24-06-2025, 05:06 PM
(This post was last modified: 24-06-2025, 05:07 PM by Greenwood. Edited 1 time in total. Edited 1 time in total.)
Update 7
Next day in college
Canteen Side Afternoon mein.Final lectures khatam.Dhoop mellow hai, chhoti chhoti gupshup chal rahi hai. Ek kone mein low-rise wall pe Arjun, Zaheer, Ammu, Shanu aur 2-3 aur classmates baithe hain. Cold drinks, chips aur bags idhar-udhar.
Trip ka high-pitch discussion chalu hai.
Arjun (full excited) :-Main toh tent ke bahar soyega. Stars ke neeche. Aur koi hile toh laat padegi.”
Ammu:-“Sunset chahiye mujhe. Aur ek full cup chai... silence ke saath.”
Shanu:- I want one night sky so dark ki main watercolors se galaxy bana saku.
Zaheer (smiling) :- Bas raat mein koi speaker na chalayega. Mujhe neend chahiye.
Arjun (laughs):- Tu snore karta hai ya shanti mein meditate?
Zaheer :-Dono. Depends kaun sun raha hai.
Sab hasta hai. Shanu side glance se Zaheer ko dekhti hai. Aankh milti hai, Zaheer aankh chura leta hai. Ek soft undercurrent flow karta hai.
Shanu (softly, notebook me likhti hue):- Maybe... kuch yaadein banengi jo diary tak hi rahengi.
Zaheer uski taraf dekhta hai thoda rukta hai phir firse aankh chura leta hai.
Ammu (Arjun se teasingly):- Tu toh sirf reels banayega. Main sab pe report kar dungi.
Arjun:- Mujhe toh bas ek campfire aur kisi ka secret chahiye. Baaki sab free bonus hai.
Ek light breeze chalta hai. Sab ke chehre pe subtle excitement. Ye ek trip nahi, ek escape lagta hai har kisi ke liye apne tareeke se
Next day in college
Canteen Side Afternoon mein.Final lectures khatam.Dhoop mellow hai, chhoti chhoti gupshup chal rahi hai. Ek kone mein low-rise wall pe Arjun, Zaheer, Ammu, Shanu aur 2-3 aur classmates baithe hain. Cold drinks, chips aur bags idhar-udhar.
Trip ka high-pitch discussion chalu hai.
Arjun (full excited) :-Main toh tent ke bahar soyega. Stars ke neeche. Aur koi hile toh laat padegi.”
Ammu:-“Sunset chahiye mujhe. Aur ek full cup chai... silence ke saath.”
Shanu:- I want one night sky so dark ki main watercolors se galaxy bana saku.
Zaheer (smiling) :- Bas raat mein koi speaker na chalayega. Mujhe neend chahiye.
Arjun (laughs):- Tu snore karta hai ya shanti mein meditate?
Zaheer :-Dono. Depends kaun sun raha hai.
Sab hasta hai. Shanu side glance se Zaheer ko dekhti hai. Aankh milti hai, Zaheer aankh chura leta hai. Ek soft undercurrent flow karta hai.
Shanu (softly, notebook me likhti hue):- Maybe... kuch yaadein banengi jo diary tak hi rahengi.
Zaheer uski taraf dekhta hai thoda rukta hai phir firse aankh chura leta hai.
Ammu (Arjun se teasingly):- Tu toh sirf reels banayega. Main sab pe report kar dungi.
Arjun:- Mujhe toh bas ek campfire aur kisi ka secret chahiye. Baaki sab free bonus hai.
Ek light breeze chalta hai. Sab ke chehre pe subtle excitement. Ye ek trip nahi, ek escape lagta hai har kisi ke liye apne tareeke se
Evening
Sky orange ho chuka hai.Road pe traffic thoda jammed hai,lekin Arjun aur Zaheer apni usual style mein bike leke slip karte ja rahe hain.Zaheer peechhe baitha hai, dono ne shades sir pe chadha rakhe hain bina wajah ke.Ek general store ki taraf ja rahe hain trip ke kuch essential lene.
Arjun (while cutting a turn):-Agar trip mein rain hua na… toh sab ke shoes bye-bye.”
Zaheer:- Isiliye main chappal le jaa raha hoon. Local style.
Arjun:-Tu toh tent ke bahar chappal mein bhi bhatak jayega.
Zaheer:-Main toh jungle mein bhi map ke bina nahi ghoomta.
Arjun:-Bro tu GPS nahi, human compass hai.
Dono haste hai.
Bike side mein park karte hain. Arjun chewing gum nikalta hai,Zaheer casually store ke andar chala jaata hai.Dukan chhoti si hai aluminium shelves pe chip packets, soaps, torch, rope sab milega.
Zaheer (to shopkeeper):- Matchsticks, torch, ORS, salt sachets… aur ek lighter bhi.”
Arjun (peek karta hua):-Mujhe chips aur cola de. Mera survival system yehi hai.”
Zaheer:- Tu trip pe gaya ya picnic pe?”
Arjun:- Main jahaan jaata hoon, picnic wahi ban ja
Sky almost dark ho chuka hai. Dono bike pe vaapas nikalte hain, headlights on. Sadak pe halke se bugs ghoom rahe hain. Hawa thodi thandi ho chuki hai.
Arjun (while driving):-
Waise... tent tu kaunse group ke saath laga raha hai?
Zaheer (slow):- Jo ho gaya chalega. Mujhe neend chahiye bas. Bakiyon ko jo karna hai karne do.
Arjun:-Tu toh waise bhi raat mein ‘mute mode’ pe hota hai.
Zaheer:-Aur tu ‘loudspeaker’.
Dono bike pe haste hue disappear ho jaate hain road ke ek smooth turn ke saath. Background mein kuch distant horns, ek dog bhaunkta hai, or fir andhera
Shanu apna suitcase bed pe rakh ke open karti hai. Room mein halki music baj rahi hai lo-fi beat. Light dim hai, fan slow chal raha hai. Kapde already folded hain, bas final cheezein daalni baaki hain.
Phone vibrates. Ammu ka call.
Shanu (call pick karte hi)Bolo madam, ready for jungle adventure?
Ammu
(voice slightly breathless) Ready nahi, confused hoon! Ye bata trip pe kitne panties le jaate hain?
Shanu
(straight face) Jitne dinn ke liye ja rahe hain usse do zyada. Safe side.
Ammu
Maine ab tak sirf teen nikali hain... but ab lag raha hai kya pata tent mein water kam mile... ya main chub jaaun!
Shanu
Aur kya! Main toh 7 daal rahi hoon. Alag alag types
Ammu (laughs)
Main toh sports bra bhi double leke ja rahi hoon. Kya pata trekking ke time kuch hilne-lagne lage!
Shanu :-Mujhe toh stress hai ki tent share karke badhiya wali bra pehn bhi paungi ya nahi…
Ammu :- Aur tu? Kaunsa bra daal rahi hai first day?
Shanu :- First day toh chill... dusre din waali thodi special hogi. Strap wala, colour wala.
Ammu:- Bas ye mat kehna lace bhi le ja rahi hai!
Shanu:- Aye! Tu kya sochti hai main kya hoon? Lace leke tent mein kya karungi?Jungle ke peepal ko seduce karungi?
Dono zor se hasne lagti hain.
Ammu :-Chal sun, ek pouch banale undergarments ka alag se. Warna tent mein koi tera bag kholke surprise na le le!
Shanu:- True that. Aur ek warning tag bhi chipkaungi — “Don’t touch, fragile contents!”
Ammu:- Tu pagal hai! Main tujhe miss karungi tent mein agar hum alag alag rahe to
Shanu:- We’re gonna slay this trip. But pehle... “inner peace” ka pouch full hona chahiye!
Call cut hoti hai. Shanu thoda smile karti hai, phir apna “fragile” pouch zip karti hai. Ammu bhi dusre side pe final cheezein rakh ke light off karti hai.
College Gate – 4:45 AM
Sky abhi poora andhera chhod ke thoda thoda neela ho raha hai. Sard hawa chal rahi hai. Street lights abhi bhi on hain, aur ek ek kar ke students college ke main gate pe jama ho rahe hain.
Ek white tourist bus gate ke bahar khadi hai — uske andar lights on hain, driver coffee pee raha hai.
Gate ke paas teachers aur ek staff registration table lagaye hue hain.
Arjun pehle se hi aaya hota hai — hoodi pehne, bag peeth pe, haath mein coffee cup. Uska mood fresh hai, aankhon mein neend nahi, sirf plans.
Zaheer thoda late aata hai, hands in jacket pocket, halki si thakan aur aankhon mein udaasi mix. Arjun use dekh ke tease karta hai.
Sky orange ho chuka hai.Road pe traffic thoda jammed hai,lekin Arjun aur Zaheer apni usual style mein bike leke slip karte ja rahe hain.Zaheer peechhe baitha hai, dono ne shades sir pe chadha rakhe hain bina wajah ke.Ek general store ki taraf ja rahe hain trip ke kuch essential lene.
Arjun (while cutting a turn):-Agar trip mein rain hua na… toh sab ke shoes bye-bye.”
Zaheer:- Isiliye main chappal le jaa raha hoon. Local style.
Arjun:-Tu toh tent ke bahar chappal mein bhi bhatak jayega.
Zaheer:-Main toh jungle mein bhi map ke bina nahi ghoomta.
Arjun:-Bro tu GPS nahi, human compass hai.
Dono haste hai.
Bike side mein park karte hain. Arjun chewing gum nikalta hai,Zaheer casually store ke andar chala jaata hai.Dukan chhoti si hai aluminium shelves pe chip packets, soaps, torch, rope sab milega.
Zaheer (to shopkeeper):- Matchsticks, torch, ORS, salt sachets… aur ek lighter bhi.”
Arjun (peek karta hua):-Mujhe chips aur cola de. Mera survival system yehi hai.”
Zaheer:- Tu trip pe gaya ya picnic pe?”
Arjun:- Main jahaan jaata hoon, picnic wahi ban ja
Sky almost dark ho chuka hai. Dono bike pe vaapas nikalte hain, headlights on. Sadak pe halke se bugs ghoom rahe hain. Hawa thodi thandi ho chuki hai.
Arjun (while driving):-
Waise... tent tu kaunse group ke saath laga raha hai?
Zaheer (slow):- Jo ho gaya chalega. Mujhe neend chahiye bas. Bakiyon ko jo karna hai karne do.
Arjun:-Tu toh waise bhi raat mein ‘mute mode’ pe hota hai.
Zaheer:-Aur tu ‘loudspeaker’.
Dono bike pe haste hue disappear ho jaate hain road ke ek smooth turn ke saath. Background mein kuch distant horns, ek dog bhaunkta hai, or fir andhera
Shanu apna suitcase bed pe rakh ke open karti hai. Room mein halki music baj rahi hai lo-fi beat. Light dim hai, fan slow chal raha hai. Kapde already folded hain, bas final cheezein daalni baaki hain.
Phone vibrates. Ammu ka call.
Shanu (call pick karte hi)Bolo madam, ready for jungle adventure?
Ammu
(voice slightly breathless) Ready nahi, confused hoon! Ye bata trip pe kitne panties le jaate hain?
Shanu
(straight face) Jitne dinn ke liye ja rahe hain usse do zyada. Safe side.
Ammu
Maine ab tak sirf teen nikali hain... but ab lag raha hai kya pata tent mein water kam mile... ya main chub jaaun!
Shanu
Aur kya! Main toh 7 daal rahi hoon. Alag alag types
Ammu (laughs)
Main toh sports bra bhi double leke ja rahi hoon. Kya pata trekking ke time kuch hilne-lagne lage!
Shanu :-Mujhe toh stress hai ki tent share karke badhiya wali bra pehn bhi paungi ya nahi…
Ammu :- Aur tu? Kaunsa bra daal rahi hai first day?
Shanu :- First day toh chill... dusre din waali thodi special hogi. Strap wala, colour wala.
Ammu:- Bas ye mat kehna lace bhi le ja rahi hai!
Shanu:- Aye! Tu kya sochti hai main kya hoon? Lace leke tent mein kya karungi?Jungle ke peepal ko seduce karungi?
Dono zor se hasne lagti hain.
Ammu :-Chal sun, ek pouch banale undergarments ka alag se. Warna tent mein koi tera bag kholke surprise na le le!
Shanu:- True that. Aur ek warning tag bhi chipkaungi — “Don’t touch, fragile contents!”
Ammu:- Tu pagal hai! Main tujhe miss karungi tent mein agar hum alag alag rahe to
Shanu:- We’re gonna slay this trip. But pehle... “inner peace” ka pouch full hona chahiye!
Call cut hoti hai. Shanu thoda smile karti hai, phir apna “fragile” pouch zip karti hai. Ammu bhi dusre side pe final cheezein rakh ke light off karti hai.
College Gate – 4:45 AM
Sky abhi poora andhera chhod ke thoda thoda neela ho raha hai. Sard hawa chal rahi hai. Street lights abhi bhi on hain, aur ek ek kar ke students college ke main gate pe jama ho rahe hain.
Ek white tourist bus gate ke bahar khadi hai — uske andar lights on hain, driver coffee pee raha hai.
Gate ke paas teachers aur ek staff registration table lagaye hue hain.
Arjun pehle se hi aaya hota hai — hoodi pehne, bag peeth pe, haath mein coffee cup. Uska mood fresh hai, aankhon mein neend nahi, sirf plans.
Zaheer thoda late aata hai, hands in jacket pocket, halki si thakan aur aankhon mein udaasi mix. Arjun use dekh ke tease karta hai.
Arjun (smirking):- Oye Romeo, tu late kyu aaya? Kahin madam ke sapne dekhte hue jag gaya kya?
Zaheer kuch bolne hi wala hota hai ki Anwar Madam pass se guzar jaati hain formal warm jacket mein, clipboard haath mein.
Unki nazar chhoti si theh jaati hai Zaheer pe ek half-second zyada.
Arjun( jhuk kar)
Ae... did you see that? Teri entry pe slow motion kyun chalu hota hai bhai?
Zaheer
(thoda awkward, aankh chura ke)
Shut up.
Thoda door pe Shanu college ke gate se andar aati hai sky blue sweater, bag crossbody. Baalon se halki hawa khel rahi hoti hai.
Wo Anwar madam aur Zaheer ki awkward nazar dekhti hai, fir Arjun ki muskurahat bhi, lekin samajh nahi paati. Thoda confuse hoti hai, par kuch nahi bolti.
Ammu dusre side se bus ki light mein nazar aati hai ek simple plain cream suit pehna hua, jisme uska complexion aur zyada nikh raha hota hai.
Uska dupatta thoda loose hai,jisse uska cleavage halka sa dikh raha hai or taz ki aankhein yahi tiki hoti hai... wo Ammu ke boobs ko golai ko aankho se maap leta hai or siskiya bhar kar reh jata hai... Ammu ke baat karne se wo thoda idhar udhar hilti hai or itna hi kafi hota hai uske upper boobs ko thoda bahar nikalne ke liye or taz ki siski ko badhane ke liye... lekin Ammu ko is baat ka maloom nahi or uska andaz calm hai.Bag ek side pe, aankhon mein thoda hesitation.
Arjun, jo coffee pee raha hota hai, usse dekhta hi rukh jaata hai.
Arjun
(under his breath)
“Okay... that’s... not fair.”
Uski aankhen freeze ho jaati hain, jaise moment slow ho gaya ho. Uska dimaag blank ho jaata hai ek pal ke liye. Wo bas dekhte reh jaata hai khudko sambhalte hue. Ammu uski taraf dekh ke thoda sa smile kar deti hai ek normal “Hi” type gesture. Arjun aankhon se hi reply karta hai, lekin andar se thoda faint type feel karta hai.
Zaheer, jo registration table ke paas khada hota hai, ek pal ke liye Shanu ko dekh leta hai uski aankhen Arjun aur Ammu ke exchange ko skip karke us frame mein tik jaati hain jahan Shanu apne baal clip kar rahi hoti hai. Uska expression soft ho jaata hai, jaise kuch sochta ho, lekin aankh milate hi nazar hata leta hai.
Sab students one by one bus mein chadh rahe hote hain.
Taz — black hoodie mein quietly khada hota hai, crowd ka hissa. Wo Ammu ko chhupke chhupke observe karta hai stare karta hai, bina kuch bole.Uski nazar uncomfortable si hoti hai kisi ko notice nahi hota, par ek ajeeb energy hoti hai uske stare mein.
Ammu uski taraf dekhti bhi nahi, apne friends ke paas chali jaati hai.
Anwar Madam(raising her voice)
“Okay everyone, settle in. Final headcount in five minutes!”
Sab students apni seats choose karte hain. Suitcase rack mein ja rahe hain, earphones lag rahe hain, excitement slowly chadh rahi hai.
Early Morning (Around 5:30 AM)
Bus finally chal padti hai. Window ke bahar andhera thoda light blue mein badal raha hai.Andar orange-yellow lights on hain. Seats pe students settle ho rahe hain kuch neck pillows leke, kuch chips packets nikal ke, kuch sirf khidki ki taraf jhagde mein busy.Zaheer ek window seat par baith chuka hai calm, back against the seat, earphones haath mein.Arjun uske bagal mein aake khada hota hai.
Arjun(complaining)
Ae Tu window leke baitha hai, Bro code bhool gaya kya
Zaheer:- Jo jaldi aayega, wahi khidki payega. Bus seat koi dil nahi jo share ho
Arjun (acting hurt):- Mere liye toh seat bhi dil hai... aur dil bhi seat.
Taz peechhe se sunta hai aur beech mein bol padta hai.
Taz (slow voice):-
Poetic line thi, lekin weak tha delivery.
Arjun (looking back, sarcastic smile):- Tere jaise logon ke liye toh blank page hi poetry hota hai.
Zaheer hansi rokta hai.
Taz(straight face) Window seat mere saamne wali bhi khaali hai... ab dekhte hain kaun aata hai.”
Arjun (teasing)
Tu toh us window ke bajaye, uss reflection mein zyada busy lagta hai.
Shanu, kuch seats aage bethi hoti hai, window side. Usne Zaheer ki baat aur Taz ke reaction pe Arjun ka jawab suna. Ek halki smile uske chehre pe aati hai. Phir wo sideways Zaheer ko dekhti hai, jisme thoda impressed feel hota hai kyunki Zaheer over react nahi karta, calm stay karta hai.
Zaheer kuch bolne hi wala hota hai ki Anwar Madam pass se guzar jaati hain formal warm jacket mein, clipboard haath mein.
Unki nazar chhoti si theh jaati hai Zaheer pe ek half-second zyada.
Arjun( jhuk kar)
Ae... did you see that? Teri entry pe slow motion kyun chalu hota hai bhai?
Zaheer
(thoda awkward, aankh chura ke)
Shut up.
Thoda door pe Shanu college ke gate se andar aati hai sky blue sweater, bag crossbody. Baalon se halki hawa khel rahi hoti hai.
Wo Anwar madam aur Zaheer ki awkward nazar dekhti hai, fir Arjun ki muskurahat bhi, lekin samajh nahi paati. Thoda confuse hoti hai, par kuch nahi bolti.
Ammu dusre side se bus ki light mein nazar aati hai ek simple plain cream suit pehna hua, jisme uska complexion aur zyada nikh raha hota hai.
Uska dupatta thoda loose hai,jisse uska cleavage halka sa dikh raha hai or taz ki aankhein yahi tiki hoti hai... wo Ammu ke boobs ko golai ko aankho se maap leta hai or siskiya bhar kar reh jata hai... Ammu ke baat karne se wo thoda idhar udhar hilti hai or itna hi kafi hota hai uske upper boobs ko thoda bahar nikalne ke liye or taz ki siski ko badhane ke liye... lekin Ammu ko is baat ka maloom nahi or uska andaz calm hai.Bag ek side pe, aankhon mein thoda hesitation.
Arjun, jo coffee pee raha hota hai, usse dekhta hi rukh jaata hai.
Arjun
(under his breath)
“Okay... that’s... not fair.”
Uski aankhen freeze ho jaati hain, jaise moment slow ho gaya ho. Uska dimaag blank ho jaata hai ek pal ke liye. Wo bas dekhte reh jaata hai khudko sambhalte hue. Ammu uski taraf dekh ke thoda sa smile kar deti hai ek normal “Hi” type gesture. Arjun aankhon se hi reply karta hai, lekin andar se thoda faint type feel karta hai.
Zaheer, jo registration table ke paas khada hota hai, ek pal ke liye Shanu ko dekh leta hai uski aankhen Arjun aur Ammu ke exchange ko skip karke us frame mein tik jaati hain jahan Shanu apne baal clip kar rahi hoti hai. Uska expression soft ho jaata hai, jaise kuch sochta ho, lekin aankh milate hi nazar hata leta hai.
Sab students one by one bus mein chadh rahe hote hain.
Taz — black hoodie mein quietly khada hota hai, crowd ka hissa. Wo Ammu ko chhupke chhupke observe karta hai stare karta hai, bina kuch bole.Uski nazar uncomfortable si hoti hai kisi ko notice nahi hota, par ek ajeeb energy hoti hai uske stare mein.
Ammu uski taraf dekhti bhi nahi, apne friends ke paas chali jaati hai.
Anwar Madam(raising her voice)
“Okay everyone, settle in. Final headcount in five minutes!”
Sab students apni seats choose karte hain. Suitcase rack mein ja rahe hain, earphones lag rahe hain, excitement slowly chadh rahi hai.
Early Morning (Around 5:30 AM)
Bus finally chal padti hai. Window ke bahar andhera thoda light blue mein badal raha hai.Andar orange-yellow lights on hain. Seats pe students settle ho rahe hain kuch neck pillows leke, kuch chips packets nikal ke, kuch sirf khidki ki taraf jhagde mein busy.Zaheer ek window seat par baith chuka hai calm, back against the seat, earphones haath mein.Arjun uske bagal mein aake khada hota hai.
Arjun(complaining)
Ae Tu window leke baitha hai, Bro code bhool gaya kya
Zaheer:- Jo jaldi aayega, wahi khidki payega. Bus seat koi dil nahi jo share ho
Arjun (acting hurt):- Mere liye toh seat bhi dil hai... aur dil bhi seat.
Taz peechhe se sunta hai aur beech mein bol padta hai.
Taz (slow voice):-
Poetic line thi, lekin weak tha delivery.
Arjun (looking back, sarcastic smile):- Tere jaise logon ke liye toh blank page hi poetry hota hai.
Zaheer hansi rokta hai.
Taz(straight face) Window seat mere saamne wali bhi khaali hai... ab dekhte hain kaun aata hai.”
Arjun (teasing)
Tu toh us window ke bajaye, uss reflection mein zyada busy lagta hai.
Shanu, kuch seats aage bethi hoti hai, window side. Usne Zaheer ki baat aur Taz ke reaction pe Arjun ka jawab suna. Ek halki smile uske chehre pe aati hai. Phir wo sideways Zaheer ko dekhti hai, jisme thoda impressed feel hota hai kyunki Zaheer over react nahi karta, calm stay karta hai.
Arjun ab finally ek doosri seat par baitha hai, jahan ek ladki (Ammu) pehli seat par hai, par camera uska naam ya face fully focus nahi karta.
Arjun, thoda thak ke, lekin still charming voice mein bolta hai poori seat pe spread hoke.
Arjun (half voice mein, window ke bahar dekhte hue)
Kuch log itne saaf, itne khushbu jaise hote hain...
ke bas unke paas baithna bhi ek therapy lagta hai.Na naam lena hota hai, na baat karni... bas unka hona hi kaafi hota hai.
Ammu kuch nahi bolti, sirf softly muskurati hai jaise suna ho ya nahi, pata nahi. Uska dupatta thoda uske haathon pe lapetaa hua hai, aankhen half-closed. Wo bus ke motion mein sway ho rahi hai.
Peechhe se Arjun,thoda apne baal rakh ke fake snore karne lagta hai overdramatic.
Zaheer (peeche se)
“Tujhe chadar leke aana chahiye tha, itna drama expected tha.”
Arjun (aankh band karke)
Chadar nahi, mujhe bas usi ki khushboo chahiye…
Zaheer bas sir hila ke muskurata hai.
Bus ke andar ka vibe gradually warm ho chuka hai. Kisi ke phone se halki music baj rahi hai, kuch log already neend mein jaa chuke hain, kuch chit-chat kar rahe hain.
Bus ek small tapri-type chai shop ke paas ruki hai. Aas paas fog hai, hawa mein chai aur pakode ki khushboo ghoom rahi hai.Sab students thoda fresh hone, thoda snack lene mein busy hain. Arjun ek side par loud group ke saath ho raha hota hai, aur Ammu apni friend ke saath counter ke paas chai collect kar rahi hoti hai. Zaheer ek table ke paas khada hota hai, dono haathon mein chai ke glass. Wo idhar-udhar dekh raha hota hai jaise kisi specific moment ka wait kar raha ho. Tabhi uski nazar Shanu pe padti hai, jo ek banyan tree ke paas khadi hai, apne hands rub karte hue thand se lad rahi hoti hai. Uske paas koi nahi hota. Zaheer slowly uske paas jaata hai. Nervous nahi, lekin cautious.
Zaheer (thoda ruk kar)
Ek chai le lo... garam hai.
Shanu uski taraf dekhti hai,surprise nahi hoti, sirf neutral expression mein uska haath se chai ka glass le leti hai.
Shanu(slow)
Thanks.
Chhoti si silence hoti hai. Dono ek moment ke liye chai ke glass mein nazar guma lete hain.
Zaheer (softly)
Woh... subah ka scene... I mean... main...
(ruk ke)
Main kehna chah raha hoon mujhe dekhna nahi chahiye tha. Main waha... galti se...
Shanu uski baat interrupt nahi karti, na usse aankh milati. Bas chai pe phook maarte hue sunti rehti hai.
Zaheer (cont’d, a bit lower)
Main tumhe judge nahi kar raha tha. Mujhe khud par gussa aaya us waqt.
Lekin maine react nahi kiya... aur wo bhi galat tha.
Main sorry bolna chah raha hoon... seriously.
Shanu slowly uski taraf dekhti hai. Thandi hawa uske baal uda rahi hoti hai. Uska expression clear nahi hota mixed feelings.
Shanu
(slowly)
Tum waha rukte kyun,Tum bhag jaate...Wo reaction... woh awkward silence... ussi ne sab kuch keh diya tha.
Zaheer (aankh milata hai)
Main confuse ho gaya tha.
Tumhe dekh kar... main pehli baar confuse hua tha.
Shanu ka heart beat thoda fast ho jaata hai.Wo bas neck side se khujlati hai classic nervous habit.
Shanu (thoda soft)
Tumne jo kiya, woh galat nahi tha... lekin awkward zaroor tha.
Zaheer (smiles slightly)
Yahi toh meri speciality hai... galtiya bhi decent kar deta hoon.
Shanu (smiles back)
Haan… decent se thoda zyada.
Ek aur chhoti silence. Dono chai ke last sips lete hain. Background mein bus ka horn bajta hai signal ki sab wapas aa jayein.
Shanu (chai ka glass rakhte hue)
Thanks for saying sorry. Aaj kal log direct baat nahi karte.
Zaheer (glass rakhte hue)
Aaj kal log aankh milakar baat bhi nahi karte.
Tumne ki... isiliye thank you.
Dono ek chhoti si smile exchange karte hain koi declaration nahi.Sirf ek moment jo clean, honest aur zyada keh ke bhi kam keh gaya.Phir dono silently bus ki taraf chalte hain. Ek dusre ke peechhe, par dono ke chehre pe thoda lightness aa chuka hota hai.
Arjun, thoda thak ke, lekin still charming voice mein bolta hai poori seat pe spread hoke.
Arjun (half voice mein, window ke bahar dekhte hue)
Kuch log itne saaf, itne khushbu jaise hote hain...
ke bas unke paas baithna bhi ek therapy lagta hai.Na naam lena hota hai, na baat karni... bas unka hona hi kaafi hota hai.
Ammu kuch nahi bolti, sirf softly muskurati hai jaise suna ho ya nahi, pata nahi. Uska dupatta thoda uske haathon pe lapetaa hua hai, aankhen half-closed. Wo bus ke motion mein sway ho rahi hai.
Peechhe se Arjun,thoda apne baal rakh ke fake snore karne lagta hai overdramatic.
Zaheer (peeche se)
“Tujhe chadar leke aana chahiye tha, itna drama expected tha.”
Arjun (aankh band karke)
Chadar nahi, mujhe bas usi ki khushboo chahiye…
Zaheer bas sir hila ke muskurata hai.
Bus ke andar ka vibe gradually warm ho chuka hai. Kisi ke phone se halki music baj rahi hai, kuch log already neend mein jaa chuke hain, kuch chit-chat kar rahe hain.
Bus ek small tapri-type chai shop ke paas ruki hai. Aas paas fog hai, hawa mein chai aur pakode ki khushboo ghoom rahi hai.Sab students thoda fresh hone, thoda snack lene mein busy hain. Arjun ek side par loud group ke saath ho raha hota hai, aur Ammu apni friend ke saath counter ke paas chai collect kar rahi hoti hai. Zaheer ek table ke paas khada hota hai, dono haathon mein chai ke glass. Wo idhar-udhar dekh raha hota hai jaise kisi specific moment ka wait kar raha ho. Tabhi uski nazar Shanu pe padti hai, jo ek banyan tree ke paas khadi hai, apne hands rub karte hue thand se lad rahi hoti hai. Uske paas koi nahi hota. Zaheer slowly uske paas jaata hai. Nervous nahi, lekin cautious.
Zaheer (thoda ruk kar)
Ek chai le lo... garam hai.
Shanu uski taraf dekhti hai,surprise nahi hoti, sirf neutral expression mein uska haath se chai ka glass le leti hai.
Shanu(slow)
Thanks.
Chhoti si silence hoti hai. Dono ek moment ke liye chai ke glass mein nazar guma lete hain.
Zaheer (softly)
Woh... subah ka scene... I mean... main...
(ruk ke)
Main kehna chah raha hoon mujhe dekhna nahi chahiye tha. Main waha... galti se...
Shanu uski baat interrupt nahi karti, na usse aankh milati. Bas chai pe phook maarte hue sunti rehti hai.
Zaheer (cont’d, a bit lower)
Main tumhe judge nahi kar raha tha. Mujhe khud par gussa aaya us waqt.
Lekin maine react nahi kiya... aur wo bhi galat tha.
Main sorry bolna chah raha hoon... seriously.
Shanu slowly uski taraf dekhti hai. Thandi hawa uske baal uda rahi hoti hai. Uska expression clear nahi hota mixed feelings.
Shanu
(slowly)
Tum waha rukte kyun,Tum bhag jaate...Wo reaction... woh awkward silence... ussi ne sab kuch keh diya tha.
Zaheer (aankh milata hai)
Main confuse ho gaya tha.
Tumhe dekh kar... main pehli baar confuse hua tha.
Shanu ka heart beat thoda fast ho jaata hai.Wo bas neck side se khujlati hai classic nervous habit.
Shanu (thoda soft)
Tumne jo kiya, woh galat nahi tha... lekin awkward zaroor tha.
Zaheer (smiles slightly)
Yahi toh meri speciality hai... galtiya bhi decent kar deta hoon.
Shanu (smiles back)
Haan… decent se thoda zyada.
Ek aur chhoti silence. Dono chai ke last sips lete hain. Background mein bus ka horn bajta hai signal ki sab wapas aa jayein.
Shanu (chai ka glass rakhte hue)
Thanks for saying sorry. Aaj kal log direct baat nahi karte.
Zaheer (glass rakhte hue)
Aaj kal log aankh milakar baat bhi nahi karte.
Tumne ki... isiliye thank you.
Dono ek chhoti si smile exchange karte hain koi declaration nahi.Sirf ek moment jo clean, honest aur zyada keh ke bhi kam keh gaya.Phir dono silently bus ki taraf chalte hain. Ek dusre ke peechhe, par dono ke chehre pe thoda lightness aa chuka hota hai.
Bus ke engine ka halka vibration chalu ho chuka hai.Students ek-ek karke chai pee kar waapas chadh rahe hain. Seat covers halki sunlight mein golden lag rahe hain.Ammu sabse pehle chadh jaati hai ek simple lavender dupatta tightly fold kiya hua, suit ka colour thoda dull ho gaya hai subah ki thakan se.Wo seedha apni purani seat par jaake baithti hai… aur bag hata kar dusri seat khaali chhod deti hai.Ek pal ke liye uske chehre pe soft hope dikhai deta hai. Uski nazar baar baar gate ki taraf jaa rahi hai wo chhup chhup ke Arjun ko dhoond rahi hai. Wo apne haathon se dupatta theek karti hai, thoda adjust karti hai seat par as if trying to make it “welcoming”.
Bus ke andar ab crowd bhar raha hai.
Gate ke bahar Arjun abhi bhi apne doston ke saath khada hota hai kuch joke maar raha hai, ek ladka uska phone chheen ke selfie le raha hai.Uska dhyan us seat par nahi hai. Na us aankhon par jo baar baar usse dhoond rahi hain.Ammu, chhupke se ek sigh leti hai. Phir halki si smile banake sirf khidki ke bahar dekhne lagti hai jaisa kuch hua hi nahi.
Tabhi ek shadow uske paas aata hai.
Taz black hoodie mein, sunglasses utare hue, baal thode bikhre — slow steps mein uski row tak aata hai.
Taz (halka smile ke saath)
“Yeh seat khaali hai na?”
Ammu pal bhar rukti hai… kuch bolti nahi. Bas ek second ke hesitation ke baad, thoda forcefully muskurati hai.
Ammu
“Hmm… haan.”
Taz baithta hai, thoda lean hoke. Wo directly uski taraf dekhta nahi, lekin uska presence heavy lagta hai.
Taz (half-whisper)
“Tum morning mein bhi itni fresh lagti ho… jaise poori trip ka no filter version ho.”
Ammu, jo khidki ki taraf thi, thoda stiff ho jaati hai. Wo sirf “thank you” type smile karti hai fake, polite.
Taz
Main soch raha tha… tent sharing mein koi fix hai ya open to suggestions
Ammu ab seedha uski taraf dekhti hai.Ek controlled expression na aggressive, na smiling sirf clear.
Ammu
“Main teacher ke tent ke pass rehna prefer karti hoon.”
Taz thoda hilta hai, lekin smile banaye rakhta hai.
Taz
“Smart. Safe choice.”
Uske baad wo seat pe relax hota hai, lekin uska body thoda lean Ammu ki taraf hi rahta hai enough to make her shift slightly toward the window.
Bus start hoti hai. Engine ka sound background mein badhne lagta hai.
Arjun finally chadh ke andar aata hai hansi ke mood mein, loud voice mein kuch bolta hua.Wo aankh ghumata hai, Ammu ki seat pe Taz ko dekh ke ek second rukta hai.Fir kuch nahi bolta, bas aage kisi aur row mein seat le leta hai jaise ignore kar diya ho ya kuch feel na ho. Ammu us moment mein ek pal ke liye khidki ki taraf hi dekhte hue, aankhon se ek cheez clearly express karti hai —“Wait kiya tha.”
Taz, unaware ya careless, earphones lagata hai.
Bus speed pick karti hai. Roads ke turns ke saath, emotions bhi dheere dheere shape le rahe hote hain kuch kehkar nahi, sirf gestures aur aankhon se.
Bus ke andar ab crowd bhar raha hai.
Gate ke bahar Arjun abhi bhi apne doston ke saath khada hota hai kuch joke maar raha hai, ek ladka uska phone chheen ke selfie le raha hai.Uska dhyan us seat par nahi hai. Na us aankhon par jo baar baar usse dhoond rahi hain.Ammu, chhupke se ek sigh leti hai. Phir halki si smile banake sirf khidki ke bahar dekhne lagti hai jaisa kuch hua hi nahi.
Tabhi ek shadow uske paas aata hai.
Taz black hoodie mein, sunglasses utare hue, baal thode bikhre — slow steps mein uski row tak aata hai.
Taz (halka smile ke saath)
“Yeh seat khaali hai na?”
Ammu pal bhar rukti hai… kuch bolti nahi. Bas ek second ke hesitation ke baad, thoda forcefully muskurati hai.
Ammu
“Hmm… haan.”
Taz baithta hai, thoda lean hoke. Wo directly uski taraf dekhta nahi, lekin uska presence heavy lagta hai.
Taz (half-whisper)
“Tum morning mein bhi itni fresh lagti ho… jaise poori trip ka no filter version ho.”
Ammu, jo khidki ki taraf thi, thoda stiff ho jaati hai. Wo sirf “thank you” type smile karti hai fake, polite.
Taz
Main soch raha tha… tent sharing mein koi fix hai ya open to suggestions
Ammu ab seedha uski taraf dekhti hai.Ek controlled expression na aggressive, na smiling sirf clear.
Ammu
“Main teacher ke tent ke pass rehna prefer karti hoon.”
Taz thoda hilta hai, lekin smile banaye rakhta hai.
Taz
“Smart. Safe choice.”
Uske baad wo seat pe relax hota hai, lekin uska body thoda lean Ammu ki taraf hi rahta hai enough to make her shift slightly toward the window.
Bus start hoti hai. Engine ka sound background mein badhne lagta hai.
Arjun finally chadh ke andar aata hai hansi ke mood mein, loud voice mein kuch bolta hua.Wo aankh ghumata hai, Ammu ki seat pe Taz ko dekh ke ek second rukta hai.Fir kuch nahi bolta, bas aage kisi aur row mein seat le leta hai jaise ignore kar diya ho ya kuch feel na ho. Ammu us moment mein ek pal ke liye khidki ki taraf hi dekhte hue, aankhon se ek cheez clearly express karti hai —“Wait kiya tha.”
Taz, unaware ya careless, earphones lagata hai.
Bus speed pick karti hai. Roads ke turns ke saath, emotions bhi dheere dheere shape le rahe hote hain kuch kehkar nahi, sirf gestures aur aankhon se.
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