I thinks ye story mein Mai kha ma kha mehnat kar hoon shayd ye story Kisi ko pasand nahi aa rahi rahi is liye main ye stry yahi stop kar deta hoon
Thanks everyone
Thanks everyone
Raaz...the_vampire
- Thread starter vamp545
- Start date
Zindagi mein ye pehli baar nahi tha ke meri taraf kisi ne gun point ki thi. Main jis tarah ka kaam kiya karta tha usmein pehli bhi kayi baar meri taraf gun uth chuki thi, pehli bhi kayi baar mujhe nishana karke goliyan chalai ja chuki thi islie yun achanak apne saamne ek insaan ko apni taraf bandook kiye dekhne par bhi main fauran ghabraya nahi. Acahank kamre mein roshni ho jaane ke karan aur yun sannate mein achanak aayi Pratap ki aawaz sunkar main ek pal ke liye hadbadaya zaroor par jab main aur Pratap ki taraf palta toh kuchh seconds mein hi apne aapko sambhal chuka tha.
"You are smarter than I thought" Vo muskurata hua bola, "Mujhe toh laga tha ke auron ki taraf tum bhi kuchh din jhak maarkar chale jaoge par maan gaye ustad tumhein. Sidha sher ki maand mein ghuskar uski gardan dabochne ki koshish ki hai tumne"
"Kyun?" Maine sirf itna hi sawal kiya.
"Kyun?" Vo samajh gaya ke mera sawal uske poore kiye karaye ko lekar tha, "You havent figured that out yet? Andhere mein hi teer chala rahe the?"
Aur tab pehli baar mujhe kahin apne dil mein halki si ghabrahat mehsoos hui.
Kisi insaan ki jaan lena aasan kaam nahi hai. Kisi ki aankhon mein aankhen daalkar bandook ka trigger khinchna, ye jaante hue ke agle hi pal tumhare aage tadapta hua jism ya ek bejaan laash hogi, ke chaaron hi chaaron taraf khoon phaila hoga, bahut mushkil kaam hota hai. Aur usse kahin badi ghabrahat hoti hai ke jaan lene ke baad kya hoga. Har taraf se uthte sawal, police ki puchh-taachh bade se bade badon ke irade hila dete hain. Agar halat aise bhi hon ke baad ki fikar na ho tab bhi kisi ko koi yun hi aasani se maar nahi sakta hatta-ke koi aisa ho jisne pehle jaane kitne logon ki jaan le rakhi ho ya koi aisa jise jaan lene mein maza aata ho.
Aaj se pehle mujh par jitni baar bhi jaan lene ki koshish ki gayi thi, har situation mein koshish karne wala mujhse zyada ghabraya hota tha. Mujhse zyada haath bandook pakadne wale ke kaanp rahe hote the aur mujhe pata hota tha ke main situation aaram se control kar sakta hoon. Par mere saamne jo insaan khada tha use main khud masoom jaanwaron par sirf shauk ke liye bina kisi hichak ke goliyan chalate dekh chuka tha. Uski aankhon mein ek dradhta thi aur haathon mein zara bhi kampan nahi. Vo apne aapko poore kaabu mein kiye mujh par bandook taane khada chuka tha.
Mere saamne us waqt jo insaan khada tha usne mujhse pehle ek aadmi ki jaan li hui thi is baat ka yakeen mujhe ho chuka tha. Ya shayad do logon ki ya shayad teen logon ki jaan le chuka tha. Uske liye mujhpar goli chala kar kissa khatam kar dena koi badi baat nahi thi.
"Kaam hi mera aisa hai" Maine uski baat ka jawab diya, "Andaze ke hisaab se kadam uthana padta hai. Koi kadam sahi padta hai, koi galat"
"Tareef toh karni padegi tumhari" Vo bola, "Andhere mein teer chalaya par laga bilkul sahi nishane par"
Uske baad kamre mein ekdam sannata chha gaya. Na vo kuchh bola aur na hi main. Bas khamoshi se kuchh der tak khade ek doosre ko dekhte rahe. Vo shayad intezaar kar raha tha ke main koi kadam uthaoon, bhaagne ki koshish karun aur vo goli daag de par main itna bhi bevakoof nahi tha ke aisi koi galti karun. Darwaza bolck kiye vo khud khada tha aur khidki kholkar bhaagne mein mujhe jitna waqt lagta utni der mein vo 3-4 goliyan mere shareer mein daag deta.
"Tum ye toh samajh hi chuke honge ke main yahan se tumhein zinda jaane nahi de sakta" Kuchh der ki khamoshi ke baad vo bola.
"Bach nahi paayenge meri jaan lekar. Main yun gayab ho gaya toh dhoondha jaayega mujhe aur jo mujhe dhoondhne aayenge vo tab tak chain se nahi bethenge jab tak ke mera pata na chal jaaye" Maine sakhti se kaha.
"Kisne kaha ke tum gayab ho jaoge?" Vo halke se hasa.
"Matlab?" Maine puchha.
"Arrey bhai tumhein goli maarkar police ko phone main khud karnga, tumhari laash ko khud apne haathon mein utha kar bahar le kar jaoonga. To be on the safer side ambulance bhi bulaoonga" Usne jawab diya.
Uski baat kuchh kuchh mujhe samajh aa gayi thi par phir bhi maine sawaliya andaaz mein uski taraf dekha.
"Raat ko tum mere ghar mein ghuse hue ho. Main vaapis aaya toh laga ke chor hai, self defence mein maine goli maar di. Goli maarne ke baad pata chala ke tum ho. Pretty simple"
"Aur mera yahan hona kaise explain karenge?"
"Ab mujhe kya pata ke tum kyun mere ghar mein ghuse. Jo cheezen tumne mere bed ke drawer se nikali hain vo tumhare marte hi yahan se gayab ho jaayengi. Uske baad tum yahan kyun the ye raaz tumhare saathi hi khatam"
Mera andaza sahi tha. Ghabrahat dheere dheere badh rahi thi.
"Tumhein seriously kuchh nahi pata ke exactly hua kya tha?"
Usne sawal kiya toh maine inkaar mein gardan hila di.
"Chalo marne se pehle tumhari ye jigyasa bhi door kar dete hain. Betho" Usne bandook ko kamre mein rakhi ek chair ki taraf point karte hue kaha.
Main chair par jakar beth gaya toh vo mujhse door kamre mein ek doosri chair par ja betha. Bandook ab bhi meri taraf hi pointed thi aur uski anguliyan trigger par thi.
"Papers table par rakh do" Usne mere haath mein pakde property papers ki taraf ishara kiya, "Aur pani jeb mein rakhe vo negatives bhi"
Maine dono hi cheezen table par rakh di.
"Shirt utaaro" Usne kaha.
"What?" Main is ajeeb se sawal par chaunk utha.
"Ya nahi rehne do, tumhein maar kar dobara pehnana pad jaayega. Shirt uper karo" Usne bade hi serious andaaz mein kaha.
Main samajh gaya ke vo dekhna chah raha tha ke maine koi hathyaar toh nahi chhupa rakha. Maine shirt uper uthayi, pent ki jebe bahar nikali aur joote utaar kar uski tasalli kar di ke main ni-hattha tha.
"Kyun kiya?" Maine puchha.
"Kya kyun kiya?"
"Apne bhaanje ki jaan kyun li?"
"Tumhein itna yakeen kaise hai ke maine hi Ravi ko maara hai?"
"Bas hai yakeen" Maine jawab diya.
"Kya mila aisa?"
"Ravi ke mamle mein toh kuchh nahi mila isliye toh sidha sawal kar raha hoon"
"Agar main kahun ke maine Ravi ko nahi mara toh?"
"To main uski laash logon ko dikha kar saabit kar doonga ke usko aap hi ne maara hai" Maine uski aankhon mein dekhte hue kaha.
"Laash?"
"Haan. Bahar us neem ke ped ke neeche" Maine sidha tukka lagaya par kahin main jaanta tha ke ye tukka 100% sahi hai.
"Very smart" Vo phir muskuraya, "Chalo ab jab tumhein pata hai ke laash kahan hai toh ye bhi tum hi andaza laga lo ke maine use kyun mara hoga"
"Property ka lalach toh nahi ho sakta. Khud bahut paisa hai aapke paas aur pichhe chhod kar jaane ke liye sirf ek beti. Vaise bhi Ravi ke marne par vo saari property kisi bhi halat mein aapke paas nahi aa sakti thi. Vo porperty hathyane ke liye aapko Ravi ke saath saath poore parivar ko marna padta jo ke aapne kiya nahi"
"Bilkul sahi"
"Ravi ko maarne ki ek hi vajah ho sakti hai" Maine ab tak jo bhi mere saamne aaye the un saare sabooton ko ek saath jodkar us shaam ki ek tasveer apne dimag mein banate hue kaha, "Ke vo yahan us waqt aa pahuncha jab aapke haath kisi aur ke khoon se range hue the"
"Kiske khoon se?"
"Sunanda ke" Maine jawab diya.
"Tumhein aisa kyun lagta hai ke maine Ravi ko maara?" Pratap ne muskurate hue puchha.
"Kyun?" Maine sarcastic se andaz mein kaha, "Nahi maara kya? Isi neem ke ped ke neeche hai na uski laash? Maarkar use gaad diya aur phir usi ki yaad mein uski kabar pe neem ka ped laga diya?"
Vo phir khamoshi se mujhe dekhne laga. Ham dono ki nazren ek doosre ke chehro par thi aur kamre mein ek baar phir sannata.
"Mujhpse shak kaise hua?" Kuchh der baad vo bola.
"Kuchh cheezen mili" Maine chhota sa jawab diya aur baat khatam kar di.
"Jaise ke?" Uske chehre par jigyasa saaf dikhai de rahi thi.
"Ye negatives mein jo ladki hai aapke saath, sab mein Sunanda hi hai ya alag alag ladkiyan hain?" Maine uski baat ko ansuni karte hue apna sawal daag diya.
"Alag alag ladkiyan hain" Usne ek lambi saans chhodi, "Most of them are prostitutes except for a few. Almost saari hi aaj se 15-22 saal pehle ki tasveerein hai. I think latest jo hogi vo bhi at least 15-16 saal purani hogi"
"Ab tasverein lena chhod diya ya tharkipana?"
Mera andaza tha ke vo mera taana sunkar shayad bhadak uthega par aisa kuchh hua nahi. Vo ulta meri baat sunkar has pada.
"Tharkiyon ka tharkipana kahan khatam hota hai janab, vo toh abhi bhi jaari hai. Aur tasveerein bhi ab tak le raha hoon, farak itna hai ke ab saari photos cellphone se leta hoon toh negatives ki zaroorat hi nahi padti"
"Kyun?"
"Kyun?" Rana ke maathe par shikan pad gayi, "Bas yun keh lijiye ke hobby hai meri. Ab bhai photography bhi toh ek hobby hoti hai na, koi nature ki photos leta hai, koi jaanwaron ki, koi landscape, koi nature, koi people. Bas main apni hobby ko apne bedroom tak rakhta hoon. Collection hai mera private. Ab kise pata ...."
"Tasveerein nahi" Maine uski baat beech mein kaati, "Maara kyun tha Sunanda ko?"
"Achha vo wala kyun. Irada toh nahi tha yaar. Maine toh ye socha tha ke vo bhi vaisi hi ladki hogi jaise ke yahan aas paas gaon ki gareeb ladkiyan hoti hai. Thoda paisa dikhao, mehengi gaadi mein betha aur phir aalishan bedrrom ka aalishan bistar. Khud hi kapde utaar kar let jaati hain"
"Par Sunanda aisi nahi nikli?"
"Surprisingly nahi nikli" Vo thoda serioues hote hue bola, "Considering ke uski maan ki yahan kya reputation thi"
"Sab maan beti ko prostiutes kehte the" Maine baat jodi.
"Exactly. Mujhe laga ke beti bhi dhandha karti hogi par aisa tha nahi"
"Music Academy mein mile the na use?" Maine puchha.
"Haan, classical music seekhne aati thi. Sab thoda door hi rehte the usse, koi baat nahi karta tha except mere bhaanje Ravi ke. Gaati bhi kaafi achha thi vo, kayi baar Ravi ke saath practice karte hue dekha tha maine use. Ravi ko khaas taur par uski aawaz bahut pasand thi aur hamesha kehta tha tha ke thoda sa support mile toh Sunanda kaafi aage ja sakti hai"
"Aur aapne vo support dene ke bahane use phasa liya?"
"Nahi yaar, main bhi thoda door hi rehta tha usse. Mujhe bhi koi khaas pasand nahi thi vo, aam si shakal soorat ki thi, jism bhi koi khaas nahi tha. Net net uski aawaz ko chhod kar usmein koi khaas baat thi hi nahi"
"Phir?"
"Phir ek baar Shimla mein ek function tha, Lata Mangeshkar ji chief guest thi. Sunanda us concert mein gana chahti thi par considering ke use sab dhandha karne wali ki beti kehte the toh use gana allow karna bade logon ki shaan ke khilaff tha."
"Aur aapne use gaane ki ijazat dilwa di?"
"Khud se nahi, Ravi ke bahut zor daalne par. Sabko uska gaana bahut pasand aaya, Lata ji ne toh khaas taur par use akele mein bulva kar mili use and believe it or not, use apna phone number tak de gayi ke vo use aage music composers se milvayengi. Ab Sunanda ko ye baat pata nahi thi ke use vahan gaane ka chance Ravi ki vajah se mila tha. Ravi ne mujhe mana kiya tha batane se. Sunanda ko yahi lagta tha ke sirf mere kehne par use ye gaane ka mauka mila. Vo mera bahut ehsaan maanne lagi"
"Aur aapne ehsaan ka faayda uthaya?"
"Nahi yaar. Jawani mein dikhne mein koi bura nahi tha main. Ye ehsaan dheere dheere pata nahi kaise attraction mein badal gaya. Vo mere aas paas hi mandrane lagi par main use ghaas nahi daalta tha kyunki mujhe toh vo ek raat ke hisaab se bhi pasand nahi thi"
"Phir kya hua?"
"Phir ek din main Shimla gaya hua tha, vahan se academy ki taraf chala gaya. Maine dhyaan nahi diya par mera bag vahin academy mein reh gaya aur vo bag lautane ke bahane shaam ko Sunanda mere ghar hi aa pahunchi yahan. Mujhe us din ek ladki ki zaroorat mehsoos ho rahi thi, sharab ka thoda nasha tha aur main janta tha ke saamne jo ladki thi vo mujhe marti hai toh maine socha ke chalo theek hai, jo mile so achha"
"Aur aapne usi ka istemaal kar liya .... "
"Kya baat kar raha hai yaar, Istemaal toh jaise usne mera kiya tha. Aag thi bistar mein aag. Mujhe toh lag raha tha jaise kachcha kha jaayegi mujhe. Uski zindagi mein main pehla mard tha, mere se pehle kisi ke saath soyi nahi thi vo par phir bhi bistar par usne mujhe jo jannat dikhayi, vaisa mujhe kisi bhi ladki ke saath mehsoos nahi hua tha"
"Aur isi liye phir aapne regular basis par uske saath sona shuru kar diya"
"Kya karta, kamal thi vo bistar par. Shakal soorat ki saari kami vo bistar pe doosre tareeko se poori kar deti thi. Uski is baat ka qayal ho gaya tha main aur phir kaafi waqt tak main kisi aur ladki ke paas gaya hi nahi. Jab bhi aurat ki zaroorat mehsoos hui, bistar par Sunanda hi aayi"
"Phir?"
"Mujhe laga tha ke mera ehsaan chukane ke liye so rahi hai mere saath par mujhe kya pata tha ke vo pyaar vyaar ka chakkar chala rahi hai. Vo toh bhaisahab shaadi karne ke mood mein thi mere saath"
"Isliye maara use?"
"Kya karta? Mera bachcha paal rahi thi pet mein vo aur abortion ke liye taiyyar nahi thi. Kehti thi ke agar maine usse shaadi nahi ki sabko bata degi. Saali Lata Mangeshkar ke naam ki dhamki de rahi thi mujhe batao. Do-tarfa phas gaya tha main. Budhape mein jab meri beti ki shaadi ki baat chal rahi thi toh us tim khud phere leta main? Agar leta toh badnami ke is umar mein shaadi ki aur ek dhandha karne wali ki beti si, poore khandan ke naam ki hasi udaayi jaati aur agar vo kisi ko bata deti toh bhi khandaan ke naam par thu thu hoti ke buddhe ka bachcha ek uski beti ki umar ki ladki paal rahi hai. Khud apne ghar walo ki nazron mein gir jata main"
"Hua kya tha us din?"
"Us din nahi, takreeban ek hafta pehle use ghar bulaya tha maine. Milne aayi, behas ho gayi aur maine uspar haath chhod diya. Phir usko yahan se jaane dena main afford nahi kar sakta tha. Ek hafte tak yahin baandh kar rakha maine use, samjhata raha ke baat maan jaaye, lalach diya, Mumbai mein naya ghar leke doonga bola, ghar uske naam kar diya hai papers bhi dikhaye use par vo maani nahi. Apni baat par adi rahi ke sabke saamne mera bhanda phod degi. Phir ek din subah subah pata nahi kaise vo yahan se nikal bhaagi. Use maine ek kamre mein nangi chhdoa hua tha aur kapde chhupa kar rakhe hue the ke bhaagne ka soche nahi, aur agar mauka mile bhi toh nangi bhaagegi kaise par us din subah subah vo kamre ki chadar ko apne shareer par lapetkar bhaag nikli. Main uske pichhe gaya, use pakda, vaapis lana chaha, vo royi chillayi, mujhse ladi, chhutne ki bahut koshish ki, halla machaya aur in sabka nateeja ye nikla ke maine gusse mein uska gala ghont diya"
"Bahar sadak pe?"
"Haan, jahan maine aur tumne us din subah chaai pi thi usse thodi hi door. Subah subah ka waqt tha, aur ye pahadi ilaka hai vaise hi koi ikka dukka aadmi hi dikhta hai. Kisi ne na use dekha aur na hi mujhe. Use maarne ke baad uski laash ko main vaapis utha kar chhupta chhupata ghar tak laya"
"Ek aadmi ne dekha tha use" Maine kaha.
"Kisne?"
"Liyaqat ne. Usne use dekha aur aapko bhi par ek insaan aur tha jise usne Sunanda ko aur phor aapko dekhne ke beech mein dekha"
"Kise?"
"Ravi"
"Ravi?"
"Ji haan"
"Aur use laga hoga ke Ravi us ladki ka pichha kar raha hai?"
"Ji haan. Usne use us din subah chadar lapete bhaagte hue dekha. Usne mujhe bataya tha ke subah subah Sunanda sirf ek saree mein bina kisi blouse ke chhupti hui bhaag rahi thi, ab pata chal raha hai ke jise usne saree samjha tha vo sirf ek chadar thi"
"Mujhpar shak kaise hua?" Rana ne bola.
"Ek tasveer mili thi" Maine bataya.
"Mujhe pata tha ke meri ek tasveer thi uske paas par usne kabhi haan nahi boli. Ek din lekar gayi thi mujhse aur main maangta reh gaya ke vaapis kar de par usne vaapis di nahi, mujhe jhooth kehti rahi ke photo kho gayi. Jab baad mein police ko bhi kuchh nahi mila toh mujhe laga ke shayad photo sahi mein kho hi gayi thi"
"Vo photo nahi" Maine kaha, "Vo photo toh kharab ho chuki thi"
"Toh kaun si photo?"
Maine use Kanha ke ghar se mili tasveer ke baare mein bataya.
"Thats it? Ek photo se shak hua?"
"Haan. Kuchh din pehle mera shak Liyaqat par tha, kisi ne mujhe kaha tha ke Liyaqat ki umar bhi toh us waqt zyada nahi hogi. Par phir jab vo tasveer mili toh mujhe ehsaas hua ke Liyaqat ke saath saath aapki umar bhi us waqt bahut zyada nahi thi. Tab pata chala ke jis ladke ke baare mein Sunanda apni maan ko nahi bata rahi thi vo aap the, aur bata isliye nahi rhi thi kyunki aapne usne aapse kaha tha ke vo pyaar karna chahti hai par ye ikraar vo aapke munh se sunna chahti thi. Kyunki vo apni maan ko batane mein jhijhak rahi thi ke jisse vo shaadi karna chahti hai us aadmi ke khud uski apni umar ki hi ek beti bhi thi"
"Hmmmmm"
"Aur bhi kayi baatein thi jo aapki taraf point kar rahi thi, jaise ke music academy mein aap ek member hain aur Sunanda aapse vahin mili thi. Us subah Liyaqat ne use yahan se bhaagte dekha tha aur maine assume kar liya ha ke vo Ravi se bachke bhaag rahi thi par ye nahi socha ke isi taraf thoda sa aage aapka bhi toh ghar hai. Us subah Liyaqat ne aapko bhi dekha tha par mujhe laga ke aap toh bas roz ki tarah bandook uthake shikar par hi nikle honge"
"Hmmmmm. Aur?"
"Aur ye ke agar kisi ka apne ghar mein jhagda ho jaaye toh vo kahan jata hai?"
"Matlab?"
"Matlab ye ke ek toofani shaam ko, baarish mein Ravi apne baap se ladkar nikla toh vo kahan ja sakta tha. Obvious si baat hai ke is halat mein insaan ya toh apne kisi dost ke ghar jata hai ya apne kisi rishtedaar ke yahan. Kanha ke ghar toh vo gaya nahi, baaki bache aap. Toh of course us shaam vo apne ghar se nikla toh apne Mama ke yahan aaya"
"You are smarter than I thought" Vo muskurata hua bola, "Mujhe toh laga tha ke auron ki taraf tum bhi kuchh din jhak maarkar chale jaoge par maan gaye ustad tumhein. Sidha sher ki maand mein ghuskar uski gardan dabochne ki koshish ki hai tumne"
"Kyun?" Maine sirf itna hi sawal kiya.
"Kyun?" Vo samajh gaya ke mera sawal uske poore kiye karaye ko lekar tha, "You havent figured that out yet? Andhere mein hi teer chala rahe the?"
Aur tab pehli baar mujhe kahin apne dil mein halki si ghabrahat mehsoos hui.
Kisi insaan ki jaan lena aasan kaam nahi hai. Kisi ki aankhon mein aankhen daalkar bandook ka trigger khinchna, ye jaante hue ke agle hi pal tumhare aage tadapta hua jism ya ek bejaan laash hogi, ke chaaron hi chaaron taraf khoon phaila hoga, bahut mushkil kaam hota hai. Aur usse kahin badi ghabrahat hoti hai ke jaan lene ke baad kya hoga. Har taraf se uthte sawal, police ki puchh-taachh bade se bade badon ke irade hila dete hain. Agar halat aise bhi hon ke baad ki fikar na ho tab bhi kisi ko koi yun hi aasani se maar nahi sakta hatta-ke koi aisa ho jisne pehle jaane kitne logon ki jaan le rakhi ho ya koi aisa jise jaan lene mein maza aata ho.
Aaj se pehle mujh par jitni baar bhi jaan lene ki koshish ki gayi thi, har situation mein koshish karne wala mujhse zyada ghabraya hota tha. Mujhse zyada haath bandook pakadne wale ke kaanp rahe hote the aur mujhe pata hota tha ke main situation aaram se control kar sakta hoon. Par mere saamne jo insaan khada tha use main khud masoom jaanwaron par sirf shauk ke liye bina kisi hichak ke goliyan chalate dekh chuka tha. Uski aankhon mein ek dradhta thi aur haathon mein zara bhi kampan nahi. Vo apne aapko poore kaabu mein kiye mujh par bandook taane khada chuka tha.
Mere saamne us waqt jo insaan khada tha usne mujhse pehle ek aadmi ki jaan li hui thi is baat ka yakeen mujhe ho chuka tha. Ya shayad do logon ki ya shayad teen logon ki jaan le chuka tha. Uske liye mujhpar goli chala kar kissa khatam kar dena koi badi baat nahi thi.
"Kaam hi mera aisa hai" Maine uski baat ka jawab diya, "Andaze ke hisaab se kadam uthana padta hai. Koi kadam sahi padta hai, koi galat"
"Tareef toh karni padegi tumhari" Vo bola, "Andhere mein teer chalaya par laga bilkul sahi nishane par"
Uske baad kamre mein ekdam sannata chha gaya. Na vo kuchh bola aur na hi main. Bas khamoshi se kuchh der tak khade ek doosre ko dekhte rahe. Vo shayad intezaar kar raha tha ke main koi kadam uthaoon, bhaagne ki koshish karun aur vo goli daag de par main itna bhi bevakoof nahi tha ke aisi koi galti karun. Darwaza bolck kiye vo khud khada tha aur khidki kholkar bhaagne mein mujhe jitna waqt lagta utni der mein vo 3-4 goliyan mere shareer mein daag deta.
"Tum ye toh samajh hi chuke honge ke main yahan se tumhein zinda jaane nahi de sakta" Kuchh der ki khamoshi ke baad vo bola.
"Bach nahi paayenge meri jaan lekar. Main yun gayab ho gaya toh dhoondha jaayega mujhe aur jo mujhe dhoondhne aayenge vo tab tak chain se nahi bethenge jab tak ke mera pata na chal jaaye" Maine sakhti se kaha.
"Kisne kaha ke tum gayab ho jaoge?" Vo halke se hasa.
"Matlab?" Maine puchha.
"Arrey bhai tumhein goli maarkar police ko phone main khud karnga, tumhari laash ko khud apne haathon mein utha kar bahar le kar jaoonga. To be on the safer side ambulance bhi bulaoonga" Usne jawab diya.
Uski baat kuchh kuchh mujhe samajh aa gayi thi par phir bhi maine sawaliya andaaz mein uski taraf dekha.
"Raat ko tum mere ghar mein ghuse hue ho. Main vaapis aaya toh laga ke chor hai, self defence mein maine goli maar di. Goli maarne ke baad pata chala ke tum ho. Pretty simple"
"Aur mera yahan hona kaise explain karenge?"
"Ab mujhe kya pata ke tum kyun mere ghar mein ghuse. Jo cheezen tumne mere bed ke drawer se nikali hain vo tumhare marte hi yahan se gayab ho jaayengi. Uske baad tum yahan kyun the ye raaz tumhare saathi hi khatam"
Mera andaza sahi tha. Ghabrahat dheere dheere badh rahi thi.
"Tumhein seriously kuchh nahi pata ke exactly hua kya tha?"
Usne sawal kiya toh maine inkaar mein gardan hila di.
"Chalo marne se pehle tumhari ye jigyasa bhi door kar dete hain. Betho" Usne bandook ko kamre mein rakhi ek chair ki taraf point karte hue kaha.
Main chair par jakar beth gaya toh vo mujhse door kamre mein ek doosri chair par ja betha. Bandook ab bhi meri taraf hi pointed thi aur uski anguliyan trigger par thi.
"Papers table par rakh do" Usne mere haath mein pakde property papers ki taraf ishara kiya, "Aur pani jeb mein rakhe vo negatives bhi"
Maine dono hi cheezen table par rakh di.
"Shirt utaaro" Usne kaha.
"What?" Main is ajeeb se sawal par chaunk utha.
"Ya nahi rehne do, tumhein maar kar dobara pehnana pad jaayega. Shirt uper karo" Usne bade hi serious andaaz mein kaha.
Main samajh gaya ke vo dekhna chah raha tha ke maine koi hathyaar toh nahi chhupa rakha. Maine shirt uper uthayi, pent ki jebe bahar nikali aur joote utaar kar uski tasalli kar di ke main ni-hattha tha.
"Kyun kiya?" Maine puchha.
"Kya kyun kiya?"
"Apne bhaanje ki jaan kyun li?"
"Tumhein itna yakeen kaise hai ke maine hi Ravi ko maara hai?"
"Bas hai yakeen" Maine jawab diya.
"Kya mila aisa?"
"Ravi ke mamle mein toh kuchh nahi mila isliye toh sidha sawal kar raha hoon"
"Agar main kahun ke maine Ravi ko nahi mara toh?"
"To main uski laash logon ko dikha kar saabit kar doonga ke usko aap hi ne maara hai" Maine uski aankhon mein dekhte hue kaha.
"Laash?"
"Haan. Bahar us neem ke ped ke neeche" Maine sidha tukka lagaya par kahin main jaanta tha ke ye tukka 100% sahi hai.
"Very smart" Vo phir muskuraya, "Chalo ab jab tumhein pata hai ke laash kahan hai toh ye bhi tum hi andaza laga lo ke maine use kyun mara hoga"
"Property ka lalach toh nahi ho sakta. Khud bahut paisa hai aapke paas aur pichhe chhod kar jaane ke liye sirf ek beti. Vaise bhi Ravi ke marne par vo saari property kisi bhi halat mein aapke paas nahi aa sakti thi. Vo porperty hathyane ke liye aapko Ravi ke saath saath poore parivar ko marna padta jo ke aapne kiya nahi"
"Bilkul sahi"
"Ravi ko maarne ki ek hi vajah ho sakti hai" Maine ab tak jo bhi mere saamne aaye the un saare sabooton ko ek saath jodkar us shaam ki ek tasveer apne dimag mein banate hue kaha, "Ke vo yahan us waqt aa pahuncha jab aapke haath kisi aur ke khoon se range hue the"
"Kiske khoon se?"
"Sunanda ke" Maine jawab diya.
"Tumhein aisa kyun lagta hai ke maine Ravi ko maara?" Pratap ne muskurate hue puchha.
"Kyun?" Maine sarcastic se andaz mein kaha, "Nahi maara kya? Isi neem ke ped ke neeche hai na uski laash? Maarkar use gaad diya aur phir usi ki yaad mein uski kabar pe neem ka ped laga diya?"
Vo phir khamoshi se mujhe dekhne laga. Ham dono ki nazren ek doosre ke chehro par thi aur kamre mein ek baar phir sannata.
"Mujhpse shak kaise hua?" Kuchh der baad vo bola.
"Kuchh cheezen mili" Maine chhota sa jawab diya aur baat khatam kar di.
"Jaise ke?" Uske chehre par jigyasa saaf dikhai de rahi thi.
"Ye negatives mein jo ladki hai aapke saath, sab mein Sunanda hi hai ya alag alag ladkiyan hain?" Maine uski baat ko ansuni karte hue apna sawal daag diya.
"Alag alag ladkiyan hain" Usne ek lambi saans chhodi, "Most of them are prostitutes except for a few. Almost saari hi aaj se 15-22 saal pehle ki tasveerein hai. I think latest jo hogi vo bhi at least 15-16 saal purani hogi"
"Ab tasverein lena chhod diya ya tharkipana?"
Mera andaza tha ke vo mera taana sunkar shayad bhadak uthega par aisa kuchh hua nahi. Vo ulta meri baat sunkar has pada.
"Tharkiyon ka tharkipana kahan khatam hota hai janab, vo toh abhi bhi jaari hai. Aur tasveerein bhi ab tak le raha hoon, farak itna hai ke ab saari photos cellphone se leta hoon toh negatives ki zaroorat hi nahi padti"
"Kyun?"
"Kyun?" Rana ke maathe par shikan pad gayi, "Bas yun keh lijiye ke hobby hai meri. Ab bhai photography bhi toh ek hobby hoti hai na, koi nature ki photos leta hai, koi jaanwaron ki, koi landscape, koi nature, koi people. Bas main apni hobby ko apne bedroom tak rakhta hoon. Collection hai mera private. Ab kise pata ...."
"Tasveerein nahi" Maine uski baat beech mein kaati, "Maara kyun tha Sunanda ko?"
"Achha vo wala kyun. Irada toh nahi tha yaar. Maine toh ye socha tha ke vo bhi vaisi hi ladki hogi jaise ke yahan aas paas gaon ki gareeb ladkiyan hoti hai. Thoda paisa dikhao, mehengi gaadi mein betha aur phir aalishan bedrrom ka aalishan bistar. Khud hi kapde utaar kar let jaati hain"
"Par Sunanda aisi nahi nikli?"
"Surprisingly nahi nikli" Vo thoda serioues hote hue bola, "Considering ke uski maan ki yahan kya reputation thi"
"Sab maan beti ko prostiutes kehte the" Maine baat jodi.
"Exactly. Mujhe laga ke beti bhi dhandha karti hogi par aisa tha nahi"
"Music Academy mein mile the na use?" Maine puchha.
"Haan, classical music seekhne aati thi. Sab thoda door hi rehte the usse, koi baat nahi karta tha except mere bhaanje Ravi ke. Gaati bhi kaafi achha thi vo, kayi baar Ravi ke saath practice karte hue dekha tha maine use. Ravi ko khaas taur par uski aawaz bahut pasand thi aur hamesha kehta tha tha ke thoda sa support mile toh Sunanda kaafi aage ja sakti hai"
"Aur aapne vo support dene ke bahane use phasa liya?"
"Nahi yaar, main bhi thoda door hi rehta tha usse. Mujhe bhi koi khaas pasand nahi thi vo, aam si shakal soorat ki thi, jism bhi koi khaas nahi tha. Net net uski aawaz ko chhod kar usmein koi khaas baat thi hi nahi"
"Phir?"
"Phir ek baar Shimla mein ek function tha, Lata Mangeshkar ji chief guest thi. Sunanda us concert mein gana chahti thi par considering ke use sab dhandha karne wali ki beti kehte the toh use gana allow karna bade logon ki shaan ke khilaff tha."
"Aur aapne use gaane ki ijazat dilwa di?"
"Khud se nahi, Ravi ke bahut zor daalne par. Sabko uska gaana bahut pasand aaya, Lata ji ne toh khaas taur par use akele mein bulva kar mili use and believe it or not, use apna phone number tak de gayi ke vo use aage music composers se milvayengi. Ab Sunanda ko ye baat pata nahi thi ke use vahan gaane ka chance Ravi ki vajah se mila tha. Ravi ne mujhe mana kiya tha batane se. Sunanda ko yahi lagta tha ke sirf mere kehne par use ye gaane ka mauka mila. Vo mera bahut ehsaan maanne lagi"
"Aur aapne ehsaan ka faayda uthaya?"
"Nahi yaar. Jawani mein dikhne mein koi bura nahi tha main. Ye ehsaan dheere dheere pata nahi kaise attraction mein badal gaya. Vo mere aas paas hi mandrane lagi par main use ghaas nahi daalta tha kyunki mujhe toh vo ek raat ke hisaab se bhi pasand nahi thi"
"Phir kya hua?"
"Phir ek din main Shimla gaya hua tha, vahan se academy ki taraf chala gaya. Maine dhyaan nahi diya par mera bag vahin academy mein reh gaya aur vo bag lautane ke bahane shaam ko Sunanda mere ghar hi aa pahunchi yahan. Mujhe us din ek ladki ki zaroorat mehsoos ho rahi thi, sharab ka thoda nasha tha aur main janta tha ke saamne jo ladki thi vo mujhe marti hai toh maine socha ke chalo theek hai, jo mile so achha"
"Aur aapne usi ka istemaal kar liya .... "
"Kya baat kar raha hai yaar, Istemaal toh jaise usne mera kiya tha. Aag thi bistar mein aag. Mujhe toh lag raha tha jaise kachcha kha jaayegi mujhe. Uski zindagi mein main pehla mard tha, mere se pehle kisi ke saath soyi nahi thi vo par phir bhi bistar par usne mujhe jo jannat dikhayi, vaisa mujhe kisi bhi ladki ke saath mehsoos nahi hua tha"
"Aur isi liye phir aapne regular basis par uske saath sona shuru kar diya"
"Kya karta, kamal thi vo bistar par. Shakal soorat ki saari kami vo bistar pe doosre tareeko se poori kar deti thi. Uski is baat ka qayal ho gaya tha main aur phir kaafi waqt tak main kisi aur ladki ke paas gaya hi nahi. Jab bhi aurat ki zaroorat mehsoos hui, bistar par Sunanda hi aayi"
"Phir?"
"Mujhe laga tha ke mera ehsaan chukane ke liye so rahi hai mere saath par mujhe kya pata tha ke vo pyaar vyaar ka chakkar chala rahi hai. Vo toh bhaisahab shaadi karne ke mood mein thi mere saath"
"Isliye maara use?"
"Kya karta? Mera bachcha paal rahi thi pet mein vo aur abortion ke liye taiyyar nahi thi. Kehti thi ke agar maine usse shaadi nahi ki sabko bata degi. Saali Lata Mangeshkar ke naam ki dhamki de rahi thi mujhe batao. Do-tarfa phas gaya tha main. Budhape mein jab meri beti ki shaadi ki baat chal rahi thi toh us tim khud phere leta main? Agar leta toh badnami ke is umar mein shaadi ki aur ek dhandha karne wali ki beti si, poore khandan ke naam ki hasi udaayi jaati aur agar vo kisi ko bata deti toh bhi khandaan ke naam par thu thu hoti ke buddhe ka bachcha ek uski beti ki umar ki ladki paal rahi hai. Khud apne ghar walo ki nazron mein gir jata main"
"Hua kya tha us din?"
"Us din nahi, takreeban ek hafta pehle use ghar bulaya tha maine. Milne aayi, behas ho gayi aur maine uspar haath chhod diya. Phir usko yahan se jaane dena main afford nahi kar sakta tha. Ek hafte tak yahin baandh kar rakha maine use, samjhata raha ke baat maan jaaye, lalach diya, Mumbai mein naya ghar leke doonga bola, ghar uske naam kar diya hai papers bhi dikhaye use par vo maani nahi. Apni baat par adi rahi ke sabke saamne mera bhanda phod degi. Phir ek din subah subah pata nahi kaise vo yahan se nikal bhaagi. Use maine ek kamre mein nangi chhdoa hua tha aur kapde chhupa kar rakhe hue the ke bhaagne ka soche nahi, aur agar mauka mile bhi toh nangi bhaagegi kaise par us din subah subah vo kamre ki chadar ko apne shareer par lapetkar bhaag nikli. Main uske pichhe gaya, use pakda, vaapis lana chaha, vo royi chillayi, mujhse ladi, chhutne ki bahut koshish ki, halla machaya aur in sabka nateeja ye nikla ke maine gusse mein uska gala ghont diya"
"Bahar sadak pe?"
"Haan, jahan maine aur tumne us din subah chaai pi thi usse thodi hi door. Subah subah ka waqt tha, aur ye pahadi ilaka hai vaise hi koi ikka dukka aadmi hi dikhta hai. Kisi ne na use dekha aur na hi mujhe. Use maarne ke baad uski laash ko main vaapis utha kar chhupta chhupata ghar tak laya"
"Ek aadmi ne dekha tha use" Maine kaha.
"Kisne?"
"Liyaqat ne. Usne use dekha aur aapko bhi par ek insaan aur tha jise usne Sunanda ko aur phor aapko dekhne ke beech mein dekha"
"Kise?"
"Ravi"
"Ravi?"
"Ji haan"
"Aur use laga hoga ke Ravi us ladki ka pichha kar raha hai?"
"Ji haan. Usne use us din subah chadar lapete bhaagte hue dekha. Usne mujhe bataya tha ke subah subah Sunanda sirf ek saree mein bina kisi blouse ke chhupti hui bhaag rahi thi, ab pata chal raha hai ke jise usne saree samjha tha vo sirf ek chadar thi"
"Mujhpar shak kaise hua?" Rana ne bola.
"Ek tasveer mili thi" Maine bataya.
"Mujhe pata tha ke meri ek tasveer thi uske paas par usne kabhi haan nahi boli. Ek din lekar gayi thi mujhse aur main maangta reh gaya ke vaapis kar de par usne vaapis di nahi, mujhe jhooth kehti rahi ke photo kho gayi. Jab baad mein police ko bhi kuchh nahi mila toh mujhe laga ke shayad photo sahi mein kho hi gayi thi"
"Vo photo nahi" Maine kaha, "Vo photo toh kharab ho chuki thi"
"Toh kaun si photo?"
Maine use Kanha ke ghar se mili tasveer ke baare mein bataya.
"Thats it? Ek photo se shak hua?"
"Haan. Kuchh din pehle mera shak Liyaqat par tha, kisi ne mujhe kaha tha ke Liyaqat ki umar bhi toh us waqt zyada nahi hogi. Par phir jab vo tasveer mili toh mujhe ehsaas hua ke Liyaqat ke saath saath aapki umar bhi us waqt bahut zyada nahi thi. Tab pata chala ke jis ladke ke baare mein Sunanda apni maan ko nahi bata rahi thi vo aap the, aur bata isliye nahi rhi thi kyunki aapne usne aapse kaha tha ke vo pyaar karna chahti hai par ye ikraar vo aapke munh se sunna chahti thi. Kyunki vo apni maan ko batane mein jhijhak rahi thi ke jisse vo shaadi karna chahti hai us aadmi ke khud uski apni umar ki hi ek beti bhi thi"
"Hmmmmm"
"Aur bhi kayi baatein thi jo aapki taraf point kar rahi thi, jaise ke music academy mein aap ek member hain aur Sunanda aapse vahin mili thi. Us subah Liyaqat ne use yahan se bhaagte dekha tha aur maine assume kar liya ha ke vo Ravi se bachke bhaag rahi thi par ye nahi socha ke isi taraf thoda sa aage aapka bhi toh ghar hai. Us subah Liyaqat ne aapko bhi dekha tha par mujhe laga ke aap toh bas roz ki tarah bandook uthake shikar par hi nikle honge"
"Hmmmmm. Aur?"
"Aur ye ke agar kisi ka apne ghar mein jhagda ho jaaye toh vo kahan jata hai?"
"Matlab?"
"Matlab ye ke ek toofani shaam ko, baarish mein Ravi apne baap se ladkar nikla toh vo kahan ja sakta tha. Obvious si baat hai ke is halat mein insaan ya toh apne kisi dost ke ghar jata hai ya apne kisi rishtedaar ke yahan. Kanha ke ghar toh vo gaya nahi, baaki bache aap. Toh of course us shaam vo apne ghar se nikla toh apne Mama ke yahan aaya"
"Kahin aur bhi toh ja sakta hai" Pratap bola.
"Toofani shaam, tez baarish, tezi se phelta andhera, pahadi ilaka, I dont think so Mr. Rana" Maine haste hue kaha, "Agar main maan bhi loon ke vo kahin aur gaya toh kahan? Kanha ke ghar vo gaya nahi, kisi hotel aur lodge mein check in nahi kiya. Vo paidal nikla tha ghar se, car yahin chhod gaya tha toh ye namumkin nahi ke vo yahan se paidal hi Shimla ya kahin aur nikal gaya aur sabse kareeb aur koi town yahan Shimla hi hai. Bus usne us shaam aur aane wale kisi bhi din mein yahan se li nahi. Ek chance ye hai ke usne kisi se lift maangi ho par agar aisa hota toh vo apni car chhodkar kyun jata? Nahi Mr. Rana, vo Car chhodkar isliye gaya kyunki use door kahin toh jana hi nahi tha, use toh nazdeek hi jana tha, walkable distance par. Apne Mama ke yahan"
Meri baat poori hone par vo kuchh der tak phir mujhe khamoshi se dekhta raha.
"Tumhein pata hai Ravi aur uske baap ka jhagda kis baat par hua tha us raat?" Kuchh der baad usne mujhse puchha.
"Kayi baatein suni hai is baare mein par mujhe poora yakeen hai ke jhagda ka karan Ravi aur Kanha ke beech ka rishta tha" Maine jawab diya.
"Oh so you know he was a gay?"
Maine haan mein sar hilaya.
"I must say that you are a smart guy Man par koi baat nahi, hoti hai sabse galti"
"Mujhse koi galti nahi hui, I know main sahi keh raha hoon"
"Tumhare paas ye sab saabit karne ke liye koi saboot nahi"
"Us neem ke ped ke neeche se jab Ravi aur Sunanda ki laashen milegi toh aur koi saboot dene ki zaroorat hi kahan padegi"
Meri baat sunkar usne khidki se bahar Neem ke ped ki taraf dekha.
"You know I never wanted to kill her" Meri taraf dekhte hue Rana bola.
"Kanha ko kyun maara?" Maine sawal kiya toh vo chaunk sa gaya.
"Main use kyun maarunga bhala?"
"Aur Humraaz kahan hain?" Maine sawal ke badle sawal kiya.
"Humraaz?"
"Haan, vo heera"
"Heera?" Uske chehre par saaf hairani ke bhaav the.
Isse pehle ke ham dono mein se koi aur kuchh keh pata, pichhe andhere mein se aayi ek aawaz ne hamein chaunka diya.
"Gun neeche phenko aur haath uper karke khade ho jao" Aawaz Kamini ki thi.
Main Rana ke ghar mein ghusne se pehle Kamini ko bahar dekhne ke liye chhod kar aaya tha. Plan ke hisaab se agar koi ghar ki taraf aaye toh usne mujhe phone karke aagah karna tha par aisa hua nahi. Rana achanak mere sar par aa khada hua tha aur main yahi sochta reh gaya tha ke Kamini ne mujhe aagah kyun nahi kiya.
Uski aawaz sunkar Rana fauran uchhal kar khada hua aur gun uski taraf ghuma di. Dheere dheere chalte hue Kamini kamre ki roshni mein aayi. Uske haath mein thama Revolver Rana ki taraf pointed tha aur Rana ke haath mein thami gun Kamini ki taraf.
"Gun phenko" Usne Rana se kaha.
"Yeah right. Why dont you put the gun down kid?" Rana ne taana maarne wale andaaz mein jawab diya.
"I am not kidding" Kamini ne sakht aawaz mein kaha, "Put the gun down"
"Neither am I. If you shoot me, I will shoot you" Rana ne bhi barabar sakhti ke saath jawab diya.
Vo dono ek doosre ki taraf chehra kiye khade the aur Rana ki peeth meri taraf thi. Maine mauke ka fayda uthana chaha aur dheere se khada hua.
"Dont even think about it" Rana fauran bhaanp gaya, "Agar tum apn jagah se hile bhi toh main is ladki ko goli maar doonga"
"Mr. Rana, Please put the gun down. Its over"
"Nothing is over. The only think that is about to get over is your lives"
"Kitne logon ko maarenge aap? 3 khoon already kar chuke hain, aur kitne log ki jaan lenge?"
Meri baat ne uspar vo asar kiya jo maine bilkul nahi socha tha. Vo sunkar thoda sa jhalla utha aur meri taraf palta aur bola,
"Why do you keep saying that?"
Jaise ek pal ke liye is jhallahat mein vo ham teeno ke beech ki situation ko bhool sa gaya. Vo meri taraf ghoomne laga toh Uske haath mein thami gun ek pal ke liye neeche hui aur nishana na meri taraf tha na Kamini ki taraf. Maine mauke ka fayda fauran uthana chaha aur Rana ki taraf lapka lekin usne mujhse zyada furti dikhayi.
Agle hi pal uski neeche ki taraf jhuki Rifle uper uthi aur kamre mein goli ki aawaz goonj uthi.
Goli mere shareer mein aakar dhans gayi aur jhatka itna zabardast tha ke main uchhalta hua pichhe deewar se jakar takra gaya.
Aakhri cheez jo mujhe yaad thi vo Kamini ke chillane ki aawaz thi.
Aur phir ek goli aur chali.
Aur phir ek aur.
Aur phir ek aur.
Aur main hosh kho betha.
Mujhe hosh 1 din baad Shimla ke ek hospital mein subah 7 baje aaya, poore 27 ghante behosh rehne ke baad. Mujhe bahut hi close range se ek rifle se shoot kiya gyaa tha jiski vaah se Goli merei chhati mein lagi thi aur kismet se bina koi serious damage kiye shareer se aar paar nikal gayi thi. Bakaul Kamini ke Doctors mere zinda bach jaane ko ek karishma hi maan rahe the.
Mrs. Rana ko mere hosh aane ki khabar ki gayi aur usi shaam vo mujhse milne hospital aa pahunchi.
"Mr. Sharma aap?" Raj aur Mrs.Rana ke saath saath Inspector Negi aur pichhe pichhe Inspector Sharma bhi tha, "I didnt expect to see you here"
"Aab aapne itna bada case solve kiya hai, baat Jungle mein aag ki tarah phel gayi hai. Kaise milne na aata?" Usne muskura kar jawab diya.
"I am so sorry" Mrs. Rana bheegi palken liye mere kareeb bethte hue boli, "I am so sorry for what my brother did to you but jo insaan apne bhaanje ki jaan le sakta hai usse kuchh bhi ummeed ki ja sakti hai"
Maine hairani se unki taraf dekha. Vo mera ishara samajh gayi.
"Kamini ne mujhe bataya ke Pratap ne hi Ravi ko mara tha aur is baat ko chhupane ke liye usne tum dono ko bhi jaan se maarne ki koshish ki"
"Nahi Mrs. Rana" Maine jawab diya, "Aapke Bhai ne jaan zaroor li thi par Ravi ki nahi"
"Phir?"
"Unhone apna gunaah chhupane ke liye ek masoom ladki ki jaan li thi par Ravi ko unhone bilkul nahi maara. Ravi ke saath kya hua, ye unhein bhi utna hi pata hai jitna ke aapko"
"Toh kya hua Ravi ke saath?" Is baar sawal pichhe khade Inspector Sharma ne kiya.
"Ye toh aap bataiye Sharma ji ke Ravi ke saath kya hua" Maine usse kaha.
"Kya matlab?"
"Matlab ke Ravi ke saath kya hua ye toh vo hi bata sakta hai na jisne ke vo 15 crore ka heera churaya ho"
"Kisne?"
"Aapne Sharma ji, aapne" Maine usse kaha aur aankh se Negi ko ishara kiya.
"Toofani shaam, tez baarish, tezi se phelta andhera, pahadi ilaka, I dont think so Mr. Rana" Maine haste hue kaha, "Agar main maan bhi loon ke vo kahin aur gaya toh kahan? Kanha ke ghar vo gaya nahi, kisi hotel aur lodge mein check in nahi kiya. Vo paidal nikla tha ghar se, car yahin chhod gaya tha toh ye namumkin nahi ke vo yahan se paidal hi Shimla ya kahin aur nikal gaya aur sabse kareeb aur koi town yahan Shimla hi hai. Bus usne us shaam aur aane wale kisi bhi din mein yahan se li nahi. Ek chance ye hai ke usne kisi se lift maangi ho par agar aisa hota toh vo apni car chhodkar kyun jata? Nahi Mr. Rana, vo Car chhodkar isliye gaya kyunki use door kahin toh jana hi nahi tha, use toh nazdeek hi jana tha, walkable distance par. Apne Mama ke yahan"
Meri baat poori hone par vo kuchh der tak phir mujhe khamoshi se dekhta raha.
"Tumhein pata hai Ravi aur uske baap ka jhagda kis baat par hua tha us raat?" Kuchh der baad usne mujhse puchha.
"Kayi baatein suni hai is baare mein par mujhe poora yakeen hai ke jhagda ka karan Ravi aur Kanha ke beech ka rishta tha" Maine jawab diya.
"Oh so you know he was a gay?"
Maine haan mein sar hilaya.
"I must say that you are a smart guy Man par koi baat nahi, hoti hai sabse galti"
"Mujhse koi galti nahi hui, I know main sahi keh raha hoon"
"Tumhare paas ye sab saabit karne ke liye koi saboot nahi"
"Us neem ke ped ke neeche se jab Ravi aur Sunanda ki laashen milegi toh aur koi saboot dene ki zaroorat hi kahan padegi"
Meri baat sunkar usne khidki se bahar Neem ke ped ki taraf dekha.
"You know I never wanted to kill her" Meri taraf dekhte hue Rana bola.
"Kanha ko kyun maara?" Maine sawal kiya toh vo chaunk sa gaya.
"Main use kyun maarunga bhala?"
"Aur Humraaz kahan hain?" Maine sawal ke badle sawal kiya.
"Humraaz?"
"Haan, vo heera"
"Heera?" Uske chehre par saaf hairani ke bhaav the.
Isse pehle ke ham dono mein se koi aur kuchh keh pata, pichhe andhere mein se aayi ek aawaz ne hamein chaunka diya.
"Gun neeche phenko aur haath uper karke khade ho jao" Aawaz Kamini ki thi.
Main Rana ke ghar mein ghusne se pehle Kamini ko bahar dekhne ke liye chhod kar aaya tha. Plan ke hisaab se agar koi ghar ki taraf aaye toh usne mujhe phone karke aagah karna tha par aisa hua nahi. Rana achanak mere sar par aa khada hua tha aur main yahi sochta reh gaya tha ke Kamini ne mujhe aagah kyun nahi kiya.
Uski aawaz sunkar Rana fauran uchhal kar khada hua aur gun uski taraf ghuma di. Dheere dheere chalte hue Kamini kamre ki roshni mein aayi. Uske haath mein thama Revolver Rana ki taraf pointed tha aur Rana ke haath mein thami gun Kamini ki taraf.
"Gun phenko" Usne Rana se kaha.
"Yeah right. Why dont you put the gun down kid?" Rana ne taana maarne wale andaaz mein jawab diya.
"I am not kidding" Kamini ne sakht aawaz mein kaha, "Put the gun down"
"Neither am I. If you shoot me, I will shoot you" Rana ne bhi barabar sakhti ke saath jawab diya.
Vo dono ek doosre ki taraf chehra kiye khade the aur Rana ki peeth meri taraf thi. Maine mauke ka fayda uthana chaha aur dheere se khada hua.
"Dont even think about it" Rana fauran bhaanp gaya, "Agar tum apn jagah se hile bhi toh main is ladki ko goli maar doonga"
"Mr. Rana, Please put the gun down. Its over"
"Nothing is over. The only think that is about to get over is your lives"
"Kitne logon ko maarenge aap? 3 khoon already kar chuke hain, aur kitne log ki jaan lenge?"
Meri baat ne uspar vo asar kiya jo maine bilkul nahi socha tha. Vo sunkar thoda sa jhalla utha aur meri taraf palta aur bola,
"Why do you keep saying that?"
Jaise ek pal ke liye is jhallahat mein vo ham teeno ke beech ki situation ko bhool sa gaya. Vo meri taraf ghoomne laga toh Uske haath mein thami gun ek pal ke liye neeche hui aur nishana na meri taraf tha na Kamini ki taraf. Maine mauke ka fayda fauran uthana chaha aur Rana ki taraf lapka lekin usne mujhse zyada furti dikhayi.
Agle hi pal uski neeche ki taraf jhuki Rifle uper uthi aur kamre mein goli ki aawaz goonj uthi.
Goli mere shareer mein aakar dhans gayi aur jhatka itna zabardast tha ke main uchhalta hua pichhe deewar se jakar takra gaya.
Aakhri cheez jo mujhe yaad thi vo Kamini ke chillane ki aawaz thi.
Aur phir ek goli aur chali.
Aur phir ek aur.
Aur phir ek aur.
Aur main hosh kho betha.
Mujhe hosh 1 din baad Shimla ke ek hospital mein subah 7 baje aaya, poore 27 ghante behosh rehne ke baad. Mujhe bahut hi close range se ek rifle se shoot kiya gyaa tha jiski vaah se Goli merei chhati mein lagi thi aur kismet se bina koi serious damage kiye shareer se aar paar nikal gayi thi. Bakaul Kamini ke Doctors mere zinda bach jaane ko ek karishma hi maan rahe the.
Mrs. Rana ko mere hosh aane ki khabar ki gayi aur usi shaam vo mujhse milne hospital aa pahunchi.
"Mr. Sharma aap?" Raj aur Mrs.Rana ke saath saath Inspector Negi aur pichhe pichhe Inspector Sharma bhi tha, "I didnt expect to see you here"
"Aab aapne itna bada case solve kiya hai, baat Jungle mein aag ki tarah phel gayi hai. Kaise milne na aata?" Usne muskura kar jawab diya.
"I am so sorry" Mrs. Rana bheegi palken liye mere kareeb bethte hue boli, "I am so sorry for what my brother did to you but jo insaan apne bhaanje ki jaan le sakta hai usse kuchh bhi ummeed ki ja sakti hai"
Maine hairani se unki taraf dekha. Vo mera ishara samajh gayi.
"Kamini ne mujhe bataya ke Pratap ne hi Ravi ko mara tha aur is baat ko chhupane ke liye usne tum dono ko bhi jaan se maarne ki koshish ki"
"Nahi Mrs. Rana" Maine jawab diya, "Aapke Bhai ne jaan zaroor li thi par Ravi ki nahi"
"Phir?"
"Unhone apna gunaah chhupane ke liye ek masoom ladki ki jaan li thi par Ravi ko unhone bilkul nahi maara. Ravi ke saath kya hua, ye unhein bhi utna hi pata hai jitna ke aapko"
"Toh kya hua Ravi ke saath?" Is baar sawal pichhe khade Inspector Sharma ne kiya.
"Ye toh aap bataiye Sharma ji ke Ravi ke saath kya hua" Maine usse kaha.
"Kya matlab?"
"Matlab ke Ravi ke saath kya hua ye toh vo hi bata sakta hai na jisne ke vo 15 crore ka heera churaya ho"
"Kisne?"
"Aapne Sharma ji, aapne" Maine usse kaha aur aankh se Negi ko ishara kiya.
Kamre mein jaise ekdam marghat sa sannata chha gaya jaise har kisi ko shayad ye lag raha ho ke unhone kuchh galat sun liya.
"Main samjha nahi aapki baat" Sharma ne ek nazar sab par daali aur phir meri taraf dekhte hue kaha.
"Nahi aap bilkul samajh gaye ke main kya keh raha hoon. Khel khatam Sharma ji" Maine kaha.
"Aap mazak kar rahe hain?" Sharma ne meri taraf dekhte hue is andaaz mein kaha ke main samajh hi nahi paya ke vo mujhse puchh raha hai ya mujhe bata raha hai.
"Nahi bilkul nahi" Maine uski baat ko sawal ke andaaz mein lete hue jawab diya.
"Aap keh rahe hain ke vo heera churane ke liye maine Ravi Sahab ko mara?"
"Ji haaan bilkul"
"Lagta hai goli aur dawaiyon ka asar gaya nahi ab tak" Sharma ne haste hue kaha.
Meri aur Sharma ki baaton ke siwa kamre mein ab bhi poori tarah khamoshi thi. Koi kuchh nahi keh raha tha, sab khamoshi se khade kabhi meri taraf toh kabhi Sharma ki taraf dekh rahe the. Khamoshi Mrs. Rana ne todi.
"Kya ye sach hai?" Unhone Sharma ki taraf dekhte hue puchha.
"Bakwaas kar raha hai ye aadmi" Mrs. Rana ke puchhne par Sharma ko stithi ki gambheerta ka ehsaas hua aur vo jaise baukhla sa gaya, "Main bhala kyun maarunga unhein? Aap bhool rahi hai ke unki talash karne walo mein sabse pehla aadmi main hi tha. Aap bhool gayin ke maine kaise unki talash mein zameen aasman ek kar diya tha? Kaise ji jaan se koshish ki thi maine?"
"Exactly Sharma Ji" Usne sawal Mrs. Rana se kiya tha par jawab maine diya, "You know is case mein sabse pehla sawal jisne mujhe baukhlaya vo ye tha ke kaise na police, na CBI aur na hi kisi aur private investigator ko is mamle mein koi suraag haasil nahi hua. Gunaah kaisa bhi ho, gunahgaar koi na koi galti karta zaroor hai, kahin na kahin kuchh na kuchh reh jata hai but Ravi's disappearance was like a perfect crime. Itne log dimag khapa kar chale gaye par kisi ko kuchh bhi pata nahi chal saka. Aur sach kahun Sharma ji agar kuchh galti aap na karte, aur kuchh kismet mera saath na deti toh pata toh mujhe bhi kuchh nahi chalta. Aapki baat sahi hai, koshish aapne poori ki thi par Ravi ko dhoondhne ki nahi, apne gunaah ko chhupane ki. Aapne Ravi ke gayab hone ke vo kuchh pehle din jo kisi bhi crime ko solve karne ke liye sabse zyada zaroori hote hain saare saboot mitane mein lagaye. Aap policewale hain, jaante the ke koi bhi investigator kahan kya dekhega isliye aapne har jagah se har suraag saaf kar diya"
"Mujhe koi andaza nahi hai ke tum kya bakwaas kar rahe ho" Sharma ne gusse mein mujhe ghoorte hue kaha.
"Ye sawal aapne puchhne mein thodi der kar di Sharma ji"
"Kya matlab?"
"Matlab ye ke aapko ye sawal thodi der pehle puchhna tha, jab maine heere ka zikr kiya tha. Is kamre mein mujhe aur Kamini ko chhodkar kisi ko nahi pata ke main kis heere ki kya baat kar raha hoon par aap janab ne toh fauran hi heera churane aur heera Ravi ke paas se churane ki safai deni shuru kar di. Chor ki daadhi mein tinka"
Teer nishane par laga tha. Sharma ke munh se bol na phoota.
"Kya hua tha us din Sharma Ji? Ravi ghar se jhagad kar nikla toh aapke hatthe kaise chadh gaya?"
Sharma ne gardan utha kar ek baar meri taraf dekha aur , phir chaaron taraf nazar ghumayi aur meri baat ka jawab dene ke bajay fauran hi palat kar darwaze ki taraf bhaaga par ye andaza main pehle hi laga chuka tha ke aisa ho sakta hai isliye pehle hi mere ishara karne par Negi darwaza block kiye khada tha. Sharma sidha jakar usse takraya aur ulajh kar bhaagne ki koshish karne laga.
"Liyaqat" Mrs. Rana ne zor se kaha aur kamre ke kone mein khade Liyaqat ne fauran aage badhkar Sharma ko daboch liya.
Sharma ki halat vaisi hi ho gayi thi jaisi halal hone se pehle kisi bakre ki ho jaati hai. Use ek taraf se Negi aur doosri taraf se Liyaqat ne pakad rakha tha. Mrs. Rana apni jagah se uthi aur jakar sidha uske saamne khadi ho gayi. Sharma ne bheegi billi ki taraf apni nazar neeche jhuka li.
Aur agle pal jo hua vo mere andaze se pare the. Mujhe laga tha ke Mrs. Rana uske munh par thappad maarengi par unhone Liyaqat ko aankh se kuchh ishara kiya. Agle hi pal Liyaqat ne bahar khade apne aadmiyon ko aawaz di.
"Thank You" Mrs. Rana ne palat kar mujhe kaha aur kamre se bahar nikal gayi. Unke pichhe pichhe Liyaqat aur uske aadmi Sharma ko lekar bahar nikal gaye.
Kamre mein ab sirf main, Kamini, Raj Rana aur Negi reh gaye the.
"Maan gaye aapko Sir" Negi ne aage badhkar mujhse haath milaya, "Jitna suna tha aapke baare mein sab bilkul sahi nikla"
"Thanks Negi Bhai" Maine haskar jawab diya aur Raj ki taraf palta, "Ye Sharma ko kahan le gaye?"
Mujhe hairani ye thi ke Sharma ko Mrs. Rana ke aadmi hi le gaye the. Negi toh ab bhi yahin thia. Raj ne meri baat sunkar aas paas dekha aur phir table se ek paper uthaya.
"Aapko kahan lagta ha?" Raj ne likha, "Ye hamare ghar ka gunahgaar hai, hamare bhai ka qaatil. Saza bhi ham hi denge"
Main achhi tarah se janta tha ke vo kis saza ki baat kar raha hai isliye puchhne ki zaroorat hi nahi samjhi.
"Madam ne kuchh puchha hi nahi ke kya kyun kaise hua" Maine kaha.
"Shayad baad mein puchhen" Raj ne likha.
"Sir aapko pata kaise chala?" Negi ne utavla hote hue puchha.
"Nahi chalta agar ye Aadesh ka khoon na karta toh"
"Aadesh ko isne maara hai?"
"Haan. Maine phone records check kiye the. Aadesh ne marne se kuchh din pehle ise hi phone ghumaye the. Aur Solan ke paas jahan uski laash mili thi, uske paas ke PCO se bhi Sharma ko hi call gayi thi us shaam. Aadesh vahan isi se milne gaya tha. Aur vaise bhi, Sharma Solan mein hi rehta tha"
"Par isne Aadesh ko kyun maara?"
"Bees saal pehle chalte hain." Maine takiye par tek lagate hue kaha, "Jab Ravi gayab hua toh usse kuchh din pehle 2 love affairs zor shor par the aur bad-kismati se dono hi duniya ki nigaah mein galat the. Ek tha Pratap Rana aur Sunanda ka love affair aur doosra tha Ravi aur Kanha ka. Ek isliye galat tha kyunki lovers ki age aur social status mein kaafi farak tha, aur actually toh vahan love tha hi nahi, sirf lust thi Pratap Rana ki aur doosra isliye galat tha kyunki dono gay lovers the"
"Ravi Sahab aur Kanha ...." Negi ko is affair ke baare mein koi khabar nahi thi isliye usne hairat mein kehna shuru hi kiya tha ke maine baat kaat di kyunki main nahi chahta tha ke vo ye baat Raj ke saamne uthaye.
"Dono hi affairs ka end tragic raha" Maine apni baat jaari rakhi, "Pratap Rana ne apne gunah ko chhupane ke liye aur Sunanda ka munh band karne ke liye ek aur gunaah kiya, Sunanda ka qatl. Doosri taraf Ravi ne bhi aisa hi kuchh kiya, ek gunaah par uska maqsad sirf yahan se kahin door jana tha Kanha ke saath. Vo achhi tarah se janta tha ke aisa karne par use jaaydad se kuchh nahi milna aur agar kahin aur jakar use ek alag duniya basani hai toh paise ki zaroorat toh padegi hi. Aur iske liye usne apne pita ki nazar se chhupa kar 15 crore alag nikal bhi liye tha. Bhaagne ka plan ban hi raha tha ke Ravi ko kahin se pata chala ke ek besh-keemti chori ka heera market mein available hai. Ye khabar use mili uske saath aksar guitar practice karne wale Aadesh se. Aadesh ne use bataya ke ek heera hai jo khareeda ja sakta hai aur aage 10 guna daam par becha ja sakta hai."
"Kaun sa heera?" Negi ne sawal kiya toh maine use Hamraaz wala kissa poora sunaya.
"Toh Aadesh ko kaise pata chala us heere ke baare mein?" Negi ne agla sawal kiya.
"Ye kuchh baatein hain jo asal mein mujhe aaj subah hi pata chali. Mera ek contact hai Delhi mein Akram jiske zariye main aksar aisi information nikalta rehta hoon. Usne mujhe last week Hamraaz ke chori hone ka poori information nikal kar di thi. Chori karne wala Delhi aur Ravi Himachal ke ek chhote se kasbe mein. Sawal mere dimag mein bhi utha tha ke Ravi se uski baat hui kaise isliye maine is case mein involved sab logon ke naam Akram ko diye aur usse kaha ke check kare ke inmein se koi bhi heera chori karne waale insaan ko pehchanta tha kya. Mera shak sahi nikla, Jisne Hamraaz churaya tha vo Aadesh ka door ka rishtedaar tha"
"Oh, phir?"
"Phir Ravi ne vo heera khareed liya aur is khareed ko anjaam dene ke liye Delhi gaya Kanha. Heera chori hua aur Kanha us chori ke heere ko chhupa kar Chail le aaya"
"Heera Kanha ne chhupa kar rakha hua tha?" Negi bola.
"Ho sakta hai ya ho sakta hai ke Ravi ne hi chhupa rakha ho. Par jahan tak mujhe lagta hai ke heera Aadesh ke paas tha. Ravi aur Kanha mein se koi bhi use apne ghar mein chhupane ka risk nahi le sakte the isliye heera Aadesh ke supurd kar diya gaya. Us waqt tak heere ke baare mein sirf 3 log jaante the, Ravi, Kanha aur Aadesh par phir kuchh aisa hua ke ek chauthe insaan ko bhi heere ki bhanak pad gayi"
"Sharma ko?"
"Right"
"Kaise"
"Jab hamein Aadesh ke links ke baare mein pata chala toh ek baat aur saamne aayi. Ravi ke gayab hone se kuchh saal pehle Aadesh Shilma mein giraftaar hua tha, kuchh bachchon ke saath"
"Bachchon ke saath?"
"Haan, vo bhi gay tha aur ye ek vajah thi ke vo Ravi se itna close tha. Shimla mein vo kuchh underage ladkon ke saath sexual activities se related case mein range-haath pakda gaya tha aur guess karo ke arrest kisne kiya tha?"
"Sharma ne"
"Correct. Ab ye mera andaza hai ke case se bahar nikalne ke chakkar mein hi Aadesh ne Sharma ko heere ke baare mein bata diya. Andaze ki tasdeek toh Sharma hi karega par mujhe yakeen tha ke hua aisa hi tha. Aur yahan beech mein aa gaya Sharma ka lalach"
"Aur usne heera Aadesh se chheen liya?"
"Nahi, itna bada risk vo nahi le sakta tha. Heera Ravi ka tha aur use agar pata chal jata ke Sharma ne heera Aadesh se chura liya toh Ravi uski khaal khinchva deta. Sharma ka lalach poore heere ka nahi tha, vo toh apna munh band karne ke badle mein kuchh paise kaatna chahta tha Sharma se"
"Blackmail"
"Correct. Ye meri theory hai, sahi hai ya galat, Ye toh Sharma hi batayega par us Shaam jab Ravi ghar se ladkar nikla toh Aadesh gaadi liye bahar uska intezaar kar raha tha. Ravi us din kharab mood mein shayad isliye tha kyunki usi din shayad Aadesh ne use Sharma ke baare mein bataya hoga. Ab zahir si baat hai ke Aadesh ne ye toh kaha nahi hoga ke usne khud hi Sharma ko heere ke baare mein bataya, usne zaroor ye kaha hoga ke police chhan-been karti Ravi tak pahunch gayi aur isliye Ravi us din itna baukhlaya hua tha. Gaadi mein vo dono Aadesh ke ghar pahunche jahan mere andaaze se Sharma pehle hi intezaar kar raha tha. Vahan kya baat hui kya nahi, ye Sharma se puchhna padega par that evening somehow turned nasty and they ended up killing Ravi."
"Aur Ravi Sahab ke gayab hone ke baad Sharma unhein dhoondhne ka natak karta phirta raha"
"Correct. Usne vo sab kiya jo ke vo ek aam case mein karta. Aadesh ke ghar Ravi ko maarne ke baad unhone Body ko kahin le jakar ya toh dafnaya ya jala diya hoga. Uske baad agle kuchh din tak Ravi ke gayab hone ko lekar Hungama hota raha aur Sharma is saare humgame mein apna role bakhubi nibhata raha. Par phir bhi ek insaan tha jo uske liye ab bhi khatra tha"
"Aadesh?" Negi ne andaze se kaha.
"Nahi, Aadesh toh partner in crime tha. Usse Sharma ko koi khatra nahi tha aur vaise bhi Aadesh kaafi dabbu aur darpok kism ka insaan tha, Sharma ke dar se kahin munh na kholta. Sharma ko darr tha Kanha ka"
"Kanha?"
"Haan, ek Kanha bhi tha jise heere ke baare mein pata tha aur usne Aadesh se zaroor iske baare mein sawal kiya hoga. Use raaste se hatana zaroori tha aur aisa hi Sharma ne kiya"
"Ek hafte baad"
"Correct. Uske baad vo kuchh din tak shaant raha, din kya balki 2 saal tak shaant betha raha. Gunaah ke saare suraag mitane ke baad vo ek desk job par chala gaya aur jaise usne apne aapko bahut hi hoshiyari se scene se hata hi liya. Vo janta tha ke ek mamuli inspector ke paas agar achanak itna paisa dikha toh logon ko shak hoga isliye usne ek plan banaya. Yahan usne vahi middle class ki chadar odhe rakhi par apne bete ko bahar padhne ke bahane bhej diya aur use kabhi vaapis bulaya hi nahi. Kuchh din baad biwi ko bhi vahin bhej diya aur yahan sabko bol diya ke biwi mar gayi, a perfect disguise toh sell everything here and move abroad with his son"
"Main samjha nahi aapki baat" Sharma ne ek nazar sab par daali aur phir meri taraf dekhte hue kaha.
"Nahi aap bilkul samajh gaye ke main kya keh raha hoon. Khel khatam Sharma ji" Maine kaha.
"Aap mazak kar rahe hain?" Sharma ne meri taraf dekhte hue is andaaz mein kaha ke main samajh hi nahi paya ke vo mujhse puchh raha hai ya mujhe bata raha hai.
"Nahi bilkul nahi" Maine uski baat ko sawal ke andaaz mein lete hue jawab diya.
"Aap keh rahe hain ke vo heera churane ke liye maine Ravi Sahab ko mara?"
"Ji haaan bilkul"
"Lagta hai goli aur dawaiyon ka asar gaya nahi ab tak" Sharma ne haste hue kaha.
Meri aur Sharma ki baaton ke siwa kamre mein ab bhi poori tarah khamoshi thi. Koi kuchh nahi keh raha tha, sab khamoshi se khade kabhi meri taraf toh kabhi Sharma ki taraf dekh rahe the. Khamoshi Mrs. Rana ne todi.
"Kya ye sach hai?" Unhone Sharma ki taraf dekhte hue puchha.
"Bakwaas kar raha hai ye aadmi" Mrs. Rana ke puchhne par Sharma ko stithi ki gambheerta ka ehsaas hua aur vo jaise baukhla sa gaya, "Main bhala kyun maarunga unhein? Aap bhool rahi hai ke unki talash karne walo mein sabse pehla aadmi main hi tha. Aap bhool gayin ke maine kaise unki talash mein zameen aasman ek kar diya tha? Kaise ji jaan se koshish ki thi maine?"
"Exactly Sharma Ji" Usne sawal Mrs. Rana se kiya tha par jawab maine diya, "You know is case mein sabse pehla sawal jisne mujhe baukhlaya vo ye tha ke kaise na police, na CBI aur na hi kisi aur private investigator ko is mamle mein koi suraag haasil nahi hua. Gunaah kaisa bhi ho, gunahgaar koi na koi galti karta zaroor hai, kahin na kahin kuchh na kuchh reh jata hai but Ravi's disappearance was like a perfect crime. Itne log dimag khapa kar chale gaye par kisi ko kuchh bhi pata nahi chal saka. Aur sach kahun Sharma ji agar kuchh galti aap na karte, aur kuchh kismet mera saath na deti toh pata toh mujhe bhi kuchh nahi chalta. Aapki baat sahi hai, koshish aapne poori ki thi par Ravi ko dhoondhne ki nahi, apne gunaah ko chhupane ki. Aapne Ravi ke gayab hone ke vo kuchh pehle din jo kisi bhi crime ko solve karne ke liye sabse zyada zaroori hote hain saare saboot mitane mein lagaye. Aap policewale hain, jaante the ke koi bhi investigator kahan kya dekhega isliye aapne har jagah se har suraag saaf kar diya"
"Mujhe koi andaza nahi hai ke tum kya bakwaas kar rahe ho" Sharma ne gusse mein mujhe ghoorte hue kaha.
"Ye sawal aapne puchhne mein thodi der kar di Sharma ji"
"Kya matlab?"
"Matlab ye ke aapko ye sawal thodi der pehle puchhna tha, jab maine heere ka zikr kiya tha. Is kamre mein mujhe aur Kamini ko chhodkar kisi ko nahi pata ke main kis heere ki kya baat kar raha hoon par aap janab ne toh fauran hi heera churane aur heera Ravi ke paas se churane ki safai deni shuru kar di. Chor ki daadhi mein tinka"
Teer nishane par laga tha. Sharma ke munh se bol na phoota.
"Kya hua tha us din Sharma Ji? Ravi ghar se jhagad kar nikla toh aapke hatthe kaise chadh gaya?"
Sharma ne gardan utha kar ek baar meri taraf dekha aur , phir chaaron taraf nazar ghumayi aur meri baat ka jawab dene ke bajay fauran hi palat kar darwaze ki taraf bhaaga par ye andaza main pehle hi laga chuka tha ke aisa ho sakta hai isliye pehle hi mere ishara karne par Negi darwaza block kiye khada tha. Sharma sidha jakar usse takraya aur ulajh kar bhaagne ki koshish karne laga.
"Liyaqat" Mrs. Rana ne zor se kaha aur kamre ke kone mein khade Liyaqat ne fauran aage badhkar Sharma ko daboch liya.
Sharma ki halat vaisi hi ho gayi thi jaisi halal hone se pehle kisi bakre ki ho jaati hai. Use ek taraf se Negi aur doosri taraf se Liyaqat ne pakad rakha tha. Mrs. Rana apni jagah se uthi aur jakar sidha uske saamne khadi ho gayi. Sharma ne bheegi billi ki taraf apni nazar neeche jhuka li.
Aur agle pal jo hua vo mere andaze se pare the. Mujhe laga tha ke Mrs. Rana uske munh par thappad maarengi par unhone Liyaqat ko aankh se kuchh ishara kiya. Agle hi pal Liyaqat ne bahar khade apne aadmiyon ko aawaz di.
"Thank You" Mrs. Rana ne palat kar mujhe kaha aur kamre se bahar nikal gayi. Unke pichhe pichhe Liyaqat aur uske aadmi Sharma ko lekar bahar nikal gaye.
Kamre mein ab sirf main, Kamini, Raj Rana aur Negi reh gaye the.
"Maan gaye aapko Sir" Negi ne aage badhkar mujhse haath milaya, "Jitna suna tha aapke baare mein sab bilkul sahi nikla"
"Thanks Negi Bhai" Maine haskar jawab diya aur Raj ki taraf palta, "Ye Sharma ko kahan le gaye?"
Mujhe hairani ye thi ke Sharma ko Mrs. Rana ke aadmi hi le gaye the. Negi toh ab bhi yahin thia. Raj ne meri baat sunkar aas paas dekha aur phir table se ek paper uthaya.
"Aapko kahan lagta ha?" Raj ne likha, "Ye hamare ghar ka gunahgaar hai, hamare bhai ka qaatil. Saza bhi ham hi denge"
Main achhi tarah se janta tha ke vo kis saza ki baat kar raha hai isliye puchhne ki zaroorat hi nahi samjhi.
"Madam ne kuchh puchha hi nahi ke kya kyun kaise hua" Maine kaha.
"Shayad baad mein puchhen" Raj ne likha.
"Sir aapko pata kaise chala?" Negi ne utavla hote hue puchha.
"Nahi chalta agar ye Aadesh ka khoon na karta toh"
"Aadesh ko isne maara hai?"
"Haan. Maine phone records check kiye the. Aadesh ne marne se kuchh din pehle ise hi phone ghumaye the. Aur Solan ke paas jahan uski laash mili thi, uske paas ke PCO se bhi Sharma ko hi call gayi thi us shaam. Aadesh vahan isi se milne gaya tha. Aur vaise bhi, Sharma Solan mein hi rehta tha"
"Par isne Aadesh ko kyun maara?"
"Bees saal pehle chalte hain." Maine takiye par tek lagate hue kaha, "Jab Ravi gayab hua toh usse kuchh din pehle 2 love affairs zor shor par the aur bad-kismati se dono hi duniya ki nigaah mein galat the. Ek tha Pratap Rana aur Sunanda ka love affair aur doosra tha Ravi aur Kanha ka. Ek isliye galat tha kyunki lovers ki age aur social status mein kaafi farak tha, aur actually toh vahan love tha hi nahi, sirf lust thi Pratap Rana ki aur doosra isliye galat tha kyunki dono gay lovers the"
"Ravi Sahab aur Kanha ...." Negi ko is affair ke baare mein koi khabar nahi thi isliye usne hairat mein kehna shuru hi kiya tha ke maine baat kaat di kyunki main nahi chahta tha ke vo ye baat Raj ke saamne uthaye.
"Dono hi affairs ka end tragic raha" Maine apni baat jaari rakhi, "Pratap Rana ne apne gunah ko chhupane ke liye aur Sunanda ka munh band karne ke liye ek aur gunaah kiya, Sunanda ka qatl. Doosri taraf Ravi ne bhi aisa hi kuchh kiya, ek gunaah par uska maqsad sirf yahan se kahin door jana tha Kanha ke saath. Vo achhi tarah se janta tha ke aisa karne par use jaaydad se kuchh nahi milna aur agar kahin aur jakar use ek alag duniya basani hai toh paise ki zaroorat toh padegi hi. Aur iske liye usne apne pita ki nazar se chhupa kar 15 crore alag nikal bhi liye tha. Bhaagne ka plan ban hi raha tha ke Ravi ko kahin se pata chala ke ek besh-keemti chori ka heera market mein available hai. Ye khabar use mili uske saath aksar guitar practice karne wale Aadesh se. Aadesh ne use bataya ke ek heera hai jo khareeda ja sakta hai aur aage 10 guna daam par becha ja sakta hai."
"Kaun sa heera?" Negi ne sawal kiya toh maine use Hamraaz wala kissa poora sunaya.
"Toh Aadesh ko kaise pata chala us heere ke baare mein?" Negi ne agla sawal kiya.
"Ye kuchh baatein hain jo asal mein mujhe aaj subah hi pata chali. Mera ek contact hai Delhi mein Akram jiske zariye main aksar aisi information nikalta rehta hoon. Usne mujhe last week Hamraaz ke chori hone ka poori information nikal kar di thi. Chori karne wala Delhi aur Ravi Himachal ke ek chhote se kasbe mein. Sawal mere dimag mein bhi utha tha ke Ravi se uski baat hui kaise isliye maine is case mein involved sab logon ke naam Akram ko diye aur usse kaha ke check kare ke inmein se koi bhi heera chori karne waale insaan ko pehchanta tha kya. Mera shak sahi nikla, Jisne Hamraaz churaya tha vo Aadesh ka door ka rishtedaar tha"
"Oh, phir?"
"Phir Ravi ne vo heera khareed liya aur is khareed ko anjaam dene ke liye Delhi gaya Kanha. Heera chori hua aur Kanha us chori ke heere ko chhupa kar Chail le aaya"
"Heera Kanha ne chhupa kar rakha hua tha?" Negi bola.
"Ho sakta hai ya ho sakta hai ke Ravi ne hi chhupa rakha ho. Par jahan tak mujhe lagta hai ke heera Aadesh ke paas tha. Ravi aur Kanha mein se koi bhi use apne ghar mein chhupane ka risk nahi le sakte the isliye heera Aadesh ke supurd kar diya gaya. Us waqt tak heere ke baare mein sirf 3 log jaante the, Ravi, Kanha aur Aadesh par phir kuchh aisa hua ke ek chauthe insaan ko bhi heere ki bhanak pad gayi"
"Sharma ko?"
"Right"
"Kaise"
"Jab hamein Aadesh ke links ke baare mein pata chala toh ek baat aur saamne aayi. Ravi ke gayab hone se kuchh saal pehle Aadesh Shilma mein giraftaar hua tha, kuchh bachchon ke saath"
"Bachchon ke saath?"
"Haan, vo bhi gay tha aur ye ek vajah thi ke vo Ravi se itna close tha. Shimla mein vo kuchh underage ladkon ke saath sexual activities se related case mein range-haath pakda gaya tha aur guess karo ke arrest kisne kiya tha?"
"Sharma ne"
"Correct. Ab ye mera andaza hai ke case se bahar nikalne ke chakkar mein hi Aadesh ne Sharma ko heere ke baare mein bata diya. Andaze ki tasdeek toh Sharma hi karega par mujhe yakeen tha ke hua aisa hi tha. Aur yahan beech mein aa gaya Sharma ka lalach"
"Aur usne heera Aadesh se chheen liya?"
"Nahi, itna bada risk vo nahi le sakta tha. Heera Ravi ka tha aur use agar pata chal jata ke Sharma ne heera Aadesh se chura liya toh Ravi uski khaal khinchva deta. Sharma ka lalach poore heere ka nahi tha, vo toh apna munh band karne ke badle mein kuchh paise kaatna chahta tha Sharma se"
"Blackmail"
"Correct. Ye meri theory hai, sahi hai ya galat, Ye toh Sharma hi batayega par us Shaam jab Ravi ghar se ladkar nikla toh Aadesh gaadi liye bahar uska intezaar kar raha tha. Ravi us din kharab mood mein shayad isliye tha kyunki usi din shayad Aadesh ne use Sharma ke baare mein bataya hoga. Ab zahir si baat hai ke Aadesh ne ye toh kaha nahi hoga ke usne khud hi Sharma ko heere ke baare mein bataya, usne zaroor ye kaha hoga ke police chhan-been karti Ravi tak pahunch gayi aur isliye Ravi us din itna baukhlaya hua tha. Gaadi mein vo dono Aadesh ke ghar pahunche jahan mere andaaze se Sharma pehle hi intezaar kar raha tha. Vahan kya baat hui kya nahi, ye Sharma se puchhna padega par that evening somehow turned nasty and they ended up killing Ravi."
"Aur Ravi Sahab ke gayab hone ke baad Sharma unhein dhoondhne ka natak karta phirta raha"
"Correct. Usne vo sab kiya jo ke vo ek aam case mein karta. Aadesh ke ghar Ravi ko maarne ke baad unhone Body ko kahin le jakar ya toh dafnaya ya jala diya hoga. Uske baad agle kuchh din tak Ravi ke gayab hone ko lekar Hungama hota raha aur Sharma is saare humgame mein apna role bakhubi nibhata raha. Par phir bhi ek insaan tha jo uske liye ab bhi khatra tha"
"Aadesh?" Negi ne andaze se kaha.
"Nahi, Aadesh toh partner in crime tha. Usse Sharma ko koi khatra nahi tha aur vaise bhi Aadesh kaafi dabbu aur darpok kism ka insaan tha, Sharma ke dar se kahin munh na kholta. Sharma ko darr tha Kanha ka"
"Kanha?"
"Haan, ek Kanha bhi tha jise heere ke baare mein pata tha aur usne Aadesh se zaroor iske baare mein sawal kiya hoga. Use raaste se hatana zaroori tha aur aisa hi Sharma ne kiya"
"Ek hafte baad"
"Correct. Uske baad vo kuchh din tak shaant raha, din kya balki 2 saal tak shaant betha raha. Gunaah ke saare suraag mitane ke baad vo ek desk job par chala gaya aur jaise usne apne aapko bahut hi hoshiyari se scene se hata hi liya. Vo janta tha ke ek mamuli inspector ke paas agar achanak itna paisa dikha toh logon ko shak hoga isliye usne ek plan banaya. Yahan usne vahi middle class ki chadar odhe rakhi par apne bete ko bahar padhne ke bahane bhej diya aur use kabhi vaapis bulaya hi nahi. Kuchh din baad biwi ko bhi vahin bhej diya aur yahan sabko bol diya ke biwi mar gayi, a perfect disguise toh sell everything here and move abroad with his son"
"Kamal ho Sir Ji aap Kamal" Negi meri tareef karta nahi thak raha tha, "Ek hi jhatke mein 4 murder case solve kar diye. Sunanda ka, Ravi Sahab ka, Kanha ka aur Aadesh ka"
"Thanks Negi Bhai" Maine muskura kar jawab diya.
"Par sir aapko pata kaise chala?"
"Jaisa ke maine kaha, pata nahi chalta agar Sharma khud galti nahi karta toh. Jaisa ke maine kaha, Criminal kitna bhi shaatir kyun na ho, koi na koi galti karta zaroor hai. Sharma ki 2 major galtiyan thi"
"Kya?"
"Uski pehli aur sabse badi galti tha Aadesh. Jis tarah usne 20 saal pehle Kanha ko mara tha usi tarah usne agar Aadesh ka bhi patta saaf kar diya hota toh case mein kahin koi lose end na bachta. Uska sabse bada plus point tha ke is saare mamle ka investigating officer vahi tha. Ek tarah se vo apne aapko hi dhoondne ka natak kar raha tha jabke asliyat mein vo saare saboot mita raha tha jo uski taraf ishara karte the. Uski galti ye thi ke usne sahi waqt par Aadesh ko zinda rehne diya aur galat waqt par use maar diya"
"Aur doosri galti Sir?"
"Doosri galti thi ke waqt ke saath saath vo dheere dheere laparvah ho gaya. Use laga ke case khatam ho gaya hai, koi ab use dhoondhne aayega nahi, sab baat bhool chuke hain. Shaatir toh vo poora tha. Usne Kanha ko maarne ke baad uske jism se goli nikal li thi kyunki jo goli usne Kanha par chalayi vo uske service reolver se chali thi. Agar galti se investigation kisi aur ko chali jaati toh vo us goli ko Sharma ke saath jod sakta tha isliye ye chance Sharma ne liya nahi. Vo heera churane ke baad bhi kaafi time tak vo khamosh hi betha raha, bilkul zahir nahi hone diya ke kitna paisa hai uske paas. Apne bete ko bahar bheja bhi toh student loan lekar par jaise jaise waqt guzarta gaya, uska confidence badh gaya aur saath saath hi laparvahi bhi. Ravi ke gayab hone ke 7 saal baad usne paisa bahar apne bete ke paas bhijva diya jiske boote par England mein ek ghar le liya aur uske bete ne ek achha khasa business vahan set kar liya"
"Ye aapko pata kaise chala Sir?"
"Zahir si baat hai ke itna paisa legally toh vo bahar bhej nahi sakta tha, obviously kisi Hawala wale ke through hi bhijvaya hoga aur itni moti rakam trasfer karne wale kam hi hote hain aur jo karte hain vo records bhi rakhte hain. Kuchh hain meri pehchan mein. Maine naam bataya toh pata chal gaya ke kab Sharma ne kis hawala wale ke through bahar kitna paisa bhijvaya tha."
"Par Sir vo yahan se gaya kyun nahi itne waqt tak? 20 saal se yahan kyun pada hai?"
"Iska jawab toh Sharma hi de sakta hai vaise ab vo jaane ke plan mein tha. Agle mahine ki London ki flight ticket book karayi hui thi usne"
Maine Kamini ko ishare se paani ke liye kaha. Usne ek glass mein pani nikala aur sahara dekar mujhe pani pilaya.
"Sunanda ke baare mein kaise pata chala? How did you know my uncle killed her?" Is baar Sawal Raj ne kiya. Vo abhi bhi usi paper pe likh kar mujhse puchh raha tha aur mere lip read karte hue saari baat samajh raha tha.
Maine use Ravi ke ghar se mili tasveer ke baare mein poori kahani batayi.
"Actually toh aapke uncle ke khilaff mere paas koi khaas saboot nahi tha aur vahi saboot dhoondhne main unke ghar mein ghusa tha. Tab tak main yahi samajh raha tha ke aapke uncle ne Ravi ko maara ho sakta hai par us din baar baar vo yahi bolte rahe ke Ravi ko unhone nahi maara tab mera maatha thanka. Mujhe lag raha tha ke Sharma ne heera churaya hai par jab Pratap Rana ji ne Ravi ke khoon se inkaar kar diya toh poori kahani mere dimag mein saaf hui. Aur agar aap dekho toh ye ek confusing part bhi tha kyunki main shuru se yahi samajh raha tha ke Sunanda aur Ravi Sahab ka gayab hona were connected par aisa tha nahi. These were two different cases altogether"
"You deserve every bit of the fame that you have" Raj ne likha.
"Thanks but trust me, Sharma agar apne paon par kulhadi na maarta toh shayad mamla sulajhta nahi. Us din main aur Kamini Aadesh se milne gaye toh vo ghabra gaya. Sharma ko baar baar phone karne laga aur usse bachne ke liye Sharma ne use milne ke liye Solan bulaya aur maar dala"
Mujhe hospital se discharge hone mein 4 din aur lag gaye. Is dauran Kamini poora waqt mere saath hi rahi aur Negi bhi lagbhag roz hi milne aata raha. Raj phone karke haal puchhta rehta tha par Mrs. Rana se uske baad meri baat ho nahi paayi. Maine papers check kiye toh usmein kahin bhi is case se related koi news nahi thi. Negi se puchha toh pata chala ke Sharma ab tak Mrs, Rana ki hi hirasat mein hai, police ne toh ab tak use arrest kiya hi nahi tha.
Case resolve ho chuka tha aur mera kaam khatam. Hospital se discharge hone ke agle hi din maine Delhi vaapis jaane ke plan bana liya tha. Mere account mein ek bhaari amount transfer ho chuki thi, jitni mere aur Mrs. Rana ke beech decide hui thi usse kahin zyada.
Jis din maine Delhi vaapis aana tha us din subah main Mrs. Rana aur Raj se milne gaya, Goodbyes kehne ke liye. Raj vahin lawn mein betha dhoop senk raha tha. Main uske saamne jakar beth gaya.
"I wanted to say thank you for bringing this matter to an end. Please know that agar zindagi mein kabhi bhi koi bhi zaroorat pade toh mujhe sirf ek phone kar dena. We are highly in your debt kyunki tumne ek bahut bade sawal ka jawab hamein diya hai. Ravi toh ab vaapis aa nahi sakta par tasalli hai ke uske gunahgaar ko aakhir saza ho hi gayi" Raj ne laptop par type kiya.
"About that" Uski baat padhkar maine puchha, "I didnt see any news related to Sharma's arrest. Hai kahan vo?"
"I shudnt be telling you this but I guess you deserve to know. He is dead. I killed him" Raj ne likha.
Main janta tha ke is baare mein main jitna kam puchhun ya jaanun utna hi mere liya achha hai isliye maine aage na kuchh is baat par puchha aur na hi koi comment kiya.
"Did you speak to him?" Maine kaha.
"Yes I did" Raj ne jawab diya, "And you were right. Ravi yahan se nikalna chahta tha aur usne chori chhupe apne aur Kanha dono ke liye American Visa ka arrangement kara liya tha. Paise bhi usne ek taraf rakh liye the par obviously jis tarah ki lifestyle ki aadat thi use , uske liye 15 crore bhi kam the aur yahi vajah thi ke vo us heere ke chakkar mein pada. Aadesh had a crush on Ravi par Ravi and Kanha were in a relationship jiski vajah se Aadesh ko kaafi dikkat thi. Ravi aur Kanha ke yahan se America jaane ki baat Aadesh janta tha. Vo aadmi jisne heera churaya tha Delhi mein vo Aadesh ka kaafi kareebi tha aur usne hi Aadesh ko bataya ke vo ek chori ke heere ke liye kharidaar dhoondh raha hai. Aadesh ne ye baat Ravi ko batayi aur Ravi ne haan keh di. Aage Ravi heera kise bechne wala tha ye baat uski maut ke saath hi chali gayi kyunki iska pata Aadesh ko bhi nahi tha. Ravi ne heera kharida aur is saare kaam ko cordinate kiya Aadesh ne jiske liye Ravi ne use kuchh paise diye. Yahan tak Sharma ka koi involvement nahi tha par uske baad Shimla mein Aadesh us underage case mein involve ho gaya aur tab usne Sharma ko heere ka bata diya. sharma apne bete ko bahar bhejne ke chakkar mein tha aur use laga ke is baat par vo Ravi se kuchh paise kaat sakta hai. Aadesh ne Ravi ko jhooth bola ke police chhan-been karti hui jaan gayi hai ke heera Ravi ke paas hai aur Sharma usse milna chahta hai. Is saare waqt heera Aadesh ke paas hi rakha hua tha chhupa kar. Ravi ye baat sun kar baukhla gaya aur isi liye us din uska Dad ke saath jhagda hua kyunki vo jaldi se jaldi yahan se bhaag jana chahta tha. Dad ne use jaaydad mein hissa dene se inkaar kar diya aur is baat se kilsa hua Ravi us shaam ghar se nikla aur Aadesh ke saath Shimla aaya. Aadesh ke ghar par Sharma already maujood tha aur jab usne Ravi ko blackmail karne ki koshish ki toh Ravi bhadak pada which I can understand. I mean all our lives we have had cops in our pockets, aaj tak kisi policewale ki himmat nahi padi ke hamare saamne munh khole aur us waqt Sharma Ravi ko blackmail karne ki koshish kar raha tha. Ravi samajh gaya ke Aadesh ne jhooth bola aur ye saari uski aur Sharma ki mili bhagat thi. Gusse mein vo already tha, is baat ne aag mein ghee ke kaam kiya. Usne Aadesh par hamla kiya aur is saari haatha paayi mein Sharma aur Aadesh ne milkar uski jaan le li. Uske baad un logon ne uski body ko jungle mein le jakar jala diya aur Sharma is case ka investigating officer bankar sabki aankhon mein dhool jhonkta raha aur saboot mitata raha. Kanha ko usne mara tha kyunki Kanha heere ke baare mein janta tha. Iske baad 5 saal tak vo heera liye chup chap betha raha, kisi ko bhanak tak nahi padne di. 5 saal baad Ravi ki gumshudgi ek raaz bankar reh gayi aur log heere ke baare mein bhi bhool gaye tab Sharma ne apne ek contact ke zariye Mumbai mein kisi mafia ko contact kiya which is not surprising considering ke vo ek policewala tha aur criminals contacts aasanii se nikal sakta tha. Vo heera usne kifi mafia sargana ko 25 crore mein becha aur paisa hawala ke through desh se bahar nikal diya"
"Heere ka kya hua phir?" Maine puchha.
"Who knows? Chori ka heera tha. Kaat kar shayad tukdo mein aage bech diya gaya hoga" Raj ne likha.
"Ek aakhri sawal" Maine puchha, "20 saal se Sharma yahan kyun pada tha ye bataya usne? I mean vo kabka ja sakta tha yahan se"
"Funny Story" Raj ne kaha, "Saale ka visa hi nahi laga"
"What?" Mujhe jaise yakeen hi nahi hua.
"I know" Usne haste ue likha, "Uske bete aur biwi ko visa mil gaya par uski har koshish nakam rahi. Saale ne jab bhi apply kiya visa ke liye, reject ho gaya aur illegally vo yahan se nikalne ka khatra mol nahi le sakta tha"
"Strange" Main itna hi keh ska.
Tabhi Mrs. Rana ham dono ki taraf aate dikhi toh main uthkar khada ho gaya. Unhone bhi Raj ki tarah mera shukriya ada kiya aur kabhi bhi zaroorat padne par unhein phone karne ki takeed di.
"Aapne yahan jo pata kiya, Sharma ke saath kya hua, I guess ye aap raaz hi rakhenge. Kahin iski koi report bana kar chhapenge nahi. Ye baat 20 saal se ek raaz thi , aage bhi ek raaz hi bani rahi" Maine ijazat maangi toh unhone bade serious andaaz mein kaha.
"You have my word" Maine kaha aur palat kar vaapis guest house ki taraf chala.
"Ek baat aur" Pichhe se unhone phir aawaz di, "Ummeed kar rahi hoon ke aap apni shaadi mein bulana nahi bhoolenge mujhe"
"Bhoolne ka sawal hi paida nahi hota Madam" Maine haskar kaha.
"Thanks Negi Bhai" Maine muskura kar jawab diya.
"Par sir aapko pata kaise chala?"
"Jaisa ke maine kaha, pata nahi chalta agar Sharma khud galti nahi karta toh. Jaisa ke maine kaha, Criminal kitna bhi shaatir kyun na ho, koi na koi galti karta zaroor hai. Sharma ki 2 major galtiyan thi"
"Kya?"
"Uski pehli aur sabse badi galti tha Aadesh. Jis tarah usne 20 saal pehle Kanha ko mara tha usi tarah usne agar Aadesh ka bhi patta saaf kar diya hota toh case mein kahin koi lose end na bachta. Uska sabse bada plus point tha ke is saare mamle ka investigating officer vahi tha. Ek tarah se vo apne aapko hi dhoondne ka natak kar raha tha jabke asliyat mein vo saare saboot mita raha tha jo uski taraf ishara karte the. Uski galti ye thi ke usne sahi waqt par Aadesh ko zinda rehne diya aur galat waqt par use maar diya"
"Aur doosri galti Sir?"
"Doosri galti thi ke waqt ke saath saath vo dheere dheere laparvah ho gaya. Use laga ke case khatam ho gaya hai, koi ab use dhoondhne aayega nahi, sab baat bhool chuke hain. Shaatir toh vo poora tha. Usne Kanha ko maarne ke baad uske jism se goli nikal li thi kyunki jo goli usne Kanha par chalayi vo uske service reolver se chali thi. Agar galti se investigation kisi aur ko chali jaati toh vo us goli ko Sharma ke saath jod sakta tha isliye ye chance Sharma ne liya nahi. Vo heera churane ke baad bhi kaafi time tak vo khamosh hi betha raha, bilkul zahir nahi hone diya ke kitna paisa hai uske paas. Apne bete ko bahar bheja bhi toh student loan lekar par jaise jaise waqt guzarta gaya, uska confidence badh gaya aur saath saath hi laparvahi bhi. Ravi ke gayab hone ke 7 saal baad usne paisa bahar apne bete ke paas bhijva diya jiske boote par England mein ek ghar le liya aur uske bete ne ek achha khasa business vahan set kar liya"
"Ye aapko pata kaise chala Sir?"
"Zahir si baat hai ke itna paisa legally toh vo bahar bhej nahi sakta tha, obviously kisi Hawala wale ke through hi bhijvaya hoga aur itni moti rakam trasfer karne wale kam hi hote hain aur jo karte hain vo records bhi rakhte hain. Kuchh hain meri pehchan mein. Maine naam bataya toh pata chal gaya ke kab Sharma ne kis hawala wale ke through bahar kitna paisa bhijvaya tha."
"Par Sir vo yahan se gaya kyun nahi itne waqt tak? 20 saal se yahan kyun pada hai?"
"Iska jawab toh Sharma hi de sakta hai vaise ab vo jaane ke plan mein tha. Agle mahine ki London ki flight ticket book karayi hui thi usne"
Maine Kamini ko ishare se paani ke liye kaha. Usne ek glass mein pani nikala aur sahara dekar mujhe pani pilaya.
"Sunanda ke baare mein kaise pata chala? How did you know my uncle killed her?" Is baar Sawal Raj ne kiya. Vo abhi bhi usi paper pe likh kar mujhse puchh raha tha aur mere lip read karte hue saari baat samajh raha tha.
Maine use Ravi ke ghar se mili tasveer ke baare mein poori kahani batayi.
"Actually toh aapke uncle ke khilaff mere paas koi khaas saboot nahi tha aur vahi saboot dhoondhne main unke ghar mein ghusa tha. Tab tak main yahi samajh raha tha ke aapke uncle ne Ravi ko maara ho sakta hai par us din baar baar vo yahi bolte rahe ke Ravi ko unhone nahi maara tab mera maatha thanka. Mujhe lag raha tha ke Sharma ne heera churaya hai par jab Pratap Rana ji ne Ravi ke khoon se inkaar kar diya toh poori kahani mere dimag mein saaf hui. Aur agar aap dekho toh ye ek confusing part bhi tha kyunki main shuru se yahi samajh raha tha ke Sunanda aur Ravi Sahab ka gayab hona were connected par aisa tha nahi. These were two different cases altogether"
"You deserve every bit of the fame that you have" Raj ne likha.
"Thanks but trust me, Sharma agar apne paon par kulhadi na maarta toh shayad mamla sulajhta nahi. Us din main aur Kamini Aadesh se milne gaye toh vo ghabra gaya. Sharma ko baar baar phone karne laga aur usse bachne ke liye Sharma ne use milne ke liye Solan bulaya aur maar dala"
Mujhe hospital se discharge hone mein 4 din aur lag gaye. Is dauran Kamini poora waqt mere saath hi rahi aur Negi bhi lagbhag roz hi milne aata raha. Raj phone karke haal puchhta rehta tha par Mrs. Rana se uske baad meri baat ho nahi paayi. Maine papers check kiye toh usmein kahin bhi is case se related koi news nahi thi. Negi se puchha toh pata chala ke Sharma ab tak Mrs, Rana ki hi hirasat mein hai, police ne toh ab tak use arrest kiya hi nahi tha.
Case resolve ho chuka tha aur mera kaam khatam. Hospital se discharge hone ke agle hi din maine Delhi vaapis jaane ke plan bana liya tha. Mere account mein ek bhaari amount transfer ho chuki thi, jitni mere aur Mrs. Rana ke beech decide hui thi usse kahin zyada.
Jis din maine Delhi vaapis aana tha us din subah main Mrs. Rana aur Raj se milne gaya, Goodbyes kehne ke liye. Raj vahin lawn mein betha dhoop senk raha tha. Main uske saamne jakar beth gaya.
"I wanted to say thank you for bringing this matter to an end. Please know that agar zindagi mein kabhi bhi koi bhi zaroorat pade toh mujhe sirf ek phone kar dena. We are highly in your debt kyunki tumne ek bahut bade sawal ka jawab hamein diya hai. Ravi toh ab vaapis aa nahi sakta par tasalli hai ke uske gunahgaar ko aakhir saza ho hi gayi" Raj ne laptop par type kiya.
"About that" Uski baat padhkar maine puchha, "I didnt see any news related to Sharma's arrest. Hai kahan vo?"
"I shudnt be telling you this but I guess you deserve to know. He is dead. I killed him" Raj ne likha.
Main janta tha ke is baare mein main jitna kam puchhun ya jaanun utna hi mere liya achha hai isliye maine aage na kuchh is baat par puchha aur na hi koi comment kiya.
"Did you speak to him?" Maine kaha.
"Yes I did" Raj ne jawab diya, "And you were right. Ravi yahan se nikalna chahta tha aur usne chori chhupe apne aur Kanha dono ke liye American Visa ka arrangement kara liya tha. Paise bhi usne ek taraf rakh liye the par obviously jis tarah ki lifestyle ki aadat thi use , uske liye 15 crore bhi kam the aur yahi vajah thi ke vo us heere ke chakkar mein pada. Aadesh had a crush on Ravi par Ravi and Kanha were in a relationship jiski vajah se Aadesh ko kaafi dikkat thi. Ravi aur Kanha ke yahan se America jaane ki baat Aadesh janta tha. Vo aadmi jisne heera churaya tha Delhi mein vo Aadesh ka kaafi kareebi tha aur usne hi Aadesh ko bataya ke vo ek chori ke heere ke liye kharidaar dhoondh raha hai. Aadesh ne ye baat Ravi ko batayi aur Ravi ne haan keh di. Aage Ravi heera kise bechne wala tha ye baat uski maut ke saath hi chali gayi kyunki iska pata Aadesh ko bhi nahi tha. Ravi ne heera kharida aur is saare kaam ko cordinate kiya Aadesh ne jiske liye Ravi ne use kuchh paise diye. Yahan tak Sharma ka koi involvement nahi tha par uske baad Shimla mein Aadesh us underage case mein involve ho gaya aur tab usne Sharma ko heere ka bata diya. sharma apne bete ko bahar bhejne ke chakkar mein tha aur use laga ke is baat par vo Ravi se kuchh paise kaat sakta hai. Aadesh ne Ravi ko jhooth bola ke police chhan-been karti hui jaan gayi hai ke heera Ravi ke paas hai aur Sharma usse milna chahta hai. Is saare waqt heera Aadesh ke paas hi rakha hua tha chhupa kar. Ravi ye baat sun kar baukhla gaya aur isi liye us din uska Dad ke saath jhagda hua kyunki vo jaldi se jaldi yahan se bhaag jana chahta tha. Dad ne use jaaydad mein hissa dene se inkaar kar diya aur is baat se kilsa hua Ravi us shaam ghar se nikla aur Aadesh ke saath Shimla aaya. Aadesh ke ghar par Sharma already maujood tha aur jab usne Ravi ko blackmail karne ki koshish ki toh Ravi bhadak pada which I can understand. I mean all our lives we have had cops in our pockets, aaj tak kisi policewale ki himmat nahi padi ke hamare saamne munh khole aur us waqt Sharma Ravi ko blackmail karne ki koshish kar raha tha. Ravi samajh gaya ke Aadesh ne jhooth bola aur ye saari uski aur Sharma ki mili bhagat thi. Gusse mein vo already tha, is baat ne aag mein ghee ke kaam kiya. Usne Aadesh par hamla kiya aur is saari haatha paayi mein Sharma aur Aadesh ne milkar uski jaan le li. Uske baad un logon ne uski body ko jungle mein le jakar jala diya aur Sharma is case ka investigating officer bankar sabki aankhon mein dhool jhonkta raha aur saboot mitata raha. Kanha ko usne mara tha kyunki Kanha heere ke baare mein janta tha. Iske baad 5 saal tak vo heera liye chup chap betha raha, kisi ko bhanak tak nahi padne di. 5 saal baad Ravi ki gumshudgi ek raaz bankar reh gayi aur log heere ke baare mein bhi bhool gaye tab Sharma ne apne ek contact ke zariye Mumbai mein kisi mafia ko contact kiya which is not surprising considering ke vo ek policewala tha aur criminals contacts aasanii se nikal sakta tha. Vo heera usne kifi mafia sargana ko 25 crore mein becha aur paisa hawala ke through desh se bahar nikal diya"
"Heere ka kya hua phir?" Maine puchha.
"Who knows? Chori ka heera tha. Kaat kar shayad tukdo mein aage bech diya gaya hoga" Raj ne likha.
"Ek aakhri sawal" Maine puchha, "20 saal se Sharma yahan kyun pada tha ye bataya usne? I mean vo kabka ja sakta tha yahan se"
"Funny Story" Raj ne kaha, "Saale ka visa hi nahi laga"
"What?" Mujhe jaise yakeen hi nahi hua.
"I know" Usne haste ue likha, "Uske bete aur biwi ko visa mil gaya par uski har koshish nakam rahi. Saale ne jab bhi apply kiya visa ke liye, reject ho gaya aur illegally vo yahan se nikalne ka khatra mol nahi le sakta tha"
"Strange" Main itna hi keh ska.
Tabhi Mrs. Rana ham dono ki taraf aate dikhi toh main uthkar khada ho gaya. Unhone bhi Raj ki tarah mera shukriya ada kiya aur kabhi bhi zaroorat padne par unhein phone karne ki takeed di.
"Aapne yahan jo pata kiya, Sharma ke saath kya hua, I guess ye aap raaz hi rakhenge. Kahin iski koi report bana kar chhapenge nahi. Ye baat 20 saal se ek raaz thi , aage bhi ek raaz hi bani rahi" Maine ijazat maangi toh unhone bade serious andaaz mein kaha.
"You have my word" Maine kaha aur palat kar vaapis guest house ki taraf chala.
"Ek baat aur" Pichhe se unhone phir aawaz di, "Ummeed kar rahi hoon ke aap apni shaadi mein bulana nahi bhoolenge mujhe"
"Bhoolne ka sawal hi paida nahi hota Madam" Maine haskar kaha.
Final cheptr - Raqeeb...ek last update aaye ga aur story khatam any questoin pleas tell me everyone @monimona_1990 @sohaa @Hoorain @Mahen @whiteros @NiRaaLi_Man0 @Lost Passenger @SoHnI KuRi