10-09-2025, 12:40 PM
Update 104
Ghar ke andar sab kuch ajeeb sa khamosh tha. Raste bhar dono ne ek doosre ki taraf dekha bhi nahi. Ammu ka chehra thoda udaas tha, hostel ka violence scene abhi tak uske zehan me ghoom raha tha. Zaheer ka andaz aur bhi thanda tha, jaise uske andar bahut kuch chal raha ho par usne apne honton par taala laga rakha ho.
Zaheer bina rukhe seedha apne kamre ki seedhiyan chad gaya. Ammu uski peeth ko blank nazron se dekhti rahi aur fir chupchaap apne kamre ki taraf badh gayi.
Kamre me aakar Zaheer ne apna shirt uthara, jeans badli aur bed par baith kar gehri saans li. Thakan, gusse aur ek ajeeb si bechaini ka mixture tha uske andar. Usne aankhen band ki jaise bas sab kuch kuch der ke liye bhool jaana chahta ho.
Lekin jaise hi wo side me let kar neend lene hi wala tha, uske room ka darwaza knock knock ki awaaz se hil gaya.
Zaheer ne aankhen kholi, sir ghumaya aur kuch pal chupchaap us knock ko dekhta raha. Ek aur halki si knock hui, is dafa thodi dheemi, jaise saamne wala darwaza kholne se ghabra raha ho.
Zaheer dheere se uthkar darwaze ke paas aaya, haath handle par rakha aur andar hi andar socha… Ammu hogi kya?
Usne darwaza khola—
Zaheer ne darwaza khola toh saamne Ammu khadi thi. Uske haath me ek chhota sa first aid box tha. Uski aankhon me thodi thakaan, thoda bojh tha, lekin phir bhi usne bina kuch kahe box utha kar dikhaya jaise keh rahi ho yeh tumhare liye layi hoon.
Zaheer ne bas ek nazar us box par daali aur bina kuch bole palat kar bed par aake baith gaya. Uska chehra bilkul sookha hua, jaise andr se thoda thoda tut raha ho.
Ammu dheere dheere uske paas aayi. Usne box khola, cotton par dawai daali aur uske haathon par lagaane lagi. Zaheer apni aankhen uske haath par tikaye baitha tha, jaise pehli dafa mehsoos kar raha ho ki chot zyada andar lagi hai, dikhne wali to bas bahana hai.
Dono ke beech khamoshi thi. Na aankhon ka milaap hua, na zubaan se koi lafz nikla. Sirf ek thandi hawa thi jo kamre ki saari baat keh rahi thi. Jaise dono ke dil me ek badi kahwahat paal rakhi ho.
Dawai lagane ke baad Ammu box band karti hai, uthi aur wapas mudne lagi. Zaheer ne us waqt pehli baar apni zubaan kholi.
Zaheer
Ek baar fir soch lo Ammu.
Ammu ruk gayi, lekin palat kar uski taraf nahi dekha. Seedha darwaze ki taraf dekhte hue uski awaaz nikalti hai, halki si bhari hui.
Ammu
Kabhi kabhi sahi galat ka humein maloom nahi hota bhai… bas dil ki sunni padti hai. Humein lagta hai ki humara dushman galat hai, lekin hum khud ke andar kabhi gehrai se nahi dekhte.
Itna kehkar wo bina mudde hi darwaza kholti hai aur bahar chali jaati hai.
Zaheer uske jaane ki aahat sunta rehta hai, uski parchai ko dekhte rehta hai. Uski aankhon me ek ajeeb si soch, ek uljhan baithi reh jaati hai… jaise uske dil me pehli baar shak apne hi jazbaton par hua ho
Raat ka mahaul bhaari tha. Neeche se aati khamoshi ghar ko aur bhi gehra bana rahi thi. Upar ek kamre me Zaheer aur Ammu apne jazbat me uljhe hue the, toh doosre ghar me Shanu aur Arjun ka mahaul bilkul alag tha.
Arjun bed par baitha tha, haathon par khun ke chhote chhote nishan abhi bhi dikh rahe the. Shanu ek bowl me garam paani aur first aid box lekar uske saamne baithi thi. Lekin dono ke chehre par gusse ki halki si parchhai thi.
Shanu
Tu samajhta hi nahi Arjun. Har waqt tu apni zid me andha ho jaata hai. Har ladayi ka jawab sirf muqabla aur aggression thodi na hota hai.
Arjun ne uski taraf dekha, aankhon me chingaari thi.
Arjun
Aur tu har baat me mujhe hi doshi bana deti hai. Agar main na hota toh aaj sab kuch bikhar jaata. Main hi tha jo samne khada raha.
Shanu ne uske haath ko zor se pakda aur cotton se dawai lagayi, thoda jor se dab gaya toh Arjun ke chehre pe dard ubhar aaya.
Shanu
Dekha? Yeh hi hai teri problem. Dard mehsoos karta hai lekin maanega nahi. Dil ke andar kya chal raha hai, kisi ko bataega nahi. Bas sabko door dhakel dega.
Arjun ne dard ke bawajood uski aankhon me dekha.
Arjun
Aur tu kya karti hai? Har waqt mujhe rokti hai, mujhe samjhati hai jaise main baccha hoon. Main jo kar raha hoon uske peeche wajah hai, samajhne ki koshish kab karegi tu?
Shanu ne halki si taanashe saans li, cotton side me rakha aur uske haath par ointment lagane lagi.
Shanu
Wajah ke naam pe tu apni zindagi aur dusron ki zindagi risk pe daal deta hai. Tu apne gusse ko reason bana ke sab justify karta hai. Lekin sach yeh hai ki kabhi kabhi tu apne dil ke darr ko aggression ke peeche chhupa leta hai.
Arjun ki aankhen ek pal ke liye naram hui, phir usne zubaan ko phir se teekha kar diya.
Arjun
Aur tu kabhi maanegi nahi ki main sahi bhi ho sakta hoon. Tere liye main hamesha woh ladka hoon jo galat decisions leta hai.
Shanu ne uska haath bandage karte hue dheere se kaha.
Shanu
Nahi Arjun… tu mere liye woh bhai hai jo kabhi apne dil ko samajhna hi nahi chahta.
Room ke andar behes aur dawai ki khushbu ek saath ghul gayi thi. Dono apni apni baaton me uljhe hue the, jaise dono ke paas sach ho, lekin dono ek doosre ka sach sunne ko tayyar na ho.
Room ke andar ki hawa pehle se hi garam thi, dono apne apne lafzon se ek doosre ko chubhte ja rahe the. Shanu uske haath par bandage lapet rahi thi, par zubaan se teer chalana band nahi kiya tha. Arjun bhi peeche hatne wale me se nahi tha.
Arjun ek pal ke liye chup hua, phir uske chehre par ek kasak si aayi. Usne neeche nazar daali aur phir Shanu ki taraf dekh kar teekhi awaaz me bola.
Arjun
Ek baar mujhe to bata deti ki tu us Zaheer se…
Uski zubaan wahi atak gayi. Shabd adhure chhod diye, lekin baat poori samajh aa gayi thi. Room me ek dam se gehri khamoshi chha gayi.
Shanu ke haath ruk gaye. Uski aankhen pal bhar ke liye jhuki, jaise guilt ki chhaya uske chehre par nikal aayi ho. Uski saanson ka wazan badh gaya, par usne kuch nahi kaha.
Arjun ka gussa usse andar se tod raha tha. Uski awaaz abhi bhi bhari thi, lekin andar ka dard nikal kar lafzon me aa gaya.
Arjun
Jab ek bhai apni behen ka MMS dekhe to uspe kya bitti hai, yeh tu nahi samjhegi Shanu.
Ye lafz sunte hi Shanu ka chehra ek dam badal gaya. Uski aankhon me guilt ke saath gusse ki aag jal uthi. Aankhen laal ho gayi, jaise koi purana zakham khol diya ho.
Shanu ne zor se uska haath chhoda, jisme abhi bandage adhoora tha. Usne Arjun ki taraf dekha, nazron me jalan thi, phir bina kuch kahe kursi se uth khadi hui.
Shanu
(andar hi andar ubalti hui, bas itna kaha)
Bas Arjun… bas.
Aur wo gusse me kadam patakti hui room se nikal gayi. Darwaza zor se bandh hua, aur kamra ek dam se khali aur bhari lagne laga. Arjun usi bed par baitha reh gaya, aankhon me ek ajeeb si udaasi aur gussa dono ek saath.
Subah ka mahaul thoda thanda aur bhari tha. College ke andar sabko kal raat ke hostel wale scene ki khabar mil chuki thi. Canteen ki fight abhi thami bhi nahi thi ki hostel ke violence ne puri campus ki hawa ko aur garam kar diya tha.
Principal ka office us waqt bilkul courtroom jaisa lag raha tha. Samne Principal aur Election Committee ke do–teen senior professors baithe the, aur unke saamne khade the Arjun aur Zaheer.
Dono ke chehre par abhi bhi kal ki maar–pit ke nishaan dikh rahe the. Arjun ke haath par bandage, Zaheer ke chehre par chhoti si kharoch. Lekin dono ke expressions ek jaise the—juki hui nazrein, lekin dil me ek rebel aag.
Principal ki awaaz tez aur narmi–sakhti ke beech ki thi.
Principal
Jo kuch bhi kal canteen me hua, aur uske baad hostel me jo kuch hua… usne hum sabko sharminda kiya hai. Election ek healthy competition hona chahiye, lekin tum dono ne use dushmani bana diya.
Committee Member
Aur tum dono ke beech ki personal rivalry ab college ke discipline ko tod rahi hai. Ye warning hai tum dono ke liye. Last warning. Agar ab dobara aisa kuch hua toh suspension aur election se direct disqualification hogi.
Arjun ne aankhen neeche kar rakhi thi, par uske chehre par zidd ki halki si parchhai thi. Uske andar se awaaz aa rahi thi jo bhi ho, peeche nahi hatna.
Zaheer ne bhi apna sir jhuka rakha tha, par uske hoth kas ke band the. Uske andr ki aag uske chehre ki jawline aur tez saanson me saaf nazar aa rahi thi.
Principal ne dono ki taraf haath uthakar final line kahi.
Principal
This is it. Tum dono ko ek mauka diya ja raha hai. Use barbaad mat karna.
Room ke andar khamoshi chha gayi. Arjun aur Zaheer ne ek pal ke liye ek doosre ki taraf dekha—nazren mili nahi, takraayi thi. Fir dono apni apni khamoshi me doob gaye.
Committee ne papers band kiye, aur unhe ishaara kar diya ki jaa sakte ho. Dono ne bina kuch kahe ek saath office ka darwaza khola aur bahar aa gaye. Corridor me kadam chal rahe the, lekin dono ke dil me ek hi jazba tha—yeh ladayi ab rukegi nahi.
College canteen ka mahaul us subah ajeeb si garmiyo se bhara hua tha. Har table par ek hi topic chal raha tha—kal raat hostel me kya hua, aur subah principal ke office me Arjun aur Zaheer ko jo sunaya gaya.
Ek corner ki table par kuch seniors baith ke chai pi rahe the. Unki baatein tez awaaz me canteen me goonj rahi thi.
Senior 1
Dekha tha kal hostel ka scene? Lagta hai ab ye election bas naam ka hai. Arjun aur Zaheer dono ki ladayi ab seedha khoon–kharaabi tak aa gayi hai.
Senior 2
Arre sunne me toh ye bhi aaya hai ki principal ne last warning di hai dono ko. Lekin tujhe lagta hai wo rukne wale hain?
Dusri table par juniors gossip kar rahe the, aankhen chamak rahi thi jaise koi filmi drama unfold ho raha ho.
Junior 1
Mujhe toh lagta hai Zaheer jeetega. Uske paas poore hostel ka support hai.
Junior 2
Nahi yaar, Arjun ko underestimate mat kar. Usne kal jo stance liya tha na, log uski himmat pe fida ho gaye hain.
Ek teesri table par kuch ladkiyan chhupke se Ammu ki taraf dekh kar fुसफुसा rahi thi. Ammu chupchaap ek corner par Shanu ke saath baithi thi, lekin uski aankhon me clearly tension thi.
Girl 1
Tumhe nahi lagta is rivalry ka asli reason election se zyada personal hai?
Girl 2
Haan, mujhe toh lagta hai dono ke beech ek ladki ka matter bhi hai…
Uski baat puri hone se pehle hi Shanu ne us taraf dekha aur ladkiyan turant chup ho gayi.
Tabhi canteen ke door se Arjun andar aaya. Uski entry ne turant sabka dhyaan kheench liya. Uske kuch supporters turant khade ho gaye, jaise uski himmat badhane ke liye.
Thodi hi der me doosri taraf se Zaheer bhi canteen me aaya. Uske saath bhi kuch ladke the, hostel ke dost, jo uski tarafdari kar rahe the.
Puri canteen ek dum se do camps me divide ho gayi—ek taraf Arjun ka support, doosri taraf Zaheer ka. Beech me hawa me ek ajeeb si khamoshi thi, jaise ek spark aur chingari is crowd ko blast karwa degi.
Arjun aur Zaheer dono ne ek dusre ko dekha. Sirf ek chhoti si nazar—na smile, na salam—sirf woh takraav jo ab college ke har student ke liye gossip ka naya masala ban chuka tha.
Canteen ka mahaul waise hi garam tha, sab nazar se ek dusre ko naap rahe the. Ek pal ki khamoshi aisi thi jaise sab ek spark ka wait kar rahe ho. Aur woh spark zyada der tak rukhi nahi.
Ek ladka, jo Zaheer ke group me tha, zor se bola.
Zaheer ka stand clear hai. Agar leadership chahiye toh uske paas strength aur support dono hai. Dusre log bas nautanki karte hain.
Arjun ke supporters turant bhadak gaye. Unme se ek ne table par haath patka.
Nautanki? Jisne kal hostel me apni jaan ki parwaah kiye bina sabko bachaaya, usse nautanki bol rahe ho?
Ye lafz bas hawa ko aur tez kar gaye. Dono groups me hungama mach gaya. Kursiyan khisakne lagi, awaazon ka level badhne laga.
Ek ladka Arjun ki taraf ishara karke chillaaya.
Tere leader me bas gussa hai, dimaag zero!
Arjun khud apni jagah se uth gaya, aankhen laal, jawline tight.
Aur tumhaara leader? Jo sirf dhamki dena jaanta hai? Ye leadership hai?
Zaheer bhi apni seat se uth kar seedha Arjun ke saamne aa gaya. Uske supporters uske peeche khade ho gaye.
Zaheer
Mujhe lecture mat de Arjun. Main sach bolta hoon, isliye tumhe problem hai. Tumhari problem ye hai ki tum khud ko sabse bada hero samajhte ho.
Arjun
Aur tum? Tumhe lagta hai college tumhare baap ki jagir hai?
Dono ke supporters ek dusre ko dhakka dene lage. Tables hilne lagi, kursiyan girne lagi. Ek pal me canteen ek wrestling ground ban gaya.
Shanu aur Ammu dono corner me baithi thi, dono ki aankhen shock aur gusse se bhar gayi thi. Shanu turant khadi hui, Ammu ka haath pakda aur bola.
Shanu
Chal, is jung ka hissa ban’ne ka koi matlab nahi.
Ammu ne sir hila kar haan kaha. Usne ek baar peeche mud kar Arjun aur Zaheer ko dekha—dono ek dusre ke saamne gusse se jal rahe the. Uski aankhon me dard tha, phir usne palat kar Shanu ke saath canteen se nikal jaana behtar samjha.
Peeche canteen me awaazein abhi aur tez ho rahi thi—lafzon ka war, dhakka-mukki, aur students ka divide. Aur beech me Arjun aur Zaheer… jaise do sher ek hi jungle ka haq maang rahe ho.
Raat ke andheron me security officer station ka interrogation room apni hi garmi phailaye hue tha. Chhat se latakti tube light halki halki blink kar rahi thi, aur ek purane pankhe ki awaz puri khamoshi me goonj rahi thi. Table ke ek taraf inspector baitha tha, saamne hostel se pakde gaye gunde jhuk kar baithe hue the.
Inspector ne pehle toh normal sawaal kiye, lekin jab unhone ghuma phirake jawab dene shuru kiye, toh uski awaaz tez ho gayi.
Inspector
Seedhe seedhe bol do kisne bheja tha tumhe. Ye nautanki chalti nahi yahan.
Ek constable ne peechhe khade hote hote ek gunde ke kandhe par zor se danda patka. Gunda dard se thoda seedha hua, aur uske chehre ka rang badalne laga. Dusre do abhi bhi chup the, par teesra gunda — jiski aankhon me ajeeb si ghabrahat thi — woh bol pada.
Gunda
Saab… hum… humse galti ho gayi.
Inspector ne aankhen tang ki aur aage jhuk kar gusse se bola.
Inspector (gusse me tez aawaz se)
Ise galti nahi, crime kehte hai behen ke lode... Jo kuch bhi janta hai chupchap bata warna yahi teri Maiya pel dunga
Gunda ne kuch pal ke liye hichkichahat dikhayi. Uske chehre par paseena aaya aur usne apni nazar neeche kar li. Phir dheere se lafz nikle, jo kamre ki hawa ko ek dum se badal gaye.
Gunda
Saab… woh…........
Inspector ki bhavein teekhi ho gayi, aankhen chhoti ho gayi jaise woh har lafz tod kar samajh raha ho. Usne turant pen uthaya aur constable ko ishara kiya.
Inspector
Poora sach likhwa. Aur jo naam isne liya hai, uski tasdeeq karni padegi.
Constable tez tez likhne laga. Kamre ke andar ab hawa me sirf ek baat ghoom rahi thi—ye koi chhoti moti ladayi nahi thi, iske peeche bada khel chhupa hua tha. Inspector ka chehra sakht ho gaya tha, uski aankhon me woh shikan bas ye keh rahi thi… ab asli kahani khulne wali hai.
Ghar ke andar sab kuch ajeeb sa khamosh tha. Raste bhar dono ne ek doosre ki taraf dekha bhi nahi. Ammu ka chehra thoda udaas tha, hostel ka violence scene abhi tak uske zehan me ghoom raha tha. Zaheer ka andaz aur bhi thanda tha, jaise uske andar bahut kuch chal raha ho par usne apne honton par taala laga rakha ho.
Zaheer bina rukhe seedha apne kamre ki seedhiyan chad gaya. Ammu uski peeth ko blank nazron se dekhti rahi aur fir chupchaap apne kamre ki taraf badh gayi.
Kamre me aakar Zaheer ne apna shirt uthara, jeans badli aur bed par baith kar gehri saans li. Thakan, gusse aur ek ajeeb si bechaini ka mixture tha uske andar. Usne aankhen band ki jaise bas sab kuch kuch der ke liye bhool jaana chahta ho.
Lekin jaise hi wo side me let kar neend lene hi wala tha, uske room ka darwaza knock knock ki awaaz se hil gaya.
Zaheer ne aankhen kholi, sir ghumaya aur kuch pal chupchaap us knock ko dekhta raha. Ek aur halki si knock hui, is dafa thodi dheemi, jaise saamne wala darwaza kholne se ghabra raha ho.
Zaheer dheere se uthkar darwaze ke paas aaya, haath handle par rakha aur andar hi andar socha… Ammu hogi kya?
Usne darwaza khola—
Zaheer ne darwaza khola toh saamne Ammu khadi thi. Uske haath me ek chhota sa first aid box tha. Uski aankhon me thodi thakaan, thoda bojh tha, lekin phir bhi usne bina kuch kahe box utha kar dikhaya jaise keh rahi ho yeh tumhare liye layi hoon.
Zaheer ne bas ek nazar us box par daali aur bina kuch bole palat kar bed par aake baith gaya. Uska chehra bilkul sookha hua, jaise andr se thoda thoda tut raha ho.
Ammu dheere dheere uske paas aayi. Usne box khola, cotton par dawai daali aur uske haathon par lagaane lagi. Zaheer apni aankhen uske haath par tikaye baitha tha, jaise pehli dafa mehsoos kar raha ho ki chot zyada andar lagi hai, dikhne wali to bas bahana hai.
Dono ke beech khamoshi thi. Na aankhon ka milaap hua, na zubaan se koi lafz nikla. Sirf ek thandi hawa thi jo kamre ki saari baat keh rahi thi. Jaise dono ke dil me ek badi kahwahat paal rakhi ho.
Dawai lagane ke baad Ammu box band karti hai, uthi aur wapas mudne lagi. Zaheer ne us waqt pehli baar apni zubaan kholi.
Zaheer
Ek baar fir soch lo Ammu.
Ammu ruk gayi, lekin palat kar uski taraf nahi dekha. Seedha darwaze ki taraf dekhte hue uski awaaz nikalti hai, halki si bhari hui.
Ammu
Kabhi kabhi sahi galat ka humein maloom nahi hota bhai… bas dil ki sunni padti hai. Humein lagta hai ki humara dushman galat hai, lekin hum khud ke andar kabhi gehrai se nahi dekhte.
Itna kehkar wo bina mudde hi darwaza kholti hai aur bahar chali jaati hai.
Zaheer uske jaane ki aahat sunta rehta hai, uski parchai ko dekhte rehta hai. Uski aankhon me ek ajeeb si soch, ek uljhan baithi reh jaati hai… jaise uske dil me pehli baar shak apne hi jazbaton par hua ho
Raat ka mahaul bhaari tha. Neeche se aati khamoshi ghar ko aur bhi gehra bana rahi thi. Upar ek kamre me Zaheer aur Ammu apne jazbat me uljhe hue the, toh doosre ghar me Shanu aur Arjun ka mahaul bilkul alag tha.
Arjun bed par baitha tha, haathon par khun ke chhote chhote nishan abhi bhi dikh rahe the. Shanu ek bowl me garam paani aur first aid box lekar uske saamne baithi thi. Lekin dono ke chehre par gusse ki halki si parchhai thi.
Shanu
Tu samajhta hi nahi Arjun. Har waqt tu apni zid me andha ho jaata hai. Har ladayi ka jawab sirf muqabla aur aggression thodi na hota hai.
Arjun ne uski taraf dekha, aankhon me chingaari thi.
Arjun
Aur tu har baat me mujhe hi doshi bana deti hai. Agar main na hota toh aaj sab kuch bikhar jaata. Main hi tha jo samne khada raha.
Shanu ne uske haath ko zor se pakda aur cotton se dawai lagayi, thoda jor se dab gaya toh Arjun ke chehre pe dard ubhar aaya.
Shanu
Dekha? Yeh hi hai teri problem. Dard mehsoos karta hai lekin maanega nahi. Dil ke andar kya chal raha hai, kisi ko bataega nahi. Bas sabko door dhakel dega.
Arjun ne dard ke bawajood uski aankhon me dekha.
Arjun
Aur tu kya karti hai? Har waqt mujhe rokti hai, mujhe samjhati hai jaise main baccha hoon. Main jo kar raha hoon uske peeche wajah hai, samajhne ki koshish kab karegi tu?
Shanu ne halki si taanashe saans li, cotton side me rakha aur uske haath par ointment lagane lagi.
Shanu
Wajah ke naam pe tu apni zindagi aur dusron ki zindagi risk pe daal deta hai. Tu apne gusse ko reason bana ke sab justify karta hai. Lekin sach yeh hai ki kabhi kabhi tu apne dil ke darr ko aggression ke peeche chhupa leta hai.
Arjun ki aankhen ek pal ke liye naram hui, phir usne zubaan ko phir se teekha kar diya.
Arjun
Aur tu kabhi maanegi nahi ki main sahi bhi ho sakta hoon. Tere liye main hamesha woh ladka hoon jo galat decisions leta hai.
Shanu ne uska haath bandage karte hue dheere se kaha.
Shanu
Nahi Arjun… tu mere liye woh bhai hai jo kabhi apne dil ko samajhna hi nahi chahta.
Room ke andar behes aur dawai ki khushbu ek saath ghul gayi thi. Dono apni apni baaton me uljhe hue the, jaise dono ke paas sach ho, lekin dono ek doosre ka sach sunne ko tayyar na ho.
Room ke andar ki hawa pehle se hi garam thi, dono apne apne lafzon se ek doosre ko chubhte ja rahe the. Shanu uske haath par bandage lapet rahi thi, par zubaan se teer chalana band nahi kiya tha. Arjun bhi peeche hatne wale me se nahi tha.
Arjun ek pal ke liye chup hua, phir uske chehre par ek kasak si aayi. Usne neeche nazar daali aur phir Shanu ki taraf dekh kar teekhi awaaz me bola.
Arjun
Ek baar mujhe to bata deti ki tu us Zaheer se…
Uski zubaan wahi atak gayi. Shabd adhure chhod diye, lekin baat poori samajh aa gayi thi. Room me ek dam se gehri khamoshi chha gayi.
Shanu ke haath ruk gaye. Uski aankhen pal bhar ke liye jhuki, jaise guilt ki chhaya uske chehre par nikal aayi ho. Uski saanson ka wazan badh gaya, par usne kuch nahi kaha.
Arjun ka gussa usse andar se tod raha tha. Uski awaaz abhi bhi bhari thi, lekin andar ka dard nikal kar lafzon me aa gaya.
Arjun
Jab ek bhai apni behen ka MMS dekhe to uspe kya bitti hai, yeh tu nahi samjhegi Shanu.
Ye lafz sunte hi Shanu ka chehra ek dam badal gaya. Uski aankhon me guilt ke saath gusse ki aag jal uthi. Aankhen laal ho gayi, jaise koi purana zakham khol diya ho.
Shanu ne zor se uska haath chhoda, jisme abhi bandage adhoora tha. Usne Arjun ki taraf dekha, nazron me jalan thi, phir bina kuch kahe kursi se uth khadi hui.
Shanu
(andar hi andar ubalti hui, bas itna kaha)
Bas Arjun… bas.
Aur wo gusse me kadam patakti hui room se nikal gayi. Darwaza zor se bandh hua, aur kamra ek dam se khali aur bhari lagne laga. Arjun usi bed par baitha reh gaya, aankhon me ek ajeeb si udaasi aur gussa dono ek saath.
Subah ka mahaul thoda thanda aur bhari tha. College ke andar sabko kal raat ke hostel wale scene ki khabar mil chuki thi. Canteen ki fight abhi thami bhi nahi thi ki hostel ke violence ne puri campus ki hawa ko aur garam kar diya tha.
Principal ka office us waqt bilkul courtroom jaisa lag raha tha. Samne Principal aur Election Committee ke do–teen senior professors baithe the, aur unke saamne khade the Arjun aur Zaheer.
Dono ke chehre par abhi bhi kal ki maar–pit ke nishaan dikh rahe the. Arjun ke haath par bandage, Zaheer ke chehre par chhoti si kharoch. Lekin dono ke expressions ek jaise the—juki hui nazrein, lekin dil me ek rebel aag.
Principal ki awaaz tez aur narmi–sakhti ke beech ki thi.
Principal
Jo kuch bhi kal canteen me hua, aur uske baad hostel me jo kuch hua… usne hum sabko sharminda kiya hai. Election ek healthy competition hona chahiye, lekin tum dono ne use dushmani bana diya.
Committee Member
Aur tum dono ke beech ki personal rivalry ab college ke discipline ko tod rahi hai. Ye warning hai tum dono ke liye. Last warning. Agar ab dobara aisa kuch hua toh suspension aur election se direct disqualification hogi.
Arjun ne aankhen neeche kar rakhi thi, par uske chehre par zidd ki halki si parchhai thi. Uske andar se awaaz aa rahi thi jo bhi ho, peeche nahi hatna.
Zaheer ne bhi apna sir jhuka rakha tha, par uske hoth kas ke band the. Uske andr ki aag uske chehre ki jawline aur tez saanson me saaf nazar aa rahi thi.
Principal ne dono ki taraf haath uthakar final line kahi.
Principal
This is it. Tum dono ko ek mauka diya ja raha hai. Use barbaad mat karna.
Room ke andar khamoshi chha gayi. Arjun aur Zaheer ne ek pal ke liye ek doosre ki taraf dekha—nazren mili nahi, takraayi thi. Fir dono apni apni khamoshi me doob gaye.
Committee ne papers band kiye, aur unhe ishaara kar diya ki jaa sakte ho. Dono ne bina kuch kahe ek saath office ka darwaza khola aur bahar aa gaye. Corridor me kadam chal rahe the, lekin dono ke dil me ek hi jazba tha—yeh ladayi ab rukegi nahi.
College canteen ka mahaul us subah ajeeb si garmiyo se bhara hua tha. Har table par ek hi topic chal raha tha—kal raat hostel me kya hua, aur subah principal ke office me Arjun aur Zaheer ko jo sunaya gaya.
Ek corner ki table par kuch seniors baith ke chai pi rahe the. Unki baatein tez awaaz me canteen me goonj rahi thi.
Senior 1
Dekha tha kal hostel ka scene? Lagta hai ab ye election bas naam ka hai. Arjun aur Zaheer dono ki ladayi ab seedha khoon–kharaabi tak aa gayi hai.
Senior 2
Arre sunne me toh ye bhi aaya hai ki principal ne last warning di hai dono ko. Lekin tujhe lagta hai wo rukne wale hain?
Dusri table par juniors gossip kar rahe the, aankhen chamak rahi thi jaise koi filmi drama unfold ho raha ho.
Junior 1
Mujhe toh lagta hai Zaheer jeetega. Uske paas poore hostel ka support hai.
Junior 2
Nahi yaar, Arjun ko underestimate mat kar. Usne kal jo stance liya tha na, log uski himmat pe fida ho gaye hain.
Ek teesri table par kuch ladkiyan chhupke se Ammu ki taraf dekh kar fुसफुसा rahi thi. Ammu chupchaap ek corner par Shanu ke saath baithi thi, lekin uski aankhon me clearly tension thi.
Girl 1
Tumhe nahi lagta is rivalry ka asli reason election se zyada personal hai?
Girl 2
Haan, mujhe toh lagta hai dono ke beech ek ladki ka matter bhi hai…
Uski baat puri hone se pehle hi Shanu ne us taraf dekha aur ladkiyan turant chup ho gayi.
Tabhi canteen ke door se Arjun andar aaya. Uski entry ne turant sabka dhyaan kheench liya. Uske kuch supporters turant khade ho gaye, jaise uski himmat badhane ke liye.
Thodi hi der me doosri taraf se Zaheer bhi canteen me aaya. Uske saath bhi kuch ladke the, hostel ke dost, jo uski tarafdari kar rahe the.
Puri canteen ek dum se do camps me divide ho gayi—ek taraf Arjun ka support, doosri taraf Zaheer ka. Beech me hawa me ek ajeeb si khamoshi thi, jaise ek spark aur chingari is crowd ko blast karwa degi.
Arjun aur Zaheer dono ne ek dusre ko dekha. Sirf ek chhoti si nazar—na smile, na salam—sirf woh takraav jo ab college ke har student ke liye gossip ka naya masala ban chuka tha.
Canteen ka mahaul waise hi garam tha, sab nazar se ek dusre ko naap rahe the. Ek pal ki khamoshi aisi thi jaise sab ek spark ka wait kar rahe ho. Aur woh spark zyada der tak rukhi nahi.
Ek ladka, jo Zaheer ke group me tha, zor se bola.
Zaheer ka stand clear hai. Agar leadership chahiye toh uske paas strength aur support dono hai. Dusre log bas nautanki karte hain.
Arjun ke supporters turant bhadak gaye. Unme se ek ne table par haath patka.
Nautanki? Jisne kal hostel me apni jaan ki parwaah kiye bina sabko bachaaya, usse nautanki bol rahe ho?
Ye lafz bas hawa ko aur tez kar gaye. Dono groups me hungama mach gaya. Kursiyan khisakne lagi, awaazon ka level badhne laga.
Ek ladka Arjun ki taraf ishara karke chillaaya.
Tere leader me bas gussa hai, dimaag zero!
Arjun khud apni jagah se uth gaya, aankhen laal, jawline tight.
Aur tumhaara leader? Jo sirf dhamki dena jaanta hai? Ye leadership hai?
Zaheer bhi apni seat se uth kar seedha Arjun ke saamne aa gaya. Uske supporters uske peeche khade ho gaye.
Zaheer
Mujhe lecture mat de Arjun. Main sach bolta hoon, isliye tumhe problem hai. Tumhari problem ye hai ki tum khud ko sabse bada hero samajhte ho.
Arjun
Aur tum? Tumhe lagta hai college tumhare baap ki jagir hai?
Dono ke supporters ek dusre ko dhakka dene lage. Tables hilne lagi, kursiyan girne lagi. Ek pal me canteen ek wrestling ground ban gaya.
Shanu aur Ammu dono corner me baithi thi, dono ki aankhen shock aur gusse se bhar gayi thi. Shanu turant khadi hui, Ammu ka haath pakda aur bola.
Shanu
Chal, is jung ka hissa ban’ne ka koi matlab nahi.
Ammu ne sir hila kar haan kaha. Usne ek baar peeche mud kar Arjun aur Zaheer ko dekha—dono ek dusre ke saamne gusse se jal rahe the. Uski aankhon me dard tha, phir usne palat kar Shanu ke saath canteen se nikal jaana behtar samjha.
Peeche canteen me awaazein abhi aur tez ho rahi thi—lafzon ka war, dhakka-mukki, aur students ka divide. Aur beech me Arjun aur Zaheer… jaise do sher ek hi jungle ka haq maang rahe ho.
Raat ke andheron me security officer station ka interrogation room apni hi garmi phailaye hue tha. Chhat se latakti tube light halki halki blink kar rahi thi, aur ek purane pankhe ki awaz puri khamoshi me goonj rahi thi. Table ke ek taraf inspector baitha tha, saamne hostel se pakde gaye gunde jhuk kar baithe hue the.
Inspector ne pehle toh normal sawaal kiye, lekin jab unhone ghuma phirake jawab dene shuru kiye, toh uski awaaz tez ho gayi.
Inspector
Seedhe seedhe bol do kisne bheja tha tumhe. Ye nautanki chalti nahi yahan.
Ek constable ne peechhe khade hote hote ek gunde ke kandhe par zor se danda patka. Gunda dard se thoda seedha hua, aur uske chehre ka rang badalne laga. Dusre do abhi bhi chup the, par teesra gunda — jiski aankhon me ajeeb si ghabrahat thi — woh bol pada.
Gunda
Saab… hum… humse galti ho gayi.
Inspector ne aankhen tang ki aur aage jhuk kar gusse se bola.
Inspector (gusse me tez aawaz se)
Ise galti nahi, crime kehte hai behen ke lode... Jo kuch bhi janta hai chupchap bata warna yahi teri Maiya pel dunga
Gunda ne kuch pal ke liye hichkichahat dikhayi. Uske chehre par paseena aaya aur usne apni nazar neeche kar li. Phir dheere se lafz nikle, jo kamre ki hawa ko ek dum se badal gaye.
Gunda
Saab… woh…........
Inspector ki bhavein teekhi ho gayi, aankhen chhoti ho gayi jaise woh har lafz tod kar samajh raha ho. Usne turant pen uthaya aur constable ko ishara kiya.
Inspector
Poora sach likhwa. Aur jo naam isne liya hai, uski tasdeeq karni padegi.
Constable tez tez likhne laga. Kamre ke andar ab hawa me sirf ek baat ghoom rahi thi—ye koi chhoti moti ladayi nahi thi, iske peeche bada khel chhupa hua tha. Inspector ka chehra sakht ho gaya tha, uski aankhon me woh shikan bas ye keh rahi thi… ab asli kahani khulne wali hai.
![[+]](https://xossipy.com/themes/sharepoint/collapse_collapsed.png)