26-08-2025, 09:51 PM
Update 90
Canteen ka sham ka waqt tha. Tables pe usual hustle-bustle, hansi, plates ki khanak aur chhoti moti behas ki awaaz. Ek kone wali table pe Ammu, Shanu aur Priya baithe the. Priya apni usual gossiping mode me thi, chhoti chhoti baaton par has rahi thi.
Priya
Arey tumne suna kal seniors ke campaign me kya drama hua? Ek ladke ne Arjun se girlfriend ke baare me puch liya tha…
Priya hans kar apna haath table pe thapthapane lagi. Shanu bhi uske saath hans padi, uske chehre par ek dum freshness chamak rahi thi. Do din ki khamoshi ke baad aaj wo jaise bilkul nayi energy me thi.
Shanu
Haan mujhe bhi kisi ne bataya, Arjun ne sabko kitna mast handle kar liya tha.
Dono ki baat me jaan thi, hansi thi… par Ammu ekdum chup bethi thi. Uski aankhen kahin aur hi ja rahi thi, cup ke andar girti chai ke bulbule takti rahi, jaise usme apna reflection dhoondh rahi ho. Uske chehre pe ek ajeeb si udaasi thi jo uski muskaan ke peeche bhi छुप nahi pa rahi thi.
Priya ne uska dhyan khinchne ki koshish ki.
Priya
Ammu… tum kuch keh kyun nahi rahi? Tumhe lagta hai Arjun ko vote milenge ya nahi?
Ammu ne bas apni palkein utha kar ek halki si muskaan di, par awaaz me wazan nahi tha.
Ammu
Pata nahi… shayad mil jaayenge.
Shanu ne apne cup se ek sip liya aur uski taraf chhupke se dekha. Usse turant samajh aa gaya ki Ammu ke andar abhi bhi kuch uljhan chal rahi hai. Shanu bilkul normal behave kar rahi thi taaki Priya ko kuch feel na ho, par uski nazar baar baar Ammu ke udaas chehre pe hi atak ja rahi thi.
Table par Priya abhi bhi masti me apna gossip share kar rahi thi, lekin Ammu ki aankhen abhi bhi khoyi khoyi, jaise uske aas paas ki awaazon tak uske kaan band ho gaye ho.
College ke andar campaign ka din tha. Har taraf posters, banners, naare likhne ki awaaz, slogans ka kaam chal raha thi. Ek pillar ke paas wahi gunda jise kuch din pehle Zaheer se takkar hui thi, khada tha. Uske saath ek painter tha jo brush se bade bade akshar likh raha tha – Vote for Change. Gunda ek cigarette beech me dabaye, pocket me haath daale khamoshi se dekh raha tha, jaise sab kuch uske control me ho.
Tabhi corridor ke doosre side se Zaheer apne do doston ke saath aata hai. Hansi mazak karte huye wo log seedha canteen ki taraf ja rahe the. Lekin jaise hi gunde ki nazar Zaheer par padti hai, uski aankhen sankar jaati hain. Cigarette ko pillar ke side me ghis kar fekta hai aur aage badh kar Zaheer ka rasta roak leta hai.
Gunda ne apni gardan tedhi karke, ek thandi si muskaan ke saath kaha
Gunda
Arre… yeh to wahi mard hai jo us din bade tez chadh rahe the na? Ab kya haal hai, champion?
Zaheer ek dum se ruka, uski aankhon me ek second ke liye hairani aayi, phir turant seedha us gunde ki aankhon me dekhne laga. Uske doston ne situation ko samajh kar halki bechaini se ek dusre ki taraf dekha.
Zaheer
Rasta de de… baatein zarurat padne par bhi ho jaayengi.
Gunda has kar apne painter ko side me dhakel deta hai. Wo Zaheer ke kareeb aakar uska raasta puri tarah block kar deta hai.
Gunda
Bohot jaldi hai tujhe? Arjun bhaiya ka dost hai na? Campaign me vote chahiye honge?
(wo uski shirt pakad kar kheenchta hai)
Sun champion… apni aukaat mat bhoolna.
Zaheer ke doston ne beech bachav karne ki koshish ki lekin hawa me hi tension bhar gayi thi. Gunde ki awaaz me khauf bhi tha aur ek hidden warning bhi. Corridor me chal rahe kuch students ruk kar dono ko dekhne lage, jaise koi hungama hone wala ho.
Zaheer ki aankhen thandi ho gayi, lekin andar ek aag jali. Usne apna haath dheere se gunde ki pakad se chudaya aur uski taraf ikdum kareeb jaakar sirf ek line kahi
Zaheer
Jo karna hai, saamne aa kar kar… par peeche se chal khel mat.
Atmosphere ekdum heavy ho gaya. Painter brush ruka kar dono ko dekhne laga. Students apne phones ready kar rahe the jaise bas ek punch padte hi video banana hai.
Corridor ka mahaul garam tha. Dono ke beech bas ek spark ki kami thi jo fight ko bhadka de. Zaheer ki body tense thi, doston ke haath uske kandhe par the jaise keh rahe ho control kar, warna yeh college ka scene bigad jaayega.
Gunda bhi apni shirt ki bahi upar chadhakar ready ho raha tha, uski aankhen Zaheer par tiki hui thi. Painter ek kadam peeche hat gaya tha, students apne phone on kar chuke the jaise bas agle second fight record kar lenge.
Tabhi achanak gunde ka phone ring karne laga. Ek heavy ringtone corridor me gunj uthi. Usne apni jeans ki pocket se mobile nikala, screen par naam dekha aur turant call receive kiya.
Gunda
Hello…
(ek dum serious tone me)
Haan… thik hai… thik hai.
Uske chehre ka gussa ek second me badal gaya. Usne phone band kiya, Zaheer ki taraf ek thandi si muskaan ki aur bina kuch kahe pillar ke paas se mudkar chal diya. Painter bhi brush uthakar uske peeche nikal gaya.
Zaheer uske jaane ki taraf kuch der tak dekhta raha, phir apne doston ki taraf sir hila kar aage badh gaya. Uske kadam tez the, lekin dimaag me us gunde ki muskaan chipak gayi thi jaise koi warning ho.
Corridor me khade students jo hungama dekhne aaye the, wo sab phusphusate hue apne apne raste chale gaye. Mahaul normal ho gaya, lekin hawa me abhi bhi ek tension baaki thi — jaise abhi kahani yahin ruk gayi ho, par agli baar takraav zaroor hoga.
Zaheer corridor se nikal kar college ke lawn ki taraf aa raha tha. Uske chehre par abhi bhi gusse aur shak ka mila–jula rang tha. Doston ki baaton ko ignore karta hua wo apne hi soch me gum tha. Gunde ka wo thanda sa smile, phone call aur bina fight ke nikal jaana… kuch samajh nahi aaya usse. Uske kadam tez the, jaise us confusion ko peeche chhod dena chahta ho.
Jaise hi wo ek chhoti gali jaisi side path se lawn me girne wala tha, achanak ek halki si awaaz uske kaan me aayi. Usne sir uthaya aur dekha—Shanu saamne khadi thi. Uski aankhen chamak rahi thi, baal hawa me ud rahe the, aur chehre par wahi khilkhilahat jisme Zaheer apna pura gussa bhool jata tha.
Shanu haath baandh kar thoda nakhre se boli
Kya baat hai Mr. Angry Young Man, aise bhaagte ja rahe ho jaise tumhe duniya ki saari problems akeli solve karni ho.
Zaheer pehle ek pal ko khamosh raha, phir uske hoth apne aap khinch gaye muskaan me. Uske dimag ka sara tension, gunde ka smile, phone call, sab ek second me hawa ho gaya. Sirf ek chehra dikhai de raha tha—Shanu ka.
Zaheer dheere se uske paas aaya aur bola
Bas soch raha tha ki tu agar samne aa jaye na, toh zindagi ki aadhi problems waise hi khatam ho jati hai.
Shanu ka chehra thoda laal pad gaya, lekin usne aankhen ghumakar chupane ki koshish ki.
Aur tum na… hamesha aise cheesy lines bolke mujhe confuse kar dete ho.
Zaheer uske aur kareeb aaya, bas itna ki Shanu ko apna heartbeat tez mehsoos hone laga. Usne hansi daba kar kaha
Confuse karna toh mera right hai, tum meri girlfriend ho yaad hai na?
Shanu ne usse thoda push kiya, lekin uske hoth par muskaan barqarar thi. Dono ki aankhon me ab koi tension nahi tha, sirf ek halka sa romantic sa pal tha jo college ke shor sharabe me bhi unhe alag duniya me le gaya tha.
Zaheer ne uska haath pakad kar halka sa kheench liya aur dono canteen ki bheed se nikalte hue college ke piche wali benches ki taraf aa gaye. Wahan hamesha shaanti hoti thi, sirf pedon ki chhaon aur kabhi kabhi door se aati khelne ki awaaz.
Shanu bench par baith gayi, aur Zaheer uske bagal me relaxed sa ho kar baitha. Kuch pal chup raha, phir usne apni aankhen teekhi si muskaan ke saath uspar tikayi.
Zaheer
Kal raat ki yaad hai tumhe?
Shanu ekdum se sitti–bitti gum ho gayi. Uske hoth khul kar turant band ho gaye, aankhen zameen par, aur chehra laal. Usne baalon ki lat ko kaan ke peeche karte hue sirf itna kaha
Kya baat karte ho tum…
Zaheer hansi daba ke aur kareeb jhuk gaya.
Main toh sirf puch raha tha… waise tumhari awaz ne meri नींद hi uda di thi.
Shanu ne uski taraf dekha aur uske chehre par woh sharmili muskaan aa gayi jo Zaheer ko aur pagal kar deti thi. Uske galo ka laal rang aur aankhon ka chamak jaise khud ek jawab tha.
Zaheer thoda aur kareeb aaya, uske chehre ko dekhte hue.
Tumhari ye aankhen na… lagta hai sirf mujhe dekhne ke liye bani hain.
Shanu ka dil tez dhadak raha tha. Uske hoth halka sa hil rahe the, par shabd nahi nikal rahe the. Zaheer uski aankhon me jhuk kar dekh raha tha, phir dheere se uske hoth Shanu ki taraf badhne lage. Dono ke darmiyan bas ek saans ka faasla reh gaya tha…
Tabhi achanak saamne se do shadows unke beech aa gayi. Ek ladka aur ek ladki unke bilkul saamne aake khade ho gaye.
Zaheer ne turant apna sir utha kar unhe dekha, aur Shanu ne bhi ek jhatke se peeche hat kar apna dupatta sambhala. Dono ki aankhon me confusion tha
College ka shaam tha. Corridor me posters chipkaye jaa rahe the, ground me chhatriyon ke neeche chhote-chhote groups baithe nara rehearsal kar rahe the. Har jagah ek hustle thi, ek campaign wali energy.
Ammu ne apne kadam tez kar diye. Uske chehre par wo hi thakan aur chidhapan tha jo pichle kuch dinon se uske dil me jama hota jaa raha tha. Wo seedha canteen se nikal kar campus ke andar wale hisse ki taraf chal padhi jahan Arjun ki team ne apna managing room set kiya tha.
Darwaze ke bahar khadi hokar usne ek gehri saans li. Andar se mic ki testing ki awaaz aa rahi thi, koi loudspeaker pe bol raha tha, koi slogans likh raha tha aur har taraf ek political jazba tha.
Ammu ne socha, bas… aaj baat karke hi rahungi. Ab aur chup rehna mumkin nahi hai.
Wo dheere-dheere darwaze ki taraf badhi, lekin uske kadam tham gaye. Andar glass ke partition se Arjun dikh raha tha—wo white shirt me, sleeves rolled up, kisi volunteer ko instructions de raha tha. Uske chehre par ek confident leader wali shine thi, lekin uss ek smile ke peeche Ammu ko lag raha tha jaise usse apni kami mehsoos ho rahi hai.
Ammu ka dil zor se dhadakne laga. Ek pal ko usne socha, andar ghus kar pukaar lu uska naam… Arjun! Mujhse baat karo! Lekin agle hi pal wo chup chaap usse dekhti rahi, uske har gesture, uske har lafz pe apni aankhen tikaye hue.
Arjun apne kaam me itna involve tha ki usne Ammu ko darwaze ke paas khade hone ka ehsaas tak nahi kiya. Ammu ke andar ek ladai chal rahi thi—andar jaaye ya phir wapas mud jaaye.
College campus ki hawa ek dum tham gayi jaise waqt hi ruk gaya ho.
Loudspeaker pe principal ki awaaz goonj rahi thi, har kone tak pahunchti hui.
Principal
Dear students… there are only 2 days left for submission of college election form. Yeh pehla mauka hai ki humare paas ek se zyada koi bhi contender nahi hai jo yeh election lad sake. Agar 2 din me kisi ka submission nahi aaya, to Arjun Singh ko winner declare kiya jayega. Thank you for your attention.
Jaise hi yeh announcement chalti hai, screen pe parallel visuals khul jaate hain—
Pehla frame:
Zaheer aur Shanu ek dusre ke paas khade hain, samne wo do unknown ladka-ladki. Announcement ke words unke beech ki khamoshi ko aur gehra bana dete hain. Zaheer ki aankhon me ek sharp tension, Shanu ki nazar us par tikki hui, jaise usse samajhna chahti ho. Pichhe se awaaz gunj rahi thi… Arjun Singh ko winner declare kiya jayega…
Dusra frame:
Canteen ke side wale corridor me khadi Ammu. Uske chehre par shock aur uljhan dono saaf dikhte hain. Wo ek jagah jam si gayi hai, aankhen seedhi managing room ki taraf, jahan Arjun dikh raha hai. Announcement ki har line uske dil pe bojh ban kar gir rahi thi.
Aur phir…
Teesra frame:
Managing room ke andar Arjun apni team ke beech me khada hai. Announcement khatam hote hi wo ek dheere se muskura deta hai—ek badi, confident smile. Jaise usne already apni jeet dekh li ho. Uske aas paas ke volunteers uski peeth thapthapa rahe hain, aur wo sirf seedha camera ki taraf dekhta hai—ek silent declaration ki yeh kursi ab uski hai.
Background me students ki hustle-bustle wapas shuru ho jaati hai. Posters chipkane ki awaaz, slogans, hansi-mazaak… lekin un sab ke beech woh announcement ka echo abhi bhi hawa me taira hua lag raha tha.
College ke pichle benches ke paas, wo do anjaan chehre ab bhi Zaheer aur Shanu ke saamne khade the. Announcement ka echo abhi bhi unke kaano me goonj raha tha, aur hawa me ek ajeeb si khamoshi chhayi hui thi.
Zaheer ne apne haath baandhe aur ek cautious si awaaz me bola
Lekin hum isme aapki kya help kar sakte hain?
Uske words ke saath hi Shanu ne bhi dheere se sir hilaya, jaise wo bhi wahi sawal pooch rahi ho.
Tabhi wo anonymous ladka, jo ab tak thoda sa confident lag raha tha, aage badhkar un dono ki taraf jhukta hai. Uski awaaz thandi thi, lekin ek dam seedhi baat karne wali.
Anonymous ladka
Sir… champion ke samne champion hi takkar le sakta hai.
Uske words hawa me latak gaye. Ek dam heavy. Zaheer aur Shanu ek dusre ko dekhne lage—ek blank expression ke saath. Dono ke chehre pe na haan thi, na naa, bas ek unsaid confusion aur darr. Jaise dono ke dil ek hi baat samajh rahe the… lekin zubaan pe kuch bhi kehne ki himmat nahi ho rahi thi.
Camera unke faces par tikta hai—Zaheer ki jaw tight ho rahi thi, Shanu ki aankhon me ek pal ke liye halki si ghabrahat chamki, aur dono ke beech ek silent pause.
Canteen ka sham ka waqt tha. Tables pe usual hustle-bustle, hansi, plates ki khanak aur chhoti moti behas ki awaaz. Ek kone wali table pe Ammu, Shanu aur Priya baithe the. Priya apni usual gossiping mode me thi, chhoti chhoti baaton par has rahi thi.
Priya
Arey tumne suna kal seniors ke campaign me kya drama hua? Ek ladke ne Arjun se girlfriend ke baare me puch liya tha…
Priya hans kar apna haath table pe thapthapane lagi. Shanu bhi uske saath hans padi, uske chehre par ek dum freshness chamak rahi thi. Do din ki khamoshi ke baad aaj wo jaise bilkul nayi energy me thi.
Shanu
Haan mujhe bhi kisi ne bataya, Arjun ne sabko kitna mast handle kar liya tha.
Dono ki baat me jaan thi, hansi thi… par Ammu ekdum chup bethi thi. Uski aankhen kahin aur hi ja rahi thi, cup ke andar girti chai ke bulbule takti rahi, jaise usme apna reflection dhoondh rahi ho. Uske chehre pe ek ajeeb si udaasi thi jo uski muskaan ke peeche bhi छुप nahi pa rahi thi.
Priya ne uska dhyan khinchne ki koshish ki.
Priya
Ammu… tum kuch keh kyun nahi rahi? Tumhe lagta hai Arjun ko vote milenge ya nahi?
Ammu ne bas apni palkein utha kar ek halki si muskaan di, par awaaz me wazan nahi tha.
Ammu
Pata nahi… shayad mil jaayenge.
Shanu ne apne cup se ek sip liya aur uski taraf chhupke se dekha. Usse turant samajh aa gaya ki Ammu ke andar abhi bhi kuch uljhan chal rahi hai. Shanu bilkul normal behave kar rahi thi taaki Priya ko kuch feel na ho, par uski nazar baar baar Ammu ke udaas chehre pe hi atak ja rahi thi.
Table par Priya abhi bhi masti me apna gossip share kar rahi thi, lekin Ammu ki aankhen abhi bhi khoyi khoyi, jaise uske aas paas ki awaazon tak uske kaan band ho gaye ho.
College ke andar campaign ka din tha. Har taraf posters, banners, naare likhne ki awaaz, slogans ka kaam chal raha thi. Ek pillar ke paas wahi gunda jise kuch din pehle Zaheer se takkar hui thi, khada tha. Uske saath ek painter tha jo brush se bade bade akshar likh raha tha – Vote for Change. Gunda ek cigarette beech me dabaye, pocket me haath daale khamoshi se dekh raha tha, jaise sab kuch uske control me ho.
Tabhi corridor ke doosre side se Zaheer apne do doston ke saath aata hai. Hansi mazak karte huye wo log seedha canteen ki taraf ja rahe the. Lekin jaise hi gunde ki nazar Zaheer par padti hai, uski aankhen sankar jaati hain. Cigarette ko pillar ke side me ghis kar fekta hai aur aage badh kar Zaheer ka rasta roak leta hai.
Gunda ne apni gardan tedhi karke, ek thandi si muskaan ke saath kaha
Gunda
Arre… yeh to wahi mard hai jo us din bade tez chadh rahe the na? Ab kya haal hai, champion?
Zaheer ek dum se ruka, uski aankhon me ek second ke liye hairani aayi, phir turant seedha us gunde ki aankhon me dekhne laga. Uske doston ne situation ko samajh kar halki bechaini se ek dusre ki taraf dekha.
Zaheer
Rasta de de… baatein zarurat padne par bhi ho jaayengi.
Gunda has kar apne painter ko side me dhakel deta hai. Wo Zaheer ke kareeb aakar uska raasta puri tarah block kar deta hai.
Gunda
Bohot jaldi hai tujhe? Arjun bhaiya ka dost hai na? Campaign me vote chahiye honge?
(wo uski shirt pakad kar kheenchta hai)
Sun champion… apni aukaat mat bhoolna.
Zaheer ke doston ne beech bachav karne ki koshish ki lekin hawa me hi tension bhar gayi thi. Gunde ki awaaz me khauf bhi tha aur ek hidden warning bhi. Corridor me chal rahe kuch students ruk kar dono ko dekhne lage, jaise koi hungama hone wala ho.
Zaheer ki aankhen thandi ho gayi, lekin andar ek aag jali. Usne apna haath dheere se gunde ki pakad se chudaya aur uski taraf ikdum kareeb jaakar sirf ek line kahi
Zaheer
Jo karna hai, saamne aa kar kar… par peeche se chal khel mat.
Atmosphere ekdum heavy ho gaya. Painter brush ruka kar dono ko dekhne laga. Students apne phones ready kar rahe the jaise bas ek punch padte hi video banana hai.
Corridor ka mahaul garam tha. Dono ke beech bas ek spark ki kami thi jo fight ko bhadka de. Zaheer ki body tense thi, doston ke haath uske kandhe par the jaise keh rahe ho control kar, warna yeh college ka scene bigad jaayega.
Gunda bhi apni shirt ki bahi upar chadhakar ready ho raha tha, uski aankhen Zaheer par tiki hui thi. Painter ek kadam peeche hat gaya tha, students apne phone on kar chuke the jaise bas agle second fight record kar lenge.
Tabhi achanak gunde ka phone ring karne laga. Ek heavy ringtone corridor me gunj uthi. Usne apni jeans ki pocket se mobile nikala, screen par naam dekha aur turant call receive kiya.
Gunda
Hello…
(ek dum serious tone me)
Haan… thik hai… thik hai.
Uske chehre ka gussa ek second me badal gaya. Usne phone band kiya, Zaheer ki taraf ek thandi si muskaan ki aur bina kuch kahe pillar ke paas se mudkar chal diya. Painter bhi brush uthakar uske peeche nikal gaya.
Zaheer uske jaane ki taraf kuch der tak dekhta raha, phir apne doston ki taraf sir hila kar aage badh gaya. Uske kadam tez the, lekin dimaag me us gunde ki muskaan chipak gayi thi jaise koi warning ho.
Corridor me khade students jo hungama dekhne aaye the, wo sab phusphusate hue apne apne raste chale gaye. Mahaul normal ho gaya, lekin hawa me abhi bhi ek tension baaki thi — jaise abhi kahani yahin ruk gayi ho, par agli baar takraav zaroor hoga.
Zaheer corridor se nikal kar college ke lawn ki taraf aa raha tha. Uske chehre par abhi bhi gusse aur shak ka mila–jula rang tha. Doston ki baaton ko ignore karta hua wo apne hi soch me gum tha. Gunde ka wo thanda sa smile, phone call aur bina fight ke nikal jaana… kuch samajh nahi aaya usse. Uske kadam tez the, jaise us confusion ko peeche chhod dena chahta ho.
Jaise hi wo ek chhoti gali jaisi side path se lawn me girne wala tha, achanak ek halki si awaaz uske kaan me aayi. Usne sir uthaya aur dekha—Shanu saamne khadi thi. Uski aankhen chamak rahi thi, baal hawa me ud rahe the, aur chehre par wahi khilkhilahat jisme Zaheer apna pura gussa bhool jata tha.
Shanu haath baandh kar thoda nakhre se boli
Kya baat hai Mr. Angry Young Man, aise bhaagte ja rahe ho jaise tumhe duniya ki saari problems akeli solve karni ho.
Zaheer pehle ek pal ko khamosh raha, phir uske hoth apne aap khinch gaye muskaan me. Uske dimag ka sara tension, gunde ka smile, phone call, sab ek second me hawa ho gaya. Sirf ek chehra dikhai de raha tha—Shanu ka.
Zaheer dheere se uske paas aaya aur bola
Bas soch raha tha ki tu agar samne aa jaye na, toh zindagi ki aadhi problems waise hi khatam ho jati hai.
Shanu ka chehra thoda laal pad gaya, lekin usne aankhen ghumakar chupane ki koshish ki.
Aur tum na… hamesha aise cheesy lines bolke mujhe confuse kar dete ho.
Zaheer uske aur kareeb aaya, bas itna ki Shanu ko apna heartbeat tez mehsoos hone laga. Usne hansi daba kar kaha
Confuse karna toh mera right hai, tum meri girlfriend ho yaad hai na?
Shanu ne usse thoda push kiya, lekin uske hoth par muskaan barqarar thi. Dono ki aankhon me ab koi tension nahi tha, sirf ek halka sa romantic sa pal tha jo college ke shor sharabe me bhi unhe alag duniya me le gaya tha.
Zaheer ne uska haath pakad kar halka sa kheench liya aur dono canteen ki bheed se nikalte hue college ke piche wali benches ki taraf aa gaye. Wahan hamesha shaanti hoti thi, sirf pedon ki chhaon aur kabhi kabhi door se aati khelne ki awaaz.
Shanu bench par baith gayi, aur Zaheer uske bagal me relaxed sa ho kar baitha. Kuch pal chup raha, phir usne apni aankhen teekhi si muskaan ke saath uspar tikayi.
Zaheer
Kal raat ki yaad hai tumhe?
Shanu ekdum se sitti–bitti gum ho gayi. Uske hoth khul kar turant band ho gaye, aankhen zameen par, aur chehra laal. Usne baalon ki lat ko kaan ke peeche karte hue sirf itna kaha
Kya baat karte ho tum…
Zaheer hansi daba ke aur kareeb jhuk gaya.
Main toh sirf puch raha tha… waise tumhari awaz ne meri नींद hi uda di thi.
Shanu ne uski taraf dekha aur uske chehre par woh sharmili muskaan aa gayi jo Zaheer ko aur pagal kar deti thi. Uske galo ka laal rang aur aankhon ka chamak jaise khud ek jawab tha.
Zaheer thoda aur kareeb aaya, uske chehre ko dekhte hue.
Tumhari ye aankhen na… lagta hai sirf mujhe dekhne ke liye bani hain.
Shanu ka dil tez dhadak raha tha. Uske hoth halka sa hil rahe the, par shabd nahi nikal rahe the. Zaheer uski aankhon me jhuk kar dekh raha tha, phir dheere se uske hoth Shanu ki taraf badhne lage. Dono ke darmiyan bas ek saans ka faasla reh gaya tha…
Tabhi achanak saamne se do shadows unke beech aa gayi. Ek ladka aur ek ladki unke bilkul saamne aake khade ho gaye.
Zaheer ne turant apna sir utha kar unhe dekha, aur Shanu ne bhi ek jhatke se peeche hat kar apna dupatta sambhala. Dono ki aankhon me confusion tha
College ka shaam tha. Corridor me posters chipkaye jaa rahe the, ground me chhatriyon ke neeche chhote-chhote groups baithe nara rehearsal kar rahe the. Har jagah ek hustle thi, ek campaign wali energy.
Ammu ne apne kadam tez kar diye. Uske chehre par wo hi thakan aur chidhapan tha jo pichle kuch dinon se uske dil me jama hota jaa raha tha. Wo seedha canteen se nikal kar campus ke andar wale hisse ki taraf chal padhi jahan Arjun ki team ne apna managing room set kiya tha.
Darwaze ke bahar khadi hokar usne ek gehri saans li. Andar se mic ki testing ki awaaz aa rahi thi, koi loudspeaker pe bol raha tha, koi slogans likh raha tha aur har taraf ek political jazba tha.
Ammu ne socha, bas… aaj baat karke hi rahungi. Ab aur chup rehna mumkin nahi hai.
Wo dheere-dheere darwaze ki taraf badhi, lekin uske kadam tham gaye. Andar glass ke partition se Arjun dikh raha tha—wo white shirt me, sleeves rolled up, kisi volunteer ko instructions de raha tha. Uske chehre par ek confident leader wali shine thi, lekin uss ek smile ke peeche Ammu ko lag raha tha jaise usse apni kami mehsoos ho rahi hai.
Ammu ka dil zor se dhadakne laga. Ek pal ko usne socha, andar ghus kar pukaar lu uska naam… Arjun! Mujhse baat karo! Lekin agle hi pal wo chup chaap usse dekhti rahi, uske har gesture, uske har lafz pe apni aankhen tikaye hue.
Arjun apne kaam me itna involve tha ki usne Ammu ko darwaze ke paas khade hone ka ehsaas tak nahi kiya. Ammu ke andar ek ladai chal rahi thi—andar jaaye ya phir wapas mud jaaye.
College campus ki hawa ek dum tham gayi jaise waqt hi ruk gaya ho.
Loudspeaker pe principal ki awaaz goonj rahi thi, har kone tak pahunchti hui.
Principal
Dear students… there are only 2 days left for submission of college election form. Yeh pehla mauka hai ki humare paas ek se zyada koi bhi contender nahi hai jo yeh election lad sake. Agar 2 din me kisi ka submission nahi aaya, to Arjun Singh ko winner declare kiya jayega. Thank you for your attention.
Jaise hi yeh announcement chalti hai, screen pe parallel visuals khul jaate hain—
Pehla frame:
Zaheer aur Shanu ek dusre ke paas khade hain, samne wo do unknown ladka-ladki. Announcement ke words unke beech ki khamoshi ko aur gehra bana dete hain. Zaheer ki aankhon me ek sharp tension, Shanu ki nazar us par tikki hui, jaise usse samajhna chahti ho. Pichhe se awaaz gunj rahi thi… Arjun Singh ko winner declare kiya jayega…
Dusra frame:
Canteen ke side wale corridor me khadi Ammu. Uske chehre par shock aur uljhan dono saaf dikhte hain. Wo ek jagah jam si gayi hai, aankhen seedhi managing room ki taraf, jahan Arjun dikh raha hai. Announcement ki har line uske dil pe bojh ban kar gir rahi thi.
Aur phir…
Teesra frame:
Managing room ke andar Arjun apni team ke beech me khada hai. Announcement khatam hote hi wo ek dheere se muskura deta hai—ek badi, confident smile. Jaise usne already apni jeet dekh li ho. Uske aas paas ke volunteers uski peeth thapthapa rahe hain, aur wo sirf seedha camera ki taraf dekhta hai—ek silent declaration ki yeh kursi ab uski hai.
Background me students ki hustle-bustle wapas shuru ho jaati hai. Posters chipkane ki awaaz, slogans, hansi-mazaak… lekin un sab ke beech woh announcement ka echo abhi bhi hawa me taira hua lag raha tha.
College ke pichle benches ke paas, wo do anjaan chehre ab bhi Zaheer aur Shanu ke saamne khade the. Announcement ka echo abhi bhi unke kaano me goonj raha tha, aur hawa me ek ajeeb si khamoshi chhayi hui thi.
Zaheer ne apne haath baandhe aur ek cautious si awaaz me bola
Lekin hum isme aapki kya help kar sakte hain?
Uske words ke saath hi Shanu ne bhi dheere se sir hilaya, jaise wo bhi wahi sawal pooch rahi ho.
Tabhi wo anonymous ladka, jo ab tak thoda sa confident lag raha tha, aage badhkar un dono ki taraf jhukta hai. Uski awaaz thandi thi, lekin ek dam seedhi baat karne wali.
Anonymous ladka
Sir… champion ke samne champion hi takkar le sakta hai.
Uske words hawa me latak gaye. Ek dam heavy. Zaheer aur Shanu ek dusre ko dekhne lage—ek blank expression ke saath. Dono ke chehre pe na haan thi, na naa, bas ek unsaid confusion aur darr. Jaise dono ke dil ek hi baat samajh rahe the… lekin zubaan pe kuch bhi kehne ki himmat nahi ho rahi thi.
Camera unke faces par tikta hai—Zaheer ki jaw tight ho rahi thi, Shanu ki aankhon me ek pal ke liye halki si ghabrahat chamki, aur dono ke beech ek silent pause.
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