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Chapter ~~ 2 " The Illusion "
Update ~~ 21
" ye is bhootiya hostel mein kya kar rahi hai? "
" abhi vo yahan kar rahi hai use jada jaruri hai ki ise hosh mein laya jaye.. pani.. kaun laya tha apne sath "
" mere pas hai.. ye lo " usne bottle aage pakdai. Bottle khol kar fauran kuch pani hateli mein liya aur chehre par chidakne laga.
" yar ye to uth hi nahi rahi hai.. mujhe dar lag raha hai.. yahan khade rehna bhi ek ek pal... " usne torch ko piche ki taraf ghumaya aur deewar par jami hui kai aur sadan ko dekhne laga. Dar ke mare uska halak sukh raha tha.
" to kya hum ise yahin chhod kar chale jaye? " jab pani se bhi nahi kuch hua to vo niche baithi aur usne sar utha kar gaal thap-thapana shuru kar diya. " aaruhi... uth... aaruhi... " do teen baar aisa karne par uski ankhein halki-halki khulne lagi aur dhire-dhire uski ankhein khul gayi par chehre ke uppar direct padh rahi torch ki roshni mein uski ankhein chaundiya gayi.
" vishal torch to hata "
" oo sorry.. " vishal ne torch ko side kar diya. Roshni hatte hi usne apna chehra hath ke piche se aage kiya aur pehle uski taraf dekha jo uske sath baithi thi aur fir samne.
" aaurhi... tu theek hai... " awaz par usne koi pratikriya nahi ki. Vo bas yahi soch aur samajhne ki kosish kar rahi thi ki vo kahan hai aur kya ho raha hai. " aaruhi... " usne fir awaz di uske sath is baar vishal bhi bola.
" aaurhi.. are you ok? aaruhi.. "
" bol bhi de yaar aaruhi... varna ye dono mujhe bhi yahin khada rakhenge " vishal ke sath khade ladke ne jab kahi to usi pal ek kida uske per par chadh gaya aur vo chilla utha jiske chillate sath hi uski torch gir kar band ho gayi. " bhoot... bhoot.... bhoot.... bhoot.... " vishal use samjhane laga. Use rokne ki kosish karne laga aur akhir vo kamyab bhi ho gaya.
" kuch nahi hai.. koi bhoot nahi hai gaggan.. tu kyun dara raha hai sabko "
" bhoot? main .. kahan hun... " aaurhi fauran bechaini se bolte hue uth baithi.
" aaruhi.. tu.. is waqt girls hostel mein hai.. "
" girls hostel... to? kahin aur hona chahie tha mujhe.. " aaruhi ne hairani bhari nazron se teeno ko dekha aur tabhi uski nazar ludki hui torch par gayi jo dono ladkon ke tangon ke pass padi thi.
" aaurhi.. " vishal ne awaz di to usne ungli se ishara kiya, ishare ki taraf jab teeno ne nazar dali to vo torch wahan se khud ba khud fisalti hui kamre se bahar jane lagi aur kamre ki dehaliz par jaa ruki. Koi kuch kehta use pehle vo torch jal uthi.
" bhoooottttttttttt..... " gaggan sabse pehle chillaya aur akele hi kamre se bahar bhaga.
" gaggan... gaggan... " shruti ke sath vishal bhi chillaya.
" ma..in usko dekhta hun.. tu aaruhi ko lekar jaldi aa... " panic mein vishal ne kaha aur vo nikla. Shruti ne hami bharte hue aaruhi ko khada kiya jo beusdh thi. Uski taraf se koi bhi pratikriya nahi ho rahi thi. Shruti gagan ko awaz lagate hue aaruhi ko pakdte hue bahar nikli jisme usne pehle us jalti hui torch ko laat mari aur use corridor ke dusre chor ke andhere mein bhej diya wahan pahunchte hi vo torch fir bhuj gayi ye dekh shruti ke andar bhi dar ka ehsas ubhar pada. Use khud ab yahan se jaldi nikalna tha, usne aaruhi ki baju pakdi aur dono chal diye.
" ohh god... ye gaggan .. aaruhi to theek hai.. " shruti ke jawab par aaurhi fir kuch nahi boli. " vishal... " shruti ne awaz di to pure hostel mein uski awaz gunj uthi. Peron se chalte hue vo awaz shruti ko chubh rahi thi. Bar-bar use lag raha tha ki uske piche koi hai, bhale hi vo nidar thi aur ban rahi thi lekin ab uske man mein bhi dar tha.
" shruti niche... gaggan mere sath hai... " vishal ne awaz di to shruti ne chain ki sans li. Shruti aram-aram se hi sahi bich bich mein kabhi aaruhi ko kuch kehti ya vishal se baat kar leti. Aisa karte hue vo akhirkar niche aa hi gayi.
" kya hua tum dono pareshan kyun ho? " niche pahunchte hi shruti ne vishal ki thakawat aur gaggan ke dar ko dekhte hue pucha.
" gate nahi khul raha isliye pareshan hai hum " gaggan ne darwaje ko khinchte hue kaha. " ab hum bahar kaise jayenge... kholo koi hai help.. " gaggan chillaya.
" tu shant ho ja.. shanti se sochne de.. " shruti fauran boli.
" shanti.. kya shanti.. kya shanti se sochun... mana kiya tha mene tum dono ko ki idhar nahi atte.. nahi atte par tum dono ne nahi suni... bola tha na ki ye bhootiya hostel hai yahan par ana mana hai.. ab lo bhugto.... mere baap ko agar pata chala ki main padai ki jagah aise bhootiya ilake mein engineering karte hue mara gaya to vo meri atma ko pakad kar gand todenege... chhodega nahi vo... atmaon ka jallad hai vo.. jallad... " fulti sanson se gaggan ne apni baat khatam ki aur fir puri takat se darwaje ko khinch kar kholne ki kosish karne laga.
" tu thak gaya hai.. mujhe kosish karne de " vishal ne gaggan se kaha to usne darwaja chhod diya lekin apne dil ki baat kehne se piche nahi hatta.
" han khol le... agar khul jaye to.. ye khulega nahi... ye sirf apni mazri se khulta hai.. aur tab khula tha jab hume andar ane diya tha.. ab nahi khulega ye.. mene kaha tha yahan nahi ana " usne fir wahi baat dauhrate hue baat puri ki.
" to aaruhi kaise milti hume? tujhe pata hai na ki.. " shruti bolte hue chup ho gayi. Koi baat vo aaruhi ke samne nahi kehna chahti thi jo bilkul shant khadi thi aur ek hi taraf dekh rahi thi. " ek hi baat dubara mat bol.. tu nahi ata kyun aya fir tu? bahaduri tujhe bhi to dikhani thi.. Manpreet ko.. tabhi aya hai na tu.. "
" manpreet ko bich mein mat le.. shur.... " gaggan bhadakne ki kosish karte hue bola.
" tu chup rahega gaggu.. chup reh.. purana darwaja hai.. fans gaya hoga.. khul jayega.. ruk... main kosish kar raha hun na... " vishal ne fir puri takat lagai lekin nahi khula. Hostel ke andhkar mein sirf ek matr torch ki roshne ke bich in teeno ki awaz pure hostel mein gunj rahi thi. Itni khamoshi thi is jagah ki har harkat ki awaz us jagah mein basti hui mehsus ho sakti thi.
" darwaja purana nahi hai.. hamari zindagi purani hone wali hai... ye darwaja nahi khulega vishal... hum fans gaye hain is hostel mein.. jo bhi jata hai kabhi vapis nahi ata.. tujhe to.. " gaggan bolte hue chup hua, vishal darwaja khinchne se ruka aur shruti jo gaggan ko kuch kehne ke liye muh kholne wali thi vo ruki. Teeno ek hi waqt par jis andaz mein the waise hi khade ho gaye aur jo awaz unhone abhi suni thi use sunne ki kosish karne lage. 'thakk-thakkk' thokar jaisi awaz teeno ko sunai di. Awaz ke ane par gaggan ne uski taraf dekha, ab roshni ka jariya vo torch vishal ne uske hath mein thamai thi to usne hi us taraf roshni dali theek shruti aur aaruhi ke piche. Vishal ne bhi usi taraf dekha aur shruti bhi ghum kar usi taraf dekhne lagi. Roshni sidiyun par thi.. kuch nahi tha wahan.. na hi ab vo awaz thi.. Sabhi ko laga ki vo sirf ek gaaltfemi thi jo is jagah ke vajah se hui lekin jaise hi gagga ne torch wahan se hatane ki sochi usi waqt nazar wahin ruk gayi.
Torch fisalti hui sidiyun tak ayi aur fir 'thakk-thakk' ek-ek paidi girti hui niche ane lagi " bhooottttttttttttttt....aaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh... " gaggan ke hath se torch chhut gayi aur vo fir gir kar band ho gayi. Uske band hote hi andhere puri tarah se felh gaya aur is baar dar ke mare shruti bhi chilla uthi. Vishal ka bhi dum nikla aur usne gate ko puri takat se khincha jiske sath hi vo gate khul gaya. Gate khulta dekh gaggan sabse pehle bhaga aur shruti aaruhi ko lekar, vishal ne dono ko bahar kiya aur khud bahar akar hostel ka darwaja yun hi lehrata hua chhod nikal gaya. Kisi ne bhi palat kar nahi dekha aur vo darwaja apne aap dhire-dhire band hota chala gaya.
" bhago... bhago... bhoot pada hai hamare piche.. bhoot... haye.. main marunga... bhoot maar dega ... manpreet main teri bina liye mar jaunga... " gaggan hanfta hua bhag raha tha.
" gaggu ruk.. jaa... koi bhoot nahi hai.. hum bahar nikal chuke hai... " vishal piche se chillaya par gaggan tab tak nahi ruka jab tak vo bhagte hue ek darwaje ke aage nahi jaa ruka.
" ohh shit... vishal.. ye gaggan kya kar raha hai.... isne miss. nandini ke apartment ke samne jakar ruka hai... agar unhe pata chal gaya to gaye sab ke sab.. "
" ab rokne ka koi fayda nahi ... vo dekh.. " vishal ne shruti ko samne ki taraf dekhne ko kaha to gaggan ne jo dhol peeta tha uska shor miss nandini ke kano tak pahunch chuka tha. Miss nandni ko gaggan ek side karke khud andar ghus gaya aur vo vishal, shruti aur aaruhi ko apni taraf ata hua dekhne lagi.
" tum charon is waqt itne tuffan mein kya kar rahe ho.. " sabhi ko towel dete hue miss nandini ne kaha. Gaggan ke bade gungrale gol chatte jaise baal bhigne ki wajah se uski ankhon mein ghus rahe the. Usne baal pochne shuru kiye aur kapkapi mein bhagwan ko yaad karne laga.
" vo actually miss... " vishal ko samajh nahi aya ki kya bole.
" tum log kahin chup kar koi party to nahi kar rahe the? Drugs? "
" nahi nahi miss.. vo hum ye sab nahi kar rahe the.. vo to hum bas yun hi bahar gaye the... " shruti aaurhi ka sar pochne mein lagi hui thi.
" sach bolo.. varna tumhare parents ko bataun "
" aaruhi girls hostel mein chali gayi thi isliye... " gaggan ne turant bol diya. Uske chehre par baap ka kauf ter raha tha.
" girls hostel? " nandini ko samajh nahi aya ki girls hostel mein aaruhi ne jakar kya galti ki " kya tum dono ladke wahan pakde gaye ho? " nandini ne fir vishal aur gaggan ki taraf dekha.
" main... nahi nahi.. " gaggan ko apne uppar ilzam mehsus hota dekh vo bol pada. " miss aaurhi apne girls hostel mein nahi balki vo walle girls hostel mein gayi thi... " ajeeb se ishare karte hue vo bola.
" wo walle.. " nandini ne naak sikodi use gaggan ke expression kuch theek nahi lag rahe the. Nandini soch mein dubi par agle hi pal use jawab mil gaya.. " aaurhi girls hostel mein gayi thi? " ab nandini ke chehre par ghabrahat hadh se jada thi. Koi kuch kehta use pehle aaurhi ko zor-zor se hichkiya ane lagi.
" aaruhi.. are you ok ? " shruti ne uska chehra upar uthane ki kosish ki lekin vo hichkiya lete hue baithe-baithe niche farsh par gir kar behosh ho gayi. Sabhi ghabra gaye vishal aur nandini uske kareeb aye aur use uthane ki kosish karne lagi.
" ohh shit..t..... isme us girls hostel ka bhoot aa gaya hai .... ab ye nahi bachegi... ab vo hume bhi nahi chhodegi... "
" gaggan please shut up.. " shruti fauran boli. Jiske baad vishal ki madad se shruti ne aaruhi ko uthaya aur andar kamre mein le gaye. Vishal bahar nikal aya aur andar shruti aur nandini ne aaurhi ke gile kapde utar kar use dusre kapde pehna diye aur thodi der baad bahar aa gaye. Ek pal shanti chai rahi, jo nandini ne suna tha vo use abhi bhi yakeen nahi ho raha tha.
" don't tell me ki tum koi kahani bana rahe ho varna ye tum sab par bahut bhari padega " nandini ke jawab mein gaggan kuch bolna chahta tha lekin shruti ne use rok diya.
" nahi miss.. hum koi kahani nahi bana rahe hain... balki jo gaggan ne kaha vo sach tha.. aaruhi ko abhi hum usi girls hostel se lekar aye hain jo pichle 8 salon se band hai.. jahan koi nahi jata.. jiske bare mein campus ke andar kaha jata hai ki wo girls hostel ek bhootiya ghar hai.. jiske bare mein hostel ke pas tarah tarah ki kahaniyan hai.. aaruhi hume usi girls hostel mein mili hai.. "
" ohh god.. par aaurhi wahan pahunchi kaise? pahunchi chhodo vo wahan gayi hi kyun? "
" hume bhi nahi pata miss.. ye jawab to bas aaruhi hi de sakti hai.. " vishal ne nandini ke sawal ka jawab dete hue kaha.
" par tumhe kaise malum hua ki aaruhi wahan hai " nandini ne kuch sochne ke baad sawal kiya.
" shruti ne humse kaha ki aaruhi girls hostel ki taraf gayi hai.. bas usi se.. " jawab fir vishal ne diya.
" aur tum logon ko vo girls hostel mein mili "
" room ke andar miss... " gaggan bola " vo jagah bahut bhayanak hai... .bahut jada miss... andhere mein har pal aisa lag raha tha koi mujhe dekh raha hai.. chuu raha hai... vo khauf .... " gaggan ki kap-kapi abhi bhi chhut rahi thi.
" shruti " nandini ne uski taraf nazar modi " tum aaruhi ki room partner ho na? "
" ji.. mis.. ss.. "
" tumne jab aaruhi ko jatte hue dekha to use roka kyun nahi? aur apne doston ko batane hi kyun ayi? " nandini ke sawal par shruti kuch nahi boli. Visha aur gaggan ki nazar bhi usi par thi.
" kosish ki thi.. miss... "
" nahi.. mujhe tumhari is baat mein sach nazar nahi aa raha hai. Itni raat ko tumne aaruhi ko girls hostel jatte hue dekha lekin tumne use roka nahi.. tumne apne doston ko bataya aur unhe lekar gayi.. aisa kyun? tum jakar use rokti samjhati to vo nahi jati.. aur bhala wahan kyun koi jayega... college ne sabhi ko inform kar rakha hai ki wahan jana mana hai.. to fir.. "
" college ne un bachon ko mana kiya hai miss jo yahan aye hain.... unhe to mana nahi kiya na jo yahan ab nahi hai.. " shruti ne nandini ko bich mein rokte hue kaha.
" matlab? "
" vo aaruhi nahi thi miss.. aur vo pehli baar nahi tha jab aaurhi girls hostel mein gayi thi... vo pichle kai dino se wahan jaa rahi hai aur har raat ko wahin soti aa rahi hai.. " shruti ki baat sunte hi sabhi ke chehron ka rang ud gaya.
Update ~~ 21
" ye is bhootiya hostel mein kya kar rahi hai? "
" abhi vo yahan kar rahi hai use jada jaruri hai ki ise hosh mein laya jaye.. pani.. kaun laya tha apne sath "
" mere pas hai.. ye lo " usne bottle aage pakdai. Bottle khol kar fauran kuch pani hateli mein liya aur chehre par chidakne laga.
" yar ye to uth hi nahi rahi hai.. mujhe dar lag raha hai.. yahan khade rehna bhi ek ek pal... " usne torch ko piche ki taraf ghumaya aur deewar par jami hui kai aur sadan ko dekhne laga. Dar ke mare uska halak sukh raha tha.
" to kya hum ise yahin chhod kar chale jaye? " jab pani se bhi nahi kuch hua to vo niche baithi aur usne sar utha kar gaal thap-thapana shuru kar diya. " aaruhi... uth... aaruhi... " do teen baar aisa karne par uski ankhein halki-halki khulne lagi aur dhire-dhire uski ankhein khul gayi par chehre ke uppar direct padh rahi torch ki roshni mein uski ankhein chaundiya gayi.
" vishal torch to hata "
" oo sorry.. " vishal ne torch ko side kar diya. Roshni hatte hi usne apna chehra hath ke piche se aage kiya aur pehle uski taraf dekha jo uske sath baithi thi aur fir samne.
" aaurhi... tu theek hai... " awaz par usne koi pratikriya nahi ki. Vo bas yahi soch aur samajhne ki kosish kar rahi thi ki vo kahan hai aur kya ho raha hai. " aaruhi... " usne fir awaz di uske sath is baar vishal bhi bola.
" aaurhi.. are you ok? aaruhi.. "
" bol bhi de yaar aaruhi... varna ye dono mujhe bhi yahin khada rakhenge " vishal ke sath khade ladke ne jab kahi to usi pal ek kida uske per par chadh gaya aur vo chilla utha jiske chillate sath hi uski torch gir kar band ho gayi. " bhoot... bhoot.... bhoot.... bhoot.... " vishal use samjhane laga. Use rokne ki kosish karne laga aur akhir vo kamyab bhi ho gaya.
" kuch nahi hai.. koi bhoot nahi hai gaggan.. tu kyun dara raha hai sabko "
" bhoot? main .. kahan hun... " aaurhi fauran bechaini se bolte hue uth baithi.
" aaruhi.. tu.. is waqt girls hostel mein hai.. "
" girls hostel... to? kahin aur hona chahie tha mujhe.. " aaruhi ne hairani bhari nazron se teeno ko dekha aur tabhi uski nazar ludki hui torch par gayi jo dono ladkon ke tangon ke pass padi thi.
" aaurhi.. " vishal ne awaz di to usne ungli se ishara kiya, ishare ki taraf jab teeno ne nazar dali to vo torch wahan se khud ba khud fisalti hui kamre se bahar jane lagi aur kamre ki dehaliz par jaa ruki. Koi kuch kehta use pehle vo torch jal uthi.
" bhoooottttttttttt..... " gaggan sabse pehle chillaya aur akele hi kamre se bahar bhaga.
" gaggan... gaggan... " shruti ke sath vishal bhi chillaya.
" ma..in usko dekhta hun.. tu aaruhi ko lekar jaldi aa... " panic mein vishal ne kaha aur vo nikla. Shruti ne hami bharte hue aaruhi ko khada kiya jo beusdh thi. Uski taraf se koi bhi pratikriya nahi ho rahi thi. Shruti gagan ko awaz lagate hue aaruhi ko pakdte hue bahar nikli jisme usne pehle us jalti hui torch ko laat mari aur use corridor ke dusre chor ke andhere mein bhej diya wahan pahunchte hi vo torch fir bhuj gayi ye dekh shruti ke andar bhi dar ka ehsas ubhar pada. Use khud ab yahan se jaldi nikalna tha, usne aaruhi ki baju pakdi aur dono chal diye.
" ohh god... ye gaggan .. aaruhi to theek hai.. " shruti ke jawab par aaurhi fir kuch nahi boli. " vishal... " shruti ne awaz di to pure hostel mein uski awaz gunj uthi. Peron se chalte hue vo awaz shruti ko chubh rahi thi. Bar-bar use lag raha tha ki uske piche koi hai, bhale hi vo nidar thi aur ban rahi thi lekin ab uske man mein bhi dar tha.
" shruti niche... gaggan mere sath hai... " vishal ne awaz di to shruti ne chain ki sans li. Shruti aram-aram se hi sahi bich bich mein kabhi aaruhi ko kuch kehti ya vishal se baat kar leti. Aisa karte hue vo akhirkar niche aa hi gayi.
" kya hua tum dono pareshan kyun ho? " niche pahunchte hi shruti ne vishal ki thakawat aur gaggan ke dar ko dekhte hue pucha.
" gate nahi khul raha isliye pareshan hai hum " gaggan ne darwaje ko khinchte hue kaha. " ab hum bahar kaise jayenge... kholo koi hai help.. " gaggan chillaya.
" tu shant ho ja.. shanti se sochne de.. " shruti fauran boli.
" shanti.. kya shanti.. kya shanti se sochun... mana kiya tha mene tum dono ko ki idhar nahi atte.. nahi atte par tum dono ne nahi suni... bola tha na ki ye bhootiya hostel hai yahan par ana mana hai.. ab lo bhugto.... mere baap ko agar pata chala ki main padai ki jagah aise bhootiya ilake mein engineering karte hue mara gaya to vo meri atma ko pakad kar gand todenege... chhodega nahi vo... atmaon ka jallad hai vo.. jallad... " fulti sanson se gaggan ne apni baat khatam ki aur fir puri takat se darwaje ko khinch kar kholne ki kosish karne laga.
" tu thak gaya hai.. mujhe kosish karne de " vishal ne gaggan se kaha to usne darwaja chhod diya lekin apne dil ki baat kehne se piche nahi hatta.
" han khol le... agar khul jaye to.. ye khulega nahi... ye sirf apni mazri se khulta hai.. aur tab khula tha jab hume andar ane diya tha.. ab nahi khulega ye.. mene kaha tha yahan nahi ana " usne fir wahi baat dauhrate hue baat puri ki.
" to aaruhi kaise milti hume? tujhe pata hai na ki.. " shruti bolte hue chup ho gayi. Koi baat vo aaruhi ke samne nahi kehna chahti thi jo bilkul shant khadi thi aur ek hi taraf dekh rahi thi. " ek hi baat dubara mat bol.. tu nahi ata kyun aya fir tu? bahaduri tujhe bhi to dikhani thi.. Manpreet ko.. tabhi aya hai na tu.. "
" manpreet ko bich mein mat le.. shur.... " gaggan bhadakne ki kosish karte hue bola.
" tu chup rahega gaggu.. chup reh.. purana darwaja hai.. fans gaya hoga.. khul jayega.. ruk... main kosish kar raha hun na... " vishal ne fir puri takat lagai lekin nahi khula. Hostel ke andhkar mein sirf ek matr torch ki roshne ke bich in teeno ki awaz pure hostel mein gunj rahi thi. Itni khamoshi thi is jagah ki har harkat ki awaz us jagah mein basti hui mehsus ho sakti thi.
" darwaja purana nahi hai.. hamari zindagi purani hone wali hai... ye darwaja nahi khulega vishal... hum fans gaye hain is hostel mein.. jo bhi jata hai kabhi vapis nahi ata.. tujhe to.. " gaggan bolte hue chup hua, vishal darwaja khinchne se ruka aur shruti jo gaggan ko kuch kehne ke liye muh kholne wali thi vo ruki. Teeno ek hi waqt par jis andaz mein the waise hi khade ho gaye aur jo awaz unhone abhi suni thi use sunne ki kosish karne lage. 'thakk-thakkk' thokar jaisi awaz teeno ko sunai di. Awaz ke ane par gaggan ne uski taraf dekha, ab roshni ka jariya vo torch vishal ne uske hath mein thamai thi to usne hi us taraf roshni dali theek shruti aur aaruhi ke piche. Vishal ne bhi usi taraf dekha aur shruti bhi ghum kar usi taraf dekhne lagi. Roshni sidiyun par thi.. kuch nahi tha wahan.. na hi ab vo awaz thi.. Sabhi ko laga ki vo sirf ek gaaltfemi thi jo is jagah ke vajah se hui lekin jaise hi gagga ne torch wahan se hatane ki sochi usi waqt nazar wahin ruk gayi.
Torch fisalti hui sidiyun tak ayi aur fir 'thakk-thakk' ek-ek paidi girti hui niche ane lagi " bhooottttttttttttttt....aaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh... " gaggan ke hath se torch chhut gayi aur vo fir gir kar band ho gayi. Uske band hote hi andhere puri tarah se felh gaya aur is baar dar ke mare shruti bhi chilla uthi. Vishal ka bhi dum nikla aur usne gate ko puri takat se khincha jiske sath hi vo gate khul gaya. Gate khulta dekh gaggan sabse pehle bhaga aur shruti aaruhi ko lekar, vishal ne dono ko bahar kiya aur khud bahar akar hostel ka darwaja yun hi lehrata hua chhod nikal gaya. Kisi ne bhi palat kar nahi dekha aur vo darwaja apne aap dhire-dhire band hota chala gaya.
" bhago... bhago... bhoot pada hai hamare piche.. bhoot... haye.. main marunga... bhoot maar dega ... manpreet main teri bina liye mar jaunga... " gaggan hanfta hua bhag raha tha.
" gaggu ruk.. jaa... koi bhoot nahi hai.. hum bahar nikal chuke hai... " vishal piche se chillaya par gaggan tab tak nahi ruka jab tak vo bhagte hue ek darwaje ke aage nahi jaa ruka.
" ohh shit... vishal.. ye gaggan kya kar raha hai.... isne miss. nandini ke apartment ke samne jakar ruka hai... agar unhe pata chal gaya to gaye sab ke sab.. "
" ab rokne ka koi fayda nahi ... vo dekh.. " vishal ne shruti ko samne ki taraf dekhne ko kaha to gaggan ne jo dhol peeta tha uska shor miss nandini ke kano tak pahunch chuka tha. Miss nandni ko gaggan ek side karke khud andar ghus gaya aur vo vishal, shruti aur aaruhi ko apni taraf ata hua dekhne lagi.
" tum charon is waqt itne tuffan mein kya kar rahe ho.. " sabhi ko towel dete hue miss nandini ne kaha. Gaggan ke bade gungrale gol chatte jaise baal bhigne ki wajah se uski ankhon mein ghus rahe the. Usne baal pochne shuru kiye aur kapkapi mein bhagwan ko yaad karne laga.
" vo actually miss... " vishal ko samajh nahi aya ki kya bole.
" tum log kahin chup kar koi party to nahi kar rahe the? Drugs? "
" nahi nahi miss.. vo hum ye sab nahi kar rahe the.. vo to hum bas yun hi bahar gaye the... " shruti aaurhi ka sar pochne mein lagi hui thi.
" sach bolo.. varna tumhare parents ko bataun "
" aaruhi girls hostel mein chali gayi thi isliye... " gaggan ne turant bol diya. Uske chehre par baap ka kauf ter raha tha.
" girls hostel? " nandini ko samajh nahi aya ki girls hostel mein aaruhi ne jakar kya galti ki " kya tum dono ladke wahan pakde gaye ho? " nandini ne fir vishal aur gaggan ki taraf dekha.
" main... nahi nahi.. " gaggan ko apne uppar ilzam mehsus hota dekh vo bol pada. " miss aaurhi apne girls hostel mein nahi balki vo walle girls hostel mein gayi thi... " ajeeb se ishare karte hue vo bola.
" wo walle.. " nandini ne naak sikodi use gaggan ke expression kuch theek nahi lag rahe the. Nandini soch mein dubi par agle hi pal use jawab mil gaya.. " aaurhi girls hostel mein gayi thi? " ab nandini ke chehre par ghabrahat hadh se jada thi. Koi kuch kehta use pehle aaurhi ko zor-zor se hichkiya ane lagi.
" aaruhi.. are you ok ? " shruti ne uska chehra upar uthane ki kosish ki lekin vo hichkiya lete hue baithe-baithe niche farsh par gir kar behosh ho gayi. Sabhi ghabra gaye vishal aur nandini uske kareeb aye aur use uthane ki kosish karne lagi.
" ohh shit..t..... isme us girls hostel ka bhoot aa gaya hai .... ab ye nahi bachegi... ab vo hume bhi nahi chhodegi... "
" gaggan please shut up.. " shruti fauran boli. Jiske baad vishal ki madad se shruti ne aaruhi ko uthaya aur andar kamre mein le gaye. Vishal bahar nikal aya aur andar shruti aur nandini ne aaurhi ke gile kapde utar kar use dusre kapde pehna diye aur thodi der baad bahar aa gaye. Ek pal shanti chai rahi, jo nandini ne suna tha vo use abhi bhi yakeen nahi ho raha tha.
" don't tell me ki tum koi kahani bana rahe ho varna ye tum sab par bahut bhari padega " nandini ke jawab mein gaggan kuch bolna chahta tha lekin shruti ne use rok diya.
" nahi miss.. hum koi kahani nahi bana rahe hain... balki jo gaggan ne kaha vo sach tha.. aaruhi ko abhi hum usi girls hostel se lekar aye hain jo pichle 8 salon se band hai.. jahan koi nahi jata.. jiske bare mein campus ke andar kaha jata hai ki wo girls hostel ek bhootiya ghar hai.. jiske bare mein hostel ke pas tarah tarah ki kahaniyan hai.. aaruhi hume usi girls hostel mein mili hai.. "
" ohh god.. par aaurhi wahan pahunchi kaise? pahunchi chhodo vo wahan gayi hi kyun? "
" hume bhi nahi pata miss.. ye jawab to bas aaruhi hi de sakti hai.. " vishal ne nandini ke sawal ka jawab dete hue kaha.
" par tumhe kaise malum hua ki aaruhi wahan hai " nandini ne kuch sochne ke baad sawal kiya.
" shruti ne humse kaha ki aaruhi girls hostel ki taraf gayi hai.. bas usi se.. " jawab fir vishal ne diya.
" aur tum logon ko vo girls hostel mein mili "
" room ke andar miss... " gaggan bola " vo jagah bahut bhayanak hai... .bahut jada miss... andhere mein har pal aisa lag raha tha koi mujhe dekh raha hai.. chuu raha hai... vo khauf .... " gaggan ki kap-kapi abhi bhi chhut rahi thi.
" shruti " nandini ne uski taraf nazar modi " tum aaruhi ki room partner ho na? "
" ji.. mis.. ss.. "
" tumne jab aaruhi ko jatte hue dekha to use roka kyun nahi? aur apne doston ko batane hi kyun ayi? " nandini ke sawal par shruti kuch nahi boli. Visha aur gaggan ki nazar bhi usi par thi.
" kosish ki thi.. miss... "
" nahi.. mujhe tumhari is baat mein sach nazar nahi aa raha hai. Itni raat ko tumne aaruhi ko girls hostel jatte hue dekha lekin tumne use roka nahi.. tumne apne doston ko bataya aur unhe lekar gayi.. aisa kyun? tum jakar use rokti samjhati to vo nahi jati.. aur bhala wahan kyun koi jayega... college ne sabhi ko inform kar rakha hai ki wahan jana mana hai.. to fir.. "
" college ne un bachon ko mana kiya hai miss jo yahan aye hain.... unhe to mana nahi kiya na jo yahan ab nahi hai.. " shruti ne nandini ko bich mein rokte hue kaha.
" matlab? "
" vo aaruhi nahi thi miss.. aur vo pehli baar nahi tha jab aaurhi girls hostel mein gayi thi... vo pichle kai dino se wahan jaa rahi hai aur har raat ko wahin soti aa rahi hai.. " shruti ki baat sunte hi sabhi ke chehron ka rang ud gaya.