26-06-2025, 04:30 PM
Update 9
Girls ka group aage chal raha hota hai — Kritika, Swati, Ammu sab haste, chill karte hue chal rahe hain.
Kisi ke haath mein chips, kisi ke paas bluetooth speaker — Arijit Singh chal raha hai halka-halka.
Boys — Arjun, Sadiq, Taz aur aur kuch aur ladke — thoda distance pe but clear peeche follow kar rahe hote hain.
Arjun, sunglasses nikaal ke sir pe rakh deta hai. Nazar sirf ek pe — Ammu.
Wo white pastel suit mein, thoda lift karke chal rahi hoti hai — jaise pair gile na ho jaayein. Simple but exactly Arjun ki vibe ki ladki.
Arjun ka chalna dheere ho jaata hai, jaise koi thought plan ho uske dimaag mein.
Ek turn aata hai jahan path thoda congested hota hai. Sab ladkiyan aage nikal jaati hain.
Ammu thodi peeche reh jaati hai — dupatta thik karte waqt.
Usi waqt, Arjun quietly uske peeche aata hai.
Pehle to kuch nahi bolta.
Phir halka sa uska haath pakadta hai — firm, lekin soft grip.
Ammu
(thoda chokkar)
“Kya kar rahe ho… koi dekh lega…”
Arjun
(smirking)
“Toh dekh le… I’m not kidnapping you. Bas… two minutes ka timeout.”
Ammu kuch bolti nahi. Arjun uska haath chhodta nahi — usse side path ki taraf kheench ke le jaata hai, jahan ek chhoti si clearing hoti hai — ek big stone aur side mein stream ka edge.
Hawa halki thandi, ekdum fresh.
Ammu
(hushed tone)
“Yahan kyun laye ho?”
Arjun
(seriously, aankhon mein seedha look)
“Bas… tu sab ke beech mein kho jaati hai.
Aur mujhe… tu chhupke dekhne ka shauk nahi.”
Ammu thoda sharma jaati hai, aankhon se bachne ki koshish karti hai.
Arjun
(softly)
“Tujhe pata hai… suit main ladkiyon ka charm double hota hai?
Aur jab tu paani se bachke chalti hai… toh mujhe lagta hai, duniya slow motion mein chal rahi hai.”
Ammu
(fake angry)
“Tum sab ladke same hote ho. Filmy lines aur… expressions.”
Arjun
(mischievous smile)
“Haan, par main movie nahi… hero hoon.
Aur ye scene mera favourite hai.”
Usne halka sa apna haath Ammu ke dupatte ke edge se takraya diya — not in flirt, bas tease karne ke liye.
Ammu
(laughs nervously)
“Chalo ab… warna koi aa gaya toh…”
Arjun
(smiling)
“Toh dekhne de… lekin main tujhe un jhilon mein nahi dekh sakta, jahan tu sirf ek face ban ke reh jaaye.”
Ammu blush nahi karti, bas uski aankhon mein ek brief silence hota hai — jisme surprise bhi hai, and thoda… permission bhi.
Arjun usse side path pe le jaata hai — waterfall ke side mein ek narrow jungle trail hota hai.
Jahan se paani ki splash dikhti hai, lekin koi unhe nahi dekh sakta.
Birds ki awaazein, paani ki mist, aur sirf dono.
Ammu
(soft tone)
“Tum mujhe yahan kyu laaye ho?”
Arjun
(looking at her straight)
“Kyuki jab main tujhe dekh raha tha... sab kuch slow ho gaya tha.”
Ammu
(thoda sarcastic smile)
“Toh slow-motion mein tu mujhe kidnapping karne aaya?”
Arjun
(masti mein)
“Nahi… kidnapping nahi. Tere dil ka copyright lene aaya hoon.”
Ammu halka sa laugh karti hai… fir uske paas ek rock pe baith jaati hai.
Arjun bhi uske paas baithta hai.
Ek halki si mist un dono ke chehre pe padti hai. Arjun ek leaf leke Ammu ke galle se thoda paani wipe karta hai — bina kuch bole.
Dono ke haath ek moment ke liye paas aate hain…
Hath nahi pakadte, par fingers halki si brush kar jaati hain.
Ammu
“Sab wapas chhod kar mat aana… warna tumse pehle koi aur mere peeche aa jaayega.”
Arjun
(whisper)
“Main aa gaya na... ab koi aur kya karega?”
Dono ek dusre ko quietly dekhte hain.
No kiss, no overacting.
Bas feel — jo hawaon ke saath shift hota hai.
Background mein loud shout sunai deta hai —
“Ammuuuuu! Kahaan gayi tu!”
Arjun aur Ammu smile karte hain.
Ammu quickly uthti hai, dupatta straight karti hai.
Arjun
(softly, peeche se)
“Main aur bhi chhupa sakta hoon tujhe... par tu chhupne wali nahi lagti.”
Ammu palat ke dekhti hai, aankhon se “chup kar” bolti hai… aur chal padti hai.
Trip ka din thoda heavy tha — waterfall, trekking, boys ka follow karna, thoda private moments...
Ab tent ke andar thoda storm chal raha hota hai — makeup, wet clothes, towels aur perfume ki maha-gandhi.
Kritika, Swati, Ammu aur Shanu — sab apne-apne wet clothes change karne mein busy hoti hain.
Tent ke corners pe duppattas latka ke privacy zones banaye ja rahe hain, lekin baat-cheet full open chal rahi hoti hai.
Swati
(apne ankle par cream lagate hue)
“Yaar... paani thanda tha, par scene full Instagram wala tha. Bas make-up reh gaya tha — next time waterproof liner le aungi!”
Kritika
“Next time tu liner ke saath full saree le aana… aur ek dhol wala bhi.”
Ammu
(softly laughing)
“Main na ek point pe soch rahi thi — ki yeh waterfall ke neeche khadi ho jaaun aur ‘Taal’ movie wali heroine wali feel le loon…”
Swati
(acting shocked)
“Aur phir kapde chhupane ke liye leaves chahiye hote tumhe!”
All girls laugh.
Shanu, apna dupatta fold kar rahi hoti hai — but uske face pe soft, relaxed smile hoti hai.
Kritika
“Waise yeh tent ka andar ka part sabse safe lagta hai… full freedom. Koi dekhne wala nahi, koi judge karne wala nahi.”
Swati
“Yeh mat bol… abhi main shorts pehenti hoon aur tent ke flap se koi aankh dikh jaye toh main scream kar dungi!”
Ammu
(teasing)
“Arey scream kyu karegi? Pooch lena — ‘chai loge ya coffee?’”
Shanu
(with a rare grin)
“Ya phir seedha pooch lena — ‘exit ka rasta chahiye ya flying kick?’”
Girls all burst out in laughter, even Ammu who usually shy hoti hai, apne cushion pe head rakh kar hasi se hilti hai.
Kritika
“Tum logon ke saath reh ke na... mujhe lagta hai main city mein bhi tent laga ke reh loon!”
Swati
“Aur tent ke bahar likhwa lena — ‘Only mad girls allowed’.”
Starry sky ke neeche dinner ki setting simple hai —
Ek taraf se steel ke bartan mein pulao aur aloo matar ka combo serve ho raha hai.
Do tables hain — ek corner mein ladkiyaan baithi hain, doosre side ladke casual hawa mein masti kar rahe hote hain.
Background mein kisi ka bluetooth speaker baj raha hota hai — low volume pe ‘Chhod Do Aanchal…’ type retro gaana.
Ammu, thali mein khana leke thoda side mein apne mat pe baithti hai — rest of the girls thoda dur chali jaati hain bottle lene.
Wo spoon se pulao mix kar rahi hoti hai — tabhi Taz aata hai, thali haath mein — aur seedha uske paas bait jaata hai.
Taz
(smug smile ke saath)
“Akele-akele khana? Mujhe bulaya hota toh main candles bhi le aata…”
Ammu
(surprised but thanda tone)
“Mujhe bhookh thi… bulane ka time nahi tha.”
Taz
(laughs)
“Bhookh toh mujhe bhi hai… lekin mujhe toh kuch aur chahiye hota hai taste ke liye.”
Ammu fake smile karti hai — ek aankh table ki taraf jati hai jahan Arjun apne group ke saath baitha hota hai, lekin uska dhyaan abhi un par nahi.
Taz
(slowly leaning a bit)
“Waise ek baat bolun? Yeh plain suits tujhe aur bhi… elegant bana dete hain.”
Ammu
(thoda side hoke)
“Comfortable hai, fashion ke liye nahi pehna.”
Taz
(smiling)
“Haan… par uncomfortable bana dete hain doosron ko.”
Ammu ab thoda alert ho jati hai.
Uska hath subtly thali ke edge pe chala jata hai — jaise ready ho kisi awkwardness se bachne ke liye.
Usi waqt Arjun ki awaaz aati hai — table se thoda uthta hai, aur group se casual walk karte hue side ki taraf aata hai.
Arjun
(voice mein lazy confidence)
“Arey Ammu… yaar maine bola tha mere liye spoon le aana… le aayi kya?”
Ammu
(with relief smile)
“Main bhool gayi… abhi la deti hoon.”
Taz, thoda confuse sa hota hai. Arjun ek second usse casually aankhon se dekhta hai — no direct attack, bas presence ka reminder.
Arjun (to Taz)
“Waise bro, tu idhar hi hai toh spoon tu le aa na… main aur Ammu tab tak baat kar lete hain.”
Taz, forced smile ke saath uthta hai — kuch bolta nahi. Thali uthata hai aur chalta hai.
Ammu
(soft voice)
“Thanks… mujhe acha nahi laga tha uska tone.”
Arjun
(half-smirk)
“Uska tone toh har ladki ko sugar ke saath poison pilata hai… tu sirf strong reh, main baki handle kar lunga.”
Ammu halki si smile karti hai…
Aur dono dinner finish karne lagte hain, side mein.
Baaki background mein chammach ki awaaz aur logon ki casual laugh chalte rehte hain.
Tent ke andar sab ladkiyan light mode mein hoti hain.
Kisi ne balm lagaya hai toh ek light eucalyptus ki smell faili hai, koi moisturizer ka pouch khoj raha hai.
Suddenly, tent ka flap hilta hai…
Anwar Madam face dikha ke andhar jhankti hain — haath mein torch hai.
Anwar Madam
“Sorry girls... humare tent mein kuch creepy insects aa gaye hain, main yaha 15-20 min ke liye baith jaun?”
Swati
“Arey madam... yeh tent toh queen size hai, aap aayiye!”
Anwar Madam, smile karti hain aur ek kone mein baith jaati hain. Girls unke aane se thoda alert hote hain… but Anwar is relaxed.
Kritika
“Madam, yaha bhi insects hain… lekin wo legless aur hairy nahi, bas gossip-wale hain.”
Anwar Madam
(laughs)
“Bas phir main bhi ek gossip add kar doon?”
Girls
“Areeee... please! Yeh toh maze ka time hai!”
Anwar Madam
(softly)
“Main kisi ladke ka naam toh nahi loongi... bas itna kehna tha ki is trip mein ek student hai jo mujhe bahut special lagta hai…”
Shanu, jo apna face moisturize kar rahi hoti hai, ek second ke liye ruk jaati hai.
Anwar Madam
“…woh hamesha sab se alag hota hai. Akele nature observe karta hai, dusre log chill kar rahe hote hain toh woh bugs aur rocks explore karta hai. Aur… kal raat usne mujhe apne further studies ka idea bhi bataya…”
Swati
“Oooh… deep wala banda?”
Anwar Madam
(slight chuckle)
“Haan, aur intelligent bhi. Main chahti hoon ki uska admission kisi top ecology course mein ho — uska dimaag sirf books nahi, ground observation bhi karta hai.”
Shanu ki aankhon ka stress dheere dheere pighalta hai.
Wo pehle sirf Anwar Madam ke words sun rahi hoti hai… ab uska chehra halka smile karta hai.
Uska mind back jata hai:
Zaheer aur Anwar ka jungle ke edge pe khade ho kar baat karna
Uska mann mein uthta doubt
Aur uske baad ka khud se door rehna
Ab sab explain ho gaya hota hai.
Anwar Madam, apni torch band karti hain.
Anwar Madam
“Chalo main nikalti hoon... insects toh bhag gaye lagte hain. Tum log maze karo — aur late night noodles mat banana, smoke detector hai!”
Girls laugh softly.
Anwar Madam jaati hain.
Kritika, Swati aur Ammu chhed-chhad mein lag jaate hain. Shanu quietly dupatta uthakar shoulders pe dalti hai.
Kritika
“Aree madam ki entry toh emotional kar gayi! Kya soch rahi hai Shanu?”
Shanu quietly slipper pehenti hai, shawl uthati hai.
Tent ke bahar aati hai — sky full of stars, thandi hawa chal rahi hoti hai.
Uske face pe ek calm resolve hoti hai.
Shanu (under breath)
“Zaheer kahaan gaya hoga… bas ek baar mil jaaye…”
Wo ek halki smile ke saath aage chalte jaati hai — jaise ab uske steps doubt ke nahi, clarity ke ho.
Zaheer apne sleeping bag mein lete hue idhar-udhar karwat badal raha hota hai.
Uska tent ka flap thoda khula hai — moonlight uske face par soft silvery glow daalti hai.
Uski aankhen khuli hain… aur dil ka ek hi loop chal raha hai.
Flashback Montage – Water Scene (Day)
Shanu ka slow motion mein paani se nikalte hue baal nichodna
Uska sunlight mein geela chehra
Uske pairon ka pani mein halki halchal
Aur wo moment jab usne aankhon bandh karke sir upar uthaya tha
Background mein koi voice nahi, sirf ek low hum — soft wind aur heartbeat jaisa.
Zaheer aankhen band karta hai, par Shanu ki tasveer aur zyada clear ho jaati hai.
Uske chehre par ek tension nahi… par confusion aur attraction ka mila-jula ehsaas.
Zaheer
(andar hi andar, bina bole)
"Main kyun itna soch raha hoon uske baare mein?"
"Ek ladki jo mujhse kuch nahi poochti… par har baar samne aake kuch chhod jaati hai..."
Wo uth jaata hai — tent ke andar se hi thoda baith jaata hai, knees ko chest se chipka ke.
Uski aankhen tent ke open flap ke paar andhera tak dekh rahi hoti hain.
Uske lips halki si movement karte hain —
"Aisa kyun lag raha hai jaise... wo bas paani mein nahi thi. Jaise main usme doob raha tha."
Suraj naya naya nikal raha hai.
Camp area mein dhoondhli sunlight gir rahi hai — jaise sab thodi neend mein ho, thodi nayi energy mein.
Log thak chuke hain, lekin fresh hawa mein dobara zinda lag rahe hain.
Shanu ek rock pe baithi hoti hai, woolen shawl me lapeti hui, haath mein half khuli diary.
Uske baal wet nahi, lekin fresh wash ke baad combed. Eyes thodi swollen — neend puri nahi hui hoti.
Zaheer pass se guzarta hai, ek thermos leke — casually, bina kuch soche.
Phir ek second ke liye rukta hai.
Zaheer
(thoda hesitant, magar normal tone)
"Uth gayi itni subah?"
Shanu
(soft smile, lekin aankhon mein awkward jhalak)
“Wahi... neend hi kitni aayi thi.”
Zaheer
(sit beside nahi, thoda door ek stone pe baith jata hai)
“Hmm… vaise… kal... paani thanda nahi tha tumhare liye?”
Shanu
(raising eyebrows, smile suppress karte hue)
“Tum wahan the kya?”
Zaheer
(looking down, thoda stuck)
“Nahi... matlab... sab keh rahe the... ki thanda tha.”
Shanu
(faint chuckle)
“Haan... lekin thand se zyada zarurat thi... refresh hone ki.”
Dono ek moment ke liye aankhon se milte hain…
Bina kuch aur bole, ek silence baith jaata hai jisme guilt bhi nahi, clarity bhi nahi — bas comfort hai.
Tabhi loud clap ke saath Anwar Madam ki awaaz aati hai.
Good morning soldiers!”
Sab log idhar-udhar se niklte hain — kuch toothbrush leke, kuch blanket ke andhar se.
Anwar Madam
“Aaj ka din easy nahi hone wala. Aaj hum karenge CAMP CHALLENGE — team-based survival task!”
Swati
(half awake)
“Ma’am breakfast ke baad ya pehle?”
Anwar Madam
“Hamesha ki tarah… uske baad, jab tumhare faces camera-friendly ho jaayein.”
Laughter all around.
Anwar Madam
“Team ka distribution ho chuka hai...
Group A — Swati, Arjun, Kritika, and Ammu.
Group B — Sadiq, Taz, Shanu… and Zaheer.”
Shanu aur Zaheer ek dusre ki taraf dekhenge — but sirf ek halki si neck turn ke saath.
No visible shock, bas ek tiny blink of "Okay, this will be interesting."
Anwar Madam
“Tasks tumhare bas ke nahi hain… toh soch samajh ke partner ko uthana… warna jungle mein tum khud gum ho jaoge.”
Taz aankh maar ke Ammu ki taraf dekhne ki koshish karta hai, lekin Ammu side turn ho jaati hai.
Shanu diary band karti hai, Zaheer thermos ka sip leke quietly uthta hai.
Task:-----,
Har team ko 5 cheezein 45 mins mein dhoondhni hain.
Har object lane ke baad photo aur verbal reasoning dena hoga — kyu ye object tumne choose kiya.
Teamwork, observation aur creativity ka test hai — speed matter nahi karegi, clarity karegi.
20 minutes before Task Start
Sabhi 2–2 ke pairs mein baith jaate hain, har team ko ek folded "Survival Clue Sheet" milta hai.
Group B: Zaheer & Shanu
Dono ek rock ke corner pe baithte hain — ek paper share karte hue.
Shanu
(pehla clue padhti hai, thoda sarcastic tone)
“‘I fall but never rise… I whisper but don’t speak’ — yeh koi breakup letter lag raha hai.”
Zaheer
(smirks, without looking directly)
“Breakup ka toh pata nahi, par leaf zarur lag raha hai.”
Shanu
(eyebrows lift)
“Hmmm. Smart.”
(pause)
“Kal raat… ma’am ne tumhare academic talks ke baare mein bataya tha.”
Zaheer thoda pause karta hai — par smile deta hai.
Zaheer
"Study ke alawa zyada kuch kehne ka waqt mila hi kab..."
Ek tiny, mutual understanding glance exchange hota hai — a calm clarity settles between them.
Group A: Arjun & Ammu
Arjun paper ko ulta ghoom ghoom ke dekh raha hota hai — as if code crack kar raha ho.
Ammu
(quietly)
“Yeh second clue mein ‘moss’ likha hai… nadi ke side jaana padega.”
Arjun
(serious tone, then breaks into a smile)
“Toh tu nadi le chal rahi hai mujhe… kahin mujhe bhi doobne ka plan toh nahi?”
Ammu
(blushing thoda, but confident tone)
“Main doobne walon ko bacha leti hoon. Tum sirf clue dhundho.”
Taz, dusri team ke sath hote hue bhi, beech beech mein Ammu ko dekh raha hota hai — par Ammu completely focused rehti hai.
Anwar Madam (Center)
“10 minutes to task start! Water bottles, caps, aur ek torch each allowed. Baki tumhare instincts par depend karta hai.”
Zaheer quietly bag mein compass dalta hai, Shanu ek ribbon baandh rahi hoti hai apne wrist pe
Arjun check karta hai Ammu ke shoelace bandhe hain ya nahi
Kritika aur Swati apne team names banane mein lage hain (“Team Chatori Warriors!”)
Mid-Morning | Task Begins
Pedon ke beech se halki dhoop channi hui aati hai.
Chidiya ki cheekh-cheekh aur mitti ki ek raw smell hawa mein hai.
Har team apne clue sheet ke sath jungle ke ek alag track par nikalti hai.
Zaheer & Shanu – Trail C Left
Shanu aage chal rahi hoti hai, uska dupatta piche se hil raha hota hai. Uske bal wet nahi, lekin moisture ki wajah se halki curls ban chuki hoti hain.
Zaheer thoda piche hota hai, haath me compass aur bottle.
Uska dhyaan clue se zyada uski awkward calmness par hota hai.
Shanu
(Clue padhti hai, slowly)
"‘I hide above but point below…’ hmm..."
Zaheer
(low tone, almost whisper)
“Feather ho sakta hai... tree branch pe.”
Shanu, tree ke neeche se upar dekhti hai.
Ek halki breeze chalti hai, uska dupatta thoda sa hilta hai —
Zaheer ka haath naturally us dupatte ko pakad leta hai… usse kuch bole bina.
Ek awkward second —
Shanu palat kar dekhti hai,
Zaheer dupatta chhode bina aankhon mein aankhon daal kar kehta hai:
Zaheer
"Yeh hawa bhi timing choose karti hai na."
Shanu kuch nahi kehti.
Bas slowly dupatta le leti hai, par smile chhupa nahi pati.
Dono ka pair ek hi leaf pe padta hai —
thoda shoulder bump hota hai —
no reaction.
Lekin hawa mein tension ka halka electric current sa mehsoos hota hai.
Arjun & Ammu – Trail B Right
Arjun jungle ke ek patch pe rukta hai —
pani ke neeche smooth stone dhoondhne.
Ammu, uske opposite side pe baithi hoti hai, chappal nikal kar nadi mein pair daale hue.
Uska plain suit ka palu nadi ki raw light mein transparent sa lagta hai,
Arjun ka nazar bas ek second ke liye ruk jaata hai
— bas ek second — phir woh aankhen hata leta hai.
Ammu
(softly, aankhon se paani me)
“Stone mil gaya?”
Arjun
(taking one out, then casually)
“Mil gaya… lekin mujhe laga meri aankhon ka patthar hil gaya tumhein aise dekh kar.”
Ammu hasti nahi.
Bas uska pair paani ke andar se Arjun ke foot se lightly takra jaata hai.
Ek unspoken pause.
Arjun bhi us paani ke ripple ko stare karta hai — as if time slow ho gaya ho.
Ammu (breaking it)
“Don’t fall now… task ke point cut ho jayenge.”
Arjun
“I already fell, Ammu. That too, without even slipping.”
Ammu aankhon se uski taraf dekhti hai — expression unreadable.
Back to Zaheer & Shanu – Trail C
Shanu ek feather dhoondh leti hai, par vo thoda unchi branch pe hoti hai.
Zaheer usse dekhta hai, phir branch tak chadhta hai, thoda jungli balance ke saath.
Shanu niche se dekhte hue
“Gir gaye toh mein nahi pakadne wali.”
Zaheer feather todta hai, aur neeche aata hai —
tabhi thoda slip karta hai —
aur ek second ke liye Shanu ka haath naturally uski waist ko touch karta hai — control ke liye.
Silence.
Hawa ruk jaati hai.
Zaheer seedha khada hota hai —
Shanu ka haath instantly peeche chala jaata hai.
Dono kuch nahi bolte.
Bas aankhen milti hain.
Us gaze mein sab kuch tha —
awkwardness, current, aur ek chhupi hui comfort jo naam nahi le sakti.
Sab teams apne clues ke saath camp ki taraf laut rahi hoti hain.
Trail zyada steep nahi hai, lekin patthar aur roots ke beech chalna tricky hai.
Shanu aur Zaheer thoda group se peeche chal rahe hote hain.
Sunlight patton ke beech se channi hui aa rahi hai. Hawa mein mitti aur thakawat ka ek natural weight hai.
Tabhi Shanu ka pair ek loose stone par padta hai —
Shanu
“Aahh!”
Wo balance lose karke neeche gir jaati hai —
haath samhal leta hai, lekin uska right knee patthar se takra jata hai.
Zaheer turant aage badhta hai, freak out nahi karta, lekin uski aankhon mein tension clear hoti hai.
Zaheer
“Ruko… don’t move.”
Shanu try karti hai uthane ka, par thoda dard hota hai.
Shanu
“Bas chhoti si chot hai… main chal lungi.”
Zaheer uski baat ignore karta hai.
Apne bag se ek small first-aid pouch nikalta hai — cotton, antiseptic, aur ek choti sa cream-tube jaisi ointment.
Zaheer
“Sit. Yeh chalega nahi properly agar swelling aa gayi toh.”
Shanu halka sa protest karne jaati hai, lekin uski aankhon mein bhi dard clear hota hai.
Shanu slowly baith jaati hai, ek pathar ke edge pe.
Zaheer uske saamne baithta hai —
uske haathon ka motion soft, careful —
wo uski trouser ko knee tak fold karta hai.
Shanu ke pair pe scratch hai, halka bleeding.
Jab wo trouser uthata hai, ek soft breeze chalti hai… aur Shanu thoda conscious ho jaati hai.
Uska dhyaan Zaheer ke fingers par jaata hai, jo cream nikal kar cotton me lagata hai.
Zaheer (low voice)
“Thoda lagega... bas ek second.”
Jab wo cotton knee pe softly rakhta hai,
Shanu ek sharp breath leti hai — dard se nahi, touch se.
Ek awkward pause.
Dono ka focus chot pe nahi... ek dusre ke face pe hota hai.
Zaheer, jiske usually sharp eyes hote hain, aaj soft hain —
aur Shanu ke lips thode parted, as if kuch kehne wali ho par ruki ho.
Us waqt sirf jungle ki halki si khamoshi aur birds ki door se aati awaaz sunai deti hai.
Zaheer
(gently)
“Done.”
Wo cotton hata ke ek bandaid chipkata hai.
Shanu ki aankhen ab bhi uske haath pe tikki hoti hain.
Shanu
(softly, almost whisper)
“Thanks…”
Zaheer aankhen uthaata hai.
Shanu ki aankhon mein blush, shyness aur ek halki si vulnerability hoti hai —
lekin wo smile kar deti hai — ek real smile.
Zaheer
(half-smile deta hai)
“Next time pathar se dosti karne se pehle mujhe bata dena.”
Shanu hasti hai, halka sa shoulder uska Zaheer se takra jaata hai.
Woh slowly uthti hai.
Dono ek dusre ko directly nahi dekhte, lekin har ek step mein ek nayi warmth chalne lagti hai.
Camp ke lights door se dikhte hain, aur dono thoda slow walk me side by side chal padte hain —
between them? Silence.
Lekin woh silence ab awkward nahi, intimate lagta hai.
Dinner ke baad sab log ya toh tent me chale gaye hote hain, ya bonfire ke paas gossip me lage hote hain.
Ammu quietly ek flask leke camp ke peechhe choti si pahadi pe chali jaati hai.
Woh jagah camp se halka sa upar hai, wahan se jungle ka edge aur sky clearly dikhta hai.
Woh rock pe baith jaati hai, flask se garam paani pee rahi hoti hai.
Tabhi peeche se patton ki halki si khadbadahat...
Arjun chhupke se aata hai, haath me chips ka packet.
Arjun (casually)
“Chupke se akele aake flask pe kabza karna… yeh dosti me cheating hai.”
Ammu (bina dekhe)
“Mujhe laga tum dance floor pe hi set ho.”
Arjun
“Set kaun hota hai yaar… jab reset karne waali yahan baithe ho.”
Woh uske paas baith jaata hai — dono ek rock share karte hain,
beech me flask aur chips.
Silence.
Sirf jungle ke insect sounds aur door se bonfire ki halki laugh.
Arjun flask leke sip karta hai
“Yeh kya hai? Green tea jaisa feel aa raha hai…”
Ammu
“Ajwain paani. Digestion ke liye.”
Arjun
“Ohh toh tum ‘body is temple’ type ho.”
Ammu
“Nahi, main ‘jo khaoge, wahi bharoge’ type hoon.”
Dono hansi chhupate hain.
Phir halki hawa chalti hai — Ammu ka dupatta thoda udta hai.
Arjun apna jacket uske taraf forward karta hai silently — bina bole.
Ammu nazar milati hai, phir jacket le leti hai, par kuch nahi kehti.
Arjun
“Main jab chhota tha, mummy bolti thi — jungle me jacket share karna, dosti nibhana.”
Ammu (softly)
“Toh dosti hi hai na?”
Arjun
“Jungle wali dosti mein kya guarantee hai… kab kya badal jaaye.”
Ammu uski taraf dekhti hai, ek second ke liye.
Arjun, sky me stars dekhne lagta hai — intentionally silence rakhte hue.
Ammu
“Tum kabhi serious hote ho kya?”
Arjun (slowly)
“Bas tumhare saath hota hoon.”
Pause.
Woh line hawa me latakti hai — neither accepted, nor rejected.
Ammu
“Waise chips toh laaya tha… ya dialogue ke badle?”
Arjun (grinning)
“Chips sirf distraction hai… asli snack toh tumhari company hai.”
Ammu uske shoulder pe fake thappad maar deti hai, aur dono hansi me gir jaate hain.
Sab log apne tents me hai. Raat ka time hai — halki thand aur jungle ki awazein.
Ammu ek jug me paani bharne ke liye camp ke side wale handpump tak aayi hoti hai.
Light kam hai, aur us jagah pe zyada log nahi hote.
She bends down to check if the jug is leaking.
Tabhi peeche se Taz aata hai, silence me.
Taz (casually, par voice creepy soft)
“Late night jungle ka paani... ya tumhara chehra zyada clear hai?”
Ammu thoda jhatak kar seedhi ho jaati hai, haath me jug tight pakad leti hai.
Ammu
“Tum? Yahan kya kar rahe ho?”
Taz
“Main toh wahi karta hoon jahan nazar jaaye. Aaj toh tum dik gayi.”
Woh thoda close aata hai, aur Ammu instinctively ek step peeche hoti hai.
Ammu
“Taz, just… stop. I’ll go.”
Taz (chhoti si smile ke saath)
“Darr gayi? Main toh bas baat kar raha hoon.”
Ammu bag tight pakadti hai, aur jaane lagti hai —
tabhi Taz uska dupatta lightly catch karta hai — not hard pull, but enough to freeze her.
Ammu ki aankhon me ek second ke liye clear fear dikh jaata hai.
Taz
“Ek baat bolun? Jab tum chhup jaati ho group me… toh aur bhi dekhne ka mann karta hai.”
Ammu ekdum tezi se dupatta kheenchti hai aur bina kuch bole bhaag jaati hai.
Woh seedha apne tent me jaake zip close karti hai. Uski saans tez ho gayi hoti hai.
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