Thriller Vikas ka anokha dost

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kehte hain daru ki latt bahut kharab hoti hai, ek baar lag jaye to choot-ti nahin hai. aisa hi kuch Vikas ke saath hua tha. usko pata bhi nahi chala ke kab wo iss nashe mein itna doob gaya ke ab uske liye nikalna lagbhag naamumkin ho gaya tha. Par wo pehle se aisa nahin tha.

Vikas ke maa baap bachpan mein hu guzar gaye thhe. Usko uske chacha-chachi ne paal pos kar bada kiya tha. lekin aakhir wo unka khoon to thha nahin, so hamesha uske saath sautelon waala vyavhaar hi hota tha. Chacha chachi ki apni 2 aulaadein thhi - bada ladka Shyaam aur chhoti beti Rashmi. Halanki Shyaam vikas se 1 hi saal bada tha, lekin Vikaas usko bhaiyya keh kar hi bulata tha. Lekin Shyaam ko wo ek aankh na bhaata tha. Lekin Rashmi uske saath sage bhai jaisa hi vyavhaar karti thhi. Ghar mein wo ek akeli hi thhi jo Vikaas se kuch baat kar leti thhi. wo chand lamhe hi thhe jo vikas ke din ko rangeen banate thhe. Nahin to bechaara Vikaas ek alag kamre mein pura din pada rehta. Mann hota to school jaata, nahin hota to bas sota rehta. Shyaam aur Rashmi mein se Rashmi badi honhaar chatraa thhi. Wo apni padhai to karti hi thhi, saath mein Vikas ko bhi kabhi kabhi padha deti thhi. Aise karne se usko aage ke concepts pata chal jaate thhe, aur Vikas babu kisi tarah se dhakka mukki kar ke pass ho jaate thhe. Sabhi aise hi chal raha tha ke Vikas 18 saal ka ho gaya.

Yun to uske janamdin par koi khaas prabandh aaj tak hua nahi thha, par uss din usse laga ke ghar mein chacha chachi bade beichain ghoom rahe hain. 12th class ke exam ho chuke thhe aur Vikas ki chuttiyan chal rahi thhi. to yeh to pakka tha ke Vikas ki koi shikayat nahi aayi school se. Lekin yeh bechaini kyun hai, yeh jaanne ko bada utsuk thha. Jab dopahar hui to Vikas ne dekha ke ek ambassador car unke ghar ke aage aa kar ruki aur usmein se ek kaale coat waala aadmi nikla. Vikas ne kuch dhyaan nahi diya aur apne kamre mein pada raha. thodi der baad usse chacha ji ki cheekh sunayi dee,

"Vikas beta !! neeche aana to zara"

ab chachaji ke muh se beta sunkar vikas ko bada ajeeb laga. jo chacha usse har samay gaaliyon se sambodhit karta tha, aaj itne pyaar se pukaar raha hai. Vikas jaldi se hall mein pahuncha aur dekha ke center table pe kuch kagaz pade hain aur unke chaaron ore kaale coat waala vaki, chacha aur chachi baithe hain. Vikas ke liye ek kursi khaali thhi

"Beta yahan aao aur aake in kagazon pe dastakhat kar do" chachaji prem se bole
"kya hai inmein" Vikas ne poocha
"beta maine tumhein bataya tha na inke baare mein" Chachaji bole
"nahin chachaji, apne to aisa kuch zikr nahi kiya" Vikas ko dal mein kuch kaala laga

Chachaji gusse se aag baboola ho rahe thhe aur yeh nazaara vakeel sahab se chupa na reh saka. Wo fatak se beech mein koode

"chhodiye Gupta sahab. main samjhaye deta hoon. Beta vikas, jaisa ke tumhein pata hai, tumhaara maata-pita ne marne se pehle apni saari jaaydaad tumhaare naam likh di thhi. To uss will mein ek condition thhi ki tumhaare 18 saal ke ho jaane tak tumhaare chacha-chachi tumhaari dekhbaal karenge jiske badle mein unko mahine ka 8000 Rs milta raha... ab jab tum 18 saal ke ho gaye ho to tumhaare paas 2 options hain - ya to tum apne chacha-chachi ki dekhrekh mein 3 saal aur kaato jisse inhein har mahine 10,000 rs milenge ya tum apna saara hissa abhi le lo. dono situations mein, tumhaare paas tumhaari college ki padhai ke liye paisa hoga hi"

"to yeh baat thhi. itne saal inhone mujhe yahan naukaron ki tarah rakha aur mere paise bhi hadapte rahe. yehi mauka hai beta iss jail se azaad hone ka, paise utha aur patli gali se nikal le" Vishal ne socha aur bola "Vakil sahab agar main abhi saare paise leta hoon tu aage kya hoga mujhe bataiye"

"beta uss condition mein tumhaari zimmedaari chacha-chachi ke upar kanooni nahi hogi. wo chahein to tumhein yahan rakhein ya chaahe to ek mahine ke andar yahan se jaane ke liye bol dein"

"vakil sahab, main chahta hoon ke meri saari sampatti mujhe abhi mil jaye"

Vikas ke kehne bhar ke der thhi ke ghar mein jaise kohram hi mach gaya. Chacha ji gusse mein tamtamma uthe aur chachi cheekh cheekh ke roni lagi

"itni nanhi si jaan kahan jayegi is umr mein ?? beta ruk jaa 3 saal aur. kyun jalbaazi karta hai. humaare saath hi reh"
"yeh koi zindagi hai? naukar jaise rakhte ho mujhe. sautelon se bura vyawhaar karte ho mere saath. pata bhi hai aapko ke meri zindagi mein kya chal raha hai? jab koi ghar pe aata hai to mujhse naukaron ki tarah introduce karati ho. khaa pee ke khud so jaate ho, saara ghar ka kaam main karta hoon. iss jail se mukt hona chahta hoon main. dekhna chahta hoon ek baar ke jeena kisse kehte hain. Vakil sahab aap bataiye sign kahan karna hai" vikas bola
"haay haay.. issi din ke liye tujhe paal pose ke bada kiya tha humne" chachi magarmach ke aansoo bahate hui boli
"koi ehsaan nahi kiya. kharchi milti thi aapko iss ke liye. kabhi ek paisa bhi mere upar kharach kiya hai"
chachaji to pehle se hi gussaye baithe thhe, yeh sunkar wo aur bhi aape se bahar ho gaye aur vikas ko thappad maarne ke liye aage badhe lekin vakil sahab ne unko rok liya, "zaban to dekho launde ki kitni chal rahi hai. 2 din bahar rahega to aate daal ka bhaav malum ho jayega. fir aaiyo. tab bataunga" woh garje
"chhodiye na ji, bachcha hai. karne dijiye manmaani. mujhe pura yakeen hai wo yahan se nahi jaa payega" vakil sahab ne thoda mahaul sambhalne ki koshish kari
"jayega kaise nahin. iske paise se nahin jeete hum. humaari aulaad ne aise baat kari hoti to ek minute mein ghar se bahar nikal ke phenk deta. yeh to fir bhi yahan ek mahine ruk jayega" chacha ji bole

kisi tarah se sign hue aur Vikas ne ek mahina chacha-chachi se jali katti sunkar nikala. Aakhir uske jaane ka waqt bhi ho gaya. Usse sheher mein ek achche college mein pehle hi admission mil chuki thhi jisse wo bahut khush thha. agar kisi baat ka ghum tha to wo yeh ki usko apni behen Rashmi se door hona padega. Lekin usko nirantar khat likhne ka waada kar, Vikas apni raah par nikal pada. Usko andaaza bhi nahin tha ke aage uske saath kya hone waala hai aur kaise uski zindagi ek ajeeb karwat lene waali hai.
 
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Ab zindagi kisi maile kapde ki tarah to hoti nahin hai, ke bas doosra milte hi pehen liya aur sab theek ho gaya. zindagi to ek sangharsh hoti hai, jo jitni mehnat karta hai, utna hi aage jaate hai. Yeh baat Vikas ko badi jald hi pata chal gayi.

Saari umr wo apne kamre mein raha tha aur logon se kaise baat karte hain, usko koi idea nahin tha. Uska rehne-khaane ka dhang sheher ke logon se bilkul ajeeb tha. Uski boli ka bhi yahan sab mazaak banate thhe. Hua yeh ke dost banana to door, Vikas se koi baat karne tak ko raaji nahi tha. dheere dheere vikas wohi purani zindagi pe aa gaya - college gaye to theek nahin to pada rehta apne room mein.

Lekin ek din Vikas ne thaan hi liya ke wo apni is narak si zindagi ko behtar banayega. Usne padhai mein poori mehnat karna shuru kar diya. English Coaching classes bhi join kar li. Ab mehnat ka usspar dheere dheere asar hona shuru ho gaya. Uski english kaafi improve hui aur pass bhi achche numbaron se hone laga. Sab theek thaak chal hi raha tha ke ek bahut bada anarth ho gaya - Vikas babu ko pyaar ho gaya.

Ladki bhi aisi ke bas kayamat. Sar se paaon tak uska ek ek ang jaise bhagwaan ne bade soch samajh ke banaya tha. Upar se uski paidaish bhi ek ameer gharane mein hui. To woh vikas se baat karna to door, shayad kabhi uski taraf dekhi bhi nahin thhi. Par Vikas babu to din bhar ussi ke khayalon mein doobe rehte. Unko shayad apne zahan mein kahin maloom tha ke iss ladki ko paana unke liye naamumkin ke barabar hai, lekin wo to jaise mann-hi-mann usse apna maan hi chuke thhe.. Ab soch se to ladki patne waali hai nahin, to uska taanka kahin aur bhid gaye aur Vikas babu ban gaye jeete jaagte Devdas.

Jab bottal ka sahara le hi liya, to fir bas ussi mein doobta raha. Halat to yeh ho gayi thhi ke daru ke bina neend nahi aati aur roz subah wo hangover mein hi uthta. Kismat se uski naukari jald hi lag gayi thhi, to iss sharab ka asar usske immediate future pe nahin hua. lekin ab buri aadat to buri aadat hi hai.Kaam pe uska zyada mann lagta nahin jisse har roz usko boss ki daant khaani padti. daant khaa ke wo aur bhi dissappointed hota, aur bhi zyaada peeta. dheere dheere wo ek nihayti patthar dil insaan ho gaya jo sirf apne baaare mein hi sochta tha. Itni bhadaas uske dil mein bhar gayi thhi ke kabhi kabhi usko bhi darr lagta tha.

Sab kuch aise hi chal raha tha uss din tak. uss din ek ghatna hui jisne uski zindagi badal di. roz ki tarah hangover mein jhoomta hua uss din bhi wo office late pahuncha aur apni desk pe baith gaya. abhi soch hi raha tha ke kya kare ke uska colleague Vikram aa gaya uske paas.

"Vikas lo yeh mithai khao"
"kis khushi mein"
"mera bachcha hua hai"
"kitne bachche ho gaye tumhaare?"
"yeh teesra hai"
"tumhein sharam nahi aati?? apna nahin to kam se kam apni biwi ka to khayal karo. 15000 ki tankhwa mein kaise paalegi wo 3 bachchon ko? akkal lagao. koi competition chal raha hai kya?? apne pariwar ka nahin to desh ka socho. upar se itna karne ke baad mithai bhi baant rahe ho. Abe paise bacha, baad mein kaam aayenge. Mera waala laddu kisi aur ko khila diyo. Nikal ab"
"Ek baat poochun Vikas?"
"Pooch jaldi"
"ek haramzaade, kutte ki mentality rakhne waale, neech aadmi ke roop mein jeena kaisa lagta hai?" kehkar Vikram muda aur chal diya bina answer ki wait kiye. sach hi to keh raha tha wo. Vikas ki zindagi ab yehi ban ke reh gayi thhi.

Khair. Vikas pe to isko kuch asar pada nahin, usne jaise taise apna kam niptaya aur shaam ko fir pahunch gaya bar mein. Anhoni dekho - raste mein usse apni college ki dilruba bhi dikh gayi. Usko dekh kar Vikas ka mood aur kharab ho gaya. Uss din ussne kahin zyada daru pee li. Raat ko daru pee ke jab wo bar se nikla to usne paya ke usko sab dhundhla dikh raha hai. lekin kisi bhi baat ki fikar kiye begair wo chal pada apne raste. Uske beheke kadam pad kahin aur rahe thhe aur wo jaa kahin aur hi raha tha. Road cross karne laga to dekha ke ek truck aa raha hai. usse laga ke jald se bhaag ke uss taraf ho jayega par nashe mein dhutt wo kahan jaldi bhaag paya. Ek pal mein hi truck ki headlights ki roshni se wo chundhiya gaya aur fir achanak se hi ghana andhera chaa gaya. aankh khuli to paya ke stretcher pe hai aur kuch log badi habda dabdi mein usse kisi gaadi mein chadha rahe hain. usski aankhein fir bandh ho gayin.

"oh no, he is loosing heartbeat. nurse iski heart beat control karo jaldi." hospital mein doctor bola. fir andhera.
"Doctor mujhe nahin lagta ke isse bacha payenge. internal bleeding to tuk gayi hai par daru ka excess hone ke karan iski body naya blood reject kar rahi hai."
"tum try karte raho. just control the heartbeat sab theek ho jayega" doctor bola ke tabhi Vikas ki heartbeat 50 se 40 fir 25, 12 aur zero ho gayi
 
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Kehte hain zindagi ka har pal keemti hota hai. har pal ko khul ke jeena chahiye kyunki zindagi sirf ek hi baar milti hai. Lekin Vikas ke saath aisa nahin hua tha. 10 minute mare rehne ke baad, kisi karanvash usko uski zindagi waapas mil gayi thi. Sabhi doctors hairani mein thhe ke ye hua kaise par achanak se hi Vikas ka dil dhadakne laga tha. Aur wo bhi seedha 75 bpm se. ab isse upar waale ka chamatkaar kehkar, sab doctor uski condition ko stable banane mein lag gaye.

Theek 3 din baad Vikas ko hosh aaya. Bina hangover ke uthna usko bada ajeeb sa lag raha tha. aankhein bilkul tez thhi aur sar bilkul nahi ghoom raha tha. usne apne aas paas dekha aur paya ke wo ek hospital mein hai. Wo sochne laga ke wo yahan kaise pahuncha. Usko aakhri yaad apni mashuka ko dekhne aur daaru peene ki thhi. shayad uska accident ho gaya tha..

Doctor se confirm karne pe pata chala ke uska accident hi hua tha. Doctors hairaan thhe ke itne bade accident ke bavajood, uski koi haddi nahi tooti thhi. Preliminary examinations aur 2 din ke observation ke baad Vikas ko hospital se chutti mil gayi. ghar jaate waqt usko ek ajeeb sa ehsaah ho raha tha. aisa lag raha tha jaise shayad pehli baar usne yeh shehar dekha hai. 5 din daru se door reh kar usko jaise jeene ka ek alag nazariya mil gaya tha.

Wo paidal ghar jaa raha tha ke usne ek sadak ke kinare khade aadmi se time poocha. Woh aadmi hairaani se usse dekhne laga.

"aise kya dekh rahe ho bhai?? kabhi zinda aadmi nahin dekha kya??" saamne se koi jawaab nahi aaya. bas wohi ghoorna.
"arrey yaar ghoor kyun raha hai?? koi bhoot dekh liya hai kya. jaldi se time bata" kehte hue Vikas ne apna haath uski kalai ki taraf badhaya.

kehte hain ke har insaan ki zindagi mein ek aisa samay aata hai jab uska saamna kisi aisi cheez se hota hai jispe yakeen karna mushkil hi nahin, namumkin hota hai. Vikas ki zindagi ki wo ghadi aaj, ya kahiye abhi thhi. Wo bhochakka reh gaya jab uska haath us sajjan ki kalai ke aar paar ho gaya. Vikas ko yeh manzar dekh kar chakkar aane laga aur woh dhamm se neeche gir gaya
 
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Jab Vikas ko hosh aaya to usne dekha ke uske aas paas kaafi bheed ikatha ho gayi hai.. ek sajjan ne paani ka bottle aage badhaya jisko lekar vikas ne pee liya. Paani pee ke usko thoda achcha laga. Usne idhar udhar nazar daudayi to usse wo time waala aadmi kahin nazar nahin aaya. Usko laga ke ye uska waham hi hoga. Bhoot Pret to bas waham hi hota hai. Shayad doctor ne usko bahut storng dawaiyan dee thi, jiske karan usko aisa lagne laga. Apne aapko aisa samjhakar aur bheed ka dhanyawad karke, wo apne ghar ki ore chal pada.

Ghar pahunchkar jan usne chaaron ore nazarein daudaiye to dekha ke ghar bahut ganda ho chala hai. aur hoye bhi kyun na. din mein office, raat mein daru ke beech usko aur koi kaam hi nahi hota tha. Aaj se daru band - yeh sochkar vikas ne jhaadu uthaya aur laga ghar ki safayi karne. lagbhag 1 ghante ki kamartod mehnat ke baad, uska ghar bhi chamakne laga. yeh dekh kar usko thoda achcha laga. reh reh kar uski nazar bistar ke paas padi addhi bhari daru ki bottal pe jaati thi. Baar baar usko yeh vichaar aata ke bas yeh bottal khatam kar de, daru peena kal se chhod dega. Kisi tarah se usne apne aap ko samjhaya aur daru ki bottal andar rakh di. Fir wo balcony mein chala gaya

Balcony mein jaa kar dekhta hai to neeche usse wohi aadmi dikhta hai. Kala suit, boot 5 ft 10 inch ke kareeb, jawaan aur ghunghraale baal. neeche se wo aadmi balcony pe hi nazar gadaye hue tha. Vikas ko laga ke ho na ho, yeh aadmi koi chor hai jo iske yahan chori karna chah raha hai.

"Watchman !! Watchman !!!" Vikas zor zor se cheekha
"Haan sahab" watchman jaldi se balcony ke neeche aata hua bola
"wo aadmi wahan kaun hai? jaa kar dekho. kab se wahan khada ghoor raha hai"
"kahan pe sahab"
"wahan b block ke saamne"
"wahan to koi nahi hai sahab" watchmen peeche dekhkar bola
"Arrey to main jhooth bol raha hoon kya. wo dekho wahan Innova ke paas khada hua mujhe ghoor raha hai"
"Wahan koi nahi hai sahab. lagta hai aap bahut thake hue hain. thoda so jaiye"

Yeh 2 kaudi ka naukar. ab yeh mujhe batayega ke main kya karoon - aisa sochkar vikas neeche ke ore chala. abhi jaa ke dikhaata hoon andhe ko ke kaun thaka hua hai aur kaun duty ke waqt so raha hai. Gusse se tamtamaata hue jaise hi vikas ne darwaaja khola, wo hakka bakka reh gaya. kaale suit waala aadmi jo kuch seconds pehle neeche khada tha, wo uske darwaje ke just bahar khada hua tha.

"kaun ho tum aur kya chahte ho" sehemte hue vikas ne poocha
"Salvation. main mukti chahta hoon. main phas gaya hoon is duniya main. Aur mujhe lagta hai ke sirf tum hi wo saadhan ho jiske karan main yahan se jaa sakta hoon" wo "aadmi" bola
 
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Abe tu batata hai ya doo kaan ke neeche. yeh kya mukti vukti laga rakha hai. mera bheja garam mat kar. Kya chahiye bata aur dafaa ho yahan se warna main police ko bula dunga. wo itna peetenge ke mukti to kya, uski 7 peediyon se door rahega tu" gusse mein tamtamaye vikas ne bola. Par uss vyakti par isski baat ka koi asar nahi ho raha tha. wo waise hi taktaki bandhe vikas ko ghoor raha tha. Achanak se hi usne apna haath Vikas ki ore badhaya.

"Vikas mere haath ko choo kar dekho."
"abe kya kar riya hai. main aisa aadmi nahi hoon"
"Vikas ek baar mera haath chuo aur fir main batata hoon ke main tumhaare peeche kyun pada hoon"
"abe kya chahta hai tu?? le laga diya" kehte hue vikas ne uske haath ko choone ki koshish kari lekin uska haath fir aar paar ho gaya.
"ab andar chalkar aaram se baith jao. jo main tumhein batane waala hoon, wo sunkar tumhein thoda jhatka lagega"
"abe bhaag tu yahan se. koi baat nahi sun-nu maine teri" kehte hue vikas apne flat mein ghus gaya aur zor se darwaaza band kar diya
"yeh band darwaze mujhe rok nahi sakte vikas. achcha hoga tum kahin baith jao" kehte hue wo "aadmi" band darwaaze ke aar paar hota hua vikas ke ghar mein ghus gaya

ab vikas ko pata lag gaya tha ke chahe kuch bhi ho, iss cheez se peecha chudaana namumkin hai, to woh ek chair pe baith gaya. "shuru karo apni bakwaas. main sun raha hoon"

"kya tum bhoot-pret pe vishwas rakhte ho vikas"
"nahin"
"to jo main bata raha hoon usko samajhne mein tumhein thodi mushkil aayegi. lekin dhyaan se sunna. Mrityu ke baad kya hota hai, yeh jaan-ne ki koshish bahut logon ne kari hai lekin asafal rahe hain. aaj main batata hoon tumhein ke asliyat kya hai. aadmi ko apne jeevan ke har ek karya ka marne ke baad. Jab saare punya-paap ka hisaab hota hai to decide hota hai ke aage uss aatma ke saath kya kiya jaye. 99% aatmayein ya to swarg jaati hai aur ya narak. reh jaati hai mere jaisi kuch abhaaga aatmayein jinko marne se pehle kuch bahut zaruri kaam karna tha par kar nahin paati. yeh kaam na ho paane se dharti par kaafi zindagiyan tabah ho sakti hain. isliye hum jaison ko waapas dharti par bheja jaata hai uss kaam ko poora karne ke liye"
"kya bakwaas hai. tumhaare kehne ka matlab hai ke tum ek aatma ho jo apna kuch kaam nikalwane waapas dharti par aayi ho"
"bilkul sahi. tum jaldi samajhte ho. aur yeh kaam nikalwaane mein sirf tum meri madat kar sakte ho"
"yeh kya kaam hai aur main hi kyun mila tumhein aisa bakwaas karya karne ke liye" vikas bola
"yeh sab main tumhein agle update mein batata hoon" yeh main bola
 
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Mujhe mare 8 mahine ho chuke hain. meri aatma tab se bhatak rahi hai. Jab tumne mujhe dekha, main khush to bahut hua, lekin mujhe yeh yakeen nahi ho paya tha ke tum zinda ho ya nahi. Jab confirm hua, to main yahan chala aaya tumse milne"
"Par watchman tumhein kyun nahi dekh paa raha tha?"
"main ek aatma hoon. koi sadak pe pada kachre ka dibba nahin ke har koi mujhe dekh le. ek aatma ko sirf ek hi zinda aadmi dekh sakta hai. aur wo hi uski mukti ka eklauta saadhan hota hai"
"karna kya hoga mujhe?"
"Apne chhote se jeevan mein main ek bahut hi khulla vyakti raha hoon. poora waqt aish aur aaram ki zindagi jeeya hoon. ladkiyon ko to jaise main kapdon ki tarah badla hai. mere ghar waalon ne meri ladkibaazi dekhte hue meri shaadi jaldi karwa di thhi. meri biwi bahut hi sundar aur pativrata thhi, mujhse bahut pyaar karti thhi. lekin maine kabhi uski value na jaani. marne se pehle 6 mahinon se mera affair chal raha tha. ek din tang aake maine thaana ke main yeh sab chhod dunga aur poori tarah se apni biwi ka ho jaunga. uss din maine break off kiya, kuch phool khareede aur apne ghar jaa raha tha apni biwi se maafi maangne. main tahe dil se chahta tha ke sab kuch usse bata doon aur wo mujhe maaf kar de aur hum achchi zindagi jiyein. Par honi ko kuch aur hi manzoor tha. Uss din meri car ka bhayankar accident ho gaya aur ghar pahunchne ki bajaye, mera upar ka ticket kat gaya. bas ab mujhe apni wife tak yeh baat pahunchani hai ke main usko bahut pyaar karta hoon aur wo mujhe maaf kar de"
"abbey dhatt.. itni si baat. wo to main aise hi phone kar ke usse bol dunga. khel khatam. fir tu upar jaiyo, main apni zindagi mein mast"
"aur tujhe kya lagta hai ke ek anjaan vyakti ke kehne pe wo mujhe aise hi maaf kar degi?"
"arrey kuch bhi bol dunga. kahunga main bhoot dekh sakta hoon, aapke pati ko dekha hai, wo yeh keh raha hai"
"abbey yeh koi chocolate nahin hai jo tu usse cheen lega aur mujhe mukti mil jayegi. jab tak uske dil se mujhe shama nahi milegi, main yahin rahunga"
"to tu sadd yahan. main kuch nahin kar sakta tera"
"kyun nahi kar sakta. sab kuch mumkin hai. tumhein bas usse dosti badhani hogi, jaise hi usse tumpe yakeen ho jaye, tum yeh baat samjha dena"
"dekh main tujhe seedhi baat batata hoon. 2 karan hain main kyun nahi kar sakta. pehla yeh ke ladki se baat karna to door, mujhse to unke paas bhi nahi jaaya jaata. Usse dosti karna to door, mujhse usko ek shabd bhi nahi bola jayega"
"aur doosra.."
"doosra hai ke i dont care. mujhe koi farak nahi padta ke tum upar jao ya neeche raho. bas mera peecha chhod do. pakk gaya hoon tumhaara gyaan le le ke. thoda rest karne do" kehkar Vikas bistar par let gaya aur uss "aadmi" ki taraf peeth kar ke sone ki koshish karne laga. ab thaka to hua hi tha, jaldi hi kharaate bharne laga. 2 ghante baad neend khuli to usse thoda achcha mehsoos hone laga. "Shayad koi bura sapna dekha tha maine. Bhoot, aakhri ichcha hey bhagwaan. kya kya sapne dikhayega aur" sochkar wo bistar se utra aur kitchen mein chala gaya. wahan fridge se thada paani nikala aur peeya. Bhookh bhi lag rahi thi to usne socha aaj bahar hi jaa kar khaana khaya jaye. jab paani pee ke waapas hall mein aaya to dekha wohi aadmi kaale suit mein baitha hai uski chair par.

"arrey tu abhi tak yahin hai"
"to kya socha tumne"
"kis baare mein?"
"mere baare mein.. mere kaam ke baare mein??"
"abe shareer ke saath saath dimag bhi tyaag diya tha kya.. ek baar bola hai na ke nahin to matlab nahin. hat side mein ab mujhe khaane ke liye jaana hai" kehte hue vikas ne ghar ki chaabi uthayi aur ghar lock karke lift ka intezaar karne laga. Lift aayi to uske saath saath "woh" bhi chhad gaya. jab lift 4th floor pe ruki to watchman andar chadha haafta hua.

"ab tujhe kya hua" vikas bola
"kuch nahin sahab. wo nayi malkin aayi hai neeche ke flat mein. unka saaman upar karwa raha tha"
"neeche bhi kisi ko rakh lo, nahin to hum sab ka saman neeche ho jayega. tumhaari to naukari hi jayegi, humaari zindagi ki mehnat barbad ho jayegi"
"kya mazaak karte hain sahab, neeche hain na 2 aur ladke"
"ab yeh lift ka darwaaza band karega?? baraat ghusaani hai aur??"
"wo memsahab aa rahi hain sahab"
"arrey bhaad mein gayi teri memsahab. mujhe late ho raha hai" kehte hue vikas jaldi jaldi close button dabane laga watchman ko side mein karke.
lift band hoti dekh bahar se ek ladki ki awaaz aayi, "arrey ruko main bhi hoon" jisko sunkar vikas ke haath aur tezi se close button dabane lage.
"Arrey ruk jaa ek second wo...." aatma boli
"abey tu chup kar. khada reh wahan ya kood ja bahar" vikas bola
"sahab main to chup hi hoon" watchman seham kar bola. usko subah waala kissa yaad thha.
"tujhse baat nahi kari. tu chup reh" vikas ka dimag bahut garam ho raha tha ab

Lift ruki aur vikas jhaat se bahar ho gaya. lekin akela to woh rehne waala tha nahin. Uske saath uski poonch bhi chal rahi thhi. thodi door chalke vikas poori tarah se khij gaya.
"yaar tumhaara naam kya hai? i mean tumhaara naam kya tha?"
"Prem" aatma boli
"arrey waah. itna naya aur anokha naam. to suno prem bhai. tumhein maine clearly bata diya hai ke main tumhaari madat nahi kar raha. fir tum kyun mere peeche pade hue ho?"
"mujhe pata chal gaya ke mere liye tumhein hi kyun chuna gaya hai"
"To bakoge ya uske liye bhi kisi saadhu se japp karwa ke muhurat nikalunga tab tumhaara muh khulega"
"Kyunki tumhaari nayi padosi meri patni hai" hi keh saka prem.
 
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"Arrey yaar. kya nayi musibat aa gayi hai yeh. Isse achcha to main mar hi jaata. Prem main haath jod kar maafi maangta hoon tumse. agar kisi khuda mein vishwas rakhte ho to uske waaste, nahin to apni patni ke waaste kam se kam mujhe khaane ke liye akela chhod do. main nahi chahta ke wahan bhi tum mera dimaag chaato aur aas paas waale log mujhe pagal samjhe. Please mujh se door raho. jaao aur jaa ke dekho tumhaari biwi kya kar rahi hai. koshish karo ke wo watchman tumhein dekh sake. mujhe lagta hai tumhaari biwi ka usspar to vishwas ho hi gaya hoga ab tak" Vikas bola
"Theek hain main jaa raha hoon. par main dobara milunga. yeh mat sochna ke tum bach gaye ho. kaam to mera hoga hi. aur usse tum hi karoge"
"haan haan dekhenge. dafaa ho jao ab yahan se. jao apni biwi ke paas"
"nidhi. nidhi naam hai uska"
"nidhi ho ya vidhi ho, mujhe koi farak nahi padta." kehte hue vishal restaurant ke andar ghus gaya.
Andar ghus ke uski jaan mein jaan aayi. saaf suthra restaurant. smart waiters haath mein swadisht sa dikhne waala khaana le kar ghoom rahe thhe. yeh dekhkar uski bhookh aur bhadak uthi. Ussne dabaa ke order kiya aur khoob khaya. khaa-pee ke jab wo restaurant se nikla to saara khana prem ko dekhte hi hazam ho gaya. Gussa to usse bahut aaya, par kya kar sakta tha, bhoot se peecha chudaana usse aata nahin tha. ab ghar jaata to usse pata tha ke prem usse chhodega nahin. isliye wo thoda beach ke kinare chala gaya. thandi hawa, nadi ka kinaara aur ice cream. kab shaam hui aur kab andhera chaane laga usko pata hi nahi chala. beach ke kinare se hi dinner khaa ke, vikas apne ghar ko chal pada.Ghar ke andar ghusa to fir wohi nazara. prem wahan pehle se hi maujood tha. vikas ko usse dekh kar gussa to bahut aaya, par fir khoon ka ghoonth pee ke reh gaya.
"Bhai vikas kya socha fir tumne"
"nahin"
"dekho maine tumhein kaha tha ke sirf tum hi meri madat kar sakte ho. tumhein yaad hai na"
"haan yaad hai. aur mera jawaab hai nahin"
"dekho meri baat samajhne ki koshish karo, please keh raha hoon. plz"
"nahin" kehte hue vikas apne cabinet ki aur badha. usko pata tha ke aaj prem usse sone nahin dega. isliye usne pehle hi plan bana liya thha ke apni bachi hui daru pee ke aaram se soyega. usne peg banaya aur bottal le kar apne bistar par aaram se baith gaya.
"dekho vikas, main aaj tak kisi ke saamne itna nahi gidgidaya hoon. please please meri madat karo"
"dekh prem. isse pehle main apne par se kaboo kho dun, tu chup ho ja" gusse mein vikas bola
"kya karoge nahin to? zindagi bhar tumne bas apne baare mein hi socha. jo thaana wo kiya. kisi ki madat karna to door, kisi ke baare mein kuch achcha socha bhi nahin. jis chacha-chachi ne tumhein paal pose ke bada kiya, tum unka bhi dil dukha aaye. socho zara, tumhaare kitne rishtedaar thhe, sab tumhein paal ke paise le sakte thhe lekin kisi ne yeh responsibility nahin lee tumhaare chacha ke siwa. aur rashmi.. usko to tum khat likhne ka waada kar ke aaye thhe na.. kuch dhyaan bhi hai tumhein ke bechari ki kya haalat hai abhi? jab bhi postman ki ghanti sunti hai to daudi hui bahar aati hai yeh soch kar ke tumhaara khat aaya hoga. lekin usse kya pata ke uska bhai itna kathor dil hai ke usse bilkul hi bhool chuka hai. sharam nahi aati tumhein apne upar? kya zindagi jee rahe ho tum? ek mauka mila hai tumhein apni zindagi sudharne ka aur usse bhi tum nahin lena chahte" prem bhi chillaate hue bola
"haan. nahin lena chahta main. pagal hoon main. kisi ka khayal nahi hain mujhe. jaao yahan se ab" kehte hue vikas ne kheech kar prem ki taraf glass maara. usko to glass lagne se raha, uske aar-paar ho kar diwar pe jaa laga aur toot gaya.
prem samajh gaya ke uske yahan rehne se ab koi faayda nahin hai. wo chup chaap wahan se nikal kar chala gaya. gusse mein aur apne upar glaani mein vikas kaafi der tak karwatein badalta raha. prem ka kaha ek ek shabd usko kaante ki tarah chubh raha tha. baat to usne sach hi kahi thhi lekin vikas ke nazariye se dekho to wo bhi galat nahi tha. kisi tarah se wo soya aur agle din samay se utha aur kaam pe gaya. usmein aaye iss badlaav ko dekh kar sab hairaan thhe. aur khush bhi thhe. vikas ne poore mann ke saath kaam karna shuru kar diya taaki usko pichli raat ki koi baat yaad na aaye.office khatam ho jaane ke baad, wo waapas ghar ki taraf rawaana hua.jab lift mein ghusa to usmein uski nayi padosan pehle se hi thhi aur usse ghoor rahi thhi. vikas ne apni nazarein neechi akri aur apne floor ka button daba diya. jab uska floor aaya to zahir hai woh lift mein akela hi tha. Soch mein khote hue wo apne ghar ki taraf badha aur darwaaza khola. andar prem pehle hi maujood tha.
"ohh to tum yahan pehle se hi ho. main yehi soch raha tha ke tumse kaise baat karun"
"to kya tum...."
"haan. maine tumhaari kahi baaton pe bahut gaur kiya aur iss decision pe pahuncha hoon ke tumhaari madat karunga"
"thank you. tum jaante nahin yeh sunkar main kitna khush hoon" khushi mein jhoomte prem ne bola
"theek hai theek hai. ab mujhe kuch der ke liye akela chhod do. kal se kaam shuru karenge." vikas bola.
prem sochta raha ke kaise vikas ka mann badla, magar yeh sochkar hi khush tha ke chal aakhir mann badla to. udhar vikas mahashay bahut hi bechain thhe. "nidhi. to nidhi hai uss ladki ka naam jisko maine 4 saal mann hi mann pyaar kiya lekin kehne ki himmat naa juta paaya. kaisa anokha hai bhagwaan ka khel bhi. itni jaldi uski shaadi bhi karwa di, aur uske pati ki maut bhi"
"Main tum mein kaafi improvement dekh raha hoon Vikas. ab lagta hai ke tum sirf naam ke liye kaam nahi kar rahe. bahut khoob. aise hi lage raho, kamyaabi tumhein zarur milegi" Vikas ko lagan se kaam karte dekh uska boss bola.
aaj 3 din beet chuke thhe vikas ko prem se kahe ke wo uski madat karega. lekin in 3 dinon mein prem aisa gayab thha jaise gadhe ke sar se seeng. Vikas yeh sochkar apne aap ko dilaasa de raha tha ke shayad nidhi ko prem dikh gaya aur saari baatein clear ho gayi. Halaanki vikas nidhi se dosti karna chahta thha, lekin usko bahut darr tha ke ek ladki se kaise baat karega aur kaise khud ko uske saamne pesh karega. dhang ke kapde pehenna, achche se rehna to jaise vikas ne kabhi seekha hi nahi tha. all in all, wo khush tha ke prem uske aas paas nahi hai aur woh aaram se jee raha hai. lekin yeh kya, uski khushi ko kisi ki nazar lag gayi aur jab wo apni desk pe aaya to dekha prem wahan khada muskura raha hai.
"hey bhagwaan. tum yahan tak aa pahunche, jao yahan se. main nahi chahta ke office waale mujhe tumse baat karte dekhein"
"Main yahan shaadi karke rehne ke liye nahin aaya hoon, bas yeh kehne aaya hoon ke aaj shaam hum nidhi se milenge. ghar time pe aa jaana"
"oye sun, yeh mat sochna ke maine ek baar haan kar di hai to waapas naa nahi keh sakta. dhang se baat kar mujh se. tujhe mujhse kaam hai, tu mere upar ehsaan nahi kar raha" Vikas thoda akkad ke bola. usko sach mein yeh baat dil pe lagi thhi ke prem uske saath itna muh fat ho kar kaise baat kar raha hai
"theek hai nahin karunga. par yaad rakhna, aaj raat"
Ab vikas ke pet mein jaise titliyan naachne lagi. ek taraf nidhi se kya kahega iski bechaini aur doosri taraf iss baat ki khushi ke jisko usne engineering ke 4 saal door se nihaara aur mann hi mann jaane kitni baar nanga kiya hai, aaj wo sach mein uske paas jayega. Mann mein to vikas ke jaise laddu phootne lage. uski saari bechaini jaise hawa ke saath furrr se udd gayi. aaj time bhi jaise udd hi raha tha. shaam kab hui usse pata hi nahi chala. Office se bahar nikalta hua wo khushi se foola nahi sama raha tha. anjaane mein usne coffee machine pe khade Vikram ke saath takkar maar di jisse saari coffee uski shirt pe gir gayi.
"abe kya kar raha hai vikram. dikhta nahi hai kya"
"vikas galti tumhaari thhi. tum bina saamne dekhe chal rahe thhe. mujhe mat toko"
"abe galti tumhaar thhi ke bachche, tu beech...." kehta hua vikas ruk gaya. andar se koi awaaz aayi aur wo vikram se bola "sorry yaar. sach main mujhe dekh ke chalna chahiye thha. chal bye, kal milte hain"
aur bhai sahab.... yeh sunkar to vikram babu ek dum hakke bakke reh gaye. Vo vikas jo kabhi kisi se seedhe muh baat nahi karta thha, aaj na sirf usse sorry bol ke gaya, balki usko bye bhi keh kar gaya. Kuch to hua hai vikas ke saath usne socha. daal mein zaroor kuch kaala hai. par is kaali daal ka swaad usko itna swadisht laga ke usko koi complain na thhi.
Ab Vikas bahar khade ho kar prem ka intezaar karne laga. 5 minute baad usne dekha ke prem bhaaga bhaaga uski taraf aa raha hai. "vikas yaar kya kar rahe ho yahan khade hue? chalo na"
"tumhaara hi intezaar kar raha tha prem"
"maine tumhein kaha tha ghar pahunch jao, tum yahan kyun khade ho? achcha hua aaj wo late ho gayi, nahin to saara plan mitti mein mil jaata. chalo aao, uss mod par chalte hain uss signal ke paas"
"achcha to kya wo wahan aayegi?"
"haan wo roz wahin se ghar jaati hai"
"main usko kya bolunga?"
"wo sab tum mujhpe chhod do. main jaisa jaisa kahun tum waisa waisa bolte jaana. aur haanm agar tumhein mujhe kuch kehna hai to bas apne mann mein kehna. mujhe pata chal jayega." prem usse brief karta hua signal tak le aaya. "sahi time pe pahunch gaye. dekho wo aa rahi hai"
aaj bhi nidhi ki chaal mein wohi nazukta thhi jo usne college mein dekhi thhi. lambe ghane baal jo reh reh kar uski aankhon par aa jaate thhe, aaj bhi waise hi usse pareshan kar rahe thhe. jo aankhein humesha chanchalta se bhari rehti thhi, aaj thodi khaali lag rahi thhi. par all in all, vikas khush thha ke aaj nidhi se baat karega. Par yeh kya, wo vikas ke saamne se nikal gayi aur vikas bas usse dekhta hi raha.
"usse baat karo vikas. usko hi bolo." achanak se prem ki awaaz uske kaan mein padi "sunta nahi hai tumhein kab se chilla raha hoon ke uske saath ho jao"
"oh sorry" kehta hua vikas prem ki taraf dekhne laga
"ab meri shakal mat dekho, chalo jaldi uske peeche"
sahme sahme se kadmon ke saath vikas nidhi ke peeche chalne laga. usmein himmat nahi ho rahi thhi usko pukarne ki. Nidhi thoda dheere hui to darr ke maare vikas bhi dheere ho gaya. nidhi ko aisa laga maano koi iska peecha kar raha hai. wo achanak se peeche palti aur vikas ki halat aise ho gayi jaise andheri raat mein koi hiran kisi gaadi ki headlight ke saamne aa jaye. usko samajh mein nahi aaya ke wo kya kare aur issi kashmakash mein wo bhi peeche mud gaya.
"abey peeche kyun mud gaya tu?" prem ne poocha
"tum mera peecha to nahi kar rahe na" uske kaano mein nidhi ki wohi koyal jaisi madhur awaaz padi. iss awaaz ko sun kar wo aur bhi thartharane laga.
p:- "abey bol na nahi. mujhe kya dekh raha hai"
vishal peecha muda aur ek nervous si hasi has ke bola "ji nahin wo to main bas yun hi.."
n:- "yun hi kya?? sharam nahi aati tumhein aisi harkatein karte hue"
V:- "dekho madam bhashan mat do. koi peecha nahi kar raha tha main"
p:- "chup kar vishal, apni akkal mat chala. jo main bolta hoon wo bol" aur wo bolne laga
v:- "actually main aapki building ke upar waale floor pe rehta hoon. aapko kal dekha tha. watchman ne bataya ke aap nayi hain. aur ittefaaq se aaj mujhe aap dikh gayin to maine socha ke ghar tak ka safar aaram se katt jayega"
n:- "oh sorry.. main samjhi ke koi lafanga...."
v:- "he he he.. mujhe dekhkar waise aksar log yehi samajhte hain" wo bola aur bolte hi usse realise hua ke wo apne mann se kuch bhi bol diya hai
p:- "beta vikas... kyun apni akkal laga rahe ho. sirf wo bolo jo main bolta hoon tumse"
lekin yeh kya, nidhi to vikas ki baat sunkar has padi
n:- "chaliye. chalte hain ghar wo muskuraate hue boli"
Vishal babu ka seena garv se chauda, na sirf aaj usne ek haseena se pehli mulakat kari, par usse hasa bhi diya. college hota to aaj to badi party hoti
p:- "naam pooch"
v:- "naam batao"
n:- "huh... oh.. sorry main kisi aur hi khayal mein thhi. nidhi naam hai mera"
v:- "aur main vikas. pyaar se log mujhe vikky kehte hain"
n:- "ohh to aap hai vikas. aap hain jisne ussdin mere liye lift nahi rukne di thhi. bata raha tha watchman"
v:- "arrey jhoot bolta hai wo watchman. saala gadha kahin ka. uski to aaj maain....."
Prem samajh gaya tha. sabse bada kaam vikas ko uska kaam karne ke liye tayyaar karna nahi tha. sabse bada kaam tha ke vikas ko iss kaabil banaya jaye ke wo uski madat kar sake. aaj prem ko sach mein lag raha tha ke bhagwaan ne usko galat bande ke saath baandh diya. ab tum ek aise bande se jisko ladki se baat karne ka dhang bhi nahin aata, kaise ek sabhya aadmi banayega? "Lag jao prem. yehi eklauta saadhan hai tumhaari mukti ka, uske andar se awaaz aayi" lekin vikas ko nidhi ke saamne gaaliyan dete sun, usko sach mein yeh karya asambhav lagne laga.
n:- aaram se aaram se... itna gussa kyun us bechaare ke upar
v:- bechaara nahin hai wo. jab dekho tab yahan wahan khada ho ke sutta maarta rehta hai. maine 2-4 baar toka bhi hai ke kaam ki jagah par raha karo par maanta hi nahin hai. mujhe lagta hai issi khundas ke karan mera naam le diya
n:- ab bas bhi karo. aise react karna band karo jaise daaka dalwaa diya usne tumhaare upar
v:- (mann hi mann) kya kahun be ab. tum kaam kahan karti ho neha (prem ke bolne par waapas shuru ho gaya vikas)
n:- neha nahin nidhi. main bas ek company mein business analyst hoon. chotti si naukari hai. chal jaata hai apna ghar.
v:- ohh. business analyst to main bhi hoon lekin thodi badi company mein hoon.
n:- achchi baat hai. chalo ghar aa gaya.
v:- main jhatt se lift rokta hoon
n:- theek hai. main to seediyon se jaungi. tum lift se jao. baad mein milte hain.(nidhi ne vikas se peecha chudane ke liye bol diya)
v:- arrey aisi kya baat hai. fir main bhi seediyon se hi chalta hoon (vikas maan-ne waala kahan tha, itne saal baad usse baat kari hai, ab aise hi thoda jaane dega, par prem samajh chuka tha ke wo peecha chudaana chahti hai. lekin usne kuch bola nahin.)
n:- chalo lift se hi chalte hain. meri taang thoda dard kar rahi hai (iss gadhe ke saath seediyan chadne se achcha hai lift mein hi band ho jao, kam se kampeecha to jaldi chootega)
v:- lo aa gayi lift.
Lift mein nidhi bilkul shaant khadi rahi aur vikas usko aankhon ke kone se ghoorta raha. uska floor aate hi nidhi jhat se lift se nikli aur usko bye keh kar chali gayi. Vikas muh par muskaan aur dil mein armaan liye apne floor pe utra aur apne ghar mein ghus gaya. Usne apne kapde badle aur aaram se apne bed par let gaya aur nidhi ke baare mein sochne laga.
"kya soch rahe ho vikas" prem ne poocha
"soch raha tha ke aaj intro to theek se ho gayi, ab aage kaise baat badhai jaye"
"mujhe hasi aati hai tumpe. iss ko tum theek se intro hona kehte ho? tumhaare saath ek-ek pal usko bhari lag raha tha. tumne kaha lift, to usne kaha seedi aur jaise hi tumne seedi kaha to wo lift ke liye tayyaar ho gayi. iska matlab bhi nahi samajhte kya tum"
"abe zyada mat soch. usne bola tha na ke uski taang mein dard hai, isliye aayi lift se"
"taang mein dard hota to lift se aise bhaag kyun jaati einstein"
sunte hi jaise vikas ke sapnon ka mahal chann se toot gaya. baat to sahi thhi. to kya wo mujhse peecha chudaane ki koshish kar rahi thhi? nahi yaar, aisa nahi ho sakta. wo to mere saath has rahi thhi
"ek chhoti si khilkhilahat ko hasi mat samjho vikas. main usko tumse kahin achchi tarah jaanta hoon. tumhein kaafi mehnat karni padegi usse waapas baat karne ke liye hi, usko mere baare mein yakeen dilaane ki baat to bahut door ki hai. maine nahi socha tha ke aaj ki meeting itni buri jayegi. ab kuch aur sochna padega"
" tum sochte raho. mujhe to lagi hai bhookh. main laga khaana banane." kehte hue vikas kitchen ki taraf badha. "ohh shit. pyaaz aur tamatar khatam ho gaye hain. ab lene jaana padega"
prem ke dimag ki batti achanak hi jali, "chalo nidhi se maang lete hain"
"waah yeh kari na mast baat. chalo"
"vikas main haath jod kar tumse vinti karta hoon. jo main kahoon, bas waisa waise hi karna aur kehna. kuch aur mat karna please"
"dekh prem, baat to yeh hai ke uske saamne meri zabaan rukne ka naam nahi leti aur mere kaan uske siwa koi aur baat nahi sunte. to main kya karun"
"tu kuch bhi kar but plzz mere shabdon pe dhyan sete rehna. chal ab"
ting tong. nidhi ke darwaze ki ghanti baji. wo dekhne gayi ke ab kaun aaya hai aur key hole se vikas ko dekh kar apna dir pakkad liya. darwaaza khola
"hi vikas. bolo kya hua"
"wo mujhe thoda pyaaz aur tamatar chahiye thha. hai kya tumhaare paas"
"haan hai. ruko main laa kar deti hoon" jaise hi wo peeche mudi, vikas ne dekha ke ghar thoda bigda pada hai.
"arrey aap to aate hi ghar sawaarne mein lag gayi"
"haan thoda bahut kaam reh gaya hai. to socha kar hi loon. kab tak taalti rahungi"
"Aisa kariye, aap ghar saaf kijiye, aaj dinner aap ke liye main bana deta hoon"
"Arrey nahin.. koi zarurat nahi hai takleef lene ki vikas. main kar lungi"
"Takleef kiss baat ki. waise bhi sabziyan to aapse hi lunga na he he he. aur plz aaj mere saath dinner kar lijiye, nahin to main samjhunga ke aapne mujhe lift waali baat ke liye maaf nahi kiya" vikas ne sharmaate hue bola to nidhi ka dil bhi paseej gaya.
"theek hai, tum bana lo. lekin mujhe time lagega. kya tum ruk paaoge?"
"kitna time lagega?" (yahan tak ka saara vartalaap usne Prem ke kahe anusaar hi kiya tha)
"Agar akeli karti hoon to kam se kam 1.30 - 2 ghante to lagenge. agar tum madat kar do to shayad ghante bhar mein ho jaye"
"2 ghante sahi hain. intezaar kar lunga main 2 ghante. 6.30 hain abhi. 8.30 baje main khaana le kar aata hoon fir" bina prem ki baat sune usne bola aur mud gaya seediyon ki taraf
prem aur nidhi dono bas uski taraf dekhte hi reh gaye. prem soch raha tha ke ab mahaul kaise sambhaale aur nidhi bas yeh hi soche jaa rahi thhi ke yeh aadmi kitna badtameez hai. doosre ki madat karna to door, saara saaman bhi bina thakyou kahe le kar chala gaya. reh reh ke nidhi ke dimag mein yeh khayal aata tha ke usne vikas ko kahin dekha hua hai pehle. lekin kahan, yeh usko yaad nahi aa raha tha.
p:- Vikas waapis mud ke aa abhi
v:- arrey tumne to sach maan liya, main to mazaak kar raha tha. chalo batao kya karna hai (waapas aa ke Vikas ne prem ke kahe anusaar sab bol diya. Halaanki uska mann bilkul nahi tha kaam karne ka, lekin fir bhi wo laga bakson mein se samaan nikalne aur nidhi ko pakkadaane)
nidhi bhi jaldi jaldi kaam mein lagi hui thhi. Ek helper usko waapas thode na milna thha. iss help ke badle agar thoda samay usne vikas ke saath bitaa bhi liya to kya hua. aakhir khaana bhi to wo hi bana raha hai. itna kaam wo kar raha hai to thhoda yeh bhi jhel lena hi theek hai nidhi ne socha. Udhar Prem bhi duvidha mein pada hua tha. Usko nidhi ka ravaiyya samajh nahi aa raha tha. Kya usne apni wife ko kabhi pehchana hi nahin? kya wo itni aaram se doosre mard ke saath khaane ke liye tayaar ho jaati hai?? kahin aisa to nahi ke mere peeche isne koi boyfriend bhi bana liya ho - yeh baat prem ko sataane lagi. Aur vikas babu to hamesha ki tarah ekdum mast. koi tension nahi, bas lage hue kaam mein. aaj to nidhi ke saath dinner hai -yeh soch ke usmein aur josh aa gaya tha.
khair fatafat se saara kaam nipta aur vikas ghus gaya kitchen mein. nidhi kapde badalne chali gayi. vikas nidhi ke khayaalon mein itna khoya hua tha ke usko pata hi nahi chala ke kab usne saara khaana jala diya. nidhi kapde badal ke kitchen mein aayi to usne vikas ka chehra dekha aur usko pata chal gaya ke kuch to hua hai
"kya hua vikas? aisi shakkal kyun banayi hui hai?"
"vo... khaana jal gaya" vikas sharmaate hue bola.
"hey bhagwaan. chalo kuch nahi hota. tum thodi der aaram karo. main waapas bana deti hoon"
"theek hai" kehkar vikas kitchen se bahar nikla. drawing room mein gaya to dekha prem usko dekh ke muskura raha hai. "kya hai" khij mein vikas ne bola
"bahut achche jaa rahe ho. maine socha tha tumhein bas apni zindagi barbaad karni hi aati hai. aaj pata chala tumhein khaana bhi barbaad karna aata hai"
"chup kar. pehle hi mood ki maa-behen ho rakhi hai. ab tu aur mat sataa" kehkar vikas sofe pe baith gaya
"vikaaaas" thodi der mein usko nidhi ki awaaz sunayi di to uski neend tooti.
"haan aaya"
"ek problem ho gayi hai"
"kya hua ab"
"gas khatam ho gayi hai" nidhi muskuraate hue boli
"khatam kaise ho gayi?? tumne to abhi hi lee hogi naa, yahan shift hone ke baad"
"yahan ke liye maine connection ke liye apply kiya hua hai. yeh to purana cylinder hai. mujhe pata nahi tha ke itni jaldi khatam ho jayega. ab kya karein"
"main apna cylinder laoon ?"
"nahin rehne do. bahar se hi order kar lete hain."
"haan yeh bhi theek hai. chalo pizza order kar lete hain"
"haan. tum order karoge ?"
"theek hai.. kaun sa khaogi?"
Vikas ne itna hi poocha tha ke darwaaze ki ghanti baj gayi. Nidhi ne darwaaza khola to vikaas ko kisi aadmi ki awaaz aayi
"arre rahul tum.."
"surprise. maine socha aaj khaana le kar tumhaare paas aa jaata hun.. ghar sawaarte hue thhak gayi hogi"
" arrey iski kya zarurat thhi. waise zarurat to thhi. gas khatam ho gayi hai. aao aao" kehte hue nidhi ne rahul ko andar bula liya. prem bhi drawing room mein aaya dekhne ke liye ke maajra kya hai. usne dekha ke ek handsome launda khada nidhi se baat kar raha hai. yeh dekhkar uska mann doobne laga
"vikas yeh rahul hai. mera dost. rahul yeh vikas hai. mera padosi. yeh meri madat kar raha tha ghar sawaarne mein. hum logon ko saath khaana khaana tha aaj lekin gas khatam ho gayi"
"par nidhi main to do hi logon ke liye khaana le kar aaya hoon" rahul bola
"kuch nahi hota, main bahar se kha lunga. tum dono enjoy karo. main chalta hoon" vikas muh latka ke bola
"ok vikas. thank you very much. and i m very sorry ke saath mein dinner nahi kar paye."
"kuch nah ihota. dinner mujhpe udhaar raha. waise bhi weekend shuru hai ab. kabhi bhi kar lenge" vikas bola aur nidhi ko bye kar ke apne ghar ko nikal liya.
Vikas ne bahar se order kiya khaana aur akelepan mein khaata raha. reh reh ke usko nidhi ka khayal aata thha. usne nidhi ke liye kya kya sapne bune thhe aaj, kitna bada mahal khada kiya tha ummedon ka, lekin saare sapne chann se gir ke bikhar gaye. aur wo reh gaya akela un tukdon ko sametne aur aage ke liye naye khwaab bun-ne. uss ko achanak se dhyaan aaya ke prem nahi waapas aaya uske saath. ghante bhar baad prem waapas aaya muh latka ke.
"mujhe kuch ajeeb sa lag raha hai vikas. rahul mera boss tha. main usko kabhi bhi ghar pe nahi laaya. lekin aaj usko dekh kar lag raha tha ke wo nidhi ko kaafi pehle se jaanta hai aur kaafi achchi tarah se jaanta hai. samajh nahi aa raha ke kya karun aur kya sochun"
 

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