"Kaam ki baat karo......iss chhanik jeet par paagal mat ho jaao. Ye jashn ab khatam ho jaana chaahiye. Tum baar baar ye kyon bhool jaate ho ki firangi uske sathi hain."
"Ohh....main sab ko fanaa kar doonga."
"Achhi baat hai......to phir mujhe anumati do ki main apne sathiyon ko kisi surakshit sthaan par pahucha dun....."
"Main samjha nahin...."
"Ho sakta hai ki aaj raat aasmani balaayen(vipattiyaan) prakat ho hi jaayen...."
"Saaf saaf kaho."
"Kya idhar se hawaai jahaaz bhi guzraa karte hain?"
"Kabhi kabhi......kyon?"
"Kya kabhi kisi ne yahaan hawaai jahaazon ko utarte bhi dekha hai?"
"Haan.....ek baar maine suna tha. Usi gufaa waale se milne keliye koi aaya tha."
"Bass to phir tum sab yahin sharaab pi pikar naachte raho. Subah main waapas aakar tum logon ki laashen dafan karaa dunga."
"O.....Sanjeeda Khan ke bete......main tumhen sar se uncha utha kar patak doonga." "Tum mujhe nahin utha sakoge...." Imran ne dhire se kaha. "Suno.....kya ye sambhav nahin hai ki wo gufaa waala jhallaahat me ham logon par bombaari kara de....."
"Arre......" Shahbaz mazaaq udaane waale dhang se hansa...."Tum choohe kyon huye jaa rahe ho.....Sanjeeda Khan ke bete? Iss samay hamen chain se aish karne do. Subah pata nahin kya ho. Ham sab har samay apni zindagi hatheli par liye phirte hain.......isi aasha par ki raat ko ghar laut kar aish karenge."
"Achha dost tum aish karo.......aish. Hamen jaane do. Ham raat guzaarne keliye koi gufaa khoj lenge."
"Jaao.....jaao dafaa ho jaao.....hamen iss samay na chhedo. Abhi to yahaan kuchh bhi nahin hua. Aise awasaron par hamaari auraten bahut shaandar nachti hain. Ham sab naachte hain. Tum jaao....dafaa ho jaao."
Wo badi mauj me tha. Usne khade hokar Imran aur uske saathiyon ka mazaaq udaaya. Bahka hua jan-samooh bhi un par taane kasne lage. Kuchh ne to ye bhi daala ki darpokon ko maar daala jaaye.
Lekin Shahbaz ne kaha.....nahin....ye jo kuchh bhi kar rahe hainkarne do......kyonki ham inke aabhari hain. Inhone ham par ehsaan kiya hai.
Imran apne sathiyon ko iss naye chinta se awagat karaaya aur wo sab bhi us se sahmat ho gaye. Phir unhone wahaan se chalne ki taiyari shuru kar di. Ladkiyon ko Shahbaz ke makaan se nikaala gaya. Teenon anglo indian ladkiyaan cheekhti chillaati rahin. Jab wo jaa rahe the to Shahbaz phir daudta hua Imran ke paas aaya.
"Tumhen vyarth shanka ho gaya hai pyare bhai....aao hamaare sath aish karo."
"Aish se hamen nafrat hai.......ham to kasht aur kathinaaiyon ko adhik pasand karte hain."
"Achha.....main do aadmi ko tumhaare sath kar raha hun......ye tumhen aisi gufaaon me le jaayenge jahaan tum jaise shankaalu log chain se raat bitaa saken."
Kuchh samay baad wo vaastav me aise hi bade aur aaramdeh gufaaon me pahuch gaye jahaan bahut nishchint hokar raat guzaar sakte the. Ye basti se adhik door bhi nahin the.
Imran gufaa ke munh par aa baitha. Wo sach much apne iss aashanka ke prati vishwaas rakhta tha ki aisa zaroor hoga.......aur ye aashanka galat nahin nikla. Kuchh hi der baad hawaa ke jhonke ke sath hawaai jahaaz ki halki si aawaz aayi aur phir ye aawaz nikat aati gayi.
"Bombaari avashya hogi..." Imran mud kar apne adhinasthon(Kisi vyakti ke adheen kaam karne waale, Maatehat) se bola jo sameep hi the. Iss se pahle ki wo koi uttar dete do dhamaake sunaayi diye aur phir to ek ke baad ek dhamaakon ki aawaazen aane lagin.
"Imran....!" Julia kapkapaati huyi aawaz me boli....."Ye kis jahannum me ghaseet laaye ho tum......meri samajh se tumhaari shitaani buddhi akeele bhi ye kaarnaama anjaam de sakti thi."
"Arre iss X2 ke bachche se upar waala hi samjhe." Imran apne sar par donon hath maarta hua bola.
Bombaari ab bhi jaari thi......aur wo anginat bhaagte huye aadmiyon ka shor sun rahe the. Shor qareeb badhta aa raha tha. Shayad basti waalon ne bhi unhin gufaaon ki taraf rukh kiya tha. Imran aur uske sath ek taraf hat gaye. Log girte padte gufaaon me ghus rahe the. Agar Imran ke sathiyon ne pahle hi se mashaalen na jalaa kar rakhi hotin to shayad wo un bhaagne waalon ki bad-hawaasi ka shikaar ho gaye hote.
"Shaanti se.......shaanti se....." Imran hath utha kar bola.
Wahaan aas paas ke sabhi gufaaon me basti waale shor machaate huye ghus rahe the. Usi shor me Imran ne Shahbaz ki aawaz suni......wo baahar Shaf Shikan ko pukaar raha tha. Imran bheed hataata hua gufaa ke munh ki taraf badha. Phir usne Shahbaz ko aawaz di........aur wo teer ki tarah uski taraf aaya.
"O....Shaf Shikan.....mere dost.....mere bhai....." Wo Imran se lipat kar usay bheechta hua bola. "Teri nigaahen wo bhi dekh leti hain jin par bhawishya ke parde pade hote hain....."
"Hato......tum se baat karne ko bhi dil nahin chaahta hai. Pata nahin iss samay kitne aadmi tumhaare uss jashn ki bhent chadh gaye honge."
"Main kya karta Shaf Shikan.....basti waale khud hi jashn manaana chaahte the."
"Tum unhen rok sakte the......"
"Ab main kabhi tumhaari hansi nahin udaaunga....." Shahbaz bharaayi huyi aawaz me bola. "Tum bahut buddhimaan ho...."
Jahaaz abhi tak basti par mandaraa raha tha......magar shayad bomb ka stock samaapt ho gaya tha. Wo kuchh der tak aakash me chinghaarta raha.......phir uski aawaz dhire dhire door hoti chali gayi.
"Shahbaz..." Achanak ek budhe ne hath utha kar krodh bhare swar me kaha...."Hamaari tabaahi ka kaaran yahi vyakti hai...."
"Nahin.......apni aawaz ham se unchi karne ka prayatn nahin karo. Apni tabaahi ka kaaran khud ham hi bane hain. Agar ham ye jashn nahin karte ya usi samay iska kahaa maan lete......jab isne gufaa me ghusne ka iraada prakat kiya tha......to hamaari ye haalat kabhi na hoti. Kya ham sab ne iska mazaak nahin udaaya tha?"
Dusri subah basti waalon ke liye bahut hi peeda daayak ayr bhayawah thi. Shayad hi wahaan koi aisa makaan raha ho jisse pichhli raat bombaari se nuksaan nahin pahucha ho.......aur charon taraf aurten, bachchon aur mardon ki laashen padi dikhayi de rahi thin.
Ab Imran kewal uss aadmi ke baare me soch raha tha......jisay ye log gufaa waale ke naam se yaad karte the. Usnke bayaan ke anusar wo kewal ek faqeer(Bhikaari) tha.......aur dhire dhire usne poore Shukraal ap apna sikka jamaa liya tha.
Imran ne ye prayaas shuru kar diya ki Shahbaz ko jaldi se jaldi uss basti ki taraf kooch karne keliye taiyar kar le......jahaam us rahassyamayi aadmi ka thikaana tha.
Shahbaz ne kaha ki main khud bhi ab bahut bechain hun. Lekin ye to socho ki agar unhone phir hamaari anupasthiti me basti par dhaawa bol diya to iss baar saari auraten aur saare bachche fanaa ho jaayenge.
"Phir?" Imran ne sawal kiya.
"Maine dusri bastiyon se kuchh aise aadmi mangwaaye hain jo yahaan rah kar kewal auraton ayr bachchon ki suraksha karenge aur phir iss basti ka ek ek mard tumhaara sath dega."
Imran khamosh ho gaya. Uske sathi bhi yahi chaahte the ki jaldi se jaldi iss samassya ka nibtaara ho jaaye. Phir chaahe wo jeewit rahen ya mar jaayen. Aasha-niraasha, nishchit-anishchit ki khich-taan unke liye atyant kasht-dayak ho rahi thi.
Dopahar tak vibhinna bastiyon se lagbhag 300 aadmi aa gaye. Aur jab unhone auraton aur bachchon ki laashen dekhin to unhen sambhaalna kathin ho gaya. Wo sab bhi iss abhiyaan me unke sath jaane ki zid karne lage.....taaki maare gaye aurton aur bachchon ka badla le saken.
Shahbaz Unhen kisi kisi prakar rokne me safal hua. Unhone shapath li ki wo apni aakhri saanson tak basti ki suraksha karenge.
Phir ek ghante ke bhitar bhitar ek baar phir zameen kaanpne lagi. Lagbhag dhaai sau ghode apni toofani raftaar se poore watavaran ko hilaa rahe the.
Shayad unhone mushkil se 6-7 kilometer ki doori tai ki hogi ki unhen phir vimaan ki garaj sunaai di. Imran aur Shahbaz ke ghode sab se aage jaa rahe the.
"Wo phir aa raha hai." Shahbaz daant pees kar bola."Yahaan chatiyal maidaan me kahin sar chhupaane ki bhi jagah nahin milegi."
Achanak Imran rakaabon(Ghud-sawari me pair rakhne ki jagah) par khada ho gaya. Kandhe se rifle utaari aur ghode ki lagaam usne chhod di thi. Donon hathon se rifle thaame huye wo aawaz ki disha me dekh raha tha. Tabhi kuchh doori par jahaaz safed baadalon ke niche dikhayi diya. Imran ne nishana liya.....aur fire kar diya......aur phir wo magazine lage huye rifle se lagatar fire karta raha. Ghoda usi raftaar se daud raha tha.......aur Imran rakaabon par khada fire kar raha tha.
Achanak Vimaan ke pichhle bhaag se kaale dhuwen ki lakeer nikalne lagi.
Raasta kaato......raasta kaato...." Imran cheekha. "Maine usay maar liya hai...."
Shahbaz ne baayen taraf apne ghoda mod diya.......aur phir sab usi taraf mud gaye.......jabki Imran ka ghoda usi disha me jaata raha.
Jahaaz ka aglaa bhaag niche jhukaa aur wo tezi se niche aa raha tha. Imran ne zeen par ab baithte huye ghode ki edd lagaayi aur ghoda mud kar hawaa se baaten karne laga.
Phir ek zabardast dhamaaka hua......aur door door tak aag phail gayi. Pathreeli zameen se takraa kar jahaaz tukda tukda ho chuka tha. Na jaane kitne ghode iss bhayanak dhamaake se bidke.....aur na jaane kitne sawaar niche gir kar rondeaur kuchle gaye. Imran bhi shayad maut ke munh me pahuch gaya hota lekin usne badi phurti se khud ko sambhaala......aur ghode ko bekaabu na hone diya. Bilkul aisa lag raha tha jaise wo bhi Shukraaliyon hi ki tarah ghode ki pith par jeewan guzaarta aaya ho.
Ab usne apna ghoda usi taraf mod liya jidhar dusre jaa rahe the......aur thodi hi der me unhen jaa liya......wo dhire dhire raasta badalte huye phir se asal raaste par aa rahe the. Imran ko dekh kar unhone khushi ke naare lagaaye.
"Main tumhaare maathe par teen baar chumban karta hun Shaf Shikan...." Shahbaz cheekha. "Kaash tu mere baap ka beta hota."
"Main apne hi baap ka beta hokar pachhta raha hun."
Ghode daudte rahe....taapon ki aawaz se pathreela maidan goonjta raha. Ab phir Imran ne bhawishyavani ki.......aur Shahbaz ne usay iss tarah suna jaise wo baat aakash se utre huye kisi farishte ne kahi ho.
Imran ne kaha tha ki ho sakta hai ki raaste me hi dushman se muthbher ho jaaye......kyonki vimaan ke tootne ki aawaz door door tak phaili hogi.
Uski bhawishyavani sahi saabit huyi. Lagbhag 20 minut baad hi kayi dishaaon se anginat sawaar aate huye dikhayi diye.
Aur phir donon taraf se firing shuru ho gayi. Donon hi taraf ke kayi aadmi ghodon se gire lekin ghodon ki raftar me koi antar nahin aaya. Ek baar phir se wahi pahle din jaisa ek dusre me ghus kar yudh shuru ho gaya. Nikat aate hi donon pakchhon ne khanjar nikaal liye aur Imran ke faujiyon ne kulhaadiyaan sambhaal li. Ye poori company pichhle mahyuddh me Africa ke war spot par lad chuki thi......aur usne wahaan zolo style war ki special training paayi thi.
Isi yuddh ke hangaame ke bich Imran ne Shahbaz ki aawaz suni jo kah raha tha....."Maine tujhe dekh liya hai Chhichhore faqeer....."
Lekin Shahbaz usay dikhayi nahin diya. Imran ke donon hatho me khanjar the aur uske sathi usay ghere huye the.
Tabhi uski nazar ek lambe kad ke vyakti par padi jiske chehre par ghani daadhi thi aur sar ke bade bade baal uljhe huye the. Aankhen laal thin. Uske shareer par Shukraaliyon jaisa hi poshak tha. Lekin phir bhi na jaane kyon wo Shukraaliyon se bahut adhik bhinn lag raha tha. Imran uss tak pahuchne ka prayas karne laga. Ab usne Shahbaz ko bhi dekha. Wo bhi usi vyakti tak pahuchne ki ji tod koshish kar raha tha. Imran soch raha tha ki kahin Shahbaz uske paas pahuchte hi usay khatm na kar de. Usay hargiz ye pasand nahin tha. Agar uske desh me hone waale saazishon ka neta yahi tha to usay zinda pakadna hi uske liye achha hota.
Shahbaz Imran se pahle hi uss tak pahuch gaya......usne us par khanjar se waar kiya. Lekin uss bheem-kaaye sawaar ne jhukaai dekar uski kalaayi par hath daal diya. Phir aisa laga jaise uski aankhen sholay barsaane lagi hon.
"Khabardar...." Imran dahaadta hua uski taraf jhapta. Itni der me khud Shahbaz hi ne apni kalaayi chhuda li thi. Lekin khanjar uske hath me nahin tha. Shahbaz ne ghode ki pith par se hi uss par chhalaang lagaayi. Lekin Imran uska anjaam nahin dekh saka. Usne Shahbaz ko ghode se zameen par girte dekha kyonki uske chhalaang lagaate hi lamba kad sawaar ne badi phurti se apna ghoda pichhe kar liya tha.
Imran ko uss tak pahuchne me kathinaayi ho rahi thi kyonki uske bhi sathi usko ghere huye the. Lekin wo jagah banaane ki koshish karta hi raha. Ab tak wo aadhe darzan dushmanon ko maut ke ghat utaar chuka tha.
Tabhi achanak Imran ne teer chalaane waale faujiyon ko aawaz di. Un me se paanch turant uski madad ko pahuch gaye.
"Raasta saaf karo." Imran ne kaha. "Uss daadhi waale lambe aadmi ko zinda giraftaar karna hai."
Fauji kulhaadiyaan aur teer chalaate huye aage badhe. Dushmanon par unki kaafi dhaak baith gayi thi. Un dushmanon me pichhle din yuddh se bhaage huye vyakti bhi the. Unhen inn bhayanak kulhaadiyon ka achhe se anubhav ho chuka tha. Wo kaaii ki tarah phatne lage.
Achanak uss lambe vyakti ki nazar Imran par padi aur ek pal ke liye aisa laga jaise wo moorti-vat ho gaya. Aur phir usne apne aadmiyon ko lalkaara......ki wo kulhaadiyaan chalaane waalon ko pichhe dhakel den......sath hi usne revolver se Imran par fire bhi kiya. Imran gaafil nahin tha......isliye kisi dusre hi ke ghoda ki pith khali huyi hogi. Phir usne lagataar kayi fire Imran par kiye.....lekin safal nahin ho saka. Kulhaadiyaan chalaane waale Imran ke liye raasta banaate rahe the.
Lamba aadmi phir apne sathiyon ko lalkaara aur yudhh bade zor shor se hone lagi.
Imran Shahbaz ke baare me bhi soch raha tha. Pata nahin uska kya anjaam hua ho. Btw uske anusar wo buri tarah kuchlaa gaya hoga.
Yuddh bhayanak roop pakad chuka tha. Ab tak teer-dhaari faujiyon me se teen maare jaa chuke the. Lekin iske baad bhi faujiyon ke josh me koi kami nahin aayi thi.....balki wo ab pahle se bhi adhik tezi se hamle kar rahe the.
Dusri taraf Lambe kad vyakti ke aadmi bhi uski suraksha keliye apni jaanon par khel rahe the. Jaise hi ek girta dusra uski jagah le leta.
Imran ne apna ghoda pichhe hataaya. Ab wo danny ki talash me tha. Kuchh der baad wo usay mil gaya. Lekin iss haal me ki wo akela kayi dushmanon me ghir gaya tha......aur uske hath sust padte jaa rahe the. Shayad wo zakhmi bhi tha.
Aisa dekhte hi Imran ne un par hamlaa kar diya. Pahle hi halle me do gire. Imran ko dekhte hi Danny phir se sambhaala liya. Phir teen minut ke andar hi andar wo donon wahaan akele bach gaye.
"Main shukriya adaa karta hun Master Imran......vastav me khanjar-baazi mere line ki chiz nahin hai." Usne kaha.
"Parwaah mat karo Danny......tum ek bahut bada kaanaama anjaam de rahe ho. Agar tumne ye kaarnaama poora kar liya to jeevan bhar apne iss kaarnaame par garv karoge. Haann.....ek baat.....iss samay tumhaare paas wo jaal maujood hai ya nahin jo tum hamesha rakhte ho..."
"Hai master.......kyon?"
"Mujhe uski zarurat hai Danny......agar ab tum thoda alag hat kar kuchh der sustaa lo to achha hai."
"Nahin master.....main ab itna budha bhi nahin hun......" Danny hans kar bola......aur ghode par latke huye shikaari thaile se jaal nikaal kar Imran ki taraf badha diya.
"Shukriya Danny..." Imran ne jaal lekar ghode ko edd lagaayi aur ladne waalon se door bhaagta chala gaya......balki iss andaaz me jaise ghoda bhadak kar bekaabu ho gaya ho. Uske sathiyon ne usay hairat se dekha. Lekin unke liye asambhav tha ki wo uski madad ke liye bheed se nikalte. Halaaki Danny ne aage badhne ka nishchay kiya lekin phir ruk gaya. Agar Imran ne uss se jaal na maanga hota to shayad wo uski madad karne keliye daud hi padta. Lekin ab usay sochne keliye rukna hi pada ki ye rahassyamayi aadmi aaj tak uski samajh me na aa saka.
Achanak usne ek lambe vyakti ko bheed se nikal kar Imran ke pichhe pichhe jaate dekha. Ye un Shukraaliyon me se nahin tha......jo danny ke sath aaye the. Uska veshbhusha ajeeb tha. Gunjaan daadhi aur sar par badhe huye jhankaar baal.
Danny ne be-tahaasha apna ghoda uss ke pichhe daal diya. Usne socha ki kahin ye wahi rahassyamayi faqeer na ho jiske kaaran itna maar kaat ho raha ho.
Teeno ghode kaafi dooriyon se daud rahe the. Phir achanak danny ne Imran ko palat'te dekha. Lamba aadmi ne Imran par fire kiya.....lekin danny uske fire ka parinaam nahin dekh saka.....kyonki wo apne holster se revolver nikaalne laga tha. Usne lambe vyakti par fire kiya lekin aawaz hi na ho saki. Uska revolver khaali ho chuka tha. Phir jitni der me revolver ka chamber bharta......Imran ne lambe aadmi ke 5-6 fire khaali dekar us par jaal pheka. Lekin lambe aadmi ka ghoda usay badi phurti se bacha le gaya. Imran ne phir jaal pheka lekin shayad lambe vyakti ka ghoda bhadak hi gaya tha.
"Danny....." Imran cheekha. "Tum apne aadmiyon ke sath hi raho aur sab ki himmat badhaao....main iss se nibat loonga." Aur phir uska ghoda uss lambe vyakti ke bhadke huye ghode ke pichhe daudtaa chala gaya.
Jang ka faisla hone me adhik der nahin lagi. Kyonki jiski rahassyamyi shaktiyon ke dar se wo Shahbaz ki basti waalon se lad rahe the wo khud hi bhaag niklaa tha. Uske bhaagne ke baad hi unke paaon ukhad gaye.
Wo un bhagodon ko chun chun kar maarte rahe.......aur unka pichha hota raha. Danny bhi palat kar unhin me aa mila tha. Imran ke aadesh ki awahelna karna uske wash se baahar tha. Waise uska dil to yahi chaahta tha ki wo usay akela nahin chhode.
Usne Shahbaz ko dekha jiska chehra bahut hi bhayanak lag raha tha. Shayad uska maatha zakhmi tha.......jis se khoon bah bah kar saare chehre par phail gaya tha. Aur shayad uska baayan hath bhi bekaar tha. Ghode ki lagaam daanton se pakad rakhi thi. Daahine hath me khanjar tha. Jiski pyaas bahut adhik badhi huyi thi. Wo baar baar uthta aur bhaagte huye aadmiyon ka lahu chaat kar agli baar keliye phir taiyar ho jaata.
Safdar ne Chauhan se kaha jo bahut adhik zakhmi tha. "Pata nahin ye guru-ghantaal kidhar nikal gaya. Ab main in logon ko kis tarah rokun. Ye to apne hosh me hi nahin lagte."
"Bass kuchh nahin......isi tarah bhaagte raho. Kahin na kahin maut hamen bhi aa dabochegi.......Khawir aur Siddiqi ko maine apni aankhon se girte dekha hai."
"Kyaaa??? Wo kaam aa gaye??" Safdar lagbhag cheekh hi pada.
"Haan...." Chauhan ne bharrayi huyi aawaz me kaha....."Lekin in tamaam pareshaniyon ke baad bhi main Imran keliye bure vichaar nahin rakhta. He bhagwan.....wo kitna be-jigar vyakti hai....."
Phir kuchh der ruk kar Chauhan bola.
"Imran ke liye koi bhi bure khayalaat nahin rakhta. Wo na jaane kis mitti ka bana hai. Kabhi kabhi to main sochne lagta hun ki kahin wo Shukraal hi ki mitti se na bana ho. Wo bahut mahaan hai Safdar......! Usne jo kuchh bhi kiya hai wo kisi ke wash ka kaam nahin....."
Tabhi unhone dekha ki bhaagne waale apni apni topiyaan utaar utaar kar phek rahe hain......aur unke ghodon ki raftaar sust hoti jaa rahi hai. Phir wo ruk gaye. Shahbaz ke aadmiyon ne unhen apne ghere me le liya. Wo donon hath utha utha kar kuchh kah rahe the. Jaise hi wo khamosh huye......ghode ki lagaam Shahbaz ke daanton se chhot padi aur wo chinghaadne laga.....
Safdar ki sahayata se Chauhan ko pata chal saka ki wo kya kah raha tha.
"Nahin.....nahin.....tumhaare praano ki salaamati nahn di jaa sakti.....tum zaalim ho.....tum ne wo kiya hai jo Shukraal me kabhi nahin hua. Jaao hamaari basti me dekho. Tumhen anginat bachchon aur auraton ki laashen milengi. Kya tumhen apni maayen yaad nahin? Bulaao uss khinzeer (Suwar) ki aulaad ko......hamaare liye koi nayi aasmani vipaati bheje.....taaki tum surakshit raho.......wo kahaan gaya?"
Aur phir usne apne saathiyon se kaha...."Inhen itni bedardi se maar daalo ki inki aatmaayen kayamat tak cheekhti karaahti rahen."
Phir Imran ke sathiyon ne ek dil hila dene walaa drishya dekha. Unke hath to ab ruk gaye the.
Marne waale cheekh rahe the, bilbilaa rahe the.......ro rahe the......lekin unki hatyaa karne waalo ke hath kisi tarah bhi nahin ruke........aur phir unhone unki laashen bhi ghodon ki taapon se rond daali. Tanwir aadi ko aisa lag raha tha jaise wo jeewan ki antim seema par khade hon aur saamne phili huyi athaah andhkaar me apne liye jagah khoj rahe hon.
Halaaki abhi sooraj dooba nahin tha. Lekin unhen aisa lag raha tha jaise ye duniya ka aakhri din ho. Prithwi kisi dusre grah se takraa gayi ho.....suraj ke tukde udd gaye hon.....Shukraali darinde bhi apne ghodon par phati phati aur hamesha udaas rahne waali aankhon se kuchli huyi laashon ko dekh rahe the........aur achanak hawa tez chalne lagi.
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Imran lambe aadmi ka pichha kar raha tha. Lekin chunki uska ghoda bekaabu ho kar bhaag raha tha isliye usay paa lena aasan kaam nahin tha.
Lamba vyakti ghode ki gardan se chipka hua tha. warna ab tak shayad uski haddiyon ka powder ban chuka hota. Phir bhi ghode ki yahi koshish thi ki wo usay kisi tarah apni pith se uchhaal pheke.
Lekin Imran ka anumaan tha ki ghoda apne jaane pahchaane hi raaste par daud raha hai. Wo khamoshi se pichha karta raha. Pahle to usne socha ki us ghode hi ko maar daale......lekin phir usne ye iraada tyaag diya kyonki iss tarah shayad wo sawar ko jeewit nahin paa sakta.
Ye bhaag daud lagbhag aadhe ghante tak jaari raha........sooraj paschimi chhitij me jhukne laga. Tabhi Imran ne uss lambe vyakti ke ghode ko ek daraad me ghuste dekha. Imran pahle to hichkichaaya......lekin jab uske kaanon me doosre ghode ki taapon ki aawazen baraabar aati rahi to usne bhi nirbhay hokar apna ghoda usi daraad me daal diya. Yahaan bahut kam raushni thi. Wo apne ghode ko dusre ghode ki taapon ki aawaz ke sahaare hi aage badha raha tha.
Phir usay achanak tez raushni dikhayi di. Ye daraad ke dusre sire se aa rahi thi.......jis se aglaa ghoda dusri taraf nikal gaya tha.
Ye ek bahut ki phaili huyi jagah thi.......aur chaaron taraf unchi unchi chattaanon se iss tarah ghiri huyi thi ki un chattaanon par pahli nigaah me diwaar hone ka dhoka hota tha.
Ghoda ruk gaya aur lambaa aadmi ne uss par se koodte huye lagataar teen fire kiye.
Uss samay Imran ka bhaagya hi sath diya ki bach gaya.....warna wo dher ho jaata. Pahle fire se wo gaflat se chaunkaa......aur shesh do fire usne apni koshish se bachaaye. Phir usne apne ghide se chhalaang lagaayi.
Lambe aadmi ka revolver shayad khali ho chuka tha. Us ne Imran par wahi khich maara........aur phir dono bhidd gaye.
Achanak baayen taraf se kisi aurat ne kaha......"Ye kya ho raha hai? Ye kaun hai?" Aur Imran ne uski aawaz pahchaan li. Wo Thressia Bimbol B of Bohemia ke alaawa aur koi nahin ho sakti thi.
"Ye faisla ho raha hai Thressia Darling." Imran ne lambe aadmi se guthe huye kaha....."Aur ye tumhare usi puraane sewak Imran kr alawa kon ho sakta hai...." Phir sannaata chha gaya aur wo jaanwaron ki tarah ladte rahe.
Achanak lamba aadmi cheekha...."Tum kya kar rahi ho suwwar ki bachchi.....is par fire kyon nahin karti...."
"Auraton ka hath Imran par kabhi nahin uth sakta Alfanse dear........" Imran ne uske pet par ghutna maarte huye kaha. Phir Thressia ki phuphkaar sunaayi di...."Zaleel.....kutte....teri ye majaal.....ki Thressia ki shaan me gustaakhi kare......"
"Thressia ki bachchi.....hosh me aa. Ye samay jhagde ka nahin hai" Alfanse Dahaada. Shayad usi samay Imran ne phir usay kahin zarab lagaya tha......wo buri tarah dakaara.
"Khamosh....kutte.....Thressia ka gussa tujhe mittee me milaa dega...."
Iske jawaab me Alfanse ne ek gandi si gaali di.
"Main tera munh tod dunga Alfanse.......kyonki tu mere saamne Thressia ka apmaan kar raha hai."
Thressia ab saamne aa gayi thi aur wo Imran ko iss prakar aankhen phaad phaad kar dekh rahi thi jaise jaagti aankhon se koi sapna dikhayi de gaya ho.
Ek baar Alfanse Imran ke changul se nikal kar Thressia ki taraf jhapta. Usi samay
Imran ne ek patthar se thokar khaayi.....lekin jitni der me wo sambhalta......Alfanse Thressia ko uyha kar sar se uncha kar chuka tha. Thressia ki cheekh chattaanon me goonj uthi. Lekin dusre hi pal wo Imran ki baanhon me thi......usay apne hathon par rokte samay Imran ke ghutne zameen se jaa lage aur un me choten bhi aayin.
Usne Thressia ko bahut dhire se ek taraf utaar diya......aur phir Alfanse ki taraf jhaptaa......jo zameen se apni rifle uthaane keliye jhuka tha. Imran ke nazdik pahuchne se pahle hi wo palat pada. Phir agar Imran sambhal kar phurti se hat na gaya hota to latth ki tarah chalaayi jaane waali rifle uske sar hi par padti.
Imran uske dusre hamle ki pratiksha me tha......Thressia vyakulta se Imran ki taraf dekh rahi thi.
"Main tum se Red Square Papers ke sath waali muhar ki maang karta hun...." Imran bade hi robeele aur gambheer swar me kaha.
"Zaroor......zaroor....." Alfanse sar hilaa kar bola...."Tumhen yahaan tumhari maut hi laayi hai. Ye bhi yaad rakhne yogya ghatna hogi ki tum marne keliye itni door aaye the...." Alfanse ne rifle phek kar khanjar nikaal liya.
Alfanse jhapat pada. Lekin dusre hi pal uske munh se ek lambi karaah nikli. Thressia bass itna hi dekh saki thi ki uska khanjar waala hath Imran ki pakad me aa gaya tha......lekin phir usay ye nahin pata chal saka ki Alfanse munh ke bal kaise gir pada tha.
Aur ab Imran ka ek pair uski gardan par tha......aur khanjar waala hath iss tarah marodaa jaa raha tha ki Alfanse ki cheekhen nikal padi thin.
"Muhar kahaan hai?" Imran dahaada.
"Nahin bataaunga...."
"Tum kis desh keliye kaam kar rahe the?"
"Nahin bataaunga...."
"Achhaa...." Imran ne uske hath ko jhatkaa diya aur khanjar door jaa pada.
"Thressia tu dekh rahi hai....?" Alfanse dahaada.
"Haann..." Thressia shaant swar me boli....."Main ye dekh rahi hun ki ye itni door se marne aaya tha.....lakin jhoota aur barbolaa Alfanse uske kadmon ke niche dam tode jaa raha hai. Haan.....main ye dekh rahi hun......ki jisne kuchh hi der pahle ek aurat ko zameen par patakne keliye sar se uncha kiya tha wo ab bebas kechuwe ki tarah lahren le raha hai. Imran.......! Tumne abhi kya kaha tha....apna kaam jaldi khatam karo......main tumhen sab kuchh bata dungi.....Muhar bhi mere hi paas hai."
Alfanse phir Thressia ko gaaliyaan dene laga.
Imran jhuka aur Alfanse ki gardan dabaaye huye usay apne hathon par uthaane ki koshish karne laga. Alfanse uski pakad se chhootne keliye machal raha tha. Lekin usme safal nahin ho saka. Imran neusay sar se uncha utha kar zameen par de maara. Uski antim cheekh aisi hi thi jaise hazaaron aadmi ek sath cheekhe hon.
Thressia ne thahaaka lagaaya......aur Imran ki taraf jhapat'ti huyi boli. "Tumhen yaad hai.....tum ne ek raat mujh se Rambaa dance keliye request kiya tha.......aao ham ramba naachen." aur wo zabardasti Imran samet ramba naachne ki position me aa gayi. Phir wo gaane lagi.....aur jo kuchh bhi wo gaa rahi thi uski dhun par wo naachte rahe. Thressia kayi baar Alfanse ki lash par bhi chadh gayi.
"Aaj meri aazadi aur chhutkaaraka din hai." wo kah rahi thi...."Main bahut khush hun.......bahut khush hun Imran.....ek aise aadmi se mujhe chhutkaara mili jis se main abhut hi nafrat karti thi."
Aur phir usne bataaya ki wo kis desh keliye kaam kar raha tha. Wo usay ek gufaa me le gayi.....wo muhar usay di jiske liye lambe samay se wo un logon se uljha raha tha......aur wo papers uske hawaale kiye jin se ye saabit ho sakta tha ki Alfanse kis desh keliye kaam kar raha tha.
"Ab tum mujhe goli bhi maar do to mujhe parwaah nahin hogi...." Thressia ne kaha. "Meri sab se badi ichha yahi thi ki main jeevan hi me kisi tarah uss se pichha chhuda sakun...."
"Tum ne hi usay kyon nahin maar daala tha?" Imran ne puchha.
"Main aisa nahin kar sakti thi......main uss traditional organization ke kanoon ki paaband thi."
cheekha......"Mil gayi.......wo ladki mil gayi.....jiske liye maine itni takleef uthaayi thi."
"Kya matlab?" Shahbaz usay ghoorne laga.
"Ye ladki mere circus me kaam karti thi. Ek firangi isay zabardasti utha laaya tha. Mujhe pata chala ki wo isay Shukraal le aaya hai.......aur yahi kaaran hai ki tum mujhe yahaan dekh rahe ho."
"Sanjeeda Khan ke bete....." Shahbaz gurraaya....."Phir tum ne jhoot kyon bola tha..........ohh.....magar chhodp.....hataao iss baat ko....main uss suwwar ki lash dekh chuka hun.......tum mere bhaai ho aur meri iss dharti ke laal bhi. Tum kahin bhi raho.......aaj se tumhen Shukraal me ek Shukraali hi samjha jaayega."
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Ghatnaayen ek bhayanak sapne ki tarah un sab ke mastisk me chipke huye the........aur wo kayi dinon tak isi tarah chalte rahe jaise wo be-iraada chal rahe hon. Halaaki Shukraaliyon ke baare me anumaan karna kathin tha ki un par in halaat ka menatal-reaction kya hua tha. Imran aur uske matahat sathiyon ke alaawa koi bhi uss gufaa waale ke waastavik raaz ko nahin jaan saka. Imran ne Alfanse ki lash ka raaz nahin khola. Shukraali usay wahi faqeer samajhte rahe.......jo apni chaalaki se un par shashak ban baitha tha.
Shahbaz ne apni saugandh ke anusar uski laash usi gufaa me phekwaa di jis me murdaa maveshi pheke jaate the.
Danny aur uske sathi Thressia ko wahi ladki samajhte rahe jisko haasil harne keliye Imran unhen iss khatarnaak abhiyaan par laaya tha.
Khawir aur Siddiqi bahut adhik zakhmi ho gaye the. Chauhan ko un ke sambandh me galat-fahmi huyi thi. Usne unhen zakhmi hokar ghodon se girte dekha tha aur samjha tha ki shayad wo kaam aa gaye.
"Magar........wo faqeer....?" Julia ne Imran se puchha....."Kya Alfanse hamesha se yahin raha tha."
"Nahin.....Thressia ke bayaan ke anusar yahaan ek aise faqeer ka astitva tha.......jisne bheek maangte maangte apni hukumat kaayam kar li thi. Alfanse yahaan aaya aur uss faqeer ki hatya kar ke khud uski jagah le liya. Uddeshya kewal yahi tha ki wo Shukraal ko hamaare desh ke viruddh shad-yantra ka kendra bana sake."
"Yahaan se waapasi kab hogi?" Julia ne kuchh der baad puchha.
"Ohh...." Imran gambheer ho gaya...."Yahaan se uss samay tak waapasi nahin ho sakti jab tak ki Khawir aur Siddiqi safar karne ke layak na ho jaayen."
Ye vaastavikta thi ki Imran bahut had tak gambhir ho gaya tha. Agar wo hansta bhi to usay aisa lagta jaise koi bahut bada apradh kar raha ho. Ye sthiti 3 din tak rahi.............phir dhire dhire uska mastisk pahle ki tarah saaf hota gaya.
Usay sab se adhik dukh black-zero ke marne ka tha. Wo bade kaam ka aadmi tha......aur uss se aage bahut saari ummiden judi huyi thin.
Thressia ne bataaya......ki wo bhatakta hua usi ilaake me jaa niklaa tha jahaan Alfanse ka adda tha.
Alfanse ke aadmiyon ne usay pakad liya . Uske paas se ek transmeter bhi mila......jisay usne giraftaari ke samay hi patak kar tod diya tha.
Alfanse ne usay bahut torture kar ke khatam kiya......lekin uss se ek shabd bhi nahin maloom kar saka. Usne jo apna munh band kiya to phir wo shayad antim siskiyon keliye hi khula tha. Usi bich Alfanse ko pata chala tha ki Shahbaz kuchh ajnabiyon ko apne sath basti me laaya hai. Phir wahin se wo bhayanak aur rongte khade kar dene waali kahani shuru ho gayi. Alfanse samajhta tha ki shayad kisi dusre desh ke agents wahaan apna pair jamaana chaahte hain. Wahaan Imran ki maujoodgi ki ummid uske sapnon me bhi nahin thi. Aur na Imran hi ne kabhi ye socha tha ki iss saazish ka sargana Alfanse hoga. Wo to yuddh ke dauraan donon ne ek dusre ko pahchaan liya tha.......halaaki donon hi make-up me the.
"Dost....Shaf Shikan......! Main jeewan bhar tumhaara upkaar yaad rakhunga. Magar mujhe iss baat ka dukh hai ki main uss bhikmange ko apne hathon se khatam nahin kar saka." Shahbaz ne ek din Imran se kaha.
"Koi baat nahin......main khud ko tum se alag nahin samajhta."
"Tum ne mujh se chhupaaya kyon tha ki tum bhi usi bhikmange keliye yahaa aaye the?"
"Tumhen vishwaas na hota." Imran sar hila kar bola....."Tum yahi samajhte ki tumhen kisi prakar ka bada dhoka diya jaane waala hai......kyon.....kya main galat bol raha hun?"
Shahbaz thodi der tak sochta raha phir bola...."Tum thik kahte ho. Main yahi samajhta ki gufaa waala kisi dusri vidhi se mujhe phaansne ka prayaas kar raha hai. Tum ne jo kuchh bhi kiya bahut achha kiya.......tum buddhiman bhi ho aur bahadur bhi.......maine ye dono gunn kisi ek vyakti me aaj tak nahin dekha."
Danny ke sathiyon me se kewal paanch aadmi bache the.......aur wo bhi apni zindagiyon se kuchh bezaar se lag rahe the.
"Danny...." Imran ne us se kaha...."Abhi tumhaara kaam baaki hai..."
"Kaisa kaam master?" usne apni udaas aankhen upar uthaayi.
"Sharjeel ki waadi ke heere....."
"Heere...!" Danny deewanon ki tarah hansa.....phir bola...."Heere aadmi ke liye bahut aakarshan rakhte hain. Lekin aadmi ko apni zindagi vaastavikta samajh me aa jaaye.....to phir heere kuchh bhi nahin. Ab main bhi tumhaari tarah kahaa karunga ki din bhar me anginat here meri jootiyon ke neeche se nikal jaate hain."
"Tum jaano.......main to taiyar hun..."
"Nahin master.....shukriya....mujhe iss safar me ek aisa heera mila hai jiska mukaabala shayad 'kohe-noor' ya yss se bhi bada koi heera na kar sake."
"Ohho.....main samjha nahin..." Imran ne hairat se kaha.
Danny ne turant jawaab nahin diya. Wo kuchh sochne laga......phir usne achanak sar utha kar kaha..."Wo heera ek vichaar hai......jab ye wahshi jangali log ek thokar kha kar sharaab chhod sakte hain to main kyon nahin kar sakta......jab ki un se adhik civilized aur samajhdaar hun..."
"Bada badhiya vichaar hai Danny.....nishchit roop se tum ne heera paa liya hai.....main sweekar karta hun."
"Sharaaben bhi kayi prakar ki hoti hain master.....aur unke nashe bhi alag alag. Dhan ki lalach bhi ek tarah ki sharaab hi hai.....jiska nasha zindagi ki asal raah se bhatkaa deta hai. Lekin uss raah me kitne hi thokaren khaane ke baad bhi nasha gahraa hi hota jaata hai. Kyon master kya main galat kah raha hun?"
"Nahin Danny......tum bahut unchi baaten kar rahe ho."
Danny phir sar jhuka kar vichaaron me kho gaya.
Ek saptaah baad wo donon safar ke layak ho gaye. Ladkiyon ki maansik haalat bhi samaanya ho chuki thi.....lekin wo adhiktar khamosh hi rahtin. Unhone ek baar bhi waapas chalne keliye nahin kaha tha. Aisa lagta tha jaise ab unhen uahaah se waapasi ki aasha hi na ho.
Iss awadhi me Julia phir nikhar aayi thi......lekin Thressia ko dekh kar na jaane kyon us ka chehra dhuwaan dhuwaan ho jaata. Thressia bhi uss se door hi door rahne ki koshish karti.
Jis subah wo safar karne waale the.....us raat Shahbaz aur Imran der tak jaagte rahe. Unhone bahut si baaten kin.
"Shaf Shikan......kya ye sambhav nahin ki tum yahin rah jaao....main tum se bahut prem karne laga hun......( )
"Magar pyare Shahbaz.....meri teen biwiyaan hain aur dhai darzan bachche.......unka kya hoga?" [ ]
"Ohh.....to tumne iss baare me bhi jhoot bola tha...."
"Kya karta......mujhe uss samay wahi sab kuchh pasand tha jo tum pasand karte the...."
"Bade chaalbaaz ho..." Shahbaz hansne laga. "Aur aurat-khor bhi....teen biwiyon ke rahte huye chauthi keliye maut ke munh me aa koode...."
"Main kya karun......wo sitaar bahut achhi bajaati hai.......aur jab sitaar bajaane lagti hai to mera dil chaahta hai ki moong ke paapad khaaun..."
"Main nahin samjha...."
"Abhi nahin......ye baate usi samay samajh me aayengi jab tum bhi kisi ladki keliye maut ke munh me koodoge...."
"Main uss ladki hi ko maut ke ghat utaar dunga.......Zargham ka beta aur kisi ladki keliye maut ke munh me koodega....!!"
"Mera baap saadhe chaar feet ka aadmi hai isliye mujhe to koodna hi padta hai..."
"Kya sach much wo saadhe chaar feet ka hai?"
"Haan bhai..."
"Tumhen usay baap kahte huye sharam nahin aati?"
"Uss samay aati hai jab wo mujh jaise kadiyal jawaan par joota lekar daudta hai...." Shahbaz hansne laga......der tak hansta raha phir so gaya.
Waapasi ka safar shuru hote hi unhone khushi ke naare lagaaye. Lekin ye safar Imran ke khayaal se aane waale safar se adhik kasht-dayak saabit hone waala tha. Kyonki unke sabhi jaanwar jin me khachar bhi shamil the.....usi raat jal gaye the jab tents me aag lagaayi gayi thi......kuchh idhar udhar bhaag bhi gaye the.
Imran jaanta tha ki ek vishesh doori tak chalne ke baad ghode bekaar ho jaayenge......aur unhen sambhaalne keliye bhi kaafi sangharsh karna padega. Uss se aage ke raaste par khachar hi kaam ka jaanwar hota.
Shukraal me unhen ek bhi khachar nahin mil saka tha.
Wo khamoshi se chalte rahe. Lekin phir Imran ko khamoshi khalne lagi. Usay to bakwaas karne ki beemari thi. Adhik der tak chup rahne par uski zubaan me aithan hone lagti thi.
"Aakhir tum mujhe kyon le jaa rahe ho.....aisi sthiti me jabki mujhe kanoon ke hawaale karne ka bhi iraada nahin hai...." Usne puchha.
"Mujhe khud bhi nahin pata..." Imran bola.
"Nahin.....ye maloom karne ki koshish karo..." Thressia muskuraayi......uski aankhon se jhalakta tha ki wo Imran ke munh se koi aisi baat sunna chaahti hai jo uski sada ki ichha ke wipareet na ho.
Tabhi Julia bhi uske nikat pahuch gayi......pata nahin kyon wo hamesha unki tanhaayi me dakhal dene ki koshish karti thi.
Thressia ne bahut bura sa munh banaaya aur dusri taraf dekhne lagi. Imran kah raha tha "Pata nahin meri murgiyaan kis haal me hongi.......Thressia kya tum ne kabhi murgiyaan bhi paali hain?"
"Nahin......meri umar adhiktar khunkhaar kism ke aadmi paalne me beeti hai......lekin tum ne abhi mujhe kis naam se pukaara tha......mera naam Reeta Grahams hai."
Julia hans padi......aur usne kaha...."Ye bahaana tumhen phansi ke phande se nahin bacha sakta."
"Bad-tameez ladki......hosh me raho......warna tumhara ghoda tumhen kisi khaayi me gira kar faarig ho jaayega....."
"Shut-up...." Julia cheekhi.
"Arre.....haayennn....." Imran hath nacha kar bola...."Ye kya shuru kar diya tum logon ne..."
"Tum chup raho..." Julia gurraayi.
"Haan.....tum chup raho..." Thressia ne zahar bhare swar me kaha...."Ye mujhe kha jaayegi...."
"Nahin......tum donon mujhe kha jaao...." Imran aankhen nikaal kar bola. "Waise agar tumhaari ladaayi zubaani ho to main uss se kaafi enjoy kar sakta hun. Ladti huyi auraten mujhe bahut achhi lagti hain."
Wo donon hi khamosh ho gayin......aur Julia Imran ke sath hi chalti rahi.....jabki Thressia ke andaaz se lagta tha ki ab wo Imran ke sath nahin chalna chaahti ho. Uska ghoda thodi der baad un se bahut peechhe rah gaya.
Usi raat ko unhone padaao daala. Lekin ab unke paas tents nahin the. Shahbaz ne itne kambal uplabdh karaa diye the ki wo neeli chhat ke niche bhi sardi ka mukaabla kar sakte the. Jagah jagah aag jala di gayi thi. Aur wo toliyon ke roop me bat kar raat guzaarne ki taiyaariyaan kar rahe the. Thakan ke baad bhi wo khush the......ki ab wo jaldi hi civilized mahaul me saans le sakenge.
Aadhe chaand ki phiki chaandni chattaanon par bikhri huyi thin. Imran tahalta hua padaao se door nikal aaya. Itne dinon ke shor sharaabe bhare se uktaaya hua zehan iss fizaa me sukoon aur gahri santushti anubhav kar raha tha. Wo chattaan par baith kar dhalaan aur ghaati me dekhne laga......jahaan ek pahaadi nadi halke shor ke sath bah rahi thi.
Achanak kadmon ki aahat sunaayi di. Wo chaunk kar mudaa. Koi ladki uski taraf aa rahi thi. Raasta ubad khabad hone ke kaaran Imran uski chaal se bhi anumaan na kar saka ki wo kon hai. Aur phir kuchh der baad wo uske nikat pahuch gayi. Ye Thressia thi.
"Kyon?" Usne iss dhang se puchha jaise uska aana uske liye apratyashit tha.
"Tum khud ko samajhte kya ho?" Thressia bhi shayad pahle se hi jhallaayi huyi thi.
"Badi musibat hai....." Imran maathe par hath maar kar bola...."Arre main khud ko ulloo samajhta hun...."
"Tum samajhte ho ki tum ne Thressia Bimbol B of Bohemia ko arrest kar liya hai......aur qidiyon ki tarah usay le jaa rahe ho..."
"Tum to Reeta Grahms ho.....main kisi Thressia Bimbol B of Bohemia se parichit nahin hun."
"Aahaa.....to tum mujh par daya kar rahe ho..." Thressia chid kar boli...."Iss vichar ko dil se nikaal do. Tum sab iss samay bhi Thressia ki kripaa ke adheen ho....'
"Sach-mujh...?" Imran ne mazaak udaane waale swar me kaha......aur phir...."Arre baap re...." kah kar uchhal pada. Usay aisa laga tha jaise koi kutte ka pillaa uske pairon tale aakar cheekha ho. Phir wo bokhlaa kar jhukaa.....aur usay talaash karne laga. Achanak phir waisi hi aawaz aayi aur wo phir uchhal kar pichhe hat gaya. Lekin kutte ke pille ka kahin pata na tha.
"Isi tarah....." Thressia ne shaant swar me kaha....."Tumhaare ghode bhadak bhadak kar dhalaanon me chhalaang laga sakte hain......tum sab tabaah ho sakte ho......main chaahun to ye sab jo iss samay pade so rahe hain bokhlaa uthen aur ek dusre ki hatyaa karne lagen......Bimbol B of Bohemia.....akeli hazaaron par bhari hai.....kya samjhe?"
Imran sannaate me aa gaya. Ant-tah usne puchha..."Ye aawazen kaisi thin?"
"Mere kanth se nikli thin." Thressia boli. "Aur us me kamaal yahi hai ki tum ne unhen apne pairon ke niche mahsoos kiya."
"Really......kamaal hai...." Imran ke swar me hairat thi. Phir usne sambhal kar kaha....."Agar main tumhen qaidi samajhta to hathkadiyaan daal kar le chalta.....tum iss soch ko dil se nikaal do."
"Phir iss tarah le chalne ka kya maksad hai?"
"Koi maksad nahin.....kya main tumhen wahaan unn darindon ke bich chhod aata?" "Imran...." Wo nikat aakar uske kandhe par hath rakh kar boli...."Main dil ke hathon majboor hun.....warna uss din wahaan Alfanse ki jagah tumhari lash hoti."
"Aur farishte usay seedhe aasman par utha le jaate." Imran ne sar hila kar kaha.
"Main tumhen nicha nahin dikha rahi. Tum jaisa diler aadmi aaj tak meri nazron se nahin guzraa. Diler aur thande dimaag waala.......jab tum ladte ho to aisa nahin lagta ki tumhen pratidvandi ki taraf se koi dar ho. Tumhaare ladne ka dhang aisa hota hai jaise tum koi khel khel rahe ho......tum atyadhik chalaak ho.....bahut hi buddhimaan.....agar ye baat na hoti to tum un darindon ko kaise Ram karte......main aaj bhi us par hairat karti hun. Alfanse ko to unhin me se ek aadmi ka roop lena pada tha."
"Tum kahna kya chaahti ho Thressia?"
"Kuchh nahin.....yahi ki in khubiyon ke baad bhi tum ek nakaara insaan ho. Main usay aadmi hi nahin samajhti jo kisi aurat ki bhavana ko nahin samajh sake."
"Arre baap re...." Imran bhaybheet hokar pichhe hat gaya.
"Tum gadhe ho...." Thressia jhalla kar boli.....aur jaane keliye mud gayi. Imran usay padaao ki taraf jaate dekhta raha. Maddhim chaandni ab bhi usi tarah bikhri huyi thi. Kuchh der baad wo wahin aakar so gaya jahan uske sathi so rahe the.
Aur dusri subah Thressia gayab thi. Ek ghoda gayab tha.....aur ek thaila jisme khane peene ka samaan tha. jahaan Thressia soyi thi wahaan ek patthar ke niche ek chitthi mili jisme Thressia ne Imran ko sambodhit kar ke likha tha...........
"Main ja rahi hun. Lekin zindagi ke kisi bhi hisse me tumhen na bhulaa sakungi. Tum par vishwaas nahin kar sakti......warna tumhaare sath hi chalti. Kabhi na kabhi phir mulakaat hogi. Lekin shayad do pratidvandiyon ke roop me ham kabhi na mil saken. T3B ka organisation samaapt ho chuka hai......aur ab main naye sire se zindagi shuru karne jaa rahi hun. Lekin ye nahin kah sakti ki uss zindahi ka andaaz kya hoga. Tum hamesha khush raho......aur kash kabhi mere baare me bhi soch sako..."
Imran ne chitthi padh kar jeb me rakh liya......aur Danny se bola..."Uski talash ab bekaar hai..."
"Kyon master......kya hamari mehnat aur qurbaani yunhi vyarth chali jaayegi?" danny ne hairat se kaha.
"Nahin.....uski ye chitthi mere paas maujood hai.....iss se ye saabit ho sakega ki ham usay khoj nikaalne me safal ho gaye the......lekin ab isay kya kiya jaaye ki wo khud hi apne parents ke paas waapas nahin jaana chaahti. Kuchh bhi ho danny.....tumhen aur tumhare sathiyon ka iss bahaduri bhare sath dene ke badle achha khaasa dhan dilaaunga...."
"Usne chitthi me kya likha hai?"
"Ye ek raaz hai danny....isay na puchho. Desh ke ek bahut bade aadmi ka raaz." Imran ne uttar diya. Danny udaas dikhayi dene laga. Kaafila chalta raha. Julia dil khol kar hans rahi thi. Baat baat par kahkahe laga rahi thi......aur Imran ke dil par se ek bahut bada bojh hat gaya tha. Agar wo iss tarah nahin jaati to uske khilaaf usay kuchh na kuchh karrwaayi to karni hi padti.
