29-07-2025, 03:14 PM
Update 71
Next Morning — Delhi Guest House Room
7:03 AM
Room ke sheeshe ke parde ke paar se halki dhoop andar aa rahi thi, lekin kamra abhi bhi thoda sa andhere mein tha. Ek bedside lamp raat bhar on chhoda gaya tha, uski naram roshni mein Zaheer ki aankh khulti hai.
Thoda confused… thoda blank.
Uska haath still thoda sa folded tha, jaise kisi ko apne paas protect kar raha ho… aur tabhi uska chehra dheere dheere side turn hota hai.
Shanu.
Woh uske hi bagal mein thi. Uski aankhen abhi bhi band thi, baalon ki kuch lattein uske cheek pe tikki hui… aur blanket uski bare shoulder tak gira hua tha.
Woh denim dungaree… kahin nahi dikhi.
Zaheer ka throat ek second ke liye sukh gaya. Uski aankhon mein sabse pehle jo reflect hua… woh tha raat ka ek blurred snapshot:
Zaheer
(andar hi andar, almost whispering)
Oh… shit.
Woh pal mein hi bed se thoda peeche hata, aur apne haath se apna forehead dhak diya — jaise sab kuch ek baar mein samajh aa gaya ho… aur samajh na aane ka guilt bhi sath aa gaya ho.
Woh uth kar bed ke edge par baith gaya… aankhen khuli… aur uska chehra stress aur shame ka mix tha.
Usne apna phone uthaya, dekha 3 missed calls… par uska mann ab kisi aur direction mein chala gaya tha. Usne sirf ek baat apne aap se boli:
Zaheer
(softly)
Yeh humne… kya kar diya?
Peeche bed mein Shanu ab bhi so rahi thi… dhoop uske balon ko halki golden si roshni mein rang rahi thi. Aur ek second ke liye Zaheer ne us taraf phir dekha… nafrat nahi thi uske chehre par… sirf guilt aur samajh ka bojh.
Same Morning – Guest House Room, Delhi
7:18 AM
Zaheer tab tak bed se uth kar thoda sa door, window ke paas ja chuka tha. Haath folded the. Nazar baahar ek flat building ke chhatt par se girti halki dhoop pe tikki thi, lekin dimaag mein kuch aur hi chal raha tha.
Uski peeth abhi bhi room ki taraf thi… jab bed ke sheets mein ek halki si movement hui. Shanu ki aankhon ne dheere dheere subah ko mehsoos karna shuru kiya. Uski lashes hilin... uske haath ne apne shoulder ko touch kiya jaise halka sa jhatka laga ho. Phir aankhen khul gayi.
Blanket uske collarbone tak tha, aur woh abhi bhi Zaheer ke pillow ke bahut kareeb thi.
Shanu
(soft whisper, aankhon mein confusion)
Zaheer...?
Uski awaaz bahut naram thi. Thodi si naraz, thodi si chhupi si… aur poori tarah se unsorted.
Zaheer ne peeth mod kar kuch seconds chup raha… phir dheere se turn hua. Shanu ab uski taraf dekh rahi thi. Uske chehre par woh awkward blush tha jo na fully regret tha, na fully comfort.
Zaheer ne uski aankhon mein dekha, lekin kuch keh nahi paaya.
Shanu
(halka sa smile, shaky voice)
Good morning...
Zaheer bas dekh kar ruk gaya. Woh chhoti si smile bhi uske guilt ko tod nahi paayi thi. Usne bas ek halki nod di. Shanu ne notice kiya ke woh kuch zyada hi tense lag raha tha.
Shanu
(trying to sound casual)
Main... washroom chali jaaun?
Zaheer
(softly, avoiding eye contact)
Haan… of course.
Woh dheere se blanket ko thoda adjust karke uthti hai, apna dupatta ya shirt dhoondhne ke liye nazar ghumati hai, lekin ek second ke liye woh bhi freeze ho jaati hai. Zaheer tab tak aankhen neeche kiye, ek kone ki taraf ho jaata hai jaise usse aankhon mein dekhne ki himmat na ho.
Shanu andar chali jaati hai. Door band hota hai.
Aur jab woh andar chali jaati hai, toh Zaheer ne apne face ko dono haathon se chhupaa liya…
Zaheer
(aankhon mein guilt)
Shanu... main tumse... kya kehun ab?
Guest House – Bathroom Scene (Shanu’s POV)
Inside the small tiled bathroom, warm morning light filtering through a small fogged glass window
Shanu mirror ke saamne khadi thi. Uska haath abhi bhi towel se apne geele balon ko thoda-thoda sukha raha tha, lekin nazar apne reflection se hatt nahi rahi thi.
Mirror mein apna chehra dekhte hi uske aankhon ke neeche raat ki halka sa thakan thi… lekin us thakan mein ek ajeeb si roshni thi. Jaise kuch bahut naya, bahut gehra uske andar jag chuka ho.
Usne halki si saans li… aur apni aankhon mein khud se kuch dhoondhne lagi.
Flashback jaise dissolve hota hai uske chehre pe.
Zaheer ka saans uske kaanon ke paas...
Uski ungliyon ka pressure…
Uske haathon ka woh lahja…
Aur sabse zyada – uski aankhon ka tarah-tarah se badalte hue rang.
Shanu ke chehre par ek halki si blush aa gayi. Usne aankhon band ki aur cheek par haath rakha – jaise apne aap se poochhna chahti ho… kya main theek thi?
Phir uske dimag mein woh scene aaya jab subah uthte hi usne Zaheer ka chehra dekha. Woh peeth ghumaye khada tha. Thoda sa stiff. Thoda sa... door.
Shanu
(andar hi andar, faint whisper)
Tum regret kar rahe ho, Zaheer?
Uska smile thoda dheema ho gaya. Usne aankhon se mirror mein dobara apne reflection ko dekha… lekin is baar woh blush ke peeche ek chhupi si chinta bhi thi.
Shanu
(andar hi andar)
Main toh... tumhari taraf se thi. Par agar tum... sirf guilt mehsoos kar rahe ho toh...
Usne apna towel ek hook pe latkaya.… aur ek gehri saans le kar darwaza khola.
Dheere se light ka ek stripe room mein gaya jahan Zaheer abhi bhi table ke paas khamosh khada tha.
Shanu ne apni aankhon ki chhavi chhupayi, lekin ek last baar andar se kahin se usne khud se kaha…
"Main tayyar hoon baat karne ke liye... agar tum bhi ho."
Guest House – Dining Table (Same Morning)
Zaheer aur Shanu dining area ke ek kone mein baith kar breakfast kar rahe the. Dono ke beech ki plate mein toasts aur ek kettle mein coffee rakhi thi… lekin dono ki aankhon mein uss raat ka hangover abhi bhi zinda tha.
Zaheer toast ko ek kone se tod raha tha, lekin uski nazar uss par nahi thi. Kabhi spoon se cup ke andar coffee ghoomata… kabhi door se baahar ke view ko takta.
Shanu uske saamne shaant baithi thi. Uska denim dungare ab ek loose white shrug ke neeche chhup gaya tha, lekin uske bal abhi bhi thode se geele the.
Dono ne kai baar ek dusre ki taraf dekha… phir nazar chura li.
Silence. Sirf spoon ka ceramic se takrana.
Phir… Shanu ne halki si hansi roki, aur thoda jhukti…
Shanu
(softly, with teasing warmth)
Tum kuch bol kyun nahi rahe ho?
Zaheer ne uski taraf dekha. Woh blush kar gaya… aur halki si muskurahat uske lips tak to aayi, lekin aankhon tak nahi pahuchi.
Zaheer
(thoda stiff, low voice)
Main... bas soch raha tha… kal raat... humein shayad control rakhna chahiye tha.
Shanu ne cup ko neeche rakha. Uska chehra serious nahi hua… balki aur soft.
Shanu
Zaheer… tumhe lagta hai maine kuch galat kiya?
Zaheer
Nahi, bilkul nahi…
(phir ruk kar)
Main bas… nervous hoon. Tumhare liye bhi... aur us rishte ke liye bhi.
Shanu ne thoda jhuk kar uski aankhon mein dekha. Phir ek haath uske haath par rakh diya.
Shanu
Main janti hoon, Zaheer…
Jo hua, wo humare pyaar ka josh tha… par usme majboori ya confusion kuch nahi tha.
Aur waise bhi…
(smiling deeper now, a confident playful glint in her eye)
Ye toh ab umar bhar chalta rahega…
…jab main Qureshi house mein aa jaungi… dulhan ban ke.
Zaheer ka haath uske haath ke neeche thoda tight hua. Uske chehre pe pehli baar subah se ek halka sa sukoon utra.
Usne Shanu ko dekha… uske words ko absorb kiya… aur phir ek muskaan uske lips tak aayi, is baar aankhon tak bhi pahuchti hui.
Zaheer
Toh fir… aaj ka match jeetne ki double zimmedari hai.
Ek dulha ka bhi impression jamaana hai.
Shanu ne hansi dabaayi aur uske kandhe ko thoda mock-punch kiya.
Shanu
Go, captain Zaheer. Main cheer kar rahi hoon.
Zaheer
Main sirf tumhare liye jeetunga.
Scene dissolve hota hai jab dono haste hue table se uthte hain, staff ke call pe apne bags lene jaate hain, aur ek naye din ke competition ki taraf badhte hain.
[b]Ammu’s Room – Early Morning
[/b]
Subah ke 6:45 baj rahe the. Baarish ruk chuki thi. Khidki ke pardon ke beech se halki si roshni chhanni lagi thi.
Ammu ne aankhen kholi... lekin aankhon mein neend nahi thi. Sirhane pe padhe Arjun ki shirt ke button uske haathon ke neeche dab gaye the, jaise raat ki koi memory chhupi ho waha.
Woh seedha chhat ko dekhti rahi kuch seconds ke liye. Fir usne apni kamar ke neeche chadar aur tightly kheench li.
Ek deep sigh.
Aur tabhi...
Ammu
(andar se)
Yeh maine… kya kar diya?
Usne karwat li… apne haathon se apna chehra dhaka. Arjun uske bagal mein ab nahi tha. Shayad subah match ke liye nikal gaya tha. Lekin uski khushboo takiye se chipki hui thi.
Uska dil zor zor se dhadak raha tha. Kal raat ki tasveerein — Arjun ka peeth ke piche se usse hug karna, woh muskurahat, woh halke kisses, woh lightning ke beech uska neckline pe rukna…
Sab kuch ek saans mein wapas yaad aa gaya.
Fir ek khayal aaya… aur Ammu ki aankhon mein tension ki lakir ubhar gayi.
Ammu
(whispers, panicked)
Agar… agar main… pregnant ho gayi toh?
Uska haath apne pet ke upar gaya… thoda sa dard, thoda sa darr, thoda sa guilt.
Woh turant uthti hai… dressing table ke paas jaake mirror ke samne ruk jaati hai. Apne aap ko dekhti hai –
Eyes thodi swollen, lips thode pink, aur neckline pe ek faint kiss mark.
Ammu
(whispers)
Pagal ho gayi thi kya main?
Usne turant apna duppatta uthaya, neck cover kiya… aur bathroom ki taraf bhaag gayi.
Scene: Ammu’s Daily Routine – Fast-paced Montage
Bathroom mein woh apne chehre pe paani splash karti hai, toothbrush lagate waqt bhi woh wahi ek hi khayal soch rahi hoti hai — "Agar delay ho gaya toh?"
Apne wardrobe ke samne khadi, ek cotton kurti uthati hai – lekin fir use wapas rakh ke ek thoda dull plain one nikalti hai. Mood utarna kapdon tak aagaya tha.
Kitchen mein chhup chhup ke breakfast banate asma se bachi rehti hai… chai le kar silently apne kamre mein chali jaati hai.
Phone utha ke Arjun ka naam dekhti hai – 3 missed calls.
Woh phone wapas rakh deti hai. Reply nahi karti.
Scene ends with Ammu mirror ke samne khadi hoti hai, college bag peeth par daal ke ek lambhi saans leti hai... aur aankhon mein ek decision banata hua look.
Ammu
(andar se, calmly)
Pehle college jaake normal behave karna padega…
Uske baad dekhte hai
[b]Cut to: College gate – Ammu auto se utarti hai. Face pe halka sa forced smile, andar kuch aur hi toofan.[/b]
[b][b]College Campus – Morning after the storm
[/b][/b]
Halka sa bheegapan abhi bhi mitti mein tha, lekin aasman saaf ho chuka tha. Students aa rahe the… dhoop narm thi, lekin Ammu ke chehre pe ek ajeeb si ghabrahat thi.
Usne apna dupatta thoda aur sambhala, aur library ke side se canteen ke back passage mein aayi… jahan usual time pe Arjun wait karta tha.
Aur wahi… Arjun usse pehle se khada tha.
Backpack pehna hua, baal thode se messy, aankhon ke neeche halka sa sleeplessness… lekin uski nazar jaise bas ussi chehre ki talaash mein thi.
Ammu ruk gayi… ek second ko.
Dono ki aankhen mili.
Aur phir sab kuch silent ho gaya.
Arjun
(bohot softly)
Tum thik ho?
Ammu ne bas haan mein sir hilaya… lekin aankhen jhuki rahi.
Woh aage bada… ek kadam… fir ruk gaya.
Ammu ne thoda sa awkward smile diya… jaise dono ko ek saath yaad aa gaya ho… raat ki woh baarish… woh lightning… woh bandh darwaza… aur woh chadar ke neeche chipka hua pyaar.
Arjun
(halka sa guilt tone)
Mujhe laga main… thoda zyada emotional ho gaya raat ko.
Ammu
(deep breath leke)
Main bhi…
(kuch seconds rukti hai)
Bas sab kuch itna… fast ho gaya.
Arjun ne uska haath pakadna chaha… lekin usne resist nahi kiya. Dono ke haath ek dusre me the, lekin dono ki ungliyan thodi tight thi — jaise dar ke saath pakdi gayi ho.
Ammu
(shaky voice)
Arjun…
Agar main…
(ek deep pause)
Agar main pregnant ho gayi toh?
Arjun ki aankhen ek second ke liye freeze ho gayi.
Usne kuch nahi bola.
Ammu
(tezi se bolti gayi, panic me)
Kal to kuch bhi… matlab humne… aur maine to… koi bhi precaution nahi…
Main toh… mujhe kuch samajh hi nahi aa raha Arjun.
Ye normal hai kya? Ya… main pagal ho rahi hoon?
Arjun ne uske dono haath apne dono haathon me le liye.
Uski aankhon mein guilt bhi tha… lekin saath hi ek protective calmness bhi.
Arjun
(bohot softly)
Hey… Ammu…
Main hoon na.
Jo bhi hoga, main tere saath hoon.
Hum test karenge, samjhenge… aur handle bhi karenge.
Tujhe akela nahi chhodunga.
Ammu ke aankhon me aansu ki halki si lehar thi.
Arjun
(halka sa tease)
Toh main hi thoda responsible lagun is baar… warna tu to sirf meri shirt kheench rahi thi kal raat…
Ammu ne uske kandhe pe zor se mukka maara.
Ammu
(still nervous, but laughing)
Shut up, Arjun!
Scene ends with Ammu ka sir Arjun ke shoulder pe tik jana… aur Arjun ka uske baal pe ek soft kiss dena.
[b][b]Dono ka fear abhi bhi hai, lekin saath hone ka sukoon zyada hai.[/b][/b]
[b][b][b]College washroom – Girls common room, mid-morning
[/b][/b][/b]
Canteen ke thode peeche girls common area tha jahan ek side washroom aur ek side vanity mirror wall lagi thi. Ammu apni bag ko corner bench pe rakh kar mirror ke samne khadi thi, lekin uska chehra peela पड़ा था… aankhon ke neeche stress saaf नजर आ रहा था.
Uske haathon me tightly folded ek small paper bag tha – jismein usne ek home pregnancy test kit li thi, pharmacy se chhup ke.
Priya washroom ke door se aayi… pehle casually, lekin Ammu ka face dekhte hi ruki.
Priya
Ammu?
Tu thik hai na?
Ammu ne bas haan me sir hila diya… lekin uska expression clear kar raha tha ki kuch to seriously galat chal raha hai.
Priya
(suspiciously uske haath wale packet ki taraf dekhti hai)
Wait a second…
Ye kya hai?
Ammu ne pehle chup rehne ki koshish ki… lekin phir aankhon se baarish jaise emotions tapak gaye.
Ammu
(halke se rote hue)
Main pagal ho gayi hoon kya, Priya?
Mujhe laga main smart hoon… responsible hoon… lekin kal raat sab kuch…
(slow breath)
Agar main pregnant ho gayi toh?
Priya
(silent ho jaati hai ek sec ke liye, fir calmly uska haath pakadti hai)
Tu na… bas overthink kar rahi hai.
Ammu
(ghabra ke)
Nahi Priya… tu nahi samjhegi. Maine kisi se baat bhi nahi ki…
Mujhe kuch bhi normal nahi lag raha. Subah se uljhan si hai, stomach bhi weird feel ho raha hai.
Priya uska bag se woh paper packet nikalti hai, phir calmly usse vanity ke bench pe bithati hai.
Priya
Ammu… tu meri best friend hai.
Aur main tujhe itna toh samjha hi sakti hoon.
Ek baar ka physical intimacy se turant pregnancy nahi hoti, especially bina ovulation ke time ke. Aur raat bhar ka stress, guilt, neend na aana — ye sab symptoms pregnancy ke nahi, anxiety ke hain.
Ammu
(shocked expression)
Par… tu itni sure kaise hai?
Priya
(halke se hansi aati hai)
Because main Google nahi, gynecologist se milke aayi thi last year… jab mujhe bhi aise hi darr laga tha.
Aur tu na… test lene se pehle thoda science samajh le.
Woh apne phone se period tracker app kholti hai.
Priya
Yahan dekh… agar tu abhi apne cycle ke mid pe bhi nahi hai, toh pregnancy ke chances almost zero hote hain.
Aur sabse important, stress se period delay bhi ho jata hai.
Ammu
(halka sa relief lekin doubt abhi bhi)
Matlab… main bas overreact kar rahi thi?
Priya
(overdramatic tone)
Tu meri drama queen hai. Arjun se pyaar hua, toh duniya bhool gayi.
Aur ab ek raat ke baad mummy banne ke sapne?
Ammu ne uski baat pe haas diya… thoda embarrassed, thoda relieved.
Ammu
(still softly)
Pata nahi, Priya… us raat kuch aisa tha… ki laga main uski ho gayi hoon… poori tarah.
Aur ab darr lagta hai…
Priya uske baal thoda pyar se suljhati hai.
Priya
Dar mat… tu bas grow kar rahi hai.
Aur agar kabhi kuch bhi hua… to main hoon na.
Ek hi din mein baby ka naam bhi soch lenge!
Ammu
(laughs through her tears)
Tu na pagal hai.
[b][b][b]Scene ends with Ammu Priya ko hug karti hai, uska saara weight uske kandhe pe gir jaata hai… aur Priya quietly kehti hai – "Relax. Sab thik hai."[/b][/b][/b]
Next Morning — Delhi Guest House Room
7:03 AM
Room ke sheeshe ke parde ke paar se halki dhoop andar aa rahi thi, lekin kamra abhi bhi thoda sa andhere mein tha. Ek bedside lamp raat bhar on chhoda gaya tha, uski naram roshni mein Zaheer ki aankh khulti hai.
Thoda confused… thoda blank.
Uska haath still thoda sa folded tha, jaise kisi ko apne paas protect kar raha ho… aur tabhi uska chehra dheere dheere side turn hota hai.
Shanu.
Woh uske hi bagal mein thi. Uski aankhen abhi bhi band thi, baalon ki kuch lattein uske cheek pe tikki hui… aur blanket uski bare shoulder tak gira hua tha.
Woh denim dungaree… kahin nahi dikhi.
Zaheer ka throat ek second ke liye sukh gaya. Uski aankhon mein sabse pehle jo reflect hua… woh tha raat ka ek blurred snapshot:
Quote:Ek lamha jahan Shanu ke bal uske haathon mein the…
Shanu ka cheek uske chest par rest kar raha tha…
Woh uske ear ke paas kuch keh rahi thi… lekin uski awaaz sirf ehsaas thi, lafz nahi.
Zaheer
(andar hi andar, almost whispering)
Oh… shit.
Woh pal mein hi bed se thoda peeche hata, aur apne haath se apna forehead dhak diya — jaise sab kuch ek baar mein samajh aa gaya ho… aur samajh na aane ka guilt bhi sath aa gaya ho.
Woh uth kar bed ke edge par baith gaya… aankhen khuli… aur uska chehra stress aur shame ka mix tha.
Usne apna phone uthaya, dekha 3 missed calls… par uska mann ab kisi aur direction mein chala gaya tha. Usne sirf ek baat apne aap se boli:
Zaheer
(softly)
Yeh humne… kya kar diya?
Peeche bed mein Shanu ab bhi so rahi thi… dhoop uske balon ko halki golden si roshni mein rang rahi thi. Aur ek second ke liye Zaheer ne us taraf phir dekha… nafrat nahi thi uske chehre par… sirf guilt aur samajh ka bojh.
Same Morning – Guest House Room, Delhi
7:18 AM
Zaheer tab tak bed se uth kar thoda sa door, window ke paas ja chuka tha. Haath folded the. Nazar baahar ek flat building ke chhatt par se girti halki dhoop pe tikki thi, lekin dimaag mein kuch aur hi chal raha tha.
Uski peeth abhi bhi room ki taraf thi… jab bed ke sheets mein ek halki si movement hui. Shanu ki aankhon ne dheere dheere subah ko mehsoos karna shuru kiya. Uski lashes hilin... uske haath ne apne shoulder ko touch kiya jaise halka sa jhatka laga ho. Phir aankhen khul gayi.
Blanket uske collarbone tak tha, aur woh abhi bhi Zaheer ke pillow ke bahut kareeb thi.
Shanu
(soft whisper, aankhon mein confusion)
Zaheer...?
Uski awaaz bahut naram thi. Thodi si naraz, thodi si chhupi si… aur poori tarah se unsorted.
Zaheer ne peeth mod kar kuch seconds chup raha… phir dheere se turn hua. Shanu ab uski taraf dekh rahi thi. Uske chehre par woh awkward blush tha jo na fully regret tha, na fully comfort.
Zaheer ne uski aankhon mein dekha, lekin kuch keh nahi paaya.
Shanu
(halka sa smile, shaky voice)
Good morning...
Zaheer bas dekh kar ruk gaya. Woh chhoti si smile bhi uske guilt ko tod nahi paayi thi. Usne bas ek halki nod di. Shanu ne notice kiya ke woh kuch zyada hi tense lag raha tha.
Shanu
(trying to sound casual)
Main... washroom chali jaaun?
Zaheer
(softly, avoiding eye contact)
Haan… of course.
Woh dheere se blanket ko thoda adjust karke uthti hai, apna dupatta ya shirt dhoondhne ke liye nazar ghumati hai, lekin ek second ke liye woh bhi freeze ho jaati hai. Zaheer tab tak aankhen neeche kiye, ek kone ki taraf ho jaata hai jaise usse aankhon mein dekhne ki himmat na ho.
Shanu andar chali jaati hai. Door band hota hai.
Aur jab woh andar chali jaati hai, toh Zaheer ne apne face ko dono haathon se chhupaa liya…
Zaheer
(aankhon mein guilt)
Shanu... main tumse... kya kehun ab?
Guest House – Bathroom Scene (Shanu’s POV)
Inside the small tiled bathroom, warm morning light filtering through a small fogged glass window
Shanu mirror ke saamne khadi thi. Uska haath abhi bhi towel se apne geele balon ko thoda-thoda sukha raha tha, lekin nazar apne reflection se hatt nahi rahi thi.
Mirror mein apna chehra dekhte hi uske aankhon ke neeche raat ki halka sa thakan thi… lekin us thakan mein ek ajeeb si roshni thi. Jaise kuch bahut naya, bahut gehra uske andar jag chuka ho.
Usne halki si saans li… aur apni aankhon mein khud se kuch dhoondhne lagi.
Flashback jaise dissolve hota hai uske chehre pe.
Zaheer ka saans uske kaanon ke paas...
Uski ungliyon ka pressure…
Uske haathon ka woh lahja…
Aur sabse zyada – uski aankhon ka tarah-tarah se badalte hue rang.
Shanu ke chehre par ek halki si blush aa gayi. Usne aankhon band ki aur cheek par haath rakha – jaise apne aap se poochhna chahti ho… kya main theek thi?
Phir uske dimag mein woh scene aaya jab subah uthte hi usne Zaheer ka chehra dekha. Woh peeth ghumaye khada tha. Thoda sa stiff. Thoda sa... door.
Shanu
(andar hi andar, faint whisper)
Tum regret kar rahe ho, Zaheer?
Uska smile thoda dheema ho gaya. Usne aankhon se mirror mein dobara apne reflection ko dekha… lekin is baar woh blush ke peeche ek chhupi si chinta bhi thi.
Shanu
(andar hi andar)
Main toh... tumhari taraf se thi. Par agar tum... sirf guilt mehsoos kar rahe ho toh...
Usne apna towel ek hook pe latkaya.… aur ek gehri saans le kar darwaza khola.
Dheere se light ka ek stripe room mein gaya jahan Zaheer abhi bhi table ke paas khamosh khada tha.
Shanu ne apni aankhon ki chhavi chhupayi, lekin ek last baar andar se kahin se usne khud se kaha…
"Main tayyar hoon baat karne ke liye... agar tum bhi ho."
Guest House – Dining Table (Same Morning)
Zaheer aur Shanu dining area ke ek kone mein baith kar breakfast kar rahe the. Dono ke beech ki plate mein toasts aur ek kettle mein coffee rakhi thi… lekin dono ki aankhon mein uss raat ka hangover abhi bhi zinda tha.
Zaheer toast ko ek kone se tod raha tha, lekin uski nazar uss par nahi thi. Kabhi spoon se cup ke andar coffee ghoomata… kabhi door se baahar ke view ko takta.
Shanu uske saamne shaant baithi thi. Uska denim dungare ab ek loose white shrug ke neeche chhup gaya tha, lekin uske bal abhi bhi thode se geele the.
Dono ne kai baar ek dusre ki taraf dekha… phir nazar chura li.
Silence. Sirf spoon ka ceramic se takrana.
Phir… Shanu ne halki si hansi roki, aur thoda jhukti…
Shanu
(softly, with teasing warmth)
Tum kuch bol kyun nahi rahe ho?
Zaheer ne uski taraf dekha. Woh blush kar gaya… aur halki si muskurahat uske lips tak to aayi, lekin aankhon tak nahi pahuchi.
Zaheer
(thoda stiff, low voice)
Main... bas soch raha tha… kal raat... humein shayad control rakhna chahiye tha.
Shanu ne cup ko neeche rakha. Uska chehra serious nahi hua… balki aur soft.
Shanu
Zaheer… tumhe lagta hai maine kuch galat kiya?
Zaheer
Nahi, bilkul nahi…
(phir ruk kar)
Main bas… nervous hoon. Tumhare liye bhi... aur us rishte ke liye bhi.
Shanu ne thoda jhuk kar uski aankhon mein dekha. Phir ek haath uske haath par rakh diya.
Shanu
Main janti hoon, Zaheer…
Jo hua, wo humare pyaar ka josh tha… par usme majboori ya confusion kuch nahi tha.
Aur waise bhi…
(smiling deeper now, a confident playful glint in her eye)
Ye toh ab umar bhar chalta rahega…
…jab main Qureshi house mein aa jaungi… dulhan ban ke.
Zaheer ka haath uske haath ke neeche thoda tight hua. Uske chehre pe pehli baar subah se ek halka sa sukoon utra.
Usne Shanu ko dekha… uske words ko absorb kiya… aur phir ek muskaan uske lips tak aayi, is baar aankhon tak bhi pahuchti hui.
Zaheer
Toh fir… aaj ka match jeetne ki double zimmedari hai.
Ek dulha ka bhi impression jamaana hai.
Shanu ne hansi dabaayi aur uske kandhe ko thoda mock-punch kiya.
Shanu
Go, captain Zaheer. Main cheer kar rahi hoon.
Zaheer
Main sirf tumhare liye jeetunga.
Scene dissolve hota hai jab dono haste hue table se uthte hain, staff ke call pe apne bags lene jaate hain, aur ek naye din ke competition ki taraf badhte hain.
[b]Ammu’s Room – Early Morning
[/b]
Subah ke 6:45 baj rahe the. Baarish ruk chuki thi. Khidki ke pardon ke beech se halki si roshni chhanni lagi thi.
Ammu ne aankhen kholi... lekin aankhon mein neend nahi thi. Sirhane pe padhe Arjun ki shirt ke button uske haathon ke neeche dab gaye the, jaise raat ki koi memory chhupi ho waha.
Woh seedha chhat ko dekhti rahi kuch seconds ke liye. Fir usne apni kamar ke neeche chadar aur tightly kheench li.
Ek deep sigh.
Aur tabhi...
Ammu
(andar se)
Yeh maine… kya kar diya?
Usne karwat li… apne haathon se apna chehra dhaka. Arjun uske bagal mein ab nahi tha. Shayad subah match ke liye nikal gaya tha. Lekin uski khushboo takiye se chipki hui thi.
Uska dil zor zor se dhadak raha tha. Kal raat ki tasveerein — Arjun ka peeth ke piche se usse hug karna, woh muskurahat, woh halke kisses, woh lightning ke beech uska neckline pe rukna…
Sab kuch ek saans mein wapas yaad aa gaya.
Fir ek khayal aaya… aur Ammu ki aankhon mein tension ki lakir ubhar gayi.
Ammu
(whispers, panicked)
Agar… agar main… pregnant ho gayi toh?
Uska haath apne pet ke upar gaya… thoda sa dard, thoda sa darr, thoda sa guilt.
Woh turant uthti hai… dressing table ke paas jaake mirror ke samne ruk jaati hai. Apne aap ko dekhti hai –
Eyes thodi swollen, lips thode pink, aur neckline pe ek faint kiss mark.
Ammu
(whispers)
Pagal ho gayi thi kya main?
Usne turant apna duppatta uthaya, neck cover kiya… aur bathroom ki taraf bhaag gayi.
Scene: Ammu’s Daily Routine – Fast-paced Montage
Bathroom mein woh apne chehre pe paani splash karti hai, toothbrush lagate waqt bhi woh wahi ek hi khayal soch rahi hoti hai — "Agar delay ho gaya toh?"
Apne wardrobe ke samne khadi, ek cotton kurti uthati hai – lekin fir use wapas rakh ke ek thoda dull plain one nikalti hai. Mood utarna kapdon tak aagaya tha.
Kitchen mein chhup chhup ke breakfast banate asma se bachi rehti hai… chai le kar silently apne kamre mein chali jaati hai.
Phone utha ke Arjun ka naam dekhti hai – 3 missed calls.
Woh phone wapas rakh deti hai. Reply nahi karti.
Scene ends with Ammu mirror ke samne khadi hoti hai, college bag peeth par daal ke ek lambhi saans leti hai... aur aankhon mein ek decision banata hua look.
Ammu
(andar se, calmly)
Pehle college jaake normal behave karna padega…
Uske baad dekhte hai
[b]Cut to: College gate – Ammu auto se utarti hai. Face pe halka sa forced smile, andar kuch aur hi toofan.[/b]
[b][b]College Campus – Morning after the storm
[/b][/b]
Halka sa bheegapan abhi bhi mitti mein tha, lekin aasman saaf ho chuka tha. Students aa rahe the… dhoop narm thi, lekin Ammu ke chehre pe ek ajeeb si ghabrahat thi.
Usne apna dupatta thoda aur sambhala, aur library ke side se canteen ke back passage mein aayi… jahan usual time pe Arjun wait karta tha.
Aur wahi… Arjun usse pehle se khada tha.
Backpack pehna hua, baal thode se messy, aankhon ke neeche halka sa sleeplessness… lekin uski nazar jaise bas ussi chehre ki talaash mein thi.
Ammu ruk gayi… ek second ko.
Dono ki aankhen mili.
Aur phir sab kuch silent ho gaya.
Arjun
(bohot softly)
Tum thik ho?
Ammu ne bas haan mein sir hilaya… lekin aankhen jhuki rahi.
Woh aage bada… ek kadam… fir ruk gaya.
Ammu ne thoda sa awkward smile diya… jaise dono ko ek saath yaad aa gaya ho… raat ki woh baarish… woh lightning… woh bandh darwaza… aur woh chadar ke neeche chipka hua pyaar.
Arjun
(halka sa guilt tone)
Mujhe laga main… thoda zyada emotional ho gaya raat ko.
Ammu
(deep breath leke)
Main bhi…
(kuch seconds rukti hai)
Bas sab kuch itna… fast ho gaya.
Arjun ne uska haath pakadna chaha… lekin usne resist nahi kiya. Dono ke haath ek dusre me the, lekin dono ki ungliyan thodi tight thi — jaise dar ke saath pakdi gayi ho.
Ammu
(shaky voice)
Arjun…
Agar main…
(ek deep pause)
Agar main pregnant ho gayi toh?
Arjun ki aankhen ek second ke liye freeze ho gayi.
Usne kuch nahi bola.
Ammu
(tezi se bolti gayi, panic me)
Kal to kuch bhi… matlab humne… aur maine to… koi bhi precaution nahi…
Main toh… mujhe kuch samajh hi nahi aa raha Arjun.
Ye normal hai kya? Ya… main pagal ho rahi hoon?
Arjun ne uske dono haath apne dono haathon me le liye.
Uski aankhon mein guilt bhi tha… lekin saath hi ek protective calmness bhi.
Arjun
(bohot softly)
Hey… Ammu…
Main hoon na.
Jo bhi hoga, main tere saath hoon.
Hum test karenge, samjhenge… aur handle bhi karenge.
Tujhe akela nahi chhodunga.
Ammu ke aankhon me aansu ki halki si lehar thi.
Arjun
(halka sa tease)
Toh main hi thoda responsible lagun is baar… warna tu to sirf meri shirt kheench rahi thi kal raat…
Ammu ne uske kandhe pe zor se mukka maara.
Ammu
(still nervous, but laughing)
Shut up, Arjun!
Scene ends with Ammu ka sir Arjun ke shoulder pe tik jana… aur Arjun ka uske baal pe ek soft kiss dena.
[b][b]Dono ka fear abhi bhi hai, lekin saath hone ka sukoon zyada hai.[/b][/b]
[b][b][b]College washroom – Girls common room, mid-morning
[/b][/b][/b]
Canteen ke thode peeche girls common area tha jahan ek side washroom aur ek side vanity mirror wall lagi thi. Ammu apni bag ko corner bench pe rakh kar mirror ke samne khadi thi, lekin uska chehra peela पड़ा था… aankhon ke neeche stress saaf नजर आ रहा था.
Uske haathon me tightly folded ek small paper bag tha – jismein usne ek home pregnancy test kit li thi, pharmacy se chhup ke.
Priya washroom ke door se aayi… pehle casually, lekin Ammu ka face dekhte hi ruki.
Priya
Ammu?
Tu thik hai na?
Ammu ne bas haan me sir hila diya… lekin uska expression clear kar raha tha ki kuch to seriously galat chal raha hai.
Priya
(suspiciously uske haath wale packet ki taraf dekhti hai)
Wait a second…
Ye kya hai?
Ammu ne pehle chup rehne ki koshish ki… lekin phir aankhon se baarish jaise emotions tapak gaye.
Ammu
(halke se rote hue)
Main pagal ho gayi hoon kya, Priya?
Mujhe laga main smart hoon… responsible hoon… lekin kal raat sab kuch…
(slow breath)
Agar main pregnant ho gayi toh?
Priya
(silent ho jaati hai ek sec ke liye, fir calmly uska haath pakadti hai)
Tu na… bas overthink kar rahi hai.
Ammu
(ghabra ke)
Nahi Priya… tu nahi samjhegi. Maine kisi se baat bhi nahi ki…
Mujhe kuch bhi normal nahi lag raha. Subah se uljhan si hai, stomach bhi weird feel ho raha hai.
Priya uska bag se woh paper packet nikalti hai, phir calmly usse vanity ke bench pe bithati hai.
Priya
Ammu… tu meri best friend hai.
Aur main tujhe itna toh samjha hi sakti hoon.
Ek baar ka physical intimacy se turant pregnancy nahi hoti, especially bina ovulation ke time ke. Aur raat bhar ka stress, guilt, neend na aana — ye sab symptoms pregnancy ke nahi, anxiety ke hain.
Ammu
(shocked expression)
Par… tu itni sure kaise hai?
Priya
(halke se hansi aati hai)
Because main Google nahi, gynecologist se milke aayi thi last year… jab mujhe bhi aise hi darr laga tha.
Aur tu na… test lene se pehle thoda science samajh le.
Woh apne phone se period tracker app kholti hai.
Priya
Yahan dekh… agar tu abhi apne cycle ke mid pe bhi nahi hai, toh pregnancy ke chances almost zero hote hain.
Aur sabse important, stress se period delay bhi ho jata hai.
Ammu
(halka sa relief lekin doubt abhi bhi)
Matlab… main bas overreact kar rahi thi?
Priya
(overdramatic tone)
Tu meri drama queen hai. Arjun se pyaar hua, toh duniya bhool gayi.
Aur ab ek raat ke baad mummy banne ke sapne?
Ammu ne uski baat pe haas diya… thoda embarrassed, thoda relieved.
Ammu
(still softly)
Pata nahi, Priya… us raat kuch aisa tha… ki laga main uski ho gayi hoon… poori tarah.
Aur ab darr lagta hai…
Priya uske baal thoda pyar se suljhati hai.
Priya
Dar mat… tu bas grow kar rahi hai.
Aur agar kabhi kuch bhi hua… to main hoon na.
Ek hi din mein baby ka naam bhi soch lenge!
Ammu
(laughs through her tears)
Tu na pagal hai.
[b][b][b]Scene ends with Ammu Priya ko hug karti hai, uska saara weight uske kandhe pe gir jaata hai… aur Priya quietly kehti hai – "Relax. Sab thik hai."[/b][/b][/b]
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