[darkwrt]

Episode 3

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South Mumbai ke ek five-star hotel ka business lounge me dopahar ke teen baje kafi shanti thi..  Sheeshe ki unchi deewaron ke paar Arabian Sea ki taraf se aati halki roshni glass par pad rahi thi aur bahar sadak traffic se bhari thi, lekin andar har cheez apni jagah par thehri hui lag rahi thi. Soft instrumental music, low lighting aur tables ke beech rakhe indoor plants ne poori jagah ko ek shant mahual de raha tha jahan log awaaz se zyada apni presence se baat karte the.

Usi business lounge ke ek corner table par Aarohi baithi thi.Uske saamne ek leather folder khula tha aur uske paas coffee ka cup aadha bhara hua pada tha. Coffee thandi ho chuki thi, lekin usne ab tak usse dobara touch nahi kiya tha.

Uska dhyaan saamne baithe hotel ke senior representative ki baat par tha.

“...agar aap revised commercial terms approve kar deti hain toh property side se remaining formalities hum internally fast-track kar denge.”

Aarohi ne document ke ek paragraph par nazar roki.

“Fast-track?”

Representative ne halka sa smile kiya. “Yes, ma’am. We can try to close it within the committed window.”

“Try nahi,” Aarohi ne uski baat beech mein rok di, “commitment chahiye.” 

Aarohi ki awaz kafi shant lekin shakht aur clear thi jo saamne wale ko apne shabdon ko dobara sochne par majboor kar deti thi.

Representative ki smile ek pal ke liye halki pad gayi.

“Understood mam, aisa hin hoga aap chinta mt kijiye.”

Aarohi ne document uski taraf saraka diya.

“Terms mein jo third-party access clause hai, usse revise kijiye. Baaki commercial structure theek hai aur ye sab mujhe aaj rat tak clear chahiye. Agar operational team ko koi problem hai toh woh draft mein clearly mention karo. Main assumptions ke basis par approval nahi deti.  ”

Uske saamne baithe aadmi ne turant sir hila diya. “Understood, ma’am. I’ll get it done.” 

Meeting ke doosri taraf baithi Sneha ne apna tablet lock kar diya. Pichhle chaalis minute mein usne bahut kam bola tha. Zarurat bhi nahi thi. Aarohi ko meetings mein kisi support ki zarurat tabhi padti thi jab saamne wala facts se bachne ki koshish kare.

Hotel representative file sametkar khada hua.

“Thank you, Ms. Malhotra.”

Aarohi ne sirf halka sa sir hilaya.

“Send the revised draft tonight.”

Sure.

Iske bad woh sari paers aur file utha kar wohna se chla gaya. Uska jate hin table par fir se ek pal ke liye khamoshi chha gayi. Sneha kuch bolti, usse pehle ek aadmi unki table ke paas aa khada hua.

“Aarohi…” Aarohi ne turant sir uthaya aur saamne khade Raghav Oberoi ko dekha. “Tum yahan?” Raghav ke chehre par casual surprise tha, jaise unki mulaqat bilkul achanak hui ho, lekin uski aankhon mein Aarohi ko dekhte hi jo dilchaspi aayi thi, woh chhup nahi paayi. “Kaafi time ho gaya hum logon ko mile hue,” usne smile karte hue kaha. 

Raghav Oberoi.

Ek ghamandi aur aiyash insan, Raghav ko bachpan se hi aapne baap ke paise aur name ki bajah se woh social access milta raha tha jiske liye doosron ko saalon mehnat karni padti thi . Raghav ne khud abhi tak apne naam par kuch khaas khada nahi kiya tha. Lekin usse is baat ki kami kabhi mehsoos nahi hui. Mehngi gaadiyan, exclusive parties, influential logon ke beech uthna-baithna aur apne surname ki wajah se milne wali importance uski aadat ban chuki thi.

Raghav ne chair kheenchne ke liye haath badhaya.

“Baith sakta hoon?”

Aarohi ne saamne ki chair ki taraf dekha.

“Baith toh gaye ho fir puch kyun rahe ho?”

Raghav hans pada aur aarohi ko dekhte hue bola.

“Tumhara attitude kabhi nahi badlega.”

“Tumhari expectations bhi to kabhi nahi badlengin.”

Raghav ne waiter ko ishara kiya.

“Same as usual.” Waiter chala gaya.

“Waise ye bat to manani padegi ki tum ab aur bhi jayda sundar ho gyi ho.” Raghav ki nazar Aarohi ke blouse ke deep neck par atak gayi, phir uske bade, gol, tight boobs par.. Raghav ne uske boobs dekhte hue sochne laga… “Sali randi, jitna bhaav khaana hai kha le. Ek din tujhe apne neeche litakar teri is badi-badi chuchiyon ko nahi masla, teri chut nahi phaadi toh mera naam Raghav nahi. Itna ghamand hai is body ka… dekhte hain kab tak rahta hai. Ek din tujhe aise choduunga ki tu khud bheek maangegi mere lund se chudane ke liye.

“Kya hua? Kahan kho gaye?” Sneha ki awaaz sunkar Raghav apne khayalon se bahar aaya. Usne Sneha ki taraf dekha, lekin uske sawaal ko ignore karte hue phir Aarohi se hi bola.

“Tum mujhe avoid kar rahi ho?”

Aarohi ne bina kisi expression ke jawab diya, “Main logon ko avoid karne mein time waste nahi karti.” 

Sneha ki halki hasi nikal gyi jise raghav ne bhi notice kar liya tha. Uske chehre par ek pal ke liye irritation aayi, lekin usne use smile mein badal diya.

“Isi liye toh tummujhe pasand ho.”

Aarohi ne jawab nahi diya. Lekin sneha ab irritate ho rhi thi, wo jald se jald raghav se picha churana chahti thi lekin kaise ye smajh nhi aa rha tha.

“Saturday ko ek party hai. Dad ke kuch friends aa rahe hain. Tum aa jao.”

“No.” Aarohi ne jawab dene mein ek second bhi nahi lagaya. 

“Invitation properly diya bhi nahi aur answer …...”

“Ab properly de diya na.” is bar sneha ne uski bat katate hue boli. Lekin humesha ki traf fir raghav use ignore kar diya aur halka sa jhuk kar bola,

“Tumhe pata hai, har baar mana karna bhi achha nahi lagta.”

“Tumhe har baar poochna bhi nahi chahiye.” Fir se sneha se jawab diya. Sneha ko is trike se jawab deta dekh aarohi ek sec ke liye has padi lekin koi notice krta usse phle hin usne aapne aap ko bapas se serious mask ko apne face par le aayi. Aarohi bhi raghav se picha churana cahati thi lekin bina koi drama kiye hue isilye wo shant thi.

Raghav haste hue bola aarohi se fir bola.

“Ek din tum khud haan bologi.”

Aarohi ne coffee ka cup uthaya aur bina koi answer diye hue shant rahi. Lekin sneha ne bapas se raghav ko jawab diya

“Us din mujhe bhi bata dena, Aur tumhe smjh nhi aata aarohi ki shadi ho gyi hai tumhare harkaton ki bajah se uski personal life bhi distrub ho skti hai”

Uski bat sunkar ek sec ke liye aarohi bhi tham gyi. Halaki wo is shadi ko sirf ek bandhan manti thi jo dadaji ke emotional blackmail ki bajah se aarohi ne apnaya tha. Lekin sneha ki bat se uske andar kuch to hua tha jo shayad use bhi smjh nhi aaya.

Tabhi raghav fir se bola.

“Shadi? Ye sab ko pata hai ki aarohi ne ye shadi kyun ki.” 

“Usse tumhe kya.. Aarohi ne ye shadi kyun ki ya kis bajah se ki.” Sbeha ne ye bat thodi gusse me boli thi.

Sneha ki bat sunate hin raghav ko gussa to aaya lekin wo shant raha aur apne chehre par halki smile bhi bna kar rakhi.

“Waise bhi vivan jaise insan aarohi ko deserve nhi krta. Uske pass hain hin kya jo wo use de skta. “

Ye bat sunte hin aarohi ne raghav ki traf dekha lekin boli kuch nhi. Raghav shayad usse jawab ki umeed kar raha tha, lekin Aarohi chup rahi isiliye nhi ki use vivan ki insult se koi fark nhi padta tha, balki wo koi befizul drama nhi krna cahati thi is jagah.

Tabhi Sneha kke dimag me ek idea aaya usne apna phone nikala. Fir ek massage kiya aur fir kuch hin second me samne se massage aaya.

Where are you?

Sneha ne location send kar di. Do minute baad uska reply aaya.

Coming.

Sneha ne phone side mein rakh diya. Uske chehre par ek bahut halki si satisfaction wali smile aa gyii jo Raghav se chhup nahi saki.

“Someone important?”

Sneha ne bilkul casually jawab diya, “Haan. mera boyfriend, Kyun?” Sneha ne seedha poocha. “Ab tumhe uske baare mein bhi jaana hai?” Aarohi ke honton par is baar halki si smile aa gayi. 

“Mai kyun…”

Uski bat katate hue sneha ne bola “Kyunki tumhe har kisi ki life ke upper comment krna hota hai na” Sneha ki baton se ye saf dekh rha tha ki wo ab kitna jayda irritate ho gyi hai. Arrohi in dono ke bich ke baten sunkar andar hin andar muskra rahi thi. 

Raghav kuch kehne hi wala tha ki Sneha ki nazar lounge ke entrance ki taraf chali gayi. Vivan abhi abhi us entrance se enter kiya tha. Sabse pahle sneha ne use dekha aur apna hath hilakar use ishara kiya. Aarohi aur Raghav ne bhi us direction me dekha aur uskii nazar vivan par padi. Aarohi ne shocked hokar sneha ki traf dekha lekin sneha ne bina koi reaction diye muskra rahi thi. 

Vivaan seedha table ki taraf aaya. Usne pahle hin wohna ki situation notice kar li thi aur uski nazar raghav ke upper gyi,Wo kuch bola nhi lekin uska cehre ke seriousness aarohi se chupi nhi rahi. use kuch seconds ke liye raghav ko upper se niche tak dekha jaise wo use scan kar rha ho, aur fir apni chehra aarohi ke traf ghuma liya aur bapas uske chehre par wohi smile aa gayi.


Raghav apni chair se khada hua  ne turant apna haath aage badhaya.

“Raghav Oberoi.”

“Vivaan Shergill.” vivan ne bhi apna hath milane ke liye aage badhaya. Vivaan ki grip thodi tight thi jisse raghav ko halka lekin ajib sa dard mehsoos hua jo uske chehre par ek second ke liye saaf taur se dikhayi de gaya, lekin usne turant expression sambhal liya.  lekin aarohi sab kuch smjh gyi thi. Vivan ne haath chodate hin raghav ko rahat mili, raghav ne ek bar ko vivan ko upar se neeche tak dekha.

Vivaan ne bina time waste kiye aarohi ke bagal me sofe par jakar baith gaya. Sofa par jagah kam thi, isliye woh uske kaafi paas aa gaya. Aarohi ne uski taraf dekha, jaise silently pooch rahi ho ki usse itna paas baithne ki kya zarurat thi. Vivaan ne uski aankhon mein dekhkar bas ek chhoti si smile di. Lekin vivan ne is bar apna hath uske kamar me lapet liya aur aarohi ko aur aapni traf khich liya. Uski is harkat se aarohi bhi shocked ho gyi aur wo samane raghav aur sneha ko dekhne lagi. Sneha ke chehre par ek choti si smile thi. Aarohi ne use gusse wali nazron se dekha lekin uska asar sneha par bilkul nhi nhu hua.

Raghav bhi saamne baitha ye sab dekh raha tha. Raghav ne conversation apni taraf laane ki koshish ki.

“Waise, Vivaan, tum Mumbai mein hi rehte ho?”

“Haan bhi aur na bhi. Kyun koi problem”

“Nahi mujhe kyun problem hogi waise tumhari Family?”

Vivaan ne seedha jawab diya.

“Delhi mein.”

“Business?”

“Nhi aur uski koi jrurat bhi nhi hai mujhe.” 

Raghav ne halki si smile di.

“Han ye to sahi bat hai akhir aarohi ke sath shadi krke tumhe kam krne ki kya jrurat hai”

“Han sahi bat agar meri bibi itni successful hai to main kyun kam krun.” aur ye bolte hin hin vivan ne aarohi ki kamar par hath ferne laga jo sneha aur raghav ko nhi dikha, lekin aarohi ne vivan ke traf ek thandi nazar se dekhte hue kuch ishara kiya jaise bol rhi ho.. “Ye kar kar rhe ho?” Lekin vivan ne bilkul aarohi ke kan ke pass bola kafi dhire se bola taki aarohi ke alawa koi aur sune “kyun ab kya mai aapni bibi ke kamar par hath nhi rakh skata”. Aarohi ki ankhen uski baten sun kar fail gyi. Lekin usne aapne aap ko sambhal liya aur aur vivan ke traf gusse wali nazar se dekha aur fir apna chehra samane kar liya. Raghav samne baitha ye sab aarohi ke cehare ke badalte expression acche se notice kar rha tha aur ye sari chizen use aur gussa aur irritation dila rha tha.

“Humein nikalna chahiye.” Sneha ne time dekhte hue boli.

“Are itni jaldi kya hai mai phli bar aarohi ke dost se mil rha hun thoda baten to krne do” Vivan se maje lete hue bola. 

“Nhi, Hume abhi niklana chahiye aur waise bhi raghav mera dost nhi hai” Aarohi ne bilkul shant aur thande tone me bola aur apne saman sametne shuru kar diye. Kuch hin der wo tino wohna se uth gye aur entrance ki taraf badhne lage.

Raghav wohin baitha raha aur uski nazar un par tiki rahi. Aarohi ke saath saalon se jaan-pehchaan hone ke baad bhi usne usse kabhi itna relaxed nahi dekha tha. Aur Vivaan na koi status, na koi achievement, na koi influence. Phir bhi Aarohi uske saath bilkul alag thi. Uske chehre par ab bhi wahi confident expression tha. Lekin andar kafi gussa aur frustration tha

Hotel ke entrance se Aarohi, Vivaan aur Sneha ke bahar nikal gye lekin Raghav kuch der tak wahi baitha raha. Wohin parking me pahunchte hin Sneha ne aarohi ki taraf dekha, jahan irritation aur confusion dono saath chal rahe the. 

“Tumne ise bulaya tha?” Aarohi ne dheere se poocha.

Sneha ne innocent expression banaya. “Kisko?”

Aarohi ne uski taraf teekhi nazar se dekha. “Sneha.”

“Achha, Vivaan ko?” Sneha ne hansi rokne ki koshish ki. “Haan.”

“Ky—”

“Because mujhe laga tum dono ko ek saath dekhkar Raghav ko thoda reality check mil jayega.”

“Seriously sneha” Aarohi ne frustrate hokar kaha.

Aarohi ne turant Vivan ki taraf dekha. “Tumhe pata tha Raghav yahan hai?”

“Nahi.”

Sneha ne ek baar Vivaan ki taraf dekha aur phir Aarohi ko aankh maari. Aarohi ne usse aisi nazar se dekha ki Sneha hansi dabate hue apni car mein baith gayi. Kuch hi seconds baad car hotel ke driveway se bahar nikal gayi aur Aarohi aur Vivaan akela khade reh gaye. 

Vivaan ne Aarohi ki taraf dekha. “Gussa ho?”

“Tumhe lagta hai?”

“Thoda.”

“Tumne Raghav ke saamne woh biwi wali line kyun boli?”

“Kaunsi?”

“‘Agar meri biwi itni successful hai toh main kyun kaam karun.’”

Vivaan ne kuch seconds uski taraf dekha. “Galat bola?”

“Tumhe mazaak sujh raha tha?”

“Thoda.” Vivan aarohi ke nazdik aate hue majakiye lahaze me bola.

Aarohi ne aankhen ghumayi aur saamne dekhne lagi. Tabhi driver car lekar aa gaya. Dono chupchaap baith gaye aur nikal gaye. Lekin Raghav abhi bhi loungue me hin baith tha. Uske saamne rakhi coffee thandi ho chuki thi, lekin uska dhyaan us par nahi tha. Uski nazar ab bhi usi glass door par tiki thi jahan se kuch pal pehle Aarohi Vivaan ke saath bahar gayi thi. Uske dimaag mein baar-baar wahi chhoti-chhoti baatein ghoom rahi thi—Vivaan ka bina kisi hesitation ke Aarohi ke paas baithna, uska Raghav ke saamne bilkul comfortable rehna aur sabse zyada woh casual confidence jiske saath usne Aarohi ko apni biwi kaha tha. Raghav ne phone nikala aur contacts mein ek naam dhoondhne laga. Call connect hote hi saamne se Meera ki awaaz aayi.

“Hello?”

Raghav ne bina kisi greeting ke kaha, “Tumne bola tha wo koi kamzor aur normal insan hai”

Doosri taraf kuch seconds ki khamoshi rahi. Meera shayad uski awaaz se hi samajh gayi thi ki baat kiski ho rhi hai. “Kaun?”

“Vivaan.”

Meera ne chair par seedha hote hue poocha, “Kya hua?”

“Kya hua?” Raghav ki hansi mein irritation saaf thi. “Tumne kaha tha simple sa ladka hai. Aarohi ke Dadaji ne shaadi karwa di, normal family background hai, jab chahe dabaya ja sakta hai. Aaj jo maine dekha, uske baad mujhe samajh nahi aa raha ki jo tum bol rahi thi woh sach tha… ya jo maine mehsoos kiya.”

Meera shanti se uski baten sun rhi thi. Uske saamne living room ki centre table par kuch files khuli padi thi aur doosri taraf sofa par Yash laptop band karke uski taraf dekh raha tha. Yash Raghav ki awaaz clearly sun raha tha.

“Raghav, pehle calm down,” Meera ne dheere se kaha. “Pahle ye btao hua kya.”

“Kya hua?” Raghav ne turant kaha. “Jab usne mujhse hath milaya mujhe aisa laga ki wo mera hath hin tod dega.”

Yash ki bhauen halki si uthi. Meera ne uski taraf dekha, phir phone par dhyaan diya.

“Tum usse sirf ek handshake se judge kar rahe ho?.”

“Handshake se nahi. Puri situation se.” Raghav ki awaaz ab pehle se dheemi thi, lekin frustration aur badh gaya tha. “Uske baare mein kuch samajh hi nahi aata. Woh bilkul uncomfortable nahi tha. Main Aarohi ke saath baitha tha, phir bhi uske face par koi insecurity nahi thi. Jaise use kisi se compete karne ki zarurat hi nahi.”

Meera ne dheere se poocha, “Aur Aarohi?”

“Pata nahi… lekin usne use saath baithne se mana bhi nahi kiya.”

Ye sunkar Meera ka expression badla. Meera ne aankhen band karke ek chhoti si saans li. “Tum Aarohi ke matter mein emotional ho rahe ho. Isliye har choti cheez tumhe zyada lag rahi hai.”

“Main emotional? Mai kyun hone laga emotional, mujhe kaun sa use apni biwi bnana hai mujhe to bas….”

“Haan… haan, pata hai mujhe.”

“Agar pta hai to fir dhayan do nhi to loss tumhara hin hoga” Raghav ne gusse me jawab diya.

Meera ne tone thodi soft ki. “Dekho, agar Vivaan mein kuch unusual hai bhi, toh bina jaane conclusion par mat jaana. Aur sabse important baat, Aarohi ko ye mat dikhana ki tum us Vivan ko lekar itna soch rhe ho.”

“Ye sab mujhe mat btao, aur han agar kuch gadbad hue to contract aur investment bhul jana”

Meera ki nazar turant Yash par gayi.

“Main dekhungi.”

“Jaldi karo aur han aarohi ko dekhkar mera mood ban gaya hai to aaj rat mere farmhouse aa jana.”

Meera ne ek nazar yash ko dekha aur fir “hmmm” call cut kar diya

Meera ne phone table par rakha aur kuch seconds tak screen ko dekhti rahi. Yash ne ab tak kuch nahi poocha tha, lekin uske chehre par curiosity chhup nahi rahi thi.

“Vivaan?” usne aakhir pooch hi liya.

Meera ne kuch nahi kaha.

Yash sofa se uthkar table ke paas aa gaya. “Mujhe to lagta hai ye raghav hin bewakoof hai?”

“Raghav ko Aarohi se problem hai,” Meera ne seedha jawab diya. “Vivaan se nahi.”

Yash ne halki si smile ki. “Difference kya hai?”

“Bahut bada.”

Meera ne saamne rakhi file band kar di. “Raghav Aarohi ko pana cahata hai. Isliye usse Vivaan se problem hai. Uski judgement par poora bharosa nahi kiya ja sakta.”

Yash ne kuch pal socha. “Aur tum?”

Meera ne uski taraf dekha. “Matlab?”

“Tumhe kya lagta hai?” yash ne pucha.

Meera ki nazar us par tik gayi.

“Tum bhi wahi soch rahe ho?”

“Main bas possibility dekh raha hoon.”

“Possibility aur suspicion mein difference hota hai, Yash.”

“Pata hai.”

Yash wapas sofa ke paas aaya aur table par rakhi file uthakar bina khole uske cover ko dekhne laga. “Waise bhi mujhe usse koi fark nhi padta.”

Meera ka chehra thoda sakht ho gaya. “Yahi toh problem hai.”

Yash ne file table par rakh di.

Meera ne aage bolna suru kiya. “Agar vivan bhi kuch aur nikla toh Aarohi aur difficult ho jayegi.”

Yash ne dheere se sir hila diya. “Aur agar Vivaan uska support ban gaya toh?”

Room mein kuch pal ke liye khamoshi chha gayi. Bahar driveway mein kisi gaadi ke rukne ki awaaz aayi aur phir dheere-dheere door chali gayi. Meera ne table par rakhi ek file kholi, lekin uski nazar pages par nahi thi.

“Isliye humein pehle samajhna hoga.”

Yash ne uski taraf dekha. “Tumne background check nahi karwaya?”

“Sab clean tha.”

Meera ne uski aankhon mein dekha. “Lekin abhi Vivaan ke baare mein koi assumption mat banana.”

Yash ne sir hila diya, lekin uske chehre se saaf tha ki uske dimage me kuch aur chal rha tha.

Meera ne table par rakhi files dobara khol di. “Aur Raghav ko bhi control mein rakhna padega. Woh Aarohi ke chakkar mein kuch aisa na kar de jo baad mein humare liye problem ban jaye.”

Yash ne sofa par baithte hue kaha, “Raghav ko control karna mushkil hai.”

“Use mai smbhal lungi.” Meera ne bina kisi expression ke jawab diya.

Yash ne laptop dobara khola, lekin screen par kaam shuru karne se pehle ek baar Meera ki taraf dekha aur hans diya. Uski hansi saaf bata rahi thi ki woh Meera ki baaton ka matlab samajh raha tha.

“Ek kaam karta hoon.”

Meera ne bina nazar uthaye poocha, “Kya?”

“Vivaan ke baare mein jo public information hai, woh dekh leta hoon.”

Meera ne turant uski taraf dekha.

“Bas public information.”

Yash ne halka sa smile kiya. “Maine kuch aur kaha bhi nahi.”

Meera ne kuch nahi kaha. Yash ne laptop screen par search window kholi, aur Meera apni file ke pages palatne lagi. Dono apne-apne kaam mein lag gaye, lekin kuch hi der pehle Raghav ke phone par shuru hui baat ab un dono ke dimaag mein ek hi naam chhod chuki thi—Vivaan Shergill.

Raat ke kareeb aath baje Aarohi aur Vivaan ghar pahunch chuke the. Pure safar ke dauran dono me kisi ne koi bat nhi ki thi, lekin Aarohi hotel wale incident se kafi frustrated thi. Wo janti thi Raghav kis trike ka insan tha aur Vivan ke us trike ke behaviour se Aarohi ko dar tha khni Raghav use preshan na kren.

Ghar ke andar aate hin Aarohi ne apna bad aur files sofe par fek di aur gusse se Vivan ki traf dekhne lgi. Vivan aarohi ke cehare dekhkar samajh gaya tha Aarohi abhi tak gusse me hai, lekin wo use aur pareshan karne ke liye uske pass jakar bola

“Kya hua gusse me lag rhi ho?”

“Nhi mai kyun gusse me rahungi, mai to bhut khush hun tumhe nhi lagta” Aarohi ka gussa fat pada. Uske gusse ko dekhkar Vivan ko hashi aa rhi thi.

“Sach me? Mai to bekar me hin dar raha tha” Vivan ne use aur gussa dilate hue bola

Aarohi ek kadam Vivan ke nazdik aate hue bola “Aaj tumne aur Sneha ke saath milkar mujhe pagal karne ki poori koshish ki.”

Vivaan ne bhauen sikodi. “Maine?”

“Tumne aaj jaan-bujhkar uske saamne woh baat ki.”

Vivaan kuch sochne ka natak krte hue bola. “Kaunsi baat?”

“Biwi wali.” Is bar Aarohi aur jayda gusse aur irritation me boli

Vivaan ne halka sa smile karte hue. “Ab kya apni biwi ko biwi bolne ke liye bhi permission lena hoga mujhe ?”

“Bar - Bar biwi bolna band karo.”

“Kyun?”

“Wo batana jaruri nhi smjhati mai.”

“Khni aisa to nhi raghav ko bura na lag gaya ho is bat se naraz ho” Vivaan bilkul serious face bana kar Aarohi ki traf dekhte hue bola. Lekin use ye nhi pata tha ki is bat se Aarohi ka gussa aur bhadak jayega.

“Just shut up Vivan, Mujhe Raghav ya uske kisi bhi bat se koi fark nhi padta.” Aarohi ka chehre gusse se lal ho chuka tha. Who chilla kar Vivan ke bilkul nazdik jakar boli “ Raghav mare ye jiye mujhe usse koi farak nhi padta, smjh aayi tumhe ya smjhaun” Vivan ne jo bat bas aarohi ko chidane ke liye bola tha use nhi pata tha ki aarohi ko us bat se itna gussa aa jayega. Wo hasate hue bola “ Are shant, mai to bas tumhe chidane ke liye….” Aarohi uske bat ko bich me hin katate hue boli “ Agli bar se aisa majak karne ki koshis bhi mat krna”

“Achha baba sorry aage se yad rakhunga” Vivan se aarohi ko shant krate hue bola. “Waise,” Vivaan ne thoda piche hatate hue pucha, “Raghav tumhe kitne saal se jaanta hai?”

Aarohi ne uski taraf dekha. “Kaafi saalon se.”

“Achha.” 

“Bas?”

“Haan.”

“Tumne poocha kyun?”

“Bas.”

Aarohi ne aankhen sikodi. “Tum jealous the?”

“Jealous aur us chuze se, hahaha..” Vivan haste hue bola lekin Aarohi use ektak dekh rhi thi, pta nhi kya but uske dimag me kuch to chal raha tha. Vivaan aarohi ke thoda aur nazdik aate hue sharati tone me bola. “Tum chahti ho main jealous hoon?”

Aarohi ek pal ke liye chup ho gayi. “Maine aisa kab kaha?”

“Mujhe to aisa hin laga” aur vivan bolte bolte aarohi ke bilkul nazdik phunch chuka tha, Aarohi ne aapne ek kadam piche liya lekinr Vivan aur nazdik aata rha. “Vivannn..” Vivan ne uski baton ko ignore krte hue aarohi ke har puche hote kadam ko match karta rha jab tak ki aarohi ki pith diwar se na lag gyi, Vivan ab aarohi ke bilkul pass khada aur Aarohi ke pass piche jane ka ab koi jagah nhi bacha tha.

“Vivan…piche hato, Mujhe apne room me jana hai.”

“Pahale sach btao fir” 

“Vivan… main thak gayi hoon.” Drawing room ke halki roshni mein Aarohi ka chehra chamak rha thai. Aarohi ne apne haath aage karke, Vivan ke seene pe rakh ke rokne ki koshish ki. Lekin Vivan rukane ke bajaya aur aage jhuk gaya uske honth bilkyl aaarohi ke kan ke pass the uske gaal aarohi ke gaal se touch rhe the aur uski sanse aarohi ke garden par gir rhi thi. Usne Bilkul halke awaz me Aarohi ke kan me bola

“Pahle sach btao kya tumhe sach me koi fark nhi padta ki jelous hun ya nhi” Aarohi ki sanse bhi ab upper niche ho rhi thi, Uske muthi Vivan ke shirt me band gyi “Vivan…Please.” lekin Vivan se uski baton ko ignore krte hue aapne gaal Aarohi ke gaal se halka sa rub karna suru kar diya. Uske lips halke se aarohi ke kan ko chuh rahe the. 

Aarohi ka sharir kamp raha tha uski sanse bilkul tez ho gyi thi uske sansh ke sath hin uske dono chuchiya bhi upper niche ho rhi thi. Aarohi aapne aap ko control karne ke nakam koshish kar rhi thi lekin Vivan ke garam sanse use aur controll khone par majbur kar rhe the. Aarohi ne aankhein band kar li. Apne nichle hoth ko apne dant se daba kar aapne aap controll karne ki nakam koshish kar rhi thi. Uski is harkat se Vivan ka control bhi kho raha tha. Viavan ki nazar uske dono upper niche hote chuchiyon par tham gayi, Uska man kar raha tha jaise abhi wo aarohi ke saare aur blouse fad kar uske dono chuchiyon ko pakad le. Vivan ne uske haath ko apne seene se hataaya deewar pe uske doosre side pe tika diya. Vivan ne apna ek hath uske kamar me lapet kar aarohi ko aapni pass khinch liya.

Aarohi ki dono chuchiyan ab Vivan ke majbut cine me dhash gyi. “Vivan…” Aarohi ki muh isse jayada koi awaj nhi nikal payi Aarohi ki awaz kaamp rahi thi. “Bolo,” usne bilkul apne hoth uske hothon ke paas lakar bola. “Main hat jaun…?”

Aarohi kuch nahi boli. Sirf uski saans uske hothon pe pad rahi thi. Tez. Garam. Vivan ka ek hath uske kamar par tha aur dusra usne uske gal par rkha aur use sahalne laga. Aarohi ka sar aapne aap pich ki traf jhuk gaya. Vivan apna cehara aarohi garden ke pass lakar apne honth uske lambi, surahi garden par rakh diya. Aarohi ka dimag bilkul khali ho chuka tha, Aarohi ne apne dono hath ko vivan ke garden me lapet liya aur bilkul vivan se chipak gyi. Pahli bar tha ki koi aadami uske itne pass tha, aur pahli bar Aarohi ko aapne aap par se controll kho rahi thi. Uske hoth ab kaampe rahe the. Aur niche uski chut puri traf se gilli ho chuki thi. 

Tabhi Vivaan ka phone par ek massage aaya, uski awaz se Vivan aur Aarohi ek dam se hosh me aa gaye. Vivan ne Aarohi ko chod diya aur piche hat gaya, Aarohi abhi bhi wohni kadi lambi lambi sanse le rahi thi, Use abhi bhi smjh nhi aa rha tha jo kuch abhi uske sath hua tha. 

Vivan ne side table se phone uthaya. Screen par aaya message padhte hi uske chehre ka expression badal gaya. Abhi kuch seconds pehle jo expression uski aankhon mein tha, woh achanak gayab ho gaya. Uski nazar screen par kuch pal ruki, phir usne message open kiya aur bina koi reaction dikhaye phone lock kar diya. Vivaan ne phone pocket mein rakha aur Aarohi ki traf dekhte hue jo abhi bhi wohin khadi thi aur Vivan ko ektak dekh rhi thi “Mujhe kuch kam hai mujhe aane me late ho jayega, wait mt krna” kahakr wo gate ki traf badh gaya. Aarohi bas use dekh rhi thi bola kuch nhi tha usne. 

Vivaan car ke paas pahucha. lekin baithne se pehle phone dobara nikala. Screen par wahi message tha. Usne ek baar message padha, phone lock kiya aur car start kar di. Ghar ki lights uske peeche dheere-dheere door hoti gayin.

Wohin Mumbai ke doosre kone mein ek call recive hua, Phone karne wala ka name Farid Qureshi tha Underworld ka jana mana name jo bade bade business man ko illegal maal supply krta tha. Wohin phone recieve karne wala koi aur nhi balki singhania group ka owner aur chairman Devansh singhania tha.“Bolo, Farid.”

“Shipment nikal chuka hai,” Farid ne seedhe mudde par aate hue kaha. “Route clear hai. Agar sab plan ke hisaab se raha toh aaj raat final point tak pahunch jayega.”

Devansh ne apni chair par halka sa peeche hote hue saamne baithe executives par ek nazar dali. “Koi problem aur timing?”

“Abhi tak nahimovement mein koi blockage nahi hai.Teen baje tak warehouse mein hona chahiye. Mere log already wahan hain.” fir thodi shanti ke bad Farid ne fir bolna suru kiya “Lekin route thoda sensitive hai. Agar kuch unusual dikha toh main khud handle karunga.”

“Koi problem nhi honi chahiye. Mujhe clean delivery chahiye.” Devansh ne ek kafi shakht lafzon me bola. Uski bat par Farid thoda sa hansa “Kabhi gandagi nahi ki na maine tumhare kaam mein.” Devansh ne table par rakhi file ko ungli se band kar diya. “Confirmation milte hi mujhe khud call karna.”

“Karunga.”

“Farid.”

“Haan?”

“Beech mein kisi ko involve mat hone dena.”

Farid ki awaaz thodi neeche ho gayi. “Samajh gaya.”

Devansh ne call disconnect kar diya.

Usne phone table par rakha aur saamne baithe logon ki taraf dekha. Conference room mein pichhle kuch seconds se ruki hui conversation ab dobara shuru hone ka intezar kar rahi thi.

“Continue.”

CFO ne screen par agla slide khola. “Sir, western corridor acquisition ke liye teen options hain. Pehla option fastest hai, lekin usme land premium kaafi high hai. Doosra comparatively cheaper hai, lekin clearances mein time lagega. Third option—”

“Third.”

CFO ne ek pal ke liye presentation rok di. “Sir, third option mein initial investment kam hai, lekin—”

“Lekin?”

“Local political support weak hai.”

Devansh ne seedha uski taraf dekhte hue puchha. “Political support weak hai ya humne liya nahi?”

Room mein halki si khamoshi chha gayi.

CFO ne sambhalte hue kaha, “Abhi tak approach nahi ki gayi.” 

“Phir weakness kis baat ki hai?”

Kisi ke paas turant jawab nahi tha. Devansh ne chair se seedha hote hue kaha, “Legal route check karo. Government route check karo. Local stakeholders check karo. Jo genuinely impossible ho, woh mere saamne rakho. Jo sirf difficult ho, uska solution dhoondo.”

“Ji, sir.”

Table ke doosri taraf baithe Legal Head Anil Desai ne apni file kholi. “Sir, ek aur matter hai. Bajaj Holdings ne western logistics tender mein revised bid submit ki hai.”

Devansh ne turant uski taraf dekha. “Expected.”

“Unhone pricing kafi low rakhi hai.”

“Unhe rakhne do.”

“Sir?”

“Unlogo ko aisa dikhao ki hum unse piche hain.”

Anil chup raha.

Devansh ne file ke pages palte. “Kabhi-kabhi saamne wale ko lagne dena chahiye ki woh jeet raha hai.”

Room mein baithe kuch executives ne ek-doosre ki taraf dekha, lekin kisi ne kuch nahi kaha.

Meeting aage badhi toh discussion expansion se manpower, manpower se compliance aur compliance se international procurement tak pahunch gaya. Devansh har issue par zyada bolne ke bajay sirf utna hi kehta jitna decision ke liye zaroori tha. Kisi executive ki baat pasand na aaye toh woh awaaz unchi nahi karta; bas do-teen precise questions poochta aur saamne wale ki poori preparation khud saamne aa jaati.

Lagbhag bees minute baad meeting khatam hone lagi. Executives apni files close karne lage, tabhi Devansh ne kaha, “Sab log ja sakte hain. Anil, tum rukna.”

Baaki log room se bahar nikal gaye.

Door band hote hi Anil ne poocha, “Kuch specific, sir?”

Devansh ne saamne rakhi Bajaj Holdings wali file uski taraf saraka di. “Is bid ko dobara dekho.”

“Pricing?”

“Pricing se zyada timing.”

Anil ne file uthayi. “Aapko lagta hai ye sirf tender ke liye hai?”

Devansh ne khidki ke bahar Mumbai ki lights ki taraf dekha. “Mujhe lagta nahi. Mujhe dekhna hai.”

“Kal subah mujhe poora picture chahiye.”

“Understood, sir.” Anil ke bahar jaate hi conference room phir khaali ho gaya. Devansh glass wall ke paas gaya aur neeche city ko dekhne laga. Uske dimaag mein ab acquisition ke numbers nahi, balki aaj raat ki shipment ghoom rahi thi. Farid kabhi fail nahi hua tha. Aur Devansh ko yahi pasand tha.

Rat ke 2 baj rahe the, Devansh ko abhi bhi Farid ke traf se koi information nhi aayi thi, ab uske liye aur wait karna mushkil ho raha tha Devansh ne phone table par rakha aur kuch seconds tak screen ko dekhta raha. Farid ko call kiye hue bees minute ho chuke the. Usne dobara number milaya.

Ring gayi. Ek. Do. Teen. Call cut. Devansh ki ungli screen par thami reh gayi.

Usse kai kilometre door, shehar ke bahar ek purane warehouse ke peeche andhera chhaya hua tha. Farid Qureshi truck ke side mein khada tha. Black shirt, sleeves roll up, haath mein radio. Uske aas-paas aath-das aadmi the—kuch containers check kar rahe the, to kuch hathiyar check kar rhe the. Sabhi logo ke hathon me advance hathiyar the. Unhe dekhkaar hin koi bhi ye samajh sakta tha ki ye log koi normal log nhi hai. 

“Last container lock ho gaya?” Farid ne poocha.

Ek aadmi ne sir hilaya.

“Ho gaya. Ab nikal sakte hain.”

Farid ne wristwatch dekha. Raat ke do bajne wale the.

“Nikalte hain. Koi drama nahi. Seedha warehouse.” Truck ke andar jo maal tha, uski asli value sirf do log jaante the—Farid aur Devansh. Farid apni black SUV mein baith gaya aur convoy ke beech mein position le li. Abhi unki gadiyan kuch dur hin gayi thi tabhi uske aadmiyon ne use bola “Boss… peeche se ek gaadi bhut tezi se hume overtake ki koshish kar raha hai.” Farid ne side mirror me piche dekha aur piche wali gadi se puch. “Kitne gadi hai?”

“Sirf ek gadi boss” 

“Speed badhao.”

Lekin woh gaadi bhut tez thi. Itni tez ki kuch seconds mein woh convoy ke aage aa gayi. Phir usne headlights band kar diye. Aur phir ek slid karte hue wo gadi ne road block kar diya. Farid aur uske log kuch samjh pate usse pahle hin usse char log kale kapade aur chehre par mask lagaya huye nikale sabhi ke hathon me advance hathiyar chamak rhe the. Aur bina ek second ka wait kiye phli SUV par tabadtod goliyan barsani suru kar diya. 

Farid ke logon ne return fire shuru kiya. Lekin tab tak farid ke char log already mare jaa chuke the. Farid ne door kick karke khola aur road par girte hue roll kiya. Uske peeche baitha aadmi bahar nikalne ki koshish kar raha tha, lekin ek goli sidha uske sine me aakar lagi aur wo wohin dher ho gaya. 

Farid ne road ke divider ke peeche slide karte hue pistol nikali.

“Fire karo!” Peeche wali SUV ke teen aadmi utar chuke the. Unhone cover lete hi saamne firing shuru kar di. Pure highway par firing aur chikhane ke awaz gunj rahi thi. “Truck ko nikalo!” Farid chillaaya.

“Sir, saamne block hai!”

“Peeche se nikalo!” tabhi Ek grenade road par bounce hota hua unke paas aaya.

Farid ki nazar us par padi.

“DOWN!”  lekin kafi der chuki thi.

“BOOM” iske sath hin us adami ke sharir ke chitade ho gaye the. Farid ka jism blast ki bajah se divider ke saath takara gaya. Kuch seconds tak uske ankhon ke samane andhera chah gaya. “Saamne kitne hain?”

“Kuch dikh nahi raha!”

“Firing band mat karna!”

Ek guard aage badhkar us SUV tak pahuncha hin tha ki piche se kisi ne uski garden par chaku se ek war kiya aur wo wohin dher ho gaya. Agle hin pal ek aur dhamaka hua dhamaka itna tez tha ki zameen hil si gayi farid ke kai log log us dhamake ki chapet me aa agye aur unke sharir ke tukde hawa mein udne lage..

 Farid samajh gaya tha. Yeh koi ordinary attacker nahi thi. Usne jor se chillaya, uski awaaz mein pehli baar dar aur ghabrahat tha. “Jo bacha hai nikal lo! Abhi!”. Lekin tabhi un charon me se ek aadami jo shayad us attack ko lead kar raha tha, usne chehare par ek killer smile thi “Mai bhi dekhta hun kaise bhagate ho” usne bolte hin apne ek hath me pistol aur dusre hath ek dhardhar chaku nikala aur farid ke logo par hamla bol diya, Hamla itna khatranak aur brutal tha ki farid ka koi bhi adami uske samne tik nhi paa rha tha. Dekte hin dekhte uske adami zamin par girane lage. Wo aadami farid ke logo ko kisi gazar ,. ki traf kaat raha tha aur kuch hin minutes me wohna Farid ke logon ki lash thi. 


Farid ab samjh chuka tha wo inlogo se nhi lad sakta hai, wo ab bhagna hin sahi smjha. Uske peeche goliyon aur marti hui chikhon ki awaazein aa rahi thin, lekin woh ruka nahi. Woh jaanata tha ki rukna ab seedha maut thi. Wo daud kar aapne gadi me baitha aur gadi start kar di. Ab use na truck ki fikar thi, na apne logon ki. Use bas yahan se zinda nikalna tha. 

Uske jaate hi woh charo aadmi truck ke paas pahunche. Unhone uske charon taraf explosives set kiye aur truck ko uda diya. Aag ki badi lapat uthhi. Ab wahan sirf Farid ke logon ki lashen aur truck ke jale hue tukde bache the. 

“Boss, kaam khatam.” tabhi ek adami uske pass aakar bola

Jo aadmi lead kar raha tha, usne sirf ek baar nazar daali.

“Hmm.”

Woh aadmi ne halki si saans chhodi aur SUV ki taraf badhne laga. Peeche se teesra member haste hue bola, “Boss, waise ghar ka time ho gaya. Madam ko wait karwana safe nahi hai.”

Woh aadmi chalte-chalte ruk gaya.

Dheere se mudkar uski taraf dekha.

“Tum log operation ke baad bhi bakwaas karna band nahi karte?”

Teenon ke chehre par hansi aa gayi.

“Sir, field mein toh aap sabko chup kara dete ho. Ghar mein Madam ka kya scene hai, woh toh humein bhi kabhi dekhna hai.”

Usne ek thandi nazar us par daali.

Tabhi ek ne phir smile karte hue bola “Sir, Hume lagata hai ab aapko bhi controll krne wala koi hai”. 

“Kaun?”

Woh aadmi bilkul serious face banakar bola, “Madam.” Phir peeche khade dono log hans pade.

Usne aankhen sikod kar sabko dekha.

“Bahut confidence aa gaya hai tum logon mein.”

“Sir, hum toh bas sachai bata rahe hain.”

Woh SUV mein baithte hue bola, “Kal se extra duty.”

Sab ki hansi turant band ho gayi.

“Sir, mazaak tha.” Sab ne rone jaisi chehera bana kar ek sath bola.

“Mai bhi mazak hin kar raha tha, waise ye sab clean karke jaldi nikal jana, kisi ko kuch pta nhi chalan chahiye ki ye sab kisne kiya hai.” Usne door band karte hue bola aur wohna se nikal gaya. Bahar khade teenon ne ek doosre ki taraf dekha. Ek ne dheere se kaha, “Bach gaye.”

Kuch hi der mein highway clean kar diya gaya. Aise jaise wahan kuch hua hi na ho.

Lekin in sab ki har harkat par koi aur tha—andhere mein chipa hua, jo sab kuch dekh raha tha.

Agli subah yeh news aag ki tarah pure shehar mein fail gayi. Har news channel, har discussion, har zubaan pe bas yahi khabar thi.

Subah ki pehli kiran ke saath Aarohi ki aankh khuli. Uske dimaag mein abhi bhi pichli raat wala scene kisi live recording ki tarah chal raha tha—Vivaan ke haath, uski saansein, uski gardan par uske hoth.Use samjh nhi aa raha tha kaise uska control itni jaldi Vivan ke samane tut gaya tha. 

Woh fresh hokar neeche aayi toh uski nazar turant sofa par padi. Vivaan wahan aaram se so raha tha. Aarohi wohin khadi hokar ek tak use dekh rhi thi, Pichli raat ke har second uske dimaag mein phir se ghumne lage. Uske shareer fir se react karna suru kar diya, uski chut phir se geeli hon lagi, saansein tezz ho gayi. Ek second ke liye woh wahi khadi rahi, usse dekhte rahi.

Phir usne zor se apni nazar hataayi, apne aap ko control kiya, aur seedha kitchen ki taraf chali gayi.