"Ok.....chalo yahi sahi hoga. Lekin us ke paas kya saboot hai ki Bogha ke hi aadmiyon ne usay maara tha. Clear baat hai ki jis tarah logon ne Bogha ko nahin dekha usi tarah uske giroh ke aadmi bhi aam logon ki nigaahon se chhupe huye honge." "Kuchh bhi ho.....main kewal isi aasha par zinda hun ki kabhi na kabhi to mere hath Bogha ki gardan tak pahunch hi sakenge."
"Kya tumhen vishwas hai ki Tony ke paas is kism ke papers honge jin se tumhare baap ke hatyaron ka bhed khul sakega?"
"Nahin.......agar us ke paas aisi koi chiz hoti to mujhe zaroor batata. Kyon ki wo ab bhi mere hi tukdon par pal raha hai." "Tumhara Dangu ka milaap kaise hua?"
"Wo mere baap ke doston me se tha. Jab ye baat phail gayi ki mera baap Bogha ke revenge ki shikaar hua tha to wo mere paas aaya......aur mujh se kahne laga ki wo Hopy ke khoon ka badla Bogha aur us ke aadmiyon se zaroor lega. Mujhe us se nafrat thi. Lekin ye baat jaanti thi ki wo bhi Bogha ke dushmanon me se ek hai. Is liye main ne socha ki Bogha se nibatne ke liye Dangu se achha madadgaar nahin mil sakega. Is liye main ne dil par patthar rakh liya aur karobaar me bhi us ka hath bataati rahi......lekin wo kritaghn kuttaa........"
Monica ko phir gussa aaya tha.......aur wo phir haanfne lagi thi.
"Lekin ye to socho ki us ne tumhen aur tony ko ikattha kar ke papers ka demand kyon kiya tha?"
"yahi baat to samajh me nahin aati."
"Mujh se suno. Pahle to usay meri talash is liye thi ki wo mujhe apne casino me naukari dena chaahta tha. Lekin phir wo din yaad karo jab kisi ne tum se phone par Dangu ke baare me puchha tha......aur tum ne usay gaaliyaan di thin."
"Ohh.....wahi baat to jhagde ki shuruwaat bani thi. Main us se puchh rahi thi ki dusri taraf se bolne waale ne kya kaha tha jis par jhalla kar us ne phone kaat diya tha. Waise ye to main jaanti hi hun ki wo tum the."
Imran muskuraya aur phir bola. "Main ne us se kaha tha ki Hopy ki hatya me us ke alawa kisi ka hath nahin ho sakta." "Ohho....." Monica ke hont gol ho gaye aur aankhen phail gayin.
Phir wo kisi gahri soch me doob gayi. Imran bhi khamosh baitha raha. Kuchh der baad Monica ne kaha...."Magar tumhen in baaton se kya lena dena? Tum kyon Dangu ke pichhe pad gaye ho?"
"Ye ek dukh bhari kahani hai. Ek khandan ki tabaahi ki dastaan. Teen saal huye......mera baap yahaan se lut kar gaya tha. Pichhle saal mera bhai tabaah ho gaya tha. Us ne apni saari poonji juwe me haar di thi. Phir main aaya.....to tumhare ek agent ne mujhe bhi ulloo banana chaaha. Wo upaaye bataya ki jis main bahut badi jeet me rahta. Matlab main bhi sar ke bal khada ho jaata......kyon?"
"Ye to business hai...." Monica muskuraayi.
"Aur us business ki general manager ek bakri hai." Imran bhi khush ho kar bola. "Ohh....wo to...."
"Haan.....kewal manoranjan ke liye....." Imran sar hila kar bola. "Main samajhta hun. Laila ke kutte ki kahani bhi suni hai. Lekin yahaan bakri ke Majnu paaye jaate hain. Ladkiyaan aise mardon se prem karti hain jinhen kewal microscope se hi dekha jaa sake."
"Mera mazaak mat udaao...." Monica ne daant pees kar ghoonsa uthaya.
"Hath niche gira do warna kewal gosht ka lothraa rah jaayega. Jaanti ho Dangu is khidki par khade ho kar kya kah gaya tha?" "Kya kah gaya tha....?" Monica ne hath gira liya.
"Us ne mujh se kaha tha ki tum Monica ke liye mere khilaaf kaam kar rahe ho. Monica mujhe shuru hi se dhoka deti rahi hai."
"Lekin us ke kutton ne mere sath kya kiya hai......agar tum na aa jaate to shayad wo teeno namak haram mujhe maar hi daalte." "Dangu ka vichar hai ki tumhen un papers ka pata hai. Is liye us ne tumhen aur Tony ko ikattha kiya tha. Shayad wo iski zaroorat mahsoos nahin karta. Lekin us phone call ne usay buri tarah baukhlaa diya hai. Jo kaam wo dhire dhire karna chaahta tha usay ab jaldi se jaldi khatam kar dena chaahta hai. Aakhir usay un papers ki itni chinta kyon hai?"
"Main bhi yahi sochti hun. Jab ye pata hi hai ki Hopy ko Bogha ke aadmiyon ne maara tha to phir un papers ka importance kya rah jaata hai."
"Ho sakta hai wo kisi khaas aadmi ki taraf ishara karen. Lekin dangu us khaas aadmi ko tumhari jankari me nahin laana chaahta ho."
"Is liye wo aadmi dangu hi ho sakta hai."
"Agar nahin ho sakta to us ne tumhen us call ke baare me kyon nahin bataya tha? Ye kyon nahin bataya tha ki koi us par Hopy ki hatya ka aarop laga raha hai......bolo...."
Monica kuchh na boli. Imran usay tatolne waali nazron se dekh raha tha. Phir us ne kaha "Kya Dangu Tony ko talash karne me kamyab ho jayega?"
"Main kya kah sakti hun. Lekin kash main us se pahle hi dangu ko khatam kar sakti. Ho sakta hai ki tumhara sochna sahi ho.
Dangu ne mujhe kewal is liye zinda rakha ki Tony se papers haasil karne me help mile."
"Wo yahi kah gaya hai. Bas itni hi zindagi hai tum logon ki jitni der Tony ki talash karne me lagegi." "Phir ab kya kiya jaaye?"
"Main to aise mauka par aksar Ramba dance karna chaahta hun. Partner na mile to akele hi shuru ho jaata hun."
"Kya tum vastav me utne hi murkh ho jitne dikhayi dete ho?"
"Murkh hogi tum........tumhara dimag to nahin kharab ho gaya. Tum khod murkh.....zara zubaan sambhaal ke......haannnn....." "Lekin tumhen kaise pata chala ki Dangu hi Hopy ka hatyara hai?"
"Kaala jaadu.....main ne shuturmurg ki doom par khade ho kar raat bhar jaadu jagaya tha phir mere chele bhooton me mujhe khabar di ki dangu hi Hopy ka hatyara hai."
"Bakwaas mat karo. Tum mujhe bewakoof nahin bana sakte. Main tumhen pahli baar hi dekh kar samajh gayi thi ki tum koi bahut bade frod ho."
"Achha.....sach batana......kabhi tumhen Dangu ki mahbooba hone par sharam bhi aayi hai?" Imran ne puchha.
"Wo ek dilchasp time pass tha.....ek up-haas poorn intertainment."
"Lekin ab wo tumhen badi bedardi se maar daalega." "Ho sakta hai...." Monica ne laparwaahi se kandhe hilaaye.
"Lekin main bekar hi mar raha hun. Mujhe pachhtawa hai. Zaroorat hi kya thi ki main bhi kood padta. Mujhe dangu ka karobar chaupat karna tha.....wo har haal me kar deta."
"Haan.....main bhi ye jaan'na chaahti thi ki tum iss maamle me kyon aa koode?"
"Aahhh.....kya bataaun......" Imran thandi saans le kar bola. "Tumhen dekh kar na jaane kyon aisa mahsoos hota hai ki jaise derh darzan bachchon ki ek fauj mere pichhe padi hai. Kya isi ko ishq kahte hain?"
"Bakwaas karoge to muhh noch lungi."
"Usay nochna nahin choomna kahte hain shayad.......ishq me.......main abhi ishq me under graduate hun."
"Bakwaas band karo. Aaaj tak kisi me itni himmat nahin huyi ki mujh se iss tarah ki baaten kar sake."
"Tumhare sitaare gardish me aa chuke hain. Kuchh der pahle tumhare naukar kis tarak pesh aaye the......yaad hai?" Monica kuchh na boli us ne apna nichla hont daanton me daba liya tha.
***
Martha pagalon ki tarah Safdar ka darwaza peet rahi thi. Lekin uski aankh jaldi nahin khul saki. Aaj wo routine ke khilaaf din me so gaya tha.
Panch minut baad us ki nind tooti.
"Main to samjhi thi ki shayad darwaaza hi todna padega." Martha ne haanfte huye kaha.
"pata nahin kyon aaj din me hi so gaya tha."
"Ek buri khabar hai......aakhir wahi hua jis ki aashanka thi."
"kya hua?"
"Main ne mana kiya tha ki Dangu ke chakkar me na pade. Ab vishwaas ke sath nahin kaha jaa sakta ki tumhara murkh leader zinda hai ya maar daala gaya."
"kyon.....kya hua?" Safdar baukhlaa gaya.
"Wo ek budhe ke make-up me Monica ki gaadi ka pichha kar raha tha. Chunki main pahle bhi usi make-up me usay dekh chuki thi is liye usay pahchan gayi......aur sawadhani se us ka pichha shuru kiya. Monica weeran samudri ilaake ki ek imaarat me dakhil huyi thi. Us ke sath us ke teen khatarnak gunde bhi the. Thodi der baad ye mahashay bhi andar chale gaye. Lekin phir waapasi nahin huyi. Kuchh der baad bhitar se firing ki aawazen bhi aayi thin."
"Tum nahin samajh sakte ki mujhe kin kathinaaiyon ka saamna karna pada hai. Main akeli thi. Aisi sthiti me wahaan se hatna sambhav nahin tha. Shayad ab bhi nahin pahunch sakti. Wo to sanyog se ek machhuwaara mil gaya jis ke hath se main apne ek assistant ko letter bhijwaane me safal ho gayi. Jab wo teen aadmiyon samet wahaan pahunch gaya tab hi main aa saki hun. Aas paas kuchh khandar hain jahaan se wo us imaarat ki nigraani kar rahe hain."
"To phir main bhi chal raha hun. Kya apne dusre sathiyon ko bhi bula lun?"
"Dusre sathi....?" Martha ne hairat se kaha. Phir boli "Kewal kaale aadmi ke baare me kah rahe ho?" "Nahin Julia aur Chauhan...."
"Kahaan rahte ho? Wo yahaan kab hain?"
"Kyon....? Kya matlab?"
"Ohh.....to kya tumhen pata nahin hai ki tumhara leader unhen waapas bhejwaa chuka hai."
"Main nahin jaanta. Pata nahin wo kya karta phir raha hai. Kabhi kabhi sach much pagal bana deta hai."
"Chinta mat karo. Mujhe asha nahin ki phir kabhi us se mulakaat ho sake."
"Ohh.....tum kya jaano usay......usay samajhna bahut kathin hai. Wo choohon ki tarah marne ke liye nahin paida hua. Josef kahaan hai?"
"Usay us ne kisi ki nigrani par lagaaya tha. Wo ab bhi wahi kar raha hai."
Safdar bahut jaldi me taiyar hua. Iss khabar ne usay uljhan me daal diya tha. Ye zaroori nahin tha ki Imran se kabhi koi galati hi nahin hoti. Ho sakta hai is baar sach much maut hi ne pukaara ho. Lekin us ki maut ki kalpana kitna kasht-daaii tha......Safdar ki isi samay ehsaas ho saka.
Wo ab tak darzanon abhiyaanon me us ka sathi rah chuka tha. Us ke sath thahaake bhi lagaaye the aur kathinaaiyaan bhi jheli thin. Aksar us par gussa bhi aata tha aur phir apne rawaiye par sharmindagi bhi hoti thi. Kyon ki jis betuki baat par gussa aata tha wahi kuchh der baad behad kaam ki saabit hoti thi. Lekin ye maamla abhi tak us ki samajh me nahin aa saka tha. Agar Dangu Bogha ke virodhiyon me se tha tab phir usi ke pichhe pad jaane ka maksad kya ho sakta tha. Wo Martha ke sath ghatna sthal par tezi ke sath rawaana ho gaya.
***
Dangu ne ek baar phir us kamre par chadhaayi kiya jahaan wo donon qaid the. Is baar wo akela nahin tha. Us ke sath paanch hathiyar band log the. Monica usay dekhte hi gussail billi ki tarah gurraa kar khadi ho gayi. Lekin Imran muh latkaaye baitha hi raha.
"Tony kahan hai?" Dangu ne Monica ko ghoorte huye khunkhaar lahje me kaha,
"Agar mujhe pata bhi hoga to nahin bataaungi."
"Main tumhare sharir se khaal utarwaa sakta hun."
"Mere liye uski jacket banwaa dena." Imran ne sar utha kar kaha.
"Tum khamosh raho."
"Tu mujhe jawab de kutte zalil.....Hopy ki hatya kis ne kiya tha?"
"Main ne...." Dangu ne seene par hath maar kar kaha. "Aur iske baad bhi usi ki beti meri premica thi. Mere liye kaam bhi karti thi aur ab wo bhi Hopy ke paas pahunch jaayegi......agar us ne Tony ka pata nahin bataaya." Monica khadi daant peesti rahi.
"Arre.....tum ne mujhe kyon bekar pakad rakha hai.....?" Murkh(Imran) ne kaha.
"Tumhen mujhe wo kartab sikhana hoga jis ke kaaran tum goliyon se bach jaate ho."
"Kartab nahin.....kaala jaadu."
"Main murkh nahin hun. Anyway.....tum apni bakwaas abhi band rakho. Mujhe is aurat se nibatne do. Tum se to main baad me samjhunga."
"Oont(Camel) par baith kar samajhna warna phir galati karoge."
Achanak imaarat ke kisi bhaag se shor utha. Aur Dangu chaunk kar darwaaze ki taraf dekhne laga. Us ke hathiyar band sathi bhi darwaaze ki taraf hi mud gaye.
Imran ne badi phurti se Dangu ki kamar pakad li......aur usay utha kar uske sathiyon par phenk maara. Usi bich daudte huye kadmon ki aawaz aayi.
Dangu ke aadmi iss achanak hamle se baukhlaa gaye the. Wo Dangu ko uthane ke liye jhuke hi the ki Imran ne bhi un par chhalaang lagaayi. Jin ke kadmon ki aawazen suni gayi thi wo Imran ke hi madad-gaar saabit huye. Safdar sab se aage tha. Phir kisi ko itna hosh na raha ki revolver istemal karne ki koshish karta. Sabhi guttham guttha ho kar lad pade the. Tabhi Monica cheekhi....."Ohh.....wo gaya.....nikal gaya.....dekho."
Magar kon sun raha tha. Dangu ke sathi pagalon ki tarah lad rahe the.......aur darwaaza hi me aapas me guthe huye aadmiyon ke kaaran diwaar jaisi ban kar rah gaye the. Imran ne ek baar phir zor lagaya aur kisi na kisi tarah darwaaze se paar ho hi gaya. Dangu ka dubaara nikal jaana usay achha nahin laga tha. Wo bechaini se imaarat ke sabhi bhaagon me daudta phira......lekin Dangu na mila. Main gate ke paas do hathiyar band vyakti behosh pade the. Un ke saron par choten thin. Shayad unhen imran ke sahayakon ne hi behosh kiya tha.
Phir jaise hi wo imaarat se bahar nikla.....usay Martha dikhayi di.
"Ohho....tt....tum zinda ho.....?" wo us ki taraf badhti huyi baukhlaaye huye dhang se boli.
"Kahaan......nahin to. Emergency par dubaara waapas aaya. Tijori ko lock karna bhool gaya tha.....tum ne Dangu ko to baahar nikalte nahin dekha?"
"Nahin......idhar se koi nahin guzraa....andar kya ho raha hai?"
"Mujhe is se koi ruchi nahin ki andar kya ho raha hai. Dangu to nikal hi gaya. Achha koi gaadi extra hai yahaan?"
"Haan.....meri gaadi le jaao. Main dusri gaadi se chali jaaungi."
"Monica andar hai. Dangu usay maar dena chaahta hai. Us ki suraksha tumhare zimme. Main bahut jald milunga......ok......tata....."
Martha us se kuchh kahna chaahti thi lekin wo to road cross kar ke gaadi me baith chuka tha.
***
Monica un ke sath chali to aayi lekin us ke chahre par gahri chinta ke bhaav the. Aksar wo un se puchhne lagti thi ki wo log kon hain. Aur in maamlon se un ka kya sambandh hai. Lekin wo bataate hi kya. Yahi kah kar chup ho jaate ki wo kiraaye par haasil kiye huye log hain. Sahi situation ki jaankari usi aadmi ko ho sakta hai jise wo murkh jaadugar ke naam se yaad karti hai. "Tumhara us se kya rishta hai?" us ne Martha se puchha.
"Kuchh nahin. Jo in logon ki haisiyat hai wahi meri bhi hai."
"Wo Yugoslavia ka naagarik hai."
"Pata nahin...."
"Wo tum sab ko bhi dubo dega. Us ka sath chhod do."
"Tum kitni ehsan-faramosh ho Monica....? Kya Dangu tumhen maar daalna nahin chaahta tha?"
"Yahi to main jaanna chaahti hun ki achanak wo mera dushman kaise ho gaya? Hamaare bich dushmani paida karne waala bhi yahi murkh tha. Main nahin samajh sakti ki wo kya chaahta hai."
Safdar jo abhi tak khamosh tha usay sambodhit kar ke bola...."Dangu tumhara dushman kyon ho gaya hai?"
"Ye bhi wahi shaitan jaanta hoga. Main kya bataaun. Mujhe kab tak yahaan rahna padega?"
"Agar tum marna hi chaahti ho to ham kaise tumhen rok sakenge?" Martha boli,
"Zindagi aur maut ka mere saamne koi importance nahin hai. Lekin main us samay tak yahaan rukna chaahti hun jab tak ki us se nirnaayak baat cheet na kar lun. Pata nahin ye sab kya ho raha hai. Kya tum log Tony ko bhi jaante ho?"
"Ham abhi Dangu aur Monica ke alawa kisi ko nahin jaante." Safdar ne kaha "Aur hamara kaam ye hai ki ham tumhari suraksha karen."
"Aakhir ye murkh kis kism ka aadmi hai?" Monica Safdar ki aankhon me dekhti huyi boli. "Tum bhi mujhe usi ke desh ke lagte ho. Tumhare aur uske baat chit ke dhang se yahi lagta hai. Kahin tum wahi to nahin ho jo us raat us ke sath casino me the jab us ne jaadu ke kartab dikhaaye the?" "Wo har kism ka aadmi hai."
"Us se phurteela aadmi main ne aaj tak nahin dekha. Das feet ki doori se us par 6 fire kiye gaye lekin ek bhi goli usko nahin lagi. Fire karne waala Dangu jaisa perfect nishanebaaz tha." "Nahinnn...." Martha hairat se boli.
"Vishwaas karo. Jis samay Dangu fire kar raha tha us murkh ke pair zameen se lagte nahin dikhayi de rahe the. Bas aisa lag raha tha jaise wo hawa me udd raha ho."
Martha ne Safdar ki taraf dekha aur Safdar sar hila kar bola...."Monica ka bayan sahi hai. Wo aisa hi aadmi hai."
"Kabhi wo murkh aur paagal lagta hai aur kabhi aisa lagta hai jaise us se adhik buddhimaan aaj tak paida hi nahin hua, Zara si der me us ka poora vyaktitva hi badal jaata hai."
Monica saans lene ke ruki aur phir boli...."Mujhe us ke liye chinta hai. Kyon ki Dangu makkaari me apna jawaab nahin rakhta.
Wo ham logon ke liye saara shahar khangaal kar rakh dega."
Safdar ka dil chaah raha tha ki Bogha ki charcha chhed de lekin phir bhi yahi soch kar chup rah gaya ki kahin ye Imran ki scheme ke khilaaf na ho. Wo sochon me doob gaya. Monica aur Martha baat kar rahi thin. Safdar soch raha tha ki agar Dangu Bogha ke virodhiyon me se tha to us se bid jaana kahan ki samajhdari huyi. Kya Boghe ke kisi virodhi se takra jaane ke baad us tak pahuchna sambhav ho jaayega? Safdar sochta raha aur bore hota raha.
Tabhi phone ki ghanti baji......aur wo chaunk pada. Martha receiver utha rahi thi. Us ne kisi ki call receive ki aur phir receiver rakh kar baukhlaaye huye dhang se Safdar ki taraf ghoomi. "Tumhare leader ki call thi. Us ne kaha hai ki.....Dangu ke aadmi idhar aa rahe hain. Unhen yahaan Monica ke hone ki suchna mil gayi hai."
"Ohh...." Safdar monica ki taraf dekhne laga. Lekin us ke chehre par dar ya bechaini ke bhaav nahin dikhayi diye. Wo bahut hi shaant aur easy dikhayi de rahi thi.
"Tum log mujhe akeli chhod kar chale jaao." Us ne kaha. "Main dekh lungi. Dangu mujhe us samay tak nuksaan nahin pahuncha sakta jab tak ki Tony na mil jaaye. Jaao tum sab. Mujhe kewal ek revolver aur kuchh extra round de do."
"Hamaare paas na revolver hai aur na extra round." Martha boli. "Lekin ham tumhari raai ka paalan zaroor karenge." Safdar bola..."Ye namumkin hai....magar....." Martha ne aankh maar kar usay khamosh kar diya.
Safdar aur Martha ke aadmiyon ne das minut ke andar andar imaarat chhod di. Safdar ne baahar nikal kar Martha se puchha...."Tum ne aisa kyon kiya?"
"Iski zimmedari tumhare leader par hai."
"Kyon? us ne kya kaha tha?"
"Yahi ki Monica ko akela chhod do aur nigrani karo ki wo kya karti hai. Agar wo is imarat se kahin jaaye to us ka pichha kiya jaana zaroori nahin hai. Nigrani se maksad yahi hai ki koi dusra us ke rahte huye imarat me prawesh na kare."
Wo aas paas ke resturants me phail gaye aur aisi mezen select kiye jahaan se imarat ke main gate par achhi tarah nigaah rakh saken.
Lagbhag 20 ya 22 minuts baad Monica imarat se nikli thi. Us ke chehre par naqaab thi. Un ke dekhte hi dekhte us ne ek taxi rukwaayi aur us me baith kar ek taraf rawaana ho gayi.
Martha Safdar ke sath hi thi. Eka-ek wo uchhal padi aur Safdar usay ghoorne laga,
"Ohh.....dhoka.....uffohhh.....shayad wo tumhare leader ki call nahin thi. Utho jaldi karo. Wo Dangu tha. Us ki gaadi saamne waali gali se nikli thi.....wo us ke pichhe gaya hai."
Martha ke dusre sathi different resturants me the. Is liye wo jaldi me unhen bhi sath na le ja saki. Sadak par pahunchte hi unhen bhi taxi mil gayi. Black car bhi dikhayi de rahi thi. Chunki road par traffic bahut adhik tha is liye gaadiyon ki speed kam hi thi. "Black car ke pichhe chalna hai....." Martha ne driver se kaha "gastapo....FBI...." "Ok madam..." driver ne apni cap ko chhu kar kaha.
"Kya tum ne uski aawaz pahchani nahin thi?" Safdar ne puchha.
"Ab kya bataaun.....us samay to yahi laga tha ki wahi bol raha hai."
"Magar us ne kaha kya tha?"
"Yahi ki kisi tarah Monica ko imarat me akeli chhod do aur baahar se nigrani karo. Ye tarkeeb usi ne bataayi thi ki main Dangu ke aadmiyon ke aane ka bolun aur kahun ki ham log apni jaan ko khatre me nahin daal sakte.....is liye wahaan se jaa rahe hain. Us ka jo dil chaahe kare. Lekin us ne khud hi yahi suggestion de di thi."
Safdar soch me pad gaya. Black car ab un ki nigaahon me hi thi. Martha ke kahe ke anusaar Dangu us car me Monica ka pichha kar raha tha.
***
Monica ne ek baar bhi mud kar dekhne ka kasht nahin kiya tha. Usay vishwaas tha ki Dangu ke aadmiyon ke pahunchne se pahle hi uss imaarat se nikal aayi thi.
"Driver.....tez chalo....." Us ne kaha,.
"Rush bahut hai madam." Driver bola. "Iss road se nikal jaane ke baad main tez chala sakunga....."
Monica khamosh ho gayi. Wo bahut vyakul thi. Baar baar gaalon par aa jaane waali baalon ki laton ko ungali se marodne lagti thi. Thodi hi der baad car ek sunsaan si sadak par aa gayi. Ab us ki raftaar tez ho gayi thi. Monica shayad maansik roop se itni uljhi huyi thi ki us ne ab bhi pichhe mud kar dekhne ka kasht nahin kiya tha. Waise bhi iss road par raushni bahut kam thi aur black car ki head light bhi off thi. Is liye usay pichha kiye jaane ka anuman nahin ho saka.
"Bas bas yahin rok do." Us ne ek jagah taxi driver se kaha.....aur kiraya dene ke liye jacket ki jeben tatolne lagi.
Taxi se utar kar wo sadak ke left side dhalaan me utar gayi. Taaron se bhare huye aasman ke niche kahin kahin chhoti badi buildings ke hewle dikhayi de rahe the. Wo ek disha me badhti chali gayi.
Phir ek chhoti si imaarat ke nikat ruki.....jiski ek khidki me raushni dikhayi de rahi thi.
Baraamde me pahunch kar us ne darwaaze par dastak di. Kuchh der baad bhitar se kisi ke chalne ki aawaz aayi. Phir darwaaze ke paas hi kadmon ki chaap ruk gayi.
"Kon hai....?" andar se kisi ne bharraayi huyi aawaz me puchha.
"Main hun....Moni.....darwaza kholo.....mujhe vishwaas tha ki tum yahin aaoge." Monica ne kaha.
"Ohh....baby......please mujh se door raho." andar se aawaz aayi. "Main tumhari maut nahin chaahta hun......mujh par jo beetegi main bhugat loonga."
"Parwaah mat karo.....Hopy Poatamus ki beti maut se nahin darti.....darwaaza kholo."
"Kya Dangu se tumhari sulah ho gayi hai?"
"Nahin main tab tak chain se nahin baith sakti jab tak us ke khoon se naha nahin lun."
Darwaza khul gaya aur Monica tezi se andar ghusi. Phir darwaza ko andar se bolt bhi usi ne ki. Tony hakka bakka khada tha.
"Tum ne ye khatra kyon mol liya baby? Agar koi tumhara pichha karta hua aaya hoga to?"
"Koi bhi nahin.....main santusht hun."
Wo ek kamre me aaye. Ye imaarat eastern design ki thi. Us ke andar aangan bhi tha. Uski diwaaren saat ya aath feet se adhik unchi nahin thin.
"Kya sach much tumhare paas kisi tarah ke papers hain Tony?" Monica ne puchha.
"pp...paperss....?" Tony haklaa kar rah gaya.
"Tum mujh se jhoot nahin bol sakte Tony....." wo usay ghoorti huyi boli "Dangu accept kar chuka hai ki Hopy ka hatyara wahi hai."
"pp...paperss...." Tony ne phir lambi saans li aur khamosh ho gaya.
"Tony......tum jaante ho ki main Hopy ki beti hun. Mujhe iska koi gam nahin hoga ki ant-tah tum mere hathon maare gaye."
"Ham donon aaj tak kewal unhin papers ke kaaran bache huye hain baby......warna Dangu hamen bhi thikaane laga deta."
"Ohh.....to tum jaante the ki Dangu hi Hopy ka hatyara hai. Bolo....jawaab do......khamosh kyon ho gaye?" "Mujhe is me sandeh tha...."
"Tum bakwaas kar rahe ho. Khuli huyi bakwaas. Ab main samjhi......tum shayad un papers ke refrance me Dangu ko black mail karte rahe ho......kyon?"
"Kisi kameene aadmi ke sath kameena pan ka salook buri baat nahin hai baby...."
"O.....zaleel......tumhari is kaminagi ke kaaran mujhe kitni zillat huyi.....main apne baap ke hatyare ka dil bahlaati rahi......laao wo papers ab mere hawaale kar do.....warnaaaa....."
"De dunga.....de dunga.....lekin Dangu mujhe zinda nahin chhodega...." wo bhaybheet swar me bola.
"Laao.....chup chaap nikaalo.....mujhe vishwaas hai ki aise mauke par wo tum se door na honge."
Tony kaanpta hua ek side me pade huye tin ke bade box ki taraf badha aur baith kar usay kholne laga. Lekin jab wo palta to us ke hath me revolver tha.
Tony kaanpta hua ek side me pade huye tin ke bade box ki taraf badha aur baith kar usay kholne laga. Lekin jab wo palta to us ke hath me revolver tha.(Page 201se aage)
Tony kaanpta hua ek side me pade huye tin ke bade box ki taraf badha aur baith kar usay kholne laga. Lekin jab wo palta to us ke hath me revolver tha.
"Ohh.....namak-haram.....aaj tumhen bhi itni himmat ho gayi.....!" Monica aankhen nikaal kar gurraayi. "Shayad sach much mere sitaare gardish me hain."
"Jaao....chali jaao.....niklo yahaan se....mujhe se wo papers koi bhi nahin le sakta. Main un se lakhon rupiye kamaaunga."
"Tum ap Dangu se ek paisa bhi nahin wasool kar paaoge."
"Hunhhh....Dangu...wo tuchh insaan.....wo inki keemat kya de sakega. Unka sauda to sarkaaren karengi. Main abhi tak kisi munasib mauke ki talash me raha hun, Faisla nahin kar paaya tha ki kis desh ki sarkar se baat chit ki jaaye." "Aakhir kaise hain wo kagazaat?"
"Jaao....chali jaao....kahin sach much treggar dab hi na jaaye......jaao."
Achanak Monica bhaybheet dikhaayi dene lagi.....aur Tony phir dahaada...."Jaao....isi me tumhari bhalaaii hai. Dangu se sulah kar lo. Itna karo ki wo mera pichha chhod de. In kagazaat ka sauda karne ke baad main us ki botiyaan udaa doonga. Tumhen bhi ek handsom amount mil jaayega."
"Nahin nahin......mujhe kuchh bhi nahin chaahiye. Tumhari shakal se dar lag raha hai." Monica kaanpti aawaz me boli...."Mujhe jaane do."
"Jaao.....shabash....tum samajhdar bachchi ho. Tony tumhara bura nahin chaahega. Wo Dangu ke khoon ka pyasa hai. Lekin
Dangu ki maut ke baad tumhen gareebon ki zindagi guzaarne nahin doonga."
"Monica darwaaze ki taraf mud gayi. Tony us ke pichhe revolver taane huye chal raha tha. Monica ke chalne ke dhang se saaf lag raha tha jaise wo larkhada kar gir padegi.
"Daro nahin. Agar tum ek achhi bachchi saabit huyin to main tumhen goli nahin maarunga."
Achanak Monica palat padi. Uska bayaan hath revolver par pada tha aur daahina hath Tony ki kanpati par. Tony is achanak hamle ke liye taiyar nahin tha. Ek taraf to revolver us ke hath se nikla aur dusri taraf wo khud larkhadaata hua saamne waali deewar se ja takraaya.
"Ab bataao.....wafadar kutte....." Wo revolver ka rukh uski taraf karte huye boli.
"Ohhh.....tt....tum....dhokebaaz...."
"Chalo nikaalo kaagazaat.....warna tum to jaante hi ho ki main kitni raham-dil hun." Tony diwaar se laga haanfta raha.
"Der na karo....warna main sach much tuhari khopadi me kayi chhed kar dungi." Wo phir sandook ki taraf badha.
"Thahro....aise nahin...." Monica ne usay rokte huye kaha....aur khud box ki taraf badh gayi. Revolver ka rukh tony hi ki taraf tha. Wo thokaren maar maar kar box ko kamre ke bich me khiskaa laayi.
"Ab nikaalo.....jaldi karo...."
Tony gaaliyaan bakta hua box par jhuk gaya. Box ka dhakkan hata kar kapdon ko alag kiya aur red colour ka ek leather bag nikaala jis par kaale rang ki dhaariyaan bani thin.
Monica uske hath se bag chheenne ke liye jhuki.....aur is par Tony ne jhukaayi de kar revolver par hath daal diya. Lekin thik usi samay darwaaze se kisi ne un par chhalaang lagaayi.....aur bag ko samet'ta hua aage chala gaya. Ye Dangu tha. Monica ke hat se revolver chhoot kar farsh par gira tha jise wo dobaara na utha saki.
"Agar tum ne thodi si bhi chalaki dikhaayi to main sidha goli maar doonga." Dangu darwaaze ki taraf hat'ta hua bola. Wo unhen cover kiye huye hi pichhe hat raha tha. Darwaaze ki taraf uski pith thi. Shayad uski scheme yahi thi ki darwaaze se nikalte hi wo usay baahar se band kar dega. Is tarah surakshit nikal jaane me usay aasaani hoti. Lekin wo abhi baahar nahin nikal paaya tha ki ek zordaar thokar uski kamar par padi aur leather bag liye huye aundhe muhh farsh par dher ho gaya.
"Good......very fine....bravo...." Monica khushi bhare swar me cheekhi. Imran darwaaze me khada palken jhapka raha tha. Monica ne jhapat kar thokar maari aur Dangu ka revolver door jaa pada.
Dangu uth chuka tha aur bag uske seene se chimta hua tha.
"Tony par nazar rakho...." Imran ne monica se kaha aur jhuk kar Dangu ki gardan pakad li.
Monica ne phir Tony ka revolver utha liya tha aur ab uska rukh Tony hi ki taraf tha. Lekin itni der me Dangu Imran ke liye la-ilaaj balaa ban chuka tha. Wo bag chhod kar uski taangon se lipat gaya tha.
"Abbe.....o....agyakari baalak.....ye kya kar rahe ho?" Imran donon hathon se us ke sar par chaante maarta hua kah raha tha.
"Taangen chhod...."
Lekin Dangu ne bhi shayad jaan hatheli par rakh li thi. Wo chaante khaata raha lekin taangen na chhodi. Imran mahsoos kar raha tha ki wo kisi bhainse se kam shaktishaali nahin hai.
Achanak safdar aur Martha kamre me ghuse.
"Ye leather bag utha lo Safdar." Imran ne kaha. Wo ab bhi apni taangon ko Dangu ki pakad se chhuda lene ke liye sangharsh kar raha tha.
"Khabardar.....agar kisi ne bag ko hath lagaya." Monica gurraayi.
"Murkh na bano...." Imran ne kaha. "Main in papers ko kewal ek nazar dekh kar tumhen wapas kar doonga." Safdar ne bag uthaya. Monica us par fire na kar saki.
"Moni.....tum galat kar rahi ho....wo bag karodo dollar ka hai." Tony bharraayi huyi aawaz me bola.
"Tum iski chinta mat karo. Mujhe dost aur dushman me antar karne ki samajh hai." Monica ne kaha.
Phir Tony ki taraf ishara kar ke Safdar se boli...."Tum isay cover kiye raho......Main Dangu ka ant apne hathon se karoongi." Usne revolver uske hathon me thama diya aur khud dangu ki taraf jhapti.
Imran ne Safdar ko ishara kiya ki wo bag lekar khisak jaaye.
Monica ne Dangu ki gardan pakad kar usay Imran se alag karne ki koshish shuru ki.....aur idhar Tony cheekha...."Arre wo kambakht bag le bhaaga...."
Lekin wo aage na badh saka. Ab Martha revolver sambhaale uske raaste me khadi thi.
Tabhi Dangu ke kanth se dard bhari aawazen nikalne lagin aur Imran ke pairon par uski pakad dheeli par gayi.
"Haayennn....haayennn.....gala na ghonto." Imran bola. "Main to is se taangen dabwaa raha tha. Kayi din se daudte daudte taangon ka kachoomar nikal gaya hai."
"Nahin.....main isay zinda nahin chhodungi."
"Tum galati karogi. Ho sakta hai iske marne ke baad wo kagazaat fizool ho kar rah jaayen."
"Jahannum me jaaye kagazaat....mujhe to iska khoon chaahiye."
Kisi kisi tarah Imran ne Dangu ki gardan chhudwaayi. Is par Dangu uth kar Monica par jhapat pada. Lekin Monica ki thokar uski thuddi par padi......aur wo dusri taraf ulat gaya. Phir uth kar cheekha. Lekin Monica ne bhi usay thokaron par hi rakh liya......aur sath hi thahaake bhi lagaaye ja rahi thi.
Kuchh der baad Dangu be-sudh ho kar gir gaya.
***
Usi raat wo sab ek aisi imaarat me nazar aaye jis ka sambandh X2 ke agenton se tha. Tony aur Dangu rassiyon se jakde huye farsh par pade huye the......aur Imran leather bag se kagazaat nikaal raha tha.
"Ohho...." wo achanak uchhal pada. Us ke hath me ek tasweer thi. Kisi Badshah(Samraat) ki tasweer. Jo shaahi libaas me tha. Monica tasweer par jhuk padi.
"Ye kon hai?" wo budbudaayi.
Imran ne tasweer Safdar ke saamne daal di.....aur wo bhi baukhlaa kar aankhen phaadne laga. Tasweer ke niche likha tha......"Kaala desh ka samraat" (Waali-e-zulmaat)
"Kyon......pahchana tum ne...?" Imran ne Safdar se puchha.
"Bogha..." Imran uski aankhon me dekhta hua bola. Phir Dangu ki taraf hath utha kar bola. "Aur ye Bogha ka ek aisa agent hai jo us ke dushmanon ko thikaane lagaata raha hai. Bogha ke giroh se toote huye log isay Bogha ka dushman samajh kar iske paas aate hainaur ye bahut aasani se unhen khatam kar deta hai. Tumhen yaad hi hoga ki kuchh hi din pahle manoranjan sthal(Tafreeh-gaah) par ek aadmi ki lash mili thi. Kya wo panaah lene ke liye Dangu ke paas nahin pahuncha tha? Main usay jaanta hua. Wo Latoshe ke ek niwaasi Baali tha. Dangu ne hi uski hatya karwa di thi. Kya main jhoot bol tarah hun Dangu?" Dangu kuchh na bola. Imran kahta raha. "Bogha ke agenton me ye shayad most important agent hai." Phir wo khamosh ho kar dusre kagazaat nikaalne laga.
"Monica Tony ko ghoor rahi thi. Kuchh der baad usne us se puchha "Ye papers Hopy ko kahaan se mile the?"
"Ohh.....ye kagazaat khooni hain.....manhoos hain. Wo bhi in ka sauda karna chaahta tha.Lekin maara gaya. Aur main......dekho mera kya anjaam hota hai."
"Main puchh rahi hun usay ye kagazaat kahaan se mile the?"
"Ek videshi jasoos ke kabze se. Hopy ne usay qatal kar ke haasil kiye the. My god.....kaash ye mere kabze me nahin aaye hote. Dangu ne Hopy se in kagazaat ka sauda kiya. Lekin donon hi apni apni ghaat me the. Dangu is koshish me tha ki jaise hi kagazaat us ke saamne aayenge wo Hopy ko goli maar dega. Aur Hopy ne kuchh faaltu kagazaat uske hawaale kar ke ek lambi raashi(amount) ainth lene ki scheme banaayi thi.
Dangu ne wahi kiya jo us ne socha tha. Hopy maara gaya aur Dangu ke hath be sar pair ke kagazaat lage. Mujhe pata tha ki asli kagazaat kahaan hain. Maine socha ki kisi munaasib mauka se uska faaida uthaunga.
Dangu ko sandeh tha ki asli kagazaat ke baare me mujhe pata hai. Lekin usne mujh par atyachar nahin kiya. Us ne dusri policy apnaayi. Mere alawa aur koi nahin jaanta tha ki Dangu hi Hopy ka qaatil hai.
Is liye us ne ek badi raqam de kar mera muh band kar diya aur dusri taraf Monica par dore daale. Wo us se kahta raha ki Bogha hi ne Hopy ko marwaaya hai......kyon ki Hopy ke paas Bogha ke khilaaf kuchh kagazaat the.
Dangu ne Monica ko vishwaas dilaaya tha ki ek na ek din wo zaroor Hopy ke hatyaaron se badla lega. Sath hi wo Monica se ye bhi kahta raha ki usay shak hai ki Tony ko un kagazat ke baare me pata hai. Wo jaanta hai ki wo kahaan honge. Maksad ye tha ki Monica mujh se un kagazaat ka demand kare.
Dusri taraf main ye bhi sochta tha ki Dangu mujhe Hopy ki hatya ke sambandh me raazdaari ki bahut badi raqam kharch kar raha hai. Isliye main hopy ki beti ko uske asli hatyare ke baare me kuchh na bataaun. Bas main Moni ko taalta raha aur usay yakeen ho gaya ki mere paas is tarah ke kagazaat nahin hain. Dangu ko kewal sandeh tha. Lekin phir achanak dangu ne mujh par atyachar shuru kar diya."
Imran is bich kagazaat ko dekhta bhi raha tha aur Tony ki taraf bhi kuchh dhyan deta raha tha. Us ne papers ko dubaara bag me daalte huye Tony se kaha...."Lekin yaad karo....kya kabhi tum ne kisi se in kagazaat ki charcha ki thi?"
"nn....nahin....mujhe to yaad nahin."
Imran ne Josef ko aawaz di aur kuchh hi der me wo kamre me aaya. Us ke sath ek aur aadmi bhi tha. Lekin aisa lag raha tha jaise wo bahut zyada pee gaya ho. Kadam rakhta kahin tha aur padte kahin the.
"Edgar....!" Tony bharraayi huyi aawaz me bola. "Ohh.....kya is ne tumhen bataaya tha?"
Imran kuchh na bola. Safdar us aadmi ko ghoor raha tha. Usay aisa lag raha tha jaise wo us ko pahle bhi kahin dekh chuka ho. "Ohh..." wo eka-ek chaunk pada. Ye to wahi aadmi tha. Usay yaad aa gaya. Wahi aadmi jisay us ne Dangu ke casino me iss kaaran se pit'te dekha tha ki us ne juwe me kisi tarah ki be-imaani ka virodh kiya tha aur Dangu ne us ki mez ulat di thi.
"Main ne isay kabhi kuchh nahin bataaya tha." Tony bola.
"Ek baar nashe me tum iske saamne kuchh na kuchh zaroor ugal chuke the." Imran ek aankh daba kar bola.
"Magar aap ko kaise pata chala tha?" Safdar ne puchha.
Imran Josef ko waapas jaane ka ishara kiya aur Monica se bola...."Tony ne ek baar isay nashe ki jhonk me bataya tha ki wo jab chaahe Dangu ko mittee me milwa sakta hai. Agar wo chaah le to Monica hi Dangu ke seene me khanjar utaar degi. Uske paas aise kagazaat hain jo Monica ke baap ke hatyaare par raushni daal sakenge.
Jab Dangu ne Edgar ko casino me maara tha aur uska insult kiya tha tab dusre din Edgar ne bhi mujh se yahi kaha tha. Us ne kaha tha ki wo jab chaahe Dangu ko mittee me milwa sakta hai. Tony, us ka dost tumhin(Monica) se us ki gardan katwaa dega.
Uske paas kuchh aise hi papers hain jinhen dekh kar tum biphar jaao.
Waise mujhe to yahi baat iska saboot laga tha ki Dangu Bogha ka dushman nahin agent hai, Baali par meri nazar thi. Aur wo yahaan Dangu ke alawa aur kisi se nahin mila tha. Aur iske baad kewal Dangu ke hi aadmi us ka pichha kar rahe the. Phir wo maar daala gaya. Bass, To Edgar us raat ke dusre hi din ittefaaq se ek jagah mil gaya, Us samay ye bhi nashe me hi tha. Main ne raat ka charcha chhed diya. Nashe ki haalat me gussaa aa jaana badi waahiyaat baat hoti hai. Us ne sab kuchh ugal diya. Is ke baad hi main ne phone par sirf maze ke liye Dangu se chhed chhaad ki thi......jis ke parinam swaroop aaj wo saamne pada hai. Phone call ke baad ye bechaara baukhlaa gaya tha. Us ki samajh se Tony ke alawa aur koi bhi uss raaz ko nahin jaanta tha. Lekin jab kisi dusre se us ne Hopy ki hatya ka raaz suna to socha ki shayad ye agyaat aadmi papers ke baare me bhi jaanta ho. Iss liye jald se jald is nibtaara ho hi jaana chaahiye. Is liye is ne Tony aur Tumhen ghera. Tony nikal gaya lekin main ne anumaan lagaya ki tum wo jagah jaanti hogi jahaan Tony gaya hoga.
Is liye main ne apne sathiyon ko nirdesh diya ki tumhen us makaan me akela chhod den. Mujhe vishwaas tha ki is tarah ka koi mauka hath aate hi tum teer ki tarah Tony ke paas jaaogi. Dusri taraf main ne Dangu ke ek aadmi ki taraf se usay phone par suchna di ki tum us makaan me ho aur shayad tumhara iraada hai ki Tony ki talash me jaao.
Dangu akela nikal pada. Chunki papers ka maamla tha is liye us ne akele jaana hi thik samjha. Main infact tum teeno ko ek baar phir ek jagah jamaa karna chaahta tha. Maksad kewal itna tha ki Dangu ke chehre se naqaab hataayi jaaye. Mai soch bhi nahin sakta tha ki ye kagazaat mere liye bhi itna hi important honge jitna Dangu ke liye ho sakte hain." "Main samjhi nahin...." Monica ne kaha.
"Main bhi to Bogha ki talash me hun.....aur ye papers us ke asli Head-quarters ki taraf ishara karte hain."
"Kya tum pahle bhi kabhi Bogha ko dekh chuke ho?"
"Na dekh chuka hota to uski tasweer ko kaise pahchan leta?"
"Magar tumhen us ki talash kyon hai?"
"Puraani dushmani.....lambi kahani hai jise main duhraana nahin chaahta." "Ye jhoota hai.....ye bhi business hi karta hai." Tony halak phaad kar chillaaya.
"Khamosh raho..." Monica aankhen nikaal kar boli. "Warna main tumhen kutte ki maut maar daalungi." "Tumhari tabaahi door nahin hai." Dangu bharraayi huyi aawaz me bola.
"Lekin tum meri tabaahi dekhne ke liye zinda nahin rahoge." Monica ne kaha. Phir Imran ki taraf dekh kar boli...."Tum ne kya faisla kiya? Main isay zinda nahin chhodungi."
"Mera faisla ye hai ki tum kagazaat ke badle inhen le jaa sakti ho. Agar kagazaat chaahogi to wo bhi mil jaayenge lekin Dangu na mil sakega."
"Mujhe kagazaat ki zaroorat nahin. Main Tony aur Dangu donon ko le jaaungi." "Magar karogi kya in ka?" Safdar ne puchha.
"Tumhen in bekaar baaton se kya matlab?" Imran ne aankhen nikaalin. "Apne kaam se kaam rakho. Hamen inke personal maamlon se koi dilchaspi nahin honi chaahiye. Main to ye samajh kar in donon ko is ke hawaale kar raha hun ki ye inhen kisi anathaalay me bharti karaa degi. Aur main zindagi bhar yahi samajhta rahunga."
Monica kuchh pal kuchh sochti rahi phir uthti huyi Imran se boli "Thoda idhar aana..."
Wo Imran ko dusre kamre me laayi aur thodi der kuchh sochte rahne ke baad boli "Kya tum un kagazaat ki madad se Bogha ki khoj me nikloge?" "Nishchit baat hai."
"Meri nigaah papers ke kuchh hisson par padi thi. Wo un taapuon ki kahani sunaate hain jinhen aam taur par Kaali duniya
(Zulmaat) ke naam se yaad kiya jaata hai. Aaj tak koi bhi un jangalon me nahin ghus saka."
"Main ne bhi yahi suna hai."
"Wo islands 15 ki sankhya me hain.....aur sab ke sab weeran. Mera daawa hai ki koi bhi tumhen wahaan tak na le jaa sakega." Aakhir tum kahna kya chaahti ho?"
"Meri madad ke bina tum wahaan tak nahin pahunch sakoge."
"To mada karo naa.....maine kab manaa kiya hai."
"Main sath chalungi."
"Arre baap re...." Imran hindi me badbadaaya.
"Kyaa? Main samjhi nahin."
"mm....matlab ye ki thank you...zaroor sath chalo."
"Tum yahaan se aise aadmiyon ka bandobast bhi nahin kar sakoge jo tumhare sath jaa saken." "Thik hai..." Imran ne lambi saans li.
Wo phir wahin aa gaye jahaan se uth kar gaye the. Monica Dangu aur Tony ko wahaan se le jaane ki taiyari karne lagi.
