tone):

"Main bas apna kaam karti hoon, Sharad ji. Kisi ke decisions pe asar daalna mera intention kabhi nahi hota."

Sharad (smiling deeper):

"Niyat aur asar mein farq hota hai, Pranali ji. Aapki niyat seedhi ho sakti hai... par asar toh zarur pada hai… kisi pe."

Usne ek sip li wine ka, aur aankhon se clearly Munna ka naam bina liye mention kar diya.

Pranali ka gala sookh gaya tha. Woh jhuki, paani uthaya… lekin aankhen Sharad par se nahi hati.

Sharad relaxed tha, charming tha, warm bhi tha… lekin uski har line, har compliment, ek invisible leash ki tarah thi—jo woh dheere dheere Pranali ke mental space pe kas raha tha.

Aur sab log, including Soham, bas uski sophistication aur mehmaan-nawaazi ke charm mein kho gaye the.

Pranali (mind voice):
"Yeh dinner nahi hai… yeh ek silent interrogation hai. Aur mujhe har line samajhni hai… warna main phir se ek plan ka pawn ban jaungi."

Night had settled heavy over the sprawling haveli. Dim yellow lanterns flickered softly in the corridors, casting long shadows. Somewhere, a koel cried in the distance. The world was quiet… but inside, the real noise had just begun.

Soham and Sharad were sitting in the open veranda of the haveli, a vintage decanter of whiskey between them. The glasses clinked softly, the mood relaxed—on the surface.

Pranali stepped out of the hall, now moving toward the guest room. Her saree still perfectly dbangd, but now a soft sway had come into her hips, her ass swaying gently with every step. Her backless blouse tied delicately with doris, and her figure still held the commanding elegance from dinner.

Sharad’s eyes followed her, intense and fixed.

Sharad (with a low whistle):

"Yaar... baat toh sahi hai. Yeh maal hi aisa hai ki Munna pagal ho gaya ispe. Ab toh... main bhi thoda behka hoon."

Soham (smirking, relaxed):

"Biwi hai meri, bhool gaya kya?"

Sharad (laughing softly, but cold):

"Pata hai... par Munna bhi toh le raha hai na. Toh main kyun peeche rahoon?"

Soham leaned back, took a long sip, eyes still on the whiskey swirling in his glass.

Soham (calmly):

"Tune mujhe promise kiya tha—Mirzapur tere naam karne ke badle 100 crore... tu de raha hai woh paise."

Sharad (leaning in, voice low):

"De raha hoon. Par ab… aur bhi dena chahta hoon."

Soham (turning to look at him, eyebrows slightly raised):

"Aur? Kitna?"

Sharad (serious, no smile now):

"10 crore aur. Add kar le deal mein."

Soham laughed—dry, slow.

"Majak mat kar, Sharad."

Sharad (with absolute cool):

"Main serious hoon. Tujhse nahi… usse chahiye. I want her. Jaise Munna ne liya… main bhi chahta hoon."

Soham (eyes narrowing, slowly):

"Zabardasti nahi chalegi."

Sharad:

"Of course. Agar woh haan bole… toh fir sab allowed hai. Use jaise chaho, waisa use kar. Par meri ek condition hai—woh khud se haan bole."

Soham ne uski aankhon mein seedha dekha. Kuch seconds ke liye ek ajeeb sa cold understanding beech mein chhaya raha.

Soham (leaning in, whispering):

"You can use her... lekin yaad rakh—I owe her. Uska dard, uski muskaan… sab mera haq hai. Tu bas apni game khel. Agar tu jeet gaya… toh mal bhi tera."

Sharad smiled darkly. He knew what that meant.

Aurat ek deal ban chuki thi… aur dono players ready the.

Upar guest room mein, Pranali quietly lay on the bed—still in saree, eyes wide open, staring at the ceiling.
She had no idea… ki ek aur aukat nikalne ka sauda abhi-abhi hua hai.

Suraj ki roshni abhi poori tarah se andar nahi ghusi thi. Haveli ka aangan thanda tha, aur hawaa mein stillness thi—jaise sab kuch ruk gaya ho, par kisi pal mein kuch phat padne wala ho.

Pranali bathroom se fresh hoke nikal rahi thi, abhi tak apni saree mein hi thi—lekin blouse ke hooks peeche band nahi hue the. Ek haath se pallu sambhalti, dusre se baal kholti ja rahi thi. Vo guest room ke saamne wale veranda mein thoda fresh air lene chali gayi.
Tabhi…

Sharad Shukla, poore se tyaar, white kurta aur chashma lagaye, silently us corridor mein aa gaya. Usne door se hi Pranali ko dekha—uski open back, dheere se hilta pallu, aur neck ke paas girti baalon ki laayak rangoli.

Woh kuch seconds ke liye sirf usse dekhte raha.

Phir, woh bina awaz ke paas gaya. Usne jaan bujhkar aise kadam rakhe ke Pranali uski aahat na sun sake. Jab woh uske just peeche aaya, tabhi usne soft tone mein bola:

Sharad (halki awaz mein):

“Subah ki hawa se zyada tazgi aaj tum mein hai.”

Pranali ek jhatke se thoda hilli, lekin turant composed ho gayi. Usne shoulder ke upar dekha, aur uski aankhon mein wohi guarded calmness thi.

Pranali (flat tone):

"Sharad ji, subah subah yeh shabdon ka wazan zyada nahi lagta?"

Sharad (soft laugh):

"Tum pe toh koi bhi lafz halka nahi lagta… tum khud itni gehri ho. Munna toh seedha doob gaya tha tum mein."

Pranali ki aankhon mein ek second ke liye jhalak aayi—anger? disgust? hurt?—lekin usne control kiya.

Pranali (coldly):

"Mujhe laga tha aap sophisticated hain. Shayad mera andaza galat tha."

Sharad ek kadam aur paas aaya, ab dono ke beech sirf ek halka sa breeze tha. Usne Pranali ke khule blouse ke doriyon ko dekha, aur phir aankhon se uska chehra scan kiya.

Sharad (low, intimate voice):

"Main sirf woh chahta hoon… jo Munna ka ho chuka hai. Farak bas yeh hai… main tujhe todne nahi, mehsoos karne aaya hoon."

Pranali ne thoda pallu tight kiya, aankhon mein ek sharp spark aaya.

Pranali:

"Main koi cheez nahi hoon, Sharad ji. Na Munna ki… na kisi aur ki. Aur jo cheez ek baar tutti hai, woh ya toh bikhar jaati hai… ya fir vaar karti hai."

Sharad uski aankhon mein ek second extra ruk gaya… aur tabhi hall se Soham ki awaaz aayi:

"Pranu! Breakfast ke liye aa jao!"

Pranali seedhi ho gayi, ek pal mein apne saree ke pallu ko secure kiya, aur Sharad ko dekhe bina seedhe nikal gayi.
Sharad wahi khada raha, lips pe ek smile—wo wali smile jo hunter ko hoti hai jab shikaar zakhmi ho jaaye, lekin bhaga nahi.

Soham thakan se choor ho chuka tha, aur jaise hi ghadi ne 11 bajaye, woh apna phone side mein rakhkar mehmaan kamre ke palang pe so gaya. Uske saath Pranali nahi thi. She needed air. Or perhaps, a release… from the pressure building inside her for weeks.

Sharad courtyard mein tha, ek candle lamp ke paas—white kurta mein, haathon mein ek whiskey glass, aur aankhon mein woh hi usual softness jisme dafn hoti thi cold strategy.
Pranali aayi, pallu tight kiya, lekin aaj uski chaal mein utni rigidity nahi thi. She was still guarded, but less stiff—like someone tired of carrying silence.

Sharad (gentle smile):

"Neend nahi aayi?"

Pranali (slowly):

"Thoda sa… hawa lene chali aayi."

Sharad:

"Hawa toh yahaan ki bahut tez hai, Pranali ji. Mirzapur ho ya Jonpur, dono jagah... kuch na kuch uda ke le jaati hai."

Woh thoda hansi. Pehli baar usne Sharad ke saamne thoda relax kiya. Dono ek chhoti si bench par baithe, candle ke soft light mein.

Sharad (after a pause, noticing her silence):

"Aap theek ho? Aaj kal… jaise kuch dabaa dabaa sa lagta hai aap mein. Kya koi pareshaani hai?"

Pranali, thodi der tak chup rahi. Uska chehra soft light mein aur zyada thaka, aur zyada vulnerable lag raha tha.

Pranali (softly, eyes down):

"Kabhi kabhi… kisi se kuch kehna mushkil ho jaata hai. Aisa lagta hai… bol doge toh sab toot jaayega. Aur nahi bologe toh khud andar se tut jaaoge."

Sharad:

"Munna se judi hui baat hai?"

Pranali ka dil ek second ke liye thama. She didn’t react sharply, just looked up at him—shocked, but curious.

Pranali:

"Aapko... kaise—?"

Sharad (smirking lightly, but calmly):

"Pranali ji, main Jonpur ka hoon. Aur Mirzapur door nahi hai. Yahaan har gali ke kone mein aankhen hain. Har mudde pe zubaan chalti hai. Munna Tripathi ka kisi aurat mein itna interest ho… aur log notice na karein? Impossible."

Pranali (tense):

"Main ne kuch nahi kiya... usne—"

Sharad (raising hand, interrupting softly):

"Relax. Main judge nahi kar raha. Main bas keh raha hoon… mujhe pata hai. Sab kuch nahi… lekin itna ki aap kis dard se guzar rahi ho, samajh sakta hoon."

Pranali ki aankhon mein paani tha, lekin usne rok liya. She didn’t confess sleeping with Munna, but uski aankhon mein woh guilt tha jo lafzon mein nahi, sirf chehre mein dikhayi deta hai.

Sharad (after a long pause):

"Aap chaaho toh main kisi se kuch nahi kehunga. Lekin agar kabhi mann kare… toh aap mujhse keh sakti ho. Mujhe aapki muskaan waapas dekhni hai. Woh asli wali… jo dil se nikle, acting se nahi."
Pranali uski taraf dekhti hai—pehli baar uski aankhon mein fear ke alawa thoda comfort bhi hota hai. Woh confuse thi… par is waqt, usse laga ki Sharad usse “samajh” raha hai. Aur woh feeling uske guilt ko kuch seconds ke liye halka kar gayi.

Candles ab dhundhla chuki thi, aur haveli ke har kone mein ek sannata tha—lekin us bench pe, jahan Pranali aur Sharad baithe the, wahan dil ki dhadkanon ki awaz sabse unchi thi.

Pranali ki aankhon mein thakan thi, par us raat, uski ruh se zyada uska guilt bolne ko tadap raha tha. And she finally let it out—jaise saalon se bhari baat ek achanak dhoop mein pighalne lagi ho.
Pranali (soft, breaking voice):

"Main toot chuki thi, Sharad… ek aisa waqt tha jab mujhe laga main sirf ek zinda body hoon… jisme apna kuch bacha hi nahi. Kisi aur ki marzi, kisi aur ke faisle… main bas react karti rahi."

Sharad chup tha. Uska chehra serious, aankhon mein ek aisi understanding jisme koi judgment nahi tha.

Pranali (continuing, tears brimming):

"Main chahti thi ki sab normal ho… ki main firse maa, biwi, bahu ban jaun… par andar kuch khatam ho gaya hai. Aur sabse bura? Main yeh Soham ko nahi keh sakti. Agar use pata chala… toh woh mujhe chor dega. Woh toot jaayega. Aur main use bhi nahi khona chahti."

Uski awaz phisli, aur woh ek second ke liye jhuk gayi. Sharad ne dheere se apna haath uske shoulder pe rakha. Na chhedne wala, na bechain karne wala—bas ek “main hoon” wala touch.

Pranali ne pehli baar kisi ke shoulder pe sir rakha—na Munna ka, na Soham ka… par Sharad ka. Aur jaise us moment mein usne ek pal ke liye khud ko kisi ke saamne vulnerable hone diya.

Pranali (muffled against his shoulder):

"Please… yeh sab sirf yahin tak rahe. Yeh raaz kisi aur tak na jaye. Main nahi chahti yeh mujhse koi aur cheen le… jo thoda bacha hai mere andar."

Sharad (softly):

"Main kisi se kuch nahi kahunga, Pranali. Tere har aansu ka raaz, mera waada hai."

Ek long silence hua. Sirf raat ke insects ki awaaz, thoda door se ghanti ka halki si chhan-chhan. Sharad uske saath wahi bench pe raha, bina kisi intention ke—at least dikhane ke liye.

Phir, thoda halke mood mein, usne bola:

Sharad (grinning):

"Waise… agar tu politician hoti, toh tu vote nahi… poori parliament jeet jaati. Itni powerful emotional speeches... mujhe toh turant Vishwas Gandhi bana diya tune."

Pranali (snorting through tears):

"Kya bakwaas!"

Uski hansi chhup gayi, par ek halka sa laugh nikal gaya. Woh pehli baar hasi thi… dil se. Thoda shaky, thoda confused, lekin real.

Sharad uski aankhon mein dekhta raha—aur is baar, usne sirf ek baat sochi:
"Yeh aurat ab sirf kisi ki biwi nahi hai… yeh Mirzapur ka raasta ban sakti hai. Mujhe yeh chahiye—sirf control ke liye nahi, taqat ke liye."


Haveli mein dhoop filtered ho kar aangan ke patharon par chhant rahi thi. Ghar mein halka sa sukoon tha—ek aakhri shaanti jaise tufaan se pehle.

Pranali aaj thodi alag lag rahi thi. Pehli baar, usne ek aisi saree pehni thi jo bold bhi thi, aur graceful bhi—a deep maroon chiffon saree, sleeveless blouse, blouse ka cut sharp tha, pallu ek taraf se neatly tucked, exposing just enough of her waist and collarbone to make someone forget their thoughts for a moment.
Woh khud ko mirror mein dekh kar ek pal ke liye ruki thi. “Sharad ke saamne thoda zyada ho gaya kya?”

But phir usne sir hilaya.

“Nahi. Main ab apne comfort ke hisaab se kapde pehnungi. Bas.”

Sharad baahar veranda mein tha, ek book le kar. Jaise hi uski nazar Pranali pe padhi—uska page turn karte haath thoda ruk gaya.

Usne usse top se le kar neeche tak dekha—blouse ke sharp arm cuts, uski kamar ke curve tak jaata pallu, aur saaf dikhta neckline. Ek second ke liye uski nazar uske midriff se thodi neeche ruki, aur phir turant wapas chehre tak gayi—lekin Pranali ne pakad liya tha.

Uska gala halki si blush mein rang gaya. Ek flutter, ek thap-thap dil ke andar. Woh Sharad ko dekhti rahi, confused… kyun woh nazar itni personal lag rahi thi… aur phir bhi thoda achha kyu laga?

Sharad (smiling, trying to be casual):

"Yeh saree… kaafi different hai. Tum usually aise color pehenti ho kya?"

Pranali (light laugh):

"Special nahi… bas mood thoda light tha. Trip ke pehle ka aakhri peaceful din hai na."

Sharad (closing his book, leaning back):

"Light mood ho toh insaan ka asli version bahar aata hai. Mujhe lagta hai aaj main asli Pranali se mil raha hoon."

Pranali (teasing):

"Toh pehle wali fake thi?"

Sharad (playful):

"Fake nahi… guarded. Tumhari aankhon mein aaj woh halka-pan hai jo pehle sirf guilt se dhaka rehta tha. Tum ab khud se baat karne lagi ho."

Pranali muskurayi. Woh iss baat ko lightly lena chahti thi, lekin Sharad ka har lafz uske andar kuch chhed raha tha. Woh flirt kar raha tha, par ek refined tareeke se. Touch ki zarurat nahi thi—nazaron aur lafzon ka game chal raha tha.

Sharad (leaning forward slightly):

“Waise… agar tum Rajasthan mein bhi aise hi kapde pehnogi… toh Munna Tripathi toh seedha dil haar baithenga.”

Pranali (blushing deeper):

“Main kapde apne comfort ke liye pehenti hoon, impress karne ke liye nahi.”

Sharad (smirking):

“Par tumhare comfort mein bhi… kitni distraction chhupi hoti hai.”

Us line pe Pranali ne usse dekha—seedha aankhon mein. Kuch seconds ke liye silence tha, but it wasn’t awkward. It was charged.

Woh uth gayi, thoda smile karte hue—jaise woh bhi game samajh gayi ho, aur ab participate kar rahi ho.

Pranali (walking away):

“Main lunch ready karne ja rahi hoon. Aap distract hone se bachein… warna bhookh se zyada kuch aur lag jayegi.”

Sharad uske jaane ke baad uska pallu hilta hua dekhta raha… aur bas itna bola:
“Is baar... Munna ka dil nahi, main jeetne aaya hoon.”
.
Raat bahut shant thi. Haveli ke bangle mein sirf slow breeze aur lamp ki halki si roshni thi. Kal subah Pranali aur Soham ko Mirzapur wapas jaana tha. Packing ho chuki thi, Aryan so chuka tha, Soham whisky pee kar bed mein thak ke soya pada tha.

Pranali, ek soft cotton ki printed saree mein, hall se kitchen ke taraf ja rahi thi—bas paani lene ke liye. Lekin tabhi corridor ke ek mod pe Sharad se takra gayi—literal collision.
Sharad (steadying her by the arms):

"Aah… sambhal jao, Pranali ji. Lag toh nahi gaya?"

Pranali ka haath uske chest se takra gaya tha, aur Sharad ka haath abhi bhi uski kamar ko hold kiye hua tha—accidental, but oddly intimate.

Pranali (slightly flustered, breathing short):

"Nahi… main theek hoon… bas thoda jhatka laga."

Sharad ne haath dhire se chhoda, lekin uske fingers thodi der tak Pranali ki skin pe ruke. Woh moment frozen tha. Aankhon se aankhon mili, kuch seconds tak silence raha.

Sharad (soft voice):

"Kal tum ja rahi ho… aur pata nahi phir kab milna ho. Tumne mere haveli mein ek alag roshni chhodi hai."

Pranali (nervous laugh):

"Aap bhi na, bas baatein banana jaante hain."

Sharad (taking a slow step forward):

"Nahi… main sirf woh bolta hoon jo aankhon se dikh raha hai. Tum khubsurat ho… lekin tumhari saari khubsurti tumhari thakaan, tumhari himmat, aur tumhare guilt ke peeche chhupi hai. Mujhe woh poora insaan dikh raha hai… aur shayad… woh mujhe pasand aane laga hai."

Pranali shocked thi. She didn’t know how to react. Sharad ne kuch nahi bola, bas dheere se ek step aur aage badhkar… uska chehra apne kareeb le aaya.

Aur phir—ek halki, chori si kiss. Not forced. Not wild. Just a soft press of lips, more emotional than lustful.

.



Aur shockingly, Pranali ne ek second ke liye resist nahi kiya. Shayad woh moment mein kho gayi thi… ya phir woh comfort jo Sharad ne pichle kuch dino mein diya tha… usne uski guard ko ek pal ke liye gira diya.

Par phir… woh pal chala gaya.

Pranali (suddenly stepping back, breath hitched):

"Sharad… yeh galat tha. Aap… aapko yeh nahi karna chahiye tha."

Sharad (instantly, sincere tone):

"Main… I'm sorry, Pranali. Sach mein. Woh… impulsive tha. Galat tha. Bas… us waqt lagaa ki tumhe bas kisi ka touch chahiye."

Pranali (confused, voice trembling):

"Mujhe kisi ka touch nahi chahiye… mujhe khud ko wapas chahiye."
Woh us moment mein chali gayi, leaving Sharad standing in that soft light, looking at his own hand—jisse usne us raat kuch mehsoos kiya tha, par haasil nahi kar paya.
.
The haveli buzzed with light packing and goodbye energy. Aryan was busy chasing a butterfly in the courtyard, Soham was talking logistics with the driver, and Pranali stood in the main doorway, her suitcase beside her.

Her eyes wandered around the haveli, but her mind was locked in last night’s moment—that soft, unexpected kiss… and the butterfly confusion it had left inside her chest.
Sharad walked out, dressed crisp in his kurta-pajama, hands behind his back, face composed—like nothing had happened.

But as he approached her, the silence between them said otherwise.

Sharad (quietly, only to her):

"Pranali… kal raat… mujhe pata hai woh moment galat tha. But... jo feel hua, woh jhooth nahi tha. Main tumhare liye kuch mehsoos karne laga hoon. Mujhe laga main sirf tumhe samajh raha hoon... par shayad main tumse juda bhi hone laga."

Pranali (looking at him, torn, soft but firm):

"Mujhe bhi... kuch feel hua tha, Sharad. Main jhooth nahi bolungi. Tumhare saath woh do din... kuch alag tha. Shant, sukoon bhara... par woh sukoon guilt ke upar chhaya hua tha."

She paused. Looked away.

Pranali (whispering):
"Main kisi aur ki hoon. Soham mera pati hai. Love marriage thi… khud chuna tha maine use. Us
Pranali corridor mein quietly chal rahi thi, suitcase Soham ne already gaadi mein rakh diya tha. Aryan ne neend mein hi maa ke kandhe pe sir rakh diya tha, aur ghar ke baaki members bye-bye bol rahe the. Sab kuch normal tha. Sab kuch shaant tha.

Lekin andar… ek storm ab bhi unfinished tha.
Sharad, usual calm smile ke saath, entrance ke paas khada tha. Jaise hi Pranali uske paas se nikalne lagi, usne softly kaha:
Sharad (low, sincere voice):
"Pranali… raat ka wo moment… main use ignore nahi kar sakta."
Woh ruki. Saans andar kheechi, par palat gayi.
Pranali (controlled tone):
"Mujhe pata tha aap kuch kahenge."
Sharad:
"Mujhe laga main smart hoon. Game ke liye sab kar raha tha… lekin tumhare saath… kuch moment ke liye game chhoot gaya. Tumhe dekhte hue, woh jo kiss tha… woh bas physical nahi tha. Main... actually felt something."
Pranali (softly, conflicted):
"Sharad… mujhe bhi kuch feel hua. Maybe ek second ke liye… shayad main thak chuki thi, ya lonely thi. Pichle do dino mein… aapka saath... comfortable laga. But..."
She paused, her voice catching.
Pranali:
"Mera aur Soham ka love marriage tha. Maine uske liye sab kuch chhoda tha. Uski biwi hoon main. Agar main kisi aur ke liye wahi feel karne lagun… toh main khud se nazar nahi mila paungi."
Sharad (nodding, gently):
"I understand. I crossed a line. Tumhare liye toh main sirf… shaayad ek chaaya ban gaya hoon us guilt ki jisme tum jeeti ho."
Pranali (looking into his eyes):
"It’s okay. Main samajhti hoon… aap kya kehna chah rahe ho. Par please… don’t do this anymore. Let’s not go there. Woh ek pal tha, aur woh khatam ho chuka hai."
Sharad (soft smile):
"Thik hai. Let’s not go there. But... can we still be friends? Sirf ek dost… jo bina judge kiye kabhi kabhi bas sun sake?"
Pranali thoda hesitant thi… lekin fir halka sa muskuraayi. Woh smile waise thi jaise ek broken wall mein ek chhoti si crack se roshni aati hai.
Pranali (smiling gently):
"Friendship allowed hai. Bas... boundary clear honi chahiye."
Sharad (grinning):
"Boundary meri taraf se pakki hai."
Usne apna phone nikala. Pranali ne kuch seconds socha, phir number type kar diya.
Sharad (as she handed the phone back):
"Vaise… tumhara number toh ab mera favourite contact ban gaya hai."
Pranali (mock stern):
"Sharad!"
Sharad (laughing):
"Friend zone mein flirt allowed hai ya nahi, ye bhi clear kar do!"
Woh dono halki si hansi mein chhup gaye. Par dono ke andar ek naya bond ban chuka tha—jo friendship tha, lekin usmein ek unsaid tension ka layer hamesha rahega.