Thriller RAAZ ~The vampire~ completed

[Vampire____lover]

Chapter 19 - The Husband, The Wife And The Lover


Zindagi ne ab ek ajeeb hi disha le li thi. Main aur Renuka ab bhi ek hi chhat ke neeche the, ab bhi usi kamre mein rehte the, ek hi bistar par sote the par kaafi kuchh badal gaya tha ham dono ke beech. Meri aur uski baat sirf aur sirf naam ke liye hote thi, bas zaroorat bhar ki. Na toh main kabhi usse pyaar ke do bol bolta tha aur na hi kabhi uske kareeb jata. Ek hi kamre mein, ek hi bistar par bhi ham dono shayad majboori mein hi so rahe the kyunki ghar mein mere maan baap bhi the aur unpar ham dono ye zaahir nahi kar sakte the ke hamari shaadi ab khatam ho chali hai.

Din hafto mein badle aur hafte maheeno mein badal gaye. Ham miyan biwi ab bhi the par dono ke beech jismani rishta khatam ho chuka tha. Main kabhi uske saath sex ke baare mein sochta tak nahi tha. Bas kaam se aata, khana khata, thoda waqt apne maan baap aur bete ke saath guzarta aur khamoshi se kamre mein jakar so jata. Vo bhi ghar ke kaam nipta kar aati aur chup chap apni taraf aakar so jaati. Sawera hota, main kaam par nikal jata aur phir shaam ko ghar aakar phir vahi kahani.

Par apne bete ki taraf ham dono ki tawajjah poori tarah thi. Ham dono hi is baat ka poori tarah se khyaal rakh rahe the ke hamari khatam ho rahi shaadi ka koi bhi asar hamare bete ki zindagi par na aaye aur shayad vo ek masoom bachcha hi tha jo ham dono ko ab tak saath jode hue tha. Vo na hota agar toh kabki ham dono ke beech talak ho gayi hoti. Main uske pyaar aur dulaar mein kabhi koi kami nahi chhodta tha aur aisa hi rawiyya Renuka ka bhi tha. Vo poori tarah se apne bete ki taraf dedicated thi. Ham dono ke beech agar poore din koi baat bhi hoti thi toh zyadatar hamare bete aur uski zarooraton ko lekar.

Mere attitude mein koi badlaav nahi aaya par Renuka ke attitude mein zaroor aaya. Uski jasoosi karte karte main thak chuka tha par kahin se uske premi ka koi pata na chala. Na hi main uski ki email trace kar saka aur na hi uski koi call aisi trace kar saka. Uske phone ab bhi bas zyadatar apne maan baap, kuchh saheliyon ya Kamini ko hote.

"Kya chal raha hai tumhare beech?" Ek din main aur Kamini lunch ke liye mile toh usne puchha.

"Kya matlab?"

"Matlab tumhare aur Renuka ke beech. Koi problem hai kya?"

"Nahi toh" Maine khana khaate hue bola.

"Jhooth mat bolo, sachchai jaanti hoon main"

"Toh mujhse kyun puchh rahi hai phir? Sab jaanti toh hai tu, aajkal dekh raha hoon ke teri aur uski dosti kaafi badh gayi hai. Kaafi phone karti hai tujhe. Kya bataya?"

"Yahi ke tum kaise ajeeb tarah se behave karne lage ho"

"Achha main ajeeb behave karne laga hoon?"

"Jo usne mujhe bataya usse toh yahi lagta hai. Kya hua kya hai tumhein?"

"Tu kyun uski itni tarafdaari kar rahi hai? Tu toh chahti bhi nahi thi ke main usse shaadi karun"

"Kyunki main us waqt Renuka ko jaanti nahi thi"

"Aur ab jaanti hai?"

"Haan"

"Kya jaanti hai?"

"Yahi ke she is a wonderful friend to her friends, a good daughter to her parents, a good sister to her brother, a good wife and mother and most of all, a wonderful human being"

"Jaane de na yaar" Main baat taalta hua bola.

"Hua kya hai bataoge?"

"Tu khana khane degi ya main uthkar jaoon yahan se?" Maine spoon neeche rakhte hue kaha.

"Kha lo, par ek aakhri baat kahun?"

"Bol"

"Main nahi jaanti ke kya chal raha hai aur tum aisa kyun kar rahe ho par ek baat ka dhyaan rakhna, she is your wife and mother of your child. Bahut saari zindagiyan judi hui hain tum dono ke saath aur tum dono jo bhi karoge uska asar kaafi saare logon par padega"

"Mujhse zyada ye baat use sochni chahiyE" Maine jawab diya.

Kuchh der tak ham dono khamosh bethe rahe.

"Ek baat aur puchhun tumse"

"Puchh"

"Koi aur hai kya tumhari life mein?"

"What?" Main lagbhag has pada.

"Jis tarah se tum uske saath behave kar rahe ho, i mean she told me eveyrthing ...."

"What everything"

"You know ... like you guys havent been together in months ....." Vo nazar neeche jhukate hue boli.

"Oh man .... she told you that? I cant believe her" Main janta tha ke Kamini ka ishara kis taraf hai.

"Are you having an affair with someone else?"

"No i am not. I am not sleeping around with someone else and i am not really comfortable talking about this to you. So unless you want me to walk out of the restaurant, this topic ends here"

"Ok" Vo boli aur khamoshi se khana khane lagi.

"Did Renuka said this to you?"

"Said what?"

"That i have an affair with someone else"

"She didnt say anything" Vo nazar neeche kiye khana khaati rahi.

"Yes she did" Maine spoon phir neeche rakha, "She is going around telling people ke mera kahin chakkar chal raha hai aur tujhe yahan yahi pata karne bheja hai, hai na? She sent you to spy on me, talk me into telling you something"

"Usne mujhe aisa kuchh nahi kaha. Ye main khud se puchh rahi thi"

"No you were not. Tune mujhe yahan Renuka ke kehne par lunch ke liye bulaya hai taaki mujhe baatein nikalva sake. I dont believe this"

Main gusse mein utha, apne purse se card nikal kar table par rakha.

"Lunch ke liye pay kar dena, card main tujhse baad mein le loonga. I am getting late, need to go back to office" Kehkar main restaurant se nikal gaya.

Bahar aaya hi tha ke mera cell baja. Ek telemarketing message tha,

"Spycam in keychain. 3.5 MP camera, 16 GB hard drive, 8 hours of recording. Call ........ to order"

Maine message padhkar delete kiya par mere dimag mein ek idea aa chuka tha.

Shuru shuru mein jab mujhe Renuka ke baare mein pata chala tha aur maine uski jasoosi shuru ki toh vo mere bartaav mein aaye tabdeeli ko lekar kaafi pareshan rehti thi. Baar baar mujhse puchhti rehti ke main naraz kyun hoon, kya baat ho gayi. Aksar mujhse maafiyan maangti bina mere ye bataye ke main kis baat par ukhda hua hoon par dheere dheere usni aisa karna band kar diya.

Aalam dheere dheere ye ho gaya ke na main usse koi baat karne ki koshish karta aur na hi vo. Na main use koi pyaar mohabbat dikhata aur na hi ho. Na hi raat ko kabhi main uske kareeb jata aur na hi vo mere kareeb aati. Par haan, jis tarah se duniya ke saamne maine apne rishte ko sidha sachcha aur mazboot rakha hua tha bilkul vaisa hi vo bhi kar rahi thi. Hamare rishtedaaron aur doston ke saamne ham ab bhi ek perfect, made for each other couple the jinhein dekh kar koi ye andaza nahi laga sakta tha ke unke beech kya chal raha hai. Duniyawalo ke liye hamari shaadi ab tak mazboot thi aur koi aisi baat beech mein nahi aayi thi jiski vajah se ye rishta khatre mein pade.

Jis tarah se main hamare beech ke jhagde ka asar apne bete par bilkul nahi padne de raha tha usi tarah Renuka ka bhi is baat ka poora khyaal rakh rahi thi ke us masoom ke pyaar mein kisi bhi tarah koi kami na aaye.

Ham dono ke alawa hamare beech ki problems ke baare mein sirf Kamini jaanti thi. Main nahi janta tha ke Renuka ne use aur kya kya kaha tha aur main Kamini ne is baare mein zyada baat karna bhi nahi chahta tha par ek baat saaf thi. Renuka ne hamari khatam hoti shaadi ka ilzaam mere sar par daalne ka irada bana liya tha. Aaj usne Kamini ko ye kaha ke mera kahin aur koi affair hai, vo din door nahi jab vo aisa hi kuchh apne gharwalo aur phir mere gharwalo ko batayegi.

"Assalam Alaikum Bhaijaan" Main ek baar phir Akram Ballebaaz ki dukaan par pahuncha toh vo mujhse usi garamjoshi se mila jaise ke vo hamesha milta tha.

"Walaikum Assalam. Kya haal hain janab ke?"

"Janab ke haal janab ko hi pata honge, par mere haal bilkul theek hain"

"Sade hue jokes maarne ki aadat gayi nahi ab tak teri" Main uske saamne ek kursi par bethte hue bola.

"Kya khaayenge?" Usne mere bethte hi puchha.

"Pet bhara hua hai, bilkul kuchh nahi khaoonga" Maine apne pet par haath pherte hue kaha.

"Aap Akram se milne aayen aur kuchh khakar na jaayen, aisa ho sakta hai bhala?"

Mere lakh mana karne par bhi usne kuchh khaane ke liye manga hi liya. Thodi der idhar udhar ki baaten karne ke baad main matlab ki baat par aaya.

"Ek kaam tha mujhse"

"Jaan haazir hai"

"Spycam type kuchh chahiye" Maine kaha.

Vo fauran meri baat ka matlab samajh gaya aur khamoshi se meri taraf dekhta raha. Main bhi uski aankhon mein aankhen daale chup chap betha raha.

"Mujhe laga tha ke vo kissa khatam ho gaya"

"Aise kisse itni jaldi khatam nahi hote"

"Ab tak jo kuchh kiya tha usse kuchh kaamyabi mili, laga kuchh haath?"

"Nahi"

"Toh iska matlab ye hai Bhaijaan ke aap fizool shak kar rahe hain. Ab jaane dijiye is baat ko, nikal dijiye apne zehan se. Allah ne aapko ek khoobsurat aur nek biwi se nawaza hai, ek pyaari si nanhi jaan aap dono ki god mein di hai, uski di hui khushiyon ko yun thokar mat maariye"

"Main sirf apne dil ki tasalli kar raha hoon"

"Nahi, aap andhere mein teer chala rahe hain. Us cheez ki talash kar rahe hain jo hai hi nahi"

"Tujhe kaise pata ke nahi hai?"

"Ishq aur mushq chhupaye nahi chhupte Bhaijaan. Aisa agar kuchh hota toh kabki bhanak pad gayi hoti. Aapne itni koshish ki na, kya nateeja nikla? Arrey jab aisa kuchh hai hi nahi toh kaise kuchh pata chalega"

"Lecture mat de" Main thoda sakht andaaz mein bola, "Ye bata ke mera kaam kar sakta hai ya nahi?"

"Mana toh kabhi kiya hi nahi aapko maine" Usne bhi lambi saans chhodte hue hathyaar daal diye, "Samjhana mera kaam tha, aage aapki
marzi"

"Good. Toh mujhe chhote chhote se kuchh spycams chahiye, hard-drive thodi zyada ho jisse recording time bhi zyada rahe. Baare baar thode
hi waqt baad badalne aur erase karne ki zaroorat na pade.

 

[Vampire____lover]

"Theek hai, main karta hoon kuchh jugaad. Lagaoge kahan?"

"Apne ghar mein, aur kahan"

"Haan vo toh mujhe samajh aa gaya par ghar mein bhi toh kahin lagaoge hi, khulle mein thode hi rakhoge camera"

"Ye abhi decide kiya nahi hai"

"Jab soch lo toh bata dena, main fix karke de doonga"

"Ek kaam kar. Ghar ki zaroorat ki cheezon mein laga, aisi jinhein baar baar hatane ki zaroorat na pade. Jo ek jagah fix rahen"

"Jaise ke?"

"Jaise ke deewar par tangi hui ghadi, shelf mein rakhe hue speakers and doosri sajawat ki cheezen"

"Theek hai. Mujhe ghar se do teen cheezen lakar de do, main camera fix karke vaapis de doonga"

Kuchh der aur main uske baad Akram ke paas betha raha. Usne mujhe phir samjhane ki koshish ki par uski baat maine phir kaat di.

Vahan se uthkar main phir office aa gaya. Yun toh us din chhutti thi par ghar par jaane ka dil nahi karta tha aur kuchh kaam bacha tha toh socha ke office jakar vahi niptaoon. Renuka ki jasoosi aur ghar par chal rahi problems ka sabse bura asar mera kaam par pad raha tha. Mera Boss mujhe kayi baar is baat par tok bhi chuka tha. Is bure waqt mein agar mujhe kaam se haath nikal diya jata toh meri saalon ki mehnat par pani phir jata.

Office mein main kuchh articles mein betha sar khapa raha tha ke phone baj utha. Kamini ka message tha.

"Kahan ho?"

"Office" Maine jawab diya, "Kyun?"

"Aaj office? Aaj toh national holiday hai"

"Kya national holiday yaar, main koi bank clerk nahi hoon. Reporter hoon"

"Toh reporter saahib thoda waqt apne ghar par apni biwi ke saath bhi bitaya kijiye"

"I have better things to do" Maine rookha sa jawab diya.

"SHE IS YOUR WIFE" Is baar Kamini ka jawab caps mein aaya.

"Unfortunately yes" Maine likh kar bheja.

"Kis baat ki saza de rahe ho us bechari ko?"

"Tu phir shuru ho gayi, kaam karne de mujhe"

"I am your friend, you can talk to me about it"

"Tune agar mujhse is baare mein ek baar aur baat ki agar toh i will be your friend who wouldnt talk to you anymore. Baat karni hai agar toh Renuka ke baare mein baat mat kar aur agar Renuka ke baare mein baat karni hai toh mujhse baat hi mat kar phir"

"GO TO HELL" Usne phir caps mein likh kar bheja.

Main mobile ek taraf rakh kar ek baar phir articles edit karne beth gaya. Thodi der baad mera cell phir baja.

"Kya chahti hai yaar?" Maine gusse mein apne aap se kehte hue phone uthaya. Mujhe laga tha ke shayad Kamini ka mesasge hoga.

Par mere cell mein koi message nahi tha.

Hairani se maine inbox phir check kiya par koi naya message nahi tha. Mujhe laga ke shayad ya toh cell mein kuchh gadbad hui hai ya mere kaan baj rahe hain. Par phir achanak dhyaan aaya ke ye ghanti mere is cell ki nahi doosre cell ki thi. Vo cell jismein Renuka ke sim ka clone dala hua tha.

Vo phone mere bag mein rakha hua tha. Maine nikal kar check kiya toh message usmein aaya tha. Ye Sim is tarah se set tha ke Renuka ke cell par aane wale aur uske cell se jaane wale dono messages ki ek copy mujhe deliver hoti thi. Ye message Renuka ne bheja tha kisi ko.

"I am here waiting for you, where are you?"

Problem sabse badi ye thi ke mere paas sirf message ki copy aati thi aur sent from mein Renuka ka hi number aata tha. Matlab ye ke ye jaanne ka koi tareeka nahi tha ke message kise bheja gaya hai.

Abhi main sar khua hi raha tha ke cell phir baja. Is baar number unknown tha. Maine message khola.

"I am already in the hotel. Come straight to the room, door is open"

Mera khoon khaul utha. Ek pal nahi laga ye samajhne mein ke message kahan se aaya tha aur kisi kamre mein Renuka kisi ke saath kya karne ke liye ja rahi thi. Maine fauran apne cell se us number par call ki.

Thodi der tak ghanti bajti rahi aur phir ek aadmi ne call receive ki.

"Hello" Doosri taraf se ek bhaari mardana aawaz aayi.

"Kaun bol raha hai?" Maine puchha.

"Aapko kisse baat karni hai?"

"Aapka naam jaan sakta hoon?" Maine gusse par kaabu paate hue aaram se puchha.

Cell par kuchh der khamoshi rahi aur phir call disconnect kar di gayi. Maine dobara number milaya toh cell switched off mila.

Agle 10 min tak main baar baar vo number try karta raha par cell har baar switched off hi mila. Kabhi apne cell se toh kabhi office ke landline number se main pagalon ki tarah baar baar vo number milata raha par jo phone switched off tha uski ghanti bhala kaise baj sakti thi.

Thak kar main apna sar pakad kar beth gaya. Dil hi dil mein main kaafi pehle ye yaqeen kar chuka tha ke Renuka mujhe dhokha de rahi hai par kahin ummeed ki ek chhoti si kiran jali hui thi ke shayad main galat hoon, shayad mujhe dhokha hua hai aur meri biwi aaj bhi sirf mujhse hi pyaar karti hai. Aaj bhi uske dil aur jism par haq sirf mera hi hai.

Kahin dil hi dil mein main ye ummeed kar raha tha ke ye sab ek bure khwaab ki tarah khatam ho jaayega aur ek baar phir main aur Renuka usi tarah honge jaise is toofan ke aane se pehle the.

Doosra khyaal dil mein ye tha ke shayad Renuka ne mujhse bewafai ki ho par ab apni galti ko sudharne ke liye us raah se vaapis laut aayi hai. Shayad meri aur hamare bachche ki mohabbat use ek baar phir apne pariwaar ke paas vaapis le aayi hai. Ab sirf mujhe use maaf karna tha aur sab kuchh bhool kar bina kisi gile shikve ke ek baar phir use apni biwi ke roop mein apnana tha.

Par aaj mera har khyaal galat pad gaya, har ummeed nakam ho gayi. Na toh Renuka ne apne uper haq sirf mujhe diya tha aur na hi vo apni galti ko sudharne ki koshish kar rahi thi. Aaj saabit ho gaya tha ke vo mujhe dhokha de rahi thi.

Mere dil par us waqt jo guzar rahi thi vo sirf main janta tha. Ek taraf toh itna gusaa ke Renuka agar mere saamne hoti toh main uska khoon kar deta aur doosri taraf us insaan ki halat jiski duniya ujad rahi ho aur vo kuchh na kar pa raha ho. Mujhe samajh nahi aa raha tha ke kaise Renuka ko rokun. Vo us band kamre mein us ajnabi ke saath jo karne wali thi vo sochkar hi mujhe vehshat si ho rahi thi. Lag raha tha mere ghar mein aag lagayi ja rahi hai aur main bahar khada tamasha dekh raha hoon. Ek hotel ke band kamre mein meri izzat ko nanga kiya ja raha hai aur main bas chup khada hoon.

Sabse bada afsos ye tha ke aisa karne wali meri biwi thi jo us kamre mein apne jism ke saath saath mere poore ghar ki izzat ko ek ajnabi ke saamne nanga karne ja rahi thi. Jaane pehle kitni baar kar chuki hogi aur aaj phir vahi karne ja rahi thi.

Aur vo ajnabi, kya sochta hoga vo. Ke main ek namard hoon? Ke main apni biwi ko bistar par khush nahi rakh pa raha hoon? Ke main is qadar gaya guzra hoon ke meri biwi ko apni jismani zaroorat ke liye kisi aur ke paas jana pad raha hai? Hasta hoga mujhpar. Jab meri biwi ka nanga jism uske neeche hota hoga toh dil hi dil mein mazak udata hoga mera.

Aur shayad Renuka bhi uske saath mera ye mazak udane mein shaamil hoti ho. Shayad vo bhi use batati ho ke kaise main bistar par use adhura chhod kar ek taraf ludhak jata hoon. Ke kaise vo mere sone ke baad apni hawas mein jalti rehti hai? Ke kaise sirf vo ajnabi hi hai jo use bistar par sukoon de sakta hai?

Aur khyaalon ke ghode daudte hue itni door nikal gaye ke main apni biwi ko us ajnabi ke saath bistar par imagine karne laga? Kis tarah se kar rahe honge vo? Kya vo ajnabi uper hoga ya Renuka? Bedroom mein sab karne ke baad shayad nahate bhi saath hi honge? Aur ek baar phir bathroom mein karte honge? Kis tarah se khelta hoga vo meri biwi ke jism se aur kya kya karti hogi Renuka uske saath? Shayad aisa kuchh jo vo mere saath na kar paati ho? Shayad uski koi giri hui neech khwahish jo vo ajnabi hi poori karta ho? Aur vo ajnabi bhi shayad apni har vo khwahish meri biwi ke saath poori karta ho jiski farmaish vo apni biwi se na kar pa rah ho?

Sochte sochte mujhe laga ke mera sar phat jaayega.

Maine ek baar phir phone utahaya, google mein us hotel ka number search kiya jahan maine aakhri baar Renuka ko dekha tha aur number milaya.

"Hello" Doosri taraf se receptionish ne phone uthaya toh mujhe samajh nahi aaya ke kya kahun. Main toh Renuka ke yaar ka naam bhi nahi janta tha.

"I would like to speak to Mrs. Renuka please. She is a guest at your hotel" Maine Renuka ka hi naam bol diya is ummeed se ke shayad hotel mein room uske naam se booked ho. Par jaisa ke mera andaza tha, ye soch galat nikli.

"I am sorry Sir, we dont have a guest by that name"

"Do you know if a room was booked for a few hours today? Or any room that was booked earlier today or yesterday?

"I am sorry Sir, this is confidential information" Receptionist ne information dene se saaf inkaar kar diya.

Uske baad agla phone maine Renuka ko kiya. Jaisa ki mujhe ummed thi, uska cell switched off tha.

Maine apne ghar phone kiya. Call meri mom ne receive ki aur yahan bhi meri soch sahi nikli. Renuka pichhle ek ghante se ghar par nahi thi.

Main ek baar phir apna sar pakad kar beth gaya. Dimag mein sirf ek hi khyaal tha, Renuka ki jaan lene ka khyaal. Use maut ki saza dene ka khyaal.

 

[Vampire____lover]

Uske baad main jis kaam ke liye office gaya tha vo toh hua hi nahi. Poore waqt main apni desk par sar pakde betha raha. Bas dimag mein reh rehkar yahi khyaal aata raha ke is waqt Renuka us band kamre mein kya kar rahi hogi. Alag alag poses mein uski aur ek anjaan mard ki chhavi meri nazron ke saamne aati rahi. Samajh nahi aa raha tha ke mujhe gussa zyada aa raha hai ya dukh zyada ho raha hai.

Takreeban aadhe ghante main Renuka aur us ajnabi aadmi ka number milata raha par phone switched off hi raha. Aur phir mere dimag mein khyaal aaya ke kyun na us hotel ke bahar jakar un dono ko range haath pakdun. Ye mumkin tha ke vo vahan us hotel mein ho hi na par ye bhi ho sakta tha ke vo zyadatar vahin milte hon. Apne professional experience se mujhe pata tha ke aise mamlon mein zyadatar log ek hi jagah ko apne rangraliyan manane ka adda bana lete hain. Unki talash koi police ko toh hoti nahi jo chhupte waqt ehtiyaar baratni pade. Bachna sirf ek usse hota hai jise vo dhokha de rahe hon isliye hotel ka kamra bhi baar baar ek hi istimaal kiya jata hai. Koi aisi jagah jisse vo waqif hon, jahan se chup chap nikalne mein aasani ho, jo unke ghar ke raaste se thoda hatke ho aur jahan pakde jaane ka chance kam ho. Aur agar pakden jaayen toh vahan hone ki vajah batane ke liye jhooth bolna aasan ho.

Aur jis hotel mein maine aakhri baar Renuka ko dekha tha vo in sab sharton par poora utarta tha.

Main apne bag utha kar office se nikla aur bahar aate aate ek baar aur phir phone dial kiya. Us aadmi ka number ab bhi off tha par Renuka ke cell ki ghanti baji.

"Hello" Doosri taraf se Renuka ne phone uthaya.

"Kahan ho tum?" Maine sidha sawal kiya.

"Aise hi bahar aayi thi Kamini ke saath, kuchh saman vagerah kharidne ke liye"

"Kamini ke saath?"

"Haan"

"Phone kyun off tha tumhara?"

"Pata nahi, bag mein rakhe rakhe apne aap hi off ho gaya. Abhi check kiya toh on kiya. Kyun kya hua?"

"Kamini ko phone dena zara"

"Hua kya?" Usne phir puchha.

"Do toh zara, mujhe kuchh batana tha use"

Renuka ne phone Kamini ko thama diya.

"Haan bolo" Doosri taraf se Kamini ki aawaz aayi.

"Free ho tum abhi?"

"Nahi abhi toh zara busy hoon, kya hua?"

"Kaam tha kuchh"

"Bolo"

"Ya ek kaam kar rehne de, kal baat karte hain"

"Kya kaam hai batao toh sahi"

"Kal lunch par milte hain, phone karunga main tujhe. Tabhi bataoonga" Kehkar maine phone rakh diya.

Asal mein toh main ye check karna chahta tha ke Renuka asal mein Kamini ke saathi hi thi ya jhooth bol rahi thi mujhe aur agar Kamini ke saath thi toh kabse thi par ye baat saaf taur par Kamini ko bata nahi sakta tha. Usse sidha sawal nahi kar sakta tha varna vo phir mujhe lecture dene beth jaati isliye jhooth bol diya.

Uske baad main jaane kitni der tak ek aawara tak shehar ki sadkon par bhatakta raha. Gaadi liye sadken napta raha par na toh main kahin ja raha tha aur na hi kahin se aa raha tha. Maksad sirf yahi tha ke ghar na jaoon. Samajh nahi aa raha tha ke ghar jakar kya kahunga, kya karunga.

Ye toh zahir tha ke Renuka ko pata chal gaya hoga ke maine us aadmi ke phone par call kiya tha. Yani ab vo jaanti hai ke uski chori pakdi ja chuki hai. Ab vo bhi jaan gayi hai ke main jaanta hoon vo mere pichhe kya gul khila rahi thi. Aur ab tak ye bhi samajh gayi hogi ke mujhe ye baat kaafi din se pata thi aur isi liye main mahino se is tarah se uske saath pesh aa raha tha.

Sawal ye tha ke vo ab mere saath kis tarah se pesh aayegi? Maafi maangegi ya jhooth bolegi? Mujhe ek aur chance dene ki liye kahegi taaki apni galti sudhar sake ya ulta mujh par hi ilzaam lagayegi ke main us par shak kar raha hoon? Apni chori pakdi jaane par sharminda hogi ya ulta seena-zori karegi? Mujhe apne rishte ko badnami aur khatam hone se bachne ke liye hamari beech khatam ho chuki mohabbat ka wasta degi ya hamare masoom bete ka wasta degi?

Aur yaqeen mujhe apne dil par nahi ho raha tha. Main janta tha ke main aaj ghar jaoonga toh aaj hamare rishte ko khatam hona hai. Aaj meri shaadi ne khatam ho jana hai. Koi farak nahi padega ke Renuka kis tarah se behave kare, kaun si baat kahe. Maaf toh main use kar nahi paoonga aur use seena-zori karne ka mauka main doonga nahi. Bhale kahani kisi bhi kadam chale, hamare rishte ne toh aaj khatam hona hi tha.

Apne ghar ke darwaze par khada main kaafi der tak sochta raha ke ab jo hone ja raha hai use main kaise handle karunga. Tamasha toh ab hona hi tha par kaun sa tareeka behtar hoga ke tamasha kam se kam ho. Takleef mein main bahut tha par main janta tha ke ab jo hone ja raha hai uske baad takleef bahut zyada hogi. Ab tak biwi ki bewafai ki takleef thi aur ab usse judaai ki takleef. Vo jaisi kaisi bhi thi, biwi thi meri aur mujhe aadat this uski. Saalon se roz raat ko sone se pehle uska hi chehra dekhta tha aur subah uthte hi sabse pehle dikhne wala chehra bhi usi ka hota tha. Par ab ye sab kuchh badalne ja raha tha aur main nahi janta tha ke iske baad meri zindagi kis taraf jaane wali thi.

Ye toh saaf tha ke Renuka jaanti hai ke uski chori pakdi ja chuki hai par ab sawal ye tha ke ispar uska reaction kya hoga.

Maine apna cell nikal kar Kamini ka number milaya.

"Hello" Doosri taraf se uski aawaz aayi.

"Ek baat bata" Maine sawal kiya, "Tu aaj poora din Kamini ke saath thi?"

"Nahi, kyun kya hua?"

"Kabse kab tak thi uske saath?"

"Dopahar usne phone kiya tha ke movie dekhne chalte hain. Aaj chhutti thi toh maine haan bol diya aur uske baad main tumhare ghar aayi. Ghar se saath hi nikle the"

"Phir?"

"Phir ham theater pahunche toh vahan jakar pata chala ke movie housefull hai, ticket hi nahi mili"

"Kaun se theater gaye the tum log?"

Kamini ne jis theater ka naam bataya vo usi mall mein tha jahan maine Renuka ko us aadmi ke saath pehli baar dekha tha. Aur usi mall mein vo hotel bhi tha jiski receipt mujhe Renuka ke paas se mili thi aur jahan ke us din vo apne yaar ke saath ayyashi kar rahi thi.

"Let me guess, Theater ka naam Renuka ne hi suggest kiya hoga"

"Haan, par puchh kyun rahe ho"

"Ticket nahi milne ke baad tumne kya kiya?"

"Plan toh ghar vaapis aane ka hi tha par tabhi mujhe office se phone aaya, kuchh urgent kaam tha. Phir main office chali gayi thodi der ke liye"

"Tera office toh us mall ke paas hi hai na?"

"Haan walking distance par hi hai"

"Renuka tere saath gayi tere office?"

"Kaha toh tha maine use par vo boli ke vo kuchh shopping karna chahti hai. Mera kaam mushkil se 15-20 minute ka hi tha toh maine use shopping ke baad vahin rukne ko kaha"

"Kyun?"

"Maine socha ke shopping ke baad agla show dekh lenge"

"Phir main office gayi, kaam niptaba, maal vaapis aayi aur phir ham dono next show dekh kar vaapis aa gaye"

"Kitni der thi tu office mein?"

"Takreeban aadha ghanta. Main tab vaapis aayi hi thi jab tumne phone kiya tha"

"Renuka ne kuchh kharida?"

"Nahi vo boli ke kuchh pasand hi nahi aaya. Par is sawal-jawab ka matlab kya hai?"

"Ek baat aur bata, koi mila tha tum dono ko vahan, koi banda? Ya jab tu vaapis aayi koi tha Renuka ke saath?"

"Koi matlab?"

"Koi bhi, a guy"

"Wait a minute, are you doubting her? You think she is cheating on you?"

"Mere sawal ka jawab de"

"Nahi yaar bilkul akeli thi vo, koi nahi mila hamein. Bataoge ke ho kya raha hai tum dono ke beech? Vo kehti hai ke you are cheating on her, ke tum dhokha de rahe ho use. Tum kehte ho ke vo tum par cheat kar rahi hai, dhokha de rahi hai"

"Achha aisa boli vo?" Maine haste hue kaha.

"Ek kaam karo, i think you guys need to sit down and talk. Main kal ghar aati hoon, tum dono aamne saamne betho aur mere saamne hi jo kuchh hai sab clear karo. Aise nahi chalega yaar.

"Aisa kuchh karne ki zaroorat nahi, if i need your help i will ask"

"No you wouldnt and i know that. Ab samajh aa raha hai ke tumne us waqt Renuka ke cell par call kyun kiya tha, tum uski jasoosi kar rahe the. Tum dono mere dost ho and we need to resolve this. Main kal ghar aa rahi hoon, aamne saamne bethke baat karo dono nahi toh main sab kuchh uncle aunty ko bata doongi" Aur usne phone kaat diya.

"Tu kya bateyegi kisi ko" Maine dil hi dil mein socha, "Main toh khud hi aaj saara drama khatam karne wala hoon"

Mamla saaf tha, Renuka ko apna alibi bana kar apne yaar se milne jana. Vahi same mall, same hotel aur alibi aisi jise mere poore ghar mein koi question na karta. Agar vo kehti ke vo Renuka ke saath thi toh har koi bina puchhe maan jata.

"Wah Renuka" Main haste hue khud se hi bola, "Meri hi dost ko mere hi khilaff istemaal, maanna padega tujhe bhi"

Ye baat toh saaf thi ke ab jo bhi hota, Kamini is sabke liye mujhe hi blame karti kyunki Renuka ne use poori tarah apni taraf kar liya tha.
Par jo ek sawal mere dimag mein mujhe sabse zyada pareshaan kar raha tha vo ye ke vo aadmi kaun tha jisse Renuka mili thi. Jisne ke use message kiya tha aur jisne ke mere phone uthane ke baad call disconnect kar di thi.

Dimag mein ab bhi gussa tha, nafrat thi aur ab bhi Renuka ko saza-e-maut dene ka hi khyaal tha.

 

[Vampire____lover]

Maine apne ghar ki ghati bajayi.

Ajeeb haalaat the dil ke. Gunahgaar main nahi tha, galti meri nahi thi. Paap meri biwi ne kiya tha, dhokha usne diya tha, bewafai usne ki thi par jhijhak main raha tha. Pichhle 2 ghante se main ghar na jaane ka koi bahana dhoondhte shehar bhar mein bhatakta phir raha tha, kisi aise bachche ki tarah jiski chori pakdi gayi ho aur vo jaanta ho ke ghar jaayega toh maar padegi. Aankh churane ki koshish main kar raha tha jabki jisne galti ki thi vo aaram se ghar bethi hui thi.

Jaane kyun main Renuka ke saamne aane se jhijhak raha tha. Samajh nahi aaya ke aisa isliye tha kyunki kahin mere apne dil mein ab bhi ye shak tha ke ho sakta hai main hi galat saabit ho jaaoon toh phir sabse nazar kaise milaoonga. Ya phir isliye ke jo main aaj shaam ghar jakar karne wala tha vo main khud hi jitna ho sake taalna chahta tha.

"Thank god" darwaza Renuka ne hi khola, "Kahan the ab tak?"

Usne jis andaaz se meri taraf dekha usne mera confusion aur bhi badha diya. Uski nazar mein sachmuch meri fikar saaf dikhai de rahi thi. Uski aawaz mein mujhe ghar ke darwaze par khada dekh sukoon saaf sunai de raha tha.

Main jawab diye bina andar daakhil ho gaya.

"Time dekha hai kya hua hai?"

Usne kaha toh maine apne haath mein bandhi ghadi ki taraf nazar daali aur chaunk pada. Raat ke 11 baj rahe the. Mujhe khud hi andaza nahi raha ke main kabse shehar bhar ki khaak chhanta phir raha tha.

"Kabse phone mila rahi hoon, utha kyun nahi rahe the?"

Usne puchha toh ek baar phir maine jawab diye bina apni jeb se cell nikal kar dekha. Usmein Renuka ki 27 missed calls thi.

"Pata hai Mummy Papa kitne pareshan ho rahe the. Papa toh police station jaane ki baat kar rahe the abhi. Haath munh dho lo, main khana lagati hoon"

Kehti hui vo kitchen ki taraf badh gayi.

Ye koi nayi baat nahi thi. Pichhle kayi mahino se aisa hi ho raha tha. Vo aksar mujhse baat karne ki koshish karti aur main sirf ya toh gardan hila deta, ya bas zaroorat bhar jawab de deta ya phir uski baat ansuni kar deta. Use bhi shayad mere is rawaiyye ki aadat pad gayi thi. Aaj bhi vo mujhse sawal par sawal kar rahi thi aur mere munh se bol nahi phoot raha tha. Usne bhi mujhse jawab ki koi ummeed kiye bina kitchen ki taraf kadam badha diye.

Tabhi mere Mom Dad apne kamre se nikal aaye aur Renuka ki tarah hi unhone bhi mujhe ghar aaya dekh rahat ki saans li. Puchhe jaane par maine bahana bana diya ke meri car kharab ho gayi thi aur use theek karvake laya hoon isliye itna waqt lag gaya.

Kya kya sochkar main apne ghar mein ghusa tha. Hazaar baatein thi dil mein, kayi gile shikve the par zubaan ke haathon ek baar phir main majboor pad gaya. Gaadi chalate hue jaane kitni baar main practice ki thi ke kis tarah Renuka se sawal karunga, kaise uski har chori use ginaoonga aur kis tarah se use uska gunaah kabool karne par majboor kar doonga. Par use saamne dekh koi line yaad nahi rahi aur ek baar phir main soch mein pad gaya ke kaise uspar anguli uthaoon. Kin lafzon mein use kahun ke vo bewafa hai, dhokhebaaz hai.

Apni biwi par charitra-heen hone ka ilzaam jin shabdon mein lagaya jata hai, vo shabd ek baar phir meri pahunch se bahar ho gaye.
Maine khamoshi se khana khaya. Mom Dad phir apne kamre mein chale gaye aur Kamini mere saamne dining table ke doosri taraf jakar beth gayi. Aaj aisa bahut din baad hua tha.

"Tabiat toh theek hai na tumhari?"

Usne mujhse puchha toh maine khaate hue sirf haan mein sar hila diya.

"Din mein bhi phone kar rahe the tum, koi khaas baat thi kya?

"Nahi aise hi" Maine taalne waale andaaz mein jawab diya, "Movie kaisi rahi?"

"Kahan thi tum us waqt?" Maine himmat karke sawal kar hi liya.

"Kamini ke saath movie dekhne gayi thi par ticket hi nahi mila, housefull tha" Vo apne baal khol kar baandhte hue boli. Khule baalon mein kya bala ki khoobsurat lagti thi ye aaj bahut din baad mehsoos kar raha tha main.

"Aise kya dekh rahe ho?" Usne mujhe apni taraf ghoorte hue dekha toh puchha.

"Kuchh nahi" Maine jawab diya aur phir sar jhuka kar khaane laga.

"Kuchh laayi hoon main tumhare liye" Kehte hue vo uthkar hamare kamre mein gayi aur ek bag utha kar laayi, "I saw this in the mall, Vikram ke liye khareed li"

Bag se usne ek chhoti se bachcho ki black color ki t-shirt nikali jispar saamne ki taraf likha hua tha,

"World's Greatest Son"

"Its nice" Maine T-Shirt dekhte hue kaha.

"Aur iske saath hi mujhe ye dikhai di toh maine tumhare liye le li" Bag se usne doosri same type ki ek aur T-Shirt nikali jo vo mere liye laayi thi. Uspar saamne ki taraf likha hua tha,

"World's Greatest Dad"

"Thanks" Maine muskura kar jawab diya. Pata nahi aaj kitne waqt baad main uski taraf dekh kar muskuraya tha.

Uske baad khana khatam karne tak hamare beech khamoshi hi rahi. Main kha chuka toh vo bartan utha kar kitchen mein chali gayi.
Kuchh der baad ham dono apne bed par lete hue the. Vo shayad so gayi thi par meri aankhon se neend koson door thi. Main jo kuchh bhi soch kar aaya tha vaisa kuchh nahi hua tha. Mujhe jo baat sabse zyada pareshaan kar rahi thi vo ye thi ke mujhe Renuka ki aankhon mein vo chor dikhai nahi diya jiski main ummeed kar raha tha. Kya us aadmi ne ise bataya nahi ke maine uske cell par call ki thi ya vo mujhe pehchan nahi paya. Ya Renuka ko sab pata hai par anjaan banne ka natak kar rahi hai?

Ye aaj itne din baad is tarah meri fikar karna kya haqeeqat tha ya sirf dikhawa? Apni chori ko chhupane ki koshish? Vo chori jo aaj pakdi gayi thi?

Aur ek purana khyaal ab bhi pareshaan kar raha tha, Kahin main khud hi galt toh nahi? Kahin main hi toh baat ka batangad nahi bana raha?

Shayad haan.

Aur phir Renuka ne ye sawal kar diya. Main soch raha tha ke vo so gayi par jo jaag rahi thi.

"Kya kuchh aisa hai jo tum mujhse puchhna chah rahe ho? Kuchh kehna chah rahe ho jo keh nahi pa rahe?"

Is sawal ne ek baar phir shak ki lantern jala di. Vo jaanti thi ke uski chori pakdi gayi aur sirf dikhawa kar rahi thi. Vo intezaar kar rahi thi ke main usse sawal karunga par jab maine nahi kiya toh mujhe khud kured rahi hai.

"Nahi" Main sirf itna hi keh paya, "Koi baat nahi hai"

 

[Vampire____lover]

Chapter 20 - The Money

Main aur Kamini guest house mein bethe case discuss kar rahe the. Mere ek haath mein coffee ka cup aur doosre mein cigarette thi.

"Chhod kyun nahi dete?"

"What?"

"Ye jo haath mein pakdi hui hai, chhod kyun nahi dete"

"Chhod doonga yaar" Maine taalte hue jawab diya.

"Haan pata hai kitna chhod doge. 15 saal se toh main hi keh rahi hoon"

"Thoda pyaar se bol toh shayad chhod doon"

"Haan main toh bada joota phenk kar bolti hoon na jaise tumhein" Vo haste hue boli, "But on a serious note, i think you should quit. Vikram bada ho raha hai and i dont think its wise that you smoke in his presence"

"Nahi uske saamne toh cigarette pita hi nahi main, never done that. Ever since Renuka was pregnant"

Renuka ka naam aaya toh ham dono hi kuchh pal ke liye khamoshi ho gaye. Khamoshi Kamini ne hi todi.

"This picture is impossible, totally ruined" Vo us tasveer ki taraf dekh rahi thi jo hamein Sunanda ke ghar se mili thi, "Ab ye sirf ek gala hua kagaz hai"

"I know" Main pehle hi us tasveer ko kayi baar ulat pulat kar dekh chuka tha ke kahin se koi clue mil jaaye, us ladke ke baare mein jise Sunanda chahti thi, "Ab tak jo kuchh case mein pata chala hai vo sirf information hai, munh boli baatein jo mere alawa koi aur hota toh use bhi pata chal jaati"

"Aur doosri baat ye hai ke suni sunayi baaton par yakeen bhi kitna kar sakte ho? Kaun jaane kaun sach bol raha hai aur kaun jhooth" Kamini ne kaha.

"True" Maine desk se police records ki vo copies uthayi jo maine Inspector Negi ko original vaapis karne se pehle di thi. "Ek bahut hi important sawal jo is case se juda hai vo ye hai ke un paiso ka kya hua"

"The ones that Ravi gave to Kanha?"

"Yes. 15 Crore ek bahut badi rakam hoti hai, even Ravi jaise khandani raees ke liye bhi aur aaj se 20 saal pehle toh bahut zyada badi rakam thi. Sochne wali baat ye hai ke ye paise aise gayab hue jaise gadhe ke sar se seeng."

"Koi badi baat nahi hai, jab vo paise dene wale ka hi pata nahi chala toh paiso ka kya pata chalta"

"Nahi actually ye ek badi baat hai. Aadmi ko maarkar laash thikane lagana aasan hai. Hazar raaste hain, dafna do, jala do, kahin aisi jagah phenk do jahan koi aata jata na ho par paise ko chhupana zara mushkil hai. Aadmi paisa churata hi isliye hai taake kharch kar sake, apni lifestyle sudhar sake par aisa hua nahi"

"How do you know?"

"Kanha ki family toh saamne hi hai. Uska baap aaj bhi gareebi mein mar raha hai"

"Aur koi bhi toh ho sakta hai?"

"Pata lagaya hai maine. Pichhle 20 saal mein Chail, Shimla aur aas paas ke ilaako mein koi raaton raat ameer nahi hua ya pichhle 20 saal mein bhi koi bhi crorepati nahi hua"

"How did you find that out?"

"Aasan hai yaar. Chhote chhote gaon aur kasbe hain yahan. Koi agar roadpati se crorepati ho jaaye toh har kisi ki zubaan par yahi baat aa jaati hai par yahan aisi kismet kisi ki nahi palti"

"Hmmmm, interesting"

"If only i could find a trace of that money" Maine pages ulat kar dekhte hue kaha, "Vaise ek baat aur hai interesting"

"Vo kya?"

"Ye dekho" Maine ek page Kamini ki taraf badhaya.

"Kya hai ye?"

"Ek FIR ki copy hai. Kanha ki laash milne par jo FIR darj hui thi uski copy"

"Ok, what should i be looking at?"

"Cause of death dekho" Maine page ke neeche ki taraf ishara kiya.

"Cause Of Death" Kamini ne zor se padhna shuru kiya, "Shot in the chest twice, possibly by a 0.38 caliber revolver"

"Uske neeche padh" Maine kahan.

"No bullets recovered from the body. No exit wounds found on victim's body"

"Matlab samjhi?" Maine puchha.

"Matlab ke laash se goliyan nahi mili?"

"Exactly. Goli nahi milne ki vajah 2 hi ho sakti hain. Ya toh ye ke goli shareer ke aar paar nikal gayi. Agar aisa hota toh Kanha ki peeth par dono goliyan jahan se nikli vo zakhm hota"

"Jo ke nahi tha"

"Exactly. Uske shareer par sirf saamne ki taraf zakhm the jahan se ke goliyan andar ghusi par koi aisa nishan ya zakhm nahi jahan se goli aar paar hoti hui nikal gayi ho"

"Toh iska matlab ke ...."

"Yep. Vajah number 2. Goli isliye nahi mili kyunki jisne bhi use goli maari, usne Kanha ke shareer se goliyan khud nikal di"

"Isnt that weird? Why would anyone do that?"

"Weird it is indeed ..." Maine bolna shuru kiya hi tha ke mere phone ki ghanti baji.

Call Inspector Falana Falana ki thi.

Maine cell Kamini ki taraf kiya jismein call ring hote hue Inspector Negi ka naam likha hua aa raha tha. Naam dekh kar fauran Kamini ki shakal ban gayi.

"Negi Bhai, kaise hain?" Maine call receive ki.

"Theek hoon Sir, aap aur Madam kaise hain?"

"Ham dono bhi theek hi hain, kaise yaad kiya?"

"Sir aap toh yaad karte nahi toh maine socha ke main hi yaad kar loon"

"Arrey nahi aisi baat nahi hai. Bas zara ye case mein uljha hua hoon, kahin se kuchh mil nahi raha hai"

"Koi baat nahi Sir, mujhe yakeen hai aap zaroor kuchh na kuchh dhoondh hi lenge. Main koi madad kar sakoon toh bataiye"

"Aap already bahut madad kar rahe hain Negi Bhai" Maine haste hue kaha.

"Vo asal mein ek baat batani thi aapko. Pata nahi aapke matlab ki hai ya nahi par maine socha ke bata doon"

"Haan zaroor"

"Vo Kanha ka baap mar gaya"

"Vo ab mara hai? Maine socha tha ke kuchh din pehle mar gaya tha?"

"Actually mujhe pata nahi tha ke aapko already pata hai"

"Nahi news mil gayi thi mujhe" Maine Kamini ki taraf dekhte hue kaha jo shak bhari nazar se meri taraf dekh rahi thi. "Vaise ek baat bataiye, ye Baap Bete ke alawa aur koi bhi tha ghar mein jo Kanha aur Ravi ke baare mein janta ho?"

"Nahi Sir, bas do hi the aur ab Buddhe ke marne ke baad koi nahi bacha puchhne wala. Filhal bhi sarkar uski zameen ghar vagerah zabt kar rahi hai jab tak ke koi rishtedaar saamne aakar claim na kar le"

"Thats kind of sad really ...." Maine kehna shuru hi kiya tha ke call disconnect ho gayi. Maine apne cell ki taraf dekha toh vo switched off tha.

"Damn battery. Charger utha kar dena vo zara" Maine Kamini se kaha, "Varna Inspector Falana Falana ko lagega ke main ise avoid kar raha hoon"

"Kya keh raha tha?" Kamini mujhe charger pakdate hue boli.

"Baasi khabar suna raha tha ke Kanha ka baap mar gaya"

"Dont you think its weird?"

"Ismein weird kya hai? Har koi marta hai. Ek boodhe bimaar aadmi ke marne mein kya weird baat ho sakti hai?"

"Arrey vo nahi"

"Phir?"

"Ye ke ham abhi Kanha ki hi baat kar rahe the aur fauran iska phone aa gaya aur baat ye bhi Negi se related hi kar raha tha"

"Haan weird toh hai?"

"Do you think the room is bugged?"

"Nahi i have swiped it, nothing" Maine charger laga kar phir phone on kiya, "Ghar mein kuchh nahi hai. No cams or microphones"

"I still think its weird"

"Just a co-incidence. Keh raha tha ke aage pichhe koi nahi hai isliye sarkar zameen aur ghar filhal ke liye zabt kar rahi hai jab tak ke koi rishtedaar saamne na aaye"

"Dono ka koi rishtedaar nahi hai?"

"I am sure honge par aas paas koi nahi hai i think" Kehte hue maine number dial kiya.

"Ek minute ruko?" Kamini ne aage badhkar mujhe rok diya.

"Kya hua?"

"Ek kaam karo"

"Bol"

"Ise bolo ke hamein Kanha ke ghar ki talashi leni hai"

"Kyun?"

"Kanha ka baap Ravi se nafrat karta tha toh i dont think ke usne kisi bhi investigation mein co-operate kiya hoga. Us ghar mein Kanha ka saara saman mujhe yakeen hai ke ab bhi hoga considering ke vo apne baap ki eklauti aulad tha"

"And you think ke saman ki talashi lene par shayad hamein kuchh mil jaaye" Maine baat poori ki.

"Its worth a shot. Jab tak Kanha ka baap zinda tha toh kisi ko us ghar ki access nahi mili hogi. Jo bhi baat hui hogi darwaze par Kanha ki baap se hi hui hogi. Ab vo nahi hai toh ham ghar mein ghus kar ek baar talashi le sakte hain"

"Not a bad idea" Maine phir Negi ka number milaya, "Mujhse badi jasoos toh tu saabit ho rahi hai"

"Sab company ka asar hai" Vo haskar boli, "Puchho Negi se ke arrange kar sakta hai kya"

Ghanti baji aur Negi ne phone uthaya.

"Sorry Negi Bhai vo call cell ki battery khatam ho gayi thi"

"Koi baat nahi Sir. Vo samajh aa gaya tha mujhe. Maine dobara number milaya toh switched off aa raha tha."

"Ek kaam hai vaise aapse"

"Zaroor"

"Kanha ke ghar se ab tak kuchh nikala toh nahi gaya hai na?"

"Nahi Sir bilkul nahi. Police ne taala lagaya hua hai property par"

"Toh phir main ek baar us ghar ki talashi lena chahunga" Maine kaha.

 

[Vampire____lover]

"Talashi Sir?" Negi chaunkta hua bola.

"Ji haan, agar aapko koi etraaz na ho toh?"

"Mujhe toh koi etraaz nahi hai Sir par uske ghar ki talashi lekar kya milega?"

"Filhal toh pata nahi par ummed kar raha hoon ke kuchh mil jaaye. Koshish kar lene mein koi harj nahi"

"Bilkul harj nahi Sir. Bataiye kab chalna hai?"

"Abhi, agar aapke paas waqt ho toh"

"Bilkul waqt hai Sir. Main 15 minute mein aapko pick karta hoon" Kehkar usne phone rakh diya.

"Maan gaya?" Maine apna cell table par rakha toh Kamini ne puchha.

"Kya bola? Ke aaj shaam chalte hain, kal chalenge?"

"Nahi abhi chalne ke liye maan gaya hai, 15 minute mein pahunch raha hai"

"Really?" Kamini ne hairat se puchha.

"You are surprised?"

"Yes I am"

"Why?"

"Because mujhe poori ummeed thi ke vo ye baat kal parso par taalega"

"Aur aisa vo kyun karega?"

"Taake hamare talashi lene se pehle use khud ek baar ghar ko scan karne ka mauka mil jaaye. To ensure ke hamein vahan se kuchh haasil na ho"

"You really dont trust this guy, do you?" Maine haste hue puchha.

"Nahi i really dont. Mujhe poora yakeen hai ke ye banda kahin na kahin kuchh gadbad hai"

"Nahi yaar, mujhe nahi lagta. Agar aisa hota toh ....." Main keh hi raha tha ke darwaze par knock hua.

Maine uthkar darwaza khola toh bahar Mrs. Bela Rana aur Raj Rana khade hue the.

"How are you?" Raj ne muskurate hue puchha. Uske bolne ki aawaz toh nahi aayi par uske honth dekh kar main samajh gaya ke vo kya puchh raha hai.

"I am very well" Maine jawab diya aur phir Mrs. Rana se mukhatib hua, "Aapne kyun takleef ki, mujhe bula liya hota"

"Nahi koi baat nahi" Vo muskurate hue andar daakhil hui, "Hamne socha ke kaafi arse se mulaqat aur baat nahi ho paayi toh mil lein aapse"
"Bilkul" Maine jawab diya, "Please bethiye"

Vo dono andar Kamini ko dekh kar thoda jhijhke.

"This is Kamini" Maine unki jhijhak ko dekhkte hue fauran kaha.

"Hello Ma'm" Kamini ne aage badhkar unse haath milaya aur phir Raj se, "Hello Sir"

"Kamini is my fiancee" Isse pehle ke aage koi aur kuchh kehta main hi bol pada aur meri baat ka asar un dono ke hi nahi balki Kamini ke chehre par bhi dikhai diya.

Un dono ke saath saath vo bhi hairat se mujhe dekhne lagi. Uske chehre par us insaan ki tarah expressions the jise abhi abhi kisi ne pehle zor se thappad maara ho, phir ek chaunka dene wali baat batayi ho aur phir duniya ki sabse badi khush-khabri suna di ho.

Par agle hi pal usne waqt ki nazakat ko samajhte hue fauran khud ko sambhal liye. Chehre par jo bhi bhaav the vo sirf kuchh seconds hi rahe aur unki jagah ek khoobsurat si sharam ne le li.

"Thats very nice" Mrs. Rana ne kaha, "Kab aayi aap?"

"Ji bas abhi ek do din pehle"

"Jagah khoobsurat hai toh maine socha ke ise bula loon, ye bhi dekh legi aur mujhe bhi zara company mil jaayegi"

"Bilkul sahi socha aapne par ek galti ki"

"Kya?"

"Ke hamein inse nahi milvaya. Hamare ghar itni khoobsurat mehmaan aayi hui hain aur hamein khabar tak nahi?"

"I am sorry" Maine maafi maangne wale andaaz mein kaha, "Mujhe laga ke shayad aapko pasand na aaye"

"Arrey kyun pasand nahi aayega. She is such a pretty girl" Unhone Kamini ke sar par haath phera toh vo aise sharmayi jaise koi nayi naveli dulhan ho.

"Aap chaai lengi?" Kamini ne puchha.

"Zaroor loongi par yahan nahi, aao mere saath ghar chalo. Vahan par chaai bhi pila dena aur kuchh baatein bhi ho jaayengi"

"Ji zaroor" Kamini ne meri taraf dekhte hue jawab diya.

"I am sorry ma'm main aapse itne din milne nahi aa saka. Actually koi solid lead mujhe ab tak mil nahi paayi hai par yakeen jaaniye main koshish poori kar raha hoon"

"Hamein poora yakeen hai" Mrs. Rana ne kaha, "Koi jaldi nahi hai, aap apna waqt lijiye. Hamne 20 baras intezaar kiya hai toh thoda waqt aur sahi. Aur ham is waqt aapse report out lene ke liye nahi aapko lunch ke liye invite karne aaye the. Itne time se aap hamare yahan par kabhi saath bethkar kaam se alag koi aur baat karne ka mauka hi nahi mil paya"

"I would love to join you but actually main is waqt aapke kaam se hi kahin bahar ja raha tha"

"Koi baat nahi, aap ho aaiye. I will steal your girl meanwhile, if you dont mind"

"Of course not. Main vaapis aakar sidha aapke paas hi aata hoon"

Vo dono Kamini ko saath lekar chale gaye.

"She is very pretty, congratulations" Jaate jaate Raj meri taraf palta aur mujhse haath mila kar ishare se bola.

"Thanks" Maine jawab diya aur unke jaane ke baad Negi ke intezaar mein taiyyar hone laga.

Koi 15 minute baad mere cell ki message tone baji. Message Kamini ka tha.

"What was that?"

"Itna khush mat ho" Maine vaapis likh kar bheja, "Unhein bura na lage ke maine apne saath yahan ek ladki ko bhi rakha hua hai isliye bol diya tha"

"Ok" Kuchh der baad jawab aaya. Likha sirf itna hi tha par main janta tha ke use kitni mayusi hui hogi.

"Chal na senti mat ho" Maine phir likha, "I meant it"

"Matlab?"

"Matlab ke mujhe ek biwi aur Vikram ko ek maan ki zaroorat hai aur ham dono ko tujhse better nahi mil sakti koi. Duniya mein ek hi ladki hai jo mujhe bardasht kar sakti hai aur vo tu hai aur ek tu hi hai jise main bardasht kar sakta hoon"

"Are you serious? Sure?"

"More than i have ever been about anything in my life" Maine jawab diya.


Thodi hi der baad Negi mujhe lene ke liye aa gaya aur vahan se uske saath main Kanha ke ghar pahuncha. Vaise toh plan ye tha ke main aur Kamini dono hi aayenge par ab mujhe lag raha tha ke akele aakar hi theek kiya. Negi par mujhe zara bhi shak nahi tha par Kamini ko vo jis tarah se na-pasand tha, usse agar vo ham dono ke saath hoti toh mahaul thoda ajeeb hi rehta.

Kanha ke ghar ke bahar ek mota sa lock laga hua tha. Taale mein jis jagah chaabi lagayi jaati hai uspar moti si kapde ki tape lagayi hui thi taaki koi chaabi na daal sake. Darwaze par ek paper chipka hua tha jispar likha tha,

"Ye ghar maan-niye adalat ke hukum anusaar sarkar dwara zabt kiya jata hai. Anadhikrat pravesh dandniye apradh hai"

Maine palat kar apne pichhe khade Negi ki taraf dekha.

"Ab?"

"Chaabi laya hoon Sir" Usne jeb se chaabi nikali.

"Chaabi tumhare paas hai?" Maine puchha, "I thought ye court ke order se band kiya gaya hai"

"Order court ka hi tha Sir par band toh maine hi kiya tha. Chaabi vagerah toh local police ke paas hi rehti hai" Kehkar usne taale par lagi hui tape hatayi aur chaabi lagayi.

Andar ghar mein ghup andhera tha aur ek ajeeb si smell pheli hui thi.

"What is that smell?" Maine apni jeb se rumaal nikal kar apni naak par lagaya.

"Band ghar ki smell hai Sir" Negi ne jawab dete hue lights on ki.

"Itne waqt se toh band nahi tha ye ghar yaar" Maine chaaro taraf nazar ghumayi, "Abhi toh mara hai Kanha ka baap"

"Nahi Sir" Negi ne aage ek ek karke sab windows kholni shuru kar di.

"Matlab?"

"Matlab ke Buddha toh usi din mar gaya tha jis din uska beta mera tha. 20 saal se toh vo bas ek zinda laash ki tarah yahan pada rehta tha"

"Sad"

"Bilkul. Bete ki maut ke baad na toh vo kahin zyada aata jata tha aur na koi usse milne aata tha. Koi aata tha toh Buddha usse baat nahi karta tha, yun hi ghar se nikal deta tha toh dheere dheere logon ne aana bhi band kar diya. Khidki darwaze band kiye Buddha yahan pada rehta tha toh ye ajeeb si smell bas gayi"

"Yeah that explains the smell, but is baat se ek doosra sawal khada hota hai"

"Kya Sir?"

"Karta kya tha Buddha?"

"Khaas kuchh nahi, ye bahar ki zameen usi ki hai. Kheti karta tha yahan"

Maine khidki se bahar dekha. Vo ghar ek pahad par tha aur saamne pahad aur phir seedhi khaai aur phir ek doosra pahad.

"Kaun si zameen?" Maine confused shakal se Negi ki taraf dekha.

"Yahi jo aap dekh rahe ho Sir" Vo hasta hua bola, "Mera matlab is pahad se hi tha. Seedhi-dhar khet toh aapne sune hi honge"

"Achha haan" Maine dobara bahar dekha par ab na toh koi seedhi thi, na khet. Bas ek jhaadiyon aur ghaas se bhara pahad.

"Kabhi yahan par inke seedhi-daar khet hote the, jo thoda bahut yahan ugta tha usi se guzara karte the baap bete. Aur phir shayad us waqt Buddhe ne main market mein ek kapde ki dukaan bhi chala rakhi thi"

"Jo ke main andaza laga raha hoon ke bete ki maut ke baad band ho gayi thi" Maine kaha.

Saamne jahan Negi ke hisaab se khet hone the vahan kuchh nahi tha. Bas ek dhalan, aisa koi nishan tak nahi tha ke yahan kabhi pahad ko kaat kar seedhiyon jaise chhote chhote maidan-roopi khet the.

"Haan uske baad usne dukaan par bethna chhod hi diya tha. Dheere dheere dhandha chopat ho gaya"

"Toh sabse bada sawal ye hai Negi bhai ke Buddhe ne 20 saal tak apna kharcha kaise chalaya" Maine sochne wale andaaz mein kaha.

"Sir kahin aap ye toh nahi keh rahe ke vo jo paisa gayab hua tha, 15 crore?"

"Aap jaante ho us baare mein"

"Files mein padha tha maine"

Main ek pal ke liye soch mein pad gaya. Files maine bhi saari hi dekhi thi par kahin paise ka zikr toh unmein mujhe nahi dikha tha. Bahar-haal, maine is baat par zyada dhyaan nahi diya.

"Ho sakta hai"

"Par Sir is ghar ko dekh kar aapko lagta hai ke ye ek aise aadmi ka ghar hai jiske paas aaj se 20 saal pehle 15 crore the?" Negi takreeban hasta hua bola.

 

[Vampire____lover]

Nahi ghar ko dekh kar toh aisa bilkul nahi lagta par sawal phir bhi uthta hai ke uske baap ne 20 saal guzara kiya kaise?" Maine jawab diya.

"Vaise Sir ab yahan dhoondhna kya hai?" Negi ne ghar mein chaaron taraf nazar daudate hue kaha.

Kanha ka ghar ek typical middle class gaon ki family ki tarah tha. Main door drawing room mein khulta tha jahan ham log us waqt khade the.

Drawing room ke dono taraf do darwaze the jo ghar ke andar ki taraf jaate the. Furnitre ke naam par Drawing room mein mehaz 2 kursiyan aur
ek purani si table rakhi hui thi.

"Exactly toh mujhe bhi nahi pata ke dhoondh kya rahe hain" Maine jawab diya.

"Phir?"

"Phir ye ke aap us taraf dekho aur main is taraf" Maine drawing room se lage dono darwazon ki taraf ishara karta hua kaha, "Kuchh bhi aisa dikhe jo case se juda ya kuchh kaam ka lage toh nikal kar rakh lena"

"Theek hai" Negi ne kaha aur right side bane darwaze ko khol kar andar chala gaya. Maine left side ka darwaza khola aur andar aa gaya.

Ghar zyada bada nahi tha. Main jis taraf aaya vo darwaza ghar ke pichhe ki taraf aangan mein khulta tha. Vahan ugi hui jhaadiyan aur ghaas ko dekh kar hi andaza hota tha ke jo bhi is ghar mein rehta tha, use kisi cheez ki koi parwah nahi tha.

Vahan kuchh nahi tha. Anagan mein hi ek taraf washrooms bane hue the. Main darwaza band karke phir drawing room mein aaya aur Negi jis darwaze se andar gaya tha us taraf badha.

Negi kamre ke andar khada chaaron taraf dekh raha tha jaise andaza laga raha ho ke kahan se shuru kiya jaaye.

"Ajeeb banavat hai is ghar ki yaar" Main uske saath aakar khada hota hua bola, "Aangan ghar ke pichhe ki taraf hota hai, is ghar mein side ki taraf hai"

"Pahadon mein aksar ghar banavat ko lekar nahi balki maujood jagah ko dekh kar banaye jaate hain Sir" Negi ne jawab diya.

"Matlab?"

"Matlab jo main door hai sadak usi taraf hai toh majbooran darwaza usi taraf rakhna padega. Ghar ke pichhe ki taraf jagah nahi hai isliye aangan udhar nahi ho sakta. Ab darwaza sadak ki taraf rakho toh jahan jagah hai aur jahan se khet ki taraf jaaya ja sakta hai vo jagah side mein ho jaati hai"

"Samajh gaya" Maine kaha.

Jis kamre mein ham khade the vo ek aur chhota sa living room jaisa hi tha. Usmein ek taraf kitchen bana hua tha aur uske saath lage do kamre aur the.

"Shayad inmein se ek Kanha ka aur doosra uske baap ka hoga" Negi ne kaha

"Correct"

Us chhote se living room mein bhi bas ek kursi aur table rakhe the, jinhein dekh kar lagta tha ke shayad vo khana khane ke liye use hote the. Aur us kamre mein kahin kuchh bhi nahi tha. Kitchen mein bhi bas ek gas stove aur chaar paanch dabbe rakhe hue the.

"Zaroorat bhar ka saman hai bas yahan" Negi ne kaha.

"Sahi hai, ham logon ko zyada talashi nahi leni padegi. Tum vo kamra dekho aur main ye wala"

Ham dono darwaza khol kar ek ek kamre mein andar aaye. Jis kamre mein main aaya vo Kanha ke baap ka tha. Andar ek purani si charpai aur kuchh chadaren padi hui thi. Deewar par ek sheesha rakha hua tha aur ek taraf ek lakdi ki almari rakhi hui thi.

Maine almari kholi.

Talashi lene mein zyada waqt nahi laga. Poore kamre ki khaak chhan-ne mein bamushkil 10 min hi lage par haath kuchh nahi aaya. Almari mein bas kuchh purane se kapde tange hue the aur kuchh zaroorat ka saman tha.

"Kuchh mila Sir?" Main haath jhadta hua kamre se bahar aaya aur doosre kamre mein ghusa toh Negi ne puchha.

"Nahi vahan kuchh nahi hai, sala lagta hi nahi ke yahan koi rehta bhi tha. Khaali pada hai poora ghar"

"Is kamre ka bhi yahi haal hai, kuchh nahi hai yahan"

"Kuchh nahi mila?"

"Nahi bas Kanha ki purani zaroorat ki kuchh cheezen hai"

Maine kamre mein nazar daudayi. Is kamre ki banavat bhi doosre kamre jaisi hi thi. Ek purani charpai thi jispar chadar vagerah kuchh nahi tha. Deewar par ek sheesha tanga hua tha aur ek taraf ek purani almari rakhi hui thi.

"Almari mein kuchh?" Maine almari ki taraf dekhte hue puchha

"Nahi kuchh nahi" Negi ne kaha.

"Ye kya hai?" Maine uske haath mein pakde kuchh papers ki taraf dekhte hue puchha.

"Ye asal mein Almari ki uper rakhe hue the. Andar kuchh tha nahi toh maine almari ke pichhe aur uper nazar maari toh ye kuchh kagaz mile"

Maine uske haath se kagaz lekar unpar nazar daudayi. Unmein se zyadatar property ke papers the jo ke maine bina dekhe hi andaza laga liya tha ke is ghar ke hi ho sakte the. Baaki papers Kanha ke school ke passing certificates the.

Par jis cheez ne meri nazar pakdi vo ek visiting card tha aur ek Bus ka ticket.

"Bas yahan yahi mila Sir, aur kuchh nahi" Negi ne kaha.

"Hmmm" Maine haami bhari aur us card ko dekhne laga.

Vo ek "Arora Jewellers" ke naam se kisi Jewellery showroom ka card tha. Card ki halat dekh kar hi lag raha tha ke vo bahut purana hai. Kinare thode mude aur halke ghise hue the jaisa ke aksar cards ko jeb mein rakhne se ho jata hai. Rang takreeban poora hi ud chuka tha jisse ye andaza hota tha ke ye card kaafi purana hai aur jaane kabse us almari ke uper rakha hua tha.

Card chhod kar maine us Bus ticket ki taraf dekha. Ticket Shimla se Delhi tak ka tha. Ticket par travel karne wale ka naam toh nahi tha par Date April 1993 ki thi, yaani ke Ravi ke gayab hone se takreeban 2 mahine pehle aur Kanha ki maut se 3 mahine pehle ki.

Maine nazar ek baar phir visiting card par daali. Jewellery showroom ka address bhi Delhi ka tha aur uper likha phone number bhi.

"Kanha ki aukaat ke bahar tha Sir ye" Negi ne bus ticket mere haath se lete hue kaha.

"Matlab?"

"Matlab ye jis travel agency ka ticket hai vo Shimla ki sabse purani Travel agency hai jo ab bhi business mein hai. Bade mehenge hain ye log"

"Ye abhi tak business mein hain?"

"Haan Sir"

"Tumhein kaise pata ye kis travel agency ka ticket hai?" Maine uske haath se Ticket vaapis liya aur gaur se dekha. Ticket par kahin bhi agency ka naam nahi tha. Sirf Shimla to Delhi likha hua tha, travel ki date aur time, total kiraya aur neeche paid in cash likha hua tha.

"Palatkar dekhiye"

Maine ticket palta. Kagaz purana hone ki vajah se dhundhla pad chuka tha par pichhe chhapi hui Ganesh ji ki tasveer ab bhi nazar aa rahi thi.

"Ganpati Travels ke naam se hai ye agency. Ab bhi inke tickets par pichhe Ganesh ji ki tasveer hoti hai" Negi ne kaha.

"Nice catch" Maine tareef karne wale andaaz mein kaha, "Par tumne ye kyun kaha ke ye Kanha ki aukaat ke bahar tha?"

"Kyunki 20 saal pehle Shimla mein bas yahi ek travel agency thi jo Air Conditioned bus chalati thi Delhi aur Shimla ke beech. Services kaafi achhi hain inki aur aaj ki tareekh mein bhi Shimla ki sabse mehengi Travel agency hai ye. Doosri travel agencies se inke charges takreeban double hi hain"

"Aur phir bhi ye business mein hain?"

"Purani hone ki vajah se ye yahan ke local ameeron mein kaafi popular hai. Iska maalik bhi yahan ka hi ek local crorepati hai toh zaahir si baat hai ke sab ameeron mein uska uthna bethna hai. Bus aur cars jo ye ab provide karte hain vo zyadatar imported hoti hain"

"Imported Bus?"

"Ji haan"

"Pehli baar suna yaar" Maine haste hue kaha, "Toh obvious hai ke jiske paas bhi paisa hai vo isi company ki bus mein travel karta hai. Status symbol"

"Bus toh khair ab inki itni nahi chalti. Ab ye thoda ek level uper uth gaye hain. Zyadatar cab services hi provide karte hain, imported cars aur helicopter service"

"Helicopter?"

"Haan" Negi ne haste hue kaha.

"Sahi hai yaar. Kanha ka aisi travel agency ke through jaane ka ek hi matlab banta hai. Ticket Ravi ne leke di hogi"

"Bilkul. Vo yahan ke sabse ameer ghar ka ladka tha, toh zaahir si baat hai ke uski family isi company ke through travel arrange karegi"

"Hmmmmm"

Maine bas itna hi kaha par dimag mein sirf sawal ye tha ke Kanha Delhi gaya kyun tha. Aur iska jawab bhi jaise dimag ne khud hi de diya.

Uska khud toh Delhi jaane ka koi matlab banta hi nahi tha toh Ravi ke kehne par ya Ravi ke kisi kaam se hi gaya hoga. Par aam taur par Bus tickets vagerah ko yun sambhal kar rakha nahi jata. Par usne toh is ticket aur visiting card ko apne certificates ke saath sambhal kar rakha hua tha. School certificates jinhein insaan bahut ehtiyaat ke saath rakhta hai. Aisi kya khaas baat thi is bus ticket mein jo isko itne dhyaan se rakha gaya tha.

Aur phir mere dimag ki batti jali.

"Vo chair lana zara" Maine Negi ko kamre ke bahar kitchen ke saamne rakhi ek chair laane ko kaha.

Kamre mein rakhi lakdi ki almari thodi oonchi thi. Saamne khade hokar sirf uper haath se chhu kar hi dekha ja sakta tha jaisa ke Negi ne kiya tha.

Negi kursi utha kar laya toh main kursi par chadha aur almari ke uper dekha. Mera andaza sahi nikla. Almari ke pichhe ki taraf 2 papers aur the jahan tak ke Negi ka haath nahi pahunch paya tha. Main vo papers utha kar kursi se neeche utra.

Pehle toh sirf ek bada sa kagaz ka envelope tha jise dekh kar yahi lagta tha ke ye saare certificates uske andar rakhe hue the. Vo ek taraf se poora khul chuka tha aur isi vajah se saare papers bahar aa gaye aur envelope thoda pichhe ko khisak gaya tha.

Aur doosra paper ek aur Bus ticket tha. Same company ka hi. Travel ki date July ki thi. Jis din Ravi gayab hua tha uske 3 din baad ki.

 

[Vampire____lover]

Usi din shaam ko main aur Kamini guest house mein bethe dinner karte hue case discuss kar rahe the.

"Tumhein kya lagta hai, Ravi yahan se Bus mein bethkar nikla" Kamini ne sawal kiya.

"Honestly, i dont think so" Maine jawab diya.

"Why not? Bus ka ticket toh usne kara hi rakha tha"

"Vo Bus ka ticket uske liye nahi tha"

"Matlab?"

"Matlab ye ke agar vo us Bus se nikla hai toh ticket bhi apne saath hi leke jaata. Ticket uske saath uski jeb mein hota, Kanha ke ghar mein almari ke uper nahi"

"Point" Kamini boli.

"Plus a Bus is too public aur uper se aisi Bus jismein yahan ke zyadatar bade log travel karte hain, vo travel agency jiske maalik ke saath uske gharwale family friends jaise hain. Pehchan jata koi na koi use"

"Ye bhi hai"

"Phir bhi 2 baatein ho sakti hai is mamle mein ..."

"Kya?"

"Pehli toh ye ke Ravi ne yahan se nikalne ke liye hi vo Bus Tickets karayi thi, apne aur Kanha dono ke liye. Ho sakta hai ke 2 tickets hon, uski apni tickets uske paas thi aur Kanha wali Kanha ke paas"

"Aur us din Ravi yahan se apni Ticket par nikal gaya aur Kanha ko baad mein aane ke liye kaha, taake kisi ko shak na ho" Kamini ne meri baat poori ki.

"Yep" Maine sehmati jatayi.

"Is theory mein bahut saare loop-holes hain, i dont think it will stick"

"Jaise ke?"

"Jaise ke sabse pehle toh ye ke why would he need a Bus? He was the son of a frigging millionaire, he was filty rich. He could have just taken his own car and drive his way out of here"

"Valid point"

"Doosri baat ye ke uske gayab hone ke baad yahan shor mach gaya tha toh aisa hi hi nahi sakta ke vo us Bus mein bethkar nikla aur kisi ne use pehchana nahi, kisi ne use dekha nahi"

"True"

"Doosri theory kya thi?"

"Doosri theory ye thi ke doosra koi ticket tha hi nahi"

"Matlab?"

"Matlab ye ke tickets sirf Kanha ke liye hi liye gaye the. Pehla wala aur doosra wala bhi. Dono tickets par Kanha hi Delhi gaya"

"Aur vajah?"

"Koi aisa kaam jismein risk bahut involved tha. For example, bahut keemti koi cheez lekar jana jiski vajah se vo koi normal Bus ya Train se Delhi nahi ja sakta tha. Ek aisi Bus service se hi gaya jo ke zyadatar bade log hi use karte the, jo ke Rana Khandan ke jaan pehchan walo ki thi, jispar ke bharosa kiya ja sakta tha"

"Tumhara ishara us 15 Crore ki taraf hai?"

"Aur is visiting card ki taraf, Arora Jewellers"

"Tumhein lagta hai ke Kanha 15 crore lekar is jeweller se milne gaya tha?"

"Itna toh pakka hai ke vo paisa Ravi ne apne aur Kanha ke yahan se nikalne ke liye hi ek taraf rakha tha. Aur ek bade aadmi ke liye itni moti rakam ke saath gayab ho pana thoda sa mushkil kaam hai"

"Aur is kaam mein madad usne is Arora Jewellers walo ki li?"

"Exactly"

"Hai kaun ye Arora Jewellers?"

"Hain nahi the" Maine kaha.

"The?"

"Yep. Maine ye phone number try kiya, disconnect kar diya gaya hai. Jis jagah ka address hai uspar pehle koi jewellery shop bhale rahi ho par ab ek bahut bada Mall hai"

"Mall?" Kamini ne card ko gaur se dekha.

"Yep, The Heritage"

"Oh yes" Usne aankhen phelate hue kaha, "Yahan par toh ab Heritage Mall bana hua hai. Same jagah ka address hai"

"Purani market hoti thi yahan pehle phir use todkar ek naya Mall bana diya gaya tha. Maine internet par search karne ki koshish ki, ek do Arora Jewellers mile par koi apne matlab ka nahi dikha"

"Ho sakta hai us jagah se hatkar kahin aur shift ho gaye hon"

"Yep" Maine kaha aur apna phone uthaya.

"Kise call kar rahe ho?"

"Akram" Kehkar maine number milaya.

Thodi der baad doosri taraf se Akram Ballebaaz ki jaani pehchani aawaz sunai di.

"Salam Bhaijaan. Itni raat ko kaise yaad kiya?"

"Walaikum Assalam" Maine haskar kaha, "Ek kaam aan pada hai"

"Hukum kariye. Vaise ho kahan aajkal?"

"Shimla ki taraf aaya hua hoon kaam se kuchh, ek case ke silsile mein"

"Ok. Kahiye kaam tha?"

"Tujhe pata hai The Heritage Mall kahan hai?"

"Haan pata hai"

"Vahan par 20 saal pehle ek purani market hoti thi jismein ek Arora Jewellers ke naam se dukaan thi. Ab nahi hai. Mujhe pata karna hai ke ye dukaan ab bhi exist karti hai kya aur agar haan toh kahan"

"Ho jaayega. Internet try kiya?"

"Haan search maara par kuchh haath nahi laga"

"Theek hai, main ek do din mein pata karke batata hoon aapko" Akram ne jawab diya.

Usse baat karne ke baad maine Raj Rana ka number dial kiya.


Jaisa ke mujhe ummeed bhi thi, uske kamre ka phone Liyaqt ne hi uthaya.

"Liyaqat main bol raha hoon. Rana Sahab so gaye ya jaag rahe hain?"

"Jaag rahe hain" Liyaqat ne jawab diya.

"Speaker pe daal" Maine kaha.

Kuchh seconds ki khamoshi ke baad phir Liyaqat ki aawaz aayi.

"Aap Speaker par hain"

"Raj Sahab der se phone karne ke liye maafi chahunga. Kuchh kaam tha" Maine kaha.

"Kahiye" Phir se Liyaqat ki hi aawaz aayi.

Mujhe andaza tha ke shayad aisa hi kuchh intezaam Raj ke kamre mein hoga. Jab pehli baar main Guest house mein aaya tha toh har Ranas ke ghar ke har kamre ka extension aur direct # kamre mein rakhi ek chhoti si booklet mein tha. Mujhe kaafi hairat hui thi ye dekh kar ke usmein ek number Raj Rana ka bhi tha aur main soch mein pad gaya tha ke ek goonga behra aadmi phone par kya baat karega, kaisa karega?

Jawab ab samajh aa gaya tha. Liyaqat meri baat sun raha tha aur aage Rana ko ya toh ishare se bata raha tha ya Rana uske lips read kar raha tha aur Liyaqat ko ishare, ya lip movement se hi bata raha hoga ke kya bolna hai.

"Sir pehla toh ye ke mujhe ek scanner chahiye"

"Scanner?" Liyaqat ki aawaz aayi.

"Ji haan, colored. Jaisa ke aksar photographers use karte hain photos scan karne ke liye"

"Mil jaayega" Liyaqat ki aawaz aayi, "Kal subah aapke paas pahuncha doonga. Kuchh mila hai kya?"

"Ek do baatein hain. Agar kal aapke paas time ho toh mil kar baat kar lete hain"

"Theek hai. Kal subah breakfast saath karte hain. Same place, jahan ham lawn mein pehli baar mile the"

"Sure, thank you Sir"

Raj se baat karne ke baad maine phone rakha toh Kamini ne sawaliya nazar se meri taraf dekha.

"Scanner?"

"Haan vo photo jo Sunanda ke ghar se mili thi, aisi toh kuchh samajh nahi aa raha. Maine socha ke computer mein scan karke agar thoda bahut edit kiya jaaye toh shayad kuchh samajh aa jaaye"

"Nice thought" Vo boli.

Ham kuchh der aur drawing room mein bethe TV dekhte rahe aur idhar udhar ki baatein karte rahe. Mujhe need aayi toh main uthkar apne kamre ki taraf chala.

"Suno" Kamini ki aawaz aayi toh main palta.

"Sunao"

"What you said today, about me being your fiancee, you are sure about this right"

Ye pehli baar tha ke us message ke baad ham dono ne is topic par baat uthayi thi. Shaam se ham dono saath the par is baare mein na Kamini kuchh boli thi aur na hi main.

"You always wanted this" Maine jawab diya, "And now when its happening toh doubt kar rahi ho?"

"Doubt nahi kar rahi hoon" Usne muskura kar jawab diya, "Bas yakeen sa nahi ho raha hai. I have wanted this for so long and so desperately that its like a dream come true aur ab dar rahi hoon ke ye sach mein hi dream toh nahi"

"No its not" Main palat kar uske kareeb aaya. Vo Sofa par bethi thi, main uske saamne rakhi table par aakar beth gaya aur uske haath apne haathon mein liye, "Fact is Kamini that you have always been there for me and I have always took you for granted. Vo kehte hain na ke ghar ki murgi daal barabar, aisa hi kuchh tha"

"Main murgi hoon?" Usne shikayat magar pyaar bhari nazar se dekhte hue kaha.

"You know what i mean yaar. Tu hamesha mere saath thi aur kahin mere dil mein ye yakeen beth gaya tha ke tu hamesha hi rahegi, no matter what aur isi ke chalte main har kadam par tujhe for granted leta raha. But now i realise this, if there is anyone who can understand me then its just you"

"Der aaye durust aaye" Vo hasti hui boli.

"I know. I realize my mistake now. The time that i wasted with Renuka ....." Maine kehna shuru hi kiya tha ke Kamini ne meri baat kaat di.

"Dont say that, you loved her and she loved you. She gave you a beautiful son and now she is dead. Uski yaadon ko aise kharab mat karo. Jo bhi bura waqt tha use yaad karne se behtar hai ke us achhe waqt ko yaad karo jo tumne uske saath guzara tha. Dont speak bad about someone who cant even defend herself or rectify her errors now"

"Isi liye tu perfect hai" Maine kaha, "Tune ham dono ke saath hi apna rishta nibhaya hai aur aaj bhi nibha rahi hai"

Maine aage badhkar uska matha chooma aur phir uthkar jaane laga.

"Ek baat aur" Phir uski aawaz aayi toh main ruk gaya, "Main janti hoon ke tum chahe jitna bura bolo Renuka ke baare mein but she will always be your first love, your first wife, mother of your first child. Tum jo bhi bura bolte ho sab gussa hai par haqeeat mein you still love her and I have no problem with her. I never tried to take her place and even now i do not intend to do so. Ye baat main sirf isliye keh rahi hoon ke mere saamne hamesha vaise hi rehna jaise ke the. Kabhi ye zaroorat mehsoos mat karna that you need to hide your feelings about Renuka in front of me. I understand your love for her and i always will. Just be yourself"

"Thanks" Maine palat kar kaha aur apne kamre mein aa gaya.

"My love for Renuka?" Maine dil hi dil mein socha, "Was there love really between us? Agar haan toh kyun aisa hua ke maine apne hi haathon apni biwi ki jaan li?

 

[Vampire____lover]

Chapter 22 - Ganpati Travels


Agle din subah darwaze par knock hua toh meri aankha khuli. Bahar Liyaqat khada tha.

"Haan bolo" Maine ankhein malte hue kaha.

"Raj Sahab ne bheja hai"

"Ok" Maine ghadi ki taraf dekhte hue kaha, mujhe ummeed nahi thi ke vo itni subah bulva bhejega, "10 minute do, aata hoon abhi"

"Nahi vo asal mein Sahab ne ye kehelvaya hai ke vo aapse aaj mil nahi sakenge" Liyaqat ne fauran kaha.

"Oh" Main ruk kar phir Liyaqat ki taraf palta.

"Unhein subah subah London ke liye nikalna pada, abhi bas car gayi hi hai unki"

"Theek hai"

"Vo bole ke aapse aakar milenge"

"Kab tak aayenge?"

"Ye toh kehkar nahi gaye"

"Ye kya hai?" Mera dhyaan darwaze ke paas neeche rakhe ek cardboard box ki taraf gaya.

"Sahab ne mujhe kaha ke ye main aapko de doon"

"Kya hai ismein?"

"Pata nahi"

"Theek hai, yahin table par rakh do"

Liyaqat ke jaane ke baad main box khola toh usmein ek scanner tha.

"Mil gaya Scanner?" Pichhe se Kamini ki awaz aayi toh main palta. Vo angdaai leti apne kamre ke darwaze par khadi thi.

"Hey, Good morning" Maine muskurate hue kaha.

"Good morning. Kaafi jaldi demand meet ho gayi aapki"

"Haan i guess he must have had the scanner at home, which is not quite surprising considering that he handles most of his business from home"

"True" Vo mere saath aakar khadi ho gayi, "You going to meet him now"

"Nope"

"I thought he invited you to breakfast"

"He did but then he cancelled. Abhi Liyaqat bata kar gaya"

"Hmmm. I dont really trust this guy"

"Who? Liyaqat?"

"No, Raj"

"Raj?"

"Yep" Vo sofe par jaakar let gayi, "I mean he was there that night when Ravi vanished. He very well could have done it"

"How do you mean?" Main uske saamne bethte hue bola.

"I am surprised that you are putting your blind faith in the guy, there are so many things that he is actually suspect # 1"

"I dont trust him blindly its just that i dont think he had anything to do with his brother's disappearance"

"Why not, sochkar dekho. Who was to benefit the most out of Ravi death or disappearance"

Kamini ne kaha toh main soch mein pad gaya.

"Jaaydad ka akela vaaris" Maine sochte sochte kaha, "Agar Ravi nahi toh sab kuchh Raj ka"

"Sunanda was in love with a guy, a rich guy that we assumed to be Ravi" Kamini ne baat aage badhayi, "Par ek aur insaan bhi toh hai"

"Raj, Ravi ka hamshakal" Maine kaha, "Ravi gay tha toh Sunanda ke saath involve hone ka chance hi nahi"

"Which leaves us with person # 2. Ek aisa insaan jo sirf naam mein hi alag tha. Chehra bhi vahi, ghar bhi vahi, khandaan bhi vahi aur daulat bhi vahi"

"You are right. I dont know why i never though of him as a suspect" Maine apna sar pakadte hua bola, "He was right there in front of my eyes"

"Liyaqat ne tumhein bataya ke Sunanda gayab hone wale din shayad is ghar mein thi. Hamne sidha maan liya ke use Ravi uthake laya tha"

"Par ye kaam Raj ka bhi kiya ho sakta hai. Us din subah jis insaan ko Liyaqat ne Sunanda ke picche jaate dekha vo Ravi nahi Raj bhi toh ho sakta tha. Shahal toh ek hi hai"

"Aur sabse badi baat" Kamini uthkar bethi, "Liyaqat ko ye sab police ko batane se kisne mana kiya tha?"

'Raj" Mere dimag ki batti jali, "Khandan ki izzat ki aad mein Liyaqat ko hidayat di ki kisi se na kahe par sach ye tha ke us din subah Sunanda ka pichha Raj kar raha tha"


"Right" Kamini ne meri haan mein haan milayi, "Khandaan toh sirf ek bahana ho sakta hai. Possible hai ke vo sirf Liyaqat ki baat se fauran hi sehmat ho gaya taaki kisi ka shak uski taraf na jaaye, Liyaqat yahi sochta rahe ke usne Ravi ko dekha hai aur Raj ke instructions ke hisaab se kisi ko kuchh na bataye"

"Point toh hai teri baat mein lekin ek baat phir samajh nahi aa rahi"

"Kya?"

"Agar us din pichha Raj kar raha tha Sunanda ka toh Liyaqat use pehchan jaata. Dono bhaiyon ki shakal ek jaisi thi par Raj handicapped hai, Ravi nahi tha"

"Haan toh Liyaqat ne kab bola ke usne Ravi se koi baat ki thi"

"Ek aur physical disability bhi toh hai Raj mein"

"Vo ek taang se langdata hai" Kamini samajhte hue boli.

"Correct. Agar vo Raj hota toh langda raha hota aur Liyaqat jisne un dono ko bachpan se bade hote dekha tha, saari zindagi yahin guzari thi usse ye baat chhupi nahi rehti"

"True. Ye ek loophole hai is theory mein"

"Agar ham ek pal ke liye ye baat maan bhi lein ke Liyaqat ki nazar kisi tarah us ek detail par nahi padi and it was indeed Raj that morning, phir bhi it doesnt explain the missing 15 crore. Vo paisa kahan gaya. Raj ko us 15 crore ke liye apne Bhai ko maarne ki zaroorat nahi thi, vo is jaaydad ka barabar ka waris tha us waqt"

"I agree vaise on the other hand it can also explain the money"

"How?"

"Ho sakta hai Raj ne mara ho apne bhai ko aur 15 crore vaapis vahin rakh diye jahan se nikale the"

"Matlab?"

"Matlab ke hazaron crore ki property hain inki yaar. Usmein se jis tarah se 15 crore gayab hone par kisi ka dhyaan nahi gaya vaise hi 15 crore vaapis aane par bhi toh ho sakta hai ke kisi ka dhyaan na gaya ho. Inki har month ki income crores mein hain"

"Oh man this confuses" Main apna sar pakadte hue bola, "Haal filhal mein hi kuchh hua ho toh sunne samajhne mein aasani hoti hai, ye 20 saal pehli ki kabar khodna ek bawal ban gaya hai. 20 saal, jis kisi ne bhi ye kiya tha uske paas 20 saal the apne gunaah ko dhakne ke liye"

"True. Vaise ek baat aur sochi hai tumne?"

"Ab kya?"

"Ek aur insaan jiski baat par tum kuchh zyada hi yakeen kar rahe ho par possible hai ke vo khud hi jhooth bol raha ho"

"Tera Ishara Liyaqat ki taraf hai na?" Maine fauran uski baat pakadte hue kaha.

"Exactly. Ghar ka naukar hai, aur 15 crore koi chhoti rakam nahi hoti"

"Nahi ispar toh mujhe shak tha hi hamesha se"

"Aur agar gaur se dekho toh ek theory aur banti hai" Vo haste hue boli, "Udi chidiya ke par ginne jaisi baat hai par is poore maamle mein ek theory aisi bhi hai jo sunkar bahut hi vaahiyat lage par possible hai"

"O meri maan, maaf kar. Subah subah ye thories mat suna, jo kuchh mujhe ab tak samajh aaya hai vo bhi sab bekaar lagne laga hai"

"Chaai piyoge?" Vo haskar sofe se uthi aur Kitchen ki taraf jaate hue boli.

"Haan" Maine kaha aur usi jagah par jakar let gaya jahan thodi der pehle Kamini leti hui thi.

Lete lete mujhe pata hi nahi chala ke kab meri aankh lag gayi. Kamini ne mera kandha hilaya toh aankh khuli.

"Akram ko phone hai" Vo mera cell mujhe thamate hue boli.

Min Jab sofe par leta tha toh aise hi let gaya tha par ab mere uper ek blanket tha. Use ek taraf karte hue main uthkar betha.

"Haan Akram"

"Bhai vo aapne kal Jeweller ke baare mein pata karne ko kaha tha na, kuchh information mili hai"

"Itni jaldi?"

"Haan vo main idhar Mall ki taraf aaya tha. Ek pehchan wala hai mera jiski pehle purani market mein bhi dukaan thi aur phir mall banne ke baad ek dukaan use di gayi. Usse baat kari toh usi ne sab kuchh bata diya"

"Tu itni subah subah mall kahan pahunch gaya?"

"Subah subah? Bhai dopahar ke 2 baj rahe hai. Kabse so rahe ho?"

"What?" Kehte hue maine ghadi par nazar daali. Sahi mein dopahar ke 2 hi baj rahe the. Main pichhle 6 ghante se pada so raha tha.

"Raat bhar soye nahi lagta hai?" Akram bola.

"Tujhe kaise pata ke main so raha tha?"

"Vo abhi Kamini ne bataya ke aap so rahe ho"

"Kaafi lambi neend ho gayi yaar" Maine ubaasi lete hue kaha, "Vo jeweller ka kya pata chala?"

"Aapne Humraaz ka naam suna hai?"

"Haan dekhi hai maine" Maine jawab diya.

"Kya dekhi hai?"

"Humraaz"

"Aapne Humraaz kahan dekh liya?"

"Ghar pe"

"Ghar pe?"

"Haan"

"Kaise?"

"Kaise kya, TV pe aa rahi thi"

"TV pe aa rahi thi?" Vo confuse sa aata hua bola, "Bhai aap kis baare mein baat kar rahe ho?"

"Humraaz, movie na? Bobby Deol wali?"


"Arrey nahi" Uske andaaz se maine andaaza laga ke doosri taraf vo apna sar pakad kar bol raha tha, "Main Humraaz heere ki baat kar raha hoon"

"Hera, diamond?"

"Haan"

"Humraaz naam ka diamond bhi hai?"

"Hai ya nahi ye toh pata nahi par tha zaroor"

"Ok, and?"

"Kehte hain ke Hindustan ke sabse keemti heeron mein se ek tha vo. Kisi nawab khandan ki milkiyat tha"

"Ok" Mujhe andaz ho gaya tha ke vo aage kya kehne wala hai.

"20 saal pehle yahan Delhi mein ek private exhibition ke waqt vo heera chori ho gaya tha. Bahut dhoondh hui, kaafi magaz maari ki gayi par
aaj tak us heere ka pata nahi chala. Na toh vo phir Hindustan mein dobara kabhi dikhai diya aur na hi duniya mein kahin aur"

"Kabki baat hai ye?"

"December 1992 mein chori hua tha"

Yaani Ravi ke gayab hone se takreeban 7 mahine pehle, maine dil hi dil mein socha.

"Kehte hain ke vo heera aisa tha ke agar uspar nazar gadaye use dekhte raho toh vo aankhon ke saamne saamne hi rang badal leta tha. Ye bhi kaha jata hai ke use ghoorte rehne se insaan pagal tak ho jaate the, kuchh aisi ajeeb si kaifiyat thi us heere mein. Kuchh logon ka toh yahan tak maanna tha ke us heere mein roohani takat thi aur vo aapke dimag tak mein jhaank kar dekha sakta tha. Aur bhi kayi aisi pagalon wali kahaniyan thi uske baare mein"

"Aur isi liye uska naam aisa ajeeb sa pad gaya, Humraaz"

"Bilkul. Short mein us heere ko Raaz naam se bulaya jata tha"

 

[Vampire____lover]

"Toh ek heera juse Humraaz ke naam se bulaya jata tha 20 saal pehle chori hua tha"

"Correct" Akram ne kaha.

"Aur ham iske baare mein baat kar rahe hain kyunki .....?"

"Kyunki us heere ki chori mein ye Arora Jewellers wale prime suspect the"

"Really?"

"Haan. Ab unka naam kaise is chori se juda ya vo suspect list mein kaise aaye ye toh main filhal nahi janta par police ko poora yakeen tha ke us chori mein Sunil Arora ka haath tha"

"Sunil Arora?"

"Arora Jewellers ke malik Ramprasad Arora ka beta. Jahan tak mujhe pata chala hai, Delhi ke kaafi purane jewellers mein se ek the ye log. Us heere ki chori ke baad police ne Sunil Arora ko arrest kar liya par koi saboot na hone ki vajah se use bari kar diya gaya. Sunil toh chhut gaya par iska sidha asar unke dhandhe par pada aur saal bhar mein hi Arora Jewellers par tala lag gaya"

"Hmmmm, interesting. Phir?"

"Phir uske kuchh saal bhar baad Sunil Arora ne khudkushi kar li. Apne ghar mein pankhe se latak kar. Apne pichhe usne ek suicide note chhoda tha jismein usne apne khandan ke naam par lage kalank ke liye apne aapko doshi thehraya aur apne marne ki vajah vo sharmindi batayi jo uski vajah se uske baap ko uthani padi"

"Pakka suicide tha? Any chance of foul play?"

"Ab ye toh filhal keh nahi sakte. Main toh suni sunayi bata raha hoon"

"Ok, phir?"

"Phir bete ki maut ke sadme se Ramprasad Arora toot gaya aur kuchh arse baad vo bhi chal basa. Chapter closed"

"Aur koi family members?"

"I am not sure, shayad dhoondhne se mil jaaye koi par mere source ke hisaab se bas ek baap beta hi tha. Ramprasad ki biwi kaafi pehle chal basi thi aur bas dono baap beta hi ghar mein akele rehte the"

"Ok. Humraaz ke baare mein aur kuchh?"

"Nahi. Uske baad vo heera chori hua toh phir kabhi kisi ko mila nahi aur na hi uske baad kahin dekha gaya"

"Keemat kya rahi hogi us heere ki?"

"Exactly toh idea nahi hai par jahan tak mera andaza hai, itna keemti heera kaafi mehenga hi hoga"

"Ok, ek kaam kar. Ye Arora family se dekh agar kisi aur family member ki koi information milti hai toh"

"Theek hai Bhai"

Akram se baat karne ke baad main kuchh der tak betha uski batayi baaton par gaur karta raha. Mujhe pata hi nahi chala ke kab Kamini chup chap aakar mere pichhe khadi ho gayi.

"Good Morning sleepy head" Uski aawaz par mera dhyaan toota.

"Good morning" Maine muskura kar jawab diya, "Itni der tak mujhe sone kyun diya yaar, utha dena tha"

"Well i guessed you must be pretty tired. You were sound asleep isliye maine jagana theek nahi samjha"

"Yeah, and now i have a headache because i overslept"

"Akram kya keh raha tha?"

Maine Kamini ko apne aur Akram ki baaton ke baare mein bataya.

"It changes everything you know, everything. Ab tak jo information hamare paas hai, ab tak jo ham soch rahe hain, jo bhi theory hai, iske baad sab kuchh badal jata hai"

"So you think Ravi had anything to do with that diamond?"

"Quite possible. Kayi saari baatein ho sakti hain"

"Jaise ki?"

"Jaise ki ho sakta hai Ravi ne vo heera khud chori karaya ho, Sunil Arora sirf ek mohra raha ho sakta hai. Quite possible ke saara khel hi Ravi ka ho"

"Why would he do that, he had plenty of money already?"

"Aur paise ki khwahish kise nahi hoti, plus he was an art lover, we all know that. Ho sakta hai apne collection mein jodna chahta ho"

"And that explains the 15 crore?"

"Quite right. Ya ye bhi ho sakta hai ke Ravi yahan se nikalna chahta tha isliye usne us 15 crore ko ek chhoti si cheez mein convert kiya jo aasani se carry ki ja sake, chhupayi ja sake aur 15 crore se kahin zyada keemat ki ho"

"Yani ke chori ka maal saste mein khareed kar aage becha ja sake"

"Right. Ya toh usne chori khud hi karayi ho sakti hai ya use is chori ka maal saste mein baad mein offer kiya gaya and he accepted it"

"Toh it is possible ke vo kahin zinda ho?"

"Slim chances, hota agar vo kahin zinda toh vaapis aa jata. Vo gay tha aur Kanha ke saath yahan se nikalna chahta tha. Ab Kanha hi nahi raha toh use yahan se bhaagne ki zaroorat nahi thi. Uske khud ke paas itni daulat thi ke vo aise aur na jaane kitne heere khareed sakta tha toh Humraaz ke chakkar mein bhi yahan se bhaagne ka koi logic nahi"

"Oh man this is confusing. So what do you think?"

"I think ke usne vo heera 15 crore ki ek sasti deal mein khareeda taaki jab vo Kanha ke saath yahan se nikle toh us heere ko aage bech kar aur paise bana sake. Par aisa ho nahi saka"

"Aur vo heera hi uski maut ki vajah ban gaya?"

"Correct" Maine sochte hue jawab diya.

"Ab aage kya karna hai?" Kamini ne puchha.
"Not sure really. Kahin se kuchh banta dikhai nahi de raha. Ab tak toh main yahi soch raha tha ke ye jo bhi hua usmein Sunanda kahin na kahin involve rahi ho sakti hai par ab ye Heere wali baat ne aur zyada confusion create kar diya hai. Ab ye bhi possible hai ke jo hua vo us heere ke chakkar mein hua aur Sunanda ka us waqt is tarah gayab ho jana was just a coincidence"

"But a coincidence cant explain why she was here"

"True. Quite possible ke vo shayad Raj ke chakkar mein thi aur uske gayab hone ke pichhe Raj ka haath tha. Par is poore mamle ka kahin Ravi wale case se koi involvement nahi tha"

"Dekho ek baat toh zaahir hai" Kamini sochte hue boli, "Ye jo kuchh bhi hua, yahin pariwaar ke beech hi hua, ismein outsider toh koi ho nahi sakta"

"Matlab?"

"Matlab kise fayda tha uske yun gayab ho jaane se. Agar socho toh sabse zyada fayda Raj ka hi tha jo ke ham discuss kar chuke hain"

"Right"

"Doosre number pe aate hain Miyan Liyaqat. Hamein sirf usne bataya tha ke us subah usne Sunanda ko yahan se bhaagte dekha aur uske pichhe Ravi ko jaate dekha. Par ye kahani bani banayi bhi toh ho sakti hai, apne aapko bachane ke liye"

"Aur vo aisa kyun karega?" Maine puchha.

"Kya lagta hai umar kitni hogi iski?"

"Yahi koi 50 - 55"

"Yani aaj se 20 saal pehle 30 - 35. Ek jawan aadmi" Usne apni aankhen ko samjhane wale andaaz mein phailate hue kaha.

" Ek jawab aadmi jo khud bhi Sunanda ke saath involve raha ho sakta hai"

"Right"

"Aur Sunanda ghar par kuchh isliye nahi bata rahi thi kyunki vo Hindu thi aur Liyaqat musselman"

"Now you are talking" Kamini muskurayi.

"But that still doesnt explain the diamond and 15 crores"

"Hamein pata hi kahan hai ke heera Ravi ke haath mein aaya tha, sirf guess hi toh kar rahe hain ek visiting card aur bus ticket ki bina par"

"True"

"Sakshi Rana ke baare mein bhi soch sakte ho vaise. Ravi se pyaar karti thi, shaadi karna chahti thi par use haasil na kar saki. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. Ho sakta hai gusse mein usi ne kar diya ho Ravi ka kaam"

"Quite true"

"Ya ye bhi ho sakta hai ke Kanha ne hi apne lover ka kaam tamam kar diya ho"

"Ab ye Kanha aisa kyun karega?"

"15 crore bahut hote hain"

"Come on, vo 15 crore toh anyways Ravi uske saath hi share karne wala tha hamari theory ke hisaab se"

"But kya zaroori hai ke Kanha asal mein gay tha? Ho sakta hai ke 15 crore ke chakkar mein Ravi ka lallu bana raha ho. Aur Sunanda jis ladko ko chahti thi vo asal mein Kanha tha"

"Wow" Main itna hi keh saka.

"Ho sakta hai ke un dono ka hi plan ho Ravi ko thikane lagane ka paise lene ke baad aur phir yahan se bhaag nikalne ka. Isi liye shayad Sunanda tab ghar se gayab thi aur subah yahan haweli ke paas hi dekhi gayi. Ye bhi toh ho sakta hai ke Ravi asal mein uska pichha nahi kar raha tha par uski batayi jagah par uske saath ja raha tha"

"Oh come on , if that was the case then how come Sunanda's blouse was missing? Why would she be topless?"

"Maybe she was seducing him"

"You know what, tu kuchh zyada hi dimag laga rahi hai" Main kehta hua uthne laga.

"Or maybe Ravi's father killed him himself" Vo haste hue boli.

"Shut up" Maine bina palte hi jawab diya aur kitchen ki taraf badha, "Chaai aur bachi hai kya?"

"Haan hai, ruko main garam kar deti hoon" Vo mere pichhe uthte hue aayi, "Vaise ek aur aadmi hai jiske baare mein ham bhool hi chuke hain lagbhag"

"Ab aur kaun hai?"

"Aadesh" Vo chaai ka bartan stove par rakhte hue boli.

"Oh yeah, i totally forgot about him"

"Vo jis tarah se us din hamse bachkar bhaga tha, kuchh na kuchh toh gadbad hai. I need to investigate that guy" Maine jawab diya.

"Achha ek baat seriously batao"

"Kya?"

"Raj aur Ravi judwa hain. Shakal bhi ek jaisi hai, dono bilkul same to same copy hain, exact copy ek doosre ki"

"Except for the physical disabilities, yes"

"How do you know that it was Ravi who died"

"Matlab?"

"Matlab ye bhi toh ho sakta hai ke jo mara vo Raj tha aur jo saamne hai vo Ravi hai" Chaai garam ho gayi toh vo stove band karte hue boli